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Annual

INSTITUTE ON

LAKE
LAKE SUPERIOR GEOLOGY
CABLE, WISCONSIN
WISCONSIN
CABLE,

19,1996
MAY 15 --19,
1996

'''''I

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I/I/I/I
1I/II

'I I I I I / I / / I

PROCEEDINGS VOLUME
VOLUME 42

1--PROGRAM
PART 1
PROGRAMAND
ANDABSTRACTS
ABSTRACTS

�42ND ANNUAL
ANNUAL MEETING
MEETING
42ND

INSTITUTE ON LAKE SUPERIOR GEOLOGY
GEOLOGY

Volume 42 consists
consists of:
Program and
and Abstracts
Abstracts
Part 1: Program

Part
Suffide Deposits
Deposits of
of Northern
Northern
Part 2: Volcanogemc
Volcanogenic Massive Sulfide
Wisconsin:
Wisconsin: A Commemorative Volume
Field Trip Guidebook
Part 3: Field
1.
Glacial geology of western Wisconsin
1. Glacial

2. Geology
Monodine:
Geology of
of the Montreal River Monocline:
through 25 km of the crust
A traverse through
4. Early
Early to
to Middle
Middle Proterozoic
Proterozoic geology of the Lake
Namekagon region
5. Lake
Lake Namekagon and Penokee Gap areas, west
Gogebic Range, Wisconsin

Reference to material in this volume should
should follow
follow the example below.
Darrah,
K. S.,
5., Holm,
Darrah, K.
Hoim, D. K., Dahl,
Dahi, P.
P. 5.,
S.,and
and Lux,
Lux, D.
D. R.,
R.,1996,
1996,Petrographic
Petrographicand
and thermobarometric
thermobarometric
metamorphosed Little
Formation, central
central Minnesota,
Minnesota, with
with implications
implications for
for
Little Falls Formation,
analysis of the metamorphosed
Early Proterozoic tectonism [abstract]; Institute on Lake Superior Geology Proceedings, 42nd
Annual Meeting,
v. 42, part
part 1,
I, p. 1010 -11.
11.
Annual
Meeting,Cable,
Cable,WI,
WI,1996;
1996; v.

Published
Published and
and distributed
distributedby
bythe
theInstitute
Instituteon
onLake
Lake Superior
Superior Geology
Mark Jirsa, Secretary-Treasurer
Minnesota Geological Survey
2642 University
University Avenue
2642
St.
MN 55114-1057
55114-1057 USA
St. Paul, MN
ISSN 1042-9964
1042-9964

�INSTITUTE ON LAKE SUPERIOR GEOLOGY
42ND ANNUAL MEETING
MAY 15 - 19, 1996
CABLE, WISCONSIN
CABLE,
SPONSORED BY:
SPONSORED
BY:
U. S.
S. GEOLOGICAL
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
SURVEY
AND
UNIVERSITY
OF WISCONSIN
WISCONSIN - OSHKOSH
UNIVERSITY OF

PROCEEDINGS
PROCEEDING S

VOLUME 42
1----PROGRAM
PART 1
PROGRAMAND
AND ABSTRACTS
ABSTRACTS

EDITORS:
LAURELG.
G. WOODRUFF,
WOODRUFF, U.
U. S. GEOLOGICAL
SURvEY,ST.
ST.PAUL,
PAUL,MN
MN
GEOLOCICAL SURVEY,
LAUREL
SUZANNE W. NICHOLSON,
NICHOLSON, U.
U. S.S.GEOLOGICAL
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY,
SURVEY,RESTON,
RESTON,VA
VA

�CONTENTS

Part 1
Program and Abstracts

Institutes
onLake
Lake Superior
SuperiorGeology
Geology to
to 1996
1996
Institutes on
onLake
Lake Superior
Superior Geology
Geology
Constitution
of the
the Institute
Instituteon
Constitution of

i

ii

Institute on
on Lake
Lake Superior
Superior Geology
Geology
By-Laws of the Institute

iii
.iii

and Field
Field Trip
Trip Guidebooks
Guidebooks
Index of Proceedings
Proceedings Volumes
Volumes and

.iv
iv

Award Guidelines
Guidelinesfor
for Sam
Sam Goldich
Goldich Medal
Medal
Award

ix

Board of Directors

x

Local
Local Committees

xX

Student Paper Committee

xi

Session Chairs

xi

Goldich Medal Committee

xi

1996
1996 Goldich
Goldich Medal Recipient

xii

Past Goldich
Goldich Medalists

xii

Banquet Speaker

xii

1996
1996 Goldich
Goldich Medal Recipient Citation

xiii

Student Travel Award

xv

Chair of
of the 41st Annual Institute
Report of the Chair

xvi

Calendar of Events and Program

xxi

Abstracts

11

�ON LAKE
LAKE SUPERIOR GEOLOGY
INSTITUTES ON
GEOLOGY
INSTITUTE
DATE
INSTITUTENUMBER
NUMBER DATE

11

1955
1956
1956
1957
1958
1959
1959
1960
1960
1961
1961
1962
1963
1963
1964
1965
1966
1966
1967
1968
1969
1969
1970
1971
1972

2
3
4
55

6
77
8
99

10
11
12

13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22

23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30

31
32
33
34

35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42

1973
'---1973
1974

L-1975
L--l975
L—1976
1...---1976
1977
L—
L--

~

c_
—

1978
1978
1979
1980
1980

L-1981
t.&lt;1981
1982
1983
— 1983
&lt;.--1.984
-1984
1985
1985
L __

t—1986
v--1986

t 1987

1987
\.--1988
1988
1989
1989
1990
1990
1991
1991
1992
1992
1993
1994
1994
1995
1995
1996

PLACE

Minneapolis, Minnesota
Houghton, Michigan
East Lansing, Michigan
Duluth, Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Madison, Wisconsin
Port Arthur, Ontario
Houghton, Michigan
Michigan
Duluth, Minnesota
Ishpeming, Michigan
St.
St. Paul,
Paul, Minnesota
Ste. Marie,
Marie, Michigan
Sault Ste.
East Lansing, Michigan
Superior, Wisconsin
Oshkosh, Wisconsin
Thunder Bay,
Thunder
Bay, Ontario
Duluth, Minnesota
Houghton, Michigan
Madison, Wisconsin
Ste. Marie,
Marie, Ontario
Ontario
Sault Ste.
Marquette, Michigan
St. Paul, Minnesota
St.
Thunder Bay,
Thunder
Bay, Ontario
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Duluth, Minnesota
Eau Claire, Wisconsin
East Lansing, Michigan
International Falls, Minnesota
Houghton, Michigan
Michigan
Wausau, Wisconsin
Kenora, Ontario
Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin
Wawa, Ontario
Marquette, Michigan
Duluth, Minnesota
Thunder
Thunder Bay,
Bay, Ontario
Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Hurley, Wisconsin
Eveleth, Minnesota
Houghton, Michigan
Marathon, Ontario
Cable, Wisconsin

CHAIRMAN

CE. Dutton
C.E.
Dutton
A.K.
Sneigrove
AK. Snelgrove
B.T. Sandefur
B.T.
Sandefur
RW. Marsden
G.M.
G.M. Schwartz
Schwartz &amp;
&amp; C.
C. Craddock
Craddock
E.N.
Cameron
E.N. Cameron
E.G. Pye
A.K.
Sneigrove
AK. Snelgrove
H. Lepp
A.T. Broderick
AT.
P.K.
P.K. Sims
Sims &amp;
&amp; R.K.
R.K.Hogberg
Hogberg
R.W.
White
RW. White
W.J. Hinze
Hinze
W.J.
A.B.
A.B. Dickas
LaBerge
G.L. laBerge
&amp; E. Mercy
M.W. Bartley &amp;
D.M.
D.M. Davidson
J.
J. Kalliokoski
M.E.
Ostrom
M.E.Ostrom
P.E. Giblin
J.D. Hughes
Hughes
J.D.
M. Walton
M.M. Kehlenbeck
Kehienbeck
G. Mursky
D.M.
Davidson
D.M. Davidson
P.E. Meyers
W.C.
Cambray
W.C Cambray
D.L.
D.L. Southwick
Southwick
T.}. Bornhorst
T.J.
G.L
G.L. LaBerge
laBerge
C.E. Blackburn
CE.
J.K.
Greenberg
J.K. Greenberg
E.D. Frey
Frey &amp;
&amp; R.P.
R.P. Sage
E.D.
}.S.Klasner
1.
S. Kiasner
J.C.
J.C Green
M.M.
Kehienbeck
M.M. Keh1enbeck
P.E.
Meyers
P.E.
A.B. Dickas
AB.
D.L.
Southwick
D.L. Southwick
T.J. Bornhorst
Bornhorst
T.J.
M.C.
M.e. Smyk
L.G. Woodruff
L.G.
Woodruff

�__________

CONSTITUTION
OFTHE
THE INSTITUTE
INSTITUTE ON
ON LAKE
LAKE SUPERIOR GEOLOGY
GEOLOGY
CONSTITUTION OF

Article I

Name
~
on Lake
Lake Superior Geology'.
Geology".
The name of the organization shall be the "Institute
'Institute on

Article II

Objecti yes
Objectives
The objectives of this organization
organization are:

A. To
A.
Toprovide
provideaameans
meanswhereby
wherebygeologists
geologists in
in the
the Great
Great Lakes
Lakes region may exchange
exchange
ideas and
and scientific
scientific data.
B. To promote better understanding
Lake Superior
Superior region.
region.
understanding of
of the
the geology of the Lake
C. To plan and conduct
conduct geological
geological field trips.
Article III

Status
~

No part of
shall insure
insure to
to the
the benefit of any member or
of the
the income
income of the organization
organization shall
individual. In
In the
theevent
eventof
of dissolution
dissolution the assets of
of the
the organization
organization shall
shall be
be distributed
distributed
organization).
to
(some tax free organization).

(To avoid
avoid Federal
taxes, the
the organization
organization should
should be not
(To
Federal and
and State
State income
income taxes,
not only
only
"scientific"
butalso
also "non-profit".)
"non-profit".)
"scientific" or
or "educational,
'educational, but
290.Q1, subd.
subd. 44
Minn. Stat. Anno.
Anno. 290.01,
Minn. Stat.
Stat. Anno.
Anno.290.05(9)
290.05(9)
1954
RevenueCode
Codes.501(c)(3)
s.501(c)(3)
1954 Internal
Internal Revenue
IV
Article [V

Membership
of the
the organization shall consist of the
The membership of
the board.
board.of
ofdirectors;
directors. Any geologist
interested shall be permitted to attend and participate in and vote at the
the annual
annual meetings.
meetings.

Article V

Meetings
The organization shall
year, preferably
preferably during
during the
the month of April.
April. The
shall meet once aa year,
The place
place
and exact
exact date
date of
of each meeting will be designated by the board of directors.

Article VI
VI

Directors

The board of
of directors
directors shall
shall consist
consist of the Chairman,
Chairman, Secretary-Treasurer,
Secretary-Treasurer, and the last
last

three past Chairmen;
but ifif the
board should
should at any time
of fewer
than five
three
Chairmen; but
the board
time consist
consist of
fewer than
five
or inability
inability of
of any
any of
of the
the above
above persons
persons to
to serve as
as
persons, by reason of unwillingness
unwillingness or
directors, the
the vacancies
vacancies on the board may be filled
filled by the annual meeting
meeting so
so as
as to
to bring
bring
the membership of
of the
the board up
up to
to five
five members.
Artide VII
Article
VII

Officers
The officers of this
this organization shall be a Chairman
Chairman and Secretary-Treasurer.

A. The
A.
TheChairman
Chairmanshall
shallbe
beelected
elected each
each year
year by
by the board of directors, who shall give due
consideration to
to the
the wishes
wishes of
of any
any group
group that
that may
may be
be promoting
promoting the
the next
next annual
annual
consideration
meeting. His
will terminate
terminate at
at the close
close of
of the
the ann.ual
annual
meeting.
His term
term of
of office
office as Chairman
Chairman will
meeting over which he presides or when his
his successor
successor shall have been
been appointed.
appointed.
He will then serve for a period of three years as a member of the board
board of
of directors.
directors.
B. The
The Secretary-Treasurer
Secretary-Treasurershall
shallbe
beelected
electedatatthe
theannual
annual meeting.
meeting. His
His term
term of
of office
office
be two years or until his
his successor
successor shall
shall have
have been
beenappointed.
appointed.
shall be

11
ii

�Article VIII
VIII

Amendments
of those
those persons
persons who
who are
are personally
This constitution may
may be
be amended
amended by
by a majority vote of
present
the organization.
organization.
present at,
at, participating
participating in,
in, and
and voting
voting at
at any annual meeting of the

BY-LAWS
I.

Duties of the Officers
Qfficers and Directors
Directors
duty of
of the
the Annual
Annual Chairman
Chairman to:
to:
A. It shall be the duty

1. Preside
1.
Presideat
atthe
the annual
annual meeting.
meeting.
2. Appoint
2.
Appointall
allcommittees
committees needed
needed for
for the
the organization of the annual meeting.
3. Assume
Assumecomplete
completeresponsibility
responsibility for
for the
the organization and financing
financing of the annual
meeting over
over which
which he
he presides.
presides.
meeting
B.

It shall be the duty
duty of
of the
the Secretary-Treasurer
Secretary-Treasurer to:
to:

1. Keep
1.
Keep accurate
accurateattendance
attendancerecords
recordsof
ofall
all annual
annual meetings.
meetings.
2. Keep
and correspondence between, the board
2.
Keep accurate
accurate records
records of
of all
all meetings
meetings of, and
of directors.
3. Hold
Holdall
allfunds
fundsthat
thatmay
mayaccrue
accrueas
as profits
profits from
from annual meetings
meetings or
or field
field trips
trips and
and
to
and operation
operation of
of future
to make
make these
these funds
funds available
available for
for the organization
organization and
meetings as required.

to plan locations
locations of
of annual
annual meetings
meetings and
C. It shall be the duty of the board of directors to
to advise on the
organization
and
financing
of
all
meetings.
the organization and financing of all
II.

and Expenses
Expenses
Duties and
1.
2.

III.

There shall be no regular membership dues.

Registration
for the
the annual
annual meetings
shall be
be determined
determined by
by the
the Chainnan
Chairman in
Registration fees
fees for
meetings shall
consultation with the board of directors.
directors. ItIt is
is strongly
strongly recommended
recommended that these be
kept at a minimum to encourage attendance of
of graduate
graduate students.
students.

Rules of Order
The rules contained in
in Robert's
Robert's Rules
Rules of Order shall govern this
this organization
organization in
in all
all cases
cases
to which they are applicable.

IV.

Amendments

These by-laws may be amended by
those persons
persons who are personally
by a majority
majority vote of those

present at, participating
present
participating in, and voting
voting at
at any
any annual
annual meeting
meeting of
of the
the organization;
organization;
with the
the constitution
constitution as
as presently
provided that
that such
such modifications
modifications shall
shall not conflict
conflict with
presently
adopted
adopted or
or subsequently
subsequently amended.

111
iii

�AND FIELD
FIELDTRIP
TRIP GUIDEBOOKS
GUIDEBOOKS
INDEX OF PROCEEDINGS VOLUMES
VOLUMES AND
OF THE INSTITUTE ON LAKE SUPERIOR GEOLOGY
GEOLOGY

1955-1996
Compiled
by Mark
MarkJirsa,
Jirsa, Secretary-Treasurer,
Secretary-Treasurer,LLSG
ILSG
Compiled by

** Denotes abstracts volumes and
and guidebooks
guidebooks which
which can
can be ordered
ordered from
from the
the Secretary-Treasurer.
Secretary-Treasurer.
2642 University
UniversityAvenue,
Avenue,St.
St.Paul,
Pau"MN,
MN,55114-1057,
55114-1057,Phone:
Phone:(612)-627-4539,
(612)-627-4539,fax:
fax:612-627-4778,
612-627-4778,
jirsaOO1@maroon.tc.umn.edu
e-mail: jirsa001@maroon.tc.umn.edu

as author,
author, editor,
editor, chairperson,
chairperson, and
and sponsoring
sponsoring organization
A complete list containing such information as
maintained by
erson Spence, archivist at
byMs.
Ms.Theresa
TheresaSand
Sanderson
at the
the J. Robert Van Pelt Library, Michigan
is maintained
Photocopiesof
ofback
backvolumes
volumes can
can be
be
Technological University,
University, Houghton,
Houghton,MI
MI49931
49931 (906-487-2505).
(906-487-2505). Photocopies
ordered from
copy rate.
rate. Some guidebooks
guidebooks were published
ordered
from Ms.
Ms. Sanderson
Sanderson Spence at the prevailing copy
separately by
and Wisconsin
Wisconsin Geological
Geologicaland
and Natural History
separately
by the
theMinnesota
MinnesotaGeological
Geological Survey
Survey (MGS),
(MGS), and
History
Survey (WGNHS), as indicated
indicated below;
below; however, most are no longer available.

(Each italicized item is aa separate bound document)
LOCATION
1
1955
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA
Program
Abstracts(contains
(contains no
no record
record of
of field
field trips)
Program and Abstracts
HOUGHTON, MICHIGAN
2
1956
Program and Abstracts
Geological
GeologicalExploration
Exploration(inferred
(inferred to
tobe
beaa field
field guide)
guide)
3
1957
EAST
EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN
Program and Abstracts
4
1958
DULUTH, MINNESOTA
Program and Abstracts
Abstracts
55
1959
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA
Program and Abstracts
6
1960
MADISON, WISCONSIN
Program and Abstracts
7
PORT ARTHUR, ONTARIO
1961
Program
ted label reads
reads 6th annual meeting)
Program and
and Abstracts
Abstracts(misprin
(misprinted
8
1962
HOUGHTON, MICHIGAN
Program and Abstracts
9
1963
DULUTH, MINNESOTA
Program and Abstracts
Itinerary: Stratigraphy
Stratigraphyofofthe
theBiwabik
Biwabik Iron
Iron Formation
Formation
Field Itinerary:
10
1964
ISHPEMING, MICHIGAN
Program and Abstracts
Abstracts
Field Trip: Marquette iron-mining
iron-mining district
district and
and Republic
Republic trough
11
1965
ST. PAUL,
PAUL, MINNESOTA
Program and Abstracts
Gaud granite district, central Minnesota
Field Trip Guide to the St. Cloud

VOL. YEAR
YOL,
YEAR

12

1966

SAULT STE. MARIE, ONTARIO

Program and
and Abstracts
Abstractsincludes
includesfield
field guides to:
Regional geology
geologyof
ofthe
theSault
SaultSte.
Ste. Marie
Marie area
area
1. Regional
2.
2. Geology
Geology and
and mineral
mineral deposits
deposits of
of the
the Manitouwadge
Manitouwadge Lake
Lake area, Ontario
3. The
River area,
area, Ontario
Ontario
3.
The relationship
relationship of
of mineralization
mineralization to
to the Precambrian stratigraphy, Blind River
4. Sudbury
Sudbury nickel
nickel irruptive
irruptive tour,
tour, Ontario
Ontario
4.

iv

�13
14

15

16

17
17

18

19

1967
EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN
Program and Abstracts
.
Field Trip: Grenville Province of
of southeastern Ontario, Bancroft-Madoc
Bancroft-Madoc area
area
1968
SUPERIOR, WISCONSIN
Technical Sessions and Abstracts
Guide for Field
Field Trip
Trip in the Duluth
Minnesota
Guidefor
Duluth Complex
Complex near Ely,
Ely, Minnesota
1969
OSHKOSH, WISCONSIN
Technical Sessions
Sessions and
and Abstracts
Technical
Guidebook: Central Wisconsin
Wisconsin volcanic
volcanic belt
belt
Guidebook:
1970
THUNDER
BAY, ONTARIO
THUNDER BAY,
Technical Sessions, Abstracts and
and Field
Field Guides Field trips:
A.
Proterozoic formations
formations in
in the
the Thunder
ThunderBay
Bay area
A. Proterozoic
B.
Sturgeon River metavolcanic-metasedimentary formations in the Beardmore-Geraldton area
B. Sturgeon
C. The
The Port
PortCoidwell
Coldwell alkalic
alkalic complex
complex
D. Geology
D.
Geology of
of the
the Atikokan
Atikokan area
area (title
(title not
not exact)
exact)
1971
DULUTH, MINNESOTA
Technical Sessions,
Sessions, Abstracts and Field
Field Guides Field trips:
A.
A. North
NorthShore
ShoreVolcanic
Volcanic Group
Group
B. Precambrian
Precambrian rocks
rocks of
of northwestern
northwestern Cook
Cook County
County as
as exposed along the Gunflint Trail
B.
C. Mesabi
C.
Mesabi Range
Range magnetite
magnetite taconite
taconite
D.
D. Geology
Geology of
of the
the Vermilion
Vennilion metavolcanic-metasedimentary
metavolcanic-metasedimentary belt, northeastern Minnesota
1972
HOUGHTON, MICHIGAN
Part
Part I.1. Technical
Technical Sessions-Agenda
Sessions-Agenda and Abstracts (describes
(describes trips A-D)
Field Trips:
A. Penokean
A.
PenokeanOrogeny
Orogenyin
inthe
thecentral
centraland
andwestern
westernGogebic
Gogebic region,
region, Wisconsin
Wisconsin and Michigan
Michigan
B.
B. Guide to
to Penokean deformation style and regional metamorphism at the western Marquette
Marquette
Range, Michigan
1973
WISCONSIN
MADISON, WISCONSIN
Technical Program and
and Abstracts*
Abstracts"
Field Trip:
Field
Trip: Guidebook
Guidebook to the geology and
and mineral deposits of the
the central
central part of Jackson
Jackson County
County and
and
part
of
Clark
County,
Wisconsin
(WGNHS)
part of Clark County, Wisconsin (WGNHS)
Field
Trip:Guidebook
Guidebook to
to the
the Precambrian
Precambrian geology
geology of
ofnortheastern
northeastern and north-central
Field Trip:
north-eentral Wisconsin
Field
Trip:Guidebook
Guidebook to the upper
upper Mississippi
Field Trip:
Mississippi Valley
Valley base-metal district
district (WGNHS
(WGNHS Information
Information

circular No.
16)
circular
No. 16)

of Current
Research inin the
theLake
Lake Superior
Superior Region
Region
Bibliography of
Current Research
20
SAULT STE. MARIE,
MARIE, ONTARIO
1974
Field Trip 1:
1: Middle Keweenawan
Keweenawan rocks
rocks of
of the
the Batchawaria-Mamainse
Batchawana-Mamainse Point area
FieldTrip
Trip2:2: unknown
Field
Field Trip 3:
3: Precambrian igneous rocks
rocks of the north shore of Lake
Lake Huron
Huron region
Field Trip 4: Stratigraphy and
and sedimentation
sedimentation of
of the Huronian
Huronian Supergroup
Supergroup
Field
Trip5:5: The Michipicoten greenstone belt
Field Trip
Bibliography of Current
Current Research
Region (First
(First Supplement)
Supplement)
Research in the
the Lake
Lake Superior Region
21
1975
MARQUETFE,
MARQUETTE, MICHIGAN
Proceedings
Includes the following field trip guides and
and aa supplement
supplementby
by Burton
Burton Boyum
Boyum containing
containing aa color
color
map of the Marquette
Marquette Mineral
Mineral District:
District
1. Glacial
1.
Glacial geology (trip canceled, no guidebook)
2. Greenstone
2.
3. The
The Jacobsville
Jacobsville Sandstone:
Sandstone: Evidence
Evidence for a Lower-Middle Keweenawan age
4. Marquette
Marquette Iron
Iron Range
Range
5. and 6.
6. The
TheEmpire
EmpireMine
Mineand
andMill,
Mill,Palmer,
Palmer, Michigan
Michigan

vV

�22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

1976
ST. PAUL,
PAUL, MINNESOTA
Proceedings
Includes abstracts
abstracts and
and guide
guidetotoField
Field Trip
Trip BB
(no formal
formal guidebook
guidebook printed)
Field Trip A: Minnesota
Minnesota River
River Valley
Valley field conference (no
printed)
Field Trip B:
B: Engineering
Engineering and
and Pleistocene
Pleistocene geology in the Twin Cities area
1977
THUNDER BAY,
BAY, ONTARIO
THUNDER
Proceedings
Field
Field Trip
Trip AA Geology of the Coldwell alkaline Complex
Field Trip
Proterozoic rocks
rocks of
of the
the Thunder
Thunder Bay
Bay area, northwestern
northwestern Ontario
Ontario("Proterozoic
("ProterozoicTrip")
Trip")
Field
Trip BB Proterozoic
Field
TripCC Archean metallogeny and stratigraphy
Field Trip
stratigraphyof
ofthe
theSouth
South Sturgeon
SturgeonLake
Lake area
area ("Mattabi
("Mattabi Trip")
Trip")
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN
1978
MILWAUKEE,
Abstracts and
and Proceedings
Proceedings
Abstracts
Field
Trip II Southwestern
Field Trip
Trip Guide
Guide Book
Book Number
Number 1)
Field Trip
Southwestern Wisconsin
Wisconsin zinc-lead
zinc-lead district
district(WGNI-IS
(WGNHS Field
FieldTrip
TripIIII Mineral
Mineral extraction
extractionand
and processing
processingequipment
equipment manufacturers
manufacturers in the Greater Milwaukee
Field
area (no guidebook)
FieldTrip
TripIII
III Precambrian rhyolite and
Field
and granite
graniteinliers
inliersin
insouth-central
south-eentralWisconsin
Wisconsin(WGNI-IS
(WGNHS Field
Field Trip
Guide Book
Book Number 2)
1979
DULUTH, MINNESOTA
TechnicalSessions
Sessionsand
andAbstracts
AbstractsJoint
Joint meeting
meeting with
with North-Central
Technifal
North-eentral Section
SectionGSA.
GSA.
Field Trip Guidebooks: some
some were
were published
publishedseparately
separatelyas
as MGS
MGS Guidebook
Guidebook Series referenced
below, the remainder are apparently
apparently unavailable.
unavailable. AAtotal
total of
of eight
eight trips
trips were
were listed
listed in
in GSA
GSA
proceedings:
1. Middle
1.
Middle Precambrian
Precambrian volcanic
volcanic and plutonic
plutonic rocks
rocks of northern
northern Wisconsin
2. Stratigraphy,
Stratigraphy,structure
structureand
andmineral
mineralresources
resourcesofofeast-central
east-eentralMinnesota
Minnesota(MGS
(MGS Field
Field Trip
no.9)
9)
Guidebook Series
Series no.
3. Quaternary
3.
Quaternarygeology
geology of
of the Duluth area
4. Geology
4.
Geology of
of the
the Mesabi
Mesabi Iron Range
5. Geologic
Geologic history
history and
and engineering
engineeringgeology
geology of
of the
the western Lake-Superior
Lake-Superior region
6. Cambrian
6.
Cambrian and
and Ordovician
Ordovician stratigraphy
stratigraphy and
and paleontology
paleontology of southeastern Minnesota
7. Keweenawan
Keweenawan(Upper
(UpperPrecambrian)
Precambrian)North
NorthShore
ShoreVolcanic
VolcanicGroup,
Group,Minnesota
Minnesota(MGS
(MGS Field
Field Trip
Trip
Guidebook no.
11)
Guidebook
no. 11)
8. Archean
District, northeastern
northeastern
8.
Archean volcanism
volcanism and
and sedimentation
sedimentation of
of the
the western
western Vermilion District,
Minnesota
Guidebook Series
(MGS Guidebook
Series no. 10)
10)
Minnesota (MGS
1980
EAU
EAU CLAIRE,
CLAIRE, WISCONSIN
WISCONSIN
Proceedings and Abstracts
Trip 1
I Precambrian
Field Trip
Precambrian geology
geology of
of the Chippewa
Chippewa Valley,
Valley, Wisconsin
Field Trip 22 Precambrian
Precambriantectonic
tectonichistory
historyofofthe
theBlack
BlackRiver
River Valley
Valley
the Wausau
Wausau and Stettin syenite plutons,
Field Trip 3 Petrology, geochemistry, and contact relations of the
Central Wisconsin
Field
Trip44 Precambrian geology and tectonics of Marathon County, Wisconsin
Field Trip
EAST LANSING,
LANSING, MICHIGAN
1981
EAST
Abstracts and Proceedings
Proceedings
Field
Field Excursion
ExcursionGuide
GuideThe
TheHuronian
Huronian rocks
rocks between
between Sault
Sault Ste.
Ste. Marie
Marieand
and Thessalon,
Thessalon, District of
Algoma, Ontario
1982
INTERNATIONAL
INTERNATIONAL FALLS,
FALLS, MINNESOTA
Proceedings: Abstracts
Abstracts and
and Field
FieldTrips
Trips(in
(inone
one volume)
volume)
Proceedings:
Field Trip I Mineral
Mineral deposits
depositsof
ofthe
the Fort
Fort Frances-Mine
Frances-Mine Centre area, Ontario
Field Trip II Archean
Archean geology
geology of
of the
the International
International Falls-Kabetogama
Falls-Kabetogama area, Minnesota
1983
HOUGHTON, MICHIGAN
VolumeI:I: Abstracts
Abstracts and Field Trip -- Ropes gold mine and its
Volume
its geological setting
Volume
VolumeII:II: Field
Field guide
guide to the geology of the Keweenaw Peninsula

Vl
vi

�30

1984
WAUSAU, WISCONSIN
Abstracts
Field Trip I1 Guide to
Proterozoic rocks
rocks in
in northeastern
northeastern Wisconsin
to the
the geology
geology of the Early Proterozoic
Field Trip 22 Early Proterozoic tectonostratigraphic terranes
terranes of
of the
the southern
southern Lake
Lake Superior
Superior region
region
Field
Trip33 The
Field Trip
The Wausau
Wausau Syenite
Syenite Complex
31
1985
KENORA,
KEN ORA, ONTARIO
Abstracts
Field Trip Guidebook
Guidebook
1. The Cameron
1.
Cameron Lake
Lake Deposit
2. Geologic
Geologic setting
settingand
andstyle
styleof
ofgold
gold mineralization
mineralizationininthe
theLake
Lake of
of the
the Woods
Woods area
area
3. Geological
River subprovincial
subprovincial
Geological relationships
relationships in
in the
the vicinity
vicinity of the Wabigoon-Winnipeg
Wabigoon-Winnipeg River
interface in the Kenora area
4. A
A volcanic
volcanic facies
facies interpretation
interpretationof
ofthe
the Berry
Berry River
River Formation
5. Granitoid
Granitoid related
related mineralization
mineralization in
in the
the Dryden area
32
1986
WISCONSIN RAPIDS,
RAPIDS, WISCONSIN
Abstracts*
Abstracts·
Field
Field Trip
Trip[I The Wolf
and Baraboo
Baraboo interval
interval (published
(published as Field
Field Trip
Trip Guide Book
Wolf River Batholith and
Number
Number 12,
12, Wisconsin Geological and Natural History
History Survey)
Survey)
Field
TripIIII Penokean
Field Trip
Penokean deformation
deformationand
andmetamorphism
metamorphisminincentral
central Wisconsin:
Wisconsin: volcanic
volcanic rocks and
gneisses (published as un-numbered
un-numberedField
Field Trip
Trip Guide
Guide Book
Book of the Wisconsin
Geological and
and Natural History
Geological
History Survey)
Survey)
ia
~ (compiler note: new
newreference
referencedesignations
designationswere
wereadopted
adoptedtotoconform
conformto
to ISSN
ISSN standards
standardsin
in1987)
1987)
WAWA, ONTARIO
ONTARIO
33
1987
WAWA,
Part
Part 1:
1: *• Abstracts
Part
2:
and gold mineralization
Part 2: *• Geology of the Wawa area and
Part
Part 3:
3: *"" Geology and stratigraphy
stratigraphyof
of the
the Michipicoten
Michipicoten Iron-Formation
Iron-Formation
Part
Part 4:
4: *"" Geology of the Hemlo Deposit
Part
Part 5:
5: *"" The Kapuskasing Uplift:
Uplift: Archean
Archean greenstones and granulites
34
MARQUEITE, MICHIGAN
1988
MARQUETTE,
Part 1:
Part
1: *"" Abstracts
2: Field
Part 2:
Field Trip Guidebook
1. An
the Marquette
1.
An introduction
introductionto
to Archean
Archean geology
geology and precious
precious metal mineralization of the
Greenstone Belt,
Greenstone
Belt, Michigan
2. Marquette
Marquettemineral
mineraldistrict
districtofofMichigan,
Michigan, mining
mining history
history and
and geology
geology
partof
of the
the Penokean
Penokean orogen illustrating Early Proterozoic
3. A
A structural
structuraltraverse
traverseacross
acrossaa part
overthrusting in
overthrusting
in northern
northern Michigan
Michigan
35
DULUTH, MINNESOTA
1989
1: Abstracts
Part 1:
2: Field Trip Guidebook
Part 2:
1.
North Shore
Shore rhyolites,
rhyolites, Minnesota
Minnesota
1. North
2. Penokean
PenokeanStructural
StructuralTerranes
Terranesin
ineast-central
east-eentralMinnesota
Minnesota
3. Mellen
Mellen Complex,
Complex, Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Archean gold
gold occurrences
occurrences and
and their
their structural
structural settings
settings (Virginia
(Virginia Hom)
4. Archean
Horn)
36
1990
THUNDER
BAY, ONTARIO
THUNDER BAY,
Part 1: Abstracts
Part 2: Field Trip Guidebook
1. Mafic intrusions,
1.
intrusions, PGE
PGE mineralization,
mineralization, and
and granitoid
granitoidrocks
rocks of
of Lac
Lac des Illes
Illes area
Geology of
of the
the Shebandowan
Shebandowan and
andQuetico
Quetico Archean
Archean subprovinces
subprovinces
2. Geology
3. Granitoid-related
Granitoid-relatedmineral
mineraldeposits
depositsin
inthe
the western
westernLake
Lake Superior region
4. Base
4.
Base metal mineralization
mineralization in
in the
the Shebandowan
Shebandowan Greenstone
Greenstone Belt
Belt

vii
VB

�CLAIRE, WISCONSIN
WISCONSIN
1991
EAU CLAIRE,
Part
Part 1:
1: *"" Abstracts
Part 2:
2: *"" Field Trip Guidebook
1.
1. Mountain
Mountain Shear
Shear Zone
Zone --- a post Penokean discrete ductile
ductile deformation
deformation zone
Features and
andsignificance
significance of
of the
the Precambrian-Cambrian
Precambrian-&lt;:ambrian contact in western
2. Features
western Wisconsin
3. Proterozoic
Proterozoicvolcanogenic
volcanogenic massive
massivesulfide
sulfidedeposits
depositsof
ofNW
NW Wisconsin
Wisconsin
38
1992
HURLEY,
HURLEY, WISCONSIN
WISCONSIN
Part 1:
1: *"" Program and Abstracts
Abstracts
Part
Part 2:
2: *"" Field Trip Guidebook
1. Archean
Archean and
andEarly
EarlyProterozoic
Proterozoicgeology
geologyof
ofthe
the Gogebic
Gogebic District
District
2. Evolution
2.
Evolution of
of the Keweenawan sedimentary sequence
3. Geology
Geology of
of the
the Keweenawan Supergroup
Supergroup at
at Porcupine Mountains
4. Geology
late Archean
Archean paleosuture
paleosuture
Geologyof
of the
theGreat
GreatLakes
Lakes Tectonic
Tectonic Zone-Marquette area -- a late
39
1993
EVELETH,
EVELETH, MINNESOTA
MINNESOTA
Part
Part 1:
1: *"" Program and Abstracts
Abstracts
Part
Part 2:
2: *"" Field Trip Guidebook:
1. Geology
Geology and
and taconite
taconite mines
mines of
of the
the Mesabi
Mesabi range
2.
DNR Core Library
Library (Biwabik Iron
2. DNR
Iron Formation,
Formation, Partridge
Partridge River
Riverand
and South
South Kawishiwi
Kawishiwi intrusions,
intrusions,
Regolith in Rotasonic cores-northern Minnesota)
3. Geology
Geologyof
of Archean
Archean greenstone-granite
greenstone-graniteterrane:
terrane:Cook-Side
Cook-Side Lake
Lake area
area
Duluth Complex
Complex at Duluth
Duluth
4. Duluth
40
1994
HOUGHTON, MICHIGAN
Part 1:
1: *"" Program and Abstracts
Part
Part 2:
2: *"" Self-guided geological field
field trip to the Keweenaw Peninsula, Michigan (available from Dr.
T.]. Bornhorst,
402 Emerald
EmeraldStreet,
Street,Houghton,
Houghton,MI
MI49931-1413
49931-1413(906-482-5507))
(906-482-5507»
T.J.
Bomhorst, 402
Part 3: Volcanic
Volcanic geology
geology of
of eastern
easternIsle
IsleRoyale,
Royale, Michigan
Michigan
Part
Part 4:
4: *"" Michigan kimberlites and diamond
diamond exploration
exploration techniques
techniques
Part
Part 5:
5: *"" Lessons from mining
mining case
case histories: West
West Menominee Range, Michigan
Michigan
41
1995
MARATHON, ONTARIO
1995
Part 1.*
1. "" Program
Program and Abstracts
Abstracts
Part 2: Field
Field Trip
Trip Guidebooks
Guidebooks (some
(some may
may also
also be acquired from Ontario Geological Survey, Ministry
002,435
of Northern
Northern Development
Developmentand
andMines,
Mines,Field
FieldServices
Services Section,
Section, Suite
Suite B
B 002,
435 South James
Street, Thunder
ThunderBay,
Bay, Ontario
OntarioCanada,
Canada,P7E
P7E6E3,
6E3,Phone:
Phone:807-475-1331)
807-475-1331)
2a.*
2a. "" Alkalic
Alkalic rocks
rocks of the Midcontinent
Midcontinent Rift
Rift
2b.*
2b."" Geology and base metal deposits of the Manitouwadge Greenstone
Greenstone Belt
Belt
2c.
Schreiber Greenstone
Greenstone assemblage
assemblage and
and itit gold
gold and
and base metal mineralization
2e. *"" Geology of the Schreiber
2d.
2d. Geology
Geologyand
andgold
golddeposits
depositsof
of the
the Hemlo
HernIo area
2e.*
overburden, Wawa
2e. "" Kimberlite, base metal, and gold exploration using overburden,
Wawa area
area
CABLE,
WISCONSIN
1996
42
1996
CABLE, WISCONSIN
Part 1:
1: Program
Program and
and Abstracts
Abstracts
2: Volcanogenic
Volcanogenic Massive
Massive Sulfide Deposits
Part 2:
Deposits of
of Northern
Northern Wisconsin:
Wisconsin: A Commemorative Volume
(published
(published in
in conjunction
conjunction with
with Field
Field Trip
Trip 3 to the Flambeau
Flambeau Mine)
Mine)
Part 3:
3: Field
Field Trip Guidebook
1. Glacial
1.
Glacial geology
geology of western
western Wisconsin
Wisconsin
2. Geology
Geology of
of the
the Montreal
Montreal River
River Monocline:
Monocline: A
A traverse
traverse through
through25
25 km
km of
of crust
crust
4. Early
Early to
to Middle
Middle Proterozoic
Proterozoic geology
geology of
of the
the Lake
Lake Namekagon region
Lake Namekagon
Namekagonand
andPenokee
PenokeeGap
Gaparea,
area,west
westGogebic
Gogebic Range,
Range, Wisconsin
5. Lake
Future Meeting
Meeting Locations:
Locations:
1997
SUDBURY, ONTARIO
ONTARIO
43
1997
1998
KENORA,
44
1998
KEN ORA, ONTARIO
37
37

vu'
viii

�AWARD GUIDELINES
SAM GOLDICH
G0LDIcH MEDAL
SAM
MEDAL
Preamble
Lake Superior Geology was born
bom on or around 1955,
1955, as
The Institute on Lake
as documented
documented by
by the fact
fact that the
meeting was
was held
held in
in 1981.
1981. The
The Institutes
Institutes are
are exemplary
exemplary in
in their
their continuing
continuingobjectives
objectives of
of
27th
27th annual meeting
encouraging the
with those
those aspects
aspects of
of geology
geology that
that are
are related
related geographically to Lake Superior; of encouraging
dealing with
subjects and sponsoring
sponsoring field
field trips which will
will bring together geologists
geologists from
discussion of subjects
from academia,
academia,
government
government surveys,
surveys,and
andindustry;
industry;and
andof
ofmaintaining
maintainingan
an exceedingly
exceedingly informal but highly effective mode
of operation.
During the
the course
course of
of its
its existence
existence the membership
membership of
of the
the Institute
Institute (that
(that is,
is, those
those geologists
geologists who
who indicate
indicate
by attending)
attending) has
has become
become aware
aware of the fact
fact that certain of their
an interest
interest in
In the
the objectives
objectives of
of the
the I.L.S.G.
I.L.S.G. by
colleagues
contributions to
to the improvement of
colleagues have made particularly
particularly noteworthy and meritorious
meritorious contributions
understanding
of"Lake
"Lake Superior"
Superior" geology and its mineral deposits.
understanding of
The exemplary award
award was
wasmade
madeby
byI.L.S.G.
I.L.S.G. to
to Sam
Sam Goldich
Goldich in 1979
1979 for
to the
the
for his
his many contributions to
geology of the region extending
extending over
over about
about 50
50 years.

Award Guidelines
1)
1)

Directors to
to aa geologist whose name
The medal shall
shall be
be awarded
awardedannually
annuallyby
bythe
theI.L.S.G.
I.L.S.G. Board of Directors
with aa substantial
substantial interest
interest in,
in, or
or aa major
major contribution
contribution to,
to, the
the geology
geology of
of the
the Lake
Lake
is associated with
Superior region.
region.

2)

Directors, LL.S.G.
appointment
The Board of Directors,
LL.S.G.shall
shallappoint
appointthe
theNominating
NominatingCon::unittee.
Conmittee. The initial appointment

will be of three
one for
three members,
members, one to
to serve
serve for
for three
three years,
years, one
for two, and one
one for
for one
one year,
year, the
the
member with
with the
the briefest
briefest incumbency
incumbency to
to be
be chairman. After
After the
the first
first year
yearthe
theBoard
Boardof
ofDirectors
Directors
shall appoint
who will
will serve
serve for
forthree
three years.
years. In the third
appoint at
at each
each spring
spring meeting
meeting one new member
member who
year this
this member
member shall
shall be
be the
the chairman.
chairman. The
The Committee
Committee membership
membership should
should reflect
reflect the
the main
main fields
fields
of interest
and geographic
geographicdistribuhon
distributionofofI.L.S.G.
LL.S.G. membership.
membership.
interest and
3)

By
Committee shall
shall make
make its
its recommendation to the
By November 1,
I, the Goldich Medal Nominating Committee
the
Chairman of
Chairman
of the
the Board
Board of
of Directors
Directors who
who will
will then
then inform
inform the
the Board
Board of
of the nominee.
nominee.

4)

the Committee, will inform the medalist
The Board of Directors normally will accept the nominee of the
medalist
immediately, and
and will
will have
have one
one medal
medal engraved
engraved appropriately for
for presentation
presentation at
at the
the next
next meeting
meeting
of the Institute.

5)

It is recommended that
that the
the Institute
Institute set
set aside annually from whatever sources, such funds as will be

required
to support
supportthe
thecontinuing
continuingcosts
costs of
of this
this award.
required to
April
4, 1981
1981
April 4,

J. Kalliokoski,
Kalliokoski, Chairman
Bill
Cannon
Bill Cannon
Fred Kehlenbeck
G.B. Morey
Greg Mursky

ix
IX

�BOARD OF DIRECTORS
1996

Laurel G. Woodruff, Chair
U. S. Geological Survey, St. Paul, Minnesota
Minnesota

1995

Mark C. Smyk
Ontario
Ontario Geological
Geological Survey, Thunder
Thunder Bay,
Bay, Ontario

1994

Theodore J. Bornhorst
Michigan Technological University,
University, Houghton,
Houghton, Michigan

1993

David L. Southwick
Minnesota Geological Survey, St.
St. Paul, Minnesota

Permanent Secretary-Treasurer
Permanent
Secretary-Treasurer
Mark
Mark Jirsa
Minnesota Geological Survey
2642
University Ave.
2642 University
MN55114-1
55114-1057
St. Paul,
Paul, MN
057
LOCAL COMMITTEES
GENERAL CHAIR

Laurel G. Woodruff
U. S. Geological Survey, St. Paul, Minnesota
PROGRAM COMMITTEE

Laurel G. Woodruff,
U. S.
S. Geological
Geological Survey,
Survey, St.
St. Paul,
Paul, Minnesota

Suzanne W.
W. Nicholson
S. Geological
Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia
U. S.
FIELD TRIP COMMITTEE

Gene
Gene L.
L. LaBerge
LaBerge
University of
University
of Wisconsin-Oshkosh,
Wisconsin-oshkosh, Oshkosh, Wisconsin
William
William F.
F. Cannon
U. S.
S. Geological Survey,
Survey, Reston, Virginia
SECRETARY-TREAS URER
SECRETARY-TREASURER

Sally LaBerge
LaBerge
University of
University
of Wisconsin-Oshkosh,
Wisconsin-Gshkosh, Oshkosh,
Oshkosh, Wisconsin
Wisconsin
x

�STUDENT PAPER
PAPER COMMITTEE
COMMITrEE

Jirsa
Mark Jitsa
Minnesota Geological
Minnesota
Geological Survey,
Survey, St.
St. Paul,
Paul, Minnesota
Minnesota
Suzanne Nicholson
U. S.
S. Geological
Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia
SESSION CHAIRS

Glen Adams
Consulting
Consulting Geologist,
Geologist, Rhinelander,
Rhinelander, Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Terry Boerboom
Minnesota Geological Survey, St. Paul, Minnesota
Sidney Hemming
Lamont-Doherty Earth
Earth Observatory,
Observatory, Palisades,
Palisades, New York
York

Mark Jirsa
Minnesota Geological
Geological Survey,
Survey, St. Paul, Minnesota
Minnesota

Suzanne Nicholson
U. S.
S. Geological
Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia

Edward Ripley
Indiana University,
University, Bloomington,
Bloomington, Indiana
Ron Sage
Ontario Geological Survey, Sudbury, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario
Klaus Schulz
S. Geological
Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia
U. S.

Mark Smyk
Ontario Geological
Ontario
Geological Survey,
Survey, Field
Field Services
Services Section, Thunder Bay,
Bay, Ontario
Ontario
1995-96 GOLDICH
1995-96
GOLDIeH MEDAL
MEDAL COMMITrEE
COMMITTEE

Penelope Morton (1996)
(1996)
University of Minnesota-Duluth, Duluth, Minnesota
Ken Card
Ca.rd (1997)
(1997)
Ontario Geological
Ontario
Geological Survey
Survey (retired),
(retired), Kanata, Ontario
Ontario
Dan England
England (1998)
(1998)
Eveleth Fee Office, Incorporated, Eveleth, Minnesota

xi

�1996 GOLDICH
GOLDICH MEDAL
MEDAL RECIPIENT
RECIPIENT

David L.
1. Southwick
Minnesota Geological Survey
University of Minnesota
St. Paul,
Paul, Minnesota
St.

MEDALISTS
PAST GOLDICH MEDALISTS

1979
1979
1980
1980
1981
1982
1982
1983
1983
1984
1985
1986
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995

Samuel S. Goldich
not awarded
awarded
Carl E. Dutton,
Dutton, Jr.
Jr.
Ralph W. Marsden
Burton Boyum
W. Ojakangas
Ojakangas
Richard W.
Paul K.
K. Sims
C.
G. B. Morey
Henry H. Halls
Walter S. Whit
Walter
Jorma Kalliokoski
Kenneth C. Card
William J. Hinze
William F.
F. Cannon
Donald W. Davis
Cedric Iverson
Gene LaBerge
LaBerge

1996
BANQUET SPEAKER
SPEAKER
1996 BANQUET

Steven Kesler
Department of
Department
of Geological
Geological Sciences
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Sustainable Mineral Development
Development -- Fact or Fiction?

xii
Xl!

�CITATION

David
S.S. Goldich
Goldich Medal
Medal Recipient
David L.
L. Southwick,
Southwick, 1996
19965.5.
It is my pleasure
pleasure to
to introduce
introduce to
to you
you this
this evening,
evening, David
David L.
L. Southwick,
Southwick, 17th
17th

recipient for
for 1996
1996 of the Institute's
Institute's S.S.
5.s. Goldich medal.
recipient

When Laurel
asked me
me to
to make
make these
she prefaced
When
Laurel Woodruff
Woodruff asked
these remarks
remarks she
prefaced her
request by noting
noting that
that II had
had worked
worked with
with Dave
Dave on
on several
several projects and that II had
had been
been
the Institute
Institute for
for many
many years.
years. Dave
Dave and
and II have
have worked
worked together
together for many years
around the
been fortunate
fortunate to
to have
have him
him as
as a professional colleague
However,
and I have been
colleague and
and friend.
friend. However,
having been around
aroundthe
theInstitute
Institutefor
for aa long
long time
time is
is nothing
nothing more
more than
than aa matter
matterof
ofluck,
luck,
and II now
find
myself
writing
memorials
for
friends
who
were
not
so
lucky.
Believe
now find myself writing memorials
friends
l~cky. Believe
me, this occasion
occasion is
is much
much more
more enjoyable.
enjoyable.
So who is Dave
Dave Southwick? He
He was
was born
bornin
inRochester,
Rochester, Minnesota
Minnesota in
in 1936
1936 and
graduated from
School in
in 1954.
1954. He
He wanted
wanted to be a draftsman,
graduated
from Rochester
Rochester Senior
Senior High School
but his
his parents
parents prevailed
prevailed and
and he
hegraduated
graduatedfrom
fromCarleton
Carleton College
College in
in Northfield,
Northfield,
there he
he went on to graduate
Minnesota with aa degree
degree in
in geology
geology in 1958.
1958. From there
graduate school
school
where he
he studied
studied under
under Aaron
Aaron Waters.
Waters. His
at the Johns Hopkins University
University where
His Ph.D.
Ph.D.
dissertation
to do
do with
with ultramafic
ultramafic rocks
rocks in the Cascades
Cascades of
He
dissertation had
had to
of Washington.
Washington. He
wondered about
about ophiolites
ophiolites long
long before
before it was
was fashionable
fashionable to do so.
so. After graduate
school,
his professional
professional career
career with
with the
the U.S.
U.s. Geological
Geological Survey,
school, Dave
Dave started his
Survey, Eastern
States
States Branch,
Branch, in 1962.
1962. He
He returned
returned to
to Minnesota
Minnesota in
in January,
January, 1968
1968 having a joint
joint
appointment in the
appointment
the Department
Department of
of Geology
Geology and
and Geophysics
Geophysics at the
the University
University of
of
Minnesota
Minnesota and
andthe
theDepartment
DepartmentofofGeology
GeologyatatMacalester
MacalesterCollege
College in
inSt.
St. Paul,
Paul, Minnesota.
Minnesota.
He moved
as aa Professor
Professor of
of Geology.
Geology. During that
moved to
to Macalester
Macalester full-time
full-time in
in 1971
1971 as
that time,
time,
Survey. He
summers for
for the
the Minnesota
Minnesota Geological
Geological Survey.
He began
began full-time
full-time work
work
Dave worked summers
with
with the
the Survey
Survey as
asaaSenior
SeniorScientist
Scientist in
in 1977,
1977, and has been Director of the Survey since
1993 and
and Professor of Geology in the Department
Department of
of Geology
Geology and
and Geophysics
Geophysics since
since
1993
1994. So much for vital
1994.
vital statistics.
statistics.
It goes without
without saying
saying that
that receiving
receiving the
the S.S.
S5. Goldich
Goldich medal
considerable
medal is a considerable
honor. Unfortunately,
Unfortunately, II do not
not know
know what
what criteria
criteria were
were used
used by
bythe
theSelection
Selection
Committee when they
chose
to
honor
Dave.
In
fact
I
do
not
even
know
who
sits
on the
they chose
Dave. In
I
Selection
Committee. Therefore,
will look
look toto the
the medal
medal itself
itselffor
forguidance.
guidance. On the
Selection Committee.
Therefore, II will
reverse side itit reads
reads "presented
"presentedfor
for outstanding
outstandingcontributions
contributionsto
tothe
thegeology
geologyof
of the
the Lake
Lake
What does
does that
that tell
tell us?
Superior region." What

"geology" refers
The word "geology"
refers to
to aa science
science and
and profession
profession dedicated
dedicated to
to the
the study of
of the
the Earth.
Earth. Obviously
Obviouslythe
thescience
science and
andprofession
profession is
is practiced
practiced by
by geologists.
geologists.
the history of
who study
study the
the history
history of
of the
the earth
earth like
like to
to call themselves earth
These days some people who
scientists rather than
than geologists.
geologists. II distinguish
distinguish the
the two
two groups by
by the
the fact that geologists
geologic maps.
Looking over
over the
the list
list of
of previous
previous medal
medal recipients,
recipients, many were
make geologic
maps. Looking

first
mappers. Dave
first and foremost
foremost geologic
geologic mappers.
Dave has
has produced
produced aa variety
variety of
of very
very good
good

xiii

�geologic
Surveys. By
geologic maps while with both
both the
the U.S.
U.s. and Minnesota
Minnesota Geological
Geological Surveys.
By that
that
criterion Dave
Dave is
is aa worthy
worthy recipient
recipientof
of the
the medal.
medal.

The word
word "contributions"
"contributions" on the medal
medal refers—again
refers-again in my view—to
view-to any "body
work" which has advanced geologic
knowledge in
in the
the region.
region. Again it seems
seems to me
me
of work"
geologic knowledge
that any number
for their
their "bodies
"bodies of
ofwork"
work" that
number of
of the
the previous
previous recipients
recipients were honored for
have included
included research,
research, teaching,
teaching, and
and above
above all
all professionalism.
professionalism. Dave
Dave has made
made
professional
contributions in
in the
the areas
areas of
of both
both research
research and
and teaching.
teaching. His
professional contributions
His extensive
extensive
topics and
and is
is frequently
frequently cited.
cited. More importantly,
bibliography covers a wide variety of topics
however, there are any
however,
any number
number of
of younger
younger geologists
geologists in the
the profession
profession who
who have
have
received basic
basic training under Dave's tutelage.
tutelage. Many
received
Many of you are in this room!
room! The
The fact
fact
that.you
are here
here makes
makes him
himaaworthy
worthyrecipient
recipientof
of the
the medal.
medal.
that you are
significance of
"outstanding" is
The significance
of the
the word "outstanding"
is somewhat subjective
subjective and a little
on. A
is warranted.
warranted. The
more difficult to get aa handle on.
A little
little history is
The medal
medal is
is named
named in
in
honor of S.S.
S.s. Goldich.
Goldich. Many of you are
are probably
probably too
too young
young to
to remember
remember Sam.
Sam. I have
the pleasure of knowing him
40 years.
years. Most
him for nearly 40
Most of you have heard war stories
stories
about him and
and many
many probably
probably are
are true.
true. After
Aftermy
my first
first year
year in
in graduate
graduate school
school II decided
that my family
family had forgotten
forgotten to
to tell
tellme
methat
thatmy
myreal
realname
namewas
was"Morey
'Moreyyou
youstupid
stupid_."
_."
In truth
truth Sam was a wonderful man, but he could be
be tough
tough at
at times.
times. He was very much
like the Drill Instructor we see on TV
ads for
for the
the U.s.
U.S.Marine
MarineCorps.
Corps. Sam
Sam was
was tough
like
TV ads

because he
he wanted
wanted you
you "to
"to be
be the
the best
best that
that you
you can
can be."
be." He
He wanted
wanted his
his people
to
because
people to
excel—topush
push the
the envelope-at
envelope—atwhatever
whateverthey
theydid.
did. He wanted his people to
excel-to
to make
make aa
to be outstanding—to
outstanding-to make a difference.
difference--he wanted them to
difference. Dave has excelled
and has
His structural
and
has pushed
pushed the
the envelope.
envelope. His
structural studies
studies on the
the Penokean
Penokean orogen
orogen
represented aa scientific
scientific revolution of sorts.
sorts. His ideas have changed the way many of us
for me
me about
about iron-formation.
iron-formation. Thus
think about the
the rocks--and
rocks--and especially
especially for
Thus by
by Sam's
Sam's
geologists whose
whose body
body of
of work
work has
has made
made aa difference.
difference. All of
creed, Dave is one of those geologists
him. II know
us are better geologists because of him.
know Sam is pleased and that makes
makes Dave
Dave a
worthy recipient
recipient of
of the
the medal.
to present
present to you the 17th
worthy
medal. Therefore,
Therefore, I am pleased
pleased to
17th
s.s. Goldich metal, David
David L.
L. Southwick.
recipient of the
the S.S.
G.B. Morey
G.B.
Minnesota Geological Survey
University of Minnesota
St. Paul.. Minnesota
Minnesota 55114
55114

xiv

�TRAVEL AWARD
AWARD
STUDENT TRAVEL

I.L.S.G.Student
StudentTravel
Travel Award
Award to support
support
The 1986
1986 Board of Directors established the I.L.S.G.
student
student participation
participationatatthe
theannual
annualmeeting
meeting of
of the
the Institute. The
The awards
awards will
will be
be made
made
from a special fund set up
up for this purpose. This
This award
award is intended
intended to
to help
help defray
defray some
of the direct travel
travel costs
costs to
to the
the Institute
Institute and
and includes
includes a waiver
waiver of
of registration
registration fees,
fees, but
but
excludes expenses for meals, lodging, and field
field trip
trip registration.
registration. The number
number of
of awards
awards
and value
value are
are determined
determinedby
bythe
theannual
annualChairman
Chairmanin
inconsultation
consultationwith
withthe
theSecretarySecretaryTreasurer and
and will
will be
be announced
announced at
at the
the annual banquet.

The following general
general criteria
criteria will be considered by the annual Chairman, who
who is
is
responsible for
for the
the selection:
selection:

1)
1) The
The applicants
applicants must
musthave
have active
active resident (undergraduate or graduate)
student status
student
statusatatthe
thetime
time of
of the
the annual meeting
meeting of the Institute, certified by
the department
department head.
head.
2)
Studentswho
whoare
arethe
thesenior
seniorauthor
authoron
oneither
either an
an oral
oral or
or poster
poster paper
paper will
will be
be
2) Students
given favored consideration.
consideration.
3) It is desirable for two or more students
students to
to jointly request travel
travel assistance.
assistance.

4) In
4)
Ingeneral,
general,priority
prioritywill
willbe
be given
given to
to those in the Institute region who are
farthest away.
away.
5) Each
5)
Eachtravel
travelaward
awardrequest
requestshall
shallbe
be made
made in
in writing,
writing, to
to the annual
annual Chairman,
Chairman,
with
with an
an explanation
explanation of
of need, possible author status or other significant
details.
Successful applicants will receive their awards at the time of registration for the
Meeting.

xv

�41ST ANNUAL INSTITUTE ON LAKE SUPERIOR
SUPERIOR GEOLOGY
MARATHON, ONTARIO

The 41st Annual Institute
The
Institute on
onLake
Lake Superior
SuperiorGeology
Geology was
was held
heldMay
May13-18,
13-18, 1995,
1995, in
in
Marathon, Ontario. The
Marathon,
The meeting
meeting was
was organized
organized by
by staff
staff of
of the
the Ontario
OntarioGeological
Geological
Survey,
Services Section,
Chairman, Mark
Mark Smyk,
Smyk, was
was
Survey, Field Services
Section,based
based in
in Thunder
Thunder Bay.
Bay. Chairman,
assisted in the
the organization
organization of
of the
the Technical
Technical Sessions
Sessions by former chairman, Manfred
Kehienbeck of Lakehead University.
Kehlenbeck
The Proceedings
of the
the 41st
41st ILSG
ILSG was
Proceedings of
was published
published in six parts:
Part 1: Program
Programand
andAbstracts
Abstracts (edited
(editedby
by Mark
Mark Smyk
Smyk and
and Manfred
Manfred Kehienbeck)
Kehlenbeck)
Part 2:
2: Field
Field Trip Guidebooks
2a: Alkalic
Alkalic rocks
rocks of the Midcontinent
Midcontinent rift (Ron Sage and David
Part 2a:
Watkinson)
Part 2b:
of the
the Manitouwadge
Manitouwadge
2b: Geology,
Geology, structure and age relationships of
greenstone belt and the Wawa-Quetico
Wawa-Quetico subprovince
subprovince boundary
boundary
(Eva
Zaleski, Virginia
VirginiaPeterson,
Peterson,Hugh
Hugh Lockwood
Lockwood and
and Otto van
(Eva Zaleski,
Breeman)
Part 2c:
Schreiber greenstone
greenstone assemblage
assemblage and its gold and
2c: Geology
Geology of the Schreiber
base metal mineralization
mineralization (Mark
(Mark Smyk and Bernie
Bernie Schnieders)
Part 2d: Geology
Geology and
and gold
gold deposits
deposits of
of the
the Hemlo
Hernlo area
area (Tom
(Torn Muir,
Muir, Bernie
Bernie
Schnieders and
Mark
Smyk)
and Mark Smyk)
Part 2e:
metal and gold exploration
exploration using overburden,
2e: Kimberlite,
Kimberlite, base metal
Wawa area (Tom
Morris)
(Torn

were run both as pre- and post-meeting
All trips, with the
the exception
exception of Wawa, were
post-meeting events in
in
order to
to accommodate
accommodate large
large subscription
subscription levels
levels and
and travel
travel schedules.
schedules. The
The Hemlo
Hemlo trips
trips
order
spurred
spurred the
the revision
revisionand
andre-publication
re-publication of
of aa guidebook
guidebook first
first published
published jointly
jointly by
by the
the
Geological
Association of
of Canada,
Canada, the Mineralogical
Associationof
of Canada
Canada and
and the
Mineralogical Association
Geological Association
the
Society of Economic Geologists
Geologists in
in 1991.
1991. The
The successful
successful running
running of
of the
the meeting and the
associated field
field trips
trips gave
valuable insight
insight in
in the
the planning
associated
gave some
some valuable
planning of a field
field trip
trip
associated with
with the
the International
International Geological
Geological Correlation Program in August. Logistical
Logistical
in May
May were
were put
put to
to use
use when
when Ron
Ron Sage
Sage and II led
led the
the IGCP
IGCP delegates
delegates
lessons learned in
through
alkalic rocks
rocks of
larger trip looking
looking at
through the alkalic
of the
the Marathon
Marathon area
area as
as part
part of
of aa larger
the Midcontinent rift.
intrusive
rocks associated with the
intrusive rocks
There
145 paid registrants at the
the 41st
41st ILSG.
ILSG. The
The nine
nine field
field trips
trips attracted
attracted163
163
There were 145
participants,
some
of
whom
were
not
able
to
attend
the
technical
sessions.
participants, some of whom were not able
the technical
banquet was
was attended
attendedby
by approximately
approximately 135
135 delegates. The
The Goldich
Goldich Medal,
Medal,
The annual banquet
contributions to
to the
the understanding
understandingof
of Lake
Lake Superior
Superior geology,
geology,
exemplifying outstanding
outstanding contributions
The award
was awarded
awarded to
toGene
GeneLaBerge
LaBerge of
of the
the University
University of
of Wisconsin,
Wisconsin, Oshkosh. The
was presented by
by Tim
Tim Flood
Flood of St.
St. Norbert College.
College. The banquet speaker was
was Peter
Lightfoot
Geological Survey,
the relationship
relationship
Lightfoot (Ontario Geological
Survey, Sudbury)
Sudbury) who
who addressed the
between mantle plumes,
plumes, flood
flood basalts and mineralization.

xvi
XVI

�PaperAward
Awardrecipients
recipientswere
wereGeoff
Geoff Shore (University of Western Ontario)
The Student
Student Paper
spoke about
aboutalkaline
alkaline gabbroic
gabbroic rocks
rocks of
of the
the Coidwell
Coldwell alkalic
alkalic complex,
complex, and
and Kim
Kim
who spoke
Darrah (Kent State University)
University) who
of the
the
who presented
presented information
information on
on the application of
aluminum-in-hornblende barometer.
Five students were given travel awards totaling
barometer. Five
$500.

The Board of Directors of the Institute on Lake Superior
Superior Geology
Geology met in Marathon on
on
attendance were
wereMark
MarkSmyk
Smyk (1995
(1995 meeting chair), Ted Bornhorst
Bornhorst (1994
(1994
May 15, 1995.
1995. In attendance
and associate
associate secretary-treasurer),
secretary-treasurer), Jim
Jim Miller
Miller (proxy for David
David Southwick,
Southwick, 1993
1993
chair and
(secretary-treasurer). Guests
Guests included
included Laurel
Laurel Woodruff
Woodruff (chair
(chair for
for
chair)
chair) and Mark Jirsa (secretary-treasurer).
1996
Cable, Wisconsin),
Wisconsin), Gene
Gene LaBerge
LaBerge (alternate
1996 meeting),
1996 meeting
meeting in Cable,
(alternate chair for 1996
Sally
LaBerge, Wilf
Sally LaBerge,
Wilf Meyer
Meyer and
and Ron Sage
Sage (co-chairs
(co-chairs for
for 1997
1997 meeting
meeting in Sudbury,
Ontario).
The Board of Directors:

1. Accepted
1.
AcceptedReport
Reportof
ofChairman,
Chairman,40th
40thILSG
ILSG meeting
2.
ApprovedCable,
Cable,Wisconsin,
Wisconsin,as
ashost
hostfor
for 42nd
42nd ILSG
ILSG (1996)
(1996) with
2. Approved
with Laurel Woodruff as
Chair; Gene LaBerge
LaBerge agreed
agreed to
to assist
assist Laurel
Laurel and
and take
take over Chair duties, if need
be.
3. Approved
ApprovedSudbury,
Sudbury,Ontario,
Ontario,asashost
hostfor
for43rd
43rdILSG
ILSG (1997).
(1997). Wilf
Wilf Meyer
Meyer suggested
suggested
3.
topical sessions
field trips
trips that highlight
highlight correlations
correlations and
and contrasts
contrasts between
sessions and field
the Huronian
Huronian and
and the
theequivalent
equivalentstrata
stratain
inWisconsin,
Wisconsin, Michigan,
Michigan, and Minnesota.
Minnesota.
He further suggested that a session
session devoted
devoted to
to environmental
environmental remediation
remediation would
would
appropriate, and
be appropriate,
and the
the Board
Board agreed.
4. Accepted ILSG
ILSG Financial
Financial Report (Mark Jirsa
Jirsa and
and Ted Bornhorst)

5. Approved
5.
ApprovedGene
GeneLaBerge
LaBergeas
asrecipient
recipientof
of1995
1995 Goldich Medal

6.
6. Approved
ApprovedDan
DanEngland
Englandasasnew
newGoldich
GoldichMedal
Medal Committee
Committee member
member (replacing
(replacing Glen
Glen
Adams)

7. Approved
7.
Approvedmotion
motiontotoallow
allowsecretary-treasurers
secretary-treasurers to
to set
setreduced
reducedprices
priceson
onback
backILSG
ILSG
volumes to
to reduce
reduce inventory
inventory and
and make
make volumes
volumes affordable
affordable before their shelf
shelf life
is exceeded. The
The motion
motion also
also allows the secretary-treasurers some lee-way to set
those prices to accommodate regional considerations and costs.
8.
Approvedaamotion
motiontotodonate
donate$1.00
$1.00 from
from each
each meeting registrant to the
the Michigan
Michigan
8. Approved
efforts.
Technological
Technological Institute
Institute Library
Library to
to assist
assist in
in their
their research
research and archiving efforts.
They
only known
known full
full set
set of
of ILSG
ILSG volumes
the
They maintain the only
volumes dating
dating back to the
in 1955.
1955. Donations
Donations ($100-$150)
($100-$150) will
inception in
Institute's inception
will be
be made
made following
following the
1996
1996 meeting
meeting and every year thereafter.

9.
Approvedaamotion
motiontotoallow
allowdonation
donationofofselected
selectedback
backvolumes
volumesof
ofILSG
ILSG Proceedings
9. Approved
their collection
collection
the Minnesota
Minnesota Geological
Geological Survey
Survey (MGS)
(MGS) Library
to the
Library to
to rebuild their
after theft.

xvii

�10. Approved
10.
Approvedloan
loanof
ofVan
VanHise
Riseand
andLeith
Leithmonograph
monograph(1911)
(1911) to a secure section
section of MGS
MGS
Library for safe-keeping. The
monograph was
was donated
donatedto
tothe
theILSG.
Il.SG.
The monograph

and Suggestions
Suggestions to
to Chairpersons."
Chairpersons." Ted
11. Discussed "Requirements
"Requirements and
Ted Bornhorst
Bornhorst is
is
constructing
with time and passed
constructing a manuscript
manuscript that can be modified
modified with
passed from
from
chairperson to chairperson.
chairperson. It
It would
would detail
detail what must be done by the chair and
meeting that
that runs
runs in
in the
the black.
black. The
suggest tips for how to operate a smooth
smooth meeting
board agreed
agreed that
that would
would be
be very
very helpful.
helpful. It will eventually
eventually reside with the
the
secretary-treasurer who will have responsibility
to see
see that
that itit isis passed
passed onto the
responsibility to
incoming Chair.
12. OTHER
12.
OTHER BUSINESS
BUSINESS

a. Motion
a.
Motion approved
approvedtotoprohibit
prohibitthe
theuse
useof
ofcameras
cameras in
in both
both oral
oral and
and poster
postersessions,
sessions,
unless the photographer has
of individual
individual authors.
tmless
has the permission of
b. Motion
b.
Motion approved
approvedto
torequire
requirepeer
peerreview
review of
of abstracts.
abstracts. The
The local
local chairpersons
chairpersons must
establish
review committee
committee (size
(size and composition
composition at
at their
their discretion).
discretion).
establish aa review
Implicit in the
the review
review process
process is
is the
the right
right of
of the
the committee
committee to
to refuse
refuse acceptance.
acceptance.
Authors of
of rejected
rejected abstracts can make changes
changes and re-submit, if they can do so
within the
within
the time
time limit
limit established
establishedfor
for receipt
receipt of
of abstracts.
abstracts.
c.

Ted Bornhorst
suggested that
that the Board
into desktop
Ted
Bornhorst suggested
Board look
look into
desktop publishing of peerpeerreviewed, expanded abstracts and short papers. This
This would allow
allow authors who
might not
normally
publish
in
established
journals
to
semi-formally
publish their
not normally publish in established journals
research. The
The idea
idea was
was tabled
tabled for
for future
future discussion.
discussion.

d. AAsuggestion
newsletter that
that would be
suggestionwas
wasmade
madeby
byTed
TedBornhorst
Bornhorstto
to create
create an ILSG
ILSG newsletter
published early
published
early in
in the
the calendar
calendar year.
year. ItItwould
wouldserve
serve to
to publicize
publicize upcoming
upcomingILSG
ILSG

meetings and
and other
meetings
other events,
events, as
as well
well as
as highlight
highlight exploration
exploration and research
research
activities. The
approved. Ted
activities.
The concept
concept was generally
generally approved.
Ted will prepare aa mock-up
mock-up in
the following months with a student assistant.
assistant. Board
Board members will continue to
and track
track the
the progress
progress of
of the venture.
discuss and
e. Board
1995.
Boardagreed
agreedtotohave
havea aformal
formalmeeting
meetingatatthe
theIGCP
IGCPConference,
Conference,August
August25-27,
25-27,1995.

Budgeting for the 41st
was designed
designed to
to keep
keep registration
registration costs
costs at
at aa minimum in
41st ILSG
ILSG was
order to
to help
help attract
attractpotential
potential delegates
delegates to
to Marathon
Marathon despite
despite prohibitively
prohibitively long
long travel
travel
distances. Fees
were largely
largely set
set on
on a cost-recovery
basis. Many
Many of
of the
the duties
cost-recovery basis.
duties and
Fees were
services which could normally
services
normally be contracted
contracted out to
to other
other agencies
agencies (e.g.,
(e.g., university
university
OGS staff
staffininorder
order to
to reduce
reduce costs.
costs. Field trip
extension services) were taken care of by OGS
guidebooks
guidebooks were also sold at
at just
just above
above cost
cost to
to attendees.
attendees. Since
Since the
the meeting, the
guidebooks
guidebooks have
have been
beenreprinted
reprintedseveral
severaltime;
time;sales
sales in
in Thunder
ThunderBay
Bay continue
continue to
to be
be brisk,
brisk,
especially during
during field
field season.
The
financial analysis
The final
final financial
analysis appears
appears to indicate that the 41st ILSG
ILSG managed
managed to
to turn
turn a
Thisis,
is,ininitself,
itself, especially
especially rewarding,
rewarding, considering our 'user-friendly'
'user-friendly'
modest profit. This
pricing practices, unforeseen
unforeseen print-run
print-run problems
problems and
and losses
losses in
inCanada-US
Canada-US exchange
exchange
xviii
XVlll

�is to
to be
be commended
for his role in
rates. Mark
MarkO'Brien,
O'Brien, local
local Secretary-Treasurer,
Secretary-Treasurer, is
commended for
in
keeping us
keeping
us on
onan
aneven
evenfinancial
financial keel.
keel.
I have received many favourable
favourable comments and kudos on the
the organization
organization of
of the
the 41st
41st
flSG. Despite
typical) north
north
many'arms-length'
'arms-length'logistical
logistical problems, uncooperative (but typical)
ILSG.
Despitemany
shore weather and
and minor
minor glitches,
glitches, itit proved
proved to
to be
be aa very
very successful
successful meeting.
meeting. I must
again thank all
all the
the people
people in
in Thunder
Thunder Bay
Bay and Marathon who helped
helped to pull itit off.
off.
Special thanks must also go out to all the field
field trip
trip leaders for
for their
their perseverance.
perseverance. Cliff
Cliff
Special
Shaw graciously
filled in on the
Shaw
graciously filled
the alkalic
alkalic rocks
rocks trip for
for Dave
Dave Watkinson,
Watkinson, who was
was
unfortunately
ill.
Former
chairmen,
Ron
Sage,
Ted
Bornhorst,
Manfred
Kehienbeck
unfortunately ill. Former chairmen, Ron Sage, Ted Bornhorst,
Kehlenbeck and
Ed Frey
Ed
Frey provided
provided invaluable
invaluable organizational
organizational advice.
advice. Lastly, II would
would like
like to
to
to Marathon and who continue to
acknowledge all those who made
made the
the effort to come
come to
to
support the
support
theInstitute
Instituteon
onLake
LakeSuperior
Superior Geology.
Geology.

Mark Smyk
MarkSmyk
Chairman,41st
41stILSG
ILSG
Chairman,
Thunder
Thunder Bay,
Bay, Ontario

xix

�PROGRAM

�OF EVENTS
EVENTSAND
AND PROGRAM
PROGRAM
CALENDAR OF
WEDNESDAY,
MAY
WEDNESDA
Y, MA
Y 15
8:00 AM
AM - 6:00 PM FIELD
FIELDTRIPS
TRIPS 11 AN])
AND 22
1. GLACIAL
GLACIALGEOLOGY
GEOLOGY OF WESTERN WISCONSIN

Leader: Mark
Mark D.
D. Johnson (Gustavus Adoiphus
Adolphus College)
College)
2. GEOLOGY
GEOLOGYOF
OFTHE
THE MONTREAL
MONTREAL RIVER
RIVER MONOCLINE:
TRAVERSE THROUGH 25
KM OF THE
A TRAVERSE
25 KM
THE CRUST

Leader: William
WilliamF.
F. Cannon
Cannon(U.
(U. S.
S. Geological Survey)
5:00 PM
PM - 8:00 PM

REGISlRATION
REGISTRATION

7:00 PM
PM ICEBREAKER
AND POSTER
POSTERSESSION
SESSION(Cash
(Cash Bar)
Bar)
PM - 10:00 PM
ICEBREAKER AND
9:00
PM)
(Authors
present
at
posters
7:30
PM
(Authors present at posters 7:30 PM -

THURSDAY,
THURSDA
Y, MAY 16
NOTE: ThCHNKAL
SESSIONS
ARE
IlW NOTE:
TECHNICAL
SESSIONS
AREIN
INTHE
THENAMEKAGON
NAMEKAGONROOM,
ROOM,TELEMARK
TELEMARK LODGE
...* STUDENT
STUDENT PRESENTAnON
PRESENTATION

8:00
8:00 AM
AM

REGISTRATION
REGISlRATION CONTINUES
CONTINUES

TECHNICAL
TECHNICAL SESSION I
SESSION CHAIRS:
CHAIRS: KLAUS
AND GLEN
GLEN ADAMS
ADAMS
SESSION
KLAUS SCHULZ AND

—

8:55
8:55 AM
AM

OPENING - 42ND ANNUAL
ANNUAL INSTITUTE
INSTITUTE ON LAKE SUPERIOR GEOLOGY
L. G.
G. Woodruff,
Woodruff, General Chair
L.

9:00 AM

KEYNOTE ADDRESS
Miller, J. D., Jr., and Vervoort,
Vervoort, J.J. D.
D.

The Latent Magmatic
Maginatic Stage
Stage of
ofthe
theMidcontinent
MidcontinentRift:
Rft: A Period of Magmatic
Magmatic
The
Crust
Underplating and
and Melting
Melting of
of the
the Lower Crust
—

9:30 AM

Bornhorst, T.
Bornhorst,
T. J., and Dolan,
Dolan, M.
M. T.
T.
An Electronic
Electronic Component
Component of
of the Institute
Institute on
on Lake
Lake Superior Geology

L

9:50 AM
AM

10:00
10:00 AM
AM

PRESENTATION OF PROPOSED
PROPOSEDCHANGES
CHANGESTO
TOTHE
THE1.I.L.S.G.
L.S.G. CONSTITUTION

COFFEE BREAK AND POSTER SESSION

xxi
XXi

�10:20 AM
10:20
AM

Ames, D. E., Jonasson,
Jonasson, 1.I. R,
R.,Parrish,
Parrish, RR R.,
R., Watkinson,
Watkinson, D. H.,
and
and Gibson,
Gibson, H.
H. L.
L.
Regional HydrotherrnJ1l'Massive
Hydrothermal Massive Sulphide
Suiphide Producing System and U/Pb
U/Pb
Hydrothermal Titanite Age
ping FOrrnJ1tion,
Formation, Sudbury
Age Constraints, Ona
Onaping
Structure, Ontario

10:40
AM
10:40 AM

Ripley, E.
Ripley,
E. M.
Pet
rogenetic Relationships between A
pat ite-B earingand
andApatite-Deficient
Apatite-Deflcient Iron
Petrogenetic
Apatite-Bearing
Oxide-Rich Intrusions
Intrusions and
and Massive
Massive Sulfide
SulfideMineralization
Mineralizationinin the
the Duluth
Duluth
Oxide-Rich
Complex,
Complex, MN

11:00
AM
11:00 AM

"'Peterson, D.
D. M.
M.
*peterson,
Targeting
Targeting Footwall
Footwall Copper-PGE
Copper-PGE Deposits
Deposits in the
the Duluth
DuluthComplex
ComplexBased
Based on
on
Sudbury Mining
Mining Camp
Camp Analogs
Analogs

11:20 AM
11:20
AM

Saini-Eidukat,
B., Rudashevsky, N.
N. S.,
5., and Polozov,
Polozov, A.
A. G.
G.
Saini-Eidukat, B.,
Occurrence of Hibbingite
Hibbingite in
in the
the Duluth Complex,
Complex, Minnesota,
Minnesota, and in the Noril'sk
Complex
Iron Ore Deposit, Russia
Complex and Korshunovskoe
Korshunovskoe Iron

,-11:40 AM

12:00 PM
12:00
PM

Mudrey,
M. G.,
G., Jr.,
Jr., Brown,
Brown, B.
B. A., Freiberg, P. G., and
and Simo,
Simo, J.
J. A.
A.
Mudrey, M.
Mineralization in the Fox River Valley,
Mississippi Valley-Type
Valley-Type Mineralization
Valley, Eastern
Wisconsin
LUNCH BREAK
BREAK

TECHNICAL SESSION
SESSION II
II
TECHNICAL
SESSION
ED RIPLEY
RIPLEY AND
SMYK
SESSION CHAIRS:
CHAIRS: ED
AND MARK SMYK
\-/ 2:00 PM

Boerboom,
Boerboom, T.
T. J.
J.
Southward Extension
the Penokean
PenokeanTerrane
Terrane through
through Steams
Stearns County, Central
Extension of the
Minnesota

2:20
2:20 PM
PM

"'Darrah,
*Darrah, K. 5.,
S., Holm,
Hoim, D.
D. K.,
K., Dahl,
Dahi, P.
P. 5.,
S.,and
and Lux,
Lux, D.
D. R.
it
Petrographic
Pet
rographic and Thermobarometric Analysis of the Metamorphosed Little Falls
Formation, Central Minnesota,
Minnesota, with
with Implications
Implications for Early
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic
Tectonism

."j/ 2:40PM
2:40 PM

Hoim, D.
Holm,
D. K.,
K., Dahi.,
Dahl., P. S.,
5., and Lux,
Lux, D.
D. R.
R
Was Lithospheric
Lithospheric Delamination
Delamination an
an Important Process in the Evolution
Was
Evolution of
of Early
Proterozoic Collisional Orogens?

'(

/

3:00 PM
PM

BREAK AND
AND POSTER
POSTER SESSION
SESSION
COFFEE BREAK

3:20
3:20 PM
PM

Schmidt, S. Th., and Stern,
Stern, W.
W.
Clay Minerals of
of the North Shore
Shore Volcanic
Volcanic Group and
and Possible
Possible Relationship
Relationship to
to
Copper Precipitation during Alteration
xxii
XXll

�'I

3:40 PM
PM

*BeMcer A.,
A., and
and Karhu,
*Bekker,
Karhu, J.
J. A.
Study of
ofCarbon
Isotope Ratios
Carbon Isotope
Ratios in
in Carbonates
Carbonates of
of the
the Early
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic Snowy
Snowy
Pass Supergroup, WY
WY and
and Its
Its Application
Application for Correlation with
with the
the Chocolay
Chocolay
ian Supergroup,
Supergroup, ON
ON
Group, MI and the Huron
Huronian

4:00 PM
4:00PM

Larsen, C.
Late Holocene Lake
Lake Superior -- Isostatic and Climactic
Climactic Lake-Level
Lake-Level Change

4:20 PM

Uchytil, S.
S. J., Steffensen, C. K., Jarvie, D. M., Dickas, A.
A. B.,
B.,
Uchytil,
Mudrey, M.
and Mudrey,
M. G.,
G., Jr.
Jr.
Outcrop and
and Subsurface
Subsurface Core
Core Analysis and Relationship
Relationship to
to Regional
Regional
Hydrocarbon Pros
pectivenessof
ofthe
theMiddle
MiddleProterozoic
ProterozoicNonesuch
Nonesuch Formation in
Prospectiveness
in
Northern Wisconsin
and
Michigan
Wisconsin

I.

—

—

PM MIXER
6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
MIXER - CASH BAR

v

PM ANNUAL
7:30 PM - 9:30 PM
ANNUALBANQUET
BANQUET&amp;&amp;AWARDS
AWARDSPRESENTATION
PRESENTATION

Announcement
Announcement of
of the
the 43rd Annual
Annual Meeting
Meeting location.
location.
1996Goldich
GoldichAward
Award presentation
presentation to Dr.
Dr. David Southwick,
1996
by Dr.
Dr. G.
G. B.
B. Morey.
Minnesota Geological Survey, by
Banquet speaker: Dr.
Dr. Stephen
Stephen E.
E. Kesler, University of Michigan,
Michigan:
Ann Arbor, Michigan:

—

SUSTAiNABLE
MINERALDEVELOPMENT
DEVELOPMENT-OR FICTION?
FICTION?
SUSTAINABLE MINERAL
-- FACT OR

FRIDAY,
FRIDAY, MAY 17
8:30
8:30 AM
AM

REGISTRATION CONTINUES

TECHNICAL SESSION
SESSION III
III
TECHNICAL
SESSION CHAIRS: SIDNEY
HEMMING
AND
SIDNEY HEMMING ANDTERRY
TERRY BOERBOOM
BOERBOOM

V

9:00
AM
9:00AM

Chandler,
V. W.
Chandler, V.
The West-Central
West-Central Minnesota
Minnesota Earthquake
EarthquakeofJune
of June5,5,1993:
1993:An
AnOpportunity
Opportunity to
The
Re-examine Seismicity
Seismicity near
near the
the Morris Fault

9:20
9:20 AM
AM

S. M.,
M., and Kiasner,
*Wilson, S.
Klasner, J.J. S.
A Structural
Structuraland
andKinematic
Kinematic Analysis
Analysis of
of the McCaslin Formation near
near McCaslin
McCaslin
Mountain, Wisconsin
Wisconsin

9:40 AM
AM
9:40

Westjohn, D.
Westjohn,
D. B.
B.
Regional
Finite Strain
Strain Patterns in Proterozoic
Slates and
and Quartzites:
Regional Finite
Proterozoic Slates
Implications for
for Heterogeneous
Heterogeneous Strain
Strain Related
Related to
to Flexural
Flexural Slip
Slip Folding in the
Marquette Synclinorium

10:00 AM
10:00
AM

COFFEE BREAK
BREAK AND
AND POSTER
POSTER SESSION

xxiii

�10:30 AM
AM

*Adamson, K. F.
Petrology, Stratigraphy,
Stratigraphy, and
andSedimentation
Sedimentationof
ofthe
the Middle
Middle Proterozoic
Proterozoic Bayfield
Bayfield
Group of Northwestern Wisconsin
Wisconsin

10:50 AM
10:50
AM

Ojakangas,
R W.
Ojakangas, R.
Tidalites of Early Proterozoic Age in the Western Lake
Lake Superior Region:
Region:
Minnesota, Wisconsin
Wisconsin and
and Michigan
Michigan

11:10 AM
AM

Ojakangas, G. W.
Ojakangas,
Cyclic Tidal
Tidal Laminations
Laminations in
in the
the Early
Early Proterozoic
ProterozoicPokegama
PokegamaFormation:
Formation: Digital
Digital
Cyclic
Image Analysis and Computer Modeling
Modeling

11:30 AM
AM

LUNCH
BREAK clIE
NOTE:
ALL
POSTERS
MUSTBE
BEREMOVED
REMOVED
LUNCH BREAK
NOTE:
ALL
POSTERS
MUST

TECHNICAL
TECHNICAL SESSION
SESSION IV
JIRSA AND
AND RON SAGE
SESSION CHAIRS: MARK JIRSA

1

\

1:30 PM

Hemming, S.
S. R.,
R, McLennan, S.
S. M.,
Hemming,
M., and
and Hanson, G. N.
Geochemical
GeochemicalSource
SourceCharacteristics
Characteristicsand
and Diagenetic
Diagenetic Trends
Trends of the
the Virginia
Formation, Mesabi Iron Range,
Range, Minnesota

1:50 PM

Medaris,
Jr., Fournelle, J.
Medaris, L.
L. G.,
G., Jr., Dott, R.
R H., Jr.,
J. H., Johnson, C.
C M.,
M.,
Schott, R. C,
C., and Baumgartner,
Baumgartner,L.
L. P.
P.
Age and
and Geological
the Baraboo
Baraboo Quartzite
Quartzite
Geological Significance of the

2:10 PM
PM

Jirsa, M. A.
of a Timiskaming-Like
Timiskaming-Like Sequence
Sequenceininthe
theSouthern
Southern Wawa
Wawa Subprovince,
Genesis ofa
Northeastern Minnesota

2:30 PM
PM

Smyk, M.
M. C
Kingston, D.
D. M.
C. and Kingston,
Basaltic Komatiites
Associated Rocks:
Rocks: Implications
Implications on
on the
the Nature
Nature of
Komatiites and Associated
Volcanism
Part of
of the Schreiber-Hemlo
Schreiber-Hemlo Greenstone
Volcanism in Part
Greenstone Belt,
Belt, Northwestern
Northwestern
Ontario

2:50 PM
PM

PRESENTATION OF STUDENT PAPER AWARDS
PRESENTAnON

3:00 PM
PM

CLOSING
C
LOSING REMARKS
REMARKS

3:10 PM
PM

COFFEE BREAK

3:30 PM

Gene LaBerge
Discussion of
for the Flambeau
Flambeau Mine
Mine Field
Field Trip
of Logistical Details for
Minerals of
of the Flambeau
(no abstract)
abstract)
Flambeau Mine
Mine (no

4:00 PM
PM

SESSION ENDS

xxiv
XXIV

�SATURDAY, MAY 18
7:00 AM
AM - 6:00 PM
PM FIELDTRIP3
FIELD TRIP 3

3. TOUR
TOUROp
OFFLAMBEALI
FLAMBEAUCOPPER-GOLD
COPPER-GOLD MINE
Leaders: Gene
GeneL.
L. LaBerge
LaBerge (University of Wisconsin-oshkosh)
Wisconsin-Oshkosh)
and Staff Geologists, Flambeau Mine

SUNDAY, MAY 19
8:00 AM
AM - 5:00 PM
FIELD TRIPS
TRIPS 4 AND 5
PM FIELD
4. EARLY
EARLYTO
TOMIDDLE
MIDDLEPROTEROZOIC
PROTEROZOICGEOLOGY
GEOLOGY OF
OF THE
THE
LAKE
LAKE NAMEKAGON REGION

Leaders: William
William F.
F. Cannon, Laurel G. Woodruff, and
Suzanne W. Nicholson
Nicholson (U.
(D. S. Geological Survey)
LAKENAMEKAGON
NAMEKAGONAND
ANDPENOKEE
PENOKEE GAP
GAP AREAS,
AREAS,
5. LAKE
WEST GOGEBIC RANGE,
RANGE, WISCONSiN
WISCONSIN

Leaders: John
John S.
S. Kiasner
Klasner (Western Illinois University) and
LaBerge (University
(University of Wisconsin-oshkosh)
Wisconsin-Oshkosh)
Gene L.
L. LaBerge

POSTER SESSION
SUZANNE NICHOLSON
SESSION CHAIR:
PM WEDNESDAY,
WEDNESDAY, MAY
MAY 15,
15, TO
TO NOON
NOON FRIDAY,
FRIDAY, MAY 17
17
7:30 PM
Cannon, W.
W. F.,
F., and
andKress,
Kress, T.
T. H.
H.
Cannon,
New
Minnesota, Wisconsin,
Nw Digital
Digital Geologic
Geologic Map of
ofMinnesota,
Wisconsin, and Upper Michigan
(no
abstract)
(no
Cannon,
W. F.,
F., Nicholson,
Nicholson,S.
S. W.,
W., Woodruff,
Woodruff, L.
L. G., Hedgman,
C. A.,
A., and
and Schulz,
Schulz,K.
K. J.
J.
Cannon, W.
Hedgman, C.
Geologic Map
Map of the
the Ontonagon
Ontonagon and part of the Wakefield
Wakefield30'
30' xx 60'
60' Quadrangles, Michigan
Geologic
(no
(no abstract)
Gere, M.
M. A.,
A., Jr.
Michigan Mineral
Mineral Lease
Lease Exploration
Exploration Data Inventory

Johnson,
Johnson, A.
A. M.,
M., and
andGere,
Gere,M.
M. A.,
A., Jr.
Jr.
IdentifyingGeologic
Geologic and
and Other
OtherPotential
Potential Resources
Resources from
Abandoned Underground
Identfying
from Michigan's
Michigan's Abandoned
Mine inventory
Inventory
Kalliokoski, J.J.
Kalliokoski,
Bay, Michigan
", Keweenaw
An Ancient
AncientLandslide
Landslideatat"Red
"RedRocks
Rocks",
Kweenaw Bay,
./' Kucks, R P.,
P., and
andHorton,
Horton,R.
R J.J.
Aeromagnetic
Aeromagnetic Map
Map of
ofLake
Lake Superior

xxv

�Morey, G.
G. B.,
B., and
and Cleland,
Cleland,J.J. M.
M.
Morey,
Preliminary
Sedimentologic and Petrologic Analysis of the Early Proterozoic Mahnomen
Preliminary Sedim.entologic
(North Range
Range Group)
Group) East-Central
East-Central Minnesota
Minnesota
Formation (North

*Naiman, Z.,
*Naiman,
Z., Wirth,
Wirth,K.
K. R.,
R, Morey,
Morey,G.
G. B.,
B., and
and Miller,
Miller, J.J. D.
D.
Metamorphism
Chengwatana Volcanic
from Osseo
Metamorphism of
ofChengwatana
Volcanic Group
Group near
near Taylors
Taylors Falls
Falls and
and-from
Osseo Core
*Neilson, K. Stendahl,
R, Kropf, E., and
J. P.
Stendahi, R.,
and Craddock,
Craddock, J.
A Continuum
ContinuumofofStress-Strain
Stress-StrainFields
Fields(2.0-1.0
(2.0-1.0 Ga)
Ga) along
along the
the Northern
Northern Margin
Marginofofthe
theKeweenaw
Keweenaw
Province, Ontario, Canada
Province,
R P., Morris, T. F., Crabtree, D., Murray, C.
C. A., Bennett, G., Hailstone,
M.,
Sage, R.
Hailstone, M.,
Nicholson, T.,
T., Painosi,
Painosi,S.,
S., and
andJosey,
Josey, S.
S.
Nicholson,
Exploration in
in Wawa
Ultramafic Dike
Dike with Mantle Xenoliths:
Xenoliths: Implications
Implications to Diamond Exploration
Wawa
Spector, A., and
and Lawler,
Lawler, T.
T. L.
Northeastern Minnesota
Minnesota Duluth
DuluthComplex
Complex Mineral Potential

Swenor,
Swenor, W.
W. T.
T.
Update on
on the
the Geological
Geological Core
Core and
and Sample
Sample Repository
Repository
Wattrus,
Wattrus, N.
N. J.,
J., Anderson,
Anderson,K.,
K., Sharkey,
Sharkey,J.,
J., and
and Holcombe,
Holcombe, T.
T.
Bathymetric Map
Map of
ofLake
Lake Superior
A New Bathymetric
Wirth,
Wirth, K.
K. R.,
R., Naiman,
Naiman,Z.,
Z.,Vervoort,
Vervoort,J.J. D.,
D.,Miller,
Miller, J.J. D.,
D., and
and Morey,
Morey,G.
G. B.
B.
Chengwatana Volcanic
Geochemistry of
ofChengwatana
Volcanic Group near.Taylors
near Taylors Falls
Falls and
and from
from Osseo
Osseo Core
Core

xxvi

�ABSTRACTS

�PETROLOGY, STRATIGRAPHY,
PETROLOGY.
STRATIGRAPHY, AND
AND SEDIMENTATION
SEDIMENTATiON OF
OF THE MIDDLE
PROTEROZOIC
BAYFIELD GROUP
GROUP OF
OF NORTHWESTERN
NORTHWESTERN WISCONSIN.
WISCONSIN.
PROTEROZOIC BAYFIELD
Minnesota, Duluth,
ADAMSON, Kent
Kent F.,
F., Department of Geology, University of Minnesota,
10 University Drive,
Drive, Duluth,
Duluth, MN
MN 55812,
55812,kadamson@d.umn.edu
kadamson@d.umn.edu
Petrographic and
Petrographic
and field
field evidence
evidence suggest
suggest that
that the
the Bayfield
Bayfield Group
Group units,
units, the
the
lithofeldspathic
Orienta Formation
Formation and
and the
the lithofeldspathic
Iithofeldspathic Chequamegon
Chequamegon Formation,
Formation,
Iithofeldspathic Orienta
are the same unit
Formation. Previous
unit beneath
beneath the quartzose
quartzose Devils Island
Island Formation.
Previous
stratigraphic
thefollowing
following order,
order, from
from the
the bottom
bottom up:
up:
stratigraphic studies
studies place
place the
the three
threeunits
unitsininthe
Orienta, Devils
Myers, 1971).
1971). The
Devils Island
Island and
and Chequamegon
Chequamegon (Thwaites,
(Thwaites, 1912;
1912; Myers,
The contact
contact
between the Devils
Devils Island
Island Formation
Formation and
and Chequamegon
Chequamegon Formation
Formation is not
not present
present on
on
Devils Island
Island as
as previous
previous studies
studies suggest.
suggest. This
Thisstratigraphy
stratigraphywould
would better
better match
match the
the
correlative units
units some
some tens
tens of
ofmiles
miles to
to the
the west
west in
in east-central
east-central Minnesota,
Minnesota, the
the
probable correlative
lithofeldspathic
Fond
du
Lac
Formation
and
the
overlying
quartzose
Hinckley
lithofeldspathic Fond du Lac Formation and the
Sandstone.
The Orienta
Orienta and
and Chequamegon
Chequamegon Formations
Formations both
both appear to have been
been formed
formed by
by
fluvial processes
processes while
while the
the Devils
Devils Island
Island Formation
Formation is
is more
more indicative of a shallow
standing body
body of
of water
water (Ojakangas
(Ojakangas &amp;
&amp; Morey,
Morey, 1982;
1982; Morey
Morey &amp; Ojakangas,
Ojakangas, 1982).
Supporting evidence includes
includes aa northeasterly
northeasterly paleocurrent
paleocurrent direction trend for both the
Orienta and Chequamegon Formations. The
The Devils
Devils Island
Island Formation
Formation has
has aa less
less
prominent northeasterly paleocurrent
paleocurrent trend along with many
many divergent
divergent paleocurrent
paleocurrent
directions.
Preliminary petrographic data
data from the Devils
Devils Island
Island Formation show that nearly
100% of the primary
primary framework
framework grains are
are quartz.
quartz. The primary framework grains of the
Orienta Formation
Formation are
are 45
45 to
to 65%
65% quartz,
quartz, 35
35 to
to 50%
50% feldspar,
feldspar, and
and 00 to
to 10%
10% rock
rock
fragments (volcanic and granitic). The
to the
the
TheChequamegon
Chequamegon Formation is very similar to
quartz, 30
30 to
to 50%
50% feldspar,
feldspar, and
and 55
Orienta Formation, generally
generally consisting
consisting of
of 45 to 65% quartz,
to 10% rock
rock fragments.
fragments.
References
Morey, G.
Morey,
G. B.,
B., and R. W. Ojakangas,
Ojakangas, 1982
1982, Keweenawan
Keweenawan sedimentary
sedimentary rocks of eastern
Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin, in Wold R.
W. J. Hinze, eds.,
R. J.
J. and W.
basin: GSA
GSA Memoir
Memoir 156,
156, p.
p. 135-146.
135-146.
Geology and tectonics of the Lake Superior basin:
Myers,
W.
D.,
1971,
The
sedimentology
and
tectonic
significance
of
the
Bayfield
Myers,
1971,
sedimentology
significance
the Bayfield Group
(upper Keweenawan?) Wisconsin and Minnesota:
Minnesota: Unpublished
Unpublished Ph.D.
Ph.D.
of Wisconsin, Madison,
Madison, Wisconsin, 269 p.
University of
dissertation, University
Ojakangas, R.
R. W.,
W., and
and G.
G. B.
B. Morey,
Morey, 1982,
1982, Keweenawan
Keweenawan sedimentary
sedimentary rocks
rocks of
of the
the Lake
Lake
R.
J.
and
W.
J.
Hinze,
eds.,
Geology
and
summary, ininWold
WoldR. J. and W. J. Hinze, eds., Geology and
Superior region: aasummary,
tectonics of the Lake
Lake Superior basin: GSA
GSAMemoir
Memoir 156,
156, p.
p. 157-164.
157-164.
T., 1912,
1912, Sandstones
Sandstones of the Wisconsin
Thwaites, F. 1.,
Wisconsin coast
coast of
of Lake
Lake Superior:
Superior: Wisconsin
and Natural
Natural History
History Bulletin
Bulletin 25,
25, 117p.
117p.
Geological and

1
1

�REGIONAL
HYDROTHERMAL MASSIVE
REGIONAL HYDROTHERMAL
MASSIVE SULPHIDE
SULPHIDE PRODUCING
SYSTEM AND
PRODUCING SYSTEM
AND U/PB
U/PB
HYDROTHERMAL TITANITE
TITANITE AGE
AGE CONSTRAINTS,
CONSTRAINTS, ONAPING
HYDROTHERMAL
ONAPING FORMATION,
FORMATION, SUDBURY
SUDBURY
STRUCTURE, ONTARIO.
D.E.*,
Ames , D.E.
Jonasson, I.R.,
I.R., Parrish,
Ames,
*, Jonasson,
Parrish, R.R.
R.R. Geological
Geological Survey
Survey of
of Canada,
Canada, 601 Booth Street, Ottawa, Ontario,
K1A 0E8;
Centre, Department
of Earth
KIA
OE8; Watkinson,
Watkinson, D.H.
D.H. Ottawa-Carleton
Ottawa-Carleton Geoscience
Geoscience Centre,
Department of
Earth Sciences,
Sciences, Carleton
Carleton
University,
H.L.. Geology
Geology Department,
Department, Laurentian
Laurentian University,
University, Sudbury,
Sudbury,
University, Ottawa,
Ottawa, Ontario,
Ontario, K1S
KIS 5B6;
5B6; Gibson, H.L,
Ontario, P3E 2C6.

The objectives
objectives of
Fonnation, Sudbury Structure
of the
the present study
study in the Onaping Formation,
Structure are
are to
to detennine:
determine: 1) the
stratigraphic and
and structural
stratigraphic
structural controls
controls on
on alteration,
alteration, 2)2)the
thespatial
spatialdistribution,
distribution,mineralogy,
mineralogy,mineral-chemical
mineral-chemical
characteristics, timing, and
and origin
originof
ofalteration
alterationtypes
typesand,
and,3)3)the
therelationship
relationshipbetween
betweenregional
regional scale
scalehydrothermal
hydrothennal
alteration
alteration with
with intra-Onaping
intra-Onaping base
base metal
metal occurrences
occurrences and to
to the
the overlying
overlying Zn-Cu-Pb
Zn-Cu-Pb Errington
Errington and
and Vermilion
Vennilion
massive sulphide deposits.
deposits. Research
Research isis based
based on
on 1:2000
1:2000scale
scale mapping
mapping carried
carried Out
out during three field
field seasons, of
of ten
transects up
up to
to 66 km
of the
the structural
structural
transects
k:m width
width across
across the
theOnaping
Onaping Formation,
Fonnation, distributed
distributed around
around the
the circumference
circumference of
basin.
The Paleoproterozoic Onaping Formation
Fonnation forms
fonns the
the base
base of
of the
the Whitewater
Whitewater Group,
Group, Sudbury
Sudbury Structure
Structure and
and
is
footwall sequence
sequence to the
the 8.7
8.7 Mt
MtErrington
Erringtonand
andVermilion
VennilionVMS
VMSdeposits.
deposits. Comprehensive
Comprehensive field
field evidence
evidence
is the footwall
indicates that
that this
fall and flow,
indicates
this 1400m
1400m thick
thick fragmental
fragmental succession
succession isis hydrothermally
hydrothermally altered
altered pyroclastic-like
pyroclastic-like fall
flow,
debris-flow deposits
hydroclastic breccia
(Ames and
and Gibson,
Gibson, 1995).
1995). Syndepositional
Syndepositional radial
and minor
minor
debris-flow
deposits and
and hydroclastic
breccia (Ames
radial and
faults partially control emplacement
emplacement of the lower part of the
the Onaping
Onaping Formation
Fonnation and are conduits
conduits for
for
concentric faults
metasomatic fluids.
fluids. Evidence
Evidence for
for aa regional
regionalsubseafloor
subseafloorhydrothermal
hydrothennal system
system includes
includes vertically
vertically stacked,
stacked,
alkali metasomatic
"basin-wide"
semiconfonnable alteration
from base
base to
to top, silicification, albitization,
basin-wide' semiconformable
alteration zones
zones consisting
consisting of,
of, from
chioritization,
and celsian.
chloritization, carbonatization
carbonatization and feldspathization.
feldspathization. The latter
latter includes
includes microcline,
rnicrocline, hyalophane
hyalophane and
celsian. The
syndepositional
basal zone
zone of
of silicification
silicification consists
consists of
of an
an earlier phase of K-feldspar
by albite
albite and
and
syndepositional basal
K-feldspar overprinted
overprinted by
quartz
quartz with
with minor
minor epidote.
epidote. These
These events
events are
are also
also mimicked
mimicked ininthe
theoverlying,
overlying, locally
locally discordant,
discordant, zones
zones of
of
syndepositional
albitization. Chlorite
syndepositional albitization.
Chlorite although
although dominant
dominant in
in the
the Contact
Contact units
units isis present
present throughout
throughout the
the Onaping
Onaping
Formation
and deposits
deposits and
and the
the basal silicification
Fonnation as pycnochlorite-ripidolite except near base
base -metal occurrences
occurrences and
silicification
zone where more Mg-rich
associated with
withpyrrhotitepyrrhotiteMg-rich varieties
varieties are present.
present. A
A late
late stage
stageofofhigh
highFe-ripidolite
Fe-ripidolite isisassociated
chalcopyrite-siderite
the base-metal
chalcopyrite-siderite inin the
base-metal deposits
deposits and occurrences.
occurrences. Proximal
Proximal alteration
alteration to
to base
base metal
metal deposits
deposits
includes,
muscovite, hyalophane,
carbon, ankerite,
ankerite, dolomite
dolomite and
late siderite.
siderite. Regional
Regional
includes, barian
barian muscovite,
hyalophane, celsian,
celsian, quartz,
quartz, carbon,
and late
carbonatization,
consists of
of calcite,
calcite, and
and is pervasive in the
carbonatization, consists
the upper
upper 1I km
k:m except
except around
around base
base metal
metal showings
showings and
and
local
zones of lower temperature
temperature siicification.
silicification. The
Theupper
upperzone
zoneofoffeldspathizaiion
feldspathization contains
contains low-temperature
local zones
low-temperature kfeldspar with minor
minor albite
albite which
which isisoverprinted
overprintedby
bycelsian,
celsian,reflecting
reflectinglow-temperature
low-temperature seawater-rock
seawater-rock reactions in
the shallow subseafloor.
Amphibole
veins with
with albitized haloes represent one of the youngest
hydrothermal events
events in
in the
the Onaping
Onaping
Amphibole veins
youngest hydrothennal
Formation:
Fonnation; they
they crosscut igneous -textured intrusions
intrusions cogenetic
cogenetic with
with the
the fragmental
fragmental andesitic
andesitic Onaping
Onaping Formation.
Fonnation.
Conventional
of hydrothermal
Conventional U/Pb
U/Pb geochronology
geochronology of
hydrothennal titanite
titanite within
within the
themetasomatized
metasomatized haloes
haloes of the amphibole
amphibole
veins yields
yields an
an age circa 1850
veins
1850 Ma.
Ma. One
One of
ofthe
theworld's
world'smost
mostextensive
extensivehydrothermal
hydrothermalcirculation
circulationsystems
systemsdeveloped
developed
in the
the Onaping
Onaping breccias
breccias due
due to
to heat
heatloss
lossfrom
from the
the1850
1850Ma
MaSudbury
SudburyIntrusive
IntrusiveComplex
Complex and
and coeval
coeval sublayer
sublayerrocks.
rocks.
was
new U/Pb
U/Pb titanite
titanite age
age on
onlate-stage
late-stagehydrothermal
hydrothennal alteration proves
the complex
complex Sudbury
Sudbury event
event was
This new
proves that the
complete within
within error
error of
of geochronological
geochronological dating.
dating.
volcanic
The mechanisms of brecciation and emplacement of the Onaping Formation are similar to some volcanic
deposits
deposits however,
however, itit is not
not aatypical,
typical,volcanic
volcaniccauldron
cauldronsequence
sequence ororfallback
fallbackbreccia.
breccia. The
TheOnaping
OnapingFormation
Fonnation
represents a dominantly
deposited impact
impact melt
melt based
based on
on the
the epsilon
epsilon Nd
Nd crustal
crustal signature
dominantly subaqueously
subaqueously deposited
signature between
between -lack of
of phenocrysts
phenocrysts in
in explosive
explosive ash
ash flow-like
flow-like deposits suggesting
suggesting little crustal residence time, the
the
7.6 to -10.3, the lack
presence
presence of abundant
abundant shock
shock metamorphic
metamorphie features
features including
including shocked
shocked zircons
zircons and
and cuspare,
cuspate, plaley
platey and
and blocky
blocky
microvesicular
microvesicular shard morphologies.
morphologies. Emplacement of the
the SIC
SIC and
and sublayer
sublayer provided
provided the
the heat
heatrequired
requiredto.
to initiate
initiate
1.4 km
k:m thick fragmental sequence and led to the development of a short-lived hydrothermal
hydrothennal
fluid circulation in the 1.4
system
the overlying
replacement deposits
depositshosted
hosted inin carbonate
carbonate sinter
sinter mounds.
mounds. The
The
system that produced
produced the
overlying Zn-Cu-Pb
Zn-Cu-Pb replacement

22

�exceptional preservation
preservationof
of the
the fragmental
strata and one
exceptional
fragmental strata
one of
ofthe
theworld's
world'smost
mostextensive
extensivesemi-conformable
semi-conformable
involved in generating Paleoproterozoic
alteration systems, permits detailed investigation of processes
processes involved
Paleoproterozoic massive
suiphide deposits,
deposits, the
the role
in large
and the
sulphide
role of
of hydrothermal
hydrothermal processes
processes in
large scale
scale meteorite
meteorite impact
impact structures
structures and
the
emplacement mechanisms for large
large impact
impact crater-ifil
crater-fill deposits.
deposits.
HL. 1995: Controls
geological setting
regional hydrothermal
hydrothermal alteration within
within
Ames, D.E. and Gibson, H.L.
Controls on and geological
setting of
of regional
Errington and
and Vermilion
Vermilion base
base metal
metal deposits,
deposits, Sudbury
Sudbury Structure, Ontario;
footwall to the Errington
the Onaping Formation, footwall
in Current Research 1995-E;
1995-E; Geological Survey of
of Canada,
Canada, 161-173.
161-173.

3

�STUDY OF CARBON ISOTOPE RATIOS
RATIOS IN CARBONATES OF THE EARLY PROTEROZOIC
PROTEROZOIC·
SNOWY PASS SUPERGROUP, WY
WY AND
AND ITS
ITS APPLICATION
APPLICATIONFOR
FORCORRELATION
CORRELATIONWITH
WITh THE
CHOCOLAY GROUP, MI
MI AND
AND THE
THE HURONIAN
HURONIAN SUPERGROUP,
SUPERGROUP, ON.
ON.
BEKKER, Andrey,
Andrey, Department
Department of
ofGeology,
Geology, University of Minnesota, Duluth, Duluth, MN,
MN,
Bekkergeo1.uchicago.edu and
A., Geological
Geological Survey
Survey of
of Finland,
Finland,
55812, Bekker@geol.uchicago.edu
andKARHU,
KARHU,Juha
JuhaA.,
FIN-02 150 Espoo, Finland, Juha.Karhugsf.fi.
FIN-02I50
Juha.Karhu@gsf.fi.
Carbon has a relatively
to the
the mixing
mixing time
time of
of sea
sea water,
water, thus
thus making
making marine
marine waters
waters
relatively long
long residence time in the oceans relative to
nearly homogenous in respect
As such,
such, carbon
carbon isotope
isotope ratio
ratio changes
changes can
can be
be used
used for
for
respect to
to carbon
carbon isotope
isotope composition.
composition. As
stratigraphic correlations between
basins. In
In addition,
addition, carbonates are
are usually
usually considered
considered to
to
between carbonate
carbonate units deposited in open basins.
retain their
diagenetic and
and even
even in
in metamorphic
metamorphicalterations.
alterations. In this
their original
original carbon
carbon isotope
isotope signatures
signatures nearly unchanged in diagenetic
study, analyses of
Schist, and the Nash Fork Formation were
of carbon
carbon isotope
isotope ratios
ratios from
from the Vagner
Vagner Formation, the Lookout Schist,
carried
carried out. We
Wecompare
compareour
ourresults
resultswith
withavailable
availabledata
datafrom
from the
the Huronian
Huronian and
and Marquette
Marquette Range
Range Supergroups,
Supergroups, and other
other
sequences worldwide
ofdeposition,
deposition, and
and to
to draw
draw aa correlation
correlation between
between these
thesesequences.
sequences.
worldwide to
to put
put some
some constraints
constraints on
on the
the time
time of
Our results
results also
also have
haveimplication
implicationfor
for understanding
understanding of
ofthe
the carbon
carbon cycle
cycle in Early Proterozoic time.
consists of
of the
the Deep
Deep Lake
Lake(DLG)
(DLG)and
andthe
the Libby
LibbyCreek
Creek (LCG)
(LCG) Groups.
Groups. The
The
The Snowy Pass Supergroup, Wyoming,
Wyoming, consists
DLG and the lower
lower LCG
LCG were
were deposited
deposited between
between 2.45
2.45 and
and 2.1
2.1 Ga
Ga (Premo
(Premo and
and Van
Van Schmus,
Schmus, 1989)
1989) and
and are
areoverlain
overlainby
bythe
the
cycles with tillites at the base and
allochthonous upper LCG. The
Theupper
upperDLG
DLG and
and the
the lower
lower LCG
LCG exhibit three-large scale cycles
sandstones
Fm., Vagner
Vagner Fm.~Rock
Fm.-3Rock Knoll
Knoll Fm.,
Fm., Headquarters Fm.—*Heart
Fm.and
and
Fm.~Cascade Fm.,
Fm.~Heart Fm.
sandstones above
above (Campbell
(CampbellLake
LakeFm.—+Cascade
Medicine Peak Quartzite). Limestones
glacial retreat; they exhibit fme
Limestonesof
ofthe
theVagner
Vagner Formation
Formation were
were deposited
deposited following
following glacial
of the
the lower
lower LCG locally
locally includes
interlayering with
with siltstone. The
TheLookout
Lookout Schist
Schist of
laminations and interlayering
includes thin
thin layers of brown
brown impure
impure
TheNash
NashFork
ForkFormation
Formation isisaathick
thick(&gt;2
(&gt;2 km)
km) sequence
sequence of
of siliceous
siliceous cross-bedded dolomites
dolomite.
dolomite. The
dolomites with flat-pebble
conglomerates, pseudomorphs after gypsum,
gypsum, and
and stromatolite
stromatolite bioherms,
biohenns, enclosed
enclosedby
byblack
blackphyllites
phylliteswith
withgraphite
graphiteand
andpyrite,
pynte,
indicating a reducing environment. To
of deposition
deposition were
were suggested
suggested for
for this
this unit
unit
To that
thatend,
end, intertidal
intertidal and
andsubtidal
subtidal environments
environments of
the grade
grade increases
increases to
to the
the lower
lower
(Houston and Karlstrom, 1992).
1992). Greenschist
Greenschistmetamorphic
metamorphic facies
facies dominate
dominate in all units,
units, but the
amphibolite facies to the NE,
NE.
the Vagner
Fm. were
were analyzed
analyzed for
forcarbon
carbonand
andoxygen
oxygenisotope
isotoperatios.
ratios.Each
Eachsample
sample exhibits
exhibits aa
Fourteen samples from
from the
Vagner Fm.
negative carbon isotope
-2. l96. Data
of 6'3C=
8 1l C= -2.1960.
Data comparison
comparison with
with the
the correlative
correlative Bruce
Bruce Member
Memberof
ofthe
the
isotope values
values with
with an
an average
average of
Espanola Formation, (Huronian
by Veizer
Veizer et a!.
a!. (1992) reveals
reveals a strong
strong resemblance
resemblance (Fig.
(Fig. 1),
1),which
which
(Huronian Supergroup)
Supergroup) reported
reported by
-l8.7%o, PDB) we follow the
supports their correlation.
8180values
values(average
(averagefor
forthe
theVagner
Vagner Fm.:
Fm.: 8 180 == -18.7960,
correlation. Regarding
Regarding the
the low
low 8O
of Veizer et a!.
a!. (1992)
(1992) that
that the
the lower
lower values
values may
may be
be due
due to
to meteoric
meteoric water
water flux.
flux.
suggestion of
IJ
6O == -19.05960,
-19.05%o, PDB.
The8"C
Only one
one sample
sample was
was analyzed
analyzed from
from the
the Lookout
LookoutSchist;
Schist;ititshowed
showed8"C
5'C == 2.7960,
2.7%o, 8'"0
PDB. The
C is
is
Only
intermediate between
8"Cvalues
valuesmeasured
measuredfrom
fromthe
theunderlying
underlying Vagner
Vagner Formation
Formation and the
the high
high values
values of
of the
the overlying
overlying
between the
the low
low '3C
Nash Fork Fm. These
indicateaasignificant
significantpositive
positive shift
shift in
in the
the isotopic
isotopic composition of the marine carbonates.
Thesedata
dataseem
seemtotoindicate
Four samples were
the Nash
Nash Fork
Fork Formation.
Formation. All except one
one exhibit high positive carbon isotope
isotope
were analyzed
analyzed from
from the
8 1J C= 5%o,
5960, highest:
ratios (average:
(average: S'3C
highest:8"C=
3"C= 8.23960).
8.23%o).These
Thesecarbon
carbonisotope
isotoperatios
ratiosresemble
resemblevalues
valuesof
ofthe
theKona
KonaDolomite
Dolomite(Fig.
(Fig. I),
Fennoscandian carbonates, and other carbonates of about
about the
the same
same age
age worldwide
worldwide(see
(seeKarhu,
Karhu, 1993).
1993). Based on Sm-Nd and UPb dating of sequences in which this excursion occurs
occurs in
in Fennoscandia,
Fennoscandia, itit isis bracketed
bracketed between
between 2.21
2.21 and
and 2.06
2.06 Ga.
Ga. Correlation
Correlation
Formation with
wIth these
these better
better geochemically
geochemicallystudied
studiedand
anddated
datedunits
unitson
onthe
thebasis
basisof
of
of the Kona Dolomite and the Nash Fork Formation
carbon isotope ratios suggests a similar time of deposition.
should be
be noted, however, that one sample from
from the Nash Fork
deposition. ItIt should
"low" carbon
carbon isotope
isotope ratio in comparison
comparison with
both the Kona
Kona Dolomite
Dolomite and the
Formation has a "loW'
with the
the general
general trend.
trend. In addition, both
values than
than the
the 2.2
2.2 -- 2.1 Ga Fennoscandian carbonates (6"C
(O"C= 10 ± 3%o;
3960; Karhu,
Nash Fork Formation have somewhat lower values
1993).
(1993) correlated
correlated the
the DLG
DLG and the
the lower
lower LCG
LCG with the
the Huroman
Huronian Supergroup,
Supergroup, and
and the
the upper
upperLCG
LCG
Roscoe and Card (1993)
stratigraphic, sedimentological,
sedimento logical,and
andage
agesimilarities.
similarities. Our data support
with the Marquette
Marquette Range
Range Supergroup
Supergroup on the bases of stratigraphic,
ofchemostratigraphy
chemostratigraphy as aa tool
tool in
in the
the correlation
correlation of
ofEarly
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic
their correlation and
and demonstrate
demonstrate the
the applicability
applicabilityof
carbonates from different basins.
Our data confirm
the aforementioned
aforementionedcarbon
carbonisotope
isotopeexcursion.
excursion. This
This carbon isotope
isotope
confmn the worldwide character of the
matter, leading
leading to
to increased
increased atmospheric
atmosphericoxygen
oxygenlevel.
level. This increase in
of burial of
of organic
organic matter,
excursion indicates a high rate of
oxygen level
level was
was suggested between 2.2-1.9
2.2-1.9 Ga
Ga based
based on
on independent
independent geological
geologicaldata
data(Holland
(Hollandand
andBeukes,
Beukes, 1990).
1990). Iron
oxygen
formations
formations were
were deposited
deposited after
after the
the deposition
depositionof
ofthe
the"C-enriched
'C-enriched carbonates
carbonates in
in MI,
MI, WY,
WY,and
andFennoscandia.
Fennoscandia. This
This indicates
excursion, while
while dissolved
dissolved iron
iron was
was transported
transported and
and precipitated
precipitated in
in the shallow
that deep oceans remained anoxic even after the excursion,
shelf areas. The
Thehigh
highpositive
positiveexcursion
excursioninincarbon
carbonisotope
isotope ratio
ratio might
might be
be correlated
correlated with rifting, formation
formation of
of anoxic basins and
sedimentation rate
rate and
and many
manyother
otherfactors.
factors. More detailed work is necessary
carbonate platforms, high biomass fertility,
fertility, high sedimentation
before a working model can be developed.
developed.

4

�Fig.1.
Fig.1. Scatter
Scatter diagram
diagram of
of d180
d180 vs.
vs. d13C
dl3C for studied Early Proterozoic
carbonates. Data for the Kona Dolomite
Dolom ite from
from Feng
Feng (1986)
(1986) and
and for the
Member from
from Veizer
Veizer et
et al.
al. (1992).
(1992).
Bruce Member
IIil

•Vagnec
.VagrerFm.
Fm.
Nash
Fork
l1li Nash
ForkFm.
Fm.
Loo1ScFst
A LookotJ Sellst
Kor
Dolomite
X
Kora
DolomiteFm.
Fm.
Brte Member.
• Bru::e
Member.

.

8.2

x
X

7.2

X

X

I
i*'\ :l.~
X

x
X

•

X
x

xX

III

X

X

6.2

::.xX
5.2

X
4.2

iii

o

x

Q.

U
..,(.)

3.2

...

2.2

'C

1.2
1.2

l1li
I

-21

••

-20

•• •
•••

-19

I
I

-18

-17

, -.

I

I

•.-

-16

.15
-15

I

-14

-13

•
••
••
•.sS
••
I..
":.# •
I
•
• •• ••
•
•••

I

I

-12

-11

.2

I

-10

-9

-8

-7
-0.8
-1.8

-28
-2.8

d180

References
Precambrian marine
marine sulfate and chert:
chert: Unpub.
Unpub. M.S. thesis,
Feng, J., 1986,
1986, Sulfur
Sulfurand
andoxygen
oxygen isotope
isotope geochemistry
geochemistry of Precambrian
Illinois University.
University.
Northern illinois
H. D.
D. and
andBeukes,
Beukes,N.
N.J.,
J.,1990,
1990.AApaleoweatheting
paleoweatheringprofile
profilefrom
fromGriqualand
GriqualandWest,
West,South
SouthAfrica:
Africa: evidence
evidencefor
foraa
Holland, H.
rise in
inatmospheric
atmosphericoxygen
oxygen between
between 2.2 and 1.9
1.9 b.y.b.p.:
b.y.b.p.: Am. J. Sci., 290A, p. 1-34.
1-34.
dramatic rise
R. S.
S. and
andKarlstrom,
Karlstrom,K.
K.E.,
E.,1992,
1992,Geological
Geologicalmap
mapof
ofPrecambrian
Precambrian metasedimentaty
metasedimentary rocks
rocks of
ofthe
the Medicine
MedicineBow
Bow
Houston, R.
Mountains, Albany
Albany and
andCarbon
CarbonCounties,
Counties,Wyoming:
Wyoming: U.
U. S.
S. Geological
Geological Survey
Survey Miscellaneous
Miscellaneous Investigations
InvestigationsMap
MapI-1Mountains,
2280, scale 1:50,000.
1:50,000.
Karhu, J. A., 1993,
1993, Paleoproterozoic
Paleoproterozoic evolution
evolution of
of the carbon isotope ratios of sedimentary carbonates in the Fennoscandian
Shield: Geological
ofFinland
Finland Bulletin
Bulletin371,
371, 8'7p.
87p.
Geological Survey
Survey of
W. R.
R. and
and Van
VanSchinus,
Schnms,W.
W.R.,
R.,1989,
1989,Zircon
Zircongeochronology
geochronology of Precambrian·rocks
in southeastern
southeasternWyoming
Wyoming and
and
Premo, W.
Precambrianrocks in
northern
Geology of
of the
theSouthern
SouthernRocky
RockyMountains,
Mountains,(Eds.)
(Eds.)Grambling,
Grambling,J.J.A.,
A., and
and
northern Colorado:
Colorado: In Proterozoic Geology
Tewksbury, Geological Society of America Special Paper 235, pp. 13-48.
13-48.
Tewksbuxy,
M. and
and Card,
Card,K.
K.D.,
D.,1993,
1993,The
Thereappearance
reapPearanceofofthe
theHuronian
HuronianininWyoming:
Wyoming: rifting
rifting and
and drifting
drifting of
ofancient
ancient
Roscoe, S. M.
continents: Canadian
J. Earth
EarthSci.
Sci. 30,
30, pp.
pp. 2475-2480.
2475-2480.
Canadian J.
Veizer, J., Clayton,
Clayton, R.
R. N.,
N., and
andHinton,
Hinton,R.
R. W.,
W.,1992,
1992,Geochemistiy
Geochemistry of
ofPrecambrian
Precambrian carbonates:
carbonates: IV.
IV. Early
Early Paleoproterozoic
Paleoproterozoic
vol. 56,
56, pp.
pp. 875-885.
875-885.
(2.25± 0.25
0.25 Ga)
Ga) seawater
seawater:Geochimica
GeochimicaetetCosmochimica
CosmochimicaActa,
Acta, vol.
(2.25±

5

�SOUTHWARD EXTENSION
SOUTHWARD
EXTENSION OF
OF THE
THE PENOKEAN
PENOKEAN TERRANE
TERRANE THROUGH
THROUGH STEARNS
STEARNS
COUNTY, CENTRAL
CENTRAL MINNESOTA
MINNESOTA
BOERBOOM, Terrence J.,
I., Minnesota
MinnesotaGeological
Geological Survey,
Survey, St.
St. Paul,
Paul, Minn.,
Minn., 55114-1057.
55114-1057.
E-mail Boerb00l@maroon.tc.umn.edu
BoerbOOI@maroon.tc.umn.edu
ofthe
thePrecambrian
Precambrian bedrock
bedrockgeology
geology of
ofStearns
StearnsCounty
County
Recent remapping
remapping by
by the
the Minnesota
MinnesotaGeological
Geological Survey1
Surveyl of
has identified
identified aa previously
previously unrecognized
unrecognized southwestern
southwestern extension
extension of
of the
the Penokean Orogen (Fig. 1).
1). Prior
Priorto
tothis
this
study, most of
of Stearns
Stearns County
County was
was considered.to
considered.to be
be underlain
underlain by
by Archean
Archean high-grade granitoid gneisses, with the
exception of
county. Although
of some
some Penokean
Penokean intrusions
intrusions in
in the
the southeastern
southeastern part of the county.
Although the
the northwestern
northwestern part
part of
of
the county isis still
still interpreted
interpreted to
to be
beArchean
Archean gneiss,
gneiss, itit is
is now
now recognized
recognized that
that Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic rocks, which
Formation, as
as well
well as
as many
many intrusions
intrusions of
of
include supracrustal rocks of the Mule
Mille Lacs Group and Little Falls Formation,
varied size and
and composition,
composition, are
are predominant.
predominant In
Inaddition,
addition, thrust
thrust and
and strikestrike- or dip-slip faults are an important
aspect of
glacial drift
drift and
and patches
patchesof
of
of the geology in this region. Because
Becausemost
most of
of Stearns
Stearns County
County is covered by glacial
Cretaceous rocks,
structural and
and lithologic
lithologic
rocks, drill-hole
drill-hole and
and geophysical
geophysical data
data were utilized
utilized extensively to infer the structural
attributes of
of the
the bedrock.
bedrock.
The revised
revised geology
geology can
can be
be subdivided
subdivided into
into the
the following
following six
six broad lithologic units, listed from oldest to
youngest: (1)
(I)Archean
Archeangranitoid
granitoidgneisses;
gneisses; (2)
(2)the
theArchean
Archeanor
orEarly
EarlyProterozoic,
Proterozoic, grarnilite-grade
granulite-grade Sartell Gneiss
(broadly grouped with
with the Hiiman
HillmanMigmatite
Migmatiteoutside
outside of
ofStearns
Stearns County);
County); (3)
(3) the
theEarly
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic Mille
Mille Lacs
Lacs
Group; (4)
Formation; (5)
(4) the
the Early
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic Little
Little Falls Formation;
(5) Animikie strata of the Long Prairie
and (6)
(6)
Group;
Prairie basin;
basin; and
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic intrusions
intrusions that
thatintrude
intrude most
most of
ofthe
the above.
above.
Archean granitoid
granitoid gneiss
gneiss at
at the
the northwest
northwest corner
corner of
of the
the county is
is foliated and variably lineated along a
epidote. The
minerals
northeast trend and locally pervasively altered to epidote.
The Sartell
Sartell Gneiss
Gneiss contains the metamorphic minerals
orthopyroxene, garnet,
gamet, sillimanite,
sillimanite, and
and local
local hercynite
hercynite and
and corundum,
corundum, and
and includes
includes some
some granitoid gneiss.
between older Archean
Archean
The Mule
Mille Lacs
Lacs Group
Group underlies
underlies the
the southwest
southwest corner
corner of
of the county in a block wedged between
basement rocks.
rocks. This
Thisgroup
groupofofrocks
rocksisisconjectured
conjecturedto
toconsist
consistof
ofmetamorphosed
metamorphosed volcanic
volcanic and
and sedimentary rocks
of iron-formation. Thrust
Thrustfaults
faults are
are indicated
indicated by
by geophysical
geophysical data to occur both within and marginal
and thin beds of
marginal
to the Mille Lacs Group.
to
Group.
The Little Falls
Falls Formation
Formation contains
contains aa sillimanite-garnet-staurolite
sillimanite-gamet-staurolite assemblage that typifies this unit to the
north. The
north.
Thewestern
westernedge
edgeof
ofthe
theLittle
LittleFalls
FallsFormation
Formationhas
hasbeen
beenthrust
thrustover
over the
the Mille
Mille Lacs
Lacs Group.
Group.
The Long Prairie
Prairie basin
basin forms
forms an
an outlier
outlier of
of Animikie
Animikie strata
strata that
that correlates
correlates with, but
but is
is physically
physically separated
from, the Virginia Formation
from,
Formation to
to the
the northwest.
northwest. The
Thestrata
strataare
areonly
onlyweakly
weakly deformed
deformed relative
relative to
to other
other Early
Early
Proterozoic
is strongest
strongest along
along its
its southeastern
southeastern edge, where it is has been
Proterozoic supracrustal
supracrustal rocks,
rocks, but
but deformation
deformation is
overthrust by older
older rocks
rocks of
of the
the Penokean
Penokean Orogen.
Orogen.
The intrusive
intrusive rocks
rocks range
range widely
widely in
in size
size and
and composition
composition from
from small
small ultramafic
ultramafic plugs,
plugs, irregularly
irregularly shaped
shaped
mafic charnockitic
chamockitic bodies,
bodies, large
large plutons
plutons of
ofgabbroic
gabbroic to
to granitoid
granitoid rocks,
rocks, to
to thin
thin cross-cutting
cross-cutting dikes
dikes of
of diabase
diabase and
and
orall
allof
ofthese
these intrusions
intrusions are
are inferred
inferred to
to be
be latelate- to post-kinematic with
porphyritic granite. Most
Mostor
with regard
regard to
to the
the
the southeast
southeast part
part of
of
Penokean orogeny. They
Theyoccur
occurnot
notonly
only as
as discrete
discrete bodies
bodies in
in the
the supracrustal
supracrustal rocks but, in the
the county, as
as aa continuous
continuous plutonic
plutonic terrane
terrane of
ofdominantly
dominantly granitoid
granitoid bodies
bodies that include the Richmond Granite,
Reformatory granodiorite.
granodiorite. Earlier workers
workers established
established Early
Early
Rockville Granite, St. Cloud (Red) Granite, and the Reformatory
Proterozoic ages for these granitoid rocks and diabase dikes,
dikes, but
but modern
modern geochronologic
geochronologic data
dataare
arelacking.
lacking. These
These
plutonic rocks
at a scale of 1:2400
rocks are
are so
so well
well exposed
exposed in
in this
this part
part of
of the
the county
county that
that local
local remapping on airphotos
airphotos at
was possible.
been recognized
recognized from
fromgeophysical
geophysicaldata.
data. The
The wedge
wedgeof
ofMille
Mile Lacs
Several gross structural attributes have been
is bounded
bounded on
on its
its northwest
northwest side
side by
by aa steep
steep northwest
northwest dipping
dipping fault
fault interpreted
interpreted to
to be
be an Archean
Archean
Group strata is
orogeny. On
bounded by
by aa brittle
brittle tear
tear
structure reactivated during the Penokean orogeny.
On its
its southwest
southwest side the wedge is bounded
fault that has juxtaposed the
the Penokean
Penokean strata against older Archean rocks over some 50 km length and produced a
terminate against
against this
this
major offset of the Penokean margin. Although
Although supracrustal
supracrustal rocks
rocks of
of the Penokean Orogen terminate
fault, evidence suggests that the
across but
but may
may be
be affected
affected by
by it.
it. The
fault,
the Penokean
Penokean Rockville Granite extends across
The fault
north-striking, southeasthas
has also acted as a locus of emplacement for other smaller Penokean
Penokean plutons.
plutons. Other north-striking,
southeastdipping thrust faults have
have imbricated
imbricated the
the Mille
Mille Lacs Group strata; they
they also
also occur
occurbeneath
beneath the
the overriding
overriding Little
Little
Falls Formation. These
Thesesoutheast-dipping
southeast-dippingthrust
thrustfaults
faultsare
areconsistent
consistentwith
with previously
previouslymapped
mapped faults
faults in
in Penokean
Penokean
Archean
ofthe
the thrusts
thrusts within
within the
the Penokean Orogen near the Archean
strata to the north. The
Theeast-curving
east-curvingmorphology
morphology of
block to the northwest
northwest imply
imply that
thatthe
the latter
lattermay
may have
have acted
acted as
as an
an buttress
buttress that
that deflected
deflected deformation.
deformation.
County are
are the
the recognition
recognition
The most important
important findings
fmdings of
of the
the newly
newly interpreted
interpreted bedrock geology of Stearns County
terrane extend
extend considerably
considerably farther
farther
that the Mille Lacs Group
Group and Little
Little Falls Formation within the Penokean
Penokean terrane
south than previously recognized,
recognized, that
that aa tear
tear faulthas
fault hassubstantially
substantiallyoffset
offset the
the Penokean
Penokean margin
margin and
and juxtaposed
juxtaposed the
the
Penokean terrane
terrane against
against older
older Archean
Archean rocks,
rocks, and
and that
that thrust
thrust faults
faults have
have played
played a significant
significant role in the structural
evolution of
recognized
of this area. The
Thesize,
size,distribution,
distribution, and
and abundance
abundance of
ofPenokean
Penokean intrusive
intrusive rocks are also better recognized
and understood.
'This
1This interpretation
interpretation was
was completed
completedasaspart
partofofthe
theStearns
Steamscounty
countygeologic
geologicatlas
atlas(Minnesota
(MinnesotaGeological
Geological Survey,
Survey, County
County
Atlas Series Atlas
Atlas C-b,
C-10,Part
PartA),
A),which
whichincludes
includesdata
database,
base,bedrock
bedrockgeology,
geology,surficial
surficialgeology,
geology,Quaternary
Quaternarystratigraphy,
stratigraphy,
depth to bedrock,
bedrock, bedrock
bedrock topography,
topography, and
and mineral
mineral resources
resources plates.
plates.
depth

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Location of
Stearns County
Partial funding
funding for
the Steams
Steams
Partial
for the

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County At/as
Atlas was
was approved
approved by
by the
the
Minnesota Legislature
Legislature (M.L.
(M.L. 91,
Minnesota
91.
Ch.
Ch. 254,
254, Art.
Art. 1,
I, Sec.
Sec. 14,
14, Subd.
Subd.
4[F],
93, Ch.
Ch. 172,
172. Sec.
Sec.
4[FJ, and
and M.L.
M.L. 93,
14,
II[gJ) as recommended
14, Subd.
Subd. 1119])
by the Legislative
Legislative Commission
Commission on
Minnesota Resources
Resources from
from the
Minnesota
the
Minnesota Environment and
Natural Resources Trust
Trust Fund.
Fund.

5/.,

- I - I1.&lt;i:k5., .,, ,,. ., ,

:

III'LJ
III,.
_

5
5 miles
miles

EXPLANATION
EARLY PROTEROZOIC ROCKS
to ultramafic plutons; includes
~ Mafic to
peridotite, gabbronorite.
gabbrononte, &amp; gabbro.
peridotite.

Falls Formation
1-) Little
(staurolite schist).

Gabbro, norite,
nonte, chamockite;includes
[.. :. . . :. .j Gabbro,

Mule Lacs
Lacs Group.
Group, undivided.
~ Mille

'. '.

charnockitic affinities.
affinities.
granites with charnockitic

c:=J Granitoid plutons, undivided

Granitoid plutons. undivided

-, .

Richmond Granite

~

Rockville Granite
Rockville

D

Reformatory Granodiorite
Granodiorite

çcq
Long
Prairie
~
Long
Prairiebasin
basin(Animikie
(Animikie
LJ Basin,
argillite
and
graywacke).
~
Basin.
argillite
and
graywacke).

Strike-slip or
dip-slip fault.

~ Miscellaneous metamorphosed

~ volcanic and sedimentary rocks.
rocks.

t+:+:+j St. Cloud (Red)
(Red) Granite
Granite
~~j~j

Little Falls F0f!"ation
(staurolite schist).

Thrust fault.

ARCHEAN ROCKS
~ Sartell Gneiss
Gneiss and
and Hillrnan
Hillman

~ Migmatite (may be Early
Proterozoic).
f ......1 Granite-greenstone terrane.
terrane.

o

Lithologic contact.
contact.

High-grade gneiss terrane.

Figure 1. Simplified
Figure
Simplified pre-Cretaceous
pre-Cretaceous geologic
geologic map
map of
of central Minnesota.
Stearns
Minnesota. Stearns
County is
is outlined.
outlined.
7

�AN ELECTRONIC COMPONENT
OF THE INSTITUTE
ON LAKE SUPERIOR
AN
COMPONENT OF
INSTITUTE ON
GEOLOGY
BORNHORST, Theodore
Theodore J., and DOLAN, Michael, T. Department
Department of
of Geological
Geological
Engineering and Sciences,
Sciences, Michigan
Michigan Technological
Technological University,
University,
Houghton,
tjbornho@mtu.edu, mtdolan@mtu.edu.
Houghton, MI 49931; tjbornho@mtu.edu,
is becoming
an increasingly
increasingly important
important part
part of daily
The information superhighway
superhighway is
becoming.an
Electronic communication
communication can,
can h~lp
help the
the Institute on Lake Superior
Superior
professional activities. Electronic
Geology better serve itit constituents,
Geology
constituents, perhaps
perhaps attract
attract new professionals
professionals to participate in the
organization,
make the
the JILSG
n...SG better
Lakes region.
region.
organization, and make
better known
known beyond
beyond the
the bounds
bounds of the Great Lakes
The Board of Directors of the Institute
on
Lake
Superior
Geology
has
authorized
the
creation
Institute
Geology has authorized the creation
of an ILSG home page.
page. The
The current
current plan
plan is
is for
for the
the home
home page
page to
to contain
contain the sort of
of
information found
found in the introductory
pages of
of the
the proceedings
proceedings volume.
volume. The
information
introductory pages
The information
information will
will
include
future meeting locations,
locations, past meeting
meeting locations,
of
include future
locations, list
list of awards given, Board of
Directors,
and who to contact.
Directors, and
contact. This
This WEB
WEB resource
resource could
could also
also include
include lists of
of titles
titles of
of
abstracts,
list of members,
links to
to other sites of interest,
abstracts, lists of available
available field guidebooks,
guidebooks, list
members, links
etc. Suggestions
The ILSG
ILSG home
home page
page is
is in
in construction
construction and
and will
will contain
contain
Suggestions are
are welcomed.
welcomed. The
considerable
The URL
URL will
will be
be
considerable information
information by
by early
early September,
September, 1996.
1996. The
http://www.geo.mtu.edu/great_lakeslilsgl
http://www .geo.mtu.edu/greaClakes/ilsg/
in many
many areas
areas of
of professional
professional interest.
interest. Participants in these lists
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Discussion
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Members of the
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8

�THE WEST-CENTRAL
OF JUNE
JUNE 5, 1993:
WEST-CENTRAL MINNESOTA
MINNESOTA EARTHQUAKE
EARTHQUAKE OF
1993:
AN
AN OPPORTUNITY
OPPORTUNITY TO RE-EXAMINE
RE-EXAMINE SEISMICITY NEAR
NEAR THE MORRIS
MORRIS
FAULT
CHANDLER, VAL
VAL W.,
W.,Minnesota
Minnesota Geological
Geological Survey,
Survey, 2642 University
University Ave.,
Ave., St.
St.
Paul, Minn., 55114-1057
1) provides
provides an
an opportunity
opportunity
1993, west-central
west-central Minnesota
Minnesota earthquake
earthquake (mbLg=4.
(mbLg=4.1)
The June 5, 1993,
Minnesota seismicity
seismicity and
and its
its possible
possible relationship
relationship to
to reactivated basement
basement
to re-investigate Minnesota
structures. The
The earthquake
earthquakeoccurred
occurred within
within 25
25 kilometers
kilometers of
of the
the much larger July 7, 1975,
1975,
which has
has been
been attributed
attributed to
to the
the Morris
west-central Minnesota earthquake (mbLg=4.6),
(mbLg=4.6), which
fault, a northeast-striking crustal
fault,
crustal discontinuity
discontinuity separating
separating two
two distinct
distinct Archean
Archean terranes.
terranes.
Intensity data
data from
Intensity
from the
the 1993
1993 earthquake
earthquake confirm
confirm the
the position
position of the
the instrumentally
instrumentally
determined epicenter
epicenter and
and reveal
reveal a felt area of
of about
about 69,500
69,500 square
square kilometers,
kilometers, with a
determined
of V.
V. Some
Somelocal
localperturbations
perturbations in
in the
the isoseisms
isoseisms correlate
correlate with
with features
features
maximum intensity of
in the Precambrian bedrock,
bedrock, implying
implying that
that seismic
seismic energy may be focused significantly by
crustal structure. Focal
Focal depth
depthestimates
estimates based
based on
on intensity
intensity data
data imply
imply that
that the 1993
1993 focal
depth is similar to that
that of
of the
the 1975
1975 earthquake,
earthquake, which
which has
has been
been independently estimated
estimated to
to
be 7.5 kilometers.
The Morris fault has been generally thought to be the major seismogenic feature in
the region, but neither the 1993
1993 hypocenter inferred by
by this
this study
study nor
nor the
the 1975
1975 hypocenter
hypocenter
agree
the fault
fault as
as revealed
revealed by seismic-reflection
seismic-reflection data
agree with the subsurface trace of the
data and
and
magnetic modeling. Alternative
Alternativesources
sourcesfor
forthe
the1975
1975and
and1993
1993earthquakes
earthquakesinclude
includewest—
westare interpreted to consist
consist chiefly
chiefly of
of mafic
mafic
northwest-striking sub-vertical structures that are
Someof
ofthese
thesefractures
fractures are
are associated
associated with
with minor
minor faulting—as
faulting-as
dikes and related fractures. Some
small offsets
offsets in
in the
the Morris
Morris fault—and
fault-and possible
possible disruption
disruption of Cretaceous
Cretaceous
evidenced by small
strata. Neither the Morris
Morris fault
fault nor
nor the
the west-northwest
west-northwest structures
structures agree with
with aa loosely
loosely
constrained focal mechanism for the 1975
1975 earthquake, but the west-northwest
west-northwest structures
structures are
are
to be
be reactivated
reactivated by
by the
the east-northeast
east-northeast regional
regional compression
compression that
that has
has
favorably oriented to
been averaged for
for the
the eastern
eastern United
United States.
States.
This
indicates that
that minor
minor basement
basement structures,
structures, such
such as mafic
mafic dikes
dikes and
and
This study indicates
associated fractures, may
a largely
may play
playa
largely unappreciated
unappreciatod role
role in
in seismicity
seismicity of
of mid-continental
mid-continental
regions. Such
regions.
Suchstructures
structuresmay
maynot
notbe
beevident
evidentin
inmany
many existing
existing geological
geological and
and geophysical
geophysical
data sets.

This study
study was
Minnesota through
through the
the State Special
Special
This
was supported by the
the University
University of Minnesota
ofthe
the Minnesota Legislature.
Appropriation
Appropriation of

9

�Petrographic and
Petrographic
and thermobarometric
thermobarometricanalysis
analysisof
ofthe
the metamorphosed
metamorphosed Little
Little Falls
Falls Formation,
central Minnesota,
Minnesota, with
with implications for Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic tectonism
tectonism
DARRAH, KS.,
K.S., HOLM,
HOLM, D.K.,
D.K., DAHL,
DAHL, P.S.,
P.S., Dept.
Dept of
of Geology, Kent State
University, Kent OH 44242; and LUX, D.R., Dept. of
of Geological Sciences,
University of
of Maine, Orono, ME 04469.
Recent advances in
in thermobarometry
thermobarometry have
have significantly
significantly increased
increased our
our Understanding
Understanding of
regional metamorphism
metamorphism in
in ancient
ancient orogenic
orogenic belts,
belts, allowing
allowing important
important constraints
constraints to
to be
be made
made on
on

their tectono-thermal
evolution. However,
their
tectono-thermal evolution.
However, there have been
been few
few quantitative
quantitative studies
studies of the
the
pressure and temperature
of rocks
rocks metamorphosed
metamorphosed during the Early Proterozoic (1870
temperature evolution
evolution of

-1820 Ma) Penokean
Penokean orogeny
orogeny in Minnesota.
Minnesota. One
One previous
previous study
study in
in east-central
east-central Minnesota
Minnesota
suggests that
that Early
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic sedimentary
sedimentary rocks
rocks metamorphosed
metamorphosed during
during the
the Penokean
Penokean orogeny
orogeny
reached temperatures
of
450-600°C
and
minimum
pressures
of
5-6
kbar
(Hoim
and Selverstone,
Selverstone,
temperatures of 450-600°C and minimum pressures of 5-6 kbar (Holm and
1990).

Formation (LFF),
(LFF), located
located within
within the
the internal
internal zone
zone of
of
The Early Proterozoic Little Falls Formation
orogenic belt,
belt, isis aa biotite-quartz-plagioclase-muscovite
biotite-quartz-plagioclase-muscovite schist
schist whose
whose protolith
protolith was
was
the Penokean orogenic
graywacke sequence
sequence with
with carbonate
carbonate concretions. Metamorphic
Metamorphic'grade
gradeincreases
increasesfrom
from
a shale and graywacke
garnet grade in the north to staurolite grade in the south.
south. One
One drill
drill core
core sample
sample and
and one outcrop
outcrop
sample both from
from within
within the
the staurolite
staurolite zone
zone contain
contain synkinematic
synkinematic garnets and post-kinematic
post-kinematic
Thegarnets
garnetsare
areabout
about1-2
1-2mm
mm in
in diameter
diameterand
and are
are characterized
characterized by
by quartz-inclusionquartz-inclusionstaurolite. The
rich cores and
of crystal
crystal
and inclusion-free
inclusion-free rims,
rims, indicating
indicating that
that there
there may
may have
have been
been two
two episodes
episodes of
Thesegarnets
garnetsoccur
occurboth
both within
within the
the matrix
matrix and
and as
as inclusions
inclusions within the staurolite.
staurolite. The
The
growth. These
the main
main fabric
fabric of
of the
the unit.
unit. Petrographic
staurolite occurs as 1-2
1-2 cm
em porphyroblasts that cross cut the
the foliation
foliation preserved
preserved within
within the
the staurolite
staurolite (as
(as quartz
quartz and
and garnet
garnet inclusions)
inclusions) is
is
work shows that the
Overall, the
the petrographic
petrographic features of the LFF are similar to
parallel to the foliation in the matrix.
matrix. Overall,
to
that described for Early
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic metasedimentary
metasedimentary rocks located over 150
150 km to the
the northeast
northeast
(Hoim and Selverstone, 1990).
(Holm

Detailed microprobe
microprobe analyses
analyseswere
wereperformed
performedon
onboth
bothsamples
samplesofofthe
theLFF.
LFF. Garnet
Garnet
Detailed
interiors exhibit uniform
with an overall
almandine.
interiors
uniform compositional
compositional patterns
patterns with
overall composition
composition of almandine.
and spessartine
spessartine
Closer to the rims, the
the almandine
almandine and pyrope content increases and the grossular and
prograde garnet
garnet growth.
growth. These
content decreases,
decreases, a trend that suggests prograde
These compositional
compositional changes
changes
appear to correspond
correspond with the
the transition
transition from
from inclusion-rich
inclusion-rich core
an inclusion-free
inclusion-free rim.
appear
core to an
However, the textural change within the garnets is abrupt whereas the compositional change is
gradational.
The LFF contains
contains appropriate
appropriate mineral
mineral assemblages
assemblages on
on which
which geothermobarometry
geothermobarometry can
can be
be
performed.
Weapplied
appliedthe
thegarnet-biotite
garnet-biotite thermometer
thermometer (Ferry
(Ferry and
and Spear,
Spear, 1978;
1978; Hodges
Hodges and
and
performed. We
Spear, 1982)
1982) and
and the
the garnet-plagioclase-biotite-muscovite
garnet-plagioclase-biotite-muscovite barometer (Ghent and Stout
Stout 1981;
1981;
Hodges and
and Crowley,
to the LFF
Hodges
Crowley, 1985)
1985) to
LFF samples
samples in order
order to
to determine
determine the
the pressure
pressure and
and
temperature
conditions during
during garnet
garnet growth.
growth. Core
of 450-500°C
450-500°C
temperature conditions
Core analyses
analyses gave
gave temperatures
temperatures of
Sinceonly
onlyquartz
quartzoccurs
occurs as
asinclusions
inclusions within
within the
the garnets
garnets we
we used
used
and pressures of 5-6 kbar. Since
in order to estimate the pressures
of
matrix plagioclase, biotite, and muscovite
muscovite compositions
compositions in
pressures of
garnet core growth. Rim
Rimanalyses
analysesyield
yieldhigher
highertemperatures
temperaturesofofapproximately
approximately500-550°C
500-5500C and
and
The isobaric
similar
pressures of 5-6
5-6 kbar.
kbar. The
isobaric garnet growth we infer
infer presumes
presumes that
that matrix
matrix
similar pressures
plagioclase
did not change in composition
during garnet
garnet growth.
growth. These
composition during
These results
results concur
concur with
with
plagioclase did
previous work done
of the
the orogenic
orogenic belt
belt (Hohn
(Holm and
and Selverstone,
Selverstone, 1990).
1990).
done in
in other
other areas
areas of
We interpret
interpret the
the inclusion-rich
inclusion-rich core of
of the
the garnets
garnets to
to represent
represent syntectonic
syntectonic mineral
mineral
growth
oflate
late garnet
garnet rim
rim and
andstaurolite
staurolite
growth during
during the Penokean
Penokean orogeny.
orogeny. However
However the
the timing
timing of
growth is uncertain. ItItisispossible
just after
after the
the
possiblethat
thatboth
boththe
thegarnet
garnetrims
rimsand
and the
thestaurolite
staurolite grew
grew just
formation of the foliation within the rock.
rock. In
Inthis
thisscenario,
scenario, the
the 'peak'
'peak' metamorphic
metamorphic conditions
conditions
formation
would
associated with
with conductive
conductive relaxation
relaxation after
after crustal
crustal thickening
thickening during
during the
the orogeny
orogeny
would be associated
Alternatively the
the garnet
garnet rim
rim and late staurolite
(Holm
1988). Alternatively
staurolite growth
growth could
could have
have
(Holm and
and others, 1988).

10

�occurred
much later, perhaps
perhaps as
as aathermal
thermalresponse
responsetotothe
the—1770-1760
-1770-1760 Ma
Ma post-tectonic
post-tectonic
occurred much
magmatism in
in the region.
then the
the 'peak'
'peak' metamorphism
metamorphism would yield
yield pressure
pressure and
and
magmatism
region. If so, then
temperature conditions well after the Penokean
Penokean orogeny.
orogeny. In
In this
this second scenario, the
the discordance
discordance
between 'peak' metamorphic pressures
pressures (5-6
(5-6 kb) and the emplacement pressures determined
determined for
the
post-tectonic plutons
(3.0-4.5 kbar,
Holm, 1995)
1995) would
the post-tectonic
piutons (3.0-4.5
kbar, Darrah'
Darrah and
and Hoim,
would require rapid uplift
concomitant with plutonism.
9Ar hornblende
40Arf3
two
40Arf39Ar
hornblendecooling
coolingdates
datesmay
mayallow
allowusustoto distinguish
distinguish between
between the two
scenarios presented above.
above. Country
Countryrock
rockhornblende
hornblendedates
datesolder
olderthan
than—1770
-1770 Ma would indicate
temperatures
Three
temperatures below
below 500°C
500°C prior to
to pluton
pluton intrusion,
intrusion, thus
thus ruling
ruling out
out the
the second
second scenario.
scenario. Three
from widely scattered
scattered samples
samples of
of both
both Archean
Archean rocks
rocks and
and metamorphosed
metamorphosed
hornblende separates from
Early
to the east of the LFF all yield
yield dates
dates approximately coeval or slightly
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic rocks
rocks to
concordant with
with the
the uniform
uniform 1750-1760
younger than the age of the plutons, and approximately concordant
1750-1760
Ma 40Ar(39Ar
Thus, although
although somewhat
somewhat preliminary
preliminary
40Ar/39Arbiotite
biotitedates
datesof
ofHolm
Hoimand
andLux
Lux (1996).
(1996). Thus,
(more
(more hornblende
hornbiende dates
dates are currently
currently being
being processed),
processed), the
the data
data at
at present
present may
may suggest
suggest a major
major
period of rapid
rapid unroofing
unroofmg of
of this
this portion
portion of
of the
the Penokean
Penokean orogenic
orogenic belt during aa pulse
pulse of
ofpostpostThe new
new results
results presented
presented here are consistent
consistent with
occurrence of
tectonic
tectonic plutonism.
plutonism. The
with the
the occurrence
of a
of orogenic collapse of the Penokean orogeny
proposed episode of
orogeny (Holm
(Hoim and
and Lux,
Lux, 1996; Schneider
1996).
and others, 1996).
References
Darrah, K.S., and Holm, D.K.,
O.K., 1995,
1995, Application of the Aluminum-in-hornblende barometer on
Early Proterozoic, post-Penokean
post-Penokean plutons,
Lake Superior
Superior
plutons, central
central Minnesota:
Minnesota: Institute on Lake
Geology Abstracts, v. 41, p. 7-8.
Ferry J.M.,
J.M., and Spear, F.S., 1978,
calibration of
of the
the partitioning
partitioning of Fe and Mg
Ferry
1978, Experimental
Experimental calibration
between biotite
Contributions to Mineralogy
Mineralogy and Petrology,
Petrology, v. 66, p. 113113between
biotite and
and garnet:
garnet: Contributions
117.
Ghent, E.D.,
E.D., and Stout, M.Z., 1981,
of plagioclase-biotiteGhent,
1981, Geobarometry
Geobarometry and
and geothermoetry of
assemblages: Contributions
garnet-muscovite assemblages:
Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, v. 76, p. 9297.
Hodges,
1985, Error estimations
estimations and empirical geothermobarometry
geothennobarometry
Hodges, K.V., and Crowley, P.D., 1985,
for pelitic systems: American
American Mineralogist,
Mineralogist, v. 70, p. 702-709.
Hodges, K.V., and Spear, F.
F. 1982,
1982, Geothermometry,
Geothermometry, geobarometry
geobarometry and
and the
the A12SiO5
Al2SiOs triple point
at Mt
Mt. Moosilauke, New Hammpshire, American Mineralogist,
Mineralogist, V.
V. 67,
67, p.
p. 1118-1134.
Holm, DX.,
D.K., Hoist,
Holst, TB.,
T.B.,and
andEffis,
Ellis,M.A.,
M.A,1988,
1988,Oblique
Oblique subduction,
subduction, footwall
footwall deformation,
deformation, and
Hoim,
imbrication: A model for the Penokean orogeny in east-central
east-central Minnesota:
Geological
imbrication:
Minnesota: Geological
v. 100, p. 1811-1818.
Society of America Bulletin, v.
Holm, D.K., and Selverstone, J., 1990,
1990, Rapid groth and strain rates inferred
inferred from
from synkinematic
synkinematic
Hoim,
Geology, v. 18,
18, p. 166-169.
garnets, Penokean orogeny, Minnesota:
Minnesota: Geology,
Hoim,
Holm, D.K., and Lux, D.R.,
D.R., 1996,
1996, Core
Core complex model proposed for gneiss
gneiss dome
dome development
development
during
collapse
of
the
Paleoproterozoic
Penokean
orogen,
Minnesota:
during collapse
the Paleoproterozoic Penokean orogen, Minnesota: Geology
Geology (in
(in
press).
Schneider, D., Holm, D.K., and Lux, D., 1996,
1996, On the origin of
of Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic gneiss
gneiss domes
domes
and metamorphic
nodes, northern
northern Michigan:
Michigan: Canadian
and
metamorphic nodes,
Canadian Journal
Journal of
of Earth
Earth Sciences
Sciences (in
(in
press).

11

�MICHIGAN MINERAL
MINERAL LEASE EXPLORATION DATA INVENTORY
MICHIGAN
INVENTORY
Milton A. Gere, Jr.
Real Estate DMsion,
Division, Michigan Department
Department of
of Natural
Natural Resources
Resources
Marquette, MI
MI49855
49855
Upon
Upon termination of a metallic or
or nonmetallic
nonmetallic mineral
mineral lease
lease on
on State
State of
of Michigan
Michigan owned
owned minerals
minerals land,
land,
exploration data,
data, geological records and
and samples,
samples, including
including drill
drill cores
cores and
and cuttings,
cuttings, from the work
exploration
performed are
performed
are submitted
submitted to
to the
the State
State to
to become
become part
part of
ofthe
the public
public record.
record. Periodically, exploration
on private land leases is also donated to the State.
information collected by companies during
dUring work on

Records
are on
on file
file for exploration
exploration and
and mining
mining activity
activity for
for numerous
numerous mineral
mineral commodities.
commodities. Past
Records are
Past leases
leases
involved efforts to locate
locate and/or
and/or mine
mine copper,
copper, diamonds,
diamonds, gold, iron,
iron, limestone
limestone and
and dolomite,
dolomite, uranium
uraniumand
and
and base
base metals.
metals.
associated precious and
The exploration information is
is now inventoried on a computer database which allows access by county
name,
town and
and range,
range, company
company name
name or
orState
State lease
leasenumber,
number,etc.
etc. The
The inquiry indicates if geological or
name, town
geophysical
geophysical work
work was
was performed,
performed, ifif any
any drilling was
was done,
done, what
what type
type and
and any
any drill
drill log
log confidential status.
It also lists if any drill core,
were submitted
submitted and additional
core, cuttings
cuttings or other samples or assays were
information.
inventory is
is kept
kept in
in hard
hard copy
copy files
files which may
may be
be reviewed
reviewed on
on an
an appointment
appointment
Information listed in the inventory
basis. Geologic
Geologic and
and geophysical
geophysical data on file may prove to be an important lead to the future
basis.
understanding
of Michigan's
Michigan's geologic
geologic and
and mineral
mineral resources.
resources. Commodities
Commodities located
located in
in the past may now
understanding of
be economic to produce. Also,
Also, the
the lack
lackof
ofknown
known specific
specificresources
resources in
in an
an area
area may
maysuggest
suggest that
that
expenditure
expenditure of new exploration
exploration dollars
dollars would
would be
be better
betterused
usedininanother
anotherMichigan
Michiganlocation.
location. Additionally,
Additionally,
determined for a parcel other companies are interested in leasing so
terminated lease status may be determined
their exploration activities
activities can
can take place.
place.
The quantity
quantity and
and quality
quality of
of the
the information
informationon
onfile
filevaries
variesdrastically
drasticallyfrom
fromlease
leasetotolease.
lease. The
The type
typeof
of
lease, or
or contract,
contract, the
the years
years that
that the
the lease
lease was
was in
in effect,
effect, the
the amount
amount of
of work
work done
done on
on the
the property
property and
and
lease,
the lessee
lessee all
all playa
play a part
part in
in determining
determining what
what eventually is submitted to be
the public consciousness
consciousness of the
be
placed into open-file status.
placed
The leasing of State owned minerals is a function long managed by the Minerals Lease Management
Section, Real Estate Division of
of the Michigan
Michigan Department
Department of
of Natural
Natural Resources
Resources (MDNR).
(MDNR). For
For many
many
years the
the collection of exploration data and samples at the termination of
of the leases
leases was handled by the
However, during
during the
the split
split of
of functions
functions of
of the
the MDNR,
MDNR,
Michigan Geological
Geological Survey Division (GSD).
(GSD). However,
Quality
October 1, 1995, the GSD was placed
placed into the new Michigan
Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
(DEQ). During
geologic, metallic and
(DEQ).
During this
this process
process the limited general geologic,
and nonmetallic mineral resources and
groundwater resource
resource related
related functions,
functions, and
and staff,
staff, of the GSD were
were transferred
transferred to the Real Estate
Division
Division (RED)
(RED) of the DNR. RED geologic staff and functions are located in Lansing, Escanaba, and
Marquette.

Through the above changes,
records from terminated State mineral leases
changes, the geologic records
leases now
now reside
reside in
files of the RED/MDNR.
samples submitted
submitted at
at lease
leasetermination
terminationare.
are.
RED/MDNR. Any
Any geological
geological drill core or other samples
in the
the GSD/DEQ's
GSD/DEQ's Geological
Geological Core
Core and
and Sample
Sample Repository
Repositoryfor
for public
public use.
use. Both the Mineral
then placed
placed in
Lease
Lease Data
Data Inventory
Inventory and
and the
the Repository
Repository are
are located
located in
in the
the Marquette,
Marquette, MI
Ml locations of the DNR and the
DEQ.

information about
about the
the Mineral
Mineral Lease
Lease Data
Data Inventory,
Inventory, call
call Milt
Milt Gere,
Gere, RED/DNR,
RED/DNR, or
or for
for information
information
For information
about the Repository,
Repository, call Bill Swenor,
Swenor, GSD/DEQ. Both
Both can
can be reached via phone
phone at
at 906/228-6561.
906/228-6561.

12

�GEOCHEMICAL SOURCE
TRENDS OF THE
SOURCE CHARACTERISTICS
CHARACTERlSTICS AND DIAGENETIC TRENDS
FORMATION, MESABI
MESABI IRON
IRON RANGE,
RANGE, MINNESOTA
MINNESOTA
VIRGINIA FORMATION,
Hemrriing, Lamont-Doherty Earth
S. R. Hemming,
Earth Observatory,
Observatory, Rt.
Rt. 9W, Palisades, NY 10964,
ng@lamont.ldeo.columbia.edu;
S.
M.
McLennan,and
and G.
0. N. Hanson,
hemming@lamont.ldeo.columbia.edu;
S.
M.
Mclennan,
hem
Department of Earth and Space Sciences, SUNY, Stony Brook, NY 11974
Understanding
of the Animikie
Animikie Basin is integral to understanding the regional tectonic
Understanding the
the evolution
evolution of
(heat Lakes
Proterozoic. The Animikie Basin
Basin contains
contains aa
framework in the Great
Lakes area
area during
during the Early Proterozoic.
number of
of approximately
approximately correlated
correlated shale to turbidite sequences that fonn
form the youngest wlit
unit within
the Animikie
Aniniikie Group.
Group. In
Inthe
the Mesabi
Mesabi Iron
Iron Range
Range of
of northern Minnesota,
Minnesota, the Virginia
Virginia Fonnation
Formation is
is
of shales and is
is relatively
relatively undeformed.
undefonned. The geochemistry of
of sedimentary
composed dominantly of
powerful information
rocks provides powerfiul
informationconcerning
concerningbasin
basinevolution.
evolution. However,
However, there
there are
are aa number
number of
of
complexly interactive parameters that control the composition of
The ideal
ideal
of sedimentary
sedimentary rocks.
rocks. The
ofelements
elements that could
could be used to quantify the original composition of the
characteristics
characteristics of
the ultimate
ultimate
igneous
inunobility in
igneous source are relative immobility
in most
most natural
natural fluids
fluids and
and different
different enough
enough behavior
behavior during
during
igneous differentiation as to be sensitive to source
source composition.
composition. Although
Although no element is completely
igneous
immune
well known
immune from chemical attack, it is well
known that
that the
the rare earth elements
elements and
and Th
Th and
and Sc are well
isotopes provide valuable constraints on
on the
characterizing source
source compositions
compositions and
and Nd isotopes
suited for characterizing
of the sources. Compared
Compared to
to post-Archean
post-Archean Australian average
antiquity of
average shale
shale (PAAS),
(PAAS), shales
shales of
of
the Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic Virginia
Virginia Formation
Formation have
have light
light rare earth
earth element
element enriched patterns and high
of rare earth elements,
elements, low
low m/Sc
thlScratios
ratiosthat
thatare
arecorrelated
correlatedto
toTh
Thabundances
abundancesand
andhigh
high
abundances of
LaiTh ratios. The
La!Th
TheSm-Nd
Sm-Ndisotope
isotopecomposition
composition of
ofVirginia
Virginia samples indicates a source that was
earth element
element depleted
depleted reservoir, and
and the
the trace
trace element
element
long-tenn light
light rare
rare earth
recently derived from aa long-term
character
best fit
fit aa young
young
character indicates
indicates itit was
was aa continental
continental source. These
Thesegeochemical
geochemical data best
as the
the dominant
dominant source
source for
for the Virginia Formation.
differentiated arc as
Elements are variably susceptible
attack by
by surface
suthce waters
waters and
and thus
thus well
well
susceptible to chemical
chemical attack
understood trends in chemical
composition are
arecreated
createdduring
duringweathering.
weathering. Published
Published reports
reports have
have
chemical composition
showed that major
major element variations predicted by thennodynamic
thermodynamic calculations
calculations are
are generally
generally
consistent with trends in weathering
weathering profiles.
proffles.In
Incontrast,
contrast, many diagenetic
diagenetic reactions
reactions may
may create
create an
an
approximately
reverse trend
trend from
from weathering.
weathering. Accordingly,
approximately reverse
Accordingly, estimates of weathering intensity
rocks will
will tend
tend to
to be
be minimum
minimum estimates.
estimates. Major
of sedimentary
sedimentary rocks
Major
based on chemical compositions of
elements
elements in
elements and alkali and alkaline earth trace elements
in the
the Virginia
Virginia Fonnation
Formation are
are strongly
are substantially
substantially divergent
divergent from igneous
contents are
correlated and are
igneous differentiation
differentiationtrends.
trends. Ca contents
extremely low, mostly less than 11 wt. %.
%. Thus the sediments' compositions are almost
almost totally
totally
controlled by aqueous alteration
alteration during
during sedimentary
sedimentary processes. Two
Twomain
mainlines
linesof
ofevidence
evidence
suggest the measured
measured compositional
compositional trends are largely products of
of diagenetic/metamorpbic
diagenetic/metamorphic
reactions. First
Firstof
ofall,
all,aaSHRJMP
SHRIMPU-Pb
U-Pbzircon
zircon age
age from
from an
an ash
ash layer
layer near the base
base of
of the Virginia
Formation constrains the time
time of
of deposition
depositiontotobe
beabout
about1.85
1.85Ga.
Ga. However,
However, aa Rb-Sr isochron
isochron from
from
(Petennan, 1966,
1966,
the Virginia Formation is
is very
very well
well correlated and yields a 1.6 Ga age estimate (Peterman,
GSA Bulletin), consistent
consistent with
with a time
time of
of pervasive resetting of
of the Rb-Sr system in
in the region.
ternary (CIA,
(CIA, chemical
chemical index
index of
of alteration)
alteration) the
the samples
samples lie
lie
Secondly, on a A1203-Na20+CaO-K20
Al20 3-Na20+CaO-K20 ternary
along a mixing
mole % albite. Illite and
mixing line
line between
between illite and albite, ranging from about 50 to 80 mole
albite are commonly
commonly formed
fonned during burial diagenesis.
diagenesis. The strong
strong correlation between K
K20
Na20
2 0 / Na20
Rb/Sr isis likely
likely aa product
productof
ofvarious
variousmixtures
mixturesof
ofthese
thesediageneticlmetamorphic
diagenetic/metamorphic minerals,
minerals, and
and·
and Rb/Sr
thus the 1.6
1.6 Ga
Ga Rb-Sr
Rb-Srage
ageapproximately
approximately dates
dates the
the time
time of
of their formation.
fonnation.

13

�WAS LITHOSPHERIC
LITHOSPHERIC DELAMINATION
AN IMPORTANT
IMPORTANT PROCESS
PROCESS IN
IN THE
THE
WAS
DELAMINATION AN
EARLY PROTEROZOIC
PROTEROZOIC COLLISIONAL OROGENS?
EVOLUTION OF EARLY
HOLM, D.K., DAHL,
P.S., Dept
Dept. of Geology.
Geology, Kent State University.
University, Kent,
44242
HOLM,
DAHL. P.S.,
Kent, OH 44242
(216-672-4094;
(216-672-4094; dholm@kentvm.kent.edu)
dholm@kentvm.kent.edu)and
and LUX,
LUX, D.R.,
D.R., Dept.
Dept. of Geological
Geological Sciences,
Sciences,
University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469.
Mantle lithospheric
lithospheric delamination
delaminationhas
has been
been proposed
proposed as
as a ubiquitous
Mantle
ubiquitous process
process in
collision zones to the point that it may require a paradigm shift in our understanding
Phanerozoic coffision
of how collisional
evolve. The
collisional orogens
orogens evolve.
The process
process of
ofrapid
rapid mechanical
mechanical thinning
thinning of
of the
the mantle
mantle
orogenic belt ("delamination") has fundamental implications for both the
lithosphere beneath an orogenic
chemical and structural evolution of
of continents (Nelson, 1991, 1992). Although
Althoughgeophysical
geophysical data
data
from relatively young orogens
orogens seem to
to support
support the
the delamination hypothesis,
hypothesis. these
these data
data (i.e.,
(Le.• deep
deep
seismic profiling)
profiling) seem limited (at best) for assessing
very ancient
ancient orogens.
orogens.
seismic
assessing delamination
delamination in very
importance in
in Precambrian
Precambrian orogenic belts must rely,
rely. unfortunately,
unfortunately. on
on less
less
Evaluation of its importance
Evaluation
direct evidence. Two
Twoconsequences
consequences of
ofmantle
mantle lithospheric
lithospheric delamination
delamination are rapid isostatic uplift
of the overlying overthickened crust (orogenic collapse) and heating of the lower crust resulting
magmas (Turner
(Turner and
and others.
others, 1992).
1992). Investigations
in generation
generation of post-tectonic
post-tectonic magmas
Investigations of
of the
the postpostplutonism may therefore be a means to
collisional uplift history and its relation to post-tectonic plutonism
assessing the delamination hypothesis in the Precambrian.
Precambrian. We
We summarize
summarize below
below evidence
evidence from
from
two
which may
may be at least
two Early Proterozoic orogens
orogens in the
the North
North American
American midcontinent
midcontinent which
least
consistent with (though not exclusively indicative of) the delamination hypothesis.
Southern Trans-Hudson
Trans-Hudson orogen.
orogen. In
In the
thesouthern
southern Black
Black Hills
Hills of
ofSouth
SouthDakota,
Dakota,medium
medium
pressure rocks metamorphosed during an Early Proterozoic collisional orogeny where uplifted at
least 8-10 km
km before
before being
being intruded
intruded by
by the
thepost-tectonic
post-tectonic Harney
Harney Peak
PeakGranite
Graniteatat—1700
-1700 Ma.
Abundant thennobarometric
thermobarometric data indicate that the granite was emplaced at midcrustal depths
depths (12(12km) and thermochronologic
Ma period
period of
14 km)
thennochronologic data
data suggest
suggest emplacement
emplacement was
was followed
followed by
byaa—200
-200 Ma
stability
tectonic quiescence
quiescence with
with little
little uplift.
uplift. Isotopic
Isotopic and trace-element data from the
the
stability and tectonic
granite (Nabelek
(Nabelek and
and others,
b) indicate
indicate that
that at least the interior portions of the pluton
granite
others. 1992a,
1992a, b)
were derived
melting of biotite in
were
derived from high-extent
high-extent vapor-absent
vapor-absent melting
in deep-seated
deep-seated Archean/Early
ArcheanlEarly
rocks. The
Proterozoic metasedimentary rocks.
The generation
generation of
of the
the granite
granite has
has commonly
commonly been
been attributed
attributed
to
thennal relaxation
relaxation of
to thermal
of the
the overthickened
overthickened crust
crust following
following collision.
collision. However,
However. heat-flow
heat-flow
modeling results
results suggest
suggest that
that thermal
was probably
modeling
thennal relaxation
relaxation was
probably not a viable
viable mechanism
mechanism for
achieving the
the &gt;850°C temperatures
achieving
temperatures (Vielzeuf and Holloway,
Holloway. 1988)
1988) necessary
necessary to
to produce
produce
We speculate
speculate that
that generation
generation of
of the
the Harney
Harney Peak
voluminous
voluminous crustal
crustal melts
melts in
in the
the Black
Black Hills.
Hills. We
Granite magma and the crustal uplift which preceded
preceded it may have been the result of thinning of
the
mantle lithosphere
the mantle
lithosphere (delamination)
(delamination) beneath
beneaththe
the southern
southernBlack
BlackHills.
Hills. This scenario seems
supported
the whole
whole of
of the
the Black
Black Hills,
Hills. the
the Harney
Harney Peak
Peak Granite
Granite is
is spatially
spatially
supported by the fact that, in the
associated with
with the deepest exposed
exposed Early
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic country
country rock.
rock. Because
associated
Because uplift
uplift preceded
preceded
midcrustal granite emplacement,
we emphasize
emphasize that
that this
this spatial
spatial association
association is not related to in
emplacement, we
situ melting of the deepest-exposed portions of the orogen.
orogen. Rather,
Rather, preferential
preferential intrusion
intrusion into the
the
is exactly
exactly what
what would be expected if
if both uplift
uplift and
and melt
melt generation
generation were
deepest exposed rocks is
the result of
of the
the delamination
delamination process.
process. Recent
Recentage
ageconstraints
constraintssuggest
suggestsyncollisional
syncollisional regional
regional
-1740-1750 Ma
the
at —1740-1750
metamorphism at
Masuggesting
suggesting aa time-lag
time-lag of
of 30-50
30-50 Ma between collision and the
proposed delamination.
Penokean orogen.
orogen. In
Lake Superior
Superior region
region Early
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic post-Penokean
post-Penokean granites
granites
In the Lake
Holm and
and Lux
Lux (1996)
(1996) suggested
intruded into rapidly uplifting crust beginning around
around 1770 Ma.
Ma. Holin
represent deep
deep crustal
crustal melts
melts related
related to
to an
an episode
episode of
of orogenic
orogenic collapse
collapse perhaps
perhaps
that the granites represent
triggered
lithospheric delamination.
delamination. Abundant
Abundant post-Penokean
post-Penokean NE-striking
NE-striking basaltic
triggered by
by mantle lithospheric
dikes
intruded synchronously with
with
dikes (in both central Minnesota and Wisconsin) which were likely intruded

14

�or just after the
the granites
granites are
are evidence
evidence for
for aa significant
significant mantle
mantle thermal
thermal input
input into
into the
the base
base of
of the
the
(Van Wyck,
Wyck, 1995).
1995). The
Thespatial
spatialand
andtemporal
temporalrelation
relationcif
of rapid uplift, melting of the lower
crust (Van
and basaltic
basaltic dike
dike intrusion
intrusion isisconsistent
consistentwith
withan
anepisode
episodeofofmantle
mantlelithospheric
lithospheric·'thinning.
thinning.
crust and
Alternatively,
somewhat younger
younger (-.1730
(-1730 Ma)
Ma) deformational
deformational and
and
Alternatively, recent
recent evidence
evidence for
for aa somewhat
metamorphic
event suggests
metamorphic event
suggests the
the post-Penokean
post-Penokean reheating
reheating event
event responsible
responsible for
for magma
magma
generation might be related to distant subduction to the south (Van Wyck, 1995).

Conduding remarks.
The summaries presented above suggest that for the southern Black
Concluding
Hills crustal thinning
thinning preceded
preceded granite
granite emplacement
emplacement whereas
whereas for the Penokean orogeny igneous
intrusion occurred
occurred during
during tectonic
We suggest
suggest that
that this
this difference
difference in
in the
the relation
relation
intrusion
tectonic thinning.
thinning. We
between plutonism and uplift between the two orogenic belts may be more apparent than real by
simply being
being an
an artifact
artifact of the
the level
level of exposure
available for
for us
us to
to investigate.
investigate. That is, the
simply
exposure available
Penokean orogenic
during the
theproposed
proposedcollapse
collapse episode
episodewhereas
whereas
orogenic belt
belt exposes
exposes midcrustal
midcrustal depths
depths during
midcrustal depths after
after the
the period
period of
of post-collisional
post-eollisional uplift.
uplift.
the Black Hills exposes midcrustal
Nelson (1991) has suggested that the delamination process may actually involve both the
mantle portion of
of the
the lithosphere
lithosphere and
and portions
portions of
of the
the lower
lower crust,
crust, making
making itit perhaps
perhaps aa critical
critical step
step
in both the chemical and structural evolution of continental
continental lithosphere.
lithosphere. Nelson's proposed view
of craton evolution relies heavily on uniformitarian principles by invoking processes observed in
active or young orogenic belts to have occurred throughout
throughout the
the Earth's
Earth's history.
history. Detailed studies
of the
the exposed
exposed mid-and
mid-and lower
lower crustal
crustal roots
roots of
of Precambrian
Precambrian orogenic
orogenic belts
belts will
will provide
provide one
one
important test of
of Nelson's unified view of
of craton evolution.
References
ReCerences
Holm, D.K.,
O.K., and Lux, D.R., 1996,
1996, Core complex
complex model
model proposed
proposed for gneiss
gneiss dome development
development
of the
the Paleoproterozoic Penokean orogen, Minnesota: Geology (in press).
during collapse of
Nabelek, P.1,
C., and
and Haeussler,
G.T., 1992a,
isotope evidence
evidence for
for the
p.r, Russ-Nabelek,
Russ-Nabelek, C.,
Haeussler, G.T.,
1992a, Stable isotope
petrogenesis and fluid evolution
evolution in the
the Proterozoic
Proterozoic Harney
Hamey Peak
Peak leucogranite,
leucogranite, Black
Black
petrogenesis
Geochimica et
et Cosmochimica
Cosmochimica Acta, v. 56, p. 403-417.
Hills, South Dakota: Geochimica
Nabelek,
p.r., Russ-Nabelek,
Denison, J., 1992b,
1992b, The
The generation
generation and
and crystallization
crystallization
Nabelek, P.1.,
Russ-Nabelek, C.,
C., and
and Denison,
conditions of
of the Proterozoic Harney
Hamey Peak leucogranite, Black Hills, South Dakota, USA:
Petrologic and geochemical
constraints: Contributions
geochemical constraints:
Contributions to
to Mineralogy
Mineralogy and Petrology, v.
llO,p.p.173-191.
110,
173-191.
Nelson,
Nelson, K.D.,
K.D., 1991,
1991, A unified
unified view
view of
of craton
craton evolution
evolution motivated
motivated by
by recent
recent deep
deep seismic
seismic
results: Geophysical
reflection and refraction results:
Geophysical Journal
Journal International, v. 105, p. 25-35.
Nelson, K.D.,
K.D., 1992,
1992, Are
Are crustal
crustal thickness
thickness variations
variations in
in old
old mountain
mountain belts
belts like
like the
theAppalachians
Appalachians
delamination? Geology,
Geology, v. 20, p. 498-502.
a consequence of lithospheric delamination?
S., Sandiford,
Sandiford, M.,
M., and
and Foden,
Foden, J.,
1., 1992,
1992, Some
Some geodynamic
geodynamic and
and compositional
compositional constraints
constraints
Turner, S.,
on "postorogenic" magmatism:
magmatism: Geology,
v. 20,
20, p.
p. 931-934.
931-934.
Geology, v.
ofeclogites,
eclogites,
N., 1995,
1995, Oxygen
Oxygen and
and carbon
carbon isotopic
isotopic constraints
constraints on
on the
the development
development of
Van Wyck, N.,
Holsnoy, Norway
Norway and
and Major
Holsnoy,
Major and
and trace
trace element,
element, common
common Pb, Sm-Nd,
Sm-Nd, and
and zircon
zircon
geochronology constraints
constraintson
on petrogenesis
petrogenesis and
and tectonic
tectonic setting
setting of pre-and
geochronology
pre-and early
early
Proterozoic rocks in Wisconsin:
Ph.D. dissertation,
dissertation, University
University of
of Wisconsin-Madison.
Wisconsin: Ph.D.
Vielzeuf, D., and Holloway,
deterniination of the fluid-absent melting
melting
Holloway, J.R.,
1.R., 1988,
1988, Experimental determination
relations
Contributions to
to Mineralogy
Mineralogy and
and Petrology, v. 98, p. 257relations in the pelitic system:
system: Contributions
276.

15

�______

GENESIS OF
OF A
A TIMISKAMING-LIKE SEQUENCE
SEQUENCE IN THE
SOUTHERN WAWA SUBPROVINCE,
SUBPROVINCE, NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA
J1RSA,Mark
Mark A.,
A., Minnesota
Minnesota Geological
Geological Survey,
Survey, 2642
2642University
University Avenue,
Avenue, St. Paul, Minn.,
JIRSA,
Minn.,
55114-1057;e-mail:
e-mail: jirsa001@maroon.tc.urrin.edu
55114-1057;
jirsa001@maroon.tc.umn.edu
unusual conglomeratic
conglomeratic sequence sandwiched between two
An unusual
two units of Archean
Archean graywacke
graywacke in
in the
the
Virginia
(Fig. 1)
1) has
has been
been recognized
recognized since the
the 1960s
1960s as
attributes of
of the
theclassic
classic
Virginia Hom
Horn (Fig.
as having attributes
Timiskaming in the Kirkland
Kirkland Lake area,
area, Ontario.
Ontario. Since
Since that time, considerable attention has been
been
given to such sequences
sequences throughout the
the Superior
Superior Province,
Province, and many are now
now well
well documented.
documented.
focus on the Timiskaming was fueled in part by the association of these
these sequences
sequences with major
The focus
gold camps.
strata were
were deposited
deposited in structurally
camps. Most
Most Timiskaming-like
Timiskaming-like strata
structurally controlled
controlled basins
basins
inferred
be the product
during early
of the
inferred to.
to be
product of
of localized
localized extension
extension during
early regional
regional transpression
transpression of
the
greenstone sequences
pull-apart basins)
basins) prior
prior to metamorphism
greenstone
sequences (i.e.,
(i.e., pull-apart
metamorphism which accompanied
accompanied D2
Because they
they are
are the
the youngest
youngestof
of Archean
Archean supracrustal
supracrustalrocks,
rocks, the
the Timiskaming-like
Timiskaming-like
deformation. Because
sequences are unique temporal
sequences
temporal pins in the structural and stratigraphic
stratigraphic evolution of the Superior
Province.
92°37'30'

92°30'00·

92"22'30'

92°15'00.

17°3T30
, .. '" ..' ," .. ' .. '" .. ' .. " .. " .. ' .. ' ..' ..' ..' ..' ..' ...' ...' ..' ..' .. ' ..' ..' ..' .. ' . . ' .... ' ..' .. ' .. ' ..' ..' .. ' .. ' .. ' ..' ..' ..' 47°37'30"
.. "'""
" " " " " " , , , , , , , , , , , , .. , , , , , , , ,

.. .. .. .. ..

" "

'"

. .. ..

...................................................

.

PROTEROZOIC
EARLY PROTEROZOIC

.

Virginia Formation
Formation
1,*;Jii~.1 Virginia

""""""""""""""
" """"",
'"
" ' "..".." "
. " " ' . ' " ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' " ' " " " " " " " " " " " '" 1''''''''''''''''''
.. .. ", , , , , , ,
'"
".. , ,
, , ,.., ,. . .. " " " , , ,", , , , '" .. , , , , , , , , , , , ,

.. .. . . . . . "

'"

"
. .."
.. .."
. "
.. " " " " , .. " " " " .. , .. " " " "
,
""
.. "
"""
""
""
" "" ..
..........
, .. "
, .. "
" "
.. " "......
, ......
" "
......
""
" ,.. ."
","
.. "
, .. "
""
.. ,"
.. "
" "
...."
" "
, .. .. "
, ,"
, ."
, "" "
...." ,

, "

", "
,

W~~,,&gt;&lt;

+)-,I;l£t'jti(~

.~~ Biwabik Iron
Iron Formation
Formation

D

Pokegaina Formation
Pokegama

LATE ARCHEAN
ARCHEAN

'

1:-, :-, :-, I Giants Range batholith
•

Timiskaming-like
(TLS)
sequence (TLS)

~~~~~~ Graywacke and slate

[IllIll]
fflffl Metavolcanic rocks
The term "Virginia
"Virginia Hom"
Horn' refers to
Figure 1-- Simplified geologic
geologic map of the Virginia Horn
Hom area.
area. The
the hook or
or horn-shaped
hom-shaped distribution
distribution of
of Early
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic Biwabik
Biwabik Iron
vicinity
Iron Formation
Formation in
in the vicinity
The iron-formation onlaps
of
Virginia, Minnesota,
surrounding it. The
onlaps
of Virginia,
Minnesota,and
and isis applied
applied to
to the area surrounding
Archean bedrock, which is
is likely the southernmost exposures of the Wawa subprovince.
The Timiskaming-like
Timiskaming-like sequence
sequence (TLS)
(US) in the Virginia
Virginia Hom
Horn lies
lieswithin
within an
an east-trending,
east-trending, broadly
broadly
synclinal succession
rocks. It
succession of graywacke
graywacke and
and slate underlain by mafic to intermediate volcanic rocks.
forms a northeast-trending
northeast-trending structural
structuralwedge
wedgeat
atleast
least 55 km
km long
long and
and aa maximum
maximum of
of 11 km thick.
thick. The
The
TLS
TLS isis homoclinal,
homoclinal, steeply
steeply dipping,
dipping, and
and consistently
consistently south
south facing.
facing. Early Proterozoic strata conceal
"'Ml"westem part of the TLS,
TLS, and
and the
the sequence
sequenceisisterminated
terminatedon
onthe
theeast
eastby
byaafault.
fault. Although
Although the
the
boundaries
boundaries of
of the
the US
TLSare
arerarely
rarelyexposed,
exposed,aacomposite
compositesection
sectioncan
can be
be inferred
inferred in
in aa few
few areas
areas from
from aa
combination
The sequence
sequence is
combination of
of drill
drill core
core and
and outcrops.
outcrops. The
is divided
divided into
into several
several units
units that vary in
character along strike. The
The basal
basal unit
unit isis sandstone
sands.tone and
andpebbly
pebblyconglomerate,
conglomerate, which
which
thickness and character
absent to
to 30
30 m thick, and coarsens up-section.
composed of
of detritus
detritus derived,
derived from
varies from absent
up-section. ItIt isis composed
greenstone, and distinctive
distinctive quartz phenocrysts
phenocrysts eroded from the quartz-feldspar
quartz-feldspar porphyry
porphyry
older greenstone,
is a fault
intruded the
thegreenstone.
greenstone. The
The basal
basal contact
contact is
fault in
in most
most places;
places; but
butlocally
locally is
that intruded
atop aa variety
variety of
of older rocks.
rocks. A
A thin
thin and
and discontinuous
discontinuous volcanic
volcanic unit
unit containing
containing
unconformable atop

16

�flows and
and hypabyssal
hypabyssal sills
sillsofofa adistinctive,
distinctive,caic-aLkalic,
calc-alkalic, hornblende
hornblende trachyandesite
trachyandesite porphyry
flows
(HAP) isis present
present locally
above the
the basal
the volcanic
unit is
(HAP)
locally above
basal unit. Where
Where the
volcanic unit
is absent,
absent, laterally
laterally
equivalent strata are
anit can be seen in
in outcrop,
outcrop, it
are dominated
dominated by
by HAP
HAP clasts.
clasts. Where
Where the
the volcanic
volcanic unit
grades into flowtop
flowtop breccia,
breccia, agglomerate,
agglomerate, and conglomerate
conglomerate made up almost
almost entirely
entirely of
of clasts
clasts of
of
HAP. This
This conglomeratic
conglomeratic unit
unitmakes
makesup
upthe
thebulk
bulkofofthe
theTLS
TLS sequence
sequence and
and is
is composed
composed of
of poorly
poorly
sorted, clast-supported,
clast-supported, and vaguely graded beds. Clasts
more
sorted,
Clasts within
within the
the conglomerate
conglomerate become
become more
diverse
and bedding,
grading, and
and sorting
diverse in texture
texture and
and composition
composition up-section,
up-section, and
bedding, grading,
sorting are better
better
developed.

This stratigraphic sequence records a progression from gentle subsidence of aa sediment-starved

Clasts in the
basin, followed
followed by volcanism,
volcanism, basin collapse,
collapse, and in-filling
in-filling with coarse detritus. Clasts
the

conglomeratic
unit were
conglomeratic unit
were initially
initially derived
derived largely
largely from
from intrabasinal
intrabasinal volcanic
volcanic rocks,
rocks, but
progressively
more extrabasinal
extrabasinal material
material was
was supplied
supplied as
as the
the basin's
basin's watershed
watershed expanded.
expanded. The
progressively more
The
absence
implies that
that much
much of the deposition was
absence of demonstrably lacustrine or fan-delta
fan-delta deposits
deposits implies
subaerial. The
Thegreat
greatthickness
thicknessof
ofcoarse,
coarse, poorly
poorly sorted
sorted conglomerate
conglomerate indicates
indicates deposition within
within
subaerial.
alluvial
local bedded and
and cross-bedded
cross-bedded sandier units probably have a fluvial
fluvial origin.
origin.
alluvial fans,
fans, and local
Lateral
continuity of
of individual
in part because
individual units
units is difficult
difficult to establish,
establish, in
because of abrupt facies
facies
Lateral continuity
changes along
along strike,
strike, which
which are
are inferred
inferred to
to be the
changes
the result
result of
of deposition
deposition in the
the many
many sub-basins
sub-basins
pull-apart settings.
common in pull-apart
settings.

Earlier
Earlier workers in the
the Archean
Archean of
of the
the Virginia
Virginia Horn
Horn attempted
attempted to
to link
link deposition
deposition of
of the
the TLS
TLS
with that
by inferring
with
that of
of the
theenclosing
enclosing graywacke-slate
graywacke-slate sequence
sequence by
inferring that the
the TLS
TLS represented
represented
proximal turbidite channel deposits, while the graywacke
and slate
slate units
units were deposited as distal
proximal
graywacke and
which utilized
utilized outcrop and aa series
Remapping, which
series of
of cores
cores drilled
drilled by
by exploration
exploration
turbiditic fans.
fans. Remapping,
companies along the basal contact
contact of
of the
the sequence
sequence (which
(which were not available
available earlier), demonstrates
that they do not
not represent
represent aa depositional
depositional continuum
continuumfor
for the
the following
following reasons:
reasons:
Structural data indicate
sequence isis twice
twice folded,
folded, and
and in fact
1. Structural
indicate that
that the
the graywacke-slate
graywacke-slate sequence
fact
much of the graywacke
strata was
was overturned
overturned during
during DI,
Di, prior to deposition
of the
the TLS.
US.
much
graywacke strata
deposition of
Locally
Locally recumbent,
recumbent, east-trending
east-trending F1
FI folds
folds are
are cut
cut at
at an
an acute
acute angle
angle by
by the
the basal
basal
unconformity and
and faults
faults which
which bound
bound the
theTimiskaming-like
Timiskaming-like sequence.
2. Quartz-feldspar porphyry intruded the greenstones,
but not
not the
the TLS,
US, and
greenstones, but
and in
in fact
fact provided
provided
detritus to
to the
the TLS.
TLS.
3. Flows,
and detrital
detrital hornblende
hornblende
Flows, intrusions,
intrusions,and
andclasts
clastsofofHAP
HAP are
are unique
uniquetoto the
theTLS
US,, and
derived from
from HAP
HAP is
is common
common in
in conglomerate
conglomerate matrices
matrices and associated
associated sandstone units.
homblende does
Detrital hornblende
does not
notoccur
occurin
in the
thegraywacke-slate
graywacke-slate sequence.
sequence.
4. Hornblende-phyric
Hornblende-phyric dikes,
dikes, texturally
texturally similar
similar to
to and inferred to be
be feeders
feeders of
of HAP
HAP flows,
flows,
cut all
all rock
rock types.
types.
5. A sharp contrast
contrast in
in depositional
depositional style
style occurs
occurs between
between the
the resedimented
resedimented facies
facies graywackegraywackeand the
thevolcanic
volcanicand
andalluvial
alluvialfan-fluvial
fan-fluvialfacies
faciesdeposits
depositsofofthe
theTLS.
TLS.
slate sequence, and

The TLS
TLS contains
contains all
all the
the characteristics
of pull-apart
pull-apart basin
basin deposition,
deposition, including
including structural
structural and
and
The
characteristics of
unconformable boundaries,
lateral facies
facies changes,
changes, thick
thick and
and variable
variable alluvial
alluvial sediments,
sediments,
unconformable
boundaries, abrupt lateral
and the
the association
association of unique volcanism.
volcanism. Although
Althoughother
otherconglomeratic
conglomeratic units
units in
in Minnesota
Minnesota may be
candidates
candidates for aa similar
similar designation
designation (Seine
(Seine Group in
in the
the Rainy
Rainy Lake
Lake area
area and
and Okishkemucie
Okishkemucie
conglomerate in the
the Knife
Knife Lake
Lake Group),
Group), none
none has the unique combination of Timiskaming
Timiskaming attributes
attributes
present in this
present
this sequence.
sequence.

Support
for mapping
in the
Support for
mapping in
the Virginia
Virginia Horn
Horn isis being
being provided
provided by
by the
the State
State Legislature
Legislature and
and is
is
administered by
administered
by the
the Minerals
Minerals Coordinating
Coordinating Committee.
Committee.

17

�Identifying Geologic
Geologic and
and Other
Other Potential Resources From
Michigan's Abandoned Underground Mine Inventory

Allan M.
M. Johnson(1)
Johnson(1) and
and Milton
Milton A.
A. Gere,
Gere, Jr.(2)
Allan

Introduction.AAtwo-year
two-yearcontract
contractto
toinventory,
inventory, document
document and
and map
map abandoned
abandoned underground mines
mines
Introduction.
in the
the State
StateofofMichigan
Michigan was
wasawarded
awardedtotoMichigan
Michigan,Technological
rechnological University
University (MTU)
in
(MTU) by
by the
Geological Survey Division (GSD) of
ofthe
the Michigan
Michigan Department
Department of
ofNatural
Resources (M1)NR)
(MDNR) in
in
Natural Resources
late summer
summer of
of1995.
1995. The project is
is now
now being
being overseen
overseen by the Real
Real Estate
Estate Division
Division (RED)
(RED)
following
structure of
ofthe
the MDNR.
following recent changes in the structure

is needed
preserve aa data
data base
base on
on the location
of
The inventory
inventory is
needed to permanently
permanently preserve
location and condition
condition of
underground mine openings
openings and
identifYand
andrank
rankany
anyunsafe
unsafeconditions
conditionsfound
found during
during the
the field
field
and to identii
investigation phase
phase ofthe
of theproject.
project. These data will
willhelp
helpplanners
plannerstoto avoid
avoid undermined
undermined areas for future
investigation
future
development
will call
call attention to the
the conditions
conditions needing corrective action to protect
protect public
public
development and will
safety.
Similar
1970's for
the
Similar work
work on
on abandoned
abandoned iron
iron ore
ore mines
minesinin Iron
Iron County
Countywas
was done
done in
in the
the 1970's
for the
GSD-MDNR
problems ofmine
of minesubsidence
subsidenceand
andacid
aciddrainage
drainagewere
were addressed
addressed (Johnson and
GSD-MDNR in which problems
An inventory
inventory of
of mines
mines was
This research
research
Frantti, 1978). An
was also
alsodone
done(MacDonald
(MacDonaldand
andJohnson,
Johnson, 1984).
1984). This
been useful
useful for
for planning
planningpurposes
purposesand
andininpreserving
preservingaarecord
record of
of the
the mines which otherwise might
has been
might
lost with
with the
the passage
passageof
have been lost
oftime,
time, and
andalso
also in
in documenting
documenting first-hand
first-hand knowledge
knowledge from
from aging
aging
miners,
15'0 years becomes a relic of the past.
miners, as underground mining activity of the last
last 150

Goals..
The project
project requires
requires a computerized mine
mine map
Goals. The
map data base compatible with MIRIS (Michigan
System), the
the State's
State's Geographical
GeographicalInformation
Information System.
System. This
This will
will preserve mine
Resource Information System),
map data
data and
andwill
willultimately
ultimately make
make ititavailable
available electronically
electronically to the
the public.
public. The three
three major
major
map
of the project
project are:
are:
requirements of
1.
To provide
provide accurate
accurate information on the location and
and extent of
of underground openings for each of
1. To
of
the more
more than
than 500
500 abandoned
abandoned and
andclosed
closedunderground
underground mines
mines in
in Michigan.
Michigan. Selected mine
mine map
map
software.
information will be digitized
digitized and stored in a computerized data base using AutoCAD software.
2. To provide information and
county-by-countybasis.
basis.
and maps
maps for
for each
eachofthe
of the underground
underground mines on a county-by-county
This will
willinclude
includemine
minename,
name,location,
location,years
yearsofofoperation,
operation,production
productionrecords,
records, mine
mine ownership,
ownership, mine
mine
operator, number
number of
of shafts
shafts and
and other
other openings
openings to the
the surface,
surface, subsidence
subsidence pits
pits if
if present, and other
data obtainable
obtainable from
from records
records and
and mine
mine maps.
maps. Also
Also included
included will
will be
be assessments
assessments of the
relevant data
condition of
of shafts and other
other surface
surface features
features at
at each
eachmine
mine based
based upon
upon field
field observations.
observations.
3.
identify and
and rank
rank: potential
potential problems
problems atat abandoned
abandoned mines
mines in
in terms
terms of
ofpublic
public safety
safety from
from open
open
3. To identify
shafts, caving around shafts, deterioration of
shafts,
of shaft seals or caps, subsided areas, and other unsafe

18

�conditions. Assistance
mmmg company
company personnel,
other
Assistance of
of mining
personnel, county
county mine
mine inspectors
inspectors and
and other
knowledgeable individuals will be important in the field
field inspection
inspection phase
phase of
of this
this project.

Opportunities and
and Attributes.
Attributes.

It is
is recognized
recognized that abandoned
abandoned mines
mines do possess
possess esoteric
esoteric
many old mines have historical significance which,
remnants
attributes. For
Forexample,
example, many
attributes.
which, if enhanced by remnants
ofold
of old mine
minebuildings
buildingsand
andartifacts,
artifacts,may
maybe
beof
ofvalue
valuefor
fortourism.
tourism. A
A good
good example
example is
is the
the Keweenaw
Keweenaw
National Historic Park.
On-going research
research has
has identified
identified aa number
number of
of Michigan
Michigan underground
underground mines
mines as
as sites
sites of active
active bat
hibernation during
during winter
winter months
months (Millie
(Millie Hill
Hill Mine in
in Iron
Iron Mountain).
Mountain). The International Bat
Conservancy, seeking to preserve
preserve these
these mines,
mines, reports that large
large numbers
numbers of
of bats
bats migrate
migrate from
from
surrounding states and
and Canadian
Canadian provinces to hibernate there.
there..

Flooded mines
mines represent
representaapotential
potentialresource
resourceof
ofhuge
hugevolumes
volumesofwater
of water suitable
suitable for
for industry (Norrie
Mine,
Mine, Ironwood)
Ironwood) and,
and, inin some
somecases,
cases,high
highquality
qualitypotable
potablewater
water(Champion
(ChampionMine,
Mine,Painesdale).
Painesdale).
Flooded mine pools are also
geothermal energy suitable
suitable for extraction
ofreadily
readily available geothermal
also aa source
source of
using heat pump technology
technology (Osceola
(Osceola Mine,
Mine, Calumet).
Calumet).
Formerly discarded mine
mine wastes, waste rock and mill
tailings, are becoming recognized as
mill tailings,
as valuable
valuable
Formerly
raw materials
materials for
for industry.
inJustry. Examples
Examples include
include using
using these
these wastes
wastes as
as aggregate
aggregate (iron and copper
districts) ice and
in
districts)
and snow
snow traction
traction (Keweenaw
(Keweenaw Peninsula)
Peninsula) and
and potentially
potentially as
as raw
raw materials
materials in
manufacturing such
such products
productsas
asfloor
floorand
andceiling
ceiling tiles,
tiles, thermal
thermal insulation,
insulation, building and construction
manthcturing
materials
products. Tailings
of speciality
speciality products.
Tailings from
from the
the Republic
Republic Mine are being
being used for
for
materials and a variety of
Corporation in
in Alpena.
Alpena.
portland cement manufacture at Lafarge Corporation
References

Johnson, AM and
and Frantti,
Frantti, GE,
GE, 1978,
1978, Study
Study ofMine
of MineSubsidence
Subsidenceand
andAcid
AcidWater
Water Drainage
Drainage in the Iron
Iron
Johnson,
River Valley,
Valley, Iron
Iron County,
County, Michigan,
Michigan,prepared
preparedfor
forGSD-MDNR,
GSD-MDNR,Lansing,
Lansing,MI
MI by
by Institute
Institute ofMineral
of Mineral
Research, Michigan
Michigan Technological
Technological University,
University, 220 p.
p.

MacDonald,
U and
MacDonald, U
and Johnson,
Johnson, AM
AM,1984,
1984,AADirectory
Directoryof
ofIron
IronMines
Mines ininIron
IronCounty,
County, Michigan,
Michigan,
Report prepared
Report
prepared for
for GSD-MDNR,
GSD-MDNR, Lansing,
Lansing, MI by
by Institute
Institute of
ofMineral
Mineral Research,
Research, Michigan
Michigan
p.
Technological University,
University, Houghton, MI, 294 p.

(1) Director,
Director, Mineral
Mineral Technology
Technology Research
Research Group,
Group, Department
Departmentof
ofMining
Mining Engineering,
Engineering, Michigan
Michigan
Technological University,
49931 and
and Project
Project Principal
Principal Investigator.
Investigator.
University, Houghton, MI,
Ml, 49931
(2) Geologist,
Geologist, Real
Real Estate
Estate Division,
Division, Michigan
Michigan Department
Department of Natural
Natural Resources,
Resources, Marquette,
Marquette, MI,
MI,
49855 and Project Officer.
Officer.

19

�AN ANCIENT LANDSLIDE AT
AT "RED
"RED ROCKS",
ROCKS", KEWEENAW
KEWEENAW BAY,
BAY, MICHIGAN
MICHIGAN
Jorma Kalliokoski,
Kalliokoski, Professor
Professor Emeritus,
Emeritus,
Michigan Technological University,
University, Houghton,
Houghton, MI
MI 49931
49931
At the south end of
of Keweenaw
Keweenaw Bay
Bay is
is an
an outlier
outlier of Jacobsville
Jacobsville
At
Sandstone, red along the highway and purplish
Sandstone,
purplish grey along
along the
the lake
lake
shore where the batton
botton 1—3
1-3 m
m of the
the section
section is
is exposed,
exposed, and
and rests
rests
Michigaimiie
on Michigamme
Michigamme slate
slate (Fig.l).
(Fig. 1). There
Therethe
thesub—horizontal
sub-horizontal
Michigamme
surface
exhibits parallel
parallel striations,
striations, leading
leading Murry
Nurry (1955)
(195) to
surface exhibits
to
period of
of glaciation.
glaciation. Conversely,
Conversely, on
propose a
a pre--Jacobsville
pre-Jacobsville period
on
the
the basis of bedding slips in
in the
the sandstone,
sandstone, and evidence
evidence for
for aa
non-glacial paleoclimate,
paleoclimate, I
I suggested that the striations
striations were
were
produced by basal pebbles as the
the entire
entire sandstone mass
mass slid
slid
northerly (Kalliokoski,
(Kalliokoski,1982).
northerly
1982).

Additional detailed mapping
mapping last
last summer
summer revealed
revealed aa clayey
clayey fault,
fault,
traceable for about 15
15 m
m along the
the slate/sandstone
slate/sandstone contact
contact
traceable
(Fig.1)
At Sta.43
Sta.43 aa strand
strand of
of this
this shear
shear rises
rises obliquely
obliquely (dip
(dip 1~
1°
(Fig.l) At
SW) through a
SW)
a 40 cm
cm sandstone bed,
bed, and
and merges
merges into
into the
the base
base of
of
the overlying conglomerate.
the
conglomerate. The
The orientation
orientation of
of the fault
fault
indicates that
that the
indicates
the upper block mcved
moved northeast.
northeast. About 20
20 mm
southwest
is a
a larger
larger one
one along which
which sedimentary
sedimentary
southwest of this fault is
beds have moved up
up along
along aa low—angle
low-angle ramp
ramp fault
fault (strike
(strike N35
N35 W,
W,
30°SW: Fig.1,
dip 3ifSW:
Fig.1, Sta.23;
Sta.23j Fig.2).
Fig.2). The
The orientation
orientation of
of this
this fault
fault
also denotes northeast movement.
movement. Moreover,
Moreover, features
features in
in Fig.2
Fig.2
indicate
indicate that
that the footwall
footwall conglomerate first moved along a
a
bedding fault,
fault, and at this
this locality,
locality, up
up an
an inclined
inclined fault
fault (a
(a
stage beyond that illustrated
illustrated at Sta.43).
Sta.43). When
When movement
movement of
of this
this
conglomerate had slowed or ceased,
ceased, the
the poximal
poximal part
part of
of the
the
conglomerate bed
bed over—rode
over-rode the
the previously
previously ramped
ramped one.
one.
Below the
(Fig.2j Sta.43)
are parallel striations
striations on
on
the fault
fault (Fig.2;
Sta.43) there are
2 faint ones at
Michigamme slate
slate surface:
surface: 12 at
at 54°-234°
5~-234°,
the Michigamme
, and 2
90~270c. The prevalent direction is
is the same as for the fault
fault
90-2'7O°
movement vectors,
vectors, and suggests
suggests strongly
strongly that
that the
the striations
striations and
and
movement
faults formed within the
faults
the same
same dynamic
dynamic system.
system.
.

The
south of
of the
the Bishop
The elevation of Michigamme
Michigamme slate outcrops
outcrops south
Earaga statue
statue and along the lake
Baraga
lake shore
shore suggest
suggest that
that the
the
'sub-Jacobsville surface
surface slopes
slopes about
about 6°
~ northerly.
'sub—Jacobsville
The
indicates that
that the
the sandstone
sandstone outlier
outlier slid
slid
The above
above evidence indicates
northeast along
along bedding
bedding faults,
faults, one
one along
along the
the smooth
smoothMichigamine
Michigamme
slate surface and others along higher
slate
higher bedding
bedding surfaces.
surfaces. Where
Where aa
the mass stopped moving,
more distal
distal portion of the
moving, stresses within
the
portions of
of beds
beds to
to override
override
the system caused the more proximal portions
the
in landslides
the distal
distal ones,
ones, as
as is characteristic in
landslides and
and along
along
zones of imbricate
imbricate thusting.
thusting.

20
20

�Mass
Mass movement
movement of
the sandstone
in post—Glacial
post-Glacial
of the
sandstone probably occurred in
time. This may
the sub-vertical,
time.
may be the cause
cause for
for the
sub-vertical, north dipping
exposure, not
fractures in
in the highway exposure,
not seen anywhere else in
in
Jacobsville Sandstone outcrops,
outcrops, and for
for the more irregular
irregular
jointing in
in the
the lowermost
lowermost beds.
beds. The purplish color in
in the
the basal
basal
sandstone may be aa product
product of
of groundwater flow above the
the
Impermeable
impermeable Michigamme
Michigamme basement.
basement.
References

Kalliokoski, J.,
J., 1982, Jacobsvllle
Jacobsville Sandstone,
Sandstone, in
in Wold,
Wold, J.
J. R.,
R., and
Hinze,
Hinze, W
W. E.,
E., eds.,
eds., Geology
Geology and
and tectonics
tectonics of
of the
the Lake
Lake
Superior Basin:
Basin: Geological
G~ological Society
Society of
of America
America Memoir
Memoir 156,
156,
147—155.
p.
147-155.
p.
Murry,
1955, Late
Murry, R.
R. C.
C. ,,1955,
Late Keweenawan
Keweenawan or
or Early Cambrian glaciation
in Upper Michigan:
in
Michigan: Geological Society of
of America
America Bulletin,
Bulletin,
v. 66, p.
p. 341-344.
341—344.

.- .••..
~""""""""""~""""""'"
15
.

D

...

.

.

.

35

a

Michlgamme
Michigamme slate

•

F--H Jss
Jssconglomerate
conglomerate

JacobsvilleSs

overburden

.

Ii

2

meters
meter~

3,

Figure 1.
Vertical shore outcrop;
Figure
1. Vertical
outcrop; azimuth of
of profile
profile 55°.
55°.
Jacobsville Sandstone is
is in
in fault contact &lt;Wavy
(Wavy line)
line) with
with
Michigamme slate, and
and rests on striated slate at Sta.43.
Sta.43. At
At Sta.
Sta.
43
43 and 23 are inclined
inclined thrust faults,
faults, indicating
indicating that
that higher
higher
strata have
have moved
moved NE.
HE.

slate,

overburden

V JV

'I V

-.
•

b

C

.

•

meters

21

Figure 2.
2. Detail
Detail at
at Sta.23;
Sta.23;

b, sandst,
, c,
sandst.,
sandst. Lower
sandst.
inclined
congl. slid on its
inclined congl.
its
inclined
base and up an inclined
fault surface.
fault
surface. Later
Later the
the
sandst. and
and congl.
congl. of the
sandst.
upper plate
plate were thrust into
upper
into
place.
a,
a,

corigl.
congl.,,

indurated
indurated

�Aeromagnetic Map of Lake Superior
by
P. Kucks·
and Robert
Robert J.
J. Horton
Horton·
Robert P.
Kucks and

** U.S. Geological Survey,
Survey, Box
Box 25046,
25046, MS
MS 964,
964, Denver
Denver Federal
Federal Center,
Center, Denver,
Denver,
CO., 80225.
CO.,
80225.
Introduction
An aeromagnetic map of the Lake Superior
Superior" region (figure
(figure 1)
1) was compiled
as part of the Great Lakes International Multidisciplinary Program on Crustal
Crustal
as
set was
was compiled from digitized
Evolution (GLIMPCE).
(GLIMPCE). The magnetic anomaly data set
and digital data
data acquired
acquired from
from aa diverse
diverse group
group of
of magnetic
magnetic surveys.
surveys. This
abstract describes the procedures used to reduce and
and merge the individual
aeroinagnetic surveys
surveys to
to make
make the
the Lake
Lake Superior
Superior aeromagnetic map.
aeromagnetic
map.

Surveys
Aeromagnetic Surveys
The aeromagnetic
aeromagnetic surveys
surveys were
were flown
flown with
with flight-line
flight—line spacings
spacings ranging
ranging
The surveys
surveys were
were flown
mode
from 0.25
0.25 mi
mi (0.4
(0.4 3cm)
kID) to
to 33 mi
mi (4.8
(4.8kin).
kID). The
flown in draped mode
(constant
(constant elevation above terrain or water)
water) at
at elevations
elevations ranging
ranging from
from 300
300 ft
ft
(91.44
to 1000
1000 ft
Figure 22 shows
shows the
the location
location of
of the
the surveys
(91.44 in)
m) to
ft (304.8
(304.8 in).
m). Figure
compiled to make the Lake
Lake Superior
Superior aeromagnetic
aeromagnetic map.
map.

Reduction
Data Reduction
Data set J,
3, for the UP (Upper
Data
(Upper Peninsula
Peninsula Michigan), was
was only
only available
available as
as
hand—contoured
Digital data
data were
were created
created by
by digitizing
digitizing
hand-contoured magnetic
magnetic maps.
maps. Digital
1:24,000 and 1:62,500
1:62,500 magnetic
magnetic maps.
maps. For
For maps
maps with
with 0.5
0.5 mi
mi (0.8
(0.8kin)
km) flight line
line
spacings,
spacings, data were generated by digitizing the intersections of contour lines
lines
In
with flight
flight lines.
lines.
In the case where individual
individual surveys
surveys were
were flown
flown at
at 0.25
0.25 mi
mi
(0.4 km),
3cm),every
every other
other line
line was
was digitized
digitized due
due to
to the
the time
time allotted for the
(0.4
Part of
project and the expected anomaly resolution of the final
final product.
product.
Part
survey 3
J was flown
flown with flight line
line spacings of 1.0 and 3.0 mile (1.6
(1.6 and 4.8
kin).
For greater control,
kID).
control, these more widely spaced data were digitized both
at contour intersections along the flight
at inflection points of
at
flight lines and at
contours between flight
flight lines.
lines.
Gridding
For magnetic
the seven
sets that
up J,
3, the
magnetic surveys
surveys B,
E, F,
F, G,
G, B,
H, and
and the
seven sets
that make
make up
the
total—intensity
total-intensity data
data were
were projected
projected to
tothe
theLambert
Lambert conic
conic conformal
conformal projection
projection
(standard
42.5°N
(standard parallels
parallelsofof
42.5ONand
and48.5°N
48.5ON and
and central
central meridian
meridian of
of88.5°W)
88.5OW) then
then
gridded
gridded at
0.4 km
km using
using aa computer program
program (Webring,
(Webring, 1981)
1981)
at an interval of 0.4
Surveys A,
A, B,
B, C,
based on
on minimum
minimum curvature
curvature (Briggs,
(Briggs, 1974).
1974). Surveys
C, D,
D, and II were
were
and were reprojected and
and regridded
regridded to
to the
the above
above
acquired in grid form and
projection and
and grid
grid interval
interval specifications.
specifications. The digital surveys
surveys (A,
(A, B,
B, C,
C, H)
H)
at aa 0.25
flown at
0.25 mile
mile (0.4
(0.4kin)
kID) spacing
spacing were gridded at
at aa finer
finer interval
interval of
of 0.2
0.2
km (0.125
0.4 km
and then regridded to 0.4
(0.125 mile)
mile) to
to honor
honor the
the data
data more
more closely
closely and
km
(0.25 mile)
and BB were
were used
used to
(0.25
mile) for
for the
the final
final merge.
merge. Surveys A
A and
to minimize
minimize edge
edge
effects along 83GW
longitude, and
and therefore
therefore were
were not
not used
used in their entirety.
effects
830W longitude,
entirety.
Reference Field
Field Removal
Removal
The geomagnetic reference fields calculated for the date and location
location of
the individual
individual surveys
surveys were subtracted
subtracted from
from the
the total—intensity
total-intensity grids
grids to
to
produce the
the residual
residual total—intensity
total-intensity grids.
grids. The particular geomagnetic
geomagnetic
reference field
field removed
removed depended
depended on
on the
the year
year in
in which aa given
given survey
survey was
was flown
flown
International Geomagnetic
Geomagnetic Reference
Reference Field
Field
and consisted of the definitive International
(sweeney,
(Sweeney, 1990)
1990) or
or in
in the
the case
case of
of the
the Minnesota
Minnesota Survey
Survey C,
C, the
the American
American World
World
Chart (AWC)
(AWC) Regional
Regional reference
reference field
field (Peddie,
(peddie, 1976).
1976·).

consisted of the definitive

Merging
Merqjii
data sets,
magnetic field
values of
of each survey grid were
were
Before merging data
sets, magnetic
field values
adjusted by aa constant amount
amount using survey D
D as an absolute datum,
datum, to
to minimize
Theoriginal
original observation
surfaces of
discontinuities at
merge boundaries.
boundaries. The
observation surfaces
of the
at merge
been maintained
maintainedwhich
whichmay
may
alsoaccount
accountforforslight
slight discrepancies
discrepancies at
data have
have been
also
at
merge boundaries.

22
22

�two grid
grid
Data set J
J was created
created from
from seven
seven separate grids by removing two
the gap using
using the
the
cells from the edges of each and assigning
assigning values across
across the
one—dimensional splining
and others
others
one-dimensional
splining techniques described by Bhattacharyya and
merged by
by
(1979). The major surveys
surveys denoted on the index map were then merged
one and
and two
two grid
grid cells
cells respectively,
respectively, from
from the borders of survey E and
removing one
the remaining
remaining sets.
sets. The resultant grids
grids were
were combined
combined leaving
leaving data
data gaps
gaps
gaps were then assigned data values
within the final
final composite
composite grid.
grid. These gaps
using the computer
computer program
program MEGAPLUG
MEGAPLUG (Phillips
(Phillips and
and others,
others, 1993),
1993), by the same
minimum curvature
curvature technique
technique used
used by
by Briggs
Briggs (1974)
(1974) and Webring (1981)
(1981) when
gridding. Data were then
then removed
removed from
from areas
areas where
where no
no reasonably
reasonably compatible
compatible
Some margin
surveys exists (white
(white areas
areas in
in the
the southwest
southwest part
part of
of figure
figure 1).
1). Some
areas along
along latitude
latitude 46°N
46~ contain data created by the process,
process, but due
due to
to
their minimal impact,
impact, they
they have
have been
been retained.
retained.
of 0.4
0.4 km
km (0.25
mi) and
and
The final
final compiled data set has a
a grid spacing of
(0.25 mi)
is projected using aa Lambert conformal
parallels of
of
conformal conic
conic projection (standard
(standard parallels
42.5°N
and 48.5°N,
central meridian of
42.5~ and
48.5~, central
of 88.5°W,
S8.5OW, and base latitude
latitude of
of 46°).
46°). The
of Interior,
EROS
gridded magnetic data are
are available
available from
from the U.S.
u.S. Department of
Interior, EROS
Data
1990), or
or from NOAA (Hittelman
Data Center
Center (I(ucks,
(Kucks, 1990),
(Hittelman and
and others,
others, 1992).
1992). The
above grid using the
the
color aeromagnetic map (figure
(figure 1)
1) was produced from the above
program GDRELIEF (unpublished
(unpublished USGS
USGS program,
program, information
information available from
from the
author).
References
Ehattacharyya,
Bhattacharyya, B.K.,
B.K., Sweeney,
Sweeney, R.E.,
R.E., and
and Godson,
Godson, R.H.,
R.H., 1979,
1979, Integration of
times with
with varying
varying elevation
elevation and
and
aeromagnetic data acquired at different
different times
line spacing:
spacing: Geophysics, v.44,
v.44, no.
no. 4,
4, pp.
pp. 742—757.
742-757.
Briggs,
I.C., 1974,
1974, Machine
Machine contouring
contouring using
using minimum
minimum curvature:
curvature: Geophysics,
Geophysics,
Briggs, I.C.,
V.39, no.
no. 1,
1, p.39-48.
p.39—48.
Hittelman,
Buhmann, R.W.,
R.W., Racey,
Racey, S.D.,
S.D., and
and Chandler,
Chandler, V.W.,
V.W., 1992,
1992,
Hittelman, A.M., Buhmann,
Minnesota Region
Region CD-ROM,
CD-ROM, Aeromagnetics
Aeromagnetics Earth
Earth System
System Data,
Data, DOS
DOS Release,
Release,
September 1992:
1992: U.S.
U.S. Department
Department of
of Commerce,
Commerce, National
National Oceanic
Oceanic and
and
Atmospheric Administration,
Administration, National
National Geophysical
Geophysical Data
Data Center,
Center, Boulder,
Boulder,
CO.
80303
CO. 80303

Kucks,
Kucks, R.P.,
R.P., 1990,
1990, Description
Description of
of magnetic
magnetic tape
tape containing
containing Lake
Lake Superior
Superior
region magnetic anomaly data,
data, United States and Canada:
Canada: U.S.
U.S. Department
Department
of Interior, EROS
EROS Data
Data Center,
Center, Mundt
Mundt Federal
Federal Building,
Building, Sioux
Sioux Falls,
Falls,
South Dakota, 57198.
57198. [phone:
[phone: 605-594—6976]
605-594-6976]
Peddie, N.W.,
N.W., and
and Fabiano,
Fabiano, E.B.,
E.B., 1976,
1976, Model
Model of the
the Geomagnetic Field for
for
Peddie,
1975: Journal of
1975:
of Geophysical Research,
Research, V.
V. 81,
81, pp.
pp. 2539—2542.
2539-2542.
Phillips,
J.D. Duval,
Duval, J.S.,
J.S., and
and Ambroziak,
Ambroziak, R.A.,
R.A., 1993,
1993, National geophysical
Phillips, J.D.
data grids-—gamma—ray,
grids--gamma-ray, gravity,
gravity, magnetic,
magnetic, and topographic data for the
States: U.S.
U.S. Geological Survey Digital Data Series
conterminous United States:
DDS-9,
DDS—9, 11 CD—ROM
CD-ROM disk.
disk. [includes
[includes potential-field
potential-field software
software version
version 2.1]
2.1]
Sweeney, R.E.,
R.E., 1990,
1990, IGRFGRID,
IGRFGRID, AA program
program for
for creation
creation of
of aa total
total magnetic
Sweeney,
field (International
(International Geomagnetic Reference Field)
Field) grid representing the
Earth's main magnetic field:
field: U.S.
U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report
Report 9045a, 37
45a,
37 p.
p.
Webring, M.W.,
M.W., 1981,
1981, MINC:
MINC: AA griddirig
gridding program based
based on
on minimum
minimum curvature:
curvature: U.S.
U.S.
Geological Survey
Survey Open—file
Open-file Report
Report 81—1224,
81-1224, 41
41 p.
p.

23
23

�AEROMAGNETIC
AEROMAGNETIC SURVEY
SURVEY REFERENCES
REFERENCES

Survey
A
A

Bracken,
Bracken, R.E.,
R.E., and Godson,
Godson, R.H.,
R.H., 1987,
1987, Aeromagnetic
Aeromagnetic map
map of
0 x 2°
International. Falls
Falls 110
Quadrangle, Minnesota and
International
x 20 Quadrangle,
and
U.S.
U.S. Geological
Geological Survey
Survey Open—File
Open-File Report
Report 87—620,
87-620, scale
scale

the
Ontario:
Ontario:
1:250,000.
1:250,000.

B
B

Bracken,
R.E., and
and Godson,
Godson, R.H.,
LH., 1988,
Bracken, R.E.,
1988, Aeromagnetic
Aeromagnetic map
map of
of the
the
northwestern part
part of
of the
the Ribbing
Hibbing 10
10 xx 20
20 Quadrangle,
Quadrangle, Minnesota:
Minnesota:
U.S.
U.S. Geological
Geological Survey
Survey Open—File
Open-File Report
Report 88—0008,
88-0008, scale
scale 1:62,500.
1:62,500.

C.
C

Chandler, V.W.,
V.W., 1983,
1983, Aeromagnetic map
map of
of Minnesota:
Minnesota: Total magnetic
magnetic
Chandler,
intensity anomaly,
anomaly, Cook and Lake
Lake Counties:
Counties: Minnesota Geological
Geological
Survey Map A—I,
A-I, 22 sheets,
sheets, scale
scale 1:250,000.
1:250,000.

C
C

Chandler, V.W.,
V.W., 1983,
1983, Aeromagnetic map
map of
of Minnesota:
Minnesota: Total magnetic
magnetic
Chandler,
intensity anomaly, St.
County: Minnesota Geological Survey
Survey
St. Louis County:
Map A—2,
A-2, 22 sheets,
sheets, scale
scale 1:250,000.
1:250,000.

C
C

Chandler,
V.W., 1983,
1983, Aeromagnetic map
map of
of Minnesota:
Minnesota: Total magnetic
magnetic
Chandler, V.W.,
intensity
and Pine
Pine Counties:
Counties: Minnesota
intensity anomaly,
anomaly, Carlton
Canton and
Survey Map
Map A—3,
A-3, 22 sheets,
sheets, scale
scale 1:250,000.
1:250,000.
Geological Survey

C
C

Chandler,
V.W., 1983,
1983, Aeromagnetic map
map of
of Minnesota:
Minnesota: Total magnetic
Chandler, V.W.,
intensity anomaly,
anomaly, east—central
east-central region:
region: Minnesota Geological
Geological
Survey Map A—4,
A-4, 2 sheets,
sheets, scale
scale 1,250,000.
1,250,000.

D
D

Geological Survey of Canada,
Geological
Canada, 1977,
1977, Magnetic
Magnetic anomaly
anomaly map
map of
of Canada:
Canada:
Geological
Geological Survey of
of Canada Map 1255A,
1255A, scale
scale 1:5,000,000.
1:5,000,000.

E
E

Geological
Canada, 1988,
1988, Aeromagnetic
Aeromagnetic survey
survey of
of Lake
Lake
Geological Survey of Canada,
Superior,
data.
Superior, unpublished data.

F
F

U.S. Geological Survey,
Survey, 1979,
1979, Aeromagnetic
Aeromagnetic map
map of
of Sault
Sault Sainte
Sainte Marie
Marie
U.S.
and vicinity, Michigan:
Michigan: U.S.
Survey Open—File
Open-File Report
Report
U.S. Geological Survey
79—833, scale 1:250,000.
79-833,
1:250,000.

C
G

U.S.
Survey, 1980,
1980, Aeromagnetic
Aeromagnetic map
map of
of the
the Manistique
Manistique Lakes
Lakes
U.S. Geological Survey,
area,
U.S. Geological Survey
area, Michigan: U.S.
Survey Open—File
Open-File Report
Report 80—830,
80-830, 44
sheets, scale
scale 1:62,500.
1:62,500.

H
H

u.S. Geological Survey,
Survey, 1988,
1988, Aeromagnetic
Aeromagnetic survey of
of Northwestern
Northwestern
U.S.
Wisconsin,
data.
Wisconsin, unpublished data.

I

I

Wisconsin Geological
Geological and Natural
Natural History Survey,
Survey, 1983,
1983, Aeromagnetic
Aeromagnetic map
map
of northern Wisconsin:
of
Wisconsin: Wisconsin Geological
Geological and
and Natural
Natural History
History
83-4,scale
1:250,000.
Survey Map 83—4,
scale 1:250,000.

JJ

Zietz,
and Kirby,
Aeromagnetic map
map of
of the
northern
Zietz, I.,
I., and
Kirby, J.R.,
J.R., 1971,
1971, Aeromagnetic
the northern
peninsula, Michigan and
and part
part of
of northern
northern Wisconsin:
Wisconsin: Geophysical
peninsula,
Investigations
GP-750, scale 1:250,000.
1:250,000.
Investigations Map
Map GP—750,

24

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490

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Lake Superior Aeromagnetic Survey Index

Figure 2.

Index map
map showing
showing the
the location
Figure 2. Index
location of
of individual
individual surveys,
surveys, flight line spacing,
spacing, year(s)
year(s) flown,
flown, flight
flight
altitude
in thousands
thousands of
altitude in
of feet
feet above
above ground
ground (.SAG
(.sAG = 500 feet
above
ground),
and
data
feet above
ground),
and data
format
(D format (0 =
= digital).

digital).

�This page intentionally left blank

�Glimp c e/Lake Sl.-lperior
Superior Magnetics
Glimpce-/Lake
-92°
—p2°

-90°
—90°

-88°
—88°

5fJ0
50°

-86°
—86°

-84°
—84°
500
50°

1000.0
900.0
800.0

490
49° I l ' ,.

48° I

'., .i:.¥.• ,~.~~~

;r.,,-",·,~.iii-:.t:~

470
47° 14.

,

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49°

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""

46°

47°
47°

46°

-92°

-88 0

-90°

o
0

-86 0

ca1e
scale

100

II

200

kilometers

I _ L L _ Li . L J I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I - . J
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F4gure
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10

I

Kucks and
and Horton
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600;0
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500.0
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—800.0
-900.0
—900.0

1-

�This page intentionally left blank

�LATE
LATE HOLOCENE LAKE
LAKE SUPERIOR
SUPERIOR -- ISOSTATIC AND CLIMATIC
CLIMATIC LAKELAKEE., U. S.
S. Geological
Geological Survey, Reston,
Reston, VA
VA
LEVEL
LARSEN, Curtis E.,
LEVEL CHANGE.
CHANGE. LARSEN,
22092

Beach-ridge complexes
complexes along
along the
the south shore of Lake Superior record
Beach-ridge
record a
composite
from 5,000
5,000 B.P.
B.P.toto the
the present that
composite history
history of lake-level
lake-level change
change from
that
includes
includes the effects
effects of past
past climatic
climatic episodes
episodes superimposed
superimposed on
on differential
differential
pattern of
of isostatic
isostatic uplift plays
plays aa dominant
dominant role
role
basin. The
The pattern
isostatic uplift of the basin.
reconstructing past
past lake-level
lake-level changes
changes from
from coastal landforms.
in reconstructing

For Lake
Superior, uplift
uplift increases
with distance
distance northeastward from
from
For
Lake Superior,
increases with
Duluth, Minnesota,
Ontario. Isobases
Minnesota, to
to Michipicoten,
Michipicoten, Ontario.
Isobases of equal movement trend
trend
northwest to
to southeast
southeast across
across the basin. The
The outlet
outlet to
to the
the basin
basin at
at Sault
Sault Ste.
Ste.
from northwest
Marie is rising at an apparent
apparent constant
constant rate
rate of
of 0.27
0.27 meter per century relative
relative to
to
Duluth. Michipicoten,
rising at
at about
about 0.5
0.5 meter per century relative
relative to
to
Michipicoten, Ontario,
Ontario, isis rising
Duluth. The
throughthe
theoutlet
outletchannel,
channel, however,
however, controls
controls the
the mean
mean
The flow
flow rate
rate through
level of
of the
the lake.
level
lake. For
For modern
modern Lake
Lake Superior,
Superior, the outlet is rising more rapidly
U. S. shore of the lake.
mean level
level
than the U.
lake. Such differential movement raises the mean
at Duluth
meter per
per century.
century. Along
Duluth and
and submerges
submerges that
that area
area at
at aa rate
rate of
of 0.27
0.27 meter
Along the
the
Canadian shore,
shore, uplift exceeds
that at
at the
Canadian
exceeds that
the outlet so that the
the mean
mean level
level falls
falls
relative to the outlet. This
pattern of
of submergence
submergence of the southern shore
shore and
and
relative
This pattern
emergence of the northern shore is
is a relatively recent event linked to the uplift of
the St. Mary's Rivers rapids
rapids above
above the
the surface
surface of
of Lake
Lake Huron
Huronatatabout
about2,100
2,100 B.P.
B.P.
Between 5,000
5,000and
and 2,100
2,100years
yearsago,
ago, Lake
LakeSuperior
Superiorwas
was part
part of the
Between
the
Algoma phases of the upper Great Lakes.
Nipissing and Algoma
Lakes. A confluent lake linked
linked
the three basins
at Sault
Sault Ste.
Ste. Marie.
Marie. The
The mean
mean level
level of
of the
the lake
lake was
was controlled
controlled
basins at
mainly by the outlet to Lake Huron at Port Huron, Michigan.
Michigan. Coastal landforms
from
Nipissing and
and Algoma
Algoma phases
phases are
are common
common to
to all
all three
three lake
lake basins.
basins.
from the Nipissing
These landforms
landforms have
have been
been uplifted
to the controlling
outlet at Port
These
uplifted relative
relative to
controlling outlet
Port
Huron and
Huron
and correlate
correlate directly
directly between
between Lake
Lake Huron
Huron and
and Lake
Lake Superior
Superior near
near Sault
Sault
Ste.
Following the
the separation
separation of
of Lake
Lake Superior
lakes at
Ste. Marie.
Marie. Following
Superior from
from the
the lower
lower lakes
of lake-level
lake-level change
change developed.
developed. Beach-ridge
2,100 B.P.,
2,100
B.P., aa different
different record of
complexes near Sault Ste. Marie
Marie and along the Canadian
Canadian shore
shore of
of Lake
Lake Superior
Superior
Lake Huron
Huron have
have been
been raised
raised above
above the
the control
control of
of their
their controlling
controlling outlets;
outlets;
and Lake
preserve aa subaerial
subaeriallake-level
lake-level record
recordfrom
from5,000
5,000 B.P.
B.P. to present.
these complexes preserve
2,100 B.P.
After 2,100
B.P.Lake
LakeSuperior
Superiorhas
hasits
itsown
ownunique
unique lake-level
lake-levelrecord.
record. Uplift of the
St. Mary's River relative to Duluth has caused aa progressive
progressive submergence
submergence of
of the
the
St.
coast as the outlet
outlet has
has risen.
risen.

29

�Near
Duluth and
and the
the Apostle
Apostle Islands,
Islands, much
much of
of the
the coastal
Near Duluth
geomorphological record
At least
least 5.8
5.8 m
m of
of submergence
submergence has
has
geomorphological
record isis submerged.
submerged. At
occurred at Duluth
Duluth and
andabout
about4.4
4.4 m
m at
atthe
theApostle
Apostle Islands
Islands since
since uplift
upliftof
of the
the St.
St.
Mary's rapids
B.P. The Nipissing
rapids became
became the
the sole
sole control
control of
of Lake
Lake Superior
Superior 2,100
2/100 B.P.
level of the confluent Great Lakes
is indicated by
by a raised coastal beach and
Lakes that is
dune
dune complex
complex at
at an
an elevation
elevation about
about13
13 m
m above
above the
the surface
surface of Lake Superior near
near
Sault Ste.
Ste. Marie
Marie isis preserved
as an apparent
Sault
preserved as
apparent inner
inner barrier
barrier island
island system
system
preserved in
in marshes
marshes atatBark
Bark Bay
Bay and
and Big
Big Bay
Bay State
preserved
State Park,
Park, Wisconsin,
Wisconsin, and
and most
noticeably
as an inner
noticeably as
inner bar
bar system
system bordering
bordering Duluth
Duluth harbor
harbor at
at Superior,
Superior,
Wisconsin,
these bays
bays and
and the outer
Wisconsin. Prominent
Prominent beaches
beaches at the lakeward edges of these
barrier island
island at
at Duluth
Duluthrepresent
representthe
theprobable
probableposition
positionofofthe
theAlgoma
Algomabeach
beach(Ca.
(ca.
3,500 B.P.).
B.P.). This
This landform
landform has
has continued to build vertically as the mean level of
3/500
Lake
Superior has risen.
studies of
of beachbeachLake Superior
risen. The
The record
record is
is complex,
complex, but detailed studies
ridge complexes
complexes and
and marshes
marshes (such
(such as
as Bark
Bark Bay)
Bay) indicate steadily rising
rising water
water
levels in this part
part of
of Lake
Lake Superior controlled
controlled by uplift
uplift of
of the
the outlet
outlet at
at Sault
Sault Ste.
Ste.
Marie.
by drowned
drowned in
Marie. Recent
Recent submergence
submergence is also evidenced
evidenced by
in situ
situ trees near
Ashland, Wisconsin,
and in
in Duluth
Duluth harbor.
harbor. Our studies suggest
Wisconsin, and
suggest that
that the
the rate
rate of
of
uplift at Sault Ste.
Ste. Marie has remained constant
constant for
for at
at least
least the
the past
past4,000
4,000 years.
years.
The long-term prognosis for western Lake Superior
Superior is
is aa continued rise in mean
mean
lake level,
level, upon
upon which
which may
may be
be superimposed
superimposed both
both higher
higher and
and lower
lower lake
lake level
level
lake
episodes
episodes related
related to
to climate
climate changes.
changes.
The range of past
in Lake
Superior is
past climate-related
climate-related fluctuations
fluctuations in
Lake Superior
is also
The
significant. From
significant.
From an
an historical
historical perspective,
perspective, the range
range of
of Lake
Lake Superior levels
levels
from 1860
1860 to
1.2 m
to present
present is 1.2
m or
or ca.
ca. ±±0.6
0.6mmabout
aboutthe
themean.
mean. The earliest historical
accounts from
from the 1830's
suggest a range of 2.4
accounts
1830's and 40's
40's suggest
2.4 m (±
(± 1.2
1.2 m)
m) prior to
to
Our most
most recent
recent research results from
from submerged
submerged
construction of the Soo locks.
locks. Our
spit at
at Ashland,
Ashland,
deposits at
atBay
Bay Mills,
Mills, Michigan, and the active Long Island spit
spit deposits
Wisconsin, indicate
1.5 m lower than
than present
presentabout
aboutAD
AD1400
1400
indicate that
that lake
lake levels
levels were
were 1.5
m higher
higher during the early
during the
the 'Medieval
'Medieval Warm Phase' and about 11 - 1.2 m
1700's. The range of premodern lake level
appears to
to have
1700's.
level appears
have been on order of
of
double the range of
of modern
modern levels.
levels.

30

�AGE AND GEOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF
OF THE BARABOO
BARABOO QUARTZITE
QUARTZITE
MEDARIS, L.G., Jr., DOTT, RH.,
R.H.,Jr.;
JI.;FOHRNTELLE,
FOURNELLE, JH.,
J.H., JOHNSON,
JOHNSON, C.M.,
SCHOTT, RC.,
R.C.,and
andBAUMGARTNER.,
BAUMGARTNER, L.P.,
L.P., Department
Department of
ofGeology
Geology &amp;
&amp;Geophysics,
Geophysics,
University ofWisconsin-Madison,
of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison,
Madison, WI,
WI, 53706
University
Post-Penokean mature red quartzites in the southern Lake Superior region (Baraboo, Barron, and
Sioux
Sioux Quartzites)
Quartzites) provide
provide important
important evidence
evidence on
on Proterozoic
Proterozoic cratonic
cratonic evolution.
evolution. The Baraboo
Quartzite has been re-examined to resolve
resolve the
the question
question of
ofits
its age,
age, identify
identify its
its mineralogy,
mineralogy,
determine conditions
determine
conditions of weathering
weathering in
in the
the source rocks and subsequent metamorphism,
metamorphism, and
and
regime in which the mature red quartzites were formed.
formed.
evaluate the mid-Proterozoic tectonic regime
Age ofthe
of the Baraboo
Baraboo Quartzite:
Quartzite: the
the Baraboo
BarabooQuartzite
Quartziteisisunconformable
unconformable on
on rhyolite
rhyolite (Daiziel
(Dalziel
&amp; Dott, 1970;
1970; Dott, 1983),
1983), but
but was
was previously
previously thought to be
be intruded
intruded by the Baxter Hollow
&amp;
granite (Gates,
1942). Both
Bothrhyolite
rhyoliteand
and granite
granite were
were interpreted
interpreted to
to be
be correlative
correlative with
with 1760
1760 Ma
Ma
(Gates, 1942).
rhyolite and granite elsewhere in Wisconsin,
Wisconsin, and this
this interpretation has been confirmed by U-Pb
U-Pb
of 1754±44
l754±44 Ma
Ma for
for rhyolite
rhyolite from
from the
the north
north limb
limb of
ofthe
the Baraboo
Baraboo syncline
syncline and
and 1752±15
l752±15
zircon ages of
Thus, aa geological
geological paradox
paradox arises:
arises: how
Ma for the Baxter Hollow granite (Van
(Van Wyck,
Wyck, 1995).
1995). Thus,
could a mature quartz
feldspar, be closely associated in space
quartz arenite,
arenite, which
which is
is virtually
virtually devoid of
offeldspar,
and time with granite-rhyolite magmatism?
magmatism?
The quartzite-granite contact has been re-examined in Baxter Hollow, and in cores from
eight drill
drill holes
holes that
that penetrated the quartzite-granite contact, which were obtained
obtained by the U.S.
Army Corps of
of Engineers in
in 1959.
1959. There
There isis no
no evidence
evidence in
in the
the field,
field, or in any of
of the drill cores,
that quartzite was intruded by granite. Shearing
Shearinghas
hasdeveloped
developednear
nearthe
thecontact,
contact,especially
especiallyin
in
granite, which has been transformed locally to illite-quartz
illite-quartz semi-schist.
semi-schist.
Among the drill
drill holes
holes that
that penetrated the quartzite-granite contact, material
Among
material from the contact
interval was
was recovered
recovered only
only in
in Hole
Hole No.
No. 613,
613, where
where there
there is
is aa two-foot
two-foot thick, reddish-purple zone
interval
fine-grained hematite,
hematite, quartz, illite,
and kaolinite,
kaolinite, which
which appears
appears to
to be a regolith, between
of fine-grained
illite, and
overlying
Pebbles in
in the quartzite
quartzite consist
consist mostly
mostly
overlying pebbly
pebbly quartzite
quartzite and
and underlying,
underlying, ahered
altered granite.
granite. Pebbles
of quartz,
quartz, although
although a few
few pebbles
pebbles of
of red,
red, altered
altered rhyolite
rhyoliteoccur.
occur. We conclude that the Baraboo
Quartzite is unconformable on the Baxter Hollow granite, and
and that
that shearing
shearing was
was localized
localized along
along
the contact between these two
two competent
competent rock
rocktypes
typesduring
during later
later folding.
folding.
The two-foot interval
interval between quartzite and
and granite
granite may represent a paleosol, which was
derived from weathering of
ofthe
underlying granite and
and modified
modified by subsequent
subsequent shearing
shearing and
and
the underlying
metamorphism,
In addition,
addition,
metamorphism,,and·a
anda chemical
chemical investigation
investigation isis in
inprogress
progress to
to test
test this hypothesis.
hypothesis. In
detrital zircons, some of
of which are euhedral, have been separated from the quartzite
quartzite and
and are
are being
being
analyzed
any were derived
derived from 1760
1760 granite-rhyolite
granite-rhyolite sources.
sources.
analyzed to
to test whether any
Mineralogy:
Minera1o: sheet
sheetsilicates
silicatesininthe
theBaraboo
BarabooQuartzite
Quartziteare
aredominated
dominatedby
bypyrophyffite,
pyrophyllite,
A14Si5O20(OH)4,and
andkaolinite,
kaolinite, Al
A14Si4O10(OH)8,
whichoccUr
occurinterstitially
interstitially in
in quartzite
quartzite and in
Al4Sig0ZO(OH)4'
in
4Si40lQ(OH)g, which
K15A14[Si65A115O20](OH)4, and
and occurs interstitially
pyrophyllite-rich layers. K-mica
K-micaisisilhite,
illite, - K1.5Al4[Si6.5Al1.50zoJ(OH)4'
in
alteration product
product of
offeldspar
feldspar in
in granite.
granite.
in quartzite, in the regolith(?) in Hole 613, and as the alteration
Diaspore, a-AlO(OH),
a-A1O(OH), was discovered in
in quartzite
quartzite in
in Holes
Holes 613
613 and
and 6l4A,
6l4A, where
where itit is
is associated
associated
Diaspore,
with pyrophyllite,
Thepresence
presenceof
ofsuch
suchaluminous
aluminous minerals
minerals in the Baraboo
pyrophyllite, kaolinite,
kaolinite, and
and illite.
jute, The
Quartzite indicates derivation from
from maturely
maturely weathered
weathered soil,
soil, such
such as
aslaterite,
laterite,and
andsignifies
signifies aa
mid-Proterozoic episode
ofintense
intense chemical
chemical weathering
weathering and
and leaching
leaching of
ofalkalies.
alkalies.
episode of

31

�common assemblage,
assemblage,
Metamorphism: the common
quartz+pyrophyllite+kaolinrte±illite,linritsthe
quartz±pyrophyffite+kaolinite+illite, limits the
H20
temperature of
metamorphism
to
less
than
280°C
at
an
of
less
~ 280~
tillite
v
assumed P(~O)
P(H20) of
of 500 bars.
bars. However,
assumed
However, kaolinite
kaolinite
occurs as micron-scale interlayers in pyrophyllite,
pyrophyllite, and
and
if kaolinite isis aa retrograde
retrograde mineral,
ifkaolinite
mineral, rather than
temperatures could
could have
have been
been as
as high
high as
as
prograde, temperatures
3 50°C,which
which isis the
the stability linrit
limit ofpyrophyllite.
of pyrophyllite.
350°C,
in the
the Baraboo Quartzite is always separated
Diaspore in
from quartz by pyrophyffite,
pyrophyllite, and may represent relict
grains, which were derived from a lateritic
detrital grains,
source, and which were protected by
by surrounding
Qtz
ern
And
Cm
pyrophyffite
from complete
complete reaction
reaction with quartz
pyrophyllite from
during metamorphism.
metamorphism
Geological Significance of
ofthe
the Baraboo
Baraboo Interval:
Interval: the
the Baraboo
Baraboo interval
interval was
was defined
defined by Dott
(1983) as
as aa sequence
sequence of
ofsedimentation,
sedimentation, deformation,
deformation, and
andmetamorphism
metamorphismin
in the
the time
time span
span of
of1450
1450
to 1750
region. Deposition
1750 Ma in the southern Lake Superior region.
Deposition of
of the Baraboo, Barron, and Sioux
quartzites was
was thought to have occurred after 1750
quartzites
1750 Ma, but prior to 1650
1650 Ma,
Ma, which
which was a time
of Rb-Sr isotopic re-setting in Wisconsin
Wisconsin and
and perhaps
perhaps folding
folding of
of the
the Baraboo
Baraboo Quartzite
Quartzite (Van
(Van
Schmus, 1980).
1980).
Now that the post-1760
post-1760 Ma
Ma age
age of
ofthe
theBaraboo
BarabooQuartzite
Quartzitehas
hasbeen
beenfirmly
firmly established,
established, based
based
on the new evidence from drill core 613, the deposition
deposition of
ofred,
red, mature,
mature, fluvial
fluvial quartz
quartz arenites,
arenites,
which are regionally
regionally extensive
extensive and
and up
up to
to 2,000
2,000 meters thick,
thick, can be viewed
viewed as
as the result
result of
cratonic cooling and subsidence, following
following the cessation of
of 1760 Ma granite-rhyolite magniatism.
magmatism
The time of
the Baraboo Quartzite
of folding and metamorphism of
ofthe
Quartzite is
is still
still unclear; it could
could have
have
been at 1650
1650 Ma,
Ma, but
but recently
recently obtained
obtained isotopic
isotopic evidence
evidence indicates
indicates the
the existence
existence of
ofaametamorphic
metamorphic
event at
at -1720
—1720Ma
Maininthe
thesouthern
southernLake
LakeSuperior
Superiorregion
region(Van
(VanWyck,
Wyck,1995).
1995). Thus,
Thus, the
event
Baraboo-Barron-Sioux triad
triad could
could have
have been deposited in either of
ofthe
1760-1720 Ma,
Baraboo-Barron-Sioux
the intervals, 1760-1720
or 1720-1650 Ma.
Ma. In
either
case,
ample
time,
on
the
order
of
40
or
70
Ma,
would
In either case, ample time, on the order of 40 or 70 Ma, would have
have been
been
available
available for
for development
development of mature
mature quartz sandstones, especially in
in response to lateritic
aluminous minerals
weathering, as indicated by aluniinous
minerals in
in the
the Baraboo Quartzite.
The Baraboo interval is a valid and useflul
useful concept
conceptfor
for interpreting
interpreting the
the mid-Proterozoic
mid-Proterozoic
evolution of
of the
the Lake
Lake Superior
Superior region,
region, but
but itit applies
applies only
onlytotopost-1760
post-1760 Ma
Ma quartzites.
quartzites. Treating all
evolution
Proterozoic quartzites
quartzites in
in Wisconsin
Wisconsin as correlative leads to serious misinterpretations of
of the
Baraboo Quartzite, in
in particular, and
and of
ofthe Proterozoic
Proterozoic evolution
evolution of
ofthe
the Lake
Lake Superior
Superiorregion,
region, in
in
generaL
general.
REFERENCES
CiTED
REFERENCES CITED
Dalziel,
I.W.D.
and
Dott,R.R,
RJ{, Jr. (1970) Wis.
Wis. Geol Nat. Hist.
DalzieL LW.D. and Dott,
Rist. Sun'.
Surv. Inf
Inf Circ.
Circ. 14,
14, 164
164 p.
p.
Dott, RH.,
1.
R.H.,Jr.
Jr.(1983)
(1983)GeoL
Geol.Soc.
Soc.Amer.
Amer.Memoir
Memoir160,
160,129-14
129-141.
Amer. Mineral.,
Mineral., v. 27,
Gates, R.M. (1942) Amer.
27, 699-711.
699-711.
Schmus, W.R.
Soc. Amer.
Amer. Special
Special Paper 18,
Van Sckmus,
W.R. (1980) Geol. Soc.
18, 159-168.
159-168.
Van Wyck,
Wyck, N.
N. (1995) Ph.D. thesis, UW-Madison,
OW-Madison, 280 p.
p.

&lt;28O

32

�THE LATENT MAGMATIC STAGE OF THE MIDCONTINENT
MIDCONTINENT RIFT: A PERIOD OF
MELTING OF THE LOWER CRUST
MAGMATIC UNDERPLATING AND
AND MELTING
MILLER: J.D., Jr., Minnesota
Minnesota Geological
Geological Survey,
Survey, 2642
2642 University
University Ave.,
Ave., St.
St. Paul,
Paul, MN
MN 55112
55112
MILLER,
(mi1le066@maroon.tc.umn.edu)
andVERVOORT,
VERVOORT,J.D.,
J.D.,Dept.
Dept.ofofGeosciences,
Geosciences,University
University of
of
(mille066@maroon.tc.umn.edu) and
Arizona, Tuscon,
Tuscon, AZ
AZ85721
85721(vervoort@geo.arizona.edu)
(vervoort@ geo.arizona.edu)

Field studies, seismic and
and gravity
gravity data,
data, U-Pb
U-Pb zircon
zircon dating,
dating, and
and geochemical
geochemical studies
studies of
of
intrusive rock
rock suites
suites around
around the
the Lake
Lake Superior
Superior basin
basin show
show that
that the
the Midcontinent
Midcontinent rift
rift
volcanic and intrusive
Most
(MCR) evolved in several distinct magmatic stages
stages between
between 1109
1109 and
and 1086
1086 Ma
Ma (1-4).
(1-4). Most
recently, a period of
of substantially reduced
reduced volcanism
volcanism and
and aa shift to
to more
more intermediate
intermediate to
to felsic
felsic
has been
been identified
identified between
between 1107
1107 and
and 1100
1100 Ma—an
Ma-an interval
interval we
we refer
refer to
to as
as
magma compositions has
1). Overall,
Overall, MCR
MCRmagmatism
magmatism resulted
resulted from
from an
an anomalously
anomalously hot
the latent magmatic stage
stage (Fig.
(Fig. 1).
mantle plume emplaced at
at the
the base
base of
of the
the lithosphere
lithosphere at
at about
about 1109
1109 Ma
Ma (5).
(5). The most obvious
magmatism is
is the
the large
large volume
volume (over
(over 22 million
million km3)
km 3) of mostly basaltic volcanic
aspect of this magmatism
rock that accumulated in
of up
up to 20
20 km
km (1).
(1). Less
Lessobvious,.
obvious,
in the
the central
central rift
rift graben
graben to
to thicknesses
thicknesses of
but equally significant is
is aa comparable
comparable volume
volume of
of mafic
mafic magma
magma that
that intruded
intruded and
and underplated
underplated the
the
(6,7). We
crust beneath the Lake Superior region (6,7).
We present
present evidence
evidence here
here that
that suggests
suggests a
not aa causal
causal relationship
relationship between
between the
the latent
latent magmatic
magmatic stage,
stage, magmatic
magmatic
contemporaneous ifif not
underplating, and lower
lower crustal melting.
melting.
The first hint of
of aa latent
latent magmatic
magmatic stage
stage was
was recognition
recognition of
of aa hiatus
hiatus in
in mafic
mafic intrusive
intrusive activity
activity
1107 Ma and 1099 Ma (8).
More recent
recent U-Pb
U-Pb dating
dating of
of the
the
in the Duluth Complex between 1107
(8). More
Group (9)
(9) and
and the
the Powder
Powder Mill
Mill Group
Group (10)
(10) has
has revealed
revealed aa decrease
decrease in
in
North Shore Volcanic Group
Volcanic rocks
rocks occuring
occuring within
within and
and adjacent
adjacent to both
both
volcanic activity over this same period. Volcanic
these low production intervals
intervals are
are mixed
mixed rhyolite,
rhyolite, andesite,
andesite, and
and evolved basalt (4,
(4, 11).
11).
Insufficient dating has
has been
been conducted
conducted to
to determine
determine if
if aa similar
similar decrease
decrease in
in basaltic
basaltic volcanism
volcanism is
is
However, itit is
is noteworthy
noteworthy that
that the
the
present in the Osler and Mamainse Point volcanics
volcanics suites.
suites. However,
and. central
12), yields an
Agate Point rhyolite, which separates the upper and,
centralsuite
suiteof
of Osler
OslerGroup.(
Group.(l2),
l105±2 Ma (9).
At Mamainse
Mamainse Point,
Point, abundant
abundant felsic flows and intrusions have been
age
age of 1105±2
(9). At
mapped below the 420-rn-thick,
420-m-thick, polymict Great Conglomerate (13), which presumably signifies
volcanic activity.
activity. Further
Further evidence
evidence that
that felsic volcanism predominated
a prolonged hiatus of volcanic
during an overall diminution of volcanic activity comes from the preponderance of rhyolite clasts
in the Copper Harbor Conglomerate and their age of 1104±2
1104±2 Ma (14).
We propose that the latent magmatic stage represents a period of reduced extension coupled
underplating and
and melting
melting of
of the
the lower
lower crust.
crust. If the rate and intensity of
with extensive magmatic underplating
extension in the MCR was largely controlled by external stresses imparted by contemporaneous
Grenvillian tectonism (15), then
then ponding of magmas at the crust-mantle interface was likely a
passive response to decreased tensile (or perhaps compressive) stresses in the lithosphere.
However, to the extent that lithospheric thinning and extension was driven by the bouyancy and
thermal energy of the mantle
mantle plume (16), then perhaps magma underplating actually caused
diminished extension of
of the
the crust
crust by
by delam.inating
delaminating and structurally decoupling it from the
lithospheric mantle. In
In either
eithercase,
case, underplating
underplating was
was probably
probably instigated
instigated by the heating and
of the earliest mantle-derived magmas coupled
anatexis of the lower crust caused by the passage of
The creation
creation of
of felsic
felsic melts
melts and
and an increasingly ductile
with heating from the rising plume. The
lower crust would have created density
density and
and rheologic barriers to impede the passage of mafic
melts and promote their ponding (17). Once
magma chambers would have
Once initiated,
initiated, mafic
mafic magma
continued to expand as
as additional
additional rising mantle
mantle melts
melts became trapped and triggered more
more
At the
the peak
peak of
of the
the latent
latent stage,
stage, the lower crust may have
widespread melting of the lower crust.
crust. At
magmas. Although
Although the
the resumption
resumption of volcanic activity at
been largely impermeable to mafic magmas.
about 1102-1100 Ma (earlier near the axis of the rift) may have been externally triggered by
of the
the crust,
crust, itit seems
seems also
also possible
possible that
that density cleansing of the lower crust
increased extension of
caused by the upward migration of low density felsic melts and perhaps thinning of the ductile
lower crust concomitant with magma underplating may have played important roles in allowing
basaltic magmas to emerge from deep crustal magma chambers.
33

�The formation
fonnation of
of large
large magma
magma chambers
chambers in
in the
the lower
lower crust
crust helps
helps explain
explain many of
of the
the
lithologic, and geochemical characteristics
characteristics that
that are
are generally
generally common to all volcanic suites
formed during the latent
fonned
latent magmatic
magmatic stage
stage as
as well
well as
as magmatism
magmatism leading
leading up to and following itit
(Fig. 1). Some
Some of
ofthe
the more
more cogent
cogent features
features are:
are:
(Fig.
• Felsic magmatism—The
magmatism-The bulk
bulk and
and isotopic
isotopic composition
composition of
of rhyolite
rhyolite flows
flows and
and their
their greater
greater
abundance relative to
to flows
flows of
of intermediate
intennediate composition
composition indicates
indicates that
that many
many if
if not
not most
most were
were
generated from partial melting
melting of
of crustal
crustal sources
sources rather
rather than
than as
as differentiates
differentiates of
of mafic
mafic magmas
magmas
(18, 19). The
The greater
greaterconcentration
concentration of
offelsic
felsic lavas
lavas in
in stratigraphic
stratigraphic intervals
intervals straddling
straddling the
the latent
latent
stage (Fig. 1)
1) is consistent with
with itit being
being aa period
period of
of lower
lower crustal melting
melting coupled
coupled with
with diminished
diminished
basaltic volcanism.
volcanism. However,
basaltic
However, the
the moderately
moderately negative ENd(1100)
Nd(1100) (--4)
(—-4)ofoffelsic
felsiclavas
lavas in
in the
the lower
part of the NSVG (Fig. 1)
1) is
is difficult
difficult to
to explain
explain by
by melting
melting of
of Archean
Archean lower
lower crust,
crust, which
which should
should
have £Nd(1
100) = -12 to -17 (18,19).
(18,19). Although
have
cNd(lIOO)
Although this
this may
may indicate
indicate mixing
mixing of
of Keweenawan
Keweenawan felsic
differentiates with Archean crustal melts
melts (19),
(19), an
an intriguing
intriguing alternative
alternative explanation is
is that
that the
the
lower crust
(ENd(1100)
-12). The
crust isis composed
composedofofEarly
EarlyProterozoic
Proterozoicrocks
rocks
(cNd(lloo) ==-4 to -12).
The persistence
persistence of
well into
into the middle of
felsic volcanism
volcanismwith
withvaried
variedENd(1100)
ENd( 11 00) well
of main
main stage
stagemagmatism
magmatism(—1096
(-1096 Ma)
Ma)
ofof
thethe
high
cNd(1
may reflect
reflect melting
meltingof
ofthe
thebase
baseofofthe
thevolcanic
volcanicpile
pileproducing
producingsome
some
high
CNd( 100)
1100) (18) or
levels
with
low
£Nd(1
100).
melting of
of progressively
progressivelyhigher
higher(Archean)
(Archean)crustal
crustal
levels
with
low
ENd(1100).
• Evolved basalt and
and intermediate
intennediate lavas—Basalt
lavas-Basalt in
in all
all stratigraphic
stratigraphic intervals
intervals straddling
straddling the
the latent
latent
general indicator of the differentiated
stage displays a broad, but overall low
low range
range of
of mg#
mg# - aa general
composition of mafic magmas (Fig. 1). Moreover,
Moreover, intermediate
intennediate lava
lava compositions
compositions that
that were
probably generated by differentiation of
of mafic
mafic magmas
magmas (e.g.,
(e.g., basaltic andesite,
andesite, andesite
andesite and
and
icelandite) are highly concentrated within
within these
these same
same intervals
intervals in
in the
the Powder Mill
Mill Group
Group (4)
(4) and
and
Thisconcentration
concentration of
ofevolved
evolved lava
lava compositions
compositions is
is consistent
consistent
North Shore Volcanic Group (11). This
with prolonged crustal staging of mantle-derived
mantle-derived magmas
magmas leading
leading to
to greater
greater degrees
degrees of
of
differentiation during this period.
period. The
The broad
broad and
and commonly
commonly erratic
erratic range
range of
of compositions
erupted prior
prior to
to and
and following
following the
the latent
latent stage
stage (e.g.,
(e.g., 21)
21) suggests
suggests that
that multiple,
multiple, open-system
open-system
staging chambers existed throughout the lower
lower crust.
• Contaminated basalt—Trace
basalt-Trace element (e.g.
(e.g. ThIYb) and Nd isotope geochemistry of basalts (Fig.
1) suggest that crustal contamination was most prevalent in the period leading up to the latent
1)
magmatic stage. The
The greatest
greatestpotential
potential for
for interaction
interaction between
between mantle
mantle melts
melts and continental
crust would be expected to occur during the inital
inital development of
of lower crustal magma
chambers. Once
chambers.
Once established,
established, crystallization
crystallizationand
andcontinued
continued inflation
inflation of
of such chambers would
have insulated them from further contamination and
and diluted the initial contamination.
• Plagioclase crystal mush—Leucocratic
mush-Leucocratic intrusions of
of the Mellen Complex formed
fonned at 1102
1102 Ma
Ma
(10), the anorthositic series of
of the Duluth
Duluth Complex at
at 1099
1099 Ma (9), and the widespread
lava flows
flows (p.
(p, Fig.
Fig. 1)
I) indicate
indicate that
that plagioclase-enriched
plagioclase-enriched basaltic
basaltic
occurrence of plagioclase-phyric lava
the upper
upper crust
crust between
between 1108
1108 and
and 1096
1096 Ma.
Ma. Such
magmas were commonly emplaced into the
plagioclase crystal mushes were
were likely
likely generated in lower crustal magma chambers where high
high
flotation of plagioclase
plagioclase (20).
(20). An
pressures would have promoted the flotation
An implied consequence of this
flotation is the fonnation
formation of
of anorthositic
anorthositic roof
roof zones
zonesininthese
thesedeep
deepchambers.
chambers. Such roof-zone
flotation
material was the likely source of
of anorthosite
anorthosite inclusions
inclusions found
found in
in the Beaver Bay Complex.
The interpretation of
of the latent
latent magmatic
magmatic stage
stage as
as a period
period of
of extensive magmatic
magmatic
underplating and crustal melting
melting carries significant
significant implications
implications for the geodynamic and
magmatic evolution of the MCR which need
need to
to be
be more
more fully
fully explored.
explored. Whether
Whether underplating
was the cause or effect of
of reduced crustal extension and
and the development of
of the latent
latent magmatic
magmatic
drives continental
continental rifting.
rifting. Future
stage hinges on the larger question of what drives
Future petrologic studies
at evaluating the
the extent to
to which
which open-system
open-system crystallization differentiation of
of
should be directed at
mantle-derived magmas under high
high pressures
pressures (7-10
(7-10 Kb)
Kb) can account for the compositional range
range
of MCR lavas and at more precisely determining
determining the
the sources
sources of
of felsic
felsic magmas.
magmas. In addition, more
high precision U-Pb ages
ages are
are necessary
necessary to
to verify
verify the
the existence and duration of
of the
the latent
latent
all sequences and
and to
to better establish correlation between Mamainse
Mamainse Point
Point
magmatic stage in all
lavas and volcanic sequences
sequences in
in the
the western
western Lake
Lake Superior
Superior region.

34

�References
(1)
Cannon, 1992,
(1).Cannon,
1992, Tectonophys
T~ctonophys 213, p.41;
p. 41; (2)
(2) Shirey
Shirey et
et a!.,
aI., 1994,
1994, GCA
GCA 58,
58, p.
aI., 1995,
1995, MGS
MGS
p. 4475; (3) Miller et al.,
Guidebook
et al.,
aI., in
in review,
review, CJES;
CJES; (5)
(5) Hutchinson
Hutchinson et
et al.,
a!., 1990,
1990, JGR
JGR 95,
95, p. 10869;
10869; (6) Behrendt et
GUidebook 20;
20; (4)
(4) Nicholson
Nicholson et
al.,
aI., 1990,
1990, Tectonophys
Tectonophys 173,
173, p.
1991, GRL
18, p.
p. 625;
&amp; Miller, 1993,
1993, JGR 98, p.
p. 617; (7) Trehu
Trëhu et aI.,
at., 1991,
ORL 18,
625; (8) Paces &amp;
13997;
9; (10)
(10) Zartman
Zartman et
et al.,
aI., in
in review,
review, CJES;
CJES; (11)
(11) Green,
Green, 1972,
1972,Geol
Geol of
ofMN:
13997; (9)
(9) DaVIS
Davis et aI.,
al., 1995, 41st ILSG, p.
p.9;
MN:
Cent. Vol.,
Vol., p.
p. 294;
294; (12)
(12) Lightfoot
Lightfoot et
et al.,
aI., 1991,
1991, JGeol
JGeol 99,
99, p. 739; (13) Annels, 1973,
1973, GSC Paper 72-10; (14) Davis
Davis &amp;
Paces, 1990,
1990, EPSL
EPSL 97,
97, p.
p. 54;
54; (15)
(15) Cannon
Cannon &amp;
&amp;Hinze,
Hinze, 1992,
1992, Tectonphys
Tectonphys 213,
213, p.
Campbell &amp; Griffiths, 1990,
1990,
p. 49; (16) CampbeLl
EPSL 99, p. 66;
66; (17)
(17) Huppert
Huppert &amp;
&amp; Sparks,
Sparks, 1988,
1988, JPet
JPet 29,
29, p.
p. 599;
599; (18)
(18) Nicholson
Nicholson &amp;
&amp; Shirey,
Shirey, 1990, JGR
JGR 95,
95, p.
p. 10851;
(19) Vervoort
Ver~oort &amp;
&amp; Green,
Green, in
in review,
review, CJES;
CJES; (20)
(20) Miller
Miller &amp;
&amp; Weiblen,
Weibien, 1990,
1990, JPet
JPet 31,
31, p. 295; (21) Brannon, 1984,
1984, WashU
WashU
PhD
1988, MTU PhD thesis; (23)
(23) Nicholson,
Nicholson, 1992,
1992,.USGS
Bull 1970-B.
1970·B.
PhD theSIS;
thesis; (22) Paces, 1988,
USGS Bull
TECTONOMAGMATIC
GEOLOGIC, GEOCHRONOLOGIC AND
AND
INTERPRET
INTERPRETATION
GEOCHEMICAL DATABASE
DATAB
Magmatic
Chrono- lLithostrati a h
Basalt Chemostrati a h Eruption Crust~l Magma Magma
EXlenslOn
Stage P Inlr. NSVG PLlPM OGflR MPF ENd (1100) m8#
Rate
Rate
Sources Staging
'J!1IYb
1092
~-+t:r"""'---:--+-~--I-;;"="T--+---+-";;-~
Late
\
.\
Gp7
/~
lrhyolite\
\
1094

V

1096

r

sv

~

---

1098

: /
:I
:/

/

~1102

/
/

/

I:
Ii

/~

~'-'!~bvl

\/

Volcanism

(LC)

,

\

\
Volcanism

I
I
I
I

r

\

Early

EP+LM
(Laue)

/

Ii
I
If
I
V basalt I
I
\
\

1104 . Latent

EP
UCIKL

/

),

a)
a.&gt;

1108

/

~

"'

I
I
I
I
I

1
I

:

1100

1106

\

.
:.
~

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j

M H L M H

FIGURE1.I.Correlation
Correlationofofunits,
units,summary
summaryofoflithologic
lithologicand
andchemical
chemicalcharacteristics,
characteristics, and
and interpretations
interpretations of
of the
FlGu1
tectonomagmatic
evolution during
during magmatic
magmatic stages
stages of
ofthe
theMidcontinent
Midcontinentrift.
rift. Intervals
Intervals of
of Normal and Reversed magnetic
magnetic
tectonomagmatic evolution
polarity indicated (P). Relative
Relativeabundances
abundances of
ofbasaltic
basaltic and
and felsic
felsic volcanics
volcanics schematically
schematically portrayed
portrayed and
and genera!
general locations
locations
of plagioclase porphyritic flows
flows (p)
(p) noted
noted for
for the
the major
major volcanic
volcanic suites—NSVG-North
suites-NSVG-North Shore
Shore Volcanic
Volcanic Group(
Group( 11);
11);
PLIPMPLlPM- Portage Lake Volcanics
Volcanics and
and Powder
Powder Mill
Mill Group
Group (4);
(4); OG/IROGIIR- Osler
Osler Volcanic
Volcanic Group
Group and
and PL
PL on
on Isle
Isle Royale
Royale(12);
(12);
MPF- Mamainse Point Formation(2,13). Subdivisions
Subdivisions of
ofvolcanic
volcanic suites
suites are
are NSVG:
NSVG: IGP/uGP,
IGP/uGP, HL,
HL, NSV-n,
NSV-n, SLBlower/upper Grand Portage lavas, Hoviand
Hovland !avas,
lavas, NSVG-normal
NSVG-normal polarity,
polarity, and
and Schroeder-Lutsen
Schroeder-Lutsen basalts
basalts of (11); PM:
ISCluSC, 1KC/uKClKC/uKC· lower/upper
ISC/uSC,
lower/upper Seimens
Seimens Creek
Creek lavas
lavas and
and lower /upper Kallander Creek volcanics
volcarncs of (4);
(4); OG:
OG: lower,
central and upper suites of (12); MPF: Groups 1-7
1-7 of(2).;
of (2).; CHC-Copper
CHC-Copper Harbor
Harbor Conglomerate;
Conglomerate; CCGC- Great
Great Conglomerate.
Conglomerate.
Intrusive rock units are LS- Logan Sills, CC- Coldwell Complex,
Complex, NLSNLS- Nathan's Layered Series, MC- Mellen Complex,
Average U-Pb
V-Pb ages
ages for
for various
various volcanic
volcanic and
and intrusive
intrusive rocks
rocks indicated
indicated
DC- Duluth Complex, BBC- Beaver Bay Complex. Average
ENd(I'OOl data from MPF (2),
filled (felsic)
by filled
(felsic) and
and open
open (mafic)
(mafic)circles;
circles;data
datafrom
from (8),
(8), (9),
(9), (10),
(10), and
and sources
sources listed
listedtherein.
therein. EN1OI
PLIPM (4), NSVG rhyolite (19), NSVG basalt (21). mg#
PL/PM
mg#(=(=MgO/(MgO+FeO)*
MgO/(MgO+FeO)*100)
100) of
of common range displayed by
22,23).
ThIYb data
data from
from MPF
MPF (2),
(2), PM (4), OG (12), NSV-n (21), PL (22, 23).
basalt in all volcanic suites (2,4,11,12,21, 22,
23). ThJYb
23).
Relative
from thicknesses
thicknesses of volcanic
Relative eruption
eruption and
and extension
extension rates
rates (Low, Medium, High) interpreted from
volcanic suite
suite relative
relative to
to
Magmasources
sourcesfor
forbasaltic
basalticcomposition:
composition: EPEP- enriched
enriched plume,
plume, LMLM- lithospheric
lithospheric mantle,
mantle, DMDMperiod of eruption. Magma
in parentheses:
parentheses: LCLC(3)). Magma
Magma sources
sources for
for felsic
felsic compositions
compositions in
depleted asthenospheric mantle (modified from (2) and (3)).
lower crust, UC
UC -- upper crust, KL - Keweenawan lavas. Interpretations of relative volumes of magma staging in the
lower crust (LC) and upper crust (UC)
(VC) denoted by
by relative
relative widths
widths of
of curves.
curves.

�PRELIMINARY
PETROLOGIC ANALYSIS
ANALYSIS OF
OF THE
THE EARLY
EARLY
PRELIMINARY SEDIMENTOLOGIC
SEDIMENTOLOGIC AND PETROLOGIC
PROTEROZOIC MAHNOMEN
MAHNOMEN .FORMATION
RANGE GROUP)
GROUP) EASTEASTPROTEROZOIC
FORMATION (NORTH
(NORTH RANGE
CENTRAL MINNESOTA
CENTRAL
MOREY, G.B.,
G.B., and CLELAND,
MOREY,
CLELAND, J.M., Minnesota Geological Survey, 2642
2642 University Ave.,
Ave.,
St. Paul,
Paul, Minn.
Minn.55114-1057
55114-1057
The term North Range
Range Group
Group was
was proposed
proposedby
bySouthwick
Southwick et
etal,
al. (1988)
(1988) for Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic
The
strata sandwiched
sandwiched between
between the
the underlying
underlying Mule
Mille Lacs
Lacs Group and overlying Animikie Group on
Cuyuna range.
range. As
Asdescribed
describedby
bySchmidt
Schmidt (1963),
(1963), the group consists
consists of a lower
lower
the North Cuyuna
siltstone-shale sequence-the
sequence—the Mahnomen
Mahnomen Formation;
Formation; an
an intermediate
intermediate and dominantly Fe
Fe + Mnunit-the Trommald Formation,
Formation, and aa upper
uppergraywacke-shale
graywacke-shale sequence—the
sequence-the Rabbit
Rabbit Lake
Lake
rich unit—the
Formation. Much
Much of
of the
the Trornmald
Trommald Formation
Formation contains
contains evidence
evidence of hydrothermal or
or fumarolic
fumarolic
processes;
little is known
To clarify
processes; little
known however,
however, about
about the
the enclosing
enclosing epiclastic
epiclastic strata.
strata. To
clarify the
sedimentary history
history of
of the
the Mahnomen
Mahnomen Formation,
Formation, we
we have
have re-examined
re-examined more
more than
than 320
320 m
m of
of
continuous core first described
described by
by Grout
Grout and
and Wolff
Wolff (1955)
(1955) from
from four
four sites
sites across
across the range.
However,
our work must
has estimated
However, our
must be
be considered
considered preliminary,
preliminary, for
for Schmidt
Schmidt has
estimated that the
the
Mahnomen isis at
Mahnomen
at least
least 600
600 m
m thick.
thick.
as 90
90 percent of
of the
the Mahnomen
Mahnomen core
core consists of laminated to very thin-bedded
thin-bedded
As much as
claystone,
shale, and
and siltstone.
siltstone. Claystone-now
clay-size sericite
sericite ±.
±
claystone, mudstone
mudstone or shale,
Claystone—now mainly clay-size
chlorite—contains &lt;5
&lt;5 modal
modal percent,
percent, silt-size
silt-sizequartz.
quartz. Mudstone contains
contains from
from ~25
25 percent
chlorite-contains
percentsiltsiltsize
size quartz scattered more or less
less randomly
randomly through the
the matrix,
matrix, whereas
whereas in shale
shale similar
amounts of quartz
quartz define
define aa fissile
fissile layering.
layering. Siltstone
Siltstonecontains
contains 25-80
25-80 modal
modal percent
percent silt,
silt, plus
plus
some fine
some
fine sand-size
sand-size quartz
quartz ± trace
trace amounts
amounts of
of chert
chert or
or iron-formation.
iron-formation. Some
Some beds
beds are
are
calcareous
20 modal
modal percent
percent calcite,
calcite, whereas
whereas others
others contain
contain &gt;50
&gt;50 modal
modal percent,
percent,
calcareous with
with 20
The fine-grained
rocks define
constituting
limestone of
of several
several varieties.
varieties. The
fine-grained rocks
define upward-fining
constituting limestone
sequences 5-20
5-20 mm thick,
thick, where
where siltstone
siltstone predominates
predominatesinin the
the lower
lower parts
parts and
and claystone
and
sequences
claystone and
is straight
straight and
and regular
mudstone or shale predominate
predominate in
upper parts.
parts. Bedding
Bedding is
regular but
mudstone
in the upper
interrupted in
and other evidence
in places
places by
by synsedimentary
synsedimentary faults,
faults, overturned
overturned folds,
folds, and
evidence of
slumping.
are graded,
graded, and are topped by
slumping. Many
Many siltstone
siltstone beds
beds have
have scoured
scoured lower
lower surfaces,
surfaces, are
by
climbing-ripple
laminae. Compaction
climbing-ripple laminae.
Compaction features
features such as flame
flame structures and load
load casts(?)
casts(?) are
common.
Contrary to
to earlier
earlier published
published descriptions,
descriptions, sandstone
sandstone is
is aa rare
rare component
component comprising
comprising no
no
more than
the described cores.
cores. It occurs in generally structureless to vaguely graded
than 55 percent of the
and layered
they are
are interspersed
interspersed throughout
throughout the
the cores.
cores. Most
layered beds
beds 2-3
2-3 cm to 1 meter thick;
thick; they
Most
fine- to medium-grained,
medium-grained, quartzose
quartzose or
or lithic
lithic wackes
wackes having
having&gt;15
beds are fine&gt;15 modal percent matrix
(mainly
(mainly chlorite ± sericite).
sericite). Other constituents (Fig.
(Fig. A) include 2-29
2-29 modal percent
percent cement
cement
(possibly
(possibly ankerite
ankerite ± hematite)
hematite) and
and 52-94
52-94 modal
modal percent
percent framework
framework grains.
grains. Quartz (50-92
(50-92
percent), dominates
dominates the
theframework
frameworkgrains
grains(Fig.
(Fig. B),
B), especially in coarser
modal percent),
coarser grained samples,
followed
fragments of
of metasedimentary
metasedimentary origin
origin (9-43
(9-43 modal
percent) and feldspar,
feldspar,
followed by
by rock fragments
modal percent)
(5-15 modal
mainly plagioclase (5-15
modal percent).
percent). These modal abundances are misleading, however, for
there is considerable
textural evidence
evidence that
that much
much of
of the
the matrix
matrix has
has been
been formed
by the
there
considerable textural
formed by
breakdown
breakdown of
of unstable metasedimentary
metasedimentary rock
rock fragments. Nonetheless,
Nonetheless, the
the Mahnomen is
is clearly
a second-cycle
second-cycle sequence
sequencederived
derivedfrom
froman
anolder
oldermetasedimentary
metasedimentaryprovenance-most
provenance-most likely the
the
underlying Mule
Lacs
Group,
a
possible
provenance
also
suggested
by quartz types that point
Mille
possible provenance also suggested by
to a "low
rank metamorphic
metamorphicsource"
source" (Fig.
(Fig. C).
C).
'low rank
Major, minor,
minor, and trace-element
(Fig. D)
D) are
are similar
similar to
to those
those of
of an average
Major,
trace-element compositions
compositions (Fig.
shale, where plagioclase and, consequently, sodium are generally lacking and where potassium
potassium
is associated
associated with sericite.
sericite. REE
REE compositions
compositions (Fig.
(Fig. E)
cratonic
is
E) are
are broadly
broadly consistent
consistent with
with a cratonic
source,
HREE and
are· marked
marked by
by flat
flat Ce
Ce anomalies
anomalies and
and mostly
mostly
source, show
show slight depletion in HREE
and are
positive
Eu anomalies.
anomalies. However,
However, aa few
few samples
samples have
have low
low REE
REE totals
totals and negative
negative Eu
Eu
positive Eu
Beds of
of volcanogenic material as thick
anomalies; they may contain a volcanogenic component. Beds

36

�cm, are
are mainly ash-fall
ash-fall tuff.
tuff. They have been recognized and
as 10 em,
and described
described from
from elsewhere
elsewhere on
on
the range
range by
byMeicher
Melcheretetal.
al.(1996).
(1996).
The
The North Range
Range Group
Group has
has been
been folded
folded at
at least
least twice
twice and
and metamorphosed
metamorphosed to
to the
the
greenschist facies.
As such it is
is part
part of
of the
the Penokean
Penokean fold-and-thrust
fold-and-thrust belt.
Hemming et
et al.
al.
greenschist
facies. As
belt. Hemming
in the
the Mahnomen
Mahnomen were
were derived
derived from
from an
an
(1993) used
(1993)
used Sm-Nd
Sm-Nd techniques
techniques to
to show
show that detritus in
provenance. Morey
Morey and
and Southwick
Southwick (1995)
(1995) used
information to
Archean provenance.
used that information
to suggest
suggest that the
Mahnomen was
was deposited
deposited on
on an
an evolving
evolving continental
continental margin
margin early
early in
in thetectonic
the tectonic history
history of
of the
the
Penokean orogen.
orogen. However,
second-cyde sand,
sand, such
such aa suggestion
suggestion
Penokean
However, because
because the Mahnomen is a second-cycle
orogen.
may no longer be applicable to the tectonic evolution of the Penokean orogen.
100
100

Fiamework
Framewor1( greene
grains

!

A

D.
•0.

10
10

If
J
10.1
10.1
en

•
•

0.u

ntHlEui1 ThY Ybt.u

0.01 Rb BaTh U
U NbTal(
M,Th LaC.SrNdI"SmZrHfEun ThY Vb Lu

•

•

PolycrystalNne
PoIyerystaJ!ne

quartz

Cement

-/
/

Matrix
Matrtx

ra,* rn.twIOrpC
Low
Lowl1lnk~

au.,tz
Quartz

6.1'

I

••• •

. .e •

/

/

•••

:\
•.''

/

/ I.Idde and UIlC*

•

rank~

/

/

••

/

/

/

/

/

Plutonic

• •

.

•

quartz

10g.
E.

S

10

S

N-3

IC WCSI

~

Uthc wucice

1

Week.(manix
(matrix&gt;
15%)
Wed.
&gt; 15%)
Si

Fe4dspar
Feldspar

5/

I

51

5.1

00

N13.

N-13·

S.f

5/

—
SI

RocX'IWgi".tta
tVu4ut.
Rod&lt;

(1nctudInQ thart)
chert)

37

1

0.1

0.

N&lt;l
Sm Eu Th
LICI4dSrnEUTh

L. C.

Yb Lu
Vb

�IN THE FOX
FOX RWER
RIVERVALLEY,
VALLEY,
MISSISSIPPI VALLEY-TYPE MINERALIZATION [N
EASTERN WISCONSIN
M1JDREY,
MUDREY, M.G. ,, Jr.
Ir. and BROWN, B.A., Wisconsin Geological and Natural History
100,
Survey,
WI 53705-5
53705-5100,
Survey, 3817 Mineral Point Road, Madison, WI
mgmudrey@facstaff.wisc.edu,
babrown l@facstaff.wisc.edu; FREIBERG,
FREIBERG,
mgmudreyfacstaff. wisc. edu, and babrownl@facstaff.wisc.edu;
PG., and
P.G.,
and SIMO,
SIMa, J.A.,
lA., Department
Department of
ofGeology
Geology and
and Geophysics,
Geophysics, 1215
1215 W. Dayton
St., Madison,
Madison, WI
WI53706-1692,
53706-1692,simo@geology.wisc.edu
simogeology.wisc.edu
St.,
Regional NURE (National Uranium Resource Evaluation Program)
Program) geochemical
geochemical data
data suggest
suggest
that anomalous concentrations
concentrations of
ofarsenic
arsenic and
and other
other mineral
mineral exploration
exploration path-finder
path-finder elements
elements are
are
of Green
Green Bay, Wisconsin
Wisconsin where the Sinnipee,
Sinnipee, Ancell
present in the area southwest of
Ancell and Prairie
du Chien Groups are the uppermost bedrock units.
units. InInaddition,
addition,fluorine
fluorine levels
levels in
in groundwater
groundwater
have long been known to be
be high
high in the Fox River valley between Green Bay and Appleton,
where fluorite and other
other Mississippi
Mississippi Valley-type minerals
in well
minerals are
are reported to be present in
cuttings from the Sinnipee
Sinnipee Group.

Areas of
elevated values
values occupy
occupy northwestern Outagamie county and
of significantly
significantly elevated
adjacent areas.
areas. AAclearly
clearly defined
defined nickel
nickel province that spatially corresponds to the arsenic
polymetallic (As, Co, Mo,
Mo, Ni,
Ni, Th,
Th, V)
V) hydrogeocheniical
hydrogeochemical province
province exists
exists
province suggest that aa polymetallic
in eastern Wisconsin
Wisconsin and
and may
may relate
relate to
to documented
documented faults
faults (Mudrey
(Mudrey and
and Bradbury,
Bradbury, 1992).
1992). The
The
geology differs from the better documented
documented five-element
five-element (Ni-Co-As-Ag-Bi) veins (Kissin,
(Kissin, 1993)
being carbonate hosted rather
by being
rather than
than shale
shale or
or volcanic
volcanic hosted,
hosted, but
bUf are
are similar
similar in
in essential
essential
mineralogy and elements.
elements.
Economic concentrations of
ofMississippi
Mississippi Valley-type mineralization have not been found
in Wisconsin
Wisconsin outside of Grant, Iowa, and
and Lafayette
Lafayette Counties,
Counties, but
but geologic
geologic logs
logs of
of16
16 mineral
mineral
in eastern
eastern Wisconsin
Wisconsin contain reports of
ofminor
minor
600 water
water wells
wells in
exploration holes and more than 600
mineralization.
In
addition,
more
than
100
occurrences
of
sulfide
mineral
have
been
reported
mineralization. In addition, more than 100 occurrences of sulfide mineral have been reported
from outcrops and
and quarries
quarries throughout
throughout southern
southern and
and eastern
eastern Wisconsin
Wisconsin (Brown and
and Maass,
1992). AAfairly
fairlycontinuous
continuoushorizon
horizonofofsulfide
sulfidemineralization
mineralizationhas
hasbeen
beenobserved
observedininquarries
quarries and
and
drill cores from Kenosha to Green Bay.
Bay. Mineralization
Mineralizationwithin
within this
this horizon
horizon infills
infills intergranular
drill
m below
below the
the base
base of
ofthe
the middle-Ordovician
middle-Ordovician Platteville
and moldic porosity from 2 m above to 66 m
Formation, cross-cutting
the
cross-cutting bedding
bedding and
and strata
strata of
ofvarying
varying lithologies
lithologies that immediately
immediately underlie
underlie the
and Freiberg,
Freiberg, in
in press).]
press).]
Platteville Formation (Simo, Freiberg, and

References:
Brown, B.A., and Maass, R.S., 1992,
1992, AAreconnaissance
reconnaissancesurvey
surveyof
ofwells
wells in
in eastern
eastern Wisconsin
Wisconsin for
indications of
of Mississippi Valley type mineralization: Wisconsin Geological and
and Natural
Natural History
History
p.
Survey Open-file Report WOFR
WOFR 1992-3,
1992-3,31
3 1 p.
Brown, B.A., and
possible source
source
and Maass,
Maass, R.S.,
R.S., 1994,
1994, Mississippi
Mississippi Valley-type
Valley-type mineralization:
mineralization: A possible

38

�of heavy metal anomalies in the Paleozoic carbonate
carbonate aquifers
aquifers of
ofWisconsin
Wisconsin (abs.):
(abs.): American
American
Water Resources Association Wisconsin
Wisconsin Section
Section Meeting,
Meeting, 18th (Wisconsin
(Wisconsin DeUs),
Dells), paper 37.

Kissin,
S.A., 1993, Five-element
Five-element (Ni-Co-As-Ag-Bi)
(Ni-Co-As-Ag-Bi) Veins:·
Veins: in
in P.A.
P.A. Sheahan
Sheahan and
andM.E.
ME. Cherry,
Kissin, S.A.,
v. 6,
6, p.
Ore Deposit Models, Volume II, Geoscience Canada Reprint Series,
Series, v.
p. 87-98.
Mudrey, M.G., Jr., and Bradbury, K.R., 1992,
NIJRE hydrogeochemical
Mudrey,
1992, Evaluation
Evaluation of
ofNURE
hydrogeochemical data for
use in Wisconsin
Wisconsin groundwater studies: Wisconsin Geological and
and Natural History Survey Openfile Report WOFR 93-2, 61
file
61 p.,
p., 1 computer
computer diskette.

Mudrey,
M.G., Jr., Bradbury,
Mudrey, M.G.,
Bradbury, K.R.,
K.R., and
and Kammerer,
Kammerer, P.,
P., 1992,
1992, Progress
Progress towards
towards rapid
rapid retrieval
retrieval of
of
Wisconsin's NURE dataset (abs.): American Water Resources
hydrogeochemical data from Wisconsin's
Association Wisconsin
Wisconsin Section
Section Meeting,
Meeting, 16th
16th (La
(La Crosse),
Crosse), paper
paper 26.
26.
Simo,
in press,
press, Geologic
Geologic constraints
constraints on
on arsenic
arsenic in
in
Simo, lA.,
J.A., Freiberg, P.G., and Feiberg, K.S., in
groundwater with
with applications
applications to
to groundwater
groundwatermodeling:
modeling: University
University of
ofWisconsin
Wisconsin Water
groundwater
Resources Center.

39

�______________________________________

Group Near Taylors
Taylors Falls
Falls and
and From
Metamorphism of
of Chengwatana Volcanic
Volcanic Group
Osseo Core
NAIMAN, Zachary and WIRTH,
WIRTH,Karl
Karl R.,
R., Geology
Geology Department,
Department, Macalester
Macalester College, St. Paul,
Minnesota 55105,
55105, znaiman@maca1str.edu
znaiman@macalstr.edu and
G.B.
and wirth@macalstr.edu;
wirth@macalstr.edu; and
and MOREY, G.B.
and MILLER,
James, D.,
D., Minnesota
Minnesota Geological
Geological Survey,
Survey, 2642 University
University Ave.,
Ave., St.
MILLER, James,
St. Paul,
Paul,
Minnesota 55114,
55114, moreyO0
morey001@maroon.tc.umn.edu
1 @ maroon.tc.umn.eduand
andmille066@maroon.tc.umn.edu
mille066@maroon.tc.umn.edu
The southernmost exposed flows
flows from
from the
the 1100
1100 Ma
Ma Midcontinent
Midcontinent rift
rift of
of North
North America
America comprise
comprise
the Chengwatana Volcanic
Group, aa sequence
sequence of more
Volcanic Group,
more than seventy mafic flows exposed in
in the
the
Taylors Falls-Interstate State Park region (&gt;2800 meters
Taylors
meters thick)
thick) on
on the
the Minnesota-Wisconsin
Minnesota-Wisconsin borborder. A
A core at
at Osseo
Osseo (63
(63 km SW of the exposures) sampled 980 meters of more than fifty
der.
fifty flows
flows of
Chengwatana
Chengwatana basalt
basalt 230
230 meters below the surface. Flows
Flows in both sequences are typically interlayered
with sedimentary
of the
the North
North
sedimentary breccia.
breccia. Stratigraphic
Stratigraphic correlation
correlation with other volcanic
volcanic sequences
sequences of
Shore region of
of the
the rift
rift are
are complicated
complicated by
by faulting.
faulting.
Volcanic
(plagioVolcanic flows
flows from
from both
both regions
regions have
have similar
similar primary
primary igneous mineral assemblages (p!agioFe-Ti oxides) and
and display aa variety of igneous textures (ophitic,
(ophitic, sub-ophitic,
sub-ophitic,
clase + clinopyroxene
clinopyroxene ++ Fe-Ti
ophimottled, intergranular,
textures indicate
indicate a
ophimottled,
intergranular,intersertal,
intersertal,plagioclase
plagioclasephyric,
phyric,and
andseriate).
senate). The
The textures
sequence of plag -&gt; cpx -&gt; oxides typical
crystallization sequence
Single flows
flows comtypical of
of tholeiitic
tholeiitic basalt.
basalt. Single
ophitic texture
texture isis more
monly exhibit more than one texture; ophitic
more common
common in
in flow
flow interiors
interiors where
where the
the
cpx presumably
presumably had sufficient
sufficient time
time to
to crystallize
crystallize during
during slow
slow cooling
cooling whereas
whereas intersertal
intersertal and
and
textures are more common at
at flow
flow tops
tops where
where more
more rapid
rapid cooling
cooling prevented
prevented the
the forforophimottled textures
Osseoflows
flows have
have aa higher
higher proportion
proportion of
ofophitic
ophitic texture
texture and
and on
on averavermation of large cpx crystals. Osseo
age are coarser
coarser grained
grained than
than Taylors
Taylors Falls
Falls flows.
flows.
The metamorphic environment of the Chengwatana volcanics
volcanics is
is best modelled by the CaOMgO-A1203-Fe203-Si02-H20-C02 (CMAFSH-CO
(CMAFSH-C02)
basaltic
system
determined by
by Liou
Liou et
et al.
al.
)
basaltic
system
detennined
MgO-AI203-FeZ03-SiOTHZO-COZ
z
(1985)
and
Cho
and
Liou
(1987).
The
(1985) and Cho and Liou (1987).
equilibrium metamorphic mineral assemFigure 11
pumpellyite - actinolite
blage of the top
top 670
670 meters
meters of
of the
the Osseo
Osseo
facies
core consists of
of calcite ++ epidote ++ chlocWoOsseo -- upper flows
•
rite + quartz + albite
rite
albite +
+ oxides
oxides ±
± white
white
.~ Osseo
Osseo - lower flows
,L:.....J Taylors Falls
Towardthe
the bottom
bottomof
ofthe
the drill
drill core,
core,
mica. Toward
the occurrence
occurrence of calcite is
is limited
limited to
to
the
prehnite - pumpellyite
veins and amygdules
amygdules whereas
whereas actinolite
actinolite
facies
becomes prominent in the
the groundmass.
groundmass. t
These assemblages, defined by the reac- ~
greenschist
tioncal+chl+qtz=ep+act+H20+
tion cal + chI + qtz = ep + act + H20 + Q:
facies
C02,
COz, are
are consistent
consistent with
with the
the transition
transition
from calcite-chloritefacies
calcite-chlorite facies to greenschist
greenschist
calcite- I ÷
facies (Fig.
(Fig. 1).
1). The
entire section
section at
The entire
chlorite /ShiftoffieldbounShift of field boun;f daries as a function
Taylors Falls displays the mineral assemJ&gt;of Xco2
Xc02
blage:
blage: actinolite
actinolite + epidote + chlorite
chlorite +
Shift of invariant
quartz ++ albite ++ oxides
oxides ±
± white
white mica.
mica.
ShftofI.nanant
points with
The stability region of the calciteincreasing Fe+
increasing
Fe33
chlorite facies in PIT
is constrained
constrained
chloritefacies
prr space is
Temperature
by
amounts of CO2
CO 2 and
by the amounts
and Fe+
Fet33 in the

E

40

�________________________________________

0.8 , . . - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - . ,
Chengwatana Volcanic
Volcanic Group
Figure 2
Actinolite Analyses

system (Fig.
(Fig. 1). Currently
Currently there
there are
are no
no
geothermometers which
which can
can be applied to
geothermometers
this system.
system. However,
this
However, the
the Na-content
Na-content of
o0 Osseo Core
the M4-site (NaM4) of actinolite in the pres06
CJ 0.6
Tailors Falls
•I Taylors
Falls
ence of chlorite,
chlorite, epidote,
epidote, and
and quartz
quartz is aa
ence
'til
~
useful geobarometer (Brown, 1977).
1977). SEMSEMusefulgeobarometer(Brown,
~
5 kb
analyses
of
actinolite
in
the
Osseo
core
analyses
of
actinolite
in
the
Osseo
core
EDS
....Q
contain less NaM4 than actinolite from the
C 0.4 CJ
Taylors
Falls region
Taylors Falls
region suggesting
suggesting that the
the
=
Q
4kb
Osseo flows
Osseo
flows were
were metamorphosed
metamorphosed at
at
&lt;.I
eo:
slightly lower pressure (Fig. 2).
Z
0.2
The temperature
temperature conditions during
during
kb
metamorphism of the Chengwatana flows
2 kb
o
Taylors Falls
Falls are
are constrained
constrained by the presat Taylors
ence of actinolite
ence
actinolite and epidote (Fig.
(Fig. 1),
1), by
00.0
0
the
absence
of
co-existing
prehnite
and
absence
co-existing
prehnite
and
the
0.0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
pumpellyite, and by the lack of hornblende
Al content of tetrahedral site
coexisting with epidote, chlorite, actinolite,
Epidote,rather
ratherthan
thanclinozoisite,
clinozoisite, isis present
present in
in the
the Chengwatana
Chengwatana flows
flows due
due to
to the
the highhighand quartz. Epidote,
iron
protolith. At
Ata apressure
pressureof
of2.5
::::::2.S
kbar,thetheequilibrium
equilibriummineral
mineralassemblages
assemblages
iron content
content of
of the
th protolith.
kbar,
of 325
325 -- 37SoC.
indicate metamorphic temperatures
temperatures of
375°C. Assuming a peak metamorphic temperature of
350°C and burial depth of 7.5
3S0°C
7.S km,
km, the
the metamorphic
metamorphic data
data from
from the
the Chengwatana
Chengwatana flows
flows imply
imply aa
geothermal gradient of approximately
this portion
geothermal
approximately 45-50°C/km
4S-S0°C/km within this
pbrtion of the
the midcontinent
midcontinent rift.
rift.
results have
have have
determined elsewhere
elsewhere in
in the
the midcontinent
midcontinent rift
rift and
and in
in the
the Kenya
Kenya Rift
Rift of
Similar results
have determined
east Africa.
facies in
in the
the Osseo core, the ubiquitous presThe change from calcite-chlorite to greenschist
greenschistfacies
greenschistfacies ininthe
ence of greenschistfacies
the Taylors
Taylors Falls
Falls exposures,
exposures, and
and the
the lower NaM4 content of
of actinolite
sampled by
by the
the Osseo
Osseo drill
drill core
core were
in the Osseo core imply
imply that the
the Chengwatana
Chengwatana flows
flows sampled
were not
Taylors Falls.
Falls. IfIf the
buried as deeply as the flows exposed at Taylors
the flow
flow sequences
sequences in
in these
these two
two regions
regions
are part of the same volcanic plateau-segment
plateau-segment of
of the
the midcontinent
midcontinent rift,
rift, and
and ifif the
the these
these regions
regions are
are
not separated
with large
offsets, the
the flows
flows sampled
sampled in
in the
the Osseo
Osseo core
core might
might be
not
separated by structures
structures with
large offsets,
of the
the Taylors
Taylors Falls
Falls region.
region,
stratigraphically younger than
than those
those of

-

-

References Cited
Brown, E.H., 1977,
to pressure of metamorphism:
metamorphism: Journal of Petrol1977, The crossite content of Ca-amphibole as a guide to
ogy, v. 18,
18, P.
p. 53-72.
Cho, M. and Liou, J. G., 1897,
to greenschist
greenschist facies
facies transition
transition in
in the
the Karmutsen
Karmutsen metabasites,
metabasites,
1897, Prehnite-pumpellyite
Prehnite-pumpellyite to
Cho,
Vancouver Island, B.C.:
B.C.: Journal
Journal of
ofPetrology,
Petrology, v.v. 28
28 p. 417-443
Green,
lC., 1983,
1983, Geologic
Geologic and
and geochemical
geochemical evidence for
for the
the nawre
nature and
and development
development of
of the
the Middle
Middle Proterozoic
Proterozoic
Green, J.C.,
94, p.p.413-437.
413-437.
(Keweenawan) Midcontinent Rift
Rift of North
North America:
America:Tectonophysics,
Tectonophysics,v.v.94,
of volcanic
volcanic and
and volcaniclastic
volcaniclastic rocksrocksLiou, J.G., Maruyama, S.,
S., and
and Cho,
Cho, M.,
M., 1987,
1987. Very
Very low-grade
low-grade metamorphism
metamorphism of
and mineral
mineral facies:
facies: in
in Frey, M., ed., Low Temperature
mineral assemblages and
Temperature Metamorphism,
Metamorphism, Glasgow, Blackie,
p.59-113.
p.
59-113.
G. R.,
R., Brew, D.A., and Ford, A.B., 1995, Low-grade, M1
M 1 metamorphism of
of the Douglas
Douglas Island
Island Volcanics,
Volcanics,
Himmelberg, G.
western metamorphic
H.W.,
editors, Low-Grade
Low-Grade MetamorP. and Day, H.
W., editors,
metamorphic belt
belt near
near Juneau,
Juneau. Alaska:
Alaska: in
in Schiffman,
Schiffman, P.
of Mafic Rocks,
Rocks, Geological
Geological Society
Society of
ofAmerica
America Special
Special Paper
Paper296,
296, p. 51-66.
phism of

41

�A CONTINUUM
OF STRESS-STRAIN
STRESS-STRAIN FIELDS
FIELDS (2.0-1.0
(2.0-1.0 Ga)
CONTINUUM OF
Ga) ALONG THE
MARGIN OF
OF THE
THE KEWEENAW
KEWEENAW PROVINCE,
NORTHERN MARGIN
PROVINCE, ONTARIO, CANADA

NEILSON,
NEILSON, Kim, STENDAHL,
STENDAHL, Rebekah, KROPF,
KROPF, Elizabeth and
and CRADDOCK,
CRADDOCK,
John P., Geology Dept., Macalester College, St. Paul, MN 55105,
55105,
Craddock@Macalstr.edu
evolution of
of the
the Keweenaw
Keweenaw rift
rift (1.1
(1.1 Ga)
Ga) is well constrained for
for much
much
The
The structural evolution
of the exposed southern arm,
arm, and
and involved
involved early
early extensional
extensional faulting
faulting and
and magmatic
magmatic
activity,
followed by
by closure
closure of
of the
the rift
rift along
along the
the same
same boundary
boundary faults
faults by thrust
activity, followed
(e.g., Douglas
Douglas and
andKeweenaw-Lake
Keweenaw-LakeOwen
Owenthrusts)
thrusts)at at
-1.06 Ga (Bornhorst et
et
motion (e.g.,
-—1.06
al., 1987;
Cannon, 1994).
1994).This
Thisstructural
structural scenario
scenario isis complimented
complimented by studies of
1987; Cannon,
of the
the
mechanical
preserved in
in calcites
calcites (amygdules,
(amygdules, veins,
veins, cements,
cements,
mechanical twinning strains preserved
clastic dikes,
dikes, and overlying
overlying Paleozoic
Paleozoic limestones)
region
cements in clastic
cements
limestones) throughout the region
rift, followed
followed by
which record syn-rifting subhorizontal
subhorizontal shortening parallel to the rift,
rift-normal subhorizontal
closure of the rift
rift (Craddock
(Craddock
rift-normal
subhorizontal shortening
shortening related
related to
to thrust closure
et al., in press).
The
other
portions
of
the
Keweenaw
rift-triple
junction
are
press). The other portions of the Keweenaw rift-triple
unexposed (gravity,
(gravity, magnetic anomaly) beneath the Michigan
Michigan basin or poorly
poorly
constrained north of
Lake
Superior.
of Lake Superior.
In this study
study we
we have
have characterized
characterized the
the structural
structural relations
relations of
of calcite
calcite twinning
twinning
patterns to
to the
the "failed
"failed third arm"
arm" portion of the rift system between the Kapuskasing
suture, the
the Coidwell
Coldwell alkali
alkali complex
complex and the
the Nipigon
Nipigon Embayment
Embayment over the
the interval
interval
-2.0-1.0 Ga.
regional
—2.0-1.0
Ga.Our
Ourresults
results(Table,
(Table,Figs.
Figs.1-3)
1-3)suggest
suggestthat
thatthe
the orientation
orientation of the regional
compressive
stress (or shortening strain)
strain) field
was subhorizontal and N-S
field was
N-S prior to
to
compressive stress
rifting, subhorizontal and rift-parallel
rifting,
rift-parallel during rifting, and subhorizontal
subhorizontal and
and riftriftnormal as the rift
rift closed
closed by thrusting.
Sample
11

2
3
4
55
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
13
14

15
16
16
17
18
18

19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26

e1(%)
el(%)

pI)
e1(tr
el(tr &amp;&amp; p1)

-7.7
-3.5
-5.5
-2.1
-4.5
-5.9
-9.8
-3.4
-3.3
-0.2
-0.8
-0.7
-2.4
-1.6
-1.2
-6.7
-1.9
-0,4
-0.4
-0.2
-0.2
-0.2
-0.6
-2.9
-4.9
-0.4
-0.4
-4.9

340°,0°
0°
340°,
170°, 8°
8°
170°, 5°
5°
16°, 5°
5°
164°, 0°
0°
50°, 0°
41
0, 0°
41°,
52°, 0°
55°, 0°
20,0
20, 0
3550, 20°
355°,
76°,
76°, 8°
56°,
56°, 17°
150°, 0°
150°,
171°, 0°
171°,0°
162°, 0°
0°
165°, 0°
0°
165°,
170°, 00
0°
170°, 0°
0°
0°
168°, 0°
270°, 5°
270°,
160°,7°
253°, 00
0°
170°, 5°
5°
355°, 12°
12°
300°, 7°
7°

NEVs (%)
(%)
16

a
0a
0

21
12
30
28
37
0
47
28
5
0
26
30
14
13
33
0
8
7
100
100
0
20
30
16

42

-Age
(Ga)
Calcite
e —Age
(Ga)
Calcite type
Dikemarginvein
Dike
margin vein
Dike Margin vein
Dike
Sibley Limestone
Sibley Limestone
Limestone
Basalt amygdule
amygdule
Basalt
Basalt amygdule
amygdule
Basalt
Basalt
amygdule
Basalt amygdule
Basalt amygdule
amygdule
Basalt
Vein
Vein
Vein
Carbonatite
Vein
Vein
Vein
Vein-amygdu.le
Vein-amygdwe
Veth-amygdule
Vein-amygdwe
Vein
Vein
Vein
Carbonatite
Vein
Vein
Vein
Lamprophyre

2.0
2.0
1.54
1.54
1.54
—2.0
-2.0
1.1
1.1
1.1
1.1
-1.1
—1.1
—1.1
-1.1
-1.1
—1.1
-1.1
—1.1
&lt;1.06
&lt;1.06
&lt;1.06
&lt;1.06
&lt;1.06
&lt;1.06
&lt;1.06
&lt;1.06
-1.1
—1.1
&lt;1.06
&lt;1.06
&lt;1.06
&lt;1.06

�Kenora-Kabetogama and Sibley Group
(2.0-1.5 Ga)
Gal
Group (2.0-1.5

Figures 1-3:
1-3: Regional
Regional summary
summary
calcite twinning data
plots of calcite
(see
(see Table)
Table) for
for time
time increments
between—2.0-1.0
-2.0-1.0 Ga.
between
Ga. Solid,
Solid, bold
lines are
are calcite
calcite shortening
shortening
lines
strain axes, with sample number
number
(see Table).
Table). RegionaF
compressive
(see
Regional compressive
strain (E)
(E)
stress(cr)
stress(o) or shortening
shortening strain
fields
are inferred from these data
fields are
for each
each time period. Lake
for
Lake Superior
is used as a reference,
is
reference, with no
attempt being made to include
plate
or fault
fault boundaries
boundaries that
that
plate or
active during
during the
were active
billion years
years of
of Earth
Earth history
billion
involved.

\

Wiscon5in

Portage Lake Volcanics-Osler Group (1.1 Gal
Ontario

Late Keweenawan
Keweenawan (&lt;1.06
«1.06 Ga)
Gal

o
"o_ColdweU~
.), ..

Ontario

Complex

~24

References
Bornhorst, P.J.,
P.J., Paces,
N.K., 1987,
Paces, J.B.,
J.B.,Grant,
Grant, N.K.,
N.K.,Obradovich,
Obradovich, J.D.,
J.D.,and
and Huber,
Huber, N.K.,
1987,Age
Ageof
ofnative
native copper
copper mineralization,
mineralization,
Peninsula,Michigan:
Michigan:Economic
EconomicGeology,
Geology, v.
Keweenaw Peninsula,
v. 83,
83, p. 619-625.
Cannon, W.F.,
W.F., 1994,
1994, Closing of the Midcontinent
Midcontinent rift:
rift: aa far-field
far-field effect
effect of Grenvillian
Grenvilliancompression:
compression:Geology
Geology22,
22,p.p.153153Cannon,
38.
A., McGovern,
McGovern, M.,
M., Kropf,
Kropf, E.P.,
E.P., Moshoian,
Donnelly, K.,
K., in press, Post-extension
Craddock, J.P.,
J.P., Pearson, A.,
Craddock,
Moshoian, A.,
A., and
and Donnelly,
shortening
strainspreserved
preservedinincalcites
calcitesofofthe
theKeweeriawan
Keweenawanrift:
rift:Geological
GeologicalSociety
Society of
of America
America
shortening strains
Special Paper
Paper 312.
312.

43

�CYCLIC TIDAL LAMINATIONS IN THE EARLY
PROTEROZOIC POKEGAMA
EARLY PROTEROZOIC
FORMATION: DIGITAL IMAGE ANALYSIS AND COMPUTER MODELING

OJAKANGAS,
W., Department of
of Geology,
Geology, University
University of
of
OJAKANGAS, Gregory W.,
Minnesota,
10 University
University Dr.,
Dr., Duluth,
Duluth, MN
MN 55812,
55812,
Minnesota, 10
gojakang@d.umn.edu
Evidence of the diurnal inequality
inequality operating
operating in
in Early
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic
time
is apparently recorded in
in aa sequence
sequence of
of alternating
alternating thicker
thicker
time is
and thinner clastic silt laminae
laminae identified
identified in
in the
the lower
lower member
member
of
Formation of
of northern
northern Minnesota.
Minnesota. The sequence
sequence of
of
of the Pokegama Formation
apparently semidiurnal
semidiurnal laxninae
laminae is
lens-shaped
is present
present in aa silty lens-shaped
the argillaceous member,
member, interpreted
interpreted to
to be
be aa small
small arm
arm of
of
bed of the
aa tidal
the shore
shore of
of the
the transgressive
transgressive sea
sea that
that
tidal channel system on the
occupied the ancient Animikie
Animikie basin.
basin. The sequence consists of
of
approximately 60
60 thin (0.1
(0.1 -- 1mm) silty laminae which tend to
to
in thickness,
thickness, separated
separated by
by thin
thin mica-rich
mica-rich layers
layers that
that
alternate in
exhibit a
similar
tendency.
a
tendency. Such thick-thin
thick-thin patterns are
are
expected to be generated by sediment transport
transport in
in semidiurnal
semidiurnal
tidal environments,
environments, due to the alternating magnitudes of
tidal
of
successive tidal velocity peaks in
in such
such environments
environments (i.e.,
(i.e., due
to the tidal inequality).
to
inequality). Thus,
they may be used to
to support
Thus, they
tidal environments of
of deposition
deposition (cf.
(cf. de
de Boer
Boer et
et al.,
al.,
proposed tidal
1989),
here strongly
strongly supports
supports the
the
1989), and the sequence described here
conclusion of Ojakangas (1983)
(1983) that
that the
the Pokegama
Pokegama Formation is
is of
tidal origin.
that the
the depositional
depositional site
site was
tidal
origin. It also suggests that
probably non-equatorial in
in the
the Early
Early Proterozoic.
Proterozoic. Hand specimens
specimens
of the rhythmic sequence
described
above
and
other
specimens
sequence described above and other specimens
from the
the lower
lower member
member of
of the
the formation
formation
displaying periodicities from
slabbed, coated with oil
oil to
to enhance
enhance detail,
detail, and
and
have been slabbed,
photographed. The resulting images were then
then digitized and are
currently under analysis using
using image-processing
image-processing techniques.
techniques.
In order to better understand the
the potential for
for extraction
the ancient lunar
lunar orbit
orbit from
from rhythmic
rhythmic tidal
tidal
of information on the
sedimentary sequences such as the one described here,
here, a computer
model has been created (Ojakangas
model
(Ojakangas et
et al.,1995)
al.,1995) which
which generates
generates
synthetic tidal
tidal rhythinites
rhythmites from
from first
first principles,
principles, given arbitrary
the earth and
and moon,
moon, and
and the latitude and
orbital elements of the
longitude of a
a hypothetical location
location on
on the
the earth.
earth. Assuming
in the
the open
open ocean,
ocean, tidal
tidal currents
currents are
are
equilibrium tide heights in
generated in a hypothetical tidal
tidal channel
channel linking
linking the
the ocean
ocean to
to aa
tidal basin. The current in
in the
the channel,
channel, driven
driven by the
the
difference in water surface elevation
elevation between
between the
the basin
basin and
and the
the
open ocean,
uniform turbulent
turbulent flow
flow according
ocean, is computed assuming uniform
(cf. Dingman,1984),
Dingman, 1984) , and
and this
this flow
flow is
is assumed
to Chezy's equation (cf.
transport capacity
capacity as described by Yang
to carry sediment at peak transport
and Stall (1976).
(1976). Both mud and
and silt,
silt, transported
transported in
in suspension,
suspension,
are deposited when the current speed
speed drops
drops below
below respective
respective

44
44

�critical values.
values. The vertical
vertical eddy diffusion
diffusion time
time is
is assumed
assumed
critical
short relative to the
the tidal
tidal cycle,
cycle, so
so deposition is
is
w
"instantaneous".
ninstantaneous
synthetic
•
The program successfully produces synthetic
that closely
closely resemble
resemble those
those of
of known
known
rhythmite sequences that
rhythmites, such as those of the Late Proterozoic Elatina
rhythmites,
Formation described by Williams (1991),
(1991) ~ Because the
the tides
tides are
are
analytically generated,
generated, the
the significance
significance of peaks in
in the
the power
power
spectrum of the synthetic rhythmites
rhythmites can be understood.
understood. The
The
conditions under which predetermined lunar
lunar orbital parameters can
can
be retrieved from
from the
the corresponding
corresponding synthetic
synthetic rhythmites
rhythmites are
are
under investigation with this
this model,
model, as is
is the probable
appearance and spectral content of very ancient rhythmites,
rhyt~ites, as
as
yet undiscovered.
undiscovered. With this
this model as a tool,
tool, lamina sequences
sequences
Formation including
including the
the one
one described
described above are
from the Pokegazna
Pokegama Formation
under analysis for
for possible clues to
to the
the ancient lunar
lunar orbit.
orbit.
References;
Reerencep:

de Boer,
Boer, P.L.,
P.L., Oost,
Oost, A.P.,
A.P., and Visser, M.J.,
M.J., 1989,
1989, The diurnal
inequality of
a parameter for
for recognizing tidal
of the tide as
as a
influences. J.
J. Sed.
Sed. Petrology,
Petrology, V.
V. 59,
59, p.
p. 912-921.
912-921.
Dingman,
Dingman, SS.L.,
1984, Fluvial Hydrology,
L., 1984,
Hydrology, W.
W. H.
H. Freeman and
Company, p. 112-113.
Company,
112-113.
Ojakangas,
Ojakangas, G.W.,
G.W., Tan,
Tan, H.,
H., and
and Sickler,
Sickler, B.,
B., 1995,
1995, TidaL
TidaL rhytbmites
rhythmites
and the ancient lunar
lunar orbit:
orbit: Improved
Improved understanding through
through
aa synthetic model (abs):
(abs): Bull.
Bull. Am.
Am. Astron.
Astron. Soc.,
Soc., Proceedings
proceedings
of the 27th Annual meeting of the
the Division for
for Planetary
Planetary
Sciences, p.
p. 57.
57.
Ojakangas, R.W.,
Ojakangas,
R.W., 1983,
1983, Tidal deposits in the early Proterozoic
Proterozoic
basin of the Lake Superior region
region -- The Palms and the
the
Pokegarna
Formations: Evidence
Evidence for
for subtidal-shelf
subtidal-sheif deposition
Pokegama Formations:
of Superior-type
Superior-type banded
banded iron-formation:
iron-formation: in
in Medaris,
Medaris, L.G.
L.G.
Jr., ed.,
Jr.,
ed., Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic Geology of the Lake Superior
Region: Geological Society
Society of
of America
America Memoir
Memoir 160,
160, p.
p. 49-66.
49-66.
Williams,
G.E., 1991,
1991, Upper
Upper Proterozoic
Proterozoic tidal
tidal rhytbmites,
rhythmites, South
South
Williams, G.E.,
Australia:
Australia: Sedimentary
Sedimentary features,
features, deposition,
deposition, and
and
implications for the
the earth's
earth's paleorotation:
paleorotation: in
in Smith,
Smith, D.G.,
D.G.,
Reison,
Zaitlin, B.A.,
B.A., and R.A.
R.A. Rabmani,
Rahmani, eds.,
eds., Clastic
Reison, G.E.,
G.E., Zaitlin,
Tidal Sedimentology:
Sedimentology: Canadian Society of Petroleum
Geologists Memoir
Memoir 16,
16, p.
p. 161-178.
161-178.
Yang, C.T.
C.T. and Stall,
Stall, J.B.,
J.B., 1976,
1976, Applicability
Applicability of
of unit
unit stream
stream
Yang,
equation, American
American Society
Society of
of Civil Engineers
Engineers
power equation,
Proceedings,
Proceedings, Journal of the
the Hydraulics Division,
Division, V.
V. 102
102 (HY(HY.

5),
5),

559—568.
p. 559-568.

45
45

�TIDALITES OF EARLY PROTEROZOIC AGE
AGE IN
IN THE
THE WESTERN
WESTERN LAKE
LAKE SUPERIOR
SUPERIOR
REGION:
REGION: MINNESOTA, WISCONSIN AND MICHIGAN
OJAKANGAS, RICHARD
Geology, University of
OJAKANGAS,
RICHARD W.,
W., Department
Department of
of Geology,
Minnesota,
Duluth, MN 55812,
55812, rojakang@d.umn.edu
rojakang@d.umn.edu
Minnesota, Duluth,

The Palms
of the Gogebic
The
Palms Formation
Formation of
Gogebic Range
Range of Michigan
Michigan and
and the
the
lithologically correlative
correlative Pokegama
PokegamaFormation
Formationofof the
the Mesabi
lithologically
Mesabi Range
Range of
Minnesota,
deposited upon
upon Archean
Archean basement
basement and
and both
both underlying
underlying
Minnesota, both
both deposited
major iron-formations,
major
iron-formations, are
terrigenous clastic
clastic units interpreted to be
are terrigenous
tidal deposits
of aa
tidal
deposits formed
formed on
on the
the east-west-trending
east-west-trending shoreline
shoreline of
northward-transgressing Early
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic sea (Ojakangas,
northward-transgressing
(Ojakangas, 1983).
1983). The
above four
four formations
formations were
were either
either deposited
depositedon
on aa stable
stable shelf
shelf prior
above
prior to the
the
the peripheral
peripheral bulge
bulge
development of
foreland basin,
basin, or were
were deposited
deposited on the
development
of aa foreland
of aa foreland
foreland basin
basin developing
developing to
north of aa major
major fold
fold and
and thrust
thrust belt
belt
of
to the
the north
caused by
by the
caused
the collision
collision of
of the
the Wisconsin
Wisconsin Magmatic
Magmatic Terrane
Terrane with
with the
the
In either
either model,
model, itit can
can be
be assumed
assumed that
that the
the terrigenous
terrigenous
continent. In
clastics
and the
the iron-formations
iron-formations form
form continuous,
continuous, but
but diachronous,
diachronous,
clastics and
sheetlike deposits
deposits across
across the
sheetlike
the basin.
basin.
The well-exposed
150 m
m thick
has a minor
The
well-exposed 150
thick Palms
Palms Formation
Formation has
minor basal
basal
largely comprised
comprised of
of three
conglomerate, but is largely
conglomerate,
three major
major gradational
gradational facies
facies
which are
which
are as
as follows:
follows: 1. A thin-bedded
thin-bedded argillaceous
argillaceous facies
facies (lower
(lower
member), 2.
2. AA dominant
dominantargillite-siltstone-sandstone
argillite-siltstone-sandstone facies
facies (middle
(middle
member)
thin-bedded intercalated
intercalated lithologies
sandstone facies
facies
member) of
of thin-bedded
lithologies and
and 3.
3. aa sandstone
(upper member)
of thick
(upper
member) of
thick beds
beds of
of parallel
parallel and
andplanar
planarcross-stratified
cross-stratified
The
sandstones.
The middle
middle member
member includes
includes lenticular,
lenticular, wavy,
wavy, flaser
flaser and
and
parallel bedding
A total
parallel
bedding and
and minor
minor mudcracks.
mudcracks. A
total of
of 250
250 paleocurrent
paleocurrent
measurements, mostly
including sole
sole marks,
marks,
measurements,
mostly cross-bedding
cross-bedding but
but including
asymmetrical ripples,
trough axes,
axes, yields
yields an
an overall
overall bimodal-bipolar
bimodal-bipolar
asymmetrical
ripples, and
and trough
distribution. The
modes are
are roughly
roughly parallel
parallel to
The modes
to the
the inferred
inferred shoreline.
shoreline.
The poorly
Formation,as
as thick
thick as
as 50
The
poorly exposed
exposed Pokegama
Pokegama Formation,
50 m,
m, contains
contains
the same
the
same sequence
sequence of sedimentary
sedimentary facies
facies as
as does
does the
the Palms.
Palms. A few
few dozen
dozen
scattered
paleocurrent indicators
polymodal paleocurrent
paleocurrent plot,
plot, but
scattered paleocurrent
indicators form
form aa polymodal
detailed work
work on
on one
one long
long roadcut
roadcut yielded
yielded 57
57paleocurrent
paleocurrent indicators,
indicators,
detailed
mostly paralleling
paralleling the
presumed shoreline
an embayment,
embayment, but
but with
with oneonemostly
the presumed
shoreline of
of an
fifth of
of them
them normal
normal to
to the
the shoreline.
shoreline.
By the
By
the application
application of Walther's
Walther's Law,
Law, the
the lateral
lateral relationships
relationships can
can be
be
46

�interpreted. The
conglomerate facies
locally present
present on
on the
the lowlowThe conglomerate
facies was
was locally
lying
peneplaned surface
transgression of
the sea.
sea. The
The argillite
argillite
lying peneplaned
surface prior
prior to
to transgression
of the
facies
facies was
was the
the most
most proximal
proximal marine
marine facies
facies (i.e., upper
tidal flat)'
upper tidal
flat) resting
upon conglomerate
or basement
upon
conglomerate or
basement Archean
Archean rocks.
rocks. Seaward
the upper
upper tidal
tidal
Seaward of
of the
flat was
was the
the middle
middle tidal flat (argillite-siltstone-sandstone
and
(argillite-siltstone-sandstone facies)
fades) and
still further
further seaward
seaward was
the lower
lower tidal
tidal flat or
subtidal environment
environment
was the
or subtidal
(sandstone facies).
(sandstone
facies). As
As the sandstone
sandstone fades
facies is
is gradational
gradational with
with the
the
overlying iron-formation,
overlying
iron-formation, this
places the
the site
site of
the formation
formation of
of iron
this places
of the
minerals on
the shelf,
shelf, seaward
seaward of
of the
theterrigenous
terrigenous clastics.
clastics.
minerals
on the
Ignoring
basal conglomerates,
conglomerates, which
which likely
likely have
have aanOn-tidal
non-tidal
Ignoring the
the basal
origin,
the
Palms
and
the
Pokegama
are
coarsening-upward
sequences
origin, the Palms and the Pokegama are coarsening-upward sequences
which are
which
are interpreted
products of aamarine
marine transgression.
transgression. Such
interpreted as
as products
Such aa
model
has
been
described
by
Reineck
(1972)
and
Yeo
and
Risk
(1981).
model has been described
Reineck (1972) and Yeo and Risk (1981).
Dutch tidal
Dutch
tidal flats
flats provide
provide aamodern
modern analogy
analogy (De
(DeJong,1977).
Jong,1977).
Consistent with
with aa tidal
Consistent
tidal environment
environment is the
the textural
textural and
and mineralogic
mineralogic
maturity
the sands
sands (Swett
(Swett et al.,
a!., 1971;
1971; Balazs
Balazs and
and Klein,
Klein, 1972).
1972).
maturity of
of the
Rounding
best in
in the
the sandstone
sandstone facies
facies where
where the
the energy
energy was
was
Rounding and
and sorting
sorting is
is best
first-cycle quartz
quartz sand
sand eroded
highest. However,
However, first-cycle
eroded off
off of
of the
the vegetationvegetationfree,
weathered and
and wind-swept
wind-swept adjacent
adjacent peneplain
peneplain may
may have
have already
already been
been
free, weathered
we
11- rou nded.
well-rounded.
REFERENCES
Balazs,
Klein, G.
G. deV.,
deV., 1972,
1972,Roundness-mineralogical
Roundness-mineralogical relations
relations
Balazs, R.
R. J., and
and Klein,
v. 42,
42, p.
p. 425-433.
425-433.
of some
some intertidal
intertidal sands:
sands: Jour.
Jour. of Sed.
Sed. Pet.,
Pet., v.
DeJong,
Sedimentary Geo!.,
Geol., v.
18, p.
Dejong, J.D.,
1977, Dutch
Dutch tidal flats:
flats: Sedimentary
v. 18,
p. 13-23.
13-23.
J.D., 1977,
Ojakangas,
the early
early Proterozoic
Proterozoic basin
basin of the
the
Ojakangas, R.W.,
R.W., 1983,
1983, Tidal
Tidal deposits
deposits in
in the
Lake
Superior region--The
region--The Palms
Palms and
and the
the Pokegama
Pokegama Formations:
Formations:
Lake Superior
Evidence
subtidal-shelf deposition
deposition of
of Superior-type
Superior-type banded
banded ironironEvidence for
for subtidal-sheif
Medaris, L.G.
L.G. Jr.,
Jr., ed.,
formation: in Medaris,
formation:
ed., Early
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic Geology
Geology of
of the
the
Geol. Soc.
Lake
Region: Geol.
Soc. of America
America Memoir
Memoir 160,
160, p.
p. 49-66.
49-66.
Lake Superior Region:
and Hamblin,
Hamblin, W.K., eds.,
eds.,
Reineck,
Rigby, J.K.,
J.K., and
Reineck, H.E.,
H.E., 1972,
1972, Tidal
Tidal flats:
flats: in Rigby,
Recognition of
of Ancient
Ancient Sedimentary
Sedimentary Environments,
Environments, Soc.
Soc. of
of Econ.
Econ.
Recognition
146-159.
Paleont.
and Mineralogists
Mineralogists Special
Special Publication
Publication 16,
16, p.
Paleont. and
p. 146-159.
Swett, Keene,
Keene, Klein,
deV., and
and Smit,
Smit, D.E.,
D.E., 1971,
1971, AA Cambrian
Cambrian tidal
tidal sand
sand
Swett,
Klein, G.
G. deV.,
An ancientancientbody--the
Eriboll Sandstone
Sandstone of
of Northwest
Northwest Scotland:
Scotland: An
body--the Eriboll
recent
analog: Journal
Journal of Geology,
Geology, v. 79,
79, p.
p. 400-415.
400-415.
recent analog:
R.K. and
and Risk,
Risk, M.J.,
M.J., 1981,
1981, The
Thesedimentology,
sedimentology, stratigraphy
stratigraphy abd
abd
Yeo, R.K.
Yeo,
intertidal deposits
deposits in
in the
preservation
the Minas
Minas Basin
Basin System,
System, Bay
Bay
preservation of intertidal
v. 51,
51, p.
p. 245-260.
245-260.
of Fundy:
Fundy: Jour.
Sed. Pet.,
Pet., v.
Jour. of Sed.
47

�Targeting Footwall Copper-PGE Deposits in the Duluth
Duluth Complex
Complex Based
Based
on Sudbury
Sudbury Mining
Mining Camp
Camp Analogs
Analogs
Dean M.
M. Peterson,
Peterson, University
University of
of Minnesota -- Duluth
Dean
workers have
have studied
studiedthe
thegenesis
genesisof
ofthe
the footwall
footwall Cu-PGE
Cu-PGE mineralization in
Numerous workers
the Sudbury Mining Camp.
Camp. The
TheCu-PGE
Cu-PGE deposits
deposits are
are characterized
characterized by
by massive
massive chalcopyrite
veins, pods, and stringers
halos. The
stringers with
with little
little (if
(if any) alteration halos.
The deposits
deposits are
are spatially
spatially
hundredsof
of meters
meters into
into the
the footwall
footwall
associated with contact Ni-Cu ore deposits and extend hundreds
Veingrades
gradesofof30%
30% Cu,
Cu, 3%
3% Ni, and 0.30
0.30 oz/st
precious metals
metals
rocks beneath these deposits. Vein
oz/st precious
(Au, Ag,
Ag, Pt,
Pt, Pd)
Pd) are
are typical.
typical. The most fundamental geologic process
process associated
associated with the
Sudbury Mining
Mining Camp
Camp is
is the
the migration
migration of
of the
the ore
ore metals
metals from
from the
the
footwall deposits of the Sudbury
Naldrettetetal.
al.(1982)
(1982) suggested that
that
Sudbury Igneous Complex into the footwall environment. Naldrett
the fractional
fractional crystallization
crystallization of the sulfide liquid responsible for
for the
the
the ores are attributable to the
formation of the contact Ni-Cu
Ni-Cu deposits.
deposits. The
The footwall
footwall ores are believed to have formed by
migration of the
the fractionated,
fractionated, copper-rich
copper-rich residual liquid away from
from the early crystallizing
crystallizing
monosuiphide
into and along
along footwall
footwall structural
structural zones.
zones. Subsequent
monosulphide solid solution (mss), into
geological studies have refined this
this early ore
ore deposit
deposit model.
model.
The targeting of mineralization beneath the Duluth Complex must first be based on the
fundamental geologic
geologic process
process (migration
(migration of
of fractionated metals
metals into
into the
the footwall)
footwall) associated
associated
fundamental
The diagnostic
diagnostic criterion
criterion that
that indicates
indicates copper migration is the spatial
with deposit formation. The
variation of Cu-Ni
Cu-Ni grades and the lowering of the
the Cu/Ni
Cu/Ni ratio
ratio in the
the source rock.
rock. An approach
is being
being developed
developed to generate Cu-PGE exploration target areas in
is
in the
the footwall
footwall rocks
rocks beneath
Determination of
of copper
copper depletion
depletion in
in mineralized
mineralized basal
basal troctolites
troctolites of
of the
the Duluth Complex. Determination
Duluth Complex is the first step in the generation
generation of
of footwall exploration targets. The likelihood
footwall Cu-PGE
Cu-PGEmineralization
mineralization beneath
beneath the
the Duluth Complex is
is being
being modeled
modeled from
from
of footwall
visualizing
visualizing the
the three-dimensional
three-dimensional distribution of
of Cu-Ni
Cu-Ni in
inthe
the Duluth
Diluth Complex.
Complex. The
The
distribution of Cu-Ni in the Duluth Complex has been determined from a comprehensive
compilation of
hole chemistry database (Cu,
of all
all available
availabledrill
drillhole
holechemistry.
chemistry. To
To date,
date, the
the drill
drillhole
S. Au,
Au, Ag,
Ag, Pt,
Pt, Pd, Rh, Ir, as,
Os, V,
V, Cr,
Cr, and
and Co)
Co) includes 61,560
assays (249,629
(249,629individual
individual
61,560 assays
Ni, 5,
analyses)
analyses) from
from 1435
1435drill
drill holes
holes (Table
(Table2).
2).Individual
Individual analyses
analyses are
are located
located in
in three-dimensions
three-dimensions
(UTM east,
east, UlM
UTMnorth,
north, elevation/
elevation/feet
(UlM
feet above
above basal
basal contact)
contact) from collar information
information and
and basal
basal
95% of
of all drill hole assays are currently in the database.
contact piercing points. Approximately
Approximately95%
Total assays
assays for
for the
the areas in the Duluth Complex included in this study
Total
study are
are given
given in
in Table
Table 1.
1.
The drill hole chemistry has been used
to
create
weighted
average
(over
50
to
100ff
used to create weighted average (over 50 to 100ft
zones) gridded
gridded image
image maps of
of Cu-Ni grades, Cu-equivalent,
Cu-equivalent, and Cu/Ni
zones)
Cu/Niratios
ratiosfor
for individual
individual
deposit areas. The
The maps
maps reflect
reflect the
the distribution
distribution of
of the
the ore-metals
ore-metals in relation to the basal contact
the Duluth Complex.
Complex. Eight
Eight zones have been used to
to define
define the distribution
distribution of
of ore-metals in
of the
the basal 500ff
of the
the ten
ten main
main Cu-Ni
Cu-Ni deposits of the Duluth Complex.
500ft of
Complex. The
Thezones
zonesinclude
include0-50',
a-50',
50-100',
50-100', 100-150',150-200',200-250',250-300',300-400'
100-150', 150-200', 200-250', 250-300', 300-400'and
and400-500'
400-500'above
abovethe
thebasal
basalcontact.
contact. The

of high
high Cu-Ni
Cu-Ni grades
grades and
and low
low Cu/Ni
Cu/Ni ratios for individual zones has been
correlation of
determined by merging the Cu-Ni grade and Cu/Ni
Cu/Niratio
ratiodata
datasets.
sets. An
An example
example of
of a composite
composite
copper migration
migrationin
in the
the basal
basal 500'
500' of the Spruce Road Deposit is
image depicting modeled copper
Posted within
withinthe
theimage
image are
are dots
dots representing
representinglocations
locations of
of drill
drill hole
hole
presented in Figure 1. Posted
the Duluth
Duluth Complex,
Complex, in
in the
the underlying
underlyingGiants
Giants Range
Range Granite.
Granite. A
A strong
strong
assay samples, beneath the
&gt;1%
hole assays
assays with
with&gt;1
% Cu (suffide
(sulfide veins ranging to
to
correlation exists between footwall drill hole
7.9%Cu)
Cu)and
and the
the modeled
modeled copper
copper migration
migration in
in the
the overlying
overlying Duluth
Duluth Complex.
Complex. Based on
7.9%
preliminary data, this new method appears to
to be
be a good mineral exploration targeting method
that could be used to
to predict
predict favorable
favorable areas
areas for
for hosting
hosting footwall
footwall deposits.
deposits.

48

�sSpruce
pru ceRa
adD
epas it
Road
Deposit
,+

4_,____J

,-

+

+
+

+

+__+~
+
+

+"t

+

+

+

+

,(25

+

,

;
Granite
1-

+

4-

4-

+

+

÷

1-

+

+

Modeled Copper
Copper Migration'
Migration
Modeled
in the Basal
Basal 500
500' ofofthe
the
in
Duluth Complex
Complex

+

+

:::÷:÷:÷:÷
+

+

+
T

High
.- HiKh

19

+

1-

+

+

I.•

-1-

•

•- Low

Coer Assays
Copper
Assay'sBeneath
Beneath the
the
buluth
Duluth Complex
Complex in
In the
the
I
Footwall Giants
Range
Range Granite
.
I:

26

30

Granite
Granite - Duluth Compiel
Complex
Basal
Basal ContactDips
Contact Dips to
to
theSE
at25
IheSEat2S'

Duluth
Complex

—

•-&gt;l%Cu
• - &gt; 1% Cu C!! = 694) I
- &lt;1%Cu
&lt; 1% Cu
I
•

Figure 1.
Correlation of
of modeled
modeled copper
coppermigration
migrationin
in the
the basal
basal 500
500' of
of the
the Duluth
DuluthComplex
Complex and
and
1. Correlation
known mineralization
mineralization in
in the
the footwall
footwall Giants
Giants Range
Range Granite, Spruce Road Deposit.

Table 1. Total
Total deposit
deposit assays/
assays'
Deposit

analyses for
for individual
individual element
Table 2.
2. # of analyses
Element

#

Element

Spruce Road
Sprnce
Road

9282
9281

Copper

61,159

Palladium

5,897

Maturi

3246

Nickel

60,300

Rhodium

1,881

Birch lake

958

Sulfur

37,120

Iridium

203

Dunka Pit

4223

Cu/Ni

60,266

Osmium

202
102

Serpentine

2000

Gold

5,109

Vanadium

1,770
1,770

30069

Silver

4,223

Chromium

2,799

Dunka Road
Road

2607

Platinum

5,598

Cobalt

3,202

Wetlegs

1248

Babbitt

Wyman Creek
Waterhen

#

#

922
1813

Bibliography
Naldrett, A.J.,
A.J./ Innes,
D.G., Sowa,
hines, D.G.,
Sowa, J.J. And
And Gorton,
Gorton, M.,
M., 1982/
1982,Compositional
Compositionalvariation
variation within
within and
between
5
Sudbury
ore
deposits;
Economic
Geology,
v.
77/
p.
1519-1534.
between 5 Sudbury ore deposits; Economic Geology, v. 77, p. 1519-1534.

49

�PETROGENETIC
RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN
BETWEEN APATITE-BEARING
APATITE-BEARING AND
AND APATITE-DEFICIENT
APATITE-DEFICIENT IRON
IRON
PETROGENETIC RELATIONSHIPS
OXIDE-RiCH
OXIDE-RICH INTRUSIONS
INTRUSIONS AND
AND MASSIVE SULFIDE MINERALIZATION IN THE DULUTH
DULUTH COMPLEX,
COMPLEX,
MN.

RIPLEY,
RlPLEY, Edward M., Department of Geological
IN
Geological Sciences,
Sciences, Indiana University,
University, Bloomington, [N

47405
Within the Duluth Complex oxide-rich, mafic to ultramafic
ultramafic·intrusions
by Severson
intrusions (referred to as OUI by
and
and Hauck,
Hauck, 1990), occur as
as cross-cutting
cross-cutting bodies
bodies and
and semi-conformable
semi-conformable lenses.
lenses. These bodies are rich in
both ilmenite and titanomagnetite, and
and have
have been
been the subject of
of recent investigations
investigations by Jill Pasteris
Pasteris and
and
students at Washington University,
University, and
and Penny
Penny Morton
Morton at
at the
the University
University of
ofMinnesota,
Minnesota,Duluth.
Duluth. Although
Although
these oxide-rich bodies occur throughout the Complex there are some differences between those located
located
of the Complex and those in
in the central and northern sections that have only
in the southern portion of
recently been recognized. The
The best
best studied
studied OUl
OUI in
in the
the central
central and
and northern
northern portion of
of the Complex are
characterized by
by low apatite content. In
Incontrast,
contrast,many
manyof
ofthe
theOUT
OUI in the southern portion of
of the
Complex, in particular the Boulder Lake
Lake area
area (Severson,
(Severson, 1995),
1995), are
are marked
markedby
byabundant
abundantapatite.
apatite. In at
least a few areas true nelsonites (ilmenite-apatite rocks)
rocks) have
have been
been found.
found. These types of apatite-oxide
occurrences are similar to cross-cutting bodies
bodies that are frequently found
found associated with massif-type
massif-type
anorthosites (e.g. Marcy, Grenville Province,
Province, Rogaland
Rogaland Complex).
Complex). Accessory minerals in the nelsonites
spinel, and sulfides.
include biotite, zircon, Zn-rich spine!,

Massive sulfide mineralization at
at the
the Babbitt
Babbitt deposit is
is also cross-cutting in
in form,
form, and
and is
is
composed of
essentially
the
same
mineralogy
as
the
apatite-oxide
rocks,
but
obviously
in
different
of
mineralogy
but
in different
proportions. Euhedral
Euhedral apatite
apatite (locally
(locally up
up to
to 5%)
5%) occurs
occurs disseminated
disseminated in
in the massive sulfides, along with
spinel, baddeleyite,
biotite, Zn-rich hercynitic spine!,
baddeleyite, ilmenite,
ilmenite, and
and other
other oxides.
oxides. We have previously proposed
of a volatile-rich, immiscible
imm iscible
that the massive mineralization
mineralization at
at Babbitt
Babbitt resulted
resulted from
from the
the emplacement
emplacement of
sulfide liquid. The
Thesame
same elements
elements may
may be
be partitioned
partitioned into
into an
an immiscible
immiscible Fe-Ti-P-rich oxide liquid,
liquid, and
an origin similar to that of the massive sulfides is
proposed. Sulfur
is proposed.
Sulfur isotopic
isotopic values of
of the netsonites
nelsonites (34%o)
4%o), and suggest that
4%0) are distinctly different
different from
from those
thoseof
ofthe
themassive
massivesulfides
sulfidesatatBabbitt
Babbitt(10-1
(10-14%0),
sulfur contamination of
of the
the nelsonites
nelsonites has
has not
not occurred.
The distinctly lower
lower Cl
Cl and
and REE
REE contents of
of the apatite from nelsonite and related rocks (Fig. 1)
I)
suggests that they either
either crystallized
crystallized from
from aa magma
magma that
that had
had previously
previously separated a ClCI- and
and REE-rich
REE-rich
fluid, or that had experienced prior crystallization
crystallization of aa CICl- and
and REE-compatible
REE-compatible mineral.
mineral. Both
mechanisms are
are consistent
consistentwith
with the
the premise
premisethat
thatthe
theapatite-rich
apatite-richOUT
OUI are genetically
genetically associated
associated with
with
highly evolved, residual melts. For
Forexample,
example, Severson
Severson (1995)
(1995) has
has described layered oxide-rich gabbros
in
in the
the Boulder Lake
Lake area
area where
where apatite
apatite isis aa cumulus
cumulus mineral.
mineral. Just to the south in
in the
the Duluth
Duluth Layered
Layered
Series, Miller (1995) has also
also described
described five-phase
five-phase cumulates
cumulates where
whereapatite
apatiteisisaaprimocryst
primocrystmineral.
mineral. In
In
Series,
contrast, apatite
apatite is
is never
never aa cumulus
cumulus phase
phase in
in the
the Partridge
Partridge River
River (PRI)
(PRl) and South
South Kawishiwi
Kawishiwi (SKI)
Apatite in
in the massive sulfide mineralization at Babbitt
Intrusions in the central portion
portion of the
the Complex.
Complex. Apatite
in troctolites of
of the PRI
PRl (Fig. 1)
1) are characterized by
by
and that which occurs as an interstitial mineral in
higher Cl
CI and REE values relative
relative to
to apatite
apatite in
in the
the apatite-rich
apatite-richOUT.
OUI. The
The 01_fl
OUI in
in the
the central portion of
of
the
&gt; 45 vs. Fo
Fa &lt;
45 in
in apatite-rich
apatite-rich OUI),
OUI), and
and
the Complex are not as
as chemically evolved
evolved (e.g.
(e.g. olivine
olivine Fo
Fo&gt;
&lt;45
appear to be related to interstitial melts
melts of
of the
the FRI
PRl and SKI. In
Inboth
bothtypes
typesof
ofOUT
OUI the paucity of
of feldspar
liquid
component suggests that fractionation either through buoyant mineral accumulation or liquid
immiscibility is an important genetic factor.

50

�References
Jr., 1995,
1995,Emplacement
Emplacementand
and open-system
open-system crystallization
crystallization of
ofthe
the Duluth
Duluth Complex
Complex at
at Duluth,
Duluth,
Miller, J. D., Jr,
Minnesota (Abs.): Proceedings of
IGCP
Conference,
Duluth,
MN,
1995,
P.
127-128.
ofIGCP
1995, p. 127-128.
Severson, M. J., and Hauck,
Hauck, S.
S. A.,
A., 1990,
1990, Geology,
Geology, geochemistry, and stratigraphy
stratigraphy of
ofaa portion
portion of
ofthe
the
NRRITechnical
TechnicalReport
ReportNRRIJGMIN-TR-89NRRIlGMIN-TR-89-11,
Partridge River Intrusion: NRRI
11, 236 p.
Severson, M. J., 1995,
1995, Geology
Geology of
of the
the southern
southern portion
portion of
of the
the Duluth
Duluth Complex:
Complex: NRRI
NRRI Technical
Technical Report
Report
NRRI/GMIN-TR-95-26,
N RRIJG MIN-TR-95-26, in
in press.
press.
F
F

+

+

Duluth Complex
Complex
Apatite
OH

Cl
CI
1.2

1

Duluth
Duluth Complex Apatite

0~

l

UJ
w
w
UJ

a::

•*U.. •

•

0.8
0.6

•*

0.4

,

0.2
0
0

0

...--, . •*

1

• •*
*•
•
*
•. •
U

0.5

U

U.

•• •
•

•
•

•

•
U

Troctolite

•
.
•
Sulfide
Suffide
U

U

Nelsonite

U

1I

*•

1.5

2

CI
wt.%
Cwt%
Figure 1.
1. Compositional
Compositional variations
variations between
between apatite
apatite from
from apatite-rich OUI (here nelsonite), massive
sulfide mineralization at Babbitt, and
and Fe-Ti-P-rich gabbroic to troctolitic
tfoctolitic rocks of
of the Partridge
Partridge River
River
Intrusion.

51

�ULTRAMAFIC DIKE WITH MANTLE
TO
MANTLE XENOLITHS:
XENOLITHS: IMPLICATIONS TO
DIAMOND EXPLORATION
DIAMOND
EXPLORATION IN
IN WAWA
WAWA

Sage. R P.1,
P.l, Morris,
Morris, T.
T. F.1,
F.1, Crabtree, D.2,
0. 2, Murray, C. A.1,
A.l, Bennett, G.1,
G.l, Hailstone,
Hailstone,
M.l,
Pianosi,S.f,
5.1,and
andJosey,
Josey,S1.
51.
M.1,Nicholson,
Nicholson, T.3,
i., Pianosi,
1
Ontario
Geological
Survey,
1 Ontario
933
P3E 6B5
6B5
933 Ramsey
Ramsey Lake
Lake Road,
Road, Sudbury,
Sudbury, ON P3E
2 Ontario Geosciences Centre, 933
2
933 Ramsey
ON P3E
P3E6B5
6B5
Ramsey Lake
Lake Road,
Road, Sudbury,
Sudbury, ON
33Prospector,
Prospector, Wawa, ON

The Ontario Geological
Survey completed
completed 10
10 years
years of
of bedrock
bedrock mapping
mapping in the
Geological Survey

Wawa
of R.
R. Sage.
Sage. When
Wawa area
area in 1988
1988 under
under the supervision
supervision of
When the
the Survey
Survey
undertook
O±tario for
for ~amond
diamond in
undertook aa project
project to
to examine
examine kimberlite occurrences in ontario
1993, R.
R.Sage
Sagerevisited
revisitedthe
theWawa
Wawaarea
area to
toexamine
examineultramafic
ultramaficdikes
dikes that
that displayed
displayed
1993,
kimberlitic
At the
the time
time of
of this
this visit
visit Mr.
Mr. Seymour
Seymour Sears,
Sears, Consulting
Consulting
kimberlitic features.
features. At
the attention
attention of
of the
the OGS
OGS that
that Mr.
Mr. "Mickey"
"Mickey" Clement had
Geologist,
Geologist, brought to the
found what appeared
appeared to
to be
be diamonds
diamonds in the area. The
The stones
stones were confirmed
confirmed to
be diamond
which promptly
promptly launched the
diamond by
by the
the Royal
Royal Ontario Museum in
in 1993
1993 which
OGS
under the
OGS into a sampling program for
for kimberlite indicator minerals (K[Ms)
(KIMs) under
T. Morris.
Morris. The alluvium sampling found abundant
abundant KIMs
KIMs just south
south
direction of T.
prompting prospecting
of Wawa prompting
prospecting activity
activity in the region. In
InAugust
August1995
1995 Mr.
Mr. Terry
Nicholson, Prospector,
Prospector, Wawa,
Wawa, encountered
encountered subcrop
subcrop of
of what
what appeared
appeared to be aa
Nicholson,
lamprophyre dike with
1.0 m
m wide
wide
lamprophyre
with mantle-derived
mantle-derived xenoliths
xenoliths approximately
approximately 1.0
trending 245
245 degrees, dipping 74
74 south in August 1995.
1995. Preliminary analysis of
and some
some of
of the
the xenoliths
xenoliths has identified
identified minerals
the mineralogy of the dike and
comparable to those found
found in
in kimberlite.
kimberlite.

Thin section,
analysis and
and geochemical
geochemicalstudy
study of
of this
this dike
dike are in
section, microprobe
microprobe analysis
progress within
within the
the OGS.
OGS.

52

�OCCURRENCE OF HIBBINGITE
HIBBINGITE IN
IN THE
THE DULUTH
DULUTH COMPLEX,
COMPLEX, MINNESOTA,
MINNESOTA, AND
AND
IN
NORn..'SK COMPLEX
COMPLEX AND
AND KORSHUNOVSKOE
KORSHUNOVSKOE IRON ORE DEPOSIT,
DEPOSIT,
IN THE NORIL'SK
RUSSIA
Department of
of Geosciences,
Geosciences, North
North Dakota
Dakota State
State University,
University,
SAINI-EIDUKAT, Bernhardt, Department
Fargo, ND,
58
105-5517
USA
(sainieid@badlands.nodak.edu).
RUDASHEVSKY,
NO, 58105-5517 USA
RUDASHEVSKY,
21 Line
Line 8A,
8A, St.
St. Petersburg,
Petersburg, 199026
199026
Nikolai S., Mechanobr Technical Corporation, 21
Russia.
G., Institute
Institute of
of Geochemistry,
Geochemistry, SB
SB RAS,
RAS, P.O.
P.O. Box
Box 4019,
4019,
Russia. POLOZOV, Alexander G.,
664033 Irkutsk, Russia (poloz@igc.irkutsk.su)

Hibbingite, y-Fe2(OHhCl,
?-Fe2(OH)3C1,first
firstidentified
identifiedas
as an
an unnamed
unnamed iron
iron hydroxy
hydroxy chloride
chloride in the
the Deep

Copper Zone of the Sudbury Complex (Springer,
(Springer, 1989),
1989), was
was characterized
characterized and
and named
named based
based on
on
drill core samples from the Duluth Complex (Dahlberg,
(Dahlberg, 1987,
1987, Dahlberg
Dahlberg and
and Saini-Eidukat,
Saini-Eidukat, 1991;
1991;
Saini-Eidukat and others, 1994).
is also
also found
found associated
associated
1994). Our
Our investigations
investigations show
show that
that hibbingite
hibbingite is
with platinum-group minerals in
in the
the Noril'sk
Noril'sk Complex
Complex and
and with
with the
the Korshunovskoe
Korshunovskoe iron
iron ores
ores of
of
the southern Siberian platform.
as aa
platfonn. Hibbingite
Hibbingite has
has also
also been
been documented
documented by
by Buchwald
Buchwald (1995)
(1995) as
terrestrial weathering product
of Antarctic
Antarctic meteorites
meteorites and
and of
of ancient
ancient iron
iron archeological
archeological artifacts.
artifacts.
product of
Hibbingite found in
ofthe
the Duluth
Duluth
in samples from
from the
the Noril'sk
Noril'sk Complex
Complex differs
differs from
from that
that of
Complex in containing significant
significant kempite
kempite (Mn2(OH)3C1)
(Mn2(OHhCl) component; in some cases it contains

mol. %
% Mn. The grains, which are up to 0.6 mm in diameter, are associated
over 50 mol.
associa.ted with
with the
the
platinum-group minerals froodite,
froodite, cabriite,
cabriite, urvantsevite
urvantsevite and
and with
with native
native silver
silver in
in massive
massive
pentlandite—cubanite—chalcopyrite
pentlandite-cubanite-chalcopyrite ore.

ore deposit,
Hibbingite was also recognized in drill core from the Korshunovskoe iron ore
km to
to the
the NNE
NNE of
of Irkut.sk
Irkutsk city in the southern Siberian platform
platform
located approximately 500 km

(Polozov and others, 1995).
fine-grained
1995). The sample in which it was found is composed of fine-grained
magnetite ore associated with halite. Late pyrrhotite, calcite and chlorite crystals occur
occur in
in
numerous cavities; pyrrhotite may contain inclusions of
of halite. Hibbingite, hematite
hematite and
and silver

grains are
are found in cavities in halite; the reddish-brown hibbingite grains usually
grains
usually occur
occur as
as
encrustations in the cavities. The
The size
size of
ofhibbingite
hibbingite and
and hematite
hematitegrains
grainsisisup
uptoto100
100I.tm.
~m.

The grains from the
the Korshunovskoe
Korshunovskoe deposit
deposit were
were analyzed
analyzed in
in spring
spring 1992,
1992, immediately
immediately after
after
polished section preparation, and again in winter 1995-1996.
1995-1996. The re-analysis established that
that

chlorine content of the grains decreased to approximately 6 wt.%
with time the cWorine
wt. % concomitant with
with
a small increase in iron. This agrees with re-analyses of Duluth Complex hibbingite and with the

Fe8(O,OH)
16CL&lt;2,
hibbingiteis isakagendite,
akageneite,
Feg(O,OH)
16Ck2, for
for which
which Cl
Cl
hypothesis that
that aa breakdown
breakdownproduct
productofofhibbingite
1991).
is probably an essential component (Post and Buchwald, 1991).

53

�References Cited:

c.B., 1995,
1995, Hibbingite
Hibbingite (-Fe2C1(OH)3C1),
(~Fe2Cl(OHhCl), aa chlorine-rich
chlorine-rich corrosion
corrosion
Buchwald, V.F,,
V.F., and Koch, C.B.,

product in meteorites and ancient iron objects [abstr.j:
[abstr.]: Meteoritics,
Meteoritics, v.v. 30,
30, p.p. 493.
493.
Dahlberg, E.H.,
E.H., 1987, Drill core evaluation for platinum
group mineral
mineral potential of the basal
basal
Dahlberg,
platinum group
39 p.
255,39
p.
zone
zone of the
the Duluth
Duluth Complex:
Complex: Minnesota
Minnesota Department
Department of Natural
Natural Resources,
Resources, 255,

Dahlberg,
Dahlberg, E.H.,
E.H., and
and Saini-Eidukat,
Saini-Eidukat, B.,
B., 1991,
1991, A chlorine-bearing
chlorine-bearing phase
phase in
in drill
drill core
core of

serpentinized troctolitic rocks
rocks of
of the
the Duluth
Duluth Complex,
Complex, Minnesota:
Minnesota: Canadian
CanadianMineralogist,
Mineralogist,v.v.
29, p.
29,
p. 239-244.
AG., Vorontsov, A.E.,
AE., and Amirzhanov, A.A.,
A.A, 1995, The latest process
Polozov, A.G.,
process of
mineragenesis in iron ore deposits of
of the Angara-Ilim
Angara- Him type,
type, Siberian
Siberian Platform
Platform [abstr.]:
[abstr.]:

ill

Petrology and Metallogeny of Volcanic and
and Intrusive
Intrusive Rocks
Rocks of
of the
the Midcontinent
Midcontinent Rift
Rift System,
System,
Proceedings, IGCP
IOCP Project 336 International Field
Field Conference and
and Symposium,
Symposium, Duluth,
Duluth, MN,
MN,
p.151.
p.
151.

Post, I.E.,
J.E., and Buchwald, V.F., 1991,
Post,
1991, Crystal structure refinement
refinement of
of akagenéite:
akageneite: American
American
Mineralogist, v. 76, p. 272-277.
H., 1994,
1994, Hibbingite,
Hibbingite, 'y-Fe2(OH)3C1,
y-Fe2(OH)3Cl, a new mineral
Saini-Eidukat, B., Kucha,
Kucha, H.,
H., and
and Keppler,
Keppler, H.,

of Fe-bearing
Fe-bearing
from the Duluth Complex, Minnesota, with implications for the
the oxidation
oxidation of
from
American Mineralogist,
Mineralogist, v.
v. 79,
79, p.
p. 555-561.
555-561.
compounds
compounds and
and the transport of metals:
metals: American
Springer,
uncommon minerals
minerals in the
the Strathcona
Strathcona Deep
Deep
Springer, G.,
G., 1989, Chlorine-bearing and other uncommon

zone, Sudbury
Sudbury District,
Disthct, Ontario:
Ontario: Canadian
p. 311-313.
311-313.
copper zone,
Canadian Mineralogist,
Mineralogist, v. 27, p.

54

�Clay minerals
Clay
minerals of the
the North
North Shore
Shore Volcanic
Volcanic Group
Group and
and possible
possible
relationship to copper
copper precipitation
precipitation during alteration
alteration
relationship
SCHMIDT, Susanne Th &amp; STERN, Willem, Mineralogisch-Petrographisches Institut,
Bemoullistr. 30, CH 4056 Basel, Switzerland; email: SchmidtS@ubaclu.unibas.ch
Bernoullistr.
chalcopyrite, covellite,
Several
occurrences of native copper with chalcopyrite,
Several small occurrences
covellite, and
and galena are
known
Precambrian North
North Shore
Whole rock
values for
known in the Precambrian
Shore Volcanic
Volcanic Group,
Group,Minnesota.
Minnesota. Whole
rock values
for

flow units
units (massive
(massive flow
flow interiors) range
range
copper in altered (flow
(flow tops
tops and bottoms)
bottoms) and less altered flow

between
Due to the
between 11
11 and 241
241 ppm,
ppm, and
and Zn
Zn values
values between
between 49
49 and
and 167
167 ppm.
ppm. Due
the general
general
of the
the series from a continental to an aborted rifting
geochemical evolution of
rifling environment there is a

general increase in
in the
the lava
lava flow
flow interiors
interiors from stratigraphically
stratigraphically lower
lower to
to
in the
the primary
primary Cu
Cu content
content in

higher flows (Basaltic Volcanism Project, 1982; Schmidt,
Schmidt, 1990).
1990). Superimposed
Superimposed on
on this
this trend
trend are
are
secondary trends. In
Inlower
lowermetamorphic
metamorphic grade
grade flows,
flows, the
the massive
massive flow interiors (dark square
square in
in
Fig. la)
la) show
show in
in general
general higher
higher copper
copper values
values than the flow
flow tops
tops and
and bottoms.
bottoms. This
This trend
trend isis
Fig.
of the
the series
series where
where the
the flows
flows show
show alteration
alteration assemblages
assemblages typical
typical of
of
reversed at the
the bottom
bottom of
reversed
beginning greensehist
greenschist facies (prehnite-pumpellyite-chlorite
(prehnite-pumpellyite-ehlorite or epidote-chlorite
epidote-chiorite assemblages).
assemblages). Here,
Here,

the altered flow
flow tops
tops and
and bottoms
bottoms and
and the
the transitions
transitions zones show higher Cu values
values than
than the
the
massive flow interiors. At
Atall
allstratigraphic
stratigraphiclevels,
levels, the
the highest
highest copper
copper values
values are
are observed
observed in
in the
the
transition
transition zone
zone to the
the massive
massive flow
flow interior,
interior, i. e. the
the near
near top
top or
or near
near bottom
bottom areas
areas with
with clay
clay
minerals ±
± quartz
quartz -- prehnite ± pumpellyite ± albite assemblages.
is only in the highest grade flow
A similar trend is observed for zinc.
zinc. ItIt is
flow where the massive

flow interior shows lower values
values than
than the
the other
other flow
flowunits
units(Fig.
(Fig.Ib).
ib). Again
flow
Again the transition zones to
the massive flow interior
interior (near
(near bottom
bottom and
and near
near top)
top) display
display the
the highest
highest values.
values.
minerals show a great variety in chemical composition as well as
In these metabasites clay minerals
in structural type. Various
Varioustypes
types have
have been
been identified
identified based
based on
on electron
electron microprobe
microprobe analysis,
analysis. Xray diffraction and deconvolution analysis. Smectites
Smectites and
and mixed
mixed layer
layer phyllosilicates
phyllosilicates are
are common

in the flow tops
higher levels
levels of
of lower
lower metamorphic
metamorphicgrade.
grade. Chiorites
in
tops of
of strat.igraphically
stratigraphically higher
Chlorites and
more common
common in
in flow
flow tops
tops of
of the
the stratigraphically
stratigraphically lower
lower part
part or
or higher
higher grade
grade
corrensite are more
Smectites as
as well
well as
as
metamorphic
(Schmidt, 1993
1993 and
metamorphic units
units (Schmidt,
and Schmidt
Schmidt &amp;
&amp; Robinson,
Robinson, submitted).
submitted). Smectites
mixed-layer minerals
identified in
massive flow
stratigraphically
minerals have also been identified
in the massive
flow interior of stratigraphically
lower or higher grade flows.

55

�Clay minerals have been
been isolated
isolated from
from the
the different
different morphological
morphological units and have
have been
been
by XRF..
XRF. They
They show
show varying
varying contents
contents of
of copper
copper and
and'zinc.
zInc. In
addition, selenium has
analyzed by
In addition,

been detected in
in smectite.
Smectitic
relationship of clay
This suggests a close relationship
clay minerals
minerals to
to copper
copper mineralization.
mineralization. Smectitic
phases dominant in low grade
grade metamorphic
metamorphic rock will not be stable under beginning
beginning greenschist
greenschist
conditions. They
They will
willbreak
breakdown
down and
and the
the copper
copper will
will be
bereleased.
released. Chlorite
Chlorite ± prehnite
prehnite ±
±
conditions.

stable and
and copper will
will be
be locally enriched in these
these
pumpellyite ±
± albite ±± quartz assemblages wifi
will be stable
assemblages.

Basaltic Volcanism Study Project
Project (1981)
(1981) Basaltic
Basaltic Volcanism
Volcanism on the
!.he Terrestrial Planets,
Planets. Pergamon
Pergamon Press,
Press.
New York,
p.
York. 1289
1289 p.

metamorphism in
in the
the North
North Shore
Shore Volcanic
Volcanic Group.
Group,
Schmidt, S. Th. (1990) Alteration under conditions of burial metamorphism
Minnesota -- Mineralogical and geochemical zonation. Heidelberger Geowissenschaftlicbe
Abhandlungen.
Geowissenschaftliche Abbandlungen,
Band 41,
41. 3O9p.
309p.
Group.
Schmidt, S. Th. (1993) Regional and local patterns of low-grade metamorphism in the North Shore Volcanic Group,
Minnesota, USA.
401-414.
of Metamorphic
Metamorphic Geology,
Geology. 11,
11.401-414.
USA. Journal
Journal of

Schmidt, S. Th. &amp; Robinson,
Schmidt.
Robinson. D.
D. (submitted) Metamorphic grade and porosity/permeability controls on mafic
in aa regional
regional metamorphic
metamorphic zeolite to greenschist facies
transition of
ofthe
the North
North
distributions in
phyllosilicate disthbutions
fades transilion
Shore Volcanic Group,
Group. Minnesota.
GROUP,
WHOLEWHOLE
ROCK
VOLCANIC
GROUP,
NORTH SHORE
SHORE VOLCANIC

::.

top of sequence
zeolitezones
zeolite zones

&lt;:l!..

D:

•

o~

~

III

0
0

~

Ll.

beginning
beginnin,g
green8chl8t
greenechist
zones
bottom of
sequence

8o
AVO
'" &lt;&gt;
~ 0

•
o0

25
26

50

&lt;:&gt;

"'-0

00
00

•
•
•
•
00

00

~

&lt;D

aDa
tV0
o
Ll.

0o

6

0
o

•

•

~

0
A

~

0

0

cl&gt;o
0

•

&lt;&gt; near bottom
•• massive
massive flow
flow
o near top
6 flow top

0'"
Av:v;
:•

:.

&lt;&gt; 10

ooo~

'11

6 'V

0

6

00

~

0

'V flow Fwrn
bottom
ROCK

'V

~o

0

to.o

oU0

o~. 0

0
o

~

•

0

75 100
175 200
100 125
125 150
150 175
200 2252500
Cu (ppm)
(ppm)

20

40

0

60

{:;,.

&lt;&gt; 'V

140 160
80 100 120 140
160 180
Zn (ppm)
(ppm)

Cu content
content (Fig.
(Fig. 1a
la ) and
and Zn
Zn content
content(Fig.
(Fig.1b)
ib) in
in basaltic
basaltic lava
lava flows
Cu

56

0
&lt;&gt;

�BASALTIC KOMATIITES AND ASSOCIATED ROCKS:
ROCKS: IMPLICATIONS
IMPLICATIONS ON
ON THE
THE
NATURE OF VOLCANISM IN PART OF THE SCHREIBER-HEMLO GREENSTONE
BELT, NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO
BELT,
SMYK,
Survey, Ministry of NQrthern
SMYK, M.C.,
M.C., Ontario Geological Survey,
Development and Mines,
Mines1 Suite B002,
Development
B002, 435 S.
S. James
St, Thunder Bay,
St,
Bay, Ontario,
Ontario, P7E
P7E 6E3,
6E3, and
and KINGSTON,
KINGSTON,
D.M., Surface Science Western,
Western, University of
D.M.,
Western Ontario,
Ontario, London,
London, Ontario,
Ontario, N6A
N6A 5B7
5B7
Well-preserved, basaltic
basaltic komatiltes
komatiites have
have recently
recently been
been discovered
discovered
Well-preserved,
succession of
of subaqeuous
subaqeuous basalts
basalts and
andinterf
interflow
within aa succession
low
sedimentary rocks of the
the Neoarchean Schreiber-Hemlo
Schreiber-Hemlo greenstone
greenstone
belt.
Two,
sections consist
consist of
of pillowed
pillowed to
to massive,
massive,
Two, detailed sections
high-Mg tholeiitic basalt and basaltic komatiite.
komatiite.
Individual
flow sub-units,
sub-units, varying in thickness
m, are
flow
thickness from 1 to 20
20 m,
"Crowded' and
and/or conformably
conformably stacked.
stacked.
"Crowded"
intercalated and/or
(- 10%
10% pillows)
pillows) flows
flows and
and autoclastic
autoclastic
incipiently pillowed (—
breccias comprise the
the bulk
bulk of
of the
the succession.
succession.
Pillows
pillows range from
from
small
small ((~ 30
30 cm),
cm), bun-shaped
bun-shaped forms
forms to
to large,
large, mattress-shaped
mattress-shaped
(&gt;3 m).
m).
Broken pillow breccia and hyaloclastite
megapillows (&gt;3
occur between flow
flow units and in
in interpillow
interpillow spaces.
spaces. These
These
extrusive rocks are characteristically variolitic;
variolitic; varioles
varioles tend
tend
to coalesce in pillow cores,
to
cores, along selvages
selvages and
and along
along flow
flow
contacts.
A
A 99 m
m thick,
thick, composite,
composite, basaltic
basaltic komatiite
komatiite flow
flow has
has been
been
identified in
in the
the upper
upper section.
section.
It
It consists of
of aa massive,
massive,
ultrarnaf Ic base
base (MgO ~ 20%)
ultramafic
20%) followed upwards by three,
three, spinifexspinifextextured flow
flow units:
units: (i)
foliated; (ii)
(ii) coarse
(~8 cm),
cm),
lower, foliated;
coarse (8
(I) lower,
plate;
plate; and (iii)
(iii) upper,
upper, randomly
randomly oriented.
oriented. The
The MgO
MgO contents
contents of
of
flow units range
range from
from 8%
8% to
to 11%.
11%. Primary minerals have
have
these flow
been replaced and pseudomorphed by metamorphic mineral
assemblages consisting
consisting of
of tremolite-actinolite,
tremolite-actinolite, serpentine,
serpentine,
calcite, quartz and
Magneslan hornblende has replaced
calcite,
and chlorite.
chlorite. Magnesian
primary clinopyroxene
clinopyroxene that
that originally
originally comprised
comprised the
the spinifex
spinifex
megacrysts and
In addition
addition to
to these characteristic
and phenocrysts.
phenocrYsts.
In
petrographic features,
features, the major element chemistry is
is consistent
consistent
with known
known basaltic
basaltic komatiites.
komatiites.
Thin section petrography has revealed
revealed polygonal dendrite
networks, skeletal
/ hollow-cored phenocrysts
led
networks,
skeletal/hollow-cored
phenocrysts and
and devitrif
devitrified
glass.
textures, together
together with
with the
the various
various spirilfex
spinifex
glass. These textures,
textures and tremendous variole development,
development, suggest
suggest rapid
rapid
textures
The
chilling/quenching and
chilling/quenching
and undercooling
undercooling of
of these
these basaltic
basaltic lavas.
lavas.
the pillowed and brecciated
brecciated
low vesicularity and disposition of the
flow units
units suggest
suggest deep
deep water extrusion,
flow
extrusion, on relatively flat
flat
Successive flow lobe
depositional surfaces.
surfaces.
lobe or lava tube
emplacement, with fluctuating
fluctuating lava
lava levels,
levels, is
is supported
supported by
by
emplacement,
stacking and
and the
the presence
presence of
of stacked
stacked lava
lava shelves
shelves
megapillow stacking
pillows. The progression from
from (mega)pillow-dominated
(mega)pillow-dominated
within pillows.
flows
section, to incipiently pillowed and
flows in
in the
the lower section,
brecciated units in
in the
the upper,
upper, komatiitic section
section may indicate
indicate
waning from
from high
high to
to lower
lower effusion
effusion rates.
rates.

57

�NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA
MOR!rDASTElUf
MIMHESarA DULUTH COMPLEX MINERAL
IlIHERAL POTENTIAL

Allan
Allan

Spector, Allan
Allan Spector
Spector,
Spector and
and Associates
Associates Ltd.,
Ltd.,
Toronto,
Canada, M5N 1S7
157
Toronto, Canada,

24
Strathallan Boulevard,
Boulevard,
24 Strathallan

T.L. Lawler,
of Natural
T.L.
Lawler, Minnesota Department
Department .of
Natural Resources,
Resources, Division
Division of
of Minerals,
Minerals,
1525 Third Ave.
E., Hibbing,
Hibbing, Z1
MN 55746
55746
Ave. B.,
of northeastern
northeastern Minnesota
Minnesota show
show older
older assemblages
assemblages of
of late
late Archean
Archean
Geologic maps of
and early
early Proterozoic
Proterozoic rocks
truncated by
crescent shaped
shaped intrusive
intrusive unit
unit
rocks truncated
by aa crescent
approx~ately
1.1 billion
billion years
years old.
old. The igneous rocks welled
in a rift of the
approximately 1.1
welled up in
earths crust which runs northeasterly from Nebraska, through Iowa
earths
and up the
the
Iowa and
eastern side
side of
of Minnesota.
Minnesota. It
then curves
curves out
out into
intoLake
Lake Superior
Superior and
and runs
It then
southerly into
Michigan. The
is aa major
major continental
continental feature
feature which
which is
well
into Michigan.
Therift
rift is
is well
defined by
gravity and
defined
by gravity
and aeromagnetic surveys.
surveys. Extrusive
Extrusive volcanic rocks
to
rocks related
related to
these intrusivee
these
intrusives are
are found
found in the
the north
north shore
shore volcanics,
volcanica, widespread
widespread volcanic
volcanic
assemblages in the western
western part
assemblages
part of
of the Opper
Upper Peninsula
Peninsula of Michigan
Michigan and some
some flows
flows
in
Wisconsin. In
in northern Wisconsin.
In Minnesota the
the intrusive
intrusive rocks
rocks are
are known as the Duluth
Complex.
form a belt extending north from
Complex. These rocks form
from Duluth
Duluth to
to Hoyt
Hoyt Lakes
Lakes then
running northeasterly,
northeasterly, then
running
then east
east to
to Lake
Lake Superior,
Superior, not
not far
far south
south of the Canadian
They underlie
underlie an area
with considerable
border. They
of about
aDout 20,000
considerable
area of
20,000 square miles with
outcrop, or
or covered
bya athin
thin layer
layer of
of glacial
outcrop,
covered by
glacial deposits.
deposits.

The rocks
rocks of
The
of the
theDuluth
DuluthComplex
complex form a
a patchwork
patchwork of
intrusions.Some
Some of
of layered
layered intrusions.
the minerals contain
contain iron
iron and
and are
are quite
quite dense,
dense, therefore
therefore they
they display
display distinct
distinct
responses on gravity and magnetic surveys.
surveys. Similar intrusive rocks in;
in; Montana
(the Stillwater
Stillwater Complex),
complex), Africa (the
(the Buahveld
Bushveld Complex),
Complex), Ontario (the
(the Sudbury
Sudbury
Igneous
Igneous Complex),
complex), and
and Russia
Russia (the
(the Noril'ak—Talnakh
Noril' sk-Talnakh Intrusion)
Intrusion) host
host economic
economic
deposits of copper—nickel,
and some
deposits
copper-nickel, platinum
platinum group
group minerals,
minerals, and
some gold.
gold. Massive
Massive
copper—nickel sulfide
p.g.m. are
are commonly
cozon1y found
copper-nickel
sulfide deposits
deposits with
with minor p.g.m.
found near
near the
the base
base
with intruded
intruded rocks
rocks or
or as
as dike
dike like
of the intrusive
at or
or near the contact
contact with
like
intrusive body, at
bodies intruded
intruded into
into the footwall
footwall rock.
rock. In
In addition
addition platinum
platinum group
group minerals, and
and
chromium horizons
chromium
horizons are
are found
found in
in reefs, conmonly
commonly well above
aDove the intrusive
intrusive contact.
contact.

bearing sulfide
In the mid 1960a
of dark
1960s outcrops
outcrops and
and boulders
boulders of
dark igneou.
igneous rocks
rocks bearing
sulfide
copper—nickel minerals were recognized along the
the footwall
footwall contact
contact of
of the
the Duluth
Duluth
copper-nickel
Complex in the northeast
complex
northeast trending
trending section
section of the
the contact
contact zone.
zone. Exploration
Exploration of
of
this
area located
mineral deposits
deposit. which contained marginal economic
mineralization estimated
est~ted to be 4.4 billion tons with a
a copper
copper content
content of
of 0.66%
0.66\
copper to nickel ratio
and a copper
ratio of
of 3.3:1
3.3:1 (Liaterud
(Listerud and
and Meineke).
Meineke).
of the
of the
Inferred
the footwall
footwall of
the Duluth
Duluth Complex
Complex based
based on
Inf
erred geological
geological maps
naps of
geophysical interpretations,
interpretations, were prepared by Dr.
Dr. Allan spector
Spector and Associates
Associates
under contract
display lithology,
under
DNR. The
The maps
maps display
lithology, structure, depth to
contract to
to the
the DNR.
magnetic basement
basement and
and mineral potential modeled from geophysical
magnetic
geophysical characteristics.
characteristics.
data (shown
mineral potential areas are
are character:ized
characterized by
The mineral
by gravity
gravity and
and magnetic data
on profiles)
which indicates
the intrusive.
extend to
to the
the west
west of
of the
the mapped
mapped
on
profiles) which
indicates the
intrusives extend
contact as sills,
contact
sills, or features not
not explained
explained by
by outcrop
outcrop or
or drilling. Some of
of the
MPAS correlate with geochemical
Alminas (Alminas and
northern KPAs
geochemical anomalies
anomaliesmapped
mapped by Alminas
Dahlberg).
Dahlberg) •

structure, depth

drilling.

Alminas, Henry V. and
Dahlberg, B.
B. Henk,
Henk, 1994,
1994, Platinum,
Platinum, palladium,
palladium, and
and gold
gold
and Dahlberg,
of the
the Duluth
distribution
distribution in B—Horizon
B-Horizon soils
soils on
on the
the northwestern
northwestern part
part of
Complex,
Complex, Minnesota:
Minnesota: Mimi.
Minn. Dept.
Dept. of Natural
Natural Resources,
Resources, Div.
Div. of
of Minerals,
Minerals,
Report 308,
308, Hibbing,
Bibbing, Minn.,
Minn., p.
p. 15.
15.
Listerud,
Listerud, W.B.
portion of the
the
W.H.and
andMeineke,
Meineke,D.G.,
D.G.,1980,
1980,Mineral
Mineralresources
resourcesofof aa portion
Duluth Complex and adjacent rocks in
Louis and
and Lake
Lake Counties,
Counties,
in St.
St. Louis
northeastern Minnesota: Mimi.
Minn. Dept. of Natural Resources, Div. of
Minerals,
Minerals, Report 93,
93, Hibbing,
Hibbing, Mimi.,
Minn., p.
p. 49,
49, illustrations
illustrations 47,
47, tables
tables 3.
3.

Spector, Allan, 1995,
1995, Report
Report on
on aeromagnetic
aeromagnetic data
data interpretation
interpretation western
western Duluth
Duluth
Complex: Prepared
Prepared for
for the
the Minn.
Minn. Dept. of
of Natural
Natural Resources,
Resources, Div. of
Complex:
Minerals, Proj.
Minerals,
Proj. 308,
308, p. 15, figs. 24.

p. 15, figs. 24.
58

�UPDATE ON
ON THE
THE GEOLOGICAL CORE AND SAMPLE REPOSITORY
REPOSITORY
William T.
T. Swenor
Geological Survey Division, Department Of Environmental Quality
Marquette, Michigan
Marquette,
The
The Geological
Geological Survey
Survey Division
Division (GSD)
(GSD) of the
the Michigan
Michigan Department
Department of Environmental
Environmental Quality
Quality (DEQ)
(DEQ)
drill
maintains
maintains the
the Geological
Geological Core
Coreand
andSample
SampleRepository
RepositoryatatMarquette,
Marquette,Michigan.
Michigan. The
The collection
collection of
of dnll
core,
core, cuttings,
cuttings, and
and other
other samples
samples are
are from
from 63
63 counties
counties in
in Michigan,
Michigan, including
including 14
14 of the 15 counties from
the
the Upper
Upper Peninsula.
Peninsula. The
The purpose
purpose of
of this
this collection
collectionisisto
to act
act as
as aa "rock"
rock" library
library and
and make
make the
the stored
stored
researchers and industry for geological study
study and
and to
to promote
promote mineral
mineral and
and
samples available to individual researchers
fuel exploration and
fuel
and development in Michigan.
As
January 1,
1996, there
holes containing
As of January
1, 1996,
there are
are 771
771 drill
drill holes
containing 251,000
251,000 feet
feet of
of actual
actual core,
core, mostly
mostly from
from the
the
Upper Peninsula.
Peninsula. Another
holes have
have abbreviated
abbreviated core
core representing
representing 124,000
124,000 feet.
feet. Also,
an
Another 365
365 holes
Also, an
additional 202 holes have cuttings
cuttings that
that represent
represent 54,000
54,000 feet.
feet. In
addition to the exploration
exploration drill holes,
holes,
additional
In addition
the repository
repository is storing oil and
and gas cores
cores and cuttings from throughout
throughout the
the State.
State. Since January,
January, 1994,
1994,
selected
selected cuttings
cuttings from
from all
all new
new oil
oil and
and gas
gaswells
wellsdrilled
drilled inin Michigan
Michigan have
have been
beensent
sentto
tothe
the repository.
repository. The
317
317 wells
wells have
have cuttings
cuttings that
that represent
representover
over538,000
538,000feet.
feet. An
An additional
additional 9,100
9,100 feet of oil and
and gas core is
is
also in storage.

The most
was the
the early
The
most significant
significant recent
recent addition
addition was
early release
release of confidentiality
confidentiality of
of the
the deepest
deepest all-cored
all-cored
mineral
March, 1995.
1995. AMOCO
AMOCO Production
Production Company
Company released
released the
confidentiality on
core,
mineral well
well in
in March,
the confidentiality
on the
the core,
wells logs
logs and
and file
file data
data for their St. Amour #1-29 and
wells
and #1-29R test wells. The 1-29R
1-29R is
is aa 7,238
7,238 foot
foot hole
hole
drilled in
in late
late 1987
1987 to
to learn
leam more
more about
about the
the Mid-continent
Mid-continent Rift.
Rift. It was
was located
located southeast
southeast of
that was drilled
Munising, near
near Wetmore,
Wetmore, inin Alger
Alger County
County in
in the
the Upper
The hole
hole went
went through
through 110
110 feet
feet of
Munising,
Upper Peninsula.
Peninsula. The
glacial drift and
entered bedrock
bedrock ininthe
the Paleozoic
Paleozoicaged
agedAutrain
AutrainFormation
FormationofofOrdovician
Ordoviciantime.
time. The
The hole
hole
glacial
and entered
ended in Precambrian
Precambrian aged
aged Portage
Portage Lake
Lake Volcanics
Volcanics of
of Keweenawan
Keweenawan time. This
This core
core should
should be
be of
of
ended
interest to
to geologists
geologists from
from academia, the oil and gas and the mineral exploration
interest
exploration industry.
industry.
The GSD's metallic mine
includes thousands
mine and
and data
data collection
collection isis also
also stored
storedatatthe
the repository.
repository. This includes
thousands of
of
surface and
maps from
from early to more recent mines from the
and underground
underground maps
the western
westem one-half
one-half of
of the
the Upper
Upper
Peninsula. Reports
Reports and
and other
other miscellaneous
miscellaneous information
information isis also
also available
available from
from this same area.
area. This
collection helps
helps in
in the
the understanding
understandingof
ofthe
the geology
geology and
and mineral
mineral resource
resourcepotential
potential of
of the
the State,
State, as
as well
well
collection
as being
being an
an aid
aid to
to public safety and land use planning.
as
planning. ItIt is a record
record of potential
potential mine
mine subsidence
subsidence areas
areas
of the State
State which should be avoided when
when construction is planned.
planned.

The repository occupies
occupies two
two separate
separate buildings.
buildings. The first building
building is
is 4,000 square feet with electricity and
and
examination room.
room. The
a heated
heated examination
The second
second building
building contains
contains 3,200
3,200 square
square feet of
of storage
storage space
space and
and is
is
adjacent to
to the main building.
Retrieval, replacement,
replacement, splitting,
splitting, and
and slabbing
slabbing of material
material is provided by
adjacent
building. Retrieval,
Limited sampling
sampling of material is allowed
cores and
and other
other samples
samples is
is possible
possible on
on aa
staff. Limited
allowed and
and borrowing
borrowing cores
case-by-case basis.
case-by-case
basis. Currently,
no user
user fees.
fees. The
is open
open by
by appointment,
appointment, Monday
Monday
The facility is
Currently, there
there are no
through Friday,
Friday, 8:00
8:00 a.m.
a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Also, a complete
complete inventory
inventory of
of the
the Core
Core and
and Sample
Sample Repository
Repository isis
appointment or
at at
thethe
Upper
available.
For an aøpointment
available. For
or more
moreinformation,
information,call
callBill
BillSwenor,
Swenor.Geological
GeologicalTechnician,
Technician,
Uer
Peninsula
Peninsula Field Headquarters in
in Marquette at 906- 228-6561.
228-6561.

The GSD
GSD also
also maintains
maintains oil
oil and
and gas
gas well
well cuttings
cuttings from
from over
over 10,000
10,000 wells
wells drilled
drilled prior
prior to
to 1994
1994 and
and over
over
The
45,000 drillers logs
logs and thousands of geophysical
geophysical logs.
logs. Contact
Contact the
the Petroleum
Petroleum Geology
Geology and
andProduction
Production
water well
well logs
Unit in Lansing
Lansing for more
more information
information at
at 517-334-6930.
517-334-693.0. For Statewide
Statewide water
logs and
and microfilm
microfilm
records, contact
contact Lisa
Lisa Farhat
Farhatinin the
the Administrative
AdministrativeSupport
SupportUnit
Unitatat517-334-6936.
517-334-6936. Copies
Copies of
of all
all Upper
Upper
records,
Peninsula
water well
well records
records and
and well
well cuttings
cuttings from
from over
over 600
Peninsula water
600 selected
selected wells
wells are
are stored
stored at
at the
the DNR
DNR
Escanaba
Office. Call
Escanaba Office.
Call Frank
Frank Chenier
Chenier at
at 906-786-2351
906-786-2351 for
for more
more information.
information.

59

�OUTCROP
AND SUBSURFACE CORE ANALYSIS AND RELATIONSHIP
OUTCROP AND
RELATIONSHIP TO REGIONAL HYDROCARBON
INNORTHERN
NORTHERNWISCONSIN
WISCONSIN
PROSPECTIVENESS OF THE MIDDLE
MIDDLE PROTEROZOIC
PROTEROZOIC NONESUCH
NONESUCH FORMATION
FORMATION IN
AND MICHIGAN
MICHIGAN

S. J.
J. Uchytil
Uchytil and
and C.
C. K.
K. Steffensen.
Steffensen,Vastar
Vstar Resources,
S.
Resources. Inc.
Inc. Houston,
Houston. TX
0. M.
D.
M. Jarvie,
Jarvie. Humble Geochemical Services,
Services. Humble,
Humble, TX
TX
A. B.
B. Dickas,
A.
Dickas. University Wisconsin-Superior,
Wisconsin-Superior. Superior,
Superior. WI
WI

M. G.
0. Mudrey,
WI
M.
Mudrey. Jr.,
Jr.. Wisconsin Geological
Geological and
and Natural
Natural History
History Survey,
Survey, Madison,
Madison, WI

The Middle Proterozoic Nonesuch Formation,
Formation. often
often described
described as
as aa hydrocarbon
hydrocarbon generating
generating source
source rock,
rock. partially
partially
infill sequence
sequence of
composes the sedimentary rock infill
of the
the Midcontinent
Midcontinent Rift
Rift System
System in
in northern
northern Wisconsin
Wisconsin and
and Michigan.
Michigan.
Nonesuch Formation,
Formation. acting
acting as
as both
both aa hydrocarbon
hydrocarbon source
source and
and reservoir
reservoir unit,
unit. is
is
The exploration potential of the Nonesuch
supported
the VVhite
White Pine
Pine. Ml,
MI. and numerous geochemical
geochemical studies
studies that
that demonstrate
demonstrate
supported by oil seeps in the
Pine Mine.
Mine, White
White Pine,
derived from
from the
the Nonesuch
Nonesuch Formation.
Formation.
that the oil inri the White Pine Mine is derived
Outcrop, subsurface core samples.
samples, and an oil sample from the White Pine
an
Outcrop,
Pine Mine were collected,
collected. along an
approximate 150
150mile
miletransect
transectfrom
fromnorthwest
northwestWI
WInortheast
northeastto
tothe
the Keweenaw
KeweenawPeninsula
Peninsulaof
ofMI,
Ml, and
and analyzed
analyzed for
fortheir
their
approximate
organic
organic geochemical characteristics
charactenstics (Figure I). In addition.
addition, the rate
rate of kerogen
kerogen decomposition was measured on
on a
Nonesuch Formation
Formation shale
shale core
core sample.
sample. The
exposure is
is required
required to
to convert
convert
Nonesuch
The kinetic
kinetic results
results suggests
suggests a high thermal
thermal exposure
Nonesuch Formation
Formation kerogen
kerogen into hydrocarbons,
in the
the
Nonesuch
hydrocarbons. and
and the
the Nonesuch
Nonesuch Formation
Formation is a poor to fair source
source rock
rock in
areas
quality hydrocarbon
hydrocarbon source
source rock.
rock.
areas examined
examined and
and presumably never was a high quality
While we do not discount the possibility
ofMidcontinent
Midcontinent Rift
Rift hydrocarbon
hydrocarbon accumulations
accumulations in
in the
the study
study area,
area.
possibility of
successful hydrocarbon exploration,
in the
the northern
northern Midcontinent
Midcontinent Rift
Rift for
for major
major
successful
exploration. targeting
targeting the
the Nonesuch
Nonesuch Formation
Formation in
million barrels
barrels of
of oil
oil equivalent) is unlikely.
10 million
unlikely.
reserves (over 10
Outside the Nonesuch Formation outcrop area,
area. the
the hydrocarbon
hydrocarbon prospectiveness
prospeetiveness is
is less
less well known.
known. However,
However.with
with
St. Amour #I-29R
release
release of
of the
the former
former proprietary
proprietary Amoco St.
#l-29R core (Alger County,
County, MI),
Ml), the known deposition of
Nonesuch-type stratigraphy is extended
Nonesuch-type
extended eastward
eastward to
tothe
thelongitude
longitudeofofMunising.
Munising.Here
Here182
182 ftft of
of brown,
brown. gray,
gray, and
and black
black
fine-grained
typical Copper Harbor Conglomerate
Conglomerate rocks.
rocks.
fine-grarned clastics,
clastics. enveloped
enveloped in
in 46 and
and 50
50 ftft basalt
basalt flows,
flows. underBe
underlie typical
This diversion from the Oronto Group type-section
type-section sequence
sequence suggests
suggests an
an eariier
earlier initiation
rnitiation of
of Nonesuch-style
Nonesuch-style
deposition in
in the
the eastern
eastern Lake Superior Basin.
Basin. Consideration
deposition
Consideration of
of multiple
multiple time penods
periods of Nonesuch-type
NoneSUch-type deposition
during the extension phase of Midcontinent
Midcontinent Rift
Rift development
development would
would indicate
indicate the
the hydrocarbon
hydrocarbon potential
potential of
of the
the Middle
Middle
U. S. is yet to be fully evaluated.
Proterozoic
Proterozoic of the
the midcontinent U.

Bibliography
Bibliography

AlIen,
0. J.,
the
J.. Hinze,
Hinze. W. J.,
J.. Dickas,
Dickas. A. B.,
B.. and
and Mudrey, M. 0.
G. Jr.,
Jr.. in
in press,
press. Integrated
Integrated geophysical modeling of the
Allen. D.
North American
American Midcontinent Rift System: new interpretation for western Lake Superior,
North
Superior. northwestern Wisconsin,
Wisconsin,
w.. Dickas,
Dickas. A. B.
B. and Green J. C. (eds),
(eds). Middle Proterozoic to Cambrian
and
and eastern
eastern Minnesota:
Minnesota: in Ojakangas.
Ojakangas, R. W..
rifting, central North America,
ofAmerica,
America.Special
SpecialPaper
Paper312.
312.
rifting,
America. Geological
Geological Society
Societyof
Elmore. R.
R. 0.,
Elmore.
D.. Milavec.
Milavec. S.
S. W.,
W .. Imbus,
Imbus.S.
S.W.
W.and
andEngel,
Engel.M.
M.H..
H..1989,
1989. The
The Precambrian
Precambrian Nonesuch
Nonesuch Formation
Formationof
ofthe
the
North
American Midcontinent rift,
lacustrine deposition:
North American
rift. sedimentology and organic geochemical aspects of lacustnne
Precambrian
43.p.p.191-213.
191-213.
Precambrian Research,
Research,v.v.43,

Hieshima, G.
G. B..
8., Zaback,
potential of Precambrian
Precambrian Nonesuch
Nonesuch Formation,
Formation,
Hieshima.
Zaback. 0.
D. A.,
A.. and
and Pratt,
Pratt. L.
L. M.,
M.. 1989,
1989. Petroleum potential
Mid-Continent Rift
Rift System (abstract).
(abstract), Bulletin American Association of Petroleum Geologists,
Geologists. v. 73,
73. p. 363.
Hieshima, 0.
Sulfur/carbon ratios
ratios and
and extractable organic matter of the Middle Proterozoic
G. B.
B. and
and Pratt,
Pratt. L.L. M.,
M.,1991,
1991. Sulfur/carbon
Proterozoic
Nonesuch Formation.
Formation, North American Midcontinent
v. 54,
54, p.
p. 65-79.
65-79.
Nonesuch
Midcontinent Rift:
Rift: Precambrian
Precambrian Research,
Research. V.

60

�Imbus. S.
S. W.
W., Engel.
The origin.
ongin. distribution
distnbution and hydrocarbon
Imbus.
Engel. M.
M. H.
H.. Elmore,
Elmore. R.
R. D.,
D.. and
and Zumberge.
Zumberge. J.J. E.,
E.. 1988,
1988. The
generation potential of organic-rich facies
generation
facies in
in the
the Nonesuch
Nonesuch Formation,
Formation. central
central North
North Amencan
Amencan Rift
Rift System:
System: aa
regional study:
Geochemistry v.
3, p.
regional
study: Organic.
Organic Geochemistry,
v. 13,
p. 207-219.
207-219.
Imbus. S.
S. W.,
W. Engel,
Imbus.
Engel, M.
M. H..
H.. and
and Elmore,
Elmore, R.
R. 0.,
D.,1990,
1990, Organic
Organic geochemistry
geochemistry and
and sedimentology
sedimentology of
of Middle
Middle Proterozoic
ProterozoIc
Nonesuch Formation-hydrocarbon
Formation—hydrocarbon source
source rock
rock assessment
assessmentof
ofaa lacustrine
acustnne sift
sift deposit
deposit: in
in Katz.
Katz. B.
B. J.
J. (ed),
(ed), Lacustnne
Lacustrine
Nonesuch
basin exploration case studies and
basin
and modem
modem analogs:
analogs: American
American Association
Association of
of Petroleum
Petroleum Geologists
Geologists Memoir
Memoir 50,
50, p.
p.
197-208.

Kelly, W.C.
W.C. and
and G.K.
GK. Nishioka,
and the
the role
role of hydrocarbons
hydrocarbons on
on copper
copper
Kelly,
Nishioka. 1985,
1985, Precambrian
Precambrian oil inclusions in late veins and
mineralization at
at White
White Pine,
Pine, Michigan:
Michigan: Geology,
G.e!agy, v. 13,
13. p. 334-337,
334-337, 1985.
1985.
mineralization
Pratt.
Pratt, L.
L. M..
M., Summons,
Summons, R.
R. E.,
E.. and Hieshima,
Hieshima. G.
G. B.,
B., 991,
1991, Sterane
Sterane and
and trrterpane
trtterpane biomarkers
biomarkers in
in the
the Precambrian
Precambrian
Acta.
v. v.
55,55.
p. p.
911-916.
911-916.
Nonesuch Formation,
Formation, North
North American
AmericanMidcontinent
MidcontinentRift:
Rift:Geochemica
GeochemicaetetCosmochemica
Cosmochemica
Acta.

Price, K.
K. L.:
L Huntoon.
the
Price.
Huntoon.J.J.E..
E..and
andMcDowell,
McDowell,S.S.D.,
D.,996,
1996,Thermal
Thermalhistory
historyofof
the1.1
1.1 Ga
Ga Nonesuch
Nonesuch Formation,
Formation. North
North
American Mid-Continent Rift,
Rift, White
White Pine,
Pine. Michigan:
Michigan: American
American Association of
of Petroleum
Petroleum Geologists Bulletin,
Bulletin, v.
v. 80,
80. p.
p.
1-15.
1-15.
Price.
S. D., 993,
1993, Illite/smectite
Illite/smectite geotherinometry
geothermometry of
ofthe
the Proterozoic
Proterozoic Oronto
Oronto Group,
Group, Midcontinent
Midcontinent
Price, K.
K. L.
L, and
and McDowell,
McDowell, S.
41,
41.p.p.134.147.
134-147.
Rift System: Clays
Claysand
andClay
ClayMinerals,
Minerals,v. v.

Uchytil, S.
S. J.,
J., Jarvie. 0.
Uchytil,
D. M.,
M., and
and Steffensen,
Steffensen, C.
C. K.,
K.. in
in press,
press. Hydrocarbon
Hydrocarbon prospectiveness
prospectiveness of
of the
the Middle
Middle Proterozoic
ProterozoIc
Nonesuch Formation
Formation in northern Wisconsin and Michigan: Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey.
Nonesuch
Survey.

..a_........,

WISCONSIN

i-"'=".-

_

..-..

'ACQIa1OI.U

-

1--'- _1Dl
~

"",,"1UClI

~~:=...

_itA

IT.~

~

"'lIlA

. . . .AIDl

N

i

~
_u.-

-

vou:.uc

ee.~

-

15 MI

o FRda Fonft8l1on
•
NonnuctI Form8l1on
m:m ~ Fm.
HwDor

~ PortaGe LaIaI Vol. GrOUIl

Figure I.I. GeologiC
Geologic and
and location map of the southern
region. Circles
of the
the
southem Lake Superior region.
Circles identify
identify cored
cored sites
sites (1-6)
(1-6) of
Nonesuch Formation
Formation by
by the Bear Creek Mining Company.
Company. Squares
Nonesuch
Squares identify
identify outcrop
outcrop sections
sections (7-20)
(7-20) where
where
Nonesuch
Map redrawn
redrawn from
from Elmore
Elmore and others, 989,
1989, and
and Allen
Allen and
andothers,
others, inin
Nonesuch Formation
Formation samples were collected.
collected. Map
press.

61

�New Bathymetric Map of Lake Superior
A New
Nigel 1.
Wattrus, Large
Large Lakes
Lakes Observatory-University
Observatory-University of
of Minnesota;
Minnesota; Ken
Keri Anderson,
Anderson, University
University of
i. Wattrus,
John Sharkey,
Sharkey, Large
LargeLakes
LakesObservatory-University
Observatory-Universityof
ofMinnesota;
Minnesota; and
andTroy
TroyHolcombe,
Holcombe,
Minnesota; John
National Geophysical Data Center
Center -- NOAA, Boulder,
Boulder, Colorado.

INTRODUCTION
The Large Lakes Observatory is producing
The
producing a new
new bathymetric
bathymetric map
map of Lake Superior using data collected
by the
the National Ocean Survey (formerly the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey) and archived
by
archived at
at the
the National
National
Geophysical
Boulder. Colorado. This data is
is supplemented with
with data digitized from
from earlier
earlier
Geophysical Data Center in Boulder,
bathymetric charts to
to create
create maps
maps that
that show
show detail
detail never
never before
before attained.
attained.
this project
project is focused
focused on western
western third
Lake Superior,
Superior. from
The
initial phase
phase of this
The initial
third of Lake
from Duluth
Duluth up
up to
to the
international border near Isle Royale. Subsequent phases of this project will address the central and
and eastern
eastern
portions of the lake.
lake.

DATA ANALYSIS
After the
the data are received
and remove
bad data points.
After
received they
they are carefully
carefully checked
checked to
to identify
identify and
remove bad
points. Maps are
created using
using the
the GMT
GMT software
software system
system (Wessel
(Wessel and Smith,
Smith. 1991)
1991) for
for gridding
gridding and
and contouring.
contouring. The
The data
data
are
to aa 3-minute
3-minute grid.
grid. Figure
Figure 1I shows
shows an
an example
example of
ofthe
themaps
maps produced.
produced. This
This example
example shows
shows the
the
are fit to
bathymetry of
of the
the lake
lake at its
extent near
near Duluth.
Duluth, Minnesota.
Minnesota.The
The map
map isis contoured
contoured at
at 5 m
bathymetry
its westernmost
westernmost extent
intervals.
The new
new map
map reveals
reveals details
details not
not previously
previously seen
seen in
in earlier bathymetric
bathymetric maps of the lake. The steep slope of
of
the North Shore of Minnesota exhibits irregular ridges
ridges and
and channels
channels that
that probably
probably correlate
correlate with
with dikes
dikes and
and
fracturing of
of the
contour maps.
maps, the
the GMT
can also
fracturing
the basalt
basalt exposed
exposed on the
the shoreline.
shoreline. Besides
Besides contour
GMT package
package can
produce
produce a variety
variety of other
other displays
displays of
of the
the data.
data. Figure
Figure 22 illustrates
illustrates an
an example
example of
of the
the shaded
shaded relief
relief maps
maps
that
that GMT
GMT can produce.
produce. This type
type of
of display
display can
can enhance
enhance low
low relief
relief structures
structures which
which are not
not readily
readily
observed in the contour displays. In
In this
this particular
particular example, the lake
lake floor near
near the
the Wisconsin
Wisconsin south
south shore
shore
is shown
by a tight
is
shown illuminated
illuminated by
light source
source located
located at 120
120 degrees
degrees to the
the lake.
lake. The lake
lake floor
floor exhibits
exhibits aa well
well
developed network of
of low
low amplitude
amplitude ridges
ridges and
and furrows
furrows that
that trend
trend approximately
approximately NE-SW.
NE-SW. These
These features
features
are probably related to the glacial history of the Lake Superior region.
region.

CONCLUSION
The GMT software system is being used to create a new
new bathymetric map for Lake Superior. The new
new map
reveals
details not
not previously
seen in
in earlier
earlier maps
maps of
of the
the lake.
lake. Subtle
Subtle features
features on
on the
the lake
lake floor
floor can
can be
be
reveals details
previously seen
enhanced using the tools available in GMT.

REFERENCES
Wessel, P. and Smith, W.H.F.,
W.H.F.• 1991,
1991. Free software helps map and display data, EOS Trans. AGU, 72,
pM!.
p441.

62

�0

0

268° 30'
268

268
268° 00'

J

I
I
I

rwo Harbo
Harbor
iTwo

47"
47° 00'

0

~---+------+---

47° 00'
47

-4

r

','

0

268° 30'

268°
268 00'

I, Bathymethc
Bathymetric map
map of
ofwestern
western Lake
LakeSuperior
Superiorbetween
between Duluth
Duluth and
and Two
Two Harbors.
Harbors. (5m
(5m contours)
Figure 1.

0

268° 10'
268

0

268° 20
268
20'

0

268°
268 20'

268° 10'
268

0

Figure 2.
2, Shaded
Shaded relief map
the Wisconsin
Wisconsin south shore.
shore. Source of illumination
illumination located 120
120
map of the lake floor near the
degrees from the map.
map.

63

�REGIONAL FINITE STRAIN PATTERNS IN PROTEROZOIC SLATES AND
QUARTZITES: IMPLICATIONS FOR HETEROGENEOUS STRAIN RELATED
QUARTZITES:
TO FLEXURAL SLIP FOLDING IN THE MARQUETTE SYNCLINORIUN
SYNCLINORIUM
WESTJOHN,
D.B., U.S.
U.S. Geological Survey,
Survey, 6520
6520
WESTJOHN, D.B.,
MI 48911
Mercantile Way Suite
suite 5,
5, Lansing,
Lansing, MI
are part of
Proterozoic rocks in the Marquette synclinorium are
metasediments that extends
extends from
aa sequence of deformed metasediments
northern Michigan (Marquette
(Marquette Range Supergroup;
Supergroup; MRSG)
MRSG) to
(Animikie Group).
Group). Slates in the MRSG near
Minnesota (Animikie
Marquette, Michigan,
Marquette,
Michigan, contain reduction
reduction spots,
spots, sandstone
dikes, and deformed
dikes,
deformed veins.
veins. Quartzites contain
conglomerates, ellipsoidal
ellipsoidal spots,
spots, deformed
deformed veins,
veins, deformed
conglomerates,
and grain
grain aggregates.
aggregates. These strain
rutile needles, and
experienced weak to
indicators are present
present in
in rocks
rocks that.
that experienced
to'
substantial
substantial distortions,
distortions, and they were used to
to characterize
regional finite
finite strain
strain patterns.
patterns.
Quartzites in open folds
folds show no indication of being
Strains in quartzites can be
strained. strains
be discerned
discerned where
where
fold
60 degrees,
degrees, and the
the largest
fold limbs dip greater than 60
strain ratios were observed
observed in
in steep
steep and
and overturned
overturned limbs.
limbs.
heterogeneous, and the
the deformation
Strains in quartzite are heterogeneous,
style ranges from
from slight
slight constriction
constriction to
to slight
slight flattening;
flattening;
strain ratios are
are less
less than
than 1.3.
1.3.
Argillites experienced
experienced early
early compactional strain and
slight distortions related to the development of open
flexures.
strains
in early
early stages
stages of
of
Strains must have developed in
folding, because veins are buckled or stretched
folding,
stretched even
even in
in
weakly deformed
deformed argillites.
argillites. Strains are heterogeneous,
particularly along contacts between units that have large
Angular shear strain estimates
ductility contrasts.
contrasts. AngUlar
These
indicate extensions locally
locally exceed
exceed 200
200 percent.
percent.
strains are localized in
slate
beds,
and
are
not
in
beds, and are not
representative for the MRSG at the regional
regional scale.
scale.
strain
Strain ratios for slates are approximately twice
twice those
those
observed for quartzites in
closed
and
overturned
folds.
in
and overturned folds.
The orientation of the principal strain axes in fold
fold limbs
to fold
geometry (except
near
show aa consistent relation to
fold geometry
(except near
major shear zones);
zones); the XY plane is
is approximately parallel
to
(maximum
to the axiai
axial trend of the Marquette
Marquette trough,
trough, and
and X (maximum
stretch)
stretch) is
is subvertical.
subvertical.
Major structural features
features in
in the MRSG appear to have
inherited from
from the
the Archean
Archean basement.
basement.
Fold geometry is
is
been inherited
tectonics involving
consistent with basement-controlled tectonics
translations along faults
faults and shear zones
zones in
in the
the Archean
Archean
blocks. Regional strain patterns and
and orientations
orientations of
of
penetrative fabric
fabric support aa heterogeneous
heterogeneous strain model
model
that includes folding
folding related
related to
to flexural
flexural slip.
slip.

64

�A STRUCTURAL AND KINEMATIC ANALYSIS OF THE McCASLIN
FORMATION NEAR McCASLIN MOUNTAIN, WISCONSIN
WISCONSIN
FORMAnON

of Geology,
WILSON, Susan
Susan M.,
M., and
John S.,
WILSON,
and KLASNER,
KLASNER, John
S., Department
Department of
Geology, Western
Western Illinois
Illinois
University,
University, Macomb
Macomb Illinois
Illinois 61455.
ABSTRACT

Located along the north edge of the Wolf
Wolf River
River batholith in northeastern
Wisconsin is the McCaslin
McCaslin Formation.
Formation. The
The formation
formation is one of several Precambrian
quartzite bodies that lie within the
Penokean orogen
orogen and
and may
may be
be Penokean
Penokean in age
the Penokean
(LaBerge, Klasner
Klasner and
and Myers,
Myers, 1991). As the dominant foci of Mancuso
Mancuso (1960)
(1960) and
and
Olson
(1982)
were
the
the
lithology
and
provenance
of
the
McCaslin,
our
field
study
Olson (1982) were the
lithology and provenance of the McCaslin, Qur field study
addressed its structure and kinematics. Detailed structural mapping
mapping was
was carried on
within a four-section area of the McCaslin near McCaslin Mountain. Kinematic
analysis involved the identification of
sense-of-movement indicators
indicators in the field and
of sense-of-movement
the
laboratory, as
well as
as Fry
Fry (1979)
(1979) analysis.
analysis.
the laboratory,
as well
Our studies
Our
studies showed
showed the
the following:
following:
The McCaslin
1) The
McCaslin is mostly aa thick-bedded
thick-bedded orthoquartzite
orthoquartzite with
with a conglomeratic
conglomeratic unit
unit at
its base.
generally weak
absent except
except along
along two
two newly
newly discovered
discovered zones
zones of
of
2) Foliation is generally
weak or
or absent
intense shearing.
3) Great-circle pi plots to bedding indicate the area is folded gently toward the
northeast.
which diverge
diverge toward
toward
4) Within
exposed as
as two
4)
Within the
the study
study area
area the
the quartzite
quartzite is exposed
two limbs
limbs which
toward' the south.
overturned toward
the northeast; the southern limb is stratigraphically overturned
shear zone indicate
5) Fry analyses of the quartzite and c-s fabrics within the
thrusting toward
thrusting
toward the
the south in the
main shear
shear zone.
zone.
the main
area of
Based on
on these
in the area
Based
these findings
findings we
we conclude
conclude that,
that, iIi
of study,
study, the
the McCaslin
McCaslin
We also
Formation is part of a south-verging fold-thrust belt. We
also suggest that the
Baraboo and
of the
McCaslin is a part of
the family of quartzite
quartzite bodies that include the Baraboo
and
which were
Waterloo, which
were thrust southward
southward during
during convergent
convergent Penokean
Penokean tectonism.
tectonism. This
suggests that the McCaslin is pre-Penokean and significantly older than previous
interpretations.
interpretations.

REFERENCES

Fry, N.,
1979, Random
point distributions
Fry,
N., 1979,
Random point
distributions and
and strain
strain measurements
measurements
Tectonophysics, v. 60,
p. 89-105.
89-105.
60, P.

in
In rocks:

LaBerge, G.
G. L.,
New observations
on the
J. S.,
and Meyers,
Meyers, P.
P. E., 1991,
1991, New
observations on
the age
age and
and
LaBerge,
L., Kiasner,
Klasner, J.
S., and
structure of Proterozoic
in Contributions
structure
Proterozoic quartzites
quartzites in Wisconsin:
Wisconsin: in
Contributions to the
Precambrian
M. H.
H.
Precambriangeology
geologyofofthe
theLake
LakeSuperior
Superiorregion,
region,P.P.K.K. Sims
Sims and
and L.
L. M.
Carter
Geological Survey
1904-B, pp.
Carter (eds.):
(eds.): U.
U. S. Geological
Survey Bull.
Bull. 1904-B,
pp. B1-B18.
Bl-Bl8.
Mancuso, 3.
structure of the
the McCaslin
McCaslin district,
district, Wisconsin:
Wisconsin:
Mancuso,
J. J., 1960,
1960, Stratigraphy
Stratigraphy and
and structure
Unpublished Ph.
thesis, Michigan
Michigan State
State University,
University, 101 p.
Unpublished
Ph. D thesis,
p.

M., 1982,
1982, The
The sedimentation
sedimentation and
and petrology
petrology of
of the
theLower
LowerProterozoic
Proterozoic McCaslin
McCaslin
Olson, J. M.,
Formation,
Formation, northeastern
northeastern Wisconsin:
Wisconsin: Unpublished
Unpublished M.
M. S. thesis, University of
Minnesota, 106
Minnesota,
106 p.
p.

65

�______________________________
_________

Volcanic Group
Geochemistry of Chengwatana Volcanic
Group Near Taylors
Taylors Falls
Falls and
From Osseo Core
WIRTH, Karl
WIRTH,
Karl R.,
R., and
and NAIMAN,
NAIMAN, Zachary,
Zachary, Geology
Geology Department,
Department, Macalester
Macalester College,
College, St.
St. Paul,
Paul,
MN 55105,wirth@macalstr.edu
55105,wirth@macalstr.edu and
and znaiman@macalstr.edu;
znaiman@macalstr.edu;VERVOORT,
VERVOORT, Jeff D.,
D., Department of Geosciences,
Geosciences, University of Arizona,
Arizona, Tucson,
Tucson, AZ
AZ 85721,
85721,
vervoort@geo.aiizona.edu;
andMILLER,
MILLER, James,
James, D.,
D., and
and MOREY, G.B.,
vervoort@geo.arizona.edu; and
G.B., Minnesota
Minnesota
Geological Survey,
Geological
Survey, 2642
2642 University
University Ave.,
Ave., St. Paul,
Paul, Minnesota
Minnesota 55114,
55114,
rnille066@maroon.tc.umn.edu and
andmorey00
moreyOOI@maroon.tc.umn.edu.
mil1e066@maroon.tc.umn.edu
1 @ maroon.tc.umn.edu,
the composition
composition and character of volcanism
volcanism in the Keweenawan
Keweenawan (1100
(11 00 Ma)
Previous studies of the
Midcontinent Rift have primarily focused on the well-exposed flow
Midcontinerit
flow sequences in the
the Lake Superior
Superior
region. This
This study
study presents
presents geochemical data of flows
flows from
from the
the more
more poorly
poorly exposed
exposed Chengwatana
Chengwatana
Volcanic Group
Group of the Taylors
Taylors Falls
Falls region
region and sampled by drill core (Osseo, Minnesota).
Minnesota).
Volcanic
A 3000 meter thick Section
of
the
Chengwatana
Fe+2 ++Fe3
Fe+3 ++Ti
Ti
section the Chengwatana F'
Fe2
Fi19ure
gure 11
.
"
volcanic Group is
volcamc
IS exposed in
ill the
the Taylors Falls - St.
region. This
This section
section isis composed
composed pripriCroix Falls region.
ro Taytors Falls
marily of
of mafic volcanic flows
flows with
with minor interfiow
interflow
Osseo Core
sedimentary rock.
The basalt
basalt flows
flows are
are high-Fe
high-Fe
sedimentary
rock. The
tholelites
tholeiites (Figure
(Figure 1)
1) with plagioclase
plagioclase phenocrysts
phenocrysts and
and
clinopyroxene. Much
Much of
of the
the
ophitic to sub-ophitic clinopyroxene.
basalt is olivine-nonnative
olivine-normative or weakly quartz-nonnaquartz-normative, but olivine is not present in thin section. AbunAbunchlorite, epidote,
epidote, and
and actinolite
actinolite inindant secondary chlorite,
dicate that
the
group
was
metamorphosed
that the group was metamorphosed to
to
Komatiite
greenschist facies.
facies. These
These basalts
basalts are
are characterized
characterized
Mg#'s (0.58-0.37)
(0.58-0.37) and
and Ni
Ni contents
contents (185-36
(185-36
by low Mg#'s
ppm) which indicate
indicate that
that the
the flows
flows have
have undergone
undergone
Mg
AI
fractionation. Flows
Flows near
near the top of the Al
significant fractionation.
exposed section have lower Mg#, Ni, Cr,
Cr, and
and higher
higher Ti0
Ti022 and
and PP205
indicate that the
the younger
20 S and indicate
flows
fractionated. Incompatible
Incompatible element
element abundances
abundances are inversely correlated with
flows are
are the most fractionated.
on most
most variation
variation plots
plots can
can be
be grouped
grouped into
into highhigh- and
and low trace element
element groups
groups (e.g.
(e.g.
Mg#; samples on
Ti, P,
Zr). The
P, Zr).
The basalts
basalts are
are enriched
enriched in
in the
the light
light rare
rare
o30 r=:---:-------;::===~
00 Taylors
Taylors Falls
Falls
Figure
earth elements and Th (Figures 22 &amp; 3),
3), but are variFigure 22
Osseo Core
Core
\ • Osseo
relative to Ce
Ce and
and Th
Th
ably depleted in Ta and Nb relative
(Figure 4). Initial
Initial143NdJ1"4Nd
143Nd/ l44 Nd compositions (1100
(Figure
Ma) of
1099 20 fof the
the group
group range
range from
from0.51122
0.51122 toto0.5
0.51099
(initial ENd
=+0.1
0.1 to
ENd =
to 4.5),
-4.5),but
butten
tenof
oftwelve
twelve samples
samples s:
have
that fall
have Nd isotopic
isotopic compositions
compositions that
fall within
within a
.
•
narrow range
0
range (initial
(initial ENd
ENd==-1.6
1.6 to
to -2.5);
2.5); flows with
•
•.. •
10 f-•
(+0.1)
and lowest
lowest (4.5)
(-4.5)initial
initialENd
ENd valval10
the highest (0.
1) and
ues
ues have isotopic
isotopic compositions
compositions that are
are inversely
inversely
correlated with trace element abundances and ratios
(e.g.
(e.g. La/Yb,
LaIYb, Th/La,
ThlLa, ThJTa).
Thffa). The
The combined
combined major
major
and trace element and Nd isotopic data suggest that
°0.3
0.4
0.7
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
Mg#
the flows at Taylors Falls originated
originated by variable
variable fracfrac-

I

a

o1

-. . -.

66

�________

4..------------------,
o

tional crystallization
crystallization and crustal
crustal contamination
contamination of
asthenospheric
interacted with
with enriched
enriched
asthenospheric melts
melts that interacted

Figure
Fi
gure33

o

o

o

r~O-T-aYI-OI;-F-all-S
0 Taylors Falls -~I

lithospheric mantle.
U
• Osseo
Osseo Core
Core I
o
33
o
More than 900 meters of
of mafic volcanic flows
flows
q,O
o
were
were sampled
by a drill
sampled by
drill core
core near
near Osseo.
Osseo. Petroo
graphic features
features and
and major
majorelement
elementcompositions
compositionsofof . 2 graphic
o
o
these flows are similar to the flows from
from the
the Taylors .c
6'0
EoFalls
are generally
generally more
more primiprimiFalls region except they are
•
~
tive (Si02
(Si0 2 == 44-50
44-50 wt.
wt. %;
%; Mg#
Mg# == 0.72-0.42;
0.72-0.42; Ni
Ni =
tive
•
=
— 0-.
200-70
Most of
ofthe
the Osseo
Osseo flows
flows would
would be
be
200-70 ppm).
ppm). Most
•
low-Ti0 2 flows
flows near
near Taylors Falls,
grouped with the low-Ti02
OL----.....JL....---.....J
---'
however some
Osseo flows
flows have
have very
very high P205
P 20 5
however
some Osseo
0
200
200
300
o
100
300
(&gt;0.39 wt.
wt. %). Several
Several fractionation
fractionation cycles
cycles can
can be
be
Zr (ppm)
Zr(ppm)
recognized in the sequence and there is an
an overall
overall
recognized
trend toward more evolved
of the
the Osseo core similar
similar to
to the
the trend seen in
in the
the
evolved flows
flows in
in the
the upper
upper part
part of
ofOsseo
Osseo and
and Taylors
Taylors Falls
Falls flows
flows plot
plot
Chengwatana section exposed near
near Taylors Falls. Analyses
Analyses of
NbIY versus
versus Zr/Ti02
ZrfTi02 and
and Ti-Zr-Y
Ti-Zr-Y and are
are most
most similar
similar to
to
regions on diagrams
diagrams of Nb/Y
in identical regions
Osseo flows
flows exhibit
exhibit lower
lower trace
trace element
element abundances
abundances
transitional basalts and continental tholeiites. Osseo
(e.g. REE, Zr, Y) and ratios (e.g. CelYb,
major element
element
Ce/Yb, Th/La)
ThJLa) consistent
consistent with their more primitive major
compositions
On diagrams
diagrams involving
involving elements that are sensitive
compositions (Figures
(Figures 2,3
2,3 &amp;&amp; 4).
4). On
sensitive indicators
indicators of
crustal and mantle
mantle components
components (e.g.
(e.g. Mg#
Mg# versus
versus NbINb*,
NblNb*, Th-Nb/16-Hf/3;
Th-Nb/16-Hf/3; Ce/Th
CefTh versus
versus ThfNb)
ThlNb)
Osseo flows are displaced
displaced toward
toward more
more mantle
mantle compositions
compositions relative
relative to
to the
the Taylors
Taylors Falls
Falls flows
flows
&amp; 4).
These features
features indicate
indicate that
that the
the melts
melts sampled
sampled in the Osseo core underwent less
(Figures 3 &amp;
4). These
interaction with continental crust or subcontinental lithosphere than those
those near
near Taylors
Taylors Falls.
Falls. If the
the
Osseo flows are stratigraphically higher,
higher, as suggested by their generally lower pressure metamormetamorvolphic mineral compositions (Naiman et al., this vol0.5
0.5
t
00 TJylors
TaylorsFafls
Falls I
Figure 4
ume), then the Chengwatana
Chengwatana flows might
might record
record aa
C,Lr
rust
C
Osseo Core
Core
1• Osseo
decrease in aa 'crustal'
componentas
asmagmatism
magmatism proprocrustal component
04
0.4
ofthe
the
Furthermore,the
theChengwatana
Chengwatanaflows
flows of
gressed. Furthermore,
Osseo
core appear to contain
Osseo core
contain a greater
greater 'depleted
'depleted
0.3
component (Figure 4). Similar
Similar trends
trends have
have ~ 0.3
mantle' component
oO~
been recognized in other Keweenawan basaltic flow ~
02
in the
the Lake Superior
Superior region
region (Shirey
(Shirey et
et al.,
al., Eo- 0.2
sequences in
05' • •••
1994; Nicholson
Nicholson et al.,
al., 1995).
1995). This may suggest that
1994;
O~.'.
0.1
magmas in the later stages of
of rifling
rifting were
were produced
_N41
ORB
_N-MORB
Primit~
~ : ... Primitive
• •UI'• •U.•
•
Mantle
Mantle
•
by melting a greater proportion of
of depleted asthenosphere and that these melts underwent less contami00
80
20
40
80
60
nation during their passage through the lithosphere.
Ce/Th
Ce / Th
-

I

..—- ..
._....
...'"•

_• .,..'1

.

o•

•

References Cited
S.w., Shirey, S.B., Schulz, K.J.,
K.J., Berg,
Berg, J.H., Kiewin,
Klewin, K.W.,
K.W., and Green, J.C.,
J.e., 1995:
1995: Proceedings,
Proceedings, InternaInternaNicholson, S.W.,
tional
Project 336,
336, Meeting
Meeting on
on the
the Petrology
Petrology and
and Metallogeny
Metallogeny of
ofVolcanic
Volcanic and
and IntruIntrutional Geological Correlation Project
sive Rocks of
of the Midcontinent
Midcontinent Rift
Rift System, Duluth,
Duluth, Minnesota,
Minnesota, 141-142.
141-142.
Shirey,
Klewin, K.W.,
K.w., Berg,
Berg, J.H.,
J.H., Carlson,
Carlson, R.W.,
R.W., 1994:
1994: Geochimica et Cosmochim. Acta,
Shirey, S.B.,
SB., Kiewin,
Acta, 58, 4,475-4,490.

67

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                    <text>Volcanogenic Massive Sulfide
Deposits of Northern Wisconsin:
A Commemorative Volume

Edited by Gene L. LaBerge

Institute on Lake Superior Geology
Proceedings

Volume 42, Part 2

�Front Cover

Aerial photo of the Flambeau mine and vicinity looking north. Flambeau Mining
Company photo. © T-BO Stiios
Back Cover

Photo of a 4.0 cm tall twinned orthorhombic chalcocite crystal recovered from a
cavity in the supergene ore. The purple patina is produced by a thin coating of
bornite on the chalcocite. From the collection of F. John Barlow. Photo by
Malcolm Hjerstedd, Munroc Studios, Neenah, WI.

�Proceedings
Volume 42, Part 2
FIRST PRINTING—MAY 1996

Publisher
Institute on Lake Superior Geology

Distributor
Theodore J. Bornhorst
do Department of Geological Engineering, Geology, and Geophysics
Michigan Technological University
1400 Townsend Drive
Houghton, Michigan 49931-1 295

ISSN 1042-9964

Reference to Volume 42, Part 2 should follow the example below:
LaBerge, G. L., Ed., 1996, Volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits of northern
Wisconsin: A commemorative volume: Institute on Lake Superior Geology
Proceedings, 42nd Annual Meeting, Cable, WI, v. 42, part 2, 179 p.

�Proceedings

Volume 42, Part 2

Institute on Lake Superior Geology

Volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits

of northern Wisconsin: A commemorative volume
Edited by: Gene L. LaBerge
Department of Geology
University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, Oshkosh, WI 54901
Published for
42nd Annual Meeting
Institute on Lake Superior Geology
Cable, Wisconsin

May 15-19, 1996
ISSN 1042-9964

�PREFACE

The mineral industry has played an important role in deciphering the local and regional
geology of the Lake Superior region by gathering basic geologic information to assist in the
exploration for and development of mineral resources. More than a century ago the discovery of the
great iron ore resources in the Lake Superior region led to numerous studies by mining companies,
government surveys, and academic institutions, providing a wealth of information on the geology of
the iron-bearing districts, as well as the sedimentary sequences and the contained ore deposits. The
copper deposits of northern Michigan provided the impetus for similar detailed and regional studies
yielding a basis for understanding these important resources. Although research on the genesis of the
mineral deposits and the regional geology is on-going, we continue to utilize much of the basic data
provided by mining companies. However, relatively little information was compiled on the area of
northern Wisconsin now known as the Wisconsin magmatic terranes.
In the 1960s, a new concept of sulfide ore deposition related to volcanic activity

—

volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits — led to widespread exploration activity by numerous

companies for this type of deposit in the Lake Superior region. Along with new concepts of ore
deposition came new technology to aid in the search for mineral deposits. Aeromagnetic and airborne
electromagnetic (EM) surveys became standard procedures, and, along with ground magnetics, EM
and gravity surveys, these geophysical techniques have greatly modified both detailed and regional
exploration. Drill core data provided by exploration companies has provided the "ground truth" to
permit broad-scale correlation of rock units within the region. Much of these data have been made
available to government surveys to permit at least a "first pass" at deciphering the bedrock geology of
the "Wisconsin magmatic terranes," which are very poorly exposed because of the thick cover of
glacial deposits.
Although our present understanding of the geology of northern Wisconsin is an outgrowth of
the efforts of many scientists, I believe it is important that we recognize the central role that the
mineral industry has played. Therefore, I feel it is appropriate that all of the chapters in this volume
except one were written by geologists in the mineral industry, for some of these authors represent
some of the corporations and individuals who have been at the forefront of generating some of the
basic data. I am confident that the data and interpretations contained in these papers will be helpful in
promoting an understanding of massive sulfide deposits as well as further refining the regional
geology of the Wisconsin magmatic terranes.

�11

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This volume was conceived by Edwarde May, who thought a volume on volcanogenic
massive sulfide deposits in Wisconsin would be appropriate in conjunction with the field trip to the
Flambeau Mine. We all owe Ed a vote of thanks for initiating the project. Each of the authors took
time from their schedule to prepare descriptions of the various deposits. I would like to
acknowledge, with thanks, their efforts. I extend my thanks to Suzanne Nicholson of the U.S.G.S.
who reviewed all of the manuscripts. A very special thanks to Mary Fahley, in the Geology
Department at UW-Oshkosh, who undertook the task of getting all the manuscripts on one computer
and formatting the volume. I really couldn't have done it without her.
Proceeds from the sale of this volume will be used by the Institute on Lake Superior Geology
to help fund student travel to future Institute meetings. The following organizations and individuals
have made financial contributions to help defray the cost of publication of the volume, and in so
doing, have contributed to future generations of student participants at Institute meetings. Thanks to
each contributor.
List of Contributors
Flambeau Mining Company
Kennecott Exploration Company
Ames Construction, Inc.
BHP Minerals International, Inc.
Crandon Mining Company
Boart-Longyear
Cooper Engineering
DeWitt, Ross &amp; Stevens, S.C.
Foth and Van Dyke
David Hoffman
Peter J. Hoffman
Midwest Drilling
Minnesota Exploration Association

North Central Mineral Ventures, Inc.
(in memory of F. H. Eisenbrey)
T. D. Drilling, Inc.
Wood Communications Group
Ayres Associates
F. John Barlow
Edwarde R. May
Casey Jones, Burminco
Glen W. Adams
Russell C. Babcock
Jack V. Everett
Gene L. LaBerge
Paul G. Schmidt

�111

DEDICATION

Edward H. Eisenbrey
1926 - 1985

"Ned" Eisenbrey, to whom, along with his co-worker Jack Phillips, this volume and meeting
are dedicated, can truly be said to be one of the "fathers" of the study and exploration for
volcanogenic massive sulfide mineral deposits in Wisconsin.

Those of us who had the good fortune to work with Ned in the Precambrian shield of the
Upper Midwest and elsewhere, recognize that he had a unique talent as an ore finder, a geologist, and
a teacher. In the last ten years of his life, during my close association with him as a co-worker and
friend, I marveled at his uncanny, often apparently intuitive knack for sizing up a mass of geophysical
data, mix it with an apparent minimum of hard geologic ground truth and to come up with targets
that, in a remarkable number of cases, were not graphite, not "formational," not just pyrite, but were
mineralized prospects and potential base and precious metal deposits.
During his tenure in Wisconsin and Bear Creek (Kennecott) he was responsible for the
initiation of drilling at the site of the current Flambeau Mine. He also recognized and proposed

�iv

drilling at the Thornapple site (now fittingly named the Eisenbrey prospect). Subsequently, in his
year with the North Central Mineral Venture and in his capacity as a senior geologist with Earnest K.
Lehmann &amp; Associates, he recognized the mineralization of the Reef deposit and was instrumental in,
among others, the discovery of the Ritchie Creek prospect and the Horseshoe deposit which was
discovered on the day of his untimely death. His insight was also important in our later discovery of
the Bend deposit in Taylor County.

Ned was born in 1926 and grew up in Cleveland, Ohio. He attended the Staunton Military
Academy in Virginia. During World War II, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy at age 17 and served in
the South Pacific. He graduated in geology from Case Western in 1950 and obtained a MS from the
University of Toronto in 1952. During his college summers, he worked as a surveyor on the Quebec,
Nova Scotia and Labrador Railroad then being built to develop the Labrador iron mines.
On graduation, he joined the American Metal Company and worked on massive sulfide
deposits in New Brunswick. Later, he transferred to various other locals including Virginia,
Colorado, Wyoming, and Arizona. Following the merger of American Metals and Climax to form
AMAX in 1958, he was a consultant and mine operator in Arizona.

In 1959, he joined Bear Creek, working first on the exploration of the porphyry copper
deposit at Safford, Arizona, and later as an assistant to Paul Bailey, the President of Bear Creek. In
1963 he joined the Rocky Mountain regional office of Bear Creek and in 1967 moved to the upper
midwest. Leaving Bear Creek in 1971, he first managed the North Central Mineral Venture for
Superior Oil, and then joined Ernest K. Lehmann &amp; Associates in 1975. He worked with ELA until
his death in 1985.

He and Elizabeth (Liz) Eisenbrey were married in 1955. They have two children, Mary and
Fred. With Liz's help and the support of his family, he was able to maintain an active and full life in
spite of a severe diabetic condition, which hampered him during almost all of his adult life.
His interests outside of geology were strongly focused on his desire to share his knowledge
and his abilities as a teacher. In this capacity, he was active in the Boy Scouts and in his church. In
the later years of his life, he had a keen interest in introducing earth science teachers to geology and
ore deposits. He participated in a program for this purpose at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville.
Teaching came naturally to him. This skill, coupled with his acute knowledge of economic geology
generally and volcanogenic massive sulfides in particular, was a gift from which all his associates
benefitted. We are still indebted to him for his knowledge, his skill in applying that knowledge and
his sharing it with us.
Ernest K. Lehmann
August, 1995

Memorial to John S. Phillips
1928 - 1987

On March 20, 1987, Jack Phillips was killed in a plane crash as he was returning from work
at Andacollo, Chile, to his home in Santiago, ending an outstanding career in minerals exploration.
Jack grew up on a ranch 30 miles south of Cripple Creek, Colorado, and his interest in
geology may have been stirred by visits to this old mining camp. He graduated from the Colorado
School of Mines in 1949, and began his professional career at the New Jersey Zinc Company mine in

�V

Gilman, Colorado. This was interrupted by a two-year hitch with the U.S. Army in Germany, where
he met his caring and supportive wife, Danielle, a French interpreter with the Army. On returning to
the U.S., he earned his M.S. degree at Syracuse, and his Ph.D. at Harvard, studying under Hugh
McKinstry.

Jack joined Cominco in 1960, exploring the Jerome District in Arizona, applying the
volcançgenic model recently developed at Bathurst, New Brunswick. In 1965, he was hired by
Kennecott to manage a drilling project near Marquette, Michigan, testing the Kona Dolomite for
rhodesian-type copper deposits. At the same time, Jack was characteristically looking for other
exploration possibilities, and, influenced by his Jerome experience, recognized the area west of
Ladysmith, Wisconsin, as having potential for hosting volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits. Before
his transfer to another assignment, Jack's enthusiasm and persistence led to Kennecott's approval of
an INPUT survey, which resulted in the discovery of the Flambeau deposit in 1968.
Jack continued to work for Kennecott for a number of years, mostly in the Western U.S., but
including foreign assignments as well. He joined Chevron in 1978, was instrumental in bringing it
into the Stillwater platinum operation, and later headed its copper exploration in Chile.
Jack is remembered by those of us privileged to have known him, for his keen interest in all
types of ore deposits, his enthusiastic approach to exploration, and his enjoyment in exchanging
thoughts with fellow geologists.
Ray E. Gilbert
Englewood, Colorado

�vi

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PREFACE
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
DEDICATION
INTRODUCTION

HISTORY OF EXPLORATION FOR VOLCANOGENIC MASSIVE SULFIDES
by Russell C. Babcock
IN WISCONSIN

1

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS AND GEOLOGIC SETFING OF THE WISCONSIN
by Gene L. LaBerge
MAGMATIC TERRANES

17

A GEOLOGIC FRAMEWORK FOR EARLY PROTEROZOIC VOLCANOGENIC
MASSIVE SULFIDE DEPOSITS IN WISCONSIN: AN EXPLORATION MODEL
by Theodore A. DeMatties

31

AN OVERVIEW OF THE FLAMBEAU SUPERGENE ENRICHED MASSIVE SULFIDE
DEPOSIT GEOLOGY AND MINERALOGY, RUSK COUNTY, WISCONSIN
by Edwarde R. May and Stephen R. Dinkowitz

67

CASE STUDY OF ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PERMITFING,
OPERATION, AND RECLAMATION OF A METALLIC MINERAL MINE IN
by Jana E. Murphy and Richard T. Dachel
WISCONSIN-FLAMBEAU MINE

EISENBREY: A STRUCTURALLY COMPLEX PROTEROZOIC COPPER-ZINC
MASSIVE SULFIDE DEPOSIT, RUSK COUNTY, WISCONSIN
by Edwarde R. May
GEOLOGICAL SUMMARY - CRANDON DEPOSIT

by A. J. Erickson and R. COt

....

95

107

129

THE BEND DEPOSIT: AN EARLY PROTEROZOIC COPPER-GOLD
by Theodore A. DeMatties and William F. Rowell
VMS DEPOSIT.

143

GEOLOGY OF THE LYNNE BASE-METAL DEPOSIT, NORTH-CENTRAL
by Glen W. Adams
WISCONSIN, U.S.A.

161

�1

HISTORY OF EXPLORATION FOR VOLCANOGENIC
MASSIVE SULFIDES IN WISCONSIN
Russell C. Babcock
Chief Geologist (Retired)
Kennecott Exploration Company
Salt Lake City, Utah

INTRODUCTION
Exploration for massive sulfide deposits in Wisconsin was driven by the observation that
whereas numerous base metal deposits and mines were present in the Superior Craton north of Lake
Superior, none were known in rocks suspected to be of the same age south of the lake. It was
assumed that the reason for this was not a lack of deposits but rather the presence of extensive glacial
cover south of the lake. Therefore, exploration in Wisconsin focused on techniques that would lead
to the discovery of blind deposits beneath this glacial cover. Such was the reasoning of Kennecott
geologists who began the first phase of the modern era of base metal exploration and mining in
Wisconsin in the early 1950's.
Kennecott pursued its exploration program in Wisconsin without competition intermittently for
almost two decades before announcing the discovery of the Flambeau Deposit in 1970. With this
announcement dozens of competitors joined Kennecott in Wisconsin, opening a second phase of this
exploration history, one of competitive and relatively unencumbered activity. This phase ended and
the third phase began when Exxon announced the discovery of the huge Crandon Deposit in 1976.
Within a year after this announcement the political climate changed dramatically in Wisconsin. The
third phase of exploration in Wisconsin became one of difficult regulation, permitting, and taxation,
made even less palatable by a sustained period of very low base metal prices. In 1993 Kennecott
finally brought the Flambeau Deposit into production, and in 1995 Exxon and Rio Algom joined in an
attempt to bring the Crandon Deposit on stream. Perhaps a fourth, productive phase will soon be
added to this history.

PHASE ONE: THE KENNECOTF YEARS
Early Kennecott Exploration
Kennecott established an exploration program on the Duluth Gabbro in 1951 following the
discovery of copper-nickel mineralization along the Kawishiwi River in Minnesota. A few years later
an office was set up in Mellen, Wisconsin, to test some copper-nickel occurrences in the Mellen
Gabbro. The geologist in charge of this office, George Moerlein, began looking for massive sulfide
deposits in Wisconsin in 1954, and although he found a number of iron sulfide occurrences, none
contained more than trace amounts of base metal sulfides. Moerlein compiled the references to
sulfides in the literature and visited the offices of the government geologists who were involved in
mapping in Wisconsin and Upper Michigan.

Carl Dutton, a U.S.G.S. geologist working with the Wisconsin Geological and Natural
History Survey, showed Moerlein a copper-stained rock reported to have come from a hand-dug well
at a schoolhouse south of Ladysmith. Moerlein could find little at the schoolhouse site other than a

�2

small amount of felsic schist with some weak copper staining but with little evidence of having
contained much sulfides.
Kennecott flew extensive airborne electromagnetic surveys over their copper-nickel properties
in Minnesota and the Mellen, Wisconsin, area in 1954. Several surveys of several lines each were
also flown over sulfide occurrences in Wisconsin that were felt to have some potential for base
metals. One of these surveys was flown over the schoolhouse south of Ladysmith. None gave
Kennecott much encouragement and no anomalous response was seen at the schoolhouse. On the
basis of this survey Kennecott assumed that the glacial overburden in western Wisconsin was probably
too thick for effective use of airborne electromagnetics.

In spite of this lack of encouragement, Kennecott continued to feel strongly that base metal
massive sulfide deposits could be hidden under the glacial overburden in Wisconsin. Through the last
half of the 1950's Dr. W. F. Read, Professor of Geology at Lawrence College in Appleton, spent a
good part of his summers prospecting in northern Wisconsin for Kennecott. Using glacial till
sampling (pebble counts), abundant stone fences in some areas, and mapping every outcrop he could
find, Bill Read added significantly to Kennecott's understanding of the bedrock geology of Wisconsin.
He found almost no base metals but mapped several areas of pyritic felsic schist. The author worked
with Read for two of these summers, visiting the schoolhouse site for the first time in 1956, but like
most young geologists of the time, had no understanding of what was to become the volcanogenic
massive sulfide model.
Moerlein recognized the potential for Rhodesian-type copper deposits in the Kona Dolomite
near Marquette, Michigan, just prior to the closure of Kennecott's Wisconsin office in 1962. In 1965
Jack Phillips was hired by Kennecott to pursue this target and establish an office in the Upper
Peninsula. In 1966 Phillips visited the Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey and U. S.
Geological Survey in Madison to see if other prospects could be generated in Michigan and
Wisconsin. There he "rediscovered" the copper-stained sample of felsic schist from the well at the
schoolhouse south of Ladysmith, reportedly still on Carl Dutton's desk. Dutton told Phillips of
showing the rock to Moerlein and some of the work Kennecott had done in Wisconsin.

Fortunately for Kennecott, Phillips had spent his previous several years working on
volcanogenic massive sulfide deposit exploration and was fully aware of the new model for these
types of deposits developed in Canada in the early 1960's. He knew that the discovery of the major
base metal deposits at Bathurst, New Brunswick, and Kidd Creek, Ontario, were the direct result of
applying this new model to exploration in Canada. He recognised in the schoolhouse rock the slightly
pyritic, felsic volcanic material common to the new volcanogenic massive sulfide model. When he
visited the schoolhouse site a few weeks later he recognized and became very excited about the
potential for finding another Kidd Creek deposit in Wisconsin. Schoolhouse became a pivotal
prospect for Kennecott in Wisconsin.

A review of the Kennecott files led to Read's and Moerlein's work, which in turn led Phillips
to quickly recognize the presence of several pyritic felsic volcanic piles elsewhere in north-central
Wisconsin. The records in Madison and some mapping indicated sulfides to the west of Ladysmith
near Weyerhaeuser and at Blue Hill. Magnetic surveys run with dip needles along widespaced lines
in the early 1900's by the Wisconsin Geologic and Natural History Survey indicated areas of possible
"greenstone" bedrock. It was clear that a major exploration effort was justified.
Phillips' experience in volcanogenic massive sulfide exploration exposed him to the newly
developed INPUT system, the time-domain airborne electromagnetic system of Barringer Research.

�3

This system had significantly greater resolution and depth of penetration than the system used by
Kennecott in the 1950's. The success of the volcanogenic model and the INPUT system in Canada,
and the confidence and enthusiasm of Phillips in and for the potential of the felsic volcanic terrain he
saw in Rusk County, was sufficient for Kennecott to plan a significant program in 1967. With this
new model and new technology they would try one more time to find a massive sulfide deposit under
glacial cover south of Lake Superior.

Flambeau Discovery
Flying began in May, 1967, on a survey located just west of Ladysmith (Figure 1). The first
line indicated a strong, six-channel conductor that was to become the Flambeau Deposit; the second
line to the west picked up only a weak conductor. On the strength of the first line conductor, and the
strong recommendation of the Geoterrex geophysicist, Don Wagg, two additional lines were flown to
the east of line one, and confinned the presence of a very strong but short responsive body at shallow
depth.

Other anomalies were found, many of which were long and although strong, probably
represented formational conductors. Wagg was convinced that the first line anomaly, called F-22,
was the best and should be drilled first. It was not the first anomaly drilled, however, for reasons of
land availability rather than priority. The apparent success of Kennecott's first airborne survey
encouraged them to plan a second survey east of their initial one. At the same time crews were
mobilized to conduct ground follow-up surveys on the better anomalies as land agreements were
signed.

Electromagnetic, magnetic and gravity surveys were completed at anomaly F-22 and all were
strongly indicative of a sizeable massive sulfide deposit. There were no nearby outcrops which would
give any clue as to the geology of the anomaly, but one outcrop of andesitic volcanics one mile to the
south suggested that the right environment was present. Based on the geophysical signature Kennecott
geophysicist Carl Schwenk was absolutely certain he was seeing a classic volcanogenic massive
sulfide deposit. On November 6, 1968, Kennecott's first hole, drilled under the direction of Helmut
Sichermann, intersected tens of feet of chalcocite mineralization hosted by pyritic metavolcanic rocks.
The next few holes established F-22 as the first volcanogenic massive sulfide copper-zinc deposit to
be found in the Superior Craton south of Lake Superior. The presence of thick chalcocite
mineralization was a complete surprise to Kennecott, and the fact that it clearly represented
Precambrian enrichment prior to the deposition of the basal Cambrian sandstone was even more
intriguing.

Thornapple Discovery
Detailed geologic mapping and prospecting began in the Ladysmith area in 1966 and was
accelerated as soon as it was apparent that the airborne survey had turned up a sizeable number of
anomalies. This work identified several occurrences of felsic volcanic rocks in and around Rusk
County, the pattern of which determined the lay-out of Kennecott's first airborne survey. One
outcrop in particular, found by geologist Bill Spence under a railroad bridge over the Thornapple
River, contained weakly mineralized iron formation. When Kennecott's third airborne survey was
flown in 1969 it covered this Thornapple area, and a modest anomaly was found, but it was
coincident with a local power line, railroad, and bridge, and was attributed to "culture".

Responsibility for the Wisconsin project was handed over to E. H. "Ned" Eisenbrey, one of
Kennecott's senior geologists, in early 1967. He was as enthusiastic about the Ladysmith area as

�4

RUSK COUNTY

DEPOSIT

c
\ BLUE HILLS

\

*

\WEYE RHAE U S ER

RUSK COUNTY

I

.1

1967 INPUT
SURVEY

0

Ladysmith
* Proterozoic Outcrop with Sulfides

Madison
0

0

2

4

6

8

10

Miles

Figure

1.
WITH

KENNECOTT'S FIRST AIRBORNE ELECTROMAGNETIC SURVEY
THE LOCATION OF MASSIVE SULFIDE DEDPOSITS AND
CHIEF OUTCROPS, RUSK COUNTY, WISCONSIN

�5

Phillips had been before him. He supervised the initial flying and encouraged Wagg to fly the extra

lines on the F-22 anomaly. He also managed the detailed geological and geophysical work and
drilling that followed. He had made a large commitment to the success of the project. As a sign of
this commitment he was not about to let the Thornapple anomaly, coincident with mineralized iron
formation, go untested. He and geologist Bob Stuart completed three holes in the Thornapple area
before overcoming the objections of the geophysicists and securing some ground surveys. They
completed a ground magnetic survey which produced a good anomaly west of the wealdy mineralized
outcrop and ran one gravity line which also was anomalous. In 1970 the fourth hole at Thornapple
intersected thick sulfides with intervals of copper and zinc mineralization. Kennecott had made their
second volcanogenic massive sulfide discovery in Wisconsin.
Momentum built in the Kennecott program and new airborne surveys continued to produce
new anomalies. Broad areas were flown with aeromagnetics to locate favorable volcanics, and
smaller areas were flown with INPUT (Figure 2). Land was acquired and ground surveys completed
farther to the north and east. Like the anomalies near Ladysmith, most were related to formational
sulfides or graphite, while others consisted of only sulfides. Some anomalies were on land that could
not be acquired at the time, and were deferred for later follow-up. Surveys in the Schoolhouse area
produced only weak airborne anomalies, indicating that little conductive material was present. Perhaps
the 1955 survey was testing bedrock after all, but no conductors were present. Had Kennecott
covered the area to the north of Schoolhouse, Flambeau might have been found thirteen years earlier.

Newcomers Join the Search
Kennecott announced the discovery of the Flambeau Deposit in 1970. Several companies
already knew or learned then that Kennecott had discovered something new and exciting in
Wisconsin, and recognized an enviromnent favorable for volcanogenic massive sulfides. Duval,
Exxon, Noranda, U.S. Steel and several other companies joined the search and were flying or
planning surveys by 1972.

But while others were moving in, Kennecott was moving out. Late in 1971 Kennecott's
exploration program suffered heavy and universal budget cuts which essentially ended the Wisconsin
program. Drilling continued on the F-22 anomaly, now called the Flambeau Deposit, and at
Thornapple, but all exploration in Wisconsin had ceased by the end of 1972. At this time Kennecott
had flown less than half of the favorable terrane, as it was then known. In 1966 the author pointed
out to an enthusiastic Jack Phillips on his first visit to the Schoolhouse prospect that the most difficult
job was not to convince Kennecott that they should fly an airborne geophysical survey over part of
Rusk County, but that they should continue to fly airborne surveys in Wisconsin until they found "the
big one." In spite of their success, in 1972 Kennecott was leaving with the job undone.

PHASE TWO: EXPANDED EXPLORATION
Kennecott continued to drill both the Flambeau and Thornapple deposits over the next few
years, defining reserves at Flambeau that would be developed for production in 1993, but outlining
only a small, structurally complex resource at Thornapple. Detailed descriptions of these deposits
will be the subject of separate articles in this volume by May and Dinkowitz (Flambeau) and May
(Thornapple, now the Eisenbrey Deposit).

In 1969 the job of drilling out the Flambeau Deposit was assigned to Ed May, who became
and remains Kennecott's key geologist and project champion. Drilling under May's direction defined
the precious metal gossan, chalcocite enrichment zone, and the underlying, classic copper-zinc

�6

Kennecott Aeromagnetic Surveys

DEPOSITS
F

Eisenbrey
Flombeau

B

Bend

E

Ritchie Creek
T Tomahawk
P
Pelican River
R

I

Lynne

C Cranclon

Figure 2.

KENNECOTT PRE—CRANDON AIRBORNE
ELETROMAGNETIC AND MAGNETIC SURVEYS

(in order flown, 1967—1971)

�7

volcanogenic massive sulfide deposit. He persisted in producing excellent geologic records at a time
when the outlook for the project was uncertain, a contribution which would pay off for Kennecott in
the 1990's.

Exxon Program
Exxon was the second major company to begin a volcanogenic massive sulfide program in
Wisconsin. Jim Mancuso of Exxon's Houston office became aware of Kennecott's intense drilling
activity at Ladysmith in 1969 and recognized the marks of a new discovery. In 1970 he assigned Mel
Erskine the task of organizing and implementing an exploration program. Erskine completed a
wide-spaced airborne magnetic survey over a large area east and northeast from Ladysmith and
identified several potentially favorable terrains for airborne electromagnetic surveys. Exxon also
began to map and prospect the geology of northern Wisconsin in great detail, and by this means
added several other target areas to their list.

Paul Schmidt became Exxon's District Manager in early 1971 and took over responsibility for
the Wisconsin program, and Jerry Dolence was transferred in as Project Geologist. Eleven airborne
electromagnetic surveys were flown in 1971 and 1972, including one in the Tomahawk area
(Figure 3). Results were equivocal and there was talk of pulling Out of Wisconsin. After all,
Flambeau had already been found and was small. However, follow-up of the Tomahawk survey in
1973 led to the discovery of the small Hawk deposit which, although not commercially viable, gave
Exxon sufficient encouragement to undertake additional airborne surveys, including a huge airborne
magnetic survey of most of northern Wisconsin. This was used successfully to identify volcanic
bedrock areas favorable for testing with electromagnetic surveys. Field geology and prospecting was
expanded. This second surge of activity included a survey eastward from the Tomahawk area where
a completely covered greenstone belt was inferred based on the interpretation of magnetic survey
results.

Airborne Magnetic Survey

1970 Airborne Magnetic Survey

Miles
0

DEPOSITS
F

Eisenbrey
Flambeau

B

Bend

E

Rjchje Creek
I Tomahawk
R

P

I

Pelican River
Lynne

C Crandon

Figure 3.

Exxon Pre-Crandon airborne electromagnetic and magnetic surveys
(1 = 1970, 2=1972, 3=1973, 4=post-Crandon)

50

�8

After four years and little more than a technical success to show for their efforts, Exxon
decided to terminate exploration in Wisconsin in 1975. Schmidt was given sufficient funds to drill
four more anomalies before wrapping up the program. One of these was a mile-long, six-channel
anomaly at Skunk Lake detected in the 1974 survey east of Tomahawk. Although the anomaly was
rated only as "fair" because it lacked a magnetic response, Schmidt decided it deserved a test
(Schmidt, 1991). The first drill hole in this anomaly in July, 1975, discovered clearly ore-grade base
metal sulfides. By July, 1976, when the details of the new Crandon Deposit were released to the
public, it was apparent to the industry and the public that Exxon had found "the big one."

Noranda Program
Noranda was the third major player in Wisconsin. Geologic reconnaissance work began in
1968 and in 1970 Bob Miller heard Gene LaBerge talk about the rhyolites at Wausau while attending
a meeting of the Institute on Lake Superior Geology, visited the area, and liked what he saw. Miller
started a program right away under the direction of District Geologist Lawrence Machesky (Mudrey,
et a!., 1991). Frank Condon also came down from Canada as project geologist. Several airborne
electromagnetic surveys were completed in the early 1970's, including a large survey in Forest and
Oneida Counties flown in 1973 (Figure 4). A large number of good-looking anomalies turned up on
this survey, many of which were on County land. An agreement was reached with Consolidated
Paper Company to explore their large holdings in northern Wisconsin, which gave the Noranda
program a good start. A strong anomaly on the Pelican River was acquired and drilled, and Noranda
had its first discovery. The Pelican River Deposit turned out to be small and of only modest grade,
but it stimulated one of the longest, most continuous exploration efforts by any company in
Wisconsin. Don Cross was brought in from Canadian operations in 1975 because of his volcanogenic
massive sulfide experience.

Figure 4.

Noranda pre-Crandon airborne electromagnetic surveys
(1= 1971, 2= 1973, 3-post 1974)

�9

Like Exxon, Noranda completed considerable geological mapping and prospecting to
supplement their airborne work, and compiled the available data. Noranda had the perceived
advantage of their experience in the Noranda District in Quebec, a classic volcanogenic massive
sulfide district. Miller recognized that the outcrops around Monico were what they were looking for
in Wisconsin, and their work in the Pelican River area started from there and expanded outward.

Every company had their own idea of what constituted favorable terrane for prospecting in
Wisconsin, based on their interpretation of poorly exposed bedrock and differing views of the detailed
volcanogenic massive sulfide model. Noranda was attracted to the large area of pyritic felsic
volcanics around Monico. Their airborne surveys were located on the basis of geology, magnetic
patterns, assumptions regarding land availability, previous exploration by competitors, and the limits
of budgets. There was no sure way of knowing what areas had been flown by the competition, and
there was often an overlap of competing surveys. After the announcement by Exxon of the Crandon
discovery, Noranda realized that one of their surveys stopped just short of Skunk Lake. In looking
over the tapes of the survey it became clear that the survey plane had made its turn over Crandon and
had actually picked up a strong, six channel anomaly. Such data picked up outside the survey area is
often discounted or not reported, and in this case escaped Noranda's consideration. In addition, so
many responses turn up in the course of an ordinary electromagnetic survey that is unlikely that all
will be checked. Coming back to these old surveys with new ideas and new models is standard
procedure, and eventually paid off for Noranda at Lynne.

U. S. Steel Program
By 1974 both Noranda and Exxon realized that their chief competitor in the greater Monico
area was U. S. Steel. U. S. Steel had been exploring in Wisconsin since the early 1950's, admittedly
for iron. The U. S. Steel program was conceived by Ralph Marsden, who felt that perhaps they
could find an iron deposit of higher than taconite grade in the older, more highly metamorphosed
rocks south of the Gogebic Range. The field work was being directed by Cedric Iverson and
consisted of relatively crude magnetic surveys, but also detailed geologic mapping and pebble counts
on three-mile centers all across northern Wisconsin. Iverson used large numbers of student
geologists, including at least one current authority on the geology of northern Wisconsin, Gene
LaBerge.

When U. S. Steel learned of the discovery of the Flambeau Deposit, Iverson was asked why
he had not found it, a question many exploration managers would be asked as subsequent discoveries
were announced. This was enough to stimulate the conversion of Iverson's program from iron to
base metals, and by 1970 U. S. Steel was flying airborne surveys in Chippewa County. They based
their priorities on their knowledge of Precambrian bedrock, pebble count results, and some
semiquantitative geochemical results from soil samples taken at pebble count stations. Their program
moved to Taylor, Wood, and Portage Counties, and there was no shortage of anomalies (Figure 5).
U. S. Steel flew some large aeromagnetic surveys, but mostly in the search for iron formation north
of the Niagara Fault. Drilling results were not encouraging, however, and the U. S. Steel crew
referred to themselves as the "Pyrrhotite Kings" of Wisconsin. Of course they would drill only those
anomalies with a magnetic response, a consequence of their understanding of the volcanogenic model.
The U. S. Steel airborne program had moved into the area south of Monico and Crandon by
1974, again with a number of airborne anomalies but no base metals. They were gravitating to the
Monico area for the same reasons that Noranda and Exxon favored the area, the abundance of
sulfide-bearing felsic schist. There must have been considerable overlap of surveys, if not out and
out competition for land.

�10

DEPOSITS
E

F

Eisenbrey
Flambeau

B Bend
R
Rjchje Creek
T Tomahawk
P
Pelican River
L

Lynne

C Crandon

Figure 5.

U.S. Steel pre-Crandon airborne electromagnetic surveys
(in order flown, 1970-1975)

When it became apparent to U. S. Steel that Exxon had a discovery at Crandon they took a
look at their data for the area. Like Noranda, U. S. Steel had flown two lines over the Crandon
Deposit which picked up the anomaly. One they attributed to culture and the other to topography.
Part of the problem was that the airborne system that U. S. Steel was using was not as sensitive as
that used by Exxon. U. S. Steel looked at their pebble count and geochemical data, too, and found
that a gravel pit near Crandon had more sulfide-bearing felsic volcanic pebbles than anywhere else in
the state. Hindsight is wonderful; the more difficult task is converting hindsight into foresight and
carrying on. Not many succeed. Kennecott, Noranda, and U. S. Steel had all missed their chance to
find "the big one."

Iverson kept at it for a couple years after Crandon, but eventually U. S. Steel retired from the
Wisconsin scene empty-handed. He observed that all the base metal deposits and occurrences were
located along a fairly narrow east-west line from Crandon to Flambeau, with only iron sulfides on
either side. It remains to be seen whether or not this "Highway Eight Lineament" has any geological
merit, or whether it is merely an artifact of the exploration model of the day.

Other Companies
The Duval Corporation learned of Kennecott's activity at Flambeau and quickly initiated a
field program in 1970, flying an area in Marinette County in 1971. This program under the direction
of A. L. Barker was designed to explore an area with some favorable volcanics but little outcrop well
east of Ladysmith, in an area where large blocks of County and some State land might be available

�11

for leasing (Mudrey, et a!., 1991). A small, low-grade sulfide iron fonnation-type deposit was found
in early 1972 after ground testing and drilling eight anomalies. Although no further discoveries were
made by Duval, their technical success tended to expand the efforts of other companies into eastern
Wisconsin.
As many as a dozen other companies came into Wisconsin in the early 1970's; some of these
are listed on Table 1. More surveys were flown, offices opened and closed, and anomalies drilled,
but only small deposits or shows were found. In later years much of the data generated by these
companies became available to others through joint ventures and farm-out agreements, and provided a
foundation for intermittent exploration and the discovery of a few additional small deposits in the
1980's. But no more large deposits were found.
TABLE 1

Companies Exploring in Wisconsin 1969 to 1976
Exxon
Kennecott
AMAX
Superior Oil
Cominco
Universal Oil Products
New Jersey Zinc
Texasguif

ACNC (INCO)
Cleveland Cliffs
Noranda
U. S. Steel
Anaconda
Homestake
ASARCO
Phelps Dodge

Cerro de Pasco
Calumet &amp; Hecla
National Lead
Kimberly Clark
Midwest Oil
General Crude Oil

The political climate in Wisconsin prior to 1976 was beginning to show signs of the problems
which would erupt within a year. The State recognized at the time of the Flambeau announcement
that it did not have sufficient regulatory and statutory control to handle a developing base metal
industry. Kennecott worked with the State to develop a set of permitting rules and reclamation
regulations which, although modified, form the basis for the current legal framework. Kennecott also
began to work with the legislature to develop a reasonable tax regime. Unfortunately by 1976 many
of the issues surrounding mine development and taxation were moving toward discord, rather than
agreement.

PHASE THREE: THE PROBLEM YEARS
The discovery of the Crandon Deposit was the beginning of the third phase of base metal
massive sulfide exploration in Wisconsin. Exxon accelerated its program and others came into the
state, or rebuilt their earlier programs. Unfortunately, the excitement of the exploration community
was soon severely dampened by political events in Madison. Efforts to regulate and tax, or even
stop, base metal mining were accelerated. What was perhaps a local issue involving Kennecott and
the residents of Rusk County suddenly took on a new perspective. Acrimonious debate began on a
new level over both economic and environmental issues. In 1976 Kennecott was denied a local
zoning permit to develop its Flambeau deposit. The following year the Wisconsin Legislature enacted
an untenably high tax on base metal mining. The years between 1976 and 1991, when Kennecott
finally received approval for the Flambeau mine, became a roller coaster ride of off-again, on-again
exploration involving intermittent political negotiations at local and state levels, compounded by
historically low metal prices.

�12

Kennecott Returns
Kennecott attempted to resurrect the Flambeau project several times, but concern for the
political climate in Wisconsin, severe financial problems brought on by depressed copper prices,
opportunities in gold elsewhere, and new ownership, all impacted the project and kept it on the shelf.
In 1986, Larry Mercando was assigned to the project and moved to Ladysmith, and by the late 1980's
had developed a strong commitment from Kennecott management to obtain permits for an open pit,
direct shipping operation. This coincided with an upturn in copper prices, the purchase of Kennecott
by RTZ, and a new government attitude in Madison which was more supportive of mining. Although
some of the negative concerns of the earlier years remained to be overcome, Mercando's five-year
effort brought reason to the front and in January, 1991, Kennecott received the necessary state and
local permits and started construction. ln May, 1993, after a brief delay for a final environmental
review, based on the discovery of an unusual, wayward clam in the nearby Flambeau River, the mine
was in production.
Exxon Leaves
Geological and engineering work progressed smoothly at Crandon following the initial
drilling. Ed May was hired to manage the development drilling and produce resource and reserve
estimates, and his experience at Flambeau was put to good use. By 1980 most of the technical work
was in hand and it remained for the engineers and managers to develop a mine plan and get it
permitted.

Exxon began to encounter the same kind of political problems at Crandon that Kennecott ran
into at Flambeau. Development of a reasonable mine plan was frustrated by the passage of the
punitive tax law in 1977 and a series of unresolved revenue and environmental issues. These
uncertainties complicated the permitting process. Although a revised tax law took effect in 1981,
other issues such as local zoning were still obstacles to obtaining a permit. The political climate in
Wisconsin was decidedly unfriendly. On top of this, metal prices were as low as they had been in
decades. It was not a good time to try to promote a base metal mine in Wisconsin to management.
Before permitting efforts could be carried forward, a decision was made by Exxon in 1986 to
get out of the minerals exploration business and to divest itself of its mineral properties. Over the
next several years several companies entertained the possibility of developing Crandon in joint venture
with Exxon, but again a combination of poor metal prices and concern over the political risks in
Wisconsin prevailed. In 1994 Exxon and Rio Algom announced a joint effort to permit and operate a
scaled-down underground zinc mine at Crandon, subject to a positive feasibility report and acquisition
of the necessary permits. This effort is currently in full swing and appears to be headed toward
success. Governor Thompson has repeatedly supported responsible mining, and it appears that the
overall political climate has changed for the better.

Noranda Persists
The years following the Crandon announcement were difficult ones for Noranda, as well.
Carl Schwenk took over management of the program and continued to explore the greater Monico
area with encouragement but no real success. Glen Adams joined the program from Exxon. In 1978
Wisconsin passed into law the Geologic Information Act which required all subsurface exploration
data, whether from government or private land, to be made a part of the public record. You can
imagine the concern this caused in the exploration community, given the number of companies
involved and the intensity of competition. Noranda took up the cause of the industry and filed suit

�13

against the state in 1979 to overturn this law. To demonstrate the seriousness of their concern for this
law and the punitive tax burden, Noranda closed their Wisconsin office in 1978, although they
maintained their land holdings and continued on a reduced basis to test their better targets. In
anticipation of success in overturning the Geologic Information Act, Noranda reopened their
Rhinelander office in 1981, and renewed their exploration efforts. They still liked, but could not
acquire, the Oneida County land. Several more good grade but small size discoveries would come
along, but nothing approaching economic scale.
Although Noranda was frustrated by the fact that good anomalies on Oneida County land
could not be acquired, they maintained their interest in them and worked with the County to develop
a leasing policy. When it was announced in 1989 that there would be a lease sale, Noranda had a
good idea of what land was favorable. They won the bid for land in Lynne Township and drilled
their second significant discovery in January of 1990. The Lynne Deposit is a tribute to the
persistence of Noranda, their faith in the volcanogenic massive sulfide model, and the importance of
appreciating and using old data.

New Companies Join The Search
Competition continued at a high level after 1976, in spite of the adverse political environment
and low metal prices. In addition to the standard base metal companies with their "go-it-alone"
approach, a proliferation of joint ventures were formed. Leading the way was Ernie Lehmann who
established several ventures with oil companies such as Chevron, Getty, Superior and General Crude.
Ernie had been a consultant for several of these companies prior to Crandon, but became an equity
partner in these new ventures. Ned Eisenbrey joined Ernie after Kennecott pulled out in the early
1970's, and Ernie attributes much of the success of these joint ventures to Ned's ability to sort out
which anomalies were sulfides and which were graphite. From 1980 to 1984 these ventures added
Ritchie Creek, Bend, Horseshoe, and Jump River to the list of discoveries in Wisconsin. These are
small deposits, at this point, but continue to be of interest and may some day, like any of the other
numerous small deposits, lead to bigger things. Opportunities still exist for those who persist.
A list of some of the companies who entered the fray following the Crandon announcement
are shown in Table 2. This list is probably not complete, but will illustrate the scale of interest and
competition that existed, and essentially continues today.

TABLE 2
Companies entering Wisconsin After Crandon
AMOCO
Chevron
Kerr McGee
Falconbridge
Inspiration
Newmont
St. Joe
Rayrock

Getty
Dennison

B.I.A. (Mole Lake)
BHP
Cyprus
Sharp Resources

�14

PHASE FOUR: THE PRODUCTIVE YEARS
Entry into the next phase of the history of massive sulfide exploration in Wisconsin is almost
upon us, or may have already started. Two operating base metal mines in northern Wisconsin
confirm Kennecott's original thesis of the 1950's: there is no reason why major deposits should not
occur under glacial cover on the Superior Craton south of Lake Superior. Exploration now has been
conducted for forty years based on this premise, by a large number of companies. North of Lake
Superior new discoveries are still being made after a much longer period of exploration, using more
sophisticated technology and models. There is no reason why the same persistence and approach will
not be brought into Wisconsin. Many of the anomalies found in earlier electromagnetic surveys
remain untested, for reasons of land inaccessibility, weaker response, or unavailability of the
proprietary data. Some areas with potential may have been missed, deep targets under small,
nearsurface occurrences may be developed, and clearer understanding of the bedrock geology may
generate a more favorable interpretation of potential for parts of northern Wisconsin. Whatever the
case, the fact that two major deposits have been found and were brought into, or are headed for,
production will certainly stimulate a resurgence in exploration. Let us all hope that this fourth phase
of massive sulfide exploration in Wisconsin is the smoothest, longest, and most successful.
Acknowledgements

A history is never complete because all the people who form it are generally not always
represented in the telling of it, nor are the memories of those polled always reliable. In the case of
the early volcanogenic massive sulfide exploration in Wisconsin a few of the players are still around
and have given advice on this presentation of some of the history involved. Much of the Kennecott
story was compiled as part of a paper authored by Michael Mudrey of the Wisconsin Geological and
Natural History Survey in 1991 in which this author participated. Other comments on Kennecott's
experience were solicited from Larry Mercando and Ed May. Events in Exxon's history were
discussed with Paul Schmidt and Ed May. Noranda's experiences were reviewed with Bob Miller,
Michael Donnelly, Carl Schwenk, and Glenn Adams. The activities of U. S. Steel were recounted by
Cedric Iverson and Thon Ginn. Ted DeMatties and Ernie Lehman offered comments on the more
recent exploration history in Wisconsin. All contributed to the list of players on Tables 1 and 2. Ed
May and Jay Hammitt reviewed this paper and provided very constructive comment and
encouragement.

Exploration history is complicated by the fact that programs and discoveries are team efforts.
Geologists, geophysicists, and managers at several levels all become intricately involved in the
planning and implementation of any one program. All deserve a share of the credit, and the blame,
as things go right and wrong. Explorationists understand that it is often external factors that force
decisions that make or break a program. It is a tribute to explorationists that they persist in their
optimism and enthusiasm, often for decades, in spite of the variety of obstacles they encounter. The
successful but unfinished search for volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits in Wisconsin is a prime
example of how talent and persistence combine to win the day, to the benefit of us all.

�15

References Cited
DeMatties, T. M., 1994, "Early Proterozoic Volcanogenic Massive Sulfide Deposits in Wisconsin:
An Overview," Economic Geology, vol. 89, P. 1122.

Mudrey, M. G., Jr., Evans, T. J., Babcock, R. C., Jr., Cummings, M. L., Jr., Eisenbrey, E. H.,
LaBerge, G. L., 1991, Hollister, V. F., ed., "Case Histories of Mineral Discoveries,
Volume 3, Porphyry Copper, Molybdenum, and Gold Deposits, Volcanogenic Deposits
(Massive Sulfides), and Deposits in Layered Rock": Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and
Exploration, Inc., p. 117.

Schmidt, P. G., "Discovery Case History of the Crandon Massive Sulfide Deposit, Forest County,
Wisconsin, j Hollister, V. F., ed., "Case Histories of Mineral Discoveries; Volume 3,
Porphyry Copper, Molybdenum, and Gold Deposits, Volcanogenic Deposits (Massive
Sulfides), and Deposits in Layered Rock": Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration,
Inc., P. 99.

�16

�17

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS AND GEOLOGIC SETTING
OF THE WISCONSIN MAGMATIC TERRANES
by Gene L. LaBerge
Geology Department
UW-Oshkosh
Oshkosh, WI

ABSTRACT

The Wisconsin magmatic terranes (referred to by workers in the mineral industry as the
"Ladysmith-Rhinelander volcanic belt") constitute a major addition to the Lake Superior region that
formed during Early Proterozoic convergent tectoucs. Radiometric dating indicates that the volcanic
and plutonic rocks were generated between 1,890 and 1,830 million years ago. Continuing
geological, geochemical, and geophysical studies have allowed refinements on earlier interpretations
of the general character and tectonic setting of the terranes. Available information indicates that a
variety of different geological environments, including an oceanic island arc, back arc basins, and a
continental volcanic arc, and perhaps other environments are represented within the area commonly
referred to as the Wisconsin Magmatic terranes.
Recognition of the existence of the magmatic terranes in the 1960's led to extensive
exploration for volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits in Wisconsin. Geophysical surveys identified
dozens of exploration targets that were subsequently drilled. These data have added greatly to the
database on the volcanic belt, an area that is generally very poorly exposed because of the thick cover
of glacial deposits.
Three areas within the magmatic terranes contain sufficient outcrop to permit traditional
geologic mapping: the Pembine area in northeastern Wisconsin, the Monico area in the central part
of the belt, and the Marathon County area on the southern margin of the belt. Studies in these areas
suggest that each area represents a different environment. The Pembine area contains remnants of a
dismembered ophiolite and an oceanic island arc. The Monico area contains an older sequence of
gneissic rock overlain by a bimodal suite of basalts and rhyolites that may represent a back-arc, or
perhaps an intra-arc rift environment. This postulated rift may represent the "Highway-8" lineament,
along which most of the major sulfide deposits formed. The Marathon County area contains several
sequences of volcanic and plutonic rocks that appear to have a more complex origin. Some volcanic
rocks belong to a basalt-andesite-rhyolite sequence that appears to be arc-related. A sequence of
caldera-related rocks in the Wausau area unconformably overlies an older volcanic sequence, and
appears to be a post-tectonic feature. These various environments may host rather different types of
mineral deposits.

INTRODUCTION
In the past several decades great strides have been made in understanding the geologic
evolution of the Lake Superior region. One of the major developments has been the recognition of a
major belt of Early Proterozoic volcanic and plutonic rocks, named the Wisconsin Magmatic
Terranes, that extends across northern Wisconsin from near Pembine, Wisconsin, westward
approximately 200 miles to near Weyerhaeuser, Wisconsin (Figure 1). However, rocks correlated
with the magmatic terranes are present in eastern Minnesota and northern Iowa, and the terranes
extend eastward under Lake Michigan (probably to the Grenville Front). The belt is overlain by

�18

930

890

880

DULUTH

HINGE LINE FOR
KEWEENA WAN TILTING

CONTINENTAL MARGIN
ASSEMBLAGE

450

44

100 MILES

150 KILOMETERS

Figure 1. Generalized tectonic map of the southern part of the Lake Superior region
(modified from Sims, 1992).

�19

Paleozoic rocks to the east and west, and most of the belt is covered with a thick mantle of glacial
deposits, with the result that much of the belt is not exposed.
The northern boundary of the belt is the Niagara Fault zone (Greenberg and Brown, 1983),
which separates the volcanic and plutonic rocks from the dominantly Early Proterozoic sedimentary
rocks of the Marquette Range Supergroup that were deposited on the margin of the Archean Superior
Craton. The southern margin of the volcanic and plutonic belt is near Stevens Point, in central
Wisconsin, where Archean rocks are again present (Morey and others, 1982). Thus, the belt is about
100 miles wide. The Middle Proterozoic Wolf River Batholith cuts out a major portion of the
volcanic and plutonic belt in northeastern Wisconsin.
Because of the cover of glacial deposits, elucidation of the major features of the volcanic and
plutonic belt has been a long-term process with major input from the mineral industry. The early
compilation of geologic data by Dutton and Bradley (1970) demonstrated that outcrop density
necessary for mapping was present in only a few areas: the Pembine area in the east, the Monico
area about 80 miles to the west, and the Wausau area in the south. The Wausau area was mapped in
1969-1975 (LaBerge and Myers, 1983); the Pembine area was the subject of several graduate theses,
and was mapped by Sims and Schulz (1993); the Monico area was also the subject of several graduate
theses (Schriver, 1973; Venditti, 1973; Bowden, 1978), and was mapped by LaBerge, John Franidin,
and John Klasner in 1990-199 1 (LaBerge and Kiasner, in review). However, it remained for the
regional aeromagnetic survey by Karl (Zietz, Karl, and Ostrom, 1978) to provide a basis for
extrapolation of data from one area to another. Detailed aeromagnetic and EM surveys and drill core
data from various mining companies have provided much of the lithologic information currently
available for unexposed portions of the Wisconsin magmatic terranes.
The general distribution of major units within the volcanic belt was shown on the regional
geologic map of Morey and others (1982). Recent lithologic, geochemical, geochronologic, and
structural data permitted Sims (1992) to refine the bedrock geology of the belt.

General Features of the Wisconsin Magmatic Terranes
The Wisconsin magmatic terranes consist of an extensive suite of volcanic, plutonic, and
associated sedimentary rocks that formed in the Early Proterozoic Penokean Orogen of the Lake
Superior region. The rocks were produced during a complex convergent tectonic regime that existed
from about 1,890 m.y. to 1,830 m.y. ago along the southern margin of the Archean Superior craton.
A number of massive sulfides and other mineral deposits were produced during the Penokean igneous
activity and tectonism. Convergent tectonics culminated with accretion of an island arc (or arcs) to
the Superior Craton as well as collision of an Archean "microcontinent" of unknown dimensions with
the accreted island arc.
Outcrops and drill core data indicate that the most widespread rocks are massive and pillowed
basalts, with localized areas of andesitic to rhyolitic volcanic rocks and associated sedimentary rocks,
mainly graywackes (Figure 2). Areas of metasedimentary rocks may represent a variety of
environments. Graphite is abundant in some sedimentary sequences, but is largely lacking in others.
In the Pembine area the older rocks in the volcanic succession are tholeiitic basalt and basaltic
andesite with associated gabbro sills (Sims and others, 1989) that comprise the Quinnesec Formation.
The discovery of sheeted dikes, serpentinites, and plagio-rhyolite within the Quinnesec Formation
suggests that these rocks are a dismembered ophiolite (Schulz, 1987). The tholeiites are overlain by a
sequence of caic-alkaline rocks (the McAllister and Pemene volcanics, Jenkins, 1973) ranging in

�20

VOLCANIC

ISLAND

Figure 2. Idealized east-west cross-section of the Wisconsin magmatic terranes,
showing felsic volcanic centers alternating with sedimentary basins.
composition from andesite to rhyolite, whose composition falls within the fields of subduction-related
magmatic suites and are geochemically similar to volcanic suites from oceanic island arcs (Sims and
others, 1989). Both subaerial rhyolites (volcaniclastic rocks) and subaqueous (hyaloclastite) rhyolites
are present in the Pemene Formation, indicating at least periodic emergence in the area.

Volcanic rocks in the Monico area comprise a bi-modal sequence of high-Al basalts and lowSi02 andesites interbedded with felsic volcanic rocks of dacite to rhyolite composition (Sims and
others, 1989). The mafic rocks are massive to pillowed with pillow breccia (Figure 3) relatively
common. Pillows tend to be highly vesicular. Felsic volcanic rocks are massive porphyritic flows
and lithic tuffs (subaqueous?) along with some probable subaerial welded tuffs (Figure 4) (LaBerge
and Klasner, in review). The bimodal volcanic sequence has generally undergone only greenschist
grade metamorphism, and presumably overlies amphibolite grade rocks exposed north of Highway 8
(Figure 5). A large quartz porphyry (the Neptune Lake porphyry) is intrusive into the amphibolitegrade rocks, and may have resulted in widespread chloritization, epidotization, and quartz-feldspar
veining of the overlying volcanic succession near the Pelican River deposit (Figure 6). Several
massive sulfide deposits, the Pelican River, Duckblind, and Wolf, occur within the volcanic sequence,
and may have formed from the fluids that gave rise to the hydrothermal alteration. The volcanic
rocks are compositionally similar to the bimodal calc-alkaline rocks that host Kuroko-type massive
deposits elsewhere (Sims and others, 1989) and may represent a back-arc basin. However, according
to K. J. Schulz (personal communication, 1995) the composition of the Monico volcanic suite appears
to be unique within the Wisconsin magmatic terranes. He suggests that the volcanic rocks in the
Monico area may be a remnant of an intra-arc rift that split the Pembine-Wausau Terrane, and may
be the setting of the massive sulfide deposits. This postulated intra-arc rift may account for the
so-called "Highway 8 lineament" formed by the known distribution of massive sulfide deposits within
the terrane.
In central Wisconsin, the basaltic rocks in Marathon County are tholeiitic with compositions
that are very similar to basalts of the Quinnesec Formation (Sims and others, 1989). Several large
gabbroic bodies and several serpentinites are also associated with the basaltic rocks in Marathon
County (LaBerge and Myers, 1983) (Figure 7). The tholeiitic sequence in Marathon County is
overlain by calc-alkaline andesite to rhyolite rocks (LaBerge and Myers, 1984) that contains abundant,
vaguely bedded, waterlaid tuffs and breccias and some welded (subaerial) tuffs and flows. Thus,

�21

Figure 3. Photo of basaltic debris flow southwest of Monico. Wisk broom in upper
right-hand portion of photo provides a scale.

Figure 4. Photomicrograph of somewhat deformed felsic tuff southwest of Monico.
Note the deformed quartz phenocryst near the center of the photo. Horizontal
dimension of photo is 6 mm.

�Xfv

/

—

—

--

Xmv———

/
/
/

x mY

// /
— -,- - - - Xfv

MILES

-

—

,.

PELICAN

2

LAKE

Xg

—

/

Xmv

—

MON1CO

/
-

--

Xmv

XAgn

Xqp

——

— —P

xA&lt;j

Xfv

—
N.

—

N

XA9n

-

N N IN OS

Xfv;

-,

XAmg "

XAgn

Figure 5. Geologic map of the Monico area. (From LaBerge and Kiasner, in review.)

Xg

Xqp

.—-.
- -- -.- Xfv
,
Xmv

XAgn

Xfv

--

xfv

X rn V

—._ Facing direction of pillows

XAgn—t.neissic rocks
XPng-Metagabbro

Early Proterozoic or Archean

Xmv—Mafic metavolcanics

Xfv-Felsic mtavolcanics

Xmd—Metadi abase

Xqp-Quartz porphyry

Early Proterozoic
Xg— Pink to red granite

Yd— Diabase

—

Xfv

--

- -- --

8

—— — - -—--'-

Xqp

—

6

Yd Xmv'Xrn/'xrnv

Middle Proterozoic

LEGEND

——

Xmv

PELICAN DEPOSIT

/Xfv —.-

/
,)(Agn
//

, ,

, -— -.

XAgn

/ / , /,

/
/
/

�23

Figure 6. Photo of highly altered basalt from west of the Pelican River deposit.
Knife is four inches long.
there are similarities between the rocks in central Wisconsin and the Pembine area. However, the
calc-alkaline rocks in the Wausau area are chemically distinct from those in the Pembine area (Schulz,
1984; Sims and others, 1989). It is possible that the Marathon County area may have developed at
least in part on an older basement, perhaps similar to the Archean rocks in central Wisconsin. This
interpretation is supported by the presence of numerous Early Proterozoic intrusions into Archean
basement rocks, and sillimanite-bearing quartzite xenolith in the 1,500 m.y. Wausau Pluton. The
quartzite is interpreted to have been buried beneath the 1,850 m.y. volcanic rocks and subsequently
carried up to its present level in the syenite pluton (LaBerge and Myers, 1984). Sims and others
(1989) also suggest that volcanics in the Marshfield terrane were deposited on Archean basement.
The Wausau area in central Wisconsin contains at least two distinctly different types of
rhyolitic rocks. An older group of rhyolitic rocks is composed mainly of somewhat recrystallized and
deformed subaqueous lithic tuffs and breccias, such as those exposed along County Hwy. J about five
miles east of Wausau, and along County Hwy. A about five miles west of Wausau. They typically
have a steeply dipping northeast trending foliation, with prominently flattened clasts. They are
commonly interbedded with pillowed basalts, andesites, and graywackes, as shown in eastern and
west-central Marathon County (fv and vs on Figure 7) (LaBerge and Myers, 1983). Locally the felsic
volcanics show bleaching from hydrothermal alteration associated with significant pyritization.
The younger rhyolites are subaerial welded pyroclastic flows, flow breccias, and possible
rheoignimbrites along with associated volcanic sandstones and conglomerates. These rocks are

�1

2

a

Ninemile Granite
Wolf River Batholith

Diorite-Quartz Diorite

Gneiss. Migmatite and Amphibolite

Anorthosite

Mafic Volcanics

Quartz Monzonite
Quartz Syeoite

ARCHEAN

Intermediate Volcanica

Felsic Volcanics

Volcanogenic Sediments

IJltramatic Rocks

Granite

Metagabbro

Mylonitic Rocks

Quartzite

LOWER PROTEROZOIC

Syenite

Nepheline Syenite

MIDDLE PROTEROZOIC

deposits

Paleozoic and Quaternary

(From LaBerge and Myers, 1983)

Figure 7. Geologic map of Marathon County. The "Reef deposit" is located north of Ringle in the eastern part of the map.

a

WISCONSIN GEOlOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEY

MARATHON COUNTY, WIS.

OF

GEOLOGY

EXPLANATION

�25

gently-dipping, essentially non-foliated with excellently preserved primary volcanic textures and

structures. In short, they appear to be unconformable on the "older" volcanic units. Weidman (1907)
named the conglomeratic units the "Marshall Hill Conglomerate", and suggested that it is
unconformable on surrounding volcanic rocks. These lithologies are well exposed within the city of
Wausau and in the Brokaw area south of the red granite pluton. A number of presumably normal
faults offset various rhyolite lithologies within the 3M quarry at Brokaw. These offsets juxtapose
lithologies unfavorable for quarrying against favorable horizons and present problems in the quarry
operations. The various rhyolites consist of welded tuffs, rheoignimbrites, laharic deposits, massive
flows, volcanic sandstones, and massive porphyritic rhyolite. The rhyolite flows, tuffs, and lahars
may be part of a caldera complex and the massive rhyolite may represent part of a resurgent dome.

In Sections 12 and 13, T.29N., R.7E and Section 8, T.29N., R.8E, just north of Wausau, a
northeast-trending block of pillow basalts is in fault contact with gently-dipping rhyolite lithologies on
both its north and south margins. The fault-bounded block of pillow basalts may represent an uplifted
block of the older volcanic rocks on which the caldera-related rocks were deposited.
The rocks interpreted as pre-caldera phases consist of basalts, andesites, and rhyolites, and
typically have a well-developed steeply dipping northeast-trending foliation. In contrast, the calderarelated rhyolites are gently dipping, and are mainly non-foliated. This suggests that the proposed
caMera rhyolites are unconformable on the foliated rocks and may be post-tectonic. The red granite
north of Wausau truncates the several rhyolite lithologies, and may post-date the postulated caldera.
In summary, the three areas with relatively good exposure appear to represent rather different
environments within the volcanic belt: the Pembine area may be a remnant of an oceanic island arc;
rocks in the Monico area may represent an intra-arc rift or back-arc basin; and the Marathon County
area is a complex area formed during the general convergent tectonics that produced the Wisconsin
volcanic belt.

Areas of Economic Interest
The Wisconsin magmatic terranes are the host for a number of mineralized areas, mostly
volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits. Although numerous areas containing some mineralization have
been identified, only a handful are large enough to be of economic interest. The richer deposits
include the Flambeau deposit (in production) (May, 1977, 1996), the Crandon deposit (actively
working on permitting) (Schmidt and May), the Bend deposit (continued exploration) (DeMatties,
1996), the Eisenbrey (Thornapple) deposit (continued exploration) (May, 1996), and the Lynne
deposit (presently inactive) (Adams, 1996). These deposits are the subject of separate chapters in this
guidebook. Some smaller deposits (the Pelican River, Duckblind, and Wolf) also occur as was noted
earlier in this chapter. Because these major deposits are covered in separate chapters within this
volume, they will not be described here.
Deposits other than massive sulfides may also be present in the Wisconsin magmatic terranes.
Examples of two other types of deposits, an epigenetic gold deposit and mineralization associated with
a postulated caldera setting are discussed here.
The Reef gold deposit, in eastern Marathon County, has been examined by a number of
mining companies since the mid-1970s. Mineralization in the area was first recognized during
regional geologic mapping in 1970 (LaBerge and Myers, 1972). At least 80 core holes have been
drilled in the area in an effort to characterize the mineralization.

�26

The main rock types in the area of the Reef deposit are steeply dipping mafic volcanic rocks,
gabbros, and serpentines with a chemistry suggesting that they have ophiolitic affinities (K. J. Schulz,
personal communication, 1995). A swarm of granophyric to porphyritic felsic dikes or sills cut the
mafic rocks in the mineralized area (Kennedy and Harding, 1990). The mineralized area is one of
intense deformation near the Eau Claire River shear zone and lies just west of the western margin of
the Wolf River Batholith. A thick sequence of metasediments and felsic volcanics, in which massive
sulfides consisting mainly of pyrrhotite have been drilled, occur just west of the gold mineralized
area.

Mineralization at the Reef consists of pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite and gold in silicified shear
zones and quartz veins that cut the mafic volcanic rocks and gabbros. According to Kennedy and
Harding (1990), the northeast-trending, northwest-dipping quartz-sulfide veins and zones of sulfideveinlets host gold, copper, silver, and tellurium mineralization in the area of interest. They state that
the mineralization is closely associated with the felsic dikes and sills and that the intrusions and vein
system are hosted by a granofels unit (a distinctive, biotite-rich, foliated to mylonitic rock derived
chiefly from gabbro). Visible gold in quartz-goethite blocks, widely distributed at the surface, is
probably the result of weathering of gold-bearing veins (Kennedy and Harding, 1990).
Seven distinct zones of mineralization containing 454,600 tons grading 0.262 opt gold and
approximately 0.28% copper have been identified, and the deposit is open at depth. The
transgressive nature of the mineralization (in sheared gabbroic rocks) and the apparent relationship to
felsic intrusions, indicates that the Reef deposit is epigenetic, and thus is distinctly different from the
volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits elsewhere in the magmatic terrane.

Deformation resulted in the development of numerous shear zones and mylonitic rocks similar
to those illustrated in Figures 8 and 9 from the Monico area. Epigenetic gold mineralization in
sheared rocks of the Reef deposit suggests that other mylonitic zones may also have potential for gold
mineralization.
Possible mineralization associated with the caldera-type rhyolites include the following
features in the Wausau area. (1) Waste rock at an abandoned small shaft along the fault contact
between pillow basalts and rhyolite along Troy Avenue in northeastern Wausau contained abundant
sphalerite, some galena in a breccia zone cemented by quartz, and carbonate. (2) Numerous jasper
veins and patches occur within the rhyolitic rocks in the Brokaw area. These veins appear to be
jasperoid alterations of the volcanics and associated sediments and locally contain pyrite. In 1978
roadcuts for a new subdivision north of County Hwy. W on -the east side of the Wisconsin River at
Brokaw exposed tuffs with rounded and angular clasts to 5 cm in a finer volcanic matrix interbedded
with conglomerate to the north. The conglomerate contains clasts up to 12" in diameter. Most clasts
are rhyolite, but quartzite and granite boulders are also present. The matrix of the conglomerate is
mainly volcanic sandstone, with local jasperoid cement in the coarser conglomerate. Extensive
epidotization of units is also common. (3) Disseminated sulfide (pyrite and chalcopyrite) in the
rhyolites exposed in the railroad cuts in Gilbert Park and at the former hospital in northeastern
Wausau.

Tectonic Setting
The general tectonic setting in which the Wisconsin magmatic terranes formed has been
discussed in the literature since the mid-1970s. There is now a general consensus that the Penokean
orogen formed in a complex convergent tectonic environment. Lack of subduction-related volcanic

�27

U

Figure 8. Photo of sheared basaltic rocks with abundant quartz veins. This lithology
is transitional between massive basalt and the banded mylonite shown in Figure 9.
From west of the Pelican River southwest of Monico.

Figure 9. Photo of outcrop of banded mylonite that cuts basaltic rocks southwest of
Monico. Hammer provides a scale.

�28

rocks north of the Niagara Fault zone (the exposed margin of the Superior craton) clearly indicates
that subduction was away from the craton margin. Ophiolitic rocks with associated calc-alkaline
rocks in the Pembine area suggest the development of an oceanic island arc between 1,890 and 1,860
m.y. ago that docked against the Superior craton about 1,860 m.y. ago along the Niagara Fault zone
(Sims and others, 1989). Schulz (1984) suggests that the arc was "evolved," or "mature," based on
its chemistry.
The tectonic history of the southern margin of the volcanic belt is much more equivocal.
Some models suggest northward subduction, away from the Archean "microcontinent" that borders
the Marshfield terrane on the south (Cannon and others, 1991) whereas others suggest a southward
subduction beneath the Archean microcontinent (LaBerge, 1986). The author favors a model with
south-directed subduction, but recognizes that northward subduction beneath the just-accreted island
arc probably also occurred. Subduction may have been Jth north-dipping and south-dipping before
final closure of the "Penokean Sea" about 1,840 m.y. ago.

References Cited
Adams, G. W., 1996, Geology of the Lynne Base-Metal deposit, north-central Wisconsin, U.S.A. iii
Volcanogenic Massive Sulfide Deposits of Northern Wisconsin: A Commemorative Volume,
G. L. LaBerge (ed.), Institute on Lake Superior Geology, v. 42, part 2.
Bowden, D. R., 1978, Volcanic rocks of the Pelican River massive sulfide deposit, Rhinelander,
Wisconsin: A study of walirock alteration: Unpublished M.S. Thesis, Michigan
Technological University, 62 p.

Cannon, W. F., Lee, M. W., Hinze, W. J., Schulz, K. J., and Green, A. G., 1991, Deep crustal
structure of the Precambrian basement beneath northern Lake Michigan, mid continent, North
America: Geology, v. 19, p. 207-210.
DeMatties, T. A., 1994, Early Proterozoic volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits in Wisconsin: An
overview: Economic Geology, v. 89, p. 1122-1151.
DeMatties, T. A., 1996, A geologic framework for Early Proterozoic volcanogenic massive sulfide
deposits in Wisconsin: An exploration model: iii Volcanogenic Massive Sulfide Deposits of
Northern Wisconsin: A Commemorative Volume: G. L. LaBerge (ed.), Institute on Lake
Superior Geology, v. 42, part 2.

Duuon, C. E., and Bradley, R. E., 1970, Lithologic, geophysical, and mineral commodity maps of
Precambrian rocks in Wisconsin: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Geologic
Investigations Map 1-631, scale 1:500,000, with accompanying report, 15 p.
Greenberg, J. K., and Brown, B. E., 1983, Lower Proterozoic volcanic rocks and their setting in the
southern Lake Superior district: In Early Proterozoic geology of the Great Lakes region.
Edited by L. G. Medaris, Jr., Geological Society of America, Memoir 160, p. 67-84.
Jenkins, R. A., 1973, The Geology of Beecher and Pemene Townships, Marinette County, Wisconsin
(Abstract), Institute on Lake Superior Geology, 19th, Madison, Wis., p. 15-16.

Kennedy, L., Harding, T., 1990

�29

LaBerge, G. L., 1986, The Proterozoic geology of the Lake Superior region: j LaBerge, G. L.,
Attig, J. W., and Mode, W. N., Guidebook 50th Annual Tn-State Geological Field
Conference, Wausau, Wisconsin, p. 1-29.
LaBerge, G. L., and Kiasner, J. S., (in review), Geology and tectonic significance of Early
Proterozoic rocks in the Monico area, Wisconsin: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin.

LaBerge, G. L., and Myers, P. E., 1972, 1971 progress report on mapping of Precambrian geology
of Marathon County: Open file report, Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey.
LaBerge, G. L., and Myers, P. E., 1983, Precambrian Geology of Marathon County Wisconsin:
Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey, Info. Circular 45.

LaBerge, G. L., and Myers, P. E., 1984, Two Early Proterozoic successions and their tectonic
significance: Geological Society of America Bulletin, v. 95, p. 246-253.
May, E. R., 1977, Flambeau: A Precambrian Supergene Enriched Massive Sulfide Deposit:
Geoscience Wisconsin, v. 1, p. 1-26.
May, E. R., and Dinkowitz, S. R., 1996, An Overview of the Flambeau Supergene Enriched Massive
Sulfide Deposit: Geology and Mineralogy, Rusk County, Wisconsin: jj Volcanogenic
Massive Sulfide Deposits of Northern Wisconsin: A Commemorative Volume: G. L.
LaBerge (ed.), Institute on Lake Superior Geology, v. 42, part 2.

Morey, G. B., Sims, P. K., Mudrey, M. G., and Southwick, D. L., 1982, Geologic Map of the Lake
Superior region, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and northern Michigan: Minnesota Geological
Survey State Map Series S-13.
Schniver, G. H., 1973, Petrochemistry of Precambrian greenstones and granodiorites in southeastern
Oneida County, Wisconsin: Unpublished M.S. Thesis, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee,
83 p.

Schulz, K. J., 1984, Early Proterozoic Penokean igneous rocks of the Lake Superior region:
Geochemistry and tectonic implications: Abstract, 30th Annual Institute on Lake Superior
Geology,Wausau, Wisconsin, p. 55-56.
Sims, P. K., 1992, Geological Map of Precambrian rocks, Southern Lake Superior region, Wisconsin
and northern Michigan: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Investigations Series Map I2 185.

Sims, P. K., Van Schmus, W. R., Schulz, K. J., and Peterman, Z. E., 1989, Tectono-stratigraphic
evolution of the Early Proterozoic Wisconsin magmatic terranes of the Penokean orogen:
Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, v. 25, p. 2145-2158.
Venditti, A. R., 1973, Petrochemistry of Precambrian rocks in southeastern Oneida County,
Wisconsin: unpublished M. S. Thesis, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 93 p.
Weidman, S., 1907, The Geology of North Central Wisconsin: Wisconsin Geological and Natural
History Survey, Bulletin 16, 697 p.

�30

Zietz, I., Karl, I. H., and Ostrom, M. E., 1978, Preliminary aeromagnetic map covering most of the
exposed Precambrian terrane in Wisconsin: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Field
Study MF-888, scale 1:250,000.

�31

A GEOLOGIC FRAMEWORK FOR EARLY PROTEROZOIC
VOLCANOGENIC MASSIVE SULFIDE DEPOSITS IN WISCONSIN:
AN EXPLORATION MODEL
by Theodore A. DeMatties
Geological Consultant
10-353rd Ave. NW
Cambridge, Minnesota 55008
ABSTRACT

The Early Proterozoic greenstone belt of northern Wisconsin possesses some of the best
volcanogenic (volcanic-hosted) massive sulfide (VMS) potential in North America. A 100-million-ton
resource of base- and precious-metal-bearing mineralization, distributed in 13 or more deposits and
occurrences and clustered in three districts, has been identified in the belt. Host rocks for the VMS
mineralization are part of the 144 mile long, east-west trending Ladysmith-Rhinelander metavolcanic
complex, which consists of various greenschists, amphibolites, cherty iron-formations, and sericite to
quartz-sericite schists. These 1880-1860 Ma old metamorphic rocks are concealed beneath
Pleistocene glacial cover. Development of the Flambeau mine, initiation of mine permitting for the
Lynne deposit, and reactivation of the Crandon Project indicate the belt will receive a higher level of
activity than in the past.
Geologic and geophysical data compiled since the late 1960s define three depositional
environments, each containing volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) mineralization in the 1880 to
1860 Ma Ladysmith-Rhinelander metavolcanic complex: (1) a main volcanic-arc sequence, the
structural core of the complex; (2) laterally equivalent and/or younger(?) back-arc-basin volcanicvolcaniclastic succession that includes a series of mafic volcanic piles; and (3) major felsic volcanic
centers in the back-arc basin and along the flanks of the main volcanic arc.
VMS mineralization in all three depositional environments includes: (1) syngenetic and
epigenetic strata-bound to stratiform massive sulfide mineralization and epigenetic strata-bound
stringer sulfide mineralization within, along the flanks of, or near the top of the felsic volcanic
centers; (2) syngenetic strata-bound to stratiform massive-sulfide mineralization associated with cherty
magnetic iron-formation within the main volcanic-arc sequence; and (3) epigenetic stringer sulfide
mineralization and syngenetic stratiform massive sulfide mineralization associated with mafic volcanic
piles developed within the back-arc basin.
Identified VMS deposits and occurrences are classified by metal content into three groups
(Cu, Zn-Cu, Zn-Pb-Cu). Each group exhibits various styles of mineralization which include sheets,
mounds, stacked lenses, and replacements.
Potentially economic deposits are associated with felsic volcanic centers and sulfide-bearing
meta-argillite formations that are favorable stratigraphic units deposited before, during, or after the
ore-forming event(s).

Stratigraphic correlations supported by lead isotope data suggest most VMS deposits in the
greenschist succession formed in a narrow time interval.

�32

INTRODUCTION
Four potentially economic volcanogenic (volcanic-hosted) massive sulfide (VMS) deposits
have been discovered in northern Wisconsin since the 1960s. Only one, Kennecott's Flambeau, is
currently being developed; the Crandon deposit, with an identified resource in excess of 70 million
tons, is being permitted for development by the Rio Algom-Exxon joint venture.

The Lynne deposit, discovered in 1990 by Noranda, is temporarily on hold because of
environmental concerns, but the Bend deposit, discovered in 1986, continues to be evaluated by
Canadian junior companies Sharpe Energy and Resources and Freewest.
The Precambrian of northern Wisconsin has some of the best VMS potential in North
America. About 400 prospects drill-tested since the mid-1960s has resulted in discovery of four
potentially viable deposits, approximately one for each 100 prospects tested. This very high success
ratio has been offset by a strict state permitting process that is believed to be responsible for the slow
pace of mine development in northern Wisconsin.
A general geologic framework for volcanogenic massive sulfide mineralization was proposed
for the western end of the belt (DeMatties, 1989). This paper is an expansion of that communication
and summarizes important geologic features which characterize volcanogenic massive sulfide
mineralization identified in the belt thus far. The proposed geologic framework can be utilized as both
a genetic and empirical model for future exploration in the belt. However, as with all models, change
is inevitable.

Regional Geologic Framework of VMS Deposits in Wisconsin
Regional metamorphism that developed during intense isoclinal folding has overprinted the
original volcanic and sedimentary rock units in the Precambrian terranes of northern Wisconsin. This
metamorphic overprinting varied in intensity, ranging from upper amphibolite facies (relict textures
are totally or partially obscured and foliation, in this case schistosity, is intense) to lower greenschist
facies (relict textures are well preserved and foliation development is weak).

Knowledge of these metamorphic rock units and their distribution is derived mainly from
geophysical patterns, drillhole data, and few bedrock outcrops. The present paper emphasizes the
character of the rocks, their structural and stratigraphic setting, and interpretations of the original
lithology and depositional environment before metamorphism and structural dislocation modified the
original patterns.

Major Geologic Terranes
The VMS deposits in northern Wisconsin lie within the Early Proterozoic Penokean fold belt
of the Southern Structural Province of the Precambrian Shield (Fig. 1). In Wisconsin the fold belt is
divided (Greenberg and Brown, 1983; Sims et al., 1989) into two major terranes (Fig. 2). The first
is the northern Penokean terrane (NP'!'), distinguished in part by a thick platformal turbidite sequence
of clastic and chemical sedimentary rocks (Sims's continental margin assemblage) interbedded with
subordinate tholeiitic metavolcanic rocks (bimodal suite of basalt-rhyolite). The NPT contains major
oxide-facies iron-formations and some rare granitic intrusions. This supracrustal assemblage was
deposited on an Archean basement and correlates stratigraphically with the Marquette Range
Supergroup in Michigan.

�33

La Roni
Belt
200 MI

Uchi
200 KM

Huronian

— Supergroup
North Range &amp;
MUle Lacs
Group
.
•

.\

Wisconsin Magmatic Terranes
(Penokean Volcanic Belt)

Marquette
Range
S u perg roup

Figure 1. Geologic provinces of the Canadian Shield, including Early Proterozoic
supracrustal sequences of the Penokean Fold Belt and major greenstone belts of the
Canadian Shield, including the Penokean Volcanic Belt of Wisconsin (modified from
Franklin and Thorpe, 1982).

�Marquette Range Supergroup

Northern Penokean Terrane (NPT)

CONTINENTAL-MARGIN ASSEMBLAGE

Gneiss (2 800 Ma)

Metavolcanic and granitoid rocks
(1,835-1,890 Ma)

MARSHFIELD SUBTERRANE

Metavolcanic and granitoid rocks
(Ladysmith—Rhinelander &amp; Wausau
Volcanic Complexes; 1,760-1,880 Ma)

PEMBINE- WA USA U SUBTERRANE

Penokean Volcanic Belt (PVB)

WISCONSIN MAGMATIC TERRANES

Anorogenic igneous rocks (1,470-1,510 Ma)

A Athens shear
EP Eau Pleine shear (suture)
JR Jump River shear
M Mountain shear
D Dunbar dome

Shear zone

Thrust fault

Figure 2. Geologic map of northern Wisconsin showing major terranes (modified from Sims, 1989).

A

High-angle fault

and greenstone (2,600-3,550 Ma)

&gt;\' (1,820-2,100 Ma) and gneiss, granite,

+

Middle Proterozoic (Keweenawan) maf Ic
igneous and sedimentary rocks of
Midcontinent rift system (1,000-1,200 Ma)

Sedimentary rocks (Paleozoic)

Explanation

_______

�35

The second major terrane, south of the NV!', the Penokean volcanic belt (PVB) or Wisconsin
magmatic terrane, is characterized by a volcanic island-arc-basin assemblage containing abundant calcalkaline metavolcanic units (basalt, andesite, and rhyolite) and lesser amounts of deep- and shallowwater metasedimentary rocks. It lacks major oxide-facies iron-formation but contains abundant
tonalite-granite intrusions. Radiometric dating by Sims et al. (1989) has established an Early
Proterozoic age ranging from 1889 to 1835 Ma. They further divide this southern terrane into two
volcanic-arc subterranes, the Pembine-Wausau (P-W) and the Marshfield, on the basis of lithology
and structure (LaBerge and Myers, 1984).
The more northern of the two, the Pembine-Wausau subterrane, was deposited during the
interval 1860 to 1889 Ma and is dominated by calc-alkaline metabasalt-andesite-rhyolite with oceanic
affinities and localized bimodal high-A1203 metabasalt-rhyolite suites. In the vicinity of Wausau, a
younger, more restricted calc-alkaline metavolcanic succession with abundant rhyolite (LaBerge and
Myers's greenschist succession) was deposited at approximately 1835 to 1845 Ma on the older
succession, which is considered to be 1860 to 1889 Ma in age and is part of LaBerge and Myers's
amphibolite succession. Granitoid plutons dated at 1870 to 1760 Ma, ranging from gabbro and
diorite through quartz monzonite and granite, intruded the volcanic succession (Sims et a!., 1989;
LaBerge and Myers, 1983).
The southern subterrane, the Marshfield, is believed to represent remnants of an 1860 Ma
volcanic succession that stratigraphically overlies Archean basement (Sims et al., 1989).
The NPT, P-W, and Marshfield terranes and subterranes are separated from one another by
two major paleosuture zones -- the Niagara Fault Zone and the Eau Plaine Shear Zone (Fig. 2) -- that
are believed to represent Proterozoic subduction zones (Sims et a!., 1989). The more prominent
Niagara Fault Zone is as much as six miles wide and is defined by a broadly arcuate system of ductile
shears. At the exposed east end, Schulz (Sims et a!., 1989) has recognized dismembered subductionzone-type ophiolites along the fault structure, which was active from 1900 to 1830 Ma, during the
Penokean orogeny. This major orogenic event also resulted in intense regional-scale folding, regional
metamorphism, and emplacement of major granitic plutons.
Most past and present base-and precious-metals exploration activity has been in the PembineWausau arc sequence.

Wausau volcanic complex
From regional gravity and magnetic data, and limited lithologic, geochemical, and structural
data, at least two volcanic complexes can be defined in the Pembine-Wausau subterrane (Fig. 3). One
in the Wausau area has been intruded by the Middle Proterozoic (1469±28 Ma) Wolf River Batholith
and the Wausau syenite-granite plutonic series. The unintruded portion of the Wausau volcanic
complex has been intensely explored since the 1960s because of its thin glacial cover and relatively
abundant outcrop.
The Wausau volcanic complex as mapped by LaBerge and Myers (1983), consists of an older
(Archean? and lower Proterozoic- 1880-1860 Ma?) amphibolite facies sequence (quartz-feldspar
gneisses and amphibolites-metabasalts) unconformably overlain stratigraphically by younger (18451835 Ma) greenschist facies, cal-alkaline mafic to felsic volcanic rock suite. The volcanic rocks were
syntectonically intruded by numerous calc-alkaline epizonal plutons. The complex is characterized by
a number of large, nearly vertical, cataclastic fault-shear zones which form the boundaries between
greenschist and amphibolite facies sequences.

�37

Several well-developed, sulfide-bearing, felsic volcanic host sequences or centers (greenschist
facies succession) mapped in the complex are interpreted by LaBerge and Myers (1983) as
representing in part a subaerial depositional environment. Such an environment would not be
conducive for development of VMS systems and may be one reason why no significant VMS
occurrences have been discovered in this complex. Rather the complex appears to be a more favorable
host to gold mineralization; a number of lode gold (quartz veins) occurrences and a small (454,600
tons @ 0.262 opt Au), structurally controlled gold deposit (Reef) are known.

Ladysmith-Rhinelander volcanic complex
The northern portion of the P-W subterrane is occupied by the Ladysmith-Rhinelander
complex, referred to informally as the Ladysmith-Rhinelander Greenstone Belt (Fig. 3). Its areal
extent is at least 144 miles long and 30 to 50 miles wide, striking easterly across northern Wisconsin
and into the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Sequences of metavolcanic-volcanoclastic and associated
metasedimentary rocks that have been metamorphosed to varying degrees dominate the complex.

Three basic rock packages have been defined and will be discussed later in detail. The
complex is covered by glacial deposits up to 200 feet thick, and bedrock outcrops are relatively rare.
Unlike the Wausau Complex, the Ladysmith-Rhinelander Complex contains a number of VMS
occurrences and deposits, including the potentially economic Crandon, Flambeau, Lynne, and Bend
deposits.
The original contact relationship between the Wausau and the Ladysmith-Rhinelander
complexes is not known, but they are now in juxtaposition, their contact marked by major faults,
shear zones, and granitic intrusives (Fig. 3).

GEOLOGIC SETIING OF VMS MINERALIZATION IN ThE
LADYSMITH-RIIINELANDER VOLCANIC COMPLEX
An extensive geophysical database and abundant drillhole information compiled since the late
1960s by exploration companies and the state geologic survey has allowed mapping of broad,
regional rock units that represent basic volcanic fades changes within the complex (Table 1, Fig. 3,
4a, anl 4b). Interpretations of rock units, contact relationships, and fault structures are based on
magnetic and gravity patterns. Because of the thick, widespread glacial overburden, information from
outcrops is limited.

Three basic rock packages are defined. Each has distinctive rock types and structural setting.
Further, each package contains VMS mineralization that is thought to be correlative based on
stratigraphic and radiometric evidence.

Main Volcanic Arc Sequence (Pinv)
This sequence is characterized by the presence of magnetic and nonmagnetic amphibolite or
amphibolitic schist and, to a lesser degree, quartzo-feldspathic schists. Regional metamorphic grade
is high, generally reaching amphibolite rank, and as a result few relict primary textures are present.
Thin, interbedded oxide-facies iron-formations (Algoma type) are quite common in the sequence and
can be traced in some cases for thousands of feet. Several serpentinized ultramafic intrusions are
present.

�(Pfv)

Felsic
Center

(Pvs)

Basin

Arc

Back -

(Pmv)

facies
iron-formation (Algoma
type) ; serpentinized

metasediments) -

Altered felsic volcanic
sequence (daciterhyodacite to rhvolitic
flows, metatuffs,
lapilli tuffs, cherty
metatuffs, and
associated chemicalvolcaniclastic

(Pmvf) -

Tuffaceous metasediments
(metagraywackes,
reworked metatuffs,
chemical metasedlments)
and lesser graphiteand/or sulfide-bearing
meta-argillite (Pms),
porphyritic and/or
amygdaloidal metahasalt
to meta-andesite flows
(calc-alkaline and
tholeiitic affinity) and
subvolcanic intrusi'Jes

(Ply) -

Intermediate to mafic
metavolcanic flows,
interbedded metatuffs,
tuff breccias,
tuffaceous metasediments

oxide -

Same

Same

Steeply dipping,
isoclinally folded to
to locally gently
dipping volcanic
sections;
northeasterly fold
axes that plunge
easterly are common
(F-l) , more open coaxal
folding locally (F-2(

almandine

-

almandine

-

(amphibolite fades) -

muscovite assemblages

cordier ite -

(lower greenschist
facies( to andalusite-

muscovite -albite-quartz

Chlorite -epidote -

fades) assemblages.

muscovite -albite- quartz
(middle greenschist

(lower greenschist
facies) to biotite-

-quartz

centers developed in the
Ladysmith, Bend, Ritchie
Creek, Lynne, Pelican
Lake areas; larger
felsic sequence in
Ladysmith area repeated;
repetition result of
volcanic cycles or
folding

(amphibolite)
succession.
Major

Mainly greenschist

orogeny -

LaBerge et al
(1986)
suggested that these
rnetasediments may have
been deposited in a
number of basins formed
by fault grabens during
the late Penokean

epidote
muscovite -albite
Chlorite -

assemblages (lower
greenschist fades)

Greenschist succession,
possibly a younger
volcanic sequence or
shallower part of
Partially
volcanic arc,
envelops core (Pmv)

Chlorite -epidotemuscovite -albite -quartz

facies)

assemblages (amphibolite

hornblende -

Aniphibolite succession,
forms structural core of
complex; possibly an
older volcanic sequence
or deeper part of
volcanic arc.

Dominantly kyanitesillimanite -staurolite-

Steeply dipping,
isoclinally folded
volcanic section;
WMW-NE fold axes
common (F-l), and
tight coaxial folding
(F-2) common.

Aniphibolite or

Main
Volcanic
Arc

amphibolitic schist and
lesser quartzo-micaceous
to quartzo-feldspathic
schists; little or no
relict textures
preserved; interpreted
as mafic metavolcanic
flows, interflow
tuffs and sediments,

Comments

Metamorphic Grade

Structure

Dominant Lithology

Mineralization

-

mineralization at or near
stratigraphic top of or
deeper within Pfv, or
along the flanks of the
center; e.g., Flambeau,
Bend, Crandon, and Lynne deposits.

Zn- Pb-Cu-Ag)

-

Depositional environment
Syngenetic
number 1
strata-bound and
stratiform massive
sulfide (Cu-Au or

mineralization at or near
stratigraphic top of
Pmvf. E.g., Kivela Zone
(Ritchie Creek), Horse
Shoe, Spirit prospects.

(Zn-Pb-Cu-Au)

Depositional environment
Epigenetic
number 3
stringer sulfides (Cu-Au)
and syngenetic
strata-bound, stratiform
massive sulfide

deposit.

(Zn-Cu) associated with
cherty magnetic
iron-formation; e.g.,
Eisenbrey (Thornapple)

(pyrrhotite -pynite)

Depositional environment
Syngenetic,
number 2
stratiform, dominantly
massive sultides

VMS

General Description of Regional Volcanic Facies in the Ladysmith-Rhinelander Volcanic Complex.

Sequence

Table 1.

�a

metadiorite and rnletasyenite

Pmv — mafic to ultramafic volcanicintrusive complex; includes metavolcsnic flows, interflow tufts and sediments, and cherfy iron formation (if)

Main Volcanic Arc Sequence

CLEAR CREEK

Ply — dominantly intermediate to mafic
mefavolcanic flows and interbedded metetufts and tuffaceous metasediments

Pmv

Pmvf — dominantly intermediate to mafic
metavolcanic flows and subvolcanic intlusives

Pvs — dominantly tuffaceous metesediments; includes metagraywacke,
bedded or reworked metatuffs, and
associafed chemical metasediments

Back-Arc Basin Sequence

Pmv\

Pmv

Pms — graphific, sulfide-bearing melaargillite formations

Pm

intrusives, syenodiorite

-.. Metagabbro, altered ultramafic

Lower Proterozoic Metavoicanic and Related Rocks

-'

[, Metagranite, quartz metadiorite,

Pfv — dominantly intermediate to felsic mdtavOlcanic
tuffa/lapilli metatuffs (lithic/
crystal) and flows, cherty
metatuffs, and associated
chemical mefasediments
(metachert)

Felsic Center(s)

0
A

0

\\
5km

DEPOSIT

(Zn, P4Ag)

5 miles

Reverse and normal magnetized mafic dikes
(Keweenawan age)

Deposit with defined reserves

Prospect

Shear zone

—— Projected or inferred fault

Contact, based on airborne
magnetic data

Figure 4a. General geologic map of the western portion of the Ladysmith-Rhinelander Volcanic Complex (after DeMatties, 1990).

a-

Lower Proterozoic Barron Quartzite

Units locally covering basement metavolcanic units not shown

:'': Undifferentiated Cambrian sandstone formations; thin (&lt;50 It) sandstone

Lower Proterozoic (?) Intrusive Rock Units

£

Sedimentary Rock Units

——

o 0,

0
0

U

a

C

A

�B
5km

I

I

5miles

Pms__

Figure 4b. General geologic map of the east-central portion of the Ladysmith-Rhinelander Volcanic Complex.

0

I

I

LANG LADE

—

Crandon Unit

Pfv

(Zn, Pb, Cu, Ag, Au)

CRANDON DEPOSIT

(Zn, Pb, Cu, Ag, Au)

MOLE LAKE PROSPECT

(Zn, Cu) -RABBIT &amp; DUCK BLIND

WOLF RIVER PROSPECT

�41

The sequence, which was deposited between 1880 and 1860 Ma (Sims et cii., 1989), is
assigned to the amphibolite succession. Its magnetite-rich mafic composition produces a geophysical
expression of strong magnetic anomalies with steep gradients and distinct gravity highs. This
mappable unit forms the core of the complex and is interpreted as representing dominantly mafic
flows and interfiow tuffs and sediments generated in a central to proximal submarine volcanic facies
and referred to in this paper as depositional environment #2.
Structurally the sequence has been complicated by steeply dipping isoclinal folding (F-i) and a
pronounced second(?) refolding (F-2). This deformation has produced a fold pattern of tight, steeply
plunging antiform and synform structures within the unit.

VMS mineralization is known to occur in this environment. Eisenbrey (Thornapple), the only
significant deposit discovered thus far, probably represents the style of mineralization that can be
expected in this sequence, i.e., tightly folded, steeply plunging, syngenetic stratiform massive sulfide
mineralization (stacked lenses) associated with thin cherty magnetic iron-formation.
Partially enveloping the core sequence is a steeply dipping, isoclinally folded unit (Piv)
dominated by intermediate to mafic, porphyritic and nonporphyritic metavolcanic flows and lesser
chloritic schists, phyllites, and semi-schists. The unit is interpreted to be a sequence of volcanic
flows with interbedded metatuffs, tuff-breccias, and tuffaceous sediments. Because regional
metamorphism is lower grade and relict textures are discernible, this unit is assigned to the
greenschist succession. A proximal subaqueous volcanic environment is indicated by the rock
protoliths, insofar as it is known.

Back-Arc Basin Sequence (Pvs)
The back-arc basin is characterized by a steeply dipping, isoclinally folded, sequence of
dominantly feldspathic, quartzo-micaceous, and chlorite schists-semischists and metachert believed to
be originally tuffaceous metasediments. Rock protoliths include interbedded metagraywackes and
argillites, reworked pyroclastic rocks, and chemical sediments including locally oxide-sulfide facies
iron formation. Lesser intermediate to mafic metavolcanic flows are also present in the sequence.
The sequence is geophysically expressed as weak to neutral magnetic anomalies and weak, broad
gradient gravity anomalies.
Structurally, this unit flanks the main volcanic arc and is interpreted as representing a distal
subaqueous marginal volcanic basin facies. Regional metamorphism is generally lower rank than in
the main volcanic-arc sequence (Pmv) and therefore the sequence can be assigned to the greenschist
succession. Locally, amphibolite grade contact metamorphism resulting from thermal effects is
achieved near intrusions.
The metavolcanic flow units (Pmvf) within the basin facies tend to concentrate in distinct piles
that can be mapped as moderately high magnetic anomalies. Drilling indicates that these units are
usually porphyritic and/or amygdaloidal metabasalts to meta-andesites and associated tuffaceous and
chemical metasediments. These volcanic piles are referred to below as depositional environment #3
and are associated with epigenetic stringer sulfide mineralization and syngenetic stratiform massive
sulfide mineralization. Examples include the Kivela zone at the Ritchie Creek prospect, the Spirit
occurrence and the Horse Shoe deposit.
An important series of units within the basin facies and also the Piv unit of the main volcanic
arc facies are the meta-argillite formations (Pms) which are described later in detail. These units are

�42

characterized by their distinct linear electromagnetic anomaly patterns, which allows them to be used
as mappable marker horizons. These key formations are intimately associated with all the potentially
economic VMS deposits.

Felsic Centers (Pfv)
The felsic centers have been defined by drilling and identified in some outcrops, particularly
toward the east end of the complex; but their magnetic expression is neutral and cannot be readily
distinguished from metasediments or granitic intrusives in covered areas. Thus the exact areal extent
of most of the centers is poorly known.
Extensive drilling indicates that the centers are steeply to moderately dipping sequences
dominated by strongly to weakly metamorphosed and sheared quartz±feldspar-sericite-chlorite schistssemischists (commonly crystal and/or fragment-bearing) and metacherts. Protolithologies include
altered dacitic to rhyolitic metavolcanic flows, pyroclastic rocks, and associated chemicalvolcaniclastic metasediments. Mafic to felsic subvolcanic intrusions, feeders for the volcanic units,
may be quite abundant. In several centers such as those hosting the Flambeau and Lynne deposits,
large intrusions which may or may not be related to the volcanic activity have either disrupted or cut
out significant portions of the felsic sequences. At Lynne, post-intrusive activity is so extensive that
the host volcanic section occupies an embayment of a large tonalite pluton.

Lesser interbedded mafic metavolcanic suites are almost always present in the felsic centers,
resulting in a bimodal sequence. The sequences are interpreted as proximal subaqueous felsic
volcanic pile facies and designated depositional environment #1.
This environment hosts massive syngenetic stratiform and epigenetic strata-bound massive to
stringer sulfide mineralization which occurs within (e.g. Flambeau, Bend, and Crandon), along the
flanks of (e.g. Lynne), or near the stratigraphic top (e.g. Ritchie Creek main zone) of felsic volcanic
centers. Host rock units are generally hundreds of feet thick, range in composition from quartzsericite schist (felsic tuffs, e.g. Flambeau and Bend) to chioritic schist (argillite, e.g. Crandon), and
may contain abundant chemical sediments (chert and carbonate-rich exhalites) which can overlie the
syngenetic stratiform mineralization (e.g. Flambeau and Bend), or are interbedded with it (e.g.
Crandon).

Although the locus of VMS mineralization within a center commonly occurs at breaks or
changes in volcanic activity, there is not yet enough information to link mineralization to specific
volcanic cycles within the centers.
Hydrothermal alteration associated with VMS mineralization in the centers includes
sericitization, silicification, and to a lesser extent, chloritization. Limited immobile trace element
studies (Lavery, 1985, and DeMatties and Rowell, 1991), indicate that widespread intense
silicification (silica enrichment) may be responsible for many of the dacitic to rhyolitic compositions
found in some of the centers.

At least seven major centers are known in the complex, four of which host the four
potentially economic deposits. Other deposits or occurrences hosted by this environment include
Pelican River, Catwillow, Wolf River, Spirit, Hawk(?), School House, and Clear Creek. The known
centers are assigned to the greenschist succession and are located within the back-arc basin or along
the flanks of the main volcanic arc.

�43

DISTRIBUTION AND CLASSIFICATION OF MASSIVE SULFIDE MINERALIZATION
To date about 100-million-short-ton resource (80 million short tons of potentially economic
reserves) of base- and precious-metal massive sulfide mineralization, in 13 or more deposits or
occurrences, has been discovered in the Ladysmith-Rhinelander Volcanic Complex (DeMatties, 1989;
DeMatties and Mudrey, 1991) (Fig. 5 and Table 2). (All tonnages herein are in short tons.) The
world-class Crandon deposit accounts for approximately 72 percent of this total. The remaining
tonnage is distributed among 12 or more occurrences and deposits whose average size is
approximately 2.5 million short tons.

Only four deposits are believed to be potentially viable economically; the largest is Crandon,
containing an identified resource of 72.5 million tons. Next are Lynne, with a resource of 7.5 to 8
million tons (a mining reserve of 6.7 million tons), and Flambeau, with a resource of 6 to 7 million
tons (a mining reserve of 1.9 million tons). The fourth is the Bend deposit, which contains a reserve
base of 3.7 million tons. Further exploration on other deposits could expand their size and define
potential mineable reserves.

The obvious gap in size between these deposits is dramatized in Figure 5. This lopsided
distribution may be a function of exploration having been focused on a particular deposit or area.
Table 3 compares the known Wisconsin tonnage distribution with other VMS provinces and
belts. Assuming the tonnage distribution for Wisconsin VMS deposits will define a natural geometric
progression similar to those in other greenstone belts, and given the large size of the complex
(approximately 5700 square miles) as well as the Penokean Volcanic Belt (approximately 19,000
square miles), additional deposits with mineable reserves in the 10- to 60-million-ton range are likely
to exist.
Current knowledge suggests that the known VMS deposits and occurrences are concentrated
into three clusters or districts within the Ladysmith-Rhinelander Volcanic Complex (Fig. 6). The
spatial distribution of the three districts appears to be linear, trending in an east-west direction (the socalled Highway 8 trend), with deposits separated by 20 to 30 miles. However, a more complicated
arrangement of individual deposits and occurrences is evident within each district.

Massive sulfide deposits and occurrences may be classified by ratios of principal metals into
groups of copper deposits, zinc-copper deposits, and zinc-lead-copper deposits.
Because of its simplicity, Solomon's classification scheme, as modified by Huston and Large
(Large, 1992), has been used in classifying Australian VMS deposits and has been adopted in this
paper (Large, 1992). This classification is based upon principal metal ratios (Cu/Pb/Zn), and by use
of a copper ratio (100 Cu/Cu+Zn) and a zinc ratio (100 Zn/Zn+Pb). Under this scheme, the
Wisconsin deposits can be categorized (Fig. 6) into the following groups:
1.

Cu deposits: Cu ratio &gt; 60, Zn ratio &gt; 60; e.g., Flambeau, Bend, Ritchie Creek (Main
Zone).

2.

Zn-Cu deposits: Cu ratio &lt; 60, Zn ratio &gt; 90; e.g., Crandon, Thornapple, Pelican River,
Catwillow, and Hawk.

(1)

The terms "resource", "reserve", "reserve base", "indicated", and "inferred" are used herein
as defined in USGS Circular 831, 1980.

�0.1

II
I

10

I

I

I

100

II III

Medium to iarge
(10-60 million st)
deposit(s)
World-class
remaining to be
VMS deposit
d iscovered*
which might be
discovered

'C

11111111

1o
':3

0

l-

iI

Millions of short tons (st)

1

11111

Tonnage classification:
++ Geologic Reserve Base
(drill indicated &amp; inferred)
+ Identified Resource (drill
indicated and/or inferred)

(* The Duval deposit (10 million st) in
Marinette County is considered a
sulfide facies iron formation and not a
typical VMS deposit in the belt.)

deposit with mineable reserves

® Potentially economic VMS

ICb

40'

0

0

1&lt;

CD5

CCD

o

(D

E.

C

C)

Figure 5. Current (1992) tonnage distribution of known VMS deposits and occurrences in the Wisconsin Penokean Volcanic Belt.

1

5

10

50

100-::

)c

�-

Prospect

2.9

1.5

Prospect

Prospect

Catwillow

Hawk

Prospect

N
+

-

1%

Cu

2.76% Zn

5.31% Pb

100 Cu/Cu+Zn
100 Zn/Zn+Pb
1991 prices

@

§

Calculated from average grade of deposit
Geologic reserve base

Average grade of deposit

0.9

?

**

*

(Main Zone)

BLM preference
right lease

Ritchie Creek

in 1993

Application made for

Bend

Flambeau

Under development6 to 7
operating mine

0.74

Prospect

Horse Shoe

Cu Type

7.5 to

Mine permitting
on hold

Lynne

Zn-Pb-Cu Type

2.2

Prospect

3

Pelican

(Thornapple)

Eisenbrey

72.5

Total
Resource
Identified
(million st)

-

3.7
(1990)

0.045 opt Au

(1989)

-

5.33 opt Ag

2.11

(1.49

(4.1

(1972)

10.5

1.9

2.45

(1990)!

--

6.7
(1992)

0.64

--

trace
trace

0.9

1.65

- -

approx 0,5k

8

--

1.5

0.8

present

--

0.48

-- -

Pb
(%)

1.0

1.5

(1.04

(%)

Cu

--

--

(1979)

67.4

Drill'
indicated
Reserved
(million st)

0.37

0.010

present

0.3)

0.88)*

0.10

2.1

0085

1.05

0.10

006

245

2.45

3.77

13.78
6.54

6.07

5.06

1.77

0.023

2.96

0.45

2.7

2.8

4.13

Grade'

present

L00
trace

Copper-

equivalent

0.02

0.51

trace

l,25)*

)opt)

Ag

present

trace

trace

0.035

(opt)

Au

1.60

535

870

2.7

2.60

4.50

34

556

(%)

Zn

Tonnages and Grades Reported for Wisconsin VMS Deposits 0.5 million Tons or More in Size.

Mine permitting
in progress

Status

Total-resource

Crandon

Zn-Cu Type

Deposit

Table 2

85

100"

SO.5

31.4

6.9

22.9

36.6

18.2

29.4

15.8"

Cu Ratio

100

100"

100**

85.5

,,

84.1

100

100

100

100

92.05**

Zn Ratio

�38.5%

Southern Province
Penokean Volcanic Belt
(Proterozoic)

Kuroko Provence (Miocene)

(Paleozoic)

Tasman Geosycline

(Proterozoic)

Central Volcanic Belt

80.0%

33.0%

92.9%

59.0%

Churchill Province
Fun Flon, Lynn Lake, LaRonge
Belts (Proterozoic)

*Includes reserves and/or identified resources
•*Includas total number of deposits

Australia

Arizona

33.0%

Slave Province
Hackett River, Elu Inlet,
Black River, Cameron River,
Besulleu River Belts

(Archean)

42.0%

Su,erior Province
Abitjbi, Wawa,
Wabigoon Belts (Archean)

(0.1-1.1)

0.1-1.0

1.8%

57.1%

5.7%

54.0%

34.0%

58.7%

43.0%

1-10
(1.1-10.1)

7.7%

Ruttan (40.7 ml)
Flon (57.5 mt)

1.6%
(30 mt)

Motoyama (15 ml)

Matsutnine

(16.0 ml)

Hellyer

(19.4 tnt)

7.1%
Rosebery

United Verde (72.7 mt)

1.4%

Crandon (65.8 ml)

Elm

Fox Lake (13.2 mt)

7%

Izok Lake (13.4 mt)

8.3%

Mattaganni Lake
(19.6 mt)

Louvicour t
(24 mt)

13.8%

10-100
(10.1-101.1)

st)

1.0 tnt
(1.1 st)

less than

(3.0 st)

2.7 mt

(1.1 st)

less than 1.0 St

(2.5

2.3 tnt

1.60 tnt
st)

(1.80

)3.1 at)

2.8 ml

1.65 mt
(1.83 st)

Median
Size

126

42

70

13

44

12

72

Number of
Deposits

Data from Franklin and Thorpe, 1982, Large, 1990,
and Lindberg, 1989.

0%

2.4%
Mt. Lyell
(119.9 mt)**

0%

0%

0%

0%

(140.95 mt)

Kidd Creek

1.4%

100*
(101.1.)

Arizona, Australia, and Japan

Militons of Metric Tonnes Short Tons)*

ComparisOn of Tonnage Distribution of VMS Deposits in Canadian Shield (including Wisconsin)
(as percentage of deposits in each size range) -

Canadian Shield

Table 3.

�0

I'

N

type

ZnPb-Cu

Shoe A

Horse

/

Zn

Thornapple
Hawk
Pelican River

Catwi Plow

Zn-Cu type

Ritchie Creek
(Main Zone)

IFlambeau I

type

Cu

Figure 6. Weight proportions of base metals in Wisconsin VMS deposits (after LaBerge, 1992).

Pb

CR = 100 Cu
Cu + Zn

ZR = 100 Zn
Zn + Pb

0 Cu type
• Zn-Cu type
A Zn-Pb-Cu type

Explanation

IBend I

Cu

�48
3.

Zn-Pb-Cu deposits: Cu ratio &lt; 60, Zn ratio =

60

to 90; e.g., Lynne, Horse Shoe.

The general mineralogy of each deposit type is given in Table 4.
An analysis of these data shows that, in general, the largest Cu deposits (Flambeau and Bend)
occur in the Ladysmith district, at the west end of the complex. Zn-Cu and Zn-Pb-Cu deposits
become much more prevalent in the Somo and Crandon districts. Along with this change in basemetal ratios, both gold and silver content change from the Ladysmith district (high gold, low silver)
to the eastern Somo and Crandon districts (high silver, low gold) (Fig. 7).
These changes in metal ratios and content between districts give rise to a broad regional
zoning pattern with generally copper- and gold-rich deposits (Cu type) toward the west, in the
Ladysmith district, and zinc-rich (Zn-Cu type) deposits toward the east, in the Crandon district.
Telescoping or overlapping of deposit types (Cu, Zn-Cu, and Zn-Pb-Cu) occurs in the centrally
located Somo district.

These zoning patterns may be more apparent than real, and may be a function of exploration
and discovery. However, if they are real, the variable metal ratios may indicate a progressive or
systematic change in hydrothermal fluid chemistry (i.e., temperature, f02, pH, salinity), and
discharge site conditions (i.e., original composition and permeability of stratigraphic footwall unit(s),
and seawater depth).

The average tonnages and grades of the three deposit types are listed in Table 5 and
compared with other VMS districts in the world. Although the number of Wisconsin deposits is
limited, the table does suggest that the Cu deposits are above average in copper grade and gold
content when compared to other Cu deposits in the table. The Wisconsin Zn-Cu and Zn-Pb-Cu
deposits as a whole contain relatively average base- and precious-metal grades, but generally lowerthan-average tonnages if Crandon is excluded.

Styles of Wisconsin VMS Mineralization
At least seven styles of VMS mineralization have been recognized in the P-W subterrane.
These include the following:

Layered Sheet
Thus far only the Flambeau deposit (Cu type) is known to exhibit this style within
depositional environment #1. It is characterized by an extensive copper rich sheet of stratiform,
syngenetic, layered massive sulfide with minor zinc-pyrite lenses and gold-bearing chert in the
stratigraphic hanging wall. No well-developed epigenetic alteration pipe or stringer sulfide zone is
present. However, a widespread laterally extensive sericite-disseminated pyrite alteration halo is
developed mainly in the stratigraphic footwall rock units but also extending into the hanging wall as
well (Figs. 8a and 8b).

Sulfide deposition for this style may be related to poorly focused, lower temperature (&lt;300
degrees C) hydrothermal fluid flow (Large, 1990).

�Sphalerite,
pyrrhotite, galena,
pyrite, chalcopyrite

Zn—Pb—Cu

(± tetrahedrite,
polybasite, native
silver, pyrargyrite
electrum, native gold)

arsenopyrite,
tetrahedrite—
tennantite (±
marcasite, electrum,
covellite, chalcocite)

Pyrite, pyrrhotite,
sphalerite,
chalcopyrite
(± galena, magnetite)

Zn—Cu

chalcocite, bornite

tennantite,

gold tellurides, lead
telluride, electrum,
native gold,
arsenopyrite,
sphalerite (± galena,
magnetite, pyrrhotite)

Pyrite, chalcopyrite,
tetrahedrite —

Cu

Type

Minor Minerals

Lynne

Crandon

Ritchie Creek

Kennedy et al., 1991

Lambe &amp; Rowe, 1987

May, 1977
DeMatties &amp; Rowell, 1991
DeMatties, l99O

Fl ambe au
B end

References

Examples

Summary of the typical ore-related opaque minerals in Cu, Zn—Cu, and Zn—Pb-Cu
VMS deposits in Wisconsin.

Major Minerals

Table 4.

VMS in Wisconsin

�0

2

I

6

I

8

I

I

10

I

Lynne

A

12

0

0 Cu type S Zn-Cu type

Explanation

(Cu + Pb + Zn) %

4

I

.s.

A

0

0

2

0Bend
I

6

I

Catwillow

8

I

Flambeau
,
,

o

///

Shoe

,1

A

I

10

I

' A Horse

S

Crandon

(Cu + Pb + Zn) %

4

/

A Zn-Pb-Cu type

0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0

1.2

1.4

1.6

1.8

2.0

2.2

Lynne

Figure 7. Variation in Au and Ag content with base-metal content for the Cu, Zn-Cu, and Zn-Pb-Cu VMS deposits in Wisconsin.

I

o Ritchie Creek

Catwillow

0.02

.s.

Horse Shoe

Flambeau

Crandon5

0

Bend

0.04

0 0.06

0

c

0.08

0.10

0.12

2.4

2.6

12

�Number of
Deposits
(%)

Cu

tonnage

5

2

Zn-Cu

Zn-Pb-Cu

1

Zn-Pb-Cu

20

0.6

17

1

Zn—Cu

Zn-Pb-Cu

17
0

0.0
0.2

2.0
1.2

1.6

1.0

10

Zn-Pb-Cu

10

0.5

4.7

6.9
11.8

1.6

1.1

4.7

1.7

11

Zn-Pb-Cu

[Cu! (Cu+Zn) 1100

3.

average

Ag

Au

0.01

0.02

0.02

0.01

0.04

0.09

0.04

0.01

0.06

0.02

0.05

0.0

0.0

3.5

Million
Short Tons
Zn

100

Ratio

13.6

3.6

3.7

8.4

9.1

13.9

20.9

5.7

3.5

15.7

2.2

17.3

5.9

3.7

82

100

87

72

93

85

86

98

100

71

88

98

100

84.8

2.4
100
(Crandon not included)

0.03

0.09

(opt)

Au ani g grades.

2.81

1.71

0.15

3.39

1.77

0.23

0.06

0.06

1.8

6.2

1.1

0.26

1.75

0.48

0.43

(opt)

4. Close clusters or unit orebodies of Kuroka deposits are grouped as single deposits.
Data for all deposits other than Wisconsin are from Large, 1992.

[Zn/(Zn+Pb)JlOO

2.

1. Number of deposits for wtiicfl data are available to calculate

1

0.0

3.8

1.3

2

Zn-Cu

3

2

0.0

0.2

1.1

4

(Tertiary)

1.0

3

0.0

0.2

1.3

Cu

Tuff Belt4

4

Zn-Cu

Jananese Green

16

Cu

14

7

0.0

19

0.5

2.2

1.9

Australian Deposits (Archean-Paleozoic)

7

Cu

5.5

1

1.4

10.0

2.7

Norwegian Caledonides (Paleozoic)

Zn-Pb-Cu

34

0.1

3.7

1.5

6

2

0.0

1.3

7.0

1.6

2

0.8

0.5

3.8

1.2

2

Note1

1.8

trace

(%)

Pb

0.5

(%)

Zn

and grade data of Wisconsin and other VMS deposits.

2.6

Bathurst Camp (Paleozoic)

36

Zn-Cu

Canadian

7

Cu

Canadian Archean Deposits

3

Cu

Wisconsin Deposits (Proterozoic)

Deposit Type

Table 5 — Comparison of mean

VMS in Wisconsin

2

27

26

84

8

19

85

45

43

79

9

21

28

69

19.2

26.8

88.5

Cu
Ratio

�NW

250

Cholcopyrite

CJ)5

na ted

cosson

U-

VAt. u ES

SE

I

Enrichment

Supergene

Base of

Au

Figure 8b. Schematic cross-section showing zonation
patterns - Flambeau (after May, 1977).

C,)

EE

00

&gt;, U)

&gt;

U)

:0

CU)

U)

0)

(Cove lute)

Bornite

00
O

C .C

U)

Chalcocite

Oxide (I'-

.10-20
Leached

Sandston

GociaI Overburden
J30

600

j

B

________Saprolite
_________

�53

Bedded sheet plus strata-bound stringer zone
This style of mineralization is similar to the layered sheet, except a well defined copper-rich
strata-bound epigenetic stringer zone is present and extends the full length stratigraphically below a
main massive zinc-lead horizon. This style of VMS mineralization commonly forms between volcanic
cycles in sedimentary host units such as argillites and is characteristically developed by giant (&gt;55
million st) VMS deposits such as Crandon (Zn-Cu type), which is hosted in depositional environment
#1. Sulfide deposition may be related to hot (&gt;300 degrees) poorly focused hydrothermal fluids
moving through a permeable footwall rock package (Large, 1990). At Crandon the stratigraphic
footwall consists of a series of breccia (debris flow) lobes (Fig. 9). This style is also represented in
depositional environment #3 by the high-grade Horse Shoe (Zn-Pb-Cu type) deposit which exhibits a
semiconformable stringer zone.

Stacked lenses
Most identified Wisconsin VMS deposits assume this style, in which massive sulfide lenses
develop at several stratigraphic levels and are connected by zones of fragment-bearing semimassive
sulfides, stringer mineralization, or intense alteration with disseminated sulfides. Metal zonation
and/or upward base-precious metal refining from the lowermost lens to the upper lens is common.
Depositional environment #1 (greenschist succession) frequently hosts this style of mineralization as
exemplified by Bend (Cu type) (Fig. 10), Pelican River (Fig. 11), Hawk, Wolf River(?) and Catwillow
(all Zn-Cu types). Only the Eisenbrey (Thornapple) deposit and possibly one other occurrence (the
Fence prospect) are known to exhibit this style of mineralization in depositional environment #2
(amphibolite succession).

Massive sulfide mound
This style is not common in the P-W subterrane; only the Kivela zone (Zn-Cu type in
depositional environment #3) at the Ritchie Creek prospect has been reported to exhibit this classic
style. It is characterized by a mound-shape, syngenetic massive-semimassive sulfide accumulation
which is stratigraphically underlain by a crosscutting epigenetic stringer sulfide-chiorite-sericite
alteration zone. Vertical metal zonation from a copper±zinc±lead rich stringer zone to a
zinc±lead±copper rich massive-semimassive zone is evident (Fig. 12). The footwall sericite-pyrite
(pyrrhotite) alteration halo is generally limited in aerial extent.
This style develops when hydrothermal fluids are well focussed along a syn-volcanic structure
and through a relatively impermeable footwall sequence such as the mafic flows present at the Kivela
zone (Large, 1990).

Sulfide mound replacement
Generally a thick mound-shaped, epigenetic sulfide accumulation which forms as a result of
successive, subsurface replacements of previously deposited exhalite (commonly carbonate and/or
chert rich). Vertical metal zonation pattern from a copper-rich base to a zinc-lead-silver top is strong.
The Lynne deposit (Zn-Pb-Cu type) in depositional environment #1 is reported to exhibit this style of
mineralization (Fig. 13).

The replacement mound style may develop from hot (&gt;350 degrees C) well focussed
hydrothermal fluids (Large, 1990).

�Footwall

•1

0

0

S

— -200rn

o

400

I

200 meter,

800 tee,

lopilli luff

coarse tuft -

S

0
0
C

GaciaI Overburden

orgillite

Breccia lobes Il &amp; Ill

Stringer sulfide
mineralization

Massive sulfide
mineralization

Carbonaceous-pyrilic
argitite and tuft

Crandon Unit:

Explanation

Crondon Unit

Hangingwall
fluffs cherl and debris flows)

Slraligraphic Top

I0

S

S

Figure 9a. Geologic cross-section 94360E - Crandon
(after Lambe and Rowe, 1987).

uoo

I

— 0 See L,,et

0

4,

0

0

S

(tufts and volcanic breccios)

— 200m

— 400'

A
I

•1

0

S

0

n.

4,

0
0

S

0

o

— -ZOOm

400

200 meter,

coo feci

argillite

.t

C

S

S

GIocaI Overburden

Breccta lobes I, II &amp; Ill

Stringer sulfide
mineralization

Massive sulfide
mineralizalion

Carbonaceous-pyrilic
argillite and tuft

Crandon Unit:

Explanation

Crandon Unit

Hangingwall
(tutts,chert and debris flows)

Strotigraphic Top

4,

C

S

S

Figure 9b. Geologic cross-section 94400E - Crandon
(after Lanibe and Rowe, 1987).

tOO

— 0 Sec Level

(tufts and volcanic breccios)

Footwoll

— 200,,

— 400m

B

______

�— 05cc

— 200'

— 400'

— 600'

— 800'

in feet

ElenOliOn

Level

Southwest

Looking West

—

Regional

fuL n

-4

9

I

8$

F

H

1

N

Mineralized sequence:

Hanging-wa)) andesite: mat ic metavolcanic
flows with associated melatuff a and tu)faceous metasediments

Quartz diorite

Breccialed rock

Explanation

9

I

6S

(XI unit)

OuOrtZ Crystal lelsic luff

Gold mineral izoliOn
(tuck—unde, gold zone)

stringer sulfide ove, print

sulfide ,nineroli lotion with

(bedded ond massive)

Figure 11. Geologic cross-section 110 +OOE - Pelican
River (after Bowden, 1978).

Footwall andesile: mafic melavolcanic
flows, flow breccia, inlerflow metatuffs
and tuffsceous metasediments

Hydrothermal alteration

Multiple massive to semimassive sulfide
lenses

0

Top

.1.

Fragment - beorinA semimossive

II'

f','tO
9'

en,,-

J-s A°,
Fit4d n

j'°bO Ott

Slrotigrophic

S

Andesilic to felsic cherty metatuffs and
tullaceous melasediments

-1000

—500'

.e4

DFPTH IFT)

Moss,ne sulfide ninerOljzolion

Es plan of ion

Footwall sequence
bedded tuffs

Precambrian regolith

Glacial Overburden

NW

Figure 10. Geologic cross-section 49235E - Bend
(after DeMatties and Rowell, 1991).

Looking

Slroligrophic Top

complex

felsic flow/ fragmental

Hanging-wall sequence'

— l000•

— 1200'

SE

— 400

�56

Line 12E, looking northwest

DEPTH, IN FT

0

Granitic intrusive
Intermediate to mafic
amygdaloidal metavotcanic
flows

i.
ft

mineralization

Laminated cherty metatuff
Felsic metatuff

Intense chlorite + sericite
alteration (altered mvf)
Semimassive (30%-50%)
fragment-bearing pyrrhotite
(± pyrite + chalcopyrite +
sphalerite) lens

+ Cu
300

Stockwork-stringer
mineralization

mvf
Q)

a)

\\

900

Stratigraphic
top

mvf
Ct
1200

0

100 FT

Figure 12. Geologic cross-sectionLine 12E - Kivela Zone of the Ritchie Creek Prospect.

�M

OH

+

Marble

Tonalite

+

+
+

Tonal te

+

±

+

+

+

Looking west

+

+

VOS

+

Talc

Figure 13. Geologic cross-section Line I000E - Lynne (after Kennedy et al.. 1991)

Volcaniclastic unit

Skarn

Massive P0, Mt

H. ] Talc

+

+

Semi-massive to
massive sulfide

2

'j Rhyolite

]

vcs__

IIIIIJIIII

+

BPM
Talc.

??':0;

___jChert

100FT

ELE\'.
IN FT

1000

1200

1400

1600

�58

Replacement

This style is similar to the mound replacement but represents only a partial replacement of
previously deposited exhalite. The Ritchie Creek main zone (Cu type) in depositional environment #1
isa good example (Fig. 14).

Stockwork/disseminated
Broad zones of stockwork pyrite±chalcopyrite with associated sericite alteration characterize
this style. These horizons could represent failed VMS systems or possibly contain central zones
of massive pyrite-chalcopyrite mineralization. Minor copper±zinc lenses may be present at the
stratigraphic top of the system. Good examples of this style in depositional environment #1 are found
at the School House and Clear Creek (Cu type) prospects.
This style may develop from hot and dense hydrothermal fluids which move laterally through
permeable volcanic units below the sea floor (Large, 1990).

MASSIVE SULFIDE MINERALIZATION ASSOCIATED
WITh META-ARGILLITE FORMATIONS (PMS)
The meta-argillite formations (Fig. 4a and 4b) are important stratigraphic sub-units within the
greenschist succession of the P-W subterrane and may be related in both time and space to the
economic VMS deposits. These important lithologic units are expressed geophysically as long
formational airborne electromagnetic (AEM) conductors, both with and without direct magnetic
response. As previously mentioned, the source of the AEM conductors is usually graphite, and/or
pyrrhotite-pyrite, hosted by black to greenish-gray, weakly to strongly schistose, chlorite-rich metaargillites and associated tuffaceous metasediments (metagraywackes). Individual units are generally
less than 100 feet thick and may exhibit well-developed internal lamination or bedding.
These units contain only geochemically anomalous base-metal-bearing pyrrhotite and/or pyrite
mineralization with varying amounts of associated graphite or, in some cases, carbon. The sulfide-tographite ratio varies widely from conductor to conductor; the argillites are thought by some workers
to be sulfide-facies iron-formations.
Textural evidence (Finlow-Bates, 1980) suggests that significant amounts of sulfide
mineralization in these units is hydrothermal in origin rather than diagenetic. Drillhole data from
many of these strataform AEM conductors indicate that the sulfide mineralization can mimic, at least
in part, typical VMS systems that have both syngenetic and epigenetic components.

In some systems, graphite is not present and the massive pyrrhotite beds (with and without
fine sphalerite intergrowths) may be tens of feet thick. These massive pyrrhotite beds contain
fragments (usually altered meta-argillite clasts) and have a stratigraphic footwall underlying alteration
zone consisting mostly of sericite, chlorite, and/or quartz (silicification), some with crosscutting
pyrrhotite stringers containing fine chalcopyrite and sphalerite intergrowths. There may be more
extensive stringer zones of network-textured pyrrhotite and sometimes chalcopyrite. The texture is
formed by anastomosing veinlets hosted by altered meta-argillite.
Cyclic repetition of one or both components of the sulfide mineralization within a given
section is common in the more well-developed systems, possibly reflecting multiple hydrothermal

�59

A

A'

100 ft
Scale:

lOOm

Explanation

Mineralized horizon:
Massive (&gt;50%) to
semi-massive (3050%) sulfide
mineralization
::::

Sulfide-bearing hydrothermal alteration
(altered exhalite?)

•

Limit of stockwork
sulfide halo
(&lt;30% sulf ides)
Intermediate to mafic
subvolcanic intrusive
Gold assay zone

Figure 14. Geologic cross-section A-A' - Ritchie Creek Main Zone (after DeMatties, 1990).
ft - felsic to mafic tuff-lapilli tuff (quartz-biotite-feldspar to biotite-feldspar-amphibole-quartz schist).
mf - altered and mineralized felsic tuff yritic quartz-sericite schist).
mt - mafic to intermediate tuffs and tuffaceous sediments (feldspar-biotite-amphibole-quartz schistsemischist).

�60

pulses. Metamorphic overprinting and/or shearing may have locally remobilized the sulfides, but
relict primary features are still recognizable in many formations.
Interbedded cryptocrystalline laminated chert, displaying the typical interlocking-quartz-grain
texture (serrated grain boundaries) in thin section, or cherty tuffaceous sediments are almost always
associated with the sulfide mineralization. Because the meta-argillite units are structurally
incompetent, shear zones are easily developed within them, resulting in the brittle deformation
(brecciation and fragmentation) of the chert units.
Meta-argillite is believed to be deposited as fine-grained epiclastic sediments, possibly in
smaller isolated sedimentary basins, generally within the back-arc-basin sequence, under reducing
conditions and during periods of volcanic quiescence. Although clusters or groups of these metaargillite formations are found in the P-W subterrane, they are concentrated in the back-arc-basin
sequence and commonly along the flanks of the main volcanic arc (Piv) of the Ladysmith-Rhinelander
Volcanic Complex. No formations have been recognized in the central portion of the main volcanicarc sequence (amphibolite succession). Argillite formations have also been mapped in the Marshfield
subterrane, but their spatial distribution is not clearly understood.

All of the VMS districts defined to date are generally within a mile or less of major argillite
formations. This spatial relationship was recognized early by explorationists in Wisconsin.
Although to date this sulfide mineralization has been generally found to be only geochemically
anomalous or to contain low grades of copper and zinc, its presence in meta-argillite formations has
metallogenic significance in terms of a possible indicator of potentially economic VMS mineralization.
Discussion

Aside from a close spatial relationship to VMS mineralization, certain mineralized metaargillites may be genetically related to VMS ore-forming events. In other words, the barren or
wealdy metal-bearing sulfide mineralization might have formed before, during, or after major ore
deposition, reflecting either the beginning of the event, or deposition itself, or the last stages of the
hydrothermal event in the VMS system. In terms of a modern analog, it might be considered "black
smoker debris."
Current geologic data indicate that all four potentially economic and many of the subeconomic
or under-explored deposits contain these units in their "local" stratigraphic section (Fig. 4a and 4b).
As has been described, the Massive Sulfide Zone of the Crandon deposit is within one of these units
(Crandon Unit).
Finlow-Bates (1980) discussed the possibility that the formation of graphitic argillite
(carbonaceous sediments) was the result of ore deposition which set up anoxygenic conditions, a type
of ground preparation in which reducing conditions allow the preservation of carbon (whose source is
uncertain). The model assumes that the ore-fluid chemistry was in a reduced state, which it likely
was during the Precambrian. This might explain the close spatial (genetic?) relationship of the Pms
formations with the major deposits discovered thus far.

If this empirical-genetic model is valid, the stratigraphic implications are obvious: Pms
formations associated with VMS deposits would represent gross time-marker horizons which mark
ore-forming events and could be used in regional correlations. This concept of "favorable horizon" is
a characteristic of other VMS districts, in the Canadian shield and elsewhere in the world.

�61

Figures 3, 4a, and 4b show formations in the P-W subterrane and the western and east-central
parts of the Ladysmith-Rhinelander Volcanic Complex. A number of major formational groups can
be seen. However, the geology is complicated and has been made even more so by isoclinal folding
and faulting. Detailed correlations of individual formations are impossible at our current level of
knowledge.

Using the general geologic framework which has been established for the cOmplex, it is
possible to grossly correlate the formational clusters on the basis of structural and stratigraphic
position relative to the central core of the main volcanic-arc complex. At least two "sets" or groups
can be defined in the western portion of the Complex: Pms I, structurally along the flanks of
(probably stratigraphically above) the core, and Pms II, in the back-arc basin. A tentative
interpretation of the composite stratigraphy in this area is presented in Figure 15. Under this
stratigraphic arrangement, the Eisenbrey (Thornapple) deposit would occupy the lowest position
within the amphibolite succession. The first major ore-related argillite formational group (Pms I) in
the greenschist succession occurs stratigraphically above the Flambeau deposit, but possibly below the
Lynne deposit. However, because stratigraphic interpretation has been further complicated in the
Lynne area by more complex faulting, folding, and igneous intrusion, the Lynne deposit may actually
be closer stratigraphically to the meta-argillite formational group than the composite section indicates,
or possibly laterally equivalent to Flambeau.
The Bend deposit occupies the highest stratigraphic position and appears to be associated with
the second major ore-related argillite formational group (Pms II) in the back-arc basin.

This concept can be extended to the eastern part of the belt where one prominent formational
group (Pms I) can be seen linking together the Pelican River, Wolf River, and Catwillow deposits
(Fig. 3 and 4b). The Crandon Unit is associated with the formational group south of the deposit,
which may be the lateral equivalent of the ore horizon(?) and, using this scheme, would be considered
to be associated with the Pms II formational group.
Because of complex regional isoclinal folding, the true spatial and stratigraphic separation
between the two productive formational groups may be much less; they may even be the same unit in
different volcanic facies. Nonetheless, gross correlations suggest that most of the ore deposits in the
greenschist succession were formed in a fairly narrow stratigraphic interval and are nearly coeval in
their time of deposition. The narrow stratigraphic interval and the correlation of Pms formational
groups to link the VMS deposits in time are partially supported by lead isotope data.
Afifi et al. (1984) established a lead model age of approximately 1.8 to 1.9 Ga for Flambeau,
Pelican River, Hawk, and Crandon. A strong linear trend is defined by the lead isotope data,
suggesting that the deposits are nearly coeval in their formation (Fig. 16). More recent lead isotope
work by Thorpe (written communication, 1992) on the Ritchie Creek, Spirit, Horse Shoe, and Lynne
deposits indicates that they also plot along this trend, further supporting this contention. Thorpe's
lead model age for the VMS mineralization is approximately 1.86 Ga.
As previously mentioned no meta-argillite formational groups have yet been identified in the
amphibole succession of the main volcanic-arc facies. However, thin but laterally extensive oxidefacies iron-formations are known and, as described for Eisenbrey (Thornapple), may represent a
similar type of favorable horizon for VMS mineralization.

There are no lead isotope data for the Eisenbrey deposit; therefore, it is not known whether it
plots on the linear trend defined by Thorpe. If it does plot on the trend line and is coeval with the

�62

Cambrian

Mt. Simon Fm. (sandstone)
Barron Quartzite

a

pre-Cambrian
regolith

Pvs

0

Pms

Pmvf

a Pfv

Greenschist
Succession

-

-

(j))

/ Bend
Deposit
(Cu, Au)

PmsIl

o

Nm
o
oa
o

0°

o
1

-

Pvs

Ci)

Pvs (chemical sediments)

Pfv

Lynne
Deposit

Ag

(Zn, Pb, Ag)

&gt;

Pvs
W

Ci

C&gt;

PmsI
Zn

Cu-Au

(Cu, Au)

Pfv

Unconformity, fault, and/or gradational contact??

(0

If

0

&gt;

E-'
E
('3
0

.
•

Flambeau
Deposit

&lt;.Pjv

G)

—

Ci)

I Pmvf

I—

Li

.E

Q

&gt;

-' Thornapple Arnphibolite
Succession

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

—

Deposit

(Cu,Zn)

Cu

/xxxxIf

Unconformity

Archean
(&gt;2500 MA)

Basement:
granitic gneiss, migmatite,
amphibolite

Figure 15. Schematic composite stratigraphic section, west-central portion of the

Ladysmith-Rhinelander Volcanic Complex.

�63

15.5

15.4

207/
204
15.3

15.2

15.1

15.2

15.4

15.6

15.8

16.0

206/204
Figure 16. Lead isotope data for VMS deposits in the Wisconsin Penokean Volcanic
Belt (after Thorpe, et a!.).

greenschist succession deposits, then the oxide-facies iron-formations could possibly represent lateral

equivalents of the ore-related Pms units.
Conclusions

1. Two volcanic complexes can be recognized in the Early Proterozoic Penokean volcanic
belt (Wisconsin magmatic terrane) on the basis of lithology, structure, and age relationships. These
include the Wausau Complex, host to at least one structurally controlled gold deposit, and the larger
Ladysmith-Rhinelander metavolcanic complex, which contains at least 13 volcanogenic massive
sulfide deposits and occurrences, clustered in three districts.
2. Volcanogenic massive sulfide mineralization occurs in at least three distinct geologic
depositional environments. The four potentially economic deposits occur in environment #1, which is
the felsic volcanic center facies.
3. The identified volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits and occurrences can be classified on
the basis of metal content and divided into three groups (Cu, Zn-Cu, Zn-Pb-Cu). Each group exhibits
various styles of mineralization.

�64

4. The meta-argillite association in the Ladysmith-Rhinelander metavolcanic complex may
have significant exploration importance, i.e., certain formations or formational groups at the right
stratigraphic level could theoretically lead to potentially economic VMS mineralization particularly in
areas where they are associated with felsic centers (depositional environment #1). Two key
formations are known and others may be present in the Ladysmith-Rhinelander metavolcanic complex
and Marshfield subterrane.

5. The Wausau volcanic complex is known to contain only a few meta-argillite formations.
That lack, indicating no major breaks in volcanism, and felsic centers which may be mostly subaerial
and younger (1835-1845 Ma) than the main ore-forming event (1860 Ma) might explain the poor rate
of discovery of significant massive sulfide deposits in this area.
Acknowledgments

The author is grateful to Ernest K. Lehmann and Associates Inc. for permission to release
data for this paper. Also to Economic Geology for allowing publication of portions the original
manuscript for this memorial volume.
A final thanks to the late Ned Eisenbrey for his major contribution to the ideas expressed
here. His exploration effort on behalf of Kennecott in the 1960s coupled with earlier work compiled
by the late Jack Phillips, led to the discovery of the Flambeau and Thornapple deposits (now
appropriately named the Eisenbrey deposit) and paved the way for later explorers to enter the
Wisconsin greenstone belt.

On a personal note, Ned was my mentor at E. K. Lehmann and Associates for many years. He
helped shape my exploration philosophy, and it is with gratitude and friendship I contribute to this
commemorative volume.
References Cited

Afifi, A., Doe, B. R., Sims, P. K., and Delevaux, M. H., 1984, U-Th-Pb isotope chronology of
sulfide ores and rocks in the Early Proterozoic metavolcanic belt of northern Wisconsin:
Economic Geology, v. 79, p. 338-353.
Bowden, D. R., 1978, Volcanic rocks of the Pelican River massive sulfide deposit, Rhinelander,
Wisconsin: a study in wallrock alteration: Unpublished MS Thesis, Houghton, Michigan
Technological University, 62 p.
DeMatties, T. A., 1989, A proposed geologic framework for massive sulfide deposits in the
Wisconsin Penokean volcanic belt: Economic Geology, v. 84, p. 946-952.
1990, The Ritchie Creek Main Zone: a Lower Proterozoic copper-gold volcanogenic
massive sulfide deposit in northern Wisconsin: Economic Geology, v. 85, p. 1908-1916.

DeMatties, T. A., and Mudrey, M. G., Jr., 1991, Geologic setting of the Early Proterozoic base- and
precious-metal-rich metavolcanic belt of Wisconsin: 37th Annual Institute on Lake Superior
Geology, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, 1991, Proceedings, p. 29-33.

�65

DeMatties, T. A., and Rowell, W. F., 1991, Bend, a Lower Proterozoic, copper- and gold-enriched
volcanogenic massive-sulfide deposit in Taylor County, Wisconsin: 37th Annual Institute on
Lake Superior Geology, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, 1991, Proceedings, p. 34-40.
Finlow-Bates, T., 1980, The chemical and physical controls on the genesis of submarine exhalative

orebodies and their implications for formulating exploration concepts, a review: Geologisches
Jahrbuch, Ser. D, no. 40, p. 131-168.

Franidin, J. M., and Thorpe, R. I., 1982, Comparative metallogeny of the Superior, Slave and
Churchill provinces in Hutchinson, R. W., Spence, C. D., and Franklin, J. M., Precambrian
sulfide deposits (H. S. Robinson Memorial Volume): Geological Association of Canada
Special Paper 25, p. 3-90.
Greenberg, J. K., and Brown, B. A., 1983, Lower Proterozoic volcanic rocks and their setting in the
Southern Lake Superior district: Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey
Miscellaneous Paper 83-4, 18 p.

Kennedy, L. P., Harding, T. A., Schaff, J. H., and Zielinski, A. M., 1991, The Lynne massive
sulfide deposit, Oneida County, Wisconsin: 37th Annual Institute on Lake Superior Geology,
Eau Claire, Wisconsin, 1991, Proceedings, p. 63.
LaBerge, G. L. and Myers, P. E., 1983, Precambrian geology of Marathon County, Wisconsin:
Geological and Natural History Survey Information Circular, No. 45, 88 p.
LaBerge, G. L. and Myers, P. E., 1984, Two Early Proterozoic successions in central Wisconsin and
their tectonic significance: Geologic Society of America Bulletin, v. 95, p. 246-253.

Lambe, R. N., and Rowe, R. G., 1987, Volcanic history, mineralization, and alteration of the
Crandon massive sulfide deposit, Wisconsin: Economic Geology, v. 82, p. 1204-1238.
Large, R. R., 1990, Tonnage-grade data for VMS deposits in Ore deposit studies and exploration
models: Center for Ore Deposit and Exploration Studies, University of Tasmania, Master of
Economic Geology Work Manual, v. 1, section 4, parts 1, 2, and 3.
1992,

Australian volcanic-hosted massive sulfide deposits: Economic Geology, v. 87,

p. 471-510.

Lavery, N. G., 1985, Quantifying chemical changes in hydrothermally altered volcanic sequences silica enrichment as a guide to the Crandon massive sulfide deposit: Journal of Geochemical
Exploration, v. 24, p. 1-27.

May, E. R., 1977, Flambeau - a Precambrian supergene enriched massive sulfide deposit:
Geoscience Wisconsin, v. 1, p. 1-26.
Sims, P. K., Van Schmus, W. R., Schulz, K. J., and Peterman, Z. E., 1989, Tectono-stratigraphic
evolution of the Early Proterozoic Wisconsin magmatic terranes of the Penokean Orogen:
Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, v. 26, p. 2145, 2158.

�66

�67

AN OVERVIEW OF THE FLAMBEAU SUPERGENE ENRICHED MASSIVE
SULFIDE DEPOSIT:
GEOLOGY AND MINERALOGY, RUSK COUNTY, WISCONSIN
Edwarde R. May
Consulting Mining Geologist
and

Stephen R. Dinkowitz, Geologist
Flambeau Mining Company

INTRODUCTION
The discovery of the Flambeau orebody coincided with the signing of the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) in 1968. As a consequence, both the development of this
supergene enriched massive sulfide deposit and implementation of NEPA went through intense public
debate. At the same time basic industrial segments of the economy such as mining, steel, and auto
manufacturing were restructuring to compete in an emerging global economy. Neither Kennecott
Copper Corporation (Kennecott), the mining industry, nor governmental regulatory agencies fully
appreciated the consequences of NEPA when development drilling of the Flambeau orebody was
completed in 1971. Kennecott was aware, however, of the deteriorating copper market. Therefore
Kennecott's Flambeau development policy was to secure the mining permits, then make a decision
whether or not to develop the project. The project was discontinued in 1977 after receipt of an
approved Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) but before issuance of the mining permits, due to
depressed metal prices and unfavorable economics.

A lean, restructured base metal mining industry reemerged by the mid-1980's, one ready to
meet mine development challenges within the context of a strong national and state environmental
awareness. Kennecott reopened the Flambeau project and, shortly thereafter, entered into discussions
with local city, township, and county officials and citizens. Once their concerns had been identified,
a Local Agreement was drafted and signed that alleviated their concerns and allowed permit hearings
to proceed under a more cooperative and constructive spirit. This bold and innovative approach has
since been incorporated in Wisconsin's metallic mineral regulations.
The Flambeau Mine has been in successful production for the past three years. It has been
successful economically, environmentally, socially and politically. Considerable up-front planning,
public dialogue, and company commitment resulted in dire environmental predictions not coming true,
for example, the water treatment plant out performs even its most enthusiastic design predictions.
Geologically, this mine has presented the industry with unusual mineral assemblages as well
as an example of high grade ores which have not been mined in North America since the turn of the
century. Enriched Canadian Shield massive sulfide orebodies are rare; moreover, the size and grade
of the Flambeau orebody is unusual. Sampling and mining of the overlying gold-rich gossan was a
technical challenge rarely experienced by North American mining geologists. The opening of the
Flambeau orebody thus became a dual challenge of extracting gossan while simultaneously mining
10% Cu ore. Each of these ores required a different sampling and mining approach. This was
accomplished without environmental incident during start-up of the mine through one of Wisconsin's

�68

wettest summers. There was no offsite discharge of waters from the 182 acre site except through the
approved water treatment discharge line.
The following paper is intended to give an overview of the geology and gossan/sulfide
mineralogy. It is limited to observed megascopic-macroscopic data, supported only by minor
microscopic and geochemical work conducted in the early 1970's.

HISTORY
Kennecott discovered the Flambeau deposit in November 1968, following a long history of
exploration in the upper Midwest, when their first diamond drill hole, drilled to test a geophysical
conductor, intersected 47.7 feet averaging 9.25% Cu and 0.049 opt Au. During the 1950's George
Moerlein noted that Precambrian volcanic rocks, similar to those known to host massive sulfide
deposits in the Canadian Shield of Quebec, Ontario, and Manitoba occurred in Wisconsin (Babcock,
1996). Of particular note was the recording of a well dug about 9 miles south of Ladysmith in 1915
that yielded a specimen of volcaniclastic rock with copper oxide mineralization. Amazingly, this
specimen is still on file in Madison eighty years later. A small airborne electromagnetic (EM)
geophysical survey was flown over the nearby Schoolhouse Prospect in 1955 with negative results
(Figure 1).
In 1966 Jack Philips continued the pioneering work of Moerlein with the discovery of
additional "favorable looking" volcaniclastic rocks west and northwest of Ladysmith. A large
airborne geophysical survey flight block including the Schoolhouse Prospect in the southeast corner,
some weakly pyritized outcrops between Weyerhaeuser and Bruce, and outcrops of similar rock
northwest of Bruce, was flown in May 1967. The east boundary of the aerial survey was coincident
with the Flambeau River as it flows south past the future Flambeau mine site. A favorable response
was noted and brought to Ned Eisenbrey's attention. He approved the addition of two short flight
lines between the river and State Highway 27. These three lines delineated what was later to be the
Flambeau deposit, thus initiating the rebirth of Wisconsin's base metal mining industry after an
absence of nearly 25 years when the lead-zinc mines in the southwest corner of the state were closed
(Schweuk 1977).

Delineation drilling at the Flambeau deposit was accomplished from 1969 to 1971. An
Environmental Impact Report was compiled during 1974 and infill drilling on the west end of the
deposit was completed. The EIS was approved by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources in
early 1976; however, the mining permit application hearing was canceled after Rusk County turned
down the Company's zoning request.
In 1986, the Flambeau project was reopened and another round of infill and confirmation
drilling completed on the east end of the deposit. The scope of the project was changed to mine only
the supergene enriched mineralization as direct shipping ore, thus eliminating on-site milling and
disposal of tailings as originally proposed in the 1970's. In addition, the smaller open pit was to be
backfilled and not flooded as proposed for the larger pit designed in 1976. Economic considerations
precluded underground mining; consequently, the planned open pit development was restricted to a
depth of 225 feet, which is the base of the deepest secondary enrichment zone.

A second EIS was submitted in 1990 to mine 1.8 million tons averaging 10.92% Cu and
0.088 opt Au. Hearings were held in 1990 and permits and approvals to commence construction
were issued in January of 1991. Flambeau Mining Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of
Kennecott Minerals, commenced construction in July 1991, only to be stopped by an injunction filed

�PROTEROZOIC OUTCROP

HAND DUG WELL

#"

0

LEGEND

Figure 1
Location of Massive Sulfide Deposits and Chief Outcrops.
Rusk County, Wisconsin

EISENBREY
DEPOSIT

SCALE

1"6.5 MILES

�70

shortly thereafter. The injunction was based on the Endangered Species Act and the suspected
presence of purple warty-backed clams and unusual dragon flies. Subsequent studies showed that the
proposed operation would not endanger the species in question. Construction recommenced early in
1992 and ore production began in May 1993. All told, 24.5 years had elapsed from discovery to
production, although active time spent on the project was 16 years (1968 to 1977 and 1986 to 1993).

LOCATION AND CULTURAL SETFING
The Flambeau orebody is located in northwestern Wisconsin approximately 150 miles
northeast of Minneapolis-St. Paul and 220 miles northwest of the state capital at Madison (Figure 1).
The town of Ladysmith, immediately north of the 2700 acre project site, is a picturesque rural-retail
community of 3,900 and the Rusk County seat. Ladysmith lies at the junction of north-south and
east-west highway and railroad systems. The orebody may be conveniently reached by traveling
south 1.5 miles on State Highway 27 from its junction with U.S. Highway 8, then west 0.2 mile on a
paved private road.

Rusk County and the project site are characterized by low, gently rolling sub-parallel ridges
striking generally in an east-to-northeast direction. Greatest relief is normally found along the outside
bends of the major rivers, although banks greater than 45 feet are uncommon. The Flambeau River
cuts diagonally across the county from the northeast corner, meandering through Ladysmith, across
the project site and over the west end of the deposit before turning south to its confluence with the
Chippewa River.
Weather conditions are typically continental with temperature extremes ranging from a
recorded high of 108°F to a low of -40°F. Precipitation averages 32 inches per year. Annual
snowfall averages 43 inches, typically covering the ground from late November to the beginning of
April.

GENERAL GEOLOGY OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN
At least 13 volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits have been discovered within Early
Proterozoic greenstone rocks of northern Wisconsin (DeMatties, 1994). The Ladysmith-Rhinelander
metavolcanic belt, which strikes across the state for a distance of 150 miles, is the host rock for this
mineralization. These 1.86 to 1.88 billion year old rocks consist of mafic metavolcanics, gabbroic
sills, lesser amounts of felsic metavolcanics, and some cherty iron formations. The LadysmithRhinelander metavolcanic belt clearly shows on regional airborne gravity and magnetic reconnaissance
maps of northern Wisconsin as an anomalous linear feature. North of the Ladysmith-Rhinelander belt
are rocks that form a thick platformal turbidite sequence of clastic and chemical metasedimentary
rocks including major iron formations. The Niagara Fault separates the Northern Penokean Terrane
of continental margin assemblages from the Pembine-Wausau Subterrane that contains the Ladysmith
Rhinelander belt of rocks (Figure 2). The paper written by G. LaBerge in this volume shows the
location of these subterranes.
South of the Ladysmith-Rhinelander belt are rocks of the Wausau and Marshfield Complexes.
The Eau Pleine shear separates the Marshfield Subterrane from the Pembine-Wausau Subterrane
(LaBerge, 1996). The Marshfield Subterrane is characterized by Archean gneisses and 1.86 billion
year old metavolcanic rocks and granitoids. The Wausau Volcanic Complex consists of 1.88 billion
year old amphibolite facies rocks unconformably overlain by 1.84 billion year old intermediate to
felsic metavolcanics. Intruding the Wausau volcanic complex are anorogenic igneous rocks, 1.47 to

�I

FLAMBEAU MINE
CRANDON DEVELOPMENT

EISENBREY DEPOSIT

0

10

20

SCALE

40
MILES

1"40

Figure 2
Generalized Geology of Northern Wisconsin
(Modified after Morey, Sims, Cannon, Mudrey, Southwich, 1982)

�72

1.51 billion year old, the largest of which is the Wolf River Batholith. DeMatties and LaBerge more
fully discuss these subterranes and the Wausau Volcanic Complex in this volume.
Paleozoic sediments onlap the southern portions of the Southern Superior Province of the
Precambrian Canadian Shield.

MINE SITE GEOLOGY
Geological data for the Flambeau orebody initially came from airborne geophysical data,
63,220 feet of diamond drill core, one outcrop and a subcrop. Interpretation of the airborne EM and
magnetic data provided exploration geologists with the regional rock fabric as well as possible areas
of "greenstone" rock and plutons. Most of the geology and mineralogical descriptions for the
remainder of the paper are from observations made during mining of the open pit. Data from core
holes in the deeper and less altered rock have been extrapolated to supplement descriptions of the
upper and more altered rocks. Subcrop is approximately 1,100 feet in elevation with planned pit
bottom elevations of 880 to 94.0 feet.

Identification of rock units while core logging was difficult due to intense alteration,
The dominant regional metamorphic alteration suites
particularly in the supergene enriched zone.
of minerals were first identified in drill core, and subsequent petrographic work provided clues to
rock genesis and identification of rock units.
An angular unconformity between steeply dipping, saprolitic altered intermediate
volcaniclastic rocks and Upper Cambrian Mount Simon Sandstone crops out approximately one mile
south of the mine on the banks of Meadowbrook Creek. A subcrop of Precambrian rock was
discovered in 1988 during very low waters in the Flambeau River west along strike of the orebody.
This rock consisted of small and large fragments of quartz-sericite schist and rusty metachert
containing small amounts of malachite.

The Flambeau orebody is interpreted to be overturned to the southeast; however, stratigraphic
nomenclature will be used throughout this paper. Structural hangingwall rocks in the mine on the
north side of the orebody are actually the stratigraphic footwall.
Since 1993 detailed open pit mapping has occurred to the scale of 1 inch to 20 feet. This
mapping has confirmed the earlier derived geological model and added some structural complications
not recognized during core examination.
The rock classifications (Table 1) were developed by Jeff Hulen for Kennecott in 1970, and in
general hold true today. A water-lain tuff in the footwall of the ore horizon and felsic tuff altered to
sericite-clay beds in the hangingwall sequence have been added to this classification since mining
began.

PLEISTOCENE
Several ages of Pleistocene glaciation covered the area and deposited unconsolidated, poorly
sorted materials that range in thickness from 12 feet to 30 feet. Most deposits are typical outwash
with materials ranging from silt to boulders up to four feet in diameter. These poorly sorted outwash
deposits are more interbedded with silty bess away from the Flambeau River. A two to three foot
thick bess deposit covered the interbedded outwash deposits over the eastern half of the deposit. Iron
and manganese staining is prevalent in the lowermost parts of the outwash and is interpreted to be of

�TABLE 1
CLASSIFICATION OF FLAMBEAU MINE ROCK TYPES
RUSK COUNTY, WISCONSIN
Rock Name

Genetic Name

Quartz-eye schist

andalusite-biotite schists,
Sericite-clay schist

Dacite quartz crystal tuff and
Rhyolitic quartz crystal lapilli tuff
Dacitic flows and tuff
Dacitic and andesite tuffs
and lapilli tuffs
Felsic tuff

Quartz-sericite schist
Metachert
Massive sulfides
Feldspar-clay schist

Rhyolitic tuffs and lapilli tuff
Chert
Massive Sulfides
Felsic tuff

Actonolite Schist

Hangingwall Chlorite, spessartite and

Ore horizon

Footwall

Actinolite and chlorite phyllite
Actinolite and andalusite-biotite schist
Quartz-eye schist

Andesitic tuff
Dacitic-andesitic lapilli tuff
Rhyolitic-dacitic quartz crystal tuff

recent origin, unrelated to the underlying sulfide orebody. A relatively well sorted, heavily ironstained, rounded, pebble to cobble outwash overlies the sandstone and is clearly older than the
overlying purplish silt-rich outwash, indicating at least two ages of Pleistocene glacial deposition at
the mine site.
The last glacial period almost completely eroded the underlying Cambrian sandstone outlier.
Glaciation has removed the sandstone, approximately 450 feet along strike, on the west and east ends
of the orebody. In addition, several large blocks of sandstone were removed down to bedrock north
of the pit perimeter (Figure 3).

A Pleistocene to Recent stream meandered across the west end of the orebody in a
southwesterly direction and a waterfall was created where the stream flowed over the footwall
metachert. Water-worn chert boulders were clearly evident as well as near total removal of gossan
over a 200 foot strike length. The stream gravels are still visible on the south wall of the open pit.

Pleistocene glaciation has played a small structural role in the host rock geology. A small
thrust fault is visible in the west pit wall. It has been interpreted that glacial forces from the north
squeezed Out a highly incompetent, 10 foot thick clay-sericite bed. The glacier then moved more
competent footwall volcanic rock south to cover the truncated and incompetent tuffaceous unit.
CAMBRIAN SANDSTONE

A thin, narrow, near flat-lying outlier of Upper Cambrian sandstone overlies most of the
Flambeau deposit. The presence of this outlier was of enormous economic significance in that areas
of poorly cemented gossan and supergene enriched sulfides were protected from erosion. The
sandstone has been identified as the Mount Simon Formation. It is a light yellow to tan, very poorly
cemented, medium to coarse grained sandstone with numerous light green-gray shale partings. The
sandstone is characterized by rounded to subrounded, frosted, medium sized quartz grains. A thin

�HIi

�75

basal conglomerate is present and consists of rounded to subrounded white quartz particles up to 2.5
inches in diameter. Sandstone has been deposited in depressions and collapsed structures at the top of

the gossan and in depressions between the more resistant and enclosing metachert units. No evidence
was seen to suggest that these structures were post-Cambrian.
The base of the sandstone has been examined for evidence of gossan mineralization
incorporated within the basal conglomerate and appears to contain no fragments of Precambrian
bedrock other than quartz pebbles.

PRECAMBRIAN GEOLOGY
STRATIGRAPHIC FOOTWALL

The footwall rocks (stratigraphic footwall) on the north side of the deposit consist of three
main units: metadacite, quartz-eye tuff, and andalusite-biotite schist (Figure 4). A more detailed
description of the composition of these units has been reported previously by this author (May,
1977a). A comparison of Flambeau dacite and rhyolite tuffs with average whole-rock chemistry for
such lithologies is shown on Table 2. Certain oxides such as Si02, A1203, and Fe203 are generally
close to average. Metasomatic alteration, associated with mineralization, probably explains the large
increase in FeO, and MgO and general decreases in CaO, Na20 and K20.

TABLE 2
A COMPARISON OF FLAMBEAU WHOLE-ROCK ANALYSES WITH WORLD
AVERAGE DACITE AND RHYOLITE COMPOSITIONS

Nt. %
Si02
Al203
Fe203
FeO
MgO
CaO
Na20

K20

Flambeau
Worldm Flambeau
Deviation Norld (1) Flambeau
Deviation Rhyolitic
Deviation
Avg.
Dacitic
from
Avg.
Rhyolitic
from
Qtz. Crystal From
Dacite Lapilli Tuff
World Av. Rhyolite Lapilli Tuff World Av. Lapilli Tuff (2) World Avg
63.58
63.12
-0.46
73.66
73.28
-0.38
73.07
-0.59
16.67
2.24
3.00
2.12
5.53
3.98
1.40

16.78
2.25
6.45
8.13
0.73
0.54
2.00

0.11
0.01

3.45
6.01

-4.80
-3.44
0.6

13.45
1.25
0.75
0.32
1.13
2.99
5.35

14.47
1.86
2.23
3.42
0.91
0.64
3.19

1.02
0.61
1.48
3.10
-0.22
-2.35
-2.16

13.46

0.01

1.01

-0.24
2.05
5.29
-0.63

2.80
5.61

0.50
1.88
1.67

-1.11

-3.68

(1) Average dacite and calc-alkali rhyolite from Nockolds (1954)
(2) Analyses by Kennecott Exploration Services, Salt Lake City, Utah

Ouartz Eve Schist. The northern-most unit of the footwall stratigraphy generally consists of a
very well foliated quartz eye schist that has been interpreted as a quartz crystal ignimbrite of
intermediate composition. This unit is distinctive due to the presence of "bluish quartz eyes" that
vary in size from 1 mm to 10 mm. Under the microscope these eyes are actually aggregates of quartz
grains. Some show relict euhedral outlines, but most commonly they are polygonal-shaped grains. A
triple-point junction was a commonly observed feature suggesting metamorphic recrystallization. The

�PIT PERIMETER-

Figure 4
Geological Plan Map 1050 Level, Flambeau Mine
Rusk County, Wisconsin

0

1" =200'

SCALE100

i

FEET

200

SURFACE ELEVATION 1120'

BIOTITE—FELDSPAR (lUFF)

QUARTZ—SERICITE (RHYOLITE TUI

MASSIVE SULFIDES "A" LENS

"B" &amp; "C" SULFIDE HORIZONS

METADACITE (FLOWS, TUrFS)

ANDALUSITE—BIOTITE (SEDIMENTS)

QUARTZ—EYE (TUrF)

PRECAMBRIAN PROTEROZOIC

MOUNT SIMON SANDSTONE

CAMBRIAN

[II] GLACIAL TILL

PLEISTOCENE

LEGEND

�77

quartz eye schist also contains numerous but difficult to recognize lithic fragments of similar
composition. These fragments have been greatly elongated parallel to schistocity, as have all
fragments associated with the Flambeau orebody. Chief alteration minerals are chlorite, sericite, and
clay, with chlorite being the dominant mineral. Whole rock chemistry taken from samples below the
supergene alteration zone indicates the quartz eye schist to be dacite tuff to rhyolite lapilli tuff in
composition.

Metadacite. A major lithologic change occurs at the hangingwall or south of the quartz eye
schist. A complex suite of greenish-purple metadacitic rock was deposited that probably reflects
intermediate flows and associated tuftheds. Pillow structures have been sought but not found, but
there is evidence of volcanic bombs. The metadacite flows produced a more massive, poorly foliated
rock that has been altered from an actinolite schist below the supergene alteration zone to chloriteclay-sericite. Surrounding and on the flanks of the metadacite are chlorite schists that are well
foliated consisting of chiorite-clay-sericite. These chlorite schists are either fine-grained, chilled
borders of flows, or dacite tuffs.
Contacts between rock units in the pit are generally sharp in contrast to that reported
previously from examination of core samples (May, 1977b). The metadacite unit forms a major rock
unit in the north wall from sections 401 to 420 in contrast to minor flows found in the south wall.
Andalusite-Biotite Schist. Partially enclosing the metadacite is another distinctive unit known
as the andalusite-biotite schist. This unit extends along the entire north side of the orebody, as does
the quartz eye schist. The andalusite-biotite schist contains up to 10 to 15% laths of andalusite, some
of which exceed 2 inches in length. Andalusite is scattered irregularly throughout the rock and is best
displayed on foliation planes. Coarse biotite occurs as distinctively cross-cutting porphyroblasts;
however, it also occurs within foliation-bounded "beds" and is more common than andalusite. The
andalusite-biotite porphyroblasts range in length from 0.2 mm to 3 mm and from 5 to 25% in
volume. Whereas the quartz eye schist and metadacite contain 1 to 2% pyrite, the andalusite-biotite
schist contains 2 to 15% pyrite. Andalusite and biotite porphyroblasts decrease in volume eastward in
the open pit, with a corresponding increase in chlorite and sericite.

The andalusite-biotite schist is in contact with the northern boundary of the ore horizon and
occupies the stratigraphic footwall position. In many other volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits, the
stratigraphic footwall contains the stringer or feeder zone. However, no strong evidence for the
presence of a discrete feeder zone or alteration pipe in these rocks has yet been identified at
Flambeau. What is observed in the andalusite-biotite schist is a gradual southward increase up the
footwall stratigraphic column of sericite, sulfide and chert mineralization over a stratigraphic
thickness of 100 feet towards the orebody. Fragments, less than 1 inch thick, of both chert and
quartz-sericite with pyrite and/or chalcopyrite increase toward the ore horizon. The quartz-sericite
and chert fragments are better mineralized than the matrix, containing 5 to 7% pyrite with less that
2% chalcopyrite. The contact between the quartz-sericite and other rocks of the ore horizon is,
therefore, gradational over 5 to 15 feet and difficult to identify in the pit. Geochemically, the ore
horizon is readily identifiable due to the sharp increase in gold values (Table 3).
Two beds of sericite-clay and spessartite garnet occur in the footwall north of the orebody,
identified as a 5 to 15- foot wide fissile sericite-clay bed that was probably a felsic tuff. One of these
sericite-clay beds has been used recently as a marker horizon. Alteration has totally destroyed
original mineralogy leaving a greasy mixture of highly foliated sericite-clay. This bed can be traced
from the west wall to the east end of the pit where it is covered by the main haulage ramp.

�78

TABLE 3
BUILD-UP IN GOLD VALUES iN HOLE 13, TOWARDS ORE HORIZON
FLAMBEAU MINE, RUSK COUNTY, WISCONSIN
Geology
Hangingwall

Ore Horizon

Footage (it)

Ondalusite --

21 5-220

Biotite Schist
Quartz-Sencite
Schist
Massive Sulfides

220-225
225-230
230-232
232-237
237-242
242-247
247-252

Copper (%Cu)
0.189
0.226
0.531
1.544

11.154
6.286
11.762
11.559

Gold (opt Au)
Trace
0.005
0.050
0.080
0.030
0.090
0.210
0.120

A second marker bed consisting of spessartite-chiorite has been recognized in the footwall on the east
end of the orebody in core samples taken beneath the pit. Metadacite flows have interrupted this bed
to the west. The unit is recognized at depth by the presence of 20 to 25% chlorite and 2% lightorange to pink dodecahedral spessartite porphyroblasts. This unit has not yet been recognized in the
pit.

ORE HORIZON

Ouartz-Sericite Schist. The quartz-sericite schist of the ore horizon is interpreted to have
originally been a rhyolite tuff based upon thin section studies. Interbedded within the tuff and in
close association are metacherts and massive sulfide mineralization. Metacherts are interbedded with,
and flank much of the enriched ore, with the thicker silica-rich beds in the stratigraphic footwall on
the north side of the deposit.
The quartz-sericite schist has been explored and traced a strike length that exceeds 12,000
feet. True thickness varies from approximately 20 feet to as much as 180 feet. The average
thickness is 105 feet, where it hosts the orebody. Along strike away from the orebody, the well
foliated unit is recognized by an increase in sericite and pyrite but less quartz and chalcopyrite. The
unit was traceable geophysically by using induced polarization (IP) which responded positively to the
ho?izon's 5 to 15% pyrite content. Along strike, away from the massive sulfides, are also narrow
zones containing cherty fragments with up to 1 or 2% chalcopyrite and/or sphalerite.

In the pit, the quartz-sericite schist is a light gray, very well foliated rock containing up to
60% quartz, up to 50% sericite, and averages 15% pyrite. There are minor amounts of chlorite,
andalusite, and biotite present, particularly towards the outer edges of the unit or along strike, where
a greater proportion of mafic tuff and volcanic debris appears to have been deposited.
Lapilli Tuffs. Lapilli tuffs on the stratigraphic hangingwall side of the orebody are
intercalated with tuffs and exhalitive deposits of the ore horizon. In general, the lensoidal-shaped
felsic fragments make up from 5 to 10% of the unit although certain beds consist predominately of
fragments. The ore horizon is, nevertheless, dominated by sediments and sulfides deposited under
quiescent conditions with occasional outbursts of high energy as evidenced by internal lapilli units.
The size of the siliceous fragments are generally less than one inch with an occasional fragment to 2
or 3 inches. Most fragments consist of sugary-textured quartz with varying amounts of sericite,

�79

pyrite, and chalcopyrite that have been enriched to chalcocite and/or bornite. Metachert fragments up
to 3 to 4 inches long and one-half inch thick have been observed in the ore horizon.

Fine Grained Tuff. A well-bedded, light milky tan colored siltstone or very fine grained
water-lain tuff occurs at the stratigraphic top of the ore horizon. Sulfide mineralization which
averages 15% in the quartz-sericite schist decreases to 2 to 4% in this horizon. An occasional
fine-grained, highly elongated sulfide fragment has been noted.
Near the hangingwall of the quartz-sericite schist, and the argillized sericite schists on the east
end, are erratic gold-mineralized zones. These gold-rich zones occur within fine grained massive to
semimassive pyrite zones and are associated with porcelaneous-type clays. Arsenopyrite and minor
galena is preferentially found in this area of the ore horizon and in the footwall or north side of the
fine grained tuff. The fine grained tuff has been included within the ore horizon since this unit
generally represents a water-lain sequence of materials in a quiescent depositional environment, and
contains greater compositional and genetic affinities to the other units of the ore horizon than with the
hangingwall rocks south of the ore horizon.
A pronounced change occurs in rock deposition stratigraphically above the fine grained tuff
with the return of volcaniclastic materials similar to those in the footwall rock.

STRATIGRAPIIIC HANGINGWALL
The geology of the hangingwall is less well known since core holes and the Flambeau pit
extend for only a short distance into these poorly mineralized rocks; still, a pronounced lithologic
change is evident. In general, the rock units are thinner and consist of interbedded chlorite-phyllites,
quartz eye schist, metadacite and biotite-feldspar schist. These lithologies represent deposition of
intermediate to mafic volcaniclastic and flow rock. Further to the south, away from the deposit, the
hangingwall becomes mostly quartz eye schist.
One of the deep exploration drill holes intersected a foliated mafic rock with repetitive narrow
one to 2 inch zones of chlorite-epidote. These were inferred to be pillow lava structures in a mafic
"dacitic" rock. Excellent pillows have, subsequently, been mapped in the hangingwall at the east end
of the open pit.
STRUCTURE
The Flambeau orebody has been interpreted to occur on the limb of a large isoclinal fold
which is indicated by the fact that cleavage is parallel to the bedding. Slickensides have been noted
on foliation planes indicating dynamic metamorphism during the Penokean Orogeny. The chief rock
fabric is the N45 °E striking foliation that dips 690 to 760 to the northwest, parallel to lithologic units.
Cross-cutting faults have been noted in the massive sulfides but cannot be traced with any
degree of certainty into the host volcaniclastic rocks. Numerous, small cross-cutting displacements,
with 2 to 5 foot offsets, in the footwall chert and massive sulfides on the north contact of the orebody
have been disclosed by pit mapping. These displacements could represent minor graben and horst
development in the original ocean floor. The presence of these fault blocks indicates to the authors
that the Flambeau orebody has not been highly folded and sheared as suggested by some geologists.
These structures are shown on Figure 5.

r

�FOLIATiON

BIOTITE—FELDSPAR (lUFF)

QUftTZ—SERlC[TE (RI-IYOLITE lUFF)

MASSWE SULFIDES

ANDALUSITE—BIOTITE (SEDIMENTS)

METACHERT

— FAULT

r:i

PRECAMBRIAN PROTEROZOIC

GLACIAL TILL

PLEISTOCENE

LEGEND

Rusk County, Wisconsin

Figure 5
Geology of 1070 Bench, Flainbeau Mine

A LENS

0
SCALE1

1"20

10

20

_

//
FEET

(.n

0
1
D

I

z

D

I-

I-

N

(Il

D

�81

The largest recognized cross-cutting fault occurs near mine Section 408 where the east side of
the stratigraphic footwall of the orebody has been offset 30 feet to the south. The fault strikes
N85°W, and dips 65° to 85° NE. This right lateral offset relationship holds true along the strike
length of the orebody where other smaller offsets have been mapped. Although these cross-cutting
structures appear to be a part of the northwest fabric identified by Sims and others (1989) for the
Precambrian in northern Wisconsin, none of the northwest faults at Flambeau can be traced southward
into the hangingwall. Cross-cutting faults can be traced for short distances of less than 50 feet north
into the footwall where they rapidly deteriorate into weak joint surfaces. It is therefore suggested that
these faults are penecontemporaneous with the mineralizing events and not more deep-seated
structures associated with the later Penokean Orogeny.
The east end of the orebody may have been subjected to post-ore faulting, with the end of the
orebody rotated clockwise to the south. There is evidence of a fault offset at the very east end of the
orebody with the east side dropped down an unknown distance. Deep drilling into the down-dropped
block gave negative results.

The rock in the Flambeau open pit is intensely fractured by several series of joint sets. There
are two predominant flat joint sets, one striking approximately N65°W and dipping 15° to 25°N, the
second striking N75°W and dipping 30° to 40°N. There are also three principal groups of high angle
joints striking: 1) N40°E dipping 65° to 85°S; 2) N85°W, dipping 65° to 85°N; and 3) N70°E
dipping 65° to 85°N.
ALTERATION
The Flambeau orebody has been subjected to intense alteration associated with primary sulfide
mineralization, regional metamorphism during the Penokean Orogeny, and by significant near-surface
supergene alteration of the silicate rocks leading to enrichment of the massive sulfides. The combined
effect of these three processes is that original mineralogy is obscured and in some cases totally
changed.

No systematic study of the alteration zones has been undertaken; therefore, the account given
here is preliminary. Mineralogy of the rocks stratigraphically below the ore zone suggest a complex
history of hydrothermal alteration. Abundant andalusite in the footwall rocks indicates that the
primary volcanic rocks have been significantly enriched in alumina. This may have been
accomplished by hydrothermal leaching by acidic fluids which removed K, Na, and Ca from the felsic
and intermediate volcanic rocks (Table 2). FeO and Mg were added with iron-rich chlorite probably
accounting for most of these increases. The altered rocks were presumably rich in kaolinite, which
was prograded to andalusite during regional metamorphism to upper greenschist facies. The decrease
in andalusite at the east end of the orebody suggests less hydrothermal alteration of the primary
volcanic rocks.
This hydrothermal alteration was presumably associated with massive sulfide deposition. It
must be emphasized, however, that no well-defined alteration "pipe" or stringer ore found in other
massive sulfide deposits has been identified in rocks associated with the Flambeau orebody.
The two beds of spessartite-chlorite in the stratigraphic footwall indicate significant manganese
enrichment in those horizons. Origin of the manganese-rich horizons is problematical. They may be
the result of seawater-sediment interaction, and may not be related to hydrothermal alteration
associated with the massive sulfide deposition.

�82

Regional metamorphism produced an upper greenschist or lower amphibolite facies suite of
minerals with predominately biotite, andalusite and some cordierite.
Supergene alteration, while low temperature and low pressure, profoundly altered the first two
mineralogical events. The alteration effects on the sulfide mineralogy will be discussed further in the
subsection entitled Supergene Enrichment. Supergene alteration produced acidic conditions that
totally bleached the host rocks for a horizontal distance of 100 feet into the footwall and 50 feet
horizontally south into the hangingwall volcaniclastics. The ferromagnesian minerals have been
almost completely altered to clay (montmorillonite) and sericite or chlorite-sericite further away from
the orebody. As described further under the subsection entitled "Gossan," large volumes of
supergene activated silica were mobilized and recemented to form-s hard, dense silica breccia.
On the margins of the highly bleached zone is the leached and oxidized zone where the
chloritized ferromagnesium minerals plus small amount of sulfides (1 to 2%) have been oxidized.

Overlying the bleached and weathered leached zones is a thick saprolite layer. This layer
varies from about 5 feet to over 30 feet of intensely clay-altered volcaniclastic rock. X-ray diffraction
has identified the chief minerals to be montmorillonite, micron-sized silica and in some areas pyrite.
OREBODY SHAPE
In general, the Flambeau orebody is a steeply dipping, near tabular massive sulfide lens. It
averages 45 to 50 feet in thickness reaching a maximum thickness of about 70 feet on section 407.
The strike length is 2,400 feet and is parallel to foliation. The orebody subcrops at the 1 100-foot
elevation and bifurcates below the 1070-foot elevation, suggesting it is actually the roots of a much
larger and eroded mineral system. The main part of the orebody is referred to as the "A" lens.

The "B" lens, located south of the "A" lens, averages 10 feet in thickness. It is joined to the
"A" lens at section 4.06 and diverges south/westward into the hangingwall, so that on section 400 it is
about 100 feet south of the "A" lens.
The "C" mineralized horizon occurs 50 feet north of the "A" lens in the footwall and
probably represents an early mineralizing event in an emerging mineral-rich system. The "C"
horizon is less than 10 feet thick discontinuous, deficient in gold values, and poorly mineralized with
chalcopyrite. Contrary to previous reports (May, 1977) the hangingwall and footwall contacts are
sharp and clearly defined where seen in the open pit.
MINERALOGY
The supergene mineralogy, paragenesis, and crystallography probably ranks Flambeau as
unique among massive sulfide deposits in the Canadian Shield. Although other enriched massive
sulfides have been found in the Shield, none have been as well preserved, with an extensively
supergene enriched copper zone capped by a gold-enriched gossan.

PRIMARY MINERALIZATION
Primary mineralization occurs 130 to 185 feet below the subcrop and supergene enriched
mineralization. Pyrite (60%) is the chief mineral with lesser amounts of chalcopyrite (12%) and
sphalerite (2.5%). Gold, silver, galena, and pyrrhotite occur in minor quantities. The above
minerals occur in various proportions and combinations as massive, semimassive, and disseminated

�83

sulfide mineralization. Based on drill-core observations, the author has defined massive sulfide to
contain greater than 50 weight percent sulfides, semimassive to contain between 20 and 50 weight
percent sulfides, and disseminated to contain less than 20 weight percent sulfides. Although the
above definitions may conflict with previous work on other deposits, they best suit conditions found
in the Flambeau deposit.
Massive sulfide dominates the upper part of the steeply dipping and overturned deposit to 600
feet beneath the subcrop. However, the east central portion of the sulfide deposit contains
semimassive mineralization. Semimassive mineralization increases with depth from a strike length of
500 feet in subcrop to 2,400 feet at 600 feet beneath the surface. A disseminated sulfide halo which
averages 215 feet in width and contains 7% pyrite encloses the massive-semimassive mineralization.
The halo extends along strike for at least 5000 feet in either direction and downdip for an unknown
distance. Therefore, massive-semimassive sulfide mineralization gradually decreases with depth and
rapidly decreases horizontally away from the deposit.
The massive sulfide mineralization displays well developed mineral zoning across the deposit.
The stratigraphic footwall or northern part of the ore zone tends to be chalcopyrite-rich with
sphalerite noticeably more abundant toward the hangingwall. Most of the hangingwall satellitic lenses
are sphalerite-rich. Based on stratigraphic-mineral zoning work conducted in the Noranda District
(Gilmour, 1965), where copper favors the stratigraphic footwall, it is believed that the Flambeau
deposit is overturned.
The semimassive sulfide mineralization is weakly zoned with pyrite the dominant sulfide. It
forms narrow, sub-concordant, massive to semimassive layers interbedded with wealdy mineralized
and chloritized quartz-sericite schist and metachert. Chalcopyrite is coarser grained than that found in
the massive sulfide mineralization, occurring as large irregular masses up to 50mm in diameter. It
also occurs as interstitial fillings around the 1mm to 3mm pyrite grains. Small amounts of sphalerite
(less than 1%) are scattered throughout the zone as grains, as narrow bands up to 6mm in width, and
as occasional irregular clots less than 7mm in diameter.

Gangue minerals in both the massive and semimassive zones are quartz (metachert), sericite,
and lesser amounts of chlorite and andalusite. The grain size and distribution of the gangue minerals
is highly variable: they may occur as small, irregular particles 2mm to 5mm; across, as patchy
inclusions 40mm to 50mm; across, or as narrow, concordant, ellipsoidal lenses or fragments.
COSSAN

A total of 115,000 tons of gossan with an average grade of 0.6 opt Au have been mined from
the top of the massive sulfide orebody. Three types of gossan have been recognized during core
examination and mining, which, in general, grade from chert gossan in the west end of the pit, to
argillic gossan, then to ankeritic gossan in the far east end.

Chert Gossan. Chert gossan was dominant in the west half of the open pit and has been
further sub-divided into the cherty breccia, the purple-red, and the sandy gossan (Figure 6).
A cherty breccia zone overlaid a purple-red gossan from Section 401 to 413. A sandy gossan
occurred on the hangingwall between Sections 404 and 408. All three zones consisted of subrounded
to angular cherty and possibly secondary quartz fragments. Iron oxide coated the silica-rich particles
and fragments in varying amounts. Fine-grained gold was present in all three zones. Hematite was
the chief iron oxide followed by goethite with lesser amounts of jarosite.

�NW

SE

03

BR IAN SANOSTO NE

CHERIY BRECCIA

±0.1—0.6 opt Au
SAPROLITE

20PURPLE— RED

±1.0 opt Au
3—5'

—FOOTWALL CHERT
UPPER ZONE
CI-IALCOCITE

15—80'

II

MIDDLE ZONE
CHALCOCITE—BORNITE

—FOOTWALL

MIDDLE ZONE

35—125'

GOLD HORIZON

BORNITE—CHALCOPYRITE

ORE HORIZON

-

-

-

LOWER ZONE
CHALCOPYRITE—BORNITE
CHALCOCITE

10—80'

/
10

SCALE
0

20
FEET

1" =20'
LOOKING NORTHEAST

Figure 6

//

//

Supergene Vertical Zoning — Generalized Section
West End, Flambeau Mine
Rusk County, Wisconsin

�85
i)

Cherty Breccia. The cherty breccia or silica-rich gossan was not a true breccia, although it
did contain abundant fragments of partially decomposed chert. The stratigraphic footwall
chert on the north side in many places collapsed on top of this zone during volume reduction
as the massive sulfides were being oxidized. These collapsed chert fragments (&lt;2 inches)
and blocks (&lt;2 feet) capped much of the gossan. A gradual disintegration occurred from the
footwall massive, hard chert towards the hangingwall where the chert became sandy in
texture. A large amount of secondary silica has remained high up in the gossan, which could
have been derived by solution of small amounts of cherty inclusions found around sulfide
grains in the protore. Botryoidal and stalagmitic silica has been observed in the west wall
gossan. The cherty breccia must have been in constant flux as the underlying massive
sulfides were being leached, enriched, and then oxidized with the gossan collapsing on top.
Eventually a stage of semi-equilibrium was reached where the cherty breccia was recemented
into a hard, dense, light gray, poorly to nonfoliated silica-rich rock. This rock consisted of
2 mm to silt-size subrounded to angular quartz particles. Very small amounts of iron oxide,
and traces of native copper, and gold make up the remainder of the rock. Quartz content
ranges from 88 to 96 volume % of the rock. The cherty breccia thickness ranges from 6 to
12 feet and has a sharp contact with the underlying purple-red gossan.

ii)

Purple-Red. The purple-red gossan was named because of its distinct coloration resulting
from a high hematite content. This zone was unconsolidated, subrounded to angular quartz
grains in a matrix of hematite, goethite, and jarosite. Hematite occurs as botryoidal coatings
up to 1 cm in diameter or as earthy masses. Small amounts of kaolinite have been noted.
The purple-red zone ranges in thickness from 6 to 12 feet.

iii)

Sandy-Gossan. A sandy gossan zone formed in the stratigraphic hangingwall adjacent to the
cherty breccia and purple-red zones over a thickness of 20 feet and a strike length of about
500 feet. Contacts with the adjacent two zones was gradational over a foot or two, and less
gradational with the hanging wall volcaniclastics to the south. This zone had a distinct salmon
pink to purple-red color, was unconsolidated and consisted of fine-grained, subrounded quartz
grains with varying amounts of iron oxide and less clay particles. It was a well-sorted, iron
stained quartz sand with high gold content. Fragments and blocks of sandstone several inches
to a foot in size were noted as deep as 13 feet into the sandy gossan. These blocks have been
tentatively identified as Late Precambrian sandstone incorporated within a water reworked
section of the gossan. Gold content was in places at least two to four times higher than that
in the purple-red zone.

Gold in all three zones of the chert gossan occurred as less than 20 micron-sized grains with
only small amounts of silver. Silver in the gossan does not occur as electrum. In the cherty breccia
zone, gold contained 2 to 4% silver, whereas gold in the purple-red contained less than 0.5% silver.
The purple-red zone however, generally hosted about three to four times more gold than the overlying
cherty breccia.

Argillic Gossan. The argillic zone formed over the orebody from Section 413 to 418.
Petrographic examination of this zone has shown it to be dominated by quartz with smaller amounts
of hematite, goethite, jarosite, chlorite, montmorillonite, illite, rutile, chalcopyrite, and the
alunitejarosite family of minerals. This gossan was yellow-brown in color, highly foliated, broken,
and contained a moderately developed zone of purple-red gossan along the base. The purple-red
gossan corresponded well to underlying internal massive sulfide zones within a predominantly
semimassive portion of the orebody. Free-silica values were significantly lower in both the argillic

�86

and ankeritic gossans than in the chert gossan. The argillic gossan was about 40 feet wide and 15-20
feet thick.
Ankeritic Gossan. Gossan in the east end was characterized by a high ankerite and very low
silica content. At least 35 vertical feet of ankerite gossan have been mined with small zones going to
greater depths along contacts or strong joints. This zone was a dark purple-brown poorly to well
cemented, massive textured gossan. Ankerite was well developed with cleavage planes and crystal
faces. up to 0.5 inch developed. It also contained quartz grains with hematite, iron oxides, native gold
and lesser amounts of chalcopyrite. Silver values, in the inunediate underlying enriched copper zone,
are up to ten times higher than in the rest of the orebody. The reason for this phenomenon is still
uncertain, but is suspected to be linked to the ankerite mineralization.

OXIDE ZONE
An oxide zone was present beneath much of the gossan and had a thickness of two to five
feet. This zone consisted of cuprite, goethite, and malachite, with lesser amounts of azurite,

chalcopyrite, and native silver. The oxide zone contained up to 20% copper oxides. Malachite
occurs as earthy coatings or occasionally as botryoidal fillings. Azurite occurred as earthy fillings
and occasional small crystals. Copper oxides have been found on faults and fractures 60 feet or
deeper below the subcrop. At the top of the oxide zone, horizontal manganese "pipes" up to two to
three inches in diameter were observed. These tubes, now filled with sand, appear to have once
transported large volumes of groundwater along the top of the enriched massive sulfide orebody.
The gossan and oxide zones wrap around the sides of the sulfide orebody. The oxide zone
descended about five to ten feet, whereas the gossan zone with minor azurite and malachite draped 20
to 30 feet down the flanks of the orebody in more porous areas. The top of the black supergene
enriched sulfides below the gossan and oxide zones was remarkably smooth, and sloped gently at the
edges towards the enclosing volcanic host rocks. Vertical relief rarely exceeded two to four feet with
slope angles of one to two degrees.

SUPERGENE ENRICHMENT
Supergene enrichment affected the primary massive, semimassive, and disseminated sulfide
halo zones. The extent and degree of enrichment depended upon original base metal mineralogy,
rock permeability, foliation planes, structure, and a fluctuating groundwater table. The well
developed schistosity planes in the wealdy mineralized volcaniclastic host rock directed mineral-rich,
acidic waters to depth. Medium grained, subhedral to granular, and weakly foliated massive sulfides
had a higher permeability than the clay-rich host rock permitting the supergene enrichment processes
to extend to greater depths. The west end of the orebody has been enriched locally to 185 feet below
the subcrop, and the east end to 140 feet, as shown on Figure 7. Enrichment has been restricted to
80 to 100 feet below the subcrop in the central part of the deposit. Enrichment in the volcaniclastic
host rock was generally several tens of feet shallower and of much lower grade due to its lower
permeability. The more felsic and extensively pyritized stratigraphic footwall volcaniclastic rock have
been preferentially enriched relative to the more basic, less pyritic, and chlorite-rich hangingwall
rocks south of the orebody.
Individual grains of primary sulfides in the disseminated sulfide halo have been partially or
completely replaced with chalcocite and/or bornite. These secondary minerals form solid replacement
minerals, microrimmings on the protore surfaces, or as sooty coatings. Sphalerite and galena were
preferentially replaced relative to chalcopyrite and even less reactive pyrite. Consequentially, zinc

�QUARTZ—SERICITE SCHIST
BIOTITE—FELDSPAR SCHIST

CHERTY GOSSAN

PURPLE—RED GOSSAN

ANDALUSITE—BIOTITE SCHIST, SERICITE—CLAY

MASSIVE SULFIDES

PRECAMBRIAN PROTEROZOIC

MOUNT SIMON SANDSTONE

CAMBRIAN

MEGACHERT

[] GLACIAL TILL

PLEISTOCENE

LEGEND

Section 406
1=50

i

50
FEET

Rusk County, Wisconsin

LOOKING NORTHWEST

0

SCALE25

Figure 7
Geological Cross Section 406 &amp; 418, Flambeau Mine

Section 418

11

B LENS

�88

values are generally less than 0.05% and lead is rarely detectable in the enriched ore. It is suspected
that some of the high grade sooty chalcocite zones were formed in areas of high primary sphalerite.
The supergene enriched mineralization is zoned vertically. The Upper zone is chalcocite
dominant, the Middle zone is bornite-chalcocite dominated, and the Lower zone is a mixture of
chalcopyrite-bornite-chalcocite. The formation of these zones is determined by original base metal
content, fracturing, and faulting that directed supergene enriched fluids to depth within the orebody.
Some of the structural features that helped determine this pattern of enrichment are shown on
Figure 8.
Supergene sulfides in the Upper and Middle zones were developed at the expense of all of the
primary base metal minerals and much of the pyrite. The contact between the two zones is
gradational. Chalcocite occurs as irregular steely masses, microrimmings, sooty films, sandy zones
and fracture fillings. Some of the best copper grades were found in sandy-chalcocite areas located
close to and parallel with the orebody contacts. The Upper and Middle zones of the west end of the
deposit are of approximate equal vertical thickness of about 75 feet. In the Middle zone, bornite
occurs as massive replacements or as numerous reticulating veinlets replacing chalcopyrite. As this
replacement became more complete the veinlets coalesced to form irregular bornite masses and
"veins". The replacement process continued with bornite being replaced by chalcocite. At each
successive enrichment stage, additional pyrite was consumed so that at the end of the replacement
process significant amounts of pyrite had been replaced. The supergene paragenesis, described in the
next subsection, is based on relationships observed in the supergene enriched zone.
Botryoidal secondary chalcopyrite is common in the Lower zone as well as in the Middle
zone. Chalcopyrite botryoids have been observed ranging from less than a millimeter in thickness to
over five millimeters. Most of the thicker botryoids show fluctuating deposition with bornite.

Micron-size tetragonal chalcopynte crystals have been frequently noted, particularly on
bornite. Bornite has not shown any crystal habits. On the other hand, chalcocite occurs in a
variety of spectacular crystals both twinned and untwinned. These crystals are generally
coated by blue to purple iridescent or gold colored chalcopyrite and more rarely bornite.

To form an enriched orebody the size of Flambeau would require weathering, taking
mineralization into solution, and reprecipitation of a deposit on the order of 6 to 10 million
tons. Therefore, the enrichment must predate deposition of the overlying Cambrian
sandstone, because the volume of rock between the sandstone and the enriched zone could
not have produced the enriched ore present.
PARAGENESIS

The paragenesis of the Flambeau orebody has been subdivided into three stages as
shown on Figure 9. These stages are: 1) primary deposition of the host rocks and
mineralization, 2) regional metamorphism, and 3) secondary enrichment and weathering.
Stage 1 consists of three main stages of base metal and silica deposition commencing with the
early "C" horizon. The second stage resulted in the formation of the "A" horizon with at
three exhalative silica pulses. Pulse one formed the thicker footwall chert, pulse two was
ongoing weak intermittent deposition of silica within the orebody, and pulse three formed the
hangingwall chert south of the orebody. Base metal mineralization during stage two is
dominated by copper with a few areas of zinc. The third stage is dominated by zinc, gold,

�L

400

LEGEND

INTERPRETED FAULTS

PRIMARY SULFIDES

410

MINE SECTION

LOOKING NORTHWEST

Figure 8
Longitudinal Section of
Supergene Mineralogical Zoning, Flambeau Mine
Rusk County, Wisconsin

BORNITE—CHALCOCITE CHALCOCITE, LOWER ZONE

BORNITE—CHALCOCITE, MIDDLE ZONE

CHALCOCITE—BORNITE, MIDDLE ZONE

CHALCOCITE—DOMINANT, UPPER ZONE

GOSSAN

PRECAMBRIAN PROTEROZOIC

MOUNT SIMON SANDSTONE

CAMBRIAN

GLACIAL TILL

PLEISTOCENE

SW

420

0

75' 150'

5

300'

424

300'
600'

•

150

75.

37.5'

0

NE

�90

and decreasing amounts of copper extending out into the hangingwall (i.e., the "B" lens),
giving a zoning profile of copper changing to zinc upward in the original stratigraphy.
Regional metamorphism is characterized by the formation of upper green schist to
lower amphibolite facies minerals. Diagnostic minerals are andalusite, spessertite garnet and
biotite. Quartz "sweats" are common with many showing boudinage structures. Schistose
textures and foliation developed during this stage. Chalcopyrite, and other sulfides, were
remobilized to form coalescing irregular blebs, while pyrite recrystallized to form medium
grained subhedral grains. These sulfides along with minor gold are associated with localized
quartz "sweats" on the flanks of the orebody.

The enrichment stage resulted in the formation of a suite of secondary minerals,
probably during late Precambrian time. Simplistically this stage produced significantly
enriched copper values in the upper part on the deposit through the removal of iron and
reprecipitation of copper from higher levels in the weathering zone. The enrichment shows
the classic mineral zonation, with the conversion of primary pyrite to secondary chalcopyrite
in deeper levels of the deposit, overlain by a bornite-nch zone, developed by enrichment of
the chalcopyrite. Chalcopyrite is commonly found in three forms: botryoidal, rosettes of
platy chalcopyrite; and shiny brassy platy open-fracture fillings. Finally, chalcocite
developed by removal of iron from the bornite, probably at the paleo-water table. Native
copper, cuprite, azurite and malachite developed in the oxidized zone above the paleo-water
table. However, this simple pattern was complicated by local variations in porosity,
permeability and mineralogy in the ore. For example, irregular masses of primary pyrite and
chalcopyrite are found within the secondary chalcocite. Possible fault zones allowed
oxidation and enrichment to extend much deeper in the orebody. The result is a very
irregular mixture of minerals within the ore. The mineralogy is also complicated by major
changes in the level of the water table that occurred subsequent to the main enrichment. The
present water table is much closer to the surface than the paleo-water table during supergene
enrichment, as shown by the presence of secondary oxide minerals below the present water
table.

In addition to massive material, much chalcocite occurs as "sooty" and granular, or
sandy-textured material that may have formed by replacement of the granular pynte produced
by metamorphism or by replacement of massive beds of sphalerite.
Enrichment also produced numerous cavities within the ore, in which late-stage
minerals developed. Some cavities contain well-formed chalcocite crystals in a variety of
crystal forms to nearly three inches long. These chalcocite crystals typically have a blue,
purple, or brassy yellow patina produced by a thin surface coating of bornite and/or
chalcopynte. The surface coating probably formed when the rising water table placed the
chalcocite crystals in the stability field of bornite and chalcopyrite.
Chalcocite crystals occur as psuedohexagonal plates up to two inches in diameter,
stacked psuedohexagonal columns or barrels up to 0.75 inch long by 0.25 inch wide, twinned
orthorhombic crystals, up to 2.5 inches in length by 0.75 inch in width, and curvilinear
"scimitar-like" forms up to 0.5 inch long. A picture of a twinned orthorhombic chalcocite
crystal appears in this memorial volume.

�EARLY

LATE

PRIMARY

METAMORPHISM

SECONDARY

1.76 BY

upper greenechist to
lower amphibolito

late Pro-Cambrian -? early Cambrian

Cu-Au-Ag-Zn VMS DEPOSITED IN
BACK-ARC BASINAL SETTING

PYRITE
CHALCOPYR lIE
SPHALERITE
GALENA
EXHALATIVE SILICA
QUARTZ
ARSENOPYRITE

DURING OROGENY, SULPHIDES
RECRYSTALLIZED, LOCAL PRECIOUS
METAL MOBILIZATION, QUARTZ
INJECTION, LOCALIZED FOLDING.
POSSIBLE EXTENSIONAL SMEARING
FROM REGIONAL FOLDING

SUPERGENE ENRICHMENT OF COPPER SULPHIDES,
ASSOCIATED WITH GOSSAN GENESIS ON
OVER-TURNED, SUB-VERTICAL DEPOSIT
DIT FLUCTUATING WATER TABLE

OXIDING AND VERY ACIDIC

Zn mobized out of system

——
'7

Pb mobtzed out of system

——

AN DALU SITE

CHLORITE (ALTERED DACITIC)
BIOTITE
SERICITE (ALTERED RHYOLITIC)
GARNET
GOLD
SILVER

CHALCOCITE
BORN ITE

CHALCOPYR lIE
ANKERITE-SIDERITE
HEMATITE
? CALCITE ?IN PRIMARY
EXOTICS
AZURITE
MALACHITE
CU PR lIE
DIGENITE
CHALCOCITE PSEUDOMORPH AFTER GALENA
BORNITE PSEUDOMORPH AFTER BOTRYOIDAL CHALCOPYRITE
CHALCOCITE CRYSTALS
NATIVE COPPER

BORNITE 'BULLETS &amp; BOTRYOIDS AFTER CHALCOPYRITE
(WITH INTERNAL CHALCOPYRITE LAYERS)

HORIZON
PYRITE
CHALCOPYRITE
SPHALERITE
GALE NA
GOLD
SILVER

CHERT
QUARTZ

Figure 9

"C',

.

PRIMARY
"A"

-

-I

—

--—
—1-

_-

-_
—

"B"

pt—

--—
A

w

GENERALIZED PARAGENESIS OF THE FLAMBEAU OREBODY

�92

Occasionally some bizarre relationships or textures occur, for example, the exquisite
"scimitar-like" chalcocite crystals that occurred high up in the orebody (1070 level). In
contrast, twinned orthorhombic chalcocite crystals were collected from a 3x3x 10-foot vug on
the 1010 level.
Other cavities contain botryoidal growths of bornite, chalcopyrite or chalcocite, or
may contain encrustations of carbonate minerals (mainly ankerite, dolomite and siderite).
Some carbonate crystals have tiny rosettes of chalcopynte on which are specks of lead oxide
scattered on crystal faces. Agaul, the chalcopyrite may have formed after the water table
rose.
The gold-rich gossan evidently formed by residual concentration of gold as erosion
slowly lowered the paleosurface as supergene sulfide enrichment was in progress.
Coarse crystalline pyrite with scalehedrons of arsenopyrite have been collected near
the stratigraphic hangingwall. Quartz pods are associated with this mineralization, as are
native gold, bornite, and chalcocite. This gold is very fine grained and is possibly a
supergene product. Similar gold has been observed within, but close to, the orebody's
contacts. This gold is intimately associated with quartz that contains bornite, minor
chalcocite, and lesser chalcocite psuedomorphs after galena and is interpreted to be related to
remobilization processes during regional metamorphism, later acted upon by supergene
processes.

CONCLUSIONS
The Flambeau orebody is a well preserved supergene enriched massive sulfide deposit
capped by a gold-enriched silica-iron oxide gossan. A small, thin, poorly indurated
Cambrian sandstone outlier capped the gossan and supergene enriched mineralization and
helped protect them from significant glacial erosion. The dominant chalcocite-bornite
enriched mineralization was formed to depths up to 185 feet below the subcrop. Copper
values in excess of 20% have been mined, particularly in areas of massive steely-gray
chalcocite, and zones of sooty chalcocite that probably replaced massive sphalerite. A total
of 1.71 million tons grading 10.3% Cu, 0.116 opt Au, and 1.837 opt Ag will be mined from
1993 to 1997.

Three products are shipped via rail from the open pit. Gossan ore and direct smelting
shipping ore greater than 14% Cu are railed to Noranda's Home Smelter at Rouyn-Noranda,
Quebec, Canada. Mill ore grading 6 to 10% Cu is railed to the Kidd Creek Mill located at
Timmins, Ontario, Canada where it is concentrated then redirected to the smelter. While
modest in size, the Flambeau orebody will be remembered for its classical supergene mineral
zoning, high copper and gold grades, and exquisite twinned chalcocite crystals.
The importance of the pioneering environmental safeguards implemented at Flambeau
match the economic contributions made by both private and public institutions (May, 1977)
Successful mining of the orebody beside the Flambeau River and City of Ladysmith, while
enhancing and maintaining surface and groundwater quality respectively, is in itself a
milestone for the American base metal mining industry (Murphy, 1996).

�93

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank Tom Myatt, General Manager of Flambeau Mining
Company, for allowing this paper to be written and for supporting and hosting the 1996
Institute on Lake Superior Geology field trip. A considerable amount of assistance was
provided by Jay Hammitt, Russ Babcock, Gene LaBerge, and Ray Yost, all of whom
polished the manuscripts with almost too much enthusiasm but whose insights and efforts
were greatly appreciated by the authors. A special thanks to Tammy Fredrickson who
repeatedly deciphered our geological scribblings and prepared the manuscript for this
volume.

References Cited
Babcock, R, 1996, History of Exploration for Volcanogenic Massive Sulfides in Wisconsin:
Institute on Lake Superior Geology, 42nd Institute, 1996 Field Trip Volume.

DeMatties, Theodore A., 1994, Early Proterozoic Volcanogenic Massive Sulfide Deposits in
Wisconsin: An Overview: Economic Geology, v. 89, p. 1122-115 1.

Gilmour, P., 1965, The Origin of the Massive Sulfide Mineralization in the Noranda
District, Northwestern Quebec: Geologic Association of Canada, v. 16, p. 63-82.
LaBerge, G. L., 1996, General Characteristics and Geologic Setting of the Wisconsin
Magmatic Terranes: Institute on take Superior Geology, 42nd Institute, 1996 Field
trip volume.

May, E. R., 1977a, Flambeau - A Precambrian Supergene Enriched Massive Sulfide
Deposit: Geoscience Wisconsin, v. 1, p. 1-26.
May, E. R., 197Th, Case study of Environmental impact - Flambeau Project: Mining
Congress Journal, v. 63, p. 39-46.

Morey, G. B., Sims, P. K., Mudrey, M. G., and Southwick, D. L., 1982, Geologic Map of
the Lake Superior region, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and northern Michigan: Minnesota
Geological Survey State May Series S-13.

Murphy, J., Dachel, R., 1996, Case Study of Environmental Requirements for the Permitting
Operation, and Reclamation of a Metallic Mineral Mine in Wisconsin - Flambeau
Mine: Institute on Lake Superior Geology, 42nd Institute, 1996 Field Trip volume.
Schwenk, C. G., 1977, Discovery of the Flambeau Deposit, Rusk County Wisconsin
Geophysical Case History: Geoscience Wisconsin, v. 1, p. 27-42.

-

A

�94

�95

CASE STUDY OF ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PERMITFING,

OPERATION, AND RECLAMATION OF A METALLIC MINERAL MINE IN WISCONSIN FLAMBEAU MINE
by JANA E. MURPHY
Supervisor of Environmental Affairs, Flambeau Mining Company
and

RICHARD T. DACHEL
Environmental Chemist, Flambeau Mining Company

INTRODUCTION
The Flambeau Mining Company (Flambeau), a subsidiary of Kennecott Minerals Company,
owns and operates an open pit copper mine located just south of Ladysmith, Wisconsin. The 181
acre mine site is bounded on the west by the Flambeau River, on the east by State Highway 27, and
to the north by the City of Ladysmith. While Flambeau owns the majority of the surrounding
properties as a buffer, there are private properties and homes within 100 feet of the perimeter of the
mine site. The surrounding natural and anthropogenic features made the permitting of the Flambeau
Mine especially unique. A representation of the unique features within and surrounding the project
area are listed below:

•
•
•
•
•
•
•

Flambeau River located 140 feet from west edge of pit;
Intermittent streams requiring relocation and re-establishment;
Wetlands requiring mitigation;
State highway within 1000 feet of facilities;
Private landowners within 100 feet of the perimeter of the mine site;
The center of the City of Ladysmith is located 1.6 miles north of mine site;
Relatively shallow groundwater table within 20 feet of surface.

FLAMBEAU PERMITS
Another unique aspect of Flambeau is that it is currently the only operating metallic mineral
mine in the State of Wisconsin. The Flambeau Mine is also the only metallic mineral mine to receive
permits under Wisconsin's current mining laws. Flambeau received its eleven permits following: 1)
extensive baseline monitoring; 2) data compilation and review; 3) identification of potential
environmental impacts; 4) facility design to minimize impacts; 5) submittal of permit applications and
management plans; 6) Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) review; 7) public
comment; and 8) a contested case hearing. Typically, four to five years (or longer) is required to
complete the aforementioned process prior to the granting of permits allowing the operation of a
mining facility.

The WDNR granted eleven permits to Flambeau during January 1991. Flambeau's permits
are listed below:

•
•
•
•

Mine Permit
Wisconsin Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (WPDES) Permit
Air Pollution Control Permit
Groundwater Withdrawal Permit

�96

•

•
•

Permit for a One-Time Disposal Facility
Water Regulatory Permits (five individual permits)
Approval for the Wastewater Treatment Facility

In addition, numerous management plans, studies and models were submitted to the WDNR
which detailed the measures to be taken to protect the environment. These management pians were
incorporated by reference into Flambeau's permits.
STUDIES AND MODELS

Waste Rock Characterization
Several studies were performed and models developed prior to the final design of the
Flambeau site facilities. One of the primary considerations was characterization of the various waste
rock products. Characterization of waste rock determines: 1) the best practices for temporary
stockpiling; 2) methods of water treatment prior to discharge to the Flambeau River; 3) preferred
methods of backfilling the open pit; and 4) prediction of groundwater quality down gradient from the
backfilled pit.
Waste rock characterization studies included both static and kinetic geochemical tests
performed in a laboratory on samples which had been collected during core drilling of the orebody
and surrounding waste rock. The static tests included bulk chemical analyses for all potential mine
waste and acid production and neutralization tests on the waste rock composites. The kinetic tests
included wet-dry leaching tests which simulated the conditions under which the waste rock would be
temporarily stored. The wet-dry leaching tests were followed by saturated leaching tests which
simulated conditions within the backfilled pit.

The results of the wet-dry leaching tests determined that waste rock containing less than two
percent sulfur had a very low acid-producing potential. The low sulfur waste rock can be temporarily
stockpiled without an underlying liner system since there is minimal potential impact to groundwater
quality. Likewise, the waste rock containing high sulfur (&gt;2%) is required to be temporarily stored
on a high density polyethylene liner (HDPE) and leachate collection system since these materials have
the potential to produce acidic leachate. Flambeau chose to add an additional factor of protection by
restricting the waste rock placed in the unlined stockpile to that containing less than one percent
sulfur. Waste rock containing less than one percent sulfur is referred to as Type I material. Type II
material is that waste rock containing one percent or greater sulfur content.

Water Treatment Methods
The waste characterization also determined the appropriate treatment methods for water
contacting each waste rock type. Water which contacts the Type II waste rock must be treated
through Flambeau's onsite Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP). The types of water treated are
groundwater, storm water and snow melt runoff that discharge into the open pit and leachate from the
Type II stockpile. The WWTP operation is discussed in detail in a following section. The Type II
stockpile was anticipated to generate acidic leachate shortly after stockpiling was initiated. Following
two years of stockpiling, the Type II stockpile has recently begun to generate a lower pH leachate of
approximately 6 standard units (s.u.). This pH is still significantly higher than the leachate studies
predicted. These studies resulted in a model predicting the leachate to have a pH of 2.95 - 4.10 s.u.
Water contacting Type I wasterock requires minimal treatment. This treatment includes two settling

�97

ponds designed to contain in excess of a 25-year storm event. Intermittent discharges from the
settling ponds were anticipated during spring, summer, and fall; however, the storm water runoff has
infiltrated into the open pit rather than requiring discharge.

Pit Backfill
The laboratory testing of the two types of waste rock helped determine the most appropriate
methods of backfihling the pit. The waste rock will be returned to the pit in the following order,
bottom to top: 1) Type II waste rock; 2) Type I waste rock; 3) saprolite; 4) sandstone; 5) till; and
finally 6) topsoil. Each material type is segregated as mined from the pit to allow for a sequential
backfill. The saturated leaching tests indicated the potential for leachate to contain substances from
the Type II waste rock. Four parameters (copper, iron, manganese and sulfate) were predicted to be
found in measurable concentrations in the groundwater emanating from the Type II waste rock in the
reclaimed pit. Further testing showed that the addition of lime significantly reduced the concentration
of some substances within the leachate. As a result, lime will be backfilled with the Type II waste
rock at the rate of 2.5 pounds lime for each ton waste rock.

The impact of these four parameters is minimal to the Flambeau River. Based upon a mean
river flow of 1, 855 cubic feet per second and predicted groundwater flow into the river from the
waste rock zone of 0.0045 cubic feet per second, the incremental increase in river concentrations
would be:

•
•
•
•

Copper - 0.000000034 mg/l
Manganese - 0.0000013 mg/i
Iron - 0.00000078 mg/l
Sulfate - 0.0033 mg/i.

The predicted increase in river concentrations will be below analytical detection limits. It is
evident that there will be minimal, actually undetectable, impact upon the Flambeau River associated
with materials backfilled within the pit.

Groundwater Drawdown Model
Another study performed is the model of the predicted groundwater drawdown contour and
potential impacts upon private wells. Five private wells are known to be located within the maximum
extent of drawdown which has been modelled to extend 2750 feet from the edge of the mine pit.
Four of the wells will not be significantly impacted, while the fifth well could be impacted by a
predicted eight foot drop in water elevation. The potential effects upon the five wells are considered
within the Local Agreement that Flambeau signed with the local government entities. If wells are
impacted by mining activities, Flambeau will provide water or replace the wells. To date, water
supply to local wells has not been significantly impacted and property owners are convinced that the
palatability of their water supply has improved.

OPERATION PHASE
The studies and models previously mentioned provided Flambeau the knowledge to use
modern technology and a pro-active environmental commitment in the construction of an
environmentally safe facility. Flambeau has constructed and is operating a facility that is a model of
modern mining technology, engineering and science, providing superior environmental protection.
Environmental safeguards include the treatment of all contact water, suppression of dust, erosion

�98

control, on-site spill prevention programs and an extensive monitoring program that ensures that the
environmental safeguards work as they were designed and approved by the WDNR.

Wastewater Treatment Plant
The WWTP is a key component of Flambeau's protection of groundwater and surface water
in its commitment to conducting environmentally responsible mining. Sources of contact water
include mine seepage, precipitation into the open pit and storm water run-off from the lined Type II
stockpile and the lined crusher/loader areas. The WWTP design allows for pH neutralization and
metal removal in a three-stage process consisting of lime treatment, sulfide precipitation and
multi-media filtration (Figure 1). The WWTP design capacity of 800 gpm is more than adequate to
handle normal conditions. The open pit acts as an ultimate sump during extreme storm events. Mine
seepage and precipitation require an average pumping rate of approximately 225 gpm throughout the
year. The WWTP incorporates scientific treatment processes with advanced computer technology
through its control system, a General Electric LM 90-70 Series Programmable Logic Controller.
Flambeau's WWTP operators, certified by the state use knowledge, experience and the control system
to ensure optimum treatment and compliance with stringent effluent limitations. Flambeau began
operation of the WWTP on March 15, 1993 and to date over 340 millions gallons of high quality
effluent has been discharged into the Flambeau River.

FLAMBEAU MINING COMPANY
WASTEWATER TREATMENT PROCESS

PaYUER

PRECJPT*TI

rL1RA1Y

TRELT()

AT(R

Figure 1. Flambeau's Wastewater Treatment Plant Schematic

�99

Flambeau's WPDES permit was issued during January 1991 and defines the limitations under
which the WWTP must operate. The WPDES permit contains categorical and water quality-based
chemical specific limitations. The Wisconsin Administrative Code in NR809.541 places a copper
action limit of 1300 ugh as compared to Flambeau's WPDES permit limit of 50 ugh for copper. A
representation of the stringent limitations and Flambeau's effluent long-term average concentrations
are listed in Table 1. WWTP effluent has fully complied with all WPDES permit categorical and
water quality-based chemical specific limitations during some extreme operational periods that
included a 100-year flood event on September 15, 1994.

Table 1. SUMMARY OF FLAMBEAU'S WPDES PERMIT LIMITATIONS AND
EFFLUENT LONG-TERM AVERAGE CONCENTRATIONS.

Cadmium
Chromium
Copper
Lead
Silver
Zinc

Daily
Maximum
Limit
(ugh)
79.8
5400
50

590
6.6
300

Weekly
Average
Limit
(ugh!)
7.1

980

—
—

140

Effluent
Long-Term
Average
(ug/l)
0.02

&lt;10
8.9
0.35

0.09
11

Flambeau has an on-site laboratory with a 4100 atomic absorption graphite furnace that
provides the resources to monitor the WWTP and make minor treatment adjustments to optimize its
efficiency. Flambeau's on-site laboratory also allows WWTP effluent to be tested prior to discharge
to the Flambeau River ensuring full compliance with chemical specific limitations. An internal limit
of 25 ug/l for copper, equal to one-half the permit limitation, has been established by Flambeau to be
used as a guideline for discharge criteria. If the on-site laboratory results are not less than one-half
the permit limit, the WWTP effluent is discharged to the runoff pond and retreated through the
WWTP until it meets this criteria. Flambeau monitors the WWTP process a minimum of every two
hours to ensure that the proper adjustments are made for optimum treatment.

Whole effluent toxicity (WET) testing is also required by the WPDES permit. Flambeau's
effluent is subject to chronic WET testing using Ceriodaphnia dubia (C. dubia), a water flea, and
Pimepliales promelas (P. promelas), fathead minnow, as test species. Flambeau's chronic WET is
based upon reproduction (C. dubia) and weight gain (P. promelas). Acute WET testing is also
required using C. dubia and P. promelas as test species and is based upon mortality within 100
percent effluent.
Acute toxicity tests have shown only one of the two test species, C. dubia, to be sensitive in
undiluted effluent. Two acute toxicity tests using C. dubia as the test species resulted in a mortality
rate greater than 50 percent which represents a positive acute toxicity. These two positive acute
toxicity tests occurred within a twelve month period requiring Flambeau to complete a toxicity
reduction evaluation (TRE) as prescribed by Flambeau's WPDES permit.

�100

Flambeau conducted a TRE during the period December 1993 through January 1995.
Trace-metal copper within Flambeau's WWTP effluent was determined to acutely effect the test
species C. dubia at concentrations that were substantially below Flambeau's permit limitation of 50
ug/L copper. Research toxicity testing was performed to evaluate the relationship that hardness and
organic compounds have upon acute toxicity in Flambeau's effluent. The addition of an organic
chelating agent into Flambeau's effluent was found to provide effective and consistent reduction of
acute toxicity. Citric acid was selected to provide the citrate ion which greatly reduced copper
bioavailability within the effluent. Following approval from the WDNR, Flambeau implemented the
use of citric acid within its treatment process reducing trace-metal copper toxicity to C. dubia. In
October 1995 Flambeau presented its TRE as a case study at the 68th annual Water Environment
Federation Conference held in Miami Beach, Florida.

Stockpile Monitoring
The Type I stockpile is equipped with a collection lysimeter used to determine the
characteristics of the exfiltrate. The lysimeter is sampled on a quarterly basis for a variety of
parameters. Type I exfiltrate analyses to date have shown pH values in the range of 5.9-6.8 s.u.
which are comparable to shallow well samples as was predicted in the waste rock characterization
studies.

The Type II stockpile is lined with an HDPE liner and a collection system made up of
polyvinyl chloride leachate lines. All runoff and exfiltrate is contained within the system and gravity
flows into the surge pond. This contact water is then treated through the WWTP as previously
discussed. The integrity of the Type II system is confirmed through annual inspections. The series
of pipes between the Type II stockpile and the surge pond are camera inspected. The leachate line
system below the stockpile responsible for the collection of the leachate is also assessed.

Flambeau River Monitoring
The Flambeau River is monitored through an extensive program that further ensures the
discharged effluent does not impact the quality of the river. Figure 2 shows the locations of all the
Flambeau River sample points. The monitoring program began as part of the environmental studies
supporting the initial permitting process. River samples were collected from sample points located
upstream from the mine area as well as downstream. The collection of background water quality data
was conducted once a month from October 1987 through September 1988.
As required by Flambeau's mining permit, Flambeau again commenced conducting similar
surface water quality monitoring on a quarterly basis. This surface water quality monitoring consists
of samples being collected at SW-i (upstream from the mine area) and samples being collected at
SW-2 (downstream from the mine site within the mixing zone of the WWTP effluent). Over 20 water
quality analyses are conducted on each collected sample. The Flambeau River monitoring program to
date, has shown no significant difference in the upstream samples as compared to the downstream
samples.

Flambeau's environmental monitoring of the Flambeau River includes sampling river
sediment. Flambeau River sediment analysis began in 1988 with the collection of sediment samples
to establish a point of reference for background concentrations of selected chemical parameters. This
list of chemical parameters include arsenic, beryllium, cadmium, chromium, mercury and nickel.
Sediment sampling has been conducted throughout the operation phase of the mine on an annual basis.

�F—i

'ZD M—l

S—i

c SW—i

AIR MONITOR SITE

SAMPLING LOCATIONS FOR

MACRO— INVERTEBRATES

SAMPLING LOCATIONS FOR

SEDIMENTS

SAMPLING LOCATIONS FOR

SAMPLING LOCATIONS FOR
SURFACE WATER SAMPLES

Figure 2
Flambeau River Monitor Locations
and Air Monitor Locations.

PORT ARTHUR

0

.5

ScaIe

1.0
Miles

�102

Collection of walleye on the Flambeau River is an annual monitoring event conducted by
Flambeau. During the low flow period of the year various sizes of fish are collected at an upstream
site (Ladysmith Flowage) and at a downstream site (rhornapple Flowage). Fillets with skin left on
are tested for total mercury. The livers of fish collected at each sample site are composited and
analyzed for an extensive list of parameters. Fish surveys were initiated during the Fall 1987.
Flambeau has started conducting fish surveys annually again in 1991 with no significant differences in
metal content of fish tissue sampled downstream of mine compared to upstream of the mine.
Crayfish are collected annually from the Flambeau River at three sampling locations for metal
analyses. Whole bodies are used for analysis and the results represent a composite for all crayfish
collected per site. Flambeau has conducted crayfish surveys annually starting in 1991 with no
significant differences in metal content of fish tissues sampled downstream of mine compared to
upstream of the mine.

Groundwater Monitoring
Flambeau regularly monitors groundwater quality to ensure that the environmental protection
measures work as they were designed. Collection of groundwater data began in the 1970s as baseline
groundwater quality and groundwater flows were evaluated. The collection of groundwater data has
continued through the construction phase and into the operational phase.
Groundwater elevations are determined weekly at numerous wells strategically located around
the perimeter of the open pit. The collection of this data allows for the interpretation of the
groundwater drawdown in the area surrounding the open pit. Figure 3 shows the locations of the
groundwater monitoring wells. The data collected indicates the groundwater drawdown is similar to
that predicted in the groundwater drawdown model previously discussed.
Groundwater quality data is collected quarterly at eleven different monitoring wells
strategically placed up gradient and down gradient from the open pit. Groundwater samples are
evaluated based on twelve different parameters, which are copper, manganese, pH, conductivity,
hardness, sulfate iron, alkalinity, total dissolved solids, color, odor and turbidity. Quarterly
groundwater monitoring has indicated no adverse impact upon the area groundwater supply during
mining.

An extensive, long-term groundwater monitoring program will continue after the completion
of the operational and reclamation phase of mining. The monitoring program will include a dynamic
monitoring schedule for monitoring wells up gradient and down gradient of the reclaimed open pit.
Two monitoring well nests will be established inside the backfilled pit following the completion of the
reclamation construction activities. Each well nest will consist of two wells which will be sampled
similarly to the previously established monitoring wells.

Wetland Monitoring
Water level gauges were placed in five separate wetlands outside the parameter of the mine
site, but within one mile of the perimeter fence. Figure 3 shows the locations of the wetland staff
gauges which are recorded monthly. If staff gauge readings as well as visual inspections of wetlands
indicate a need for wetland mitigation, Flambeau will mitigate the wetlands by the addition of water.
The monthly staff gauge readings will continue until the pit is backfilled. The data will then be
compared to preconstruction levels and recent precipitation history for the region resulting in an
established long-term and maintenance monitoring schedule.

�0 MW—100SP

MONITORING WELL LOCATION

WETLAND STAFF GAUGE

MW— 1002

MW—i 002G o

———

0

SCALE500

DWT-2

Jansen Rod = = = = = = = =

MW—100SP
MW—1005
MW—1005S

Figure 3
Groundwater Monitoring Well Locations
and Wetland Staff Gauges

Ancillary
Facilites

Low Sulfur
Waste Rock
Stockplie

FEET

1000

I

�104

Ambient Air Monitoring

Particulate matter in the ambient air generated by mine operations is suppressed by the use of
WWTP effluent and monitored by four high-volume air samplers. Figure 2 shows the four sampling
site locations. The four sampling site locations were based on USEPA siting criteria and are
calibrated on a quarterly basis. The instruments are audited at least on an annual basis by the
WDNR. Each monitor operates for 24 consecutive hours starting at midnight. During the preproduction phase each monitor operated once every three days. During the mining phase, each
monitor was operated once every other day. Since Flambeau had not exceeded its Total Suspended
Particulates (FSP) secondary standard of 150 ug/m3 following one year of mining, the sampling
schedule was reduced to once every six days.
Each filter from the TSP monitors is retained with a portion of each filter being composited
for a three month period. These composites are analyzed for arsenic, chromium, nickel, beryllium,
cadmium and mercury. Analyses of the filter composites have resulted in very low to non-detectable
cOncentrations of these metals.

Asbestiform monitoring is another component of Flambeau's air quality monitoring program.
Asbestiform monitoring was conducted monthly from May through September during the years 1993
through 1995. Asbestiform monitoring during the first three years of active mining indicated that no
asbestiform fibers were generated from the mining operations. As a result, Flambeau is no longer
required to monitor for asbestiform fibers.
Meteorological data is obtained from Flambeau's Meteorological Station located south of the
mine site. The meteorological station continuously collects information on the precipitation,
temperature and wind speeds and wind direction. This information is submitted with the air
monitoring data to the WDNR.

RECLAMATION AND LONG-TERM CARE
The reclamation of the mine site includes backfilling the open pit and returning the site to a
topography which approximates the original contours. Following establishment of final contours,
reclamation includes wetland construction, topsoil, vegetative stabilization, tree planting, and longterm care and maintenance.

Wetlands Construction
Prior to site construction, wetland delineation had identified 8.3 acres of low to medium
quality wetlands which would be disturbed. The disturbed wetlands are required to be replaced.
The hydric soils from the disturbed wetlands were stockpiled to be used during wetland construction.
During Fall 1991, Flambeau constructed a one-acre wetland referred to as the aquascape in the
northeast corner of the property. The aquascape varies from a sedge meadow to open water which
allows for a range of wetland species as does the hydric soil stockpile. The aquascape not only serves
to replace one acre of disturbed wetland area, but also provides information to be used for the
construction of the remaining wetland area.

The aquascape has been assessed on an annual basis since 1992. The aquascape has become a
stable wetland area which supports a diversity of wetland species. The aquascape was originally
established with both plants and seeds. Over the past four years species diversification has
dramatically increased. Several species which had been seeded remained dormant and have become

�105

evident in only the last year. The 1995 assessment has shown an increase in diversification by seven
species compared to the previous year.

Topsoil Stabilization
Approximately 220,000 cubic yards of stockpiled topsoil were placed between the east end of
the mine and Highway 27 and will be replaced on the mine site following backfihling and contouring.
The topsoil will be stabilized with a vegetative cover consisting of native prairie grasses and wild
flowers with a nurse crop of oats. Additional erosion control features including straw bales, silt
fence, and mulch will be utilized. The species of wild flowers and grasses to be used during final
reclamation has not been definitively determined at this time. The species of wild flowers and grasses
will be selected based upon studies performed on the prairie seed test plots.

Prairie seed test plots were established on the mine site during 1993. The test plots are
located on the mine site north of the Type I stockpile and south of the open pit. A total of 196 test
quadrants were defined which consider the following test variables: 1) type of fertilizer; 2) type of
mulch; 3) mowing; and 4) type of seed mix. The annual assessments show the progression from
exotic species to desirable native species. The information gathered from the prairie seed test plot
annual assessments will be utilized to select the best methods for establishment of native species for
stabilization.

Tree Planting
During 1991 the WDNR and Flambeau selected trees from the mine site to be transplanted to
a temporary nursery located north of the Type I stockpile. The tree selection was primarily based
upon the WDNR approved tree species and appropriate tree size. Trees which would grow too large
before transplanting would have a low survival rate when replaced to the mine site, and were
therefore not selected for placement in the temporary nursery.
Additionally, Flambeau has planted nursery stock tree seedlings into the temporary nursery
during 1993 and 1995. The tree seedlings have provided information on survival rates of specific
species. Also, the management of the seedlings has established procedures which will be
implemented during the planting of approximately 14,000 seedlings at the time of final reclamation.

Long-Term Care and Maintenance
Flambeau will be responsible for the reclaimed mine site in perpetuity with a minimum
long-term care and maintenance period of 40 years. Long-term care will initiate when final site
grading and revegetation have been completed.
Long-term care and maintenance will include inspections of the site, maintenance of land
forms, vegetation and monitoring devices, and monitoring groundwater, surface water, vegetation and
terrestrial ecology. The long-term care period monitoring plan is shown in Table 2.

�106

Table 2. SUMMARY OF FLAMBEAU' LONG-TERM CARE
PERIOD MONITORING PLAN.
Event

Site Inspections

Year

1-4

5-40

Groundwater Monitoring
Perimeter Wells
Backfilled Pit Wells

1-40

2-4
5-7
8-40

Frequency

Semi-annual
Annual
Quarterly
Quarterly
Annually
Every 5 years

Sediment, Crayfish &amp; Fish

1-2

Annually

River Water Quality

1-2

Annually

Wetland Surface Flows

1-10

Spring, Summer, Fall

Vegetation Assessment

1-6

Annually

Terrestrial Ecology

1-4

Annually
Every 5 years

5-40

CONCLUSION
Flambeau's commitment to environmental protection goes beyond permit compliance.
Respect for the environment is a personal commitment for every employee at the Flambeau Mine.
This continued commitment is evident with the successful operation of this environmentally
responsible mine. Flambeau's use of modern technology and personal creativity provides the
environmental protection criteria which may serve as a benchmark for the mining industry.

�107

EISENBREY: A STRUCTURALLY COMPLEX PROTEROZOIC
COPPER-ZINC MASSIVE SULFIDE DEPOSIT, RUSK COUNTY, WISCONSIN
by Edwarde R. May
Consulting Mining Geologist
Littleton, Colorado

INTRODUCTION
The discovery of the Flambeau copper-gold massive sulfide deposit in late 1968 (May and
Dinkowitz, 1996) rapidly expanded Kennecott's search for satellite deposits. The search was
immediately conducted along strike of the Flambeau discovery and soon expanded to cover all
airborne electromagnetic (EM) anomalies within the Glen Flora airborne survey selected for review
and ground follow up (Babcock, 1996). Ned Eisenbrey recalled a rusty, wealdy mineralized iron
formation outcrop located by Bill Spence in 1967 along the bank of the Thornapple River about 7
miles northwest of Flambeau. A weak airborne EM conductor detected in the area of the outcrop was
not encouraging since a farm and railroad bridge were located on either side of the strike extension
of the outcrop to which the anomaly was attributed. Eisenbrey, nevertheless decided to drill the
weakly copper-zinc-silver anomalous exposure in 1970 over the doubts and objections of most of his
colleagues. The first drill hole encountered a 14.6-foot interval within an iron formation that
averaged 477 ppm Cu, 2400 ppm Zn, and 422 ppm Pb. The second hole was collared 350 feet to the
west and resulted in the discovery of the Thornapple deposit. This hole intersected 5.9 feet true
width of massive sulfides that averaged 0.44% Cu, 1.36% Zn, 0.02 opt Au, and 0.29 opt Ag. The
Thornapple deposit was, therefore, a geological discovery; ground geophysics were conducted over
the deposit after its discovery. Ground magnetics were run in 1970 and 1971 to trace pyrrhotite and
iron formation mineralization, and one line of gravity was conducted at the same time over the
thickest portion of the deposit.

A development team took over the project in 1971 after Ned and Bob Stuart had completed
ten holes, six of which intersected mineralization. Unlike Flambeau, no significant supergene
mineralization was encountered. The project was shelved in 1974 due to falling copper prices;
however, land was purchased by Kennecott to cover the deposit and any potential strike extension.

A total of 40 holes had been drilled by 1974 to an average depth of about 500 feet below
surface. A complex, isoclinally folded, eastward plunging, thin multi-lensed deposit was partially
defined consisting of zoned bodies of pyrrhotite-chalcopyrite and pyrite-sphalerite mineralization.
The resource was estimated to be 1.6 million tons of 1.3% Cu, 0.06% Zn, 0.007 opt Au, and 0.20
opt Ag, and 700,000 tons averaging 0.35% Cu, 4.10% Zn, 0.02 opt Au, and 0.4 opt Ag. While
initial results were disappointing, the deposit was not thoroughly drilled and was open to depth.
The Thornapple deposit was renamed Eisenbrey in 1994 to honor the significant contributions
made by Ned Eisenbrey to Wisconsin economic geology. In the same year, Flambeau Mining
Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Kennecott Minerals, decided to test the deposit to depth. A
gravity survey was conducted to verify that the deposit was indeed plunging steeply to the east. To
everyone's astonishment, a large anomaly was recognized that could not be explained by the shallow,
thin sulfide intercepts cored by previous drilling campaigns. Eight holes drilled in 1994-1995
confirmed the presence of a large, near vertically dipping and plunging, complexly folded deposit.
Resource estimates to depths in excess of 3000 feet indicate the presence of 50,000,000 to possibly

�108

100,000,000 tons of low-grade copper-zinc mineralization in which copper and gold values are
erratic and zinc values consistently low.

LOCATION
The Eisenbrey deposit is easily reached via paved roads commencing at the intersection of
Highways 8 and 27 in Ladysmith. Drive north on Highway 27 four miles to the junction with County
Road A. Proceed west on County A for a distance of two miles then north 'on Bass Lake Road for
1.75 miles to the 514.5-acre project site which is east of the Flambeau township road (Figure 1).
The Thornapple River bisects the west one third of the site and is entrenched 50 feet within glacial
outwash. The Wisconsin Central Railroad also cuts across the site and river in a southeasterly
direction. The project site is essentially flat, has an elevation of about 1160 feet, and is covered east
of the river by highland mixed deciduous forest. West of the river the site is covered by old
meadows and woods.

GENERAL GEOLOGY OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN
At least 13 volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits have been discovered within Early
Proterozoic greenstone rocks of northern Wisconsin (DeMatties, 1994). The Ladysmith-Rhinelander
metavolcanic belt within the Pembine-Wausau Subterrane, which strikes across the state for a distance
of 150 miles, is the host rock for this mineralization. These 1.86 to 1.88 billion year old rocks
consist of mafic metavolcanics, gabbroic sills, lesser amounts of felsic metavolcanics, and some
cherty iron formations. The Ladysmith-Rhinelander metavolcanic belt clearly shows on regional
airborne gravity and magnetic reconnaissance maps of northern Wisconsin as an anomalous linear
feature. North of the Ladysmith-Rhinelander belt are rocks that form a thick platformal turbidite
sequence of clastic and chemical metasedimentary rocks including major iron formations. The
Niagara Fault separates the Northern Penokean Terrane of continental margin assemblages from the
Pembine-Wausau Subterrane (Figure 2). The paper by G. LaBerge in this volume shows the location
of these subterranes.
South of the Ladysmith-Rhinelander belt are rocks of the Wausau and Marshfield Complexes.
The Eau Pleine Shear separates the Marshfield Subterrane from the Pembine-Wausau Subterrane
(LaBerge, 1996). The Marshfield Subterrane is characterized by Archean gneisses and 1.86 billion
year old metavolcanic rocks and granitoids. The Wausau Volcanic Complex consists of 1.88 billion
year old amphibolite facies rocks unconformably overlain by 1.84 billion year old intermediate to
felsic metavolcanics. Intruding the Wausau volcanic complex are anorogenic igneous rocks, 1.47 to
1.51 billion year old, the largest of which is the Wolf River Batholith. DeMatties and LaBerge more
fully discuss these subterranes and the Wausau Volcanic Complex in this volume.

Paleozoic sediments onlap the southern portions of the Southern Superior Province of the
Precambrian Canadian Shield.

SITE GEOLOGY
Glacial outwash covers the entire site to a vertical depth of about 50 to 60 feet into which the
Thornapple River has entrenched itself to expose Precambrian bedrock. Outcroppings of Precambrian
metasedimentary, metavolcaniclastic, and igneous rocks occur on either side of the Wisconsin Central
Railroad bridge (Figure 3).

�0

S.

HAND DUG WELL

PROTEROZOIC OUTCROP

LEGEND

"V

Figure

1

Location of Massive Sulfide Deposits and Chief Outcrops.
Rusk County, Wisconsin

EISENBREY
DEPOSIT

SCALE

I

1 6.5 MILES

HA WK IN S

�0

MINNESOTA

LEGEND
PALEOZOIC

[-€J CAMBRIAN SANDSTONE

FLAMBEAU MINE
CRANDON DEVELOPMENT

SCALE20
0

10

1"4O
EISENBREY DEPOSIT

Figure 2
Generalized Geology of Northern Wisconsin
(Modified after Morey, Sims, Cannon, Mudrey, Southwich, 1982)

40
MILES

�IRON FORMATION

EAST LENS

MAFIC TUFFS

SILICIFIED INTERMEDIATE TUFFS

INTERMEDIATE TUFFS

LIII MASSIVE SULFIDES

LI1

PRECAMBRIAN PROTEROZOIC

DIABASE

KEWEENAWAN

LEGEND

.1

Rusk County, Wisconsin

Figure 3
Thornapple River Outcrops, Eisenbrey Prospect.

GEOCHEMLCAL SAMPLE AND
SAMPLE NUMSER

— FAULT

-&gt; OUTCROP

INFERRED GEOLOGIC CONTACT

— GEOLOGIC CONTACT

0

1" =50'

SCALE25

50
FEET

�112

Upstream of the bridge a distance of about 0.25 mile is an outcrop of a Keweenawan diabase
dike. Downstream and immediately east of the bridge are outcroppings of another dike that cuts
across intermediate tuffs and graywackes. These highly regionally-metamorphosed and silicified
rocks contain thin units of mafic tuffs that show very tight isoclinal folding with a near vertical
plunge. West of the bridge is a mafic tuff (amphibolite schist) that contains a rusty and broken iron
formation. The upstream iron formation is in a fold nose and the formation does not strike beneath
the river. Instead it is interpreted to be folded back upon itself to reemerge further downstream (field
observations by P. Lindberg, Aug. 1995). The second outcropping of iron formation strikes west
across the river and is interpreted to be the ore horizon for the Eisenbrey deposit.
Volcaniclastic and graywacke rocks of intermediate composition occur between the mafic tuff
and pyroxenite downstream. The pyroxenite is interpreted to be part of a gabbro sill with a chilled
margin in sharp contact with the host sediments. The sill occupies the center of syncline that hosts
the Eisenbrey deposit.
Four zones within the outcrop were sampled and geochemically analyzed. It was these
geochemical results and rock exposures upon which the Eisenbrey drilling was founded. The
geochemical results are shown in Table 1.

TABLE 1
GEOCHEMICAL RESULTS FROM THE EISENBREY OUTCROPS
EISENBREY DEPOSIT, RUSK COUNTY, WISCONSIN
Sample
Number
1

2
3

4

Copper
% Cu
0.03
0.03

0.04
0.06

Zinc
% Zn

0.03
0.05
0.17

0.20

Gold
opt Au
trace

0.003
0.010
0.002

Silver
opt Ag
trace
0.1

0.3
0.1

GEOPHYSICAL SURVEYS
The Eisenbrey project site was flown for Kennecott in 1969 as part of the Glen Flora airborne
survey, and a weak EM anomaly was recorded west of the Wisconsin Central railroad bridge. A
ground check, however, found a power line and railroad bridge coincidental with the EM conductor;
therefore, it was discounted as culture. A large magnetic response was also recorded with the EM
conductor, but this anomaly was attributed to the bridge. Ned Eisenbrey was not convinced the
response was entirely the result of culture and was determined to drill the outcrop even though the
iron formation did not fit the "Noranda" model being used by the company while exploring
Wisconsin. No ground geophysical work was done until after base-metal anomalous massive pyrite
and pyrrhotite mineralization had been drilled.
Ground geophysics conducted after the discovery consisted of magnetic and gravity surveys.
The gravity survey, however, consisted only of one north-south line run over the nose of the fold
that contained most of the Eisenbrey mineralization. Ground magnetics were also run on north-south
lines spaced from 50 to 200 feet apart with the closer spaced lines over mineralization. Readings
were taken on 50 or 100 foot intervals over an area that eventually covered approximately five square

�113

miles and surrounded the deposit. This survey was useful in helping decipher bedrock structure and
in locating suspected iron formations and one thin pyrrhotite lens.
A complex magnetic anomaly shown in (Figure 4) was observed over an east-west strike
length of 1750 feet by 700 feet north-south. Drilling confirms that the large east-west elliptical
response of up to 8000 gammas on the west end is coincident with the pyrrhotite-chalcopyrite fold
nose of the Eisenbrey deposit. An iron formation occurs to the southeast and accounts for a northeast
striking response that peaks at 12000 gammas. Near the center of the anomaly is an unexplained
northwest striking response peaking at 4800 gammas.
A ground gravity survey recommended by Paul Schmidt was conducted in 1994 before
commencement of deep drilling (Figure 5). The purpose of the survey was to confirm that the
interpreted steeply east plunging deposit was true. This survey did indeed suggest a very steeply
dipping and plunging deposit, but the size and magnitude of the anomaly was much larger than
expected and could not be explained by sulfides encountered in the previous shallow drilling.

GENERAL GEOLOGY
The Eisenbrey deposit is hosted within a thick pile of interbedded intermediated tuffs, lapilli
tuffs and graywackes which have been regionally metamorphosed and folded. These Proterozoic
volcaniclastic and sedimentary rocks form the platform into which younger mineralized and altered
rocks were deposited. On the flanks of the massive sulfide mineralization are magnetite iron
formations with weak base metal mineralization. Closer to the suspected center of "ore"/sulfide
deposition the host rock is interpreted to be a dirty chert and volcanic rock altered to anthophyllite,
cordierite, and magnetite with associated mafic tuffs. Minor rhyolite flows have been recognized,
but do not appear to play a significant role in the formation or hosting of sulfide mineralization.

A gabbro sill was emplaced after the mineralizing events and before folding. A series of
Keweenawan diabase dikes were intruded after the Penokean Orogeny to cut across the property in a
northeasterly direction. Approximately 60 feet of Pleistocene glacial outwash covers the project site
except where the Thornapple River has exposed Proterozoic and Keweenawan aged rocks east of the
deposit.

GEOLOGY OF THE EISENBREY DEPOSIT
Introduction. A brief geological description is presented below and is based upon core
examinations, outcrop and some petrographic work conducted by Mary Jø Sweany in the 1970s. In
general the rock descriptions commence with what are believed to be the oldest rock units through to
Pleistocene Till.
Intermediate Dacitic Tuff and Graywacke. The most abundant rock types within the footwall,
upon which massive sulfide mineralization was later deposited, consist of dacite tuffs, lapilli tuffs, and
graywackes (Figure 6). Petrographic analyses of core samples repeatedly suggested the presence of
graywacke. Graywacke, if present, is intercalated with thick sequences of dacitic lapilli tuffs all of
which have been highly recrystallized by regional metamorphism.
In general, these tuffaceous and sedimentary rocks have been metamorphosed to a finegrained, sugary to granular mixture of plagioclase, biotite, amphibole, and minor amounts of garnet
and quartz. Relict bedding is observed under the microscope and in the Thornapple outcrop where

�Figure 4

1" = 300'

i

FEET

300

Eisenbrey Prospect.
Rusk County, Wisconsin

Magnetic Anomalies,

0

SCALE150

-—--1000--- GAMMAS

LEGEND

�Eisenbrey Prospect,
Rusk County, Wisconsin

Gravity Anomaly,

Figure 5

LEGEND

I

�STRATIGRAPHIC TOP

ANTICLINE

SYNC LINE

LAPILLI TUFFS, MAFIC TUFFS.

INTERMEDIATE TUFFS,

MASSIVE—SEMIMASSIVE
SULFIDES

IRON FORMATION

PYROX EN lIE

PRECAMBRIAN PROTEROZOIC

LII1

KEWEENAWAN

LEGEND

Figure 6
Geology Plan Map 900—foot Elevation, Eisenbrey Prospect.
Rusk County, Wisconsin

WEST LENS

0

1=200'

SCALE100

i FEET

200

�117

thin (1 to 2 inches) mafic ash beds have been isoclinally folded. Table 2 shows a strong similarity
between Eisenbrey dacite tuffs and world wide average rhyolites (Nockolds, 1954).
TABLE 2
A WHOLE ROCK ANALYTICAL COMPARISON BETWEEN EISENBREY
DACITE TUFF AND RHYOLITE WITH WORLDWIDE AVERAGE
RUSK COUNTY, WISCONSIN
Oxide
Mineralization
Si02
A12O3

Fe203 and FeO
MgO
CaO
Na20
1(20

Partial Totals

Eisenbrey

World'Mde

Dacite luff Dacite Average
67.2
14.0
6.63
2.84
2.60
3.76

63.58
16.67
5.24
2.12
5.53
3.98

1.67

1.40
98.52

98.70

Eisenbrey
Rhyolite
70.4
14.5
4.54
1.62.
2.34
2.38
2.84
98.60

Wotidwide Rhyolite
Average
73.66
13.45
2.00
0.32
1.13

2.99
5.35
98.90

Dacite Lanilli tuffs. Lapilli tuffs are interbedded with intermediate composition tuffs and
graywackes stratigraphically beneath the Eisenbrey deposit. Stratigraphic thicknesses range from a
few feet up to 75 feet. Felsic to intermediate lapilli fragments are generally well preserved although
collapsed and elongated due to regional deformation. The lapilli tuff fragments consist of biotite,
plagioclase, quartz, and amphibole within a matrix of biotite and amphibole. Lapilli fragments range
in size from less than 0.5 inch to over 4 inches in length by 0.2 to 0.5 inches in width. Intense
deformation has elongated the fragments so that they now plunge nearly vertically. Occasional
fragments contain 1 to 6% disseminated pyrrhotite, pyrite, chalcopyrite, and magnetite grains.

The average mineral composition for the Eisenbrey dacite tuffs was obtained from 13
petrographic thin sections of core as shown on Table 3. These minerals consist of fine to coarse
grains which have been metamorphosed into growths of subrounded to subangular grains. Minerals
such as epidote and sericite are present in some examined rock thin sections. Opaque minerals consist
of varying proportions of hornblende, garnet, sphene, and interstial clay generally kaolinite. Intrusion
of the gabbro sill and strong regional metamorphism have severely baked the host rock and "sweated"
quartz into the matrix of the dacite tuffs. The tuffs were misinterpreted by this author and previous
geologists during the 1970's as a rhyolite dome. Major oxide geochemistry needs to be conducted to
quantitatively determine original rock composition.
Anthophyllite-Magnetite Ore Horizon. An anthophyllite-rich horizon is intimately associated
with sulfide mineralization and is on strike of the iron formation outcrop (Figure 7). It is a distinctive
rock consisting of sheaf-like bundles of radiating needles of anthophyllite within a fine grained,
sugary, granular matrix of quartz, magnetite, antigorite, and cordierite.
The anthophyllite rock could possibly represent the altered footwall rock containing the
stockwork zone. The Eisenbrey deposit has undergone penetrative deformation so that the
mineralization has been stretched into a vertically plunging pencil-shaped deposit. The underlying
stockwork and footwall alteration zone appears to have been transposed to a position that is now in
lateral conformity with the stretched sulfide body similar to that seen at Flin Flon and Snow Lake,

�118

TABLE 3
MINERAL COMPOSITION PERCENTAGES OF
VARIOUS EISENBREY ROCKS
RUSK COUNTY, WISCONSIN
Mineral
Name
Quartz
Cordierite
Plagioclase
Anthophyllite
Chlorite
Antigorite
Epidote
Sericite
Muscovite
Carbonate
Homblende
Garnet
Sphene
Andalusite
Clay
Magnetite
Opagues
Totals

Dacite

Tuff
46

Anthophyllite
Altered Rock

Mafic

30
24

12

Tuff

10

16

19
7
10

6

12

1.5
10

1

3

1.5

8
3

2.5

48

7
2

2.5
5.5

6

2.5
99.5

2.5
100

3
99

Manitoba (Lydon, 1984). Lydon also reported major additions of magnesium and iron to the
alteration pipe and surrounding rock at Fun Flon and Snow Lake as suggested by the presence of a
cordierite-anthophyllite assemblage. The anthophyllite-magnetite rock at Eisenbrey is found on either
side of the northwest fold nose, partially shown in Figure 6 (Section 5500E) and Figure 7 (Section
5850E) and is similar to observations reported by Lydon (1984). This strongly suggests the
Eisenbrey deposit has been isoclinally folded with stratigraphic footwall occurring on either side on
the northwest fold nose. Table 4 shows the mineralogy on either side of the fold nose based upon
rock thin section studies.
TABLE 4
ANTHOPHYLLITE-MAGNETITE ROCK MINERALOGY ON EITHER OF THE NORTHWEST
FOLD NOSE, EISENBREY DEPOSIT, RUSK COUNTY, WISCONSIN
Mineralogy
Quartz
Chlorite
Sericite
Anthophyllite
Cordiente
Andalusite
Antigonte
Magnetite
Pyrrhotite
Pynte
Total

North of Fold Nose South of Fold Nose
%
35
7
3
15
30
2
0
6

%

25
6
0

25
20
0

20
2

I
100

100

�IJIIII

•

L

1000

,j,:'/,,i

',/'

IIii

I
I

/

/
,T—22

II1/

I

,1

ii

/

I

/

I

II
I

500
1

I

1—18

4c6 8/3

'
I

/

hj /1'
/1/ /

/

/

'14'

/' I'/ I

1

/
- I,,

__L___

Ii/,"—/4c
II /

II!

II

,/

11/

I
I

,'/

I III

I

3/8k
r

I

I

I

Ij' III

I /jI''I

4

III

II II
I

ti,
'Ix

4c!! I / j

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—500

/

'

I/S
/

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I

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ii

(//
II
I
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INTERMEDIATE TUFFS

LAPILLI TUFF

L1 RHYOLITE—RI-IYOIJTE

I,

I

QUARTZ—SERICITE SCI-IIST

l

I'

'

I

/4

II

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I

SYNCLINE

P

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ALTERED ROCK

—

l/i
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ANTHOPHYLLITE—MAGNETITE

8

II

I

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I

MASSIVE SULFIDES

4

!j

I

II
I

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I

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PRECAMBRAIN PROTEROZOIC

I

'8/"'III

I

I

TILL

jI

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PLEISTOCENE

3/I

/

I

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KEWEENAWAN

[] DIABASE DIKE &amp; SILL

I

I

1

LEGEND

//II I I

iii",
ii
II

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III,
I/Il
I/Il
I,,!

III

jI

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8/4,I

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—1000

I

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4

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/111,

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'5;

6a1_JLIf 1/

i,

I

I

JT—4

/

I,

I

H,

(6//I I

/j3
/

1//3d'

54, —.4——

51T,

4

11

i7',,

I

40

I

I

,

'18
—1500

I

/

z

QI

0

0!

I

0

'I

h/
ii'
'ii

z

3,',!

I

II

'

4

6a

E—45

0
0

Figure 7
Geological Cross Section 5850E, Eisenbrey Prospect.
Rusk County, Wisconsin

300
FEET

1" =300'

Iz

1/

150

SCALE i

z
0
0
0
U,

�120

Another distinguishing mineral is magnetite that occurs as euhedral grains up to 0.2 inch
octahedrons. Magnetite content ranges from one to 15% and generally occurs within a granular
mixture of quartz, cordierite, plagioclase, minor garnet, and an unknown clove-brown silicate
mineral, possibly grunerite.
Immediately west of the south syncline the mineral content and texture of the ore horizon
changes dramatically. The matrix is massive chlorite containing 8 to 15% magnetite as octahedral
crystals up to 0.25 inch in diameter. Light gray patches or poikiloblasts of quartz, cordierite,
plagioclase, and smaller magnetite crystals also occur within the chlorite matrix. These irregular
intergrowths make up approximately 35% of the rock volume. Sulfide mineralization is generally low
and makes up less than 2 to 5% of the rock volume. It is possible that this chlorite-magnetite horizon
could represent the center of a feeder pipe that supplied mineralization to the Eisenbrey depositional
basin.

Metachert. A few thin impure metachert horizons have been recognized in the core.
Generally the metachert is closely associated with or incorporated within the above anthophyllitemagnetite horizon. The metachert has a distinctive sugary texture made up of recrystallized quartz
and impurities consisting of minor amounts of plagioclase and ferromagnesian minerals. Occasionally,
very fine bedding, characteristic of chert horizons reported at other deposits, has been observed in
the Eisenbrey core. Magnetite and sulfide minerals are uncommon and generally average less than
5% of the rock volume.
Rhyolite. A rhyolite dome had been interpreted by previous geologists to have been intruded
in the footwall beneath the east end of the 4eposit and outcrops east of the railroad bridge.
Petrographic studies have indicated, however, that the rhyolite is a hard, dense almost baked dacite
tuff or greywacke. Quartz content usually ranges from about 45 to 55% and averages 46%, as shown
on Table 3.
A few thin rhyolite flows have been recognized and are distinguished by being extremely
hard, and composed of a fine-grained to aphanitic groundmass with occasional (5%) phenocrysts of
feldspar. A partial whole rock chemical analyses of a couple of rhyolite flows are averaged and
included in Table 2.

Mafic Tuffs. Mafic tuffs are intimately associated with massive sulfide mineralization as thin
beds flanking or within the sulfides. Table 3 shows that the mafic tuffs are rich in amphibole and
chlorite. The rock is usually fine-grained, and well-foliated with indistinct lapilli fragments, and
occurs as thin beds less than 20-feet thick.
Thin beds of predominantly ferromagnesian minerals are intercalated with much thicker beds
of massive sulfides. One sample taken within the northwest fold nose was petrographically examined
and found to contain chlorite (5%), anhydrite (15%), gypsum (20%), serpentine (possibly antigorite
after olivine) (10%), dolomite (10 to 15%), calcite (3 to 5%), magnetite (15 to 20%), and pyrite
(15%). The amount of gypsum and anhydrite varies considerably throughout the rock. Likewise
serpentine is irregularly distributed. Talc has also been detected by X-ray defraction.

Iron Formation. The term iron formation is used at Eisenbrey to describe a rock rich in
magnetite with accessory epidote, garnet and amphibole (actinolite). Thin sections were prepared on
a core sample collected east on strike of the iron formation outcrop in drill hole 9. The rock
consisted of quartz (25%), chlorite (10%), actinolite (20%), garnet (5-10%), epidote (10%),
carbonate (5%), magnetite (20%), and pyrite (2%).

�121

Magnetite is concentrated into thin one to two-inch thick black bands consisting of 30 to 70%
magnetite. Actinolite with epidote and garnet enclose the magnetite-rich beds, whereas chlorite
occurs as veinlets and disseminated grains throughout the host rock. Light gray to white beds of
nearly pure quartz could represent recrystallized chert.

Iron formations have been interpreted to strike for over two miles into a series of isoclinal
folds, with associated minor amounts of sulfide mineralization, along the eastern-most strike
extension. Much of the Eisenbrey magnetic anomaly, particularly on the south side, is due to iron
formation. It is unclear whether the iron formation in the area is one horizon that has been folded
and faulted, or whether more than one unit of iron formation is present.
Ouartz-Sericite Schist. A number of thin, less than 20-foot thick, quartz-sericite schist beds
or alteration zones have been intersected during the 1994-1995 deep drilling program. The schists are
light gray, highly foliated and in close association with sulfide mineralization located in the south
syncline. Sulfide content is low within the schists, averaging about 10 to 15%. Quartz-sericite schist
is the dominant lithology of the ore horizon at the Flambeau orebody, but this rock type or alteration
zone is uncommon at Eisenbrey.

Gabbro. A sill or multiple sills of gabbro occur within the hangingwall of the axial portion of
the steeply plunging Eisenbrey syncline axis. It consists of a medium-to coarse-grained recrystallized
mixture of feldspar (35%), hornblende (35 to 40%), epidote (10%), and chlorite (5 to 10%). A
chilled margin is present having a true thickness of 3 to 5 feet. Closer to the surface, the gabbro has
been largely altered to chlorite (up to 60 to 65% of the rock volume).
Intrusion of the gabbro greatly elevated the temperature of the enclosing volcaniclastic and
sedimentary rocks. This could account for the wide variety of amphibolite facies minerals seen in the
deposit and its host rocks.

Diabase Dikes. Keweenawan diabase dikes and sills are fresh, medium-grained,
holocrystalline, intergranular, non-porphyritic rock having a typical diabasic texture. The rock
consists of plagioclase (35%), interstitial chlorite (25%), biotite (3-5%), muscovite (5%), hornblende
(1-2%), augite (10%), olivine (10%), serpentine (2-3%), carbonate (5%), and ilmenite (3%). An
80-foot thick dike striking N 60°E and dipping 650 NW intersects the Eisenbrey deposit as shown on
Figure 6. The dike splits on the east end of the West lens and also forms a sill in the footwall of the
West lens (Figure 7).
Pleistocene Till. Approximately 60 feet of unconsolidated glacial outwash materials blanket
the Eisenbrey deposit and surrounding area, except where removed by the downward and westward
migrating Thornapple River.

STRUCTURE
The structure of the Eisenbrey deposit is complex based upon outcrop observations, and
interpretation of geophysical and drill core data. The current geometry of the deposit is interpreted to
be the result of isoclinal folding with possible fault offsets. This interpretation is supported by the
following observations:

�122

i) a one-to two-inch thick mafic tuff bed found in the outcrop east of the railroad
bridge has been tightly isoclinally folded and has a near-vertical axial plunge; and,
ii) in the same outcrop elliptically shaped rod structures that also have a vertical
plunge, and S planes that show a very steep plunge to the east.
The iron formation also shows evidence of isoclinal folding as described above in subsection
on Site Geology. In addition, mineral zoning briefly described in the Mineralogy subsection suggests
the presence of folding due to repetition of zones within drill holes. Therefore, the deposit is
interpreted to strike west from the outcrop through the East massive sulfide lens (Figure 6). A north
to northwest striking fault is believed to have offset the gabbro and mineralized horizon. Further
evidence for significant faulting comes from hole 4 which contains a large gouge zone where rock
foliation is rotated on either side of the structure. This fault is coincident with the northwest striking
magnetic response; however, offsetting relationships, if present, are unclear.

ALTERATION
The Eisenbrey deposit has been subjected to multi-phased hydrothermal and metamorphic
processes. To date, no stringer zone or alteration pipe has been definitively recognized. It is
interpreted that there is a thermal metamorphic aureole caused by intrusion of a gabbro sill
superimposed upon Penokean regional upper greenschist metamorphism. As a result, some unusual
mineral assemblages are present, such as chiorite-tremolite-forsterite and pyroxene-garnet-quartz.
Regional metamorphism has produced a suite of silicate minerals that include actinolite, albite, garnet,
andalusite, anthophyllite, chlorite, cordierite, quartz and sericite-muscovite. The relative abundance
of pyrrhotite is interpreted to be a product of localized thermal metamorphism.

The host rocks have not been altered by supergene processes although small patches of
supergene enrichment have been cored at the top of the deposit.

FORM OF THE DEPOSIT
The geometry of the Eisenbrey deposit is shown in plan in Figure 6; the deposit occurs as
pinched and remobilized massive sulfide enlargements at fold noses within impure chert,
anthophyllite, and iron formation host rocks. The isolated East lens has probable structural
complications at depth whereas the west lens is a complex arrangement of two synclines open to the
east with an intervening very tightly folded anticline. The south syncline is a convoluted, accordion
type fold over a north-south direction of almost 200 feet.
The ore horizon continues west of the east lens, through a pyrite-sphalerite lens and into a
tight syncline referred to as the northwest fold. The south limb of this syncline strikes east into a
very tight anticline whose south limb returns west one half the distance of the north limb to enter into
a complex and convoluted syncline known as the south fold. The fold nose within massive sulfide
mineralization is approximately 170 feet north-south. The south limb may either continue south into
an iron formation (Lindberg) or continue east to be intruded by the gabbro (May).
In cross section 5850 East, the massive sulfide lenses extend for at least 2500 feet below
surface as near-vertical plunging rods, as shown on Figure 7. The length of the deposit, including the
east and west lenses, is 3300 feet prior to folding. Isoclinal folding has compressed the once tabular
deposit into an area 400 north-south by 1000 east-west.

�123

MINERALOGY
Base metal mineralization occurs within both pyrrhotite and pyrite matrices. Pyrrhotite is
found within and on the south side of the anticline and on the west end of the south syncline nose,
and minor pyrrhotite occurs on the south side of the northwest syncline. Chalcopyrite is generally
associated with pyrrhotite, whereas pyrite hosts most of the sphalerite and gold mineralization. The
Northwest syncline is predominantly pyrite, as well as the north side of the anticline and south side of
the South syncline.
In shallow drilling the pyrrhotite occurs as massive, amorphous lenses containing irregular
grains and layers of chalcopyrite. Chalcopyrite also occurs as finely disseminated grains within the
matrix. Most of the copper values, however, are within the larger chalcopyrite patches, many of
which halo single or clusters of pyrite cubes. Chalcopyrite can also occur as conformable blebs,
some of which are irregular in shape and cross cut pyrrhotite laminations. The pyrrhotitechalcopyrite zone is restricted to the nose of the south fold and has been intersected at depth. Figures
8 and 9 show the general distribution of copper and zinc, respectively, on the 900-foot level.
Pyrite occurs as subeuhedral to anhedral grains with interstitial sphalerite and minor
chalcopyrite. Chalcopyrite is found as microscopic grains within sphalerite or as small irregular
lenses interbedded with pyrite. Typical sphalerite-pyrite layering, common to many massive sulfide
deposits, is present, but not well developed.

At depth and along strike of the south fold nose the pyrrhotite-chalcopyrite and pyritesphalerite mineral zoning becomes less distinct. Instead, pyrrhotite and pyrite are intermixed within a
ragged almost shredded texture of wispy pyrrhotite patches within medium- to fine-grained subhederal
pyrite. Wisps of pyrrhotite vary in size from a fraction of an inch to one to two inches. Some areas
consist of large masses of amorphous pyrite with essentially no base metal mineralization, whereas
some other zones contain thick sequences of cherty chalcopyrite. A distinctive mineral zone contains
abundant chalcopyrite-pyrite fragments within a pyrrhotite matrix. The relatively small grain size at
Eisenbrey is surprising, as one would have expected coarser grained sulfides due to amphibolite grade
regional and contact metamorphism.
Near the surface there are thin interbeds of metadolomite present within the massive sulfide in
the nose of the sulfide-rich anticline. The beds are about one to two feet thick consisting of 80%
dolomite, 10% veined chlorite, 5% magnetite, 3 to 4 % pyrite, and 1% epidote.
The relationships between the above mineral zones and structure of the deposit are not clear.
Identification of a copper-rich "hot spot" within this very large structurally and mineralogically
complex system is proving to be difficult.

CONCLUSIONS AND COMPARISONS
The Eisenbrey deposit is a typical massive sulfide deposit in that it is hosted within a thick
sequence of volcaniclastic lapilli tuff, tuff and graywackes, and capped by a gabbro sill or intrusive.
It is an unusual Wisconsin massive sulfide deposit because it is very large, structurally complicated,
contains unusual silicate minerals and sulfide textures, and is associated with an iron formation.
Bedded magnetite occurs on the flanks of the sulfide system and as disseminated grains or blebs
adjacent to or within the deposit.

�ANTIC LINE

SYNCLINE

DRILL HOLE

&lt;—0.25

0.25—0.49

0.50—0.99

1.00—1.49

1.50—1.99

&gt;2.00

% Cu

LECEND

Rusk County, Wisconsin

Figure 8
Distribution of Copper Grades, 900ft. Elevation, Eisenbrey Prospect.

0

1" =100'

SCALE50

FEET

100

�ANTICLINE

SYNCLINE

DRILL HOLE

&lt;0.50

0.50—0.99

1.00—1.99

2.00—2.99

3.00—3.99

&gt;4.00

% Zn

LEGEND

Rusk County, Wisconsin

Figure 9
Distribution of Zinc Grades, 900ft. Elevation, Eisenbrey Prospect.

0

i

FEET

100

—'I

1" = 100'

SCALE50

�126

In detail the structure, mineralogy, texture, and metal grades of the Flambeau and Eisenbrey
deposits are very dissimilar. A comparison between the similarities and differences are listed on
Table 5.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The author wishes to thank Tom Myatt, general manager, Flambeau Mining Company for
allowing this paper to be written. Considerable advise and suggestions were provided by Russ
Babcock, Stephen Dinkowitz, Jay Hammitt, Paul Schmidt, Paul Lindberg and Gene LaBerge and to
Tammy Fredrickson who somehow managed to put all the comments together. Finally this paper is
dedicated in memory of Ned Eisenbrey whose foresight and persistence resulted in the discovery of an
interesting and significant metal resource.

References Cited
Babcock, R., 1996, History of Exploration for Volcanogenic Massive Sulfides in Wisconsin: Institute
on Lake Superior Geology, 42nd Institute, 1996 Field Trip Volume.
DeMatties, Theodore A., 1994, Early Proterozoic Volcanogenic Massive Sulfide Deposits in
Wisconsin: An Overview: Economic Geology, v. 89, p1122-1151.
LaBerge, G. L., 1996, General Characteristics and Geologic Setting of the Wisconsin Magmatic
Terranes: Institute on Lake Superior Geology, 42nd Institute, 1996, Field trip volume.

Lydon, J. W., 1984, Ore Deposit Models-8. Volcanogenic Massive Sulfide Deposit Part 1: A
Descriptive Model: Geoscience Canada, V.11, N.4.

May, E. R., and Dinkowitz, S. R., 1996, An Overview of the Flambeau Supergene Enriched Massive
Sulfide Deposit - Geology and Mineralogy, Rusk County, Wisconsin: Institute on Lake
Superior Geology, 42nd Institute, 1996 Field Trip Volume.
Nockolds, S. R., 1954, Average Chemical Compositions of Some Igneous Rocks: Bulletin Geol. Soc.
Am. 65, pp. 1007-1032.

�Preservation of
Depositional Features

Dikes

Foliation
Strike and Dip

Faulting

Folding

8. Structural Sefting

Outcroppings

Overburden

Weakly mineralized iron formation,
volcaniclastics, and pyroxenites on
Thomapple River bank.

None recognized but presence suspected
Slightly eroded; looking at the top
of a very large system.
60 feet of Pleistocene Till.

Iron formation with bedded magnetite
or disseminated magnetite with
anthophyllite. Impure cherts
Intermediate dacite tuffs and lapilli
tuffs capped by gabbro sill.

IEisenbrey Deposit

Structurally complex - tight
isoclinal folding.
Strong evidence of significant faulting
with foliation dip changes on either
side of gouge.
Moderately Foliated
E-W, dipping very steeply north or
vertical with near vertical plunge.
None
Thick diabase dikes and sills
occuping probable NE regional
tension cracks.
Pillows, volcanic bombs, lapillis,graben Lapillis well preserved and highly rodded.
and horst features, and facies changes
well preserved.

Structurally simple-on limb of
large isoclinal fold.
Strong evidence of prenecontemp oraneous localized stuctures; little
evidence of post depositional faults
Strongly Foliated
N45° E, 75U NW; probably overturned.

Intermediate dacite tuffs altered to
andalusite-biotite Schist with pillow
lavas in stratigraphic hangingwall.
None recognized; could be eroded
Probably deeply eroded; looking at
roots of a much lager system.
0 to 20 feet of Cambrian sandstone
and 12 to 30 feet Pleistocene Till.
Subcrop of weakly mineralized
metachert and quartz-sericite schist
under east side of Flambeau River.

Host Rocks

Atteration Pipe
Precambnan Erosion

Quartz-Sericite Schist or
rhyolite tuff. Metacherts common

Flambeau Orebody

Ore Horizon

A._Depositional Environment

TABLE 5
COMPARISON BETWEEN THE FLAMBEAU AND EISENBREY DEPOSITS
RUSK COUNTY, WISCONSIN

�Supergene

Protore

Size

E. Economic Geology

Sphalerite

Chalcopyrite

Chief Sulfide texture

D. Massive Sulfide Textures

Gold Cap

Precious Metals

Gossan

Supergene Enrichment

Magnetite

Sulfide Halo

Protore

Metamorphic Grade

C. Mineralogy

I

Eisenbrey Deposit

2400 feet long, 45 feet thick 900 feet
below subcrop. Approximately
6 million tons total resource.
Insufficient size to support a mill.
3% Cu, 2% Zn.
Economical. 1 .8 million tons at
10% Cu, 0.1 optAu.

Insufficient tonnage.

Approximately 1500 feet long, upto 200 feet thick
and open below 3000 feet. Plus
50 million ton resource.
Sufficient size but low grade. 1% Cu, 2.5% Zn.

Poorly bedded. Massive pyrite and pyrrhotite with
Well bedded with remobilized
large pyrite cubes in pyrrhotite rimmed with
chalcopyrite In semi massive protore.
Occasslonal sulfide or cherty fragment. chalcopyrite. Whispy pyrrhotite and magnetite.
Numerous magnetite and cherty/volcanic fragments.
Remobilized and recrystallized around pyrite
In massive beds to ragged patches in
cubes, disseminated in pyrrhotite, or finely
semimassive protore
disseminated in sphalerite.
lnterstial grains with pyrite, weakly bedded.
Well bedded - massive beds

Amphibolite grade.
Upper greenschist to lower
amphibolite.
Pyrite with sphalerite and pyrrhotite
Pyrite with chalcopyrite, minor
with chalcopyrite.
sphalerite and trace pyrrhotite.
Halo restricted to anthophyllite magnetite
Disseminated pyrite with chert
rock package. Thickness complicated by folding
up to 300 feet wide.
Several percent magnetite in some massive
Trace to few percent of magnetite in
sulfides, host rock, and along strike in ironmafic rocks. None associated
formation.
with ore.
Minor enrichment within 25 feet of subcrop.
Extensive enrichment 80 to 185 feet
beneath subcrop.
Well preserved gold, silica, iron oxide, Minor gossan with iron oxides and minor
precious metals.
and ankerite gossan.
Low precious metal content with gold associated
High gold content associated with
with sphalerite.
chalcopyrite.
Precious metal cap on top of massive None recognized.
sulfides.

Flambeau Orebody

�129

GEOLOGICAL SUMMARY - CRANDON DEPOSIT
By A. J. Erickson, Jr.
Exxon Coal &amp; Minerals Co., Houston, TX
and

R. COté

Rio Algom Exploration Inc., Val d'or, Quebec, Canada
INTRODUCTION
Crandon Mining Company, a Wisconsin general partnership of subsidiaries of Exxon Coal
and Minerals Company (Houston, Texas) and Rio Algom Limited (Toronto, Ontario, Canada) is in
the process of seeking the required local, state, and federal agreements, approvals, and permits to
mine the Crandon volcanogenic zinc-copper sulfide deposit.

The deposit, located in Forest County, Wisconsin, is approximately 5 miles south of the town
of Crandon, and 2 road miles east of State Highway 55, on Little Sand Lake Road.
The deposit was discovered in 1975 by an Exxon Coal and Minerals predecessor company,
Exxon Minerals Company (Schmidt et a!., 1978; May and Schmidt, 1982; Lambe and Rowe, 1987;
and Schmidt, 1991). As described by Schmidt (1991), Exxon had been active in the Lake Superior
region since the late 1960's and initiated work in northern Wisconsin in 1970 with reconnaissance
mapping and airborne electromagnetic surveying (INPUT). A number of targets were identified and
drilled. Additional (INPUT and other) airborne surveys were flown in 1974 over areas interpreted to
contain favorable felsic volcanics. This work lead to the identification of other anomalies and further
land acquisition, including the Skunk Lake target. Follow-up ground geophysical work was carried
out in the spring of 1975 which confirmed the presence of a bedrock conductor. Drilling of the target
was initiated in June 1975 and discovery was made with the first hole. The deposit was subsequently
renamed the Crandon Deposit after the nearby town of Crandon. The target was the 25th prospect
drilled by Exxon over a 5 year period of exploration (1970-1975) in Wisconsin after an expenditure
of approximately $2.5 million.
Since discovery, a total 340,000 feet of drilling of various types and diameters has been
completed in 272 holes in and about the deposit. All interpretive work is based on this drilling as the
nearest outcrops are several miles from the deposit.

REGIONAL GEOLOGY
The deposit is hosted by early Proterozoic rock of the Precambrian Southern Province of the
Canadian Shield in the east-west trending Rhinelander-Ladysmith Greenstone Belt (Schmidt et al.
1978; May and Schmidt 1982). The belt is between 30 and 50 miles wide (N-S) and approximately
200 miles long (E-W) extending from the towns of Ladysmith in the west to Pembine in the east.
(Sims, 1984, refers to the area as the Ladysmith-Pembine volcanic belt). The northern portion of the
belt consists of mafic metavolcanic rocks, basalts, locally pillowed, basaltic andesites, flows, tuffs,
some gabbroic rocks, and associated granites, tonalites, and granite gneiss. More felsic to mafic
pillowed flows, dacitic to rhyolitic tuffs, porphyries and dikes are present in the southern portion of
the belt (Sims, 1992).

�130

The Rhinelander-Ladysmith greenstone belt forms the most northern portion of the Wisconsin
Magmatic Terranes in the Penokean fold belt, south of the Niagara Fault as shown on Figure 1
(Hoffman, 1989; Sims et a!., 1989; Sims, 1992; and DeMatties, 1994). The magmatic terranes are
complex, poorly exposed, and have been divided into three "subterranes" identified from north to
south as, the Ladysmith-Pembine Belt, the Chippewa-Wausau Belt, and the Marshfield-Stevens Point
Belt (Sims, 1984). More recently, Sims et a!. (1989), and Sims (1992), combined the two northern
"subterranes" into the Pembine-Wausau Terrane. The southern belt has been renamed the Marshfield
Terrane.

The juxtaposed terranes and contained sulfide deposits, as shown in Figure 1, are interpreted
to be the result of plate tectonic processes during the early Proterozoic. These terranes are believed
to be the renmants of volcanic arc - continent and volcanic arc - volcanic arc subduction and plate
collision zones.

This accretion of the plates was initially at a juncture now referred to as the Niagara Fault
Zone with subsequent accretion of a second plate along the Eau Pleine Shear Zone. This deformation
and accretion occurred during the Penokean Orogeny, dated at approximately 1860 to 1840 Ma (Van
Schmus, 1975; Schulz, 1984; Hoffman, 1989; Sims et a!., 1989; Sims, 1990; Kiasner et al., 1991).
The recent summary by LaBerge (1994), provides a simplified discussion of these complex
Proterozoic plate tectonic relationships, and the Lake Superior regional geology.

GENERAL DEPOSIT GEOLOGY
The following details are largely summarized from the descriptions of Schmidt et al. (1978),
May and Schmidt (1982), Rowe and Hite (1984), and Lambe and Row (1987). Their work is
supplemented by more recent work by the authors. Specific citations from all individual items are
commonly not included in this summary and the reader is encouraged to consult the references for
further details.
The Crandon deposit is a "typical" volcanic hosted sulfide deposit as described in reviews by
Solomon (1976), Franldin et a!. (1981), or Lydon (1988), of the "primitive" zinc-copper rich type
using Hutchinson's (1980) classification. The deposit consists of two major styles of mineralization
1) a syngenetic, commonly laminated, zinc-bearing, pyrite-rich, sulfide zone which is partially
underkuin by 2) an epigenetic, cross cutting zone of copper-bearing, quartz-pyrite-chalcopyrite stringer
mineralization in altered volcanic rocks stratigraphically beneath the zinc mineralization.

Early published reserve estimates (Schmidt et al., 1978; May and Schmidt, 1982; Rowe and
Hite, 1984; and Lambe and Rowe, 1987) have generally included both the zinc and copper
mineralization of the primary sulfide facies. The referenced tonnage is in the 55 to 65 million ton
range with corresponding grades reported for this material as slightly over 1% copper, 5% zinc, and
only minor amounts of lead, silver, and gold. The reserve estimate for the conformable syngenetic
zinc mineralization alone is estimated as 30 million tons containing 9.4% zinc and 0.4% copper
(Anon, 1994).
At the property scale, the deposit is conformably contained in a sequence of mafic,
intermediate, and felsic volcanic rocks. Pyroclastic units are dominant but numerous intercalated
flows have been noted within the volcanic sequence. Chert, argillites, bedded sulfides, and
volcaniclastic sandstone intercalations probably indicate periods of quiescence during formation of

�______

/
I

47.

46

45.

EAU

PLEINE

ZONE

— .)
0

Possible limit

rhyolite-granite 0

44•

terrana

S.
0
I

MINNESO1&gt;1
IOWA
Baraboo Synciine

o -..----—-

Waterloo

0
43

4

MA 1)ISOIV

WISCONSIN
9T

PROTEROZOIC
Middle Proterozoic (Keweenawan)
mafic igneous &amp; sedimentary rocks
of Midcontinent rift system (- 1,100 Ma)

island-arc metavoicanic &amp; granitoid rocks in
EIBllHff Pembine-Wausau terrane (1834-1,880 Ma
includes post-tectonic granttic rocks (1.760 Ma)
island-arc metavoicanic &amp; granitold rocks
(1,835-1,890 Ma)

Anorogenic granites. syenite, &amp; anorthosite
(1470 -1525 Ma)
L._....

2128148

Baraboo, Barron, Waterloo quartzites
(age uncertain) (&lt;1750 Ma?)
Central Wisconsin myoiites &amp; granite
rocks (—1760 Ma)

—.. High-angie fault

WISCONSIN MAGMATIC TERRANES

Sedimentary rocks of Paieozolc age

CONTINENTAL MARGIN ASSEMBLAGE
.

Marquette Range Supergroup (1 .820-2,100 Ma)

ARCH EAN
Basement gneiss, granite, &amp; greenstone

IttF (2600 - 3550 Ma)

I

Thrust fault - Possible suture
Sulfide Deposits

75 MILES

0
I

I

I

TECTONIC MAP
SOUTHERN LAKE
SUPERIOR REGION
Modified after Sims, 1992

Figure 1

�132

the volcanic pile. Syn-and post-volcanic, commonly mafic but occasionally felsic, intrusive dikes and
sills constitute a small portion of the sequence.
The host volcaniclastic assemblage along with the contained sulfide deposit strike generally
east-west (N85°W) and dip steeply (7O09O0) north. Relict depositional features, internal mineral
zonation within the sulfide mineralization, and gross sulfide zone relationships consistently indicate a
normal, north facing volcanic sequence. A small portion of the deposit on the extreme west end is
steeply overturned to the south.

Rowe and Lambe (1986), have informally divided the volcanic package into a lower Hemlock
Creek Group, which contains the Crandon deposit, and an upper Swamp Creek Group. Figure 2 is
their reconstructed stratigraphic column and is included to provide a general summary of the
lithologies and stratigraphic relationships. Detailed description of the units, discussions of the
stratigraphic relationships, and interpretations of the genesis of the units are included in the above
reference. Discussions here will be limited to the deposit features in the Crandon Unit with its
conformable zinc mineralization, and to the stringer copper mineralization within the underlying Sand
Lake Formation.

SULFIDE DEPOSITS
As indicated, the two major mineralization types of the Crandon deposit include 1)
conformable, locally laminated, syngenetic, zinc-rich pyritic sulfide lenses and 2) cross cutting,
epigenetic copper-bearing stringer sulfides commonly beneath the zinc deposit. Fine grained felsic
and intermediate pyritic ash and lapilli tuffs, cherts, laminated pyritic cherts, and black thinly
laminated pyritic argillite are locally interbedded with the conformable sulfide mineralization.
Overprinting of stringer copper zone mineralization on the zinc mineralization is occasionally seen
near the base of the zinc-rich sulfide zones.
Crandon zinc mineralization consists of three or locally four sub-parallel stacked lenses of
sulfide (COté et al., 1994), which are locally interbedded with tuffs and argillites. The lenses, occur
either as unique horizons separated by epiclastic or pyroclastic lithologies containing lesser amounts of
total sulfides, as shown on section A - A', Figure 4, or as stacked sulfide horizons with common
boundaries, as shown in portk)ns of section B - B'. The sulfide bands contain sphalerite as
continuous or discontinuous laminae and patches in laminated to more massive pyrite. Laminae or
seams of chalcopyrite or galena are present but less common and are often cross-cutting due at least
in part to late remobilization.
The mineralization was cyclically deposited by pulses of sulfide-rich emanations in a restricted
basin characterized by a shallow western half and a deeper central portion. At the eastern extremity
of the deposit the sulfides thin and pinch out in the shallow end of the basin. Relationships are well
illustrated on the mine level plan, Figure 3, at a depth of approximately 665 feet below surface and
on cross sections A - A', B - B', and C - C' (Figure 4). Figure 5 provides an east-west longitudinal
projection, showing the distribution of the zinc mineralization at a &gt;3% zinc cutoff. The cyclicity of
mineralization is shown in simplified form in the three sections as interpreted from internal
stratigraphy and assay data analysis. This cyclicity has been clearly documented in recent logging and
analysis of core from the latest drilling program and re-analysis of earlier drilled core.

Thesethree main stratigraphically stacked sulfide lenses are laterally very continuous and can
be traced in the majority of holes. The correlation diagram D - D' on Figure 6 highlights the internal
sulfide stratigraphy and relative zinc and copper values as they relate to the specific sulfide facies

�____
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__________

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GENERALLY 25 M

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AND LOCALLY UP TO 10% SULFIDES.

RICE LAKE UNIT (rc) A SERIES OF VOLACANIC DEBRIS FLOWS AND

rc

EUTAXITIC ASH FLOWS.

rcm

BLUEBIRD
SUBUNIT (rcb1) BLOCKY TO TABULAR CHLORITIC
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MILLSTREAM SUBUNIT (rcm)

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I

BASINAL ENVIRONMENT. USUALLY

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ml

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I

LU

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PROSPECT SUBUNIT (mip) FELSIC DEBRIS FLOWS. GENERALLY 4 TO

U

15MM FELSIC DEBRIS IN A FINE CHLORSTIC MATRIX.

EAGLE SUBUNIT (mle) A VOLCANIC SANDSTONE CONTAINING 80%
ROUNDED QUARTZ SAND IN A SERICITE-CHLORITE MATRIX

U

0

cr

J
I

CRANDON UNIT (Cr) A BASINAL SEQUENCE CONSISTING OF STRATABOUND MASSIVE SULFIDE (GREATER THAN 50% TOTAL SULFIDE), PYRITIC
ARGILLITE AND PYRITIC TUFF LOCAL THIN CHERT BEDS.

LU
SAND LAKE UNIT (Sd) FINE DRAINED TUFF WITH MINOR DEBRIS
FLOWS, CHERTY TUFF AND FLOWS. GRADES WITH DEPTH INTO
COARSER REWORKED TUFF AND FINE LAPILLI TUFF.

TOWNSHIP SUBUNIT (sdt) A SERIES OF VOLCANIC BRECCIAS CONSISTING OF ANGULAR. POORLY SORTED HETEROLITHIC OR MONOLITHIC
FRAGMENTS. MATRICS STRONGLY SILITIC

sdt1

A TRANSITIONAL BRECCIA AT THE TOP OF THE SAND
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sdt2

VOLCANIC BRECCIA CONSISTING OF HETEROLITHIC
FRAGMENTS EXHIBITING MANY STAGES OF SILICIFICATION.

sdt3

VOLCANIC BRECCIA CONSISTING OP MONOLITHIC FRAG-

MENTS. FRAGMENTS GENERALLY WEAKLY SILICIFIED.

NASHVILLE UNIT (nh) PORPHYRITIC BASALTIC FLOWS. LOCAL THIN
TUFF BEDS

CRANDON DEPOSIT - RECONSTRUCTED STRATIGRAPHIC COLUMN
LAMBE &amp; ROWE (1987)
Figure 2

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CRANDON DEPOSIT - SIMPLIFIED GEOLOGIC CROSS SECTIONS

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Stringer Zone

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MINERALIZATION

ZINC &amp; COPPER

Longitudinal Projection
Looking North
1200

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—

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8
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CRANDON DEPOSIT - EAST-WEST LONGITUDINAL PROJECTION SHOWING LIMITS OF MINERALIZATION

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�137

depicted by drill holes 137, 159, and 265. Individual lenses generally consist of an upper, zinc-rich,
bedded to laminated pyrite-sphalerite (±galena) facies which grades stratigraphically downward into a
commonly zinc-lean, poorly bedded pyritic fades. These primary textural variations and associated
metal zoning are essentially repeated from one sulfide lens to the next, analogous to that described at
the Mobrun deposit in the Noranda camp (La Rocque et a!., 1993). Typically, the lower facies
consists of fme-grained colloform or spheroidal pyrite with lesser granular (in part, recrystallized)
medium grained pyrite with fine interstitial sphalerite and/or fine "lacy" interstitial chalcopyrite. This
lower facies may also locally include an appreciable amount (20-40%) of fine botryoidal silica gangue
thought to represent a primary exhalative gel or sinter. Individual lenses generally average from 40
to 55 feet in true thickness and taper to thin horizons at the margin of the basin. Where sulfide lenses
are in direct contact, the true thickness of the sulfide package may exceed 100 feet.
Stringer copper zone mineralization occurs stratigraphically beneath the zinc mineralization.
It consists of multiple stages of quartz, quartz-pyrite, quart.z-pyrite-chalcopyrite, locally quartz-pyritechalcopyrite-sphalerite, and thin pyrite veinlets. Age relationships are complex. Barren milky white
quartz veinlets clearly predate the mixed quartz sulfide veinlets, whereas most thin barren pyrite
veinlets post-date the quartz sulfide veinlets. This network of veinlets is localized as a semiconformable envelope in the Sand Lake Formation "breccias" immediately below the Crandon Unit
with its contained zinc mineralization as described by Lambe and Rowe (1987). Although described
as mono and heterolithologic volcanic breccias, it should be noted that some of the breccia-like
textures are clearly alteration features.

SULFIDE MINERALOGY
Sulfide mineralogy is simple in both the conformable sulfide zinc zone and the footwall
copper stringer zone. Pyrite is clearly the dominant sulfide in the zinc zone and may range up to
nearly 100% at the base of individual sulfide lenses and in the less prevalent sub-seafloor
replacement pyrite immediately beneath some of the zones of zinc mineralization. Sphalerite is the
zinc sulfide. There are lesser amounts of chalcopyrite, galena, tetrahedrite, and rare pyrrhotite and
arsenopyrite are present in both the zinc and copper zones. Marcasite and enargite have been
reported.

Near surface, a typical iron oxide, silica-rich gossan is present due to pre-Cambrian
weathering of the sulfide mineralization. The gossan generally extends less than 100 feet below the
subcrop, and is commonly only a few tens of feet thick. Very locally it extends in excess of 400 feet
below the subcrop along particular lithologic horizons, or contacts within and along the margin of the
Crandon Unit. A limited amount of supergene sulfide mineralization, chalcocite, covellite and rare
bornite, is present beneath the gossan as well. Minor amounts of copper oxides have been noted.
The supergene enriched zone is small, in part due to the proportionally low amount of copper in the
primary mineralization and in part due to its removal through weathering and erosion since perhaps
the middle Paleozoic. In this respect the Crandon deposit contrasts with the Flambeau deposit in
western Wisconsin (May 1977). At Flambeau, the primary mineralization is generally more copper
rich and the secondarily enriched ore zone was largely preserved from weathering, erosion, and
Pleistocene glaciation by the presence of the Cambrian cover rock.

ALTERATION
Synvolcanic hydrothermal alteration at Crandon is most strongly and extensively developed
within the Crandon Unit and the immediate stratigraphic footwall (Sand Lake Formation) unit south of
the zinc mineralization. However, alteration features are complex and commonly overlap. Footwall

�Pv ItIcf

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R. C., A.J.E. Jr., J.T.S

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137

SECTION D

________
_____________
_______
__________
SELECTED ORE ZONE SULFIDE CORRELATION DIAGRAM

�139

alteration is dominated by partial to pervasive silicification, whereas lesser chioritization,

sericitization, and carbonatization (mostly dolomite) are also present. Intense pyritization in zones
varying in thickness from 25 to 200 feet immediately below the conformable zinc zone accompany
this alteration. Limited information on the footwall stringer mineralization and the fact that erosion
has left only a portion of the original deposit make it difficult to fully define a classic feeder pipe
beneath the tabular zinc mineralization, as described by Lydon (1988). A zone of prolonged
hydrothermal activity is inferred due to thick alteration and mineralization located approximately middistance between cross sections B-B' and C-C' (See Figure 5). Here an important thickness of
massive and semi-massive sulfides exhibits an abundance of textural features that are interpreted to be
the result of sub-seafloor replacement. Intense black chlorite alteration within the footwall Sand Lake
Formation is well developed at this locality.
The "tabular appearing" footwall silicate alteration assemblage illustrated on the level plans by
Lambe and Rowe (1987) suggest more intense chloritic alteration beneath the western half of the
deposit, whereas to the east sericitic alteration is more abundant.

Within the Crandon Unit, some of the "pyritic argillite" in fact represents strongly
metasomatized zones of magnesium-chlorite alteration within the laminated, pyrite bearing, fine
epiclastic sediment. In other areas, however, the "pyritic argillite" represents pyrite-rich zones of
intense black, magnesium-iron-chlorite alteration as is typically found in footwall stringer zones in
volcanic-hosted sulfide deposits. This later hydrothermal alteration is both cross-cutting and locally
conformable to bedding. Most commonly, it is associated with epigenetic, stringer copper
mineralization and localized as multistage quartz-sulfide, or sulfide veinlets in a complex semiconformable zone of quartz-sulfide brecciation in the footwall beneath the zinc mineralization.

STRUCTURE AND METAMORPHIC ATFRIBUTES
The Penokean Orogeny produced a generally steep dipping attitude in the volcano-sedimentary
assemblage hosting and surrounding the Crandon deposit. Bedrock units in the area of the deposit
have been metamorphosed to the lower greenschist facies. The structural deformation is generally
weak to moderate such that delicate primary volcanic and sedimentary textures are preserved at
various localities. The resulting overprint of principal structural fabric includes a regional east-west
trending subvertical dipping schistosity and the local development of longitudinal east-west shears.

The pervasive planar structure or S1 schistosity, as noted in core, is presumed axial planar to
the regional fold features and is generally sub-parallel to the bedding attitudes except where small
scale parasitic folding is developed. Local zones of more pronounced to strong shearing are less
frequent and preferentially developed as bedding parallel features and along major lithological
contacts.
Major faults have not been recognized at Crandon as shown on level plans (Figure 3) and
cross-sections (Figure 4). These figures illustrate the undisturbed lateral continuity of the hanging
wall contact of the deposit indicating minimal structural complications as might otherwise be indicated
by marked thickening, thinning or offset due to significant folding and/or faulting. This lack of
significant structural offset has been substantiated in five separate drilling programs since 1980. All
holes intersected stratigraphy as anticipated, thus indicating no important structural effects.

�140

CONCLUSIONS

The lithological and mineralogical features of the Crandon Deposit described above are typical
of many submarine volcanogenic sulfide deposits emplaced at and directly below the sea floor.
Internal sulfide stratigraphy, as indicated by mappable sulfide facies, document the presence of at
least three major stacked lenses, i.e., pulses of pyrite-sphalerite mineralization. Long lived, both
focused and diffuse discharge of metal-bearing hydrothermal fluids are indicated. These solutions
percolated upward through the Sand Lake submarine volcanics to precipitate their contents at and
below the Proterozoic sea floor.
The resulting concentration of the conformable pyritic, zinc-rich sulfides, uninterrupted by
major structural dislocation, and the underlying discordant, copper-rich stringer mineralization is the
largest known volcanic-hosted zinc copper deposit in the Rhinelander-Ladysmith Greenstone Belt.
Acknowledgment

We would like to take this opportunity to thank T. E. Warren, Rio Algom Exploration Inc.,
and G. Westra, Exxon Coal and Minerals Company, for constructive comments and Crandon Mining
Company, Exxon Coal and Minerals Company and Rio Algom Exploration Inc.,for permission to
publish this paper. Secretarial support by L. Gonzales and drafting by J. L. Shaw, Exxon Coal and
Minerals Company, is greatly appreciated.

References Cited
Anon, 1994, Annual Report, Rio Algom Limited.

Cot, R., Erickson, A. J., Jr., Donahue, S. V., Thresher, J. E. Jr., and Anderson, P. F., October
1994, Bedrock Hydrogeology of the Crandon Project Site: Foth &amp; Van Dyke Memorandum,
19 p.

DeMatties, T. A., 1994, Early Proterozoic Volcanographic Massive Sulfide Deposits in Wisconsin:
An overview: Economic Geology, v. 89, p. 1123-1 151.

Franidin, J. M., Lydon, J. W., and Sangster, D. F., 1981, Volcanic-associated massive sulfide
deposits: Economic Geology, 75th Anniversary Volume, p. 485-627.
Hoffman, P. F., 1989, Precambrian geology and tectonic, history of North America: in Bally, A.
W., and Palmer, A. R., eds., The Geology of North America-An Overview; G.S.A., The
Geology of North America, v. A, p. 447-512.

Kiasner, J. S., Ojakangas, R. W., Schulz, K. J., and LaBerge, G. L., 1991, Nature and Style of
deformation in the foreland of early Proterozoic Penokean Orogen, Northern Michigan:
USGS Bull 1904-K, p. K1-K22.
Lambe, R. N., and Rowe, R. G., 1987, Volcanic history, mineralization, and alteration of the
Crandon Massive Sulfide Deposit, Wisconsin: Econ. Geol. v. 82, p. 1204-1238.
LaBerge, G. L., 1994, Geology of the Lake Superior Region: Geoscience Press, Phoenix, AZ, 309p.

�141

LaRocque, A. C. L., Hodgson, C. J., and La Fleur, P. J., 1993, Gold distribution in the Mobrun
volcanic-associated massive sulfide deposit, Noranda, Quebec: A Preliminary Evaluation of
the Role of Metamorphic Remobilization: Economic Geology, v. 88, p. 1443-1459.
Lydon, J. W., 1988, Volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits Part 1: A descriptive model: Part 2:
Genetic models: in Roberts, R. G., and Sheahan, P. A., eds., Ore Deposit Models,
Geoscience Canada Reprint Series 3, Geol. Assn. Canada, Memorial University, St. Johns.
Nfld. p. 145-181.

May, E. R., 1976, Flambeau - A Precambrian Supergene Enriched Massive Sulfide Deposit: SME
preprint 76-1-55, 35p.

May, E. R., and Schmidt, P. G., 1982, The discovery, geology, and mineralogy of the Crandon
Precambrian massive sulfide deposit, Wisconsin: in Hutchinson, R. W., Spence, C. D., and
Franklin, J. M., eds., Precambrian Sulfide Deposits, H.S. Robinson Memorial Volume,
Special Paper 25, Geol. Assn. of Canada, p. 448-480.
Rowe, R. G., and Hite, R. G., 1984, Applied geology: The foundation for mine design at Exxon
Minerals Company's Crandon Deposit: in Erickson, A. J., Jr., ed., Applied Mining
Geology, SME, Denver, p. 9-26.
Schmidt, P. G., 1991, Discovery case history of the Crandon Massive Sulfide Deposit, Forest
County, Wisconsin: in V. F. Hollister, ed., Porphyry Copper, Molybdenum, and Gold
Deposits, Volcanogenic Deposits (Massive Sulfides) and Deposits in Layered Rock, SME
Case Histories of Mineral Discoveries, v. 3, p. 99-102.

Schmidt, P. G., Dolence, J. D., Lluria, M. R., and Parsons III, (3., 1978, Geologists block out
Exxon's big find of Zn-Cu at Crandon: Engineering and Mining Journal, v. 179, p. 61-66.
Sims, P. K., 1984, Metallogeny of Archean and Proterozoic Terrains in the Great Lakes Region - A
Brief Overview: in Bush, A. L., ed., Contributions to Mineral Resources Research, 1984,
USGS Bull. 1694, p. 57-71.
Sims, P. K., (compiler), 1990, Geologic map of Precambrian rocks of Iron Mountain and Escanaba
10 x 2° Quadrangles, Northeastern Wisconsin and Northwestern Michigan: USGS
Miscellaneous Investigation Series, Map 1-2056.
Sims, P. K., (compiler) 1992, Geologic map of Precambrian rocks, southern Lake Superior Region,
Wisconsin and Northern Michigan: USGS Miscellaneous Investigation Series, MAP 1-2 185, 2
sheets.

Sims, P. K., Van Schmus, W. R., Schulz, K. J., and Peterman, Z. E., 1989, Tectono-stratigraphic
evolution of the Early Proterozoic Wisconsin magmatic terrains of the Penokean Orogen:
Can. J. Earth Sci. v. 26, p. 2145-2158.
Solomon, M., 1976, "Volcanic" massive sulfide deposits and their host rocks - a review and
explanation: in Wolf, K. H., ed., Handbook of Stratabound and Stratiform Ore Deposits,
Elsevier, Amsterdam, v. 2, p. 21-50.

Van Schmus, W. R., 1976, Early and Middle Proterozoic history of the Great Lakes area, North
America: Phil. Tran. R. Soc. Lond. A. 280, p. 605-628.

�142

�143

THE BEND DEPOSIT:
AN EARLY PROTEROZOIC COPPER-GOLD VMS DEPOSIT
by Theodore A. DeMatties
and

William F. Rowell
Geological Consultants

INTRODUCTION
Exploration conducted between 1985 and 1994 by the former Jump River Joint Venture, and
more recently Sharpe Energy and Resources, has identified a potentially economic copper-gold
volcanogenic massive sulfide deposit in the Chequamegon National Forest of north-central Wisconsin.
The deposit, known as Bend, is located in Taylor County, approximately 19 miles north-northwest of
Medford, the county seat (Fig. 1). Mineral rights controlling the known deposit and its extensions
are currently held under a BLM Preference Right Lease Application, BLM prospecting permits, and
private leases by a joint venture consisting of Sharpe Energy and Resources, Freewest Resources and
Cyprus-Amax.
Originally discovered as a single high-priority, six-channel electromagnetic (INPUT) anomaly
in 1978, the property was not available to the former Jump River Joint Venture for acquisition until
1985. Drilling began in 1986 on the blind (100-120' of glacial overburden) electromagnetic target
and since that time a total of 38 diamond driliholes (approximately 47,000 feet of drilling) have
indicated a resource of 3.9 million short tons grading 1.87% copper, 0.09 opt gold, and 0.39 opt
silver.

LOCAL AND REGIONAL GEOLOGY
The Bend deposit is one in a cluster of at least three volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS)
deposits which occur within the Ladysmith district (Fig. 2). Other significant deposits in this district
include Flambeau (Cu-Au), which is currently being mined, and Eisenbrey (Thornapple) (Zn-Cu)
where exploration has recently (1995) been conducted; previously explored VMS showings also
occur at the Schoolhouse (Cu), and Clear Creek (Cu) prospects.

This district, as well as two others which have been identified, is located in the LadysmithRhinelander volcanic complex. The complex lies in the Early Proterozoic Penokean volcanic belt (or
Wisconsin magmatic terrane), which is a major component of the Southern Structural Province of the
Canadian Shield.
The Bend deposit is hosted by a felsic center located structurally along the southern margin of
a major volcanic arc and within a back-arc basin facies. Locally, the center is associated with, and
occurs along the flanks of, a mafic pile succession (Fig.3). The host rock section is up to 2000 feet
thick and consists of steeply dipping (upright), interbedded, schistose, rhyolitic to rhyodacitic, bedded
metatuffs (sericite schist) and quartz-crystal metatuffs (quartz-sericite schist-semischist, Fig.7A) that
are overlain (stratigraphic hangingwall) by an andesitic to rhyolitic (dominantly dacitic-rhyodacititc)
metavolcanic flow-fragmental sequence and associated fine tuffs or metasediments (Fig. 4 and
Table 1).

�130N

T31

132 N

T33 N

P3W

Substation

01 2345 miles

P1W

Figure 1. Bend project location map, Taylor County, Wisconsin.

j

P2W

Power transmission line

uss..wgbs,.

P4W

z,

a-.

North

PIE

U

R2E

Fig.1

R3E

�Anorogenic igneous
rocks (1,4701,510 Ma)

Alkali-feldspar granite (=1835 Ma)

Xv

Gneiss and schist (2,800- 3,000 Ma);
includes tonalite (1,890 Ma)

Volcanic rocks in the Marshfield subterrane

Wausau Volcanic Complex

Ladysmith-Rhinelander Volcanic Complex
Back arc basin sequence (greenschist succession)
Main volcanic arc sequence (amphibolite succession)

Volcanic and lesser sedimentary rocks (1,840-1,880 Ma):

Gneiss and granitoid rocks (1 835-1,865 Ma)

•j—. 1
- Tonatite-granodiorite-granite (1,760-1870 Ma)

-,-

+
+

+

.-

+

+

+

+

÷

+

+
+

+

+

+

+

Wolf River +
Batholith
+

+

+

Xs

Shear

VMS
Shear-zoneoccurrence
hosted
gold deposit

A

Thrust

x

—
High-angle

---

Potential
economic
VMS
deposit

Foliation

—

Gneiss (2,700-3,550 Ma)

Marquette Range Supergroup
(=1,850-2,100 Ma)

CONTINENTAL-MARGIN ASSEMBLAGE

+

+

,

+

+

VMS
deposit

+

+

÷

+

+

________

II
AEM
formational
group and
type

Figure 2. Geological map of northern Wisconsin showing major volcanic complexes, and distribution of VMS deposits and
occurrences (modified Sims, 1989).

+

IH

Middle Proterozoic
(Keweenawan)
mafic igneous and
sedimentary rocks of
the Midcontinent rift
system (1,0001,200 Ma)

rocks

Paleozoic sedimentary

WISCONSIN MAGMATIC TERRANES
(PENOKEAN VOLCANIC BELT)

_______

�if

I

Main Volcanic Arc Sequence

Piv — dominantly intermediate to malic
metavolcanic flows and interbedded metatufts and tuffaceous metasediments

intnisive complex; includes melavolcanic flows, interfiow tuffs and sediments, and cherty iron formation (if)

F' ' \N Pmv — mafic to ultramafic volcanicI

I

I

Back-Arc Basin Sequence

intwsives, syenodiorite

Pms — graphilic, sulfide-bearing metaargillite formations

\

Pmvf — dominantly intermediate to mafic
metavolcanic flows and subvolcanic infrusives

Pvs — dominantly tuffaceous mela--1 sediments; includes metagraywacke,
bedded or reworked melatuffs, and
associated chemical metasediments

I Pvs

•

I.. .1 Metagabbro, altered ultramafic

Lower Proterozoic Metavolcanic and Related Rocks

Lower Proterozolc (?) Intrusive Rock Units
. j Metagrariite, quartz metadiorite,
-' ' metadiorite and metasyenite

I ::I Lower Proterozoic Barron Quartzite

Sedimentary Rock Units
Undifferentiated Cambrian sandstone formations; thin (&lt;50 ft) sandstone
units locally covering basement metavolcanic units not shown
—

PPE

PROSPECT ,,y

BEND DEPOSIT (Cu,Au)

DeMatties, 1994).

0

0

Deposit with defined reserves

A

4 /92

Z

z

LYNNE DEPOSIT
(Zn, Pb,Ag)

5km

Smiles

Reverse and normal magnetized mafic dikes
(Keweenawan age)

Prospect

Shear zone

a

Figure 3. General geologic map of the western portion of the Ladysmith-Rhinelander metavolcanic complex (after

CH

- - _ -&lt;

magnetic data

Contact, based on airborne

—— Projected or inferred fault

— — __

___
Pfv — dominantly intermediate to felsic mdtavolcanic
tuffs/lapilli metatuffs (lifhicl
cryslal) and flows, cherty
metatuffs, and associated
chemical mefasediments
(metachert)

Felsic Center(s)

v4I1

C)

0

N

0

(0 0

3

C)

_____

�I

500 FEET

Figure 4.

�Tab'e 1
DESCRIPTION OF LITHOLOGIC UNITS

VOLCANIC UNITS
HANGING-WALL SEQUENCE (FEISIC FLOW-FRAGMENTAL COMPLEX)

fl/
I

D

L

I V7 INTERMEDIATE TO MAFIC FLCMSLVR
] INTERMEDIATE TO FELSIC
FLOWS (dacite to rhyo(andesite to basaltic
andesite) Dark greenish
dacite) Greenish gray,
gray, fine— to medium—
fine— to medium—grained,
thin—to thick bedded,
grained, massive, commonly
porphyritic (feldspar and
fractured and healed
ferrornagnesian mineral
(quartz and carbonate),
porphyritic (feldspar
phenocrysts) and nonporphyritic inetavolcanic
flows and flow breccias.
Interflow tuffs and
sediments and interbedded
siliceous and metavolcanic
flows occur locally.

IV11T
i-

phenocrysts) metavolcanic
flows and/or subvolcanic

intrusives.

FELSIC FLOWS (rhyolite)
Light gray to pinkish—
white, fine— to medium—
grained, massive, fractured
and healed, very hard,
commonly porphyritic (blue

quartz eyes and feldspar
phenocrysts), siliceous
rnetavolcanic flows, sub—
volcanic intrusives, and
flow breccias; localized
well-developed

banding?.

flow

Locally, weakly

mineralized and altered.

INTERBEDDED FLCYS AND INTERFLOW

PYROCLASTIC BEES Dominantly thin,

intermediate to felsic metavolcanic
flows (Vp) , flow breccias, and
carbonath-rich lnterflow metatuffs
and lapilli metatuffs.
LT

INTERMEDIATE TO FELSIC LAPILLI TUFFS
Greenish gray, medium- to coarse—
grained, thin- to thick-bedded,
carbonate-rich coarse metatuffs,
lapilli metatuffs, and tuff
breccias. Normal graded bedding is

common.

LLI

INTERMEDIATE TO FELSIC FINE AND COARSE TUFFS
Light to dark greenish gray, fine- to
medium—grained, thinly bedded to laminated
metatuffs and associated tuffaceous meta—
Black meta—argillite laminations
sediments.
locally.

Intercalated thin inter-

mediate to felsic metavolcanic
flows (VD) locally.
I

Cs

TUFFACEOUS SEDIMENTS Dark gray to

CT

black, fine—grained, laminated,
commonly graphitic, chlorite—rich
meta—argillite. Commonly sulfide—
bearing. Chert laminations common.

CHERTY TUFF Fine-grained, finely

laminated cherty and hematitic
inetatuff. Chert component greater
Thin massive-sulfide
than 50%.
beds may be present.

MINERALIZED SEQUENCE

ALTERED AND MINERALIZED QUARTZ-CRYSTAL FELSIC TUFF Medium to light gray, fine- to

inedium-grained, poorly bedded, well-foliated (schistose) , crystal-bearing (blue
quartz eyes) quartz-sericite schist. Well—developed tuffaceous texture is
preserved. Widespread stockwork sulfide mineralization is characteristic,

consisting of up to 30% (commonly l%-lO%) pyrite ± chalcopyrite as disseminations,
cross-cutting veinlets, and conformable bands. This unit hosts copper- and gold—
bearing massive to semimassive and stringer mineralization.
1xT1_31

ALTERED AND MINERALIZED CRYSTAL FELSIC TUFFS Medium to light gray, fine- to

poorly to well—bedded, weakly to well—foliated (schistose),
crystal—bearing (quartz and feldspar crystals), locally fragmental qnartz—sericite
(ifeldapar) schists and semi—schists. Widesprad disseminated sulfides (pyrite ±
chalcopyrite) and conformable massive to semitnassive sulfide bands. Crystal tuff
units are separated by thin argillite (CS) and felsic tuff (GT) beds. Unit XT

medium-grained,

hosts copper-bearing fragmental massive sulfide and stringer sulfide mineraliztion
FOOTWALL SEQUENCE

GT7 BEDDED FELSIC TUFF Gray to greenish gray, fine—grained, thinly to thickly
laminated, well—foliated (schistose) sericite schist.
disseminated pyrite, up to 5%.

[F

9203001
CE11O3 GEO

Commonly contains

INTERMEDIATE TO MAFIC FLOWS AND INTERFLOW SEDIMENTS (andesite) Dark greenish
gray, fine- to medium-grained, locally laminated, foliated (schistose) chlorite
Carbonate alteration common.
schist.

�—
MPFIC FLOW(S) (basalt) Dark greenish gray, aphanitic to fine—grained, nonfoliated, fractured and healed, nonporphyritic (massive) metavolcanic flows and/or
subvolcanic intrusives

VM

INTRUSIVE UNITS
1 +] SUBVOLCANIC INTRUSIVE Dark gray, medium—grained, equigranular, massive, fractured
[±
intermediate to mafic dike or sill.
+1 and healed,

SULFIDE MINERALIZATION
MASSIVE SULFIDE MINERALIZATION Fine- to very fine—grained, poorly to well-bedded,
locally fragment—bearing (less than 20% XT fragments) , massive (greater than 50%,
up to 90%) granular pyrite with varying amounts of fine chalcopyrite and tetrahedrite-tennantite intergrowths.
Gangue minerals include quartz + sericite ±
chlorite.
SEMIMASSIVE SULFIDE MINERALIZATION 30% to 50% pyrite.

SULFIDE MINERALIZATION Medium- to coarse-sized, sithrounded to
subangular, coimnonly silicified XT fragments (greater than or equal to 20%)
FRAGMENT-BEARING

supported

in a fine-grained matrix of semimassive

pyrite (30%-5O%) ± chalco—

pyrite.

---

FRAGMENTAL SULFIDE MINERALIZATION Medium- to coarse-sized, subrounded to

(py) fragments (greater than or equal to 30%) supported in a
fine matrix of quartz and sericite.

subangular sulfide

/JJ STRINGER SULFIDE MINERALIZATION Fine—grained cross—cutting pyrite (1O%-3O%) ±

/

chalcopyrite or wispy chalcopyrite veinlets and blebs; commonly overprints massive
sulfide and fragment-bearing sulfide mineralization.
HYDROTHERMAL ALTERATION

alteration

and weak to

Includes weak to strong fine—grained black wispy chlorite
intense silicification.

DL — upper lens
LL — lower lens

Level

GEOLOGIC SYMBOLS

contact

N

observed

projected

in

drillhole

or infeed contact

strike +

dip

of relict bedding

strike of vertically dipping bedding

strike of foliation (sistosity)
strike

fault, dashed where projected

Plans

of vertically dipping foliation

(sjstosjty)

relict bedding attitude

foliation attitude (schistosity)

flow breccia unless

otherwise designated

shear zone
TOP

direction of stratigraphic top

Abbreviations
py-pyrite, po-pyrrhotite, cp-cbalcopyrite, sp—sphalerite, tet—tetrahedrite

DDH

significant sulfide mineralization
base-

and precious-metal—bearing
Ore grade Cu
Ore

grade Au

sulfide mineralization

�150

The felsic sequence remains open along strike to the west of the deposit, but is cut off to the
east by an extensive rhyolitic dome-flow complex of unknown dimensions. In general, the felsic
complex is relatively unaltered, although localized hydrothermal alteration has produced zones of
moderate to intense silicification, sericitization and chioritization. Disseminated pyrite often occurs
within sericitized zones, whereas stringer-like chalcopyrite is associated with black chlorite alteration.
Geophysically mappable meta-argillite formational units closely parallel or are interbedded
with the felsic tuffs and the deposit. These units locally contain anomalous copper mineralization and
are an important ore equivalent marker horizon that extends several miles along strike in both
directions.

Regionally the felsic center may be isoclinally folded, though there is no evidence of folding
in the immediate deposit area. Metamorphic grade of the succession is lower greenschist; a weak to
moderately strong foliation (schistosity) has developed parallel to relict bedding in the tuffaceous
units; however, many relict volcanic and sedimentary features have been preserved.

GEOCHEMISTRY
To classify the geochemical affinity of the volcanic succession, major and trace element
compositions were determined for 58 core samples taken from 12 driliholes that intersect the deposit.
Twenty-two samples were from the host quartz-sericite schist (mineralized quartz-crystal felsic
metatuff, designated the XT unit), 26 samples were of relatively unaltered volcanic rocks from the
hangingwall sequence and 4 samples were from the felsic dome-flow complex.

FeO*

Alk

MgO

Figure 5. AFM diagram for hangingwall and felsic dome. Squares = hangingwall
volcanics; Crosses = felsic dome samples.

�151

Because the hangingwall and felsic dome rocks are generally not hydrothermally altered and
have undergone only lower greenschist facies regional metamorphism, they can be classified based on
major element composition. On an AFM diagram (Fig. 5) most samples plot within or near the
calc-alkali field.
Limited data on Si02 and alkali content suggests that the hangingwall sequence includes a
fully differentiated rock suite ranging from basaltic-andesite to rhyolite (Fig. 6). Samples from the
felsic dome complex plot primarily in the rhyolite field.
To ascertain the primary geochemical affinity of the hydrothermally altered quartz-sericite
schist it is necessary to use immobile element ratios. TiC)2 and Zr are generally considered to remain
immobile in rocks that have been subjected to low-grade metamorphism and/or hydrothermal
alteration (Pearce and Cann, 1973). If these elements have remained immobile during alteration, they
should define a regression line that trends toward the origin in binary plot. The precursor
composition of the altered rock can be determined by the intersection of the trend of the plot with the
fractionation trend developed by less altered rocks of the sequence.

On a TiC)2 vs. Zr plot (Fig. 7), rocks from the hangingwall and felsic dome define a normal
differentiation trend of decreasing Ti02 with increasing Zr. In contrast, quartz-sericite schist samples
plot along a linear trend toward the origin which is consistent with relative immobility during
hydrothermal alteration. The regression line for the quartz-sericite schist intersects the felsic end of
the fractionation trend indicating rhyolite/rhyodacite as the precursor rock type.
Immobile element plots also provide an indication of the nature and extent of mass changes
due to hydrothermal alteration. Mass loss due to solution increases the relative concentration of
immobile elements, whereas mass addition, such as during silicification, has the opposite effect.
Samples that have undergone mass addition will plot between the fractionation trend and the origin,
whereas those with mass loss will plot above the fractionation trend.

On the Ti02 vs. Zr plot, most quartz-sericite schist samples are located between the
fractionation trend and the origin indicating mass dilution. Visually, it is apparent that dilution is
probably related to silicification and, to a lesser extent, the addition of sulfides.

Evidence of a net silica increase can be demonstrated graphically on a plot of Zr vs. Si02
(Fig. 8). For the hangingwall and felsic dome rocks a positive linear trend consistent with normal
fractionation is apparent. In contrast, the trend of decreasing Zr with increasing Si02 evident for the
quartz-sericite schist samples indicates dilution due to silicification.
In Figure 9 it is apparent that, in addition to silicification, the quartz-sericite schist has
undergone K-enrichment and Na-depletion during hydrothermal alteration. Changes in the alkali
composition would have been produced during sericitization of the quartz crystal tuff precursor.
Silicification must have occurred after changes in the alkali composition because sericitization
produces a net quartz loss.

MINERALIZATION
Massive-Semimassive Sulfide Mineralization
Drilling completed thus far indicates that the bulk of the deposit consists of two steeply
dipping, stacked, proximal massive (50%-90%) and semimassive (30%) sulfide lenses developed at

�152

16
14

12

0

10

+

8

0

z
Cl,

6
4

2

0

35

40

50

45

60

55

65

70

75

SiO
2

Figure 6. Volcanics from the hangingwall and felsic dome complex classified on the basis of alkali
and silica content (after Lebas et al., 1986). Symbols same as Figure 5.

1.0

0.8

Basaltic Andesite

LiLI

L1

0.6

0

Li

I—

Li

0.4

LII

Li

Li
Li

LI

&gt;EILIX

Li

0.2

Li

fl

Li
Li

Rhyolite

0.0
0

50

100

150

200

Zr

Figure 7. Ti02 vs. Zr plot for quartz-sericite schist, hangingwall volcanics and felsic dome complex.
Hangingwall and felsic dome samples (squares) define a normal differentiation trend of decreasing Zr with
increasing Ti02. In contrast, quartz-sericite schist samples (X) plot along a trend toward the origin.

�153

90
I

x

'XXrXD

80

70

El
El
El

ElEl

x

El

El

60

50 —

0

40
50

0

I

I

100

150

200

Zr
Figure 8. Plot of Zr vs. Si02 vs. Zr for quartz-sericite schist, hangingwall volcanics and felsic dome.

Hangingwall and felsic dome samples (squares) plot along a normal differentiation trend, while for quartzsericite schist samples (X) Zr is diluted due to silicification.

X

0
El

/

El

x
Hydrothermal
0

Alteration

4

X

x
x

&gt;:&lt;

x

x

X

El

2

x

x

1

I

o

0.0

I

0.2

I

0.6

0.4

0.8

K 0/Na Q+K 0
2

2

2

Figure 9. Plot of Na2+K20 vs. K20/Na20+K20 for quartz-sericite schist, hangingwall volcanics and felsic

dome. Quartz-sericite schist samples (X) and Na depleted and K enriched relative to the sodic hangingwall
and felsic dome samples (squares).

�154

or near the stratigraphic top of an altered quartz-crystal felsic tuff (XT) unit. True thicknesses of the
lenses range from 5 to 40 feet. The lower lens is thickest near the center of the deposit but
interfingers with quartz-crystal tuff (Xl') downdip and along strike; the upper lens is more
continuous along dip and strike (Fig. 10 and 11). Both lenses extend to subcrop and are overlain by
100-120 feet of Chippewa end moraine. Other stratigraphically lower massive sulfide lenses are
known, particularly along the eastern flank of the deposit, but have not been well defined by drilling.
Each lens contains medium to very fine grained, granular (locally recrystallized), pyrite with
varying amounts of interstitial chalcopyrite ± tetrahedrite-tennanite ± arsenopyrite ± bornite
± chalcocite and ± gold tellurides. Gangue minerals include quartz, carbonate (calcite), and sericite.
Petrographic analysis indicates that chalcopyrite and bornite also occur as exsolutions within pyrite
grains. The presence of tetrahedrite-tennanite, arsenopyrite, and gold tellurides explains the unusual
geochemistry of the mineralization, which includes anomalous concentrations of arsenic, antimony,
bismuth, and tellurium.
Individual beds within the lenses may be fragment-bearing (altered and unaltered quartzcrystal tuft); the stratigraphically lower lens is massive or exhibits vague bedding, whereas the upper
lens is generally well bedded and laminated (Fig. 12B). Sedimentary features, such as graded
bedding, have been observed in drill core.
The pyritic lenses are connected by a fragment-bearing semimassive sulfide zone (a debris
apron) that has been overprinted by poorly developed epigenetic copper and gold stockwork-stringer
mineralization (Fig. 10 and 11). The semimassive sulfide zone is characterized by a fine pyrite matrix
which supports subrounded to angular, silicified quartz-sericite schist clasts that, in general, range
from 2 to 10 cm in diameter. The zone thickens where the two lenses converge up dip toward the
center of the relict sulfide mound. Isopach data suggests that the original mound developed within
and along the flanks of a paleotopographic high formed by a thickening of the quartz-crystal tuff unit.
The double plunge (east and west) of the upper massive sulfide lens may be a primary feature
produced by paleotopographic control of sulfide deposition.
Near the subcrop both lenses exhibit evidence of shallow oxidation and supergene enrichment.
A thin ( 5') replacement zone containing secondary chalcocite and bornite after primary sulfides is
known from drilling.

Stockwork-stringer sulfide mineralization
Stockwork-stringer mineralization consists of fine cross-cutting chalcopyrite and/or pyrite ±
chalcopyrite ± gold tellurides (calaverite, petzite, and krennerite) anastomosing veinlets-veins
(Fig. 12C). In addition to overprinting the semimassive sulfide zone, wispy chalcopyrite stringers
locally cross-cut bedded massive sulfide (Fig. 12D). The stockwork-stringer mineralization may be
accompanied by weak to strong silicification and generally weak, wispy chlorite alteration.

Both lenses are enveloped by a pyritic stockwork sulfide halo ( 30% sulfides) which
extends an undetermined distance along strike. The halo, which is associated with widespread
pervasive sericitization, consists of pyrite disseminations, discontinuous bands or laminations and
veinlets that are cross-cutting and parallel to foliation and bedding. Stockwork-stringer mineralization
developed stratigraphically below the major lenses grades both vertically and laterally into the halo.

�a

C

•

0

/

.

a*

0

•

200

C

0

I

1

•

•

0
•

FEET

C

C

0• •

3

200

o

*

0

.

C

C
C

CL A C

.

L
•

o

C
—

C.

V0 -

.

a

C
.

0

Figure 10. Geologic cross-section 49505E.

0

.

.

0

0

a. .__,
C

C

0

° C:

,..::. .
•.

—'.---

a

•

GT

GT

SAPR0LTE

XT

LOOKING WEST

�________

.

°•c

•0

LOOKING WEST
C

.0

0. o

.Q

.0

o

'.
•.••

.,.,,•

.

•o .•0.

.00 •0

'.

.

.c'

•.'• Q0

•

•C

pD0

,o
Q•

.

Q. ,
.0

GLACIAL

-.

I

VD

L

GT

4

20

GT

JO

Fig. H

�157

Copper-Gold Distribution

The deposit, classified as copper-type VMS mineralization (DeMatties 1994), contains only
minor amounts of zinc and, therefore, has not developed any zonation of base metals. However, the
deposit does exhibit distinct copper-gold zoning patterns, i.e. development of copper-rich massive
sulfide lenses accompanied by several prominent parallel gold zones.
In the massive sulfide mineralization hypogene copper grades exhibit a significant increase
stratigraphically upward from the lower to upper lens. The well-bedded stratigraphically upper lens
contains the highest copper grades in the deposit. This copper distribution may have resulted from
hypogene enrichment by stratigraphically upward migration or "refining" during multiple copper-gold
hydrothermal pulses within the developing sulfide mound.

The highest gold values in the system occur stratigraphically below each lens as
semiconformable ore-grade ( 0.1 opt) gold assay zones (designated as the "tuckunder" and lower
gold zones). These zones, which developed in the enveloping stockwork-sulfide halo, appear to be
stratigraphically controlled and have continuity along strike and down dip. Locally, structures
cross-cutting the halo host auriferous quartz-carbonate veins containing gold-silver tellurides that assay
in the multiple ounce-per-ton range. The frequency of cross-cutting gold-silver mineralized structures
is unknown at this time.

Widespread gold values 0.01 opt have been found throughout the stockwork sulfide halo.
Higher values can form poorly developed stratiform assay zones of limited down dip or lateral extent.

POTENTIAL ORE RESERVES
A potential copper ore reserve (copper zone) is contained in the two stacked lenses,
semimassve sulfide zone, and associated stringer mineralization. The zone contains accessory
amounts of gold and silver reported as gold and silver telluride minerals. Where the lenses coalesce,
the copper zone may total 70 feet in thickness. Overall dimensions of the zone include a strike length
ranging from 1100 feet at the subcrop to 1800 feet at depth and a thickness which varies from 10 to
70 feet; it has been tested to a depth of 2000 feet.
A 1994 estimate calculated a drill indicated resource of 3.3 million tons grading 2.05%
copper, 0.07 opt gold and 0.41 opt silver (estimate includes "tuckunder" gold zone). A high-grade
core in the center of the copper zone contains 1.42 million tons grading 3.11% copper, 0.07 opt gold
and 0.41 opt silver. The copper zone remains open down dip and down plunge to the west; it
appears to terminate against the domal complex along its eastern margin.
In addition to the copper zone, ore potential exists in the adjoining lower gold assay zone,
which is characterized by pyritic gold mineralization with minor copper and silver values. Though
poorly defined, it is estimated (1994) to contain a resource of 602,850 tons grading 0.885% copper,
0.21 opt gold, and 0.26 opt silver. The zone remains open in all directions.

EXPLORATION POTENTIAL
In addition to expanding the identified resource down dip and down plunge, there is good
potential for discovery of additional VMS deposits along strike to the east where the ore-equivalent
horizon has been located. The horizon is represented by a section of laminated to thin bedded
hematitic cherty tuffs (tetsusekiei), meta-argillites (commonly graphitic or sulfide-bearing) and

�Figure 12 Polished drill core samples from the Bend deposit.

158

A

B

Altered felsic quartz-crystal metatuff (quartzsericite schist) host rock, productive XT unit.
Note flattened and elongated blue (dark gray in photo
quartz eyes which characterize this unit.
A.

Bedded and laminated massive sulfide
from the upper lens of the copper zone. Relict
bedding features are well preserved. Large host
host rock fragment (quartz-sericite schist) is
draped by bedding. Darker laminae are
B.

tetrahedrite-tennantite.

C

C. Pyritic stringer mineralization cross cutting

quartz-crystal tuff.

D

D. Fine chalcopyrite stringer mineralization
(light gray) overprinting massive pyritic sulfide,
copper zone.

F

E

E. Laminated cherty hematitic metatuff (tetsusekiei)
that stratigraphically overlies the deposit along its
eastern flank. The light laminae are the tuffaceous
(sericite-rich) component whereas the darker laminae
represent the exhalative (quartz-hematite) component.

F. Mineralized argillite. Note fine discontinuous
pyrite-chalcopyrite laminations (light gray).
0

1

2

3inches

�159

copper-bearing massive sulfide beds (Figs. 12E and 12F). Although the horizon is interrupted by the
felsic dome, geophysical surveys suggest it reappears again on the northeastern margin of the complex
and extends along strike for nearly 5000 feet. Several isolated electromagnetic anomalies have been
identified along the trend of the horizon. These targets remain untested.
Acknowledgments

The author would like to acknowledge Sharpe Energy and Resources for permission to release
these data. Also thanks are extended to Mark Burdick who prepared the illustrations.

References Cited
DeMatties, T. A., 1994, Early Proterozoic massive sulfide deposits in Wisconsin: an overview:
Economic Geology, v.89, p. 1122-1151.

LeBas, M. J., LeMaitre, R. W., Streckeisen, A., and Zanettin, B., 1986, A Chemical Classification
of Volcanic Rocks Based on Total Alkali Silica Diagram: Journal of Petrology, v. 27, p. 745750.

Pearce, J. A. and Cann, J. R., 1973, Tectonic Setting of Basic Volcanic Rocks Determined Using
Trace Element Analyses: Earth and Planetary Science Letters, v. 1, p. 290-300.

Sims, P. K., Van Schmus, W. R., Schulz, K. J., and Peterman, Z. E., 1989, Tectonic-stratigraphic
evolution of the early Proterozoic Wisconsin magmatic terranes of the Penokean Orogen:
Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, v.26. p 2145-2158.

�160

�161

GEOLOGY OF THE LYNNE BASE-METAL DEPOSIT,
NORTH-CENTRAL WISCONSIN, U.S.A.
by Glen W. Adams
Geological Consultant
Rhinelander, Wisconsin

ABSTRACT

The Lynne polymetallic deposit was discovered in early 1990 by Noranda Exploration Inc., in
north-central Wisconsin, U.S.A. The deposit is the most recent base-metal discovery in the Early
Proterozoic, Rhinelander-Ladysmith greenstone belt and has a reported open-pit reserve of 5.61
million tons grading 9.27% Zn, 0.47% Cu, 1.71% Pb, 2.38 opt Ag, and 0.021 opt Au. Mine
permitting procedures have been suspended and the future of the deposit is uncertain.
The Lynne deposit consists of four stacked, strataform massive to semi-massive sphalerite-rich
bodies hosted within a predominantly felsic sequence of subaqueous volcanic and volcaniclastic rocks,
volcanic—derived wackes and tuffs, and chemical sediments. Unusually abundant amounts of
carbonate rocks are directly associated with the sulfide ore. The Lynne stratigraphy is underlain by
an intrusive tonalite body that locally disrupts and intrudes the lowest sulfide unit. No definitive
stringer zone or alteration pipe has been identified; however, a broad alteration assemblage, similar to
other volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits, envelopes the immediate host rocks. Skarn-style
mineralization is associated with carbonate rocks along the flanks of the sulfide bodies. Metal zoning
compatible with volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits is present. Although the Lynne deposit has
characteristics of both volcanogenic massive sulfide and skarn-type deposits, a volcanogenic model is
preferred.

INTRODUCTION
The Lynne polymetallic deposit is located in Lynne Township approximately 25 miles
west-northwest of Rhinelander in north-central Wisconsin (Figure 1). The deposit site is
approximately nine miles north of State Highway 8 and the small town of Tripoli. All-weather paved
and gravel roads access the project area and the Wisconsin Central Railway has a siding at Tripoli.

The Lynne deposit occurs on Oneida County surface and mineral lands that are under lease to
Noranda Minerals Wisconsin Corp. (Figure 2). Subsequent to the discovery of the deposit in January,
1990, 138 drill holes were drilled to delineate the Lynne massive sulfide body and conduct
stratigraphic tests in the immediate deposit area. In January, 1992, a Notice of Intent To Collect Data
and Proposed Scope of Study was filed with the Wisconsin DNR as Noranda's initial step in the
involved Wisconsin mine permitting process. The deposit is intimately associated with an area of
wetlands that would be disturbed by mining. On October 23, 1993, Noranda suspended all permitting
activity, citing uncertainties surrounding DNR wetlands and lake-bed designation issues and metal
prices. All surface disturbances related to the exploration and initial permitting procedures were
reclaimed as of January, 1996 and the future of the deposit is uncertain. All Noranda's county
mineral leases on the Lynne deposit remain in good standing.

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Location Map
Lynne Base—Metal Deposit
Oneida County, Wisconsin

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2000

0

60

4000 feet

Private land

Private land purchased by Noranda

Figure

2

Noranda Mineral Lands
Lynne Base-Metal Deposit
Oneida County, Wisconsin

1200 meters

�164

REGIONAL GEOLOGY
The Lynne deposit is located in the central part of the Rhinelander-Ladysmith greenstone belt,
a belt of Proterozoic, volcanic and sedimentary rocks within the Southern Province of the Canadian
Shield. The Rhinelander-Ladysmith greenstone belt (Figure 3), is the informal designation for the
northern part of the Pembine-Wausau terrane of Sims et a!. (1989). It is approximately 50 miles
wide and extends roughly 150 miles in an east-west direction across northern Wisconsin and the
central Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Rocks within the greenstone belt range in age from 1,860 Ma
to 1,889 Ma (Sims eta!., 1989), and have been affected by the Penokeon Orogeny, resulting in
locally intense folding, major faulting, thermal metamorphism, and granitic plutonism. Widespread
Pleistocene glacial deposits mantle much of the greenstone terrane resulting in minimal outcrop
exposure. On the west the greenstone belt is overlain by Late Proterozoic quartzite and Paleozoic
sandstones, while on the east there is an onlap of Early Paleozoic sandstone and carbonate rocks. Indepth reviews .f the Rhinelander-Ladysmith Greenstone belt are presented in this volume by
DeMatties and by LaBerge.
Mineral exploration over the past 30 years, dominated by airborne geophysical surveys, has
identified over two dozen significant base-metal massive sulfide occurrences scattered throughout the
Rhinelander-Ladysmith greenstone belt (Figure 4). The Flambeau mine, currently in production, and
three other potentially economic occurrences, the Crandon, Bend, and Lynne deposits, all occur
within the Rhinelander-Ladysmith greenstone belt.
Geologic knowledge of the Lynne deposit area is very limited due to poor outcrop exposure.
Regional airborne E.M. and magnetic data and scattered drill hole information suggest that the
general geology of the Lynne area consists predominantly of mafic to intermediate volcanic rocks with
at least one felsic eruptive and intrusive event, represented by the lithologies in the immediate Lynne
deposit area. The felsic volcanic-related rocks associated with the Lynne deposit predominate over
mafic to intermediate rocks by a significant amount. The increase of felsic volcanic rocks in the
Lynne deposit area is common to other significant base-metal occurrences in northern Wisconsin and
elsewhere (DeMatties, 1994).

LYNNE DEPOSIT DISCOVERY HISTORY
The Lynne deposit is the most recent major base-metal discovery in Wisconsin. However, at
least two exploration companies were aware of the Lynne airborne E.M. anomalies up to 14 years
before its discovery. Exxon Minerals identified isolated anomalies over what is now the Lynne
deposit from an airborne E.M. survey flown in the mid 1970's. Because the mineral rights covering
the anomalies were owned by Oneida County, and unattainable at that time, no serious interest was
given to the target. Kerr McGee conducted an airborne E.M. survey over the area in the early to
mid-1980's following up on anomalous lake sediment samples taken about two miles southeast of the
deposit. They too had detected the Lynne E.M. response; however, Oneida County lands were still
not available for mineral leasing. Not until Oneida County made their mineral lands available for
lease through competitive sealed bid in 1989, did the lands hosting the Lynne deposit become
attainable. Unfortunately, by this time neither Exxon Minerals nor Kerr McGee were still actively
exploring in Wisconsin.
Noranda Exploration remained active in the state on the belief that Wisconsin's greenstone
belts hosted additional base-metal deposits. Noranda's staff was experienced in Wisconsin exploration
and knew of the Lynne airborne E.M. anomalies. Noranda's perseverance paid off when, in May

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Schematic Geology
Rhinelander-Ladysmith Greenstone Be
North—Central Wisco

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Massive Sulfide Occurrences
North-Central Wisconsin

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�167

1989, they were the successful bidder on four sections of Oneida County mineral lands in Lynne
Township.
Initial ground geophysical surveys conducted by contractor Rodney Ikola and Associates, and
later by Noranda staff, revealed a moderate to strong E.M. anomaly with an associated strong out-ofphase E.M. component (Figure 5), which was initially attributed to an overburden response. Gravity
data indicated a relatively low, but anomalous, gravity response of about 0.8 milligals. On January 6,
1990, after two failed attempts to penetrate 56 feet of glacial overburden, the Lynne massive sulfide
deposit was intersected in the first of two initial drill holes (Adams, 1990). Discovery hole W90-1
intersected 128 feet of zinc-rich massive sulfides followed by a second hole, drilled 150 feet to the
north of the first hole, which stayed in relatively massive sulfides for over 375 feet (Fable 1). It was
now understood that the large out-of-phase E.M. response was caused by widespread, relatively
poorly conductive, massive sphalerite mineralization. The massive orebody corresponds with the
main strong in-phase E.M. anomaly of Figure 5. The narrow in-phase E.M. anomaly southeast of the
orebody is not related to sulfide mineralization.

On June 19, 1990, Noranda publicly announced the discovery of the Lynne deposit. After 18
years of exploration, the drilling of several promising massive sulfide occurrences, and the
expenditure of several millions of dollars in Wisconsin, Noranda appeared to have a massive sulfide
deposit with commercial potential. Reported reserves of 5.61 million tons grading 9.27% Zn,
0.47% Cu, 1.71% Pb, 2.38 opt Ag, and 0.021 opt Au (American Mines Handbook, 1995), are
considered recoverable by open pit methods.
In 1990, Noranda flew a detailed airborne E.M. survey over the Lynne deposit and
surrounding region defining additional attractive targets. To date no other discoveries have been
made, although the exploration potential is favorable. In early 1993, Noranda Exploration Inc. closed
its Wisconsin exploration office sighting a general unfavorable mineral exploration and development
climate in the state.

GEOLOGY AND MORPHOLOGY OF THE LYNNE DEPOSIT
The area hosting the Lynne deposit is covered by 40 to 75 feet of unconsolidated glacial till.
Lithologies, alteration and structure of the orebody and its host rocks are derived from drill hole
information and detailed ground and airborne geophysical data. The only known outcrop within
several miles of the deposit is an area of moderately foliated granitic rock occurring in, and adjacent
to, the Willow River about 4000 feet northeast of the orebody. There is evidence of an oxidized cap
on the ore deposit.

The Lynne ore body consists of four strataform, massive to semi-massive, stacked,
polymetalhic, sulfide bodies with an aggregate thickness of approximately 325 feet in the central part
of the ore zone. The sulfide bodies exhibit abrupt thickening and coalescing in the core of the ore
zone with ore dissipating relatively quickly on the flanks. Sphalerite is the predominant sulfide
mineral followed in abundance by pyrrhotite, pyrite, galena, and chalcopyrite. Gold occurs in the
lower sulfide body and in association with skarn mineralization on the flanks of the deposit along with
magnetite. Silver mineralization occurs in the central to upper part of the ore body. Metal zoning
occurs as a relative enrichment of copper toward the base of individual sulfide units. Metal zoning
also occurs as a progression of relative copper and iron enrichment toward the base of the composite
sulfide deposit, grading upward into strong zinc mineralization followed by concentrations of lead and
silver in the upper parts of the ore zone. The sulfide-bearing zone has a strike length of
approximately 1300 feet and both the ore deposit and its host rocks strike in a general east-southeast

�168

Table 1
Assay Results From Drill Holes W90-l &amp; W90-2
Lynne Base-Metal Deposit
Oneida County, Wisconsin

Composite

Zones from Drill Hole W90-1

From
(Ft)

To
(Ft)

Width
(Ft)

Zn

Cu
%

Pb

Ag

Au

%

%

opt

opt

135.50

150.70

15.20

34.78

0.38

3.64

0.608

0.010

150.70

168.20

17.50

5.02

0.83

0.36

0.293

0.012

168.20

197.20

29.00

34.44

0.88

3.13

1.104

0.006

205.40

263.50

58.10

22.17

0.58

3.83

1.435

0.014

135.50

263.50

128.00

22.71

0.64

2.95

1.039

0.011

Ag

opt

Au
opt

Composite Zones from Drill Hole W90-2

To
(Ft)

Width
(Ft)

Zn

Cu

%

%

Pb
%

55.00

66.60

11.60

18.59

0.05

8.47

8.558

0.016

102.60

242.30

139.70

6.41

0.17

2.82

10.746

0.014

250.90

320.60

69.70

21.64

0.54

2.82

1.257

0.012

320.60

350.20

29.60

2.79

0.12

0.77

0.901

0.012

372.20

405.50

33.30

4.71

0.16

0.29

0.498

0.009

405.50

439.00

33.50

11.20

0.74

0.76

0.844

0.018

55.00

439.00

384.00

8.45

0.26

2.09

4.736

0.012

From
(Ft)

�Max-Mm

0

S

5

0

0

EXPLANATION

100

1.00

Sc 01.

800

eel

I
200 meters

Out a) Phase

In Phase

{HLEM response widths)

HLEM Ground Geophysical Data
Lynne Base-Metal Deposit
Oneida County, Wisconsin

Figure

t5 N

(

�170

direction dipping northeasterly at about 40 degrees. Graded beds within the host rocks indicate that
the stratigraphy is upright with tops to the northeast. The zinc-rich sulfide bodies lie within a
subaqueous, volcaniclastic, sedimentary and carbonate-rich sequence of rocks. Drill hole data from
host rocks indicate a general coarsening of pyroclastic material to the north, or down-dip, suggesting
a more proximal location to a possible volcanic eruptive source in that direction. The lowest
sulfide-rich horizon of the deposit is underlain, and locally disrupted and cut off, by an intrusive
tonalite body.
The deposit and its host rocks show no major structural complexities. East to southeast
striking, vertical to sub-vertical, fracture zones exhibit minor movement in stratigraphy within and
down-dip from the ore zones, and according to Kennedy (1992), postdate the tonalite. The fracture
zones are commonly filled with rhyodacite dikes and less often with basaltic dikes. A shallow
depression or trough occurs in the upper surface of the tonal ite beneath the thickest, central part of
the ore deposit. There has been some speculation that the fracture zones may have some relationship
to this trough-like feature, and that the fracture zones, and possibly the depression in the tonalite, are
genetically related to the deposition of sulfide mineralization (Adams, 1991). Both structural features
may represent remnants of a down-dropped, or graben-like, feature that helped to localize ore
deposition.
The entire lithologic package, although variably altered and locally affected by contact
metamorphism and skarnification, is metamorphosed to greensehist metamorphic rank. Evidence of
retrograde alteration of higher temperature minerals to lower temperature minerals is widespread.
Chlorite and talc-bearing alteration assemblages occur in the lower parts of the Lynne stratigraphy;
however, no distinct stringer zone or alteration pipe is evident. A pervasive alteration assemblage
does occur in the enveloping host rocks. Because of the unusual combination of base-metal and
alteration assemblages, and the host rock lithologies, the Lynne deposit exhibits characteristics
common to both volcanogenic massive sulfide and carbonate-related skarn, deposits.

Sulfide Mineralization
The massive and semi-massive strataform lenses of the Lynne ore deposit are divided into
four separate zones or units based on physical, or discrete compositional, differences (Adams, 1990;
Adams, 1991). The sulfide lenses are designated as units A through D with A being the lower-most,
and progressing stratigraphically upward to units B, C, and D (Figures 6 and 7).
Unit A

Sulfide Unit A exhibits the greatest lateral extent of all the zones and reaches up to 60 feet in
thickness, although it is locally disrupted and intruded by the foot-wall tonalite. The zone is a pyritic,
massive sphalerite body enriched in chalcopyrite and pyrrhotite relative to the other zones. Over 50
percent of the copper and over 30 percent of the gold content of the ore deposit occurs in cherty,
chloritic, pyrrhotitic massive to semi-massive sulfide portions of this unit (Kennedy, 1992). Partially
enveloping the unit is a talc-rich assemblage containing disseminated to massive sulfides with Mgchlorite, phiogopite and lesser tourmaline, serpentine, cummingtonite, and galena (Kennedy et a!.,
1991). Also present locally within the alteration envelope is stringer-like and disseminated sphalerite
and pyrrhotite. An extensive barren zone of this alteration assemblage, with laminated cherts
containing disseminated pyrrhotite, pyrite and minor magnetite lanünae, continues up to 300 feet
along strike and down-dip from Unit A.

�6

Sulfide Units
(Section 10,000 E.)
Lynne Base-Metal Deposit
Oneida County, Wisconsin

Figure

Looking West

�7

Composite Assay Results from Sulfide Unit
(Section 10,000 E.)
Lynne Base—Metal Deposit
Oneida County, Wisconsin

Ficrure

Looking West

)16 088

�—
173

Unit B

Narrow intervals of carbonate rock, with local skarn-type mineralization, separate units B and
A. Sulfide mineralization in Unit B differs strongly from Unit A in that it occurs in association with
lenticular masses of chemical sedimentary rocks including calcareous and siliceous fades.
Disseminated sphalerite and pyrite is ubiquitous to the carbonate host rocks, and massive to semimassive sphalerite, with lesser galena and subordinate chalcopyrite, forms lenses up to 50 feet thick.
The composite thickness of Unit B reaches approximately 150 feet in the central part of the ore body.
Unit B contains over 50 percent of the total deposit tonnage and almost 60 percent of the total zinc
content of the deposit (Kennedy, 1992). Thin beds of carbonate-rich volcaniclastic and sedimentary
rocks within the unit are pervasively replaced by caic-silicate minerals. Sphalerite, and to a lesser
extent pyrrhotite and pyrite, are disseminated throughout the carbonate host rocks. The carbonate
rocks are relatively planar bedded near the base of the unit becoming increasingly disrupted toward
the top. Carbonate beds tend to be finer grained and well bedded off the flanks of Unit B.
Unit C

Narrow beds of barren volcaniclastic wackes or tuffs and a rhyolitic sill separate units B and
C. Unit C is approximately 160 feet thick and consists predominantly of contorted, folded, or
disrupted calcareous chemical sediments that can be divided into two zones. The lower calcareous
zone is about 50 feet thick and consists of marble with massive to semi-massive sphalerite and galena.
The upper 110 feet of the unit is calcareous, but within the upper 50 feet it becomes extremely
siliceous containing cherty layers and diopside-rich cherts. Sulfide mineralization in the upper part of
Unit C consists of disseminated to semi-massive sphalerite, pyrite and galena. A large proportion of
the deposit's silver content occurs in the upper siliceous part of Unit C in the form of native silver,
tetrahedrite, and argentiferous galena. Here, silver content averages over 100 ounces per ton for
several tens of feet. As with Unit B, this unit shows a relative abundance of chalcopyrite toward the
base of the sulfide assemblages. An envelope of diopside-garnet-pyrrhotite-magnetite skarn
mineralization occurs on the south side of the lower part of Unit C and on the upper part of Unit C in
association with rhyolite sills (Kennedy, 1992).
Unit D

Unit D, the uppermost sulfide unit, is a massive to semi-massive zone of sphalerite with
accessory galena and appreciable chalcopyrite in siliceous, cherty, chemical sediments. This unit is
truncated by the bedrock surface and grades rapidly down-dip into barren volcaniclastic sediments.
The unit is separated from the underlying unit C by a 50-foot thick, rhyolitic sill.

Host Rocks
The rocks hosting the Lynne deposit (Figure 8), have had little in-depth investigation with the
exception of work done by Kennedy (1992), who, in conjunction with Noranda's predevelopment
staff, studied the immediate host-rocks and their alteration assemblages as part of the deposit
delineation drilling program. Much of the following information on the host rocks is drawn heavily
from Kennedy (1992), and the findings of the predevelopment staff.
Kennedy (1992) has divided the Lynne deposit host rocks into five units consisting of, in
ascending order, the Lower Rhyolite, the ore-bearing Lynne Horizon, the Upper Rhyolite, the Upper
YCS and the Hanging Wall Unit. Subsequent to the deposition of this felsic volcanic-rich sequence,
the rocks were intruded by a probable subvolcanic tonalite body that partially ingested and disrupted
the lower surface of sulfide Unit A.

�174

Lower Rhyolite
The Lower Rhyolite consists of massive to poorly sorted, rhyolitic lapilli to ash tuff
containing abundant pumice fragments and locally poorly graded beds of fine ash tuff. Dark green to
black chioritic material is common as veinlets and irregular masses. Kennedy (1992) interprets this
lithologic package as a sequence of subaqueous debris flows. Angular and shattered coarser felsic
lapihi fragments suggest possible local autobrecciation of rhyolitic flow rocks.

The Lower Rhyolite interfingers with the stratigraphicahly higher Lynne Horizon north of the
orebody but is absent from the immediate vicinity of the orebody either due to non-deposition or
incorporation into the intruding tonalite. Rhyolitic tuffs with distinctive angular lapilli clasts occur
north of the orebody and approximately one mile south of the orebody, suggesting that this unit may
be relatively widespread.
Lvnne Horizon
The Lynne Horizon hosts the Lynne ore deposit and consists of a sequence of predominantly
volcaniclastic, detrital, and chemical sedimentary rocks with lesser interlayered intermediate to felsic
volcanic flow rocks and minor rhyohitic crystal tuffs. The horizon is up to 320 feet thick and extends
over one-half mile east of the ore deposit. The volcaniclastic rocks consist of greywackes and
laminated siltstones of volcaniclastic or reworked volcanic material interbedded with and grading into
crystal to crystal-hithic tuffs.

Carbonate-rich sediments, characteristic to this horizon, and lesser laminated cherts occur
over 1300 feet away from the orebody and increase in abundance and thickness toward the orebody
where they exceed 200 feet thick in the center of the ore deposit (Kennedy, 1992). The bulk of the
carbonate rocks are directly associated with the massive to disseminated parts of the sulfide ore zones
where they are partially or mostly replaced by sulfide minerals. Some partial replacement continues
for a considerable distance away from the main orebody to the north and east where it is often
associated with an envelope of potassic and magnesium alteration. On the flanks of the Lynne Horizon
the carbonates are often well bedded, while less sulfide-rich carbonate zones within and between the
main ore zones are commonly laminated though often disrupted and contorted. The carbonate rocks
form sharp contacts with overlying volcaniclastic horizons.
Descriptions by Kennedy et al. (1991), Kennedy (1992), and Kennedy and Donnelly (1992),
suggest that the carbonate assemblages at Lynne show considerable compositional variations.
Dolomitic rocks are the most abundant, and directly associated with base-metal mineralization, while
limestones are associated with barren or poorly developed sulfide mineralization on the eastern and
western flanks of the deposit. The tendency of more Mg-carbonate toward the central part of the
orebody, combined with Mg-silicate alteration assemblages in the immediate host rocks, could denote
Mg-metasomatism related to carbonate build-up and ore formation. Since the initial drill holes into
the ore body, it has been speculated that the buildup of carbonate material is directly associated with
ore deposition (Adams, 1990). The carbonate rocks are relatively restricted to a north-northeasttrending basinal feature (Kennedy, 1992), which coincides with the thickest part of the sulfide ore
body, suggesting a direct relationship between the ore body and a carbonate build-up.
Upper Rhyolite
The Upper Rhyolite unit consists of rhyolite crystal and crystal lithic, lapilhi tuffs and massive
rhyohite with minor interlayers of dacite and andesite, and thin basal horizons of greywacke and chert.
The unit is over 300 feet thick north of the orebody and thins southward where it becomes
interlayered with the ore stratigraphy. Rhyohitic sills that intrude the ore body are similar to massive
rhyolites in the Upper Rhyolite. Epidote-rich skarn is associated with some of the rhyolitic sills on

�175

the west edge of the ore body, suggesting a possible correlation between the intrusion of narrow
rhyolite sills of the Upper Rhyolite and the formation of skarn mineralization.
The Upper VCS Unit
The Upper VCS Unit consists of volcanic-derived greywacke and laminated siltstone with
increasing amounts of andesite as the horizon is traced northward. The updip southerly projection of
the horizon is represented by the narrow, upper-most, silicious sulfide Unit D. In the immediate
vicinity of the orebody, the Upper VCS Unit is less than 100 feet thick but thickens to over 200 feet
to the north and west. Iron sulfides commonly occur in this unit as fracture fillings within 100 feet of
the orebody, and form sulfide-rich laminae associated with magnetite in siltstones. Chlorite, epidote
and minor actinolite alteration minerals are common.
Hanging Wall Unit
The Hanging Wall Unit is a mixture of felsic to mafic tuffs, heterolithic wackes and
agglomerates, or conglomerates. Characteristic to this unit are clast-supported agglomerates
containing beige to pink lapilli-sized rhyolitic clasts. The wackes contain lapilli-sized rhyolitic to
andesitic clasts and plagioclase and quartz crystals in a mafic groundmass. Interpretations by the
Noranda pre-development team suggest that the unit may be a series of debris flows that appear to
dissipate to the north and are therefore derived from a southerly source area.
Tonalite
The tonalite underlies the Lynne ore and host-rock stratigraphy. It has an irregular upper
contact that dips at a shallow angle to the northeast. The tonalite intrudes and disrupts the lower part
of sulfide Unit A, displacing and enclosing parts of the unit. Flexures in the overlying stratigraphy
appear to be associated with a northeast-striking trough in the tonalite surface. The intrusive is often
porphyritic with quartz ovoids and euhedral, zoned plagioclase crystals in a fine-grained, commonly
graphic, matrix (Kennedy and Donnelly, 1992). Within 50 feet of the contact, the tonalite is
characterized by a granophyric texture. Low temperature alteration is common in the tonalite, but is
strongest in association with local fracturing or faulting. Within 35 feet of the tonalite, local
recrystallization of adjacent volcanic and volcaniclastic rocks occurs and a hornfels texture is
sometimes present (Kennedy and Donnelly, 1992). The magnetic response associated with the known
area of tonal ite grades into a relatively constant regional magnetic low south of the deposit that is
interpreted as a large granitic body.

Alteration
There does not appear to be a distinct alteration pipe, or stringer zone, beneath or adjacent to
the Lynne deposit as is common to other volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits (Franklin et a!., 1975;
Franklin et a!. 1981). It is possible that the subvolcanic tonalite body has engulfed and destroyed any
pre-existing alteration stringer zone. There is, however, an alteration mineral assemblage associated
with the lower Lynne ore stratigraphy and the stratigraphically higher encompassing host rocks.
Talc-rich zones up to 25 feet thick occur beneath and grade into the lower massive sulfide
Unit A, and talc-rich zones up to 15 feet thick separate zinc-rich ore from skarn and marble units
along the northern flank of the orebody (Kennedy, 1992). Local stringer-like veins and
disseminations of sphalerite and pyrrhotite occur within Mg-chlorite and muscovite-rich talcose rocks
associated with the lower parts of sulfide Unit A (Adams, 1990; Kennedy, 1992). Observations by
the Noranda predevelopment team (personal communication), reveal a Mg- and K-rich secondary
mineral assemblage extending laterally up to 1300 feet down-dip, and over 2000 feet east, in the
footwall rocks of the orebody, and within several hundred feet of the orebody, feldspar in tuffs of the

�176

Upper Rhyolite and the Upper VCS Unit are altered to muscovite and chlorite. These criteria support
a broad alteration assemblage similar to semiconformable alteration zones found in conjunction with
several world-wide volcanogenic massive sulfide occurrences described by Franldin et al. (1981).
Tonalite in contact with the orebody, on the other hand, appears to be little altered, suggesting a postalteration intrusive event.

Skarn Mineralization
The abundant caic-silicate mineral assemblage associated with the Lynne deposit is uncommon
to volcanic-related massive sulfide deposits. It is apparent that the skarn-style of mineralization is
directly related to the anomalous amount of carbonate rock associated with the orebody. The most
intensive skarn mineralization is associated with the extensive replacement of carbonate along the updip flanks or projected edges of the orebody (Figure 8). Here pyrrhotite and magnetite are also
locally abundant, especially along the southern edges of the orebody. Quartz-diopside skarn
assemblages are characteristic of the upper parts of the deposit and epidote skarn occurs in
conjunction with intrusive rhyolitic sills within the orebody (Kennedy, 1992). Skarn mineralization is
seldom associated with base-metal ore, but the highest ore-grade gold concentrations have a direct
skarn relationship (Adams, 1991; Kennedy, 1992).
No other known massive sulfide occurrence in the Rhinelander-Ladysmith greenstone belt is
associated with such abundant carbonate material. DeMatties (1990) describes possible carbonate-rich
exhalites at the Ritchie Creek occurrence, and significant dolomitic units make up part of the Crandon
deposit stratigraphy (Lambe and Rowe, 1987). Franklin et a!. (1975) refer to a dolomitic host rock
package for the Mattabi deposit in the Sturgeon Lake camp of northwestern Ontario. The significant
skarn assemblage associated with the Lynne deposit makes this one of the most unique base-metal
deposits of the Rhinelander-Ladysmith greenstone belt.

Proposed Genetic Model for the Lynne Deposit
Although the Lynne deposit has characteristics of both volcanogenic massive sulfide and
skarn-related deposits, it is believed that the supporting evidence is sufficient to suggest a
volcanogenic origin for deposit. A sulfide depositional scenario is proposed whereby a graben-like
depression, perhaps developed in conjunction with a caldera collapse feature, forms on the flank of a
felsic volcanic complex centered to the northeast of the present-day Lynne deposit. The association of
the near-vertical fracture zones in the Lynne stratigraphy, and the trough-like depression in the
tonalite surface, with the rapid thickening of the core of the ore deposit, may represent remnant
features of the postulated graben. Within the confines of the down-dropped block of felsic volcanic
rocks, and using bounding growth faults as conduits, volcanic vents may have began an effusive
build-up of carbonate-rich chemical sediments. Either syndepositionally, or closely following the
carbonate build-up, solutions rich in zinc, with subordinate lead, silver, copper and gold, replaced
much of the central portion of the carbonate mound. At least four episodes of metal infusion
prevailed over the deposition of volcaniclastic and chemical sedimentary material within the graben
complex. As the sulfide deposition evolved, the relatively abundant copper and iron dropped out of
solution, both at the onset of each sulfide event, and throughout the entire sulfide depositional period,
and was supplanted by zinc with progressively increasing amounts of lead and then silver. Coincident
with the evolution of metal-bearing solutions was the progression from carbonate-rich toward silicarich chemical sedimentary facies. The confines of the proposed graben feature may account for the
stacked layering of chemical sedimentation and sulfide deposition.

�j

•

0

•

t

+

co — carbonate
oh — chert. (Qz)

Gt

Massive Po, Mt

+

T 0.

509 0'

+

Tonal t e

Semi—massive to
Massive Sulfide
Disseminated sulfide

+

+

0

— talcose
sk — Tr, Di,

+

+

10

304 0

Talc

BPM

0

9''0BpMo
•O•O•O•O•Q/.O

0

O0Q

1.0.

IR1

(After Kennedy, 1992)

Rhyolite
794 0

1.0.

Tonal ite

Marble

Ml

666.0'

+

553.0'

1.0.

+

Chert

Volcaniclastic unit

Gt+Di ± Tr Skarn

+

Looking West

CH

___

Figure

8

ft.
Host Rock Geology
(Section 10,000 E.)
Lynne Base—Metal Deposit
Oneida County, Wisconsin

MS

100

Scale

_1lp 0

.i!O

_L0°

�178

Associated with a resurgence of volcanic activity, the sulfide-bearing stratigraphy was covered
with a sequence of felsic to intermediate, volcanic flow, pyroclastic, and epiclastic rocks, and
intruded by rhyolitic sills. At the same relative time, or subsequent to this point in the volcanic
history of the area, a subvolcanic, tonalitic mass intruded the base of the graben feature and its metalrich sequence of volcanics and chemical sediments. During its intrusion, the tonalite could have
engulfed an alteration pipe associated with the graben-bounding fracture system leaving only the more
widespread wallrock alteration assemblage. Associated either with the intrusion of the tonalite, the
intrusion of higher level rhyolitic sills, or a combination of both, a skarn-style alteration assemblage
developed in the flanks of the carbonate mound in which sulfide mineralization was less pronounced.
Pyrrhotite, magnetite and gold mineralization was produced or remobilized in association with this
event. Later movement reactivated the bounding faults and subsequent bimodal intrusive activity
filled some of the fault zones with dikes. It is of course unknown if additional massive sulfide bodies
were deposited in this graben feature prior to, or following, the formation of the current Lynne
sulfide units, their possible existence being either destroyed by the intruding tonalite or erosion.
Since the geological environment favored the deposition of the Lynne deposit, it is likely, as
substantiated by base-metal camps throughout the world, that additional massive sulfide deposits
formed in conjunction with the Lynne felsic build-up of the prolific Rhinelander-Ladysmith greenstone
belt.

Summary
The Lynne base-metal deposit consists of a series of four strataform, massive to semi-massive,
sphalerite-rich sulfide bodies containing accessory galena, silver, copper, and gold. The deposit is
hosted by a dominantly felsic volcaniclastic and sedimentary sequence of rocks with a significant
amount of carbonate-rich chemical sediments. The immediate ore-bearing stratigraphy is overlain by
felsic to intermediate volcanic flow, pyroclastic, and epiclastic rocks. An intrusive tonalite underlies
the Lynne stratigraphy disrupting and intruding the lower-most sulfide unit.
No definitive alteration or feeder pipe is evident; however, an alteration assemblage common
to volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits world-wide, is present in the deposit's immediate host
rocks. Metal zoning is suggested by relative copper enrichment toward the base of individual sulfide
units. Deposit-wide metal zoning occurs as a relative enrichment in copper and iron in the lower
sulfide units, an upward increase in zinc, and the development of galena concentrations and strong
silver enrichment in the upper parts of the deposit. There is a corresponding evolution from
carbonate-rich rocks lower in the sequence to more siliceous chemical sediments higher in the host
rock stratigraphy. Skarn-type mineralization is characteristic to the carbonate-rich host rocks,
especially along the up-dip flanks of the deposit and locally associated with intrusive rhyolitic sills.
The highest concentrations of gold, and an increase in pyrrhotite and magnetite mineralization, are
associated with the skarn-type assemblage.
Characteristics common to volcanogenic massive sulfide and skarn-related deposits occur
within the Lynne deposit lithologic sequence. Data suggest that the main sulfide mineralizing events
were related to a volcanogenic-related, carbonate-generating, hydrothermal system. Skarn
development in carbonate rocks within the main sulfide orebody and its lateral equivalents may be
related to the intrusion of the subvolcanic tonalite, the rhyolite sills, or a combination of both events.

�179

Acknowledgements

The author strongly acknowledges the contributions of the Lynne predevelopment team of L.
Kennedy, T. (Harding) Kennedy, J. Schaff, A. Zielinski and T. Suszek for their contributions to the
author's knowledge through reviews, reports and conversations during the delineation of the Lynne
deposit. Special recognition is due Larry Kennedy, author of the Noranda summary report, from
which much of the descriptive text regarding alteration assemblages and host rock lithologies was
taken. The management of Noranda Exploration Inc. is also acknowledged for their philosophy of
exploration persistence and their confidence in the Superior District staff. I also thank Noranda
Exploration Inc. for permission to publish this paper.

References Cited
Adams, Glen W., 1990, Lynne Base-Metal Discovery, North-Central Wisconsin: New Discoveries
in North America Session, Northwest Mining Association 96th Annual Meeting, Spokane,
Washington, transcript, 18 p.

Adams, Glen W., 1991, Lynne Base-Metal Discovery: The Minnesota Prospector, Vol.!, No. 5, p.
2-7.

AMERICAN MINES HANDBOOK, 1995, Noranda Exploration Inc., Company Profiles, Southam
Magazine and Information Group publishers, p.167.

DeMatties, T. A., 1990, The Ritchie Creek Main Zone: A Lower Proterozoic Copper-Gold
Volcanogenic Massive Sulfide Deposit in Northern Wisconsin: Economic Geology, Vol. 85,
p. 1908-1916.
DeMatties, T. A., 1994, Early Proterozoic Volcanogenic Massive Sulfide Deposits in Wisconsin: An
Overview: Economic Geology, Vol. 89, p. 1122-1151.

Franklin, J. M., Lydon, J. W. and Sangster, D. F., 1981, Volcanic-Associated Massive Sulfide
Deposits: ECONOMIC GEOLOGY 75th ANNIVERSARY VOLUME, p. 485-627.
Franldin, J. M., Kasarda, J., and Paulsen, K. H., 1975, Petrology and Chemistry of the Alteration
Zone of the Mattabi Massive Sulfide Deposit: Economic Geology, Vol. 79, p. 63-79.

Kennedy, L. P., Harding, T. A., Schaff, J. H., and Zielinski, A. M., 1991, The Lynne Massive
Sulfide Deposit, Oneida County, Wisconsin: Annual Institute on Lake Superior Geology,
37th, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, 1991, p. 63
Kennedy, L. P., 1992, Lynne Project Summary Geologic and Geotechnical Report: unpublished
report, Noranda Exploration, Inc., Rhinelander, Wisconsin, 29 p.

Kennedy, L. P., and Donnelly, M. E., 1992, Geology of the Lynne Zn-Pb-Cu-Ag Deposit, a
Proterozoic Massive Sulfide, Oneida County, Wisconsin: unpublished report, Noranda
Exploration Inc., Rhinelander, Wisconsin, 3 p.
Lambe, R. N., and Rowe, R. G., 1987, Volcanic History, Mineralization, and Alteration of the
Crandon Massive Sulfide Deposit, Wisconsin: Economic Geology, Vol. 82, p. 1204-1238.

Sims, P. K., Van Schmus, W. R., Schulz, K. J., and Peterman, Z. E., 1989, Tectono-Stratigraphic
Evolution of the Early Proterozoic Wisconsin Magmatic Terranes of the Penokean Orogen:
Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, Vol. 26, p 2145-2 158.

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P

ANNUAL

P

r

INSTITUTE ON
LAKE SUPERIOR GEOLOGY

P
CABLE, WISCONSIN
WISCONSIN
CABLE,

P

-

MAY
19, 1996
M A Y 15
15- 19,1996

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1

1. Glacial geology of western Wisconsin
2. Archean --Middle
Middle Proterozoic
Proterozoic transact
transect
Nainekagon region
4. Geology
Geology of the Lake h7amekagon
5. Structure
Structureof
of the
the western
western Gogebic
Gogebk Range

I)

PT

P

PROCEEDINGS VOLUME 42

PART 3- FIELD TRIP GUIDEBOOK
P

�I
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INSTITUTE ON LAKE SUPERIOR GEOLOGY
42NDANNUAL
A N N U A L MEETING
42ND
MEETING

-

M A Y 15 19,1996
MAY
15-19, 1996
CABLE,
WISCONSIN
CABLE, WISCONSIN
SPONSORED BY:

SPONSORED BY:
U. S. GEOLOGICALSURVEY
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
AND
AND
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN OSHKOSH
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN - OSHICOSH

-

1

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PROCEEDINGS
VOLUME 42
PART 3-- FIELD TRIP GUIDEBOOK

EDITORS:

SUZANNE W. NICHOLSON, U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, RESTON, VA
SUzANNE W. NICHOLSON, U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, RESTON, VA
LAUREL G . WOODRUFF, U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, ST. PAUL, MN
LAUREL G. WOODRUFF, U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, ST. PAUL, MN

�GLACIAL GEOLOGY OF
OFWESTERN
WESTERNWISCONSIN
WISCONSIN
FIELD TRIP #1: GLACIAL
LEADER: MARK
MARK D. JOHNSON
LEADER:
Department of Geology
Gustavus Adolphus
Adolphus College
56082
St. Peter, Minnesota 56082

FIELD TRIP #2:
#2: GEOLOGY
RIVER MONOCLINE:
MONOCLINE:
FIELD
GEOLOGY OF
OF THE MONTREAL RIVER
TRAVERSETHROUGH
THROUGH 25
25 KM OF THE CRUST
A TRAVERSE
LEADER: WILLIAM F.
F. CANNON
LEADER:
U. S. Geological
Geological Survey
Survey
National Center
MS-954
National
CenterMS-954
Reston, Virginia 22092
22092

FIELD
FIELD TRIP
TRIP #4:
#4: EARLY
EARLYTO
TOMIDDLE
MIDDLEPROTEROZOIC
PROTEROZOICGEOLOGY
GEOLOGY OF
OF THE
LAKE NAMEKAGON
NAMEKAGON REGION
LEADERS:
F. CANNON!,
CANNON1, LAIJRELG.
LEADERS: WILLIAM
WILLIAM F.
LAURELG.WOODRUFF2,
WOOD RUFF^,
SUZANNE W. NICHOLSON1
AND SUZANNE
NICHOLS ON^

1U.
1
U. S. Geological Survey
National Center
MS-954
National
Center MS-954
Reston, Virginia 22092
22092
2U.
S.
Geological
Survey
2 U.
Survey
Woodale Drive
2280 Woodale
Paul, Minnesota 55112
55112
St. Paul,

FIELD TRIP
TRIP #5:
#5: LAKE
LAKENAMEKAGON
NAMEKAGONAND
ANDPENOKEE
PENOKEEGAP
GAPAREAS,
AREAS, WEST
WEST
GOGEBIC RANGE, WISCONSIN
LEADERS:
GENE L. LABERGE2
LEADERS: JOHNS.
JOHN S.KLASNER1
KLASNER~AND
AND GENE
LABERGE~
1
1 Department of Geology

Western
Western Illinois University
minois 61455
Macomb, Illinois
61455
2
Geology
2 Department of Geology
University of
University
of Wisconsin
Wisconsin - Oshkosh
Oshkosh, Wisconsin
Oshkosh,
Wisconsin 54901
54901

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11

U

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I

I

FIELD TRIP #1: GLACIAL GEOLOGY OF WESTERN WISCONSIN

M. D. Johnson

I

OVERVIEW OF THE BEDROCK GEOLOGY OF THE CABLE-BURLEY AREA,

WISCONSIN

W. F. Cannon and S. W. Nicholson

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FIELD TRIP #2: GEOLOGY OF THE MONTREAL RIVER MONOCUNIE:
A TRAVERSE THROUGH 25 KM OF THE CRUST
W. F. Cannon

35

49

FIELD TRIP #4: EARLY TO MIDDLE PROTEROZOIC GEOLOGY OF THE
LAKE NAMEKAGON REGION

W. F. Cannon, L. G. Woodruff, and S. W. Nicholson

67

FIELD TRIP #5: LAKE NAMEKAGON AND PENOKEE GAP AREAS, WEST
GOGEBIC RANGE, WISCONSIN
J.

S. Kiasner and G. L. LaBerge

83

�fl

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GUIDE
FIELDTRIP
TRIP##11
GUIDEFOR FIELD
GLACIAL GEOLOGY OF WESTERN WISCONSIN

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HELD TRIP
TRIP #I
#1
HELD
GLACIAL GEOLOGY OF
OF WESTERN
WESTERNWISCONSIN
WISCONSIN

by
Mark D. Johnson
of Geology,
Geology, Gustavus
Gustavus Adolphus
Adolphus College
Department of
St. Peter,
Peter, Minnesota
Minnesota 56082
56082

I. Introduction
I.
The purpose
purpose of
of this
this ILSG
fieldtrip
trip isis to
to get
of the
the
The
ILSG field
get aa general
general overview
overview of
history of the Pleistocene
features of
of northwest
landforms, sediments, and geologic
geologic history
Pleistocene features
Wisconsin. To that end, the field trip has been designed to show exposures
exposures and
and
Wisconsin.
outcrops that reveal the different
types of
of deposits
deposits and
and landforms
landforms throughout
throughout the
outcrops
different types
region. Though
will hand
hand out and refer to a publication
region.
Though not
not bound
bound in
in this
this booklet,
booklet, I will
of Wisconsin"
Wisconsin"by
byClayton
Claytonand
and others
others (1991).
(1991). Figures
Figures 1
1 through
through 5
called "Glaciation of
are the figures
figures from
from the
the"Glaciation
"Glaciation of
of Wisconsin"
Wisconsin" brochure; the figures
figures included
included
within this report start
start with
with Figure
Figure 6.
Certainly, one of
of the goals
goals of
of aa regional
regionalunderstanding
understanding of
of glacial
glacialdeposits
deposits isis to
to
able to
to predict,
variationsthat
that in
in part
part
be able
predict, or at
at least
least expect,
expect, surface-material
surface-material variations
be
determine
the character
with the landscape
determine
the
character of
of human interaction
interaction with
landscape (groundwater
(groundwater
resources, geologic engineering character
Additionally, glacial
resources,
character of
of sediment, etc.).
etc.). Additionally,
the primary
primary record
record for
forthe
the study
study of
of the
the nature
nature and
and
sediments and landforms provide the
of former ice
ice sheets.
sheets. Studies of
of these
these features,
features, along
alongwith
with the
the use
use of
of modern
modern
history of
environments as
as analogs,
analogs, provide
provide aa foundation
upon which
glacial environments
foundation upon
which one can
can
glacial
reconstruct glacial history.
II. Ice
Ice lobes,
lobes, phases, stratigraphy, and brief glacial history of western Wisconsin
Wisconsin
11.
Wisconsin was
was glaciated
glaciated several
several times
times during
during the Pleistocene,
Northwestern Wisconsin
Pleistocene,
but theNorthwestern
topography
associated primarily
primarily with
with advances
advances of
of
topography and
and surficial
surficial sediment are associated
the Superior Lobe
Lobe and Grantsburg
Grantsburg Sublobe
Sublobe (an offshoot of the Des
Des Moines
Moines Lobe)
Lobe)
during
during the
the last
lastpart
partofofthe
theWisconsinan
WisconsinanGlaciation
Glaciation(Fig.
(Fig.1-4).
1-4).
The earliest
earliest known
known glacial
glacial advance
advancewas
wasduring
during the
the Reeve
Reeve Phase
Phase ofof the
the Des
Des
The
Lobe, which
which occurred probably
probably over
over 730,000
730,000years
yearsago
agoand
and deposited
deposited gray,
Moines Lobe,
Moines
loam till
This material
material is
is deeply buried
till of
of the
thePierce
PierceFormation
Formation(Fig.
(Fig.1-3,
1-3, 1-5).
1-5). This
occur in
in
throughout the region
region and
and occurs
occurs only in patches;
patches; some surface exposures occur
southern St.
St. Croix
Croix County
County and
and Pierce
PierceCounty.
County. The
The till
till is deeply weathered,
weathered, even
southern

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�Figure
Portion of
of northwestern Wisconsin
Wisconsin and
and adjoining Minnesota
Minnesota showing
showing features associated
associated with
with the mostFigure 1-6.-1-6.- Portion
recent
induded to
recent glacial
glacial events. Spot elevations are included
toshow
showthat
thatelevations
elevationsincrease
increasefrom
fromcentral
centralBurnett
BurnettCounty
Countyto
tothe
theSt.
St.
Croix
ice
margin.
Based
on
their
relative
position,
the
Centuria,
Luck,
Fox
Creek,
and
McKinley
ice
margins
are
correlated
Croix
Based on their relative position, the Centuria, Luck, Fox Creek, and McKinley
are correlated
with
with the
theTiger
Tiger Cat
Cat ice
ice margin
margin of Clayton (1984).
(1984). Tiger Cat and Hayward
Haywardice
ice margins
marginsfrom
fromClayton
Clayton(1984)
(1984) and Attig and
and
others
others(1985).
(1985). Emerald,
Emerald, St.
St. Croix,
Croix, Early
Early Chippewa,
Chippewa, and
andLate
LateChippewa
Chippewaice
icemargins
marginsfrom
fromJohnson
Johnson(1986).
(1986).Pine
PineCity
Cityice
ice
margin
in
Minnesota
from
Cooper
(1935)
and
Hobbs
and
Goebel
(1982).
Location
of
glacial
Lake
Grantsburg
and
glacial
margin in Minnesota from Cooper (1935) and Hobbs and Goebel(1982).
Grantsburg and glacial
Lake
Lake Lind varved clay
day in Minnesota
Minnesota from Chris Hemstad and
and myself
myself (unpublished
(unpublished data)
data)and
andGary
GaryMeyer
Meyer (personal
(personal
communication).
Only
tunnel
channels
in
Wisconsin
are
shown.
Extent
of
the
glacial
Lake
Grantsburg
in
Minnesota
is in
in
communication). Only tunnel channels in Wisconsin are shown. Extent of the glacial
part
location of Camp Sunrise. LL == townsite
townsite of
of Lind, Wisconsin. Till
Till
part from
fromCooper
Cooper (1935).
(1935). CS
CS (in
(in eastern
eastern Minnesota)
Minnesota) == location
fabric
measurements
in
Minnesota
from
Chernicoff
(1983).
fabric measurements in Minnesota from Chernicoff (1983).

�where overlain
overlain by younger
younger material.
material.
The Pierce
Pierce till
till is overlain in places by reddish-brown,
sandy loam till
The
reddish-brown, sandy
till and
and
outwash of
which was
was deposited
deposited during the Baldwin
outwash
of the
the River
River Falls
Falls Formation,
Formation, which
Baldwin
of the Chippewa
Chippewa Lobe probably over
Phase of the Superior
Superior Lobe and the Dallas Phase of
over
130,000
years ago
ago (Fig.
(Fig.1-3,
1-3,1-5).
1-5).This
Thismaterial
materialisisweathered,
weathered, as
as shown
shown by clay-mineral
130,000 years
alterations and magnetite
magnetite weathering
weathering(Johnson,
(Johnson, 1986)
1986) and thick soil
soil profiles
profiles (Baker
(Baker
interpret this
this weathering
weathering to have
have likely
likely occurred
occurred during
during the
the
and others,
others, 1983).
1983). I interpret
Sangamon Interglacial
Interglacial interval.
interval.
Lobe and
and Chippewa
Chippewa advances
advancesthat
that occurred
occurred during
during the last part
The Superior Lobe
of the Wisconsinan
Glaciation began
began with
with the Emerald
Phase and early
of
Wisconsinan Glaciation
Emerald Phase
early Chippewa
Chippewa
1-6). Deposits from
from these
these phases
phases occur
occur at
at the surface underneath
underneath the
the
Phase (Fig. 1-1, 1-6).
gently rolling
gently
rolling topography
topography of the
the southern
southern Barren
Barren County,
County, southeastern
southeastern Polk
Polk
County, and
and central
central St.
St. Croix
Croix County.
County.
Part-way through
through the
thelate
lateWisconsinan
Wisconsinan Glaciation,
Glaciation, the
the Superior
Superior Lobe
Lobe changed
changed
behavior and
and began
different suite
suite of
of landforms
landforms and sediment
sediment types.
types.
behavior
began to form
form aa different
These are associated
positions in western
These
associated with more than 10
10 former
former ice-margin
ice-margin positions
Wisconsin (Fig.
(Fig. 1-6,
1-6, 1-7),
1-7),beginning
beginningwith
withthe
theSt.
St.Croix
CroixPhase.
Phase. During these events,
Wisconsin
events,
the Superior and Chippewa
left behind
behind reddish-brown
reddish-brown sandy
sandy loam
loam till and
Chippewa Lobes
Lobes left
outwash of the
the Copper
Copper Falls
Falls Formation,
Formation, as well as
as striations,
striations, grooves,
grooves, outwash
outwash
plains, outwash
outwash fans,
fans, tunnel
tunnelchannels,
channels,eskers,
eskers, hummocks,
hummocks, ice-walled-lake
ice-walled-lake plains,
plains,
ice-dammed-lake plains,
plains, end moraines, and the Spooner
Spooner Hills of
of northeastern
northeastern Polk
Polk
Burnett County,
County, and
and central
central Washburn
Washburn County.
County. The Superior
County, southeastern Burnett
Lobe ice-margin positions (Fig. 1-6) can
can be
be traced
traced for
for several
several kilometers laterally and
represent ice-margin stillstands, ice-margin advances, or sedimentologic events that
imprint the
the location
location of
of the
the ice
ice margin
margin (for
(for example,
example, the tunnel-valley/outwash-fan
tunnel-valley/outwash-fan
pairs clearly indicate the position of the ice margin but do
do not
not require
require an
anice-margin
ice-margin
stilistand or readvance).
stillstand
readvance).
As the Superior
Superior Lobe
Lobe retreated, glacial
glacial Lake Lind formed in
in the
the preglacial
preglacialSt.
St.
Croix River valley
valley (Fig. 1-7A)
1-7A)and
and lasted
lasted about
about 1000
1000years
yearsbased
basedon
on the
the number
number of
of
varved silt
silt and
and clay
clay couplets
coupletsfound
foundin
inlake
lakesediment
sediment(Sunrise
(Sunrise Member
Member of
of the
the Copper
Copper
Falls Formation).
Formation).
1-7D),
The Grantsburg
GrantsburgSublobe,
Sublobe,an
anoffshoot
offshootof
of the
theDes
DesMoines
MoinesLobe
Lobe(Fig.
(Fig.1-7C,
1-7C,1-7D),
advanced during
during the
the Pine
Pine City
City Phase
Phase across a fluvial plain that developed on
on top
top of
of
glacial Lake Lind
Lind sediments
sediments(Fig.
(Fig.1-7B).
1-7B). The Grantsburg Sublobe deposited gray,
gray,
loam till of the Trade
Trade River
River Formation and left behind end
end moraines,
moraines, till
till plains,
plains, iceicemarginal channels,
Lake Grantsburg
Grantsburg was
channels, and
and ice-dammed-lake
ice-dammed-lake plains.
plains. Glacial
Glacial Lake
6

�-1

___

___

___

___

___
___

___

___

___

___

drainage basin at this time. 7E—Clacial Lake
Duluth drained through the study area along
the St. Croix River.

to advance to the Pine City margin and
glacial Lake Grantsburg expanded. The
Superior Lobe may have still been in the

area. 71)—The Grantsburg Sublobe continued

St. Croix River valley in the Taylor's Falls

Crantsburg. The initial outlet of glacial Lake
Grantsburg would have formed the modern

St. Croix River, and formed glacial Lake

Late Wisconsinan ice-margin positions of the
Superior Lobe. 7B—Clacial Lake Lind filled in
with sand deposited in prograding deltas and
fluvial plains. 7C—.The Grantsburg Sublobe
advanced across the sand plain, dammed the

Superior Lobe at this time is shown by the
heaviest line; the medium lines mark former

events. 7A--Clacial Lake Lind formed In the
lowland of the former St. Croix River. The

area showing selected Late Wisconsinan

Figure 1-7.—Five sketch maps of the field-trip

I

�dammed in front
front of
of the
the advancing
advancingice
ice and
and lasted
lastedapproximately
approximately100
100 years,
years, based on
the number of varved
varved silt
silt and
and clay
clay couplets
couplets of the
the Falun
Falun Member
Member of the Trade
Trade River
River
Formation (see
The location
location of
of the
the lake's
(see varve
varve localities
localities in
inFig.
Fig.1-6).
1-6). The
lake's outlet
outlet is
is
unknown.
Numerous drainage events
Numerous
events from
from ice-dammed
ice-dammed Lake
Lake Superior
Superior (glacial
(glacial Lake
Lake
Duluth, Fig.
caused the
the St.
St. Croix
Croix River
Rivertoto incise
incise its
its valley
valley and
and created the
Duluth,
Fig. 1-7E)
1-7E) caused
famous
famous potholes
potholes in the
the basalt
basalt around
aroundSt.
St.Croix
Croix Falls.
Falls. An interruption in these
these
drainage events
events allowed
drainage
allowed aa large sand surface
surface to develop
develop in
in northwestern
northwestern Polk
Polk
County and in Burnett
Burnett County. Dunes
Duneslater
laterdeveloped
developed on
on this
thissurface.
surface.

IlL Ages of late Wisconsinan
111.
Wisconsinan glacial events
The date of the
of northwestern Wisconsin
the late
late Wisconsinan
Wisconsinan glacial events of
Wisconsin is
uncertain. AAradiocarbon
radiocarbondate
dateofof20,500
20,500years
yearsB.P.
B.P.± i400
400(1-5443)
(1-5443)(Wright,
(Wright,1972;
1972;
Wright and others,
organic matter
matter in lake
others, 1973)
1973) was obtained
obtained from disseminated
disseminated organic
lake
This lake
lake is behind the
sediments at Wolf
Wolf Creek
Creek in
in central
central Minnesota.
Minnesota. This
the St.
St. Croix
Croix
until the ice
ice margin had retreated 60
moraine and would not
not have
have been
been ice-free
ice-free until
60 km
krn
from the maximum
maximum limit,
limit, possibly post-dating the St.
St. Croix
Croix Phase maximum
maximum by
by
hundreds of years.
years. However,
However,there
thereisisaapossibility
possibility of
of contamination
contamination of the sediment
sediment
by old
Clayton and Moran
by
old carbon,
carbon, and
and the
the date
date may
may not
notbe
bereliable.
reliable. Clayton
Moran(1982),
(1982),
Mickelson and others
(1986)suggest
suggestaa somewhat
somewhat younger date
others (1983),
(1983), and Johnson (1986)
for the
years B.P.
B.P. Their chronologies
the St.
St. Croix
Croix Phase,
Phase, approximately
approximately18,000
18,000 to 15,000
15,000 years
chronologies
are based on
on dates
dates from
from wood
wood in
in other
other regions,
regions, where
where there
there is
is less
less chance
chance of
of
contamination. However,
However, little
little wood
wood is associated
associated with the deposits of the St.
St. Croix
Phase. The
TheEmerald
EmeraldPhase
Phase(the
(thepre-St.
pre-St.Croix
CroixPhase,
Phase,Late-Wisconsinan
Late-Wisconsinan advance
advance in
in
western
in press) to have
western Wisconsin)
Wisconsin) is considered by Johnson
Johnson (1986;
(1986; in
have occurred
occurred
around 20,000
around
20,000 to
to25,000
25,000 B.P.
B.P.
of the phases that occurred after the St. Croix
Croix Phase
Phase are
are unclear
unclear with
with
The dates of
B.P. (Clayton,
(Clayton,
the exception of the Marquette
Marquette Advance,
Advance, which is dated
dated around
around9,900
9,900 B.P.
1984).
1984).
IV. Landforms
Landforms of western
western Wisconsin
Wisconsin
The landscape created during overall retreat of
of the Superior Lobe
Lobe in western
Wisconsin
Wisconsin consists
consists predominantly
predominantly of hummock
hummock tracts,
tracts, ice-walled-lake
ice-walled-lake plains,
plains,
of collapsed
outwash, and
and rolling to streamlined till
pitted-outwash plains, regions of
collapsed outwash,
uplands. Tunnel
Tunnelvalleys,
valleys,eskers,
eskers, and
and the
the Spooner
Spooner Hills are also present. Pleistocene
Pleistocene
deposits are generally 30
30 to
to 45
45 m
m thick
thick (up to 85 m
m in places).
places). Precambrian
Precambrian basalt
8

�I

r

crops out
out as
in the
the western
and northern
crops
as striated
striated and
and grooved
grooved knobs
knobs in
western and
northern parts
parts of
of Polk
Polk
County, Barron
Barron quartzite
quartzite in
in eastern Barron
County, and
and Cambrian
Cambrian sandstones
sandstones in
in
County,
Barron County,
southern Barron County.
County. Drainage
meltwater during retreat was generally
generally to
to the
the
Drainage of
of meltwater
south during
duringdeglaciation
deglaciation(see
(seearrows,
arrows,Fig.
Fig. 1-6).
1-6).
In the following section,
section, II discuss
discuss the
the major
majorlandform
landform types
types in
in the
the region,
region, and
In
describe what each landform
landform type
type signifies.
signifies.
Moraines.--There
are
very
few
moraines,
in the classic sense, in western Wisconsin.
---There
The best-developed are along the Pine City Phase margin of
of the Grantsburg
Grantsburg Sublobe,
Sublobe,
but only in
in places
places (Fig.
(Fig. 1-6). Few
Few morainic
morainic ridges occur at Superior Lobe ice-margin
positions. The
positions.
The term
term 'morainic
'morainic ridge' is
is used
used for
for relatively narrow features deposited
They contain
contain little
little hummocky
hummocky topography,
topography, and
and are
are
at the
at
the margin
margin of
of the
the ice.
ice. They
composed ofof various
various types
types ofof till
till and
and ice-contact
ice-contactsand
sandand
andgravel.
gravel. Much
Much of
of the
the
composed
length of
of the "St. Croix moraine" is not characterized by
by morainic
morainic ridges,
ridges, but
but consist
consist
of hummock tracts, outwash plains, and glacial thrust systems.
of
Hummocks and hummock tracts (Stop
usethe
the term
term 'hummock'
'hummock' to
to mean
mean aa
(Stop 1-3).--I
1-31.--1 use
Hummocks
occurring in
in groups,
groups, and associated
hill or knob, irregular to circular to oval in plan, occurring
This term
term is
with irregular to
to circular
circular to
to oval
oval hollows,
hollows, depressions,
depressions, or wetlands.
wetlands. This
regardless ofof the
the type
type of
of sediment
sediment composing
composingthe
thehummock.
hummock. A
A variety
variety of
of
used regardless
used has been applied to this type of landform in glaciated regions,
terms
regions, including
including deaddeadice moraine, hummocky
ice
hummocky moraine, stagnation moraine,
moraine, collapsed
collapsed outwash, kame,
'hummock tract' to describe a distinct region
region of
and kame complex. I use the term 'hummock
hummocks (in
(in the
the same
same way
way that
that the
the term
group of
hummocks
term 'drumlin
'drumlin field'
field' describes
describes aa group
of
drumlins).
hummocks within
within the
the field-trip
field-triparea
area are
are 55 to
to 20
20 m
m high
high and 25
25 to
Individual hummocks
Individual
400 m
m in
in diameter
diameter with
with a mean
mean height
height of
of 10
10mmand
andwidth
width of
of 130
130m.
m. Hummocks
Hummocks are
are
400
irregularly spaced with respect to each other but show a frequency of
of one hummock
hummocks/km2. Hummock
meters. There
per 250 to 500 meters.
There are
are 15
15 to
to 40
40 hummocks/km2.
Hummock slope ranges
from 2 to 14 degrees.
degrees.
1-8)lie
lieininaazone
zoneparallel
paralleltotoand
and up
up to 20
20 k
km
Hummock tracts (Fig. 1-8)
m behind the
St. Croix
Croix and other Superior
positions; hummocks
hummocks are
are absent along
St.
Superior Lobe ice-margin positions;
The hummock
hummock tracts
tracts do
certain lengths of
of former
former ice-margin
ice-margin positions
positions(Fig.
(Fig.1-8).
1-8). The
not form a continuous band but are
are separated
separated from each other by outwash plains,
regions of
tunnel valleys,
valleys, and
and rolling,
rolling, upland
upland till
regions
of collapsed-outwash,
collapsed-outwash, tunnel
till surfaces.
surfaces.
tracts in the
form upland
upland areas
areas that have
Hummock tracts
the field-trip
field-trip area
area commonly
commonly form
have
Hummock above
above adjacent
adjacent outwash
outwash surfaces.
surfaces. Outwash surfaces
surfaces that lie adjacent to
elevations
the hummock
hummock tracts are graded
graded to
to nearby
nearby ice-margin
ice-margin positions a few
few kilometers
kilometers
9

�, -i--' I

7

'.:.j:-._--

:3

—

C

.J2!k rTT pitted

n

CroixL.......J outwtsh Darn

•

ce-walled.
lake plain

hummocky
ice-margin posi

outwash

o hummock tract
0

noii-humn,odcy
suriace
compos.d of till

striation

channel margin
— cour

bour

Sb.

1

Figure
part of
Rgure 1-8.—A
1-8.-A part
of western
western Wisconsin
Wisconsin
showing the field-trip
field-trip area
area (black
(black in
in inset)
inset)
and
and geomorphic
geornorphicfeatures.
features.Areas
Areas left blank on
the map
map include
includepredominantly
predominantly rolling
rolling to
to
dendritically-drained
dendriticallydrained surfaces
surfaces underlain by
till (with a few
few basalt
basalt knobs
knobs in
in the
the western
western
and northwestern
northwestern parts
parts of
of the
the study
studyarea).
area).
NR=city
NR=dty of New
New Richmond,
Richmond, SCF=city
SCF=aty of St.
Croix
Croix Falls,
Falls, TL=city
TLscity of
of Turtle
Turtle Lake,
Lake,
C=Centuria
ice-margin
position,
C-Centuria ice-margin position,BL=Balsam
BL=Balsam
lake
lake ice-margin
ice-marginposition,
position,R=Range
R=Rangeice-margin
ice-margin
position,
PC=Pine
City
ice-margin
position,
position, P C = P i City ice-marginposition,
SC=late
SC=late St. Croix
Croix ice-margin
ice-margin position,
position,
GS=Grantsburg
GS=GrantsburgSublobe.
Sublobe. Dashed
Dashed line
line in
in inset
is
is trace
trace of the Superior
Superior thbe
Lobeice-margin
ice-margin limit
limit
where
where covered
coveredduring
duringthe
thePine
PineCity
City Phase
Phase of
of
the
theGrantsburg
GrantsburgSublobe;
Sublobe; arrows
arrowsin inset
inset show
general
direction.
general ice-flow
ice-flow direction.
10

�I

I

I
I
I

I
I
I

I

further up
up ice
further
ice to
to the
the north
north or
orwest.
west.In
Inseveral
severallocations,
locations, the
the outwash
outwash plains
plainslocated
located
between hummock tracts are collapsed into tunnel valleys
valleys that
that had been filled with
thick, stagnant
thick,
stagnant ice.
ice. In
In part,
part, the
the tunnel
tunnel valleys
valleys may
may have
have controlled
controlled the
the location
location of
of
outwash plains
plains by
by localizing
localizing meltwater drainage in supraglacial troughs that
that formed
formed
as ice flowed into the quiescent
quiescent tunnels. Additionally,
Additionally, tunnel-valley
tunnel-valley formation
formation may
have affected location of
of hummock tracts and
and development
development of
of hummocks
hummocks by
by locally
locally
removing basal and
and englacial
englacial debris
debris from
from overlying
overlying glacial ice as the tunnel
tunnel formed.
formed.
The origin
origin of
of hummocks has
has been
been interpreted
interpreted in
in many
many different ways. I have
found at
at least
least twelve
twelvedifferent
differentmodels:
models:
1- supraglacial
1supraglacial reworking
reworking and
and redistribution
redistribution of
of debris
debris released
released supraglacially
supraglacially from
from
stagnant ice
Clayton, 1967;
1967;Clayton
Clayton and
and Moran, 1974;
stagnant
ice (Boulton,
(Boulton, 1967,
1967, 1972;
1972; Clayton,
1974; Paul,
1983).
1983).
2- slumping
2slumpingof
ofsupraglacial
supraglacialdebris
debrisinto
intocrevasses
crevasses(Tanner,
(Tanner,1914);
1914);
3- squeezing of
of subglacial debris into basal crevasses or hollows under stagnant
stagnantice
ice
(Hoppe, 1952;
(Hoppe,
1952;Stalker,
Stalker,1960).
1960).
4- molding of
of basal till under active ice
ice as
as a transition form
form between
between drumlins and
Rogen moraine
moraine (Aario,
(Aario,1977).
1977).
deposition of
s- patchy
5patchy deposition
of lodgement
lodgementtill
till under
underactive
activeice
ice(Menzies,
(Menzies,1982);
1982);
6- melting
6melting of
of simple
simple or
or stacked
stacked layers
layers of
of debris-rich
debris-rich ice
ice producing
producing melt-out
melt-out till
till
hummocks (MOller,
(Moller,1987).
1987).
hummocks
7- deformation
by rising diapirs of
7deformation of supraglacial
supraglacial and englacial
englacial debris by
of clean
clean ice
ice
(Minell,
(Minell,1979).
1979).
8- rising diapirs
8diapirsof
of subglacial
subglacialdebris
debris(Zelcs,
(Zelcs,1993).
1993).
9- patchy
9patchy formation
formation of
of ground
ground ice
icebeneath
beneathstagnant,
stagnant,cold-based
cold-based glaciers
glaciers(Aario,
(Aario,
1992).
1992).
10-melting of
of debris-rich, stagnant ice
ice containing
containing extensive karst tunnels
tunnels(Kemmis
(Kemmis
and others,
and
others,1994).
1994).
11-partial
11-partial erosion
erosion of
of till
till plains
plains by
by subglacial
subglacialmeltwater
meltwater(Rains
(Rainsand
andothers,
others,1993).
1993).
12-Extrusion of
of proglacial sediment by glacier-forced
glacier-forced groundwater
groundwater flow (Boulton
(Boulton and
Caban, 1995).
Caban,
1995).
The hummocks
in the
the field-trip
area are considered
to have
The
hummocks in
field-trip area
considered to
have formed
formed as
as
stagnant-ice features
features (#'s
(#Is 11and
and 6)
6)because
because of
of their
their close
close association
association with
with ice-walledice-walledformed from
from the melting of stagnant,
lake plains.
plains. The hummocks formed
stagnant, debris-rich
debris-rich ice.
ice.
The
The resulting topography formed as a result
result of
of collapse
collapse and differential
differential settling as
the melting,
the
melting, buried,
buried, debris-rich
debris-rich ice
ice lowered
lowered the
the overlying
overlying supraglacial
supraglacial debris.
debris.
Numerous
show the
the presence
of faults,
faults, folds,
folds, and
and steeply
Numerous exposures
exposures show
presence of
steeply tilted beds
11

I

�a

within
within the
the hummocks.
hummocks. These
Thesefeatures
featuresare
arebest
best explained
explained as
as being
being caused
caused by collapse
collapse
due to
to the
the melting
melting of
of buried,
buried, stagnant
stagnant ice.
ice.
However, much of
of the till in the hummocks is interpreted to be melt-out
melt-out till.
The interpretation of melt-out till in many of the hummocks is based primarily on
the
the strong
strong pebble
pebble fabric
fabric parallel
parallel to
to regional
regional ice
ice flow
flow (Fig.
(Fig. 1-9).
1-9). I interpret the
the
diamicton with strong fabric as likely being melt-out
melt-out till
till (rather than lodgement fill
till
or deforming-bed
(1) The
The diamicton
diamicton contains faults and
deforming-bed sediment)
sediment)for
for three
three reasons.
reasons. (1)
subtle
The thin
subtle stratification
stratification that have
have been
been related
related in
in the
the literature
literature to
to melt-out
melt-out fill.
till. The
sand
sand lenses
lenses present
present in
in the
thediamicton
diamicton at
at the
the St.
St. Croix
Croix Falls dump and
and speedway
speedway sites
sites
are
Möller uses these
are similar
similar totolenses
lensesdescribed
describedinindiamicton
diamictonbybyMOller
Moller(1987).
(1987). Moller
lenses as
In over half
half of
of the samples
as arguing
arguing for
for aamelt-out
melt-out origin.
origin. (2) In
samples with
with ice-flowice-flowparallel
parallel fabric,
fabric, the fabric
fabric is stronger
stronger than
than those
those reported
reported for
for lodgement
lodgementfill.
till. (3) Meltout
and stagnant ice
ice is
is indicated
out till
till requires
requires stagnant
stagnant ice
ice for
for formation,
formation, and
indicated by the
the
hummocks
till does
does occur
occur in
in some
some exposures,
exposures,but
but itit is not as
hummocks themselves.
themselves. Flow
Flow till
as
common as the till
Flow till
till has
has poor
poor fabric development
till II interpret
interpret as
as melt-out
melt-out till.
till. Flow
and is
fluvialsediment.
sediment.
is interbedded
interbedded with
withfluvial
In terms
hummockshave
have been
been used
used to imply
terms of
of glaciologic
glaciologic implications,
implications, hummocks
imply
surging
surging conditions
conditions leaving
leaving large
large hummock
hummock tracts
tracts (Wright,
(Wright, 1980;
1980; Johnson
Johnson and
and
Savina, 1987)
or that the
1987) or
the hummocks
hummocks indicate
indicate extensive
extensive freezing-on
freezing-on of material
material
under
under non-temperate
non-temperateglaciers
glaciers(Boulton,
(Boulton,1972;
1972; Paul,
Paul, 1983;
1983; Moller,
Moller, 1987;
1987; Sollid and
and
Sørbel,
Attig and others,
1990)and
and therefore
therefore indicate
indicate cold
Serbel, 1988;
1988; Attig
others, 1989;
1989; Mooers,
Mooers, 1990)
conditions.
conditions.
The
The ice-walled-lake
ice-walled-lake plains and melt-out-till
melt-out-till hummocks of
of western Wisconsin
Wisconsin
represent the
the coarse-grained
coarse-grained end of
of aa continuum
continuum with
with the
the stagnant
stagnant ice
ice landscape
landscape
developed
developed in
in clayey
clayey till
till that
thatwas
wasdescribed
describedininNorth
NorthDakota
Dakotaby
byClayton
Clayton(1967).
(1967). In
general, I suggest that sandier
debris tends
tends to
to yield
yield aa greater proportion
proportion of
of
sandier glacial
glacial debris
melt-out till in
glacial debris
debris tends
tends to produce
in hummocks,
hummocks, and more
more clay-rich
clay-rich glacial
produce a
greater
greater proportion
proportion of
of flow
flow till
till and
anddebris-flow
debris-flow sediment
sediment in
in hummocks.
hummocks.
Ice-walled-lake
plains in the
I c e - w a l l e ~plains
l a i n (Stop
s(Stov 1-4).--There
1-4).--There are over 40 ice-walled-lake
ice-walled-lake plains
field-trip
of them occur in hummock tracts, suggesting
field-trip area
area (Fig.
(Fig. 1-8),
1-8), and nearly all of
suggesting
that
that their
their origin
origin isisrelated
related to
tothe
theorigin
originof
of the
thehummocks.
hummocks. Ice-walled-lake
Ice-walled-lake plains
plains
form
form initially
initially as
as supraglacial
supraglacial lakes
lakes on
on stagnant,
stagnant, debris-rich
debris-rich ice. The lake water melts
through
through the
thethin
thinice,
ice, and
andsediment
sedimentisisdeposited
depositedin
inthe
thelake
lakefrom
fromadjacent
adjacent debris-rich
debris-rich
ice.
ice. Upon
Uponmelting
meltingof
of stagnant
stagnantice,
ice, the
the sediment
sediment left behind forms a smooth,
smooth, dishshaped
shaped plateau
plateauin
inthe
themidst
midstof
of aahummock
hummocktract.
tract.
Ice-walled-lake
plains in
in the field-trip area range in
Ice-walled-lake plains
in size
size from
from 11toto13
13km2,
km2,
12

�DIAMICTON FABRIC

Figure
Figure 1-9.--Map
1-9.-Map of
of the study
study area
area showing
showingrose
rose diagrams
diagrams of
of fabric
fabricin
indiamicton.
diamicton.
Lake
ice-margin
position);
stippled
Balsam
positions
(B
=
ice-margin
Hachured
lines
=
ice-margin
positions
(B
=
Balsam
Lake
ice-margin
position);
stippled
Hachured lines =
Fabric
measurements
north.
locations;
arrows
=
site
tracts;
circles
=
hummock tracts; circles = site locations; arrows = north. Fabric measurements
areas==hummock
areas
consist
consistof
of 25
25pebbles
pebblesexcept
exceptsite
site44(75
(75pebbles
pebbles combined
combined from
from three
three places
places in
in the
the
places
in
each
outcrop);
sites
9,
outcrop);
outcrop);sites
sites55aztd
and66(50
(50 pebbles
pebbles combined
combimedfrom
fromtwo
two places in each outcrop); sites8,8,9,
dipping
stratification
11,and
and 12
12(50
(50pebbles).
pebbles). Diamicton at site
site 4 contains
contains steeply
steeply dipping stratification
10,11,
10,
showing
showingthat
thatfabric
fabrichas
hasbeen
beenrotated.
rotated.Rotation
Rotation of
of stratification
stratificationto
to 00
0Ârotates
rotates dominant
dominant
fabricmode
modetotoN70°W.
W W .
fabric
13

�plains commonly
commonly have
have aa rim
with a typical
typical size
size around
around 22 km2.
km2. Ice-walled-lake
Ice-walled-lake plains
around their
their margin
that stands
around
margin that
stands 3 to 10
10 m
m above
above the
the center
center of
of the
the lake
lake plain.
plain.
Stream- and wave-sorted sand and
and gravel
gravel occur
occur along the margins
margins of
of the
the ice-walled
ice-walled
lakes. In
Inplaces,
places, the
the rim
rim sediment
sediment is
is interbedded
interbedded with
with till
till that flowed
flowed from
from adjacent
adjacent
ice into the
Coarse sediment
sediment isis restricted
restricted to
to the
the margins of
the lake.
lake. Coarse
of the lake
lake plain;
plain;
much of
of the
are underlain
by silt,
silt, with
with as
much
the interior
interior portions
portions are
underlain by
as much
much as
as 20
20 m
m
underlying the
the larger
larger plains.
plains.
The sediment in the
plains was deposited after active
the ice-walled-lake
ice-walled-lake plains
active ice
ice left
left
the area.
plains cross known
area. This is known
known because
because some
some ice-walled-lake
ice-walled-lake plains
known iceicemargin positions, signifying that the ice that walled the lake came from two
separate
two separate
advances.
advances.
Tunnelelvalleys
and 1-8),--Tmel
1-SE--Tunnel valleys
(Stom1-1.
1-1,1-2.
1-2,1-6.and
valleys are
are river
river
valleysand
andeskers
eskers(Stops
valleys believed to have been carved
valleys
carved by subglacial
subglacial streams
streams that
that became
became incised
incised into
into
the glacier bed. These
These valleys
valleys were
were first
first described in Denmark and later recognized
in northern
northern Germany.
Germany. Numerous
Numeroussubglacial
subglacial river
river channels
channels associated
associated with late
late
Wisconsinan Glaciation
Glaciation in
in the Upper Midwest have been described
Wisconsinan
described by
by Mickelson
Mickelson
and Attig and others
asbeing
beingformed
formed by
by rapid
rapid or catastrophic
and others
others (1983)
(1983) and
others (1989)
(1989) as
catastrophic
drainage.
these authors
authors have
have proposed
proposed the term
drainage. Therefore,
Therefore, these
term tunnel
tunnel channel
channel for
for
these features, suggesting that their formation occurred under bank-full conditions.
conditions.
Tunnel valleys are aa common
common landform
landform in western
western Wisconsin,
Wisconsin, the greatest
greatest
number is
ice margin.
margin. Half
is associated
associated with the
the St.
St. Croix Phase ice
Half of
of the
the tunnel
tunnelvalleys
valleys
in western
westernWisconsin
Wisconsincontain
containeskers
eskers(Fig.
(Fig.1-6).
1-6).
In western Wisconsin,
link together tunnel valley
valley segments
segments
Wisconsin, it is possible to link
into a network
40 km.
km. However,
network with
with some
some valley
valley systems as long as 40
However, breaks
breaks in
in the
the
sequences, development
development of
of outwash
outwash plains
plains of
of different
different ages graded to
tunnel-valley sequences,
different parts of
of the
the same
same tunnel-valley
tunnel-valley sequence,
sequence, and the
the presence
presence of
of the
the bestbestdeveloped tunnel valleys
suggest that the
developed
valleys next to
to former
former ice-margin
ice-margin positions,
positions, suggest
the
tunnel valleys
valleys in
in western
western Wisconsin
Wisconsin were formed as relatively short segments
segments near
near
former ice-margin positions during
during overall
overall retreat.
retreat.
About half
About
half of the
the tunnel
tunnel valleys
valleys in
inwestern
westernWisconsin
Wisconsin also
also contain
contain central
central
eskers. The
Theassociation
association of
of eskers
eskers within
within the
the tunnel
tunnel channels
channels indicates
indicates two
two levels
levels of
of
discharge during subglacial
subglacial drainage. A
A large
large discharge
discharge is shown by the large
large size
size of
the tunnel channel
channel as
as well
well as
as the
the fact
fact that
that itit isis an
anerosional
erosionalfeature.
feature. It is suggested
that the
that
the tunnel
tunnel channel
channel represents
represents an
an initial,
initial, short-lived
short-lived burst
burst of
of subglacial
subglacial
meltwater, perhaps under hydraulic head built up behind
meltwater,
behind aa frozen
frozen margin
margin (Wright,
(Wright,
1973;
Attig and
and others, 1989).
1989). As discharge abates, the subglacial meltwater pathway
1973; Attig
pathway
14

�isismaintained
maintainedatataasmaller
smallersize.
size. This
This smaller
smaller tube
tube later
later becomes
becomes filled
filled with
with stream
stream
sediment
sedimentand
andbecomes
becomesan
anesker
eskerupon
uponmelting
meltingofofthe
thesurrounding
surroundingice.
ice.

Eskers
Eskers that
that do
do not
notoccur
occur inintunnel
tunnelchannels
channels are
are also
alsopresent
present ininwestern
western
Wisconsin.
Wisconsin. The
Thelargest
largestoccurs
occursin
innorthwest
northwestPolk
Polk County
County and
and has
hasits
itsterminus
terminusatatthe
the
lies.
The
elevation
of
this
esker
apex
of
the
large
outwash
fan
upon
which
Frederic
apex of the large outwash fan upon which Frederic lies. The elevation of this esker
rises
feet at
at its terminus,
1080 feet
feet near
near West
West Sweden
Sweden to
to 1200
1200 feet
terminus, indicating
indicating that
that
rises from
from1080
the
thesediment
sedimentin
inthis
thisesker
eskerwas
wasdeposited
deposited as
as water
water flowed
flowed up
up regional
regional slope.
slope. Other
Other
prominent
eskers
include
one,
locally
referred
to
as
"The
Hogsback,"
at
the
St.
Croix
prominent eskers include one, locally referred to as "The Hogsback," at the St. Croix
County
Countyline,
line,and
andone
onerevealed
revealedininaalarge
largecollapse
collapsepit
pit 33km
km north
northof
of Centuria.
Centuria.
Outwash
Outwash plains
plains (Stops
(Stovs1-1
1-1and
and1-2L--Outwash
1-21.~0utwashplains
plains cover
cover much
much of
of western
western
Wisconsin
Wisconsin and
and constitute
constituteone
oneof
of the
themost
mostcommon
commonlandforms
landformsremaining
remainingfrom
fromthe
the
Wisconsinan
1-6). These
These plains
plains were
were built
built by
by meltwater
meltwaterstreams
streams
WisconsinanGlaciation
Glaciation(Fig.
(Fig.1-6).
emanating
emanatingfrom
fromthe
themelting
meltingSuperior
SuperiorLobe.
Lobe.
Outwash
Outwash plains
plainsare
areclearly
clearlyassociated
associated with
with former
former ice-margin
ice-margin positions,
positions, and
and
the
margins are
are interpreted
interpreted in part by
the position
positionof
of former
former Superior
Superior Lobe
Lobe ice margins
by the
the sharp
sharp
northern
northern and
andwestern
westernup-slope
up-slopelimits
limits of
of the
the outwash
outwash plains
plains (Fig.
(Fig. 1-5).
1-5). Near
Near former
former

ice-margin
the slope
ice-margin positions,
positions, the
slope of
of the
the outwash
outwash plains
plains is
is relatively
relatively steep
steep ranging
ranging
from
as high
high as
as 8.5
8.5 m/km.
m/km. InInmore
from 2.0
2.0 to 4.0
4.0 mIlan,
m/km, but
but may
may be
be locally
locally as
moredistal
distal
positions,
1.0m/km.
m/km.
positions, the
the slope
slopeisis around
around1.0
A
A significant
significant amount if not most of
of the outwash in the
the outwash
outwash plains
plains was
was
derived
derived from
from tunnels
tunnels underneath
underneath the
theSuperior
Superior Lobe
Lobe discharging
discharging meitwater
meltwater and
and
plain has
has aa fan
sediment.
sediment. In
In several
several places
places in
in the
the county,
county, the
the outwash
outwash plain
fan shape
shape at
at
former
with the
the mouths of
former ice-margin
ice-margin positions whose apex is coincident
coincident with
of a tunnel
tunnel
valley
valley or
or an
anesker.
esker. ItIt isis clear
clear in
in these
these cases
cases that
that the
the tunnel
tunnel system
system underneath
underneath the
the
ice,
ice, now indicated
indicated by the
the tunnel
tunnel valleys
valleys and eskers, was the source for the sediment
that
outwashplain.
plain.
that composes
composes the
the outwash
Spooner Hills (Stop
SpoonerHills
Hillsrefer
referto
to aa line
line of
of hills of
(Stov 1-1O).--The
1-I@.-The Spooner
of high relief
relief
These
hills
are
distinct
from
any
other
that
1-7). These hills are distinct from any other
that contain
containunlithified
unlithifiedsediment
sediment(Fig.
(Fig.1-7).
landform
landform in the
the field
field trip
trip area
areaand
andrepresent
represent aalandform
landform type
typenot
notcommonly
commonly
described
described in
inglaciated
glaciatedregions.
regions. I refer
refer to
to these
these hills
hills as
as the
the Spooner
Spooner Hills
Hills after
after the
the
village
of the band of
village of
of Spooner,
Spooner, Wisconsin,
Wisconsin, which lies in the center of
of hills.
hills.
The
The Spooner
Spooner Hills range in area
area from 11 to 55 km2
km2 and exhibit relief
relief as high as
60
but a number
60 m. The
TheSpooner
SpoonerHills
Hills are
areroughly
roughly equidimensional,
equidimensional, but
number of
of them
them are
are
elongate
elongate to
to the
the southeast
southeast parallel
parallel to
tothe
thedirection
directionof
of regional
regional ice
ice flow,
flow, suggesting
suggesting
that
that they
they may
mayhave
havebeen
beensomewhat
somewhatstreamlined.
streamlined.Hill-top
Hill-top elevations
elevations in
in the
the Spooner
Spooner
Hills
Hills generally
generally increase
increase from
from the
the northwest
northwesttotothe
thesoutheast
southeast(Fig.
(Fig.1-7).
1-7).
15

1

�Based on
on this information,
the following
hypothesisisis offered
offered as
as an
Based
information, the
following hypothesis
explanation
Because the
the hills
hills contain a
explanation for the
the formation
formation of
of the
theSpooner
Spooner Hills.
Hills. Because
of sediment types representing a variety of depositional environments, and
variety of
because
because the sediment may
may predate the most
most recent glaciation,
glaciation, itit is likely
likely that the
the
Spooner Hills are
lines of
of evidence
evidence suggest
suggest that the
are erosional
erosional features.
features. Several
Several lines
the
erosion occurred subglacially.
subglacially. The
The Spooner
Spooner Hills are commonly
commonly covered with the
the
till of
till
of the
the most
most recent
recent glaciation
glaciation and are
are somewhat
somewhat streamlined
streamlined in aa direction
direction
parallel to the
the regional
regionalice-flow
ice-flow direction
direction of
of the
the most
most recent
recentglaciation.
glaciation. In addition,
the orientation of the
the band
band of
of the
the Spooner
Spooner Hills
Hills parallels
parallels the
the St.
St. Croix
Croix ice
ice margin
margin
valleys form a branching
suggesting that they are
suggesting
are related.
related. The inter-hill valleys
branching network
network
that, in some
some places,
places, connects up with
with prominent
prominenttunnel
tunnelvalleys.
valleys. It is suggested
suggested that
these valleys
by subglacial
meltwater and
and the
these
valleys were excavated
excavated by
subglacial meltwater
the tunnel
tunnel valleys
valleys
represent the outlets for meitwater
meltwater and sediment. However,
However, this
this connection
connection cannot
be shown
The water
water and
be
shown convincingly
convincingly along the
the entire
entire Spooner
Spooner Hills
Hills chain.
chain. The
and
sediment
was released
sediment was
released at the
the glacier
glacier margin
margin and
and the
the sediment
sediment was
was deposited
deposited
proglacially in large outwash fans and outwash
proglacially
outwash plains. In this scenario,
scenario, the Spooner
Hills would have formed
formed when the
the ice
ice was at
at the
the St.
St. Croix
Croix ice margin or the
the Tiger
Tiger
Cat-McKinley ice margin
margin(Fig.
(Fig.1-6).
1-6).
in the Midwest similar to
Two published descriptions of landforms elsewhere in
the Spooner
Spooner Hills support the
the suggestion
suggestion that
that subglacial
subglacial meltwater
meltwater erosion
erosion may
may
Clayton (1986)
(1986)describes
describestill
till ridges
ridges in
in Portage
have created
have
created them.
them. Clayton
Portage County,
County,
Wisconsin, that
that have
have similar
similar characteristics
characteristicstotothe
theSpooner
SpoonerHills.
Hills. He
He suggests that
Wisconsin,
they
In the
they may
may have
have been
been cut
cutby
bysubglacial
subglacialmeltwater.
meltwater. In
the Puget
Puget Lowland,
Lowland,
Washington, hills
hills occur
occur that
that have
have a size and shape
Washington,
shape similar
similar to
to the
the Spooner
Spooner Hills
Hills
(Booth and
and Hallet,
Hallet, 1993).
1993). The hills
hills in
in the
the Puget Lowland
Lowland occur
occur among
among channels that
(Booth
have been interpreted
interpretedas
ascut
cutby
by subglacial
subglacialmeltwater.
meltwater.
V.
fill discussed
discussed on this
V. Types of till
this field
field trip.
trip.
The
of the glacial
The interpretation
interpretation of
glacial landscape
landscape requires
requires that the
the sediment
sediment
composing landforms be interpreted as
as well.
well. The
The following
following list
list describes
describes the
the basic
basic
of lodgement till,
till, melt-out
melt-out till,
till, flow
flow till,
till, and
and deforming bed sediment.
characteristics of
sediment.
All of
of these sediment types may
poorly sorted, pebbly), but
All
may look
look similar
similar (massive, poorly
subtle differences allow interpretation
interpretation in
in some
some places.
places.
Lodgement
till.--Lodgement till
till is
is deposited
deposited by
by plastering of
of glacial
glacial debris from the
JnfiOL-till.-Lodgement
sliding base
base of
sliding
of aa moving
moving glacier
glacier by pressure
pressure melting
melting and/or
and/or other
othermechanical
mechanical
processes (Dreimanis,
(Dreimanis,1989),
1989), and
and is
is characterized
characterizedby:
by:
16

�I
Laterally and
and vertically
vertically consistent
consiste orientation of fabric elements, structures, and
surface marks on
on clasts.
clasts.
a.. parallel
parallel striae
striae on
on lodged
lodged clasts
dusts
b.. parallel
parallel a-axes
a-axes of pebbles
c.. sediment smudges, thrust
shear planes, and fissility showing shear
thrust structures,
str
2.
2. Comminution producing
producing bi-modal grain-size with terminal modes in silt
silt size.
size.
3. Materials of local derivation nearer the base of the till.
till.
4. Overconsolidated.
Overconsolidated.
of end moraines.
5.
5. Occurs in ground moraine,
moraine, flutes, drumlins, proximal sides of
Melt-out till.-t&amp;- Melt-out till is deposited by a slow release of
of glacial debris from ice
that is
and is characterized by:
is not
not sliding
slidingor
ordeforming
deforminginternally
internally(Dreimanis,
(Dreimanis,1989),
1989), and
1.
1. Debris banding from ice preserved but with gradational contacts and flattening
flattening of
of
structures.
structures. Melt-out
Melt-out till may
may be
be massive.
massive.
2.
2. Clasts of unlithified material may be present.
flow, but
but may
may be
be transverse.
transverse. Dip
Dip of
of pebbles
pebbles is
is upup3. Clasts aligned parallel to glacier
glacier flow,
1.
1. Laterally

I

I
I

but lessened
ice
ice but
lessened by
by loss
loss of
of ice.
ice.

I
I

I
I
I

i
I

I

i

4. Grain-size may be coarser than lodgement till,
till, and grain-size distribution may be
more variable.
variable.
Striated clasts present, but
5.
5. Striated
but faceted
faceted clasts
clasts are rare.
6. Draping
Draping of
of layers
layersover
over clasts
clasts as
as interstitial
interstitialice
ice is
is lost.
lost.
7.
7. Winnowing of fine particles and redeposition, perhaps as coats around
around clasts.
clasts.
Sorted sediment
sediment deposited
deposited in
8. Lenses and veins
veins of
of sorted
sorted sediment
sediment cased
cased in
in till.
till. Sorted
englacial tubes.
tubes.
englacial
9. Normal consolidation.
consolidation.
10. Associated with stagnant
stagnant ice
ice landforms.
Flow till.--Flow
till.--Flow tills
tills (broadly
(broadly speaking)
speaking)may
mayderive
derivefrom
fromany
any glacial
glacialdebris
debris upon
upon its
Flow
release from glacier
ice or from a freshly
glacier ice
freshly deposited till, in direct
direct association
association with
glacier ice. The
The redeposition
redeposition isis accomplished
accomplished by gravitational
gravitational slope process, mainly
by gravity
gravity flow,
flow, or
or by
by squeeze
squeeze flow,
flow, and
and ititmay
maytake
takeplace
placeice-marginally,
ice-marginally,
supraglacially, or subglacially,
1989),
subglacially, and
and subaerially
subaerially or
or subaquatically
subaquatically(Dreimanis,
(Dreimanis,1989),
and
and is
is characterized
characterized by:
by:
Lithology (color,
(color, grain-size,
grain-size, mineralogy)
mineralogy)inherited
inheritedfrom
fromparent
parent ice
ice (so
(some sorting
1.
1. Lithology
during flow).
flow).
2. Common stratification and
and interbedding with water-sorted sediments.
2.
Depending on grain size
sorting, grading
grading (inverse or
or normal)
normal)
3. Depending
3.
siz and water
er content, sorting,
may occur.
occur.
17
17

�4. Fabric
Fabric determined
determined by
(local slopes)
slopes)and
and stresses
stresses are
are low,
low, producing
producing
4.
by local
local stresses
stresses (local
random to
to strong
strong fabric
fabric with
with maxima
maxima parallel
parallel to transverse
transverse stress
stress orientation
orientation (not
(not
ice flow).
flow).
5.
5. Normally consolidated.
consolidated.
Deforming bed sediment.--Deforming
bed sediment
sediment forms
forms under
under aa sliding,
-Deforming bed
sliding, wetwetbased glacier. The
is transmitted to the bed, causing
based
The glacier's
glacier's basal
basal shear stress is
causing bed
deformation.
The thickness
thickness ofof this
this deforming
layer is
is hotly
deformation. The
deforming layer
hotly debated
debated among
among
glaciologists and
and glacial geologists:
is it centimeters
glaciologists
geologists: is
centimeters or meters?
meters? Deforming bed
sediment ostensibly
ostensibly has
has the
as lodgement
sediment
the same
same characteristics
characteristics as
lodgement till,
till, although
although some
some
suggest that
that deforming
deforming bed
bed sediment
sediment has
has a weak pebble
authors (i.e., Hart, 1994)
1994) suggest
pebble
fabric.

..
VI. Contrasts in glacial landforms
landforms
VI.
One of
of themes
of this field
field trip
trip is to point out and discuss
themes of
discuss the variations
variations in
morphology of glacial deposits in the
the terminus
terminus region
region of
of the
the Superior
SuperiorLobe.
Lobe.
Emerald Phase
Few hummocks

Few collapse depressions
No tunnel valleys
valleys or eskers
eskers

No mappable outwash
outwash plains
plains
Integrated, dendritic
dendritic drainage
drainage
No drumlins(?)
drumlins(?)

St. Croix Phase and
and- later
phases
1
Many hummocks and ice-walled-lake
ice-walled-lake plains
plains
behind multiple
multiple ice-margin
ice-margin positions
positions
Many collapse depressions
Many tunnel valleys, some with
with eskers,
eskers,
as well as
as the
the Spooner
Spooner Hills
Hills
Extensive outwash plains
plains
Deranged drainage
drainage
Thrust
(?)
Thrust features
features (?)
No drumlins

The landforms left behind during the
the Emerald
Emerald Phase of the Superior
Superior Lobe
Lobe are
distinct from those formed during the St. Croix
Croix and
and later
later phases.
phases. Features
Features formed
formed by
by
widespread stagnant
widespread
stagnant ice
ice (hummocks
(hummocks and
and ice-walled-lake
ice-walled-lake plains) and extensive
extensive
discharge
eskers, and outwash
discharge of
of subglacial
subglacial meltwater
meltwater (tunnel
(tunnel valleys,
valleys, eskers,
outwash plains)
plains)
dominate
left by
by the
the St.
Croix Phase,
Phase,but
but are
are absent
absent or
or rare
rare in the
dominate the landscape
landscape left
St. Croix
landscape
landscape left by the
the Emerald
Emerald Phase.
Phase. I interpret
interpret these phases to
to have
have occurred
occurred
during the
the last
last part
partofofthe
theWisconsinan
Wisconsinan Glaciation
Glaciation and that the
the difference
difference in
in the
the
landform
landform suites
suites is
is due
due to
to aachange
changein
incharacter
character of
of the
the Superior
Superior Lobe at the
the beginning
of the St.
Superior Lobe changed from a cold,
cold, nonSt. Croix
Croix Phase.
Phase. I suggest that the Superior

18

�[

"1

fl

glacier during
during the Emerald
Phase, to
to aa less
less cold,
cold, surging
surging glacier
glacier during
during the
surging glacier
Emerald Phase,
St. Croix Phase.
The landforms of
above), the
the thin
thin to patchy cover of
of the Emerald Phase (listed above),
of
till deposited
the till
deposited during
during the
the Emerald
Emerald Phase,
Phase, and
and the
the presence
presence of
of well-developed
well-developed
permafrost features suggest
suggest that
that climate
dimate during the Emerald
Emerald Phase was colder than
during the
the St.
St. Croix
Croix Phase.
Phase. The
Theabsence
absence of
of tunnel
tunnel valleys
valleys indicates
indicates less
less subglacial
subglacial
meltwater present
present during
prevented
meltwater
during this
this phase,
phase, perhaps
perhaps because
because cold
cold conditions
conditions prevented
meltwater from
from draining
draining through
through the
the glacier
to the
Meltwater formed
meltwater
glacier to
the bed.
bed. Meltwater
formed
flowed, for
for the
the most
most part,
part, over
over dean
clean ice
ice and
and had
had a low
predominantly supraglacially flowed,
sediment load. Ice
Iceflowed
flowedinto
intopre-Emerald-Phase
pre-Emerald-Phase river valleys, which later became
collapse depressions
depressions when
when warming
warming allowed
allowedburied
buried ice
iceto
tomelt.
melt. Following retreat
retreat of
of
collapse
the ice margin,
conditions helped
helped to
to allow
allow rapid
rapid development
of a
the
margin, permafrost
permafrost conditions
development of
In part,
part, the
dendritic drainage
drainage network
much surface
surface till
till was
was eroded.
eroded. In
dendritic
network and likely much
drainage network may have
drainage
have been
been inherited
inherited from
from the
the pre-Emerald-Phase
pre-Emerald-Phase surface
because it would not have been deeply buried by Poskin till.
till. (Though
(Though II suggest
suggest that
that
because
cold conditions,
conditions, they
they may
may also
also imply
imply that
that the Emerald
Emerald Phase
these features indicate cold
did not last
last long.)
long.)
During the St.
subglacial drainage
drainage of
of the Superior
During
St. Croix Phase, large-scale
large-scale subglacial
Lobe began
began and
and formed
formed tunnel
tunnel valleys
valleys and
and eskers.
eskers. As mentioned
earlier, much
much of
of
Lobe
mentioned earlier,
the meltwater stream sediment in
in the outwash plains of western Wisconsin
can be
be
Wisconsin can
Additionally,the
theSpooner
SpoonerHills
Hillsare
arethought
thought to
to be
be
traced to tunnel-valley
tunnel-valley mouths.
mouths. Additionally,
the result of erosion by subglacial
meltwater. The
meltwater
subglacial meltwater.
The increase in subglacial meltwater
features is accompanied by the presence of
of widespread stagnant
stagnant ice
ice features.
features.
suggestthat
thatthe
the Superior
SuperiorLobe
Lobesurged
surged during
during the
the
Johnson and Savina (1987)
(1987) suggest
St. Croix
Croix and
and later phases, and Clayton
suggest that
that many lobes of
of
Clayton and others
others (1985)
(1985) suggest
Increased subglacial
subglacial discharge
discharge of
of meltwater
meltwater is
the Laurentide Ice
Ice Sheet
Sheet surged.
surged. Increased
associated
with surging (Kamb
and others, 1985),
and surging
surging can leave large
1985), and
large
associated with
(Kamb and
Clapperton
amounts of stagnant ice
ice that
that melts
melts to
toform
formhummocks
hummocks (Wright,
(Wright, 1980).
1980). Clapperton
(1975)suggests
suggeststhat
that large
large amounts
amounts of
of debris
debris are
are frozen
frozen on
on to
to the base of
of the glacier
(1975)
surging. AA thick,
layer in
in aa mass
mass of
of stagnant
stagnant ice
ice would
would
during surging.
thick, basal,
basal, debris-rich
debris-rich layer
Surging isis aa periodic
produce high-relief
like those in Polk
produce
high-relief hummocks
hummocks like
Polk County.
County. Surging
behavior of
of glaciers
glaciers and
and the size and geometry
of the
the tunnel valleys
indicate that
that
behavior
geometry of
valleys indicate
they operated only for a short time, and that they were not all operating at the same
time (Attig and other,
other, 1989;
1989; Patterson, personal communication).
On the other
On
other hand,
hand, the
the hummocks
hummocks may
may simply
simply indicate
indicate cold
cold conditions
conditions
rather than surging. Many
are produced
produced by
by nonnonrather
Many authors
authors suggest
suggest that hummocks
hummocks are
19

�temperate glaciers
temperate
glaciers (glaciers
(glaciers with
with ice
ice colder
colder than
than0°C)
OÂ°C(Boulton,
(Boulton,1972;
1972; Paul,
Paul, 1983;
1983;
Mäller, 1987;
Sollid and
and Sørbel,
Attig and
Moller,
1987; Sollid
Sorbel, 1988;
1988; Attig
and others,
others,1989;
1989;Mooers,
Mooers, 1990).
1990). These
These
the process
process of
of meltwater
meltwater generation
generation where
where the
the bed
bed is at 0°C
authors describe,
describe the
P C and the
subsequent freezing-on of
of debris at the base of the glacier
glacier as the
the meltwater
meltwatermoves
moves
subglacially towards
towards the margin and ertcounters
ice colder
colder than
than 0%.
0°C. This
This process
process
subglacially
encounters ice
produces aa thick,
zone. The
produces
thick, basal,
basal, debris-rich
debris-rich zone.
The margin
margin of
of the
the cold
cold glacier
glacier stagnates
stagnates
during
melting
and
the
melting
of
the
debris-rich
ice
produces
hummoclcy
during melting and the melting of the debris-rich ice produces hummocky
topography. Evidence
of permafrost
permafrost in
in western
suggests that
that the
topography.
Evidence of
western Wisconsin
Wisconsin suggests
the
hummocks may
may simply
indicate a non-temperate
glacier, and
and not necessarily
hummocks
simply indicate
non-temperate glacier,
necessarily aa
surging glacier.
surging
glacier.
It is not
the water
water that cut
not clear
clear in
in western
western Wisconsin
Wisconsin ifif the
cut the
the tunnel
tunnel valleys
valleys
was melted from
from the
the bed or
or from
from the
the surface
surface of the
the glacier.
glacier. Wright
Wright(1973)
(1973) states that
that
tunnel valleys
valleys formed under
under the
theSuperior
SuperiorLobe
Lobe because
because subglacial
subglacial meitwater
meltwater was
was
held by aa frozen
frozen margin
margin of
of the
the glacier.
glacier. Mooers
Mooers(1989)
(1989) argues that the Superior
Superior Lobe
Lobe
was temperate and that
that the
the tunnel
tunnel valleys
valleys indicate
indicate meltwater from the surface
surface of
of
Gustavsonand
andBoothroyd
Boothroyd(1987)
(1987) document
document aa
the glacier reaching the glacier
glacier bed. Gustavson
surficial source for subglacial tneltwater
meltwater on
on the
the temperate
temperateMalaspina
MalaspinaGlacier,
Glacier,Alaska.
Alaska.
The presence
of ice-wedge
casts behind
behind the St. Croix
limit in
The
presence of
ice-wedge casts
Croix Phase ice-margin
ice-margin limit
Wisconsin suggests
suggests that
that the ice surface would
would have been well below
below 00C
and that
0OC and
Wisconsin
little surface meltwater would make it to
to the
the glacier
glacier bed. However, cold conditions
conditions
were present
when no
no or few
were
present during the
the Emerald
Emerald Phase
Phase when
few tunnel
tunnel valleys
valleys were
were
formed.
I suggest that
that the
the climate
climate supported
supported permafrost
permafrost conditions
conditions during both
both the
the
Emerald and St.
St. Croix
Croix Phases,
Phases, but was
was gradually
gradually getting
gettingwarmer.
warmer.Ice-wedge
Ice-wedgecasts
casts
outside the Emerald
outside
Emerald Phase
Phase ice-margin
ice-margin limit are
are numerous
numerous and
and well-developed
well-developed
(Johnson,
1986),whereas
whereas those
those behind
behind the St. Croix Phase ice-margin limit
limit are
are few
few
(Johnson, 1986),
During the St. Croix
and less
less well
well developed.
developed. During
Croix Phase, even though
though permafrost
permafrost
conditions were present,
present, surface
surface meltwater began to find pathways
pathwaysto
tothe
theglacier
glacierbed.
bed.
of increased water at the bed caused the lobe to surge, tunnel
The presence of
tunnel valleys
valleys to
to
form, and left widespread
widespread stagnant
stagnantice.
ice.
VII.
Bibliographic information
VII. Bibliographic
information on
on the
the glacial
glacial geology
geology of western
western Wisconsin
Wisconsin
foraa north-south
north-south band of
The St. Croix moraine was named by Berkey
Berkey (1897)
(1897) for
of
occurring immediately
immediately east
east of
of the town
hummocks occurring
town of
of St.
St.Croix
Croix Falls,
Falls, Wisconsin.
Wisconsin.
However, the
the first comprehensive
mapping and
and description
description of
of the St.
However,
comprehensive mapping
St. Croix
Croix
moraine and associated
associated deposits
deposits was
was that
that of
ofStrong
Strong(1880)
(1880) and
and T.C.
T.C. Chamberlin
Chamberlin
20

�••

I
I
fl
I

I

I

(1883).
(1932)transferred
transferredthe
thename
nametotoapply
applyto
to the
the hummocky
hummocky deposits
deposits that
that
(1883). Leverett (1932)
marked the
Wright and Ruhe
marked
the edge
edge of
of the
theSuperior
Superior Lobe
Lobe in
in western
western Wisconsin.
Wisconsin. Wright
(1965) called
called the
the event
event that made these features the
the St.
St. Croix Phase.
Along the St. Croix Phase
Phase deposits
deposits in Wisconsin,
Wisconsin, aa number
number of
of geologists have
have
Along
made several somewhat dissimilar
interpretations ofof the
the position
position and
and nature of the
dissimilar interpretations
St. Croix
Croix ice-margin
ice-margin position
position(Chamberlin,
(Chamberlin, 1905,
1905, 1910;
1910; Leverett, 1932;
1932; Mathieson,
1940; Black,
Black, 1959;
1959;Berg,
Berg, 1960;
1960;Wright,
Wright,1972;
1972;Wright
Wrightand
and others, 1973;
Johnson, 1986;
1973; Johnson,
1986;
Johnson and
Refinementsinin the
the stratigraphy have
Johnson
and Savina,
Savina,1987;
1987;Mooers,
Mooers,1989).
1989). Refinements
been made by
by Baker
Baker and
andothers
others(1983),
(1983),Mickelson
Mickelson and
andothers
others(1984),
(1984),Johnson
Johnson(1986;
(1986;
in press),
The history
history of
press), and
and Attig
Attig and
andothers
others(1988).
(1988). The
of the glacier-dammed
glacier-dammed lakes
lakes
(glacial Lake Lind and glacial
glaaal Lake Grantsburg) occupying the St. Croix, Clam, and
Yellow River drainage basins has
has been
been discussed
discussed by
by several
severalworkers
workers(Berkey,
(Berkey,1905;
1905;
Hansell, 1930;
Johnson, 1992, 1994; Addis
Addis
1930; Burkhead,
Burkhead, 1931;
1931; Butz,
Butz, 1931;
1931; Cooper, 1935; Johnson,
and
glacial period
and others, 1996). A
A regional
regional understanding of
of the details of
of the last glacial
has
has been enhanced
enhanced by
by large-scale
large-scale geologic
geologic mapping of
of Pleistocene
Pleistocene deposits in the
the
Lake Superior
Barron
1985), Barren
Superior region
region (Clayton,
(Clayton, 1984),
1984), the Twin Cities region (Meyer, 1985),
County,
Hennepin County,
County, Minnesota
Minnesota (Meyer
(Meyer and
County, Wisconsin
Wisconsin (Johnson, 1986),
1986), Hennepin
Hobbs, 1989),
Dakota County,
County, Minnesota
Minnesota (Hobbs
(Hobbs and others, 1990),
1989), Dakota
1990), Washington
Ramsey County, Minnesota (Patterson,
County, Minnesota (Meyer
(Meyer and
and others,
others, 1990),
1990), Ramsey
1992), and
and Polk County,
County, Wisconsin (Johnson, in press).

VIII. References
References cited
Aario, R. ,1977,
,1977,Classification
Classificationand
andterminology
terminologyofofmorainic
morainiclandforms
landformsininFinland:
Finland: Boreas,
Boreas, v.
v. 6,
6, p. 87100.
100.

I
I
•
r
H

Aario, R.,
PuIjo moraines
moraines and
and Sevetti moraines, in Robertson,
Robertson, A.-M.,
A.-M., Ringberg,
Ringberg, B.,
B., Miller,
Miller, U.,
U., and
and
R., 1992,
1992, Puljo
L. (eds.): Quaternary
Quaternary stratigraphy,
stratigraphy, glacial
glacial morphology and environmental
environmental changes:
changes:
Brunnberg, L.
Sveriges
Sveriges Geologiska
GeologiskaUndersOkningen,
Unders6kningen, Series
Series Ca
Ca 81, p.
p. 7-14.
Addis, K.L.,
Ferber,
L.R.,
and
Johnson,
M.D.,
1996,
stratigraphicand
andpaleomagnetic
paleomagnetic study
study of
of glacial
glacial
K.L.,
L.R., and Johnson, M.D., 1996, AAstratigraphic
Lake Und
varved
clays
[abstracti:
Geological
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of
America
Abstracts
with
Programs,
Lind varved clays [abstract]: Geological Society
Programs, v.
v. 28,
28,
nc6.
no. 6.
Attig, J.W.,
D.M., 1985,
1985,Correlation
Correlationofoflate
lateWisconsin
Wisconsinglacial
glacialphases
phases in
in the
J.W., Clayton, Lee,
Lee, Mickelson,
Mickelson, D.M.,
western
Great
Lakes
area:
Geological
Society
of
America
Bulletin,
v.
96,
western Great Lakes area: Geological Society of America Bulletin,
p.
p. 1585-1593.
Mtig,
Clayton, Lee, and
Pleistocene stratigraphic
stratigraphic units
Attig, J.W., Clayton,
and Mickelson,
Mickelson, D.M.,
D.M., 1988,
1988, Pleistocene
units of
of Wisconsin
Wisconsin1984198487: Wisconsin
Geological
and
Natural
History
Survey
Information
Circular
62,
61
Wisconsin Geological
Natural History Survey Information Circular 62,61 p.
Attig, J.W., Clayton,
Clayton, Lee, and
and Mickelson, D.M.,
D.M., 1989,
1989,Late
LateWisconsin
Wisconsinlandfonn
landformdistribution
distribution and
and glacierbed
conditions
in
Wisconsin:
Sedimentary
Geology,
v.
62,
bed conditions in Wisconsin: Sedimentary Geology, v. 62, p.
p. 399-405.
399-405.
Baker,
Baker, R.W.,
R.W., Diehl, J.F., Simpson, T.W.,
T.W., Zelazny,
Zeiazny, L.W.,
L.W., and Beske-Diehl,
Beske-Diehl, S.,
S., 1983,
1983, Pre-Wisconsin
Pre-Wisconsin
glacial stratigraphy, chronology, paleomagnetics of west-central
west-central Wisconsin:
Wisconsin: Geological
Geological Society
of America
America Bulletin,
Bulletin, v.
v. 94,
94, p.
p. 1442-1449.
1442-1449.
Berg, T.E.,
Wisconsin
Berg,
T.E., 1960,
1960,Differentiation
Differentiationofofthe
the St.
St.Croix
Croixand
and Emerald
Emerald moraines,
moraines, in
in west-central
west-central Wisconsin
[abstract]: Institute
Instituteon
onLake
LakeSuperior
SuperiorGeology,
Geology, 6th Annual
Annual Meeting,
Meeting, Madison,
Madison, Wisconsin,
Wisconsin, p.
14.
p. 14.
Berkey,
Geology of
of the St. Croix Dalles:
Dalles: American
Berkey, C.P., 1897, Geology
American Geologist,
Geologist, v.
v. 20,
20, p.
345-383.
p. 345-383.
Berkey, C.P.,
C.P., 1905,
1905,Laminated
Laminated interglacial
interglacial clays
claysofofGrantsburg,
Grantsburg, Wis.:
Wis.: Journal of Geology, v. 13, p.
p. 35-44.
35-44.
21

�Black, R.F.,
R.F., 1959,
Glacial geology of
Tenth Annual Field
Black,
1959, Glacial
of west-central
west-centralWisconsin:
Wisconsin: Tenth
Field Conference,
Conference,
Midwestern
Friends
of
the
Pleistocene,
1959,field
fieldtrip
trip guidebook,
guidebook, 14 p.
p.
May 8-10,
8-10,1959,
Midwestern Friends of the Pleistocene, May
Booth, D.B.,
D.B., and
and Hallet,
Booth,
Hallet, Bernard,
Bernard, 1993,
1993, Channel
Channel networks
networks carved
carved by
by subglacial
subglacial meitwater:
meltwater:
observations and reconstruction
reconstruction in the
the eastern
eastern Puget
Puget Lowland
Lowland of Washington: Geological
GeologicalSociety
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105, p. 671-683.
671-683.
of America
America Bulletin,
Bulletin, v.v.105,
Boulton, G.S.
, 1967, The development
Boulton,
G.S. ,1967,
development of
of a complex supraglacial moraine at the
the margin
margin of
of Serbreen,
Serbreen,Ny
Ny
Friesland,
717-735.
Friesland, Vestspitsbergen:
Vestspitsbergen: Journal
JournalofofGlaciology,
Glaciology,v.v. 6,6, p. 717-735.
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1980, Surge
Surge moraines
moraines of the
the Klutlan
Klutlan Glacier,
Glacier, Yukon
Yukon Territory,
Territory, Canada and
and
application
14,p.p.2-17.
2-17.
applicationto
tothe
theLate
LateGlacial
Glacialof
of Minnesota:
Minnesota: Quaternary
QuaternaryResearch,
Research,v.v.14,
Wright,
of Minnesota
Minnesota and Iowa,
Wright, H.E.,
H.E., Jr.,
Jr., and
and Ruhe,
Ruhe,R.V.,
R.V., 1965,
1965, Glaciation of
Iowa, in
in Wright,
Wright,H.E.,
H.E., Jr.,
Jr.,and
and
Frey,
Frey, D.G.,
D.G., (eds.), The Quaternary of the United States: Princeton,
Princeton,Princeton
PrincetonUniversity
UniversityPress,
Press,p.p.
29-4
1.
29-41.

Wright,
Wright, H.E.,
H.E., Jr.,
Jr., Matsch,
Matsch, CL.,
C.L., and
andCushing,
Cushing,E.J.,
E.J., 1973,
1973, The Superior and
and Des
Des Moines
Moines Lobes,
Lobes, in
in Black,
Black,
R.F.,
R.F., Goldthwait,
Goldthwait, R.P.,
R.P., and
and Wiliman,
Willman, G.P.,
G.P., (eds.),
(eds.), The
The Wisconsinan
Wisconsinan Stage: Geological
GeologicalSociety
Societyof
of
America
AmericaMemoir
Memoir136,
136,p.p.153-188.
153-188.
Zelcs,
Glaciotectonic landforms
landforms of
of divergent
divergent type glaciodepressional lowlands
Zelcs, V.,
V., 1993, Glaciotectonic
lowlands (dissertation
(dissertation
work
work synthesis):
synthesis):University
UniversityofofLatvia,
Latvia,Riga,
Riga,Latvia,
Latvia,105
105p.
p.

I

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IX.
trip sites.
I
X. Field trip

Mileage
Mileage from
from Cable
Cab to Stop 1-1: 60 miles
.

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.
.
Stop
and Stop
Stop 1-1
1-1and
Stop1-2
1-2
St
S
t.Croix
Croix Phase outwash
outwash plain,
plain, distal
distal site
site and
and St.
St. Croix
Croix Phase outwash fan, proximal,
ice-marginal
ice-marginal site
site
Quadrangle: Haugen
Haugen Quadrangle,
Quadrangle,Wisconsin,
Wisconsin, 7.5
7.5 minute
minute series,
series,sec.
sec. 18,
18, T.
T. 36
36 N.,
N., R.
R.
11
W., sec. 13, T.
T. 36
36 N.,
N., R
R. 12
12W.
1
1W.,
W.
Significance: These
These stops
stops show the character
of sediment deposited by braided,
character of
braided,
outwash streams, both immediately
immediately next to a former
former ice-margin position, as well as
further away.
away.
Description:
Lobe outwash
outwash is probably the most common sediment
Description: Superior Lobe
sediment facies
facies
western
and consists
consists primarily
primarily ofof sand,
sand, slightly
slightly gravelly
gravelly sand,
sand, and
western Wisconsin
Wisconsin and
gravelly sand, with much
much of
of the
the gravel
gravel in
in the
thepebble
pebblefraction.
fraction. Stream sediment
deposited within
within 11km
km of
of former
formerice-margin
ice-margin positions
positions is
is commonly
commonly much
much coarser
coarser
and contains cobbly
boulders. This
This coarser
coarser facies
facies of
of Copper
Copper
cobbly gravel with occasional boulders.
Falls stream sediment is crudely horizontally
horizontallybedded
bedded and
and is
is more
more poorly
poorly sorted than
stream sediment deposited in more distal positions.
positions. Further
Further away
away from
from former
former iceicemargin positions,
positions, the
the stream
stream sediment
sediment is
is dominated
dominated by
by sand in horizontal
horizontal and
and
cross-bedded
cross-bedded layers.
layers.
Gravel
Gravel in the outwash,
outwash, as
as well
well as
as Superior
Superior Lobe
Lobe till, is composed primarily of
of
basalt, gabbro, granite, gneiss, rhyolite,
rhyolite, and
and sandstone. This
This assemblage
assemblage is typical
typical of
sediment
sediment derived
derived from
from the
theLake
Lake Superior
Superior basin.
basin.
proximal site is located on an outwash
The proximal
outwash fan
fan associated
associated with the
the tunnel
tunnel
valley in which
which Bear
Bear Lake
Lake lies.
lies. It is suggested that all the outwash in this
this outwash
outwash
plain emanated from
from the
the tunnel-valley
tunnel-valley mouth at
at Haugen.
Haugen.
Questions: Are
rapid deposition?
deposition? What
Arethere
thereany
anyfeatures
features present
present here that suggest rapid
would a catastrophic
catastrophic deposit
deposit look
look like?
like?
Mileage from
from Stop
Stop1-2
1-2to
to Stop
Stop 1-3:
1-3:15
15 miles
miles

Stop 1-3
1-3
Stop
Barron County hummock
Barren
hummock sites
sites
Quadrangle: Lower
LowerVermillion
VermillionLake
LakeQuadrangle,
Quadrangle,Wisconsin,
Wisconsin, 7.5-minute
7.5-minute Series,
Series, T.
36 N., R.
R.13
13W.
Significance: (1)
Discussion of
of the
the occurrence of
of melt-out till in hummocks
(1)Discussion
hummocks and
and(2)
(2)
contrast between the landforms of the Emerald and St. Croix Phases.

1
25

�Description: Uniform
Uniformdiamicton
diamictonisisexposed
exposed in
infive
fivehummocks
hummocks in
in northwestern
northwestern
Barron County
exposures are
are
Barren
County (sites
(sites8,
8,9,9,10,
10,12,
12,13,
13,Figs.
Figs. 1-8,
1-8,1-9).
1-9). In all cases, the exposures
small and only
pebble fabric
fabric at these sites is strong
only uniform
uniform till
till isis revealed.
revealed. The pebble
strong
(Si=0.72,
(1979) for melt(Si=O.72 0.80,
0.80, 0.74,0.72,0.85)
0.74, 0.72, 0.85)and
andsimilar
similartotothose
thosereported
reported by
by Lawson (1979)
out till
till and
and by
byDowdeswell
Dowdeswell and
andSharp
Sharp(1986)
(1986) for melt-out
melt-out till
till and
and undeformed
undeformed
lodgement till.
Additionally,the
the major
major mode
mode in
in each
each fabric
fabric isis parallel
parallel to the
till. Additionally,
the
regional ice-flow
direction as
as determined
determined by
by local
local striations
striations and
and the orientation of
ice-flow direction
of
the nearby
nearby ice-margin
ice-margin position
position (Fig.
(Fig. 1-9). At
At site
site 12
12 (Fig.
(Fig. 1-8), aa drill
revealed 20
20
drill hole revealed
m of
of diamicton
diamicton with
with uniform
uniform grain
grain size
size and
anduniform
uniform relative
relativemagnetic
magnetic
beneath the base of
of the surface
surface exposure.
exposure. Though these sites
susceptibility beneath
sites were
were not
not
well-enough
exposed to
to investigate
other structures
well-enough exposed
investigate other
structures and contacts,
contacts, the
the strongly
strongly
oriented
oriented pebble fabric parallel
parallel to the
the regional
regional ice-flow
ice-flow direction
direction indicates
indicates the
diamicton is likely
likely melt-out
melt-out till.
till.
As discussed
As
discussed in the
the text,
text, features
features formed
formed by
by widespread
widespread stagnant
stagnant ice
ice
(hummocks
and ice-walled-lake
plains) and extensive
(hummocks and
ice-walled-lake plains)
extensive discharge
discharge of
of subglacial
subglacial
meitwater (tunnel valleys,
valleys, eskers,
eskers, and
and outwash
outwash plains)
plains) dominant
dominant the landscape left
meltwater
by the St.
in the
the landscape
landscape left
left by
by the
theEmerald
Emerald
St. Croix Phase, but are absent or rare
rare in
Phase. I have interpreted this
Phase.
this change
change to represent a change
change in ice dynamics, from a
non-surging glacier
cold, non-surging
glacier to aa less-cold, surging glacier. See
See text
text for
for discussion.
discussion.
Questions: Is it possible
possible for
for supraglacial
supraglacial melt-out
melt-out till to
to survive
survive collapse?
collapse? Is it
merely chance that till fabrics
fabrics in hummocks are strong and parallel
parallel to
to regional
regional iceiceflow direction? Do
Do the
thechanges
changesseen
seen from
from the
the Emerald
Emerald to
to St. Croix Phases represent
changes
in erosion
erosion (and thus age)?
changes in ice
ice dynamics?
dynamics? or merely
merely differences
differences in
age)? Is it
possible for supraglacial meltwater to ppenetrate through the thickness
ckness of the
the glacier
glacier
if
if permafrost conditions
conditions are
are present?
present?
Mileage
16 miles
from Stop
Stop1-3
1-3 to Stop
Stop 14:
14.16
Mileage from
Stop 1-4
Stop
1-4
McKinley
McKinley ice-walled-lake
ice-walled-lake plain
plain
Quadrangle: McKinley,
T.36
36N.,
N., R.
R. 14
14W.
W.
Quadrangle:
McKinley,Wisconsin,
Wisconsin,7.5
7.5minute
minuteseries,
series,sec.
sec.31,
31,T.
Significance: One
Significance:
Oneof
of the
thelargest
largestice-walled-lake
ice-walled-lake plains in
in western
western Wisconsin.
Wisconsin.
km2 and is
is one
one of
of the
the
Description: The
TheMcKinley
McKinley ice-walled-lake
ice-walled-lake plain is about
about 77 km2
largest ice-walled-lake plains in western
western Wisconsin
Wisconsin (Fig. 1-8). About
About 40
40 ice-walledice-walledlake plains occur in the
the terminus
terminus region
region of
of the
the Superior
Superior Lobe
Lobe in
in western
western Wisconsin,
Wisconsin,
and another
another 20
20 to
to 30
30 occur
occur in
in the
the continuation
continuation of
of these
these deposits
deposits in
in Minnesota.
Minnesota.
Nearly
of them occur in hummocky
hummocky tracts,
Nearly all of
tracts, suggesting
suggesting that
that their
their origin is related
26

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the origin
plains in
in the
the study
study area
to the
to
origin of
of the
the hummocks.
hummocks. Ice-walled-lake
Ice-walled-lake plains
area range
range in
in size
size
from
1
to
13
km2,
with
a
typical
size
around
2
km2.
Ice-walled-lake
plains
from 1 to 13 km2, with a typical size around 2 km2. Ice-walled-lake plains
commonly have a rim around their
their margin
margin that stands
stands 33 to
to 10
10 m
m above
above the
the center
center of
of
the
the lake
lake plain.
plain. StreamStream-and
andwave-sorted
wave-sorted sand
sand and
and gravel
gravel occur
occur along
along the
the margins
margins of
of
the
lakes. In
In places,
places, the
the rim
rim sediment
sediment is
is interbedded
interbedded with
with till
till that
that flowed
flowed
the ice-walled
ice-walled lakes.
from adjacent ice
ice into the lake. Coarse
Coarse sediment
sediment is restricted to the margins
margins of the
the
lake
plain; much
lake plain;
much of
of the
the interior
interior portions
portions are
are underlain
underlain by
by silt.
silt. Drill
Drill holes
holes at
at Stop
Stop 55
encountered
encountered 20
20 m
m of
of silt
siltoverlying
overlyingSuperior
SuperiorLobe
Lobe till.
till. The ice-walled-lake plains
plains
occur
at
elevations
similar
to
those
of
the
surrounding
hummocks.
The
rim
ridges
occur at elevations similar to those of the surrounding hummocks. The rim ridges
of the ice-walled-lake
ice-walled-lake plains are approximately the same elevation or slightly
slightly lower
lower
than the
the tops
topsof
of hummocks
hummocksadjacent
adjacent to
to the
the lake
lakeplain.
plain.
Ice-walled-lake
described elsewhere may
may occur in hummock tracts,
Ice-walled-lake sediment described
tracts,
but within
apparently ice
ice was
was thin
thin enough
enough that
that the open
within the
the Southeastern
Southeastern Sector,
Sector, apparently
water was able
able to
to melt
melt entirely
entirely through
through the
the stagnant
stagnantice,
ice, leaving
leaving nicely
nicely preserved
preserved
ice-walled-lake plains.
plains.
Questions: What is the relationship
relationship of
of permafrost
permafrost to
to the
the ice-walled-lake
ice-walled-lake plains?
plains? Do
Do
the ice-walled-lake
plains indicate
indicate that
that the
the hummocks
must be
the
ice-walled-lake plains
hummocks must
be stagnant
stagnant ice
ice
What
was
the
source
of
sediment
for
the
ice-walled-lake
plains?
What
do
features?
features?
source
ice-walled-lake plains? What do
they indicate about sediment
sediment distribution
distribution in
in the
the ice?
ice?
Mileage
(optional): 10
Mileage from
from Stop
Stop1-4
1-4to Stop
Stop 1-5
1-5(optional):
10 miles
miles
Mileage
Mileage from
from Stop
Stop1-4
1-4to Stop
Stop 1-6:
1-6:16
16 miles
miles
1-5 (optional)
(optional)
Stop 1-5
Turtle
Turtle Lake ice-walled-lake plain delta
Quadrangle:
7.5 minute
minuteseries,
series,sec.
sec.6,6,T.
T. 33
33N.,
N.,R.
R. 14
14W.
W.
Quadrangle: Clayton,
Clayton, Wisconsin,
Wisconsin, 7.5
Significance: An
Anexposure
exposureof
of aadelta
deltathat
thatprograded
progradedinto
intothe
theTurtle
TurtleLake
Lakeice-walledice-walledSignificance:
lake
lake plain.
1-5to
to Stop
Stop 1-6:
1-6:23
23 miles
Mileage from
from Stop
Stop1-5
Stop 1-6
Stop
1-6
Eskedahl tunnel valley and esker
esker
Big Round Lake, Wisconsin,
7.5 minute series, sec.
sec. 28,
28, T. 36 N., R.
R. 16
16
Quadrangle: Big
Wisconsin, 7.5

w.
Significance:
Significance: A good example of
of a tunnel valley with an
an esker
esker

Description: The
TheEskedahi
Eskedahltunnel
tunnelvalley
valley and
andesker
eskerisis25
25 km
km long
long and
and 0.5
0.5 to
to 0.8
0.8 km
krn
relief of
of the
from the
the bottom
bottom ofof one
one of
of the lakes
wide. The
The relief
the valley
valley from
lakes to
to the
the
27

�surrounding plain is
is about
about 25
25 m; the top
top of
of the
the esker
esker is
is almost
almost everywhere
everywhere several
several
meters below
below the top of the surrounding
surrounding plain.
plain.
Many tunnel valleys
end in an outwash fan, but the
Many
valleys end
the Eskedahi
Eskedahl tunnel
tunnel valley
valley
with no
no apparent
apparent outwash
outwash fan.
fan. Tunnel
Tunnel valleys
valleys
and esker ends in
in Big
Big Round Lake
Lake with
deeply buried
buried by
by outwash
outwash tend
tend to lose their straight shape and
that later become
become deeply
and
collapse into bulbous, elongate
collapse
elongate lakes, like Bone
Bone Lake
Lake or Big
Big Round Lake.
Lake. Very
coarse outwash
outwash occurs
occurs at the head of
Creek outwash
outwash plain,
plain, and it is
coarse
of the Fox Creek
is likely
likely
that the tunnel
tunnel valley
valley fed
fed the
the Fox
Fox Creek
Creek outwash
outwash plain.
plain.
of road cuts occur in the esker here and little is revealed about
Only a couple of
about
of predominantly
predominantly sand.
the internal composition of
of this esker. One outcrop consists of
Questions: Does
Doesthe
thegeometry
geometryof
of the
the tunnel
tunnel valley
valley and
and esker
esker indicate
indicate the levels of
of
discharge? Or
marking 'the
meandering tunnel with the esker marking
discharge?
Or is
is the
the valley
valley cut
cut by a meandering
last' position of
of the tunnel? What
last'
What was
was the
the sources
sources of
of water?
water? Does
Does this
this geometry
geometry
require a frozen
frozen toe?
toe?
Mileage
1-6to
to Stop
Stop1-7:
1-7: 13
13miles
miles
Mileage from
from Stop
Stop1-6
Stop 1-7
1-7
Stop
Erickson striations
striations and
and grooves
grooves
7.5 minute
minute series, SW1/4 SW1/4 sec.
Quadrangle: Milltown, Wisconsin,
Wisconsin, 7.5
sec. 11,
11,T.
T.36
36
N., R. 18
18 W.
w.
Significance: Striations and Nye channels cut into basalt that
Significance:
that indicate
indicate two
two ice-flow
ice-flow
directions and
and two
twodifferent
differentglacier-bed
glacier-bed conditions.
conditions.
Description:
Description: At
Atthis
thissite,
site,broad,
broad,shallow
shallowgrooves
grooves are
are present
present that
that are
are oriented
oriented NENESW. These
SW.
These are
are cut
cutby
byyounger
youngerstriations
striationsthat
thatshow
showice-flow
ice-flowtotothe
theSE
SE(Fig.
(Fig.1-10).
1-10).
of basalt
basalt in this area show a similar pattern, with the grooves,
Numerous outcrops of
grooves,
interpreted to be
interpreted
be Nye
Nye channels,
channels, consistently
consistently showing
showing ice-flow
ice-flow to the
the SW.
SW. The
The
and are likely cut by
grooves resemble those described by Walder and
and Mallet
Hallet (1979) and
subglacial meltwater. The striations within the grooves were cut by ice
ice flowing
flowing into
into
the grooves.
grooves.
We postulate
postulate that the
We
the grooves
grooves form during surges
surges when
when the
the Superior
Superior Lobe
Lobe
exhibited plug flow
flow and
and flowed
flowed directly
directly to
to the
the SW.
SW. The
Theexcess
excess amount
amountof
of subglacial
subglacial
water present during
during surging
surging would have
have cut
cut the grooves.
grooves. When surging stopped, a
normal ice
ice profile
profile developed
developed and
and ice flowed
flowed laterally
laterally towards
towards the
the margins (to the
normal
SE).
SE).
Questions: Can
Questions:
Canice
iceform
formthese
these grooves
grooves or is water necessary?
necessary? Is it possible
possible that the
grooves are
are pre-Late-Wisconsinan?
pre-Late-Wisconsinan?
28

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Figure
Figure1-10.-1-10.- Striations
Striations and
and grooves
groovesin
in Folk
Polk County.
County. Double
Double arrows
arrows== grooves;
grooves; single
single
arrows
striations. A:
A: Orientation
Orientation of grooves and striations showing
showing ice
ice flow
flow to
to the
the
arrows== striations.
southwest
places,
southwestInInmost
most
places,cross-cutting
aoss-cuttingrelationships
relationshipswere
wereapparent
apparentand
andalways
alwaysshow
show
striations
shown in B.
3. Striations
inthis
thisorientation
orientation to be older than those shown
Striationsat
at
striationsand
andgrooves
groovesin
X
are
striations
and
crag-and-tail
striations
atop
Eagle
Peak
and
Observation
Rock
in
X are striations and aag-and-tail striations atop Eagle
and Observation Rock in
Interstate
C:Striations
Striations
Prominentsoutheast
southeaststriations
striationswith
withsome
somegrooves.
erooves.C:
InterstateState
StatePark.
Park. B:B:Prominent
showing
easterly
flow
and
Pine
City
and
Centuria
ice-margin
positions.
The
group
showing easterly flow and Pine City and Centuria ice-margin positions. The groupat
atZZ
are
are interpreted
interpreted to
tohave
havebeen
been cut
cut by
by the
the Superior
Superior Lobe
Lobe but later than striations
striations at the
the
same
explanation. The group at Y was interpreted by
same site
site shown
shown in
in B.
B. See
See text for explanation.
by
Chamberlin
Chamberlin(1905)
(1905)to
to have
have been
been formed
formed by
by the
the Grantsburg
GrantsburgSublobe.
Sublobe.
29

�Mileage
Mileage from
from Stop
Stop1-7
1-7to
to Stop
Stop 1-8:
1-8: 99 miles
miles
Stop 1-8
Stop
1-8
Frederic esker and fan
fan
Quadrangle:
Quadrangle:Frederic,
Frederic,Wisconsin,
Wisconsin,7.5
7.5minute
minuteseries,
series,sec.
sec.21,
21,T.
T.37
37 N.,
N., R.
R. 17
17 W.
Significance: AAprominent
prominentesker
eskerfeeding
feedingan
anice-marginal
ice-marginaloutwash
outwashfan.
fan.
Description: This
Thispit
pitcontains
containsaacomplicated
complicatedsedimentology
sedimentology with large variations in
grain size. Collapse
Collapse features, antiform bedding, and possible
possible injection
injection features are
are
present.
present.
Questions: IfIfthis
thisesker
eskerisissurrounded
surroundedby
bycollapse
collapsehummocks,
hummocks, how
how is
is the
the esker
esker form
form
preserved? IsIs ititpossible
possible that
that the
the antiform
antiform bedding is primary? What does
does this
this esker
esker
indicate about the nature
nature of
of the
the Superior
Superior Lobe?
Lobe? What
What do
doeskers
eskersmean?
mean?
Mileage
Mileage from
from Stop
Stop1-8
1-8to
to Stop
Stop 1-9:
1-9: 20
20 miles
Stop 1-9
Stop
1-9
Searles varve site
Quadrangle: Hertel,
Quadrangle:
Hertel,Wisconsin,
Wisconsin,7.5
7.5minute
minuteseries,
series,SW1/4
SW1/4NE1/4
NE1/4sec
sec15,
15,T.
T.38
38 N.,
N., R.
R.
15 W.
W.
Significance: Proglacial
Proglaciallake
lakesediments
sedimentsand
and melting-out
melting-out of
of stagnant
stagnantice
ice
Description:
Description: This
Thissandpit
sandpitcontains
containsaared,
red,sandy
sandySuperior
SuperiorLobe
Lobe till
till that
that is
is overlain
overlain by
a coarsening
coarsening upward
upward sequence
sequenceof
of varved
varved lake
lakesediment.
sediment. This
This sequence
sequence is
is overlain
overlainby
by
fluvial pebbly
pebbly sand
sand that is part of
of an
an outwash
outwash plain
plain that
that grades
grades to
to the
theHertel
Herteliceicemargin position 3 km to the north.
north.
The Superior Lobe
Lobe till,
till, occurring
occurringatatthe
thebase
baseofofthe
thepit
pit and
and in a large knob in
in
the center of
Lobe till
fillfurther
furthersouth.
south. It is interpreted
of the pit, is finer than Superior Lobe
interpreted to
to
represent
represent till deposited
deposited during
during aa readvance
readvance of
of the
the Superior
Superior Lobe
Lobe during
during overall
overall
retreat at
at which
which time
time the
theproglacial
proglacial lake
lake sediment
sediment was
was incorporated
incorporated into
into the
theice.
ice.
Several outcrops of finer Superior Lobe till occur
occur throughout the region
region (triangles
(triangles in
in
Fig. 1-6) and
and suggest that this till may be associated
associated with
with an ice advance that reached
the northernmost
northernmost part
part of
of Polk
Polk County.
County.
As ice retreated from an unnamed
unnamed ice
ice margin
margin 3 km
km to
to the
the south
south(Fig.
(Fig.1-6),
1-6), aa
proglacial lake fronted the
The pit
pit contains a wonderful coarsening upward
the ice.
ice. The
sequence of varved lake
lake sediment.
sediment. It is not
not clear
clear if this
this lake
lake sediment
sediment belongs
belongs to
to
glacial Lake
Lake Lind, glacial
glacial Lake
Lake Grantsburg, or some other ice-marginal lake. If
If it is
glacial
is
glacial Lake
Lake Grantsburg,
Grantsburg, the
the sediment
sediment contains
contains no
no sediment
sediment derived
derived from the
glacial
the
Grantsburg
GrantsburgSublobe.
Sublobe.
30

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The
47 winter
winter clay
clay layers
layers 22 to 10
The
The varved section contains
contains 47
10 mm
mm thick.
thick. The

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summer layers
cm thick,
thick, to
to
layers thicken
thicken and
and coarsen
coarsen upward,
upward, from
from silty
silty layers
layers less
less than
than 11 cm
fine-sand, ripple-bedded layers up to 40 crn
cm thick.
thick. The
The varved section
section is overlain by
horizontally laminated sand
sand with
with laminations
laminations of
of segregated
segregated heavy
heavy minerals
minerals(beach
(beach
fluvial sand.
sand.
turn overlain
overlain by pebbly sand, interpreted to
to be
be fluvial
sand?), which is in turn
grades to
to the
theHertel
HerteliceiceThe fluvial sand underlies an outwash plain that grades
margin position
that roughly 50
position (Fig.
(Fig.1-6).
1-6). This
This means
means that
50 years passed from
from the
the
uncovering of
of this spot to the
the filling
filling in of the lake by sand derived
derived from
from the
the nearby
nearby
Superior
m/yr.
Superior Lobe. This
This suggests
suggests an
an ice
ice retreat rate of 80 m/yr.
The lake sediment is draped over the till knob,
knob, but
but faults and steeply dipping
beds show that aa large
large part
partof
of the
therelationship
relationship isis due
duetotocollapse,
collapse,presumably
presumably by
by
melting of buried
buried ice.
ice. An angular unconformity
unconformity in the varve
varve sequence
sequence indicates
indicates
progressively while
while the
the lake
lake was
was in
in existence.
existence. The cranberry
that collapse occurred progressively
bogs to the
the south
south of
of the
the pit
pitoccur
occur in
inaalarger
largercollapse
collapse pit
pit that
thatindicates
indicatesmelting
melting of
of
buried
buried ice
ice continued
continued after
after the
the lake
lakewas
wasfilled
filled in.
in.
A possible ice-wedge cast was found at
at this
this site
site in
in 1990
1990 in the fluvial
fluvial gravel.
gravel.
Questions: What
of buried
buried ice? There
Whatisisthe
therole
roleof
of lakes
lakes in
in hastening
hastening the melting of
There
is a lot of detail
is
detail in
in this
this pit,
pit, what
whatelse
elsecan
can we
we learn
learn from
from this
thissequence?
sequence?
Mileage from
Mileage
from Stop
Stop1-9
1-9 to
to Stop
Stop1-10:
1-10: 10
10 miles
1-10
Stop
Stop 1-10
Spooner Hills
The Spooner
The
Hills

Quadrangle:
Quadrangle:Timberland,
Timberland,Wisconsin,
Wisconsin,7.5
7.5minute
minuteseries,
series,sec.
sec.4,4,T,T.37
37N.,
N., R.
R.14
14W.
W.
Significance:
Significance: A stop in the midst
midst of
of the
the Spooner
Spooner Hills, suggested to have been cut
by
by subglacial meltwater.
Description: As discussed in the text, the Spooner Hills is aa name given to this band
Description:
of hills
hills that lie
position. Some
lie 15
15 to
to 25
25 km
km behind
behind the
the St.
St. Croix
Croix Phase
Phase ice-margin position.
Some
key observations
observations include:
include:
-- the
the hills have
have an
an area
areafrom
from11to
toS5km2,
krn2,
-- relief as high
high as
as 60
60 m,
m,
-- aa number of them are
are elongate to the southeast parallel to the direction
direction of
regional
flow,
regional ice flow,
-- hill-top elevations generally increase
increase from
from the
the northwest
northwest to the
the southeast,
southeast,
- inter-hill
inter-hill valleys tend to align with tunnel-valleys in places,
-- the
the hills are composed of a variety
variety of unlithified
unlithified materials.
materials.
The
hypothesis isis offered
offered as
as an explanation
for the formation
The following
following hypothesis
explanation for
formation of
of the
the

-

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the hills
hills contain
contain a variety
variety of
of sediment types representing
Spooner
Spooner Hills.
Hills. Because
Because the
representing aa

variety of depositional
depositional environments,
environments, and because
because the sediment may predate
predate the
the
most recent glaciation,
most
glaciation, it is likely
likely that
that the
the Spooner
Spooner Hills
Hills are
are erosional
erosional features.
features.
Several lines
lines of
Several
of evidence
evidence suggest
suggest that the
the erosion
erosion occurred
occurred subglacially.
subglacially. The
Spooner Hills are commonly covered
covered with
with the
the till
till of
of the most recent glaciation and
are somewhat
somewhat streamlined
streamlined in
in aa direction
direction parallel
parallel to
to the
the regional
regional ice-flow
ice-flow direction
direction of
of
the most recent
of the band of the
recent glaciation.
glaciation. In addition, the orientation of
the Spooner
Spooner
Hills parallels the St. Croix
Croix ice
ice margin
margin suggesting
suggestingthat
that they
they are
are related.
related. The
The interinter-

hill valleys
that, in some
up with
hill
valleys form a branching
branching network
network that,
some places,
places, connects
connects up
with
prominent tunnel valleys.
prominent
valleys. It is suggested
suggested that these
these valleys
valleys were
were excavated
excavated by
by
subglacial meltwater
meltwater and the tunnel valleys represent the outlets for meltwater and
and
sediment. However,
sediment.
However, this connection
connection cannot
cannot be shown
shown convincingly
convincingly along
along the
the
entire Spooner Hills
water and sediment
Hills chain.
chain. The
The water
sediment was released at the
the glacier
glacier
margin and the
in large outwash fans and
and
margin
the sediment
sediment was
was deposited
deposited proglacially
proglacially in
outwash plains. In
In this
this scenario,
scenario, the Spooner
Spooner Hills would have formed
formed when
when the
theice
ice
was at
at the
the St.
St. Croix
Croix ice
ice margin
marginor
orthe
theTiger
TigerCat-McKinley
Cat-McKinley ice margin
margin (Fig.
(Fig. 1-6).
1-6).
We suggest that this type of landform may be more common than presently
We
recognized in
in glacial
glacial landscapes.
landscapes.
Questions:
Questions: What
Whatare
arethe
thecritical
criticalquestions
questionsto
toask
askto
toascertain
ascertainthe
the origin
origin of
of these
these
hills? What
of water
water needed
needed to cut these
hills?
What is
is the
the source
source of
of the
the tremendous
tremendous amount of
these
hills? What
Whatare
areother
otherpossible
possiblemechanisms
mechanisms for
for their
their origin?
origin?
miles
Mileage
to Cable: 45
Mileage from
fromStop
Stop1-10
1-10 to
45 miles

32

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OVERVIEW
OF THE BEDROCK
BEDROCK GEOLOGY
GEOLOGY
OVERVIEW

-

AREA,
OF
- HURLEY
OF THE
THE CABLE
CABLE
HURLEY
AREA,WISCONSIN
WISCONSIN

�OVERVIEWOF
OF THE
ThE BEDROCK
OVERVIEW
BEDROCK GEOLOGY
GEOLOGY OF
ThE CABLE-HURLEY
AREA, WISCONSIN
THE
CABLE-HURLEY AREA,
by
by
W.F.
Cannon
and
SW. Nicholson
Nicholson
W.F. Cannon and S.W.
U. S. Geological
Geological Survey,
Reston, VA 22092
MS 954, Reston,
Survey,MS

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The area encompassing Field
Field Trips
Trips 2,4,
2,4, and
and 55 is
is underlain
underlain by
by bedrock
bedrock ranging
ranging in
Proterozoic. Rocks
of
age from Late Archean to Middle Proterozoic.
Rocks record three principal cycles
cycles of
deposition and deformation:
volcanism and
and sedimentation
sedimentation in
in Late
deposition
deformation: 1) submarine
submarine volcanism
Late

Archean time,
time, followed
by major
and granite
2)
Archean
followed by
major deformation
deformation and
granite emplacement;
emplacement; 2)
Proterozoic time,
time, followed
followedby
by weak
weak to
to
epicontinental marine sedimentation in Early
Early Proterozoic
moderate faulting
basaltic
moderate
faulting and
and folding
folding during
duringthe
the Penokean
Penokean Orogeny; and 3)
3) extension, basaltic
volcanism and related intrusions, and continental sedimentation
sedimentation in
in the Midcontinent
volcanism
Rift System
System in
in Middle
Middle Proterozoic
Proterozoic time,
time, followed
followedby
byinversion
inversionand
and thrust
thrust faulting.
Rift
Figure 11 shows
of the
the region,
and Figure
Figure
shows the general
general geology
geology of
region, and
Figure 2
2 indicates
indicates the
approximate location
trips 2,4,
2,4, and 5.
approximate
location of stops for trips
GEOLOGY
OF ARCHEAN
ARCHEAN ROCKS
ROCKS
GY OF

Volcanic and sedimentary rocks
of late
late Archean
Archeanage
ageare
areexposed
exposed in
in aa westwardwestwardocks of
tapering wedge
Mellen, Wisconsin,
Wisconsin,forming
formingthe
thebasement
basement directly
directly
tapering
wedge from
from Huxley
Hurley to near Mellen,
rocks. The
Thevolcanic
volcanicrocks
rocksgrade
gradesouthward
southwardand
and westward
westward
beneath Early Proterozoic rocks.
into gneiss and migmatite in a border zone of the Puritan
Puritan Batholith,
Batholith, a large granitic
intrusion emplaced
and others, 1977). West of
of Mellen, volcanic
volcanic
intrusion
emplaced at
atabout
about2750
2750 Ma (Sims and
rocks are unknown and Early
rocks rest
rest directly
directly on
on gneiss and granite.
rocks
Early Proterozoic rocks
Archean rocks are not a focus of the field trips but will be seen at one stop on Trip 2
(Stop 2-10).

Details of Archean geology are imperfectly known because of very sparse
exposures.
sures. The
The most
most complete
complete exposures are in the areas underlain
underlain by volcanic rocks
of basalt,
basalt, andesite,
andesite, and
and
between Hurley
Hurley and
and Upson.
Upson. These
Thesevolcanic
volcanic rocks
rocks consist mostly of
2-10)isisthe
themost
mostcommon
commonrock
rocktype
type directly
directly beneath
beneath the
rhyolite; dacite breccia (Stop 2-10)
Middle Proterozoic
Proterozoic rocks between Huxley
Hurley and Upson (Greathead,
(Greathead, 1975). The
The volcanic
rocks form
form aa section
at least
and are overturned
so that they face
rocks
section at
least 66 km
km thick,
thick, and
overturned so
face
northwestward and
southeastward.
northwestward
and dip
dip steeply
steeply to moderately southeastward.

35
35

�CEOLOGY
PROTEROZOIC ROCKS
GEOLOGY OF
OF EARLY
EARLY PROTEROZOIC
ROCKS

Early Proterozoic rocks include strata of
of the Marquette Range Supergroup
Supergroup along
along
the Gogebic Iron
hon Range.
Range. These
Theserocks
rocks are
arethe
the focus
focus of
of Field Trip 5, and will also be seen
on parts
and 4.
4. The
Thecontinuity
continuityof
of Early
Early Proterozoic strata across the area is
parts of
of Trips
Trips 2 and
broken by the Mineral Lake intrusion, which truncates the sequence from near Mineral
Lake westward
westward to
tothe
theMarengo
MarengoRiver,
River,aadistance
distanceof
of about
about10
10km.
km.

Area east of
Lake
intrusion:
of Mineral
M
i
n
m East of
of Mineral Lake, the Early
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic
sequence displays the
Range stratigraphy
stratigraphy with a basal
the classical
classical Gogebic
Gogebic Range
basal argilliteargillitequartzite unit
by banded iron-formation
unit (Palms
(PalmsFormation)
Formation) overlain
overlain successively
successively by
iron-formation
(Ironwood Iron-formation) and aa shale-graywacke
shale-graywacke turbidite
turbidite unit
unit(Tyler
(TylerFormation).
Formation).
From about
about Ballou Creek westward
westward a thin, possibly discontinuous,
discontinuous, unit
unit of
of dolomite and
chert breccia
chert
breccia of
of the
the Bad
Bad River
River Dolomite
Dolomite lies between
between the Palms
Palms Formation
Formation and
and
underlying Archean
underlying
Archeanbasement
basement rocks.
rocks.
The Early
section is
is 2-3
2-3 km
km thick and
The
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic section
and records
records sedimentation
sedimentation
successively on
on aa stable
stable craton,
craton,passive
passivemargin,
margin,and
andcompressional
compressionalforeland.
foreland. The oldest
strata, represented by
by the
the Bad
Bad River
River Dolomite,
Dolomite, were deposited
deposited unconformably
unconformably on
on
Archean rocks,
The Bad
Bad River
River is a cherty
rocks, apparently in aa stable
stablecratonic
cratonic setting.
setting. The
cherty
dolomite, commonly metamorphosed
metamorphosed to
to tremolitic
tremolitic marble.
marble. It
It also
also includes
includes aa distinctive
distinctive
breccia (Stops 2-9
2-9 and
and 2-10)
2-10) that
that constitutes
constitutes most
most of
of the unit from
chert brecaa
from near
near the.
the Bad
Bad
River eastward
eastward for about 10 km to near Ballou
Creek. The
River
Ballou Creek.
The breccia
breccia appears to be
be aa
variably reworked residuum
residuum of
of chert
chert nodules and
and beds
beds left
left by solution
solution of the dolomite
dolomite
during the
the weathering
weathering interval,
interval, prior
prior to
to deposition
deposition of
of the
the unconformably
unconformably overlying
overlying
Formation.
Palms Formation.
The principal
principal iron-bearing
iron-bearing sequence
sequence is the
the Menominee Group,
Group, consisting
consisting of
of the
the
and Ironwood
bonwood Iron-formation.
Palms Formation and
Iron-formation We interpret the Menominee Group to
have been deposited
depositedon
onaasouth-facing
south-facing passive
passive margin.
margin. The
ThePalms
PalmsFormation
Formation(Stops
(Stops2-9
2-9
and 2-10) consists
consists of
of banded
banded argillite
argillite near
near the
the base,
base, and
and grades upward into
into thickthickbedded quartzite near the
unconformably on
on Archean
Archean rocks
rocks and the Bad
Bad
the top.
top. It lies unconformably
River Dolomite.
Dolomite. At its upper contact the Palms grades
grades upward
upward over a meter or two into
Iron-formation. The Ironwood
bonwood contains
ferruginous beds of the Ironwood Iron-formation.
contains numerous
numerous
lithologic types of iron-formation. East
Eastof
of Upson,
Upson,Wisconsin,
Wisconsin, itit consists
consists of five laterally
laterally
continuous members that are alternating units of thin, even-bedded, carbonate ironformation and
and thick,
thick, wavy-bedded,
wavy-bedded, hematitic
hematiticiron-formation
iron-formation(Hotchkiss,
(Hotchkiss,1919;
1919; Huber,
1959). West of Upson
Upson (Stops
5-B),these
theselithologies
lithologiesare
arealso
alsopresent,
present, but
but laterally
(Stops 2-8 and 5-B),
36

�46°

46° 45

LAKE SUPERIOR

46° 00

46° 451

90° 00!

900 00!

Figure 1: Geologic map of part of northern Wisconsin and Michigan showing region of field trips 2, 4, and 5.

91° 30

•S • • S
S S SS S

••

. . .
S SS • •

91030

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z,

3

: Chengwatana

Kallander Creek Volcanics
conglomerate
-

w

ffl
3

3
3

Olivine gabbro
and serpentinite

Anorthosite and gabbro

Granophyre

Granite

andesite and basalt

Kallander Creek Volcanics

3

ffl2.
0

3-

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SQ

Siemens Creek Volcanics

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5'

Copper Harbor Conglomerate

rhyol ito

Â¥

(A.

xg

3

Nonesuch Formation

s3

3-7;
&lt;
=

S ?= S Q
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g,;
% y

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conglomerate facies

3

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r. 50
3
a

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3

sa

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5 $?

Freda Sandstone

n8 &gt; 5
m

s
s0

g0

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m

0)

2

g

m
^

Freda Sandstone

2s:

a

77

Kallander Creek Volcanics
77

&lt;

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6

Orienta Sandstone

Lri:tJH

0-

0-

w

Portage Lake Volcanics

w

0

0-

Devils Island Sandstone

w

andesite and basalt
"

g^

0

=s 0&lt;

0"

m

Chequamegon Sandstone

3

Porcupine Volcanics

3.

s

0

w

3

Jacobsville Sandstone

51

Middle Proterozoic

g&lt;

Porcupine Volcanics rhyolite
w

Cambrian sandstone

2.

53"
" 3
$6

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3-

EXPLANATION

2g

8
8

3.

8

^
01

Gneiss

Early Archean

Metavolcanic Rocks

Gneiss and Amphibolite

Puritan Quartz Monzonite

Late Archean

Bad River Dolomite

and Palms Formation

lronwood Iron-formation

Blair Creek Formation

Tyler Formation

Metasedimentary and
metavolcanic rocks

Metadiabase

Early Proterozoic

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continuous members
membersare
are more
more difficult
difficulttoto define,
define, in
in part
part because
continuous
because of
of primary
primary
sedimentary changes,
induced by
by deformation and
changes, but also
also because of complications
complications induced
metamorphism.
metamorphism.
The Tyler Formation (Stops 2-7
2-7 and
and 5-B)
5-B)overlies
overliesthe
the Ironwood
Ironwood and is aa thick
thick
succession of
succession
of graywacke and slate deposited in a foreland basin during accretion
accretion of
of
island
Ma. We believe that the basal contact with
island arc
arc terranes
terranes to
to the
the south
southat
atabout
about1850
1850 Ma.
the Ironwood Iron-formation
unconformity, although the
Iron-formation is most likely a low-angle unconformity,
nature
natureof
of the
the contact
contact has
has been
been aa point
point of
of controversy
controversy for many years.
rocks are
are essentially
essentially unmetamorphosed
unmetamorphosed east
east of
of Upson,
Upson, but
Early Proterozoic rocks
metamorphic grade is progressively
metamorphic
progressively higher towards the
the west
west where
whereassemblages
assemblages
including abundant
abundant grunerite.
grunerite. Near
include garnet and aa variety
variety of amphiboles, including
Near the
the
contact with the Mineral Lake intrusion, assemblages include fayalite, orthopyroxene,
and garnet in
in iron-formation.
iron-formation. The
The metamorphism
metamorphism was static and caused by Middle
Middle
Proterozoic thermal
thermal events.
events.
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic rocks
rocks dip steeply to vertical
Early
vertical nearly everywhere
everywhere along
along the
the
Gogebic Iron
Iron Range.
Range. This attitude
attitude results
Froterozoic deformation,
deformation,
results mostly from Middle Proterozoic
discussed below,
below, but we have
have distinguished
distinguished aa component
component of relatively
relatively strong Early
Early
Proterozoic deformation
deformation as
as well.
well. The
deformation is
is part of the
Proterozoic
The Early
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic deformation
the
Penokean
of island
island arcs
arcs with
with the southern
southern edge
Penokean orogeny,
orogeny, caused
caused by
by collision
collision of
of a series of
edge
of the Superior
and others, 1989).
1989). The area lies north
north of
1850 Ma (Sims and
Superior craton
craton at
atabout
about1850
the
suture and
the suture
andspans
spansthe
thetransition
transitionfrom
fromaa foreland
foreland fold and
and thrust
thrust belt
belt to
to the
the essentially
essentially
undeformed craton.
undefonned
craton.
From Hurley to Upson, Penokean
deformation is
is nearly
nearly nonexistent.
nonexistent. A
Penokean deformation
A weak
weak
Formation but no folds
slaty cleavage is developed locally in the Tyler Formation
folds are
are known.
known.
Westward
deformation intensifies and is expressed both by
Westward from Upson, compressional deformation
thrust faults
faults and
and folds
folds(Stops
(Stops 2-10
2-10 and 5-8).
5-B). On
OnMt.
Mt. Whittlesey,
Whittlesey, the Ironwood
Ironwood IronIronformation is structurally thickened
both by
by folding
folding and
and repetition by
by thrust faults.
formation
thickened both
faults.
Farther west, near Mineral
nearly isoclinal
isoclinalfolds
foldswere
were developed.
developed. These
Mineral Lake, large, nearly
These
folds originally were upright but
but now
now are
are recumbent
recumbent as
as aa result
result of
of Middle
MiddleProterozoic
Proterozoic
tilting.
tilting.
Ballou Creek
Creekwestward
westward there
there appears
appears to
to be
be aa detachment
detachment fault at or
From about Ballou
so that
that Early Proterozoic
very near the
the base
base of
of the
theEarly
EarlyProterozoic
Proterozoicsection
section (Stop
(Stop 2-10) so
Archean rocks
rocksduring
duringPenokean
Penokeandeformation.
deformation. The amount
rocks were decoupled from Archean
of structural shortening
shortening in
in the
the Early
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic strata is unmatched in
in the
the Archean
Archean
basement.

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locations. detailed
more for guides individual See 5. and 4, 2, trips
field for stops of locations
approximate the showing quadrangle 10x2° Ironwood the of Part 2. Figure
-

5

�Area
Area west
west of
of Mineral
Mineral Lake
I.ake intrusion:
intrusion: West of
of the Mineral
Mineral Lake
Lake intrusion,
intrusion, Early
Early
Proterozoic
strata are
River to
to the
the north
Proterozoic strata
are present
present from
from the
the Marengo
Marengo River
north side
side of
of Lake
Lake
Namekagon.
Namekagon. These
Thesestrata
stratashare
sharemany
manysimilarities
similaritieswith
with their equivalents
equivalents to
to the
the east
east but
but
also
alsodisplay
displaysome
someimportant
importantdifferences.
differences.
The
The Early Proterozoic succession includes an approximately
approximately 300-rn
300-m thick section
of
of Bad
Bad River
River Dolomite,
Dolomite, exposed
exposed near
near the
the Marengo
Marengo River
River south
south of
of Grand
Grand View,
View,
marble with
with abundant lenses and beds of
Wisconsin.
Wisconsin. It
It is
is typically
typically a gray
gray dolomitic marble
chert, partly replaced
unconformably on
on Archean
Archean rocks.
rocks. This is
replaced by tremolite,
tremolite, and lies unconformably
the
Group rocks
rocks preserved
preserved on
on the
the Gogebic
GogebicIron
Iron Range.
Range. The
the thickest
thickest section
section of Chocolay Group
overlying
laminated
overlying Palms
Palms Formation
Formation is
is much like that known to the east, consisting
consisting of laminated
argillite
argillite near the
the base and
and thick-bedded quartzite
quartzite near the top.
The Ironwood
lacks wavy-bedded
wavy-bedded hematitic
IronwoodIron-formation
Iron-formation (Stops
(Stops 4-1 and 5-A) lacks
hematitic
iron-formation
iron-formationthat
thatare
arecommon
commonto
to the
the east.
east. However,
However, it does
does contain
contain units
units of laminated
laminated
cherty
cherty magnetite
magnetite iron-formation.
iron-formation. The Ironwood grades laterally to the west into
into nonnoncherty
silicate
iron-formation,
magnetic
and
non-magnetic
argillite,
and
black
pyritic
cherty silicate iron-formation,
black pyritic
shale.
shale.Large
Largesills
sillsof
ofmetadiabase
metadiabase(Stops
(Stops4-1
4-1and
and5-B)
5-B) also occur in the iron-formation,
iron-formation,in
in
contrast
abundant.
contrast to
to areas
areas farther
farther east
east where
where mafic intrusions are much less abundant.
Two unusual
each as much as 20 m thick, are
unusual breccia
breccia units
units(Stops
(Stops4-1
4-1 and
and 5-B),
5-B), each
are
exposed
exposed in
in the
the iron-formation
iron-formation near Atkins Lake. They have not been described prior to
1995 (Feher
(Feher and
and Flood,
Flood, 1995).
1995). The
The breccias
breccias consist
consistofofangular
angular to
to subrounded
subrounded clasts as
much
sedimentary rocks in a matrix
matrix of
of dark
dark
much as
as11m
m across
across composed
composed of banded siliceous sedimentary
gray-green
clearly igneous and has a basaltic composition
gray-green massive
massive rock.
rock. The matrix is clearly
but
but whether
whetherthe
theunits
unitsare
areextrusive
extrusiveor
or intrusive
intrusive is uncertain. In
In either
either case,
case, the presence
of these
indicates that igneous
occurred very close
deposition
these breccias indicates
igneous activity
activity occurred
dose in time to deposition
of the
the iron-formation
iron-formationin
in the
the western
westernpart
partof
of the
theGogebic
Gogebic hon
IronRange.
Range.
The situation
situation is similar to that observed in the eastern part
part of
of the
the Gogebic
Gogebic Iron
Range in Michigan,
Complexisis interlayered
interlayered with
with the
Michigan, where the Emperor
Emperor Volcanic
Volcanic Complex
bonwood hon-formation.
Ironwood
Iron-formation.Apparently
Apparentlyquiescent,
quiescent,platform-like
platform-like conditions, expressed in
the lateral
of the Menominee
Menominee Group
Group in the central part of
lateral continuity
continuity of
of lithologic units of
the Gogebic Range, change into more volcanically-active
volcanically-activeenvironments
environments to
to both
both the
the east
and
and west.
west. Lateral
Lateralchange
changefrom
fromcherty
chertyiron-formation
iron-formation common in the central part of the
range, to non-cherty
and ferruginous argillite in the west, also
non-cherty silicate
silicate iron-formation and
suggests
that diluted the chemically precipitated
precipitated
suggests proximity to
to aa clastic
clastic sediment source that
components of the iron-formation.
in the Ironwood,
bonwood,
iron-formation. The
The increased detrital component in
volcanism,atatboth
boththe
the east
east and
and west
west end of
of the range,
along with contemporaneous volcanism,
may indicate transition
of extension and
and rift-basin
rift-basin development
development that
that marked
transition to
to a region of
39

�continental breakup
continental
breakupatatthe
theoutset
outsetof
of the
thePenokean
Penokeanorogenic
orogeniccycle.
cycle.
The Tyler
Tyler Formation
Formation isis unknown
unknown west
west of
of the
the Mineral
Mineral Lake
Lake intrusion
intrusion but is
The
probably present,
beneath low,
low, swampy
swampy country
country north
north of
of the
the Ironwood
present, at
at least locally, beneath
outcrop belt.
Magnetic traverses
traverses across
across these
these areas
areas show
show extremely flat profiles
outcrop
belt. Magnetic
profiles
characteristic of the Tyler elsewhere.
characteristic
The western
western termination
termination of
of strata
strata of
of the
the Gogebic
GogebicIron
hon Range
Rangeisis in
in the
the area
area
The
between Lake
Lake Namekagon
Namekagon and
and Cable,
Cable, where
where the
the Atkins
Atkins Lake
Lake fault,
fault, a Middle
between
Middle
Proterozoic structure
structure discussed
discussed below,
below, cuts
cuts down
down section
section and
and truncates
Proterozoic
truncates Early
Early
volcanicrocks.
rocks. Outcrops are extremely
Proterozoic strata against Middle Proterozoic
Proterozoic volcanic
sparse in that area, but the
using magnetic
magnetic data.
the fault
fault trace can be located using
GEOLOGY
OF MIDDLE
MIDDLE PROTEROZOIC ROCKS
GY OF
..,.
Middle Proterozoic
of continental
continental volcanic rocks
Middle
Proterozoicrocks
rocks consist
consist of a thick sequence of
overlain by red fluvial
rocks and
and lesser
lesserlacustrine
lacustrinedeposits,
deposits, that
that together
together make up
overlain
fluvial clastic rocks
the Keweenawan Supergroup. All
All are
are related
related to the Midcontinent Rift
Rift System
System that
that
rift was
was tectonically
tectonicallyinverted
inverted shortly
shortly after it formed.
developed at
Ma. The rift
developed
at about
about1100
1100 Ma.

area, the
the inversion
inversion resulted
resulted in
in southward-directed
southward-directed thrusting
thrusting and
and
In the Hurley-Cable area,
northward tilting
northward
tilting of
of aa crustal-scale
crustal-scale block, so that the Middle Proterozoic rocks now lie
River monocline
monocline (Cannon
(Cannon
in a northward-dipping
northward-dippingmonoclinal
monoclinal sequence,
sequence, the Montreal River
monocline provide
provide aa complete
complete history
history of
of the
the rift
rift
and others, 1993b).
1993b). The rocks in the monocline
including extension
post-rift thermal
thermal subsidence
subsidence and
and
including
extension and continental
continental volcanism,
volcanism, post-rift
sedimentation, and
sedimentation,
and later
later inversion
inversion resulting from regional compression.
Extension and volcavolcanism: The lower part of
of the Keweenawan
Keweenawan Supergroup
Supergroup is composed
of volcanic
volcanic and
and lesser sedimentary rocks
rocks that
that formed
formed during
during the
the extensional phase
phase of
of
of
the rift and accumulated
of as much as 12 krn
km in
in this
this area,
area, but
but were as
accumulated to a thickness
thickness of
km thick along the rift axis
axis to
to the
the north.
north. The
much as 20 krn
The lowest
lowest unit
unit is
is the
the Bessemer
Bessemer
Quartzite (Stop
chieflygray
grayto
to white,
white, thin-bedded
thin-bedded quartzite,
quartzite, mostly of
of lacustrine
Quartzite
(Stop 2-6),
2-6), chiefly
(akangas and
Morey,
made up
up mostly
mostly
origin (Ojakangas
and
Morey,1982).
1982).AAmassive
massivebasal
basal conglomerate
conglomerate is made
of clasts of
of Early
Early Proterozoic and
and Archean rocks
rocks typical
typicalof
of those
thoseexposed
exposed south
south of
of the
the
of
Bessemeroutcrop
outcropbelt.
belt. The
TheBessemer
Bessemerappears
appearstotohave
haveformed
formedininaabroad
broad basin
basin that
that
Bessemer
of extension
contained a shallow lake. This
This basin is apparently the first manifestation of
related to the Midcontinent
rift, and formed immediately
prior to the initiation of
related
Midcontinent rift,
immediately prior
flood-basalt volcanism, which
which was
was soon
soon to
to dominate
dominate the
the region.
region.
continental flood-basalt
The oldest volcanic sequence
sequence is
is the
the 1.3-km
1.3-km thick Siemens Creek Volcanics (Stops
40

�I
4-3,
volcanic rocks
rockshave
havenot
notbeen
beendated
dated in
in this area, but are
4-3, and
and 4-7).
4-7). These
These volcanic
are
probably equivalent
equivalent to
to the
theOsler
Osier Volcanics
Volcanics on the north shore
shore of Lake Superior where
eruption
1985). We have made an
eruption began at
at about
about 1109
1109 Ma (Davis
(Davis and Sutcliffe,
Sutcliffe, 1985).
an
informal
into a thin, discontinuous
discontinuous lower
informal subdivision
subdivision of
of the
the Siemens
Siemens Creek
Creek Volcanics
Volcanics into
lower
unit
unit and aa much
much thicker
thicker upper
upper unit.
unit. Flows
Flows in the lower
lower unit
unit (Stop
(Stop2-6)
2-6) are
are
geographically
cinopyroxene phenocrysts, aa rarity
geographically restricted basalts that have small clinopyroxene
rarity in
in
Keweenawan
Keweenawan volcanic rocks, and we recognize
recognize a distinctive
distinctive chemical composition
composition(low
(low
Al203,
MgO, and
and steep
steepREE
REE patterns),
patterns), indicating that
that the
theflows
flowsreflect
reflect
Al2O3, high Cr,
Cr, Ni,
Ni, MgO,
partial
partial melts from a deep, enriched mantle source with little or no fractionation prior to
eruption.
eruption.The
Theupper
upperpart
partofofthe
theSiemens
SiemensCreek
CreekVolcanics
Volcanics(Stops
(Stops4-3
4-3 and
and 4-7)
4-7) comprises
comprises
widespread flood
more evolved
evolved composition,
composition, ranging from
from basalt to
to
flood basalts
basalts of
of aa more
andesite.
indicates aa larger
larger degree of
of partial melting
andesite. Their chemical composition indicates
melting of
of aa
mantle source,
during ponding within
source, modified by fractional
fractional crystallization during
within or
or at
atthe
the
base
base of
of the lithosphere
lithosphere prior to
to eruption.
eruption. The
Thebasal
basal1-3
1-3flows
flowsof
of the
theSiemens
SiemensCreek
Creek
Volcanics, erupted
erupted into
Quartzite was being deposited,
into the
the lake
lake into
into which the Bessemer Quartzite
deposited,
typically
typically are
are pillow basalt
basalt and
and pillow
pillow breccia.
brecaa. The
The Bessemer
Bessemer was unconsolidated
unconsolidated at
at the
the
time of eruption, and
can be
be found in places
and Bessemer-like
Bessemer-like sediments can
places as
as interfiow
interflow
accumulations above the lowermost
lowermost flow. All remaining overlying flows appear
appear to
to be
be
subaerial
subaerial based
based on
onlack
lack of
of pillow
pillow structures.
structures.
The Kallander
km thick) overlie the Siemens
Kallander Creek
Creek Volcanics
Volcanics (1.2-4.5
(1.2-4.5 km
Siemens Creek
Creek
Volcanics and consists of
of a much higher proportion
proportion of andesite
andesite and
and rhyolite
rhyolite flows
flows than
than
are
are present
present in
in the
theSiemens
Siemens Creek.
Creek. We
Werecognize
recognize two
two informal
informal units
units in
in the
theKallander
Kallander
Creek
Creek Volcanics. A
A lower
lower unit,
unit, about
abouthalf
half of
of the total stratigraphic
stratigraphicthickness,
thickness, is mostly
andesite and
and basalt
basalt (Stop
(Stop 4-6),
4-6), and appears to record continuation of
of the widespread
continental
continental flood basalt eruption
eruptionpresent
presentin
inthe
theSiemens
SiemensCreek
Creek Volcanics,
Volcanics, whereas the
upper part
part isismore
morelocalized
localized and
andmost
mostprobably
probably represents
represents aa central
central volcano
volcano near
near
Mellen.
Mellen. The
The upper
upperpart
partofofthe
thesection
sectioncontains
containsabundant
abundantrhyolite
rhyolite and
andconglomerate
conglomerate
(Stops 2-4
2-4 and 4-8)
4-8) in
in addition to basalt, andesite, and other rocks
rocks of intermediate
intermediate
composition
2-5). The
composition (Stop 2-5).
The lower unit is
is very
very similar
similar to
to the
the lower
lowerSiemens
Siemens Creek
Creek
basalts
basalts (small
(small degree partial melts
melts erupted from
from deep
deep in
in the
the mantle).
mantle).However,
However, our
our
analyses
show that the
analyses show
the basalts
basalts in
in the
the lower
lower Kallander
Kallander Creek
Creek are
are more
more strongly
strongly
fractionated
fractionated (high
(high Ti02 and FeO,
FeO, low MgO), and lack clinopyroxene as aa phenocryst
phenocryst
phase. AArhyolite
rhyolitenear
nearthe
thetop
topofofthe
thelower
lowerunit
unitwas
waserupted
eruptedabout
about1107
1107Ma
Ma(Davis
(Davisand
and
others,
others,1995).
1995).
In
abundant
In contrast
contrast to
to the
the lower
lower unit, the
the upper
upper Kallander
Kallander Creek unit contains abundant
rhyolite and
and conglomerate
conglomerate in addition
addition to
to basalt and andesite. Chemical
Chemicalcompositions
compositionsof
of
2-6,
2-6,

I

I
I
I
I

I
I

I

I
fl

I
I

41

i

�mafic and
and intermediate rocks indicate that parent magmas were generated from largemafic
fractional crystallization
crystallization
degree partial melts of
of a mantle source, and that substantial fractional
took place
place within or near the base of
of the crust.
crust. Rhyolites
took
Rhyolites were generated, at least in
of crustal
crustal material.
material. A
A rhyolite
rhyolitethat
thatforms
formsthe
theuppermost
uppermost unit
unit of
of
part, by partial melting of
(Stop 2-4)
2-4)was
waserupted
eruptedat
at about
about 1099
1099Ma
Ma(Zartman
(Zartmanand
and
the Kallander Creek Volcanics
Volcanics (Stop
others, 1995).
and 4-5),
4-5),an
an intrusive
intrusive suite
suite of
of gabbroic
1995). The
The Mellen
Mellen Complex
Complex (Stops
(Stops 4-4
4-4 and
Volcanics and
and
rocks, granophyre, and granite,
granite, was emplaced into the Kallander Creek Volcanics
older units at
and probably
probably represents
represents aa
at about
about 1102
1102 Ma (Cannon and others, 1993a)
1993a) and
shallow magma reservoir that fed eruptions
eruptions from
from the
the central
central volcano.
formation of the central
The area near Mellen remained a topographic high after formation
volcano and
and no further volcanic
rockswere
weredeposited.
deposited. To
To both
both the east and west,
volcano
volcanic rocks
additional flood basalt volcanism deposited a great thickness of
of volcanic
volcanic rocks,
rocks, mostly
mostly
additional
confined to the central graben of
of the
the rift.
rift. These
rocks are
are represented
represented by the
These volcanic rocks
Portage Lake Volcanics to the east and
and the
the Chengwatana
ChengwatanaVolcanics
Volcanics(Stops
(Stops4-9
4-9and
and 4-10)
4-10)
to the west. The
eachdominated
dominatedby
bybasalt
basaltwith
with
The two
two units
units are
are quite
quite similar
similar chemically,
chemically, each
lesser intermediate
intermediate and felsic
felsic rocks.
rocks. In each, the
the basalts
basalts can
canbe
bedivided
divided into
into two
two major
major
groups based on
on whether
whether the
the Ti02
Ti02 content
content is
is greater
greater or less
less than
than 2.5
2.5 wt %
% (Nicholson
The low-Ti02
low-Ti02basalts
basaltsare
arethe
the most
most abundant
abundant and
and represent
1990). The
represent
and Shirey,
Shirey, 1990).
widespread flood basalt volcanism: they
they are
are typically
typicallyophitic
ophiticin
intexture
texture and
and commonly
commonly
than the high-Ti02 basalts.
basalts. The
Thehigh-Ti02
high-Ti02basalts
basaltsform
formthinner
thinner and
and
form thicker flows than
and commonly are
are interlayered
interlayered with
with more
more intermediate
intermediate and felsic
more localized flows, and
rocks in
in the section.
continued for
for
rocks
section. The
The main
main phase
phase of
of rift
rift extension
extension and volcanism
volcanism continued
about 55 m.y., until
until about
about1094
1094Ma
Ma (Davis
(Davisand
andPaces,
Paces, 1990).
1990).
about
The youngest
youngest volcanic
volcanicrocks
rocksininthe
thearea
area are
are basalt
basalt and
and andesite
andesite flows
flows of
of the
the
The
Porcupine Volcanics (Stop 2-3)
2-3)that
thatmake
makeup
up aa central
centralvolcanic
volcaniccomplex
complexcentered
centeredto
tothe
the
Porcupine
of the Hurley-Cable
Hurley-Cable area,
area, near
near the
the Porcupine
PorcupineMountains
Mountainsin
inMichigan.
Michigan. Outcrops
Outcrops of
of
east of
in the
the Hurley-Cable
Hurley-Cable area
area comprise
comprisebasalt
basalt and
and andesite flows
the Porcupine Volcanics
Volcanics in
and interflow conglomerate
conglomerate and
and sandstone.
sandstone.AArhyolite
rhyolitenear
nearthe
thetop
top ofof the
the unit
unit was
was
erupted at
erupted
atabout
about1094
1094Ma
Ma (Zartman
(Zartmanand
andothers,
others,1995).
1995).

Thermal subsidence and sedimentation: Following
eruption of
of the
the Portage Lake
Lake and
and
Following eruption
Chengwatana Volcanics,
of the Porcupine
Chengwatana
Volcanics, and coincident with development of
Porcupine Volcanics,
changed. Earlier extension-driven subsidence
subsidence and
and related volcanism
the tectonic regime changed.
rapidlywaned
waned and
and further subsidence was
was replaced by a regime in which extension rapidly
The thermally
thermally
caused by
by cooling
cooling and
and contraction
contraction ofof the
the hot
hot root
root zone
zone of
of the
the rift.
rift. The
caused
subsiding basin
basin was
was generally
generally centered
centeredover
overthe
the previous
previousrift
riftbasin
basin but
but was
was much
much
subsiding
42

�I
p

broader.
fluvialrocks
rocksand
andlesser
lesserlake
lakedeposits.
deposits. As
broader. This
This basin was filled with red clastic fluvial
much
of sedimentary
sedimentary rocks accumulated
accumulated in
in the
the deepest
deepest part
part of
of the
the basin.
basin.
much as 7 km of

The oldest sediments,
sediments, comprising the Copper
Copper Harbor
Harbor Conglomerate
Conglomerate(Stop
(Stop2-2)
2-2)
and perhaps
perhaps the
theoverlying
overlyinglake
lakebeds
beds of
of the
theNonesuch
NonesuchFormation
Formation (stop
(stop2-2),
2-2), were
deposited in aa basin
rift basin
basin and
and the
basin transitional
transitional between
between the earlier extensional
extensional rift
successor thermally subsiding
subsiding basin. A
Aregional
regional topographic
topographic high
high centered
centered near
near Mellen
Mellen
affected the distribution
distribution and
of nearby
nearby sedimentary
sedimentary units.
units. The
and lithology of
The Copper
Copper Harbor
Harbor
Conglomerate
Conglomerate and
and Nonesuch
Nonesuch Formation
Formation both pinch out against this highland so that the
overlying Freda Sandstone
locally lies
lies unconformably
unconformably on
on volcanic
volcanic and
and
Sandstone (Stop
(Stop 2-1) locally
intrusive
intrusiverocks.
rocks. The
TheFreda
FredaSandstone
Sandstonenear
near Mellen
Mellen is atypically conglomeratic, reflecting
proximity
proximity of
of the
the nearby
nearbyhighland
highlandthat
thatserved
servedasasaasource
sourceof
of coarse
coarseclastic
clastic debris.
debris.

P

U

Rift
Toward
Rift inversion:
inve&amp;
Towardthe
theclose
close of
of the
the thermal
thermal subsidence phase and
and coincident
coincident with
late
late phases of
of sedimentation,
sedimentation, a period
period of
of regional
regional compression
compression began, that caused
caused
inversion
inversion of
of the
the rift structure.
structure.In
Inthe
theCable-Hurley
Cable-Hurley area,
area, compression
compression resulted
resultedin
in aa series
series
of major listric thrust faults along which previously
previously deeply
deeply buried
buried parts of the rift were
thrust southward
southward and
and the
the upper
upper plates
plates of
of the
the faults
faults were
were tilted
tilted northward.
northward. This
thrusting
in the
the present
present distribution
distribution and structural
thrustingevent
eventisis the
the major
major controlling
controlling factor in
attitude
attitudeof
of the
therocks
rocksof
of the
the region.
region.
The principal fault in the area
fault and its western extension,
area is the Marenisco fault
the
the Atkins
Atkins Lake fault. From
From east
east to
to west
west across
across the area, the Marenisco fault gradually
rises
rises in
in the
the stratigraphic
stratigraphicsection.
section. In
Inthe
theeast,
east,the
the fault
fault trace
trace is
is about
about 10
10 km south
south of the
contact so
so that
that a large thickness
thickness of
of Archean
Archean rocks
rocks and
and the
Early Proterozoic-Archean contact
Early
entire
entire Early
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic and
and Middle
Middle Proterozoic
Proterozoic section is in the upper plate
plate above
above the
the
structure was
fault. The
The importance
importance of
of the
the Marenisco
Marenisco fault as a Middle Proterozoic structure
was not
not
fault.
recognized until
Rb-Srbiotite
biotiteages
agesdemonstrated
demonstratedthat
that the
the upper
upper plate had
until 1992,
1992, when Rb-Sr
been
and others, 1993b). In the eastern
been uplifted
uplifted and
andcooled
cooled at
at about
about1060
1060 Ma (Cannon and
part of
of the upper plate has resulted in
of the
the area,
area, thrusting and northward
northward rotation of
exposure
exposureof
of aa cross
cross section
section of nearly vertically dipping strata
strata about
about 20
20 km
km thick as
as well
as
basement rocks.
rocks. This structure, the Montreal
as about
about 10
10 km of underlying Archean basement
Montreal
River
3/4 of
of the
the crust
crust as
as itit existed just after rifting and is the
River monodine,
monocline, exposes
exposes about
about 3/4
focus
focusof
of Field
Field Trip
Trip2.2.
To
rises to higher
higher structural levels in
To the west,
west, the
the Marenisco
Marenisco fault gradually rises
Archean
Archean rocks
rocks until,
until, along
alongthe
the Marengo
Marengo River,
River, it cuts upward
upward across
acrossEarly
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic
strata.
strata. From
Fromthere
therewestward,
westward,the
thefault
faulthas
hasthrust
thrustMiddle
MiddleProterozoic
Proterozoicvolcanic
volcanic rocks
rocks
southward
rocks. The
southward over
over Early
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic and Archean rocks.
The fault
fault is
is traced
traced mostly
mostly by
by
43

�aeromagnetic
aeromagnetic data,
data, but
but extensive
extensive exposures
exposures of
of intensely
intensely sheared
sheared and
and rnylon.itized
mylonitized rocks
can been seen
seen along
along the
the valley
valley of
of the
the Marengo
MarengoRiver
River south
south of
of Grand
GrandView,
View, Wisconsin.
Wisconsin.
A second important
important fault is the Lake Owen fault. Southwestward
Southwestwardfrom
fromCable,
Cable,
this fault separates
separatesMiddle
Middle Proterozoic
Proterozoic volcanic
volcanic rocks
rocks of the
the Chengwatana
ChengwatanaVolcanics
Volcanics
from Archean
Archean rocks.
rocks. Northeastward
the fault
fault passes
passes up section in the
Northeastward from Cable
Cable the
footwall, so that
footwall,
that the
theChengwatana
ChengwatanaVolcanics
Volcanics are
are juxtaposed
juxtaposed against
against successively
successively
younger rocks.
northeast of
of Mellen,
Mellen, the
the fault
fault passes
younger
rocks. Eventually,
Eventually, northeast
passes into the
the Freda
Freda
Sandstone, where
Sandstone,
where its
its expression
expression is obscure and it appears to die out.
Iceweenaw fault,
fault, aa major
major reverse
reversefault
fault to
to the
the east
east of
of the
the area,
area, also dies out
out
The Keweenaw
within the
within
the volcanic
volcanicsection
section northeast
northeastof
of Mellen.
Mellen.
REFERENCES
REFERENCES

-

Cannon, W.F.,
Cannon,
W.F., Nicholson,
Nicholson,SW.,
S.W., Zartman,
Zartman,R.E.,
R.E., and
andDavis,
Davis,12W.,
D.W., 1993a,
1993a, The
The Kallander
KaUanderCreek
CreekVolcanics
Volcanics - aa
remnant
of
a
Keweenawan
central
volcano
centered
near
Mellen,
Wisconsin
[abstract]:
Institute on
remnant of a Keweenawan central volcano centered near Mellen,
Lake Superior
Geology,
Abstracts,
v.
39,
p.
20-21.
Superior Geology, Abstracts, v. 39, p. 20-21.
Cannon, WE.,
Crustal-scalethrusting
thrusting and
and origin
Cannon,
W.F., Peterman,
Peterman,Z.E.,
Z.E., and
and Sims,
Sims, P.K.,
P.K.,1993b,
1993b, Crustal-scale
origin of
of the
the Montreal
Montreal
River monocline -- aa 35 km-thick
km-thick cross
cross section
sectionofofthe
theMidcontinent
Midcontinentrift
riftin
innorthern
northern Wisconsin
Wisconsin and
and
Michigan:
Tectonics,
v.
12,
p.
728-744.
Michigan: Tectonics, v. 12, p. 728-744.
Davis, D.W.,
J.W., 1990,
1990,Time
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resolutionofofgeologic
geologicevents
eventson
onthe
theKeweenaw
KeweenawPeninsula
Peninsula and
and
D.W., and Paces, J.W.,
implications
for
development
of
the
Midcontinent
rift
system:
Earth
and
Planetary
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97, p. 54-64.
Davis, D.W.,
D.W., and Sutcliffe, R.H.,
Ri-I., 1985,
1985,U-Pb
U-Pbages
agesfrom
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theNipigon
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plate and
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v. 96,
96, p. 1572-1579.
1572-1579.
D.W., Green, J.3.and
and Manson,
Manson, M.,
M., 1995,
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the1.1
1.1Ga
GaNorth
NorthAmerican
American midcontinent
midcontinent
Davis, D.W.,
[abstract]: Institute
rift [abstract]:
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41, p.
p. 9-10.
and Flood, T., 1995,
Vesiclesand
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injection of
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maficmagma
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partially lithified
Feher, L., and
1995, Vesicles
lithified
sediments of the early
NW Wisconsin
sediments
early Proterozoic
Proterozoic Ironwood Iron-formation,
Iron-formation, western
western Gogebic Range, NW
[abstract]: Institute
Instituteon
onLake
LakeSuperior
SuperiorGeology,
Geology, Abstracts
Abstracts,, v. 41, p. 13-15.
13-15.
Greathead,
The geology
geology and
and petrochemistry
petrochemistry of
of the
the greenstone
greenstone belt south of Hurley
Greathead, C.,
C., 1975,
1975, The
Hurley and
and Upson,
Upson,
Iron County,
County,Wisconsin:
Wisconsin: Milwaukee,
Milwaukee, Wisc.,
Wise., University of
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Wisconsin-Milwaukee, unpublished
unpublishedM.S.
M.S.
Thesis,
191p.
Thesis, 191
Hotchkiss, W.O.,
1919, Geology
Geologyofofthe
theGogebic
GogebicRange
Rangeand
andits
itsrelation
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to recent
recent mining developments:
developments:
W.O., 1919,
Engineering
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andMining
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108,p.443-452,501-507,537-541,577-582.
p. 443-452,501-507,537-541,577-582.
Huber, N.K.,
aspects of the origin
origin of the
the Ironwooci
Iron-formation of
Huber,
N.K., 1959,
1959, Some aspects
Ironwood Iron-formation
of Michigan
Michiganand
andWisconsin:
Wisconsin:
Economic
Economic Geology,
Geology, v.
v. 54,
54, p. 82-118.
82-118.
Nicholson, S.W.
S.W. and
and Shirey, S.B.,
5.8., 1990,
1990, Evidence
Evidencefor
foraaPrecambrian
Precambrianmantle
mantle plume:
plume: A
A Sr,
Sr, Nd, and Pb
Pb
isotopic study
Rift System
System in
in the
the Lake
Lake Superior
Superior region:
region: Journal
Journal of
of Geophysical
Geophysical
study of
of the
theMidcontinent
MidcontinentRift
Research, v.
95, P.
p. 10851-10868.
10851-10868.
Research,
v.95,
qakangas, R.W.,
Keweenawanpre-volcanic
pre-volcanicquartz
quartzsandstones
sandstones and
and related rocks
Ojakangas,
R.W., and
andMorey,
Morey,G.B.,
G.B., 1982,
1982, Keweenawan
Rj., and
and tectonics of
of the Lake
Superior region, in
in Wold, R.J.,
and Hinze,
H i ,W.J.,
W.J., (eds.), Geology and
of the Lake Superior
Superior
156,p.p.85-96.
85-96.
SuperiorBasin:
Basin: Geological
GeologicalSociety
Societyof
of America
AmericaMemoir
Memoir156,
P.K., Peterman,
Peterman, Z.E.,
Z.E., and
and Prinz, W.C.,
1977,Geology
Geologyand
and Rb-Sr
Rb-Srage
ageofofthe
thePrecambrian
Precambrian W
W Puritan
Sims, P.K.,
W.C., 1977,
Quartz
5, p.
p. 185185QuartzMonzonite,
Monzonite,northern
northernMichigan:
Michigan:Journal
JournalofofResearch
Researchofofthe
theU.S.
U.S. Geological
GeologicalSurvey,
Survey,v.v.5,
192.
192.

44

�I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I

Sims,
and Peterman,
Z.E.,
Tectono-stratigraphic evolution
Sims, P.K.,
P.K., Van
Van Schmus,
Schmus,W.R.,
W.R., Schulz,
Schulz, K.J.,
K.J., and
Pete-,
Z.E.,1989,
1989,Tectono-stratigraphic
evolutionof
of

the
the Early
EarlyProterozoic
ProterozoicWisconsin
Wisconsin magmatic
magmatic terranes
terranes of
of the
the Penokean
Penokean orogen:
orogen:Canadian
CanadianJournal
Journal of
of
Earth
EarthSciences,
Sciences,v.v.26,
26,p.p.2145-2153.
2145-2158.
Zartman,
Zartman,R.E.,
R.E., Cannon,
Cannon,W.F.,
W.F., and
andNicholson,
Nicholson,S.W.,
S.W.,1995,
1995,U-Th-Pb
U-Th-Pb ages
agesof
of some
someKeweenawan
Keweenawanrocks
rocksfrom
from
western
western Lake
LakeSuperior,
Superior,northwestern
northwesternWisconsin,
Wisconsin,and
andeast-central
east-centralMinnesota
Minnesota[abstract]:
[abstract]:Proceedings
Proceedings
of
of International
InternationalField
FieldConference
Conferenceand
and Symposium
Symposiumof
ofInternational
InternationalGeologic
Geologic Correlation
CorrelationProgram
Program
Project
336, Duluth,
Duluth,Minn.,
Minn.,p.p.217-218.
217-218.
Project336,

45
45

�.
I
U

I
I
I
I
I
I
I

I
1

I

I
I
I

I
I
I
I

FOR
FIELD TRIP
TRIP ##22
GUIDE
GUIDE
FOR FIELD
OF
RIVER
GEOLOGY
OFTHE
THE MONTREAL
MONTREAL
RIVERMONOCLINE:
MONOCLINE:
GEOLOGY
A
THROUGH
ATRAVERSE
TRAVERSE
THROUGH25
25KM
KMOF
OFTHE
THE CRUST
CRUST

�I

I
I

I

I
I

U

I

fl

FIELD TRIP
TRIP #2
GEOLOGY
RIVER MONOCLINE:
MONOCLINE:
GEOLOGY OF THE MONTREAL RIVER
A
ThROUGH 25
A TRAVERSE THROUGH
25 KM OF
OF THE CRUST
by
by
W.F. Cannon
Cannon
U.
U. S. Geological
Geological Survey,
Survey,MS
MS954,
954, Reston,
Reston,VA
VA 22092
22092

South
border, aa remarkable
remarkable cross
cross
South of Lake Superior, near the Wisconsin-Michigan border,

section
of the crust. This
section displays
displays what
what had
had been
been the
the upper
upper 35
35 km of
This section exposed as a
sequence of nearly vertically dipping and north-facing volcanic
volcanic and
and sedimentary units
of
of Early
Early and
and Middle
MiddleProterozoic
Proterozoic age
age and
and underlying
underlying Archean
Archean rocks
rocks (Figures
(Figures 2-1 and 22).
2). This
Thisstructure,
structure,named
namedthe
theMontreal
MontrealRiver
Rivermonocline
monocline by
by Cannon
Cannonand
andothers
others(1993),
(1993),
resulted
resulted from
from southward-directed
southward-directed thrusting on a northward-dipping
northward-dipping listric
listric thrust of
of
crustal
crustalscale,
scale, the
the Marenisco
Marenisco fault.
fault. The
Theage
ageof
of thrusting
thrustingisisknown
knowntotobe
beabout
about1040-1060
1040-1060
Ma,
rocks that
that were
were upthrust
upthrust and
Ma, the
the date
dateof
of reset
reset biotite
biotite Rb-Sr
Rb-Sr ages in Archean rocks
andcooled
cooled
on
on the
the upper
upperplate
plateabove
abovethe
the fault
fault(Cannon
(Cannon and others, 1993).
1993). The trip begins at the
mouth
of vertically
vertically dipping Freda
mouth of the
the Montreal
Montreal River
River where extensive exposures of
Sandstone,
Sandstone, the
the youngest
youngest unit
unitexposed
exposed in
in the
themonocline,
monocline, form
form bluffs
bluffs along
along the
the Lake
Lake
Superior
southward for
for about
about 25
25 km through
through
Superior shore.
shore. The
The traverse
traverse progresses
progresses southward
successively
older and
and steeply
successively older
steeply dipping
dipping to vertical
vertical strata
strata of
of the
theKeweenawan
Keweenawan
Supergroup,
Supergroup,the
theEarly
EarlyProterozoic
ProterozoicMarquette
Marquette Range
Range Supergroup,
Supergroup, and
and into
intoLate
Late Archean
Archean
metavolcanic
metavolcanicrocks.
rocks.
STOP
2-1. Freda
FredaSandstone
Sandstoneatatthe
themouth
mouthofofthe
theMontreal
MontrealRiver
River(Fig.
(Fig.2-3)
2-3)
STOP2-1.

The
The Freda
Freda Sandstone
Sandstoneisisthe
theyoungest
youngestunit
unitexposed
exposedin
inthe
theMontreal
MontrealRiver
River monocline
monoclinebut
but
probably
probably was
was overlain
overlain originally
originally by as
as much
much as
as aafew
fewkilometers
kilometers of
of continental
continental
sandstones
sandstones deposited
deposited late
late in the
the history
history of
of the
the rift.
rift. The exposures seen
seen here,
here,
representing
representingthe
the middle
middleto
toupper
upperparts
partsof
of the
theFreda,
Freda, may
may have
have been
been buried
buried by
by as
as much
much
as
as 3-5
3-5 km under
under younger
younger parts
parts of
ofthe
theFreda
Freda and
andyounger
youngersediments
sedimentsof
of the
theBayfield
Bayfield
Group.
Group. The
Thesandstone
sandstoneisiswell
wellexposed
exposedininhigh
highcontinuous
continuousbluffs
bluffs along
along the
the Lake
Lake
Superior
Superiorshoreline.
shoreline. ItItisismostly
mostlyaawell
well bedded
bedded and
andcommonly
commonly crossbedded
crossbeddedfeldspathic
feldspathic
sandstone.
sandstone. Dips
Dips are
areessentially
essentiallyvertical.
vertical. Volcanic
Volcanic rock
major
rock fragments
fragments are aa major
constituent,indicating
indicating that
thatrift-derived
rift-derived volcanic
volcanic rocks
rocks composed much of the
the source
source
constituent,
area. Muscovite
Muscoviteisisalso
alsoaacommon
common detrital
detrital mineral
mineral in many layers indicating that a
area.
basementterrane
terranewas
wasalso
alsoexposed
exposedthat
thatcontributed
contributedaasubstantial
substantialpart
partof
of the
the detritus.
detritus.
basement
49

�00

Cii
0)

NW

Moho

Archean

White's Ridge

mylield Group

Bayfield Peninsula

/
MONTREAL
MONTREAL RIVER
RIVER Ml
MONOCLINE

S.
S. shore
shore of
of Lake
LakeSuperior
Superior

Moho

I

Archean

Keweenawan
Keweenawan
I bio~~te
ages

diabase
dikes

S1

Figure
the southern
southernlimb
limb of
of the
theMidcontinent
Midcontinent rift
rift showing
regional structural
structural context
context of
of the
the Montreal
Montreal River
River monocline.
monocline. The
The
Figure2-1.
2-1. Schematic
Schematiccross
cross section
section ooff the
showing the
the regional
section
extends
approximately
from
the
Bayfield
Peninsula
to
Mercer,
Wisc.,
a
distance
of
roughly
100
km.
To
the
NW
a
prominent
basement
high,
White's
section extends approximately from the Bayfield Peninsula to Mercer,Wise., a distance of roughly 100 fan. To the NW a prominent basement high. White's
Ridge,
muchofofthe
theKeweenawan
Keweenawanvolcanic
volcanicsection
sectionand
andremained
remainedaapositive
positivetopographic
topographicfeature
featureuntil
untilthe
theclose
closeofofthe
theextensional
exiensional
Ridge,limited
limitedthe
thedepositional
depositionalextent
extentofofmuch
phase
phase of
of the
the rift.
rift.AsAsmore
morewidespread
widespreadthermal
Ihennalsusiderice
susidencesupplanted
supplantedextension,
extension,the
theridge
ridgewas
wasburied
buriedbeneath
beneath the
the Oronto
Orontoand
and Bayfied
BayfiiGroups,
Groups,which
whichremain
remain
nearly
nearly flatJying.
flauying. Southeastward
Southeastwardfrom
fromWhite's
White'sRidge
Ridgetotothe
thepresent
present outcrop
outcropbelt
belt ofofthe
thevolcanics,
volcanics,the
thevolcanic
volcanicsection
sectionbecomes
becomes progressively
progressively thicker.
thicker. This
This
geometry
part of
thai the
the deepest
deepest part
of the
therift
riftininthis
thisarea
areamay
mayactually
actuallyhave
havebeen
beentotothe
thesouth
southofofthe
thepreserved
preservedvolcanic
volcanicrocks,
rocks,ininananarea
areasince
sinceuplifted
upliftedand
and
geometrysuggests
suggests that
deeply
eroded. The
Thepresent
present steeply
steeply northward-dipping
northward-dippingattitude
altitudeof
ofthe
therocks
rocksininthe
theMontreal
MontrealRiver
Rivermonocline
monoclineisisbelieved
believedtotobebethe
theresult
resultofofcrustal-scale
crustal-scaleramping
ramping
deeply eroded.
on
to have
have thrust
thrust rift
rift units
and Archean
on the
the Marenisco
Marenisco fault.
fault. The
TheMarenisco
Mareniiofault
faultisisinterpreted
interpretedtotopenetrate
penetrate the
the entire
entire crust
crust and to
units and
and their
their Early
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic and
Archean
basement
southward.
The
listric
geomerty
of
the
fault
surface
caused
the
upper
plate
to
tilt
northward,
after
which
erosion
has
exposed
the
present
crustal-scale
basement southward. The listric geomerty of the fault surface caused the upper plate to tilt northward, after which erosion has exposed the present crustal-scale
by the
southerly dip
dip of
of originally
and by
by Middle
Middle
cross
The involvement
involvementof
of Archean
Archean rocks
rocks in
in the
the monoclinal
monoclinal structure
structure is
is shown
shown by
the southerly
originallyvertical
verticaldiabase
diabase dikes
dikes and
cross section.
section. The
of
biotite,
was
located
Rb-Sr
blocking
temperature
of
uplift
and
cooling.
270°C
isotherm,
the
which
mark
time
The
Proterozoic
Rb-Sr
ages
of
biotite,
Proterozoic Rb-Sr ages of biotite, which mart lime of uplift and cooling. The 27WC isotherm, the Rb-Sr blocking temperature of biotite, was located by
by
of biodte
determining
determiningRb-Sr
Rb-Sr closure
closureages
ages of
biotitein
in Archean
Archean rocks.
rocks. Rocks
Rocks north
north of
of the
the isothenn
isotherm(originally
(originallyabove
abovethe
theisotherm)
isotherm)remained
remainedcooler
coolerthan
than 270°C
27WCthroughout
throughout
ages reflecting
reflecting Early
Early Proterozoic
and
Keweenawan
and retained
retained ages
Prot&amp;ic
and Archean
Archean thermal
thermal conditions.
conditions. Rocks
Rocksbetween
between the
theisotherm
isothennand
andthe
the Marenisco
Mareniscofault
faultwere
were
Keweenawanburial
burial and
from about
Ma and
date the
the time
time of
of
heated
heated above
above 270°C
27WCby
by Keweenawan
Keweenawan burial
burialand
and Rb-Sr
Rb-Sr biotite
biotite ages
ages were
were reseL
reset In
In this
this area
area biotite
bi&amp; ages
ages range
range from
about 1040-1060
1040-1060 Ma
and date
fault South
uplift,
andcooling
coolmgcaused
causedby
bythrusting
thrustingalong
along the
the Marenisco
Marenisco fault
Soothofofthe
thefault,
fault.Middle
MiddleProterozoic
Proterozoicburial
burialwas
was not
notdeep
deepand
and biotite
b i t eages
agesagain
again
uplift,erosion,
erosion,and
reflect
EarlyThoterozoic
Proterozoicthermal
thermalcvents.
events.
reflect Early

�(ii
1

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15

2

2'

2KM

Figure 2-2. Cross section of the Montreal River monocline showing the location of field trip
Figure
2-2.indicates
Cross section
of the
Montrealburial
Riverdepth
along top
estimated
maximum
duringshowing
development
of Midcontinent
ri stops. Scale
monocline
the location
of field trip
along
indicates
estimated
uplift top
of the
monocline.
Agesmaximum
of dated burial
Middledepth
Proterozoic
units are
shown in Ma.rift and prior to
during igneous
development
of Midcontinent
uplift of the monocline. Ages of dated Middle Proterozoic igneous units are shown in Ma.

I

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Figure
Bay
Figure2-3.
2-3.Pans
Partsofofthe
theOronto
Oronto
Bayand
andLittle
LittleGirls
GirlsPoint
Point771/2'
112'quadrangles
quadrangles
showing
1 , 2,
2,and
and3.3.
showingthe
thegeneral
generalgeology
geologyand
andlocation
locationof
offield
fieldtrip
tripstops
stops 1,

52

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1

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of numerous nearly
An interesting secondary structural element is the presence of
flatlying or very gently north-dipping faults. These
These faults
faults invariably
invariably have only
only aa few
few
centimeters to about a meter of
of offset in which the upper plate
plate has
has moved
moved relatively
relatively
north, as expressed by
by drag on bedding and in some places
by kinked,
kinked, rather
rather than
places by
broken, beds. Such
along the
the Montreal
Montreal River.
River. In
Suchsmall
small faults
faults are
are common in exposures along
they cut clasts
clasts that can be identified on opposite
the Copper Harbor
Harbor Conglomerate,
Conglomerate, they
displacements. The agee and cause of these small
sides of the fault giving precise displ
small faults
faults
are unknown.
unknown.
STOP 2-2.
2-2. Middle
Middle part
partof
of Oronto
OrontoGroup
Groupalong
alongParker
ParkerCreek
Creek(Fig.
(Fig.2-3)
2-3)
The top of the Copper Harbor Conglomerate, the Nonesuch Formation, and the
lower part of
of the
the Freda
Freda Sandstone
Sandstonecan
can be
be seen
seen along
along the
the incised
inased bed
bed of
of Parker
Parker Creek.
Creek.
of the
the Nonesuch and adjacent
The Parker Creek section is the most complete exposure of
adjacent
units in the Lake Superior region.
region. Beds
75°N to
to vertical.
vertical. Detailed stratigraphy
stratigraphy
Beds dip from 75oN
of
of the Parker
Parker Creek
Creek section
section was
was described
described by
by Suszek
Suszek (1991)
(1991) on whose work the
the
following
generalized description
descriptionisisbased.
based. The
The upper
upper part of the
following generalized
the Copper
Copper Harbor
Harbor
Conglomerate
of massive to
to crudely
crudelybedded
bedded clast-supported
clast-supported conglomerate with
Conglomerate consists
consists of
of basalt and rhyolite
cross-bedded, pebbly sandstone interbeds. Clasts
Clasts consist
consist mostly of
with lesser granite
granite and
and gabbro,
gabbro, all
all probably
probably derived
derived from
from slightly
slightly older
older Keweenawan
Keweenawan
jasper, quartzite, and chert clasts are
are aa minor
minor component
component
rocks. Banded iron-formation, jasper,
rocks.
but are
but
are widespread,
widespread,indicating
indicatingthat
thatpre-Keweenawan
pre-Keweenawanbasement
basementwas
wasalso
alsoexposed.
exposed.
The Nonesuch Formation is about 130 m
m thick
thick and
and comprises of
of mostly
mostly gray to
pale brown siltstone,
siltstone, sandstone,
sandstone, and
and minor
minor shale,
shale. It is generally thinly bedded to
to
laminated, but thicker
thicker massive beds also occur. Small-scale
Small-scale trough crossbedding
crossbedding is
is an
an overall
overall coarsening-upward
coarsening-upward trend
trend to
to the
the formation,
formation, although
although many
common. There is
individual units
rocks of
units display
displayfining-upward
fining-upward textures.
textures. The fine-grained
fine-grained rocks
of the
the
Nonesuch Formation
of the
the Copper
Copper Harbor.
Harbor. A
Formation lie on coarse conglomerate of
A transitional
transitional
bed, one meter
meter thick,
thick, contains
contains reddish-brown, trough-crossbedded sandstone at the
base and grades
grades upward
upwardinto
intogray-brown
gray-brown calcareous
calcareous siltstone. The
The upper
upper contact
contact of the
Nonesuch with the Freda Sandstone is gradational over about 20 m, in which gray
siltstone and shale are interbedded
interbedded with reddish-brown,
reddish-brown, medium
medium to
to coarse sandstone.
sandstone.
Additional exposures
exposures of the upper part of
of the Copper Harbor
Harbor Conglomerate
Conglomerate can
can
be seen
seen in
in low
low roadcuts
roadcutsalong
alongHighway
Highway122
122ininthe
theNW
NW1/4
1/4ofofSec.
Sec.30,
30,T.
T.47
47N.,
N.,R.
R. 11E.
E.

b

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2000

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3000
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5000

6000
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1

Figure
Figure2-4.
2-4. Parts
Parts of
of the
the Little
LittleGirls
Girls Point
Point and
and Iron
Iron Belt
Belt 7 1/2'
112'quadrangles
quadrangles
showing
and 5.
5.
showing the
the general
general geology
geology and location of field trip
trip stops
stops 44and

54

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�—

STOP
STOP 2-3. Top
Topof
of Porcupine
PorcupineVolcanics
VolcanicsatatSaxon
SaxonFalls
Falls(Fig.
(Fig.2-3)
2-3)
Basalt flows
flows and
and interflow
interfiow conglomerate
conglomerateand
andsandstone
sandstoneofofthe
theuppermost
uppermost part
part of
of
the
River below
below the dam at Saxon
the Porcupine
PorcupineVolcanics
Volcanics are exposed along the Montreal River
Saxon
Falls flowage. The uppermost
uppermost exposed unit is thin-bedded red sandstone and siltstone,
which
which is
is underlain
underlainby
byaamassive
massivebasalt
basaltflow
flow about
about100
100 m
m thick. This
This flow is underlain
by about
interbedded conglomerate and sandstone. The
about 30
30 m of interbedded
The lowest
lowest exposed
exposed unit
unit is
is
another
partly brecciated
brecciatedtop.
top. About the upper half
another basalt flow with an amygdular, partly
half
meter
breccia, and
and the
the upper
upper three meters are
meter of
of the
the flow
flow shows
shows typical rubbly flow-top breccia,
coarsely
coarsely amygdular.
amygdular.The
Themost
mostabundant
abundantamygdule-filling
amygdule-filling mineral is thomsonite, which
occurs
radiating blades
blades in
in the
the larger
larger amygdules.
amygdules. The predominance
predominance
occurs in masses of coarse radiating

of this
this low
low temperature
temperature zeolite
zeolite indicates
indicates that rocks at this level of burial were only

I

weakly
weakly heated
heatedbefore
beforeuplift.
uplift.

I

STOP
STOP2-4.
2-4. Rhyolite
Rhyoliteatattop
topofofICallander
KallanderCreek
CreekVolcanics
Volcanics(Fig.
(Fig.2-4)
2-4)

I
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The uppermost
uppermostunit
unitof
ofthe
theKallander
KallanderCreek
Creek Volcanics
Volcanics is a thick, mostly massive,
quartzrhyolite. We
quartz- and
and plagioclase-phyric
plagioclase-phyric rhyolite.
We informally designate this unit the Sheep
Sheep
Farm
Farm rhyolite
rhyolite and
and this
this stop
stopisis our
ourinformal
informal type
type locality.
locality. The
The reason
reason for
for the
the name
name isis
obvious.
obvious. The
The unit
unit is
is at
at least
least 300
300 m thick and appears to be the product
product of
of aa single
single
eruptive
eruptiveevent.
event.ItItcan
canbe
betraced
tracedfrom
fromthis
this locality
locality westward for about
about 30
30 km to Copper
Copper
Falls
Falls State
State Park near
near Mellen,
Mellen, where it is the
the resistant
resistant rock
rock that
that holds
holds up
upBrownstone
Brownstone
Falls
Falls on
on the
theTyler
Tyler Forks
Forks River.
River. At
At that
thatlocality,
locality, we
we have
have located
located by field measurement
measurement
the
the horizon
horizonof
of the
theprincipal
principalmagnetic
magnetic reversal
reversal recorded
recorded in
in the
theKeweenawan
Keweenawansection.
section.
The
The reversal
reversal lies
lies aa few
fewflows
flows beneath the rhyolite. The
The rhyolite
rhyolite has
has been
been dated
dated atat1099
1099
Ma
Ma (Zartman
(Zartman and
and others,
others, 1995),
1995), so the age
age of
of the
the magnetic
magnetic reversal
reversal must
must also
also be
be
approximately
approximately 1099
1099Ma.
Ma. At
At this
this stop,
stop, the
the exposures reveal the basal part of
of the
the flow,
flow,
which
These blocks
blocks
which contains
contains numerous
numerous blocks
blocks of rhyolite up to about
about 20
20 cm across. These
have
haveaaslightly
slightlydifferent
differenttexture
textureand
andphenocryst
phenocrystcontent
contentthan
thanthe
thehost
hostrhyolite.
rhyolite.
STOP
STOP2-5.
2-5. Dacite
DaateininKallander
KallanderCreek
CreekVolcanics
Volcanics(Fig.
(Fig.2-4)
2-4)
The
abundant rocks
The upper
uppermember
memberof
ofthe
theKallander
KallanderCreek
Creek Volcanics
Volcanics contains abundant
rocks of
of
intermediate
intermediatecomposition
compositionin
in addition
additionto
to basalt and rhyolite. We
We have
have proposed
proposed that
thatthe
the
upper
upper part
partof
of the
theKallander
KallanderCreek
CreekVolcanics
Volcanics represents the partly eroded
eroded remains
remainsof
of aa
broad
broad central
centralvolcano,
volcano, and
and that
thatthe
theMellen
Mellen Complex
Complex is the crystallized remnants of aa
magma
magma chamber
chamber that
thatwas
wasintruded
intrudedinto
intothe
thevolcanic
volcanic edifice
edifice late in its eruptive
eruptive history
history
(Cannon
(Cannon and others,
others, 1993).
1993). At
At this
this locality our data show that the rock knob in the
gravelpit
pitisisa afine-grained
fine-grainedreddish-brown
reddish-brown
dacite
(Si02=64-66wt%;
wt%;Ti02=1.26
Ti02=1.26wt%;
wt%;
gravel
dacite
(SiO2=64-66

�I
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7

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1000

C

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2WX

5

3000

2000

- - ? . + - - ,

0

0

4000
4000

-,

5000
5000

6000

60CC

,

1 MILE
7000FEET

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7000 FEET

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Figure 2-5. Part of the Saxon 7 112' quadrangle showing the general
Figure
2-5.and
Part
of the Saxon
geology
location
of field7trip
stop
6.
1/2'
quadrangle
showing the general
geology and location of field trip stop 6.

56

�I
STOP
STOP 2-3. Top
Topof
of Porcupine
PorcupineVolcanics
VolcanicsatatSaxon
SaxonFalls
Falls(Fig.
(Fig.2-3)
2-3)

Basalt
flows and
and interflow
interfiow conglomerate
conglomerate and
and sandstone
sandstone of
of the
the uppermost
uppermost part
Basalt flows
part of
of
the
Porcupine
Volcanics
are
exposed
along
the
Montreal
River
below
the
dam
at
Saxon
the Porcupine Volcanics are exposed along the Montreal River below the dam at Saxon
Falls
flowage. The
Falls flowage.
The uppermost
uppermost exposed
exposed unit
unit is
is thin-bedded
thin-bedded red
red sandstone
sandstoneand
andsiltstone,
siltstone,
which
underlain
which is
is underlain
underlainby
by aamassive
massivebasalt
basalt flow
flow about
about 100
100 m
m thicic.
thick. This
This flow
flow is
is underlain
by about
mof
about 30
30 m
of interbedded
interbeddedconglomerate
conglomerate and sandstone. The
The lowest
lowest exposed
exposed unit
unit is
is
another basalt
basalt flow
flow with
with an
an amygdular,
amygdular, partly
partly brecciated
brecciatedtop.
top. About
About the
the upper
upper half
another
half
meter of the flow shows
breccia, and
and the upper three
shows typical rubbly flow-top breccia,
three meters
meters are
are
coarsely amygdular.
amygdular. The
Themost
mostabundant
abundantamygdule-filling
amygdule-fillingmineral
mineral is
is thomsonite,
thornsonite,which
which
occurs in masses of
of coarse
coarse radiating
radiatingblades
bladesin
inthe
thelarger
largeramygdules.
amygdules. The predominance
predominance
of this
of
this low
low temperature
temperature zeolite
zeolite indicates
indicates that
that rocks
rocks at
at this
this level
level of
of burial
burial were
were only
only
weakly heated
heated before
before uplift.
uplift.

I

STOP
Rhyolite at
attop
topof
ofKallander
KallanderCreek
CreekVolcanics
Volcanics(Fig.
(Fig.2-4)
2-4)
STOP 2-4. Rhyolite

I

The uppermost
uppermostunit
unitof
of the
theKallander
KallanderCreek
CreekVolcanics
Volcanics is aa thick,
thick, mostly
mostly massive,
massive,
rhyolite. We
this unit
quartz- and plagioclase-phyric rhyolite.
We informally designate 'this
unit the
the Sheep
Sheep

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Farm rhyolite and this stop is our informal type locality.
locality. The reason for the name is
Farm
The unit
unit is at least
m thick
thick and
and appears
appears to
to be
be the
the product
product of
obvious. The
300 m
of a single
single
obvious.
least 300
eruptive
30 km
km to
to Copper
Copper
eruptive event.
event.ItIt can
can be
be traced
traced from
from this
this locality
locality westward for
for about
about 30
Falls State Park near Mellen, where
where itit is
is the resistant rock
rock that holds up
up Brownstone
Brownstone
River. At that
Falls on the Tyler Forks River.
that locality,
locality, we have located by field measurement
the horizon of the
the principal
principal magnetic
magnetic reversal
reversal recorded
recorded in
in the
the Keweenawan
Keweenawansection.
section.
beneath the
the rhyolite.
rhyolite. The rhyolite has been
The reversal lies a few flows beneath
been dated
datedatat1099
1099
Ma (Zartman
so the
the age
age of
of the magnetic
reversal must also be
Ma
(Zartrnan and others,
others, 1995),
1995), so
magnetic reversal
Ma. At this stop, the exposures reveal the basal part
approximately 1099
approximately
1099 Ma.
part of
of the
the flow,
flow,
of rhyolite
rhyolite up to about 20 cm across. These
which contains numerous blocks of
These blocks
blocks
have a slightly different texture and phenocryst content than the host rhyolite.
STOP 2-5. Dacite
Dacite in
in Kallander
KallanderCreek
CreekVolcanics
Volcanics(Fig.
(Fig.2-4)
2-4)
The upper
upper member
Volcanicscontains
contains abundant
abundant rocks of
of
The
member of
of the
the Kallander
Kallander Creek Volcanics
intermediate composition
basalt and
and rhyolite.
rhyolite. We have proposed
proposed that the
intermediate
composition in addition to basalt
represents the
the partly
partly eroded
eroded remains of a
upper part of
of the
the Kallander
Kallander Creek Volcanics
Volcanics represents
broad central
central volcano,
volcano, and
and that
that the
the Mellen
Mellen Complex is the crystallized remnants of aa
eruptive history
magma chamber that was intruded
intruded into
into the
the volcanic
volcanic edifice late in its eruptive
(Cannon and others, 1993).
our data show that the rock
1993). At this locality
locality our
rock knob in
in the
the
gravel pit
pit isisaafine-grained
fine-grainedreddish-brown
reddish-browndacite
dacite(SiO2=64-66
(Si02=64-66wt%;
wt%;Ti02=1.26
TiO2=1.26wt%;
wt%;
55

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CeN/YbN=4.5)
thatcontains
containssmall
smallplagioclase
plagioclasephenocrysts.
phenocrysts.The
The rock
rock has
has a strong
CeN/Yt&gt;N=4.5)that
primary
and weathers
weathers
primary foliation, perhaps indicating that it is the basal zone of a flow, and
into
into platy
platy fragments
fragments parallel
parallel to
to the
the nearly
nearly vertical
vertical foliation.
foliation. Small
Smalloutcrops
outcropsnearby
nearby
show aa coarser,
coarser, more
more massive
massive dacite.
dacite. The
Thedacite
daciteisisoverlain
overlainby
bya abasalt
basalt(Si02=50.24
(Si02=50.24
wt%;
wt%; Ti02=3.78
Ti02=3.78wt%;
wt%;CeNIYbrc_3.7)
CeN/Yt&gt;N=3.7)that is exposed in low outcrops along the power
line north
north of the
the gravel
gravel pit.
pit.

STOP 2-6.
2-6. Upson
Upson Lake area--Siemens
Bessemer Quartzite,
Quartzite, and
area--Siemens Creek Volcanics, Bessemer
and Tyler
Tyler
Formation
Formation (Fig.
(Fig. 2-5)
2-5)
of
the
Keweenawan section is
is exposed
exposed in contact with the
At this locality the base o
ft
he Keweenawan
underlying Tyler Formation. At
underlying
At the
the top
top of
of the
the prominent
prominent bluff north
north of
of Upson
Upson Lake
Lake the
Volcanicsare
areexposed.
exposed. They are pillowed
lowermost basalt flows of the Siemens Creek Volcanics
pillowed
and brecciated
brecciated as a result
result of
of eruption
eruption into
into aashallow
shallow lake
lake in
inwhich
whichthe
theBessemer
Bessemer
Quartzite had been deposited.
deposited. The
Theflows
flowshave
haveaadistinctive
distinctivechemical
chemical composition
composition
marked by low
(8-12wt%),
wt%),and
andhigh
highCr,
Cr,Ni,
Ni,and
andMgO.
MgO. In
In addition, rare earth
low A1203
&amp;03(8-12
earth
element (REE) patterns
patterns are
and heavy
heavy REEs
REPs have
have low
element
are quite
quitesteep
steep(CeN/YbN
(CeN/YbN = about 15) and
abundances. These
indicate that
that the
the magmas
magmas formed by a small
abundances.
These chemical characteristics indicate
degree of partial melting of a deep, enriched mantle source (postulated to be a mantle
plume), and that the
plume),
the magma
magma erupted
erupted directly
directly to
to the
the surface
surface without
without undergoing
undergoing
significant crystallization and fractionation.
fractionation. Flows
Flows of
of this
this chemical
chemical character
character can
can be
recogi-uzed in the field by the
phenocrysts of
of clinopyroxene.
clinopyroxene. These
recognized
the presence
presence of small phenoaysts
clinopyroxene-phyric flows
flows have
have been traced from near Bessemer,
Michigan, to just
just
Bessemer, Michigan,
west of this locality. They
They apparently
apparently represent
represent aa unique
unique magma
magma composition
compositionthat
thatwas
was
erupted
erupted only at the very outset
outset of volcanism.
volcanism. Identical
Identical flows have been recognized at
the base of the
Minnesota, both
both at
at Ely's
Ely's Peak
Peak and at Pigeon
the North
North Shore
Shore Volcanics
Volcanics in Minnesota,
Point
Point and
and Grand
GrandPortage
Portage(Green,
(Green,1977).
1977).
An interflow sedimentary bed is exposed between the first and second
second flows.
flows.
The sediments are, in part, an algal laminite and
and are
are now
now substantially metamorphosed
metamorphosed
so that
that original
original calcareous
calcareous layers
layers are
are aa fine-grained
fine-grained mat
mat of
of wollastonite.
wollastonite. The
The
metamorphism was
metamorphism
was caused,
caused, at
at least
least in
in part,
part, by
by emplacement
emplacementof the Potato
Potato River Gabbro
about 11km up-section.
about
up-section.
Creek Volcanics
Volcanicsare
areunderlain
underlain by
by the
the Bessemer
Bessemer Quartzite,
Quartzite, the oldest
The Siemens Creek
oldest
unit in the Keweenawan Supergroup. Scattered
of white
white to
to gray laminated
Scattered exposures of
quartzite are on the
quartzite
the slope
slope below
below the
the basalt
basalt exposures.
exposures. Passing down-section, the
Bessemer
contains basal
basal beds of coarse
Bessemer contains
coarse conglomerate
conglomerate composed largely
largely of
of Early
Early

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KILOMETER

Partof
of the
the Mt.
Mt. Whittlesey
Whittlesey 7 1/2'
~Figure
i ~ u 2-6.
r e Pan
112' quadrangle
quadrangle showing the
general geology
geologyand
andlocation
locationof
of field
field trip
trip stop
stop 7.
7
general

58

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Proterozoic metasedimentary
metasedimentary clasts,
Small garnet
Proterozoic
clasts, including
including iron-formation.
iron-formation. Small
garnet
porphyroblasts
are
common
in
the
matrix.
porphyroblasts are common in the matrix.
A small
small exposure
exposure near
near the base of the slope
A
slope shows an angular
angular unconformity
unconformity
between basal conglomerate
conglomerate of
of the Bessemer
Bessemer and thin-bedded argillite
argillite of
of the
the Tyler
Tyler
Formation.
Formation. This
This is
is the
the only
only exposure
exposure known
known to
to us
uswhere
wherethe
theunconformable
unconformable
relationship
and the
relationship between
between the
the Keweenawan
Keweenawan Supergroup
Supergroup and
the Marquette
Marquette Range
Range
Supergroup
Supergroupcan
can be
be seen.
seen.

H

STOP
Tyler Formation
Formation(Fig.
(Fig.2-6)
2-6)
STOP 2-7. Tyler

I
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This roadcut
This
roadcut exposes typical thin-bedded graywacke and argillite of the Early
Early
Proterozoic Tyler Formation. Although
Althoughdips
dipsare
arenearly
nearlyvertical,
vertical, the
the lack
lack of
of penetrative
penetrative
fabric
indicates little
fabric indicates
little structural
structuraleffect
effect of the Penokean
Penokean orogeny
orogeny on
on the
the Tyler
Tyler in
in this
thisarea.
area.
The highest grade
common throughout the
grade metamorphic
metamorphic mineral is biotite,
biotite, which is common
matrix.

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STOP
STOP 2-8. Ironwood
Ironwoodhon-formation
Iron-formationon
onMt.
Mt.Whittlesey
Whittlesey(Fig.
(Fig.2-7)
2-7)

-

The prominent
held up by
The
prominent ridge of
of Mt. Whittlesey
Whittlesey isis held
by the
the Ironwood
Ironwood IronIronformation. An
Anunusually
unusuallygreat
greatthickness
thickness of
of iron-formation
iron-formation is present here owing
owing to
to
structural repetition
structural
repetition by thrust
thrust faults
faults and
and folds
folds produced during
during the
the Penokean
Penokean orogeny.
orogeny.
shows our recent interpretation
interpretation of
Whittlesey area that
of the
the geology
geology of the Mt. Whitdesey
Figure 2-7 shows
will be seen at Stops
2-9, and
and 2-10.
2-10 Mt.
easternmost extent
will
Stops 2-8,
2-8,2-9,
Mt. Whittlesey lies at the easternmost
extent of
of
Proterozoic)foreland
forelandfold
foldand
andthrust
thrust belt.
belt. At
the Penokean (Early Proterozoic)
At Mt.
Mt. Whittlesey,
Whittlesey, a
thrusts repeats
series of thrusts
series
repeatsthe
the Early
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic section, having detached it from
from Archean
rocks along a basal decollement. The
The thrusts
thrusts all
all rise
rise in
in the
the section
section to
to the
the east
east along
along aa
series of
of lateral ramps.
ramps. Northward
Northwardtilting
tiltingof
of the
theregion
region in
inMiddle
Middle Proterozoic
Proterozoic time
time
results in the current
results
current map
map pattern
pattern that
thatprovides
provides an
anunusual
unusualcross-sectional
cross-sectional view of the
thrust complex. To
To understand
understand the
thePenokean
Penokean structural
structural geometry
geometry the map pattern
pattern
should be viewed as a longitudinal
longitudinal cross
cross section along the original trend of
of the thrust
thrust
belt, so that the
the upper
upperplates
platesof
of originally
originally nearly
nearly flat-lying
flat-lying faults would have
have moved
moved
northward away from the viewer. Because
Because of later tilting, these original thrusts
thrusts now
now
mimic the geometry of
of normal faults-that
faults--that is,
is, the
the upper
upper plates
plates appear to have moved
down to the north. The
Theramps
rampsthat
thatrise
risetotothe
theeast
eastare
arelateral
lateralramps
rampsalong
alongwhich
which the
the
plates have
have undergone
undergone transcurrent
transcurrent movement
movement rather
rather than
thanoverthrust
overthrustmovement.
movement.
Displacement along
along the basal decollement
diminishes eastward
eastward as splays from the
Displacement
decollement diminishes
the
rise in the section. East
decollement successively rise
2-10 the
the Early
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic
decollement
Eastof
of Stop
Stop2-10
section
unconformably on
section lies unconforrnably
on Archean
Archean rocks.

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10. and 9, 8, stops trip field of location and geology general showing
quadrangles 1/2' 7 MeIlen and Whittlesey Mt. the of Part 2-7. Figure

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At Stop 2-8
2-8 excellent
excellentexposures
exposuresofofthe
the Ironwood
bonwood Iron-formation
hon-formation occur
At
occur on
on the
the
north face of
of the ridge near the summit, and along a railroad grade near the Berkshire
mine ruins. At
Atthe
theformer
formerlocality,
locality, aa large
large area
area was
was cleaned
cleaned of overburden
overburdenin
in the
the 1920s
1920s
in anticipation of open pit mining.
mining. Only
near the base
base of
of
Only a small pit was developed near
glacially polished,
polished, exposure
cleared area; the remainder
remainder provides
provides an
an excellent,
excellent, glacially
exposure in which
many
At the
many details
details of
of sedimentary
sedimentary features
features are
are extraordinarily
extraordinarily well
well displayed.
displayed. At
mine ruins
ruins an abandoned railroad grade provides a continuous cross section
Berkshire mine
of several
several hundred
hundredmeters
metersof
of section
section and
and aa tight
tight fold
fold is exposed in the cut.
The iron-formation contains several
several lithologic
lithologic variations. The classic fivemember internal
member
internalstratigraphy
stratigraphydefined
definedtotothe
theeast
east(Hotchldss,
(Hotchkiss,1919;
1919; Huber,
Huber, 1959)
1959) consists
of alternating
alternatingmembers
members of
of even-bedded,
even-bedded,carbonate
carbonate iron-formation
iron-formation (slaty
(slaty iron-formation)
iron-formation)
irregularly-bedded hematitic jasper.
jasper. This stratigraphy
stratigraphy becomes more
more complex
complex and
and
and irregularly-bedded
and
irregular westward
westward along
alongthe
the iron
ironrange;
range; we
we have
have not
not been
been able to apply
apply itit west
west of
of Mt.
has many lithologic
Whittlesey. The iron-formation exposed here characteristically
characteristically has
Whittlesey.
of
variations on a small scale so that individual exposures may show a complete range of
lithologies interbedded
lithologies
interbeddedon
onaascale
scale of meters or less.
2-9. Palms
STOP 2-9.
Palms Formation
Formationand
andBad
Bad River
River Dolomite
Dolomite at
at Eagles
Eagles Peak
Peak (Fig.
( ~ i ~2-7)
.2-7)
At the southwest
prominent bluff, Eagles Peak, is
is held
held up
up
southwestend
endof
of Mt.
Mt. Whittlesey a prominent
by laminated
At the
laminated argillite
argillite typical of the
the lower
lower part
part of
of the
thePalms
PalmsFormation.
Formation. At
westerost tiptip
of the
bluff
thethe
unconformable
-westernmost
of the
bluff
unconformablecontact
contactbetween
between the
the Palms
Palms and
and
underlying Bad
Dolomite is
is well
well exposed.
exposed. The Palms
Palms can
can be
be seen
seen to
to be
be draped
draped
underlying
Bad River Dolomite
which also has
has a weathered
into shallow depressions along the top of the Bad
Bad River,
River, which
contact. The rusty color appears to be
into rusty
and
rusty zone
zone for
for about
about half a meter below the contact.
caused by recent
recent oxidation
oxidationof small
small amounts
amounts of pyrite
pyrite along
along the
the contact.
contact.
The
breccia composed
composed of
of angular to
The Bad River Dolomite at this locality is a chert breccia
subrounded fragments
subrounded
fragmentsof
of gray
graychert
chertcemented
cemented mostly
mostly by aa second
second generation
generationof
of chert.
chert.
fill interstices
interstices between
between breccia
breccia fragments,
Locally, well-rounded
well-rounded quartz
quark grains
grains partly
partly fill
Locally,
matrix. At
and magnetite
magnetite is locally abundant as euhedral grains in the matrix.
At other
other localities
localities
nearby, magnetite
of prospect
magnetite was sufficiently abundant to have promoted the sinking of
shafts in the early days
days of
of iron
iron exploration.
exploration. These
These are
are present
present generally
generally immediately
immediately
below the contact
contact with
with the
the Palms
Palms Formation.
Formation. This
This distinctive
distinctive chert
chert breccia
breccia has been
Locallyitit is
is underlain
underlain by
by
traced as aa mappable
mappable unit
unit for
for about
about12
12km
km along
along strike.
strike. Locally
marble
River Dolomite
Dolomite in
inthis
thisregion.
region. We
marble and
and tremolitic
tremolitic marble
marble more
more typical
typical of the Bad River
believe that the
the breccia is a residual deposit, formed by solution of an originally thick
section of
of cherty dolomite during the weathering interval prior to
to Palms
Palms deposition.
deposition.

P
61

�The residue of insoluble chert was variably reworked into its present character and
cemented by secondary silica. Magnetite
Magnetite was apparently introduced
introduced hydrothermally
sometime
sometime after
after deposition
depositionof
of the
the Palms
PalmsFormation.
Formation.
STOP 2-10.
2-10. Contact of Early Proterozoic strata and Archean
Archean metavolcanic rocks on the
the
southeast
2-7)
southeastflank
flankof
of Mt.
Mt.Whittlesey
Whittlesey(Fig.
(Fig.2-7)
Low outcrops
outcrops near
near the
the base
base of a prominent
ridge supported by the
Low
prominent ridge
the Palms
Palms
Formation reveal the basal contact
Proterozoic strata
strata with
with underlying
contact of Early Proterozoic
underlying dacite
breccia of
The breccia
breccia has
has a penetrative structural fabric,
breccia
of Late Archean
Archean age.
age. The
fabric, best
best
expressed by the
expressed
the prominent
prominent elongation
elongation of
of clasts.
clasts. Long
Long axes
axes plunge
plunge moderately
moderately
southward,
southward, but
but must
musthave
haveplunged
plungedmoderately
moderatelyto
to steeply
steeply northward
northwardprior
priortototilting
tiltingof
of
the rocks into the monoclinal structure.
structure. The
Thebasal
basalEarly
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoicunit
unitisischert
chertbreccia
breccia
of the Bad River Dolomite,
Dolomite, the
the same
same unit
unit seen
seen at
at stop
stop 2-9.
2-9. Along
Along the
the contact
contact the
the upper
meter or two
two of
of the
the dacite
dacitebreccia
breccia is strongly sheared parallel to the contact, and the
the
overprinted by
by this
this secondary
secondary fabric.
fabric. Shearing
Archean fabric typically is completely overprinted
Shearing is
weak to absent
absent in
in the
the chert
chertbreccia.
breccia.
To our knowledge these outcrops are the only ones in the western part of
of the
the
Gogebic Range
Range where
where a basal detachment between the Early Proterozoic strata and
Gogebic
and
observed. We
Archean basement rocks can be directly observed.
We believe
believe the Early
Early Proterozoic
flatlying basal contact during the Penokean
strata were thrust
thrust northward
northwardalong
alongaanearly
nearly flatlying
orogeny. Because
River monocline,
monocline,the
thepresent
present apparent
apparent
Because of
of later
later tilting
tilting of the Montreal River
This fault
fault can be traced
displacement reflects a down-to-the-north
down-to-the-north normal
normal fault.
fault. This
traced
westward, and
westward,
andabout
about11km
km to
to the
the west
west of
of these
these exposures
exposures it passes up-section
up-section so
so that
that the
the
Bad River-Palms-Ironwood
River-Palms-Ironwood sequence
sequenceofofthe
theupper
upper plate
plate is juxtaposed
juxtaposed over Ironwood
Bad
Iron-formation in
in the lower plate,
plate, producing
producing the
the unusually
Iron-formation
unusually wide outctrop belt of
of
Whittlesey. Just east of
of this stop the basal thrust
Ironwood along higher parts of Mt. Whittlesey.
appears
appears to
to pass
pass upward
upwardinto
intothe
theEarly
EarlyProterozoic
Proterozoic strata.
strata. Exposures
Exposuresnear
nearBallou
Ballou Creek
Creek
show that
that the
thebase
baseofofthe
theEarly
EarlyProterozoic
Proterozoicrocks
rocks lies
liesunconformably
unconformably on
onArchean
Archean
without an
volcanic rocks without
an intervening
intervening shear
shearzone.
zone.
The Archean
Archean rocks
rocks seen
seen at
at Stop
Stop 2-10
2-10are
arethe
the structurally
structurally lowest
lowest parts
parts of
of the
The
monocline that
the master
that are
are seen
seen on
on the
the field
field trip.
trip. But
But the
the trace
trace of the
the Mareriisco
Marenisco fault, the
thrust that
lies about
about 88 km
km to
to the
the south.
south. Thus,
thrust
that formed
formedthe
theMontreal
MontrealRiver
River Monodline,
Monocline, lies
Thus, all
of the stratigraphic
seenon
on the
the trip,
trip,plus
plusan.
an additional
additional88 km
km
stratigraphicsection
section to
to the
the north
north that
thatisisseen
of Archean rocks to the south, form the upper
of
upper plate
plate of
of the
the Marenisco
Marenisco fault, a coherent
structural unit
structural
unit that
that was
was uplifted
uplifted and
andtilted
tilted late
late in
in the
the Middle
Middle Proterozoic history of the
region.
region.
62

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REFERENCES
REFERENCES

Cannon,
Crustal-scale thrusting
thrusting and
Cannon,W.F.,
W.F., Peterman,
Peterman,Z.E.,
Z.E., and
andSims,
Sims,P.K.,
P.K., 1993,
1993, Crustal-scale
and origin
originof
of the
theMontreal
Montreal
35-km-thick
cross
section
of
the
Midcontinent
rift
in
northern
Michigan
River
monocline
a
and
River monocline - a 35-km-thick cross section of the Midcontinent rift in northern Michiganand
Wisconsin:
Wisconsin:Tectonics,
Tectonics,v.v.12,
12,p.p.728-744.
728-744.
Green,
Green,J.C.,
J.C., 1977,
1977, Keweenawan
Keweenawanplateau
plateauvolcanism
volcanismininthe
theLake
LakeSuperior
Superiorregion,
region,ininBaragar,
Baragar,W.
W.R.R.A.,
A.,and
and
others,
(eds.),
Volcanic
regimes
in
Canada:
Geological
Association
of
Canada
Special
Paper
16,
p.
407others, (eds.), Volcanic regimes in Canada: Geological Association of Canada Special Paper 16, p.407422.
422.
Hotchkiss,
Hotchkiss,W.O.,
W.O., 1919,
1919, Geology
Geology of
of the
the Gogebic
Gogebic Range
Range and
and its
its relation
relationtotorecent
recentmining
miningdevelopments:
developments:
Engineering
Journal,
v. v.
108,
p. p.
443452,
501-507, 537-541, 577-582.
Engineeringand
andMining
Mining
Journal,
108,
44342,501-507,537-541,577-582.
Huber,
Huber,N.K.,
N.K., 1959,
1959, Some
Some aspects
aspectsof
of the
the origin
originof
of the
the Ironwood
IronwoodIron-formation
Iron-formationofofMichigan
Michiganand
andWisconsin:
Wisconsin:
Economic
p. 82-118.
EconomicGeology,
Geology,v.54,
v. 54,p.82-118.
Suzek,
1991,
Suzek,T.J.,
T.J.,
1991, Petrology and
and sedimentation
sedimentation of
of the
theMiddle
MiddleProterozoic
Proterozoic(Keweenawan)
(Keweenawan)Nonesuch
Nonesuch
Formation,
Formation,western
westernLake
LakeSuperior
Superiorregion,
region,Midcontinent
Midcontinentrift
rift system:
system: Duluth,
Duluth,Minn.,
Minn.,University
Universityofof
Minnesota,
198p.p.
Minnesota,Duluth,
Duluth,unpublished
unpublishedM.S.
MS.thesis,
thesis,198
Zartman,
1995, U-Th-Pb
U-Th-Pb ages
ages of
of some
some Keweenawan
Keweenawanrocks
rocksfrom
from
Zartrnan,R.E.,
R.E.,Cannon,
Cannon,W.F.,
W.F.,and
andNicholson,
Nicholson,S.W.,
S.W.,1995,
western
Lake
Superior,
northwest
Wisconsin
and
east-central
Minnesota
[abstracti:
Proceeding
western Lake Superior, northwest Wisconsin and east-central Minnesota [abstract]: Proceedingofof
International
International Field
FieldConference
Conferenceand
andSymposium,
Symposium,International
InternationalGeologic
Geologic Correlation
CorrelationProgram
ProgramProject
Project
336,
336, Duluth,
Duluth,Minn.,
Minn.,p.p.217-218.
217-218.

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FIELDTRIP
TRIP##44
GUIDE
GUIDEFOR
FOR FIELD
PROTEROZOIC
GEOLOGY
OF
EARLY
EARLYTO
TOMIDDLE
MIDDLE
PROTEROZOIC
GEOLOGY
OF
THE
REGION
THE LAKE
LAKENAMEKAGON
NAMEKAGON
REGION

�I
FIELD TRIP
TRIP #4

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EARLY TO
TO MIDDLE PROTEROZOIC GEOLOGY OF
EARLY
THE LAKE NAMEKAGON REGION
GION
by
W.
Cannonl, L.
W. F. cannon1,
L. G.
G.Woodruff2,
Woodruff2, and
andS.
S. W.
W. Nicholson1
Nicholson1

Geological Survey
Survey
U. S. Geological
1Eastern
Mineral
Resources,
eastern Mineral Resources,Reston,
Reston,VA
VA22092
22092
2Central
Central Mineral
Mineral Resources,
Resources, St.
St. Paul,
Paul, MN
MN55112
55112

This field trip offers
offers new
new interpretations
interpretations of the structure,
structure, geochemistry,
geochemistry, and
ana
stratigraphy of the
based on recent studies by the
U. S.
S.
the Lake
Lake Namekagon
Namekagon region
region based
the U.
Geological
Survey. The
Geological Survey.
The trip
trip will
will emphasize
emphasize the rocks of
of the Powder
Powder Mill
Mill Group

1

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(Siemens Creek
and Chengwatana
Chengwatana Volcanics
(Siemens
Creek Volcanics
Volcanics and Kallander
Kallander Creek Volcanics) and
Volcanics
of the
'of
the Keweenawan
KeweenawanSupergroup,
Supergroup,and
andthe
thecogenetic
cogenetic Mellen
Mellen intrusive
intrusive complex, all rocks
related
Ga Midcontinent
Midcontinent rift.
rift. Stratigraphic and geochronologic data
data from the
the
1.1Ga
related to the 1.1
different
suggest a complicated
differentrock
rock units
units of
of the
the Midcontinent
Midcontinent rift in this region suggest
complicated history
of
of volcanic eruption
eruption and
andmagma
magma emplacement.
emplacement. Early
Earlyextrusive
extrusivevolcanics,
volcanics, flood
flood basalts
of the
the Siemens
Siemens Creek
Creek Volcanics
Volcanics and perhaps
perhaps the
thelower
lowerKallander
Kallander Creek
CreekVolcanics,
Volcanics,
erupted
subsiding basin
basin throughout
erupted from a number of
of different
different centers in a generally subsiding
the
the western
western Lake
Lake Superior
Superior region.
region. Development
Development of
of aa large
largeshield
shieldvolcano
volcano complex,
complex,
possibly
possibly centered
centerednear
nearthe
thepresent
presentlocation
locationof
of Mellen,
Mellen, Wisconsin, was accompanied
accompanied by
intrusion
shield. This produced the
intrusion of multiple
multiple magma
magma chambers
chambers in the volcanic shield.
the Mellen
Mellen
intrusive complex
complex and eruption
eruption of
of volcanic
volcanic equivalents, the upper Kallander
Kallander Creek
Volcariics
Volcanics (Cannon
(Cannon and
and others,
others, 1993).
1993). With
With aa decline
decline in
in shield
shield volcano
volcano activity,
activity, floodfloodbasalt eruption
eruptionfrom
fromwithin
withinthe
thecentral
centralgraben
grabenof
of the
the rift
rift became
became dominant,
dominant, forming
forming aa
thick series
series of basalt flows,
flows, the Chengwatana
Chengwatana Volcanics.
Volcanics. Sedimentary rocks deposited
during
glacio-fluvial
during the
thepost-extensional
post-extensionalphase
phaseof
of the
therift
riftare
arecovered
coveredby
byPleistocene
Pleistocene glacio-fluvial
and
and lake
lake deposits
depositsand
and are
arenot
not exposed
exposed in
in this
this area. Post-rift
Post-rift reverse
reverse faulting
faulting along the
Lake Owen fault
fault and
andMarenisco-Atkins
Marenisco-Atkins Lake fault during
during late
late Keweenawan
Keweenawan time
time
rotated
vertical in
in some
some areas.
areas. As a
rotated all
all units
units to
to the
the northwest,
northwest, tilting
tilting them to nearly vertical
result,
result, aa south-to-north
south-to-north traverse
traverse through
through the
the rift
rift lithologies
lithologies in the
the area
area north
north of
of Lake
Lake
Namekagon
from older
older to younger,
younger, and
and of
of
Namekagon provides
provides aa cross
cross section both through time, from
crustal
crustaldepth,
depth,from
fromrelatively
relativelydeep
deepto
toshallow.
shallow.
The
The first
first stop
stop will
will be
be in
inan
anEarly
EarlyProterozoic
Proterozoic sequence
sequence of
of iron
iron and
andsilica-rich
silica-rich
argillites
argillitesof
of the
the bonwood
Ironwoodhon-formation
Iron-formationand
andaametadiabase
metadiabasesill.
sill. This
Thisstop
stopis
is notable
notable for
spectacular exposure
exposure of
of unusual
unusual igneous
igneous breccia
breccia units
units (Figs.
(Figs. 4-1
4-1 and
and 4-2).
4-2). All
aa spectacular

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5. and 4, 3, 2, 1, stops trip field of locations and
geology
general showing quadrangle 1/2' 7 View
Grand the of Part 4-1. Figure
FEET

________ -:

144

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subsequent stops will
will examine
examine rocks
rocks of
of the
the Middle
Middle Proterozoic
Proterozoic Midcontinent
Midcontinent rift,
rift,
subsequent

including
4-4, and
includingthe
theMellen
Mellenintrusive
intrusivecomplex
complex(Stops
(Stops4-2,
4-2,4-4,
and4-5:
4-5:Fig.
Fig. 4-1)
4-1)and
and volcanic
volcanic
4-6,
rocks of the
the Powder
PowderMill
MillGroup
Group(Stops
(Stops4-3,
4-3,
4-6,4-7,
4-7,and
and 4-8:
4-8:Figs.
Figs. 4-1
4-1and
and 4-3)
4-3)and
and
rocks
Chengwatana
and
ChengwatanaVolcanics
Volcanics(Stops
(Stops4-9
4-9
and4-10:
4-10:Figs.
Figs.4-3
4-3and
and4-4)).
4-4)).

-

STOP 1. Early
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoicdebris
debrisflow
flowand
andmetadiabase
metadiabase(Figs.
(Figs.4-1
4-1and
and4-2).
4-2).
The topographic
topographic highland
highland extending
extendingnortheastward
northeastwardfrom
fromForest
ForestService
ServiceRoad
Road
379
numerous
379 hasThe
numerousexposures
exposuresof
of bonwood
Ironwoodhon-formation
Iron-formationand
andmetadliabase
metadiabasesills
sillstypical
typical
of the westernmost
Range. Near the
westernrnost extent
extent of
of the
the Gogebic
Gogebic Iron Range.
the junction
junction with
with Forest
Forest
Service Road 201,
just east of
of Atkins Lake,
Lake, two
two unusual
unusual breccia
breccia units are
201,just
are also
also exposed.
exposed.
The breccia
units contain
angular to
to subrounded
subrounded clasts,
clasts, up
up to
to 11 m in
breccia units
contain angular
in length,
length, of
of
metamorphosed,
metamorphosed, banded
banded siliceous
siliceous sedimentary
sedimentary rocks in a matrix
matrix of
of dark
dark gray-green
gray-green
massive rock. Clasts
Clastsmainly
mainlyare
aresiliceous
siliceousargillite,
argillite, aa very
veryfew
fewof
of which
whichare
aremagnetic.
magnetic.
Most are
are tabular
tabular with
with angular
angularcorners,
corners,but
butsome
someclasts
clasts are
are bent
bent or
orfolded,
folded,suggesting
suggesting
that they
Clastsconsist
consist of
of
they were
were not
not fully
fully lithified
lithified when
when incorporated
incorporated in the matrix. Clasts
alternating
alternating layers
layers of
of recrystallized
recrystallized quartz,
quartz,fine-grained
fine-grained chlorite,
chlorite, biotite
biotite or
oractinolite,
actinolite,
garnet,
garnet, and
andgenerally
generallyminor
minoramounts
amountsof
ofmagnetite
magnetite(Feher
(Feherand
andFlood,
Flood, 1995).
1995). The
The matrix
matrix
is aa fine-grained
fine-grainedmafic
mafic rock,
rock, composed of fine- to medium-grained amphibole,
amphibole, garnet,
garnet,
plagioclase, and magnetite,
magnetite, with conspicuous
conspicuous amygdules
amygdules in
in places.
places. Metamorphic
Metamorphic
recrystallization has destroyed
destroyed much
much of the primary texture,
texture, although
although relict plagioclase
phenocrysts
phenocrysts are present
present locally.
locally. Preliminary geochemical
geochemical data indicate
indicate aa tholeiitic
tholeiitic
composition for the matrix
Between the breccia units is
is aa
matrix (Feher
(Feher and Flood,
Flood, 1995). Between
massive metadiabase
50 itt
m thick.
thick. The
The top
top of
of the
the sill
sill is
is chilled against
againstthe
thebase
base
metadiabasesill
sill about
about50
of the upper breccia
breccia unit. The
Thebase
base of
of the
the sill
sill is
is separated
separated from
from the top
top of
of the
the lower
lower
breccia unit by
by aathin
thinselvage
selvageofofmagnetic
magneticiron-formation.
iron-formation. The breccia
breccia units and
interlayered
km along
along strike, but likely extend farther
farther into
into
interlayeredsill
sill can
can be
be traced
traced for
for about
about11 km
areas
areas with
with poor
poor exposure,
exposure.
units may
may be
be extrusive
extrusive basalt flows or ash
ash that
that incorporated
incorporatedclasts
clasts
The breccia units
The
perfectly
during eruption.
eruption. Features suggestive of
of an extrusive
extrusive origin
origin include:
include: 1) perfectly
concordant contacts
sediments and
concordant
contacts between breccias and thinly laminated sediments
and aa lack
lack of any
observed
2)strong
strong lithologic
lithologic contrast
contrast between
between the
the breccias
breccias
observed cross-cutting
cross-cuttingrelationships;
relationships; 2)
and undoubtedly
undoubtedly intrusive
intrusive metadiabase
metadiabase exposed
exposed in the
the same
same outcrop;
outcrop; 3)
3)common
common
amygdular
amygdular textures
textures in
in the
the breccias
breccias that are
are absent
absent in nearby
nearby metadiabase;
metadiabase; and
and 4)
4)rare
rare
areas
areas of rubbly
rubbly matrix
matrix that
that resemble
resemble pyroclastic
pyroclastic textures.
Alternatively
Alternativelythe
thebreccias
brecaas may
may be
be related
relatedto
tothe
themauic
mafic sill, which could
could have
have been
been
emplaced
sediments. Evidence consistent
emplaced at
at aa shallow
shallow level into wet, semiconsolidated sediments.
69

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—

MAFIC MAlRCt
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Br

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BRECCIA IN
IN AA
MAFIC MATRIX

Md

Br
——

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———

c

50i

Mg

——

META GABBRO
0

———

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a
GIF

—— —

WAVY-BANDED
WAVY-BANDED

GRANULAR IRON FORMAT10
FORMATION
GRANULAR

® FJELDSTOPS
@
FIELDSTOPS

GIP

——

LAMINATED SILICATE
SIUCATE
LAMINATED
IRONFORMATION
FORMATION
IRON

—

GIF

45

-"
5

—

0

0

0 OUTCROP
0
OUTCROPAREAS
AREAS

X mn

10

50

IXMm

STRIKE AND
AND DIP
DIP
STRIKE
OF BEDDING
OFBEDDING

'F

#

GEOLOGIC CONTACT
CONTACT
GEOLOGIC

Fig. 4-2.
area sshowing
outcrops and
and geologic
geologic
4-2. Detailed map of the Atkins Lake area
Fig.
h o w i n g outcrops
among iron-formation,
iron-formation,bbreccia
diabase and
and gabbro.
relationships among
relationships
r e c c i a uunits,
n i t s , diabase
gabbro.
Unpublished map
Unpublished
mapprepared
preparedby
byKiasner
Klasnerand
andLaBerge.
LaBerge.

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�with
with an
an intrusive
intrusiveorigin
originincludes:
includes:1)1)occurrence
occurrenceof
of aa breccia
breccia zone
zone both
both above
above and
and below
below
the metadiabase
metadiabasesill
sill (although
(althoughthe
thelower
lowerzone
zoneisis separated
separatedfrom
fromthe
thesill
sillby
by aa thin
thinseam
seamof
of
iron-formation);
War (initially lithified)
lithified) and
iron-formation);and
and2)
2)incorporation
incorporationinto
intothe
thebreccias
brecciasof
of tab
tabular
bent
bent (initially
(initiallyunlithified)
unlithified)blocks
blocks of
of the
the same
same composition.
composition.
Neither
Neither of
of the
the above
above interpretations
interpretationsseems
seems to
to explain
explain all
all observed
observed relationships,
relationships,
and the
the origin
origin of
of the
the breccia
breccia units thus
thus remains enigmatic. An
An especially
especially problematic
feature
feature is that
that nearly
nearly all
all of
of the
the clasts
clasts are
are exotic
exotic and are not composed of immediately
surrounding
surroundingiron-formation,
iron-formation, but
but most
mostclosely
closely resemble
resemble banded argillite
argillite of
of the
the lower
lower
part
part of
of the
the underlying
underlyingPalms
PalmsFormation.
Formation.

j

STOP 2:
2: Granite
Graniteof
of the
theMellen
Mellenintrusive
intrusivecomplex
complex(Fig.
(Fig.4-1).
4-1).
The
The metadiabase and iron-formation seen in Stop 4-1 are intruded by
by several
several
dikes probably
probably are offshoots
offshoots of
of a small granite body
small granitic dikes.
dikes. These
These dikes
in the open woods south of
exposed in several outcrops east of Atkins Lake,
Lake, in
of Forest
Forest
exposed
Service Road
Road 379.
379. The granite is pink and
and white,
white, with
with aa mediummedium-to
tocoarse-grained
coarse-grained
minerals are potassium
equigranular to porphyritic
porphyritic texture.
texture. Principal
Principal minerals
potassium feldspar,
feldspar,
plagioclase,
biotite, and
and quartz. The
plagioclase,
The granite
granite intrudes
intrudesEarly
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic metasediments
metasediments
equigranularbiotite,
of the Ironwood
of metamorphic effects
effects and
and shearing
shearing within
within
of
Ironwood Iron-formation;
Iron-formation; the lack of
the granite suggests it is
in age.
age. The
is Middle
Middle Proterozoic
Proterozoic in
The granite
granite is
is very
very similar
similar in
in
appearance to
appearance
to the
thewell-known
well-knownMellen
Mellen granite,
granite, aaphase
phaseof
of the
theMellen
Mellen intrusive
intrusivecomplex,
complex,
which is locally exposed over a large area more than 20 km to the northeast
northeast of
of this
this
locality.
locality.
intrusive complex is made up
In addition
addition to
to this
this small
small granite
granite body,
body, the
the Mellen
Mellen intrusive
of two large,
intrusion and
of
large, layered
layered gabbroic
gabbroic bodies, the Potato River intrusion
and the
theMineral
MineralLake
Lake
intrusion (Stop
intrusion
(Stop 44),
44), and
andseveral
severalrelated
relatedigneous
igneousbodies
bodies including
including the
the Mellen
Mellen granite,
granite, the
peridotitic Rearing
peridotitic
Rearing Pond
Pond intrusion,
intrusion,and
andaaseries
seriesof
of gabbro
gabbro and
and granophyre
granophyresills
sills(Stop
(Stop445). A
Agranophyre
granophyreofofthe
theMineral
MineralLake
Lakeintrusion
intrusionhas
hasa aU-Pb
U-Pbzircon
zirconage
ageofof1102.0
1102.0±Â2.8
2.8 Ma
Ma
and brecciates gabbro
gabbro
(Zartman and others,
others, 1995).
1995). The Mellen granite, which intrudes and
(Zartman
of the Mineral Lake intrusion, has an
an indistinguishable
indistinguishableU-Pb
U-Pb zircon age (within
(withinerror)
error)of
± 1.4 Ma
Ma (Zartman
(Zartman and
1100.9Â
andothers,
others,1995).
1995).
1100.9
pyroxene hornfels
3. Siemens
STOP 3.
Siemens Creek
Creek Volcanics
Volcanics ---pyroxene
homfels and
and granophyre
granophyre(Fig.
(Fig.4-1).
4-1).
Volcanics,the
thelowermost
lowermost unit
unit of
of the
the Powder
Powder Mill Group, is
The Siemens Creek Volcanics,
Wisconsin. It consists
consists of a
the oldest volcanic unit in the Midcontinent rift in northern Wisconsin.
sequence
erupted as
as relatively
relatively thin
thin flows.
flows. The
TheMarenisco-Atkins
Marenisco-AtkinsLake
Lake
sequence of flood basalts erupted
fault bounds the
the Keweenawan
Keweenawan rocks
rocks in this area
area with
with Keweenawan
Keweenawan rocks thrust

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extension of the larger intrusion
extension
intrusion to
to the
the east.
east. The
Therock
rockconsists
consistsof
of mediummedium-to
to coarsecoarsegrained
grained plagioclase,
plagioclase, pyroxene, and
and magnetite, although
although minerals
minerals in
in the
the gabbro
gabbro typically
typically
are altered. Because
Because pyroxene
pyroxene and
and magnetite
magnetite are
are more
more resistant
resistant than
thanplagioclase
plagioclase to
to
weathering, a hackley
hackley surface has developed on the outcrop,
outcrop, with
with knobs
knobs of
of mafic
mafic
minerals
minerals prominent.
prominent.
STOP
GranophyreofofLong
LongMile
MileLookout
Lookout(Fig.
(Fig.4-1).
4-1).
STOP 5. Granophyre

upper part
The upper
part of
of the
theMineral
MineralLake
Lake intrusion
intrusion becomes
becomes increasingly Fe-rich with
the development
development of ferrogabbro and granophyre. Seifert
Seifert and
and others
others(1992)
(1992) determined
that
intrusions associated
anorthosite formed from
that felsic intrusions
associated with
with the
the Mineral Lake gabbroic anorthosite
evolved mantle magmas that intruded along
along older, mafic intrusive bodies and early
with further crystal fractionation occurring
occurringin
in place.
place. The granophyre
granophyre at
volcanics, with
at this
this
stop
stop is
is an
an offshoot
offshoot from the upper
upper part
partof
of the
theMineral
Mineral Lake
Lake intrusion,
intrusion, one
one of
of several
several thin
thin
granophyric
granophyric sills that interfinger with gabbroic sills in the western part
part of
of the
theMellen
Mellen
intrusive complex.
Granophyre exposed
exposed in
in the small hill of
complex. Granophyre
of Long
Long Mile
Mile Lookout
Lookout
typically
typically is pink,
pink, finefine- to
to medium-grained,
medium-grained, and contains
contains small
small phenocrysts
phenocrysts of
of
plagioclase in aa graphic-textured
of potassium
feldspar and quartz.
The
plagioclase
graphic-textured matrix
matrix of
potassium feldspar
quartz. The
granophyre typically weathers
weathers brick red
granophyre
red because
because of the presence
presence of hematite.
hematite.

Basalt and
andbrecciated
brecuatedflow
flowtop,
top,lower
lowerKallander
KallanderCreek
CreekVolcanics
Volcanics(Fig.
(Fig.4-3).
4-3).
STOP 6. Basalt
The
Volcanics consists
consistsofof aa sequence
sequence of
of basalt,
basalt, andesite, and
The Kallander Creek Volcanics
of flood basalts, similar to the
rhyolite. The
Thelower
lowerKallander
KallanderCreek
CreekVolcanics
Volcanics consists of
Siemens Creek
Creek Volcanics,
Volcanics,but
but the
the upper
upper Kallander
Creek may
may be an
Siemens
Kallander Creek
an extrusive
extrusive
equivalent
equivalentto
to the
the Mellen
Mellen intrusive
intrusivecomplex.
complex. AAwedge
wedgeof
of the
theKallander
KallanderCreek
CreekVolcanics,
Volcanics,
striking
and dipping
dipping to the northwest,
striking northeast-southwest
northeast-southwest and
northwest, occurs
occurs between the
Marinesco-Atkins Lake
Lake fault to
to the south, the Lake
Lake Owen
Owen fault
fault to
to the
the north,
north, and the
Marinesco-Atkins
Mineral Lake intrusion
intrusion to the
the east. Largely
Largelyunaltered
unalteredvolcanics
volcanicsof
of the
the Kallander
KallanderCreek
Creek
can
can be traced into
into thin
thin bands
bandsof
of metavolcanic
metavolcanic rocks within the
the Mineral Lake
Lake intrusion,
intrusion,
caught up between thin
thin sills
sills of
of gabbro
gabbro and
and granophyre,
granophyre, attesting
attesting to
to aacomplicated
complicated
history
eruption and
and magma
history of
of volcanic eruption
magma emplacement.
emplacement.
At this stop
stop aabasalt
basaltflow
flownear
nearthe
thebase
baseofofthe
theKallander
KallanderCreek
CreekVolcanics
Volcanics isis
exposed,
including a thick flow top-breccia.
top-breccia. The basalt varies from massive to sparsely
exposed, including
sparsely
amygdular, and
and isis metamorphosed
metamorphosedto
toan
anassemblage
assemblageof
of hornblende-epidote-biotitehornblende-epidote-biotitechiorite-plagioclase.
breccia consists
consists of
of angular fragments of highly
chlorite-plagioclase. The flow-top breccia
highly
fragmentsare
are mostly
mostly aa few
few centimeters
centimeters in
in diameter
diameter but
amygdular basalt. Breccia
Breccia fragments
range
Arnygdulesmainly
mainly comprise quartz and epidote
epidote with
with minor
range up
up to
to about
about 11meter. Amygdules

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KILOMETER
7
-

Figure 4-3. Part
Part of
of the
the Grand
Grand View
View 7 1/2'
Figure
112' quadrangle
quadrangle showing
showing general
general
geology
8, and
and 9.
geology and
and the
the locations
locations of
of field
field trip
trip stops 6, 7, 8,

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K-feldspar
K-feldsparand
and very
verysparse
sparsesulfide
sulfideminerals.
minerals.Locally,
Locally,vesicles
vesicles are
are exceptionally large, as
and some are incompletely filled
filled with
with secondary
secondary minerals,
minerals, leaving
leaving open
open
much as 10 cm, and
spaces.
spaces.
The matrix of the
the flow
flow top
top breccia
breccia is
is aa very
very fine-grained
fine-grained clastic
clastic rock,
rock, now
now
metamorphosed
metamorphosedto
to chert-like
chert-like material,
material, although
although clastic
clastic textures are readily seen
seen in thin
thin
secti
on. Locally the matrix is finely laminated parallel to the orientation
section.
orientation of the
the flow,
flow,
even though the
the matrix
matrix isis only
only thin
thinseams
seamsdeposited
deposited between
between the
the clast-supported
clast-supported
breccia. In
In places
places (best
(bestseen
seen in other outcrops)
outcrops) the laminations
laminations are highly contorted.
contorted.
We interpret this silty
silty matrix to be wind-blown dust that rapidly
rapidly settled
settled onto
onto
basalt flows while they were still molten and moving, becoming incorporated
incorporated into open
spaces in flow top breccias.
the sudden
sudden eruption of
breccias. Under
Under some
some climatic
climatic conditions the
of
flood basalt
basalt may have
have generated
generated intense wind
wind and
and dust
dust storms,
storms, which
which quickly
quickly
deposited
deposited aa layer
layer of
of dust
dust over
over the
the erupting
eruptingflow
flow.
A thin basalt dike cuts
cuts the
the basalt
basalt flow
flow near the northeast end
end of
of the
the outcrop.
outcrop.
Field measurements of
Field
of magnetic
magnetic polarity indicate that the basalt
basalt flow
flow isisreversely
reversely
elsewhere. The
polarized, consistent with results
results for
for the
the Kallander
Kallander Creek
Creek Volcanics
Volcanics elsewhere.
The
dike has normal polarity, and possibly was emplaced during
during the later eruption of the
normally polarized
normally
polarizedChengwatana
ChengwatanaVolcanics.
Volcanics.
STOP
(Fig.
Picritein
inthe
theSiemens
SiemensCreek
CreekVolcanics
Volca~cs
(Fig.4-3).
4-3).
STOP 7: Picrite
This stop is out
out of
of stratigraphic
stratigraphic sequence,
sequence, but the
the significance
significance of the outcrops
outcrops
makes it notable. The
Thesmall
smalloutcrop
outaopjust
just off
off County
County Road
Road D,
D, east
east of
of Lake
Lake Knotting,
Knotting,
shows
shows basalt
basalt flows
flowswithin
withinthe
thelowest
lowestexposed
exposedunit
unitof
of the
theSiemens
SiemensCreek
CreekVolcanics
Volcanics in
in the
the
region. Immediately
Immediatelytotothe
thesouth,
south,Keweenawan
Keweenawanintrusive
intrusiverocks
rocks separate
separatethe
theflows
flowsfrom
from
from this outcrop is
the Marenisco-Atkins Lake fault. A
A sample
sample of these flows collected from
16.9
wt %;
0.72) and to date
picritic (MgO
picritic
(MgO = 1
6.9 wt
%; Mg# =
= 0.72)
date represents
represents the
the only
only Keweenawan
Keweenawan
picrite identified on the south
south shore
shore of
of western
western Lake
Lake Superior. Typically
Typically the
the lower
lower
member
member of
of the
theSiemens
SiemensCreek
Creek Formation
Formationhas
hassubstantially
substantiallylower
lowerAl203
A1203(8(8to
to&lt;13
c13wt
wt%)
%)

than any other Keweenawan
elementpatterns
patterns((Ce/Ybg
and steeper rare earth element
ce~/Yb
=~
15) than
basalts. This
well-documented picrites
Thispicrite
picriteisis different
differentin
in composition
composition from the welldocumented
picrites in the
ICeweenawan section
section at
at Mamainse Point in eastern
Keweenawan
eastern Lake
Lake Superior
Superior (Berg
(Berg and
and Klewin,
Klewin,
Chemical modelling
modelling suggests
suggests that
that the picritic composition sampled at this
1988).
1988). Chemical
this
outcrop
represents
an
uncontaminated
small-degree
partial
melt
of
the
mantle
plume
outaop represents an uncontaminated small-degree
mantle plume
postulated to have
postulated
have produced
produced the
thevoluminous
voluminous magmatism
magmatism associated
associated with the
the
Midcontinent rift.
c Midcontinent rift.

75
75

�a
STOP 8.
STOP
8. Conglomerate and
and rhyolite
rhyolite of
of the
the Kallander
Kallander Creek
Creek Volcanics
Volcanics at 'Davis
'Davis Hill'
Hill'
(Fig.
(Fig.4-3).
4-3).
The middle portion
portion of
of the
theKallander
Kallander Creek
Creek Volcanics
Volcanics in the
the Lake
Lake Namekagon
Namekagon
area mainly comprised
comprised conglomerate
conglomerate and rhyolite with subordinate
subordinate amounts
amountsof
of basalt.
basalt.
Exposures at this stop
of the
the unit.
unit. From
stop illustrate
illustrate the
the lithologic variations of
From Forest
Forest Service
213, walk
walk northward
northward over the prominent
Road 213,
prominent bill
hill (informally
(informally known as
as Davis
Davis Hill
Hill in
older reports) immediately north of the road. The
The best
best exposures
exposures of conglomerate are
of the hill
hill and along the
the north slope.
slope. Outcrops
high on the western slope of
Outcrops are
are poorly
poorly
sorted and
and crudely
crudelybedded
beddedvolcanogenic
volcanogenic conglomerate
conglomerate containing
containing minor sandstone
sandstone
interbeds. Clasts
Clastsof
of cobble
cobble to
to boulder size are mostly rounded to subrounded
subroundedrhyolite,
rhyolite,
and lesser basalt and
and andesite.
andesite. Some
Someclasts
clastsconsist
consist of
of basalt
basalt containing
containing large
large pink
pink
phenocrysts of
common in
in Kallander
Kallander Creek
Creek flows,
flows, but
but
phenocrysts
of plagioclase;
plagioclase; this lithology is fairly common
is very rare elsewhere
is
elsewhere in
in the
theKeweenawan
Keweenawan section.
section. It appears, therefore,
therefore, that the
the
conglomerate formed through
conglomerate
through erosion
erosion of
of the slightly older lower part
part of
of the
the Kallander
Kallander
Volcanics. About
Creek Volcanics.
Creek
About aa kilometer to the east, this same conglomerate unit is cut by a
tongue
Ma (Zartrnan
(Zartman and
tongue of
of the
the Mineral
MineralLake
Lake gabbro
gabbrothat
thatwas
wasemplaced
emplacedatat1102.0
1102.0±k 2.8 Ma
and
others, 1995), which
which places
places aa minimum
minimum age
age on
on deposition
deposition of
ofthe
the conglomerate.
conglomerate. Cement
Cement
others,
in the conglomerate
of epidote and quartz,
quartz, suggesting
conglomerateis
is mostly a mixture of
suggesting that
that relatively
relatively
high-temperature fluids
high-temperature
fluids permeated
permeated this
this part
part of
of the
the section.
section. AAlittle
little copper
copperstaining
stainingcan
can
be seen rarely, but we have not identified any primary copper minerals.
Continue walking northward for a few hundred meters to a prominent bedrock
Continue
exposed a rhyolite unit
unit about 20 m thick. The
knob. Along the south
knob.
southface
face of this knob is exposed
The
rhyolite is purplish,
phyric, and
and mostly
mostly massive.
massive. In a few places near the
purplish, plagioclase
plagioclase phyric,
base of the hill, faint outlines
outlines of flattened pumiceous fragments
fragments can be seen,
seen, indicating
indicating
that the
the rhyolite
rhyolite probably
probably is
is aa welded
welded tuff.
tuff. The
Theremainder
remainderof
of the
theknob
knobcontains
containsgood
good
exposures of typical conglomerate.
exposures
conglomerate.
From the
the top of
view to
to the
the north
north can
can be
be seen.
seen. The
From
of the knob a panoramic
panoramic view
The
prominent
prominent east-west
east-westridge
ridgeabout
aboutaakilometer
kilometerdistant
distantisisunderlain
underlainby
byophitic
ophiticbasalt
basaltflows
flows
of the Chengwatana
whichwill
willbe
beexamined
examinedatatthe
the next
next stop.
stop. The
of
Chengwatana Volcan.ics,
Volcanics, which
The Lake
Lake
Owen fault lies just south
south of
of the
the ridge
ridge and
andhas
hasthrust
thrustthe
theChengwatana
ChengwatanaVolcanics
Volcanics
southward over
southward
overthe
theKallander
KallanderCreek
CreekVolcanics.
Volcanics.

9. Amygdaloidal
STOP 9.
Amygdaloidalophitic
ophiticbasalt
basaltflow
flowin
inChengwatana
ChengwatanaVolcanics
Volcanics(Fig.
(Fig.4-3).
4-3).
The Chengwatana
Chengwatana Volcanics
Volcanics records the main stage
stage of flood-basalt volcanism of
Basalts erupted
erupted as a thick
the Midcontinent
thick series
series of
of
Midcontinent rift
rift in
innorthern
northernWisconsin.
Wisconsin. Basalts
subaerial flows into a subsiding central
central graben.
graben. Reverse
Reverse faulting during a regional
regional
76

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N. N

7

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\\..

1r

MILE

Figure 4-4. Parts of the Drumrnond and Upper Eau Claire Lake 7 112'
Figure
4-4. Parts
quadrangles
showing
geology and the location of field trip stop 10.
of thegeneral
Drummonä
Upper Eau Claire Lake 7 1/2'
quadrangles showing general geologyand
and the location of field trip stop 10.

77

�compressional event inverted the
the graben,
graben, forming
forming the
the St.
St. Croix horst, which
which contains
contains
compressional
Syncline. On
Onthe
thenorth
northlimb
limbof
of the
thehorst,
horst,the
theChengwatana
ChengwatanaVolcanics
Volcanicsare
are
the Ashland Syncline.
along the
the Douglas
Douglas fault
faultover
over sediments
sediments of
of the
the yourtger
younger Bayfield
Bayfield Group, while
thrust along
the southern
southernlimb
limbthe
theLake
Lake Owen
Owen fault
faultthrusts
thrustsyounger
youngerChengwatana
ChengwatanaVolcanics
Volcanics
along the
over
over older
olderKallander
KallanderCreek
CreekVolcanics.
Volcanics.
this stop
stop flows
flows of the upper
upper Chengwatana
Chengwatana Volcanics
Volcanics are exposed along
along aa steep
steep
At this
The Lake
Lake Owen
Owen fault,
fault, probably at the
the base
base of
of the
the bluff,
bluff, cuts
cuts up
up
south-facing bluff.
bluff. The
section so that the
are not exposed here. The
the lower
lower Chengwatana
Chengwatana Volcanics
Volcanics are
Theflows
flowsare
are
Severalamygdular
amygdular
thick, monotonous ophitic basalts, typical
typical of
of this
this part
part of
of the unit. Several
variety of
of secondary
secondaryminerals,
minerals,
are well
well exposed.
exposed. Amygdules
Amygdulescomprise
comprise aa variety
flow tops are
including
including quartz
quartz and
and epidote.
epidote.

STOP 10.
10. Ophitic
near the top of
of the Chengwatana
Ophitic basalt and interfiow
interflow conglomerate near
Chengwatana
Volcanics (Fig. 4-4).
44).
These exposures
upper flows,
exposures show what
what is
is certainly
certainly one of
of the upper
flows, and
and may
may be
be the
the
uppermost flow,
flow, of
of the
theChengwatana
ChengwatanaVolcanics
Volcanics and
and an
aninterfiow
interflowconglomerate.
conglomerate.
Immediately north
north of
of the
the road
road are
arelow
lowoutcrops
outcropsof
of coarse
coarse volcanogenic
volcanogenic conglomerate
and interbedded
30' to the
the north.
north. The conglomerate
conglomerate is
is
interbedded sandstone
sandstone that dip 20
20 -- 30°
composed principally of
of rhyolite
rhyolite clasts.
clasts. Cement
Cement in the conglomerate
conglomerate and sandstone
sandstone
varies from
from calcite to epidote plus quartz, indicating that even in
in this
this stratigraphically
stratigraphically
high part
part of
of the
thevolcanic
volcanic section,
section, relatively high-temperature alteration
alteration has produced
produced
quartz-epidote
quartz-epidoteassemblages.
assemblages.
Immediately to the north of
of the
the conglomerate
conglomerate outcrops, along a low ridge, is
is
exposed
of many
many flows
flows in
in the
the upper
upper part of
exposed coarse-grained ophitic
ophitic basalt. This
This is typical of
of
the Chengwatana
predominate. Rocks
ChengwatanaVolcanics
Volcanics where
where thick ophitic flows predominate.
Rocksof
of aasimilar
similar
type are
m farther north. Whether
are exposed
exposed in
in aa series
series of
of low outcrops for about 100 m
Whether
these outcrops are the same
flows is
is unknown.
unknown. Magnetic
same flow or additional flows
Magnetic maps
maps
suggest
suggest that
that the
thecontact
contactwith
with the
theoverlying
overlying Copper
Copper Harbor
Harbor Conglomerate
Conglomeratelies
lies just north
north
of
of these outcrops, and that
that the
the featureless
featureless sand plain to the north is underlain by the
Copper
Copper Harbor.
Harbor .

78

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REFERENCES
REFERENCES

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I

Berg,
J. H.,
H., and Klewin,
High-MgOlavas
lavas from
from the
the Keweenawan
Keweenawan midcontinent
midcontinent rift near
Berg, 1.
Klewin, K.
K. W., 1988,
1988, High-MgO
16,p.p.1003-1006.
1003-1006.
Mamainse Point,
Point, Ontario:
Ontario:Geology,
Geology,v.v.16,

Cannon, W.
W. F.,
F., Nicholson,
Nicholson, S.
S. W.,
W., Zartman,
Zartman, R.
R. E.,
E., and
and Peterman,
Peterman, Z.
Z. E.,
E., 1993,
1993, The
The Kallander
KallanderCreek
Creek
Volcanics -- a remnant of a Keweenawan
Keweenawan central
central volcano centered near Mellen,
Mellen, Wisconsin [abstract]:
Institute
39,p.p.20-21.
20-21.
Instituteon
onLake
LakeSuperior
SuperiorGeology
GeologyAbstracts,
Abstracts,v.v.39,
Feher,
Vesiclesand
andbreccia
brecciadue
dueto
to injection
injectionofofmafic
maficmagma
magmainto
into partially
partially lithified
Feher, L. and Flood, T., 1995,
1995, Vesicles
sediments of the
NWWisconsin
Wisconsin
sediments
the early
early Proterozoic
Proterozoic Ironwood
IronwoodIron-formation,
Iron-formation,western
westernGogebic
GogebicRange,
Range,NW
[abstract]: Institute
41,p.p.13-15.
13-15.
[abstract]:
Instituteon
onLake
LakeSuperior
SuperiorGeology
GeologyAbstracts
Abstractsv.v.41,
M.W., 1954,
1954,Petrogenesis
Petrogenesisof
ofaa gabbro-granophyre
gabbro-granophyre complex in northern
Leighton, M.W.,
northern Wisconsin:
Wisconsin:Geological
Geological
Society of America
America Bulletin,
Bulletin,v.v.65,
65,p.
p.401-442.
401-442.
Olmsted, J.
Petrology of
of the Mineral Lake intrusion, northwestern
Origin of
J. F.,
F., 1969,
1969, Petrology
northwesternWisconsin,
Wisconsin, in
in Origin
anorthosite
and
related
rocks,
Isachsen,
Y.
W.
(ed.),
New
York
State
Museum
and
Science
anorthosite and related rocks, Isachsen, Y. W. (4.).
New York State Museum and ScienceService
Service
pp. 149-161.
Memoir 18, pp.
149-161.
Seifert,
E., Peterman,
Peterman, Z. E.,
and Thieben,
F., 1992,
1992,Possible
Possiblecrustal
crustal contamination
contamination of Midcontinent
Seifert, K. E.,
E.,and
Thieben, S. E.,
MidcontinentRift
Rift
igneous rocks: examples
from
the
Mineral
Lake
intrusions,
Wisconsin:
Canadian
examples from the Mineral
Wisconsin: Canadian Journal
Journal of Earth
Sciences, v. 29, p.
1140-1153.
p. 1140-1153.
Sciences,
Zartnian,
RE.,
Cannon,
U-Th-Pbages
agesof
ofsome
someKeweenawan
Keweenawan rocks from
Zartman, R.E.,Cannon,W.F.,
W.F., and
andNicholson,
Nicholson,S.W.,
S.W.,1995,
1995, U-Th-Pb
western
Lake
Superior,
northwestern
Wisconsin,
and
east-central
Minnesota
western Lake Superior, northwestern Wisconsin, and east-central Minnesota [abstracfl:
[abstract]: Proceedings
Proceedings
of
International
Field
Conference
and
Symposium
of
International
Geologic
of International Field Conference and Symposium of International Geologic Correlation
Correlation Program
Program
Project 336, Duluth,
Duluth, MN,
MN,p.p.217-218.
217-218.
Project

�--

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UIDEFOR
FOR FIELD
FIELDTRIP
GUIDE
TRIP #
#55

LAKENAMEKAGON
NAMEKAGON
ANDPENOKEE
PENOKEEGAP
GAPAREAS,
AREAS,
LAKE
AND
WEST GOGEBIC RANGE, WISCONSIN

�HELD TRIP
FIELD
TRIP #5
LAKE NAMEKAGON
NAMEKAGON AND PENOKEE
PENOKEE GAP
GAP AREAS,
AREAS,
WEST GOGEBIC
GOGEBIC RANGE,
RANGE, WISCONSIN
WISCONSIN

by

John S. Kiasner,
Klasner, Department
Department of
of Geology,
Geology, One University
University Circle,
Circle, Western Illinois
Illinois
University, Macomb,
Illinois
61455,
and
Gene
L.
LaBerge,
Department
of
Geology,
61455,
LaBerge,
Geology,
Macomb,
Oshkosh, Oshkosh,
Oshkosh, Wisconsin
Wisconsin54901
54901
University of Wisconsin
Wisconsin -- Oshkosh,
INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
This field guide
This
guide focuses
focuses on
on two
two regions
regions of
of the
theWestern
WesternGogebic
GogebicRange:
Range:
Atkins Lake in the Lake
Lake Naniekagon
Namekagon area and
and Penokee
Penokee Gap near
near Mellen,
Mellen, Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Gogebic Range
Range is
is approximately
approximately 120
120 kilometers
kilometers long
long and
(Overview Fig.
Fig. 1).
1). The Gogebic
consists mainly
mainly of
consists
of aa northwest-dipping
northwest-dipping sequence
sequence of
of Early
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic ironironrocks and
and detrital sediments sandwiched between
formation, interbedded volcanic
volcanic rocks
Archean
basement rocks
rocks on
on the southeast
Archean crystalline
crystalline basement
southeast and
and Middle
MiddleProterozoic
Proterozoic
(Keweenawan)
volcanicand
and sedimentary
sedimentary strata
strata of
of the Midcontinent
(Keweenawan) volcanic
Midcontinent Rift on the
the
northwest.
northwest.
of the Gogebic Range
Range that
that lies west of
of Mineral Lake
Lake provides the
The section of
westernmost exposures
exposures of
of Early
rocks of
of the Marquette
westernmost
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic rocks
Marquette Range
Range
Supergroup (Cannon and
and Gair,
Gair, 1970).
1970). Unlike
Unlike the eastern
eastern end
end of
of the
theGogebic
Gogebic Range
Range
where the Sunday
Sunday Lake
Lake Quartzite
Quartzite underlies
underlies the
the dolomite,
dolomite, the
the Bad
Bad River
River Dolomite
Dolomite at
the western end
end of
of the
the range
rangerests
restsdirectly
directly on
onArchean
Archean gneisses
gneisses and
and volcanic
volcanic rocks.
rocks.
In the Atkins
Atkins Lake
Lake area, the dolomite
dolomite is aa 300
300 m thick gray dolomitic
dolomitic marble with
abundant lenses and beds
dolomite thins
thins towards
towards the
the east and isis
beds of
of chert.
chert. The
The dolomite
Creek (east
(east of
discontinuously exposed.
exposed. Near
Near Ballou
Ballou Creek
of Mellen)
Mellen) it is mostly
mostly aa
variegated chert breccia
cemented by
by chert
chert and
and (or) quartz, locally
variegated
breccia cemented
locally with lenses of
of
dolomite near the base. This
Thislithology
lithology is interpreted as a residuum
residuum of
of chert
chert nodules
nodules
dolomite
and beds formed
formed as
as the
the dolomite
dolomite was dissolved during the weathering interval prior
to deposition
deposition of
of the
theunconformably
unconformablyoverlying
overlying Palms
Palms Formation.
Formation.
Locally,
magnetite and
and hematite
hematite concentrations
concentrationsare
arepresent
present at
at the top of
Locally, magnetite
of the
the
shafts were
were sunk
sunk on some of these magnetite-rich
chert
chert breccia.
breccia. Exploration shafts
magnetite-rich zones
Penokee Gap and on the
near
the eastern
eastern flank
flank of
of Mt.
Mt. Whittlesey
Whittlesey during
during early
early
near Penokee Gap and
exploration for
for iron
iron ores
ores near
near the turn of
exploration
of the
the century.
century. The occurrence of these
these
in conglomerate
conglomerateatat the
the top of the
magnetite concentrations
concentrations in
the Bad
Bad River
River Dolomite
Dolomite
magnetite
suggests that they are
are paleo-placer
paleo-placer deposits produced by streams
streams flowing
flowing on
on the
the prepre-

I
83

�Palms erosion surface. Alternatively,
Alternatively, they
they may be of
of hydrothermal
hydrothermal or
or metamorphic
metamorphic
origin.
origin.
The Palms Formation,
which is
is well
well exposed
exposed at
at Penokee
Penokee Gap
Gap and at Atkins
Formation, which
Atkins
Lake in the Lake
area, is the basal unit of the
Lake Namekagon area,
the Menominee
Menominee Group and
unconformably overlies
of a thinly bedded
overlies the
theBad
Bad River
River Dolomite.
Dolomite. It is comprised of
argillaceous
lower unit
unit and a thickly
relatively pure,
pure, quartzite
quartzite upper unit.
argillaceous lower
thickly bedded, relatively
unit.
Ojakangas (1983) similarly
similarly described
described the
the Palms
Palms elsewhere
elsewhere on
on the Gogebic Range and
suggested that the
the Palms
Palms Formation
Formation was deposited in a tidal-flat environment in a
transgressing
transgressing sea.
sea.
Near Penokee
grades across
across 1
1 to
to 2 m
Penokee Gap, the uppermost Palms Formation
Formation grades
into the
Here, the
the base
base of
the overlying
overlyingIronwood
IronwoodIron-formation.
Iron-formation. Here,
of the Ironwood
Ironwood has
thin (3
Elsewhere aa one
one meter
meter thick
thick zone of stromatolitic
(3m)
m) conglomerate
conglomerate zone.
zone. Elsewhere
stromatolitic
jasper occurs
Detailed mapping
mapping and
and drill core
occurs at
at the
the base
base of
ofthe
theiron-formation.
iron-formation. Detailed
core
analysis
analysis by
by U.S.
U.S.Steel
Steel geologists
geologists in
in the
the late
late1950's,
1950's, based
based on
onwork
workof
ofHotchlciss
Hotchkiss(1919),
(1919),

subdivided the
eastward from
from Penokee
Penokee Gap
Gap into five
the Ironwood
Ironwood Iron-formation
Iron-formation eastward
five
units.
that alternating
alternating units
units of granular,
units. Although
Although our mapping indicates
indicates that
granular, wavy
bedded and
are present
present west
west of
of Penokee
Gap, it also
and laminated
laminated iron-formation
iron-formation are
Penokee Gap,
also
indicates that, except for the first
west of
of the gap, the
first few
few hills of iron-formation
iron-formation west
the
five-fold division of
of U.
U. S.
S. Steel
Steeldoes
doesnot
notextend
extendwestward.
westward. In the
the Lake
Lake Namekagon
Namekagon

area the
the Ironwood
Ironwood hon-formation
Iron-formation contains
contains interbedded
interbedded units of
of granular,
granular, wavywavy-

bedded
bedded and
and laminated
laminated cherty
chertymagnetic
magnetic iron-formation,
iron-formation, similar
similar to
to exposures
exposures
elsewhere
elsewhere along
along the
the Gogebic
Gogebic Range.
Range. The
The iron-formation,
iron-formation, however, is interbedded
interbedded
with
with and
andgrades
gradeslaterally
laterallyinto
intomagnetic
magneticand
andnon-magnetic
non-magnetic argillite,
argillite, as
as well
well as
asmafic
mafic
igneous
rocks appear
appear to be large sills of metadiabase
igneous rocks.
rocks. These igneous
igneous rocks
metadiabase with
textures
textures suggesting
suggesting emplacement
emplacement into
into semi-consolidated
semi-consolidated sediments (or
(or basalt
basalt flows
flows
interbedded
just north of
in the
the Trapper
Trapper Lake area, just
of
interbedded with
with the
the sediments).
sediments). Drill
Drill cores
cores in
Lake
Lake Namekagon,
Namekagon, intersected
intersected granular
granular and
and laminated
laminated magnetic
magnetic iron-formation
iron-formation
with thin
thin interbeds
interbeds of
of argillite,
argillite, and
and at
atleast
least 60
60 m
m of
of black
black pyritic
pyritic argillite,
argillite, several
several
metadiabase
Thus, the
metadiabase sills,
sills, and several
several thin dikes
dikes of
of granite
granite and
and pyroxenite.
pyroxenite. Thus,
bonwood
Ironwoodhon-formation
Iron-formationgrades
gradeswestward
westward into
intoaadeeper
deeperwater,
water,anoxic,
anoxic, detritus-rich
detritus-rich
environment
This is in
environment with
with penecontemporaneous
penecontemporaneous igneous
igneous activity.
activity. This
in marked
marked
contrast
contrast to
to the
thecentral
centralpart
partof
ofthe
theGogebic
GogebicRange,
Range, where detrital
detrital rocks
rocks are
are essentially
essentially
lacking
lacking in
in the
the iron-formation,
iron-formation, and
andigneous
igneousrocks
rocksare
arescarce.
scarce.
Recent work on the
the east
eastend
end(LaBerge
(LaBerge and
and Ojakangas,
Ojakangas, 1992;
1992; Anderson and
Klasner,
Klasner and
and LaBerge,
LaBerge, 1994A;
1994A; Klasner
Kiasner et al.,
Klasner, 1993;
1993; LaBerge and Klasner, 1994; Klasner
in press)
press) and
andininthe
thecentral
centralpart
partand
andwest
westend
end(Kiasner
(Klasnerand
andLaBerge,
LaBerge,1994B;
1994B;LaBerge
LaBerge
84

�•

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et a!.,
of the
the Gogebic
GogebicRange
Rangeshows
showsthat,
that,inincontrast
contrastto
tothe
the central
central part,
part, strata on
al., 1995) of
either end of
of the
the range
range thicken
thicken abruptly,
abruptly, are
are structurally
structurally more
more complex,
complex, and contain
contain
volcanic strata interbedded with Ironwood hon-formation.
Iron-formation. On
Onthe
theEastern
EasternGogebic
Gogebic
Range abrupt lateral changes in stratigraphy
Range
stratigraphy and structure within
within the
the Ironwood
Ironwood
and interbedded
rocks are
are interpreted
Iron-formation and
interbedded volcanic
volcanic rocks
interpreted to indicate
indicate the
the
development
of grabens
development of
grabens in
in an
anextensional
extensional tectonic
tectonic environment
environment (Klasner
(Klasner and
and
on the
the western
western end of the
LaBerge, 1994A; LaBerge and Kiasner,
Klasner,1994).
1994). Likewise,
Likewise, on
range, deposition
deposition of
of detrital
detrital sediments
sediments(mainly
(mainly argillites)
argillites) and
andcontemporaneous
contemporaneous
igneous
activity also suggest a more tectonically
active environment.
environment. We
igneous activity
tectonically active
We suggest
suggest
that these stratigraphic
stratigraphic and structural
structural relationships
relationships indicate the development of
of rift
basins at both
both ends
ends of
of the
theGogebic
Gogebic Range
Range in aa divergent
divergent tectonic
tectonic regime
regime during
during
deposition of platform
platform sediments,
sediments, including
including iron-formation.
iron-formation.
The Tyler Formation overlies the Ironwood Iron-formation, and at
at Penokee
Penokee
bedded black slate and
Gap consists
consists of about
about 800
800 m of cyclically
cyclically bedded
and siltstone.
siltstone.We
We believe
believe
that the
that
the Tyler
Tyler isis unconformable
unconformable on the
the Ironwood,
Ironwood, as
as isis the
thestratigraphically
stratigraphically
equivalent Copps Formation in the Eastern Gogebic
GogebicRange.
Range. This
This is
is supported
supported by an
equivalent
an
outcrop of conglomeratic,
sandy graywacke
graywackethat
that lies
lies near
near the
the base
outcrop
conglomeratic, sandy
base of the
the Tyler
Tyler
Formation about 600
west of
of Penokee
Penokee Gap
Gap along
along the
the north
north slope of
of the ridge of
600 m west
of Tyler
along the
the contact
iron-formation. Other
Other remnants
remnants of
Tyler exposed
exposed along
contact with the
the
underlying
underlying iron formation
formation at Penokee
Penokee Gap are
are intensely
intensely sheared
sheared and
and consist
consist
primarily of fine-grained quartz in an
an anastomosing
anastomosing matrix of opaque
opaque carbonaceous
carbonaceous
material. In
near the contact with the
Inan
anexposure
exposureabout
about22 km
krn west
west of
of Penokee
Penokee Gap, near
Ironwood Iron-formation, the Tyler
Tyler is
is aa black,
black, carbonaceous
carbonaceous slate.
slate. In thin
thin section
section
the carbonaceous slate is quartz-rich with aa strongly
strongly foliated
foliated biotitic
biotitic matrix
matrix in
in which
which
superimposed concentrically-zoned
cordierite porphyroblasts
porphyroblasts give
give it a spotty
superimposed
concentrically-zoned cordierite
spotty
appearance. The
Thecordierite
cordieriteporphyroblasts
porphyroblasts are
arehexagonal
hexagonal in
in cross
crosssection,
section, about
about 22
mm in length and 11mm
mm wide
wide and
and display
display remnants
remnants of
of aligned
aligned mica
mica flakes in their
cores.
cores.
Farther north,
north, in
in a rock
Farther
rock cut
cut along
along the
the railroad
railroad tracks
tracks that extend
extend though
though
Penokee
consistsbeds
beds of
of slate
slate and
and siltstone that show
Penokee Gap, the Tyler
Tyler Formation
Formation consists
show
subtle grading from quartz-rich silt at the base
base to
to more
more clay-rich
clay-richunits
unitsat
at the
the top.
top. The
The
slate is carbonaceous with aligned flakes of
of biotite,
biotite, sericite
sericite and
and chlorite,
chlorite, and
and it also
slate
Although
contains porphyroblasts
activity was
contains
porphyroblasts of cordierite.
cordierite.
Although igneous
igneous activity
was
depositionon
on both
both ends of the
contemporaneous with iron-formation
iron-formation deposition
the Gogebic
Gogebic
Range, we
we found no Early
igneous rocks
rocks within
within or cutting the overlying
Range,
Early Proterozoic igneous
overlying
Tyler Formation
Formation that
that lies along most
most of
of the
the Gogebic
GogebicRange.
Range. We
We interpret the lack
Tyler
lack of
85

�igneous rocks
within the
gap between
igneous
rocks within
the Tyler
Tyler to
to indicate
indicate aa significant
significant gap
between deposition
deposition of
of
the Ironwood
the
Ironwood and
and Tyler
Tyler Formations.
Formations.
In addition to
to cordierite
cordierite within
within the
the Tyler,
Tyler, there are
are numerous
numerous other
otherminerals
minerals
that indicate
strata near
that
indicate that
that the
theEarly
EarlyProterozoic
Proterozoic strata
near Penokee
Penokee Gap
Gap were
were
metamorphosed. Foliation
metamorphosed.
Foliation within the Tyler
Tyler and
and Palms
Palms Formations,
Formations, expressed
expressed by
by
aligned
aligned mica
mica and
and chlorite,
chlorite, along
along with
with other
other deformational
deformational features
features in
in the
the Early
Early
Proterozoic strata,
indicate that
that there
Proterozoic
strata, indicate
there was
was aaregional
regional deformational
deformational and
and
metamorphic event
event in
in the Penokee
Gap region.
region. Other porphyroblasts in the Early
metamorphic
Penokee Gap
Proterozoic strata,
strata, along with the cordierite,
of a
Proterozoic
cordierite, however,
however, suggest the occurrence of
later metamorphic
include garnet
garnet within
within the iron-formation
later
metamorphic event.
event. These
These include
iron-formation and
skeletal garnets in the
the Tyler
Tyler near
near its
its contact
contact with
with the
theiron-formation,
iron-formation,non-aligned
non-aligned
chlorite
locallywithin
within the
the Palms
Palms that
that overprint
chlorite porphyroblasts
porphyroblasts locally
overprint the
the regional
regional
foliation, and possibly the euhedral
euhedral magnetite
magnetite crystals along the contact between the
the
Palms and
Although the
the origin of
Palms
and Bad
Bad River
River Formation.
Formation. Although
of these
these metamorphic
metamorphic
minerals
has not been studied in detail, the fact that some of
of them overprint the
minerals has
regional deformational
fabric clearly
clearly indicates
indicates that
that they
they postdate it.
regional
deformational fabric
it. The most
most
obvious possibility
possibility is that they
they were
were caused
caused by
by thermal
thermal metamorphism
metamorphism associated
associated
Lake Gabbro
Gabbrothat
thatlies
liesabout
about22 km
km to
to the
the north of
with intrusion of
of the Mineral
Mineral Lake
Penokee Gap,
Gap, but
but further study of
Penokee
of metamorphism
metamorphism in this region is needed
needed to
to fully
fully
confirm this.
this.
NOTE: Field stops at both the Atkins Lake
Lake and
and Penokee Gap
Gap involve
involve walking
walking
NOTE:
Penokee Gap.
Cap. Also,
over steep, hilly terrane, especially at Penokee
Also, a walk of
of approximately
approximately
four miles is involved in
in the
the Penokee
Penokee Cap
Gap part of
of this field
field trip.
trip.
PART A: LAKE
LAKE NAMEKACON
NAMEKAGONAREA
AREA(ATKINS
(ATKINSLAKE)
LAKE)
Numerous exposures
exposures of
of the Ironwood
and the
Numerous
Ironwood Iron-formation
Iron-formation and
the Palms
Palms
Formation are present in
in aa 4,000
4,000 m long northeast-trending zone from Atkins Lake
Lake
units are
are truncated
to the
the Marengo
Marengo River,
River, where
where the Early
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic units
truncated by the
the
Marenisco-Atkins Lake fault
The Palms
Palms Formation
Formation consists
consists of
of an
an upper
Marenisco-Atkins
fault (Fig.
(Fig.5-1).
5-1). The
massive quartzite member and aa lower
massive
lower argillaceous
argillaceous quartzite member,
member, similar
similar to
to
Range. (Note:
exposures elsewhere on the Gogebic
Gogebic Range.
(Note: Due to time
time limitations,
limitations, we
we will
will
The Ironwood Ironnot visit
visit exposures
exposures of
of the
the Palms
Palms Formation
Formation on this
this trip).
trip). The
Ironformation consists of magnetic wavy-bedded and laminated
laminated cherty
cherty iron-formation
iron-formation
and argillite,
argillite, some
some of which is also
also magnetic. Mafic
Mafic sills
sills or flows
flows lie
lie in
in contact
contact with
with
the
of field
field stops in this area,
the iron-formation.
iron-formation. Unusual
Unusual breccia
breccia units, the focus of
area, are
are
associated with one
one of
of the
the sills.
sills.
86

H

H

�i_

'0%

rsIIIn _j_.

0

2I)

5

L

3000

———

0

40%

5000

-

-- —

70% FEET

-i_: :-JnT]

6000

-

MILE

I

+--:

I—--4

I

I

0

I

f:j T-==-_=___
- KIt OMFTLR
Figure 5-1. Part of the Grand View 7 1/2' quadrangle showing general
geology and location of field trip stop A.

10%

irCfleEiI jTV. Lt — :n—-i

—- -

I

a—

�The
The breccia units contain
contain angular
angular to
to sub-rounded
sub-rounded clasts,
clasts, up
up to
toseveral
severalmeters
meters
in
in length,
length,of
of banded
bandedsiliceous
siliceoussedimentary
sedimentaryrocks
rocks in
in aa matrix
matrix of
of fine-grained,
fine-grained,massive
massive
igneous
igneous rock.
rock. The
Theigneous
igneousrock
rock isislocally
locally fine-grained
fine-grained near the margins
margins where the
the
breccia
breccia occurs but coarse-grained
coarse-grained in the interior of
of the igneous body, where it ranges
ranges

from
from fine-grained
fine-grained diabase
diabase to
tomedium-grained
medium-grained gabbro
gabbro (Feher
(Feherand
andFlood,
Flood,1995).
1995).
However,
However, the
the mineralogy
mineralogy and,
and, to
tosome
someextent,
extent, the
the textures
textures have
havebeen
beenmodified
modifiedby
by
Middle
Clasts within the
the breccia
breccia are
are
Middle Proterozoic
Proterozoic(Keweenawan)
(Keweenawan)metamorphism.
metamorphism. Clasts
mainly
mainly siliceous
siliceous argillite: a few are magnetic.
magnetic. Most
Most clasts
ciasts are
are long,
long, tabular
tabular bodies.
bodies.
Bent or folded
folded clasts
clasts are
are not
not uncommon,
uncommon, suggesting
suggesting that the
the sediments
sediments were
wereonly
only
semi-lithified
semi-lithified when incorporated in the
the breccia.
breccia. The
Theargillite
argilliteconsists
consistsof
of alternating
alternating
layers
layers of
of recrystallized
recrystallized quartz,
quartz, fine-grained
fine-grained chlorite, biotite or actinolite, garnet, and
variable
variable amounts
amountsof
of magnetite
magnetite(Feher
(Feher and
and Flood,
Flood, 1995).
1995). The
The matrix
matrix is
is aa fine-grained
fine-grained
mafic rock with conspicuous
conspicuous vesicles around some clasts. The
Thematrix
matrixisiscomposed
composed

of medium-grained
medium-grained amphiboles
amphiboles and plagioclase
plagioclase laths,
laths, probably
probably aa relict
relict ophitic
ophitic
phenocrysts are present
texture
texture (Feher
(Feher and
andFlood,
Flood,1995).
1995). Plagioclase
Plagioclase phenocrysts
present locally.
locally.
Preliminary
data indicates
Preliminary geochemical
geochemical data
indicates a tholeiitic
tholeiitic composition
composition for the
the matrix
matrix
(Feher
(Feher and
andFlood,
Flood,1995).
1995).
The origin of the
the breccia
breccia is problematic.
problematic. The
The breccia is a not
not aa debris
debrisflow
flow
because the matrix
matrix is
is igneous
igneous and
and not
not fragmental:
fragmental: the clasts appear to have
have been
been
incorporated
incorporated into
into aamagma.
magma. The
Thepresence
presenceof
of angular,
angular,and
andin
inplaces
placesdeformed,
deformed,blocks
blocks
of country
country rock
rock within
within aamagma
magma argues
arguesfor
forintrusion
intrusioninto
intosemi-consolidated
semi-consolidated
sediments at aa shallow
shallow depth.
depth. The
Thepresence
presence of
of breccia
breccia at both the upper
upper and
andlower
lower
margins
of
the
igneous
body
argues
for
a
common
origin
for
both
breccia
units,
margins of the igneous body argues for a common origin for both breccia units, most
most
likely the intrusion
intrusion of
of aa sill
sill into
into wet,
wet, unconsolidated
unconsolidated sediments, forming, perhaps, a
peperite-like
peperite-like body.
body.
Alternatively, the breccia
may represent an extrusive
breccia and mafic rocks may
extrusive basaltic
basaltic
flow
of the sediments
flow that
that incorporated
incorporated blocks
blocks of
sediments over
over which
which it flowed,
flowed, with
with
subsequent concordant
concordant intrusion of aa mafic
mafic sill separating the basalt
basalt flow
flow into
into two
two
for this
this origin
origin are:
are: 1)
1) perfectly
perfectly concordant contacts
contacts with
with
parts. Features arguing for
parts.
thinly laminated
at several
and the lack
laminated sediments
sediments exposed
exposed at
several outcrops,
outcrops, and
lack of
of any
any
observed cross-cutting
2) marked
marked lithologic
lithologic contrast
contrast between
between the
the
cross-cutting contacts;
contacts; and 2)
breccia
breccia and undoubtedly
undoubtedly intrusive
intrusivesills
sillsofofcoarse-grained,
coarse-grained,massive,
massive,inclusion-free
inclusion-free
metadiabase within
within the
thesame
sameoutcrops.
outcrops.
Regardless
of whether
whether the breccias
breccias are
are the
the result
result of
Regardless of
of an extrusive
extrusive or
or aa very
very
shallow intrusive igneous
igneous event,
event, they
they indicate
indicate that
that igneous
igneous activity
activity was
wasoccurring
occurring
contemporaneously
with iron-formation
iron-formationdeposition
depositionininthe
the western
western part
part of
contemporaneously with
of the
the
88

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Gogebic
Range. The
Gogebic Range.
The situation
situation is
is similar
similar to that of
of the
the eastern
eastern part
part of
of the
the Cogebic
Gogebic

I

Range
Complex isis interlayered
interlayered with
with the Ironwood
Range where the Emperor
Emperor Volcanic
Volcanic Complex
Ironwood
Iron-formation
Iron-formation (LaBerge and Kiasner,
Klasner, 1994).
1994). In both areas
areas platformal
platformal sediments,
sediments,
including the
the Bad
the Palms
Palms Quartzite,
Quartzite, and
and the Sunday
including
Bad River
River Dolomite,
Dolomite, the
Sunday Lake
Lake
Quartzite in
in the east, are
rocks in
in the
the central
Quartzite
are similar
similar to equivalent
equivalent rocks
central part of
of the
the

I
I

Gogebic Range.
Range. Igneous
becomes a significant
significant feature
feature during the
Gogebic
Igneous activity,
activity, however, becomes
of deposition of the
on both ends of
time of
the Ironwood
Ironwood Iron-formation
Iron-formation on
of the
the Gogebic
Gogebic
Range. Whereas
Whereas igneous
igneous activity
activityininthe
the central
centralpart
part ofof the
the range
range is limited to
Range.
(R. G.
G. Schmidt,
Schmidt, personal
personal communication,
communication, 1995),
1995),
deposition of aa few
few minor
minor ash
ashbeds
beds(R.
igneous deposits on
igneous
on either
either end
endof
of the
theGogebic
Gogebic Range
Range indicate
indicate aa far
far more
morevolcanically
volcanically
active environment in
in these
these regions.
regions.

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HELD STOPS
ATKINS LAKE FIELD
STOPS(see
(seeFigure
Figure5-2)
5-2)
Our mapping
mappingof
of the
thesill
silland
andbreccia
breccia units
unitsnear
nearAtkins
AtkinsLake
Lake(Fig.
(Fig.5-3)
5-3)reveals
reveals aa
body with breccia
units up to 20 m thick along both the upper
70 m thick igneous body
breccia units
upper
and lower margins.
margins.
STOP SA-1.
STOP
5A-1. This outcrop consists of layered magnetic,
magnetic, greenish,
greenish, actinolitic
actinolitic
iron-formation with metadiabase,
iron-formation
metadiabase, and aa breccia
breccia zone with
with clasts
clasts of
of iron-formation
iron-formation
Bedding orientations
orientations atat this
this outcrop are
in aa fine-grained
fine-grained metadiabase
metadiabase matrix.
matrix. Bedding
of bedding
bedding elsewhere
elsewhere in
in the
the area
area indicating
consistent
consistent with orientations of
indicating that the
and not
not aa raft
raft of
of iron-formation
iron-formation entrapped in
in the
the igneous
igneous rock.
rock.
outcrop is in place and
Walk northeast about 60 m to the top
top of
of aa hill.
hill.
STOP 5A-2.
5A-2. At
Atthis
thislocation,
location, large
large thin
thin slabs
slabs of argillite
argillite lie in aa matrix
matrix of
of
locally vesicular metadiabase.
locally
metadiabase. The
The slabs have various
various orientations:
orientations: some
some are
are
contorted and folded, and one is
contorted
is rolled
rolled into
into aa ball
ball with
with aacentral
central layered
layered portion
portion
surrounded by
Slabs
zone of
of smaller
smaller clasts
clasts in aa metadiabase
metadiabase matrix.
matrix. Slabs
surrounded
by aa concentric
concentric zone
range
range from a meter or more
more in
in length
length down
down to
to aa centimeter
centimeter or
or less.
less.

Walk east along the crest of the hill about 90 m to a north-northwest-trending
north-northwest-trending
of the hill toward the
valley.
valley. When in the valley
valley follow
follow the edge of
the south-southwest
south-southwest
for about
about 60
60 m.
m.
STOP
5A-3. Strongly
Strongly magnetic,
STOP 5A-3.
magnetic, wavy-bedded,
wavy-bedded, cherty
cherty iron-formation.
iron-formation.
Lenticular chert
chert beds
beds are up to 15
Lenticular
15 cm thick. This
This bedding
bedding style
styleisis typical
typical of
of wavywavybedded
bedded iron-formation
iron-formationfarther
farthereast
eastalong
alongthe
theGogebic
GogebicRange.
Range.
Walk north-northeast along edge of
of hill about
about 25
25 m.
m.

89

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a

Br

BRECCIA INA
MARC MATRIX

Md

Br

META DIABASE

————

——

METAGABBRO
————

Mg

ci

/
60/

OW

0--

GIF

-9

LAMINATED SILICATE
IRON FORMATION

D

WAVY-BANDED
GRANULAR IRON FORMATION

OlE

UF

——

E

-9—

-9

©
45

STRIKE AND DIP

Ø) OF BEDDING
0 OUTCROP AREAS

0

0

10

20 X mflt
60

GEOLOGIC CONTACT

1OO$.

Fig.
Fig.5-2.
5-2. Detailed
Detailedmap
mapof
ofthe
theAtkins
Atkins Lake
Lake area
area showing
showing outcrops
outcropsand
andgeologic
geologic

relationships
units, diabase
relationships among
among iron-formation,
iron-formation, breccia
breccia units,
diabase and
and gabbro.
gabbro.
Unpublished
Unpublishedmap
mapprepared
preparedbybyKiasner
Klasnerand
andLaBerge.
LaBerge.

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STOP 5A-4.
non-magnetic chert-argillite
chert-argillite or
or argillaceous iron5A-4. Thin-bedded, non-magnetic
formation. Some
boudinaged. The
formation.
Some cherty
cherty layers appear boudinaged.
The argillite
argillite unit
unit is
is about
about 50
50 m
m
thick and grades
grades into
into aa more
more argillaceous
argillaceous unit with less cherty layers to the
the north.
north.
Walk northeast about
about 55
55 m.
STOP
(UFon
onFig.
Fig. 5-2)
5-2)is
is
STOP 5A-5.
5A-5. The top
top of the
the argillaceous
argillaceousiron-formation
iron-formationlayer
layer(LIP
in sharp
sharp contact
contact with
with the
the overlying
overlying breccia
breccia unit,
unit, in which
which argillite
argillite clasts
clasts are
are
surrounded by
by aa metabasalt
metabasalt matrix.
matrix. Clasts in the breccia
breccia tend to
to become
become larger
larger
higher in the section
section (northward
(northward from the contact). Remnants
Remnants of what appears
appears to
to be
be
a thin slab
slab of
of iron-formation
iron-formation lie
lie along
along the
the top
top of
of the
thebreccia
breccia unit
unit (Br
(Br on
onFig.
Fig. 5-2)
5-2) at
at
stops 55 and
both stops
and 6.
6.
m.
Walk east-southeast
east-southeast about
about 10
10m.
STOP SA-6.
Observe the
the southeast
southeast continuation
continuation ofof the
the thin slab of
5A-6. Observe
of ironironSTOP
formation that lies along
formation
along the
the contact
contact between
between the breccia
breccia on the southwest
southwest and
and
massive metagabbro on the
the northeast.
northeast.
Walk northeast
northeast about
about 50
50 m.
m.
STOP 5A-7.
5A-7. Massive metadiabase/metagabbro.
STOP
Walk northwest
northwest about
about 35
35 m.
m.
Breccia. Clasts
Clasts of
of mainly
STOP 5A-8.
5A-8. Breccia.
mainly argillite in aa vesicular
vesicular metabasalt
metabasalt
matrix.
matrix. Argillite clasts are contorted.
contorted.

PART B: PENOKEE GAP
Penokee
Penokee Gap lies
lies about
about3.2
3.2 km
km southeast
southeastof
of Mellen,
Mellen, Wisconsin.
Wisconsin. It is a water
water
formed by
by the Bad
gap in the
the Gogebic
Gogebic Range
Range formed
Bad River
River as it cuts
cuts across
across the
the Range.
Range.
by a 1.6 km
km walk
walk south
south along the railroad tracks that
Easiest access to Penokee Gap is by
that
follow the Bad
Bad River.
River.
The Penokee Gap area itself
itself and the area just west of the gap
gap (Fig.
(Fig. 5-3) provide
abundant data on
on local
local stratigraphy
stratigraphy and
and structure
structureof
of the
theGogebic
GogebicRange.
Range. It is
is
important to note, however,
that the entire region
important
however, that
region was tilted
tilted steeply
steeply northward
northward
the closing
tectonisni so
so that all
during the
closing phase
phase of
of Middle
Middle Proterozoic
Proterozoic tectonism
all Early
Early
Proterozoic and Archean structural
structural orientations
orientations are not original
original orientations.
orientations.
Strata at Penokee Gap consist of Archean gneiss overlain by Early
Strata
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic
Bad River
River Dolomite,
Dolomite, Palms
Palms Formation
Formationwith
with aa thin-bedded,
thin-bedded, intensely
intensely sheared lower
Bad
unit and
and aamassive
massivequartzitic
quartziticupper
upperunit,
unit,Ironwood
Ironwoodhon-formation
Iron-formationand
andcyclicallycyclicallybedded Tyler
Tyler Formation,
Formation, mainly
mainly consisting
consisting ofof slates
slates and
and siltstones. A thin Middle
Middle
Proterozoic (Keweenawan)
(Keweenawan)diabase
diabase dike
dike intrudes
intrudes the Tyler
Proterozoic
Tyler Formation.
Formation. More
More
91

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TABLE11:
Summary of
of structural
structural components and our interpretation
TABLE
: Summary
interpretation of
of the
thetectonic
tectonic
evolution at Penokee
Penokee Gap.
Gap.
EVENT
E
YmI

STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS
Archean gneissic foliation
SA- Archean
foliation

-

OA-- Late Archean tectonism

Discrete, narrow shear zones
ss
Ss -- Discrete,

parallel to
to gneissic
gneissic foliation.
foliation.
0o -- Divergent tectonism associated
Do
with rifting
rifting of
of Archean
Archean continent.
continent.
Formation of passive
passive continental
continental
margin.

So
So - Flat-lying
Flat-lying beds unconformably
unconformably

Oi-- Convergent
Convergent tectonism causing
thin-skinned, north-verging
north-verging folding
folding
and thrusting.
thrusting. Regional
Regionalgreenschistgreenschistgrade metamorphism.
metamorphism.

F1 -- Folds in 5o
F1
So with Li
Ll fold
fold axes.
axes.

Ji

-

deposited on passive continental
continental
margin in the Penokee
Penokee Gap
Gap area.
area.

-- Continued
Continued north-verging thinthin-

-

Axial planar foliation.
Si
Sl - Axial
foliation.
of boudins.
boudins.
LB
LB -- Long axes of

S; -- Spaced
Spaced fracture
fracture foIiation.
foliation.
F2
F; -- Kink folds
folds primarily
primarilyininS1
Sl
with
with L2
L2 fold
fold axes.
axes.

skinned deformation
deformationcoaxial
coaxial
with Di.
Dl.
L&gt;M -- Middle
Middle Proterozoic
Proterozoic rifting
rifting of
the continental crust and
and associated
associated
deposition of sediments and
and igneous
igneous
activity.
activity.

Formation of
of the Midcontinent
Midcontinent Rift.
Rift.
Intrusion of Mineral Lake Gabbro
Gabbro
and, possibly, thermal metamorphism
metamorphism
to form porphyroblasts at
at Penokee
Penokee
Gap.
Gap.

DK- Northward
Northward lilting
DKtilting of Archean

Tilting resulted in formation
formation of
of
a northwest-dipping
northwest-dipping monoclinal
monoclinal
sequence of
of Early and Middle
Middle
Proterozoic strata
strata and formation
formation
of
of north-northwest-striking, near
vertical faults, including the
formation
joints and fractures.
formation of Sic
SKjoints
fractures.

and Early
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic crust
listric thrusts
thrusts during
along listric
compressional phase of
the Middle
Middle Proterozoic
Proterozoic
Midcontinent Rift.
Rift.

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p

information
information on the Early
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic stratigraphy
stratigraphy at Penokee
Penokee Gap
Gap is
is covered
coveredabove
above
in the introduction.
discussions below
below summarize the structural
structural
introduction. Table
Table 1 and the discussions
observed in
in the Penokee
Penokee Gap
Gap area
area and
and our interpretation
and stratigraphic features observed
of the tectonic
tectonic events that formed
formed them.
them.
Archean deformation (DA)
resulted in
in the
the formation of
of the now near(DA)resulted
nearLate Archean
vertical, easterly-striking
easterly-striking gneissic
gneissic foliation
foliation (SA
(SAon Fig. 5-3) and parallel shear
shear zones
zones
(Ss, not shown
structural fabric
fabric isis not
not present
present in any of the
(Ss,
shown on
onFig.
Fig.5-3).
5-3). This
This structural
the
overlying Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic strata that were
were unconformably
unconformably deposited on
on it.
it. The
The
time of
of formation
of the shear zones
time
formation of
zones is not known:
known: the shears may have formed
formed
during the subsequent convergent
convergent phase of
of Early
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic tectonism, but they
they
have a different orientation than
than structural
structural features
features in
in the
the Early
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic strata.
strata.
Initial rifting of the Archean
Do was accompanied
accompanied by
by unconformable
unconformable
Initial
Archean crust Do
on Archean
Archean gneisses.
gneisses. The rift event was
deposition of Early
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic strata (So)
(SJ) on
followed by convergent
convergent tectonism.
tectonism. At Penokee
Penokee Gap, two phases
phases (Di
(Dl and
andD2)
D2)of
of
recognized in the Early
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoicrocks.
rocks. Dl
Di involved thindeformation have been recognized
thinskinned, north-verging
north-verging overthrusting
overthrusting that detached Early Proterozoic strata from
skinned,
from
the underlying
underlying Archean
Archean crust, folded it, and
and formed
formed multiple
multiple bedding-parallel
bedding-parallel shear
shear
zones within the
the Early
Early Proterozoic strata. Along
Along the
the Gogebic
Gogebic Range, west of Upson,
Wisconsin, numerous
numerous upward-ramping
(Cannon, personal
Wisconsin,
upward-ramping thrust
thrust faults (Cannon,
personal
Kiasner and LaBerge,
detach Early
Early Proterozoic strata
communication, 1994;
1994; Klasner
LaBerge, 1994B)
1994B) detach
strata
deformation isis abundant
from the underlying Archean basement.
basement. Evidence
Evidence for D1
Dl deformation
the iron-formation,
iron-formation, folds
folds (F1)
(Fl) in
in Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic strata near
near Penokee
Penokee Gap.
Gap. In the
bedding
define gently
gently northwest-plunging
northwest-plunging fold
see Figs. 5-3,
5-4A and
bedding (So)
(SJ) define
fold axes
axes (Li
(Ll -- see
5-3,5-4A
45).
4B). AAfield
fieldsketch
sketchofofaarecumbent
recumbentfold
foldininiron-formation
iron-formation isis shown
shownin
inFigure
Figure5-5.
5-5.
Similarly, northwest - plunging folds
folds occur
occur in
in the Tyler
Similarly,
Tyler east of the Penokee
Penokee Gap
fault as shown by the
5-4C). Penetrative
(Fig. 5-4C).
the best
best great
great circle
circle fit of poles to bedding (Fig.
axial planar foliation
foliation (Si)
(Sl)to
to the
the F1
Fl folds in the Tyler Formation tends
tends to
to be
be flat-lying
flat-lying
5-4D). In the
the iron-formation
iron-formation Si
Sl foliation
foliation occurs as aa fracture
fracture cleavage
cleavage (see
(see Fig.
Fig.
(Fig. 5-4D).
5-5). Prominent
Prominent shear
shear zones
zones with
with penetrative
penetrative Sl
S foliation
5-5).
foliation occur
occur at the base of
of the
Palms and top
top of
of the
the Ironwood
Ironwood hon-formation
Iron-formation along
along the
the contact
contact between the
the Tyler
Tyler
and Ironwood strata (Fig.
(Fig. 5-3).
5-3). Near
Near its
its lower
lower contact,
contact, the Palms is thinly-bedded
and units
units that
that contain
containfine-grained
fine-grained quartz
quartz in
in aa sericite
sericite matrix
matrix are
are intercalated
intercalated with
with
finer grained, sericite-rich
layerswith
with ultra-fine
ultra-finequartz
quartzgrains.
grains. Both the quartz-rich
sericite-rich layers
layers are foliated
foliated and constitute
constitute a broad zone of shearing
and sericite-rich layers
shearing within
within
the basal Palms:
layers with ultra
Palms: however,
however, the
the more
more strongly-foliated,
strongly-foliated, sericite-rich layers
fine quartz are
Si shear
fine
are more
moreintensely
intenselysheared.
sheared. The
The Sl
shear foliation
foliation generally
generally dips
dips

-

-

•

1
1

�Penokee
Gap

)1.
?

Sct

BLOCK III

Et

Et

25

Et

I

p
I

Et

5-

TO

t

Fa u ft

20 40 600 meters
100 2 00 feet

Sect is

Ss 16

BLOCK ll4

$ct 72

K

A

S_ 75

A

,
Middle
Middle
Proterozoic
Proterozoic
Keweenewan
diabase dike
El
Early

Early
Proterozoic
Proterozoic
WlerFormation
Formalon
Tyler

1

1

Ironwood IronIronwood Ironformation
Palms Formation
Palms Formation
Bad River DolomiBad River Dolomite

Archean
Archean
G"dss
Onelss

'
Section comer, dashed
Section
corner,
11&amp;on dashed
11H-- lines
t section lines

jS- Railroad
Railroad tracks
tracks
Large exploration pit
4 Large
exploration pit
\ Fault
Faulttrace
trace
Shearzom
Sheer zone
Thrust fault, Wangle*
fault, triangles
44 Thrust
on upthrown
block
on upthrown block
Orientation of joint or
\ Orientation
of joint or
f'=CtumplÃ‡n
—
fracture
planes (S^
0

1
.
II
t

(5K)

Orientation of vertical joint
Orientation
vertical joint
or fractureof
planes
or fracture planes
Geologic contact
Geologic contact

'j

Strlkeand dlp of bddlng (SJ
Strike and dip of bedding
C)
Strikeand dl of Eari
'V StrIke
and dipfoiiation
of Early
~roterozoic
Proterozoic foliation (S.)
SWke and dip of Archean
Strike
and(Sdip
foliation
) of Archeen
-C foliation

L.1

K
'

Strike Of vertical Archean
Strike
of vertical
foliation
(sA) Archeen
foliation
Plunge of first generation

Plunge
of (LJ
first generation
'^,fold
fold axis
axis (L)

Plunge of ÃˆÃ§co generation
'^,fold
axis (L}
Plunge of second generation
fold axis (U

d

Fig.5-3:
5-3: Geologic sketch map of Penokee Gap area. Blocks I, II, and III represent
Fig.
Geologic sketch map of Penokee Gap area. Blocks I, U, and UI represent
segments of the Gogebic range near Penokee
Gap that are delineated by northwestsegments of the Gogebic range near Penokee Gap
that
by northwesttrending faults. Capital letters indicate general location
of are
datadelineated
for stereoplots
in Fig. 5-4.
trending faults. Capital letters indicate general location of data for
stereoplots in Fig. 5-4.

94

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northwest and strikes
and constitutes
constitutes the
the zone along which
strikes northeast
northeast (Fig.
(Fig. 5-4E),
5-4E), and
which

Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic strata are
Early
are detached
detached from
from Archean
Archean basement.
basement. Likewise, a shear
shear
along the contact
contact between the bonwood
Ironwood and
andTyler
Tyler Formations
Formations constitutes
constitutes another
another
zone of
of detachment
of the
from underlying
underlying Ironwood
honwood Iron-formation.
hon-formation. We
zone
detachment of
the Tyler
Tyler from
We
consider that both
both formation
formation of
of the
the shear
shear zones,
zones, with
withaccompanying
accompanyingfoliation,
foliation, and
and
of the Tyler and older strata, with
folding of
with accompanying
accompanying axial planar foliation, were
the same
(Dl). That is, they
they were
were formed
formed
part of the
same fold-thrust
fold-thrust event
event (D1).
contemporaneously, and
and we
we therefore
therefore label
label both
both the
the shear foliation and the
contemporaneously,
the axial
axial
planar foliation
foliation as
as Sl.
D2 deformation was characterized
by continued
continued north-verging thrusting
thrusting that
D2
characterized by
resulted in further
along the
the Sl
S shear
resulted
further deformation
deformation along
shear zones
zones in
inpre-Tyler
pre-Tyler Early
Early
Proterozoic strata.
Proterozoic
strata. Within the lower
lower Palms,
Palms, prominent F2 kink folds in Si
Sl shear
shear
foliation plunge
plunge gently
5-4F) and
and are prime
foliation
gently northwest
northwest (Fig.
(Fig. 5-4F)
prime examples
examples of
of D2
D;
deformation. Although
Although F2
kink folds
folds are
are not
not present
present in
in the Tyler,
Si foliation
Tyler, Si
foliation in
deformation.
F; kink
compared to
to the generally northwest
these strata tends
tends to
tobe
beflat-lying
flat-lying (Fig.
(Fig. 5-4D)
5-4D) compared
dipping Sl
Sj foliation in pre-Tyler
strata (Fig.
(Fig.5-4E),
5-4E),and
andSlS is
is folded about a nearly
dipping
pre-Tyler strata
northwest-trending fold
fold axis
axis that
thatisisroughly
roughlycoaxial
coaxialwith
withF2
F; fold
foldaxes
axes(Fig.
(Fig.5-4F)
5-4F) in
the sheared
D2
sheared Palms
Palms Formation.
Formation. Thus, we think that
that the
the Tyler
Tyler was
was also
alsoaffected
affected by
by D2
deformation.
Sense of
of structural vergence in the lower Palms shear zone is shown
shown in
in Fig.
Fig. 556A, B
6A,
B and C;
C. Northward
Northwardstructural
structural vergence
vergence along
along a small,
small, south-dipping
south-dipping thrust
Fig. 5-6A)
5-6A)in
inwhich
whichthe
thehanging
hangingwall
wallmoves
movestoward
towardthe
the north
north as
as shown by
fault (see Fig.
5-6B)and
andby
by the
the sigmoidal
sigmoidal curvature
curvature and offset
a telescoped tabular layer (Fig. 5-6B)
offset of
of
beds across
across the
the thrust
thrustfault
fault(Fig.
(Fig.5-6C).
5-6C).
Sense of
of structural vergence
Sense
vergence in the Tyler
Tyler Formation
Formation at Penokee
Penokee Gap is also
also
toward the north where
where vertical
vertical to overturned
overturned graded beds of
of siltstone
siltstone and
and slate
slate
stratigraphically face northward (even
(evenafter
after post-Early
post-Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic (Keweenawan)
(Keweenawan)
rotation is removed). Although
rotation
Although such
such sense
sense of folding and rotation of bedding is not
proof of
the northward
northward sense of
of rotation in Tyler strata
proof
of overall structural vergence,
vergence, the
agrees with kinematic indicators
agrees
indicators in the older
older strata,
strata, suggesting
suggesting that
that D1
Dl and
and D2
D;
represent
represent a continuum
continuum of
of northerly-directed
northerly-directed overthrusting
overthrusting associated
associated with the
the
convergent phase
phase of
of Early
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic tectonism
tectonism in the
the Penokee
Penokee Gap
Gap area.
area.
Evidence for
for the formation
Evidence
formation of
of the
the Middle
MiddleProterozoic
Proterozoic Midcontinent
Midcontinent Rift
Rift
in Table
Table 1)
1) lies
lies mainly
mainly north
north of
of the
the Gogebic
Gogebic Range.
Range. Nevertheless, this
(labeled DM
DM in
event affected Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic and
and Archean
Archean strata at Penokee Gap. For example,
example,
the final
the
final phase
phase of
of tectonic
tectonic evolution
evolution of
of the
the Midcontinent
Midcontinent Rift
Rift involved
involved aa

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Fig. 5-4:
5-4: Lower hemisphere, equal area stereo plots of
of structural features observed in
Fig.
the Penokee Gap area. Stereoplots
and according
the
Stereoplotsare
arekeyed
keyed to
toFig.
Fig. 5-3
5-3 by capital letters and
according
shown on
observations.
to blocks shown
on Fig. 5-3. N
N == number of observations.
A. Poles to bedding
primarily from iron-formation in blocks II
bedding(So),
(So), primarily
Il and
and ifi.
in. Best fit
great circle defines
defines an
14O,N85°W.
~85Â¡W
great
an F2
F2 fold with an
an axis that
that plunges
plunges14°,
B.
Orientation of Lz axes of
of folds
folds in
in bedding
bedding (So),
(So),primarily
primarily from
from iron-formation,
iron-formation,
B. Orientation
Soliddots
dotsare
arefield
fieldmeasurements,
measurements, best
best fit
fit orientation
orientation (open
in blocks
blocks II
J.I and
and 111.
in. Solid
(open
defines aa fold
circle) defines
fold axis
axis that
that plunges
plunges17°,
17Â¡ N82°W.
N82Â¡W
C Poles
primarily from
from the
the Tyler
TylerFormation.
Formation Best-fit
C.
Polesto
tobedding
bedding(So)
(So) in block I,I, primarily
Best-fit
great
that plunges
great circle
circle defines
definesan
anF1
Fi fold
fold axis that
plunges15°,
15O,N64°W.
N64"W.
D. Poles to Sl
Si foliation
foliation in
in the
the Tyler Formation. 8est-fit
Best-fitgreat
greatcircle
circledefines
definesan
anF2
F;
fold axis
04O,S62°E.
S62OE.
axis that
that plunges
plunges04°,
IL
Poles to
to Sl
S shear
E. Poles
shear foliation
foliationin
in the
the lower
lower Palms
Palms Formation
Formationof
of block II.
II.
orientation F2
that plunges
plunges 22°,
Best-fit great circle defines the orientation
Fa fold that
22O, N77°W.
N77Â¡W
F. Orientation
Orientation of
Si shear foliation in the lower
of L2
L2 kink folds in Sl
lower Palms,
Palms, block
block U.
II. Solid
Solia
measurements, best-fit
fold axis
axis that
that
dots are field measurements,
dots
best-fit orientation
orientation (open
(open circle) defines aa fold
plunges 31°,
plunges
31Â°N75°W.
N7W.

�a

—la/V
Im
•1

Im

field sketch

Fig.
Fig.5-5:
5-5: Field
Field sketch
sketch of
of recumbent
recumbent fold
fold in
in Ironwood
Ironwood Iron-Formation
Iron-Formation just west of
Penokee
PenokeeGap.
Gap. So ==bedding.
bedding. S1
Si==axial
axialplanar
planarfracture
fracturefoliation.
foliation.
'

98

�99

photograph. in bed offset and folded Sigmoidally C.
photograph. in layer Telescoped B.
layering. shortened and fault thrust of sketch Hand A.
fault thrust north) the toward wall (hanging north-verging small, a
showing Formation Palms in zone shear Si within from photograph and Sketch 5-6: Fig.

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*

�compressional stage (Dic
(DK on Table
Table 1) that affected
affected Early Proterozoic and Archean
Archean
strata at Penokee Gap.
Gap. During
OK deformation,
deformation, rigid blocks of Keweenawan
Keweenawan and
During 0K
Early
strata, along
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic strata,
along with underlying
underlying Archean
Archean gneiss
gneiss were tilted
tilted
northward along
along north-dipping
north-dipping listric
listric thrust faults
faults (Cannon
(Cannon and others, 1993).
1993). This
This
northward
northward tilting
tilting created
created the
the north-dipping
north-dipping monoclinal
monoclinal sequence
sequence of
of Early
Early
Proterozoic strata that
that characterize
characterize most
most of
of the
theGogebic
Gogebic Range
Range today.
today. In addition,
our mapping at
Range to
to the west of the gap
at Fenokee
Penokee Gap
Gap and
and along
along the
the Gogebic
Gogebic Range
gap
indicates that the
rotated
blocks
are
divided
into
discrete
segments
(blocks
I,
II
and
ifi
the rotated blocks are divided into discrete segments (blocks
in
on Fig.
Fig. 5-3)
5-3) that are
are bounded
bounded by
bysteeply-dipping,
steeply-dipping,north-northwest-striking
north-northwest-striking fault.
fault.
Besides the stratigraphic
stratigraphic offsets across the
the inferred
inferred faults, numerous steeply-dipping,
steeply-dipping,
northwest-striking
joints or closely
northwest-striking joints
closely spaced
spaced fractures
fractures (Sic)
(SK)are
are also
also considered
considered
structural
structural expressions
expressions of
of this
thisphase
phaseof
of deformation
deformation(Fig.
(Fig. 5-3).
5-3). The Penokee Gap fault
fault
is perhaps the
the most
most prominent
prominent of
of these
these faults,
faults, and
and itit created
created aazone
zoneof
of weakness
weakness
along which the Bad River ultimately
ultimately flowed
flowed forming
forming the
the Penokee
Penokee water
water gap
gap in the
Gogebic Range.
Steeply northwest-plunging
northwest-plungingfolds
folds adjacent
adjacent to
to these
these faults are
Range. Steeply
are
observed in outcrops of the Tyler
Tyler and were
were most
most likely
likely formed by drag
drag along
along the
the
faults.
faults.
Formation
Formation of
of the Midcontinent Rift
Rift may
may have
have also
also resulted in
metamorphism of
of Early
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic strata.
strata. As noted above,
above, geologic
geologic evolution of
the Gogebic
Range near Penokee Gap involved
Gogebic Range
involved at least two
two metamorphic
metamorphic events.
events.
The
Dl
The first
first was
was a adynamic,
dynamic,low-grade•
low-grade event
event that
thataccompanied
accompanied regional
regional D1
deformation.
deformation. It is characterized
characterized by formation of platy minerals
minerals of
of sericite,
sericite, biotite,
biotite,
The second
second metamorphic
metamorphic event
event was most
and chlorite
chlorite that lie
lie along
along Si
SI foliation.
foliation. The
most
likely related to
to intrusion
intrusionof
of the
theMiddle
MiddleProterozoic
ProterozoicMineral
Mineral Lake
Lake Gabbro,
Gabbro, which
whichlies
lies
about 1.6 km north
This event
event is
is characterized
by a suite of
north of
of Penokee
Penokee Gap.
Gap. This
characterized by
of
metamorphic
minerals including
metamorphic minerals
including cordierite,
cordierite, garnet,
garnet, chlorite,
chlorite, magnetite,
magnetite, and
and
deformational fabric and, thus,
Dldeformational
amphibole, some of
of which clearly
dearly overprint the D1
however, has
has not
not been
been studied
studied in
in detail in this area and
postdate
postdate it.
it. Metamorphism, however,
is worthy of further
further study.
study.
PENOKEE CAP
PENOKEE
GAPFIELD
FIELDSTOPS
STOPS(see
(seeFig.
Fig.5-7)
5-7)
south from
Walk south
from County
County Road
Road GG
GG at Foster Junction along railroad tracks
tracks for
for
1cmtotothe
thefirst
firstlarge
largerock
rockcut
cut (Stop
(Stop11on
onFig.
Fig.5-7).
5-7).Although
Although most
most field
field stops
about 1.3
1.3 krn
will be
be in stratigraphic order from oldest
oldest to youngest,
youngest, the
the first
first stop will
will be in the
will
Tyler Formation,
Formation, the
the youngest
youngest Early
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoicunit
unit encountered
encountered on
on the walk
Tyler
southward
southward along
along the
the railroad
railroad tracks
tracks to
to the
the older
older strata.
strata.
100

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map of the Penokee Gap area showing
showing location
location of field stops.
stops.
Geologic field map
Fig.
Fig.5-7:
5-7: Geologic

101

�Ti

r
STOP
SB-i. Tyler
Tyler Formation
Formationand
and Keweenawan
Keweenawandiabase
diabasedike:
dike: SW
SW 1/4,
1/4, NE
NE 1/4,
STOP 5B-1.

SW 1/4,
1/4, 511,
Sll, T44N,
T44N, R3W
R3W
The Tyler
Formation isis exposed
exposed for
for roughly
roughly 100
100m
m in
in a rock cut along
Tyler Formation
along the
the
railroad
railroad tracks and
and consists
consists of
of multiple
multiple beds
beds of
of black
black carbonaceous
carbonaceous slate and
and
siltstone, subtly
subtly graded
graded with stratigraphic tops
tops toward
toward the north. The
TheTyler
Tyler strata
strata
consist of
of mostly silt-sized quartz grains in aa carbonaceous
carbonaceous matrix of biotite, chlorite
Small (—1
cm-diameter)cordierite
cordieriteporphyroblasts
porphyroblasts are
are dispersed
and sericite.
sericite. Small
(-1 cm-diameter)
throughout the siltstone/slate.
siltstone/slate.
in the
the Tyler
Tyler at
at the
the northernmost
northernmost end
end of
of the rock cut (east side of
(So) in
Bedding (So)
the railroad
railroad tracks)
tracks) is overturned
overturned toward
toward the
the north,
north, but,
but, progressing
progressing southward,
southward,
most bedding dips
dips steeply
steeply northwest
northwest and
and strikes
strikes northeast as shown
shown in
in Fig.
Fig. 5-4C.
5-4C. Si
Sl
foliation lies at a large angle to bedding, is generally low-dipping to
to flat-lying, and
and is
is
that plunges
plunges gently
gently to
to the
the southeast as shown by the
(1-2) that
folded around aa fold
fold axis
axis (L2)
great
great circle
circle on
onFig.
Fig.5-4D.
5-4D.
zones of steeply-dipping,
Isolated zones
steeply-dipping, north-northwesterly-trending
north-northwesterly-trending fracture
fracture
cleavage
with steeply plunging folds (possibly drag
drag folds) are found in
cleavage with
in outcrops
outcrops
especially along
along the west side of
especially
of the
the railroad
railroad tracks.
tracks. These,
These, and other northwestnorthwesttrending joints
joints and fracture
fracture zones in the region,
region, are considered part of
of aa family
family of
of
north-northwest faults in the
the Penokee
Penokee Gap area that divide
divide the
the Gogebic
Gogebic Range
Range into
individual
II,
Fig. 5-3).
5-3). They
They are
are interpreted as Middle
1, and III on Fig.
individual segments
segments (blocks
(blocks I, 1
of formation of
of the
- -- Proterozoic
Proterozoic SK structures formed during the final closing phase of
Midcontinent Rift.
Midcontinent
Rift.
A 33 rn-wide
diabase dike
dike is
is exposed
exposed at the north
m-wide undeformed Keweenawan
Keweenawan diabase
north
end of the rock
rock cut on
on the
the west
west side
sideof
of the
the railroad
railroad tracks.
tracks.
Walk
further south along the railroad
tracks to
to the first rock
rock cut on the east
Walk further
railroad tracks
east
side
side of the tracks,
tracks, just past
past the
the second
second bridge.
bridge.
STOP 5B-2.
5 5 2 . Archean
Archean gneiss:
gneiss: SE
SE1/4,
1/4,NW
NW1/4,
1/4,514,
S14,T44N,
TUN, R3W
R3W
Amphibolitic to granitoid
granitoid gneiss.
gneiss. The Archean
Archean gneiss forms the basement
basement
The westupon which
westupon
which overlying
overlying Early
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic strata were
were deposited.
deposited. The
northwesterly-striking
gneissic foliation
foliation dips
dips steeply
steeply south. Parallel shear
northwesterly-striking gneissic
shear zones
zones
wide occur
occur in
in the
the gneiss.
gneiss. Although the strike of the gneissic and
several centimeters wide
shear
shear foliations
foliations is roughly
roughly parallel to the
the strike
strike of
of Early
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic structural
structural
features, there are no
no structures
structures in
in the
the overlying
overlying Early
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic strata that
that have
have
similar dips. Other
Otherthan
thanpostdating
postdatingthe
thegneissic
gneissicfoliation,
foliation, the
the age
age of
of shear
shear formation
formation
is not known.
known. The
Theshears
shearsmay
maybe
beEarly
EarlyProterozoic
Proterozoic in
inage.
age.
Examine outcrops
outcrops along both banks of Bad River, just
just beneath railroad bridge.
bridge.
102

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STOP
STOP 5B-3.
5B-3. Bad
Bad River Dolomite: NE
NE 1/4,
1/4,SE
SE 1/4,
1/4,NW
NW1/4,
1/4,S14,
S14,T44N,
T44N, R3W
R3W

Exposures on the south side
with
side of
of the
the Bad
Bad River are tan-colored
tan-colored dolomite with
chert
Bedding is
is oriented
oriented N80'W,
N80°W,45"N.
45°N.Note
Note that
that the dolomite
chert lenses
lenses and
and layers.
layers. Bedding
rests directly
on Archean
gneiss. On
directly on
Archean gneiss.
On the
the eastern
eastern end of
of the
the Range,
Range, the
the Sunday
Sunday
Quartzite occurs
occurs between the
the Archean
Archean basement
basement and
and the
theBad
Bad River
River Dolomite.
Dolomite.
Quartzite
At
Dolomite isis about
about 20
20m
m thick.
thick. The basal portion
At this
this locality
locality the
the Bad
Bad River Dolomite

is
is mainly
mainly dolomite
dolomite that
that has
hasvague
vaguecross-bedding
cross-bedding and
andpossible
possiblestromatolites
stromatolites
suggestive of
of shallow water
water deposition.
deposition. The
The upper part
part of
of the
the Bad
Bad River
River Dolomite
Dolomite
(on the north side
breccia. This
side of
of the
the river)
river) is a variegated chert and chert breccia.
This lithology
is
is typical
typical of exposures
exposures for
for about
about 15
15 km
krn in the western part of
of the
the Gogebic
Gogebic Range. We
We
interpret
interpret the
the cherty
chertyupper
upperportion
portionof
of the
theBad
Bad River
River Dolomite
Dolomite to represent a residual
concentration
concentration of
of chert layers and nodules
nodules formed
formed by solution
solution of
of dolomite
dolomite during
during
erosion
erosion that
that preceded
precededdeposition
depositionof
ofthe
theoverlying
overlyingPalms
PalmsFormation.
Formation.
We
of the cherty portion of the
We will
will examine
examine another exposure of
the Bad
Bad River
River
Dolomite about
about 515 m to the west at a later stop.
stop.
Walk north
north from
from the
the railroad
railroad bridge to
to the first large outcrop on the
the west
west side
side
Walk
of
of the
the tracks.
tracks.
STOP
STOP 5B-4.
5B-4. Palms
Palms Formation:
Formation: SE
SE 1/4,
1/4,NW
NW 1/4,
1/4,NW
NW1/4,
1/4,S14,
S14,T44N,
T44N, R3W
R3W
Alternating
Alternating beds
beds (So)
(So) of silty
silty to
to finer-grained,
finer-grained, more argillaceous strata are
present
present here.
here. Thicker-bedded,
Thicker-bedded, more
more psammitic
psamrnitic (silty) strata on the south end grade
grade
strata on the north end of
into finer-grained,
finer-grained, more mica-rich
mica-rich strata
of the
the outcrop,
outcrop, indicating
indicating
into
that
that stratigraph.ic
stratigraphic facing is to the north. Both
Both the
the silty
silty layers
layers and
and mica-rich
mica-rich layers
layers are
are
penetratively foliated, but the
the argillaceous
argillaceous layers have less quartz as well
well as
as finerfinerpenetratively
grained
(Si)isis
grained quartz
quartzininan
anintensely-foliated
intensely-foliatedsericite
sericitematrix.
matrix. Penetrative
Penetrative foliation
foliation (Si)
generally
parallel to
to bedding. There are also
F;
generally oriented
oriented N75°E,
N75'E, 60°NW,
60Â°NWparallel
also numerous
numerousF2
kink
kink folds
folds in
in Si
Slfoliation
foliationwith
withL2
L; axes
axesthat
thatplunge
plungeabout
about16°,
16',N87°W.
N8TW. These
These
penetratively-foliated
strata are
are considered
consideredpart
part ofof aa Di
penetratively-foliated strata
Dl shear
shear zone
zone that
that was
was
subsequently
kink folds.
folds. We
subsequently deformed
deformed by
by aaD2
D; deformational
deformational event to form the F2
F; kink
will
will take
take aa closer
closer look
look at
at the
the style
style of
of deformation
deformation in this shear zone to the west at
at
Stops
and7.7.
Stops66and
Walk
Walk west
west from
from the
the railroad
railroad bridge
bridge for
for approximately
approximately 515
515 m to
to aa large
largetalus
talus
slope
hill. Climb
slope along
along the
the steep
steep south
south flank
flank of an easterly trending hill.
Climb the
the talus
talus slope
slope
to
to two
twoexploration
explorationpits
pitsnear
nearthe
thetop
topofofthe
thesteep
steepslope.
slope.
Note:
Note: This
Thiswalk
walkisisstrenuous,
strenuous,through
through thick
thick brush
brush and
and along
along steep
steep hillsides
hillsides with
with
loose
loose rocks
rocksthat
thatmay
mayroll
rolldown
downthe
thehillside
hillsideififdisturbed.
disturbed.BE
BECAREFUL!
CAREFUL!

r
103

�STOP 50-5.
5B-5. Bad
NW1/4,
1/4,NW
NW1/4,
1/4,514,
S14,T44N,
T44N,R3W
R3W
BadRiver
River Dolomite:
Dolomite: SE
SE 1/4,
1/4,NW
The
between the
the Bad
Dolomite and
and the
the Palms
Bad River
River Dolomite
Palms Formation
Formation is
is
The contact
contact between
exposed in
in two
pits at this
exposed
two exploration
exploration pits
pits at
at this
thislocality.
locality. Other
Other exploration
exploration pits
this
stratigraphic
horizon are
are present
present on
on the
stratigraphic horizon
the eastern
eastern flank
flank of
of Mt.
Mt.Whittlesey,
Whittlesey,
approximately
9
km
to
the
east.
of magnetite
magnetite are
are localized
Concentrations of
localized in
approximately 9 km to the east. Concentrations
conglomeratic
zonesatat the
the top
top of
conglomeratic zones
of the
the cherty
cherty breccia
breccia portion
portion of
of the
the Bad
Bad River
River
Dolomite. The
that surrounds angular and rounded
Dolomite.
The magnetite is in a sandy matrix
matrix that
chert fragments
fragments up
up to
do not
chert
to at
at least
least 70
70 cm
cm long.
long. Magnetite-rich
Magnetite-rich zones
zones do
not extend
extend up
up
into the
the magnetite
into
the overlying
overlying Palms
PalmsFormation.
Formation. Therefore
Therefore the
magnetite concentrations
concentrations
appear to
to be
be pre-Palms.
pre-Palms. Along
Alongstrike
strikefrom
fromthe
themagnetite
magnetiteoccurrence,
occurrence, the
the Bad
Bad River
River
Dolomite consists of
of a spectacular breccia
breccia with
with some
some rounded
rounded and angular
angular blocks
blocks of
of
chert in
tic matrix.
in aa reddish
reddishhemati
hematitic
matrix.
The
of magnetite
in conglomeratic
rocks at
at an
The local
local concentrations
concentrations of
magnetite in
conglomeratic rocks
an
unconformity
argue for
for a paleo-placer
unconformity argue
paleo-placer origin
origin along
along aa braided
braided stream
stream course.
course.
However,
much of
of the magnetite
However, much
magnetite is euhedral, showing no indication
indication of rounding
rounding
that might be
The euhedral magnetite may indicate
be expected
expected in
in aa placer
placer deposit.
deposit. The
indicate
that these
that
these are
are hydrothermal
hydrothermal deposits,
deposits, but
but no
nohydrothermal
hydrothermal bleaching
bleaching of
of
surrounding rocks is evident,
evident, nor are
are any
any hydrothermal
hydrothermal gangue
gangue minerals,
minerals, such
such as
as
quartz crystals,
the euhedral
crystals, present.
present. Alternatively,
Alternatively, the
euhedral magnetite
magnetite crystals
crystals may be
be
metamorphic in origin.
origin. Clearly,
Clearly, the origin of these peculiar magnetite
magnetite occurrences
occurrences is
is
problematic. A
and report
report that
problematic.
A mining
mining company
company has analyzed
analyzed these conglomerates
conglomerates and
there are no
no precious
precious metals
metals in
in them.
them.
Walk north-northeast about 80 m to the crest and north flank
Walk
flank of
of the
the hill.
hill.
STOPS 5B-6
5B-6and
and 5B5B-7.7. Sheared,
Sheared, thin-bedded
thin-bedded Palms
Palms Formation:
Formation: SE 1/4, NW
1/4, NW
NW 1/4,
1/4,S14,
S14,T44N,
T44N,R3W.
R3W.
The purpose
purpose of
of these
The
these two stops
stops is to
to illustrate
illustrate our
our interpretation
interpretation of the
the
kinematics of
of deformation
deformation in a D1
shear zone.
zone. Lithology
kinematics
Dl shear
Lithology at this stop
stop is
is similar
similar to
to
that at
at Stop
Stop 44 where
where layers
layers of
of silty
silty Palms
Palms are
are intercalated
intercalated with
with finer-grained
finer-grained micamicarich layers, both of which
numerous small
small
which have
have penetrative
penetrative Si
S1 foliation.
foliation. At Stop 6 numerous
boudins are formed
formed in
in thin
thin quartz-rich
quartz-rich layers
layers that have
have orientations
orientations close to the
the
orientation of Si
Also, several
several F;
F2 kink
kink folds
folds with L2
orientation
Sl foliation
foliation planes.
planes. Also,
L; fold axes
axes
deform the
at this
this stop.
stop. At
the S1
S1 shear fabric at
At Stop
Stop 7, about 70 m northwest of the area of
Stop 6, there is
is aa small,
small, south-dipping
south-dipping D1
Dl thrust
thrust fault
fault (Fig.
(Fig. 5-6A)
5-6A) with telescoped
telescoped
layers (Fig.
and a sigmoidal
layers
(Fig. 5-6B) and
sigmoidaldrag
dragfold
foldwith
withoffset
offsetbeds
beds(Fig.
(Fig.5-GC).
5-6C).
Si foliation,
foliation, the
the boudinaged
boudinaged quartz layers and
The three structural
structuralelements:
elements: Sl
the small thrust fault
fault provide
provide information
information to interpret the kinematics
kinematics of
of the shear
shear
104

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I
I

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!+

[1

Fig.
Fig. 5-8:
5-8: Lower
Lower hemisphere,
hemisphere, equal
equal angle
angle stereoplot
stereoplot showing the orientations
orientations of
ofS1
foliation
foliation(great
(greatcircle),
circle),orientation
orientationof
of the
the long
long axes
axes of
of boudins
boudins(LB),
(LB), orientation
orientationof
of the
the
axis
(XI, and
andorientation
orientationof
ofthe
theaxis
axis of
of shortening
shortening
(Z) in
in the
the sheared
shearedPalms
Palms
axisof
ofstretching
stretching(X),
- (Z)
Formation
FormationatatStops
Stops5B-6
5B-6and
and5B-7.
5B-7.See
Seetext
textfor
fordiscussion.
discussion.

105

�j
zone.
structures. Penetrative
zone. They are all considered to be D1
Dl structures.
Penetrative Si
SI foliation
foliation formed as

a result
result of
of simple
simple shear
shear along
along an
aninferred,
inferred,now
now steeply
steeply north-dipping
north-dipping to
to vertical
vertical
shear
Sense of
of movement
shear zone
zone that
that dips
dipsmore
moresteeply
steeplythan
thanSi
SIfoliation.
foliation. Sense
movement in the
the
shear couple
couple must have
have been
been down
down to
to the
the north
north to
toform
formSi
Slfoliation.
foliation. The general
orientation of Si,
SI, based
based on
on field
field measurements,
measurements, is shown by the
the great
great circle
circle on the
stereographic
stereographic plot
plot in
inFig.
Fig.5-8.
5-8. The boudins formed by stretching perpendicular to
their
axeslie
lieroughly
roughlyin
inthe
theST
Siplane
plane and
and plunge about
about 45°
45' toward
their long
longaxes
axes(LB).
(LB).LBaxes
the northwest.
in the shear zone can be
northwest. The
Theorientation
orientationof
of the
theaxis
axis of
of stretching
stretching (X)
(X) in
be
estimated from the orientation
of the boudins. The
(X)
orientation of the long axes of
Thestretch
stretchaxis
axis(X)
also lies in the
the Si
SI plane
plane at
atright
rightangles
anglesto
tothe
thelong
longaxes
axesof
of the
theboudins
boudinsLB,
LB, as shown
on
on Fig.
Fig. 5-8. That
That isis the
therocks
rocks in
in the
the shear
shear zone
zone were
were stretched
stretched along
along an
an axis
axis (X)
(X) that
plunges
plunges toward
towardthe
thenortheast
northeastasasshown
shownon
onFig.
Fig.5-8.
5-8.
Finally,
the small
small thrust
thrust formed
formedinin aa region
region where
where Sl
S foliation
Finally, the
foliation did
did not
develop.
(Zon
onFig.
Fig.5-8).
5-8).
develop. The
Thethrust
thrustlies
liesparallel
paralleltotothe
theaxis
axisofofmaximum
maximumshortening
shortening(Z
That
That is,
is, itit developed
developedat
atright
rightangles
anglesto
toSi
S1foliation
foliationas
as shown
shownon
onFig.
Fig.5-8.
5-8. Essentially,
Essentially,
the
where Sl
Si foliation
the small
small thrust
thrust accommodated
accommodated shortening in rocks
rocks where
foliation could not
develop
develop because
because of
of their
theircomposition
composition(see
(seethe
thephotograph,
photograph,Fig.
Fig.5-6).
5-6).
The absence
absence of similar
similar structures
structures in
in the
the underlying
underlying Archean
Archean basement
basement
requires
requires that
that Early
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic strata must
must be
be detached
detached from
from them.
them. Thus, we
we
interpret
interpret the
the intensely
intensely foliated
foliated strata
strata in
in the
the lower
lower part
part of
of the
thePalms
PalmsFormation
Formation to
to
represent
represent aa ductile
ductile shear
shear zone
zone that
that detached
detached the
the Early
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic from
from the
the
underlying
underlyingArchean
Archeangneiss.
gneiss.
Walk
Walk north,
north, across
across aa narrow
narrow valley
valley for about 70
70 m to the next steep
steep hill.
hill.
STOP
STOP 5B-8.
5B-8.Uppermost
UppermostPalms
Palms Formation:
Formation: SE
SE 1/4, NW
NW 1/4,
1/4, NW
NW 1/4,
1/4,S14,
S14,
T44N,
R3W.
T44N, R3W.
This
This stop
stop illustrates
illustrates the
the massive,
massive, thickly bedded quartzite typical of the upper
upper
part
bedded unit and the
part of
of the
thePalms.
Palms. Both
Both this massively
massively bedded
the lower
lower thin-bedded
thin-bedded
argillaceous
argillaceous units
units continue
continue westward at
at least
least to
to the
the Atkins
Atkins Lake
Lake area, where outcrop
outcrop
dies
diesout.
out.
The
The Palms
Palms Formation
Formation generally
generally strikes
strikes N80°W
N80'W and dips
dips 65°NE
65'NE in this
this area,
area,
shows
shows cross-bedding,
cross-bedding, and is aa clean
clean orthoquartzite.
orthoquartzite. Westward
Westward from
from Penokee
Penokee Gap
Gap
the
the quartzite
quartziteisisaaprominent
prominentridge-former
ridge-formerwith
withnumerous,
numerous,excellent
excellent exposures.
exposures.
Because
of the exceedingly steep slopes
slopes and loose rocks
rocks it is dangerous for
Because of
for aa
large
large group
group to
toclimb
climb to
tothe
thetop
topofofthe
thebluff
blufftotoview
viewthe
thequartzite-iron-formation
quartzite-iron-formation
contact.
contact.
Walk
Walk north
north up
up the
therelatively
relatively gentle
gentle slope
slope just
just west of the
the quartzite
quartzite bluff
bluff for
for
106

fl

I

�L

a

about
about 30 m.
m.

n
fl-I

I

I
I
I
I

STOP
1/4, NW 1/4,
STOP 5B-9.
5B-9. Ironwood Iron-formation:
Iron-formation: NW
NW 1/4,
1/4, S14,
S14, T44N,
T44N, R3W.
R3W.
The Ironwood Iron-formation
overlies the
the Palms
The
Iron-formation conformably
conformably overlies
Palms Formation
Formation
from which it grades through aa transition
transition of
of several beds of granular iron-formation
iron-formation
in the upper
upper Palms.
Palms. Locally,
Locally,the
thebase
base of
of the
the Ironwood
Ironwood has
has aa thin
thin (3
(3m)
m) conglomerate
conglomerate
thick zone of
of stromatolitic
stromatolitic jasper
jasper occurs
occurs at
at the base of the
zone, elsewhere, locally a thick
iron-formation.
The
eastward from
Gap was
The Ironwood
Ironwood Iron-formation
Iron-formation eastward
from Penokee
Penokee Gap
was subdivided
subdivided
into five
into
five units
units based
based on
onbedding
beddingstyle
styleand
andmineralogy
mineralogy(Hotchkiss,
(Hotchkiss,1919).
1919). Our
mapping west of
of Penokee
Penokee Gap shows that
that the
the iron-formation
iron-formation consists
consists of alternating
alternating
units of
of granular,
granular, wavy-bedded
wavy-bedded iron-formation
iron-formation and
and laminated
laminated iron-formation.
iron-formation.
However, except
except in the first few
west of
of Penokee Gap,
Gap, the
However,
few hills
hills of iron-formation
iron-formation west
five-fold field
field division of
of Hotchkiss
Hotchkiss and
and U.
U. S.
S. Steel
Steeldoes
doesnot
not extend
extend westward
westward along
five-fold
the Gogebic
Gogebic Range.
Range.
basal 75
75 m
m of
of the
the iron-formation
iron-formationisismainly
mainlyaagranular,
granular, wavy
wavy bedded
bedded unit
The basal
with irregular lenticular
layers that branch
lenticular chert beds separated by magnetite-rich
magnetite-rich layers
unit may represent the
and recombine
recombine around the
the cherty
cherty lenses.
lenses. This
This unit
the Plymouth
Plymouth
member of
this wavy-bedded
wavy-bedded unit
unit is about 30
of Hotchkiss
Hotchkiss(1919).
(1919). Overlying
Overlying this
30 m
m of
of
mainly laminated, magnetic
magnetic iron-formation with scattered intraformational breccia
breccia
units. This lithology may represent
units.
represent the
the Norrie
Norrie and
andPence
Pencemembers
membersofofHotchlciss
Hotchkiss
(1919). The
The uppermost exposures
(1919).
exposures are laminated,
laminated, weakly
weakly to
to non-magnetic
non-magnetic ironironformation. Some
Some layers
layers contain
contain rounded
rounded elongate
elongate chert
chert concretions
concretions in aa somewhat
somewhat
matrix, possible representing the Anvill
argillaceous matrix,
Anvil1 member
member of
of Hotchkiss
Hotchkiss(1919).
(1919).
Near the northernmost
Near
northernmost exposures
exposures of the
the Ironwood
Ironwood Iron-formation,
Iron-formation, the recumbent
5-5) mentioned
mentioned above
above isis present,
present, and
and the contact with
with the Tyler Formation
fold (Fig. 5-5)
of the hill
hill supported by
by the iron-formation.
iron-formation. There are no
lies along the north flank of
exposures of the Tyler
Tyler in
in this
this region,
region, however.
however.
END OF
OF FIELD
FIELD STOPS
STOPS
Walk east-southeast for
for about 820
820 m
m to
to railroad
railroad tracks along the Bad
Walk
Bad River,
River,
and then
then about
about 22 km
km north
northon
onrailroad
railroadtracks
trackstotovehicles.
vehicles.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I

We are grateful to the
their help: Suzanne
the following
following persons
persons for their
SuzanneNicholson
Nicholson
for reviewing
for
reviewing the manuscript
manuscript and
and preparing
preparing itit for
forfinal
finalpublication;
publication; William
William
Cannon
Cannon for reviewing
reviewing the
the manuscript;
manuscript; Don
Don Harrison,
Harrison, of
of Western
Western Illinois
Illinois
107

I

�University,
preparation of stereoplots;
stereoplots; and Susan
Susan Wilson,
Wilson, also
also of
of Western
Western
University, for
for preparation
Illinois University,
University, for computer drafting of the
Illinois
the figures.
figures. Both
and
Both the reviews and
field guide.
guide.
technical assistance aided considerably in preparation of this field

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108

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                    <text>43rd
43rd

Annual
INSTITUTE ON
ON
INSTITUTE

LAKE SUPERIOR GEOLOGY
GEOLOGY
LAKE
Sudbury, Ontario
Ontario
May 66-11,
1997
- 11,1997

and
Proceedings Volume:
Volume: Program
Program and
Abstracts
Abstracts
Volume 43,
Part 11
Volume
43, Part

�Institute on Lake Superior Geology
43rd
43rd Annual
Annual Meeting
Meeting
May61997
May 6 -11,
11,1997
Sudbury, Ontario,
Ontario, Canada
Canada

Sponsored
Sponsoredby:
by:
Ministry
Ministry of Northern
Northern Development
Development and
and Mines
Mines
Ontario Geological
Geological Survey
Survey
Resident Geologist's
Geologists Office,
Office,Sudbury
Sudbury

Proceedings
Proceedings
Volume
Volume 43
43
Part I1--- Program
Programand
and Abstracts
Abstracts

Editors:
Editors:
Ron
Ron Sage, Ontario
Ontario Geological
GeologicalSurvey
Survey

Wilf
Geologists Office
Wilf Meyer,
Meyer, Resident
Resident Geologist's
Office

�Contents
Contents

Patti
Part I
Program and Abstracts
Institutes
Institutes on
on Lake
LakeSuperior
Superior Geology
Geology to
to 1997
1997..................................................i

Constitution of the
Constitution
the (nstitute
Institute on Lake Superior Geology..................................iiii

...

iii
By-Laws of the Institute
Institute on
on Lake
Lake Superior
Superior Geology
Geology.......................................111

Proceedings Volumes and Field Trip Guidebooks
Guidebooks ...........................iv
Index of Proceedings

Award Guidelines
Guidelines for
for Sam
Sam Goldich
Goldich Medal
Medal.......................:.............................ix
XI
Board of Directors
Directors..........................................................................................
xi

Committees .......................................................................................... xi
Local Committees
xi
..
Xii1
Student Paper
Paper Committee
Committee............................................................................ xi
Session
Session Chairs
Chairs......................................

..
...................................................... xii
XII

;

..

XII
Goldich
Goldich Medal
Medal Committee
Committee....................................................;.......................xii

...

xiii
Goldich Medal
1997 Goldich
Medal Recipient
Recipient.....................................................................xi11
xiii
Goldich Medalists
Past Goldich
Medalists................................................................................
xm
0..

Banquet Speaker
Speaker.........................................................................................

...

Xlii
xi11

1997
Goldich Medal
1997 Goldich
Medal Recipient
Recipient Citation
Citation........................................................xv

..
...
Report of the Chair
Chair of the 42nd Annual Institute
institute....:...................................xviii
xvm

Student
Student Travel
Travel Award
Award.................................................................................xvii
xvii

xxi
Calendar of
Calendar
of Events
Events and
and Program
Program.................................................................xxi
1
Abstracts
Abstracts.. .......................................................................................................
1

�Institutes
Institutes on Lake
Lake Superior Geology
Institute
Institute Number
Number
1

2
3
4
5
6
7
8

9
10
11

12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19

20
21

22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31

32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41

42
43

Date
Date
1955
1956
1957
1958
1959
1960
1961

1962
1963
1964
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971

1972
1973
1974
1975
1976
1977
1978
1979
1980
1981

1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997

Place
Place
Minneapolis,
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minnesota
Houghton,
Houghton, Michigan
Michigan
East
East Lansing,
Lansing, Michigan
Michigan
Duluth,
Minnesota
Duluth. Minnesota
Minneapolis. Minnesota
Minneapolis,
Minnesota
Madison, Wisconsin
Wsconsin
Port Arthur, Ontario
Port
Ontario
Houghton,
Houghton,Michigan
Michigan
Duluth,
Duluth, Minnesota
Minnesota
lshpeming, Michigan
Ishperning,
Michigan
Paul, Minnesota
St. Paul,
Minnesota
Sault
Sault Ste.
Ste. Marie,
Marie, Michigan
Michigan
East
East Lansing,
Lansing, Michigan
Michigan
Superior, Wisconsin
Superior,
Wisconsin
Oshkosh,
Oshkosh, Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Thunder Bay,
Thunder
Bay, Ontario
Duluth,
Duluth, Minnesota
Minnesota
Houghton, Michigan
Houghton,
Michigan
Madison, Wisconsin
Sault
Sault Ste.
Ste. Made,
Marie, Ontario
Ontario
Marquette, Michigan
Marquette,
Michigan
St. Paul,
Paul, Minnesota
Minnesota
Thunder Bay,
Thunder
Bay, Ontario
Ontario
Milwaukee,
Milwaukee,Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Duluth,
Duluth, Minnesota
Minnesota
Eau
Eau Claire,
Claire, Wisconsin
Wisconsin
East
East Lansing,
Lansing, Michigan
Michigan
International
InternationalFalls,
Falls,Michigan
Michigan
Houghton, Michigan
Houghton,
Michigan
Wausau, Wisconsin
Wsconsin
Kenora, Ontario
Kenora,
Ontario
Wisconsin Rapids, Wsconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wawa, Ontario
Ontario
Marquette,
Marquette,Michigan
Michigan
Duluth, Minnesota
Duluth,
Minnesota
Thunder Bay,
Thunder
Bay, Ontario
Ontario
Eau
Eau Claire,
Claire, Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Hurley,
Hurley, Wisconsin
Wsconsin
Eveleth,
Eveleth, Minnesota
Minnesota
Houghton,
Houghton, Michigan
Michigan
Marathon, Ontario
Ontario
Cable,
Cable,Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Sudbury, Ontario
Ontario

Chairman
Chairman
C.E. Dutton
Dutton
C.E.
A.K. Snelgrove
Sneigrove
A.K.
B.T. Sandefur
Sandefur
R.W. Marsden
Marsden
G.M.
C. Craddock
G.M. Schwartz &amp; C.
E.N.
Cameron
E.N. Cameron
E.G. Pye
E.G.
Pye
AX.
A.K. Snelgrove
Snelgrove
Lepp
H. Lepp
A.T.
A.T. Broderick
Broderick
P1&lt;. Sirns
Sims &amp;
&amp; R.K.
R.K. Hogberg
Hogberg
P.K.
R.W. White
White
W.J.
W.J. Hinze
Hinze
AR.
A
B. Dickas
Dickas
LaBerge
G.L. LaBerge
&amp; E.
E. Mercy
Mercy
Bartley &amp;
M.W. Bartley
D.M. Davidson
Davidson
J.. Kalliokoski
J
Kalliokoski
M.E. Ostrom
Ottrorn
M.E.
P.E. Giblin
Giblin
J.D.
J.D. Hughes
Hughes
M. Walton
Walton
M.M.
M.M. Kehlenbeck
Kehlenbeck
G. Mursky
Mursky
D.M. Davidson
Davidson
P.E.
P.E. Meyers
Meyers
W.C.
W.C. Cambray
Carnbray
D.L. Southwick
Southwick
T.J. Bornhorst
Bornhorst
T.J.
G.L. LaBerge
LaBerge
G.L.
C.E.
C.E. Blackburn
Blackburn
J.K.
J.K. Greenberg
Greenberg
E.D.
E.D. Frey &amp; R.P.
R.P. Sage
LS. Klasner
J.S.
Klasner
J.C. Green
Green
M.M. Kehlenbeck
Kehlenbeck
M.M.
Meyers
P.E. Meyers
A.B. Dickas
Dickas
A.B.
D.L.
D.L. Southwick
Southwick
T.J. Bornhorst
T.J.
Bornhorst
M.C. Srnyk
Smyk
M.C.
L.G. Woodruff
L.G.
R.P. Sage
Meyer
R.P.
Sage &amp; W. Meyer

�______________

Constitution of the Institute on
on Lake
Lake Superior
Superior Geology
Geology
Constitutjon

Article!I
Article

Name
&amp;gy+
Geology'.
The name
on Lake
The
nameof
of the
theorganization
organizationshall
shallbe
bethe
the"Institute
"InsMute on
Lake Superior Geologr.

Article II
Artidell

Obieclives
Objectives
thii organization
organization are:
The objectives
objectivesof
of this
A. To
Toprovide
provideaameans
meanswhereby
wherebygeologists
geologistsin
in the Great
Great Lakes
Lakes region
region may
may exchange
exchangeideas
ideasand
and
scientific data.
scientitic
B. To
To promote
promotebetter
betterunderstanding
understandingof
ofthe
the geology
geology of
of the
the Lake
Lake Superior
Superiorregion.
region.
C. To
trips.
Toplan
planand
andconduct
conductgeological
geologicalfield
fieldtrips.

Article Ill
Article
Ill

Status
No
to the
the benefil
benefit of
of any
any member
member or
No part
pafi of the income
income of
of the
the organization
organization shall insure to
or individual.
in&amp;idual.
In
dissolution the assets of the organization shall
shall be distiibuted
distributed to
In the event
event of diiltAion
(some
free organization).
organuation).
(some tax free

ifo avoid
should be
be not only
only "saen~c'~or
"scientific" or
(To
avoidFederal
Federaland
andState
Stateincome
incometaxes,
taxes, the organization should
"educational", but
"educational",
but also
also "non-profit".)
"non-proiit".)
Minn. Stat. Anno.
Anno. 290.91,
290.91, SUM.
subd. 4
Mnn.
Minn. Stat. Anno. 290.05(9)
290.05(9)
1954 Internal
1954
InternalRevenue
RevenueCode
Codes.501
s.501(c)(3)
(c)(3)
Article IV
Article
IV

Membership
Membership
The
the Board of
of Directors. Any
The membership
membershipof
of the
the organization
organuation shall
shall consist
con&amp; of the
Anygeologist
geologist
interested
thai! be
to
vote at
at the
the annual
annual meetings.
interested shall
bepermitted
perm~ed
to attend
attend and
and participate
participate in and vote
meetings.

Article
V
ArticleV

Meetinas
Meetings
The organization
shall meet once a year,
year, preferably
preferablyduring
duringthe
themonth
monthof
ofApril.
April. The
The place
place and
and
organizationshall
the Board
Board of Directors.
Directors.
will be
be designated
designated by the
exact date of each
each meeting
meetingwill

Article
VI
A
WeW

Directors
Directors
Chairperson, Secretary-Treasurer,
Secretary-Treasurer, and
and the last three
The Board
Board of Directors
Directors shall
shall consist
cons.&amp; of the Chairpemon,
past Chairpersons;
Chairpersons; but
time consist of
of fewer than
than five
board should
should at any time
five persons,
persons, by
by
past
but ifif the board
reason of unwillingness
the above
above persons
persons to
to serve
serve as
as directors,
directors, the vacancies
reason
unwillingnessor
or inability
inabilii of any of the
on
so as
as to
to bring
bring the
the membership
membership of the board
on the board
board may
may be
be filled
filled by
by the annual
annual meeting so
board up
up
to five
fwe members.
members.

Article
Article Vii
Wl

Officers

The officers
and Secretaiy-Treasurer.
Secretary-Treasurer.
thii organization
organization shall be a Chairperson and
The
officers of
of this

beelected
electedeach
eachyear
yearby
by the
the Board
Board of
of Directors,
Directors, who
who shall
shall give
g ~ due
due
e
A. The
TheChairperson
Chairpetsonshall
shallbe
consideration
the wishes of any group that may be promoting
promoting the next
annual meeting.
consideration to the
nexl annual
meeting.
His/her
will terminate
terminate at
at the
the close
close of
of the
the annual
annual meeting
meeting over
H i e r term of office
office as Chairperson
Chairperson will
which
successor shall
shall have
have been
been appointed.
appointed. He/she
which he/she
helshe presides
presides or when the successor
Helshewill
will then
then
serve
serve for
for aa period
periodof
of three
three years
years as
as aa member
memberof
of the
the Board
Boardof
ofDirectors.
Directors.
B. The
be
TheSecretary-Treasurer
Secretary-Treasurershall
shallbe
beelected
elected at the annual meeting. The
The term
termof
of office
office shall
shallbe
two
years
or
until
the
successor
shall
have
been
appointed.
two years or until the successor shall have been appointed.
Article Wl
Vii
Article

Amendments
Amendmenls
This
majority voteof
ofthose
thosepeffions
personswho
who are
are personally
personally present
present
This constitution
constitution may be amended by a majotityvote
participating in, and
at, participating
and voting at any annual
annual meeting
meeting of
of the organization.
organization.

�By-Law
By-LawII

Duties
Duties of the Officers
Officers and
and Directors
Directors

A. ItItshall
shallbe
bethe
theduty
duly of
of the
the Annual
Annual Chairman
Chairmanto:
1.
1. Preside
Presideat
atthe
the annual
annualmeeting.
meeting.
Aqpointall
allcommittees
w m m ~ e eneeded
needed
s
forthe
theorganization
organizationof the annual
annual meeting.
meeting.
2. Appoint
for
3. Assume
the annual meeting
meeting
Assumecomplete
completeresponsibility
responsibiliifor
for the
the organization
organization and financing of the
over
overwhich
which he/she
helshepresides.
presides.
B.
B.

ItIt shall
shall be
be the
the duty
duty of
of the
the Secretary-Treasurer
Secretaw-Treasurerto:
to:
1. Keep
Keepaccurate
accurateattendance
attendancerecords
recordsof
ofall
allannual
annualmeetings
meetings
2.
2. Keep
Keepaccurate
accuraterecords
recordsof
ofall
allmeetings
meetingsof,
of, and
andcorrespondence
wrrespondencebetween,
between, the
the Board
Board of
of
Directors.
Directors.
3. Hold
Holdall
allfunds
fundsthat
thatmay
mayaccrue
accrueas
asprofits
protitsfrom
*om annual
annualmeetings
meetingsor
or field
field hips
tripsand
and to
to make
make
asrequired.
required.
these funds
funds available
available for
forthe
organizationand
and operation
operation of
of future
Mure meetings
meetingsas
these
the organization

C.
annual meetings
C. ItIt shall
shall be
be the
the duty
duty of
of the Board
Board of
of Directors
Directorsto plan
plan locations
locations of annual
meetingsand
and to
to advise
adhe
on
on the
the organization
organizationand
andfinancing
financingof
ofall
allmeetings.
meetings.
By-Law
By-LawIII1

Duties
Dutiesand
andExpenses
menses

1.
There
I.
Thereshall
shallbe
beno
noregular
regularmembership
membershipdues.
dues.
2.
2.Registration
Registrationfees
feesfor
forthe
theannual
annualmeetings
meetingsshall
shallbe
bedetermined
determinedby
bythe
theChairperson
Chairpersoninin
consultation
consultationwith
with the
the Board
Boardof
of Directors.
Directors. ItIt is
is strongly recommended
that these
thesebe
bekept
keptto
toaa
recommended that
minimum
minimumto
to encourage
encourageattendance
attendanceof
ofgraduate
graduatestudents.
students.
By-Law
Rulesof
of Order
Order
By-LawIllIll Rules

The
thisorganization
organizationininall
allcases
casesininwhich
which
The rules
mlescontained
containedin
in Roberts
RobeesRules
RulesofofOrder
Ordershall
shallgovem
governthis
they
they are
are applicable.
applicable.

By-Law
IV Amendments
Amendments
By-Law IV
These
by-lawsmay
maybe
beamended
amendedby
by aa majority
majorityvote
vote of
of those
those persons
persons who are
are personally
personallypresent
present
Theseby-laws
at,
at, participating
paftiapatingin,
in, and
andvoting
voting at
at any
any annual
annualmeeting
meetingof
ofthe
theorganization;
organuation;provided
providedthat
thatsuch
such
modifications
modificationsshall
shallnot
notconflict
conflictwtih
wtihthe
theconstitution
constitutionas
aspresently
preseniyadopted
adoptedor
orsubsequently
subswuentlv
amended.
amended.

Ill
iii

�Index of Proceedings Volumes and Field
Field Trip Guidebooks
Guidebooks
of the
Institute
on
Lake
Superior
Geology
the Institute on Lake Superior Geology
1955
1955 -- 1997
1997
compiled by
Compiled
byMark
MarkJissa,
Jim, Secretary-Treasurer,
Secretary-Treasurer, ILSO
ILSG

*Denotes
abstracts volumes and
guidebooks which can be ordered from
from the
the Secretary-Treasurer.
Secretary-Treasurer.
.Denotes abstracts
and guidebooks
UniversityAvenue,
Avenue,SStt Paul,
Paul, MN,
MN,55114-1057,
55114-1057,Phone:
Phone:6124274539,
612-627-4539,fax:
fax:6124274778.
612-6274778, e-mail:
2642 Un~esity
jirsaOOl@?maroon.tc.umn.edu
jirsa001@maroon.tc.umn.edu
complete list
A complete
liicontaining
containingsuch
such information
informationas
as author,
author, editor,
ed*or, chairperson,
chairpemn, and
andsponsoring
sponsoringorganization
organizationisis
maintained
Van Pelt
maintained by Ms. Theresa Sanderson
Sandeson Spence, archMst
a r c h i d at
at the J. Robert
Robert Van
PeltUbrary,
Library, Michigan
Michigan
Technological
Ml 49931 (906487-2505).
(906-487-2505). Photocopies
Photocopiesof
of back
backvolumes
volumescan
canbe
beordered
ordered
Technolcgical University,
Unwersity, Houghton, MI
from
Sanderson Spence
some guidebooks were publiihed
published separately
separately by the
the
from Ms. Sanderson
Spence at
at the prevailing
prevailingcopy rate. Some
Mnnesota
Survey
MinnesotaGeological
GeologicalSurvey
Survey(MGS),
(MGS), and
and Wisconsin
Wsconsin Geological
Geolcgical and Natural
Natural History
Hiiory S
u ~ e (WGNHS),
y
as
indicated
indicated below,
below; however,
however, most
most are
are no
no longer
longeravailable.
available.
(Each
is a separate
separate bound
bound document)
(Each italicized
italicizeditem
item is
documenq
Volume
Location
.
Volume
Year
Location
.--.
.
-- -..
1
1955
Minneapolis, Minnesota
1955
Minnesota
Program
Program andAbsfracts
andAbstracts (contains
(contains no
no record
record of
of field
fieldtrips)
trips)
2
1956
Houghton, Michigan
1956
Houghton,
Michigan
Program
Abstracts
Program and
andAbstracts
Geological
GeologicalExploration
ExplorationOnferred
(inferred to
to be
be aa field
field guide)
guide)
3
1957
1957
East Lansing, Michigan
Michigan
Program
and Abstracts
h g r a m andAbshds
4
1958
Duluth, Minnesota
1958
Minnesota
Program and
and Abstracts
Pfvgram
5
1959
Minneapolis,
1959
Minneapolii, Minnesota
Minnesota
Program
and
P
-m
andAbstracts
Abstmcts
6
1960
Wisconsin
1960
Madison, W
~consin
Program and
Program
andAbstracts
AbsWs
7
1961
Port Arthur, Ontario
Ontario
1961
Program and
and Abstracts
label reads
reads 6th
Program
Abstracts (misprinted
(misprinted label
6fh annual
annualmeeting)
8
41962
962
Houghton, Michigan
Michigan
Program and
and Abstracts
Program
Abstracts
9
1963
Duluth,
1963
Duluth, Minnesota
Minnesota
Program
and Abstracts
Program andAbstracts
Field lfinera!y:
Itineraty: Stratigraphy
Strafigraphy of
the Biwabik
Iron m
Fonnation
Field
of the
Bwabik lmn
ation
1964
10
Michigan
1964
lshpeming, Michigan
Program andAbstracts
Ptvgram
andAbstrads
Field Trip:
Marquette imn-mining
iron-mining d
district
and Republic
Republic h
trough
Field
Trip: Maque~e
W and
igh
11
1965
St. Paul, Minnesota
1965
Minnesota
Program and
and Abstracts
Program
Abstracts
Field Trip
Trip Guide
Guidetto
the St.
St Cloud
granite Idistrict
Field
o fhe
Cloudgranite
$&amp;, central
centralMinnesota
Minnesota
12
1966
Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
Ontario
1966
Sauk
Program and
and Abstracts
guides to:
Program
Abstractsincludes
includesfield
field guides
to:
1. Regional
Regional geology
geology of
I.
of the Sault
Sault Ste. Marie area
2. Geology
Geologyand
andmineral
mtneraldeposits
depositsof
ofthe
the Manitouwadge
Manitouwadge Lake
Lake area, Ontario
3. The
Therelationship
relationshipof
ofmineralization
mineralizationto
to the
the Precambrian
Precambrianstratigraphy,
stratigraphy, Blind River
Rier area, Ontario
4. Sudbury
Sudburynickel
nickelirruptive
irmptive tour,
tour, Ontario
Ontario
13
1967
3967
East Lansing, Michigan
Michigan

iv

�Program
tracts
Programand
andAbs
Abstracts
Field
Field Trip:
Trip: Grenville
Grenville Province
Province of
of southeastern
southeasternOntario, Bancroft-Madoc
Bancrofl-Madoc area
area

Volume
Location
Volume
Year
Location
14
1968
Superior, Wisconsin
Wisconsin
14
1968
Superior,
Technical Sessions and
and Abstracts
Abstracts
Technical
Guide for Field
complex
F ~ e lTrip
Trip
d in
in the
fhe Duluth
DU
U
IUI
wm@x near
nearEly,
EM, Minnesota
Minnesota
Guide
Wisconsin
15
1969
15
1969
Oshkosh, Wisconsin
Technical
Abstracts
Technical Sessions
Sessions and
and Abstracts
Wsconsin volcanic
volcanic belt
belt
Guidebook: Central
Central Wisconsin
16
1970
Thunder
16
1970
ThunderBay,
Bay,Ontario
Ontario
Technical
Sessions, Abstracts
Abstracts and
andField
FieldGuides
Guides Field
Technical Sessions,
Field Trips:
A.
A Proterozoic
Proterozoicformations
formations in
in the
the Thunder
ThunderBay
Bayarea
area
Sturgeon Riier
River metavolcanic-metasedimentary
metavolcanic-metasedimentary formations in the
the Beardmore-Geraldton
Beardmore-Geraldton area
area
B. Sturgeon
C. The Port
Coldwell alkalic
alkalic.complex
Port Coldwell
complex
Geology of the Atikokan area
area (title not
D. Geology
not exact)
Duluth, Minnesota
17
1971
17
1971
Minnesota
Technical Sessions,
Sessions, Abstracts
Abstracts and
and Field
Field Guides
Guides Field
Technical
FieldTrips:
Trips:
Group
A. North Shore Volcanic Group
B. Precambrian
Precambrian rocks
Cook County
exposed
along the
the Gunflint
Gunflint Trail
Trail
rocks of northwestern
northwestern Cook
County as e
x w e d along
C. Mesabi
Mesabi Range
Range magnetite
magnelite taconite
taconite
0.
metavolcanic-metasedimentarybelt,
belt, northeastern
northeasternMinnesota
Minnesota
D. Geology
Geologyof
of the
the Vermilion
Vermilion metavolcanic-metasedimentary
Houghton,
18
1972
18
1972
Houghton, Michigan
Michigan
Part L Technical
Technical Sessions -Agenda
- Agenda and
and Abstracts (desmies
(describes trips
A-D)
Partl.
hips A-D)
Field Trips:
Field
Trips.
A. Penokean
and
PenokeanOrogeny
Orogenyin
in the
the central
centraland
andwestern
westernGogebic
Gogebicregion,
region,Wisconsin
W~consin
andMichigan
Michigan
B. Guide to
to Penokean deformation
deformation style
style and
and regional metamorphiim
metamorphism at the
the westem
western Maquette
Marquette Range,
Michigan
Michigan
Madison, Wisconsin
19
19
1973
Abstracts*
and Abstracts*
Technical Program
Program and
Technical
Field Trip:
to the
the geology
geology and
and mineral
mineral deposits
deposits of
of the
the central
central part
part of
of Jackson
Jacksoli County
and part
Field
Trip: Guidebook to
County and
part
County,Wisconsin
W w n s i n (WGNHS)
of Clark County,
Field Trip:
to the
the Precambrian
Precambrian geology
geology of northeastern and
and north-central
north-central W
Wisconsin
Field
Trip: Guidebook to
mnsin
Field Trip:
to the
the upper
upper Miissippi
MississippiValley
Valleybase-metal
base-metald'itrict
district(WGNHS
(WGNHSInformation
Informationcircular
circular No.
No.
Field
Trip: Guidebook to
16)
16)
Bibliography
Lake Superior
Superior Region
Region
~ ! b l i o ~ r of
of
a Current
~Cutrent
h ~ Research
Researchin
inThe
tbe Lake
Sault
Ste.
Marie,
Ontario
20
1974
1974
SauR
Marie, Ontario
Field
Middle
I:
Middle Keweenawan
Keweenawan rocks
rocks of
of the
the Batchawana-Mamainse
Batchawana-MamainsePoint
Pointarea
area
FieldTrip
Trip 1:
Field
2: unknown
unknown
FieldTrip
Trip 2:
Field Trip 3
3:: Precambrian
Precambrian igneous rocks of the north shore of Lake Huron region
Field
Field Trip
sedimentation of
4: Stratigraphy
Stratigraphy and sedimentation
of the Huronian
Huronian Supergroup
Supergroup
Field
Trip 4:
Field Trip 5
5:
belt.
: The
The Michipicoten
Michipkoten greenstone belt
Field
Bibliography of
Research in
in fhe
the Lake
Lake Superior
Superior Region
Region (First
Supplement)
(first Supplement.)
Bibliography
of Current
Cutrent Research
Marquette, Michigan
21
1975
21
1975
Michigan
Proceedings
Proceedings
Includes the following
following field trip
trip guides
guides and
and aa supplement
supplement by Burton
Burton Boyum
Boyum containing
containing aa mlour
colour map
map of the
the
Includes
Marquette
Marquette Mineral
Mineral District
District
1..
Glacial geology
geology (trip cancelled,
cancelled, no
I
Glacial
no guidebook)
guidebook)
2. Greenstone
Greenstone
3. The
The Jacobsville
Jacobville Sandstone:
Sandstone: Evidence
Evfdencefor
for aa Lower-Middle
Lower-Miidle Keweenawan
Keweenawanage
age
4. Marquette
Marquette Iron
Iron Range
Range
5 and
and 6. The
The Empire
EmpireMine
Mine and
and Mill, Palmer,
Palmer, Michigan
Michiian
Minnesota
22
1976
22
1976
St. Paul, Minnesota
-

V

�Location
Volume
Year
Location
Proceedings
Proceedngs
Includes abstracts
abstracts and
Includes
and guide
guide to Field
Field Trip B
Field Trip A:
A: Minnesota R
River
Valley
field conference
conference (no formal
formal guidebook
Field
i ~ eValley
r
field
guidebookprinted)
printed)
Field Trip B: Engineering
Engineering and
and Pleistocene
Pleistocenegeology
geologyin
inthe
the Twin
TwinCities
Ciies area
area

Thunder
1977
Thunder Bay,
Bay, Ontario
Ontario
Proceedings
Proceedings
Field Trip
Geology of the Coldwell alkaline Complex
Trip A Geology
Field
Field Trip
Trip B Proterozoic
Proterozoicrocks
rocks of
of the
the Thunder
Thunder Bay
Bay area,
area, northwestern
northwestern Ontario
Ontario ("Proterozoic Trip")
Trip")
Field
Field Trip
South Sturgeon
Trip C
C Archean
Archean metatlogeny
rnetallogenyand
and stratigraphy
stratigraphy of
of the South
Sturgeon Lake
Lake area
area ("Mattabi
("Mattabi Trip")
Trip?
Field
Wisconsin
1978
24
1978
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Abstracts
Abstracts and
andProceedings
Procee&amp;ngs
Field
zinc-lead district
Trip IISouthwestern
Southwestern Wisconsin
Wiconsin zinelead
d i i c t (WGNHS Field
Field Trip Guide
Guide Book
Book Number
Number1)
I)
FieldTrip
Reid
processing equipment manufacturers
manufacturers in
FieldTrip
TripPI1Mineral
Mineral extraction
extraction and pro-hg
in the Greater
Greater Milwaukee
Milwaukeearea
area
(no guidebook)
guidebook)
Field
FieldTrip
Trip lii
IllPrecambrian
Precambrianrhyolite
rhyoMeand
andgranite
graniteinliers
inliersin
in south-central
south-central Wisconsin
Wiconsin (WHNHS
(WHNHSField
FieldTrip
TripGuide
Guide
Book Number
Number 2)
Duluth,
25
1979
25
1979
Duluth, Minnesota
Minnesota
Technical Sessions
Sessions and
and Abstracts
Abstracts Joint meeting
meeting with North-Central Section
Section GSA
Technical
Field Trip
Trip Guidebooks:
Guidebooks: some
were
published
separately
as
MGS
Guidebook
referenced below, the
the
some were publiihed separately
Guidebook Series referenced
remainder are apparently unavailable. A
in GSA
GSA proceedings:
proceedings:
remainder
A total
total of
of eight
eight trips were listed in
Precambrian volcanic and plutonic rocks
1. Middle Precambrian
rocks of northern
northern Wisconsin
2. Stratigraphy,
Stratigraphy, structure
structure and
and mineral
mineral resources
resources of
of east-central
east-central Minnesota
Mmnesota (MGS
(MGS Field
FieldTrip
Trip Guidebook
Guidebook
series no.
9)
no. 9)
3. Quaternav
Quaternary geology
geology of the Duluth
Duluth area
area
Geology of the Mesabi
4. Geology
Mesabi Iron Range
Geologic history
western Lake
Lake Superior region
5. Geologic
hiiory and engineering
engineering geology of the western
6. Cambrian
Cambrian and
paleontology of southeastern Minnesota
Minnesota
and Ordovician
Ordoviaan stratigraphy and paleontologyof
(tipper Precambrian)
v1GS Field
7. Keweenawan (Upper
PrecambM) North
NorthShore
Shore Volcanic
Volcanic Group, Minnesota (MGS
Field Trip
Tfip
no 11)
Guidebook no.
11)
8. Archean
Archean volcanism
volcanism and
sedimentation of the w&amp;em
western Vermiliin
Vermilion D
District,
northeastern Minnesota
8.
and sedimentation
k k t , northeastarn
Mhnesota (MGS
Guidebook Series
Guidebook
Series no. 10)
10)
Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Wisconsin
1980
1980
26
Proceedings
Abstracts
Proceedingsand
andAbshcts
Field
Trip II Precambrian
Precambriangeology
geologyof
ofthe
the Chippewa
Chippewa Valley, Wisconsin.
Wsconsin
Field Trip
Field
Trip 22 Precambrian
Precambriantectonic
tectonic history
hiitow of the Black
Black River
Riier Valley
Field Trip
Field
Field Trip
Trip 33 Petrology,
Petrology, geochemistly,
geochemisby, and
and contact
contactrelations
relations of
of the
the Wausau
Wausau and
andStettin
Stettinsyenite
syenite plutons,
plutons,
Central
Wisconsin
Central Wisconsin
Reid Trip
Trip44 Precambrian
Precambriangeology
geologyand
andtectonics
tectonicsof
ofMarathon
MarathonCounty,
County, Wisconsin
W~consin
Field
1981
27
1981
East Lansing, Michigan
Michigan
Abstracts
Abstracts and
andProceedings
Pmeedngs
Field Excursion Guide
Thessalon, District
Algoma,
D i i c t of Ngoma,
FieldExcursion
Guide The
TheHuronian
Huronianrocks
rocksbetween
betweenSault
Sault Ste. Marie and Thesalon,
Ontario
Ontario
1982
28
International Falls;
1982
International
Fans, Minnesota
Minnesota
Proceedings:
Field Trips
TripsQn
(in one volume)
h
m d i n g s : Abstracts
Abshcfs and
andField
Field Trip II Mineral
Mineral deposits of the Fort
Fott Frances-Mine
FrancesMine Centre
Centre area, Ontario
Ontario
Archean geology of the International
International Falls-Kabetogama area, Minnesota
III Archean
Field Trip 1
29
1983
1983
Houghton, Michigan
Volume I
I::Abstracts
Ropes gold mine
geological setting
Abstractsand
andField
FieldTrip
Trip— Ropes
mine and
and its
its geological
setting
Volume
Volufne II:
11: Field guide to the
the geology
geology of
of the
the Keweenaw
KeweenawPeninsula
Peninsula
30
1984
Wausau, Wisconsin
Wisconsin
1984
Wausau,
Abstracts
Abstracts
23
23

-

vi

�Volume
Location
Volume
Year
Location
I Guide
Guide to
ofof
thethe
Early
Proterozoic
rocksrocks
in northeastern
Wisconsin
Field Trip
Trip 1
tothe
thegeology
geology
Early
Proterozoic
in northeastern
Wisconsin
Field
Field Trip
tectonostratigraphic
terraines
of theof
southern
Superior region
Trip22Early
EarlyProterozoic
Proterozoic
tectonostratigraphic
terraines
the southern Lake
Lake Superior
region
Field
Field Trip
Field
Trip 3
3 The Wausau
Wausau Syenite Complex
1985
31
31
1985
Kenora, Ontario
Absfracts
Abstracts
Field Trip
Field
Trip Guidebook
Guidebook
The Cameron
Cameron Lake
1. The
Lake Deposit
Deposit
2. Geologic
the Lake
Lake of
of the
the Woods
Woods area
Geologic setting
setting and
and style of gold mineralization in the
3. Geological
Geologicalrelationships
relationshipsin
in the
the vicinity of the Wabigoon-Winnipeg River
River subprovincial
subprovincialinterface
interfaceininthe
the
Kenora
Kenora area
area
4. A volcanic
volcanic fades
4.
fades interpretation
interpretationof
of the
the Berry
BerryRiver
River Formation
Formation
Granitoid related
5. Granitoid
relatedmineralization
mineralizationin
in the Dryden
Dryden area
area
32
1986
32
1986
Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin
Abs tracts
AbsfnactsField Trip!
The
Field
Trip I
TheWolf
WolfRiver
RiverBatholith
Batholithand
andBaraboo
Baraboointerval
interval (published
(published as
as Field
Field Trip
Trip Guide
Guide Book
Book Number
Number
12,
1
2,WGNHS)
Il Penokean
Penokean deformation and metamorphism
metamorphism in central Wisconsin: volcanic
volcanic rocks
Field Trip
Trip I1
rocks and
and gneisses
gneisses
un-numbered Field Trip Guide Book
Book of
of the
the WGNHS)
WGNHS)
(published as un-numbered

.

were adopted
adopted to
to conform
conform to
to ISSN standards
standards in 1987)
(compiler note: new
new reference
reference designations were

33

1987
Wawa, Ontario
1987
Ontario
Pan' 1
1:
Abstracts
: 'Abstracts
Part
Part
2: *Geology
Part2:
"Geology of
of the
the Wawa
Wawa area
area and
and gold
gold mineralization
mineralization
Pail 3:
3: Geology
'Geology and
andstratigraphy
stratigraphyof
ofthe
theMichipicoten
Michipicoteniron-Formation
Iron-Formation
Part
*Glogy ofofthe
Part 44:
: 'Geology
theHemlo
HemloDeposit
Deposit
PantS:
5: TThe
h eKapuskasing
KapuskasingUplift
UpliftArctiean
Archeangreenstones
greenstones and
and granulites
Part
1988
1988
Marquette, Michigan
Michigan
Pail I: Abstracts
Parti:
'Abstracts
Pant2:Field
FieldTrip
TripGuidebook
Guidebook
Part
1. An introduction
introduction to
to Archean
Archean geology
geology and
and precious
precious metal
metal mineralization
mineralization of
of the
the Marquette
Marquette Greenstone
Belt, Michigan
Michigan
2. Marquette
geology
Marquette mineral
mineraldistrict
district of
of Michigan,
Michigan, mining
mining history
history and geology
A structural traverse across aa part
part of
ofthe
the Penokean
Penokean orogen
orogenillustrating
illustrating Early
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic overthrusting
overthrusting in
in
3. Astructural
northern Michigan
northern
Michigan
Duluth,
1989
1989
Duluth, Minnesota
Minnesota
Part
: Abstracts
Abstracts
Part I:1
Part
: Field
Guidebook
Pan' 22:
Field Trin
Dip Guidebook
North Shore
1. ~o-rth
Shore rhyolites,
rhyolites, Minnesota
Minnesota
2. Penokean
PenokeanStructural
StructuralTerranes
Terranesinineast-central
east-centralMinnesota
Minnesota
Mellen Complex.
3. Mellen
Complex, Wisconsin
Wisconsin
4. Archean
Archean gold
goldoccurrences
occurrencesand
andtheir
their structural
structuralsettings
settings(Virginia
(Virginia Horn)
Horn)
Thunder
1990
1990
Thunder Bay,
Bay, Ontario
Part I:
tAbstracts
Abstracts
Part2
Part 2:Field
FieldTrip
TripGuidebook
Guidebook
and granitoid
granitoid rocks
rocks of
of Lac des lies
lies area
1. Mafic intrusions, PGE mineralization, and
area
2. Geology
Geology of
of the
the Shebandowan
Shebandowan and
and Quetico
QueticoArchean
Archean subprovinces
subprovinces
Granitoid-related mineral
Lake Superior
Superior region
3. Granitoid-related
mineral deposits
deposits in the western Lake
region
4. Base
Base metal
metalmineralization
mineralizationin
in the
the Shebandowan
ShebandowanGreenstone
GreenstoneBelt
Belt
1991
Eau
Wisconsin
1991
Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Part
*Abstracts
Part I:1:*Abstracts
Part
Part 2:
2: *Fieid
'Field Trip
Trip Guidebook
Guidebook
Mountain Shear
post Penokean
Penokean discrete
discrete ductile
ductile deformation
deformation zone
1. Mountain
Shear Zone
Zone —
- a a post
zone
2. Features
Featuresand
and significance of
of the
the Precambrian-Cambrian
Precambrian-Cambriancontact
contactin
in western
westernWisconsin
Wsconsin
3. Proterozoic
Wisconsin
Proterozoic volcanogenic
volcanogenic massive
massive sulfide
sulfide deposits of NW
NW Wisconsin
-

34

35

36

37

.

VII
vii

�Location
Year
Volume
Year
Location
Volume
Hurley,
38
1992
Hurley, Wisconsin
Wisconsin
1992
38
Pad
1:*Program
"Program and
andAbstracts
Abstracts
Part1:
Part 2:'Field Trip
TripGuidebook
Guidebook
Pad2:Field
1.
Archean and
andEarly
EarlyProterozoic
Proterozoicgeology
geology of
of the
the Gogebic
GogebicDistrict
District
1. Archean
2. Evolution
Evolutionof
ofthe
the Keweenawan
Keweenawansedimentary
sedimentarysequence
sequence
2.
3.
3. Geology
Geologyof
ofthe
theKeweenawan
KeweenawanSupergroup
Supergroupat
atPorcupine
PorcupineMountains
Mountains
4.
late Archean paleosuture
paleosuture
4. Geology
Geologyof
of the
the Great
GreatLakes
LakesTectonic
Tectonic Zone - Marquette area - a late
Eveleth,
1993
39
1993
Eveleth, Minnesota
Minnesota
39
Part 1:
1:'Program
andAbstracts
Abstracts
Pan'
Program and
Part2:
2: Field
'Field Trip
TripGuidebook
Guidebook
Pad
1.
1. Geology
Geologyand
andtaconite
taconitemines
minesof
ofthe
theMesabi
Mesabirange
range
2.
2. DNR
DNRCore
CoreUbrary
LibraryBiwabik
'B'wabikIron
IronFormation.
Formation,Partridge
PartridgeRiver
Riverand
andSouth
SouthKawishiwi
Kawishiiintrusions,
intrusions,Regolith
Regolithinin
northernMinnesota)
Minnesota)
Rotasoniccores
cores--northern
Rotasonic
3.
3. Geology
Geologyof
ofArchean
Archeangreenstone-granite
greenstone-granite terrane:
terrane: Cook-Side
Cook-SideLake
Lakearea
area
4. Duluth
DuluthComplex
Complexat
atDuluth
Duluth
Houghton,
40
1994
Houghton, Michigan
Michigan
40
1994
Pad
*Program and
Part1:
1:"Program
andAbstracts
Abstracts
Pad
2: *Self..guided geological
Keweenaw Peninsula, Michigan (available from
Part2:'Self-guided
geological field trip to the Keweenaw
from Dr.
Dr. T.J.
T.J.
Bornhorst, 402 Emerald Street,
Street,Houghton,
Houghton,MI
Ml 49931-1413
49931-1413 (906482-5507))
(906482-5507))
Part3:
3: Volcanic
Volcanicgeology
geologyof
ofeastern
easternIsle
kle Royale,
Royale, Michigan
Michigan
Pad
Pad
4: Michigan
"Michigankimberlites
kimbetiiesand
anddiamond
diamondexploration
explorationtechniques
techniques
Part4:
Pad
Part5:
5: Lessons
'Lessons from
frommining
miningcase
casehistories:
histories:West
WestMenominee
MenomineeRange,
Range,Michigan
Michigan
Marathon,
1995
41
1995
Marathon, Ontario
Ontario
41
Pad
Part1:
1:*Program
'Program and
andAbstracts
Abstracts
Pad
Part2:
2: Field
FieldTrip
TripGuidebooks
Guidebooks(some
(some may
mayalso
also be
beacquired
acquiredfrom
fromOntario
OntarioGeological
GeologicalSurvey,
Survey,Ministry
Ministryof
of
Northern
435 South
NorthernDevelopment
Developmentand
andMines,
Mines, Suite
Suite 8002,
B002.435
SouthJames
JamesStreet,
Street,Thunder
ThunderBay,
Bay,Ontario,
Ontario,
Canada
Canada P7E
P7E6E3
6E3 (807475-1331)).
(807-475-1331)).
2a. Alkalic
*Alkalicrocks
rocksofofthe
theMidconlinent
MidcontinentRift
Rift
2a.
2b.
2b.'Geology and
andbase
basemetal
metaldeposits
deposits of
of the
the Manitouwadge
Manitouwadge Greenstone
Greenstone belt
belt
2c.
2c. Geology
'Geology ofofthe
theSchreiber
SchreiberGreenstone
Greenstoneassemblage
assemblageand
andits
itsgold
goldand
andbase
basemetal
metalmineralization
mineralization
2 d Geology
Geologyand
and gold
gold deposits
deposits of
of the Hemlo
Hemloarea
area
2d.
2e. 'Kimberlite,
area
*Kimberliie,base
basemetal,
metal,and
andgold
goldexploration
exploration using
using overburden, Wawa area
Cable,
Wisconsin
1996
42
1996
Cable, Wisconsin
42
Part1:
1:Program
Programand
andAbstracts
Abstracts
Pad
Pad
Part2:
2: Volcanogenic
Volcanogenic Massive
Massive Sullide
Sulfide Deposits
Deposits of Northern
NorthernWisconsin:
Wsconsin: A Commemorative
CommemorativeVolume
Volume
(published
(publishedin
in conjunction
conjunctionwith
with Field
Field Trip
Trip 33 to
to the
the Flambeau
FlambeauMine)
Mine)
Pad
Part3:
3: Field
FieldTrip
Trip Guidebook
Guidebook
1. Glacial
Glacialgeology
geologyof
ofwestern
westernWisconsin
Wisconsin
1.
2.
2. Geology
Geologyofofthe
theMontreal
MontrealRiver
RiverMonocline:
Monocline: A
A traverse
traverse through
through 25 km
km of
of crust
crust
4.
4. Early
EarlytotoMiddle
MiddleProterozoic
Proterozoicgeology
geologyof
of the
the Lake
Lake Namekagon
Namekagonregion
region
5. Lake
LakeNamekagon
Namekagonand
andPenokee
PenokeeGap
Gaparea,
area, west
west Gogebic
Gogebic Range,
Range, Wisconsin
Wsconsin
Sudbury, Ontario
43
1997
Ontario
43
1997
Pad
1: Program
Parti:
Programand
andAbstracts
Abstracts
Pad2
Huronian
Supergroup
The
Huronian
Supergroupbetween
betweenSault
SaultSte.
Ste.Marie
Marieand
andElliot
ElliotLake
Lake
Part 2:The
Pad
3: New
Part3:
NewDevelopments
DevelopmentsininGrenville
GrenvilleFront
FrontGeology,
Geology, Sudbury
Sudbury Area, Ontario
Ontario
Pad
4: The
TheSudbury
SudburyStructure
Structurewith
with Emphasis
Emphasis on
on the
the Whitewater
Whitewater Group
Group
Part4:
Pad
5: Magmatic
Part5:
MagmaticOre
OreDeposits
Depositsof
ofthe
the Sudbury
Sudbury Igneous
Igneous Complex
Complex
Part 6:
6: Alkalic
Alkalicrocks
rocksof
ofthe
theSudbury
Sudbury Region
Region
Pad
Pad
Part?:7: Regreening
Regreeningof
of Sudbury
Sudbury

-

Future Meeting
Meeting Locations:
Future
44
1998
?
44
1998
?
1999
45
1999
?
45

VIII
viii

�Award Guidelines
Award
Guidelines
Sam
Goldich
Sam Goldich Medal
Medal
Preamble
Preamble
The
documented by
by the
the fact
fact that
that the 27th
27th
The Institute
Institute on
on Lake
Lake Superior
Superior Geology
Geology was born in or around 1955, as documented
with those
those aspects
aspectsof
of
annual meeting
meeting was
was held
held in
in 1981.
1981. The
TheInstitute's
Institute's continuing
continuing objectives
objectives are
are to
to deal
dealwith
geology
geology that
that are
are related
relatedgeographically
geographicallyto
to Lake
Lake Superior, to encourage
encouragethe
the discussion
discussionof
of subjects
subjectsand
and
sponsoring
sponsoring field
field tips
tripswhich
whichwill
willbring
bringtogether
togethergeologists
geologistsfrom
fromacademia,
academia,government
governmentsulveys,
surveys,and
andindustry,
industry,
and
and to maintain
maintain an
an informal
informalbut
buteffective
effective mode
mode of
of operation.
During
itsexistence
existencethe
the membership
membershipof
of the
the Institute
Institute(that
(thatis,
is, those
those geologists
geologistswho
whoindicate
indicatean
an
During the
the course
courseof
ofits
interest
attending) has
hasbecome
become aware
awarethat
interest in the objectives
objectives of the ILSG by attending)
that certain
certainof
of their
theircolleagues
colleagueshave
have
made
to the
the understanding
understanding of
made particularly
particularlynoteworthy
noteworthyand
and meritorious
meritoriouscontributions to
of Lake
Lake Superior
Superior geology
geology and
mineral
mineral deposits.
deposits.

The
was made
to Sam
Sam Goldich in
in 1979 for
for his many contributions
contributions to the geology of
of the
the
The first award
award was
made by
by the
the ILSG to
region
extending
over
some
50
years.
region extending over some 50 years.
Guidelines
Award Guidelines
The medal
medal shall
of Directors
Directors to
to a geologist
geologist whose name
1) The
shall be
be awarded
awarded annually
annually by
by the ILSG Board of
name is
substantial interest in, and
and contribution
contribution to,
to, the
the geology
geology of the Lake
associated with a substantial
Lake Superior
Superiorregion.
region.

2) The
the Nominating
Nominating Committee.
Committee. The
The Board
Board of
of Directors
Directorsshall
shall appoint the
The initial
initial appointment
appointment shall
shall be
be of three
members,
years, and
and one for
for one year. The member
with the
the
members, one
oneto
to serve
serve for
for three
three years, one for two years,
memberwith
briefest
incumbency shall
year, the
the Board shall
shall appoint
briefest incumbency
shall be
be chairman.
chairman. After the first year,
appoint at
at each
each spring
spring meeting
meeting
one new member
member who will serve for three
three years.
years. In the third
third year
year this
this member
member shall
shall be the
the chairman.
chairman. The
The
Committee membership
membershipshould
shouldreflect
reflect
main
fields
of interest
geographic
dbon ofofILSG
thethe
main
fields
of interest
andand
geographic
distribution
ILSG
membership.
membership.
3) By
Committee shall
shall make
By November,
November, the
the Goldich
GoldichMedal
Medal Nominating
Nominating Committee
make its
its recommendation
recommendationto
tothe
theChairman
Chairman
of the Board
Board of Directors
inform the
the Board of
of the
the nominee.
Directorswho will then inform

4) The
TheBoard
Boardnormally
normallywill
willaccept
acceptthe
thenominee
nomineeof
of the
the Committee,
Committee, will
will inform
informthe
the medallist
medallistimmediately,
immediately,and
and
will have
meeting of the Institute.
have the medal
medalengraved
engravedappropriately
appropriately for presentation
presentation at the next meeting
recommended that
set aside
aside annually
annuallyfrom
from whatever
whatever sources,
sources, such
such funds as will
will be
5)
that the
the Institute
Institute set
5) It is recommended
required to support
support the
cosk of this award.
required
the continuing
continuing costs

Nomination
Nomination Procedures
Procedures

1) Nominations shall be taken at any
any time
lime by
bythe
theGoldich
GoldichMedal
MedalCommittee.
Committee. Committee members
members may
themselves
November 1.
themselves nominate
nominate candidates. The
The deadline
deadline for nominations
nominations is November
1.
supported by
by appropriate
appropriatedocumentation
documentation such
such as letters of
2) Nominations
Nominations must
must be
be in
in writing and supported
recommendation,
recommendation,lists
listsof
ofpublications,
publications,c.v.'s,
c.v.'s, and
and evidence
evidence on
on contributions
contributionsto
to Lake
LakeSuperior
Superiorgeology
geologyand
andto
to
the Institute.
Institute.
3) Nominations
attendees but are open to anyone
Nominations are
are not
notrestricted
restrictedto
to Institute
Institute attendees
anyone who
who has
hasworked
workedon
onand
and
contributed
contributed to Lake
LakeSuperior
Superiorgeology.
geology.

ix

�Selection Guidelines
Selection
Guidelines
Nominees are
Lake Superior
1) Nominees
are to
to be
beevaluated
evaluated on
on the basis
basis of their contributions to Lake
Superiorgeology
geology(sensu
(sensulato)
lato)
including:
importance of relevant
a) importance
relevantpublications
publications
b) promotion
of natural
natural resources
promotion of
of discovery
discovery and utilization of
natural history and environment
c) contilbutions
contributionsto
to understanding
understanding of the natural
environmentof
ofthe
theregion
region
d) generation
generation of new
new ideas and concepts
the training
training and
and education
education of
of geoscientists
geoscientists and
and the
the public.
public.
e) contributions
contributions to the
-

as demonstrated
demonstrated by
2) Nominees
Nomineesare
are to
to be
beevaluated
evaluatedon
on their contributions
contributionsto the Institute as
by attendance
attendance at
at
Institute
meetings, presentation
and service
service on
on Institute boards, committees,
committees, and
and field
field
Institute meetings,
presentation of talks and posters, and
trips.
3) The
remain flexible
The relative
relativeweights
weightsgiven
given to each of the foregoing criteria must remain
flexibleand
andat
atthe
thediscretion
discretionof
of the
the
Committee members.
Committee
members.

4) There
There are
are several
severalpoints
pointsto
to be
be considered
considered by the selection committee:
balance of
of medal
medal recipients
recipients from each
a) an attempt
attempt should
should be
be made
made to maintain aa balance
each of
of the
the three
three estates,
industry, academia, and
and govemment.
government.
b) it must
must be
geoscientists are
areat
ataadisadvantage
disadvantagein
inthat
that much
much of their work is
Is not
not
be noted
noted that industry geoscientists
published.
published.
one the
the United
UnitedStates,
States,the
theother
otherCanada.
Canada. This
This is undoubtedly
undoubtedly one of the
the
5) Lake
Lake Superior
Superior has
has two sides, one
great strengths
strengths and should
should be
be nurtured
nurtured by equitable
equitable recognition
recognition of excellence
excellence in
Institutes' great
in both
both countries.

x

�Board
Board of Directors
Directors
1997
1997

Ronald
Co-chainnan
Ronald P.
P. Sage, Co-chairman
Wilt ned Meyer, Co-chairman
Co-chairman
Wilfried
Ontario
Ontario Geological
GeologicalSurvey,
Survey, Sudbury, Ontario
Ontario

1996
1996

LaurelG.Woodruff
Laurel
G. Woodruff
U.S. Geological
Geological Survey,
St. Paul,
Paul, Minnesota
Minnesota
U.S.
Survey, St.

1995
1995

Mark C.
C. Smyk
Ontario Geological
Ontario
GeologicalSurvey,
Survey, Thunder
Thunder Bay,
Bay, Ontario
Ontario

1994
1994

Theodore J. Bomhonst
Bornhorst
Michigan Technological
Michigan
TechnologicalUniversity,
University, Houghton, Michigan
Michigan

Permanent Secretary-Treasurer
Mark Jirsa
Jirsa
Mark
Minnesota Geological
Minnesota
GeologicalSurvey
Survey
2642 University
2642
UniversityAvenue
Avenue
St Paul,
MN55114-1057
55114-1057
St.
Paul.MN

Committees
Local Committees
General Chair
Ronald P. Sage
Ronald
Ontario Geological
Geological Survey,
Ontario
Survey, Sudbury, Ontario
Ontario
Wilt ned Meyer
Wilfried
Geologists Program,
Resident Geologist's
Program,Sudbury,
Sudbury, Ontario
Ontario

Program 'Committee
Committee
Program
Ronald
Ronald P.
P. Sage
Sage
Geological Survey,
Ontario Geological
Survey, Sudbury,
Sudbury, Ontario
Wilfnied Meyer
Wilfried
Meyer
Geologists Program,
Resident Geologist's
Program, Sudbury,
Sudbury, Ontario
Ontario
Tracy Livingstone
Resident
Geologists Program,
Resident Geologist's
Program,Sudbury,
Sudbury, Ontario
Ontario

Field
Field Trip
Trip Committee
Committee
P.
Sagi
Ronald P
. Sage
Geological Survey,
Ontario Geological
Survey, Sudbury,
Sudbury, Ontario
Ontario
Wilfnied
Wilfried Meyer
Meyer
Geologists Program,
Resident Geologist's
Program, Sudbury,
Sudbury, Ontario
Ontario
Livingstone
Tracy Livingstone
Resident GeolgoisCs
Geolgoist's Program,
Resident
Program, Sudbury,
Sudbury, Ontario
Ontario

Secretary-Treasurer
Secretary-Treasurer
Tracy Livingstone
Geologists Program,
Resident Geologist's
Program, Sudbury,
Sudbury, Ontario

xi

�Student Paper
Paper Committee
Committee
Kalliokoski
Jorna Kalliokoski
Technological University
Professor Emeritus, Michigan Technological
University
Jim Miller
Miller
Senior Geologist,
Geological Survey
Geologist, Minnesota
Minnesota Geological
Darrell Long
Long
Department of Earth
Earth Sciences,
Sciences, Laurentian
Laurentian University

Session Chairs
Chairs
LaBerge
Gene LaBerge
of Wisconsin
Wisconsin Oshkosh,
Oshkosh, Oshkosh,
Oshkosh, Wisconsin
Wisconsin and
and U.
U.S.
S. Geological
GeologicalSurvey
Survey
University of

Terrence Boerboom
Boerboom
Minnesota
St. Paul,
Paul, Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota Geological
GeologicalSurvey,
Survey, St.
Mark
Mark Smyk
Ontario
Ontario Geological
GeologicalSurvey,
Survey, Thunder
ThunderBay,
Bay, Ontario
Ontario
Jirsa
Mark Jirsa
Minnesota
St. Paul,
Paul, Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota Geological
GeologicalSurvey,
Survey, St.

Gordon
Gordon Medaris,
Medaris, Jr.
of Wisconsin-Madison,
Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin
Wisconsin
University of

Frank Luther
Luther
of Wisconsin-Whitewater,
Wisconsin-Whitewater, Whiiewater,
Whitewater, Wisconsin
Wisconsin
University of
Theodore Bornhorst
Michigan
Michigan Technological
TechnologicalUniversity,
University, Houghton,
Houghton,Michigan
Michigan

Phil
Thurston
Phil Thurston
Ontario
Ontario Geological
GeologicalSurvey,
Survey, Sudbury,
Sudbury, Ontario
Ontario

1996-97 Goldich Medal
1996-97
Medal Committee
Committee
Ken Card
Ken
Card (1997)
(1997)
Consulting
(formerly Geological
Consulting Geologist, Kanata, Ontario (formerly
Geological Survey
Survey of
of Canada)
England (1998)
(1998)
Dan England
Eveleth Fee Office, Incorporated,
Eveleth
Incorporated,Eveleth,
Eveleth, Minnesota
Minnesota
999)
(1999)
John Klasner
Klasner(1
Macomb, Illinois
Western Illinois
Illinois University, Macomb,
Illinois

XII
xii

�1997 GOLDICH MEDAL
MEDAL RECIPIENT
RECIPIENT

RONALD P. SAGE,
SAGE, ONTARIO
ONTARIO GEOLOGICAL
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
SURVEY

Past Goldich
Goldich Medalists
Medalists
Samuel
Samuel S. Goldich
Goldlch
not
not awarded
awarded
Carl
E. Dutton,
Dutton, Jr.
Jr.
Carl E.
Ralph
Ralph W. Marsden
Marsden
Burton
Burton Boyum
Boyum
Richard
Richard W. Ojakangas
Ojakangas
Paul
Paul K. Sims
Sims
G.B.
G. 6.Morey
Morey
Henry
Halls
Henry H. Halls
Walter S. Whit
Whit
Jorma Kalliokoski
Kalliokoski
Kenneth
Kenneth C.
C . Card
Card
William
William J.
J. Hinze
Hinze
William
F. Cannon
Cannon
William F.
Donald
W. Davis
Davis
Donald W.
Cedric
Cedric Iverson
Iverson
Gene LaBerge
LaBerge
Southwick
David L. Southwick

1979
1980
1981

1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991

1992
1993
1994
1995
1996

1997 Banquet Speaker

Dr. Peter Lightfoot
Lightfoot
Inco Limited
Limited
Ontario
Copper Cliff, Ontario

Origin
Origin of the Sudbury
Sudbury Structure
Structure and its
its Mineral
Mineral Wealth
Wealth

XIII
xiii

�Banquet
Banquet Speaker
Dr.
D
r.Peter
Peter Lightfoot
Lightfoot
Inca
Inco Limited
Limited
his
BScdegree
degreein
inGeology
Geologyfrom
fromWorcester
WorcesterCollege,
Collee, Oxford,
in
Peter received h
is BSc
Oxford, England
Englandin
in 1980
1980 and
and his MSc in
Geology under the supervision of
of A.J.
A.J. NaldretI
Naldrett from
from the
the University
Universityof
ofToronto
Torontoin
in1982.
1982. He returned
returned to England
England
received his PhD in Geochemistry from
from the Open University, Milton Keynes,
Keynes, England
England under
under the supervision
and received
supervision
C.J.
Hawkesworth.
.J.Hawkesworth.
of C
During
the period
1985 through
through 1987,
1987, Peter
Peterwas
was aa Post-doctoral
Postdoctoralfellow
fellowat
atthe
theUniversity
Universityof
ofToronto,
Toronto,Canada
Canada
During the
periodof
of 1985
conducting
diabase in
in the Temagami
Temagami and
andNew
NewLiskeard
Uskeardarea
areaof
ofOntario.
Ontario.
conductingresearch
researchon
onthe
the Nipissing
Nipissing diabase
joined the Ontario Geological
Geological Survey
Survey and became
became Supervisor, Mineral
MineralSciences
SciencesSubsection,
Subsection,
In 1987 Peter joined
Geoscience
played aa major
major role in
in the
the design
design of
of the
the Ontario
Ontario Geological
Geological Survey
Survey
Geoscience Laboratories
Laboratories until 1990. Peter played
Geoscience
Geosaence Laboratories
Laboratoriesat
at the
the Willet
Willet Green
GreenMiller
MillerCentre
Centrein
inSudbury.
Sudbury.

From
conducted research
research into
into mafic
mafic to
to ultramafic
ultramafic rocks
rocks for
for the
the Ontario Geological
Geological
From 1992
1992 unth
until 1996 Peter conducted
Survey. During
During his
research has included
included projects
his career, his
his research
projects on the petrogenesis
petrogenesis of
of the
the Nipissing
Nipissingdiabase,
Keweenawan
Keweenawan flood
flood basalt
basalt sequences,
sequences, Siberian
Siberian Trap
Trap lavas,
lavas, Noril'sk-Tainakh
Noril'sk-Tainakh intrusions
intrusionsand
andDeccan
DeccanTraps.
Traps.The
The
development
rocks of mafic and ultramafic
development of
of suiphide
sulphide accumulations
accumulations in rocks
ultramafic composition
compositionhas
has been
been one
one of
of his
his
prime
prime interests.
interests.
In
at the
the Ontario
Ontario Geological
Qeological Survey to
to become
become Senior
1996 Peter
Peter resigned
resigned his
his position at
Senior Geologist with Inco
Inco
In 1996
Limited in Sudbury, Ontario. Peter continues
continues to
to work
work in
in mafic
mafic to ultramafic
ultramafic rocks
rocks and
and their
their associated
associated sulphide
sulphide
Limited
mineralization. One
gabbro-hosted, Cu-Ni-Co
hiscurrent
currentinterests
interestsis
isthe
the Voisey%
Voise/s Bay, gabbro-hosted,
C u - N i i deposit
depositin
in
minerariuation.
Oneof
ofhis
Newfoundland, Canada.
Newfoundland,
Peter resides
with wife
wife Nancy,
Nancy,who
whosupervises
supervisescancer
cancer research
research projects
projects at Laurentian
Laurentian
Peter
resides in Sudbury, Ontario with
Hospital, and
Hospital,
and daughter
daughterMeagan.
Meagan.-

xiv

.

�CITATION
CITATION

Sage, 1997
1997 S.S.
5.5. Goldich
Ronald Parker Sage,
Goldich Medal
Medal Recipient
Recipient
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Gentlemen:
Ladies
my pleasure
pleasure tonight to introduce to you Ronald
Ronald Parker
It is my
Parker Sage, the
the 1997
1997recipient
recipientof
ofthe
theS.
S. S.
S. Goldich
GoldichMedal.
Medal.
is the 43rd
43rd annual
on Lake
Lake Superior
Superior Geology, and the 18th
annual meeting
meeting of
of the Institute on
18th time the medal
medal is
is
This is
awarded.
being awarded.

IImet
met Sam
Goldich only once, and that
that happened
happened many
manyyears
yearsago
agoat
ataaconference
conference on
on iron
ironformations.
formations. From
Sam Goldich
became clear to me that he was
was one
one of
of the
the giants
giants of
of Lake Superior
Superior geology. In
Inaaheated
heated
the discussions it became
debate the moderétor
to challenge
challenge Sam
Sam Goldich
this point"?
point"? There
There were
were no
no
debate
moderatorasked
asked "Does
"Does anyone wish to
Goldich on
on this
years citation.
citation,Glen
GlenMorey
Moreycompared
comparedSam
SamGoldich
Goldichtotothe
the"Drill
"DrillInstructor
Instructorwe
wesee
seeon
onTV
Wads
ads for
takers. In last years
U.S. Marine Corps", tough,
tough, expecting his people
the U.S.
people to perform
perform at
at their
their best, yet
yet aa wonderful
wonderfulman.
man.
Before
IIrecite
recite to you the
the many
manyaccomplishments
accomplishmentswhy
why Ron
Ronthe
the scientist
scientistis
is the
the worthy
worthy 1997
1997 recipient
recipient of the S.
~
efore
Goldich medal, let
S. Goldich
let me
me tell
tell you
you about Ron
Ron the person.
Ron was born
the city where
where he also
also spent his
childhood and
his childhood
and youth.
Ron
born in
in 1938
1938 in
in Pontiac, Michigan, the

married Carol
been happily
In 1974, he married
Carol Ann Raebiger from Philadelphia, and they have been
happily married
married for 23
23 years.
honeymoon to
to the
the sunny
sunny beaches and warm waters on some exotic
While many
many young couples
couples travel for their honeymoon
tropical
tropical island,
island. Ron
Ron and
and Carol
Carol chose
chose an
anexotic
exoticisland
islandof
of another
anotherkind,
kind, they
theytravelled
travelledto
toIceland,
Iceland,where
wherethere
there
are
Ron and
and Carol have three
three teenage children, Douglas,
are glaciers, volcanic
volcanic rocks,
rocks, and no
no tourists. Ron
Douglas, Victoria,
and
and Alexandra.
graduated in 1960 with
with aa BSc
BScdegree
degreein
ingeological
geological engineering
engineering from
from Michigan
Michigan Technological
Technological
Ron first graduated
University
Houghton. While
While at
at MTU,
of his free
free time
lime wllec
collecting
MTU. Ron
Ron spent
spent moSt
most of
Univecsitv in Houahton.
ting rocks
rocksand
and minerals
mineralsin
in the
the
copper and
eaming him the
the nickname
nickname "Rocky".
"Rocky". He
Hewas
wasaastudent
ffirilSpiroff,
Spiroff, the
the "Mad
"Mad
copper
and iron
iron mining
mining districts, earning
studentof
ofKiril
remember, Ron holds his Alma Mater
Russian", whom many
many of you will remember.
Mater in high
hiiih esteem, his
his son Douglas
Douglas is
L
~to1~
- -Scientific
~~..
enrolled there
year
0study
siuay
oaenunc
now enrolled
there in
in a premedicine
premedicine program, and
anddaughter
daughterVictoria
Victoriawill
willfollow
follownext
nexi
year
and Technical
technical Communications.
Communications.
.A..2~..-&lt;--.&lt;c.

the early 1960s,
1960s,Ron
Ronworked
workedfor
forthree
threeyears
yearsas
asExploitation
ExploitationEngineer
Engineerfor
forthe
the Shell
Shell Oil
Oil Company
Company in west
west
In the
included well sitting, well
well logging, well
well workovers, and
Texas. His duties included
and other
other production
productionrelated
relatedactivities.
activities.

graduated with aa Master's
Master'sdegree
degreein
inGeology
Geologyfrom
fromthe
the Colorado
Colorado School
School of Mines. It
Itwas
In 1966, Ron graduated
was here
here that
to alkalic
alkalic rocks,
rocks, h
his
studytopic
topicand
andthesis
thesisbeing
being"Geology
"Geologyand
andMineralogy
Mineralogyof
ofthe
theCripple
cripple
is study
he was first exposed to
Creek
Teller County,
County, Colorado".
Colorado". This led to
toemployment
withAnaconda
AnacondaAmerican
AmericanBrass
BrassLtd
Ltdto
to
Creek Syenite Stock, Teller
employmentwith
investigate
the Port
Port Coldwell
CoIdwell alkalic
alkalic complex
complex near
near Marathon, Ontario.
investigate Cu-Ni-PGE minerals in the
During
summer of
During the summer
of 1967,
1967, Ron
Ron searched
searched for basemetals
basemetalsininthe
theEly
ElyGreenstone
GreenstoneBelt
BeltininMinnesota
Minnesotafor
forBear
Bear
Creek Mining. It was
was in
in that
that year
yearthat
thathe
hefirst
first met
met two
two other
other greats
greats of
of Lake Superior
Superior geology, Ned
Ned Eisenbrey
Einbrey
Creek
and Gene
Gene Laberge.
Laberge.
Ron again worked for Anaconda American
American Brass Ltd,
Ltd. this
this time
time north
north of
of Lake Superior in the
the Schreiber
Schreiber
In 1969, Ron
greenstone
greenstone belt,
belt, searching
searching for
for gold
gold and
and basemetals.
fall of 1969,
Geological Survey,
Survey, his
In the fall
1969, Ron
Ron joined the Ontario Geological
his professional
professionalhome
hometo
to this
this day.
day. Ron's
Ron's work for
for
the
the OGS
OGS has
hastaken
takenhim
himto
to many
manyparts
partsof
of the
the province,
province, but
but never
never very
very far
far and
andnever
neververy
verylong
longfrom
fromLake
Lake
Superior.
helicopter reconnaissance
reconnaissance in
in Northern Ontario, then
Superior. He
He spent
spent the first four years on aa helicopter
thenmapped
mappedthe
the
Slate
worked on
on aa multiyear
multiyear program
program to
to study alkalic
alkalic rocks
rocks north
Slate Islands
Islands in
in Lake
Lake Superior, and next worked
north of Port
CoIdwell
the Trans
Trans Superior
Superior Tectonic
Tectonic Zone
Zone and along
along the Kapuskasing
Coldwell along
along the
the northern
northern extension
extension of the
Kapuskasing
Structural
greenstone belt.
StructuralZone.
Zone. In
In1978,
1978,Ron
Ronwas
was assigned
assigned to the Michipicoten
Michipicoten greenstone
belt.Here
Herehe
hespent
spent10
10years
years

xv

�mapping
supracrustal rocks over approximately
approximately 540 square miles, with emphasis on the
the gold
gold and
mapping Archean supracrustal
base
metal potential. In 1993, Ron
Ron was
was assigned
assignedto
to aa province
provincewide
wideprogram
program of
of kimberliie
kimberlite occurrences
occurrences to
to
base metal
stimulate diamond
diamond exploration. Some
Some of
stimulate
of this work was
was again
again in
in the Michipicoten
Michipicotenarea,
area, where
where diamond
diamondindicator
indicator
minerals are common.
minerals
Despite his busy
busy professional
professional schedule,
schedule, Ron was
was able to complete
complete his
Despite
hisPhD
PhDdegree
degreein
in1986
1986for
foraathesis
thesis
submitted to Carleton
Catleton University in
in Ottawa.
Ottawa.The
The topic:
topic: "Aikalic
submitted
"Alkalic Rock
Rock Complexes
Complexesand
andCarbonatites
Carbonatitesof
of Northem
Northern
Ontailo, and
Ontario,
and their
their Economic
EconomicPotential".
Potential".

xvi

�Student
Student Travel
Travel Award
Award
The
Travel Award to support
support student
The 1986
1986 Board
Board of
of Directors
Directors established
established the LL.S.G.
I.L.S.G. Student Travel
student participation
participation at
annual meeting
Institute. The awards will be made from a special
special fund
fund set
set up
up for this purpose. This
This
the annual
meeting of the Institute.
award
intended to help defray
defray some
some of
of the
the direct
direct travel
travel costs to
to the
the Institute and
and includes a waiver
waiver of
of
is intended
award is
The number
numberof
ofawards
awards
registration fees,
fees, but
but excludes
excludesexpenses
expensesfor
formeals,
meals,lodging,
lodging,and
andfield
fieldtrip
tip registration.
registration. The
and
Chairman in
Secretary-Treasurer and
andwill
willbe
be
and value
value are
are determined
determined by
by the annual
annual Chairman
in consultation
consultation with the Secretary-Treasurer
announced
announced at
at the
the annual
annualbanquet.
banquet.
The
responsiblefor
forthe
theselection:
selection:
The following
followinggeneral
generalcriteria
criteriawill
will be
be considered
considered by
by the
the annual
annual Chairman,
Chairman,who
who isisresponsible
1)
resident (undergraduate
(undergraduate or graduate) student
student status
1) The applicants
applicants must
must have active resident
status at
at the time of
of the
annual
annual meeting
meetingof
of the
the Institute,
Institute, certified by
by the department
departmenthead.
head.
2) Students
paper will be given
Students who
who are
are the senior author on either an oral or poster
poster paper
given favoured
favoured consideration.
consideration.

is desirable
or more
more students
students to jointly
requesttravel
travelassistance.
assistance.
3) ItIt is
desirable for two or
jointly request
4) In
farthest away.
In general,
general, priority
priority will be
be given to those in the Institute region who are farthest
away.

5) Each
travel award
writing, to
to the
the annual Chairman,
Chairman, with
with an
Each travel
award request
request shall be made in writing,
an explanation
explanation of need,
need,
possible
possible author
author status
status or
or other
other significant
significantdetails.
details.
Successful
Successful applicants
applicantswill
will receive
receive their
their awards
awards at
at the
the time
time of
of registration
registrationfor
forthe
theMeeting.
Meeting.

xvii
xvii

�Institute on Lake
Lake Superior
Superior Geology
Geology
42nd Annual Institute
Cable, Wisconsin
Wisconsin

-

The
Geology was
1996, at the Telemark
Telemark Lodge
The 42nd
42nd Annual
Annual Institute
Instituteon
on Lake
Lake Superior Geology
was held
held May
May 15
15 - 19,
19,1996,
Lodge in
in
Cable, Wisconsin. The
(Chair, Laurel
Laurel Woodruff, Reid
U. S. Geological
Geological Survey
Survey (Chair,
Field
Themeeting
meetingwas
was organized
organizedby
by the U.
Trip
Oshkosh (Field
- Oshkosh
Trip Coordinators,
Coordinators, William
William Cannon
Cannon and
and Suzanne
SuzanneNicholson),
Nicholson),and
andthe
theUniversity
Universityof
of Wisconsin
Wsconsin —
Trip
Secretary/Treasurer, Sally
Trip Coordinator,
Coordinator, Gene
Gene LaBerge, Secretary~Treasurer,
Sally LaBerge).
The
published inS
The Proceedings
Proceedings of
of the 42nd
42nd ILSG
ILSG were published
in 3 parts:
parts:

Part
Laurel woodruff
Woodruff and
Programand
andAbstracts
Abstracts (edited
(edited by Laurel
and Suzanne
Suzanne Nicholson)
Nicholson)
Part I:1: Program
Part
of Northern
Northern Wisconsin:
Wisconsin: A Commemorative
11: Volcanogenic
Volcanogenic Massive
Massive Sulfide Deposits of
CommemorativeVolume
Volume (edited
(edited by
by
Part II:
Gene
Gene L.
L. LaBerge)
LaBerge)
Part
Ill: Field
Suzanne Nicholson
Nicholson and Laurel
Woodruff)
FieldTrip
TripGuidebook
Guidebook(edited
(edited by Suzanne
Laurel Woodmfl)
Part 111:
Part
1: Glacial
GlacialGeology
Geologyof
of Western
Western Wisconsin
Wisconsin (Mark
(Mark 0.
0.Johnson)
Johnson)
Part 1:
Part
2:: Overview
Cable-Hurley Area, Wsconsin
Wisconsin (William
(William F
F.. Cannon and
and
Part 2
Overviewof
of the Bedrock Geology of the Cable-Hurley
Suzanne
Suzanne W. Nicholson)
Nicholson)
Part
Traverse through
through 25
25 km of the Crust
Part 3: Geology
Geologyof
ofthe
theMontreal
MontrealRiver
River Monocline
Monocline— AA Traverse
Crust (William
(William F.
F.
Cannon)
Cannon)
Part
Namekagon Region
Part 4: Early
Earlyto
to Middle
Middle Proterozoic
Proterozoic Geology of the Lake Namekagon
Region (William
(William F. Cannon, Laurel
Laurel G.
G.
Woodruff
Woodruff and
and Suzanne
Suzanne W. Nicholson)
Nicholson)
Part
LakeNamekagon
Namekagonand
and Penokee
Penokee Gap
Gap Areas,
Areas. West
West Gogebic
Gogebic Range,
Range, Wisconsin
Wisconsin (John S. Klasner
Klasner and
and
Part 5: Lake
Gene L. LaBerge)
LaBerge)

-

The
the
The commemorative
commemorativemassive
massivesulfide
sulfide volume,
volume, originally
originallyconceived
conceivedby
byEdwarde
EdwardeMay,
May, consulting
consultinggeologist
geologistat
atthe
Flambeau
and John
John S. Phillips, early pioneers
pioneers in
In (he
the exploration
exploration
FlambeauMine,
Mine, and
and dedicated to Edward H. Eisenbrey and
and study
sulfide deposits in
In Wsconsin,
Wisconsin, was
was published
published in conjunction
conjunction with
with aa post-meeting
post-meetingfield
fieldtrip
trip
and
study of
of massive
massive sulfide
to
Wisconsin. The
to the
the Flambeau
Flambeaugold-copper
gold-copper mine
mine in
in Ladysmith,
Ladysmith, Wsconsin.
Thevolume
volumecontains
containsnine
ninechapters:
chapters:
History
for volcanogenic
volcanogenic sulfides
sulfides (Russell
(Russell C.
C. Babcock)
History of exploration for
L.LaBérge)
LaBerge)
Generalcharacteristics
characteristics and
and geologic
geologic setting
terrains(Gene
(Gene L.
General
sethng of the Wsconsin
Wisconsin magmatic
magmatic terrains
A
A geologic
geologic framework
framework for
for Early
EarlyProterozoic
Proterozoic volcanogenic
volcanogenicmassive
massivesulfide
sulfidedeposits
deposits in
in Wisconsin
Wsconsin (Theodore
(Theodore
A. DeMatties)
DeMatties)
An overview of
of the
the Flambeau
Flambeau supergene
supergene enriched
enriched massive
massivesulfide
sulfidedeposit
deposit Geology
Geologyand
andmineralogy,
mineralogy.Rusk
Rusk
County,
County, Wisconsin
Wsconsin (Edwarde R. May
May and
and Stephen
Stephen R.
R. Dinkowitz)
Dinkowitz)
Case study of environmental
environmental requirements for the permithng,
permitting, operation, and reclamation
of aa metallic
metallicmine
mine
Case
reclamation of
in
Flambeau Mine
Mine (Jana
(Jana E.
E. Murphy
Murphy and Richard
Richard T. Dachel)
in Wisconsin
Wisconsin — Flambeau
Oachel)
Eisenbrey: AA structurally
structurallycomplex
complexProterozoic
Proterozoiccopper-zinc
copper-zincmassive
massivesulfide
sulfidedeposit,
deposit. Rusk
RuskCounty,
County,
Wisconsin
Wsconsin(Edwarde
(Edwarde R.
R. May)
May)
Geological
Crandon deposit (A.
(A. J. Erickson
GeologicalSummary
Summary— Crandon
Ericksonand
and R.
R. Cote)
Cote)
The
AnEarly
EarlyProterozoic
Proterozoiccopper-gold
coppergoldVMS
VMSdeposit
deposit(Theodore
(TheodoreA.
A. DeMatties
DeMattiesand
andWilliam
WilliamF.
F.
The Bend
Benddeposit
depositAn
Rowell)
Rowell)
Geology
base-metal deposit, north-central
north-central Wisconsin,
A Adams)
Geology of
of the
the Lynne
Lynne base-metal
Wsconsin, U.S.A.
U S A . (Glen
(Glen A.

-

-

Gene
the volume.
volume. Most
Gene LaBerge
LaBerge undertook
undertook the formidable task of organizing the
Mostof
of the
the printing
printing costs
costs for the
volume
individuals and
and corporations.
corporations. Proceeds
volumewere
weregenerously
generously donated
donated by a number of individuals
Proceedsfrom
from the
the sale
sale of
of the
the
volume
volumewill
willbe
beused
usedto
to promote
promotestudent
studentparticipation
participation in
in future
future ILSG
ILSGmeetings.
meetings.
Motel
148people
peopleregistered
registeredfor
forthe
themeeting
meetingininCable.
Cable.Field
Fieldtrips
tripsassociated
associatedwith
withthe
themeeting
meetingwere
wererobust,
robust,
A totalofof148
with
177
paid
participants,
including
11
for
the
glacial
geology
of
northern
Wisconsin,
43
on
the
Archeanwith 177 paid participants,
glacial geology of northern
43 on the ArcheanMiddle
MiddleProterozoic
Proterozoictransect
transect trip, 18
18 looking at the Early
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoicin
in the Lake
Lake Namekagon
Namekagonregion,
region,and
and17
17on
on
the
the trip
trip to
to the
the Penokee
Penokee Gap. The
The tip
triptotothe
theFlambeau
FlambeauMine
Minewas
wasone
oneofofthe
thelast
lastofficial
officialtrips
tripsto
tothe
themine
mineprior
priorto
to
the
88 participants.
participants. Many
Manylogistical
logisticaldetails
detailsfor
forthe
thetrip
tripwere
were
the start
start of
of planned
plannedshut
shut down
down phase, and
and had
had 88
generously
generouslysupported
supportedby
by Kennecott
Kennecotl Copper
Copper and
and the Flambeau
FlambeauMining
Mining Company.
Company.

XVIII

�annual banquet
The annual
banquetwas
was attended
attended by
by 111
111 diners. The
TheGoldich
GoldichMedal
Medalwas
was awarded
awardedto
toDavid
DavidSouthwick
Southwickof
ofthe
the
Geological Survey in
in recognition
recognition for
for his
his outstanding
outstandingcontributions
contributionsto
togeology
geology in
inthe
the Lake
Lake Superior
Superior
Minnesota Geological
Geological Survey,
Survey, presented
presentedthe
the award.
award. To
region. Glen
GlenMorey,
Morey, also
also from
from the
the Minnesota Geological
To correct
correct an
an
oversight during
during the
the annual meeting of
of the
the ILSG Board
Board of
of Directors,
Directors,the
the term
term of
of the
the Secretaryrnreasurer
Secretary/Treasurer v1ark
(Mark
E.
approved by a belated, but unanimous
The banquet
banquetaddress
addresswas
wasgiven
givenby
byDr.
Dr. Stephen
StephenE.
Jirsa) was approved
unanimous act. The
Kesler of the
the University
University of Michigan, presenting
Kesler
presenting aawell-received
well-received lecture
lecture titled,
titled, Sustainable
Sustainable Mineral
Mineral Development
Development
— Fact
Fact or
or Fiction.
Fiction.

-

Student Paper
Paper Awards
Awards were
were given
given to
to Kimberly
Kimberly Darrah
Darrah(Kent
(Kent State
State University)
University) for
for her
hertalk
talkon
onPetro
Pefrographicand
Student
graphic and
the
srmoba rometic
analysis
the
metamorphosedLittle
LittleFalls
FallsFormation,
Formation,Central
CentralMinnesota,
Minnesota, with
with implications
implications
thermobarometic
analysis
ofofthe
metamorphosed
for Early
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic tectonism;
tectonism; Susan Wilson
Wilson (Western Illinois University)
University)for
for her
her talk,
talk, AA stmcfural
structural and
kinematic
kinematic analysis
analysis of
of the McCaslin
McCaslln Formation
Formationnear
nearMcCaslin
Mccaslln Mountain,
Mountain, Wisconsin,
Wisconsin, and Zachary
Zachary Naiman
(Macalester
Chengwatana Volcanic Group
(Macalester College)
College) for
for his
his poster, Metamorphism of Chengwatana
Group near
nearTaylors
Taylors Falls
Fateand
and
Osseo core. Five
Fivestudent
studenttravel
travelawards
awards totalling
totalling$400
$400 were
were presented
presentedto
to Zachary
ZacharyNaiman,
Naiman,Kim
KimNeilsón,
Neilson,
from Osseo
Andrey Bekker,
Andrey
Bekker, Susan
Susan Wilson,
Wilson, and
andKimberly
KimberlyDarrah.
Darrah.
The Board
Lake Superior Geology
Geology met
met in
in Cable
Cable on May 16,1996.
16, 1996. Members
Members of
The
Board of
of Directors
Directorsof
of the
the Institute
Institute on Lake
were: Laurel
the Board
Board in attendance were:
LaurelWoodruff
Woodruff (Chair),
(Chair), Mark Jirsa (Secretary/Treasurer), Ted
Ted Bomhorst,
Bomhorst,
David Southwick, and
and Mark
Mark Smyk.
Smyk. Invited guests
guestsincluded:
included: Ken Card, Ron Sage, Wilf Meyer, Charles
Blackburn,
Blackbum, Gene
Gene LaBerge
LaBergeand
and Sally
Sally LaBerge. Actions
Actions taken
taken were:
were:

1. Accepted
Smyk), which
which included
included the
the minutes of
of the
the last
last
Acceptedthe
the Report
Reportof
ofChairman,
Chairman, 41st
41st ILSG
ILSG meeting (Mark Smyk),
meeting
Board meeting.
2. Approved
Approved an
anoffer
offerby
bythe
the Ontario
Ontario Geological
GeologicalSurvey
Survey to host
host the 43rd Annual
Institute on
on Lake
Lake Superior
Superior
Annual Institute
Geology in Sudbury, Ontario. Ron Sage
Sage and
and Wilf
Wilt Meyer
Meyerwill
willact
actas
asco-chairs
co-chairs for
for the
the meeting.
Geology
3. Approved
host for the 44th
3.
ApprovedKenora,
Kenora,Ontario,
Ontario, and
and the
the Ontario
Ontario Geological
GeologicalSurvey as host
44th ILSG
ILSG in
in 1998,
1998, with
Charles Blackbum
Charles
Blackbumas
as Chair.
Chair.
4.. Accepted
4
AcceptedILSG
ILSGFinancial
FinancialReport
Reportfrom
fromthe
theSecretary/Treasurer
SecretarytTreasurerMark
MarkJima.
Jirsa.
5. Approved
ApprovedDavid
DavidSouthwick
Southwickas
as recipient
recipient of
of 1996
1996 Goldich
Goldich Medal.
6 Approved
Morton).
6.
ApprovedJohn
JohnKlasner
Klasneras
asnew
newGoldich
Goldich Medal
Medal Committee member (replacing Penny Morton).
7. Discussed
Discussedthe
thefuture
futureof
ofthe
theILSG
ILSGNewsletter
Newsletterand
and the
the establishment
establishment of
of aa home
homepage
pagefor
forthe
theILSG.
ILSG.Results
Results
from
from the
the members
memberspoll
pollin
inthe
the llrst
firstnewsletter
newsletterwere
were presented.
presented. The
The Board
Board approved
approvedthe
thecontinuation
continuationof
ofthe
the
newsletterat
at the
the rate
rate of
of one/annum
onelannumwith
with Ted
Ted Bomhorst
Bomhorstcarrying
carryingthe
theinitiative
initiativefor
for both
bothactivities.
activities.
newsletter
8. Discussed
Discussedthe
the distribution
distributionand
and continued
continued sale of back
back issues of ILSG Field Trip Guidebooks,
Guidebooks, which are
being
being handled
handledby
by Mark
Mark Jirsa
Jirsa as
as Secretary/Treasurer.
Secretary/Treasurer.
9. Discussed
the commemorative
commemorative volume
volume on
-the
9.
Discussedthe
the recent
recentpublication
publicationof
of Proceedings
Proceedings Volume
Volume 42, Part
Part 22 —
Wisconsin massive sulfides. The
The Board agreed
agreed to
to send
send aa letter
letter of
of thanks
thanks to
to all
all the
the contributors
contributors who donated
Wisconsin
money for the publication of
of the
the volume.
volume. Proceeds
Proceedsfrom
fromthe
thesale
salewill
willbe
beused
usedfor
forthe
theencouragement
encouragementof
of
student participation
ILSG, and
and will
will be
be kept
kept separate
separatefrom
from the
the general
general working
working fund. With
participation in the ILSG,
Withthe
theBoard's
Board's
approval
and sale
sale of the
the volume.
volume.
approval Ted
Ted Borrihorst
Bornhorstwill
will promote
promote the advertising and
The Board
Board approved
voted on by the
the participant
the
10. The
approved changes
changes to the constitution
constitution of the ILSG voted
participantmembers
membersof
ofthe
11.80
duringthe
themorning
momingTechnical
TechnicalSession
Sessionon
onMay
May16,
1996. These
These changes
changes included
included wording changes to
to
ILSG during
16,1996.
make
for the
theterm
term for
for the
the Secretaryfheasurer,
Secretary/Treasurer, which was
make the
the constitution
constitution gender
gender neutral, and an extension for
actually carried
carried out at the annual
actually
annual banquet.
banquet. To establish aa list
list of
of members
members for
for the ILSG,
ILSG. the
the Board agreed to
to
longcomprehensive mailing
mailing list which includes
(those participants
participants with longcreate a comprehensive
includes both
both permanent
permanent members
members (those
standing interest in Lake Superior geology)
geology) and
and aa list
listof
ofmembers
members who
who have
have attended
attended ILSG meetings in
in the
the
past. The
TheBoard
Boardassigned
assigned Laurel
LaurelWoodruifto
Woodruff tocomplete
completethis
thismembership
membershipmailing
mailinglist,
list,which
whichwill
willthen
thenbe
be
be assessed
assessedat
at this
thistime.
passed from Chair
Chair to Chair for successive meetings.
Membership dues
dues will
will not
not be
meetings. Membership
11. In a discussion
discussion of requirements
requirements and suggestions
suggestions to ILSG Chairs,
Chairs, itit was
was determined
determined that
that the
the Chair
Chair needs
needs
11,
freedom to
to act
act independently
independentlywithin reasonable intuitive
the freedom
intuitiveguidelines
guidelinesthat
that follow
follow general
general historical
precedents.
by Ken
Ken Card
Card on the standardization
of the
the selection
selectionpolicy
policyfor
forthe
the
Board discussed
discussedaa presentation
presentationby
12. The Board
standardization of
Goldich
Goldich Medal
Medal award. The
Thematter
matterwas
wastabled
tabledfor
forfuture
futurereview.
review.
Board agreed
agreed that
that the Student Paper Committee
independentlywithin
13. The Board
Committee needs the
the freedom
freedom to act independently
reasonable
historical precedents.
reasonableintuitive
intuitive guidelines
guidelines and
and need
need not
not be
be constrained
constrained by historical
precedents.

xix
xix

�was done
doneto
tokeep
keepcosts
costswithin
withinreasonable
reasonablelimits,
limits,and
andnot
notlose
losemoney.
money. This
This was
was
Budgeting for the 42nd ILSG
ILSG was
successful,
in excess
excessof
of $6000.
$6000. However,
However, as
as much
muchas
as the
the Chair
successful, as
as the
the meeting
meetingmade
made an
an approximate profit in
would
would like
like to
to claim
claimcredit
creditfor
forthis,
this, aa substantial
substantial portion
portion of this sum was a
a result
resultof
of support
supportfrom
fromthe
theElambeau
Flambeau
Mining Company
Company for the Flambeau
field trip.
tip. InInaddition,
withmany
manyof
ofthe
thepublishing
publishingcosts
costsfor
forthe
the
Flambeau Mine field
addition,with
Proceedings
underwrittenby
by the numerous
numerous contributions
contributionsfrom
from individuals
individualsand
andcompanies
companiesall
allhsture
future
ProceedingsVolume
Volume22underwritten
sales will
will directly
student participation
sales
directlypràfit
profitthe
theInstitute's
Institute'sstudent
participationfund.
fund.
II enjoyed
enjoyed my
on Lake
Lake Superior
Superior Geology,
Geology, and the opportunity
my tenure
tenure as
as Chair
Chair of
of the
the Institute on
opportunity to interact
interact with
people associated
organization. There are a number
of people
number of
people involved
involved with
with the meeting
meeting who were
people
associated with the organization.
essential to its
its overall
overall success
general well-being.
well-being. I
I thank
thank Gene
Gene and
success and
and the Chair's general
and Sally
SallyLaBerge,
LaBerge,who
who
essential
and guided
guided me
whom it would
would have
have been
been nearly
nearlyimpossible,
impossible, and
and
coaxed and
methrough
through the
the experience
experience and without whom
willingto
todo
do everything
everythingIIasked
askedher
hertotodo,
do,and
andititwas
wasalot.
aId. Bill
Bill Cannon
Cannon
Suzanne Nicholson
Nicholson who was more than willing
originally
ILSG and then generously
generously deferred
originally conceived
conceived of
ofthe
the USGS
USGSsponsoring
sponsoring an ILSG
deferredthe
the duties
dutiesof
ofChair
Chairto
to me,
me,
rather
TedBornhorst
Bomhorstand
andMark
MarkSmyk
Smykwillingly
willinglygave
gaveadvice,
advice,
rather than
than taking
takingon
onthe
theglory
gloryfor
for himself,
himself, former
former Chairs
ChainTed
and
and SecretaiyiTreasurer
SecretaryrnreasurerMark
MarkJirsa
Jirsa covered
covered all
all the money
money questions for me.

Laurel
Woodruff
Laurel Woodruff
Chairman, 42nd
Chairman,
42nd ILSG
ILSG
Cable, Wisconsin
Wswnsin

xx

�PROGRAM
PROGRAM

�Calendar
Calendar of
of Events
Eventsand
and Program
Program
Tuesday
1997
6,1997
TuesdayMay
May6,

-

8:00
8:00 a.m.
a.m. - 7:00
7:00 p.m.
p.m. Field
FieldTrip
Trip11

Field
FieldTrip
Trip 11--The
TheHuronian
HuronianSupergroup
Supergroupbetween
betweenSauft
SaultSte.
Ste. Marie
Marieand
andElliot
ElliotLake
Lake
(day
1)
(day 1)
Leaders: Ken
Ken Card
Card(Geological
(GeologicalSurvey
Surveyof
ofCanada,
Canada,retired)
retired)
Leaders:
Gerry
Gerry Bennett
Bennett (Resident
(ResidentGeologist,
Geologist, Sault
Sault Ste.
Ste. Marie,
Marie, Ontario
OntarioGeological
Geological
Survey)
Survey)

Wednesday,
1997
Wednesday, May
May7,
7,1997
8:00 a.m.
a.m. --6:30
p.m. Field
1,2, 3,
3,4
8:00
6:30 p.m.
Field trips 1,2,
4
Field
FieldTrip
Trip 11-- The
TheHuronian
HuronianSupergroup
Supergroup(day
(day2)
2)
Leaders: as
as above
above
Leaders:

Field
New Developments
Field Trip
Trip 22 -New
DevelopmentsininGrenville
GrenvitleFront
FrontGeology,
Geology, Sudbury
SudburyArea,
Area, Ontario
Ontario
Leader Tony
Tony Davidson
Davidson(Geological
(GeologicalSurvey
Surveyof
ofCanada)
Canada)
Leader:

-

FieldTrip
Trip 33 The
TheSudbuty
SudburyStructure
Structurewith
withemphasis
emphasison
onthe
the Whitewater
WhitewaterGroup
Group
Field
Leader Stu
Stu Gibbons
Gibbons(Falconbridge
(FalconbridgeLimited)
Limited)
Leader
4 -Magmatic
MagmaticOre
OreDeposits
Depositsof
ofthe
theSudbuiy
SudburyIgneous
IgneousComplex
Complex
FieldTrip
Trip 4Field
Leader: Steve
Steve Prevec
Prevec (Laurentian
(LaurentianUniversity)
University)
Leader:
Mike
Mike Cosec
Cosec (Resident
(Resident Geologist's
Geologist's Program,
Program, Ontario
Ontario Geological
Geological Survey)
Survey)
9:30 p.m.
p.m. Registration,
Registration,Poster
Poster Set-up
Set-up
7:30 p.m.
p.m. -- 9:30
7:30
Alphonse
Raymond
Building,
Alphonse Raymond Building, Laurentian
Laurentian University
UniversityCampus
Campus
,

-

10:00 p.m. Icebreaker,
Icebreaker, Cash
Cash Bar
Bar
7:30 p.m. - 10:00
Alphonse
Alphonse Raymond
Raymond Building,
Building, Laurentian
LaurentianUniversity
University Campus
Campus

Thursday,
1997
Thursday, May
May8,
8,1997
NOTE:
NOTE: Technical
TechnicalSessions
Sessionsare
arein
inthe
the auditorium,
auditorium,Alphonse
AlphonseRaymond
RaymondBuilding,
Building, Laurentian
Laurentian University
Campus
Campus

odi
xxii

�a.m. -- 4:30
4:30 p.m.
p.m. Registration continues
8:00 a.m.
Technical Session
Technical
Session11
Session
Session Chairs: Gene
GeneLaBerge
LaBergeand
and Terrence
TerrenceBoerboom
Boerboom

8:30a.m.

Andy
Andy Fyon
Fyon
Precambrian Geoscience Section, Ontario
Senior Manager, Precambrian
Ontario Geological
Geological
Survey
43rd Annual
Annual Institute
Institute on Lake
Lake Superior
Superior Geology
Geology
Opening Remarks - 43rd

8:40

Don Rousell
Rousell
Mineralization History
The Tectonic, Magmatic
Magmatic and Mineralization
History of
of the
the Sudbury
Sudbury
Structure
Structure

9:40

T. F. Morris
Morris
Results of modern alluvium
alluvium sampling for kimberlite
kimberlite indicator
indicator minerals,
Wawa-Kinniwabi Lake
Lake Region
Region and
and the
the implication
implicationfor
for kimberlite
kimberliteexploration,
exploration,
Northeastern
Northeastern Ontario
Ontario

10:00

Coffee Break and Poster Session
Session
Limited Exploration
Exploration
Sponsored by Falconbridge Limited

10:20

Shawn M.
M. Carlson and Glen W. Adams
Adams.
ultramafic lamprophyric
WI
The diamondiferous six-pak ultramafic
lamprophyricdiatreme, Kenosha, Wl

10:40

Dean
Dean M. Peterson
Peterson
GIS
for Archean
Archean gold
gold exploration:
exploration: using
GIs applications for
usingCanadian
Canadianmining
miningcamp
camp
GIS
exploration in
GIs queries to target gold exploration
in Minnesota
Minnesota

11:00

Ken
Keri Anderson and Nigel
Nigel Wattrus
Wattrus
Western Lake Superior
A seismic stratigraphic study of Western

11:29

C. M. Mancuso,
Mancuso,D.
0. K.
K Hoim,
KA
Holm, U
A.Foland
Folandand
andF.
F. A.
A. Hubacher
Hubacher
resultsof
ofArIAr
k/k mineral
mineraldating
datingfrom
fromthe
thePeavy
Peavynode
nodearea
area of
of northern
Initial results
northeastern Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Michigan and Dunbar dome area of northeastern

11:40

D. K.
K Holmand
Holm andD.
D. H.
H. Henderson
Henderson
of Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic post-Penokean (1800-1600 Ma)
Space-time patterns of
metamorphism and
and cooling
cooling in
in the
the southern
southern Lake Superior region
region

12:00 p.m.

Lunch Break
Lunch
Break

XXIII

�Technical
Technical Session
Session 22
MarkSmyk
Smyk and
and Mark
Mark Jirsa
Jirsa
Session Chairs: Mark
2:00
2:OO

L LaBerge
LaBerae
Gene L.
The Early
Early ~rotirozoic
Implications of drill
Proterozoic break-up of
of the
the Superior
SuperiorCraton:
Craton: Implications
core and
and geophysical
geophysical data
data south
south of
of the
the Gogebic
Gogebic range,
range, northern
northernWisconsin
Wisconsin
core

2:20

T. Arcuri
Arcuri and
and E.
E. M. Ripley
Ripley
Interactionbetween
between a Virginia
Formation xenolith
and mafic
mafic magma
magma at the
Interaction
Virginia Formation
xenolith and
Babbitt
Babbitt Cu, Ni
Ni deposit
deposit Duluth
Duluthcomplex,
complex, MN
MN

2:40

Edward
R. Fridk
Frick
Edward M. Ripley, David
David 0.
D. Lambert
Lambert and
and Louise
LouiseR.
Re-Os, Sm-Nd
Sm-Nd and
and Pb
Pb isotopic
isotopicconstraints
constraintson
onmantle
mantleand
andcrustal
crustal
contributionsto
to magmatic
magmatic sulphide
sulphide mineralization
mineralizationin
in the
the Duluth
Duluthcomplex
complex
contributions

3:00

Coffee
Coffee Break
Break and
and Poster
PosterSession
Session
Sponsored
by
Ministry
of
Northern
Sponsored by Ministry of NorthernDevelopment
Development&amp;&amp; Mines
Mines

3:20

John
John Siriunas
Siriunas and
and John
John Wiebe
Wiebe
Overview
Overview of the
the Gregor Goldfields
Goldfields Corp.
Corp. Marathon
Marathon (Wire
(Wire Lake)
Lake)Gold
Gold
Property
Property in
in the
the Hemlo
Hemlo Area of
of central
central Ontario,
Ontario, Canada
Canada

3:40
3:40

Tom
Tom Muir
Muir
The
The Hemlo
HemloGold
GoldDeposit:
Deposit: It may be gold but its not black and white

4:00
4:OO

Steve
Steve Jackson
Jackson
Patterns of structure
structure and
and metamorphism
metamorphism in
in the Hemlo
Hemlo greenstone
greenstonebelt
belt
Patterns

6:30 --7:30
Mixer -- cash
cash bar
bar
7:30 Mixer
Cavern,
Science
Cavern, ScienceNorth
North
7:30 --9:30
9:30 Annual
AnnualBanquet
Banquetand
andAwards
AwardsPresentation
Presentation
Announcement of
of the
the 44th
44th Annual
Annual Meeting
Meeting location
location
Announcement
1997
1997 Goldith
GoldichAward
Award presentation
presentationto
to Ronald
RonaldP.
P. Sage
Sage
Banquet speaker
speaker:Dr.
Dr.Peter
PeterLightfoot,
Lightfoot,Inco
IncoLimited,
Limited,Copper
CopperCliff)
Cliff,
Banquet
Ontario: Oiigin
Stwdure and
Origin of
of the Sudbury Structure
and its
its mineral
mineralwealth
wealth

Friday,
Friday, May
May 9,
9,1997
1997
Technical
Technical Session
Session33
Session
Gordon
SessionChairs:
Chairs:
Gordon Medaris,
Medaris, Jr. and
and Frank
Frank Luther
Luther
8:30
8:30a.m.
a.m.

Registration
Registrationcontinues
continues

xxiv

�9:00

George Hudak
George
Hudak and
and Ron
Ron Morton
Morton
The evolution
associated with the Sturgeon
evolution of the hydrothermal
hydrothermal systems associated
Sturgeon
Lake
Lake Caldera
Caldera complex,
complex, northwestern
northwestern Ontario
Ontario

9:20

Jon
Jon Devaney
Devaney
Stratigraphy, tectonics and mineralization of the Sioux
Sioux Lookout
Lookout orogenic
orogenic
belt, Western Wabigoon
Wabigoon Subprovince
Subprovince

9:40

Gerry
Gerry Bennett
Bennett
The Huronian
from the
The
Huronian--from
thebottom
bottomUp
up

10:25

Coffee
Coffee Break
Break and
and Poster
Poster Session
Session
Sponsored
Sponsored by
by Laurentian
Laurentian University
University

10:45

Steve Jackson
Steve
Jackson
Structural and metamorphic contraints
contraints on
on the
the tectonic
tectonic history of the
Structural
the Sault Ste. Marie
Marie - Espanola area
Southern Province in the

-

11:05

Robert G. Tipping and Douglas
Douglas Allen
Hydrogeology of saline- and boron-bearing ground waters in
in the North
North
Shore volcanic group - Minnesota
Minnesota

11:25

Douglas
Allen, W. E.
Jr., and R. G. Tipping
Tipping
E. Seyfried, Jr.,
Douglas Allen,
Boron, bromide and chloride in groundwaters and
and rocks of the north
north shore of
incursion into the mid-continent
Lake Superior - evidence for a seawater incursion
mid-continent rift
rift

-

11:45

Richard W. Ojakangas
Richard
Ojakangas
within the
the Marquette Range
Range Supergroup
Supergroup (Michigan)
Correlative sequences within
and the Huronian
Supergroup
(Ontario):
Glaciogenics,
Huronian
(Ontario): Glaciogenics, paleosols
paleosolsand
and
orthoquartzites
orthoquartzites

12:05

Woodard
Hank Woodard
The
The Mckenzie
McKenzieLake
LakeAntiform
Antiform and
and the
the Kawa
Kawa Bay
Bay Synform, Quetico
Quetico Provincial
Provincial
Ontario
Park, Ontario

12:30
p.m. Lunch
12:30 p.m.
Lunch break
break (remove posters)

Technical
Technical Session
Session 44
Session Chair: Ted
TedBomhorst
Bornhorstand
and Phil
PhilThurston
Thurston
2:00
2
:OO

E. Zaleski, 0.
0.van
van Breemen
Breemenand
and V. L. Peterson
Peterson
Age constraints
on
plutonism,
metamorphism
and deformation
constraints on plutonism, metamorphism and
deformationacross
acrossthe
the
Manitouwadge Greenstone
Wawa-Quetico Subprovince
Subprovince boundary near the Manitouwadge
Greenstone
belt, northwestern
northwestern Ontario
Ontario

xxv
XXV

�2:20

L. G. Medaris, Jr., L. P. Baumgartner, R.
R. H.
H. Dott
Dott and
and K.
K. McSweeney
McSweeney
Sub-Baraboo Paleosol,
Paleosol, Wisconsin:
Wisconsin: geochemical evidence for
The Sub-Baraboo
Proterozoic weathering
Proterozoic
weathering and
and metasomatism
metasomatism

2:40

Keith Winterhalder
Keith
The greening
The
greening of Sudbury

3:05

Coffee Break
Break

3:25

Masood Siddiqui
Siddiqui and
and Mark
Mark Smyk
Smyk
Gerard Doiron, Masood
investigations of the Pick Lake deposit, Winston
Winston Lake
Preliminary investigations
Lake Mine,
Mine,
Ontario: AA remobilized
massive
suiphide
orebody
remobilized massive sulphide orebody

3:45

Theodore Bomhorst
Bomhorst and Laurel Woodruff
Woodruff
copper precipitation
precipitation by fluid-mixing,
fluid-mixing, Keweenaw Peninsula, Michigan
Michigan
Native copper

4:05

Frank
Frank R. Luther
Luther
The petrology of greenspar
greenspar: aa Proterozoic
Proterozoic porphyritic
porphyriticdiabase
diabase dike;
dike; Pither
Pifher
and Irwin
Irwin townships, Lake
Lake Nipigon
Nipigon Oistrict,
District, Ontario
Ontario

4:25

Presentation
Presentationof
of Student
Student Paper
Paper Awards
Awards

4:30

Closing Remarks
Closing
Remarks

Saturday, May
Saturday,
May 10, 1997
1997
p.m. Field
Field trips 3, 4, 5, 6
6
8:00 a.m. -- 7:00 p.m.

Field
on the
the Whitewater Group
Field Trip 33 -- The
The Sudbury
Sudbury Structure with emphasis on
Leader: Stu
StuGibbons
Gibbons(Falconbridge
(FalconbridgeLimited)
Limited)

-

Field Trip
of the Sudbury Igneous
Igneous Complex
Field
Trip 44 Magn7atio
Magmatic Ore
Ore Deposits of
Complex
Leader
Leader Steve
StevePrevec
Prevec(Laurentian
(LaurentianUniversity)
University)
Mike
Cosec
(Resident
Geologist's
Program, Ontario
Ontario Geological
Geological Survey)
Mike
Survey)

-

Field
5 Alkafic
Alkalicrocks
rocksof
ofthe
theSudbury
Sudbury Region
Region(day
(day 1)
1)
Field Trip
Trip 5Leader: Ron
RonSage
Sage(Ontario
(OntarioGeological
GeologicalSurvey)
Survey)

Field
6--Regreening
Regreeningof Sudbury
Field Trip 6
Leaders: Keith
KeithWinterhalder
Winterhalder(Laurentian
(LaurentianUniversity)
University)
John
John Gunn
Gunn (Laurentian
(Laurentian University)
University)

XWi

�Sunday, May
May11,
1997
11,1997
8:00a.m.
a.m. -- 7:00
7:00p.m.
p.m. Field
FieldTrip
Trip55
8:00
Field Trip
Trip 55 -AIkalic
Alkalicrocks
rocksof
ofthe
theSudbury
SudburyRegion
Region(day
(day 2)
2)
Field
Leader
Leader: Ron
Ron Sage
Sage (Ontario
(Ontario Geological
GeologicalSurvey)
Survey)

a

Poster
Poster Session
Session
Wednesday,
Wednesday, May
May 7, 1997
1997 (set-up begins
begins at 7:30 p.m.) -Friday, May 9, 1997
(tear-down at
1997 (teardown
at 12:00
12:OO p.m.)
p.m.)
Dave
Dave DahI
Dahl
Minnesota
Minnesota Department
Department of
of Natural
NaturalResources
Resources
Gravity
for Recognizing
Recognizing Crustal Fabric
Fabric and
Gravity Aspect as a Tool for
and Structure at
Minnesota
Minnesota

Jon Devaney
Devaney
Ontario
Ontario Geological
Geological Survey
Survey
Stratigraphy,
Stratigraphy, tectonics
tectonics and
and mineralization
mineralizationof
of the
the Sioux
SiouxLookout
Lookoutorogenic
orogenicbelt,
belt,
Western
Western Wabigoon
WabigoonSubprovince
Subprovince
Mike
Mike Easton
Easton
Ontario
Ontario Geological
Geological Survey
Survey
S. James
James
R. S.
Department
Department of Geology,
Geology, Laurentian
Laurentian University
University
Revisiting
Revisitingthe
the disappearance
disappearanceof
of the
the Huronian
Huronianin
inthe
theSudbury-Crerar
Sudbury-Crerararea:
area:
insight from the geochemistry of amphibolites and paragneisses
paragneisses

D. KK.HoIm
Holm
0.
Department
Department of
of Geology,
Geology, Kent
Kent State
State University
University
D. R. Lux
aR.Lux
Department
Geological Sciences, University
University of
of Maine
Maine
Department of Geological
Results
Results of Ar/Ar
ArIAr dating of dikes in
in central
central Minnesota
Minnesotaand
andthe
the Minnesota
MinnesotaRiver
River
Valley
Valley
Tom Lawler
Lawler and
and Darold
DaroldRiihiluoma
Riihiluoma
Tom
Department of Natural
Division of Minerals,
Natural Resources, Division
Minerals, State
State of
of Minnesota
Minnesota
Mineral
greenstone belt using boulder
boulder tracing, Ely-Bigfork
Mineral potential
potential study of aa greenstone
area, Minnesota
Minnesota

xxV

�F. Morris
Morris
T. F.
Ontario Geological
GeologicalSurvey
Survey
Ontario
Results
Results of
of modern
modern alluvium sampling for kimberlite
kimberlite indicator
indicatorminerals,
minerals,
Wawa-Kinniwabi Lake
and the implication
Lake Region
Region and
implicationfor
for kimberlite
kimberliteexploration,
exploration,
Northeastern
NortheasternOntario
Ontario

Tom Muir
Muir
Tom
Ontario Geological
GeologicalSurvey
Survey
Ontario
The
area: aa surface
The Hemlo
Hernlo gold deposit area:
surface perspective
perspective
Zachary
Zachary Naiman
Naimanand
andKarl
KarlR.
R. Wirth
Wirth
Geology
Department,
Macalester
Geology Department, MacalesterCollege
College
Petrogenesis
volcanics, Minnesota
Minnesota and Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Petrogenesis of Chegwatana volcanics,

John
John M.
M. Siriunas
Siriunas and
and Neil
Neil Willoughby
Willoughby
NR8J Resource
ResourceAssociates
Associates Limited
Limited
NR&amp;J
Copper
mineralization in Eastern
Eastern Sault Ste. Marie
Copper and precious-metal mineralization
Marie Mining
Mining
Division
Division with focus on the Jentina Property,
Property, Albanel
Albanel and
andNicholas
Nicholastownships,
townships,
District
Algorna
District of
of Algoma

T.E. Wahl,
Wahl, J.D.
J.D. Miller
MillerJr.,
Jr.,M.A.
M.A.Jirsa,
Jirsa, T.J.
T.J. Boerboom,
Boerboorn, V.W. Chandler,
Chandler, A.C.
A.C. Runkel
Runkel
• Minnesota
Minnesota Geological
Geological Survey
Survey
D.
Dahl
D.DahL
Minnesota
Resources, Division
Division of Minerals
Minerals
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources,
Severson
M.J. Severson
M.J.
Natural
Natural Resources
Resources Research
Research Institute,
Institute, University
Universityof
of Minnesota
Minnesota
Geologic
system (GeMS):
(GeMS): A digital approach
Geologic mapping system
approach to bedrock
bedrock geologic
mapping
mapping

xxvii

�ABSTRACTS
ABSTRACTS

xxix

�groundwaters and
Boron, bromide and chloride in groundwaters
and rocks
rocks of
of the North
North Shore
Shore of
of Lake
Lake
Superior, evidence for a seawater incursion into the Mid-Continent Rift
E. Seyfried
SeyfriedJr.,
Jr.,Dept.
DeptofofGeology
Geologyand
andGeophysics,
Geophysics,University
University
Douglas E. Allen and W. K
of Minnesota,
Robert C.
E-mail: alle0167@maroon.tc.umn.edu,
alle0167@maroon.tc.unm.edu, Robert
G.
Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN. E-mail:
Tipping,
Tipping,Minnesota
Minnesota Geological
Geological Survey, St
S tPaul,
Paul,MN.
MN.

geochemically distinctive
distinctive groundwater
groundwatertypes
types have
have been recognized in the
Two geochemically
the
North
Group (NSVG)
(NSVG) rocks
rocks of
of the North Shore of Lake
North Shore
Shore Volcanic
Volcanic Group
Lake Superior,
Superior,
Northeast Minnesota.
Minnesota. The
The chemistry
chemistry of
of these
these groundwaters
groundwatersmay
may contain
contain evidence
evidence of
of aa
Northeast
incursion into the Mid-Continent
Rift.
seawater incursion
Mid-Continent Rift.
The most widespread
widespread groundwater type is characterized by high pH and
and boron
boron
concentrations,
which reach
reach values
valuesof
of 1
10.26
and 5.4
5.4 ppm,
ppm, respectively.
respectively. The Minnesota
0.26 and
Minnesota
concentrations, which
imit, for boron in drinking water is 0
.6 ppm (STS
Department of
of Health,
Health, Health Risk
Risk L
Limit,
0.6
Consultants
Report, 1995),
1995), so
so the
the genesis
genesis and distribution
distribution of
of these
these waters
waters is of some
Consultants Report,
some
as being of
of interest
interestgeochemically.
geochemically. The second groundwater type is a
concern, as well as
dissolved chloride
chloride concentration
concentrationnearly
nearly twice
twice that
that of
ofseawater,
seawater,
Ca-Cl brine, which has a dissolved
and has a conspicuously
conspicuously high Br/Cl ratio
ratio (0.0089).
(0.0089).
Mineral-fluid equilibria
equilibria calculations
calculations reveal
Mineral-fluid
reveal that
that the
thehigh
highp1-I
pH groundwaters plot
vithin
the
quartz-kaolinite-Iaumontite-calcite
stability
field
(fig.
1).
within the quartz-kaolinite-laumontite-calcite stability field (fig. 1). This assemblage of
minerals is
is ubiquitous
ubiquitous in
in the
the North
North Shore
Shore basalts
basalts (Schmidt,
(Schmidt, 1993).
1993). As evidenced
minerals
evidenced by
assemblage fixes
fixes pC02
pCO2 at relatively low values
I, the laumontite-bearing
laumontite-bearing assemblage
values (log
(log
figure 1,
pCO2-5.2 atat25°C),
pC02=-5.2
2SÂ°C)which
whichhelps
helpstotoaccount
accountfor
forthe
therelatively
relativelyhigh
highpH
pH groundwaters
groundwaters in
in
the NSVG rocks.
11
Preliminary boron
boron isotope
isotope data
data for
for the North
North Shore groundwaters
poundwaters reveal
8B
Preliminary
reveal SB11
I1
Typical SB
values ranging from +21(Ca-Cl brine) to
to +45.5. Typical
6B values for crystalline rock
brines and
and sedimentary
sedimentary sources
sources are
arewell
wellbelow
below +20 (Barth,
and non-marine brines
(Barth, 1993).
1993). Rocks
Rocks
11
=+39.5),
formed
and brines derived
formed in marine
marine environments
environments and
derived from seawater
seawater (SB
(5B =+39.5),
II
however, can have
however,
have SB'
5B greater than +50
Thus, interaction of NSVG
(Barth, 1993).
1993). Thus,
+50 (Barth,
rocks with
could have
have
with seawater derived
derived fluids during late stage and post rifting events could
resulted in uptake of seawater derived boron during basalt weathering and hydrothermal
alteration. Indeed,
Indeed, NSVG
NSVG rocks
rocks are
are variably
variably enriched in boron and have concentrations
concentrations
as high as 33 ppm (interflow
Subsequent interaction of the
(interfiow sedimentary
sedimentary unit).
unit). Subsequent
the boron-rich
boron-rich
alteration minerals with high pH groundwater
groundwater would enhance
enhance mineral dissolution,
dissolution, and
and
help to account for the high boron-bearing gmundwaters.
groundwaters.
A positive linear
linear correlation
correlation exists
exists between
between dissolved
dissolved bromide
bromide and chloride
chloride
concentrations in the groundwaters (fig.
(fig. 2).
2). A positive correlation between mutually
mutually
conservative elements such as bromide
bromide and chloride
chloride suggests
suggests a common
common source
source for
for these
these
elements. This
anendendThiscan
canbe
beexplained
explained by
bythe
themixing
mixingand
andaccompanying
accompanying dilution
dilution of
of an
member brine.
brine. There
There isisaanegative
negativecorrelation
correlationbetween
between boron
boron and
and chloride,
chloride,however,
however,
which is consistent with a model involving boron uptake from seawater,
seawater, decoupling
decoupling the
the
controls
controls on dissolved boron from
from those
those of
of dissolved
dissolved chloride
chloride and
and bromide.
bromide.

�-

Boron
Boron concentrations
concentrations and
and isotopic
isotopic composition
compositionof
of NSVG
NSVG groundwaters,
groundwaters,as
aswell
well
as the
the bromide
bromide and
and chloride
chloride data,
da@ suggest
suggest aa model
model involving
involving seawater
seawater evaporation
evaporation and
and
as
subsequent
subsequentrock
rockalteration.
alteration. ItItisisnot
notunreasonable
unreasonablethat
thatsuch
suchaaseawater
seawaterincursion
incmionresulted
resulted
in
inthe
thecharacteristic
characteristicmarine
marineboron
boronisotopic
isotopicimprint
imprinton
onthe
therocks
rocksand
andresidual
residualbrines
brinesof
ofthe
the
rift
ofofthese
riftInteraction
Interaction
thesealtered
alteredrocks
rocksand
andbrines
brineswith
withmodern
modem groundwater
groundwatersystems
syaemsresult
result
ininthe
thedistinctive
ditinctivenature
natureof
ofthe
theNorth
NorthShore
Shoregroundwaters.
groundwaters.

Figure
Figure1 I
20

Figure
Figure22

18

//

2

16

14

10

'C

t12
6

E

a
a

108

6

Ca-Cl brine

6

0
C

4
0

2

pg

0
0

0
-6

-5

-4

log aSiO2(aq)

-3

-2

0

200

400

600

000

'000

1200

Cl (ppm)

References
References
Barth,
Barth,S.,
S.,1993,
1993,Boron
BoronIsotope
Isotope Variations
Variations in Nature:
Nature: a Synthesis. Geol
GeolRundsch
Rumkch v.82
v.82
p.640-652.
p.640-652.
Schmidt,
PatternsofofLow-grade
Low-gradeMetamorphism
Metamorphismininthe
the
1993,Regional
Regionaland
andLocal Patterns
Schmidt,S.Th.,
S-Th.,1993,
North
N o dShore
ShoreVolcanic
VolcanicGroup,
Group,Minnesota,
Mimeso@USA.
USA.Journ.
JournMetamorphic
MetamorphicGeoL
Geol.v.11
v.11
p.401-414.
p.401-414.
STS
STSConsultants
ConsultantsReport
Report (1995)
(1995) Evaluation
Evaluation of
of boron
boron impacted
impacted wells.
wells. To
ToLTV
LTVSteel
Steel
Mining
Company.
Mining Company.

2

1400

�A SEISMIC STFWTIGRAPHIC
STRATIGRAPHIC STUDY OF WESTERN LAKE
LAKE SUPERIOR
SUPERIOR
ANDERSON, Ken
A., and
WATTRUS, Nigel
Ken A.,
and WATRUS,
Nigel J., Large
Large Lakes
Lakes Observatory
Observatory and
and
Department of
of Geology,
Geology, University of
of Minnesota,
Minnesota, Duluth,
Duluth, MN
MN 55812,
Depahnent
and nwattrus@d.umn.edu
nwatt~s@d.umn.edu
knebe@d.umn.edu and

profiles were collected
Approximately 1000
I000 km of high
high resolution
resolution seismic profiles
collected in
in the
the
third of Lake Superior during three cruises in the summer of
Of 1996.
1996. The
western third
The study
study
from Grand Portage, Minnesota
area extends from Duluth, Minnesota to a line running tlom
Minnesota
to Houghton, Michigan. The
The data
data were
were acquired
acquiredwith
with an
an ORE
ORE Geopulse
Geopulse system
system and
and
for later
later processing
processing with
with the
the Seismic UNIX software
software system (Cohen
digitally recorded for
Stockwell, 1996). Post
enhancement
and Stockwell,
Post acquisition
acquisition processing
processing of the data permits the enhancement
of subtle features not visible
visible in paper
paper sections.
sections. The
The profiles
profiles are
are being
being studied
studied to
to identify
identify
describe seismic
seismic reflectors
reflectorswithin
withinthe
thewestern
westernbasin
basinof
ofLake
LakeSuperior.
Superior. The
and describe
interpreted profiles are
are then
then correlated
correlated with
with several
several cores
cores collected
collected during previous
mterpreted
cruises In
in th~s
this part
crulses
parl of the lake.
lake.
are commonly
commonly obsewed
observedthroughout
throughoutthe
thebasin.
basin. Each
Four reflectors are
Each has
has a
features in a representative
representative
distinct acoustic signature and can be correlated with features
1))
Scholz (1985).
(1985). The first
section (Figure I
of Lake Superior sediments described by Schok
strong and
and continuous
continuous and
and is
is associated
associatedwith
withthe
thelake
lakefloor.
floor. The second
reflector is strong
strong, wavy
wavy character
characterwith
withdiscernible
discernibleinternal
intemal reflections.
reflections. This
reflector has aa strong,
discontinuous reflector is correlated
correlated with
with the
the varved
varved clay
clay horizons.
horizons. The third reflector
reflector
discontinuous acoustic
acoustic character which
which is correlative with
with the
the till horizon
has a strong, discontinuous
described by Scholz (1985). The
Thefourth
fourthreflector
reflectorisisaastrong,
strong,hard
hardreflector.
reflector. It's irregular
surface and the presence of scattered channels throughout associate it with bedrock.
bedrock.
cover for
for Western
Western Lake
Lake Superior
Superior generated
generatedfrom
from this
this data
data:
A map of sediment cover
of the
the basin
basin where
where sediment
sedimentfocusing
focusing is
isoccurring.
occurring. Acoustic
Acoustic refle&amp;we*
reflectivity
shows regions of
(in conjunction with
with data from
from coring)
coring) is used to
to produce a distribution
distribution map of sediment
sediment
type in the basin. This
This information
informationwill
will further
further our
our understanding
understanding of circulation
circulation dynamics
to improve sampling strategies for future
within the western basin and will help to
investigations
sediment binding
investigations of sediment
binding contaminants.
contaminants.

3

�Idealized Stratigraphic
Stratigraphic Section
Section of
Idealized
Lake Superior Sediments
Sediments
Lake

Thickness (cm)
{cm)
Brown
Brown clayey
clayey sediment
sediment

Gray Clay
Clay

10-350

15-400

Gray
Gray Varves
Vawes

257-900

Varves
Red Varves
Red

91-300

Red Clay
Red
Clay

100-3000

Brown Sand
Brown
Sand

(After Scholz, 1985)

Tilt
Till

Figure 1

References
References cited
cited
J.K. and
CWP/SU: Seismic Unix
Cohen, J.K.
and Stockwell, Jr. J. W., 1996, CWPJSU:
Unix Release
Release29: aa free
free
package for seismic research and processing, Center for Wave Phenomena,
package
Phenomena,
Colorado
Colorado School
Schoolof
of Mines.
Mines.
Scholz, C.A.,
and sedimentation
sedimentation rates
rates in the
the western
western arm of
of
C.A., 1985,
1985, Sediment distribution and
Lake
geochronology,
Lake Superior
Superiorusing
using3.5
3.5 kHz
kHzseismic
seismicreflection
reflectionprofiles
profilesand
and210Pb
210Pbgeochronology,
M.S. thesis,
thesis, 129
129pages.
pages.

4

�INTERACTION
AAVIRGINIA
FORMATION
XENOLLTR
I N T E R A ~BETWEEN
BEWEEN
ON
VIRGINIA
FORMATION
XENOLITH
AND MARC
MAGMA
AT THE
THE BABBITT
-NI
AND
MARC MAGMA
AT
BABBJTF aCu-NI

DEPOSIT,
DULUTH
COMPLEX,
MN.
DEPOSIT,
DULUTH
COMPLEX,
MN.

Arcuri,
kcuri, T.,
T., and
andRipley,
Ripley, B.
E. M.,
M., Department
Department of Geological
Geological Sciences,
Sciences, Indiana
IndianaUniversity,
University,
Bloomington,
IN47405
47405
Bloomingtou,IN
.,
Previous
Previouswork
workon
on the
the Duluth
Duluth Complex,
Complex, MN, has shown
shown the importance
importanceof
of the
the interaction
interaction
between
betweenVirginia
VirginiaFormation
Formationxenoliths
xenolithsand
andtholeiitic
tholeiiticmagmas
magmas in
inthe
theformation
formationof
ofsulfide
sulfidemineralization.
minerdimtion.
In
In this
thisstudy
studythe
theeffects
effectsof
ofaasingle
singlexenolith
xenolithon
onthe
thesurrounding
sumundiugigneous
igneousrocks
rocks were
were examined
examined from
fromdrill
&amp;ill
core
factor
coreininorder
ordertotoassess:
assess:I)1)ififininsitu
situintroduction
introductionofofsedimentary
sedimenkuysulfur
sulfurwas
wasan
animportant
impo-t
factorininthe
the
formation
formationof
ofthe
themassive
massivesulfide
sulfidelayer
layeratatthe
thetop
topof
ofthe
thexenolith,
xenolith,2)
2)ifif aa flow
flowpath
pathof
ofaapartial
partialmelt
meltderived
derived
from
the
xenolith
can
be
determined
from
major
element
gradients,
3)
if
sulfur
and
oxygenisotopic
isotopic
from the xenolith can be determined from major element gradients, 3) if sulfur andoxygen
gradientswere
werepreserved
preservedatatthe
thexenolith
xenolithcontacts,
contacts,and
andififso
soto
tomodel
modeltheir
theirorigins
originsusing
usingmass
massbalance
balanceand
and
gradients
diffusion
diffusioncalculations.
calculations.
Sulfur
m yfrom
fmrn12.4
12.4toto
Sulfurisotopic
isotopicvalues
valuesof
ofdisseminated
disseminatedand
andlenticular
lenticularpyrrhotite
pymhotitein
inthe
thexenolith
xenolithvary
17.47~with
prima^^ layer to layer differences
in the
the protolith
pmtolith(Fig.
(Fig. 1).
1).
17.4%o
with the
the variation
variation thought to reflect primary
differences in
The
Themassive
massivesulfide
d d eatatthe
theupper
uppercontact
contactofofthe
thexenolith
xenolithisischaracterized
c h a m m i dbyby6M5
6% values
valnesof
of 12.0
12.0 to l2.4%.
12.4%.
In
Inthe
theigneous
ignwusrock
rockabove
abovethe
themassive
massivesulfide,
suEde,6M5
6% values
valuesrange
range from
fmrn 10.7
10.7to
to 111.5%0.
The.sevalues
valuesare
are
1.5%. These
strongly
stronglysuggestive
suggestiveof
ofaasedimentary
sedimentaqsource
sourcefor
forthe
thesulfur
sulfurin
in the
thesulfide
sulfideminerals;
minerals;taken
takentogether
togetherwith
withthe
the
pyrrhotite-rich
nature
of
the
sulfide
the
6'S
values
are
also
consistent
with
an
in
situ
origin
of
the
pymhotite-rich nature of the sulfide
6% values are also consistent with an in sim origin of the
massive
massivemineralization
mineralizationat
atthe
the xenolith
xenolith border. Andrews
Andrewsand
andRipley
Kpley (1989)
(1989) detected
detectedaanegative
negative
correlation
correlationbetween
betweenwhole
wholerock
rockSScontent
contentand
andFe/Mg
F&amp;g ratios
ratiosof
of orthopyroxene
orthopyroxeneand
andbiotite
biotiteininVirginia
Virginia
Formation
Formationfootwall
footwallrocks.
rocks. This
Thisrelationship
relationshipwas
wasattributed
attributedto
tosulfur
sulfurfixation
fixationininthe
thecountry
countryrocks
rocksand
andthe
the
sulfurization
of
Fe-bearing
silicates.
The
opposite
relationship
was
observed
in
the
xenolith
from
sulfurization of Fe-bearing silicates. The opposite relationship was observed in the xenolith fromcore
core
BBl-127,
1-127, suggesting
or process
suggestingthat
that sulfurization
sulfurizatiouof
of Fe-bearing
Fe-bearingsilicates
silicateswas
wasnot
notaamaj
major
process and
and that
thatFe/Mg
F a g
ratios
betweenoriginal
ariasedimentary
sedimentary
ratiosof
ofminerals
mineralsininthe
thexenolith
xenolithreflect
reflectdifferences
differencesininbulk
bulkcomposition
compositionbetween
layers.
6S values
layers. The 6%
valuesof
of the
theigneous
ignwus rocks
rocksbelow
below the
the xenolith
xenolith are
are very
very different
differentfrom
fmrnthose
thosein
inthe
the
igneous
rocksabove
abovethe
thexenolith,
xenolith,and
andrange
rangefrom
fmrn-2.8
-2.8toto5.2%o.
52%.
ignwusrocks
Oxygen
Oxygenisotopic
isotopicvalues
valuesalso
alsoshow
showvery
verydifferent
differenttrends
hcnds above
aboveand
and below
belowthe
thexenolith
xenolith(Fig.
(Fig.1).
1).
6'o
values
of of
thethe
xenolith
vary
from
9.89.8
to to
1111.77m,
.7%o, with
6'*0
values
xenolith
vary
from
withthe
thelowest
lowestvalue
d u e near
near the
theupper
upper contact. alsO
6%
values
values of 6.2%0
6.2% over
valnesof
ofthe
theoverlying
overlyingigneous
igneousmaterial
material gradually ddecrease
e c m e to nnormal
o d values
over a 30
30 foot
foot
interval.
gradient
muchsharper
sharper8O
6l80
gradientisisfound
foundatatthe
thelower
lowercontact,
contact,with
with8180
P O values
values of
of 5.8 to 6.3%
interval.AAmuch
found
foundininthe
theigneous
igneousrocks
rockswithin
withina adistance
distanceofofless
lessthan
than1.5
1.5feet.
fet.
Major
Majorelement
elementanalysis
analysisofofthe
thexenolith
xenolithindicate
indicatethat
thatitithas
hasundergone
undergoneextensive
extensivepartial
partialmelting,
melting,
with
K-and
andNa-bearing
Na-bearingcomponent.
component.Unmetamorphosed
UnmetamorphosedVirginia
VirginiaFormation
Formation
withthe
theloss
lossofofaaSi-rich,
Si-rich,Ktypically
wt. %
% Si02,
Si02,whereas
whereas xenoliths contain from
from 45 to 50. However,
However,
typicallycontains
containsbetween
between55
55and
and65
65wt.
gradients
in
Si02
content
in
the
igneous
rocks
above
the
xenolith
that
might
track
the
movement
gradients in Si02content in the igneous rocks above the xenolith that might track the movementofofaa
partial
detected. The
partialmelt
meltand
andalso
alsoexplain
explainthe
the8180
6"O gradient
w e n t are
are not deected.
Theabsence
absenceof
ofSi02
Si02gradients
gradientsmay
maybe
be
related
magmadue
duetoto
relatedto:
to:1)1)relatively
relativelyrapid
rapidmelt
meltextraction
extmctionand
andmovement
movementinto
intothe
thesurrounding
surroundingmagma
buoyancy,
buoyancy,2)2)homogenization
homogenizationininthe
themagma
magmadue
dueto
toconvection,
convection, 3)
3) destruction
destructioncaused
causedby
bythermal
thermal
perturbations
resulting
from
later
magma
pulses.
Modeling
of
SiC)2
transport
into
the
surrounding
melt
perturbations resulting from later magma pdses. ModeIing of S O 2transpo~into the surroundingmelt
via
viadiffusion
diffusionalone
aloneindicates
indicatesthat
thatan
aninitial
initialSi02
Si02gradient
w e n tcould
couldbe
behomogenized
homogenizedwithin
withinaamaximum
rnaximumtime
time
ofof10,000
interpret
thethe
also
proffle
at the
toptop
of of
thethe
xenolith
as being
duedue
to retrograde
18C)..
10.000years.
years.We
We
interpret
6180
profile
at the
xenolith
as being
to retrograde
l80exchange
exchange(i.e.
(i.e.developed
developedafter
afterthe
theextraction
extractionofofaagranitic
graniticmelt
meltfrom
fromthe
thexenolith
xenolithand
andhomogenization
homogenizationofof
the
enclosing
magma).
Diffusion
modeling
indicates
that
a
retrograde
oxygen
isotopic
the enclosing magma). Diffusion modeling indicates that a retrograde oxygen isotopicexchange
exchangeprofile
profile
could
-3 x lO
10.'cm2/sec.
cm21sec.
couldbe
beestablished
establishedininasaslittle
littleasas100
100toto500
500years,
years,assuming
assumingan
anoxygen
oxygendiffusivity
diffusivityofof—3
The
Thevery
verydifferent
differentisotopic
isotopicprofiles
profilesdeveloped
developedatatthe
theupper
upperand
andlower
lowercontacts
contactsofofthe
thexenolith
xenolith
correlate
correlatewith
withdistinct
distinctdifferences
differencesbetween
betweencomposition
compositionand
and mineralogy
mineralogy of the
the igneous
igneous rocks.
rock. The
Theupper
upper
unit
Ti02
and
Si02
contents,
and
Fe/Mg
ratio
relative
to
the
unit
below
the
xenolith
unitisismarked
markedby
by.higher
higher
TiO,
and
SiO,
contents,
and
F&amp;z
ratio
relative
to
the
unit
below
the
xenolith
(Fig.
ananevolved
to gabbronorite
is the
(Fig.2).
2).This
Thisunit
unitisis
evol&lt;ednorite
norite-to
gabbronoritethat
thatis
themost
mostfrequently
frequentlymineralized
mineralidrock
rocktype
type
ininthe
thePartridge
PartridgeRiver
Riverintrusion.
intrusion,InIncontrast
contrastthe
thelower
lowerigneous
igneousunit
unitisisaamore
moreprimitive
primitivetroctolite
hctolitewith
with
only
oxygen and
onlysparse
sparsesulfide
s&amp;de mineralization.
mineralization.The
Thewell
welldeveloped
developed-oxygen
andsulfur
sulfurisotopic
isitopicprofiles
profilesininthe
the

55

�gabbronorite are
are indicative
indicative of the preservation of
at
gabbronorite
of aa primary
primaryxenolith-magma
xenolith-magmainterface.
interface. Isotopic values at
the lower contact
interface. Geochemical data suggest that the troctolitic
contact are
are indicative
indicative of a secondary interface.
magma was
was aa later
laterpulse
pulsethat
thatmay
may have
have intruded
intruded after sulfur and oxygen isotopic
equilibrationwith
with mafic
magma
isotopic equilibration
liquids
had been
been established
establishedin
in the
the xenolith. Alternatively
Alternativelythe
the troctolitic
tmctolitic magma
magma may have
have delaminated
delaminated aa
liquidshad
portion of the
the Virginia
VirginiaFormation
Formation that
that formed
f o n d the base
t h i i e s s of
portion
base of
of aa magma
magmachamber.
chamber. Because of the thinness
the troctolitic
troctoliticmagma
magmasheet
sheetisotopic
isotopicgradients
gradients did not develop due to rapid m
liig.
the
cooling.
REFERENCE:
REFERENCE:

Andrews,
hdrews, M.
M. and
andRipley,
Ripley,E.
E. M.,
M., 1989,
1989,Mass
Mass transfer and sulfur fixation in the contact
contact aureole
aureoleof
ofthe
the
Duluth
Duluth Complex,
Complex, Dunk
DunkaRoad
RoadCu-Ni
Cu-Nideposit,
deposit,Minnesota:
Minnesota: Can.
Can. Mineralogist,
Mimraiogist,v.
v. 27,
27, p. 293-310.
293-3 10.
&amp;'S
Depth
6% and
and8180
ti1*0vs
vs Depth
6180
(%)
6% (%)
22

44

66

88

I2
12

10
10

14
14

\Tirzinia Formation

Tioctolite_____

-5

0

5

10

20

15

6S (%)
Figure
Figure1.1. 6180
6"Oand
andoMS
6=S values
valuesthrough
throughaaVirginia
Virginia Formation
Formation xenolith and igneous
igneous rocks
rocksof
of the
thePartridge
ParhidgeRiver
River
Intrusion,
drillcore
coreB1-127.
Bl-127.
Inmsion,drill
SIC)2
SiO, vs
vs Depth
Depth(ft.)
(ft.)

FeO
FeOand
andMgO
MgOvs
vs Depth
Depth

wL%
wL%
30
3 0 35
35 40
40 45
45 50
SO 55
55

Ti02
Ti02vsvsDepth
Depth

wt.%
*%

wL%
wL%
0

10

20

30

40

50

0

2

4

6

8

10

Figure
Figwe2.2.Variations
Variationsininchemical
chemicalcompositions
compositionsthrough
throughxenolith
xenolithand
andsurrounding
surroundingigneous
igneousrocks,
rocks,Babbitt
Bahbinarea,
area,drill
drill

coreBl-127.
wreB1-127.

66

�THE HURONIPJT
UP
THE
HURONIAN -- FROM
FROM THE
THE BOTTOM
BOTTOM —- UP

G.
G. Bennett,
Bennett, Ontario
Ontario Geological
Geological Survey
Survey

The
The HuronianSupergroup
Huronian supergroupis
is aa sequence
sequence of
of Early
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic sedimentary
sedimentary and
minor
volcanic rocks, up
up to
to 12
12 000
000 mm thick,
thick,which
unconfo±mably upon
which lies
lies unconfonnably
minor volcanic
Archean
Huronian belt extends
Archean rocks
rocks of
of the
the Superior
Superior Province. The Huronian
extends eastward,
eastward,
about 450 tan
km along the north
north shore
shore of
of Lake
Lake Huron
Huron and
and into
into Quebec. The
The age
for about
Huronian Supergroup is constrained by
by the
the ages
ages of
of basal
basal volcanic
volcanic rocks
of the Huronian
rocks
(2.45 Ga)
Ga) and Nipissing
(2.45
Nipissing intrusions
intrusions (2.2
(2.2 Ga).
Ga).
The Huronian
HuronianSupergroup
Supergroup
subdivided,
ascending
order,into
intothe
the Elliot
Elliot
The
is is
subdivided,
ininascending
order,
Lake, the
Lake, the
the Quirke
and the
the Cobalt
Lake,
the Hough
Hough Lake,
Quirke Lake
Lake and
CobaltGroups.
Groups. The
The Elliot
Elliot Lake
Lake
Group
Group contains
contains the
theonly
onlyvolcanic
volcanicrocks
rocksand
and important
importanturanium
uranium deposits.
deposits.

The
abundanceofofdetrital
detrital pyrite
Matinenda
The abundance
pyrite and
and uraninite
uraninitein
inthe
the
MatinendaFormation,
Formation, and
and
the general
lower,
three Huronian
the
general lack
lack of
ofhematite
hematitein
inrocks
rocksof
o fthe
the
lower-three
Huroniangroups,
groups,
points to
points
toaareducing
reducingatmosphere
atmosphere during
during early
earlyHuronian
Huronian sedimentation.
sedimentation. The
The
appearance
of hematite
hematite in
in the
marksthe
the accumulation
accumulation ooff free
free
appearance of
theCobalt
Cobalt Group
Group marks
oxygen
in the
Earth's atmosphere(Roscoe,
1968).Studies
studies of
oxygen in
the Earth's
atmosphere(Roscoe, 1968).
of Huronian
Huronian paleosols
paleosols
have also
also provided valuable insight into
into the
the evolution
evolution of
of the
the Earth's
Earth's
have
atmosphere (References
atmosphere
(References in
in Bennett
Bennett et
et al.l9Sl).
al-1991).

The 1-Juronian
volcanicrocks,
rocks,the
theEast
EastBull
BullLake
Lake Suite(EBLS)
Suite(EBLS) of
of layered
layered mafic
The
Huronian volcanic
mafic
intrusions,
intrusions, and
and the
the dikes
dikes of
of the
the Matatchewan—Hearst
Matatchewan-Hearst swarm
swarm are
are an
an essentially
essentially
coeval(circa 2.45 Ga) igneous suite (Peck
et al.,
al., 1995;
1995; Heaman,
Heaman, 1997)
(Peck et
1997) emplaced
near
The distribution
distribution of EELS
near the
the base
base of
of the
the Huronian Supergroup. The
EBLS intrusions
intrusions
may form
The northern
northern group includes
form two
two approximately
approximately linear arrays. The
includes the
the
Agnew Lake
A second
Agnew
Lake and
and the
the East
East Bull
Bull Lake
Lake intrusions.
intrusions. A
second group
group of
of EELS
EBLS
intrusions
west end
end of
of the
the SudburyIgneous
Sudbury Igneous Complex,
intrusions extends
extends from
from near the west
Complex, in
in aa
southwest direction, along the
the base
bise of
of the
the Huronian
Huronian Supergroup.
Supergroup. These
These two
two
southwest
groups
magma chambers
chambers emplaced
emplaced under
under two
groups of
of EELS
EBLS intrusions
intrusions represent magma
two rift
rift
segments
which joined
joined just
Sudbury
Complex.
segments which
justwest
westof
ofthe
thepresent
present
SudburyIgneous
Igneous
Complex.

The proposed
proposednorthern
northern rift
rift segment,
The
segment, which
which contained
contained the
the Livingstone
LivingstoneCreek
Creek
Formation
andthe
thevolcanic
volcanicrocks
rocksof
of the
the Thessalon
Thessalon Formation
Formationofofthe
the Sault
Sault Ste.
Formation and
Ste.
Marie—
ElliotLake
Lakearea,
area,has
hasbeen
beendeeply
deeplyeroded,
eroded,with
withdeeper
deepererosion
erosion (i.e.
(i.e.
Marie- Elliot
greater
uplift) in
The southern
southern rift
rift segment,
segment, which
which contains
contains
greater uplift)
in the east. The
volcanic
much intercalated
intercalated sandstone
volcanic rock
rock with
with pillow
pillow structures and much
sandstone and
and wacke
wacke
(Card,
1978) was
was probably
probably at a
a much
much lower
lower topographic
topographic level
level during
(Card, 1978)
during erosion
erosion of
of
the northern
northern rift
volcanic sequences
sequences may
may correspond
correspond to the
rift segment. These volcanic
the
"seaward
dipping reflectors"
margins.
"seaward dipping
reflectors" of
of modern continental
continental margins.
Following
was
Following rifting,
rifting,there
there
wascontinued
continuederosion
erosionand
and an
an eventual
eventualsubsidence
subsidence as
as
indicated
and uraniferous
uraniferous conglomerates
conglomerates of
indicated by the
the deposition
deposition of the arenites and
of
the
Matinenda Formation.
Formation. The
Theturbidites
turbidites of
Formation which
which overlie
overlie
the ~atinenda
ofthe
theMcKim
McKim Formation

-

--

-

the
along aa foundering
the Matinenda
Matinenda Formation,
Formation, suggest
suaaest marine
marine encroachment
encroachment alona
founderina
continental margin.
continental
margin.

It isissuggested
Huronian
It
suggestedhere
herethat
thata a
Huronian continental
continentalflood
floodbasalt
basaltprovince
provincemay
may
oncehave
haveexisted
existednorth
northofofthe
thepresent
presentHuronian
Huronian
belt.
so,at
at least
least the
once
belt.
IfIfso,
the
southern portion of
CFBP, must
must have
have been
been eroded
eroded prior to
southern
of this proposed CFBP,
to the
the
deposition of the
since the
the latter
latter has
has a
a mainly
mainly granitic
deposition
the Matinenda Formation, since
provinance.
The sub—Matinenda
disconformity (Bennett
(Bennett et
et al.,
al., 1991) marks this
provinance.
The
sub-Matinenda disconformity
potentially long
potentially
long erosion
erosion interval.
interval.
Heaman(1997)
mantle plume
plume related, large
large igneous
Heaman(1997) provides
provides evidence for a mantle
igneous
province at
intrusive rocks
rocks noted
noted above. The
2 . 4 5 Ga
Ga which includes
includes the intrusive
The model
model
province
at 2.45
for the
described here,
here, although
although arrived
arrived at
for
the Elliot
ElliotLake
LakeGroup
Group described
atindependently,
independently,
supports
of the
supports many
many of
theconclusions
conclusionsofofHeaman(l997).
Heaman(1997).

7

�Following
Following rifting
rifting and
and early
early Huronian
Huronian magmatic
magmatic events,
events, post—volcanic
post-volcanic Huronian
Huronian
sediments were
were deposited,
deposited, either
either along
along aa passive
passive continental
continental margin,
margin, or
or (less
(less
sediments
likely)
within a continually sinking,
sinking, intracratonic
intracratonic basin.
basin. Thecyclic
Thecyclic
likely) withina
sedimentation
groups above
above the Elliot
Elliot Lake
Lake Group
sedimentation of
of each
each of
of the
the three Huronian groups
Group
are
and retreat
retreat of
of Huronian
Huronian ice
ice
are generally
generally believed to
to record the advance and
sheets.Each cycle
cycle begins
begins with
with aa mainly
mainly diamictite
diamictite sequence(glacia1
sequence (glacial advance),•
sheets: Each
advance),
overlain
or carbonate
carbonate (glacial
overlain by
by aa marine
marine sequence
sequence of
of mudstones, siltstone or
(glacial
loading
by a relatively thick
thick arenite
arenite
loading and
and marine
marine transgression),
transgression), followed
followed by
sequence
.
The
sequence (interglacial
(interglacialoutwash)
outwash).
The presence
presence of
of drop—stones
drop-stones in
in some
some
laminated units
units of
of all
all three
three groups supports the glaciogenic
laminated
glaciogenic model
model by
indicating the
the presence
presence of
of floating
floating ice
ice (Roscoe,
(Roscoe,1968).
1968).
indicating
The
was variably
variably deformed
deformedand
andfaulted
faulted during
during several
The entire
entireHuronian
Huronian sequence
sequence was
several

deformational
of Nipissing
deformational events,
events,some
some of
ofwhich
which preceded
preceded the
theemplacement
emplacement of
Nipissing

sills
2.2
sillsatat
2.2Ga
Ga(Card,
(Card,1978).
1978).
-

-

References
References

Bennett,
Bennett,

G.,
J.A.
1991. The
The Huronian
Euronian Supergroup
Supergroup
G., Dressler,
Dressier, B.C.
B.O. and Robertson, J
.A. 1991.
and
and Associated
Associated Intrusive
Intrusive Rocks.
Rocks. in
in Geology
Geology of
Ontario Geological
Geological
of Ontario.
Ontario. Ontario

Survey,
Survey, Special
SpecialVolume
Volume 4,
4, p.
p.
Card,
Card,

633—641.
633-641.

K.D.
of the
the Sudbury-Manitoulin
Sudbury-Manitoulinarea,
area,districts
districts ofofSudbury
Sudbury
K.D. 1978.
1978. Geology
Geology of

and
and Manitoulin;
Manitoulin; Ontario
Ontario Geological
Geological Survey,
Survey, Report
Report 166,
166, 238p.
238p.

Heaman,
Heaman, L.
L. M.
M. 1997.
1997. Global
Global mafic
mafic magmatism
magmatism at
at 2.45
2.45 Ga:
Ga: Remnants
Remnants of
of an
an ancient
ancient
large
large igneous
igneous province?;
province?; Geology,
Geology, Vol.
Vol. 25,
25, no.
no. 4,
4, p. 299—302.
299-302.

Peck,
Peck, D.C.,
D.C., James,
James, R.S.,
R.S., chubb,
Chubb, P.T.,
P.T., Prevec,
Prevec, S.A.
S.A. and
andICeays,
Keays, R.R.
R.R. 1995.
1995.
Geology,
Geology, Metallogeny
Metallogeny and
and Petrogenesis
Petrogenesis of
of the
the East
East Bull
Bull Lake
Lake Intrusion,
Intrusion,
Ontario;
Ontario; Ontario
Ontario Geological
Geological Survey,
Survey, Open
Open File
File Report
Report 5929,
5929, ll7p.
117p.
Roscoe,
uraniferous conglomerates; Geological
Geological
Roscoe, S.M.
S.M. 1969.
1969. Huronian
Huronian rocks
rocks and
and uraniferous
Survey
Survey of
of Canada,
Canada, Paper
Paper68—40,
68-40, 2OSp.
205p.
-

8

�NATIVE
NATIVE COPPER
COPPER PRECIPITATION
PRECIPITATION BY
BYFLUID-MIXING,
FLUID-MIXING, KEWEENAW
KEWEENAW PENINSULA,
PENINSULA,
MICHIGAN
MICHIGAN
BORNHORST,
Departmentof
of Geological
GeologicalEngineering
Engineeringand
andSciences,
Sciences,Michigan
Michigan
BORNHORST,Theodore
TheodoreI.J. Department
Technological
University,
Houghton,
MI
49931,
tjbomho@mtu.edu;
and
Technological
Houghton, MI 49931. tibornho@mtu.edu: and
WOODRUFF,
U.S.
Geological Survey,
WOODRUFF, Laurel G.,
G., U.
s.Geological
survey,St.
St. Paul,
Paul, MN
MN 55112.
55112.
woodruff@usgs.gov.
woodruff@usgs.gov.
Large
billion kg
kg of
of refmed
refined copper
copperextracted)
extracted)are
arehosted
hostedby
bybrecciated
brecciated
Largenative
nativecopper
copperdeposits
deposits(about
(about 55 billion
and
andamygdaloidal
amygdaloidaltops
topsof
of basalt
basalt lava
lava flows
flows and
and interfiow
interflow conglomerates
conglomeratesin
inthe
the1.1
1.1Ga
GaMid-continent
Mid-continent
rift
riftsystem
systemalong
alongthe
theKeweenaw
Keweenaw Peninsula, Michigan. AAsuite
suiteof
ofsecondary
secondaryminerals
mineralsparagenetically
paragenetically
associated
associatedwith
withthe
thedeposition
depositionof
of native
native copper
copper includes
includescalcite,
calcite, epidote,
epidote,quartz,
quartz, and
andprehnite,
prehnite, in
in
addition
numberof
of other
other low
low temperature
temperature minerals. Most
Mostgenetic
geneticmodels
modelsfor
forthe
thenative
nativecopper
copper
additionto
toaanumber
deposits
from rocks deeper
deeperwithin
withinthe
therift
rift(e.g.,
(e.g.,White,
White,1968;
1968;Bornhorst,
Bomhors 1997).
depositsderive
deriveore
ore fluids
fluids fromrocks
1997).
Mechanisms
Mechanismsfor
forprecipitation
precipitationare
aremore
moreproblematic;
problematic;proposed
proposedmechanisms
mechanismsinclude
includecooling,
cooling,fluidfluidrock
rockinteraction
interactionvia
viametamorphic
metamorphic reactions and fluid mixing. Cooling
Coolingalone
alonecannot
cannotaccount
accountfor
fornative
native
copper
complexedas
asCu*
Of (copper
(1°
(copper chloride),
chloride), but precipitated as CuO
copperprecipitation
precipitationas
as copper is likely complexed
(native
(nativecopper).
copper).High
Highwater/rock
waterlrockratios
ratiosininthe
theore
orezones
zoneslimit
limitthe
theeffectiveness
effectivenessof
of fluid-rock
fluid-rock
interaction
bodies. Wells
interactionin
inaccounting
accountingfor
for the
the total mass of native copper found concentrated in ore bodies.
Wells
(1925)
(1925)first
firstsuggested
suggestedmixing
mixingof
of dilute
dilutewaters
waters with
with ore-bearing
ore-bearingfluids
fluidsas
asaa mechanism
mechanismfor
fornative
native
copper
60years
yearslater,
later,Richards
Richardsand
andSpooner
Spooner(1986)
(1986)
copperprecipitation
precipitationbased
basedon
onchemical
chemicalprinciples.
principles. Some
Some60
revived
revivedthe
theidea,
idea,and,
and,based
basedon
onfluid
fluid inclusion
inclusion studies,
studies, suggested
suggestedthe
the mixing
mixingof
oflow-temperature,
low-temperature,lowlowsalinity
native copper
copper precipitation.
precipitation. Based
salinityfluids
fluidswith
with ore-fluids
ore-fluids as
as a mechanism for native
Based on
on these
these
publications
publicationsand
andon
onaareinterpretation
reinterpretationof
of stable
stableisotope
isotopedata
dataof
of Livnat
Livnat(1983),
(1983). Bomhorst
Bornhorst(1992)
(1992)
proposed
that"mixing
"mixingofofore
orefluids
fluidswith
withresident
resident reduced
reducedsemi-stratified
semi-stratifiedfluids
fluidsmay
mayhave
havebeen
beenan
an
proposedthat
important
importantmechanism
mechanismfor
forprecipitation
precipitation of native copper." Oxidized
Oxidizedmeteoric
meteoricwaters
watersseem
seemto
tobe
be
eliminated
eliminatedasasaapossible
possibleend-member
end-memberfluid
fluidas
asprecipitation
precipitationof
ofnative
nativecopper
copperrequires
requiresreduction
reductionofofthe
the
ore-fluid.
ore-fluid.
In
Inorder
ordertototest
testthe
thehypothesis
hypothesis of fluid-mixing,
fluid-mixing, aa suite
suiteof
of calcite
calcitesamples
sampleswas
was collected
collected for
for12
12
km
deposit. Samples
kmalong
alongthe
thestrike
strikeof
ofthe
theKearsarge
Kearsarge deposit, the largest basalt-hosted
basalt-hosted deposit.
Sampleswere
were from
from
mine
range of
drillcore.
core. Calcites
Calcitesfrom
fromthe
theKearsarge
Kearsargedeposit
deposithave
haveaarange
of6"O
8"0 from
from20.1
20.1toto
minerock
rockpiles
pilesand
anddrill
11.3
%O and
and8'3C
5Â° from
from-1.7
-1.7 to
to -3.1
-3.1 %,
%o, based
based on
on 39
39analyses
analyses from
fromthis
thisstudy
studyand
and16
16from
fromLivnat
Livnat
11.3 %
(1983).
(1983). The
Thetemperature
temperatureofofcalcite
calcite(and
(andaccompanying
accompanyingnative
nativecopper)
copper)deposition
depositionisisconstrained
constrainedby
by
the
minerals,alsO
S"0 values
values for
for coexisting
coexisting mineral
mineral pairs
pairs suggest
suggestan
anaverage
average
theassemblage
assemblageofofgangue
gangueminerals;
temperature
of
about
215°C
(Livnat,
1983).
(215°q,calculated
calculated
6O inin
At this
this temperature
temperature (215Â¡C)
8"0_
temperature of about 215C (Livnat, 1983). At
equilibrium
+11.5%o
%O (59
(59%
%between
between3.8
3.8and
and5.8
5.8%o)
%o) and
andcalculated
calculated
equilibriumwith
withcalcite
calciteranges
rangesfrom
from+3.5
+3.5toto+11.5
rçrangesfmm-4to-l%o(71%between4.75and...3%0).
8Â°C ranges from -4 to -1 %o (71 % between -1.75 and -3 %). ForthesefluidsçandpHis
For these fluids f,,, and p H is
predicted
to
be
an
unimportant
source
of
variation
to
account
for
Vc.
predicted
unimportant source of variation to account for 8 " To
To~explain
explain
~ the
thedata
databy
byaa
uniform
assumed8'08O of of
+5.0
% %O
requires
a temperature
variation
uniform ore
ore fluid
fluid with assumed
+5.O
requires
a temDerature
variationofof130
130toto260°C;
260Â¡Caa
similar
carbon in
similartemperature
temperature range
range is
is required
required for an
an assumed
assumed uniform
unifo&amp;carbon
inthe
thefluid.
fluid. The
Thegangue
gangue
mineral
mineralassemblage
assemblageisisrather
rathersimilar
similarthroughout
throughoutthe
thedeposit
depositand
anddoes
doesnot
notsupport
supportsuch
suchaalarge
largerange
rangeinin
temperature.
lack of
of correlation
contlation between
between8"'0._
8"O and
cannot
Inaddition,
addition, the lack
and6'3C&lt;
8'3~.,.,,
cannotbebeexplained
explainedby
by
temperature. In
temperature
data may
maybe
beinterpreted
interpretedby
bychanging
changingtemperature
temperatureand
and
However, the
the data
temperaturevariation
variationalone.
alone. However,
mixing
mixing of
oftwo
twoorormore
morefluids.
fluids. This
This model
model can
can also
alsoexplain
explain the
thewide
widespread
spreadininW'O
8"Ofor
forquartz
quartzasas
reported
Livnat(1983).
(1983).The
Theend-member
end-memberore
orefluid
fluid(represented
(representedby
bymost
mostofofthe
thedata)
data)has
hasaa 8"0,,,,,
reportedby
byLivnat
9

�13cm
( - 8 " ~of~of
) about+5+5and
and-2-2%c,
%o, respectively
respectively and is consistent with
and '3C
(—6'3C)
about
with derivation from the riftbewell
welldefined,
defined, but
but has
has 6"omand 60CQ
S^Cm of
of greater
greater
filling basalt
Theother
otherfluid
fluidcannot
cannotbe
basalt section.
section. The
than +
+11
11and
andless
lessthan
than -3.5
-3.5 %4
%o,respectively.
respectively. This fluid is interpreted as
as water
water resident
resident at
at the site of
ore deposition.
deposition. The
Thedata
datapresented
presentedhere
heresupport
support the
the hypothesis
hypothesis that fluid-mixing
fluid-mixing played a role
role in
in
precipitation
precipitation of native copper
wpper in
in the
theKeweewan
KeweewanPeninsula.
Peninsula. Additional
Additional studies
studies are
are in progress to
further
further test the
the fluid-mixing
fluid-mixinghypothesis.
hypothesis.
References
References

Bomhorst,Li,
TJ.,1992,
1992,
overview
theKeweenaw
KeweenawPeninsula
Peninsulanative
nativecopper
copperdisthct,
district,Michigan:
Michigan:
Bomhorst
AnAn
overview
ofofthe
Society
GuidebookSeries,
Series,v.
v. 13,
13,p.
p. 33-62.
33-62.
Societyof
of Economic
EconomicGeologists
GeologistsGuidebook
Bomhorst,
Bornhorst, TJ.,
TJ.,1997,
1997,Tectonic
Tectoniccontext
contextof
ofnative
nativecopper
copperdeposits
deposits of the North American
American
Midcontinent
Special Paper 312,
MidcontinentRift
Rift System:
System: Geological
Geological Society
Society of America Special
312, p. 127-136.
127-136.
Livnat,
1983,Metamorphism
Metamorphismand
and copper
coppermineralization
mineralization of the Portage
Portage Lake
Lake Lava
Lava Series,
Series,
Livnat, A., 1983,
northern
northern Michigan
Michigan (Ph.D.
(Ph.D.dissertation):
dissertation): Ann Arbor, University of Michigan, 292p.
292p.
Richards, J.P., and Spooner,
high temperature,
temperature,
Spooner, E.T.C.,
E.T.C., 1986,
1986,Native
Native copper
copper deposition by mixing of high
high
cool dilute
dilute groundwaters,
groundwaters,
high salinity
salinity fluids
fluids of possible
possible magmatic association with cool
Keweenaw
Peninsula,
Michigan:
Geological
Society
of
America
Abstracts
with Pmgrams,
Keweenaw Peninsula,
Geological
Programs,

v.
v. 18,
18, p.730.
p. 730.
Wells, ltC.,
R.C,1925,
1925,Chemistiy
Chemistryofofdeposition
depositionofofnative
nativecopper
copperfrom
fromascending
ascendingsolutions:
solutions:U.S.
U.S.
Geological
Survey Bulletin 778.71~.
778, 'lip.
Geological Survey

1968,The
Thenative-copper
native-copper deposits
deposits of northern Michigan, in Ridge, J.D.,
J.D., ed.,
ed., Ore
Ore
White, W.S., 1968,
White,
deposits of
of the
the United
United States
States 1933-1967
1933-1967 (the
(the Graton Sales volume): American Institute
Institute of
deposits
Mining,
Mining, Metallurgical
Metallurgicaland
andPetroleum
PetroleumEngineering,
Engineering,New
New York,
York, p. 303-325.

10

�THE DIAMONDIFEROUS SIX-PAK
SIX-PAK ULTRAMAFIC
ULTRAMAFIC LAMPROPHYRE
LAMPROPHYRE
DIATREME, KENOSHA, WISCONSIN, U.S.A.
CARLSON,
CARLSON, S. M., Ashton Mining
Mining of
of Canada
Canada Inc., Vancouver, B.C., Canada
Canada

ADAMS, U.
G. W., The
The Doe
Doe Run Company, Viburnum, MO, USA (former Chief Geologist
Geologist for
for Crystal
Crystal
Exploration Inc.)

Diamond
Diamond exploration
exploration in
in the
the midwestern
midwestern United States
States began
began with the
the discovery
Lake Ellen
Ellen
discovery of the Lake
kimberlite
kimberlite in
in 1971.
1971. Early
Early exploration
exploration focused
focused on
on the
the Upper
Upper Peninsula
Peninsula of
of Michigan,
Michigan, resulting
resulting in
in the
the discovery of
over
over 20
20 kimberlite
kimberlite bodies
bodies in Iron,
Iron, Dickinson
Dickinson and
and Menominee
Menominee counties.
counties. These
These post-Ordovician
post-Ordovician intrusives
intrusivesrange
range
in
fromnarrow
narrow dikes
dikes to
to diatremes
diatremes in
in excess of 20
20 acres.
acres. Diamonds are present
present in
in many of
of the
the Michigan
Michigan
in size
size from
kimberlites, but
but to
to date
date no
no economic
economicdeposits
depositshave
havebeen
been identified.
identified.
Further
Furtherregional
regional exploration
explorationidentified
identified concentrations
concentrations of fresh
fresh "kimberlitic"
in glacial
glacial
"kimberiitic" indicator
indicatorminerals
mineralsin
tilts
tills in
in southeastern
southeasternWisconsin,
Wisconsin, where at least
least six
six historic
historic diamond
diamond finds
finds occurred,
occurred, including
including the
the 21.5
21.5 carat
carat
"Theresa"
major diamond
diamond exploration
exploration companies
companies have
have been active in
"Theresa" stone.
stone. Although
Although several major
in southeastern
southeastern
Wisconsin, the Six-Pak
Six-Pak diatreme,
diatreme, discovered by the Crystal Exploration-Ashton
Exploration-Ashton Mining Joint Venture,
Venture, is
is the
the
only
only pipe
pipe ever
everreported
reportedininthis
thisregion.
region.
Exploration Inc. carried out sporadic exploration
Crystal Exploration
exploration in
in southeast
southeast Wisconsin
Wisconsin from
from the
the mid
mid 1980's,
and in
in joint
joint venture
venture with
with Ashton
Ashton Mining
Mining of Canada
Canada Inc.
Inc. from
from 1992
1992 through
through 1995.
1995. Target
Target identification
identification
concentrated on kimberlitic
kimberlitic indicator
indicator mineral
mineral anomalies and data
data from
from public
publicairborne
airbornemagnetic
magneticsurveys.
surveys. In
In
early 1994,
1994, Crystal
Crystal Exploration
Exploration acquired a little-known
little-known airborne magnetic survey which had been
been flown
flownand
and
later donated to Case
by a major oil company conducting base metal
Case Western
Western Reserve University
University by
metal exploration.
exploration.
From the new data,
three
"kintherlite-style"
magnetic
targets
were
recognized
and
ground
checked.
Two
data, three "kimberlite-style"
targets were recognized and ground checked. Twotargets
targets
were eliminated
as
cultural
responses.
eliminated as cultural responses. During
During the spring and early summer
summer of 1994,
1994,land
landacquisition
acquisition and
and
detailed ground magnetic surveys were completed
completed on
on the
the third
third target
target and
and in late August of 1994,
1994, the
the Six-Pak
Six-Pak
diatreme
intersectedininthe
thefirst
first of
of eight
eightexploration
explorationdrill
drill holes.
diatreme was
was intersected
The
The Six-Pak
Six-Pak diatreme
diatreme is
is approximately 50 acres in size and is located within the
the outskirts
outskirtsof
ofKenosha,
Kenosha,
Wisconsin. Reverse
Reversecirculation
circulationwith
with selective
selective core drilling was used to test the target. Between
Betweenone
oneand
andseven,
seven,
one-ton samples of cuttings were recovered
from each
each hole.
hole. A
recovered from
Aconcentrate
concentrate was
was generated
generated from
fromeach
eachsample,
sample,
and
and splits
splitswere
were submitted
submittedto
to Ashton
Ashton Mining's
Mining's laboratory
laboratory facility
facility in
in Perth,
Perth, Australia for
for caustic
causticfusion
fusionprocessing.
processing.
The
The remainder
remainder of
of this
this"mini-bulk"
"mini-bulk"sample
sample was
was processed
processed through
through Ashton's
Ashton's one-tonne-per-hour
one-tonne-per-hour dense
densemedia
media
separation
separationplant
plant in
inCrystal
CrystalFalls,
Falls,Michigan.
Michigan.
The upper
upper portions
portions of
of the
the diatreme
diatreme are
are complex,
complex, containing
containing sequences of fossiliferous
fossiliferous dolostone
dolostone and
and
red, bedded
breccias at
at depth.
depth. The
to80
80feet
feetinintl1ickness
thickness
bedded arenites
arenites which
which grade
grade into ultramafic breccias
The arenites
arenites range
range up
up to
and
minerals. They may represent
andcontain
containsparse
sparsevolcaniclastic
volcaniclastic fragments and indicator minerals.
represent true
true crater-facies
crater-faciesrocks
rocks
or,
after diatreme
diatreme emplacement
emplacement
or, along
alongwith
withthe
theminor
minorcarbonate
carbonaterocks,
rocks,they
they may
may have formed
formed long after
Beneath
rocks, the Six-Pak diatreme consists of fairly uniform
uniform ultramafic
ultramafic breccias
breccias
Beneath these
these sedimentary
sedimentary rocks,
composed
composedprimarily
primarilyof
ofserpentine,
serpentine,calcite,
calcite, mica, and various opaques; fresh olivine is
is not
not present,
present, and
and melilite
meliliteor
or
pseudomorphs
after
melilite
have
not
been
recognized.
Angular
sedimentary
xenoliths
are
common,
ranging
up
pseudomorphs after melilite have not been
Angular sedimentary xenoliths are common, ranging up
to
to five
five feet
feet across.
across. Basement
Basementxenoliths
xenolithsare
areextremely
extremelyrare.
rare. "Autolithic"
"Autolithic" fragments
fragmentsare
arepresent
presentininmany
manysamples,
samples,
but
but they
they are
aredifficult
difficultto
to characterize,
characterize,making facies determinations
determinations uncertain. Much
Muchof
ofthe
the"diatreme"
"diatreme"appears
appearstoto
be
be hypabyssal
hypabyssalin
incharacter.
character.
many similarities
similaritiesbetween
between this
this
Classificationof
of the
the Six-Pak
Six-Pak diatreme
diatreme is not straightforward, as there are many
Classification

body
body and
and other
other rock
rocktypes
typessuch
suchasaskiinberlites
kimberlites and
andlamproites.
lamproites. However,
However, groundmass
groundmass mica and
and spinet
spinel
compositional trends are
are inconsistent
inconsistent with
with both
both kimberlites
kimberlites and
andtamproites.
lamproites. The Six-Pak
Six-Pak diatreme
diatreme is
is best
best
classified
(Rock, 1991)
1991) or
or a "melnoite"
classified as an
an ultramafic
ultramafic larnprophyre
lamprophyre (Rock,
"melnoite" using
using terminology
terminology recommended
recommended by
Mitchell
Mitchell(1994).
(1994).

ii

�recovered from
from processed
processed concentrates
concentrates include
includethe
thetypical
typical"kimberlitic"
"kimberlitic" indicator
indicator
Heavy mineral species recovered
Cr-pyrope, low-Cr pyrope,
pyrope, Cr-diopside,
Cr-diopside, picroilmenite,
picroilmenite,Cr-spinel
Cr-spine!and
andzircon.
zircon. Apatite, rutile,
minerals Cr-pyrope,
mtile, amphibole,
amphibole,
barite and
and celestite
present, along
along with
with a variety of sulphide
pyrite, galena and
sulphide minerals
minerals including pyrite,
barite
celestite are also present,
millerite. The
through red,
red, and
and exhibit
exhibitlate-stage
late-stage etching
etching thought
thought
TheCr-pyrope
Cr-pyrope garnet
garnetsrange
rangeinincolor
colorfrom
frompurple
purplethrough
to be
These garnets
garnet are
are quite
quite common
common in
in the
the heavy
heavy mineral
mineral
be produced
produced by
byinteractions
interactions with
with groundwater.
groundwater. These
concentrates, and contain up to
to 6.5
6.5 wt% Cr203;
Cr203; they are believed to be derived from garnet-bearing
garnet-bearing peridotites.
No subcalcic
10" varieties have been identified.
subcalcic"G
"G10"
identified.
Orange low-Cr pyrope is also common
common in
in Six-Pak
Six-Pak concentrates,
concentrates, often strongly
strongly etched
etched and
and skeletal
skeletalinin
appearance with
with deep
deep corrosion
corrosion sculpture
sculptureand
andinternal
internaldecomposition
decompositionchannels.
channels. The
The average
average MgO
MgO content
content of
of
appearance
these grains is 19.1 wt%,
wt%, and
andthe
therange
rangeisisbetween
between13.9
13.9wt%
wt%and
and20.6
20.6wt%.
wt%.Both
BothCr203
Cr203 and
and Ti02
Ti02 are
are typically
than 1.0 wt%. Most
Most of
of these
these garnet
garnetsare
areprobably
probablyderived
derivedfrom
from the
the Cr-poor
Cr-poor megacryst
megacryst suite, although the
less than
lower MgO values found in
in some
somegrains
grainssuggest
suggestthat
thatminor
minoreclogitic
eclogiticand
andgranulitic
granuliticgarnets
garnet may
may also
also be
bepresent
present
Cr-diopside is rare, appearing as
as emerald-green
emerald-green anhedral
anhedralfragments.
fragments. The diopsides
are
typically
diopsides are typically coated
coated
with orange-white
reaction products
products and exhibit
exhibit classic
classic"cockscomb"
"cockscomb" resorption
resorptionmorphologies.
morphologies. Green
Green
orange-white reaction
amphibole is common,
common, and
and whereas
whereas some
some of
of these
these grains may be crustal,
crustal, most are
are probably
probably derived
derived from
from
amphibole
modally-metasomatizedmantle
mantlerocks.
rocks. These
These amphiboles
amphibolescontain
containup
uptoto3.0
3.0wt%
wt%Cr203
Cr203 and some are found as
modally-metasomatized
with purple
purpleCr-pyrope
Cr-pyropegarnets.
garnet.
mineral pairs with
Picrojlmenjte
Six-Pak concentrates.
concentrates. It occurs
occurs as
asanhedral
anhedral
Picroilmenite is one of the most abundant minerals in the Six-Pak
fragments with leucoxene reaction
reactioncoatings
coatingsand
andcontains
containsbetween
between3.7
3.7wt%
wt%and
and9.8
9.8wt%
wt%MgO.
MgO. These
These low
low MgO
MgO
values, coupled
coupled with
with extremely
extremely low
low Cr203
Cr203 (&lt;0.2 wt%)
evidence that
that the Six-Pak
wt%) are supplementary
supplementary evidence
Six-Pak is
is an
an
values,
ultramafic lamprophyre,
lamprophyre, not an archetypal kimberlite.
kimberlite.
spinels are
are present
present in
in the
the heavy
heavy mineral
mineralconcentrates.
concentrates. Some are reasonably Cr-rich, with up to
Various spinels
wl% Cr203
Cr203 plus
A12O3. Other spinels include magnetite and titanomagnetite.
58 wt%
plus appreciable
appreciable MgO and A1203.
Coarse honey-yellow
honey-yellowto
to orange-brown
orange-brownzircon
zirconcrystals
crystalsare
arequite
quitecommon.
common. These grains are typically
subhedral, and
and are
are mantled
mantledby
by fine-grained
fine-grainedreaction
reactionproducts,
products,possibly
possiblybaddeleyite.
baddeleyite. A
A date of
anhedral, rarely subhedral,
from these
these zircons
zirconsusing
usingU/Pb
U/Pbtechniques
techniques(Ashton
(AshtonMilling,
Mining unpublished
unpublished date).
data). This
686 MY has been obtained from
This
Silurian carbonates; however,
however, the age may
may represent
representaa
is an unrealistic emplacement age as the diatreme intruded Silurian
significant metasomatic
significant
metasomatic event
event in
in the
the underlying
underlyingmantle.
mantle.
Importantly,the
the Six-Pak
numeroussmall
small diamonds
diamonds have
have been
Importantly,
Six-Pak lamprophyre
lamprophyre isis diamondiferous;
diamondiferous; numerous
been
recovered through caustic
caustic fusion
fusion techniques.
techniques. Most
Most diamonds
diamonds are sharp-edged
sharp-edged octahedra or macles,
macles, some
some
showing intricate surficial
surficial patterns including growth plates and trigons.
trigons. Six-Pak does not
not contain
containeconomic
economic
of the large historic drift diamonds.
diamonds.
concentrations of diamonds,
diamonds, and is unlikely to be the source ofthe
The discovery of
of the Six-Pak
diatreme is
is very
very significant,
significant, as
as itit is the
the first
first recorded
recorded mantle-sourced
mantle-sourced
Six-Pak diatreme
diatreme to be
be identified
identified in
in the
thesoutheastern
southeasternWisconsin
Wisconsin region.
region. The diatreme
diatreme is also an enigma
enigma as itit raises
raises
numerous questions regarding the
the existence of
of other
other pipes
pipes in
in the
the area and their economic
economic potential. Do
the
Do the large
large
Wisconsin "drift"
"drift" diamonds
diamondshave
haveaalocal
localsource,
source,ororare
arethey
theyindeed
indeedderived
derivedfrom
fromrocks
rocksfar
farto
to the
the north
north in
Wisconsin
Canada?
Canada?
authors wish to
to thank Ashton
AshtonMining
MiningofofCanada
CanadaInc.
Inc.and
and Crystal
CrystalExploration
ExplorationInc.
Inc.for
forpermission
permission to
topublish
publish this
this
The authors
givento
toDr.
Dr. Daniel
DanielJ.I Schulze
data. Additional
Additionalappreciation
appreciationLv
is given
Schufee at
at the
the University
University of Toronto, Erindale College and
and
Mrs. Anne
Anne Hall
Hall of Winspear Resources
ResourcesLtd.
Ltdfor
for critical
critical reviews,
reviewv,and
andto
to Dr.
Dr. Ron
Ron Sage of the Ontario
Mrs.
OntarioGeologjcal
Geological
for general
general assistance.
Survey for
assistance.

RH. (1994):
137-146.
MITCHELL, RH.
(1994): The
TheLamprophyre
Lamprophyrefacies.
fades. MineraL
Mineral.Petrology
Petrology 51,
51,137-146.
N.M.S. (1991):
(1991): Lainprophyres.
ROCK, N.M.S.
Lamprophyres. Blackie
Blackie&amp;
&amp; Son,
Son, Edinburgh.

12

�as aa Tool
Toolfor
forRecognizing
RecognizingCrustal
CrustalFabric
Fabricand
andStructure
Structure
Gravity Aspect as
at Minnesota
at
55746
D. A. Dahl,
DahI, Minnesota Dept.
Dept. of
of Natural
Natural Resources,
Resources, Minerals
Minerals Division,
Division, Hibbing,
Hibbing, Mn
Mn 55746
Gravity aspect, the facing direction of
Gravity
gravity gradient,
gradient, is
is apparently
apparently a sensitive
sensitiveindicator
indicatorof
of
of gravity
crustal fabric, one that can
can aid
aid in
in the
therecognition,
recognition,unmixing
unmixingand
andmapping
mappingofof individual
individual
components of composite
components
composite gravity
gravity signatures.
signatures.

Reported as a compass bearing (0-360).
(0-360), aspect
aspect records
records the
the direction
direction normal
normal to
to the
the strike of
gradient.
In
the
case
of
a
potential
field
like
gravity,
aspect
depicts
the
bearing
bearing direction
direction of
of aa
gradient In the case of a potential field like gravity, aspect depicts
vector that is the
components of gravity
the sum
sum of all
all of the horizontal components
gravity features
featuresthat
that affect
affectaasite.
site.
Displayed in HSV (hue-saturation-value) color space, where hue (aspect)
is
valued
in
the
(aspect) valued in the range
range
0-360, gravity fabrics
based on hue, and overlap of gravity
gravity fabrics
0-360,
fabrics can be recognized based
fabrics can
can be
be
recognized as vector-like color summing
summing of
of component
component hues.
hues. Conveniently,
Conveniently, HSV color
color space
space
also provides a means of comparing gravity aspect (hue) to Bouguer intensity, slope,
slope, or
or
curvature (each plotted as gray scale value, with or without shadowing).
curvature (1st and 2nd horizontal
At MnDNR, terrain analysis tools such as slope and curvature
horizontal
derivatives)
routinely used
used to
tocheck
checkdata
datasets
setsfor
foridiosyncrasies
idiosyncrasies and
and artifacts
artifacts before
before they are
derivatives) axe
are routinely
included in a GIs-based
GIS-based information system.
system. Slope
Slope and
and curvature
curvature provide
provide an
an excellent
excellent means
means of
of
caused by
by inconsistencies
inconsistenciesin
indata
datahandling
handlingand
andreduction.
reduction. In the
recognizing edge artifacts caused
the case
case
Minnesota gravity
of the Minnesota
gravity data
data set
set (55,900
(55,900 points, Chandler and Schaap, 1991),
1991). terrain analysis
analysis
maps, and also to generate related maps of
was used to generate slope
slope and curvature haps,
of aspect,
aspect,
profile curvature,
curvature, and
and planform
planformcurvature.
curvature.
The aspect
aspect pattern for
for the Minnesota gravity data set is particularly interesting,
interesting, because
because itit
reinforces
structure in the Lake Superior
reinforces several
several interpretations of pre-existing structure
Superior region
region and
and
provides a basis for additional discussion
discussion about
about the
the geologic
geologic history
history of
of the
the crust.
crust. Readily
Readily
apparent
apparent are
are the
the following:
following:

1)
1) Overlapping
Overlapping gravity
gravity fabrics
fabrics can be recognized. As
As good
good examples,
examples,at
at least
least two
two ancestral
ancestral
fabrics can be recognized beneath
beneath the
the Bayfield
Bayfield basin
basin of the
the mid-continent rift system.
gravity fabrics
system.
The
Duluth
Complex
The gravity
gravity aspect
aspect pattern of the footwall of the ~
uluth
Complex can also
also be
be reliably
reliably traced
tracedto
to
30-40
30-40 km
tan inside
inside the
the western
westernmargin
margin of
of the
the complex.
complex.

2) Gravity
Gravity aspect
aspectcan
can be
be used
used as an effective means of delineating the axes of gravity lows and
highs. Elongate
the statewide
statewidepattern.
pattern. Domal or bowl-like aspect
gravity highs.
Elongate "hinges" dominate the
patterns
patterns are,
are, for
for the
the most part,
part, restricted to individual intrusive
intrusive features.
features.
3) A
A pervasive
pervasivenorth-northwest
north-northwest striking
striking gravity fabric is parallel to the magnetic expression
expression of

13

�similarly trending regional dike swarms. The
The fabric
fabrichas
has aa much
much broader
broader "wavelength"
"wavelength"than
than the
the
of depth, and a general
general lack
spacing of the dikes. Curvature
Curvatureprofile
profile maxima, as a rough indicator of
of magnetic
that this
this broader
broader fabric
fabric may
may be
be more
more deeply
deeply rooted than the
magnetic expression
expressionsuggest.
suggest that
the
higher amplitude,
amplitude, more
more easily
easily recognized
recognized gravity
gravity fabric
fabric of the
the east-northeast
east-northeasttrending
trending
greenstone-granite-gneiss
greenstone-granite-gneissterranes
terranes that
that overprint
overprint it.
it.

4) Pm-rift
Pre-riftgravity
gravityfabric
fabricisisonly
onlypartly
partly obliterated
obliterated by the
the mid-continent
mid-continent rift
rift system
system in
in Minnesota.
Minnesota.
edge of
of the
the Penokean
Penokean orogen
orogen area in
5) A prominent gravity
5)
gravity fabric parallels the northern edge
completely interupts the north-south
north-south aspect
aspect pattern
pattern that
that can
can be
be traced on either
Minnesota, but completely
interuption. The
side of the interuption,
ThePenokean
Penokean area,
area,in
in general,
general, expresses
expresses aa complex
complex interplay
interplay of
of fabrics.
fabrics.

begseveral
severalquestions.
questions. What
What is the geologic
The patterns of gravity aspect in Minnesota beg
significance
significance of axial "hinges"?
"hinges"? What
What is
is the
the significance
significance of the north-northwest trending fabric,
and at what depth within or below the
the crust
crust does
does that
thatfabric
fabricexist?
exist? Can aspect be applied
applied in
interpretation
interpretation of magnetic data?
data? Will
Will additional
additionalgravity
gravity data
data increase
increasethe
the signal-to-noise
signal-to-noiseratio
ratioin
in
features can
can be
beresolved?
resolved? Can algorithms be applied, in
the aspect pattern so that more subtle features
conjunction
with
aspect,
to
separate
component
fabrics?
conjunction
aspect, to separate component fabrics?

References
References

Chandler,
Anomaly Map
Map of Minnesota,
V.W., and
and Schaap,
Schaap, B.D.,
B.D., 1991,
1991,Bouguer Gravity Anomaly
Chandler, V.W.,
Minnesota
Minnesota Geological
GeologicalSurvey,
Survey,State
StateMap
Map Series
Series Map
Map S-16,
S-16, 1:500,000.
1:500,000.

14

�STRATIGRAPHY, TECTONICS
TECTONICS AND
AND MINERALIZATION
MINERALIZATION OF
OF THE
THE SIOUX LOOKOUT
STRATIGRAPHY,
OROGENIC BELT,
BELT, WESTERI
WESTERNWABIGOON
WABIGOON SOBPROVINCE
SUBPROVINCE
Devaney, J.R., Ontario
Ontario Geological
Geological Survey,
Lake Rd.,
Rd.,
Devaney,
Survey, 933
933 Ramsey
Ramsey Lake
Sudbury,
P3E 6B5, Canada
Canada
Sudbury, Ontario
Ontario P3E
Tectono-stratigraphic
analysis of
of the metamorphosed and variably
Tectono-stratigraphic analysis

deformed Archean
Archean supracrustal
supracrustal rocks
rocks of
of the
the Sioux Lookout
deformed
Lookout Belt
Belt
(western
Wabigoon Subprovince)
Subprovince) suggests
suggests the accumulation
accumulation of
(western Wabigoon
of lower,
lower,
older,
subaqueous basalt
2),
1, 2
) , capped by
by
older, subaqueous
basalt successions
successions (Stages
(Stages 1,
sequences
of
more
felsic
volcaniclastic
rocks
(Stages
4), with
sequences
volcaniclastic rocks (Stages 3, 4),
minor lavas
lavas and
and porphyries
porphyries (at or
small volcanic
volcanic centres),
centres),
or near small
overlain by
by upper sedimentary rocks
rocks (Stage
4), such as turbidite
(Stage 4),
deposits,
by synchronous
synchronous intermediate-felsic
intermediate-felsic
deposits, which
which were
were influenced
influenced by
volcanism
(interbedded tuffs,
volcanic pebble
conglomerate,
volcanism (interbedded
tuffs, volcanic
pebble conglomerate,
magnetite
iron
formation).
Minor
magnetite
iron
formation).
Minor
volcanogenic
sulphide
volcanogenic
sulphide
mineralization
sub-exhalite hydrothermal
alteration are
mineralization and
and sub-exhalite
hydrothermal alteration
are
rocks. A
A relatively small
small (3 km
tan
uncommon in the
the volcaniclastic
volcaniclastic rocks.
thick)
andesitic stratovolcano
stratovolcano succession
succession and
thick) andesitic
and its
its comagmatic
comagmatic
subvolcanic
subvolcanic intrusion
intrusion (Stage
(Stage 3, but undated)
undated) are
are well
well preserved,
preserved,
but no
no epithermal
epithermal mineralization
and only insignificant
insignificant amounts
mineralization and
amounts of
of
porphyry copper-type
copper-typemineralization
mineralization have
have been
been found.
foundNorthwest-southeast compression
compression segmented the original
original basin
basin
Northwest-southeast
(arc
on basalt,
basalt:,
buriedand
andflanked
flankedby
byyounger
younger volcanic
volcanic
(arc volcanics
volcanics on
buried
detritus)
thrust slices
slices that
detritus)into
intoan
animbricate
imbricate stack
stack of
of numerous
numerous thrust
that
generally
5, a
a forelandforelandgenerally dip and young
young to
to the
the southeast
southeast (Stage
(Stage 5,
vergent fold-and-thrust
fold-and- thrust belt).
Fluvial polymict
polymict conglomerates
vergent
belt). Pluvial
conglomerates
accumulated
narrow, linear
linear (strike-parallel),
intra-orogenic
accumulated in
in a
a narrow,
(strike-parallel), intra-orogenic
"molasse" basin
basin and
and were
were overthrust
overthrust by
by oldervolcanic
older volcanic rocks
rocks forming
forming
nmolasse"
the
bases
of
thrust
slices
(relative
ages
confirmed
by
published
Uthe bases
thrust slices (relative ages confinned
published UPb zircon
dates).
A
large
volume
of
basaltic
strata
zircon dates).
large volume of basaltic strata (Northern
(Northern
Volcanic Belt)
Volcanic
Belt) was overturned
overturned adjacent to
to the
the microcontinental
microcontinental
Winnipeg River
River Subprovince
Subprovince foreland; the overturning
overturning was
was likely
likely
Laramideproduced by
by large-scale
large-scalefaulting
faulting (hypotheses
(hypotheses include:
include: aa Laramidetype uplift,
uplift, or flower
flower structures
structures in cross-sectional
cross-sectional views of
of
strike-slip to
major faults
strike-slip
to oblique-slip
oblique-slipfaults).
faults). The
The major
faults appear
appear to
to be
be
sinistral strike-slip
some of which
strike-slip faults
faults (Stage
(Stage 6),
which may
may be
be
6),
reactivated thrust
reactivated
thrust faults
faults (i.e.,
(i.e., Stage
Stage 66 superimposed
superimposed on
on Stage
Stage 5).
5).
along some
some of
of these
these major
major faults. Late
Granitoid plutons intruded along
stage sinistral-sense
a pullpullsinistral-sense motions
motions produced
produced features
features such
such as a
apart
Patara Fin.),
Fm.), releasing
releasing bend
bend plutons,
plutons, and
apart basin
basin (20
(20kin-long
km-long Patara
Quartz veins appear
tension gashes.
gashes. Quartz
appear to be
be thicker
thicker and more
more
abundant, and contain
near the major
major deformation
deformation zones
zones
abundant,
contain more gold, near
(thrust and/or
and/or strike-slip faults).
faults). At
At a
(thrust
a regional
regional scale,
scale, gold
gold
occurrences
appear to
to be
be located
located along
along lineaxuents
lineaments which
occurrences appear
which resemble
Riedel shear
Riedel
shear fracture
fracture systems.
systems.

15

�This
left blank
This page
page left
blank intentionally.
intentionally.

16

�PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATIONS OF THE PICK LAKE DEPOSIT, WINSTON
REMOBILIZEDMASSIVE
MASSIVESULPHIDE
SULPHIDEOREBODY
OREBODY
LAKE MINE, ONTARIO:
ONTARIO: AAREMOBJLIZEI)
LAKE
DOIRON, Gerard, and SIDDIQUI, Masood, Imnet
Inmet Mining Corporation, Winston Lake
ON, POT
POT 2SO;
C., Resident
Resident
Division, P.O. Bag
Bag 2, Schreiber,
Schreiber, ON,
Division,
2S0; and SMYK, Mark C.,
Geologist
Northwest, Ontario
Ontario Geological
Geological Survey, Ministry
of Northern
Northern
GeologistProgram
Program- Northwest,
Ministry of
Development
435 S. James St., Thunder Bay, ON,
Development and Mines, Suite
Suite B002,
B002,435
ON,
P7E
6S7.
P7E 6S7.

-

The
The Winston
Winston Lake
Lake mine
mine is
is situated
situated in
in lower
lower amphibolite-facies,
amphibolite-facies,cale-alkalic
calc-alkalicrocks
rocksof
ofthe
the
Neoarchean Schreiber-F{emlo
greenstonebelt.
belt. It comprises
Schreiber-Hemlo greenstone
comprises several volcanogenic
volcanogenic massive
massive
suiphide
sulphide (VMS),
(VMS), zinc-copper
zinc-copper deposits:
deposits:
Deposit
Deposit

Ore
Ore (all
(all categories)
categories)
(million
(million tonnes)
tomes)

Winston
Winston Lake
Lake

Zn
Zn (%)
(%)

Metal
Metal Grades
Grades
Cu
Cu(%)
(%) Ag
Ag (g/t)
(gft)

Dilution4
Dilution*
Au
Au (gft)
(glt)

(%I
(%)

3.1
3.1

15.90
15.90

1.00
1.00

30.3
30.3

1.02
1.02

20
20

Upper+Middle
Upper + Middle

0.26
0.26

11.21
11.21

0.77
0.77

31.5
31.5

0.65
0.65

30
30

Lower
Lower

1.2
1.2

15.90
15.90

0.86
0.86

38.0
38.0

0.46
0.46

25
25

Pick
Pick Lake:
Lake:

(4
(* n.b.
n.b. Possible
Possible category
category of
of Pick
Pick Lake
Lake is
is non-diluted)
nondiluted)

The
The Pick
Pick Lake
Lake deposits
deposits occur
occur within
within strongly
strongly foliated,
foliated,felsic
felsicto
to intermediate
intermediatevolcaniclastic
volcaniclasticrocks,
rocks,
approximately
southwestof
ofthe
theWinston
Winston Lake
Lake deposit,
deposit, and
and 1
I km
1.31cm
km southwest
km lower
lower in
in the
thefootwall
footwall
approximately 1.3
stratigraphic
stratigraphic succession.
succession. The
Thedeposits
deposits are
are thin,
thin, but
but continuous,
continuous, massive
massive suiphide
sulphide sheets
sheetswith
with aa
down-plunge
down-plungelength
length of approximately 1000
1000 m. The
TheUpper
Upperand
andLower
Lower zones
zones average
average
approximitely
approximately2.0
2.0 and
and 4.0
4.0 m
m in thickness, respectively. Massive
Massivesuiphide
sulphide ore,
ore, in
in sharp
sharp contact
contact
with
to 400
400 m.
m. ItIt forms
formsaa dyke-like
dyke-like
with its
its host
host rocks, has a strike
strike length which varies from 100 m to
body
body which
which locally
locallycrosscuts
crosscutsboth
bothfoliation
foliationand
andgranitic
graniticdykes.
dykes.
Despite
metal grades
grades and
and mineralogy
mineralogy (sphalerite,
(sphalerite, pyrrhotite,
pyrrhotite, pyrite,
pyrite,chalcopyrite),
chalcopyrite),
Despite similar
similarmetal
suiphide
are markedly
markedly different
different. Finersulphidetextures
textures in
in the
the Winston Lake and Pick Lake deposits are
Finergrainecl
ubiquitous development
grained Pick Lake ore is characterized by the ubiquitous
developmentof
of durchbewegung
durchbewegungtexture,
texture,
in
the massive
massive sulphide. Xenoliths,
inwhich
which brecciated wall-rock xenoliths comprise 10 to 15 % of the
Xenoliths,
generally
ranging
in
size
from
&lt;1
mm
to
10
cm,
are
typically:
(1)
sub-rounded
grains
of
quartz
typically: (1)
quartz±Â
generally ranging in size from 4 rnm
feldspar,
chlorite, amphibole;
feldspar, sericite;
sericite;(2)
(2) tabular
tabular crystals
crystals or aggregates
aggregates of
of biotite
biotite ±Â±chlorite
amphibole; or
or(3)
(3) subsubrounded
rounded granitic
granitic dyke
dyke fragments. They
Theymay
may be
be kinked,
kinked, folded
folded and/or
andlor aligned
aligned parallel
parallel to
to one
one
another
and
with
suiphide
banding.
Large
(&gt;lm)
ratted
host
rock
xenoliths
are
also
apparent.
another
sulphide banding.
(&gt;lm) rafted host rock xenoliths are also apparent.

17

�Piercement
cusps and
and injection
injection structures are developed where massive sulphide
sulphide has migrated
migrated
Piercement cusps
into folded
folded and
and boudinaged
boudiiaged host
host rocks.
The nature
nature and
and scope
scopeof
of these secondary textures at Pick Lake are characteristic
of large-scale
large-scale
The
characteristic of
sulphide
replacementand
andannealing.
annealing. The flowage
sulphide remobilization, subsequent replacement
flowage of massive
sulphide, arising
arising from
from substantial
substantial competency contrasts between competent silicate
silicate xenoliths
xenoliths and
and
incompetent
incompetentsulphides
sulphides during
during deformation (Marshall and Gilligan 1989),
1989), has resulted
resulted in
in
widespread
widespread durchbewegt
durchbewegt ore. The
Thehigh
high degree
degree of
of remobilization
remobiiization at Pick
Pick Lake
Lake may
may be
be the
the result
result
of
Lake granite
granite (averaging
(averaging40
40 m)
m) and
and the
the development
development of
of
of the deposit's
deposit's proximity
proximity to the Winston Lake
high
fluids in
in the
the contact
contact aureole.
aureole. Crosscutting
high strain
strainzones
zones and
and hydrothermal flmds
Crosscutting relationships
relationships
demonstrate
suiphide deposition
depositionpostdated
postdatedthe
theintrusion
intrusion of
of granitic
demonstratethat
that remobilized
r e m o b i l i i sulphide
granitic dykes,
dykes,
perhaps
presumedprimary
primaryVMS
VMSdeposition
deposition(ca.
(ca. 2720
2720 Ma).
Ma). The
35 million
million years after the presumed
The
perhaps 35
location,
suiphide deposit(s), from which
location, size
size and
and characteristics
characteristics of the primary sulphide
which the
the enigmatic
enigmatic
Pick
Lake
ore
was
derived,
are
as
yet
unknown.
Pick Lake ore was derived, are as

References:
References:

Marshall,
piercement cusps
Marshall, B.
B. and
and Gilligan,
Gillipn, L.B.
L.B. 1989.
1989. Durchbewegung structure, piercement
cusps and
and
piercement
suiphide deposits: Formation and interpretation.
piercement veins
veins in massive sulphide
interpretation.
Economic
11-2319.
EconomicGeology,
Geology,v.84,
v.84, p.23
p.2311-23
19.

18

�THE HURONIAN IN THE SUDEURY-CRERAR
AREA:
REVISITING THE
THE DISAPPEAffANCE
DISAPPEARANCEOF THE
SUDBURY-CRERAR AREA:
THE GEOCHEMISTRY
GEOCHEMISTRY OF AMPHIROLITES
AMPHIBOLITES AND
AND PARAGNEISSES
INSIGHT FROM THE
EASTON, RM.,
Rise!.,Precambrian
PrecambrianGeoscience
GeoscienceSection,
Section,Ontario
Ontario Geological
Geological Survey,
Survey, 933
933 Ramsey Lake
Road,
Road, Sudbury,
Sudbury.Ontario
Ontario P3E
P3E 6B5,
6B5,eastonm@ndm.gov.on.ca and
andLIMES,
JAMES,R.S.,
R.S., Department
Departmentof
of Geology,
Geology,
Laurentian
LakeRoad,
Road,Sudbury,
Sudbuiy, Ontario
Ontario P3E 2C6
LaurentianUniversity,
University, Ramsey Lake
The
Huronian Supergroup
The presence
presence of
of high
high grade
grade metamorphic equivalents of Huronian
Supergroup(Sgp.)
(Sgp.) and
and Nipissing
Nipissing Suite
Suite
(GFTZ) in
in Ontario has been long debated. A 5 km
krn wide
wide zone
zone south
south
rocks in the Grenville
Grenville Front Tectonic Zone (GFTZ)
the Grenville
Grenville Front in the Sudbury-Conision-Crerar
of die
Sudbury-Coniston-Orerar area provides
provides an
an opportunity
opportunity to
to test
testthis
thissuggestion
suggestion
geochemically.
variety of
of amphibolites,
amphibolites, quartettes
quartzites and muscoviteÂ±kyanite-bearin
muscovite±kyanite-bearing
In addition
addition to containing a variety
geochemically.In
metapelites, the area
and covered
covered by
by aa database
database of
of some
some 155
metapelites,
area is well mapped and
155 chemical analyses, including 80
major element
element analyses
analysesby
by Kwak (1967),
(1967). Pearson (1959)
(1959) and
and LaTour
LaTour(1979),
(1979). as
aswell
wellas
as75
75newly
newlyacquired
acquired
major and
unpublished). RoughIy
Roughly 80
(Easton,unpublished).
80 of these
these analyses
analyses are
are of
of amphibolites,
amphibolites,
and trace
trace element
element analyses
analyses (Easton,
with
with another
another60
60representing
representingparagneisses.
paragneisses.
Amphibolites: Two
types are
are recognized
recognized in
in the
the field: migrnadtic
rnigmatiticamphibolites,
amphibolites, typically
typically
Amphibolites:
Twomain
mainamphibolite
ainphibolitetypes
garnet-bearing, and
diabasic textured,
textured, typically
typically clinopyroxene-b&amp;ng,
clinopyroxene-bearing, amphibolites.
gamet-bearing,
and non-miginatitic,
non-mipatitic, locally diabasic
Geochemic
ally, all
all datasets
datasetsshow
show33similar
similargroups
groupsof
ofamphibolites
amphibolites (Rg.
(Fig. la);
Ia); from most to
to least
least abundant,
abundant,
Geochemically,
these are: (1)
tholeiite group
group corresponding
corresponding to the migmatitic amphibolites. (2) a
(1)aa tightly clustered high-Fe tholeiite
magnesium-rich group with
with Mg#70-78,
Mg#70-78,Mg0=7.7-13.1%.
MgO=7.7-13.l%, and Ca0=10.8-14.5%.
CaO=l0.8-14.5%. Pods
Podsof
of orthopyroxene
orthopyroxene
homblendites in
homblendites
in the
the area
area may be related to this group, and (3) a high-Mg tl]oleiite
tholeiite group, with Mg#=54-59,
Mg#=54-59,
MgO=7-9%,
Both groups
groups 22 and 3 show relict
relict differentiation
differentiationtrends
trends within
within individual
individual
Mg0=7-9%. and CaO=9.6-1ft5%.
Ca03.6-10.5%.Both
bodies (Fig.
(Pig. Ia).
la).In
In the
thefield,
field.group
goup 33 corresponds
corresponds to diabasic-textured
diabasic-texturedrocks
rocks previously
previouslyinterpreted
interpretedas
as
Nipissing diabase; and chemically, itit lies
lies in
in die
theHeld
fieldof
ofNipissing
Nipissing diabase
diabase chill
chill margins.
margins. In
In die
the field, group
group 22
amphibolites
locally
show
diabasic
textures,
but
more
typically
are
black;
thinly
layered
rocks,
with
associated
amphibolites locally show
but more typically are black, thinly layered rocks,with
gabbroic anorthosite. Chemically, group 2 corresponds
corresponds to gabbrowrite
gahbronorite cumulate
cumulate rocks
gabbroic
rocks of
of the
the Nipissing
Nipissingsuite.
Group
chemical similarities
similarities with plutons of the Huronian
Huronian magmafic
magnialic suite
suite
Group 2 or
or 3 amphibolites
amphibolitesshow no clear chemical
group 22 and 3 amphibolites
amphibolites are
(e.g. River
River Valley
Valley anorthosite). Consequently, group
are interpreted
interpreted as
as equivalents
equivalents of
of the
the
2.2 Ga Nipissing
suite.
Group
I
amphibolites
plot
in
the
field
of
Archean
and
Huronian
metavolcanic
rocks.
Nipissing
1 amphibolites
the field of Archean and Huronian metavolcanic rocks.
In
suiterocks
rockswith
withMg#=54-59
Mg#=54-59predominate,
predominate,whereas,
whereas,in
inthe
theGFIZ,
GFrZ,
to the Southern
Southern Province, Nipissing suite
interlayered gabbroic
gabbmic anorthosite.
anorthosite. One
Oneexplanation
explanationisis that
that
those with high Mg# (&gt;70)
(&gt;70) are most common, as is interlayered
the GFTZ, we see the mid-crustal
magma chambers
chambers of the Nipissing suite, postulated by various
in die
mid-cmstal "auxiliary" magma
anorthositic cumulate
cumulate rocks.
so,this
this leads
leadsto
tospeculation
speculation
workers, which would be dominated by mafic and anorthositic
rocks. IfIf so,
migmatization of the country
countiy rocks may
may be
be related
related to
to wall
wall rock-magma
rock-magma chamber interaction. It is still
that migmatizatiou
unclear if these
these magma
magma chambers
chambers are
are hosted in Archean or
or Paleoproterozoic
Palwproterozoicrocks.
rocks.
Paragneisses: Kyanite-bearing
chemical groups
groups (Fig.
(Fig. lb).
ib). Most are
intennediate
are intermediate
Paragneisses:
Kyanite-bearing gneisses
gneisses fall into two chemical
composition micaceous
micaceous gneisses
gneisseswith
withSi0~57-64%.
SiO=57-64%,&amp;03=19.9-26.855,
AIO,=19.9-26.8%, Ti02=I.2-1.8%,
Fe103t=4.5-8%
Ti02=1.2-1.8%. P%03'=4.5-8% and
and
CIA=73-83.
rocksare
aremost
mostlikely
likelyof
ofsedimentary
sedimentaryderivation.
derivation.Gamet-biotite
Garnetbiotite gneisses
CIA=73-83. Chemically, these rocks
spatially associated
contents (13spatially
associatedwith
withthe
thekyanite
kyanitegneisses
gneisseshave
havesimilar
similarchemistry,
chemistry,apart
apart11Dm
fromlower
lowerA12O3
A@, contents
contents (Fig.
(Fig. lb).
lb). The second
second group
group of
of kyanite
kyanitegneisses
gneisses isis characterized
characterizedby
by
18%) and higher MgO and CaO contents
high FfriO,'
Fe103' contents (10-1255).
(10-12%), varied
varied Al,O,
Al203content
content(12-30%),
(12-30%),and
and high
high CT,
Cr, Ni,
Ni, V
V and
and Ti
Ti contents.
contents. The
The
origin
unclear, although
although derivation
derivation from
from altered
altered metavolcanic
metavolcanic rocks is possible on
on
origin of these
these kyathte
kyanite gneisses is unclear,
the
trace and
and REE
REE abundances.
abundances.
the basis
basis of
of field
fieldrelationships
relationshipsand
and trace
garnet-biotite gneisses
gneisses have
havetrace
traceelement
element signatures
signatures similar
similar to
to those
those of
of intercalated
intemalated garnet
garnet
Many of the gamet-biotite
intermediatetotofelsic
felsicvolcanic
volcanicrocks
rocksor
orvolcaniclastic
volcaniclasticsediments.
sediments.Some
Someof
of
amphibolites, and could represent intermediate
the garnet-biotite
gamet-biotite gneisses have pronounced
pronouncedpositive
positiveCe
Ceanomalies
anomalies(Hg.
(Fig. lc),
lc), suggesting exposure to an
oxidizing environment.
weathering profiles,
profiles, and
and itit isispossible
possiblesome
someof
ofthe
the
oxidizing
environment. Similar
Similar anomalies are common in weathering
garnet-biotite
gneisses
represent
a
weathering
profile
developed
on
older
metavolcanic
rocks.
No
rare
earth
gamet-biotite gneisses represent
developed older metavolcanic rocks. NOrare earth
element
element studies
studieshave
havebeen
been conducted
conducted on
on any Huronian weathering
weathering profiles,
profiles, so
soitit isisunknown
unknownififHumnian
Huronian

19

�regoliths possess similar
similar cerium anomalies.
Both the lcyanite
and garnet-biotite
garnet-biotite gneisses
gneisses are associated with quartzose
quart-zosegneisses
gneisses(SiOy&gt;74%),
(Si02&gt;74%),
kyanite and
quartzites, which locally show relict transposed bedding, and rare conglomerate
conglomeratehorizons. Typically,
Typically,quartzites
quartzites
have higher FGO,"
Fe203tand
andTi02
Ti02contents
contentsthan
thando
doany
anyof
ofthe
theHuronian
Huronianquartzitic
quariziticor
orconglomeratic
conglomeraticunits
units(Fig.
(Fig. Ib),
Ib),
derivation of the metasedimentary
metasedimentaiy gneisses
gneisses from
however, derivation
from volcanic-derived
volcanicderived sediments
sediments such
such as
as those
thosein
inthe
the
Mm. and Stobie
gneiss and associated quartzite
quartzite
Elsie Mtn.
Stobie formations
formations is not precluded. In
In one
one instance,
instance, aa Icyanite
kyanite gneiss
present in
in the
the Pecors
Pecors and McKim
McKim formations (Fig.
(Fig. Id).
show REE patterns similar to those present
Based on field relationships and geochemistry, it is most likely
likely that
that the
the paragneisses
paragneisses and
and associated
associated garnet
theSudbury-Crerar
Sudbury-Crerararea
areaare
arederived
derivedfrom
fromboth
both an
an Archean
Archean metasedimentaiymetasedimentaryamphibolites in
in the
the GFTZ
0HZ ininthe
succession and high grade
grade equivalents
equivalents of
of the
the Paleoproterozoic
Paleopmtemzoic Elliot
Elliot Lake
Lake Group.
Group.
metavolcanic succession
Feo* + TiC2

a)
a
0 high-Mg#
hioh-Mgf ençhibolites
mnphlbolites
u
a modorate-Mg#
moderate-Mflffaniphiboiftes
amphibdtes
• Nipissirq
Nipissingdiabase
dabase
Â
o garnet
0
garnetampfllbolites
amphbolites
xx Opx-homblendites
Opx-homblend'rtes

20
Â Slobb. E M Mtn..
CoppÃˆrO Fma.

0

0
A1203

A1203 (wt %)

MgO

1000

1000

c)

GARNET-BIOTITE GNE!S5€S

100
100

10
10

I

.1

1

La Ce Pr Nd Sm Eu Gd Tb Dy Ho Er Tm Yb Lu

La Ce Pr Nd Sni Eu Gd Tb Dy Ho Er Tm Yb Lu

Figure 1:
and paragneisses
paragneisses from
from the
the Sudbury-Crerar
Sudbury-Crerar area.
area.
1: Geochemical
Geochemical characteristics
characteristics of
of amphibolites and
Data
Kwa/c(1967).
(1967),Pearson
Pearson (1959).
(1959), LaTour
LaTour (1979)
(1979)and
and Easton
Easton (unpublished).
(unpublished). A) Jensen
Jensen plot
Data from Kwak
showing three main groups of amphibolites.
amphibolites.Arrows
Arrowsindicate
indicatedifferentl&amp;ion
differentiationtrends
trendsin
inindividual
individualbodies.
bodies. B
B))
showing
Plot of total iron
forStreet
StreetTwp.
Twp.paragneisses
paragneissesand
and1owerHuronian
lower HuronianSgp.
Sgp.units.
units. C)
C) Chondrite
Chondrite
iron versus
versus A1203
A120,for
normalized REEplot
REE plot of gt-bi
gt-bi gneissesfrom
gneisses from Street
SweetTwp.
Twp.showing
showing+ve
+vecerium
ceriumanomalies.
anomalies. D) Chondrite
Chondrite
normalized REE
REE plot
plot of
of Huronian
tiuronian Sgp. units and metasedimentary
metasedimentary rocks south of the
the Grenville
Grenville Front.
Front.

20

�Space-lime
patterns of
Space-time patterns
of Early
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic post-Penokean
post-Penokean (1800-1600
(1800-1600 Ma) metamorphism
metamorphism
and cooling iin
Superior region
n the southern Lake Superior
DX. and
Holm, D.K.
andHenderson,
Henderson, D.H.,
D.H., Dept. of Geology, Kent State
State University, Kent, OH
OH 44242
Introduction. The Precambrian
terrane of
of the southern
Precambrian terrane
southern Lake Superior region has
has experienced
experienced a
protracted Proterozoic
Proterozoic history
history from accretion/colllsion
accretion/collisionduring
during the
the Early
Early Proterozoic
ProterozoicPenokean
Penokean orogeny
omgeny to
to
rifling at 1100 Ma.
Ma. Recognition
Recognitionand
and characterization
characterization of
of post-orogenic
post-orogenic metamorphism,
metamorphism,
aborted cratonic rifting
cooling, and thermal resetting is essential for understanding the evolution
evolution from active
active accretion/collision
accretionlcollision
et al.,
al., 1984, Geology).
Geology). In
to development of a stable craton (Rogers et
In this
thisregard,
regard,considerable
considerableadvances
advances
the excellent
excellent overview
overview of
of Precambrian
Precambrian metamorphism
metamorphism by
by Geiger
Geigerand
andGuldotti
Guidotti
have been made since
since the
Wisconsin v.v. 13).
13). We summarize
differences in
In the nature and extent
summarize here important differences
(1989, Geoscience Wisconsin
Early Proterozoic post-Penokean
thermal histories between olfferent
different portions
mst-Penokean (1800-1600 Ma) lhermal
mrttons of the
the
of Eariy
exposed
exposed orogenic
orogenic belt
belt (I.e.
(i.e. central Minnesota,
Mhesota, northern
northern Wisconsin, and
and northern
northern Michigan)
Michigan) and
and speculate
speculate
that some
that
some of
of these
thesedifferences
differences may
may reflect
reflect Initial
initial differences
differencesIn
in the
the metamorphic
metamorphicgrade
grade(namely
(namely.pressure)
pressure)
.
attained
attained during
during the
the Penokean
Penokean Otugeny.
Orogeny.
-

Central Minnesota.
fades In
increasesfrom
from subgreenschist
submeenschist fades
in
Central
Minnesota.Penokean-age
Penokean-aeemetamorphism
metamomhismin
inMinnesota
Minnesotaincreases
the north to ainphibolite
near the
amphibolite facies in the south
southnear
the first
first appearance
appearance of Penokean-age
~enokean^ageplutonic rocks
(Morey, 1978,
78-10). New
1978, GSC Paper 78-10).
New thermochronologic
thcrmochronologic and thermobarometric
thcrmobaromecric data from rocks of the
internal zone of the
the Penokean
Penokean orogen in central
central Minnesota
~innesotaindicate
indicatethat
that the
the Early
EarlyProterozoic
Proterozoicsediments
sediments
initially during the Penokean
Penokean Orogeny
Orogeny (1870-1820
(1870-1820 Ma)
Ma) and
and again
again during
during an
an
were metamorphosed twice - initially
at 1770-1760 Ma (Holm
(Iloim and Lux,
Darrah et
et a!.,
al.,
episode of post-orogenic magmatism
magmatism at
Lux, 1996,
1996,Geology;
Geology;Darrah
1996, ILSG).
ILSG). Thermobarometric
a]., 1981,
1981, GSAA;
GSAA; Holm
Holm and
and Selverstone,
Selverstone, 1990,
1990,
Thermobarometric results (Labotka et al.,
kbar paleopressures
pa!eopressures for both metamorphic
Darrah et
etal.,
al., 1996)
1996)indicate
indicate—6
-6 kbar
metamorphic events
events suggesting
suggesting
Geology; Dauah
little crustal uplift during
during the
theintervening
interveningperiod.
period. The
The 66 kbar
bar pressure
pressureestimates
estimatesfor
for the
the 1770-1760
1770-1760 Ma
staurolite grade
nildcrustal (13-15 km) emplacement
emplacement depths of the
the poststaurolite
grade metamorphism in Minnesota, the midcrustal
plutons, and the complete
lack of
of any Penokean-age
hornblende AdAr
Ar/Ar dates
dates from
from the
the area
area
tectonic plutons,
complete. lack
Penokean-age hornblende
(Darrah et al., 1996)
1996) argues against a simply contact
contact related metamorphism
metamorphism adjacent
adjacent to mid-or
mid-or shallow
shallow
crustal plutons. Instead,
In tee
the thickest portion
portion of
of the
the orogenic
orogenle
crustal
Instead, increased
increased heat-flux
heat-flux at the base of the crust in
belt (the Internal
zone) was
was responsible
responsible for
for both
both partial
partial melting
melting of
of the lower crust and
belt
internal zone)
and regional
regional
to staurolite
staurolite grade
gradeof
ofthe
themiddle
middlecrust
crust. The midcrustal
mldcrustal rocks underwent
underwent rapid
rapid exhumation
exhumation
metamorphism to
shortly after intrusion and metamorphism and may have even been exposed
exposed before
before 1700-1650
1700-1650Ma
Ma (based
(based
on the
the probable
probable age
age of the
the Sioux
Sioux Quartzite
Quartzite in southwest
southwest Minnesota, Chandler
Chandler and
and Morey,
Morey, 1992,
1992, USGS
USGS
Bulletin 1904-N).
1904-N). The
The1770-1760
1770-1760Ma
Ma metamorphism,
metamorphism,intrusion,
intrusion, and
and rapid
rapid exhumation
exhumationof
ofthe
theinternal
internal
zone of the Penokean orogen probably represents orogenic collapse and was the last major 'event' to have
affected this region aside from the final formation of the McGrath gneiss dome
dome around
around 1700
1700Ma
Ma (HoIm
(Holm
and Lux, 1996).
1996).

Northern
Early
NorthernWisconsin
Wisconsinand
andnorthern
northernMichigan.
Michigan.Uniform
Uniform
EarlyProterozoic
Proterozoicmetamorphic
metamorphicpressures
pressures from
the internal
in central Minnesota are greater than the typical 2-4 kbar paleopressure estimates for
internal zone in
throughoutmost
most of
of Wisconsin (Geiger
(Geiger and Guldotti,
Penokean metamorphism
metamorphism throughout
Guidotti, 1989).
1989). In contrast
contrast
metamorphic
üodal patterns
patterns in northern
metamorphic nodal
northern Michigan
Michigan are
are superposed
superposed on
onlow-grade
low-grade greenschist
greenschist
metamorphism.
metamorphism. The
The origin
origin of
of the
the prominent
prominent nodal
nodal metamorphic
metamorphic patterns has been one
one of
of the
the most
most
Interesting questions
questions in
in geologic
geologicresearch
researchofofthe
thearea.
area. Pressure differences among the nodes (4 kb at
interesting
Peavy, 2 kb at
at Republic and 7 kb at Watersmeet) probably reflect initial differences
differences in
in crustal
crustal thickness
Orogeny (Attoh
(Attoh and Klasner, 1989, Tectonics)
TectonIcs) although for at least the
attained during the Penokean Omgeny
Watersmeet area, the uplift
uplift and
and doming
doming of
of the
theisograds
isogradsoccurred
occurredsignificantly
significantlylater
later(at
(at—1755
-1755 Ma;
et al.,
aL, 1996,
1996,CJES).
dES). Emilio
Emilioetetal.
al.(1996,
(1996,Eos)
Eos)have
haverecently
recentlysuggested
suggestedthat
thatthe
themapped
mapped nodal
nodal
Schneider et
pattern at Peavy
pattern
Peavy isis actually
actually aasimplification
simplification of
ofaamore
morecomplex
complexpolyphase
polyphasemetamorphic
metamorphichistory
history
characterized by possibly three
three discrete metamorphic events.
characterized
The extent
Mametamorphism
metamorphism within
withinthe
the Penokean
Penokean orogen in Wisconsin is just
extent and
and nature
nature of
of —1760
-1760 Ma
unraveled. Van
VanWyclc
Wyck (1995,
(1995, UW-Madison
UW-Madison Ph.D.)
Ph.D.) illustrated aa thermal
thermal disturbance
disturbance
beginning to be unraveled.
adjacent to
Mapluton
plutoninincentral
centralWisconsin
Wisconsin and
and Romano
Romano et
et al.
a]. (1997,
(1997, GSAA) obtained
obtained evidence
to an
an —1760
-1760 Ma
evidence
adjacent
for partial thermal resetting interpreted to
to be
be related
related to
to -1760
-1760 Ma magmatism
magmatism in
in west-central
west-central Wisconsin.

21

�However, these disturbances
disturbances appear to be aa more
more localized contact-related phenomenon
phenomenonbecause
becauseseveral
several
localities in Wisconsin (and upper
datesthat
that reflect
reflect cooling from
upper Michigan)
Michigan) yield hornblende Ax/Ax
ArIAr dates
Schneider et
et al.,
al,, 1996; Romano
Romano et al.,
al., 1997;
(i.e., 1800-1850
1800-1850 Ma; Sdmeider
1997; Mancuso
Penokean-age metamorphism (i.e.,
with the
the -1760
-1760 Ma granites In
et al.,
al., 1997,
1997, ILSG).
ILSG). This
Thisinterpretation
interpretation is also consistent
consistent with
in northwest
northwest
Wisconsin
depths than similar
Wisconsin having
having been
been emplaced
emplacedatatsomewhat
somewhatshallower
shallower(9-11
(9-111cm)
km) depths
similar age
agegranites
granitesInin
Minnesota (Anderson
central Minnesota
(Andersonet
et al.,
al., 1980,
1980,CMP).
The timing
timing of unroofing
unroofing of the
the post-tectonic
post-tectonic granites in northern Wisconsin is poorly
poorly constrained
constrainedbut
but
probably occurred fairly shortly after intrusion. In
In northwest
northwest Wisconsin,
Wisconsin, an
an area
area little
littleaffected
affected by
by later
later
reheating and deformational
biotite cooling
cooling dates
dates (both
(both RbISr
Rb/Sr and ArIAr)
Ar/Ar) are 1700-1730
defonnational events, biotite
1700-1730 Ma
Ma
(Peterman
see spectrum
spectrumbelow).
below). Also, the 1760
(Petennan and Sims, 1988, Tectonics; see
1760 Ma Radisson
Radisson granite
granite in this
area is
Is overlain by the
which, if
If correlatable
the Sioux
Sioux Quartzlte
Quartzite
the undeforined
undefonned Barron Quartzlte
Quartzite which,
cordatable with the
(Chandler
(Chandler and
and Morey,
Morey, 1992)
1992)might
might indicate
indicate exposure
exposure by about
about 1700
1700Ma.
Ma.

Precambrian
rocks in Wisconsin
Michigan were
were also affected by younger
Precambrian rocks
Wisconsin and northern
northern Michigan
younger Early
Early
Pmterozoic
at -1720
-1720 Ma
Tlieseinclude
includepossible
possible contact
contact metamorphism
metamorphism at
Ma In
Innorthern
northern Michigan
Michigan
Proterozoic events. These
al., 1996).
1996), a cryptic
cryptIc 1720 Ma
node (Schneider
(Schneideret
a al.,
which may have created the Republic metamorphic
metamorphic node
metamorphic event in
In Wisconsin (Van Wyck,
Wyck, 1995)
1995) and
and the
the w
widespread
but little
little understood 1630 Ma
idespread but
low-grade event which affected reeks
rocks thmughout
throughout much of Wisconsin and perhaps portions of
of northern
northern
Michigan.
Michigan. The
Theabsence
absenceof
ofthese
theseyounger
younger overprinting
overprinting events in
in areas
areas such
suchasascentral
centralMinnesota,
Minnesota,
northwest Wisconsin and portions of northern Michigan (i.e.,
(i.e., Watersmeet)
Watersmeet) allow
allow us
us to learn
learn much about
the earliest and extremely
metamorphic4ilutonic event
event at
at 1770-1760
1770-1760 Ma.
extremely important
important post-Penokean metaIII~rphidplIIt~ni~
Implications.
Implications.Based
Basedon
onthe
theabove
aboveoverview,
overview,ititappears
appearsthat
thatthe
thenature
natureand
andextent
extent of
of post-Penokean
post-Penokean Early
Early
Proterozoic metamorphism and cooling is distinctly different within different parts
parts of
of the
theorogenic
orogenicbelt.
belt.
areas where
where the
the
We note that the
the 1770-1760
1770-1760Ma post-tectonic
post-tectonic plutons have deeper emplacement depths in areas
paleopressure estimates are greater (i.e.,
(i.e., central Minnesota compared to northern
Penokean paleopressure
northern Wisconsin).
Wisconsin).
This suggests that little
Ma but that
little unroofing
unroofing of
of the
the Penokean
Penokean orogenic
orogenic belt occurred prior
prior to
to —1770
-1770 Ma
(and variable)
variable) amounts
amountsof
of unroofing
unroofingoccurred
occurredrapidly
rapidlythereafter
thereafter(-10
(-10 tan
km of
of unroofing
unroofing in
In
significant (and
northern Wisconsin
same time
1760 Ma and 1700 Ma but 15-20 km during the same
time span
span for
for central
central
Wisconsin between 1760
Minnesota). We
that the
thedifferences
differences may reflect initial differences iInn the amount
amount of
of crustal
crustal
Minnesota).
Wespeculate
speculatethat
orogen. Post-orogenic metamorphism
thickening attained across the Early Proterozoic orogen.
metamorphism appears to have
have
grade) perhaps
perhaps because
because crustal thickening
been more pervasive
pervasive in central
central Minnesota (reaching staurolite grade)
thanin
in the
the island
island arc
arc terrane
terrene of Wisconsin
Wisconsin (Geiger and
and Guidottl,
Guidotti, 1989).
1989).
was greater
greater there
there than
of the complete Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic unroofing
unroofinghistory
historyof
of the
the Penokean orogenic
oregenic belt Is
Knowledge of
is
critically dependent
dependent on the age of the quartzites
quaitzites mentioned
mentioned above.
above, If they
they are
are indeed
indeed Early
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoicin
in
paleomagnetic data,
thta, by ages of detrital zircons
age (as seems to be suggested by palmmagnetic
zircons in other
other quartzites
quartzitesof
of the
the
region,
Ma) then these quartzites
region, and by the fact
fact that
that some
some were
were probably
probably deformed at 1630 Ma)
quartzites may
represent
of continental
continental crust
crust in
in the
the Lake
Lake Superior region
region after
after a protracted history of
represent stabilization of
tectonic instability which lasted hundreds of millions of
of years
years (Greenberg
(Greenberg and
and Brown, 1983,
1983, J. Geology).
the sudden
sudden and
and rapid
rapid collapse
collapse of the overthickened
overthickened Penokean orogen
orogen together
together with
withthermal
thermal
It appears
appears that the
re-equilibration of the lithosphere
the Early
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic
re-equilibration
lithosphere was a critical step in crustal stabilization during the
etal.,
(ill).
al., 1984;
1984; Nelson, 1991, GJI).
(Rogers et

2000,

Powell Kyanite Locality
AGE' Northwest Wisconsin
Ma:
1500-

1000—

0

1

Biotite

—

.

.

Tg = 1668±12 Ma
Tp = 1696±13 Ma
U

•

U

%39Ar
% 39 Ar

I

I

U

—

100
100

Complete
citation of references will be available at
at the
the presentation
presentation and
andupon
uponrequest
request (dholm@kent.edu).
(dholm@kent.edu).
Complete citation

22

�Ar/Ar dating of dikes
dikes in
incentral
central Minnesota
Minnesota and
and the
the Minnesota River Valley
Results of ArIAr
D.K., Dept
44242 (dhoIm@kent.edu);
HOLM, D.K.,
Dept.of
ofGeology,
Geology,Kent
Kent State
State University, Kent, OH 44242
(dholm@kent.edu); and
LUX, D.R.,
D.R. Department of Geological Sciences, University of Maine, Orono,
Orono, ME
ME 04469
04469
Ma) magmatic
magmatic suites
suites of
of central Minnesota
Late- and
and post-tectonic
post-tectonic (1820-1770
(1820-1770 Ma)
Minnesota are
are crosscut
crosscut by
by
mafic dikes
east-west. Much of the
dikes that
that generally
generally trend northeast-southwest
northeast-southwest totoeast-west
the region
region affected
affected by
by the
the
Penokean orogeny,
Minnesota, Wisconsin,
Wisconsin, and the upper peninsula
orogeny. including
including central Minnesota,
peninsula of
of Michigan,
Michigan, isis
crosscut
CJES; Chandler,
Chandler, 1993,
1993,in
in USGS
USGS Prof.
Prof.
crosscut by similar
similarlate
latenortheast-trending
northeast-trending mafic dikes (King, 1990, CJES;
Paper 1556).
1556). Some
Someofofthese
thesedikes
dikesare
arecertainly
certainly related
related to
to 1100
1100Ma
Ma mid-continent
mid-continentrift
riftmagmatism
magmatism(Green
(Green
34). However,
et al, 1987,
1987, In
in GAC Spec
Spec Paper 34).
However, some are also significantly older and appear related to the
-1770-1760 Ma
mafic dikes
dikes that
that crosscut
crosscut -1770
-1770 Ma
InWisconsin.
Wisconsin, northeast-oriented
northeast-oriented mafic
Ma magmatic
magmatic suite. In
plutons
fades at
13W-MadIson
Wyck,1995;
1995;
UW-MadisonPh.D.
Ph-D.
plutons were
weremetamorphosed
metamoqhosedto
to amphibolite
amphibollte fades
at-1720
-1720Ma
Ma(Van
(VanWyck,
thesis). InInaddition,
addition,Inincentral
centralMinnesota
MinnesotaPb
PbIsotope
isotopedata
datafrom
fromthe
themafic
maficdikes
dikesare
areconsistent
consistentwith
witha a—1800
-1800
thatthe
thedikes
dikesmay
may have
haveintruded
intrudedonly
onlyshortly
shortlyafter
afteremplacement
emplacementofofthe
the—1770-1760
-1770-1760
Ma age
age suggesting
suggestingthat
Ma magmatic suite
aL, 1987,
1987.Prec.
Prec.Res.).
Ret). Mafic
Maficdikes
dikesof
of Early
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoicage
agehave
havealso
alsobeen
been
suite (Horan et al..
reported
(Hanson and Himmclberc.
Hiinmelberg, 1967,
rcoorted from
from the
the Minnesota
Minnesota River
River Valley
Vallcv Manson
1967. GSAB).
GSAB1.
We
(MRV-5A, MRV-3C,
MRV-3C, &amp;d
and MRV-3) of andesite
dated three
three whole-rock
whole-rock samples
sampl&amp;(MR~-5,4,
kdesite dikes
dikes from
from the
the
We dated
Granite
AdArIncremental
incremental
Granite Fails
Falls area,
area,Minnesota
MinnesotaRiver
River Valley
Valley (Himmelberg,
(Himmelberg, 1968,
1968, MGS
MGS Pub.) using
usingthe
theAr/Ar
heating technique. No
ATloss
loss
Noplateau
plateau dates
dates were
were obtained. Rather,
Rather,all
allthree
threespectra
spectradisplay
displaysignificant
significantAr
profiles and
Ma)are
aretherefore
thereforemeaningless.
meaningless. The
The oldest increments for the
and their total gas dates (1429-1551 Ma)
three samples (1567 Ma,
K-Armineral
mineral
Ma, 1685
1685 Ma, and 1723
1723 Ma)
Ma) are
are somewhat
somewhat younger
younger than
than the
theK-Ar
(hornblende
1690-1930 Ma obtained on andesite dikes near Granite
GraniteFalls
Fallsby
by Hanson
Hanson
(hornblende and
and biotite)
biotite) dates
dates of 1690-1930
and Himrnelberg
(1967). Because
AI loss indicated by the spectra,
spectra, the
the oldest
oldest increments
increments we
Himmelberg (1967).
Because of the Ar
minimumdates
datesfor
forintrusion
intrusionofofthe
thedikes.
dikes. This is consistent
consistent with the fact
obtained should be considered minimum
that at
Ma -pluton (granite
of section
at least
least one
oneandesite
andesitedike
dikein
inthis
this area
areaisisintruded
intrudedby
by an
an—1850
-1850 Ma
section 28;
Goldich
Goldich etetaL,
al., 1970,
1970,GSAB).
GSAB).
We dated
northeast trending basalt dikes
dikes which cross-cut
twowhole
whole rock samples of noflheast
cross-cut 1770
1770 Ma
We
dated two
granites
-2-95 and
date(MN
MN-2-95
andMN-37A),
MN-37At. the
the
granites near
near St.
St. Cloud.
Cloud Although
AIthonehneither
neithersample
samoledisplayed
dimlavedaaplateau
nlateaudate
spectra are
total gas dates &amp;bstantially
substantially younger
younger (1150-1200
&amp;ma
are considerably
considerably less
less disturbed and the btal
(1150-1200Ma)
~ athan
than
)
River Valley.
Valley. Feldspar separated from aa quartz-feldspar
those obtained from the Minnesota
Minnesota River
quartz-feldspar porphyry
yielded aa distinct
distinctsaddle-shaped
saddle-shapedspectra
spectraindicative
indicativeofofexcess
excessargon
argot In this case the
dike in the same area yielded
age minimum of 1456
wouldrepresent
representaamaximum
maximumage
agefor
forintrusion
Intrusionof
of the
thedike.
dike. Our
1456 Ma for this spectra would
Ar/Ar whole-rock
whole-rock basalt dates from the
the St.
St Cloud area are significantly younger than the three
three whole-rock
&amp;/AT
basalt K-Ar dates
dates of
of 1280
1280Ma,
Ma, 1460
1460 Ma, and 1570 Ma obtained from this area by Hanson
Hanson (1968,
(1968, MGS
MGS
Rept. mv.
isotope data
Inv. 8).
8). Those
Thosedates
dateshave
havecommonly
commonly been interpreted as partially reset dates and the Pb isotope
of Horan
al. (1987)
(1987) seem
seem to
to support
support that interpretation.
interpretation. However,
However, we
we interpret
interpretour
ourresults
results from
from the
the
Horan et
et al.
mafic dikes
dikes (MN-2-95
indicating that
that some
some of
of the northeast-oriented dikes in the St.
MN-37A) as indicating
St.
(MN-2-95 and MN-37A)
Cloud area are
are Keweenawan in age. We
We note
note that the
the morphology
morphology of the
the dike
dike spectra
spectrafrom
from the
the two
two areas
areas
aredramatically
dramatically different and this probably reflects a difference
differenceIn
in their
theirintrusion
intrusionages
ages
(MRV and CM) are
post-Intrusion histories.
and post-intrusion
Our interpretation
outside of the
Our
interpretation that
that Keweenawan
Keweenawan dikes were intruded outside
the main
mainrift
rifttrough
troughIn
incentral
central
given the
the evidence
evidence for
for Keweenawan dike
dike swarms in northern
Minnesota does not seem unreasonable
unreasonable given
Michigan (Baraga-Marquette)
and in
in central
central Wisconsin
Wisconsin (Green
(Green et
et al.,
al., 1987;
1987;KIng,
King, 1990).
1990). Indeed,
Indeed,
(Baraga-Marquette) and
position and
and similarity
similarity of
of strike
strike that
that the
the central
central Wisconsin
Wisconsin dike
Chandler (1993) inferred on the basis of position
swarm may correlate
northeast -striking
-strikingdike
dikeswarm
swarminincentral
centraland
andsouthwestern
southwesternMinnesota.
Minnesota. We
correlate with the northeast
conclude that
conclude
that there
there are
areprobably
probably two
two northeast-oriented dike populations in central
central Minnesota:
Minnesota: an
an older
older
probably intruded
intruded very
very shortly
shortly after
after intrusion
intrusion of the 1770
Early Proterozoic population that probably
1770Ma
Ma postpostwith Keweenawan
Keweenawan rift
rift magmatism.
tectonic granites
granites and
and aa younger
younger population associated with
dike swarms
swarmsthroughout
throughoutthe
theLake
LakeSuperior
Superior region
region may
may cause
cause at least
Intrusion of Keweenawan
Keweenawan dike
locallzed
of the older Early and
localized thermal
thermal overprinting
overprinting and
and complications
complications of
and Middle
MiddleProterozoic
Proterozoicregional
regional
thermal patterns. Schneider
In
Schneideretetal.
al.(1996,
(1996, CJES)
CJES) reported Keweenawan disturbances of Ar/Ar
MAT spectra in
northern Michigan and Romano
Ar/Ar biotite date from
Romano et al. (1997, GSAA) obtained a Keweenawan AdAr
west-central Wisconsin
Wisconsinpossibly
possiblyrelated
relatedtotodike
dikeresetting.
resetting.The
Thelocus
locusof
of &lt;1.2
dates
4 2 Ga
Ga Rb/Sr
RhISr biotite
biotite dates
mapped in
attributed to uplift
in northeast
northeastWisconsin
Wisconsin (the
(the Goodman
Goodman Swell) has been attributed
uplift associated
associatedwith
withloading
loading

23

�__=

Keweenawan rift
rift trough
trough (Peteman
(Peterman and
and Sims,
Sims, 1988,
1988,Tecto~cs).
Tectonics). We suggest lhat
that Keweenawan
along the Kewee~wan
Keweenawan
dikes and
depth, if p
pervasive
enough, may provide
provide an
an alternative explanation
explanation (see
(see
and associated
associated plutons at depth,
a s i v e enough,
also
also Coaldey
Coakley and
and Wang, 1992,
lW2, Eos).
bs).
2000:

AGE
Ma.

%-

U

1685

C

Whole rock

1

ioooj,
1600

AGE:

1723
•

'"'

1500

-

100

K-feldspar
K-feldspar
= Tg=1638±l2Ma
Tg=1638*12 Ma
—No
-No Plateau
Plateau

,m
100

MN-2-95

1000

-

1458

•

Whole
Whole rock
rock
Tg=1551±11
Tg=1551H 1 Ma
Ma

MN-4-95-FSP
0

16O0

Ma:

100

MN-37A

-

I 100-

1100

Whole rock
Tg=1190±9Ma

Whole rock
Tg=1164±12 Ma
Wv 0

0

2000,

MRV-3

Whole rock
Tg=1429±11
Tg=l&amp;gkll Ma
Ma

S

DUU

10

Ma:

15W

MRV-3C

1150.

TQ=1496±11 Ma

1000

ISO?

=

=

1500-

AGE

1700•

M RV-5A

%39Ar

-

10oowo

%39Ar

100

,
n

r

-

swarms in the
the Lake Superior
Superior region
region (after
(afterChandler,
Chandler,19G3).
1993). CM is central
central Minnesota,
Dike swarms
MRV is
is Minnesota
Minnesota River Valley,
Riled
MRV
Valley, KK is Kenora-Kabetogama
Kenora-Kabetogamadike
dikeswarm,
swarm,M
Mis
isMarquette.
Marquette. Filled
circles are
are Keweenawan
region of Rb/Sr
circles
Keweenawan biotite
biotite dates and
and large
large ellipse
ellipse encloses
encloses region
RblSr biotite
biotite dates
dates
(Goodman
(Goodman Swell
Swell of Peterman
Peterman and Sims, 1988).

24

�The Evolution of the Hydrothermal
Hydrothermal Systems
Systems Associated
Associatd with the Sturgeon Lake Caldera
CalderaComplex,
Complex,
Northwestern Ontario
George
Hudak and Ronald
Ronald L.
L. Morton
Morton
George J. Hudak
Research Lab,
Duluth, Duluth,
Duluth,
h b , Geology Department,
Depaament, University
University of
of Minnesota
Minnesota-- Duluth,
Economic Volcanology Research
Minnesota, USA
USA 55812
55812

The Archean Sturgeon Lake Caldera Complex (SLCC,
(SLCC; Morton
Mortonet
et al.,
al., 1990) is
is located within the
Wabigoon volcan~sedimentaq
volcano-sedimentarygreenstone
greenstonebelt
beltappruximately
approximately200
200Km
Kmnorthwest
northwestof
of Thunder
Thunder Bay,
Wabigoon
Ontario. The Complex
Complex is host
host toto66known
knownmassive
massivesulfide
sulfideorebodies
orebodiesand
andnumerous
numeroussubeconomic
subeconomic
massive dsulfide
lenses. Combined,
these orebodies
orebodies pproduced
ore grading
gradiig
d e lenses.
Combined, these
r o d u d nearly 18.4 million tons of ore
massive
8.5% 'Z
Zn,
Cu, 0.91%
0.91% Pb, and 3.73 ounces per ton Ag between
8.5%
n, 1.06% Cu,
W e e n 1971
1971 and 1991.
1991.
Based on detailed mapping, core
core relo.&amp;g,
relogging,petrographic
petrographicinvestigations,
investigations,and
andevaluation
evaluationof
of whole
rock and trace element
analyses, the
the caldera
caldera wmplex
complex has
has been
been divided into
three
rock
element lithogeochemical
lithogeochemical analyses,
into three
distinct volcanic
volcanic sequences
sequences (Hudak,
(Hudak, 1996).
1996). The Pre-Caldera
F're-Caldera Sequence
Sequence (PCS)
(PCS) represents a large,
large,
dominantly subaerial shield-type basalt volcano with
with localized fields
fields of
of subaerial to shallow
shallow subaqueous
subaqueous
basaltic tuff
tuff and
and cinder cone deposits
1988). The Early
basaltic
deposits (Groves
(Groves et al.,
al.. 1988).
Early Caldera
Caldera Sequence
Sequence (ECS)
(ECS)
represents the
the onset
onset of
of explosive
explosivefelsic
felsicvolcanism
volcanismand
andthe
thefonnation
formationofofthe
the major
majorcaldera
caldera structure.
structure. The
represents
ECS comprises laterally
very thick
thick (up to 900
ECS
laterally extensive
extensive (up to 16
16 km
km along
along strike)
strike) and locally
locally very
9Cil m)
m)
mesobreccia
and
megabreccia
deposits
interlayered
with
and
overlain
by
a
series
of
shallow
subaqueous
mesobreccia and megabrecc~a
overlain
series of shallow subaqueous
(&lt;1000 m deep) quartz-phyric pyroclastic flow deposits
deposits (up to 1200 i
m
thick) which
which host
host the F-Group and
(&lt;lo00
n thick)
Mauabi massive sulfide orebodies.
orebodies. The
the change in volcanic
Mattabi
The Late
Late Caldera
Caldera Sequence (LCS)
(LCS) represents the
dominantly explosive
explosive to
to passive
passiveeruptions.
eruptions. The stratigraphic section in the LCS
LCS progresses
prupsses
style from dominantly
feldspar-phyric pyroclastic
pyroclastic flow deposits
deposits (which host the Sturgeon Lake, Lyon Lake,
M e , Creek
Creek
from quartz ± feldspar-phyric
orebodies) through
through subaqueous andesite
andesite and
and kdacite
Zone and Sub-Creek Zone o~bodies)
i t e lava flows and
and domes
d o m s to
to
chemical sediments which include iron
the formation of thick sequences of volcaniclastic sediments and chemical
fonnation. Age
rocks (Davis
(Davis et
et al.,
aL, 1985),
1985). as well
well as
as trace
trace
formation.
Age dates
datesof
ofthe
thecaldera-associated
caldera-associated volcanic
volcanic rocks
element
suggest that the
element evidence
evidence (Campbell
(Campbell et
et a!.,
al., 1981),
1981), suggest
the Beidleman
Beidleman Bay
Bay Intrusive
IntmsiveComplex
Complex
(trondjhemite to quartz diorite) was the subvolcanic magma chamber for the emptive
eruptive material.
(trondjhemite
The style
evolved during
during the
the development
developmentof
of the
the SLCC.
SLCC. Two
style of
of hydrothermal
hydrothermal alteration
alteration also evolved
Two
alteration suites
suites have
have been
been identified:
identified: a)
a) an assemblage
distinct hydrothermal
hydrothermal alteration
assemblage associated with massive
sulfide mineralization
mineralization early in the development of the SLCC,
SLCC; and b) an assemblage
assemblage associated
associated with
with iron
iron
formation which
which formed
formed during
during the
the later stages of the
formation
the SLCC.
SLCC. Detailed
Detailed mapping indicates that
that both
both
alteration
localized "pipe-like''
alteration suites
suites illustrate semi-confonnable
semianformable geometry
geometry with
with localized
geometry near
near
"pipe-like" geometry
synvolcanic fault zones.
synvolcanic
The massive sulfide associated alteration suite contains the following
mineral
fol1owing m
i n e d assemblages:
assemblages: a)
aluminum
pyrophyllite, sericite);
sericite); b)
b) aluminum
silicate ++ chioritoid
2 pyrophyIlite,
aluminum silicate
chIoritoid
aluminum silicate (andalusite/kyanite
(andalusitdkyanite ±
(andalusite/kyanite
± Fe-rich chlorite, pyrophyllite,
pyrophyllite, sericite);
sericite); c)
c) sericite 2
± pyrophyllite;
(andalusitekyanite ++ chloritoid
chloritoid 2
pyrophyllite; d)
d)
chioritoid +
chlorite/Fe-rich &amp;natq
carbonate; e)
e) Fe-rich
Fe-rich chlorite 2
± Fe/Mg-carbonate;
+ Fe-rich chloriteFe-rich
Fehlg-carbonate; and 1)
f) localized
localii
chloritoid
zones of secondary
secondary feldspar
feldspar ++ Mg-rich chlorite.
The
The iron
iron formation
formation associated alteration
alteration suite
suite contains
contains the
the following
following mineral assemblages:
assemblages: a)
a) FeFerich chlorite
+ magnetite +
grunerite; b) chloritoid +
chlorite ++ garnet +
+ Fe-rich carbonate
carbonate ±2 pnerite;
+ Fe-rich chlorite ±2 FeFe+ Fe-carbonate
rich carbonate; and c) Fe-chlorite +
Fe-carbonate 2
sericite.
± sericite.
There appears to be a change
change in
in the
the style
style of
of alteration
alteration in
in the
the caldera
calderacomplex
complex from
from early,
early, high
high
systems to
to later,
later, lower temperatum
temperature Fe-formation
temperature base-metal sulfide producing hydrothermal system
Fe-formation

*

25

�hydrothermal systems.
systems. The change in alteration style appears to be temporally associated with
producing hydrothermal
pyroclastic to passive volcanism.
the change from pyroclastic
may be Archean
Archean examples
examples of "High
"High
The Cu-Zn
Cu-231 orebodies
orebcdies associated
associated with
with the
the SLCC
SLCC may
massive sulfide
sulfide deposits
deposits as
as described
described by
by Sillitoe
Sillitoe (19951,
(1995), Sillitoe.
Sillitoe et al.,
aL, (1996),
(1996),
Sulfidation" volcanogenic massive
et al.
a!. (1997).
(1997). The
inpart,
p ~ ,
and Gamo et
The massive
massive sulfide
sulfideassociated
associatedalteration
alterationassemblages
assemblagesmay
may have
haveformed,
formed, in
by reactions between originally glass-rich volcaniclastic rocks and pulses
pulses of
of metal-rich,
metal-rich, magmatic
magmatic fluids
fluids
which were
were transported
transported from
from the
the top
top of
of the Beidleman
Bay intrusion
which
Beidleman Bay
intrusion to the seafloor
seafloor in
in synvolcanic
synvolcanic
Mineralization
appears
to
have
structures
structures during the early
early stages
stages of
of caldera
calderadevelopment.
development. Mineralization appears
have occurred
occurred
directly beneath
beneath the
the seafloor by
of the strata.
by sulfide
sulfide replacement
replacement of
strata. The iron
iron formation
formation alteration
alteration
directly
assemblages resulted from metasomatism by hydrothermal fluids composed of evolved
assemblages
evolved seawater
seawaterwhich
which
occurred at
at increasingly
lower temperatures
temperatures as
as the Beidleman
Bay intrusion
occurred
increasingly lower
Beideman Bay
intrusion continued
continued to cool
cool and
and
rnagmatic volatiles were less
magmatic
less abundant.
abundant.

References
Campbell, I. H., Franklin, J. M.,
M., Gorton, M.
M. P.,
P., Hart,
Hart, T. R
R.,
S.D.
., and Scott, S.
D. (1981):
(1981): The
Therole
roleof
of subsubvolcanic
2248-2253.
volcanic sills
sills in
in the
the generation
generation of
of massive
massivesulfide
sulfidedeposits.
deposits.Economic
EconomicGeology
Geology76,
76,2248-2253.
Davis, D. W., Krogh, T. E.,
E., Hinzer, J.,
1..and Nakamura,
Nakamura, E.
E. (1985):
(1985): Zircon
Zircon dating
datingof
of polycyclic
polycyclicvolcanism
volcanism
at Sturgeon Lake and implications for base metal
metal mineralization.
mineralization. Economic Geology 80, 194219421952.
1952.
. .

Charlou, J.-L.,
J.-L., Auzende, J.-M.,
J.-M., Ishibashi, J., Shitashima,
Gamo, T., Okamura, K.,
K.,Chadou,
Shitashimq K.,
K., Chiba,
Chiba, H.,and
H.,and the
the
Shipboard Scientific
Scientific Party of the MannsRux
ManusFlux Cruise (1997):
(1997): Acidic and sulfate-rich hydrothermal
Shipboard
hydrothermal
basin, Papua
Papua New Guinea.
Guinea. Geobgy
Geology 25
25(2),
fluids from the Manus back-arc basin,
(2). 139-142.
139-142.

Groves, D. A,
A., Morton, R. L.,
L., and Franklin, J.
J. M.
M. (1988):
(1988): Physical
Physical volcanology of
of the
the footwall m
rocks
near
ks near
massive sulfide
sulfide deposit,
deposit,Sturgeon
SturgeonLake,
Lake,Ontario.
Ontario.Canadian
CanadianJJournal
of &amp;ah
Earth Science
Science
o u m l of
the Mattabi massive
25, 280-291.
25,280-29
I.
and hydrothermal
hydrothermal alteration
alteration associated
associated with late caldera
Hudak, G. J. (1996): The physical volcanology and
volcanic
rocks and volcanogenic
massive sulfide deposits in
volcanic and volcaniclastic
volcaniclastic rocks
volcanogenic massive
in the
the Sturgeon
Sturgeon
Lakee region of northwestern Ontario. Unpublished Ph. D. dissertation,
M
dissertation, University
Universityof
of Minnesota,
Minnesota,
Minneapolis, MN, 463 pages.
Minneapolis,
L.,
0. J.,
S., and Franklin, I.
J. M. (1990): Physical volcanology
volcanology and h
hydroMorton, R. L
.,Hudak, G.
1.. Walker,
Walker, 1.
I. S.,
y b
thermal alteration of the Sturgeon Lake Caldera Complex.
Complex. In
In Mineral Deposits of the Western
Western
Superior Province, Ontario, Geological Suwey
Survey of Canada Open
Open File
File 2164,7494.
2164,74-94.
Superior
R. H.
H. (1995):
(1995): The influence of
of magmatic
magmatic hydrothermal
hydrothermal models
models on
on exploration
exploration strategies
strategies for
for
Sillitoe, R.
volcano-plutonicarcs:
arcs:In
In Mamas.
Magmas.Fluids.
Fluids,and
and Ore
Ore Deposits
Deposits (Thompson,
(Thompson,J.J. F.
F. H.
H. ed),
ed),MAC
volcano-plutonic
Short Course
Short
Course Volume
Volume 23,
23.5511-525.
11-525.

.,Hannington,
Hannington,M. D., and Thompson, J. F. H.
sulfidation deposits
deposits in
in the
Sillitoe.,
Sillitoe, R.
R. H
H.,
H. (1996):
(1996): High sulfidation
environment. Economic Geobgy
Geology 91,204-212.
91, 204-212.
volcanogenic massive sulfide environment.

26

�Patterns of structure
structure and
and metamorphism
metamorphismin
i nthe
the1-lemlo
Hemlo greenstone
greenstone belt.
belt.
S.L. Jackson,
Ontario
Geological
Survey,
(705 670
jacksos@gov.on.ca)
S.L.
Jackson,
Ontario
Geological
Survey,
(70s5997;
mo 5997;
ja&amp;so~@gov.~n.ea)
Hemlo greenstone belt rocks generally possess
possess a welt-developed
well-developed (strong)
(strong)
penetrative planar
penetrative
planar fabric that is variably defined by combinations of mineral
mineral
shape foliation, metamorphic
metamorphiciayering,
layering. In
In
foliation, shape
layering, and compositional
compositional layering.
map view the traiectories
trajectories of this fabric are curvilinear and aenerallv
generally strike
maD
"
internal plutons. Within the
subparallel to bounding
biunding granitoid masses and larger internal
stretch, mineral, and crenulation
crenulation lineations
lineations are
plane of the strong fabric, stretch,
common. Stretch
Stretch and
and mineral
mineral lineations tend to be subparallel in a given area;
crenulation
crenulation lineations
lineations may
may or may not be subparallel to the stretch and
and mineral
mineral
orientation although there is a
lineations. lJneations
Lineationshave
have notable
notable variation
variation in orientation
general
granitoid
general westward
westward component to their plunges. Internal and external granitoid
bodies
development. Marginal phases of the
bodies show
show variable
variable degrees of fabric development.
Pukaskwa
fabrics near the
the granitePukaskwa and Black
Black Pic batholiths exhibit strong fabrics
greenstone belt
well-developed fabric
greenstone
belt contact. The Dotted
Doned Lake pluton has aa well-developed
near its
its margin
margin that decreases
decreases in
in intensity
intensity toward
toward its
its interior.
interior. In contrast, the
Heron
appears to be weaklv
weakly to
to non-foliated.
non-foliated. The
The Cedar Lake Pluton
Pluton
Heron Bay
Bav Pluton
Pluton amears
has weak'to
weak to moderate
developed at its margin and
and aa weak
weak foliation
foliation in its
moder&amp;e fabric developei
interior.
interior.
The variable orientation of the strong fabric within the
the greenstone
greenstone belt
folding. At
results, in part, from post-fabric folding.
At Mussy
Mussy Lake
Lake the
the granite-greenstone
granite-greenstone
boundary
strong fabric are
are sub~arallel
subparalleland
andfolded.
folded. A well-develo~ed
well-developed
boundarv and strona
crenulation
fabric and iiss axial
crenulathn cleavage
cleavagi deforms
deforms the earlier margin-parallel
margin-parallel strong fabricand
axial
trace. Similarly, the
the Heron Bay Pluton is
is interpreted
interpreted as
planar to the fold axial trace.
folded
greenstone belt.
&amp;It. Again,
folded along
along with
with an
an earlier-formed
earlier-formed strong fabric in the greenstone
this
this folding
folding is
is associated
associated with a crenulation cleavage in the greenstone belt
belt
rocks. The
TheGowan
GowanLake
Lake Pluton
Pluton roughly
roughly follows the contact between the granitegreenstone
the pluton
pluton
greenstone belt
belt which
which is
is concave
concave to
to the
the northeast.
northeast. It is unclear
unclear if the
configuration
curved boundary
boundary of the
configuration resulted
resulted from emplacement into an already cuwed
greenstone
folding. observations
Observations by G.P.
G.P. Beakhouse
Beakhouse
greenstone belt,
belt, or from subsequent folding.
(OGS) of magmatic
magmatic flow
flow foliations
foliations in
in the pluton
pluton that
that parallel
parallelthe
the granitegranitegreenstone
supporl the interpretation
interpretation of post-folding
post-foldingemplacement.
emplacement.
greenstone boundary
boundary support
Metamorphic
Metamorphic grade
grade increases
increases both
both from west to east
east and
and as
as one
one
approaches external and internal granitoid bodies.
bodies. In metabasites,
metabasites, the
the increase
approaches
in metamorphic
metamorphic grade is
is reflected
reflected by a decrease in
in chlorite
chlorite content
content with
with an
an
increase in hornblende content,
content, the
the appearance
appearance of
of garnet
garnet andlor
and/or cummingtonite
cummingtonite
increase
and, at the highest
the appearance
appearance of
ofclinopyroxene.
clinopyroxene. In
highest grades, the
In metapelites,
mineral assemblages progress from
from west
west to
to east
east from
from garnet-chlorite
garnet-chlorite to
to staurolite
.mineral
to garnet-biotite-sillimanite
assemblages exhibit a
garnet-biotite-sillimanite assemblages. Calcareous assemblages
transition from quartz-iron
in the
the west
west to
to quartz-calcitequartz-calcitetransition
quartz-iron carbonate+/-chlorite in
amphibole
epidote-garnet+/-clinopyroxene, hornblende
hornblende
amphibole assemblages
assemblages to epidote-garnet÷/-clinopyroxene,
assemblages in
assemblages
in the
the east.
east.
In
In general, the
the strong
strong fabric in
in the greenstone belt
belt is
is defined
defined by
by peak
peak
metamorphic
deformed by
metamor~hicmineral
mineral assemblages.
assemblaaes. This fabric is deformed
bv the
the later
later
crenulation
internal plutons and
crenulatibn cleavage that is
is associated
asskated with folding of internaiplutons
andthe
the
boundary. The general westward component
component of
of plunge to
granite-greenstone boundary.
~

27

2~~

�and increase
increase in
in metamorphic grade from west
west to
to east
east suggests
linear elements and
that deeper erosional levels
levels of
of the
the greenstone
greenstone belt
belt are
are exposed
exposed in
inthe
the east.
east. At
deformation model is envisaged for the greenstone
present a general two-stage deformation
greenstone
well-defined
belt. An early, high-temperature, high-strain stage generated the well-defined
foliation
foliation that
that is
is parallel
parallel to unit contacts and the granite-greenstone
granite-greenstone boundary.
There appears
appears to be a paucity of map-scale folds related
related to this deformation;
T.L. Muir (OGS) has observed
observed folds with strong axial planar fabric near
however, T.L.
deposit. A
the Hemlo gold deposit.
A low-temperature,
low-temperature, regional,
regional, compressive
compressive deformation
deformation
stage followed and resulted
resulted in folding of: the earlier-formed, high-strain
high-strain fabric;
internal plutons; and,
and, the
the granite-greenstone
granite-greenstone boundary.
boundary. This
This later
later deformation
deformation
internal
stage, which may consist of more than
than one generation of folding and faulting, is
interpreted to be the main contributor to the current geometry of the graniteinterpreted
greenstone belt.
greenstone
Pubhshed geochronology
geochronology allows
allows a
a general
general time frame to be
Published
be assigned
assignedto
to
stages. The early high-temperature
high-temperature deformation
the deformation
deformation sages.
deformation occurred
occur6d
2.695 Ga (aae
(age of
of metavolcanic rocks involved in the deformation) and
between 2.695
H
&amp;
;
Bay and Cedar Lake plutons). The younger lowlow- '
2.688 Ga
Ga (age of Heron
temperature
deformation
occurred
between
2.688
Ga
(age
of
Heron
Bay
temperature deformation occurred between
Ga (age of Heron Bay Pluton)
Pluton)
of Gowan
Cowan Lake
and, speculatively, 2.678 Ga (age of
Lake Pluton).
Pluton). At aa subprovince
subprovince scale
scale
greenstone belt is similar to the Manitouwadge
the general
aeneral history
historv of the Hemlo oreenstone
Manitouwadae
greenstone
conjectural,
the high grade metamorphism
gre&amp;stone belt. AAlthough
I ~ ~ Oconje&amp;ral,
U ~ ~
the
metamorphism and early
ea&amp;
with comparable "D2"
"D2' events
rnav be correlative with
events (Zaleski
(Zaleski et
et al.
al. 1995)
1995)
deformation may
recorded
Manitouwadge
greenstone
The late folding may correlate
recorded in the ~
anitouwad~
greenstone
e
belt. The
with formation
"03" (Zaleski
formation of the "D3
(Zalesk et
et al.
al. 1995)
1995)Manitouwadge
Manitouwadgesynform.
synforrn.
REFERENCES
REFERENCES
Corfu
Chem. Geol.
Gaol. ,,79,201-233.
79, 201-233.
Corh and Muir
Mulr (1989) Chern.
T.L
Ont.GeoI.Surv. Report
289.
1.LMuir,
Muir.1997,
1997.OnI.Geo1.S~~.
ReDorl289.
Zateski ei
at al.,
at., 1.995.
1995,IISG
LSG Field
Field?ri;
Trip Guidebook
Guidebook
Zaleski

28

�constraints on the tectonic history
Structural and Metamorphic
Metamorphic constraints
historyof
of the
the Southern
Southern
Ste. Marie
Marie - Espanola
Province in
i n the
the SauD
Sault Ste.
Espanola area.
area.
Ontario
Geological
Survey,
Sudbury
Ontario
(705
670-5997;
S.L. Jackson,
Jackson,
Ontario
Geological
Survey,
Sudbury
Ontario
(705
670-5997;Jacksos@gov.on.ca)
Jacksos@gov.on.ca)

-

exhibit aa beauilinalv
beguilingly sim~le
simple concave to the north
Southern Province rocks exhibit
attributed to
structural grain. Regional
Regional structures
structures are
are commonly
comrnonlyattributed
to compression
compressionduring
during
PenOkean
Orogeny;
however,
structural,
intrusive,
and
metamorphic
relationships
Penokean Oroaenv: however, structural, intrusive, and metamor~hicrelationships
permit other interpretations. North of tthe
h; Murray
Murray Fault
Fault rocks
rocks of
of low
lowmetamorphic
metamorphic grade
grade
are deformed about generally upright folds
folds and reverse/thrust faults.
faults. The folds affect
Nipissing Gabbro and
2.22 Ga Nipissing
and the 1.85 Ga Sudbury
Sudbury complex
complex and
and are
are commonly
commonly
weakly to
to moderately
moderately developed,
developed, steeply
steeply dipping,
dipping, axial
axial planar
associated with weakly
cleavage. Confusion
Confusionabout
aboutthe
theage
age of
of folding
foldingarises
arisesbecause
becausemany
manygabbro
gabbrodykes
dykes
structures parallel
parallel to the axial trace
trace of some regional folds which may indicate
occupy structures
deformation
deformation prior to, or synchronous
synchronous with, gabbro
gabbro emplacement. Scenarios
Scenariosthat
that account
account
relationships include: 1) gabbro dykes and sills that were emplaced
emplaced into
for observed relationships
structurally prepared
faults/fractures); 2) crustal
prepared sites (fold hinges and axial planar faultslfractures);
crustal
cover accompanied or
or
flexure resulting in fracturing and faulting of the basement and cover
followed by emplacement of gabbro dykes and sills (subsequent
compression
resulted
(subsequent compression resulted
intrusive events may be confused
confused as
as aa single
single
in folding); and
and 3) two or more mafic intrusive
event (one represented by pre-folding 2.22
2.22 Ga gabbro sills and one by post-folding
post-folding
gabbro dykes).
the Murray Fault there
there is evidence
evidence for at least
deformationalevents
events
South of the
least 33 deformational
pre-Nipissing faulting and large-scale folding related
related to syn-depositional
syn-depositional
including: 1) pre-Nipissing
and/or post-depositional
post-depositional unconsolidated deformation
deformation of
of strata;
strata;2)
2)"Dl"
"Dl" layer-parallel
layer-parallel
andlor
structural
pre to
to syn peak
structural elements reflecting high extensional strain that formed pre
metamorphism;
and 3)
3) "D2"
"02" regional
regionalfolds
folds and
andfaults
faults parallel
parallelstructures
structures north
north of the
metamorphism; and
fault that
that deform metamorphic isograds
isograds and
and are associated
associated with a crenulation
Murray fault
cleavage. Both
D2structures
structuressouth
southof
ofthe
theMurray
MurrayFault
Fault affect
affect Nipissing
Nipissing
D land
and02
cleavage.
Both Dl
that D2
02 structures
1.75 Ga
Ga
gabbro; however, field observations indicate that
structures post-date
post-date the
the 1.75
Cutler Batholith.
Batholith.
The origin
involving staurolite and
origin of high-grade
high-grade metamorphic assemblages involving
the Murray Fault is a perplexing
biotite in the McKim
McKim Formation south of the
perplexing aspect
aspect of
of
tectonics. High
previously attributed
attributed to
Southern Province tectonics.
High grade
grade metamorphism
metamorphism was previously
crustal
thickening during
Although this
this could explain the
crustal thickening
during the Penokean Orogeny. Although
mesoscopic
01 structural
oriented at a low angle to bedding, the lack
structural elements oriented
lack of
mesoscopic Dl
regional
structural
evidence
for
the
required
thickening
during
Dl
and
the
observation
regional structural
for the required thickening during Dl and
that metamorphism predates regional
regional folding
folding do
do not support this
this interpretation.
Furthermore, geobarometry indicates relatively
relatively low-pressure
(2-3kbar;
kbar; 6-10
6-10km)
km)
low-pressure (2-3
metamorphism at a crustal thickness
thickness close
close to,
to, or less than, the estimated
estimated thickness
thickness of
clastic prism
prism which would also seem to preclude
preclude metamorphism
metamorphism related
related to
the Huronian
Huronian clastic
crustal thickening. Crustal
Crustal extension and increased
increased mantle
mantle heat
heat flow
flow might
might better
better
layer-parallel foliation, lack of structural evidence for significant
explain the near layer-parallel
significant crustal
thickening, and
andthe
thelow-pressure
low-pressuremetamorphism.
metamorphism.

-

0

.

29

�in general, extension of the Superior craton and deposition
In
deposition of the
the Huronian
Huronian
2.22 Ga, the age of
Supergroup is thought to have occurred between 2.45 Ga and 2.22
and Nipissing gabbro, respectively.
lower Huronian volcanic rocks and
respectively. However, there is
is aa
well-established angular
well-established
angular unconformity
unconformity between the 2.45 Ga volcanic rocks
rocks and
and
units are reported
overlying formations and no volcanic units
reported from within strata
strata above the
unconformity. Conseauentlv.
Consequently, crustal extension and resultant deposition
deposition of units
unconformitv.
units above
this
mafic
this unconformity
unconformitymay
may have
have shortly
shortly preceded
preceded2.22
2.22 Ga
GaNipissing
~i~issin;
maficmagmatism.
magmatism.
Deep parts of the basin
basin may have been subjected
subjected to elevated
elevatedheat
heat flow
flow during
during
Dll structural
extension resulting in D
structuralelements
elements and
and high-temperature,
high-temperature, low-pressure
low-Pressure
inferred to
to shortly
shortly follow
follow Nipissing
Nipissing magmatism.
magmatism. Post
metamorphism inferred
Post metamorphic
metamorphic
regional
.75 Ga generated
generated the regional folds and
regional compression
compression at -1
-1.75
and associated
associated axial
axial
planar cleavage /I crenulation cleavage.
cleavage. The
The above
above interpretation
interpretationinvokes
invokessubstantial
substantial
pre- and post-Penokean tectonic
tectonic events,
events, but does not require deformation or
metamorphic
metamorphic events in the 1.85-1.82
1.85-1.82 Ga
Ga interval.
interval.

30

�The
The Early Proterozoic break-up of the Superior
Superior Craton: Implications
Implications of drill core
core and
and
geophysical data south of the Gogebic range, northern Wisconsin.

Gene
L LaBerge,
Gene L.
LaBerge,Geology
GeologyDepartment,
Department, University
University of
of Wisconsin
Wisconsin Oshkosh, Oshkosh, WI
WI
54901 and U. S. Geological
Geological Survey.
Exploration
drill cores
cores and
and geophysical
geophysical data
data reveal
reveal several
several nearly continuous
continuous belts of Early
Exploration thin
Proterozoic
rocks that extend
extend northeasterly
northeasterlv from
from
Proterozoic metasedirnentary
metasedimentm and metavolcanic
metavolcanic rocks
Butternut,
the south end of Lake Gogebic, Michigan. The
Butternut, Wisconsin to thesouth
Thebelts,
belts, shown
shownby
by
Menominee
Sims (1992) as Blair Creek Formation and as undifferentiated Chocolay and Menominee
Group
granitoid rocks.
rocks. The
Group rocks, are separated by expanses of gneissic granitoid
Thedistinct
distinct
geophysical
on the
the belts
belts suggests
suggeststhat
thatthey
theyare
arefault
ftult bounded.
bounded. The
boundaries on
The
- - aeromagnuic and
provide information on the nature
nature and
and
aeromagnedc
and electromagnetic
electromagneticgeophysical
geophysical data provide
distribution
distribution of rock units encountered
encountered in the
the drill cores.
cores.
Some cores contain intercepts of up to 100
meters
doloinitic mathle,
100 m
eters of dolomitic
ma~ble,some
some of
of which
which
Some
inteabeddedbiodte
biotiteschist
schist Other
bunOther cores
cores contain
contain granular and laminated ironcontains inteabedded
massive quartrite,
quartzite, which, in turn, grades
grades
formation that grades abruptly downward into massive
into
into more
more thinly
thinlv bedded quaitzite
a d t e and
and then
then into
intointerbedded
intabeddedquartzite
auartziteand
and biotite
biotiteschist.
schist.
Iron-formation
is commonly
interbedded
breccias and
hn-formationis
~ornmo&amp;~
intobedded with basaltic
basaltic pillow lavas,
lavas, pillow breccias
and
hyaloclastite units. Some
Somecores
corescontain
contain granular
granularjasper and
and hematite
hematiteiron-formation
iron-formation
rocks. Several
interbedded with basaltic rocks.
Several cores
cores intersected
intersected zones of strongly foliated
foliated
gneiss. Some
granitoid gneiss.
Someof the
the cores
cores contain
contain breccias
breccias composed
composed of tabular
tabular clasts
clasts of ironironformation,
formation, quartzite, dolomite, or mixtures of these lithologies in a matrix of graphitic
bioitite schist. Several
Several of
of these
these breccia zones may be
be present in a given core.
Lithologies encountered in
in the
the cores
cores are
are similar
similar to
to rode
rock units
units exposed
exposed to
to the
the northeast
northeast in
in the
the
Uthologies
(LaBerge and Klasner, 1994).
1994). The
The granitoid
granitoid gneiss
gneissmay
may
eastern Gogebic range in Michigan (LaBerge
baseman, similar
be slivers of Archean basement,
similarto
tothe
thePresque
PresqueIsle
Islegranite
graniteexposed
exposed near
nearMarenisco,
Mareiusco,
the Bad River Dolomite exposed
exposed east
eastof
of
Michigan. The
Thedolomite
dolomiteis
is comparable
comparableto the
similarin
in all
all respects
respects to
to the
the Palms
Palms Formation
Formation
Wakefield, Michigan. The
Thequartzite
quartziteisissimilar
of the length
length of
of the
the Gogebic
Gogebic range.
range. The
iron-formation with
exposed throughout much of
Theiron-formation
with
rocks is
is very
very similar
similarto
tothe
theIronwood
JronwoodIron-Formation
hon-Formation and
and interbedded
interbedded
interbedded volcanic rocks
Marenisco, Michigan. The
Emperor Volcanic Complex north of Marenisw,
The geophysical
geophysical data
data indicate
indicateaa
and the
the eastern
eastern Gogebic
Gogebicrange.
range. Therefore, it
near-continuity of units within these belts and
likely that the units are correlative from the Gogebic
Gogehic southward as suggested by
appears Likely
Allen and Barrett (1915)
(1915) and
and Dutton
Dutton (1983).
(1983).
The
volcanic rocks are largely restrictedto
to units containing iron-formation, consistent with
The volcanic
stratigraphic
eastern and western ends
aids of
stradgraphic relations on the &amp;stern
of the
theCiogebic
Gogebic range, (LaBerge
(LaBergeand
and
others,
the observations
also supports
smmorts the
observations of Allen
Alien and Barrett (1915,
(1915. p.90o.90others. 1995). This
This study
studv also
intertiedded with iron-formation are
are widely distributed
91) that volcanic
vol&amp;c rocks hterbedded
distributed in
&amp;I several
several
rocks south of
of the
the Gogebic
Gogebicrange.
range. Thus,
belts of rocks
Thus, volcanism
volcanism contemporaneous with ironformation deposition is present
present on the eastern and western ends of the Gogebic
range and
formation
Gogebic rangeand
iron-formation units along
along the
the length
lengthof
of the
therange
rangeto
to the
the south.
south. The
The widespread
with iron-formation
widespread
occurrence
(logebic range
occurrence of volcanic rocks south of the Gogebic
range indicates
indicates aa broad distribution
distributionof
of
volcanism southward toward the proposed margin of the Superior Craton.
The
sediments
The breccia units are interpreted as depositional breccias, where shallow-water sediments
(dolomite, quartzite,
quartzite, and
and iron-formation) slumped into deeper,
deeper, stagnant basins
basins in
in which
which
carbonaceous,
mud was
was accumulating.
accumulating. These
These stagnant
carbonam&amp;, pyritic mud
stagnant basins
basks are interpreted to be
restricted, fäult-bowrded
fault-bounded basins into which miodic
shallow-water sediments
sediments
periodic slumuine
slumping of shallow-water
occurred along
along fault
fault scarps.
scarps.

31

�Collectively,
formal environment
environment at least 60-100
Collectively, the
thedata
data suggest
suggest that 1)
1)aa plat
platformal
60-100 km
km wide
wide
extended
range, on which dolomite
dolomite and quartzite
extended southward
southward from
from the present Gogebic range,
quartzite of
Marquette Ciange
Supergroupaccumulated;
accumulated; 2) volcanism commenced
commenced during
during ironironGange Supergroup
the Marqueite
formation demsition.
deposition, mobablv
probably associated with rifting
rifling and the formation of fault-bounded
fault-bounded
formation
basins. Volcanism
the overlying ocean
stagnant bas&amp;.
~ol&amp;sm may
&amp;ay have
have contributed
contributediron
iron and
and silica
silica to theoverlying
ocean
water, which
as iron-formation;
iron-formation; 3)
3) breccias
containing clasts
breccias containing
dasts of
which was
was then precipitated as
that rifting
rifling and the
shallow-water sediments within carbonaceous sediments suggests that
formation
occuned along
along the
the margin
marginof
ofthe
the Superior
SuperiorCraton.
Craton. In this
formation of stagnant basins occurred
inteipretation
rocks in the several "ranges" to the south are prepminterpretationthe
the Gogebic
Gogebic range and the rocks
coffision, and not related to foreland basin
basin evolution.
evolution. Available
collision,
Availableevidence
evidenceindicates
indicatesthat
that the
the
overliethe
theiron-formation.
iron-formation. These
Tyler and Copps
Copps Formations unconformably overlie
These formations
formations
are interpreted
collisional tectonics,
tectonics, and
be foreland
foreland basin
basiin deposits related to wllisional
and to
to be
be
are
interpreted to
to be
significantly younger
significantly
younger than the
the iron-formation.

Referfences Cited.
Referfences
Cited.

Allen
A
lien ,,R.C.,
R.C., and Barrett, LP., 1915,
1915, Contributions
Contributionsto
tothe
thePro-Cambrian
Pre-Cambrian geology of
Michigan and Wisconsin: Michigan Geological and Biological
Biological Survey,
Survey,
northern Michigan
Publication
Publication 18,
18,Geology
Geology Series
Series15,
15, pp
pp 65-139
65-139

Lithology and
and geologic
geologic setting
settingof
of Lower
Lower Proterozoic
Proterozoic iron-formation in
Dutton, C. E., 1983, Lithology
parts of northern Wisconsin: U.S.
15p.
U.S. Geological
Geological Survey,
Survey, Open-File
Open-File Report 8484- ,, iSp.

LaBerge, G. L., Cannon,
Cannon, W. F., and Klasner, J. S., 1995,
1995,New
New observations
observations on
on the
the
range (Abstract):
(Abstract): 41st
41st Annual
Annual Institute
Institute on
on Lake
Lake
geology of the
the western Gogebic iron range
Superior
Superior Geology,
Geology, Marathon,
Marathon, Ontario, vol. 41,
41, part
part 1,1,p.
p. 33-34.
33-34.
L and
LaBerge, G. L
andKiasner,
Klasner,I.J. S.,
S., 1994,
1994, Tectonic
Tectonic implications
implicationsof the
the Early
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic
lithostratigraphy on the
range, northern Michigan (Abstract): 40th
Whostratigraphy
the eastern
eastern Gogebic range,
40th Annual
Annual
Houghton, Michigan,
Michigan,vol.
vol. 40,
40, part
part 1,
1, p.
p. 27-28.
Institute on Lake Superior Geology, Houghton,
P.K., 1992,
Sims, P.K.,
1992,Geologic
Geologic map of Precambrian rocks, southern
southern Lake
LakeSuperior
Superiorregion,
region,
Investigations
Wisconsin
Wisconsin and
and northern
northern Michigan:
Michigan: U.S.
U.S. Geological
Geological Survey
Survey ,,Miscellaneous Investigations
Series, Map
185.
Series,
Map1-2
1-21
85.

32

�Mineral Potential Study of a Greenstone
Greenstone Belt
Area, Minnesota
Using Boulder
Boulder Tracing,
Tracing, Ely—Bigfork
Ely-Bigfork Area,
Minnesota
Tom Lawler and Darold
Darold Riihiluoma
Riihiluoma

of Natural
Natural Resources,
Resources, Division of
State of Minnesota, Department of
Minerals,
Ave. E.
55746-1461
Minerals, 1525
1525 Third Ave.
E. Hibbing, MN 55746—1461
Internet:
lawler@dnr.state.mn us
Internet: torn.
tom.lawler@dnr.state.mn.us
•

Abstract
Minnesota is an area of complex
The Ely—Bigfork
Ely-Bigfork area of northern Minnesota
Archean
bedrock geology.
geology.
Bedrock
lithologies,
structure,
lithologies,
structure,
alteration, mineral
occurrences and exploration
exploration geochemistry
alteration,
mineral occurrences
geochemistry
indicate there
thereshould
should be
be undiscovered
undiscovered valuable
valuable metallic
metallic mineral
mineral
indicate
deposits.
sample site
deposits. The
The poster displays sample
site locations
locations and
and anomalous
anomalous
results
metal potential. The
results which
which indicate
indicate gold or base metal
The granite
granite greenstone
similar to those
those hosting
hosting economic
greenstone belt (Morey,
(Morey, 1996) is similar
economic
mineral deposits
mineral
deposits in
in the
the Archean of
of Canada
Canada and
and Scandinavia.
Scandinavia.

-

objective of this
to provide
provide a
a reconnaissance
reconnaissance study
The objective
this project is to
of mineral
mineral potential
potential for
for a
a sixty—one
sixty-one township
township area
area in
in northern
northern St.
St.
Louis County,
southeastern Koochiching
Koochiching County
County and
County, southeastern
and northeastern
northeastern
Itasca
achieved by
by mapping
mapping alteration
alteration and analysis
Itasca County. This
This is achieved
of mineralized rock samples found in glacial
glacial drift
drift deposits
deposits from
from
pits. Anomalous gold values ranged
144 sites, mostly
mostly gravel pits.
ranged to
to
Base metal
metal values
values
3,598 ppb, with arsenic values up to 1,900 ppm. Base
include zinc to 2,899
2,899 ppm,
lead to
to 248
248
ppm, copper to
to 14,944 ppm and lead
ppm,
barium to
to 1,980
1,980 ppm.
ppm. Partial
Partial analytical
analytical results are
ppm, also barium
presented
table with
with anomalous
anomalous areas
areas designated
designated as
as Mineral
Mineral
presented in aa table
Potential Areas (MPAs).
The map
map presents
presents site number,
number, designation
Potential
(MPAs). The
as gold or
or volcanogenic
volcanogenic massive
massive sulfide model, and
and MPA
MPA number.
number.
Samples of analyzed rock are displayed for many sites.
The
sites. The table
table
Mineral Potential
Areas
From
Analysis
displays
selected
Potential
From
displays selected analysis
analysis
used to
to model
model mineral
mineral potential.
potential.
The location
The
location of
of the
the source
source of mineralized samples
samples is
is indicated
indicated by:
by:
1.
Development of
mineralized—altered boulder
1. Development
of mineralized-altered
boulder dispersal
dispersal trains.
trains. 2.
2.
amount of
the sample
The amount
of mineralized rock at the
sample site
site which
which decreases
decreases
denudation. 3.
3. Hand
Hand lens classification
classification
with distal
distal dispersion
dispersion and denudation.
lithologies contributing pebbles to a randomly selected sample
of lithologies
of 100
100 pebbles
pebbles from
from each
each site
site which
which are
are compared
compared with
with mapped
mapped
bedrock lithology
bedrock
lithology (Morey
(Morey 1996).
1996). MPAs
MPAs 1,
1, 2, 7,
7, 8 and 17
17 are
are in
in an
an
area mapped by Mooers, et al.
al. (1996)
as scoured
scoured bedrock uplands
uplands or
(1996) as
Lobe deposits. By all the
the criteria
criteria the
the northern
northern sites
sites of MPA
Rainy Lobe
MPA5 7 and 17 are near the
1 and 2, and all of MPAs
the bedrock
bedrock source
source of
mineralized
these MPAs,
MPA5, Mooers, et
mineralized rock.
rock. West
West 0of these
et al. map additional
additional
dispersion by
3, 4, 5, 9,
Kooochichinq Lobe.
Lobe. 14PAs
MPAs 3,
dispersion
by the
the Kooochiching
9, 10,
10, 11,
11, 12,
12,
13, 14 and 15
their source
15 are
are reasonably close to their
source by
by most
most of
of the
the
criteria.
some distance
distance from
criteria. MPA
MPA 6,
6, 88 and
and 16
16 might be some
from their
their source.
source.

33

�Morey, G.8.,
G.B., Compiler,
Compiler,1996,
1996,Geologic
GeologicMap
Map of
ofMinnesota,
Minnesota, Minnesota
Morey,
Minnesota
Geological
Surveyl
Digital
Version
Geological Survey, Digital Version
H.D., et
etal.,
al., 1996,
199G1Geomorphology
Geomorphology of
of the
the Basswood
Basswood Lake,
Mooers, H.D.,
Mooers,
Lake,
Crane
Lake,
Little
Fork,
Ely,
Vermilion
Lake
and
Bigfork
Crane Lake, Little Fork, Ely, Vermilion Lake and Bigfork
1: 1,000,000quadrangles
quadranglesand
and the
the development
developmentof
of the
the Land
Land Type
1:1,000,000
Type
Association
layer
of
the
Ecological
Classification
System,
Association layer of the Ecological Classification System,
MinnesotaDepartment
Departmentof
ofNatural
Natural Resources
Resources—-Division
of Forestry
Forestry
Minnesota
Division of

MINERAL POTENTIAL AREAS
I

I

P318 STUDY AREA

• VMS BASE METAL

CC:) MINERAL POTENTiAL AREA

• GOLD

SITES WITH NO MINERAL POTENTIAL

SCALE 1:1mom
SCALE 1:1.000,000

34

34

A

�THE
THE PETROLOGY
PETROLOGYOF
OFGREENSPAR:
GREENSPAR:
A
A PROTEROZOIC
PROTEROZOICPORPHYRITIC
PORPHYRITICDIABASE
DIABASEDIKE;
DIKE;
PIFHER
NIPIGON DISTRICT,
DISTRICT, ONTARIO
PIFHER AND IRWIN
IRWIN TOWNSHIPS, LAKE NIPIGON
ONTARIO
by
Whitewater, Wl
WI 53190
by Frank
Frank A.
R. Luther,
Luther, Geology, UW-Whitewater, Whitewater,
53190

This
This approximately
approximately50
50 m
mwide
wide porphyritic
porphyritic diabase
diabase dike,
dike, outcropping
outcroppingininwestern
western
Irwin
and
Pifher
Townships
in
the
Lake
Nipigon
district,
is
locally
known
as
greenspar.
Irwin and Pifher Townships in the Lake Nipigon district, is locally known as greenspar.
The
The dike
dike has
has aa characteristic
characteristic greenish
greenish mottled appearance in outcrop as a result
result of
sausseritized
sausseritized plagioclase
plagioclaseglomerophenocrysts
glomerophenocrysts in
in aa diabase
diabasegroundmass.
groundmass. The
The dike
dike
strikes
strikes due
due north
northand
anddips
dipsvertically.
vertically. ItIt is
is located
located approximately 15
15 km
km east
east of Lake
Lake
Nipigon
Nipigon and
and 5-20
5-20 km
km north
northof
ofHwy
Hwy11.
11.
Mackasey
off-set by
by east-west
east-westfaulting
faulting
Mackasey (1975) mapped
mapped the dike as segments
segments off-set
and
and suggests
suggests that
that only
onlyone
onedike
dikewas
was originally
originallyintruded.
intruded. Kresz
Kresz and
and Zayachivsky
Zayachiiky
(1989) observed
chill borders
borders on dike apophyses and stated that the
the dike
dike has
has been
been
obsewed chill
seen
seen some
some50
9km
kmsouth
southof
of Irwin
IrwinTownship.
Township. Both
Both reports
reports stated
stated that
that the
the
glomerophenocrysts
distribution; Mackasey
reported
glomerophenocrysts are erratic in distribution;
~ac-kasey
reported aa segregation
segregation of
the
the glomerophenocrysts
glomerophenocrystsinto
into bands
bandsat
at one
one location.
location. Alteration
Alteration of
of the
the country
muntryrock
rockwas
was
not
not reported
reported by
by these
these workers
workers nor
nor was
was itit seen
seen by
by the
the author.
author.
The
(1975) determined
determinedthat
that
The greenspar
greenspar dike
dike isis of
of Proterozoic
Proterozoicage.
age. Mackasey
Mackasey (1975)
this
this dike
dike is
is cut
cut by
by the
the large
large middle
middle or
or late
late Proterozoic
Proterozoic (Keweenawan?)
(Keweenawan?) sill in
in Irwin
Irwin
Township.
Township. There
There are
are no
no radiometric
radiometric dates
dates on
on this
this rock
rock or
or associated
associatedrocks.
rocks.
A
A whole
whole rock
r w k chemical
chemicalanalysis
analysis of
of the
the greenspar
greenspar isispresented
presentedininTable
Table1.1. The
The
texture
textureand
andmineralogy
mineralogyof
of this
this rock
rock were
were studied
studied by
by petrographic
petrographic and
and electron
electron
microprobe
microprobeanalysis.
analysis. The
The rock
rockconsists
consistsof
of
20%
euhedral,
20% glomerophenocryst
g l o m e r o p h e n ~plagioclase:
plagioclase:
t
euhedral, 1-5
1-5cm,
cm,with
withremnant
remnantplagioclase
plagioclase
cores
(an),
the
bulk
of
these
crystals
are
altered
to
a
very
fine-grained
cores (an83),the bulk of these crystals are altered to a very fine-grained
mixture
mixtureof
of albite,
albite,epidote,
epidote,sericite,
sericite,and
andzeolite(?).
zeolite(?).
45%
(an) totorim
45% groundmass
groundmassplagioclase:
plagioclase: normally
normally zoned core (ans)
rim(an61),
(an6,), subhedral
subhedral
laths,
0.5-1.O mm,
mm, cores
coresare
are rarely
rarelyaltered
alteredto
to aafine-grained
fine-grainedmixture
mixtureofof
laths, 0.1-0.3
0.1-0.3 xx 0.5-1.0
sericite
sericiteand
andepidote.
epidote.
30%
Mg,
minterstitial
, interstitialtotosubhedral,
subhedral,0.2-0.3
0.2-0.3 mm.
mm.
zonalcore
coreMg70
Mg7,3to rim M
30% augite:
augite:zoned
4%
4% opaques:
opaques:euhedral
euhedralmagnetite,
magnetite,ilmenite,
ilmenite,and
andpyrite,
pyrite,0.1-0.3
0.1-0.3mm.
mm.
&lt;1%
quartz:
interstitial
grains
0.1-0.3
mm.
4 % quartz: interstitial grains 0.1-0.3 mm.

The
haveremnant
remnantcores
coresofofanm
an composition
compositionwhile
while the
the
The glomerophenocrysts
glomerophemcrysts have
bulk
bulk of these
these large
large crystals
crystals are
are altered
altered to aa mixture
mixture of albite, epidote, sericite,
sericite, and
and
zeolite(?).
zeolite(?). The
The glomerophenocrysts
glomerophenocrystsare
are interpreted
interpretedas
as phenocrysts
phenocrystsbecause
becauseof
of their
their
euhedral
form.
No
broken
crystals,
xenocrysts
of
other
composition
or
mineralogy,
euhedral form. No broken crystals, xenocrysts other composition or mineralogy, or
or
xenoliths
xenolithswere
wereobserved.
obsewed. The
The glomerophenocrysts,
glomerophenocrysts, being
being highly
highly calcic, were
were easily
easily
sausseritized during
during sub-solidus
sub-solidus events. The
Thenormally-zoned
normally-zonedplagioclase
plagioclaseof
of the
the
sausseritized
wasnot
notas
assusceptible
susceptibletotoalteration;
alteration;
groundmass with an average composition
groundmass
composition of
of aanMwas
some
somecrystals
crystals show
show minor
minor alteration
alteration of
of the
the more
more calciccores.
calcic cores. Clinopyroxene
Clinopyroxeneininthe
the
35

�grouridmass
in
rims; there
there is
groundmass is
is zoned
zonedfrom
fromMg70
MgTO
in the
the core
core to
to Mg40
MgdOin the rims;
is minor
minor
alteration of
of the clinopyroxene
clinopyroxene to
to actinolite
actinolite and
and zeolite(?).
zeolite(?). Euhedral
Euhedral Mn-bearing
Mn-bearing
ilmenite (sometimes skeletal or intergrown with
with Ti
Ti hematite?), magnetite, and pyrite
pyrite
groundmass. Olivine
are present throughout the groundmass.
Olivine was
was not
not observed.
observed.

It is
The length
is interesting
interesting to speculate on the age
age and
and origin
origin of the
the greenspar.
greenspar. The
length
of 15
vertical dip, uniform strike, and
15 (perhaps up to 65) km, minimal variation in width, vertical
apparent over-all compositional homogeneity point
point to
to a deep-seated source and a
long period of cooling at considerable depth to crystallize the exceptionally large
large
glomerophenocrysts.
glomerophenocrysts. Following this period of quiescence, the magma
magma was
was intruded
intruded
into cooler Archean country rocks where the remaining
remaining melt
melt cooled
cooled rapidly
rapidly enough
enough to
to
form zoned
plagioclase
and
clinopyroxene.
The
glomerophenocrysts
were
zoned plagioclase and dinopyroxene.
glomerophenocrysts were
deuterically altered soon after emplacement while the groundmass plagioclase, less
less
minerals were less
calcic in composition, and other groundmass minerals
less affected. With
mineralogical similar.@
similarity to
to middle or late
late Proterozoic
Proterozoic
respect to the time of intrusion, the mineralogical
(Keweenawan?) diabases is (weak) evidence
evidence that
that this
this rock may be an early
early phase
phase of
Keweenawan
Keweenawan activity. Logically, a lone dike in this location, given the characteristics
characteristics
enumerated above, with no compositional similarity to lamprophyre
lamprophyre or kimber!ite,
kimberlite,
could easily be an early phase of Keweenawan
Keweenawan magmatic
magmatic activity.
activity. Alternatively,
Alternatively, the
the
east-west strike-slip offsets noted by Mackasey are not consistent with mostly
mostly dip-slip
dip-slip
preKeweenawan faults resulting
resulting from rifting.
rifting. This faulting could indicate
indicate a preKeweenawan origin of the greenspar.
greenspar.
Table
of the greenspar.
greenspar. (XRAL
1. A bulk chemical analysis of
(XRAL Laboratories)
LaMratories)
Table 1.

Si02
Si02
Al203
A
10
CaO
CaO
MgO
MCJo
Na20
NazO
1&lt;20
K20

FeOt
FeOt
MnO
MnO
1102
Ti02
P205
Pa5

Cr203
cr2m
LOl
LO1
TOTAL

48.9
13.2
13.2
11.0
11.0
6.02
1.94
0.28
14.2
0.21
0.21
1.33
0.15
&lt;.01
c.01

Rb

Sr
V

Zr
Nb
Ba

2 ppm
209
22
105
11

137

0.85
98.1
98.1

REFERENCES
REFERENCES

D.U. and Zayachiisky,
Zayachivsky, B.,
Kresz, D.U.
B., 1989, Precambrian
Precambrian geology, Barbara, Meader
Meader and
and
Townships; Ontario Geological
Geological Survey,
Survey, rpt
rpt 270
270 with
with maps 2536-2537,
2536-2537, 91 p.
Pifher Townships;
W.0., 1975,
Dorothea, Sandra, and
and Irwin
Irwin Townships,
Townships, District
Districtof
of
Mackasey, W.O.,
1975, Geology
Geology of Dorothea,
of Mines, r
rpt
Thunder Bay; Ontario Division of
pt 122 with map 2294, 83 p.

36

�Initial results of ArlAr
Ar/Ar mineral dating from the Peavy
Peavy node
nodearea
area of
ofnorthern
northern Michigan and
and
Dunbar dome
Dunbar
dome area
areaof
of northeastern
northeastern Wisconsin.
Wisconsin
MANCUSO, C.M.
Cit. HOLM,
OH
MANCUSO,
HOLWD.K.,
D.K.Dept
k p t .of(Jeology,
of Geology,Kent
KentState
StateUniversity,
U ~ v e r s i t yKent,
Kent,
,
OH 44242
(dholm@kentedu);
(dholm@kent.edu); FOLAND,
FOLAND, K.A.,
KA,and
and HUBACHER,
m A C H E R , F.A.,
FA, Dept. of
of Geological
Geological
Sciences, The
The Ohio
Ohio State
State University,
University, Columbus,
Columbus, OH
OH 43210.
43210.
The origin
has
The
origin of gneiss
gneiss domes
domes and
and metamorphic nodes exposed within the Penokean
Penokean orogenic
orogenicbelt
belt has
perhaps
areas of
of geologic
geologic research
research in
in the
the Lake Superior
pexhaps been one of the most important and controversial areas
region.
have
re$zion. Although
Althouzhthe
thenodal
nodaJisograd
isomadpatterns
patlemsappear
a o mgrossly
mossl~similar
similar In
in map
mm view,
view. they
they may
mav actually
actuall~
have
very
different tim&amp;,
times, and
and may
may evin
even be the product
veiy different
diffmnt origins,
6rigjm. may hhave
a k formed
f o b &amp; at dffere2
pbduit of polyphase
po~bhase
metamorphism. For
For Instance,
htance, Emiio
Emilioetetal.
al. (1996)
(1996) on
on the basis
basis of textural relationships suggested that the
node In
in northern
northern Michigan may be the result of three
threediscrete
disaetemetamorphic
me$amotphieevents.
events.
metatnorphic node
Peavy metamorphic
Peavy node Winnet.
(Winnet, 1981)
ArIAr thermochronologlc
t h e n n o c h r o ~ ~ l results
o ~ c within tthe
he Peaw
1981) are
are suggestive
su~~estive
In addition Initial
initial Ar/Ar
post-orogenlc reheating episdes.
episodes. Finally, numerous R
Rb/Sr
and
mica d&amp;s
dates from
within
~ I and'KlAr
S ~ K/Ar &amp;ca
frogwitAin
of several post-omgenic
south) of the Peavy node also suggest a protracted history
history of post-omgenic
post-orogenic uplift
uplift
and outside (mainly south)
andor reheating
Petennan et al.,
aL, 1985).
1985). We
(Aldrich et
el al.,
al., 1965;
1965; Peterman
We report here the
the results
results of
of new
new Ar/Ar
ArlAr
and/or
reheating (Aldrich
mineral
mineral dates
dates which
whichfurther
furtherelucidates
elucidatesthe
thethermal
thermalhistory
hisloryof
ofthis
thisarea.
area

dated
one
Result of hornblende
hornblendedating.
dating.We
We
dated
onehornblende
hornblendeseparate
separate(96-MI-4)
(96-MI-4) from
froman
anaxnphibolite
amphiblite schist
collected from the south
kmwest
westofofFoster
FosterCity,
City,MI).
MI). lThis
3 i s sample
sample yielded
south side
side of the
the Feich
Felch Trough (—7
(-7 km

an excellent plateau date of 1799±6
total gas date of 1797
1799% Ma (and concordant
concordant total
1797Ma).
Ma). This date is
comparable to the oldest post-Penokean
K/Ar hornblende
hornblendedate
date from
fromthis
this area
area obtained
obtained by Aldrich et al.
post-Penokean WAr
a1.
(1965) and is interpreted
below
interpreted to
to represent
represent the
thetime
timeofofinitial
i ~ t i acooling
cooling
l
below—500°C
-51NÂ° after
after Penokean-age
Penokean-age
regional metamorphism. We
Wenote
notethat
thatprevious
previous hornblende
hornblende Ar/Ar
AdAr total gas dates
d a m and
and K/Ar
WArdates
datesobtained
obtained
Ma) and may well
to the
the west are
are substantially
substantially younger
youngex (predominantly
(predominantly 1730-1500 Ma)
well represent
representlocalized
locaked
thermal
recognized 1630
thermal overprinting
oveaprinting effects
effects possibly
possibly associated
associated with the
the.long recopizd
1630Ma
Ma metamorphic
m W o r p h i cevent
went or
or
of the
the Middle
MiddleProterozoic
Protozoic Wolf
WolfRiver
RiverBatholith.
Batholith.
even iintrusion
n w o n of

Result of muscovite
muscovitedating.
dating. Muscovite
Muscovitefrom
froman
anArchean
Archeanmuscovite-biotite
m m v i m i o t i t e schist collected
mUected at Foster
l%stec
City (94-MI-i)
plateau date
date of
of 167335
1673±6 Ma oover
the last
last
(94-M-1) showed
showedsome
somepossible
possible recoil effects but yielded a plateau
w the
released. Coarse
(96-MI-5) located
located in
in the
the north ecentral
part
50% of the gas released.
Coam muscovite
m m v i t e from a pegmatite (96-MI-5)
n W part
plateau date
date of
of 1653*4
1653±4Ma.
Ma. nThese
the oldest
oldest mica
mica dates
dates
of the Felch Trough gave an excellent plateau
e s e dates are the
aL,
ArtAr or K/Ar
WAr methods (see Aldrich et d
.,1965
1965 and Winnet,
Winnet, 1981).
1981).
obtained from the area by either the Ar/Ar
comparable to
to the 1610-1680
Ma RbtSr
Rb/Sr and
and ArIAr
Ar/Ar biotite
biotite dates
dates obtained
obtained from
from the
the
They are roughly comparable
1610-1680 Ma
et al.,
aL, 1996) and may indicate the
wan Schmus
Sciunw and Woolsey, 1975;
1975: Schneider et
Republic area to the north (Van
regional
time of initial
i ~ t i aslow
slow
l
regional cooling
coolingthrough
throughmica
micaclosure
closuretemperatures
temperatures(—350-300°C)
(-350-31NÂ°C long after the
Penokean Orogeny. Alternatively,
Penokean
Alternatively,these
thesedates
dates may
may represent nearly complete
complete thermal resetting
resetting associated
associated
with the 1630
morphologyof
of the
the spectra
spectrado
do not
not seem to support this
1630 Ma low-grade event although the morphology
interpretation.
Result of
of biotite
biotite dating.
dating. We
Wedated
date4two
twobiotite
biotiteseparates
separatesfrom
from rock
rock samples
samples collected
collected in
in northeast
northeast
Wisconsin south
southof
of the
the Niagara
NiagaraFault
Fault AAsample
WI
sampleof
of aaPenokean
Penokean pluton
pluton collected
collected near
near Aniberg,
Amberg, W
I
Wisconsin
(southeast of
of the
the Dunbar
Dunbar dome)
dome) yielded
yieldedaaplateau
plateauage
ageofof1456H
1456±4Ma.
Ma. RblSr
Rb/Sr biotite dates from
(southeast
fiom this
locality
younger (1350-1390
locality and
and from
fiom several
severalsurrounding
mounding localities
lcalities are
are substantially
substantially youngex
(1350-1390 Ma,
Ma, Peterman
Pemmanetetal.,
al.,
1985). The
meAr/Ar
ArlArbiotite
biotitedate
dateisisnearly
n w l y concordant
concordant with
with the intrusion age
age of
of the
theWolf
WolfRiver
Riverbatholith
batholith
(exposed -25
-25 km to
to the
the southwest).
southwest). The
m enearest
nearest exposed
exposed portions
portions of the
the batholith
batholith contain
contain miarolitic
miarolitic
(exposed
cavities
composition which
which suggests
suggests
cavities and a late
late differentiate
differentiate of
of itit (the
(theBelongia
Belongia Granite)
Granite) has
has aacomposition
Anderson and
and Cullers, 1978).
emplacement at shallow
shallow crustal
crustal levels
levels (&lt;4
(&lt;4 1cm,
km, Anderson
1978). Considering that the
batholith
extends for a considerable subsurface distance beyond
beyond iB
its map new
view exposure
exposure (Allen
baU101ith extmds
(Nlcn and
and Hinze,
Him,
1992),
we suesxt
suggest that the 1456
1992). we
1456 Ma
Ma biotite
biotite date
date represents
renresents thermal resetting
resettine of shallow
sliallowcrustal
crustal rocks
rocks
intruded by th&lt;-wolf
the Wolf River
intruhh
R v a Batholith.
km north
north of
of
(WI-7) collected
collected within the Dunbar
Dunbar dome
dome (—8
(-8 Ian
Biotite from a biotite augen
augen gneiss (WI-i)
WI) yielded
yielded aa near-plateau
near-plateaudate
dateof
of 1128B
1128±3Ma
Ma(and
(andtotal
totalgas
gasdate
dateofof 1116
1116Ma).
Ma). This
hDunbar,
n b a r , WI)
'IXs date is
nearly
(Peterman et
etal.,
al., 1985)
1985)and
and
nearly concordant
concordant with
with previous
pxeviow Rb/Sr
RbtSr biotite
biotite dates obtained from this locality (FWexman

-

37

�_____
___________________
_________

from localities to the west (i.e.,
(i.e., the locus 01&lt;1.2
of 4.2 Ga
GaRb/Sr
RblSrbiotitc
biotitedates
datescalled
called the
theGoodman
Goodman Swell
Swell by
by
from
Peterman
Peteand Sims, 1988).
1988). Our
Ourdate
daceisisconsistent
consistentwith
withthe
theinterpretation
intametationthat
thatthis
thisarea
areacooled
cooledduring
durinz
uplift
be
related to
to loading
loading along
along the
the Keweenawan
Keweenawanrift
riftbut
but may
mayalso
alsoalternatively
~ltematively
bcexplained,
explained,perhaps,
perhaps, by
bi
uplift related
resetting
igneousactivity.
activity.
m t t i n g due
due to
to subsurface
subsurfaceKeweenawan
Kcweenawanigneous
References
References
Aldrich, LT.,
L.T., Davis,
Davis,G.L,
G.L.,and
andJames,
James,Hi.,
H.L.,1965,
1965,
Ages
mineralsfrom
frommetamorphic
metamorphicand
andigneous
igneous
Aldrich,
Ages
ofof
minerals
rocks
Petrology, 6: 445-472.
445472.
rocks near
near Iron
Iron Mountain, Michigan: Journal of Pelrology,
Allen, D.J.,
D.J., and
and Hinze,
Him,W.J.,
W.1,. 1992,
1992,Wisconsin
Wisconsin gravity
gravityminimum:
minimum:Solution
Solutionof
ofaageologic
geologicand
andgeophysical
geophysical
Alien,
puzzle
evolution: Geology,
p W e and
and implications
implications for
for cratonic
cratonic evolutiozx
Geology, 20: :515-518
515-518
Anderson,J.L.,
J.L., and
and Cullers, R.L.,
RL.,1978,
1978,Geochemistry
Geochemistryand
andevolution
evolutionof
ofthe
theWolf
WolfRiver
RiverJ3athollth,
Batholith, aa late
late
Anderson,
Precambrian rapakvi massif in northern Wisconsin,
Wisconsin, U.S.A.:
U.S.A.: Precambrian
PrecambrianResearch,
Research,2
7:287-324
287-324
Ejnilio, IstC.,
MC., Johnson,
Johnson, EL.,
EL., Matty,
Mat&amp; D.,
D., 1996,
lW6,AACritique
Critiqueof
ofNodal
Nodal Isograd
Isograd Patterns
P
m in
in the
theUpper
U p
Emillo,
Peninsula
of Michigan:
Michigait FLIS,
as, 77: S285
Peninsula of
SZ85
Petermnan,
Z.E.,and
andSim,
Sims,P.K.
P.K.,1988,
1988,lXe
TheGooduma
Goodman.%
Swell:
lithosphericflexure
flexurecaused
causedby
bycrustal
austal
Peteman, 2.E..
WE
AAJithospheric
loading
rift s
system:
Tectonics, 2
7:1077-1090.
loading along the
the Midcontinent rift
ystem:Teuonics.
1077-10!90.
Peterman,
Z.E., Sims, P.K.,
P.K., Zartman,
Zariman, RE.,
RE., and Schultz, K.J.,
Petem~an,
ZE.,
KJ- 1985,
1985,Middle
MiddleProterozoic
F'mtemzoic uplift
uplift events
wen@in
the Dunbar
Dunbar Dome
Dome of northeastern
northeastan Wisconsin,
Wimnsin, USA:
USA: Contributions
Contributionsto Mineralogy
Mineralogy and Pemlogy,
the
Petrology, 91:
138150.
138-150.

Schneider,D.,
D., HoIm,
Holm, D.,
D., and
and Lux, D.,
D., 1996,
1996,On
Onthe
theorigin
originof
ofEarly
W l yProterozoic
Proterozoicgneiss
gneissdomes
domesand
and
Schneider,
metamorphic nodes, northern Michigan: Canadian
Ekrth Science, 33: 1053-1063
1053-1063
metamorphic
Canadian Journal of Earth
Van Schmus,
Schmus, W.R.,
W.R., and Woolsey, L.L.,
1975,Rb/Sr
RblSrgeochronology
geochrono1ogyofofthe
theRepublic
Republicarea,
area,Marquette
Marquette
Van
Li., 1975,
county,
EarthSciences,
Sciences,12:
1 21723-1733.
1723-1733.
county,Michigan:
Michigau: Canadian
Canadian Journal
Journal of
of Earth
Winnett, T.L.,
1981,
Middle
Precambrian
(PreCambrian
thenualhistoiy
historyofofnorthern
n o d e mMichigan:
Michigan:
Winnett,
tL, 1981,
Middle
PreCambrian
(PreCambrian
X)X)thermal
Master's
StateUniversity.
U~versity.
Master'sthesis,
thesis,Ohio
OhioState

94Mk1

iso-

1650-

-

Age
Ma
Ma

.°

0

Muscovite
Muscovite

1625

Tp=1673±6 Ma

Age
Ma
Ma

Tg=1640 Ma
I

I

I

20
2 0 40
4 0 660 0 880 o l100W

00

:

o0

9&amp;M15

=

1150 -

o-•_

1100

4060

40
40

,

00

20
2 0 440 0 6 600

96-MM
I,

4

1700

Ma 00

a.—

—

Homblencte
Hornblende
Tp=1799±6Ma
T p l 7 9 W Ma
1Tg=1,7971'4a
20
20

40
40

60
60

%3OAr

38

80
80

100
iC

Riotite
Biotite
Tp=1128+3Ma
Tp=1128*3 Ma
Tg-1116 a
Tgflll6Ma
%39Ar

1800

80
80

-

%39Ar
1900

60
60

WI-7

-

Age
Ma

20
2 0 4 0 6 0 880o l100W

P3
20

-—

1125

Biotite
Biotite
Tp=1456±4Ma
Tp=1456*4 Ma
1Tg=lp7My
Tg=1437 M

Muscovite
Muscovite
Tp=1653*4 Ma
Ma
Tp=1653±4
Tg=1647
Ma
Tg=1647
Ma
I
I

I

00

WI-4

p

100
100

80

100

�THE SUIB-BARABOO
PALEOSOL,WISCONSIN:
WISCONSIN: GEOCHEMICAL
GEOCHEMICAL EVIDENCE
EVIDENCE FOR
SUB-BARABOO PALEOSOL,
PROTEROZOIC WEATHERING AND
AN]) METASOMATISM
METASOMATISM
RH., Jr.,
Jr., Dept.
Dept. of
ofGeology
Geology &amp;
&amp;
MEDARIS, L.G.,
MEDAKIS,
L.G.,Jr.,
Jr.,BAUMGARTNJB,
BAUMGARTNER,L.P.
L.P.and
andDO'IT,
DOfl, 1CR,
Geophysics; McSWEENEY, K,
K,Soil
SoilScience;
Science;all
allatatUniversity
Universityof
ofWisconsin-Madison,
Wisconsin-Madis04
Geophysics;
Madison, WI, 53706
53706
Precambrianpaleosols
paleosolsprovide
provideimportant
importantdata
data for
for the
the interpretation
interpretation of
ofpaleoclimates
Precambrian
paleoclimates and
paleoatmospheres,
but
the
chemical
compositions
of
such
ancient
soils
have
paleoatmospheres, but the chemical compositions of such ancient soils havecommonly
wmmonlybeen
been
modified
by subsequent
subsequent &amp;genesis
diagenesis or
orm
metamoiphisni.
etamorph A
A paleosol
pdwsol has
has recently
recently been
been discovered
discoveredat
at
modified by
the
Chanite (Medaris
(Medark et
etaL,
the base of the post-1760 Ma Baraboo
Baraboo Quartzite
Quartziteon
onBaxter
BaxterHollow
HollowGranite
al.,
1996;
have been obtained
1996%1996b),
1996b),and
andchemical
chemicalanalyses
analyses have
obtained to evaluate
evaluate the conditions
conditions of
of weathering
and possiile
possible effects
effects of
of metasomatism
metasomatisim The
The geochemical
geochemicalprofile
profle of the sub-Baraboo
sub-Baraboo paleosol
palwsol is
is
consistent
-withweathering
weatheringunder
wider conditions
conditions of
of mtense
intense leaching,
leaching, but
but appreciable
appreciable potassium
potassium was
condent with
added
added to saprolite
saprolite and
and the
the associated
associated pedogenic
pedogeniczone
m eduring
duringlater
latermetamorphism.
metamorph
f the sub-B
sub-Barabm
paleosol:the
thequartzite-granite
quaxtzite-ganite contact
contactin
inBaxter
BaxterHollow
Hollowisis
Description ooft/ic
araboo paleosol:
not exposed in outcrop, but the
the contact
contact was
was penetrated
penetratedby
by eight
eight holes that
that were
were drilled
drilled by the
the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in
in 1959. Material
the contact
Materialfrom
fiomthe
contact zone
zone was
was recovered
recoveredonly
only in
in
drill
from Hole No. 613, in which overlying pebbly quartzite
d d core &amp;om
quartzite is separated
separated from
fromunderlying
underlying
granitic
by aa 2.5
2.5 foot-thick,
foot-thick, reddkh-pqle
reddish-purple pedogenic
gsa~ticsaprolite by
pedoge~czone, consisting
consisting of flne-grained
he-grained
hematite, quartz,
quartz, and illite (kkaolinite).
(±kaolinite). The
The pedogenic
pedogenic zone
zone shows
shows features
features that are
are commonly
commonly
associated with physical reorganization
reorganization (e.g.,
(e.g., repeated
repeated wetting
wetting and drying)
d q h g ) of
of weathered
weatheredrock
rockin
m
soil-forming
environments,
which
include:
1)
aggregates
of
clay-size
and
larger
grains
with
small
soil-fonning
w%ich include: aggegates of
larger gains with wall
intra-aggregate
network of
mtra-aggregate voids, 2)
2)a network
of large
largeinterconnected
mtercomectedvertical,
vertical, horizontal
horizontaland
andoblique
obliquevoids
voids
separating the
the aggregates, 3) discrete accumulations of claythy- and
along
andsilt-size
silt-&amp; materials
matalong some
some
%changoK2O
% dwge
%charwK20
void walls and large grain edges, and 4)
4) stress
stress orientation
orientation .00
a -40
a
a 0 SD2
,
o
a
a 80
20
-$0
-40
0
40
-20
40
0.I
0.'
within
witbin some
some clay-size
clay-&amp; accumulations.
accumulations.
0.1
p
p
(iranitic
texture is
Granitic texture
is preserved
presewed in saprolite,
saprolite, but
but biotite
biotite 3
.p
p
is largely
largely replaced
replacedby
byhematite,
hematite,and
andfeldspar
feldsparisiscompletely:
completely I,
replaced by illite; the
the first feldspar in granite
granite is
is located
located 2
P
—30
feethelow
belowthe
thequamite.
quartzite. We
We presume
presume that the
-30 feet
10
I:10
10
intensity and fiequency
frequency of processes
processes driving
intensiv
driving physical
physical
aa
G
G
reorganization
reorganization of
of the
the soil-saprolite
soil-saproliteprofile
profile diminished
dbbi&amp;ed
= ' G
G
Inn
with
IW
surfice.
with increasing
maeasing depth below the land surfice.
1~
ha^ Na20
NaZO
~ CaOc ~ o %%change
Geochemistry:
XRF
been obtained
Geochemis~:
XRF analyses
analyseshave been
obtained for
for -125 %m.75change
-25
-125
75
-25
42s
-75
-25 00 25
25
-125
-75
.23 00 25
25
0.1
0.I
major
major and
and selected
selectedtrace
traceelements
elementsin
mtwenty
twentysamples.
samples.
p
Data
Data for
for four
four oxides
oxidesare
areplotted
plotted in
mthe
theadjacent
adjacentfigure
figurein
m
p
terms
terms of%
of %change
changewith
withrespect
respect to
to the
the average
averageof
oftwo
two
,
unweathered
unweathered granite
granite samples
samples closest to saprolite,
saprolite, and
and
normalized
which is
is assumed to be
normalized to
to A1203,
%03,which
be immobile
immobile
during
duriag weathering. Some
Somefeatures
featuresof
ofthe
thepaleosol
paleosol
I38 10
!
chemical
chemicalprofile
profile resemble
resemble those
those of
of modem
mod&amp; soils
soilswhich
which
*
are
such as
::
are produced
produced by
by intense
intense chemical
chemical leaching, such
as aa
100
P
=
Pedogenic
Zone
P
=
Pedogenic
Zone
decrease
in
Si02
and
severe
depletion
in
CaO
and
Na20,
deciease sio2 severe depletion C ~ O
and N%O,
S
s== Saprolie
sapr01te
due
quartz and release of Ca and Na fiom
from
G=
due to solution
solution of quartz
= tJnvathered
u-ath~ed Granite
~rmite

Ki@.:
.

I

'

•

I8

2*

8

1

iG
1

43rd ILSG, 1997, p. 1

39

�plagioclaseduring
during replacement by kaolinite. However,
However, Ca
Caand
andNa
Nadepletion
depletionshould
shouldbe
be
plagioclase
accompanied by K depletion due to
the exception
exception of
ofthe
the
accompanied
to weathering of K
K feldspar, but with
Mth the
uppermost
the paleosol,
is 30-40%
30-40% higher in
m the
paleowl, compared
comparedto
to average
average granite.
m e . We
We
uppermostsample,
sample, 1(20
&amp;O is
believe
believe that
thatall
a l l feldspar in the paleosol was altered
altered during
during weathering
weatheringand
andthat
thatKKleaching
leaching
occuned,
occurred,but
butthat
thatKKwas
wasreintroduced
reintroducedduring
duringlater
latermetamorphism
metamoqhismby
byfluid
fluidflow
flowalong
alongthe
the
sub-Baraboounconformity. Note
Notethat
that detrital
detritalfeldspar
feldspar is
israre
rarein
inquartzite,
quartzite,and
andinterlayered,
interlayered,highly
highly
sub-Baraboo
aluminous
ofpyrophyffite+kaolinite+quartz,
aluminous metapelites, consisting of
pyrophyllite+kaolinite+q~are
areimpoverished
impoverishedininK,
&amp;Na,
Na,
and
andCa.
Ca. Similar
Sjmilarchemical
chemicalfeatures
featureshave
havebeen
beendescribed
descniedfrom
fiomsub-Huronian
sub-Huronianpaleosols
paleowls on
ongranite
graniteat
at
Pronto,
Ontario
(Gay
&amp;
Grandstag
1980),
and
Vile
Marie,
Quebec
(Rainbird
Pronto, Ontario (Gay &amp; GrandstaK 1980), and ViUe Marie, Quebec (Rahbiid et
et al,
aL,1990),
19901,and
and
interpreted
interpretedas
asthe
theresult
re&amp; ofK-metasomatism
of K-metasomatismdating
duringdiagenesis
&amp;genesis or
orlow-grade
low-grademetamorphism
metamorphism of
of
pre-existing
preexistingweathering
weathe@ profiles.
profiIes.
The
Therelative
relative effects
effectsof
ofweathering
weathering and
and metasomatism
m e t a s o m a h on
onpaleosols
paleowlscan
canbe
beevaluated
evaluatedby
byusing
using
aaplot
(A),CaO+N%O
CaO+N;O (CN),
(CN), and q0
1(20 6).
(K). A
plotof
ofmolar
molar A1203
@03(A),
A theoretical
theoreticalweathering
weathering trend
trend for
for
Baxter
BaxterHollow
HollowGranite
Granitewas
wascalcuated
calcuatedfrom
fiomthe
the
AA
CIPW
CPWnorm
normof
ofaverage
averagegranite
graniteand
and release
releaserate
rate
constants
Young, 1984).
constantsfor
forfeldspars
feldspars(Nesbitt
(Nesbitt&amp;
&amp;Young,
1984).
The
the weathering
Therelative
relativepositions
positionsof
ofthe
weatheringtrend
trendand
and
analyses
of
sub-Baraboo
paleosol
indicate
an
analyses of sub-Ba~aboopaleosol indicate an
addition
additionof—1O
of -10 mol%
mol% 1(20
&amp;O during
duringmetasomatism,
metasomatisq 5
which
is
comparable
to
the
-44
mol%
which is comparable to the -14 mol%estimated
estimatedfor
forC.)
070
the
theVille
V i eMarie
Mariepaleosol
paleowl(Fedo
(FedoetetaL,
aL,1995).
1995).
The
Thechemical
chemicalindex
indexof
ofalteration
alteration(CIA),
(CIA),which
whichisis
defined
defined as
as A120J(A1203+CaO+N;0+}0),
%OJ(@03+CaO+NQ+&amp;O), can
canbe
be
determined
determinedfor
forpre-metasomatized
premetasomatizedpaleosol
palms01by
by
Kcp
extending
extendinglines
q0apex
apexthrough
throughthe
the
h e sfrom
fiomthe
the1(20
paleosol
CN
KK
paleosolanalyses,
analyses,to
tointersect
mtersectthe
theweathering
weatheringtrend,
trend,
CN
yielding
values
ofSl-83.
Such
values
are
yielding
of 81-83, Such values are
significantly
the effects
signi6cantly higher
higher than
than those
those obtained,
obtained, ififthe
effectsof
ofK-metasoniatism
K-metasomatismare
areneglected.
neglected.
Conclusions:
aawell-developed
Conclus~om:
well-developedweathering
weatheringprofile
profilewas
wasestablished
establishedon
onthe
theBaxter
BaxterHollow
Hollow
Granite
Graniteprior
priorto
todeposition
depositionof
ofthe
theBaraboo
BarabooQuartzite.
Quamite. During
Duringlater
latermetamorphism
metamoqhismand
andfolding
foldingof
of
thequartzite,
quartzite,significant
significantamounts
amountsof
ofKKwere
wereadded
addedtotothe
thepaleosol
paleowlby
byfluids
fluidschanneled
channeledalong
alongthe
the
the
sub-B
araboo unconformity.
sub-Bamboo
unwnfonnity. An
Aninvestigation
mvestigationof
offluid
&amp;id inclusions
mchwiom is
is underway
underway to
todetermine
determinethe
the
characteristics
other
characteristicsof
ofthe
themetasomatizing
metasomatizing fluids. The
Thetime
timeof
ofweathering
weatheringremains
remainsunknown,
&amp;OWJI,
otherthan
than
being
younger
than
1760
Ma.
An
apparent
Rb-Sr
isochron
being younger than 1760 Ma. An apparent Rb-Sr hcbronage
ageofthe
of thepaleosol
paleowlisis1360±50
1360250Ma,
Ma,
raising
raisingthe
theintriguing
mtriguingpossiblilty
possiblilty that
that K-metasomatism,
K-metasomatism, metamorphism
metamorphism,and
andfolding
foldingmight
mighthave
have
been
River events
beenrelated
relatedtotoWolf
WolfRiver
events(--1400-1500
(-1400-1500 Ma).
Ma).
REFERENCES
REJBRENCESCITED
CrnD
Fedo,
92 1-924.
Fedo,C.M.
C.M.etetaLaL(1995)
(1995)Geology,
Geology,v.v.23,
23,921-924.
Gay
349-373.
Gay&amp;&amp;Grandstaff(1980)
GrandstaE(1980)Precamb.
Precamb.Res.,
Res.,v.v.12,
12,349-373.
Medaris,
aL(1996a)
(1996a)42nd
42ndInst.
Inst.Lake
M eSuperior
SuperiorGeoL,
Ged,v.v.42,
42,31-32.
Medaris,L.G.,
L.G.,Jr.
Jr.etetaL
3 1-32.
Medaris,
L.G.,
Jr.
et
al
(1996b)
GeoL
Soc.
Amer.
Absts.
with
Progs.,
Medark, L.G., Jr. et aL (1996b) GeoL SOC.h e r . Absts. with hogs.,v.v.28,
28,A-376.
A-376.
Nesbitt,
Young, G.M.
Nesbitt,11W.
HW.&amp;&amp;Young
G.M(1984)
(1984)Geochini.
G e o c hCosmochim.
C o s m o c h Acta,
Acta,v.v.48,
48,1523-1534
1523-1534
Rainbird
v.v.98,
801-822.
Rainbirdet
et al.
aL (1990)
(1990) Jour. (led,
(301,
98,801-822.

.

43rdILSG,
LSG,1997,
1997,p.p.22
43rd
40

�RESULTS OF MODERN A
ALLUVIUM
SAMPLING FOR KINIBERLITE
L L U W M SAMPLING
KIMBEJCLKTE INDJCATOR
INDICATOR
MINERALS,
LAKEREGION,
REGION, AND
ANDTEIE
THE JMPLICATION
IMPLICATION FOR
MINEMLS, WAWA-KTh4NIWABI
WAWA-KINNIWABI LAKE
FOR
NORTHEASTERN ONTARIO.
KIMBERLITE EXPLORATION,
EXPLORATION, NORTEEASTERN
ONTARTO.

T.F. Morris, Ontario
Survey, 933
933 Ramsey
Ramsey Lake
Lake Road,
Road, Sudbury,
Sudbury, Ontario,
Ontario Geological
Geological Survey,
Ontario,
Canada. P3E
P3E 6115.
6B5.
Quaternary
till sampling
samplingover
overthe
the Mlchipicoten
Michipicoten greenstone
greenstone belt, north and northeast
Quaternary mapping and till
northeast

of Waw*
Wawa, were i~tiated
initiated in
in 1990
1990 and
and completed
completed in
in 1991. Following
Following
the discovery
discovew of
of diamonds in
- the
modem huvium
alluvium by
byaaprospector
prospector in
in 1993;
1993,the
the Ontario
Ontario Geological Survey conduAed
conducted a modem
modern
alluvium sampling
samplingprogram
programin
in 1994.
1994. The
The area
area sampled
sampled included
included the
the region
regionoriginally
originally mapped in
in
1990
1990 and 1991. At
Atthe
thesame
sametime,
time, Quaternary
Quatemavmapping,
mapping,modem
modernalluvium
alluviumsampling
samplingand
andtill
till
sampling were completed in the
the Michipicoten
Michipicoten River valley, south
south of
of Wawa.
Wawa.
the release
release of
of data
data in
in 1994,
1994, aa small
smalldiamond
diamondrelated
related staking
stakingrush
rushoccurred.
occurred. The
The
Following the
distribution of kimberlite indicator
indicatorminerals
mineralssuggested
suggested aa relationship
relationship to
to a northeast structural
structural
collected over
over only aa part
part of this structure during the
the 1994
trend. As
Asmodem
modem alluvium
alluvium was collected
survey, the Ontario
Ontario Geological Survey initiated a second
second modem
modemalluvium
alluviumand
andtill
till sampling
sampling
Lake area,
area, east
east of
of Wawa, in 1996.
program in the Kirmiwabi
Kinniwabi Lake
1996.
indicator minerals
mineralsrecovered
recoveredinclude:
include: 1)
1) chrome
chrome pyrope
pyrope garnetq.2)
garnets; 2) chromite; 3)
Kimberlite indicator
magnesium-rich ilmenites
chrome pyrope
magnesium-rich
ilmenitesand
andchrome
chromediopsides.
diopsides.To
Todate,
date,aatotal
totalofof 77 'GlO"
"010" chrome
chrome pyrope
garnets, 60
60 "(39"
"G9" chrome
pyope garnets, 3 high chrome
chrome chromites, 217
217 low
low chrome
chrome chromites,
292
ilmenitesand
and3318
chromediopsides
diopsideshave
havebeen
beenrecovered.
recovered. The distribution
292 magnesium-rich
magnesium-rich ilmenites
18 chrome
and relative concentration of these
these heavy minerals
minerals clearly
clearly illustrates
illustrates aa correlation
correlation with
with northeastnortheasttrending
regional fiiults
fiults associated
associated with
withthe
theKapuskasing
Kapuskasing Stmctural
StructuralZone.
Zone. In
In particular, a number
trendiig regional
of sample sites along the
the fault controlled
controlled Shikwamkwa River valley and
and the
the Shikwamkwa Lake
Lake
basin yielded
yielded significant
significantnumbers
numbersand
andtypes
types of
of kimberlite
kimberlite indicator
indicator minerals.
minerals. These
Theseminerals
mineralsare
are
similar to
to recovered
recovered in
in the
the Trout
Trout Creek
Creek drainage
drainage system,
system, located along strike to the southwest,
southwest,
Dalton, situated
situated along
along strike
striketo
tothe
the northeast.
northeast. This
and at Dalton,
This may
may suggest
suggest that faults
faults within the
Kapuskasing Structural Zone, kom
from Wawa
Wawa to
to the James Bay Lowland, could represent
represent promising
kimberlite
kimberlite exploration
exploration targets.
targets.

41

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pageleft
left blank
blank intentionally.
intentionally.
This

42

�TIlE HEMILO
GOLDDEPOSIT:
DEPOSIT: IT MAY BE GOLD BUT IT'S NOT
THE
HEMLO GOLD
NOT BLACK AND WHITE
WHITE
Ontario Geological Survey, Sudbury, Ontario,
Ontario, P3E
P3E 6B5.
6B.5.
Muir, Tom L., Ontario
Over 15 years have passed since the
the "discove@'
"discovery"of
of the Hemlo gold deposit. A
Aplethora
plethoraof
ofideas
ideas
as to its origin has
has emaged.
emerged. The
diversity
of
interpretations,
all
drawing
upon
some
type
of
The
of interpretations,
type of
hydrothermal alteration system, reflects the complex geological history
history of
of the area,
area, including
including the
the
deposit. The
interpretations regarding the deposit must be
Theimplications
implications for observations
observations and interpretations
integrated with an overall assessment of
of events.
events. The
The establishment
establishment of
of fundamental
hndamental relationships
is paramount
paramount to
to developing an
an appropriate
appropriate depositional model and
among geological events is
ultimately a reliable exploration strategy.
strategy.

The deposit
deposit currently
currently lies within one of several high strain zones, largely at or
or near
near the
the hanginghangingS-shaped, E2
F2fold.
fold. The
km amplitude, s-shaped,
The ore
ore overall
overall transgresses
transgresses
wall side of the south
south limb
limb of
of a 2.5 Ian
units. In
Inthe
thewestern
western part
partof
ofthe
thedeposit,
deposit, ore
oreoccurs
occurslargely
largelyas
as several
several east-striking,
east-striking, low-grade
low-grade
within massive
massive (subvolcanic)
(subvolcanic)and
andfbgmental,
fragmental,felsic,
felsic,quartz-plagioclase-phyric
quartz-plagioclase-phyricrocks.
rocks. In
In the
the
zones within
central and eastern parts it occurs
occurs mostly as 11 to 2 large, tabular, east-southeast-striking,
east-southeast-striking,higher
higher
grade zones
grade
zones within
within highly
highly feldspathized
feldspathized rocks.
rocks.
fundamental relationships
relationships ffom
from this
thiswork
work are
are that
that mineralization and alteration: 1) currently
currently
The hndamental
are largely structurally
3) predate
predate felsic to
stmcturally controlled; 2) post-date regional-scale
regional-scale (D2)
(DJ folding; 3)
intrusions (plutons
(plutons and
and dikes);
dikes);4)
4)predate,
predate, or
or are
are synchronous with,
with, the development
intermediate intmsions
D2 high-strain zones; 5)
1)3ductile
ductile and
and brittle-ductile
brittle-ductile flattening, which
5) predate
predate regional scale D3
of D2
superposed dextral
resulted in superposed
dextral shear
shear constrained
constmined to
to zones
zonesof
ofexisting
existinghigh
high strain
strainand/or
and/orfissile
fissile
rocks;
rock, and 6)
6 ) predate
predate regional
regional metamorphism. By
By inference,
s e r e n e , the
the mesoscopic
mesoscopicand
and microscopic
microscopic
features
represent modiied
modified primary
primaryfeatures
features and
andthe
the current
current setting of
of
features which we presently observe mpresent
the deposit does not accurately reflect the
the original
originaldeposit
deposit characteristics.
characteristics. The role of superposed
superposed
alteration and remobilization
deposit-related metals is considered to have
remobiiiition of deposit-related
have been
been generally
generally
underrated. The
Therearrangement
rearrangement of
of primary
primary characteristics impedes
impedesaa simple
simple reconstruction
reconstruction of
of the
the
mineralization/alteration
events.
mineralizatiodalteration events.
Syngenetic and skarn models do not
Syngenetic
not account
accountsufficiently
sufficientlyfor
for the
the observed
observedfield
fieldrelationships.
relationships.
However, simple porphyry and shear-zone-hosted
shear-zone-hosted models,
models, as
as presented, have notable
shortcomings. Problems
the deposit
deposit to the origin of the quartzProblems revolve
revolve around the relationship of the
plagioclase-phyric rocks,
rocks, the identification of
of superposed alteratiodmineralization
alteration/mineralization events, the
role of
of stmctural
structural control and the present distribution
initial role
distribution of
of various
various mineral
mineral phases
phases (e.g.,
(e.g.,
muscovite, microcline).
microcline). Most
of
the
ambiguity
arises
from
enigmatic
relationships
resulting
Most of the ambiguity arises f?om enigmatic relationships resulting from
fiom
history of
of superposed
superposedevents.
events. Nevertheless,
Nevertheless, the H
Hemlo
the complex history
e d o deposit does not appear to fit
a single
deposit model.
model. Rather
from an unexposed porphyry(?)
porphyry(?)
single classic deposit
Rather itit may
may be linked to fluids, fkom
magma, which were channeled by
by existing structural
structural weaknesses
weaknessesduring
duringactive
activetectonism.
tectonism.

43

�This
This page
page l left
e f t blank
blank intentionally.
intentionally.

44

�PETROGENESIS
PETROGENESISOF
OFCIIENGWATANA
CHENGWATANA VOLCANICS, MINNESOTA
MINNESOTA AND
AND WISCONSIN
WISCONSIN
KarlR.,
R.,Geology
GeologyDepartment,
Department, Macalester
Macalester College, St. Paul,
NAIMAN, Zachary J., WJIRTH,
WIRTH, Karl
Paul,
MN 55105, znaiman@macalester.edu,
wirth@macalester.edu
znairnan@macalester.edu,wirth@macalester.edu
The Chengwatana
Chengwatana Volcanics (CV),
(CV), aa &gt;3000
&gt;3000 meter
meter unit
unit of
of high
high iron
iron and
and aluminum tholeiitic basalt
interflow sediments,
2.0
with interflow
sediments,were
were erupted
erupted south
south of the presumed Penokean
Penokeansuture
suturezone
zone(the
(thesite
siteof
of 2.0
Ga
southward
dipping
subduction)
and
are
the
southernmost
exposed
lavas
of
the
1.1
Ga
Midcontinent
Ga southward dipping subduction)
the southernmostexposed
Ga Midcontinent
rift (MCR),
studying magmatic
magmaticprocesses
processesalong
alongthe
the rift
rift axis.
axis. CV
(MCR), making them ideal for studying
CV flows
flows
contain
An), clinopyroxene
contain primary
primary plagioclase
plagioclase(—60%
(-60% modal An,.),
clinopyroxene(—30%
(-30% modal
modalWo35En45Fs),
W o E n 4 F s ) ,and
and
Fe-Ti oxides
modal). The
The geochemistry
geochemistryof
of the
the CV
CV is
is similar
similar to
to basalts from other eruptive
(-8% modal).
oxides (—8%
centers
MCR; the flows are characterized
characterized by
by low
low magnesium
magnesium (Mg#=
(Mg# = 0.58-0.37), and can
centers along
along the
theMCR;
be divided
divided into
low-Ti02 groups,
Volcanics (PLV).
into high- and low-TiO,
groups, resembling
resemblingthe
the Portage
PortageLake
LakeVolcanics
(PLV). The
TheCV
CV
are
enriched in incompatible
elements (TTE)
(ITE) similar
are enriched
incompatibletrace elements
similarto
toPLV
PLV basalts
basalts as
as well
well as
as basalts
basalts from
from the
the
Powder Mill Group
of the Mamainse Point Formation (MPF), but exGroup (PMG), and group 6 flows of
hibit more pronounced
Nb and
and Ta
Ta anomalies.
anomalies. ITE are negatively correlated with Mg# and are
pronounced Nb
positively
positively correlated
correlatedwith
withTi02.
TiO. Isotopic
Isotopiccompositions
compositions(ENd
(Gfrom
from 4fl
V.11 to 4.5)
-4.5)are
arepositively
positively correcorreabundances and
and ratios
ratios (eg.
(eg.Y,
Y,
lated with the Nb anomalies and are negatively correlated with ITE abundances
of fractional
crystallization (e.g.,
(e.g., Mg#).
Mg#). Petrographic
La/Sm), Ti02
LdSm),
T i 0 ,, and indices of
fractional crystallization
Petrographic observations
observations
coupled with geochemical
CV were
were derived
derived from
from an enriched
enriched mantle source,
coupled
geochemical trends suggest that the CV
similar
and assimilated
assimilated continental
continental crust while fractional
fractional crystallization
similar to some
some other MCR rocks, and
crystallization
occurred in
in cmstal
crustalmagma
magma chambers.
chambers.
occurred
Geochemical
constraints on the petrogenetic
petrogenetic processes
processes involved
Geochemicalmodeling
modeling provides constraints
involved in
in CV
CV genesis and evolution. Mass-balance
Mass-balance models'
models1demonstrate
demonstratethat
that the
the major
major element
element trends
trendsexhibited
exhibited by
by
the CV
CV flows
flows can
can be
be accounted
accounted for by 5-50% crystallization of varying
varying proportions
proportions of
of olivine
olivine(0(06%),
clinopyroxene(0-15%),
(0-15%),magnetite
magnetite(0-5%),
(0-5%),and
and ilmenite
ilmenite (0-5%).
(0-5%). Al6%), plagioclase (5-20%),
(5-20%), clinopyroxene
though
section, geophysical
though no
no olivine
olivineis
is observed
observed in thin section,
geophysicalstudies
studiesof
of the
theMCR2
MCR2suggest
suggest the
the presence
presence
crust which
which might
mightbe
bemafic
maficcumulates.
cumulates. Representative
of high-velocity layers in the lower crust
Representative models
illustrated in
in Figure
Figure 1.1.
are illustrated
ClosedClosed- (Rayleigh)
(Rayleigh)and
andopen-system
open-system(RFC)3
(RFC)3fractional
fractional
3
crystallization
crystallizationmodels
models(using
(usingmineral
mineral proportions
proportions predicted
predicted
by the mass-balance
mass-balance equations
equations and
and from
from petrographic
petrographic
analysis) successfully
successfullymodel
model the
the enrichment
enrichment of
of some
some trace
trace
analysis)
elements (e.g.,
but fail
fail to
to model
model highly $
elements
(e.g., Zr,
Zr, Hf, Y;
Y;Fig. 2a), but
incompatible
trace
elements
and
ratios
(e.g.,
La/Sm,
incompatible trace elements and ratios (e.g., LaISm,
ZrlZr/X' 22
Nb;
Nb;Fig. 2b,c).
0
fr&lt;
5.1%0l
Models of combined
combined fractional
crystallization
and
asfractional crystallization
11.9%plag
81%melt
Fig. I
similation
similation have been used to account for the geochemical
variation
in
basalts
from
various
pans
of
the
MCR.
Simple
variation basalts
parts of the MCR Simple
i1
0.4
0.5
0.6
03I
0.4
0.6
mixing models
models between
between CV
CV and
and average
average Archean granumixing
lite do
do not
not accurately
accurately predict
predict trace
trace element
element compositions
compositions
of CV flows,
flows, but
but Nd
Nd isotopic
isotopic compositions constrain the
amount of cmstal
crustal component in the CV to
Combined assimilation
assimilation and
and fractional
fractional crystallicrystallito &lt;30%.
&lt;30%. Combined
crustal compositions
compositions
zation (AFC) model?
models4with
with 15%
15%and
and 30% crustal assimilation
assimilation of a variety of crustal

;

.

0

"

45

�250

I

•

I

I

I

Alt (rO.I5)

200 -

N 150

—

Alt ( r03O)

;RFc(.cycles)

F=0.95

S

Fig. 2a
AFC (-0.30)

a

3

•

••

•

85

(ID
= 095
1P=0.95

41015

Ct

—

,. A(r0.I5.

0.8

0.7

'Rayltith
20
XI

RFC (#
cycles)
G cycles)

4

2

.0 iS

.1
•• ..
•

z

N 10

-

••

.
•

•*•

• .1

•

.1

.

0

I

I

20

I

II

I

$

is

RFC(#
RFâ
C cycles)
Net)

5

25
2s

Fig.2b
Fig.
2b

(lower, upper,
upper, and
and bulk
bulk crust;
ernst; granulite; shale) suc(lower,
cessfully predict N4
E N and
and most trace element
element abunabundances of
of enriched
enriched CV
CVflows
flows (Fig.
(Fig. 2a,b).
2a,b). AFC modpredict the
the low Nb (high Zr/Nb, Fig.
Fig. 2c).
2c).
els do not predict
The low Nb concentrations can be explained by
by
(1) assimilation
of a crustal components with
assimilation of
with exextremely low concentrations
concentrations of
of Nb
Nb relative to ITE, (2)
(2)
derived from
from lithospheric
lithospheric mantle
melts derived
mantle that
that was
was varivariin Nb
Nbrelative
relative to
to other
other ITE,
ITE, or (3) melts
melts
ably depleted in
asthenospheric mantle which
which had incomincomderived from asthenospheric
patible elements,
elements, but
butlittle
littleNb,
Nb, added
added during
during chemichemical interaction with lithospheric
lithospheric mantle.5 Lithoscal
pheric mantle could
could have
have become
become enriched in incompatible elements
elements (relative
(relative to
to Nb)
Nb) by metasomatism
metasomatism
related to Penokean
Penokean subduction.
subduction. An
An enriched
enrichedmanUel
mantle1
lithospheric
mantle source
source for
for MCR rocks has
lithospheric mantle
has been
been
proposed for volcanics
volcanics from
from the early stages
stages of riftrifting, including flows from
from the
the MPF
MPFand
andthe
thePMG.678
PMG.6"x
A modified
mantle source has also
modified lithospheric mantle
also been
proposed for the Portage Lake Volcanics.9'°
volcanic^?^^^
Geochemicalmodels
modelsindicate
indicate that
that a variety of
Geochemical
petrogenetic processes,
processes, including
including derivation
derivation from mulpmgenetic
mantle sources,
sources, crustal
crustal assimilation, and fractiple mantle
tional crystallization,
crystallization,operated
operated to
to produce the trace
tional
element and isotopic
isotopic variations
variations exhibited
exhibitedby
bythe
theCV.
CV.

Fig.2c
Fig.
2c
II

40
30
40
Y
(ppm)
y(PP~)

I
I

0

50
50

0.95

-2
References
References
F = 0.35

(1) Bryan,
Finger, L.W.,
Chayes, F.,
Bryan,W.B.,
W.B.,Finger,
L.W.,and
andChayes,
F., 1969,
1969,
Science
926-927. (2)
Allen, D.J.,
Science 163,
163.926-927.
(2)Allen.
D.J.. Braile,
Braile. L.W.,
L.W..
Hint, WJ.,
Mariano, J.,
Hinze.
WJ..and
&amp;d~ariano,
J.,1995,
1995,Continental
continentiRifts:
~ifts:
Evolution, Structure,
Tectonics, 375-407. (3) O'Hara,
Evolution,
Structure,Tectonics,
M.J., 1977,
503-507. (4)
M.J.,
1977, Nature, 266,
266,503-507.
(4)DePaolo,
DePaolo,D.J.,
D.J.,
1981, Earth
Earth Planet.
Planet. Sci. Len.,
53,
189-202.
Lett., 53, 189-202. (5)
(5)

.

-4
4

-6
-6

AFC(d.15)

F = 02%

AFC(r.3)
AX
(d.3)
t

0

55

Fig.
Fig. 3

1
10
10

Patchet,
1993,
Patchet, P.J.,
RJ., Lehnert, M.R.,
M.R., and Sieber,
Sieber, G.,
0., 1993,
Th
Th ( PmP ~
Journal of Petrology,
Petrology, 35,
35, 1095-1125.
1095-1125. (6) Shirey,
Shirey,
Steven B, Klewin, Kenneth
Kenneth W.,
W., Berg, Jonathan H.,
H.,
W., 1994, Geochimica et
et Cosmochimica
CosmochitnicaActa,
Acta,58,4475-44906.
58, 4475-44906. (7) Klewin,
and Carison,
Carbon, Richard W.,
Klewin, K.W.,
K.W., and
and Berg,
Berg,
J.H., 1991, Journal of Geophysical
Geophysical Research, 96,457-474.
96,457-474. (8)
J.H.,
(8)Miller,
Miller,J.D.,
J.D., and
and Vervoort, J.D..
J.D., 1996,
1996,Institute
Instituteon
onLake
Lake
Superior Geology, 33-35. (9)
GeochimicaetetCosmochimica
CosmochimicaActa,
Acta,53,2023-2035.
53, 2023-2035. (tO)
Superior
(9) Paces, J.B.,
J.B., and Bell, K., 1989, Geochimica
(10)
Nicholson, S.W.,
S.W., and Shirey, S.B.,
S.B., 1990,
1990, Journal of Geophysical Research, 95, 10,851-10,868.
10,851-10.868.

46

�CORRELATIVE SEQUENCES
SEQUENCESWITHIN
WItHIN THE MARQUETtE
(MICHIGAN)AND
AND THE
THE
MARQUETTERANGE
RANGE SUPERGROUP
SUPERGROUP (MICHIGAN)
I-IURONIAN
SUPERGROUP
(ONTARIO):
GLAaOGENICS,
PALEOSOLS,
AND
ORTHOQUARTZ1ES
HURONIAN SUPERGROUP (ONTARIO): GLAdOGENICS, PALEOSOLS, AND ORTHOQUARTZFTES

-

Ojakangas, Richard W
W.,
Geology, University
Universityof
of Minnesota - Duluth
Duluth
,. Department
Department of Geology,
Duluth, Minnesota 55812
55812
In the
the Early
of the Upper Peninsula
subvertical
Early Proterozoic
ProterozoicMarquette
MarquetteRange
Range Supergroup
Supergroup of
Peninsula ooff Michigan,
Michigan, subvertical
diamictite and
dropstone-beadng
units
that
unconformably
overlie
Archean
basement
(the
and dropstone-bearing units that unconformably overlie Archean basement (theFern
FernCreek
Creek
Formation
of
the
Iron
Mountain
area
and
the
Enchantment
Lake
Formation
of
the
Marquette
Trough)
Formation of the Iron Mountain area
Lake Formation of
Marquette Trough) have
have

been considered glaaogenic
glaciogenic and
and correlative
correlative(Pettijohn,
(Pettijohn, 1943;
1943; Gair,
Gair, 1981;
1981; Ojakangas,
Ojakangas, 1984).
1984).
Orthoquartzite
units
which
overlie
these
two
units
(the
Sturgeon
Quartzite
and
the
Mesnard
Orthoquartzite units which overlie these two units (the Sturgeon Quartzite and the MesnardQuartzite,
Quartzite,
respectively)
also be
be correlative
correlative(e.g.,
(e.g., Morey,
Morey,1972;
1972; Young,
Young, 1983).
1983).
respectively) have
have long
long been
been assumed
assumed tto
o also
Mother basal
Archean basement on the
the northern
Another
basalconglomeratic
conglomeraticunit
unitunconformably
unconformably overlying
overiying Archean
northern
CreekFormation)
Formation)has
hasbeen
beeninterpreted
Interpretedinindifferent
different ways.
ways. A
edge of the
the Marquette
MarquetteTrough
Trough (the
(the Reany
Reany Creek
glacial origin
origin has
hasbeen
beenclaimed
daimedby
byPuffett
Puffett (1
(1960),
Gair(1
(1981)
Ojakangas(1(1984),
but Mattson
960), Gair
981) and Ojakangas
984). but
Mattson and
glacial
Cambray(1
(1983)
without the
Cambray
983) a,ued
arguedfor
fora amass-flow
mass-flowmechanism
mechanism of deposition without
the lnwAvement
involvement of
of glaciers.
glaciers.
age was
was proposed
proposedby
bySmall
Smalland
andBomhorst
Bomhorst(1988).
(1988).Sims
Sims(1991)
(1991) Interpreted
Interpreted the
A possible Archean age
the
Reany Creek
Creekas
as an
an Archean
Archean strike-slip
strike-slip basin
basinfill
fill along
along aa major
major fault.
fault.
Reany
The Reany Creek,
Creek,which
whichtops
topssouth,
south,isisshown
shownonongeologic
geologicmaps
mapsas
asbeing
beingininfault
fault contact
contact with
both
MchigammeSlate
Slate(Formation)
(Formation)and
andwith
withsheared
shearedrhyolite
rhyolitetuff
tuff of
both the
the overlying
overiyingEarly
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic Mchigamme
the Archean
Mona
Schist.
However,
recent
field
work
has
verified
an
observation
by
Puffett
(1974,
Archean
Schist. However, recent field work has verified an observation by Puffett (1974, p.
23) that
a
quartzite
mapped
Creekmight
mightsomeday
somedaybe
beproven
provent to
belong tto
that a quartzite mappedas
asuppermost
uppermostReany
Reany Creek
o belong
oa
I
contend
that
this
unnamed
quartzite
is
a
remnant
of
a
faulted-out
overlying
different formation.
that
unnamed quartzite is a remnant of a faulted-out
formation.
quartzite unit
unitthat
thatisiscorrelative
correlativewith
withthe
theSturgeon
Sturgeonand
andMesnard
MesnardQuartzites.
Quartzites.
Creek Formation
Formationisisoverlain
overlainbybythe
theSturgeon
SturgeonQuartzite.
Quartzite.AA two-meter
two-meter thickness of
The Fern Creek
of
just beneath the Sturgeon
Quartzite and it
it was.
suggested by Trow
was suggested
sericite schist is
is exposed
exposed locally just
Sturgeon Quartzite
(1948) that ititrepresents
Creek. A similar
sericite schist is Interbedded
(1948)
representsaazone
zone of
ofweathered
weathered Fern Creek.
similar seriate
interbedded with
quartzite
in
the
uppermost
Enchantment
Lake
Formation
near
the
contact
with
the
overlying
Mesnard
quartzite in the uppermost Enchantment Lake
near the contact with the overlyingMesnard
Quartzlte.
Similarly,
In
the
upper
Reany
Creek,
sheared
sericite
schist is
Is present
present beneath
beneath the
Quartzite. Similarly, In the upper Reany Creek, sheared seridte schist
the unnamed
unnamed
quartzite
units and
quartzite unit
unitmentioned
mentionedabove.
above. The
Theseticite
seriate schists
schists between
between the three glaclogenic
gladogenic units
and the
the
overlying quartzites are herein interpreted tto
(i.e.,
e., paleosol
paleosd or reworked
reworked paleosol)
paleosol)
overiying
o be
be metaregolith
metaregdith (I.
units. The overlying
oveilying quartzites
quartzites are
areinterpreted
interpreted tto
products of
formed upon the glaciogenic
gladogenic units.
o be products
of the
the
cover of
of glaciogenic
glaciogenicmaterial
material (i(i.e.,
the paleosol) that
erosion and reworking of a deeply weathered
weathered cover
.e., the
thatwas
was
The tripartite
tripartite sequence
present on the
the Early
EarlyProterozoic
Proterozoic land
land surface.
surface. The
sequence of glaciogenic
glactogenic rock, paleosol,
paleosol, and
quartzite
thus interpreted
interpreted as erosional remnants of
quartzite ininthree
threeareas
areasof
ofthe
theUpper
UpperPeninsula
Peninsula of Michigan
Michigan isis thus
what was
and likely
likely continuous
continuoussequence.
sequence.This
Thissimilarity
similarityin
in lithology,
lithology, stratigraphy,
stratigraphy,
was once aa widespread
widespread and
and interpreted
evidence that
that the
as strong
strong circumstantial evidence
the three
threesequences
sequences are
are
interpreted history
historyisisherein
herein cited
cited as
indeed correlative.
correlative.
The Huronian Supergroup
Supergroup200
200 km tto
the east
o the
east in
in Ontario
Ontario contains
contains three
threeglaciogenic
glaciogenicunits—the
units-the
Ramsay
Lake,the
the Bruce,
Bruce, and
andthe
the Gowganda
GowgandaFormations
Formations(e.g.,
(e.g.,Young,
Young,1981a,
19813,1981b).
1981 b). The
The uppermost,
uppermost,
Ramsay Lake,
been
units(e.g.,
(e.g.,Puffett,
Puffett, 1969;
1969; Young,
Young,1970,
1970, 1983;
1983;
the Goanda,
Gowganda,has
has
beencon-elated
correlated with
with the
the Michigan
Michigan units
Ojakangas,
1988). Description
Formation that
that oveilies
Ojakangas, 1988).
Descriptionof
ofan
aninterpreted
interpretedpaleosol
paleosol within the
the 10.-rain
Lorrain Formation
overlies the
the
Is in
In preparation
preparation by
Mamio,and
and R.R.Ojakangas;
Ojakangas;this
thispaleosol
paleosol is
Is being
being Interpreted
by K.
K. Card,
Card, .1.
J. Manno,
Interpreted
Gowganda is
as con-elative
with those in
(1983)
correlative with
in Michigan.
Michigan. Young
Young (1
983) emphasIzed
emphasized that
thatthe
theMichigan
Michigansequences
sequences of
of
glaciogenic rock, quartzite, and
(e.g., Kona
Kona Dolomite)
Dolomite) can
can be
be correlated
correlated with
glaaogenic
and overlying dolomite (e.g.,
with the
the
Ontario
Lonain, and
and Gordon
GordonLake
LakeFormations.
Formations. Recent
RecentCCIsotope
Isotope studies
studies have
Ontario sequence
sequence of
of Gowganda,
Gowganda, Lonain,
also been used as evidence
Sdence for
forcon-elation
correlationof
ofcarbonate
carbonateunits
unitsin
inthe
thedescribed
describedsequences
sequencesas
as well
well as
as
correlation with
with Early
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoiccarbonate
carbonate
units
'oming (Bekker
(Bekkeret
et alal.,
1996). Correlation
correlation
units
in in
Wyoming
., 1996).
Correlation with
with
was proposed
proposed earlier
earlier (Marmo
(Mamlo and
similar Early Proterozoic
Proterozoicsequences
sequences in
in Finland
Finland and Russia
Russia was
andOjakangas,
Ojakangas,
1984;
1984; Ojakangas,
Ojakangas, 1985,
1985, 1988)
1988)and
andthe
thepossible
possibleexistence
existence of
of an
an Early
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic supercontinent
supercontinenthas
has
proposed (Ojakangas
et al.,
been proposed
(Ojakangas et
at., 1991).
The correlation
Supergroupwith
withthe
thelower
lowerpart
part of
of the
correlation of
of the
the upper
upper part
part of
of the
the Huronian
Huronian Supergroup
the
Marquette Range Supergroup
Supergroupisissteadily
steadilybeing
beingstrengthened
strengthenedininspite
spiteofofthe
the lack
lackof
of radiometric
radiometric dates
dates in
in
Marquette
the
the Marquette
MarquetteRange
RangeSupergroup.
Supergroup.

47

�______
______
______

REFERENCES
REFERENCES

Bekker, A,
A., Karhu,
Karhu,J.,J.,and
andBennett.
Bennett,G.G.,
1996, Lomagundi
Lomagundievent
eventin
in North
NorthAmerica:
America: Application for
, 1996,
Bekker,
stratigraphic correlation
correlation (ethsj:
(Abs,): Geological
Geological Society
Society of
ofAmerica
America Program
Program and
and Abstracts,
Abstracts,
Denver, CO.
CO.
Gair,
1981, Lower Proterozoic glacial
glacial deposits
deposits of
of northern Michigan,
Michigan,U.S.A..
U.S.A.:jaHambrey,
jHambrey, M.J.
Gair, J.1.
. E.,E.,1981,
MJ.
and Harland,
Hariand, W.B.,
W.B., (eds.),
(eds.), Earth's
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PleistoceneGlacial
Glaaal Record,
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Cambridge University
University
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Press,
p. 803-806.
Marmo,
J.S.,
Ojakangas, 1984,
1 984, Lower
Lower Proterozoic
Proterozoic glaaogenic
glaciogenic deposits,
deposits, eastern
Marmo, J.
S., and Ojakangas,
eastern Finland:
Finland:
GeologicalSociety
Societyof
of America
AmericaBulletin
Bulletinv.v.95,
95, p.
p. 1055-1062.
Geological
Cambray,FF.
W.,
1983, The
The Reany
ReanyCreek
CreekFormation:
Formation:aa mass-flow
mass-flow deposit
deposit of
R. and Cambray,
. W
., 1983,
Mattson, S.
S. R.
possible post-Menominee
post-Menominee age
age (Abs.):
(Abs.): Proceedings
Proceedingsand
andAbstracts,
Abstracts,29th
29th Institute
Institute on
onLake
Lake
Superior Geology,
Houghton, MI,
Ml, p.
p. 27.
Geology, Hwghton,
Morey,
geologic setting:
setting: jg
Morey, 6.
G 8.,
B., 1972,
1972,Middle
MiddlePrecambrian:
Precambrian: General
General geologic
inSims,
Sirns, P.K.
P.K. and
andMorey,
Morey, G.B.
GB.
(eds.), Geology
Survey, p
p.. 199-217.
(eds.).
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Centennial Volume.
Volume. Minnesota
MinnesotaGeological
Geological Survey,
Ojakangas, R
R.
W.,
1984, Basal
Ojakangas,
. W
., 1984,
Basal Lower
Lower Proterozoic
Proterozoic glaciogenic
glaaogenic formations,
formations, Marquette
MarquetteRange
Range
Supeigroup, Upper
tipper Peninsula,
Michigan(Abs.):
(Abs.): Proceedings
Proceedingsand
andAbstracts,
Abstracts, 30th
30th Annual
Supergroup,
Peninsula, Michigan
Institute on
WI,
p. 43.
43.
Institute
onLake
LakeSuperior
SuperiorGeology,
Gedogy, Wausau,
Wausau, Wl
, p.
for Early
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoicglaaation:
glaciation: the
the dropstone unitdiarnictite
unit-diamictite association:
-1985, 1985, Evidence
Evidence for
association:
Geological Survey
Surveyof
of Finland,
Finland,Bulletin
Bulletin331,
331, p.
p. 51-72.
51-72.
Geological
__1
Glaciation:
An An
uncommon
"mega-event"
-1 988,988,
Glaciation:
uncommon
"mega-event"asasaakey
keytot ointracontinental
intracontinentaland
andintercontinental
intercontinental
correlation of Early
basin fill,
fill, North American
and Baltic
Baltic cratons:
cratons: in
in Kleinspehn,
Kleinspehn,
Early Proterozoic basin
American and
K.L. and Paola,
C., (eds.),
(eds.), New
1-444.
New Perspectives
Perspectives in
in Basin
Basin Analysis,
Analysis, Springer-Verlag,
Springer-Verlag, p. 43
431-444.
K.L.
Paola, C.,
Ojakangas, R.W.,
1 991, Early
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoicglaciogenic
glaciogenicdeposits:
deposits: A
R.W., Heiskanen, K.l.,
K.I., and
and Marmo,
Marmo, J.S.,
J.S., 1991,
connection?j Ojakangas,
North America-Baltic
America-Baltic connection?&amp;
Ojakangas,R.
R. W.,
W., (ed.),
(ed.), Precambrian
Precambrian Geology of the
the
Shield and
and the
the Eastern
Southern Canadian Shield
Eastern Baltic
Baltic Shield,
Shield, Minnesota
Minnesota Geological Survey
Survey
Circular 34,
34, p.
p. 83-91.
Information Circular
Pettijohn, F.
F. J.,
J., 1943,
1943,Basal
BasalHuronian
Huronian conglomerates
conglomerates of MenoMnee
Menomineeand
and Calumet
Calumet districts,
districts, MIchigan:
Michigan:
Pettijohn,
Journal of
of Geology,
51, p.
Geology, v.v. 51,
p. 387-397.
Puffett, W.
W. P.,
P., 1969,
1969,The
TheReany
ReanyCreek
Creek Formation,
Formation, Marquette
MarquetteCounty,
County, Michigan:
Michigan: U.S.
U.S. Geological Survey
Survey
Bulletin 1274-F,
1274-1, 25 p.
Bulletin
1 974, Geology of
of the Negaunee
Quadrangle, Marquette
Marquette County, Michigan:
,
1974,
Negaunee Quadrangle,
Michigan: U.S.
U.S. Geological
Geological
Professional Paper
Paper788,
788, 53 p.
Survey Professional
Sims,
P.K.,
for Archean
Sirns, P.
K., 1991, Great
Great Lakes
Lakes Tectonic
Tectonic Zone
Zone in
in Marquette
Marquettearea,
area, Michigan—Implications
Michigan-Implications for
U.S. Geological
GeologicalSurvey
SurveyBulletin
Bulletin 1904-E,
1 904-E, 17
17 p.
tectonics in
in North-Central
North-Central United
United States: U.S.
1 988 The
The Reany
Reany Creek
Creek Formation,
Formation, Northern
Northern Marquette
Marquette County,
Small, JJ.R.,
and Bomhorst, 1.
J., 1988
County,
T. J.,
Small,
.R., and
Michigan:Archean
ArcheanororProterozoic?
Proterozoic?(Abs.)
(Abs.):: Proceedings
Proceedingsand
andAbstracts,
Abstracts,34th
34th Annual
Annual Institute
Michigan:
on Lake
Lake Superior
Superior Geology,
Geology, Marquette,
Marquette, Ml,
MI, p.
p. 104105.
104-105.
Trow, J.W.,
J.W., 1948, The
The Sturgeon
Sturgeon Quartzite of
of the
theMenominee
Menominee district,
district, Michigan:
Michigan: Unpublished
UnpublishedPh.D.
Ph.D.
Thesis,
Thesis, University of
of Chicago.
Chicago.
Young, G.
6. M.,
M., 1970,
1970, An
An extensive
extensive early
early Proterozoic
Proterozoic glaciation
glaaation in
in North
NorthAmerica?:
America?: Palaeogeography,
Palaeogeography,
Young,
Palaeoclimatology,
p. 85-101.
85-1 01.
Palaeodirnatology, Palaeoecology,
Palaeoecology, v.
v. 7, p.
1981 a, The
The early
early Proterozoic
ProterozoicGowganda
GowgandaFormation,
Formation,Ontario,
Ontario,Canada:
Canada:inj Hambrey,
,
1981a,
Hambrey, MJ.,
MJ., and
and
Hartand,
W.
B. (eds.),
Record, Cambridge
CambridgeUniversity
University Press,
Press, p.
p.
Harland, W
. B.
(eds.), Earths
Earths Pre-Pleistocene
Pre-Pleistocene Glacial
Glaaal Record.
807-812.
807-81 2.
1981 b,b, Diarnictites
Diamictites of
of the
Lake and
and B
Bruce
Formations,north
north shore
shore
-,
1981
the early
eariy Proterozoic
Proterozoic Ramsay
Ramsay Lake
N C ~Formations,
in Hambrey, M.J.
M.J. and
and Hariand,
Hailand, W
W.B.,
(eds.), Earth's
of Lake
Lake Huron,
Huron, Ontario,
Ontario, Canada:
Canada: in
.B., (eds.),
Earth's PrePreGlacial Record,
Record,Cambridge
CambridgeUniversity
UniversityPress,
Press,p.p. 790-794.
790-794.
Pleistocene Glacial
1983, Tectono-sedimentary
of Early
Early Proterozoic rocks of the
the northern
northern
Tectono-sedimentary history of
Medaris,LL.G.,
Jr.(ed.),
(ed.), Early
EarlyProterozoic
ProterozoicGedogy
Geologyof
of the
the Great Lakes
in Medaris,
Great Lakes region: jn
.G., Jr.
Region,
GeologicalSociety
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America Memoir
Memoir 160,
160, p.
p. 15-34.
Region, Geological
15-34.

48

�Applications for
for Archean
Archean Gold
Gold Exploration:
Exploration: Using
Using Canadian
Canadian Mining
Mining Camp
Camp GIS Queries to
GIS Applications
Target Gold Exploration in Minnesota
DEAN M. PETERSON

Research Lab,
Lab, Geology
GeologyDepartment,
Department, University of
of Minnesota
Minnesota - Duluth,
Duluth,
Economic Volcanology Research
Duluth, Minnesota,
Minnesota. USA
USA 55812
55812

is to
to discover
discover ore
ore mineralization
mineralization before
before funding is
The objective
objective of mineral exploration is
in the
the exploration
exploration team.
team.Exploration
Exploration tends
tends to
to use
use the
exhausted or management loses confidence in
simplest, cheapest, and lowest risk criteria,
criteria, methods,
methods, and
and ore
ore deposit
deposit models
models available.
available. However,
However, as
as
and deposits
deposits become
becomemore
moredifficult
difficultto
todiscover,
discover,exploration
exploration risks
risks increase,
increase, and
and the
the
mining camps mature and
to mineral
mineral exploration
exploration increases.
increases. In
In this
this case,
case, the
the exploration
exploration
amount of data potentially applicable to
enhanced exploration methods and ore deposit models, that incorporate
geologist must use enhanced
incorporateadditional
additional
data,
to
continue
to
discover
new
ore
deposits.
data, continue to discover new ore
explorationgeologist.
geologist.This
This
Today, vast quantities of geological information are available to the exploration
information includes field notes and measurements, geological maps, drill hole data,
data, geochemical
geochemicaldata,
data,
geophysical survey data, remote sensing data,
data, and
and geologic
geologic literature.
literature.Geologists
Geologists must
must integrate
integrate vast
vast
quantities
of
data
covering
large
areas
in
order
to
determine
the
best
criteria
for
effective
mineral
quantities data covering
in order to determine the best criteria for effective
exploration.
exploration. Currently,
Currently, the
the best
best method to integrate
integrate large data sets
sets is to store
store all
all geologic
geologicinformation
informationinto
into
a Geographic
overlays of
(- &lt;10km2),
&lt;10km2),simple light-table overlays
GeographicInformation
Information System
System(GIS).
(GIs). For small
small areas
areas (-.
geological,
geological, geochemical,
geochemical, and geophysical data may be appropriate for interpretation.
interpretation. However,
However, small
small
analog data compilations
typically
do
not
answer
the
larger
questions
dealing
with
the
fundamental
compilations
dealing with the fundamental
controls
types of
of ore
ore deposits.
deposits. For Archean mesothennal
mesothermal
controls on the
the formation and spatial location of specific types
gold deposits, fundamental mineral exploration questions include:
Which greenstone
greenstone belt should
should be
be explored?
explored?
in the
the greenstone
greenstone belt
beltshould
shouldexploration
explorationbe
beconcentrated?
concentrated?
Where in
What are
are the best
best criteria
criteriafor
for target
target selection
selection in
inthe
theconcentrated
concentratedexploration
exploration area?
area?

Geologic
GIS format for the Hemlo, Timmins,
Geologic compilations
compilationshave been converted into GIs
Timmins, and
and
Kirkland Lake
Cadillac-Bousquet-Malarctic
Lake gold camps of Ontario. An additional GIS data set from the Cadillac-Bouquet-Malarctic
completion. The
TheGIS
GISdata
dataincludes
includesgeology,
geology,1"
,l 2ndand
gold camp in Quebec is near completion.
and3r4
3"' order
order shear
shear zones
zones
(Figure
(Figure 1),
I), faults,
faults, alteration,
alteration, gold mines, gold occurrences, ore zones, and quartz-gold veins.
veins. These
TheseGIS
GIs
data
015 data set covering
covering 6000
of northeastern Minnesota. The
data sets
sets are
are being compared to a similar GIS
6000km2
km2of
goal of the study
of northeastern
northeastern Minnesota
Minnesota that
that have
have geological
geological features
features similar to
to
study is to highlight areas of
present within
those present
within the
the gold
gold camps
camps of
of Canada.
Canada.
A series
exploration models have
series of Archean
Archean mesothermal gold deposit exploration
have been
been developed
developedfrom
from
015 data
data sets.
sets. The
The models
models are
are based
based on
on unique
unique queries
queries and spatial
analyzes of the Canadian gold camp GIS
analyzes
that define
define the
the location
location of
of the
the major
major gold
gold deposits
deposits in
analyzes of structural
structural and lithological attributes that
these
&lt; 1%
1% of the total area
area of the
the analog
analogmining
mining
these mining
mining camps. One
One set of unique queries that defines &lt;
camps but hosts &gt;
&gt; 90%
90% of all
all gold mined is given below (Figure
(Figure 2).
2).

2

1) Select
Select compressional
compressionaljog
jogsegments
segmentsofofI"1 Order
Order shear
shear zones
zones(Figure
(Figure lIa)
a)
Create aa 6-kilometer
Order shear
22)) Create
6-kilometerbuffer around the selected F"
Is Order
3) Intersect all
3)
all data
datalayers
layerswith
withthe
the 1"
I" Order
Ordershear
shearzone
zone buffer
4)
buffer, select
select2"'
2" Order Riedel
Riedel PP shears
shears (Figure lb,c)
Ib.c)
4 ) Within the buffer,
5)
Order shears
shears
5) Create
Createaa 200-meter
200-meterbuffer
buffer around
around the
the selected 2""
2ndOrder
6)
P-shear buffer
6)Intersect all
all data
datalayers
layerswith
withthe
the 2""
2"' Order P-shear

49

�Within the GIS environment, the outcome of these queries would
would be a new subset of geological
aspects of the original data
data that incorporates all aspects
data into a much smaller area. The geologist must now
structural, lithological, geochemical,
alteration data to target exploration
use detailed structural,
geochemical, geophysical, and alteration
exploration
programs in
in these high potential areas. The Hollinger-McIntyre
Hollinger-Mclntyre and Dome mines of the Timrnins
Timmins camp;
programs
Kirkland lake
lake gold
the Ken Addison, Upper Canada, and the Kirkland Lake Main
Main Break
Break mines
nines of the Kirkland
camp; and
and all
all of
of the
the Hemlo gold
gold mines are
are defined
defined by
by the
the simple queries
queries listed
listed above.
above. Similar
Similar queries are
being applied to the Minnesota GIS to outline areas with high potential for hosting large Archean
Archean gold
deposits.
deposits.

1st

I

Order Shear
Zone Segment Classification
" Order
S h e a r Zone
Classification

Compressional Jog
Compressional

/

A

Extensional Jog
Jog

7

A

2'"Order
2
'" Order Shear
Shear Zones
Zones
(Riedel Shear
Shear Arrays)
(Riedel
Arrays)

CIS
CIS

Classification of
of 2'td
2"i Order Shear Zones
Zones

zOrder Shears.

Figure
Figure 1.
1.

A) Classification
Classification of
of 1"
l order
ordershear
shearzone
zonesegments
segments
B) 2nd
ordershear
shear zone
zoneclassification
classification based
based on Riedel shear
shear arrays
2* order
arrays
2ndorder
order shear
shear zone
zone classification
classification
C) GIS methodology for 2°'

—R (8.6)

—R'(2.3)

P(98.6)—
FIgure
Figure 2.
2.

Coffelation of mined gold and
and 2"
Correlation
2* order
ordershear
shearzone
zoneclassification
classification for
for the
the Timmins,
Timmins,
Kirkland Lake and Hemlo Gold Camps. Values
in
millions
of
ounces
of
gold.
Values
ounces of gold.

50
50

�RE—os,SM-ND,
SM-ND, AND
ANDPB
PB ISOTOPIC
ISOTOPICCONSTRAINTS
CONSTRAINTSON
ONMANTLE
MANTLEAND
AND
CRUSTAL
CoNTlunuTroNs TO
RE-OS,
CRUSTAL
CONTRIBUTIONS
MAGMATIC SULFIDE
DULUTH COMPLEX.
MAGMATIC
SULPIDEMINERALIZATION
MINERALIZATION
IN THE DULUTH
COMPLEX.
Edward
Ripley, Department
Department of Geological
Geological Sciences,
Sciences, Indiana
Indiana University,
University, Bloomington,
Bloomington,
Edward M. Ripley,
47405; David
IN 47405;
David D. Lambert and Louise
Louise R. Frick, Victorian Institute
Institute of Earth
Earth and
and
Departmentof
ofEarth
EarthSciences,
Sciences,Monash
MonashUniversity,
Universy, Clayton,
Planetary Sciences, Department
Clayton,
VIC 3168,
3168, Australia
Australia
Previous
Previous petrologic
petrologic and
and stable
stable isotopic
isotopic studies
studies of
of sulfide
sulfide mineralization
mineralization in
in the
the Duluth
Duluth
Complex
Complex have
have led
led to
to the
the premise
premise that
that sulfide
sulfide genesis
genesis is
is strongly
strongly linked to the
the interaction
interaction between
between
mantle-derived
country rocks
rocks in
in aa rift
riftzone
zoneenvironment.
environment. In order to
mantlederived magmas and sedimentary country
more fully evaluate
evaluate the nature
nature of this interaction, and to gain an insight
insight into the possible
possible
importance of externally-derived
externally-derived metals in the ore-forming
ore-forming process, Pb, Sm-Nd, and
and Re-Os
Re-0s
isotopic studies of the Babbitt Cu-Ni deposit were initiated. Rock-types
Rock-types examined
examined include
include lowlowtroctolite that show
evidence for contamination, disseminated
sulfide troctolite
show very little petrologic evidence
disseminated
contact with country
sulfide-bearing troctolitic
troctolitic to gabbroic rocks that occur
occur close to the basal contact
country
metasedimentary xenoliths, and
and massive
massive sulfide.
sulfide. Pb isotopic values of
rocks and contain metasedimentary
of whole
whole
rocks, plagioclase mineral separates, and massive sulfides show only subtle differences,
differences, and are
are
contamination of a mantle-derived melt with a Proterozoic
Proterozoiccrustal
crustal
compatible with 3 to 5% contamination

cNd
(1.1
(1.1 Ga) values of the troctolite and gabbro samples are chondritic, and only
contaminant. Nd
sulfides show strong
the massive sulfides
strong evidence for contamination based on Sm-Nd isotopic
isotopic values.
values.
Massive
be more
more sensitive
sensitiveindicators
indicatorsof contamination
contamination in
in the
the Sm-Nd
Sm-Nd system
system
Massive sulfides
sulfides tend
tend to
to be
(apatite)
because of late-stage
late-stage incorporation
incorporationof
of aa light
lightrare
rareearth
earthelement-rich
element-richfluid
fluidinto
intoa aCa-PCI)4
Ca-PO4 (apatite)
component
ofthe
theimmiscible
immisciblesulfide
sulfideliquid.
liquid.Yes
y (1.1
component of
(1.1 Ga) values are also strongly anomalous,
anomalous,
and range from -500 to
to1300
1300in
indisseminated
disseminatedsulfide-bearing
sulfide-bearing troctolites
troctolites and
and massive
massive sulfides.
sulfides.
contamination by Proterozoic sedimentary
These values are also
sedimentary
also consistent
consistent with from 3 to 5% contamination
rocks. Elemental
30 to 60%
60% of the
the Pb
Pb
Elementaland
andisotopic
isotopicmass
massbalance
balance calculations
calculations suggest
suggest that from 30
and 0
Oss in the sulfide mineralization have been
been derived
derived from
from external
external sources.
sources. A corollary
corollary is that
other metals may also be in part derived from external sources, which would aid in explaining
explaining the
the
mineralization. Selective
compositional diversity of the sulfide mineralization.
Selective assimilation of country
country rocks by
mantle-derived
mantle-derived magmas may occur in crustal staging chambers, during ascent to shallower levels,
or in situ as a result of devolatilization reactions and partial melting.

51

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52

�The Tectonic,
MineralizationHistory
Historyof
ofthe
the Sudbury
Sudbury Structure
Structure
Tectonic, Magmatic and Mineralization
Don
H. Rousell
Rousell and
and Harold
Harold H.
H. Gibson,
Gibson, Department
Department of
of Earth
EarthSciences,
Sciences,Laurentian
LaurentianUniversity,
University,
Don H.
Sudbwy, Ontario
Ontario P3E
Sudbury,
P3E 2C6

The Sudbury Structure
major components:
components: 1)
Structure consists of three major
1) the Sudbury
Sudbury Basin;
Basin, 2) the
Sudbury Igneous
Igneous Complex (SIC) which surrounds
surrounds the basin as an elliptical collar;
collar; and,
and, 3) an outer
zone of shatter-coned
shatter-coned and
and brecciated footwall rocks. The area has gained fame as a result of the
SIC and the Ni-Cu-PGE ores
ores which it hosts, as
as well as the proposed
proposed meteorite
meteoriteimpact
impactorigin
origin for
for
the structure
structure(Sudbury
(Sudbury Event).
Event). However,
However, the
thearea
areahas
hasundergone
undergoneseveral
severalsignificant
significantArcheanArcheanProterozoic
tectonic,
magmatic
and
mineralization
events
which
have
been
largely
overshadowed
Proterozoic tectonic, magmatic and mineralization
been
overshadowed
by the Sudbury
Sudbury Event.
Event.
extension and closure, namely a
The Sudbury
Sudbury area was
was shaped
shaped by two Wilson cycles of crustal extension
Paleoproterozoic cycle and
and aa Mesoproterozoic
Mesoproterozoic cycle.
cycle. The Sudbury Structure was apparently the
the
Paleoproterozoic
site of a triple junction or
Thefirst
firstcycle,
cycle, from
from2500
2500tot o1700
1700Ma,,
Ma,
or hot-spot
hot-spot during
duringthese
thesecycles.
cycles.The
included the following events: doming (uplift of Levack
Levack gneiss complex);
complex); NW-SE extension
extension
Ni-Cu-POE,
(Matachewan dikes); N-S to NW-SE rifling
rifting (faults, mafic intrusions, sedimentation, N-Cu-PGE,
U);
diabase,Ni-Cu-PGE,
Ni-Cu-POE, Ag,
Ag, Co);
Co); and, NW-SE closure
U
); NW-SE extension
extension (Nipissing diabase,
closure (Penokean
Zn-Cu-Pb).
Orogeny, 1900-1700
1900-1700 Ma) with imposed meteorite impact (1850 Ma; Ni-CU-POE,
Ni-Cu-PGE, Zn-Cu-Pb).
NThe second cycle, from 1700
1700 to 1000
1000 Ma, included: N-S extension (alkali metasomatism, Au); NS extension (homblende
Murray fault set); NNE-SSW
(hornblende diabase
diabase dikes along Murray
NNE-SSW extension
extension(olivine
(olivine
diabase dikes); NE-SW extension (Fecunis Lake
Lake fault
fault set);
set); and,
and, NW-SE
NW-SE closure
closure (Grenville
Orogeny).
Orogeny).
The extensive and rich mineralization which
which is
is characteristic
characteristic of
of the
the Sudbury Structure,
Structure,isis related
related
magmatism. Although
Although the
the Ni-Cu-PGE
Ni-Cu-POE and ZnZnto endogenic
endogenic and impact-triggered extension and magmatism.
Cu-Pb ore are
are located
located within
within an
an impact structure, their age
age and tectonic
tectonic setting
settingisis similar
similar to
to NiNiCu-POE
the world. Geochemical arguments have been
Cu-PGE and Zn-Cu-Pb deposits
deposits elsewhere
elsewhere in the
presented which ascribe the origin of
of the
the SIC
SIC and
and its
its ores
ores to
to aa melt
melt sheet
sheet or
or to
to contaminated
mantle-derived magma. The melt sheet origin
origin divorces
divorces the
the SIC and
and its
its ores
ores from their geologic
setting
setting and pre-impact history, whereas the SIC and its ores are
are consistent
consistent with
with evolutionary,
evolutionary,
global metallogenic events. Meteorite
Meteorite impact
impact is
is interpreted
interpreted as
as aa triggering
triggering event which focussed
ore4orming processes
long-lived ore-forming
processesatatSudbury.
Sudbury.IfIfviewed
viewedin
inthis
thismanner,
manner, layered
layeredmaflc
maficintrusions
intrusions
immediate host
host rocks,
rocks,both
botholder
olderand
andyounger
youngerthan
thanthe
the SIC,
SIC, warrant
warrant farther
further
and their immediate
examination to assess
assess their potential for
for hosting
hosting Ni-Cu-POE
Ni-Cu-PGE ores.
ores.

53

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left blank

54

�OVERVIEW
OF
OVEROF THE
THE GREGOR
GmGOR GOLDFIELDS
GOLDFIELDS CORP.
COW. MARATHON (WIRE
LAKE)
GOLD PROPERTY
IN THE
LAKE) GOLD
PROPERTY IN
THE HEMLO
HEMLO AREA
AREA OF
OFCENTRAL
CENTFLU
ONTARIO, CANADA
ONTAFUO,

John M.
Resource Associates
Limited and
John
M. Siriunas,
Siriunas,P.Eng.,
P.Eng,, NR&amp;J
NR&amp;J Resource
Associates Limited
John
John Wiebe,
Wiebe, President,
President, Gregor
Gregor Goldfields
Goldfields Corp.
Corp.

Gregor
GoldfleldsCorp.
Corp.(Gregor)
(Gregor)has
hasbeen
been carrying
carrying out
out exploration work on
Gregor Goldfields
portions of
of its
its 4,000 ha Marathon-area
property since
since the
the ground
was first
Marathon-area property
ground was
fist
portions
that
staked in
in 1983,
1983,during
during the
the rush"
"rusP
thatfollowed
followedthe
the1981
1981discovery
discoveryof
ofeconomic
economic
gold
mineralization
at
ilemlo.
There
is
no
record
of
exploration
work
gold minerahation at Hemlo.
is no rword of eqloration work being
being
to
o that
that time.
time. Gold
Gold mineralization
mineralization was
was
carried out on the Gregor
Gregor property prior t
first located
located on the property
property in
in1985
1985and
andsubsequent
subsequentprograms
progrms of
of diamond
diamond
drilling have
have encountered
encountered at
at least four zones or areas
drilling
areas of
of mineralization.
mineralization. The
property area
area is
is underlain
underlainpredominantly
predominantlyby
bymafic
malicvolcanic
volcanic rocks; the auriferous
auriferous
mineralization
is
associated
with
zones
of
intense
alteration
that
occur
mineralization associated with zones of intense
that occur within
within
these volcanic
rocks. Much
Much of
of the detailed
detailed exploration
exploration work,
work, especially
especially the
the
volcanic rocks.
drilling,has
has been
beencarried
carried out
outin
in the
the central
central area of the property in the
diamond drilling,
vicinity of
of Wire
vicinity
Wire Lake.
Lake. The
The best
bestdiamond-drill
diamond-drillintersection
intersection of
of gold-bearing
gold-bearing
mineralizationtto
date is 7.39
o date
7.39 g Au/t
Adt over
ovw 3.04
3.04 m while
while grab
grab samples
samples from
fiom
minerakation
surface
have
returned
up
to
26.743
gAult.
surface
returned up ta 26.743 g Auk

55

�This
left blank
intentionally.
This page
page left
blank intentionally.

56

�PRECIOUS-METAL MINERALIZATION IN
COPPER AND PRECIOUS-METAL
IN EASTERN SAULT

STE. MARIE
M A R E MINING
MINING D1VISION
DMSION WITH
THE JENTINA
JENTINA
STE.
WITH FOCUS
FOCUS ON THE
PROPERTY,
ALBANEL AND
AND NICHOLAS
PROPERTY, ALBANEL
NICHOLAS TOWNSHIPS,
TOWNSHIPS, DISTRICT
DISTRICT OF
OF

ALGOMA
ALGOMA

M. Siriunas,
Siriunas,P.Eng.
P.Eng. and
andNeil
Neil0.0.
Willoughby,NR&amp;J
NR&amp;J
ResourceAssociates
Associates
John M.
Willoughby,
Resource
Limited
Limited
Copper mineralization
O n e o , though first
&amp;st
Copper
mineralizationin
in the
the Huronian Supergroup of
of central Ontario,
1846, has
importance
discovered aatt Bruce Mines in 184S,
has histofidly
historically been overshadowed in importance
deposits of
of
the copper-nickel
copper-nickel deposits of
by the
ofthe
the Sudbury
Sudiburyarea,
area, the
the palmplacer
paleoplacer uranium
uranium deposits
Elliot
Elliot Lake
Lake and
andthe
thesilver-arsenide
silver-anenidevein
veindeposits
depositsof
of the
theCobalt-Gowganda
Cobalt-Gowgandaregion.
region.

Previous
have postulated
postulated a variety
F'revim investigations
investigations have
variety of origins
origins for
for the copper
copper
mineralization present within the
the Huronian.
H u r o n h . The
Theemerging
emergingconsensus
consensusinineconomic
economic
geology
in general
general is that
that regional-fault
patterns and
regional-fault patterns
andzones
mnesof
ofdeformation
deformationhave
haveplayed
played
geology in
aa major
inthe
theformation
formationof
of metallic-mineral
metallic-mineraldeposits,
deposits,irregardless
irregardlessofofgeologic
geologicera,
era,
majorrole
rolein
and that
thatthe
therecognition
recognitionof
of geological
geological stactwe
can lead
leadto
to the
thediscovery
discovery
and
structure and
and alteration
alteration can
of signi6cant
significant economic
economicdeposits.
deposits.The
Thefact
factthat
that most
most researchers
researchers consider the
the HuronianHuronianM e a n interaction
interaction to
to be
beone
oneofofcontinental
continentalco]lision-subduction
collision-subduction zone
zone mechanics
mechanics
Archean
invokes
as
invokes epithermal
epithermal (Cordilleran-type)
(Cordilleran-type) and mesothermal
mesothermal (Archean-style)
(Amhean-style) models
models as
being
being applicable
applicable to the
the Huronian
Huronian Basin.
Basin.
The Flack Lake Fault is
is aa reverse
reverse thrust
thrust fault
faultof
of regional
regional extent
extent that
thatisislocated
locatedalong
along
The
the
the northern
northernboundary
boundaryof
of the
the Huronian
Hmnian volcano-sedimentary
volcano-sedimentary basin.
bash. This
Thisfault
fault was
was most
most
likely
likely an
an active
active normal
normal fault during
during the
the Archean
Archean and
and was
wasre-activated
re-activated during
during the
the
Penokean
Indications are
are that
that the
thecurvilinear,
curdinear,locally
l d yeast-west
east-westtrending,
trending,
Penokean Orogeny.
Orogeny. Indications
Hack
Rack Lake
Lake Fault
FaultSystem
Systemhas
hasproduced
produced considerable
considerable ductile
ductile shearing
shearing and
and brittle
brittle
deformation within
within the
the nearby
nearby host rocks across the
HuronianBasin.
Basin.
deformation
the northern
northern Huronian

Major
Major deposits
deposits of
of structurally-controlled
structurally-mntmlled copper
copper and
and precious-metal
precious-metal mineralization
mineralization
within Proterozoic
Proterozoic terranes
world in
in such
suchsettings
settings as
as
within
terranes can be found elsewhere in
in the world
northern
northern Australia
Australiaand
andFennoscandia.
Femoscandia. Within the
the Huronian
HuronianBasin
Basinofofcentral
centralOntario,
Ontdo,
the
occurrencesare
are associated
associated with
with the
the Murray
Murray Fault,
themost
most well-known
well-known occurrences
Fault, which
which parallels
pad&amp;
and
and lies
lies to
to the
the south
south of
of the Flack Lake Fault. Copper
Ccpper mineralization
mineralization in
in this
thisregion
region has
has
been
(43,000 tt Cu)
Cu) and
and the Pater
been exploited
exploited at
at Bruce
Bruce Mines (43,000
Pater Mine
M h e(36,000
(36,000 ttCu,
Cu,140
140kg
kg
Au, 4,300
of ckpper
copper ocmrrenm
occurrencesare
are known
known to
to be present
present along
4,300 kg
kg Ag). A number of
alongthe
the
northern
northernmargin
marginof
of the
the Basin
Basin in
in the
the vicinity
vicinity of the Flack
Rack Lake
Lake Fault;
Fault; the
theBi-Ore
Bi-Ore Mine
Mine
at
Cobre
Lake
produced
700
t
Cu
during
its
brief
period
of
production
(1948-49).
at Cobre Lake produced 700 t Cu during its brief period of production (194849).

57

�The Jentina Property
Property of AJ.
AJ. Roy
Roy of
of Sudbury,
Sudbury, Ontario,
Ontario, is located
located in Albanel
Albanel and
Nicholas
Townships
straddling
the
Flack
Lake
Fault.
Several
copper
and
Nicholas Townships straddling the Black
Several copper and preciouspreciousmetal showings
on the Jentina Property
areindicated
indicated to be
be associated
associated with
with east-west
east-west
showings on
PruperQ are
striking
striking shear
shear and
andfault
faultzones
zones associated
associated with the
the main
main system
systemof
of faulting.
faulting. The
TheNo.
No. 11
zone on the
the Jentina
Jenthia Property,
mapping, iiss thought to have
Pmperty, as
as determined
determined from surface mapping,
have
a strike
The
h.
Thezone
zonecomprises
comprises quartz-carbonate
quartz-carbonate veining
veining with
with
strike length
length of
of about
about11km.
extensive albitization, silicification
and chloritization
chloritization of
ofthe
the host
host Espanola
Espanola Formation;
silicification and
Formation;
massive
mineralizationisislocally
locallypresent.
present. The
The No.
m k v e sulphide (chalcopyrite-bomite)
(chalcopyrite-bornite) mineralization
No. 22
zone
zone is about
about 1½
1%km
h in
inlength.
length. This
'l'his zone
zoneincludes
includes quartz
quartz veining,
veining, breccias
breccias and
and
stockworks.
Considerable chloritization
ebloritizationand
and sili&amp;cation
silicificationoccur
occurwide
while albitization
albitization is
stdcworks. Considerable
is
limitet
limited Scattered
h t k r e d pods
pods ofofmassive
massive chalcopyrite
chalcopyrite occur
occur within
within this
this zone
zone which
which
transgresses
several
lithologies.
On
the
Canamiska
section
of
the
claim
bloclç
a
3
transgresses several Iithologies
Canamiska section the claim block, a 3kmIanlong
and conductive
conductive geophysical
geophysicalanomaly
anomalyhas
has been
been drill-tested
drill-tested for only
long soil geochemical and
75 m of
of its
its strike
strikelength.
length. Intersections
Intersections of
of up
up to
to1.44%
1.44% Cu
Cu over
over 19.5'
19.5' (5.9
(5.9 m)
m) were
were
encountered during
thatdrill
drillprogram
pmgram in
in1965.
1965.
during that

Regional
studies wwithin
NTSSheet
Sheet41J
41J have
have demonstrated
demonstratedthat
that the available
Regional studies
ithin NTS
available lake
lake
sediment geochemistry
especiallymagnetics,
magnetics, can
can be used as
as
geochemistxy and airborne
airborne geophysics,
geophysics, especially
effective tools
toolsto
tomap
mapgeological
geologicalstructures
structuresand
andbe
beused
usedtto
locateother
other areas,
areas, similar
o locate
M a r to
to
the Jentina,
Jentina, that
thataxe
are favourable
favourable targets
targets for mineral
mineral exploration in the region.

58

�GEOIJXIICMAWINGSYSThM
TO BEDROCK
G
E O L O G I C M A P P (CeM:
N G ~A(DIGITAL
A
~ : D AH1ROACH
I
~
K
~
O GEOLOGIC
A
~ MA
~ WNG
B
D
WAHL, T.E., MILLER, J.D.,
J.D., JR., JIRSA, M.A.,
M.A., BOERBOOM,
BOERBOOM, T.J.,
T.J., CHANDLER, V.W.,
WAHL,
A.C., Minn.
Mimi. Geological Suwev.
Survey, 2642
2642 University
University Ave.,
Ave., St.
St. Paul.
Paul, Mi~nn.,
Mimi., 55114:
55114;
RUNKEL, A.C.,
D:, Mimi.
Mii.Dept. of ~a-&amp;d
i i k l s , P.O. Box
Box 567,
567, ~
ibbin~,
DAHL, D.,
Natural ~esoukxs,
Resources, Div. of M
Minerals,
Hibbing,
Minn.,
557M. and SEVERSON, MJ., Natural
Natural Resources
Eksources Research Institute,
Institute. Univ. of
Mint, 55746;
Minn., 3051
3051 Miller
Miller Trunk
Tmnk Hwy.,
Hwy., Duluth,
Duluth, Minn., 55811.
55811.
Computers
geophysical data
Computers have
have long
long been
bcen used
nsed by geologists
geologists to visualize remotely sensed gwphysical
data and
and
manipulate
point-source data.
data. Increasingly in recent years, Geographic
manipulate and image numerical point-source
Information System
System (GIS)
(GIs) software
software has been used to produce geologic maps and to archive
archive the
the
raw data
however, to make use of the
data on
on which
which the
the maps
maps are
arebased.
based. Little has been done, however,
exceptional data-management capabilities
015 for evaluating
exceptional
capabilities of GIs
evaluating and sorting
sorting geologic,
geologic, structural,
structural,
geochemical, and geophysical
creating a geologic map.
geochemical,
geophysical data,
data, activities that must be done before creating
the Miinesota
Minnesota Geological Survey and other
other agencies have developed
developed
Over the past several
several years, the
(Geologic Mapping
GIS that consists of a graphical
graphical user
GeMS (Geologic
MappingSystem),
System), an Arc/Info-based
Adhfo-based GIs
user
interface,
image/grid
base
layers
and
data
structures
for
storing
and
manipulating
geologic
interface,imagdgrid
stmctures for storing and manipulating geologic field
the capability
capability for
forgenerating
generatingmaps.
maps. The
The utility
utility of
of GeMS
GeMS as
as itit has
has been
been
and analytical data, and the
current mapping in the notthwestem
northwestern part
part of
of the
the Duluth
Duluth Complex
Complex will
will be
be demonstrated
applied to current
at the
the poster
poster session.
session.
'

GeMS
GeMS has
has three
three major
major goals:
goals:
1.
use by
by both
both the
the geologist
geologist and
and the
the potential
potential user.
user. GeMS
I. To make a system easy to use
GeMS has
has aa
menu-driven,
menudriven, point-and-click
point-anddick interface for data entry, retrieval, manipulation, and imaging. This
This
reduces the time needed to learn how to use GIs
GIS software and
and allows
allows geologists
geologists to
to focus on using
GIS
GIs as an aid in
in making
making geologic
geologic interpretations.
intetpretations.
the subjective
subjective nature
nature of
of most
most
2. To
Todevelop
developaa flexible
flexibledata-base
data-base structure that accommodates the
nonuniformity of nomenclahm,
nomenclature, and
and the
the unique
unique mapping
mapping styles
styles of
of individual
individual
field data, the nonunifonnity
geologists,
retrieval and
and sorting of
of that
that diverse and
geologists, while
while permitting
permitting the straightforward
straightforwad rettieval
descriptive information.
descriptive
information.
3. To
allow
rendering prior
prior data
data bases
bases
To allowfor
forexpansion
expansionand
and upgrading
upgrading of the system without rendering
obsolete. GeMS
GeMSmay
mayalways
alwaysremain
remainaawork-in-progress,
work-in-progress, as
as new
new users
users identify
identify modifications
modificationsto
to
describe aa particular
particular geologic
geologic terrane.
tenane.
better suit their style
style of mapping or to better describe

of five
five gened
general functions
functions (Fig.
(Fig. 1):
1): (1)
The basic structure
smcture of GeMS consists of
(1) selection
selection of
of the
the
area, base maps,
maps, and
and overlays
overlays[SETUP];
[SETUP];(2)
(2)addition
additionand
andmodification
modificationofof basic
mapping area,
geologic data
(3) manipulation
manipulation of
of the
the data using
geologic
data [OUTCROP, SAMPLES, and STRUCTURE]; (3)
sorting, statistical,
[TOOLS];
geologic interpretation
interpretation [GFDLOGYI,
[GEOLOGY], and (5)
sortiug,
statistical, and imaging
ixnagiig tools W
LS];
(4) gwlogic
pLOTJ.This
Thisbasic
basicstructure
structureisis outlined
outlined in
in the
the startup
stamp menu of GeMS.
&amp;MS.
map plotting [PLOT].
Choices of the mapping area, base maps,
maps, and transparent
transparent overlays
overlays for
for all
all other
other GeMS
Choices
operations are made through the SETUP function.
function. The
operations
The standard
standard base for
for detailed
detailed bedrock
bedrock
Minnesota is the
theUSGS
USGS 1:24,00O-scale
1:24,000-scale(7.5')
(7.5 topographic
geologic mapping in Mimesotais
topographic quadrangle
quadranglemap,
map,
digital-raster-graphicand
anddigital-elevation-model
digital-elevation-modelformats.
formats. Low-altitude
which is available in digital-raster-graphic
Low-altitude
orthophotoquads and geophysical anomaly images
images (aeromagnetic
(aeromagnetic and
and gravity)
gravity) are
are also
also available.
available.
orthophotoquads
outcrop patte.rns,
patterns, sample
sample lwations,
locations, structure
structure symbols,
symbols, and
and other
Transparent overlays can include outcmp
point- and line-source
line-sowce data.
Basic
Basic field
field and
and analytical
analyticaldata
data are
are entered
e n t e d in three
threegeologic
geologic data
data layers—OUTCROP,
layers-OljTCROP,
SAMPLES,
STRUCTURE. Data
constructed to
tobe
bemenudriven,
menu-driven,whereby
wherebythe
the user
user
SAMF'
LFS, and STRUCTURE.
Jhta layers are constructed
appropriate term
termfor
foraaparticular
particularattribute.
attribute. The outcrop-data
selects from a look-up table the most appmpnate
outcmpdata
layer records the physical
outcrop. Attributes
physical characteristics of an outcmp.
Attributes of three
beerock
rock types
typesper
per outcrop
outcmp
may be eentered
tables, which
which have
have been
been customized
to pennit
permit
custom^ to
n t e d through one of four menu-driven tables,
description of intrusive-igneous,
sedimentary, and
and metamorphic
metamorphic rocks.
rocks. The
description
intrusive.-igneous, volcanic, sedimentaq,
The sample
sample

59

R

~

~

�___________
_____________HArea
_______
_____________
______

__________

layer
records the physical
sample and the types of analyses conducted
conducted on
layer records
physical state
state of the sample
on itit (e.g.,
(e.g.,
petrographic,
petrogmphic, microprobe,
microprobe, geochemical
geochemical (whole-rock,
(whole-rmk, isotopic,
isotopic, and assay),
assay), geophysical
geophysicalproperties,
properties,
gemhronologic). These
Thesedata
dataare
arestored
storedin
inassociated
associated files
filesand
and are
are indexed
indexed to
to aa unique
unique sample
sample
geochronologic).
identifier. The
structure
layer
records
the
type
of
linear
or
planar
feature
and
its
orientation;
its orientation;
The structure layer records the type of linear or planar feature
standard symbols
type. A
are assigned to each type.
A fourth
fourth data
data layer
layer containing
conthimg drill-hole
drill-hole infonnation
information
symbols are
soon,and
andfield
fieldphotographs
photographs may
may constitute
wnstitute aa fifth layer
layer at a later
later date.
will be added soon,
The TOOLS
TOOLS function
functionprovides
provides subroutines
subroutines for
for sorting,
sorting, numerical
numerical manipulation,
manipulation,and
andimaging
imaging
The
data from
from the
the three
three geologic
geologic data layers and related
This function is
is still
still being
beimg
of data
related data
data tables.
tables. This
develop&amp;, but
butwill
willinclude
includeoptions
optionslike
likecolor
colorcoding
ccdimgof
of outcrops
outcropsby
by specified
specifiedattributes,
attributes,and
andthe
the
developed,
calculation
calculation and
andplotting
plottingof
ofthe
thevalues
values of
of geochemical
geochemicalparameters
parameters (e.g.,
(e.g., Fo
Fo in
in olivine,
olivine,tracetraceelement
elementratios,
ratios, normative
normativeabundances).
abundances).
The
The GEOLOGY
GEOLOGYlayer
layerprovides
provides for
for the
the creation
creation and
and description
description of map
map units
units (polygons),
(polygons),unit
unit
contacts
contacts (polygon
(polygonedges),
edges), and
and linear
linear features
features like
like faults
faults (lines).
(lines).
Lastly,
to
Lastly, the
the PLOT
PLOT function
function permits
permits layout
layout and scaling
scaling of printed
p ~ t e maps
d
to include
includeany
any
combination
basematerial,
material,raw
raw or
or processed
processed data,
data, and
and geologic
geologic interpretations.
interpretations.
combinationof
of base
The
GeMSoffers
offersan
an increasingly
increasingly useful
useful tool
tool for
for the
thecollection
wllwtionand
and
Thecontinuing
continuingevolution
evolutionof
ofGeMS
manipulation
manipulationof
of geologic
geologicinformation,
information, map
map production,
production, and,
and, most
most importantly,
imporfantly,interpretation
interpretationof
of
bedrock
geology.
GeMS
can
be
used
from
the
beginning
of
a
mapping
project
to
the
final
map
bdrock geology. GeMS can be used from the beginning of a mapping project to the final map
creation
with future
future aquisitions
aquisitions of
of data.
data. In
creation and
and allows
allows for
for straightforward
straightforward upgrades with
In addition,
addition,
users
users have
have easy
easy access,
access,in
in aa geographic
geographic context,
context, to
to all
all the
the original
original information on which aa map
map
interpretation
interpretation isisbased.
based.

GeMS

H Backgroüi

i

j

Jimage

sample

topography
orlliophoto
aeromag

structure
geology

Joverlay(s)

$PCWJ

9FEb14'

SAMPLES
(points)

Jbiite

j—JAdd
J

I

I

one

frkgrounci data jsample description
petrography probe
phricalpropethes
isotope
assay
geochrunology

related data tables I—I v.ljole rock

--ABl
STRUCTURE
STRUCTURE
(points)

F-*
I

OUTCROP
lygons)

I I!*°Y

eIeJ

I

one

background data twcture typj Jorientadj

9dily j
I—kd
1bround data utcrop description

elete )—jäean }-_oone
ne

f

Jiled rock type(s) descriptions

klteon

J Intrusive Igneous
Volcanic
I Volcanic

JsuildH

I—J snta,y

lidefomlation

Metamoiphic

TOOLS
GEOLOGY

ete F—F1ean1-—Pone

Modify

dd

map unit descriptions

jLOT

I

pir-l

IQUIT

edges

F— contact relationships

v

t

1

"

8

jes —(ault&amp;dikedescdptions
faun &amp; dike d m p t i o n s

Figure
Figure 1.1. Conceptual
Conceptualframework
frameworkfor
forGeMS
GeMS

60

Build

I

�HYDROGEOLOGY OF SALINE- AND
AND BORON-BEARING
BORON-BEARiNGGROUND
GROUNDW
WATERS
INTHE
ThE
HYDROGEOLOGY
AERS l
h
'
NORTH SHORE
SHOREVOLCAMC
VOLCANICGROUP,
GROUP, MINNESOTA
MINNESOTA
TIPPING,
TIPPING, Robert
Robert G.,
G., Mimi.
Miin. Geol.
G a l . Survey,
Survey, 2642
2642 University
University Ave., St.
St. Paul,
Paul, Minn., 55114;
55114;and
and
Geol.
Univ. of
of Minn.,
Minn., 310
310 F~llsbury
Pillsbury Dr.
Dr SE,
ALLEN, Douglas, Dept. of G
a l . and Geophysics, Univ.
SE,
Minneapolis, Minn., 55455.
Mimeapolis,
Public
levels of boron
boron in ground water.
Public concern
concem grew
grew in
in late
late 1994
1994 along the North Shore over high levels
water,
The
The LTV
LTV Mining
Mining Company, which owns a large coal burning operation near the town of Schroeder,
from the
the plants
plant's fly ash piles or
initiated a study
study to
to determine
determine whether boron in ground water was from
from natural
natud sources.
sources. The
Theresulting
resultingreport(6)
report(6)shows
showsthat
thatboron
boron isis at
at levels
levels above
abovethe
therecommended
mommended
allowable limit of 300
North Shore
Shore and
and concluded
concluded that
that it is
allowable
300 ppb in ground water all along the Nor&amp;h
saliie,
coming from natural sources. In
Inaddition,
addition,the
the LTV
LTV study
study sampled
sampled two
two wells
wells that
that were
were highly
highly saline,
chloride concentrations
concentrations greater than 40,000 ppm. The
raisedtwo
two questions
questionsabout
about
with chloride
The LTV
LTV report
report raised
composition of ground water along the North
North Shore:
Shore: 1—What
the composition
1-What is
is the geologic
geologic source
sourceof
of the
the
boron?
Thisstudy
studyuses
uses chemical
chemicaland
and
boron? and 2—What
2-What is
is the
the distribution and origin of the dsaline
i n e water? This
isotopic
information on
on the
the shape
shape and
and evolution
evolution of the
isotopic analysis
analysis of ground water, combined
wmbined with new infomntion
Portage
resides under
under the
the lake,
lake, at least in
Portage Lake
Lake volcanic
volcanic basin(1,5) to propose that the saline water resides
sedimentary unit located strat&amp;aphicaIly
stratigraphically at
at the
the base
base ofthe
of the
(A0 m) interfiow
interflow sedimenm
part within
withii a thick
thick (&gt;40
youngest
Group (NSVG).
(NSVG). Mien,
youngest basalts of the
the middle
middle Proterozoic North Shore Volcanic Group
Allen,D.E.,
D.E., eteta!.
al.
(this vol.) describe
describe a possible model for the dissolution of boron
boron in
in ground
ground water
water and
and offer
offer evidence
evidence
basin. The
for the presence
presence of marine waters in the rift basin.
Thepreliminary
preliminary data
data suggest
suggest that
that boron
boron and
and the
the
occurrence of saline
occurrence
salinewaters
waters along
along the
the North Shore
Shore are
are genetically
genetically related.
are fractures
fractures within
within the
thebasalts
basalts of
of the
the NSVG.
NSVG. Typical
The primary source
source of water for wells are
Typical
yields for
per minute
minute..Wells
for these wells are 2-4 gallons per
Wellsfmished
finished in
in the
the interfiow
interflow sedimentary
sedimentaryrocks
rocks
generally
of these
these strata.
strata. Interfiow
generally have
have higher
higher yields due to the greater permeability of
Interflowsedimentary
sedimentary
units
are the
the 70-rn-thick
70-m-thick unit
unit
units typically are
are no more than a few meters thick(3). Notable
Notable exceptions
exceptionsare
40-rn-thickpolymict
polymictconglomerate
conglomerate partially
partially
Good Harbor
Harbor Bay and an approximately 40-m-thick
exposed at Good
Little Marais
MarS (Fig.
1).
exposed near Little
(Fig. 1).
composed of
of mediummedium- to
to -grained
coarse-grained sandstone
sandstone grading
grading into
into
The Good Harbor
Hahor Bay unit is wmposed
interbedded finewell-sorted sand
sand and
and shale
shale beds
beds;the
theunit
unit becomes
becomes increasingly
increasingly
f m e to medium-grained well-sorted
interbedded
10-15 degrees
degreesto
to
shaly nnear
e x the top. The
Thebeds
bedsin
inthe
the interfiow
interflow rocks
rocks and
and the
the overlying
overlying basalts
b d t s dip
dip 10-15
the south-southeast
Little Marais,
Marais, like
like the
the Good
Good Harbor
south-southeast(Fig.
(Fig. 1).
1). The
The polymict conglomerate near Little
Bay interfiow
overlying Schroeder-Lutsen
Schroeder-Lutsen basalts.
basalts. The
intefflow unit,
unit, is
is structurally conformable with the overlying
The
LTV study
study demonstrated
demonstrated that
that the
the water
water from
from wells
wells finished
finished in
in both
both sedimentary
sedimentaryunits
units contain
containboron.
boron.
In addition, two wells sampled near
near Little
LittleMarais
Maraisas
aspart
partof
ofthe
theLTV
LW study had chloride 1eveLs
levels
greater than 40,000
40,OW ppm. These
Thesesites
siteswere
were chosen
chosen for
foradditional
additional water
water and rock
rock sampling
sampling because
because
reasonable conceptual
conceptual model
model could
could be
be constructed
constructed to
to
sampled from outcrop, and a monable
the units could be sampled
demonstrate the
demonstrate
the path
path of
of ground-water
ground-water flow
flow to
to the wells.
Marais and
and Good
Goad Harbor
H&amp;r Bay units
units have not previously been correlated,
correlated,
Although the
the Little
Little Marais
similar stratigraphic
uncommon thickness imply
these units
units were
their similar
skitigraphic position
position and uncommon
imply that these
were deposited
depositedat
at
the same
same time. Furthermore,
Furthermore,the
thelocation
locationof
of these
theseunits
units relative
relativeto
to the
the shape
shape of
of the
the Portage
Porfage Lake
Lake
volcanic basin, as proposed by Mien,
energy deposition
D.J., et
et aL(1),
al.(l), fits
fits a model of high energy
depositionalong
alongthe
the
volcanic
Allen, D.J.,
cusp
deposition farther
farther from
from the
the basids
basin's edge
edge (Good
(Good
cusp of the basin (Little
(Little Marais) and lower energy deposition
Harbor
basalts supports
supports this
Harbor Bay). AAbroad
broadseismic
seismicreflector
reflectorat
at the
the base
baseof
of the
the Schroeder-Laitsen
Schder-Lutsen basalts
depositional
depositional model(l).
model(1). From
Fromaahydrostratigraphic
hydrostratigraphicperspective,
perspective, correlation of the two units provides
for a laterally
laterally extensive,
extensive, porous
porous aquifer
aquifer extending
extending along
along the shore
shore and
and beneath
beneath the
the lake.
lake.
between dissolved
dissolved bromide
bromide and
andchloride
chloride concentrations
concentrations in
in
A positive linear
linear correlation exists between
al.; this
this vol.).
vol.).
the sampled
sampled ground
ground waters
waters from
from Little
Little Marais
Marais and Good Harbor
Harbor Bay (Allen,
(Allen, D.E., et
et al.;
results
dilute waters
waters moving
movingdownslope
dowuslopetoward
toward the
the lake
lake
The ~
s u l t fit
s the conceptual model of fresh, dilute
sites, saline
saline ground
ground water
waterat
ator
ornezu
near lake
lake level.
level. At
mixing with, in the case of the Little Marais sites,
At
Harbor
saline water was
was sampled,
sampled, the
the similar
similarbromide-to-chloride
bromide-to-chlorideratio
ratio may
may be
be
Good H
a b r Bay, where no salime
result of meteoric waters moving through
through sedimentary
sedimentary units,
units, which
whichonce
oncewere
weresaturated
saturated with
with
the mult
compositionallysimilar
similartotothe
thewater
wateratatLittle
LittleMarais.
Marts. Boron
saline water that was compositionally
Boron concentrations
concentrations
above
at both
both sites.
sites. Boron was
600 ppb
ppb were
were found
found in the majority of wells sampled at
was also
also found
found in
in
above 600

61

�samples
samples from
from the
the Good
Good Harbor
HarborBay
Bay interfiow
interflow unit, with
with concentrations
concentrationsgreater
greaterthan
than 30
30ppm
ppm in
in shaly
shdy
members.
members. AApH
pHmechanism
mechanismfor
forthe
thedissolution
dissolutionof
of boron
boron in
in ground
ground water
waterfrom
fromthese
these shaly
shaly members
members
is
vol.). Based
is presented
presented in
in Allen,
Allen, D.E.,
D.E., et
et at.
al. (this vol.).
Based on
on their
their preliminary
preliminary boron
boron isotopic
isotopic results,
results, the
the
boron
beof
ofmarine
marineorigin.
origin,
boron in
in the
theGood
GoodHarbor
HarborBay
Bayinterfiow
interflow sedimentary
sedimentaryrocks
rocks isisthought
thoughtto
tobe
implying
implyingthe
theporous
porousinterflow
interflowsedimentary
sedimentaryunits
units at
at Little
LittleMarais
Marais and
and Good
GoodHarbor
HarborBay
Bay were
were
inundated
inundated with
with sea
seawater
waterat
atsome
sometime
timeduring
during the
the development
developmentof
of the
the rift
rift basin.
basin.
Thepresence
presenceof
ofseawater
seawaterisisunnecessary
umece.ssary to account for saline
s a h e waters in the rift. Hardie(2)
Hardie(2)
The
demonstrates
canproduce
produce
demonstrateshow
howhydrothermal
hydrothermalconvection
convectionand
andweathering
w e a t h e ~reactions
greactionsin
in aa closed
closedbasin
basincan
cakium-chloridebrines
brinesfrom
fromaawide
widerange
rangeof
of source
sourcewaters
waters similar
similarto
to those
thosesampled
samuledin
inthis
thisstudy.
studv.
calcium-chloride
i&amp; utility
utilityin
in settings
seniigs
However,the
the heavy
heavy boron
boron isotopic
isotopicsignature
signature of
of the
the waters
waters analyzed
analyzed highlights
highlightsits
However,
like
likethe
therift,
rift,where
wheresedimentary
sedimentaryevidence
evidencefor
formarine
marineenvironments
environmenbisisinconclusive.
inconclusive.
This
thither work.
This study
studysuggests
suggestsseveral
seve&amp; possibilities
possibiiities for further
work. The
Theproposed
proposedcorrelation
comelationof
ofthe
theLittle
Little
Marais
beinvestigated.
investigated.
Marais polymict
polymictconglomerate
conglomerateand
andthe
theGood
Good Harbor
Harbor Bay
Bay interfiow
interflow unit
unit needs
needsto
tobe
Detailed
areanear
near Good
Good Harbor
HarborBay(9)
Bay@)has
has revealed
revealedaamore
more.complex
complex
Detailedmapping
mappingof
ofthe
theCascade
CascadeRiver
Riverarea
stratigraphy
stratigraphythan
thandescribed
describedin
inthis
this study.
study. Although
Althoughnot
notas
asconcentrated,
concentrated,the
thesaline
salinewater
waterisis
chemically
chemicallysimilar
similartotothe
thecalcium-chloride
calcium-chIoridebrines
brinesin
inMichigan
Michigancopper
coppermines(4;
mines(* see
seealso
also sfs.
rifs.totoLane
h e
therein)
8).; these
be
therein)fluid
FIuidmovement
movementwithin
withinthe
thebasin
basinisiscurrently
cumntlybeing
beiigmodeled(7,
modeled(7,8).;
thesemodels
modelscould
couldbe
modified
modifiedto
toincorporate
incovoratenew
newinformation
informationon
on the
the shape
shapeof
of the
the rift
rift and
and the
the possibility
possibilityfor
foraalaterally
latedly
continuous
continuousporous
porousunit
unitatatthe
thebase
baseof
ofthe
theSchroeder-Lutsen
Sctuoeder-htsenbasalts.
basah.
References:
etal.,
1997.
MS. v.290,
References:(1)
(1)Allen,
Allen,DJ.,
D.J.
.etd..
1997,GSA
GSASpec.
SF. Paper
P a p312;
3 1 2 (2)
(2) Hardie,
Hadie. 1990, AN,
v. 290,p.p. 43-106;
4 3 - I N (3)Jirsa,
(3) Jirsa.1984,
1984,
-~

MGS
30,20 p.;
p.; (4)
(4)Kelly
Kellyet
eta!.,
aI.. 1986,
1986, AJS, v.
286, p.281-308;
p. 281-30%(5)
(5)Miller.
Miller. &amp;
&amp;Chandler,
1997, GSA Spec.
Spec Paper3l2,
Papr312,p.p.
MGS RI
Rl30.20
v.286,
Chandler, 1997,
73-96;(6)
(6)STS
STSConsultants,
Consultants,I995,
1995.Eva!.
Eval.ofofBoron
BomnImpacted
ImpactedWells;
Wells;report
repntotoLTV
LTVSteel
SteelMining
MiningCo.; (7)(7)Swenson
Swemon&amp;&amp;
73-96;
Person,1995,
1995,IGCP
336,Duluth,
Duluth.Minn.,
Minn.,p.p.187-188;
187-18%(8)
(8)Woodruff
Woodruffetetal.,
al..1995,
1995,IGCP
IGCP336,
336,Duluth,
Duluth,Minn.,
Mim.,p.p. 213-214;
213-21k(9)
(9)
Person,
IGCP 336,
Green,
Green.1996,
1996.Geology
Geologyon
onDisplay.
Display,Minn.
Minn.DNR,
D M ,69
69p.;
p.;(10)
(10)Green,
Green,1982,
1982.Two
TwoHarbors
H h sSheet,
Sheet,1:250,000,
1 : 2 5 0 , MGS.
~MGS.
,

a,;

R6W

,

95W

R4W

,

+

R3W

•

R2W

,

RIW

R2W

+

Good Harbor Bay

+

e

p
* SamPled Wella
Fauft

Attitude of
15

Uttle Marais

—r

26

volcanic rocks
Attitude of
Igneous layering

/'Road
0

5 kilometers

NORTh SHORE VOLCANIC GROUP
Sd,roeder-Lutsen basafts
red sandstone
NSVG, undifferentiated

H

BEAVER BAY COMPLEX

Marc and intermediate intrusions
Felsicinfrusions
Levaux porphyry
•
Feriodiorite

River

Figure I. Generalized geology of the Noflh 5hore of Lake Superior, Little Mania to Good Harbor
Bay.
Minnesou,
and locations
of sampled wells. Modified from Green ([0), and Figure 5 from Miller and Chandler (5)

�The Greening of
of Sudbury
Keith Winterhalder
Winterhalder

Sudbury lies
lies at the southern
southern edge
edge of
of the Precambrian
Precambrian Shield,
Shield, in aa vegetation
vegetation zone
zone
transitional between the boreal
forest to
to the north and the
boreal coniferous
co~ferous forest
the deciduous
deciduous
to the
the south.
south.Prior
Priortotothe
theadvent
advent of
of the
the miNng
mining and smelting industry
1883,
forest to
industry in
in1883,
the area was characterized
by extensive
extensivestands
standsofofred
red pine
pine and
and white
white pine.
pine. One
the
characterized by
One
hundred years
years of
of logging,
logging,fire,
fire,soil
soilerosion
erosionand
andenhanced
enhancedfrost
frost action,
action,as
as well
well as
hundred
fumigationand
and copper,
copper, ~nickel
iron particulate
particulate fallout from
from the
sulphur dioxide fumigation
c k e and
land iron
region's
three smelt-,
smelters, severely
severelydamaged
damaged the
the Sudbury
Sudbury landscape,
landscape, giving
giving rise
rise to
region's three
10,000
barrenland
land forming
forming concentric
concentriczones
zonesaround
around the three smelters.
1
0,000 hahaofofbarren
smelters. The
The
of the
the barren
barren zone
zone are
are stmngly
strongly aadified,
acidified, with
with pH
pH values
values ranging fiom
from 2.2
2.2 to
to 4.4,
4.4,
soils of
and both Cu and
and Ni
Ni levels
levels in
in the
the soils
soils of
of the
the barren
barren zone
zone are
are greatly
greatly elevated,
elevated,
from several
severalhundred
hundred to
to several
severalthousand
thousand&amp;g.
pg/g. As
varying from
As well
well as
as solubilizing
solubilizing the
Cu and Ni
Ni that
that has
hasaccumulated
accumulated in
in the
the soil
soilfrom
fromatmospheric
atmospheric fallout,
fallout, the
the acidity
acidity of
of
Sudbury soil releases
aluminum ions
ions from
from aluminosilicate
aluminosilicateminerals
minerals such
such as
as days,
releases aluminum
clays,
stunted, relict
relict individuals
individuals of
of woody
contributing to
to the
the soil's
soil's phytotoxicity.
phytotoxicity. A few stunted,
woody
plants such
such as
as red
red maple,
maple,red
redoak
oakand
andaspen
aspencan
canbe
befound
found on
on the otherwise barren
slopes,
which have
have aa stony
stony covering
coveringthat
thatresulted
resulted from
from the
the combiied
combined action of frostslopes, which
frostthe barrens
barrens is a
heaving and erosion
erosion on
on the
the glacial
glacial till-derived
till-derived soil.
soil. Surrounding
Sumounding the
36,000hectare
hectarezone
zone of
of stunted,
stunted, semi-barren
semi-barren woodland,
woodland, characterized
characterized by patches of
36,000
of
bare soil between the relict,
relict, coppiced
coppiced white
white birch,
birch, red
red maple
maple and red oak.
In the
the past
past 25
25 years,
years, some
some areas of previously
previously barren soil have been
been colonized
colonized by
by
species
suchas
astdted
tuftedhair
hairgrass,
grass,tickle
ticklegrass
grassand
anddwarf
dwarfbirch,
birch,asasaaresult
result of
of the
speaes such
evolution of
of metal-tolerant
metal-tolerant ecotypes.
ecotypes. Furthermore,
Furthermore, since
sincethe
the closure
closure of
of the Coniston
CoNston
smelter
in 1
1972,
thereappears
appearstotohave
have been
been some
some natural
natural amelioration
amelioration of
of pH
pH and
972, there
smelter in
metal levels
levels in
in that
that vicinity,
vicinity, and less
plant such
such as
as white
white birch
birch and
metal
less metal-tolerant
metal-tolerant plant
wavy hairgrass
hairgrass have begun to
to colonize
colonize the
the area.
area.

The announcement
by Inco
Inco Ltd.
Ltd. in
in 1969
of its intention
to construct
1%9 of
intention to
construct a 381
381 m
The
announcement by
smokestack stimulated
stimulatedthe
theOntario
OntarioDepartment
DepartmentofofhLands
andForests
Forestsand
and Laurentian
smokestack
n d s and
University to iinitiate
program. The frees
University
~ t i a t ea joint experimental free-planting
tree-planting program.
trees planted
planted
barrens showed
total mortality,
mortality,but
butititwas
wasfound
foundthat
that the
the soil could be
on the barrens
showed almost total
detoxified sufÂ£icientl
sufficientlytoto initiate
initiate colonization
colonizationby
bythe
the surface-application
surface-applicationof
of p
ground
und
detoxified
limestone.
Small-scaleexperiments
experimentsinitiated
initiatedinin1974
1974showed
showedthat
thatthe
the surface
surface of
of the
limestone. Small-scale

63

�stone-covered soil
could be
be detoxified
by the
stone-covered
soil could
detoxified by
the manual
manual application
application of
of ground
ground
limestone, and
and that
that seeds
limestone,
seeds were
were trapped
trapped by the
the stony
stony mulch,
mulch, and
andgerminated
germinated
successfully.The
Theopen
open structure
structureofof the
the resulting
resulting grassy
grassy sward was
successfully.
was beneficial
beneficial for
for
colonization
by native
native plants
plants with
with wind-blown
wind-blown seeds,
seeds, since
since itit offered
offered numerous
colonization by
openings and microhabitats
microhabitats for volunteer seedlings. In 1975
1975 and
and 1977,
1977, small groups
groups
of elementary school pupils successfuUy
successfullyestablished
establishedgrass
grass on
on small
small patches
patches of
of barren
of
land near
near their
their schools,
schools, using
using this
this approach.
approach.

job-creation funds to
the Regional
Regional Municipality
Municipalityofof Sudbury
Sudbury appfied
applied for
In 1978,
1978, the
for job-creation
to
employ one hundred and
students to carry out
and seventy-four
seventy-four post-secondary
post-secondaq students
out largelargerevegetation employing
employingthe
the same
same technique.
technique.The
Theprogram
program reached
reached its
its peak
peak in
scale revegetation
1983, when
when 1,277
1,277 unemployed
unemployedpersons
persons were
were employed
1983,
employed on combined
combined federal,
federal,
provincial, m
municipal
industry funding.
funding. So
ha of
of land
land
3,500 ha
provinaal,
u ~ c i p a and
land industry
So far,
far, approximately
approximately 3,500
have been
been greened
greened in
in this
this way.
way. More
Inco has employed
have
More recently,
recently, Inco
employed aa commercial
commercial
crop-dusting company to apply limestone,
limestone, fertilizer
fertilizer and
and seeds from the air..
aopdusting

Spontaneous
colonizationof ofthe
thegrassed
grassedland
landby
by larger
larger woody
woody plants
plants is
is so
Spontaneous colonization
so far
far
confined to birch,
birch, poplar
poplar and willows,
willows, because
confined
because conifer seed source iiss scarce and the

.

seed bed conditions are poor.
poor, More
More than
than 2.5
2.5 million
million native
native trees,
trees, mostly
mostly Jack
Jack pine,
red pine and
and white
white pine
pine which
which were
were the
the dominant
dominant species
species of the
the pre-disturbance
pre-disturbance
landscape, have
have been
been planted
planted since
since1978
1978ininsmall
smallinformal
informalgroups,
groups, which
which break
break up
landscape,
of the winter landscape,
landscape, and
and form
form aa seed
seed source
source for
for future
future spread.
the monotony of
Plant communities
communities that results from the revegetation
revegetation procedure contains
contains
planted trees,
trees, the seed rain,
components derived from
from the
the seed
seed mixture,
mixture, planted
rain, and any
any
metal-tolerant
plants already on site.
site.ItItisisassumed
assumedthat
that the
the landscape will
will ultimately
ultimately
metal-tolerant plants
resemble the
the original
original pine
pine forest,
forest, but
but concern
concern exists
existsas
as to
to how quickly
resemble
quickly the
the typical
typical
understory species
species will
will move
movein.
in. The
The usefulness
usefulnessofofintroducing
introducingplugs
plugs of
of soil
soil that
understory
contain
desirable understory
understory species,
species,aa seed
seed bank,
contain desirable
bank, and
and soil
soilmicroorganisms
microorganisms isis
currently under investigation,
and is meeting
investigation, and
meeting with
with some
some success.
success. Another
Another current
current
area of
of interest
interest isis the
the use
use of
of liming
liming and
and revegetation
on a watershed
area
revegetation on
watershed basis,
basis, thus
thus
dual problems
of barren land and
and acidified
acidified lakes.
lakes.
solving the dual
problems of

the minimal
the Sudbury
Unique features
Sudbury program
program include
include the
minimal amelioration
amelioration
Unique
features of
of the
approach,
in which
recolonizationplays
playsa acritical
criticalrole,
role,and
and the strong
approach, in
which natural
natural recolonization
strong
manual component
component and
and resulting
resultingjob-creation
job-aeation benefits.
benefits.

64

�THE MCKENZIE
MCKENZIELAKE
LAKEANTIFORM
ANTIFORM AND THE KAWA BAY SYNFORM,
PROVINCIAL
THE
SYNFORM, QUETICO PROVINCIAL
PARK,
PARK, ONTARIO
ONTARIO
WOODARD,
H., Department of
of Geology,
Geology, Beloit
Beloit College,
College, Beloit,
WOODARD, Henry H.,
Beloit,
53511and
andPARHAM,
PARHAM,Peter,
Peter, P.O.
P.O. Box
59510
Wis. 53511
Box 1647, Havre, Mont.
Mont. 59510
The Mckenzie
McKenzieLake
Lake antiform
antiform occurs
occurs in
in the
the northeastern
northeastern part
part of Quetico
QueticoProvincial
ProvincialPark.
Park. ItIt
The
was formed
formedby
bylate-stage
late-stagetranspression, which
of the
the
was
which produced ductile deformation
deformation of
Quetico-Wawa subprovince
subprovince boundary. The
The fold
fold measures
measures at
at least
least 18
18 km
km along
alongits
itsaxial
axial
Quetico-Wawa
strike
outcropwidth.
width. The
strike and
and is
is about
about 55 km in maximum outcrop
The crest
crest of
of the
the fold
fold defines
definesthe
the
subprovincejunction
junctionand
andarches
arches through
through a distance of about 16 km; its hinge, which
which does
subprovince
not correspond
correspondto
tothe
thecrest,
crest, is
is very sharp. Both
Bothlimbs
limbsdip
dip steeply
steeplynorthwest,
northwest,and
andthe
the
not
underlying
very tight.
tight, severelv
severely stretched
stretched and
and dismembered.
dismembered,. but
underlyingKawa
KawaBay
Bay synform
svnform is vew
but still
still
traceable
in outcrop
and on
Fig.1). Although
traceablein
outcropand
on aerial
aerial photographs (see Fig.l).
Although the
the plunge
plungeof
ofthe
the
Mckenzie
McKenzieLake
Lakestructure
structureisisto
to the
the northeast,
northeast, the degree of plunge
plunge is
is not
not easily
easilymeasured.
measured.
Lineation
Lineationon
on slickensided
slickensidedsurfaces
surfaces plunges
plunges gently
gently southwest
southwest on
on the
the related
relatedSide
SideLake
Lake
zone
zone of
of backthrusting,
backthrusting,and
andthis
thissuggests
suggeststhat
that the
the folds
folds plunge
plungesteeply
steeplynortheast.
northeast.The
TheSide
Side
Lake
the antiform as a southwest-trending
southwest-trending
Lake shear zone
zone emanates
emanates from the crest of the
backthrust
of shear.
shear. About
backthrustwhich
whichexhibits
exhibitsleft-lateral
left-lateral sense of
About 28
28 km
kmto
to the
thesouthwest,
southwest, the
the
Side
undeformed Lac La Croix
Croix leucogranite
leucogranite which
Side Lake
Lake shear
shear zone
zone cuts
cuts a portion
portion of the undeformed
which is
is
dated
datedat
at 2,662
2,662 + 55Ma
Ma(Woodard
(Woodardand
and others, 1995). This
This age
age is
is approximately
approximately30
30my
my
younger
Ma)of
of the
theWawa
Wawa subprovince,
subprovince,and
and15
15my
my
youngerthan
thanthe
thefolded
foldedtonalite
tonalitesills
sills(2694
(2694 + 11Ma)
younger
younger than
thanthe
thefolded
foldedquartz
quartz monzonite sills (2678 + 6 Ma) in adjacent portions
portionsof
of the
the
Quetico
synform is
Quetico subprovince.
subprovince. The
Thesouthwest
southwesthinge
hingearea
area of the underlying
underlying Kawa
Kawa Bay
Bay synform
is
cut
age for
for this
this granite should
should allow
cut by
byaa stock-like
stock-likebody
bodyof
of undeformed
undeformed granite, and an age
determination
junction was
wasfolded.
folded. The
determination of
of the
the time the junction
The southwest
southwest hinge
hinge and
and trough
trough area
area
of
fold axes, which
of the
theKawa
KawaBay
Bay synform
synform is
is broken
broken into
into aa mega-breccia, and major fold
which were
were
developed
developedin
inWawa
Wawasubprovince
subprovincerocks
rocksduring
duringan
an earlier
earlier phase
phase of the
the juxtaposition,
juxtaposition, are
are
secondarily
are randomly
randomly oriented.
oriented. This
secondarilyfolded
foldedinto
intomany
many open
open folds whose axes are
This
secondary
accomplished by
secondarydeformation
deformationappears
appears to
to have
have been
been accomplished
by aa process
processwe
we call
call
"backshoving"
synform is
"backshoving"where
where the
the trough
trougharea
area of
of the
the Kawa
Kawa Bay synform
is squeezed
squeezedbackward
backward
(toward
overriding-mass of the
[toward the
the southwest)
southwest)under
under the
the northeastward
northeastwardoverridina-mass
the Mckenzie
McKenzieLake
Lake
antiform (see Fig. 1).

+

+

Figure 1
- - -

Lake

9

4

15V

'4

7

Km

I

Relationship of Side Lake Shear Zone to the
Development of the Mckenzie Lake Antiform.
65

�This
left blank
intentionally.
This page
page left
blank intentionally.

66

�AGE CONSTRAINTS
CONSTRAINTS ON
ON PLUTONISM,
PLUTONISM, METAMORPHISM AND DEFORMATION
DEFOWATION
ACROSS THE
SUEPROVINCE BOUNDARY NEAR THE
THE WAWA-QUETICO
WAWA-QUETICO SUBPROVINCE
THE
MANITOUWADGE GREENSTONE
GFtEENSTONE BELT, NORTHWESTERN
NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO
ONTARIO
Zaleski,
E., and van
of Canada (GSC), Ottawa,
Zaleski, E.,
van Breemen,
Breemen, 0.,
O., Geological
Geologid Survey of
Ottawa, ON
ON
K1A
V.L., Department
DepartmentofofGeosciences,
Geosciences,Western
Western Carolina
CarolinaUniversity,
University,
KIA 0E8;
OE8; and
and Peterson,
Peterson,V.L.,
Cullowhee,
Cdowhee, NC
NC 28723,
28723,U.S.A.
U.S.A.
The
and the metasedimentary-migmatitic
metasedimentary-migmatiticQuetico
Quetico
The volcano-plutonic
volcano-plutonic Wawa subprovince
subprovince and
subprovince
subprovincerepresent
represent first
&amp;st order
ordersubdivisions
subdivisions of the Superior
Superior Province;
Province; yet
yet our
ourwork
workalong
along
the
Wawa-Quetico
boundary
and
in
the
Manitouwadge
greenstone
belt
(MOB)
shows
that
the Wawa-Quetico boundary and the Manitouwadgegreenstone belt (MGB)
that
most of the structural
history is
is common
commonto
to both
both terranes,
terranes, and that
structural and
and metamorphic
metamorphic history
Quetico
greywackes
are
correlative
with
greywackes
in
the
MOB.
The
Quetiw greywackes are correlative with greywackes in the MGB. The Manitouwadge
Mmitouwadge
greenstone belt (MOB)
(MGB) is
is aahighly
highly deformed
deformed remnant of
of supracrustal
supracrustalrocks
rockscomprising
comprising
a mafic-to-felsic
volcanic succession
successionofofcca.
2720Ma,
Ma, the felsic component of which
mafic-to-felsic volcaaic
a. 2720
which isis
intercalated
intercalatedwith
withiron
ironformation
formationand
andassociated
associatedmassive
massivesulphide
sulphidedeposits.
deposits.AAsynvolcanic
synvolcanic
tronclhjemite
was both
both a magma
volcanismand
and aa heat source
trondhjemite was
magma reservoir
reservoir for felsic
felsic volcanism
source for
for
mineralizing
mineralizing hydrothermal
hydrothermal activity.
activity. U-Pb
U-Pbages
ages of
of detritai
detritalzircons
zirconsfrom
fromgreywackes
greywackes in
in the
the
MOB,
immediatelytotothe
the north,
north, constrain the
MGB, and in the
the southern
southern Quetico
Quetico subprovince immediately
depositional
packagesto
to younger
youngerthan
than ca.
ca. 2690
2690 Ma
Ma and
and support
support
depositional ages of both sedimentary packages
their correlation.
correlation. The
TheEverest
EverestLake
Lakepluton
plutonintrudes
intrudesthe
theQuetico
Queticogreywackes
greywackes along
along the
the
subprovince
boundary. The age
age of
of the
the Everest
Everest Lake
Lake pluton
pluton constrains
constrains the
theminimum
minimum
subprovince boundary.
depositional
age of
of the Quetico
greywackestotoolder
olderthan
than ca.
ca. 2680
2680 Ma.
Ma. The
Thenew
new ages
ages
depositional age
Quetiw greywa&amp;es
from the
work in
in the northern
the southern
southem Quetico,
Quetiw, in
in combination
wmbiiation with previous work
northern Quetico
Quetico
(Davis et a!.,
1990),
show
that
Quetico
sediments
were
deposited
over
at
least
ca.
10
at 1-t ca. 10m.y.
m.y.
al., 19901,
that Quetico sediments
and
and are
are consistent
consistentwith
with southward
southward younging,
younging, a test
test proposed
proposed by
by Percival
P e r c i d and
andWilliams
Williams
(1989)
(1989) for their
their accretionary
accretionaryprism
prism model
model of
of the
the Quetico
Queticosubprovince.
subprovince.
Regional
Regional metamorphic grade increases
increases northward, from
from upper
upper amphibolite
amphibolitefacies
facies
without
without migmatization
migmatization in the
the southern
southern MOB,
MGB, to
to granulite
granulite facies
facie north
north of
of the
theWawaWawaQuetico
migmatizationininthe
the southern
southern Quetico
Quetico and
and northem
northern
Quetiw boundary, with extensive
extensive migmatization
Wawa
subprovinces. Regional structural evolution can be modelled by aa four-phase
four-phase sese
Wawa subprovinces.
quence
of
ductile
deformation.
In
the
MOB,
D2
tectonic
fabrics
are
defined
by
high
grade
quence ductile deformation. In the MGB, D2 tectonic fabrics are d&amp;ed by high grade
metamorphicminerals
mineralsand
andfolded
foldedby
by the
theD3
D3Manitouwadge
Manitouwadge synform,
synform, with
with relatively
relativelyminor
&amp;nor
metamorphic
development
of D3 fabrics, suggesting
suggestingthat
that peak metamorphic conditions were attained
attained
development of
during
Inthe
theQuetico
Queticosubprovince,
subprovince,migmatitic
migmatitic segregations
segregationsvary
vary from
from
during D2
D2 deformation.
deformation. In
in situ
situmelts
meltsdeveloped
developed in
in pelitic
pelitic beds,
beds, to
to discordant
discordant foliated
foliated and
and folded
folded pegmatitic
pegmatitic and
and
in
tonalitic
dikes,
variations
that
are
consistent
with
protracted
migmatization
contempotonalitic dikes,
that are consistent with protracted migmatization contemporaneous
raneous with
withprogressive
progressiveD2-D3
D2-D3 (and
(andpossibly
possibly D4)
D4) deformation.
deformation.
Two
the region
region by U-Pb
U-Pb
Two major
major syntectonic
syntectonicplutonic
plutonic events
events have been documented in the
dating
dating of
of igneous
igneous zircon.
zircon. Firstly,
Firstly, hornblende-biotite
hornblende-biotite diorite comprising the oldest phase
phase
of
of the
the Black
Black Pic
Pic batholith,
batholith,and
andthe
theLoken
h k e nLake
Lake K-feldspar
K-feldspar megacrystic granodiorite, are
are
both
both ca.
ca.2687
2687 Ma.
Ma. These
Theseplutons
plutonswere
were emplaced
emplaced before or during D2 deformation,
deformation, based
on
ontheir
theirstrong
strongD2
D2fabrics
fabricswhich
whichare
arefolded
folded by
by the
theD3
D3Manitouwadge
Manitouwadgesynform.
synform.Secondly,
Secondly,

67

�ca. 2677—2680
Maplutonic
plutonicrocks,
rocks,including
includingthe
the Nama
Nama Creek K-feldspar megacrystic
2677-2680 Ma
megacrysticgragranodiorite, Banana monzodiorite,
monzodiorite, and Everest
Everest Lake
Lake monzodiorite,
monzodiorite, were
were emplaced
emplaced late
during D2 or prior to
to D3
D3 deformation.
deformation. The
TheEverest
EverestLake
Lakemonzodiorite
monwdioriteintrudes
intrudesQuetico
Quetico
greywackes and
and is
is veined
veined by
by anatectic
anatectic segregations, hence
hence constraining migmatization to
greywackes
to
2680Ma.
Ma. In
In the
the MGB7
MOB, aa tonalite
tonalite dike which
which cuts
cuts the
the strong
strong D2 fabric in the Loafter Ca.
ca. 2680
ken Lake pluton,
pluton, but
also
has
a
late-D2
foliation,
constrains
late
D2
to to
Ca.ca.
2675—2680
but also has a late-D2 foliation, constrains late D2
2675-2680 Ma.
Ma.
intrusive rocks, including foliated
foliated to nearly massive aplites,
Additional younger intmsive
aplites, granites,
granites,
pegmatites
pegmatite8 and
and lamprophyres,
lamprophyres, have not been dated.
dated.
The distribution
distribution of U-Pb titanite
titanite ages
ages defines
defines aa crude
m d e gradient
gradient ranging
ranging from
from ca.
ca.
2686—2688
Masouth
southofofthe
theMGB,
MOB,where
wheretitanite
titaniteages
agesoverlap
overlap with
with the ages of igneous
2686-2688
Ma
Maininthe
thenorthern
northernMGB,
MOB, to
to ca.
Ca.2640
2640Ma
Ma in
in the
the Everest Lake
ca. 2650—2655
2650-2655 Ma
zircons, to ca.
pluton in
in the
theQuetico
Queticosubprovince.
subprovince. While
While our
our titanite
titaaitegeochronology
geochronology is still
still in
in progress,
progress,
preliminary
indications are
are that the
prelimixiary indications
the ages
agea date
dateregional
regionalcooling
cooling through
through Ca.
ca. 600°C,
6OO0C, the
closure
temperature of
of the U-Pb system in titanite
closure temperature
titanite (Heaman
(Heaman and
andParrish,
Parrish,1991).
1991). In
In
our work thus far, deviations from
from the
the northerly
northerly younging
'ounging pattern
are
permissive
of
an
pattern are permissive
interpretation in terms of
of D3
D3 or
or D4
D4 deformation
deformation of the
the 600°C
6OO0Ccooling
cooling surface in the
southern MOB
Ma. Structural
southem
MGB after ca. 2655 Ma.
Structural relationships
relationships and isotopic
isotopic dating
dating suggest
suggest a
prolonged migmatization event in the
the Quetico
Queticosubprovince,
subprovince,possibly
possibly commencing
commencing during
during
or soon after the
the emplacement
emplacement of the Everest Lake pluton (ca. 2680 Ma), and continuing
until
foliated granitic
granitic dike interpreted
interpreted as
until ca.
ca. 2642
2642 Ma, the age of monazite from aa foliated
a injected
injected
leucosome of local derivation.
References
References
Davis,
D.W., Pezzutto,
F.,and
and Ojakangas,
Ojalcmgas, R.W.,
R.W., 1990:
1990: The age
age and
andprovenance
provenance of
of
Davis7 D.W.?
Pezzutto, F.,
metasedirnentary rocks in the
rnetasedimentary
the Quetico
Quetico subprovince,
subprovince, Ontario,
Ontario,from
fromsingle
singlezircon
zircon analyses:
analyses:
implications
Archean sedimentation
sedimentation and
and tectonics
tectonics in
in the
the Superior Province; Earth
Earth and
implications for Archean
Planetary Science
Planetary
ScienceLetters
Letters99,
99,195—205.
195-205.
Heaman, L.M., and
R.,1991:
1991:U-Pb
U-Pbgeochronology
geochronologyof
of accessory
accessory minerals;
minerals;in
in AppliAppliHeaman,
and Parrish,
Parrish,IL,
cations of R.adiogenic
Isotope Systems
Systems to
to Problems
Problems in Geology, Short
Short Course
cations
Radiogenic Isotope
Course Handbook,
Handbook,
Mineralogical Association
59—102.
1g7
59-102.
Mineralogical
Association of
of Canada,
Canada,v.v.19,
Percival, J.A., and
and Williams,
Williams, H.R.,
H.R., 1989:
1989: The late
late Archean
Archean Quetico
Queticoaccretionary
accretionarycomplex,
complex7
Superior Province,
Superior
Province,Canada;
Canada;Geology
GeoIogy17,
17,23—25.
2S25.

68

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                    <text>THE HIJRONIAN
HURONIAN SUPERGROUP
SUPERGROUP
THE
BETWEEN SAULT
SAULT STE.
STE. MARIE
MARIE
BETWEEN
LAKE
AND ELLIOT
ELLIOT LAKE
THE EARLY PROTEROZOIC
EVIDENCE FOR THE
PROTEROZOIC
ATMOSPHERE, CLIMATE
CLIMATEAND
AND TECTONICS
TECTONICS
ATMOSPHERE,
by
by

G.
Card and
G. Bennett, K. D. Card
and
K.
Tomlinson
K. Y.
Y. Tomlinson
(2-21G.)

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INSTITUTE
INSTITUTE ON LAKE SUPERIOR
SUPERIOR GEOLOGY
GEOLOGY
43 rd
11, 1997
rdANNUAL
ANNUAL MEETING,
MEETING,MAY
MAY6,6,11,1997
SUDBURY, ONTARIO
ONTARIO

Field Trip
part 22
Trip Guidebook,
Guidebook,Volume
Volume 43, part

�RKUNI1

gYENI
MIDDLE PROTEROZOIC

Grenville Orogeny
Grenville
Midcontinent Rift
Rift System

ICeeweenawan volcanics,
volcanics, sediments
sediments
Keeweenawan

Dyke emplacement

Sudbury
Sudhury swarm

-

Anorogenic magmatism
magmatism

1000-1200
Cu
1000-1200 Cu
1100
1100
1238
1238

Croker Island
Island complex,
Complex,
Manitoulin
Manitoulin Island
Island intrusions
intrusions

1450-1500
1450-1500

Chief Lake, Cutler
Cutler batholiths
batholiths

1700-1750
1700-1750

EARLY PROTEROZO$C

Felsic plutonism
Felsic
plutonism

Deformation and metamorphism
Deformation
metamorphism
(late
(latePenokean)
Penokean)

Sudbury
Sudbuw Event
Event

Sudbury
Sudbury Igneous
Igneouscomplex
Complex
Whitewater Group
Group
Whitewater

1850 Ni,
Ni, CU,
1850
Cu,
PGE, Zfl
PGE,
Zn
Pb
Pb

Deformation and metamorphism
Deformation
metamorphism
(early Penokean)
(early
Penokean)

Dykeemplacement,
emplacement,rifting
rifting
Dyke
(ocean opening?)
(ocean
opening?)

Kenora-Kabetogama,
Kenora-Kabetogama,
Marathon swarms
swam

Mafic
magtnatism
Uafic magmatism

Nipissing diabase
diabase
Nipissing

-2150

2219 Ni,
Mi, Cu,
Cu,
2219
POE,
ffiE, Ag,
Ag,
Co. Cu,
Cu,
CO,
Au

Deformation
Deformation (Blezardian
Orogeny)
(Blezardian Orogeny)

Oxyatmoversion
Oxyatmoversion

Upper Nuronian
Kuronim Supergroup
Superyroup
Upper

Si
Si

Sedimentation,
Sedimentation, mafic
mafic

Huronian Supergroup
Lower Kuronian
Supergroup

U
V

magmatism

Matchewan
dykes,mafic-felsic
mafic-felsic volca
m,
Matchewan dykes,
volca2450-2496
2450-2496Ni,
Ni, Cu,
gabbro-anorthosite
gabbm-anorthosite intrustions
intrustions

-

POE
PGE

Creighton,
Creighton, Murray
Murray granites
granites
N
ARC
A5uiEAM
Late
deformation
Late deformation

Late plutonism
Late
plutonism

Au

Algwan granites
Algoman
granites

Early
Early deformation
deformation and
and plutonism
plutonism
Levack
Complextonalite
tonalite gniess
Levack Complex
gniess
Vocanism and sedimentation
sedimentation

—2650
-2650

U

-2680
-2680

Abitibi Suhprovince
Cu, Zn,Fe
Subprovince greenstone
greenstone belt
belt 2735-2700
2735-2700Cu.
Zn,Fe

Table 1. Precambrian
Precambrian rock units
units and tectonic
tectonic and
and metallogenic
metallogenic events
events in
in the
the

Lake Huron Region
Region

(After Card
Jackson. 1995)
1995)
CAfter
Card and Jackson,

�THE HURONIAN SUPERGROUP
SUPERGROUP
BETWEEN SAULT STE. MARIE
BETWEEN
AND ELLIOT
ELLIOT LAKE
L m
EARLY PROTEROZOIC
PROTEROZOIC
EVIDENCE FOR THE E&amp;Y
AND TECTONICS
TECTONICS
ATMOSPHERE, CLIMATE AND
by
D. Card
Card and
G. Bennett, K. D.
K. Y.
Y. Tomlinson
Tomlinson

INSTITUTE ON LAKE SUPERIOR GEOLOGY
rd ANNUAL MEETING,
43 rd
MEETING,MAY
MAY 6,
6 ,11,
l l , 1997
ONTARIO
SUDBURY, ONTARIO

43, part
part 2
Field Trip Guidebook,
Guidebook, Volume 43,

�CONTENTS
CONTENTS

page
Page
Introduction
Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
.

The
The Elliot
Elliot Lake
Lake Group
Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44

The
The Livingstone
Livingstone Creek
Creek Formation
Formation......................44
Early
Early Huronian
Huronian Intrusive
IntrusiveRocks
Rocks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66

Huronian
Huronian Volcanic
Volcanic Rocks
Rocks of
of the
the Sudhury
Sudbury Area
Area . . . . . . . . . .77
The
The Huronian
Huronian Volcanic
Volcanic Rocks
Rocksof
ofthe
theSault
SaultSte.
Ste .
Marie-Elliot
Marie-ElliotLake
Lake area
area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .99
Sedimentary
Sedimentary Rocks
Rocks Associated
Associatedwith
withthe
the
Thessalon
14
Thessalon Formation
Formation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
The
The Matinenda
Matinenda Formation
Formation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
15
The
TheF4cKim
McKim Formation
Formation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
18

Stratigraphic
StratigraphicRelationships
Relationshipswithin
withinthe
the
Elliot
Elliot Lake
Lake Group
Group of
of the
theSault
SaultSte.
Ste .MarieMarieElliot
Lake
Area
Elliot Lake Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
19
Hough
Hough Lake
LakeGroup
Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
20

Ramsay
20
RamsayLake
LakeFormation
Formation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Pecors
PecorsFormation
Formation .................................... 21
21

Mississagi
MississagiFormation
Formation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2].21
Quirke
QuirkeLake
LakeGroup
Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2222
Bruce
22
BruceFormation
Formation ..................................... 22
Espanola
EspanolaFormation
Formation..................................2323
Serpent
SerpentFormation
Formation...................................2424
Cobalt
CobaltGroup
Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. ..2424
.

�GowgandaFormation.
Formation. .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
24
Gowganda
LorrainFormation
Formation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
26
Lorrain
Gordon Lake
Lake Formation
Formation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
27
Gordon
Bar River
River Formation
Formation................................. 28
28
Bar
Nipissing Intrusions
Intrusions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Nipissing

28

Huronian Paleosols
Paleosols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Huronian

29

Regional
Regional Tectonic
Tectonic Patterns
Patternsand
and Metamorphism
Metamorphism . . . . . . .

35

Tectonic Models
Models for
for the
the Huronian
Huronian Basin
Basin . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tectonic

40

Road Log
Log -.Day
Day 11 ..................................
Road

42

Road Log
Log -- Day
Day 22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Road

56

�List
List of
of Figures
Figures
Figure
1. The
The distribution
distribution of
of rocks
rocks of
of the
the Huronian
Huronian
Figure 1.
Supergroup
Supergroup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

22

Figure
Figure 2.
2. Huronian
Huronian stratigraphy,
stratigraphy,Sault
Sault Ste.
Ste.
Marie-ElliotLakearea
Marie-ElliotLakearea.................................... 33
Figure
Figure 3.
3.

The
The cyclicity
cyclicity of
of Huronian
Huronian Sedimentation
Sedimentation......55

Figure
Figure 4. Stratigraphic
Stratigraphic relationships
relationships in
in the
the Elliot
Elliot
Lake
Lake Group
Group -. Sault
Sault Ste.
Ste. MarieMarie- Elliot
Elliot Lake
Lake area
area.. . . . . . . . 55
Figure
Figure 5.
5. Paleocurrent
Paleocurrent roses
roses for
for the
the Mississagi
Mississagi
and
and Matinenda
Matinenda formations
formations................................ 8
Figure
Figure 6.
6.

The
The distribution
distribution of
of the
the Thessalon
Thessalon
Formation
10
Formation and
and Livingstone
Livingstone Creek
Creek Formation
Formation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Figure
Figure 7.
7. Distribution
Distribution of
of Huronian
Huronian volcanic
volcanic rocks
rocks . . . . .10
10

Figure
Figure 8.
8. schematic
Schematic stratigraphy
stratigraphy of
of the
the
Thessalon
Thessalon Formation
Formation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

11

Figure
Figure 9.
9. Discrimination
Discrimination diagrams
diagrams for
for
volcanic
rocks
of
the
Thessalon
Formation
volcanic rocks of the Thessalon Formation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
12
Figure
Figure 10.
10. Pebble
Pebble size
size vs.
vs. pyrite
pyrite grains
grains size
size
Matinenda
Matinenda Formation,
Formation, Elliot
Elliot Lake
Lake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
16
Figure
Figure 11.
11. Concentration
Concentration rations
rations relative
relative to
to A1203
A1203
in
in the
the Pronto
Pronto Paleosol
Paleosol................................. 31
31
Figure
Figure 12.
12. Concentration
Concentration ratios
ratios of
of components
components
in
in the
the Denison
Denison paleosol
paleosol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
31

Figure
Figure 13.
13. Concentration
Concentration ratios
ratios in
in Sub-Matinenda
Sub-MatinendaFm.
Fm.,
Sub-Lorrain
Sub-Lorrain Fm.
Fm. and
and sub-Matinenda
sub-Matinenda Formation
Formation
paleosols
paleosols .............................................. 32
32
Figure
Figure 14.
14. Geological
Geological cross-section
cross-sectionof
of the
the
Blind
34
Blind River
River and
and Sudbury-Maintoulin
Sudbury-Maintoulinareas
areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34

Figure
Figure 15.
15. Metamosphism
Metamosphism of
of the
the Huronian
Huronian Supergroup
Supergroup .....37
37

�Figure
Figure 16.
16 . The distribution
distribution of
of rocks
rocks of
of the
the Huronian
Huronian
43
Supergroup.. Sault Ste
Ste.. Marie-Elliot
Marie-Elliot Lake
Lake area
area . . . . . . . . . 43
Supergroup
Thessalon area
Figure 17.
17. Geology of the Thessalon
area .............. 46
46
Figure 18.
18 . Plan
Plan and section
section of
of the
the Geology
Geology of
of the
the
Pronto
Pronto Mine
Mine area
area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54
54
19.. Geology of the Elliot Lake
58
Figure 19
Lake area
area . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Precambrian rock units
units and tectonic
Table 1.
Table
1 . Precambrian
tectonic
cover
and metallogenic events
events in
in the
the Lake
Lake Huron
Huron region.
region. ..back
back cover

�ELLIOT LAKE
THE
BETWEENSAULT
SAULTSSTE.
THE HURCNIAN
HURONIAN SUPERGROUP
SUPERGROUP BETWEEN
T E . MARIE
MARIE AND ELLIOT
LAKE

Introduction
Introduction
The Huronian
Earth's most studied
The
Huronian Supergroup
Supergroup is
is one
one of the Earth's
studied
sequences of
sequences
of rocks.
rocks. Since
Since the turn of the century the results
results of
of
hundreds of
Huronian rocks have been published in
hundreds
of studies
studies of Huronian
in
scientific
journals
and
government
publications.
These
studies
scientific journals
publications.
studies
Earth's
have led geoscientists
geoscientists to present evidence for the Earth's
of free oxygen in
earliest glacial
glacial periods, the development of
in the
atmosphere
paleoplacer
atmosphere of
of the
the early
early Earth,
Earth, the deposition of paleoplacer
deposits
tectonic activity
deposits of
of uranium,
uranium, and evidence
evidence for
for plate tectonic
activity
during the
during
the Proterozoic.
Proterozoic. Much of the evidence presented is
is based
based
on rock
rock exposures
exposures which
which will
will be
be visited
visited during
during this
this field
field trip.
trip.
Paleoproterozoic
The Huronian
Huronian Supergroup
Supergroup is a sequence of Paleoproterozoic
sedimentary and
unconformably upon
sedimentary
and minor volcanic rocks lying unconformably
Archean rocks
Archean
rocks of
of the
the Superior
Superior Province
Province of
of the
the Canadian
Canadian Shield.
Shield.
The
Superior, along
The Huronian
Huronian belt
belt extends
extends eastward
eastward from Lake Superior,
along the
the
north
shore
of
Lake
Huron
to
Sudbury
and
then
northward
to
the
north shore of Lake Huron
Sudbury
northward to the
Noranda area
Noranda
area of
of Quebec,
Quebec, aa distance
distance of
of about
about 450
450 km
km (270
(270miles)
miles)
(Figure 1). The Huronian
Huronian Supergroup attains it greatest thickness
thickness
(Figure
(40,000 feet)
feet) southwest
southwest of
of Sudbury.
Sudbury. The
of 12,000
12,000 metres
metres (40,000
The sequence
sequence
thins
basal units, thinning
thins northward
northward due
due to
to the wedging out of basal
thinning
of
clastic
units,
and
erosion
within
the
sequence
(Roscoe,
of clastic units, and erosion within the sequence (Roscoe,1969;
1969;
Frarey and
1970).
Frarey
and Roscoe,
Roscoe, 1970).
The
The 2219
2219 Ma
Ma radiometric
radiometric age
age of the Nipissing intrusions
intrusions places an
an
upper
Supergroup, while
while the
upper limit
limit on
on the
the age
age of the
the Huronian Supergroup,
the
is
probably
close
to
the
date
Copper
Copper Cliff
Cliff Ryolite
Ryolite (2450
(2450Ma)
Ma)
probably
to the date of
of
initial
initial Huronian
Huronian deposition
deposition in
in the
the Sudhury
Sudbury area.
area.
The Huronian
Huronian Supergroup
Supergroup consists of four groups, which in
in
ascending stratigraphic
Elliot Lake
Lake Group,
Group, Hough
ascending
stratigraphic order are: The Elliot
Lake
2,3).
Lake Group,
Group, Quirke
Quirke Lake
Lake Group
Group and
and Cobalt
Cobalt Group
Group (Figures
(Figures 2,3)
Formations of the
with the exception of the
Formations
the three upper groups, with
Serpent Formation,
continuity, and
and display
display a
Serpent
Formation, show
show stratigraphic continuity,
remarkable
cyclicity
of
lithological
units;
beginning
with
remarkable cyclicity of lithological
matrix-supported conglomerate(diamictite),
conglomerate(diamictite), followed
followed by
by mudstone,
mudstone,
matrix-supported
siltstone or
or limestone
by coarse,
coarse, cross-bedded
cross-bedded
siltstone
limestone and capped by
sandstone.
sandstone. Many
Many paleocurrent
paleocurrent studies
studies have
have shown
shown paleocurrent
paleocurrent
flowed
being the predominant
predominant
flowed south
south to
to southeast,
southeast, with southeast being
direction(Figure
5) .
direction
(Figure 5).

1

�Whitewater Group

__..''

Internal tonal boundary

Provincial boundary

Murray Foul, System

Grenville Front Tectonic Zone

Figure 1. The distribution of rocks of the Huronian Supergroup

Poleo,oic rocks

Huronion Supergroup

Sudiry Igneous Complex

Keweeriowan rocks

Grertville

Province

Superior Province

�______
__________

(2.21 Ga)
Ga)
(2.21

Nipissing
Gabbro.
diabase.
gronophyre
NipissingDiabcise
Diabase
Gobbro,
diobase,
gronophyre
-

NNNNNN NNNNNN

Quartz arenfte,
orenite,subarkose
suborkose
Bar
B~~ River
~i~~~Fm.
F ~ .Quartz
minor
minor mudstone,
mudstone,siltstone.
siltstone.

-,-N__N N N N N N N

NNN\
NNNN

4'''

Slltstone, mudslone
mudstone
Slitstone,

Gordon
chert, sandstone
GordonLake
LakeFm.
Ft-f~. chert,
sandstone

NN'NNN'\N\N

\NNNNNNNNNNNN

'N

--N N N N N N N

NNNN\NNNN

Lorrain Fm.
Fm.

NNN NN N N N N NN N
N NN N N N N NN N N N N
NNNN \N N N N N N N N

NNNNNNNNNNNNN

N N N' NNIX N N N N N
- 0-C&gt; - C'

-

Gowganda
Arkose. slltslone
Gowganda
Fm.Fm.
Arkose,slltstone
Diamlctite,
polymictic conglomerate
conglomerate
Diamictite, polymictic
Unconformity
Unconformity
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-..

N NN N N N N NN N N N NN

NNNNNN NNN N N N N N
NNNN NNN NN N N N N N

/ / / /
/ / / / / / / / / / / /1A
-c--V-CC Cc
z_

SerpentFm.
Fm.
Serpent

Subarkose. wacke
Subarkose,
wacke

Espanola
ppanola Fm.
F ~

Dolostone
hfostone
slltstone. wooke
sinstone.
,
wwke
limestone
limestone

Bruce
BruceFm.
Fm.

0)
C)

x
S

Ca
0 -3
Â¡

-'

Diamictite.
Diomictite. sandstone
sandstone

siltstone
siitstone

'Do0
(U
;. 0

a
6

-

Nj

N NNN N N
NNNNNNN

Mississagi
MississagiFm.
Fm.

N N N NN NNNN
NNN N NN N NN N NNNNN
NNN NNNNNNNN NNNN
NNN N NNNNNNN NNNN
NNN NNNNNNNNNNNN

Pecors
P ~ C OFm.
Fm.
~S

Subarkose.
Suborkose,arkose
orkose
quartz-pebble
quartz-pebble
conglomerate
conglomerate

N 'Vc-VN--N--

McKim
McKimFm
Fm

NN NNNNNNNNNNNNC

NN NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN
NN
NNNNNNNNNNN NN N N
NN NNNNNNNNNNNNN
'N \NNNNNNNNNNNN N N
NN NNNNNNNNNNNNN 1'

Mudstone,
siltstone
Mudstone.siltstone

Disconformity

Thessalon Fm.

Arkose. subarkose

quartz-pebble conglomerate
Molt volcorks

Livingstone Creek Fm.

Areh4o, +
+ 8oqrtetd. +

+

1

Dkconfo,,,,*
DcOnfo,Th#)I

Minor qtz. peb. cong.

Disconformity

1

Layered gabbro, onorthosite

+

a0 a.
Â¡
-J
2 - 3

t

(:5

i 0
0
0
x
-

Mudstone,
Mudstone.siltstone
siltstone
wacke

Mafinenda Fm

a-

0)
a,

S
x

6a) 00

Ramsay
RamsayLake
LakeFm.
Fm.Diomictite
Dfomictite
.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.

--:&gt;

:

+j
0—0
00
00

Mudstone.
Mudstone.siftstone
siftstone

NNNNNNNNNNNNNN

-NN NNNNNNNNNN
\NNNN NNNNNNN N

5
-3 ¡
noÂ

-

2 .: .: if:0: -o• :-.
a a 0a ° a a
0 C&gt; 'C&gt; , C&gt;

C&gt;

Quartz arenne,
arenlte, quartzquartzpebble conglomerate
congbmerate
pebble
Arkose.
subarkose
Arkose. subarkose

°-

a)

S

2o
w

Mefavolcanics,
metasedirnents,
gronitic rocks

Figure
Figure 2.
2. Huronian
Huronian Stratigraphy
Sault Ste.
Ste. Marie-Elliot
Marie-Elliot Lake
Lake area
area
Stratigraphy -- Sault

3

�The
The Elliot
Elliot Lake
Lake Group
Group

The
Huronian groups
groups
The Elliot
Elliot Lake
Lake Group
Group differs
differs from the overlying Huronian
in
internal stratigraphy
stratigraphy is
is generally
generally discontinuous
discontinuous
in that:
that: (flits
(1)its internal
does not
not show
show the
the diamictite-mudstonediamictite-mudstoneand less
less extensive;
extensive; (2)it does
sandstone sequence;
the only
only important
important uranium
uranium
sandstone
sequence; (3)it
(3)it contains the
deposits;
deposits; (4)and
(4)and the
the only
only volcanic
volcanic rocks
rocks in
in the
the entire
entire
supergroup.
supergroup.

The Livingstone
The
Livinastone Creek
Creek Formation
Formation
polymictic conglomerates
The polymictic
conglomerates and
and sandstones
sandstones of
of the
the Livingstone
Livingstone
Formation (Frarey,
the lowermost
lowermost Huronian
Huronian
Creek Formation
(Frarey, 1967) form the
formation. It
formation.
It is
is the
the only
only Huronian
Huronian formation
formation known
known to
to precede
precede
some of the
the Huronian
Huronian igneous
igneous activity.
activity.
The Livingstone
in)
The
Livingstone Creek
Creek Formation
Formationis
is at
at least
least1200
1200feet
feet(400
(400
m)
thick
thick in
in the
the Sault
Sault Ste.
Ste. Marie
Marie area
area and
and between
between 300
300 feet
feet (100
(100 m)
m)
Thessalon area.
and 1000
in)
and
1000 feet
feet(300
(300
m) thick
thick in the Thessalon
area.

The
sandstone and
The formation
formation has
has been correlated with grey sandstone
conglomerate near
Lake in
Township (Bennett,
conglomerate
near Crazy
Crazy Lake
in Nicholas Township
(Bennett,1978;
1978;
member occurs
Bottrill, 1971)
A remnant of the conglomerate
conglomerate member
occurs as
as
Bottrill,
1971). A
far
far east
east as
as Pecors
Pecors Lake
Lake on
on the
the south
south limb
limb of the
the Quirke
Quirke Lake
Lake
(Figures 4,
Syncline (Jensen,
Livingstone Creek
Syncline
(Jensen,1990)
1990) (Figures
4, 6,).
6,). The Livingstone
Creek
Formation has
Formation
has not
not been
been recognized
recognized east of the Quirke
Quirke Lake
Lake
-

Syncline.
Syncline.

of two
two distinctive
distinctive rock
The Livingstone
Livingstone Creek
Creek Formation consists of
types: an
medium-grained arkose,
arkose, subarkose
subarkose and
an upper
upper finefine- to medium-grained
subwacke;
subwacke; and
and aa lower
lower clast-supported
clast-supported polymictic conglomerate
conglomerate
with
with cobble
cobble to
to boulder-sized
boulder-sized megaclasts.
megaclasts.
The sandstone
sandstone member of
Formation may
of the
the Livingstone
Livingstone Creek Formation
may be
be
distinguished
by the
the uniform
uniform grain
distinguished from
from other
other Huronian sandstones by
size
Mudstone and
and pebbly
pebbly
size (fine(fine- to
to medium-sand)
medium-sand) of the former. Mudstone
units
units (even
(even isolated
isolated pebbles)
pebbles) are
are lacking
lacking within
within the
the sandstone
sandstone
member of
Another characteristic
member
of the
the Livingstone
Livingstone Creek
Creek Formation.
Formation. Another
characteristic
feature
of
the
sandstone
units
is
the
presence
of
carbonate
feature of the sandstone units is
of carbonate along
along
the foresets
foresets of
of the
the commonly
commonly well-developed
well-developed trough
trough cross-beds.
cross-beds.
Planar
Planar cross-beds
cross-bedsare
are rare.
rare.

4

�___

______

____
_____

___

COBALT GROUP
GROUP
COBALT

Bor River
River Formation
Formation
Bar
GordonLake
LakeFormation
Formation
Gordon
Lorrain Formation
Formation
Lorroin
GowgandaFormation
Formation
Gowganda
W I R K E LAKE
LAKE GROUP
GROUP
QUIRKE

m

JW
-.-----a MSn eefl
-V •CRIO
r0LW
-----6 —

I

————

I

CI

M"em,-&amp;
of
01

a

~

Mudstone. satafone.

cothonote (Esponola Elm)

MARINE

0

LCi1
E3

C

Mississagi
Mississagi Formation
Formation
Pecors Formation
Formation
Pecors
Lake Formation
Formation
Ramsay Lake

0

0

S

LakeGroup
Group
Elliot Lak.

i)tarnlclfle.
mudstone, sfltstone
h k w e , m"d,~.'i"%,me

clad
suppotted conglomerate
cm-dcmb-,,,e

GLACIAL
GLACIAL

I____
lu
II&gt;-

V

(Melornoaphac
grade
mainly
&lt;
m
Mg
,wS
b &amp;W

sst-gIreeoacbbt
~ " w ~lode,)
l l

~

k

,

~

Disconformity

V

3
3

~

FLU
VIAL
FLUVIAL

4

HOUGH LAKE
LAKE GROUP
GROUP
HOUGH

igure
Figure

Mose,
m- soborkoso.
m m - , qoodz
q"om orenlte
'"mu.
quartz-pebble
q w * conglomerate
. ~ ~ m

_____

Iii;
rH!&gt;.

ki

MalnRock
RockTypos
Types
Mum

-&amp;"

Ir

0

Serpent Formation
Formation
Serpent
Espanola
Espanola Formation
Formation
Bruce Formation
Formation
Bruce

I

I"

/ 'i

Volcanic racks, morthe ond fluvial depoefta.

Poleopbceruroruwnaeposns

. The
The cyclicity of
of Huronian
Huronian sedimention

.

LEGEND
LEGEND
HoughLakeGroup
nough Lake Group

fflIhHI

MATINENDA
MATINENDAFM
FM

m-.

@I

quatlz-peliue
wa**-k.m=mte congianwate

--

ri
.... .....

- -,

k

-

+1
+

-P
.-,

tJ

ThjJ.py
—. —- —.

N

SAULT
SAULT STE.
STE. MARIE
MARIE
AREA
AREA

-.

Uncønfonnhlyorthsconfonnity

Paleosol on LMngstone Cr. Fm
and basaltic dike (Ibessalon Fm.)

-. -.

1., u.m. /

—.

L

w " ! ~ ~ ~ , e

ARCHE.AN BASEMENT
G(arHtcgreenstone
Quanz—pe4bIecongIooiemte

loon

C

THESSALON FM.
Dasal.sndeslerliyolileflows
-at.
-*e
,h"dde k
basaJldce
.,*e
LNINGSTGNECREEK
CREEKFM.
FM,
LMNGSTONE
mey a*sxbrkme
PolylilIclic conglomerate

:LL

-.
ThESSALON
THESSMONAREA
AREA

EIAUGHT0N-OrTER
HAIJGHTONQTTERTWPS
W S
(DUNN'S
(WNWS VALLEY
V&amp;Lâ‚ AREA)
AREA)

CRAZY
C
W LAXE
LbKEAREA
AREA
NiCHOLAS
NICHOUSTWP.
W.

-.

-.

-.

,

auoT LAKE
'ELLIM
ME
AREA
AREA

Stratigraphic relationships in the Elliot
Elliot Lake Group —
Figure 4.
4 . Stratigraphic
Figure
Sault
Marie Elliot
Elliot Lake
Lake area.
area.
Sault Ste. Marie

5

5

e

�Clast-supported, polpictic
polymictic conglomerate is a
a prominent
prominent rock type
Clast-supported,
in the lower
lower sections
sections of
of the
the Livingstone
Livingstone Creek
Creek Formation.
Formation. CobbleCobbleto
boulder-sized clasts
to boulder-sized
clasts of
of grey
grey granitic
granitic rocks
rocks and
and minor
minor mafic
mafic
plutonic and metamorphic rock clasts
clasts are set in a sparse matrix
of coarse,
of Huronian
Huronian
coarse, grey arkose
arkose or arkosic grit. No clasts of
recognized. Thin units
units of
of cross-bedded,
cross-bedded, grey
volcanic rocks were recognized.
arkose are locally
locally interbedded
interbedded with
with the
the conglomerate
conglomerate (Frarey,
(Frarey,
1977,
al., 1991).
1977, Bennett et al.,
1991). The
The grey
grey granitic
granitic mega-clasts
mega-clasts of
of the
the
conglomerate member is in contrast with
with the predominantly
predominantly reddish
conglomerate
hues
hues of
of the
the underlying
underlying Archean
Archean basement
basement rocks.
rocks. This
This colour
colour
difference
of ferric iron in
difference appears to be due to the reduction of
the feldspars
conglomerate, and
feldspars of the red granitic clasts in the conglomerate,
not a
a result
result of
of differing
differing provenance.
provenance. This
This conclusion
conclusion is
is
supported
supported by the
the observation
observation that
that granitic
granitic rocks
rocks in
in aa "paleosol
"paleosol
zone"
few tens
tens of
of metres
metres below
below the
the base
base of
of the
the
zonet9a few
few metres to
to aa few
Livingstone Creek
Livingstone
Creek Formation
Formation commonly
commonly display
display a
a grey
grey colour
colour as
as
well.
well.
The
The clast
clast size,
size, local
local source
source and
and low
low stratigraphic
stratigraphic position
position of
of
Livingstone Creek conglomerates
the Livingstone
conglomerates are
are consistent
consistent with
with
deposition
mediumdeposition on
on an
an alluvial
alluvial fan.
fan. The
The uniform,
uniform, finefine- to
to mediumgrained sand
of
the
trough
cross-bedded
sandstone
member
sand of the trough cross-bedded sandstone member suggests
suggests
a different,
different, although
although probably
probably related
related depositional
depositional environment
environment
than
than that of the
the conglomerate.
conglomerate. The
The sandstone
sandstone member
member may
may represent
represent
a fault bounded
bounded valley
valley
deposition by median streams flowing in a
with scarps
scarps covered by alluvial
alluvial fans
fans (Bennett
(Bennett et
et al.,
al., 1991).
1991). The
The
well sorted
nature
of
the
sandstone
suggests
an
aeolian
component
sorted nature of the sandstone suggests an aeolian component
(Meyer,W.,
W., 1983)
1983).
or even aeolian
aeolian deposition
deposition (Meyer,

Early
Earlv Huronian
Huronian Intrusive
Intrusive Rocks
Rocks
Several petrographically
petrographically distinctive,
Several
distinctive, mafic to
to ultramafic
ultramafic
intrusive bodies
intrusive
bodies have been recognised
recognised between the
the eastern
eastern end
end of
of
the Sudbury
Igneous
Complex
and
the
nose
of
the
Quirke
Lake
Sudbury Igneous Complex and the nose
the Quirke Lake
Syncline. The intrusions
Syncline.
intrusions are
are characterized
characterized by the
the presence
presence of
of
anorthositic
phases
and
locally
well
developed,
primary
rhythmic
anorthositic phases and locally well developed, primary rhythmic
layering of alternating
layering
alternating anorthositic
anorthositic and
and gabbroic
gabbroic layers.
layers.
Segregations,
Segregations, dikes
dikes and
and sheet-like
sheet-like bodies
bodies of
of granophyre
granophyre are
are
locally
present
(Card
and
Palonen,
1976;
Peck
et
al.,
1995).
locally
(Card and Palonen, 1976; Peck et al., 1995).

Major intrusions
Lntrusions of gabbro-anorthosite
gabbro-anorthosite are
are found
found at
at Agnew
Agnew Lake
Lake
and Palonen,
Palonen, 1976) and at East Bull
Bull Lake
Lake (Born
(Born and
and James,
James,
(Card and
(1991) report
report two
1978;
1978; Kamineni
Kamineni et
et al.,
al., 1984).
1984). Bennett,
Bennett, et
et al.
a1.(1991)
two

6

�additional
additional bodies
bodies between
between Blind
Blind River
River and
and Thessalon.
Thessalon. All
All gabbrogabbroanorthosite bodies
bodies found
found to
to date
date have
have been
been emplaced
emplaced in
in the
the
anorthosite
Archean
Archean basement
basement at,
at, or
or just
just below
below the
the Archean-Huronian
Archean-Huronianboundary.
boundary.

Krogh
(1984)reported
reporteda aU-Pb
U-Pbage
age2491+5.5
2491 Ma
al.(l984)
Ma for
for zircons
zircons
Krogh et
et al.
from the
the gabbro-anorthosite
gabbro-anorthosite intrusion
from
intrusion at
at Agnew
Agnew Lake
Lake and
and 2480+10-5
2480'°
for
for the
the East
East Bull
Bull Lake
Lake gabbro-anorthosite
gabbro-anorthosite body.
body. The
The similarity
similarity of
of
these
these ages
ages to
to the
the 245O2510Ma
2450+25.10
Ma (U-Pb
(U-Pbzircon)
zircon) age
age of
of rhyolite
rhyolite of
of
the Huronian
Huronian Copper
Copper Cliff
Cliff Formation
Formation(Krogh
(Kroghet
et al.,
al.,1984)
1984)
the
indicates that
that these
these gabbro-anorthosite
gabbro-anorthosite intrusions
intrusions form
form part
part of
of
indicates
the
early
Huronian
volcanic
events
(Card,
1978a)
the early Huronian volcanic events (Card, 1978a).
The
The north
north to
to northwest
northwest trending
trending Matachewan-Hearst
Matachewan-Hearst dike
dike swarm
swarm is
is
the
the second
second largest
largest dike
dike swarm
swarm of
of the
the Canadian
Canadian Shield.
Shield. The
The 2.45
2.45 Ga
Ga
age
age of
of the
the swarm
swarm (Heaman,
(Heaman,1988)is
1988)is essentially
essentially the
the same
same as
as that
that of
of
the
East
Bull
Lake
Suite
and
the
Huronian
volcanic
rocks
of
the
the East Bull Lake Suite and the Huronian volcanic rocks of the
Copper
Copper Cliff
Cliff Formation.
Formation.
Krogh
report a U-Pb
U-Pb age
age of
al. (1996)
(1996) report
of 2.48
2.48 Ga
Ga for
for the
the Murray
Murray
Krogh et
et al.
Granite;
Granite; one
one of
of several
several granitic
granitic intrusions
intrusions cutting
cutting the
the lower
lower
part
of
the
Huronian
Supergroup
near
Sudbury.
It
is
possible
part of the Huronian Supergroup near Sudbury. It is possible that
that
these
felsic volcanic
volcanic
these intrusions
intrusions are
are magma
magma chambers
chambers for
for Huronian
Huronian felsic
rocks
rocks in
in the
theSudbury
Sudburyarea.
area.

Huronian
Huronian Volcanic
Volcanic Rocks
Rocks of
of the
the Sudbury
SudburyArea
Area

The
The Huronian
Huronian bimodal
bimodal volcanic
volcanic sequence
sequence in
in the
the Sudbury
Sudbury area
area has
has
been
been subdivided
subdivided in
in the
the predominately
predominately mafic
mafic Elsie
Elsie Mountain
Mountain (1000
(1000mm
thick)
thick) and
and Stobie
StobieFormations
Formations(1500
(1500mmthick)
thick), and
and the
the felsic
felsic
Copper
Cliff
Formation
(760
m
thick)
by
(Card
1978a)
Copper Cliff Formation (760 m thick) by (Card 1978a) (Figure
(Figure7).
7).
Krogh
zircon)
Krogh et
et al.(1984)
al. (1984)obtained
obtained an
an age
ageof
of24502510Ma
2450+25.10
Ma(U-Pb
(U-Pb
zircon)
age
age for
for rhyolite
rhyolite of
of the
the Huronian
Huronian Copper
Copper Cliff
Cliff Formation;
Formation; the
the only
only
Huronian
Huroniansupracrustal
supracrustalrock
rock for
for which
which there
there is
is an
an absolute
absolute age.
age.
The
The volcanic
volcanic rocks
rocks of
of the
the Sudbury
Sudburyarea
area show
show evidence
evidenceof
of submarine
submarine
eruption
from
fault
controlled
vents
along
the
edge
of
eruption from fault controlled vents along the edge of aa
depositional
depositionalbasin
basin into
into which
which arkosic
arkosic sandstones
sandstoneswere
were being
being
transported
Archean granitic
granitic terrain
terrain to
to the
the north,
north, while
while
transported from
from the
the Archean
turbidites
turbiditeswere
were deposited
deposited from
from sediment
sediment from
from both
both the
the volcanic
volcanic
1978a). The
The
and rejuvenated
rejuvenated basement
basement marginal
marginal to
to the
the basin
basin (Card,
(Card,1978a).
and
volcanic
rocks
of
the
Sudbury
area
differ
in
terms
of
internal
volcanic rocks of the Sudbury area differ in terms of internal
stratigraphy,
stratigraphy,overall
overall thickness
thickness and
and depositional
depositional environment
environment from
from
the
the Huronian
Huronianvolcanic
volcanic rocks
rocks in
in the
the Sault
Sault Ste.
Ste. Marie-Elliot
Marie-ElliotLake
Lake
,

area.
area.

7

�00

Figure 5. Paleocurrent roses for the Mississagi and Matinenda fonnations.

�The
The Huronian
Huronian Volcanic
Volcanic Rocks
Rocks of
of the
the Sault
Sault Ste.
Ste. Marie-Elliot
Marie-Elliot Lake
Lake
area
a
Volcanic
Volcanic rocks
rocks overlying
overlying the
the Livingstone
Livingstone Creek
Creek Formation
Formation were
were
named the
the Thessalon
Thessalon Formation
Formation of
of the
the Elliot
Elliot Lake
Lake Group
Group by
by
named
Frarey(l967).
Frarey(l967). Jolly(1987)
Jolly(l987) concluded
concluded the
the Thessalon
Thessalon Formation
Formation is
is aa
continental
continental flood
flood basalt
basalt sequence
sequence associated
associated with
with continental
continental
rifting. Bennett
Bennett et
et al.
al.(1991)
volcanic
rifting.
(1991) proposed
proposed that
that the Huronian
Huronian volcanic
rocks of
of the
the Quirke
Quirke Lake
Lake Syncline
Syncline should
should also
also be correlated
correlated with
with
rocks
the
the Thessalon
Thessalon Formation.
Formation.
Attempts
Attempts to
to obtain
obtain an
an absolute
absolute age
age determination
determination from
from rocks
rocks of
of
the
the Thessalon
Thessalon Formation
Formation have
have so
so far
far been
been unsuccessful.
unsuccessful. However
However
the spatial
spatial association
association of
of the
the East
East Bull
Bull Lake
Lake intrusions
intrusions with
with the
the
the
Huronian
of the
the Quirke
Quirke Lake
Lake Syncline
Syncline suggest
suggest
Huronian volcanic
volcanic rocks
rocks of
Huronian
Huronian volcanism
volcanism in
in that
that area
area occurred
occurred about
about the
the same
same time
time as
as
the emplacement
emplacement of
of the
the East
East Bull
Bull Lake intrusions
intrusions (2480
(2480 Ma).
Ma). Given
Given
the
the
the potential
potential error
error for
for the
the relevant
relevant age
age dates
dates (Krogh
(Kroghet
et al.,
al.,
1984),
the
age
of
the
Thessalon
Formation
may
not
differ
19841, the age of the Thessalon Formation
not differ
significantly from
from that
that of
of the
the Copper
Copper Cliff
Cliff Formation
Formation of
of the
the
significantly
Sudbury
Sudbury area
area (2450
(2450Ma).
Ma) .

The
The maximum
maximum thickness
thickness of
of the
the Thessalon
Thessalon Formation
Formation in
in the
the Sault
Sault
Ste. Marie
Marie area
area is
is approximately
approximately 650
650 m
m (2100
(2100 feet)
feet) and
and 820
820 mm
Ste.
(2700
(2700 feet)
feet) (Frarey,
(Frarey,1977)
1977). Diamond
Diamond drilling
drilling has
has indicated
indicated at
at
least
least 670
670 mm (2200
(2200 ft)
ft) of
of Thessalon
Thessalon volcanics
volcanics under
under Lake
Lake Huron
Huron
south
south of
of the
the town
town of
of Thessalon.
Thessalon. The
The Thessalon
Thessalon Formation
Formation may
may be
be
as much
much as
as 1080
1080 mm (3500
(3500 feet)
feet) thick
thick at
at Bass
Bass Lake
Lake in
in Aberdeen
Aberdeen
as
Township.
Township.
.

Tomlinson(l996),
Tomlinson(l996), who
who studied
studied the
the geochemistry
geochemistry of
of the
the Huronian
Huronian
volcanic
volcanic rocks
rocks between
between Sault
Sault Ste.
Ste. Marie
Marie and
and Thessalon,
Thessalon, concluded
concluded
that
that the
the lavas
lavas of
of the
the Thessalon
Thessalon Formation
Formation are
are divisible
divisible into
into 77
distinct
distinct units
units based
based on
on mapping,
mapping, petrography
petrography and
and major
major and
and trace
trace
element
units were
were grouped
grouped into
into
8). The
The 77 units
element geochemistry
geochemistry (Figure
(Figure 8).
two
two "lava
"lava series".
series".The
The upper
upper lava
lava series
series (units
(units66 and
and 7,
7, of
of
Tomlinson,
Tomlinson, 1996)
1996) is
is equivalent
equivalent to
to the
the upper
upper tholeiitic
tholeiitic basalt
basalt
sequence
of
Bennett
et
al.
sequence of Bennett et al. (1991)
(1991). The
The lower
lower lava
lava series
series (units
(units
1-5,
1-5, of
of Tomlinson,
Tomlinson, 1996),
1996), consists
consists mainly
mainly of
of basaltic
basaltic andesite
andesite
with
with subordinate,
subordinate, local
local rhyolite,
rhyolite, mugearite,
mugearite, andesite
andesite and
and high
high
magnesium
magnesium basalt
basalt flows;
flows; and
and corresponds
corresponds to
to the
the "diverse
"diverse member"
member''
.

of
(1991).
of Bennett
Bennettetetal.
al.(1991).

9

�___
5

LEGEND
PH Mesa-Proterazoic and Phanerozalc racks

(Mngsfone Creek Fm.

Sandstone. polymlctic conglomerate
(tras, outcrop dabs.

Upper Huronian rocks

East Bull Lake Suite
Goobro, onorthotite

Thessalon Formation
Sasolt.

Ifli] Archean racks

andesite. (waite etc

•__s

(Ftom outcrap and dre hale data)
Quartz pebble conglemerote
at baseotmessatonflows.
(locaty rodioocttve)

r'

+

/

I

-4.j/
c._r\7_

Se.

a.......'4
+

— —s

7
+

+

+

+

+

+
+

+

+

+

+
+

+

+

+

÷

+

+

+

(Con, a hot. dot

,4'

4,

NON

—
rocte
(from Dtt4ltng

=_)
No

mr÷+
—U—

+
+

No I+aonla,

thorn

Fault

J

tO

U

Hi,oS,

÷

±

&gt; .1*'

-'sr -c
+
/e—'
EtotL&amp;o+++++J

Murray Fault

——S———

—.

Lake Huron

Figure
Figure 66

.

.

The Distribution of Thessalon Formation
Formation
The
Creek Formation
Formation.
and Livingstone Creek

47°N

orn7N

km

/
ult St

LAKE

46 it

HURON

Sudbury Structure

Lillilill Poleozoic racks
Huronion Supergroup

Grenvitle Province

Metasedimentary rocks

-

Metavolconic rocks
Metovolconic
rocks

Exposed in
in outcrop
Exposed
outcrop
~ m m Diamond-drill
n d - d r r l indicated
l
4ndtcote-d

7
?

Distribution
D
k ~ n a u ~ i ounknown
unknown
n

Superior
Province
superior Province

\

Quirke
Ouifke Loke
Loke Syncline
Synclor

,'

Fault
Faulr

Figure 7.
7. Distribution
Distributionof
ofHuronian
Huronianvolcanic
volcanic rocks.
rocks.
10

�-

unit f$*

t t4

Livingstone
Creek Fm

500m

— unit 1

Bass Lake

Figure 8. Schematic stratigraphy of the Thessalon Formation.

Livingstone
Creek Fm

Radioactive

\

Basalt to andesite
cycles

Rhyolite —..

Basalt —_-

Thessalon

unit I

Urn

650 to
820m

From Tomlinson (1996)

Livirigstone
Creek Fm

unit 7

B as a

1200m

Upper Island Lake

�20
20

I

basalts
A - Within plate basalts
10

*

1 B - Island
Island arc
arc basalts
basalts
0- Mid-ocean ridge basalts

Z'/Y
5
0

I

1000

10

Zr

Tc2
TO,

0

island arc
basalts

0.5-

i

200
200

IOU
100

40
40

300
300

400
400

Zr
FeO*
FeO*

Nb * 2

A

WPA ALAII
WPT AII,C
E

51 -56%SE02
- 56% 30,

MOPS: S

N MOPS: D
VAB C,D

y

Zr/4

- Spreading Centre
I -Spreading
1
Centre Island
Island
Orogeni
2 -- Orogenic
3 -- Ocean
Ocean Ridge and Floor
4--Ocean
4
OceanIsland
Island
Continental
5 --Continental

MgO

Unit 1=0 Unit2=° Unit3=a Unit4='&lt; Unit5 Unit6=° Umt7=x

WPA =
= within
plaEetholeiite,
tholeiite,E-MORB=enriched
E-MORBenriched type mid-ocean
within plate alkali basalt,
basalt, WPT—within
WPT=within plate
mid-ocean ridge
ridge basalt,
basalt,
N-MORB=normal
N-MORB=nonnal mid-ocean
mid-oceanridge
ridgebasalt,
basalt,VAB—volcanic
VAB=volcanic arc
arc basalt.
basalt.

Formation
Figure 9.
9. Discrimination
Discrimination diagrams
diagrams for volcanic rocks of the Thessalon Formation
(from Tomlinson,
Tomlinson, 1996).
1996).

12

203

�Bennett et
(1991) proposed
proposed that
that the
the upper,
upper, basaltic
basaltic flows
Bennett
et al.
al.(1991)
flows of
of
probably represent
the Thessalon
Thessalon Formation (upper
(upper lava
lava series)
series) probably
represent
part of
of aa continental
diverse
continental flood basalt sequence,
sequence, while the diverse
member (lower
(lower lava
lava series)
series) appears
appears to
to have erupted
erupted from
from central
central
member
vents. The
The Ruronian
Huronian volcanic
volcanic rocks
rocks of the Quirke
Lake Syncline
Syncline
Quirke Lake
display lithological
display
lithological and geochemical similarities
similarities to
to the
the lower
lower
lava
lava series
series of the Thessalon Formation
Formation west of the
the Quirke
Quirke Lake
Lake
Syncline (G.
(G. Bennett,
Bennett, unpublished
unpublished data).
data).
Syncline

The
The upper,
upper, tholeiitic
tholeiitic basalt flows
flows of the Thessalon
Thessalon Formation
Formation
(upper
of Tomlinson,
Tomlinson, 1996) are almost
almost uniformly
(upper lava series of
uniformly
greenish-grey finemedium-grained tholeiitic
greenish-grey
fine- to medium-grained
tholeiitic metabasalt.
metabasalt. The
The
essential minerals
essential
minerals are
are albite,
albite, actinolite,
actinolite, chlorite,
chlorite,
clinozoisite, epidote and Fe-Ti
Fe-Ti oxides. Primary
clinozoisite,
Primary clinopyroxene
clinopyroxene is
is
present
present in
in only
only aa few
few samples
samples of
of basalt from
from the
the Sault
Sault Ste.
Ste. Marie
Marie
generally
area. The andesitic rocks of the lower lava series are generally
darker
coloured
and
commonly
contain
stilpnomelane
and
biotite
darker coloured and commonly contain stilpnomelane and biotite
with
with green
green pleochroism (Fe3
(Fe+3rich?)
rich?) in
in addition
addition to
to albite
albite and
and
actinolite
actinolite (Bennett
(Bennett et
et al.
al. 1991)
1991). Tomlinson(1996)
the
reports the
Tomlinson(1996) reports
presence of
in some
some flows.
flows. Quartz is
is a
a minor component
component
presence
of tremolite
tremolite in
metamorphic
of basaltic and andesitic types. In
In most areas the metamorphic
grade of the Thessalon Formation flows
grade
flows is lower greenschist
.

fades.
facies .
Amygdules of
quartz and
Amygdules
of epidote,
epidote, chlorite,
chlorite, calcite,
calcite, quartz
stilpnomelane,
stilpnomelane, in
in complex
complex zonal
zonal arrangements,
arrangements, are
are common.
common.
Flattened
chlorite-filled
amygdules
a
centimetre
or
Flattened chlorite-filled amygdules
centimetre or less
less across
across
Thessalon
are a distinctive feature of most mafic flows of the Thessalon
Formation.
structures are rare but
in most
Formation. Pillow structures
but were
were observed
observed in
areas.
areas. Scoriaceous
Scoriaceous flow-tops
flow-tops and
and cross-cutting
cross-cutting breccias
breccias are
are
commonly filled
filled with a fine-grained
fine-grained mixture of quartz
and grey
grey to
to
commonly
quartz and
red
secondary
albite.
red secondary albite.
Tomlinson(1996)
Tomlinson
(1996)states:
states:
"The
data indicate that
that the lavas
lavas are comparable
comparable to
"The field and geochemical data
to
modern day
andesites but that their
their source
modern
day continental
continental basalt and andesites
source was
was
similar
9 shows
shows the
the lavas
lavas plotted
plotted
similar to
to that
that of
of island
island arc
arc basalt.
basalt. Figure
Figure 9
variety of
comparable to
on a variety
of discrimination
discrimination diagrams where they are most comparable
to
modern
Their arc-basalt
modern within-plate
within-platebasalt.
basalt. Their
arc-basalt geochemical
geochemical characteristics
characteristics
result from
upper mantle
mantle that had been
result
from their derivation from an upper
metasomatically enriched during subduction
Kenoran orogeny.
metasomatically
subduction in
in the Kenoran
orogeny. Units
Units
within the
generated from
within
the sequence
sequence were generated
from different pulses of
of magma,
magma, each
each
region of the relatively
relatively homogenous
of which
which stemmed
stemmed from
from a different region
homogenous
Huronian mantle.
lavas require generation
generation from
Huronian
mantle. Only the unit 2 lavas
from part of
of

13

�the mantle with
with slightly
slightly different characteristics
similar to
to
the
characteristics to a source
source similar
that
that required
required to
to generate
generate island
island arc
arc basalt
basalt 1D16
ID16 (a
(a primitive
basalt used
used
primitive basalt
by
(1996)inmaking
making calculations)
calculations). Different
Different degrees
degrees of
of partial
partial
by Tomlinson
Tomlinson (1996)in
melting of
of this
this source
source that
that contains
contains garnet in the residue
(at less
less than
than
melting
residue (at
29.8% partial
partial melting) are
are responsible
responsible for the REE characteristics
of
29.8%
characteristics of
each
generation of the
the lower
each unit.
unit. In
In the generation
lower lava
lava series,
series, different
different batches
batches
of
or lesser
of magma
magma underwent
underwent crustal
crustal contamination
contamination to a greater or
lesser extent
extent
within
within the
the lower
lower or
or upper
upper crust
crust (or
(or both)
both) prior
prior to
to eruption.
eruption. The
The upper
upper
lavas
lavas series
series rocks
rocks are
are not
not contaminated.
contaminated. In
In all
all but the
the unit
unit 22 lavas
lavas
crystal fractionation
fractionation occurred
occurred both early, as magma
to shallower
shallower
crystal
magma ascended
ascended to
depths,
depths, and
and later,
later, in
in shallow
shallow level
level sills
sills or
or magma
magma chambers.
chambers. Early
Early
fractional
Mg, Ni and Cr
fractional crystallisation
crystallisation was responsible
responsible for the low Mg,
Cr
values
values in
in most
most units,
units, while
while later
later stage
stage crystal fractionation
fractionation was
was
responsible
responsible for
for the
the major
major element
element and compatible
compatible element trends
trends within
within
single
(Tomlinson, 1996).
plots"(Tomlinson,
single units,
units, as
as shown
shown on
on bi-element
bi-elementplots"
1996).
.

On
On the
the geochemistry
geochemistry and
and tectonic setting
setting of the Thessalon
Thessalon
volcanic
volcanic rocks
rocks Tomlinson
Tomlinson (1996)
(1996)states:
states:
"various
"various lines
lines of
of evidence
evidence from
from the
the Elliot
Elliot Lake
Lake Group
Group as
as aa whole
whole can
can
be
be used
used to
to characterize
characterize the
the Ruronian
Huronian rifting
rifting event.
event. Active
Active rifting
rifting
involves
involves deep
deep mantle
mantle upwelling
upwelling or
or plume
plume magmatism
magmatism which
which splits
splits the
the
continental
passive rifting
continental crust;
crust; whereas
whereas passive
rifting involves
involves mantle diapirism
diapirism
and
and adiabatic
adiabatic upwelling
upwelling induced
induced by
by differential
differential stresses
stresses and
and
stretching
stretching in
in the
the lithosphere
lithosphere (Wilson,
(Wilson,1989)
1989). The
The geochemical
geochemical
evidence
Formation indicates that the
evidence from
from the
the Thessalon
Thessalon Volcanic Formation
the
source
upper mantle
mantle rather
rather than a deep
source of
of the
the lavas
lavas was metasomatised upper
deep
mantle
mantle or
or plume
plume component.
component. Structural
Structural subsidence
subsidence patterns
patterns in
in the
the
Archean basement
basement (Zolnai
(Zolnai et
et al.,
al., 1984)
1984) are thought to be responsible
responsible
Archean
for
for lithospheric
lithospheric stretching,
stretching, in-turn
in-turn causing
causing mantle
mantle upwelling,
upwelling,
episodic
episodic partial
partial melting
melting and
and volcanism.
volcanism. This
This is
is supported
supported by
by the
the
presence
400 metres of
of Huronian
Huronian
syn-depositional faults
faults in
in up
up to
to 400
presence of
of syn-depositional
sedimentary
sedimentary rocks
rocks below
below the
the volcanics.
volcanics. G.
G. Bennett
Bennett (personal
(personal
communication,1996)
1996) has
has also
also described
described syndepositional
syndepositional features
features(at
(at22
communication,
locations
sault Ste. Marie)
Marie) where
where sedimentary
sedimentary
locations near
near Elliot
Elliot Lake and Sault
rocks
ill fractures
fractures in
rocks of
of the
the Livingstone
Livingstone creek
Creek Formation
Formationinf
infill
in the
the
underlying
underlying Archean
Archean basement.
basement. These
These features
features indicate
indicate that
that initially
initially
volcanism
volcanism was
was aa consequence
consequenceof
ofrifting.
rifting. In
In active
active rifts
rifts just
just one
one
uplift
uplift and
and melting
melting event
event occurs
occurs as
as aa plume
plume impacts
impacts the
the lithosphere,
lithosphere,
but
but in
in passive
passive rifts
rifts uplift
uplift and
and melting
melting are
are episodic
episodic (Williamson
(Williamson and
and
Keen.,
.
Multiple
Keen.,1995)
1995).
Multiple erosional
erosional surfaces
surfaces within
within the
the Elliot
Elliot Lake
Lake
Group
occurred. Based
Group indicate
indicate that
that numerous
numerous episodes
episodes of uplift occurred.
Based on
on
these
these lines
lines of
of evidence
evidence the
the Huronian
Huronian rifting
rifting event
event can
can best
best be
be
characterised
characterised as
as aa typical
typical passive
passive rifting
riftingevent"
event" (Tomlinson,
(Tomlinson,
.

1996)
1996).

Sedimentary
Sedimentarv Rocks
Rocks Associated
Associated with
with the
the Thessalon
Thessalon Formation
Formation
In
In the
the Sault
Sault Ste.
Ste. Marie
Marie area,
area, thin
thin units
units (&lt;10
(&lt;I0m)
m) of
of radioactive
radioactive
and
and pyritic,
pyritic, quartz-pebble
quartz-pebble conglomerate,
conglomerate, with directly
directly overlying
overlying
arkose
arkose and
and arkosic
arkosic grit
grit are
are found
found just
just above
above lowermost
lowermost flows
flows of
of

14

�the
the Thessalon
Thessalon Formation.
Formation. In
In the
the Thessalon
Thessalon area
area and
and in
in the
the Quirke
Quirke
Lake
Lake Syncline,
Syncline, similar
similar units
units of quartz-pebble
quartz-pebble conglomerate
conglomerate and
and
arkose
are
found
directly
below
the
mafic
volcanic
rocks
where
arkose are found directly
the
volcanic rocks where
they
they lie
lie upon
upon the
the Livingstone
Livingstone Creek
Creek Formation,
Formation, or
or upon
upon the
the
Archean
Archean basement,
basement, where
where the
the former
former is
is not
not present
present (Hay,
(Hay,1963;
1963;
Bennett
Bennett et
et al.,
al., 1978;
1978; Meyer,
Meyer, 1983).
1983).

Bennett et
et al.
al.(1991)
of these
these
Bennett
(1991) proposed
proposed that
that the wide distribution
distribution of
units
units (Figures
(Figures4,
4, 6)
6) indicate
indicate the
the presence
presence of
of aa disconformity
disconformity at
at
the
base
of
the
Thessalon
Formation
throughout
the
Sault
Ste.
the base of the Thessalon Formation throughout the Sault Ste.
Marie-Elliot
Marie-Elliot Lake
Lake area
area.
The
The Matinenda
Matinenda Formation
Formation
The
The Matinenda
Matinenda Formation
Formation of
of the
the Elliot
Elliot Lake
Lake Group
Group (Roscoe,
(Roscoe,1957)
1957)
is
is aa sequence
sequence of
of arenites
arenites and
and intercalated
intercalated quartz-pebble
quartz-pebble
conglomerates
which
host
the
once
important
conglomerates which host the once important uranium
uranium deposits
deposits of
of
the
the Elliot
Elliot Lake
Lake area
area (Figure
(Figure2)
2 ) . The
The Matinenda
Matinenda Formation
Formation is
is up
up
to
to 180
180 mm (600
(600 feet)
feet) in
in the
the Elliot
Elliot Lake
Lake area
area (Robertson,
(Robertson,1981)
19811,
where
volcanic rocks
rocks and
and Archean
Archean basement.
where it
it lies
lieson
on1-luronian
Huronian volcanic
basement. In
In
the
the Thessalon
Thessalon and
and Sault
Sault Ste.
Ste. Marie
Marie areas
areas the
the Matinenda
Matinenda Formation
Formation
consists predominantly
predominantly of
of fine
fine to
to medium
medium grained
grained subarkose
subarkose and
and is
is
consists
probably
probably less
less than
than 50
50 m(150
m (150ft)
ft)thick
thick(Bennett
(Bennettet
etal.,
al.,1978
1978).
).
In
In the
the Sudbury
Sudbury area
area clastic
clastic units
units correlated
correlated with
with the
the Matinenda
Matinenda
Formation
Formation are
are as
as much
much as
as 600
600 mm (200
(200ft)
ft) thick
thick but
but they
they thin
thin
rapidly
rapidly eastward
eastward where
where they
they are
are intercalated
intercalated with
with the
the mainly
mainly
metavolcanic
rocks
of
the
Stobie
Formation
and
the
mudstones
metavolcanic rocks of the Stobie Formation and the mudstones of
of
the
the McKim
McKim Formation
Formation (Card,
(Card,1978a).
1978a).
.

The
The most
most abundant
abundant rock
rock type
type of
of the
the Matinenda
Matinenda Formation
Formation in
in the
the
Elliot
Elliot Lake
Lake area
area is
is generally
generally described
described as
as mediummedium- to
to coarsecoarsegrained
subarkoses,
arkoses
and
grits
consisting
of
poorly
grained subarkoses, arkoses and grits consisting of poorly sorted
sorted
quartz
quartz and
and feldspar
feldspar grains
grains set
set in
in aa matrix
matrix of
of sericite
sericite and
and
comminuted
sodic feldspar
feldsparis
is
comminuted fragments.
fragments. The
The ratio
ratio of
of K-spar
K-sparto
to sodic
about
about 8:1.
8:l. Minor
Minor constituents
constituents are
are pyrite,
pyrite, calcite,
calcite, chlorite,
chlorite,
zircon
zircon and
and rarely,
rarely, leucoxene
leucoxene coated
coated iron
iron oxides
oxides and
and monazite
monazite
Variable
(Robertson,
1968)
(Robertson, 1968). Variable amounts
amounts of
of sericite
sericite produce
produce what
what has
has
variously
variously been
been described
described as
as aa green,
green, apple
apple green
green or
or greenishgreenishyellow
yellow colour.
colour. Well
Well sorted
sorted quartz-pebble
quartz-pebbleconglomerate
conglomeratebeds,
beds,
containing
containing well
well rounded
rounded pebbles
pebbles and
and cobbles
cobbles of
of quartz
quartz and
and chert,
chert,
and
and pebbly
pebbly subarkose
subarkose units
units are
are scattered
scattered throughout
throughout the
the coarse
coarse
subarkose
units
of
the
Matinenda
Formation,
but
are
more
subarkose units of the Matinenda Formation, but are more common
common
near
near the
thebase.
base. (Robertson,
(Robertson,1968;
1968; Pienaar,
Pienaar,1963).
1963).
.

Trough
cross-bedding,scour
scour and
and fill
fill structures
structures are
are common
common in
in
Trough cross-bedding,

15

�Cl-)

N

U)

0.6

12

2.4

14

I

21

I

35

_I

42

I

Pebble size (mm)

28

I

S

S

S

S

49

56

From Theis, 1976

S

S

Figure 10. Pebble size vs. pyrite grains size. Matinenda Formation, Elliot Lake.

7

I

S

S

....

.

S

Correlation Coefficient = 0.93

.

63

.

.

�arkosic
arkosic units
units (Robertson,
(Robertson,1968;
1968; Roscoe,
Roscoe,1969)
1969). Paleocurrent
Paleocurrent
studies
studies by
by McDowell(1957)
McDowell(1957) and
and Long(1977)
Long(1977) have
have established
established aa
northwest
northwest source
source area
area for
for the
the sediments
sediments of the
the Matinenda
Matinenda
Formation
5). Fralick
Fralick and Miall(1989)
suggest the
the
Formation (Figure
(Figure5).
Miall(l989) suggest
Matinenda
Matinenda Formation
Formation was
was deposited
deposited from
from shallow
shallow braided
braided streams
streams
flowing
underwent tilting
flowing down
down aa south
south dipping
dipping paleoslope which underwent
tilting
to
the
southeast
during
deposition.
Kimberly
(1980)
to the southeast during deposition. Kimberly (1980) reported
reported that
that
the uraniferous
uraniferous conglomerates
conglomerates contained
contained almost
almost no
no magnetitemagnetitethe
ilmenite
ilmenite and
and had
had very
very high
high potash/soda ratios.
ratios. These
These are
are also
also
features
features of
of Huronian
Huronian paleosols,
paleosols, and
and suggest
suggest the
the sediment
sediment of
of the
the
Matinenda Formation
Formation was
was formed
formed by
by the
the intense
intense weathering
weathering of
of aa
Matinenda
granitic
source
terrain
as
proposed
by
Roscoe(1969)
granitic source terrain as proposed by Roscoe(1969).
.

Two
Two southeast
southeast trending
trending ore
ore zones
zones were
were recognized
recognized since
since the
the early
early
days
days of
of uranium
uranium mining
mining in
in the
the Elliot
Elliot Lake
Lake camp.
camp. The
The Nordic
Nordic zone,
zone,
east
(1.6 Im)
km) wide
wide and
and
east of
of the
the City
City of
of Elliot
Elliot Lake
Lake is
is about
about 11 mile (1.6
3.6
3.6 miles
miles (5.6
(5.6 km)
km) long.
long. The
The Quirke
Quirke Zone,
Zone, in
in the
the Quirke
Quirke Lake
Lake
area, is
is about
about two
two miles
miles (3.2
(3.2 km)
km) wide
wide and
and six
six miles
miles (9(9km)
km) long.
long.
area,
Paleotopographic
Paleotopographic features
features of
of the
the basement
basement are
are thought
thought to
to have
have had
had
aa determining
determining influence
influence on
on the
the position
position and
and orientation
orientation of
of the
the
zones.
0.1
% tJ3O3)
% U,0.) conglomerate
conglomerate occurs
occurs as
as
zones. Ore
Ore grade
grade(circa
(circa
0.1
persistent lenses
lenses with
with individual
individual units
units up
up to
to 15
15 feet
feet (4.5
(4.5m)
m)
persistent
thick.
thick. The
The uraniferous
uraniferous quartz-pebble
quartz-pebble conglomerates
conglomerates are
are commonly
commonly
well
well developed
developed at
at the
the base
base of
of the
the Matinenda
Matinenda Formation
Formation but
but also
also
occur
occur within
within the
the arkose
arkose up
up to
to 150
150 feet
feet (45
(45 m)
m) above
above the
the base
base
(Roscoe,
(Roscoe,1968)
1968) .

The
The quartz-pebble
quartz-pebbleconglomerate
conglomerate consists
consists mainly
mainly of
of well-rounded
well-rounded
pale-grey
pale-grey to
to dark-grey
dark-grey quartz
quartz and
and chert
chert pebbles
pebbles set
set in
in aa matrix
matrix
of
of pyrite
pyrite with
with some
some quartz/feldspar
quartz/feldspar grit
grit and
and sericite.
sericite. Pyrite
Pyrite
usually
usually forms
forms about
about 15%
15% of
of minable
minable units.
units. Radioactive
Radioactive minerals
minerals
include
uraninite,
brannerite,
uranothorite
(Roscoe,
1968)
include uraninite, brannerite, uranothorite (Roscoe, 1968).
Monazite
Monazite and
and zircon
zirconare
are characteristic
characteristic heavy
heavy minerals.
minerals.
The
The sedimentological
sedimentological and
and mineralogical
mineralogical features
features of
of the
the uranium
uranium
bearing
bearing zones
zones of
of the
the Elliot
Elliot Lake
Lake camp
camp are
are now
now generally
generally believed
believed
to
support
a
modified
paleoplacer
origin
of
the
ores
as
outlined
to support a modified paleoplacer origin
the ores as outlined
by
supportingthe paleoplacer
by Roscoe(1969).
Roscoe(1969). Convincing evidence supportingthe
paleoplacer
hypothesis
hypothesis was
was provided
provided by
by Theis(l979)
Theis(1979) who
who demonstrated
demonstrated that
that aa
direct
direct relationship
relationship exists
exists between
between the
the size
size of
of quartz
quartz pebbles
pebbles and
and
pyrite
pyrite grains
grains (Figure
(Figure10),
101, and
and the
the concentration
concentration of
of many
many other
other

17

�components
accumulation of
components of
of the
the ore
ore zones.
zones. Prior to the accumulation
significant
atmosphere, southeastward
southeastward
significant free
free oxygen in the Earth's atmosphere,
flowing
pyrite and
and uraniferous
uraniferous minerals
minerals
flowing streams
streams carried quartz, pyrite
released
by
the
extensive
weathering
of
the
Archean
granitic
released
the
of the Archean
terrain, and
terrain,
and deposited
deposited them
them as
as southeast
southeast trending
trending units
units
determined
determined by
by basement
basement topography.
topography.

The McKim Formation
Formation
uppermost formation
formation of
of the Elliot Lake
The McKim Formation
Formation is the uppermost
turbidite sequence
It is mainly a turbidite
sequence of generally
generally dark
dark grey,
grey,
subarkosic wackes,
subarkosic
wackes, mudstones,
mudstones, subarkoses,
subarkoses, lithwacke
lithwacke and
and
litharenite which
River area
litharenite
which extends
extends from
from the Blind River
area to
to the
the
Grenville Front.
Grenville
Front. Graded
Graded beds,
beds, parallel
parallel laminations,
laminations, ripple
ripple marks,
marks,
ripple-drift
cross-laminations
and
Bouma
cycles,
indicative
ripple-drift cross-laminations
Bouma cycles, indicative of
of
deposition by
currents are
are reported
reported
deposition
by submarine
submarine turbidity currents
(Parvianen,
(Parvianen, 1971;
1971; Card
Card et
et al.,
al.,1977).
1977).
Group.
Group.

Robertson(1968)
thickness of
of 0-380
0-380 feet
feet (0-100
(0-100 m)
for the
the
Robertson(1968) gives
gives aa thickness
m) for
McKim Formation
of the
the Quirke
Quirke Lake
Lake syncline.
syncline. It
Formation on
on the south limb of
It
Formation is
is missing on
on the
the north limb.
limb. The McKim Formation
is thickest
thickest in
in
the Sudbury
Sudbury area,
area, where
where it
it is
is up to
to 2400
2400 metres
metres (8000
(8000 feet)
feet)
thick.
thick.

The
an important
important influence
The Murray
Murray Fault
Fault appears to have exerted an
influence
deposition of the McKim
McKim sediments.
sediments. North
North of
of the
the Murray
Murray
on the deposition
metres in
Fault the
the McKim
McKim rarely
rarely exceeds
exceeds a few
few hundred metres
in thickness,
thickness,
whereas south
of
the
fault
the
thickness
of
the
McKim
Formation
south of
of the McKim
Card(1978a) noted
noted that
that the
the change
change from
is at least 2400
2400 metres. Card(1978a)
laminated siltstone
laminated
siltstone in
in the west to more wacke in
in the
the east
east
indicated
proximal facies,
indicated aa change
change from
from more distal to proximal
facies, in
in turn
turn
suggesting more
suggesting
more tectonic
tectonic activity
activity and possibly a source
source for
for the
the
McKim sediments
in
the
east.
Fralick
and
Miall(l989)concluded
sediments in the
and Miall(1989)concluded
the McKim
that the
McKim Formation
Formation of the Elliot Lake area represents
represents aa
marine transgression
transgression which
which gradually
gradually drowned
drowned the
the Matinenda
Matinenda
fluvial plain.
fluvial
plain.

18

�Straticrraohic Relationships
Relationships within
within the
the Elliot Lake
Lake Group
Group of
of the
the
Stratigraphic
Sault
Sault Ste.
Ste. Marie-Elliot
Marie-Elliot Lake
Lake Area
The stratigraphic
stratigraphic relationship
relationship between
between the
the Matinenda
Matinenda Formation
Formation
The
and the
the Livingstone
Livingstone Creek
Creek Formation
Formation is
is revealed
revealed on
on aa rock
rock face
face
and
near
near the
the southern
southern Boundary
Boundary of
of Otter
Otter Township
Township about
about 30
30 km
km (18
(18
miles)
miles) north
north of
of the
the town
town of
of Thessalon.
Thessalon. At
At this
this location
location pyritic
pyritic
quartz-pebble
quartz-pebble conglomerate
conglomerate of
of the
the Matinenda
Matinenda Formation
Formation (Chandler,
(Chandler,
1976)
1976) directly
directly overlies
overlies an
an apple-green
apple-green paleosol
paleosol on
on grey,
grey, finefinegrained
sandstone
of
the
Livingstone
Creek
Formation.
About
grained sandstone of the Livingstone Creek Formation. About 600
600
metres
metres (380
(380 feet)
feet) northwest
northwest of
of the
the above
above occurrence
occurrence arkose
arkose and
and
quartz-pebble
quartz-pebble conglomerate
conglomerate of
of the
the Matinenda
Matinenda Formation
Formation
disconformably
disconformably overlies
overlies aa steeply
steeply dipping,
dipping, east-striking,
east-striking, mafic
mafic
dike,
dike, the
the upper
upper few
few metres
metres of
of which
which are
are sericite-Jeucoxene
sericite-leucoxene
paleosol
paleosol (Figures
(Figures4,
4, 6). The
The dike
dike intrudes
intrudes grey
grey sandstone
sandstone and
and
apple-green
apple-green paleosol
paleosol of
of the
the Livingstone
Livingstone Creek
Creek Formation
Formation (Bennett
(Bennett
et al,
al, 1991;
1991; Sutton
Sutton and
and Maynard,
Maynard, 1992).
1992). Less
Less than
than 22 km
km south
south of
of
et
the
the above
above location
location Chandler(l976)
Chandler(1976) identified
identified aa fault-bounded
fault-bounded
block
block of
of Thessalon
Thessalon Formation
Formation volcanic
volcanic rocks
rocks with
with aa minimum
minimum
thickness
of
approximately
500
m.
thickness of approximately 500 m.
The
The above
above observations
observations show
show clearly
clearly and
and unequivocally
unequivocally that
that there
there
was
was aa period
period of
of volcanic
volcanic activity,
activity, as
as well
well as
as aa significant
significant
period
period of
of erosion,
erosion, separating
separating the
the Matinenda
Matinenda Formation
Formation and
and the
the
Livingstone
paleosols are
are well
well known
known upon
upon
Livingstone Creek
Creek Formation.
Formation. Since
Since paleosols
Huronian
Huronian flows
flows in
in the
the Elliot
Elliot Lake
Lake area,
area, the
the sub-Matinenda
sub-Matinenda
unconformity
extended
to
the
Quirke
Lake
Syncline.
unconformity extended to the Quirke Lake Syncline.
In
In addition,
addition, the
the above
above observations
observations imply
imply that:
that:

1.
1. The
The mafic
mafic dike
dike referred
referred to
to above
above was a
a feeder
feeder for
for Thessalon
Thessalon
flows,
flows, since
since the
the Thessalon
Thessalon Formation
Formation is
is the
the only
only known
known igneous
igneous
activity
activity at
at this
this stratigraphic
stratigraphicposition.
position.
2.
2 . The
The Thessalon
Thessalon Formation
Formation may
may once
once have
have extended
extended beyond
beyond the
the
limit
limit suggested
suggested from
from its
its present
present outcrop
outcrop distribution.
distribution. This
This is
is to
to
be
exacted
on
consideration
of
Macdougall's(l988)
statement
be exacted on consideration of Macdougall's(1988) statement
"Since
'Since many
many CFB
CFB provinces
provinces have
have been
been uplifted
uplifted and
and occur
occur as
as
elevated
elevated plateaus,
plateaus, dissection
dissection and
and removal
removal is
is rapid".
rapid". He
He notes
notes as
as
well
that
the
general
scarcity
of
pre-Cretaceous
Continental
well that the general scarcity of pre-Cretaceous Continental
flood
flood basalt
basalt provinces
provinces is
is probably
probably due
due to
to their
their erosion.
erosion.

19

�Hough Lake
Lake Group
Group
The Hough
Lake Group (Robertson,
(Robertson, et al.,
Hough Lake
al., 1969; Roscoe,
Roscoe, 1969) is
groups which
which display
display the
the cyclic
cyclic
the lowest
lowest of
of the
the three
three 1-luronian
Huronian groups
deposition
deposition of
of diamictite
diamictite followed
followed by
by aa mudstone,
mudstone, siltstone,
siltstone,
turbidite
by aa cross-bedded
cross-bedded
turbidite or
or carbonate
carbonate sequence,
sequence, and
and overlairx
overlain by
arenite unit.
represent a
arenite
unit. Each cycle is generally thought to represent
sequence
sequence of
of glaciogenic
glaciogenic -- marine
marine -- fluvial
fluvial and/or
and/or shallow
shallow marine
marine
deposition
deposition (Figure
(Figure3).
3) .
Ramsay
Ramsav Lake
Lake Formation
Formation
The Ramsay
formation of the Hough
Ramsay Lake
Lake Formation
Formation is the lowermost formation
Lake
conglomerate units
Lake Group
Group and
and is
is the
the oldest of three such conglomerate
units
which
Quirke Lake
Lake and Cobalt
which define
define the
the base
base of Hough Lake, Quirke
Groups
(Figures 2,3)
2,3).
Groups (Roscoe,
(Roscoe,1969;
1969; Piennar,
Piennar,1963)
1963) (Figures
The
The Ramsay
Ramsay Lake
Lake Formation
Formation is
is aa widespread,
widespread, relatively
relatively thin
thin unit
unit
which is
which
is up
up to
to 41
41 mm thick
thick in
in the
the Dunns
Dunns Valley
Valley area
area (Chandler,
(Chandler,
1973)
1973). In
In the Elliot Lake area the thickness of the
the Ramsay
Ramsay Lake
Lake
Formation is
Formation
is from
from 00 to
to just
just over
over 30
30 m.
m. (Diamond
logs
(Diamond drill logs
Assessment
files,
Sault
Ste.
Marie
Resident
Geologist's
Assessment files, Sault Ste. Marie Resident Geologist's Office)
Office).
The Ramsay
70 to
to 170
170 m thick
thick in
in the
the
The
Ramsay Lake
Lake Formation
Formation is
is from
from 70
Sudbury-Manitoulin
Sudbury-Manitoulinarea
area (Card
(Card1978a)
1978a).
.

Matrix
Matrix supported
supported polymictic
polymictic conglomerate
conglomerate (diarnictite)
(diamictite) is the
the most
most
abundant rock
Lake Formation,
Formation, especially
especially near
abundant
rock type
type in
in the Ramsay Lake
the base.
of the formation
formation usually
usually
the
base. The lowermost few metres of
reflects
reflects the
the underlying
underlying rock
rock type
type (Robertson,
(Robertson, 1968;
1968; Parviainen,
Parviainen,
1973)
Minor
amounts
of
mudstone,
wacke
and
arenite
are
1973). Minor
mudstone, wacke and arenite are locally
locally
present.
present.
.

Subrounded to
Subrounded
to well
well rounded
rounded pebbles and cobbles
cobbles of
of grey
grey granitic
granitic
rocks and angular
of very
very dark
dark green
green to black
rocks
angular to rounded clasts of
volcanic
rocks
generally
form
less
than
30
percent
volcanic rocks generally form less than 30 percent of
of the
the total
total
volume of
volume
of the
the diamictite.
diamictite. The
The dark
dark matrix
matrix consists
consists of
of quartz,
quartz,
feldspars, chlorite,
muscovite-sericite-illite and
and pyrite
pyrite
feldspars,
chlorite, muscovite-sericite-illite
(Parviainen,
(Parviainen,1973).
1973).

Although
flow origin,
origin, most
Although some
some writers
writers have
have argued for a debris flow

20

�writers
writers now
now accept
accept the
the Ramsay
Ramsay Lake
Lake Formation
Formation as
as having
having aa
significant
significant glaciogenic
glaciogenic component
component (Roscoe,
(Roscoe,1969;
1969; Robertson,
Robertson,
1976).
1976). Fralick
Fralick and
and Maill(1989)
Maill(l989) identified
identified an
an ice
ice proximal
proximal
association
association of
of pebbly
pebbly sandstone
sandstone and
and diamictite;
diamictite; subaqueous
subaqueous
gravity
gravity flows
flows and
and ice
ice rain-out
rain-out deposits;
deposits; and
and ice-proximal,
ice-proximal,
fluvial
fluvial outwash
outwash deposits.
deposits.
Pecors
Pecors Formation
Formation
The
Ramsay Lake
Lake Formation
Formation is
is conformably
conformably overlain
overlain by
by aa sequence
sequence
The Ramsay
of
of generally
generally dark,
dark, bedded
bedded and
and laminated
laminated wackes,
wackes, mudstone,
mudstone,
siltstones
1969).
siltstones and
and sandstones
sandstones of
of the
the Pecors
Pecors Formation
Formation (Roscoe,
(Roscoe,1969)
The
The Pecors
Pecors Formation
Formation is
is 30
30 mm thick
thick at
at Quirke
Quirke Lake
Lake (Robertson,
(Robertson,
1968)
but
is
as
much
as
900
m
thick
south
of
the
Murray
1968) but is as much as 900 m thick south of the Murray Fault
Fault in
in
the
Sudbury area
area (Card,
(Card,1978a)
1978a). It
It was
was not
not identified
identified in
in the
the
the Sudbury
area
area between
between Thessalon
Thessalon and
and Sault
Sault Ste.
Ste. Marie
Marie (Frarey,
(Frarey,1977).
1977).
Ripple
Ripple marks,
marks, graded
graded bedding,
bedding, cross-laminations
cross-laminationsparallel
parallel
laminations,
clastic dikes
dikes and
and
laminations, ball
ball and
and pillow
pillow structures,
structures, clastic
slumpage
slumpage features
features have
have been
been reported
reported in
in the
the formation.
formation.The
The basal
basal
part
part of
of the
the formation
formation is
is commonly
commonlylaminated
laminated resembling
resemblingvarves
varves
and,
and, in
in places,
places, has
has dropstones
dropstones (Robertson,
(Robertson,1968;
1968;Parviainen,
Parviainen,
1973)
1973). Partial
Partial Bouma
Bouma sequences
sequences are
are common
common (Card,
(Card,1968;
1968;Robertson,
Robertson,
1976)
1976). The
The Pecors
Pecors Formation
Formation is
is the
the result
result of
of transgressive
transgressive units
units
formed
in
deep
water
by
turbidity
currents
(Card,
l978a)
formed in deep water by turbidity currents (Card, 1978a). The
The
presence
presence of
of drop
drop stones
stones is
is evidence
evidence of
of aa cold
cold paleoclimate,
paleoclimate, and
and
provides
provides supporting
supporting evidence
evidence for
for the
the glaciogenic
glaciogenic origin
origin of
of the
the
underlying
Ramsay Lake
LakeFormation.
Formation.
underlying Ramsay
.

.

.

Mississagi
Mississacri Formation
Formation

The
The Mississagi
Mississagi Formation
Formation is
is aa thick
thick sequence
sequence of
of predominantly
predominantly
grey,
grey, arenitic
arenitic rocks
rocks extending
extending throughout
throughout most
most of
of the
the length
lengthof
of
the
outcrop belt. Within
synclinethe
the
the Iluronian
Huronian outcrop
Within the
the Quirke
Quirke Lake
Lake syncline
Mississagi
Formation
is
from
344
to
704
m
thick.
South
of
the
Mississagi Formation is from 344 to 704 m thick. South of the
Murray
Murray Fault
Fault the
the formation
formation is
is notably
notably thicker,
thicker, being
being more
more than
than
3000
3000 mm in
in the
the Sudbury
Sudbury area
area (Card,
(Card,l978a;
1978a;Long,
Long,1978).
1978). By
By far
far the
the
dominant
dominant rock
rock type
type in
in the
the Mississagi
Mississagi Formation
Formation is
is moderately
moderately well
well
sorted,
sorted,medium
medium to
to coarse
coarse grained
grained subarkose
subarkose and
and arkose.
arkose.Small
Smallto
to
medium
quartz/chert
pebble
conglomerate
is
a
minor
component
of
medium quartz/chert pebble conglomerate is a minor component of
the
the formation,
formation, but
but is
is more
more common
common in
in the
the western
western and
and northeastern
northeastern
parts
foresets
parts of
of the
the Huronian
Huronian belt.
belt. Fine-grained
Fine-grainedpyrite
pyrite along
alongforesets

21

�commonly results
results in
in rusty
rusty staining
stainingof
of outcrops.
outcrops. Greenish,
Greenish, thin,
thin,
commonly
sericitic units
units form
form relatively
relatively thin
thin planar bedded units
units between
between
sericitic
cross-bedded sandstones.
sandstones. Palonen
Palonen (1971)
(1971) provided
provided evidence
evidence
cross-bedded
supporting aa marine
marine origin
origin for
for the
the Mississagi
Mississagi Formation;
Formation; however,
however,
supporting
Long (1978)
(1978) argued
argued that
that the
the abundance
abundance of
of mud-grade
mud-grade matrix
matrix in
in the
the
Long
immature
paleocurrent
immature arenites,
arenites, and
and the
the predominance of unimodal paleocurrent
arenites argued
5), and
and the
the lack
lack of quartz arenites
argued
directions (Figure
(Figure5)
directions
against
against aa marine
marine environment
environment for
for the
the Mississagi Formation.
Formation. He
He
concluded
deposited from
concluded that
that the
the Mississagi
Mississagi Formation
Formation was deposited
from
braided
streams
with
low
to
intermediate
sinuousity
and
braided streams with low to intermediate sinuousity and high
high
width to
to depth
depth ratios.
ratios.
width
,

Bedding
Bedding units
units are
are commonly
commonly about
about aa metre thick but range
range from
from aa
few
cross-stratification
few centimetres
centimetres to
to over
over four
four metres. Trough cross-stratification
and
ripple
cross-stratification
are
common
sedimentary
and ripple cross-stratification are common sedimentary structures
structures
(Long,
1978). Individual
Individual cross-stratified
(Long, 1978).
cross-stratified beds may so
so show
show grain
grain
size
size gradation
gradation (McDowell,
(McDowell,1957)
1957).
Long
Long (1978)
(1978) measured over
over 2500
2500 cross-stratified
cross-stratified units in
in the
the
Two
major
stream
systems
Mississagi
5)5).
.
Mississagi Formation
Formation(Figure
(Figure
Two
systems were
were
recognized: a stream
stream system
system flowing
flowing southeast to easterly from
from
the
stream system
the Sault
Sault Ste.
Ste. Marie
Marie area
area joined
joined aastream
system flowing
flowing
southwestward
a southward flowing
southwestward from
from the Cobalt
Cobalt Plain
Plain to form a
flowing
system
system southwest
southwest of
of the
the Sudbury
Sudbury area.
area. These
These observations
observations suggest
suggest
that
Complex was
that the
the area
area now
now occupied
occupied by
by the
the Sudbury
Sudbury Igneous
Igneous Complex
was
elevated
elevated during
during the
the period
period of
of Mississagi
Mississagi deposition.
deposition.

Quirke
Quirke Lake
Lake Group
Group
Bruce
Bruce Formation
Formation

The
The Bruce
Bruce Formation
Formation extends
extends from
from the
the Bruce Mines area to about
about 70
70
km northeast
northeast of
of Sudbury.
Sudbury. It
It consists
consists mainly of matrix supported
supported
km
and
and minor
minor clast
clast supported
supported conglomerate.
conglomerate. Pebbly
Pebbly wacke,
wacke, arkose,
arkose,
wacke
reports
wacke and
and siltstone
siltstone are
are locally
locally present. Robertson(1968) reports
the
the Bruce
Bruce Formation
Formation is
is from
from 79
7 9 mm (260
(260 feet)
feet) to
to 12
12 mm (40
(40 feet)
feet)
thick
in
the
Elliot
Lake
area.
It
is
26
m
(85
feet)
to
37
thick in the Elliot Lake area. It is 26 m (85 feet) to 37 mm (120
(120
feet)
feet) thick
thick under
under the
the greater
greater part
part of
of the
the Quirke
Quirke Lake
Lake Syncline.
Syncline.
Pebble
angular to subrounded clasts
clasts generally
generally
Pebble to boulder sized,
sized, angular

22

�consist of
granitic rocks,
consist
of pale-grey
pale-grey to whitish granitic
rocks, Archean
Archean
supracrustal rocks
supracrustal
rocks and fine grained mafic clasts.
clasts. The
The upper
upper parts
parts
of the
5% carbonate
carbonate (Robertson,
(Robertson,
the formation
formation may
may contain
contain up
up to
to 5%
1968) .
1968)
Bruce Formation
generally interpreted
The Bruce
Formation is
is generally
interpreted as
as a
a tillite
tillite with
with
minor beds
and
lenses
of
glacially
derived
sandstone.
Dropstones
beds and lenses
glacially derived sandstone. Dropstones
been observed
have been
observed in
in laminated
laminated units
units (Robertson,
(Robertson,1964,
1964,1971).
1971).
Casshyap (1969)
Casshyap
(1969) concluded the formation
formation was deposited
deposited from
from
terrestrial wet-base
(1981)
terrestrial
wet-baseglaciers.
glaciers. However
HoweverSimms
Simmsetetal.
al.(1981)
proposed that
proposed
that the
the Bruce
Bruce Formation
Formation is
is an
an accumulation
accumulation of
of debris
debris
faulting, a sudden
flows released as a result of normal faulting,
sudden increase
increase
in
paleoslope and
in paleoslope
and aa sudden
sudden increase
'increasein
in water
water depth.
depth.
EsDanolp Formation
Espanola
Formation

The Espanola
widespread carbonate
The
Espanola Formation
Formation is
is the only widespread
carbonate unit
unit of
of
Huronian Supergroup.
the Huronian
Supergroup. It is present from
from the
the Sault
Sault Ste.
Ste. Marie
area to
to the
the Maple Mountain
Mountain area
area about
about 70
70 km
km northeast
northeast of
of Sudbury..
Sudbury.,
Its widespread
widespread distribution
distinctive lithology
Its
distribution and distinctive
lithology make it
it the
the
most
most useful
useful stratigraphic
stratigraphicmarker
markerunit
unitofofthe
the1-luronian
Huronian Supergroup.
Supergroup.
In the Elliot Lake area the Espanola
Espanola Formation
Formation can
be
subdivided
can
subdivided
three parts:
into three
parts: a
a lower
lower limestone
limestone member
member (the
(the Bruce
Bruce Limestone)
Limestone),
a middle
Greywacke)
middle siltstone,
siltstone, wake,
wake, arenite
arenite member
member (the
(the Espanola
Espanola Greywacke)
and an
and
an upper
upper dolomitic
dolomitic limestone
limestone member
member (the
(theEspanola
Espanola Limestone)
Limestone)
latter generally
generally contains
4% total
(Robertson,
(Robertson,1968).
1968). The latter
contains 33 -- 4%
total
iron
which gives
iron which
gives a distinctly brownish colour
colour to
to weathered
generally thinly bedded to
surfaces.
surfaces.
All 3 members are generally
to
The
threefold
subdivision
is
not
so
well
developed
laminated.
laminated.
subdivision
Contacts between
between members
members
south of the Murray Fault (Young,
(Young, 1982). Contacts
tend to
to be
be gradational.
gradational.
Intraformational breccias, mud
mud cracks, ripple
ripple marks,
marks, flame
Intraformational
flame
structures
and
ball-and-pillow
structures
are
common
sedimentary
structures and ball-and-pillow structures are common sedimentary
features.
(1980) described
described stromatolites
stromatolites in
features. Hofmann
Hofmann et
et al.
al. (1980)
in the
the
Espanola
Espanola Formation
Formation at
at Quirke Lake.
Lake. These
These features
features suggest
suggest
deposition
in
a
quiet
shallow
water
environment
with
deposition in a quiet shallow
environment with carbonate
carbonate
deposition
deposition being
being interrupted
interrupted by
by influx
influx of
of fine-grained
fine-grainedsediment.
sediment.
Young
(1973)
proposed
that
the
relatively
sharp
change
from
Young (1973) proposed
relatively sharp change from the
the
diamictites
diamictites of
of the
the Bruce Formation
Formation suggests
suggests warm climatic
climatic
However, the
conditions
conditions following
following aa glacial
glacial advance.
advance. However,
the recognition
recognition

23

�of carbonate
carbonate deposition
deposition at high latitudes
latitudes (Williams,
(Williams, 1975)
1975) and
and
association of
the association
of detrital
detrital uranium
uranium with
with intense
intense chemical
chemical
weathering
uncertainty to attempts
weathering (Maynard
(Maynard et al, 1991)
1991) adds uncertainty
attempts to
to
model Huronian
Huronian paleoclimate
paleoclimate (Bennett
(Bennett et
et al,
al, 1991)
1991).

Serpent Formation
Serpent
Formation

The Serpent
Huronian
The
Serpent Formation
Formation is found throughout much of the Huronian
belt; however,
however, it
it is
is locally removed by erosion during a period
Gowganda
of tectonic
tectonic activity
activity preceding deposition of the Gowganda
Formation
Formation of
of the
the Cobalt
Cobalt Group.
Group. Reported
Reported thickness
thickness estimates
estimates of
of
the Serpent
Serpent Formation
Formation range
range from
from 150
150 up
up to
to 1500
1500 mm (Bennett
(Bennett et
et
Robertson(l968) states
states that nowhere
nowhere in
al., 1991).
al.,
1991). Robertson(1968)
in the
the Blind
Blind
River-Elliot
Lake
area
is
there
any
evidence
that
the
total
River-Elliot Lake area is there any evidence that the total
thickness of
thickness
of the
the Serpent
Serpent Formation
Formation has
has been
been preserved.
preserved.
The
The Serpent
Serpent Formation
Formation is
is mainly
mainly fine
fine to
to medium-grained,
medium-grained, quartz
quartz
arenite and
arenite
and arkose.
arkose. Conglomeratic
Conglomeratic units
units have
have been
been noted,
noted,
especially
especially near
near the
the base of the
the Formation.
Formation. Carbonate
Carbonate is
is aa
significant
significant component
component near
near the
the base
base of
of the
the formation
formation in
in the
the
Planar cross-bedding,
cross-bedding,
Elliot
Lake area
area (Robertson,
(Robertson,1968)
1968). Planar
Elliot Lake
festoon
festoon cross-bedding,
cross-bedding, rip—up
rip-up clasts,
clasts, fine-laminations
fine-laminations and
and mud
mud
cracks have been
Long(1976) proposed
proposed that
that the
the Serpent
Serpent
cracks
been reported.
reported. Long(1976)
Formation was
was deposited
distal braided stream
Formation
deposited in
in a distal
stream environment
environment
with calcareous
calcareous units
units representing
representing aa sabkha
sabkha environment.
environment.
presence of
of very
very large cross-beds
cross-beds and
Young(1982) noted that the presence
bi-modal size
a bi-modal
size distribution
distribution suggest
suggest eolian
eolian processes
processes may
may have
have
been
been active
active at
at least
least locally.
locally.
.

Cobalt
Cobalt Group
Group
Gowganda Formation
Gowaanda
Formation
Gowganda Formation
The Gowganda
Formation is
is a
a complex
complex sequence
sequence of
of conglomerates,
conglomerates,
sandstones,
mudstones which
sandstones, siltstones
siltstones and mudstones
which comprise
comprise the
the lowermost
lowermost
formation
of
the
Cobalt
Group.
Its
thickness
is
about
1070
formation
the
Its thickness is about 1070 mm in
in
Sault Ste.
the Sault
Ste. Marie area,
area, from
from 970
970 to
to 1150
1150 m around
around Whitefish
Whitefish
Falls, on the
Huron, and from
Falls,
the North Shore
Shore of Lake Huron,
from 950
950 to
to 2700
2700 mm
near Sudbury.
near
Sudbury. Near
Near Dunlop
Dunlop Lake,
Lake, in
in the
the Elliot
Elliot Lake
Lake area,
area, the
the

24

�Gowganda
Gowganda Formation
Formation is
is about
about 600
600 mm thick.
thick.

Matrix-supported
Matrix-supported conglomerates
conglomerates are
are common,
common, especially
especially in
in the
the
lower
lower parts
parts of
of the
the formation.
formation. However,
However, these
these are
are commonly
commonly
intercalated
intercalated with
with clast-supported
clast-supported conglomerates,
conglomerates, sandstone,
sandstone, and
and
wacke
wacke units.
units. Laminated
Laminated mudstones
mudstones and
and siltstone
siltstone are
are especially
especially
prominent
prominent in
in the
the upper
upper parts
parts of
of the
the Gowganda
Gowganda Formation.
Formation. Many
Many
occurrences of
of ice-rafted
ice-rafted drop-stones
drop-stones have
have been
been reported
reported in
in
occurrences
units. Individual
Individual units
units are
are
laminated mudstone/siltstone units.
laminated
generally
generally relatively
relatively thin
thin and
and discontinuous
discontinuous making
making subdivision
subdivision of
of
the
the Gowganda
Gowganda formation
formation difficult
difficult except
except in
in well-exposed
well-exposedareas.
areas.
Most
Most granitic
granitic clasts
clasts of
of Gowganda
Gowganda conglomerates
conglomerates have
have aa distinctly
distinctly
pinkish
pinkish or
or reddish
reddish hue,
hue, in
in comparison
comparison to
to the
the grey
grey granitic
granitic clasts
clasts
in
the
matrix
supported
conglomerates
of
the
stratigraphically
in the matrix supported conglomerates
the stratigraphically
lower
Ramsay Lake
Lake and
and Bruce
Bruce Formations.
Formations. Also,
Also, pink
pink and
and red
red hued
hued
lower Ramsay
sandstones
sandstones first
first make
make their
their appearance
appearance in
in the
the Gowganda
Gowganda Formation.
Formation.
Roscoe(1969)
Roscoe(1969) pointed
pointed out
out the
the appearance
appearance of
of red
red colouration
colouration(i.e.
(i.e.
ferric
ferric iron)
iron) just
just above
above the
the basal
basal units
units of
of the
the Gowganda
Gowganda
Formation,
and
argued
that
it
represents
the
appearance
Formation, and argued that it represents the appearance of
of free
free
oxygen
oxygen in
in the
the Earth's
Earth's atmosphere,
atmosphere, and
and aa change
change from
from the
the
previously
previously reducing
reducing atmospheric
atmospheric conditions
conditions that
that allowed
allowed the
the
accumulation
accumulation of
of readily
readily oxidized
oxidized minerals
minerals such
such as
as pyrite
pyrite and
and
uraninite
fluvial environment.
environment.
uraninite in
in aa fluvial

The depositional
depositional environment
environment of
of the
the diamictites
diamictites in
in the
the Gowganda
Gowganda
The
Formation
Formation have
have been
been the
the subject
subject of
of discussion
discussion since
sinceColeman(1905)
Coleman(1905)
proposed
proposed aa glacial
glacial origin
origin for
for the
the matrix
matrix supported
supportedconglomerates.
conglomerates.
Many
Many later
later writers
writers including
including Ovenshine(1965),
Ovenshine(1965),Cassyhap(1969),
Cassyhap(1969).
Lindsay(1971), Young
Young and
and Nesbitt(1985),
Nesbitt(1985), and
and others,
others, have
have also
also
Lindsay(1971),
supported
glaciolacustrine origin
origin
supported aa glacial,
glacial, glacial-marine
glacial-marine or
or glaciolacustrine
for
for the
the Gowganda
Gowganda Formation.
Formation.
Card(1968)
Card(1968) concluded
concluded that,
that, although
although glaciation
glaciation may
may have
have supplied
supplied
coarse
detritus
to
the
basin
initially,
debris
flows
and
coarse detritus to the basin initially, debris flows and
turbidity
turbidity currents,
currents, released
released by
by vertical
vertical tectonic
tectonic movement,
movement, may
may
better
better explain
explain the
the thickness
thickness variations,
variations, rock
rock associations
associations and
and
distribution
Manitoulin area.
area.
distribution he
he observed
observed it
it the
the Sudbury
Sudbury Manitoulin
Roscoe(1969)
Roscoe(1969) also
also emphasized
emphasized that
that glaciation
glaciation is
is only
only one
one of
of
several
processes
responsible
for
the
deposition
of
Gowganda
several processes responsible for the deposition of Gowganda
sediments.
sediments.

25

�Lorrain
Lorrain Formation
Formation
The
The Lorrain
Lorrain Formation
Formation is
is generally
generally well
well exposed
exposed throughout
throughout most
most
of the
the Huronian
Huronian belt,
belt, where it commonly forms a background to
some of the
some
the most scenic
scenic views in
in northern
northern Ontario.
Ontario. It
It is
is
overwhelmingly
overwhelmingly an
an arenitic
arenitic sequence,
sequence, with
with local
local siltstone
siltstone units
units
formation is up to
present in
in lower
lower parts of the section. The formation
2500
2500 m thick
thick near
near Sault
Sault Ste.
Ste. Marie
Marie and
and in
in the
the LaCloche
LaCloche Syncline,
Syncline,
southwest
southwest of
of Sudbury.
Sudbury. It
It is
is up to
to 2300
2300 m
m thick
thick in
in the
the Cobalt
Cobalt
Embayment..
Embayment
In
general, the
In general,
the lower
lower part of the
the Lorrain
Lorrain Formation
Formation is
is dominated
dominated
by
by pink,
pink, arkosic
arkosic sandstones,
sandstones, the
the middle
middle by
by hematite-rich
hematite-rich
subarkose and
subarkose
and quartz-arenite,
quartz-arenite, and the
the upper
upper portion
portion by
by pale
pale grey
grey
white mature,
distinctive jasper-pebble
jasper-pebble
to white
mature, quartz-arenite.
quartz-arenite. A distinctive
conglomerate
conglomerate found
found in
in the
the Sault
Sault Ste.
Ste. Marie
Marie area
area is
is aa popular
popular
decorative
decorative stone,
stone, known
known locally
locally as
as "pudding
"pudding stone".
stone".
The
The presence
presence of
of aluminous
aluminous minerals is
is a
a characteristic
characteristic feature
feature of
of
the
the upper,
upper, piartz-arenites
quartz-arenites of the Lorrain
Lorrain Formation.
Formation. Diaspore
Diaspore and
and
kaolinite are
kaolinite
are common
common in
in the quartz-arenite
quartz-arenite of
of the
the Sault
Sault Ste.
Ste.
of Elliot
Elliot Lake
Lake (Wood, 1973)
1973) whilekyanite,
whilekyanite,
Marie area
area and north of
andalusite
andalusite and
and kaolinite
kaolinite are
are present
present as
as metamorphosed
metamorphosed equivalents
equivalents
in the
the LaCloche
LaCloche Lake-Killarney
Lake-Killarney area
area (Card,
(Card, l978a).
1978a). Young(1973)
Young(1973)
and Wood(l973)
and
Wood(1973) interpret
interpret the
the presence of
of diaspore
diaspore and
and kaolinite
kaolinite
as the
as
the result
result of
of post-depositional
post-depositional in-situ
in-situ alteration
alteration of
of feldspar
feldspar
under hot
under
hot and
and humid
humid climatic
climatic conditions.
conditions.
presence of
The presence
of abundant detrital hematite
hematite in
in the
the Lorrain
Lorrain
Formation and
Formation
and the
the occurrence
occurrence of thorium-rich,
thorium-rich, monazite-bearing,
monazite-bearing,
quartz-pebble
quartz-pebble conglomerate
conglomerate north
north of
of Elliot
Elliot Lake
Lake has
has been
been
interpreted by Frarey
Roscoe(l970) as
interpreted
Frarey and Roscoe(1970)
as indicating
indicating an
an oxidizing
oxidizing
environment.
environment.
Planar
Planar and
and trough
trough cross-bedding
cross-bedding are
are common,
common, as
as are
are ripple
ripple marks
marks
and other
other primary
primary depositional
depositional structures.
structures. There
There is
is no
no consensus
consensus
as to
to the
the depositional
depositional environment
environment of the
the Lorrain
Lorrain Formation.
Formation. Most
Most
of the
sedimentary
structures
of
the
Lorrain
Formation
can
be
the sedimentary structures
Lorrain Formation can be

26

�found
found in
in either
either shallow
shallow marine
marine or
or fluvial
fluvial environments.
environments.
Wood(1973),
Wood(1973) , Young(l973)
Young(1973) and
and Frarey(l977)
Frarey (1977)favoured
favoured aa fluviatile
fluviatile
model while
while Pettijohn(1970)
Pettijohn(l970) supported
supported a
a marine environment for
for
model
the
Lorrain Formation.
Formation. Card(1976b)
Card(1976b) proposed that
that the
the Lorrain
Lorrain
the Lorrain
Formation
Formation represents
represents near-shore
near-shore coastal
coastal shelf
shelf deposition
deposition during
during
episodic
marine
transgression
and
regression.
episodic marine transgression and regression.

Gordon
Gordon Lake
Lake Formation
Formation
The
The Gordon
Gordon Lake
Lake Formation
Formation displays
displays aa gradational
gradational contact
contact with
with the
the
underlying
underlying Lorrain
Lorrain Formation.
Formation. It
It is
is made
made up
up predominantly
predominantly of
of
variegated
variegated mudstone,
mudstone, siltstone,
siltstone,chert
chert and
and minor
minor fine-grained
fine-grained
sandstone.
sandstone. Robertson(1986)
Robertson(1986) subdivided
subdivided the
the Gordon
Gordon Lake
Lake Formation
Formation
of
of the
the Flack
Flack Lake
Lake area
area into
into aa lower
lower member
member of
of reddish
reddish arenite,
arenite,
siltstone,
siltstone, and
and chert
chert with
with anhydrite
anhydrite and
and gypsum
gypsum nodules,
nodules, aa middle
middle
member
member of
of green
green siltstone
siltstone and
and mudstone,
mudstone, and
and an
an upper
upper reddish
reddish
mudstone,
mudstone, siltstone
siltstone and
and chert.
chert. Abundant
Abundant sedimentary
sedimentary features
features
include
include small-scale
small-scalecross-bedding,
cross-bedding,ripple
ripple marks
marks and
and desiccation
desiccation
cracks.
cracks.

Some
Some of
of the
the features
features of
of the
the Gordon
Gordon Lake
Lake Formation
Formation are
are unique
unique for
for
the
Supergroup. Wood(1973)
Wood(l973) noted
noted the
the abundance
abundance of
of
the 1-Juronian
Huronian Supergroup.
feldspar
feldspar in
in the
the formation,
formation, aa marked
marked contrast
contrast to
to rocks
rocks of
of the
the
immediately
Lorrain Formation.
Formation. He
He also
also described
described
immediately underlying
underlying Lorrain
hematite
0 . 0 2 to
to 0.05
0.05
hematite ooliths
ooliths and
and the
the abundance
abundance of
of grains
grains in
in the
the 0.02
mm
mm range,
range, aa relatively
relatively uncommon
uncommon grain
grain size
size in
in sedimentary
sedimentary rocks.
rocks.
Since
Since this
this size
size is
is found
found in bess
loessdeposits,
deposits, Wood(1973)
Wood(1973) proposed
proposed
that
that the
the quartz
quartz silt
silt of
of the
the Gordon
Gordon Lake
Lake Formation
Formation was
was formed
formed by
by
glacial
glacial action
action and
and carried
carried by
by the
the wind
wind and
and deposited
deposited in
in aa tidal
tidal
flat
flat environment.
environment.
Jackson(1994)
Jackson(1994) identified
identified nodules
nodules and
and layers
layers of
of dolostone
dolostone in
in
siltstone
siltstone and
and chert
chert of
of the
the Gordon
Gordon Lake
Lake Formation
Formation in
in the
the Aberdeen
Aberdeen
area,
(1989) reported
area, east
east of
of Sault
SaultSte.
Ste.Marie.
Marie.Bennett
Bennettetetal.
al.(1989)
reported aa
unit
unit of
of dobostone
dolostone in
in Fenwick
Fenwick Township,
Township, near
near Sault
Sault Ste.
Ste. Marie
Marie and
and
proposed
proposed aa correlation
correlation with
with the
the Gordon
Gordon Lake
Lake Formation
Formation in
in the
the
Bruce
Bruce Mines
Mines area
area and
and to
to the
the Kona
Kona Formation
Formation of
of the
the Marquette
Marquette Range
Range
Supergroup.
Supergroup.

27

�Bar River Formation
Formation
The Bar River
the uppermost formation
formation of the
the
The
River Formation
Formation is
is the
1-luronian
Supergroup.
It
is
characterized
by
quartz-arenite
Huronian Supergroup. It is characterized by quartz-arenite with
with
siltstone. It is approximately
approximately 300
minor ferruginous
ferruginous arenite and siltstone.
300
m
m thick
thick in
in the
the Flack
Flack Lake
Lake area,
area, north
north of Elliot Lake. Wright and
and
Rust(l985)
deposited
Rust(1985) concluded
concluded that the
the Ear
Bar River Formation was deposited
in
in a
a tidal
tidal environment.
environment.

Nipissing
Nipissing Intrusions
Intrusions
Dikes,
Dikes, sills,
sills, and
and cone
cone sheets
sheets of
of gabbro,
gabbro, diabase
diabase and
and granophyre,
granophyre,
Nipissing
diabase"
are
the
most
commonly
referred
to
as
commonly referred to as " Nipissing diabase" are the most
widespread igneous
widespread
igneous rocks
rocks within
within the
the Huronian
Huronian Supergroup.
Supergroup.
Baddeleyite from
the Gowganda
Gowganda area have
Baddeleyite
from Nipissing gabbro sills in the
been dated at 2219 Ma U-Pb;
u-pb; the minimum,
minimum, age
age for
for the
the Huronian
Huronian
Supergroup
Card(1985)
Supergroup (Corfu
(Corfu and
and Andrews,
Andrews, 1986).
1986). Buchan
Buchan and
and Card(l985)
report
that
paleomagnetic
data
suggest
at
least
two
report
data suggest
least two periods
periods of
of
Nipissing
Nipissing intrusive
intrusive activity.
activity.
Olivine-bearing
Olivine-bearing hypersthene
hypersthene gabbro,
gabbro, gabbro,
gabbro, feldspathic
feldspathic
pyroxenite,
pyroxenite, two-pyroxene
two-pyroxene quartz
quartz gabbro,
gabbro, hornblende
hornblende gabbro,
gabbro,
granophyric
granophyre have been
been identified in
qranophyric qabbro
gabbro and qranophyre
bodies are
Nipissing
Nipissing intrusions.
intrusions. Many of the
the Nipissing bodies
are
characterized
wide, overlain
overlain by
characterized by chilled margins 50 cm to 55 mm wide,
10-20
10-20 m of quartz
quartz gabbro,
gabbro, then
then 100-500
100-500 m of hypersthene-poor
hypersthene-poor
gabbro-norite and vari-textured
van-textured diabase
gabbro-norite
diabase (Lightfoot
(Lightfoot and
and Naldredt,
Naldredt

1996)
1996)
Nipissing
Nipissing intrusions
intrusions are
are widely
widely and
and evenly
evenly distributed
distributed throughout
throughout
Huronian belt but,
the Huronian
but, with few
few exceptions,
exceptions, are not
not recognized
recognized
intrusions may be
within the
Archean terrain.
terrain. Individual intrusions
be up
up to
to
within
the Archean
several hundred metres thick
several
thick and
and extend over an area
area of
of several
several
hundred
hundred square
square kilometres.
kilometres. The form and orientation of Nipissing
intrusions indicate
intrusions
indicate that their
their emplacement may be controlled
controlled by
by
older
faults,
folds
and
competency
of
the
enclosing
rocks
(Card
older faults, folds
enclosing rocks (Card
and
and Pattison,
Pattison, 1973)
1973).

28

�Lightfoot
Lightfoot and
and Naldredt(1996)
Naldredt(1996) discuss
discuss the
the geochemical
geochemical
characteristics
characteristics of
of the
the Nipissihg
Nipissing magmas
magmas and
and the
the potential
potential for
for
platinum
platinum group
group metal
metal deposits.
deposits. They
They conclude
conclude that
that the
the Nipissing
Nipissing
magmas
magmas were
were emplaced
emplaced into
into the
the Huronian
Huronian sedimentary
sedimentary sequence
sequence over
over
a
a period
period of
of less
less than
than 10
10 million
million years.
years. Parental
Parental magmas
magmas of
of
remarkably
remarkably uniform
uniform composition
composition underwent
underwent in-situ
in-situ contamination
contamination
and
and differentiation
differentiation within
within the
the intrusions
intrusions (Lightfoot
(Lightfoot and
and
Naldredt,
Naldredt, 1996)
1996) .
AA spatial
spatial association
association between
between Nipissing
Nipissing intrusions
intrusions and
and both
both
magmatic
magmatic and
and vein-type
vein-typemineralization
mineralization has
has long
long been
been recognized.
recognized.
Card
Card and
and Pattison(l973)
Pattison(1973) noted
noted also
also that
that there
there is
is aa variation
variation in
in
style
style and
and type
type of
of mineralization
mineralization associated with
with Nipissing
Nipissing
intrusions
intrusions from
from the
the Cobalt
Cobalt area
area in
in the
the east
east to
to the
the Sault
Sault Ste.
Ste.
Marie
Marie area
area in
in the
the west.
west.

Huronian
Huronian Paleosols
Paleosols and
and Evidence
Evidence for
for the
the Accumulation
Accumulation of
of Oxygen
Oxygen in
in
the
Huronian
Atmosphere
the Huronian Atmosphere
It
It has
has long
long been
been recognized
recognized that
that the
the study
study of
of Huronian
Huronian paleosols
paleosols
(ancient
(ancient soil
soil profiles)
profiles) could
could provide
provide information
information pertaining
pertaining to
to
the
the development
development the
the Earth's
Earth's atmosphere
atmosphere and
and climate
climate during
during the
the
Proterozoic.
Since
iron
is
much
less
soluble
in
the
ferric
Proterozoic. Since iron is much less soluble in the ferric state
state

than
than when
when in
in the
the ferrous
ferrous state,
state, the
the behavior
behavior of
of iron
iron in
in paleosols
paleosols
should
should provide
provide some
some indication
indication of
of the
the oxygen
oxygen partial
partial pressure
pressure of
of
the
the environment.
environment.
Many
Many of
of the
the best
best descriptions
descriptions of
of Precambrian
Precambrian paleosols
paleosols have
have been
been
from
from those
those associated
associated with
with Huronian
Huronian unconformities
unconformities (Gall,
(Gall,1992)
1992).
Grandstaff
(1986) identified 8 features
features of
of paleosols,
paleosols, most
most
al.(1986)
Grandstaff et
et al.
of
which
can
been
observed
in
Huronian
paleosols.
These
features
of which can been observed in Huronian paleosols. These features
are:
are :

1.
1. Stratiform
Stratiform
2.
2 . Relatively
Relativelythin
thin(&lt;20
( &lt; 2 0 m)
m)
3.
Transitional
lower
boundary-sharp
3. Transitional lower boundary-sharp upper
upper boundary
boundary
4.
4. Colour
Colour variations
variations
5.
5 . Destruction
Destruction of
of primary
primary rock
rock textures
textures accompanied
accompanied by
by the
the
development
development of
of soil
soil textures
textures
6.
6. Destruction
Destruction of
of primary
primary minerals
minerals with
with formation
formation of
of clay
clay
29

�minerals
minerals or
or metamorphic
metamorphic equivalents
equivalents
7. Dikes
material from
from overlying sediment washed down
down
7.
Dikes of material
into desiccation
cracks in
in the
the soil
soil
into
desiccation cracks
8. Rip-up
Rip-up clasts
clasts of
of overlying
overlying sediments
sediments

Well preserved
preserved paleosols
paleosols below
below the
the Matinenda Formation
Formation in
in the
the
Well
Elliot
Lake area
area have
have been
been described
described by
by many
many workers
workers (Roscoe,
(Roscoe,
Elliot Lake
1957a, 1969,
1969, 1973,
1973, 1981;
1981; Pienaar,
Pienaar, 1963; Robertson,
1964; Frarey
Frarey
l957a,
Robertson, 1964;
and Roscoe,
Roscoe, 1970;
1970; Freyer,
Freyer, 1977;
1977; Gay
Gay and
and Grandstaff,
Grandstaff, 1980;
1980;
and
Kimberly et
et al,
al, 1984;
1984; G-Farrow
G-Farrow and Mossman, 1988;
1988; Prasad
Prasad and
and
Kimberly
Roscoe,
Roscoe, 1991,
1991, Sutton
Sutton and
and Maynard,
Maynard, 1991,
1991, 1993)
1993).
Bennett et
et al.
al.(1991)
Bennett
(1991) have
have proposed
proposed that
that there
there are
are three
three
disconformities
disconformities or
or unconformaties
unconformaties within
within the
the Elliot
Elliot Lake
Lake Group
Group
which have
have potential
potential for
for paleosol
paleosol development (Figure
(Figure 2).
2). These
These
which
are
in
descending
stratigraphic
order:
1)the
sub-Matinenda
are in descending stratigraphic
sub-Matinenda
disconformity;
disconformity, and
2)the sub-Thessalon
sub-Thessalon Formation
Formation disconformity,
and
disconformity; 2)the
sub-Livingstone
sub-Livingstone Creek
Creek Formation
Formation unconformity.
unconformity.
The
The sub-Livingstone
sub-Livingstone Creek
Creek Formation
Formation unconformity
unconformity is
is the
the basal
basal
unconformity
Supergroup and
and is
is the
the only
only entirely
unconformityof
of the
the1-luronian
Huronian Supergroup
entirely
sub-iluronian
unconformity (Figure
sub-Huronian unconformity
(Figure2)
2). This
This unconformity
unconformity is
is
exposed
metres of
exposed in
in the
the Thessalon
Thessalon area,
area, where the upper few
few metres
of the
the
Archean
Archean granitic
granitic rocks
rocks can
can be
be seen
seen to
to progress
progress from
from angular,
angular,
slightly
grit and fine-grained
slightly rotated
rotated blocks,
blocks, separated
separated by grey grit
fine-grained
sandstone,
boulders with
with a higher
sandstone, upward,
upward, to
to more rounded boulders
proportion
clastic material
material (Collins,
(Collins,1925)
1925). This
This zone
zone
proportion of
of finer
finer clastic
may be termed
termed aa "paleo-regolith",
"paleo-regolith",since
since there is little
little or
or no
no
obvious
development
of
the
yellow,
sericitic
paleosol
commonly
commonly
obvious development of the yellow,
found
found in
in the
the younger,
younger, sub-Matinenda
sub-Matinendapaleosols.
paleosols.
.

.

Prasad
paleosols in the same
Prasad and
and Roscoe(1996) described two paleosols
same drill
drill
core
Denison Mine
Mine at
at Elliot Lake. A paleosol was
was found
found
core from
from the
the Denison
above
Huronian
volcanic
rocks
and
another,
less
well
developed
above Huronian volcanic rocks and another, less
developed
paleosol,
paleosol, was
was found
found upon
upon Archean
Archean tonalite
tonalite below
below aa short
short section
section
of
of quartz-pebble
quartz-pebble conglomerate
conglomerate and
and grit
grit (Prasad,
(Prasad, personal
personal
communication,
communication, 1997)
1997) below
below the
the 99 m thick volcanic unit (Figure
(Figure
13).
13).
The
paleosols have
The best
best developed,
developed, and
and most
most studied,
studied, Huronian paleosols
have
been
Formation. On
On mafic
been found
found directly
directly below
below the
the Matinenda Formation.
mafic
rocks,
the
sub-Matinenda
paleosols
can
generally
be
recognized
rocks, the sub-Matinenda paleosols can
recognized by
by
the
the presence
presence of
of an
an upper,
upper, distinctly
distinctly apple-green
apple-green to
to yellowish,
yellowish,
30

�0

0.5

5.5

0.03

0.01

0.03

3

II

10

Concentration Ratio
Concentration
Ratio

Figure
Figure 11. Concentration ratios relative
relative to
to A1203
A1203 of
of components
components
paleosol.
of the Pronto paleosol

0

0.3
0.6

3

a.
a,

C

4.5 6

8.5
8.5

-

1
0.5 10.5
LOSS

I

I I llllll
0.03

0.01

I I I 1
0.03

lllll

A"*G

1

&lt;wm.

"-G&amp;+

1 I Ill

3

10

Concentration
ConcentrationRatio
Ratio

Figure 12
12
Figure

Concentration ratios of components
. Concentration
components of Denison
Denison

.

paleosol
paleosol relative
relative to
to A1203.
A1203.

31

�CD

H'

0
(0
0

8
-o
0

CD

F--'

9

Di
ID

a

a

0
0
3

a

-U

0
m

J

S

S
-.

HDi

'-I

0

CD

L1

r

7

0

C

9C

(/,

0

CD

breccia
Forrnaflon

Paleosd

Heqnalitc
N

N

N

zone

III!

0
9

II

+&gt;+..+++JN

8
F-)

gronite Marie 'Idle

Transition

C)-

Di

S
hPJ

I
I

0'

0CD

N)

6
U,
ID

Di

H

30

7

C

0

(0

CD

S

J
0

0

F

Poleosol

0

upward weathered Increasingly - Tonailte
________

Coglornerate

t:ijaF:,?
a, ?lt)/49

'_

F&gt;-'

F-'
Di

0)

——

—

0,
CD

0
I

p
F

I

I

I

S

.

7

0
Ca
0

C
CD

CD

0

-U

:,

——.1

0

L

-

0
3
0

Co

0

F-'-

çt
Di
Fl

-n

a

a
D

0

CD

J
a

—

Di
F-I

C

C

CD

Co

C)

(paieoscj)
WgiIIite

I

pcileosot
rich sericile CNoriie.

I

upward weathered
Metabadt-increastngFy

LL

0
C)

U)

CD

I-'
C
tO
H-

�sericitic zone
grades downward,
downward, over a few
sericitic
zone which grades
few centimetres
centimetres to
to
several metres, to an underlying,
underlying, black,
black, fine-grained,
several
fine-grained, chloritechloriterich eluvial
eluvial zone
zone up
up to
to several
several metres
metres thick.
thick. Abundant
Abundant
pseudomorphs of titanium
pseudomorphs
titanium oxides
oxides after
after ilmenite
ilmenite are
are a
a feature
feature of
of
paleosols
clast of
of sericitic
sericitic
paleosols on
on mafic
mafic igneous
igneous rocks.
rocks. Rip-up
Rip-up clast
paleosol
paleosol (the
(the "argillite
"argillite scraps"
scraps'' of
of mine
mine geologists)
geologists) are
are commonly
commonly
found
overlying Matinenda
Matinenda
found in
in the
the lower
lower few
few metres of the overlying
Formation. Prasad and Roscoe(l996)
Roscoe(1996) report significant
Formation.
significant amounts
amounts of
of
carbonate
carbonate and
and pyrite
pyrite in
in sub-Matinenda
sub-Matinenda paleosols
paleosols in
in the
the Elliot
Elliot
Lake
Lake area.
area.
The uppermost
uppermost sections
sections of sub-Matinenda
sub-Matinenda Formation
Formation paleosols
paleosols on
on
Archean
granitic
rocks
and
arkosic
sedimentary
rocks,
are
Archean granitic rocks and arkosic sedimentary rocks, are
generally apple-green
yellowish rock composed
generally
apple-green to yellowish
composed mainly of quartz
quartz
and sericite(Robertson,
(1980); Sutton
Sutton
sericite(Robertson,1963;
1963; Gay
Gay and
and Grandstaff
Grandstaff(l980);
and
and Maynard(l992). Where the texture
texture of the protolith is
is well
replaced, the
preserved,
preserved, but
but the
the original
original mineralogy
mineralogy is
is replaced,
the paleosol
paleosol
may be
(Rainbird et
et al,
al, 1990).
1990). The chloritechloritebe termed
termed aa saprolith
saprolith (Rainbird
eluvial zone of paleosols on granitic rocks
rocks is generally
rich eluvial
lacking or
lacking
or relatively
relatively thin.
thin.
Sub-Matinenda
Sub-Matinenda paleosols commonly
commonly show
show the pronounced loss
loss of soda
soda
found
11)
. Lime,
found in
in most
most paleosols
paleosols(Figure
(Figure
11).
Lime, and magnesia are
are also
also
depleted,
generally a large
depleted, but there is generally
large increase
increase in
in potash
In
content (Figure
12) (Gay
(Gay and Grandstaff,
Grandstaff, 1990)
1990). In most cases,
cases,
content
(Figure12)
iron
iron and
and manganese
manganese are
are depleted
depleted in
in upper
upper parts
parts of
of the
the paleosol.
paleosol.
weathering in
This
This is
is held
held to
to provide
provide good
good evidence
evidence of
of weathering
in aa
reducing
environment.
However,
Gay
and
Grandstaff
(1980)
reducing environment. However, Gay and Grandstaff(l980) noted an
an
upward increase
upward
increase in
in total iron
iron in
in paleosol from
from the
the Pronto
Pronto Mine
11).
They concluded
concluded this
this upward increase
increase in
in iron
iron
area
(Figure11)
area (Figure
. They
content indicated the presence of free
content
free oxygen in
in the early
Huronian atmosphere although
Huronian
although at approximately 1%
1% of the present
level (Gay
and
Grandstaff,
1980).
They
suggested
suggested that the loss
loss of
of
(Gay
Grandstaff,
iron
iron shown
shown in
in most Huronian
Huronian paleosols
paleosols could
could be
be due
due to
to local
local
reducing environments. Some writers have concluded that the
reducing
increase in
sericite) in Huronian paleosols is largely
increase
in potash (as
(as sericite)
largely
due
which may mask the
due to
to diagenetic
diagenetic and metamorphic processes which
the
environmental
and
hydrologic
conditions
operative
during
paleosol
environmental
conditions operative during paleosol
development
(1980); G-Farrow
G-Farrow and
Grandstaff(l980);
and
development (Gay
(Gayand
and Grandstaff
Mossman(1988)
Mossman
(1988).
.

geochemistry of Sub-Lorrain
Sub-Lorrain Formation
The mineralogy and geochemistry
Formation
paleosols
have
been
described
by
Rainbird
et
al.
(1990) and
paleosols have been described by Rainbird et a1.(1990)
33

�84W

82W

N

1
.5

Th
/

r

— Elliot Lake
tJ

•1

-46N

46N Channel
B

0

$

60km

AfterZolnaj
Zolnaietetal.
d.(1984)
(1984)
After

Legend

[1111

Paleozc rocks

Thrust fault, teeth indicate

Mesoproterozoic rocks
(Grenv,lle Province)

Normal fault, spat indicates

bangi wall
downthrown side

[III] Cobalt Group rocks

Fault (observed, assirned)

Pre - Cobalt Group rocks

fl

Pee—Cobalt Grow rocks derived
from Archean basement rocks
Archean basement rocks
(Swerior Province)

Anticline, syncline
Manitoulin Isto-id Discontiroity

-'

Grenville Front Tectonic Zone
(traceable on surface, traceable
in subsurface)

Location of cross sections

ELF
FLF Flock
FlockLake
LokeFault
Foul1
ALF

Agnew Lake Fouls

MF

Murray Fault

MFS
MFS
SS
MGB
MGE

EF

M w r qFault
Foul1
System
Murray
System

Sudbury Structure
McGrqa6ay
b y
McGregor

Unwmei fault
fwlt 22km
kmnorth
nonhofof
Unnamed

Espanola
E ~ 0 " 0 1Fault
0 Fa"!?

Figure
Figure14.
14: Geological
Geological cross-section
cross-section of
of the
the Blind
Blind River
River and
andSudbury-Maintou!in
Sudbury-Maintoulinareas.
areas
34

�Sutton and
and Maynard(1991).
Maynard(l991). In
In contrast
contrast to
to the
the older,
older, sub-Matinenda
sub-Matinenda
Sutton
paleosols, Sub—Lorrain
Sub-Lorrain paleosols
paleosols commonly
commonly show
show an
an enrichment
enrichment of
of
paleosols,
Fe3
without a significant
Fei3at
at the
the expense
expense of
of Fe2
Fe+2without
significant loss
loss of
of total
total
iron
iron (Figure
(Figure13)
13). Hematite
Hematite is
is a
a common
common mineral
mineral in
in the
the upper
upper parts
parts
of
of sub-Lorrain
sub-Lorrain paleosols,
paleosols, in
in contrast
contrast to
to the
the presence
presence of
of pyrite
pyrite
in sub-.Matinenda
sub-Matinenda paleosols.
sub-Lorrain
in
paleosols. In
In this
this respect
respect the sub-Lorrain
paleosols
paleosols resemble
resemble many
many post-Huronian
post-Huronian paleosols
paleosols and
and are
are
consistent
with
weathering
in
an
oxidizing
atmosphere
consistent with weathering in an oxidizing atmosphere (Prasad
(Prasadand
and
Roscoe,
1990),
Rainbird et
et al.,
al.,1990).
Roscoe, 1996;
1996;Rainbird
.

Since
Since pyrite
pyrite and
and uraninite
uraninite are
are unstable
unstable under
under oxidizing
oxidizing
conditions, the
the abundance
abundance of
of detrital
detrital pyrite
pyrite and
and uraninite
uraninite in
in the
the
conditions,
paleoplacer uranium
uranium ore
ore zones
zones in
in the
the Matinenda
Matinenda Formation
Formation provide
provide
paleoplacer
good
good evidence
evidence for
for an
an oxygen
oxygen deficient
deficient atmosphere
atmosphere during
during
weathering,
weathering, transport
transport and
and deposition
deposition of
of early
early Huronian
Huronian sediments.
sediments.
In
clastic
In marked
marked contrast
contrast to
to the
the common
common red beds of
of younger
younger clastic
sequences, sandstones
sandstones (and
(andmost
most granitic
granitic clasts
clastsin
inconglomerates)
conglomerates)
sequences,
below
below the
the Cobalt
Cobalt Group
Group are
are almost
almost all
all drab
drab coloured
coloured in
in spite
spite of
of
the
the abundance
abundance of
of red
red and
and pink
pink granitic
granitic rocks
rocks in
in the
the continental
continental
source
(1970)noted
noted
source area
area (Roscoe
(Roscoe1969,
1969,1973).
1973). Frarey
Frarey and
and Roscoe
Roscoe (1970)
the
the above
above and
and proposed
proposed that
that the
the drab
drab colour
colour of
of lower
lower Huronian
Huronian
clastic
clastic rocks
rocks is
is due
due to
to the
the lack
lack of
of free
free oxygen
oxygen in
in the
the atmosphere
atmosphere
during
I-iuronian
during the
theperiod
periodofofdeposition
depositionofoflower
lower
Huronian rocks.
rocks.
Red
Red hued,
hued, hematite
hematite bearing
bearing rocks,
rocks, which
which Roscoe(1969)
Roscoe(l969) proposed
proposed
mark
mark the
the presence
presence of
of an
an oxidizing
oxidizing atmosphere,
atmosphere, make
make an
an appearance
appearance
with
with the
the Gowganda
Gowganda Formation
Formation of
of the
the Cobalt
Cobalt Group,
Group, and
and are
are
important
important in
in parts
parts of
of the
the Lorrain
Lorrain and Gordon
Gordon Lake
Lake Formations
Formations of
of
that
that group.
group. What
What may
may be
be the
the first
first true
true red-beds
red-beds are
are found
found in
in the
the
purple
Lorrain Formation
Formation near
near Sault
Sault Ste.
Ste.
purple siltstone
siltstone member
member of
of the
the Lorrain
Marie
Marie (Frarey,
(Frarey,1977).
1977).

Regional
Regional Tectonic
Tectonic Patterns
Patterns and
and Metamorphism
Metamorphism

Major
Major structures
structures of
of the
the Huronian
Huronian belt
belt follow
follow two
two main
main trends:
trends:
l)west-northwest
1)west-northwest trending
trending folds
folds and
and faults
faults of
of the
the Sault
SaultSte.
Ste.
Marie-Elliot
2)east to
to northeast
northeast striking
striking folds
folds
Marie-Elliot Lake
Lake area;
area; and
and 2)east
and
and faults
faults of
of the
the Sudbury-Manitoulin
Sudbury-Manitoulinarea
area (Figure
(Figure14)
14). These
These two
two
structural
structural orientations
orientations are
are associated
associated with
with differing
differing fold
fold
styles,
metamorphic
grade
and
metamorphic
fabric.
Changes
styles, metamorphic yrade and metamorphic fabric. Changes are
are
.

35

�notable across
across the
the east-west
east-west faults
faults of the Murray
fault
most notable
Murray fault
system.
system. This
This fault
fault zone
zone (Figure
(Figure14)
14) is
is the most significant
significant
structural
structural feature
feature of
of the
the Huronian
Huronian belt.
belt. Since
Since many
many formations
formations
significant increase
increase in
in thickness
thickness south
south of
of the
the fault,
fault,it
it
show aa significant
show
is generally
generally interpreted
interpreted as
as an
an inverted
inverted growth
growth fault.
fault. (i.e.
(i.e. an
an
is
early listric
listric normal
normal fault,
fault, active
active during
during sedimention,
sedimention,which,
which,
early
during aa later
later compressive
compressive regime,
regime, was converted
to a thrust
thrust or
or
during
converted to
reverse
reverse fault
fault (Card,
(Card,l978a;
1978a; Jackson
Jackson (1997)
(1997).
The
subjected to
The rocks
rocks of
of the
the Huronian
Huronian Supergroup have been subjected
to
several deformational
deformational events. This is particularly
south
several
particularly evident
evident south
of
of the
the Murray
Murray Fault
Fault zone.
zone. In
In the Whitefish Falls
Falls area
area (south
(south of
of
the
Murray
Fault)
Young
and
Nesbitt(l985)
conclude
that
some
the Murray Fault) Young and Nesbitt(1985) conclude that some
large-scale
large-scale folding
folding is
is related
related to
to syn-depositional
syn-depositional and/or
and/or postpostdepositional
sediment. Early
depositional deformation
deformation of
of unconsolidated sediment.
Early
syndepositional
syndepositional deformation
deformation is
is also
also indicated
indicated by
by an
an important
important
unconformity
unconformity below
below the
the Gowganda
Gowganda Formation
Formation of
of the
the Cobalt
Cobalt Group;
Group;
and
the
presence
of
ragged,
slumped
contacts
and
large
slump
and the presence of ragged, slumped contacts
large slump
blocks
1978a; Young,
Young, 1983)
1983).
blocks along
along major
major faults
faults (Card,
(Card,1978a;
Convincing
Convincing evidence
evidence of
of at
at least
least one
one important
important pre-Nipissing
pre-Nipissing(2.2
(2.2
Ga) deformational
deformational event,
event, assigned
assigned to
to the
the Blezardian
Blezardian
Ga)
Orogeny(Stockwe11, 1982),
1982), is
is provided by the observation
that
Orogeny(Stockwell,
observation that
Nipissing
area transect
Nipissing bodies
bodies in
in the
the Sudbury-Whitefish
Sudbury-Whitefish Falls area
transact
axial
Jackson (1997)
axial surfaces
surfaces of
of major
major folds
folds (Card,
(Card, 1978a). Jackson
(1997) did
did
not observe
observe such
such relationships
relationships in
in the areas north of the
the Murray
Murray
not
Fault. However,
However, Jackson
Jackson (1997)
(1997) points out,
noted by
by
Fault.
out, as earlier
earlier noted
Robertson
(1964),
that
the
tendency
of
Nipissing
dikes
to
occupy
dikes to occupy
Robertson (1964), that the
Chiblow Anticline,
Anticline,
structures parallel
parallel to
to the
the axial
axial plane
plane of
of the
the Chiblow
structures
suggests pre-Nipissing
pre-Nipissing folding.
folding. Jackson
Jackson (l997)also
(1997)also noted
noted evidence
evidence
suggests
of pre-Nipissing
pre-Nipissing faults
faults north
north of
of the
the Murray
Murray Fault
Fault zone.
zone.
of

Following
intrusions but prior
prior to
Following emplacement
emplacement of
of the
the Nipissing intrusions
to
the
the emplacement
emplacement of
of the
the Sudbury
Sudbury Igneous
Igneous Complex
Complex (SIC)
(SIC) there
there was
was
further
further deformation
deformation and
and regional
regional metamorphism.
metamorphism. Rb-Sr
Rb-Sr isotope
isotope
studies
studies on
on Huronian
Huronian metasediments
metasediments indicate
indicate that
that prograde
prograde
metamorphism
metamorphism occurred
occurred at
at about
about 1.90-1.85
1.90-1.85 Ga
Ga (Fairbairn
(Fairbairnet
et al.,
al.,
1969)
Jackson(1995) state
state that this
this event
event is
is probably
probably
1969). Card
Card and
and Jackson(1995)
correlative
correlative with
with the
the Penokean
Penokean Orogeny
Orogeny of
of Michigan-Minnesota
Michigan-Minnesota
(Simms
(Simms et
et al.,
al., 1989).
1989).
.

After
After the
the emplacement
emplacement of
of the
the SIC
SIC and
and the
the deposition
deposition of
of the
the
Whitewater
deformation and
Whitewater Group,
Group, there
there is
is evidence
evidence of further
further deformation
and
36

�64W

BrW

Legend

4&amp;N

fl
LI
--

&amp;gresd,ist fades

—— Apgroximote meianorphic

diogenetic and epigenelic zones

—

Low to middle reenscthsi fades
cfilorite aid biotite zones
Middle to tçper greerchSi tomes
garnet aid ctiloriioid zones

focies

basidory

Grenvulle Front Tectonic

Boundary of Nuronion

Supergroup aid Sutury

—

Struc tire

Ariwhibohte tac'es stourolite zone

Prnvinciol boundary

rid/s

Hornblende— horniels focus

Cobalt

FeIs.c nirustorts

40

0

N

80 km

N

4rN
1'

Superior

Province

-

,,tt

9'?

—a

Figure 15.
15. Metamorphism
Metamorphism of
of the Huronian
Huronian Supergroup
Supergroup(From
(From Card,
Card, 1978b)
19780)

37

�low-grade
low-grade metamorphism,
metamorphism, followed
followed by
by intrusion
intrusion of
of granite
granite plutons
plutons
at about
about 1.75
1.75 and
and 1.5
1.5 GaGa. The
The post-SIC
post-SIC deformation
deformation and retrograde
retrograde
at
metamorphism
metamorphism was
was found
found mainly
mainly south
south of
of the
the Murray
Murray Fault,
Fault,
especially in
in the
the area
area between
between the
the SIC
SIC and
and the
the Grenville
Grenville Front.
Front.
especially
Shanks and
and Schwerdtner(1991)
Schwerdtner(1991) report
report that
that this
this deformation
deformation is
is
Shanks
characterized by south-dipping
south-dipping thrust faults
faults or deformation zones
zones
characterized
with northeast-trending
northeast-trending foliation
foliation and
and southeast-plunging
southeast-plunging
with
lineation.
affecting
lineation. The
The last
last recognized
recognized deformational feature affecting
Huronian rocks
rocks is
is the
the movement
movement along
along faults
faults which
which post-date
post-date the
the
Huronian
diabase dikes
dikes of
of the
the 1.25
1.25 Ga
Ga Sudbury
Sudbury swarm
swarm (Card
(Card and
and Jackson,
Jackson,
diabase
1995).
1995)
Recent
Recent work
work on
on magnetic
magnetic fabrics,
fabrics, strain
strain patterns,
patterns, and
and
microstructures
microstructures in
in granitoid
granitoid rocks
rocks of
of the
the Creighton
Creighton and Murray
plutons
Riller(1996) have
have
plutons and
and their
their Huronian
Huronian host
host rocks
rocks by
by Riller(1996)
provided
provided aa wealth
wealth of
of new
new information
information on
on the
the pre-2.2
pre-2.2 Ga
Ga
"Blezardian
Orogeny" (Stockwell,
Blezardian Orogeny"
(Stockwell, 1982).
1982). Riller
Riller concluded
concluded that
that
major folding
folding and
and amphibolite
amphibolite facies
facies regional
regional metamorphism in
in the
the
Sudbury
Creighton and
Sudbury area
area was coeval
coeval with the
the emplacement of the Creighton
Murray
Murray Plutons,
Plutons, which
which were
were dated
dated at
at 2.3
2.3 Ga
Ga by
by Frarey
Frarey et
et al(1982)
al(1982)
(1984)
and
more
recently
at
2477
9
Ma
by
and
Krogh
et
al.
and
more
recently
at
2477*'9
Ma
by Krogh
Krogh
and Krogh et al.
. Large-scale
Archean
et al.
al. (1996)
(1996).
Large-scale dome-and-basin
dome-and-basin structures
structures in
in Archean
et
basement and
and Huronian
Huronian cover
cover rocks
rocks represent
represent major
major north-vergent
north-vergent
nappes.
nappes. The
The Sudbury
Sudbury Structure,
Structure, aa deformed
deformed relic
relic of
of an
an astrobleme,
astrobleme,
is
Archean
is superimposed
superimposed on
on a
a major
major antiformal
antiformal dome
dome cored
cored by
by Archean
granulite
and
granitoid
rocks
and
flanked
by
overturned
1-luronian
granulite and granitoid rocks and flanked by overturned
Huronian
strata
strata on
on the
the south
south and
and several
several remnant
remnant rim
rim synclines
synclines of
of Iluronian
Huronian
rocks on
on the
the north
north (Riller,
(Riller,1996).
1996).
rocks
In
In the Sault
Sault Ste.
Ste. Marie-Elliot
Marie-Elliot Lake
Lake area
area fault
fault and
and fold
fold
structures
trend
in
general
west-northwest
to
northwest.
structures trend in general west-northwest to northwest. Folds
Folds
are
are generally
generally upright,
upright, open
open concentric
concentric structures
structures with
with gentle,
gentle,
variably
variably plunging
plunging hinges
hinges (Figure
(Figure 14).
14). There
There is
is only
only aa weak
weak
development
development of
of minor
minor tectonic
tectonic structures.
structures. The
The metamorphic
metamorphic grade
grade
1978b).
The major
major structural
structural features
features of
of
is subgreenschist
subgreenschist(Card,
(Card,
is
l978b)
. The
the
Elliot
Lake
area
include
a
gently
south-dipping
homocline
the Elliot Lake area include a gently south-dipping homocline
south
south of the
the Flack
Flack Lake
Lake Fault,
Fault, the
the open
open fold
fold of
of the
the Quirke
Quirke Lake
Lake
Syncline
Syncline and
and the
the Chiblow
Chiblow Anticlinè
Anticline between
between the
the Quirke
Quirke Lake
Lake
Syncline
Syncline and
and the
the Murray
Murray Fault.
Fault. Jackson
Jackson (1997)
(1997) found
found no
no evidence
evidence
of detachment
detachment at
at or
or near
near the
the basement-cover
basement-cover interface
interface in
in the
the
Elliot
growthElliot Lake
Lake area.
area. He
He also
also proposed
proposed that
that the
the "inverted
"inverted growthfault"
(1984) to
fault" model
model as
as applied
applied by
by Zolnai
Zolnaiet
et al.
al.(1984)
to structuralstructuralstratigraphic
stratigraphic relationships
relationships in
in the
the Huronian
Huronian may,
may, in
in some
some cases
cases at
at
38

�least, be interpreted
interpreted as thrust faults
faults with flats
flats following
following
least,
depositional boundaries,
boundaries, and
and ramps
ramps that
that cut
cut up
up through
through the
the
depositional
stratigraphic
stratigraphic section.
section. Given
Given the
the data
data available,
available, neither
neither model
model
could
could be rejected
rejected for
for major
major northwest
northwest trending
trending faults
faults in
in the
the
Sault
Sault Ste.
Ste. Marie
Marie area.
area. (Jackson,
(Jackson, in
in press).
press). Jackson
Jackson (1997)
(1997)
points
points out
out that
that the
the curvature
curvature of
of the
the Flack
Flack Lake
Lake Fault
Fault is
is in
in the
the
opposite
opposite direction
direction to
to that
that expected
expected if
if it
it is
is aa thrust
thrust fault
fault as
as
proposed
(1984).
Zolnaiet
etal.
al.(1984).
In the
the Sault
Sault Ste.
Ste. Marie
Marie area
area
proposed by
by Zolnai
In
the
the presence
presence of
of trust
trust faults,
faults, as
as suggested
suggested by
by out-of-sequence
out-of-sequence
units, has
has been
been confirmed,
confirmed, in
in at
at least
least one
one location,
location, by
by diamond
diamond
units,
Ste. Marie
Marie Resident
Resident Geologist's
Geologist's
drilling (Assessment
(Assessment files,
files, Sault
Sault Ste.
drilling
Office). South-southwest
South-southwest dipping
dipping foliation,
foliation, and
and south-southwest
south-southwest
Office).
plunging foliation
foliation may
may reflect
reflect north-northwest
north-northwest thrusting
plunging
thrusting
(Jackson,
(Jackson,1994)
1994) .

The
The Murray
Murray fault
fault zone
zone separates
separates the
the moderately
moderately deformed,
deformed, low
low
metamorphic
metamorphic grade
grade rocks
rocks to
to the
the north
north from
from the
the multiply-deformed,
multiply-deformed,
higher
higher grade
grade rocks
rocks of
of the
the Sudhury-Manitoulin
Sudbury-Manitoulinarea
area to
to the
the south.
south.
The
The Sudbury-Manitoulin
Sudbury-Manitoulin area
area is
is characterized
characterized by
by open
open to
to
subisoclinal, flattened
flattened buckle
buckle folds
folds with
with upright
upright to
to northward
northward
subisoclinal,
overturned axial
axial surfaces.
surfaces. Elongate
Elongate domes
domes and
and basins
basins are
are formed
formed
overturned
by
by reversals
reversals in
in plunge.
plunge. Penetrative
Penetrative axial
axial place
place cleavage
cleavage and
and
steeply
rodding or
or mineral
mineral lineation
lineation are
are well
well developed.
developed.
steeply plunging
plunging rodding
More
More than
than one
one age
age of
of major
major and
and minor
minor structures
structures can
can be
be discerned
discerned
south
south of
of the
the Murray
Murray Fault
Fault (Card
(Cardand
and Jackson,
Jackson, 1995)
1995).
Metamorphism
Metamorphism south
south of
of the
the Murray
Murray fault
fault ranges
ranges from
from low
low
greenschist
fades (Card,
(Card, l978b).
1978b). Rocks
Rocks of
of
greenschist to
to low
low amphibolite
amphibolite facies
higher
higher metamorphic
metamorphic grade
grade occur
occur in
in two
two zones
zones or
or nodes,
nodes, one
one along
along
the
the Murray
Murray Fault
Fault zone
zone and
and another
another northwest
northwest of
of the
the Grenville
Grenville
Front.
Front. Both
Both zones
zones coincide
coincide with
with major
major anticlinoria,
anticlinoria, although
although in
in
detail,
detail, metamorphic
metamorphic isograds
isograds transect
transect fold
fold axes
axes (Card
(Card and
and
Jackson,
Jackson, 1995).
1995). Higher
Higher grade
grade metamorphic
metamorphic nodes
nodes do
do not
not coincide
coincide
with
with the
the few
few granitic
granitic intrusions
intrusions which
which intrude
intrude the
the Huronian
Huronian rocks
rocks
south
south of
of the
the Murray
Murray fault.
fault. The
The 1.850-1.900
1.850-1.900 Ga
Ga age
age of
of metamorphism
metamorphism
is
is much
much younger
younger than
than the
the Creighton-Murray
Creighton-Murray granite
granite (2.45
(2.45 Ga)
Ga) and
and
older
older than
than the
the 1.700-1.750
1.700-1.750Ga
Ga of
of the
the Chief
Chief Lake
Lake and
and Cutler
Cutler
granites.
granites.

Jackson
Jackson (1997)
(1997) considers
considers the
the origin
origin of
of the
the high-grade
high-grade staurolitestaurolitebiotite
biotite assemblages
assemblages of
of the
the McKim
McKim Formation
Formation in
in the
the hanging
hanging wall
wall of
of
the
the Murray
Murray Fault
Fault as
as one
one of
of the
the most
most enigmatic
enigmatic aspects
aspects of
of the
the
tectonic
tectonic history
history of
of the
the Southern
Southern Province.
Province. He
He concludes
concludes that
that
39

�geobarometry
metamorphism (2geobarometry indicates
indicates a
a relatively
relatively low
low pressure metamorphism
(233 kbar)
kbar) at
at high
high temperature
temperature. These
These conditions
conditions differ
differ
significantly from
from the
the 6-7
6-7 kbar
kbar pressures
pressures estimated
estimated for
for the
the
significantly
Penokean metamorphism in
in Minnesota as determined by Holm
and
Penokean
Balm and
Silverstone(1990).
Silverstone(1990). He
He concluded
concluded that
that the
the high-temperature
high-temperature
metamorphism
was
at
or
below
pressure
corresponding
metamorphism was at or below pressure corresponding to
to the
the
thickness
thickness of
of the
the Huronian
Huronian rock
rock column,
column, thereby
thereby precluding
precluding crustal
crustal
thickening
thickening as
as the
the origin
origin of
of the
the metamorphism.
metamorphism. Jackson
Jackson (1997)
(1997)
concluded
areas of
concluded that
that a
a high
high heat flow
flow regime developed in
in areas
of
crustal
crustal extension
extension and
and related
related mantle
mantle upwelling.
upwelling. Such
Such aa model
model is
is
Card's(1964)
view
that
the
high-grade
compatible
with
compatible with Card's(1964) view that the high-grade
metamorphism
metamorphism may
may be
be the
the result
result of
of rapid,
rapid, focused
focused heat
heat flow.
flow.

Tectonic
Huronian Basin
Basin
Tectonic Models
Models for
for the
the Development
Development of the Huronian
There
for the early
There have
have been
been various tectonic
tectonic models proposed for
early
development
basin. Many
Many
development and
and later
laterdeformation
deformationofofthe
the1-luronian
Huronian basin.
reconstructions
reconstructions are
are essentially
essentially modifications
modifications of
of the
the model
model put
put
forth
Holden(1966)which
whichstated
statedthat
thatthe
theJ-Iuronian
Huronian
forth by
by Dietz
Dietz and
and Holden(1966)
Supergroup
represents
a
rift
and
passive
margin
sequence
Supergroup represents a rift and passive margin sequence that
that
was
was compressed,
compressed, partly tectonically
tectonically buried and metamorphosed
during
during aa collision
collision with
with the
the Superior
Superior craton
craton and
and another
another mass
mass
which
Zolnai et
et al.
al. (1984),
(1984), Bennett
Bennett
which overrode
overrode its
its southern
southern edge.
edge. Zolnai
et
et al.
al. (1991)
(1991) accept the essential aspects of the Dietz
Dietz and
and
Holden
Holden (1966)
(1966) model. They
They propose that rifting
rifting and continental
continental
breakup
breakup was
was coeval
coeval with
with Huronian
Huronian volcanism
volcanism (2.45
(2.45 Ga)
Ga) and
and that
that the
the
much
much later
later deformation
deformation was
was equivalent
equivalent to
to the
the Penokean
Penokean Orogeny
Orogeny
(1.860-1.835
(1.860-1.835Ga)
Ga). This
This model
model does
does not
not attempt
attempt to
to account
account for
for the
the
multiple
multiple deformation
deformation events
events affecting
affecting Huronian
Huronian rocks
rocks and
and the
the
origin
of
the
Nipissing
magmatic
event.
origin of the Nipissing magmatic event.
.

Young
Huronian Supergroup
Young (1982)
(1982) proposed
proposed that the
the Huronian
Supergroup was deposited
deposited
in
in an
an aulocogen,
aulocogen, an
an easterly
easterly trending
trending fault
fault bounded
bounded trough
trough which
which
opened
opened towards
towards an
an ocean
ocean in
in the
the area
area now
now occupied
occupied by
by the
the Grenville
Grenville
Province.
concluded that
that the
the Huronian
Huronian
Province. Sims
Sims et
et al.
al. (1980,
(1980, 1981) concluded
Supergroup,
Animikie rocks
rocks
Supergroup, the
the Marquette
Marquette Range
Range Supergroup
Supergroup and
and Animikie
were
were deposited
deposited as
as intracontinental,
intracontinental, fault
fault controlled
controlled basins
basins
developed
along
a
major,
late
Archean
structure,
the
Great
Lakes
developed along a major, late Archean structure, the Great Lakes
Tectonic
Tectonic Zone.
Zone.
More
More recently,
recently, Roscoe
Roscoe and
and Card
Card (1992),
(19921,noting
noting the
the close
close
stratigraphic
stratigraphic correlation
correlation between
between the
the Early
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic sequences
sequences
40

�of
Supergroup, proposed
of the
the Wyoming
Wyomingcraton
cratonand
andthe
theI-iuronian
Huronian Supergroup,
proposed that
that
the
the Superior
Superior and
and Wyoming
Wyoming cratons
cratons are
are rifted
rifted portions
portions of
of what
what was
was
once
once aa single
single continental
continental land
land mass.
mass. They
They suggest
suggest the
the direction
direction
of
of the
the Matachewan-Hearst
Matachewan-Hearst dike
dike swarm
swarm (2.45
(2.45 Ga)
Ga) indicates
indicates an
an easteastwest
west tensional
tensional regime
regime which
which resulted
resulted in
in aa Huronian
Huronian basin
basin
elongated
elongated in
in aa north-south
north-south direction.
direction. On
On this
this larger
larger craton
craton the
the
Huronian
sediment
was
deposited
in
a
southward
deepening
Huronian sediment was deposited in a southward deepening
intracratonic
intracratonic basin.
basin. Roscoe
Roscoe and
and Card
Card (1992)
(1992) propose
propose that
that it
it was
was
during
during the
the Nipissing
Nipissing igneous
igneous event
event (2.2
(2.2 Ga)
Ga) that
that successful
successful
rifting
rifting of
of the
the Superior
Superior Province
Province took
took place
place with
with the
the eventual
eventual
drifting
drifting of
of part
part of
of the
the missing portion
portion to
to its
its present
present location
location
as
as the
the Wyoming
Wyoming craton.
craton. They attribute
attribute pre-Nipissing
pre-Nipissing folding
folding to
to
the
the Blezardian
Blezardian Orogeny
Orogeny of Stockwell
Stockwell (1982)
(1982) and
and the
the later
later more
more
important deformation
deformation to
to be coeval
coeval with the Penokean
Penokean Orogeny
Orogeny of
of
important
Michigan,
1992).
Michigan, Wisconsin
Wisconsin and
and Minnesota
Minnesota (Roscoe
(Roscoeand
and Card,
Card,1992).

Jackson
Jackson (1997)
(1997) supports
supports the
the model
model of
of Roscoe
Roscoe and
and Card
Card (1992)
(1992) since
since
the
the high
high heat
heat flow,
flow, which he
he considers
considers necessary
necessary to
to give
give the
the
observed
observed features
features of
of the
the high-grade
high-grade metamorphic
metamorphic rocks,
rocks, would
would be
be aa
necessary
necessary effect
effect of
of mantle
mantle upwelling
upwelling during
during continental
continentalbreak-up.
break-up.
He
He also
also interprets
interprets some
some of
of the
the early
early high-strain
high-strain deformation
deformation as
as
being
being consistent
consistent with
with aa Nipissing
Nipissing age
age break-up
break-up of
of the
the Superior
Superior
craton.
craton.

41

�ROAD
ROAD LOG
LOG -- HURONIAN SUPERGROUP
SUPERGROUP BETWEEN
BETWEEN SAULT
SAULT STE.
S T E . MARIE AND
AND
ELLIOT
E L L I O T LAKE
LAKE

INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION

Some
Some of
of the
the outcrops
outcrops briefly
briefly described
described below
below will
will not
not form
form aa part
part
of
of the
the present
present ILSG
ILSG field
field trip.
trip. They
They are
are included
included to
to allow
allow those
those
interested
interested to
to visit
visit them
them if
if travelling
travelling in
in the
the area
area at
at some
some future
future
date.
date. UTN
UTM coordinates
coordinates have
have been
been provided
provided for
for some
some locations
locations for
for
those
on a map,
map, or
those who
who may
may wish
wish to
to plot the locations
locations on
or who
who may
may
have
have aa GPS
GPS device.
device. The
The accuracy
accuracy is
is about
aboutSO
50m.
m.
ROAD LOG

...

DAY 1

Proceed
Proceed east
east along
along Highway
Highway 17
17 from
from Sault
Sault Ste.
Ste. Marie.
Marie.

The
The road
road log
log starts
starts at
at the
the intersection
intersection of
of Highway
Highway 638
638 and
and
Highway
Highway 17
17 East
East in
in the
the Town
Town of
of Echo
Echo Bay
Bay
0.0
638 at
0.0 km
km -- 0.0
0.0 miles
miles -- Highway
Highway.638
at Echo
Echo Bay
Bay -- continue
continue east
east on
on
Highway
Highway 17.
17.
44 km
km -- 2.5
2.5 miles
miles -- Start
Start of
of divided
divided highway
highway

7.9
7.9 km
km -- 4.9
4.9 miles
miles -- At
At sign
sign for
for Calabogie
Calabogie Road
Road (UTH
(UTM 1616- 55 144
144
004
Sub-Jacobsville
004 N,
N, 725
725 322
322E).
E).
Sub-Jacobsvilleunconformity
unconformity

Outcrop
Outcrop on
on west
west side
side of
of Highway
Highway 17.
17. The
The most
most southerly
southerly outcrop
outcrop is
is
white
white and
and grey
grey quartzite
quartzite (quartz
(quartzarenite)
arenite) of
of the
the white
white
orthoquartzite
(Frarey,1977)
1977) of
of the
the Lorrain
LorrainFormation
Formationis
is
orthoquartzitemember
member (Frarey,
overlain
overlain by
by aa basal
basal sharpstone
sharpstone conglomerate
conglomerate of
of the
the Keweenawan
Keweenawan
Jacobsville
Formation.
The conglomerate
conglomerate is
is comprised
comprised of
of angular
angular
Jacobsville Formation. The
clasts
Lorrain quartzite
quartzite up
up to
to 60
60 cm
cm across
across in
in aa red
red siltstone
siltstone
clasts of
of Lorrain
matrix.
matrix. The
The contact
contact is
is irregular.
irregular. No
No stratification
stratificationwas
was
observed.
observed.
20.0
20.0 km
km -- 12.7
12.7 miles.
miles. Highway
Highway to
to St.
St. Joseph
Joseph Island.
Island. Continue
Continue east
east
on
on Highway
Highway 17.
17.

42

�a
U)

4

+

/

+

-I-

+

4

+

+

-t-

+

+

-p-"-

+

I

+

+

+

'I-

+

++

+

+

7

+

±

¼,

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+_.i-

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

.p•

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

4

+

+

+

+

+

+

r

+

+

+

4+ ++ -'
4

— . _+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+ ++ +-F+ +

+

+

+

+
+

+

+

+

+

+

+

('

+

+

+

+
+

+

+

+_-'{+
+

+

+

+

+

area.

+

+

+

IL,j:

4

+

+

Archean rocks

—

+
+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+•'+

+/+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

#+ + +

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+)+

50km

+

+'tf-

-k

•'_+

+

+

+

+

+ ,*

+

+

+

4

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+%, +

+_•.+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+
+
+
*.+
+

+

+
+

+

4-

+

East Bull Lake Suite (Gabbro-Anormosite)

,_+

Murray Fault

+

Elliot Lake, -lough Lake
and Quirke Lake Grouos

Huronlan Supergroup
Cobalt Group

+

++1+
-+ + +.+ ' + .+-'+ ++
+
-

+,I'

+

+

See Flr7rjrer 16,17 &amp; 181cr remair-ng stops

eIdtripatop

Faults

Cutler Granite

+

LEGEND

+

Paleazolc and Keweenawan racks

.AKE HURON

+

+

+

—.—

T1IIIfl

Thessalon

,+

'1-

+

—'+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+ —______

+—c+

+

+

+#..

+

+

+

+

+

Figure 16. The distribution of rocks of the Huronian Supergroup. Sault Ste. Marie-Elliot Lake

+

t t

North

'-1:,

�25.0
25.0 km
km -- 15.5
15.5 miles
miles
STOP
Lorrain Formation
Formation
1: Lower
Lower red
red quartzite member of the Lorrain
STOP 1:
(Frarey,
(Frarey,1977)
1977). (Refer
(Refer to
to Figure
Figure 16)
16).
.

-

On
On the
the north
north side
side of
of Highway 17 steeply dipping beds of the
the lower
lower

member
well preserved
preserved
member of
of the
the Lorrain
Lorrain Formation
Formation reveal well
oscillation
oscillation ripples
ripples on
on aa large
large south
south facing
facing surface.
surface.
red
red

Note:
Note: the
the differing
differing ripple
ripple directions
directions and
and local
local interference
interference
ripples. This
This impressive
impressive outcrop
outcrop is known locally
"Ripple
ripples.
locally as the "Ripple
Rock".
Rockw.

Main Street
Street in
in the
the town
town of
of Desbarats
Desbarats (pronounced
(pronounced"Debarah"
"Debarah" 1
Main
26.8
26.8 km
km -- 16.6
16.6 miles
miles

STOP
STOP 2:
2: Purple
Purple siltstone
siltstone member
member of
of the
the Lorrain
Lorrain Formation.
Formation.
Dark
Dark red
red to
to purple
purple siltstone
siltstone and
and sandstone
sandstone constitute
constitute true
true redredbeds
1977) in
in the
the Huronian.
Huronian. These
These hematite-rich
hematite-rich rocks
rocks
beds (Frarey,
(Frarey,1977)
display the
the reduction
reduction along
along fractures
fractures typical
typical of
of red
red beds,
beds, and
and aa
display
good
good indicator
indicator of
of deposition
deposition in
in an
an oxidizing
oxidizing environment.
environment. The
The
bedding
140Â and
and dipping
dipping
bedding is
is faint,
faint, but
but locally
locally distinct,
distinct, striking
striking 140°
10°
1O0 south.
south.

27.7
27.7 km
km -- 17.2
17.2 miles
miles Lake
Lake Huron
Huron Drive
Drive in
in the
the town
town of
of Desbarats
Desbarats
28.0
28.0 km
km -- 17.4
17.4 miles.
miles.

STOP
STOP 3:
3: Basal
Basal Arkose
Arkose Member
Member of
of Lorrain
Lorrain Formation.
Formation. UTM
UTM Zone
Zone 17.
17
275461N,
275461N, 5l36234E.
5136234E.

Large
Large outcrops
outcrops of
of pink,
pink, medium—grained
medium-grained , rather
rather massive
massive arkose
arkose
beds
beds with
with hematite-rich
hematite-richspots
spots about
about one
one centimetre
centimetre across.
across. Pale
Pale
laminations
in
outcrop
on
south
side
of
the
road
indicate
shallow
laminations in outcrop on south side of the road indicate shallow
dips
loowest.
west. The
The unit
unit is
is about
about 1700
1700 feet
feet thick
thick in
in
dips of
of about
about10°
this
this area
area (Frarey,
(Frarey,1977).
1977).
,

40.5
km -- 25.0
25.0 miles
miles copper
copper bearing
bearing quartz
quartz vein
vein in
in town
town of
of Bruce
Bruce
40.5 km
Mines.
Mines.

In
17, in
in the
the town
town of
of
In aa rock-cut
rock-cut on
on the
the north
north side
side of
of Highway
Highway 17,
44

�Bruce
Bruce Mines,
Mines, is
is aa 33 metre
metre wide
wide quartz
quartz vein
vein in
in Nipissing
Nipissing diabase.
diabase.
The
The vein
vein contains
contains small
small amounts
amounts of
of chalcopyrite,
chalcopyrite,chalcocite,
chalcocite,
bornite
bornite and
and malachite.
malachite. It
It is
is one
one of
of the
the few
few remaining
remaining remnants
remnants of
of
the
the copper
copper mineralization
mineralization that
that once
once made this
this town
town known
known
throughout
throughout the
the mining
mining world.
world. Mining
Mining began
began here
here in
in 1846
1846 and
and
continued
continued to
to 1875,
1875, making
making Bruce
Bruce Mines
Mines the
the first
first mining
mining town
town in
in
Canada.
Please do
do not
not take
take samples
samples from
from this
t h i s outcrop.
outcrop.
Canada. Please
About
75 metres
metres north
north of
of this
this outcrop
outcrop there
there is
is aa reconstruction
reconstruction
About 75
of
of aa copper
copper mining
mining operation
operation of
of that
that period
period built
built on
on one
one of
of the
the
original
mine
workings,
known
as
the
"Simpson
Shaft".
original mine workings, known as the "Simpson Shaftn. During
During the
the
summer
summer months
months the
the Simpson
Simpson Shaft
Shaft site
site is
is open
open as
as aa tourism
tourism
operation.
operation.

42.6
42.6 km
km -- 26.5
26.5 miles
miles

Entrance
Entrance to
to the
the quarry
quarry of
of Ontario
Ontario Trap
Trap Rock
Rock (R.W.
(R.W. Tomlinson
Tomlinson
Limited).
Limited)'.The
The quarrying
quarrying of
of trap
trap rock
rock (Nipissing
(Nipissing diabase)
diabase) at
at Bruce
Bruce
Mines
predecessor near
near the
the lake
lake operated
operated
Mines resumed
resumedin
in1990.
1990. AA predecessor
during
during the
the First
First World
World War.
War.
45.1
45.1 26.0
28.0

Highway
17-5
Highway 17
17
17-5 129
129 846N,
846N, 289
289 Sl2E,
512E,
Low
Low outcrops
outcrops of
of Mississagi
Mississagi Formation.
Formation. Waltonen
Waltonen Road
Road at
at 45.4
45.4 km
km
or
or 28.2
28.2 miles
miles at
at east
east end
end of
of outcrop.
outcrop.

Medium-sand
Medium-sand to
to grit-sized,
grit-sized,grey1
grey, subarkose
subarkose with
with thin
thin quartzquartzpebble
pebble beds
beds and
and prominent
prominent planar
planar cross-bedding
cross-bedding are
are well
well exposed
exposed
along
along the
the north
north side
side of
of the
the highway.
highway. Rusty
Rusty staining
staining on
on the
the
outcrop
detrital(?) pyrite
pyrite along
along the
the foreset
foresetbeds.
beds.
outcrop reflects
reflects minor
minor detrital(?)
Black
Black chert
chert pebbles
pebbles in
in pebbly
pebbly beds,
beds, minor
minor pyrite
pyrite and
and metre
metre scale
scale
bedding
bedding are
are common
commonfeatures
featuresof
of the
the Mississagi
Mississaqi Formation.
Formation. Roscoe,
Roscoe,
(1969)
(1969) concluded
concluded that
that the
the drab
drab colour
colour and
and presence
presence of
of detrital
detrital
pyrite
pyrite in
in Huronian
Huronian sandstones
sandstones and
and conglomerates
conglomerates is
is evidence
evidence of
of
the
the reducing
reducing nature
nature of
of the
the early
early Huronian
Huronian atmosphere.
atmosphere.
60.6
60.6 km
km -- 37.6
37.6 miles
miles Intersection
Intersection of
of Highway
Highway 17
17 and
and Highway
Highway129.
129
UTM
Zone
17
303590E,
17-5126450N
UTM Zone 17 - 303590E, 17-5126450N

STOP
STOP 4:
4: Thessalon
ThessalonFormation
Formationtholeiitic
tholeiiticbasalt.
basalt.
Refer
Refer to
toFigure
Figure17.
17.

Dark
Dark green,
green, fine
fine to
to medium
medium grained
grained basalt
basalt is
is exposed
exposed on
on the
the east
east
45

�+
±
+

+
+

+

-I

+
-l

+
÷

-I

+

+

-l

+
+

-I

÷
-I

-4

4

4

at—

-1

+

2"/j5S 4jçr74Cv

Thessalon

-l

Lake Huron

IL EGEND
EGEND
Thessalon
lhessalonFm
Fm
Basalt,
andesite. rhyolite
rflyolite
Basait. andesite.

Nipissing
Nipissing
Gabbro.
Gobbro.diabase.
diabase,granophyre
granophyre

A

MississadFm.
Fm.
Mississagi
Subarkose,pebble
pebbk conglomerate
conglomerate
Subarkose,

3

AAA

AAA

High
magnesium basalt
High magnesium
basalt

felsic
pyroclastic rocks
fetsfc flows,
flows, pyroclostic
rocks

Frn
MdinendaFm
Malinendo

Subarkose.
arkose
%barkose.ark-

Arkose,
quartz-pebble conglomerate
conglomerate
Arkose, quartz-pebbk
(localty
pyriticand
and radioactive)
radioacWe)
(iocalty pyritic

quartz-pebble
quartz-pebble conglomerate
conglomerate

Iivlngstone
Cr.Fm.
Fm.
livingstoneCr.
Anticlinal

ax
//

X

Nkose.
conglomerate
Arkose, polymictic conglomerate

Synclinal
axis

Archeon
Afchean
Plutonic and
and gneissic
gneissicgranite
graniterocks,
rocks, rnigmatite
migmatite
N

25

00

Bedding attitude
attitude

Fault
Fault

*

/

1

I

*

+

22

d
km
krn

I

I
Field trip stop

-

Figure 17.
Figure
17. Geology of
of the
the Thessalon
Thessalon Area
Area
46

�north of the intersection
intersection with Highway
side of Highway 129 just north
17.
Thessalon
17.
This tholeiitic
tholeiitic basalt forms the top of the Thessalon
Formation
Formation in
in the Thessalon area and is typical of the thicker
thicker
tholeiitic
tholeiitic sequences
sequences which
which make
make up
up the
the upper
upper parts
parts of
of the
the
Aberdeen Township
Township
Thessalon Formation in the Sault Ste. Marie and Aberdeen
The rocks
areas. The
rocks consist
consist of albite,
albite, chlorite,
chlorite, epidote,
epidote,
clinozoisite, leucoxene
minor quartz
clinozoisite,
leucoxene and minor
quartz and
and oxides.
oxides. The
The
metabasalt contains
amygdules
albite, quartz,
quartz, epidote,
epidote, calcite
s of albite,
contains amygdule
calcite
and chlorite.
relatively
small, monomineralic
monoimineralic chlorite
slatively small,
chlorite
chlorite. The
.. The . r&lt;
. buttons")
.. , are
amygdules
amygdules ("chlorite
("cniorite
buttons";
are characteristic
cnaracteristic of
of the
the mafic
mafic
volcanics
Ste. Marie and
and
volcanics of the Thessalon Formation between1 Sault Ste.
Elliot Lake.
Elliot
Lake.
7

7

Glacial striae
and cnaci-er
chatter marxs
marks are weÂ±
well aeveloped
developed on the
the
striae ana
outcrop surface.
outcrop
surface.
Proceed north
129.
Reset
Reset odometre
odometre to
to 00
00 at
at
Proceed
north on
on Highway
Hi&lt;
Intersection of Higl
Highway 17 andd Highway
Highway 129.
129.
Intersection

1.0
miles
km -- 0.62
0.62 miles
1.0
km

STOP 5: Outcrop of Matinenda Formation
Formation on east side of Highway
129.
129.
This
pink to greenish grey,
grey, subarkose which
This fine-grained,
fine-grained, pale pink
directly
Thessalon area
directly overlies the Thessalon Formation in the Thessalon
has been correlated with
with the Matinenda
Matinenda Formation of
of the Elliot
al., 1991). Faint outlines of trough
Lake Group (Bennett
(Bennett et al.,
cross-bedding, visible on the upper
cross-bedding,
upper surface
surface of
of the
the outcrop,
outcrop,
indicate paleocurrent directions
directions from the northwest.
northwest. The
The greenish
greenish
(sericitic)
units and
and the
the trough
trough cross-beds
cross-beds are typical of the
(sericitic) units
the
Matinenda Formation,
but
the
fine
grain
size
is
not.
At
Thessalon
Formation,
At Thessalon
Point about 4
contain
4 km southwest of this location these rocks contain
thin
quartz pebble conglomerate
thin quartz
conglomerate units,
units, but
but the
the pyrite
pyrite and
and
radioactivity,
radioactivity, characteristic
characteristic of
of the
the Matinenda
Matinenda Formation
Formation of
of the
the
Elliot Lake
Lake area,
area, are
are lacking.
lacking.
village of Warncliffe
23.0
km -- 14.9
14.9 miles The village
23.0 km
north end
29.1 km
km -- 18.4
end of
of Appleby
Appleby Lake.
Lake
18.4 miles north

47

�30.3
3 0 . 3 km
km -- 19.4
19.4 miles
miles UTM
UTM 17,
17, 5 144 748N, 320
320 904E
904E

STOP 6:
6: Laminated
Laminated siltstone
siltstone of the Gowganda Formation
Formation on
on scarp
scarp
STOP
west
west of
of Highway
Highway 129.
129. (Refer
(Refer to
to Figure
Figure 16.)
16.)
Proceed
Proceed up
up steep
steep slope
slope to
to scarp
scarp located
located aa few
few tens
tens of
of metres
metres into
into

the bush.
bush.
the
Vertical
Vertical joint
joint faces
faces in
in laminated
laminated siltstones-mudstone
siltstones-mudstoneof
of the
the
Gowganda Formation
Formation form
form an
an impressive
impressive cliff just
just west of
of Highway
Highway
Gowganda
129. The
The bedding
bedding comprises
comprises regular
regular and
and remarkably
remarkably continuous
continuous
129.
mudstone-siltstone
couplets
from
0.5
to
2
cm
thick.
mudstone-siltstone couplets from 0.5 to 2 cm thick. The
The grey
grey
siltstone
siltstone unit
unit at
at the
the base
base of
of each
each couplet
couplet grades
grades up
up to
to aa darker
darker
mudstone
mudstone which
which is
is in
in sharp
sharp contact
contact with
with the
the siltstone
siltstone base
base of
of the
the
resembles varves
vanes of
overlying
overlying couplet.
couplet. The sequence closely resembles
of
Pleistocene
few pink,
pink, discontinuous,
discontinuous,fine,
fine,
Pleistocene glacial
glacial lakes.
lakes. AA few
sandstone
sandstone beds
beds are
are also
also present.
present.

Widely
boulder-sized
Widely scattered
scattered through
through the sequence are pebble to boulder-sized
Archean granitic
granitic rocks.
rocks. In
In the
the
"drop stones",
stones", predominantly
predominantly of Archean
"drop
absence
absence of
of volcanic
volcanic activity
activity within
within the
the Gowganda
Gowganda Formation,
Formation, the
the
only
plausible
source
of
the
drop
stones
is
the
presence
of
only plausible source of the drop stones is the presence of
floating
floating ice
ice which
which released
released its
its rock
rock load
load during
during melting.
melting. This
This
outcrop,
outcrop, and
and many
many others
others of
of aa less
less spectacular
spectacular nature,
nature, provide
provide
some
some of
of the
the best evidence
evidence for
for aa cool
cool climate
climate during
during Gowganda
Gowganda
time.
time.
interpret the
the laminated unit
unit as a varved
Church and
and Young,
Young, (1972) interpret
Church
sequence. They
They also note the presence of small
small sedimentary
sedimentary
sequence.
clasts,
lithologically
similar
to
the
enclosing
rocks.
clasts, litholoqically similar to the enclosing rocks. They
They
interpret
interpret the
the clasts
clasts of sedimentary
sedimentary rocks
rocks as
as having
having been
been derived
derived
from
upper surface
from the
the ablation
ablation of sediment
sediment on
on the upper
surface of
of the
the
glacier.
glacier.
reported pyritic,
pyritic, carbonaceous
carbonaceous inclusions
inclusions and
and
Jackson, (1971) reported
Jackson,
"fossil
fossil gas
gas bubbles",
bubbles", which
which he
he considered
considered to
to be
be biogenic
biogenic origin,
origin,
associated
associated with
with drop-stones
drop-stones at
at this
this location.
location.
30.9 km
km -- 19.5
19.5 miles.
miles. Intersection
Intersection with
with Highway
Highway 554.
554. Return
Return to
to
30.9
Thessalon along
Thessalon
along Highway
Highway 129.
129.

Intersection of Highway 17 and
30.9 km
km -- 19.5
miles. Intersection
and Highway
Highway
19.5 miles.
30.9
129 at
at Thessalon.
Thessalon. Reset
Reset odometer
odometer to
to 0.0.
0.0.
48

�2.6
miles.
2.6 km
km -- 1.6
1.6 miles.
17- 126567N.
126567N. Green Lane.
Lane. Cross
Cross
UTM 306085E,
306085E, 17railway
tracks (with
(with care) and immediately
immediately turn left then
then south
south
railway tracks
to short
short section
section of
of unpaved
unpaved road
road between
between private
private properties.
properties.
Outcrops of Thessalon Formation felsic metavolcanics lie at the
Outcrops
end
end of
of the
the road.
road.

STOP
7: Rhyolite
Rhyolite of
of the
the Thessalon
Thessalon Formation.
Formation. (Refer
STOP 7:
(Refer to Figure
Figure

17) .
17)
Volcanics are
Volcanics
are fine
fine grained,
grained, grey to
to pink and maroon rhyolite
rhyolite
(Table
consisting of a fine
(Table 2) consisting
fine grained
grained mosaic
mosaic of
of albite,
albite,
K-feldspar, and
K-feldspar,
and quartz
quartz with minor
minor green
green pleochroic
pleochroic biotite.
biotite.
Amygdules
Arnygdules are
are filled
filled with
with quartz,
quartz, biotite
biotite and
and stilpnomelane.
stilpnomelane.
Collapsed
iron staining
Collapsed vesicules are also present. Local iron
staining and
darker chloritic
darker
chloritic areas
areas indicate
indicate the
the presence
presence of
of iron
iron sulfides.
sulfides.
5.9 km
3.6 miles.
miles.
km -- 3.6

At Pine
Pine Ridge
Ridge Road
Road

Reset odometre
odometre to
to 000
000
Intersection of
17 and
and Pine
Pine Ridge
Ridge Road.
Road.
Intersection
of Highway
Highway 17
(south) onto Pine
(south)
Pine Ridge
Ridge Road.
Road.
2.9
1.8 miles.
miles.
2.9 km
km -- 1.8
property.
property.

At Lake
Lake Huron.
Huron.

Turn right
Turn
right

Causeway to
Causeway
to private
private

NOTE: In
residents there will be
NOTE:
In consideration
consideration of the privacy of residents
no road
road log
log for
for the
the next
next four
four stops.
stops.
STOP
STOP 8:
8:

Sub-Livingstone
Sub-Livingstone Creek
Creek Formation
Formation regolith.
regolith. NOTE:
NOTE: High
High
water
water levels
levels on
on Lake
Lake Huron may prevent access to part of this
this
area.
area.

Supergroup is exposed near
The granitic
granitic basement to the Huronian Supergroup
the
predominantly
the shore
shore of
of Lake
Lake Huron.
Huron. The granitic rocks
rocks are predominantly
red to
red
to grey
grey coloured
coloured with
with zones
zones of
of mafic
mafic xenoliths.
xenoliths.
sub-Livingstone Creek
This will be a brief stop to examine sub-Livingstone
Formation regolith
Archean granitic
granitic rocks.
rocks. This
This
Formation
regolith on
on the
the lowermost
lowermost Archean
sub-Livingstone Creek
sub-Livingstone
Creek Formation
Formation unconformity
unconformity is
is the
the lowermost
lowermost
unconformity
A saprolitic paleosol is
is
unconformity in
in the
the Huronian Supergroup. A
not as
sub-Matinenda
as well developed
developed as at the well studied sub-Matinenda
49

�paleosol of
paleosol
of the
the Elliot
Elliot Lake
Lake area.
area.

On
fine-grained
On a
a 22 by S5 m outcrop at the waters edge, grey, fine-grained
arkosic sandstone
sandstone surrounds
arkosic
surrounds sub-rounded
sub-rounded blocks
blocks of grey to reddish
reddish
granitic basement.
granitic
basement. The
The granitic blocks appear
appear to
to be in
in place
or
place or
only slightly
slightly dislocated.
dislocated.
only
tens of
of metres
metres further east,
east, very
very
On shoreline
shoreline outcrops a few tens
fine-grained steeply
dipping, silicious
fine-grained
steeply dipping,
silicious veins
veins may
may also
also be
be related
related
Locally, sandstone
to the
the pre-Livingstone
pre-Livingstone Creek
Creek weathering.
weathering. Locally,
sandstone
filled
seams
(fissure
or
crack
filling)
appear
to
dip
filled seams (fissure
filling) appear to dip steeply
steeply to
to
the east,
east, i.e.
i.e. about
about perpendicular
perpendicular to
to the
the paleosurface.
paleosurface.
the
Return to
Return
to the
the driveway.
driveway.
STOP 9:
STOP
9:

Base of the Livingstone
Livingstone Creek
Creek Formation.
Formation.

About 3
3 m
m of
of fine-sand
fine-sand to
to grit-sized,
grit-sized, grey
grey sandstone
sandstone of
of the
the
Livingstone
Livingstone Creek
Creek Formation
Formation is
is exposed
exposed in
in outcrops
outcrops along
along the
the
short
short ascent
ascent to
to the
the driveway.
driveway. Although
Although neither
neither the
the contact,
contact, nor
nor
a complete
Archean basement
complete transition
transition zone
zone between the Archean
basement granite
granite
and 1-juronian
Supergroupare
areexposed,
exposed,these
these sandstones
sandstones are
are only
only a
and
Huronian Supergroup
few
few metres (stratigraphically)
(stratigraphically) above the Livingstone
Livingstone Creek
Creek
Formation—Archean unconformity.
Formation-Archean
unconformity.
At the
section, the Livingstone Creek
the base
base of
of the
the short exposed section,
sandstone
sandstone is
is massive and has a few
few scattered
scattered (matrix
(matrix supported),
supported),
well-rounded
well-rounded to
to sub-rounded
sub-rounded granitic
granitic cobbles
cobbles and
and boulders.
boulders. The
The
diffuse edges and embayments of
of some
some clasts
clasts suggests
suggests that
that they
they
diffuse
have
have undergone
undergone little
little transportation
transportation and
and may
may be
be core
core stones
stones of
of
weathered
granitic
blocks,
weathered granitic blocks. Widely distributed
distributed rusty
rusty areas
areas up to
to
4
4 cm
cm across
across indicate
indicate the presence of sulfide
sulfide concentrations
concentrations
(nodules?). The basal
basal portion
portion of this section
section may
may be
be paleosol
or
paleosol or
material derived from
paleosol. The
material
from adjacent
adjacent paleosol.
The upper
upper part
part of
of the
the

exposed sandstone
The
exposed
sandstone section
section shows
shows trough
trough cross-bedding.
cross-bedding. The
recessive weathering pattern indicates
indicates that carbonate
recessive
carbonate is
is
prominent along
foreset beds.
beds.
prominent
along the
the foreset
STOP
STOP 10:
10:

member of
of the Livingstone
Livingstone Creek Formation
Conglomerate member
Formation

A
A low
low outcrop
outcrop adjacent
adjacent to
to the
the driveway
driveway on
on private
private property.
property.
50

The
The

�rocks are
are clast.-supported
clast-supported polymictic
commonly
rocks
polymictic conglomerate
conglomerate which
which commonly
forms the
the lowermost
lowermost member
member of
of the
the Livingstone
Livingstone Creek
Creek Formation.
Formation.
forms
The
boulder-sized clasts
The conglomerate
conglomerate is
is made
made up of cobble
cobble and boulder-sized
clasts
to white-weathering
white-weathering massive,
and
of pale-grey
pale-grey to
massive, porphyritic
porphyritic and
gneissic
granitic rocks
rocks with
with some
some foliated
foliated amphibolite
amphiboliteand
andmat
mafic
gneissic granitic
ic
plutonic
plutonic rocks.
rocks. There
There are a few
few thin beds of intercalated
coarse
intercalated coarse
arkose.
arkose. No
No clasts
clasts of
of Huronian
Huronian volcanic rocks
rocks have
have been
been identified
identified
in the
the Livingstone
Livingstone Creek
Creek Formation.
Formation.
The polymictic
polymictic clast
clast population,
population, sorting
sorting and size
size indicate
indicate
The
deposition in
in aa high
high energy
energy environment
environment such
such as
as an
an alluvial
alluvial fan.
fan.
deposition
Although the
the grey
grey colour
colour is
is dominant
dominant in
in these
these conglomerates,
conglomerates, the
the
Although
pink to
basement rocks,
rocks, is
is
to red
red colour,
colour, common
common in
in the
the Archean basement
scarce
scarce or
or lacking
lacking in
in the
the conglomerate
conglomerate clasts.
clasts. This
This colour
colour
difference between
between the
the clasts
clasts and
and the
the source
source granites
granites may
may be
be due
due
difference
preto reduction
reduction of
of ferric
ferric iron
iron in
in the
the feldspar
feldspar lattice
lattice during
during preto
Huronian
Huronian weathering
weathering or
or diagenesis.
diagenesis.
STOP
STOP 11:
11:

Base
Base of
of the
the Thessalon
Thessalon Formation
Formation -- Sedimentary
Sedimentary rocks
rocks of
of
the
the Thessalon
Thessalon Formation.
Formation.

Fine
Fine to
to medium
medium sand-sized,
sand-sized, cross-bedded
cross-bedded dark-grey
dark-grey sandstone
sandstone marks
marks
the top
top of
of the
the Livingstone
Livingstone Creek
Creek Formation
Formation is
is this
this area.
area. The
The
the
grey
grey colour,
colour, recessive
recessive weathering
weathering along
along the
the foreset
foreset beds,
beds, and
and the
the
restricted range
range of
of clast
clast size,
size, is
is characteristic
characteristic of
of the
the
restricted
sandstone member
member of
of the
the Livingstone
Livingstone Creek
Creek Formation.
Formation.
sandstone
Near
Near the
the water
water line
line on
on the
the west
west side
side of
of the
the outcrop,
outcrop, aa thin
thin unit
unit
(a
few cm
cm thick) of radioactive,
radioactive, quartz-pebble
quartz-pebble and
and cobble
a few
cobble
conglomerate,
040' and
and dipping 45"west,
lies on
on the
the
conglomerate, striking
striking O4O
45west, lies
upper
upper surface
surface of
of the
the grey
grey sandstone
sandstone of the Livingstone
Livingstone Creek
Creek
Formation. The
The conglomerate
conglomerate consists
consists predominantly
of pale-grey
pale-grey
Formation.
predominantly of
and dark-grey
pebbles and
dark-grey to
to black,
black, well-rounded
well-rounded quartz pebbles
and cobbles
cobbles
up
bed is, in turn,
turn, overlain
10 cm
cm across.
across. The conglomerate bed
overlain
up to
to 10
by
by aa unit
unit of
of massive
massive to
to cross-bedded,
cross-bedded, grey
grey grit
grit and
and arkose
arkose which
which
forms
forms the
the basal
basal unit
unit of
of the
the Thessalon
Thessalon Formation
Formation in
in the
the area.
area.

displacement of
of the
the quartz
quartz pebble
pebbleconglotherate
conglomerate
Note: the
the 55 mm displacement
Note:
along
along aa steeply
steeply dipping
dipping dextral,
dextral, northwest
northwest striking
striking fault.
fault.
Diamond
Huron in
Diamond drilling
drilling done
done from
from the
the ice
ice of Lake Huron
in the
the 1970's
1970's
indicates
indicates that
that the
the volcanic rocks
rocks which form the
the bulk of
of the
the
Thessalon
are at
at
Thessalon Formation
Formation directly
directly overlie
overlie the
the grit
grit unit
unit but are
51

�this
this location
location covered
covered by
by the
the lake
lake waters.
waters

Measurement
gamma ray
Measurement of
of gamma
gamma radiation
radiation made with a McPhar TV1A gamma
ray
spectrometer are
spectrometer
are given
given below:
below:
Livingstone
Tl=2,000; T2=60;
T2=60; T3=30
T3=30
Livingstone Creek
Creek sandstone:
sandstone: Tl=2,000;
Quartz Pebble
Quartz
Pebble Conglomerate
Conglomerate (Thessalon
(ThessalonFormation)
Formation)
T2=700; T3=6O
T2=700;
T3=60
T2=U+Th;
Th.
where Tl=K÷U-i-Th;
Tl=K+U+Th; T2=U+Th;
T3 == Th.
where

:
:

T1=20,000;
Tl=20,000;

measurements in
measurements
in counts/mm
counts/min

Earlier
radioactive
Earlier writers
writers have
have (reasonably)
(reasonably) concluded that the radioactive
conglomerate
conglomerate is
is aa unit
unit of
of the
the underlying
underlying Livingstone
Livingstone Creek
Creek
concluded that the
Formation. However,
Formation.
However, Bennett
Bennett et
et al.
al. (1991) concluded
the
radioactive
stratigraphically
radioactive conglomerate
conglomerate at this locality is stratigraphically
equivalent
and significantly
significantly
equivalent to
to the
the Thessalon volcanic rocks and
younger than
younger
than the
the Livingstone
Livingstone Creek
Creek Formation.
Formation. Some
Some of
of the
the
evidence
evidence for
for this
this conclusion
conclusion is
is as
as follows:
follows:
1.
Radioactive conglomerates occur within
within the
the volcanic
volcanic flows near
1. Radioactive
the base of
the
Thessalon
Formation
in
the
Sault
of the Thessalon Formation in
Sault Ste.
Ste. Marie
Marie area
area
(Hay, 1963)
1963) and the Aberdeen
Aberdeen Lake
(Hay,
Lake area
area (Bennett,
(Bennett,1982)
1982).
2. At
At a few
few localities
localities in
in the Quirke Lake Syncline
Syncline radioactive
radioactive
conglomerate
below the Thessalon
Thessalon
conglomerate and
and arkose are found directly below
Formation
Formation flows
flows upon
upon the
the Archean
Archean basement where
where the
the Livingstone
Livingstone
Creek Formation
Creek
Formation is
is not
not present.
present.
3. No quartz-pebble
3.
quartz-pebble conglomerate
conglomerate has
has been identified
identified anywhere
anywhere
within
within the
the Livingstone
Livingstone Creek
Creek Formation.
Formation.
4.
4. The
The resistate
resistate nature
nature of
of the
the minerals
minerals in
in the
the conglomerate
conglomerate
suggests extensive
area and
suggests
extensive weathering of the source
source area
and the
the presence
presence
of a disconformable
relationship
with
the
underlying
unit.
disconformable relationship with the underlying unit.
Proceed
Proceed from
from west
west end
end of
of causeway
causeway northward
northward along
along Pine
Pine Ridge
Ridge
Road.
Road.
STOP 12:
Archean Granitic Basement Rocks
Rocks
STOP
12: Saprolith
Saprolith on
on Archean
gneiss, up to
Blocks of pale-weathering
pale-weathering granitic
granitic gneiss,
to 11 m across,
across, are
are
separated by
separated
by brownish-weathering
brownish-weathering arkosic sandstone
sandstone filled
filled cracks,
cracks,
52

�which
which appear
appear to
to be
be products
products of
of the
the paleoweathering
paleoweathering of
of the
the gneiss.
gneiss.
The
The grain
grain size
size of
of quartz
quartz in
in the
the inter-block
inter-block sandstone
sandstone is
is
consistent
consistent with
with derivation
derivation from
from weathering
weathering of
of the
the surrounding
surrounding
granite.
In
places
the
prominent
gneissosity
in
the
granite. In places the prominent gneissosity in the granitic
granitic
rocks
rocks shows
shows that
that no
no rotation
rotation of
of the
the blocks
blocks has
has taken
taken place
place during
during
the
the development
development of
of the
the sandstone
sandstone units.
units. The
The sandstone
sandstone units
units are
are
up
wide, and
and in
in places
places include
include numerous
numerous sub-angular
sub-angular to
to
up to
to 22 mm wide,
sub-rounded
sub-roundedblocks
blocks of
of granitic
graniticgneiss.
gneiss. The
The very
very thin
thin arkosic
arkosic
units
units appear
appear to
to be
be no
no more
more than
than altered
altered seams
seams in
in the
the granitic
granitic
basement.
basement. At
At the
the west
west end
end of
of the
the outcrop
outcrop the
the sandstone
sandstone units
units are
are
fined
fined grained,
grained, grey
grey and
and resemble
resemble the
the sandstones
sandstones of
of the
the overlying
overlying
Livingstone
Livingstone Creek
Creek Formation.
Formation.
Proceed
Proceed north
north on
on Pine
Pine Ridge
Ridge Road
Road to
toHighway
Highway17.
17.
then
then proceed
proceed east
east on
on Highway
Highway17.
17.

Reset odometer
odometer
Reset

Reset
Reset odometre.
odometre.
13.5
13.5 km
km

Melwell
Melwell Road
Road

14.1
14.1 km
km Chalcopyrite
Chalcopyrite bearing
bearing quartz
quartz carbonate
carbonate vein
vein cut
cut pebbly
pebbly
siltstone
siltstone of
of the
the Gowganda
Gowganda Formation
Formation on
on the
the south
south side
side of
of Highway
Highway
17.
17. The
The vein
vein and
and mineral
mineral assemblage
assemblage (quartz-carbonate-pyrite(quartz-carbonate-pyritechalcopyrite-hematite)
chalcopyrite-hematite) is
is typical
typical of
of many
many in
in such
such occurrences
occurrences
between
between Sault
Sault Ste.
Ste. Marie
Marie and
and Sudbury.
Sudbury.

47.6
47.6 km
km Downtown
Downtown Blind
Blind River
River(at
(atTim
TimHorton's).
Horton's).
66.7
66.7 km
km Pronto
Pronto Road
Road

Turn
Turn north
north onto
onto the
the Pronto
Pronto road
road and
and continue
continue until
until prevented
prevented by
by
aa gravel
gravel barrier
barrier from
from proceeding
proceeding further.
further. Continue
Continue on
on foot
foot past
past
the
the barrier
barrier to
to the
the west
west end
end of
of aa beaver
beaver pond
pond just
just north
north of
of the
the
road.
Proceed along
along aa trail
trail across
acrossthe
the west
west outlet
outletof
ofthe
thepond,
pond,
road. Proceed
then
then around
around the
the north
north end
end of
of the
the pond
pond and
and up
up aa steep
steephill.
hill. Turn
Turn
left
(to
the
north)
on
a
gravel
road
at
the
top
of
the
hill.
left (to the north) on a gravel road at the top of the hill.
Continue
Continue to
to an
an area
area of
of outcrop
outcrop and
and gravel
gravel fill
fill which
which marks
marks the
the
former
stope of
of the
the Pronto
Pronto mine.
mine. If
If not
not accompanied
accompanied by
by aa
former open
open stope
guide,
guide, please
please do
do not
not attempt
attempt to
to access
access this
this site
site without
without aa
compass
compass as
as well
well as
as suitable
suitablefootwear
footwearand
andclothing.
clothing.
NOTE:
NOTE: During
During the
the field
field trip
trip we
we hope
hope to
to arrange
arrange for
for access
access from
from
the
the normally
normallyrestricted
restrictedmine
mineproperty.
property.
53

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HURONIAN
Formations above the Matinenda

-.-

Hi Matinenda Formatloin
Pat~F.xmat#m

a

fl Gronilic
rocks
Gron8ltc
rocks

Fautt
Fault

c&lt;^

Bedding
attitude
Bedding
attitude

0Paler Formation
ARCHEAN
ARCHEAN

SYMBOLS
SYMBOLS

—

'13'

,_ ----4

13 Fieldtrip
stop
Fieldtnp
slop
-d

I

Projection
ore
body
Projection
ofdoriginal
original ore
body

,

1 krn
1 km
?

.

Figure
Plan
and
section
of of
thethe
Geology
ofof
the
Figure18.18.
Plan
and
section
Geology
thePronto
ProntoMine
Minearea.
area.

54

�STOP
STOP 13:
13: Pronto
Pronto Mine
Mine (past
(pastproducer)
producer) -- This
This property
property is
is currently
currently
undergoing restoration
restoration to
to a
a condition
condition as
as closely
closely as
as
undergoing
possible
possible to
to it's
it's original
original state.
state. (Refer
(Refer to
to Figure
Figure 18).
18).

This
This is
is one
one of
of the
the few
few locations
locations where
where exposures
exposures of
of uraniferous
uraniferous
quartz
quartz pebble
pebble conglomerate
conglomerate of
of the
the Matinenda
Matinenda Formation
Formation can
can be
be
found
found on
on surface
surface in
in the
the Elliot
Elliot Lake-Blind
Lake-BlindRiver
River area.
area. In
In the
the
depression
depression south
south of
of the
the road
road are
are exposed
exposed rusty-weathering
rusty-weathering
outcrops
outcrops of
of radioactive,
radioactive, pyritic,
pyritic, quartz-pebble
quartz-pebble conglomerate
conglomerate of
of
the
the Matinenda
Matinenda Formation
Formation which
which mark
mark the
the base
base of
of the
the ore
ore bed
bed of
of the
the
Pronto
Pronto Mine.
Mine. The
The conglomerate
conglomerate lies
lies directly
directly upon
upon yellowish,
yellowish,
sericitic
Archean granitic
granitic baAement.
basement.
sericitic paleosol
paleosol developed
developed on
on Archean
Proceeding
Proceeding in
in aa general
general northerly
northerly direction
direction some
some features
features of
of the
the
original
granitic
rocks,
displayed
as
dikes
and
irregular
bodies
original granitic rocks, displayed as dikes and irregular bodies
of
of aplite
aplite and
and pegmatite,
pegmatite, can
can be
be recognized
recognized in
in the
the paleosol
paleosol
(saprolith).
southward sloping
sloping outcrop
outcrop the
the
(saprolith). Continuing
Continuing up the
the southward
yellowish
yellowish colour
colour of
of the
the paleosol
paleosol can
can be
be seen
seen to
to take
take on
on aa pinkish
pinkish
and
Archean granitic
granitic rocks
rocksof
of the
the area.
area.
and reddish
reddish hue
hue normal
normal to
to the
the Archean
Continuing
north
and
west
to
near
the
highest
point
on
the
Continuing north and west to near the highest point on the
outcrop
outcrop one
one can
can discern
discern the
the faint
faint outline
outline of
of core-stones
core-stonesin
in the
the
granitic
rocks.
granitic rocks.
Return
Return to
to Highway
Highway 17.
17. Continue
Continue east
east along
along Highway
Highway 17
17 to
to Highway
Highway
108
108 to
to Elliot
Elliot Lake.
Lake. Continue
Continue eastward
eastward for
for aa few
few hundred
hundred metres
metres
past
to low
low outcrops
outcrops in
in an
an open
open area
area just
just south
south of
of
108 to
past Highway
Highway 108
Highway
17.
Highway 17.
STOP
STOP 14:
14: McKim
McKim Formation
Formation —- Staurolite
Staurolite schist.
schist. Low
Low outcrops
outcrops aa few
few
tens
tens of
of metres
metres south
southof
of Highway
Highway17.
17. (Refer
(Referto
to Figure
Figure16)
16).

This
This outcrop,
outcrop, which
which lies
lies aa few
few hundred
hundred metres
metres south
south of
of the
the Murray
Murray
Fault
Fault Zone,
Zone, displays
displays the
the higher
higher metamorphic
metamorphic grade
grade and
and deformation
deformation
common
commonto
torocks
rockssouth
southof
of the
thefault.
fault.
At
At this
this location
location argillaceous
argillaceous units
units of
of the
the McKim
McKim Formation
Formation
contain
contain pale
pale prismatic
prismatic crystals
crystals of
of staurolite
staurolite which
whichhave
have
undergone
undergone retrograde
retrograde metamorphism
metamorphism to
to sericite-quartz
sericite-quartzaggregates.
aggregates.
AA few
few pseudomorphs
pseudomorphs show
show the
the characteristic
characteristic cruciform
cruciform twinning
twinning of
of
staurolite.
staurolite.
The
The enhanced
enhanced growth
growth of
of staurolite
staurolite crystals
crystals in
in the
the originally
originally more
more
55

�argillaceous
argillaceous upper
upper portions
portions of
of the
the beds
beds has
has resulted
resulted in
in
graded bedding"
graded
bedding" in
in aa few
few places.
places.

"reverse
"reverse

Return
Return to
to the
the intersection
intersection of Highway
Highway 17
17 and Highway 108. Proceed
Proceed
north
north along
along Highway
Highway 108
108 to
to the
the Town
Town of
of Elliot
Elliot Lake.
Lake.

ROAD LOG

...

DAY

2

Day
Day 22 of
of the
the field
field trip
trip begins
begins in
in the City of Elliot Lake at the
intersection
108 and
and Hillside
Hillside Drive
DriveNorth.
North. (Refer
(Refer to
to
intersection of
of Highway
Highway 108
Figure
Figure 18).
18) .
Turn
Turn west
west onto
onto Hillside
Hillside Drive
Drive North.
North.

Continue
Continue west
west on
on Hillside
Hillside Drive
Drive North
North for
for about
about 11 km
km to
to Spine
Spine
Road.
Road. Turn
Turn west
west onto
onto Spine
Spine Road
Road
1.9
1.9 km
km Spine
Spine Road
Road at
at Lawrence
Lawrence Ave
Ave (End
(Endof
of Spine
Spine Road).
Road). UTM
UTM
370525E,
17-5137802N
370525E. 17-5137802N

STOP 15:
15: Radioactive
Radioactive quartz-pebble
quartz-pebble conglomerate
conglomerate of
of the
the Matinenda
Matinenda
Formation.
Formation.

The
The low
low outcrops
outcrops on
on the
the north
north side
side of
of Spine
Spine Road
Road are
are grey,
grey, buff
buff
and dark-grey
dark-grey arkose
arkose and
and radioactive,
radioactive, pyritic,
pyritic, quartz-pebble
quartz-pebble
conglomerate
conglomerate of
of the
the Matinenda
Matinenda Formation.
Formation. Pebble
Pebble units
units are
are about
about
20-30
cm
thick
and
dip
about
10
degrees
to
the
north.
20-30 cm thick and dip about 10 degrees to the north. Pebbles
in
Pebbles in
this
1-2 cm
cm across
across and
and are
are generally
generally much
much
this outcrop
outcrop are
are about
about 1-2
smaller
smaller than
than the
the pebbles
pebbles in
in the
the ore
ore zones
zones of
of the
the Elliot
Elliot Lake
Lake
mines.
LeCheminant, (1984)
(1984) report
radioactive
mines. Ruzicka
Ruzicka and
and LeCheminant,
report the radioactive
conglomerate
conglomerate contains
contains :
"rare-earth-elements-bearing
uranothorite
(7)
large
'rare-earth-elements-bearing
uranothorite(?),
large
zircons,
?),
zircons, aa Ti-U-Si-Fe
Ti-U-Si-Fephase
phase (brannerite
(brannerite7),
chalcopyrite
chalcopyrite and
and chromite.
chromite. The
The distribution
distribution of
of
radioactive
radioactive minerals
minerals in
in the
the conglomerate
conglomerate displays
displays
layering
thus
indicating
layering thus indicating aa detrital
detrital origin
origin of
of these
these
grains"
grains "
,

The
The dark-grey
dark-grey areas
areas in
in the
the radioactive
radioactive beds
beds are
are due
due to
to the
the
presence
known in
presence of
of minor
minor amounts
amounts radioactive
radioactive carbon
carbon generally known
in
56

�_______

LEGEND

For figure 18
POST-HURONIAN MAFIC INTRUSIVE ROCKS

Ramsay Lake Formation

NIPISSING DIABASE

[Li "1

Conglomerate

Dabase, gabbm, melagabbm,

INTRUSIVE CONTACT

ELLIOT LAKE GROUP

McKirn Formation

HURONIAN SUPEROROUP
COBALT GROUP

Sttston., argIIIIts,wecks

Bar River Formation

MatInanda Formation

Ouartz arentle
p.— pn. p., a.

O,bnL..ty'.

tJ

x-1

Subaricosa, adios., conglomerate,

Gordon Lake FormatIon

uranhini-beer%ng conglomerate

SlIlatone, argilItte, subail&lt;ose

DISCONFORMITY

Lorraln Formation

Thessalon FormatIon (5)
Ouarft erenlte, subarkose, eikose, conglomerate,

thorium-bearing conglomerate

Basalt, andaste, mInor mugeadte-hawallte,

rtiyollte, metabasalt, and Intercalated
sedImentary rocka

Gowganda FormatIon
Conglomerate, argllilte,

wacke, subarkoes, sittetone

DISCONFORMITY?

HIATUS
HIATUS

LMngetone Creek Formation

QUIRK LAKE GROUP

Mlcose, polymicec conglornerata

Serpent Formation

UNCONFORMITY

Subaricose, conglomerate

ARCHEAN

Espanola FormatIon (3)
LImestone, dolomIte, calcareous

alltetone

Plutonic granldc rooks, gnelsees,

Bruce Formation (3)

FeIslo to motto metavolcanlc rooks,
metasedimentary rocks

Cong?omerata

HOUOHLAXEGROUP
UOUGH IAKE QROUP
Mlssissagl
Formation
Mls~i~s
Fomallon
e~l
Subalcose,
añcoes,
$%behem,
ahme,conglomerate
mngbmemle

Peoors
PemmFormation
Fomatlon(4)
(4)
flglItits alllstone

r

Shaft-fornior uranium mine
Fault

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Field trip
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Figure 19. Geology of the Elliot Lake area.

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Lake

Hake

�the
thucoliteT but also referred
the Elliot
Elliot Lake
Lake area
area as
as "thucolite"
referred to
to as
as aa
hydrocarbon
hydrocarbon kerogen.
kerogen. Ruzicka
Ruzicka and
and LeCheminant,
LeCheminant, (1983)
that
(1983) note
note that
several
several generations
generations of carbon
carbon occur in the conglomerates
conglomerates of
of the
the
Matinenda
generation occurs
occurs as
Matinenda Formation.
Formation. The earliest generation
as layers
layers
concordant with the bedding or a component of the matrix
matrix and
and
appears to
appears
to have
have been
been deposited
deposited in
in areas
areas of
of quiescent
quiescent
sedimentation during the last phase
phase of an upward fining
sedimentation
fining
sedimentary cycle. Later generations
generations are probably
probably remobilized
remobilized
sedimentary
phases of
phases
of the
the first
first generation
generation of
of carbon.
carbon. The carbonaceous
carbonaceous
matter
matter in
in the
the Elliot
Elliot Lake
Lake ores
ores is
is comparable
comparable in
in occurrence
occurrence and
and
composition
hydrocarbon in the Witswatersrand
Witswatersrand gold
composition to
to similar
similar hydrocarbon
gold
reefs; interestingly
LeCheminant(l984) report
report
reefs;
interestingly Ruzicka and LeCheminant(l984)
elevated gold
2000 ppb)
ppb) in
in the
the Elliot
Elliot Lake
Lake
elevated
gold content
content (1000
(1000 -- 2000
carbonaceous matter.
carbonaceous
matter. The radioactive
radioactive carbon
carbon at this
this site
site is
is
although the gold content is
is not
reported to be auriferous, although
available.
available.

A drill
drill hole
hole was
was drilled
drilled about 30
30 m south
south of this
this location
location by
by Rio
Rio
Algom Mines
Mines Limited
Limited in
in 1955. The logs
logs of this
this hole
hole indicate
indicate that
that
radioactive beds exposed here are about 35 metres above
the radioactive
above the
the
basement of
Archean granitic
granitic rocks.
rocks. Diamond
Diamond drilling
drilling has
has
basement
of Archean
indicated that
indicated
that there
there are
are no
no ore-grade
ore-grade units
units in
in this
this area.
area.
Grab
returned up to
Grab samples
samples collected by G. Bennett in 1982
1982 returned
to .80
.80
lbs/ton tJ308
and 0.78
0.78 lbs/Ton
lbs/Ton Th02.
Th02. AA continuous
continuous chip
chip sample
lbs/ton
U308 and
returned
lbs/ton U308
U308 and
and 0.53
0.53 lbs/ton
lbs/ton Th02.
Th02.
returned 0.31
0.31 lbs/ton
Return
Return to
to Highway
Highway 108
108 and proceed north on Highway 108
108 to
to
Milliken
Milliken Road
Road (about
(about 1.5
1.5 km
km north
north of
of Hillside
Hillside Drive
Drive North).
North).

Reset odometer
odometer at
at Milliken
Milliken Road.
Road.
miles
1.0
0.63 miles
1.0 km
km -- 0.63

Mississagi Formation,
STOP 16:
16: Subarkose
Subarkose of the
the Mississagi
Formation, Rough
Hough Lake
Lake Group.
Group.

Grey subarkose
Formation displays wellwellsubarkose of the Mississagi Formation
developed
developed trough
trough cross-bedding
cross-bedding in bedding units about a metre
thick.
thick. Paleocurrents
Paleocurrents are from the west. The rusty iron-staining
iron-staining
on
pyrite content
on the face
face of
of the outcrops reflects the minor pyrite
content
beds. The grey
grey
which commonly
commonly is
is deposited along the foreset beds.
colour
presence of apparently
apparently
colour of these
these sandstones,
sandstones, and the presence
detrital pyrite,
pyrite, is held to indicate very
very low partial
partial pressure of
detrital
59

�free
free oxygen
oxygen of
of the
the atmosphere
atmosphere in
in this
this time.
time
1.4 km
km -- 0.9
0 . 9 miles
miles
1.4
17: Nipissing
Nipissing Diabase/Gabbro,
DiabaselGabbro, altered
altered Mississagi
Mississagi Formation,
Formation,
STOP 17:
STOP
Bruce
Bruce Formation.
Formation.

AA sill-like
sill-likebody
body of
of Nipissing
Nipissing gabbro/diabase
gabbro/diabase is
is exposed
exposed on
on the
the
east side
side of
of Highway
Highway 108.
108. Rhythmic,
Rhythmic, compositional
compositional layering
layering is
is
east
visible on
on the
the vertical
vertical face
face of
of the
the exposure.
exposure. Near
Near the
the north
north end
end
visible
of
of the
the Nipissing
Nipissing sheet
sheet the
the present
present erosion
erosion surface
surfacedisplays
displays
evidence
evidence of
of water
water erosion
erosion presumably
presumably as
as aa result
result of
of melting
melting of
of
adjacent
adjacent Pleistocene
Pleistocene glacial
glacial ice.
ice. North
North of
of gabbro
gabbro sill,
sill, the
the
upper
upper portion
portion of
of the
the Mississagi
Mississagi Formation
Formation is
is exposed
exposed along
along the
the
east side
side of
of the
the highway.
highway. The
The sandstones
sandstones here
here have
have been
been
east
subjected
subjected to
to metasomatism,
metasomatism, presumably
presumably related
related to
to the
the adjacent
adjacent
Nipissing
metasomatic effect
Nipissing intrusion.
intrusion. The
The metasomatic
effect is
is visible
visible as
as the
the
distinctly
distinctly pinkish
pinkish hue
hue of
of the
the sandstone,
sandstone, which
which is
is probably
probably due
due to
to
The dark-green
dark-greento
to black
black chlorite
chlorite
the development
development of
of albite.
albite. The
the
deposited
deposited along
along thin
thin fractures
fractures may
may also
also reflect
reflect metasomatic
metasomatic
alteration by
by fluids
fluids circulated
circulated by
by the
the hot
hot diabase.
diabase.
alteration
Continue
Continue northward
northward on
on foot
foot for
for aa few
few tens
tens of
of metres.
metres. Here
Here the
the
Mississagi
Mississagi Formation
Formation is
is overlain
overlain by diamictite
diamictite of
of the
the Bruce
Bruce
Formation
Formation at
at the
the base
base of
of the
the Quirke
Quirke Lake
Lake Group.
Group. The
The dispersed
dispersed
megaclasts
megaclasts of
of the
the Bruce
Bruce Formation
Formation are
are predominantly
predominantly grey
grey granitic
granitic
rocks
rocks with
with smaller
smaller mafic
mafic clasts
clasts of
of what
what appear
appear to
to be,
be, at
at least
least in
in
The
abundant
matrix
of
the
part,
part, Huronian
Huronian volcanic
volcanic rocks.
rocks. The abundant matrix of the
conglomerate
conglomerate is
is dark-grey
dark-grey to
to black.
black. Sand-sized
Sand-sized quartz
quartz grains
grains have
have
a
a glassy,
glassy, black
black appearance,
appearance, aa reflection
reflection of
of the
the chlorite
chlorite content
content
There
is
no
evidence
of
significant
disconformity
of the
the matrix.
matrix. There is no evidence of significant disconformity
of
at the
the base
base of
of the
the Bruce
Bruce Formation.
Formation.
at
Proceed
Proceed by
by vehicle
vehicle to
to near
near the
the top
top of
of the
the hill.
hill.
1.8 km
km -- 1.4
1.4 miles.
miles.
1.8

STOP 18:
18:
STOP

Espanola
Espanola Formation
Formation and
and Nipissing
Nipissing diabase
diabase sills.
sills.

The
The base
base of
of the
the Espanola
Espanola Formation
Formation is
is aa green
green laminated
laminated unit
unit
about
overlain by laminated
about aa metre
metre or
or so
so thick. This is overlain
laminated silty
silty
limestones
limestones of
of the
the Bruce
Bruce Limestone
Limestone member,
member, Espanola
Espanola Formation.
Formation. At
At
this
this location
location the
the proximity
proximity of
of Nipissing
Nipissing intrusions
intrusions has
has led
led to
to
60

�the development
skarn with grossularite garnet,
idocrase
development of a skarn
garnet, idocrase
(vesuvianite)
(vesuvianite), diopside,
diopside, and
wollastonite. The
The latter
latter can
can be
be
and wollastonite.
found,
found, just
just below
below the
the north-dipping
north-dipping diabase
diabase sill
sill near
near the
the north
north
end of the
the exposure.
exposure. Wollastonite
Wollastonite occurs
occurs as
as sub-parallel
sub-parallel groups
groups
of
of pale-grey
pale-grey to
to white
white prismatic
prismatic crystals
crystals about
about one
one mm
mm wide.
wide. The
The
pink
(KFCa4[Si8020]8H20)
(KFCa4[Si802,,l8H20) an
an
pink coating
coatingon
onjoint
jointsurface
surfaceisisapophyllite
apophyllite
uncommon mineral,
mineral, sometimes
sometimes found
found in
in amygdules
amygdules in
in basalts,
basalts, but
but is
is
uncommon
also
associated
with
cab-silicates.
Young(l99l)
states
that
the
also
with calc-silicates. Young(l991) states that the
small
small scale
scale thrust
thrust faults
faults and
and folds
folds displayed
displayed in
in the
the limestone
limestone on
on
the
the west side
side of
of the
the highway
highway are
are probably the result of slumping
slumping
during
during early
early tectonic
tectonic activity.
activity.
,

ferruginous dolostone-bearing
dolostone-bearing member of the
the Espanola
Espanola
The upper,
upper, ferruginous
The
Formation
present at
Formation and
and the
the overlying
overlying Serpent
Serpent Formation
Formation are
are not present
at
They have
have probably
probably been
been removed
removed during
during a
a period
period of
of
this
this location.
location. They
pre-Gowganda
pre-Gowganda erosion.
erosion. The
The basal
basal units
units of
of the
the Gowganda
Gowganda Formation
Formation
are
are visible
visible on
on the
the west
west side
side of
of the
the highway.
highway.
2.0-2.5
1.3-1.6 miles
miles Gowganda
Gowganda Formation
Formation diamictite.
diamictite.
km -- 1.3-1.6
2.0-2.5km

Massive
Massive diamictite
diamictite of
of the
the Gowganda
Gowganda Formation.
Formation. Megaclasts
Megaclasts of
of pink
pink
granite,
granite, grey
grey granite
granite and
and granitic
granitic gneiss
gneiss and
and mafic rocks
rocks are
are
widely
distributed
in
a
dark
green
matrix.
widely distributed in a dark green matrix. Most
Most geologists
geologists now
now
consider
consider at
at least
least some
some of
of the
the diamictites
diamictites in
in the
the Gowganda
Gowganda
Formation
Formation to
to be
be tillites,
tillites, although
although a
a debris-flow
debris-flow origin,
origin, either
either
glaciogenic
glaciogenic or
or as
as sub-marine
sub-marinedebris
debris flows
flows is
is also
also reasonable.
reasonable.
Roscoe,
Roscoe,.(1969)
(1969) places
of free
free oxygen
oxygen in
in the
the
places the appearance
appearance of
atmosphere ("oxyatmoversion")
("oxyatmoversion")as
as coinciding
coinciding with the
the appearance
appearance
atmosphere
of
of the
the reddish
reddish hue
hue of
of hematite
hematite just
just above
above the
the base
base of
of the
the
Gowganda
Formation.
Gowganda Formation.
3.8
3.8 km.
km.

--

STOP
STOP 19:
19:

2.4
2.4 miles.
miles

Stratified
Stratified Gowganda
Gowganda Formation.
Formation.

Park
Park just
just south
south of
of the
the rock-cut
rock-cut on
on east
east side
side of
of the
the highway.
highway.

This
This is
is an
an impressive
impressive exposure
exposure through
through aa stratified
stratified sequence
sequence of
of
diamictites
diamictites and
and sandstones
sandstones of
of the
the Gowganda
Gowganda Formation.
Formation. The
The base
base of
of
the
the sequence
sequence at
at the
the extreme
extreme southern
southern end
end of
of the
the exposure
exposure on
on the
the
west
side
of
Highway
108
consists
of
massive
diamictite
overlain
west side of Highway 108 consists of
diamictite overlain
61

�by a thin
thin unit of
of laminated
laminated mudstone
mudstone siltstone
siltstone with
with drop
drop stones.
stones.
About 11 m
of
stratified
Gowganda
overlies
the
siltstone.
m
stratified Gowganda overlies the siltstone.
Diamictite,
Diamictite, sandstone,
sandstone, pebbly sandstone and clast
clast supported
polymictic conglomerate
conglomerate are
are present.
present. Some
Some conglomerate
conglomerate units
units
polymictic
display normal
normal and
and reverse
reverse grading
grading suggestive
suggestive of
of debris
debris flows.
flows.
display
The
The rocks
rocks displayed
displayed here
here may
may be
be interpreted
interpreted to
to represent
represent aa
depositional environment
environment proximal
proximal to
to aa retreating
retreating glacial
glacial margin.
margin.
depositional
Note:
the predominance of red and pink granitic clasts,
Note:
clasts, is
is in
in
marked contrast
contrast to
to the
the pale grey
grey clasts
clasts of
of the
the Bruce
Bruce and
and
Livingstone Creek
Livingstone
Creek Formations
Formations seen
seen earlier.
earlier.

4.7 km.
2.9 miles. Pink sandstones
4.7
km. -- 2.9
sandstones and diamictite
diamictite of
of the
the
Gowganda
Formation.
Gowganda Formation.

6.7 km
4.2 miles. Diamictite
6.7
km -- 4.2
Diamictite with
with large
large boulder,
boulder, Gowganda
Gowganda
Formation.
Formation.

Pink and red arkose
arkose with pebbly and bouldery
bouldery mudstone
mudstone
Relatively
(diamictite).
Relatively massive bed of pink arkose
arkose with
with
(diamictite)..
scattered pebbles and a boulder of red granite on
on the
the west
west side
side
of the
the highway.
highway. The
The continuity
continuity of
of strata
strata is
is broken
broken by
by faulting,
faulting,
channelling and deformed arkose bodies in grey pebble siltstone
siltstone
(near
south end
(near south
end of
of rock-cut)
rock-cut).
8.2
8.2 km.
km.
11.4

-

5.1
5.1 miles Stanrock
Stanrock Road
Road

Denison Mine
east.
Denison
Mine Road
Road -- Turn
Turn east.

Reset odometre
odometre to
to 000 km
km

3.6 km.
3.6
km.

Serpent Formation
STOP
Gowganda Formation
Formation -- Serpent
Formation disconformity
disconformity
STOP 20: Gowganda
376l02E,
5150299N
376102E, 1717partially removed
The Serpent Formation
Formation has been partially
removed during
during aa period
period
pre-Gowganda erosion in the southwestern
of pre-Gowganda
southwestern part of
of the
the Quirke
Quirke
Lake
Syncline
and
the
Blind
River
Sault
Ste.
Marie
area.
Lake Syncline and the Blind River Sault Ste. Marie area. At this
this
location,
south side of the road,
road, well-sorted
well-sorted sandstone
location, on the south
sandstone of
of
Formation is overlain by polymictic conglomerate
the Serpent Formation
conglomerate of
of
contact is
the
the Gowganda
Gowganda Formation.
Formation. The contact
is sharp
sharp but
but irregular.
irregular.
disconformity at this
Evidence of a sub-Gowganda
sub-Gowganda disconformity
this location
location is
is
given by the
given
the presence
presence of pebble and
and cobbles
cobbles of the
the Serpent
Serpent
62

�Formation
Formation near
near the
the base
base of
of the
the Gowganda
Gowganda Formation.
Formation.

Return
Odometre, turn
Return to
to Highway
Highway 108
108 Reset Odometre,
turn north
north
000
000

0.5 km
km -- 0.5
0.5 miles.
miles. Disseminated
Disseminated carbonate
carbonate in
in sandstone
sandstone of the
the
Serpent Formation
Serpent
Formation on
on east
east side
side of
of Highway
Highway 108.
108.

0.8 miles. Outcrop
Limestone Member
1.4 km
km -- 0.8
Outcrop of
of Espanola
Espanola Limestone
Member of
of the
the
Espanola Formation
Formation with ripple
is exposed on
on the east side
side
Espanola
ripple marks is
of Highway
Highway 108.
108. The carbonate
carbonate units
units of
of the
the Espanola
Espanola Limestone
Limestone
are actually
actually ferruginous
ferruginous dolomite
dolomite containing
containing approximately
approximately 3%
3%
total
total iron.
iron.

1.6
1.6 km
km -- 1.0
1.0 miles.
miles. Road to
to Quirke
Quirke Lake
Lake and
and former
former Panel
Panel Mine.
Mine.
Turn onto
Turn
onto Panel
Panel Mine
Mine road.
road.

Reset
Reset odometre
odometre to
to 000
000
1.3 km
miles
1.3
km -- 0.8
0.8 miles
STOP 21:
STOP
21:

Espanola
Espanola Member
Member of
of the
the Espanola
Espanola Formation.
Formation.

Rock-cut
Rock-cut in
in ferruginous
ferruginous dolomite
dolomite and
and siltstone
siltstone of
of the
the Espanola
Espanola
Limestone
The Espanola
Limestone Member
Member of
of the
the Espanola
Espanola Formation.
Formation. The
Espanola
Limestone
Limestone Member
Member is
is the
the uppermost
uppermost member
member of
of the
the thee
thee members
members of
of
the
the Espanola
Espanola Formation
Formation recognized
recognized in
in the
the Elliot
Elliot Lake
Lake area.
area. It
It is
is
characterized by intercalated
characterized
intercalated siltstone
siltstone and
and reddish-weathering,
reddish-weathering,
ferruginous
ferruginous dolostone
dolostone beds containing
containing 3-4%
3-4% FeO.
FeO. Intraformational
Intraformational
breccia,
breccia, ripple
ripple marks,
marks, small
small scale
scale cross-bedding,
cross-bedding,and
and various
various
present. Near
soft sediment features
features are present.
Near the
the east
east end
end of
of the
the
outcrop
a
grey,
complex
clastic
dike
crosses
the
stratification
stratification
outcrop
grey, complex
at a
a high
high angle.
angle.
4.1 km
2.5 miles
miles.
4.1
km -- 2.5
STOP
STOP 22:
22:

Ramsay Lake Formation
Formation overlain
overlain by
by Pecors
Pecors Formation.
Formation.

Diamictites of the Ramsay Lake Formation contain
contain cobbles of grey
Diamictites
granitic rocks,
granitic
rocks, mafic clasts
clasts of
of Huronian
Huronian volcanic
volcanic rocks
rocks and
and
Archean
dark-grey to
Archean felsic
felsic volcanic clasts
clasts in
in an
an abundant dark-grey
to black
sandy
matrix.
The
Ramsay
Lake
Formation
is
overlain
by
dark
Lake Formation is overlain by dark
sandy matrix.
laminated
mudstone of
laminated siltstone
siltstone and
and mudstone
of the
the Pecors
Pecors Formation.
Formation. The
The
63

�latter
latter contains
contains aa few
few drop-stones.
drop-stones. Note:
Note: the
the Matinenda
Matinenda
Formation
Group, expected
Formation of the Elliot Lake Group,
expected between the
the basement
basement
and
Ramsay Lake
Lake Formation,
Formation, is
is truncated
truncated by
by the
the Ramsay
Ramsay Lake
Lake
and the
the Ramsay
Formation
Formation in
in this
this area.
area. The
The Matinenda
Matinenda Formation
Formation does
does occur
occur in
in
the
the mine
mine workings
workings down-dip
down-dip from
from this
this location.
location.

Continue
Continue east
east to
to the
the end
end of
of the
the Panel
Panel Mine
Mine road.
road. This
This is
is the
the
rehabilitated
rehabilitated area
area of
of the
the former
former Panel
Panel Mine.
Mine. There
There is
is little
little
evidence
mill complex
complex that was on
evidence of
of the
the uranium
uranium mine
mine and.
and mill
on this
this
site
site until
until 1993.
1993.
Return
Return to
to Highway
Highway 108.
108. Continue
Continue north
north on
on Highway
Highway 108.
108
Tailings
Tailings dam
dam of
of the
the Quirke
Quirke Mine
Mine is
is visible
visible west
west of
of the
the Highway.
Highway.
Highway
Highway 108
108 ends
ends and
and Highway
Highway 639
639 begins.
begins. Reset
Reset odometre.
odometre.

0.8
0.8 km
km -- 0.5
0.5 miles.
miles. Diamictite
Diamictite of
of the
the Bruce
Bruce Formation
Formation is
is exposed
exposed
west
west of
of the
the Highway.
Highway.

1.5
0 . 9 miles.
miles. Outcrops
Outcrops of
of Mississagi
Mississagi Formation
Formation are
are exposed
exposed
1.5 km
km -- 0.9
along
along Highway
Highway 639.
6 3 9 . Note
Note the
the yellowish
yellowish colour
colour characteristic
characteristic of
of

the
the Mississagi
Mississagi Formation
Formation where it lies directly on
on the
the Archean
Archean
granitic
granitic basement
basement (Robertson,
(Robertson,1968)
1968) .
2.2
2.2 km
km -- 1.4
1.4 miles
miles

STOP
STOP 23:
23: Huronian
Huronian volcanic
volcanic rocks
rocks of
of the
the Thessalon
Thessalon Formation
Formation
(Dollyberry
(DollyberryVolcanics)
Volcanics) .
Road
Road leading
leading west
west from
from Highway
Highway 639
639 leads
leads to
to the
the Quirke
Quirke Mine
Mine
tailings
tailings dams.
dams. Park
Park near the
the gate
gate and
and walk a
a short
short distance
distance along
along
the
road
to
a
snowmobile
bridge
over
the
stream
from
the
the road to a snowmobile bridge over the stream from the
tailings
tailings dam.
dam. Follow
Follow the
the trail
trail from
from the
the bridge
bridge to
to outcrops
outcrops of
of
mafic
(Dollyberry
mafic volcanics
volcanics of
of the
the Thessalon
Thessalon Formation
Formation (Dollyberry
Volcanics)near
Vo1canics)near the
the crest
crest of
of aa low
low hill. Chemical
Chemical analyses
analyses of
of the
the
Huronian
Huronian volcanics
volcanics in
in this
this area
area indicate
indicate the
the volcanic
volcanic rocks
rocks
include
include transitional
transitional alkalic
alkalic types,
types, hawaiite
hawaiite and
and mugearite.
mugearite.

The
The unconformity
unconformity between
between the
the Archean granitic
granitic basement
basement rocks
rocks and
and
Huronian
Huronian volcanic
volcanic is
is visible
visible in
in this
this area.
area. There
There is
is no
no visible
visible
paleosol
paleosol at
at this
this location.
location. Near
Near the
the trail
trail aa thin,
thin, quartz-pebble
quartz-pebble
64

�conglomerate unit of angular
conglomerate
angular to
to subrounded,
subrounded, quartz-clasts,
quartz-clasts,
overlies
overlies the
the granitic
granitic rocks
rocks at
at the
the base
base of
of the
the volcanic
volcanic unit.
unit.
Walking eastward from-this
from this point scattered,
scattered, isolated,
isolated, pebblepebble- and
and
cobble-sized
cobble-sized clasts of quartz can be found
found along
along the
the
unconformity. A similar
unconformity.
similar quartz-pebble
quartz-pebble conglomerate
conglomerate occurs
occurs at
at the
the
base
where they
Archean
base of
of the
the Huronian volcanic rocks
rocks where
they overlie
overlie Archean
mafic
mafic volcanic
volcanic rocks
rocks in the haulage drift of the Stanleigh
Stanleigh Mine
on
on the
the south
south limb
limb of the Quirke Lake Syncline.
Syncline. A few
few kilometres
kilometres
west of this
this location,
location, occurrences of this
this conglomerate
conglomerate unit
unit
contain
clasts, and are
contain more rounded quartz clasts,
are commonly
commonly overlain
overlain by
by
a thin
thin arkosic
arkosic unit.
unit. Quartz-pebble
Quartz-pebble conglomerate,
conglomerate, which
which locally
locally
contains significant pyrite
pyrite as well as uranium,
uranium, occurs
occurs
sporadically
base of the Huronian
Huronian volcanic sequence
sporadically at the base
sequence of the
the
Quirke
Syncline and
and westward
westward to
to the
the Sault
Sault Ste.
Ste. Marie
Marie area.
area.
Quirke Lake
Lake Syncline
The
The conglomerate
conglomerate at this location is
is correlated
correlated with
with the
the
radioactive,
11.
radioactive, quartz-pebble
quartz-pebble conglomerate
conglomerate of
of Stop
Stop 11.
Return to
Return
to Vehicle and
and continue
continue north
north on
on Highway
Highway 639.
639.
Archean
Archean granitic
granitic rocks
rocks cut
cut by
by diabase
diabase outcrops
outcrops along
along the
the highway.
highway.
8.8 km
8.8
km

5.5 miles
5.5
miles

STOP
24:
STOP 24:

Archean pillowed
(Refer to Figure
pillowed metavolcanics.
metavolcanics. (Refer
Figure 16).
16).

Archean
well-developed pillow
Archean mafic metavolcanics displaying
displaying well-developed
pillow
structures are exposed on
on a north
north sloping outcrop
outcrop on the east
structures
side
deformed, but facing
side of
of highway.
highway. Pillows
Pillows are deformed,
facing directions
directions can
can
easily
easily be determined. Small amygdules are concentrated near the
upper surface
upper
surface of
of many
many pillows.
pillows.
Lake fault occupies a valley near this
9.4
5.8 miles. Flack Lake
9.4 km
km -- 5.8
point.
point.
9.9 km
6.1 miles.
miles.
Outcrops
Outcrops of
of
9.9
km -- 6.1
the
the Bar
Bar River
River Formation.
Formation.

10.5
miles.
6.5 miles.
10.5 km
km -- 6.5

hematite-stained sandstone
hematite-stained
sandstone of

Entrance
Entrance to
to Mississagi
Mississagi Provincial
Provincial Park.
Park.

10.8
10.8 km
km -- 6.7
6.7 miles. Pale grey sandstone
sandstone of
of the
the
Formation with
Formation
with herringbone
herringbone cross
cross bedding.
bedding.
11.4
11.4 km
km -- 7.2
7 . 2 miles. Christman
Christman Lake
Lake
65

Bar River
River

�STOP
STOP 25:
25: Bar
Bar River
River Formation
Formation

Sandstones
Sandstones of
of the
the Bar
Bar River
River Formation
Formation display
display ripple
ripple marks,
marks, mud
cracks
cracks and
and sinuous
sinuous structures
structures which
which have
have been
been described
described as
as
possible
possible worm
worm casts.
casts. Comparison
Comparison with
with desiccation
desiccation structures
structures in
in
the
the Gordon
Gordon Lake
Lake Formation
Formationled
ledYoung,
Young, (1969)
(1969) to
to suggest
suggest that
that these
these
features
features are
are the
the result
result of
of the
the transportation
transportation of
of consolidated
consolidated
desication
fracture
fillings.
desication fracture fillings.
15.3
15.3 km
km -- 9.5
9.5 miles.
miles.

STOP
STOP 26:
26: Gordon
Gordon Lake
Lake Formation
Formation
Laminated,
Laminated, maroon
maroon buff
buff siltstone
siltstone and
and chert
chert with
with reduction
reduction spots
spots
in
in the
the upper
upper part
part of
of the
the Gordon
Gordon Lake
Lake Formation.
Formation. This
This is
is another
another
red-bed
occurrence
within
the
Cobalt
Group.
red-bed occurrence within the Cobalt Group.
16.6
10.3 miles
miles
16.6 km
km -- 10.3

StoD
Stop 27:
27: Gordon
Gordon Lake
Lake Formation.
Formation.

Siltstones
Siltstones and
and sandstones
sandstones of
of the
the Gordon
Gordon Lake
Lake Formation
Formation display
display
ripple
ripple marks,
marks, desiccation
desiccation cracks,
cracks, cross
cross bedding
bedding and
and aa late
late
cleavage.
cleavage. Note:
Note: the
the presence
presence of
of pyrite
pyrite in
in contrast
contrast to
to the
the
generally
generally hematitic
hematitic nature
nature of
of the
the Gordon
Gordon Lake
Lake Formation
Formation near
near the
the
top
of
the
formation.
top of the formation.
19.7
12.2 miles.
miles. View
View of
of the
the Boland
Boland River
River valley.
valley.
19.7 km
km -- 12.2
21.0
21.0 km
km -- 13.0
13.0 miles
miles

STOP
STOP 28:
28: Lorrain
LorrainFormation
Formation

White
White to
to pale
pale pink
pink quartz
quartz arenite
arenite of
of the
the upper
upper portion
portion of
of the
the
Lorrain
Lorrain Formation
Formation is
is exposed
exposed on
on the
the east
east side
side of
of the
the highway.
highway.
22.8
22.8 17.8
17.8 miles.
miles. Junction
Junction with
with Little
Little White
White River
River road
road (Highway
(Highway
546.)
546.)

End
End of
of field
fieldtrip.
trip.

66

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Huronian volcanism,
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94p. :.
Department of
of Mines,
Mines, Geological
Geological Report
Report 10,
10,94p.

Robertson,
Robertson, J.A.
J.A. 1968.
1968. Geology
Geoloqy of
of Township
Township 149
149 and
and Township
Township 150,
150,
District
District of
of Algoma;
Algoma; Ontario
Ontario Department
Department of
of Nines,
Mines, Geological
Geological
Report
Report 57,
57, l62p.
162p.
Robertson,
Robertson, J.A.
J.A. 1970.
1970. Geology
Geology of
of the
the Spragge
Spraqge area,
area, District
District of
of
Algoma;
Algoma; Ontario
Ontario Department
Department of
of Mines,
Mines, Geological
Geological Report
Report Number
Number 76,
76,
lO9p.
109p.

Robertson,
Robertson, J.A.
J.A. 1976.
1976. The
The Blind
Blind River
River uranium
uranium deposits;
deposits;the
the ores
ores
and
Miscellaneous Paper
and their
their setting,
setting, Ontario
Ontario Division
Division of
of Mines,
Mines, Miscellaneous
Paper
65,
65, 45p.
45p.

Robertson,
Robertson, JA.,
J A ,Frarey,
Frarey,M.J.
M.J.and
andCard,
Card,K.D.
K.D. 196gb.
1969b.The
TheFederalFederalProvincial
Provincial Committee
Committee on
on Huronian
Huronian Stratigraphy:
Stratigraphy: Progress
Progress Report;
Report;
Canadian
v.6,p.335-336.
p.335-336.
Canadian Journal
Journal of
of Earth
Earth Sciences,
Sciences,v.6,
Roscoe,
Roscoe, S.M.
S.M. 1969.
1969. Huronian
Huronian rocks
rocks and
and uraniferous
uraniferous conglomerates;
conglomerates;
Geological
Survey
of
Canada,
Paper
68-40,
2O5p.
Geological Survey of Canada, Paper 68-40, 205p.
Roscoe,
Roscoe,S.M.
S.M.1981.
1981. Temporal
Temporal and
and other
other factors
factors affecting
affecting
deposition
in Genesis
Genesis of
of UraniumUraniumdeposition of
of uraniferous
uraniferous conglomerates;
conglomerates;in
and
and Gold-Bearing
Gold-BearingPrecambrian
Precambrian Quartz-Pebble
Quartz-Pebble Conglomerates;
Conglomerates; United
United
States
States Geological
Geological Survey,
Survey,Professional
Professional Paper
Paper 116l-A-BB,
1161-A-BB,p.W1-W7.
p.Wl-W7.

Roscoe,
Roscoe, S.M.
S.M. and
and Card,
Card, K.D.,
K.D., 1992.
1992. Early
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic tectonics
tectonics
and
and metallogeny
metallogeny of
of the
the Lake
Lake Huron
Huron region
region of
of the
the Canadian
CanadianShield;
Shield;
Precambrian
V. 58,
58, 9.
9. 99-119.
99-119.
PrecambrianResearch,
Research,V.

Ruzicka,
Ruzicka, V.
V. and
and LeCheminant,
LeCheminant, G.M.
G.M. 1984.
1984. Uranium
Uranium deposit
deposit research
research
1983;
1983; in
in Geological
GeologicalSurvey
Surveyof
of Canada
Canadapaper
paper 84-lA,
84-1A,p.
p. 39-44.
39-44.
Shanks,
Shanks,W.S.
W.S. and
and Schwerdtner,
Schwerdtner, W.M.
W.M. 1991.
1991. Structural
Structuralanalysis
analysisof
of
the
central
and
southwestern
Sudbury
Structure,
Southern
the central and southwestern Sudbury Structure, Southern
Province,
Province,Canadian
Canadian Shield;
Shield; Canadian
Canadian Journal
Journal of
of Earth
Earth Sciences,
Sciences,
vol.
V O ~ 28,
.28,p.
p.411-430.
411-430.
Sims.
Sims. P.K.,
P.K., Card,
Card,K.D.
K.D. and
and Lumbers,
Lumbers, S.B.
S.B. 1981.
1981. Evolution
Evolution of
of early
early
Proterozoic
in Proterozoic
Proterozoic
Proterozoic basins
basins of
of the
the Great
Great Lakes
Lakes Region;
Region; in
74

�Basins of
of Canada,
Canada, Geological
Geological Survey
Survey of
of Canada,
Canada, paper
paper 81-10,
81-10,p.
p.
Basins
379-397.
379-397.

Sutton,
Sutton, S.J.
S.J. and
and Maynard,
Maynard, J.B.
J.B. 1992.
1992. Multiple
Multiple alteration
alteration events
events
in
sub-Huronianregolith
regolith at
at Lauzon
Lauzon Bay,
Bay,
in the
the history
history of
of aa sub-Huronian

Ontario, Canada;
Canada; Canadian
Canadian Journal
Journal of
of Earth
Earth Sciences,
Sciences, vol.
vol. 29,
29, p.
p.
Ontario,
432-445.
432-445.

Sutton,
Sutton, S.J.
S.J. and
and Maynard,
Maynard, J.B.
J.B. 1993.
1993. Sediment
Sediment and
and basalt
basalt hosted
hosted
regoliths
regoliths in
in the
the Huronian
Huronian supergroup:
supergroup: role
role of
of parent
parent lithology
lithology in
in
middle
middle Precambrian
Precambrian weathering
weathering profiles;
profiles; Canadian
Canadian Journal
Journal of
of Earth
Earth
Sciences,
Sciences, vol.
vol. 30,
30,p.
p. 60-76.
60-76.
Theis,
Theis, N.J.
N.J. 1979.
1979. Uranium-bearing
Uranium-bearing and
and associated
associated minerals
minerals and
and
their
their geochemical
geochemical and
and sedimentological
sedimentological context,
context, Elliot
Elliot Lake,
Lake,
Ontario;
Ontario; Geological
Geological Survey
Survey of
of Canada,
Canada, Bulletin
Bulletin 304,
304, 50p.
50p.
Tomlinson,
Tomlinson, K.Y.
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The geochemistry
geochemistry and
and tectonic
tectonic setting
setting of
of early
early
Precambrian
Precambrian greenstone
greenstone belts,
belts, Northern
Northern Ontario,
Ontario, Canada;
Canada;
unpublished
Ph.D. Thesis,
Thesis, University
University of
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Portsmouth,278p.
278p.
unpublished Ph.D.
Williamson,
Williamson, M.
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How active
active are
are passive
passive
margins?
Modern
analogues
of
magmatism
in
rifts;
the
margins? Modern analogues of
in rifts; the Canadian
Canadian
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33, p.
p. 943-944.
943-944.
Mineralogist, vol.
Mineralogist,
Wright,
D.J. and
and Rust,
Rust, P.R.
B.R. 1985.
1985. Preliminary
Preliminary report
report on
on the
the
Wright, D.J.
stratigraphy
stratigraphy and
and sedimentology
sedimentology of the Bar River Formation;
Formation; in
in
Geoscience
Research
Grant
Program,
Summary
of
Research
1994-1995,
Geoscience Research Grant Program, Summary of Research 1994-1995,
Ontario
Ontario Geological
Geological Survey,
Survey, Miscellaneous
Miscellaneous Paper,
Paper, 127,
127, p.
p. 119-123.
119-123.
Young,
glaciation in
Young, G.M.
G.M. An
An extensive
extensive early
early Proterozoic
Proterozoic glaciation
in North
North
America?;
America?; Palaeogeography,
Palaeogeoqraphy,Palaeoclimatology,
Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology,
Palaeoecology,vo.
vo
p. 85-101.
85-101.
7, p.
7,
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Young, G.M.
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Field excursion
excursion guide
guide book;
book; excursion
excursion 13B:
13B:
Depositional
environments
and
tectonic
setting
of
the
early
Depositional environments and tectonic setting
the early
Proterozoic
International Association
Association of
Proterozoic Huronian
Huronian Supergrciup;
Supergroup; International
of
Sedimentologists,
Eleventh
International
Congress
on
Sedimentologists, Eleventh International Congress
Sedimentology,
Sedimentology, McMaster
McMaster University,
University, Hamilton,
Hamilton, Ontario,
Ontario, Canada.
Canada.

Young,
G.M. 1983.
1983. Tectono-sedimentary
Tectono-sedimentary history
history of early
early
Young, G.M.
Proterozoic
northern Great Lakes;
Lakes; in Early
Proterozoic rocks
rocks of the
the northern
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Great Lakes
Lakes Region,
Region, Geological
Geological Society
Proterozoic
of America
America Memoir,
Memoir, v.160,
v.160, p.15-32.
p.15-32.
Young,
I-J.W.
1985.
G.M. and
andNesbitt,
Nesbitt,
H.W. 1985.
Young, G.M.

The
The Gowganda
Gowganda Formation
Formation in
in
the southern
southern part
part of
of the
the Huronian
Huronian outcrop
outcrop belt,
belt, Ontario,
Ontario, Canada;
Canada;
Precambrian
Precambrian Research,
Research, v.29,
v.29, p.265-3O1.
p.265-301.
Zolnai, A.I.,
A.I., Price,
11.
1984.
Regional
1984.
Regional
Zolnai,
Price, R.A.
R.A. and
and Helmstaedt,
Helmstaedt, H.
cross-section of
cross-section
of the
the Southern
Southern Province
Province adjacent
adjacent to
to Lake
Lake Huron,
Huron,
Ontario: implications
Ontario:
implications for
for the
the tectonic
tectonic significance
significance of
of the
the
Murray fault
fault zone;
zone; Canadian
Canadian Journal
Journal of
of Earth
Earth Sciences,
Sciences, v.21,
v.21,
p.447-456.
p.447-456.

76

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                    <text>NEW INFORMATION ON THE
THE
GRENVILLE
GRENVILLE FRONT
FRONT NEAR
NEAR SUDBURY
SUDBURY
BY
A. DAVIDSON
DAVIDSON

SOUTHERN
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INSTITUTE
INSTITUTE ON
ON LAKE
LAKE SUPERIOR
SUPERIOR GEOLOGY
GEOLOGY
43rd
MEETING, MAY 66- 11,
1997
43rd ANNUAL MEETING,
11,1997
SUDBURY, ONTARIO
ONTARIO

-

Field Trip
Part 33
TripGuidebook,
Guidebook, Volume
Volume 43, Part

�Frontispiece: Line
Linedrawing
drawingfrom
frompart
partof
ofGLIMPCE
GLIMPCE Seismic
Seismic reflection
reflectionLine
LineJ,
J,
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to EEline
line crossing
crossing the
the Grenville
GrenvilleFront
Frontin
inGeorgian
GeorgianBay
Bay(from
(fromGreen
Greenet
etat,
al,
1988,
Geology,
v.
16,
p.
790,
Figure
2)
1988, Geology, 16, p. 790, Figure 2)

�NEW DEVELOPMENTS
DEVELOPMENTS IN
IN
NEW
GRENVILLE
GRENVILLE FRONT GEOLOGY,
GEOLOGY,
SUDBURY
AREA, ONTARIO
SUDBURY AREA,
ONTARIO
A. Davidson
Davidson

Geological Survey of Canada,
Canada, 601
601 Booth Street,
Street,
Ottawa, Ontario
Ontario K1A
KIA0E8
OE8

Geological Survey of
of Canada
Canada contribution
contribution no.
no.1997031
1997031

�NEW DEVELOPMENTS
DEVELOPMENTS IN
IN
NEW
GRENVILLE
GRENVILLE FRONT GEOLOGY,
GEOLOGY,
SUDBURY
SUDBURY AREA,
AREA, ONTARIO
ONTARIO
A.
A. Davidson
Davidson

Geological
Geological Survey
Survey of
of Canada,
Canada,601
601Booth
Booth Street,
Street,
Ottawa,
KIA0E8
OE8
Ottawa,Ontario
OntarioK1A

Geological
Geological Survey
Survey of
of Canada
Canadacontribution
contributionno.
no.1997031
1997031

�.

...

IllI l l

LIST
LISTOF
OFCONTENTS
CONTENTS

Southern Province .

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Introduction

11
Southern Province . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
GrenvilleProvince
Province . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Grenville
TheGrenville
GrenvilleFront
Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
The
Sudbury
dyke
swarm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Sudbury dyke swarm
Fieldtrip
tripsummary
summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1313
Field

Roadlog
logand
andstop
stopdescriptions
descriptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1515
Road
Mississagi
sandstone,
Stop
1
Mississagi
sandstone.Nipissing
Nipissinggabbro
gabbroand
andSudbury
Sudburydiabase
diabase . . . . . . 1515
Stop 1
Stop22 Slaty
Slatyargillite,
argillite. Pecors
PecorsFormation,
Formation. and
and"trap
"trapdyke"
dyke" . . . . . . . . . . . . 1616
Stop
Stop33Conglomerate,
Conglomerate.Ramsey
RamseyLake
LakeFormation
Formation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
17
Stop
18
Stop44 The
TheGrenville
GrenvilleFront,
Front.Highway
Highway69
69 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Stop
Metasedimentary
rocks
in
the
Grenville
Province
Stop
5
Metasedimentary
rocks
in
the
Grenville
Province . . . . . . . . . . . 20
20
Stop 5
21
.
Stop66 Truncation
Truncationof
of the
theGrenville
GrenvilleFront
Frontmylonite
mylonitezone
zoneatatAlice
AliceLake
Lake . . . 21
Stop
.

.

.

Stop77 Comparison
ComparisonofofSouthern
Southernand
andCrenville
GrenvilleProvince
Provincerocks
rocks
Stop
24
on
onopposite
oppositesides
sidesof
ofthe
theWanapitei
Wanapiteifault
fault . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Stop88 Grenville
Grenville Front
Front relationships
relationships near
near the
theStinson
Stinsonhydroelectric
hydroelectricdam
dam . . 25
25
Stop
Stop
Stop99 Metamorphosed
MetamorphosedSudbury
Sudburydiabase
diabasedyke
dykesegments
segments
inmetasedimentary
metasedimentarygneiss
gneiss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
27
in

Comments
problemsof
of correlation
correlation and
andhistory
historyof
ofthe
theGrenville
GrenvilleFront
Front
problems
Comments
—.
References
References

.

. . . . . 2929

..........................................

33
33

LIST
LISTOF
OFILLUSTRATIONS
ILLUSTRATIONS

Figure1.1.
Figure
Figure2.2.
Figure
Figure3.3.
Figure
Figure4.4.
Figure
Figure5.5.
Figure
Figure6.6.
Figure
Figure7.7.
Figure
Figure8.8.
Figure

Generalizedgeology
geology of
of the
the Sudbury
Sudburyregion
region . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Generalized
The
The Sudbury
Sudbury dyke
dyke swann,
swarm. Southern
Southernand
andGrenville
Grenvilleprovinces
provinces . . . . . 10
10
Geology of
of the
the Grenville
Grenville Front
Front southeast
southeastof
of Sudbury
Sudbury . . . . . . . . . 14
14
Geology
19
Detailed
Detailedgeology,
geology. the
the Grenville
GrenvilleFront
Frontat
atStop
Stop4,
4. Highway
Highway69
69 . . . . . . 19
22
.
The
The Grenville
Grenville Front
Front between
between Highway
Highway 69
69 and
andConiston
Coniston . . . . . . . 22
Fault interpretations
interpretations in
in the
theConiston
Coniston area
area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
23
Fault
26
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
The Grenville
Grenville Front
Front at
at Stop
Stop 7,
7. near
near Stinson
Stinson
26
The
Metadiabase
Metadiabase dyke
dyke remnants;
remnants; relics
relics of the
the Sudbury
Sudburyswarm
swarm . . . . . . . 28
28
.

.

Table1.1.
Table

Huronian
HuronianSupergroup
Supergroupstratigraphic
stratigraphic succession
succession in the
the Sudbury
Sudbury area
area

.

.

.

.

.

.

22

�NEW DEVELOPMENTS
IN GRENVILLE
DEVELOPMENTS IN
GRENVILLE FRONT
GEOLOGY, SUDBURY
SUDBURY AREA,
AREA, ONTARIO
GEOLOGY.
INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
The Grenville
orogen, formed
formed during
during the
the latter part
The
Grenville orogen,
part of
ofmid-Proterozoic
mid-Proterozoic time,
time,
Scandinaviato
toTexas
Texasand
andbeyond.
beyond. The Grenville
Crenville Province is that part
extends from Scandinavia
of the orogen which is exposed
exposed in
in the
the southeastern
southeastern Canadian
Canadian Shield.
Shield. Its
Its northwest
northwest
boundary
with
older
Shield
provinces
is
known
as
the
Crenville
Front,
boundary
Shield provinces is known as
Grenville Front, and is aa
major
lineamentmarked
markedby
by faults
faults and
and mylonite
mylonite zones
zones inclined
inclined to
to the
major tectonic
tectonic lineament
southeast.
southeast. It is a stnictural
structural front in the sense that it truncates the structural trends
the older
older provinces
provincestotothe
thenorthwest.
northwest: It is aa metamorphic
that characterize
characterize the
metamorphic front in
the sense that
that high-grade
high-grade metamorphic
metamorphic rocks characterize
characterize the
the marginal
marginal Crenville
Grenville
metamorphic grade
grade varies
varies along
along the
the footwall of
of the front, dependorogen, whereas metamorphic
ing on the
level exposed
exposed in
in the different
provinces that abut it.
the exhumed
exhumed crustal level
different provinces
The high-grade
high-grade metamorphism
metamorphismin
in the
the immediate
immediate hangingwall
hangingwall is not everywhere
The
everywhere
Grenvillian in
in age;
age; itit attests
attests to
to uplift
uplift in Grenvillian time of the
Grenvillian
the Crenville
Grenville orogen
orogen
relative to the
the adjacent
adjacent Shield
Shield provinces.
provinces.
The Grenville
Front is
is well
well exposed
exposed in the
Grenville Front
the vicinity
vicinity of
of Sudbury,
Sudbury, Ontario,
Ontario,
1). It has been the
the subject
subject
footwall (Fig.
(Fig. 1).
where the
the Southern
Southern Province
Province constitutes
constitutes its
its footwall
of attention—and
controversy—forseveral
several decades,
decades, and
and shadows of
attention-and in retrospect, controversy-for
former attempts
some of
of the
the more enigmatic
features of
of this structure
former
attempts to explain
explain some
enigmatic features
Crenvillian terrane
terrane that
that forms its hangingwall are still evident
and the
the complicated
complicated Grenvillian
in recently
recently compiled
compiled maps
maps(e.g.
(e.g.Card
Cardand
andLumbers
Lumbers1977;
1977;Dressier
Dressier1984).
1984). It must be
admitted that the Southern
Provinceisis known
known in
in much
much more
more detail,
detail, and is
admitted
Southern Province
is thus
thus
better understood,
than the
better
understood, than
the adjacent
adjacent Crenville,
Grenville, despite
despite recent
recent advances
advances in
in
interpreting the
interpreting
thelatter
latter(Davidson
(Davidson1986a,
1986a,1995;
1995;Easton
Easton1992).
1992). This is not to say that
there is consensus
on the interpretation
of the geologic
history of
there
consensus on
interpretation of
geologic history
of the Southern
Southern
Province—there
are several
severaltopics
topicsofofdispute
dispute outstanding,
outstanding, and reinterpretations
Province-there are
reinterpretations to
to
of many of
be made
(e.g.Davidson
Davidsoneteta!.
01. 1992;
1992; Card
Card 1992).
1992). Resolution of
of these
these will
will
made (e.g.
have
have a direct
direct bearing
bearing on how
how the
the rocks
rocks in
in the
theadjacent
adjacentCrenvilie
Grenville Province
Province are
are
viewed.
Before outlining
outlining the
the historical
development of
of ideas
Before
historical development
ideas concerning
concerning the
the
Crenville Front
Front in
in the
the area
area southeast
southeast east
east of
of Sudbury,
Sudbury, it is
Grenville
is advantageous
advantageous to be
be
presently known
known about
about the local geology.
geology. Brief
familiar with what is presently
Brief summaries of
of the geology
geology of
of the
the Southern
Southern and Grenville
our current knowledge of
Grenville provinces in
this area are
are therefore presented below.
below.

�Southern
SouthernProvince
Province
The Southern
Province in
in Ontario,
Ontario, which
which isis characterized
above all
all by wellThe
Southern Province
characterized above
wellpreserved supracrustal strata of
of the Huronian Supergroup,
Supergroup, early
early Proterozoic
Proterozoic in age
(&lt;2.5&gt;2.22Ga),
Ga),can
canbe
bedivided
divided into
into two parts: i),
(&lt;2.5&gt;2.22
1),aa northeastern
northeastern region,
region, the Cobalt
Embayment, in
in which
which these
these strata
strata are little deformed and barely
Embayment,
barely metamorphosed,
metamorphosed,
and ii),
ii), aa southwestern
southwestern belt of steeply folded and variably
variably metamorphosed
metamorphosed strata
(though with a less-deformed
northern fringe).
fringe). The Huronian Supergroup,
less-deformed northern
Supergroup, at
at least
least
km thick within the fold belt, lies unconformably on Archean cratonic
cratonic rocks. It is
12 krn
divided into four
four groups,
groups, each
each group consisting
consisting of
of at least
least three
three formations
formations (see
(see
Table
1).
The
groups
generally
have
immature
dastic
(gladogenic
in
part)
sedimenhave immature clastic (glaaogenic
Table 1).
shaly to
to silty
silty rocks
rocks in
in the
the middle,
middle, and sandstone at the top,
tary rocks at the base, shaly
top,
defining upward-maturing cycles with
with each cycle
cycle reaching
reaching greater
greater maturity
maturity than the
preceding one. InInplaces,
places,notably
notablynear
nearSudbury,
Sudbury,both
bothmafic
mafic(Elsie
(Elsie Mountain,
Mountain, Stobie
Stobie
formations) and felsic
volcanic rocks
rocks occur
occur at
at the base of
felsic (Copper Cliff) volcanic
of the
the Elliot
Elliot
Lake Group; the mafic flows may
may be related to
to coeval
coeval diabase
diabase dykes
dykes (Matachewan
(Matachewan
swarm) and anorthositic
complexes that
that intrude the adjacent
anorthositic gabbro complexes
adjacent basement, and
the Copper Cliff
Cliff rhyolite to granites (Murray,
(Murray, Creighton, Skead) which occur only
of note
within the
the volcanic
volcanic formations.
formations. Other
Other features
features of
note are
are the
the restriction
restriction of
of
Huronian Supergroup
stratigraphic succession
succession in
in the Sudbury
Table 1.
Table
1 . Huronian
Supergroup stratigraphic
Sudbury area
area

Thickness, m
Cobalt Group
Group
Bar River
Bar
Gordon Lake
Lorrain
Gowganda
Gowganda
Quirke Lake Group
Serpent
Serpent
Espanola
Espanola
Bruce
Bruce
Hough Lake
Lake Group
Group
Mississagi
Mississagi
Pecors
Ramsey Lake
Lake
Elliot Lake Group
McKim
Matinenda
Copper Cliff
Copper
Stobie
Stobie
Elsie Mountain

orthoquartzite,
orthoquartzite, minor iron
iron formation
formation
siltstone, minor argillite,
argillite, sandstone
arkose,
and ortho- quartzite
quartzite
arkose, feldspathic and
polymictic conglomerate, argillite

&gt;1220
1060-1280
1500-2400
180-1200

feldspathic quartzite
quartzite
calcareous siltstone, limestone, dolomite
dolomite
polymictic conglomerate
conglomerate

180-1500
150-550
60-460

cross-bedded feldspathic
feldspathic arenite
arenite
shale, siltstone, wacke
wacke
polymictic conglomerate
conglomerate

760-3000
60-600
60-180

laminated shale, siltstone, wacke
wacke
conglomerate, wacke,
wacke, feldspathic
feldspathic arenite
arenite
conglomerate,
felsic flow
flow and pyroclastic
roclcs
pyroclastic rocks
flows, intercalated wacke
pillowed mafic flows,
wacke
pillowed mafic flows
flows

1500-1800
180-300

730
1500
1000

Abstracted
Abstractedfrom
fromCard
Cardcietal.
al.(1977),
(19771, Frarey
Frarey (1985)
(1985) and
and Bennett
Bennetteteta!.
al.(1991).
(1991).

�-

Grenville
GrendeProvince
Province

=1.75
-1.75 Ga plutonic
plutonicrocks
rocks

I.'''
IF
I'''# # /

Paleozoic
Paleozoic

-

=1.45
1.GGa
Ga metaplutonic
metaplutonicrocks
rocks

1.45
1.45 Ga plutonic
p l u t o ~rocks
crocks

B88

1.85
1.85 Ga
Ga Sudbury
Sudburycomplex
complex

1Whitewater
WhitewaterGroup
Group

Murray,
Murray, Creighton
Creightongranites
granites

Huronian
HuronianSupergroup
Supergroup

m-

1111111 L

3
LI

=2.45
=2&amp; Ga
Ga gabbro,
gabbro, anorthosite
anorthosite

Archean
Archeanrocks,
rocks, undivided
undivided

=1.7
= 1.7Ga
Ga metaplutonic
metaplutonicrocks
rocks

a
F

...m..

nfl..

Undated
Undatedmetaplutonic
metaplutonicrocks
rocks
Wanapitei
Wampiteimafic
maficcomplex
complex

Metagabbro,
Metagabbm, anorthosite
anorthosite
''IllIllI
Gneissic
undivided
Gneissic rocks,
mcks, undivided
Front
4 Grenville
GrendeFmnt

mylonite
mylonitezone
zone

geology ofof the
the Sudhury
Figure
Figure 1.1 . Generalized
Generalized geology
Sudbury region.
region. Plutonic
Plutonic units
units
Killarney;
Islands;
K
mentioned
in the
the text
text are:
are: CC -- Cutler;
Cutler; CI
C1 -- Croker
Croker
- Killarney;
mentioned in
B --Bell
k k e ; FE -- Eden
Eden Lake;
lnke; CL -- Chief
Chief Lake; W -- Wanapitei.
Wanapitei.
B
Bell Lake;

�carbonate rocks
rocks to the middle of the Quirke
Quirke Lake
Lake Group (Espanola
(Espanola Formation), and
the immense
immense thicknesses
thicknesses of
Cobalt Group
Group
of extremely
extremely pure
pure orthoquartzite
orthoquartzite in
in the Cobalt
(upper Lorrajn
Lorrain and Bar
Bar River
fiver formations). Where
Where basement-cover
basement-cover relationships
relationships are
are
preserved in the Cobalt Embayment,
Embayment, it is evident in places that younger
younger cycles
cycles
well presewed
successively overlap
onto
tothe
thebasement
basement(Bennett
(Bennetteteta!.
al.1991).
1991).
overlap northward
northward on
Voluminous masses
masses of
of Nipissing gabbro (formerly
Voluminous
(formerly called Sudbury
Sudbury gabbro,
gabbro,
now
commonly referred
Nipissing diabase)
formations of
of the
now commonly
referred to
to as Nipissing
diabase) intrude
intrude all formations
Huronian Supergroup and
has
and its
itsadjacent
adjacentArchean
Archean basement.
basement. Nipissing gabbro has
Ga W-Pb
(U-Pbbaddeleyite
baddeleyite age
age 2219
2219 Ma;
Ma; Corfu
Corfu and Andrews
been dated
dated at
at—2.22
-2.22 Ga
Andrews 1986;
1986;
1993). Although
Although folded
folded with
with its
its Huronian
Huronian host in the Southern
Noble and Lightfoot 1993).
Southern
Province fold
fold belt,
belt, there
there is
is some
some evidence
evidence that
that its
its intrusion
intrusion postdated
postdated an earlier
Province
earlier
(Blezardian orogeny
orogenyof
of Stockwell
Stockwell1982).
1982).
stage of folding
folding (Blezardian
Major, upright,
upright, east-west
east-westfolds
foldsinin the
the fold
fold belt
belt are generally attributed
Major,
attributed to
Penokean orogeny, dated in
1239 and
and 1.83
1.83
in its
its type
type area
area(northern
(northernMichigan)
Michigan) between
between1.89
Ga (Bickford
a!.1986).
1986). Metamorphic
Metamorphicculminations
culminationswithin
withinthe
thefold
fold belt,
belt, in
in part
Ga
(Bickford etetal.
associated
with intrusion
intrusion of
of sanitoid
granitoid rocks,
rocks, isis of
of low
low pressure
pressure type
type and
and appears to
associated with
overprint an earlier,
overprint
earlier, regional,
regional, low-grade
low-grade dynamothermal
dynamothermal metamorphism
metamorphism (Card
(Card
rocks with
with ages in the Penokean range have yet to
19780).
to be
be identified;
identified;
1978a). Plutonic rocks
determinations for
Cutler (titanite)
(titanite) and Eden
Eden Lake
Lake plutons
plutons
recent U-Pb
U-Pb age determinations
for the Cutler
Ma (Davidson
(Davidson et
et al.
a!. 1992;
1992;Sullivan
Sullivan and
and Davidson
Davidson
(monazite), for example,
example, are
are—1750
-1750 Ma
1993)
1).
1993) Pig.
(Fig. 1).
Although not a player in the
the Grenville
Grenville Front story, a world-renowned feature
feature
of
01.1984).
1984).
of this area
area is
is the
theSudbury
SudburyIgneous
IgneousComplex,
Complex,dated
datedatat1849
1849Ma
Ma(Krogh
(Kroghetetal.
Now widely accepted as the product of a massive impact (though not without
vocifwithout vociferous detractors;
to which
which breccias
brecciasand
and shatter
shatter cones
cones in
in its
et a!.
al. 1984),
1984), to
detractors; see Pye et
country rocks
rocks are
are attributed,
attributed, thii
this feature
feature serves
serves to
to constrain
constrain the
the age
age of
of part
part of
of the
deformation affecting
affecting the
the Southern
deformation
Southern Province
Province fold belt.
belt. The
The south
south half
half of the
the
Sudbury structure, including
including the
the sedimentary
sedimentary Whitewater
Whitewater Group which
which itit encloses,
encloses,
1978a), displaying northerly, thrust-sense
thrust-sense
deformed (Card
(Card l978a),
is metamorphosed and deformed
displacement
on
faults
and
ductile
deformation
zones
(Shanks
and
Schwerdtner
displacement on
ductile deformation
(Shanks
Schwerdtner
1991).
1991).
A belt
belt of
of elongate
elongate granitoid
granitoid plutons
plutons (Killarney
(Killarney batholithic
batholithic complex
complex of
Lumbers
the
Lumbers 1975)
1975)intrudes
intrudes folded
folded Huronian
Huronian Supergroup
Supergroup strata
strata adjacent
adjacent to
to the
Grenville Front
Front from
from near
near Sudbury
Sudbury to
to the coast
Grenville
coast of Georgian
Georgian Bay,
Bay, where
where the
Killarney granite
granite and associated, predominantly felsic volcanic
volcanic and
and hypabyssal rocks
Killaney
dated atat—1740
-1740 Ma
have been dated
Ma (U-Pb
(U-Pbzircon;
zircon;van
vanBreemen
Breemenand
and Davidson
Davidson 1988).
1988). A
for a phase of the
similar age was obtained by Krogh
Krogh and
and Davis
Davis (1970)
(1970) for
the Chief
Chief Lake
Lake
batholith nearer to Sudbury, but aa new
batholith
new U-Pb
U-Pb analysis
analysis of
of zircon
zircon from
from coarse,
coarse, pink
pink
granite of this
this unit
unitsuggests
suggestsan
anage
ageofof—1465
-1465 Ma (Davidson and
and van
vanBreemen
Breemen1994).
1994).
This
much
younger
age
is
comparable
to
those
reported
earlier
for
the
Bell
This much younger
comparable
those
earlier for the Bell Lake
Lake
Ma; van
van Breemen
Breemen and
and Davidson 19881,
1988), and
and for the
granite farther southwest (1471
(1471 Ma;
Croker Island
Islandcomplex
complexwest
westofofKillarney
Killarney(—1465
(-1465 Ma; Van Schmus
%hmus 1965).
1965).
All these rocks are cleanly cut by southeast-trending, vertical dykes of fresh
(Uolivine diabase
to the
the Sudbury
Sudburyswarm,
swarm,now
nowreliably
reliablydated
datedatat
-1235 Ma
Ma (Udiabase belonging to
—1235
Pb, baddeleyite; Krogh
Dudàs eet
a!. 1994).
1994). The
The importance
importance of these
Krogh et
ef a!.
nl. 1987;
1987; Dud&amp;
f 01.
these dykes
dykes
is elaborated later in this text. A
younger
set
of
east-trending
dykes
of
quartz-bearing
A younger set of east-trending dykes of quartz-bearing

�5

diabase,
diabase, belonging to
to the
the Grenville
Grenville swarm
swarm and
anddated
datedatat595
595Ma
Ma(Kamo
(Kamoeteta!.
al.1995),
19951,
600
the Southern
Southem Province
Province through the
the Grenville
Grenville Province
Province for
for at
atleast
least600
extends from the
km.
km.

Grenville Province
Geological
maps of
of the
the Grenville
Provinceadjacent
adjacenttotothe
the front
front in the Sudbury
Geological maps
Grenville Province
Sudbury
region (Lumbers
Frarey 1985;
1985;Card
Card and
and Lumbers 1977)
portray this terrane
197'7) portray
terrane
(Lumbers 1975;
1975; Frarey
primarily as a 'sea
'sea of
of gneisses',
gneisses', a large
large proportion
proportion of which is interpreted
interpreted to
to be
be
sedimentary in
in origin.
origin. The gneisses
gneisses include undoubted metasediments
metasediments such as
as
quartzite,
gneissand
and marble,
marble, but
but many
many are rather
calc-silicate gneiss
quartzite, pelitic gneiss, and rare calc-silicate
ordinary quartzofeldspathic
protoliths are uncertain.
These
quarkofeldspathic rocks whose specific
speafic protoliths
uncertain. These
gneisses are interlayered with
with mafic
maflc gneiss
gneiss and
and metagabbro
metagabbro near
near the
the front southeast

of Sudbury, and with
with anorthositic
anorthositic gneiss farther northeast;
northeast; they are
are interspersed
interspersed
with irregular and
and commonly
commonly sinuous units
units of
of foliated
foliated or
or gneissic
gneissic granitoid,
granitoid,particparticularly
Bay. A
ularly toward Georgian
Georgian Bay,
A few
few small
small plutons
plutons have
have more
more equant
equant outlines.
outlines.

Notable
among these
these is an
Notable among
an oval
oval body
body of
of mafic
mafic rock,
rock, the
theWanapitei
Wanapiteicomplex
complex
(Lumbers
1975;Rouse11
Rouselland
andTrevisiol
Trevisiol1988),
1988),situated
situatedclose
closetoto the
the front east of
(Lumbers 1975;
of
Sudbury,
which more
more information
informationisisgiven
givenbelow.
below. Also
Also present
present in this area
Sudbury, about which
of pegmatite,
pegmatite, as well
well as numerous small pegmatite
are several large masses of
pegmatite dykes
dykes
and lenses, and small
bodies
of
mafic
rock
mapped
as
'cataclastic
metadiabase'
small bodies of mafic rock mapped as 'cataclastic metadiabase'
(Lumbers 1975).
1975). The
The latter
latter are
are now
now confidently correlated
correlated with
with Sudbury
Sudbury diabase on
the grounds
outlined
below.
grounds outlined below.

itIt isis easy
easytotoassume
assumethat
thatthe
themetasedimentary
metasedimentary gneisses
gneisses and
and interlayered
interlayered
metagabbro
were derived
derived from
metagabbro were
from the Huronian Supergroup
Supergroup and
and Nipissing
Nipissing gabbro
gabbro
respectively,
but ifif this is the case,
of stratigraphic
stratigraphic order permitting
case, all semblance of
respectively, but
direct correlation with the well-known
Huronian
succession
has been
been obscured or
well-known Huronian succession has
destroyed
destroyed during deformation
deformation and
and high-grade
high-grade metamorphism.
metamorphism. Northeast
Northeast of
of
Sudbury, metasedimentary biotite
biotite schist
schist and gneiss
gneiss (Red
(Red Cedar
Cedar Lake
Lake formation),
formation),
formerly interpreted as aa coarse
clastic facies of
of Huronian sediment
sediment by
by Lumbers
Lumbers
coarse clastic
(1978),
are now
now considered
considered to
to be
be Archean,
Archean, probably representing reworked wacke
(1978), are
wade
and siltstone
siltstone of
of the
the Pontiac
Pontiac Group
Group of
of the
the adjacent
adjacent Superior
Superior Province;
Province; Archean
Archean ages
ages
are preserved
units in this
p r e s e ~ e din metagranitoid
metagranitoid units
this area.
area. On the
the other
other hand,
hand, some
some
metasedimentary
rocks in
in the marginal
metasedimentary rocks
marginal Crenville
Grenville Province
Province south of
of Sudbury,
Sudbury,
extending
extending to
to the
the north
north shore
shoreof
of Georgian
Georgian Bay,
Bay, have Nd-model
Nd model ages
ages (2.32
(22.32Ga,
Ga,Dicldn
Dickin

and McNutt
2.12 Ga,
McNutt 1989;
1989; 22.12
Ga, P.O
F.O Dudas,
Dud&amp;s,pers.
pers. comm.,
comm., 1991)
1991) which are
are too
tooyoung
young
(unless disturbance of
of Nd systematics
systematics isis admitted)
admitted) for
for them
them to
to be
be correlated with the
Huronian Supergroup, whose sediments
sediments have
have Archean
Archean provenance
provenance and Nd model
model
ages;
for
example,
Nd
isotopic
analyses
of
sedimentary
rocks
from
the
Lorrain
ages;
example,
isotopic analyses of sedimentary
the Lorrain
Formation northeast of Sudbury (Lightfoot and Naldrett
Naldrett 1989)
1989) yield depleted
depleted mantle
mantle
2.85 Ga.
Ga.
model ages
agesof
of 2.85
model
In the same
U-Pb zircon
zircon ages
ages provide
provide reason to correlate
same region,
region, however,
however, U-Pb
correlate
metamorphosed granitoid rocks
rocks with those in the
the Southern
Southern Province,
Province, both 1.74
1.74 and
1.47 Ga
Ga age
age groups being
being represented
represented (Davidson
(Davidsoneta!.
el al.1992;
1992; van
van Breemen
Breemeneta!.
et al.1986;
1986;
van Breemen pers. comm. 1993).
1993). van Breemen
Breemen and
and Davidson
Davidson (1988)
(1988) suggested
suggested corcorrockswith
withthe
the—1.75-Ga
-1.75-Ga graniterelation of the
the Killarney
Killamey granite
granite and
and allied
alliedvolcanic
volcanicrocks

�rhyolite association
of the
the Central
Central Plains
Plains orogen
orogen in the
association of
the mid-continent
mid-continent (Sims
(Sims and
itselfpart
part of
of the
the larger
larger Yavapai/Mazatzal
Yavapai/Mazatzal province exposed farther
Peterman 1986),
19861, itself
19%). They also noted that the
the 1.47-Ca
1.47-Ga age of the Bell
Bell Lake granite
west (Hoffman 1988).
lies within the
lies
the range
range of
of the
the older
olderofoftwo
twoso-called
so-calledanorogenic
anorogenicgranite-rhyolite
granite-rhyolite
a!. 1986).
provinces
et al.
1986). In the
the adjacent
adjacent
provinces in the
the buried
buriedmid-continent
mid-continent (Bickford
(Bickford et
Grenville Rovince,
Province, the
the supracrustal
supracrustal rocks
rocks which
which originally
originally hosted
hosted the
the older of
of the
two granite suites and which appear to be younger than the
Huronian
Supergroup,
the Huronian Supergroup,
for this event has
have presumably
presumablyundergone
undergone—1.7-Ga
-1.7-Ga orogeny.
orogeny. Evidence
Evidence for
has been
been
recognized in
in the Key
Harbour area of the Georgian
recognized
Key Harbour
Georgian Bay
Bay coast, where the oldest
oldest
associated with
with deformed granite dated
migmatitic gneisses are assoaated
dated at
at1685
1685Ma (Corrigan
1990). In addition, it now appears that this
1990).
this part
part of
of the
theGrenville
Grenvilleorogen
orogen also
also underunder-1.47-Ga plutonwent widespread
widespread metamorphism
metamorphism and
anddeformation
deformationshortly
shortlyafter
afterthe
the—1.47-Ca
ism. Monazite
al. 1994)
1994) and titanite
Monazitein
inhigh-grade
high-grade metasedimentary
metasedimentary gneiss
gneiss (Dudas
(Dud&amp; et a!.
in 1.74-Ga
et a!.
al. 1993),
1993), both
the front,
front,
1.74Ga metagranitoid rocks (Haggart
(Haggart et
both within
within 10 km of the
leucosomes farther
farther into the Crenville
and zircon
zircon in
in orthopyroxene-bearing
orthopyroxene-bearing leucosomes
Grenville orogen
orogen
(Ketchum
1994), all record
record ages
ef a!.
al. 19941,
agesofof—1.45
-1.45 Ga.
Ga.
(Ketchurnet
orogeny in
in this
this comer
corner of
of the
the province
province appears
appears to be restricted to
Grenvillian orogeny
deformation and metamorphism
metamorphism late in the age-range
age-range ofof1.3-—1.0
51.3--1.0 Ga
Gaaccorded
accordedtoto
and presumthe broader 'Crenvillian
'Grenvillian orogenic
orogenic cycle' (Moore and Thompson 1980), and
ably associated with tectonic burial accompanied by deep-seated,
deep-seated, large-scale thrust
imbrication directed
directed toward
toward the
the front, followed
followed shortly
shortly thereafter
thereafter by
by rapid
rapid uplift and
imbrication
and
a!. 1993; Culshaw
exhumati
on accompanied by
by extensional tectonics (Haggart
(Haggart et al.
Culshaw et
ef a!.
al.
exhumation
1994).
related to
tothe
theonset
onsetof
ofGrenviUian
Grenvillian
1994). There are no supracrustal rocks that can be related
orogeny, and no plutonic rocks
marking its culmination.
culmination. A
A growing
growingdatabase
databaseof
of UUorogeny,
rocks marking
and titanite from this region
Pb ages for zircon,
zircon, monazite
monazite and
region suggests
suggests that
that tectonic
tectonic
activity was
Ma(thii
(thisseems
seems aa relatively short
short
was restricted
restricted totobetween
between—1040
-1040 and —980
-980 Ma
period in
terms, but
but nevertheless
nevertheless is
is equivalent
equivalent to
to the whole
whole of the
the
in Precambrian
Precambrian terms,
Tertiary!).
Much earlier
Ma; van
van Breemen
Tertiary!). Much
earlier ductile
ductile deformation
deformation (—1160
(-1160 Ma;
Breemen and
Davidson 1986)
was associated
associated with
with emplacement
emplacement of
of the Parry Sound
1986) was
Sound granulite
granulite
allochthon
kmfrom
from the
the front,
front, but so
so far
far there
there isis
allochthon in the
the interior
interiorof
of the
theprovince,
province,—100
-100 km
no geochronological evidence
evidence for
forany
any event
event of
of this
this age
age closer
doser to
to the
the front.
front,

The Grenville
GrenvilleFront
From Georgian Bay
Bay to Coniston,
Coniston, the Grenville Front is marked
marked byby a zone of
of faults
faults
inclined generally
generallyatatmoderate
moderate angle
angle to
to the
the southeast,
southeast, that cut all but
and mylonites, inclined
dykes, the
the Grenville
Grenvilleswarm.
swarm. It has been well documented
documented that
the youngest diabase dykes,

dykes
disrupted by
by faults and
dykes of
of the
the Sudbury
Sudbury swarm,
swarm, although
although disrupted
and not
not traceable
traceable
individually
zones, do cut earlier, front-parallel fabrics within
faultindividually across
across mylonite zones,
within faultbounded
bounded panels
panels(Henderson
(Henderson1967;
1967; Brooks
Brooks 1976;
1976; Frarey 1985; Bethune and Davidson
Davidson
1988). A means
means is
is thus
thus available
available to
to distinguish
distinguishprepre-and
andpost-1235-Ma
post-1235-Ma structures.
structures.
1988).

First,
some lingering
lingering misunderstandings
misunderstandings about
about the Grenville Front are
First, however,
however, some
the historical
historical development
development of
of interpretation
interpretation of
of thii
this major
best assessed by following
following the
structure.
structure.
Long
before the
the Shield
Shield was
was divided into structural
h n g before
structural provinces
provinces (Gill
(Gill1948),
1948), the
boundary between the Southern
Southern and
and Grenville
Grenville Provinces was recognized
recognized by Collins
Collins

�(1916,
1925) as
as the locus of major
(1916, 1925)
major change,
change, where
where well-preserved,
well-preserved, broadly-folded
broadly-folded
Huronian
Huronian sedimentary
sedimentary rocks
rocks and Nipissing
Nipissing gabbro
gabbro intrusions,
intrusions, at
at relatively
relatively low
low
metamorphic
metamorphic grade, give
give way
way southeastward to
to aa complex
complexterrane
terrane of
of high-grade
high-grade
gneissic
gneissic rocks.
rocks. Mapping
Mapping across
across this boundary in
in the
the late
late 1920s
1920s led to the idea that
that
granitization on aa huge
huge scale
scale was
was responsible
responsible for
for the
the"disappearance
"disappearance of
of the
the
granitization

Huronian" (Quirke
(Quirke and
and Collins
Collins 1930).
1930). This
Thii hypothesis
hypothesis was
was championed
championed particularly
particularly
Huronian"
by Quirke
Quirke(1927,
(1927, 1940),
1940), although hotly
hotly disputed
disputedby
byothers
others(e.g.
(e.g.Jones
Jones1930);
1930);tracts
tractsof
of
by
metasedimentary gneiss
gneiss as far as 40
40 km from the
the boundary
boundary were
werecorrelated
correlatedwith
with
metasedimentary
speafic Huronian
Huronianformations
formations(Quirke
(Quirke1930).
1930).
specific
in
Inthe
thearea
areadirectly
directly southeast
southeastof
of Sudbury,
Sudbury, the
theboundary
boundarybetween
betweenthe
theSouthern
Southern
and Grenville
Grenville provinces
provinces was interpreted as
as aa metamorphic
metamorphic transition
iransition by
by Phemister
Phemister
and
(1961;
Grant et
et al.
a!. 1962)
1962)where
whereHuronian
Huronian sedimentary
sedimentary rocks and Nipissing
(1961; Grant
Nipissing gabbro
gabbro
were
were abruptly
abruptly metamorphosed
metamorphosed and granitized
g r a n i i k d to
to make
makethe
thegneissic
gneissicand
andmigmatitic
migmatitic
rocks
rocks of
of the
the Grenville
Grenville Province.
Province. Kwak
Kwak(1968)
(1968) and
and La
La Tour
Tour(1981)
(1981) documented
documented an
an
Daiziel
et
a!.
(1969)
abnormally
high
metamorphic
gradient
across
this
transition.
abnormally
metamorphic
across this transition. Dalziel et al. (1969)
recognized
was an
an important factor in this transition, and that
recognized that mylonitization
mylonitization was
metamorphism preceded
preceded the
the earliest
earliest recorded
recorded folds.
folds. They
They expressed
expressed some
some doubt
doubt
metamorphism
about
about the
the equivalence
equivalence of
of rocks
rocks on opposing sides of the front,
front, but
but did
didnot
notinvoke
invoke

large-scale
displacement to
to explain
explain the
the possibility
large-scale displacement
possibility that different
different rocks
rocks had
had been
been
juxtaposed
juxtaposed or
or that
that metamorphic
metamorphic isograds had been
been 'telescoped'.
'telescoped'. Without
Withoutthe
thebenefit
benefit
of modern
Dalziel (1974,
(1974, p. 1577)
1577) contended that the
the
modern geochronology,
geochronology, Brocoum
Brocoum and Dalziel
rocks of the
including the
the Sudbury Structure, and those
the Southern
Southern Province,
Province, including
those in
in the
the
"... all
all underwent
underwent the
thesame
samemajor
majordefordeforpart of
of the
theGrenville
GrenvilleProvince
Province"...
adjacent part
mational event after the intrusion
intrusion of the
the Nipissing
Nipissing diabases
diabases (2.15
(2.15 b.y.
b.y. ago) and the
Nickel Irruptive
Irruptive (2.0
(2.0 b.y. ago) and prior
prior to
to the
theintrusion
inirusionofofthe
thenorthwest-southeast—
northwest-southeasttrending olMne
olivinediabase
diabasedyke
dykeswarm
swarm(1.46
(1.46b.y.
b.y. ago)
ago)...",
...",which,
which, they
they stated,
stated, cuts
a.16the
the
trending
gneisses in the northwestern
Province. This
Thii major
major event
event was
was attributed
attributed
northwestern Grenville
Grenville Province.
to
a wider
age-range
(2.0—1.6
to the
the Penokean
Penokeanorogeny,
orogeny,which
whichwas
wasatatthat
thattime
timeaccorded
accorded
a wider
age-range
(2.0-1.6
(1976)pointed
pointed out
out that the
today. However,
However, Brooks
Brooks (1976)
the same
same olivine
olivine
Ga) than itit isis today.

diabase
swarm) are
are deformed
deformed and
andmetamorphosed
metamorphosed farther
farther
diabase dykes
dykes (Sudbury
(Sudbury swarm)
southwest
he did not dispute
southwest along the front, although
although he
dispute the
the fact
fact that
that they
theyalso
alsocut
cut
earlier deformation
deformation fabrics
fabrics in granitoid
granitoid rocks
rocks adjacent
adjacent to
to the
the front.
front.
earlier

Phemister
recognizedthe
theGrenville
GrenvilleFront
Frontinin this
this area
area to have
Phemister (1961)
(1961) recognized
have two
two
distinct
distinct manifestations,
manifestations, a metamorphic transition southwest
southwest of
of Coniston,
Coniston, and
and aadisdkcrete
cit.,
p.
61):
"One
of
the
features
that
makes
this
Crete fault to the east. He
Hestated
stated(op.
(op.
61): "One the features that makes this
region of special
is that here the Wanapitei fault is seen
special interest is
seen to
to cut
cut across
across the
the
"front" of
of metamorphiim
metamorphismleaving
leavingno
nodoubt
doubt therefore
therefore that
that it marks a younger event
the structural
structural history
history of
of the region....
region.... Thus
Thus ...
...the
the boundary
boundary in
inthe
thewestern
westernsection
section
in the
Dalziel
et
a!.
is aa metamorphic
"front"
while
in
the
eastern
part
it
is
a
fault."
(1969,
metamorphic "front" while in
it is a fault." Dalziel ei al.(1969,
211) described
described the
the Wanapitei
Wanapitei fault
fault as aa brittle
brittle fracture,
fracture, being
being aa later
latereffect
effectwhich
which
p. 211)
. The
obscures"...
... the
the fundamental
fundamental tectonic character of
front ...".
The westward
westward conconof the front
obscures
"

tinuation
tinuation of
of the
the Wanapitei
Wanapitei fault in
in the
the Southern
Southern Province
Province aligns
aligns with
with the
thewellwellknown Murray fault, passing south of
of Sudbury and extending
extending for at
at least
least aa further
further
to the
the west
west(Fig.
(Fig.1).
1).
150 km to
An alternative
interpretation
alternative interpretation was advanced
advanced by
by Lumbers
Lumbers(1975),
(1975), who
who comcombined the
of the front as a single
the two
two different
different segments of
single feature
feature referred to
to as
as the
the

�'Grenville Front Boundary
Boundary Fault'.
Fault'. His map shows the Murray
Murray fault
fault as
asremaining
remaining
within the Southern
Province
instead
of
being
continuous
with
the
Wanapitei
Southern Province
of
Wanapitei fault
interpretation has
has been
been reproduced
6, A).
A). This
This interpretation
reproduced on subsouth of
of Coniston
Coniston (Fig.
(Fig. 6,
sequent geological compilations
compilations (Card
(Card and
and Lumbers
Lumbers1977;
1977; Dressler
Dressier1984).
1984). Reaffirming the faulted nature of
the
Grenville
Front
mylonite
zone
east
in
the
Coniston
of the Grenville
mylonite
the Coniston
Davidson (1992)
(1992) argued
post-Grenvillian normal
displacement on the
the
area, Davidson
argued that post-Grenvillian
normal displacement
Wanapitei fault (i.e.
side down)
down) best
best explains
explains the
the abrupt opposition
(i.e. Grenville
Grenville side
opposition of
of
Wanapitei
high-grade
high-grade gneisses
gneisses and
andlittle-affected
little-affected Southern
SouthernProvince
Province rocks.
rocks.
Zone' is
is commonly
commonly used in conjunction
The term 'Grenville
'Grenville Front Tectonic
Tectonic Zone'
conjunction
First coined by Lumbers
with the northwest
northwest margin
margin of
ofthe
theGrenville
Grenville Province.
Province. First
Lumbers
(1971a), itit was defined
defined as
as aa zone
zoneof
of northeast-trending
northeast-trending cataclastic
cataclastic foliation
foliation with
with
(1971a),
manifested mainly
mainly in the gneissic
attendant southeast-plunging
southeast-plunging lineation manifested
gneissic rocks
rocks of
of
Province, but
but also
also including
includingaa narrow
narrow strip
strip in the adjacent
the Grenville Province,
adjacent Superior

of the 'Grenville
and Southern
Southern provinces,
provinces, northwest
northwest of
'Grenville Front Boundary
Boundary Fault',
Fault', in
in
occur. The
which similarly oriented structures occur.
The northwest boundary
boundary of
of the
theGrenville
Grenville
Province, however,
however, was
was placed
placed at
at the boundary
Province,
boundary fault.
fault. Wynne-Edwards
(1972)
Wynne-Edwards (1972)
defined the
the tectonic
zone aa little
confiningitit to
to southeast
of the
defined
tectonic zone
little differently,
differently, confining
southeast of
Grenville Front,
Front, while
while recognizing
that front-related
deformation is present
Grenville
recognizing that
front-related deformation
present
northwest
of the front in the
ForelandZone'.
Zone'. The southeast margin of
of
northwest of
the 'Grenville
'Grenville Foreland
the Grenville Front Tectonic
Zone
was
not
defined
rigorously
by
either
author.
Tectonic Zone was not defined rigorously
either author.
Subsequently, Rivers et a!.
(1989)used
usedthe
the term
term 'Parautochthonous Belt' to describe
al. (1989)
describe
the
marginal
part
of
the
Grenville
orogen
containing
reworked
rocks
the marginal
of the Grenville orogen containing reworked rocks of
of the
the
adjacent, older
older Shield
provinces, and
and not
not coincident
adjacent,
Shield provinces,
coincident with the
the Grenville
Grenville Front
Front
Tectonic
Zone. To
confusion,neither
neitherofofthese
these two
two terms
terms is
is used
used in
Tectonic Zone.
To avoid
avoid possible
possible confusion,
this guide.
guide.
Application of
of modern kinematic
kinematic analysis to fabrics in
in the
themylonitic
myloniticrocks
rocks
along the Grenville
along
Grenville Front between
between the coast of Georgian
Georgian Bay
Bay and Sudbury
Sudbury conconsistently yields evidence for thrust-sense
displacement toward
toward the northwest (Pryer
(Fryer
thrust-sense displacement
1988). The position of this
c; Davidson and Bethune
Bethune 1988).
1985, 1993; Davidson
Davidson1986b,
1986b,C;
segment of
of the front, however,
Frarey and
however, has been a matter of
of some
some contention.
contention. Frarey
Cannon (1969;
Frarey 1985)
1985)placed
placedthe
thefront
frontalong
along the
the northwest
northwest contacts of the
(1969; Frarey
the
and Bell
Lakegranites,
granites,on
on the
thebasis
basisthat
that these
these contacts
contacts are
are faulted
faulted in many
Bell Lake
Killarney and
places and cut across fold trends in the Huronian rocks.
rocks. The
places
The northeast
northeast extension
extension of
of
was shown
shown to pass into the southern part
this 'front',
'front', however,
however, was
part of
of the
theChief
Chief Lake
Lake
In their
Card and Lumbers
granite. In
their regional
regional compilation,
compilation, Card
Lumbers (1977)
(1977) placed
placed the
the
'Grenville Front
Front Boundary
Boundary Fault'
Faultton
onthe
thesoutheast
southeastside
sideofofthese
these granites.
granites. Davidson
Davidson
(1986b)favoured
favoured the
the latter
latter position,
position, modified
modified to
to a somewhat more
(1986b)
more southeasterly
southeasterly
position near Georgian
it coincided
with a major
Georgian Bay,
Bay, because
because it
coincided with
major zone
zone of
of mylonitizmylonitization across which the most pronounced change
change in
in structural style and orientation
orientation
Farther northeast,
northeast, this
this zone
zone also
also coincides
coincides with
with an abrupt increase
occurs.
occurs. Farther
increase in
in
metamorphic
grade; in
in addition,
metamorphic grade;
addition, it marks
marks the
the southeast
southeast limit
limit of
ofcontinuously
continuously
traceable
Sudbury dykes
dykes (Bethune
(Bethune 1993)
1993)and
andisisthus
thus identifiable
identifiable as
as a feature
traceable Sudbury
feature of
Grenvillian age.
that a distinction
must be made
It has
has now
now become
become clear
clear that
distinction must
made between
between the
respective northwestern limits
limits of
of the
the pre-Sudbury
pre-Sudbury dyke
dyke deformation that postdated
respective
the —1.47-Ga
granitesand
and post-Sudbury
post-Sudbury dyke deformation.
deformation. If the Grenville
Grenville Front
Front is
is
-1.47-Ga granites

�taken as the northwest
northwest limit of penetrative deformation and metamorphism related
to Grenvillian
Sudbury dykes
dykesbecomes
becomes
Grenyillian orogeny, then the state of preservation of the Sudbury
a crucial factor in locating
locating the front.
front. The youngest pre-Sudbury dyke
dyke structures
structures
northwest
of this limit
northwest of
limit are
are unlikely
unlikely to
to represent
represent an
an early
early phase
phase of
ofGrenvillian
Grenvillian
orogeny
because the
the Sudbury
dyke swarm,
swarm, which
which cuts them,
them, was
was presumably
presumably
orogeny because
Sudbury dyke
emplaced into stable
stable continental
continental crust.
crust. It seems more likely that aa distinctly
distinctly earlier
earlier
Ga,recorded
recordedon
onboth
bothsides
sides of
of the
the Grenville Front as
orogenic event at
at —1.45
-1.45 Ga,
as defined
defined
above, was
was responsible
responsiblefor
forthe
theyoungest
youngeststructures
structurescut
cutby
bythe
theSudbury
Sudburydykes.
dykes. At
above,
present,
present, no counterpart
counterpart of
of this
this event
event has
has been
been recognized
recognized elsewhere
elsewhere outside
outside the
the
Grenville
Province; coeval
coevaligneous
igneousactivity
activityinin the
the buried mid-continent
Grenville Province;
mid-continent to the
the
a!.
Windley
southwest is
a al. 1986;
1986;
1989). Based on
is regarded
regarded as
as'anorogenic'
'anorogenic' (Bickford
(Bickford et
1989).
less comprehensive geochronology than is
is available
available today,
today,Stockwell
Stockwell(1982,
(1982, p.
p. 68)
68)
proposed that
the
ill-defined
'Killarriean
orogeny',
to
which
he
ascribed
a
terminal
terminal
that the ill-defined Killarnean orogeny', to which
age of
of —1.5
Ga,has
hasitsitstype
typeregion
regionwithin
withinthe
theGrenville
GrenvilleProvince.
Province This
-1.5 Ga,
This now
now seems
seems
prophetic
in the
prophetic in
the light
light of
of the
themore
morerecent
recent identification
identification of
of widespread,
widespread, prepreGrenvillian plutonism within the
the adjacent
adjacent Grenville
Grenville orogen.
orogen. Stockwell, however,
(-1.74 and
and
had no
no knowledge
knowledgeof
of the
thetwo
twodistinctly
distinctlydifferent
differentages
agesofofgranitic
graniticrocks
rocks(—1.74
—1.47
Ca)that
thatisisconsistently
consistentlyemerging
emergingfrom
fromgeochronological
geochronologicalstudies
studies in
in this area;
-1.47 Ga)
area;
the concept of
of 'Killarnean
orogeny' now
now seems
seems inappropriate
inappropriate in that the
'Killarnean orogeny'
the time-span
time-span
assigned to it embraces
embraces both age groups.
groups.
The ages and
events in the
and expression
expression of
of post-Penokean,
post-Penokean, pre-Grenvillian
pre-Grenvillian events
the
Southern
Province are
are poorly
poorly documented.
documented. For example, the age of
Southern Province
of deformation
deformation
and metamorphism of
of the southern
southern part
part of
of the Sudbury Structure,
Structure, and how far the
effects of
of this
this event extend
extend into the neighbouring Huronian rocks, are not
not known.
known.
It is quite possible
possible that the
the rocks
rocks in
in the
the Grenville
Grenville Front
Front region
region were
were affected
affected by
by two
two
post-Penokean events before
before emplacement of the
the 1235-Ma
1235-Ma Sudbury
Sudburydyke
dykeswarm
swarm—related to the
of major
orogens farther
farther southeast that have
events related
the development
development of
major orogens
been largely overprinted and obscured by later Grenvillian orogeny in the
the interior
interior of
of
Province. Displaced
the Grenville Province.
Displaced and telescoped remnants of these orogens, whose
tectonic fronts appear
appear to
to coincide
coincide so
so closely
closely with
with the
the Grenville
GrenvilleFront
Front(Bethune
(Bethune1993),
19931,
may
may explain
explain the
the abundant
abundant evidence
evidence for
for pre-Grenvillian
pre-Grenvillian deformation
deformation and
and
metamorphism within this part
part of
of the
theGrenville
Grenvilleorogen.
orogen.
referenceshave
have been
been made
made to the Sudbury
Throughout the foregoing, several references
Sudbury
diabase dyke swarm, implying
usefulness as
as a time-marker for discerning
diabase
implying its usefulness
discerning the
effects of
of Crenvillian
effects
Grenvillian orogeny
orogeny in this
this poly-orogenic
poly-orogenic terrane. Therefore
Therefore a more
more
detailed account of
of this
this swarm
swarm and its recognition
within the Crenville
detailed
recognition within
Grenville orogen is
given below.
below. The
Theextent
extent of
of the
the Sudbury
Sudbury swarm
swarm in
in the
the Southern
SouthernProvince
Province southwest
southwest
of
of Sudbury and
and the
the known
known distribution
distribution of
of equivalent
equivalent metadiabase
metadiabase dykes
dykes and
and
remnants in
2.
in the
the Grenville
Grenville Province
Province are shown
shown in
in Figure
Figure 2.

Sudbmy dyke
Sudbury
dyke swami
swarm
Lumbers
(1975)mapped
mappedtwo
two types
types of
of diabase
diabase dykes
dykes in the
Lumbers (1975)
the Southern
Southern Province
Province
of Sudbury,
Sudbury, which
which he
he referred
referred to
to simply
simplyas
as 'olivine
'divine diabase' and
southeast of
and 'diabase',
'diabase',
and which are part of what
what are
are now
now known
known as the
the Sudbury
Sudbury and
and Grenville
Grenville swarms
swarms
olivine diabase dikes
respectively (Fahrig
(Fahrigand
and West
West1986).
1986). He
He stated
stated that the "...
"... olivine
dikes
respectively

�The Sudbury
Sudburydyke
dyke swarm
swarm in
inthe
theSouthern
SouthernProvince
Provincesouthwest
southwestofof Sudbury,
Sudbury,
Figure2.2. The
Figure
dykes
in
the
Grenville
and
anddistribution
distributionofofmetamorphosed
metamorphosedand
anddeformed
deformedSudbury
Sudbury dykes in the Grenville
Province(solid
(solidlines
linesand
anddots).
dots). East-west
East-westdashed
dashedlines
linesare
areGrenville
Grtimilledykes.
dykes.
Province
areconfined
confinedtotothe
theSouthern
SouthernProvince
Provinceportion
portionof
of the
thearea
areaand
andare
arepart
partofofa aregional
regional
are
northwest-trending
northwest-trending swarm
swarm that
that intrudes
intrudesrocks
rocksof
ofboth
boththe
theSouthern
Southernand
andSuperior
Superior
Provinces
Provinces but
but which
which does
does not
notextend
extendacross
acrossthe
theGrenville
GrenvilleFront
FrontTectonic
TectonicZone
Zoneinin
(op.cit.,
cit.,p.p.109).
109). Although
Although he
he mapped
mappedoccurrences
occurrencesof
of
theGrenville
GrenvilleProvince."
Province."(op.
the
metadiabase'
in
metadiabase
metadiabase in
inthe
theadjacent
adjacentGrenville
GrenvilleProvince
Province(termed
(termed'cataclastic
'cataclastic metadiabase' in
his map
map legend),
legend), he
he did
did not
notequate
equatethese
thesewith
withthe
the Sudbury
Sudbury dykes.
dykes. Farther
Farther
his
(1977)
also
documented
two
different
types
of
diabase
southwest,Palmer
Palmer aeta!.
al. (1977)
two different types of diabasein
inthe
the
southwest,
Southern
SouthernProvince
Province south
southofofLake
LakePanache,
Panache,but
butFrarey
Frarey(1985),
(1985). while
whileacknowledging
acknowledging

the
the distinction,
distinction, included
included both types
types in
in the
thesame
samemap
mapunit.
unit.Frarey,
Frarey, however,
however, did
did
recognize
recognize that
that "Olivine
"Olivine diabase
diabase dykes
dykes of
of the
the "Sudbury
"Sudbury swarm",
swarm", so
sonumerous
numerous in
inthe
the
Province
Southern
Province,
continue
east-southeastward
into
the
Grenville
Southern Province, continue east-southeastward into the Grenville Province atat
(op.cit.,
cit., p.p. 47).
47). His
Hismap
mapshows
shows
leastas
asfar
faras
asTyson
TysonLake
Lake and
andpossibly
possiblymuch
muchfarther."
farther."(i.
least
several
severaldyke
dykesegments
segmentswith
withvarious
variousorientations
orientationsininthe
theGrenville
GrenvilleProvince;
Province; some
someof
of
Grenvillian
"...curved
curved traces,
traces, suggesting
suggesting late
late folding
folding that
that isispresumably
presumably Grenvillian
thesehave
have"...
these
.."(op.
(op. cit.,
cit., p. 48), and he
he recognized
recognized the
the'cataclastic'
'cataclastic' nature
nature of
of the
thediabase
diabasein
inthin
thin
the
Grenville
section. At
At the
theeastern
eastern edge
edge of
of his
hismap
maparea,
area,some
some18
18km
km into
into the Grenville
section.
Province,
he
mapped
one
dyke
whose
eastward
continuation
in
Province,
one dyke whose eastward continuation in the
theBurwash
Burwashmap
map
'cataclastic
metadiabase'.
Farther
areawas
wasclassified
classifiedby
byLumbers
Lumbers(1975)
(1975)as
as 'cataclastic metadiabase'. Farthereast
eastnear
near
area
within
a
ductile
gneiss
Key
Harbour,
'cataclastic
metadiabase'
occurs
as
isolated
pods
Key Harbour, 'catadastic metadiabase' occurs as isolated pods within a ductile gneiss
medium(Davidson
(Davidsonand
andBethune
Bethune1988).
1988).
medium

�It is clear
clear that geologic
geologic units
foreland of an
units which
which are
are undisturbed
undisturbed in
in the foreland
orogen,
orogenic front
front may
may be
be used to constrain the tectonic history
history of
of the adjacent orogen,
provided they can
can be
be recognized
recognized within it.
it. With respect to the Grenville Front, the
Sudbury dykes
Southern Province
and are
are
Sudbury
dykes in
in the Southern
Province foreland
forelandare
are such
such aa unit, and
particularly important for
for the
the following
following reasons:
reasons:
1) they
they are
are oriented
oriented orthogonally
orthogonally to the front;
front;
2) the
theacross-strike
across-strikewidth
widthofofthe
theswarm
swarmisisatatleast
least200
2001cm;
km;
3) many
many dykes
dykes are
are thicker
thicker than
than 30
30 m, some
some being more than
than 100
100 in;
m;
4) individual
individual dykes
dykesare
arecontinuous
continuousfor
formany
manytens
tensof
of kilometres;
kilometres;
5) the
the diabase
diabase has
has aa distinctive,
distinctive, evolved
evolved chemistry
chemistry (undersaturated, enriched in
iron, alkalis and high
high field
field strength
strength elements);
elements);
6) the
known
(—1235
theage
ageof
ofthe
theswann
swarmisis
known
(-1235 Ma).
Ma).
The first
first four
four attributes
attributes make
make it reasonable
reasonable to
to expect
expect them
them to
to be
be found within the
the
Grenvile Province provided
provided that the
Grenville
the Grenville
Grenville Front is not
not aa post-1235-Ma
post-1235-Ma suture
juxtaposing
exotic crust
crust against
against the
the Superior and Southern Province craton, or that
that
juxtaposing exotic
there has been
lateral displacement
displacement along the front.
been no
no large
largescale,
scale, post-1235-Ma
post-1235-Ma lateral
front.
Their distinctive
distinctive chemistry
chemistryshould
should allow
allow them
them to
to be
be recognized
Their
recognized within the GrenGrenville Province,
Province,provided
provideditithas
hasnot
notbeen
beenunduly
unduly disturbed
disturbed during
during metamorphism.
metamorphism. If
If
ville
be traced
traced into the front and recognized beyond
beyond it,
it, their known age would
they can be
make them
them an invaluable
make
invaluable time marker for distinguishing
distinguishing pre- and
and post-emplacepost-emplacement structures.
structures.
Mapping
along the
the Grenville
Front has
has failed
failed to trace individual
Mapping along
Grenville Front
individual Sudbury
Sudbury
dykes from the
Southern
into
the
Grenville
Province.
Correlation
of
Sudbury
the Southern into the Grenville Province. Correlation of Sudbury
diabase and inetadiabase
metadiabase must therefore
therefore rely
rely on
on comparative
comparativewhole-rock
whole-rock chemistry
chemistry
and isotopic age. The
characteristic
chemistry
of
Sudbury
diabase,
documented
by
The characteristic
by
(1965),Merz
Merz(1976)
(1976)and
andCondie
Condieetetal.
a!.(1987),
(1987),and
andunlike
unlikethat
that of
of any
any other
other
Fahrig et al. (1965),
diabase dyke swarm in the Shield, has been corroborated by major and trace
trace element
element
analyses of
of 40
40 samples
samples between
between Sudbury
Sudbury and
and Georgian
Georgian Bay,
Bay,ranging
ranging up
up to 45 km
km
analyses
northwest
of the Grenville
Front. A
northwest of
Grenville Front.
A similar
similar number
number of
of analyses
analyses of
of metadiabase
metadiabase
samples
from the
the Tyson
Tyson Lake
Lakearea,
area,up
up to
to 16 km
km from
samples from
from the front,
front, and
and smaller
smaller
numbers from both
Key
Harbour,
—40
km
from
the
front,
and
closer
to
the
front
both Key Harbour, -40 km from the front, and
front east
east
of
Sudbury, all have identical
identical chemical
chemicalsignatures
signaturesto
tofresh
fresh Sudbury
Sudbury diabase.
diabase. These
of Sudbury,
results are summarized
and reported
reported fully in Bethune (1993).
summarized in
in Bethune
Bethune (1989)
(1989) and
(1993). The
U-Pb age of
of 1238±4
Maobtained
obtained by
by Krogh
Krogh eet
a!. (1984)
(1984)on
onbaddeleyite
baddeleyite in Sudbury
U-Pb
1238Â±Ma
t al.
Sudbury
diabase from
from Espanola,
Espanola,65
65km
kmwest
westofofSudbury
Sudburyand
and40
40km
from the front, has been
diabase
km from
corroborated
by U-Pb
U-Pb baddeleyite
baddeleyite ages
ages determined
determined for
for three
three other
other Sudbury dykes
corroborated by
northwest
of the front
(1994),who
who also
also obtained
obtained similar
similar ages for
ef a!.
al. (19941,
northwest of
front by
by Dudãs
Dudas et
metadiabase
in the
the Grenville
Grenville Province.
Province. The
The average
average age
age for
for the
the three dykes in the
metadiabase in
Southern
Province, at
at locations
30, 16 and 33 km from the
Southern Province,
locations 30,
the front,
front, isis1234±7
12349 Ma.
Ma.
Baddeleyite
was separated from metadiabase at locations 2,3
2, 3 and 12 km southeast
Baddeleyite was
southeast of
of
the front at Tyson
Lake,
and
5
km
from
the
front
at
Wahnapitae,
east
of
Sudbury.
Tyson Lake,
at Wahnapitae, east of Sudbury.
Ma), but all U-Pb analyses
The average age for metadiabase
metadiabase is slightly
slightly older
older (1243
(1243 Ma),
analyses lie
lie
on a discordia whose upper intercept
is
1233±4
Ma.
In
addition,
metamorphic
zircon
intercept is 1233Â±Ma.
metamorphic zircon
obtained from two
two of
of the
themetadiabase
metadiabasesamples
samplesgave
gaveages
agesofof—1000
-1000 Ma, agreeing
agreeing well
well
with a Nd-Sm metamorphic mineral
mineral isochron
isochron age
age obtained
obtained from
from the sample 12
12 km
from the
the front.
front. In
from
In summary,
summary, there is little reason to doubt that diabase dykes of the

�Sudbury swarm are represented in the
the Crenville
Grenville Province
Province by metadiabase
metadiabase preserved
preserved
as folded dyke segments
the area
area that
that
segmentsand
and isolated
isolatedpods.
pods. It is the only rock unit in the
records solely the effects of younger Grenvillian deformation and
and metamorphism,
metamorphism,
both
adjacenttoto the
the front
both in the
the Southern
Southern Province
Province adjacent
front and within
within the
the Crenville
Grenville
orogen.
Approaching the front from
from the northwest, the dykes
dykes are
are offset
offset by
by subsidiary
subsidiary
faults
faults near which
which they
they may
may show
show internal
internal cataclasis
cataclasis and
and low-grade
low-grade alteration
alteration
(chlorite, epidote,
epidote, fibrous
(chlorite,
fibrous amphibole
amphibole and sericitized
sericitized plagioclase).
plagioclase). In the
the Lake
Lake
Panache
area
they
swing
to
a
more
easterly
trend
where
they
cross
the
Bell
Lake
Panache area they swing to
where they cross the Bell Lake
granite
granite and turn
turn abruptly
abruptly northeast
northeast at the
the main
main Crenville
Grenville Front
Front mylonite
mylonite zone
zone
(Frarey 1985;
1985; Bethune and Davidson
Davidson1988;
1988;Bethune
Bethune1989,
1989,1993).
1993). Although several
several
large metadiabase
dykes are
are present
present immediately
immediatelyto
to the
the southeast,
large
metadiabase dykes
southeast, there
there is no
no
match in
in the pattern of
of dyke sparing
spacing on
on opposing
opposing sides of
of this zone.
zone. In
obvious match
In the
the
Chief
Sudbury dykes
dykes immediately
immediately northwest
northwest of
of the mylonite
Chief Lake
Lake complex,
complex, Sudbury
mylonite zone
zone
follow irregular courses within fault-bounded
fault-bounded panels
panels(Davidson
(Davidsonand
andKetchum
Ketchum1993).
1993).
Farther northeast,
northeast, dykes
dykes can
can be
be traced
traced directly
directly to
to the front, but have
have no
no potential
potential
counterparts
counterparts in
in the
theGrenville
Grenville hangingwall.
hangingwall.
In all
all of
of these
these localities,
localities, an important
important and consistent
consistent observation
observation is that
that
Sudbury dykes within fault-bounded
panels adjacent to the front
frontfault-bounded panels
front cut
cut across
across frontfabrics in
in their host rocks; shear-sense indicators, particularly
parallel mylonitic fabrics
particularly in
in
the Chief Lake complex,
imply penetrative
penetrative northwest-directed thrust
complex, imply
thrust displacement.
displacement.
mylonitization is
is strongly
strongly developed
Since this pre-1235-Ma
pre-1235-Ma mylonitization
developed in
inthe
the1.46-Ma-granitic
1.46-Ma-granitic
rocks, deformation
deformation must
must have
have been
been active
active along
along the
the Grenville
Grenville Front
Front in
in the interval
rocks,
is
possible
between
granite
emplacement
and
dyke
intrusion.
It
between granite emplacement and dyke intrusion.
possible that this
this
metamorphism within
within the adjacent
-1.45-Ga metamorphism
adjacent Grenville
Grenville
deformation is related to
to the
the—1.45-Ga
orogen. Whatever
Whatever the
the age
age of
of deformation,
deformation, the dykes'
dykes' host
host rocks
rocks are
are likely
likely to
to have
have
cooled
suitable for
for ductile
ductile deformation
deformation to those
cooled from conditions
conditions suitable
those cool
cool and
and stable
stable
enough for emplacement of
of a typical continental mafic dyke swarm.
swarm.
In the
the Tyson
Tyson Lake
Lake area close to Georgian
Georgian Bay,
Bay, Sudbury metadiabase
metadiabase dykes
dykes
display a remarkable progressive
progressive change
change in
in structural
structural style and metamorphism over
over
several kilometres
kilometres as
as they
they are
are traced into
several
into the
the Grenville
Grenville Province
Province (Bethune
(Bethune and
Davidson 1988;
1988; Bethune
Bethune 1989,
1989, 1993).
1993). Conditions of
of metamorphism derived
derived from
from
garnet-pyroxene assemblages within 6 km of
of the
the front
frontare
areestimated
estimatedatat—6.5
-6.5 kbar and
and
690°C,
increasing
southeastward
to
—7.7
kbar
and
a
similar
temperature
at
a
distance
690Â°Cincreasing southeastward to -7.7 kbar and a similar temperature at
of 16
from the front atatdepth)
of
16 km
krn (perhaps
(perhaps 12
12 km
km orthogonally.
orthogonally. from
depth)(Bethune
(Bethune1993).
1993).
similar change
change is
is evident
evident in
in metadiabase dykes southeast of
of the
Closer to Sudbury, a similar
Chief Lake
Lake granite
granite complex,
complex,where
wherethe
thefront
frontisisalso
alsomarked
marked by
by mylonites
mylonites in
in aa zone
zone at
at
Chief
In the Wahnapitae
Wahnapitae area, however,
however, contrasting
contrasting with the
least aa kilometre
kilometre thick.
thick. In
situation recorded
situation
recorded farther southwest,
southwest, Sudbury dykes in the
the Crenville
GrenvilleProvince
Province as
as
little
as
400
m
from
the
front
are
represented
by
misoriented
and
dismembered
little
400
front are represented by misoriented and dismembered
metadiabase dyke
dyke segments,
in places arcuate, whose
metadiabase
segments, in
whose sides
sides commonly
commonly preserve
preserve
chilled contacts cutting
cutting across
acrossgneissic
gneissicfoliation
foliationinintheir
their host
host rocks,
rocks, but
but whose ends
chilled
mobilized by
by ductile
ductile flow.
flow. Dyke
are truncated by gneiss mobilized
Dyke segments
segments are
are cut
cut by
by coarse
coarse
pegmatite, near which
which the
the diabase
diabase is
is hydrated
hydrated to coarse biotite
biotite amphibolite.
amphibolite. Where
Where
not hydrated,
hydrated, itit contains
contains metamorphic
metamorphic garnet,
garnet, clinoproxene
clinoproxene and
and orthopyroxene
orthopyroxene
with
typical
coronitic
structure
around
former
olivine
and
Fe-Ti
with typical coronitic structure around former
and Fe-Ti oxide
oxide grains.
grains.

�13

Coronitic metadiabase
metadiabase commonly
commonly contains twisted laths of
of relict
relict plagioclase
plagioclase whose
whose
Coronitic
cores
cores are
are densely
densely clouded
clouded with
with spinel
spinel dust.
dust. Farther
Farther southwest,
southwest, similar
similar structural
structural
and metamorphic
metamorphic features
features are not attained
attained until
until at
atleast
least15
15km
km southeast
southeast of
of the
the front
front
and
(Bethune 1993).
1993). A
A remarkable
remarkable variation on the
the theme
theme of
of Sudbury
Sudburydyke
dykepreservation
preservation
(Bethune
in the
the Crenville
Grenville Province
Province is
is offered
offered by
by the
theoccurrence
occurrence ofofnon-deformed
non-deformed yet
yet
in
thoroughly metamorphosed
metamorphosed dykes in the
theWanapitei
Wanapitei mafic
maficcomplex,
complex, mentioned
mentioned
thoroughly
previously,
for which
more detailed
detailed information
informationisisgiven
given atat the
the end of
previously, for
which more
of this
this
guidebook.
guidebook.

Field trip
trip summary
summary
Field
This
This field trip
trip is
is designed
designed to
to allow
allowevaluation
evaluationof
of both
bothaspects
aspectsof
ofthe
theGrenville
Grenville

Front
including the
the truncation
truncation of
of the mylonite
Front discussed
discussed above,
above, including
mylonite zone
zone by
by the
the

Murray-Wanapitei
fault, and to demonstrate
Murray-Wanapitei fault,
demonstrate the
the dilemma
dilemma concerning
concerningcorrelation
correlation of
of
metasedimentary
metasedimentary gneiss in the Grenville
Grenville Province
Province with the
the Huronian
HuronianSupergroup.
Supergroup.
The
geology in
in the field trip area are
3, on
on
The main elements of the geology
are illustrated
illustrated in
inFigure
Figure3,
which the
the first
first seven
seven stops
stops are
areidentified.
identified. In
In the
the morning,
morning, the
the first
first three
three stops
stopswill
will
which
examine rocks in the Southern
Southern Province near the
the Grenville
Grenville Front, but
but unaffected
unaffected by
by

Grenvillian
tectonism.Next
Nextwill
willcome
comeaa stop
stop to
to look
Grenvillian tectonism.
look at the
the highly
highly deformed
deformed
equivalents
footwall of
of the
theGrenville
GrenvilleFront
Front
equivalents of some of these
these rocks in the
the immediate
immediate footwall
on Highway
by a short traverse
Highway 69, followed
followed by
traverse across
across the
the highly
highly deformed
deformed contact
contact

between
quartzite and
and Chief
Chief Lake
Lake granite
granite lying structurally beneath
between Mississagi
Mississagi quartzite
beneath
mylonite and ultramylonite that are typical of the Grenville Front south of
of Sudbury.
This will be followed by stops on pelitic
politic gneiss, quartzite and
and mafic
mafic rock
rock near
near the
the
southeastern
southeastern edge
edge of
of the
theGrenville
GrenvilleFront
Frontmylonite
mylonitezone.
zone.
In
be examined
examinedwhere
where
In the
the afternoon,
afternoon, the
the Grenville
Grenville Front
Front mylonite
mylonite zone will
will be
itit isis truncated
truncated by
bythe
theMurray-Wanapitei
Murray-Wanapitei fault
fault south
southof
of Coniston,
Coniston,just
justeast
eastofofAlice
Alice
Lake. This
will
be
followed
by
a
traverse
across
the
Grenville
Front
near
the
Stinson
traverse across the Grenville Front near the Stinson
This will be followed
hydroelectric
hydroelectric plant during
during which
which aa tectonic
tectonicslice
slice of
of possible
possible Archean
Archean basement
basement will
will
be seen,
south
of
which
metasedimentary
rocks
derived
in
part
from
conglomerate
seen, south of which metasedimentary
in part from conglomerate
contrast strongly with the Mississagi
Formationon
onthe
the north
north side
side of
of the front. The
Mississagi Formation
The
last stop
visits
spectacular
outcrops
of
kyanite
gneiss
showing
evidence
for
extreme
stop visits spectacular
kyanite gneiss
evidence for extreme
ductility
ductility and
and enclosing
enclosing segments
segments of highly
highly metamorphosed
metamorphosedSudbury
Sudburydliabase
diabasedykes.
dykes.
The road log induded
in
the
following
section
is
intended
for
those
who
for those who wish
wish
included in the following section
run the
the field
field trip
trip on
on their
their own.
own. It
It gives cumulative
cumulative distances
distances in
inkilometres
kilometres
to run
between each stop in the left hand column, and a cumulative
cumulative log for the whole
whole trip
trip
-

this guidebook
guidebook should
should be sure to
the right
right hand
hand column.
column. Persons following
following this
to
in the

obtain
obtain permission
permission from owners of private land
land for
for stops
stops22 to
to66inclusive.
inclusive.

�/ /,&amp;nis
gnei in GreniIle
Provthce (SE of GFMZ
and Wanapitei fault)
Southern Province:

yI% antldine syncline
Sudburydiaba

ft

Daisy L granodiorite

Nipiing gabbro
Miissagi Formation
(fadng dired ion indite
Pecors Formation
Ramy L Formation
Mokirn Formation

A.

Figure 3. A. Geology of the Grenville
Front southeast of Sudbury; GFMZ is
the Grenville Front mylonite zone.
Locations of stojv 1 —7 are indicated by

circled numbers. B. Regional setting;
triangles in Lake Nipissing are alkaline
corn plexes associated with Neoproterozoic rifting. Box shows area of A.

�ROAD LOG AND STOP
STOP DESCRIPTIONS
DESCRIPTIONS
km rum.
cum.km
km
0.0
0.0
0.0
Proceed
southfrom
from Sudbury
Sudbury to
to the
Proceed south
the intersection
intersection oof
f Paris and
and

Regent
streets (Four
Regent streets
(Four Corners),
Corners), and set
set odometer
odometer to zero.
zero. Turn
Turn
3.4

3.4

10.2
10.2

10.2
10.2

left (east) on Regent
Regent Street
Street (old
(old Highway
Highway 69).
69).
Take
the ramp
ramp just
just after
and go
go east
Take the
after the
the underpass,
underpass, and
east on the
the
Sudbury bypass
Outcrops along
along the roadside
17E). Outcrops
roadside for
bypass (Highway
(Highway 17E).
the next 33 km
krn are
areNipissing
Nipissinggabbro,
gabbro, and
and beyond
beyond this,
this, Mississagi
Mississagi
sandstone
which dips
dips steeply
sandstone which
steeply south
south and isis overturned.
overturned.
right shoulder
shoulder at
at aadark
darkoutcrop
outcropofofmassive
massiverock.
rock.
Stop on
on the right

Stop 1. Mississagi sandstone, Nipissing
Nipissing gabbro
gabbroand
and Sudbury
Sudbuiy diabase
This stop lies within the Southern Province 900
900 m
m northwest
northwest of
of the Murray fault,
This
3 km
km west-southwest
west-southwest ofof where
where this
this fault truncates
the
Crenville
truncates
Grenville Front
Front mylonite
mylonite
zone;
from the
the Grenville
GrenvilleFront.
Front. Here a southeast-trending,
zone; it is only two kilornetres
kilometres from
vertical, 65-m-thick
65-rn-thickolivine
olivine diabase
diabase dyke
dyke of
of the 1235-Ma
Sudbury swarm
swarm cuts
vertical,
1235-Ma Sudbury
cuts across
across
Formation (south
(south side of the road)
the contact between sandstone of the Mississagi
Mississagi Formation
road)
and Nipissing metagabbro (north side). The
of the
The sandstone
sandstone exposed here is typical of
quartz-rich and lighter in colour
upper part
part of
of the
the Mississagi,
Mississagi, being somewhat more quartz-rich
colour
than in the lower
lower part of
of the
the formation.
formation. Cross-bedding
Cross-bedding in the
the sandstone
sandstone indicates
indicates
we are on the southeast limb of
that the steeply dipping beds face
face north-northwest;
north-northwest; we
syncline, illustrated
illustrated in Figure 3). The
the Coniston syncline,
The Nipissing metagabbro
metagabbro is
is massive
massive
secondary green
green amphibole,
amphibole, epidote
epidote and chlorite.
but metamorphosed, containing secondary
chlorite.
This
assemblageisis typical
typical of
of Nipissing
Nipissing gabbro
gabbro throughout
throughout the
This metamorphic
metamorphic assemblage
Southern Province
Provinceand
anddoes
doesnot
not appear
appear to
to be
be aa function
of proximity
to the
Southern
function of
proximity to
Grenville Front,
Front, aa conclusion
corroborated by
by the
the fact
Grenville
conclusion corroborated
fact that the
the pre-Grenvillian
pre-Grenvillian
Sudbury diabase
cuts itit is
is not
not metamorphosed.
metamorphosed.
diabase which cuts
The Sudbury
Sudbury olivine
olivine diabase
diabase exposed
exposed at
at this
this stop illustrates the pristine
The
pristine
of cataclased
adjacent to
to the Grenville
Grenville Front,
Front, which
which we
we will
will see
see at
protolith of
cataclased diabase adjacent
Stop 8, and of equivalent
equivalent coronitic metadiabase in the Grenville Province, to be seen
seen
9. The
all but
but exposed
exposed on
on the
the south side
at Stop 9.
The Sudbury
Sudbury dyke's northeast contact is all
of the road, and
of
and must
must have
have been
been excavated
excavated during
during road
road construction,
construction, as
as blocks
blocks
its chilled
chilled contact
contact with
with Miissagi
Mississagisandstone
sandstonecan
canbe
befound
found at
at the
the roadside.
containing its
Close to this contact the diabase is fine grained
grained and contains xenocrysts of
of plagioclase
plagiodase
which in turn
turninclude
includeearlier-crystallized
earlier-crystallizedolivine
olivinecrystals
crystals—
- a common feature near
which
the margins of Sudbury dykes.
dykes. In
Inthin
thinsection,
section, there
there is
is no
no evidence
evidence whatsoever
whatsoever for
for
reaction between
between these
these two
two minerals
minerals at
at this
this location
location (it is principally
metamorphic reaction
this reaction
which gives
gives rise
rise to the garnet
reaction which
garnet and
and secondary
secondary pyroxenes
pyroxenes present in
metamorphosed olivine
olivine diabase).
diabase). In the same
same dyke on the southeast
southeast side of
of the
the
Murray fault and closer
closer to
to the
the Grenville
Grenville front,
front, however,
however, the plagioclase
plagioclase xenocrysts
xenocrysts
become
clouded with
with fine
fine epidote,
epidote, and rims
become clouded
rims of
of fine
fine actinolite
actinolite appear
appear between
between
olivine and plagioclase.
plagioclase. This
This particular
particular dyke
dyke cannot
cannot be traced across
across the
the Grenville
Grenville

�Front fault,
Front
fault, but where
where Sudbury
Sudbury dykes have
have been
been identified
identified in
in the
the immediate
immediate
hangingwall of
of the front,
of
front, olivine
olivine in plagioclase
plagioclase xenocrysts has reaction coronas of
pale orthopyroxene
with
outer
rims
of
pargasite-spinel
symplectite,
and
Fe-Ti
oxide
orthopyroxene
outer rims of pargasite-spinel symplectite, and Fe-Ti oxide
grains are surrounded
vicinity of the
surrounded by
by Ti-biotite
Ti-biotite and
and garnet
garnetsymplectite.
syrnplectite. In the vicinity
Grenville
Front 50
50 km
km to
to the southwest, Sudbury dykes cut across
across and are
are chilled
chilled
Grenville Front
against a pre-existing mylonitic
mylonitic fabric
fabricthat
that isis developed
developed in
in granitoid
granitoid rocks
rocks as young
as 1470 Ma
Ma (Bethune 1989;
1989;Davidson
Davidson and
and Ketchum 1993),
pointing to the existence
1993), pointing
existence of
some kind of
of pre-Crenvillian
pre-Grenvillian tectonic front roughly coincident with the
the Grenville
Grenville
In this regard it is pertinent that,
sensu stricto.
stricto. In
that, in
in the
the hangingwall
hangingwall within a
Front sensu
few kilometres of
al.
of the front,
front, metamorphic
metamorphic monazite
monazite in
in pelitic
politic gneiss
gneiss (Dudas
(Dudasetet al.
1994) and
and zircon from pegmatitic
1994)
pegmatitic leucosomes
leucosomes(Krogh
(Krogh1994)
1994) record
recordan
anage
ageofof—1445
-1445
Ma.
Ma.
km
0.0
5.8
5.8
65
6.5

cum.k,n
CUM.^

93
9.3

19.5
19.5

9.7

19.9

10.2
16.0
16.7

Turn around
around and
and return to
tothe
theinterchange.
interchange.
Take
thefirst
first exit
exit ramp
ramp to the
Take the
the right.
right.
light, turn
At
At the
the traffic light,
turn left
left on
on Highway
Highway 69,
69, and
and proceed
proceed
through the
the next
through
next traffic
traffic light.
light.
Turn right
right at
at the
theintersection
intersection with
with Poitvin
Poitvin Road
Road and
and follow
follow itit
round
round to the
the left.
left.
Park on the
before rejoining
rejoining Highway
Highway 69.
69.
Park
the shoulder
shoulder just before

2. Slaty argillite,
argihite, Pecors Formation,
Formation, and
and "trap
"hap dyke"
Stop 2.
Stop

This stop
stop and the
This
the next
next illustrate
illustrate rock types of
of the
the two
two formations,
formations, Pecors and
Ramsey Lake,
Lake, that
that precede
precede the
the Mississagi
Mississagi in
in the Huronian stratigraphic
Ramsey
stratigraphic succession.
succession.
Both
are
well
exposed
in
the
City
of
Sudbury
along
the
north
shore
and
west of
Both are well exposed in the City of Sudbury along the north shore
Ramsey Lake,
Lake,where
wherethey
theylie
lienorth
northofof the
the Creighton
Creighton fault
fault (Fig.
(Fig.3).
3). Here,
Here, most of
of the
Ramsey
low-lying area around Richard and MacFarlane lakes
lakes is
is devoid of
of outcrop, although
it is shown
shown as
as underlain
underlain by
by Mississagi
Mississagi Formation on the most
most recent
recent compilation
compilation of
1984)and
andon
on the
the regional
regional map
map that preceded
Sudbury geology (DressIer
(Dressier 1984)
preceded itit (Lumbers
(Lumbers
and Card
1977). The surrounding hills are underlain
underlain by
by Mississagi
Mississagi sandstone or
Card1977).
in aa few
fewplaces
places
Nipissing diabase, but sparse exposures at the
the base
base of
of these
these hills, and
and in
in the valley,
valley, are of
of sedimentary
sedimentary rocks
rocks that are
are not
not typical
typical of
of the
theMississagi
Mississagi
Formation. This
This was
was recognized
long
ago
by
Collins
(1936)
who
assigned
recognized long
by Collins (1936)
assigned
conglomerate that
that crops
crops out
out along
along the north side
conglomerate
side of
of Richard
Richard Lake
Lake to
to the
the Ramsey
Ramsey
Lake Formation, which will be seen at the next stop.
stop.
At this stop, outcrop on the bill
hill to the south
south is
is well-bedded
well-bedded sandstone of the
Mississagi
Formation,but
butatat the
the base
base of
of the
the slope
slope a few metres of
of grey argililte
Mississagi Formation,
argillite are
exposed. Similar
Similar exposures occur along the south side
side of the
the Richard Lake valley to
the east. South
Southof
of MacFarlane
MacFarlane Lake,
Lake, to the southwest,
southwest, argillaceous rocks in the same
stratigraphic position beneath the
stratigraphic
the Mississagi
Mississagi are represented
represented by
by fine
finemicaceous
micaceous schist
schist
of altered
altered staurolite
staurolite and andalusite; this higher grade of
with small porphyroblasts of
of
metamorphism is
is apparently associated
associated with
with a number of
metamorphism
of nearby
nearby small
small intrusions
intrusions

�17

of granodiorite and granite dated at
Ma. Low
Lowoutcrops
outcropsaround
around the east end of
of
at —1745
-1745 Ma.
MacFarlane Lake
Lakeexpose
exposerocks
rocksthat
that are
are stratigraphically
stratigraphically lower
lower than the argillaceous
MacFarlane
argillaceous
rocks immediately
immediately beneath
beneath the
the Mississagi
MississagiFormation.
Formation. These
These are
are of
of fine
fine wacke
wacke and
rocks
siltstone which
which have
have aa greensish
greensish hue
hue and lack
siltstone
lack the
the thin,
thin, rusty-weathering,
rusty-weathering, shaly
shaly
so typical
typical of
of the
the Mississagi.
Mississagi. What
What is more,
more, they preserve graded bedding
interbeds so
and
and elements
elements of
of Bouma
Bouma cycle
cycle sedimentation,
sedimentation, suggesting
suggesting aa depositional
environment
altogether different
different from
from that
that which produced
environment altogether
produced the
the cross-bedded
cross-bedded
Mississagi
sandstone. Taken
sub-Mississagi sedimentary rocks match
Mississagi sandstone.
Taken together, these
these sub-Mississagi
of the Pecors
Pecors Formation
Formationin
in its
its type
type area
area and, given their stratigraphic
those of
stratigraphic position,
position,
should be assigned to
to this
this formation.
formation.
At this stop, an added feature
feature is
is the
the presence
presence of a fine-grained,
fine-grained, greenish grey,
diabase. Several
altered diabase.
Several narrow dykes of this
this swarm,
swarm, known as
as "trap
"trap dykes",
dykes", trend
trend
east-west in this area. They
They have not been dated,
dated, but
but are
are known
knownto
tocut
cut"offset
"offset dykes"
dykes"
of the 1850-Ma
Sudbury Intrusive
Intrusive Complex,
Complex,and
and to
to be cut by the
the 1235-Ma
1235-Ma Sudbury
of
1850-Ma Sudbury
swarm. These
Thesedykes
dykesare
arenot,
not, therefore,
therefore, related
related to
toNipissing
Nipissinggabbro.
gabbro.
cum. km
km cum.
km
get into
into the right lane.
left on
on Highway
Highway 69,;
69,;immediately
immediately get
lane.
19.9 Turn left
19.9
20.2
2
0.2 Turn right.
right.
At sharp
20.5
2
0.5 At
sharp left-hand
left-hand bend,
bend, go
go straight
straight into
into parking
parking area
area by
by
Walk
Richard Lake
Lake Homecare
Hoinecare Building
Building Centre
Centre and
and park.
Richard
park.
Walk

0.0
0
.0
0.3
03
0.6
0.6

ahead
throughgate,
gate,and
andgo
go to
to outcrop
outcrop on
on hill
hill to
to the left
ahead through
left of
of the
the
buildings.
buildings.

Ramsey Lake
Lake formation
formation
Stop 3. Polymictic conglomerate, Ramsey
At this stop,
stop, grey,
grey, ill-sorted
ill-sorted wacke supports sparse
sparse pebbles
pebbles and
and cobbles,
cobbles, some
some of
of
granitoid rock;
rock; aa few
few are
are of
of boulder-size.
boulder-size. Look
granitoid
Look for small, bluish grains of quartz,
quartz,
which typify much
much of
of the
the Ramsey
RamseyLake
Lakeconglomerate
conglomerateininits
itstype
typearea.
area. Bedding dips
southward, but
but is poorly
southward,
poorly developed
developed and facing
facing direction
direction cannot
cannot be determined.
determined.
and quartz wacke are exposed
exposed in a few places closest
dosest to
to the
the
Argillite and
to Richard
Richard Lake
Lake to
east, and are
are similar
similar to
to the
therocks
rocks at
atthe
theeast
eastend
endofofMaciFarlane
MacFarlane Lake,
Lake, assigned
assigned above
above
Pecors — Mississagi
to the
Mississagi from
the Pecors
Pecors Formation.
Formation. The
Thesuccession
successionRamsey
RamseyLake
Lake—- Pecors
north to
to south
south across
across the
the valley
valley is
is in
in accord
accord with
with aahomoclinal
homoclinal succession,
succession, although
although
it is possible that faults and folds are concealed beneath the valley floor.
of low hills
hills along
along the north shore of Richard
The line of
Richard Lake, all underlain by

conglomerate,
separatedfrom
fromthe
thehigher
higherridge
ridgeto
to the
the north
north by
by a strip in
conglomerate, isisseparated
in which
which
which conceals
concealsthe
theMurray
Murrayfault.
fault. The ridge is underlain by
there is no outcrop, and which
sandstone which faces north,
north, being the same
subvertical strata of
of Mississagi
Mississagi sandstone
same limb
limb of
of
facing on
on opposite
opposite side of the
1. Sedimentary
Sedimentary facing
the
the Coniston syncline
syncline as at Stop
Stop 1.
Murray fault
fault is thus
thefault
fault occupies
occupieswhat
what may
may be
be a breached
Murray
thus "back-to-back";
"back-to-back"; the
breached
anticline, and
and has
has a net north-side-down
north-side-down displacement.
displacement. To the west,
anticline,
west, however,
however, the

Murray fault
fault truncates
fault, west
Murray
truncates aa north-trending
north-trending fault,
west of
of which
which the
the Mississagi
Mississagi
Formation occupies
occupies the
the south
south side
side of
of the fault and is
Formation
is also
also north-facing.
north-facing.

�km cum.km
km
cum.km
0.0 20.5
20.5
0.3
20.8
03 20.8
2.1
2.1 22.6
33 23.8
3.3

Turn around
around and
and go
go back
back to
to Highway
Highway 69.
69.
Turn
left on Highway
Turn left
Highway 69.
69.
Roadcuts here
expose steeply
inclined Mississagi
Mississagi Formation.
Formation.
here expose
steeply inclined
the right
Just after
after the end
end of
of the
the roadcut
roadcut on
on the
the right,
right, park
park on
on the
at swampy
swampy valley.
valley.

Please note that
that this
thisisisaavery
verybusy
busy highway
highway with
w i t h fast-moving traffic;
traffic;
travelling south
south must
must merge
mergeinto
into one
one lane
lane aatt this
ttwo
w o lanes of vehicles travelling
this
point after
extreme caution;
point
after coming
coming round
round aa blind
blind corner.
comer. Exercise
Exercise extreme
keep
an eye
eye on
on traffic
traffic and
and other
other participants,
participants, and do not step back onto
keep an
onto
the roadway
roadway when
when taking
taking photographs.
photographs.

4. The
Stop 4.
The Grenville
GrenvilleFront
Frontat
atHighway
Highway69
69
Figure 4 gives some
some details
details of
of the
the geology
geologyat
at this
thislocation.
location. Looking to the
the west
west from
from
Highway 69
69 at this stop,
Highway
stop, mylonite
mylonite and ultramylonite
ultramylonite marking the Grenviile
Grenville Front
Front
are well exposed along the south side of the broad swamp;
swamp; mylonitic
mylonitic foliation
foliation dips
dips
thesoutheast
southeastand
and contains
contains numerous
numerous shear-sense
shear-sense indicators of northwest-—35°
3 5 O totothe
northwestdirected thrust displacement.
passes through
through the low point in the
displacement. The front passes
the skyline
skyline
to the left of
of the island in the swamp.
swamp. The
The island
island and the high
high part
part of
of the
the hill
hill
behind it are
underlain
by
coarse
granite
of
the
Chief
Lake
complex,
continuous
are underlain by coarse granite of the Chief Lake complex, continuous in
in
krn to the
the southwest
southwest where
where aa U-Pb
U-Pb zircon
zircon age
ageof
of1465
1465Ma
Ma
outcrop with aa locality
locality 77 km
was recently determined
determined (Davidson
(Davidson et
et a!.
al. 1992).
1992). Mississagi sandstone is
is in
in contact
contact
with the granite on
with
on the
the right
right (north)
(north) flank
flank of
of this
this hill.
hill. The contact dips
dips steeply
steeply
south-side-up sense,
sense, but
but the displacement is
south and is
is the
the locus
locus of
of shearing with south-side-up
Mississagi Formation north
north
probably not great, as dykes
dykes of granite are present in the Mississagi
of
The ridge
ridge to the right
of the contact.
contact. The
right of
of the
the swamp
swamp is
is Nipissing
Nipissing gabbro,
gabbro, and
and
Mississagi Formation is exposed sporadically along the lower
lower slope.
slope.
Walk north on the
Walk
the west
west side
side of
of Highway
Highway 69
69 to examine
examine aa small,
small, duplex-like
duplex-like
structure in Mississagi
exposed in
in the
the roadcut
structure
Mississagi sandstone
sandstone exposed
roadcut beneath
beneath Nipissing
Nipissing
metagabbro. Metamorphic
is greenschist
greenschist facies;
fades; the metagabbro contains
contains
metagabbro.
Metamorphicgrade
grade here
here is
the assemblage
assemblagealbite-chlorite-epidote-actinolite.
albite-chlorite-epidote-actinolite.
Cross the
the highway
highway when
when traffic
trafficpermits
permitsand
and walk
walk back
back to
to the nearest point
Cross
where the ditch can be crossed to have
have access
accessto
to outcrop
outcrop on
on the
the south side of
where
of the
the
of the highway. The
the Chief
Chief Lake
swamp east of
The first
first outcrop is deformed granite of the
complex. Continue along the edge of
of the
the swamp
swamp to
to the
the higher,
higher, bare
bare outcrop beyond;
complex.
beyond;
Mississagisandstone
sandstoneand
and the
the granite,
granite, both intensely deformed,
the contact between Mississagi
deformed,
finely laminated
laminated nature of
is exposed
exposed here.
here. Note the
the extremely
extremely finely
of the
theMississagi
Mississagi
quartzite, locally thrown into small
small box
boxfolds.
folds. These rocks
rocks are quartz mylonite; is it
possible that
that the laminae represent
extremelyattenuated
attenuatedbedding?
bedding? The
possible
represent extremely
The overlying
overlying
Chief Lake
Lake granite
granite is
is strongly
strongly foliated
foliated with
with aa consistent
consistentsoutheasterly
southeasterly dip
dip of 3
35°
and a
5' and
Chief
pronounced dip-parallel lineation.
lineation. It has undergone principally brittle deformation,
deformation,
but with
with ductile
ductile flattening
flattening of
of its
its quartz
quartz content.
content. Thin sections show
show cataclasis
cataclasis of
feldspar
quartz with highly
feldspar and thin,
thin, sinuous
sinuous laminae
laminae of finely
finely polycrystalline
polycrystalline quartz
highly

�19

A

p4

S

p.

44

4

/

4

/

1'

200m
Sketch map of the
the geology
geology at the
the GrenvÜle
Grenville Front, Highway
Highway 69.
69. The arrow
arrow
Figure 4. Sketch
shows
the
location
of
the
small
duplex
in
the
Mississagi
Formation
immediately
shows the location of the small duplex in the Mississagi Formation immediately
line indicates
indicates the
the traverse
traverse described
described in
in the second
of the
the front.
front. The
The black
black line
second part
north of
of this stop.
stop.
of

neoblasts of
of chlorite,
chlorite, pale
pale green
Fine interstitial
interstitial neoblasts
green biotite,
biotite,
orientation. Fine
preferred orientation.
epidote,
microcline
and
albite
attest
to
low-grade
metamorphism
overprinting
epidote, microcline and albite attest to low-grade metamorphism overprinting
deformation
features. The
exposed on
on this
this ridge
ridge are considered to be in
in the
the
deformation features.
The rocks
rocks exposed
immediate
footwall
of
what
Lumbers
(1975)
referred
to
as
the
"Crenville
Front
"Grenville
immediate footwall of
Lumbers (1975) referred to as
boundary
boundary fault"
fault"
Cross the wooded valley to the south. The
The next
next ridge
ridge of
of outcrop
outcrop exposes
exposes dark
dark
mylonite
that do not appear to have
mylonite and ultramylonite
ultramylonite that
have been
been derived
derived from
from Chief
Chief
Lake complex
complex rocks.
rocks. The mylonitic rocks
rocks exposed
exposedbetween
betweenhere
here and
and the driveway
driveway to
to

the south
south are
are mainly
mainly derived
derived from
frommafic
mafic and
andsemi-pelitic
semi-pelitic precursors.
precursors. Large
Large
'porphyroblasts
of
garnet
occur
locally
in
the
latter,
but
despite
their
euhedral
'porphyroblasts' of garnet occur locally in the latter,
euhedral
shape, thin sections show that they are porphyrodasts
porphyroclasts with late
late rim
rim overgrowths.
overgrowths.
Oriented X-Z
thin
sections
also
show
a
pronounced,
oblique
subgrain
orientation
in
X-Z
also show a pronounced, oblique subgrain
quartz lamellae,
to the northwest.
lamellae, indicating
indicating thrust-sense displacement to
northwest.

On
the driveway,
go west
west to Highway
69 and examine
examine the
the
On reaching
reaching the
driveway, go
Highway 69

mylonitized
pegmatite for
for kinematic
kinematicindicators
indicatorsininthe
thefirst
firstroadcut
roadcut to
to the south on
mylonitfzed pegmatite
on
the east
east side
side of the
the highway.
highway.

�km
km cum.km
cum.km
23.8
Continue south
south on Highway
23.8
Continue
Highway 69.
69.
0.7 24.5 Turn right
right on
on Gladu
Gladu Road.
Road.
1.1
24.9
Stop on
on the right by
1.1 24.9
Stop
by open
open grassy
grassy area.
area. Follow
across open
open
Follow track across
area to
fairways to outcrop
to golf
golf course;
course; cross
cross path
path between
between fairways
outcrop in
in
area
open
wooded
area.
open wooded area.
0.0
0.0

Stop 5.5. Metasedimentary
Metasedimentaryrocks
rocks in
in the Grenville
Stop
Grenville Province
Province margin
correlatives
Huronian Supergroup?
correlatives of the Huronian
Supergroup?

-

—

The first outcrops are fine-grained,
fine-grained, highly deformed
deformed and
and grain-comminuted
grain-comminutedmafic
mafic
rock, probably
probably ultimately
ultimatelyderived
derived from
from gabbro.
gabbro. Beyond
rock,
Beyond this is a unit of feldspathic
feldspathic
which shows some
quartz metasandstone
metasandstone which
some remarkably
remarkably convolute
convolute fold patterns,
patterns,
followed by
by outcrops of muscovite
is present
present in
in this rock, but is
followed
muscovite schist.
schist. Kyanite
Kyanite is
is
colourlessand
andhard
hard to
to identify.
identify. Garnet is pale
pale and easier
easier to
to spot.
spot. Staurolite
colourless
Staurolite is also
present as small grains.
grains. The
The metamorphic
metamorphic grade
grade recorded
recorded by the pelitic schist at this
outcrop,
m on
on the ground from
outcrop, a mere 900
900 m
from the
the northwest
northwest margin
margin of
of the
the Grenville
Grenville
Front
mylonite
zone
and
perhaps
only
500
m
perpendicularly,
is
clearly
Front mylonite zone and perhaps
500
perpendicularly,
clearly much
much
facies) than
than that in the
higher (middle amphibolite facies)
the Southern
Southern Province
Province immediately
immediately
across the
the front.
front. A
of the
the Pecors
Pecors
across
A comparable
comparable parent rock would be the shaly part of
Formation (seen
(seen at
at Stop 2),
21, which
which itself
itself has
hasdeveloped
developed andalusite-staurolite
andalusite-staurolite
Formation
assemblagesin
in nearby
nearby parts
parts of
of the
the Southern Province.
Province. The
assemblages
The presence of kyanite at
at
this locality
indicates aa distinctly
distinctly higher
higher pressure
pressure than
than that
that recorded
this
locality indicates
recorded by the
the
andalusite-bearing knotted
knotted schists in the
the the
thePecors
Pecors Formation.
Formation. In fact this schist
records a complex
kyanite and
and staurolite
staurolite are partly
complex metamorphic
metamorphic history.
history. Early
Early kyanite
replaced by phengitic mica
mica and margarite, and spongy garnet cores
cores have secondary
secondary
overgrowths containing staurolite inclusions.
P-T estimate
estimate on the
the younger
younger
overgrowths
inclusions. A P-T
assemblage, obtained
obtained by
by D.M.
D.M. Carmichael,
Carmichael, Queen's
Queen's University,
University, isis 77 kbar at 670°C,
assemblage,
S670Â°C
"... the
evidence of
of earlier
and "...
the garnet
garnet core
core inclusion
inclusion assemblage
assemblage ...
... gives
gives evidence
earlier
equilibration at about 4 kbar."
1991). As documented by La
kbar." (Davidson
(Davidson et a!.
at. 1991).
La Tour
Tour
equilibration
(1981),the
theapparent
apparentgradient
gradientacross
acrossthe
thefront
frontisis too
too steep
steep to
to be
be anything
(19811,
anything but
tectonically telescoped,
telescoped, particularly
particularly if
if the paleoisotherms
paleoisotherms are
are inclined.
inclined.
At a locality
1994), approximately 2 km
locality 1.2
1.2 km to
to the
the southeast
southeast(Davidson
(Davidson 1994),
km
from
Front and
and well beyond
from the Grenville
Grenville Front
beyond the
the zone
zone of
of intense
intenseinylonitization
mylonitization
defining the front in this area,
area, metasedimentary
metasedimentary rocks
rocks include
include pelitic gneiss, quartzquartzgneiss, and
and a thin, discontinuous
gneiss. These
rich feldspathic gneiss,
discontinuous layer
layer of calc-silicate
calc-silicate gneiss.
These
are interlayered
with thick
are
interlayered with
thick units of
of coarse
coarse garnet
garnet amphibolite
amphibolite and gedritegedritehornblende gneiss of uncertain
Association of
of both
both kyanite and
uncertain origin.
origin. Association
and sillimanite
sillimanite
were reported
reported to occur in this
with K-feldspar
K-feldspar were
this area
area by
by Kwak
Kwak (1968),
(1968), although the
prevalent assemblage
assemblage iii
in pelitic gneiss
gneiss here
here isisquartz-plagioclase-biotite-muscovitequartz-plagioclase-biotite-muscovitegarnet-kyanite-sillimanite;
stauroliteisisabsent.
absent. A
garnet-kyanite-sillimanite; staurolite
A P-T
P-T estimate
estimate obtained
obtained by
byD.M.
D.M.
Carmichael is —8
kbarat
at 710Â°
71 0°C(Davidson
(Davidsonetetal.a!.1991).
1991).The
Theisograd
isogradmarking
marking the
the first
-8 kbar
appearance of
of sillimanite
sillimanite (which
(which here
here texturally
texturally overprints
overprints kyanite),
kyanite), trends
trends northnorthwest
toward the Wanapitei
northwest toward
Wanapitei fault segment
segment of the
the Grenville
Grenville Front
Front between
between

�21

Coniston
Coniston and
and Wahnapitae
Wahnapitae village
village(Stop
(Stop7).
7). A feature of
o f the
the pelitic
pelitic gneiss
gneiss in
i n this
this
vicinity is
( u p to
to II)
10
vicinity
is the occurrence
occurrence within
within itit of
of quartz
quartz pods
pods with coarse blue kyanite (up
cm) and minor garnet.
km
km cum.km
cum. km
0.0
Return to Gladu
0.0 24.9 Return
Gladu Road
Road and Highway
Highway 69, and
and retrace
retrace route
route back
back
6.9

31.8

18.5

43.4

24.1

49.0

26.5

50.4

27.6

51.5

toward Sudbury.
toward
Sudbury.
At
turn left
At traffic
traffic light
light just
just before
before overpass,
overpass, turn
left onto
onto ramp
ramp for
for
Sudbury bypass
Beyond Stop
Stop 1,
1, note
17E). Beyond
Sudbury
bypass (Highway
(Highway 17E).
note that
that
bedding in the
bedding
the Mississagi
Mississagi Formation
Formation changes
changes dip
dip direction
direction
from
from northwest
northwest to south as
as one
onecrosses
crosses the
theConiston
Coniston syncline.
syncline.
The big
big roadcuts
on the
roadcuts on
the hills
hills after
after the
the long
long left-hand
left-hand curve
curve
The
expose spectacular
spectacular examples
expose
examples of
of shatter-cones
shatter-cones related
related to the
the
impact that
that caused
impact
caused the Sudbury structure.
Take
right lane
lane at
at traffic
17.,
Take right
traffic light
light and
and go
go east
east on
on Highway
Highway 17.,
two defunct
of Coniston
passing by
passing
by the town of
Coniston with its
its two
defunct
The barren
barren blackened
rocksininthis
this area
area are
are the
smokestacks.
smokestacks. The
blackened rocks
the
èevere erosion,
of vegetation
result of
vegetation kül,
kill, subsequent severe
erosion, and
staining
by fumes
fumes from
from this
this former
former smelter.
smelter.
staining by
Turn right on the road to
Turn
to the Coniston hydroelectric
road, crossing
generating station.
Keep
on main
generating
station.
Keep on
main gravel
gravel road,
crossing
railway.
railway.
Gate at entrance
entrance to
to ICI
ICI explosives
explosives plant.
plant. Obtain permission
permission to
drive through
drive
through the
the fenced
fenced compound.
compound.
along the
the south
south side of
End
End of
of the
the road;
road; park.
park. Walk
Walk along
of the
the valley
valley
to the
the powerline.
powerline.

Stop 6. Truncation
Truncationof
of the
theGrenville
GrenvilleFront
Frontmylonite
mylonitezone
zoneat
at Alice Lake
Two
major faults
faults ooff the
the Murray
Murray fault system in the
T w o major
the Southern
Southern Province
Province (Card
1978b),
theCreighton
Creightonfault
faultand
andthe
the Murray
Murray fault
fault itself, converge
convergeeastward
eastward and
and meet
1978b), the
East-northeast ooff this
this juncture,
juncture, a narrow valley in
just north
5). East-northeast
in
just
northof
o fAlice
Alice Lake
Lake (Fig.
(Fig.5).
with the Murray
Murray fault
fault marks
marks the
the Grenville
Crenville Front.
Front. North of
line with
o f this valley
valley are wellpreserved
sandstonestrata
strata and
and Nipissing
preserved Mississagi
Mississagi sandstone
Nipissing gabbro at low
l o w metamorphic
metamorphic
grade, and south of
gneiss ooff the
the Grenville
Crenville Province.
Province. The
o f it, high-grade migmatitic gneiss
covered interval
interval between
between the
the two
two conceals
conceals the
the Wanapitei
Wanapitei fault,
fault, and
and iiss as little
little as
as
covered
25 m
m wide
wide in places
places between
between Alice
Alice Lake
Lakeand
and the village
village ooff Wahnapitae
Wahnapitae 66 km
km to
to the
25
There is
is nno
evidence tto
suggest that the Murray
northeast. There
o field
field evidence
o suggest
Murray and
and Wanapitei
Wanapitei
faults are not one and the
the same,
same, contrary
contrary to
t o published
published maps
maps of
o fthis
thisarea
area(Lumbers
(Lumbers
1975;
Dressier1984);
1984);the
thetwo
twointerpretations
interpretations are
are illustrated in
1975; Dressier
i n Figure
Figure 6.
6.
The southeast-dipping
zone ooff mylonitization
which marks
marks the Grenville
The
southeast-dipping zone
mylonitization which
Grenville
Front ttoo the southwest
Front
southwest converges
converges with the
the Murray-Wanapitei
Murray-Wanapitei fault
fault at
at Alice
Alice Lake.
Lake.

�22

Figure 55 The
The juncture
juncture between
between the
the Grenville
Grenville Front
Frontmylonite
mylonitezone
zone and
and the
theMurrayMurrayFigure
Wanapitei
Wanapitei fault south
southofofConiston.
Coniston.

Four
Four elements
elements of
of the
theCrenvile
GrenvilleFront
Frontmylonite
mylonitezone
zone also
alsoconverge
convergeatatthis
thisjuncture;
juncture;
fromnorthwest
northwesttotosoutheast
southeastthese
theseare:
are:
from

1) highly
highly attenuated
attenuatedHuronian
Huronianmetasedimentary
metasedimentary rocks,
rocks, mainly
mainlyMississagi
Mississagi
1)

Formation
Nipissingmetagabbro,
metagabbro,and
andprotomylonitic
protomylonitic
Formation like
like that
thatseen
seenatatStop
Stop1,1,Nipissing

�23

granitoid rocks
rocksofofboth
boththe
theDaisy
DaisyLake
Lake
(7-1.75 Ga)
Ga)and
andChief
ChiefLake
Lake(—1.46
(-1.46 Ga)
Ga)
granitoid
(?—1.75

plutonic units;
units;
2) migmatitic
migmatiticgranitoid
granitoidorthogneiss
orthogneiss of unknown
unknown affinity;
affinity;
3) metasedimerttary
metasedimentarygneiss
gneiss and
and schist,
schist, induding
includingmicaceous
micaceouskyanite-bearing
kyanite-bearingschists
schists
3)
like that
that seen
seen at
atStop
Stop5;
5;
4) Migmatitic
with mafic layers
layers and
and pods.
4)
Migmatitic quartzofeldspathic
quartzofeldspathic gneiss with
pods.
of these elements is separated
separated by
by aa relatively narrow
narrow (a few metres), southeastEach of
dipping zone
zone of
of mylonite
mylonite and ultramylonite carrying thrust-sense indicators. These
These
intense mylonite zones, themselves
included within
within the overall
intense
themselves included
overall Grenville
Grenville Front
Front
mylonite
from their
their truncation
Murraymylonite zone,
zone, diverge
diverge southwestward
southwestward from
truncation by
by the
theMurrayWanapitei fault
the Grenville
Crenville Front itself
fault (La
(LaTour
Tour1981).
1981). Conventionally,
Conventionally, the
itself is
is
designated
as the
themylonite
mylonitemarking
marking the
the southeastern
southeasternlimit
limit of
of recognizable
recognizableSouthern
Southern
designated as
Province rocks
rocks (Grenville
(Grenville Front boundary
boundary fault
faultof
of Lumbers
Lumbers1975).
1975).

interpretations in
in the Coniston
Coniston area.
area.
Figure 6.
6. Fault interpretations

A, after
afterLumbers
Lumbers (1975);
(1975); B,
B, modified
modified after DressIer
Dressier (1984).
(1984).

�24

this stop,
stop, the
the granitoid
granitoid rocks
rocks of
of the
the Daisy
Daisy Lake and Chief
Chief Lake
Lake plutons
At this

exposed west of Alice Lake,
Lake, have
have been
been cut out by the Murray-Wanapitei fault, so that

only the Mississagi
Mississagi and Nipissing
Nipissing units, both
both of
of which
which have
have suffered
suffered extreme
extreme
tectonic
flattening, represent
represent element I1(above).
(above). The
The migmatitic
migmatitic granitoid
granitoid of
of
tectonic flattening,
element 22 is also missing,
although itit may
may be
be represented
in the pink mylonite
missing, although
represented in
mylonite
element

structurally above
1.
structurally
above element
element 1.
After examining the outcrops close to Alice
Alice Lake,
Lake,climb
climbthe
thehill
hill to
to the
the east
east to
gneiss of
of element
element 4,
4, noting
noting shear
see the nature of
of the
the heterogeneous
heterogeneous migmatitic
migmatitic gneiss
sense in
in the underlying mylonite,
sense
mylonite, and the ductile
ductile style of deformation,
deformation, including
sheath folds,
folds, in
in the gneiss above.
above. Thin
sheath
Thin units
units of
of pelitic
politic gneiss
gneiss are
are present
present locally
locally
within this unit.
between the migmatitic quartzowithin
unit. There
There is some
some resemblance
resemblance between
quartzofeldspathic gneiss seen
seen here and migmatitic granitoid
granitoid at Stop 8, several
several kilometres to
the northeast, but there
there is
is no
no continuity
continuityin
inoutcrop.
outcrop.
0.0
1.8
1.8

51.5
51.5
53,3
533

Return through compound.
compound.

Park on the
the right
right just
justbeyond
beyond the
therailway
railway crossing.
crossing.

Stop 7. Comparison
on opposite
opposite
Comparison of Southern
Southern and
and Grenville
Grenville Province rocks on
Coniston hydroelectric
hydroelectric dam
dam
sides of the Wanapitei fault near the Coniston
This outcrop
outcrop shows
shows similar
similarfeatures
featurestotothose
thoseininelement
element44atatthe
the last
last stop,
stop, and
This
includes narrow
narrow mylonite
mylonite zones
zones that diverge
includes
diverge southwestward
southwestward from the
the MurrayMurrayWanapitei fault line.
state of
of the
Wanapitei
line. The
The remarkably
remarkably well-preserved
well-preserved state
the Mississagi
Mississagi
sandstone
north of
sandstone north
of the fault
fault can
can be
be examined
examined on the hillside north of
of the
the valley,
valley,
where cross-bedding
cross-bedding shows
shows that
that the succession
facesnorthwest,
northwest, away
away from
from the
where
succession faces
Wanapitei fault.
fault.
To the southeast, the dark high ground
ground on
on the
the other
other side
side of
of the
theWartapitei
Wanapitei
River
and the Coniston
plant is
is underlain
Coniston hydroelectric
hydroelectric plant
underlain by predominantly mafic
mafic
River and
rocks of
of the
the Wanapitei
Wanapitei complex.
complex. There
There is
is not
not time
timeon
onthis
this trip
trip to
to visit this 3 x 8 k
km
m
rocks
body of
of rock, whose northern contact
Field work has
body
contact is only
only 500
500 m from here.
here. Field
shown
that this complex
is not
not an in situ
but in fact
shown that
complex is
situ intrusion
intrusion but
fact aa huge
huge tectonic
tectonic
1992).
remnant wrapped by
by aa carapace
carapaceof
of ductile
ductilegneiss
gneiss (Davidson
(Davidson and
andKetchum
Ketchum1992).
This topic
topic is elaborated in the notes
This
notes that
that follow
follow the
the stop
stop descriptions.
descriptions. Suffice it to
gneiss with
with garnet
garnet and
and both
both kyanite
kyanite and sillimanite
say that metasedimentary gneiss
sillimanite lies
within the valley north of the
thefact
factthat
that this
this is less than half
the Wanapitei
Wanapitei complex;
complex; the
a kilometre from the low-grade Mississagi Formation
Formationexposed
exposedat
at this
this stop attests to
to
an enormous
fault/Grenville Front
Front at this
this
enormous net displacement
displacement along the Wanapitei
Wanapitei fault/Grenville
locale.
locale.

�25

1.8

53.3
55.1

4.4

57.7

10.7
11.8

64.0

13.2

66.5

0.0

14.0

65.1

67.3

Continue
Continue back
back to Highway
Highway 17.
17.
Highway 17,
17, turn right.
Highway
right.
Bridge
Bridge over
over the
the Wanapitei
Wanapitei River.
River. The
The highway
highway crosses
crosses the
the
Wanapitei
fault and
Wanapitei fault
and enters
enters the
the Grenville
Grenville Province
Province at this
point.
Railway crossing.
Turn
keeptoto the
the left
left at
at all
Turn left
left on
on road
road to
to Stinson
Stinson Hydro;
Hydro; keep
all
turnings.
At
At the
the bottom
bottom of
of the
the hill
hill after
afterpassing
passing under
undersecond
secondpowerline,
powerline,
take
a
track
to
the
left,
just
before
the
entrance
to
the
take a track
the left, just before
entrance
the parking
parking
area by the
plant (alternatively,
park and
area
the hydroelectric
hydroelectric plant
(alternatively, park
and walk
walk
along
the
track).
along
track).
Park and walk
the weir over the
End
End of
of track.
track. Park
walk ahead,
ahead, crossing
crossing the
the
Follow
instructions
under
Stop
8,
below.
river.
river. Follow instructions
Stop 8, below.

8. Grenville Front relationships
relationships near the Stinson
Stinson hydroelectric
Stop 8.
hydroelectricdam;
dam;
Mississagi Formation,
Formation, ultramylonite and cataclasite, metasediMississagi
and an
mentary gneiss and schist including metaconglomerate,
metaconglomerate, and
(?)migmatitic
migmatitic granite
granite slice
slicesouth
southof
ofthe
the Grenville
Grenville Front
Archean (?I
This
stop requires a walk of about 2 km (Fig. 7)
7) and
and will
will illustrate
illustrate the
the abrupt
abrupt changes
T
his stop
changes
of structural style and metamorphic grade associated
associated with
with this
this part
part of the Crenville
Grenville
Front,
here marked
marked by
by the eastward continuation
of the
the Wanapitei
Wanapitei fault.
fault. From
Front, here
continuation of
From the
the
end of the track
track which
which leads west from
from the
the lower
lower road to
to the
the Stinson
Stinsonhydroelectric
hydroelectric
plant, cross the weir over the Wanapitei
Wanapitei River
River and
and follow
followthe
the track
track until
until it meets an
improved gravel road, where grey sandstone
sandstone beds of the
the Mississagi
Mississagi Formation are
are
Bedding dips
dips steeply
steeply northeast,
northeast, and
exposed on the north side
7). Bedding
well exposed
side (a
(a in
inFig.
Fig. 7).
cross beds indicate that it also faces in that direction, away from the Grenville
Grenville Front.

Beddingstrikes
strikessoutheast
southeastatatan
an angle
angle to
to the
Bedding
the trend
trend of
of the
theWanapitei
Wanapitei fault.
fault.
Metamorphic
grade is
is clearly
clearly low,
low, and
and there is no evidence of
of folding or foliation
Metamorphic grade
foliation
parallel to the nearby fault.
fault.
weir, but before crossing
crossing it,
it,go
goto
tothe
theoutcrop
outcrop on
on the
the north bank
Return to the weir,
(b). Here bedding in the
the Mississagi
Mississagi Formation
Formation has
of
of the
the weir
weir (b).
of the river east of
with the Wanapitei
fault, which
which lies
lies aa short distance to
swung toward parallelism
parallelism with
Wanapitei fault,
the south. The
Therocks
rocksdisplay
displayaafoliation
foliationand
andseveral
severalsmall-scale
small-scale folds.
folds.
Cross the weir,
walk back
back along
along the
the track,
track, and
and take
take a side-track
weir, walk
side-track that leads
Beforereaching
reachingthe
thecleared
clearedstrip,
strip, cut
cut to
to the left
south to
to the
the powerline
powerlineclearing.
clearing. Before
through open bush toward
toward rising
rising ground
ground below
below the
the powerline
powerline (c).
(c). All the outcrop
outcrop
here is brittle-ductile mylonite
mylonite and ultramylonite that has aa grey,
grey, closely-fractured
closely-fractured
surface. Foliation
Foliation is
is sub-vertical. At
Ataalow,
low,west-facing
west-facing vertical outcrop
outcrop face
face on
on the
the
side of the hill, small-scale kinematic
kinematic indicators
indicatorscan
canbe
beseen
seenwith
with the
the naked eye and
and
hand-lens
that show south-side-up
south-side-up sense
sense oof
displacement This
f displacement.
This sense
sense is
is corroborcorroborhand-lens that
ated in
in oriented
oriented thin
thin section
section by
by aaspectacular
spectacularC-and-S
C-and-S fabric
fabric formed
formed by
by oblique
oblique
subgrains in
in thin quartz layers, by rotated porphyroclasts,
and by
by back
back rotation
rotation of
of
porphyroclasts, and

�26

fl.wwwn,wr,wwrrrw,wrr
++++++++++++++++++++++

-

-

-

+++++++++++++++++++
fin
+++++++++++++++
U.

-

'•

'Stinson
a
a
a
a

Ufl•_

S

+ .p*-+ + n-+.s+ + + + +!
+ ++ + + + + + +* + + + +

:.....

•

*

*

a-

-S
-

S S S S • tt# • S S S

SSSqSSS•SS

t.-l.a.
/

S •_S S S

SSSS—

[]]
2
I:::
I

S

'

— 2-

.5-S • S S •

500 in

9

Ir.iza4 Sudbury
Sudbury diabase
diabase

t.af
#5 —

-

metasedimentary schist,
metasedimentary schist,
rnetaconglomerate
: rnetacongiornerate

mylonite ultramylonite,
cataclas!te

I''1
granitoid_.—
,''
Iti,',j migmatiticCgranitoid

Nipissing
Nipissing gabbro
g&amp;bm

mixed metasedimentary
%hl;
mixg
m
amphiblite
e t a ~ d i m e m ~,
amphibolite
schist,

Mississagi Fm
Mississagi
Fm

plagioclase gneiss
garnet-hornblende
plag~cclase

Figure
7.
Geological relationships
Front near
Figure 7.
Geological
relationships at the Grenvifle
Grenville Front
near the
the Stinson
Stinson
hydroelectric
hydr~decfricgenerating station.
station.

broken feldspar grains ("collapsed
dominoes"). The
The zone of
of ultramylonite is parti("collapsed dominoes").
cularly
thick at this locality
because itit is where
cularly thick
locality because
where two
two mylonite
mylonite strands
sfrands converge
converge
westward. To
To the
the east,
east, the
the northern
northern strand
strand separates
separates mylonitized
mylonitized quartz sandstone

granitoid rocks
rocks to
to the
the south;
south; the southern
to the north
north from
from migmatitic
migmatitic granitoid
southen strand
&amp;anitoid unit from metasedimentary schist and gneiss to the south.
separates this granitoid
Walk south
south through
through the narrow uncut strip that separates the
Walk
the two
two powerlines
powerlines
to the outcrop
outaop near the base
base of
of the hill (d).
(dl. Dark
Darkmetasedimentary
metasedimentaryrocks
rocks here
here are
are
well layered and contain
contain biotite and garnet;
garnet; some
some are
are derived
derivedfrom
fromconglomerate,
conglomerate,
although the evidence for this is not particularly convincing at this outcrop.
outcrop.
Walk
back to
to the
the northern
northern powerline
powerline and
and follow
follow the
the higher
higher ground
ground to the
Walk back
(e). Outcrop
which shows a structural trend,
Outaop on
on this
this hill is migmatitic
mipatitic granitoid which
east (el.
given primarily by the orientation of
of leucosome,
leucosome, that
that strikes
strikes northwest
northwest at a marked
angle to the
curves into parallelism
the mylonite
mylonite strands.
strands. This foliation
foliation curves
parallelism with both
both
mylonite
strands
that
enclose
the
granitoid
lens,
having
an
overall
Z-sense.
mylonite strands
enclose the granitoid lens, having
overall Z-sense. The
The
lineation within
within these
these rocks
rocks is clearly not aa typical
steep northwesterly-plunging
northwesterly-plunging lineation
typical
Grenvillian orientation.
Neither the
the age
age of
of the granitoid
nor of
GrenviIIian
orientation. Neither
granitoid protolith
protolith nor
of its
its
migmatization is
is known,
known, but
but both
both may be older than the
mipatization
the metasedimentary
metasedimentaryrocks
rocks to
to
the south, given that the latter
latter are
are not
not migmatitic.
migmatitic. In addition, the granitoid and its
are locally
locally cut
cut by
by thin
thin dykes
dykes of
of metamorphosed
metamorphosed mafic rock
rock which are not
leucosome are

�27

found in
found
in the
the metasedimentary
metasedimentary rocks.
rocks. It is possible that the granitoid
granitoid lens
lens is
is aa slice
slice of
Archean crust, but this remains to be tested by U-Pb dating.
of the
the powerline
powerline clearing,
clearing,
Follow
side of
Follow the
the high
high ground
ground eastward
eastward on
on the north side
and
where the ground
ground begins
north toward
toward the
the
and where
begins to
to slope
slope away
away to
to the east, go north
River. On
On reaching a steep, narrow gully (f),
(0,go down-slope to the
the right.
right.
Wanapitei River.
Here a narrow
Here
narrow zone
zone of
of intensely
intensely cataclased
cataclased rock derived
derived from
from the
the migmatitic
migmatitic
granitoid is exposed on the south
south side
side of
of the gully. Cross
Crossthe
thegully,
gully, which
which conceals
conceals
the Crenville
boundary fault;
fault; on
on the north side
is an
anoutcrop
outcropof
of mylonitized
mylonitized
Grenville Front boundary
side is
quartz
This is
is cut by a dyke
4. This
dyke of
of Sudbury
Sudbury
quartz sandstone
sandstone not
not unlike
unlike that seen
seen at
at Stop
Stop 4.
diabase that is replete with
with cataclastic
cataclasticfractures
fracturesand
andshears.
shears. It
it is hard to tell whether
or not the
the dyke
dyke actually
actually cuts the mylonitic foliation in the deformed sandstone; the
impression
that this
this is the case may be explained
as the result
explained alternatively
alternatively as
result of
of
impression that
competency
contrastduring
during deformation.
deformation. This dyke cannot be traced on the
competency contrast
the south
south
(Crenville) side
side of
of the
the gully;
gully; continuous outcrop of
(Grenville)
of migmatitic granitoid along
along the
the
powerline crosses
crosses the
the strike
strikeprojection
projectionofofthis
thisdyke.
dyke. Neither
Neither can the dyke be traced
to the northwest;
northwest; itit is,
is, however, offset from outcrop of similarly cataclased Sudbury
diabase at the south
just below the dam, which
south shore of the Wanapitei River
River just
which lines
dyke can
can be traced
traced northwest
northwest for
for 10
10 km
up with
with aa thick
thick dyke
dyke on the north side; this dyke
(Dressler,1984).
1984).AAmere
mere 500
500mm northwest
northwest of
of the
the river,
river, this
toward Falconbridge
Falconbridge (Dressier,
undisturbed as that
that seen
seen at
at Stop
Stop1.
1.
diabase is as fresh and undisturbed
powerline and
and go
go east
east to
to the road, then follow the road south
Return to the powerline
south to
to
powerline (g).
(g). Up-slope
Upslope to the left, on the north
north side
side of
of the
the
the edge of the second
second powerline
powerline clearing,
is an outcrop of
in which pebbles are well
clearing, is
of metaconglomerate
metaconglomerate in
well
preserved.
strand lies
lies farther
farther up
up the hill to the north,
preserved. The
The southern
southern mylonite
mylonite strand
north, and
has been traced northeastward
for two kilometres
kilometres along
along the
the south slope of the high
northeastward for
ground, everywhere
markingthe
thecontact
contactbetween
betweenthe
thegranitoid
granitoid unit
unit and
and the
ground,
everywhere marking
metaconglomerate-bearing
metasedimentary
rocks.
metamnglomerate-bearing
0.0
2.2
2.2
4.8

67.3
69.5
69.5
72.1
72.1

Turn round
round and
and return to
to Highway
Highway 17.
17.
Highway 17, turn right.
right.
After
lookfor
for the
the Norvic
After the
the railway
railway crossing,
crossing, look
Norvic Motel
Motel on
on the
the
left, cross
cross the
the highway
highwayand
and park
park just
just beyond
the motel
lefi,
beyond the
motel (at an
Walk south
south to
inoperativerestaurant
restaurantaat
the time
inoperative
f fhe
time of
of writing).
writing). Walk
to
the
west
of
the
motel,
and
take
a
track
into
the
woods
until
aa
the woods
the west of the motel, and take a track
Go to
to the top
low
appears to the
l m ridge
ridge of
of outcrop
outcrop appears
the left.
l q t . Go
top of
of this
this
outcrop.
outcrop.

Stop 9. Metamorphosed Sudbury diabase dyke segments
segments in metasedimenmetasedintenStop
tary gneiss showing extreme ductility
ductility
Having seen a fresh,
fresh, undeformed
undeformed Sudbury dyke at
at Stop
Stop 1,
1,and
and cataclased
cataclasedSudbury
Sudbury
diabase
to see the
the form that Sudbury
Sudbury dykes
diabase at the last stop, it is instructive to
dykes assume
assume in
in
the highly ductile
medium
of
metasedimentary
gneiss
that
is
the
common
country
ductile
of
the common country
of the
the front
front in
in this
this area.
area. At
rock southeast of
At this
this stop
stop (Fig.
(Fig. 8),
81, two parallel, northeast-

�28

oriented
dyke?) are
are
oriented segments
segments of relatively
relatively thick
thick dykes
dykes (perhaps
(perhaps parts
parts of
of the same
same dyke?)
enclosed
enclosed in
in kyanite-bearing
kyanite-bearinggneiss.
gneiss. They
They terminate
terminate to
to the
the northeast
northeast with rounded
ends wrapped
wrapped by
by gneiss.
gneiss. Along
Along their
however, they cut
cut across
across gneissic
gneissic
their sides, however,
foliation
in
their
host
rocks;
this
is
best
observed
at
the
southeast
contact
of the
the
foliation in their
rocks; this best observed
contact of
northern of the two segments.
segments. Note
Note the
the prolific
prolific growth of garnet porphyroblasts in
the dykes
dykes near
near their
their contacts.
contacts.

of Sudbury
Sudbuy metadiabase
metadiabase dyke
dyke
Figure 8.
8. Detail of
remnants in
in metasedimentary
mefasedimentary sclzist
schist and
gneiss, 1200 m south
south of
of the
the Wanapitei
Wanapitei fault.
fault.
gneiss,

No more detached segments of Sudbury metadiabase have been found along
along

strike to the northeast,
mafic rocks
rocks exposed
exposed there
there are
strike
northeast, despite
despite plentiful
plentiful outcrop;
outcrop; mafic
amphibolite derived from
The southern
southern segment
from metagabbro.
metagabbro. The
segment can be
be followed
followed
southwestward
before itit disappears
disappears beneath
beneath cover;
cover; itit reappears as aa
southwestward for
for nearly
nearly 300 m before
area beyond
beyondthe
thecovered
coveredinterval.
interval. in
detached pod in the well-exposed
well-exposed area
In the
the central
central
where it is 27 m wide,
wide, the
the outcrop surface of
of the least
part of this dyke segment, where
altered metadiabase
shows the speckled
texture typical
typical of
altered
metadiabase shows
speckled texture
of Sudbury metadiabase.
metadiabase.
Whole rock
rock analysis
analysis of
of this rock
rock confirms
its chemical
chemical affinity
affinity with
with the Sudbury
Whole
confirms its
Sudbury
swarm. In
remnant, 5.5 km from the
Inaddition,
addition,metadiabase
metadiabase from
from another
another tectonic
tectonic remnant,
front south of the
relics of
of primary baddeieyite
front
the village
village of
of Wahnapitae,
Wahnapitae, contains
contains relics
baddeleyite
Ma; six
sixfractions
fractionsofofmetamorphic
metamorphic zircon
zircon from coronas
1243 Ma;
coronas
which gave a U-Pb age of 1243
around baddeleyite
1026to
to988
988
baddeleyite in
in the
the same
same rock gave 207Pb/2Pb
207PbPPbages
agesranging
rangingfrom
fiom1026
from a late,
late, undeformed
pegmatite that cuts
Ma (Dud&amp;
et uI.
al. 1994).
1994). Zircon
Zircon from
undeformed pegmatite
cuts this
this
(Dudas et
enclave gave
gavean
anage
ageofof97=
97 Ma
Ma(A.
(A.Davidson
Davidsonand
and0.0.van
vanBreemen,
Breemen,unpublished).
unpublished).
enclave
narrow wooded
wooded draw
draw flanking
flanking the
the north
north side
side of
of the
the central part of
Cross the narrow
of
in the
the open
open area
area beyond.
beyond. Here, homogenized'
this dyke and go to outcrop in
'homogenized' kyanite
kyanite
gneiss encloses twisted
twisted fragments of
of mafic
mafic rock,
rock, representing
representing either
either a small dyke
dyke or
or

�29

pieces
This outcrop
the extremely
extremely ductile
ductile
pieces tom
torn from
from aa larger one.
one. This
outcrop bears testament to the
behaviour
kyanite gneiss
gneiss aa mere
mere 1200
1200 m south-southeast
south-southeast of
of the
the Wanapitei
Wanapitei
behaviour of
of the kyanite
fault
fault.

Return to
to the
the highway
highway and
and totoSudbury.
Sudbury. (If
(If time
time permits,
permits, an extra
extra stop
stop
will be
be made
made totosee
seethe
thesuccession
successionkyanite
kyaniteschist-quartzite-calcareous
schist-quartzite-calcareous
will
gneiss in the
of aa fold
fold just
just north
north of
of the
fhehighway
highway nearby.)
nearby.)
the core
core of

-

COMMENTS - PROBLEMS
PROBLEMS OF CORRELATION AND
AND HISTORY OF
THE GRENVILLE FRONT

Metasedimentary
schist and
and gneiss immediately
southeast of
of the Grenville
Metasedimentary schist
immediately southeast
Grenville Front
Front
boundary fault
rocks of
fault in
in this
this region
region bear no
no strong
strong resemblance
resemblance to the sedimentary
sedimentary rocks

the Huronian
which here
Huronian Supergroup
Supergroup in the
the adjacent
adjacent Southern
Southern Province,
Province, which
here are

represented by the
the Mississagi
Mississagi Formation characterized by a monotonous
monotonous succession
succession
of cross-bedded
cross-bedded feldspathic
feldspathicsandstone
sandstonebeds
bedstotalling
totallingasasmuch
muchasas33km
kmthick.
thick. In the
of
Grenville Province,
Province, the
the metasedimentary
metasedimentary rocks
rocks display
display an
an alternation of contrasting
Grenville
contrasting
rock types
types in
in units only ten to a few hundred metres thick,
thick, and although one may
rock
appeal to thinning
thinning during
duringductile
ductiledeformation,
deformation, the
the successions
successions themselves do not
not

satisfactorily
match any
any parts of
satisfactorily match
of the
the well-documented
well-documented Huronian
Huronian succession
succession (see
(see
If, for example, the metaconglomerate
and kyanite
kyanite schist
schist present in this
Table 1).
1). If,
metaconglomerate and
thii
area are
are equated
equated with,
with, say,
say,the
theRamsey
Ramsey Lake
Lake (Stop
(Stop 2, conglomerate) and Pecors
Pecors (Stop
(Stop
3, slaty argillite) formations, which lie stratigraphically below the Mississagi,
Mississagi, then
garnet-hornblende-quartz-plagioclase gneiss,
gneiss,
their association
association with
with well-layered
well-layered garnet-hornblende-quartz-plagioclase
presumably derived
derived from
from calcareous
calcareous sedimentary rock, cannot be explained
explained in
in stratistratigraphic
terms,
as
the
only
calcareous
unit
of
consequence
in
the
Huronian
only calcareous
of consequence in
Huronian sucsucgraphic terms,
cession k
is the Espanola Formation
Formation (composed
(composed of
of calcareous
calcareoussiltstone
siltstone and
and wacke with
cession
limestone at
at its base and dolomite
limestone
dolomite at its
its top),
top), which
which lies
lies above
above the Mississagi
Mississagi and
Bruce formations;
formations;this
thiscorrelation
correlationproblem
problemisiscompounded
compoundedby
bythe
the fact
factthat
that aa thin but
Bruce
persistent quartzite
quartzite unit
unit lies between
persistent
between the kyanite
kyanite schist and
and the
thecalcareous
calcareous
gneiss. Equating
metasedimentary gneiss.
Equating the
the metaconglomerate
metaconglomerate with conglomerate higher
succession, either
either the
the Bruce
Bruce or
or Gowganda
Cowganda formations, is equally
in the Huronian succession,
equally
since both
both these formations
formations are
are overlain
overlain by
by thick
thick quartz-rich
quartz-rich sandstone
problematic since
formations respectively)
respectively)that
thatare
arenot
not present
present in
in this
units (the Serpent and Lorrain formations
part of the
the Grenville
Grenville Province.
Province,
One is left with
with four
four alternatives,
alternatives, namely:
namely: 1) the metasedimentary rocks
rocks are
are
facies equivalents of
conjecture formerly
formerly favoured by
of Huronian
Huronianformations
formations—- aa conjecture
Lumbers (1975,
1978);2)2)they
theyrepresent
representsedimentary
sedimentaryrocks
rocksofof formations
formations higher
higher in
(1975, 1978);
the Huronian
Table 11)) than
than are curHuronian succession
succession(i.e.
(i.e. above
above the
the Bar
Bar River Formation; Table
3) they
they represent
represent a younger
rently preserved in the
the Southern
Southern Province;
Province; 3)
younger succession
succession
that may
on the
may have
have been
been deposited
deposited unconformably
unconformably on
the Huronian
Huronian Supergroup
Supergroup
(perhaps equivalent in age to the
the Marquette
Marquette Supergroup in the
the Southern
Southern Province
Province
of northern Michigan?);
4) they are
are an
an entirely
entirelydifferent
differentsuccession
successiontectonically
tectonically
of
Michigan?); 4)
juxtaposed
the Southern
Southern Province.
Province. The jury
jury is still out on this
juxtaposed at some time against the
this
-

�matter,
but, as stated
matter, but,
stated earlier,
earlier, an inkling
inkling that the
the metasedimentary
metasedimentary rocks
rocks are not
correlative
comes from
isotope studies
studies which
which
correlative with
with the Huronian Supergroup comes
from Nd isotope
show
provided Nd isotope systematics
show that, provided
systematics have
have not
not been
been disturbed
disturbed during the
metarocks, the metapolyphase structural and metamorphic history
history imposed
imposed on these rocks,
sedimentary
Grenville Province
have Nd depleted
depleted
sedimentary rocks
rocks in
in the
the Crenville
Provincenear
near the
the front
front have
mantle model ages younger
on this
this basis
basis
younger than
than those
those of
of the
the Huronian
Huronian Supergroup.
Supergroup. IfIf on
would probably have
favoured, juxtaposition
juxtaposition would
the last alternative
alternative given above is favoured,
occurred before
before -1750
—1750Ma,
Ma,
theage
ageofofplutonic
plutonicrocks
rocksfound
foundon
onboth
both sides
sides of
of the
occurred
the
Grenville Front. Is this part of the front
front therefore
therefore coincident
coinadent with aa pre-Grenvillian
pre-Grenvillian
Grenville
suture?
Penokean in
in age?
age? Note
suture?—- perhaps Penokean
Note that
that Dickin
Dickin and
andMcNutt
McNutf (1989)
(1989) placed a
Penokean suture much farther south within the
the Crenville
Grenville orogen.
orogen.
Two
other rock
Two other
rock units northwest
northwest of the
the front
front have
have potential
potential counterparts
counterparts
within
within the marginal
marginal part
part of
of the
theCrenville
GrenvilleProvince.
Province. One of the
the characteristic
characteristic
geologic units
units in
in the Southern
Province,and
and also
also in
in the neighbouring part of the
geologic
Southern Province,
the
Superior Province,
Province, is
is the
the Nipissing
Nipissing gabbro,
gabbro, occurring
occurring as
large,
sill-like
intrusions.
as large, sill-like intrusions.
Amphibolitebodies
bodiesofof similar
similar size,
size, derived
derived from
Amphibolite
from gabbro,
gabbro, occur
occur within
within the
the
metasedimentary rocks
rocks in the Grenville
metasedimentary
Grenville Front zone.
zone. Another characteristic
characteristic unit,
found near the base of the Huronian Supergroup in the Sudbury
found
Sudbury region
region and
and also
also
(-2.45 Ga)
Gal
adjacent to the front
front 50
50 km
km to
to the
thenortheast,
northeast,forms
formsaanumber
numberofofolder
older(—2.45
intrusions of gabbro and anorthosite.
of similar composition, now mainly
infmsions
anorthosite. Rocks
Rocks of
mainly
metamorphosed
hornblende gneiss
gneiss but
but locally retaining relict
metamorphosed to plagioclase-rich
plagioclase-rich hornblende
igneous texture where
where not
not strained, occur
occur within the adjacent part of
igneous
of the
the Crenville
Grenville
Province, ifIf itit isis considered
Province.
considered that these two
two units
units are
are correlative
correlative across
across the
the front
front (and
(and
it does seem likely that the older suite
suite is
is correlative,
correlative, as
as itit can
can be
be traced
traceddirectly
directlyacross
across
the front at
then it becomes
at River
River Valley),
Valley), then
becomes difficult to accept
accept that
that the
theassociated
assoaated
If they are
metasedimentary rocks
rocks in
in the Grenville are not Huronian
Huronian equivalents.
equivalents. If
Huronian, then
then all
all that
that can
be said
said is that during
Huronian,
can be
during their
their tectonic
tectonic history
history they
they have
been so severely sliced
sliced up
up and stacked together out of sequence
that
all
semblance
sequence that all semblance of
Huronian
Huronian stratigraphic
stratigraphic order
order has
has been
been obliterated.
obliterated.
With
regard to the
With regard
the potential
potential severity of tectonic
tectonic 'rearrangement',
'rearrangement', two other
units within the Grenville
Frontzone
zonemust
mustbe
beconsidered.
considered. The
The first is the narrow
Grenville Front
wedge of migmatitic granitoid
granitoid examined
examined at
at Stop 8,
8, and other, smaller slivers
slivers of the
tucked in with metasedimentary rock and amphibolite
same rock that occur tucked
amphibolite toward
toward
Wahnapitae. The
of
protolith is not
not known,
known, but it is possible that it
Wahnapitae.
The age o
f the granite protolith
is Archean,
Archean, and if so,
so, that
that itit represents
represents basement
basement to
to the
the Huronian
Huronian Supergroup
Supergroup
brought up in
in tectonic
tectonic slices
slices at the
the front.
front. Its migmatitic nature
nature isischaracteristic;
characteristic;
similar
is not
not present
similar leucosome
leucosome is
present in
in orthogneiss
orthogneiss derived
derived from
from post-Huronian
post-Huronian
granitoid rocks
Chief Lake
Lakegranite)
granite)adjacent
adjacent to
to the
the front
front south of
(e.8. Chief
of Sudbury.
Sudbury.
granitoid
rocks (e.g.
The second is the fascinating
fascinating Wanapitei mafic complex, mentioned
mentioned at
at Stop
Stop7,
7,
which time has not allowed
allowed to be examined
examined on
on this
this trip
trip(see
(seeDavidson
Davidson1994
1994for
for field
field
guidance). This
This 33 xx 8-km body is composed in part
part of
of layered,
layered, differentiated
differentiated gabbro,
gabbro,
metamorphosed but
but not deformed,
deformed, and in part of
of an
an incredible
incredible jumble
jumble of
of equant to
to
mafic rocks
rocksin
inaa matrix
matrix of
of variably
variably ductile
ductile material
material derived from
distorted blocks of mafic
and an invading
invading swarm
swarm of
of ggranite
dykes. Where the dykes cut unr a ~ t edykes.
both the gabbro and
deformed gabbro, they are straight-walled and composite, with abundant
abundant evidence
evidence
of gabbroic
gabbroicand
andgranitic
graniticmagma.
magma. The
The granite
granite from one of these dykes
for comingling of

�31

has a U-Pb
U-Pb zircon age of 1747
1747 Ma
Breemen, unpublished),
Ma (Davidson
(Davidson and
and van Breemen,
unpublished), the
(1992)on
(although itit is
is
same age as
as that
that obtained
obtained by
by Prevec
Prevec (1992)
on zircon from metagabbro (although
possible that the zircon from
All of these rocks are cut
from the
the gabbro
gabbro is
is metamorphic).
metamorphic). All
by straight, north-trending,
north-trending, vertical dykes of
of coronitic
coronitic olivine metadiabase
metadiabase (just
(just like
that in the
the core
core of the dyke remnant seen at
at Stop
Stop 9), whose chemistry is identical to
diabase. In
In addition,
addition, the dykes
dykes retain
retain chilled
chilled margins,
margins, close to which may
Sudbury diabase.
be found
xenocrysts and
and small,
found large
large plagioclase
plagioclase xenocrysts
small, angular xenoliths
xenoliths of quartz
quartz
1). The outer part of
do Sudbury
Sudbury dykes in the Southern Province (Stop I).
of
sandstone, as do
the Wanapitei complex,
wellexposed
exposedalong
alongits
its north
north and west
complex, well
west sides,
sides, isis entirely
entirely
tectonic, formed of ductile, recrystallized gneiss whose foliation
tectonic,
foliation wraps
wraps the
thecomplex.
complex.
in the
the undeformed
undeformed gabbro
gabbro is
is truncated
truncated at this contact, and neither
Primary layering in
- in fact,
the granite
granite nor
nor olivine
olivine metadiabase
metadiabase dykes
dykes penetrate
penetrate the
theductile
ductilecarapace
carapace—
large boudins of metadiabase
are
incorporated
within
the
ductile
rim,
and
metadiabase are incorporated within
and occur
occur as
as
segments in
in the more distal country
disconnected and disoriented segments
country rocks.
If the coronitic metadiabase
metadiabase dykes
dykes within
within the Wanapitei complex are indeed
If
Sudbury
dykes, then
then itit follows
that the incorporation
of the
as a
Sudbury dykes,
follows that
incorporation of
the complex
complex as
'megaboudin' within
within a ductile
ductile medium,
medium, was
was an effect
of Grenvillian
Crenvillian orogeny.
orogeny. The
'megaboudin'
effect of
fact that the
the northern
northerncontact
contact of
of the
the Wanapitei
Wanapiteicomplex,
complex, in
in contact
contact with
withsillimanitesillianitebearing gneiss, lies less than 500
500 m from
from outcrops
outcropsof
ofgreenschist-facies
greenschiit-fades Mississagi
Mississagi
Formation with preserved sedimentary structures facing away from the front
front (Stop
(Stop
remarkably steep
steep gradient
gradient in
in metamorphic grade and
7) belies a remarkably
and style
style of
of deformation
deformation
across this part of
across
of the
the Grenville
Grenville Front.
Front. It seems clear
clear that
that the
the Grenville
Grenville Front
Front
boundary fault, particularly
particularly where coincident with the Wanapitei
Wanapitei fault, exhibiting
exhibiting
brittle deformation,
manifestation of
of considerable
considerable uplift
uplift along
along part
part of
deformation, is the latest manifestation
margin, probably
probably post-dating introduction
the Grenville orogenic margin,
introduction of
of pegmatite
pegmatite at
at980
980
Ma,
Ma, and perhaps related
related to rebound of
of the
the Grenville
Grenville orogen
orogen induced by
by southeastsoutheastdirected extensional
extensional unloading of the
the tectonically
tectonically thickened
thickened Grenville
Grenville interior.
interior.
A word remains to be said about
about possible
possible renewed
renewed displacement,
displacement, of
of normal
normal
of the
sense (south-side-down) along the Wanapitei-Murray
Wanapitei-Murray fault,
fault. The truncation of
61,
moderately southeast-dipping Grenville Front mylonite
mylonite zone
zone at
atAlice
Alice Lake
Lake (Stop
(Stop 6),
metamorphic isograds
isograds to the southeast, by
and of the
the parallel
parallel Grenvillian
Grenvillian metamorphic
by the
the subsubvertical
fault isis hard
hard to
with uplift of
vertical Wanapitei
Wanapitei fault
to reconcile
reconcile geometrically
geometrically with
of the
the
Grenville side alone, unless
unless the
the preexistent
pre-existent Murray-Wanapitei
Murray-Wanapitei fault
fault acted
acted as a ramp
4) was
was deflected
deflected
against which moderately-indined,
moderately-inclined, thrust-sense
thrust-sense displacement
displacement(Stop
(Stop 4)
the Wanapitei-Murray
Wanapitei-Murray fault
fault may
may have been reactivated
vertically.
vertically. Alternatively,
Alternatively, the
reactivated
during
during post-Crenvillian
post-Grenvillian rifting associated with late Neoproterozoic
Neoproterozoic development
development of
rift system,
system,centered
centeredfar
fartotothe
the east
east and
and related
related to opening of
of the
the St. Lawrence
Lawrence rift
In this regard,
some 50
50 krn
km east of Sudbury the
lapetus Ocean.
Iapetus
Ocean. In
regard, some
the Wanapitei
Wanapitei fault
curves from its position
Front boundary
boundary fault into the
curves
position as the Grenville
Grenville Front
the Grenville
Grenville
Province,
cuffing across
acrossthrust
thrustfaults
faults and
and mylonite
mylonite that
that mark the
Province, cutting
the continuation
continuation of
of
the Crenville
Grenville Front
Front to the northeast;
northeast; it projects eastward toward
toward south-side-down
south-side-down
faults that
that mark
mark the
the northern
northern edge
edge of
of the
theOttawa
Ottawagraben
graben(Lumbers
(Lumbers1971b)
1971b)in
in which
which
Lake Nipissing
Nipissing lies,
lies, and
and with
with which are associated
Lake
associated several alkalic
alkalic and
and carbonatite
carbonatite
complexes dated
complexes
datedatat—585
-585 Ma.
Ma.
dearly
In conclusion,
(sensu late)
lato) in the Sudbury region clearly
conclusion, the Grenville
Grenville Front
Front (sensu
albeitsporadic,
sporadic,that
that lasted
lasted for
for aa lot longer than the duration
has a history of activity,
activity, albeit
duration

�32

of the
the Crenvillian
Grenvillianorogeny
orogeny itself.
itself. It may have been the
the locus
locus of
of juxtaposition
juxtaposition of
of
of crust (based on differences
differences between
between the
the Huronian Supergroup
different blocks of
Supergroup in
in
the Southern
Grenville)
Southern Province
Province and the
the metasedimentary
metasedimentary rocks in the
the adjacent
adjacent Crenville)
Ma. It was active
before being
being sealed
sealed by
by igneous
igneous rocks
rocks at
at—1740
-1740 Ma.
active following
followingemplaceemplacement of granite
plutoris
at
—1470
Ma,
but
quiescent
at
the
time
of
intrusion
of
of the
the
granite plutons at -1470 Ma, but quiescent at the time of
continental
Ma. ItIt was
was strongly
strongly active during
-1235 Ma.
during
continental Sudbury
Sudbury diabase
diabase dyke
dyke swarm
swarmat
at—1235

at least
least the
the latter
latter part
partofofCrenvillian
Grenvillian orogeny,
orogeny, with
with ductile
ductile followed
followed by brittle
brittle
Ma,and
andpart
partofofititmay
mayhave
havebeen
been reactivated
reactivated during
during the late
-1000 Ma,
late
deformation at —1000
Neoproterozoic.

�33

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80-19.
Canada,
1993. Monazite age of
of 1747
1747 Ma
Ma confirms
confirms postpostSullivan, R.W.,
R.W., and
and Davidson,
Davidson, A.
A. 1993.
Sullivan,
Penokean age for the Eden Lake
Lake complex,
complex,Southern
SouthernProvince.
Province. In Radiogenic
Radiogenic age
age
and
and isotopic
isotopic studies: report
report7.7. Geological
GeologicalSurvey
Surveyof
of Canada,
Canada,Bulletin,
Bulletin, in
in press.
press.

�38

van Breemen,
0., and
1988. Northeast
Northeast extension of Proterozoic
Breemen, O.,
and Davidson,
Davidson, A.
A. 1988.
Proterozoic
terranes of
Society of America
of mid-continental
mid-continental North
North America.
America. Geological
Geological Society
America
Bulletin,
100:
630—638.
Bulletin, 100: 630-638.
van Breemen,
'U—'Pb
Breemen, 0.,
O., Davidson,
Davidson,A.,
A., Loveridge,
Loveridge,W.D.,
W.D., and
andSullivan,
SuUhan,R.V.J.
R.W. 986.
1986.
U-Pb
of Grenville
Grenville tectonites,
tectonites, granulites
granulites and
and igneous precursors,
zircon geochronology of
Parry Sound,
Parry
Sound, Ontario.
Ontario. In The
The Grenville
Grenville Province.
Province. Edited
Edited by
by J.M.
J.M. Moore,
Moore,
A. Davidson
Davidson and A.J.
A.J. Baer.
Baer. Geological
Geological Association of Canada, Special Paper 31,
31,
191-207.
pp.
pp. 191—207.
Van Schmus, W.R.
W.R. 1965.
1965. The geochronology
geochronology of
of the
theBlind
BlindRiver
River—- Bruce Mines
Mines
area,
ofof
Geology,
73:73:
755—780.
area, Ontario,
Ontario,Canada.
Canada.Journal
Journal
Geology,
755-780.
Windley, B.F.
Anorogenic magmatism
magmatism and
and the Grenvillian
B.F. 1989.
1989. Anorogenic
Grenvillian orogeny.
orogeny.
Canadian
Journal
of
Earth
Sciences,
26:
479—489.
Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, 26: 479-489.
1972. The Grenville Province.
Province. In
In Variations
Wynne-Edwards, H.R.
H.R. 1972.
Variations in tectonic
tectonic
styles in
Canada.
Edited
by
R.A.
Price
and
R.J.W.
Douglas.
Geological
Geological
in Canada. Edited by R.A. Price and R.J.W. Douglas.
Association
11,11,
pp.pp.
263—334.
263-334.
Associationof
of Canada,
Canada,Special
SpecialPaper
Paper

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                    <text>THE
THESUBBURY
SUDBURYSTRUCTURE
STRUCTURE
WITH
ONTHE
THE
WITHEMPHASIS
EMPHASISON
WHITE
WATER GROUP
WHITEWATER
GROUP
BY
BY

S.F.
F. M.
M.GIBBINS
GIBBINS
S.

INSTITUTE
INSTITUTEON
ON LAKE
LAKE SUPERIOR
SUPERIORGEOLOGY
GEOLOGY
43rd
43rdANNUAL
ANNUAL MEETING,
MEETING, MAY
MAY6-11,1997
6 - 11,1997
SUDBURY, ONTARIO
ONTARIO
SUDBURY,
Field
Field Trip
TripGuidebook,
Guidebook,Volume
Volume 43,
43, Part
Part44

�2

The
The Sudhury
Sudbury Structure
Structure

with Emphasis
Emphasis on
on the
the
Whitewater Group
Group

by

S.F.M. Gibbins
Gibbins
Falconbridge
FalconbridgeLimited
Limited
Kidd
Kidd Creek
CreekDivision
DivisionGeology
Geology
P.O.
Bag2002
2002
P.O. Bag
Timmins, Ontario
Ontario
P4N
P4N 7K1
7K1

Frontispiece:
Frontispiece:

Schematic diagram
diagram illustrating
illustratingthe
thestyle
style of
of development and
hyaloclastite
emplacement of intrusive hydroclastic breccias and hyaloclastite
deposits of the Sandcherry
Sandcherry member
Formation
member of the Onaping Formation
(modified from Smith
Smith and
and Batiza
Batiza1989,
1989, Hanson
Hanson 1991,
1991, and
and Gibson,
Gibson,
unpublished)
unpublished)

�3

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This
possible without
without the
the support of Falconbridge
This field
field trip
trip guidebook would not have been possible
Limited, Harold Gibson of Laurentian University and Ron Sage
Sage of
of the
the Ontario
Ontario Geological
Geological Survey.
Survey.

INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
The
The Sudbury
Sudbury Structure
Structureis
is located
located in
in south-central
south-centralOntario
Ontarioat
atthe
thepresent
presentboundary
boundarybetween
between
metavolcanic and
and metasedimentary
metasedimentary rocks, and granitic
granitic
the Archean Superior
Superior Province
Province (,gneissic,
(gneissic, metavolcanic
intrusions)
metasedimentary rocks), and
intrusions) and the Proterozoic Southern Province (metavolcanic and metasedimentaq
lies approximately
approximately 10
of the
the Grenville
Grenville Province
Province(high
(high grade
gradegneisses)
gneisses)(Figure
(Figure1).
1).
10km north-west of
a!. 1984) Sudbury Structure
Structure is known world-wide for
for its
its NiNiThe 1.85 Ga
Ga old (Krogh et al.
Cu-POE
Cu-PGE ore
ore deposits and its debated origin: endogenic
endogenicvolcanic
volcanicexplosion
explosionversus
versus meteorite
meteorite
impact. Two
Twocarbonate
carbonatehosted
hosted Zn-Cu-Pb-Au-Ag
Zn-Cu-Pb-Au-Ag massive
massive sulphide
sulphide deposits
deposits also occur in the
interior of the Sudbury Structure, located
located at
atthe
thetop
top of
ofthe
the Onaping
OnapingFormation
Formation of
of the
the Whitewater
Whitewater
Group.
Group.
The Sudbury
Sudbury Structure
Structure is defined by three components: 1) the Sudbury
Sudbury Igneous Complex
footwall rocks
rocks (both
(both Superior
Superior and
and Southern Structural Provinces)
(SIC), 2) surrounding brecciated footwall
that
SudburyBasin,
Basin, comprising
comprising rocks
rocks of
of
that extend
extend some
some 80
80 km away from the Complex, and 3) the Sudbury
the Whitewater Group, found in the
the interior
interior of
of the
the Complex
Complex (Figures
(Figures 1and
and 2).
2). The
The Sudbury
Sudbury
Igneous Complex, which
which has
has aa noritic
noritic base
base and granophyric top, occurs
occurs at
at the
the base
base of
of the
the
the surrounding
surrounding brecciated
brecciatedfootwall
footwallrocks.
rocks. The
The Whitewater
Whitewater Group and overlies the
Group,
Sudbury Basin, comprises,
within the Sudbury
comprises, from base
base to
to top,
top, initially
initiallyglass-rich
glass-rich
Group, found
found only
only within
breccias of
breccias
of the
the Onaping
OnapingFormation,
Formation, carbonates
carbonatesand
anda.rgillites
argillites of
of the
the Vermilion
Vermilion and
and Onwatin
Onwatin
Formations,
Formations, and
and arkosic
arkosic sandstones (waekes)
(wackes) of the Chelmsford Formation.
Formation. The
The SIC
SIC has
has been
been
dated at 1850
1850Ma
Ma (Krogh
(Krogh et
et al.
al. 1984)
1984)and
andisisinterpreted
interpretedto
tohave
havebeen
beenemplaced
emplacedshortly
shortlyafter
afteror
or
during
984c). In
during the deposition of the Onaping Formation (Rousell I1984~).
Inplan,
plan,the
theSIC
SICisiselliptical
ellipticalin
in
shape
by 27 km in
in size.
size. In
that the
the
In section,
section, seismic
seismic reflection shows that
shape and approximately 60 km by
north margin (North Range) of the
the Sudbury
Sudbury Structure consists of, shallowly dipping
dipping strata
strata of
of
and layered
layered rocks
rocksof
ofthe
the SIC
SIC and
and footwall
footwallgneisses
gneisses.. In
Incontrast,
contrast,the
thesouth
south
sediments, breccias and
margin (South Range) is dominated by a series of moderately south dipping reflectors interpreted
thrust fliults
to be thrust
faults or
or shear
shear zones
zones on
on which
which considerable
considerablenorth-west-south-east
north-west-south-east shortening
shorteningof
ofthe
the
Sudbury
et al. 1992).
Sudbury Structure
Structure has occurred (Milkereit et
1992). The
Thepresent
presentshape
shapeof
ofthe
theSudbury
Sudbury
Structure,
Structure, as
as delineated
delineated by the SIC, is due to the combination
combination of structural
structuralshortening
shortening and
and
subsequent erosion. The
The Sudbury
Sudbury Structure,
Structure,in
in plan,
plan, isis interpreted
interpreted to
to have
have been originally more
circular,
circular, with
with dimensions
dimensions in
in the 150
150 -- 200
200 km range (Grieve
(Grieve et al. 1991).
1991).
Schwerdther (1991) attributed the present elliptical shape
Shanks and Schwerdtner
shape of the Sudbuiy
Sudbury
Structure to be the result of north-westerly directed thrusting
thrusting related to the Penokean Orogeny,
Structure
This
wasresponsible
responsiblefor
for several
several low-angle
low-angle
dated at 1750
1750 Ma (Rousell l984c).
1984~).
Thisthrusting
thrustingevent
eventwas
flults that
reverse faults
that cut
cutacross
acrossthe
the SIC
SICand
androcks
rocks of
of the
the Whitewater
Whitewater Group,
Group,from
from the
the south-west
south-west to
to
the south-east. Deformation
has
also
resulted
in
the
formation
of
isoclinal
folds
and
a
slaty
Deformation has also resulted in
formation
cleavage within the Onwatin Formation, open,
concentric folds
cleavage
open, uprighf
uprightconcentric
folds in
in the
the Chelmsford
Chelmsford
984c). The
Formation, and locally overturned rocks in the South Range (Rousell 11984~).
The effects of
structural deformation are confined primarily
primarilyto
to rocks
rocks of
ofthe
the South
South Range
Range and
andthe
thecentral
centralpart
part of
of
structural
the Sudbury
Sudbury Basin. Rocks
Rocksinin the
the North
North Range
Range are
are metamorphosed
metamorphosed to greenschist
greenschist facies, those in
South Range are metamorphosed to
to lower amphibolite facies
facies (Dressier 1984a;
the South
1984a; Shanks
Shanks and
Schwerdtner
Schwerdtner1991).
1991).
Structure has been attributed
The origin of the Sudbury Structure
attributed to
to volcanism
volcanism or
or meteorite
meteorite impact
of aa meteorite
meteoriteimpact
impactorigin
originspecify
speci shock
(see below for authors).
authors). Advocates
Advocates of
shockfeatures
features and
and
breeciation
associated
with
the
Sudbury
Structure,
the
extreme
crustal
contamination
of
brecciation
Sudbury Structure, the extreme crustal contamination of the
the SIC,
SIC,
glasses and
and rapid
rapid deposition of
of the
the Onaping
Onaping Formation,
Formation, and
and the
the original
original circular
circular shape
heterolithic glasses

�SUDBURy STRUCTURE
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+ + + +
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5

NOMENCLATURE
NOMENCLATURE
THISPAPER
PAPER
THIS

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CHELMSFORD
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l

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m
Figure
Figure2:2:

StratigraphicSection
Section of
ofthe
Sudbury Structure (modifiedGrieve et al. 1991)
Stratigraphic
the Sudbuiy
Stmctum (modified Grieve et al. 1991)

�6

of the Sudbury
for aa meteorite
meteorite impact.
impact. Proponents of a volcanic origin argue
Sudbury Structure
Structure as evidence for
that features
features such
such as
as Sudhury
SudburyBreccia
Breccia dykes
dykes cutting
cutting across
acrossother
other Sudbury
SudburyBreccia
Brecciadykes,
dykes,
composite
composite fragments ("breccia within breccia") and igneous activity
activity within
within the Onaping
Onaping Formation,
Formation,
and
events/structures that predate
and various
various regional
regional endogenic eventslstructures
predate and
and post-date
post-datethe
the"Sudbury
"SudburyEvent"
Event"
are
evidence
that
the
Sudbuiy
Structure
is
the
result
of
prolonged
endogenic
processes,
are
Sudbury Structure is the result of prolonged endogenic processes,
unexplainable
unexplainable by aa one
one time event such as a meteorite
meteorite impact.
impact.
An extensive amount of literature exists on the geology and evolution of the Sudbwy
Sudbury
Structure,
compilationcontained
containedwithin
withinPye
Pyeetetal.
ai.(1984).
(1984). The
withthe
the most recent comprehensive compilation
The
Structure, with
Onaping
Errington and Vermilion
Vennilion deposits, has been described
Onaping Fonnation,
Formation, the
the footwail
footwall rocks to the Enington
product of:
of: 1) volcanism
volcanism (Bell
(Bell 1893; Coleman
Coleman 1905; Burrows and
and interpreted to be the product
Rickaby 1930;
Williams 1957;
1957; Stevenson
Stevenson 1961%
1961a, 1961b, 1972, 1990; Muir 1981,
1930; Thomson 1957; Williams
1981,
1984, 1986;
1986; discussion by Muir in Muir and Peredery 1984);
1984); 2) meteorite impact (French 1968;
1968;
Dence 1972; Peredeiy
Peredery 1972a,
1972a, 1972b;
1972b; discussion
discussion by Peredery
Peredery in Muir
Muir and
and Peredery
Peredery 1984;
1984; Peredery
Peredery
and Morrison
a!. 1987; Brockmeyer
Brockmeyerand
andDeutsch
Deutsch 1989;
1989; Stoffler
Stoffleret
eta!.
Monism 1984;
1984; DressIer
Dressler et al.
al. 1989;
1989;
eta!.
Brockmeyer 1992;
1992; Krogh
Kroghet
eta!.
Grieve et
al. 1991;
1991; Avennanu
Avennann 1992; Avennann and Brockmeyer
al. 1996, Deutsch
et a!.
(Thomson 1969; Muir 1982,
al. 1995);
1995);or
or 3)
3) impact-induced
impact-induced volcanism (Thomson
1982, 1983;
1983;Dietz
Dietz 1964;
1964;
Gibbins 1994).
Gibbii
1994). Additional
Additional research
researchhas
has been
been directed
directed towards
towards specific
specificfeatures
featureswithin
within the
the Onaping
Onaping
Fonnation, including
(Peredery 1972%
I 972a, 1972b;
I 972b; Paakki
Paakki 1990;
Formation,
including intrusive rocks (Peredery
1990; McKinley 1992),
1992),
mineralization (Chubb 1990;
1990; Drake 1992),
1992), geochemistry
geochemistry(Ding
(Dmgand
andSchwarcz
Schwarcz1983;
1983;Schandl
Schandleteta!.
al.
geochemistry, stratigraphy
stratigraphy and mechanisms of emplacement
1986; McKinley 1992), geology, geochemistry,
1995and
andAmesetal.
Abriefsummaryofthe
1994)andalteration(AmesetaL
Ames et al. 1996).
1996). A
brief summary of the
(Gibbins 1994)
and alteration (Ames et al. 1995
(Gibbins
Onaping Formation is presented
presented by
by Dressler
Dressier et
et aI.
al. (1991)
(199!) in
an
overview
of
the Sudbury
in an
Sudbury Structure.
Structure.
ford formations
formations are
are contained
within
Detailed descriptions of the Onwatin and Chelms
Chelmsford
contained within
Coleman (1905), Burrows and Rickaby (1930), Martin (1957), Thomson
Thomson (1957),
(1957),Williams
Williams (1957),
(1957),
Sadler
Rousell (1972, !984a),
Sadler (1958), Cantin (1971), Cantin and Walker (1972), Rousell(1972,
1984a),Beales
Beales and
and Lozej
Lozej
(1975), Arengi (1977), and Vezina
Vezina (1992).
(1992). Mineralization
Whitewater Group has been
Mineralization in the Whitewater
discussed by Burrows and Rickaby (1930),
(!930), Martin (1957), Desborough
Desborougb and Larson
Larson (1970), Card
Card
and Hutchinson
Hutebinson (1972), Arengi (1977), Rousell(1983,
Rousell (1983, 1984b),
1984b), Davies
Davies et
et al.
al. (1990),
(1990), Whitehead
Whitehead et
et
a!.
(1994) and
and Gray
Gray (1995). The
al. (1990), and Paakki (1992), Gibbins (1994)
Thestructural
structuralgeology
geologyof
ofthe
the
by Martin
Martin (1957), Rouse11
Rousell (1984c),
Whitewater Group has been addressed by
(1984c), Cowan
Cowan and
and
Scbwerdtner
(1991), and Milkereit et al. (1992).
Schwerdtner (1990), Shanks and Schwerdtner (1991),

SUDBURY STRUCTURE
STRUCTURE
of; in ascending
ascending stratigraphic
stratigraphic order, brecciated
breceiated footwall
footwal! rocks,
The Sudbury
Sudbury Structure
Structureis composed of,
the Sudbury
Igneous
Complex,
and
the
Whitewater
Group.
Sudbury Igneous Complex,
Whitewater Group.

Brecciated FootwaH
Brecciated
Footwall Rocks
Breccias in the footwall are
are divided
dividedinto
intotwo
twotypes:
types: Sudbury
Sudbury Breceia
Breccia and Footwall
Breccia
Breccia. Their
al.1991).
1991).
Theirorigin
originisisaasubject
subjectof
ofconsiderable
considerabledebate
debate(Dressier
(Dressleret
eta!.
Sudbury
Breccia
bodies
(pseudotachyiites)
occur
within
all
footwall
Sudbury
bodies(pseudotachy1ites)
footwall rocks
rocks that
that predate
predatethe
the
event,and
andextend
extendas
asfar
fir as
as 80 km
km away
away from the
the SIC, but are most
Sudbury Structure-forming event,
abundant in a 10
zonethat
that surrounds
surroundsthe
theSIC
SIC (Dressler
(Dressier 1984a). The
10 km wide zone
The breccias
breccia form
form subsubvertical irregular
from a few millimetres to
to zones 0.5 by 11
11 km
km in
in
vertical
irregular dyke-like
dyke-like bodies ranging in size from
size (Dressier
984a). The matrix of
of Sudbury Breccia
Breceia is
is gray
gray or
or black and consists of
of
(Dressler 11984a).
wealdy recrystallized
recrystailized rock
rock (Dressler
(Dressier 1984a). Large
microscopic, weakly
Largefragments,
fragments,predominantly
predominantly of
of the
the
ones are
are more
more angular
angular (Dressler
(Dressier et al.
a!. 1991).
1991). Igneous
Igneoustextures,
textures,
host rock, are
are rounded,
rounded, the smaller ones
amygduies, and flow banding are not uncommon. Contacts with surrounding
amygdules,
surrounding host
host rocks
rocks are
aresharp.
sharp.
Sudbury
Sudbuiy Breccia
Sudbury Breccia
Breccia dykes cutting across other Sudbury
Breccia dykes, and fragments
fragments of
of Sudbury
Sudbury
Sudbury
Breccia have
havebeen
beenobserved
observed(Dressler
(DressIeretetal.
al.1991).
1991). The
The Sudbury Breccia
udbu~
Breccia
Breccia within S

�7

by sudden, explosive brittle
brittle failure leading
leading to
to a violent milling and
and
is interpreted to have formed by
crushing
984a).
crushing process
process that
that involved
involved little
little or
or no
no melting
melting (DressIer
(Dressler 11984a).
The
as "late granite
granite breccia" and "leucocratic
"leucocratic breccia"
The Footwall Breccia, also described as
(Langford 1960;
Pattison 1979; Muir
Muir 1981,
1960; Souch et al. 1969; Greenman 1970; Paitison
1981, 1983;
1983; DressIer
Dressler
1984a; Lakomy 1986, 1989),
bodies up
up to
to 150 m thick, parallel to the contact
1989), occurs as sheet-like bodies
contact
with the base of
of the SIC,
SIC, and
and hosts
hosts much of
of the
the Ni - Cu ore in the North Range (Dressier
(Dressler et al.
al.
1991). Contacts
Contactswith
withthe
theoverlying
overlying SIC
SIC are
are sharp,
sharp, whereas
whereas contacts
contactswith
with the
the underlying
underlyingfootwall
footwall
rocks are gradational (Pattison 1979). The
The matrix
matrix of
of the Footwall Breccia is light coloured with
granoblastic
granoblasticand
and granophyric
granophyric textures. Fragments
Fragmentsof
ofvariable
variablesize
sizeand
andlithology
lithologyare
arederived
derivedfrom
from
(Dressier et
et al.
al. 1991). Dressier
Dressler et
et al.
al. (1991)
(1991) inteipreted
interpreted the
the Footwall
Footwall Breccia to
the local footwall (Dressler
shock-metamorphosedrocks,
rocks, similar
similarto
to Sudbury
Sudbury Breccia,
Breccia, that formed
be a mass of crushed and shock-metamorphosed
or meteorite
meteoritecrater,
crater, before
before the
the deposition
deposition of
of the
the
along the walls of the original endogenic-volcanic or
lower Onaping Formation and the intrusion of the Sudbury Igneous Complex.
Complex.

-

Sudbury Igneous
Sudburv
Imeous Complex
Complex
The
into Sublayer
Sublayer (Contact
(Contact Sublayer
The Sudbury
Sudbury Igneous Complex (SIC) is subdivided into
Sublayer and
Offset
Offset Sublayer)
Sublayer) and
and the Main Mass (norites,
(norites, quartz
quartz gabbros,
gabbros, and
and granophyres)
granophyres)(Pye
(Pye et
et al.
al. 1984).
1984).
In plan view, the SIC is elliptical in
in shape
shape with
with aa long
long axis
axis of
of 60
60 km
km and
and aa short axis of 27 km.
et al.
al. 1992),
to one cross-section, shows the threeSeismic reflection data (Milkereit et
1992), albeit limited to
of at least the
the north
north half
half of
of the
the Sudbury
Sudbury Igneous
Igneous Complex
Complexto
to be
be similar
similar to
to aa
dimensional shape of
sheet-like sill, rather than a fiumel-shaped
funnel-shaped intrusion as previously suggested by, amongst
amongst others,
others,
Wilson (1956);
(1956); Naldrett
Naldrett and
and Kullerud
Kullerud (1976).
(1976).
The
Sublayer,
a
fineto
medium-grained
mafic to
to intermediate rock (quartz diorite
The Sublayer, fine- to
diorite -(Contact Sublayer)
Sub!ayer) and as dykes in
norite) occurring at the base of the Sudbuiy
Sudbury Igneous Complex (Contact
surrounding country rocks (Offset Sublayer),
the surrounding
Sublayer), is host to
to much
much of
of the
the Ni
Ni -- Cu sulphide ores of
(DressIer et
et al.
al. 1991). The
the Sudbury Structure (Dressler
The Contact
Contact Sublayer
Sublayer and Offset Sublayer
Sublayerhave
have
described in detail
detail by
by Naldrett
Naldrett et
et al.
al. (1984) and by Grant and Bite
been described
Bite (1984),
(1984), respectively.
respectively.
Dressier
that at
at least some of
of the
the Sublayer
Sublayer post-dates
post-dates the Main
Dressler et al.
al. (1991)
(1991) provided
provided evidence that
Mass of
of the
the SIC.
SIC.
The
SudbuvIgneous
Igneous Complex
Complex is
is subdivided
subdivided into
into aa Lower,
Lower, Middle
Middleand
and
The Main
Main Mass
Mass of
of the
the Sudburv
an Upper zone (Pye et al. 1984;
1984; DressIer
Dressler 1984b).
1984b). The
Thelower
lower zone
zone consists
consistsof
ofmafic
maficand
and felsic
felsic
consists of
of quartz
quartz gabbro,
gabbro, and
and the
the Upper
Upper Zone
Zone of
of granophyres.
granophyres. The
The
norites, the Middle Zone consists
contacts
between
these
major
phases
are
gradational
(DressIer
et
a!.
1991).
The
granophyres
contacts
major phases are gradational (Dressier et al. 1991). The granophyres of
of the
the
by Peredery
Peredery and
and Naldrett
Naldrett (1975) into an early plagioclase-rich
plagioclase-rich
Upper Zone have been divided by
phase
phase. The
phase and
and aa contemporaneous
contemporaneous to slightly later "normal" phase.
The SIC
SICdoes
doesnot
not exhibit
exhibitfine-scale
fine-scale
to other large, mafic
mafic igneous complexes
complexes such
suchas
as the
the Bushveld
Bushveld Complex. The
The
layering common to
abnormally rich
rocks of the Sudbuiy
SudburyIgneous
Igneous Complex
Complex are
are also
also unique
unique in being abnormally
rich in
in normative
normative SiO2
SiO;
and K20. This
to suggest
Thisobservation
observationled
led Irvine
Irvine (1975)
(1975) and
and Naldrctt
Naldrett and Macdonald (1980) to
suggest that
the Sudbury
strongly contaminated by silica-rich
silica-rich country
country
SudburyIgneous
Igneous Complex
Complex represented a magma strongly
rocks.
rocks.
Naldrett and Rewins
the published
published literature
literature on the
the Main
Hewins (1984) summarized much of the
Mass
Mass of
of the
the Sudbury
SudburyIgneous
IgneousComplex,
Complex, and
and stated
stated that
that three
three main
main models
models have
have been
been proposed
proposed for
for
(Dressier et
et al.
al. 1987).
1987). These
the Igneous Complex (Dressler
Theseare:
are: 1)
1)the
the Complex
Complex is
is aa folded
folded differentiated
differentiated
sill; 2) both the norite and granophyre intruded
intruded separately
separately as
as ring
ring dikes,
dikes, and
and 3)
3) the
the Complex
Complex is
is aa
flinnel
cataclastic fracturing
fracturing of
three models require an initial cataclastic
of the earth's
funnel shaped intrusion. These
These three
crust
crust with the formation of a crater into which a basic magma, rising from depth (possibly from a
reactivated Nipissing magma chamber),
chamber), intruded
intruded and
andformed
formedthe
theSIC.
SIC. The Main Mass
Mass of
of the
the
Sudbury
Sudbury Igneous
Igneous Complex has also
also been interpreted to be the clast-free component of a melt sheet,
impact (Faggart
(Faggart et
eta!.
al. 1985,
1985, Brockmeyer
Brockmeyer 1990;
1990; Grieve
Grieve et
et al.
al. 1991).
1991).
formed in situ by meteorite impact

�8

The upper contact of the SIC
Onaping Formation has
has been
been described
described as
SIC with the overlying Onaping
both gradational
gradational and sharp intrusive contact relationships (Dressier et al.
at. 1991).
exhibiting both
1991).

Whitewater Group
stratigraphic order, a
The Proterozoic Whitewater Group consists of, in ascending stratigraphic
conformable
conformable sequence
sequence of initially glass-rich breccias and melts of the Onaping
Onaping Formation,
Formation,
carbonates
and
gray
argillites
of
the
Vennilion
Formation,
carbonaceous
argillites
and siltstones
siitstonesof
of
carbonates
the Vermilion Formation, carbonaceous argillites and
Onwatin Formation, and
and wackes
wackes of
of the
the Cbelmsford
Chelmsford Formation.
Formation.
the Onwatin

Onaping Formation
Onapine
Formation

Onaping Formation is the lowermost formation of the Proterozoic
Proterozoic Whitewater
Whitewater Group.
Group.
The Onaping
The
formation
consists
of
a
1400
m
thick
succession
of
initially
glass-rich
breccias
and
igneousThe
consists
1400 m
succession
breccias
ignwustextured rocks within the Sudbury Basin (53 by
by 17 km).
km). Rocks
Rocks of
of the Onaping
Onaping Formation are
are
underlain by intrusive granophyres of the Upper Zone of
of the
the Sudbury Igneous Complex and
and are
overtain by carbonates and argillaceous
conformably overlain
argillaceous rocks
rocks of
of the
the Vermilion
Vermilion and
and Onwatin
Onwatin
Formations. The
TheOnaping
OnapingFormation
Formation isis the
the stratigraphic
stratigraphicfootwall
footwall to the carbonate-hosted
Vermilion and Emngton
Errington Zn-Cu-Pb-Au-Ag
Zn-Cu-Pb-Au-Ag deposits that
that are
are found in the
the south-west quadrant of
the Sudbury
Onaping Formation has been
Sudbury Basin (Figure 1). Coeval
Coevalwith
with the
the Sudbury
Sudbury Event,
Event, the Onaping
interpreted
interpreted as
as aa meteor
metwr impact
impact faliback
fallback breccia
breccia or
oraavolcanic
volcanicdeposit.
deposit.
The Onaping Formation consists of 33 major
major units'that
unitsthat are
are discontinuous
discontinuous around
around the
from the
the base
base upward,
upward, they
they are
are the
the Basal
Basal Intrusion,
Intrusion,the
the Sandcheny
Sandcherry Member and
Sudbury Basin; from
the Dowling member
member [Gibbins
(Gibbins 1994). These
Theseare
are different
different subdivisions
subdivisions than
than described
described by other
other
workers. Figure
Figure22illustrates
illustratescorrelative
correlativenomenclature
nomenclatureused
used in
in this
this paper
paperand
andmost
mostrecent
recentprevious
previous
workers. Previous
Peredery 1984;
1984; Grieve
Grieve et al. 1991;
1991;Avermann
Avermann 1992;
1992;
Previous workers,
workers, such
such as
as Muir
Muirand
and Peredery
Avermann and Brockmeyer
Brockxneyer1992,
1992,subdivided
subdividedfragmental
fragmentalrocks
rocksof
the Onaping
Onaping Formation
Formation into
into aa
of the
lower Gray Member, an upper Black Member, and a middle Green member,
member, distinguished,
distinguished, as
as their
by colour.
colour. The
and fluidal-texfured
fluidal-textured rocks
rocks of
of
names suggest, by
The same
same authors
authors subdivided the igneous- and
Formation into
into Basal
Basal member
memberand
andMelt
MeltBodies.
Bodies. Table
Table 1
I summarizes
the Onaping Formation
summarizes the
stratigraphic subdivision
nomenclature and stratigraphic
subdivision used by previous workers.
workers.
Stratigraphic subdivision
breccias by
by Gibbins
(Jibbins (1994) using a
Stratigraphic
subdivision of the Onaping Formation breccias
non-genetic, detailed
detailedmapping
mappingapproach
approachbased
basedon
onFisher's
Fisher's classification of fragmental
systematic, non-genetic,
rocks (Fisher
(Fisher 1966),
1966), in conjunction with standard bedrock mapping criteria and detailed
morphological examination of
of 'glass' fragments,
fragments, showed
showed that
that carbonaceous
carbonaceousmaterial
materialwithin
within the
the
matrix of the breccias is not time stratigraphic
stratigraphic and is, therefore, not a viable criterion for
matrix
for the
the
stratigraphic subdivision of the
the Onaping
Onaping Formation.
Formation. Gibbins
stratigraphic
Gibbins(1994)
(1994)noted
notedaapronounced
pronounced
stratigraphic
percentage, size and
and type
type of
of fragments
fragments (Figure
(Figure 3),
3), the
stratigraphicdifference in the percentage,
the morphology
morphology
forthe
thevarious
various depositional
depositionalunits
unitsthat
that were
were
of glass shards, and in the mechanisms of emplacement for
delineated. Based
Based on
on these
these
differences Gibbins
Gibbins (1994)
(1994) proposed
proposedaa revised
revied stratigraphic
stratigraphicclassification scheme for the Onaping
Formation that
thatisisnot
notbased
basedon
oncolour
colour(i.e.
(i.e.carbon
carboncontent)
content)(Figure
(Figure4).
4).
area, the Onaping Formation is aa 1400 m thick succession of devitrified
In the Dowling area,
glass-rich breccias and hypabyssal intrusions that dips gently at 25"
25° towards
towards the interior of the
the
Sudbury
Sudbury Igneous Complex. According
Sudbury Basin and strikes parallel to the contact with the Sudbury
According
to Gibbins (1994), the succession consists of (1) a coarse, shard-rich,
shard-rich, matrix-poor, lower
lower
member, that
that is subdivided into
into Fluidal
Fluidal Fragment-rich
Fragment-rich and Shard-rich
Sandcherry member,
Shard-rich units,
units,(2)
(2)aa
finer, shard-poor, matrix-rich upper
upper Dowling
Dowling member, that
that is
is subdivided
subdivided into
into Lower,
Lower, Middle
Middle and
and
referred to
to as
as sheet-like
sheet-like and
and pipe-like
pipe-likebodies
bodiesof
of Basal
Upper Units, and (3) coeval intrusions, referred
Intrusion and Aphanitic dykes
dykes (Figures
(Figures 44 and
and 5).
5). The
the Sandcherry
Sandcheny and
The contact between the

�PRESENT
PRESENT
PAPER
PAPER

PAST
PAST STUDiES
STUDIES

GIBB1NS
GIBB1NS
(1997)
(1997)

AVERMANN
AVERMANN &amp;&amp;
BROCKMEYER
BROCKMEYER
(1992)
(1992)

MUIR &amp;
MUIR
&amp;
PEREDERY
PEREDERY
(1984)
(1984)

MUIR
MUIR
(1983,
(1983, 1981)
1981)

BURROW &amp;
&amp;
BURROW
STEVENSON THOMSON
THOMSON(1957)
(1957) RICKABY
RICKABY COLEMAN
COLEMAN
(1972a, 11972b)
(1
11972b) (1961, 1972)
1972) WILLIAMS (1957)
(1957) (1930)
(1905)
(1930)
(1905)

Dowling
Cowling
Member
Member
Upper
Upper and
and
Middle
Middle
Units
Units

Upper
Upper
Black
Black
Member
Member

Black
Black
Member
Member

Black
Black
Member
Member

black
black
Onaping
Onaping

Lower
Lower Black
Black
Member
Member
Green
Green Member
Member

Lower
Lower
Units
Units

Sandtherry
Sandcherry

PEREDERY
PEREDERY

gray
gray
Onaping
Onaping

Gray
Gray Member
Member

Gray
Gray
Member
Member

Green
Green
Member
Member

Melt
Melt Body
Body

Melt
MeltBody
Body

Grey
Grey Member
Member melt
melt rock
rock
melt
mett body
body

Basal
Basal Member
Member

Basal Member basal
basal
Basal Member
Member Sasal

black
black
tuft
tuff

Basal
Basal Intrusion
Intrusion
Pipe-like
Pipe-like
Bodies
Bodies

Sheet-like
Sheet-like
Bodies
Bodies

Table
Table 1:
1:

breccia
breccia

-

Nomenclature - Present
Present and
and Past
Past (after
(afterMuir
Muirand
andPeredery
Peredery1984)
1984)

andesitetuft,
tuff,
andesite
tuff-breccia
tuff-breccia

volcanic
volcanic
luff,
tuff,
flow
flow
breccia
breccia

grey
grey
tuff
tuff

lapilli-tuff,
lapilli-tuff,
glowing
glowing
avalanche
avalanche
deposits
deposits

pepper-andpepper-andsalt
salt micromicropegmatite
pegmatite
(chilled)
(chilled)

andesite
andesitewith
with
rhyolite
rhyolite
fragments
fragments

lavas
lavas

quartzite
quartzite
breccia
breccia
(tectonic)
(tectonic)

rhyolite,
rhyolite,
rhyolite
rhyolite
breccia
breccia

rhyolite,
rhyolite,

Member
Member
Shard-rich
&amp;
Shard-rich &amp;
Fluidal
Fluidal
Fragment-rich
Fragment-rich
Units
Units

BELL
BELL
(1893)
(1893)

pyroclastic
pyroclastic
sediments
sediments

siliceous
siliceous
volcanic
volcanic
breccia
breccia

part of
part
(unspecified)
(unspecified)
Trout Lake
Lake
Trout
Conglomerate
Conglomerate
(with
igneous(withigneouslooking
looking matrix)
matrix)

Trout Lake
Lake
quartzite
Troul
quartzite
agglomerate Conglomerate
Conglomerate conglomerate
conglomerate
agglomerate

'0

�To

SANDCHERRY
SANDCHERRY
MEMBER
MEMBER

D

60

E
E

VITRIC FRAGMENTS
FRAGMENTS
VITRIC
LITHIC FRAGMENTS
FRAGMENTS
LITHIC

50

A

DOWLING
DOWLING
MEMBER
MEMBER

(I)

zId
I—

4°

C)

IL 30
LI-

0

Id
C)

zLi

P

20
15

0

10

Li
a-

5

—

0

SMFL
SMFL

SMSR
SMSR

SMSRC
SMSRC

I

DMLCT
DMLCT

DML
DML

DMM
DMM

I

DMU
DMU

UNITS
DEPOSITIONAL UNITS

Figure3:3:
Figure

Average percentage ofjunvenile and basement lithic fragments gitater than 1 mm in size in the
fragmental units of the Onaping Formation (SMFL= Fluidal Fragment-rich units of
Sandcheny
Member, SMSR = Shard-rich units of Sandcheny Member, SMSR
= Conductive Shard-rich
units of Sandcheny Member, DMLCT = Lower Contact Unit of fowling member, DML
=
Lower units of Dowling Member, DMM = Middle
units of fowling Member, DMU = Upper
units ofDowling Member. (after (Jibbins 1994)

�11

Dowling members
change in the percentage of matrix,
matrix, morphology and
and
members marks
marks aa rapid
rapid stratigraphic
stratigraphic change
size of shards,
percentage of lithic fragments, and depositional
depositional character
character of
of units.
units.
shards, percentage
The
description of
of the
the Onaping Formation is based on work presented
The following detailed description
by Gibbins
Gibbins (1994).
(1994).
Sandcherry Member
Sandcheny

The Sandcherry
average of 250
Sandcheny member (an average
250 m
m thick)
thick) is
is distributed
distributedalong
alongthe
the base
baseof
ofthe
the
Onaping
Fragment and Shard-rich
Onaping Formation
Formation and is subdivided into Fluidal Fragment
Shard-rich Units
Units (Figure
(Figure5).
5).
Sandcheny
mm in
in size),
size), that
that are
are
Sandchenymember
member rocks contain at least
least 60%
60% fragments
fragments (&gt;1
(&gt;1 mm
predominantly altered "andesitic"
"andesitic" glass
glass shards with approximately 5%
5% lithic,
lithic, basement fragments
fragments
(Figure
(Figure 4). Glass
Glassshards
shardswithin
withinthe
theSandcherry
Sandchenymember
memberare
areweakly
weakly vesiculated
vesiculated (&lt;15%
(&lt;15% vesicles)
vesicles)
and of two predominant types: (1) equant, blocky shards (average
(average &lt;1 xx 11cm
cmin
in size),
size),characteristic
characteristic
of Shard-rich
Shard-rich Units and (2) tabular
tabular to
to ribbony,
ribbony, flow
flowbanded
banded(fluidal),
(fluidal),lapilli-sized
lapilli-sizedshards,
shards,
characteristic
characteristicof
of Fluidal
Fluidal Fragment
Fragment Units.
Units.
Sandcherry member units, as defined by mapping, are massive, extremely
extremely poorly bedded,
laterally discontinuous (&lt;3 km),
kin), irregular-shaped breccia
breccia deposits
deposits that
that range
rangein
in thickness
thickness from
from 50
50
or
to 350 m. Contacts
Contactsbetween
between units are characteristically
characteristically gradational, may be conformable or
represent aa facies-like
ficies-like change. The
discordant, and commonly represent
The Sandcherry
Sandcherry member
member encompasses
encompasses
units. Where
both carbon-poor and carbon-bearing units.
Where carbon-bearing,
carbon-bearing, the
the matrix
matrix of
ofthe
the units
units isis
conductive.
conductive.

Fluidal Fragment Units
Units (SMFLa,
(SMFLa, SMFLb ,SMFLc, SMFLtr)
SMFLtr) -- 2a, 2b, 2c, 3
Fluidal Fragment Units comprise four distinct
and7)
7)based
basedon
onthe
the
distinct map units (Figures
(Figures66and
percentage
percentage and size of fragments that characteristically
characteristicallycontain
contain aa prevalence
prevalence (50
(50- 90%) of tabular
to ribbony, flow
flow banded shards, lapilli, blocks and bombs
bombs (fluidal
(fluidal fragments)
fragments) of
of aphanitic
aphanitic
'andesite',
'andesite', aa relatively
relativelyminor
minor amount of white, equant, blocky shards (0.5 - 1.0
1.0 cm in size), and an
extremely low percentage
percentageof
offine
fineash-sized
ash-sizedmatrix
matrixmaterial.
material. The matrix ground mass consists
consists
primarily of increasingly
diminutiveshards
shardsof
ofthe
thesame
sameflow
flowbanded
bandedaphanitic
aphanitic'andesite'.
'andesite'. The
increasingly diminutive
The
10% lithic fragments
fragments
units may also contain up to 5%
5% dark
dark green
green chlorite-actinolite
chlorite-actinolite fragments, 2 - 10%
and blocks, and 3% composite fragments
fragmentsof
ofother
other Sandcherry
Sandcherry member
memberunits.
units. Fluidal Fragment
Units are
are massive,
massive, non-bedded,
non-bedded,dense,
dense,coarse,
coarse,fluidal
fluidalfragment-rich
fragment-richbreccias.
breccias. The four units
lapilli-tuff and transitional)
(autobreccia, lapillistone, lapilli-tuff,
transitional) are
are differentiated based on clast size
size and
percentage
percentage and represent a continuous sequence from coarse, semi-massive, flow-banded,
'andesite' autobreccia
material of
of similar composition.
composition. The transitional unit
autobrecciathrough to tuff-sized material
(SMFLtr) is
is a hybrid unit contlining
containing fluidal
fluidal fragments
fragments as
as well
well as
as equant,
equant, blocky
blocky shards
shards that
that are
are
characteristic
below. The
characteristic of the Shard-rich Units, described below.
The transitional
transitionalunit
unit isis included
included within this
subgroup
subgroup due
due to
to the
the abundance
abundanceof
of fluidal
fluidal fragments.
fragments.
spatially associated
associated with Aphanitic dykes and
Fluidal Fragment Units are commonly spatially
grouped together represent "Fluidal Breccia
bodies of Basal Intrusion and when grouped
Breccia Complexes".
Complexes",
Fluidal Breccia
Breccia Complexes typically are several hundred metres to kilometres in size, and are
the strata
strata of the
the Sandcherry member
member (sometimes
(sometimes"stacked"),
'stacked'), but
but are
aremore
more
found throughout the
towards the
the base.
base. Fluidal
Fluidal Fragment
Fragment Units are
are conformable
conformable with other fragmental units
common towards
tuffs), but also intrude discordantly
discordantly through
(including carbon-bearing tuffs),
through them.

-

-

-

Shard-rich Units
Units (SMSRa,
(SMSRa, SMSRb, SMSRc,
S
4c,5
SMSRc, SMSRC)
SMSRC) -- 4a, 4b, 4c,
The Shard-rich
that are
aredistinctive
distinctivefrom
fromthe
theFluidal
Fluidal
Shard-richUnits consist of four mappable
mappable units
units that
(Figures 66 and
and 7).
7). Characteristic
Characteristicof
ofthe
the Shard-rich
Shard-richUnits
Units isisthe
the prevalence
prevalence of
of 40
40 Fragment Units (Figures

-

�12

85%, moderately
moderately well sorted, white to pinkish-white, equant, blocky shards,
shards, (&lt;1
( 4 xx 11cm
cmininsize)
size)
85%,
within a fine
fine ash-sized microcrystalline light
Where carbonaceous
carbonaceousmaterial
materialoccurs
occurs
within
light green
greenmatrix.
matrix. Where
within the matrix of the Shard-rich Units,
Units,the
thematrix
matrixisisdark
darkgray
grayto
to black
black and
and conductive.
conductive. The
Shard-rich units also
&lt;10%
also contain up to 15%
15% cored bombs, 4
0 % fluidal
fluidal fragments,
fragments, 1-5%
1-5%accretionary
accretionary
lapilli, &lt;5%
fragments of other Sandcherry
&lt;5% lithic
lithic fragments, and up to 5%
5% composite fragments
Sandcheny member
units. The
The Shard-rich
Shard-rich Units
Units are
are distinguishable
distinguishable from the Fluidal Fragment Units by the occurrence
occurrence
of
of moderately
moderately well sorted
sorted blocky white shards
shards within aa fine
finematrix,
matrix.
were mapped
mapped as lapillistones, lapilli-tuffs
lapilli-tuft's or
or tuffs,
tiffs,
Non-carbonaceous Shard-rich Units were
the size
size and
and percentage
percentageof
offragments.
fragments. Carbonaceous
depending on the
Carbonaceous (black
(black matrix),
matrix), predominantly
predominantly
Shardrich Units
mapped as
as SMSRC
SMSRC (Unit
(Unit 5).
5). Except
conductive Shard-rich
Units were mapped
Except for
for the
the occurrence of
carbon throughout
throughout the matrix, this unit is lithologically the
carbon
the same
same as
as the
the other Shard-rich units.
Contacts
carbonaceous and
andnon-carbonaceous
non-carbonaceousShard-rich
Shard-richUnits
Unitsare
aregradational.
gradational. The
Contacts between carbonaceous
Shard-rich
Shard-rich Units
Units are
arethick,
thick,confonnable,
conformable,laterally
laterallycontinuous
continuous(several
(several1cm)
km) sheet-like
sheet-like depositional
depositional
units
packed, originally
originallyglass-rich
glass-richbreccias.
breccias. The
units of
of massive,
massive, non-bedded, densely packed,
The units
units may
may locally
locally
The units
units are
are situated
situatedthroughout
throughoutthe
the strata
strata
have a bomb- and block-rich-base,
block-rich-base, and/or
and/or aa finer
finertop.
top. The
of
to pinch and
and swell along
along strike. Shard-rich
of the
the Sandcherry
Sandchenymember and appear locally to
Shard-richUnits
Units
overlie, underlie, are
grade laterally
are intruded
intruded by, and grade
laterally into
into Fluidal
Fluidal Fragment
FragmentUnits
Units of
ofthe
theSandcherry
Sandcheny
member. Generally,
Sandcheny member.
Generally, the
the Shard-rich
Shard-rich Units mark the top of the Sandcheny
member.
Interpretation
Interpretation

Shards
passive
Shardscharacteristic
characteristicof
of the Fluidal Fragment Units formed by relatively passive
fragmentation processes (auto-brecciation) caused
caused by
by the
the interaction
interaction of
of melt
melt with
with surrounding
surrounding
fragmentation
water and/or
and/or "wet"
"wet" (water-rich) breccias. Emplacement
Emplacementand
and deposition
deposition of
of the
the Fluidal
FluidalFragment
Fragment
Units varied from repeated shallow level intrusion and auto-brecciation to explosive
explosive eruptions
eruptions
characterized by submarine and
and subaerial
subaerial fountaining
fountainingand
andspattering.
spattering. Passive fragmentation
appears to
appears
to have
have been
been widespread
widespread along the base of the Sandcherry
Sandchenymember,
member, where
where Fluidal
Fluidal
Fragment Units
Units occur
occur as
as "crusts"
"crusts" to
to underlying bodies of Basal Intrusion, and also
also higher up
Fragment
section
Basal Intrusion intruded wet
section where
where Aphanitic
Aphanitic dykes and pipe-like bodies of Basal
wet breccias
breccias and
and
auto-brecciated.
auto-brecciated. The
TheFluidal
FluidalFragment
FragmentUnits
Unitswere
were emplaced
emplaced contemporaneously
contemporaneouslywith
with the
the ShardShardrich Units of
member as
as both discordant, brecciated
brecciated intrusive bodies and
of the Sandcherry
Sandcherry member
confonnable
conformableinterbedded
interbedded units. Contacts
Contactsbetween
between these
these two
two Units,
Units, where
where gradational,
gradational,are
are
represented by LMFLtr,
LMFLtr, a transitional
transitional unit. Emplacement
Emplacementof
ofFluidal
FluidalFragment
FragmentUnits
Unitscontinued
continued
during
the Dowling
Dowling member.
member. In
duringand
and after
afterthe
the deposition
deposition of the Lower Units of the
In conjunction
conjunction with the
Basal
Basal Intrusion
Intrusionand
and Aphanitic
Aphanitic Dykes,
Dykes, the Fluidal Fragment Units record a complex history of
continued
continuedmultiple
multiple intrusion, auto-brecciation, and
and explosion
explosion and
and may
may spatially
spatiallyrepresent
represent"vent"
"vent"
areas
areas within
within the
the Onaping
Onaping Formation. The
Theemplacement
emplacementand
and deposition
deposition of
of Fluidal
Fluidal Fragment
FragmentUnits
Units
are
are interpreted
interpretedto
tobe
besimilar
similarto
to the
theemplacement
emplacement of (1)
(1) peperites
peperites described
describedby
by Hanson
Hansonand
andWilson
Wilson
(1993),
(2) intrusive
intrusivehydroclastic
hydroclastic breccias
breccias described by Hanson (1991), and/or
and/or(3)
(3)vent-fäeies
vent-facies
(1993), (2)
deposits
summits, described
described by
by Smith and
and Batiza (1989)
deposits of
of hyaloclastic
hyaloclastic eruptions on seamount summits,
(Figures
(Figures 8,
8, 9,
9, and
and10).
10).
The
The Shard-rich
Shard-rich Units
Units of
of the
the Sandcherry
Sandcheny member are
are interpreted
interpretedto
to have
haveformed
formedfrom
fromthe
the
same
Units. The
same melt that formed the Fluidal Fragment Units.
The Shard-rich
Shard-richUnits
Units are
arethe
theresult
resultof
ofmore
more
explosive
explosiveinteraction
interactionand
and eruption
eruption of
of large
large volumes of predominantly juvenile material comprising
comprising
mostly
equant,
blocky
shards
and
fine
ash-sized
material.
The
Shard-rich
Units
were
deposited
mostly equant,blocky shards
The Shard-rich Units were deposited
throughout
throughout the
the Sandcheny
Sandchenymember
member strata
strataand
and are
arethe
the explosive
explosiveproducts
products of
ofthe
therepeated
repeated
emplacement
melt into
into its
its own
ownbreccia
brecciapile.
pile. The
emplacement and brecciation of melt
The occurrence
occurrenceof
of accretionary
accretionary
lapilli
lapilli indicate
indicatethat
that eruption
eruptioncolumns
columns associated
associated with the deposition
deposition of
of the
the Shard-rich
Shard-richUnits
Unitswere,
were, in
in
part,
part, subaerial.
subaerial.The
Theshard-rich
shard-richUnits
Unitswere
weredeposited
depositedrapidly
rapidlyas
asvoluminous,
voluminous,essentially
essentiallynonnonbedded,
particle concentration), subaqueous
subaqueous "pyroclastic"
bedded, dense
dense (high particle
"pyroclastic" falls
falls of
ofslurry-like
slurry-like
hyaloclastic
contemporaneouslydown
downslope
slopeas
asmass
massflows.
flows. The
hyaloclastic flows
flows that likely sloughed contemporaneously

�1994) GibbS (after Stnicture
Sudbury Formation, Onaping the of units map of subdivision and column Stratigraphic

-1

'3

ONAPING FORMATION

-i&lt;i

4: Figure

�ONAPING FORMATION
if.
SUDBURY IGNEOUS COMPLEX
GRANOPHYRE
WHITEWATER GROUP
CHELMSFORD FORMATION

I

ONWATIN FORMATION

I

ONAPING FORMATION
DOWLING MEMBER

I
SANDCHERRY MEMBER
SHARD-RICH

UNITS

FLUIDAL FRAGMENT UNITS

0

INTRUSIONS
APHANITIC DYKES
BASAL INTRUSION

a

�LEGEND
LEGEND

[]

15

MiDDLE
MIDDLE PROTEROZOIC
PROTEROZOIC
Diahose tYykas (1245—1460 t/— 130 Ma)

EARLY
EARLY PROTEROZOIC
PROTEROZOIC
SUDB%JRY IGNEOUS COMPLEX (1849.6 +3.4/-3.0 Ma)
ORMOPI-IYRE

WHITEWATER GROUP

CHELMSFORI) FORMAtiON
M&lt;oslc to lithic aricosic sandstones (wockes), minor mudstones

ONWA11N ORMA1iON
Black carbonaceous argllfites. minor ttones

ONAPING FORMA11ON
INTRUSIONS
— iiwmc DYXES (commonly flow bonded, xenoflth—poor)
aASAL INIRUSION (medkan to fine—grainS. ccmrnon3' xenslth—ttcsi)
— Shoot—like bodies

Bib - Border phase with 0rortopl'rn
Sic - Pipe-4Ike bodies

I

2

OM—DOWUNG MEMBER (lenficulor to plots—Se shads, &gt;60% mabtx)

UPPER UNITS (reworked, block carbonaceous matrix)
OIhUc — Conductive fine bitt. CX kiplTh—zed fmgmecits (noted In drill hole only)
DMUb

-

fine

bitt, &lt;3% cpU—ted

fragments

DMUo — Redded tuft. lnterbsds of UMUb and UMMc

MIDDLE UNITS (&lt;3% block-sized fmgrnenth, carbonaceous matrix)
DUMo - topifilatone

UMMb - Loplol-tuff
DMMc — tuft

LOWER UNITS

(Matrix Is locally non—carbanooeous &gt;3% block—sIzed fragments)

DMb - Loplifistone/ruff BrecS
OMLI, - Lopilli-tuff

[El

[J

DMLo — Tuft

DMt.CT — Cant Unit — Tuff/Lcpltil-b.sft, eutoxitic bxtur., fine motstc &lt;10% fragments &gt;2cnt
and bombtiict base

SMSANDCHERRY MEMBER

W

[J
[J

(&lt;40% matrIx)

SHARD—RICH UNITS (equant. blocky shards)
tuft, grades 100* to lapifhitne ad tiff. block carbonaceous matrix
SMSRC - onductive C
(locally non—conductive), &lt;3% accredonary kipilil

SMSfa — Lopifiletone, nan—carbonaceous matrIx
SMSRb — LoplIll—tuff. non—carbonaceous matrix

SMc — luff, non—carbonaceous mattc
5

FLUIDAL FRAOMtNT UNITS (fiuldal. ribbon-like, flow bonded fragments common, ror* and
locally block carbonaceous matctc)

SMFIk - Thff/Tu &lt;t%.

.rt&gt;flctn in te. equant blocky shards also

SMRA — Mt.ct,reccla, 'C20% matrix, block— and bomb—rich
StIFLb

—

Lopilistone

SMELo - La$U-tiff

U NDEAND UNITS

(lower units, significant matrix recsystallizatlan and pervasive sftklfIoatlon)

SM— — Tuft—brecalo

- tn_one
SM--- - Lopilli—tuiff
case letters (a. b. e) In unit codes do not necessarily denote time etrotigraphic order.

Figure
figure6:6:

Detailed
Detailed legend
legend and
and stratigraphic
d g a p h i c subdivision
s u H ~ s i o nof the
theOnaping
OnapingFonnation
FormationofThe
oftheSudbury
Suhy
Structure
GibbS 1994)
Structure(after
(&amp;er Gibbii
1994)

�I

j

I

Q'a

1

ClassXcation scheme and terns used in the detaiIed legend and stratigraphic subdivision of the
Cnapin~Formation of the Sudbuv S t n ~ c h ~(Figure
re
6) ( a b Gibbiis 1994).

LapiHi

64—2mm
Ash

&lt;2mm

(Modified after Fisher 1966)

Blocks and Bombs
&gt;64mm

6

4

3

2

1

pre—existing sulphides

sulphide fragment — fragmentary mineralization derived fran,

fluldal fragments — aftered Juvenile fragments that display
contorted flow banding

block — fragment &gt;B4mm ejected in a solid condition

bomb — glassy fragment &gt;64mm ejected in a molten state

matrix — fragments &lt;1mm in size

shards — lapilil—sized or smaller, aftered glass fragments

NON—GENETIC TERMS TO DESCRIBE FRAGMENTAL ROCKS

CSSIFICATION TERMS USED HEREIN ARE

�17

hyaloclastic debris was likely deposited
deposited quenched
quenchedor
or wol,
cool, as
as there
there is
is no evidence
evidence of
of welding.
welding. Fire
hyaloclastic
fountaining,
fragmentation of
fountaining, ejection of bombs, and explosive
explosive fragmentation
of ash-,
ash-, lapillilapilli-and
andblock-sized
block-sid
and composite)
composite)were
wereongoing
ongoingprocesses
processesdurini
during deposition.
deposition. Emplacement
material (juvenile,
fiivenile, lithic and
hyaloclastie flows on seamount
of the Shard-rich Units is interpreted to be similar to hyaloclastic
seamount summits,
and Batiza
Batiza (1989)
(1989) (Figure
(Figure 8).
8). The
described by Smith and
The source
sourceof
of the
the Shard-rich
Shard-richUnits
Units isis interpreted
interpreted
to be the same
Fragment Units.
Units. Eruption
the
he
same vent sites as for the Fluidal Fragment
Eruptionand
andemplacement
emplacement of both t
Shard-rich and Fluidal Fragment Units occurred contemporanwusly;
contemporaneously; the two Units
reprSent
U ~ t likely
s
represent
different
merent vent ticies
faciesof
ofthe
thesame
sameeruptive
eruptiveprocess
p m s that
that varied
variedin
ineffusion
e6sionrates
ratesand
andexplosivity
explosivitywith
with
time. Unit
U NLMFLtr
~
LMFLtrlikely
likelyisis the
the product
product of
of both
both the
the eruption
emption mechanisms
mechanisms characteristic
characteristic of the
Fluidal
Fluidal Fragment
Fragment and
and Shard-rich
Shard-richUnits.
Units.
The Sandcherry
due to
to fragmentxtion
fragmentation and emption
eruption pprocesses
Sandcheny member was eemplaced
m p l d due
r m s e s that
involved both passive and explosive interaction of water
water with melt,
melt, that
that was
wasrepeatedly
repeatedlyemplaced
emplaced
into its own breccia pile.
pile. IfIf there
was aa meteorite
meteorite impact, "failback"
"fallback" is
is not represented
represented by the
there was
Sandcherry
Intrusion (i.e.
Sandcheny member, but is possibly represented by some components of the Basal Intmsion
lithic
lithic xenoliths).
xenoliths).
Dowling Member
Member
member comprises
comprisesthe
theupper
upper 75%
75% (1000 m) of the Onaping
Ouaping Formation, and
The Dowling member
consists of at least
wnsists
least 10
10 glass-rich,
glass-rich, weakly bedded, fragmental units that
that are
are grouped
grouped into
into Lower,
Lower,
Middle, and Upper Units (Figures 5, 6 and 7).
7). Units
Unitsofofthe
theDowling
Dowlingmember
memberdefine
defineuniform,
unifom
laterally continuous deposits tthat
hat characteristically
60% fine
fine ash-sized
characteristically consist of more than 60%
material
material (matrix)
(matrix) and
and are
are essentially
essentially carbonaceous,
carbonamus, with the
the exception
exception of
of the
the lower
lower Contact
Contact Unit
Unit
(DMLCT -- U
Unit
i t 6)
6)
(DMLCT
member rocks
rocks contain
contain less
lessthan
than40%
40% fragments
fragments (&gt;l
(&gt;1 nun
mm in size) that
that are
Dowling member
predominantly
glass shards with approximately 15%
predominantly altered "andesitic" glass
15%lithic fragments
fragments (Figure 4).
Glass
Glass shards
shards of
of the
the Dowling
Dowling member, compared to shards of the Sandeherry
Sandcherrymember, are
are smaller,
smaller,
contain fewer,
torn4ooking,
fewer, but larger
larger vesicles, display less flow banding and have a more wispy, torn-looking,
lenticular
lenticular to plate-like shape. Dowling
Dowling member
member depositional
depositiod units are
are of
of considerable
considerablestrike
strikelength
length
(2 to more than 10
km),are uniform in thickness (25 -- 300
300 in),
m), and
conformable to
10 kin),
and display
display conformable
lower contacts.
contacts. Sedimentary
unconformable erosional lower
Sedimentarystructures
stmcturesare
areevident
evidenttowards
towardsthe
thetop
topof
ofthe
the
Dowling member.
Member
Lower Units of the Dowling Member

Dowling member
member wmprises
comprises four
four distinct
distinct map
map units, including the
the
This subgroup of the Dowliig
Lower
"chioritic shard horizon''
horizon" or
h w e r Contact
Contact Unit
Unit (DMLCT
(DMLCT - Unit 6), previously known as the "chloritic
member". The
"Green memkr".
TheLower
LowerUnits
Units are
aredistinguishable
distinguishablefrom
&amp;om Sandeherry
Sandcherrymember
memberunits
units essentially
essentially
by aa greater
greater percentage
percentage of ash-sized
a s h - s d matrix and different shard morphology, and from Middle Units
of the Dowling member by
by the
the presence
presenceof
ofblock-sized
block-sizedfragments
fragmentsof
ofcountry
countryrock
rock and
and 'andesite'
'andesite'
comprise aa reverse ggraded
package (increasingly coarser
coarser
bombs. Collectively,
Collectively, the
the Lower Units wmprise
d e d package
crudely channellized
ehannellized units,
units. Individual depositional units
units up section)
section) of thick,
thick, non-bedded, cmdely
are normally graded)
TheLower
LowerUnits
Units have
have an
an average
average true thickness of 200 m,
graded)..The
in, but range
than 55 in
than 300 m. The
locally from less than
m to more than
TheLower
Lower Units
Units were
were mapped
mapped as
as tuffs,
tuffs, lapillilapilliand aa considembly
considerably coarser lapillistone
tuft' breccia.
breccia.
ttufTs,
u s , and
lapillistone to tuff

-

-

Unit (DMLCT)
(DMLCT) -66
Contact Unit

-

green
The most distinguishing feature
feature of
of D
DMLCT
the predominance
predominance of 20
20 - 45%
m C T unit is the
45% p
n to
chloritic shards (less than
than 55 mm
mm in
insize)
size)within
withinaavery
veryfine
finematrix.
matrix. The matrix is
dark green ehloritic
normally a pale bluish green, but may be dark gray to black due
due to
to fine
fine carbonaceous
carbonamus material,
material,

�Figure 8:

A

BY./;

—

//jz&gt;'&gt;,&gt;

—

rn
K//'. :'&gt;'

—

7.

Schematic model for the development of intrusive
hydroclastite breccias (Hanson 1991)

S EM ENT

SE DIM EN

-_ WATER

/7.;'C.,

—

—

-

oc

�cJ•

Figure 9:
•

%—

RHYOLITE
PEPERITE

--__
1993)

-

PEPERITE

Schematic model for the development of peperites (Hanson and Wilson

FEEDER CONDUITS'

-

-

o:.

'I

REDEPOSITED

_____

_

-

WATER

WET SEDIMENTS

_

'C

�20

e.

non explosive formation
of splinter shards

zone of explosive mixing of
magma and sea water: fluidal
and blocky shards produced
density flow entrains

vent

-.J.

5 metres

Schematicdiagram
diagramillustrating
illustratingstyle
styleofoferuption
eruptionenvisioned
envisioned to produce the
Schematic
to produce the
hyaloclastitedeposits
depositson
onseamount
seamountsummits
summits(Smith
(Smith and Batiza 1989)
hyaloclastite
and Batiza 1989)

Figure 10
10:
Figure

�21

which usually occurs
the unit.
unit. The
which
occurs towards the top of the
The DMLCT Unit contains some (&lt;15%)
( 4 5 % ) blocky
shards
characteristic of the
the Sandcherry
Sandcherry member,
member, but
butthe
the majority
majority are
are finer,
finer, angular
angular
shards similar
similar to those characteristic
glass
glass splinters
splinters and
and plate-like shards. The
Theunit
unit commonly
commonly displays
displays a eutaxitic-like
eutaxitic-liketexture
texture (incipient
(incipient
welding), defined by the alignment of
of plate-like
plate-likelenticular
Icnticularshards.
shards. Locally, flow
flow features
features are
arevisible
visible
around the margins of blocks
blocks and
and bombs.
bombs. The
unit
also
contains
5%
fluidal
5% fluidal lapilli, 5%
5% bombs,
The
&lt;5%
fragments,and
and&lt;3%
&lt;3%
composite
fragments
of Sandcherry
member
&lt;5% lithic
lithic fragments,
composite
fragments
of Sandcheny
member
units, units,
This unit outcrops
outcropsasasdiswntinuous
discontinuous
lenses
to several
kilometres
in at
length
at the contact
lenses
up toup
several
kilometres
in length
the contact
between the Sandcherry and Dowling
Dowlingmembers.
members. The lower contact
contact of
of the
the DMLCT
DMLCT Unit is
bombs, 0.5 --22 m
commonly marked by an
an increase
increase in percentage
percentage (5 -- 45%) of blocks and bombs,
m in
in size,
size,
units. Where
with respect to underlying units.
Where a block- and bomb-rich base is not observed, the contact
contact is
gradational over
decrease upwards
gradational
over a distance
distance of
of 33 to
to S5 m and is indicated by a decrease
upwards (in
(in section)
section) in
in shard
shard
in shard
shard morphology.
morphology. The upper contact
contact of
of the
the DMLCT
DMLCT
size and percentage, as well as a change in
Unit, though not typically observed, is sharp and marked by an increase (up section)
section) in
in lapilli-sized
lapilli-sized
fragments and
and an
an absence
absence of
of eutaxitic-like
eutaxitic-liketextures.
textures. The Contact Unit may extend around the
where the
the unit
unit was
was deposited
deposited above water.
basin but the "welded texture" may only be developed where
compacted (not deposited
Elsewhere, the Contact
Contact Unit
Unit is
is not
not welded or compacted
deposited hot) and
and looks
looks like
like other
other
units that
that were deposited
deposited below
belowwater
water (subaqueous
(subaqueous deposition).
deposition). In
Dowling member units
In other
other words,
words,
= subaerial
deposition and non-welded =
subaerial deposition
= subaqueous
subaqueous deposition. Welding
Welding is
is aa good
good
welding =
paleoenvironment indicator.
indicator.
The
The DMLCT
DMLCTUnit
Unit isis the
the first
first stratigraphic
stratigraphicoccurrence
occurrencecontaining
containingdepositional
depositionalfeatures
features
characteristic
underlying units
units of the Sandcheny
Sandcherry member,
characteristic of
of the
the Dowling
Dowling member.. Compared to underlying
the DMLCT
DMLCTUnit
Unit shows
shows an
an increase
increase in percentage
percentage of composite fragments, lithic
litbic fragments,
fragments,
bombs, and
having aa block- and bomb- rich base
and cored
cored bombs
bombs (both
(both simple and complex), locally having
that clearly
clearly separates
separates this
this unit
unit from
from underlying
underlying Shard-rich Units of the Sandcheriy
Sandchenymember.
member.

Lower Units ((DMLa,
7a, 7b, 7c
D M 4 DMLb, DMLc) -- 7%
7c
Differentiated by size and percentages
percentages of
of similar
similar fragments
fragments types,
types, these three
three units,
lapillistone to tuff breccia, lapilli tuff, and tuff, represent
represent a discontinuous,
discontinuous, crudely
crudely interlayered
interlayered
sheet that comprises the
the bulk
bulk volume
volumeof
ofthe
theLower
LowerUnits.
Units. Contacts between the
the various
various units are
typically indistinct, but can be sharp. Lower
Lower contacts
contacts are locally channelized. Tuff
Tuff (DMLc),
(DMLc),
where
where preserved,
preserved, is
is commonly
commonly the
the lowest of the three units and usually
usually directly
directlyoverlies
overliesthe
the
DMLCT Unit (Unit
DMLCT
(Unit 6).
6). Lapillistone
(DMLa) is normally found near the
the top
top of
of the
the
Lapillistonetototuff
tuffbreccia
breccia(DMILa)
with lapilli-tuff
lapilli-tuff(DMLb).
(DMLb). Individually,
Individually, the
the units
units are
are crudely,
crudely, but
but normally
nonnally
sequence, intercalated with
graded. Together,
sequence. The
Together,the
thethree
threeunits
units define
define a reversely graded sequence.
The units
units are
aredistinguished
distinguished
from the underlying DMLCT
DMLCT unit by
by aa coarser
coarser appearance
appearance and
and the
the absence
absence of
of eutaxitic
eutaxitic textures
textures in
in
the matrix. Overlying
Overlyingunits
units are
arebetter
better sorted,
sorted, and
and lack
lack coarse
coarse lapilli
lapilli and
and block sized fragments.
fragments.
The units normally have a dark gray to black carbonaceous
carbonaceous fine
fine ash-sized
ash-sized matrix,
matrix, which
which
represents more than 60% of the rock.
rock. The
units
also
contain
15
25%
wispy,
lentieular
to
The units also
15 25%
lenticular
cuspate
cuspate shards,
shards, 55 - 95% flow
flow banded, tabular and fluidal
fluidal lapilli
lapilliof
ofaphanitic
aphanitic 'andesite',
'andesite', 3 -- 40%
of aphanitic,
aphanitic, poorly
poorlyvesicular
vesicular'andesite'
'andesite', 5 - 10%
bombs, cored bombs and blocks of
lithic fragments
fragments
10% lithic
Sandcherry and Dowling member
and blocks, and up to 10%
10%composite
composite fragments of underlying Sandcheny
units. Rare
Rarediscontinuous
diswntinuouslenses
lensesof
offine
finetuff
tuffare
arelocally
locallyinterbedded
interbedded with
with the
the coarser
coarserunits.
units.
Bedding or layering
layering is
is not
not evident
evident at the outcrop
outcrop scale.
scale.

-

-

-

8a, Sb, 8c
8c
Middle Units (DMMa, DMMb, DMMe)
DMMc) -- Sa,
The
memberconsist
consistof
ofsimilar,
similar, thick
thickdepositional
depositional units
units of
of
The Middle Units of the Dowling member
and lapillistone.
lapillistone. The
tuff, lapilui-tuff
lapilli-tuff and
The three map units that comprise
comprise the Middle Units are
are different
different
only in the percentage
percentage of
of lapilli-sized,
lapilli-sized,dark,
dark,chloritic
chloriticshards
shardsand
andlithic
lithicfragments.
fragments. The
The units
units
m inin true
true
represent the majority
majority (&gt;60%)
(&gt;60%) of
of the
the Dowling
Dowling member, and collectively
collectively average
average 600
600 m

�22

gradational.
thickness. Contacts with underlying DML Units and overlying DMU Units are mostly gradational.
the field from underlying
underlying DML
DML Units by the absence of blockMiddle Units are distinguished in the
and bombs.
bombs. Overlying
sized lithic fragments and
Overlying DMU
DMU Units are
are finer
finer grained and more distinctly
bedded.
bedded.
contain more than
than 65% matrix, mostly dark gray to black due to presence of
DMM Units wntain
carbonaceous
35% wispy, lenticular to cuspate shards, 11 -carbonaceous material. The
Theunits
units also
alsocontain
wntain 15
15-- 35%
5%
equant,
flow
banded
'andesite'
fine
lapilli-sized
fragments, &lt;7% lithic fragments (&lt;4
(&lt;4 cm in
5%
banded
fine
8% shiny, dark, rounded
size) and
and 2 -- 8%
rounded quartz
quartz grains,
grains, &lt;1-2 mm
mm in
in size.
size. Shards
size)
Shards in DMM Units
display similar
DML Units. Some
similar features to shards
shards contained in underlying DML
Some shards
shards appear
appearto
tobe
be
coated or surrounded by fine ash-sized material
material and carbonaceous material. Composite
Compositeblocks
blocks and
and
irregular clumps
irregular
clumps of
of coarser
coarser and
and finer
finer underlying
underlying breccia
breccia units
units are
arecontained
containedin
in DMM
DMMUnits.
Units.

Upper Units of the Dowling Member
This subgroup
This
subgroup of the Dowling member marks the top
top of the Onaping
Onaping Formation
Formation and
and isis
divided into
into three
three map
map units.
units. In
stratigraphic
order
DMU
Units
comprise
a
basal
bedded
In stratigraphic order DMU Units wmprise a basal bedded tufT
tuff
Unit 9a), a fine tuff (DMUb -- Unit
Unit 9b),
9b), and
and an
an upper
upperconductive,
conductive,fine
finetufT
tuff (DMUe
(DMUc -- Unit
(DMUa - Unit
10). Overall,
Overall,DMU
DMUUnits
Units comprise
comprise aa normally
normally graded
graded sequence
sequence that has an average
average true thickness
of 170
m.
DMU
Units
are
much
finer
than
underlying
units
(Figure
4),
and
display
170 m. DMU Units are much finer than underlying units (Figure 4), and displayfeatures
features
suggestive of reworking
suggestive
reworking and
and re-deposition.
redeposition.

-

Bedded Tuff
Tuff-- (DMUa)
(DMUa) -- 9a
This
tufT(DMUa)
(DMUa) occurs
occurs at
at the
the transitional
transitional contact zone between DMM and DMU
This bedded tuff
DMU
Units and contains alternating
alternating beds of material characteristic of both. DMUa
DMUaisisdistinguished
distinguishedfrom
from
underlying DMM Units by the first stratigraphic
stratigraphicoccurrence
occurrenceof
oflaterally
laterallycontinuous,
continuous,shard-poor,
shard-poor,
fine ash-sized interbeds intercalated with the relatively coarse tuffs
tufTsand
and lapilli-tuffs
lapilli-tuffsthat
that are
are
characteristic
characteristic of
of DMM
DMM Units.
Units.
DMUa consists
consists of alternating
alternating coarse
coarse beds
beds of
of Dowling
Dowling member
member Middle Units and
and fine beds
of Dowling member
member Upper
Upper Units.
Units. Individual beds vary considerably in thickness, but
but generally
average
cm thick. The
Theaverage
averagethickness
thickness of
of DMUb
DMUb beds
beds increases upwards. DMUb
DMUbbeds
beds
average55 to
to 50
50 cm
consist of fine ash-sized
ash-sized fragments
fragments of
ofjuvenile
juvenile and lithic material; fragments greater than 2 mm are
uncommon. Normal
beds isis absent
absentto
toweakly
weaklydeveloped;
developed; contacts
contacts
unwmmon.
Normal grading
gradingwithin
within individual
individual beds
between beds are sharp, with uncommon soft sediment slump features and small, channel-like
structures.
structures.

-

TufT-- (DMUb)
Fine Tuff
(DMUb) - 9b
Contacts
Contacts are
are conformable
conformable and
and gradational,
gradational,marked
marked by
by an
anabsence
absenceof
ofthe
theDMM
DMMUnit-like
Unit-like
comnon in
(Unit9a)
9a) and
and by
by aa generally coarser appearance
appearance and
interbeds common
in the
theunderlying
underlying DMT.Ja
DMUa (Unit
and
lack of conductivity, compared
compared to
to the
the overlying
overlyingDMUc
DMUc (Unit
(Unit 10).
10). DMUb is
is well sorted
sorted with
material finer
finer than
than 1 mmm
insize.
size. Much of the fine ash
ash material
material is
is subsubm in
greater than 95% of the material
rounded lithic
lithie fragments and
and rounded
rounded (abraded)
(abraded) shards.
shards. Rare,
Rare, larger
largeraltered
altered glass
glass shards
shardsmay
mayalso
also
occur. DMUb
DMUbisislocally
locallyinter-layered
inter-layered with
with beds
beds of
of angular
angularto
torounded
rounded argillaceous
argillaceous and cherty
cherty
fragments, less than 2 cm in size. Individual
Individual beds are
are commonly
commonly less than 40 cm thick, and may
contain up to 80%
fragments. Many
80% of these dark gray to black fine sedimentary fragments.
Many of
of the
the fragments
fragments
wntain
give
give the impression of
of being rip-up elasts.
clasts.

�23

-

-

Conductive
ConductiveFine
Fine TufT
Tuff - (DMUc)
(DMUc) - 10
10

tuft' (DMUc)
(DMUc)was
was described
described by
by Paakki
Paakki (1992)
(1992) as "Conductive
This conductive fine tuff
'andesite' tuft".
tuff". Conductivity
Conductivityisisattributed
attributedto
tothe
the presence
presence of
of fine carbonaceous material. Lower
Lower
underlying DMUa
DMUa and
and DMUb
DMUb are
are marked
marked by
by aa gradational
gradational fining
finingand
andthe
theonset
onsetof
of
contacts with underlying
associated with
with aa stratigraphic
stratigraphic increase
increase in
in carbonaceous
carbonaceous material.
material. The
conductivity, associated
The upper
upper contact
contact
with overlying sediments and
and carbonates
carbonates of the Vermilion Formation is sharp
sharp and
and conformable.
conformable.
from the
the similar
similar looking
looking Onwatin
Onwatin Formation
Fonnation by the absence of fine
DMUc is visually distinguished from
laminations and siltstone
laminations
siltstone interbeds.
interbeds.
The
The upper 55 to 10
10m
m of DMUc
DMUc is
is black,
black, fine,
fine, poorly
poorly bedded
bedded to
to massive,
massive, and
and strongly
strongly
conductive. Towards
Towardsthe
thebase
baseof
ofDMUc
DMUcconductivity
conductivitydecreases
decreasesand
andwispy
wispylenses
lensesof
oflighter
lighterand
and
slightly coarser, dark gray
apparent.
gray tuff
tuff become apparent.

Interpretation
The
The morphology
morphology and internal
internal characteristics
characteristicsof
ofshards
shardswithin
withinthe
theDowling
Dowlingmember
memberindicate
indicate
that vesiculation (volatile
(volatile exsolution) played a role, though
though aa minor
minor one,
one, in
in the
the predominantly
predominantly
hydroelastic
hydroclastic fragmentation
fragmentation and eruption of the Dowling member. The
The Dowling
Dowling member
member Lower
Lower
Contact Unit represents a deposit formed by
by fragmentation processes that changed from the
Contact
relatively passive to moderate explosive generation of Fluidal Fragment
Fragment Units (proximal,
(proximal,
intrusive/extrusiveauto-breccia deposits) and co-genetic Shard-rich Units (more widespread
intrusive/extrusive
hyaloclastic
activity and
and basin-wide deposition
deposition of
of voluminous
voluminous falls,
hvaloclastic deposits) to more explosive activity
falls.
flows and subsequent mass
mass flows. Consistent
and
consistent with the greater explosivity
expiosivity is a fine grain size &amp;d
minor (10%)
in the
the lithic
lithicfrwment
fragment
content
of
depositionai
units.
The
Sandcheny
(10%)enrichment in
content
of
depositional
units.
The
Sandchem
member/Dowling member contact is suggestive of an evolving hydroclastic
hydroclastic eruption that
that was
was
initially
initially relatively passive,
passive, but
but with
with time
timebecame
becamemore
moreexplosive.
explosive.
The Contact Unit (the DMLCT
DMLCT Unit) is interpreted
interpreted to have been deposited relatively hot,
possibly in aa subaerial
to
shallow
subaqueous
environment,
subaerial to shallow subaqueous environment,and
andisisincipiently
incipientlywelded
welded (where
(where
deposited subaerially). The
TheDMLCT
DMLCTUnit
Unitisisthe
theproduct
productofofthe
theexplosive
explosiveintroduction
introductionof
ofnew
newmelt
melt
at
at surface.
surface.
The majority of the Dowling member units
units are interpreted
interpreted to have
have been deposited
deposited
subaqueously as a prolonged, explosively erupted
erupted series
series of
of "pyroclastic" falls, flows and
subaquwusly
subsequent debris or mass flows. Nearly
in the
the
Nearlycontemporaneous
contemporaneousslumping
slumpingand
and sloughing
sloughingresulted
resulted in
transportation
transportation and re-deposition
redeposition of tuffaceous material down slope in the form of pyro-turbidite
mass flows (Figure 111).
1). Cored,
Cored, aerodynamic
aerodynamicbombs
bombs indicate
indicate that
that eruption
eruptioncolumns
columns
and debris-like mass
were, in part, subaerial
subaerialand
and associated
associated with lava
lava fountaining
fountaining during
during the
the deposition of the Lower
Units. Lower
LowerUnits
Unitswere
weredeposited
deposited on
on fairly
fairly irregular
irregularpaleo-topography
paleo-topographyas
aspoorly
poorlysorted,
sorted,
ehannellized
sheets
of
significant
thickness.
In
contrast,
the
Middle
Units
arc
interpreted
channellizcd
of significant thickness. contrast, the Middle Units are interpreted to
to have
have
been deposited as a series
10 m) "pulses"
series of frequent,
frequent, thin (1 - 10
"pulses" of generally better sorted,
sorted, finer
finer
(block(block- and bomb-poor), possibly
possibly graded
graded material;
material; there
there isis no
noevidence
evidence of
of significant
significantsedimentary
sedimentary
re-working. Deposition
was
rapid
and
mass
slumping
destroyed
primary
depositional
Deposition was rapid and mass slumping destroyed primary depositionalfeatures.
features.
The "pulses" are
are typical
typical of
of hydroclastic
hydroclastic explosions
explosions where water
water intermittently has access
access to
to melt.
Deposition of the laterally continuous and uniform Middle
Middle Units of
of the
the Dowling
Dowling member marks
marks aa
change to a more tectonically stable
stable depositional
depositional environment, compared to that
that of
of the
the Lower
LowerUnits
Units
member. The
of the Dowling member.
The Upper
Upper Units
Units represent
represent the final
final deposition of fine ejecta and
subsequent
subsequent sedimentary
sedimentary reworking.
reworking.

-

Basal Intrusion
Intrusion
subdivided into
intothree
threeseparate
separatemap
mapunits.
units. These are (I)
The Basal Intrusion is subdivided
(1) Sheet-like
Sheet-like
bodies (BIa), which occur
occur as discontinuous sheets or
or sills, up to 300 m thick, at the base
base of
of the
the

�24

Sandcheny
bodies (BIG),
(Bk), which occur
Sandcherry member, (2) Pipe-like bodies
occur as
as irregularirregular-to
toovoid-shaped
ovoid-shapedintrusive
intrusive
masses
Sandcheny and
fragmental units of the Sandcherry
and Dowling members (pipe-like bodies are
masses within fragmental
commonly
commonly exposed in clusters,
clusters, and range in size from less than 2 xx 22 in
in to over 50 x 100
100 m), and
and
(3) Border phase with Granophyre (Bib),
(BIb), which
which represents
represents aa transitional
transitional contact zone up to 65 m
thick between sheet-like bodies
bodies of
of Basal
Basal Intrusion
Intrusionand
andGranophyre.
Granophyre. The
The border
border phase
phase was
was not
not
Granophyre and fragmental units
units of
of the
the Sandcheny
Sandcheny member are in direct contact.
contact.
noted where Granophyre

(Ma) -- 1Ia
Sheet-like (Ha)
l a and
and Pipe-like
Pipe-like Bodies (BIc)
(BIc) -- lie
1l c
1

pipe-like bodies
bodies of
ofBasal
Basal Intrusion
Intrusion are
are igneous-textured phases of the same
Sheet-like and pipe-like
same
unit, and
and are
aredifferent
differentonly
only in
in their
their morphology
morphology and stratigraphic
stratigraphiclevel
level of
of exposure.
exposure.The
Themost
most
distinguishing
85% (ave. 35%) xenoliths of a variety of
distinguishingfeature
feature of
of the
the Basal
Basal Intrusion
Intrusion isis S5 - 85%
leucocratic
basement
rock
types
(quartzites,
granitoids).
leucocratic
rock types (quartzites, granitoids). Xenoliths
Xenoliths are
are randomly
randomlyoriented,
oriented,
subangular to rounded, sub-equant,.and
.sub-equant,and range in size from
from &lt;5
&lt;5 mm to
to 30 m, but average
average 30
30 - 40
subangular
cm.
rounded. The
cm. Locally,
Locally,xenoliths
xenolithsare
arewell
well sorted
sorted and well rounded.
The xenoliths
xenoliths decrease
decrease in size and are
better
higher in
in strata.
strata. Pristine
better sorted
sorted in
in bodies of Basal Intrusion exposed higher
Pristineto
tocorroded
corroded(melted)
(melted)
textures
bleaching, recrystallization,
recrystallization, assimilation
textures are
are common,
common, with
with xenoliths
xenoliths showing minor bleaching,
assimilation
andior
andlor partial
partialmelting,
melting, the
the last
lastof
ofwhich
which isis demonstrated
demonstratedby
by embayments,
embayments,rounded
rounded margins,
margins,
cavities,
other fragments.
fragments. This
cavities, apophyses,
apophyses, and
and annealed margins with other
This "melting"
"melting" indicates
indicatesmelting
melting
and assimilation
at
"depth"
and
then
transportation
to
surface
and
this
is
farther
evidence
of
assimilation at
and
transportation surface and this is farther evidence of the
the
Onaping melts being emplaced from below and not as fall
Onaping
fall back.
back.
The
The matrix
matrix isis medium
medium greenish-gray,
greenish-gray, fmefine- to medium-grained, and has a massive, salt-andsalt-andtexture. Fine
pepper texture.
Fineprisms
prismsofofamphibole
amphiboleare
aretypically
typically visible
visible in
in the
the coarser-grained
coarser-grainedbodies.
bodies.
Generally, there is a decrease
decrease in
in matrix
matrix grain
grain size
size in intrusive
intrusive bodies exposed
exposed higher
higher in
in
stratigraphy.
10% quartz-, chlorite-, and/or
stratigraphy. Pipe-like
Pipe-likebodies
bodies higher
higher in strata
strata also contain 5 - 10%
andlor
sulphide-fillcd
mm in size.
sulphide-filled amygdules,
amygdules, that
that range
range from
from 22 - 55 rnm
Contacts
sharp, vertical
Contacts with all
all but the Fluidal Fragment Units are intrusive, sharp,
vertical to
to horizontal
horizontal
surfaces. The
and usually obvious
obvious on outcrop surfaces.
Thelarge
largesheet-like
sheet-like bodies
bodies display
display chilled,
chilled, fine-grained
fine-grained
generally have a thin
thinchilled
smaller pipe-like bodies generally
chilled
to aphanitic,
aphanitic, xenolith-poor margins. The
Thesmaller
margin. Contacts
with
the
Eluidal
Fragment
Units
are
gradational,
marked
by
an
aphanitic,
Contacts with the Fluidal Fragment
brecciated
brecciated and
and xenolith-poor margin. Where
Wherethese
these brecciated
brecciated contact
contact margins
margins are
arerelatively
relatively large
large
they have
have been
beenmapped
mappedas
asAutobreccia
Autobreccia(SMFLa).
(SMFLa). Contact relationships suggest
or extensive they
emplacement
emplacement of Basal Intrusion
Intrusion is
is contemporaneous with, pre-date
predate and
and post-date
postdate the
the emplacement
emplacement
of the fragmental
fragmental units. Locally,
Locally,where
wherethe
the Basal
BasalIntrusion
Intrusionintrudes
intrudescarbon
carbonbearing
bearingfragmental
fragmental
rocks, aa 22 to
to 15
15m
m contact
contactzone
zone of
of carbon-poor
carbon-poor tuffs
tuffs surrounds
surrounds the
the intrusive
intrusive body.
body.
The
The Basal
Basal Intrusion
Intrusionisis envisioned
envisioned to represent
represent an xenolith-bearing
xenolith-bearing melt that
that intruded
intruded the
the
fragmental
fragmental rocks of the Onaping Formation. Bodies
Bodies of
of Basal
Basal Intrusion
Intrusionwere
were emplaced
emplaced before,
before,
the Sandcherry.
Sandcherry.and
Dowling members.
members. During
during, and shortly
shortly after, the deposition of the
and Dowling
During
intrusion
intrusion most of
of the
the fragmental
fragmental units were unconsolidated and, at least
least locally,
locally, bodies
bodies of
of the
the Basal
Basal
Intrusion
for the
the Fluidal
Fluidal Fragment
Fragment Units
Units (SMFL),
(SMFL), in similar
Intrusion are interpreted to be the melt source for
fashion
fashion to
to peperites.
peperites.
Xenoliths with@
within the Basal Intrusion are interpreted to be remnants
remnants of
of basement
basement rocks.
rocks.
The variety of xenolith
xenolith rock types indicates mixing of basement fragments before and during their
asSimilation
into, or
or transportation
transportation by,
by, the
the Basal
Basal Intrusion.
Intrusion. Locally,
assimilation into,
Locally, xenoliths were rounded and
sorted according
according to size
sizç before or during emplacement.
emplaeement. Because of the high percentage of
xeholiths and relative small size of the intrusions, partial melting of the xenoliths is interpreted to
xenoliths
have
have occurred
occurred before
before incorporation
incorporation into
into the intrusive
intrusive bodies that transported
transportedthem
them to
totheir
theirpresent
present
site. Other
Otherxenoliths
xenolithsare
arefresh
freshand
andunmelted,
unmelted, suggesting variation in melt temperatures or, more
likely, in the timing of incorporation. The
The cataclastic
cataclastic event
event that
that formed the Sudbury
SudburyStructure
Structureisis
interpreted to have
have formed the xënoliths,
x'enoliths, that are presently found within the Basal
Basal Intrusion,
Intrusion,by
by

-

-

-

-

�25

A

BEGINNING OF ERUPTION

Schematicdiagram
diagramof
ofinferred
inferred submarine eruption
Schematic
submarine eruption
1964)
(Fiske
and
Matsuda
(Fiske and Matsuda 1964)

Figure11:
11:
Figure

�26

basement rocks.
rocks. The
brecciation of the basement
The"melted"
"melted" appearance
appearanceof
ofsome
somexenoliths
xenoliths may
may be
be evidence of
impact melting:
melting.
Border
Border Phase
Phase of
of the
the Basal
Basal Intrusion
Intrusion (BIb)
(Bib) -- 11lb
BIb
(iranophyre and bodies of the Basal
Bib represents
represents a gradational contact
contact zone between Granophyre
Intrusion. BIb
Bibhas
hasfeatures
featuresof
ofboth
both these
these units,
units, in
in varying
varying percentages. The
Thecontacts
contactsbetween
between the
the
bodies of
of Basal
Basal Intrusion (BIa)
border phase of the Basal Intrusion (BIb)
(Bib) and both the sheet-like bodies
and
and Granophyre
Granophyre are
are gradational
gradational over
over 11-- 55 m. Close
Closeto
tothe
theGranophyre,
Granophyre,the
the matrix
matrix of
of BIb
Bib isis
similar
Thesole
soledifference
differencebetween
betweenthe
thetwo
twobeing
being the
the presence
presenceof
of55 -- 10%
10%
similar to Granophyre.
Granophyre. The
xenoliths.
xenoliths. Near
Nearthe
thecentre
centreof
ofBib,
Bib,the
thematrix
matrixisisincreasingly
increasinglyfine-grained,
fine-grained,but
butcommonly
commonlydisplays
displays
aggregates of coarser
coarser andlor
Rareamphibole
amphibole needles are visible. Lithic
Lithic
aggregates
and/or finer crystals within
within it. Rare
xenoliths account
account for
for 15
15- 65%
65% of the rock, and
and commonly
commonly have a mafic
mafic reaction
reaction rim
rim that
that extends
extends22
-- 77 mm into the surrounding matrix. Close
Closeto
toBIn,
BIa,the
thematrix
matrixisisfine-grained
fine-grainedand
and homogeneous,
homogeneous,
and
and except
except for
forrare
rarelong
longneedles
needles of
ofamphibole,
amphibole,isisindistinguishable
indistinguishablefrom
fromElla.
BIa.
Bib
bodies of
of
lower border phase/contact
phaselcontact zone of the sheet-like bodies
Bib is
is interpreted
interpreted to
to be the lower
Basal Intrusion and Granophyre. No
No sharp
sharpintrusive
intrusivecontact
contact between
between Granophyre
Granophyre and Bib
Basal
BIb has
been noted. BIb
Bibmay
mayrepresent
representaazone
zoneofofmixing
mixingbetween
betweentwo
twonearly
nearlycontemporaneous
contemporaneousmelts.
melts.
The Basal
Basal Intrusion has been described
described as a conglomerate (Coleman 1905), a rhyolite
(Thompson 1957;
1957; Williams 1957),
1957), aa tectonic
tectonic quartzite
quartzite breccia (Stevenson 1972),
1972), aa
breccia (Thompson
1972b), and part of
of an
an impact
impact melt
melt system
system also
also
meteorite fall-back breccia (Peredery 1972a, 1972b),
Stevenson (196
(1961a)
that
comprising the Sudhury
Sudbury Igneous Complex (Brockmeyer
(Brockmeyer 1990). Stevenson
la) proposed that
the matrix
matrix was
wasoriginally
originallyaa highly
highly pulverized
pulverized mixture
mixture of
of country
countryrock
rock fragments,
fragments,subsequently
subsequently
the
Alternatively, the
the matrix
matrixhas
hasbeen
been
recrystallized by the intrusion of the
the upper
upper phases of the SIC. Alternatively,
1989;
interpreted to have been initially igneous-textured and intrusive (Brockmeyer and Deutsch 1989;
Paakki
Paakki 1990).
1990).

-

-

Aphanitc
Aphanitc Dykes (APHDYK)
(APHDYK) - 12
12

Aphanitic
Aphanitic dykes (APHDYK) are narrow, to irregular-shaped,
irregular-shaped, intrusive
intrusive aphanitic
aphanitic 'andesite'
dykes that are
are xenolith
xenolith poor, commonly
commonly display regular
regular to
to contorted
contorted flow
flow banding,
banding, and
and are
are similar
similar
appearanceand
and composition
composition to
to fluidal
fluidal fragments
fragmentsand
and bombs
bombs within
within the
the fragmental
fragmentalunits
units of
ofthe
the
in appearance
Sandchenyand
and Dowling
Dowling members. APHDYK
APHDYK occurs
occursspatially
spatiallyassociated
associated with the margins of
Sandcheny
sheet-like bodies of Basal Intrusion, as narrow,
narrow, or
or lens-shaped
lens-shaped intrusions
intrusionswithin
within the
the Sandcherry
Sandcherry
member, and
and uncommonly as small, thin dykes within the Lower, Middle, and Upper Units of
of the
the
Contactsbetween
between APHDYK
APHDYK and
and the
the fragmental
fi-agmental units
units may
may be
be locally
locally knifeDowling member. Contacts
sharp,
sharp, intrusive,
intrusive, and
and normally steeply
steeply dipping. Elsewhere,
Elsewhere,these
these contacts
contacts tend
tend to
to be
be highly
highly
irregular and
and brecciated,
brecciated, with
with numerous
numerous apophyses
apophysesextending
extending outwards
outwardsfrom
fromthe
themain
main body
body in
in
irregular
lobe-shaped structures,
of
structures, surrounded
surrounded by hyaloclastite,
hyaloclastite, in similar fashion to the emplacement of
peperites. Contacts
Contactsof
ofAPHDYK
APHDYK with
with bodies
bodies of
of Basal
Basal Intrusion
Intrusion are
are gradational
gradational over 10
10 cm and
are
towards the
the Basal
Basal Intrusion.
Intrusion, The
are characterized
characterized by a coarsening of grain size towards
The margins of
APHDYK are typically strongly flow
flow banded
bandedparallel
parallelto
tocontacts.
contacts. Conehoidal
Conchoidal fractures and sharp
flinty
flinty to
to cherty-like
cherty-like broken edges are
are characteristic
characteristicof
ofthe
theunit.
unit.
APHDYK
APHDYK contains
contains less than 5%
5% subrounded
subrounded quartz-rich lithic fragments (1 - 10
10cm
cm in
in
size), up to 10
pyrrhotite and chalcopyrite. Spherulitic
10 %
% quartz/chlorite-filled
quartz/chlorite-filled amygdules, and 1%
1% pyn-hotite
Spherulitic
texturesare
arealso
alsolocally
locally common.
common. Higher
Higherininstratigraphy
stratigraphythe
theunit
unitisismore
morevesicular
vesicularand
andspherulitic.
spherulitic.
textures
APFIDYK
similar in appearance
appearance to bombs
APHDYK is similar
bombs and
and fluidal
fluidal fragments
fragmentswithin
within the
the fragmental
fragmental units.
units.
Aphanitic
Aphanitic dykes are
are interpreted
interpreted to
to be
be the
the less
less contaminated,
contaminated, lithic-poor,
lithic-poor, more
more rapidly
rapidly
crystallized
crystallized equivalents (end members) of the Basal Intrusion.
Intrusion. Aphanitic
Aphaniticdykes
dykesand
andpipe-like
pipe-like
bodies of Basal Intrusion may represent different
different phases of the same intrusion. Aphanitic
Aphanitic dykes
dykes

-

�27

hypabyssal intrusions of
of non-brecciated
non-brecciatedmelt
meltof
of 'andesite'
'andesite'
are interpreted to represent small hypabyssal
composition that intruded the fragmental rocks of the Onaping during and shortly after their
deposition. The
Theoccurrence
occurrenceofofAphanitic
AphaniticDykes
Dykesmay
may defme
define "vents" and structures
structures that
that controlled
emplacement of the Onaping breccias, fluid migration, alteration,
alteration, and mineraliziation. Locally,
APHOYK
APHDYK represents
represents sites
sites where
where massive
massive 'andesite'
'andesite' locally
locallyintruded
intrudedand
andflowed,
flowed, tongue-like,
tongue-like, into
into
unconsolidated,
unconsolidated, wet piles of glass-rich fragmental rock, interacted with water and passively
passively to
explosively fragmented. Aphanitic
Aphaniticdykes
dykes represent
represent feeders,
feeders, at
at least
leastlocally,
locally,for
forthe
thefragmental
fragmentalunits
units
of the lower Onaping Formation. The
The dykes
dykes show
show many features
features similar
similar to "peperites" described
and Wilson
Wilson (1993)
(1993) (Figure
(Figure9)
9) and
and "intrusive
"intrusivehydroclastic
hydroclasticbreccias"
breccias"described
describedby
by
by Hanson and
Hanson (1991)
(1991) (Figure
(Figure 8).
8). Aphanitic
Aphaniticdykes
dykesare
arelikely
likely representative
representative of the original melt from
which the fragmental
fragmental rocks
rocks of
of the
the Onaping
Onaping Formation
Formationwere
werederived.
derived
Carbon
Carbon Contact
Contact
Carbonaceous
Carbonaceous material
material occurs
occurs locally
locally within the Sandcherry
Sandcherry member and is pervasive
through much of the overlying Dowling
Dowling member.
member. The
contact
The wntact between
between carbon-poor
carbon-poor and
and carboncarbontransects lithological contacts
contacts and is gradational
bearing fragmental rocks transects
gradational over
over 55 to
to 20 m. Where
Where
carbonaceous material occurs within the
the Sandcherry member
member Shard-rich
Shard'rich Units, the rocks are
conductive. The
wnductive.
TheDowling
Dowling member,
member, though significantly
significantly more carbonaceous
carbonaceous than
than the
the Sandcherry
Sandcherry
conductive (due to
to high
high amorphous
amorphous carbon
carbon contents) only in
in its
its upper
upper 50 m, directly
member, is wnductive
the Vermilion
Vermilion Formation.
Formation. Conductivity within the
the Shard-rich
Shard-rich Units
Units of
ofthe
the Sandcherry
Sandeheny
beneath the
to high
high amorphous
amorphous carbon contents,
member, however, is not attributed solely to
Carbonaceous Sandcheny
rocks support
support subaqueous
Sandcherry and
and Dowling member fragmental rocks
deposition for both members. Carbonaceous
Carbonaceousmaterial
materialmust
musthave
havebeen
beenrelatively
relativelyabundant
abundantwithin
within
the water
of both
both the
the Sandcherry
Sandcheny and
water column and on the depositional floor during the emplacement of
Dowling
Dowliig members. This
This suggests
suggeststhe
the early
early incorporation
incorporation of
of carbonaceous
carbonaceous material, locally at
least,
Onaping Formation.
Formation.
least, during
during deposition
deposition of
of the
the Onaping
The
The carbon
carbon contact
wntact isis interpreted
interpreted to
to mark
mark either
either (1)
(1) the
the boundary
boundary between
between oxic
oxic and
and anoxic
anoxic
depositional environments, or (2) an alteration front, or contact,
wntact, between lower rocks (carbon-poor)
(carbon-poor)
and upper rocks
material has
has been preserved.
preserved. All of the Sandcheny
rocks in which the carbonaceous material
Sandcherry
member depositional units
units may
may have
havebeen
beeninitially
initiallycarbonaceous.
carbonaceous Deep
Deep circulation
circulation of
of fluids,
presumably marine water, driven by the heat of the Basal
Basal Intrusion
Intrusion and SIC,
SIC, may
may have
have been
been
responsible
responsible for the removal of the carbonaceous
carbonaceous material
material out
outof
ofmuch
much of
ofthe
theSandcherry
Sandcherrymember.
member.
Later cooling of the SIC may have subsequently caused the "drawing down" and
and redistribution of
carbonaceous material.
carbonaceous
material.
Perederv
(1972a, 1972b), Peredery and Momson
Morrison (1984), Avermann (1992),
(1992), and
Peredery (1972a,
Avcrmann
Avermann and Brockmeyer (1992) proposed that the carbonaceous
carbonaceous material
material within the fragmental
fragmental
material, derived from surrounding
surrounding pelagic sediments, that
that was washed into
units is
is fine
fine organic
organic material,
the crater
fallout material.
material. Alternatively,
crater and
and redeposited
redeposited along with reworked meteorite fallout
Alternatively,
that the source of
of the
the carbon
carbon is
is the
the result
result of
of aa mass
mass killing of
of
Whitehead et al. (1990) proposed that
organisms
subsequently settled through the water
organisms within the Basin
Basin - the dead organisms subsequently
water column
column
and were incorporated
incorporated into
into the
the initially
initially glassy
glassy breccias
brecciasbeing
being deposited
depositedon
on the
the crater
craterfloor.
floor.

-

Alteration
The Onaping Formation displays pronounced stratigraphic
stratigraphic lithogeochemical variation,
variation,
upwards in wt.%
wt.% Si02, TiO2,
Ti02, Al203,
Na20, K20
K10 and
illustrated by progressive apparent losses upwards
A1203, NazO,
MgO, and progressive
progressiveapparent
apparentgains
gainsupwards
upwardsininwt.%
wt.%COz,
CO2.CaO,
CaO,FeiOs,
Fe203,
MnO,
C, and S (Table
(Table
MgO,
MnO,
Cm,
13, 14,
14, and
and 15).
15). The
The base
base of
of the Sandcheriy
Sandchenymember shows a marked apparent
2, Figures 12,
12, 13,
Si02. Variations
increase in SiO;.
Variationsin
in composition,
composition, except for the occurrence of particulate organic
(C), are
carbon (Cm),
areattributed
attributedlargely
largelytotoalteration.
alteration.All
Allfragmental
fragmentalunits
unitsofofthe
theSandeherrv
Sandcherrymember
member

�28

of aa similar andesitic
andesitic composition
composition(Gibbins
(Gibbins 1994).
1994). Aphanitic
are interpreted to have initially been of
Aphanitic
dykes best represent the precursor
precursor composition
wmposition of the glass-rich breccias.
breccias.
lithogeochemicalstratigraphic
stratigraphic variation
variation (zonation)
(zonation)
Glass composition
wmposition heterogeneity and lithogeochemical
the Onaping Formation
Formation isisattributed
attributed largely
largely to
to various
various types
types
displayed by the fragmental rocks of the
of alteration.
alteration. These
Theseconsist
wnsistofof(1)
(I)aabasal
basalsilicification,
silicification,(2)
(2)an
anoverlying,
overlying,lower
lowersemiconformable
semiconformable
+ orthoclase)
feldspar (albite +
orthoclase) alteration
alteration (similar
(similar to spilitization), (3) an
an overlying,
overlying, upper
upper
semiconformable
calcium
carbonate
alteration
that
increases
in
intensity
upwards,
toward the
the
semiconfonnable
that
in intensity upwards, toward
contact
temperature, (semiconformable?)
(semiconfonnable?)
wntact with the
the overlying
overlying Vermilion Formation, and (4) a low temperature,
potassie alteration,
potassic
alteration, at
at the
the top
top of
of the
the Onaping
Onaping Formation.
Sulphide
Sulphide Showings
Showings

Base metal suiphide
sulphide occurrences
occurrences within Onaping Formation area are
are predominantly
predominantly
fragmental
fragmentalin
in nature
natureand,
and,in
indecreasing
decreasingorder
order of
of mineral
mineral abundance,
abundance,consist
consistof
ofpyrrhotite,
pyrrhotite,
chalcopyrite and pyrite. Stringer-like
sphalerite, chalcopyrite
Stringer-likevein
vein mineralization has been observed. All
All
sulphide occurrences are nickel-poor. In
Instratigraphic
stratigraphicorder,
order,suiphide
sulphideshowings
showingsoccur
occur at
atfour
fourmain
main
sulphide
"horizons". These
Units of
of the
the Sandcherry
Sandcherry member;
member; (2)
(2) at
at the
the
Theseare:
are:(1)
(1)ininthe
thesilicifled
silicified Undefined
Undefined Units
carbon
member, and
and (4) 100
carbon contact;
wntact; (3)
(3) within coarse Lower Units of the Dowling member,
100 - 200
200 m above
above
the carbonate
the Dowling
Dowlingmember.
member. Mineralization also occurs
carbonate contact
contact within
within the Middle Units of the
occurs
adjacent to pipe-like
pipe-like bodies
bodies of
of Basal
Basal Intrusion
Intrusionand
andinincalcite
calciteveins
veinsassociated
associatedwith
withfaults.
thults. Most
Most of
of
the sulphides occur
occur as
as fine
fine disseminations
disseminationsand replacement of glass shards,
shards, but
but some
someof
ofthe
the
mineralization may be the result of
of brecciation and reworking of older intra-Onaping Formation
Formation
sulphide
sulphide occurrences.
occurrences.

-

Concluding
Concluding Remarks
Remarks

The Sandcherry
Sandcherryand
and Dowling
Dowlmg members constitute
constitute a sequence
sequence of initially glass-rich
fragmental rocks (breccias)
composition. The
(breccia) of intermediate composition.
The two members, distinguished from
fragments consist
each other by percentage, size,
size, and
and morphology of glass fragments
consist of numerous
numerous distinct
distinct
depositional units that show
show an
an overall
overall fining upwards along with an increase, first,
first, in
in fine
fine
carbonaceous material followed by
byan
anupwards
upwardsincrease
increaseinincalcium
calciumcarbonate.
carbonate. Both
Both carbon
carbon and
and
carbonaceous
lithological contacts.
contacts. The
carbonate boundaries transcend (overprint) lithological
The upper
upper 170
170m
m of
of the
the Onaping
Onaping
Formation,
Formation, compared
compared to
to the
the rest
rest of
of the
the sequence.
sequence, isis characterized
characterized by
by aa pronounced
pronounced decrease
decreasein
in
grain
size,
greater
internal
stratification,
and
stronger
evidence
of
sedimentary
reworking.
grain size, greater internal stratification, and stronger evidence of sedimentary reworking.
In terms
of the Onaping Formation,
terms of
of the
the interpretation
interpretation of
of mechanisms of emplacement of
the origin or source of the melt is inconsequential. The assumption is made, simply, that the
emplacement and deposition of the breccias of the Onaping Formation was preceded and initiated
lithicclast-bearing
clast-bearingmelt
melt of
ofan
anintermediate
intermediate
by the emplacement of a high level, "shocked" lithic
composition. This
wmposition.
Thismelt
melt may
may represent
represent (1)
(1) aa meteorite
meteorite impact melt sheet, (2) a melt generated by
intracrustal
("impact-induced anatexis",
anatexis", Lowman
Lowman 1993), or
intracmstal bulk melting beneath an impact crater ("impact-induced
magma. The
(3) a hypabyssal intrusion of contaminated magma.
The occurrence
occurrence of
of shock
shock features
features within
within lithic
lithic
fragments
glass-rich of
fragments and
and zircons
zircons (both
(bothof
of basement
basement origin)
origin) within
within the glass-rich
of the
the Onaping
Onaping Formation
Formation
melt for the breccias was at least partially produced by a meteorite impact. The
suggests the source melt
AphaSic dykes
Basal Intrusion and, particularly, Aphanitic
dykesare
areinterpreted
interpretedto
to represent
represent the
the remnants
remnants of
of the
melt source
source for
for the
the fragmental
fragmental rocks.
rocks.
The morphology of glass
glass fragments
fragments within
within the Onaping
Onaping Formation indicates that the
the fragmental
fragmental
rocks
(breccias)
formed
by
the
rapid
cooling
and
fragmentation
of
melt
upon
interaction
rocks (breccias) formed by the rapid cooling and fragmentation of
interaction with
with
fragmentation and
water. "Magmatic"
"Magmatic"degassing
degassing(vesiculation)
(vesiculation)played
played only a minor role in clast fragmentation
of the
the Onaping
Onaping Formation.
Formation. Deposition
of the
the Onaping
Onaping Formation
Formation is
is
emplacement of
Deposition and emplacement of
passive to explosive
was continiously fed from
the result of prolonged passive
explosive fragmentation of melt, which was
below, upon interaction with water. Deposition
Depositionand
andemplacement
emplacementinvolved
involved repeated
repeated brecciation,
brecciation,

�29

ejection,
re-deposition of
of earlier
earlier deposited,
deposited, altered,
altered, and
and lithified
lithified breccias
breccias. Deposition
ejection, and redeposition
Deposition of
of the
the

Onaping Formation occurred over a prolonged period of time, too long of a period to accommodate
accommodate
'simple" meteorite impact fallback
failback models. "Secondary"
"simple"
"Secondary"and
and renewed
renewed eruptive
eruptive processes
processes must
must
have occurred
occurred during
during emplacement
emplacementand
and deposition.
deposition.
Assuming
Assuming a meteorite impact, fàllback
fallback breccias were either (1)
(1) deposited beneath the
Sandcherry member and subsequently "eliminated"
!feljinatedII or assimilated
Sandcherry
assimilated by the underlying
underlying Basal
Basal Intrusion
Intrusion
and SIC, or by the emplacement
of
the
Sandcherry
member,
or
(2)
were
never
actually
deposited
emplacement
Sandcherry
within the crater
enter defined
defined by
by the
the Sudbury
SudburyBasin.
Basin.
The upper contact
wntact of
of the
the Onaping
Onaping Formation
Formation with the overlying argillites of the Onwatin
Formation
gradational and
Formation has been described as gradational
and conformable
conformable (Muir
(Muir and
and Peredery
Peredery 1984;
1984;Rousell
Rousell
11984a;
984a;Avermann
Avennann 1992; Avermann
Avennann and
and Brockmeyer
Brockrneyer1992)
1992)to
to geochemically
geochemicallyand
and lithologically
lithologically
sharp
al. 1990; Paakki 1992, Gibbins 1994, Grey
Grey 1995). The
sharp (Whitehead et al.
The upper
upper 40
40 metres
metres of
of
fine-grained, rich
rich in
inorganic
organiccarbon,
carbon,and
andas
as stated
stated by
by Martin
Martin (1957) can
the Onaping Formation is fine-grained,
be difficult
difficult to distinguish visually from
from the
the pelagic
pelagic sediments
sediments of the Onwatin
Onwatin Formation.
Formation.

Vermilion Formation
The
(Martin 1957,
1994),previously
previously known
known as
as the
the
The Vermilion Formation (Martin
1957,Stoness
Stoness 1994),
of the
the Onwatin Formation (Rousell 11982a),
982a), is
is situated
situated at the contact
wntact between
Vermilion member of
the Onaping and Onwatin Formations. Stoness
Stoness(1994)
(1994)upgraded
upgraded the
the member
member to
to formation
formation status
status
and distinct geological
geological character.
character. The
because of its Basin-wide occurrence and
TheVermilion
VermilionFormation
Formation
hosts the Vermilion and Emngton
Errington Zn-Cu-Pb-Au-Ag
Zn-Cu-Pb-Au-Ag Deposits, located in the south-west quadrant
quadrant
of the Sudbury
Formation rocks,
rocks, 1 to
to 30
Sudbury Basin. While
Whilediamond
diamond drilling
drilling has intersected Vermilion Formation
m thick, elsewhere in the
the North
North and South Ranges, the continuity of the formation is unknown
(Arengi 1977; Gibbins et
eta!.
al.1992).
1992).InInthe
thevicinity
vicinityofofthe
thedeposits
depositsthe
theVermilion
Vermilion Formation
Formation has
has an
an
average
average thickness of 43 m (Martin
(Martin 1957;
1957;Rousell
Rousell 1982a).
1982a).
The Vermilion Formation comprises fine- to coarse-grained,
warse-grained, commonly
commonly pyritiferous
pyritiferous and
and
base-metal-bearing carbonate; cherty carbonate,
carbonate, chert
chert breecia,
breccia, interbedded
interbedded flne-grained
fine-grained gray
coarse grained granular
granular to pisolitic
argillite, and fine- to coarse
pisolitic carbonate.
carbonate. Rapid lateral
lateral lithological
lithological
variation within the Vermilion
Vermilion Formation
Formation in
in the
the vicinity
vicinityof
ofthe
thedeposits
depositsisiscommon.
common. The Vermilion
Formation has been described as a syngenetic stratabound deposit (mainly recrystallized, altered
by Card
Card and Hutchinson
Hutchinson (1972), a sedimentary-exhalitive deposit
deposit (Rousell
micritic limestone) by
1984b; Davies et al. 1990;
1990;Whitehead
Whitehead et
et a!.
al. 1990;
1990;Paalcki
Paakki 1992),
1992), and
and an
an epigenetie
epigeneticvein
vein deposit
deposit
turbiditic argillite
argillite
(Martin 1957). Most
Mostrecently,
recently,the
theVermilion
Vermilion Formation has been subdivided into turbiditic
and carbonate exhalite
exhalite sinter
sinter deposits
deposits(Gray
(Gray 1995). The
The exhalites
exhalites
deposits (Stoness 1994) and
comprise
Carbonate member of the 50 m
Formation;. The
comprise the Lower Carbonate
m thick Vermilion Formation;.
Themiddle
middle
member is the Grey
Argillite
member
and
consists
of
fine-grained
grey
turbidites
that
have
Grey Argillite
wnsists of
turbidites that have basinbasincarbonate
wide continuity; and the Upper Carbonate member is a thin hydrothermal concretionary carbonate
(Gray
(Gray 1995).
1995).

Onwatin Formation
Formation
The Onwatin Formation (Coleman 1905; Burrows and
and Rickaby 1930; Martin 1957;
1957;
Thomson 1957;
Lozej 1975;
1975;Rousell
Rousell 1984a)
1984a)consists
wnsistsof
oflaminated
laminated
1957; Sadler
Sadler 1958;
1958;Beales
Beales and
and Lozej
carbonaceous
carbonates and wackes.
carbonaceous and pyritic
pyritic argillites
argillites and siltstones,
siltstones, with minor fine-grained carbonates
wackes
The
Sudbuiy Basin, but
The Onwatin
Onwatin Formation is poorly exposed in the Sudbury
but where
where present,
present, aa well
well
developed slatey
slatey cleavage
cleavagepredominates
predominates(Paakki
(Paakki1992).
1992). Carbonate concretions, though
though rare,
rare, are
developed
also evident. The
Theformation,
formation,based
based on drill hole data and stratigraphic
stratigraphic reconstruction
reconstruction (Gibbins et
al. 1992),
thickness of
of 600
600 m.
m. The
al.
1992), is interpreted to have an original thickness
The formation has been

�DOVVLING
DOWLING MEMBER
MEMBER

FLU
IDAL
FLUIDAL

ILLITE
ILLITE

MIDDLE UNITS
MIDDLE
UNITS

BASAL
BASAL

ONW DMUc
DMLJbDMUa
DML)aDMMb,a
DMMb,aDMMc
DMMc
DMLa
DMLb
DMLc
DMLC1
SMSRC
SMSRSMFLtr
SMEL1FMU
DMLb
DMLc
DMLCT
DMUc DMUb
DMLa
SMSRC
SMSR
SMFL
ONW
SO2
SiO,

wt% wL%
wt.% wt.%
55.97
55.97 52.32 57.50

wt.%

v,t.%

59.00

60.36

wt.% wt,% wt% wt.%
60.76 61.33 51.00 61.22

TIC2
DO2

0.63
0.63

0.44
0.44

0.40

0.43

0.48

0.49

A1203
A1203

14.33
14.33

8.77
8.77

8.64

9.62

10.61

10,77

0.59
6.27

1.17

1.84

5,23

0.14

0.14

10.24

3.87
0.14
2.10
4.00
9.02

0.54

0.40

2.22
3.70
0.15
1.89
4.13
9.26
0,39

0.01

0.01

CDI

0.01

6.99
2.34

6.11

5.81

4.38

2.04

1.84

Na20
Na20.

0.90
0.90

0.42
0.42

GaO
CaO
P205
P205

0.78
0.78
0.12
0.12

4.04
4.04
0.16
0.16

1&lt;20
K20

3.62
3.64

3.32
3.32

1,23

2.00

MgO
MgO
Fe203
Fe20,
MnO
MnO
Cr203
Cr2Os

2.32
2.32 3.83
3.83 3.66
8.09
8.09 12.75
12.75 11.10
0.23
0.23 0.58
0.58 0.59

3.95

Lol
LO1
Clot
Ca
Corg
C,,,
002
C02
S
S

8.93
8.93

0.01
0.01
9.39
9.39

3.19
3.19

6.11
6.11

0.65
0.65

4.26
4.28

1.01

o.eg

0.99

0.18
0.49

6.81
6.81

6.49
6.48

0.37
0.37

1.25
1.25

4.46
0.72

3.92
0,43

2.94
0.28

0.94
0.48

0.01
0.01

INTRUSIONS
INTRUSIONS

APHAN.
BASAL
APHANBASAL INTRUSION
INTRUSION
SHARD-RICH
SHARD-RICH FRAGMENT
DFRAGMENT SAN
ITIC
SANDITIC
BORDER
GRANOBORDER GRANOLOWER
UNITS
LOWER UNITS
UNITS
UNITS
UNITS
CHERRY
DYKES PIPES
UNITS
CHERRY DYKES
PIPES SHEETS
SHEETS PHASE
PHASE PHYRE
PHYRE

ARGARO-

UPPER
UPPER UNITS
UNITS

.,

sc
SIC

ONAPING
ONAPING FORMATION
FORMATION
SANDCHERRY_MEMBER
SANDCHERRY MEMBER

wt%

SM--

APHOYK
APHDYK

Blo
EIc

Bla
Ela

BIb
Bib

SICG
SlOG

0,55

0.55

wt.%
61.62
0.56

0.66

0.56

wt.%
$3.12
0,57

0.48

0.58

0.57

0.49

0.45

0,78

11.88 11.88

11,91

12.07

11.98

12,37

12.71

12.82

I1.61

12,94

13.21

12.62

13.12

12.31

4.21

5.07
3,54
0.15

4.41

4.78
3,44
0,14

3,94

3,68

4.00

4.00

4,04

3,45
0.14

3.03

2.21

1.70

223

1.55

0.11

0.13

0.11

0.12

1.61

1.58

2.41

1,87

2.31

3,77

3.82
6.97
0.16
0.02

3.64

0.15
2.39
3.37

3,04
1.59
0.18

2,76

1,35

0.86

6.21

6.53

3.29
5,99

5.66

4.04

5,79

0.18

0.15

0.13

0.13

0,09

0,41

0.02

0.02

0.02

0.02

0.01

0.04

1.47

1,50

1.63

1.63

1.38

1,20

0.07

1.36
0,08

0.04

0.05

0.56

62.04
0,55

wt.%
63,00

3.56
3.69
0.15
2.04

3.79

3.70

3,98

4.08

0.15

0.15

4.38
3.85
0.15

2.32

2.25

1.64

2.21

1.31

421

4.33

4.28

4,36

4,12

8.26
0.26
0.02
2.67
0.69

8.60

8,79

0.26

0.27

0.23

0.02

0.02

0.02

6.04
0.20
0.02

4.07
7,43
0,19

2.03

2.15

1.51

0.80

0,19

0.36

0.50

0.79
0.26

0.33
o.4i

62.88

3.75
0.15
1.84
3.79
7.08
0.17
0.02
1.46

wt.%
66.13

wt.%
63.44

0.09

2.15
0.41

0,02
1.32
0,08

0.14

0,06

0.37

0,03

0.03

0,04

0.03

0.03

0.10

0.31

0.13
0.05

0.32

0.03

0.38

0,17
0,10

0.13

0.23

0.09
0.16

0.11

0.35

0.02

wt%

wt,%

wt,%

wt%

65.01

66.40

68.61

69.08

ppm

ppm

ppm

ppm

ppm

ppm

ppm

ppm

ppm

ppm

ppm

ppm

ppm

ppm

ppm

ppm

ppm

ppm

ppm

ppm

Cu

63

54

165

12

24

34

31

33

25

33

28

23

16

33

24

19

30

157

124

89

82

74

64

50

49

52

42

49

45

56

44

50

25

9

II

12

8

9

8

7

9

9

7

14

8

14

12

9

10

Ni

70

44

47

60

59

53

62

59

46

51

4

807

861

773

772

860

46

54

60

120

180

142

111

80

108

238

1198
121
138

Zr

132

97
126

552
66
138

849

Sr

404
50
85

413

149

804
52

49
674
68
215

18

626

60
457

52

710

59
782

61

Ba
Rb

22
68
856
119

II

50

Pb

82
8

22
48

11

Zn

35
56

133

16

13
14

124
124

205
205

131

115

130

129

130

62
818
80
99
126

'I

22

14

12

Il

13

12

10

12

15

Nb

18

23

16

19

14

15

10

15

14

63
597
58
74
139
15
14

202
202

38
38

27
27

45
45

213
213

468
468

Ii

11

64
64

111
111

Its
115

Pts.

Pts.

61

847
77
91

135

81

111
138
16

Table
2: Avetage
Table2
Averagelithogeochemical
lithogeochemicalcomposdion
compositionofofOnaping
OnapingFormation
Formationunits
units (after
(afterGibbins
Gibh'ms 1994)
1994)

52

59

SI

61

135

121

161

132

138

145

140

400
210
¶21

121

146

217

13

14

12

14

11

11

12

23

12

13

13

12

12

I?

10

16

57
57

86
86

54
54

51
51

18
18

79
79

15
15

83

99

0

�or

U

8

I

I
2.

�I

n
I

I

32
!

I

—0
QJ

h___
H

9____
Uafl__

2r___
fl!

III!HI4HHJ HHHHHL4H} 1HHHHHEI Ø2VUI8&amp;, tB1RP1 £

.

0
Figure
Figure13:13:

0
0)

0
0

Q
0

a

C

a

-

In

Lithogeochemical
Lithogeochemicalstratigraphic
stratigraphiccolumn
column- Average
- Averagecompositions
compositions(major
(majoroxides#2
oxides#2+ +Corg,
Core,C02,
C02,
S,S,Zn)
Zn)and
andthicknesses
thicknessesofofunits
(afterGibbins
Gibbiis1994).
1994)
units (after

�-'3

Figure14:
14:
Figure

-

Lithogeochemical stratigaphic
i i Average
AvcrageC02/CaO
CO2tCaO molar ratio and thicknesses o f
LithogeochemicaJ
stratigraphic w
column
molar ratio and thicknesses of
units(after
(afterGibbins
Gibbims1994).
1994).
units

�AL2D3/TlflE

4ff

I

Q.BQyATIN

I

0

I

I

I

ISIDE/T102

500

J

DHUb

I

I

I

INA2D/TIIJ2J
I

2500

DMLJQ

300

it'

II
I

I

—t

600

DMMc

I
I

x

'
DMLb

DML

900

I

DNLCT

'SMSRC
SMSR

1200

ciri +v

r

SPIFL

ySM---

JfG
1500

I

meters

i

j

'

I

K2IJ/T102

200

I

I

—

—

—

—

ZR/TIIJ2

MGEI/T102
I

I

I

200

ii
—

I

I

C

I

200

I

y

-

-

I

I

I

I

500

IJI

—

—-1
I

liii-

(I
i

J

E
a

�35

structurally
particularlyininthe
theSouth
SouthRange.
Range.Whitehead
Whiteheadetetal.
at (1990), Paakki (1992),
structurallythickened,
thickened, particularly
Stoness
Gray (1995) showed
Stoness (1994), Gibbins (1994) and Gray
showed the Onwatin
Onwatin Formation
Formation (and Vermilion
Formation)
distinct from
from the
the underlying
underlying Onaping Formation
Formation) to
to be chemically
chemically and lithologically distinct
to be
be
(Table 2). The
Theupper
uppercontact
contactisis gradational
gradational with
with the Chelinsford
Chelmsford Formation and is considered to
at the
the base
base of
of the
the first
first thick
thick wacke
wacke bed.
The
The pelagic rocks of the Onwatin Formation were deposited in a restricted
restricted basin
basin with
with
(Rousell 1984a).
1 984a). They
Theygrade
grade upwards
upwards into
into the
the coarser sediments of
of the
the
anoxic bottom conditions (Rousell
Cbehnsford Formation, indicating a transition to a higher energy depositionai
Chelmsford
depositional environment
et al.
at 1991).
(Dressier et
1991).

Chehns
ford Formation
Chelmsford
Formation

The
and Rickaby
Rickaby 1930; Williams 1957;
The Chelmsford Formation (Burrows and
1957; Cantin
Cantin 1971;
1971;
Cantin and
1972; Vezina 1992)
and Walker 1972;
1972; Rousell
Rousell1972;
1992) is the uppermost formation
formation of
of the
the
Wbitewater Group and has a preserved thickness similar
similar to
to that
that of the underlying Onwatin
Whitewater
Formation, approximately
approximately 600 m. The
TheChelmsford
ChelmsfordFormation
Formation isis aa turbidite
turbiditesuccession
successionof
ofmassive
massive
wackes, siltstones,
siltstones,and
andcarbonaceous
carbonaceous mudstones.
mudstones. Sedimentary
to normally graded lithic wackes,
Sedimentary structures
structures
carbonate concretions,
rip-up clasts,
clasts, U-shaped
U-shaped channels,
channels, climbing
climbing ripples
ripples and
and crossinclude carbonate
concretions,rip-up
laminations,and
andload
loadstructures.
structures. Paleocurrent
bedding, convolute laminations,
Paleocurrent studies
studies indicate
indicate that
that the
the
predominant
was to
to the
the south-west,
south-west,parallel
parallel to
to the
the long
long axis
axis of
of the
the Sudbury Basin
predominant flow direction was
(Cantin and
and Walker
Walker 1972;
1972;Rousell
Rousell 1972).
1972).
Errington and
Emneton
and Vermilion Deposits

Deposits are
are Paleoproterozoic carbonate-hosted
carbonate-hosted Zn-Cu-PbThe Errington
Emngton and Vermilion Deposits
Zn-Cu-PbThe
Au-Ag massive suiphide
sulphide deposits located
locatedin
inthe
thesoutheast
southeastcomer
cornerof
ofthe
the Sudbury
Sudbury Basin.
Basin. The
deposits occur
the Vermilion Formation.
Formation. The
occur at
at the
the top of Onaping Formation and partially within the
The
Errington
toimes grading
grading 4.21%
Emngton deposit
deposit contains
contains an undiluted mineral inventory of 6.27 M tonnes
4.21% Zn,
Zn,
g/tonne Au
Au and
and 62.06
62.06gltonne
g/tonneAg
Ag(Severin
(Severinand
andGates
Gates 1981).
1981). The
1.22% Cu, 1.09%
1.09% Pb, 0.86 gkome
proven-probable-possible mineral
mineral inventory of 2.44 m
Vermilion deposit contains an undiluted, proven-probable-possible
tonnes grading 5.11% Zn, 1.49%
tomes
1.49% Cu, 1.37%
1.37% Pb, 1.10
1.10gltonne
gltome Au and
and 66.17
66.17g/tonne
gltomeAg
Ag (Severin
(Severin
the mid
mid to
to late
late 1920's and
and Gates 1981).
1981). The
Thetwo
twodeposits,
deposits, 88 km apart,
apart, were discovered in the
later
poor
later developed
developed for
for production. Attempts
Attemptsto
toexploit
exploitthe
thedeposits
depositswere
wereunsuccessThl
unsuccessful due
due to
topoor
metal recoveries, lowmetal
lowmetalprices
prices and
and overall
overall marginal
marginal grades.
grades.
Gray (1995)
(1995) described the
the deposits
deposits to
to be hosted by the Vermilion Formation within a CaMg carbonate
complex that
that grades
grades laterally
laterally into
into Mn-Fe-rich
Mn-Fe-rich carbonates
carbonates (up to
carbonate exhalite
exhalite sinter vent complex
wt% MnO and
and 33
33 wt%
wt%Fe203).
Fe203). The
TheVermilion
Vermilion Deposit
Depositisis underlain
underlain by lower discordant
9.5 wt%
chlorite zone and an upper discordant silicification
silicificationand
andstratiform
stratiform Ca-Mg
Ca-Mg carbonate
carbonate stockwork
zone. Gray
Gray(1995)
(1995)proposed
proposedthe
thedeposits
deposits fbnned
formedin
in aa sub-seafloor
sub-seafloorenvironment
environmentby
by the
theinitial
initiallow
low
temperature pyrite-sphalerite infilling of
of carbonate porosity within sinters followed by later
temperature
later higher
temperature chalcopyrite-rich mineralization that
that replaced earlier pyrite
pyrite and
temperature
and sphalerite
sphaleriteand
and
secondary
hydrothermaldissolution
dissolutionleaching
leachingof
ofthe
thecarbonates.
carbonates. The carbonate
secondary porosity from hydrothermal
carbonate sinter
host
host is
is attributed
attributedto
tosub-seafloor
sub-seafloorboiling
boiling and
and carbonate
carbonateprecipitation
precipitationby
byventing
ventinginto
intoan
analkaline,
alkaline,
that enabled the sinter mounds to grow.
grow.
anoxic basin and
and by successive
successive replacement events that
Carbonates were preserved from dissolution
dissolutionby
bythe
theemplacement
emplacementof
ofturbidites.
turbidites. The hydrothermal
Carbonates
underlying Sudbury
system responsible
responsible for
for the Vermilion Deposit was long-lived, the underlying
SudburyIgneous
Igneous
Complex, or precursor
to drive and sustain convection cells
precursor melt
melt provided the thermal energy to
within
within the
the Onaping
OnapingFormation
Formation (Gray
(Gray1995).
1995).

�36

LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION
DESCRIPTION OF
OF GEOLOGICAL
GEOLOGICAL TOUR STOPS
Tour
Tour stops
stops are
are indicated on Figures 16 --22.
22.

STOP 11
STOP

SUDBURY BRECCIA

An easily accessible outcrop of Sudbury Breccia is located on Highway 144,
144, 3.2
3.2 km
km north
north
of the junction
junction of Highway 144
tumofi).
144 and Regional Road 8 (Levack turnoff).

The Sudbuiy
Sudbury Basin is surrounded by a zone of Sudbury Breccia about 50 km wide.
The
wide. The
to rocks
rocks outside
outsidethe
theSudbury
SudburyIgneous
IgneousComplex.
Complex. Fragments
Fragments in the
the breccia
brecciation is limited to
of the
the same
same material
materialas
asthe
thewall
wallrocks
rocksand
andare
arerounded
roundedtotovarying
varyingdegrees.
degrees. The
generally consist of
comminuted wall
wallrock
rockmaterial
material that
that has
has been recrystallized
matrix of the breccia consists of finely comminuted
to
to aa coherent
coherentmass.
mass.

STOP 2
STOP

FELSIC
FELSIC NORITE

This stop
junction of Highway
Highway 144
144 and Regional Road
Road 88
stop is located
located 1.4
1.4 km north of the junction
(Levack turnoff), near the Elk's
Elk's Club
Club Road.
Road.
Felsic norite is the main member
member of
ofthe
the Sudbury
Sudbury Igneous
Igneous Complex
Complexon
onthe
theNorth
North Range.
Range. ItIt
hypidiomorphic granular
granular rock consisting
consisting of
is approximately 450 m thick and is a coarse grained hypidiomorphic
plagioclase, hypersthene and augite (ration 2:
2:1),
biotite, interstitial granophyre,
granophyre, quartz, and
l), biotite,
and minor
minor
pyrite, apatite
apatiteand
and ilmenite.
ilmenite. No
Nolayering
layeringisisevident,
evident, but
but the
the mineralogy
mineralogy changes
changes gradually
gradually
producing
producing "cryptic layering".
layering".

STOP
STOP 33

QUARTZ
GABBRO AND GRANOPHYRE
QUARTZGABBROANDGRANOPHYRE

Stop
Stop 33 consists
consists of
of rock outcroppings
outcroppings on either side of Regional Road 8 at the junction of
of
Highway 144.
144. Quartz
Quartzgabbro
gabbrocan
canbe
beseen
seenin
in the
the road cuts
cuts to
to the
the north
north and
and south
south of
of the
the road;
road, the
the
granophyre is thither
further to
to the
the southwest.
southwest.
Complex consists
consists of
of granophyre,
granophyre, which is pink
The upper member of the Sudbury Igneous Complex
plagioclase.
in colour and comprises about three parts micrographic intergrowth to one part plagioclase.
Quartz, biotite,
biotite, amphibole,
amphibole, chlorite
chlorite and opaques
opaques are
are also
alsopresent.
present.
granophyre, occurs
occurs aa thin
thin member
member known
knownas
asquartz
quartz gabbro
gabbro (or transition zone),
Below the granophyre,
which is
is more
more mafic
mafic than the
the granophyre
granophyre and
and consists
consists principally
principally of
of plagioclase,
plagioclase,cimopyroxene,
clinopyroxene,
amphibole and intercumulus micrographic intergrowth and quartz.

STOP 4
STOP

CONTACT BETWEEN GRANOPHYRE AND BASAL INTRUSION,
AND THE
THE BASE
BASE OF
OF THE
THE SANDCHERRY
APHANITIC DYKES, AND
MEMBER

Stop 44 is
between Granophyre
Granophyre and
and the
the Basal
Basal Intrusion
Stop
is a walking tour over the contact zone between
glass-rich breccias
and over a variety of exposures
exposures of Basal Intrusion, Aphanitic Dykes, and glass-rich
breccias at
atthe
the
member of
ofthe
theOnaping
OnapingFormation.
Formation. Access
Access to
to the
the area
area is gained from aa
base of the Sandcherry member
private dirt
private
dirt road
road (Gravel
(Gravel Lake
LakeRoad),
Road), which
which extends
extends south
south of
of Falconbridge
FalconbridgeLimited'
Limited'ss main
mainaccess
access
road to Strathcona
Mine,
approximately
4.8
km
past
the
main
gate
entrance.
Permission
to
main gate entrance. Permission to use
use
Strathcona Mine, approximately
from Falconbridge
Falconbridge Limited,
Limited, as
as the
the area
area is on mine
the road and to view the outcrops is required from
property. Turn
Turnright
rightoff
offthe
themine
mine access
access road on to Gravel Lake Road, which parallels the eastern
eastern
the shore
shore of
of the
the lake
lake until
until aa yellow
shore of a nearby lake, and continue south along the
yellow road
road gate
gateisis

�+

+

+

+

+

+

FIGURE

+

S UD B U

ONAPING Fm

ONWA11N Fm

+

+

+

+

+

+ ++ + .+

I

+.

+

+

+

+

-p

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

GEOLOGICAL

+

+

+

+

+

-t

+

+

+

+

+

+

+
+

+

TOUR STOPS

+

16 (modified after Glbbins 1994)

*

+

+

CHELMSFORD Fm

c;:: COMPLEX

fj•

EE:

EI

OUTCROP STOPS

+
+

-

.4.

-

RINGTON 4

0

LCI

Km

10

+
+

+
+

+
+

+
+

+
+

+
+

+

•
+

+

+
+

1-

+

+

+

+

÷

+

+

+

•

+

+

+

+

+

+

*

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

I

+

-f

.-

/

-e

Y /4

+ 1+ _*_—

+

+

+

+

+

+1+ +
+7+

+7+

+

+7+ +
+ ft + +

+

+

+

*

++

+

+

+

+

+

+

*

•
+

+

—4

�Figure 17
TOUR STOPS
SUDBURY BASIN
'H:)

-

ix

Bowling Area

A

WHITEWATER GROUP

EH CHELMSFORD Fin

C..

S,

ONWATIN Fm

fji:J

ONAPING

SUDBURY

fi33 IGNEOUS
COMPLEX
GEOLOGICAL

TOUR STOPS

1
0

00

�ONAPING FORMATION
TOUR STOPS
SUDBURY IGNEOUS COMPLEX

WHITEWATER GROUP
CHELMSFORD FORMATION
ONWATIN FORMATION

DOWLING MEMBER

SANDCHERRY MEMBER

APHANITIC DYKES
BASAL INTRUSION

\0

�40

(

reached (= 2 kin).
reached
km). The
Thewalking
walking tour
tour begins 200 south of the gate by leaving the gravel road and
following a stream eastwards for 600 m to
to reach
reach exposures
exposures of
of granophyre
granophyre along
along the
the north
north shore
shore of
of
a small
Figure
small lake. The
Thewalking
walkingtour
tour route
routeisis marked
marked in detail from this point onwards on Map A, Figure
19.
19.
following exposures
exposures will
willbe
beseen:
seen: granophyre,
granophyre, xenolith-bearing
During the tour the following
xenolith-bearing
granophyre, both coarse
grained
xenolith-rich
basal
intrusion
and
fine-grained,
well sorted,
coarse
basal
Dykes and
and various
various 'glass'-rich
'glass' -rich units
units of
of the
the
xenolith-poor basal intrusion, flow banded Aphanitic Dykes
Sandcherry
tour offers
offers one of
of the
the best exposures of
Sandcheny member. Although
Although a bit of a hike, the walking tour
the base
base of
of the
the Onaping
Onaping Formation and of flow banded Aphanitic Dykes. The
Thewalking
walkingtour
tourbegins
begins
and ends at the same
same spot.
spot.

STOP 5
STOP

FLUIDAL FRAGMENT-RICH
FRAGMENT-RICH AND SHARD-RICH
SHARD-RICH BRECCIAS
BRECCIAS OF
OFTHE
THE
SANDCHERRY MEMBER.
MEMBER. THE CONTACT BETWEEN
BETWEEN THE
THE
SANDCHERRY MEMBER
MEMBER AND
ANDLOWER
LOWERUNITS
UNITSOF
OF THE
THE DOWLING
AND PIPE-LIKE
MEMBER. AND
MEMBER,
PIPE-LIKE BODIES OF THE
THE BASAL INTRUSION

that extends
extends eastward
eastward from
fromGravel
GravelLake
Lake Road,
Road, 200
200 m south of aa
Stop 5 is a walking tour that
gravel pit, which is approximately 1.5
km further along Gravel Lake Road from
1.5 krn
from the
the yellow
yellow gate
gate
described in the previous
previous stop. After a walk of 200 m eastward from Gravel Lake
Lake Road, aa small
small
ridge of rock is reached which marks the
the beginning
beginningof
ofaageological
geologicaltraverse
traverseover
over (1)
(I) Fluidal
Fragment-rich and Shard-rich units of
of the
the Sandcherry
Sandcheny member, (2) a rare
rare well exposed contact
(running
(running along
along the
the top of
of aa steep,
steep, large
large ridge) between the Sandcherry
Sandcherry and
and Dowling
Dowling members,
members, with
with
both sharp
(3) pipe-like bodies
bodies of
of the
the
sharp and
and gradational
gradational characteristics
characteristics over its 400
400 m length, and (3)
Basal Intrusion.
in detail
detail on
onMap
MapB,
B,Figure
Figure20.
20. The
Intrusion. The
Thewalking
walking tour is marked in
The Lower
Lower Contact
Unit of the Dowling member
member ("chlorite
("chlorite shard
shard horizon")
horizon")and
andthe
thecarbon
carbon boundary
boundary are also well
the southern flank
flankof
ofthe
theridge.
ridge. Alteration (silicification
(silicification and albitization)
exposed locally along the
albitization)of
the 'glass' shards
shardsatatthe
thetop
topof
ofthe
theSandcheny
Sandcherrymember
memberisis well
well featured
featured within
within the
the vicinity
vicinity of the
near the
the western
westernend
endof
ofthe
theridge
ridgeof
ofoutcrop.
outcrop. From
pipe-like bodies of Basal Intrusion, near
From this
this area,
area,
return to Gravel
Gravel Lake
Lake road by walking 150
150 m due west through
through the
the bush.

STOP 66
STOP

MIDDLE AND
AND UPPER
UPPER UNITS
UNITS OF
OF THE
THE DOWLING
DOWLING MEMBER
MEMBER

Gravel Lake
Lake Road
Road at
at the junction
junction with Morgan Road.
Stop 6 is located at the south end of Gravel
south of
of Stop
Stop 55 in
inGravel
GravelLake
LakeRoad,
Road, Stop
Stop 66 must
must be reached
Unfortunately due to a wash-out south
from the south. To
144, by
by the
the same
same route taken in, and travel
travel south,
south,
Toget
getthere,
there, return
return to
to Hwy.
Hwy. 144,
through the town of Dowling and
and turn
turn left
left onto
onto Morgan
Morgan Lake
Lake Road,
Road,just
just before the bridge on Hwy.
144 that crosses
Vermilion River
Rivernear
near Larchwood.
Larchwood. Stop
crosses over the Vermilion
Stop 6,
6, at
at the
the junction
junction between
between Gravel
Gravel
144.
Lake Road and Morgan
Morgan Road is approximately
approximately 3.5 km north of Hwy. 144.
Stop
on Map
Map C,
C, Figure
Figure 21.
21. Representative
Stop 66 is shown in detail on
Representative units of
of the
the Middle and
well exposed
exposed at
at this
this stop, including
Upper Units of
of the
the Dowling member are well
including rarely
rarely exposed
exposed
characteristic features
bedding within
withinthe
theUpper
UpperUnits.
Units. The
characteristic
features of
of reworking and bedding
The stop
stop provides
providesaa good
good
example of the unaltered and undeformed
undefonried equivalents
equivalents of
of the
the immediate
immediate footwall
footwall rocks
rocks to
to the
at the top
top of the Onaping Formation
Errington and Vermilion deposits located at
Formation along
along the
the southern
southern
margin of the Sudbury
Sudbury Basin.
Basin.

STOP 7
STOP

CARBON
BOUNDARYWITHIN
WITHINSHARD-RICH
SHARD-RICH UNITS OF THE
CARBON BOUNDARY
AND AN
AN INTRUSIVE
INTRUSIVE F1,UIDAL
FLUIDAL BRECCIA
SANDCHERRY MEMBER AND
COMPLEX

Offset road that
Located near Sandcherrv
Sandcherry Creek, Stop
Stop 77 is accessed via Nickel Offset
that extends
extends
The Nickel
Nickel Offset
Offset Road
Road is located 5.75 km
krn
northwards from Morgan Road (Montpellier Road). The

�- -geologic

I

contact

- . -geologic
contact
gradational

+
-fault
4 o ,*

1

II

lithie blasts

I

traverse route

I

a

�42

Figure 20:
Figure
20:

Detailed geology
geoloey of
of Stop
Stop55 (after
(after Gibbins 1994).
1994)

�43

Figure 22!:
1:

Detailed geology of Stop
Stop 66 (after
(after(Jibbins
Gibbii 1994).
1994)

�44

LEGEND
l l l l l t t l ~ r s eroute

---

,

EeOlogical contact

.......carbon boundary

fault
---road
o blocks

---

-

Figure22:
22:
Figure

Detailedgeology
geologyofofStop
Stop7 7(alter
(after
Gibbiis
1994).
Detailed
Gibbins
1994).

�45

Morgan Road.
Road. Drive 5.5 km north on Nickel Offset Road
east of Stop 6, further along Morgan
Road until
until the
the
second of two bridges that cross Sandcheriy
Sandcheny Creek is reached. Park
Park the
the vehicle
vehicle before
before crossing
crossingthe
the
2nd bridge and walk 500 m further up Nickel Offset
Offset Road
Road to
to aajunction
junction with
with aa second,
second, but
butless
less
Map D,
D, Figure
Figure 22.
22. Though a bit of
as indicated on Map
of bush
bush crashing
crashingand
and climbing
climbing
traveled dirt road, as
idal Fragment
Fragment Units and Pipe-like
is involved (50
(50 m), Stop 7 provides an excellent exposure of Flu
Fluidal
Pipe-like
bodies of Basal Intrusion
Intrusion (Fluidal
(Fluidal Breccia Complexes)
Complexes) intruding
intruding into the Lower Contact
ContactUnit
Unit of
ofthe
the
Dowling member. Only
exposure of the carbon
Only350
350m
m to
to the south
south is a representative
representative exposure
carbon
boundaiy/contact Within
units of
of the
the Sandcheny
Sandcheny member.
within Shard-rich units
boundarylcontact

STOP 8
STOP

CHELMSFORD FORMATION
FORMATION

Easily accessible road cuts of the Chelmsford Formation
Formationare
are to
to be
be found
found on
on both
both sides
sides of
of
144and
and Gordon
Gordon
the Gordon Lake road approximately 3.5 km south of the junction between Hwy. 144
Lake Road. The
TheGordon
GordonLake
Lake Road
Road turn off from Hwy. 144 is located 200 m south of the bridge
near Larchwood.
Larchwood. The
that crosses over the Vennilion
Vermilion River near
The Chelmsford
Chelmsford Formation
Formation is
is the
the youngest
youngest
the Whitewater
Whitewater Group
Group and
and occupies
occupiesthe
thecentral
centralportion
portionof
ofthe
theSudbury
SudburyBasin.
Basin. The
The
member of the
Formation consists
consists of
of turbidites,
turbidites, with partial to
to complete
complete Bouma sequences,
sequences, which mark
mark aa change
change
in the
the pattern of sedimentation within
within the
the Basin
Basin (the
(theunderlying
underlyingOnwatin
Onwatin Formation
Formation is a series of
mudstones). Rusty
are
carbonaceous and pyritic siltstones and mudstones).
Rusty weathering
weathering concretions
concretions and lenses are
and represent concentrations
concentrationsof
offerruginous
ferruginouscarbonate.
carbonate. At this locality, a partial
common and
partial Bouma
Bouma
and dewatering
dewatering structures
structures also
also present.
sequence is present with cross bedding and

STOP 9
STOP

ONWATIN FORMATION
FORMATION

Stop 9 is located on Vennilion
Vermilion Lake Road, 11 km east of the junction between
between Vermilion
Lake Road and Gordan
Gordan Lake
Lake Road. At
Atthis
thislocality,
locality, in
in the
the hangingwall
hangingwall to
to the
the Errington
Errington and
and
Vermilion deposits and in the mid-zone
mid-zone area
area between
betweenthe
thetwo
twodeposits,
deposits,the
the carbonaceous
carbonaceous Onwatin
Formation contains
s.
contains elevated
elevated amounts
amounts of
of pvrite
p*te and
and rare
rarepyritic
pyriticcarbonate
carbonateconcretion
concretions.

STOP 10
STOP
10

VERMILION FORMATION
VERMILION
FORMATION

Stop
of Gordon
Gordon Lake
Lake road,
road, approximately
approximately 75 m south of the
Stop 10
10 is
is located on the south side of
Vermilion River.
River. Varved-looking,
cm thick
thickbands
bands of
of carbonate
carbonate and grey
grey argillite
bridge over Vermilion
Varved-looking, 1-2 cm
representative of the non-carbonaceous Vermilion
Vermilion Formation,
Formation, and
and host
host to
to the Emngton
Errington and
representative
Vermilion
can be
be seen
seen at
at this
this rare
rareexposure.
exposure.
Vermilion deposits,
deposits, can

STOP 11
11
STOP

LOBATE PEPERITELIKE
PEPERITE-LIKE INTRUSIVE BODIES OF
OF SPHERULITIC
SPHERULITIC
WITHIN UPPER UNITS OF THE DOWLING
APHANITIC DYKES WITHIN
DOWLING
MEMBER
MEMBER

west side
side of
ofGordon
GordonLake
Lakeroad,
road,approximately
approximately 200
200 m
m south
south of
of
Stop 11
11 is located on the west
the Vennilion
km southwest
southwest of the Gordon
Gordon Lake
Lake road
road bridge
bridge over
over
Vermilion Mine
Mine road
road turn
turn og
off,which
whichisis221cm
spherulitic devitrified
devitrifled
as these
these strongly
strongly altered (silicifled)
(silicified) and spherulitic
the Vermilion River. Exposures
Exposures such
such as
lobes of aphanitic 'andesite' are
level of
of the
the Onaping
Onaping Formation.
Formation. They
areextremely
extremely rare at this level
They have
not been related to the mineralization at the Vermilion
Vermilion or
or Errington
Errington deposit,
deposit, but they may define
structures
structures that
that also
alsocontrolled
controlled the
the location
location of the deposit.

STOP
12
STOP 12

VERMILION FORMATION
FORMATION

of the
the Errington
Errington #1
#1 shaft,
shaft, 700 m east
east of
of the
the Stobie
Stobie
Stop 12
12 is located within the vicinity of
Dam on Vermilion River. Though
Thoughreclamation
reclamationactivities
activitieshave
have been
been recent
recent in
in the
the area,
area,trenches
trenches

�46

showing
showing folding of the Vermilion Formation, weak mineralization and strong
strong carbonate
carbonate alteration
alteration
can still be observed. The
folding
is
representative
of
the
structure
pattern
in
the
deposit
area
The folding
the structure
area.

STOP
13
STOP13

DISCOVERY SITE
SITE

Stop
east side
side of Highway 144,
144, 1.9
1.9 km
krn north
north Godfrey
Godfrey Drive,
Drive, or
or 4.4
4.4
Stop 13
13 is
is located
located on the east
km
Nickel Mine
Mine Road.
Road. Look for a small paved area with an Heritage Foundation
krn north of the Big Nickel
historical plaque and an American Society of Metals commemorative plaque
plaque marking
marking the
the site.
site. Be
Be
careffil! Train
hea'y.
Train traffic
traffic on
on the railway can be heavy.
careful!
Though Nickel was first reported in
in 1856 near
near the
the Creighton
CreightonMine
Minesite
siteby
byA.
A.Murray
Murray of
of
the Geological Survey
was not
not until 1883,
1883,during
during the
the construction
constructionof
of the
the Canadian
Canadian
Survey of Canada,
Canada, itit was
Pacific Railway, that
Pacific
that aa railway
railway rock-cut
rock-cut near
nearthe
the site
siteexposed
exposed nickel-copper mineralization, which
was
was subsequently
subsequently developed as the Murray Mine ore body. The
Theoriginal
originaldiscovery
discoveryoutcrop
outcropwas
was
located close to the rim of the present Murray
Murray Mine
Mine open
open pit
pit and
and remained
remained intact
intact until
untilthe
themidmid1970's, when the highway and railway were relocated to
to permit
permit mining
mining of
of the
the ore.
ore. The
TheClarabelle
Clarabelle
No. 22 Open
Open Pit
Pit and
and headftame
headframeof
of the
the inactive
inactive Murray
Murray Mine
Mine are
are visible,
visible, across
acrossthe
thehighway.
highway.
the paved
paved area,
area, toward
toward the
the railway
railwaytracks
tracks is
is aa rust-covered
rust-covered outcrop
outcrop of
of
Thirty meters from the
weakly mineralized Sublayer of the Sudbury
Igneous
Complex
and
host
for
the
nickel-copper
ore
Sudbury
for the nickel-copper ore
minerals (pyrrhotite, pentlandite, and
and chalcopyrite).
chalcopyrite). The outcrop is the eastern continuation of the
mined-out ore
ore body.
body. On
Onthe
theeast
eastside
sideof
ofthe
the railway
railway track,
track, quartz-rich norite is exposed.
exposed This
This isis
the basal unit of the Complex on the
the South Range.
Range. The
The quartz-rich
quartz-rich norite differs
differs from the
homogeneous and
and the
the quartz
quartz has
has a
Sublayer, in that it contains
contains few ore minerals or inclusions, it is homogeneous
distinct blue tint. The
TheSublayer
Sublayerdips
dipsnorthward
northward at
atabout
about60°
60"beneath
beneath the
the norite.
norite.

STOP
STOP14
14

SHATTER CONES

Stop 14
14 is located on Ramsey Lake Road, on the south side in a rock cut about
about 200m
200m long,
long,
1.4 km east of Paris Street.
Street. The
fracture structures
Theshatter
shattercones,
cones, feathery-looking
feathery-looking conical striated fracture
structures
in the host quartzite
quartzite and greywackes of the Mississagi Formation of the Huronian Supergroup,
Supergroup, are
are
illuminatedby
bythe
thelate
lateafternoon
afternoonlight.
light. The site on Ramsey Lake
best observed when obliquely illuminated
Road is one of the best and most easily accessible. There
Thereare
arenumerous
numerousshatter
shattercones
conesininthese
these
exposures,
exposures, most being 20 to 30 cm in size. Please
Pleasedo
donot
not break
breaksamples
samplesfrom
fromthis
thissite.
site.
First noted in the early 1960's by Dr. Robert
Robert Dietz, the shatter cones, which were
traveling through
through the
the rock,
rock, occur
occur in
in all
all rocks
rocks outside of the
the
produced by strong shockwave(s) traveling
Sudbury
Sudbury Basin,
Basin, but
but not
not within,
within, and
and have
havebeen
been attributed
attributedto
tothe
theSudbuzy
SudburyEvent
Eventwhich
whichformed
formedthe
the
Sudbury
asevidence
evidenceof
ofaameteorite
meteoriteimpact.
impact.
Sudbury Structure.
Structure.The
Theshatter
shattercones
conesare
arewidely
widelyaccepted
acceptedas

�47

REFERENCES
REFERENCES
Ames,
D.E., Jonasson,
I.R., Parish,
Parish, R.,
R., Watlcinson,
Dii. and Gibson,
Ames, D.E.,
Jonasson, I.R.,
Watkinson, D.H.
Gibson, H.L. 1996.
1996. Regional
Regional
hydrothermal massive sulphide
suiphide producing
producing system
system and
and UPb
U/Pb hydrothermal
hydrothennal titanite age constraints,
hydrothermal
constraints,
42ndAnual
Anual Meeting
Meeting of
of the Institute
Institute of
of Lake
Lake Superior
Superior
Onaping Formtion, Sudbury Structure.
Structure. In: 42nd
Geology, Program
Program with
with Abtracts.
Abtracts. Cable
Geology,
Cable Wisconsin, p. 2-3.
Ames, D.E. and Gibson, H.L. 1995.
1995. Controls
Controls on, and geological setting of, regional hydrothermal
alteration within
within the
the Onaping
Formation footwall
footwallto
to the
the Errington
Onaping Formation
Errington and Vermilion
Vermilion base metal
metal
alteration
Sudbuiy Sturcture,
995-F. Geological
deposits, Sudbury
Sturcture, Ontario. InInCurrent
CurrentResearch
Research11995-E.
Geological Survey
Survey of
of Canada,
Canada,
161-173.
161-173.

evolutionofof the
the Sudbury
Arengi,
Arengi, J.T.
J.T. 1977. Sedimentary
Sedimentary evolution
Sudbury Basin;
Basin; unpublished
unpublished MSc.
MSc. thesis,
thesis,
of Toronto,
Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, l41p.
University of
141p.
Avermann,
Avennann, M. 1992.
1992. Die
Diegenese
genese der
derallochthonen,
allochthonen, polymikten
polymikten breccien der Onaping
Onaping Formation,
Formation,
Sudbury Struktur,
PhD. thesis,
Sudbury
Struktur, Ontario,
Ontario, Kanada;
Kana&amp;, unpublished
unpublished PhD.
thesis, Munster
Munster University,
University, Munster,
Munster,
Germany,
I
70p.
Germany, 170p.

Avermann,
M. and
and Brockmeyer,
R 1992.
of the Sudbury
Avermann, M.
Brockmeyer, P.
1992. The Onaping
Onaping Formation
Formation of
Sudbury Structure,
Structure,
Canada:
breccias; Tectonophysics,
Tectonophysics, v.
v. 216,
216, p.
p. 227-234.
Canada: An example of allochthonous impact breccias;
Beales, F.W. and Lozej, G.P. 1975.
1975. Sudbury
Sudbury Basin
Basin sediments
sediments and the meteoritic impact theory of
origin for the Sudbury
Sudbury Structure;
Structure; Canadian
Canadian Journal
Journal of Earth
Earth Sciences,
Sciences, v.12, p.629-635.
p.629-635.

Bell, R. 1893.
Survey of Canada, Annual Report,
1893. On
On the
theSudbury
Sudburymining
mining district;
district; Geological
Geological Survey
Report,
Bell,
v.5, pt.
Pt.!,
1890-91, v.5,
1, Report F, 54p.
Dcutsch, A. 1989. The origin of the
the breccias
breccias in the
the lower Onaping Formation,
Brockmeyer, P. and Deutsch,
evidence from petrographic observations and Sr-Nd isotope data;
Sudbury
Sudbury Structure
Structure (Canada)
(Canada) - evidence
data; in
in
Abstracts, 20th
-114.
p. 113-1
14
~bstra&amp;,
20th conference,
conference, Lunar
Lunar and
and Planetary
PlanetarySciences,
sciences,p.113

-

und Isotopenuntersuchungen
Isotopenuntersuchungenan
an der
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Paper, no.10, p.79p.79Developments in Sudbury Geology,
91.
91.

Rouse!!,
D.H. 1983. Nature and
Rousell, D.H.
and Origin
Origin of
of mineralization
mineralization inside
inside the Sudbury
Sudbury Basin;
Basin, Ontario
Ontario
53p.
Geological Survey, Open File Report 5443,
5443,53p.
984a. Onwatin
Onwatin and
and Chelmsford
Chelmsfordformations;
formations;ininThe
TheGwlogy
Geologyand
and Ore
Ore Deposits
Deposits of
Rousell, D.H. 11984a.
-217.
the Sudbuiy
SudburyStructure,
Structure,Ontario
OntarioGeological
GeologicalSurvey,
Survey,Special
Specialvolume
volume 1,1,p.211
p.2 11-2
17.
Rousell, D.H.
D.H. l984b.
1984b.Mineralization
Mineralization in the Whitewater Group; in The Geology and Ore Deposits
Rousell,
19.
of the Sudbury
Sudbury Structure,
Structure,Ontario
OntarioGeological
Geological Survey,
Survey, Special
Special volume
volume 1,
1, p.2
p.219.

Rousell, D.H. 1984c.
1984c. Structural
StructuralGeology,of
Geologyof the Sudbury Basin; in The
The Geology
Geology and
and Ore
OreDeposits
Deposits
of the Sudbuty
Sudbury Structure,
Structure,Ontario
OntarioGeological
Geological Survey,
Survey, Special
Special volume 1,
1, p.83-95.

�52

Sadler, J.F. 1958.
1958. A
A detailed
detailed study
study of
of the
the Onwatin
Onwatin Formation;
Formation; unpublished
unpublished MSc. thesis, Queen's
University, Kingston, Ontario, 184p.
l84p.
Severin, P.W.A.
P.W.A. and Gates, B.I. 1981.
1981.Giant
Giant Yellowknife
Yellowknife Mines Limited
Limited Ore Reserve Calculation
Erringtonfveimilion
Deposits.
Falconbridge
Limite
Internal,
unpublished,
Enington/Vennilion
Falconbridge Limite Internal, unpublished, 21p.
2 lp.
Sehandi,
E.S.,
Schandl, E
X , Martin,
Martin, R.F. and
and Stevenson,
Stevenson, J.S. 1986.
1986.Feldspar
Feldsparmineralogy
mineralogy of the Sudbury
Sudbury Igneous
Complex and the Onaping Formation,
Fonuation, Sudbury, Ontario; Canadian Mineralogist, v.24, p.747-759.

Shanks, W.S.
W. S. and
and Schwerdtner,
Schwerdtner,W.M.
W.M. 1991. Structural analysis of the central
central and
and southwestern
southwestern
Sudbury
Sudbury Structure,
Structure, Southern
Southern Province Canadian Shield; Canadian Journal of Earth
Earth Sciences,
Sciences, v.26,
no.3, p.411-430.
110.3,
Smith,
Smith, T.L. and Satin,
Batiza,R.R.1989.
1989.New
Newfield
fieldand
andlaboratory
laboratoryevidence
evidencefor
forthe
theorigin
originof
ofhyaloelastite
hyaloclastite
flows on seamount
1, p.96-114.
seamount summits;
summits; Bull.
Bull. Volcanol.
Volcanol.v.5
v.51,

Soueh, B.E.,
B.E., Podolsky,
Souch,
Podolsky, T. and Geological
Geological Staff, The
The International
International Nickel Company of Canada,
Canada,
Limited 1969. The sulphide ores of Sudbury: their particular
particular relationship
relationshipto
to aadistinctive
distinctiveinclusioninclusionbearing facies
fàcies of Nickel
Memoir 4,
bearing
Nickel Irruptive;
Irruptive; in Magmatie
Magmatic Ore Deposits,
Deposits, Economic
Economic Geology,
Geology, Memoir
p.252-261.
p.252-261.
Stevenson,
J. S. 1961a.
1961 a.Origin
Originofofquartzite
quartziteatat the
the base
base of the Whitewater Series,
Stevenson, J.S.
Series, Sudbury
SudburyBasin,
Basin,
Congress, 21st
21st Session, pt.26, Supplementary
Ontario; International Geological Congress,
Supplementary Volume, section 121, p.32-41.
21,p.32-41.

Stevenson, J.S.
J. S. 1961b.
196 lb.Recognition
Recognitionofofthe
the quartzite
quartzite breccia
breccia in
in the Whitewater
Stevenson,
Whitewater Series,
Series, Sudbuiy
Sudbury
Basin, Ontario; in Transactions
p57-66.
Transactions of the Royal Society of Canada, v.60, Third Series, p.57-66.
Stevenson, J.S.
J.S. 1972. The Onaping ash-flow
ash-flow sheet,
sheet, Sudbury,
Sudbury, Ontario;
Ontario; in New Developments
Stevenson,
Developments in
Sudbury Geology, Geological Association of Canada, Special
1-48.
Sudbury
Special Paper,
Paper, no.
no. 10
10p.4
p.41-48.

1990. The
The volcanic
Stevenson,
Stevenson, J.S.
J.S. 1990.
volcanic origin
origin of the
theOnaping
Onaping Formation,
Formation, Sudbury,
Sudbury, Canada;
Canada;
Tectonophysics, no.
no.171,
Tectonophysics,
171, p.249-257.
1994. The stratigraphy,
and depositional
of the
Stoness,
Stoness, J.A. 1994.
stratigraphy, geochemistry
geochemistry and
depositional environment
environment of
the
Formation,host
hostto
to the
the Emngton
Enington and Vermilion Zn-Cu-Pb massive suiphide
Proterozoic Vermilion Formation,
sulphide
deposits, Sudbury, Ontario;
Ontario; unpublished MSc. thesis,
thesis, Laurentian
Laurentian University,
University, Sudbury,
Sudbury,Ontario.
Ontario.
M., Bushoff,
Bushoff, L.,
L., Brockmeyer,
Brockmeyer, P.,
P., Deutsch, A., Dressier, B
.0., Lakomy,
Stoffler, D., Avermann,
Avermann, M.,
B.O.,
Lakomy,
R. and Muller-Mohr,
V. 1989. Sudbury,
R.
Muller-Mohr, V.
Sudbury,Canada:
Canada:Remnant
Remnant of
of the
the only
only multi-ring(?)
multi-ring(?) impact basin
Earth; Abstract, Annual Meeting, Meteoritical Society.
on Earth,

Thomson, J.E.
J.E. 1957.
Thomson,
1957. Geology
Geology of the Sudbury
Sudbury Basin;
Basin; Ontario
Ontario Department
Department of
of Mines,
Mines, Annual
Annual
Report, 1956,
1956, v.65, pt.3, p.1-56.
Thomson, J.E. 1969.
Thornson,
1969. A discussion of Sudbury
Sudbury geology and sulphide
sulphide deposits; Ontario
Ontario Department
Department
of Mines, Miscellaneous Paper, 22p.

Vezina, J. 1992.
1992. Origin
Origin of
of concretions
concretions in
in the
the Proterozoic
ProterozoicChelrusford
Chelmsford Formation,
Formation, Sudbury
SudburyBasin,
Basin,
Ontario; unpublished BSc. thesis, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario,
Ontario, 43p.
43p.

�53

R.E.S., Davies, J.F.,
Whitehead, R.E.S.
J.F.,and
andGoodfellow,
Goodfellow, W.D.
W.D. 1990.
1990.Jsotopic
Isotopicevidence
evidencefor
forhydrothermal
hydrothermal
anoxie seawater, Sudbury
Sudbuiy Basin, Ontario;
49-63.
discharge into anoxic
Ontario; Chemical
Chemical Geology. v.86, 49-63.

Williams, H.,
H., 1957.
avalanche deposits
depositsof
of the
the Sudbury
Sudbuiy Basin; Ontario Department
Williams,
1957. Glowing
Glowing avalanche
Department of
Mines, Annual Report, 1956,
v.65,
pt.3,
p.57-89.
1956,
pt.3, p.57-89.
Wilson, A.B. 1956.
Societyof
ofAmerica,
America,v.67,
v.67,p.289-300.
p289-300.
1956. Structure
Structure of lopoliths; Geological Society

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                    <text>MAGMATIC ORE
ORE DEPOSITS
DEPOSITS OF
OF TIlE
THE
MAGMATIC
COMPLEX
SUDBURY IGNEOUS COMPLEX
BY
BY
S.
S. A.
A. PREVEC
PREVEC

INSTITUTh
INSTITUTEON
ONLAKE
LAKESUPERIOR
SUPERIORGEOLOGY
GEOLOGY
43rd
43rdANNUAL
ANNUALMEETING,
MEETING,MAY
MAY66- 11,
11,1997
1997
SUDBURY,
SUDBURY,ONTARIO
ONTARIO

-

Field
TripGuidebook,
Guidebook,Volume
Volume43:
43:Part
Part55
FieldTrip

�THE
MAGMATIC ORE DEPOSITS OF THE
SUDBURY IGNEOUS COMPLEX
COMPLEX

INSTITUTE ON LAKE SUPERIOR GEOLOGY
43rd ANNUAL
ANNUAL MEETING,
MEETING, MAY
MAY6-11,
6-11,1997
43rd
1997
SUDBURY, ONTARIO
ONTARIO
Field Trip
Trip Co-leaders
Co-leaders
S.A. Prevec
Prevec (Laurentian
(Laurentian University,
University, Sudbury)
Sudbury)
M. Cosec
Cosec (Resident
(Resident Geologist's
Geologist's Office,
Office, Sudbury)
Sudbury)
Conference Co-chairs
Co-chairs
R.P. Sage
Sage (Ontario
(Ontario Geological
Geological Survey,
Survey, Sudbury)
Sudbury)
Meyer (Resident
(Resident Geologist's
Geologist's Office,
Office, Sudbury)
Sudbury)
W. Meyer

�ILSG '97
'97
Field Trip
TripGuidebook
Guidebook

Magmatic
Magmatic Ore
OreDeposits
Deposits of
of the Sudbury
Sudbury Igneous
Igneous Complex
Complex
S.A. Prevec
Prevec
of Earth
EarthSciences
Sciences
Laurentian
hurentianUniversity
Universi@
Sudbuzy,
Ontario
Su&amp;ury, Ontario
CANADA
P3E2C6
CANADA P3E
2C6

Dept.
Dept.

Introduction
Introduction
Objectives
Objectives of
of this
this excursion
excursion
Acknowledgements
Acknowledgements
Geological
Sudbury
Geological Introduction
Introduction to Sudbury
Introduction
Introduction to
to the
the mineralized
mineralized environments
environments
Sublayer
Sublayer
Footwall
Footwall
Offsets
Offsets
Sudbury
Sudbury Breccia
Breccia
Mineralization
Mineralization

T r i ~Part
Part
: II -- Whistle
Whistle Mine
Mine
sField
e l d Trip:
Stop 1: Introduction to Whistle
Whistle Mine
Mine
Stop
Stop
Stop 2:
2: Main
Main Mass
Mass norites
nontes
Stop 3: Sublayer
Subhyer
Stop
4: Inclusion
Inclusion Sublayer
Sublayer
Stop 4:
Stop
Stop 5:
5: Footwall
Footwall
Footwall Breccia
Breccia
II-- Strathcona
Trin: Part II
Strathcwa Footwall
Stop
Stop 1:
1: Sublayer
Sublayer (breccia)
(breccia)
Stop
Stop 2:
2: Footwall
Footwall Breccia
Breccia
Mineralized Sudbury
Sudbury Breccia
3: Mineralized
Breccia
Stop 3:
Stop

Field
Field Trip:

a

Frontispiece: Idealized sketch of aa mining
mining operation that appeared on some
some stationery
stationery
of the
former
Ontario
Department
of
Mines,
circa
1972.
the former Ontario Department of Mines, circa 1972.

Frontispiece:

�Introduction
Introduction
1883
Since the initial discovery of copper sulphide ores in the Sudbury area in 1883
during construction of the trans-Canadian railway, and the subsequent discovery of
high nickel contents in these ores, Sudbury has remained the single largest source of
in the world. For
nickel in
For the
the first
first half of this century, Sudbury produced
this has
has dropped to less than 20%
20%
approximately 80% of the world's nickel, although this

of Ni-deposits
Ni-depositselsewhere
elsewherein
inthe
theworld.
world. In
in recent decades with the development of
addition to nickel, Sudbury also produces significant quantities of both copper and

lesser amounts
amounts of gold,
gold, silver,
silver, cobalt,
cobalt,
the platinum group elements (PGE), plus lesser
selenium,
selenium tellurium and sulphur. This
This and
andfurther
furtherhistorical
historicalinformation
information isis
summarized by Giblin (1984).
(1984).

In addition to its anomalously high abundances of base- and precious-metals,
precious-metals,
Sudbury is also distinguished by its somewhat unique distribution
distribution of silicate
silicate and
and
or at
at least controversial
controversial models for
sulphide components, and the resultant enigmatic or

its origin. ItIthas
haslong
longbeen
been recognized
recognized that
that aa discrete,
discrete, igneous-textured
igneous-textured noritic
noritic phase
phase
pockets along the interface
interface between the
of the complex occurs in discontinuous pockets

Sudhury
(SIC) and
and the
the footwall.
footwall. This is known as the Contact
Sudbury Igneous Complex (SIC)
Contact
Sublayer- and is characterized by the presence of a high proportion of inclusions of
Sublayer~and

various types (including relatively ultramafic ones), bits of assimilated footwall, and
residence of the majority of the nickel
most significantly, represents the residence
nickel sulphides.
sulphides.
Offshoots of less nmfic
mafic material which extend out from this interface into the

footwall, or which may be emplaced into linear zones in the footwall
footwall running
running
parallel to the SIC-footwall contact
contact are
are known
known as
as Offset
OffsetDykes.
Dykes. The ore
mineralization in Sudbury is largely associated
associated with these three
thee environments,
environments,as
as

�summarized by Morrison
Momson et
et al.
al. (1994):
(1994):
1. contact-~pe
contact-type deposits
depositsthat
thatoccur
occurat
at or
or near
near the basal
contact
contact of
of the
the Sudbury
Sudbury Igneous
Igneous Complex
Complex (SIC)
(SIC)with
with

Proterozoic and
and Archean basement

of SIC
SIC material
material that extend many
2. offset dykes of

kilometres into
infothe
th.e basement
basement

foorwall-tvpe deposits
deposits that
that occur
occur as sheet-like veins
3. footwa~&amp;ype
within brecciated
brecciated basement up to 2
and vein stockworks within

outside the
the SIC
SIC ana7or
and/or basement
basement contact
contact
km outside

The emplacement
emplacement of the SIC
SIC was a catastrophic
catastrophic event, involving extensive
fracturing and brecciation of the host rocks, including the appearance
appearance of
of shockshock-

Ramsey Lake Road, west
induced features such as shattercones (well-preserved on Ramey
building)and
andplanar
planarlamellae
lamellaein
inquartz
quartzgrains.
grains. In
of the Ontario Geological Survey building)
the footwall
footwall this fracturing
fracturing has not only provided potential conduits for the

introduction of magmas (such as the Offset Dykes) and heated fluids
introduction
fluids (which
(which may
may

carry suiphides,
sul&lt;hdes, as
as may
may the
the magmas), but also a distinctive pseudotachylitic-textured
pseudotachyfitic-texmed
rock known
known as
as Sudbury
Sudbury Breccia,
Breccia, which
which has also provided a conduit
conduit for later
later
migration
migration of sulphides
sulphides and
and other
other material.
material.

2

�Objectives
Objectives of this
this excursion
excursion
This excursion will provide access to some of the best aboveground
aboveground examples
examples of
of the
the
in the
the Contact
Contact Sublayer
Sublayer (at
(at Whistle
Whistle pit),
pit), and in the
environments of mineralization in
associated with
footwall, associated
with Sudbury
Sudbury Breccia emplacement (at the Barnet
Barnet showing).
showing).

one-half day
dayexcursions.
excursions. Part
The trip has been arranged as two onehalf
Part 11 involves
involves a trip to
Limited property
property located
located at
at the northeast corner
the Whistle mine, an active Inco Limited
comer of

the SIC.
SIC. This
Thisisisan
anexcellent
excellentexample
exampleof
of the
the Contact
Contact Sublayer-type
Sublayer-typemineralization,
mineralization,
and displays the
the transition
transition from
from the Main Mass to the Sublayer
Sublayer to the footwall
footwall

environments extremely well. The
Thetransition
transition of
of mineralization styles
styles is
is also
alsovery
very
evident through this
this sequence. Part
will take
take place
place at the
Part 2 of this excursion will
northwest of the SIC,
Levack. Here
SIC, near the town of kvack.
Here we
we will
will observe
observethe
thetransition,
transition,
breccia to
to mineralized
mineralized footwall
footwall breccia to
a bit more discontinuously,
discontinuously, from Sublayer breccia

mineralized Sudbury
Sudbury Breccia within the footwall, courtesy of Falconbridge
FalconbridgeLimited.
Limited.

Acknowledgements
Acknowled~ements
Acknowledgements
Acknowledgements are
are due
due first
fist and foremost to both Inco Limited and
Falconbridge Limited,
collaboration this excursion
L~mited,without whose cooperation and collaboration

-

would not be possible. Both
Boththese
thesecompanies
companies have provided access to their
properties, logistical
properties,
logistical advice
advice and assistance,
assistance, and scientific support
support and
and expertise.
expertise.
Specific acknowledgements are due to Andy Bite and Bill Dyck (Inco) and John

Fedorowich and Mike
Mike Sweeny
Sweeny (Falconbridge) for their assistance in preparing
preparing this
guidebook and
and supporting
supporting the
the pre-excursion fieldwork involved.

3

�Introduction to Sudhury
Geological Introduction
Sudbury
The "Sudbury
"Sudbury Structure'
Structure"refers
refers to
tothe
theentire
entirepackage
package of
of igneous-textured,
igneous-textured,

metamorphic
rocks which
which are
aregenetically
geneticallyinter-related
inter-related or were
mtamorphic and sedimentary rocks
shaped by the
the geological
geological episode which produced this complex. These include the
Sudbury
Sudbury Igneous
Igneous Complex
Complex (SIC)
(SIC) itself, the Onaping Formation (the later
later
subaqueous
sedimentaq package
package which overlies it), and the complex
complex marginal
marginal
subaqueous sedimentary

assemblage
textured material
materialbetween
between the
the main
main body
body of
of
assemblage of igneous and metamorphic textured

the SIC and the
the footwall,
footwall, which
which is the area
area of
of interest
interest in terms of
of mineralization
mineralization and
and
indeed of many
many other
other aspects
aspectsof
of this
this complex
complex structure.
structure.

The SIC occurs
occurs at
at the
the southern
southern boundary
boundary of
of the Superior
superior Province,
Province, in
in the
the granitegraniteAbitibi Subprovince.
Subprovince. The
greenstone terrains of the late Archean Abitibi
The Abitibi
Abitibi has
has been
been

overlain in this area by a thick pile of volcanogenic and sedimentary rocks known
known as
as
the Huronian
between 2480
Huronian Supergroup
Supergroup (of the Southern Province),
F'rovince), sometime between
2480and
and

2220 Ma. The
TheSIC
SICwas
wasemplaced
emplacedat
at 1850
1850Ma
Ma into
into these two basement
basement types, such
such
that the "north
tonalitic,
"north range"
range" of
of the
the SIC
SIC is hosted by
by granodioritic
granodioritic to tonalitic,

heterogeneous high grade gneisses and granitoids of
of the
the kLevack
heterogeneous
v a c k Gneiss Complex
and Abitibi granitoids,
granitoids, and
and in the "south range" by more mafic, less evolved
evolved low
low
%

grade metavolcanics,
metavolcanics, metasediments
metasediments and granitoids of the Huronian.

upper sequence
sequence known
known as the Main Mass,
The SIC itself may be subdivided into an upper
downward through
consisting of an
an upper granophyric
granophyric sequence which grades downward
through aa
quartz gabbroic
gabbronoritic
gabbroictransition
transition zone
zone into
into an
an igneous, cumulate-textured
cumulate-textured gabbronoritic

rock known as "Felsic
"Felsic Norite". The
The sequence
sequence from
fiom Granophyre down through the
Felsic Norite can
(i.e.,
can be
be broadly
broadly viewed
viewed in terms of a differentiation
differentiation sequence
sequence (i.e.,
4

�becoming more evolved with increasing height in
in the
the sequence),
sequence), although evidence
for geochemical discontinuities and other apparent inconsistencies suggest that
simple differentiation
differentiation represents
represents an
an oversimplified
oversimplifiedmodel.
model. At the base of the Felsic

Norite, at the contact
contact with the
the country
country rock (footwall),
(footwall), the relationships
relationships become
become
more complex.
complex.

The SIC
SIC is
is geographically
geographically described
describedin
in terms
terms of
of its
its three
three ""sides",
North,
sides", into the North,
(ca. 2710
2710 to
to
TheNorth
NorthRange
Rangeisishosted
hostedby
byLate
LateArchean
Archean(cci.
South and East Ranges. The

granitic and heterogeneous
heterogeneous gneissic
gneissic rocks of the southernmost
southernmost Abitibi
Abitibi
2665 Ma) granitic
Subprovince
Province. The
Subprovince of the Superior Province.
The gneissic
gneissic footwall suite which borders
much of the North Range
Range is
is called
called the
the Levack
Levack Gneiss Complex
Complex (a "typical"
"typical" section
section
of which is well-displayed along the Highway 144
just north of Windy
144 roadcut just

TheSouth
SouthRange
Rangefootwall
footwallconsists
consistsmainly
mainly of
of volcanics and sediments
sediments of
of the
the
Lake). The
Supergroupof
of the
the Early
Early Proterozoic
ProterozoicSouthern
SouthernProvince
Province(cci.
(ca. 2480
2480 to 2200
2200
Huronian Supergroup
Ma). These
Theseinclude
includebasaltic
basalticand
andrhyolitic
rhyoliticvolcanics
volcanics and
and intercalated
intercalated sediments,
sediments,
overlain by glacially-deposited
glacially-deposited sedimentary
sedimentary sequences
sequences in a rift
rift environment,
environment,and
and

intruded by gabbroic
gabbroic to leucogabbroic dykes and
intmded
and sills
sills of
of various
variousages.
ages. The South
Range
Range has been
been much
much more
more extensively
extensively metamorphosed than has the North Range,
Range,

-

probably
probably as
as aa result
resultof
ofboth
bothPenokean
Penokean(cci.
(ca. 1950
1950to 1850
1850 Ma) and
and later
later Grenvillian
Grenvillian

(ca. 1100
1100 to 950 Ma) activity. The
TheEast
East Range
Range reflects
reflects some
some characteristics of both
(cci.
environments. In
Ingeneral,
general,preservation
preservation of
of igneous
igneous textures and compositions
compositions is
much better in
in the
the North
North Range
Rangerocks
rocks than
thanelsewhere.
elsewhere.

5

�Introduction
Introduction to
to the
the mineralized
mineralized environments
environments
The mineralized environments
margins of
of the
the SIC Main Mass
environments occurring along the margins
Mass
can be broadly
therefore of
of magmatic-origin)
magmatic-origin)
broadly subdivided
subdividedinto
into igneous-textured
igneous-textured (i.e., therefore

Figure 1, and
and the metamorphicContact Sublayer
Sublayer and Offset dykes, as shown in Figure
footwall rocks
recently, the igneoustextured footwall
rocks which
which host
host them.
them. Until relatively recently,
igneousSublayer matrix ("lTSM't)
textured Sublayer
("ITSM") and the more felsic equivalents in the Offset
Offset

("QD"), had
had been
been grouped
grouped together
together as
as Contact
Contact
dykes, referred to as quartz diorite ("QD"),
petrography (e.g.,
1984). Evidence
Evidencefrom
frompetrography
(e.g., Pattison,
Pattison,
Sublayer (e.g., Naldrett et al., 1984).
1979), incompatible trace
aL, in press),
press), and
and
trace element
element geochemistry (e.g., Lightfoot et aL.,

radiogenic isotope
aL, 1997) suggests that the matrices of
isotope geochemistry (Prevec et al.,

different magmas.
magmas. Thus,
the Offsets
Offsetsand
andthe
theSublayer
Sublayerrepresent
represent distinctly
distinctly different
Thus, although
although
theft inclusion populations
populations and
and emplacement
emplacement styles
styles suggests
suggests a close
the similarity of their
genetic relationship,
relationship, they will be treated here as separate
separate entities.
entities.

An additional subunit of the Main Mass gabbronorites known
known as
as "Mafic Norite" has
Norite (which
(which comprises
comprises the
the bulk of the
been identified, occurring below the Felsic Norite

Main Mass). Mafic
MaficNorite
Noriteisisparticularly
particularly evident
evident in locations where Sublayer
and/or Offsets occur below the Main Mass. This
andlor
This relationship is depicted
depicted in Figure
Figure

.

petrologic grounds;
2. Mafic
MaficNorite
Noriteisisdistinguished
distinguishedfrom
fromFelsic
Felsic Norite
Norite on petrologic
grounds;
geochemicaHy the
the two norites reflect a gradationally upwards
upwards evolving sequence.
geochemically
sequence.

be provided in the
Specific distinctions between these two Main Mass subunits will be

descriptions for
for stops
stopsin
in the
the Whistle
WhistleMine
Mine pit.
pit.

6

�Sublayer

The most recent
recent formal
formal publication dealing specifically with this subunit
subunit of the SIC
SIC
(Naldrett et al., 1984)
1984)used the
the term
term "Contact
"Contact Sublayer"
Sublayer" to define
define that
that part
part of
of the
the

Sublayer adjacent to the Main Mass of the complex
complex and not that included in (Offset)
(Offset)
dykes. However,
However,its
itsusage
usageeven
evenin
in that
that article
article was
was ambiguous,
ambiguous, and
and more
more recent
recent
prominent distinction
distinction between
between
study, as mentioned previously, has indicated a more prominent

Contact Sublayer and Offset Dyke magmas.
magmas. Therefore,
Therefore, our
our working
working terminology
terminology
will henceforth refer merely
merely to
to "Sublayer"
"Sublayer" and
and "Offset"
"Offset"rocks.
rocks. The Offsets will be

discussed in more
more detail
detail in
in the
the next
next subsection.
subsection.

The discontinuous
discontinuous marginal embayments known collectively as the Sublayer,
Sublayer, as
as

characterized by
by Pattison (19791,
(1979), contain the
the bulk
bulk of
of the
the Ni-Cu-PGE ores.
originally characterized
This unit is characterized
characterized by an
an igneous-textured
igneous-textured noritic matrix
mamx hosting disseminated
disseminated

to massive sulphides and a relatively
relatively large
large proportion
proportionof
ofinclusions.
inclusions. The inclusion
populations may be divided into two groups; those obviously derived from the
adjacent footwall, and more enigmatic mafic
mafic to ultramafic
ultramafic inclusions,
inclusions, the
the latter
latter of
of

which appear to be spatially associated
associated with sulphide occurrences (e.g.,
(e.g., Souch
Souch and
Podolsky, 1969).
1969), Sublayer
Sublayerinclusion
inclusiontypes
types include
includesmall-scale
small-scalefelsic/anorthositic
felsic/anorthositic

.

blebs (generally
(generally cm-scale)
cm-scale) which
which are
are most
most abimdant
abundant in, but not unique
unique to,
to, the
the
cm-scale inclusions of fine-grained, often porphyritic, hornfels-textured
Sublayer, cm-scale
material ("anhedral
("anhedral porphyries"), and cm- to metre-scale
metre-scale inclusions
inclusions of
of ultramaflc
ultramafic

material. Although
Althoughthese
theseinclusion
inclusionpopulations
populations comprise
comprise a significant
significant proportion
proportion of
of
the Sublayer (up to 25%),
25%), they are not at all well-represented
well-represented in the surrounding
surrounding
basement.
basement.

7

�Footwall
Footwall
The term
term "footwall"
"footwall" is used as a general
general term to denote basement rocks underlying

has been variably
km surrounding
surrounding the SIC has
the SIC. The
Thefootwall
footwallwithin
within about
about 11 km
thermally recrystallized by the contact aureole
therma1Iy
aureole of the SIC, producing concentric
concentric
epidote-albitecontact metamorphic zones from
from pyroxene- to hornblendehomblende- to epidote-albite-

hornfels, in order of increasing distance
distance from
from the
thecontact.
contact. It has been o
observed
b s e ~ e dthat
mineralization in the footwall is largely associated
the mineralization
associated with the
the most
most proximal,
proximal,

highest temperature,
temperature, pyroxene hornfels aureole
aureole (Coats
(Coats and Snajdr,
Snajdr, 1984).
1984).

In addition to the thermal aureole,
fractured, both
aureole, the footwall is extensively
extensively fractured,
both radially

and concentrically around the SIC.
SIC. These
These fractures
fractures provide conduits for the
noritic magma
magma bodies
bodies known
known as
as Offset
Offset Dykes
injection of relatively homogeneous noritic
and of distinctive shock-induced pseudotachylitic-textured rocks known as Sudbury
Sudbury
Breccias,
Breccias, both
both of
of which
which represent
represent environments
environments for hosting significant
significant Cu-rich

mineralization. In
Inaddition
addition to
to the
the Sudbury
Sudbury Breccias,
Breccias, additional
additional breccia-type
breccia-type
environments which may host mineralization include rifootwall
breccia", "late
environments
r'footwallbreccia",

granite breccia" and Sublayer (breccia;
(breccia; see
see pg.
pg. 21).
21). The
The latter
latter two reflect
reflect
terminology used mainly by Falconbridge Limited,
Limited, and
and will
willbe
be discussed
discussed further in
the text for Part
Part IIIIof
of this
this excursion.
excursion.

Offsets
fxfsets

Offset Dykes are intrusive, igneous- to metamorphic-textured bodies occurring as
elongate dykes
into the footwall,
10to
to 15
15km
kminto
footwall, occasionally
occasionally
dykes which
which may extend
extend 10

Offset in
in the
theNorth
NorthRange).
Range). These dykes
upwards of 25 km (in the case of the Foy Offset
occur both radiating outwards from the contact with
with the base
base of the SIC and also
8

�out in
in the
the footwall,
footwall, as
as in
in Hess
Hess and Falconbridge
aligned parallel to the contact, lying out

Townships. The
Thesilicate
silicatemineralogy
mineralogy of the Offset Dykes is dominated by
Pattison,
plagioclase, orthogranophyre (e.g., Pattison,
plagioclase,
ortho- and
and clinopyroxenes,
clinopyroxenes, quartz and ganophyre

1979). As
As the
thedyke
dykeextends
extends further
further into the footwall, this assemblage is replaced by
its metamorphic equivalent, whereby the pyroxenes
pyroxenes in particular
particular are replaced by
quartz, feldspar
feldspar and
and gsanophyre
granophyre are recrystallized.
amphibole and then biotite, and quartz,

Sudbury Breccias
Sudburv
Breccia
the SIC, where their
Sudbury Breccias also occur in a wide zone surrounding the
alignment, as with the Offsets, is a function of
of the
the local
local fault
fault geometries.
geometries. They
Theyhave
have
been identified
identified as far as 80
80 km distance away from Sudbury (both near Lake

Agnew Lake
Lake to
to the
the west).
west). They
Temagami to the northeast and Agnew
They consist
consist of
of aa very
very
within which
whichblocks
blocksof
ofcountry
countryrock
rockare
areentrained.
entrained. The clast
fine-grained matrix within
xenocrystic grains
grains to
to outcrop
outcrop size blocks, where
size may vary enormously, from xenocrystic
the rotation of regional fabrics (foliations, lineations,
lineations, etc.)
etc.) allow these blocks to be

identified as breccia clasts. The
The matrix
matrix of
of Sudbury
Sudbury Breccia is texturally comparable
consist
to a low-viscosity
low-viscosity liquid in terms of its fluid dynamics, although it appears to consist
of the
the local
local country
country rock,
rock, displaying
displaying sharp
sharp contacts
contacts with
of the pulverized equivalent of

-

it but with
with no
no thermal
thermal contact
contactaureole.
aureole.

Mineralization
Mineralization
The vast majority of the ores at Sudbury are incorporated into an assemblage
assemblage
dominated by pyrrhotite, pentlandite,
pentlandite, chalcopyrite
chalcopyriteand
andpyrite.
pyrite. Variation in the
relative proportions of these minerals within aa given
given deposit
deposit are atmbutable
attributable to the
effects of fractionation
solid solution
solution (Mss),
(Mss), such that
fractionation of a monosulphide solid
9

�fractionated liquids enriched in Ni, Cu, Pt, Pd and Au are differentiated from
Fe, Co,
Co, FUI,
Rh, Ru,
Ru, Ir
Jr and
and 0Oss (Naldrett, 1984).
residual cumulate sulphides enriched in Fe,
1984).
Differences in Cu. Ni and PGE tenor between different deposits may be attributed
attributed to

progressive depletion
depletion of
of these
these elements
elements from
from a given batch of magma by segregation
segregation
of successive
successive batches
batches of
of sulphide.
sulphide.

While most of the Ni is
is concentrated
concentrated into
into pentlandite, exsolved
exsolved at
at low-temperatures
low-temperatures
(2000
250°C) from pyrrhotite, pyrrhotite
pyrrhotite itself
itself may
may also
also retain
retain up
up to
to 1.2 wt% Ni.
(200' to 250Â°C

Cu is largely concentrated
concentratedin
in chalcopyrite,
chalcopy&amp;e, with lesser amounts
amounts occurring
occurring in
in cubanite
cubanite
PGE are largely concentrated in the platinum-group
platinum-group minerals
minerals (PGM)
(CuFe2S3). PGE
(PtAs2). A
michenerite (PdBiTe),
(PdBiTe), moncheite
moncheite (PtTe2)
(PtTeJ and sperrylite (Pas*).
A relatively
relatively

at Sudbury
Sudbury is
is provided by
complete list of the metalliferous minerals occurring at

Naldrett (1984).
(1984). Typical
Typicalaverage
averagegrades
grades of
of these
these elements
elements in 100%
100% sulphide
sulphide are
a R as
as

al.
follows, based on
on values
values given
given in Naklrett
Naldrett (1984), Cochrane (1984), Binney et aL
(1994)
(I 994) and Naldrett
Naldrett et
etaL
ul.(1994).
(I 994).

Ni

Cu

Co

Pt

Pd

Au

(wt%)

(wt%)

(wt%)

(ppb)

(ppb)

(ppb)

Sublayer—
S
ublap

3.8

2.2

0.19

1391

1798

583

0.58

6.8

Offset

4.0

3.6

0.17

2130

3170

868

0.90

5.3

F. Breccia

4.5

2.3

0.16

756

802

122

0.51

25

S.
S, Breccia

4.9

3.8

0.12

1042

1026

105

0.78

93

Cu zones

1.6

30.1

0.06

1753

2994

85

18.8

897

Unit
Unit

CuJNI

(Pt+Pd)/
(Ru+Jr+Os)

These values are
are based
based on
on arbitrarily
arbitrarily chosen data from available literature, and are

intended as a very general guide to relative
relative abundances.
abundances. Sublayer deposits
deposits are
are
thought to
to have
have CdNi
CuiNiranging
rangingbetween
between0.1
0.1and
and0.5
0.5(Morrison
(Morrisonetetal.,'
at,
generally thought
10
10

�1994),
than presented
presented here.
here. The
19941, which is lower than
The concentrations
concentrations of PGE
PGE and
and Au
Au in
between deposits,
deposits, so "average"
particular may vary by orders of magnitude between

be treated
treated with
with caution.
caution. The CdNi
Cu/Ni ratio
ratio of
of the
the SIC deposits as a
abundances should be
whole is considered to be around 1.0,
1.0, where
where Sublayer deposits
deposits have
have Cu/Ni&lt;l,
Cu/Nici,
1, and the
Offset Dyke and Sudbury Breccia (or Footwall deposits)
deposits) have
have Cu/Ni&gt;
Cu/Ni&gt;l,
copper and
Cu&gt;&gt;Ni.
deep copper
and stringer
stringer zones
zones have
have Cu&gt;&gt;Ni.

11

�Trip: Part
Part I -- Whistle
Field Trio:
Whistle Mine
The following three page
page description
description of the environment and history of the Whistle
Whistle
Mine was written
written by
by Inco
Inco Ltd.
Ltd. for
for geological
geological visitors to the mine site.
site. It is here
reproduced for
courtesy of
ofInco
kco Limited as of January, 1997,
for this field trip guide courtesy
1997,
with minor updating
updating courtesy
courtesyof
of A.
A. Bite
Bite (Inco
(Inco Ltd.).
Ltd.).

WHISTLE MINE

Whistle Mine
Mine is located
locatedin
in the
the extreme
extreme north-east corner
comer of the Sudbury
SudburyBasin,
Basin,
of the
the town
town of
of Capreol
Capreol in
in concession
concession IV
approximately twelve kilometres north-east of
of Norman Township.
Township.

orebody lies
lies within
within the
the Whistle
Whistle embayrnent
embayment which plunges to the west southsouthThe orebody
west at about forty degrees. The
Theore
oreoutcropped
outcropped in the form of a large hill facing to
the south and is reasonably continuous to
to aa depth
depth of
of about
aboutfive
fivehundred
hundredfeet.
feet. The
ore is of two
two primary
primary varieties,
varieties, the
the most
most abundant
abundant type being disseminated
disseminated inclusion
inclusion

norite in which the
blebs in
in aa noritic
noritic matrix.
matrix. Also
Also within
within
the' sulphide
sulphide exists as distinct blebs
%

the norite are
are large
large inclusions
inclusions of
of greenstone, amphibolite and a variety of ultramafics
ultramafics
(generally dark coloured rocks). The
The second
second most common type of ore is inclusion
suiphide. ItItisischaracterized
characterizedby
by large
large rock inclusions (as described above)
above)
massive sulphide.
in aa matrix
matrix of
of massive
massive sulphide.
sulphide. The orebody itself
itself is
is overlain by a thick
"floating" in

layer of medium-grained,
medium-grained, light
light grey barren main mass felsic norite.

12

�The footwall of the Sudbury Igneous Complex (SIC) comprises partly barren
However, the
the true footwall
footwall to the ore
ore body
body is
is
sublayer andlor inclusion basic
basic norite.
norite. However,
a pink granite breccia
breccia which is well exposed
exposed on
on the
the north
north wall
wall of
of the
thepit.
pit.

The ore is made up predominantly of copper plus nickel with minor amounts of

cobalt and precious metals. The
The copper/nickel
copperlnickelratio
ratio is
is approximately
approximately 0.3:1
0.3:l while the
pyrrhotite/nickel
23.5: 1.
pyrrhotitelnickel ratio
ratio is
is 23.5:1.

There are no major offsetting structures transecting the ore zone; however, strong
strong
localized joints
joints are encountered and many are quite rusty in appearance, indicating

significant historic
historic water
water movement.
movement. This may be due in part to the fact that the
area had previously been developed as a mine near the turn of the century.

4.5 million tons of rock and 2.7 million tons of ore have been mined
To date, some 4.5

from the pit.

January 15,
15,1991
1991

13

�WHISTLE
WHISTLE MINE
MINE
HISTORY and
and STATUS
STATUS
12 lan
km north of Capreol
-LOT #6, concession
concession #5
#5 -- Norman Township
Township -- 12

1897 -- Isaac
1897
Isaac Whistle discovers the property
1900 - A mining patent is issued
issued
1900
1903 -- Property ownership is transferred from Dominion Nickel Copper Company
Company
1903
to British American Nickel
Nickel Company.
Company.
1910 - Exploration begins in the form
1910
form of diamond drilling and drifting
drifting along
along ore
ore
veins accessible
accessible through an
an adit.
adit.
1912 - Whistle is abandoned in favour of the Murray prospect.
1912
1912 -- 1929
The property
1929 -- The
property stagnates
stagnates
1912
1929 -- The
The property reverts to INCO
INCO through
through the
the merger.
merger.
1928 -- 1988
1988 -- The ore body is delineated by several series of diamond
diamond
1928
programs.
drilling programs.
1988 -- INCO
INCO develops an open pit in January, 1988
1988 contractually
contractually mined by
1988
MacIsaac
MacIsaacMining
Miningand
and Tunnelling.
Tunnelling.
1991
3,285,000
1991 -- Pit production ceases and the mine is placed on standby after 3,285,000
tons of ore are extracted along with nearly 4,868,000 tons of waste.
Approximately 1.3 million tons
tons of
of ore remain
remain to be
be extracted from
from the open
pit. Additional
Additionalmineral
mineral below
below the
the pit could become mineable
mineable if economic
economic
conditions become favourable.
conditions
favourable.
in the footwall of the pit locates aa small
1993
1993 -- Exploration
Exploration diamond drilling in
small
occurrence of high grade copper with substantial
substantial precious
precious metals
metals between
levels.
-1500 and 2000 levels.
1995.
to be
be ready for submission by 1995.
-- Closure
Closure plans are being formulated to
1994 -- Exploration
Exploration diamond drilling continues
continues
to reopen
reopen Whistle.
Whistle. The
1994 -- In November plans are established to
The mining
mining contract
contract
1994
is let to Carman Construction
Construction with the intention to mine approximately 1.3
1.3
million tons to the 12th
12th bench.
bench.
expansion which
which will
will access
access an additional 1.0
1995 -- Plans are finalized for an expansion
1995
1.0
million
tons of
of ore
ore and
and development
developmentbegins.
begins. Mining will now go to cut
million tons
#14.
-- The
The mine closure plan is completed and submitted.

14

�Canmet initiates
to characterize
a living
growing
wastewaste
- Canmet
initiatesaaproject
projecttotoattempt
attempt
to characterize
a living
growing
pile.
-- A rare earth
earth magnet
magnet is purchased to facilitate ore cobbing in an
an attempt
attempt to
to
rock" and enhance the
remove significant volumes of "floatable rock
the mine
mine feed
feed
grade.
grade.
Mining
1996 for the
the fall
fullyear
yearatataarate
rateofof2500
2500tons
tonsper
perday.
day. The
is planned for
1996
place and
and about
about 70%
70% of the ore is being
magnetic separation circuit is in place
treated.
treated.
1997
mine until
until September
September of this year
Reserves indicate that we will be able to mine
1997 -- Reserves
day. This
at a rate of 2500 tons per day.
This will take the pit to a depth of 14
14
benches.
benches.
Summary (as of June 1,
1, 1996):
1996):
Total rock removed to date
-Total ore shipped
-shipped to date
date

6.11
6.1 1 million tons
tons
4.80 million tons
tons

15

�At the Whistle
Whistle mine,
mine, the
the geology
geology exposed
exposed in the pit includes both
both felsic
felsic and
and mafic
mafic
Main Mass norites
norites at
at the
the southwest,
southwest,the
the Sublayer
Sublayer in its various forms, and finally
corner. The
The trip
trip will traverse
traverse these
these units
units in this
the footwall contact at the northeast comer.

order, in theory,
theory, depending
depending on
on pit logistics, as depicted
depicted in
in Figure
Figure 2.
2.

Stop 1:
Stop
1: Introduction
Introduction to
to Whistle
Whistle Mine

This stop is technically
technically not a geological stop, as it will not involve
involve looking
looking closely
closely at
at
the rocks, but will
will provide
provide aa geological
geological and historical overview of the
the mine,
mine,
courtesy of Inco
courtesy
Inco Limited,
Limited, much of which has been provided in the previous
previous text, for
for

your convenience.

Stop 2:
Stop
2: Main
Main Mass
Mass norites
norites (south
(south ramp)
and the
the contact
contact between
between them.
them. The
This stop includes the two Main Mass norites and
The
felsic norite is distinguished from the mafic norite on the basis not only of colour

modal mineralogical change), but also by inclusion content
content
index (and therefore
therefore aa modal
and sulphide content. The
Thefelsic
felsicnorite
norite isis aa two-pyroxene-plagioclase-granophyre
two-pyroxene-plagioclase-granophyre
massive and
and homogeneous.
homogeneous. Towards the base, the
rock, which is relatively massive

clinopyroxeneincreases
increases from
from roughly equal (about
(about 20%
20% and
and
proportion of ortho- to dinopyroxene
\

orthopyroxene-dominant. The
15% of the rock, respectively), to orthopyroxene-dominant.
The mafic
mafic norite
norite
dinopyroxene at all, and consists
underlying it does not contain clinopyroxene
consists of approximately
approximately

35-45 modal% orthopyroxene, which becomes progressively more poikiliticpoikilitictextured with depth. The
Theporportion
porpordon of quartz and granophyric-textured
quartzofeldspathic
quartzofeldspathicmaterial also decreases
decreases from about 10%
10% in the felsic norite to
norite. The
The mafic
mafic norite contains
contains cm-sized
cm-sized
less than 2 or 33 modal% in the mafic norite.

felsic clasts thought to
to represent anorthositic melt droplets, which have
have subsequently
subsequently
16

�been recrystallized and hornfelsed. Inclusions
Inclusions of dark, fine-grained
fine-grained massive
massive
"gabbro-hornfels" comprise the
the other
other main
main inclusion
inclusionpopulation
populationhere.
here. Minor
Minor (2
(2

wt%) disseminated suiphides
sulphides appear
appear in the mafic norite, consisting
consisting of pyrrhotite.
pyrrhotite.

Stop
Stop 3:
3: Sublayer:
Sublayer:upper
upper contact
contact
At this stop the contact between the base of the mafic norite and the uppermost
uppermost

Sublayer is observed. The
Thecontact
contactisis irregular,
irregular, and
and is represented by
by aa decrease
decreasein
in
grain size, significant decrease in the abundance of coarse-grained feldspar, and an

increase in suiphide
sulphide content. The
The mafic
mafic norite here is characterized by the presence
presence
of coarse-grained interstitial biotite, as well. The Sublayer here
here may
may be broadly

described as opx-rich Sub
lover,and
andconsists,
consists,atatthe
thetop,
top,of
of a medium-grained rock
Sublayer,

containing about
about 40%
40% plagioclase
plagioclaseplus
plustwo
twopyroxenes
pyroxenes(ortho~clino).
(ortho&gt;&gt;cino). Granophyre
but decreases
decreases with
with depth
depthand
anddisappears.
disappears. Suiphide
is also present again, but
Sulphide consists of
pyrrhotite, grading about
about 250
250 ppb
ppb Ni,
Ni, plus
five to ten percent disseminated pyrrhotite,
associated pentlandite.
associated

Stop
Stop 4:
4: Inclusion
Inclusion Sublayer
Sublayer
This "stop"
"stop" is a sequence
sequence of stops
stops as we
we move
move progressively
progressively into the more
more

mineralized Sublayer down
down towards
towards the
the footwall
footwallrocks.
rocks. The Sublayer can be
discriminated
discriminated petrographically into a variety
variety of
of sub-groups,
sub-groups, including
includingolivine-opxolivine-opx-

rich Sublayer, porphyritic opx-Sublayer and variations thereon, as distinguished
distinguished
variant at
atthe
thetop
topof
ofthe
theSublayer
Sublayer.. The
from the opx-rich variant
The presence of porphyritic-

textured pyroxene distinguishes Sublayer rocks from mafic norite, which is
characterized by poikilitic textured
textured pyroxene.
pyroxene. As the footwall contact is
the Sublayer
Sublayer referred
referred to
to as
as inclusion basic
approached, a relatively thin subunit of the
17

�no
rite is
is present,
present, characterized
characterized by
by aa "salt
"saltand
andpepper"
pepper"texture.
texture. This is a somewhat
norite

leucocratic variant
one time
time to
to be
be
more leucocratiic
variant of
of the
the Sublayer,
Sublayer, and
and has
has been thought at one
representative of a possible parental composition for the Sublayer (e.g., Morrison et
aL, 1994).
1994). The
Theinclusion
inclusionbasic
basicnorite
norite may
may also
also reflect
reflect differentiation
differentiation of
of Sublayer
Sublayer
al.,
extends outwards from the Whistle
rock into the "root" of the Offset Dyke which extends
Sublayer to the northeast (forming the
the Whistle
Whistle and
and Parkin
Parkin Offsets).
Offsets). The
The application
application
of terminology such as inclusion basic norite and quartz diorite to Offset
Offset rocks
rocks

this point.
point. Many
becomes somewhat subjective at this
Many workers apply
apply the term
term "quartz
"quartz

diorite" to Offsets
Offsets in the South
South Range
Range only.

Sulphide textures vary through
through the
the Sublayer
Sublayer from
fromthe
the interstitial
interstitial pyrrhotite
pyrrhotite observed
observed

at the top
top to
to progressively
progressively more
more interconnected,
interconnected, higher sulphide
sulphide content
content equivalents
equivalents
the inclusion
inclusionbasic
basicnorite).
norite). These include
towards the core of the Sublayer (above the

suiphide, ragged-textured sulphide, gabbro-peridotite
disseminated (blebby) sulphide,

(GPIS) and inclusion massive-sulphide. The
The inclusions
inclusions in
in
inclusion suiphide
sulphide (GPIS)
inclusion massive sulphide tend to consist of locally derived footwall material,
whereas those in gabbro-peridotite
gabbro-peridotite inclusion sulphide are thought to represent
material. This
potentially more exotic material.
This interpretation
interpretation depends
depends on
on knowing
knowing the
the source
source
inclusions, which
whichisisunclear.
unclear. Alternatives include
&amp;ore ultramafic
ultrarnafic inclusions,
of these more

(i.e., cumulates),
cumulates), a pre-existing Proterozoic
Proterozoic maficmaficderivation from the Main Mass (i.e.,
ultramafic body, Archean footwall, or
or picritic
picritic mantle.
mantle. The source
ultrarnafic
source of
of these
these
inclusions therefore has further potential implications regarding the origins of the

metals and the sulphur.
sulphur.

18

�Stop 5:
5: Footwall
Footwall
The footwall
footwall exposed
exposed along
along the north side of the pit consists of granitic
granitic material of

Complex, cut
cut by
bymafic
maficdykes
dykeslocally.
locally. [Note
[Note that
that the cliffface
cl(ffface in
the Levack Gneiss Complex,
in

pit at the footwall
footwall in particular
particular is relatively unstable, due to the extensive
the pit

particular awareness and caution should be
fracturing in
in this
this brecciated
brecciated rock,
rock, so particular
Blocksofoffootwall
footwallrock
rockare
arepresent
presentwithin
within the
the
exercised at all
all times
times in
in this area.]
area.]Blocks
adjacent inclusion
adjacent
inclusion basic
basic Sublayer,
Sublayer, and
and may contain Cu-enriched
Cu-enriched suiphides
sulphides

may also be observed, particularly
dominated by chalcopyrite. Pyrite-rich
Pyrite-rich sulphide may
associated with the
and footwall
footwall granite
granite breccias.
associated
the more
more "granitized"
"granitized Sublayer and
mineralization, can
can also be observed
"gash-type"copper mineralization,
observed
Sudbury Breccia, hosting "gash-type"

breccias. The presence of well-defined Sudbury
amongst and below the footwall breccias.
Sudbury
Breccia
Breccia can
can be
be used
used to
to imply
imply that
that the host footwall rock is (probably)
(probably) insitu,
insitu, and
and is
is
not, itself, a breccia
breccia block.
block.

LUNCH -- Onanin
Onaoins Falls
Falls
LUNCH

19

�Field Trip: Part
Part H
I1 -- Stratheona
Strathcona Footwall Breccia
In contrast to the Sublayer-hosted, pyrrhotite-dominated ores at Whistle mine, the

along the
the northwest
northwest margin
margin of
of the
the SIC
SIC are
are dominantly
dominantly footwafl-hosted,
footwall-hosted,
deposits along
(1984),
Thefollowing
followingtable,
table,modified
modified from
from Coats
Coats and
and Snajdr
Snajdr(1984),
copper-rich deposits. The
summarizes
activity in this 10
10km
km wide
wide belt.
belt.
summarizes the mining activity
Deposit

Ownership
Ownership

Depth (fret)
(feet)

Production
Production

Hardy

Falconbridge
Falconbridge

1427
1427

1954 to 1978
1978
1954

Boundary
Boundary

Falconbridge

952

1961 to 1973
1973

Onaping
Onaping

Falconbridge
Falconbridge

5348
5348

1961 to 1982
1982

McCreedy West

Inco

1600
1600

1973
1973 to present

Craig
Craig

Falconbridge
Falconhridge

Levack
Levack

Inco
Inco

3915
3915

1913
1913 to present

Fecunis
Fecunis

Falconbridge

3993
3993

1957 to 1977
1977

North

Falconbridge
Falconbridge

4430
4430

1964
1964 to present

McCreedy East
McCreedy

Inco
Inco

Fraser

Falconbridge
Falconbridge

5250
5250

1981 to present

Strathcona
Strathcona

Falconbridge
Falconbridge

3205
3205

1968 to present

Colemar
Coleman-

Inco
Inco

2278
2278

1970 to 1982
1982

Lower Coleman
Coleman

Inco
Inco

Longvack

Falconbridge
Falconbridge

open pit

1956 to
to 1961
1961
1956

Longvack South
South

Falconbridge
Falconbridge

1289
1289

1968
1968 to 1977
1977

Big Levack

Inco
Inco

developed
not developed

developed
not developed

developed
not developed

not developed
developed

of sulphides in
in the
the area in 1888, production of Ni-Cu
Following initial discovery of

ores began in 1913,
1913, and production and reserves for the deposits in this area exceed
20

�200 million tons. A
A summary
summary of the so-called "North Range deposits" located
located in

from whom
whom the
the
Levack Township is provided by Coats and Snajdr (1984), from
following information has been derived.
derived.

corresponding mafic
The Sublayer,
Sublayer, as
as characterized
characterized previously, along with its corresponding
noritic protrusion from
poorly developed at the surface
from the Main Mass, is relatively poorly
surface

in this area, although well-developed
well-developed in
in the
the subsurface.
subsurface. No Offset
Offset Dyke
Dyke projects
projects
outwards
outwards into
into the
the footwall, although offset rocks hosted by Archean granitoids do
occur parallel
Hess and
and Harty
Harty
parallel to
to the
the footwall
footwall contact about 15
15 km to the north in Hess

I). The
Townships (Fig. 1).
Thefootwall
footwall in Levack
LevackTwp.
Twp. consists
consists of
of aa heterogeneous
heterogeneous
Gneiss Complex),
Complex), in its type
high-grade Archean gneiss complex (the Levack Gneiss
location (or near enough). This
Thiscomplex
complex includes
includes a mixture
mixture of granitic,
granitic, tonalitic,
tonalitic,
mafic and occasionally
occasionally ultramafic rocks which have seen granulite
granulite grade
grade

metamorphism
metamorphism(and subsequently retrogressed to amphibolite facies, for the most

part). The
2.5kin
kmout
outfrom
fromthe
the
Thecomplex
complexisisexposed
exposedatatsurface
surfaceto
toaa width
width of
of about
about2.5

SIC, beyond which more heterogeneous, greenschist-grade granitoids occur.

The stops
stops on
on this
this section
section of
of the
the excursion will pass from basal Sublayer
Sublayer into

-

Footwall Breccia
Breccia and
and then into the footwall proper, where mineralization is
associated
associated with
with aa Sudbury
SudburyBreccia
Breccia zone.
zone.

Stop
(garbage dump
Stop 1:
1:Sublayer
Sublaye~(garbage
dump outcrop)
outcrop)
The Sublayer
between the
the base
base of the Main Mass
Sublayer here
here is inclusion-rich Sublayer between

and the footwall proper. ItItisisbroadly
broadly equivalent
equivalent to undifferentiated inclusion
Sublayer between the
inclusion basic
basic norite described
described
the opx-rich Sublayer and the inclusion
21

�previously. This
This rock
rock type
typemay
may be
be considered
considered a breccia, given that a large
have been
been derived
derived fiom
fromthe
the Main
Main Mass
Mass above it (as
proportion of the inclusions may have

Falconbridge, as opposed to the Inco perspective which
which treats
treats the
the
it is interpreted by Falconbridge,
exotic). As
footwall increases,
increases,
inclusions as largely potentially exotic).
As the
the proportion
proportion of
of footwall

this becomes analogous to the footwall
footwall breccias
brecciasobsewed
observedat
atWhistle.
Whistle. Inclusions
gneiss, iron-rich
iron-rich pyroxenite, and a
identifiable here include fragments of footwall gneiss,
variety of mafic inclusions in a variably crystalline
crystalline felsic
felsic matrix.
matrix. The
The granitic
granitic

footwall proper is evident
evident in the
the cliff
cliff face, about 100
100 m to the north.

Stop 2:
Stop
2: Footwall
Footwall Breccia
Breccia (Strathcona
(Strathcona cliff
cliff face, water tower)
mines, (at
(at the
the lefthandmost
lefthandmost extreme
extreme of
of
In front of the Strathcona and Coleman mines,
Figure 3, but not shown), the contact between Sublayer breccia
breccia and footwall breccia

is well displayed. The
Thetwo
two breccias
breccias represent
represent a transition from a norite-dominated
inclusion-rich breccia into aa granitoid-dominated
granitoid-dominated environment with mafic
mafic inclusions.
inclusions.
the water
water tower,
tower, access
access permitting),
permitting), late-granite
late-granite
Further up on top of the hill (under the

breccia is
is evident.
evident. This
Thiscontains
containsfewer
fewermafic
mafic inclusions
inclusions in a much more granitic

matrix and is characterized
characterized by
by aa stockwork
stockworkof
of relatively
relatively fine
finefractures
fracturesinfihled
infilled with
with
granitic material. Mineralization
this stop occurs at the base of the cliff in
Mineralization evident at this
\

the footwall breccia, consisting
consisting of blebby pyrrhotite plus pentlandite, with
chalcopyrite present locally.
locally.

Stop
Sudburv
Stop 3:
3: Mineralized
M
M Brecciai i(Barnet
(Bametshowing)
showing)
This location, shown
example' of footwall
footwall
shown in Figures 33 and 4, is an excellent example

(Sudbury Breccia)-hosted mineralization, and has been summarily described by
Morrison and Sweeny (1994). ItItisislocated
locatedapproximately
approximately 400 m into the footwall
22

�extension of the
from the SIC contact, and is interpreted to be the up-plunge extension

Strathcona Copper
Copper Zone, characterized
characterized by high-Cu, low-PGE contents
contents in
in the ores.
ores.
Limited (since
(since 1979), and
and the outcrops
This showing is the property of Falconbridge Limited

were stripped in 1987
1987 and 1989
1989 for subsequent
subsequent detailed mapping and sampling.

The footwall here consists of Levack Gneiss Complex gneisses and migmatites, cut
by plagioclase-phyric ("Matachewan-type")
("Matachewan-type") mafic dykes, with later Sudbury Breccia

units. Sudbury
Sudbury Breccia pseudotachylite occurs as small
cutting both of these units.
veinlets at the south end of the outcrop and as a large east-west
east-west trending
trending dyke
dyke at
at the
the

of the mineralization
mineralizationisishosted.
hosted. Thin veinlets of
north end, where the bulk of
extensively epidotized
epidotized and
and hematized,
hematized, cross-cut
cross-cut
pegmatitic feldspathic material, extensively

footwall, dykes and breccias, and are also associated
associated with Cu-mineralization.
Cu-mineralization. This
showing is located within the hornblende-hornfels
homblende-homfels aureole induced in the footwall
footwall by
the intrusion of the SIC (as mentioned earlier). Both
Both mineralization
mineralizationand
and alteration
alteration
are very strongly fractured andlor
footwall
and/or structurally
structurally controlled in the footwall
environment.
environment.

Mineralization is dominated by
by chalcopyrite, and occurs as disseminated sulphide,
h4ineralization

stockworks of
of veinlets.
veinlets. The veins and stockworks
as discrete veins, or as fine stockworks
evident
evident within the Sudbury Breccia body represent the best-mineralized section,
where the
the distribution
distribution of veins and stringers
stringers is controlled
controlled by two
two main
main orientations
orientations

of fracture sets. The
TheSudbmy
SudburyBreccia
Brecciaisismore
more prone
prone to
to extension
extension than
than is
is the
the
footwall, providing more zones of weakness and therefore a relatively
relitively high
high suiphidesulphidereservoir potential. This
the
Thisextensional
extensionalfracture-fill
fracture-filloccurrence
occurrence is
is equivalent
equivalent to
to the

23

�deep-Cu deposits,
deposits, but does not display the wide mineralized zones required to

produce the more massive, higher-grade ores present
present at
at depth.
depth.

24

�References
Binney, W.P.,
R.Y.,Sweeny, J.M.
W.P., Poulin, R.Y.,
J.M. and Halladay,
Halladay, S.H.
S.H. (1994) The Lindsley Ni-CuPGE deposit
Sudbury -- Noril'sk
deposit and
and its
its geological
geological setting In Proceedings of the Sudbury
Norifsk
Symposium
(editedbyby
P.C.
Lightfoot
Naldrett).
Ontario
Geological
Survey,
Symposium (edited
P.C.
Lightfoot
andand
A.J. A.J.
Naldrett).
Ontario
Geological
Survey,
Special
Special Volume 5, p.
p. 91-103.
91-103.

Coats, C.J.A. and
and Snajdr,
Snajdr, P.
P. (1984)
(1984) Ore
Ore deposits
deposits of the North Range, Onaping-Levack area,
Structure (edited
(edited by
by E.G.
E.G. Pye,
Pye,
Sudbury In The geology and ore deposits of the Sudbury Structure
A.J. Naldrett
P.E. Giblin).
Giblin). Ontario
Ontario Geological
Geological Survey, Special
Special Volume
Volume 1,
1, p. 327-346.
327-346.
A.J.
Naldrett and
and P.E.

(1984) Ore
Ore deposits
deposits of
of the Copper Cliff
Cochrane, L.B. (1984)
Cliff Offset
OffsetIn
In The
The geology
geology and
and ore
ore deposits
deposits of
of
A.J. Naldrett and P.E. Giblin).
the Sudbury Structure
Structure (edited
(edited by E.G. Pye, A.J.
Giblin). Ontario
Ontario
Geological
Geological Survey,
Survey, Special
Special Volume 1, p. 347-359.

Giblin, P.E.
P.E. (1984)
development, of
of geological
geological studies
studies and
Gibh,
(1984) History
History of exploration and development,
development
and ore
ore deposits of the Sudbury
development of geological
geological concepts In The geology and
Sudbury
Structure
Giblin). Ontario
Ontario Geological Survey,
Structure(edited
(editedby
by E.G.
E.G. Pye,
Pye, A.J.
A.J. Naldrett
Naldrettand
andP.13.
P.E. Giblin).

Special Volume 1,
1, p. 3-23.
3-23.
Lightfoot,
R.R., Moore, M. and Pekeski, D. (in press,
K., Keays, R.R.,
Lightfoot, P.C.,
P.C., Doherty,
Doherty,W.,
W., Farrell,
Farrell, K.,
Mass, Sublayer, Offsets,
Offsets, and
and inclusions from
from the Sudbury
1997) Geochemistry of the Main Mas,

Igneous
Igneous Complex,
Complex, Ontario.
Ontario. Ontario
OntarioGeological
GeologicalSurvey
SurveyOpen
Open File
File Report.
Report.

White, T.L.
T.L. (1994)
(1994)Footwall
Footwall mineralization
mineralization of the
the Sudhury
Sudbury
Morrison, G.G., Jago,
Jago,B.C.
B.C. and
andWhite,
Igneous
Igneous Complex
Complex In
In Proceedings
Proceediigs of
of the
the Sudbury
Sudbury - Norifsk
Noril'sk Symposium (edited
(edited by P.C.

Lightfoot
Li&amp;tfoot and
and A.J.
A.J. Naldrett).
Naldrett). Ontario
Ontario Geological
Geological Survey, Special Volume 5, p. 57-64.
57-64.

Morrison,
surface tour.
tour. CIM
(1994) Sudbury ore environments surface
CIM Geological
Geological
Morrison, G. and
and Sweeny,
Sweeny, M. (1994)
Society,
trip guidebook,
guidebook, 35 pp.
Society, Fourth
Fourth Annual
Annual Field
Field Conference,
Conierence, field
field trip
pp.

Naldrett,
In The
The geology
geology and
and
Naldrett, A.J.
A.J. (1984)
(1984)Mineralogy
Mineralogyand
and composition
composition of the Sudbury
Sudbury ores h

ore deposits
deposits of
of the
the Sudbury
Sudbury Structure
Structure (edited
(edited by E.G. Pye, A.J. Naldrett
Naldrett and
and P.E.
P.E. Giblin).
Giblin).
p. 309-325.
Ontario Geological
Geological Survey,
Survey, Special
Special Volume 1, p.

Naldrett,
R.,Asif,
Asif, M.
M. and
and Li
Li C. (1994)
(1994) Compositional
Compositional variation
varjiition in the Sudbury
Sudbury
Naldrett, A.J.,
A.J., Pessaran,
Pessaran,R.,
of footwall copper-PGE
copper-PGE bodies In Proceedings of the
ores and prediction of the proximity of
25

�Sudbury
Noril'sk Symposium (edited
Sudbury -- Norilsk
Ontario
(edited by
by P.C.
P.C. Lightfoot
Lightfoot and AJ.
A.J. Naldrett). Ontario

Geological Survey,
143.
Geological
Survey, Special
Special VolumeS,
Volume 5,p.p. 133133-143.

E.F. (1979)
(1979)The
TheSudbury
SudburySublayer.
Sublayer.Canadian
Canadian Mineralogist,
Mineralogist,v.
v. 17,
17, p.
Pattison, E.F.
Pattison,
p. 257-274.
257-274.

S.A., Keays,
Keays, R.R.
R.R. and
and Lightfoot,
Lightfoot,P.C.
P.C. (1997)
(1997)Genesis
Genesisof
ofinclusions
inclusionsin
in the
themineralized
mineralized
Prevec, S.A.,
Contact
Sublayer,Sudbury
Sudbury Igneous
Igneous Complex: Sm-Nd
Sm-Nd isotopic,
isotopic, geochemical
geochemicaland
and
Contact Sublayer,

In Geological
Geological Association of Canada/Mineralogical
petrographic evidence
evidence In
petrographic
Canada/Mineralogical Association of
Canada Program
Canada
Program with Abstracts,
Abstracts, v.
v. 22.
22.

Podolsky, T.
T. and
and geological
geological staff of Inco Limited (1969) The sulphide ores at
Souch, B.E., Podoisky,
Souch,
Sudbury: their particular relation to a distinctive inclusion-bearing facies
facies of
of the Nickel

4, p. 252-261.
Irruptive. Economic Geology, Monograph 4,

Recommended references:
references:
1.
1.

The geology and ore deposits of the Sudbury Structure
Structure (edited by
by E.G.
E.G. Pye, A.J.
A.J. Naldrett
and P.E. Giblin).
Giblin). Ontario Geological
Geological Survey, Special Volume 1, 1984.
1984.

2.

Proceedings
(edited by
by P.C.
P.C. Lightfoot and
and A.J.
A.J.
Proceedings of the
the Sudbury
Sudbury - Noril'sk Symposium (edited
Naldrett). Ontario
1994.
Ontario Geological
Geological Survey,
Survey, Special
Special Volume 5, 1994.

3.

Sudbury
tour (prepared
(prepared by
by Gordon
Gordon Morrison and Inco
Sudbury ore environments surface tour
geological staff and Mike
Mike Sweeny
Sweeny and
andFalconbridge
Falconbridgegeological
geologicalstaff).
stam. CIM
geological
CIM Geological
Geological
Society, Fourth
field trip
trip guidebook,
guidebook, 35 pp., 1994.
Society,
Fourth Annual Field Conference, field
1994.

26

�____

15km

W4E

Part I
Whistle Mine
(Figure 2)

Whistle Offset

Strathcona

Fraser

s.._Rigure 3)

Levack West Mine -.
C)

Mine —

a)

-c

Offset

:-

A

I

Frood-Stobie
Offset

'7

..:..
e...
r") SIC Main Mass
.........................
...^.$^$
.................
....................
......
......
.,:.........
:..,.:
:....:,:
:,:...:
.......
.......
.....:.:

SIC Main Mass

Sublayer norite

0

Sublayer
noritediorite
Offset quartz
Offset quartz diorite

Faults

Faults
A

,

Sample locations

Sample locations

Figure1:1: Map
Mapof
of the
the Sudbury
SudburyIgneous
IgneousComplex
Complex(SIC)
(SIC)showing
showing Sublayer and Offset
Figure
locations, plus
plus excursion
excursion stop
stop areas
areas (modified
(modifiedfrom
from Lightfoot
Lightfoot et Sublayer
at., 1997).and Offset
locations,
et at., 1997).

�+++++++

aa

—

—

a

a a

-

aaa

a

-" a

+
+ +

aa

LSJ J

a
a

a

L

L

111ff Ii

L Li. ill

11;:::

EEJ Leucocrafic noifte

alhopyoxene-dch rinite
Olvinenorite

Tvo pyroxerfe noilte

ILfl MDflcNoilte

Felsic t'blte

Mjln Mass

— — Fojit

SuW&amp;y &amp;-eccla

SCm

0

QJ Qnlzcio,ffe

Cet

Altered math&gt;
UItranc4lc indthlon

Fresh macaria IndIcn

-

+++
++-

&lt; bdIcn mczslvo sulpilde

Sudbury Igneous Complex

+ °°

X

A

++++

IndLtct

Gniltojd rockB

Leucocrafic brecda
Anof1hc6Ite4roctcMte,tho

Dczo hckaris aid ratls

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Figure 2: Geology of the Whistle pit, from Lightfoot et al. (1997). Approximate
positions of stops are
indicated by circled numbers.

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Strathcona-Longvack area
area
Strathcona-Longvack
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map
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Figure 3: Strathcona to Longvack area geolo9ical map, showing mine locations and location of
stripped outcrops of the Barnet showing (modified after Morrison and Sweeny, 1994).

�Barnet
Barnet Showing
Showinq
Trench Map

Sulphides (cpy)
(cpy)
Suiphides
maficlultramafic inclusions
inclusions
mafic/ultramafic
(including plag-phyric
plag-phyricdykes)
dykes)
(including
Sudbury Breccia
Breccia
Sudbury
fr,,,
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(Levack)
gneiss (Levack)
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40m
40 m
Figure 4: Outcrop
Outcropmap
mapof
of Barnet
Barnetshowing,
showing, displaying
displaying mineralized
mineralized Sudbury
Sudbury
Figure
Breccia in
in Archean
Archean footwall,
footwall, modified
modified after
after Morrison
Morrison and
and Sweeny
Sweeny(1994).
(1994).
Breccia

�</text>
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                    <text>ALKALIC ROCKS
ROCKS OF
OF THE
THESUDBURY
SUDBURY REGION
REGION
BY

R. P.
P. SAGE
SAGE

INSTITUTE ON
SUPERIOR GEOLOGY
INSTITUTE
ON LAKE
LAKE SUPERIOR
GEOLOGY
43rd ANNUAL MEETING,
MEETING, MAY
43rd
MAY 66 -11,
-11, 1997
1997
SUDBURY, ONTARIO
ONTARIO

Field Trip
Part 66
Trip Guidebook,
Guidebook, Volume 43: Part

�Alkalic Rocks of the Sudhury
Sudbury Region
Region
by

R.
R. P.
P. Sage
Sage
Precambrian
PrecambrianSection
Section
Ontario
OntarioGeological
Geological Survey
Survey
Ministry
Ministry of
of Northern
NorthernDevelopment
Development and
and Mines
Mines
7th
7th floor
floor
933 Ramsey Lake Road
Road
Sudbury,
Sudbury, Ontario
Ontario
P3E
6B5
P3E 6B5

of aa Carbonatite
Carbonatite
Frontispiece:
Frontispiece: Idealized Cross Section of
Intrusion(modified
Intrusion(modifiedfrom
fromSage,
Sage,1991)
1991)

�ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This
This field
field trip
trip guidebook
guidebook would
would not
not have
have been
been possible
possible
without
without the
the assistance
assistance of
of Wilf
Wilf Meyer,
Meyer, Resident
Resident Geologist,
Geologist,
and
and Mike
Mike Cosec,
Cosec, Staff
Staff Geologist,
Geologist, Ontario
Ontario Geological
Geological Survey,
Survey,
Sudbury,
Sudbury, Ontario.
Ontario. Excluding
Excluding the
the Spanish
Spanish River
River Carbonatite,
Carbonatite,
author had no prior exposure
manifestations
the author
exposure to the
the many manifestations
of
of alkaline
alkaline magmatism
magmatism in
in the
the region.
region.

�1

INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION

magmatism within the Sudbury region
Alkaline magmatism
region manifests
itself in many forms
forms and in
in differing
differing structural
structural
settings(Figures 1
1 and 22).
Alkaline magmatism
magmatism occurs from
settings(Figures
) . Alkaline
the middle Proterozoic
Proterozoic to
to Middle Cambrian
Cambrian and
and expresses
expresses
discrete plutons and as
metasomatic events
itself as discrete
as metasomatic
events with
with no
no
clearly recognizable
recognizable magmatic
magmatic phase.
phase. The
The various
various alkaline
alkaline
features
features are
are widely
widely spaced;
spaced; therefore,
therefore, all
all will
will not
not be
be seen
seen
on the field
field trip.
trip. Due
Due to
to the
the wide
wide spacing
spacing of
of the
the accessible
accessible
sites, two
sites,
two days
days will
will be
be spent
spent examining
examining the
the alkaline
alkaline rocks.
rocks.
alkaline rocks
Day one will be spent
spent examining alkaline
rocks in
in the
the
immediate area
immediate
area of
of Sudbury
Sudbury and
and will
will include
include the
the Spanish
Spanish River
River
Carbonatite,
Carbonatite, Nemag Lake fenites
fenites and the French
French river
river
nepheline-cancrinite pegmatites. The Spanish
nepheline-cancrinite
Spanish River
River
Carbonatite occurs
the Sudbury
Carbonatite
occurs in
in Archean rocks northwest of the
Complex(SIC), the Nemag
Nemag Lake fenites
fenites occur in
Igneous Complex(SIC),
Supergroup at the
deformed rocks
rocks of the Huronian
Huronian Supergroup
the western
western end
Great Lakes
of the Great
Lakes Tectonic Zone southwest of Sudbury
Sudbury and
the French River
River alkalic pegmatites occur
occur in
in a syenite
syenite
intrusion
intrusion within
within the
the Grenville
Grenville structural
structural province.
province. On
On the
the
day, two
second day,
two alkaline
alkaline intrusions of lower
lower to
to middle
Cambrian age
Cambrian
age will
will be
be examined
examined in
in the
the Lake
Lake Nipissing
Nipissing area
area and
and
a
a visit to
to the
the Scadding
Scadding mine is
is planned to
to examine
examine the
the
effects
metasomatism. The
effects of regional
regional sodium
sodium metasomatism.
The visit
visit to
to the
the
Lake
Lake Nipissing
Nipissing area
area will
will require
require boat
boat transport.
transport.

�2

*
•

Mesozoic kimberlite (120-1507 Ma)
Mesozoic kimberlrte (120-150? Ma)
Mesozoic (90 125 Mat
Mesozoic (90-125 Ma)

£

Paleozoic (275-570 Ma)
Paleazoic (275-570 Ma)

•

Prolerozcuc (570 2500 ~ a )
Proterozajc (570-2500 Ma)

•

Archean (2500 Ma)
Archean (2500 Ma)

K
K

*

*

*
@

Cr~ptoexplosionstructures
Cryptoexpiosron Structures

Fault Zone

Phanerczojc and Precambrian boundary

Sporosimute timri of rate
Precambrian supracrustar racks
Parts ol St. Lawrence Graben System affec1ed
by Phanerozoic faulting and recent earthquakes
Midconrinenm

Rrfm

System

Unknown age
Unknown age

Figure 1: Regional distribution of alkalic rock-carbonatite

Figure
1: Regional
distribution
of western
complexes
in eastern
Ontario and
Figure
alkalic Quebec.
rock- carbonatite
complexes
in
eastern
( 1 9 7 8 ) and western
Sage ( 1 9 9 Quebec.
1) .
modified from Lumbers
Ontario
Figure
modified from Lumbers(l978) and Sage(lg9l).

�G.ology 505111.5

PRQVINCE

SUPERIOR PROVINCE

-

-

North.,0 All.',. Map. 2197 •nd 2393

PROVINCE

-

sodium metasornatism)

Crater;

-

-

.

-

-

-

-

-

Figure 2: Distribution of alkali0 rock-carbonatite
complexes
in the Sudbury region. Modified from Sage(l99l)
Brent
3
Callander Bay Alkalic Rock Complex; 4 (2- Manitou
Island Alkalic Rock Complex; 5
Burritt
Island Alkalic Rock
Complex; 6
Iron Island Alkali0 Rock Complex;
7
Carbonatite; S
Spanish River Carbonatite; 45 NemagLavergne
iKusk Lake Fenites; 46
Allen Lake Carbonatite; 52 and
Sullivan Island Carbonatite
complex; A
French River (Rotter
Pluto0j Alkalic Rock Complex and B
Scadding mine area of

rem OntarIo O.plrtm.n t or Ml

COBALT EMBAYMENT

GREENSTONE BELTS

NEOARCHEAN

SUDBLJRy IGNEOUS COMPLEX

DOMINANTLY METASEDIMENTS

PALEOPROTEROZOIC

DOMINANTLY METASEDIMENTS

GRANITIC ROCKS

M E SO PR 01 EROZO IC

All *9••

CARBONATITE AND RELATED ROCKS

LEGEND

�4

SITES
SITES TO
TO BE
BE VISITED
VISITED
DAY
DAY 11
1.
ISLAND COMPLEX
1. MANITOIJ
MANITOU ISLAND
COMPLEX
2.
2. CALLANDER BAY
BAY COMPLEX
COMPLEX

3.
3 .SCADDING
SCADDINGMINE
MINE
DAY
DAY 22

4.
4 . SPANISH
SPANISHRIVER
RIVERCARBONATITE
CARBONATITE
5.
5 .NEMAG
NEMAG LAKE
LAKE AND
AND KUSK
KUSK LANE
LANE FENITES
FENITES

6.
6.FRENCH
FRENCHRIVER
RIVERALKALIC
ALKALICROCKS
ROCKS

�FIGURES
FIGURES

Figure
Figure 1:
1: Regional
Regional distribution
distributionof
ofalkalic
alkalicrocJc—carbonatite
rock-carbonatite
complexes
complexes in
in eastern
eastern Ontario
Ontario and
and western
western Quebec.
Quebec. Figure
Figure
modified
modified from
from Lumbers(1978)
Lumbers (1978)and
and Sage(l991).
Sage (1991).

Figure
Figure 2:
2: Distribution
Distribution of
of alkalic
alkalic rock-carbonatite
rock-carbonatitecomplexes
complexes
in
in the
the Sudbury
Sudbury region.
region. Modified
Modified from
from Sage(l99l).
Sage(1991). (2
(2 -- Brent
Brent
Crater;
Crater; 33 -- Callander
Callander Bay
Bay Alkalic
Alkalic Rock
Rock Complex;
Complex; 44 -- Manitou
Manitou
Island
Island Alkalic
Alkalic Rock
Rock Complex;
Complex; 55 -- Burritt
Burritt Island
Island Alkalic
Alkalic Rock
Rock
Complex;
Complex; 66 -- Iron
Iron Island
Island Alkalic Rock
Rock Complex;
Complex; 77 -- Lavergne
Lavergne
Carbonatite;
Carbonatite; 88 -- Spanish
Spanish River
River Carbonatite;
Carbonatite; 45
45 Nemag
Nemag and
and
Kusk
Kusk Lake
Lake Fenites;
Fenites; 46
46 -- Allen
Allen Lake
Lake Carbonatite;
Carbonatite; 52
52 -Sullivan
Sullivan Island
Island Carbonatite
Carbonatite complex;
complex; AA -- French
French River
River[Rutter
[Rutter
Pluton]
Plutonl Alkalic
Alkalic Rock
Rock Complex
Complex and
and BB -- Scadding
Scadding mine
mine area
area of
of
sodium
sodium metasomatism)
metasomatism)

Figure
Figure 3:
3: Geology
Geology of
of the
the Manitou Island
Island Complex(from
Complex(from
Lumbers,
Lumbers, 1971,
1971,p.
p. 82)
82).
Figure
4: Aeromagnetic
Aeromagnetic map
map of
of the
the Manitou
Manitou Island
Island
Figure 4:
complex(from
complex(from ODM-GSC
ODM-GSC1965c)
1965c)
Figure
Figure 5:
5: Geology
Geology of
of the
the Callander
Callander Bay
Bay Complex(from
Cornplex(fromLumbers,
Lumbers,
1971,
1971, p.84).
p.84).

Figure 6:
6: Aeromagnetic
Aeromagnetic map
map of
of the
the Callander
Callander Bay
Bay Complex(from
Complex(from
Figure
ODM-GSC
ODM-GSCl965a,b).
l966a,b) .
Figure
Figure 7:
7: Topographic
Topographic and
and road
road map
map for
for the
the Callander
Callander Bay
Bay
area(from topographic
topographic maps
maps obtained
obtained from
from the
the Resident
Resident
area(from
Geologist's Office,
Office, Ontario
Ontario Geological
Geological Survey,
Survey,Sudbury)
Sudbury)
Geologist's

Figure 8:
8: Geological
Geological sketch
sketch map
map of
of the
the Scadding
Scadding Gold
Gold
Figure
Mine
(modified after
Mine (modified
after Harper,
Harper, 1983)
1983) .
Figure
Figure 9:
9: Topographic
Topographic and
and road
road map
map for
for the
the Scadding
Scadding Gold
Gold
Mine area(from
area(from topographic
topographic maps
maps obtained
obtained from
from the
the Resident
Resident
Mine
Geologist's
Geologist's Office,
Office,Ontario
Ontario Geological
Geological Survey,
Survey,Sudbury).
Sudbury).
Figure
Figure 10:
10: Aeromagnetic
Aerornagnetic map
map of
of the
the Spanish
Spanish River
River
Carbonatite(from
Carbonatite(from ODM-GSC
ODM-GSCl965d).
1965d).

�7

DAY
DAY 11

MIDDLE
MIDDLE TO
TO EARLY
EARLY CAMBRIAN
CAMBRIAN ALKALIC
ALKALIC INTRUSIONS,
INTRUSIONS, LAKE
LAKE NIPISSING
NIPISSING
AREA
AREA
Introduction
Introduction

Within
Within the
the Lake
Lake Nipissing
Nipissing area
area there
there are
are 77 alkalic
alkalic rock
rock
intrusions
intrusions into
into the
the gneissic
gneissic rocks
rocks of
of the
the Grenville
Grenville
Subprovince
Subprovince of
of the
the Canadian
Canadian Shield
Shield or
or areas
areas of
of extensive
extensive
alkalic
alkalic metasomatism(Sage,
metasomatism(Sage, 1991)
1991). These
These are
are Brent
Brent Crater,
Crater,
Callander
Callander Bay,
Bay, Manitou
Manitou Island,
Island, Burritt
Burritt Island,
Island,Iron
IronIsland,
Island,
Lavergne
Lavergne and
and Allen
Allen Lake.
Lake. These
These alkalic
alkalic rock
rock complexes
complexes occur
occur
where
where the
the Ottawa-Bonnechere
Ottawa-BonnechereGraben
Graben splits
splits into
into an
an east-west
east-west
trending
trending deformation
deformation zone
zone and
and the
the northwest
northwest trending
trending Lake
Lake
Timiskaming
The Ottawa-Bonnechere
Ottawa-Bonnechere
Timiskaming Structural
Structural Zone(LTSZ)
Zone(LTSZ) . The
Graben
Graben system
system is
is aa branch
branch of
of the
the St.
St. Lawrence
Lawrence valley
valley system
system
which
which Kumarapeli
Kumarapeli and
and Saull(l966)
Saull(1966) compare
compare to
to the
the East
East African
African
rift
rift valley
valley system.
system. Existing
Existing isotopic
isotopic dating
dating of
of the
the alkalic
alkalic
rocks
rocks of
of the
the Lake
Lake Nipissing
Nipissing area
area indicates
indicates that
that these
these
alkalic
alkalic intrusions
intrusions were
were emplaced
emplaced during
during the
the middle
middle to
to early
early
Cambrian.
Cambrian. Lying
Lying to
to the
the east
east of
of this
this east-west
east-weststriking
striking
cluster
cluster of
of intrusions
intrusions is
is the
the Proterozoic
Proterozoic Sullivan
Sullivan Island
Island
Carbonatite
Carbonatite intruded
intruded into
into the
the Ottawa-Bonnechere
Ottawa-Bonnechere
Graben(Luinbers
et al.,
al., 1990). The
GrabentLumbers et
The Ottawa-Bonnechere
Ottawa-BonnechereGraben
Graben
system
system was
was most
most likely
likely in
in existence
existence during
during the
the Proterozoic
Proterozoic
and
and has
has been
been periodically
periodically reactivated
reactivated throughout
throughout geologic
geologic
history(Sage,
history(Sage,1996)
1996). The
The St.
St. Lawrence
Lawrence rift
rift system
system and
and its
its
many
many branches
branches are
are seismically
seismically active
active to
to this
this day(Adams
day(Adams and
and
Basham,
Basham, 1986;
1986; Bent,
Bent, 1992,
1992,1996)
1996).
.

.

Table
1: Summary
Summary of
of Alkalic
Alkalic Rock
Rock geochronological
geochronologicaldata
data for
for
Table 1:
the
the Lake
Lake Nipissing
Nipissing area
area
Intrusion
Intrusion

Age
(MA)
Age(MA)

Method
Method

Reference
Reference

Manitou
Manitou Island1
1sland1
560
570
560
568
566 +- 38
576 +- 45

K-Ar
K-Ar
K-Ar
K-Ar
K-Ar
K-Ar
K-Ar
K-Ar
K-Ar
K-Ar
K-Ar
K-Ar

558 ÷ 14

K-Ar
K-Ar
K-Ar
K -Ar
K-Ar
K-Ar

1

1
2
3

4
4

Caliander
Callander Bay2
~a~~
568
575

5
3
3

�8

576 ÷-

3

Pb-Pb

6,4

Brent Crater
Crater
40
576
576 ++ - 40

K-Ar
KAr

7
7

Footnotes
Footnotes

ages cited
4 are the same
same as
as references
references
1. The ages
cited by reference
reference 4
1 and 2 using
using different
different decay
decay constants.
constants.

2. Except for
for the
the 575
575 Ma
Ma age
age on
on nepheline
nepheline syenite
syenite the
the cited
cited
isotopic ages
ages are
are on
on lamprophyre
lamprophyre dikes
dikes interpreted
interpreted to
to be
be
isotopic
related to
to the
the Callander
Callander Bay Complex
Complex
References
References

1.
2.
3.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Gittins et
Gittins
et al.,
al., 1967
1967
Lowden et
Lowden
et al.,
al., 1963
1963
Currie, 1976
Currie,
1976
Symons and
Symons
and Chiasson,
Chiasson, 1991
1991
Ferguson and
Ferguson
and Currie,
Currie, 1972
1972
Kamo et
et al.,
al., 1989
1989
Shafiqullah et
Shafiqullah
et al.,
al., 1968
1968

The only
only regional
regional mapping
mapping in
in which
which most of
of the
the intrusions
intrusions
were
were examined
examined was
was by
by Lumbers(1971).
Lumbers(1971). Currie(l976)
Currie(1976) prepared
prepared aa
brief description
description of
of each
each of
of the
the occurrences
occurrences in
in an
an abstract
abstract
format
format but has
has restricted
restricted most of
of his
his field
field investigations
investigations
to the Callander
Callander Bay
Bay complex.
complex. Extensive sampling
sampling for
for
paleomagnetic studies
Symons,
paleomagnetic
studieshas
has been
beencompleted
completedbybyID.
D . Symons,
University of
University
of Windsor,
Windsor, on
on the
the Callander
Callander Bay,
Bay, Manitou
Manitou Island
Island
and Iron
Iron Island
Island Complexes,
Complexes, however
however only
only the
the work
work on
on the
the
Callander
Callander Bay
Bay complex
complex has
has been
been completed(Symons
completed(Symons and
and
Chiasson,
Chiasson, 1991)
1991).

STOP
STOP 1:
1: Manitou
Manitou Island
Island Complex
Complex

I
I

I

The
The Manitou
Manitou Island
Island complex
complex lies
lies in
in the
the east
east central
central portion
portion
Lake Nipissing
of Lake
Nipissing and
and is
is only
only accessible
accessible by
by boat.
boat.
Road Log
Log

Proceed 112.9 km east
east along
along highway
highway 17
17 measured
measured from
from the
the
intersection of highway
intersection
highway 17
17 and
and the
the by-pass
by-pass south
south of
of Sudbury.
Sudbury

I

1

At intersection
intersection with
with highway
highway 17B
17B in
in North
North Bay
Bay turn
turn right.
right.

I

Go
(Note: If
Go 4.1
4.1 km
km to
to Memorial
Memorial Street
Street and
and turn
turnright.
right.(Note:
If you
you
turn
turn left
left you
you will
will be
be on
on Murray
Murray Street)
Street)

�Go
Go 0.6
0.6 km
krn to
to parking
parking lot
lot at
at boat
boat landing.
landing.
Travel
Travel time
time by
by boat
boat to
to Newman
Newman Island
Island is
is approximately
approximately45
45
minutes
minutes and
and distance
distanceis
isapproximately
approximately1010kin
km or
or 66 miles.
miles.

Geology:
Geoloqv: The
The Manitou
Manitou Island
Island Complex
Complex is
is outlined
outlined by
by aa
circular
islands consisting
consisting of
of fenitic
fenitic
circular distribution
distribution of
of 55 islands
rocks.
rocks. The
The actual
actual intrusion
intrusion located
located central
central to
to the
the islands
islands
is
is unexposed.
unexposed. The
The site
site to
to be
be visited
visited is
is located
located on
on Newman
Newman
Island
Island where
where exploration
exploration for
for uraniferous
uraniferous pyrochlore
pyrochlore took
took
place
place in
in the
the late
late l9SOs.
1950s. Most
Most of
of these
these islands
islands are
are now
now
included
included in
in the
the Manitou
Manitou Islands
Islands Provincial
Provincial Park
Park even
even though
though
the
the mineral
mineral rights
rights are
are retained
retained by
by the
the mining
mining company.
company.
Lumbers(197l)
Lumbers(1971) describes
describes the
the fenite
fenite aureole
aureole as
as consisting
consisting of
of
an
an outer
outer zone
zone of
of quartz
quartz fenite
fenite approximately
approximately 400
400 feet
feet wide
wide
and
and an
an inner
inner aureole
aureole of
of aegirine-potassic
aegirine-potassicfeldspar
feldsparfenite
feniteas
as
much
much as
as 1,500
1,500 feet
feet wide.
wide. These
These fenites
fenites have
have been
been derived
derived
from
from Grenville
Grenville granitic
granitic gneisses.
gneisses. The
The central
central portion
portion of
of the
the
complex
complex is
is poorly
poorly known
known from
from scattered
scattered diamond
diamond drill
drill holes.
holes.
Lumbers(l97l)
Lumbers(1971) states
states that
that the
the west
west central
central portion
portion of
of the
the
complex
complex consists
consists of
of massive
massive coarse-grained
coarse-grainedto
to pegmatitic
pegmatitic
pyroxene-rich
pyroxene-richrocks
rocks younger
younger than
than the
the enclosing
enclosing fenites.
fenites.
The
The carbonatite
carbonatite occurs
occurs as
as fine
fine to
to coarse
coarse grained
grained dike-like
dike-like
intrusions
intrusions into
into the
the fenites
fenites and
and consists
consists of
of aegirine,
aegirine,sodic
sodic
amphibole,
amphibole, biotite,
biotite, magnetite,
magnetite, apatite
apatite and
and locally
locally
pyrochlore
pyrochlore and
and pyrite
pyrite in
in addition
additionto
to carbonate.
carbonate.
On
On the
the west
west side
side of
of Little
Little Manitou
Manitou Island,
Island,located
locatednorthwest
northwest
of
of Newman
Newman Island,
Island, fossiliferous
fossiliferouslower
lower Ordovician
Ordovician limestone
limestone
is
is exposed
exposed on
on the
the shoreline.
shoreline. Attempts
Attempts to
to make
make cement
cement from
from
this
this material
material were
were made
made in
in the
the early
early days
days of
of settlement
settlement in
in
the
the region.
region.

Figure
Figure 33 presents
presents the
the geology
geology of
of the
the Manitou
Manitou Island
Island
Complex(Lumbers,
illustrates the
the airborne
airborne
Complex(Lumbers,1971)
1971) and
and Figure
Figure 44 illustrates
magnetic
magnetic response
response of
of the
the intrusion(ODM-GSC,
intrusion(0DM-GSC,l965a,b).
1965a,b). The
The
complex
complex is
is approximately
approximately 22 miles
miles long
long and
and 1.7
1.7 miles
miles
wide(Lumbers,
wide (Lumbers,1971)
1971) .
Economic
Economic Geology:
Geoloqv: Upon
Upon discovery
discovery of
of pyrochlore
pyrochlore and
and
uraniferous
uraniferous pyrochiore
pyrochloreon
onNewman
Newman Island
Islandin
inthe
theearly
early1950's,
19501s,
testing
verticalshaft
shaft442
442
testing of
of the
the discovery
discovery took
took place.
place. AA vertical
feet
feet deep
deep was
was sunk
sunk on
on Newman
Newman Island
Island and
and 2,500
2,500feet
feetof
of
lateral
lateral drifting
drifting completed(Lumbers,
completed(Lumbers, 1971).
1971). This
This work
work
outlined
U303 and
and 0.69%
O.69
outlined 2,962,000
2,962,000tons
tons averaging
averaging 0.04fl
0.041% U3O8
Nb205
Nb205 all
all 200
200 feet
feet below
below lake
lakebottom(Lumbers,
bottom(Lumbers,1971)
1971). The
The
.

�10

0

0r;ft.covered areas; no subsurface
data available.

@ Mddle Ordovhian sedimentary rocks,

.

a

Umi.3n PYrochlore-bearing rocks.

Mahly altered feldspathic rocks.

C and alkalic
Mafic ~ Wsyenite
Pyroxenrte.
Aegirfne-potassic feldspar fe
Wining minor carbonatite in

a
a

Quart.?fenite.

Geological boundary,
(defined. assumed).
Fautt.
lsomagnetic lines.
Shaft.

Scale in feet

!m

0

,

2 y

O.D.M. â‚¬4

Figute
Figure 3:
3: Geology
Geology of
of the
the Manitou
Manitou Island
Island Complex(from
Complex(from
Lumbers,
1971,
p.
82)
Lumbers, 1971, p. 8 2 ) .

�I
I
I
I

t
-

A—

-k

1 1mIle
mile

Figure
Figure4:
4: Aeromagnetic
Aeromagneticmap
mapof
ofthe
theManitou
ManitouIsland
Island
ODM-GSC1965c)
1965~)
complex~Â£ro
complex(from
ODM-GSC

�12

pyrochlore mineralization
mineralization occurs
occurs with
with fenitic
Eenitic rocks
rocks and
and
pyrochiore
carbonatite.
carbonatite.
Newman
Newman Island:
Island: On
On the
the inner
inner or
or north
north side
side of
of Newman
Newman island
island
brecciated,
brecciated, red,
red, syenitic
syenitic fenite
fenite is
is exposed
exposed along
along the
the
lakeshore.
veined and
lakeshore. At the
the shaft,
shaft, blocks of fenite
Eenite veined
and
cemented
cemented with
with white
white carbonate
carbonate can
can be observed.
observed. Along
Along the
the
shoreline
shoreline an
an occasional,
occasional, narrow,
narrow, yellow-brown,
yellow-brown,fine-grafted
fine-grained
carbonate
carbonate dike
dike can
can be
be observed
observed cutting
cutting the
the fenite
fenite and
and white
white
carbonate.
carbonate. Towards
Towards the
the east
east end
end of
of the
the island
island and
and to
to the
the
south
south side
side gneissic
gneissic textures
textures are
are well preserved
preserved and
and the
the
rocks
rocks take
take on
on the
the appearance
appearance of
of Grenville
Grenville gneisses.
gneisses. The
The
general
general gneissic
gneissic trend
trend is
is 260
260 degrees
degrees with
with aa steep
steep north
north
dip.
dip. Locally
Locally these
these gneisses
gneisses may
may appear
appear brecciated
brecciated and
and are
are
irregular white
white carbonatite
carbonatite dikes
dikes and
and on
on occasion
occasion by
cut by irregular
younger,
younger, very
very narrow,
narrow, fine-grafted,
fine-grained,brown
brown carbonatite
carbonatite dikes.
dikes.
Return
Return to
to the
the boat
boat landing.
landing.

STOP
Bay Complex
Complex
STOP 2:
2: Callander
Callander Bay
The
The Callander
Callander Bay
Bay Complex
Complex lies
lies at
at the
the eastern
eastern end
end of
of Lake
Lake
Nipissing
Nipissing and
and most
most of
of the
the complex
complex lies
lies beneath
beneath the
the water
water of
of
Callander
Callander Bay.
Bay.
Road
Road Log
Log
to highway
highway 17
17 and
and zero
zero the
the odometer
odometer
Return to
Return

Proceed
Proceed eastward
7.8 km
km to
to where
where highway
highway 11
11 splits
splits from
from
eastward 7.8
highway
highway 17.
17. Take
Take highway
highway 11
11 to
to the
the town
town of
of Callander.
Callander.
At 13.2
13.2 km
km take
take the
the exit
exit to
to the
the town
town of
of Callander.
Callander. The
The road
road
goes
qoes right
right and
and then
then jogs
jogs left.
left.

km turn
turn left
left on
on Pinewood
Pinewood Drive
Drive and
and go
go south
south towards
towards
13.7 km
At 13.7
Callander(4
Callander ( 4 km).
km).
At
the highway
highway splits. Take highway 94
At 17.2
17.2 1cm
km the
94 to
to the
the left
left
and
and continue
continue south.
south.

At 19.1
19.1 km
k m Landsdowne
Landsdome St.
St. intersects
intersects the
the highway.
highway

�Zero the odometer
Zero
odometer at
at Landsdowne
Landsdowne St.
St. and
and continue
continue on.
on.

km Main
Main St.
St. intersects
intersects the
the highway.
highway. Park
Park at
at the
the side
side
At 1.65
1.65 km
of the
the road
road for
for Stop
Stop 2A.
2A.
Geology:
Geoloqy: As
As with
with the
the Manitou
Manitou Island
Island Complex,
Complex, the
the Callander
Callander
Bay Complex
Complex is
is poorly
poorly exposed
exposed and
and largely
largely lies
lies beneath
beneath the
the
waters of Lake
Lake Nipissing. Most exposures are of fenite
fenite
border
border rocks
rocks with
with only
only aa limited
limited number
number of
of exposures
exposures of
nepheline
nepheline syenite
syenite towards
towards the
the centre
centre of
of the
the complex.
complex. Nearly
all of the
the exposures
exposures of
of nepheline
nepheline syenite
syenite are
are on
on private
private
property
property and
and not
not easy
easy to
to access.
access.
Lumbers(l971)
Lumbers(l971) interpreted
interpreted the
the Callander
Callander Bay
Bay complex
complex to
to be
be
approximately
approximately 2.25
2.25 miles
miles in
in diameter
diameter and
and to
to consist
consist of
of cone
cone
sheets of
(Figures 5,
sheets
of fenite
fenite and
and nepheline
nephelinesyenite
syenite(Figures
5, 6)
6).
Lumbers(1971)
Lumbers(l971) predicts the
the centre
centre of the
the intrusion
intrusion may
consist of carbonate-rich
consist
carbonate-richrocks
rocks and
and alkalic
alkalic mafic
mafic rocks.
rocks.
Lamprophyre, basaltic
Lamprophyre,
basaltic and
and phonolitic
phonolitic dikes
dikes cut
cut across
across rocks
rocks
of the
the fenite
fenite zone
zone and
and these
these are
are in
in turn
turn cut
cut by
by barite
barite and
and
calcite veIns
calcite
veins(Lurnbers,l971)
(Lumbers,1971) . Currie(l976)
Currie (1976) has
has also
also
interpreted
interpreted the
the Callander
Callander Bay
Bay Complex
Complex to
to consist
consist of
of cone
cone
sheets
sheets of
of fenite
fenite and
and alkalic
alkalic rocks
rocks enclosed
enclosed in
in aa crescentic
crescentic
zone of nepheline
zone
nepheline syenite.
syenite. The
The fenitic
fenitic rocks
rocks were
were observed
observed
by Currie(l976)
Currie(l976) to
to be
be cut
cut by
by dikes
dikes of
of carbonatite,
carbonatite,
lamprophyre, trachyte
lamprophyre,
trachyte and
and nepheline
nepheline syenite.
syenite. The
The alkalic
alkalic
dikes
dikes intruding
intruding the
the fenitic
fenitic rocks
rocks are
are considered
considered coeval
coeval with
with
Callander Bay
the Callander
Bay complex
complex and
and have
have been
been the
the most
most intensely
intensely
studied
studied rock
rock group
group within
within the
the complex.
complex.
.

The fenitic
fenitic rocks
rocks are
are derived
derived from
from Grenville
Grenville gneissic
gneissic rocks
rocks
adamellite(granitic) composition
composition and
and form
form aa zone
zone up
up to
to
of adamellite(granitic)
1000
1000 m wide
wide along
along the
the eastern
eastern margin
margin of
of the
the complex
complex where
where
are well
they are
well exposed(Currie
exposed(Currie and
and Ferguson,
Ferguson, 1971,
1971, 1972).
1972).
Currie and Ferguson(1971)
Currie
F'erguson(l971) subdivide
subdivide this
this metasomatic
metasomatic halo
halo
enclosing the
enclosing
the Callander
Callander Bay
Bay Complex
Complex into
into inner,
inner, middle
middle and
and
outer zones.
outer
zones. The
The inner
inner zone
zone is
is characterized
characterized by
by aa loss
loss of
of
gneissosity, igneous
igneous textures and miarolitic cavities
cavities and
the outer
outer zone
zone is
is characterized
characterized by
by regional
regional gneissosity,
gneissosity,
reddening of the
the rock,
rock, hematized fractures
fractures and rare
brecciation(Currie
and Ferguson,
Ferguson, 1971).
1971). The
The middle
zone is
is
brecciation(Currie and
middle zone
transitional between
transitional
between the
the outer
outer and
and inner
inner zones.
zones. The
The alkalic
alkalic
dikes were studied
studied by Ferguson
Ferguson and Currie(l971) and
interpreted by them
interpreted
them to
to have
have formed
formed by
by liquid
liquid immiscibility.
immiscibility.
the basis
basis of
of the
the studies
studies on
on the
the dikes
dikes the
the Callander
Callander Bay
Bay
On the
,complex has
has been
been interpreted
interpreted to
to result
result from
from aa carbonated,
carbonated,
mantle-derived,
magma(Fergus0n and
and Currie,
Currie,
mantle-derived,nephelinitic
nephelinitic magma(Ferguson
1971, 1972)
1971,
1972). The
The fenitic
fenitic rocks
rocks were derived
derived by fluids
fluids
emanating from
from the
the fractionating
fractionating nephelinitic
nephelinitic magma
magma which
which
.

�Figure 5: Geology of the Callander Bay Complex(from Lumbers,
1971, p.84).
4:-

�ODMGSC1965ab)

Figure 6: Aeromagnetic map

of

the Caflander Bay Complex(from

1 mile

�16

underwent
underwent liquid
liquid immiscibility
immiscibility in
in its
its late
late stages
stages giving
giving
rise
rise to
to aa carbonate
carbonate magma(Ferguson
magma(Ferguson and
and Currie,
Currie, 1971,
1971,1972;
1972;
Cullers
Cullers and
and Medaris,
Medaris, 1977).
1977).
Since
Since the
the Callander
Callander Bay
Bay Complex
Complex is
is of
of middle
middle to
to lower
lower
Cambrian
Cambrian age
age and
and untilted,
untilted, it
it has
has been
been the
the subject
subject of
of recent
recent
studies
paleomagnetism(Chiasson, 1989;
1989; Symons
Symons and
and
studies in
in paleomagnetism(Chiasson,
Chiasson,
Chiasson, 1991)
1991).
Economic
Economic Geology:
Geolocrv: The
The Callander
Callander Bay
Bay Complex
Complex has
has undergone
undergone
prospecting
prospecting and
and some
some diamond
diamond drilling.
drilling. While
While anomalous
anomalous
niobium
niobium values
values have
have been
been encountered
encountered nothing
nothing of
of potential
potential
economic
economic interest
interest has
has been
been identified
identified to
to date.
date.
STOP
STOP 2A:
2A: Stop
Stop 2A
2A is
is located
located within
within the
the inner
inner to
to middle
middle
fenite
fenite zone(Figure
zone(Figure7)
7). Numerous
Numerous alkalic
alkalic dikes
dikes cut
cut the
the
fenites
the
ont
h e east
east side
side
fenites and
and can
can be
be observed
observed in
in the
the road
road cut
cut on
of
highway. One
of the
the.highway.
One should
should observe
observe the
the diverse
diverse rock
rock textures
textures
within
within the
the fenites
fenites and
and the
the variety
variety of
of dike
dike rocks
rocks available
available
to
to study.
study.
.

STOP
STOP 2B:
2B: Continue
Continue south
south from
from Stop
Stop 2A
2A for
for 2.3
2.3 km.
km. AA scenic
scenic
lookout
lookout occurs
occurs on
on the
the right
right hand
hand side
side of
of the
the road
road and
and
provides
provides aa good
good parking
parking spot.
spot. Opposite
Opposite the
the lookout
lookout is
is an
an
outcrop
outcrop of
of granitic
granitic gneiss
gneiss intruded
intruded by
by biotite
biotite porphyry
porphyry
mm and
and the
the
lamprophyre. The
The biotite
biotite phenocrysts
phenocrysts are
are up
up to
to 44 mm
lamprophyre.
dike
dike trends
trends 010
010 degrees
degrees and
and dips
dips approximately
approximately 45
45 degrees
degrees
east.
east. The
The dike
dike may
may be
be up
up to
to 55 metres
metres in
in width
width and
and is
is one
one of
of
the
the widest
widest dikes
dikes observed
observed in
in the
the road
road cuts.
cuts. The
The outcrop
outcrop
shows
shows many
many sample
sample sites
sites and
and it
it is
is obvious
obvious that
that it
it has
has served
served
as
as aa source
source of
of material
material for
for aa number
number of
of studies
studies on
on dike
dike
rocks
rocks in
in the
the area.
area.
Continue
Continue south
south along
along the
the east
east side
side of
of the
the highway
highway for
for
approximately
approximately 760
760 feet
feet and
and aa small
small point
point outcrop
outcrop of
of
nepheline
nepheline syenite
syenite can
can be
be found.
found. Contact
Contact relations
relations are
are not
not
exposed
exposed but
but this
this is
is likely
likely one
one of
of the
the nepheline
nepheline syenite
syenite
cones
cones sheets
sheets of
of Lumbers(1971).
Lumbers (1971).
STOP
STOP 2C:
2C: Return
Return to
to the
the junction
junction of
of Main
Main Street
Street and
and highway
highway
94
(Stop 2A)
2A) and
and turn left onto Main Street
94(Stop
Street towards
towards the
the town
town
of
km and
and on
on the
theright
rightside(east)
side(east)
of Callander.
Callander. Proceed
Proceed for
for 1.8
1.8 km
of
of Main
Main street
street an
an outcrop
outcrop of
of medium
medium to
to coarse
coarsegrained,
grained,
massive,
massive, equigranular
equigranular nepheline
nepheline syenite
syenite can
can be
be found.
found. This
This
is
is one
one of
of the
the very
very few
few outcrops
outcrops of
of this
this rock
rock type
type that
that is
is
currently
currently accessible
accessible to
to sampling.
sampling. To
To avoid
avoid problems
problems with
with
flying
flying rock
rock chips
chips since
since this
this is
is aa highly
highly travelled
travelled street
street II
would
would strongly
strongly recommend
recommend collecting
collectingthe
thesamples
samplesyou
youwish,
wish,

�N

CD

CD C

Hi

0Q

H
o

Ofl C)

1-"-'-

HI

MI

Figure 7: Topographic and road map for the Callander Bay
area(from topographic maps obtained from the Resident
Geologist's Office, Ontario Geological Survey, Sudbury)

!( \

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('-

-

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-

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I ,WH(iN

-

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rtc LIa' V

Fr

-

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/

7
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vtca4&gt;'..7— ,J çX4''"

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�18

and
and we will transport
transport them
them to
to another
another site
site for
for trimming
trimming and
and
selection.
selection.
A thin
thin section
section prepared
prepared from
from aa sample
sample collected
collected of
of this
this
coarse grained
grained inequigranular
inequigranular seriate
senate
outcrop displayed aa coarse
allotriomorphic texture
allotriomorphic
texture with lobate
lobate to
to serrate
serrate grain
grain
boundaries.
boundaries. The
The potassium
potassium feldspar
feldspar is
is aa string
string perthite
perthite that
that
sometimes displays
sometimes
displays Carlsbad twining. The
The nepheline
nepheline is
is fresh
fresh .
with sericite
with
sericite alteration
alteration along
along grain
grain boundaries
boundaries and
and cleavage
cleavage
planes.
ic mineral
mineral is
is aa dark
dark greenish
greenish brown
brown amphibole
planes. The
The mat
mafic
amphibole
appears interstitial
that appears
interstitial to the feldspar
feldspar and
and nepheline. One
One
possible grain
possible
grain of
of clinopyroxene
clinopyroxene was
was noted
noted that
that was
was mantled
mantled
with amphibole.
amphibole. Biotite,
Biotite, sphene,
sphene, apatite
apatite and
and chlorite
chlorite are
are
present as
as accessory
accessory or
or alteration
alteration phases. The
The rock
rock is
is
visually
visually estimated
estimated to
to consist
consist of
of 10
10 to
to 15%
15% amphibole,
amphibole, 45
45 to
to
potassium feldspar
55% potassium
feldspar and
and 35
35 to
to 45%
45% nepheline.
nepheline.
Return to
Return
to Sudbury
Sudbury

ALKALIC
ROCKS OF THE
ALKALIC ROCKS
THE IMMEDIATE
IMMEDIATESUDBURY
SUDBURY REGION
REGION

Within the
the immediate
area of
of Sudbury
Sudburythere
there are
are three
Within
immediate area
three
distinct
alkaline events which are not likely
distinct alkaline
likely coeval.
coeval. The
The
events
events are
are represented
represented by
by the
the Spanish
Spanish River
River carbonatite,
carbonatite,
regional
regional sodium
sodium metasomatism
metasomatism and
and the
the development
development of
of the
the
Nemag Lake
Lake and
and Kusk
Kusk Lake
Lake fenites.
fenites. The
The age
age relationships
relationships of
of
these three
three events
events remains
remains speculative
speculative since
since only
only one
one
feature
feature has been
been accurately
accurately dated,
dated, one
one has
has been
been dated
dated in
in aa
general fashion
fashion and
and no
no attempt
attempt to
to age
age the
the third
third has
has been
been
undertaken.
undertaken. The
The existing
existing isotopic
isotopic studies
studies suggest
suggest these
these
alkalic
alkalic rocks
rocks are
are of
of middle
middle Proterozoic
Proterozoic age.
age.
STOP
STOP 3: Scadding
Scadding Mine
NOTE: THIS
THIS SITE
SITE WILL
WILL LIKELY
LIKELY BE
BE VISITED
VISITED ON
ON THE
THE RETURN
RETURN TRIP
TRIP
FROM
BAY
FROM NORTH
NORTH BAY

Road log
log from
from the
the intersection
intersection of highway
highway 17
17 and
and the
the by-pass
by-pass
around Sudbury
Sudbury near
near the
the town
town of
of Coniston.
Coniston.
from the
the bypass along
along highway
highway 17
17 to
to
Proceed 19.7 km east from
Kukagami
t(north).
Kukagami Road.
Road. Turn
Turnlet
left
(north).

�11

16.8
north along
along the
the Kukagami
Kukagami Road
Road there
there is
is aa skid
skid road
road
16.8 km
km north
or
or overgrown
overgrown road
road to
to the
the left(west)
left(west) .
Turn left
left and go 0.6
0.6 km
km to the Scadding
Scadding Mine Site
Geology: Sodium
Geoloqy:
Sodium metasomatism
metasomatism is
is common
common within
within the
the Sudbury
region
region but has
has been
been poorly
poorly documented
documented and
and has
has been
been the
the
subject of only
subject
only one
one serious
serious attempt
attempt to
to interpret
interpret the
the
phenomenon. Sodium
phenomenon.
Sodium metasomatism
metasomatism is
is characterized
characterized by
by the
the
development
development of
of albite
albite feldspar
feldspar which
which imparts
imparts aa tan,
tan, pink,
pink,
buff, grey,
buff,
grey, white
white to
to yellow
yellow color
color to
to the
the rocks.
rocks. Occurrences
Occurrences
of sodium
sodium metasomatism
metasomatism are
are found
found as
as far
far east
east as
as Cobalt
Cobalt and
and
as
as far
far west
west as
as Bruce
Bruce mines,
mines, aa distance
distance of
of approximately
approximately 400
400
km(Meyer, 1995)
km(Meyer,
1995). Occurrences of
of sodium
sodium metasomatism
metasomatism are
are
perhaps best developed
developed between Espanola
Espanola and the area
immediately
immediately east
east of
of Lake
Lake Wanapitei(Meyer,
Wanapitei(Meyer, 1995).
1995).Meyer(1995)
Meyer(1995)
reports
reports that
that the
the sodium
sodium metasomatism
metasomatism affects
affects the
the Proterozoic
Proterozoic
rocks more than
rocks
than the
the Archean rocks.
rocks. The effects of sodium
metasomatism
metasomatism varies
varies from
from incipient
incipient to
to nearly
nearly 100
100 percent
albite replacement
albite
replacement with sodium
sodium contents of some
some altered
rocks approaching
approaching 11.0%
Na20 indicating
rocks
11.0% Na2O
indicating a rock of nearly
pure
pure albite
albite composition.
composition.
Meyer(1995)
Meyer(1995) describes
describes the
the effects
effects of
of sodium
sodiummetasomatistu
metasomatism as
as
occurring in
occurring
in vein-like
vein-like or
or dike-like
dike-like features
features up
up to
to several
several
kilometres
kilometres in
in length
length associated
associated with
with faults
faults or
or fractures
fractures and
and
as irregular
irregular shaped
shaped masses.
masses.

The
The extensively
extensively altered
altered rock
rock can
can easily
easily be mistaken
mistaken for
for
chert
chert due
due to
to the
the development
development of
of aa conchodial
conchodial fracture
fracture and
and
very fine-grained
fine-grainednature
nature and
and can
can be
be missed in
in outcrop
outcrop if
if
color contrast
color
contrast is
is absent(Meyer,
absent(Meyer, 1995).
1995). The
The tan
tan to
to pink
pink color
color
of sodium
metasomatism(a1bitization)blends
blends into
into or
or with
with the
the
sodium metasomatism(albitization)
normal
normal colors
colors of
of arkoses
arkoses and
and granites.
granites.
Within the
Within
the Sudbury
Sudbury region
region breccias
breccias are
are of
of common
common occurrence.
occurrence.
With respect
respect to
to sodium
sodium metasomatism
metasomatism three
three breccia
breccia types
types have
have
been recognized
recognized by
by Meyer(1995)
Meyer(1995). These
are 1)
1) in-situ
in-situ
These are
brecciation
brecciation of
of metasomatically
metasomatically altered
altered rock,
rock, 2)
2) metasomatic
metasomatic
alteration of
alteration
of aa pre-existing
pre-existing breccia
breccia and
and 3)
3) breccias
breccias that
that
contain
contain fragments
fragments of
of altered
altered rock
rock mixed
mixed with
with fragments
fragments of
of
other
other rock
rock types.
types.
.

When
is associated
associated with
with other
other alteration
When sodium
sodium metasornatism
metasomatism is
alteration
events it is
is always
always the
the earliest,
earliest, followed
followed by
by carbonate,
carbonate,
quartz,
quartz, chlorite
chlorite and
and possibly
possibly the
the introduction
introduction of
of Fe,
Fe, As,
As, Cu
Cu
Schandl et
suiphides and
sulphides
and gold(Meyer,
goldtMeyer, 1995)
1995). Schandl
et al.,
al., (1994)
(1994) have
have
completed the only detailed study on the sodium
sodium metasomatism
within the
the region.
region. Two
Two generations
generations of
of hydrothermal
hydrothermal REE
.

I

�20

minerals were
minerals
were identified
identified in
in albitized
albitized Huronian
Huronian sediments.
sediments.
The
minerals found
The minerals
found were
were monazite,
monazite, bastnasite,
bastnasite, synchysite
synchysite and
and
gadolinite. An
An U-Pb
U-Pb isotopic
isotopic age
age of
of 1700
1700 ÷+ - 22 Ma
Ma was
was
gadolinite.
obtained on
obtained
on hydrothermal
hydrothermal monazite
monazite and
and on
on hydrothermal
hydrothermal
rutile(Schandl
rutile
(Schandl et
et al.,
al., 1994).
1994) .

The very high
high light
light REE enrichment
enrichment within
within the
the albitized
albitized
rocks
rocks prompted
prompted Schandl
Schandl at
et al.,
al., (1994)
the
(1994) to
to propose
propose that the
sodium-rich
sodium-rich fluids
fluids were derived from
from a carbonatitic
carbonatitic or
or
alkali intrusion
approximately
alkali
intrusion at depth.
depth. The
The isotopic
isotopic age is approximately
Ma younger
younger than
150 Ma
than the
the formation
formation of
of the
the Sudbury
Sudbury Igneous
Igneous
Complex(SIC) that
Complex(S1C)
that was
was emplaced
emplaced at
at approximately
approximately 1850
1850
Ma(Krogh
Ma(Krogh at
et al.,
al., 1984;
1984; 1996).
1996).
Geoloqy Mapping
Napping of the mineral occurrences east of
Economic Geoloqv
Lake Wanapitei by
by Gates(l991)
Gates(1991) has
has shown
shown most
most mineral
mineral
occurrences in
occurrences
in the area display associated sodium
metasomatism. Gates(1991)
metasomatism.
Gates(1991) proposed that
that the
the sodium
sodium
metasomatism has
which upon
metasomatism
has developed
developed a hard brittle rock which
upon
fracturing produced channelways
fracturing
channelways for
for the
the introduction
introduction of
of
chlorite, gold
chlorite,
gold and
and sulphide
sulphide minerals.
minerals.
Scadding Mine(go1d)
Mine(gold) is
The Scadding
is one of
of two small mines in
in the
the
region that display
display associated
associated sodium
sodium metasomatism,
region
metasomatism, the
other being the Norstar gold-copper
Scadding Mine
other
gold-copper mine. The Scadding
extracted gold from
extracted
from four
four chlorite zones
zones containing pyrite
arsenopyrite within
within the
the Serpent
Serpent Formation
Formation arkose
arkose near
near
and arsenopyrite
the contact
contact with
with Espanola
Espanola Formation
Formation limestones(Gates,
limestones(Gates, 1991).
1991).
The
The chlorite
chlorite zones
zones are
are within
within carbonate-rich,
carbonate-rich, argillaceous
argillaceous
siltstones near the base of the Serpent Formation. The zones
zones
are described as
as breccias(Gates,
breccias(Gates, 1991)
1991) and the east-west
east-west
100-300 metres in
zone had an approximate dimension of 100-300
length and 30-50
30-50 metres in
in width.
width. The other
other zones
zones were much
length
smaller(Meyer,
smaller(Meyer, 1996,
1996, Resident Geologist,
Geologist, Sudbury,
Sudbury, personal
communication)
communication).

At the
the site
site of
of the
the Scadding
Scadding mine,
mine, samples
samples of the
the
metasomatized
Serpent Formation
Formation are
are abundant
abundant and
and large
large
metasomatized Serpent
blocks of altered
altered rock
rock display
display reddish-brown
reddish-brown weathering
weathering
carbonate rhombs
carbonate
rhombs up
up to
to 11 cm
cm or
or more.
more. The
The carbonate
carbonate
alteration
alteration post dates
dates the
the albitization. Samples
Samples of sulphidesulphidebearing chlorite
chlorite rock
rock that formed
formed the
the gold ore can
can also
also be
collected at
at the
the site.
site. At
At the
the Scadding
Scadding Mine
Mine site,
site,
collected
Gates(1991)
reported total
total rock
rock analysis
analysis of
of 8.40 and
and 8.15%
8.15%
Gates(1991) reported
Na20
(1994) reported
reported values
values of 7.68
Na20 and
and Schandl
Schandl et
et al.
al.(1994)
7.68 and
and
7.65%
7.65% Na20 from
from albitized
albitized rocks.
rocks. One of
of the Scadding
Scadding mine
samples(SC-5) was
isotopic dating
dating of
of the sodium
samples(SC-5)
was used
used in
in ti-Pb
U-Pb isotopic
sodium
metasomatism(Schandl et
metasomatism(Schand1
et al.,
al., 1994).
1994).

�The
The Scadding
Scadding Mine
Mine operated
operated from
from Septeniber
September 1987 to February
February
1988
milled ore
July 1990.
1990. Estimated
Estimated production
production is
is
1988 and milled
ore until
until July
11,000
11,000 ounces
ounces from
from ore
ore grading
grading 0.159
0.159 ounces
ounces per
per ton(Canadian
ton(Canadian
347).
Mines Handbook,
Handbook, 1990-1991,
1990-1991,p.
p. 347)

Figure
Figure 88 presents
presents the
the geology
geology as
as reported
reported by
by Harper(l983)
Harper(1983)
and Figure
Figure 9
9 presents
presents the
the local
local road
road and geographic
geographic
features.
features.

�2

LEGEND
LEGEND

0Upper Quartz;te

Upper Quartzite

a

Upper
Upper Chlorite.
Chtorite
Internediate quartz;te
quartzite
Intermediate
Lower quartzite
quartzite
Lower

1Lower chlorite
LI

Lower Chkwite

Linestone
Linestone
Bruce Fornoton
Fornation
Bruce

3 Diabase
Diabase

Fi~ure
8:Geotogcat
Geologicat sketch
nap of'
o f the
the
Figure
8:
sketch nap

Scaddng
ScaddingGotd
GotdM;ne(nod;F;ecl
Minehodif ied from
from
Harper,
H a r p e r ,1983)
1983)

�————— — — a a

—

—

Figure 9: Topographj
and road map for the
Mine area (from tOpograph
Scadding Gold
Geologist's Office, Ontariomaps obtained from the Resident
Geologi Sii,ny.

�24

DAY
DAY TWO
TWO

The second
second day
day of
of investigating
investigating alkali
alkali rocks
rocks of
of the
the Sudbury
Sudbury
region
region will be
be spent
spent examining
examining genetically
genetically and
and structurally
structurally
unrelated
unrelated occurrences
occurrences northwest,
northwest, southwest
southwest and
and south
south of
of
Sudbury.
Sudbury.
Stop
Stop 4:
4: Spanish
Spanish River
River Carbonatite
Carbonatite
The
The Spanish
Spanish River
River Carbonatite
Carbonatite occurs
occurs northwest
northwest of
of Sudbury
Sudbury
and west
west of
of Lievack.
Levack. The
log to
to the
the intrusion
intrusion is
is
and
The road log
measured
t to
(Figure
measured from
fromthe
theturn
turnofoff
to Levack
Levack on
on highway
highway144
144(Figure
10)

Proceed
km to
to Cartier.
Cartier.
Proceed north
north along
along highway
highway 144
144 for
for 16.4
16.4 km
Turn
t(south) along
along a
a road from the centre
Turn let
left(south)
centre of
of Cartier
Cartier and
and
go
km towards
towards the
the Fox
Fox Lake
Lake Lodge
Lod3e where
where road
road splits.
splits.
go 10.2
10.2 km

Take
Take right
right fork
fork to
to Macaulay
Macaulay Lake(Fox
Lake(Fox Lake)
Lake) and
and continue
continue to
to
24.0
There is
is aa short
short dirt
dirt road to the extreme
extreme northeast
24.0 kin.
km. There
northeast
corner
corner of
of Macaulay
Macaulay Lake
Lake at
at this
this point.
point.
Continue
km and
and turn
turn right
right on
on an
an unmarked
unmarked skid
skid road
road
Continue to
to 24.2
24.2 km
through
through former
former cut
cut over
over area.
area.
At
km road
road splits,
splits, take
take right
right fork.
fork.
At 26.1
26.1 km

At 26.2
km aa skid
skid trail
26.2 km
trail to
to the
the left
left leads
leads to
to several
several
trenches
trenches recently
recently dug
dug into
into carbonatite
carbonatite regolith.
regolith.
Continue
Continue to
to 26.4
26.4 km
km where
where weathered
weathered carbonatite
carbonatite outcrops
outcrops on
on
the
the left(west)
left(west) side
side of
of the
the road.
road.
I

I
I

If
If one
one continues
continues along
along this
this skid
skid road
road to
to 27.2
27.2 km
km one
one comes
comes
to
to aa popular
popular local
local campsite
campsite on
on the
the elbow
elbow of
of the
the Spanish
Spanish
River.
River.
Return
Return to
to the
the fork
fork in
in the
the road
road at
at 26.1
26.1 km
km and
and take
take the
the right
right
fork
(you are
are now
now on
on the
the return trip
fork(you
trip traveling
traveling south)
south).

�___
21

I
I

N

in

+

I
I
Figure 10:
10: Aeromagnetic map
map of
of the
the Spanish
Spanish River
River
Figure

ODM-GSC1965d).
1965d).
Carbonatite(fr0m ODM-GSC
Carbonatite(from

I

I

�At 0.4
0.4 km
k m aa skid
skid road
road on
on the
the east
east side
side of
of the
the road
road leads
leads to
to
several recent
several
recent trenches
trenches in
in carbonatite
carbonatite regolith
regolith at
at the
the top
top
of the
the hill.
hill.
Geology:
Geolocw: The
The Spanish
Spanish River
River Carbonatite
Carbonatite lies
lies within
within the
the
Abitibi
Abitibi Subprovince
Subprovince of
of the
the Superior
Superior Structural
Structural Province
Province and
and
is one
one of
of 66 known
known middle
middle Proterozoic
Proterozoic carbonatites
carbonatites within
within the
the
Province
of Ontario(Sage,
Ontario(Sage, 1987;
1987; Sage
Sage and
and Watkinson,
Watkinson, 1991)
1991).
Province of
On
On the
the basis
basis of
of isomagnetic
isomagnetic contours
contours the
the carbonatite
carbonatite is
is
elongated in
in a
a direction
direction east of north,
north, however
however the
the lack
lack of
of
outcrop, brecciation
outcrop,
brecciation and
and fenitization
fenitization make the
the positioning
of
of the
the contacts
contacts difficult(Sage,
difficult (Sage,1987)
1987)(Figure
(Figure 11).
11) . The
The
carbonatite
carbonatite has
has been
been emplaced
emplaced into
into Archean
Archean granitic
granitic rocks
rocks of
of
quartz
quartz monzonitic
monzonitic composition
composition and
and the
the process
process of
of
fenitization has
fenitization
has desilicated these
these rocks
rocks close
close to
to the
the
carbonatite intrusion
carbonatite
intrusion creating
creating syenitic
syenitic compositions.
compositions. The
The
carbonatite
carbonatite occurs
occurs within
within aa regional
regional trend
trend of
of Proterozoic
Proterozoic
outliers
outliers suggesting
suggesting some
some regional
regional structural
structural control
control along
along
the northern
northern margin
margin of
of the
the Sudbury
Sudbury Igneous
Igneous Complex
Complex that
that is
is
not well
1987)
(Figure
. Isotopic
Isotopic studies
not
well defined(Sage,
defined(Sage,
1987)
(Figure12)
12).
studies by
Bell and
and Blenkinsop(l980),
Blenkinsop(1980), using
using the
the Rb-Sr
m - S r system,
system, obtained
obtained
an age
age of
of 1838
1838 ÷+ - 95
95 Ma which,
which, due to the large
large calculated
calculated
error, brackets
error,
brackets the
the U-Pb
U-Pb isotopic
isotopic age
age of 1850
1850 ++ - 11 Ma
Ma
obtained
obtained on
on the
the Sudbury
Sudbury Igneous
Igneous Complex
Complex by Krogh
Krogh et
et
al.
(1984). The
The Spanish
Spanish River
River Carbonatite
Carbonatite and the
al.(l984).
the Sudbury
Sudbury
Igneous
Igneous Complex
Complex could
could be coeval
coeval within
within the
the present
present limits
limits of
of
isotopic
isotopic age
age dating.
dating.
Within the
Within
the past
past year,
year, deep
deep trenches
trenches have
have been
been dug
dug into
into the
the
weathered(rego1it.h) surface
surface of
of the
the carbonatite
carbonatite making
making it
it one
one
weathered(regolith)
of the
the best
best if
if not
not the
the best
best exposed
exposed carbonatite
carbonatite in
in Ontario.
Ontario.
This will be
This
be aa very
very short
short lived
lived feature
feature since
since the
the regolith
regolith
will collapse
collapse and
and the
the trenches
trenches will
will quickly
quickly fill
fill returning
returning
it to its
its former
former mysterious
mysterious presence.
presence. Over
Over the
the years,
years, this
this
intrusion
intrusion has
has been
been largely
largely represented
represented by the
the single
single
weathered outcrop
outcrop along
along the
the access
access road
road to
to the
the Elbow
Elbow on
on the
the
weathered
Spanish River.
Spanish
River. The
The one
one other
other outcrop
outcrop area
area was
was exposed
exposed by
by the
the
trenches
Manville Company
Company Ltd.,
Ltd., but which
which in
in recent
recent
trenches of Johns
Johns Manville
years became
years
became filled,
filled, overgrown
overgrown and
and essentially
essentially nonexistent.
nonexistent.
The
The present
present trenching
trenching has
has re-exposed
re-exposed this
this earlier
earlier area
area of
of
weathered outcrop
weathered
outcrop and
and removed
removed all
all traces
traces of
of the
the earlier
earlier
work.
work.

Samples of
of carbonatite
carbonatite and
and related
related rocks
rocks can
can be
be collected
collected
Samples
from
from the
the regolith
regolith for
for study.
study. In
In general
general terms
terms the
the rock
rock types
types
recognized are
recognized
are syenite,
syenite, sovite,
sovite, silicocarbonatite,
silicocarbonatite,ijolite,
ijolite,
pyroxenite and
pyroxenite
and biotitite(glimmerite).
biotitite(g1immerite). The
The syenitic
syenitic rocks
rocks are
are
likely the product of
likely
of extreme
extreme fenitization
fenitization of
of granitic
granitic wall
wall
rocks and the
rocks
the biotitites
biotitites are
are likely
likely derived from
from the
the
pyroxenites. The
pyroxenites.
The relationship
relationship of
of the
the pyroxenites
pyroxenites to
to the
the
carbonatite is
carbonatite
is uncertain
uncertain and the
the ijolite
ijolite is
is likely
likely an
an early
early

�_______

21

I
I
I

. . . ..
.....
•:•:cc•i

Suc1bury
Sudbury
Igneous
Igneous
Complex
Complex

wA
E;'i;rozoic
V/////A Proterozoic
V/////A Rocks

I=]

LEGEND
LEGEND
i

I

Grenviue
E;irsille
Rocks

k.N\'N'J

4rchecn
Archean
Greenstone
Greenstone
BeLt
Belt

I
I

1

Archean
Granitoids

I Granitoids
I

1

Figure 11'
RegionaL
geotog;col
River Carbonatite
Figure
11s Regional
geological
s e tsetting
t i n g o of
f tthe
h e Spanish
Spanish River
Carbonatite
(compiledfrom
from Ontario
Ontario Geological
(compiled
Geological Survey
SurveyCompilation
Compilation Map
Map 2543)
2543)

�Figure 12: Topographic and
road map for the area of the
Spanish River Carbonatite(taken from
topographic map 41
I/NW)

1 km

+

N

j

N)

�29

phase of the carbonatite
carbonatite intrusion.
intrusion. The
The silicocarbonatite
silicocarbonatite
likely has several
several origins;
origins; ie:
ie: sovite
sovite with
with high
high accessory
accessory
mineral content
content and
and as
as aa carbonate-rich
carbonate-richalteration
alteration product
product
of xenolithic
xenolithic fragments
fragments from
from several
several sources.
sources.
Economic Geoloqv:
Geology: The
River Carbonatite
The Spanish
Spanish River
Carbonatite has been
prospected
prospected over
over the
the years
years for
for asbestos,
asbestos, niobium,
niobium, vermiculite
vermiculite
and phosphate. The
The present
present efforts
efforts are
are directed
directed towards
towards
vermiculite
vermiculite of
of which
which examples
examples can
can be seen
seen in
in some
some of the
the
trenches.
trenches.

Stop 5:
Lake Fenites
Stop
5: Nernag
Nemag Lake
Fenites

The
The Nemag
Nemaq and
and Kusk
Kusk Lake
Lake Fenites
Fenites lie
lie within
within the
the boundaries
boundaries of
of
cannot be accessed
accessed
Whitefish Lake
Lake Indian
Indian Reserve
Reserve 66 and cannot
without permission of the
the residents.
residents. We will be visiting
only
only the
the Nemag
Nemag Lake
Lake occurrence.
occurrence.
The road
road log
log starts
starts at
at the
the intersection
intersection of
of Highway
Highway 55
55 and
and
Regional Road 24.
24. From
From the stop
stop light at the intersection
intersection
Regional Road 24
Regional
24 goes
goes north
north across
across the
the CPR
CPR railroad
railroad tracks
tracks
into
into Lively
Lively and
and south
south of
of the
the intersection
intersection the
the road
road is
is known
known
Black Lake
as Black
Lake road.
road.
3 . 6 km
km west along
along highway 55 towards
towards Naughton
Naughton to the turn
Go 3.6
Whitefish Lake
off to the
the Whitefish
Lake First
First Nations
Nations settlement.
settlement. This
This
will be a left
left turn
turn going
going south(see
southfseeFigure
Figure 13)
13).

At 0.6
Whitefish
0.6 km
km is
is the
the Administration
Administration building for
for the
the Whitefish
Nations on
Lake First Nations
on the
the left
left side
side of
of the
the road.
road.
3.0 km
km there
there is
is a
a culvert
culvert on
on the road between Fly
Fly Lake
At 3.0
and
and Whitefish
Whitefish Lake.
Lake.
Whitefish Lake
Lake can
can be
be seen
seen on
on the
the left hand
hand side
At 5.1
5.1 kin
km Whitefish
side
of the road
road and
and at
at 7.1
7.1 km,
km, opposite
opposite Makada
Makada Lake,
Lake, aa logging
logging
road splits
splits from
from the
the main
main road
road and
and goes
goes west.
west. Turn
Turn right
right
onto this
this logging
logging road.
road.

Continue on the rough
rough logging road till
where a skid trail leads
leads north from the
right on the skid trail and continue to
may wish to
to park the
the vehicle at the
the top
top

reach 12.9 km
you reach
logging road. Turn
14.15 km where you
of
of the
the hill and
and

�30

11 mIle
mile

Figure
Figure

N
N

4
+

13:
13: Topographic
Topographic and road
road map
map for
for the
the area
area around
around the
the
Nemag
(taken from
Nemag Lake
Lakefenites
fenites(taken
from topographic
topographic map
map 41
41 1/6).
1/6).

�31

continue on
on foot.
foot. The
The road
road will
will be
be swinging
swinging almost
almost due
due west
west
continue
as you
you continue
continue north
north from
from the
the parking
parking site.
site.
as
At
At approximately
approximately 850
850 metres
metres from
from the
the parking
parking site
site one
one must
must
walk 90
90 to
to 100
100 metres
metres south
south into
into the
the bush
bush and
and up
up to
to the
the top
top
of a ridge
ridge of
of outcrop
outcrop consisting
consisting of Nemag Lake
Lake Fenite.
Fenite. If
If
you
you reach
reach Nemag
Nemag Lake
Lake you
you have
have gone
gone too
too far.
far.
NOTE:
NOTE: If
If the
the roads
roads are
are muddy
muddy the
the site
site may
may be
be inaccessible.
inaccessible. A
four
four wheel
wheel drive
drive vehicle
vehicle is
is recommended.
recommended.
Geoloqy:
Geoloqv: One
One of
of the
the best,
best, if
if not
not the
the best,
best, example
example of
of
fenitization
fenitization occurs
occurs within
within Proterozoic
Proterozoic feldspathic
feldspathic quartzite
quartzite
Mississagi Formation
Formation southwest
southwest of
of Sudbury.
Sudbury. The
The fenite
fenite
of. the
the Mississagi
of
occurs
occurs in
in an
an explosive
explosive breccia
breccia and
and represents
represents extensive
extensive
replacement
replacement of
of the
the Mississagi
Mississagi Formation
Formation by
by aegirine,
aegirine,
riebeckite,
riebeckite, albite,
albite, potassium
potassium feldspar
feldspar and
and
rutile(Siemiatkowska
rutile(Siemiatkowska and
and Martin,
Martin, 1975;
1975; Figure
Figure 14)
14). The
The
brecciation
brecciation and
and fenitization
fenitization are
are part
part of
of the
the same
same event
event and
and
represent alteration
alteration by sodium-rich
sodium-rich fluids
fluids under
under subsolidus
subsolidus
represent
conditions
conditions perhaps
perhaps derived
derived from
from a magma of essexite
essexite or
or
ijolite
ijolite composition(Siemiatkowska
composition(Siemiatkowska and
and Martin,
Martin, 1975)
1975).
Siemiatkowska and
and Martin(1975)
Martin(l.975) subdivide
subdivide the
the brecciation
brecciation and
Siemiatkowska
fenitization
fenitization in
in great
great detail
detail into
into seven
seven stages.
stages. For
For the
the
details
details of
of this
this subdivision
subdivision the
the reader
reader should
should refer
refer to
to
Siemiatkowska
Martin(1975). The
The fenitizing
fenitizing fluid
fluid was
was
Siemiatkowska and
and Martin(1975).
poor
poor in
in 002
C02 and
and potassium
potassium appears
appears to
to be
be significant
significant only
only in
in
the late
late stages
stages of
of the
the fenitization
fenitization process.
process. The
The Nemag
Nemag and
and
the
Kusk
Kusk Lake
Lake fenites
fenites are
are dominantly
dominantly aa process
process of
of desilication
desilication
accompanied by
by extensive
extensive additions
additions of
of iron
iron and
and
accompanied
sodium(Siemiatkowska and
and Martin,
Martin, 1975).
1975). Siemiatkowska
Siemiatkowska and
and
sodium(Siemiatkowska
Martin(1975) report
report aa K-Ar
K-Ar isotopic
isotopic age
age of
of 1196
1196 ÷+ - 11
11 Ma
Ma on
on
Martin(1975)
biotite
biotite obtained
obtained from
from the
the fenite.
fenite. This
This age
age would
would place
place the
the
fenitization
fenitization event
event within
within Grenville
Grenville time
time or
or development
development of
of
the
the mid
mid continent
continent rift.
rift.
.

The discovery
discovery of
of the
the Nemag
Nemag and
and Kusk
Kusk Lake
Lake fenites
fenites was
was made
made
The
during
during regional
regional mapping
mapping of
of the
the Ontario
Ontario Geological
Geological Survey
Survey and
and
they
they occur
occur on
on opposite
opposite sides
sides but
but near
near the
the northeast
northeast trending
trending
Kusk
Fault(Card et
et al,
al, 1975).
1975). The
The region
region contains
contains
Kusk Lake
Lake Fault(Card
numerous
numerous faults.
faults. The
The northeast
northeast trending
trending faults
faults display
display aa
tendency to
to swing
swing to
to more
more east-west
east-west strikes
strikes in
in the
the western
western
tendency
portion
portion of
of the
the map
map area
area perhaps
perhaps parallel
parallel to
to the
the trend
trend of
of the
the
regional
(Card et
et al.,
al., 1975). Northwest
Northwest trending
regional Murray
Murray Fault
Fault(Card
trending
faults are
are also
also common
common in
in the
the area
area and
and they
they are
are oriented
oriented
faults
approximately orthogonal
orthogonal to
to the
the Grenville
Grenville Deformation
DeformationZone.
Zone.
approximately
In
In Figure
Figure 1,
1, aa very
very broad regional
regional interpretation
interpretation by
by
Lumbers(1978),
Lumbers(1979), the
the Nemag
Nemag and
and Kusk
Kusk Lake
Lake Fenites
Fenites would
would occur
occur

�_______

32

LEGEND
FENITIZATION ZONE (STAGE
I STAGE 3,2)
3.21

LATE DIABASE DIKES (SUDBLFRY SWARP.I)b

r—

Olivine diabase dikes

71

Albite

veins

AIRicbeclsite—aegis-ine veins thermal

L_i

LATE ,"LkFIC
LATE
,WIG DIKES
DIKES

1:tv i Metagabbro
Xetegabbro

dikes
dikes

Riebeckite veins

rl:T4 Granulated,
L1113

L'ia)J Sphalerite—bearing ankerite vein
Breccia replaced by riebeckite and
aegirine in aegirine matrix (Nemag

Lake)

Albite—aegirinc area
Breccia partly replaced by
by riebeckite
riebeckice
sod
and ragnetite
snagmecite cut
c n t by
by albite
albite veins
veins
Breccia
e c c i a partly
p a r t l y replaced
r e p l a c e d by aegirine
aegirine
and riebeckite
r i e b e c k ~ t ecut
c u t by
by albite
a l b i t e veins
wins
STAGE 4

Breccia partly replaced by riebeckite
and/or aegirine in aegirine matrix
(Nemag Lake)

Breccia partly replaced by rieberkite,
aegirine and K—feldspar in aegirine,
riebeckite matrix (Kusk Lake)

deforred
quart zitc5

[TiTT Metagabbro5
^ctaeabbnoa
MISSISSAGI FORMATION

Feldspathic quartzito comonly displaying incipient fenitization

Lake)
Lake 1
STAGE S
5'
-STAGE
Rutile vein

Brecciated

NIPISSING GABBRO
GABBRO INTRUSION
INTRUSION
NIPISSINC

Breccia
B r e c c i a replaced
r e p l a c e d by
byK—feldspar
K - f e l d s p a r and
and
aegirine
i
n in
i n aegirine
a e g i t - i n e matrix
m t r i x (Kusk
(Kusk
NiAJOR
BRECCIATION AND FENITIZATION
W O R B-iECCIATIOH
FEMTIZATION ZONE
ZONE

shock zone

DEFOR'tajION ZONE ( STAGE 1)

CAR BONATEb

FENITIZATION
FENITIZATION AND
AND BRECCIATION
BRECCIATIOK (STAGE
( S T A G E 1,6)
7.61

I

a

Occurs only at Nemag Lake

b.

Occurs only at Frisk lake

SYMBOLS
SYMBOLS
LIIJ Area
of obedrock
Area
f bedrockoutcrop
outcrop
Bedding,
B e d d i n g , top
t o p unknown
unknown

,=
E,

Bedding,
~ e d d i n g ,top
t o p from
f r o m cross—bedding
cross-bedding

Foliation
Folia~~o"

-

Geological
G e o ~ o g i c a l boundary,
b o u n d a ~ ~assumed
assumed
,
Boundary of
o f outer
i u c e r fenitization
fenlt~zation
zone,
zone. assured
essumd

Figure 14:
14:Geology
Geology of
ofthe
theNernag
Nemaq Lake
Lake Fenites(modif
Fenites(modified
from
Figure
led from
Siemiatkowska
and
Martin,
1975;
Card
et
al.,
1975).
Siemiatkowska and Martin, 1975; Card et al., 1975).

�3:

at the
the intersection
intersection of
of the
the eastern
eastern extension
extension of
of the
the Great
Great
Tectonic Zone
Lakes Tectonic
Zone and
and the
the Grenville
Grenville Deformation
Deformation Zone.
Zone.
Siemiatkowska
enites may
may
Siemiatkowska and
and Martin(1975)
Martin(l.975) suggest
suggest that
that the
the if
Eenites
in some
some way by related to the Murray fault system
system which
would
would follow
follow the
the trend
trend of
of the
the Great
Great Lakes
Lakes Tectonic
Tectonic Zone.
Zone.

At the
the Nemag Lake
Lake Fenite
Fenite site,
site, fragments
fragments up to
to a
a metre in
in
maximum
maximum dimension
dimension can
can be
be observed
observed concentrically
concentrically mantled
mantled
with aegirine
aegirine and riebeckite. Late
Late stage
stage pegmatitic
pegmatitic albite
albite
with riebeckite
riebeckite and
and aegirine
aegirine are
are present
present as
as well
well as
as late
late
stage
stage breccia
breccia veins.
veins.
Economic Geology:
Geolow: The
The fenites
Eenites are
are geochemically
geochemically anomalous
anomalous in
in
niobium
niobium but under
under existing
existing conditions
conditions they
they are
are not
not likely
likely to
be of
of economic
economic interest.
interest. One
One small
small occurrence
occurrence of
of sphalerite
sphalerite
has
has been
been reported(Meyer,
reported(Meyer, 1996,
1996, Residept
Resident Geologist,
Geologist, Sudbury,
Sudbury,
personal communication)
personal
communication)
Stop
6: French
French River
River Alkalic
Alkalic Rocks
Rocks
Stop 6:

The French
French River
River Alkalic rocks
rocks occur
occur within the
the Grenville
Grenville
Structural Province
Structural
Province on private property. Permission
Permission to
to
access the
the site
site should be obtained
obtained from
from the property owner
before entering.
before
entering.
The
The road
road log
log starts
starts at
at the
the intersection
intersection of
of the
the Sudbury
Sudbury bybypass and
pass
and highway
highway 69
69 south
south of
of Sudbury.
Sudbury.
Drive south
to Bigwood
Bigwood and turn
Drive
south on
on highway
highway 69
69 for
for 59.9
59.9 1cm
km to
turn
right
right on
on to
to Hartly
Hartly Bay
Bay Road(see
Road(see Figure
Figure 15).
15).

Continue
Continue along
along the
the Hartly
Hartly Bay
Bay Road
Road until
until aa distance
distance of
of 65.2
65.2
km is reached
reached and turn
turn left towards
towards a camp
camp on
on the
the French
French

River. This
This is
is aa private
private road.
road.
6 6 . 6 kin
krn aa dump
to the
the
a final
final distance
distance of
of 66.6
At a
dump appears
appears just to
east of the road. Park at this dump site
site and examine
examine the
exposed syenite
syenite outcrops
outcrops in
in the
the eastern
eastern portion
portion of
of the
the
cleared area.
cleared
area.

Geology:
Geoloqy: The
The alkalic rocks
rocks have been described
described by
The alkalic
Hewitt(1960;
Figure 16)
16) and
and Lumbers(l975)
Lumbers(1975). The
Hewitt(l960; Figure
alkalic
syenites were subdivided
syenites
subdivided into
into the
the French
French River
River nepheline
nepheline
syenite,
syenite, French
French River
River alkaline
alkaline syenite
syenite and
and Rutter
Rutter nepheline
nepheline
syenite by
by Hewitt
Hewitt (1960);
syenite
(1960); however,
however, Lumbers(1975)
Lumbers(1975) refers to
.

�34

N
—

a

1 mIle

Figure 15:
15: Topographic
Topographic and
and road
road map
map
Figure
French
River
a
l
k
a
l
i
c
s
y
e
n
i
t
e
s
taken
French River alkalic syenites taken
1/2)
1/2)

+

of the
t h e area
a r e a around
around the
the
of
from
topographic
map
41
from topographic map 41

�I
Figure 16: Simplified ge0l09ic s k e t c h nap o f t h e R u t t e r

Figure 16 SirnptiP;ed
alkalic syenite
intrusion(nodified
f r o mRutter
Hewitt,
geoLogic
sketch nap of the
atkalic
1960, syeni-te
p. 167) intrus:on(nod;f;ed from
Hewitt,
1960, p. 167)

�36

all
all the
the alkali
alkali syenites
syenites in
in this
this pluton
pluton as
as the
the Rutter
Rutter Pluton.
Pluton.
The
The alkaline
alkaline syenites
syenites occur
occur in
in an
an elongated
elongated body
body of
of
approximately
approximately seven
seven miles
miles length
length with
with its
its long
long axis
axis just
just
west
west of
of north.
north. The
The maximum
maximum width
width is
is approximately
approximately one
one
mile(Hewitt,
mile(Hewitt, 1960;
1960; Lumbers,
Lumbers, 1975).
1975).
The
The syenites
syenites are
are dominantly
dominantly leucocratic,
leucocratic,medium-grained,
medium-grained,
gneissic
(Lumbers,
gneissic with
with streaks
streaksand
andlenses
lensesofofmafic
maficminerals
minerals(Lumbers,
1975)
pink leucocratic
leucocratic phase
phase is
is the
the latest
latest in
in the
the
1975). AA pink
sequence.
sequence. The
The mineralogy
mineralogy of
of the
the syenites
syenites is
is albite,
albite,
nepheline,
nepheline, potassium
potassium feldspar
feldspar and
and biotite
biotite with
with accessory
accessory
hastingsite,
hastingsite, aegirine-augite,
aegirine-augite,magnetite,
magnetite, sphene,
sphene,zircon,
zircon,
apatite,
apatite, graphite,
graphite, corundum,
corundum, carbonate,
carbonate, sodalite
sodalite and
and
cancrinite(Lumbers,
cancrinite(Lumbers,1975).
1975). Hewitt(1960)
Hewitt(1960) proposed
proposed that
that aa
regional
regional potassium
potassium metasomatic
metasomatic event
event has
has occurred;
occurred;however,
however,
Lunibers(1975)
reported that
that he
he found no evidence
Lumbers(1975) reported
evidence for
for this
this
event
rarely exposed
exposed contacts
contacts were
were sharp
sharp and
and
event and
and that
that rarely
display
display no
no evidence
evidence for
for aa potassium
potassium metasomatism.
metasomatism.
Hewitt(1960)
reports that
that aa lead
lead alpha
alpha decay
decay age
age of
of 975
975 Ma
Ma
Hewitt(1960) reports
was
was obtained
obtained on
on zircons
zircons from
from this
this body.
body. This
This method
method of
of age
age
dating
dating is
is no
no longer
longer in
in use
use and
and additional
additional geochronological
geochronological
study
study is
is warranted.
warranted.
.

The
The syenites
syenites at
at the
the site
site display
display aa strong
strong fabric
fabric that
that strike
strike
west
west of
of north
north and
and dip
dip east.
east. Within
Within these
these syenites
syenites are
are very
very
coarse-grained
coarse-grainedalkali
alkali peymatites
pegmatites containing
containing potassium
potassium
feldspar,
feldspar, nepheline,
nepheline, cancrinite,
cancrinite, sodalite,
sodalite, aegirine
aeqirine and
and
magnetite.
magnetite. The
The pegmatites
pegmatites display
display aa well
well developed
developed pinch
pinch and
and
swell
swell structure
structure along
along strike
strike with
with the
the gneissosity,
gneissosity,however
however
the
the coarse-grained
coarse-grainedminerals
minerals in
in the
the pegmatites
pegmatites do
do not
not appear
appear
deformed
deformed or
or fractured.
fractured. Samples
Samples of
of graphite-bearing
graphite-bearingsyenite
syenite
have
have been
been found
found at
at the
the site
site and
and molybdenite
molybdenite flakes
flakes over
over 11 cm
cm
in
in diameter
diameter are
are occasionally
occasionally found.
found. Pockets
Pockets of
of weathered
weathered
very
very coarse-grained
coarse-grainedbiotite
biotite are
are exposed
exposed at
at several
several locations
locations
within
within the
the stripped
strippedarea.
area.
Corundum
Corundum is
is present
present at
at the
the community
community dump
dump site
site north
north of
of the
the
road
road leading
leading to
to this
this stop,
stop, however
however it
it is
is not
not abundant
abundant and
and no
no
plans
plans have
have been
been made
made to
tovisit
visit the
thelocation.
location.

�BIBLIOGRAPHY
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Adams, '3.
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8,
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�38

Currie, K.L. and
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Ferquson, J.,
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Fenitization
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Alkaline Ultrabasic
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Ferquson, J.
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Alkaline Carbonatite
Carbonatite at
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Callander Bay,
Bay,
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217,lO3p.
103p.
Gates,
B., 1991.
1991. Sudbury
Sudbury Mineral
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Gates, B.,
Geological
Geoloqical Survey
Survey Open
Open File
File Report
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5771, 235p.
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Gittins,
Gittins, J.,
J., Maclntyre,
MacIntyre, R.M.
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1967. The
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Aqes of
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Carbonatite Complexes
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Eastern Canada,
Canada, Canadian
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Earth Sciences,
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Harper, G.,
G., 1983.
1983. The
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Geology of
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Scadding Gold
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Hewitt,
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Syenite Deposits
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Mines Annual
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pt.
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1960F, scale
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Kamo, S.L.;
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Heaman, L.M.
L.M. and
and Lumbers,
Lumbers, S.B.,
S.B., 1989.
1989. Age
Age for
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Kamo,
Lamprophyre Dike,
Dike, Callander
Callander Bay,
Bay, Ontario:
Ontario: Use
Use of
of Ti-bearing
Ti-bearinq
Lamprophyre
Minerals
Minerals as
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Geochronometer; Geological
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14, p.
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A41.
Association
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Corfu, F.,
F., 1984.
1984. Precise
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oC the
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Sudbury
Structure,
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E.G. Pye,
Pye, A.J.
A.J. Naldrett
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P.E.;
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603p.
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Ontario Survey
Survey Special
Special Volume
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Kamo, S.L.
S.L. and
and Bohor,
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B.F., 1996.
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Shock
Metamorphosed
Metamorphosed Zircons
Zircons with
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Correlated U-Pb
U-Pb Discordance
Discordance and
and

�Melt
Melt Rocks
Rocks with
with Concordant
Concordant Protolith
Protolith Ages
Ages Indicate
Indicatean
an Impact
Impact
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Sudbury Structure;
Structure; American
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Kumarapeli,
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1966. The
The St.
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Kumarapeli, P.S.
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J.A., Stockwell,
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1971. Geology
Geology of
of the
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North Bay
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Area,
Districts
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Ontario Division
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116,
158p.;
Map
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1978. Geological
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eastern Canada;
Canada; p.
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Proceedings of
of First
First International
International symposium
symposium on
on
Carbonatites;
Carbonatites; Pocos
Pocos de
de Caldas
Caldas Minas
Minas Gerais,
Gerais,Brazil;
Brazil;
Ministerio
Mhisterio Das
Das Minas
Minas EE Energia,
Energia, Department
Department Nacional
Nacional de
de
Producao
Producao Mineral,
Mineral, 324p.
324p.

I

Lumbers,
S.B., Heaman,
Heaman, L.M.,
L.M., Vertolli,
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V.M. and
and Wu,
Wu,T.-W.,
T.-W.,
Lumbers, G.E.,
1990.
1990. Nature
Nature and
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Timing of
of Middle
Middle Proterozoic
Proterozoic Magmatism
Magmatism in
in
the
j
&amp;
the Central
Central Metasedimentary
Metasedimentary Belt,
Belt, Ontario;
Ontario; p.
p. 243-276,
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Mid-ProterozoicLaurentia-Baltica,
Laurentia-Baltica,Geological
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inthe
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SouthernProvince;
Province;
unpublished
unpublished manuscript
manuscript prepared
prepared for
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Ontario Geological
Geological
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2p.
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inch to
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Canada Map
Map 1488G,
1488G, Scale
Scale 11 inch
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mile.

I

I

�ODM-GSC,
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Canada Map
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Canada Map
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Carbonatite Complex,
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709, &amp;
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R.P. and
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northern Ontario,
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Recherche Miniere
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N.
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1996. KirnberlItes
Kimberlites of the Lake
Lake Timiskaming
Timiskaming
Sage, R.P.,
Sage,
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Ontario Geological
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Survey Open
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File Report
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5937,
5937, 435p.
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Albitization
Albitization at
at 1700
1700 ÷+ - 22 Ma
Ma in
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Sudbury-WanapiteiLake
Lake
Area,
Area, Ontario:
Ontario: implications
implications for
for deep-seated
deep-seated alkali
alkali magmatism
magmatism
in
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the Southern
Southern province;
province; Canadian
Canadian Journal
Journal of
of Earth
Earth
Sciences,
v. 31,
31, p.
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597-607.
Sciences, v.

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1968. K-Ar
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Ages on
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Rocks from
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Brent Crater,
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Ontario; Earth
Earth and
and
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5, p.
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148-152.
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Fenitization of
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~ississagiQuartzite,
Quartzite, Sudbury
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Geological
the
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�41

Syrnons, D.T.A.
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Paleomagnetism of
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. D . , 1991.
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the Callander
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Cambrian apparent polar wander
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Earth Sciences,
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. 3355363.
55-363.

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THE GREENING
THE
GREENING OF
OF SUBBURY
SUDBURY
BY
K. WINTERHALDER

LAKE SUPERIOR GEOLOGY
GEOLOGY
INSTITUTE ON LAKE
ANNUALMEETING,
MEETING,MAY
MAY66-11,1997
43rd ANNUAL
- 11,1997
SUDBUIRY,ONTARIO
ONTARIO
SUDBURY,
Trip Guidebook,
43, Part
Part 7
Field Trip
Guidebook, Volume 43,

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THE GREENING OF
OF SUDBURY
SUDBURY

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May 10,1997
10, 1997
Leader:
Leader:

Prof. Keith Winterhalder
Department of Biology
Biology
Laurentian
Lawentian University
University

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Institute
Institute on Lake Superior
Superior Geology
Geology
Sudbury,
Sudbury, 1997
1997

�Institute on
on Lake
Lake Superior
Superior Geology
Geology
Greening of
of Sudbury Field
1997
Greening
Field Trip, May
May 10,
10, 1997

I

Winterhalder
Keith Winterhalder
(Ipe
w e hundred years
years of
of logging,
logging, fire, addification
acidification by sulphur
sulphur dioxide,
dioxide,
particulate metal
metal deposition,
enhancedfrost
frost action
action and
and erosion
particulate
deposition, enhanced
erosion have
have
created 10,000
hectares of
of barren land and 36,000
10,000 hectares
36,000 hectares of stunted,
stunted,

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open birch woodland
woodland around
around the
the Sudbury
Sudbury copper
copper and nickel smelters.
smelters. It
was found
found that the
which have
have been addifled
was
the steep,
steep, stony barren
barren slopes,
slopes, which
acidified
and
can be
be detoxified by
aluminum, can
and contaminated
contaminatedwith
with copper,
copper, nickel and alu.minum,
the manual
manual application
application of
of pulverized
pulverized doloniitic
dolomitic limestone.
limestone. Revegetation
Revegetation
began on an operational
scale
in
1978,
and
approximately
3,500
hectares
operational
hectares
soil have
have been
been detoxified
deiadfled by
of surface soil
by manual
manual application
application of
of limestone,
limestone,
by
and revegented
revegetated using
using aa grass/legume
grass/legurne seed mixture.
mixture. Rapid invasion
invasion by
birch, poplar
occurred spontaneously,
and the
birch,
poplar and willow
willow seedlings
seedlings occurred
spontaneously, and
woody deciduous
dedduous cover
coverhas
has been
been enriched
enriched by
by the planting
resulting woody
planting of
than 2.5
2.5 million tree seedlings,
seedlings, the majority of them native
native pines.
pines.
more than
species in
in blocks
blocksofoftheir
their own
ownssoil
arebeing
beingintroduced
introduced at
at an
oil are
Understory species
experimental level,
level,to
to facilitate
facilitateand
and accelerate
accelerate the
the establishment
establishment of
of an
experimental
appropriate herb
and
shrub
stratum,
microflora
and
microfauna.
Unique
herb and shrub stratum, microflora and microfauna. Unique
its community-based
format, the
features of
of this
features
this program
program include
include its
community-based format,
manual approach
approach employed,
employed,and
andthe
the use
use of aa minimal
predominantly manual
minimal
colonization by
amelioration approach that relies heavily on spontaneous
s
species
and
other
natural
dynamic
processes.
native
other natural dynamic p

addition to
to the degraded natural landscape,
landscape, deposits of materials
materials that
that
In addition
discarded after the ore is
are discarded
is separated
separated by
by milling
milling flotation,
flotation, known
known as
tailings, cover
cover more
more than
than 2,000 hectares.
hectares. Experimental
Experimental reveg
revegetation began
on the
tailings in
in the
the 1950s in
in response
response to
to a dust problem, and
the Inco
Inco Ltd.
Ltd. tailings
which all
all non-active
non-active tailings
tailingsareas
areas are in various
has
has reached the point at which
stages of
of revegetation.
The revegetation
process includes
includes liming
liming and
stages
revegetation. The
revegetation process
seeding
with
a
grass-legume
mixture,
use
of
a
cereal
rye nnurse
fertilizing,
fertilizing,
with a grass-legume mixture, use of a cereal rye
crop,
and ultimately
plantingofof trees,
trees, many
many of
of which
crop, and
ultimately planting
which are
are grown
gr
underground
underground at
atthe
the4600'
4600' level.
level.

Tower,3.5
3.5 fccn
km northeast
# 11- McKim Street Transmission
Stop
Transmission Tower,
Stop #
of the Copper
Copper Cliff
Cliff smelter

previously barren
barren area was grassed
1981 by the
the Regional
Regional Land
This previously
grassed in 1981
Program,
and
planted
with
red
and
jack
pine
in
Reclamation Program, and planted with red
jack
in 1983.
1983. Also
this area
area were
were smaller
smaller numbers
numbers of white spruce, white ash,
planted in this
maple, silver
silver maple,
maple,white
whitecedar
cedarand
andred
redoak.
oak.As
Asyou
youwalk
walkuup the
sugar maple,
volunteer trembling
trembling and
and large-tooth
bill, you will
hill,
will also see volunteer
large-tooth aspen, white
birch
will see
see the
the city
city of
ofSudbury
Sudbury to Se
cherry.From
From the top, you will
birch and
and pin
pin cherry.

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east and south-east,
20 hectares
hectares of
of grassed
grassed barrens
barrens to
to the
the west,
west, and
and a
an.
south-east, 20

untreated
area across
across the
the railway
railwaytracks
trackstotothe
the north
north that
that has been
untreated area
beex

colonized by
by aa metal tolerant strain of dwarf or bog- birch (Betula
colonized
(Betula -pumila

var. glandulifera).

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Stop
# 22 -- Barren
Stop #
Barren site

II

On
On the way

18
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Copper Cliff
Cliff smelter.
smelter.

east of Clarabelle,
elle, 2 km northeastt of the

to this site, we shall see a slag disposal
disposal area,
area, and
and the process

of grinding
of railway
grinding slag
slag for construction
construction of
railway beds
beds (coarse
(coarse slag)
slag) and
and
driveways
driveways (fine
(fineslag
slag mixed
mixed with
with sand,
sand,known
knownasas'TDrypack").
"Drypack").

You
willsee
seeaamosaic
mosaicofofland
landthat
thatisistotally
totallybarren,
barren,and
and in
in the
the early
u will
early stages
stages
of revegetation,
includingbare
bare rock
rock outcrops,
outcrops, soil
soil pockets
pockets and stony
revegetation, including
stony
slopes,
with large white
white pine stumps
lopes, with
stumps indicating
indicating the
the original
originalvegetation.
vegetation.
The rare,, coppiced
of red
red maple
maple and
and red oak,
coppiced and stunted individuals
individuals of
oak,
which pre-date
and are often
predate denudation,
denudation, arise
arise from
from large
large stools,
stools, and
often
surrounded by a litter
litter of
of earlier,
earlier, much
much larger
larger stems.
stems. The soil
soil is
is highly
highly
acidic,
between 3.5
3.5 and 4.5,
4.5, and plant-available copper, nickel
acidic, with a pH between
and aluminum
can each exceed
ppm. Some
Someofof this
this land
land has
has been
exceed 100 ppm.
aluminum can
aerially
Ltd. in
in 1990 and
and 1991,
and is
aerially limed, fertilized and seeded
seeded by
by Inco Ltd.
1991, and
is
grass-covered.
grass-covered.
The sole colonizer
colonizerof
ofthe
theuntreated
untreated land is
(tufted
is Deschampsia
Descbampsia caespitosa (tufted
hairgrass),
hah-grass),which
which has
has been
beenshown
shownby
byCox
Cox&amp;
&amp; Hutchinson
Hutchinson (New
(NewPhytologist
Phytologist
84: 631-647:1980)
to have evolved
tolerance. AA few
631-647:1980) to
evolved multiple-metal
multiple-metal tolerance.
few
individuals
sca bra(tickle
(ticklegrass),
grass),also
alsoa ametal-tolerant
metal-tolerant ecotype
individuals of Agrostis scabra
(Archambault
Botany 73:766-775),
73:766-775),
(Archambault &amp; Winterhalder, Canadian Journal of Botany
have
havealso
alsobegun
begunto
tocolonize.
colonize.
As
As we leave the area,
area, aa site
site opposite
opposite aa school
school building will be pointed out.
OUT.

This
techniquewas
wastried
tried out
out at the
This is where
where the manual
manual technique
the "semi"semioperational"
pupils, on
on one
one acre of
operational" level in 1975 by elementary
elementary school
school pupils,

land beside their school.
school.ItItwas
wasthe
the success
successofof this
this trial
trial that encouraged
encouraged
the
MunicipalityofofSudbury
Sudburyto
to apply
apply for
for job-creation
job-creation funds
funds to
the Regional
Regional Municipality
establish
establish its
its ongoing
ongoing land
land reclamation
reclamation program.
program.

Stop
:

# 33 -- Inco
Inco Ltd. tailings, Copper
opperCliff.
Cliff.

Your guide: will
will be Bob
Bob Stanzel
Stanzel of Inco's
Inco's Environmental
Environmental Control
Control

.

is my
my hope
hope that
thatyou
youwill
will be
be shown
shown the
the spigotting
spigottingprocess,
process,
Department. ItIt is

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and the end product at
stages in vegetation establishment, and
stages
at the
the 'C-I)"
"C-Darea,
area,
the results
initiated over
over 30
30 year
which shows
shows the
results of
of revegetation
revegetation initiated
year ago,
ago,
the originally
originally seeded
seeded grasses
grasses and
and legumes,
iincluding
n c l m the
legumes, some spontaneous
spontaneous
colonizers,
and
planted
pines.
colonizers, and planted

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You willalso
alsosee
seeattempts
attemptsto
todivers@
diversifythe
thepine
pineplantations
plantations by
by intbducing
introducing
You
plots
or
plugs
of
plant
and
their
native
soil
from
undisturbed
forest.
plots
of plant
from undisturbed forest.

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Lake,44 km
km south
south of
of the Copper
# 4 -- South shore of Kelly
Stop
Kelly Lake7
Copper
Stop #
Cliff
smelter.
Cliff smelter.

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Our
W
W walk
k ~ ibegins
n a ninmana area
t h that
a t was
w hlimed,
&amp; f ~fertilized
e d a n and
d ~seeded
e d e in
d 1982,
i1982,
n
red and jack
jack pine in 1984. The
The grasses
grasses are
are a mixture of
of
and planted with red
tufted
hairgrass
and
tickle
grass
with
seeded
species.
The
metal-tolerant
metal-tolerant
hairgmss and tickle
seeded species. The
seeded
legumes
Alsike
clover
and
birdsfoot
trefoil
are also
seeded legumes Alsike clover and birdsfoot trefoil are
also present.
present
Colonists include
include white
white birch,
birch, trembling
trembling aspen, balsam poplar, fireweed,
Colonists
fireweed,
well as
as acid-tolerant sheep
pearly everlasting, yarrow and hawkweed,
hawkweed7as well
sheep
sorreL
Relict
red
maple
and
red
oak
are
common.
We
eventually
emerge
sorrel. Relict red maple and red
We
emerge
Note that
that here,
here, at a greater
untreated area..
area. Note
greater distance
distance from the
into an untreated
smelter than
than Site 2, there is
is an
an almost
almost complete
complete cover of metal-tolerant
metal-tolerant
tufted
relictred
red maple
maple and
and red
red oak. Some
t
ufted hairgrass,
hairgms, with occasional relict
Some white
were
also
planted
in
this
area
in
1984,
and
one
of
them
pines were also planted in this area in 1984, and one
them has
has
survived and
and grown
grown on
on the
the untreated soil,
survived
soil, but exhibits
&amp;bits necrotic needle
tips.

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You can

of the lake,
lake, with
with aa clear line marking
see the north shore of
marking the

point at
at which liming stopped.
stopped.

return by
from the smelter,
We return
by way
way of
of aa south-facing
south-facing slope,
slope, facing away from
smelter?
on
there is
on which there
is aa relict
relict community
community of large red oaks.

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Stop ## 55 - South
of southeast
Stop
South of
southeast bypass,
bypass? north of
of Richard
Richard Lake,
Lake,
approximately midway
midway between
between the
the Copper
approximatdy
Copper Cliff
Cliff and
and Coniston
Coniston
smelters.
shall walk
transition")
We shall
walk through
through aa typical
typicalsemi-barren
semi-barren ("birch
("birch transition")
community, with
with birch7
birch, red
red maple and red oak, some of which may have
have
lost
some stems
stems to
to the combined
of drought
drought and gypsy
lost some
combined effects
efFects of
gypsy moth
defoliation. The
The larger
larger red
red pines
pines are
are native
native here,
here, but
but some
some planting
planting of
of tree
tree
seedlings
(pine and
and spruce) has
has also occurred.
occurred. ItIt is
is not
not necessary
necessary to lime
s e d b g s (pine
lime
before planting
planting trees
trees in the
the soil before
the semi-barren
semi-barren zone.
zone. The understory
understory
hair grass
consist of tufted hak
grass and
and two
two spedes
speciesof
of blueberry,
blueberry, with
withmosses
mosses

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(Poh.lia
urn)and
and lichens7
lichens, and
and Labrador
Labrador tea
tea in
(PohZia and Po/ytrich
Polytnkhum)

damp
damp sites.
sites.
Returning
of the gully,
where the
the soil is deeper, Labrador tea isis
Returning by way of
gully, where
more
and the Ere-tolerant
fire-tolerant clubmoss known
known as
as ground cedar
more common, and
cedar can
can
be
be seen.
seen.

Stop ## 66 -- north of Highway
17E, 44 km
km northwest
northwest of the
Highway 17E7
the
Coniston
Coniston smelter.
smelter.

We
by walking
up the overgrown
road that
irt road
that was
was
We shall
shall begin
begin by
walking up
overgrown ddirt

constructed by the land reclamation
reclamation crew
crewin
in 1979 for
for the transportation
of ground limestone.
limestone.InIn1979?
1979,the
thearea
areato
to the
the west
west of
of the road, partly
partly
sheltered
sheltered from
from the
the Coniston
Coniston fumes,
fumes?supported birch
birch transition
transitionwoodland,
woodland,
but
but the
the area
area to the
the east of the road was barren
barren except
except for
for aa few
few scattered
scattered
relict birches
and
maples.
The
upper
section
of
the
road
crosses
birches
maples. The upper section of
crosses the
the
revegetated
revegetated area
areaobliquely
obliquelyon
onits
itsway
way to
to the
thetop
topof
ofthe
thehill.
hill.Young
Young birches
birches
predominate,
relict white
white birch,
birch, red
red maple and red
predominate, with occasional
occasional relict
red oak.
oak.
Larger shrubs
shrubs include
include beaked
beaked hazel
hazel and
andwillows,
willows?with the
the N-fixing
N-fixing shrub
shrub
sweet
fern
and
blueberries
in
the
understory
with
hair
moss
sweet fern and blueberries in the understory with hair moss
(Polytrichwn).
(Polytri&amp;m). At
At some points along the trail
trail we shall still see some of the
the
originally seeded
seeded species
species such as birdsfoot trefoil,
clover and tall
trefoil7Alsike
Msike clover
tall
fescue.
Note the small
plantation of European
fescue. Note
small experimental
experimental plantation
European larch. The
The
main
native
herbaceous
colonists
are
pearly
everlasting,
rough
and
main
herbaceous colonists are pearly everlasting, rough and
Canada
and yairow,
Canada goldenrod,
goldenrod, fireweed
firewed and
yarrow, accompanied
accompanied by weedy
weedy
non-native
as the
theyellow
yellowand
andorange
orangehawkweed.
hawkweed. Woody
Woody
nm-native species
species such as
colonists
include pin
pin cherry and
colonists include
and staghorn
staghom sumac.
sumac. Native
Native woody
woody plants
plants
such
as
bush
honeysuckle
and
trailing
arbutus
have
been
seen
here,
such
honeysuckle and trailing arbutus have
here, but
but
we
them. Near
Near the treated/untreated
treateWuntreated junction
junction is aa
we may
may not
not encounter
encounter them.
healthy
red pine
healthy red
pine that
that has
has become
become rooted
rooted in
in untreated
untreated soil.
soil. This
This isis
probably
probably because the
the active
active physical
physical weathering of rock in
in this
this microsite
microsite
has
has created
createdaarooting
rootingenvironment
environmentthat
thatisisnot
notmetal-toxic.
metal-toxic.
Emerging
stopped, we see that
hill7where liming stopped?
that birch
bircn isis
Emerging at
at the
the top
topof
of the
the hill,

actively
colonizingthis
this site,
site, which
whichhas
has been
been relatively unaffected
actively colonizing
unaffected by
by

smelter
in 1972. In
In the
the last
last 20 years?
years, the average
average soil
soil
smelter fallout since closure in
pH
risen from
from around
around 35
3.5totoaround
around4.5.
4.5.You
Youwill
will also
also see
see
pH in
in this area has risen

relict
relict coppiced birch, and red
redmaple
mapleundergoing
undergoingregressive
regressivedieback.
dieback. The
The
metal-tolerant
metal-tolerant grass
grass is
is tickle
tickle grass. This hilltop may be too isolated
isolated from
from
the
the moist
moist valley
valley to have
have been
beencolonized
colonized by
bymetal-tolerant
metal-tolerant tufted
tufted
hairgrass.
commonare
are the
the moss PohZia,
Pohlia, and
and blueberry
blueberry bushes
Also common
bushes which
which
hairgrass. Also
may
be relicts.
relicts. Note the
the signs
signs of frost
frost activity
activity visible in
in the
the soil.
soil.
may be

Looking
acrossthe
the highway?
highway,you
youwill
willsee
seem
anarea
areathat
that was
was limed
limed but not
not
Looking across
seeded.
know that
that this use of
an
seeded. We
We know
of limestone
limestone as a "trigger
"trigger factor"
factor" is an
effective
regreening, but
effectivemethod of regreening
but the
theRegional
Regional authorities
authoritieslike
like the
the

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bright
bright green grass in the spring.
1979, the revegetation crew ran out of
spring, In
in 1979,
seed,
demonstration site.
seed, providing a useful demonstration
site.

On the way down, we
we shall
shall see
see aa small
small experimental plantation of white
v e
pine. White pine,
pine, once the
the dominant
dominant tree
tree species
species in
in this
this area,
area, is
is extremely
extremely
again under
under current
current atmospheric
atmospheric
SO2-sensitive, but can
can survive
survive again
9)2-sensitive,
conditions.
conditions.
En
En route to
to Stop
Stop #7:
#7:

On the left hand side
turnoff, you
side of the bus, just prior to
to the
the Coniston
Coniston turnoff,
you will
will
see 11acre of
of sloping
slopingland
landthat
that was
wastreated
treated by elementary
elementary school
school students
students
in
in 1975.
1975.
Stop
Stop #7 -- just east of
of Coniston
Coniston smelter
smelter

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After passing
passing a small industrial complex,
you will
will see untreated ban-en
complex, you
barren
land on your
we drive onto the
your right.
right. As
As we
the net
net slag-surfaced
slag-surfaced area,
area, you
you wifi
will
see aa good
good transition between two-year and
and three-year-old
three-year-oldgrassing.
grassing. We
We
shall
area so
shall take a walk on the grassed area
so that
that you
you can
cansee
seethe
thecolonization
colonization
process,
rocess, mostly
mostly by poplar and
andwillow
willow seedlings.
seedlings. The second-year
second-year area
area
seems to have
probablydue
duetto
the right
woody colonization,
colonization, probably
o the
right
have more
more woody
combination
when the
the seeds were shed. Much of the
on of weather, wind etc. when
the
limed ground has been colonized by
by the moss
Fanaria
hygrometrica..
moss F m ' a hygromemka.. Note
how grass grows
grows better at
at the
thesoil-rock
soil-rock interface.
interface. Pine
Pine seedlings
seedlings have
already been
en planted
planted here.
here.

Stop ## 88 -- north of Highway
Highway 17E,
17E, 1.5
1.S km
km northeast
northeast o
of the
Coniston
ston smelter.
smelter.
This

area
a was
was treated
treated in 1978,
no
1978, and
and the
theseed
seedmixture
mixture contained
contained no

legumes.. Nevertheless,
Nevertheless,trefoil
trefoiland
and clover
cloverhave
have colonized
colonizedfrom
from aa nearby
Inco
Redand
and white
whitepine
pinewere
wereplanted
planted here in
o seeded site. Red
in1983.
1983.We
We shall
shall
examine an experiment
experiment in which typical understory species
species have been

transplanted in blocks
so-called
blocks of
of their
th&amp; own
ownsoil
soil(the
(the
so-called"nucleation"
"nucleation"
approach).
successfulwere
werethe
thewoody
woodyground
groundcover
cover bearberry
bearbeny
ch). Especially
Especially successful
and the nitrogen-fixing
shrub soapberry
soapberry (or
(or buffalo
berry). Note
nitrogen-fixing shrub
buffalo berry).
Note that
many other
ther species
species were
w e introduced
introduced with
with the
the woody
woody plants,
plants, wild
wild
strawberry and
and starry
starryfalse
falseSolomon's
Solomon'sseal
sealbeing
beingespecially
especiallyconspicuous.
conspicuous.
The later nonnally
limestone soils,
soils,and
and its
its success
here is
success here
is
normally favours
favours limestone
probably the
used.Some
Sometree
treespecies,
species,
the result
result of
of the
thelimestone
limestonetreatment
treatmentused.
such
uch as
&amp; balsam
balsam fir and
and white
white spruce,
spruce, have
have also
also been
been acddentally
acad&amp;aUy
introduced
troducedin
inthe
thesoil
soilblocks.
blml--

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Stop

#9-

smelter.

Coniston

Hydro road, 2 km east of the Coniston

From
point, it is possible to see land treated in 1978, 1981,
From this vantage
van

1987, 1993 and 1994,
as well
well as
as untreated
untreated land and
1994, respectively,
respectively7as
and land
land
aerially-limed
by
Inco
in
1995
and
1996
in
the
distance.
Note
that
the
aerially-limed
Inco
1995
1996
the distance. Note
the
untreated
barren, while that to
to the
the east
east is
is
untreatedland
landcloser
closerto
to the
thesmelter
smelteris
is still
still barren7
undergoing rapid colonization
white birch.
birch. Plantings
Plantings of
of pines, black
colonization by white
locust and red oak can also be seen here. Some of the red and jack pine

seen
o.
was propagated
propagated underground
u n d ~ r o u nby
dbyInc
Inco.
seen here
here was

IfIf we
we drive
drive further
further down
down the
the Hydro
Hydro road,
road, we
we can get a close-up view of
barren
withbirches
birchesbeginning
beginningtotocolonize.
colonize.
barrenterrain,
terrain,with
Stop
10 -- north
north
Stop (or
(or drive-by)
drive-by) ## 10

km
km east of
of the
theConiston
Coniston smelter.
smelter.

and south of Highway 17E, 3.5

Following
grassinginin1978,
1978,container
container and bare-root stock of red and Jack
Following grassing
pine were planted here,
here7plantation-style,
plantation-style, in 1979.
1979. Later planting in
in this
this
area
natural-looking
style. If
If we
we stop at this
area were in aa more
more informal,
informal. natural-look
in^ stvle.
this site,
site,
we shall have the opportunity to look at ano&amp;er-understory
another unders tory transplanting
trm
trial
using
soil
blocks.
trial wing soil

Stop
Stop #
# 11
11 -smelter.

Coniston-Garson road, 4
4 km
k m north
north of
of the
theConiston
Coniston

Prior to initiation of manual liming of hillsides, this sandy valley bottom
was limed, fertilized and seeded with Canada
Canada bluegrass
bluegrass in
in1974.
1974.Some
Some
areas showed rapid, diverse colonization, while
while others
others remained
remained bare.
bare. The
The
latter areas were probably short of organic matter and
and phosphorus
phosphorus(see
(see

experimental plot). The nitrogen-fixing shrub called
called sweet
sweet fern
fern is
is

spreading rapidly. Interesting herbaceous species
now found
found at
s now
at this
thissite
site
include rattlesnake ferns, lathes' tresses orchids
and a small
small blue
blue early
early
s and
violet
(Viola
adunca).
olet ( Viola admca).
Thee red
red and
andJack
Jack pine
pine plantations
plantations at
at this
this site
sitewere
wereestablished
establishedfollowing
followin

grassing
1976, using
using paper-pot container
container stock.
stock. Seedlings
Seedlings planted in
in
rassing in 1976,
neighbouring
eighbouringungrassed
ungrassedareas
areasshowed
showed almost
almost total
total mortality.
mortality.

�I
I

En route to Stop
Stop # 12
12 -- north of Garson
Garson

I
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I

I
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I

Here you
you will
will see
see extensive
extensive tracts
tracts of blueberries,
Here
bluebemies, with scattered
scattered pines.
pines.
Tree planting
planting here
here has
has been
been kept to
Tree
to the
thenhinimuni,
minimum, to
to conserve
conserve the
the
blueberry stands.
stands.
Past the airport
airport turnoff,
turnoff, on
on the
the Falconbridge
Falconbridge road, you will
d l see
see extensive
extensive
grassing and
and pine
grassing
pine planting
planting carried
carried out by
byFalconbridge
Falconbridge Ltd.
Ltd. in
collaboration
collaboration with the
the Region.
Region.

Stop (roiling
(rolling stop?) ## 12 - south of Falconbridge
Falconbridge
Here
see very
very early
early revegetation
revegetation work
work carried
carried out by Tom
Tom Uoyd
Lloyd
Here we shall see

Falconbridge Ltd.
Ltd.Carolina
Carolinapoplars
poplarswere
wereplanted
plantedin
in large
large pits filled
filled with
of Falconbridge
black loam,
loam, in
in plantation
plantation fashion.
fashion.This
Thisisisaa very
very different approach from
from
what we would take today.
Stop
(rolling stop?)
stop?) ## 13
community
Stop (rolling
13 - Falconbridge
Falconbridge communiv

We
Park, which
is a
a park
We shall
shall drive
drive past
pastCentennial
Centennial Park,
which is
park built
built on
on

first tailings
Falconbridge's first
tailings deposit.
deposit. We
We shall
shall also
also view
view Fakonbridge's
Falconbridge's
"conservation
area",aabarren
barren peatland
peatland that
that has been restored to a cattail
uconservation area",
cattail
marsh by flooding
it
with
alkaline
mine
waste
water
and
sewage
sludge.
flooding
and sewage sludge.
This
currently being
upon by
slag, and
This is currently
being encroached
encroached upon
by granulated
granulated slag,
negotiations
are underway
between the Environmental
Environmental and Smelter
Smelter
negotiations are
underway between
officials
alternative dumping
dumping site.
officials to find an alternative
En route, re-entering
re-entering Sudhury
Sudbury by
by the
theKingsway
Kingsway

As
we enter
enter Sudbury, you will
will notice
notice that the
the semi-barren
semi-barren woodland
woodland has
has
As we
grassy understory. Only occasionaJly
occasionallyare
are woodland
woodland sites
sites grassed
grassed in this
a grassy
this
way.
way,

�-8PARTIAL CHECK
OF VASCULAR
VASCULAR PLANT
PLANT SPECIES
SPECIES
PARTIAL
CHECK LIST
LIST OF
FOUND ON BARREN
AND REVEGETATED
m G E T A T E D SITES
SITES
BARREN AND
CB
CR

P
R
S

T
*

COLONIZING SPECIES
CommIN'G
sF'Ecm (BARRENS)
(BARRENS)
COLONIZING
(REVJXETATED)
COIDNIZING SPECIES (REVEGFFATED)
PLANTED
(NURSERY
STOCK)
PLANTED (NURSERY STOCK)
RELICT
RELICT SPECIES
SPECIES
SEEDED SPECIES
SEEDED
SPECIES
SUSPECTED SEED
SEED CONTAMINANT
CONTAMINANF
TRANSPLANTED
TRANSPLANTEDSPECIES
SPECIFS
PART
"WILDFLOWER" MIXTURE
MIXTURE
PART OF
OF "WIU)FLOWER"

Mosses and lichens
lichens
Ceratodon
Cmtodon purpureus
Funaria
Funaria hygroinetrica
hygromemica
Pohlia nutans
nutans
Polytrichwn
Poljtachum commune
commune
Ciadonia
cI. d&amp;omBs
deformis
CIa&amp;n.ia cf.
Stereocaulon
paschale
cf. paschaie
Stereocaulon ci.

Ferns and
and fern-allies
fern-allies
Bolrychium
Botrychium multifidum
multifidurn
Dennstaedtia
Dennstaedtia punctiloba
punctiloba
Equisetum
&amp;uisetum arvense
arvense
Ophioglossum
turn
Ophioglossumvulga
vulgatum
Conifers
conifers
Cedar, easternwhite
eastern white
Cedar,
Larch, European
WOF
larch, Japanese
Japanese
Pine,
Jack
Larch,Jack
Pine, Mugo
Mugo
red
Pine, red
Pine,
Pine,
Pine,white
white
Spruce,
Spruce, black
black
Spruce, white
white
Spruce,

J=a

I

I
I

CR
CR
CB, CR
GB
GB

03
CR
R

03
CR

Thuja
Thujaoccidenta.lis
wadentab

Larix decidua
decidua
larix
leptolepis
Larix leptolepis
Pin
us banksiana
banksia.na
l?inus
Pinusmugho
Pinus mugho
Pin
resinosa
l?inus resinosa
Pin
us
strobus
Pinus su-obus
Picea
mañana
Rcea m
arha
Picea
Rcea glauca
glauca

p
P
P
P
P

P
P
P

P

�I

I
I

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I

Grasses
Grasses

Bluegrass, Canada
Canada
Bluegrass,
Bluegrass, Kentucky
Fescue, creeping red
Fescue,
tall
Fescue, tall
Hairgrass, wavy
wavy
Hairgrass,
Hairgrass, tufted
tufted
Orchard
Orchard grass
grass
Qpack
QW&amp; grass
grass
Redtop
Redtop
Tickle
Tickle grass
grass
Timothy
Timothy

Poa compressa
SS
compressa
Poa pratensis
S
Festuca rubr.a
mbra
SS
Festuca m
arundinacea
dinaca S
Deschainpsia
Lkschampsia flexuosa KR
Descharnpsia
Lkschampsiacaespitosa
caespitosaCB,
CB,CR
CR
Dactylis glomerata
glornerata
CR
CR(SC?)
(SC?)
Agropyron
CR
Agropyron repens
repens
Agrostis
gigan
tea
5,
S, CR
a
Agmstis gigantea
Agrostis
CB,
Agmstis scabra
scabra
a,CR
a
Phleum
tense
S
Phleum pra
pratense

Other
Ot31erMonocotvledons
Monocotvledons

False Solomon's-seal,
Solomon's-seal, starry
starry
Lady's tresses,
tresses, nodding
Lady's
Lady's tresses,
tresses, slender
slender

Sedge
Sedge
Sedge
Sedge

Sedge,
Sedge, wool

Smilacina stellata
AT
stellata
Spiranthes
CR (moist
(moist sand)
Spirauthes cernua
c a m
sand)
Spiranthes
CR (moist
(moist sand)
sand)
gradis
Spirauthesgradilis
Carexhoughtoniana
Grexhoughtoniana CR
CX
Juncus brevicaudatus
Jmcus
brevicaudatus CB(wet)
CB(wet)
Scirpus cyperinus
CB (wet)

Herbaceous
Herbaceous Dicotyledons
Dicotyledons

Alfalfa
Alfalfa
Alsike clover
clover
Alyssum,
Alyssum, yellow
Bindweed
Black-eyed Susan
Susan
Bristly sarsaparilla
sarsaparifia
Cornflower
cornflower
Cow
Cow vetch
vetch
Dam&amp;s
rocket
Dame's rocket
[)evil's
Devil's paintbrush
Fireweed
Flax
Flax
Foxglove
Foxglove

Grass-leafed goldenrod
Grass-leafed

Grass-leafed stitchwort
Grass-leafed
Hawk's

beard

Heal-all
Horseweed
Iceland
WPPY
Icehd poppy
Moth mullein
mullein

Medicago offlcinalis
officit~ah
Trifoliuni
hybridwn
TMolium hybndum
Alyssum
tile *
Alyssum saxa
saxatile*
Polygonum
Polygon
urn &amp;ode
cilinode
hirta
Rudbeckia h
irta**
Aralia
hispida
Amlia hispida
Can
ta urea cyan us *
G?Ll&amp;Ureacyanus*
Vicia
cracca
Hcia mcca

CR
CR

5,
S, CR
CR

S
5
CB, CR
5, 1',
T CRa
CR
CR

s,
5s

CR
CR
Hesperis
matronalis **5S
Heqmis matronalis
Hieraciwn
aurantiacwn
fieraciumamtiacum
Epiobiwn
Epilobiutn angustifolium
angustifolium
Linurn
pet-anne
h u m p e r e m e **
Digitalis ppurpurea
q m **
Solidago
granilnffolia
&amp;lidago gmnhifofia
Stellaria
graininea
S t W a graminea
Crepis
-pis tectorwn
tectortun
Prwiella
h e l l a vulgaris
vulgaris

Conyza canadensis
canaciensis
Conyza
Papavernudicaule
Papaver nudicade **
Verbascwn
blattaria
Verbascum b1am.a

CR
CR
CR
CR
SS
S

CR
CR
CR
CR
CR
CR

A
AT
T
CR
CR
S5
CR *
CR*

�I
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I

'
I
I
I
I

-10Muflein
Mullein
Northern
Nodern willow-herb
willow-her1
Oxeye
daisy
Oxeye daisy
Pearly
Pearly everlasting
everlasting
Philadelphia
Philadelphia fleabane
fleabane
Red clover
clover
Rock
Rock harlequin
harlequin
Rough cinquefoil
cinquefoil
Rough goldenrod
goldenrod
Scentless
Scentless mayweed
mayweed
Sheep
Sheep sorrel
sorrel
Sulphur
Sulphur cinquefoil
cinquefoil
Tickseed
Tickseed
White bedstraw
bedstraw
White
White sweet-clover
sweet-clover
Wild strawberry
strawbeny
Yarrow
Ymow
Yellow hawkweed
hawkweed

Verbascum
CR
Verbascum thapsus
thapsus
QZ
Epilobiwn
ulosum
CR
Epilobiumgland
glanddosum
QZ
Chrysanthemum
leucanthemwn
CLuysanthemumleucanthemum
Anaphalis
Anaphalis margaritacea
margm-tacea CR
a
Erigeron
philadeiphicus
CR
Erigmn philadelphim
CR
Trifoliani
tense
CR
TMoliumpra
vratense
at
Coiydslis
sempervirens
CR
a
corydalis iempelvirens
Potentiila
norvegica
CR
CR
Potentilla norvegica
Solidago
rugosa
CR
solidago mgosa
CR
Anthemis
SI
SI
A n t h e - s cotula
cotda
Rumex acetosella
CR
acetosella
CR
Potentiila
recta
T,
Potentilla recta
T, CR
a
Coreopsis lanceolam
lanceolata **
S
s
Galium mollugo
moliugo
CR
Galium
CR
MeiLlotus
a/ba
Melilotus alba

CR

CR
QZ

Fragaria
Fmgm-avirginiana
vir&amp;iana
Achillea
mulefoliuni
AchiUea mill&amp;olium
Hieracium
florentinum
Hkracium florentillum

1,
T,CR

Populus balsamifera
balsamifera
Salix
pyrifolia
salixpyf%olia
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
uva-ursi
Robinia pseudo-acacia
pseudo-acacia
Prunus
virgilliana
l?runusvirginiana
Vaccinium
angustifolium
Vacciniumangustifolium
Vaccinium
niyrtilloides
Vacciniummyrtilloides

II, CR

a
s

CR,
CR,S
CR
CR

Woody
woodv Dicotyledoms
Dicotyledom

Balsam poplar
poplar
Balsam willow

I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I

Bearberry
Black locust
locust

Choke cherry
cherry
Common blueberry
blueberry
Downy-leaf
blueberry
Downy-leaf blueberry
Dwarf birch
Large-toothed
Largetoothed aspen
Pin
cherry
F'in cherry
Pussy
Pussy willow
willow
Red elderberry
elderberry
maple
Red maple
Red
Red Oak
oak
Silver
Silver maple
maple
Slender
Slender willow
willow
Soap or buffalo berry
Sugar
Sugar maple
maple
Sweet
fern
sweet fern
Trembling aspen
aspen
White
White Ash
Ash
White
white birch
birch
Witherod

Betula
Betula pumula
pumila

Populus grmdidentata
grandidentata
Prunus
l?runus pensylvanica
peusylvanica
Salixhumulis
Salixhumilis
Sam
bucus ppubens
Sambucus
uhs
Acer rubrum
rubrum
Quercus
borealis
Querm borealis
Acer
urn
Acer saccharin
saccharinum
SaThcgracilis
gradilis
salix

Shepherdia
Shepherdia canadensis
canadensis
Acer sacsacdiarum
Comptonia peregrina
peregrina
Populus tremuloides
tiemuloides
Fraxinus
americana
Fmxinus ameficana
Betula papyrifera
papyrifera
Viburnum
Viburnumcassinoides
casinoides

R,a
CR
CR

T
T
P
P
R, CR?
CR?
R, CR
R
R

R,a
CB,
a,CR
CR
CR

R,
R, CR?
CR?
CR
CR
CR
CR
R
R
R
PP
CR
CR
T
T

pP

a

CR
CR
CR

P
P
R,
R, CR
CR
R
R

�3

(ti)- 2 mIllionth free (Nickel Cenn Welcome Cean)

cm - millionth vee (Tiny Pn Caphx)

rtt14MJt__44_th

Tree 't-

a
S

km

GREENING MAP:
MAP

A

,.

�</text>
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                <text>Institute on Lake Superior Geology. Sudbury, Ontario. May 6-11, 1997.</text>
              </elementText>
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                <text>1997</text>
              </elementText>
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                  <elementText elementTextId="56480">
                    <text>Program and
and Abstracts

94th ANNUAL MEETING
Minneapolis, Minnesota
May
1998
May 6-10,
6-10,1998

Organized by
MINNESOTA
MINNESOTA GEOLOGICAL
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
UNIVERSITY
OF MINNESOTA
UNIVERSITY
MINNESOTA

�44th Annual Meeting
INSTITUTE
ON LAKE
LAKE SUPERIOR
SUPERIOR GEOLOGY
GEOLOGY
INSTITUTE

parts:
Volume 44 contains the following parts:
Part
Part 1: Program
Program and
and Abstracts
Part
2: Field
Part 2:
Field Trip
Trip Guidebook
Guidebook
i—Early
1-Early Proterozoic
Proterozoicintrusive
intrusive rocks of east-central Minnesota
2—Geology
2-Geology of the southeastern
southeastern portion of the Midcontinent
Midcontinent Rift
Rift
System, eastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin
3—Glacial
3-Glacial exotica
exotica of the Twin Cities
Cities area
4—Stratigraphy and hydrogeology
4Ã‘Stratigraph
hydrogeology of Paleozoic rocks of southeastern
southeastern
Minnesota
5—Minnesota
5-Minnesota River
River Valley and vicinity,
vicinity, southwestern
southwestern Minnesota
Minnesota

Reference to the material in
Reference
in this volume
volume should
should follow
follow the example
example below:
below:
P.K., Neymark, L.A.,
Sims, P.K.,
L.A., Peterman, Z.E.,
Z.E., and
and Kotov,
Kotov, A.B., 1998,
1998, Nd isotope
isotope evidence
evidence
for
for Middle
Middle and
and Early
Early Archean
Archean crust
crust in
in the
the Wawa
Wawa subprovince
subprovinceof
of the
the Superior
SuperiorProvince,
Province,
U.S.A., [abstract]: Institute on Lake Superior
logy Proceedings,
Proceedings, 44th
Michigan, U.S.A.,
Superior Geology
MN, 1998; v.
v. 44,
44, Part
Part 1,
1,p.
p. .:
Annual Meeting, Minneapolis, MN,

Volume
Volume 44 is
is published by the Institute on Lake Superior Geology and
distributed by the Institute
Institute Secretary-Treasurer:
Secretary-Treasurer:
Mark
Mark Jima
Jirsa (term
(term 1994-2000)
1994-2000)
Minnesota
Minnesota Geological
Geological Survey
Survey
2642 University Avenue
MN USA 55114-1057
St. Paul, MN
55114-1057
(612)-627-4780
(6 12)-627-4780
email: jirsa001@tc.umn.edu
jirsa001 @tc.umn.edu
http://www.geo.mtu.edu/great_lakes/ilsgl
ILSG website http://www.geo.mtu.eddgreat_lakes/ilsg/

ISSN 1042-9964
1042-9964

�INSTITUTE ON LA SUPERIOR GEOLOGY

4th Annual
Annual Meeting
Meeting
44th
May 6-10, 1998
Minneapolis, Minnesota

Sponsored
Sponsored by:
by:
Minnesota
MinnesotaGeological
GeologicalSurvey
Survey
University
University of Minnesota
Minnesota

PROCEEDINGS
PROCEEDINGS
Volume 44
44
Part
Program and
Part 11-Program
and Abstracts

�CONTENTS
CONTENTS
Proceedings Volume
Volume 44
44
Proceedings
Part1—Program
1-Program and
andAbstracts
Abstracts
Part
Instituteson
onLake
LakeSuperior
SuperiorGeology,
Geology,1955-1998
1955-1998 ...............................................iviv
Institutes

Constitution
Constitution of
of the
theInstitute
Instituteon
onLake
LakeSuperior
SuperiorGeology
Geology..........................................vv

..

vu
By-Laws
By-Lawsofofthe
theInstitute
Instituteon
onLake
LakeSuperior
SuperiorGeology
Geology.. .........................................vii

...

GoldichMedal
MedalGuidelines
Guidelines ........................................................................ viii
vm
Goldich

PastGoldich
GoldichMedalists
Medalists. ............................................................................. x.x
Past
x
GoldichMedal
MedalCommittee
Committee ...........................................................................x
Goldich

xi
Citationfor
for1998
1998Goldich
GoldichMedal
MedalRecipient
Recipient.. .....................................................xi
Citation

..
...
Student
Student Paper
Paper Awards
Awards ............................................................................. xiii
xm
...
StudentPaper
PaperCommittee
Committee ......................................................................... xiii
xm
Student
StudentTravel
TravelAwards
Awards.. ........................................................................... xii
xu
Student

Boardof
ofDirectors
Directors ................................................................................. xiv
xiv
Board
LocalPlanning
PlanningCommittee
Committee.. ......................................................................xiv
xiv
Local
SessionChairs
Chairs ...................................................................................... xv
xv
Session
BanquetSpeaker
Speaker.. .................................................................................. xv
xv
Banquet
xvi
Reportof
ofthe
theChair
Chairofofthe
the43rd
43rdAnnual
AnnualInstitute
InstituteMeeting
Meeting.. ...................................xvi
Report

...

Program.. .......................................................................................... xviii
xvm
Program

Abstractsfor
forSpecial
SpecialSession:
Session:
Abstracts
1
Geolo~ical
Overviewof
ofthe
theLake
Lake Superior
SuperiorRegion
Region ..........................................1
Geolo2ical
Overview

Card,Ken
Ken D.
D.
Card,

Archean
Archean geology
geology of
of the
the Great
Great Lakes
Lakes region
region of
of North
NorthAmerica
America ................................33

Ojakangas,Richard
RichardW.
W.
Ojakangas,
Generalized
GeneralizedEarly
EarlyProterozoic
Proterozoichistory,
history,Lake
LakeSuperior
Superiorregion
region

................................ .55

Cannon,William
WilliamF.
F.
Cannon,
Understanding
Understandingthe
theMiddle
MiddleProterozoic
Proterozoichistory
history of
of the
theLake
LakeSuperior
Superiorregion:
region:
What's
What's new?
new? What's
What'snext?
next?.

...............................................................19
19

Runkel, Anthony
Anthony C.
C.
Runkel,
Paleozoic
Paleozoicrocks
rocksin
inthe
thenorthern
northernpart
part of
of the
thecentral
centralmidcontinent
midcontinentof
of North
North America
America

Patterson, Carrie
CarrieJ.J.
Patterson,
Models
Models for
for interpreting
interpreting the
the Quaternary
Quaternary history of the
the Lake
Lake Superior
Superior region
region

L.
Southwick, David
David L.
Southwick,

25
.........25

.................33
33

37
...................................... .37
39
Abstracts for
forGeneral
GeneralTechnical
TechnicalSessions
Sessions ...................................................... .39
Abstracts
What's
What'snext
nextfor
forgeology
geologyin
inthe
theLake
LakeSuperior
Superiorarea9
area?

Ill

�INSTITUTES ON
INSTITUTES
ON LAKE
LAKE SUPERIOR
SUPERIORGEOLOGY,
GEOLOGY,1955-1998
1955-1998
# DATE
DATE PLACE
PLACE
C
HAIRS
CHAIRS
1

1955

2

1956

3

1957

4

1958

5
6

1959
1960

7

1961

8
10

1962
1963
1964

11

1965

12
13
14

1966

15

16

1969
1970

17

1971

18

1972

9

1967
1968

19 1973
20 1974
21

1975

22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30

1976
1977
1978
1979

31

1985

32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40

1986
1987
1988

41

42
43
44

1980
1981

1982
1983
1984

1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998

Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis,
Houghton, Michigan
East Lansing,
Lansing, Michigan
Duluth,
Duluth, Minnesota
Minnesota
Minneapolis,
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Madison, Wisconsin
Port Arthur, Ontario
Ontario
Houghton,
Houghton, Michigan
Duluth,
Duluth, Minnesota
Ishpeming,
Ishpeming, Michigan
Michigan
St. Paul, Minnesota
Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan
Michigan
East Lansing, Michigan
Superior, Wisconsin
Superior,
Oshkosh, Wisconsin
Thunder
Thunder Bay,
Bay, Ontario
Ontario
Duluth,
Duluth, Minnesota
Houghton,
Houghton, Michigan
Madison, Wisconsin
Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
Ontario
Marquette,
Marquette, Michigan
Michigan
St. Paul, Minnesota
Thunder
Thunder Bay, Ontario
Ontario
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Duluth,
Duluth, Minnesota
Minnesota
Eau Claire,
Claire, Wisconsin
Wisconsin
East Lansing,
Lansing, Michigan
International Falls, Minnesota
International
Houghton, Michigan
Michigan
Wausau,
Wausau, Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Kenora, Ontario
Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wawa, Ontario
Ontario
Marquette,
Marquette, Michigan
Michigan
Duluth, Minnesota
Thunder Bay, Ontario
Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Hurley, Wisconsin
Eveleth, Minnesota
Houghton, Michigan
Marathon, Ontario
Ontario
Cable, Wisconsin
Sudbury, Ontario
Minneapolis,
Minneapolis, Minnesota

C.E. Dutton
C.E.
A.K. Sneigrove
A.K.
Snelgrove
Sandefur
B.T. Sandefur
R.W. Marsden
Marsden
G.M. Schwartz &amp; C. Craddock
E.N. Cameron
Cameron
E.G. Pye
Pye
A.K. Sneigrove
Snelgrove
H.
H- Lepp
L~PP
A.T. Broderick
Broderick
P.K. Sims &amp; R.K.
R.K. Hogberg
Hogberg
R.W. White
White

WJ.
W.J. Hinze
Hinze
A.B. Dickas
Dickas
G.L. LaBerge
LaBerge
Bartley &amp; E. Mercy
M.W. Bartley
D.M. Davidson
J. Kalliokoski
Kalliokoski
M.E. Ostrom
Ostrom
P.E. Giblin
Giblin
J.D. Hughes
Hughes
M. Walton
Walton
Kehlenbeck
M.M. Kehienbeck
G. Mursky
D.M. Davidson
P.E. Myers
Myers
W.C. Cambray
Cambray
D.L. Southwick
Southwick
T.J. Bornhorst
G.L. LaBerge
LaBerge
C.E. Blackburn
Blackburn
J.K. Greenberg
Greenberg
E.D.
&amp; R.P. Sage
Sage
E.D. Frey &amp;
J. S.
S. Klasner
Klasner
J.C. Green
Green
M.M. Kehlenbeck
M.M.
P.E. Myers
A.B. Dickas
D.L. Southwick
D.L.
Southwick
T.J. Bornhorst
M.C. Smyk
M.C.
L.G. Woodruff
R.P. Sage, W. Meyer
R.P.
J.D. Miller, M.A. Jirsa
J.D.

iv

�_________(some

CONSTITUTION
OF THE INSTITUTE ON LAKE SUPERIOR GEOLOGY
Board—May 8,
1997)
(Last amended by the Board-May
8,1997)
Article
Article II

Name
The name of the organization
organization shall be the "Institute
"Institute on Lake
Superior
Superior Geology".
Geology".

Article II
II

Objectives
Objectives
are:
The objectives
objectives of this
this organization
organization are:
A. To
Toprovide
provideaameans
meanswhereby
whereby geologists
geologists in
in the
the Great
Great Lakes
Lakes region
region may
may
exchange
exchange ideas
ideas and
and scientific
scientificdata.
data.
Topromote
promotebetter
betterunderstanding
understandingof
of the
the geology
geology of
of the
the Lake
Lake Superior
Superior
B. To
region.
region.
C. To
Toplan
planand
andconduct
conductgeological
geologicalfield
field trips.
trips.

Article III
ifi

Status
Status
to the
the benefit
benefit of any
No part of the income of the organization shall insure to
member or individual. In the event of dissolution, the assets of the
organization
organization shall be distributed
distributed to
free organization).
organization).
(some tax free

To avoid Federal and State income taxes, the organization should be not
only "scientific"
"scientific" or
or "educational,
"educational,but also
also "non-profit".
"non-profit".
Minn. Stat. Anno. 290.01, subd. 4
Minn. Stat. Anno. 290.05(9)
Mim.
1954 Internal Revenue Code
Code s.501(c)(3)
s.501(c)(3)
Article IV
Article

Membership
Membership
The membership of the organization
organization shall
shall consist
consist of persons who have
have
registered for an annual meeting within the past three years, and those who
approved by the
indicate interest in being a member according to guidelines approved
Board of Directors.
Directors.

Article V

Meetings
organization shall meet once a year, preferably
preferably during
during the
the month
month of
The organization
April. The
Theplace
placeand
andexact
exactdate
date of
of each
each meeting will be designated
designated by the
Board of Directors.
Directors.

Article VI

Directors
The Board of Directors shall consist of the Chair, Secretary-Treasurer, and
the last three past Chairs; but if the board should at any time consist of fewer
than five persons, by reason of unwillingness or inability of any of the
above persons to serve
serve as directors,
directors, the vacancies
vacancies on the board may be
be filled
filled
by the Chair
Chair so
so as to bring the membership
membership of the board
board to
to five
five members.
members.

V

�Article
Article VII

Officers
Officers
The
The officers
officers of
of this
this organization
organizationshall
shallbe
be aa Chair
Chairand
and Secretary-Treasurer.
Secretary-Treasurer.

A.
A. The
TheChair
Chairshall
shallbe
beelected
electedeach
eachyear
year by
by the
the Board
Board of Directors,
Directors, who
shall give due consideration
consideration to the wishes of any group that may be
promoting
promoting the next annual meeting. His/her
Hisher term of office
office as Chair will
terminate
he/she presides, or
terminate at
at the close
close of the annual meeting over which helshe
hisher successor shall have been
Helshe will then serve
serve
when his/her
been appointed.
appointed. He/she
for
as aa member
member of the
the Board
Board of Directors.
Directors.
for aa period
period of
of three
three years as
B. The
the annual
annual meeting.
meeting. Hisher
His/her
TheSecretary-Treasurer
Secretary-Treasurer shall
shall be elected at the
term
term of
of office
office shall
shall be
be four
four years,
years, or
or until his/her
hislher successor
successor shall
shall have
have been
been
appointed.
appointed.
Article
Article Vifi
VIXI

Amendments
Amendments
This
vote of
of the
the membership
membership of
This constitution
constitution may be amended by a majority vote
the
the organization.
organization.

vi

�BY-LAWS
BY-LAWS
OF THE INSTITUTE
INSTITUTE ON
ON LAKE
LAKE SUPERIOR
SUPERIOR GEOLOGY
GEOLOGY
I. Duties
Dutiesof
of the
the Officers
Officers and
and Directors
A. ItItshall
shallbe
bethe
theduty
dutyof
ofthe
theAnnual
AnnualChairman
Chairmanto:
to:
1. Preside
Preside at
at the
the annual
annual meeting.
meeting.
1.
Appointall
allcommittees
committeesneeded
neededfor
forthe
theorganization
organizationof
of the
the annual
annualmeeting.
meeting.
2. Appoint
3. Assume
Assumecomplete
completeresponsibility
responsibility for
for the organization and financing of the
annual meeting over
over which he/she
helshe presides.
B. ItItshall
shallbe
bethe
theduty
dutyof
of the
theSecretary-Treasurer
Secretary-Treasurerto:
1. Keep
Keepaccurate
accurateattendance
attendancerecords
recordsof
of all
allannual
annualmeetings.
meetings.
2. Keep
Keepaccurate
accuraterecords
recordsof
of all
all meetings
meetings of,
of, and
and correspondence
correspondence between, the
Board of Directors.
Directors.
3. Hold
Holdall
allfunds
fundsthat
that may
may accrue
accrue as
as profits
profits from
from annual
annual meetings
meetings or
or field trips
for the
the organization
organization and
and operation
operation of
of
and to make these funds available for
future meetings as required.
C. ItItshall
shallbe
bethe
theduty
dutyof
of the
the Board
Board of
of Directors
Directors to
to plan locations
locations of annual
meetings and
and to
to advise
advise on
on the
the organization
organizationand
and fmancing
financingof
of all
all meetings.
meetings.

II.
11. Duties
Dutiesand
and Exoenses
Expenses
A. There
Thereshall
shallbe
beno
noregular
regular membership
membership dues.
dues.
B. Registration
Registrationfees
feesfor
forthe
the annual
annual meetings
meetings shall
shall be determined by the Chair in
The registration fees can include
consultation with the Board of Directors.
Directors. The
expenses to cover
cover operations
operations outside of the annual meeting as determined by
expenses
the Board of Directors. ItIt isis strongly
strongly recommended
recommended that registration fees be
kept at a minimum
minimum to encourage
encourage attendance
attendance of graduate
graduate students.
students.

ifi. Rules
In.
Rules of
of Order
Order
The
The rules
rules contained
contained in
in Robert's
Robert's Rules
Rules of
of Order
Order shall
shall govern
govern this
this organization
organizationin
in all
all
are applicable.
applicable.
cases to which they are
IV. Amendments
Amendments
These
These by-laws may be
be amended
amended by a majority vote of the membership of the
organization;
organization; provided that such modifications shall not conflict
conifict with the
constitution
presently adopted
adopted or
or subsequently
subsequently amended.
amended.
constitution as presently

vu
vii

�GOLDICH
MEDAL GUIDELINES
GOLDICH MEDAL
GUIDELINES
(Adopted by the Board of Directors, 1981;
1981;amended 1997)
1997)

Preamble
Institute on Lake Superior Geology was born in 1955, as
as documented
documented by
by the
the fact
fact that
that
The Institute
the 27th annual meeting was held in 1981. The
The Institute's
Institute's continuing
continuing objectives are to deal
are related geographically to Lake Superior;
Superior; to encourage
encourage
with those aspects
aspects of geology that are
discussion of subjects
subjects and
and sponsoring
sponsoring field trips that will bring together geologists from
the discussion
academia, government
government surveys,
surveys, and industiy;
industry; and
and to maintain an informal
informal but highly
effective mode
mode of operation.
operation.
During the course
course of its existence,
existence, the membership of the Institute (that
(that is, those geologists
geologists
by attending)
attending) has
has become
become aware
aware of
of
who indicate an interest in the objectives of the ILSG by
noteworthy and
and meritorious
meritorious
the fact that certain of their colleagues have made particularly noteworthy
contributions to the understanding
understanding of Lake
Lake Superior
Superior geology and mineral
mineral deposits.
deposits.
The first award was made by ILSG to Sam Goldich in 1979 for his many contributions to
years. Subsequent
the geology of the region extending over about 50 years.
Subsequentmedalists
medalists and
and this
this
year's recipient
recipient are
are listed
listed in
in the
the table
table below.
below.
Award Guidelines
Guidelines
1) The
Themedal
medal shall
shallbe
be awarded
awardedannually
annually by
by the
the ILSG
ILSG Board
Board of
of Directors
Directors to
to aa geologist
geologist
with aa substantial
substantial interest
interestin,
in,and
and contribution
contribution to,
to, the
thegeology
geologyof
of
whose name is associated with
the Lake Superior
Superiorregion.
Medal Committee.
Committee. The initial
2) The
TheBoard
Boardof
of Directors
Directors shall
shall appoint the Goldich Medal
appointment will be of three members, one to serve for three years, one for two years, and
appointment
one for one year. The
Themember
memberwith
withthe
thebriefest
briefestincumbency
incumbencyshall
shallbe
be chair
chair of
of the
the
Nominating Committee. After
Afterthe
thefirst
firstyear,
year,the
the Board
Board of
of Directors
Directors shall
shall appoint
appoint at
at each
each
years. In
hisfher third
third year
year this
this
spring meeting one new member who will serve for three years.
In his/her
member shall be the chair. The
TheCommittee
Committeemembership
membership should
should reflect the main fields of
interest and geographic
interest
geographic distribution
distribution of ILSG
ILSG membership.
membership.
November , the Goldich Medal Committee shall make its recommendation
of November,
3) By
By the
the end of
to the
the Chair
Chair of
of the
the Board
Board of
of Directors,
Directors,who
who will
will then
then inform
inform the
the Board
Board of
of the
the nominee.
nominee.

4) The
TheBoard
BoardofofDirectors
Directorsnormally
normallywill
willaccept
acceptthe
thenominee
nominee of
of the
the Committee,
Committee, will
will inform
inform
the
the medalist
medalist immediately,
immediately, and
and will
will have
have one
one medal
medal engraved
engraved appropriately
appropriately for
for presentation
presentation
at the next meeting of the Institute.

5) ItItisisrecommended
recommendedthat
thatthe
theInstitute
Instituteset
set aside
aside annually
annually from whatever sources, such
funds as will be required to support
support the continuing
continuing costs of this award.
Nominating Procedures
Nominatin~
1) Nominations
Nominations shall
shallbe
be taken
taken at
at any time by the Goldich Medal Committee. Committee
Committee
members may themselves nominate candidates. The
The deadline
deadline for
for nominations
nominations is November
1.
1.
2) Nominations
Nominationsmust
mustbe
beininwriting
writingand
andsupported
supportedby
by appropriate
appropriatedocumentation
documentationsuch
such as
as
letters
letters of recommendation,
recommendation, lists of publications, curriculum vita's, and evidence of
contributions
contributions to Lake
Lake Superior
Superior geology
geology and
and to
to the
the Institute.

vifi

�Nominationsare
arenot
notrestricted
restrictedto
toInstitute
Instituteattendees,
attendees,but
but are
arc open
open to anyone
anyone who has
has
3) Nominations
worked on and contributed
contributed to the understanding
understanding of Lake Superior
Superior geology.
Selection
Selection Guidelines
Guidelines
1) Nominees
Nominees are
are to
to be
be evaluated
evaluated on
on the
the basis of their contributions to Lake Superior
geology (sensu lato) including:
a) importance
importanceof
ofrelevant
relevant publications;
publications;
b) promotion
promotionof
ofdiscovery
discoveryand
andutilization
utilization of
of natural
natural resources;
c) contributions
contributionsto
tounderstanding
understandingof
of the
the natural
natural history and environment
environment of the
region;
region;
d) generation
generationof
of new
new ideas
ideas and
and concepts;
concepts; and
e) contributions
contributionsto
tothe
thetraining
training and
and education
education of geoscientists
geoscientists and the public.

Nomineesare
aretotobe
beevaluated
evaluatedon
ontheir
their contributions
contributionsto the Institute as demonstrated by
2) Nominees
attendance at Institute meetings,
meetings, presentation
service on Institute
Institute
presentation of talks and posters, and service
boards,
boards, committees,
committees, and
andfield
fieldtrips.
trips.
3) The
Therelative
relativeweights
weightsgiven
givento
to each
each of
of the
the foregoing
foregoing criteria
criteria must remain flexible and at
the
the discretion
discretion of
of the
the Committee
Committeemembers.
members.
4) There
Thereare
areseveral
severalpoints
pointsto
tobe
beconsidered
consideredby
by the
theGoldich
Goldich Medal
Medal Committee:
Committee:
a) An
Anattempt
attemptshould
shouldbe
be made
made to
to maintain
maintain a balance of medal recipients from each of
the three
three estates—industry,
estates-industry, academia,
academia, and
and government.
government.
that much
much of
b) ItItmust
mustbe
benoted
notedthat
that industry
industry geoscientists
geoscientists are
arc at a disadvantage in that
their work in not
not published.
published.

U.S., and the
the other Canada.
Canada. This
5)
5) Lake
Lake Superior
Superior has two sides, one the U.S.,
This is
is undoubtedly
undoubtedly
Institute's great strengths and should be nurtured by
by equitable
equitable recognition
recognition of
one of the Institute's
excellence
excellence in
in both
both countries.
countries.

ix

�GOLDICH MEDALISTS
1979 Samuel
SamuelS.
S. Goldich
Goldich
not awarded
1980 not

1989 Jorma
Jorrna Kalliokoski
Kalliokoski

1981
Dutton, Jr.
1981 Carl E. Dutton,

1990 Kenneth
Kenneth C. Card

1982 Ralph
RalphW.
W. Marsden
Marsden

1991 William
William Hinze

1983 Burton
Burton Boyum
Boyum

F. Cannon
1992 William
William F.

1984 Richard
RichardW.
W. Ojakangas
Ojakangas

W. Davis
1993 Donald
DonaldW.

1985 Paul
PaulK.
K. Sims
Sims

1994 Cedric
Cedric Iverson

1986 G.B.
G.B. Morey
Morey

LaBerge
1995 Gene
GeneLaBerge

H. Halls
Halls
1987 Hemy
HenryH.

L. Southwick
Southwick
1996 David
DavidL.

1988 Walter
WalterS.
S. White
White

1997 Ronald
Ronald P.
P. Sage
Sage

1998
1998

Zell Peterman
Peterman

GOLDICH MEDAL
GOLDICH
MEDAL COMMITTEE—1997-1998
COMMITTEE-1997-1998
(Committee membership
membership through the meeting year shown)
shown)
Dan England
England (1998)
(1998)
Eveleth Fee Office,
Office, Eveleth, Minnesota
John Kiasner
Klasner (1999)
(1999)
Western Illinois University,
University, Macomb,
Macomb, Illinois
Mark
Mark Smyk
Smyk (2000)
(2000)
Ontario
Ontario Geological
Geological Survey,
Survey, Thunder
Thunder Bay

x

�CITATION
CITATION

Zell
Zell E.
E. Peterman
Peterman
1998 Goldich Medal
Medal Recipient
Recipient
my personal
personal pleasure
pleasure to
to introduce
introduce Zell E. Peterman, this years Goldich medalist. Zell
Zell
It's my
deserves this
this highest
highest honor
honor of the Institute
Institute on Lake Superior
Superior Geology because of his
richly deserves
many outstanding
outstandingcontributions
contributions to
to Precambrian
Precambrian geology
geology and
and geochronology
geochronology of
of the
the Lake
Lake
Superior
Superiorregion.
region.
Zell received
received aa Geologic
GeologicEngineering
Engineeringdegree
degreefrom
fromthe
the Colorado
ColoradoSchool
Schoolof
of Mines,
Mines,aamasters
masters
Zell
Geology from
from the
the University
University of Minnesota,
Minnesota, Minneapolis, and a Ph.D.
in Geology
Ph.D. in Geology in
1962 from the University of Alberta. At
AtMinnesota,
Minnesota,Zell
Zellwas
wasaastudent
studentof
of Sam
SamGoldich.
Goldich.
1962

Zell has
1994Ã‘wit the
theGeologic
Geologic
has spent
spent all
all of
ofhis
hiscareer—except
career-except for
forthe
theyears
yearssince
since1994—with
Division
Division of
of the
the U.S.
U.S. Geological
Geological Survey,
Survey, and it was in this capacity that he carried out most
of
of his
his geochronologic
geochronologicresearch
researchthat
thatwe
weacknowledge
acknowledgetoday.
today.

Over aa period
period of
of several
several years,
years, working
working with
with field
field geologists,
geologists, Zell
Zell has
has been
been mainly
mainly
responsible for
for the
the isotopic
isotopictime
time framework
framework for
for the
the pre-Keweenawan
pre-Keweenawan that
that we
we accept
accepttoday.
today.
responsible
A
A major
majorcontribution
contributionwas
wasaastudy
studyof
ofArchean
Archeanrocks
rocksacross
acrossthe
theGreat
GreatLakes
Lakestectonic
tectoniczone
zoneinin
the
the Marenisco-Watersmeet
Marenisco-Watersmeet area in Michigan. This
Thisstudy
study established
established that
that gneisses
gneisses in
in the
the
Minnesota
Minnesota River
RiverValley
Valley subprovince
subprovinceare
are as
asold
oldas
as3,550
3,550 Ma
Ma and
and flanking
flankingmetavolcanicmetavolcanicmetasedimentaryrocks
rocksininthe
theWawa
Wawasubprovince
subprovince(to
(tothe
thenorth)
north)are
arein
inthe
therange
range2.6-2.8
2.6-2.8 Ga.
Ga.
metasedimentary
This
Thispattern
pattern has
hasproved
proved to
tobe
becharacteristic
characteristicof
of Michigan-Wisconsin.
Michigan-Wisconsin.

In
1980's,in
in an
aninnovative
innovativestudy
study utilizing
utilizing Rb-Sr
Rb-Sr ages of biotite, Zell outlined the
In the
the late
late 1980's,
uplift
uplift history
history of
of the
theGoodwin
GoodwinSwell
Swellininnortheastern
northeasternWisconsin—a
Wisconsin-a lithospheric
lithosphericflexure
flexure
caused by
by crustal
crustal loading
loading along
along the Midcontinent Rift System. This
This isis the
the sort
sort of
of thing
thing that
caused
has been
been characteristic
characteristic of Zell. More
Morethan
than most
most people,
people, he
he has
has the
the ability
ability to use
use various
has
geochronologic
geochronologictechniques
techniquesto
tosolve
solveproblems
problemsmost
mostof
ofus
usmortals
mortalsdon't
don'tknow
knoweven
evenexist.
exist.

Since
Since 1994,
1994,Zell
Zell has
has been
been involved
involved in
in DOE's
DOE'SYucca
Yucca Mountain
Mountain Project, and some of the
the
successful
successfultechniques
techniquesused
usedto
tosolve
solveprojects
projectsjust
just blow
blowyour
yourmind.
mind.

II should
duties and
and skills.
skills. From
should mention
mention Zell's
Zell's administrative
administrative duties
From 1971
1971to
to 1976,
1976,he
hewas
was
branch
branch chief
chief of
of the
theUSGS's
USGS's Branch
Branchof
ofIsotope
IsotopeGeology,
Geology, aatime
timewhen
whenthe
theIsotope
IsotopeBranch
Branch
was
Since 1994,
1994, he
he has
has assembled
assembled an
an isotope
isotope hydrology
hydrology team
team under
under the
the
was flourishing.
flourishing. Since
Yucca
Yucca Mountain
Mountain Project
Project that
that isisdoing
doingmany
many marvelous
marvelousthings,
things, particularly
particularly using
using Rb-Sr
Rb-Sr
tracers.
tracers.
P.K. Sims
Sims
P.K.

xi

�STUDENT TRAVEL AWARDS
STUDENT
AWARDS
The 1986
Awards to support
1986 Board
Board of
of Directors
Directors established
established the ILSG Student Travel Awards
the annual
annual meeting
meeting of
ofthe
theInstitute.
Institute. The awards will
will be
be made
made from
from aa
student participation at the
fund set up for this purpose.
purpose. These
special fond
These awards are intended to help defray some of the
direct travel costs of attending Institute
Institute meetings,
meetings, and include a waiver of registration fees,
fees,
but exclude
exclude expenses
expenses for
for meals, lodging, and field trip registration. The
The number
number of
of awards
awards
and value are determined
determined by the annual
annual Chair
Chair in consultation
consultation with the Secretary-Treasurer.
Secretary-Treasurer.
Recipients
Recipients will
will be
be announced
announced at
at the
the annual
annualbanquet.
banquet.
The following
following general
general criteria will be considered by the annual Chair, who is responsible
for the selection:
selection:

1) The
The applicants
applicantsmust
must have
have active
active resident (undergraduate or graduate) student status at
the
the time
time of
of the
the annual
annual meeting
meeting of
of the
the Institute,
Institute, certified
certified by the department
department head.
2) Students
Studentswho
whoare
arcthe
thesenior
seniorauthor
authoron
on either
either an
an oral
oral or
or poster paper will be given
favored consideration.
consideration.
3) ItItisisdesirable
desirablefor
fortwo
twoor
ormore
morestudents
studentsto
to jointly request
request travel assistance.
assistance.
4) In
Ingeneral,
general,priority
prioritywill
willbe
begiven
givento
tothose
thosein
in the
the Institute
Institute region
region who are
are farthest
farthest away
from the meeting location.
5)
award request
request shall
shall be made in writing to the annual Chair, and should
5) Each travel award
explain need, student
student and
and author
author status,
status, and
and other
other significant
significant details.
details.
Successful applicants
Successful
applicants will
will receive
receive their
their awards
awards at
at the time
time of registration
registration for
for the meeting.
meeting.

xli

�STUDENT
STUDENTPAPER AWARDS
AWARDS
Each year, the Institute selects the best of the student presentations and honors presenters
with a monetary award.
award. Funding
with
Funding for
for the
the award
award isis generated
generated from
from registrations
registrations of the
the
annual meeting.
meeting. The
TheStudent
StudentPaper
PaperCommittee
Committeeisisappointed
appointedby
by the
the annual
annual meeting
meeting Chair
Chairin
in
annual
such a manner as to
to represent
represent aa broad
broad range
range of
of professional
professional and
and geologic
geologic expertise.
expertise.
Criteria for
for best
best student
student paper—last
paper-last modified
modified by the
the Board
Board in
in 1997—follow:
1997-follow:
Criteria
1) The
Thecontribution
contributionmust
mustbe
bedemonstrably
demonstrablythe
thework
work of
of the
the student.
student.

2) The
Thestudent
studentmust
mustpresent
presentthe
thecontribution
contributionin-person.
in-person.
to grant,
grant, and
and whether
whether or
or
3) The
TheStudent
StudentPaper
Paper Committee
Committee shall
shall decide how many awards to
not to give
give separate
separateawards
awards for
for poster
poster vs.
vs. oral
oral presentations.
presentations.
4) In
Incases
casesof
ofmultiple
multiplestudent
studentauthors,
authors,the
the award
award will be made to the senior author, or the
award
award will
will be
be shared
shared equally
equally by
by all
all authors
authors of
of the
the contribution.
contribution.
amount of the awards
5) The
The total amount
awards is left
left to the discretion
discretion of the meeting Chair
Chair and
and
5)

Secretary-Treasurer, but
in the
the amount
amount of
of about
about $300
$300US.
US.
Secretary-Treasurer,
but typically
typically is
is in

6)
6 ) The
TheSecretary-Treasurer
Secretary-Treasurermaintains,
maintains,and
andwill
willsupply
supply to
to the
the Committee,
Committee,aa form
form for
for the
the
numerical ranking of presentations. This
by Student Paper
Paper
This form
form was created and modified by
Committees
an effort
effort to
to reduce
reduce the
the difficulties
difficultiesthat
that may
may arise
arisefrom
from
Committeesover
over several
severalyears
years in
in an
background. The
selection by raters of diverse background.
The use of the form is not required, but is left to
the discretion
of
the
Committee.
discretion the Committee.
7) The
Thenames
namesofofaward
awardrecipients
recipientsshall
shallbe
beincluded
includedas
aspart
part of
of the
the annual
annual Chair's
Chair's report
reportthat
that
appears
appears in
in the
the next
next volume
volume of
of the
the Institute.
Institute.

1998
1998 STUDENT
STUDENT PAPER COMMITTEE
COMMITTEE

Nancy Nelson—Committee
Nelson-Committee Chair
Chair
North Shore
Shore Technical
Technical Communications
Randy Van Schmus
Schmus
University
University of Kansas
Kansas
Peter Whelan
Whelan
University
University of Minnesota—Morris
Minnesota-Morris

ll

�1998 BOARD
OF DIRECTORS
BOARD OF
DIRECTORS
(Board membership
membership through the close of the meeting year shown)
shown)

James
Co-chair (2001)
(200 1)
James D. Miller, Jr., Co-chair
Mark A.
A. Jirsa,
Jirsa, Co-chair
Co-chair and
and Institute
InstituteSecretary-Treasurer
Secretary-Treasurer (2000)
(2000)
Minnesota
Minnesota Geological
Geological Survey
Survey

Ronald
P. Sage
Sage (2000)
(2000)
Ronald P.
Ontario
Ontario Geological
Geological Survey—Sudbury,
Survey-Sudbury, Ontario
Ontario

Laurel G.
G. Woodruff
Woodruff (1999)
(1999)
U.S. Geological
Geological Survey—Mounds
Survey-Mounds View,
View, Minnesota
Minnesota

Mark
Mark C.
C. Smyk
Smyk (1998)
(1998)
Ontario
Ontario Geological
Geological Survey—Thunder
Survey-Thunder Bay,
Bay, Ontario
Ontario

1998
1998 LOCAL
LOCAL PLANNING
PLANNING COMMITTEE
COMMITTEE
James D.
D. Miller,
Miller, Jr.—Co-chair
Jr.-Co-chair
Mark
MarkA.
A. Jirsa—Co-chair
Jirsa-Co-chair and
andmeeting
meeting Treasurer
Treasurer

Terrence
TerrenceJ.J.Boerboom—Field
Boerboom-Field Trip
TripCoordinator
Coordinator
Lori
LoriDay—Meeting
Day-Meeting Coordinator
Coordinator

Assistance
Assistanceto
to the
thelocal
localCommittee
Committeewas
wasprovided
providedby
by the
thefollowing
followingindividuals
individualsfrom
fromthe
the
Minnesota
MinnesotaGeological
GeologicalSurvey:
Survey:

David
David L.
L. Southwick
Southwick
Director
Directorof
of host
host organization
organization

G.B.
G.B. Morey
Morey
Manuscript
Manuscriptreview
review

Alan
Alan Knaeble
Knaeble
Field
Field and
and meeting
meeting preparation
preparation

Barb Lusardi
Lusardi
Manuscript
Manuscriptpreparation
preparation

xiv

�1998 SESSION
SESSION CHAIRS
CHAIRS
(In
(In order of appearance)
appearance)

P.K.
P.K. Sims
Sims
U.S. Geological
Geological Survey—Denver
Survey-Denver
G.B.
G.B. Morey
Morey
Minnesota Geological
Minnesota
Geological Survey
Survey

Lundy
Jim Lundy
Minnesota
Minnesota Pollution
Pollution Control
Control Agency
Agency

Laurel Woodruff
Woodruff
U.S. Geological
GeologicalSurvey—Mounds
Survey-Mounds View
View

Johnson
Rod Johnson
Bitterroot Resources
Resources Ltd.
Mark Smyk
Smyk
Ontario Geological
Geological Survey—Thunder
Survey-Thunder Bay

John Green
Green
University
University of Minnesota—Duluth
Minnesota-Duluth
Paul Weiblen
Weiblen
University
University of Minnesota—Twin
Minnesota-Twin Cities
Cities

1998 BANQUET
BANQUET SPEAKER

Bevan French
Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian

"When the
thesky
skyfalls:
falls: Large
Large meteorite impacts
impacts and
and
'When
of earth
earth and other worlds"
the history of
worlds"

xv

�43rd
ANNUAL INSTITUTE
43rd ANNUAL
INSTITUTE ON
ON LAKE
LAKE SUPERIOR
SUPERIOR GEOLOGY
GEOLOGY
MEETING
SUDBURY,
SUDBURY, ONTARIO
The 43rd annual meeting of the
the Institute
Institute on
on Lake
Lake Superior
Superior Geology
Geology was held on
on the
the
Laurentian University
University in Sudbury,
Sudbury, Ontario from May 6, through May 11,
11, 1997.
1997.
campus of Laurentian
The meeting was organized
organized by the Precambrian Section and the Resident Geologists Office
of the Ontario
Ontario Geological
Geological Survey. Ron
Ron Sage,
Sage,Precambrian
Precambrian Section,
Section, and Wilf
Wilf Meyer,
Meyer,
co-chaired the
the event.
event. Mrs.
Resident Geologist, Sudbury, co-chaired
Mrs. Tracy
Tracy Livingstone,
Livingstone, Resident
Resident
Geologist's Office, helped organize and coordinate all
all activities
activitiesrelating
relatingto
tothe
the meeting.
meeting. All
the guidebooks and individual abstracts were reviewed by W. Meyer, R.P. Sage, and T.
Livingstone.
The Proceedings
Proceedings of
of the
the 43rd
43rd ILSG
ILSGwere
were published
publishedin
in 77 parts:
parts:
Part 1:
Part
1: Program
ProgramandAbstracts
and Abstracts(edited
(editedby
byRon
RonSage
Sageand
and Wilf
Wilf Meyer);
Parti:
TheHuronian
HuronianSupergroup
Supergroupbetween
betweenSault
Sault Ste.
Ste. Marie and
and Elliot Lake: Evidence
Part2: The
for the
the Early Proterozoic atmosphere,
atmosphere, climate, and tectonics (G.
(G. Bennett,
K.D. Card, and K.Y. Tomlinson);
K.D.
Tomlinson);
Part
Part 3:
3:New
Newinformation
informationon
onthe
the Grenville
Grenville Front
Front near
nearSudbury
Sudbury (A.
(A.Davidson);
Davidson);
Part
Group (S.F.M.
Part 4:
4: The
TheSudbury
SudburyStructure,
Structure, with
with emphasis
emphasis on the Whitewater Group
Gibbins);
Gibbins);
Part 5:
Part
5:Magmatic
Magmaticore
oredeposits
depositsofofthe
theSudbury
Sudbury Igneous Complex (S.A.
(S.A. Prevec);
Part 6:
Part
6: Alkalic
Alkalicrocks
rocksof
of the
the Sudbury region (R.P.
(R.P. Sage); and
Part 7:
Part
7:The
Thegreening
greeningof
of Sudbury
Sudbury (K.
(K.Winterhalder).
Winterhalder).
A total of 101
101 people registered
registered for the meeting in Sudbury and most of the field trips were
well attended. There
Therewere
were13
13paid
paid participants
participantsfor
for the
the Huronian Supergroup
Supergroup field trip, 22
for the Grenville
Grenville Front, 15
15 for
for the
the Sudbury
Sudbury Structure, 36 for the Magmatic ore deposits,
deposits, 6
the greening
greening of
of Sudbury
Sudburyfield
fieldtrip.
trip. Access to local mining
for the Alkalic rocks, and 3 for the
sites was granted
granted by
by INCO
INCO Limited
Limited and
and Falconbridge
Falconbridge Limited.
Limited. Coffee breaks were
supported by
Laurentian University,
University, Falconbridge,
Falconbridge, and
Ministry of
of Northern
Northern
supported
by Laurentian
and the
the Ministry
Development and
Development
and Mines.
Mines.
The annual banquet
banquet was attended
attended by 83
83 diners and held in the Cavern of Science
Science North on
Ramsey Lake. The
TheGoldich
GoldichMedal
Medal was
was awarded
awarded to
to Ron
Ron Sage
Sage of
of the
the Ontario
Ontario Geological
Geological
Survey
geology in
in the
the Lake Superior
Superior region.
region. The
Survey for his contributions
contributions to geology
The award
award was
was
presented by
by Wilf
presented
Wilf Meyer,
Meyer, Resident
Resident Geologist,
Geologist, Sudbury,
Sudbury, Ministry
Ministry of
of Northern
Northern
Development and Mines. The
Thebanquet
banquet address
address was
was given
given by
by Dr.
Dr. Peter
Peter Lightfoot,
Lightfoot, INCO
INCO
talkwas
was"Origin
"Originof
ofthe
theSudbury
SudburyStructure
Structureand
andits
itsmineral
mineral wealth".
wealth".
Limited. The
Thetitle
titleof
ofthe
thetalk
The best Student
Student Paper
Paper Award,
Award, consisting
consisting of $270
$270 (Can),
(Can), was won by Craig
Craig Mancuso
Mancuso for
for
his paper "Initial
"Initial results of Ar/Ar
ArIAr mineral dating from the Peevy node area of northern
Michigan and Dunbar dome area of northeastern Wisconsin". Zachary
Zachary Naiman
Naiman won
won $150
$150
for his poster "Petrogenesis of Chengwatana volcanics,
volcanics,Minnesota
Minnesotaand
andWisconsin".
Wisconsin". Three
student travel awards of $150
$150 each
each were
were granted
granted to
to Terry
Terry Arcuri,
Arcuri, Zachary
Zachary Naiman,
Naiman, and
and
Dean Peterson.
The Board
Board of Directors
Directors of
of the
the Institute
Institute on
on Lake
Lake Superior
SuperiorGeology
Geology met
met in
in Sudbury
Sudbury on
on May
May
8, 1997. Members
Membersof
of the
the Board
Board in
in attendance
attendancewere
were Mark
Mark Smyk,
Smyk, Jim Miller (representing
(representing
Laurel Woodruff), Mark Jirsa (Secretary-Treasurer), Ted
Ted Bornhorst,
Bornhorst, Ron
Ron Sage,
Sage, and
and Wilf
Wilf
Meyer. Invited
LaBerge. Actions
Actions taken were:
Invitedguests
guestswere
were Tracy
Tracy Livingstone
Livingstone and Gene LaBerge.
xvi

�1) Accepted
Acceptedthe
thereport
report of
of the
the Chair,
Chair,42nd
42nd ILSG,
ILSG, Laurel
Laurel Woodruff, including the minutes
of the last board meeting.
the 1998 meeting.
meeting. Jim
2) Approved
Approvedan
anoffer
offerby
by the
the Minnesota
Minnesota Geological Survey to host the
Jim
the meeting.
meeting. The offer by Charles Blackburn to
to chair
chair
Miller and Mark Jirsa will co-chair the
the meeting
meeting in Kenora
Kenora in 1998
1998had to be withdrawn due
due to circumstances
circumstances beyond
beyond his
his
control. The
The1998
1998meeting
meetingwill
willbe
be held
held in
in Minneapolis,
Minneapolis,Minnesota
Minnesota on
on May 6-10.
6-10.
3) Approved
Approvedthe
the1996-1997
1996-1997financial
financialreport
reportpresented
presentedby
by Mark
MarkJirsa.
Jirsa.
4) Approved
ApprovedRon
RonSage
Sageas
asthe
theGoldich
GoldichMedal
Medal winner
winner for
for 1997.
1997.
5)
Goldich Medal guidelines
guidelines prepared by Ken Card.
5) Approved the Goldich
6) Approved
Approvedthe
thereplacement
replacementof
of Ken
Ken Card
Card by Mark
Mark Smyk
Smyk on the Goldich Medal
Committee.
Committee.
7) Discussed
Discussedthe
theILSG
ILSGnewsletter
newsletter and
and web site. The
Thenewsletter
newsletterhas
has been
been well
well received
received and
and
will be continued. We
Wemay
mayeliminate
eliminatethe
the annual
annual publication of the Constitution
Constitution and place
(http://www.geo.mtu.edu/great_lakes/ilsg). The web
a general preamble on the web site (http://www.geo.mtu.edu/great-lakeslilsg).
site includes information
information about
about the organization
organization and its constitution,
constitution, award guidelines,
guidelines,
publications by the
list of publications
the Institute
Institute and
and Goldich
Goldich Medal
Medal recipients.
recipients.
8) Approved
Approvedthe
themembership
membershipguidelines
guidelinesfor
forthe
the ILSG
ILSG prepared
prepared by Mark
Mark Jirsa
Jirsa and
and Ted
Ted
in an
an effort
effort to reduce its size and lower mailing
Bornhorst. Mailing
Mailinglist
listwill
will be
be revised
revised in
costs.
9) Discussed
was tabled
tabledfor
forfurther
furtherreview.
review. A
Discussed the
the Eisenbrey
Eisenbrey Fund and action on this fund was
committee consisting
committee
consisting of Gene LaBerge, Mark Jirsa, and Mark Smyk was formed to
study and make
make recommendations
recommendationson
on how
how the
the monies
monies in
in the
the Eisenbrey
Eisenbrey Fund
Fund are
are to
to be
be
used. Interest
Interestearned
earnedfrom
fromthis
thisfund
fundmay
maybe
beused
usedto
to support
supportstudent
studenttravel
travel to
to the
the annual
annual
Institute meeting, and corporations and individuals may
may donate
donate to
to the
the fund.
fund. Criteria to
Institute
receive funding
receive
funding from
from the
the Eisenbrey
Eisenbrey Fund
Fund need
need to
to be
be established.
established.
10) Discussed
Discussed the
the ILSG
ILSG mailing
mailing list.
list. Mark
MarkJirsa
Jirsaisisto
tobe
be in
in charge
charge of
of the
the list.
list.
11) Discussed
DiscussedUS-Canada
US-Canada currency
currency exchange.
exchange. ItItwas
wasagreed
agreedthat
that prices
prices for
for Canadian
Canadian
meetings should
should always
always list
list aa US currency
currency price
price because many US
US participants
participants have
have
difficulty
difficulty obtaining
obtaining Canadian
Canadian funds.
funds.
Budgeting for the 43rd ISLG was done with an attempt to keep cost down and
and not
not lose
lose
money. This
Thiswas
wassuccessful,
successful, in
in part,
part, due
due to
to logistical
logistical support
support provided by the Ontario
Ontario
Geological
Geological Survey.
Survey.
We enjoyed serving as Co-chairs of the 43rd Institute on Lake Superior Geology meeting.
Organizing the meeting was a challenge,
Organizing
challenge, as the
the Ontario
Ontario Geological
Geological Survey was going
going
through a difficult period of reorganization,
reorganization, and two of the three individuals planning the
height of
of the
the planning
planningprocess.
process. A special thanks
meeting received surplusing notices at the height
is due to Wilf Meyer
Meyer and
and Tracy
Tracy Livingstone
Livingstone for
for staying
staying with
with the
the planning
planning and
and organization
organization
of the meeting while their lives were
were being
being upset
upset due
due to
to reorganization.
reorganization. Without
Without their
their
efforts, the meeting
meeting could
could not
not have
have been
been organized.
organized.
Ronald P. Sage
Wilf Meyer
Co-chairs, 43rd ILSG
Sudbury,
Sudbury, Ontario
Ontario

xvii

�PROGRAM

�CALENDAR
OF EVENTS
EVENTS
AND PROGRAM
CALENDAR
AND
PROGRAM
WEDNESDAY. MAY 6
0730-0800
0730-0800

0800-1800
0800- 1800

REGISTRATIONIPRE-REGISTRATTONPACKET
PACKET PICK-UP
PICK-UP
REGISTRATIONIPRE-REGISTRATION
-Function Area
Holiday Inn Pre
Pre-Function

PRE-MEETING FIELD TRIPS
TRIPS
Pre-Function Area
Depart from: Holiday Inn Pre-Function

EARLY PROTEROZOIC
PROTEROZOIC INTRUSIVE
INTRUSIVE ROCKS
ROCKS OF
OF EAST-CENTRAL
EAST-CENTRAL
11)) EARLY
MINNESOTA
MINNESOTA
Leaders: Terry Boerboom,
J i m , and Daniel
Daniel Hoim
Holm
Boerboom, Mark
Mark Jima,
2)
2 ) GEOLOGY
GEOLOGY OF
OF THE
THE SOUTHEASTERN
SOUTHEASTERNPORTION
PORTION OF
OF THE
THE
MINNESOTA AND
MIDCONTINENT RJFF
RIFT SYSTEM,
SYSTEM, EASTERN MINNESOTA
AND
WESTERN WISCONSIN

Leaders: Karl Wirth, Bill Cordua, Bill Kean, Mike Middleton, and
Zach Naiman
Naiman
GLACIAL EXOTICA
3) GLACIAL
EXOTICA OF
OF THE
THE TWIN
TWIN CITIES
CITIES AREA
AREA
Leaders: Howard Hobbs, A1
Al Knaeble, and Gary Meyer

1600-2200

REGISTRATION/PRE-REGISTRATION PACKET
REGISTRATIONPRE-REGISTRATION
PACKET PICK-UP
PICK-UP
PUBLICATIONS FOR SALE
PUBLICATIONS
Pre-Function Area
Holiday Inn Pre-Function

1700-2200

POSTER SET-UP
Pre-Function Area
Holiday Inn Pre-Function

1800-2200

WELCOMING
WELCOMING RECEPTION/POSTER
RECEPTIONPOSTER SESSION
SESSION
Free Beer and Hors d'oeuvres; Cash Bar
/Aragon Ballroom
Holiday Inn Pre-Function Area /Aragon
Ballroom A-B

xd
XXI

�THURSDAY, MAY 7
0730-1630
0730-1630

REGISTRATIONIPRE-REGISTRATIONPACKET PICK-UP
PICK-UP
REGISTRATION/PRE-REGISTRATION
PUBLICATIONS
PUBLICATIONS FOR SALE
SALE
Holiday Inn Pre-Function Area

0730-0820
0730-0820

COFFEE
COFFEE AND TEA
TEA
Pre-Function Area
Holiday Inn Pre-Function

SESSION
I: 1:
GEOLOGICAL
SESSION
GEOLOGICALOVERVIEW
OVERVIEW OF
OFTHE
THELAKE
LAKE SUPERIOR
SUPERIOR REGION
REGION
Aragon Ballroom D-E-F
Session
Session Chairs:
Chairs:

P.K. Sims
Sims (U.S.
(U.S. Geological
Geological Survey)
Survey)
G.B. Morey (Minnesota
(Minnesota Geological
Geological Survey)
Survey)

0820-0830
0820-0830

WELCOME (Jim Miller—Meeting
WELCOME
Miller-Meeting Co-chair, Minnesota Geological Survey)
Survey)

0830-0900
0830-0900

Card,Ken
KenD.
D.(Card
(Cardand
andAssociates
AssociatesGeosearch)
Geosearch)
Card,
America
Archean geology of the Great Lakes region of North America

0900-0930
0900-0930

Ojakangas,
Ojakangas,Richard
RichardW.
W.(University
(UniversityofofMinnesota—Duluth)
Minnesota-Duluth)
Generalized
Generalized Early Proterozoic history, Lake Superior region

0930-1000

Cannon,
Cannon, William
William F.
F.(U.S.
(U.S.Geological
Geological Survey)
Survey)
Understanding the Middle
Middle Proterozoic
Proterozoic history of the
the Lake
Lake Superior
Superiorregion:
region:
What's new? What's
What's next?
next?

Pre-Function Area)
AND POSTER
POSTER SESSION
SESSION (Holiday
(Holiday Inn Pre-Function
Area)
1000-1030 COFFEE
COFFEEBREAK
BREAK AND
1030-1100
1030-1
100

Runkel, Anthony
Runkel,
AnthonyC.
C.(Minnesota
(MinnesotaGeological
Geological Survey)
Survey)
Paleozoic rocks in the northern part of the central midcontinent
midcontinent of North
Paleozoic
America

1100-1130
1100-1
130

Patterson, Carrie
Patterson,
CarrieJ.J.(Minnesota
(MinnesotaGeological
Geological Survey)
Survey)
Models for interpreting the Quaternary
Quatemary history of the Lake Superior region.

11130-1200
130-1200

Southwick, David L. (Minnesota
(MinnesotaGeological
GeologicalSurvey)
Survey)
What's next for geology in the Lake Superior
Superior area?

1200-1400: LUNCH
LUNCH BREAK
ILSG BOARD MEETING (Grill
(Grill Room Restaurant, Holiday Inn)
Inn)
POSTERS (Holiday
-Function Area)
Area)
POSTERS
(HolidayInn
Inn Pre
Pre-Function

xdi

�SESSION
II
SESSION I1
Aragon Ballroom D-E-F
D-E-F
Session Chairs:
Session

Jim Lundy (Minnesota
(Minnesota Pollution Control
Control Agency)
Agency)
Laurel Woodruff
Woodruff (U.S. Geological
Geological Survey)
Survey)

1400-1420
1400-1420

Pfannkuch, H.0,
H.O, and Paulson,
Pfannkuch,
Paulson, Richard A.
A.
assessments of groundwater
Improved geologic
geologic sensitivity
sensitivity and vulnerability assessments
groundwater
pollution potential
potential through
fuzzy logic
logic
pollution
through application
application of fuzzy

1420-1440
1420-1440

Campion, Moira
Ground water recharge,
recharge, discharge
discharge and
and residence
residence time
time in Rice
Rice County,
County,
Minnesota: Implications
Implications for land use planning

1440-1500
1440-1500

Cannon,
Cannon, W.F.,
W.F., Kolker, Alan, and
and Westjohn,
Westjohn, D.B.
D.B.
water in southeastern Michigan
Michigan
The geological source of arsenic in ground water

-Function Area)
AND POSTER
POSTER SESSION
SESSION (Holiday
(Holiday Inn Pre
Pre-Function
1500-1520 COFFEE
COFFEEBREAK
BREAK AND
1520-1540
1520-1540

Fralick, P.W.,
Fralick,
P.W., and
and Kissin,
Kissin, S.A.
S.A.
The age and provenance of the Gunflint
Gunflint lapilli tuff

1540-1600
1540-1600

Medaris, L.G.,
L.G., Jr., and
Medaris,
and Fournelle,
Fournelle, J.H.
J.H.
Svanbergite
Significance for diagenetic
diagenetic processes
Svanbergite in the Bamboo
Baraboo Quartzite: Significance
and phosphorus
phosphorus flux
flux in Precambrian
Precambrian oceans
oceans

1600-1620
1600-1620

Medaris, L.G.,
L.G., Jr., Brown,
Medaris,
Brown, P.B.,
P.B., and
and Bunge,
Bunge, R.J.
R.J.
PostT 1.76low-grade
low-grademetamorphism
metamorphismof
ofthe
theBaraboo
Bamboo Quartzite
Quartzite
Post-1.76

1620-1640
1620-1640

Mudrey, M.G.,
M.G., Jr.
Mudrey,
aeromagnetic data for regional geology
Use of high-resolution aeromagnetic
investigations,
investigations, southeastern
southeastern Wisconsin
Wisconsin (Where's
(Where's the
the kimberlite!)

1830-1900
1830-1
900

MJXER(Holiday Inn Pre-Function
Pre-Function Area)
MSXER(Ho1iday
Area)
Cash Bar

1900-2200
1900-2200

ANNUAL BANQUET
BANQUET AND
AND AWARDS
AWARDS PRESENTATION
PRESENTATION
Aragon Ballroom D-E-F
D-E-F
• Announcement
Announcement of 45th Annual Meeting
Meeting location
location
• 1996
1996 Goldich
Goldich Award
Award presentation to Zell Peterman
Peterman
• Banquet speaker: Bevan French,
French,Smithsonian
SmithsonianInstitution
Institution

falls: Large meteorite impacts
"When the sky
sky/alls:
impacts
and the history of Earth and other
other worlds"
worlds"

xll

�FRIDAY, MAY 8
0730-1200
07301200

REGISTRATION/PRE-REGISTRATION PACKET PICK-UP
REGISTRATION/PRE-REGISTRATION
PICK-UP
PUBLICATIONS FOR SALE (coffee
(coffeeand
and tea
tea 0730-0800)
0730-0800)
Holiday
-Function Area
Holiday Inn
Inn Pre
Pre-Function

SESSION 111
III
SESSION
Aragon Ballroom D-E-F
Session
Session Chairs:
Chairs:

0820-0840

0840-0900

0900-0920

0920-0940

0940-1000

Rod Johnson (Bitterroot
(Bitterroot Resources Ltd.)
Mark Smyk
Smyk (Ontario
(Ontario Geological Survey)
Survey)

Jirsa, Mark
MarkA.,
A., Boerboom,
Boerboom, Terrence
Terrence J.,
and Chandler,
Chandler, Val
Val W.
W.
ursa,
J., and
Geologic setting of subeconomic
in the Virginia Horn,
subeconomic gold deposits in
Minnesota:
A
horn
of
plenty
or
a
or hornswoggle?
hornswoggle?
northeastern
Chandler,
Val W.,
W., Jirsa, Mark A.,
Chandler, Val
A., and
and Lively,
Lively, Richard L.
Gravity and magnetic studies
studies in the Virginia
Virginia Horn area,
area, northeastern
northeastern
Minnesota
Saini-Eidukat, Bernhardt, and
Saini-Eidukat,
and Bernatchez,
Bernatchez, Raymond
Raymond
Herontrack silver-zinc-copper
Preliminary ore mineralogy of the Herontrack
occurrence,
occurrence, Lumby Lake area, Ontario, Canada
*Salo,
*Salo, R.W.,
R.W., and
and Kissin,
Kissin, S.A.
S.A.
Kremzar
Alteration and metamorphism
metamorphism in an Archean lode gold deposit,
deposit, Kremzar
mine, Goudreau-Lochalsh gold camp, Ontario
Ontario
Hudak, George
George J.,
J., Morton,
Ron L.,
L., and Franklin, James M.
Hudak,
Morton, Ron
M.
to the Archean
The recognition of a lava dome complex and its relationship to
Sturgeon
Sturgeon Lake caldera,
caldera, northwestern
northwestern Ontario
Ontario

1000-1020
1000-1020 COFFEE
COFFEEBREAK/FINAL
BREAKfFINALPOSTER
POSTER SESSION
SESSION
Pre-Function Area
Holiday Inn Pre-Function
1020-1040

Sims,
P.K., Neymark,
L.A., and Peterman,
Sims, P.K.,
Neymark, L.A.,
Peterman, Z.E.
Z.E.
Nd isotope
isotope evidence
evidence for Middle and Early Archean crust in the Wawa
Subprovince
Subprovince of the Superior
Superior Province, Michigan, USA

1040-1100

Schulz,
Klaus J., and
Schulz, Klaus
and Ayuso,
Ayuso, Robert
Robert A.
A.
Crustal
Crustal recycling
recycling in the evolution
evolution of the Penokean Orogen: Isotopic
Isotopic
evidence
evidence for
for Archean
Archean contributions
contributions to crustal
crustal growth
growth in the
the PembinePembineWausau
terrane, northern
northern Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wausau terrane,

1100-1 120

Hoim,
Daniel K.,
K., Schneider,
David, and
and Coath, Chris
Holm, Daniel
Schneider, David,
Chris D.
D.
Age
Age and
and deformation
deformation of Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic quartzites
quartzites in the southern
southern Lake
Lake
Superior region: Implications
Implications for extent of foreland deformation
deformation during
Superior
during fmal
final
assembly of Laurentia

*Czeck, Dyanna
Dyanna M.,
M., and
and Hudleston,
Peter J.
*Czeck,
Hudleston, Peter
Evidence for
for aa modified
modified
Kinematic fabrics near Mine Centre, Ontario: Evidence
transpression model
Corfu,
Corfu, F., and
and Easton,
Easton, R.M.
R.M.
1140-1200
Extension of the Huronian magmatic
magmatic suite
suite inside the Grenville
Grenville Province:
New zircon U-Pb evidence from the Grenville Front
Front Tectonic
Tectonic Zone
Zone in Street
Township, Sudbury region, Ontario
Ontario
1200-1400 LUNCH
LUNCHBREAK
BREAK(posters
(postersto
tobe
beremoved;
removed;publication
publicationsales
sales end)
end)
1120-1 140

xxiv
XXIv

�SESSION
IV
SESSIONIV

Aragon
Aragon Ballroom
Ballroom D-E-F
D-E-F
Session
Session Chairs:
Chairs:
1400-1420

(University of Minnesota—Duluth)
John C. Green (University
Minnesota-Duluth)
~ e i b l e (University
n(university of Minnesota—Twin
~innesota- win Cities)
Cities)
Paul W. Weiblen

Nicholson,
Suzanne W.,
W., and Woodruff,
Nicholson, Suzanne
Woodruff, Laurel
Laurel G.
G.
The Powder
Powder Mill
Mill Group
Group revisited:
revisited: Basal volcanic rocks of the Midcontinent
The
Midcontinent
Rift
Rift System
System on
on the
the south
south shore
shore of Lake
Lake Superior
Superior

1420-1440

*Najman,
Zachary J.,
J., and Wirth, Karl R.
*Naiman, Zachary
R.
Composition
Compositionand
and source(s)
source(s)of
of Midcontinent
MidcontinentRift
Rift lavas
lavas (Chengwatana
(Chengwatana
Volcanics)
Volcanics) near
near Clam
Clam Falls,
Falls, Wisconsin
Wisconsin

1440-1500

*Vislova,
*Vislova, Tatiana
Tatiana
The
The relevance
relevanceof
of the
the geology
geology of
of the
the mid-ocean
mid-ocean ridges
ridgesand
andophiolites
ophiolitesto
tothe
the
understanding
understanding of layered
layered intrusions in the Midcontinent Rift: Part
Part I.I.
Geometry;
Geometry;Part
Part II.
11.Internal
Internal structure
structureand
and petrology
petrology

1500-1520

*Maki,
*Maki, John C.,
C., and
and Bornhorst,
Bornhorst, Theodore
Theodore J.
J.
New
New field
field observations
observations of the Clarksburg Volcanics, Upper Peninsula of
Michigan
Michigan

1520-1540
re-Function Area)
1520- 1540 COFFEE
COFFEEBREAK(Holiday
BREAK(Ho1idayInn
InnPPre-Function
Area)
1540-1600

Tikoff,
Tikoff, Basil, Bauer,
Bauer, Bob,
Bob, Vigneresse,
Vigneresse, Jean-Louis,
Jean-Louis, and
and
Haggeman, Nick
Nick
A
A gravity,
gravity, magnetic,
magnetic, and
and structural
structuralstudy
study of
of the
the Wakemup
Wakemup Bay
Bay Tonalite,
Tonalite,
Minnesota
Minnesota

1600-1620

Myers,
Myers, Paul
Paul E.
E.
Xenolithologies
Xenolithologiesas
asindicators
indicatorsof
of intrusion
intrusionmechanisms
mechanisms in
in the
theWausau
Wausau
Syenite
SyeniteComplex,
Complex,Wisconsin
Wisconsin

1620-1640

BEST
BEST STUDENT
STUDENTPAPER
PAPER AWARDS
AWARDS
CLOSING
CLOSING

1905

BASEBALL:
(HHH Metrodome)
BASEBALL: TWINS
TWINS vs. YANKEES (HHHMetrodome)

xxv
XXV

�SATURDAY.
SATURDAY. MAY
MAY 9
0800-1800
0800-1
800

POST-MEETING FIELD TRIPS
TRIPS
Depart from: Holiday
-Function Area
Depart
Holiday Inn
Inn Pre
Pre-Function

4) STRATIGRAPHY
STRATIGRAPHY AND HYDROGEOLOGY OF PALEOZOIC ROCKS OF
SOUTHEASTERN MINNESOTA
Leaders: Tony
Tony Runkel
Runkel and
and Bob
Bob Tipping
Tipping

MINNESOTA RIVER VALLEY AND VICINITY, SOUTHWESTERN
5) MINNESOTA
MINNESOTA
MINNESOTA
Leaders: Dave
Dave Southwick
Southwick and
and Carrie
Carrie Patterson
Patterson

SUNDAY, MAY
MAY 10
SUNDAY,
10
0800-1800
08001800

FIELD TRIP
TRIP 5,
5, DAY 2
FIELD
Returns
Returns to
to Holiday Inn
Inn Metrodome
Metrodome

xxvi

�PRESENTATIONS
POSTER PRESENTATIONS
1700 hrs. Wednesday, May
May 66 through
through 1400
1400 hrs.
hrs. Friday,
Friday, May 8

*Abbott, Kathleen
*Abbott,
Kathleen M.,
M., Thole,
Thole,Jeffrey
JeffreyT.,
T., and
and Wirth,
Wirth, Karl R.

Petrography and
and geochemistry of Midcontinent Rift rhyolite (Chengwatana
Petrography
(Chengwatana
Volcanics)
Volcanics) near
near Clam
Clam Falls,
Falls, Wisconsin

Bernatchez, Raymond
Bernatchez,
Raymond A.
A.
detailed geological
geological description
description of the new high grade
grade silver-base
silver-base
A preliminary detailed
metal discovery
discovery in the
the Lumby Lake
Lake metavolcanic
metavolcanic belt northeast of Atikokan,
metal
Ontario,
Ontario, Canada
Canada

Boerboom, Terry,
Terry, and Oberhelman,
Boerboom,
Oberhelman, Matt
Dimension
Dimension stone
stone products
products of Minnesota
Chandler, V.W.,
V.W., Jirsa,
M.A., Morey,
Morey, G.B.,
G.B., and Lawler,
Lawler, T.
T.
Chandler,
Jirsa, M.A.,
Mineral potential assesment
assesment of northern St. Louis County, southeastern
Koochiching
Koochiching County,
County, and northeastern
northeastern Itasca County, Minnesota

Cannon, W.F.,
W.F., Laberge,
Laberge, G.L.,
G.L., Klasner,
Kiasner, J.S.,
J.S., and Schulz,
Cannon,
Schulz, K.J.
K.J.
Reinterpretation of the Penokean continental margin in part
Reinterpretation
part of
of northern
northern Wisconsin
Wisconsin
and Michigan
Michigan
Cannon, W.F.,
Cannon,
W.F., McRae,
McRae, M.E.,
M.E., and
and Nicholson,
Nicholson, S.W.
S.W.
Geographic information
information system
system on the geology and
and copper
copper deposits
deposits of the
the
Geographic
Keweenaw
Keweenaw Peninsula
Peninsula

Daniels,
D. L.,
Daniels, D.
L., Snyder,
Snyder, S.
S. L.,
L., Nicholson,
Nicholson, S. W.,
W., and
and Cannon,
Cannon, W.F.
W.F.
New aeromagnetic
aeromagneticsurveys
surveys in
m Wisconsin
Wisconsin by the
the U.S. Geological
Geological Survey
Survey

*Deangelis,M.T.,
M.T., Peck,
Peck, W.H.,
W.H., and
and Valley,
*Deangelis,
Valley, J.W.
J.W.
Polymetamorphism of skarns
Polymetamorphism
skarns related to the Morin Anorthosite Complex, Grenville
Province, Quebec
Quebec
*Gramstad, Sally
*Gramstad,
Sally D.
D.
Minnesota River Valley
Pre-Wisconsinan gray till in the Mankato area of the Minnesota

Han,
Han, T.M.
T.M.
A mineralographic
mineralographic study of magnetite in the Biwabik Iron
lion Formation, Mesabi
Range, Minnesota
Minnesota

*Hensel,
Erin, *Joslin,
*Hensel, Erin,
*Joslin, Rick,
Rick, and Lehrmann,
Lehrmann, Dan
Dan
Facies
Ironwood Iron
lion
Facies and
and depositional
depositional environments
environments of the Early Proterozoic Ironwood
Formation,
Formation, Mt. Whittlesey,
Whittlesey, Wisconsin
Wisconsin

Kjerland,
Kjerland, Dean
Dean W.,
W., and Kjerland,
Kjerland, Marc
Marc
Effects
Effects of
of electric-pulse
electric-pulsedisaggregation
disaggregation on
on microfossil-bearing
microfossil-bearing argillaceous
argillaceous
limestone of the Middle Ordovician
limestone
Ordovician Decorah
Decorah Shale
Shale

xxvii

�*Loofboro,
Jeff, and Holm,
*Loofboro, Jeff,
Holm, Daniel
Daniel
Results of modeling Proterozoic thermal histories: Evaluating the
the possible
possible effects
effects of
of
Wolf River
River Batholith
Batholith reheating
reheating on
on thermochronologic
therrnochronologic data
data from
from northern
northern Wisconsin
Wisconsin

Luther, Frank R.
Luther,
R.
An Archean subaqueous
subaqueous heterolithic debris flow, Irwin, Pifher, and Meader
Townships, Lake
Townships,
Lake Nipigon
Nipigon region,
region, Ontario
Ontario
McRae, M.E.,
M.E., Cannon,
Cannon, W.F.,
W.F., and
and Woodruff,
Woodruff, L.G.
L.G.
McRae,
Post-glacial shorelines
shorelines of Isle
Isle Royale
Royale -- Where are
are they now?
now?

McSwiggen,
Peter L.
McSwiggen, Peter
L.
Electron microprobe
Electron
microprobe study of the Pt-Pd and related mineralization in the
Minnamax/Babbitt Cu-Ni deposit
MinnamaxIBabbitt

*peterson, Dean
Dean M.,
M., and Morton,
*Peterson,
Morton, Ronald
Ronald L.
GIS-based
GIs-based mineral potential
potential analysis
analysis for lode-gold and massive sulfide
sulfide deposits
deposits in
an Archean terrane
terrane of northern Minnesota

*Rausch,
Deborah E.,
E., and
and Wattrus, Nigel
*Rausch, Deborah
Nigel J.
Seismic
Seismic evidence
evidence of pre-Nickerson Quaternary sediments in western Lake Superior

*Schaper,
D., *Suess,
W., *Katzer,
*Katzer, L.,
L., and Kean,
*Schaper, D.,
*Suess, W.,
Kean, W.
W.
Additional paleomagnetic results for a 1500
Wisconsin
1500 Ma mafic dike at Waterloo, Wisconsin

Schmidt, Susanne
Susanne Th.,
Th., and Seifert,
Schmidt,
Seifert, Karl
Karl
Metamorphism, hydrothermal
Metamorphism,
hydrothermal alteration, and lateritic weathering of drilled MRS
volcanic rocks in Iowa

Schulz, Klaus
Klaus J.,
J., and
Schulz,
and Ayuso,
Ayuso, Robert
Robert A.
A.
Crustal
Crustal recycling in the evolution of the Penokean Orogen: isotopic
isotopic evidence
evidence for
for
Archean contributions
contributions to crustal growth in the Pembine-Wausau terrane, northern
Wisconsin

*Soofi, M.A.,
M.A., and King,
*Soofi,
King, S.D.
S.D.
A thin viscous
viscous sheet
sheet approach
approach to investigate
investigate the post-rift
post-rift evolution
evolution of the
the
Midcontinent Rift System
Grenville Orogeny
Midcontinent
System under the influence of Grenville
*Thomas, C.,
C., Kean,
Kean, W.,
W., and
and Luther, F.
*Thomas,
F.
Paleomagnetic studies
Pither and
Paleomagnetic
studies of a Proterozoic
Proterozoic porphyritic diabase dike, Pifher
and Irwin
Townships, Lake
Townships,
Lake Nipigon district,
district, Ontario
Wirth, Karl R.,
Wirth,
R., and
and Gehrels,
Gehrels, George
George E.
E.
Precise U-Pb zircon ages of Midcontinent Rift rhyolite (Chengwatana Volcanics),
Clam
Clam Falls,
Falls, WI

xxviii

�ABSTRACTS
SPECIAL SESSION:
SPECIAL
SESSION:

Geological
Geological Overview
Overview
of the
Lake Superior Region
The
The 1998
1998ILSG
ILSG planning
planning committee
committeeasked
asked six
six leading
leading
geologists
geologists for
for aa summary
summary of
of their
their special
specialsubfields
subfieldsof
of Lake
Lake
Superior geology,
geology, including
including what's new and what's next.
The following
following is
is their
their response.
response.

1

�ARCHEAN
ARCHEAN GEOLOGY OF THE
THE GREAT
GREAT LAKES
LAKES REGION
REGION
OF NORTH
NORTH AMERICA
AMERICA
CARD,
CARD, K.D., Card
Card and
and Associates'
Associates' Geosearch,
Geosearch,Kanata,
Kanata, ON,
ON, K2K
K2K 1M1,
1M1,email
email
culau2ag3@aol.com
cu 1au2ag3@aol.com
Archean
Archean rocks
rocks of
of the
the southern
southern Canadian
Canadian Shield
Shield in
in the
the Great
Great Lakes
Lakes region form
form the
the world's
world's
largest
km.) Archean craton, the Superior Province. These
These ancient
ancientrocks
rocks
largest (2
(2 million
million sq.
sq. km.)
were
were formed
formed during
during several
several major
major cycles
cycles of volcanism,
volcanism, sedimentation,
sedimentation, plutonism, and
and
tectonism—mainly
Archean(2.5-2.8
(2.5-2.8 Ga),
Ga), but
but also
alsoin
in the
the Middle
Middle(2.8-3.4
(2.8-3.4 Ga)
Ga)
tectonism-mainly in
in the
the Lake
LakeArchean
and
and Early Archean (&gt;3.4
(&gt;3.4 Ga). Superior
SuperiorProvince
Province consists
consists of northern and southern highgrade
grade gneiss
gneiss subprovinces
subprovincesand
and aa broad
broad central
central region
region of
of alternating
alternatinggranite-greenstone
granite-greenstoneand
and
sedimentary
sedimentary belts
belts (Figure
(Figure X). Some
Someof
ofthe
thehigh-grade
high-grade rocks
rocksrepresent
represent exposures
exposuresof
of lower
lower
crust
crust of
of Superior
SuperiorProvince
Provinceuplifted
uplifted in
in the
the Early
Early Proterozoic;
Proterozoic;others,
others, notably
notably the
the Minnesota
Minnesota
River
Archean crust.
crust. The
The volcanic and related
River Valley
Valley gneisses,
gneisses, are exotic blocks of Early Archean
plutonic
plutonic rocks
rocks are
are similar
similar to
to those
those of modern
modem island
island and
and continental
continental arcs formed
formed along
along
convergent
oceans. Middle
convergent margins. The
Themetasedimentaiy
metasedimentary belts may mark Archean oceans.
Middle
Archean
Archean rocks,
rocks, including
includingplutonic
plutonicgneisses
gneissesapproximately
approximately3.0
3.0 Ga
Gaold
oldare
areoverlain
overlain
unconformably
unconformablyby
by ca
ca 2.8
2.8 Ga
Ga platformal
platformalsequences
sequencesincluding
includingquartzite,
quartzite,quartz
quartzpebble
pebble
conglomerate
Incontrast,
contrast,the
theLate
LateArchean
Archean volcanic
volcanicand
and
conglomerateand
and komatiitic
komatiitic volcanic rocks. In
sedimentary
sedimentarysequences
sequencesare
aremainly
mainlyjuvenile,
juvenile, derived
deriveddirectly
directlyfrom
fromthe
themantle
mantleor
orfrom
fromcrustal
crustal
sources
sourcesless
less than
than 200
200million
millionyears
yearsolder,
older,and
anddo
donot
nothave
havestratigraphic
stratigraphicbases;
bases;many
many
greenstone
greenstonebelts
belts may
may be
beallochthonous.
allochthonous.
Superior
SuperiorProvince
Provinceisisrich
rich in
in minerals
mineralsincluding
includingcopper,
copper,zinc,
zinc,and
andnickel
nickelmassive
massivesulfide
sulfide
and
and lode
lode gold
gold deposits.
deposits. Most
Mostofofthe
themineral
mineraldeposits
depositsoccur
occurin
in the
the granite-greenstone
granite-greenstonebelts
belts
where
100million
million years
years or
orless
less by
by processes
processesrelated
relatedto
tothe
the
where they
they were
were formed
formedin
in aa period
period of
of 100
major
the Archean.
Archean. These
major volcanism,
volcanism, plutonism,
plutonism, and tectonism that marked the end of the
These
processes
processes also
alsoled
ledto
to the
the formation
formationof
of aa large,
large, stable
stable craton
craton called Kenorland. Kenorland
Kenorland
may
supercontinent~oneof the ffirst
i r t of Earth's supercontinents. ItIt was
was
may have
have been
been part
part of aa supercontinent—one
broken
broken up
upin
inthe
theEarly
EarlyProterozoic,
Proterozoic,parts
parts of
of itit migrating
migrating westward
westward to
to Wyoming,
Wyoming, and
and other
other
parts
parts going
goingback
backto
tothe
theold
oldcountry
countryto
toform
formthe
theBaltic
BalticShield.
Shield.

Archean
Earthwas
was significantly
significantlydifferent
different from modern
modem Earth in many ways. The
The
ArcheanEarth
Archean
Archeanatmosphere,
atmosphere,for
forexample,
example, lacked
lacked free
free oxygen
oxygen and
and was rich in ammonia,
ammonia, carbon
carbon
dioxide,
dioxide,and
and methane.
methane.Meteorite
Meteoriteimpacts
impactswere
weremuch
muchmore
morefrequent,
frequent,and
anduntil
untilabout
about4.0
4.0Ga
Ga
probably
Earthhistory
history isiscalled
calledthe
the
probably kept
kept the
the crust
crust well-stirred.
well-stirred. This
Thisearly
earlyperiod
periodof
ofEarth
Hadean,
Hadean, probably
probably with
with justification. Heat
Heatflow
flowwas
wasalso
alsohigher,
higher,resulting
resulting in
in aa thicker
thicker
mantle
Archean, the
the rocks,
rocks, mineral
mineral
mantle and
and aa volcanically
volcanically active
active crust.
crust. However,
However,by
bythe
theLate
LateArchean,
deposits,
are remarkably
remarkably similar
similarto
to those
those of
of
deposits,and
andstructures
structuresbeing
being formed
formedand
and preserved
preserved are
modern
modemaccretionary
accretionaryorogens,
orogens,notably
notably those
those around
around the
the Pacific
Pacific Rim. Although
Althoughcurrently
currently
the
ArcheanSuperior
SuperiorProvince
Provincewas
wasformed
formedby
by
the subject
subjectof
ofdebate,
debate,ititwould
wouldappear
appearthat
thatthe
theArchean
subduction-driven
subduction-drivenorogenic
orogenicprocesses
processessimilar
similarininmost
mostrespects
respectstotothose
thoseoperating
operatingtoday.
today.

Additional
Additional Reviews:
Reviews:
Card,
Card,K.D.,
K.D.,AAreview
reviewofofthe
theSuperior
SuperiorProvince
Provinceofofthe
theCanadian
CanadianShield,
Shield,aaproduct
productofofArchean
Archeanaccretion:
accretion:
Precambrian
48,p.p.99-156.
99-156.
PrecambrianResearch,
Research,v.v.48,

Hamilton,
Hamilton,W.B.,
W.B.,Evolution
Evolution of
of Archean
Archeanmantle
mantle and
and crust,
crust,p.
p. 597-614
597-614in
in Reed,
Reed,J.C.
J.C.Jr.,
Jr.,Ball,
Ball,T.T.,
T.T.,Farmer,
Farmer,
G.L.,
G.L.,and
andHamilton,
Hamilton,W.B.,
W.B.,1993,
1993,AA broader
broader view,
view, in
in Reed,
Reed,J.C.Jr.,
J.C.Jr.,Bickford,
Bickford,M.E.,
M.E.,Houston,
Houston,R.S.,
R.S.,
Link,
Link,P.K.,
P.K.,Ranking,
Ranking,D.W.,
D.W.,Sims,
Sims,P.K.,
P.K., and
andVan
VanSchmus,
Schmus,W.R.,
W.R., eds.,
eds.,Precambrian:
Precambrian:Conterminous
Conterminous
U.S,
U.S, Geological
GeologicalSociety
SocietyofofAmerica,
America,The
TheGeology
Geologyof
of North
North America,
America,v.v.C-2,
C-2,p.597-636.
p.597-636.

3

�Figure
Figurex.
x. Subprovinces
Subprovincesof
of the
the Superior
Superior Province
Province

4

�GENERALIZED
GENERALIZED EARLY
EARLY PROTEROZOIC
PROTEROZOIC HISTORY,
HISTORY, LAKE
LAKE SUPERIOR
SUPERIOR
REGION
REGION
Department
RichardW.,
W ,
Departmentof
ofGeology,
Geologyf
Ojakangas,
0j akangas , Richard

University
Duluth,
MN
MN55812
55812
Minnesota-Duluthf
Duluthf
UniversityofofMinnesota-Duluth,
rojakang@d*m*edu
rojakang@d.umn.edu

INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
Over the
the'last
last century,
centuryf countless
countless geologists
ueolouists have
have worked
worked to
to
Over
decipher
~r&amp;eroGoic geological
geological history
history of
of
decipher the
the fascinating
fascinating Early
Early Proterozoic
to
this region.
region* Unfortunately,
Unfortunatelyf it
it is
is impossible
impossible in
in aa short
s h o review
review
~
to
this
acknowledge all
all the
the important
important works,
worksf but
but each
each cited
cited reference
reference
acknowledge
contains aa bibliography.
bibliography* Two
Two compendiums
compendiums are
are especially
especially valuable
valuable
contains
and
and include
include more
more than
than 500
500 and
and 700
700 Precambrian
Precambrian references,
referencesf
respectively
respectively (Sims
(Simset
et al,
alf1993;
1993; Sims
Situs and
and Carter,
Carterf1996).
1996). As
As in
in any
any
limited
limited review,
reviewf the
the bias
bias of
of the
the reviewer
reviewer will
will be
be present.
present* The
The
integration
history*
integration of
of plate
plate tectonic
tectonic theory
theory permeates
permeates this
this history.
HURONIAN
HURONIAN
After the
the supercontinent
supercontinent of
of Kenorland
Kenorland was
was assembled
assembled about
about 2.7
2.7 Ga
Ga
After
(Card,
(Cardf 1990;
1990; Williams
Williams et
et al,
alf 1991)
1991) during
during the
the Algoman
Algoman (Keewatin)
(Keewatin)
orogeny,
erosionf and
and sedimentation
sedimentation
orogenyf aa long
long period
period of
of weathering,
weatheringf erosion,
occurred on
on this
this stable
stableand
and thick
thick crustal
crustalplatform.
platform* The
The oldest
oldest
occurred
sedimentary sequence,
sequencef the
the Huronian
Huronian Supergroup,
Supergroupf was deposited
deposited
sedimentary
between
2-45Ga
Ga and
and 2.2
2.2 Ga,
Gaf mainly
mainly north
north of
of Lake
Lake Huron.
Huron* As
between 2.45
As thick
thick
as
km and
and thinning
thinning northward,
northwardf this
this is
is aa sequence
sequence quite
quite unlike
unlike
12 km
as 12
in that
"uncommon"
glacial deposits,
Archean sequences
sequences in
thatititcontains
contains
ffuncommon'fglacial
depositsf
Archean
quartzose
paleosolsf carbonates,
carbonatesf and
and abundant arkosic to
to quartzose
paleosols,
sandstones.
from
sandstones* An
An upper
upper part
part of
of this
this supergroup
supergroup is
is aa sequence,
sequencef from
the
the bottom
bottom up,
upf of
of glaciogenic
glaciogenic rocks,
rocksf paleosol,
paleosolf quartz
quartz sandstone,
sandstonef
and
(evaporites). AA similar
similar
and carbonate
carbonate rocks
rocks with
with sabkha
sabkha minerals
minerals (evaporites).
sequence
sequence is
is present
present as
as erosional
erosional remnants
remnants in
in the
the Upper
Upper Peninsula
Peninsula
Group, Marquette
Marquette Range
of Michigan,
Michiganf 200
200 km
km to
to the
the west
west (Chocolay
(Chocolay Groupf
Range
of
An even
even more
more complete
complete similar
similar sequence
sequence is
is found
found in
in
Supergroup)* An
Supergroup).
southeastern
southeastern Wyoming,
Wyomingf the
the Snowy
Snowy Pass
Pass Supergroup.
Supergroup* The
The glacial
glacial units
units
of
of these
these three
three sequences
sequences were
were first
first interpreted
interpreted by
by Young
Young (1970)
(1970)as
as
remnants
remnants of
of aa major
major continental
continental glaciation,
glaciationf and
and additional
additional work
work
(e.g.,
( e - g O fOjakangas,
Ojakangasf 1984,
1984f 1985,
l98Sf 1988)
1988) further
further strengthens
strengthens this
this idea.
idea*
As an
an interesting
interesting aside,
asidef Williams
Williams and
and Schmidt
Schmidt (1997)
(1997)stated
stated that
that
paleomagnetic
paleomagnetic data
data indicate
indicate that
that this
this Huronian
Huronian glaciation
glaciation occurred
occurred
4-110 of
of the
the equator.
equator* Further
E'urther evidence
evidence of the
the correlation
correlation
within 4-11°
within
of these
these three
three sequences
sequences was
was provided
provided by
by Bekker
Bekker and
and Karhu
Karhu (1996)
(1996)
and
and Bekker
Bekker (1998),
(1998)fwho
who found
found similar
similar high
high values
values of
of 13C_enrichment
13C-enrichment
and 'BO—depletion
180-depletion in
in carbonate
carbonate units.
units*
and
Supercontinent
Supercontinent Kenorland
Kenorland began
began to
to undergo
undergo extension
extension at
at 2.45
2.45 Ga,
Gat as
as
indicated
indicated by
by mafic
mafic igneous
igneous rock
rock units
units at
at the
the base of
of the
the Huronian
Huronian
Supergroup
Supergroup (e.g.,
( e * g O Heaman,
fHeamant 1997;
1997; Cheney,
Cheneyf 1998;
1998; Balls,
Hallsf 1998).
1998). Actual
Actual
breakup
breakup occurred
occurred at
at 2.2
2.2 to
to 2.1
2.1 Ga
Ga with
with emplacement
emplacement of
of Nipissing
Nipissing
diabase
diabase sills
sills and
and major
major dike
dike swarms
s w a m (Roscoe
(Roscoe and
and Card,
Cardf 1993).
1993)- The
The
Kenora-Kabetogama
Kenora-Kabetogama mafic
mafic dikes
dikes (2145
(2145 +1+/- 45
45 Ma)
Ma) in
in northern
northern
Minnesota
1983) that
that show
show up
up so
so well
well on
on
Minnesota (Southwick
(Southwickand
and Day,
Dayf 1983)
aeromagnetic
aeromagnetic maps
maps (Chandler,
(Chandlerf1991;
1991; Chandler
Chandler et
et al,
alf 1984)
1984) appear
appear to
to
be products
products of
of this
this final
final extensional
extensional event.
event* The
The breakup
breakup of
of

5

�Kenorland has
has an
an even
even broader
broader intercontinental
intercontinental significance;
significance; aa
Kenorland
similar
similar sedimentary
sedimentary sequence
sequence with
with similar
similar igneous
igneous activity
activity is
is also
also
present in
in Finland
Finlandand
and adjacent
adjacentRussia
Russia (Marmo
(Mannoand
and Ojakangas,
Ojakangasf
present
1984)fand
and correlation
correlation seems
seems likely
likely (e.g.,
(e.gOfOjakangas,
Ojakangasf1984,
1984f1988;
1988;
1984),
Ojakangasfet
et al,
alf1991).
1991). In
In summary,
summaryf Kenorland,
Kenorland# which
which formed
formed in
in
Ojakangas,
Archean, apparently
apparentlybroke
broke up
up in
inthe
theEarly
Early Proterozoic,
Proterozoicf
the Late
Late Archean,
the
with
with the
the Wyoming
Wyoming craton
craton heading
heading west
west and
and the
the Svecofennian
Svecofennian craton
craton
east*
heading east.
heading
CORRELATION
CORRELATION
Correlation
Correlation of
of Early
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic rock
rock units
units of
of Michigan
Michigan and
and
Ontario has
has long
long been
been aaproblem.
problem* Glacial
Glacial units
units have
have been
been used
used as
as
Ontario
marker
marker units
units (e.g.,
( e - g oYoung,
fYoungf1983;
1983; Ojakangas,
Ojakangasf1988);
1988);on
on this
thisbasis,
basisf
the
the lower
lower portion
portion of
of the
the Marquette
Marquette Range
Range Supergroup
Supergroup (the
(the Chocolay
Chocolay
Group)
Group) is
is correlated
correlated with
with the
the upper
upper part
part of
of the
the Huronian
Huronian
Supergroup,
Supergroupfincluding
includingthe
theGowganda
Gowganda Formation
Formationand
and overlying
overlyingunits.
units.
Correlation
Correlation within
within the
the Lake
Lake Superior
Superior region
region itself
itself has
has also
also long
long
been
been controversial
controversial(Morey
(Moreyand
and Van
Van Schmus,
Schmusf1988;
1988;Morey,
Moreyf1996).
1996).
Correlationshave
have long
longbeen
been made
made on
on lithostratigraphic
lithostratigraphicgrounds;
grounds;
Correlations
for
for example,
example! it
it had
had been
been assumed
assumed that
that the
the various
various iron-formations
iron-formations
of the
the Lake
Lake Superior
Superior region
region were
were correlative,
correlativef but
but this
this is
is now
now
of
questioned* Correlations
Correlations are
are complicated
complicated by
by deformation
deformation (both
(both
questioned.
thin-and thick-skinned
thick-skinned tectonics)
tectonics)and
and the
thelack
lackofofexposures
exposures
thin-and

approaches, suchas
C—
because of extensive
extensive glacial
glacialcover.
cover* New
New approachesf
such-as
Cbecause
isotopic studies
studies of
of carbonate
carbonate units,
unitsfhave
have been
been interpreted
interpreted as
as
isotopic

evidence
evidence that
that not
not all
all of
of the
the carbonate
carbonate units
units are
are correlative,
correlativef as
as
Unless
1998).
long assumed
assumed (Bekker
(Bekkerand
andKarhu,
Karhuf1996;
1996; Bekker,
Bekkerf1998).
Unless the
the
long
C-ratios have
have been
been affected
affected by
by diagenesis/metamorphism,
diagenesis/metmrphismf they
C-ratios
they
indicate
indicate that
that the
the Kona
Kona Dolomite
Dolomite may
may be
be younger
younger than
than the
the Bad
Bad River
River
Dolomite
Dolomite (WI
(WIand
and MI),
MI)! the
the Saunders
Saunders Formation
Formation (MI),
(MI)fthe
the Randville
Randville
Dolomite
(MN) units
units that
that have
have all
all been
been
(WI)#and
and the
the Rabbit
Rabbit Lake
Lake (MN)
Dolomite (WI),
"correlative
"correlative units".
unitsw*An
An excellent
excellent summary
summary of
of the
the sedimentation
sedimentation and
and
correlation
correlation of
of the
the continental
continental margin
margin assemblage
assemblage is
is by
by Morey
Morey

(1996).
(1996).
IRON-FORMATION
IRON-FORMATION
Naturally
Naturally enriched
enriched iron
iron ores
ores of
of the
the Lake
Lake Superior
Superior region
region made
made the
the
U.S.A.
U-S.A. an
an industrial
industrial giant,
giantf but
but only
only two
two of
of the
the many
many ranges,
rangesf the
the
are still
still producing
iron ore
Mesabi and
and the
the Marquette,
Marquettef are
producing iron
ore (taconite
(taconite
Mesabi

Superior-type" siliceous
known
known
pellets). "Lake
"Lake Superior-typew
siliceousiron-formation
iron-formationisis
pellets).

world-wide,
world-widef and
and similar
similar units
unitshave
havebeen
been described
described from
from other
other
continents* For
For nearly
nearly aa century,
centuryf geologists
geologists had
had thought
thought they
they
continents.
inrecent
recent years
years it
it has
were all
allabout
about2.0
2.0 Ga
Ga old.
old. However,
Howeverf in
has been
been
were
deposition* In
In
suggested that
that there
there was
was more
more than
than one
one period
period of
of deposition.
suggested
Minnesotaf there
thereappear
appear to
tobe
bethree
threeages
agesranging
rangingfrom
from about
about 2.2
2.2 Ga
Ga
Minnesota,
to1 1.9
to
•9

Ga
Ga (Southwick
(Southwickand
and Morey,
Moreyf 1991;
1991; Morey
Morey and
and Southwick,
Southwickf1995);
1995);
the oldest
oldest two
two are
are laminated
laminated and
and fine-grained
fine-grained (deposited
(deposited below
below
the
wave—base
basin^?)^ in
in contrast
contrast to
to the
the younger
younger
wave-base in
in extensional
extensional basins?),
Biwabik
Biwabik Iron-formation
Iron-formation that
that contains
contains sand-sized
sand-sized grains
grains of
of chert
chert
and iron
iron minerals,
mineralsf is
is cross-bedded,
cross-beddedf and
and contains
contains two
two stromatolite
stromatolite
and
horizons
shelf* In
In
horizons indicative
indicativeof
of deposition
deposition on
on aa shallow
shallow shelf.
Michigan-Wisconsinf there
theremay
may be
be two
two major
major periods
periods of
of deposition
deposition
Michigan-Wisconsin,
(e.g.,
Ojakangas,
(e*go
fOjakangas!1994;
1994;Morey,
Moreyf1996).
1996)-The
The older
older Negaunee
Negaunee IronIron-

6

�formation of
of the
t h eMarquette
Marquette district
d i s t r i c tappears
appearstot ohave
havebeen
beendeposited
deposited
formation
w a t e r s of
i ndeeper
deeper waters
ofa adown-faulted
down-faulted graben
graben (with
(with the
t h e addition
a d d i t i o n of
of
in
t e r r i g e n o u s material
material by
by turbidity
t u r b i d i t y currents
c u r r e n t s from
from the
t h e south
s o u t h side
side as
as
terrigenous

noted by
by LaRue,
LaRuef 1981),
1981)! whereas
whereas the
t h e Ironwood
Ironwood Iron-formation
Iron-formation of
of the
the
noted
Gogebic range
range (Schmidt,
(Schmidtf 1980)
1980) and
and the
t h e Bijiki
B i j i k i Iron-formation
Iron-formation member
member
Gogebic
of the
t h e Michigamme
Michigamme Formation
Formation appear
appear to
t ohave
have been
been deposited
d e p o s i t e don
on aa
of
stable marine
marine shelf.
s h e l f - Interesting
I n t e r e s t i n g spirally
s p i r a l l y coiled,
coiled! megascopic
megascopic
stable
e u k a r y o t i c algae
a l g a e have
have been
been found
found in
i n the
t h e Negaunee
Negaunee (Han
(Han and
and
eukaryotic
Runnegar, 1992).
1992)Runnegar,
The
The Biwabik
Biwabik Iron-formation
Iron-formation (as
(asthick
t h i c k as
as 225
225 m)
m) on
on the
t h e Mesabi
M e s a b i range
range
(Morey,
t h e Gogebic
Gogebic range
range
(Morey! 1992)
1992) and
and the
t h e Ironwood
Ironwood Iron-formation
Iron-formation on
on the
appear to
t o have
have aa common
common origin;
o r i g i n ; part
p a r t of
of the
t h e evidence
evidence is
i s found
found in
in
appear
t h e underlying
underlyingPokeama
Pokegamaand
andPalms
Palms formations
formationswhich
which have
have been
been
the

i n t e r p r e t e dasashaving
havingformed
formed in
i na atidal
t i d aenvironment
l environment(Ojakangas,
(Ojakangas!
interpreted

1996)- These
These studies
s t u d i e s indicate
i n d i c a t e that
t h a t the
the
G o W.,
W O f1996).
1983; Ojakangas,
Ojakangas! G.
1983;
marine tidally—influenced
tidally-influenced
iron-formations were
were deposited
deposited on
on aa marine
iron-formations
shelf,
s h e l f ! seaward
seaward of
of the
t h e land-derived
land-derived sand
sand and
and muds
muds of
of the
t h e Pokegama
Pokegama
Palms formations.
formations- Lougheed
Lougheed (1983)
(1983) also
a l s o proposed
proposed aa tidal
tidal
and Palms
and
environment,
environment! with
w i t h siderite-rich
s i d e r i t e - r i c h limestone
limestone the
t h e primary
primary preprediagenetic
type- Deposition
Deposition appears
appears to
t o have
have been
been related
related to
t o aa
d i a g e n e t i c rock
rock type.
major marine
marine transgression
t r a n s g r e s s i o n (Simonson
( S h o n s o nand
and Hassler,
Hassler! 1996).
1996).
major
There
There are
are two
two oft-cited
o f t - c i t e d sources
sources for
f o r the
t h e iron
i r o n and
and the
t h e silica—silica-hydrothermal
hydrothermal activity
a c t i v i t yassociated
a s s o c i a t e dwith
withvolcanism
volcanismiii
ih the
t h e basin
basin
( e - g e, t Carrigan
Carrigan and
and Cameron,
Cameron! 1991;
1991; Isley,
I s l e y f 11995)
9 9 5 ) and
and weathering
weathering of
of
t h e Archean
Archean craton
c r a t o n ( e m g, oLepp,
tLepp, 1987).
1987)- The
The Ironwood
Ironwood Iron-formation
Iron-formation
the
on the
t h e Gogebic
Gogebic is
i s interbedded
interbedded with
with volcanics
volcanics (Klasner
(Klasner et
et al,
alf
on
1998)! the
t h e Gunf
G u n flint
l i n t Iron-formation
(once continuous with
w i t h the
the
1998),
Iron-formation (once
Biwabik
Biwabik Iron-formation
Iron-formation prior
p r i o r to
t o intrusion
i n t r u s i o n of
of the
t h e 1.1
1.1 Ga
G a Duluth
Duluth
Complex)
i s aa prominent
prominent ashy
ashy bed
bed in
in
Complex) contains
c o n t a i n s tuff
t u f f beds,
beds, and
and there
t h e r e is
t h e Biwabik.
Biwabik- Hoffman
Hoffman (1987)
(1987) tied
t i e d the
t h e iron-formations
iron-formations of
of the
t h e Lake
Lake
the
and 00 isotopes
i s o t o p e s of
of the
the
t o foredeep
foredeepvolcanism.
volcanism- CC and
S u p e r i o r region
r e g i o n to
Superior
hydrothermal source
source for
f o r the
t h e Fe+2
Fe+2 and
and the
the
G u n f l i n t indicate
i n d i c a t e aa hydrothermal
Gunf
silica! with
w i t h siderite
siderite being
being the
t h e primary
primary iron
i r o n mineral
mineral in
i n aa
silica,
basinward facies
f a c i e s (Winter
(Winter and
and Knauth,
Knauth! 1992).
1 9 9 2 ) - The
The lower
lower part
p a r t of
of
basinward
the
beds
t h e overlying
o v e r l y i n g Virginia
V i r g i n i a Formation
Formation contains
c o n t a i n s numerous
numerous ash
a s h beds
(Lucente and
and Morey,
Morey! 1983).
1983)- Thus
Thus there
t h e r e is
i s aa growing
growing body
body of
of
(Lucente
of the
evidence
w a s the
t h e main
main source
source of
t h e iron
iron
evidence indicating
i n d i c a t i n g that
t h a t volcanism
volcanism was
silica! but
b u t continental
c o n t i n e n t a l weathering
weathering may
may indeed
indeed have
have been
been
and silica,
and
Drevet! 1974).
1974). Biota
Biota have
have long
long been
been touted
touted
a n o t h e r source
source (e.g.,
( e - g o ,Drever,
another
as
as important
important in
i n the
t h e precipitation
p r e c i p i t a t i o n of
of the
t h e iron
i r o n minerals (e.g.,
( e - g O fLa
La
Berge! 1967;
1967; Lougheed,
Lougheed! 1983;
1983; LaBerge
LaBerge et
e t al,
a l f 1987).
1987)Berge,

lint

When
When was
w a s the
t h e Biwabik
Biwabik Iron-formation,
Iron-formationf the
t h e largest
l a r g e s t and
and probably
probably the
the
P a r t of
of the
the
youngest
youngest iron-formation
iron-formation in
i n the
t h e region,
region! deposited?
deposited? Part
evidence
comes from
from the
t h e less-metamorphosed
less-metamorphosed and
and correlative
correlative
evidence comes
Gunf
Iron-formation tthat
G u n flint
l i n t Iron-formation
h a t iis
s on sstrike
t r i k e with and was once
once
continuous
continuous with
w i t h the
t h e Biwabik.
Biwabik. Faure
Faure and
and Kovach
Kovach (1969)
(1969) reported
r e p o r t e d aa
whole-rock
whole-rock Rb-Sr
Rb-Sr isochron
isochron age
age of
of 1.64
1-64 +1+/- 0.2
0.2 Ga
G a for
f o r the
the
AA Sm-Nd
isochron aageon
Sm-Nd isochron
ge-on
deposition
lint.
ordiagenesis
d i a g e n e s i sofofthe
t h eGunf
Gunflintd e p o s i t i o n or
argillites
was determined at
a t 2.08
2-08 +1+/- 0.25
0.25 Ga
Ga
a r g i l l i t e s in
i n the
t h e Gunf
G u n flint
l i n t was
(Stille
whole-rock isochron o
of
( S t i l l e and Clauer,
Clauer! 1986).
1986)- A Sm-Nd
Sm-Nd whole-rock
f 2100 +1+/52
52 Ma
M a was
w a s reported
r e p o r t e d for
f o r "slaty"
88slatywportions
p o r t i o n s of
of the
t h e Biwabik,
Biwabik! but
b u t this
this

7

�probablya amixing
mixingage
ageofof
Archeanand
andProterozoic
Proterozoic
components
isisprobably
Archean
components
(Gerlach et
et al,
alf 1988).
1988). Quartz
Quartz veins
veins in
in the
the underlying
underlying Pokegama
Pokegama
(Gerlach
+/- 25
25 Ma
Ma (Hemming
(Hemminget
et al,
alf1990).
1990). Probably
Probably most
most
were dated
dated at
at 1930
1930 +1were

+/- 22 Ma
Ma on
on
indicative of
of the
the age
age is
is aa new
new U-Pb
U-Pb date
date of
of 1876
1876 +1indicative
euhedral
lint
euhedral zircons
zirconsfrom
fromaareworked
reworkedtuff
tuffbed
bedininthe
thelower
lowerGunf
Gunflint
(Fralick and
and Kissen,1998).
Kissenf1998)*This
This date
date has
has major
major tectonic
tectonic
(Fralick
implications,
implicationsffor
for it
it indicates
indicates that
that these
these two
two iron-formations
iron-formations were
were
deposited
deposited on
on the
the peripheral
peripheral foreland
foreland bulge
bulge of
of the
the Animikie
AnMkie
foreland basin,
basinfrather
rather than
than on
on the
the continental
continental margin
margin prior
prior to
tothe
the
foreland
development of
of the
the foreland
foreland basin.
basin. In
development
In this
this scenario
scenario of
of aa
northward-migrating
northward-migrating foreland
foreland basin,
basinfthe
the terrigenous
terrigenous clastic
clastic Palms
Palms
Formation
Gogebic range
rangeof
of
Formation and
and the
the Ironwood
Ironwood Iron-formation
Iron-formation on
on the
the Gogebic
Wisconsin-Michigan
Wisconsin-Michigan may
may be
be continuous
continuous with
with but
but older
older (i.e.,
(i.eOf
diachronous)
diachronous) than
than the
the more
more northerly
northerly (by
(by100
100 km)
km) terrigenous
terrigenous
clastic Pokegama
Pokegama Formation
Formation and
and the
the Biwabik
Biwabfi Iron-formation
Iron-formation on
on the
the
clastic
Mesabi range
range of
of Minnesota
Minnesota (Ojakangas,
(Ojakangasf1994).
1994).
Mesabi
PENOKEAN OROGEN
OROGEN
PENOKEAN
of aa big
big supercontinent,
supercontinentf
The Archean
Archean ended
ended with
with the
the formation
formation of
The
Kenorland,
Kenorlandf the
the product
product of
of the
the amalgamation
amalgamation of
of volcanic arcs
arcs and
and
granitic
granitic intrusive
intrusivebodies,
bodies! and
and history
history repeats
repeats itself.
itself* The
The
Penokean
Penokean (Hudsonian)
(Hudsonian)orogeny
orogeny occurred
occurred on
on the
the southern
southern edge
edge of
of the
the
Superior
Superior craton,
cratonIextending
extending over
over aa distance
distance of
of 1100
1100 km
km from
from the
the
Grenville
ONf westward
westward to
to the
the area
area just
just west
west
Grenville Front
Front near
near Sudbury,
Sudburyf ON,
of
of Lake
Lake Superior,
Superior! deforming
deforming the
the sedimentary
sedimentary units
units deposited
deposited on
on the
the
passive
passive continental
continental margin
margin when
when volcanic
volcanic arcs
arcs (the
(the Wisconsin
Wisconsin
magmatic terranes)
terranes) and
and microcontinents
microcontinents (that
(that included
included Archean
Archean
magmatic
rocks) collided
collided from
from the
the south
south with
with northward-directed
northward-directed thrusting
rocks)
thrusting
over
over aa southward-dipping
southward-dipping subduction
subduction zone
zone (e.g.,
(e.gOfMorey
Morey and
and
Southwickf 1995;
1995; Sims,
S h I1996).
1996).
Southwick,
The
The Penokean
Penokean has
has long
long been
been an
an enigma
enigma for
for it
it seems
seems to
to have
have been
been
long-lived,
Ma to
to 1770
1770 Maf
Ma, with
withthe
long-lived! lasting
lasting from
from at least 1982 Ma
the
earliest
earliest Proterozoic
Proterozoic sedimentary
sedimentary units
units in
in Minnesota
Minnesota deposited
deposited
Southwickf1995).
1995). Volcanic
Volcanic rocks
rocks of
of the
the
about 2200
2200 Ma
Ma (Morey
(Moreyand
and Southwick,
about
orogen range
range in
in age
age from
from 1880-1840
1880-1840 Ma,
MaI plutonic
plutonic rocks
rocks from
from 19801980orogen
1770
1770 Ma,
Maf and
and deformation
deformation from
from 1982-1770
1982-1770 Ma
Ma (e.g.,
(e.gOfSouthwick
Southwick and
and
Moreyf 1991;
1991; Sims
S h s et
et al,
alf1993).
1993). Volcanogenic
Volcanogenic massive
massive sulfide
sulfide
Morey,
deposits
CutZn,
ZnIand
and Pb,
Pbf about
about 1860-1840
1860-1840 Ma,
Maf
deposits and
and occurrences
occurrences of
of Cu,
are
are abundant
abundant based
based on
on extensive
extensive exploration
exploration drilling
drilling of
of
geophysical
geophysical anomalies;
anomalies; more
more than
than 13
13 bodies have been identified
identified
(DeMatties,
(Flambeau) has
has been
been mined
mined to
to
( M a t t i e s f 1994),
1994)f although
although only
only one
one (Flambeau)
date. Post-Penokean
Post-Penokean rhyolites
rhyolites and
and granites
granites occur
occur in
in Wisconsin
Wisconsin
date.
( S d et al,
alf 1989)
1989) and
and post-orogenic
post-orogenic metamorphism
metamorphism and
and coeval
coeval
(Sims
plutons
plutons in
in east-central
east-central Minnesota
Minnesota have
have been dated at 1770-1760
1770-1760 Ma
with
with rapid
rapid cooling
cooling at
at 1760-1750
1760-1750 Ma
Ma (Holm
(Holmet
et al,
alf 1998).
1998). Two
!lWo
deformations
Formation have
deformations in
in the
the southern
southern portion
portion of the
the Thomson Formation
been described,
describedfwith
with F1
Flisoclinal
isoclinal recumbent
recumbent folds
folds and
and F2
F2 upright
upright
been
folds
(Holstf1982,
1982f 1984).
1984)folds that
that refolded
refolded the
the earlier
earlier folds
folds (Holst,
Excellent
Excellent interpretations
interpretations of
of Penokean
Penokean deformation
deformation can
can be
be found,
found,
S h e.gOf in
in Holst
Holst (1991),
(1991)fKlasner
Klasner et
et al
a1 (1991),
(1991)fKiasner
Klasner and
and Simse.g.,
(1993),
(1993)f Gregg
Gregg (1993),
(1993)! and
and Sims
S h and
and Carter
Carter (1996).
(1996).

8

�By removing
removing the
t h e 60
60km-wide
kxu-wide Middle
Middle Proterozoic
Midcontinent Rift
Rift
Proterozoic Midcontinent
By
System from
from aa regional
r e g i o n a l geological
geological map,
map, thereby
thereby bringing
b r i n g i n g Minnesota
Minnesota
system
and Wisconsin-Michigan
Wisconsin-Michigan into
i n t o juxtaposition,
juxtaposition, the
t h e fold-and-thrust
fold-and-thrust
and
belts of
of the
t h e two
two areas
areas become
become one
one continuous
continuous zone.
zone- Southwick
Southwick and
and
belts
Morey (1991)
(1991) correlated
c o r r e l a t e d the
t h e Niagara
( W I ) and
and
Niagara fault
f a u l t zone/suture
zone/suture (WI)
Morey
t h e Malmo
Malmo ddiscontinuity
i s c o n t i n u i t y(MN).
(MN). Similarly,
S i m i l a r l y , the
t h e various
v a r i o u s turbiditeturbiditethe
shale
s h a l e units
u n i t s (Thomson,
(Thomson, Rove,
Rove, Virginia,
Virginia, Tyler,
Tyler, Copps,
Copps, and
and Michigamme
Michigamme
onecontiguous
contiguousuunit
become one
n i t ffilling
i l l i n gthe
t h eAnimikie
Animikie
Formations) then
t h e n become
Formations)
Basin- This,
This, however,
however, does
does not
n o t imply
imply that
t h a t all
a l l of
of these
t h e s e formations
formations
Basin.
are the
t h e same
same age,
age, for
was migrating
migrating northward
northward during
during
f o r the
t h e basin
basinwas
are
d e p o s i t i o n of
of these
t h e s e units;
u n i t s ; some
some sediment
sediment deposited in
i n the
t h e earlier
earlier
deposition
s t a g e s of
of basin
b a s i n development
development was
was likely
l i k e l y cannibalized
cannibalized and
and
stages
redepositedredeposited.

asa anorthward-migrating
northward-migrating
The Animikie
Animikie bbasin
a s i n has
been iinterpreted
n t e r p r e t e d as
The
has been
f r o n t of
of (on
(on the
t h e north
n o r t h side)
s i d e ) of
of
f o r e l a n d basin
b a s i n that
t h a t developed
developed in
foreland
in front
of tthe
t h e fold-and-thrust
fold-and-thrust belt
beltdue
dueto
t othe
t h eweighting
weighting down
down of
h e crust
crust by
by
the
t h i sfolded
foldedand
andthrusted
t h r u s t e mountain
d mountainrange
rangethat
t h a then
t t h e nbecame
became aamajor
major
this
s o u r c e of
of sediment
sediment for
f o r the
t h e basin
basin (e.g.,
( e - g oHoffman,
, Hoffman, 1987;
1987; Southwick
Southwick
source
e t al,
al,
et

1988; Barovich
Barovich et
e t al,
a l , 1989;
1989; Southwick
Southwick and
and Morey,
Morey, 1991;
1991;
1988;
Ojakangas, 1994;
1994; Morey
Morey and
and Southwick,
Southwick, 1995).
1995)Ojakangas,

N d isotope
isotope data
data determined
determined by
by Barovich
Barovich et
e t al
a1 (1989)
(1989) indicate
i n d i c a t e that
that
Nd
sampleshad
hadananArchean
Archeanprovenance
provenancet ototthe
some Michigainme
Michigamme samples
h e north
n o r t h and
and
some
some had
had an
a n Early
E a r l y Proterozoic
Proterozoic provenance
provenance to
t o the
t h e south.
southsome
P a l e m u r r e n t data
data for
f o rthe
t h Michigamme
e Michigamme and
h e Tyler
n d i c a t e aa
andt the
Tyler iindicate
Paleocurrent
northward transport
t r a n s p o r t of
of sediment
sediment from
from the
t h e south
south side
side of
of the
the
northward
southward transport
t r a n s p o r t of
of sediment
sediment from
from the
the
Animikie Basin
Basin and
and aa southward
Animikie
n o r t h side
side of
of the
t h e basin
b a s i n as
as summarized
summarized in
i n Ojakangas
Ojakangas (1994).
north
(1994). Hemming
Hedng
e t al
a1 (1995),
(19951, on
on gochemical
geochemicaland
and isotopic
i s o t o p i c evidence,
evidence, described
d e s c r i b e d the
the
et
provenance of
of the
t h e Virginia
V i r g i n i a Formation
Formation as
as aa young
young differentiated
differentiated
provenance
v o l c a n i c arc
arc to
t o the
t h e south
south of
of the
t h e basin.
basinvolcanic

The
magmatic terranes
t e r r a n e s were
were located
l o c a t e d just
j u s t to
t o the
t h e south
s o u t h of
of
The Wisconsin
Wisconsin magmatic
t h e fold-and-thrust
fold-and-thrust belt.
belt- The
The Pembine-Wausau
Pembine-Wausau terrane
t e r r a n e is
is comprised
comprised
the
of older
older (1889-1860
(1889-1860 Ma)
M a ) magmatic
magmatic rocks
rocks that
t h a t formed
formed in
i n an
a n island
island
of
arc and/or
and/or back-arc
back-arc basins
b a s i n s above
above aa south—dipping
south-dipping subduction
subduction zone
zone
arc
magmatic rocks
rocks
( t h e Niagara
Niagara fault
f a u l t zone
zone or
o r suture)
s u t u r e ) and
and younger
younger magmatic
(the
(1845-1835 Ma)
M a ) that
t h a t formed
formed above
above aa north-dipping
north-dipping subduction
subduction zone,
zone,
(1845-1835
t h e Eau
Eau Pleine
P l e i n e shear
s h e a r zone
zone (Sims
( S h et
e t al,
a l , 1989,
1989, 1993).
1993)- Deep
Deep seismic
seismic
the
p r o f i l i n g indicates
i n d i c a t e s that
t h a t both
both the
t h e Niagara
Niagara fault
f a u l t and
and the
t h e Eau
Eau Pleine
Pleine
profiling
shear
e t al,
a l , 1991).
1991)- An
~n
s h e a r zone
zone may
may penetrate
p e n e t r a t e the
t h e entire
e n t i r e crust
c r u s t (Cannon
(Cannon et
o p h i o l i t e sequence
sequence in
i n the
t h e Quinnesec
Quinnesec Formation
Formation of
of northeastern
northeastern
ophiolite
Wisconsin
basinWisconsin (Schulz,
(Schulz, 1987)
1987) indicates
i n d i c a t e s the
t h e closure
c l o s u r e of
of an
an ocean
ocean basin.
In
I n the
t h e southerly
s o u t h e r l y Marshfield
Marshfield terrane,
t e r r a n e , 1860
1860 Ma
M a rocks
rocks were
were deposited
deposited
on Archean
Archean crust
crust and
and amalgamation
amalgamation of
of the
t h e two
two terranes
t e r r a n e s along
along the
the
on
Eau
Eau Pleine
P l e i n e suture
s u t u r e occurred
occurred at
a t about
about 1840
1840Ma
M a (Sims
( S h et
e t al,
a l , 1993).
1993)Three episodes
episodes of
of post-orogenic
post-orogenic magmatism
m a g m a t i s m followed,
followed, dated
dated at
a t 1835
1835
Three
Ma,
M a , 1760
1760 Ma,
~ aand
and
, the
t h e 1469+/1469+/- 28
28 Ma
Ma Wolf
Wolf River
M v e r batholith
b a t h o l i t h (Sims
( S h et
et
al,
a l , 1989).
1989)- Nd
N d isotopic
i s o t o p i c data
data of
of Barovich
Barovich et
e t al
a1 (1989)
(1989) indicated
i n d i c a t e d the
the
major growth
growth of
of new
new crust
crust from
fromthe
t h e mantle.
mantlemajor

The Penokean
Penokean (Hudsonian)
(Hudsonian) Orogen
Orogen was
was part
p a r t of
of the
t h e reassembly
reassembly
The
(Hoffman,
new supercontinent
supercontinent that
t h a t Williams
W i l l i a m s et
et al
a1 (1991)
(1991)
(Hoffman, 1988)
1988) of
of aa new
9

�This supercontinent
supercontinent also
a l s o included
included the
the
dubbed Hudsonland.
Hudsonland. This
dubbed
(as did
d i d the
t h e Archean
Archean supercontinent
supercontinent of
of
Fennoscandian Shield
S h i e l d (as
Fennoscandian
Kenorland).
i s comparable
comparable
Kenorland). The
The Svecokarelian
Svecokarelian orogeny
orogeny of
of that
t h a t shield
s h i e l d is
t o the
t h e Penokean
Penokean Orogen
Orogen in
i n many
many aspects.
aspects.
to
Q U A R T ZITES
ITES
QUARTZ
The Penokean
Penokean Orogen
Orogen and
and adjacent
a d j a c e n t rock
rock units
u n i t s continued to
t o be
be
The
weathered
weathered (Southwick
(Southwick and
and Mossler,
Mossier, 1984)
1984) and
and eroded for
f o r about 100
100
Ma
following
the
mountain-building
culmination
at
about
1850
(?)
M a following t h e mountain-building culmination a t about 1850 ( ? )
M a . Several
S e v e r a l quartzite
q u a r t z i t e units
u n i t s were
w e r e deposited
deposited to
t o the
t h e south
south of
of the
the
Ma.
orogen,
orogen, including
i n c l u d i n g the
t h e Sioux
Sioux Quartzite
Q u a r t z i t e of
of Minnesota,
Minnesota, South
South Dakota,
Dakota,
Weber,
and Iowa
Iowa (e.g., , Morey,
Morey, 1984;
1984; Ojakangas and W
e b e r , 1984;
1984; Southwick
Southwick
and
e t al,
a l , 1986)
1986) and
and the
t h e Baraboo
Baraboo (Dott,
(Dott, 1983),
1983), Barron
Barron (Rozacky,
(Rozacky, 1987),
1987),
et
Flambeau (Campbell,
(Campbell, 1986),
1986), and
and McCaslin
McCaslin (Olson,
(Olson, 1984)
1984) Quartzites
Quartzites
Flambeau
of
problem
of Wisconsin.
Wisconsin. Their
Their ages
ages and
and correlation
c o r r e l a t i o n have long been a problem
e t al.,
a l e , 1991;
1991; Chandler
Chandler and
and Morey,
Morey,
(e.g., Brown, 1986;
1986; LaBerge
LaBerge et
(e.g.,
1992;
1992; Ojakangas,
Ojakangas, 1993),
1993), especially
e s p e c i a l l y because
because the
t h e Baraboo,
Baraboo, Flambeau,
Flambeau,
and
and McCaslin
McCaslin are
are deformed
deformed whereas
whereas the
t h e Sioux
Sioux and
and the
t h e Barron
Barron are
are
relatively
r e l a t i v e l y horizontal.
h o r i z o n t a l . These
These "Baraboo
"Baraboo Interval"
I n t e r v a l w quartzites
q u a r t z i t e s pose
pose
the
t h e "Proterozoic
"Proterozoic red
r e d quartzite
q u a r t z i t e enigma"
enigmawof
of Dott
Dott (1983).
(1983). Dott
Dott (1983)
(1983)
e t al
a1 (1993)
(1993) suggested
suggested that
t h a t aa plate
p l a t e suture
s u t u r e exists
exists
and Van
Van Schmus
Schmus et
and
beneath the
t h e Paleozoic
Paleozoic cover
cover to
t o the
t h e south,
south, and tthat
beneath
h a t a southerly
southerly
t e r r a n e collided
c o l l i d e d with
with the
t h e then-passive
then-passive margin of
h e continent
continent
terrane
of tthe
s o u t h e r l y dipping
dipping subduction
subduction zone.
zone. Chandler
over aa southerly
Chandler and
and Morey
Morey
over
(1992) interpreted
(1992)
i n t e r p r e t e d paleomagnetic
paleomagnetic data
d a t a to
t o indicate
i n d i c a t e that
t h a t there
t h e r e are
are
two ages
ages of
of quartzite
q u a r t z i t e bodies,
bodies, one
one late
l a t e Penokean
Penokean and
and the
t h e other
other
two
post-1760 Ma.
M a . Recent
Recent U-Pb detrital
d e t r i t a l zircon
z i r c o n ages of 1730—1710
1730-1710 Ma
M a for
for
post-1760
t h e Baraboo
Baraboo and
and the
t h e McCaslin
McCaslin and
and Pb/Pb
Pb/Pb ages on d
e t r i t a l zircons
z i r c o n s of
the
detrital

1730-1850 for
f o r the
t h e Sioux,
Sioux, 1745—1880
1745-1880 for
f o rthe
t h eFlainbeau,
Flambeau, and
and 1750—1880
1750-1880
1730—1850
et al,
a l , 1998)
1998) and
and similar
similar ages
ages for
for
(Schneider et
f o r the
t h e Barron
Barron (Schneider
for
d e t r i t a l zircons
z i r c o n s in
i n the
t h e Baraboo
Baraboo and
and McCaslin
McCaslin quartzites
q u a r t z i t e s (Van
detrital
(Van Wyck,
Wyck,
1995; Dott
D o t t et
e t al,
a l , 1997)
1997) can
can be
be interpreted
i n t e r p r e t e d to
t o indicate
i n d i c a t e that
t h a t these
these
1995;
"Baraboo Interval"
I n t e r v a l f fquartzites
q u a r t z i t e s may
may be
be correlative.
c o r r e l a t i v e . Holm
"Baraboo
H o l m et
et al
a1
(1997) have
have located
l o c a t e d aa 1630
1630 Ma
M a thermal
thermal front
f r o n t in
i n northwest
northwest Wisconsin
Wisconsin
(1997)
based on
on cooling
c o o l i n g ages
ages in
i n Ar/Ar
A r / A r dates
d a t e s on
on mica;
mica; this
t h i s front
f r o n t coincides
coincides
based
with the
t h e deformational
deformationalboundary
boundary between
between tthe
h e Barron
Barron and the
the
with

.

Flambeau
Flambeau.

If
I f one
one assumes
assumes tthat
h a t the
t h e quartzites
q u a r t z i t e s are
areerosional
e r o s i o n a l remnants
remnants of
of aa
l a r g e r sheet
s h e e t of
of quartz
q u a r t z sand
sand locally
l o c a l l y &gt;1500
&gt;I500 m
m thick
t h i c k and deposited
deposited
larger

on
on the
t h e continental
c o n t i n e n t a l margin,
margin, aa tremendously
tremendously large
l a r g e and
and deeply
deeply
weathered
must be
be assumed.
assumed. even
weathered quartz-bearing
quartz-bearing source
source terrane
t e r r a n e must
Even
without
without the
t h e assumption
assumption of
of aa single
s i n g l e large
l a r g e basin,
basin, the
t h e volume of
quartz
q u a r t z is
i s enormous.
enormous. Wheras
Wheras aa fluvial
f l u v i a l origin
o r i g i n is
i s most likely
l i k e l y for
for
most
most of
of the
t h e quartzites
q u a r t z i t e s (e.g.,
(e.g., Southwick
Southwick et
e t al,
a l , 1986),
1986), aa marine
marine
origin
o r i g i n for
f o r the
t h e upper
upper Sioux
Sioux (Ojakangas
(Ojakangas and
and Weber,
Weber, 1984)
1984) and
and for
for
Baraboo (Dott,
( D o t t , 1983)
1983) has
has been
been proposed.
proposed.
p a r t of
of the
t h e Baraboo
part
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western Ontario:
Ontario: Canadian
Canadian Journal
Journal of
of
Earth
v. 20,
20, p.
p. 622—638.
622-638.
Earth Sciences, v.
Southwick,
Southwick8 D.
D. L.,
L., and
and Morey, G.
G. B.,
B., 1991,
19918 Tectonic
Tectonic imbrication
imbrication and foredeep
foredeep
development
development in
in the
the Penokean
Penokean Orogen,
Orogen, east—central
east-central Minnesota——An
Minnesota--An interpretation
interpretation
U.
based on
on regional
regional geophysics
geophysics and
and the
the results
results of test—drilling:
test-drilling: U
. S.
Geological
Geological Survey
Survey Bulletin
Bulletin 1904-C,
1904-C8 17
17 p.
p.
Southwick,
L.,
Geologic map
G. B.,
B., and
and McSwiggen, P.
P. L
., 1988,
1988# Geologic
Southwick8 D.
D. L.,
L., Morey,
Morey, G.
(scale 1:2508000)
1:250,000) of the Penokean
Penokean orogen,
orogen, central
central and
and eastern
eastern Minnesota8
Minnesota, and
(scale
accompanying
accompanying Minnesota
MinneS0ta Geological
Geological Survey
Survey Report of Investigations
Investigations 37,
3T8 25
25 p.
Fluvial origin
Southwick, D.
Southwick,
D. L..
L.. Morey,
Morey, G.
G. B.,
B e 8and
and Mossier,
Mossler, 3.
J. H.,
He, 1986,
1986, Fluvial
origin of
of
the
Minnesota: Geological
Geological
the lower
lower Proterozoic
Proterozoic Sioux
Sioux Quartzite,
Quartzite, southwestern
southwestern Minnesota:
Society
of America
America Bulletin
Bulletin v.
v. 97,
97, p.
p. 1432—1441.
1432-1441.
Society of
Southwick,
Southwick, D.
D. L.,
L.8 and
and Moasler,
MoSSler, 3.
J. B.,
H e 81984,
1984, The
The Sioux
Sioux Quartzite and subjacent
subjacent
regolith
regolith in
in the
the Cottonwood
Cottonwood County
County basin,
basin8 Minnesota: in Southwick, D.
D. L.,
L.,
Quartzite (Early
(Early
(ed.),
Contributions to
to the Geology of the Sioux Quartzite
(ed.)# Shorter Contributions
Proterozoic), Southwestern
Proterozoic),
Southwestern Minnesota:
Minnesota: Minnesota Geological
Geological Survey Report of
of
Investigations
Inveatigations 32,
32, p.
p. 17—44.
17-44.
Stille, P.
isochron-age and
and provenance
provenance of
of the
the
N., 1986,
1986, Sin-Nd
Sm-Nd isochron-age
P - and
and Clauer,
Clauer, N.,
Geochimica et
argillites
lint Iron Formation
Formation in Ontario, Canada: Geochimica
argillites of
of the
the Gunf
Gunflint
Cosmochemica Acta, v.
Comochemica
v. 50,
50, p.
p. 1141—1146.
1141-1146.

K. C.,
Proterozoic
R., Bickford,
Bickford8 N.E.,
M.E., and
and Condie,
Condiet K.
C O 8 1993,
19938 Early Proterozoic
Van Schmus,
Schmus8 W.
W- R.,
crustal
Precambrian:
crustal evolution:
evolution: in
in Reed,
Reed, J.C.,
J-C., Jr.,
Jr., and
and six
six others, (eda.),
(eds.), Precambrian:
Conterminous U.S.,
p.
270-281.
Conterminous
U.Se8 Geology
Geology of
of North
North America, v.
v. C—2,
C-2, p
. 270-281Pb, Sm-Nd,
Sm—Nd, and
and zircon
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Van Wyck,
W c k 8 N.,
N a 81995,
1995, Major
Major and
and trace
trace element,
element, conunon
common Pb,
geochronology
pre— and
geochronology constraints
constraints on
on petrogenesis
petrogenesis and
and tectonic
tectonic Betting
setting of preand
Wisconsin—
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic rocks
rocks in
in Wisconsin:
Wisconsin: Ph.
Ph. D.
D. thesis, University
University of Wit3consinp. 47—280.
47-280.
Madison, p.

Williams, G.
G. E.,
E., and
and Schmidt,
Schmidt, P.
P. W.,
W., 1997,
1997, Paleomagnetiam
Paleoxnagnetism of the
the
Willims,
Paleoproterozoic
paleolatitude
Paleoproterozoic Gowganda
Gowganda and
and Lorrain
Lorrain formations,
formations8 Ontario:
Ontario: low
low paleolatitude
Letters, v
v.
p. 157. 153,
1538 p.
157for Buronian
Huronian glaciation:
glaciation: Earth
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and Planetary
Planetary Science Letters8

16

�_____

169.

J. F
F.,
Monger, J.
J. WW.
Williams, H.,
H., Hoffman, P.F.,
P.F., Lewry, J.
., Monger,
. HH,
., and
and Rivers,
Rivers, T.,
T.,
1991, Anatomy of
of North
North America:
America: thematic geologic portrayals of the
in Hilde,
Hilde, T.
T. W.
W. C.,
C., and
and Carison,
Carlson, R. L.
L. (eds.),
(eds.), Silver
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of Plate
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187, P.
p. 117—134.
117-134.

Winter, B. L.,
L., and
and Knauth,
Knauth, L.
L. P.,
P., 1992,
1992, Stable
Stable iBotope
isotope geochemistry
geochemistry of
of cherta
cherts
and
lint Iron
and carbonates
carbonates from
from the
the2.0
2.0 Ga
Ga Gunf
Gunflint
Iron Formation: implications
implications for
for the
the
depositional
depositional setting,
setting, and
and the
the effects
effects of
of diageneBis
diagenesis and
and metamorphism:
Precambrian
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Young, G. M.,
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Proterozoic glaciation
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85-101.

, 1983,
1983, Tectono—aedimentary
Tectono-sedimentary history of early Proterozoic rocks
rocks of
of the
the
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northern
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Lakes region:
region: in
in Medaris,
Medaris, L.G.,
L.G., Jr.,
Jr., (ed.),
(ed.), Early
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic
Geology of
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the Great
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Region: Geological
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Memoir 160,
160,
p. 15—32
p.15-32.

17

�UNDERSTANDING THE
UNDERSTANDING
THEMIDDLE
MIDDLEPROTEROZOIC
PROTEROZOIC HISTORY
HISTORY OF
OF THE
THE LAKE
LAKE SUPERIOR
SUPERIOR
REGION: WHAT'S
REGION:
WHAT'S NEW?
NEW? WHAT'S
WHAT'S NEXT?
NEXT?
W.F. Cannon,
Cannon, US Geological
Geological Survey,
Survey, Reston,
Reston, VA
VA

Middle Proterozoic
Proterozoic time encompasses 700 million
Middle
million years
years (1600-900
(1600-900Ma)
Ma)of
ofgeologic
geologichistory.
history. In the
Lake Superior
Superior region only a small part of that
1470 Ma
Lake
that time
time is
is recorded
recorded in
inthe
therock
rockrecord.
record. At about 1470
large anorogenic granitic plutons
plutons were
were emplaced
emplaced in
innorthern
northernWisconsin.
Wisconsin. Between 1108
and about
about
1108 and
1060
1060 Ma the Midcontinent rift, a 2200 km-long volcanic and subsequent sedimentary basin, formed
and was
was structurally
structurallymodified.
modified. AAbrief
briefsummary
summaryof
ofthe
thecurrent
currentunderstanding
understandingof
ofthese
thesetwo
twoevents
eventsisis
and
emphasizing findings during the
presented below emphasizing
the past
past 15 years.
years. An extended list of references for the
Midcontinent
Midcontinent Rift
Rift presents
presents some
some of
of the principal publications since the detailed papers in the 1982
1982
Geological Society
Societyof
of America
America Memoir
Memoir 156,
156, "Geology and Tectonics
Tectonics of the Lake Superior
Superior Basin".
Geological
For anorogenic
anorogenic plutons,
plutons, references
references include
include original
original research from the 1970's
1970's and
and more
more recent
recent
For
summary
summary papers.
papers.
Anorogenic
Anorogenic plutons AAsuite
suiteof
oflarge
largegranitic
graniticplutons
plutons was emplaced in a broad belt spanning most of
the North American continent
to Arizona
Arizona between
betweenabout
about 1500
1500and
and 1450
1450Ma.
Ma. The
continent from Labrador to
plutons
plutons intruded
intruded older
older continental
continentalcrust
crust during a period generally devoid of major orogeny,
orogeny, hence the
name anorogenic
anorogenic plutons. That
Thatsuite
suiteof
of plutons
plutons is
is represented in the Lake Superior region by the
Wolf River
River batholith and Waussau and Stettin plutons
plutons in
in Wisconsin. These
Theseplutons
plutonswere
werestudied
studied
extensively
with the
the exception
exception of
of
extensively in the 1970's
1970's but
but have
have received
received relatively
relatively little attention since, with
being discussed
discussed in regional summary papers. The
The Wolf
Wolf River batholith, with an exposed area of
about
were emplaced
emplaced at
at about
about 1470 Ma.
Ma. The
about 10,000
10,000km2,
km2, and the smaller plutons were
The Wisconsin
Wisconsinplutons
plutons
share
share characteristics
characteristics with the other members of the suite in being emplaced at shallow depths in Early
Proterozoic
Proterozoic crust
crust and
and consisting
consistingof
of large
large volumes
volumes of granite
granite with rapakivi affinities,
affinities, and lesser
lesser
volumes
volumes of
of more mafic rocks, largely mangerite
mangerite and
and anorthosite.
anorthosite. The
Thegranites
granitesof
ofthe
thesuite
suiteare
are
interpreted
(20±10%) of Proterozoic
interpreted to have formed by relatively
relatively low percentage of partial melting (20Â±10%
granitic
granitic rocks
rocks in
in the
the lower
lower crust.
crust. Anorthosite
Anorthosite may be derived from basaltic
basaltic magma produced,
produced, in part,
by partial
partial melting
melting of mantle lithosphere. Studies
Studiesof
of the
the Wolf
Wolf River batholith indicate that mangerite
magma
C. Crystallization
magma was
was derived
derived at
at aa depth
depth of
of 21-32
21-32 km and
and a temperature
temperature of 950±90°
950Â±90C.
Crystallizationof
of the
the
granite
0-840°C and
650-840Â°
and at
at shallow
shallow depths
depths of
of 2-4
2-4 km.
km. The
The
granite now
now exposed
exposedoccurred
occurredatattemperatures
temperaturesof
of65
cause
cause of
of widespread
widespread melting
melting of
of lower
lower crust
crust in
in a belt of continental dimensions
dimensions remains obscure.
obscure.
Midcontinent
Midcontinent rift The
TheMidcontinent
Midcontinentrift
rift extends
extendsin
in an
an arc
arc from Kansas, through the Lake Superior
basin,
basin, into
into southern
southernMichigan.
Michigan. The
The physical
physical character
character of the rift (rock types, geometry, structure,
structure,
approximate
decades. Research in the past 15
approximate age)
age) have been well known for many decades.
15 years has added
critical
critical information
informationto
to allow
allow the
thekinematic
kinematic and
and dynamic
dynamic aspects
aspects of evolution
evolution of the rift to be
deciphered.
Deep
crustal
seismic
surveys,
precise
age
determinations,
deciphered. Deep crustal seismic surveys, precise age determinations, petrochemical
petrochemical research, and
experimental
experimentaland
and theoretical
theoretical studies
studiesof
of mantle
mantle and
and lithospheric
lithospheric processes can be integrated to
understand
understandthe
the rift
rift in
in the
the broad
broad context
context of
of the
the evolution of the North American continent
continent and
and globalglobalscale
scale processes.
processes.
Seismic
comprising the entire crustal
Seismic surveys
surveys have
have shown
shown that
that the rift is
is very deep, in places comprising
thickness.
thickness. Subaerial
Subaerialbasalt
basaltflows
flowsform
formthe
thelower
lowerpart
part of
of the
the rift-fill
rift-fill and are as
as much as 20 km thick
along
km
along the rift axis.
axis. Continental
Continentalclastic
clasticsedimentary
sedimentaryrocks
rocksoverlie
overliethe
thebasalt
basaltand
andare
areas
asmuch
muchas
as10
10km
thick.
thick. Basalt
Basalteruption
eruptionand
andcoeval
coevalrift
riftsubsidence
subsidencewas
was rapid
rapid and
and of
of relatively
relatively short
short duration.
duration. The
The
volcanic
volcanic phase of
of the
the rift
rift lasted
lasted about
about 14
14 my (1108-1094
(1 108-1094 Ma). Rates of volcanism and subsidence
subsidence
were
were not entirely
entirely uniform
uniform and
and appear
appear to have
have been greatest near the close of the volcanic phase.
Subsidence
Subsidenceof
of volcanic
volcanic basins,
basins, as
as inferred
inferred from seismic
seismic profiles, appears
appears to have been by a
combination
combination of
of normal
normal faulting
faulting and
and broad flexure. Large
Largevolumes
volumesof
ofmafic
maficmagma
magmawere
werealso
also

19

�emplaced both within the crust and as crustal underplating during
during this
this same
same period.
period. Basalt
Basalt eruption
eruption
ceased rather abruptly at about 1094 Ma and subsidence rates
rates declined correspondingly.
correspondingly. Further
filling of the rift was with continental sedimentary rocks, mostly
mostly red
red sandstone,
sandstone, and
and minor
minor reduced
reduced
lacustrine rocks. The
Theduration
durationof
ofsedimentation
sedimentationisis not
not well
well constrained
constrained but
but most
most likely
likely continued,
continued,
lacustrine
During
along with subsidence, at declining rates for at least several tens
tens of
of millions
millions of
of years.
years. During
sedimentation,
sedimentation,inversion
inversion of
of the
the central
central portions
portions of
of the
the rift
rift took
took place
place along
along aa set
set of
of major
majorreverse
reverse
faults. These
Theseevents
eventscombined
combinedto
toform
formthe
thepresent
present geometry
geometry of
of the
the rift.
rift. A
A central
central horst
horst contains
containsthe
the
originally
of volcanic
volcanic rocks.
rocks. Flanking
originally deeper central parts of the rift, including thick sections of
Flanking basins
basins
contain
contain wedges of
of thinner
thinner volcanic
volcanic sequences
sequences and
and overlying
overlying sedimentary
sedimentary rocks.
rocks.
The great volume of basaltic rocks and related intrusive rocks in
in the
the rift,
rift, combined
combined with
with limited
amounts
hot during
during rifting;
rifling; probably
amounts of lithoshperic
lithoshperic extension imply that the mantle was anomalously hot
about 200°C
200Â° hotter than present day asthenosphere. Petrochemical
Petrochemical studies
studies indicate
indicate that much of
of the
the
magma was generated by partial melting
melting of
of primitive,
primitive,enriched
enrichedmantle
mantle.. Together,
Together, these
these features
features
point to the existence
that the
the rifting
rifling
existence of a mantle plume beneath the rift, and more specifically, suggest that
the initiation of
of aa new
new plume
plume and
andthe
the arrival
arrival of
of aa plume
plume head
head at
at
and volcanism was a consequence of the
the base of the lithosphere. Modelling and numeric simulation of plume behavior shows that
that when aa
large mushroom-shaped
mushroom-shaped head
head of
of hot
hot
new plume forms and rises from depth, it generates aa large
asthenosphere. The head grows
asthenosphere.
grows as
as it rises
rises slowly
slowly and is fed by its
its own
own narrower
narrower but
but faster
faster rising
risingstem.
stem.
The arrival
arrival of a plume head at
at the base of the lithosphere
lithosphere and at
at depths
depths where
where adiabatic
adiabaticpartial
partial
magma generation.
generation. Under suitable
melting occurs creates a short period of intense magma
suitable stress
stress conditions
conditions
in the lithosphere, the plume can also initiate extension and
and rifting.
rifting. The
The arrival
arrival of
of aa new
new mantle
mantle
plume at the base of the lithosphere
lithosphere at
at about
about 1108
1108 Ma provides the most
most coherent
coherentexplanation
explanationfor
forthe
the
origin of the rift and its
its great
great volume
volume of
of igneous
igneous rocks.
rocks.
than the
the volcanic
volcanic basin.
basin. The
Rift sedimentation occurred in basins somewhat broader than
The sedimentary
sedimentary
basins do not appear to be strongly controlled by faulting. Rather,
Rather, they
they appear
appear as
as smooth
smooth flexural
flexural
depressions
depressions on seismic
seismic reflection sections. Subsidence
Subsidencewas
was most
most likely
likely aa result
result of
of cooling
cooling of
of the
the
head spread and
and cooled
cooled conductively.
conductively. Sediments
lithosphere as the initial plume head
Sediments were initially
initially
derived dominantly
progressed, however,
however, more
more older
dominantly from volcanic rocks in the rift. As sedimentation progressed,
with continued
continued erosion
erosion of
of rift
rift
terranes outside
outside of the rift were tapped as a sediment source along with
volcanic
volcanic rocks.

Inversion of the central portion of
of the
the rift
rift occurred
occurredduring
duringthe
thelater
laterstages
stagesofofsedimentation.
sedimentation. A
A set
set of
of
high angle
produced displacements
displacements of as
angle reverse
reverse faults and thrusts, in part reactivated normal faults, produced
much as several tens of kilometers. The
Thetime
timeof
offaulting
faultingisis imprecisely
imprecisely known,
known, but
but most
most movement
movement
must have been in
in the
the interval
interval 1080-1040
1080-1040Ma.
Ma.
Viewed on a more
more regional scale, the Midcontinent rift has been historically somewhat of an enigma
in that it is a major extensional feature
feature which formed
formed immediately
immediately west of
of the
the seemingly
seeminglycoeval
coeval
Grenville orogen. In
recent
years,
however,
precise
radiometric
dating
shows
that
the
short
In recent years, however, precise radiometric dating shows that
short interval
interval
(1108-1094
Ma)
of
extension
in
the
Midcontinent
rift
appears
to
coincide
with
an
interval
of tectonic
tectonic
rift appears to coincide with an interval of
(1 108-1094
quiescence,
orogeny. Thus,
quiescence, or possibly extension, in the multi-phase Grenvillian orogeny.
Thus, aa mantle
mantle plume
plume
arriving
arriving at 1108
1108Ma
Ma could
could have
have begun aa period
period of
of extension
extension during
during this
this Grenvillian
Grenvillianquiescent
quiescentperiod.
period.
was renewed
renewed and
and aa period
period of
of northwestnorthwestAt about 1090
1090 Ma compression in the Grenville Province was
directed thrusting, the Ottawan orogeny,
orogeny, continued
continuedfor
fortens
tensof
ofmillions
millionsofofyears.
years. The
The onset
onset of
of
thrusting ininthe
theGrenville
GrenvilleProvince
Provincecoincides
coincidesremarkably
remarkably closely
closelywith
with the
the end
end of
of extension
extensionin
in the
the
Mideontinent
Midcontinent rift
rift and
and the
the onset
onset of
of compressive
compressive deformation.
deformation.
rift marks
marks the
the arrival
arrival of
of aa new
new plume
plume head
head at
at the
the
It appears then that development of the Midcontinent rift
at about
about 1108 Ma.
Ma. Melting
base in the lithosphere of the Lake Superior region at
Melting of the plume
plume head
head and
and
20

�stresses generated by lateral spread of the plume caused the intensely volcanic rift. Under
Undersome
some
stresses
circumstances this event might have led
circumstances
led to
to continental
continentalbreakup.
breakup. In this case, however,
however, initiation of
the Ottawan orogeny in the adjacent Grenville Province, transmitted northwest-southeast
northwest-southeast directed
stresses into the Lake Superior region. This
Thisnewly
newlyapplied
appliedstress
stressfield
field not
not only
only terminated
terminatedrift
rift
extension,
initiated aa period
period of
of compressive
compressive deformation
deformation and
and rift
rift inversion.
inversion.
extension, but initiated
The processes that formed the rift were also important in forming the major mineral deposits for
which the rift is well known. The
The vast
vast new igneous rocks were fertile starting material for
for metalmetalprocesses. Some
crystallization of
of
concentrating processes.
Someconcentration
concentration occurred
occurred early, during fractional crystallization
magma. The
Thevery
verylarge
large Cu-Ni
Cu-Ni sulfide
sulfide deposits
deposits of the
theDuluth
Duluthcomplex
complexand
and other
other intrusions
intrusions formed
formed at
at
this stage, as did concentrations of
of platinum
platinum group
groupelements.
elements. The rifting and related
related processes
processes in
in the
the
mantle also provided a large heat engine that drove hydrothermal circulation. Those
Thosehydrothermal
hydrothermal
systems
sediment-hosted
systems formed the Keweenaw native copper district, the White Pine and related sediment-hosted
copper deposits, and polyrnetallic
polymetallic vein
vein deposits.
deposits. The heat generated by the
the rift
rift also
also caused regional
regional
metamorphism that converted Early Proterozoic iron-formations from non-magnetic to magnetic
taconite in places such
such as
as the
the Mesabi
Mesabi Range
Range and
and Gogebic
Gogebic Range.
Range.
Much progress has been made in the past 15 years in understanding fundamental causative factors of
refinements
the Midcontinent rift. The
The data
data gathered
gathered in
in that period lay the foundation for continued refinements
of knowledge
knowledge of this important structure. Research continues on refining knowledge of the age of
rifting events,
events, internal stratigraphy
stratigraphy of rift units, the nature of plume-lithosphere interaction, and
and alteration.
alteration. Advances in the detail and precision
precision of
patterns of regional metamorphism and
information
information on the geometry, age, and composition of the rift from recent and continuing research,
combined
quantitative numerical
combined with modem
modem computational
computational techniques, allows
allows a new phase of quantitative
undertaken. Examples of this new phase of research
research are current
research on rift evolution to be undertaken.
studies
studies of the transient
transient thermal history of the rift, and the paleohydrology of the rift as it related to
formation
formation of
of mineral
mineral deposits.
deposits.

21

�References on
on the
the Midcontinent
Midcontinent Rift (post
Selected References
(post 1982)
1982)
Allen,
Wi., Dickas,
&amp;en, D.J., Hinze, W.J.,
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Wirth,
ChengwatanaVolcanics,
Volcanics,Wisconsin
Wisconsinand
andMinnesota:
Minnesota:
Chengwatana
petrogenesis of the southernmost
southernmost volcanic
volcanic rocks
rocks
petrogenesis
exposedin
in the
the Midcontinent
Midcontinentrift:
rift:Canadian
CanadianJournal
Journal
exposed
536-548.
of Earth
Earth Sciences,
Sciences,v.
v. 34,
34,p.
p.536-548.
of

Van
Van Schmus,
Schmus,W.R.,
W.R., 1992,
1992,Tectonic
Tectonicsetting
settingof
ofthe
theMidcontinent
Midcontinent
Rift
Rift System:
System: Tectonophysics,
Tectonophysics,v.
v. 213,
213, p.
p. 1-15.
1-15.
Van
Van Schmus,
Schmus,W.R.,
W.R., and
andHinze,
Hinze,W.J.,
W.J., 1985,
1985,The
TheMidcontinent
Midcontinent
Rift System:
System: Annual
Annual Reviews
Reviews of
of Earth
Earth And
And
Planetary
Planetary Science,
Science,v. 13,
13, p.
p. 345-383.
345-383.

Zartman, R.E., Nisholson,
Nisholson, SW.,
S.W.,Cannon,
Cannon,W.F.,
W.F., and
andMorey,
Morey,
Zartman,
G.B., 1997,
1997, U-Th-Pb zircon
zircon ages
ages of
of some
some
G.B.,
Keweenawan Supergroup
Supergrouprocks
rocks from
from the southern
southern
Keweenawan
shore
Earth
shore of
of Lake
Lake Superior:
Superior: Canadian
Canadian Journal
Journal of
of Earth
Sciences,v.
v. 34,
34,p.
p. 549-561.
549-561.
Sciences,
Zhu,
Zhu, T.,
T., and
and Brown,
Brown, L., 1986,
1986, Consortium
Consortium for Continental
Continental
Reflection
ReflectionProfiling
Profiling Michigan
Michigan surveys:
surveys: reprocessing
reprocessing
and results:
results: Journal
Journal of
of Geophysical
Geophysical Research,
Research, v.
v. 91,
91,
and
p. 11477-11495.
11477-11495.
p.

Selected
Selected references
references on
on anorogenic
anorogenicplutons
plutons
Anderson,
Anderson,J.L.,
J.L.,1993,
1993,The
TheWolf
WolfRiver
Riverbatholith,
batholith,the
theLake
Lake
Superior
in Reed,
Reed,
Superior region
region and
and Trans-Hudson
Trans-Hudson orogen,
orogen,in
J.C.,
J.C.,Jr.,
Jr., and
andothers,
others,eds.,
eds.,Precambrian-Conterminous
Precambrian-Conterminous
United States: Boulder, Colo.,
Cob., Geological
Geological Society of
America,
America,The
TheGeology
Geologyof
ofNorth
NorthAmerica,
America,v.v.C2,
C2,p.p.
69-7
69-71.1.

Anderson, J.L., Cullers,
Cullers, R.L., and Van Schmus,
Schmus, W.R., 1980,
1980,
Anderson,
metaluminous and
and peraluminous
peraluminous granite
granite
Anorogenic metaluminous
Anorogenic
plutonism
plutonism in
in the
the mid-Proterozoic
mid-Proterozoic of
of Wisconsin,
Wisconsin,
USA: Contributions
Contributionsto
to Mineralogy
Mineralogyand
andPetrology,
Petrology,v.v.
USA:
74,
74, p.
p. 311-328.
3 11-328.
Nelson, B.K.,
B.K., and
and DePaobo,
DePaolo, D.J., 1985,
1985, Rapid production
production of
of
Nelson,
continentalcrust
crust 1.7-1.9
1.7-1.9 b.y.
b.y. agoago- Nd and
and Sr
Sr isotopic
isotopic
continental
evidence from
from the basement
basement of
of the North American
American
evidence
midcontinent:
midcontinent:Geological
Geological Society
Society of
of America
America
Bulletin,
Bulletin,v.
v. 96,
96, p.
p. 746-754.
746-754.

Anderson,
Anderson, J.L.,
J.L., 1983,
1983,Proterozoic
Proterozoicanorogenic
anorogenic granite
granite plutonism
plutonism
of
of North
North America,
America, in
in Medaris,
Medaris,L.G.,
L.G., Jr.,
Jr., and
and others,
others,
eds.,
eds., Proterozoic
Proterozoicgeology:
geology:selected
selectedpapers
papersfrom
from an
an
International
International Proterozoic
ProterozoicSymposium:
Symposium:Geological
Geological
Society
Society of
of America
AmericaMemoir,
Memoir, 161,
161,p.
p. 133-154.
133-154.

Sims,P.K.,
P.K., 1996,
1996,Early
Earlyand
andMiddle
MiddleProterozoic
Proterozoicintracratonic
intracratonic
Sims,
rocks,
rocks,in
in Sims,
Sims,P.K.
P.K. and
and Carter,
Carter, L.M.H.,
L.M.H., eds.,
eds.,
Archeanand
and Proterozoic
Proterozoicgeology
geology of
of the
the Lake
Lake
Archean
Superior region, U.S.A.:
U.S.A.: U.S. Geological
Geological Survey
Survey
Superior
ProfessionalPaper
Paper1556,
1556,p.p.57-60.
57-60.
Professional

Anderson,
Anderson,.LL.,
J.L., 1980,
1980, Mineral equilibria
equilibria and
and crystallization
crystallization
conditions
conditionsin
in the
the late
latePrecambrian
PrecambrianWolf
WolfRiver
River
rapakivi
rapakivi massif,
massif, Wisconsin:
Wisconsin: American Journal of
Science,
Science,v.
v. 280,
280, p.
p. 289-332.
289-332.

Van
Medaris, L.G.,
L.G., and
andBanks,
P.O., 1975,
1975,
Van Schmus,
Schmus,W.R.,
W.R., ,,Medaris,
Banks, P.O.,
Chronologyof
ofPrecambrian
Precambrianrocks
rocksininWisconsin,
Wisconsin,I:I:
Chronology
theWolf
WolfRiver
Riverbatholith,
batholith,aarapikivi
rapikivimassif
massif
the
approximately1500
1500 m.y.
my. old: Geological
Geological Society
Society of
of
approximately
AmericaBulletin,
Bulletin,v.v.86,
86,p.p.907-9
907-914.
America
14.

Anderson,
Anderson,J.L.,
J.L., and
andCullers,
Cullers,R.L.,
R.L.,1978,
1978,Geochemistry
Geochemistryand
and
evolution
evolutionof
of the
the Wolf
WolfRiver
Riverbatholith,
batholith,aalate
late
Precambrianrapakivi
rapakivimassif
massifininnorthern
northernWisconsin,
Wisconsin,
Precambrian
USA:
v.7,7, p.p. 287-324.
287-324.
USA: Precambrian
PrecambrianResearch,
Research,v.

24

�ROCKS IN THE
THE NORTHERN
NORTHERN PART OF THE
THE CENTRAL
CENTRAL
PALEOZOIC ROCKS
MIDCONTINENT OF NORTH
NORTH AMERICA
AMERICA
RUNKEL,
RUNKEL, Anthony
Anthony C.,
C., Minnesota
Minnesota Geological
Geological Survey,
Survey,2642
2642University
University Ave
AveSE,
SE,St
St
Paul,
Paul, MN,
MN, 55114-1057
55 114-1057

INTRODUCTION
Paleozoic
Paleozoic strata
strata in the central
central midcontinent region of North
North American
American consist
consistof
of thin
thin
units of carbonate,
carbonate, sandstone,
sandstone, and
and shale
shale distributed across tens of thousands of square
square
kilometers.
kilometers. This
This overview
overview focuses
focuses on the northernmost extent of lower Paleozoic strata
which were
were deposited
deposited on
on the
the stable
stable cratonic
cratonic shelf northwest
northwest of the Illinois and Michigan
Michigan
basins
sinuous belt of outcrops
outcrops in southern
southern
basins (Figs.
(Figs. 11and
and 2).
2). They
They are
are exposed
exposed in
in a sinuous
Minnesota,
Minnesota, Wisconsin
Wisconsin and
and northern
northern Michigan,
Michigan, on the southern
southern flanks
flanks of the
Transcontinental
Transcontinental arch
arch and
and the
the Wisconsin
Wisconsin dome
dome and
and arch.
arch.
Deposition
Late Cambrian
Cambriantime.
time. Coarse
Coarse
Depositionof
of Paleozoic
Paleozoicsediments
sedimentsbegan
began in
in Middle
Middleto
to Late
siliciclastic
siliciclastic sediments
sediments of the
the Mt
Mt Simon
Simon Sandstone
Sandstone covered
covered the eroded
eroded Precambrian
Precambrian surface.
surface.
Overlying
Overlying strata
stratawere
were deposited
deposited in
in two broad, laterally equivalent
equivalent facies belts across the
central
inset) (Palmer,
(Palmer, 1960).
1960).An
An inner
innerdetrital
detritalbelt
belt was
was
central midcontinent
midcontinentregion
region (Fig.
(Fig.11inset)
composed
composed of shallow
shallow marine
marine siiciclastics
siliciclasticsderived
derived from
from subaerially
subaerially exposed
exposed Precambrian
Precambrian
shield
shield areas
areas on
on and
and totothe
thenorth
northof
ofthe
theWisconsin
WisconsinDome.
Dome. Thin,
Thin, laterally
laterally extensive
extensive units
units
dominated
quartzose sandstone,
sandstone, very fme
fine sandstone, or
dominated by either
either fmefine-to
tocoarse-grained
coarse-grainedquartzose
shale
shalewere
were deposited
depositedin
in the
the inner
innerdetrital
detritalbelt.
belt. The
The middle
middle carbonate
carbonatebelt
belt consisted
consistedof
ofsubtidal
subtidal
to
to intertidal
intertidal carbonate
carbonate and
and shale
shale deposits
deposits that accumulated
accumulated to the south. The boundary
between belts shifted,
belt sedimentation
shifted, with inner detrital belt
sedimentation dominant during Cambrian and
part
part of
of Middle
MiddleOrdovician
Ordovician time,
time, and
and middle
middle carbonate
carbonate belt sedimentation
sedimentationdominant
dominantduring
during
the
as in
in Silurian
Silurianand
and Devonian
Devoniantime
time (Fig.
(Fig. 2).
2).
the Early
Early and
and Late
LateOrdovician,
Ordovician,as
as well
well as
Early
Early Paleozoic
Paleozoicdeposition
depositionoccurred
occurred on
on aavirtually
virtuallyhorizontal,
horizontal,cratonic
cratonicshelf
shelfwith
withaavery
very
low
lOrn1m.y. (Sloss,
(Sloss,
low subsidence
subsidence rate. Late
LateCambrian
Cambriansubsidence
subsidenceaveraged
averaged less
lessthan
thanlOrn/m.y.
1988),
1988),about
about one-fifth
one-fifth to
to one-tenth
one-tenth the
the rate
rate in
in the
the contemporaneous
contemporaneousIllinois
IllinoisBasin
Basin (Sargent,
(Sargent,
1991)
1991) and orders
orders of magnitude
magnitude slower
slower than
than that
that of better known,
known, younger
younger basins
basins in
in North
North
America.
(e.g. Byers
Byersand
and Dott,
Dott,
America. Maximum
Maximumpaleobathymetry
paleobathymetrywas
was typically
typically less
lessthan
than100
100m
m(e.g.
1995;
1995; Ludvigson
Ludvigson and
and others,
others, 1996)
1996)and
and the shelf had a low gradient
gradient slope
slope of about
about
0.1
rn/km.
O.lm/km.
The
The Wisconsin
Wisconsinarch
arch and
and dome
dome and
and Transcontinental
Transcontinentalarch
arch were
were positive structural
structural
features
featuresthat
that influenced
influencedearly
early Paleozoic
Paleozoic sedimentation
sedimentation patterns,
patterns, and
and eventually
eventually controlled
controlledthe
the
distribution
distribution and
and configuration
configurationof
of gently
gently folded
folded and
and faulted
faulted Paleozoic
Paleozoic strata
strata today. In
In
northern
are
northern Iowa,
Iowa,southern
southernMinnesota,
Minnesota,and
and southwestern
southwesternWisconsin
Wisconsin Paleozoic
Paleozoic strata
strataare
preserved
preserved in
in what
what is
is known
known as
as the
the Hollandale
Hollandale Embayment, which is a broad syncline
syncline that
lies
lies between
between these
these two
two positive
positive features.
features. South
Southand
andeast
eastof
ofthe
theWisconsin
Wisconsinarch
archand
anddome
dome
Paleozoic
Paleozoic rocks
rocks dip
dipless
lessthan
than 11degree
degreeinto
into the
the Illinois
Illinois and
and Michigan
Michigan basins.
basins.

DEPOSITIONAL MODELS
MODELS
The
The depositional
depositionalhistory
history of
of lower
lowerPaleozoic
Paleozoicsiliciclastic
siliciclasticstrata
strata of
of this
this region
regionremains
remains
poorly understood despite
an
despite over 100
100 years of study. Many
Many workers
workers have
have lamented
lamented an
apparent
apparent absence
absenceof
of modern
modem or
or ancient
ancientdepositional
depositionalanalogues.
analogues.In
In addition,
addition,dozens
dozensof
of local
local
studies
studies have
have been conducted
conducted (e.g.
(e.g. Nelson,
Nelson, 1954;
1954; Haddox and Dott, 1990)
1990) but there are few
regional-scale
regional-scaleinvestigations
investigationsthat
that incoiporate
incorporate several
several lithofacies
lithofaciesinto
into aa temporally
temporally constrained
constrained
stratigraphic
stratigraphic framework.
framework.Present-day
Present-day understanding
understanding of early Paleozoic
Paleozoic siliciclastic
siliciclastic
deposition
deposition is
is based
based mostly
mostly on
on work
work conducted
conducted since
since 1950,
1950,beginning
beginning with
with the
the
predominantly
(1954), Nelson
Nelson (1956),
(1956), Berg
Berg and
and others
others
predominantly stratigraphic
stratigraphic investigations
investigations of
of Berg
Berg (1954),
(1956), Bell and others (1956), and Ostrom (1964,
1970). Subsequent work has been
(1964,1970).
chiefly
chiefly sedimentologic,
sedimentologic, focusing
focusing on the interpretations of near-shore marine facies (Fraser,
(Fraser,
1976;
1976; Driese
Driese and
and others,
others, 1981;
1981;Dott
Dott and
and others,
others, 1986;
1986; Haddox
Haddox and
and Dott,
Dott, 1990;
1990;Barnes
Barnes and
and
25

�Figure1.1.Location
Locationmap
mapshowing
showing
Figure
earlyPaleozoic
Paleozoictectonic
tectonicfeatures,
features,
early
major paleotopographic
paleotopographichighs
highs of
of
major
Precambrian
rocks
(stippled)
and
the
Precambrian rocks (stippled) and the
approximate
distribution
of
approximate distribution of
(C),Ordovician
Ordovician (0),
(0),
Cambrian (C),
Cambrian
Silurian
(S),
and
Devonian
(D)
Silurian (S), and Devonian (D)
stratain
in the
thenorthern
northernpart
partof
ofthe
the
strata
centralmidcontinent
midcontinentregion.
region. The
The
central
inset
shows
the
study
area
relative
inset shows the study area relative toto
theLate
LateCambrian
Cambrianinner
inner(stipple)
(stipple)
the
detritalbelts
belts and
and
and outer
outer(dashes)
(dashes)detrital
and
the
middle
carbonate
belt
(block
the middle carbonate belt (block
pattern)of
ofPalmer
Palmer(1960).
(1960).Modified
Modified
pattern)
from Runkel
Runkeland
andothers
others(1998)
(1998)
from

GROUP!
FORMATION

LITHOLOGY

;

i.

Cedar VaHey

J

— I — —L

—I

-—

I——I

Manustique

Burnt Bluff
Cataract

I—I-

J

——

—

.

Maquoketa
Dubuque
Galena
Decorah

Platteville

ood

!:!.
—

••

E

•.

-:
•

Figure2.2.Generalized
Generalizedstratigraphic
stratigraphiccolumn
column(no
(no
Figure
scale)for
for lower
lowerPaleozoic
Paleozoicrocks
rocksininthe
thenorthern
northernpart
part
scale)
of
the
central
midcontinent
region.
The
Cambrian
of the central midcontinent region. The Cambrian
andOrdovician
Ordoviciannomenclature
nomenclatureisisthat
thatused
usedinin
and
southeastern Minnesota
Minnesota and
and Wisconsin,
Wisconsin, the
the
southeastern
Silurianfrom
from eastern
easternWisconsin
Wisconsinand
and northern
northern
Silurian
Michigan,and
and the
the Devonian
Devonianfrom
from southernmost
southernmost
Michigan,
Minnesotaand
andnorthern
northernIowa.
Iowa.
Minnesota

Engadune

Jde
Group

Jordan
St Lawrence
Franconia

Ga

(Wonewoc)

Eau Claire and

Bonneterre

—

.

Mt. Simon

E l (uatzose
-sandstone
sandstone
sdtstone,
shale
(] Very Very
fine fine
s.s.,s.s.,
siltstone,
shale

(LoneRock)

—

(dashedwhere
whereshaly)
shaly)
Carbonate(dashed
Carbonate
Norecord
record
No
Unconfonnity
Unconformity

�others,
others,1992;
1992;Mossier,
Mossler,1992;
1992;Runkel,
Runkel,1994).
1994).In
Inaavery
veryimportant
importantand
andwidely
widelycited
citedstudy
study
Dott
Dottand
andothers
others(1986)
(1986)examined
examinedthe
thetransition
transitionfrom
fromnonmarine
nonmarinetotomarine
marineenvironments
environments
recorded
recordedin
inquartzose
quartzosesandstones,
sandstones,and
andprovided
providedthe
thefirst
fmt set
setof
of criteria
criteriafor
foridentification
identificationof
of
nonmarine
facies.They described
described an
an early
early Paleozoic
Paleozoic terrestrial
terrestrial setting
setting with broad braided
braided
nonmarinefacies.They
streams
streamsand
andeolian
eoliansheet
sheetand
anderg
ergsystems
systemsthat
that delivered
delivered sand
sand to
to aa shallow
shallowmarine
marine
environment
environmentdominated
dominatedby
by small
smallthree
threedimensional
dimensionaldunes.
dunes.Dott
Dottand
andothers
others(1986)
(1986)stressed
stressed
the
as the
the lack
lack of
of vegetation,
vegetation, between
between early
early Paleozoic
Paleozoic depositional
depositional
the differences,
dzfferences, such
such as
environments
A
environmentsand
andthose
those inferred
inferredfor
forboth
both younger
younger rocks
rocks and
and modem
modemsettings.
settings.A
depositional
depositional model
model ofofaasimple,
simple,storm-dominated,
storm-dominated,texturally
texturallygraded
gradedshelf
shelfwas
wasproposed
proposedby
by
Runkel
Runkel and
and others
others(1998),
(1998),and
and isis noteworthy
noteworthy in
in its
its similarity
similari~to
to models
modelsbased
basedon
onboth
both
younger
youngerrocks
rocks and
andmodem
modemsystems.
systems.Their
Theirstudy
studywas
was essentially
essentiallyaaregional-scale
regional-scaleoutgrowth
outgrowth
of
of the
the excellent
excellentoutcrop
outcropwork
workof
of Charlie
CharlieBell
Belland
andhis
his students
studentsfrom
fromthe
the University
University of
of
Minnesota
Minnesotain
in the
the 1950's.
1950's.Runkel
Runkeland
and others
others(1998)
(1998)suggested
suggestedthat
that early
early Paleozoic
Paleozoic
depositional
areanalogous
analogousto
to those
thosedepicted
depictedin
inwell-known
well-known
depositionalprocesses
processesand
andfacies
faciesdistribution
distributionare
models
modelsof
of the
the Cretaceous
Cretaceousinterior
interior seaway and the modem Bering
Bering Shelf.
Shelf. The
The thin widespread
widespread
siliciclastic
chamcteristic of lower
lower Paleozoic strata
strata result from large
largelateral
lateralfacies
facies
siliciclasticunits
units characteristic
migrations
relativesea
sealevel.
level.
migrationswhich
whichoccurred
o c c m din
inresponse
responseto
tocontinental-scale
continental-scalechanges
changesininrelative
Taylors Falls Precambrian

lava flow rrdges, (J,/
Mayor sand
0

—

SILIcICLASTIC OFFSHORE SHELF

—

CARBONATEI

—

—

—

—(M0StIV
— —

SHELF

—

—

—

-

—

—

—

—

—

—

o
—

—

—

Storm—t,anspolt of
!° sand. suit. shale
!rom shoretace

—
—

0

—

—
—

—

——

=

—

—

-

—

—

0

—

—

—

0

—
—

—

—

—

—

Rudge :

—

—

—

—

-

—

—

—

'mmodks

-

Tempestltes-

01

0

0

00

—

Depth 5Pm

= -o
—

—

—

—

0

4OUI

—

-o 2O4O=
I

•.:

0 00 00 00 :

0

——

—

.._- on Arch

0

—0
—

—

—

—

source

sandstone

Tudal

-

—
—

FLUVIAL&amp;
o
. EOLIAN
0 SANDPLAIN
sand
transport
by storms

s..

—

-

Dome

•

— SHOREFACE 0

—

ORE

Figure
Figure3.3.Conceptual
Conceptual

source from

—

—

—

—

0000
0000
0

0

0

0

(East) 0

depositional
depositional model
model of Late
Late
Cambrian
Cambrianstorm-dominated,
storm-dominated,
texturally
textxrailygraded
gradedshelf.
shelf.
Quartzose
Quartzosefmefme- to
to coarsecoarsegrained
gained sand
sandaccumulated
accumulatedin
in
nearshore
nearshoreterresirial
terrestrial and
and
shoreface
shorefaceenvironments.
environments.Finer
Finer
grained
feldspathic
grained,,feldspathic
siiciclastic
siliciclasticsediments
sedimentsand
and
subtidal
subtidalcarbonates
carbonates
accumulated
accumulated in
in deeper
deeperwater
water of
the
the offshoreshelf.
offshoreshelf.

Carbonate
Carbonaterocks
rocks within
within the
the lower
lower Paleozoic
Paleozoic sequence
sequence have
have historically
historically been regarded
regarded as
as
more
more amenable
amenableto
to comparison
comparisonwith
with both
both modem
modem and
and ancient
ancientfacies
facies models.
models. Deposition
Deposition
occurred
occurred in
in environments
environmentsthat
thatrange
m g efrom
fromevaporitic,
evaporitic,supratidal
supratidalconditions
conditionsfor
forparts
parts of
of the
the
Prairie
du Chien
Chien Group
Group(Smith
(Smithand
andothers,
others,1993)
1993)to
to subtidal
subtidalsettings
settingsin
indepths
depthsof
of 100
100m
mor
or
Prairie du
more
more for
for parts
parts of
of units
units such
suchas
asthe
theDecorah
DecorahShale
Shale(Ludvigson
(Ludvigsonand
andothers,
others,1996).
1996).Most
Most
investigations
in scope
scoperelative
relativeto
to the
the great
g m t lateral
lateral extent
extent of
of these
these units
units and
and
investigationshave
havebeen
been local
localin
there
aretoo
too many
many to
tocite
cite them
them individually.
individually. Ordovician
Ordovician carbonate
carbonatestrata
strata of
of the
the Hollandale
Hollandale
thereare
embayment
embayment are
are the
the focus
focus of
of aa monograph
monograph edited
edited by
by Sloan
Sloan (1986).
(1986). Silurian
Siluriancarbonates
carbonateson
onthe
the
westem
westem flank
flankof
of the
the Michigan
Michigan Basin
Basin have
have recently been studied
studied by Harris
Harris and
and Waldhuetter
Waldhuetter
(1996). There
are many excellent
excellent studies
studies of Ordovician through Devonian age strata
strata in
There are
northern
northem Iowa,
Iowa, largely
largely conducted
conducted by the Iowa Geological Survey; the results can often be
extrapolated
several papers in Witzke and others, 1996)
1996)
extrapolated to
to Minnesota
Minnesota and
and Wisconsin
Wisconsin (e.g. several
Some
Some regional
regional scale
scalestudies
studies have
have recently
recently been
been completed;
completed;aa stratigraphic
stmtigxaphicframework
frameworkhas
has
been
been developed
developedfor
for the
the Prairie
Fhkie du
du Chien
Chien Group
Group from the Michigan basin to the Hollandale
Hollandale
embayment
1996; Barnes
embayment (Smith
(Smith and others, 1993,
1993,1996;
Barnesand
and others,
others, 1996).
1996).Simo
Simoand
and others
others
(1997)
are currently
currently constructing
constructingaa large
large scale
scale stratigraphic
stratigraphic framework
framework for
for Ordovician
Ordovician rocks
rocks
(1997) are
of
as identification
identification
of the
the central
centralmidcontinent
midcontinentin
in order
order to
to address
address long-standing
long-standing problems
problems such
such as
of the controls responsible for the
the apparently synchronous regional-scale changes from
from
"tropical"
to
%opicalV1
to "temperate"
"temperate1'styles
stylesof
of carbonate
carbonatedeposition.
deposition. .
27

�NOTABLE FEATURES
FEATURES AND
AND LONGSTANDING
LONGSTANDING PROBLEMS
PROBLEMS
NOTABLE
LowerPaleozoic
Paleozoicstrata
strataininthe
thecentral
centralmidcontinent
midcontinentregion
regionare
areamong
amongthe
thelongest
longeststudied
studied
Lower
sedimentary
sedimentaryrocks
rocksin
in North
North America.
America. They
Theyare
arewell
wellknown
knownto
togeologists
geologistsoutside
outsideof
ofthe
thearea
area
forseveral
severalenigmatic
enigmaticfeatures
features(Dott
(Dottand
andByers,
Byers,1980).
1980).Most
Mostnotable
notableisisthe
theextreme
extremetextural
textural
for
andmineralogical
mineralogicalmaturity
maturityofofthe
thefme
fineto
tocoarse-grained
coarse-grained sandstones,
sandstones,and
andthe
the sheet-like
sheet-like
and
geometryofofthese
theseand
andother
othersiliciclastic
siliciclasticunits.
units. The
Theoverall
overalldearth
dearthofofshale
shalehas
haspuzzled
puled
geometry
sedimentologists,
sedimentologists,and
andthe
thefundamental
fundamentalcontrols
controlson
onthe
theepisodic
episodicchange
changefrom
fromsiliciclasticsiliciclasticdominated
dominatedto
tocarbonate-dominated
carbonate-dominatedsedimentation
sedimentationremain
remain poorly
poorly understood.
understood. Lastly,
Lastly, the
the
presence,
presence,position
positionand
andmagnitude
magnitudeofofunconformities
unconformitieshas
hasbeen
beendebated
debatedfor
fordecades.
decades.The
The
remainderof
ofthis
thisabstract
abstractsummarizes
summarizesthe
theprogress
progressmade
madeininunderstanding
understandingthese
theseenigmatic
enigmatic
remainder
features
featuressince
sincethe
theoverview
overviewpublication
publicationby
byDott
Dottand
andByers
Byers(1980)
(1980)on
onlower
lowerPaleozoic
Paleozoicstrata.
strata.
Sheet
Sheetgeometry
geometryAAlong-standing
long-standingquestion
questionhas
hasbeen
beenhow
howsheet-like
sheet-likesiliciclastic
siliciclasticlayers
layerswere
were
initially
initiallydeposited
depositedand
andthen
thenpreserved
preservedacross
acrosstens
tensof
ofthousands
thousandsof
ofsquare
squarekilometers
kilometersof
ofthe
the
cratonic
cratonicshelf.
shelf.Most
Mostworkers
workershave
haveattributed
attributedthe
theformation
formationof
ofsuch
suchsheets
sheetsto
todepositional
depositional
processes
aremarkedly
markedlydifferent
differentfrom
fromthose
thosedescribed
describedfor
formost
most
processesand
andenvironments
environmentsthat
thatare
younger
youngerrocks
rocksand
andmodern
modernsettings.
settings.Lochman-Balk
Lochman-Balk(1970)
(1970)inferred
inferred the
the presence
presence of
of
enormous
kilometersperpendicular
perpendiculartotothe
the
enormoustidal
tidalflats
flatsextending
extendingwell
wellover
overtwo
twohundred
hundredkilometers
shoreline.
shoreline.Dott
Dottand
andByers
Byers(1980)
(1980)suggested
suggestedthat
that quartzose
quartzosesand
sandaggraded
aggradedmore
more or
or less
less
vertically
verticallyinto
intoaasheet
sheetunder
underhigh-energy
high-energy conditions
conditions across
across a vast shallow
shallow sea.
sea. The
Themost
most
widely
widelycited
citedhypothesis
hypothesisisisone
onewhich
whichattributes
attributesthe
theorigin
originof
ofquartzose
quartzosesandstone
sandstonesheets
sheetstoto
fluvial
fluvialand
andeolian
eolianprocesses
processesthat
thatdispersed
dispersedsand
sandacross
acrossaa vegetation
vegetation free
freelandscape
landscapeprior
priorto
to
marine
marinereworking
reworkingduring
duringaatransgression
bansgression(Dott
(Dottand
andothers
others1986).
1986).Recent
Recentstudies,
studies,however,
however,
have
havedemonstrated
demonstratedthat
thatsome
somequartzose
quartzosesheets
sheetswere
weredeposited
depositedentirely
entirelywithin
withinthe
themarine
marine
realm
realmunder
underregressive
regressiveconditions
conditions(e.g.
(e.g.Runkel,
Runkel, 1994,
1994,Hughes
Hughes and
and Hesselbo,
Hesselbo,1997,
1997,Runkel
Runkel
and
and others
others1998),
1998),and
andthat
thatthe
thedepositional
depositionalprocesses
processes responsible
responsible for
for the
the dispersal
dispersalof
of
siliciclastic
siliciclasticsediments
sedimentswere
were similar
similar totothose
thoseoperating
operatingduring
duringthe
the deposition
deposition of
of ancient
ancient
sandstones that are not sheet-like.
sheet-like.
sandstones
The
Thelateral
lateralpersistence
persistenceand
andsheet-like
sheet-likegeometry
geometryof
oflower
lowerPaleozoic
Paleozoicsiliciclastic
siliciclasticunits
units
probably
probablyreflect
reflectthe
theroles
rolesof
ofbasin
basinphysiography
physiographyand
andtectonics
tectonicsin
in controlling
controllingthe
the
lithostratigraphic
lithostratigmphicarchitecture,
architecture,rather
ratherthan
thanthe
theexistence
existenceof
ofatypical
atypicalsedimentary
sedimentary
environments.
environments.Deposition
Depositionwas
was characterized
characterized by a continuous
continuous and abundant supply of
sediment
sedimenttotoaarelatively
relativelystable,
stable,nearly
nearlyfiat
flatbasin
basin with
with aa slow,
slow,uniform
uniformrate
rateof
ofsubsidence.
subsidence.
Individual
(e.g.Fig.
Fig.3)
Individual sheets
sheetsof
of siliciclastic
siliciclasticsediment
sediment were
were deposited when
whendiscrete
discretefacies
facies(e.g.
3)
migrated
migratedgreat
greatdistances
distancesduring
duringchanges
changesininsea
sealevel.
level.Deep
Deepincision
incisionof
ofthe
theindividual
individualsheets
sheets
during
duringepisodes
episodesof
of subaerial
subaerialexposure
exposuredid
did not
not occur,
occur, resulting
resulting in
in more
more or
or less
less uniform
uniform
preservation.
preservation.
Textural
Texturalmaturity
maturitvof
ofsandstones
sandstonesThe
Theextreme
extremetextural
textural and
and mineralogical
mineralogical maturity
maturity of
of the
the finefineto
to coarsecoarse-grained
grainedsandstone
sandstoneunits,
units, such
such as
as the
the St
St Peter Sandstone,
Sandstone, may
maybe
bethe
thebest
bestknown
known
and
andlongest
longeststudied
studiedfeature
featurein
in the
the lower
lowerPaleozoic
Paleozoicstrata
strataof
ofthe
thecentral
centralmidcontinent.
midcontinent.The
The
sandstones
are moderately
moderately to
to well
wellrounded.
rounded.
sandstonescontain
containmore
morethan
than 98%
98%quartz
quartzand
andmost
most grains
grainsare
Such
Suchtextural
texturaland
andcompositional
compositionalmaturity
maturitycould
couldnot
not have
have been
been achieved
achievedsolely
solelyby
by fluvial
fluvialand
and
marine
marine abrasion
abrasioneven
evenover
overtransport
transportdistances
distancesof
of hundreds
hundreds of
of kilometers
kilometersifif the
the grains
grainswere
were
derived
derived directly
directly from
from crystalline source rocks. Rare
Rare grains
grains with abraded overgrowths are
are
reworked
reworkedfrom
fromolder
oldersedimentary
sedimentaryrocks,
rocks,but
butthe
thevolumetric
volumetricsignificance
significanceof
of such
suchrecycling
recyclingisis
uncertain
uncertain and
and aa source
source of
of suitable
suitable sedimentary rock has never been identified. Odom
Odom (1975,
(1975,
1978)
1978)conducted
conductedthe
the most
mostcomprehensive
comprehensivemineralogical
mineralogicalstudy
studyof
of lower
lowerPaleozoic
Paleozoic
sandstones;
sandstones;he
henoted
noted that
thatthe
thevery
very fme
finegrained
grainedfraction
fractionis
is feldspathic,
feldspathic,whereas
whereas the
the fine
fine to
to
coarse-grained
coarse-grainedfraction
fractioncontains
containsmore
more than
than 98%
98%quartz
quartz (with
(with the exception
exception of some
some lower
lower Mt
Simon
Simon Sandstone
Sandstonebeds).
beds). He
He suggested
suggested that
that aa long history of abrasion in a marine setting
28

�could account
account for
for both the maturity of the quartzose grains and the reduction in size of
feldspar
first to
to clearly
clearly identi@
identify the
thepresence
presence of
of
feldspar grains. Dott and others (1986) were the fmt
substantial eolian deposits
quartzose sandstones, and they suggested that
deposits within some quarkose
eolian abrasion
abrasion could contribute
contribute to the textural and mineralogic features
features described
described by Odom
Odom
(1975, 1978).
1978). Lastly,
Lastly,chemical
chemicalweathering
weatheringin
inthe
thesource
sourcearea
area must
mustbe
be taken
taken into
into
consideration (Morey,
consideration
(Morey, 1972).
1972). Odom
Odom (1975,
(1975, 1978)
1978)noted that the
the very
very fine
fine grained,
grained,
feldspathic sandstones are
arerich
rich in
in K-feldspar
K-feldspar but have
have only a "trace"
"trace" amount of plagioclase
grains, even though
though plagioclase
plagioclase was presumably dominant
dominant in
in the
the source
source area
area of
of the
the
Precambrian shield. Selective
plagioclase grains
grains from
from the
the sandstone
Precambrian
Selective diagenetic leaching of plagioclase
chemical weathering
weathering probably preferentially dissolved
was discounted by Odom. Thus, chemical
plagioclase crystals and reduced
reduced the
thesize
sizeand
and amount
amount of
of other
other relatively unstable
unstable minerals
minerals
prior
prior to
to mechanical
mechanicalabrasion
abrasionduring
during transport
transport to
to the
the shoreline.
shoreline.
While each of the processes
processes described above
above could have been responsible
responsible in part for
for the
the
mineralogic and textural attributes of lower Paleozoic sandstones, they do not entirely
mineralogic
that virtually
virtually all
all fmeaccount for the compositional record that appears to indicate that
fine- to
coarse-grained sand
sand was
was exceptionally
exceptionally mature
mature when itit arrived
arrived to
to the
the early
early Paleozoic
Paleozoic
shoreline.
shoreline. Fine- to coarse-grained
coarse-grained immature
immature sand would have almost certainly been
abrasion model
modelof
ofOdom
Odom(1975)
(1975)were
wereaccurate.
accurate. It
It is difficult
difficult
deposited locally if the marine abmion
in which
whichall
all sand
abrasion
sand is subjected to prolonged eolian abrasion
to reconstruct a terrestrial setting in
(Dott and others
others 1986)
1986) prior to deposition
deposition in a marine
marine environment.

centmlmidcontinent
midcontinent region
region are
are noted
noted for
for aa
Dearth of Shale
Shale Lower
LowerPaleozoic
Paleozoicrocks
rocksof
of the
thecentral
dearth of shale
shale compared
compared to other shallow marine deposits. Two
Twovery
very different
d i f f e ~ nhypotheses
hypotheses
t
have been proposed to account
account for this dearth of shale. In a "marine bypassing" model,
were delivered to the
Pettijohn and others (1973) suggested that clay- and silt-sized particles were
shoreline,
shoreline, but subsequently
subsequently carried
carried in suspension
suspension by repeated storms across the shallow
shallow
shelf before final burial in basinward areas. In contrast, Dalrymple
Dairymple and others (1985)
suggested that strong
kilometers
strongwinds
windsblew
blewclay
clayand
andsilt
siltparticles
particleshundreds
hundredsto
to thousands
thousands of
of kilometers
offshore, to be ultimately
ultimately deposited
deposited in the outer detrital belt (Fig 1).
Recent investigations
investigations of Upper Cambrian siliciclastic
siliciclastic strata support the marine bypassing
well known
known dearth of shale isis
model of Pettijohn and others (1973), demonstrating that the well
of the
the outcrop
outcrop belt on the flanks of the Wisconsin dome and arch
characteristic only of
(McKay, 1988,
Wisconsin arch, subsurface
1988, Runkel and others, 1998). Basinward of the Wisconsin
records from Minnesota
Minnesota and
and Iowa
Iowa show
show that facies
facies dominated by shale
shale and
and siltstone
siltstoneare
are
equivalents to the shale-poor
offshore equivalents
shale-poor
common. The
The shale
shale and
and siltstone
siltstone dominated facies are offshore
sandstone facies of the
sandstone
theoutcrop
outcropbelt,
belt, and
and their
their geographic
geographic position changed through time in
response
outcrop belt has
response to
to changes
changes in
in the
the position
position of the storm-fairweather
storm-fairweather wave base. The outcrop
a dearth of shale
shale simply because the depositional
depositional record is dominated by highstand shoreface
shoreface
base. This
facies deposited above fairweather wave base.
This stratigraphic
stratigraphic and sedimentologic
sedimentologic
attribute is not unique
attribute
unique to the
the lower
lower Paleozoic
Paleozoic rocks of the central
central midcontinent
midcontinentregion-it
region-it is
is
landward margins
margins of
of
common in many younger wave-dominated
wave-dominated sequences along the landward
shale-free early
earlyPaleozoic
Paleozoicepeiric
epeiricsea
seaisis a deeply
individual basins. The notion of a shale-free
entrenched idea
ideathat
thatsimply
simply reflects
reflectsthe
thebias
biasof
ofthe
theoutcrop
outcropbelt.
belt. The
The dearth
dearth of
of shale
shale in
in
lower Paleozoic
Paleozoic rocks should
should be removed from the list of enigmatic
enigmatic features unless the
scarcity
scarcity can
can be
be demonstrated
demonstratedto
to exist
exist on
on aa scale
scale larger
larger than
than that
that of
of the
the outcrop
outcropbelt.
belt.
Siliciclastic-Carbonate
Thefundamental
fundamentalcontrols
controlson
on the
the transition
transition from
from nearshore
nearshore
Siliciclastic-Carbonatecycles The
siliciclasticsiliciclastic- to carbonate-dominated
carbonate-dominated deposition
deposition have
have never
never been
been satisfactorily
satisfactorilyunderstood.
understood.
the
For example,
example, in Early Ordovician time carbonate deposition apparently dominated across the
entire region even in the shallowest water
water conditions
conditions (Smith and others 1993). Both older
Sandstone) and younger (St Peter Sandstone) shallow marine environments were
(Jordan Sandstone)
dominated
dominated by siliciclastics.
siliciclastics. Only speculative
speculative and vague hypotheses have been suggested
suggested to
to
account
account for
for such
such fundamental
fundamental changes. For example, Adams (1978) suggested that the Early
Ordovician
Ordovician change
change in
in depositional
depositionalstyles
styles may have
have been in response
response to drowning
drowning of
of the
the
29

�siliciclastic
siliciclastic source
source area by a shallow sea or the result of siliciclastics being "deflected"
"deflected" to
another
l y Paleozoic carbonate-dominated systems
another region. b
Early
systems developed
developed following
following extended
extended
highsea
sealevel
level(Smith
(Smithand
andothers,
others,1993)
1993)which
which suggests
suggeststhat
that the
the siliciclastic
siliciclastic
periods of high
source area may have been covered with a blanket of carbonate rocks.
rocks. The
The spread of certain
source
forms of terrestrial life such as bacterial encrustation, and later the development
development of vascular
vascular
plants, may
may have
have also
also reduced
reduced siliciclastic
siliciclasticinput.
input.

Crvntic
of lower
lower Paleozoic
Paleozoic strata
strata of
of the
the central
central
C
w t i c unconformities Previous investigations of
midcontinent region have also been hindered by an inability to recognize
midcontinent
recognize unconformities.
unconformities.
The
are fairly
fairly well
well
The unconformities
unconformities bounding
bounding the
the major
major sequences
sequencesof
of Sloss
Sloss (1963)
(1963) are
established within the strata of the outcrop belt. The presence and position of "lesser"
"lesser"
unconformities,
within siliciclastic
siliciclasticunits, have
have been aa matter
matter of
of considerable
considerable
unconformities,especially
especially within
relations and interpreted depositional histories indicate that such
debate. Stratigraphic
Stratigraphic relations
unconformities "should"
"should" be present. However,
However, little or no evidence
evidence for
for regionally
regionally extensive
extensive
subaerial erosion has been documented. Such sequence-bounding unconformities
unconformities are
are
they are
are contained
containedwithin
withincoarse
coarsesiliciclastics
siiciclastics because
because they
they
difficult to recognize where they
are texturally and mineralogically similar,
similar, and because
because
separate quartzose
quartzose sandstones
sandstones that are
that occurred
occurred on
they are relatively flat-reflecting erosion that
on aa loose,
loose, sandy
sandy substrate
substrate along
along aa
low, uniform gradient,
gradient, and in a nonvegetated terrestrial
terrestrial environment.
environment. Furthermore,
Furthermore, the
the ultra
ultra
development of a distinctive
mature mineral composition
composition of the exposed substrate
substrate inhibits
inhibits development
distinctive
weathering profile.
Recent work has shown some promise for identifying subtle subaerial surfaces of
of regional
regional
erosion. Recognition
Recognition of cryptic unconformities requires interpretation of
stratigraphic
at individual outcrops
stratigraphic relations in conjunction with physical evidence collected at
and high resolution
resolution biostratigraphic
biostratigraphic data. Smith and others (1993) interpreted local deposits
of silica cement
cement in uppermost Cambrian
Cambrian and Lower Ordovician
Ordovician strata
strata as subaerially
subaerially formed
formed
silcrete. Runkel
fronton
Runkeland
andothers
others(1998)
(1998)suggested
suggestedthat
that cryptic
cryptic unconformities
unconformities within the Ironton
and at
at the
the top of the Jordan
Jordan Sandstone
Sandstoneand
andcan
canbe
be identified only
and Galesville Sandstones and
the coarsest
coarsest bed
bed within
within nearshore
nearshore
by overlying lag deposits. These lags deposits are the
sandstone
sandstone successions;
successions; they separate
separate a regionally traceable, decameter-scale, coarseningupward interval
interval below from
from a decameter-scale, fming-upward
fining-upward sequence
sequence above. Preliminary
Preliminary
results of high resolution
resolution biostratigraphic
biostratigraphic dating using conodonts has verified the presence
of an erosion
erosion surface
surface on top of the Jordan Sandstone,
Sandstone, and demonstrates
demonstrates promise for
for
measuring the
measuring
the magnitude
magnitudeof
of such
such cryptic
cryptic unconformities
unconformities with
with detailed
detailedpaleontologic
paleontologicwork.
work.

REFERENCES
Adams,
Adams, R.
R. L.,1978,
L., 1978,Stratigraphy
Stratigraphyand
and petrology
petrology of the
the lower
lower Oneota
Oneota Dolomite
Dolomite (Ordovician),
(Ordovician),
south-central
south-central Wisconsin: Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey Field Trip
Trip
P- 82-90.
82-90.
Guidebook 3, p.
Barnes D. A., Lundgren C. E., and
and Longman, M. W., 1992,
1992, Sedimentology
Sedimentology and diagenesis
diagenesis
of the St. Peter Sandstone,
Sandstone, Central
Central Michigan Basin, United States: American Association
Association
of Petroleum
1507-1532.
Petroleum Geologists
Geologists Bulletin,
Bulletin, v.
v. 76,
76, no.
no. 10,
10,p.
p. 1507-1532.
Barnes, D. A., Harrison Ill,
H., 1996,
1996, Lower-Middle Ordovician
111,W.
W. B.,
B., and
and Shaw,
Shaw, T. H.,
Lithofacies
in, Witzke, B.J.,
Lithofacies and
and Interregional Correlation, Michigan Basin, USA, in,
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30

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Odom I. E. 1978,
1978,Mineralogy
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Ostrom, M. E., 1964,
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1964, Pre-Cincinnatian
Pre-Cincinnatian Paleozoic cyclic sediments in the Upper Mississippi
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Information Circular
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11,p.
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uppermost Cambrian
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and
and the
the nature
nature of
of the
the Cambrian-Ordovician
Cambrian-Ordovician boundary
boundary in
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Valley:
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106, p. 492-506.
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Il-Sauk I11
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110, no. 2, p.188-210
Sargent, M. L., 1991,
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306,446~.

32

�MODELS FOR INTERPRETING
INTERPRETING THE
THE QUATERNARY
QUATERNARY HISTORY
OF THE
THE LAKE SUPERIOR
SUPERIOR REGION
PATTERSON,
PATTERSON, Carrie
Carrie J., Minnesota
Minnesota Geological
GeologicalSurvey
Survey

The interpretation
interpretation of the Quaternaiy
Quaternary glacial and interglacial history for the Lake Superior
as aa result
result of
of two
twonew
newmodels.
models. Firstly, oxygen isotope
region is in the midst of change as
data have provided evidence leading to the development of a model that indicates a large
during the
the last
lasttwo
twomillion
millionyears.
years. Secondly, a new
number of glaciations occurred during
mechanical model for the dynamics of ice flow has been developed. In
In order
orderto
to integrate
integrate
the new models into
into our
our interpretations,
interpretations,aa broad
broad geographic
geographicperspective
perspectiveisis required.
required.
Rather than provide a summary of the history of the investigations in the Lake Superior
in the
the context
contextof
ofthese
thesenew
newmodels.
models. Even ifif
region, I will present relevant observations in
to look beyond the confines
the models are eventually
eventually replaced, they will have forced us to
of the Upper Midwest
Midwest and
and the
the traditional
traditional glacial
glacial interpretations.
interpretations.

Number of
Number
of glaciations
glaciations
Evidence indicates
indicates that the number of Quaternary glaciations is significantly greater than
the turn
turn of the century
the four-fold glacial chronology devised for North America around the
which included the Wisconsinan, Illinoian, Kansan and Nebraskan glaciations (Flint,
1957). The
The new
new precision
precisionisis based
based on
on nonterrestrial
nonterrestrial records
records of global
global ice
ice volume,
record of
of ocean
ocean carbonates.
carbonates. During glaciation, 160 is
is
including the oxygen-isotope record
the ice
ice sheets, enriching
enriching the
preferentially evaporated
evaporated from the oceans and is stored in the
Fluctuationsin
in the
the amount
amount of 160
160 and 180
180 can be measured
measured in
glacial oceans in 180. Fluctuations
used to
to determine global
ocean sediments
sediments and ice cores (Shakleton and others, 1984) and used
of oxygenice volume. Based
Based on
on these
these calculations
calculations for
for global ice volumes, a series of
represent
isotope stages has been identified. Even
Even numbered oxygen-isotopes stages represent
periods. There
glaciations, and odd numbers represent interglacial periods.
There were
were 40
40
glaciallinterglacial oscillations
volumes between
between 2.4
2.4 Ma
Ma
glacialhterglacial
oscillations involving moderate global ice volumes
and .9 Ma, and
andthere
therewere
were 22
22 oscillations
oscillations involving
involvinggreater
greaterice
icevolumes
volumes between
between .9
.9 Ma
Ma
al., 1984). For the most recent 11 glaciations, oxygenand the present (Shackleton et al.,
6, 12
2,6,
12 and 16
16 show the greatest ice volumes, possibly
possibly corresponding
correspondingto
to
isotope stages 2,
traditional four-fold
four-fold record
record of terrestrial
terrestrial glaciations
glaciations in
in North America.
America.
that the
the most
most extensive
Another feature of the traditional four-fold record of glaciations is that
glaciation formerly
formerly recognized,
recognized, (the
(the Nebraskan)
Nebraskan) was
was also
also interpreted
interpreted to
to be
be the
the oldest.
oldest.
Successively
Wisconsinan) were
Successively less extensive
extensive glaciations, (the Kansan, Illinoian and Wisconsinan)
younger (Flint,
(Flint, 1957).
1957). This chronology is probably
probably an
interpreted to be successively younger
of terrestrial
terrestrial glacial
glacial sediments.
sediments. While there were clearly more
artifact of the preservation of
than four glacial periods during the past 0.9 my, each glacial advance obscures, either by
of previous,
previous, less
less extensive
extensiveadvances.
advances. If, for example, there
there
erosion or burial, the record of
random distance, probability
probability
were ten successive
successive glacial advances, each advancing some random
the surface and the oldest
anaylsis suggests
suggests that only three glacial limits will survive at the
surviving advance
advance will be the most extensive (Gibbons and others, 1984). ItIt isis therefore
therefore
11 most recent glaciations we have historically recognized only
not surprising
surprising that of the 11
four glacial limits
limits at
at the
the surface.
surface.

i r t half of the Pleistocene did
The oxygen isotope record shows that glaciations in the ffirst
(Shaldeton and others,
not have as great
great a global ice volume as those in the latter half (Shakleton
1984). However,
However, these
theseearly
early advances
advances of
of ice
ice were
were apparently
apparently extensive
extensive enough
enough in
in North
North

33

�America to
to reach
reach Iowa
Iowa and
and Nebraska
Nebraska (Hallberg,
(Hallberg, 1986)
1986)and
and the
the foothills
foothillsof
of the
the Canadian
Canadian
America
Rockies (Kiassen,
(Klassen, 1989).
1989). The
Thesediment
sedimentof
ofthese
theseearly
earlyadvances
advancesmay
may be
be preserved
preserved in
in
Rockies
Minnesota (e.g.
(e.g. Meyer,
Meyer, 1997;
1997;Patterson,
Patterson, 1997)
1997)and
and in
in Canada
Canadain
in the
the subsurface
subsurface(e.g.
(e.g.
Minnesota
Klassen, 1989)
1989)in
in areas
areasof
of net
net glacial
glacialdeposition,
deposition, but
but the
the record
record is
is discontinuous
discontinuousand
and
Kiassen,
localized
localized in
in deep,
deep, preglacial
preglacialvalleys.
valleys.
Discontinuous,subsurface
subsurfaceglacial
glacial sediment
sediment is
is difficult
difficultto
to place
place in
in aa stratigraphic
stratigraphic
Discontinuous,
framework because: (1)
(1)absolute
absolutedating
datingof
of the
theunits
units isis difficult;
difficult;(2)
(2) till
till of
of different
differentglacial
glacial
framework
terranetraversed
traversedby
by the
the
periods isis lithologically
lithologicallyand
andtexturally
texturally similar
similarifif the
the source
sourceterrane
periods
glacier
(3)although
althoughtill
till may
may change
changecomposition
compositiongradually
graduallywith
withdistance
distanceinin
glacierisisthe
thesame;
same;(3)
the
the ice-flow
ice-flow direction,
direction,isolated
isolatedexposures
exposuresof
of till
till may
may be
be dissimilar
dissimilarenough
enoughto
toprevent
prevent
correlation.
correlation. Radiocarbon
Radiocarbondating
datingof
oforganic
organicremains
remainsisis only
only useful
useful for
for Wisconsinan-age
Wisconsinan-age
deposits
scattered predeposits because
because of the limitations of the half life of 14C. A few dates from scattered
Wisconsinan
Wisconsinansamples
sampleshave
havebeen
been secured
securedusing
using vertebrate
vertebratepaleontology
paleontology (e.g.
(e.g.Klassen,
Klassen,
1989),
1989), dating of volcanic ash present in the glacial
glacial sediment (summarized
(summarized in
in Richmond
Richmond
and
1986),studies
studiesof
of remnant
remnant magnetization
magnetizationin
in till
till and
andlake
lakesediment
sediment(e.g.
(e.g.
and Fullerton,
Fullerton,1986),
Baker
Baker and
and others,
others, 1983),
1983),and
and cosmosgenic
cosmosgenic isotope
isotope age
age estimates
estimates of
of striated
striatedrock
rock surfaces
surfaces
(Bierman
(Bierman and
and others,
others,1998).
1998).
Owing
Owingto
to the
thedifferent
differentsubstrates
substratesover
overwhich
whichthe
theice
iceflowed,
flowed,ititisispossible
possibleto
todistinguish
distinguish
tills
tills using
using matrix
matrix color,
color,texture
texture and
and mineralogy, and clast lithology. During
Duringthe
theLate
Late
Wisconsinan,
Wisconsinan,Minnesota
Minnesotawas
wasnearly
nearlyequidistant
equidistantfrom
from the
the two
twomajor
majorice
iceaccumulation
accumulation
centers
centersof
of the
theLaurentide
Laurentideice
icesheet
sheetand
andreceived
received ice
icefrom
fromboth
both (Dyke
(Dykeand
andPrest,
Prest,1986).
1986).
Minnesota's
Minnesota'sunique
uniqueposition
position has
hasfacilitated
facilitatedprovenance
provenancestudies
studiesto
to determine
determineice-flow
ice-flow
paths
paths and
and source
sourceareas.
areas. The
Theglacial
glacialstratigraphy
stratigraphyof
ofCanada
Canadaand
andMinnesota
Minnesota(Fulton,
(Fulton, 1989;
1989;
Meyer,
Meyer,1997)
1997)indicate
indicatethat
thatice
icesheets
sheetshad
had similar
similargeometries
geometriesthroughout
throughoutthe
theQuaternary.
Quaternary.
At
At least
leastfive
fiveice
icelobes
lobesadvanced
advancedinto
intoMinnesota
Minnesotaduring
duringoxygen-isotope
oxygen-isotopestage
stage22(Late
(Late
Wisconsinan).
Wisconsinan). Many
Manyof
ofthese
theselobes
lobeshad
had multiple
multiple readvances. During
Duringadvance
advanceeach
eachlobe
lobe
had
had the
the potential
potentialto
toerode
erodeolder
oldersediment
sedimentand
androck,
rock, and
andto
to deposit
depositits
itsown
ownglacial
glacial
sediment.
sediment.Therefore,
Therefore,aasingle
singleglacial
glacialperiod
periodmay
maybe
berepresented
representedby
by ten's
ten'sof
of
compositionally
-each
each
compositionallyand
andtexturally
texturallydifferent,
different,incompletely
incompletelypreserved
preserved glacial
glacialunits
units—
having
having several
severaldepositional
depositionalfacies.
facies.
Interpretation
Interpretationof
of the
themost
mostrecent
recentadvances
advancesisismost
most straightforward
straightforwardbecause
becausethe
thedeposits
deposits
are
are continuous,
continuous,and
and the
the associated
associated landforms are well preserved. For
Forthis
thisreason,
reason,
research
research in
in Minnesota
Minnesota and
and neighboring
neighboring states
states has historically focused of the activity of
ice
ice lobes
lobesduring
during the
the Late
LateWisconsinan
Wisconsinan(for
(forregional
regional summaries
summariessee
seeWright,
Wright,1972;
1972;Clayton
Clayton
and
and Moran,
Moran, 1982).
1982).

Dynamics
Dynamicsof
ofice
iceflow
flow
During
12 and
Duringoxygen-isotope
oxygen-isotopestage
stage22(Late
(LateWisconsinan),
Wisconsinan),and
andprobably
probably during
duringstages
stages6,6,12
and
16
an ice
ice sheet
sheet that
that extended
extended
16 (all
(all pre-Late
pre-Late Wisconsinan),
Wisconsinan),Minnesota
Minnesota was
was marginal
marginal to
to an
across
across most
most of
of Canada.
Canada. Minnesota
Minnesotaand
andthe
theGreat
GreatLakes
Lakesregion
regionwere
wereaffected
affectedmainly
mainlyby
by
thin,
thin, dynamic
dynamicice
ice lobes
lobes that
that advanced
advanced beyond the main body of the ice sheet. Much
Much
effort
efforthas
has been
been made
madeto
tocorrelate
correlatethe
theadvances
advancesof
of these
theselobes
lobes(Clayton
(Claytonand
andMoran,
Moran,1982;
1982;
Mickelson
Mickelsonand
andothers,
others,1983)
1983)but
butitithas
hasbecome
becomeapparent
apparentthat
thatthey
they were
werenot
notsynchronous
synchronous
on
on aa time
time scale
scaleof
of hundreds
hundreds to
to thousands
thousands of
of years. Movement
Movementof
ofthe
theice
icelobes
lobesisis
ultimately
ultimatelydriven
drivenby
by the
theoverall
overallmass
massbalance
balanceof
of the
theice
icesheet,
sheet,which
whichisiscontrolled
controlledby
by
climate.
climate.Ice
Icelobes,
lobes,however,
however,respond
respondquickly
quicklytotochanges
changesininmass
massbalance
balanceand
andbed
bed

34

�conditions of their
their respective
respective icesheds and may therefore appear to be out of phase with
conditions
nearby
nearby lobes
lobesand
andregional
regionalclimate.
climate.
Because
km
Because the
the ice
icelobes
lobeswere
werecomparatively
comparativelythin—decreasing
thin-decreasing from
fromapproximately
approximately11km
where they
they left
leftthe
the ice
ice sheet—
sheet- exisiting
exisiting structural
structural and
and alluvial
alluvial lowlands
lowlands controlled
controlled the
where
direction of
of ice
ice flow.
flow. These
Theselowlands
lowlandswere
weredeepened
deepened even
even more
more owing to the enhanced
enhanced
direction
glacial erosion
erosion resulting
resulting from fast, focused flow of the
The Great
Great Lakes are well
glacial
the ice.
ice. The
known examples
examplesof
of basins
basins that
that controlled
controlled the flow
flow of lobes;
lobes; others
others include
include Great
Great Bear
known
MacKenzie, Lake
Lake
Lake in
in the
the Northwest
Northwest Territories,
Territories, Great
Great Slave
Slave Lake in the District of MacKenzie,
Lake
Athabasca, on
on the
the Alberta-Saskatchewan border, Reindeer
Reindeer Lake
Lake in Saskatchewan,
Saskatchewan, and
and
Athabasca,
Lakes
Winnipegosisin
inManitoba.
Manitoba.
Lakes Winnipeg
Winnipeg and
andWinnipegosis

Evidenceindicates
indicatesthat
that the
the development
development of
of ice
ice lobes (or
(or 'outlet lobes') may be the result
result
Evidence
of
of ice
ice streams
streams(Patterson,
(Patterson,1997).
1997).Ice
Iceflow
flowhundreds
hundredsof
ofkm
kmup-ice
up-icefrom
fromthe
theoutlet
outletlobes
lobes
may
may begin
begin to
toconverge
convergeinto
intoaanarrow,
narrow,fast-moving
fast-movingstreams
streamsof
ofice
ice(Dyke
(Dykeand
andPrest,
Prest,1986;
1986;
Fulton,
Fulton,1989;
1989;Thorliefsson
Thorliefssonand
and Kristjansson
Kristjansson 1993;
1993; Fulton, 1995). The
The nature
nature and
and
distributionof
of glacial
glacialsediment
sedimentand
andlandforms
landformsimplies
impliesthat
thatice
iceflow
flowwas
wasmuch
muchdifferent
differentinin
distribution
thesenarrow
narrowconvergent
convergentzones.
zones.Till
Tillassociated
associatedwith
withice
icestreams
streamsisismore
moredistally
distallyderived,
derived,
these
homogenous,
homogenous, traceable
traceablefor
for hundreds
hundreds of
of km, and
and typically has a level-to-streamlined
level-to-streamlined
surface
surfaceexpression.
expression.Tills
Tillsdeposited
depositedoutside
outsidethese
thesenarrow
narrowconvergent
convergentzones
zonesare
areusually
usually
thin
thinand
andlocally
locallyderived.
derived.

are based
based on
on the
the study
study of
of modem
modem ice
ice
Modelsfor
forthe
themechanics
mechanicsof
of ice
icemovement
movementthat
that are
Models
sheets
(Fowler
and
Johnson,
1995)
predict
that
slow,
uniform
flow
of
ice
is
unstable
and
sheets (Fowler and Johnson, 1995)
thereforeunlikely.
unlikely.What
Whatisispredicted
predictedand
andobserved,
observed,by
bycontrast,
contrast,isisaabimodal
bimodalstyle
styleofofice
ice
therefore
flow,
(km/yr)moving
movingwithin
within slower
slower ice
ice (cm/yr).
(cdyr). The
Thelocation
locationofofice
ice
flow,with
withfast
fastice
icestreams
streams(km/yr)
streams
streamsappears
appearstotochange
changeover
overtime,
time,but
butisisinfluenced
influencedby
bybed
bedtopography
topographyand
and
hydrogeology. Ice
Icestreams
streamsand
andtheir
theiroutlet
outletlobes
lobesare
arethe
themajor
majordischarge
dischargeareas
areasfor
foran
anice
ice
hydrogeology.
sheet,
sheet,and
andtheir
theirdevelopment
developmentisislargely
largely aa function
function of
of subglacial
subglacialwater. Ice
Icestreams
streamsdraw
draw
down
downthe
theice
icemass
massin
inthe
theice
iceaccumulation
accumulationcenters.
centers. Ice-lobe
Ice-lobeadvances
advancestherefore
thereforerepresent
represent
aa redistribution
redistributionof
ofice,
ice,and
andmay
may actually
actually signal
signalthe
the overall
overall decay
decay of the
the ice
ice sheet
sheet rather
rather
than
thanan
anincrease
increaseininvolume
volumeofofthe
theice
icesheet.
sheet.
The
LateWisconsinan
Wisconsinan Laurentide
Laurentideice
ice sheet
sheet indicates
indicates that
that in
in the
the
Thedeglacial
deglacialrecord
recordof
ofthe
theLate
areas
areasof
of continuous
continuousice
icecover
coverin
inCanada,
Canada,ice
ice streams
streamsdeveloped
developed within
within the
the ice
ice sheet
sheet and
and
fed
fedthe
theice
icelobes
lobesthat
thatmoved
movedthrough
through the
the Great
Great Lakes
Lakes basins
basins into
into the
the upper
upper Midwest
Midwest
(Dyke
Hicockand
andDreimanis,
Dreimanis,1992;
1992;Thorleifson
Thorleifsonand
andKristjansson,
Kristjansson,
(Dykeand
andPrest,
Prest,1986;
1986;Hicock
1993).
1993).The
Theice
icestreams
streamswere
wereactive
activethroughout
throughoutthe
theretreat
retreatof
ofthe
theice
iceacross
acrossCanada
Canadaas
as
documented
documentedin
inthe
thepattern
patternof
of moraines
moraines(Dyke
(Dykeand
and Prest,
Prest, 1986;
1986;Fulton,
Fulton, 1995).
1995).ItItisis
unclear
growthbecause
because the
theeffects
effectsof
of
unclearififice
icestreams
streamswere
werealso
alsoimportant
importantduring
duringice-sheet
ice-sheetgrowth
subglacial
subglacialwater
waterare
aredifficult
difficultto
toascertain.
ascertain.This
Thismodel
modelofofice
iceflow
flowcan
canbe
becautiously
cautiously
extended
extendedto
toearlier
earlierglaciations,
glaciations,bearing
bearingininmind
mindthat
thatbed
bedconditions
conditionscould
couldhave
havebeen
beenvery
very
different
differentfrom
fromthose
thoseof
ofmore
morerecent
recentevents.
events.
The
Theadvantages
advantagesofofstudying
studyingthe
thegeological
geologicalrecord
recordofofQuaternary
Quaternaryglaciations
glaciationsinclude:
include:(1)
(1)
the
(2) the
the
therelatively
relativelyexcellent
excellentpreservation,
preservation, continuity
continuity and
and accessibility
accessibilityof
of the
the deposits;
deposits; (2)
location
locationof
ofthe
thedeposits
depositswithin
withinaawell
wellestablished
established paleogeographic,
paleogeographic, paleomagnetic,
paleomagnetic,and
and
tectonic
(4)records
recordsfor
forfloral
floraland
andfaunal
faunalsuccession
successionand
andpluvial
pluviallake-level
lake-level
tectonicsetting;
setting;(4)
histories
(4) direct
direct
historiesthat
thatallow
allowthe
theconstruction
constructionof
of predictive
predictiveglobal
globalcirculation
circulationmodels;
models; (4)
evidence
evidenceof
ofglobal
globalice
icevolume
volumefrom
fromthe
theocean
oceanoxygen
oxygen istope
istoperecord
record as
as well
well as
as the
the record
record
of
ofcrustal
crustalrebound;
rebound;and
and(5)
(5)fairly
fairlyeasy
easyaccess
accessto
to modem
modemanalogs
analogs(for
(forexample,
example,the
thestudy
study

35

�of Antarctic
chamber).
Antarctic ice is relatively easy compared to the study of a deep magma chamber).
These advantages
advantages also provide the greatest
greatest challenge
challenge to Quaternary researchers,
researchers, who are
are
required to integrate data across a wide range
range of
of disciplines
disciplines and
and geographic
geographic areas.
areas. The
ultimate goal is to provide
provide a integrated picture of the geosphere,
geosphere, hydrosphere and
biosphere for a specific
specific period of earth's history, and to extend this understanding
understanding to more
more
obscure glacial periods in the geologic record.

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Kristjansson, F. J., 1993,
1993, Quaternary
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andMorey,
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B,eds.,
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Wright, H. E. Jr, 1972,
1972, Quaternary History of
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36

�WHAT'S
NEXT FOR GEOLOGY
GEOLOGY IN
IN THE
THE LAKE
LAKE SUPERIOR
SUPERIOR AREA?
WHAT'S NEXT

SOUTHWICK,David
David L.,
L., Minnesota
Minnesota Geological
Geological Survey,
Survey, 2642
2642University
University Ave.
Ave. W.,
W., St.
St. Paul,
Paul, MN
MN
SOUTHWICK,
55114-1057
55114-1057
Marvelous
Marvelous progress
progress has
has been
been made
madein
indeciphering
decipheringthe
thecomplex,
complex,diverse
diversegeological
geological framework
frameworkof
of the
the
Lake Superior
Superior region over the past twenty years. In particular, our comprehension
comprehension of the Precambrian
rock record has progressed
progressed remarkably
remarkablythrough
throughexcellent
excellent programs
programs of
of geologic mapping, regional
geochronology, and
and related
related topical research
research supported
supported largely by government
government and
geophysics, geochronology,
and justified
understanding of
on the premise that
that geologic understanding
of Precambrian terranes
terranes will
will lead to
to discovery
discovery of
of economic
mineral
be sustained
sustained and
and that intellectual and
mineral deposits. One hopes that this momentum can be
progress toward the goal of finding and developing
technological progress
developing viable ore deposits
deposits will continue.
continue.
Sustaining it will not
not be
be easy
easy in
in the
theprevailing
prevailingpolitical
politicalclimate,
climate, however.
however.
of democratic governments
governments are determined
Ultimately, albeit indirectly, the policies of
determined by
by public
public
opinion that is transmitted
transmitted to
to elected
elected representatives. At the present time the public is not particularly
p&amp;ticularly
concerned about mineral commodities
commodities and therefore minerals issues do not have aa high
high political
political
profile. There are no pressing shortages, prices are moderate
moderate and stable,
stable, unemployment
unemploymentis
is generally
generally
issues greatly
greatly outweigh
outweigh concerns
concerns for
for the
the long-term
long-term
low, and concerns
concerns for present-day "quality
"quality of life" issues
of mineral and energy
availability of
energy resources
resources in
in the
the minds
mindsof
of most
most people.
people.As
As aa consequence,
consequence, elected
elected
representatives are
representatives
are being urged by their constituents to preserve and promote
promote environmental
environmentalquality,
quality,
provide
provide recreational
recreational opportunities
opportunitiesin
inwilderness
wildernessareas,
areas, improve
improveurban
urbaninfrastructure,
infrastructure,combat
combatcrime,
crime,
opportunites, and reduce taxes. They are
are not
not being
being urged
urged to
improve health care, extend educational opportunites,
of aa mining
mining industry
industry that we geologists
geologists know
know is
is vital
vital to
to the
the long-term
long-term
provide for the well-being of
sustainability of
because there
there is
is aa powerful
powerful human
human tendency not to worry about
sustainability
of the quality
quality of life, because
about
future difficulties until circumstances absolutely demand
demand it. Instead of
of mining,
mining, the
the plexus
plexus of
of
future
affect human
human health
health and
and happiness will be the primary
environmental issues that immediately affect
primary driver
driver
of public resource policy and derivative
of
derivative geological investigations in the Lake Superior region over the
the
next twenty
twenty years. Although
Although metal
metal mining and
and related
related industries
industries surely
surelywifi
will remain
remain significant
significant to local
and will receive passive
passive political
politicalsupport,
support, they
they will
wifinot
notin
in themselves
themselvesprovide
provide the
the rationale
rationale
economies and
for increasing public expenditures
expenditureson
ongeological
geologicalinvestigations.
investigations.
be growth areas for applied geologic thinking
thinking and research in the Lake
The following will be
Lake Superior
Superior
Detailed characterization of
of unconsolidated
unconsolidated materials within the uppermost
region. (1) Detailed
uppermost100
100m
m of
of the
the
This work
work will involve collaboration among
among glacial
glacial geologists,
geologists, stratigraphers,
stratigraphers,
geologic section. This
hydrogeologists,and
and soil
soil scientists
scientistsand
and will
will have
have direct
direct application to a
geophysicists, geochemists, hydrogeologists,
number
number of
of societal
societalconcerns.
concerns. It will
will also
also benefit mineral exploration,
exploration, but itit wifi
will not be justified on
on that
that
basis. (2) The
The development
development and deployment
deployment of improved geophysical
geophysical tools for obtaining information
mapping of
about the
the shallow
shallow subsurface.
subsurface.(3)
(3) Detailed geologic
geologic mapping
of surficial deposits,
deposits, especially
especially in
in urban,
urban,
mapping to
to provide
provide the stratigraphic framework of
of the
the
urbanizing, and agricultural
agricultural areas. Regional mapping
Quaternary materials
Quaternary
materials will
will be necessary as well, but the more pressing need will
will be for detail.
detail. (4)
(4)
Hydrogeologic studies
studies on
on aa variety
variety of
of scales,
scales, with particular
particular emphasis
emphasison
onthe
thegeological
geologicalcontrols
controlsof
of
ground-water flow.
be a developing area of
of research
research in
in which
which
ground-water
flow. Fractured-rock
Fractured-rock hydrogeology will be
sedimentologists, petrologists,
sedimentologists,
petrologists, and
and structural
structuralgeologists
geologistswill
willbecome
become increasingly
increasinglyinvolved.
involved.(5)
(5)LowLowtemperature rock-water
of surface-water
surface-water and
and groundgroundtemperature
rock-water geochemistry,
geochemistry, with applications to problems of
The mapping
mapping and
(6)The
water composition
composition and
and the
the transport
transportof
of dissolved
dissolvedchemical
chemical species.
species. (6)
of mined
mined land and mine waste,
characterization
characterizationof
of aggregate
aggregateresources.
resources.(7)
(7) Characterization
Characterization and control of
in which the
brought to
the full
full spectrum
spectrumof
of hydrogeological
hydrogeological and
and geochemical
geochemical methodologies are brought
to bear.
bear. (8)
(8)
Geological
and geophysical studies within Lake Superior
Superior itself
itself that
that will
will be
be predicated
predicated on calibration
Geological and
of the paleoclimate record but
but will
will extend
extend to
to investigations
investigations of
of lake-basin
lake-basin evolution.
evolution.
As the geological profession
profession becomes
becomes ever
evermore
moredependent
dependent on
on government
government policies,
policies, our
our near-term
near-term
research opportunities
inevitably
will
reflect
public
priorities.
This
need
not
and
will
not
mean
opportunities inevitably
This need not
mean the
the
total demise of economic
economic geology
geologyand
andthe
thehard-rock
hard-rockdisciplines
disciplinesthat
thatsupport
supportit.it. However, traditional
hard-rock work
work will
will diminish
diminish in
in favor
favor of
of non-traditional
non-traditional investigations
investigationsin
in which
which hard-rock
hard-rock thinking
thinking
and skills
skills can
can be applied.
applied.Flexibility
Flexibility of training
training and
andoutlook
outlookwifi
willbe
be critical
criticalto
to professional
professionalsuccess.
success.

37

�ACTS
ABSTRACTS
GENERAL TECHNICAL SESSIONS

39

�PETROGRAPHY AND GEOCHEMISTRY O
OF
F MIDCONTINENT RIFT
RIFT RHYORHYOVOLCANICS) NEAR
NEAR CLAM
CLAM FALLS,
FALLS, WISCONSIN
LITE (CHENGWATANA
(CHENGWATANA VOLCANICS)
R.,Geology
Geology Department,
Department,
ABBOTT, Kathleen M., THOLE,
THOLE, Jeffrey
Jeffrey T.,
T., WIRTH,
WIRTH, Karl
KarlR.,
Macalester College, St. Paul
Paul MN,
MN, 55105;
55105; kabbott@macalester.edu;
kabbott@macalester.edu;
thole@macalester.edu; wirth@macalester.edu
The southwest
southwest limb of the Midcontinent Rift (MCR) includes
includes the
the poorly-exposed
poorly-exposed Chengwatana
Chengwatana
Volcanics (CV)
(CV) which
which are comprised of predominantly tholeiitic basalts (Wirth et al.,
Volcanics
al., 1997,
1997,
Naiman et al., this volume),
volume), with minor rhyolites which are believed to be the
the southernmost
southernmost
exposed rocks of this type within the
the MCR.
MCR. Recent analysis of these rhyolites found near Clam
exposed
Falls, Wisconsin, provides physical, chemical, and isotopic data
data which
which has
has helped
helped constrain
constrain the
the
processes (Naiman
(Naiman and Wirth, this
timing (Wirth and Gehrels, this volume), and magmatic processes
and the
the southern
southernMCR.
MCR. These data are also used
volume) involved in the generation of the CV and
.
rhyolites of northern Michigan
to compare
compare the CV rhyolites
rhyolites with the Portage Lake rhyolites
Michigan (Nicholson,
(Nicholson,
1992, Nicholson
Nicholson and Shirey, 1990), and the felsic rocks of the
the North
North Shore
ShoreVolcanic
Volcanic Group
Group
(Green
(Green and
and Fitz,
Fitz, 1993,
1993,Vervoort
Vervoort and
and Green,
Green, 1997).
1997).
Two exposures
exposures of rhyolite
rhyolite are
are found just west of Clam
Clam Falls
Falls including
including about
about 55 meters of
rhyolite (KC-302) which is approximately 640 meters above the base of the exposed volcanic
volcanic
section. The
The only
only other
otheroutcrop
outcropof
of rhyolite
rhyolite (KC-310)
(KC-310) is exposed
exposed near the base of
of the
the section
section
approximately 3 kilometers south of KC-302 and is
is less
less than
than 10
10meters
metersthick.
thick. No flow contacts
contacts
approximately
or foliations are
are present
present but
but the
the outcrops
outcrops appear
appear to
to be
beconcordant
concordantwith
withsurrounding
surroundingbasalts
basalts
which trend northeast
and
dip
approximately
15
degrees
to
the
northwest
in
this
area.
The
northeast and dip approximately 15 degrees
Thebase
base
with the underlying basalt
basalt and
of the outcrop at KC-302 appears to be an intrusive contact with
the rhyolite contains
contains subangular
subangular inclusions
inclusionsof
ofophitic
ophiticbasalt.
basalt. The nature of emplacelocally, the
ment
ment of these
these rhyolite
rhyolite bodies
bodies isis unclear.
unclear.
porphyritic
small phenocrysts
phenocrysts(-(—.1mm)
The rhyolites
rhyolites are generally weakly (&lt;5%)
(4%)
porphyritic containing small
lmm)
The
euhedral to
and trace
trace amounts of subhedral
of euhedral
to subhedral
subhedralplagioclase
plagioclase(avg.
(avg.Ab94
Abo4An2
An2 Or4) and
subhedralFe-Ti
Fe-Ti
locally. Amphiboles,
oxides. Quartz
Quartzphenocrysts
phenocrysts and
and albite
albite glomerocrysts
glomerocrysts are present only locally.
Amphiboles,
partly replaced
replaced by chlorite/epidote/carbonate,
chlorite/epidote/carbonate,are
are rare.
rare. The
Thegroundmass
groundmassisiscommonly
commonlyspheruspherucontaining tabular quartz (tridymite
(tridymite paramorphs),
paramorphs),
with phenocryst
phenocryst nuclei,
nuclei, containing
litic (up to 22-- 3 mm) with
Or95),very
veryfine-grained
fine-grained disseminated
disseminated Fe-oxides,
Fe-oxides,
Ani Org5),
dusty, anhedral
anhedral alkali
alkalifeldspar
feldspar(avg.
(avg.Ab4
Ab4An1
and local poikilitic anhedral quartz.
quartz. Accessory zircon
cessory
zircon is present
present as
as minute
minute
I
I
I
a
euhedral prisms
prisms in
in most
most samples.
samples. The
euhedral
The
C1fl Falls
Clam
Falls (CV)
(CV)
presence of minor epidote
epidote and
and carbonate
carbonate
BSa1t
a
Basalt
D
within the groundmass
groundmass is
is ubiquitous.
ubiquitous.
-3 .
. Rhyolite
Rhyolite
samples
contain
minor
diktytaxitic
Some
samples
contain
minor
diktytaxitic
Some
a
cavities. The presence of
of tridymite
tridymite g
cavities.
paramorphs
pararnorphsindicate
indicatethese
theserocks
rocks are
are simisimi-Do
22 -lar to some rhyolites of the NSVG which
a &amp;
erupted at
athigh
highterntern- 0
C
are believed to have erupted
I L7
f-4
peratures (Green and Fitz, 1993). No ap00°
o
na
°
parent flow foliation or pyroclastic
pyroclastic texn
o
1
00
observed in the exposures
exposures near
tures were observed
Falls.
Clam Falls.
Only basalt and rhyolite are present
I
I
I
0
in the Clam
Clam Falls' section;
section; no rocks
rocks of
50
60
40
50
60
70
70
80
intermediate
intermediate composition
compositionhave
have been
been idenidenS.1 2 wt /0
SiO,
%
tifled.
tified. Rocks of
of intermediate
intermediate composicomposiI

I

I

^

1

I

41

-

�_______________________________

DI
0

I

I

0

NSVG Granophyres
\

ocJJ
om 0

0a

Portage Lake
Portage
Lak

Â

0a

-4
—

-8

NSVG Icelandites
Icelandi

-12

NSVG Rhyolites

Clam
Clam Falls
Falls (CV)
(CV)

-16

0

Basalt
Basalt

I

Rhyolite

Portage Lake
Type II

-20

40

50

60

70

80

Si02 wt %
both the
the NSVG
NSVG and
and the
thePortage
PortageLake
LakeVolcanics.
Volcanics. Chengwatana
Chengwatana basalt
basalt geochemgeochemtions are found in both
Naiman et al.,
a!.,this
thisvolume.
volume. The
The felsic
felsic Chengwatana
Chengwatana rocks
rocks can
can be
be classified
classified
istry is discussed by Naiman
as tholeiitic rhyolites. The
Therocks
rocks are
are metaluminous
metaluminous and
and only
only one
one sample
sample has normative
normative coruncorundum (0.16%). In
In general,
general,the
therhyolite
rhyolite chemistry
chemistry is
is similar
similar to
to both
both NSVG
NSVG and
and Type
Type I Portage
Portage
Lake rhyolites.
Si02 (7
(71-72%),
rhyolites.Notable
Notablevariations
variationsfrom
fromthese
thesetwo
two groups
groups include
include slightly less Si02
1-72%),
higher
13higher total
total Fe
Fe (4.87
(4.87 to
to 5.78
5.78Fe203%),
Fe203%),higher Th (25-27 ppm), and significantly
significantlyhigher
higherZr
Zr(7
(713986
986 ppm).
Initial ENd
(1100Ma)
Ma)values
valueson
ontwo
twoChengwatana
Chengwatanarhyolites
rhyolitesare
are0.95
0.95and
and-0.06.
-0.06. These
ENd (1100
Chengwatana basalts of
of the
the Clam
ClamFalls
Fallsregion
region(-2
(-2toto+3.4).
+3.4).The
TheChengwatana
Chengwatana
values are similar to Chengwatana
rhyolite
similar to Portage Lake (Type I) rhyolites
rhyolites which
which range
rhyolite ENd
ENd values are most similar
range from
from-0.3
-0.3to
to
-4.7 (Nicholson
(Nicholson and
andShirey,
Shirey, 1990)
1990)and
and are
are distinct
distinct from rhyolites of the NSVG which range
from -2.3 to
ENd
to -14.8
-14.8 (Vervoort
(Vervoort and Green,
Green, 1997).
1997). NSVG
NSVGgranophyres
granophyresand
andicelandites
icelanditeshave
haveENd
values with a smaller
and these
these values
values are also lower than
smaller range
range than NSVG rhyolites
rhyolites and
rhyolites. Large degrees of crustal melting
melting are
are invoked
invoked as
as a major process in
in
Chengwatana rhyolites.
forming
forming the
the NSVG
NSVG rhyolites
rhyolitesas
asindicated
indicatedby
bythe
thelow
lowENd
ENd values
values (Vervoort
(Vervoort and
and Green,
Green,1997).
1997).
The Chengwatana rhyolites at Clam Falls lack the pronounced crustal Nd isotopic
isotopic signature
signature
evident in the NSVG rhyolites
rhyolites and are
are believed to be fractionates
fractionates of a primary basaltic
basaltic magma
magma
derived from an enriched
enriched mantle
mantle source.

References Cited
Green,
v. 54,
54, p.
p. 177-196.
Green, J.C.
J.C. and
and Fitz,
Fitz, T.J.,
T.J., 1993,
1993, Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, v.
Nicholson, S.W.,
S.W., and Shirey, S.B., 1990, Journal of Geophysical Research, v. 95, p. 10,851-10868.
Nicholson, S.W.,
U.S.G.S. Bulletin
57 pp.
S.W., 1992, U.S.G.S.
Bulletin 1970,
1970,57
K.R., Vervoort, J.D.,
J.D., Naiman, Z.J., 1997, Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, v. 34, no. 4, p. 536-548.
Wirth, K.R.,
536-548.
J.C., 1997,
Vervoort, J.D., and Green,
Green, J.C.,
1997, Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences,
Sciences, v. 34, p. 521-535.

42

�A PRELIMINARY
DETAILED GEOLOGICAL
GEOLOGICAL DESCRIPTION
DESCRIPTION OF
OF THE NEW
A
PRELIMINARY DETAILED
NEW
IN THE LUMBY
HIGH GRADE SILVER-BASE
SILVER-BASE METAL DISCOVERY
DISCOVERY IN
LUMBY LAKE
METAVOLCANIC BELT
BELT NORTHEAST
METAVOLCANIC
NORTHEAST OF ATIKOKAN,
ATIKOKAN, ONTARIO,
ONTARIO,
CANADA
BERNATCHEZ, Raymond A., President &amp; Consulting Geologist to Atikokan Resources
Inc., P.O. Box
Box 1376,
1376,126
126Willow
Willow Rd.,
Rd., Atikokan,
Atikokan,Ontario,
Ontario,Canada,
Canada,POT
POT1CO.
1CO. Tel.
807-597-4526, Fax 807-597-4636 (rbernatc@atikokan.lakeheadu.ca)
(rbernatc @ atikokan.1akeheadu.ca)
A high
mineraloccurrence
occurrencehas
hasbeen
beendiscovered
discoveredwithin
within an
an east-west
east-west
high grade
grade silver—zinc—lead
silver-zinc-lead mineral
stratabound felsic volcaniclastic horizon at the southern edge of the Lumby Lake Metavolcarnc
Metavolcanic
Belt. Located
Locatednorth
northof
ofthe
thecreek
creekconnecting
connectingLumby
Lumbyand
and Herontrack
HerontrackLakes,
Lakes,the
thediscovery
discovery
occurs at the southern margin of a 1.5
1.5 km thick east-west trending felsic volcanic
volcanic package
package near
Marmion Lake tonalite
the southern contact of the Lumby Lake Metavolcanic Belt with the Marmion
of
batholith to the south. The
The Lumby
Lumby Lake
Lake volcanic belt is located 23 air miles northeast of
Atikokan, Ontario, Canada and forms the northeasterly extension
extension of
of the
the Steep Rock and
Finlayson Lake volcanic stratigraphy. This
This discovery
discoveryisis contained
containedwithin
within highly
highly
(hydrothermally)
(hydrothermally) altered felsic volcaniclastic rocks having geological and geochemical
geochemicalfeatures
features
similar to other Archean massive sulphide deposits. However, the felsic volcanic rocks hosting
metaloccurrence
occurrence have
have been
been dated
dated at 3.0 Ga (Mesoarchean;
this high grade
grade silver—base
silver-base metal
(Mesoarchean;Davis
Davis
and Jackson, 1988),
1988), whereas all other base metal deposits found in the Archean in Ontario
have been dated at 2.7
2.7 Ga. The
The occurrence
occurrence contains
contains unusually high silver content with some
random grab samples
assaying
as
high
as
416
ounces/ton (14,265
(14,265 gm/tonne)
gdtonne) or
or270
270ozfton
ozlton
samples assaying as high as 416 ounces/ton
over 1.1
1.1 meter (9292
(9292 gm/tonne).
gdtonne).

The Lumby Lake greenstone
greenstone belt is located within the Wabigoon subprovince, 30 km north
of the Wabigoon-Quetico
Wabigoon—Queticosubprovince
subprovinceboundary
boundaryand
and 37
37 air
airkm
km northeast
northeast of Atikokan, Ontario.
Ontario.
The Lumby Lake
km xx 20
20 km
km synclinal
synclinalsupracrustal
supracrustalsequence
sequence
Lake greenstone
greenstonebelt
belt consists
consists of
of aa 60
60 km
of rocks composed of mafic (pillowed and massive), ultramafic (komatiitic), and felsic (tuff,
lapili
lapillituff,
tuff,tuff
tuffbreccia,
breccia,massive),
massive),metavolcanic
metavolcanicrocks
rockswith
with lesser
lesseramounts
amountsof
of metasedimentary
metasedimentary
rocks (chert,
(chert, argillite,
argillite, arkose,
arkose, conglomerate
conglomerateand
and iron
iron formations).
formations).The
Themetavolcanic—
metavolcanicmetasedimentary assemblage
Mannion Lake Batholith to the south and the
assemblage is in contact with the Marmion
White Otter Batholith to the northwest. The
The belt
belt has
has been
been intruded
intruded by two larger oval
oval and
monzodiorite-granite plutons, the Norway Lake and van Nostrand Lake Stock
heterogeneous monzodiorite-granite
and smaller ones (the Bar Lake and Viking Lake
Lake stocks).

The Belt has been subjected
subjected to four major structural
structural events: at least two folding events and
two faulting-shearing events. The
TheBelt
Belthas
has had
had aa major
major synclinal
synclinal folding
folding event
event with
with its
its axis
axis
trending east-west
east-west through
through the central
central portion of the
the belt through
through Seahorse-Garnet
Seahorse-GarnetBayBayPinecone-Hematite Lakes system. The
The van
van Nostrand Lake stock intrudes this axis in the
central part of the belt. AAsecond
secondfolding
foldingevent
event occurs
occurs within
within the
the interfiow
interflow sedimentary
sedimentaryunits.
units.
belt to
to the
the west.
west. Two
The Redpaint Lake Fault truncates the Lumby Lake belt
Two east-west
east-west
Spoon Lake Deformation
Deformation Zone and the
deformation zones have been noted: the Bufo Lake - Spoon
Garnet
Garnet Bay-Viking Lake-Hematite
Lake-Hematite Lake
Lake Deformation
Deformation Zone.
Zone.
The silver—base
metaldiscovery
discoveryisislocated
locatedin
inthe
thewestern
westernblock
block of
of claims
claims known
known as the
silver-base metal
Herontrack
Herontrack Lake
Lake Block
Block and
and within
within the
the southwest
southwestportion
portion of
of the
the Lumby
LumbyLake
Lakegreenstone
greenstonebelt.
belt.
A 130
krn grid has been established
established in the
the central
central portion of this block from Lumby
Lumby Lake
Lake to
to
130 km
Hutt Lake. AAdetailed
detailedexploration
explorationprogram
programover
overthis
this grid
grid consisting
consistingof
of geological
geologicalmapping,
mapping,
lithogeochemical
soil geochemical sampling, magnetic and partial VLF EM and IP surveys, lithogeochemical
43

�sampling
sampling and overburden
overburden mechanical stripping has identified and exposed
exposed numerous
numerous suiphide
sulphide
bearing felsic volcaniclastic horizons
horizons containing
containing economic
economic to
to subeconomic
subeconomicvalues
valuesin
in zinc,
zinc,
copper, silver, lead and gold.
gold.
The detail
detail geological
geological mapping
mapping has identified
identified five
five rock
rock types: mafic
mafic volcanic,
volcanic, massive
massive and
and
pilowed;
pillowed;felsic
felsicvolcanic,
volcanic,tuff,
tuff, lapili
lapillituff,
tuff,tuff
tuffbreccia
brecciaand
andcoarse
coarse breccia,
breccia, massive
massive rhyolite
rhyolite as
feldspar
feldspar and/or
andfor quartz
quartz porphyries
porphyries and
and cherty
cherty rhyolite;
rhyolite; mafic
mafic to
to intermediate
intermediateintrusive
intrusiverocks
rocks
(gabbro and diorite) as dykes and sills intruding the above; Marmion Lake
batholith
(tonalite)
Lake batholith (tonalite)
and finally felsic dikes intruding
intruding the
the felsic
felsic volcanic
volcanic rocks.
rocks.

The bulk of the mineralization is contained within stratabound
stratabound interflow
interflow sediments.
sediments. Pyrite,
Pyrite,
and in some
some interfiow
interflow units,
units, pyrrhotite
pyrrhotitemake
makeup
upthe
thebulk
bulkofofthe
thesulfides.
sulfides.The
Thehigh
highgrade
gradesilver—
silverzinc—lead
discovery
zone
contains
significant
amounts
of
pyrite,
sphalerite,
galena,
acanthite
zinc-lead discovery zone contains significant amounts of pyrite, sphalerite, galena, acanthite
and native silver with minor chalcopyrite. This
This mineralization
mineralization is
is contained
contained within
within highly
highly
altered felsic volcanic rocks. The
The felsic
felsic rocks
rocks have
have been
been altered
altered to sericite
sericite and chlorite
chlorite in some
some
locations. The
Thesericite
sericitewas
waspreviously
previouslyinterpreted
interpreted as
as an
an altered
altered and
and sheared
shearedquartz
quartz diorite;
diorite; itit
now appears that this alteration was caused as the result of the footwall alteration associated
with massive sulphide deposits. This
This has
has been
been partially
partially confirmed
confirmed by some
some limited
limited
lithogeochemical
lithogeochemicalrock
rock sampling.
sampling.
The exploration
exploration program carried out
out to date has identified three highly altered base metal
mineralized horizons. The
The most
most economically
economically significant
significanthorizon identified to date is the
Lake—SpoonLake
LakeHorizon
Horizonwhich
whichhosts
hosts the
the high
high grade
grade silver
silver discovery. Several
Lumby Lake-Spoon
Several other
other
been discovered
discovered along
along this 250 to
to
significant silver and base metal-bearing occurrences have been
300 meter wide sulphide horizon that has now been traced for a strike length of about
about 66 km by
surveys. Two additional
suiphide base metal
mechanical stripping and geophysical surveys.
additional altered sulphide
bearing felsic volcanic horizons (Delos Lake and Pond Lake Horizon) have been located a few
hundred meters north of the silver discovery horizon.

Geophysical Survey
The Questor Airborne Geophysical
Survey carried out by the Ontario Geological Survey in
Lake mineralized
mineralized
1980 did not identify any input
input anomalies
anomalies along
along the
the Lumby
Lumby Lake—Spoon
Lake-Spoon Lake
horizon. However,
a
broad
magnetic
low
covers
the
area
over
the
newly
identified
However, a broad magnetic low covers the area over the newly identified felsic
felsic
strata. This
Thismagnetic
magneticlow
lowcan
canbebetraced
tracedeast—west
east-west along
alongthe
thesouthern
southernvolcanic—granite
volcanic-granite contact
contact
for over 12 km
km from
from Bufo
Bufo Lake
Laketo
toHutt
Hutt Lake.
Lake. Other similar
of the Lumby Lake greenstone belt for
of over 13 km.
km. Similar
Similarfelsic
felsic
magnetic lows can be traced eastward to Old Man Lake a distance of
volcanic rocks
have
been
identified
in
these
areas.
A
new
copper—zinc—silver
occurrence
has
rocks have been identified in these areas. A new copper-zinc-silver occurrence
been found along this magnetic low response
response near a series of airborne input anomalies
anomalies at the
west end of Old Man Lake. The
TheOGS
OGSairborne
airbornegeophysical
geophysicalsurvey
survey has
has detected
detected numerous
numerous
other anomalies
anomalies in the Lumby Lake greenstone
greenstone belt, of which most have never been examined
or tested. What
Whatother
otherbase
basemetal
metaldiscoveries
discoverieswill
will the
the Belt
Belt reveal?
reveal?

References
References cited:

Davis, D.W., and Jackson, M.C., 1988,
1988, Geochronology of the Lumby Lake greenstone belt: a
3 Ga complex within the Wabigoon Subprovince, northwest Ontario:
Bull. G.S.A.,
G.S.A., v.
v.
Ontario: Bull.
100, p. 818-824.
44

�L5

r

I

Ii
0
z
0

-'

Ic

ii I
45

�DIMENSION STONE PRODUCTS
DIMENSION
PRODUCTS OF
OF MINNESOTA
MINNESOTA
BOERBOOM,
BOERBOOM, Terrence
Terrence J., Minnesota
Minnesota Geological
Geological Survey,
Survey, 2642 University
University Avenue,
Avenue, St.
St.
Paul, MN 55114;
55114;boerbO01@tc.umn.edu;
boerbOOl@tc.umn.edu; and
and OBERHELMAN,
OBERHELMAN, Matt,
Matt, Minnesota
Minnesota
Division of Minerals, 1525 E. 3rd Street, Hibbing,
Department
Department of Natural Resources
Resources - Division
matt.oberhelman@dm.state.mn.us
55746-1461;matt.oberhelman@dnr.state.mn.us
MN 55746-1461;

The first
fmt dimension
dimension stone
stone quarry was opened in 1868,
1868, to supply gray granite
granite from the St.
St.
Paul Customs
Customs House
House and
and Post
Post Office.
Office. Since
Cloud District for construction of the St. Paul
Since then,
grown considerably.
considerably. At present there are
the dimension stone industry in Minnesota has grown
are
fourteen active
fourteen
active dimension
dimension stone
stone quarries
quarries in
in the
the state,
state, and
and several
several others
others that
that are
are active
activeon
on an
an
intermittent basis. Dimension
Dimension stone
stoneproducts
products from
from Minnesota are marketed worldwide, and are
used for
for a variety of purposes
purposes that
that include
include interior
interior tiling, counter
counter tops, monuments
monuments and
and
memorials, "surface
memorials,
"surface plates"
platest' for
for precision machine mounts, acid-resistant
acid-resistant industrial
applications, decorative
decorative and structural
structural exterior panels for major buildings, and grinding mill
liners
liners and
and balls.
balls.
The
Resources' dimension stone
The results of a recent Minnesota Department of Natural Resources'
stone
inventory
potential for
for krther
further development
development of
of
inventory show
show that northern Minnesota offers excellent potential
high quality dimension
dimension stone products. Field
Field investigations
investigations have identified twenty-two
for quarry
quarry development.
development. Prospects
prospect sites that exhibit potential for
Prospectshave
havebeen
been identified
identified in
in
Middle Proterozoic
Proterozoic rocks (ca. 1100
1100 m.y.) of the Duluth Complex and Archean rocks (ca. 2700
m.y.)
rock units.
units. Prospects
may.)of the Vermilion
Vermilion Granitic Complex and other granitoid rock
Prospects include
include
black, green,
with aa variety
variety of
of textures.
textures. Prospect
green, pink, beige, and multi-colored stone with
Prospect
evaluation
evaluation included
included outcrop
outcrop observations
observationsthat
that considered
consideredjoint spacing,
spacing, color,
color, texture,
texture, and
and
deleterious
deleterious materials. Results
Resultsof
ofthe
theinventory
inventoryare
aredescribed
described in
in the
the following
followingthree
three MDNR
MDNR
reports: Dimension
Dimension Stone
StoneInventory
Inventory of
of Northern
Northern Minnesota
Minnesota 1991,
1991,Report
Report 289;
289; Dimension
Dimension
and Dimension
Dimension Stone Inventory
Inventory of
Stone Inventory of Northern Minnesota 1993, Report 298; and
Northern Minnesota
Minnesota 1995,
1995, Report
Report 298-2.
Cold Spring
Spring Granite
Granite Co. is currently
currently leasing three of the prospect sites identified by the
have opened
opened quarries
quarries on
ontwo
twoof
ofthese
theseleases.
leases. Both
dimension stone inventory study, and have
utilize gabbroic
h m these
these sites
sites is
is marketed
gabbroic anorthosite
anorthosite of the Duluth Complex; the
the stone
stone from
under
Lake Superior
SuperiorGreen.
Green.
under the
the names
names Mesabi
Mesabi Black
Black and
and Lake
This poster display shows
shows products from all of the currently active quarries in the state
state of
Minnesota,
along
with
samples
of
dimension
stone
prospects
that
were
collected
and
prepared
Minnesota, along with samples of dimension stone
collected and prepared
by the Minnesota
Minnesota DNR-Minerals Division (see below). The
The numbers
numbers on
on the
the samples
samples refer
refer to
locations on the index map. The
table
on
the
following
page
summarizes
the
geologic
The table on the following page summarizes the geologic aspects
aspects
of the various
various dimension
stone
dimension stoneproducts
products of
of Minnesota.
Minnesota.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
AcmowLEDGMENTs
All of the quarry companies
listed
on
companies listed on the
the following
following table
table kindly contributed
contributed samples
samples of
of their
their
products
to
the
Minnesota
Geological
Survey
for
this
display.
products to the Minnesota Geological Survey for this display.

46

�Sample
Sample Company
Company

Trade
Trade Name
Name

Geologic
Geologic Unit

1
1

CSG

Mesabi Black

Complex
Duluth Complex

2

CSG

Lake Superior
Superior Green
Green

3

CSG

Indian
Iridian

4

CSG

5

Texture

-1090 Ma
—1090

Dominant
Mineralogy
P, cpx, urn
ilm

Duluth Complex
Complex

-1090 Ma
—1090

P, cpx, gp, ilm
p,

very cgr, porph

Isle

Granite
Isle Granite

18121770 Ma
Ma
1812 - 1770

K, P, Q,
Q, bi

m-cgr, porph
porph

Charcoal
Charcoal Black

Reformatory
Reformatory granodiorite
granodiorite

1812±9
Ma 11
18
1Z?HMa

P, K, Q,
P,
Q, bi, hbl, sph

m-cgr, si.
sl. porph.
porph.

CSG

Diamond
Diamond Pink

Rockville
Rockville Granite
Granite

11812±9
8 1 2 s Ma
Ma 11

K, P, Q,
Q, bi, hbl, sph

m-cgr, porph, rkv,

6

CSG

Rockville
Rockville Beige
Beige

Rockville
Rockville Granite
Granite

Ma 11
1812±9
1812&amp;9Ma

K, P, Q,
Q, bi, hbl, sph

cgr, porph, rkv,

7

CSG

Rockville
Rockville White
White

Rockville
Rockville Granite
Granite

Ma 11
11812±9
8 1 2 s Ma

K, P, Q,
Q, bi, hbl, sph

cgr, porph,
porph, rkv,
rkv,

8

CSG

Agate
Agate

Unnamed

2618±1
Ma 22
261833 Ma

K, P, Q,
Q, bi

cgr
ClY

9

DGC

Bellingham Granite
Granite

Unnamed

2618±lMa?
2618klMa ?

bi
K, Q,
Q, P,
K,
P, bi

cgr
C
lY

10

JSC

Quartzite
Sioux Quartzite

1700Ma
1700 - 1750 Ma

Q

recrystallized
recrystallized quartzite
quartzite

11

CSG

Rainbow
Rainbow

Morton Gneiss
Gneiss

2600
2600-

K, P, Q, bi, hbl

gneissic banded, gbl

12

MKS

Varieties
Varieties of pink-gray

Oneota Dolomite
Dolomite

Earliest
Ordovician
Earliest Ordovician

dolomite
dolomite

bioturbated
bioturbated micro-xln.
micro-xln.

13

VSC
vsc

Varieties
pink-gray
Varieties of pink-gray

Oneota Dolomite
Dolomite

Earliest

Earliest Ordovician

dolomite
dolomite

bioturbated
bioturbated micro-xln.
micro-xln.

14

BSC

Winona Dolomite
Dolomite

Oneota Dolomite
Dolomite

Earliest Ordovician
Earliest
Ordovician

dolomite
dolomite

bioturbated
bioturbated micro-xln.
micro-xln.

Age
-

- 3600 Ma

mgr, lam, lin,
un, oph

Company abbreviations:
abbreviations: CSG -- Cold Spring Granite, JSC
JSC -- Jasper Stone
Stone Company, DGC - Dakota Granite Company,
Company, MKS
MKS -- Mankato-Kasota Stone, Inc.,
Company
VSC
Co., BSC -- Biesanz Stone Co.
VSC -- Vetter Stone Co.,

Mineral abbreviations:
abbreviations: P - plagioclase,
plagioclase, K -- potassic feldspars, Q
jim - ilmenite,
ilmenite, sph
sphene,
Q - quartz,
quartz, cpx - clinopyroxene, hbl -- hornblende,
hornblende, bi -- biotite, ilm
sph -- sphene,
Mineral
granophynic quartz/feldspar,
gp - granophyric
quartdfeldspar, xln
xln -- crystalline
crystalline
Texture abbreviations:
abbreviations: mgr
mgr - medium-grained,
Texture
medium-grained, cgr
cgr -- coarse-grained,
coarse-grained, lam - igneous
igneous lamination (cumulus or trachytoid),
trachytoid), tin
lin -- lineated,
lineated, rkv
rkv -- rapakivi,
gbl-rapakivi, gbl
granoblastic, oph
oph -- ophitic,
ophitic, porph
porph -- porphyritic
1U-Pb
I u - P ~zircon date (Goldich pers. commun., as reported in Horan and
and others,
others, 1987)
1987)
MassachussettesInstitite
Instititeof
ofTechnology,
Technology, pers.
pers. comm.,
comm., 1998)
22U.Pb
~ - zircon
~ b date (Mark Schmitz, Massachussettes

�GROUND
GROUND WATER
WATER RECHARGE,
RECHARGE,DISCHARGE
DISCHARGE AND
AND RESIDENCE
RESIDENCETIME
TIMEIN
INRICE
RICE
FOR
LAND
USE
PLANNING
IMPLICATIONS
COUNTY,
COUNTY,MINNESOTA
MINNESOTA---- IMPLICATIONS FOR LAND USE PLANNING
CAMPION,
CAMPION?Moira
Moira---- Minnesota
Minnesota Department
Department of
of Natural
Natural Resources
Resources
e-mail
moira.campion@d~.state.mn.us
e-mail--- moira.campion@dnr.state.mn.us

Rice
Rice county
county is
is located
located 40 miles
miles south
south of
of the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan
metropolitan area. The
The
county
county contains
containsurban,
urban, suburban,
suburban,and
and rural
rural areas
areasand
and faces
facesincreasing
increasingdevelopment
developmentpressure
pressure
for
for housing
housing as
as well as
as for
for recreational and high intensity agricultural
agricultural purposes. Water
Watersupply
supply
in
in the
the county
county isis primarily
primarily from
fromground
groundwater
waterand
andmost
mostof
ofthe
the1600
1600wells
wellsininthe
thecounty
countydata
data
base
base are
are completed
completed in
in the St.
St. Peter-Prairie du Chien-Jordan aquifer. This
Thisbedrock
bedrockaquifer
aquiferisis
confined
throughout
the
western
and
southeastern
portions
of
the
county
and
is
unconfined
confined throughout the western and southeastern portions of the county and is unconfinedinin
the
the east-central
east-central and
and northeast.
northeast. The
Thepotentiometric
potentiometricsurface
surfaceshows
showsaaregional
regionalhigh
highin
insouthwest
southwest
Rice
Rice County
Countyand
and lows
lowsin
inthe
the central
centraland
andnortheast
northeastparts
partsof
ofthe
thecounty
countywhere
wherethe
theaquifer
aquifer
discharges
dischargesinto
intolocal
localstreams.
streams.
Throughout
Throughout most
most of
of the
the county
county the
the aquifer
aquifer isis protected
protected from
fromdirect
directsurface
surfacerecharge
rechargeby
by
various
consolidated
and
unconsolidated
low
permeability
materials,
except
in
the
northeast
various consolidated and unconsolidated low permeability materials, except in the northeast
where
where the
the aquifer
aquifer is
is exposed
exposed at
at or
or near
near the surface.
surface. The
Thevarious
variouslow
lowpermeability
permeabilitydeposits
deposits
and
and their
their distribution
distribution result in different
different recharge conditions
conditions to the bedrock aquifer. In
In the
the
northeast,
northeast, where
where the
the aquifer
aquifer is
is not
not protected
protected by
by overlying
overlying material,
material,recharge
recharge to
to the
the aquifer
aquifer
occurs
occurs directly through percolation from the land surface. In
Inwestern
westernRice
Rice County,
County,there
there are
are
abundant
lakes
and
wetlands
in
a
hummocky
terrain
of
thick
supraglacial
tills.
Recharge
to
abundant lakes
wetlands
supraglacial
Recharge to
the
the bedrock
bedrock aquifer occurs
occurs in complicated flowpaths
flowpaths through the lakes and tills in this part of
the
the county.
county. InInthe
thesoutheast,
southeast,the
theDecorah-Platteville-Glenwood
Decorah-Platteville-Glenwoodconfining
confiningunit
unitand
andsome
some
older
older tills
tills cover
cover the
the aquifer.
aquifer.Where
Where this
this relatively
relatively thin
thin package
package of
ofshales
shalesand
andlimestones
limestonesisis
continuous,
continuous7the
the St.
St. Peter-Prairie
Peter-Prairie du
du Chien-Jordan
Chien-Jordanaquifer
aquiferreceives
receivesvery
verylittle
littlevertical
verticalrecharge
recharge
from
the
surface.
Conversely,
near
the
edge
of
this
confining
unit,
recharge
may
be
as
from the surface. Conversely, near the edge of this confining unit, recharge may be asmuch
much
as
fiomthe
theaquifer
aquifer
as 30
30 times
times greater
greater than underneath this unit (Delin,
(Delin, 1991).
1991). Discharge
Dischargefrom
occurs
occurs where
where ground
ground water
water drains
drainsinto
into the
the Cannon
CannonRiver,
River, the
the Straight
StraightRiver,
River,and
andPrairie
Prairie
Creek.
Creek. Residence
Residencetime
timeofofground
groundwater
waterwas
wasestimated
estimatedusing
usingtritium
tritiumand
and14C
1% age-dating.
age-dating.
These
These isotopic
isotopic age
age estimates
estimatesconfirm
confirmthe
the conceptual
conceptualmodel
model of
ofrecharge
rechargein
inthe
thecounty.
county.
Ground water is youngest
in
the
northeast
where
low
permeability
cover
is
absent
youngest in the northeast where low permeability cover is absent and
and oldest
oldest
in
in the
the southeast
southeast under the Decorah-Platteville-Glenwood confining unit. Isotopic
Isotopicresults
resultsin
in
western
western Rice
Rice County
County show
showages
agesgreater
greaterthan
thantritium
tritium dating
datinglimits
limitsbut
butless
lessthan
thanaafew
few
centuriesold.
old.
centuries
Knowledge
Knowledge of
of these
these differing
differing recharge
recharge conditions,
conditions, coupled
coupled with
with geologic
geologic and
and hydrologic
hydrologic
information,
provides
county
planners
with
an
important
water
resource
management
information, provides county planners with an important water resource managementtool.
tool.
This
This information
information allows
allows county
county staff
staff to
to decide
decidewhere
where modification
modificationto
to current
currentland
land use
use
practices would minimize potential negative impacts on ground water quality. Basing
Basing land
land
use planning
decisions
on
resource
management
concepts
rather
than
on
politically
based
planning decisions on resource management concepts rather than on politically based
situations
situationswill
will increase
increasethe
the chance
chanceof
of resource
resource protection.
protection.

48

�RICE
RICE COUNTY,
COUNTY, MINNESOTA
Hydrogeology of the
Hydrogeology
St. Peter-Prairie
Peter-Prairie du
du Chien-Jordan
Chien-Jordan Aquifer
Aquifer

-5m
5)

5
(0
ln

-

*-

64

-

0 0

0

2

4

I

1

I

6 Miles
I

Cross Section
Section Legend
Cross

Legend
Map Legend

/V Potentiometric
Potentiometric
contour
Cross section
section
Cross
A
A

Well sampled
Well
sampled
for chemistry

+
+

Well measured for water
level,
level, but not sampled
sampled

Saturated thickness in feet
LIII 0-100

R
E
0

Aquifer absent
'1 Aquifer
ix
Aquiferunconfined;
unconfined;
aquifer confined to west

+

100-200
200-300
300-400
400-500
500-600

From: Rice Counly
County Geologic Atlas,
Atlas. Part 6.1997
6,1997
Original Scale l1:100,000.
: l C J O , O ~ . Fmm:
Copyright: Minnesota
Minnesota Dept.
Dept. of
of Natural
Natural Resources
Cop*ght:

49

Unsaturated
Unsaturated
Recent waters;
waters; tritium
tritium &gt;10
sf0TU
TU
Mixed waters;
waters 1&lt;
7c tntium
tritium &lt;10
c70 TU
TU
Vintage waters; tritium c
&lt;1
Vintage
7 TU and
between 50
50 to 5,000
5,000years old
Vintage waters; tritium e
&lt;1
l TU and
Vintage
5,000to
to 10,000
70,000years old
more than 5,000
Decorah-Platteville-Glennwood
Decorah-Plaffeville-Glennwmd
Confining
Confining unit
unit
St. Peter-Prairie
Peter-Prairie du Chien-Jordan
ChienJordan aquifer
— Direction
ofofgroundwater
Direction
groundwater flow
flow

�THE
THE GEOLOGICAL
GEOLOGICALSOURCE
SOURCE OF
OF ARSENIC
ARSENIC IN
IN GROUND WATER IN SOUTHEASTERN
MICHIGAN
MICHIGAN
W.F.
W.F. Cannon
Cannon and
and Alan
Alan Kolker,
Kolker, U.S.
U.S. Geological
Geological Survey,
SurveyyReston,
Reston?VA
VA
D.B. Westjohn,
Westjohn?U.S.
U.S. Geological
Geological Survey,
SurveyyLansing,
Lansing?MI
MI
The ground
ground water
water in
in parts
parts of
of nine counties in southeastern Michigan contains anomalous quantities of
The
dissolved arsenic,
arsenic?presumably
presumably derived from a natural source. Many
Manywells
wellstested
tested by
bythe
theMichigan
Michigan
dissolved
Department
U.S.Environmental Protection
Department of
of Community
Community Health and by the USGS exceed the U.S.Environmenta1
Agency's maximum
maximum contaminant
contaminant level
level (MCL) of 50 pg/L
Extreme values
values are
are as
as
Agency's
.tg/L for drinking water.
water. Extreme
high as
as 350
350 jtg/L.
pgL. In
In one
one county
county (Huron)
(Huron) about
about 30% of the tested wells exceeded the MCL for arsenic.
high
Most
Sandstone, but other
Most wells
wells with
with elevated
elevated arsenic
arsenic were completed in the Mississippian Marshall Sandstone?
units,
units?particularly
particularlyglacial
glacial aquifers,
aquifers?can
can also
alsoyield
yield arsenic-contaminated
arsenic-contaminatedwater.
water.
The nine
nine affected
affected counties
countieshave
have aa combined
combinedpopulation
populationof
of more
more than
than 22 million
millionpeople.
people.The
TheMarshall
Marshall
The
Sandstone
Sandstone is
is the principal bedrock
bedrock aquifer
aquifer in
in most
most of
of the
the affected
affected counties
countiesand
and in
in some
someareas
areasisisthe
the
sole-source aquifer.
aquifer. These
Theseconditions
conditionscombine
combineto
to make
make knowledge
knowledge of
of the
the natural
natural source
source for
for arsenic
arsenic aa
sole-source
critical
critical aspect
aspectin
in designing
designingaa strategy
strategyto
to provide
provideaa continued
continuedsupply
supplyof
ofsafe
safedrinking
drinkingwater
waterfor
forthis
this
region.
region.
As
As part
part of
of aa larger
larger study
study of
of this
this problem, we have been examining the lithology, mineralogy, and
chemistry
stratigraphic, and mineralogic
chemistry of
of the
the Marshall
Marshall Sandstone
Sandstoneto better define the geographic,
geographic?stratigraphic?
distribution
distribution of arsenic
arsenic in bedrock. In
InOctober
October1997,
1997?aa well
well was
was drilled
drilled and
and cored
cored to
to collect
collect aa complete
complete
stratigraphic
overlying and
and underlying
underlying units.
units. The
stratigraphic section of the Marshall Sandstone and immediately overlying
The
hole
County?near
nearone
oneof
ofthe
themost
mostcontaminated
contaminatedwells
wellsknown
knownininthe
thestudy
studyarea.
area.
hole was
was drilled
drilledin
in Huron
HuronCounty,
Core
Core from
from that
that hole
hole and
and cuttings
cuttings and
and core
core from other producing wells have formed the basis for this
study.
study.
The
The Marshall
Marshall Sandstone
Sandstoneis
is aa fluvial
.fluvialto marginal marine sequence that is present at subcrop in a belt
encircling
the
central
part
of
the
encircling the central part of the Michigan
Michigan Basin. Arsenic-contaminated
Arsenic-contaminatedground
groundwater
waterisisknown
knownonly
only
along
along the
the eastern
eastern flank
flank of
of the
the basin.
basin. As
Asseen
seenininthe
theHuron
HuronCounty
Countycore,
core,the
theMarshall
Marshallisisaavery
very
heterogeneous
interbedded with massive
heterogeneousunit
unit of
of mediummedium- to
to coarse-grained,
coarse-grained, gray to brown sandstone
sandstone interbedded
to
to laminated
laminated gray
gray and
and red
red siltstone
siltstoneand
and thin units of black to gray shale. Fossil
Fossilplant
plantdebris
debrisisispresent
present
and
and pyrite
pyrite isis common
commonin
in accessory
accessoryamounts
amountsin
inmany
manyunits.
units.
Arsenic
Arsenic isis very
very unevenly
unevenly distributed
distributed in
in the Marshall. Highest
Highestvalues
valuesin
inthe
theHuron
HuronCounty
Countycore,
core,up
upto
to
255
mg/kg,
are
in
black
shale
units.
Most
sandstone
and
siltstone
have
an
arsenic
content
below
the
255 m a g yare in black shale units. Most sandstone and siltstone have an arsenic content below the
analytically
mglkgarsenic.
arsenic.
analyticallydetectable
detectablelimit
limit (5
(5 mg/kg),
mgkg) but
butsome
somesandstone
sandstonebeds
bedscontain
containas
asmuch
muchas
as25
25mg/kg
Average
Average sandstones
sandstonescontain
contain about
about 22 mg/kg
mgkg arsenic,
arsenic?and so even these relatively low values are
anomalous.
adjacentLapeer
LapeerCounty
Countycontain
contain as
as much
much as
as 350
350 mg/kg
mgkg arsenic.
arsenic.The
The
anomalous. Cuttings
Cuttingsfrom
fromwells
wellsininadjacent
strongly
strongly anomalous
anomalousarsenic
arseniccontent
content of
of the
the Marshall
Marshall Sandstone
Sandstonein
in the
the area
area of
of arsenic
arseniccontaminated
contaminated
ground
ground water
water lends
lendsstrong
strongsupport
supportto
to the
the earlier
earlierbelief
belief that
that the
the source
sourceof
of arsenic
arsenicisisnatural
naturaland
andwithin
within
the
the Marshall
Marshallaquifer.
aquifer.
Electron
Electron microprobe
microprobe studies
studies of
of well cuttings
cuttings from Lapeer and Tuscola Counties show that essentially
all
all arsenic
arsenic is
is in
in pyrite.
pyrite. Pyrite
Pyriteisisubiquitous
ubiquitousininthe
theMarshall
MarshallSandstone,
Sandstone?typically
typicallyin
in trace
traceconcentrations,
concentrationsy
but locally
rock, mostly as porelocally constitutes
constitutesfrom
from aa few
few percent to as much as 20 percent of the rock?
occluding
occluding cement.
cement. Pyrite
Pyrite formed
formed during
during several stages of diagenesis. Early
Earlydiagenetic
diageneticpyrite
pyriteformed
formed
coatings
on
detrital
grains.
Framboidal
pyrite
formed
in
intermediate
stages
of
diagenesis
and
coatings on detrital grains. Framboidal pyrite formed in intermediate stages of diagenesis and
precipitated
overgrowths. Late
precipitated on
on authigenic
authigeniccarbonate
carbonate and chlorite
chlorite or on authigenic quartz overgrowths.
Latestage
stage
pyrite
pyrite encapsulated
encapsulatedframboids
framboidsand
andin
inplaces
placesformed
formeddisplacive
displacivepyrite
pyritemasses.
masses.

50

�Arsenic
Arsenic is very unevenly distributed in pyrite at virtually all scales, even to the limit of resolution of
the microprobe. Many
Manypyrite
pyritegrains
grains have
have little
little or no arsenic
arsenic at the limit of detection (about 0.01 mass
percent), whereas
enrichment.
whereas nearby grains
grains (within the same rock chip) may have extreme arsenic enrichment.
Individual
6.5 mass percent arsenic. Arsenic
Arsenic shows a variety of
Individual analyzed
analyzed points
points contain
contain as
as much
much as
as 6.5
modes of occurrence, but the most common is as strong enrichments
enrichments in rims on individual framboids
framboids
(see figure). ItItappears
appearsthat
that aa majority
majorityof
of arsenic
arsenic was introduced during an intermediate stage of pyrite
diagenetic growth, at the end of framboidal pyrite formation. Both
Both framboid
framboid cores
cores and
and later
laterovergrown
overgrown
pyrite are not enriched in arsenic. Some
Someother
othertrace
traceelements
elementsalso
alsoshow
showenrichment.
enrichment.Some
Somearsenicarsenicenriched
enriched pyrite contains
contains as much as 0.7 mass % Ni
Ni and
and0.5
0.5 mass
mass%
%Co.
Co.
A critical
critical remaining
remaining question
question is where and how arsenic is released from pyrite to contaminate ground
water. In
Ingeneral,
general,the
theoxidation
oxidationof
ofarsenic-bearing
arsenic-bearingpyrite
pyritemust
mustbe
bethe
thefundamental
fundamentalcontrol
controlof
ofarsenic
arsenic
release. Most
Mostarsenic
arsenicseems
seemsto
to be
be contained
contained in
in black shale units, which are not aquifers and have not
been observed to be undergoing
undergoing oxidation.
oxidation. It seems likely, therefore, that arsenic is introduced to
concentrations in the coarser sandstones that
that form
form the
the aquifers
aquifers within the
ground water from smaller concentrations
25 mg/kg
mglkg over several
Marshall Sandstone. Observed
Observedarsenic
arseniccontent
contentof
of coarse
coarse sandstone
sandstoneisis as
as high
high as
as 25
feet, or tens of feet, of section. The
Thesandstones,
sandstones,therefore,
therefore,have
have concentrations
concentrationsseveral
severalhundred
hundredtimes
times
in quantitative terms
terms to
to provide
provide enough arsenic to
greater than the MCL for drinking water and are able in
contaminate
contaminate a large volume of ground water. Results
Results to
to date
dateindicate
indicate that
that the
the potential
potentialfor
for natural
natural
contamination of ground water is controlled by a variety
variety of
of factors
factors including total
total arsenic
arsenic contamination
characteristics of the
the rock,
rock, and by
by poorly
poorly know factors such as
content of the rock and hydrologic characteristics
biological mediation of pyrite solution and variable redox conditions of ground water in both time and
place.

in arsenic-rich pyrite, in
Electron microprobe
microprobe map showing
showing framboids of arsenic-poor pyrite encased in
turn overgrown
overgrown by arsenic-poor pyrite. Map of iron distribution (left) outlines large pyrite grains
(lightest shade)
shade) that have grown in pore space between quartz clasts (black). Authigenic clay
(intermediate gray) also fills pore space.
space. Arsenic distribution is shown on the
the right,
right, the
the same
same field
field of
of
framboids now completely enclosed
view as the iron map. Arsenic is concentrated on rims of pyrite frarnboids
within late
late stage
stage pyrite.
pyrite.

51

�REiNTERPRETATION
REINTERPRETATIONOF
OF THE
THE PENOKEAN
PENOKEAN CONTINENTAL
CONTINENTAL MARGIN
MARGIN IN
IN
PART
PART OF NORTHERN
NORTHERN WISCONSIN
WISCONSIN AND
AND MICHIGAN
MICHIGAN
W.F.
W.F. Cannon,
Cannon, U.S.
U.S. Geological
GeologicalSurvey,
Survey,Reston,
Reston,VA
VA
G.L.
G.L. Laberge,
Laberge, UW-Oshkosh,
UW-Oshkosh, Oshkosh,
Oshkosh, WI
WI
J.J. S. Klasner,
Kiasner, Western Illinois
Illinois University,
University, Macomb,
Macomb, IL
IL
K.J.
Schulz,
U.S.
Geological
Survey,
Reston,
K J. Schulz, U. S. Geological Survey, Reston,VA
VA

The
Thedepositional
depositionaland
and tectonic
tectonic history
history of
of part
part of
of the
the Penokean
Penokean continental
continental margin
margin has
has been
clarified
clarifiedby
by field
field studies,
studies, and
and examination
examination of
of previously
previously proprietary'
proprietary1magnetic,
magnetic,electroelectromagnetic,
drillcore
coredata.
data. AAcontinental
continentalmargin
marginterrane,
terrane,informally
informallycalled
calledthe
theMarquette
Marquette
magnetic,and
anddrill
terrane,
terrene, inasmuch
inasmuchas
asitit isis composed
composed largely
largely of
of rocks
rocks of
of the Marquette
Marquette Range
Range Supergroup
Supergroup and
and
its
Archeanbasement,
basement,consists
consistsof
ofthree
threesubterranes,
subterranes,each
eachwith
withits
itsown
owncharacteristic
characteristicdepodepoitsArchean
sitional
sitional and
and tectonic
tectonic history (see figure). The
Thesubterranes
subterranesare
areseparated
separatedby
bymajor
majorPenokean
Penokean
faults,
faults,each
eachprobably
probablyaanorthward-directed
northward-directedthrust.
thrust.

POWELL
POWELLSUBTERRANE
SUBTERRANE

LAKESUBTERRANE
SUBTERRANE
PINE LAKE
Marquette
Vflyj metasedimentary
MarquetteRange
RangeSupergroup
Supergroup
metasedirnentary &amp; metavolcanic
metavolcanicrocks
rocks

[i] Graywacke.
metavolcanic
rocks,
Graywacke,
metavolcanic
rocks,schist
schist

&amp;

Archeangranitic
graniticrocks
rocks
Archean

Basal
Basalferrugenous
ferrugenousunit
unit

Archean
Archeangreenstones
greenstones

Archean
Archean gneiss
gneiss

WISCONSIN
TERRANES
WISCONSINMAGMATIC
MAGMATICTERRANES

PARK
PARK FALLS
FALLS SUBTERRANE
SUBTERRANE

±Xg Granite

Graywacke,
Graywacke,schist,
schist, metavolcanic
metavolcanicrocks
rocks

gi Archeangneiss

-

Metavolcanic rocks

-

Keweenwan
thrustfaults
faults
— A.. — Keweenwan
thrust
Penokean
7
Penokeanthrust
thrust faults
faults
y

1
'We
Corporation for permission
penuission to
We thank
thank Cominco
ComincoAmerican
American Incorporated and
and Kerr-McGee Corporation
to publish
publish detailed
detailed
aeromagnetic
area
aeromagneticand
and electromagnetic
electromagnetic data
data for
for parts of our study a
rea

52
52

�The Marquette terrane includes those areas where the Marquette Range Supergroup was
deposited in a tectonically unstable environment for at least part of its depositional history
and was subsequently significantly deformed and metamorphosed during the Penokean
orogeny. The
Theterrane
terrane isis bounded
bounded on
on the north by areas where the Marquette Range
Supergroup
Supergroup was deposited in a stable cratonic or foreland setting and was not appreciably
deformed during the Penokean orogeny (central Gogebic Iron Range for instance), and on
the south by the volcanic arcs of the
the Pembine-Wausau
Pembine-Wausau terrane.
terrane. The essential characteristics
characteristics
of each subterrane
subterrane are outlined below.
Pine Lake subterrane
subterrane
0
Archean granite,
granite, greenstone,
greenstone, and
and metagraywacke.
metagraywacke.
• Basement is Late Archean
0
Early
Proterozoic
has
quartzite
and
dolomite
of
Proterozoic has quartzite and dolomite Chocolay Group at base.
•
Formation, iron-formation
iron-formation including
including shallow-water
shallow-water oolitic
ooliticjasper,
jasper, and
and
• Menominee Group consists of Palms Formation,
abundant volcanic
volcanic rocks.
rocks. Group
abundant
Group was
was deposited
deposited in
in tectonically
tectonically active region, probably in syndepositional
grabens.
Early
Proterozoic rocks were strongly deformed, generally with increasing intensity of deformation
deformation to the
•
south.
south.
basement rocks
rocks were
were not
not deformed
deformedpenetratively
penetratively during
duringthe
thePenokean
Penokeanorogeny.
orogeny.
• Archean basement
Penokean
granitic
rocks
are
rare.
• Penokean granitic rocks are rare.
grade ranges
ranges from
from chlorite
chloriteto
to garnet
garnet (locally
(locally staurolite).
staurolite).
• Metamorphic grade
Powell subterrane
subterrane
Powell
• Basement is
is Early and
and Late
Late Archean
Archean gneiss.
gneiss.
0
Proterozoic rocks
widespread basal
ferruginous slate
slate and
and lean
leaniron-formation,
iron-formation,
Early Proterozoic
rocks include
include a widespread
basal unit of ferruginous
• Early
quartzite, and black suffidic
sulfidic slate and an overling succession of metapelitic
metapelitic and
and lesser
lessermetavolcanic
metavolcanicrocks.
rocks.
correlative with the Marquette Range Supergroup,
The rocks are probably broadly correlative
Supergroup, but details
detailsof
of correlation
correlation
are not known.
known.
basement was penetratively
penetratively deformed
deformed along
along with
with Early
Early Proterozoic cover during the Penokean
Penokean
• Archean basement
orogeny.
orogeny.
• Dikes and segregations
segregations of
of Penokean
Penokean granitic
granitic rocks
rocks are
are widespread.
widespread.
pressure metamorphism
metamorphism occurs throughout
throughout. Pelitic assemblages are biotitebiotite• High temperature and high pressure
gamet-staurolite-kyarnte.
garnet-staurolite-kyanite.
Park Falls subterrane
• Basement is
is Archean
Archean gneiss.
gneiss.
0
politicschist,
schist,carbonaceous
carbonaceoussulliclic
sulfidicslate,
slate, and
and subordinate
subordinatemetavolcanic
metavolcanicrocks.
rocks.
• Early Proterozoic rocks are peitic
equivalent to the Marquette Range Supergroup but details of correlation
The rocks are probably broadly equivalent
correlation are
are
unknown.
unknown.
0
are intensely folded
folded in
in multiple
multiple folding
foldingevents.
events.
• Rocks are
0
segregationsof
of Penokean
Penokean granitic
graniticrocks
rocks are
are abundant.
abundant.
• Dikes and segregations
Peliticassemblages
assemblagesare
arebiotite-garnet-sillimanite.
biotite-garnet-sillimanite.
• Metamorphism is moderate temperature and pressure. Pelitic

The assemblage
assemblage of subterranes
subterranes hereby defined in Wisconsin and Michigan is similar to the
assemblage known in analogous parts of the Penokean orogen in Minnesota. In
Inparticular,
particular,
we suggest
suggest that the Flambeau Flowage Fault in Wisconsin and Michigan is the eastward
extension of the Malmo discontinuity
discontinuity in
in Minnesota.
Minnesota. Both structures
structures thrust Archean gneiss
and highly metamorphosed Early Proterozoic strata northward over less deformed and
metamorphosed Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic strata.
strata.

53

�GEOGRAPHICINFORMATION
INFORMATIONSYSTEM
SYSTEMON
ONTHE
THE GEOLOGY
GEOLOGYAND
AND COPPER
COPPER
GEOGRAPHIC
DEPOSITS
DEPOSITSOF
OFTHE
THEKEWEENAW
KEWEENAW PEMNSULA
PENINSULA
W.F.
W.F.Cannon,
Cannon,U.S.
U.S.Geological
GeologicalSurvey,
Survey,Reston,
Reston,VA
VA
Michele
MicheleE.
E.McRae,
McRae,Oak
OakRidge
RidgeAssociated
AssociatedUniversities,
Universities,Reston,
Reston,VA
VA
Suzanne
Reston, VA
VA
Suzanne W.
W. Nicholson,
Nicholson, U.S.
U.S. Geological
Geological Survey,
Survey,Reston,
Twonew
newproducts
productson
onthe
thegeology
geologyand
andmineral
mineraldeposits
depositsof
ofthe
theKeweenaw
KeweenawPeninsula
Peninsulaand
and
Two
surroundingarea
areahave
haverecently
recentlybeen
beendeveloped:
developed:aatraditional
traditional1:100,000
1:100,000scale
scaleU.S.
U. S.Geological
Geological
surrounding
Surveygeologic
geologicmap
map(now
(nowininpress)
press)and
andaageographic
geographicinformation
informationsystem
system(GIS)
(GIs)database.
database.
Survey
These
Theseproducts
productsare
arebased
based largely
largelyon
ondetailed
detailedgeologic
geologicmaps,
maps, many
manyatat aascale
scaleof
of1:24,000,
1:24,000,
published during
during the
the past
past 50
50 years.
years. They
Theypresent
presentnew
newdata
dataand
andinterpretations
interpretationsininparts
partsofofthe
the
published
area.The
Thepaper
paperproduct
productwas
wascompiled
compileddigitally
digitallyand
anddigital
digitalproduction
productiontechniques
techniquesare
arebeing
being
area.
used
usedtotostreamline
streamlinethe
theprinting
printingprocess.
process.

/1 \

Formations
Paleozoic undivided

J Jacobsville Sandstone
Freda Sandstone
Nonesuch Formation
Copper Harbor Conglomerate
Indiana Felsite
Portage Lake Volcanics
Diabase dikes
Siemens Creek Volcanics
Michigamme Formation
Granitic gneiss

Geology
Geologyofofthe
dieKeweenaw
KeweenawPeninsula
Peninsulaand
andvicinity
vicinitygeneralized
generalizedbybyformation.
formation.

54

�The
The data
data were
were developed
developed using
using the Environmental System Resource Institute's
Institute's ARC/INFO
ARCIINFO
softwareand
and exported
exported to
to ArcView.
ArcView. ArcView
ArcViewisisaadesktop
desktopmapping
mappingsoftware
softwarepackage
packagethat
that
software
provides
provides aa variety
variety of
of tools
tools for
for the display,
display, query, analysis, and output of geographically
geographically
referenced data sets.
sets. This
Thisparticular
particular GIS
GIs consists
consistsof
of coverages
coverages and tabular data on
on the
the
geology,structure,
structure,mines,
mines, mineral
mineral deposits,
deposits, hydrography,
hydrography, and
and transportation
transportation networks
networks of
of the
the
geology,
area. Most
Mostofofthe
thedetail
detailfrom
fromthe
thesource
sourcemaps
maps has
has been incorporated
incorporated into the database.
database. Map
Map
area.
views showing
showingfull
fall detail
detail can
can be
be constructed;
constructed; however,
however, the
the data
data have
have been structured
structuredto
to allow
allow
views
generalizationby
by age,
age, rock
rock type,
type, tectonic
tectonic setting,
setting, or
or stratigraphic
stratigraphicrank.
rank. The
Thefigure
figureabove
above was
was
generalization
generated in
inArcView,
ArcView,by
by generalizing
generalizingthe
thegeologic
geologicunits
unitsbased
basedon
onstratigraphic
stratigraphicformation.
formation.
generated
ArcView
ArcView also
alsoallows
allows the
the user
user to
to access
accessinformation
information either
either by interactively
interactivelyselecting
selecting features
features
on
on aa map
map view,
view, or
or by
by performing
performing logical
logical selection on the data tables. For
Forexample,
example,clicking
clicking
on
tool will
will open
open aa window
window that
that provides
provides tabular
on aa mineral
mineral deposit
deposit with the 'identify' tool
information
informationon
onmines
minesthat
thatworked
workedthe
thedeposit,
deposit,amount
amountof
ofproduction,
production,years
yearsofofproduction,
production,
and
and an
an estimate
estimate of
of the
the amount
amount and
and grade of remaining identified resources.
resources. AAlogical
logicalsearch
search
could
could be
be used to
to identify
identify native
native copper
copper lodes
lodes with greater than 1%
1% Cu. Finally,
Finally,this
thisproduct
product
will
will include
includegeologic
geologiccross
crosssections,
sections,aa correlation
correlation chart,
chart, aa description
description of
of map
map units,
units, and
and
interpretative
interpretativetext.
text. The
Thecross
crosssections
sectionsare
aredynamically
dynamicallylinked
linkedto
tothe
thecross
crosssections
sectionslines
lineson
on
the
themap
mapview.
view.

55

�GRAVITY
VIRGINIA HORN
HORN AREA,
AREA,
GRAVITY AND
AND MAGNETIC
MAGNETIC STUDIES
STUDIES IN
IN THE VIRGINIA
MINNESOTA
NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA
CHANDLER,
Val W
Minnesota
CHANDLER, Va!
W.,.,JIRSA, Mark A., and LIVELY, Richard L. Minnesota
Geological
Survey, 2642
2642 University Ave., St.
St. Paul,
Paul, MN
MN 55114
551 14
Geological Survey,
(chandOO4@maroon.tc.umn.edu)
(chand004@maroon.tc.umn.edu)
and magnetic
magnetic data
data were
were used
used to
to supplement
supplement geologic
geologic field
field mapping
mapping of
of Archean
Archean rocks
rocks
Gravity and
of the Virginia Horn area of northeastern Mimesota.
Minnesota. Although
Although outcrop
outcropcontrol
controlisis locally
locally
excellent, gravity
gravity and
and magnetic
magnetic data
data assist
assist to a minor
minor degree
degree in mapping
mapping areas
areas covered
covered by
by
excellent,
glacial deposits and mine dumps. More
More importantly,
importantly, they provide additional information on
geologic structure at depth. Preexisting
Paleoproterozoic
Preexisting subdivisions
subdivisionsof the Archean and Paleoproterozoic
rocks were used to guide mapping and geophysical work. Although the gross lithologic
divisions
divisions have
have remained
remained essentially
essentiallyunchanged,
unchanged, many
many details
detailsof
of their
their stratigraphic
stratigraphicand
and
structural relations are now much better
better known.
known. Gravity data used in this study consist of
of
together with
with 203
203 new
new stations.
stations. The new
preexisting stations in the state-wide database together
gravity stations
development of a 50 km
stations fill
fill gaps in the previous coverage, and allow development
northeast-southwest
Virginia Horn area,
area, together
together with
northeast-southwest profile
profile across
across the
the Archean rocks of the Virginia
(5-15 km) northwest-southeast profiles. The
The magnetic
magnetic data
data are
are from
from the high
shorter (5-15
five shorter
resolution aeromagnetic
resolution
aeromagneticsurvey
survey of
of Minnesota;
Minnesota; line
line spacing
spacing in
in the
the Virginia
Virginia Horn
Horn area
area is
is 400
400
Subsurfacestructure
structurewas
wasinvestigated
investigatedusing
using gravity
gravity and
and magnetic modeling on the long
m. Subsurface
profile.
The gravity
gravity and
and magnetic data
data were interpreted using grid images of processed data.
Unfiltered and
Unfiltered
and derivative-enhanced
derivative-enhanced versions
versions of the
the gravity and
and aeromagnetic
aeromagneticgrids
grids reveal
reveal
many details of the bedrock geology. The
Thenorthern
northern part
part of the
the study area is underlain by
Archean granitic rocks of the Giants Range Batholith. ItIt isis characterized
characterizedby
by aa strongly
strongly
negative Bouguer
negative
Bouguer gravity
gravity anomaly
anomaly and
and aa busy,
busy, moderatemoderate- to
to high-amplitude
high-amplitude magnetic
magnetic
mafic phases
phases within
within the
the batholith is indicated
indicated by
signature. The
Thepresence
presenceof
ofintermediate
intermediateto
to mafic
signature.
more
more magnetic areas
areas that
that are
are associated
associated with highs in the derivative-enhanced
derivative-enhanced gravity
gravity data.
Derivative-enhanced magnetic
magnetic data
data also delineate several previously unidentified northweststriking faults that extend across the batholith.
A discontinuous
discontinuous sliver
sliver of high-grade
strildng
batholith. A
metavolcanic
metavolcanic and metasedimentary rocks, the Mimtac
Minntac sequence, occurs along the
the southern
margin of the batholith. AAnegative
negativeBouguer
Bouguergravity
gravity anomaly
anomaly implies
implies that the supracrustal
supracrustal
rocks of the Mimtac
Minntac sequence are under-plated
under-plated by
by granitic
graniticrocks
rocksatatshallow
shallowdepths.
depths. The
Minntac sequence
sequence is separated
separated from Archean rocks to the south by the east-west striking
Laurentian fault. South
Laurentian
Southof
ofthe
theLaurentian
Laurentianfault
faultsubsub- to
to low-greenschist
low-greenschist grade
grade metavolcanic
metavolcanic
and metasedimentary
metasedimentary rocks
rocks of the
the Archean
Archean Mud Lake
Lake and
and Midway sequences
sequences are
are
characterized by aa positive
characterized
positive gravity
gravity anomaly
anomaly and
and an
an extremely
extremely subdued
subduedmagnetic
magnetic signature.
signature.
Rocks of the Mud Lake sequence form aa broad
broad southwest-plunging
southwest-plungingsyncline.
syncline. To the south
are
and west, the supracrustal
supracrustal rocks
rocks of the
the Minntac, Midway and
and Mud Lake
Lake sequences
sequences are
Group. Regional
covered by the Paleoproterozoic Animikie Group.
Regional gravity data indicate that the
major belt
beltbeneath
beneaththe
theAnimikie
Animikiebasin.
basin. The
The Biwabik
Biwabik
Archean rocks extend southwest as aa major
Formation of the
high-amplitude
Iron Formation
the lower
lower Animilde
Animikie Group
Group is associated with complex, high-amplitude
magnetic signatures;
signatures; magnetic
magnetichighs
highsdelineate
delineateoxide-rich
oxide-richtaconites
taconitesand
andmagnetic
magneticlows
lows
delineate
natural
ores
and
faults.
delineate natural ores and faults.
Gravity
constmined by surface geologic mapping and rock
Gravity and
and magnetic modeling was constrained
the
properties determined from surface samples. The
The models indicate that most structures in the
Archean rocks have near-vertical dips. The Giants Range Batholith and the low-grade
supracrustal
extend to
to about
about 55 km
km depth.
depth. The
supracrustal rocks of the Midway and Mud Lake sequences extend
The
composition
Minntac sequence
composition of the
the crust
crust below 5 km remains uncertain, although the Mimtac
(which we infer to have been uplifted along the Laurentian fault) may yield clues because it
has been extensively
extensively invaded
invaded by tonalitic and other early phases of the Giants Range
Batholith. Models
sedimentaryrocks
rocksof
of the
theMud
Mud Lake
Lake
Modelsclearly
clearlyshow
showthat
thatthe
thelow-grade
low-gradesedimentary
as thick
thick as
as 1 km
km are
are underlain
underlain
sequence lie within a structural
structural trough; low-density sediments as
56

�by
by moderately
moderately high-density
high-density rocks
rocks inferred
inferred to be largely basaltic. Thickness
Thicknessof
of the
the
sedimentary rocks
rocks increases
increases in
in stepwise
stepwise fashion
fashion northwestward
northwestward towards the center
center of the
sedimentary
basin against
againstnortheast-striking
northeast-strikingfaults.
faults. Sediment
Sedimentthickness
thicknessisisalso
alsointerpreted
interpretedto
to increase
increase
basin
appreciably to
to the
the northeast.
northeast. These
Theseresults
resultsdemonstrate
demonstratethat
that gravity
gravity and
and magnetic studies are
appreciably
valuable
valuableto
to aa geologic
geologicmapping
mappingprogram,
program,even
evenin
inareas
areasof
ofabundant
abundantoutcrop
outcropcontrol.
control.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This
This study
studywas
wassupported
supportedby
by the
theMinnesota
MinnesotaLegislature
Legislaturethrough
throughthe
theState
StateSpecial
Special
Appropriation
an appropriation
appropriationrecommended
recommended by the Minnesota
Minnesota Minerals Coordinating
Coordinating
Appropriationand
and an
Committee.
U.S.S.Steel
SteelCorporation,
Corporation,Inland
InlandSteel
SteelMining
MiningCompany,
Company,
Committee. The
Theauthors
authorsthank
thankU.
Cliffs
LTV Mining
Mining Company,
Company, American
American Shield Company, the
Cliffs Mining
Mining Services
ServicesCompany,
Company, LTV
Duluth
Duluth Mesabi
Mesabi and
and Iron
Iron Range
Range Railway
Railway Company,
Company, and
and the Minnesota
Minnesota Power
Power Company
Company for
for
access
access to their
their properties
properties and
and for
for providing
providing elevation data.

57

�MINERAL POTENTIAL
POTENTIAL ASSESSMENT
ASSESSMENT OF NORTHERN ST.LOUIS
ST.LOU1S COUNTY,
COUNTY,
SOUTHEASTERN KOOCHICHING COUNTY, AND NORTHEASTERN ITASCA COUNTY,
SOUTHEASTERN
MINNESOTA
Va!
Chandler, M.A. Jirsa, and G.B. Morey, Minnesota Geological Survey
Survey
Val W. Chandler,
Presented
Presented by Tom
Tom Lawler,
Lawler, Department
Department of Natural Resources, Division
Division of Minerals
Minerals
Minnesota Geological Survey
The Minnesota
Survey in a contract with the Department of Natural Resources,
Resources,
Division of Minerals
Minerals produced a geologic map and mineral-potential assessment
assessment of a contiguous
contiguous
township area
twenty-six township
area in northern St. Louis, southeastern
southeastern Koochiching, and northeastern
northeastern
Itasca Counties,
Counties, Minnesota. Six
Six tholeiitic to caic-alkaline
calc-alkaline volcanic sequences
sequences of the Archean
Archean
Wawa subprovince
subprovince are resolved that are usually separated by faults or metasedimentary belts,
and are intruded
intruded by a variety of syn- to late tectonic granitoid plutons. Eight criteria
criteria are identified
identified
which indicate
indicate potential for twenty-two lode gold deposits; Six
Six criteria
criteria identify
identifj potential
potential for
for two
two
iron-formation
hosted
replacement
gold
deposits;
Seven
criteria
identify
potential
for
four
iron-formation
Seven criteria identifj potential
four
volcanic associated massive sulfide deposits; Seven
Seven criteria
criteria identify
identi@ potential for maficultramafic intrusion
intrusion hosted Cu-Ni-PGE deposits; Six
Six criteria
criteria identify
identifj potential
potential for
for komatiite
komatiite
associated Ni-Cu-PGE deposits
deposits (although
(although the criteria
criteria were developed only one area with PGE
potential was identified);
identified); and Two
Two criteria identify
identifj potential for two kimberlite
kimberlite hosted diamond
diamond
deposits. All of these
W h e r evaluation
evaluation
these areas
areas are to be regarded with appropriate caution and further
would require
require detailed
detailed exploration
explorationincluding
including drilling.

The compilation
map (Plate
compilation of the bedrock geologic map
(Plate 6),
61, the magnetic and gravity
gravity model crosssections (Plate 7) and the mineral
mineralpotential
potential assessment
assessment map
map (Plate
(Plate 9) used available
available geologic
geologic
data combined
combined with gravity
gravity and
and airborne
airborne magnetic data. The interpretation
interpretation used gridded
gridded forms
forms of
of
geophysical
phenomena. Using
geophysical data
data that have
have been enhanced
enhanced to emphasize near-surface geologic phenomena.
Using
polarization
the UTM based grid
grid the aeromagnetic
aeromagnetic data were enhanced by reduction to vertical polarization
and calculation
calculation of the second
second vertical derivative. These procedures shift anomalies
anomalies more directly
directly
over their sources
anomalies to help clarify
fiom regional scale anomalies
clarifj the
sources and eliminate
eliminate interference from
short wavelength
wavelength signatures
signatures of shallow
shallow sources
sources that lie at or near the Precambrian
Precambrian surface.
surface. With
With aa
similar
similar procedure the gravity data
data were enhanced by the calculation of the second
second vertical
derivative
after
smoothing
by
continuation
to
a
level
of
two
kilometers
above
derivative
smoothing continuation
kilometers above surface
surface to eliminate
eliminate
"noise" caused
caused by
by variations
variationsin
in overburden
overburden thickness.
thickness. Much
Much of
of the
the quantitative
quantitativeanalysis
analysisof
of this
this
study are based on the Werner deconvolution method of inverse modeling using the approach
approach
proprietary software
and proprietary
software developed
developed by
by R.J.
R.J. Ferderer
Ferderer (1988).
(1988).
The contract resulted in a twenty-seven page open-file report 97-5: Chandler, V.W., Jirsa, M.A.
and Morey, G.B., (1997) Mineral potential assessment of northern St. Louis County,
southeastern
southeastern Koochiching
Koochiching County,
County, and northeastern Itasca County, Minnesota. The report
report
includes
includes a detailed
detailed account of analytical procedures and results, rock property data, six cross
cross
sectional studies using gravity and magnetic modeling, five tables and nine plates displaying
displaying
results. This report and the plates
plates are available in hard copy and digital
digital format
format at the Minnesota
Minnesota
Geological Survey, 2642 University Avenue, St. Paul, Minnesota, 55114-1057,
551 14-1057, Phone (612)
(612) 6276274780 also the Minnesota
Department
of
Natural
Resources,
1525
Third
Avenue
East,
Hibbing,
Minnesota Department of
Resources, 1525
Hibbing,
Minnesota
Minnesota 55746-1461,
55746-1461, Phone
Phone (218)
(218) 262-6767.
262-6767.

58

�EXTENSION OF THE HURONIAN MAGMATIC SUITE INSIDE
INSIDE THE
THE
GRENVILLE PROVINCE:
PROVINCE: NEW ZIRCON
ZIRCON U-Pb EVIDENCE FROM THE
THE
GRENVILLE FRONT TECTONIC
TECTONIC ZONE
ZONE IN
IN STREET
STREETTOWNSHIP,
TOWNSHIP,SUDBURY
SUDBURY
REGION, ONTARIO.
F. Corfu,
Museum, 100
100Queen's
Queen'sPark,
Park,Toronto,
Toronto,ON
ON M5S 2C6 and
C o f i , Royal Ontario Museum,
R.M. Easton, Precambrian
Precambrian Geoscience
Geoscience Section,
Section, Ontario
Ontario Geological
GeologicalSurvey,
Survey,933
933
Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury,
Sudbury, ON
ON P3E
P3E 6B5
6B5
The Sudbury region is characterized by very complex geological relationships
relationships due to
to the
confluence and overlapping of multiple geological domains ranging in age from Archean to
rifling of the Archean crust led to the
the deposition of
Neoproterozic. Early Paleoproterozoic rifting
extensive
ian Supergroup and was initially
extensive clastic
clastic sedimentary
sedimentaryassemblages
assemblagesof
of the
the Huron
Huronian
accompanied by the emplacement
emplacement of bimodal mafic
mafic and felsic,
felsic, intrusive
intrusiveand
and extrusive
extrusiverocks.
rocks.
Although the distribution
distribution and petrogenetic features of these magmatic rocks is well understood in
the region west of Sudbury,
Sudburyythe fate of the Huronian remains a matter of speculation farther to the
Frontythe only
only exception
exception being
being the
the previously
previously dated
dated River
RiverValley
Valley
east and south of the Grenville
Grenville Front,
gabbro-anorthosite. In conjunction
program
gabbro-anorthosite.
conjunction with an Ontario
Ontario Geological
Geological Survey
S u ~ e mapping
mapping
y
program along
alongthe
the
Southern-Grenville
Southern-GrenvilleProvince
Province boundary, we have examined
examined two examples
examples of
of metamorphosed
metamorphosed
granitic bodies and a metapyroxenite plug straddling the Grenville Front
Front tectonic
tectonic zone in Street
15 km east of Sudbury.
Sudbury.
Township, roughly 15
The metapyroxenite is part of a suite of small bodiesy
bodies, generally less than 500m in size, that occur
Coniston and
and River
River Valley.
Valley. Mineralogically,
Mineralogically,
within the Grenville
Grenville Front
Front tectonic
tectonic zone
zone between
between Coniston
these bodies consist of roughly equal amounts of orthopyroxene phenocrysts (0.5-5 cm in size) in
locally olivine phenocrysts are preserved. Metamorphic crystallization in
an amphibole matrix; locally
these bodies increases with increasing
increasing distance from the Grenville Front, consequently, sampling
was conducted on a body located only 250m southeast of the Grenville Front. The metapyroxenite
contains highly resorbed, prismatic zircon yielding a U-Pb
U-Pb data
data array
array that
that points
points toward
toward an
an upper
upper
intercept age of about 2490 Ma. The age corresponds
corresponds approximately
approximately to
to that
that of
of the
the East-Bull
East-BullLake
Lake
and Shakespeare-Dunlop
intrusionsyemplaced
emplaced in
in Archean crust
crust at
at the
the margin
margin
Shakespeare-Dunlop (a.k.a. Agnew Lake) intrusions,
Huronian basin
basin east
east of
of Sudbury.
Sudbury.On
On the
the basis
basis of
of SEM
SEM examination,
examinationymost
mostof
ofthe
thezircon
zirconfound
found
of the Huronian
in this sample is located within the orthopyroxene
orthopyroxene phenocrysts, in
in conjunction
conjunctionwith
with Cr-spinel
Cr-spineland
and
chromite. In addition, the matrix of the metaproxenite is chemically differentiated. Thus, we are
confident that the zircon fraction yielding the upper intercept age of 2490 Ma dates emplacement
metapyroxenite was metamorphosed and developed metamorphic zircon during
of these rocks. The metapyroxenite
an event at about
about 1700-1600
1700-1600Ma,
Ma, and
and was
was subsequently
subsequentlyoverprinted
overprintedby
by Grenvillian-age
Grenvillian-age
metamorphism.
metamorphism.
Two granitic bodies were sampled. The first was a foliated monzogranite located in an area south
of the Ess Creek fault and north of the Grenville Front boundary fault as mapped by Lumbers

59

�(1973). This fault-bounded
fault-bounded region has been variously
variously assigned
assigned to the Southern
Southern or
or Grenville
Grenville
provinces, and has been subjected
subjected to middle to upper amphibolite
amphibolite facies
facies metamorphism.
metamorphism.The
The
second body is located about
about 15
15 km south of the first, and is
is one
one of several
several similar
similar bodies
bodies located
located
within the Grenville
Grenville Province.
Province. Both sampled granites,
granites, as
as well as
as other
other bodies
bodies south
south of
of the
the Grenville
Grenville
plutonic body or a suite of
Front, are chemically similar, suggesting they form part of a larger plutonic
FeOt0 &gt;35%
intrusions.
intrusions. In particular,
particular, they
they are
are characterized
characterizedby
by Si02
Si0266-72%,
66-72%, Al203
A120311.9-12.6%,
11.9-12.6%, FeotO&amp;'
&gt;3.5%,
CaO &gt;1.5%,
La/Yb
&gt;IS%, EufEu*
Eu/Eu* .55-.70,
-55--70,L
a b 5-8, and Gd/Yb
GdNb 1.2-1.65,
1.2-1-65, and are identical
identical in major
major and
and REE
geochemistry with Stobie Formation
Formation dacites from both the Sudbury
Sudbury and Street
Street Township
Township areas.
areas. On
On
they plot
plot in
in the
the Within-Plate
Within-Plate granite
granite field.
field. In
In
various geochemical discrimination diagrams, they
contrast, felsic rocks of the Murray and Creighton granites
granites and the Copper
Copper Cliff
Cliff rhyolite
rhyolite have
have
lower Feotoh'
FeOt0 contents
contentsand
andhigher
higherSi02
Si02and
andalkali
alkalicontents.
contents.In
Inaddition,
addition,REE
REEdata,
data,only
onlyavailable
available
from the Copper Cliff rhyolites, have Eu/Eu*
EufEu* c.5,
&lt;.5, LLa/Yb
&lt;5.5and
andGdffb
Gd/YbC.75.
&lt;.75. The foliated
a b -3.5
monzogranite
monzogranite defines
defines a U-Pb zircon age
age of about
about 2460-2450 Ma, which overlaps
overlaps the
the age
age of
of some
some
of the youngest magmatic expressions of the Huronian
Huronian rifting
rifting event
event such
such as
as the
the Copper
Copper Cliff
Cliff
rhyolite
rhyolite and the Hearst
Hearst dyke
dyke swarm.
swarm. The
The granite
granite was
was overprinted
overprinted by
by Grenvillian
Grenvillianmetamorphism
metamorphism
that strongly,
strongly, but not
not totally
totally reset
reset the
the titanite
titanite ages.
ages. The
The zircon
zircon data
data for
for the
the second
secondgranitic
graniticbody
body
display more pronounced effects of both a 1700-1600
1700-1600 Ma event and the Grenvillian
Grenvillian orogeny
orogeny at
at
about 990-980 Ma, but are nevertheless
nevertheless consistent
consistent with a Huronian
Huronian age and with the
the chemical
chemical
similarities
similarities between these granitic
granitic intrusions.
intrusions.

are consistent
consistent with field
field relations
relations which
which show
show aa close
close spatial
spatial
The ages on the bodies reported here are
relationship between the metapyroxenites,
metapyroxenites,the
the granites,
granites, and
and mesocratic
mesocratic to
to anorthositic
anorthositicgabbros
gabbros
relationship
likely correlative with the ca. 2475 Ma River Valley gabbro-anorthosite.
gabbro-anorthosite. In addition,
addition, the foliated
foliated
monzogranite is spatially associated with a thin sliver of mafic and felsic metavolcanic rocks that
monzogranite
that
correlated with the
the Huronian
Huronian Stobie
Stobie Formation.
Formation. The
The latter
latter are
are the
the only
only Huronian
Huronian
have been correlated
volcanic rocks so
so far
far identified
identified east
east of
of Sudbury.
Sudbury. These
These field
field relationships,
relationships,in
in conjunction
conjunctionwith
withthe
the
geochronological results
results reported
reported herein,
herein, suggest
suggest that
that the
the Huronian
Huronian magmatic
magmatic province
provinceisismore
more
geochronological
extensive
extensive east of
of Sudbury
Sudbury than previously
previously recognized. In
In addition,
addition, felsic
felsic magmatism
magmatismof
ofHuronian
Huronian
longer confined
confined to
to the
the vicinity
vicinity of
of Copper
Copper Cliff,
Cliff, and
and indeed,
indeed, could
could be
be more
more extensive
extensivethan
than
age is no longer
previously thought,
thought, particularly
particularly in
in the
the area
area of
of the
the little
littlestudied
studiedeastern
easternCobalt
Cobaltplate.
plate.
previously

Reference:
1973. River Valley area; Ontario
Ontario Division of Mines, Preliminary Map, P.844.
Lumbers, S.B. 1973.
P.844.

60

�KINEMATIC
KINEMATIC FABRICS
FABRICS NEAR MINE
MINE CENTRE,
CENTRE, ONTARIO: EVIDENCE
EVIDENCE FOR A
MODIFIED
MODIFIED TRANSPRESSION
TRANSPRESSION MODEL.
MODEL.
Czeck,
and Hudleston,
Hudleston, P. J., Department
Department of Geology and
Czeck, D. M. and
Geophysics,
Geophysics, University of Minnesota,
Minnesota, 310
3 10 Pillsbury
Pillsbury Dr.
Dr. SE,
SE,
Minneapolis, MN 55455
55455
The
The boundary
boundary between
between the
the Quetico
Quetico and
and Wabigoon
Wabigoon subprovinces
subprovinces of the
the Archean
Archean Superior
Superior

Province is characterized by ductily deformed GreenschistGreenschist- Arnphibolite
Amphibolitefacies
faciesrocks.
rocks. The
two subprovinces
continental accretion
accretion processes.
processes. The
subprovinces have been amalgamated through continental
working
working kinematic
kinematic model
model to
to describe
describe this
this area
area is
is transpression,
transpression, which
which explains
explainsthe
the
dominant
dominant flattening
flattening fabric
fabric in the vertical
vertical plane and the evidence for noncoaxial strain noted
in the horizontal plane. Theoretical
Theoreticalwork
workon
onclassical
classicaltranspression
transpression has
has shown
shown that
that the
the long
long
axis of the
the strain
strain ellipsoid,'
ellipsoid,and
either vertical or
or
axis
and thus the mineral lineation, are necessarily either
horizontal.
horizontal. Structural
Structuralfield
fieldwork
workin
inthis
thisstudy
studyhas
hasshown
shownthat
that the
the lineations
lineationsalong
along the
the
Wabigoon-Quetico boundary plunge between 0-90'
0-90° within
within the
the foliation
foliationplane.
plane. Therefore, a
modification
modification to
to the
the three-dimensional
three-dimensionaltranspression
transpressionmodel
model isis necessary
necessaryto
toadequately
adequately
describe
describe the deformation
deformation process. One
Onepossible
possiblemodification
modificationto
to transpression
transpression which
which
explains
explains the
the oblique
oblique lineations
lineations is
is heterogeneous
heterogeneous extrusion
extrusion due
due to anastomosing
anastomosing shear
shear
zones.
zones.

61

�New
New Aeromagnetic
AeromagneticSurveys
SurveysininWisconsin
Wisconsinby
bythe
theU.S.
U.S.Geological
GeologicalSurvey
Survey
David
DavidL.
L.Daniels,
Daniels,Stephen
StephenL.
L.Snyder,
Snyder,Suzanne
SuzanneW.
W.Nicholson,
Nicholson,William
William F.
F. Cannon,
Cannon,U.S.
U.S.Geological
Geological
Survey,
Survey, MS
MS 954
954National
National Center,
Center,Reston,
Reston, VA
VA20192
20192
Aeromagnetic
Geological
Aeromagneticsurveying
surveyingin
in Wisconsin
Wisconsin over
over the
the past
past 10
10years
yearsby
by the
theU.S.
U. S.Geological
Survey
Survey(USGS)
(USGS)has
has added
addedconsiderably
considerably to
to the
the coverage
coveragein
in the
the state
stateand
and to
tothe
thedigital
digital
aeromagnetic
database
of
the
USGS
Mineral
Resources
Program.
Initial
efforts
aeromagnetic database of the USGS Mineral Resources Program. Initial effortswere
weredirected
directed
toward
towardcompleting
completingthe
thecoverage
coverageininthe
thenorthern
northernpart
partofofthe
thestate
stateininwhich
whichPrecambrian
Precambrianbedrock
bedrockisis
atatthe
thesurface
surfaceor
orcovered
coveredby
byglacial
glacialdeposits.
deposits.The
Theflight-lines
flight-lineswere
wereflown
flownin
in aa N-S
N-S direction
direction
because
because of
of the
the predominant
predominanteasterly
easterly or
or northeasterly
northeasterly grain
grain of
of the
the geology,
geology, were
were spaced
spaced '/2-mile
%-mile
apart,
apart,and
andflown
flown at
at 500
500or
or1000
1000ftftabove
aboveterrain.
terrain. The
Thesurveys
surveyswere
weredesigned
designedto
toextend
extendthe
thelarge
large
survey
1990),
surveyconducted
conductedby
byJohn
JohnKarl
Karlofofthe
theUniversity
UniversityofofWisconsin,
Wisconsin,Oshkosh
Oshkosh(Karl,
(Karl, 1986;
1986;King,
King,1990),
priorto
to1977.
1977.
prior
In
In1988,
1988,the
theUSGS
USGSflew
flewaa3900
3900line-mile
line-mileaeromagnetic
aeromagneticsurvey
surveyin
in the
thenorthwestern
northwesterncorner
comer
of
ofWisconsin
Wisconsin south
south of
of Lake
Lake Superior.
Superior.In
In 1996,
1996,USGS
USGSsurveying
surveyingwas
was continued
continued in
in two
two areas
areas
adjacent
to
the
1988
survey
(see
index
map)
for
an
additional
6700
line-miles.
These
two
adjacent to the 1988 survey (see index map) for an additional 6700 line-miles. These twosurveys
surveys
completed
completed the
the coverage
coverageof
ofthe
thevolcanic
volcanicand
andsedimentary
sedimentaryrocks
rocksin
in the
theMidcontinent
Midcontinentrift
riftsystem.
system.
These
Thesenew
new data
datahave
haveled
led to
tonew
newinterpretations
interpretationsofofstructures
structuresininthe
thehighly
highlymagnetic
magneticKeweenawan
Keweenawan
basalt
basalt flows
flows in
in the
the St.
St.Croix
Croixhorst
horst (Cannon
(Cannonand
and others,
others,1997).
1997).In
Inthe
themost
mostrecent
recent(10/97-3/98)
(10197-3198)
survey,
survey, aeromagnetic
aeromagneticdata
datahave
havebeen
beenacquired
acquiredininthree
threeblocks
blocksin
in aabroad
broadswath
swaththrough
throughthe
the
central
central part
part of
ofthe
the state,
state,ininthe
theMarinette-Green
Marinette-GreenBay
Bay area,
area, the
theWisconsin
Wisconsin Rapids
Rapids area,
area, and
and the
the
Mississippi
Mississippi River
River area
area (about
(about16,000
16,000line-miles).
line-miles). In
In addition,
addition,two
two small
small areas
areas along
along the
the
Wisconsin-Michiganborder
borderwere
werefilled
filledin.
in.
Wisconsin-Michigan
In
50m) veneer
(&lt;150m)
veneer of
of
In much
much of
ofthe
thearea
areacovered
coveredby
bythe
themost
mostrecent
recentsurvey,
survey,aathin
thin(&lt;1
magnetically
magnetically transparent
transparentCambrian
Cambriansandstone
sandstoneoverlies
overliesthe
themore
morehighly
highly magnetic
magneticEarly
Earlyand
andMiddle
Middle
Proterozoic
Proterozoicrocks;
rocks;ininthe
thewestern
westernpart
partnon-magnetic
non-magneticMiddle
MiddleProterozoic
Proterozoicsedimentary
sedimentaryrocks
rocksform
form
part
part of
of the
the basement.
basement. Thus,
Thus,although
althoughthis
thisisisan
anarea
areaof
ofvery
very little
little outcrop,
outcrop, the
the aeromagnetic
aeromagnetic data
data
effectively
effectively delineate the structure
structureand
and character
characterof
ofthe
theburied
buried basement
basement rocks.
rocks.The
Theenhanced
enhanced
understanding
understandingof
of the
the basement
basement geology
geologyprovided
providedby
by the
theaeromagnetic
aeromagneticsurvey
surveywill
will allow
allow better
better
evaluation
evaluationof
of the
the mineral
mineral potential
potential of
of this
this region
region and
and aid
aid in
in regional correlations
correlationsof
of basement
terranes
terranesin
in the
the region.
region. Maps
Maps of
of the
the new
new aeromagnetic
aeromagneticsurvey
survey and the current
current aeromagnetic
aeromagnetic
compilationof
ofWisconsin
Wisconsinwill
will be
be shown.
shown.
compilation

References Cited
Cited
References
Cannon,
Cannon, W.F.,
W.F.,Daniels,
Daniels, D.L.,
D.L., Snyder,
Snyder,S.L.,
S.L.,1997,
1997,New
Newaeromagnetic
aeromagneticmap
mapofofthe
theMidcontinent
Midcontinent
Rift
Rift in
in Northwestern
NorthwesternWisconsin
Wisconsin and
and adjacent
adjacent Minnesota;
Minnesota;Geological
Geological Society
Society of
of America
America 1997
1997
abstractswith
with programs,
programs, v.
v. 29,
29, no.
no. 4,
4, p.
p. 9.9.
abstracts
Karl,
Karl, J.H.,
J.H.,1986,
1986,Total
Totalmagnetic
magneticintensity
intensitymap
mapof
ofnorthern
northernWisconsin;
Wisconsin;Wisconsin
Wisconsin Geological
Geological and
and
Natural
History
Survey,
Map
86-7,
scale
1:250,000.
Natural History Survey, Map 86-7, scale 1:250,000.
King,
King, E.R.,
E.R.,1990,
1990,Precambrian
Precambrianterrane
terraneofofnorth-central
north-centralWisconsin:
Wisconsin:an
anaeromagnetic
aeromagneticperspective;
perspective;
Canadian Journal
Journal of
of Earth
Earth Science,
Science, v.
v. 27,
27, pp.
pp.1472-1477.
1472-1477.
Canadian

62

�Index of Recent Aeromagnetic
Aeromagnetic Surveys
Surveys in
in Wisconsin
Wisconsin
93
93-

91
91'

9T
92'

88
88-

89
89'

9O
90'

8T
87'

46

45

44

43

92
0

50

88°

89°

90°

91°

150

100

63

200 KM

�POLYMETAMORPHISMOF
OF SKARNS
SKARNS RELATED
RELATED TO
TO THE MORIN
POLYMETAMORPHISM
MORIN ANORTHOSITE
ANORTHOSITE
COMPLEX, GRENVILLE
COMPLEX,
GRENVILLE PROVINCE,
PROVINCE, QUEBEC.
QUEBEC.
DEANGELIS1,
DEANGELIS
l , M. T., PECK, W. H., and VALLEY,
VALLEY, J.J. W.,
W., Department
Department of Geology
Geology and Geophysics,
University of Wisconsin,
Wisconsin, Madison,
Madison, Madison,
Madison, WI,
WI, 53706,
53706, william@geology.wisc.edu.
william@geology.wisc.edu.1student
^student
author
caic-silicate assemblages
Skarn calc-silicate
assemblagesassociated
associated with
with the
the Mona
MorinAnorthosite
AnorthositeComplex
Complexare
areexposed
exposed—2
-2 km west of
the town of St.
St. Jovite,
Jovite, Quebec,
Quebec,and
anddisplay
displayfield
fieldrelations
relationsand
andreaction
reaction textures
textureswhich
whichindicate
indicateaa
polymetamorphic origin.
small dioritic
dioritic and
and monzonitic
monzonitic intrusive
intrusive bodies,
bodies, which
which are
are located
located
-25 small
polymetamorphic
origin. A set of —25
between two mapped bodies
bodiesofofmangerite
mangerite(Martignole
(Martignoleand
andConiveau,
Corriveau,1993)
1993)outcrop
outcropinina a—300
-300 meter
meter long
long
These bodies
bodies are
are rimmed
rimmed by
by 10-20 cm
cm thick
thick
series of four roadcuts in calcite marble along Highway 117. These
skarns containing
containing metasomatic
metasomatic banding of garnet, diopside, and wollastonite.
wollastonite. This
This locality
locality occurs
occurs adjacent
adjacent
± 3 Ma (Doig, 1991).
to the western margin of the Morin Anorthosite
Anorthosite Massif which was emplaced at 1155 Â
bodies that
that were
were emplaced
emplaced 1135
1135Â
±3
The anorthosite is associated with mangerite bodies
3 Ma (Doig, 1991). The
The
area was metamorphosed
anorthosite massif
metamorphosedunder granulite
granulite facies
facies conditions
conditions following emplacement of the anorthosite
of 650-775
650-775 O
°C
Martignole, 1989).
1989). This
to pressures of 6-8 kb and temperatures of
C (Indares and Martignole,
metamorphism
metamorphism has been
been dated
dated at
at 1070-1100
1070-1100Ma
Ma by Rb-Sr
Rb-Sr whole
whole rock isochrons
isochrons (see
(see Doig,
Doig, 1991).
1991).

Descriptions
of skarns
Descriptions of
skarns
Well developed
developedskarns
skarns appear
appear on both diorite
diorite and monzonite bodies. We
Weinterpret
interpretthese
thesebodies
bodies as
as
intrusive
relict igneous
igneous textures.
textures. On
intrusive because
because of cross-cutting
cross-cutting relationships
relationships between different intrusions and relict
exposed
with diameters
diameters
exposed surfaces,
surfaces, diorite
diorite bodies
bodies vary
vary in
in both
both size
size and
and shape,
shape,but
but are
are typically
typically circular
circular to
to oval
oval with
ranging from 11 to 10
10 meters.
meters. The
Thediorite
dioriteintrusives
intrusivesare
arecomposed
composedprimarily
primarily of
of plagioclase
plagioclase with
with minor
minor
amounts of clinopyroxene, amphibole, biotite, magnetite, pyrite, and sphene. Metamorphic
Metamorphicminerals
minerals
and clinozoisite.
which are
are made
made up
upof
of
include calcite, garnet and
clinozoisite. Surrounding
Surroundingthe
the diorite
diorite intrusives are skarns which
concentric garnet-, clinopyroxene-,
cinopyroxene-, and
and wollastonite-rich
wollastonite-rich bands. Next
Next to
to the
the diorite,
diorite, garnet-rich bands are
—10cm
cmthick.
thick.Wollastonite-rich
Wollastonite-richbands
bands(in
(inthe
themiddle
middleof
ofthe
theskarn)
skarn)are
arethinner
thinner(51
(1 cm)
cm)and
andsometimes
sometimesare
are
-10
cmthick
thick and gradually
not present. Clinopyroxene-rich
Clinopyroxene-richbands
bands are
are —15
-15 cm
gradually grade
grade into the marble. The
Thegarnetgarnetplagioclase, quartz, calcite, sphene, and small amounts of pyrite.
pyrite.
rich bands contain garnet, clinopyroxene,
clinopyroxene, plagioclase,
plagioclase, garnet,
The wollastonite-nich
wollastonite-rich bands are composed of wollastonite, clinopyroxene, calcite, plagioclase,
and pyrite.
pyrite. The clinopyroxene-rich bands are
are made
made up
up of
of
quartz, sphene, and small amounts of graphite and
clinopyroxene, calcite, garnet,
clinopyroxene,
garnet, plagioclase,
plagioclase, quartz,
quartz, sphene,
sphene, with minor amounts
amounts of graphite and pyrite.
monzomte intrusives
The monzonite
intrusives are composed of
potassium feldspar
feldspar and plagioclase
plagioclase with minor amounts of
clinopyroxene, and sphene. Metamorphic
quartz, clinopyroxene,
Metamorphic minerals
minerals
include
include calcite,
calcite, garnet,
garnet, and Fe-vesuvianite
(Fe/Fe+Mg=0.65 determined
determined by electron microprobe). FeFevesuvianite is visibly zoned in hand sample, with Fe-rich
rims (Fe/Fe+Mg=0.67)
(FeIFe+Mg0.67) and
andless
less Fe-rich
Fe-rich cores
(Fe/Fe+Mg=0.61). Fe-vesuviamte
Fe-vesuvianitecrystals
crystalscan
can reach
reach
lengths
cmand
andare
are found
found within
within the
the monzonite
monzonite and
lengths of —6
-6 cm
the inner most skarn band. Within
Withinone
onemonzonite
monzonitebody,
body,
an unusual
unusual texture
texture consisting
consisting of
of aa cylinder
cylinder of
of matrix
matrix
minerals
minerals (potassium
(potassiumfeldspar,
feldspar,plagioclase,
plagioclase,garnet,
garnet,and
and
quartz)
quartz)encased
encasedby
byaasingle
singlecrystal
crystalofofelongate
elongate(—2-6
(-2-6 cm
cm
long, width50
mm)clinopyroxene
clinopyroxene(En26Fs23Wo50Ac1)
(En2(;Fs23W050Acl)
width90mm)
occurs. This gives these crystals a "hollow" appearance in
thin section and on the outcrop. Monzonite
Monzonite occurs
occurs both
Fragmented diorite
dioriteintrusion.
intrusion.
Figure 1. Fragmented
semi-circular bodies (1-10
as semi-circular
(1-10 m in diameter)
diameter) as
as well as
Skam is developed
Skam
developed where
where hot
hot diorite
diorite
contact with
with marble.
marble. Brittle
came into contact
Brittle
dikes which cross cut diorite. Skarns
Skarns around the
deformation of
of diorite and skarn postdeformation
monzonite consist of small (3-5 cm) garnet- and
intrusion.
dates intrusion.
clinopyroxene-rich bands. Garnet-rich
clinopyroxene-rich
Garnet-rich bands contain
clinopyroxene, calcite,
garnet, clinopyroxene,
calcite, potassium
potassium feldspar,
feldspar,
Fe-vesuvianite, and sphene. Clinopyroxene-rich
plagioclase, Fe-vesuvianite,
Clinopyroxene-rich bands
bands contain
contain clinopyroxene,
clinopyroxene, calcite,
calcite, garnet,
potassium feldspar,
primarily
feldspar, plagioclase,
plagioclase, and sphene.
sphene. Away from the igneous bodies, marble is composed of primarily
equigranular calcite with small amounts of clinopyroxene, garnet, sphene,
sphene, and
and feldspar.
feldspar. Trace amounts of
equigranular
graphite and pyrite are also observed. Bogoch
(1997)report
reportsimilar
similarmineralogies
mineralogiesof
of calcite,
calcite, potassium
potassium
Bogochetetala1(1997)
feldspar, vesuvianite, quartz, clinopyroxene,
cinopyroxene, plagioclase,
spbene in a body
body 2.5
2.5 m
m
plagioclase,wollastonite,
wollastonite, graphite, and sphene
long and 50 cm wide in calcite
krn west of the field area.
calcite marble
marble approximately 12
12 km

64

�Deformation
Deformation and
and mineral
mineral reactions
reactions
The majority of the exposed skarns
skarns parallel the
edge of the igneous
igneous bodies
bodies and
and maintain uniform
uniform
thickness. However,
However,some
someskarns
skarnsand
and igneous
igneous rock are
Someigneous
igneousbodies
bodies and
and their
their skarns
skarns
locally deformed. Some
are folded and boudined,
boudined,2-25
2-25 cm
cm size
size skarn
skarn fragments
fragmentsare
are
common away from
from igneous
igneous rock;
rock; some
some of which are
are
variably folded. Skarn
Skarnfragments
fragments and
and skarn
skarn minerals are
observed being transported by ductile flow of the marble
(e.g. into boudin necks and out of fold hinges). Some
Some
igneous bodies and their skarns
skarns show brittle deformation,
breaking both skarn and intrusion
intrusion into fragments
fragments (see Fig.
1). The
intrusionThe lack
lack of
of skarn
skarndevelopment
development on
on some
someintrusionmarble contacts
contacts of dismembered
dismemberedigneous
igneous bodies
bodies indicates
indicates
that brittle deformation
deformation (of
(of igneous
igneous rock
rock and
and skarn)
skarn)
Figure 2. Calcite rimmed with garnet
occurred after
after igneous crystallization and skam
skarn formation.
formation.
(Gç)). This texture
(G
texture and
and garnet
garnet rimming
nmnung
Mineral
wolliastonite is
Mineral textures
textures show
show that
that original
original skarn
skarn
wopastonite
is evidence for the
the
reaction calcite+ quartz+
quartz+ anorthite+
anorthite+
mineralogies have
mineralogies
have been
been modified
modifiedby
by aa later
later granulite-facies
granulite-facies
wollastonite-&gt; grossular+
wollastonite-&gt;
grossular+CO2.
COT
metamorphic
metamorphic event
event (see
(see also
also Martignole
Martignole and
and Schriver
Schriver
1970). Garnet
Garnet(Gr92)
(Gr92)rims
rimssurrounding
surroundingcalcite,
calcite,
wollastonite,
wollastonite,and
and plagioclase
plagioclaseindicate
indicatethe
the reaction
reaction calcite
calcite ++ quartz ++ anorthite
anorthite ++ wollastonite
wollastonite -&gt;
-&gt; grossular +
+
+ wollastonite
C 0 2 (see Fig. 2). Garnet-quartz
Garnet-quartz intergrowths
intergrowthsindicate
indicate the
the reaction anorthite +
-&gt;grossular ++
CO2
wollastomte -&gt;grossular
quartz.
quartz. The
The univariant
univariant assemblage
assemblageof
of garnet
garnet(Gr95),
(Gr95),plagioclase
plagioclase(An19),
(An19),quartz,
quartz,wollastomte
wollastoniteisisobserved
observedas
as
fine-grained intergrowths. Dilution
Dilutionof
ofthe
theanorthite
anorthitecomponent
componentof
of plagioclase
plagioclase by albite
albite moves
moves the
fine-grained
univariant
univariant assemblage
assemblage to
to lower
lower pressures
pressures and
and temperatures
temperatures(Windom
(Windom and
and Boettcher
Boettcher 1976),
1976),consistent
consistent with
the estimates
estimates of regional
regional metamorphism
metamorphism (Indares
(Indares and Martignole 1990).
1990). The
Thepresence
presenceof
of wollastomte+
wollastonite+
vesuvianite, garnet+ plagioclase+ quartz+ wollastonite,
wollastomte, clinozoisite+ plagioclase+
plagioclase+ quartz,
quartz, and
and sphene
sphene
vesuvianite,
indicate
metamorphism was
was fluid
fluid saturated.
saturated. These
Xu20 ifif metamorphism
These assemblages
assemblages also
also consistent
consistent
indicate conditions
conditions of high
high XH2O
with estimates of low H2O
activityfrom
from granulite
granulitefacies
facies terrains
terrains if conditions are fluid absent or if non CH20 activity
0-H fluid
0-H
fluid species
speciesare
are important
important(Valley
(Valley et
et al.,
al., 1990).
1990).

Comparison to the
Comparison
the Adirondacks
Adirondacks
Economic
wollastonite deposits
depositsin
in the
the Adirondack
AdirondackHighlands
Highlands(—250
(-250 km
Economic wollastonite
kmto
tothe
the south)
south) are
are skarns
skarns
associated with the
the Marcy
Marcy Anorthosite
Anorthosite Massif
Massifand
andrelated
relatedgranitic
graniticrocks
rocks.. Skarn formation adjacent to
to the
the
anorthositewas
was due
due to
to the
the infiltration
infiltration of
of oxidizing
oxidizing meteoric
meteoric water
water into the high temperature contact
Marcy anorthosite
zone of a shallow (&lt;10km) anorthosite body.
The Adirondacks
Adirondacks underwent regional granulite facies
body. The
facies
metamorphismwith
withhigh
highpressure,
pressure,fluid-absent
fluid-absentconditions
conditions—100
-100 Ma later
later (McLelland
(McLellandand
andChiarenzelli,
Chiarenzelli,
metamorphism
1990),
wollastonite and
1990), but wollastonite
and other
other skarn
skarn minerals
minerals remained
remained stable
stable through
through this
this later
later metamorphism
metamorphism due
due to
to
fco2 "fluid-absent"
"fluid-absent"conditions
conditions(Valley
(Valley et
et al.
al. 1990).
1990). Post-intrusion
Post-intrusiondeformation
deformation and
and mineral
mineral textures in
low fc02
Morin Complex
Complexskarns
skarnssuggest
suggestpolymetamorphism,
polymetamorphism,but
butpublished
publishedgeochronology
geochronology(i.e.
(i.e. dating
datingof
ofhigh
high
Monn
temperature
temperature metamorphic
metamorphicminerals)
minerals)atatpresent
presentdoes
doesnot
notallow
allowaadistinction
distinctionbetween
between two
twoseparate
separate
metamorphicevents,
events, or
or aa continuum
continuumof
of metamorphism
metamorphismunder
underchanging
changingconditions
conditionsfollowing
followinganorthosite
anorthosite
metamorphic
intrusion or depth of intrusion.
intrusion.
References
Bogoch, R., Kumarapeli, S.,
Can Mm
Min 35:1269-1275.
351269-1275.
S., and Matthews, A.
A. (1997) Can
Geology 99:
99: 729-738.
729-738.
Doig R. (1991) J Geology
J., Corriveau L. (1993) Geol
Geol Surv
Surv Can
Can Open
Open File 2640.
Martignole J.,
Martignole J., Schrijver
Schrijver K.
K. (1970)
(1970)Geol
Geol Soc
SocFinland
Finland Bull
Bull 42:
42: 165-209.
165-209.
Chiarenzelli, J.
J. (1990)
(1990)JJ Geology
Geology 98:19-41.
98:19-41.
McLelland, J., Chiarenzelli,
1-386.
(1989)Can
CanJJEarth
EarthSci
Sci27:
27:37
371-386.
Indares A., Martignole
MartignoleJ.J. (1989)
1:555-596.
R., Essene,
Essene, E.
E. J.,
J., and
and Lamb,
Lamb, W.
W. (1990)
(1990) J JPetrology
Petrology331555-596.
Valley, J., Bohlen, S. R.,
Am Mm
Min61:889-896.
61:889-896.
Windom, K. E., Boettcher, A. L. (1976) Am

65

�THE
OF THE
THE GUNFLINT LAPILLI
LAPILLI TUFF
THE AGE AND PROVENANCE OF
TUFF
and KISSIN,
KISSIN, S.A.,
S.A., Department
Department of
of Geology,
Geology, Lakehead
Lakehead
FRALICK, P.W. and
University, Thunder Bay, Ontario, P7B
University,
P7B 5E1,
5E1, and
and DAVIS,
DAVIS, D.W., Royal
Ontario
Ontario Museum,
Museum, 100
100 Queen's Park,
Park, Toronto,
Toronto,Ontario,
Ontario,M5S
M5S 2C6.
2C6.
forms the
the middle
middleunit
unit of
ofthe
the Animikie
Animikie Group
Group in northwestern
The Gunflint Formation forms
proximally to
to the western end of
Ontario, outcropping proximally
of Lake
Lake Superior.
Superior. It consists of an
assemblage
assemblage of chemical and fine-grained elastic sediments deposited in the strand-proximal
zone of a south facing
(1996).
facing shelf
shelf as recently interpreted by Pufahl
Pufahl(1996).
Previous attempts at assigning an age to the Gunflint Formation (or the conformably
conformably
overlying Rove Formation) and equivalents
equivalentscan
can be
be classified
classified into
into three
three groups:
groups: (1) ages from
(Hurley et
et a!.,
al., 1962;
1962;Peterman
Peterman
1.556 to 1.63 Ga based on whole-rock Rb/Sr or KIAr
K/Ar techniques
techniques (Hurley
1969; and Franklin, 1978);
1978); (2) ages from 2.08 to 2.111
2.1 11 Ga
Ga based on
on
1966; Faure
Faure &amp; Kovach, 1969;
a!, 1988); and (3) 1.86
1985; Gerlach et al,
1.86 and
whole-rock NdJSm
NdlSm techniques (Stille &amp; Plauer, 1985;
Hemmings et al; 1995).
1995).
1.99 Ga based on whole-rock PbIPb
Pb/Pb from the
the Virginia
Virginia Formation
Formation ((Hemmings
Petrographic
the upper
upper Gunflint at Kakabeka
Kakabeka
Petrographicexamination
examination of
of aa lapilli
lapilli tuff unit present in the
Falls identified euhedral zircons forming a small portion of the silt population together with
large, monomineralic clasts of
of quartz
quartz and
and sanidine likely from an explosive, volcanic source.
source.
stratigraphic section
section present
present here has aa large
large algal
algal bioherm
bioherm complex
complex at
at its
its lowest
lowest level
level
The stratigraphic
(Figure
sporadic
(Figure 1).
1). This
Thisisis overlain
overlainby
by aa thick
thick sequence
sequence of parallel-laminated black shale with sporadic
development of layer rip-ups
rip-ups caused
causedby
bycurrent
currentactivity.
activity. A
A series of what
what has been described
as lapilli tuff beds
beds occurs midway
midway through
through this
thissequence
sequence(Shegelski,
(Shegelski, 1982).
1982). These are massive
to disorganized
disorganizedbedded.
bedded. Mudstone rip-ups
rip-ups are
are common.
common. The
to cross-stratified and graded to
The
lapilli consist of Fe-rich
Fe-rich chlorite
chlorite and
and are
areinternally
internallymassive.
massive. The
The above
above strongly suggests
suggests that
the lapilli are not accretionary volcanic-rainout debris, but
but rounded
rounded volcaniclastic
volcaniclastic mud
mud rip-ups,
and transported
transportedby
bystorm-induced
storm-inducedcurrents.
currents. The
The black
black shale unit
which were eroded, abraded and
is correlated with a find-grained,
fmd-grained, resedimented, volcaniclastic shale, which
which extends throughout
upper Gunflint equivalents
equivalents in the U.S.A.
U.S.A. It may also be correlated
correlated with aa small
small region
region
containing
containing basaltic
basaltic flow
flow rocks.
rocks.
Approximately 100
tuffs, including
including altered,
100 zircons were recovered from the reworked tuffs,
altered,
abraided and euhedral
euhedral brown
brown populations.
populations. Although the majority of the population analysed
concordant age of 1878±
gave reset Archaean ages, a euhedral zircon gave aa concordant
1878Â2Ma BP (Figure
(Figure
2).
2). This most likely represents the age of
of volcanism
volcanism that was penecontemporaneous
penecontemporaneous with
sedimentation.
sedimentation.
volcaniclastic sediment
Preliminary geochemical
geochemical data
data for Gunflint basalts and volcaniclastic
sediment indicates
indicates
possibility of
deep mantle
mantle source for the melts
melts and rules out
out any
any involvement
involvement of
the possibility
of a deep
Similaritieswith
with the
the Emperor
Emperor and
and Hemlock
Hemlock volcanics
volcanics suggest
suggest a
subducting lithosphere.
lithosphere. Similarities
eruptive event,
event, which
which may
may in
in part
part overlap
overlap
northward time-transgressive, extensional, intraplate eruptive
chronologically with the commencement
commencement of arc volcanism to the south.
south.
66

�References
References
Faure?G.,
G.?&amp;
&amp; Kovach?
SOy
1725-1736.
Faure,
Kovach,J.J.(1969).
(1969). Geol.
Geol.SOC.
Soc.Amer.
Amer.Bull.
Bull.
, 1725-1736.
Franklin,
J.M.
(1978).
Geol.
Sum.
Can.
Pap.
77-14,35-39.
Franklin, J.M. (1978). Geol. Surv. Can. Pap. 77-14, 35-39.
D.C.? Shirey,
1515.
GerlachyD.C.,
Gerlach,
Shirey, S.B.
S.B.&amp;
&amp;Carlson,
Carlson,R.W.
R.W.(1988).
(1988).EOS
EOS@,
, 1515.
Hemming,S.R.,
S.R.?McLennan,
McLennan,S.M.
S.M.&amp;
&amp; Hanson,
Hanson, G.N.
G.N. (1995).
(1995). Jour.
Jour.Geol.
Geol.jQ., 147-168.
147-168.
Hemming,
Hurley,
P.M.,
Fairbairn,
H.W.,
Pinson?
W.HSy
&amp;
Hower,
J.
(1962).
Jour.
Geol.
489-492,
Hurley, P.M., Fairbaim, H.W., Pinson, W.H., &amp; Hower, J. (1962). Jour. Geol.
489-492.
PetermanyZ.E.
Z.E. (1966).
(1966). Geol.
Geol.Soc.
SOC.Amer.
Amer. Bull.
Bull. fl, 103
lo31-1044.
1-1044.
Peterman,
Pufahl,P.K.
P.K.(1996).
(1996).M.Sc.
M.Sc.Thesis,
Thesis,Lakehead
LakeheadUniv.,
Univ.,167
167 p.
Pufahl,
p.
R.J.
(1982).
Geol.
Assoc.
CanJMineral.
Assoc.
Can.Field
FieldTrip
TripGuidebook
Guidebook4,
4?15-31.
15-31.
Shegelski,
Shegeiski, R.J. (1982). Geol. Assoc. Can./Mineral. Assoc. Can.

my

a,

,

a,

Breccia

Breccia
Stromatolites
Stromatojites

Wavy
Beddin(
'' Wavy
Beddinc

.

.34

Cross- '..-.. Cross
Stratification
Stratification

Brown euheclral

.338

1878 +I-2 Ma
.336

.334

20'Pb / 236U

.332

5.2

5.25

5.3

5.35

5.4

5.45
10-01-1997

Fig.2.
2.Pb/U
Pb/Uplot
plotfor
foreuhedral,
euhedralybrown
brown
Fig.
zircons from
fiomthe
thelapilli
lapillituff
tuffunit.
unit.
zircons

a

Granulesto
to
/
Granules
.smallPebbles
Pebbles
small
Sandstone
Sandstone

siltstone
.--. Siltstone

.-.
.:.
.:... .. .. .. .. .. .. .

..............
. . . . . .

Shale
Chert

Fig. 1.1.Stratigraphic
Stratigraphicsection
sectionof
ofthe
theupper
upper
Fig.
GunflintFormation
Formationcontaining
containinglapilli
lapilli
Gunflint
tuff
units
in
the
Kakabeka
Gorge.
tuff units in the Kakabeka Gorge.

67

�PRE-WISCONSINAN
AREA OF THE MINNESOTA
PRE-WISCONSINANGRAY
GRAY TILL IN THE MANKATO AIZEA
MINNESOTA RIVER
RIVER
VALLEY
GRAMSTAD, Sally D., student, Department of Geological
Geological and Atmospheric
Atmospheric Sciences,
Sciences, Iowa
Iowa
University,Ames,
Ames,IA
IA5001
50011,
sgramstaiastate.edu
State University,
1, sgramsta@iastate.edu
Exposures of pre-Wisconsinan gray till in the Mankato area of the
the Minnesota
Minnesota River
River Valley
Valley show that
that
continuous. Low shale content, moderate
moderate carbonate
carbonate
this unit is up to 30 m thick and is somewhat continuous.
content, and NW-SE trending fabrics
fabrics indicate
indicate aaWinnipeg
Winnipegprovenance.
provenance. The
The texture
texture and
and lithology
lithology of
of
this unit are similar to those of other pre-Wisconsinan tills in the Midwest, including the Browerville
Browewille
and Elmdale tills in north-central
north-central and central Minnesota, and unit 1 at Salisbury Hill, which is twenty
miles northeast of the study
study area.
The topography
topography of
of the bedrock
bedrock valley
valley that is
is present
present in
in the
the Mankato
Mankato area
area may
may have
have affected
affected
ice flow of the glacier that deposited the pre-Wisconsinan gray till unit. Influence
Influenceof
of this
thisbedrock
bedrock
that the
the thick
thick till
till unit is interrupted
valley may explain several
several anomalous
anomalous fabrics, as well as the fact that
by sand and gravel
gravel layers
layers at
at some
some sites
sites and
and is
is completely
completelyundisturbed
undisturbedat
at others.
others.

68

�A
A MINERALOGRAPHIC
MINERALOGRAPHICSTUDY
STUDYOF
OFMAGNETITE
MAGNETITEIN
IN THE
THE BIWABIK
BIWABIK IRON-FORMATION,
IRON-FORMATION,MESABI
MESABI
RANGE.M[NNESOTA
MrNNESOTA
RANGE,
T.
T.M.
M.Han,
Han,Senior
SeniorResearch
ResearchScientist
Scientist(Retired),
(Retired),Cleveland-Cliffs'
Cleveland-Cliffs'Research
ResearchLaboratory
Laboratory

A
A substantial
substantial number
number of
ofpolished
polishedsections
sectionsprepared
preparedfrom
from specimens
specimenscollected
collected from
from the
the Biwabik
BiwabikIronIronFormation
Formation were
were microscopically
microscopically examined
examined before
before and after an induced oxidation procedure. The
TheBiwabik
BiwabikIronIronFormation
Formation is
is simply
simply classified
classified here as cherty and slaty members. ItIt isisconsidered
considered aa regionally
regionally metamorphosed
metamorphosed
sediment
sediment before
before the
the the
the intrusion
intrusion of
of the
the Duluth
Duluth complex.
complex. Based
Basedon
onthe
the nature
nature and
and magnitude
magnitude of
of the
thechanges,
changes,
the
the existing
existing iron-formation
iron-formationmay
may be
be divided
dividedinto
intothree
three metamorphosed
metamorphosed sectors
sectors progressing from west to
to east,
east, i.e.
i.e.
hematite functioned
functioned as aa
regionally, thermally,
thermally, and
andpyrometasomatically.
pyrometasomatically. During
During regional
regional metamorphism,
metamorphism, hematite
regionally,
"starting
much of
of the
the magnetite
magnetitethrough
through~Fe
Thermal
"starting point"
point" for
for the development
development of much
e +diffusion.
difhsion.
+
Thermalmetamorphism
metamorphism
involves
involves mineralogical
mineralogical transformations
transformations of an isochemical
isochemical nature, which may be
be subdivided
subdivided into
into transitional,
transitional,
process involved
amphibole,
amphibole, and
and pyroxene
pyroxene zones.
zones. Pyrometasomatism
Pyrometasomatism process
involved advanced
advanced recrystallization
recrystallization and
and
replacement
replacementby
bygabbro
gabbroadjacent
adjacentto,
to,and
andwithin,
within,the
theintrusion.
intrusion.

This
This poster
poster focuses
focuses on
on the
the genesis
genesisof
ofmagnetite
magnetiteinin the
theregionally
regionallymetamorphosed
metamorphosed iron-formation
iron-formation and
and
the
metamorphismand
andpyrometasomatism.
pyrometasomatism. Most
Most of the
the textural
textural and
and mineralogical
mineralogical changes caused by thermal metamorphism
features
features observed
observed during
during the
the course
course of
of study
study are
are photographically and photomicrographically shown. ItIt covers:
covers:
A.
fiomdifferent
differentmetamorphic
metamorphiczones.
zones.
A. Lithological
Lithologicalcharacteristics
characteristicsfrom

The
The irregularly
irregularlyand
andevenly
evenlybanded
bandedmacrostructures
macrostructuresofofthe
theregionally
regionallymetamorphosed
metamorphosediron-formation
iron-formation
show
show little
little change,
change, whereas
whereasthe
themineralogical
mineralogicalcomposition
composition and
and microstructures
microstructures have
have experienced
experienced significant
significant
progressive
progressive elimination
eliminationand
andtransformation
transformationdue
duetotothe
thethermal
thermalmetamorphism
metamorphismand
andpyrometasomatism.
pyrometasomatism.
B.
B. Hematite-Magnetite
Hematite-MagnetiteRelations
Relationsininthe
theRegional
RegionalMetamorphosed
MetamorphosedIron-Formation
Iron-Formation

occur either
Before Induced
Induced Oxidation.
Oxidation. The hematite
hematite and magnetite
magnetite occur
either in separate
separate layers
layers or
or inin
1. Before
1.
intimate
intimate relations in
in the same
same layer.
layer. Hematite
Hematiteisisalmost
almostalways
alwaysmuch
muchfmer
fmerand
andless
lessabundant
abundantthan
thanmagnetite.
magnetite.
The
The replacement of
of hematite by magnetite is readily evident. The
The magnetite
magnetite differs
differs in
in external
external morphology,
morphology, i.e.
i.e.
octahedral
octahedral and
and pseudomorphs
pseudbmorphs after
afterother
otherminerals.
minerals.
After Induced
Induced Oxidation.
Oxidation. The
Themorphologies
morphologiesand
andarrangement
arrangement of
of precursor
precursor hematite
hematite in
in existing
existing magnetite
magnetite
2.
2. After
significantly. In the
the evenly
evenly banded
banded slaty
slaty lithology,
lithology, the
the precursor
precursor hematite
hematite isis almost
almost exclusively
exclusively lathlathvary significantly.
shaped
shaped and exhibits
exhibits aa decussate
decussate microstructure. In
Inthe
the irregularly
irregularlybanded
banded lithology
lithology of both the slaty and cherty
cherty
members, the
the precursor
precursor hematite
hematite exhibits
exhibits aawide
widevariety
varietyofofmorphologies.
morphologies. It is
is either
either randomly
randomly arranged
arranged or
or
displays
displays vuggy
vuggy or
or microgeodic
microgeodic structures
structures within
within magnetite
magnetite that isis present
present as
asirregular,
irregular,coalesced
coalescedcrystals,
crystals,
granules, or
or pinch-and-swell
pinch-and-swell layers.
layers. The
The external
external morphology
morphology of the present magnetite
magnetite is governed
governed by
by the
the
granules,
hematite. Some
Some of the
the precursor
precursor hematite
hematite might
might have
have been
been enlarged
enlarged by
by authigenesis
authigenesis before
before
precursor hematite.
inclusions isis present
present in nearly all
magnetite development.
development. Magnetite
Magnetite with precursor
precursor hematite
hematite inclusions
all the
the mineral
mineral
magnetite
assemblages
fiom
assemblages of
of the
the iron-formation.
iron-formation. The
Thesize
sizeand
andmorphologies
morphologiesof
ofprecursor
precursorhematite
hematitein
inmagnetite
magnetite differs
differsfrom
the
the existing
existing hematite,
hematiteyeither
either coexisting
coexisting with or
or playing host
hostto
tothe
themagnetite.
magnetite.
C.
C. Effect
EffectofofThermal
ThermalMetamorphism
Metamorphismon
onHematite
Hematiteand
andMagnetite
Magnetite
In
In the
the transitional
transitional zone,
zoneymore
more than
than one
one stage
stage of
of overgrowth
overgrowth on euhedral magnetite (with or without the
the
precursor hematite inclusions)
inclusions) is frequently
frequently observed. Two
Twoto
tothree
threeexternal
externalmorphologies
morphologiesof
ofmagnetite
magnetitewere
were
also seen in
in coexistence.
coexistence. The
Theinduced
inducedoxidation
oxidationpattern
patternprogressively
progressively changes
changes from
from grain
grain boundary
boundary oxidation
oxidation
along
planes of
of the existing
along the
the precursor
precursor hematite
hematite to cleavage
cleavage oxidation
oxidation along octahedral
octahedral planes
existing magnetite
magnetite as the
metamorphic grade
grade increases.
increases. The
Thehematite
hematiteofofthe
theregionally
regionallymetamorphosed
metamorphosediron-formation
iron-formationisisprogressively
progressively
replaced by magnetite.
magnetite. The
Theeuhedral
euhedralmagnetite
magnetiteisisprogressively
progressively changed
changed to subangular
subangular to nearly round grains.
However, the outlines
granules are still preserved. Magnetite
outlines of
of the
the magnetite
magnetite pseudomorphs
pseudomorphs and magnetite granules
Magnetite
porphyroblasts appear in the fine-grained
coalesced
subangular
magnetite.
fine-grained
magnetite. Some
Some siliceous
siliceous magnetite
magnetite blades
blades or
or

69

�cubic cavities are
are occasionally
occasionally observed
observed in
in magnetite
magnetite distributed
distributed in the
the pyroxene
pyroxene zone.
zone. However,
However, some
some
hematite coexisting
coexisting with
with magnetite
magnetitehas
has also
alsobeen
been found
foundinin the
the pyroxene
pyroxenezone.
zone.
D. Effect
Effectof
ofPyrometasomatism
Pyrometasomatismon
on Hematite
Hematite and Magnetite

Advanced Recrystallized
Recrystallized Zone. The
Themagnetite
magnetite here
here is
is substantially
substantially coarser than
1. Advanced
than in the regionally
and thermally metamorphosed
metamorphosed zones.
zones. The hematite,
hematite, magnetite
magnetite pseudomorphs, and magnetite
magnetite granules
granules no
no
longer exist. Two
Twogenerations
generationsof
ofmagnetite
magnetiteand
andthe
theintroduction
introductionof
ofhercyanite
hercyanitealong
alongmagnetite
magnetitecleavage
cleavageplanes
planes
fmeparallel
parallelto
tosubparallel
subparallelfractures,
fractures,whereas
whereas the
the host
hostdoes
does
are evident. The
Themagnetite
magnetitegrains
grainscommonly
commonlyhave
havefme
not. The
Thefractured
fracturedmagnetite
magnetitesometimes
sometimesresembles
resembles specular
specular hematite. Minute
Minuteeuhedral
euhedral gangue
gangue inclusions
inclusions are
are
commonly present. Cleavage
Cleavageoxidation
oxidationisistypical.
typical. Magnetite
Magnetiteinclusions
inclusionswithin
withinmagnetite
magnetiteare
areeither
eitheroutlined
outlinedby
by
the effect of differential
differential oxidation
oxidation or
or by their
their grain
grain boundaries.
boundaries.

The advanced
Gabbroized Zone.
2. Gabbroized
Zone. The
advanced recrystallized
recrystallized magnetite
magnetite gradationally
gradationally transforms
transforms to
to a
2.
titanomagnetite approaching the gabbroized zone. The
The latter
latter contains
contains minute inclusions of hercyanite, ilmenite,
and ulvospinel,
mineral. Most
phases are
are products
products of
of exsolution.
exsolution. Both
ulvospinel, and an unidentified
unidentified mineral.
Most of these mineral phases
Both
magnetite and titanomagnetite may be observed
observed in
in adjacent
adjacent layers
layers of
of the
thesame
samespecimen.
specimen. Small octahedral
octahedral
the same composition and texture as
inclusions of titanomagnetite are occasionally seen and exhibit essentially the
as
titanomagnetite contains
contains apatite,
apatite, pyroxene,
pyroxene, and
and other
other gangue grains; some
titanomagnetite host.
host. Some titanomagnetite
some
their titanomagnetite
exhibits aa myrmekitic
intergrowthtexture
textureinin pyroxene;
pyroxene;and
and some
some appears
appearstoto be
be replaced
replaced by
by ilmenite
and
exhibits
myrmekitic intergrowth
ilmenite and
sulfides.
sulfides.
Economically, regional
regional metamorphism
metamorphism isis the
the key
key contributor in
in generating
generating magnetite
magnetite for
for the present
Economically,
Thermal metamorphism
metamorphismhas
has aa negative
negative impact
impact on
on magnetite
magnetite size
size liberation
liberation but
but a positive
mining industry.
industry. Thermal
positive
recovery. Advanced
effect on magnetite weight recovery.
Advanced recrystallization
recrystallization has a positive effect on both
both size
size liberation
liberation
ore.
and weight recovery, whereas
whereas the gabbroized
gabbroized iron-formation can no longer be considered iron ore,
The details
details relative
relative to
to this
this study
study were
were reported
reported in
in the
the following
followingpapers
papersand
andabstracts.
abstracts.

T. M. Han (1978) "Microstructures
"Microstructures of
of Magnetite
Magnetite as
as Guides
Guides to Its Origin in Some Precambrian IronFormations." Fortschr.
Fortschr. Mineral.
Mineral.56,
56,105-142
105-142
(1982)
"Iron-Formation of
of Precambrian
PrecambrianAge:
Age: Hematite-Magnetite
Hematite-MagnetiteRelationships
RelationshipsininSome
SomeProterozoic
Proterozoic
(1 982) "Iron-Formation
MicroscopicObservation."
Observation."Ore
Ore
Genesis
- State of the Art, Springer-Verlag,
Deposits -- A Microscopic
Genesis
- The
The
Springer-Verlag, Berlin,
Berlin,
Iron Deposits
Heidelberg, New York.

(1988) "Origin of
of Magnetite
Magnetite in Precambrian Iron-Formations of Low Metamorphic Grade."
Proceedings of
Dof the Seventh
Seventh Quadrennial
Quadrennial IAGOD
IAGOD Symposium,
Symposium, E Schweizerbart'sche
Schweizerbart'sche Verlagsbuchhandlung,
Verlagsbuchhandlung,D7000 Stuttgart
Stuttgart II
(1996) "Mineralogical Evolution
Evolution of
of Precambrian
Precambrian Iron-Formation of Low Metamorphic Grade and Its
Contribution to the U.S. Steel
Steel Industry" (Abstract),
(Abstract), 30th IGC, Beijing, China
G . Graber, and Ruth Kramer (1992) "Effect of Duluth Gabbro Intrusion on Ore Mineralogy of
T. M. Han, R. G.
the Biwabik Iron-Formation,
Iron-Formation, Lake Superior
Superior District,"
District," USA International
International Symposium on Mineralization Related
to Mafic and Ultramafic Rocks,
Rocks, 8th
8th Quadrennial
Quadrennial IAGOD Symposium,
Symposium, Orleans, France (Abstract)

70

�FACIES
DEPOSITIONAL ENVIRONMENTS
ENVIRONMENTSOF
OFTHE
THEEEARLY
PROTEROZOIC
FACIES AND DEPOSITIONAL
A m Y PROTEROZOIC
IRONWOOD
IRONWOOD IRON FORMATION, MT. WHITTLESEY WISCONSIN.
*EJ
Joslin,
Dan
*EMHensel,
Hensely*ck
*Rick
J o s hand
, and
DaLehrmann;
n LehrmaqDept.
Dept.ofofGeology,
Geoloa,University
Universityof
of WisconsinWisconsinOshkosh,
.54901
Kl54901
Oshkosh7Oshkosh,
Oshkosh, Wi
There are numerous models of depositional
depositional environments
environments of
ofEarly
EarlyProterozoic
Proterozoiciiron
fonnation. The
k n formation.
The
puipose of the study was to evaluate which
which of
of these
these models
modelsbest
bestfit
fitthe
thesedimentary
sedimentaiyfacies
faciesand
and stratigraphic
stratigraphic
purpose
patterns
in the
the Ironwood
Ironwood iron
iron formation
formation exposed
e x p o d at the
Whittlesey, in the
patterns in
the Berkeshire Mine Ruins, at Mt. Whitfiesey,
Gogebic
were stripped
stripped from
from this
this area by the
the abandoned
Gogebic District, near Mellen Wisconsin. Soil and vegetation were
mining
miningeffort.
&amp;ort. Approximately
Approximately 100
100 meters
meters of
of stratigraphic
stratigraphicsection
sectionwas
was described
describedbed
bed by
by bed
bed at
at aa decimeter
decimeter
scale.
bed in reconnaissance
cut and
and
d e . An
An additional
additional150
150 meters was descr
described
reconnaissance sections. Samples were collected, cut
described
described in
in detail
detail to
to help
help understand
understanddepositional
depositionalenvironments.
environments.
fades were recognized from outcrop observation
observation and
and sample
sample descriptions.
descriptions. These
These are
are
Five different facies
summarized
facies consists
s u m a r i d as
as follows. 1)
1) The
The horizontal
horizontallaminated
hmin'atedfiia
consistsof
ofcontinuous
continuousand
anddiscontinuous
discontinuouslaminae
laminae
of alternating
alternating inagnetite
structures include
includethin,
thin, graded
graded laminae,
laminae, scour
scour marks,
marks, vmagnetite and
and chert.
chert. Sedimentary structures
shaped
?), and
and discontinuous
shaped cracks
cracksthat
that probably
probably resulted
resulted from
from differential
Merentid compaction
compaction(j)ossibly
(possibly desiccation ?),
discontinuous
lenses
thick and commonly pinch out within a few
lenses of granular
granularfacies. The lenses
lenses range
range from
fiom a few to 15 cm thick
meters laterally. 2)
The wavy
wavy hminatedfacies
consists of wavy
wavy laminae
laminaeof
of magnetite
magnetiteand
and chert
chertwith
with few
few
2) The
laminated facies consists
intraclasts of cheit
are horizontal
horizontal
intraclasts
chert.Sedimentary
Sedimentarystructures
structuresinclude
includecrinidey
crinkleylaminations
laminationsthat
thatprobably
probably are
stromatolites, convolute
convolutelaminae,
laminae,and
andlenticular
lenticularlayers.
layers.3)3)The
Theinfracladcfacies
intraclasticfacies consists
consistsof
of intraclasts of
of
stromatolites,
magnetite
magnetiteand
andchert
chertderived
derivedfrom
fromthe
thewavy
wavyand
andgranular
granularfacies.
facies.The
Theclasts
clastswere
werecemented
cementedearly
earlyby
bysilica.
silica.
include, planar cross beds,
beds, imbricated clasts,
clasts, differential
differential syn-sedimentary
syn-sedimentaiy compaction,
compaction,
Sedimentary structures include7
autoclastic
penetrating the margins
autoclastic breccia,
breccia, and abundant
abundant v-shaped cracks penetrating
margins of
of intraclasts.
intraclasts. These
Thesemay
may be
be
desiccation
of the
the intraclasts
intraclasts are
are rounded
roundedand
andare
areconcentrically
concentricallycoated
coatedwith
withchert.
cheit 4)
4) The
The
desiccation cracks. Some of
stromatolitefacies
contains
~omatolifefacies
containsdomal
domalstromatolites
stromatolitescomposed
composed of
of chert
chert and
and magnetite.
magnetite. Intraclastic
Intraclastic material,
containing
occursbetween
betweenthe
the
containingstromatolite
stromatolite fragments
hgments and
and clasts
clasts of
of granular
granular fades,
facies*isisinterbedded
interbeddedwith
withand
andoccurs
stromatolites. 5)
facies consists
5)The
Thegranular
granuhrfacies
consistsof
ofcoarse
coarse to fine
fine sand and minor silt sized chert and magnetite
grains.
ooids. The
The granular
granular facies
grains. Most
Mostofofthese
thesegrains
grainsare
arepeloids
peloids(featureless
(featureless rounded grains), some are mids.
appears
appears to
to be winnowed with little fine grained matrix and locally contains ripple
ripple cross-lamination.
cross-lamination.
The
stratigraphic pattern at Mt. Whittlesey is a meter- to decimeter-scale intercalation
intercalation
The most obvious stratigraphic
of the wavy, granular,
granular, and
and intraclastic
intraclasticfacies
facies (fig.
(fig. 1).
1). Careful
Carefid observation
obsemtion reveals, however, that that there
there is
is
also a larger-scale
are
lithologic cycles. These cycles are
larger-scale change
change in
in facies
facies associations
associations in the
the outcrop
outcrop that defines 3 lithologic
approximately50 m thick.
thick Within
Within the
the cycles
cycles there
there is a preferential association
association in which
which the
the following
following facies
facies
approximately
more frequently
granular and
and wavy laminated facies, 2) the intraclastic
intraclastic and
and stromatolitic
stromatolitic
frequently occur together: 1) the granular
three facies associations
3) the
the horizontal
horizontal laminated
laminatedfacies.
facies. The
The cycles
cycles consist of a repetition of the three
facies, and
and 3)
stmmatolitic facies
facies
above. Interestingly, the cycles are
are asymmetric in
in the sense that
that the intraclastic and stromatolitic
associationalways
always occurs beneath the
the horizontally
horizontally laminated
laminatedfacies
faciesand
andnot
notabove
aboveitit(fig.
(fig.2).
2).
association
Our
interpretation that
in aa shallow-marine, intertidal
Our data
data supports
supports the interpretation
that the
the iron formation was deposited in
to subtidal
subtidal shelf environment. This
Thisisissimilar
similarto
tothe
theenvironments
environments that
that have
have been
been most
most widely interpreted for
iron
Lougheed, 1983; M
LaBerge,
(cf. Simonson, 1985; hugheed,
e r g e , 1987; Simonson
Simonson and
and Hassler,
Hassler, 1996).
1996).
iron formations
formations(CL
Sedimentary fatures
interpretation include the stromatolites, ooids,
mi&amp;, ripple
ripple cross lamination,
lamination,
features that
that support this interpretation
and
and cross
cross bedding. We interpret
interpret that
that the
theiron
ironformation
formationformed
formed as
as aa biochemical
biochemical precipitate
precipitateof
of iron
iron and
and silica
silica
minerals
marine carbonate
supports the
minerals from
from sea-water.
sea-water. The
The similarity
similarityto
to Proterozoic
Proterozoic or Early Paleozoic marine
carbonate facies supports
idea
to support the interpretation
interpretation that
are biochemical
biochemical rocks. We found no evidence to
that these
these were
idea that
that these
these are
originally carbonate
carbonate sediments
sediments that
that were
were diagenetically
diagenetically replaced by
h w a t e r deposition that has
originally
by silica or for hfreshwater
been postulated by
1973).
by other
other authors
authors (Hough,
(Hough, 1958;
1958;Eugster
Eugsterand
andChou;
Chou;and
and Trendall, 1973).
In our
laminated facies
facies formed
formed on
on the
the tidal
tidal flats, the granular,
granular,
our preferred
p r e f e d depositional model, the wavy laminated
intraclastic,
further seaward in shallow, wave agitated subtidal
intraclastic, stromatolite,
stromatolite7facies
facies formed
formed progressively
progressively fiuther
environments
environmentsand
and the
the horizontally
horizontallylaminated
laminatedfacies
faciesformed
formed in
in deeper
deeper environments
environmentsbetween nonnal
normalwave
wavebase
base
and
and storm
storm wave
wave base
base (fig. 3). The
The horizontal
horizontallaminations
laminationsare
are interpreted
interpretedto
tohave
haveformed
formedin
inquiet
quietwaters
watersbelow
below
granular facies found
found in
in the
the
The abundant
abundantscour
scour structures
structuresand discontinuous lenses of granular
normal wave base. The
horizontally laminated
horizontaIly
laminated facies are interpreted
interpreted to
to represent
represent agitation
agitation and
and "spill
"spill over
over lobes"
lobesnof
of granular
granularmaterial
material

71

�___

Originally we entertained the idea that the horizontally laminated
washed seaward during storms (fig. 3).
3). Originally
facies formed
formed landward
landward of
of the
the oolite
oolite shoals
shoals in
in tidal
tidal flat
flat ponds.
ponds. If
If the
the v-shaped
v-shaped cracks
crackswere
were desiccation
desiccationfeatures,
features,
facies
that
that would support
support such
such an
an interpretation.
interpretation. The
Thev-shaped
v-shaped cracks
cracks are more commonly associated with syndepositional
depositional deformation
deformationstructures
structureshowever,
however, and
and the
the horizontally
horizontallylaminated
laminatedfacies
faciesisisrarely
rarelyassociated
associatedwith
with
laminatedfacies.
facies. This,
This, along
alongwith
withthe
theasymmetrical
asymmetricalpattern
pattern of
of the
thelarge-scale
large-scaledepositional
depositionalcycles
cycles
the wavy laminated
facies associations
associations would represent
supports the deeper
deeper offshore
offshore environment. In this
this model,
model, the
the cycles in facies
represent long
long
term (—million
(--million year)
intraclastic
term
year)asymmetric
asynunetrictransgressions
transgressions and
and regressions
regressions of
ofthe
the shelf.
shelf. The
The stromatolites
stromatolites and intraclastic
facies formed preferentially during initial transgressions, due to increased wave energy
energy and
and increasing
increasing water
Maximum deepening
deepening is
is represented
represented by the horizontally laminated facies and regression is represented
depths. Maximum
by the shift
facies association.
association.
shift back to
to the
the wavy laminated
laminated - granular facies
studies have commonly interpreted the horizontally laminated
laminated facies
Previous studies
facies as
as being
being aa deep
deep water
water
In some
some cases
cases itit has
has been
been interpreted
interpretedto
tobe
be aa vezy
very deep, pelagic and turbiditic
Our data
datasuggests
suggests
deposit. In
turbiditic facies. Our
that, at
units interbedded
interbedded in
in the
the horizontal
horizontal facies are
are
at Mt.
ML Whittlesey
Whittlesey at least, this is not the case. The granular units
far too discontinuous
discontinuousto
to represent
represent distal
distalturbidites
turbiditesand
andthey
they lack
lack Bouma
Bouma sequences.
sequences.

-

Eugster, H. P., Chou,
Chou, I.M.,
I.M., 1973,
1973,The
The depositional
depositional environments
environments Precambrian banded iron
iron formations:
formations:
Economic Geology and the Bulletin
Bulletin of the Society for
for Economic
Economic Geology,
Geology,v.
v. 68,
68, n.
n. 7,
7, p.
p. 1144-1168.
1144-1168.
Economic
Hough, J. L.,
L., 1958,
of Precambrian
Precambrian banded
banded iron
iron formation:
formation: Journal
Journal of
of
1958, Fresh
Freshwater
waterenvironment
environmentof
of deposition of
Sedimentary
Sedimentary Petrology, v. 28, n. 4, p.
p. 414-430.
414-430.
LaBerge, G. L.,
L., Robbins, E.
E. I. Schmidt, R
K 0.,
G.,1987,
1987,AAmodel
model for
for the
the biological precipitation of Precambrian
iron
Pubi., Athens, p. 69-96.
iron formations:
formations: Precambrian
Precambrian Iron
Iron Formations,
Formations, Theophrastus
Theophrastus Publ.,
1983, Origin
Origin of
of Precambrian
Precambrian iron
iron formations
formations in the lake superior
superior region:
region: Geological
Geological Society
Lougheed, M. S., 1983,
of America Bulletin,
Bulletin, v. 94,
94, ii.
n. 3,
3, p. 325-340.
325-340.
M., 1985,
the origins of
of Precambrian
Precambrian iron formations:
Simonson, B. M,
1985, Sedimentological
Sedimentological constraints on the
Geological
Geological Society of America Bulletin, v. 96, n. 2, p. 244-252.
Simonson, B. M
M. and Hassler, S. W.,
of large
large Precambrian
Precambrian iron formations linked to
W., 1996,
1996, Was the deposition of
major marine
marinetransgressions?:
transgressions?:Journal
Journalof
ofGeology,
Geology, v. 104,
104,n.
n. 6,
6, p.
p. 665-676.
665-676.
Trendall, A.
F.,1973,
1973,Iron
Ironformation
formationof
ofthe
theHamersley
HamersleyGroup
Groupof
of Western
Western Australia;
Australia; type
typeexamples
examplesof
ofvarved
varved
Trendall,
A. F.,
Earth
arth Science
Science (Paris), v. 9, p. 257-270.
257-270.evaporites: E
Fades
Fades

TO-

,"-

nfradasc
Fades Associations

1
HorizontallyE HorizontallyLaminated

Intraclastic I
Intraclastic
Stromatolitic
Strornatolitic
Wavy Laminated /I
Granular

3

I1
urn

FIom

Figure
Figure11

."--

Figure 2

Fades
Wavy Iamânated
Wavy
laminated

Granu

[S Intradastic
t.nbad&amp;c

a

HorizontallyLaminated

Figure
Figure 3: Depositional
Depositional Model
Model

72

�AGE
DEFORMATION OF EARLY PROTEROZOIC
PROTEROZOIC QUARTZITES
AGE AND DEFORMATION
QUARTZITESIN
IN THE
THE
SOUTHERN
SOUTHERN LAKE SUPERIOR
SUPERIOR REGION:
REGION: IMPLICATIONS
IMPLICATIONSFOR
FOR EXTENT
EXTENTOF
OF
FORELAND
FORELAND DEFORMATION
DEFORMATION DURING
DURING FINAL
FINAL ASSEMBLY OF LAURENTIA
Daniel
Daniel Hoim,
Holm,Department
DepartmentofofGeology,
Geology,Kent
KentState
StateUniversity,
University,Kent,
Kent,OH
OH44242
44242
David
David Schneider,
Schneider,Dept.
Dept.of
ofEarth
Earth and
and Environmental Sciences,
Sciences, Lehigh
Lehigh University,
University, Bethlehem, PA
PA
Christopher
ChristopherD.D.Coath,
Coath,Department
DepartmentofofEarth
Earthand
andSpace
SpaceSciences,
Sciences,UCLA,
UCLA,Los
LosAngeles,
Angeles,CA
CA90095
90095

Post-accretion stabilization
stabilization in the Lake Superior region at 1770-1760
1770-1760 Ma resulted in deposition of
locally thick successions
successions of Early
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic mature
mature quartzites
quartzites in Wisconsin
Wisconsin and
and southern
southern Minnesota.
Minnesota.
Their
Their age
age of
of deposition
deposition and
and the
theage
ageof
of the
thedeformation
deformationwhich
which caused
causedwidespread
widespreadfolding
foldingof
ofmany
manyof
ofthe
the
quartzite units has long been aa matter
importance and
and controversy.
controversy. We
matter of
of considerable
considerable importance
We present
present new
new
evidence
these quartzites.
quartzites. Also, we document
evidence for both the maximum and minimum age of these
document the spatial coexistence of aa thermal
with a deformational
front in the
thermal front
front in
in Precambrian
Precambrian crystalline
crystalline basement
basement with
deformational front
overlying quartzite units. The
Theage
ageofofthe
thefront
frontsuggests
suggeststhat
thatpost-Penokean
post-Penokeanshortening
shortening of
of the
thePenokean
Penokean
province
province is
is likely
likely related
related to
to the
the final
final stages
stages of formation
formation of the Laurentian
Laurentian supercontinent
supercontinent at
at -1650
Ma.
1650 Ma.
The
The bulk
bulk of Laurentia
Laurentia formed
formed by rapid aggregation
aggregation of Archean continents at 1900-1800
1900-1800 Ma during the
Trans-Hudson and Penokean orogenies (Hoffman, 1989). Subsequent
Subsequent accretion
accretion of
of juvenile crust
crust along
along
the
the southern
southern margin
margin of
of pre-1800
pre-1800Ma
Ma Laurentia
Laurentiaformed
formedthe
theTranscontinental
TranscontinentalProterozoic
Proterozoicprovinces
provinceswhich
which
consist broadly of aa northern
northern 1800-1700
1800-1700 Ma inner accretionary belt and a southern 1700-1600
1700-1600 Ma outer
tectonic belt. The
Thetransition
transition zone
zone between
between the
the two
two tectonic
tectonic belts
belts of the
the TPP
TPP represents
represents the region of
known
Ma during
during formation
formation of
of the outer
known pre-1700
pre-1700 Ma
Ma rocks
rocks metamorphosed
metamorphosed and
and deformed
deformed at
at —1650
-1650 Ma
tectonic belt. The
Theeastward
eastwardcontinuation
continuation of
of this
this transition
transition zone
zone and
and of the
the outer
outer tectonic
tectonic belt from the
central
central plains
plains is
is problematic
problematicas
as no
no 1800-1600
1800-1600Ma
Majuvenile
juvenile crust
crustexists
existsin
inthe
theentire
entiresouthern
southernGreat
GreatLakes
Lakes
region
region (Van
(Van Schmus
Schmus et
et al.,
al., 1993).
1993).However,
However,on
onthe
thebasis
basisof
of1680-1640
1680-1640Ma
Maorogenic
orogenicdeformation
deformationand
andthe
the
existence of 1650
1650 Ma
Ma batholithic
batholithic intrusive rocks in Labrador,
Labrador, Van Schmus et al.
al. (1993)
(1993) have
have proposed
proposed
that
that the
the outer
outer tectonic
tectonic belt
belt was
was aa single
single coherent
coherent continental arc extending
extending from California
California to Labrador.
Labrador.
The
arc/microcontinentcollision
collisionalong
alongthe
the southern
southernpassive
passivemargin
margin
The Penokean
Penokean orogeny
orogeny involved
involvedisland
island arc/microcontinent
of
of the
the Superior
Superior Province
Province at
at 1870-1830
1870-1830Ma.
Ma. InInnorthern
northernWisconsin
Wisconsinthe
thesouth-dipping
south-dippingNiagara
Niagarafault
faultzone
zone
represents
represents the
the main
main suture
suturewhich
whichseparates
separatesuniformly
uniformlymetamorphosed
metamorphosed (upper
(uppergreenschistllower
greenschist/lower
amphibolite facies) island arc
arc rocks
rocks of
of the
thePembine-Wausau
Pembine-Wausauterrane
terrane from
fromdeformed
deformedcontinental
continentalmargin
margin
rocks
rocks which
whichexhibit
exhibitaanodal
nodalmetamorphic
metamorphicpattern
patternimposed
imposedduring
duringcollapse
collapseof
ofthe
theorogen
orogen(Schneider
(SchneideretetaL,
al.,
1996;
1996; Marshak
Marshak et
et al.,
al., 1997).
1997). Abundant
Abundant mica
mica Ar/Ar
ArIAr cooling
cooling dates
dates from
from central
central Minnesota
Minnesota and
and
northernmost
northernmost Wisconsin
Wisconsin and
and Michigan
Michigan indicate
indicate that
that collapse
collapseand
andorogenic
orogenicunroofing
unroofingoccurred
occurredatat175017501700
1700 Ma shortly
shortly after
after an
anepisode
episodeof
ofwidespread
widespreadmagmatism
magmatismatat1770-1760
1770-1760Ma
Ma(Holm
(Holmand
andLux,
Lux,1996;
1996;
Schneider
Schneider et
et al.,
al., 1996).
1996).InIncontrast,
contrast,Rb-Sr
Rb-Srwhole
wholerock
rockisocbron
isochronand
andbiotite
biotitemineral
mineraldates
datesininnorthern
northernand
and
central
central Wisconsin
Wisconsin (Peterman
(Petermanand
and Sims,
Sims,1988)
1988)are
are mostly
mostly Middle
Middle Proterozoic
Proterozoic (1600-1100
(1600-1100Ma)
Ma) and
and reflect
reflect
variable
variable thermal
thermal resetting
resettingassociated
associatedwith
withaalow-grade
low-grade—1630
-1630 Ma metamorphic event (Van Scbmus
Schmus and
and
Woolsey,
Woolsey, 1975; Van
Van Schmus
Schmus et al.,
al., 1975),
1975), intrusion
intrusion of the
the 1470
1470 Ma
Ma Wolf
Wolf River
River batholith,
batholith, and
and
Keweenawan
Keweenawan activity.
activity. Post-accretion
Post-accretion rapid
rapid stabilization
stabilization resulted
resulted in
in the
the accumulation
accumulation of
of post-tectonic
post-tectonic
quartz
quartz arenites
arenites in
in the
the southern
southern Lake
Lake Superior
Superior region
region (Van
(Van Schmus
Schmus et al., 1993).
1993). Deformed
Deformedquartzite
quartziteunits
units
in
in central
central and
and southern
southernWisconsin
Wisconsin yield
yield post-Penokean
post-Penokean detrital
detrital zircon Pb-Pb ages (Van
(Van Wyck, 1995).
1995). The
The
folded
folded Baraboo
Baraboo quartzite
quartziteis
is depositional
depositionalon
on aa 1752
1752Ma
Ma granite
granite(Medaris
(Medariset
et a!.,
al., 1996)
1996)and
and contains
contains detrital
detrital
zircons
zircons as
as young
young as
as 1712
1712Ma
Ma (Dott
(Dott et
et a!.,
al., 1997).
1997). The
Theminimum
minimumage
ageof
ofthese
thesequartzite
quartziteunits
unitsisisconstrained
constrained
only
only by
by the
the fact
factthat
thatsome
someare
areintruded
intrudedby
bythe
the1470
1470Ma
MaWolf
WolfRiver
Riverbatholith,
batholith,although
althoughDott
Dott(1983)
(1983)and
and
Van
Van Schmus
Schmuset
et al.
al. (1993)
(1993)speculated
speculatedthat
that they
they may
may have
have been
been deformed
deformed during
during the
the 1630
1630Ma
Ma event.
event.
The
The predominantly
predominantly Middle
Middle Proterozoic
Proterozoic mica
mica mineral
mineral dates of central
central Wisconsin contrast sharply with
the
the well-grouped
well-grouped 1750-1700
1750-1700Ma
Ma mica
mica dates
dates obtained
obtainedfrom
from central
centralMinnesota,
Minnesota,northernmost
northernmost Wisconsin,
Wisconsin,
and
and northern
northern Michigan.
Michigan. The
The1750-1700
1750-1700Ma
Madates
datesare
arethe
theoldest
oldestmica
micadates
datesobtained
obtainedfrom
fromthe
theinternal
internal
portions
portions of
of the
thePenokean
Penokeanorogen
orogenand
andthus
thusalmost
almostcertainly
certainlyreflect
reflect primary
primary cooling
cooling through
through mica
mica closure
closure
temperatures
temperatures following
following Penokean
Penokean metamorphism.
metamorphism. Considering
Considering that
that primary
primary cooling
cooling atat1750-1700
1750-1700Ma
Ma
was
An—1630
-1630 Ma
Maage
age
was orogen
orogen wide,
wide, ititisislikely
likelythat
thatthe
theyounger
youngermica
micadates
datesrepresent
representthermal
thermalresetting.
resetting.An
contour
contour thus
thus separates
separates basement
basement with
with typical
typical post-Penokean
post-Penokean cooling
cooling ages to the
the north
north (and
(and west,
west, in
in
Minnesota)
Minnesota)from
frombasement
basement with
with thermally
thermally reset
reset ages
ages to the south. The
Theeastward
eastwardextent
extentof
ofthe
thechrontour
chrontourisis
not
not precisely
preciselylocated,
located,however,
however,north
northof
ofthe
theFlambeau
Flambeauquartzite
quartziteininnorthwest
northwestWisconsin
Wisconsinthe
thechrontour
chrontourisis
sharply
sharplydefined
definedby
byRb-Sr,
Rb-Sr,K-Ar,
K-Ar,and
andAr-Ar
Ar-Armica
micadates.
dates.
Importantly,
Importantly,the
theFlambeau
Flambeauthermal
thermalfront
frontin
innorthwest
northwestWisconsin
Wisconsincoincides
coincidesspatially
spatiallywith
withan
anapparent
apparent
deformational
deformational front
front ininoverlying
overlyingpost-Penokean
post-Penokeanquartzites.
quartzites. In
In Minnesota,
Minnesota, the
thesubhorizontal
subhorizontal Sioux
Sioux
73

�quartzite
quartzitelies
liesjust
justsouthwest
southwestofofPenokean
Penokeaninternal
internalzone
zonerocks
rockswhich
whichcooled
cooledrapidly
rapidlythrough
throughmica
micaclosure
closure
temperatures
Ma. In
temperaturesatat—1750
-1750 Ma.
Innorthwest
northwest Wisconsin,
Wisconsin,the
theBarron
Ban-onquartzite
quartziteisisessentially
essentiallyflat-lying
flat-lyingand
andisis
depositional
depositional on
on Precambrian
Precambrian basement
basement with mica ages between 1730-1700
1730-1700 Ma. South
Southof
ofthe
thethermal
thermal
front,
front,and
andonly
only25
25km
kmsouth
southofofthe
theBarron
Barronquartzite,
quartzite,are
areexposures
exposuresofofsteeply-dipping
steeply-dippingFlambeau
Flambeauquartzite.
quartzite.
Here
Herethe
thequartzite
quartziteisisfolded
foldedinto
intoaamoderately
moderatelywest-plunging
west-plungingsynform
synform(Myers,
(Myers,1974)
1974)similar
similarto
to the
thestyle
styleof
of
deformation
McCaslin quartzites.
quartzites. The
Therelatively
relativelyundeformed
undeformedBarron
Barronand
and
deformationexhibited
exhibitedby
by the
theBaraboo
Barabooand
andMcCaslin
Sioux
SiouxProterozoic
Proterozoicquartzites
quartzitesmust
musteither
eitherlie
lieoutside
outsidethe
theregion
regionofofsignificant
significantpost-Penokean
post-Penokeandeformation
deformation
(as
(asseems
seemssuggested
suggested by
by the
thespatial
spatialcoincidence
coincidence of
of aathermal
thermalfront
frontwith
withaadeformational
deformationalfront)
front)ororbebe
younger
younger quartzite
quartzitepackages
packagesdeposited
depositedafter
aftersignificant
significantpost-Penokean
post-Penokean deformation.
deformation. To
Totest
testwhether
whetherthe
the
subhorizontal
subhorizontalquartzites
quartzitesare
arecorrelatable
correlatablewith
withthe
thedeformed
deformedquartzites
quartziteswe
weobtained
obtainedsingle-grain,
single-grain,singlesinglespot
ages
spot207Pb/206Pb
2 0 7 ~ b / 2 0 6ages
~ b on detrital zircons separated from
from the
the Sioux,
Sioux,Barron,
Barron,and
andFlambeau
Flambeauquartzites.
quartzites.
Because
Becausewe
weare
aremostly
mostlyinterested
interestedininconstraining
constrainingthe
themaximum
maximumage
ageofofeach
eachquartzite
quartzitewe
weconcentrated
concentratedour
our
efforts
possible. All
efforts on
ondating
dating euhedral
euhedral or
or subhedral
subhedral crystals
crystals wherever
wherever possible.
All three
three quartzite
quartzite bodies
bodies yielded
yielded
Early
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic and
and Late
Late Archean
Archean detrital
detrital zircon
zircon dates
dates comparable
comparable to
to dates
dates obtained
obtained by
by Van
Van Wyck
Wyck
(1995)
(&lt;2000Ma)
Ma)dates
dates
(1995)for
fordeformed
deformedquartzite
quartzitebodies
bodiesin
in Wisconsin.
Wisconsin. Many
Manyofofthe
thelate
lateEarly
EarlyProterozoic
Proterozoic(&lt;2000
fall
fallalong
alongaadiscordia
discordiawith
withaalower
lowerintercept
interceptatator
ornear
nearthe
theorigin
originindicating
indicatingrecent
recent lead
lead loss
lossattributed
attributedto
to
upper
Proterozoic
uppercrustal
crustalfluid
fluidcirculation.
circulation.Reliable
Reliable207Pb/206Pb
207Pb/2w~b
Proterozoicages
agesare
arebetween
between1730
1730and
and1850
1850Ma
Mafor
for
the
theSioux
Sioux(9
(9grains),
grains),between
between1714
1714and
and1880
1880Ma
Mafor
forthe
theFlambeau
Flambeau (9
(9 grains),
grains),and
and between
between 1750
1750and
and 1880
1880
Ma
Mafor
forthe
theBarron
Barron(6
(6grains).
grains).These
Thesedata
dataattest
attesttotothe
thefact
factthat
thatall
allthree
threequartzite
quartzitebodies
bodiespost-date
post-datethe
the1760
1760
Ma
Mamagmatic
magmaticevent
eventin
inthe
theLake
LakeSuperior
Superiorregion.
region. Thus
Thusfar
farthere
thereisisno
noevidence
evidencetotosuggest
suggestthat
thatthe
theBarron
Ban-on
and
andSioux
Siouxquartzites
quartzitesare
areyounger
youngerthan
thanthe
thedeformed
deformedquartzites
quartzitesfound
foundthroughout
throughoutmost
mostofofWisconsin.
Wisconsin.
Abundant
Abundant new
new thermocbronologic
thermochronologic data in the Lake Superior
Superior region allow us to make
make aa simple
simple but
but
important
importantfirst-order
first-orderobservation
observationthat
thatprovides
providesthe
thefirst
firstdirect
directstructural
structuralevidence
evidencethat
thatthe
thequartzites
quartziteswere
were
deformed
deformedduring
duringthe
thelow-grade
low-grade—1630
-1630 Ma event in the Lake Superior region. We
Wenote
notethat
thatsubhorizontal
subhorizontal
post-Penokean
post-Penokean quartzites
quartzites consistently
consistently overlie
overlie crystalline
crystalline basement
basement with
with primary
primary post-Penokean
post-Penokean cooling
cooling
ages,
ages, whereas
whereas highly
highly deformed
deformed quartzites
quartzites everywhere
everywhereoverlie
overliecrystalline
crystallinebasement
basementwith
withsecondary
secondary
(thermally
(thermally reset)
reset) cooling
coolingages.
ages.We
Weare
arefortunate
fortunatethat
thatthe
theproximity
proximityofofthe
thedeformed
deformedFlambeau
Flambeauquartzite
quartzitetoto
the
the subhorizontal
subhorizontal Barron
Barron quartzite
quartzite in
in northwest
northwest Wisconsin
Wisconsin allows
allows us to
to precisely
precisely locate
locatethis
this
deformational/thermal
deformationalhhermal front.
front. An
Anage
ageofof1650-1630
1650-1630Ma
Mafor
forthe
thedeformation
deformationseems
seemsreasonable
reasonablegiven
giventhat
that
coolingages
agessouth
southof
ofthe
thefront
frontprobably
probablypost-date
post-datethe
thedeformation
deformationsomewhat.
somewhat.
cooling
The
The thermal
thermal front
front extends
extends eastward
eastward into
into northern
northern Michigan,
Michigan, the
the geology
geology of
of which
which isisdominated
dominated by
by
gneiss
gneissdomes
domesand
and classic
classic nodal
nodal metamorphic
metamorphic isograds. No
NoEarly
EarlyProterozoic
Proterozoicpost-Penokean
post-Penokeanquartzites
quartzitesare
are
known
known north
north of
of the
the McCaslin
McCaslin quartzite.
quartzite.However,
However,it's
it'sinteresting
interestingtotonote
notethat
thatthe
theRepublic
Republicmetamorphic
metamorphic
node
node located
locatednorth
north of
of the
thethermal
thermalfront
frontisisconcentric
concentricwhereas
whereasthe
thePeavy
Peavymetamorphic
metamorphicnode
nodelocated
locatedsouth
south
of the
the thermal
thermal front
frontisiselongate
elongateeast-west.
east-west. ItIt isis tempting
tempting to
to speculate
speculate that
that the
the Penokean
Penokean isograds
isograds of the
the
of
Peavy
Peavy metamorphic
metamorphic node
node have
have been
been shortened
shortenednorth-south
north-south and
and may
may therefore
therefore be
be yet
yetanother
anotherstructural
structural
manifestation of
of the
the1630
1630Ma
Madeformational
deformationalevent.
event. If
If our
our interpretations
interpretations are
are correct,
correct, then
thenthe
thesimilar
similar
manifestation
orientation
orientation of
of post-Penokean
post-Penokean folds
folds and
and Penokean-age
Penokean-age folds (north
(north of the
the front)
front) requires
requires that
that caution
caution be
be
used
usedwhen
whenattributing
attributingbasement
basementstructures
structuressouth
southofofthe
thefront
fronttotoPenokean
Penokeandeformation.
deformation.
The
Ma metamorphism
metamorphism has
has been one of the most
Thelow-grade
low-grade—1630
-1630 Ma
most poorly
poorly understood
understood events
events in
inthe
the
Lake
Lake Superior
Superior region.
region. Although
Althoughitithas
haslong
longbeen
beenspeculated
speculatedupon
uponthat
thatthe
thequartzites
quartzitesmay
mayhave
havebeen
been
deformed
deformed during
during this
this event
event (Dott,
(Dott, 1983;
1983; Van
Van Schmus
Schmus et al.,
al., 1993),
1993), until now there has been no
no direct
direct
evidence
evidence of
of any
any intrusive
intrusive or
or deformational
deformational event of that age. We
Webelieve
believethat
thatthe
thedata
datasummarized
summarizedhere
here
provides
provides the
the missing
missing structural
structural link
link to
to that
that event.
event. The
Thetiming
timingand
andthe
thestrong
strongapproximately
approximatelynorth-south
north-south
shortening
shorteningstyle
styleof
of post-Penokean
post-Penokeandeformation
deformationtogether
together are
are consistent
consistentwith
with itit being
being the
theresult
resultof
offoreland
foreland
deformation
deformation associated
associated with emplacement
emplacement of the outer
outer tectonic
tectonic belt
belt onto
onto the
the southernmost
southernmost margin
margin of
of
Laurentia
Laurentia during the
the Mazatzal
Mazatzal orogeny
orogeny (Van
(Van Schmus et al., 1993).
1993). The
Therocks
rocksofofthe
theTranscontinental
Transcontinental
Proterozoic
Proterozoic provinces
provinces were
were subjected
subjected to
to aa major
major magmatic
magmatic event
event during
during the
theMiddle
MiddleProterozoic
Proterozoicfrom
from
1500-1300
1500-1300 Ma. The
Theundeformed
undeformedWolf
WolfRiver
Riverbatholith
batholithinincentral
centralWisconsin
Wisconsinisissurrounded
surroundedby
byand
andlocally
locally
intrudes
intrudesthe
the deformed
deformedquartzite
quartzitebodies,
bodies,leading
leadingsome
someto
tosuggest
suggestthat
thatquartzite
quartzitedeformation
deformationwas
wascaused
causedby
by
Middle
Middle Proterozoic
Proterozoic epeirogenic
epeirogenic doming
doming and
and igneous intrusion (Greenberg and Brown, 1984). However,
However,
the
the existence
existenceof
of the
theFlambeau
Rambeau deformational
deformationalfront
front(located
(locatedover
over 100
100km
km from
fromexposures
exposuresof
of the
thebatholith)
batholith)
shows
showsthat
that the
the deformation
deformationdoes
does not
not wane
wane away
away from
from the
the batholith. Rather,
Rather,the
theabrupt
abruptnature
natureof
ofthe
thefront
front
is
is characteristic
characteristic of
of tectonic,
tectonic, not
not intrusion
intrusion related, deformation. This
This study
studysupports
supportsDott's
Dott's (1983)
(1983) model
model
which
which attributed
attributed post-Penokean
post-Penokean deformation
deformation in
in Wisconsin
Wisconsin to
to Early
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic plate
plate collision
collisionfrom
fromthe
the
south
1700-1600Ma
Ma outer
outer tectonic
tectonic belt
belt
south and
and supports
supports the
the hypothesis
hypothesis of
of Van
Van Schmus
Schmus et
et al.
al. (1993)
(1993) that
that the
the 1700-1600
was
was aa single
single coherent
coherentbelt
belt extending
extendingfrom
fromCalifornia
Californiato
to Labrador.
Labrador.
References
Referenceswill
will be
be made
madeavailable
availableatatthe
themeeting
meetingor
orupon
uponrequest
request(dholm@kent.edu).
(dholm@kent.edu).
74

�THE
THERECOGNITION
RECOGNITIONOF
OFAALAVA
LAVADOME
DOME COMPLEX
COMPLEXAND
AND ITS
ITS RELATIONSHIP
RELATIONSHIP
TO
TO THE
THEARCHEAN
ARCHEANSTURGEON
STURGEONLAKE
LAKE CALDERA,
CALDERA,NORTHWESTERN
NORTHWESTERNONTARIO
ONTARIO
GEORGE
RONALD L. MORTON
GEORGEJ.J.HUDAK
HUDAKAND
AND RONALD
MORTON
Economic
EconomicVolcanology
VolcanologyResearch
ResearchLab,
Lab,Geology
GeologyDepartment,
Department,University
Universityof
ofMinnesota
Minnesota —-Duluth,
Duluth,
Duluth,
Duluth,Minnesota,
Minnesota, USA
USA 55812
55812

JAMES
JAMES M.
M. FRANKLIN
FRANKLIN
Geological
GeologicalSurvey
Survey of
of Canada,
Canada,601
601Booth
Booth Street,
Street, Ottawa,
Ottawa,Ontario,
Ontario,Canada
CanadaK1A
KIA0E8
OE8

Detailed
has led to the
Detailed volcanic facies mapping
mapping has
the recognition
recognition of
of the
the Archean
Archean Sturgeon
Sturgeon
Lake Caldera
Caldera Complex
Complex in northwestern Ontario (Morton
This complex
complex is
isup
uptoto
Lake
(Morton et
et al.,
al., 1991). This
25 kilometers
kilometers in
in strike
strike length,
length, contains
contains up
up to
to 4500
4500 meters
meters of
of caldera
calderafill
fillmaterial,
material,and
andhosts
hosts
25
six
six known
known volcanogenic
volcanogenic massive
massive sulfide
sulfide (VMS)
(VMS)orebodies
orebodiesand
andnumerous
numeroussubeconomic
subeconomic
massive sulfide
sulfide lenses. The
Thevolcanic
volcanicrocks
rockswithin
withinthe
thecomplex
complexhave
havebeen
beendivided
dividedinto
intoten
ten
massive
distinct
based on the types
distinct stratigraphic
stratigraphic successions
successions based
types of
ofvolcanic
volcanicand
andsedimentary
sedimentaryrocks
rocks
present
present (Hudak,
(Hudak,1996).
1996).
The
TheLyon
LyonCreek
CreekSuccession
Successioncomprises
comprisesthe
theuppermost
uppermostof
ofthese
thesesuccessions.
successions.Historically,
Historically,
these
these rocks
rocks were
were called
calledthe
theNBU
NBUrhyolite
rhyolite(Harvey
(Harvey and
andHinzer,
Hinzer, 1981;
1981;Severin,
Severin,1982),
1982),and
and
were
were interpreted
interpreted as
as rhyolite
rhyolite tuffs,
tuffs,lapilli
lapillituffs,
tuffs,agglomerates,
agglomerates,and
andgraphite-rich
graphite-richsediments.
sediments.
However,
However, our
our detailed
detailedfield
fieldmapping,
mapping,core
corelogging,
logging,and
andpetrographic
petrographicinvestigations
investigationsindicate
indicate
that
that little
littleor
ornone
noneof
ofthese
theserocks
rocksare
arepyroclastic
pyroclasticininorigin.
origin. Instead,
Instead,this
thissuccession
successionhas
hasbeen
been
interpreted
interpretedto
torepresent
representaasubaqueous
subaqueouslava
lavadome
domecomplex.
complex.
krn in strike
strike length
length and
and up
up to
to 540
540
A plagioclase-phyric
plagioclase-phyric dacite
A
dacite lava
lava dome
dome that
that is
is 2-3
2-3 km
meters
meters thick
thick forms
formsthe
thebase
baseofofthe
thesuccession.
succession. This
Thisdome
domeoccurs
occurswithin
withinthe
thecaldera
calderaedifice
edifice
krn west
west of
of aa major
major caldera
caldera margin
margin fault.
fault. An
Anabsence
absenceofofflow
flowcontacts,
contacts,
approximately 1-2
1-2 km
approximately
and
andan
anincrease
increaseininthe
thesize
sizeofoffeldspar
feldsparphenocrysts
phenocrystsfrom
fromthe
themargins
marginstoward
towardthe
the core
coreof
ofthe
the
dome, suggests
suggests that
thatthe
thedome's
dome'sgrowth
growthwas
wasendogenous.
endogenous.AAseries
seriesofofpredominantly
predominantlydomedomedome,
derived
matrix-supportedbreccia
breccia
derived clastic
clastic sediments
sediments overlies
overliesthe
thedome.
dome. These
Theseinclude:
include:a)a)matrix-supported
deposits
depositswhich
which contain
contain up
up to
to75%
75%dome
domefragments;
fragments;b)
b) arkosic
arkosicgreywacke
greywackedeposits;
deposits;c)
c) veryveryfine
finegrained
grainedtuffaceous
tuffaceoussandstone
sandstoneand
andsiltstone
siltstonedeposits;
deposits;and
andd)
d)graphite-rich
graphite-richshale
shaledeposits.
deposits.
The
Theclastic
clasticsediments
sedimentslack
lackan
anabundance
abundanceofofpumice
pumice(rarely
(rarely&gt;3%)
&gt;3%)and
andcross-bedding
cross-beddingisisabsent.
absent.
Silica-, carbonate-,
carbonate-, oxide-,
oxide-, and/or
and/or sulfide-facies
sulfide-facies iron
iron formations
formations and
and associated
associated chert
chert are
are
Silica-,
interlayered
interlayeredwith
withthe
theclastic
clasticsediments
sedimentsand,
and,locally,
locally,directly
directlyoverlie
overliethe
thelava
lavadome.
dome.
Detailed
Detailedfacies
faciesmapping
mappingindicates
indicatesthat
thatthe
thebreccia
brecciadeposits,
deposits,the
thegraphite-rich
graphite-richshales,
shales,and
and
theiron
ironformation
formationwere
wereformed
formed ininrestricted,
restricted,fault-bounded
fault-bounded basins within the top
top of
ofthe
the
the
dome.
dome.The
Theiron
ironformation
formationresulted
resultedfrom
fromrelatively
relativelylow
lowtemperature
temperaturehydrothermal
hydrothermalactivity
activitythat
that
occurredproximal
proximal to
to the
the basin
basin marginal
marginal faults.
faults. The
Thelack
lackofofpumice,
pumice,the
theabsence
absenceofofevidence
evidence
occurred
suggestive
suggestive of
of reworking
reworking by
by surface
surfacecurrents
currents(e.g.
(e.g.cross-bedding),
cross-bedding), and
andthe
the presence
presence of
of
graphitic
graphitic shales
shales suggests
suggests aarelatively
relativelydeep
deepwater
water(&gt;500
(&gt;500meters),
meters),anoxic
anoxicenvironment,
environment,
although
althoughno
noabsolute
absolutewater
waterdepth
depthestimate
estimateisispossible.
possible.
Detailed studies
studies on
onfelsic
felsicvolcanic
volcanic centers
centers indicate
indicate that
that the
the final
finaltwo
twostages
stagesofofcaldera
caldera
Detailed
development
development involve
involve major
major ring
ring fracture
fracture volcanism
volcanism and
and terminal
terminal hot
hot spring
springand
andfumarolic
harolic
activity
activity (Smith
(Smith and
andBailey,
Bailey,1968).
1968). The
The strata
stratacomprising
comprisingthe
theLyon
LyonCreek
CreekSuccession
Succession
represent these
these final
final two
two evolutionary
evolutionary stages
stages in
in the
the development
development of
of the
theSturgeon
SturgeonLake
Lake
represent
Caldera
CalderaComplex.
Complex.

75

�References
References

Harvey, J. D., and Hinzer, J.
J. B., 1981,
1981,Geology
Geology of
of the
the Lyon
Lyon Lake
Lake ore
ore deposits,
deposits,
Noranda
Noranda Mines
Mines Ltd.,
Ltd., Sturgeon
SturgeonLake,
Lake, Ontario:
Ontario:Canadian
CanadianInstitute
Instituteof
ofMining
Miningand
and
Metallurgy Bulletin,
Bulletin, v. 74,
74, no. 833,
833, p. 77-84.
77-84.
Hudak, G. J., 1996,
1996, The
The physical
physical volcanology
volcanology and
and hydrothermal
hydrothermal alteration
alteration
associated with
with late
late caldera
caldera volcanic
volcanic and
and volcaniclastic
volcaniclastic rocks
rocks and
and volcanogenic
volcanogenicmassive
massive
sulfide
sulfide deposits
deposits in
in the
the Sturgeon
SturgeonLake
Lake region
region of
of northwestern
northwestern Ontario,
Ontario, Canada:
Canada:
unpublished
unpublished Ph.
Ph. D.
D. dissertation,
dissertation, University
University of
of Minnesota,
Minnesota, Minneapolis,
Minneapolis, MN,
MN, 463
463 pages.
pages.
Morton,
Morton, R. L., Walker,
Walker, J.
J. S.,
S., Hudak,
Hudak, G.
G. J.,
J., and
and Franklin,
Franklin, J.J. M.,
M., 1991,
1991,The
The early
early
development
developmentof
of an
an Archean
Archean submarine
submarine caldera
calderacomplex
complex with
with emphasis
emphasison
onthe
the Mattabi
Mattabiash
ash
flow
and its
its relationship
relationshipto
to the
the Mattabi
Mattabi massive
massive sulfide
sulfidedeposit:
deposit:Economic
EconomicGeology,
Geology,
flow tuff and
v. 86,p.
86, p.1002-1011.
1002-1011.
Severin, P. W. A., 1981,
1981, Geology
Geology of the Sturgeon
Sturgeon Lake
Lake Cu-Zn-Pb-Ag-Au deposit:
deposit:
Canadian
Canadian Institute
Instituteof
of Mining
Mining and
and Metallurgy
MetallurgyBulletin,
Bulletin, v.
v. 75,
75, no.
no. 846,
846,p.
p. 107-123.
107-123.

Smith, R. L., and Bailey, R. A., 1968,
of
1968, Resurgent Cauldrons: Geological Society of
America
13-662.
AmericaMemoir
Memoir116,
116,p.p.661
3-662.

76

�GEOLOGIC SETTING OF SUBECONOMIC GOLD
GEOLOGIC
GOLD DEPOSITS
DEPOSITSIN
INTHE
ThE VIRGINIA HORN,
NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA:
MINNESOTA.A
AHORN
HORNOF
OFPLENTY
PLENTY OR A HORNSWOGGLE?
NORTHEASTERN
HORNSWOGGLE?
JIRSA,
Geological
JIRSA, Mark
Mark A., BOERBOOM,
BOERBOOM,Terrence
Terrence J.,
J.,and
and CHANDLER, Val
Val W.-Minnesota
W.—Minnesota Geological
Survey(MGS),
(MGS),2642 University
Avenue,St.
St.Paul,
Paul,MN,
MN,55114-1057
55114-1057(jirsa001@tc.umn.edu)
(nrsaOOl@tc.urnn.edu)
Survey
University Avenue,
Several significant-though,
significant—though, to
to date
date subeconomic-gold
subeconomic—gold deposits
deposits occur
occur within
within Archean
Archean bedrock
bedrock in the
area known as the Virginia Horn. Three
Three prospects
prospects were
were worked
worked to
to varying
varying degrees
degrees by exploration
exploration
companies in the late
late 1980's,
1980'~
and
~ one of
of these, the "Viking prospect",
The
and
prospect",was
was extensively
extensivelydrilled.
drilled. The
exploration focused
focused on pervasively
pervasively altered
altered felsic
felsicporphyry
porphyry intrusions
intrusions having
having variably
variably well
well developed
deformation
envelopes and
and associated
associated carbonate-sericite alteration.
Recent mapping
mapping by
by the
theMGS
MGS (Jirsa
(Jirsa
deformation envelopes
alteration. Recent
and others,
others, 1998),
1998), together
together with
with geochemical work
work by
by the
the Natural
Natural Resources Research
Research Institute
Institute
(Englebert and Hauck, 1991;
1991; and
information on
on the
the lithological
lithological
and work
work in
in progress)
progress) has
has provided
provided further
further information
and structural
structuralframework,
framework, potential
potential sources
sources of
of Au, and relative timing of mineralization
mineralization in these
prospects and the surrounding
surroundingarea.
area.
Ã

'I
''''''I,
,,,,,,,,, ,f/f,,
,,,,,,,,,,,

MINNTAC
SEQUENCE

\-

%,

'S

..

,

.' .'

\ \

'.

'S

S S 'S

,1
, S.'''
/ / /1

/ /,
/1
•5%.'.'\\'SI

/ / / / / / /1
'''''S.'''''
'''''S'S'S''''

'''''''S'S''',
,,/,//,/,,,
'S'S5'S'S'S'S'S
'S

'S

'S

'S'S.'

'S 'Ss 'S

'S

'''''S
''''S'S'S'
'''"'S
/,

MUD LAKE SEQUENCE
Graywacke (stippled) and volcanic rocks (white)

Figure
1—Schematicblock
blockdiagram
diagramofofthe
theVirginia
VirginiaHorn.
Horn.Map
Mapsurface
surfacedimensions
dimensions approximately
approximately
Figure 1-Schematic
30X30 km.
km.
30x30
The Archean rocks of the Virginia Horn lie within the Wawa subprovince
subprovinceof
of Superior
SuperiorProvince.
Province.
The rocks are
are subdivided
subdivided into northern and southern
of metamorphic
metamorphic grade
grade and
and
southern panels on the basis of
deformation style. The
The northern
northernpanel,
panel,immediately
immediatelysouth
southofofthe
theGiants
GiantsRange
Rangebatholith,
batholith,contains
contains
intensely lineated,
schists having
having volcanic
volcanicand
and clastic
clasticprotoliths.
protoliths. The southern
heated, amphibolite-grade schists
southern
panel
that were metamorphosed to much lower grades,
panel contains
contains lithologically similar rocks that
grades, ranging
ranging
from prehnite-pumpellyite to low greenschist. The two panels are separated by the east-trending,
post-metamorphic, Laurentian
Laurentianfault
fault (Figure
(Figure1).
1).The
Themetamorphic
metamorphiccleavage-forming
cleavage-formingevent
event in
in both
both
panels
of 33major
majordeformations-the
deformations—theother
othertwo
twodeformation
deformationevents
eventsproduced
produced no
no
panels was
was the
the second
second (1)2)
(D2) of
metamorphic affects.
affects. The first (Dl)
(Di) involved upright
discernible metamorphic
upright folding,
folding, soft-sediment
soft-sediment deformation,
deformation,
and complex faulting; the third
third (D3)
(D3) produced
produced localized
localized semi-brittle
semi-brittle crenulation
crenulation of
of D1
Dl and
and D2
D2
structures, brittle fractures,
of earlier-formed
earlier-formed faults.
faults. Amphibolite
structures,
fractures, and
and selective
selective reactivation of
Amphibolite grade
grade
sequence; the
the low
low and
and sub-greenschist
sub-greenschist grade
grade
rocks north of the Laurentian fault comprise the Minntac sequence;
77

�strata south of the Laurentian fault are subdivided
The Minntac
subdivided into Mud Lake and Midway sequences. The
sequence contains strongly banded
banded schists
schists having geochemical
geochemical and outcrop-scale
outcrop-scale characteristics
characteristics of mafic
to intermediate volcanic and volcaniclastic
volcaniclastic strata,
strata, subvolcanic
subvolcanicmafic
maficsills,
sills,and
andgraywacke.
graywacke. Although
of the Minntac sequence,
sequence, relict
relict grading
grading and bedding
the possibility of tight folding is great in rocks of
Incontrast,
contrast,the
the Mud
Mud Lake
Lake sequence
sequence forms
forms a broad,
southward stratigraphic
stratigraphic facing.
facing. In
consistently indicate southward
southwest-plunging, D1
D l syncline
synclinethat
that isis cored
cored by
by graywacke,
graywacke, slate,
slate, and
and minor
minor felsic
felsic tuff; and
and has
has outer
outer
southwest-plunging,
of calc-alkalic
calc-alkalic and
limbs of
and tholeiitic
tholeiiticstrata.
strata. The Mud Lake strata are cut by several variably
The Mud
Mud Lake
Lake sequence and the intrusions are
porphyritic, quartzofeldspathic intrusions. The
and are
are locally
locally in fault contact with, fluvial conglomerate and
and subaerially
subaerially
unconformably overlain by, and
deposited trachyandesite
trachyandesite flows
flows and
and pyroclastic
pyroclastic rocks that comprise the Midway sequence.
seauence. The
The
deposited
Tirniskaming -like strata in the Kirkland Lake and Shebandowan gold
attributes of
of Timiskaming
Midway has many attributes
Like the
the Timiskaming
Timiskaming rocks of
mining districts of Ontario. Like
of Ontario, those
those in
in the Virginia
Virginia Horn
Horn are
have been deposited
deposited in
in aa fault-bounded
fault-boundedpull-apart
pull-apartbasin
basinthat
thatformed
formedbefore
beforethe
theonset
onsetofof1)2
D2
inferred to have
deformation and metamorphism.
datingback
back to
tothe
thedays
daysof
of J.W.
J.W. Gruner
Gruner and
and
The Virginia Horn has a long history of
of gold "shows",
'shows', dating
F.F. Grout
Grout (Grout,
and some
some visible
visible gold
gold can
can still
still be
be found
found locally in
in altered
altered rocks in and
and adjacent
(Grout, 1937), and
adjacent
to quartz
quartz veins. Sampling
Samplingby
byexploration
explorationcompanies
companiesfocused
focused largely
largely on the quartzofeldspathic
intrusions, and the country rocks were rarely
rarely analyzed.
analyzed. From those data and the current study, the
generalizations can be made about the distribution
distribution of
of gold
gold in
in the
the region:
region:
following generalizations
1. Gold
1.
Gold is
is most abundant
abundant in
in quartzofeldspathic
quartzofeldspathicdikes.
dikes.
Thegreatest
greatestgold
goldcontents
contents(as
(aslarge
large as
as 50,000
50,000 ppb)
2. The
ppb) occur
occur in
in rocks
rocks that
that are
are pervasively
pervasively altered and
cut by quartz-rich veins.
Anomalousquantities
quantitiesofofgold
gold(50(50-500
500 ppb) also
also exist in sedimentary
sedimentary and
and volcanic
volcanic wall-rocks
wall-rocks of
of
3. Anomalous
the porphyritic intrusions.
intrusions.
4. Gold
Goldconcentrations
concentrationsgreater
greaterthan
thana a"mineable"
"mineable"cut-off
cut-offof
ofabout
about1000
1000ppb
ppb (0.029
(0.029 OPT) are recorded
exclusively from samples of quartzofeldspathic
quartzofeldspathic dikes.
dikes.
Inrocks
rocks uniformly
uniformly affected
affected by carbonate-sericite alteration,
5. In
alteration, gold
gold is
is most
most abundant
abundant in zones of
of
anomalous
arsenic
content.
anomalous arsenic content.
carbonate-sericite alteration
and
The carbonate-sericite
alteration associated
associated with
with gold mineralization
mineralization varies from pervasive and
having textures that imply strong involvement in shearing.
not obviously related to
to the
the rock
rock fabric, to having
Pyrite typically is associated with carbonate and sericite;
sericite; and arsenopyrite and
and chalcopyrite
chalcopyrite occur
occur
locally. Alteration
is
inferred
to
have
taken
place
during
or
just
after
D2
deformation,
as the
Alteration is inferred to have taken
during or
are variably
variably affected
affected by 82.
That alteration is best developed along major fault
alteration products are
S2. That
zones, lithologic contacts,
contacts, and
and adjacent
adjacentto
to and
and within
within the
the quartzofeldspathic
quartzofeldspathic intrusions.
intrusions. Although
Although the
the
shallow subsurface
subsurface have been evaluated in
in some
some detail,
detail, comparisons with analog
analog deposits
deposits
surface and shallow
imply that
that unexplored
unexplored potential
potential exists;
exists; 1)
1) at depth in
in the
the low-grade
low-grade rocks
rocks of
of the
the Midway
Midway
in Canada imply
and
and Mud
Mud Lake
Lake sequences;
sequences; and
and 2)
2) throughout
throughout the
thehigh-grade
high-gradeMirintac
Minntac sequence.
sequence.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Mapping
Mapping and
and geochemical
geochemical study
study was
was supported
supportedby
by the
the Minnesota
Minnesota Legislature
Legislatureon
on recommendation
recommendationof
of
the Minerals Coordinating
CoordinatingCommittee.
Committee.
REFERENCES
REFERENCES
Englebert,
and Hauck,
1991,Bedrock
Bedrockgeochemis
geochemistryofofArchean
Archeanrocks
rocksin
innorthern
northern Minnesota: Natural
Natural
Englebert, J.A.,
J.A., and
Hauck, S.A., 1991,
Institute Technical Report NRRI/TR-91/12,
200 p.
NRRI TR-91/12,200
Resources Research Institute

7

Grout,
Petrographic study
F.F., 1937, Petrographic
studyof
of gold
goldprospects
prospectsofofMinnesota:
Minnesota:Economic
EconomicGeology,
Geology,v.37,
v.37,P.
p.56-68.
56-68.
Grout,F.F.,
Jirsa,
Bedrockgeolo
geologic
map of
of the
the Virginia Horn,
Horn, Mesabi
Ran e,St.
St.
Jirsa,M.A., Boerboom,
Boerboom, T.J., and Morey,
Morey, G.B., 1998, Bedrock
'c map
Mesabi Iron
IronRange,
Louis County,
County,Minnesota:
Minnesota:Minnesota
MinnesotaGeological
GeologicalSurvey
SurveyMiscellaneous
MiscellaneousMap
MapM-85
M-85(digitial),
(digitial),scale
scale1:48,000.
1:48,0%.

78

�EFFECT
EFFECI' OF
OFELECTRIC
ELECI'RICPULSE
PULSEDISAGGREGATION
DISAGGREGATION ON
ON MICROFOSSIL-BEARING
MICROFOSSIL-BEARING
ARGILLACEOUS
ARGILLACEOUSLIMESTONE
LIMESTOM OF
OF THE
THE MIDDLE
MIDDLE ORDOVICIAN
ORDOVICIAN DECORAH
DECORAH SHALE
SHALE
KJERLAND,
KJERLAND, Dean
Dean W.,
W., and
andKJERLAND,
KJERLAND, Marc
MarcP.,
P., amateur
amateurpaleontologists,
paleontologists,
73563,3520@compuserv.com
E-mail: 73563,352O@compuse~.com
8007
MN 55431
S, Bloomington,
Bloomington, MN
8007 Xerxes Ave S,
55431 E—mail:

The
The Middle
Middle Ordovician
Ordovician Decorah
Decorah Shale is a fossiliferous
fossiliferous shale with lenses and thin beds
beds of
of
coquinoidal
coquinoidal limestone
limestone and
and calcareous
calcareous shale (Rice). The
Thecalcitic
calciticmacrofossils
macrofossilsand
andphosphatic
phosphatic
conodont
conodont microfossils
microfossils have been
been studied
studied (Sloan,
(Sloan, Webers).
Webers). Though
Though known
known from
from acid
acid
processing
processingresidues,
residues,other
othernon—calcitic
non-calcitic microfossils have
have not
not been
beendocumented.
documented.
We
samples of
of limestone from Decorah
We collected
collectedover
over250
250typical
typicalhand—sized
hand-sized samples
Decorah Shale
Shale beds
beds
disturbed
disturbed during
during the
the reconstruction
reconstruction of Hwys 110, 55 &amp; 13
13 at
at Mendota,
Mendota, Minnesota
Minnesota in
in 1993.
1993.
Our
Our selection
selection criteria
criteria was
was the
the presence
presence of
of phosphatic
phosphatic microfossils or fragments
fragments visible
visible with
with
Our photographic
photographic documentation of 200 of
of these
these
aa hand
hand lens
lens on
oneither
eitherororboth
bothsurfaces.
surfaces, Our
surface
surface microfossils
microfossilsusing
using optical
optical microscopy reveals a wide variety of microfossils including
including
lithified
lithifiedmud
mud internal
internalcasts
castsof
of bryozoans
bryozoans(Cuffey),
(Cuffey), laminated
laminated plates,
plates, and
and gastropod
gastropodsteinkerns.
steinkerns.

Separation
Separation of microfossils
microfossils from the
the matrix
matrix isis necessary
necessary for
for more
more efficient
efficientcollection
collectionand
and
documentation.
documentation. Full
Fullviewing
viewingof
of specimens
specimensisis useful
useful for
for classification.
classification. Mechanical
Mechanicalcrushing
crushing
is
is not
not an
aneffective
effectivemethod
methodfor
forcleanly
cleanlyseparating
separatingeither
eithermacrofossils
macrofossils or
ormicrofossils
microfossilsfrom
from
matrix.
matrix. Acid
Acidprocessing
processingyields
yieldsclean
cleanmicrofossil
microfossilspecimens
specimensbut
but artificially
artificially selects
selects for
for either
either
calcitic or phosphatic material.
material. Both
Both Ca
Ca and P, as well as Fe, 5,
S, Al,
A,Si,
Si, and
and Mg,
Mg, have
have been
been
confinned
confirmed from
from our
our S.E.M.
S.E.M. analyses
analyses of
of aa sample
sample of
of several
severaldozen
dozen typical
typical microfossils.
microfossils.
Saini—Eidukat
andWeiblen
Weiblenreported
reportedthe
theuse
use of
of an
an Electric Pulse
Pulse Disaggregator (EPD) for
Saini-Eidukat and
fossil extraction
extraction (see
(see References).
References). In
In our
our study
study we
we evaluated
evaluated the potential
potential of the
the EPD
EPD for
for
separating
visible
microfossils
from
the
surface
'fossil
hash'
of
Decorah
Shale
limestone
and
separating
microfossils
Shale limestone and
also for sampling
matrix of
of this
this rock.
rock. We
sampling for microfossils
microfossils buried in the matrix
We used the
the specialized,
specialized,
upgraded
version EPD
EPD at the University of Minnesota which is
upgradedlaboratory—scale
laboratory-scale version
is based
based on
on the
the
electric—pulse
facility
in
St.
Petersburg,
Russia
(Saini—Eidukat
and
Weiblen).
electric-pulse facility
Petersburg, Russia (Saini-Eidukat
Weiblen).
A
cm long
long xx 12.5
12.5 cm
cm wide weighing about 1.2
1.2 kg, was quartered
quartered
A lenticular
lenticularslab
slab fragment,
fragment,16
16cm
with aa rock
hammer
and
further
fragmented/delaminated
with
a
cold
chisel
to
rock hammer and further fragmentedldelaminated with cold chisel toproduce
produce
walnut—sized
fragments for electric
walnut-sized fragments
electric pulse
pulsedisaggregation.
disaggregation. The rock
rock consisted
consistedofofnon—
nonweathered,
crystalline calcite
calcite with
with typical
weathered, compact,
compact, dark
dark blue—gray
blue-gray crystalline
typical cemented
cemented calcitic
calcitic
macrofossil
clay on both sides and
macrofossil fragment
fragment debris and gray interstitial surface clay
and phosphatic
phosphatic
microfossils
microfossils and
and fragments
fragmentsvisible
visible on
ononly
onlyone
onesurface.
surface.

The
The slab
slab pieces
pieces were
were hand
hand fed
fed in
in two
two batches
batches into
into the hollow cathode of the EPD over
over aa 66
mm
pulses at approximately 100 kV.
kV. All
mm integral
integral sieve
sieve and
and subjected
subjected to approximately
approximately 200 pulses
All
material except
except the
the suspended
suspended fines
fines was
was air
air dried
driedand
andmechanically
mechanicallysorted
sorted through
through brass
brass
sieves
sieves (Table
(Table 1.)
1.) The
Thematerial
materialwhich
whichpassed
passedthrough
throughthe
the0.25
0.25 mm
mm sieve
sievewas
wasprocessed
processeddry
dry
through
through aa series
series of
of teflon
teflonmeshes
meshes(Table
(Table2.).
2.).

The aggregate
calcite and yellow clay and
aggregate produced
produced by the
the EPD
EPD isis fragmented
fragmented crystalline calcite
and
mud-sized fines.
fines. Only
Only aa small
small fraction
fraction consists
consists of whole
whole calcite
calcite fossils
fossils or
or fragments
fragments and
and
mud—sized
non—calcitic
microfossils and
orpartly
partlyenclosed
enclosed in
in calcite
calcite matrix).
matrix).
non-calciticmicrofossils
and fragments
fragments(either
(eithermatrix—free
matrix-free or

79

�Table 1:
1:Grading
Grading criteria
criteria and
and results:
results:

Table 2. Grading of
of Class VIII Material

Weight(in g) and %
%
Class Sieve(in mm) Weight(in
31.2
&gt;6.0
31.2 2.5%
~6.0-&gt;4.0
297.8 24.0%
24.0%
I1
II
&lt;6.0—&gt;4.0
297.8
I11
~4.0-&gt;2.0
397.3 32.1%
32.1%
III
&lt;4.0—&gt;2.0
397.3
IV
207.6
207.6 16.8%
16.8%
Iv c2.0-&gt;1.0
&lt;2.0—&gt; 1.0
65.6 5.3%
~1.0-&gt;.701
vV
&lt;1.0—&gt;.701
&lt;.701—&gt;.495
46.7
&lt;.701-&gt;.495
46.7 3.8%
VI
c.495-&gt;.250
62.9 5.1%
&lt;.495—&gt;.250
62.9
VII
&lt;.250
129.1 10.4%
10.4%
129.1
VIII e.250
Total
Total 1238.2
1238.2 100.0%
100.0%

Note: The material which passed through the
Note:
0.25 mm brass
brass sieve
sieve was
wasre—graded
re-graded using
using
meshes. Results
teflon meshes.
Results are from top of mesh.

II

Class
Class
VIlla
VIIIa
VIIIb
VIIIb
VIlic
VIIIc
VIlId
VIIId

Mesh# (mm) Weight(m
Weight(ing)
g) and
and %
6.4
#60 (&gt;.250)
5.0%
15.9 12.3%;
#80 (&gt;.177)
(&gt;.I771 15.9
12.3%;
#100(&gt;.149) 13.0
13.0 10.1%;
10.1%;
thru #100
#lo0
93.8 72.6%.
Total
129.1 100.0%
Total
100.0%

materialsfrom
fromthe
theteflon
teflonmeshes
mesheswere
werenot
notexamined
examinedatatthis
thistime.
time. The
VIIIa-d materials
The Class VIIIa—d
Class
ClassII—- VII materials were
were examined
examined with
with an
an optical
opticalmicroscope
microscopeand
andsampled
sampledfor
fora).a).non—
nonfossils, fragments
fragments and
fossil crystalline
crystallinecalcite,
calcite,b).
b).fossil—bearing
fossil-bearing calcite, and c). non—calcitic
non-calcitic fossils,
and
unknowns. Based
Basedon
onsubjective
subjectivecriteria
criteria (i.e. typical, interesting, unusual or trophy categories)
654 fossils, fragments and unknowns were
were collected.
collected. Specimen
Specimen counts
counts are:
are: 11.8%
11.8%calcitic
calcitic
fossils,
crystalline calcite,
fossils, 9.8%
9.8% phosphatic fossils
fossils in crystalline
calcite, 74.9%
74.9% loose
loose phosphatic
phosphatic fossils
fossils and
fragments, and 3.5%
fossils and
fragments,
3.5% unknown.
unknown. Virtually all of
of the
thematrix—free
matrix-free non—calcitic
non-calcitic fossils
recovered from
from the top of the sieves
fragments are from that portion of the aggregate (31%) recovered
sieves
.250 mm sieve
in the
the 2.0
2.0mm
mm—- -250
sieveset
set(Class
(ClassIV—VII).
IV-VII).

Conclusion:
provides aa new
new method
method for
for disaggregating
disaggregating rocks for
for isolating
isolating
Conclusion:The
The EPD
EPD provides
microfossils
mm to
to 0.25
0.25 mm.
mm. EPD processing
microfossils in the size range from 2.0 mm
processing effectively
effectively separates
separates
microfossils from
allows efficient
efficient
phosphatic, calcitic, and pyritic microfossils
from their calcitic matrix and allows
testing of rocks for the
the presence
presence of buried specimens. Although
Although some
some specimens
specimens may
may break
break
in processing or during
preserved in shale are
during sample
sample preparation,
preparation, many fossils preserved
are commonly
commonly
fractured naturally in the matrix. We
Webelieve
believethat
that EPD
EPDprocessing
processingsimply
simply separates
separatesalready
already
damaged fragments or whole
whole fossils
fossils along
along existing
existing fractures.
fractures.
References:
References:

Cuffey, Roger J., Professor of Paleontology, Department of
of Geosciences, Pemsylvania
Pennsylvania State
correspondence 1997
1997 and
and 1998.
1998.
University; personal correspondence
Rice, William F.;
"TheSystematics
Systematicsand
and Biostratigraphy
Biostratigraphy of the Brachiopoda of the Decorah
F.; "The
St.Pau1, Minnesota",
Mimesota", 1985,
1985,Unpublished M.S. thesis, University of Minnesota,
Mimesota, Mpls.
Shale at St.Paul,
Saini-Eidukat, B.,
Saini—Eidukat,
B.,and
andWeiblen,
Weiblen,P.W.,
P.W., 1996;
1996; "A
"ANew
New Method
Method of
of Fossil
Fossil Reparation,
Preparation, Using
High-Voltage Pulses",
references therein.
therein.
High—Voltage
Pulses", Curator
Curator 3912,
39/2, and references
Sloan, Robert E,
E, editor,
editor, Middle
Middle and
and Late
LateOrdovician
Ordovician Lithostratigraphy
Lithostratigraphy and Biostratigraphy
Biostratigraphy
of the Upper
#35, Mimesota
Minnesota Geological Survey,
Upper Mississippi
Mississippi Valley, Report of Investigations #35,
University of Minnesota,
university
Mimesota, 1987.
1987.

Webers, Gerald F.; "The Middle
Mimesotat':
Middle and Upper Ordovician Conodont Faunas of Minnesota":
Mimesota Geological
Geological Survey
Survey Special
SpecialPublication
PublicationSeries
SeriesSP—4,
SP-4, 1966
1966
Minnesota

80

�RESULTS OF MODELLING
MODELLING PROTEROZOIC
PROTEROZOIC THERMAL
THERMAL HISTORIES:
HISTORIES:
THE POSSIBLE
POSSIBLEEFFECTS
EFFECTS OF
OF WOLF
WOLF FUVER
RIVER BATHOLITH
BATHOLITH
EVALUATING THE
REHEATING
THERMOCHRONOLOGIC DATA
=HEATING ON THEMOCHRONOLOGIC
DATA FROM
FROM NORTHERN
NORTHERN WISCONSIN
WISCONSIN
Jeff
Jeff Loofboro
Loofboro(student)
(student) and
and Daniel
DanielHoim,
Holm,Department
Departmentof
of Geology,
Geology, Kent
Kent State
StateUniversity,
University,
Kent, OH 44242
Introduction. Mica
MicaRb/Sr
RblSrand
andAr/Ar
ArlArthermochronologic
thermochronologicresults
results across
across northern
northern Wisconsin
Wisconsin and

northern Michigan (Peterman and Sims, 1988,
1988, Tectonics; Schneider and
and others,
others, 1996,
1996, CJES;
CJE!S;Hoim
Holm and
and
others, 1997,
1997, GSAA) reveal a 1630-1600
1630-1600 Ma chrontour
chrontour which separates
separates basement
basement rock with
with primary
primary
cooling ages of 1760-1750 Ma
Ma to the north from 4&lt;1630
6 3 0 Ma ages to the south. The
Thechrontour
chrontourcoincides
coincides
physically with an apparent deformational front in overlying, Early Proterozoic, post-Penokean quartzites
Hoim and others (1998, ILSG; and in review) to interpret
complete
leading Holm
interpret the
the chrontour
chrontour to
to represent
representcomplete
thermal resetting
resetting of
of micas associated
with foreland deformation
deformation related
related to
to accretion
accretion from the south.
thermal
associated with
However, we note that the chrontour also appears
appears to surround
surround the known
known subsurface
subsurface extent
extent of
of the
the Middle
Middle
Wolf Mver
River batholith
batholith(Fig.
(Fig. 1)
1) raising
raising the
the possibility
possibilitythat
that itit might
might be
be an
an artifact of partial
partial
Proterozoic Wolf
resetting. In
Inthis
this case,
case, the
the1630-1600
1630-1600Ma
Ma chrontour
chrontour may
may represent
represent aa collection
collection of meaningless "mixed"
?nixed''
resulting from
from partial
partial resetting of
of the older primary 1760-1750
Ma dates at 1470
dates resulting
1760-1750 Ma
1470 Ma
Ma when
when the
the
batholith intruded. Using
Using the
the MacArgon
MacArgon program (Uster
(Listerand
andBaldwin,
Baldwin,1996,
1996,Tectonophysics)
Tectonophysics) we
we have
have
various Proterozoic
Proterozoic thermal
thermal histories
histories in
in an attempt to evaluate
modelled various
evaluate the possible effects
effects of
of Middle
Middle
Proterozoic
Proterozoic reheating on thermochronologic data
data from
from northern Wisconsin.
Initial
Initial conditions
conditions and
andmodel
modelparameters.
parameters.We
Weinitially
initiallyconsider
consideraarock
rockcontaining
containing muscovite
muscovite with a
plateau ArIAr
Ar/Ar date of 1765 Ma and biotite
biotite with
with a plateau
plateau date
date of
of 1755 Ma.
Ma. Precambrian
Precambrian basement rock
north of the chrontour
chrontour in northwest
northwest Wisconsin are
are near
near the
the Early
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic nonconformity
nonconformity suggesting
suggesting
these rocks were at shallow
Ma. Considering this, we chose three
shallow crustal depths by —1700
-1700 Ma.
three different
different

ambient temperatures
temperatures(loo0,
(100°, 150Â°
150°,and
and200')
200°) and
and imposed
imposedaa thermal
thermal pulse
pulse at
at 1470 Ma
Ma to simulate
ambient

intrusion of the batholith.
batholith. We
We varied
varied the
the peak
peak temperature
temperature of
of the
the pulse
pulse between
between 200°
200O and
and 450°C
450Â° (using
(using
50°C
to 22 my
my (using
(using 0.5
0.5 my
my increments). In
In
50Â° increments) and the duration of heating from instantaneous to
all cases the duration of cooling back to ambient temperatures lasted 2 my and hence the total duration
duration of
the pulse varied in our models
models from
from 2-4
2-4 my.
my. The
plutonism on country rock
The duration
duration of thermal effects
effects of plutonism
is normally
normally shorter than this (Carslaw
(Carslaw and Jaeger,
Jaeger, 1959,
1959, Clarendon Press), but we chose
chose such
such long
long
durations in
in order
order to
to maximize
maximize the
the effects
effects of
of partial
partial resetting
resettingby
bythe
the batholith.
batholith. We assume no other
affects after
after intrusion
intrusion of
of the
the Wolf
Wolf River batholith,
batholith, ending
ending the
the thermal
thermal history with
thermal overprinting affects

slow cooling
cooling from
from the
the chosen
chosen ambient
ambienttemperature
temperaturetotoOÂ°
0°Catat600
600Ma
Ma(Fig.
(Fig.2).
2). The variables in the
modelling thus include the peak temperature obtained, the duration of the thermal pulse, and the
the initial
initial
temperature. The
ambient temperature.
The affect
affect of each
each of these
these parameters on argon diffusion in muscovite and biotite
is
is described
described below.
Results
thermal modeling.
modeling.AsAsmight
mightbebeexpected,
expected,the
thedominant
dominantfactor
factorinfluencing
inlluencingpartial
partial resetting
Results of thermal
is the peak temperature obtained by
by the
the rock
rock during
during the
the imposed
imposedthermal
thermalpulse.
pulse. Peak thermal pulses at or
below the closure temperature of biotite (300°C)
(3WÂ°Cor muscovite (350°C)
(350Â°Chad little affect on
on the
the initial
initial
cooling age regardless of the duration of heating. Peak
Peakthermal
thermalpulses
pulsesof
of50°C
50Â°above
aboveclosure
closuretemperature
temperature
resulted in considerable
considerable partial
partial resetting.
resetting. In this case the duration of the heating interval did have a
moderate
degree of resetting
total gas
gasages
ageswhich
whichare
are
moderate affect on the degree
resetting with 2 my
my heating intervals
intervals resulting
resulting in
in total
—50
myyounger
youngerthan
than in
in the case for
Because of
of the difference in closure
-50 my
for instantaneous
instantaneous heating.
heating. Because
closure
temperature between biotite and muscovite, the modelling reveals that large differences in the degree of
partial resetting
resetting (and hence apparent ages obtained) are expected for 1470
1470 Ma
Ma peak
peak thermal
thermal pulses
pulses
between 300 and 450Â°C
450°C. Temperatures
Temperatures100°C
100OCabove
above the
the mineral's
mineral's nominal
nominal closure
closure temperature
temperature resulted
in nearly complete resetting
resetting of
of the
the isotopic
isotopic systematics
systematics regardless
regardlessof
ofthe
theduration
durationof
ofheating.
heating. Varying the
initial ambient temperature between 100-200°C
100-200OC had little
little affect
affect on the apparent
apparent ages
ages obtained.
obtained.
Implications. Existing
Existingthermochronologic
therm6chronologicdata
data from
from northern
northern Wisconsin
Wisconsin show nearly concordant
muscovite and biotite dates near the chrontour (with muscovite around 1620
1620 Ma and biotite around
around 1600
1600
GSAA). We
Ma; Romano and others, 1997, GSAA).
Weare
areunable
unableto
toobtain
obtainnearly
nearlyconcordant
concordantpartially
partiallyreset
resetages
ages
with any of our simulations and conclude that Middle Proterozoic intrusion of
of the
the Wolf River batholith
was probably
probably not responsible for generating the 1630-1600
1630-1600 Ma chrontour by partial resetting. This
is indirectly
indirectly supported
supported by
by two
two independent
independent lines
lines of
ofevidence.
evidence. First, the degree of deformation
conclusion is
deformation
Proterozoic quartzites in
in Wisconsin
Wisconsin does
does not
not wane away from the
the Wolf
Wolf River batholith as
of the Early Roterozoic
deformation. The
would be expected for intrusion related deformation.
The sharp
sharp deformational
deformational front
front (which
(which coincides
coincides
Second,
with the 1630-1600
1630-1600 Ma clirontour)
chrontour) is more
more characteristic
characteristic of tectonic-related
tectonic-related deformation. Second,

81

�thennal
thermaleffects
effectsof
ofthe
theDuluth
DuluthComplex
Complexon
onArchean
Archeancountry
countryrock
rockininnortheastern
northeasternMinnesota
Minnesotaexist
existonly
onlytotoaa
map-view distance
distance of 10
10 km away from the intrusion (Hanson
(Hanwn and others, 1975, GCA). By
By comparison,
comparison,
the
40km
kmaway
awayfrom
fromthe
theknown
known
the 1630-1600
1630-1600Ma
Ma chrontour
chrontour in
in northern
northern Wisconsin
Wisconsin isis located
locatedmore
more than
than 40
subsurface extent of the Wolf River batholith (l3g.
(Fig. 1). Our
Ourresults
results support
supportthe
the conclusion
conclusion of
of Hoim
Holm and
and
others
U G )that
that the
the1630-1600
1630-1600Ma
Machrontour
chrontourrepresents
represents complete
completethermal
thermal resetting
resetting of
of micas
micas
others (1998,
(1998, ILSG)
tectonism.
associated with latest Early Proterozoic tectonism.

Lister,
Lister, G.S.,
G.S., and
andBaldwin,
Baldwin,S.L.,
S.L., 1996,
1996,Modelling
Modellingthe
theeffect
effectof
of arbitrary
arbitraryP-T-t
P-T-t histories
historieson
onargon
argondiffusion
diffbsion
in
in minerals
minerals using
using the
the MacArgon
MacArgonprogram
program for
for the
the Apple
Apple Macintosh:
Macintosh: Tectonophysics,
Tectonophysics, v. 253, p. 83-109.
#%. ../ %t %/% %/%/ &amp;S:S:S:::S
3:S::S
/ . F. /. /. / / / FS. %S.F SaS. —:-xc-t-:.:-:
%'..—..
%

.

KEWEENAWAN

S.

subhoilzontal, ,

Ba ffonF

%

,,

S

,,,-

.. .. % % % ..

-

S. S.

S.

S.

S.

S.

S. S.

S. CM%S.S.S.S.S.S.S.S.1

S.

S.

S.

'

—46

-

:Penoke
ambeau
ightly fold

I,
fit
,f' a

50km

Edge of Late Prol/
Phanerozoic cover

/

Baraboo qtzite

I

1(tightly folded) / Approximate sub
.

-!

surface extent of
WRB

I

91

I

I

90

89

I

88

Figure
I.Simplified
Simplifiedtectonic
tectonicmap
mapof
of the
the central
central Penokean
Penokeanorogen, northern
northern
Figure 1.
Wisconsin
and
Michigan,
U.S.A.
(after
Sims,
1992;
Holm
and
others,
Wisconsin and Michigan, U.S.A. (after Sims, 1992; Holm and others, in
in review).
review).
CM
=
continental
margin;
EPSZ
=
Eau
Pleine
shear
zone;
NSZ
=
Niagara
suture
CM = continental margin; EPSZ = Eau Pleine shear zone; NSZ = Niagara suture
zone; MT
Archean Marshfield
Marshfieldterrane;
terrane; WRB
WRB == Wolf
Wolf River
River batholith.
batholith.
MT == Archean
E
92

PeakT
Peak T

3
+

2

tzE \
a

1

1800
1800

tt == duration
duration of thermal
thermal pulse
pulse

AmbientT
Ambient T

,t

1470 Age(Ma)
Age (Ma)
1470

600
600
Figure
Figure 2. Temperature-time
Temperature-timegraph
graphshowing
showing modelled
modelledparameters.
parameters.

82

�An Archean subaqueous heterolithic debris flow,
Irwin,
Irwinl Pifher,
Pifher! and Meader Townships,
Townshipsl
Lake Nipigon
Nipigon Region, Ontario
ft Luther,
Whitewater, Wl
WI 53190
Frank R.
Luther!Geology
GeologyDepartment,
Departmentl UW-Whitewater,
UW-Whitewaterl Whitewatery
53190
lutherf@mail.uww.edu
lutherf@mail.uww.edu

This extensive body
body of volcanic breccia
breccia is
is located
located in
in northern
northern Irwin,
Irwinl
southeastern
southeastern Meader,
Meader! and
and aa large
large part
part of
of southern
southernand
andeastern
easternPifher
PifherTownships.
Townships.
It is 10-25
10-25 km east of Lake
Lake Nipigon
Nipigon and
and 17-28
17-28km
km north-northeast
north-northeastof
of Beardmore.
Beardmore.
Mapping by Mackasey (1975) and Kresz and Zayachivsky (1989) shows this
rock to be enclosed in a thick sequence of typical greenstone
greenstone assemblage rocks -flows, intermediate to felsic pyroclastics
pillowed and massive basalt flowsl
pyroclastics and
and flows,
flowsl
and lesser amount
amount of
of spatially-associated
spatially-associatedvolcanogenic
volcanogenic sediments.
sediments. It is cut by
small granitic intrusions through most of its
its exposure
exposure area and
and by
by larger
larger granitic
granitic
intrusions in Pifher Twp to
to the
the northeast.
northeast. Metamorphism Increases to
to the
the
northeast, perhaps caused by these
these intrusions. Keweenawan
northeast!
Keweenawanintrusions
intrusions which
which cut
cut
the breccia
breccia include a large diabase sill which dips gently to the south and a small
dike, locally termed greenspar (Luther,
Thomas, Kean,
Keanl and
and Luther,
Luther!
diabase dike!
(Lutherl 1997; Thomasl
in preparation).
preparation).
fragments ranging from
from c
&lt;1l mm up to over
The breccia contains rounded rock fragments
1
Im
m in
in maximum
maximum dimension.
dimension. Most fragments are disk-shaped
disk-shaped to cigar-shaped
cigar-shaped in
in
form although
although irregular
irregular on
on smaller
smaller scale; some
some smaller
smaller (5-20
(5-20 cm)
cm) fragments
fragments are
are
of fragments is,
more competent
more
competent and
and nearly
nearly spherical.
spherical. Sorting and alignment of
isl in
in
some locations,
locationsl poorly-developed
poorly-developed primary
primary bedding while,
whilel in other locations,
locationsl the
sorting and alignment is a result of later strain. The smaller fragments
fragments vary in
in
Larger
composition from that of the
composition
the matrix
matrix to
to mafic
mafic or
or ultramafic
ultramaficto
to carbonate-rich.
carbonate-rich. Larger
fragments tend to be
be similar to
to the
the matrix
matrix in
in composition
composition although
although minor
minor differences
differences
in composition or consolidation
consolidation cause the fragments to
to weather
weather high
high or
or low.
low.
The matrix
of fine
mm),
matrix of the breccia is composed of
fine quartz
quartz grains
grains (&lt;0.05
(~0.05
mm)l
euhedral to broken
4 . 1 to
to
euhedrai
broken crystals of plagioclase (now albite) ranging in
in size
size from &lt;0.1
1 mm, a minor pelitic fraction (now muscovite),
and, locally,
quartz,
I
muscovite)l and!
locallyl fragments of quartzl
and/or hornblende
hornblende(now
(nowchlorite)
chlorite)up
uptoto0.5
0.5mm.
mm. The primary
pyroxene andlor
primary texture is
epidotel actinolite,
actinolitel
over-printed by a metamorphic
metamorphic assemblages of chlorite,
chloritel epidote,
Representative
whole
rock
analyses
of
the
matrix
muscovite,
muscovitel and
and biotite.
biotite. Representative
matrix and
and
fragments are presented
Theseanalyses
analysesshow
showthe
theaverage
average(igneous
(igneous
presented in Table 1. These
rock equivalent) composition of
of the matrix to be dacitic while the fragments vary
from
from dacitic
dacitic to
to mafic.
mafic.
fragments, (2) the relative
relative
In summary (1)
(I) the heterogeneity of the fragments!
homogeneity of the matrix,
(3)
the
shape,
and
rounding
of
the
fragments,
matrix?(3) the shape! and rounding the fragmentsl (4)
(4) the
the

83

�great variability
variability in
in size
size of
of the
the fragments,
fragments, (5)
(5) the
the poorly
poorlysorted
sortedcharacter
characterof
of the
thewhole
whole
great
body of
of rock,
rock, and
and(6)
(6)the
thespatial
spatialassociation
associationwith
withpillowed
pillowedvolcanics
volcanicsand
andbedded
bedded
body
of aasubaqueous
subaqueous
tuffs lead
leadthe
the author
author to
to conclude
conclude that
that this
this rock
rock isisthe
the product
productof
tufts
debris flow
flow or
or flows
flows off
offthe
the side
side of
of aavolcanic
volcanic edifice.
edifice. The
Theslopes
slopes presumably
presumably
debris
consisted of
of poorly-consolidated
poorly-consolidatedvolcanogenic
volcanogenic debris
debrisincluding
includingfinely-crystalline
finely-crystalline
consisted
quartz and
and clay
clay which
which was
was transported
transported from
from nearby
nearbyweathered
weathered felsic-tofelsic-toquartz
intermediate volcanics
volcanics and
and an
an admixed
admixedquantity
quantityof
of pyroclastic
pyroclasticdebris.
debris.
intermediate
Table 1.
1.Whole
Wholerock
rockanalyses
analysesofofthe
thematrix
matrixand
andselected
selectedfragments
fragmentsof
of the
the
Table
volcanic breccia. (XRAL)
(XRAL)
volcanic
fraaments
matrix
matrix
fraaments
LN97-6-1BB LN97-6-2A
~~97-7-9~*
LN97-6-2 LN97-7-9-2
LN97-7-9-2 LN97-6-1
LN97-6-2
LN97-6-2A LN9779A*
Si02
Si02
Ti02
Ti02
A1203
A12 0 3

Fe203
Fe203
Feo
FeO
MnO
MnO
MgO
MgO
CaO
CaO

Na20
Na20
K20
K20
p205
LO1
LOI
TOTAL

643
0.49
15.8
1.85
3.2
0.08
2.92
4.87
4.54
1.05
0.10
0.55
99.75

60.5
0.53

63.2
0.51

0.51

16.0
1.38
4.9
0.09
4.63
3.53
4.18
1.15
0.12
2.4

16.5
1.85

16.0
1.73
5.4
0.09
4.36
4.42
3.47
2.18

99.41

3.1

0.07
2.15
6.03
3.53
1.49
0.11
0.85

99.39

57.8

1.45

45.4
0.36
22.2
7.34
0.8
0.12
0.88
17.7
0.88
0.30
0.08
2.0

97.52

98.06

0.11

95%epidote
epidote
** 95%

REFERENCES
REFERENCES
Kresz, D.U.
D.U. and
and Zayachivsky,
Zayachivsky, B.,
B.,1989,
1989,Precambrian
Precambriangeology,
geology, Barbara,
Barbara, Meader
Meader
Kresz,
and Pifher
Pifher Townships;
Townships;Ontario
Ontario Geological
Geological Survey,
Survey, rpt
rpt270
270with
withmaps
maps2536-2537,
2536-2537,
and
91p.p.
91
Mackasey, W.O.,
W.O., 1975,
1975, Geology
Geology of
of Dorothea,
Dorothea, Sandra,
Sandra, and
and Irwin
IrwinTownships,
Townships, District
District
Mackasey,
of Thunder
Thunder Bay;
Bay;Ontario
OntarioDivision
Divisionof
of Mines,
Mines,rpt
rpt122
122with
withmap
map2294,
2294, 83
83 p.
p.
of
F., 1997,
1997, The
The Petrology
Petrologyof
ofgreenspar:
greenspar: aaProterozoic
Proterozoicporphyritic
porphyriticdiabase
diabase
Luther, F.,
Luther,
dike; Pifher
Pifherand
andIrwin
IrwinTownships,
Townships, Lake
LakeNipigon
NipigonDistrict,
District,Ontario
Ontario (extended
(extended
dike;
abstract):43rd
43rdAnnual
Annual Institute
Instituteon
onLake
LakeSuperior
SuperiorGeology
Geologymeeting,
meeting,Sudbury,
Sudbury,
abstract):
43.
Ontario,v.v.43.
Ontario,

84

�UPPER PENINSULA
PENINSULA OF
NEW FIELD OBSERVATIONS
OBSERVATIONS OF THE CLARKSBURG VOLCANICS, UPPER
MICHIGAN
MICHIGAN
MAKI, John C. and Bornhorst, Theodore J.,
J., Department of Geological Engineering and
MAIU,
MI 49931
4993 1
Sciences, Michigan Technological
TechnologicalUniversity,
University,Houghton,
Houghton, MI
The Clarksburg Volcanics are a member of the
the Early
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic Michigamme
Michigamme Formation, Baraga
Baraga
Group,
Marquette Supergroup
and crop
crop out near US-4
Group, Marquette
Supergroup and
US-41I between
between Champion
Champion and west Ishpeming,
Ishpeming,
Marquette County,
County, Upper
Upper Peninsula,
Michigan (Cannon,
(Cannon, 1974, 1975; Cannon and Klasner,
Marquette
Peninsula, Michigan
Klasner, 1977;
1977;
Simmons, 1974).
1974). The
TheClarksburg
ClarksburgVolcanics
Volcanicsare
are stratigraphically
stratigraphically above
above the
the Greenwood
Greenwood Iron-formation
Iron-formation
member of
of the
the Michigamme
Michigamme Formation
Formation and
and are
are laterally
Member and below the Lower graywacke member
restricted over a 19
19 km strike length and only crop out on the southern
southern limb
limb of
of the Marquette
Marquette trough.
trough.
These
only provides
provides data on
on stratigraphic
These rocks
rocks dip
dip about
about 60
60 degrees
degrees or more, hence the exposed section only
and strike parallel variation. Despite metamorphism to the amphibolite
amphibolite facies in most
most exposures
exposures and
and
fades in
greenschist facies
in aa few,
few, primary
primary textures
textures are
are well preserved in the outcrops.
Clarksburg Volcanics
Volcanics are composed mostly of volcanic rocks with lesser amounts
The Clarksburg
amounts of
of clastic
clastic
sedimentary rocks and iron-formation. Field
Field observations and available chemical data suggest that the
volcanic rocks are dominantly basalt with less amounts
amounts of
of andesite.
andesite. In general,
general, the volcanic rocks are
tuffs and agglomerates
agglomerates containing
containing fragments 0.5 to 1.5
1.5 cm in diameter. Near
Near the
thetowns
townsof
ofHumboldt
Humboldtand
and
clast size is considerably larger
larger than
than elsewhere,
elsewhere,up
upto
to 30
30 cm
cm in
in diameter.
diameter. Laterally,
Clarksburg, clast
Laterally, the
the
typical clast
clast size
size is
is considerably
considerably finer
finer in both the extreme eastern and western exposures with argillite
argillite
being common in the west Ishpeming exposures. These
These observations
observations suggest
suggest a proximal
proximal or
or near
near vent
vent
environment
environment in the central
central exposures
exposures and a distal environment towards the east and west. Since
Sincemafic
mafic
pyroclastic
pyroclastic rocks
rocks often
often do
do not
not travel
travel large
large distances
distances from
from the volcanic
volcanic vent, itit is
is likely
likely that
that the
the volcano
volcano
was quite near the central
exposures
of
the
Clarksburg
Volcanics.
central exposures
Clarksburg
Within the Clarksburg
Volcanics there
there are
are several areas with
Within
Clarksburg Volcanics
with interbedded
interbedded banded
banded ironironformation. The
layers (I
(1 to
to44 mm
mm
Theiron-formation
iron-formationisiscomposed
composed of
of mixed magnetitemagnetite- and detrital-bearing layers
(&lt; 1 mm thick). Metamorphism
thick) and poorly defined chert layers (&lt;
Metamorphism has
has produced
produced quartzite
quartzite textures
textures
in the iron-fonnation.
iron-formation. As
Asthe
theexposures
exposuresof
ofiron-formation
iron-formationare
arein
in the
the proximal
proximal section
section of
of the
the Clarksburg
Clarksburg
Volcanics, we suggest
suggest that the interbedded iron-formation has a volcanogenic
volcanogenic origin.
origin.
Throughout the immediate
immediate region, diabase sills, dikes, and other shaped bodies
bodies are
are common.
common.
Cannon (1974)
(1974) suggested
suggested that
that the
the diabase was
was approximately
approximately equivalent
equivalentinin age
age to
to the Clarksburg
Cannon
Volcanics. The
Themajor
majorelement
elementchemical
chemical composition
composition of the
the diabase
diabase and
and Clarksburg
Clarksburg Volcanics
Volcanics are
are
large body
body of
of diabase
diabase with
with a surface
similar. Just south of the town of Clarksburg
Clarksburg is a relatively large
exposure of approximately
km. This
approximately 1.5
1.5 by 1.5
1.5 krn.
Thisbody
body of
of diabase
diabasecuts
cuts rocks
rocks stratigraphically
stratigraphicallyolder
olderthan
than
the Clarksburg Volcanics and is spatially adjacent to
to the
the proximal
proximal section.
section. We suggest this diabase is
part of the subvolcanic
subvolcanic roots
roots of
of the
the Clarksburg
Clarksburg volcanic
volcanic system.
system.

References
Marquette County,
County, Michigan:
Michigan: U.S.
U.S.
Cannon, W. F., 1974,
1974, Bedrock geologic map of the Greenwood quadrangle, Marquette
Geological
168.
Geological Survey
Survey Geologic
GeologicQuadrangle
QuadrangleMap
MapGQ-l
GQ-1168.

Michigan: U.S.
U.S.
Cannon W. F., 1975,
1975, Bedrock
Bedrock geologic
geologic map of the
the Republic
Republic quadrangle,
quadrangle, Marquette County, Michigan:
Geological Survey
Geological
Survey Miscellaneous
MiscellaneousInvestigation
InvestigationSeries
SeriesMap
Map 1-862.
1-862.

Klasner, J. S., 1977,
1977, Bedrock geologic map of the southern part of the Diorite and Champion
Cannon, W. F., and Kiasner,
minute quadrangles,
quadrangles, Marquette
Marquette County,
County, Michigan:
Michigan: U.S.
U.S. Geological
Geological Survey
Survey Miscellaneous
Miscellaneous Investigation
Investigation Series
7-112 minute
Map 1-1058.
1-1058.
map of
of the
the Ishpeming
Ishpemingquadrangle,
quadrangle,Marquette
MarquetteCounty,
County,Michigan:
Michigan: U.S.
Simmons, G. C., 1974,
1974, Bedrock geological map
Geological Survey
Geological
SurveyGeologic
GeologicQuadrangle
QuadrangleMap
MapGQ-1
GQ- 1130.
130.

85

�ROYALE -- WHERE ARE THEY
POST-GLACIAL SHORELINES OF ISLE ROYALE
THEY NOW?
NOW?
M.E. McRae, Oak Ridge Associated Universities,
Universities, Reston, VA
W.F. Cannon,
Cannon, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA
Woodruff, U.S. Geological Survey, Mounds View, MN
L.G. Woodruff,
Well-developed
Well-developed shoreline
shoreline features
features at
at elevations
elevations higher
higher than the
the present day
day lake
lake level
level are
are
basin. These
well documented in the Lake Superior basin.
These shorelines
shorelines formed approximately
approximately 10,000
10,000
to 4,500 years
years ago as the last glacier to occupy western Lake Superior
Superior receded to the
northeast. Further,
Further,mapping
mapping of
of stranded
stranded shoreline
shoreline features
features has demonstrated
demonstrated that these once
flat-lying lake planes are now tilted from northeast to southwest as a consequence
consequence of
differential isostatic rebound. Previous
Previousresearchers
researchers have been able
able to construct
construct isobases of
better-developed lake
lake levels.
levels. These
Washbum and
rebound for several of the better-developed
These include
include Lakes Washburn
Lake Minong
B.P.),
Beaver Bay
Minong(—9500
(-9500 B.P.), Lake Houghton
Houghton(—8000
(-8000 B.P.),
Beaver
Bay(—9800
(-9800 - 9700 B.P.), Lake
and Lake
Lake Nipissing
Nipissing(—5500
(-5500 -4700
- 4700 B.P.).

Beach ridges are common features
features on Isle Royale, particularly
particularly on the lower
lower elevations
elevations of
of the
the
southwest portion of the island where glacial debris
debris is
is widespread.
widespread. A few wave-cut features
features
in bedrock have also been mapped in the
the northeastern
northeastern half
half of
of the
the island.
island. However,
However, all of
and discontinuous.
discontinuous. Consequently,
these features are scattered and
Consequently, the exact
exact positions of former
shorelines
shorelines are not precisely known from observable
observable features
features for most of the island.
island.
(GIs) software, we constructed
constructed a series
series of gridded
gridded
Using geographic
geographic information
information systems
systems (GIS)
surfaces
surfaces representing
representing lake level
level planes from
from the isobases of glacioisostatic
glacioisostatic rebound described
described
above. Subtracting
Subtractingeach
eachgridded
gridded surface
surfacefrom
from the
the present-day digital
digital elevation
elevation model (DEM)
(DEM)
new DEM7s
DEM's showing the island's morphology
morphology at
at several
several
of Isle Royale yields a sequence of new
different
different lake
lake stages.
stages.
We then displayed the modeled shorelines
shorelines with the known beach and wave-cut features.
features. The
The
Beaver Bay do not correlate
correlate with
with
two highest modeled shorelines,
shorelines, Lake Washburn and Lake Beaver
any of the mapped features. This
This may
may indicate
indicatethat
that the
the island
island was not yet free
free of ice at these
Minong shoreline.
shoreline. Lengthy
times. All
All mapped
mapped features
features fall
fall either
either on or below the Lake Minong
on the
the modeled
modeled Minong
Minong shore.
shore. Evidence
sections of mapped beach ridges lie on
Evidence also seems
seems to
shore. No features
support the position of the modeled Nipissing shore.
features seem
seem to correlate
correlate with the
Houghton
Houghton shoreline.
shoreline.
By overlaying
overlaying the
the modeled
modeled shorelines
shorelineson
on the
the modern
modem digital
digital elevation
elevation model,
model, itit isis possible
possibleto
to
the post-glacial
post-glacial shores
shores around
around the
the island.
island. This
determine the approximate elevation of the
knowledge could serve
serve as a guide to future
future mapping particularly if combined with
information such as vegetation type, surficial
surficial material, abundance of outcrop,
outcrop, and
and
information
accessibility
accessibility to trails.

5,000 years ago, and possibly
possibly earlier.
earlier.
Lastly, prehistoric mining of native copper
copper began about 5,000
the prehistoric
prehistoric discovery
discovery and
and mining
mining of
of
We hypothesize that former lake levels influenced the
copper. Copper
would
have
been
easily
accessible
and
recognizable
in
wave-washed
Copper would have been easily accessible and recognizable
prehistoric shorelines
shorelines seems
seems probable.
probable. Because
shoreline rock exposures, so discovery along prehistoric
Because
wave-washed exposures
exposures remain largely barren of vegetative material for
for prolonged
prolonged periods
periods

86

�after
afterthey
theyare
areabandoned,
abandoned,they
theyremained
remainedfavorable
favorablepoints
pointsfor
fordiscovery
discoverylong
longafter
afterthe
thelake
lake
levels
levelshad
hadreceded.
receded.Major
Majorprehistoric
prehistoricworkings
workingsatatthe
theMinong
MinongMine
Mineare
areininextensive
extensivebedrock
bedrock
exposures
exposuresatatororjust
justabove
abovethe
theprojected
projectedMinong
Minongshore.
shore.During
Duringa abrief
briefreconnaissance
reconnaissanceinin
1997
1997we
weobserved
observedprehistoric
prehistoricworking
workinginintwo
twoother
otherareas
areasof
ofextensive
extensiveexposure
exposureatatthe
the
Minong
Minongshore.
shore.Did
Didearly
earlyinhabitants
inhabitantsofofthe
theLake
LakeSuperior
Superiorregion,
region,such
suchasasthe
thePlano
PianoIndians
Indians
who
whoinhabited
inhabitedthe
theMinong
Minongshore
shorenear
nearThunder
ThunderBay,
Bay,visit
visitthe
theisland
islandand
anddiscover
discovercopper
copper
duringthe
theLake
LakeMinong
Minongstage,
stage,well
wellbefore
before the
the generally
generally accepted
accepted date of first mining? Or
Or
during
did
didbarren
barrenrock
rockexposures
exposuresfrom
fromthe
theformer
formerMinong
Minongshore
shorefacilitate
facilitaterecognition
recognitionofofnative
native
copper
eithercase,
case,we
wesuggest
suggestthat
thatthe
theprojected
projectedlocation
locationof
ofthe
the
copperthousands
thousandsofofyears
yearslater?
later?InIneither
Minong
Minongand
andyounger
youngershorelines
shorelinescan
canprovide
providea aguide
guidetotofuture
futurearchaeological
archaeologicalstudies.
studies.

Projected
Projecteddigital
digitalelevation
elevationmodel
modelof
ofIsle
IsleRoyale
Royaleduring
duringthe
thetime
timeof
ofLake
LakeMinong.
Minong.
Shoreline
Shorelineof
ofthe
the modem
modemisland
islandisisshown
shownininwhite.
white.

87

�ELECTRON MICROPROBE STUDY
STUDY OF THE Pt-Pd
Pt-PdAND
AND RELATED
RELATED
MINERALIZATION IN THE
Cu-Ni DEPOSIT
MINERALIZATION
THE MINNAMAX/BABBITT
MINNAMAXIBABBITT Cu-Ni
McSWIGGEN, Peter L., Minnesota Geological Survey, 2642 University Avenue,
St. Paul, Minnesota 55114
551 14
The Minnamax deposit
deposit is
is one
one of several
several copper-nickel
copper-nickel sulfide
sulfide deposits
deposits that occur
occur along
along the
the
base of the
the Duluth
Duluth Complex,
Complex, which
which is
is aa series
series of mafic intrusions
intrusions that are part of the
Keweenawan (1100
and Miller,
Miller, 1993). The
Keweenawan
(1 100 Ma) Midcontinent Rift system (Paces and
The ore
ore body
consists
inclusions derived
derived from
from
consists of troctolitic and ultramafic rocks, as well as hornfelsic
homfelsic inclusions
Paleoproterozoic metasedimentary rocks, and unconforrnably
unconformably overlying Mesoproterozoic
Mesoproterozoic
Paleoproterozoic
volcanic rocks. The
Thecopper
copperand
andnickel
nickel are
are contained
contained predominantly
predominantly in disseminated
disseminated
sulfides that make
rock. The
make up between 11 and 5 percent of the rock.
The sulfides
sulfides consist largely of
chalcopyrite, cubanite, pyrrhotite and pentlandite (Severson, 1991;
chalcopyrite,
1991; Severson and Barnes,
1991). In
In addition
additionto
tothe
thecopper
copperand
andnickel,
nickel,the
the deposit
depositalso
alsocontains
containssignificant
significant
concentrations of platinum
concentrations
platinum (Pt),
(Pt), palladium
palladium (Pd),
(Pd), gold
gold (Au),
(Au), silver
silver (Ag)
(Ag)and
and cobalt
cobalt(Co).
(Co).
Sections
Sections of core
core ranging
ranging from
from 55 to 10 ft long have as much as 7.0 ppm Pd, 3.1 ppm Pt,
and 13.1
13.1 ppm Au. As
Aspointed
pointed out
outby
by Severson
Severson(1991),
(1991), the high values for the platinum
group elements
other precious
precious metals, and Co have been shown by others to be
elements (PGE's), other
associated
associated with the
the high-grade
high-grade copper
copper zones
zones (Kuhns
(Kuhns and
and others,
others, 1990).
1990).
This
This electron
electron microprobe
microprobe study
study has
has shown
shown that
that rocks
rocks at
at the
the Minnamax
Minnamax site
sitecontain
contain
at least two platinum group minerals (PGM's) -froodite (PdBi2) and cabriite
-- froodite
cabriite (Pd2SnCu).
(PdzSnCu).
They are
are commonly
commonly associated
associated with massive
massive sulfide
sulfide mineralization and are less common
common in
in
samples
samples consisting
consisting mostly of silicates.
silicates. Of
Ofthe
the14
14samples
samplesinvestigated
investigatedin
indetail,
detail,55 were
were
found to contain either froodite or cabriite. Although
Although the number of PGM grains is small,
small,
just aa few
few of
of the
the 1-2
1-2micron
micron size
sizegrains
grains could
could account
account for
for the
the reported
reported whole
whole rock
rock values.
values.
Therefore
there is no need to invoke
invoke PGE-sulfide phase solid solution
solution to account for the
Therefore there
PGE whole-rock
whole-rock values
values reported
reported from
from these
these rocks.
Numerous
found in
in these
these rocks.
rocks. The
Numerous examples
examples of silver mineralization were found
The silver
silver
is typically
typically present either
either as
as solid
solid solution
solution in maucherite
maucherite or as discrete
discrete grains
grains of native
native
silver. Significant
Significantgold
goldwas
was found
found in
in aa few
few of the native silver grains. Values
Values as
as high
high as
as
16 wt. percent Au were measured in 55 to 100 micron size grains of silver, but values were
more typically
typically in the 11 percent range. Cobalt
Cobaltwas
was found
foundat
at significant
significantlevels
levels only
only in
in
maucherite
maucherite and pentlandite. Detailed
Detailedinspections
inspections of
of these
these samples
samples shows
shows that they contain
contain
numerous
altaite
(Ni,As), shadlunite
shadlunite[(Pb,Cd)(Fe,Cu)8S8],
[(Pb,Cd)(Fe,Cu)$J, altaite
numerous rare
rare phases
phases including
includingdienerite
dienerite(Ni3As),
(PbTe), laurionite
(PbTe),
laurionite[PbCl(OH)}
[PbCl(OH)]and
and cotunnite
cotunnite(PbCl2).
(PbClJ.
Kuhns, M.P., Hauck, S.A. and Barnes, R.J., 1990, Origin and occurrence of platinum
group elements,
copper-nickel mineral
group
elements, gold and silver,
silver, in the South Filson Creek copper-nickel
mineral
deposit, Lake County, Minnesota. Natural
Natural Resources
Resources Research Institute,
NRRUGMIN-TR-89-15,6Op.
60p.
Univ. Minn., Duluth,
Duluth, Tech.
Tech.Report,
Report,NRRI/GMIN-TR-89-15,
Paces, J.B. and
and Miller,
Miller, J.D.,
J.D., Jr.,
Jr., 1993,
1993,Precise
Precise U-Pb
U-Pb ages
ages of Duluth Complex and
and related
related
mafic intrusions,
intrusions, northeastern Minnesota: Geochronological insights to physical,
petrogenetic, paleomagnetic,
petrogenetic,
paleomagnetic, and tectonomagmatic
tectonomagmatic processes associated with
with the
the
1.1 Midcontinent Rift System. Journal
Journal Geophysical
Geophysical Research,
Research, v. 98, no. B8,
13,997-14,013.
p. 13,997-14,013.
Severson,
MinnamaxlBabbitt
Severson, M., 1991,
1991, Geology,
Geology, mineralization,
mineralization, and geostatitics of the Minnarnax/Babbitt
Cu-Ni Deposit (Local Boy Area), Minnesota. Natural Resources
Resources Research
Research Institute
Institute
Technical Report NRRIITR-91/13a, 96
96p.
p.
Severson,
Severson, M.J. and Barnes,
Barnes, R.J., 1991,
1991, Geology, mineralization, and geostatistics
geostatistics of the
the
Minnamax/Babbitt
MinnamaxBabbitt Cu-Ni
Cu-Ni deposit
deposit (Local
(Local Boy Area),
Area), Minnesota;
Minnesota; Part II:
II:
Mineralization
Mineralization and geostatistics. Natural
Natural Resources
Resources Research
Research Institute
Institute Technical
Report NRRI/TR-91/13b,
NRRIITR-9 1/13b, 216 p.

88

�POST- 1.76 Ga
Ga LOW-GRADE
LOW-GRADE METAMORPHISM
METAMORPHISM OF THE BARABOO QUARTZITE
POST-1.76
G., Jr.,
J., Dept. of Geology
Geology &amp;
&amp; Geophysics,
MEDARIS,
MEDA1US,L.
L.G.,
Jr., BROWN,
BROWN, P.B.
P.B. and BUNGE,
BUNGE, R
R.J.,
Wisconsin-Madison,Madison,
Madison,WI
WI53706;
53706;medaris@geology.wisc.edu
medarisgeology.wisc.edu
Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison,
It has long
long been
been recognized
recognized that the
the Baraboo
Baraboo Quartzite
Quartzite is
is folded
folded and
and metamorphosed,
metamorphosed, and
recent U-Pb dating of
of detrital
detrital zircons
zircons in the quartzite
quartzite requires
requires that deformation
deformation and
and recrystalrecrystallization were
were post-1.76 Ga events. Although
Although the
the structure
structureof
ofthe
theBaraboo
Baraboosyncline
syncline has been
well studied, little attention has been devoted to
to metamorphism
metamorphism in the Baraboo
Baraboo Range,
Range, other
other
identifyingpyrophyllite
pyrophyllite in
inmetap
metapelite
and recognizing
recognizing that
that metamorphism
metamorphism was
was
than identii'ing
elite layers and
low-grade.
low-grade. We
Wehave
haveundertaken
undertakenaapetrologic
petrologicinvestigation
investigation of
of the
theBaraboo
BarabooQuartzite
Quartziteand
and
post-1.76Ga
Gametamorphism.
metamorphism.
underlying granite and rhyolite to
to determine the
the conditions of
ofpost-1.76
Rock types, chemical compositions,
well-developed paleosol
paleosol
compositions. and
and mineral assemblages AAwell-developed
occurs in granite
and
rhyolite
at
the
unconformable
base
of
the
Baraboo
Quartzite.
Intense
rhyolite
the
unconformable
the
Baraboo
Quartzite.
Intense
chemical
weathering and sedimentary
chemical weathering
sedimentary processes
processes
Table I1
produce
marked
geochemical
combined
to
a
combined
a
geochemical Chemical Compositions,
Compositions, Baraboo
Baraboo Rocks
Rocks
differentiation among basement
basement rocks, paleosol, and
avg
avg avg
pelitic
layers in the Baraboo
1).
pelitic layers
Baraboo Quartzite
Quartzite (Table
(Table 1).
rhyolite granite
granite saproliie
soil pelite
saprolite soil
pelite
(1)
(2)
(10)
(5)
(1)
Ca,
(1)
(2)
(10)
(
5)
(1
Ca, Na,
Na, and
and KKwere
wereleached
leached from
from granite
granite and
and wt%
wt%
rhyolite, and
and A1
Al and Fe were
were concentrated
concentrated in the
the Si02
rhyolite,
5102
70.51
59.70
70.51 56.41
56.41 59.70
72.80 69.25
69.25
72.80
0.26
0.25
0.36 0.87
Ti02
0.26
0.25
0.36
paleosol (saprolite and soil)
0.87
1.03
1.a3
soil) and
and pelitic layers in the Ti02
1AJ203
13.30
15.15
17.18
20.89
25.40
A1203
13.30
15.15
17.18
20.89
25.40
sedimentary
section, which
which consisted
of
sedimentary section,
consisted originally
originally of
Fe203 2.99
3.46
2.82
10.18 8.04
2.99
3.46
2.82 10.18
8.04
kaolinite
and
variable
amounts
of
silt-size
quartz
kaolinite and variable amounts
salt-size quartz Fe203
MnO
0.07
0.09
0.00 0.00
0.00
0.01
MnO
0.07
0.09
0.00
0.01
elites MgO
aluminousofofthree
threeanalysed
analysedppelites
grains. The
Themost
mostaluminous
MgO
0.14
0.89
0.07 0.38
0.38
0.04
0.14
0.89
0.07
0.04
is listed
listed in Table
Table 1,
1, and
and two
two other
othersamples
samples are
are CaO
1.16
1.55
0.14 0.09
0.09
0.03
1.16
1.56
0.14
0.03
CaO
4.93
4.40
0.34 0.32
0.32
0.04
0.34
0.04
Na20
4.93
4.40
equally
lowinin Ca,
Ca, Na,
Na, and
meta- Na20
equally low
and K During meta3.17
3.14
4.75
5.72
0.21
4.75 5.72
0.21
K20
K20
3.17
3.14
morphism, K
K was
was reintroduced
re-introduced into the paleosol by P205 0.03 0.09
morphism,
0.13 0.10
0.10
0.12
P205 0.03
0.09
0.13
0.12
1120-tich fluids
that were
H,0-rich
fluids that
were channeled
channeled along
along the
the LLOl
1.25
1.53
2.51
3.65
4.70
4.70
O1
1.25
1.53
2.51 3.65
sub-B
araboo unconformity;
unconformity; this K-metasomatism
sub-Baraboo
K-metasomatism SSum
100.10
99.78
98.80 98.62
um 100.10
99.78
98.80
98.62 99.32
99.32
was
orethindiasp
diasporewas accompanied
accompaniedby
by formation
formationof
ofthin
quartz
pyrophyffite-white
pyrophyllite-white mica veins in basal quartzites.
quartzites.
The compositions
compositions of Baraboo rocks are projected
projected
into
in which
which the
the positions
positions
into the
the system,
system, KASH,
KASH, in
in Fig.
Fig. 1,1,in
microcline
of selected
selected minerals
minerals are also
also plotted.
plotted. The KASH
KASH
equilibrium metamorphic
metamorphic assemblages
assemblagesfor
for these
these rocks
equilibrium
+
quartz + microcline
are:
granite and
and rhyolite,
microcline +
are: granite
rhyolite, quartz
muscovite; metapelite,
muscovite; paleosol,
paleosol, quartz ++ muscovite;
metapelite,
hydrothermal veins, veins
quartz
pyrophyllite; and hydrothermal
quartz ++ pyrophyllite;
+ diaspore.
diaspore.
Kaolinite is
pyrophyllite
Kaolhute
pyrophyllite ++ muscovite +
present in
elite and hydrothermal
in metap
metapelite
hydrothermal veins, but only
only
as a retrograde
retrograde product. Inhiaddition
additiontotoKASH
KASHminerals,
minerals,
granite and rhyolite contain albite, epidote, and chlorite.
chlorite.
Hematite isis abundant
abundant in these
these rocks,
rocks, especially
especially in
Hematite
K20
A1203 diaspore
paleosol
common in
in
paleosol and metapelite,
metapelite, and
and rutile
rutile is common
Fig. 1 Compositions
Compositions of
of Baraboo
Baraboo
metapelite.
metapelite.
plane
rocks projected
projected into
into the KAS plane
system, KASH
KASH
of the system,

89

�Metamorphic
Metamorphic conditions
conditions Mineral reactions and
and chemographic
chemographic relations
relations in
m the
thesystem,
system,
KASH
for unit
unit activity
activity of
of H20),
KO), are
aresummarized
summarized in
in Figure
Figure 1.1. Minimum
KASH (calculated
(calculated for
temperatures
temperatures of
of metamorphism
metamorphism are
are defined
defined by
by the
themetapelite
metapeliteassemblage,
assemblage, quartz ++
pyrophyllite,
pyrophyllite, which is stable
stable above
above the reaction,
reaction, Kin
K h ++ Qtz
Qtz == Pr!
Prl ++ V,
V, and
and by the
the absence
absence of
stable
kaolinite
from
all
observed
T,,
assemblages,
indicating
that
temperatures
were
T- assemblages, indicating that temperatures were above
above
stable
fiom
the
kaolinite. Maximum
the stability
stability limit of kaohite.
Maximum temperatures
temperatures are
are defined
defined by the
the absence
absence of
of kyanite
kyanite
ore, in
from
pyrophyllite ++ diasp
diaspore,
in hydrothermal
hydrothermal veins,
vems, which
which isis
fiom the
the assemblage,
assemblage, muscovite
muscovite ++ pyrophyffite
stable below the reaction, Pr!
Prl ++ Dsp
Dsp == Ky
Ky ++ V,
V, and
and by
by the
theabsence
absencekyanite
lqmniteininmetapelite,
metapelite,
which
limitof
of pyrophyllite.
pyrophyllite.
which indicates
mdicates that temperatures
temperaturesdid
didnot
not exceed
exceedthe
thestability
stabilitylimit
Fluid
were analysed
from quartz m
in a folded
vein in
inmetapelite.
metapelite. The
The
a d inclusions
inclusions were
analysed fiom
folded quartz
quartz vein
quartz contains
contains aa single
single population
population of
ofabundant
abundantaqueous
aqueousinclusions
mclusions that
thathave
havefinal
finalmelting
meltmg
points
corresponding
points of-15
of -15toto-18°C,
-lSÂ°C
corresponding to
to 18
18to
to20
20equivalent
equivalent wt%
wt% NaCL
NaCL First
Firstmelting
meltmg below
below
-35OC
divalent cations.
H o m o g ~ t i o temperatures
ntemperatureslie
lie between
between
-3
5°C suggests
suggests the
the presence
presence of divalent
cations. Homogenization
165
the 175-185°C
175-lWÂ°range.
range.
165 and 215°C
215OC with a peak in the
Intersection of
with the
thelimiting
limiting mineral
mineral reactions
reactions constrains
constrains
of the
the fluid
fluid inclusion
mclusion isochore
isochore with
temperature-pressure conditions
conditions for
for the
the Baraboo
BarabooQuartzite
Quartzitetotolieliebetween
between—320°C,
-320Â°C2.7 kbar
kbar
and —385°C,
4.0kbar.
kbar. Such values correspond
correspond to aa thermal
-385OC, 4.0
thermal gradient
gradient of
of25-30°C/km.
25-30Â°C/kmwhich is
is
typical
terranes and is notably
notably elevated
elevated over that for
typical for Barrovian-type
Barrovian-type metamorphic terranes
for stable
stable
cratons
cratons(--17°C/km
(-17OCh at comparable
comparable depths).
depths).
8

6

4

2

0
250

300

350
T,°C

400

450

Fig.
Fig. 2 Mineral
Mineralassemblages
assemblagesand
andreactions
reactionsin
inthe
the system,
systeml KASH,
KASH,
aa fluid
fluid inclusion
inclusionisochore
isochorefor
for quartz
quartzin
inaa folded
foldedquartz
quattzvein,
vein,
and
and metamorphic
metamorphicconditions
conditions for
for the
the Baraboo
Barabm Quartzite
Quarfziie

Conclusions Folding and metamorphism
metamorphism of the Baraboo
Baraboo Quartzite
Quartzite mark
mark an
animportant
important
Conclusions
the age of this
post-l.76
post- 1-76Ga
Gatectonothermal
tectonothermal event
event in
in the
theLake
LakeSuperior
Superiorregion.
region. Although
Although the
event remains
remains uncertain,
uncertain, itit could
could be
be related
related to an
an eastern
eastern extension
extension of the
the Mazatzal
Mazatzal belt at
at
-1.63
Ga. However,
However,andalusite-bearing
andahsite-bearingassemblages
assemblagesin the
the Waterloo
Waterloo Quartzite
Quartzite are
are probably
probably
-1.63 Ga.
due
due to
to contact
contactmetamorphism
metamorphismassociated
associatedwith
withWolf
WolfRiver
Rivermagmatism
magmatismatat—4.43
-1.43 Ga.

90

�SVANBERGITE
SVANBERGITEiN
INTHE
THEBARABOO
BAMBOOQUARTZITE:
QUARTZITE:SIGNIFICANCE
SIGNIFICANCEFOR
FORDIAGENETIC
DIAGENETIC
PROCESSES
ANDPHOSPHORUS
PHOSPHORUSFLUX
FLUXIN
INPRECAMBRIAN
PRJXAMBRIANOCEANS
OCEANS
PROCESSESAND
MEDARIS,
Geophysics,
MEDARIS,L.G.,
L.G.?Jr.
Jr.and
andFOURNELLE,
FOURNELLE?J.H.,
J.H.,Department
DepartmentofofGeology
Geology&amp;&amp;Geophysics,
University
Madison,WWI
53706;medaris@geology.wisc.edu
medarisgeology.wisc.edu
I 53706;
University of
of Wisconsin-Madison,
Wisconsin-Madison, Madison?
Authigenic
Authigenicminerals
mineralsof
ofthe
thebeudantite
beudantiteand
andcrandallite
crandallitegroups
groupshave
haverecently
recentlybeen
beenrecognized
recognizedasas
widespread
widespreadconstituents
constituentsofofArchean
ArcheantotoCretaceous
Cretaceoussedimentary
sedimentaryrocks
rocks(Rasmussen,
(Rasmussen71996).
1996).
Although
Althoughthe
theabundance
abundanceofofthese
thesealuininophosphate-sulfate
alumhophosphate-dte minerals
minerals is
is small,
small, on the
the order
order of
of
wt%ininaagiven
givensample,
sample7they
theyappear
appearto
tobe
bemore
moreabundant
abundantthan
thanauthigenic
authigenicapatite
apatite
0.2to
to0.01
0.01wt%
0.2
and
phosphorusbalance
balanceininthe
theoceans.
oceans.
andplay
playan
animportant
importantrole
roleininphosphorus
The
general
formula
i%e beudantite
beudantite and
andcrandaiite
cranddlitemineral
mineralgroups
w m pThe
The
general
formulafor
forthe
thebeudantite
beudantite
groupisisAB3(XO4XSO4XOH)6,
AB3(X04)(S04)(OH)6,
whereAA ==Ba,
Ba7Ca,
Ca7Ce,
Ce7Pb,
Pb7Sr;
Sr;BB==Al,
Al,Few;
Few;and
andXX==As,
As7P;
P;
group
where
and
where
AB3(X04)2(O13,F)547
whereAA ==Ba,
Ba7Bi,
Bi,Ca,
Ca7Ce,
Ce,La,
La7Nd,
Nd,Sr,
Sr7Th;
Th;
andfor
forthe
thecrandallite
crandallitegroup
groupisisAB3(XO4)2(OH,F)5,
P,
Si.
Electron
microprobe
analysis
of
Baraboo
svanbergite
B
=
Al,
Fe3+;
and
X
=
As7
P7
S
i
Electron
microprobe
analysis
of
Baraboo
svanbergite
Fe3+;
and
X
=
As,
B = Al,
demonstrates
which
demonstratesthat
thatits
itscomposition
compositioncan
canbe
beportrayed
portrayedby
byaadistorted
distortedpyramid
pyramid(Fig.
(Fig.1)1)ininwhich
members
of
the
beudantite
group
lie
along
the
front
edge
of
the
pyramid
and
members
members of the beudantite group lie along the fiont edge of the pyramid and membersof
ofthe
the
crandallite
crandallite group
group lie
lie in
m the
the fir
fiuface
face(note
(notethat
thatCa
Caand
andBa
Bahave
havebeen
beencombined
combmedfor
forprojection
projection
purposes).
purposes).
florencite
florencite
CeAJ3(P04)2(OH)6
ce%p04)2(0H)

Crandallite
group

SrsAJ3Q'Q4

)2(H)5 . HO

goyazite

(Ca,Ba)A13(P04)(S04)(OH)6

SrAI3(P04)(S04 )(OH)6

svanbergite

Fig.
Fig. IICompositional
Compositionalspace
spaceofofBeudantite
Beudantiteand
andCrandallite
Crandallite
groupminerals
mineralsfrom
fromBaraboo
Baraboometapelite
metapelite
group

svanbergite Small
Occurrenceand
andchemical
chemical composition
compmition of
o fBaraboo svanberdte
S d amounts
amounts of
Occurrence
svanbergite
elite layers
layers m
in the
the Baraboo
Baraboo Quartzite7
Quartzite, where
where it is
inmetap
metapelite
is
svanbergite are
are widespread
widespreadin
associated
with
pyrophyllite,
quartz,
hematite,
and
rutile.
Svanbergite
grains
are
equant
associated with pyrophylbe7
hematite7
Svanbergite grains are equantand
and
have
smallsize,
size7are
arereadily
readilyvisible
vkiile
have diameters
diametersof
of10-20
10-20microns,
microns7but
butdespite
despitetheir
theirsmall
microscopically
microscopically because
because of
of their
their marked
marked difference
&amp;erence in relief compared to associated
associated
pyrophyllite.
&lt;1
pyrophyllite. Baraboo
Baraboosvanbergite
svanbergitecontains
contains&lt;2
&lt; 2wt%
wt%Fe203,
Fe203?
4wt%
wt%As205,
4 O s 7and
andhas
hasnegligible
negligiile
amounts
ofAAl3(PO4XSO4XOH)6
solidsolution
solution
of ALUJPO~)(SO~)(OH)~
amountsof
ofBi,
Bi,Pb,
Pb7Th,
Th7Si,
Si,and
andF;F;itsitscomposition
compositionisisa asolid
Ca
+
Ba
+
REE,
which
lies
near
the
base
of
the
+
Ba
+
W
E
7
which
lies
near
the
base
of
the
Ca
Sr&gt;
where
A
=
AAl&amp;P04)2(OH)5*q07
where A = Sr
AAI3(P04)2(OH)5'H20,
pyramid in
m Fig. 11 between
between svanbergite
svanbergiteand
and goyazite
goyazite(Fig.
(Fig. 2).
2).

-

91

�"crandallite"
"crandallite"

goyazite
goyazite
Ba
Ba

REE
REE

0
0
+

0
U)
0
U)

Ca
Ca
0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

Ba

Sr

-

Fig. 33 Proportions
Promtions of
of cations
cations in
in the A-site of
Baraboo
Bamboo svanbergite-goyazite
svanbergite-goyazite

1.0

"woodhouseite"
"woodhouseite"Sr/(Sr+Ca+Ba)
Srl(Sr+Ca+Ba) svanbergite
svanbergite
Fig. 2 Projection
Projectionof
ofmineral
mineralcompositions
compsitions onto
onto the
the
base of the Beudantite-Crandallite
Beudantite-Crandallite prism
prism

Baraboo svanbergite
The
The Baraboo
svanbergite solid
solid solution
solution ranges
ranges

l
m
m

from
fiom almost pure svanbergite (beudantite group) to
—70%
goyazite(crandallite
(crandallite group)
group) with
with a concomitant
concomitant
-70% goyazite
in Sr/(Sr+Ca+Ba) (Fig. 2),
decrease m
2)?and
and A-site
10000
is dominated
dominatedby
by Sr
Sr(Fig.
(Fig.3).
3). Many
occupancy is
grains are
svanbergite grains
svanbergite
are strongly
strongly zoned,
zoned, with
with rims
rimsbeing
bemg
in crandallite component7
component, m
in which
whichthe
the sum
sum of
of
enriched in
reaches 5.3 wt %,
La203, Ce203,
%?
L%O3?
Ce203?and
and Nd203
N&amp;03reaches
amounting to --27%
-27% occupancy
occupancy of
of the
the A-site (Fig.
(Fig. 3).
3).
present, they
Although other RE
RE elements
elements may be present?
Nd
can't readily
re&amp;ly be determined by electron microprobe
Fig. 44 Representative
Representativechondrite-normalized
chondritenormalized
techmques due to their
techniques
their low
low abundances
abundances and spectral
spectral
La,
contentsof
of Baraboo
Baraboo
La, Ce, and Nd contents
svanbergite-goyazite
interferences.
mterferences. The light REE contents
contents in
m svanbergite
svanbergite
5000 toto40,000
times
are
407000
timesgreater
greaterthan
thanin
mchondrites,
chondrites7
are -5000
Nd by
by aa fhctor
factor of 2 to
to 3 (Fig. 4). There
nomarked
markedCe
Ceanomaly,
anomaly7
and La is enriched over Nd
Thereisisno
with respect
respect to
to La and Nd.
although two samples
samples may have a slight Ce enrichment with
Geological simificance
significance of
svanbergite Precipitation
Geolokcal
ofsvanberkte
Precipitation of
ofauthigenic
authigenic aluminophosphatesulfate
minerals
has
been
ascribed
to
bacterial
decomposition
of P-beakg
P-bearing organic matter m
in an
d t e minerals has been ascriied to bacterial decomposition of
within
the zone of d
sulfate
methanogenesis
ithin the
a t e reduction and methanogenesis
Al-rich environment, such as shale,
shale?w
(Rasmussen,
so7the
theoccurrence
occurrenceof
ofsvanbergite-goyazite
svanbergite-goyazite in
m Baraboo metapelites
(Rasmussen71996). IfIfso,
that such a process
process may have been operative
m mid-Proterozoic
mid-Proterozoictime.
time.
signifies that
operativein
The widespread occurrence
occurrence of
of authigenic
authigenic aluniinophosphate-sulfate
alumhophosphate-dte minerals represents a
unrecognized repository for phosphorus m
in the
the oceans. Rasmussen
previously unrecognized
Rasmussen has
has estimated
estimated
that
fluxof
of7.6
7.6xx1010
10" moles
that aluminophosphate
alumhophosphateprecipitation
precipitation accounts
accountsfor
for aaphosphorus
phosphorusburial
burialflux
yr, which
is
comparable
to
that
resulting
from
authigenic
phosphates
and
P-bearing
which is comparable to that resultmg fiom authigenic phosphates and
(2.2-9.1 xx 10" moles yfl).
yf'). However,
However7Rasmussen
Rasmussenused
used the
the composition
composition of
carbonates (2.2-9.1
florencite
florencite (2
(2 moles of
of P phi)
pfb) in
m his
his calculation,
calculation, and using the compositional
compositional range
range of
of Baraboo
Baraboo
svanbergite-goyazite (1.0(1.0-1.7
estimate by 15
15 to 50%.
50%.
1.7 moles
moles of
of P pfli)
pfi) reduces
reduces the
the burial flux estimate
Regardless,
factor in
m oceanic
oceanic P-flux.
P-flux.
Regardless?aluniinophosphate-sulfate
aluminophosphate-dte minerals are an important fhctor
REFERENCE CITED
296?601-632.
601-632.
Rasmussen, B. (1996)
(1996) American Journal
Journal of
of Science,
Science?v. 296,
.

92

�HIGH-RESOLUTION AEROMAGNETIC DATA
DATA FOR
USE OF HIGH-RESOLUTION
FOR REGIONAL
REGIONAL
(WHERE'S THE
GEOLOGY INVESTIGATIONS,
INVESTIGATIONS, SOUThEASTERN
SOUTHEASTERN WISCONSIN (WHERE'S
KIMBERLITE!)
MIJDREY, M.G., Jr.,
Jr.?Wisconsin
WisconsinGeological
Geologicaland
and Natural
NaturalHistory
History Survey,
Survey73817
3817Mineral
Mineral
MUDREY,
Road, Madison,
Point Road?
Madison?WU 53705-5 100,
100, mgmudreyfacstaff.wisc.edu
mgmudrey@facstaff.wisc.edu
Between 1876
Between
1876 and
and 1913,
1913, diamonds
diamonds were found in at least seven localities in southern and
central Wisconsin. All
All were
were found
found in
in Pleistocene
Pleistocene gravel
gravel deposits
depositsor
orHolocene
Holoceneriver
rivergravel.
gravel.
The bedrock
unknown, but was presumed to be in
bedrock kimberlite source for these diamonds is unknown7
northern
northern Canada,
Canada?the
the only
only area
area north
north of
ofWisconsin
Wisconsin previously
previously known
known to
to contain
containkimberlite.
kimberlite.
County, Michigan?
Michigan, Cannon and
With the discovery
discovery of the Lake
Lake Ellen kimberlite in Iron County?
Mudrey (1981)
(1981) suggested
suggestedthe
thedrift
driftdiamonds
diamondsin
in Wisconsin
Wisconsin may have come from a more
more local
source.
source.
Carison
southeastern Wisconsin about 280 m
Carlson and Adams (1997) described a kimberlite in southeastern
across. The
Thepreliminary
preliminaryidentification
identificationwas
wasbased
basedon
ondrilling
drillingsmall,
small,highly
highly magnetic
magnetic anomaly
anomaly
identified from a little known aeromagnetic survey from the 1980s
1980s (800-meter
(800-meter flight-line
flight-line
have aeromagnetic
spacing). Only recently have
aeromagneticsurveys
surveysbeen
been sufficiently
sufficiently detailed to determine
determine
the presence of absence of kimberlite
kimberlitein
insoutheastern
southeasternWisconsin.
Wisconsin. Prior
Prior to
to the
the most
most recent
survey?
strong, small
small
survey, limited flight-line spacing of 110-krn
0-km precluded
precluded the
the identification
identification of strong,
magnetic bodies at the
the shallow
shallow bedrock
bedrock surface.
surface.
Analysis of the aeromagnetic
aeromagnetic survey
survey indicates
indicates that
that flight-line
flight-line spacing less than 800
800 m
m will
be ineffective in the identification
identification of
of small,
small?highly magnetic kimberlite at
at the
the
bedrock/surficial
bedrock/surficial material
material surface
surface in southeastern
southeasternWisconsin.
Wisconsin.
The identification
identification of the kimberlite, and analysis of available aeromagnetic maps, indicate
that other
other kimberlitic
kimberlitic bodies may occur
occur in southeastern
southeasternWisconsin and possibly northeastern
Illinois and may be the source
source for
for the
the diamond
diamond discoveries
discoveriesin
in Wisconsin
Wisconsin and
and Illinois.
Illinois.
However, urbanization
However?
urbanization in
in the
the Milwaukee-Chicago
Mlwaukee-Chicago corridor
corridor may
may discourage
discourage further
hrther geologic
geologic
and geophysical analysis and competing
competing land use may make further
hrther exploration
explorationand
and ultimate
ultimate
development difficult.
development
difficult.
REFERENCES:
REFERENCES:
Cannon, W.F., and Mudrey,
Cannon?
Mudrey, M.G.,
M.G., Jr.,
Jr., 1981,
1981,The
Thepotential
potentialfor
fordiamond-bearing
diamond-bearingkimberlite
kimberlite
in northern Michigan and Wisconsin: U.S. Geological Survey Circular 842, 15
15 p.
p.
Carison, S.M.
Carlson,
S.M. and Adams, G.W.,
G.W., 1997,
1997,The
Thediamondiferous
diamondiferousSix-Pak
Six-Pak Ultramafic
Ultramafic
U.S.A. (abs.): Institute
Institute on Lake Superior
Lamprophyre Diatreme, Kenosha, Wisconsin, U.S.A.
Superior
Geology,
Proceedings, Part 1-Program
Geology?Proceedings?
1-Programand
and Abstracts,
Abstracts?v.
v. 43,
43, p.
p. 11
11
Wisconsin, kimberlite,
Wisconsin,
kimberlite, aeromagnetic data

93

�_____________

AS INDICATORS
INDICATORS OF
OF INTRUSION
INTRUSIONMECHANISMS
MECHANISMS
XENOLITHOLOGIES AS
IN THE
THEWAUSAU
WAUSAU SYENITE
SYENITE COMPLEX,
COMPLEX, WISCONSIN
WISCONSIN
MYERS?Paul E., Geology Department,
Department?University of Wisconsin, Eau
54701
MYERS,
Eau Claire?
Claire, WI
WI 54701
area west of Wausauy
(2) Wausau,
Wausau,
In the area
Wausau, four alkaline subvolcanic
subvolcanicplutons:
plutons: (1) Stettin, (2)
(Figure)?were intruded in a southeastward
southeastward sequence
sequence
(3) Rib Mountain, and (4) Ninemile (Figure),
into Lower
Lower Proterozoic
Proterozoic metavolcanic,
metavolcanic, metasedimentary, and
and granitic
granitic intrusive
intrusive rocks
rocks
into
(Myers and others, 1984).
1984). Whereas
Whereas the first three syenite plutons
are concentrically
concentrically
(Myers
plutons are
zoned and
and pipelike in structure,
structure, the
theyoungest,
youngest,Ninemile
Ninemilepluton,
pluton, although
althoughpossessing
possessing an
an
zoned
stopedits
itsway
wayto
toaashallow
shallowdepth
depthunder
underthe
the
aplitic core
core rim,
rim, isisaastock-like
stock-likebody
bodywhich
whichstoped
aplitic
volcanoes. This paper shows the connection between
magma
now-eroded volcanoes.
between xenolithologiesy
xenolithologies, magma
emplacement,
emplacement?and
andwalirock
wallrockalteration.
alteration.

EXPLANATION
EXPLANATION
qp
qp

quartz
quartzmonzonite
monzoniteporphyry
porphyry

ng
ng

Ninemile
Ninemile granite
granite

ga
ga

granite
granite aplite
aplite

sy
sy

syenites
syenites

vv

volcanic rocks
rocks

qq

quartzite
quartzite

bs
bs

biotite
biotiteschist
schist
fault
fault

4
',

,

-1

contact,
infened
contact, dashed where inferred

1

1
0

Scale:
Scale:1 - 1

-,

1

2 .
Zmiles
mles

012-3.

7 -?

kilometers
kilometers

Figure --- Map
Map of
of Wausau
Wausau syenite
syeniteplutons
plutons
The
The Stettin
Stettin pluton,
plutony(Figure)
(Figure) which is the oldest,
oldest, most alkaline
alkaline intrusion of the
Wausau
of 8.8
and
Wausau syenite
syenite complex,
8.8 xx 6.4
6.4 km.
by
and has
has aa
complexyis oval in plan with dimensions of
concordant
concordant NE
NE elongation.
elongation. Its
Its outer
outer wall zone
zone consists of strongly
strongly syenitized volcanic
volcanic
rocks
rocks and
and syenite
syeniteaplite,
aplite,which
which grade
grade inward
inward into
into concentric,
concentricysheet-like
sheet-like masses
masses of gneissic
gneissic
nepheline
nepheline and
and tabular
tabular syenites.
syenites. The
The indistinctly
indistinctly bounded
bounded intermediate
intermediate zone
zone consists
consists mainly
mainly
of
of flow-lineated
flow-lineatedamphibole
amphibolesyenite,
syenite,and
andthe
the cylindrical
cylindricalcore,
core?with
with aa diameter
diameterof
of 22 km
kmhas
hasaa
rim
rim of
of lineated
heated nepheline
nephelinesyenite
syeniteand
and an
an inner
inner core
core of coarse,
coarse, pyroxene
pyroxene syenite
syenite identical
identical
with
Stettin pluton is
is separated
separated from
from the
the syenite
syenite bodies
bodies to
to
with that
that in
in the
the intermediate
intermediatezone.
zone. The
The Stettin
the
the SE
SE by
by aa fault.
fault.
In the
the Wausau
Wausau pluton,
pluton, coarse,
coarse?massive
massive pyroxene
pyroxene and
and amphibole
amphibole syenites
syenitesform
form aa
partial
partial outer
outer rim
rim on
on the
the north and
and east sides. AAbroad
broad intermediate
intermediatezone
zone of
of lensoidal
lensoidal syenite
syenite
and
and quartz
quartz syenite
syenite are
are crowded
crowded with lenticular
lenticular xenoliths
xenoliths of mica schist,
schist?sillimanite-bearing
sillimanite-bearing
94

�syenitized volcanic rocks.
rocks.Xenolith
Xenolith volume
volume locally
locally exceeds
exceeds the
the volume
volume of
of
quartzite, and syenitized
the
the quartz
quartzsyenite.
syenite.As
Asthe
thecontact
contactbetween
betweenthe
theWausau
Wausauand
andRib
RibMountain
Mountainplutons
plutonsisis
obscured by
by aa broad strip
strip of
of Rib
Rib River alluvium, its
itscore
coremay
maynot
notbe
bevisible
visiblein
in outcrop.
outcrop.
obscured
The Rib
Rib Mountain
Mountainpluton
pluton produces
produces aa crescentic
crescenticmap
map pattern
pattern with
with an
an opening
openingto
to the
the
The
south
The most
most striking
strikingfeature
feature of
of this
this
south where
where itit is engulfed
engulfed by younger Ninemile granite. The
concentric
concentric pluton is the 8km
8km ring of very large, lenticular
lenticularquartzite
quartzite and
and mica
mica schist
schist
xenoliths
xenoliths embedded
embedded in
in foliated
foliated quartz
quartz syenites
syenites in
in its
its intermediate
intermediate zone.
zone.
The
The Ninemile
NinemilePluton,
Pluton,isisan
anelliptical,
elliptical, stock-like
stock-likebody
body which
whichwas
was intruded
intrudedat
at 1500
1500
Ma. (Van
(Van Schmus
Schmusand
and Bickford,
Bickford, 1981)
1981) into
into the core
core and south rim of the Wausau
Wausau pluton.
pluton.
According
According to
to Anderson
Anderson (1983)
(1983)itit isis comagmatic
comagmaticwith
with rapakivi
rapakivi granites
granitesof
of the
the Wolf
Wolf River
River
batholith. Although
Althoughclassed
classed as
as aa granite, the
theNinemile
Ninemile pluton is mainly
mainlycoarse
coarsebiotitebiotiteamphibole
amphibolemonzonite
monzonitecontaining
containingup
up to
to 30
30percent
percent strained,
strained,polycrystalline
polycrystallinequartzite
quartzitegrains
grains
usually accompanied
accompanied by occasional
occasional mica schist and quartzite xenoliths. A
A crescentic
crescentic mass
mass
of
of granite
graniteaplite
aplite defines
defines the
the core
corerim
rim of
of the
the larger
larger southern
southernlobe
lobe of
of the
the Ninemile
Ninemilepluton.
pluton.
The
The Wausau
Wausau plutons
plutons thus
thus show
show aa distinctive
distinctive magmatic
magmatic differentiation
differentiationsequence,
sequence,
beginning
Stettin pluton and
and ending
ending with
with pegmatite
pegmatite dikes
dikesin
in
beginning with
with nepheline
nephelinesyenite
syenitein
in the
the Stettin
the
the Ninemile
Ninemile pluton.
pluton. As
As these
these dikes
dikes are
are shallow-dipping
shallow-dippingand
and contain
contain miarolitic
miarolitic cavities
cavitieswith
with
autoclasts
autoclasts of
of early
early crystalline
crystallinephases,
phases,Falster
Falster (1985)
(1985)concluded
concludedthat
thatthey
theycrystallized
crystallized
shallow
shallow enough
enough for
for hydrothermal boiling. Several small
small porphyritic quartz monzonite
monzonite
plugs
plugs cut
cut post-syenite
post-syenite faults
faults outside
outside the Wausau complex
complex and probably represent the "last
gasp"
Ninemile magma.
magma.
gasp" of
of the
the differentiated
differentiatedNinemile
Xenoliths
Xenoliths in
in the
the Wausau,
Wausau, Rib
Rib Mountain
Mountain and
and Ninemile plutons are unassimilated
wallrock
wallrock fragments
fragmentscarried
carriedup
up and
and down
down in
in the
the magmas
magmas during
during intrusion.
intrusion. Where
Wherethere
therehas
has
been
been considerable
considerablevertical
vertical transport, as
asfor
forinstance
instancealong
along caldera
calderawalls,
walls, xenoliths
xenoliths show
show
great
great diversity
diversity of
of protolithology
protolithologyand
and metamorphic
metamorphicgrade.
grade. They
They include
include upper
upper amphiboliteamphibolitegrade,
amphibolite, metadiorite, andesitic
grade, sillimanite-bearing
sillimanite-bearing quartzite,
quartzite, mica schist, and arnphibolite,
andesitic
metavolcanics
metavolcanicsand
andmetasediments,
metasediments,and
andeven
evencognate
cognateinclusions
inclusionsof
ofearlier-phase
earlier-phasesyenites.
syenites.
Their
Their shapes
shapes are
are most
most commonly
commonly lenticular
lenticular and
and sheet-like with a preferential orientation
orientation
parallel
Stettinpluton.
pluton.
parallel to
to cylindrical
cylindricalwalls.
walls. Xenoliths
Xenolithsare
areuncommon
uncommonininthe
theStettin
In
In the
the Wisonsin
Wisonsin River
River channel
channel east
east of
of the
the power
power dam
dam at
at Wausau,
Wausau, the
the relationships
relationships
between
betweenxenoliths
xenolithsand
andflow
flowstructures
structuresin
in enclosing
enclosing felsic
felsic and
and mafic
mafic quartz
quartz syenites
syenites are
are well
displayed.
with swirled
swirledlineation
lineation,, give
displayed. Biotite amphibolite xenoliths with
give way
way southward
southward in the
outcrop
outcrop to
to sheet-like
sheet-like masses
masses of
of felsic
felsic and
and mafic
mafic rocks. The folded and fragmented mafic
mafic
xenoliths
advanedmetasomatic
metasomaticreplacement
replacementand
anddeformation.
deformation.
xenolithsare
arebiotite-rimmed,
biotite-rimmed, showing
showingadvaned
The
Theenclosing
enclosingamphibole
amphibolequartz
quartzsyenite
syenitehas
has highly
highly discordant
discordant flow
flow lineation
lineation with
with swirls
swirls
and
and eddies
eddiessuggesting
suggestingconsiderable
considerableviscosity
viscosity and
andturbulence.
turbulence. Late-stage
Late-stagesyenite
syenitepegmatite
pegmatite
veins
veins with
with quartz
quartzcores
corespobably
pobably represent
representresidual
residual liquid
liquid segregations
segregations along
along incipient
incipient
thermal
thermalcontraction
contractionfractures
fracturesininquartz
quartzsyenites
syenitescontaining
containingincompletely
incompletelyassimilated
assimilatedquartzite
quartzite
xenoliths.
xenoliths.The
Theoccurrence
occurrenceof
of several
severalsmall
smallxenoliths
xenoliths of
of unaltered,
unaltered, porphyritic
porphyritic trachyte
trachyte in
in the
the
north
northend
endof
ofthe
theoutcrop
outcropsuggest
suggestaadownward
downwardmovement
movementof
ofsome
someof
ofthe
theclasts
clastsfrom
fromthe
the
overlying
overlyingvolcanic
volcanicpile.
pile.As
Aselsewhere
elsewherein
inthe
theWausau
Wausausyenite
syenitecomplex,
complex,the
theconsiderable
considerable
concentric
concentricheterogeneity
heterogeneityof
ofxenoliths
xenolithssuggests
suggestsconsiderable
considerablevertical,
vertical,somewhat
somewhatlaminar
laminar
transport
transportof
of xenoliths
xenolithsalong
alongcaldera
calderawalls
walls as
as aa consequence
consequence changes
changes in the level of magma
magma
in
in the
the conduit.
conduit. Future
Future field
fieldstudies
studiesshould
shouldinclude
include detailed,
detailed, comprehensive
comprehensive mapping
mapping of
of
xenolithologies.
xenolithologies .

References:
References:
Anderson,
Anderson,J.J.L.,
L.,1983,
1983,Proterozoic
Proterozoicanorogenic
anorogenicgranite
graniteplutonism
plutonismofofNorth
NorthAmerica,
America,Geological
Geological
Society
Society of
of America
AmericaMemoir
Memoir161,
161, P.p.133-154.
133-154.
Myers,
Myers,P.E.,
P.E.,Sood,
Sood,M.
M. K.,
K.,Berlin,
Berlin,L.A.,
L.A.,and
andFaister,
Falster,A.A.U.,
U.,1984,
1984,The
TheWausau
Wausausyenite
syenitecomplex,
complex,
central
central Wisconsin,
Wisconsin,30th
30thAnnual
AnnualInstitute
Instituteon
onLake
LakeSuperior
SuperiorGeology,
Geology,58
58 pages.
pages.
Van
VanSchmus,
Schmus,W.R.,
W.R.,Medaris,
P.O.,1975,
1975,Chronology
Chronology of
of Precambrian
Precambrian rocks
rocksin
in
Medaris,L.G.,
L.G.,and
andBanks,
Banks,P.O.,
Wisconsin,
TheWolf
WolfRiver
Riverbatholith,
batholith,aarapakivi
rapakivimassif
massifapproximately
approximately1500
1500m.y.
m.y.old,
old,Geological
Geological
Wisconsin,I:I:The
Society
14.
Societyof
of America,
America,Bulletin,
Bulletin,v.v.86,
86,p.p.907-9
907-914.

95

�COMPOSITION
COMPOSITIONAND
AND SOURCE(S)
SOURCE(S)OF
O FMIDCONTINENT
MIDCONTINENTRIFT
RIFTLAVAS
LAVAS
(CHENGWATANA
VOLCANICS) NEAR
NEAR CLAM FALLS, WISCONSIN
(CHENGWATANA VOLCANICS)
NAIMAN,
NAIMAN,Zachary
ZacharyJ.,
J.,Department
Departmentof
ofGeosciences,
Geosciences,University
Universityof
ofArizona,
Arizona,Tucson,
Tucson,AriArizona,
WIRTH, Karl
znaiman@geo.arizona.edu; WIRTH,
Karl R.,
R., Geology
Geology Department,
Department,
zona, 85716,
85716, znaiman@geo.arizona.edu;
MacalesterCollege,
College,St.
St.Paul,
Paul, Minnesota,
Minnesota, 55105,
55 105,wirth@macalester.edu.
wirth@macalester.edu.
Macalester
Most
well-exposed volcanics
Moststudies
studiesof
of the
the1.1
1.1Ga
Ga Midcontinent
Midcontinentrift
rift (MCR)
(MCR) have
have focused
focused on the well-exposed
volcanics
in
the
Lake
Superior
region
from
the
central
part
of
the
rift.
Studies
of
the
Chengwatana
Volcanics
in the Lake Superior region from the central part of the rift. Studies of the Chengwatana Volcanics
(CV),
(CV),the
the southernmost
southernmostexposed
exposedvolcanics
volcanicsof
of the
the MCR,
MCR, provide
provide information
informationabout
about variations
variationsin
in
rift
rift processes
processesalong
alongthe
theaxis
axisof
of the
the MCR.
MCR. Here
Herewe
wereport
reportmajor
majorelement,
element,trace
traceelement,
element,and
andNd
Nd
isotopic
isotopicdata
datafrom
frommafic
maficand
andfelsic
felsicCV
CVflows
flowsnear
near Clam
Clam Falls,
Falls, Wisconsin.
Wisconsin. Approximately
Approximately3000
3000
meters
of
mafic
volcanics,
minor
interfiow
sediment,
and
rare
rhyolite
are
exposed
in
the
Clam
meters of mafic volcanics, minor interflow sediment, and rare rhyolite are exposed in the Clam
Falls
Falls area.
area.The
Thepetrography
petrographyand
andgeochemistry
geochemistryof
ofthe
therhyolite
rhyoliteare
arediscussed
discussedby
by Abbott
Abbott et
et al.
al. (this
(this
volume).
volume). New,
New,precise
preciseU-Pb
U-Pbzircon
zirconages
ages(1,102±5
(1,102Â±Ma)
Ma)of
of rhyolite
rhyolitenear
near Clam
ClamFalls
Falls (Wirth
(Wirth and
and
Gehrels;
Gehrels; this
this volume)
volume) provide
provide aa means
means for
forcorrelation
correlation of
of the
theChengwatana
ChengwatanaVolcanics
Volcanics from
from
Clam
Clam Falls
Falls and
and Taylors
Taylors Falls
Falls with volcanics from other parts of the rift. Recent
Recentaeromagnetic
aeromagnetic
data
data (USGS)
(USGS)suggest
suggestthat
that Clam
ClamFalls
Fallsflows
flowsare
arestratigraphically
stratigraphicallylower
lowerand
andtherefore
thereforeolder
olderthan
than
CV flows
flowsexposed
exposedin
inthe
theTaylors
TaylorsFalls
Fallsregion.
region.
CV
The
The mafic
mafic volcanics
volcanics from
from the
the Clam
Clam Falls
Falls region
region are
are classified
classified as
as basalt
basalt based
based on
onmajor
major
and
and trace
trace element
elementabundances.
abundances.The
Thebasalts
basaltsare
aremostly
mostlyolivine
olivinenormative,
normative,but
butsome
someflows
flowsconcontain
(Mg# =
=
tain small
smallamounts
amountsof
of normative
normative quartz. Most
Mostflows
flows have
have moderately
moderately low Mg-numbers
Mg-numbers (Mg#
and
Si02
contents
(45-53
wt.
%)
indicating
that
they
have
under0.58)
M
~
/
[
M
~
+
F
=
~
0.40
+
~
]
0.58)
and
Si02
contents
(45-53
wt.
%)
indicating
that
they
have
under=
0.40
Mg/[Mg+Fe2I
gonesignificant
significantfractionation,
fractionation,similar
similarto
toflows
flowsfrom
fromthe
the Taylors
Taylors Falls
Falls section
section of the
the Chengwatana
Chengwatana
gone
Volcanics1.
Volcanicsl. Clam
ClamFalls
Fallsbasalts
basaltsexhibit
exhibitincreasing
increasingincompatible
incompatibleelement
elementabundances
abundances(e.g.,
(e.g.,P,P,Ti,
Ti,
Y)
Y) with
with decreasing
decreasingcompatible
compatibleelement
element abundances
abundances (e.g.,
(e.g., Mg,
Mg, Ni,
Ni, Cr)
Cr) similar
similarto
tothose
thoseof
ofthe
the
Taylors
Taylors Falls
Falls region,
region, and
and can
can be
be modelled
modelled by fractional
fractional crystallization processes2.
processes2. Clam
ClamFalls
Falls
flows
have
Ti02
concentrations
which
are
similar
to
the
low-Ti
group
(&lt;2.3
wt.
%)
of
basalts
flows have Ti02 concentrations which are similar to the low-Ti group (42.3 wt. %) of basalts
recognizedininthe
theTaylors
TaylorsFalls
Fallssection1.
section1.
recognized
Neodymium
Neodymiumisotopic
isotopicanalysis
analysisof
ofeight
eightbasalts
basaltsand
andtwo
tworhyolites
rhyolitesfrom
fromthe
theClam
ClamFalls
Fallsarea
area
values
between
-2.0
and
3.4.
Initial
ENd
values
decrease
with
stratiyield
initial
ENd
loo
Ma
values
between
-2.0
""3.4.
Initial
ENd
values
decrease
with
stratiyield initial ENd(1 iOO Ma')
graphic
( igure 1),
1 ,and
and all
all of
of the
the values
values are
are in
in general
general displaced
displaced toward
toward more
more positive
positive
graphicheight
height (1!gure
values
values relative
relative to
to those
those of
of the
the overlying
overlying flows
flows of
of the
the Taylors
Taylors Falls section1
section1 (Figure 2). AlAlthough similarly
similarlyhigh
highNd
Ndvalues
values(initial
(initialENd
ENd = 2)
+2)have
havebeen
beenobserved
observedininother
othervolcanic
volcanicsesethough
quences
in
the
Midcontinent
rift
quences in the Midcontinent rift
3000
3000
I
rn
I
I
I
(e.g.,
(e.g., Group
Group 66 and
and 77 flows
flows of
of
Clam Falls Region
Mamainse
Mamainse Point3,
~ o i n t 3Portage
,Portage Lake
Lake
• basalt
basalt
Volcanics
Volcanicsand
and "late
"late basalts"
basalts" of
of northnorth- 'a
i
Â
Â
'.'
Q r yo ite
em Wisconsin4),
~isconsin4),flows with
with initial
initial w
em
Â¥
.
UÂ
ENd
values &gt; +2
2 are
ENd values
arerare
rareininthe
theearly
early
2000
2000
.stagesof
of rift
riftevolution
evolution(time
(timeequivaequivastages
lent to
to upper
upper Kallander
Kallander Creek
Creek ForForlent
0
5
lavas).
Furthermation
or
Group
mation or Group 5
Further- 3
more, Taylors
Taylors Falls
Falls flows
flows which
which 2
more,
rn
1000 -overlie the
the Clam
Clam Falls
Falls basalts
basalts (and
(and ^. 1000
overlie
U
Â
maybe
becorrelative
correlativewith
withPortage
PortageLake
Lake .may
cd
0
j=!
Â
Volcanics
Volcanics and Group
Group 66 flows)
flows)have
have w
epsilonNd
Nd values
valuesthat
thatare
aregenerally
generally
epsilon
Â
45 -ENd == -4.5
more negative
negative(initial
(initialENd
more
I
I
n
I
00
44
22
33
11
-1
00
O1)
than
""0.1)
thanhas
hasbeen
beenobserved
observedinincorcor-2
-2
-1
relativemain
mainstage
stagelavas
lavas(initial
(initialENd
ENd
relative
Initial Ed
&amp;srd
Initial

^

\

s

-

6

a
4-Ã

-

96

-

�12
-1 -- 4)
+4)elsewhere
elsewherein
in the
therift.
rift.
== -l
Most models
models of
of the
the magmagmatic evolution
evolution of the
the
matic
Midcontinent
rift
assume
that
the
Midcontinent rift assume that the
large volume
volume of
of magmas
magmas were
were
produced primarily from
from an
an enenriched
riched mantle
mantle plume
plume with
with initial
initial
eNdnear zero3'4.
zero3'4. Lavas with
with
ENd
negative
ENd values have
have been
been
negative ENd
modelled by contamination
contamination of
of
mantle
mantle plume
plume melts
melts with
with conticontinental
nental lithospheric
lithosphericmantle
mantle(ENd
(ENd
near
near 9)
-9)or
orwith
withcontinental
continentalcrust
crust
-12 -10
-8
-6
-4
(ENd &lt; -10).
-10). In
In contrast,
contrast, lavas
lavas
(ENd
with
with positive
positiveENd
ENd values
values has
has been
been
Initial ENd
Â£\
Initial
modelled
modelled by aa combination
combination of
of
enriched
enriched mantle
mantle plume
plume and
and dedepleted
pleted asthenospheric
asthenosphericmantle
mantle(ENd
(ENd &gt; 6) that may have been entrained in the plume head5. FolFollowing
valuesof
ofChengwatana
Chengwatana basalts
basalts suggest
suggest aa progression
progression of mantle
lowingthis
this model,
model, the
the initial
initial ENd
ENd values
sources
sources from
from enriched
enrichedmantle
mantle plume+depleted
plume+depletedasthenospheric
asthenosphericmantle
mantle(flows
(flowswith
withENd&gt;&gt;11near
near
the base of the
the Clam
Clam Falls
Falls section)
section) to
to enriched
enriched mantle plume that has been variably
variably contamicontaminated
nated with
with lithosphere
lithosphere(the
(theremainder
remainderof
of the
theClam
ClamFalls
Fallssection
sectionand
andthe
the overlying
overlyingTaylors
TaylorsFalls
Falls
section).
The
inferred
progression
of
mantle
sources
observed
in
the
Chengwatana
Volcanics
section). The inferred progression of mantle sources observed in the Chengwatana Volcanics
(plume+asthenosphere
(plume+asthenosphere—&gt;
-&gt; plume
plume+1+I- continental
continental lithosphere) occurs at a time when
when mantle
mantle
sources
sources elsewhere
elsewherein
in the
the rift
rift are
are inferred
inferred to
to be changing
changing from
from plume+continental
plume+continental lithosphere
lithosphereto
to
plume+asthenosphere. IfIfthe
thedepleted
depletedmantle
mantlecomponent
component of
of early
early Clam
Clam Falls
Falls flows
flows originated
originated
from
from material
material that
that was
was entrained
entrainedin
in the
the plume
plume head,
head, as
as has been suggested
suggested by several
several for
for other
other
parts
the proportion
proportion of melts
melts produced
produced from entrained
entrained asthenospheric
asthenospheric mantle
rift3'4y5 then the
mantle
parts of the
the rift3'4'5
in the plume
plume varied
varied in
in space
space and
and time
time throughout
throughout the rift.
rift. Alternatively,
Alternatively,the
thedepleted
depletedmantle
mantle
component
component may
may have
have been differentially incorporated into plume-generated melts as they traveled
continental lithosphere.
lithosphere. The
eled through the
the asthenosphere
asthenospherebefore reaching the continental
The relatively
relativelylow
low
initial
values observed
observed in flows of the Taylors
Taylors Falls
Falls and
and upper
upper Clam
Clam Falls
Falls sections indicate
initial ENd
EM values
indicate
greater
greater involvement
involvementof
of aa continental
continentallithosphere
lithosphere(crust
(crust and/or
andlor mantle)
mantle) component
componentthan
than has
hasprepreviously been recognized during the early part
part of
of "Main
"Main Stage"
Stage" volcanism
volcanism in
inthe
the rift.
rift. In all
all of
these cases,
cases, the
the observed
observed isotopic
isotopic differences
differences between
between the
the Chengwatana
ChengwatanaVolcanics
Volcanics and
and other
other
volcanic
"off-axis" position of the Chengwatana
volcanic sequences
sequencesof
of the
the MCR
MCR might be related to the "off-axis"
Volcanics relative to the location of the inferred
inferred plume
plume head.
head.

References Cited
Cited
(1)
Jeffrey D.,
D., and
and Naiman,
Naiman, Zachary
ZacharyJ,J, 1997.
(1) Wirth, Karl R., Vervoort, Jeffrey
1997. The
TheChengwatana
ChengwatanaVolcanics,
Volcanics,Wisconsin
Wisconsin
and Minnesota: Petrogenesis
Petrogenesisof
ofthe
thesouthernmost
southernmostvolcanic
volcanic rocks
rocks exposed
exposed in
in the
the Midcontinent
Midcontinent rift.
rift. Canadian
Canadian
Journal
536-548. (2)
(2)Naiman,
Naiman, Zachary
Zachary J., 1997.
1997. Petrogenesis
Petrogenesisof
of the
the ChengwatanaVolcanics:
ChengwatanaVolcanics:
Journal of Earth Science,
Science, 34: 536-548.
1.1
Wisconsin. Bachelors Thesis, Macalester College. (3)
1.1 Ga Midcontinent rift lavas in Minnesota and Wisconsin.
(3)Shirey,
Shirey,
S.B., Klewin, K.W.,
Berg, J.H.,
J.H., and
and Carlson,
Carlson, R.W..
R.W.. 1994.
K.W., Berg,
1994. Temporal
Temporal changes
changes in the
the sources
sources of
of flood
flood basalts:
basalts:
isotopic and
1100Ma
Ma old
old Keweenawan
Keweenawan Mamainse
Marnainse Point Formation,
Formation, Ontario,
Ontario,
and trace
trace element
element evidence
evidence from
from the
the 1100
Canada: Geochimica
Geochimica et
et Cosmochimica
Cosmochimica Acta,
Acta, 58:
58: 4475-4490.
4475-4490. (4) Nicholson
Nicholson Suzanne
Suzanne W.,
W., Shirey,
Shirey, Steven
Steven B.,
B.,
Shultz, Klaus J., and
and Green,
Green, John
John C.,
C., 1997.
1997.Rift-wide
Rift-widecorrelation
correlationofof1.1
1.1Ga
GaMidcontinent
Midcontinentrift
riftsystem
systembasalts:
basalts:
implications for multiple mantle sources during rift development. Canadian Journal of Earth Science, 34: 504520.
520. (5)
(5)White,
White,Robert
RobertS.,
S.,1997.
1997.Mantle
Mantletemperatures
temperaturesand
andlithospheric
lithosphericthinning
thinning beneath
beneath the
the Midcontinent
Midcontinent rift
system: evidence from magmatism and subsidence. Canadian Journal of
of Earth
Earth Science, 34:
34: 464-475.

97

�MILLGROUP
GROUPREVISITED:
REVISITED: BASAL
BASALVOLCANIC
VOLCANIC ROCKS
ROCKS OF
OF THE
ThE
THE POWDER MILL
MIDCONTINENT RIFT
MIDCONTINENT
RIFTSYSTEM
SYSTEM ON
ON THE
THE SOUTH
SOUTH SHORE
SHOREOF
OF LAKE
LAKE SUPERIOR
SUPERIOR
NICHOLSON,
SuzanneW.
W.USGS,
USGS, National
NationalCenter,
Center,MS
MS954,
954,Reston,
Reston,VA
VA20192
20192
NICHOLSON, Suzanne
and WOODRUFF,
and
WOODRUFF,Laurel
LaurelG.,
G.,USGS,
USGS, 2280
2280 Woodale
Woodale Drive, Mounds View MN 55112
55112
In northern Wisconsin and Michigan
the
Powder
Mill
Group
comprises
the
oldest
volcanic
Michigan
Group
oldest volcanic
rocks related to the 1.1 Ga
Ga Midcontinent
Midcontinentrift
rift system
system (MRS).
(MRS). In
In the
the more
more than
than twenty years
years
since Hubbard (1975)
(1975) first separated
separated the
thePowder
PowderMill
MillGroup
Groupfrom
fromthe
theoverlying
overlyingPortage
Portage
Lake
isotopic, and
Lake Volcanics,
Volcanics, an abundance
abundance of
of geophysical,
geophysical, structural,
structural, geochemical,
geochemical, isotopic,
chronological data
data for
for Midcontinent
Midcontinentrift
riftrocks
rockshas
has become
becomeavailable.
available. This report integrates
integrates
new and existing
information to
to provide
provide a better
existing information
better understanding
understanding of the
the early
earlymagmatic
magmatic
history
historyof
of the
theMRS.
MRS.
Powder Mill
MillGroup
Groupconsists
consistsofof the
the basal
basal Bessemer
BessemerQuartzite,
Quartzite, and
and the reversely
The Powder
reversely
magnetized igneous rocks of the
the Siemens
Siemens Creek
Creek Volcanics
Volcanics and
and overlying
overlying Kallander
Kallander Creek
Creek
Volcanics.
The outcrop
outcrop distribution
distributionextends
extendsfor
formore
morethan
than 180
180 km
km along strike, from just
Volcanics. The
west of the Lake
WI discontinuously eastward to
toSilver
Silver Mountain,
Mountain,
Lake Owen
Owen fault
fault near
near Cable,
Cable, WI
ML The
Thetrue
trueextent
extent of
of the
thegroup
group is
is unknown
unknown because
or
Ml.
because itit is
is either structurally truncated or
unconformably
overlain
by
younger
rocks.
However,
seismic
reflection
proffles
suggest
that
unconformably
by younger rocks.
profiles
that
the Powder
Powder Mill
Mill volcanic
volcanic rocks
rocks extend
extend laterally
laterally beneath
beneath Lake
Lake Superior.
Superior.
The Siemens
CreekVolcanics
Volcanicsisissubdivided
subdividedinformally
informallyinto
intoupper
upper and
and lower
lower
The
Siemens Creek
members
and isotopic
isotopiccharacteristics.
characteristics. The
The lower
lower member
member of
of the
members based
based on
on field,
field, geochemical,
geochemical, and
Siemens Creek
Creek Volcanics
Volcanicsisisdominantly
dominantlybasalt,
basalt, but
but includes
indudes recently
recently recognized basal highhighMgO
has limited
limited regional extent, and
and
MgO picritic flows. The
Thelower
lower member
memberis
is thin
thin (&lt;50
( ~ 5m
0 thick), has
is distinctive
distinctive because
because some
someflows
flowscontain
containaugite
augitephenocrysts,
phenocrysts,uncommon
uncommonamong
amongyounger
younger
MRS basalts.
basalts. Pillows
Pillows formed
formed in the
the basal few basalt
basalt flows
flows that
that directly overlie the
MRS
the Bessemer
Bessemer
Quartzite. Basalt
Basalt with minor basaltic andesite and
and andesite
andesite dominates
dominates the
the upper
uppermember,
member,
which is more widespread and
1.5km)
km)than
thanthe
thelower
lowermember.
member. No
No ages have
and thicker (up to 1.5
for the Siemens Creek
of
been determined
determined for
CreekVolcanics,
Volcanics,but
butby
bycorrelation
correlationwith
withthe
the basal
basal units of
Osler Group in Ontario and the
sills, volcanism
volcanismprobably
probablywas
was initiated
initiated about
the Nipigon
Nipigon sills,
the Osier
1108 Ma.
Ma.
High-MgO
High-MgO(picritic)
(picritic)rocks
rocksrelated
relatedtoto the
the Midcontinent
Midcontinentrift
rift magmatism
magmatism are
are now
known
of the section
sectionin
inthree
threeareas:
areas:1)
1)in
inthe
theNipigon
Nipigonarea
area in
in Ontario
known to
to occur
occur near the base of
associated with
with dikes
dikes and
andsills
sills(Sutdiffe,
(Sutcliffe,1987);
1987); 2)
associated
2) at
at Mamainse
MamainsePoint
Point in
in the
the basal 500 m of
the MRS
section (Berg
(Bergand
andKlewin,
Kiewin,1988);
1988);and
and3)3)ininthe
the Club
Club Lake,
Lake, WI
WI area
area west of the
MRS section
the
Mineral Lake
Lake intrusion
intrusion as
as recently
identified picritic
picriticflows
flowsnear
near the
the base
base of the
recently identified
the Siemens
Siemens
Creek
The high-MgO
flows in
in the Siemens
Creek Volcanics
Volcanicsare
are strongly
strongly altered
altered to
high-MgO flows
Siemens Creek
Creek. The
serpentine, chlorite
chlorite and
and talc: no primary
serpentine,
primary mineralogy is
is present.
present. An average of
of three
three analyses
of these
of
these high-MgO
high-MgO flows (Ti02
(Ti02=
= 1.95
1.95 wt
wt %;
%; A1203
A1203= 8.89
8.89 wt %;
%; MgO
MgO == 16.09
16.09 wt %)
%) is
is
chemically
chemically most
most similar
similar to
to an
an analysis
analysisof
of a Nipigon
Nipigon picritic
picritic dike
dike (Ti02
(Ti02== 1.88
1.88 wt
%; A1203
A&amp;03==
wt %;
7.72
higher Ti02
Ti02 and
and lower A1203and
and MgO
MgOthan
than a
7.72 wt %;
%; MgO
MgO == 17.1
17.1 wt %) in having higher
picritic average
wt %;
%; A1203
A l a == 9.79 wt %;
%; MgO
MgO
average reported
reportedfrom
fromMamainse
MamainsePoint
Point(Ti02
(Ti02== 0.90 wt
=
19.89 wt %;
and Klewin,
= 19.89
%; Berg and
Klewin, 1988).
1988). Picritic flows in the
the Siemens
Siemens Creek Volcanics show
with derivation
derivation from
steep
18.6), consistent
consistent with
from partial
partial
steep REE-element
REE-element patterns
patterns(CeN/YbN
(CeN/YbN= 18.6),
melting
melting of an
an enriched
enriched mantle
mantle source
source at
at a depth
depth of
of more
more than
than about
about 80
80 km.
Basalts
Basalts from
fromthe
thelower
lowerSiemens
SiemensCreek
Creek Volcanics
Volcanics show
show moderate
moderateTi02,
Ti02,lower
lowerA1203
higher MgO
MgO than
and higher
than basalts
basalts from the
the upper
upper Siemens
SiemensCreek.
Creek. REE
REEpatterns
patterns are steeper
Creekthan
thanfor
foroverlying
overlyingunits.
units. In
In addition,
addition, the two
= 14.2),
two
(CeN/YbN
14.2), for the lower Siemens Creek
(CeN/YbN =
of the Siemens
Siemens Creek
CreekVolcanics
Volcanicscan
canbebedistinguished
distinguishedon
onthe
thebasis
basisofof Nd
Nd isotopic
members of
composition: lower
lower Siemens
SiemensCreek
Creekbasalts
basalts have
have initial
initial Â£v
Ed == -1
-1 whereas the upper
upper Siemens
Siemens
Creek
EM,, == -3.6.
Creek basalts
basaltshave
haveinitial
initialENd
Volcanics overlies
overliesthe
theSiemens
SiemensCreek
CreekVolcanics,
Volcanics,and
and also
also has
The Kallander Creek Volcanics
has
been informally divided into upper and lower members.
members. Both
Both members
membersrange
range from
from basalt
basalt to
to
andesite and
andesite
and rhyolite.
rhyolite. The
Thelowermost
lowermost1.5
1.5km
km of
of the
the Kallander
Kallander Creek
Creek consists
consists of flood basalt
phenocrysts,which
whichlocally,
locally,form
formlarge
largeradiating
radiatingclusters.
clusters. A
typically containing plagioclase phenocrysts,
98

�rhyolite
flow near
near the
the top of the lower Kallander
Kallander Creek
Creek gives
gives an
an age
age of
of 1107.3
rhyolite flow
1107.3 ±
Â1.6
1.6 Ma
Ma
and Green,
Green, 1997).
1997). The upper
upper member
(about 22 krn
km thick)
thick) is
is dominated
dominated by andesite
(Davis and
member (about
andesite
and is
is considered
considered to
to represent
representthe
the extrusive
extrusive products of
of aa localized
localized magmatic
magmatic system, the
the
Mellen complex
complex(Cannon
(Cannonetetal.
al.1993).
1993). A
A thick
thick laterally
laterally extensive
extensiverhyolite
rhyoliteatat the
the top of the
the
upper member
upper
memberofofthe
theKallander
KallanderCreek
Creekgives
givesan
anage
ageofof1099.0
1099.0±Â2.6
2.6 Ma (Zartman
(Zartmanetetal.
al.1997).
1997).
Basalts of the
Volcanics are
are characterized
characterized by
the lower
lower member
member of the Kallander Creek Volcanics
and low MgO,
MgO,Cr
Crand
andNi,
Ni,suggesting
suggestingstrong
strongfractionation.
fractionation. Although
Although the REE
TiODand
their high Ti02,
patterns for this
Creek basalts,
basalts, the
patterns
this group
group are
are similar
similar to those
those for
for the
the lower
lower Siemens
Siemens Creek
elemental REE
REEabundances
abundancesare
aresubstantially
substantiallyhigher
higherfor
forthis
thisgroup.
group.InInaddition,
addition, not
not only are
incompatible trace
trace element
elementratios
ratiossuch
suchas
as C
CeN/YbN
andTa/Th
Ta/Th similar
similarfor
for both
both lower
incompatible
e N / m and
lower
members of
of the
their Nd
members
the Kallander
Kallander Creek
Creek and
andSiemens
Siemens Creek
CreekVolcanics,
Volcanics, their
Nd isotopic
isotopic
compositionsare
are similar
similar as
as well
well (initial
(initial ENd
Nd == -1). In
basalts of
of the
In contrast,
contrast, basalts
the upper
upper
compositions
Creek show
show lower
lower incompatible
incompatible trace
trace element
elementratios
ratios and
and much less steep
Kallander Creek
steep REE
REE
patterns than
despite the fact that
patterns
than the
thelower
lowerKallander
Kallander Creek
Creek member,
member, despite
that their
theirmajor
majorelement
element
of the
the upper
upper Kallander Creek yields
compositions are similar. The
The Nd isotopic composition of
yields
slightly lower than the
an initial
initialEyy
d == -1.5, slightly
the lower
lower member.
member.
The Siemens
Creek and
and Kallander
Creek Volcanics
Volcanicsrepresent
representthe
the initiation
initiation of
of aa
The
Siemens Creek
Kallander Creek
continental
upweiling of
of aa mantle
mantle plume beneath
continental rifting event that has been attributed to the upwelling
beneath
the Lake Superior
Superior region.
region. The diversity
diversity of
of basalt
basalt compositions,
compositions, including
induding picrites,
picrites, that
that are
representative
the first
years ofof rifting
rifting are
are characteristic
of other
representative ofof the
first several
several million
million years
characteristic of
other
continental
rift settings
mantle plumes
plumes play
play a dominant
which mantle
dominant role.
role. Based
Based on the
the
continental rift
settings in which
geochemical and isotopic
both the
the lower
lowerSiemens
SiemensCreek
Creekand
and lower Kallander
isotopic characteristics, both
Kallander
Creek units are probably the
of partial melting
the products
products of
of varying
varying degrees of
melting of an
an enriched
enriched
source (mantle plume) at great
great depth
depth with
withthe
thelower
lowerKallander
Kallander Creek
Creekhaving
havingundergone
undergone
significant fractionation.
fractionation. The upper Siemens
Siemens Creek
Creek member
member probably represents
represents larger
larger
degrees of
of partial
partial melting
meltingof
ofaaplume
plumesource
sourceatatshallower
shallowerdepths,
depths,producing
producingmelts
meltsthat
that may
have interacted with
with lithosphere
lithosphereand
andundergone
undergonelimited
limitedfractionation.
fractionation. The upper Kailander
Kallander
Creek
probably in
in shallow crustal
Creek appears to
to have
haveundergone
undergone significant
significant fractionation
fractionation probably
crustal
magma
magma chambers
chambersnow
now seen
seen as
as layered
layered intrusions.
intrusions.
References:
References:
Berg, J.H.,
J.H, and
1988, High-MgO
High-MgOlavas
lavasfrom
fromthe
theKeweenawan
Keweenawanmidcontinent
midcontinent rift
rift near
Berg,
and Kiewin,
Klewin, K.W.,
K.W., 1988,
near
Mamainse
MarnainsePoint,
Point, Ontario:
Ontario:Geology,
Geology,v.v.16,
16,pp.
pp.1003-1006.
1003-1006.
Cannon,W.F.,
W.F., Nicholson,
Nicholson, S.W.,
S.W., Zartman,
Zartman, R.E.,
R.E., Peterman,
Peterman,Z.E.,
Z.E.,and
and Davis,
Davis, D.W.,
D.W., 1993,
Cannon,
1993, The
Kallander
remnantof
ofaa Keweenawan
Keweenawan central
central volcano centered near Mellen,
Kallander Creek
Creek volcanics—a
volcanics-a remnant
Mellen,
Wisconsin: Institute
Institute on Lake Superior
Superior Geology
GeologyProceedings,
Proceedings,Program
Programand
and Abstracts,
Abstracts, v.
20v. 39,
39, p.
p. 2021.

Geochronologyofofthe
theNorth
North American
American Midcontinent
Midcontinentrift
rift in
Davis, D.W.,
D.W., and
andGreen,
Green, J.C.,
J.C., 1997,
1997, Geochronology
western
Lake Superior
Superior and
and implications
implications for
for its geodynamic
evolution: Canadian Journal of
western Lake
geodynamic evolution:
Earth
Earth Sciences,
Sciences,v.v.34,
34, pp.
pp.476-488.
476-488.
1975, Lower
Lower Keweenawan
Keweenawanvolcanic
volcanicrocks
rocksofofMichigan
Michigan and
and Wisconsin:
Wisconsin: U.S.
U.S.
Hubbard, H.A.,
H.A., 1975,
Geological
Journal of Research, v.
v.3,
3, no.5,
no. 5,pp.
pp.529-541.
529-541.
Geological Survey, Journal
Sutcliffe, R.H.,
of Middle
Middle Proterozoic
Proterozoicdiabases
diabasesand
andpicrites
picrites from
from Lake
Lake Nipigon,
Nipigon,
Sutcliffe,
R.H., 1987,
1987, Petrology
Petrology of
Canada:
Canada: Contributions
ContributionstotoMineralogy
Mineralogyand
andPetrology,
Petrology,v.v.96,
96,pp.
pp.201-211.
201-211.
Zartman, R.
1997, U-Th-Pb zircon
zircon ages
ages of
Zartman,
R. E.,
E., Nicholson,
Nicholson, S.W.,
S.W., Cannon, W.F.,
W.F., and Morey, G.B.,
G.B., 1997,
of some
some
Keweenawan Supergroup
Supergrouprocks
rocksfrom
fromthe
thesouth
south shore
shore of
of Lake
Lake Superior:
Superior: Canadian
Canadian Journal
Journal of
of
Earth
Earth Sciences,
Sciences,v.v. 34,
34, pp.
pp.549-561.
549-561.

99

�GIS
MINERAL POTENTIAL
GIs BASED MINERAL
POTENTIALANALYSIS
ANALYSIS FOR
FOR LODE-GOLD
LODE-GOLDAND
AND MASSIVE
MASSIVE
SULFIDE
TERRANE OF NORTHERN
SULFIDE DEPOSITS
DEPOSITS IN
IN AN
AN ARCHEAN TERRANE
NORTHERN MINNESOTA
MINNESOTA
DEAN
M. PETERSON
PETERSONand
and DR.
DR. RONALD
RONALD L.
L. MORTON
DEANM.
MORTON

Economic
Economic Volcanology
Volcanology Research Lab, Geology
Geology Department, University
University of Minnesota - Duluth,
Duluth,
Duluth,
55812
Duluth, Minnesota,
Minnesota,USA
USA55812

The last decade
change. The
decade has been a period of worldwide political and economic change.
The globalization
globalization of
of
the world's
world's economy
economy has
has created
creatednew
new challenges
challengesand
and opportunities
opportunities for the mining and mineral
exploration
exploration industry.
industry. Many
Manyareas,
areas,which
whichpreviously
previouslywere
were strictly
strictly the
the domain
domain of
of nationalist
nationalistenterprises
enterprises
(Southeast
Asia,
South
America,
and
the
former
Soviet
Union),
are
now
open
to
mineral
exploration
(Southeast Asia, South America, and the former Soviet Union), are now open to mineral exploration
by companies
companies from North America and Europe. Many
Many exploration
exploration companies
companiesare
are focusing
focusinglarge
large
portions of their resources
resources away from North America and into these recently opened countries. This
This
switch in regional area selection
selection has had aa negative
negative impact
impact on
on the
the amount
amount of mineral
mineral exploration
exploration
conducted
conducted in the Archean terranes
terranes of Minnesota. Aside
Asidefrom
fromthe
the changes
changesin
in global
global economics,
economics, other
other
specific
specific reasons
reasons for the lack of recent mineral
mineral exploration
exploration in the
the Archean
Archean terranes
terranes of
of Minnesota
Minnesota
include the following:
following:

&gt; no
no local
local prospectors are
are "beating
"beatingthe
the bush"
bush"and
anddiscovering
discoveringprospects
prospects in
in Minnesota
Minnesota
&gt;&gt;misconception
that
mine
misconception
that
minepermitting
permittingwould
wouldbebeasascumbersome
cumbersomeasaswith
withWisconsin
WisconsinVMS
VMSdeposits
deposits
&gt;&gt;absence
ofofsuccess
absence
successininprevious
previousgold
goldand
andmassive
massivesulfide
sulfideexploration
exploration programs
programs
&gt; most
most mineral industry
industry geologists
geologists have
have little
little knowledge
knowledge of
of the
the geology
geology of
of Minnesota,
Minnesota,and
and
&gt; the identification
identificationof
of specific
specificexploration
exploration target
target areas
areas are
are normally
normally not
not included
includedin
in geological
geological

'

reports
reports and
and maps
maps
The
The discovery
discovery of economic
economiclode-gold
lode-gold and
and massive
massive sulfide
sulfidedeposits
deposits will
will only
only occur
occurfollowing
following
prolonged exploration
by the mineral
mineral industry.
industry. To
exploration in the Archean terranes of Minnesota by
To increase
increase
exploration
exploration activity,
activity, state
state agencies
agenciesin
in Minnesota
Minnesota have
have completed
completed extensive
extensivegeological
geologicaland
and
geophysical mapping,
mapping, completed
completed several
several mineral
mineral potential
potential studies,
studies, and
and currently
currentlyare
arepromoting
promoting
geophysical
Minnesota's
Minnesota's geology
geology and
and mineral
mineralpotential
potential to
to the
the mineral
mineral industry. However,
However,because
becauseof
ofextensive
extensive
glacial
glacial cover,
cover, an
an absence
absence of
of producing
producing mines,
mines, and
and the
the aforementioned
aforementionedreasons,
reasons, the
the mineral
mineralindustry
industry
requires additional
Archean
additional geological
geologicalincentives
incentives in
in order
order to
to start
start exploration
exploration programs
programs in
in the
the Archean
terranes
terranes of Minnesota.
Minnesota. These
Theseincentives
incentivescould
couldinclude
includedetailed
detailed descriptions
descriptionsof
of known
known prospects,
prospects,
detailed mineral
mineral potential
potential studies,
studies, and
and specific
specifictargets
targetsand
and geologic
geologic criteria
criteriaupon
upon which
whichto
tobase
base
detailed
exploration
exploration programs.
programs.
This
This study
study is
is an attempt
attempt to
to generate
generatespecific
specific lode-gold
lode-gold and
and massive
massive sulfide
sulfidetarget
targetareas
areasthat
thatthe
the
mineral
the state. Current
mineral industry
industry can use as a premise to begin exploration programs in the
Currentore
ore deposit
deposit
models
GIs databases
databasesof
of important
important Canadian
Canadian mining
mining camps
camps(Timmins,
(Tirnrnins,
models have
have been
been integrated
integratedinto
into GIS
Kirkland Lake,
Lake, Hemlo,
Hernlo, and
and Sturgeon
Sturgeon Lake
Lake(Figure
(Figure1)),
I)), and
and lode-gold
lode-gold and
and massive
massive sulfide
sulfideexploration
exploration
Kirkland
models developed
from
detailed
spatial
analysis.
Exploration
target
areas
in
the
Minnesota
developed
detailed
Exploration target areas in the Minnesotastudy
study area
area
have
have been generated
generated from
fromthe
the integration
integrationof
of these
these models
modelsinto
intoaa detailed
detailedGIS
GIs of
of aalarge
largeArchean
Archean
tenane
2).
terraneof
ofnorthern
northernMinnesota
Minnesota(Figure
(Figure2).
The
The methods
methods developed
developedto
to complete
completethis
thisstudy
studycomprise
comprisefive
fiveseparate,
separate,but
but related
relatedthemes:
themes:
&gt;9Thorough
research
Thorough
researchononthethetheory
theoryand
andmethods
methodsofofore
oredeposit
depositmodeling,
modeling,and
andthe
thegeological
geologicalsetting
setting
of
of Archean
Archean lode-gold
lode-gold and
andmassive
massivesulfide
sulfidedeposits.
deposits.

100

�_____________________________________

Standardized
from the Superior Province of
of
Standardized geological compilations
compilations of four analog mining camps from
Ontario, Canada. These
Thesecompilations
compilationsare
areintegrated
integratedwith
with Ontario
Ontario Geologic
GeologicSurvey
Survey(OGS)
(OGS) drill
drill
hole, geochemical
geochemical and
and mineral
mineral deposit
deposit inventory
inventory databases
databasesand
and have
have been
been converted
convertedinto
intoGIS
GIs
format.
format.
I
) Standardized
geological,
Standardized
geological,geophysical,
geophysical,and
geochemical
geochemical compilation
compilation of the Minnesota
study area,
area, and
and the
the conversion
conversionof
of this
this
compilation
compilation into
into GIS
GIs format.
format.
Development of mineral
mineral exploration models
and targeting
targeting criteria generated from
knowledge-based queries
queries of
of the
the analog
analogGIS
GIs
datasets. These
Thesemodels
modelsintegrate
integrateArchean
Archean
massive sulfide
lode-gold and massive
sulfide deposit
deposit models
models
with spatial features in the analog
GIS
analog GIs
databases. Specific
Specificgeological
geological criteria
criteria have
been developed
developed that define
define the location of the
lode-gold and massive sulfide deposits within
the analog GIS
GIs datasets.
datasets.

I

Figure 11 Location map of the
the study
study areas.
areas.
Figure

I

Thoroughmineral
mineralpotential
potentialevaluation
evaluationfor
forlode-gold
lode-goldand
andmassive
massivesulfide
sulfidedeposits
deposits in
in the
&gt; Thorough
Minnesota study area. This
Thisevaluation
evaluationisisbased
based upon
upon spatial
spatialanalysis
analysisof
of the
the Minnesota
MinnesotaGIS
GIs
of
database using targeting criteria developed from the exploration models generated from queries of
the analog
analog GIS
GIs databases.
databases.

Simvlified
Simolified Geology
Geoloey

Ely*
Ely'

Towns

....—
10

Figure
Figure 22

0

Major
MajorShear
S k a Zones
Zones
~

10

20 Kilometers

=

Proterozoic
Protemzaic Rocks
Rocks

Wawa Subprovince
Subpronnce
Vennilion
Vemilion Granhtic
G r a ~ t i cComplex
Complex
Greenstone
Terrane
GreenstoneTemne
Internal Plutons
Plutolw
Giants Range
Range Granitic
Gramtic Complex
Complex

Mammnt&amp;

Simplified geology and location of USGS 1:24,000
Simplified
1 : 2 4 , 0 scale
scale
quadrangle
quadrangle maps
maps of
of the
the Minnesota
Minnesotastudy
study area.
area.

101

�IMPROVED
VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENTS
ASSESSMENTS OF
IMPROVEDGEOLOGIC
GEOLOGIC SENSITIVITY
SENSITIVITY AND VULNERABILITY
OF GROUNDWATER
GROUNDWATER
POLLUTION
POLLUTION POTENTIAL
POTENTIALTHROUGH
THROUGHAPPLICATION
APPLICATIONOF
OFFUZZY
FUZZYLOGIC
LOGIC

PFANNKUCH,
PFANNKUCH, H.O.,
H.O., and
and PAULSON,
PAULSON, Richard,
Richard, A., Department
Departmentof
of Geology
Geology and
andGeophysics,
Geophysics,
University of
of Minnesota,
310 Pillsbury
Drive
S.E.
Minneapolis,
MN
University
Minnesota, 310
Pillsbury
Minneapolis, MN 55455
55455
Vulnerability/sensitivity assessments
assessmentsbelong
belongto
to the
the general
general problem class of
Vulnerability/sensitivity
of suitability
suitability

assessments. In general, these
these are management
tools to
to evaluate
evaluate the feasibility, reliability
assessments.
management tools
or risk of
of using
using aa given
given physical
physical entity
entity or
or process.
process. In
In the
the environmental
environmental or geologic
geologic context
context
it is
is aa decision
decision aid
aid ininaaresource
resourceprotection,
protection,or
ormanagement
managementplan.
plan.
In generall
general, the procedure has three components:
components: aa phvsical
physical model that describes the process
process
in a risk analysis
analvsisframework,
framework, and
andaamethodology
methodology to
to aggregate
aggregate individual
individual partial
partial
vulnerability indices
indices to
to aa global
vulnerability
alobal vulnerability
vulnerabilitv index.
index. In
In the
the context
context of
of aa vulnerability
vulnerability
assessment to groundwater contamination
contamination the physical
physical model
model simulates
simulates contaminant
contaminant
transport along pathways from the land surface to the groundwater
groundwater body. The pathway
pathway is
is
subdivided into a sequence
sequence of
of zones
zones in
in which
which different
differenttransport
transport processes
processesand
andparameters
parameters
predominate. These compartments
compartments are
are surface
surface parcell
parcel, soil
soil zone,
zone, vadose zone, capillary
fringe, and the groundwater
flow zone
zone which
which may
may be
be further
further subdivided
subdivided ifif more
more detail
detail is
fringe,
groundwater flow
wanted.
wanted.
In a perfectly
perfectly deterministic
deterministic world where all transport
transport processes
processes can be
be described
described as
as
mathematically exact, where flow boundary
physicoboundary geometry,
geometry, boundary
boundary conditions
conditions and
and physicochemical parameters are known everywhere in the domain
domain of
of interest,
interest, the
the transport
transport process
process
can be
be modeled
modeled exactly
exactly along
along continuous
continuous pathways,
pathwaysl given
given appropriate
appropriate computational
computational power.
power.
Then, concentration of the contaminant
Its residence
residence
contaminant everywhere
everywhere in space and time is known.
known. Its
time in
in the
the system
system and
and its
its exposure
exposure to
to and
and impact
impact of
of exposure
exposure on
on the
the target
target can
canbe
bequantified.
quantified,
From this, choices about protection
protection of the
the resource,
resource, the
the environment,
environment, or
or human
human targets
targets can
can
be made. This is all that is
is needed
needed for solving the problem, and no further steps are
necessary.
necessary.
Alas, the world is
is not
notisotropic,
isotropic, homogeneous
homogeneousand
and perfect,
perfect, and
and mathematical
mathematicalsimulation
simulation
models even less
models
less so.
so. Therefore,
Therefore, severely
severely restrictive
restrictive approximations
approximations and
and simplifying
simplifying
assumptions have
have to
to be introduced to represent
the transport
transport process
process in
in an half-way
assumptions
represent the
adequate manner. The approximations concern the mathematical description of the process,
process,
limited by insufficient
insufficient and
and infrequent
infrequent information,
information, and by inadequate
inadequate knowledge of impacts.
impacts.
the greater
greater the
the uncertainty
that the
the model
The greater the simplifications,
simplificationsl the
uncertainty that
model results
results reflect
reflect
reality and
produce
reliable
predictions
or
vulnerability
designations.
and produce reliable predictions or vulnerability designations.
This uncertainty traditionally has been handled by a risk
risk analysis
analysis approach.
approach. The
The likelihood
likelihood
of aa contaminant
contaminant particle
particle reaching
reaching the
the groundwater
groundwater target and its
its likelihood
likelihood to
to produce
produce
unwanted
unwanted consequences has been expressed in terms of conditional
conditional probabilities
probabilities and
and
statistical estimates
as
confidence
limits
or
ranges.
Inadequacies
in
the
geologic
database
estimates as confidence limits or ranges. Inadequacies in the geologic database
have been handled
handled by
by statistical
statistical methods
methods such
such as
as Monte-Carlo
Monte-Carloapproaches
approaches or
or kriging.
kriging.
A groundwater
groundwater system
system is
is extensive,
extensive, three
three dimensional,
dimensional, dynamic
dynamic and
and non-homogeneous.
non-homogeneous.Its
Its
properties and states must be
be spatially
spatially referenced
referenced for most
most efficient
efficient analysis
analysis and
and map
map
representation. Georeferencing is best carried out by
by aa Geographic
Geographic Information
InformationSystem
System
(GIS)
(GIs) which also
also performs
performs aggregation
aggregation functions
functions able
able to
to handle
handlemap
mapoverlay-index
overlay-index
procedures
using built in algorithms.
procedures using
algorithms. The information
information for each hydrogeologic
hydrogeologic flow
as an
an information layer
layer in
in the
the GIsl
GIS, and
and can
can be combined into an
compartment is represented as
aggregate or monothematic
monothematic layer such as aa global
global vulnerability
vulnerability map
map layer.
layer.
Traditional methods of groundwater
translate the
the protection afforded
Traditional
groundwater sensitivity assessment
assessment translate
by various elements
elements of the
the geological
geological conditions
conditions and materials between the surface and the
groundwater body
body into
into vulnerability
vulnerability indices,
indices, from
from which,
which, pollution
pollution potential
potential can
can be
groundwater

102

�estimated.
estimated.One
Onesuch
suchmethodology
methodologyisisUSEPA's
USEPA's DRASTIC.
DRASTIC.Many
Manyof
of these
theseprocedures
procedureslack
lack
internal
consistency,
and
give
no
explicit
rationale
for
assigning
rating
indices,
internal consistency, and give no explicit rationale for assigning rating indices, range
range
intervals and
and thresholds,
thresholds, weights to the various
various factors, and leave
leave the choice
choice of
of an
an additive
additive
intervals
aggregation
aggregationmodel
modelunexplained.
unexplained.
The Minnesota
MinnesotaDepartment
Department of
of Natural
Natural Resources'
Resources' (MN
(MN DNR)
DNR) guidelines
guidelines stand
stand on
on aamuch
much
The
firmer
firmer conceptual
conceptual basis.
basis. They
They link
link geologic
geologic sensitivity
sensitivity to
to travel
travel time
time of
ofaaconservative
conservative
tracer
tracer from
from the
the surface
surface to
to the
thegroundwater.
groundwater. Long
Long travel
travel times
times are
are equated
equated to low
low
sensitivities, and
and short
short travel
travel times
times to
to high
high sensitivity.
sensitivity. In
In order
order to
to take
take into
intoaccount
account the
the
sensitivities,
availability of
of information
information for
for mappable
mappable factors
factors ititmakes
makessome
somesweeping
sweepingsimplifications.
simplifications. ItIt
availability
uses three
three factors:
factors: depth
depth to
to water,
water, geologic
geologic material
material in the vadose
vadose zone and material
material at
at the
the
uses
water
water table
table and
andobtains
obtainsthe
theaggregate
aggregateindex
indexthrough
throughaabinary
binarydecision
decisiontree
treeprocedure.
procedure.
Because
Because of
of these
these simplifications
simplificationsthe
the degree
degreeof
of uncertainty
uncertaintyand
andthe
theconfidence
confidencelimits
limits are
are
large.
large. Introduction
Introduction of
of aa fuzzy
fuzzy set
set methodology
methodology will
will lead
lead to
to aa greater
greater internal
internalconsistency
consistency of
of
the
the rating
ratingprocess
processand
andfacilitate
facilitate the
the use
use of
of vague
vague and
and descriptive
descriptive data
data in
in aa more
moreappropriate
appropriate
way.
way.

Fuzzy
Fuzzy logic
logic isisaabranch
branchof
ofset
settheory
theorythat
thatallows
allowsobjects
objectsdegrees
degreesof
ofbelonging
belongingto
toaaset
setrather
rather
than
than aabinary
binaryyes
yesororno
nodescription.
description.Fuzzy
Fuzzynumbers
numbersare
aredefined
definedby
bymembership
membershipfunctions
functions
that
thatdescribe
describetheir
their degree
degreeof
of belonging
belongingto
to one
one set
set or
or another,
another, and
and thereby
thereby are
are able
able to
to deal
deal
with
with verbal
verbal descriptors
descriptors or
or linguistic
linguistic variables,
variables, and
and to
to take
take into
intoaccount
accountthe
thenatural
natural
vagueness
vaguenessand
anduncertainty
uncertaintyinherent
inherentiningeologic
geologicdata.
data.Fuzzy
Fuzzymethodology
methodologyprovides
providesthe
the
algorithms
algorithmsto
tooperate
operateon
onvague
vaguerating
ratingclasses
classesininaaconsistent
consistentway.
way.Fuzzy
Fuzzymethodology
methodologywill
will
also
alsogive
givemore
morerealistic
realisticboundary
boundarydefinitions
definitionsbetween
betweenrating
ratingcategories
categoriesand
andclasses.
classes.
This
This research
researchcasts
caststhe
thedefinition
definitionof
ofthe
theMN
MNDNR
DNRrating
ratingfactors
factorsinto
intoaafuzzy
fuzzycontext.
context.This
This
approach
more
(I)
moreadequate
adequaterepresentation
representation of
of linguistic
linguistic variables
variables such
such as
as
approach isiscapable
capableof:
of:(1)
lithologic
lithologic descriptions
descriptions from
from well
well log
loginformation
informationinto
intomanipulable
manipulableindex
indexnumbers,
numbers,
(2)
(2) combining
combining of layer
layer information
information in
in aa GIS
GIsthrough
throughfuzzy
fuzzyrule
rulebased
basedinstructions,
instructions,and
and
(3)
(3) to
to extend
extendthe
thenumber
numberof
of factors
factorsthat
thatgo
gointo
intothe
theoverall
overallevaluation
evaluationto
to geohydrologic
geohydrologic and
and
land
landuse
uselayers.
layers.
Fuzzy
Fuzzy methodology
methodology application:
application: The
The technique
technique for
for performing
performing aa Level
Level 22geologic
geologicsensitivity
sensitivity
analysis
analysis as
as set
set forth
forthby
bythe
theMN
MNDNR
DNRisisrelatively
relativelysimple
simple and
and straightforward.
straightforward. The
The
techniques
techniques were
were intentionally
intentionally designed
designed so
so that
that water
water resource
resource managers
managers (or
(or others)
others) who
who
may
maynot
nothave
havetraining
trainingon,
on,ororaccess
accessto,
to,a ageographic
geographicinformation
informationsystem
system(GIS),
(GIs),would
wouldstill
still
be
beable
abletotoimplement
implementaahand-performed
hand-performedoverlay
overlayanalysis.
analysis. This
This can
canbe
beaavery
verytime
timeconsuming
consuming
and
andtedious
tedioustask
taskfor
forthe
theanalyst.
analyst. InInan
aneffort
efforttotospeed
speedup
upand
andsimplify
simplifyespecially
especiallythe
the
preliminary
preliminaryassessment
assessmentor
orproject
projectstage,
stage,an
anExcel
Excelspreadsheet
spreadsheetbased
basedprogram
programisisbeing
being
developed
MicrosoffVisual
VisualBasic.
Basic.ItItaccepts
acceptsthe
thevarious
variousMN
MNDNR
DNRspecified
specifiedvadose
vadosezone
zone
developedusing
usingMicrosoft
parameters
parametersunder
underconsideration
considerationas
as input.
input. The
Theinput
inputdata
datalayers
layersinclude:
include:depth
depthtotowater
watertable
table
below
belowthe
theland
landsurface,
surface,aquifer
aquifermatrix
matrixmaterial
materialtype
typeatatthe
thewater
watertable,
table,cumulative
cumulative
thickness
thicknessofofany
anylow
lowand
andmoderate
moderatepermeability
permeabilityunits
unitsininthe
thevadose
vadosezone.
zone.AAsecond
secondversion
versionofof
the
theprogram
programincorporates
incorporates the
the principles
principles of
of fuzzy
fuzzy methodology
methodology into the analysis. The
The
sensitivity
sensitivityratings
ratingsproduced
producedby
bythe
the"fuzzy"
"fuzzy"version
versionare
arecompared
comparedtotothose
thoseproduced
producedusing
using
the
thepresent
presentMN
MNDNR
DNRtechnique.
technique.

103

�SEISMIC EVIDENCE OF Pm-NICKERSON
PRE-NICKERSON SEDIMENTS IN
SEISMIC
WESTERN LAKE SUPERIOR
SUPERIOR
Deborah E. Rausch and
and Nigel J Wattrus
Wattrus
Large Lakes Observatory, University
Universiiy of Minnesota
Duluth, MN 55812
558I2
email:nwattrus@d.
umn.edu
email:nwattrus@dumn.edu

The Superior
Superior lobe of the Laurentide
Laurentide Ice Sheet advanced and retreated out of the western basin of
Lake Superior
Superior several
several times during
during the Wisconsin glaciation.
glaciation. Wright et al. (1973) recognized
recognized four
four
they are (in order of decreasing age):
separate phases of ice advance out of the Lake Superior basin, they
the St. Croix; Automba; Split Rock and Nickerson
Nickerson phases.
phases. The tills of the last two phases show an
which represents
represents the
the incorporation
incorporationof
of proglacial lacustrine sediments with each
enrichment in clay, which
advance. As
As the
the ice
ice retreated
retreated during
during the Nickerson phase, a series of proglacial lakes formed against
the edge of the retreating ice. The position of ice margins bordering these lakes have been
determined by correlating
correlating subaerial
subaerial moraines on either side of western Lake Superior
Superior (Farrand,
(Farrand, 1969;
1969;
Isle Royale (Huber, 1973). A
Saarnisto, 1974) and Isle
A series
series of
of subaqueous
subaqueous recessional
recessional moraines,
moraines,
presumably associated with this sequence of proglacial lakes, have been described in the western arm
of Lake Superior
Superior near
near Isle
Isle Royale
Royale (Landmesser
(Landmesseret
et al.,
al., 1982).
1982).
The sediment
sediment record contained
contained in western Lake Superior
Superior is intimately related to the retreat of the
An idealized
idealized soft
soft sediment
sediment section
section for western Lake Superior based upon
Laurentide Ice Sheet. An
coring (Farrand,
(Farrand, 1963;
1963; Dell, 1971;
1971; Thomas and Dell, 1978)
1978) and high resolution seismic surveying
surveying
consists of
of till
till overlain
overlain by
by aa glaciolacustrine clay
(Johnson, 1980; Scholz, 1985; Anderson, 1997), consists
sequence followed by a thin post-glacial Holocene clay. Recent
Recentdata
data collected
collectedby
by the
the Large
LargeLake
Lake
from
Observatory (LLO) suggests the presence of a relict sediment section below the till, presumably fiom
advances into
earlier advances
into the Lake
Lake Superior
Superiorbasin.
basin.
Since 1996, the Large Lakes Observatory (LLO) has collected over 2500 km
km of high resolution
single channel seismic reflection data in western Lake Superior. The surveyed area extends from
Duluth to Isle Royale and southeast to Houghton, Michigan. Most of this
this new data was collected
with a ORE Geopulse system. The firing rate was 0.5 seconds and the
the average vessel
vessel speed was 6.5
milliseconds/sample for later post-survey
knots. The data were digitally recorded at rate of 0.5 milliseconds/sample
processing. Positioning
Positioninginformation
information was
was derived from
fiom the ships GPS navigation system.

Images of the recently acquired data show most of the soft sediment section and bedrock-soft
sediment interface (acoustic basement). In
In water
water depths
depths of less than 100
100 meters, the
development/preservation
of
the
g1aciaVpost-glacial
and
Holocene
clays
above the till is negligible
negligible
developmentlpreservation
glacial/post-glacial
due to current action on the lake floor.
floor. In
In the deeper
deeper portions of the lake, the near surface reflections
are associated with the post-glacial Holocene clays, glaciolacustrine
glaciolacustrine clays and a thin basal till (less
than six meters thick). Presumably,
glaciallpost-glacial sequence is associated with the last
Presumably, this glacial/post-glacial
advance/retreat in the Lake Superior
(Nickerson/post-Nickerson deposition). Many of recent
advancehetreat
Superior basin (Nickersodpost-Nickerson
seismic lines, especially those in the western portion of the survey area, exhibit buried channels
containing thick sequences
sequences of pre-Nickerson deposits (Figure 1). There is often a well defined
unconformity separating the pre-Nickerson sediments
sediments from the overlying younger section. The
unconformity clearly represents
represents a period of erosion, perhaps associated with the last advance
advance of ice
across
across the basin.
basin.

104

�Seismic facies analysis suggests that the pre-Nickerson
pre-Nickerson material
material is
is composed
composed of
of aa sequence
sequence of
of glacial
glacial
tills and glaciolacustrine sediments. Presumably
Presumably these represent
represent relict
relict sediments
sediments preserved
preserved from
from
earlier advances of the Superior Lobe in
in western Lake
Lake Superior.
Superior. Very few of
of the
the cores
cores collected
collected in
in
Lake Superior penetrated
penetrated sediment
sediment below
below the
the glaciolacustrine
glaciolacustrine vvarved
clays. One
a n e d clays.
One long
long core collected
Minnesota North
North Shore,
Shore, however,
however, recorded over 190
of Split Rock on the Minnesota
190 meters of glacial and
glaciolacustrine sediments
glacio1acustrine
sediments (Zumberge and Gast, 1961).
1961).

References.
Anderson, K.A.,
K.A., 1997,
Lake Superior
Superior (M.S.
(M.S. Thesis):
Thesis): University
University of
of
Anderson?
1997, A seismic stratigraphic study of western Lake
Minnesota,
Mimesota, Duluth, Minnesota,
Minnesota, 82
82 p.
p.
C.!., 1971,
(Ph.D. Dissertation):
Dissertation):University
Universityof
ofMichigan,
Michigan,
Dell, C.I.,
1971, Late Quaternary
Quaternary sedimentation
sedimentation in
in Lake
Lake Superior
Superior(Ph.D.
Ann Arbor, Michigan,
Michigan, 184
184 p.
W.R., 1963, Preliminary report
report of Lake Superior Coring Program,
Program, Core
Core Study, 33 p.
p.
Farrand, W.R.,
W.R., 1969, The Quaternary history of Lake Superior: International
Farrand, W.R.,
InternationalAssociation
Association of
of Great
Great Lakes
Lakes
Research, p. 181-197.
181-197.
Huber, N.K., 1973,
1973, Glacial and postglacial history of Isle Royale National Park, Michigan: U.S.
U.S. Geological
Geological
Survey Professional
Professional Paper 754-A.
Johnson, T.C., 1980,
1980, Late
Late glacial and postglacial sedimentation
sedimentation in Lake Superior based on seismic-reflection
profiles: Quaternary
QuaternaryResearch,
Research, p. 380-391.
380-391.
Landmesser,
Landmesser, C.W., Johnson,
Johnson, T.C.,
T.C., and
and Wold,
Wold, R.J.,
R.J., 1982,
1982,Seismic
Seismicreflection
reflectionstudy
studyof
ofrecessional
recessionalmoraines
moraines
173beneath Lake Superior and their relationship to regional deglaciation: Quaternary
QuaternaryResearch,
Research, p.
p. 173190.
190.
C.A., 1985,
Scholz, C.A.,
1985, Sediment
Sediment distribution
distribution and sedimentation
sedimentationrates
rates in the
the western
western arm
arm of
of Lake
LakeSuperior
Superiorusing
using
3.5 kHz
kHzseismic
seismicreflection
reflectionprofiles
profilesand
and210Pb
''qb geochronology
University of
of Minnesota,
Minnesota,
geochronology (M.S.
(M.S. Thesis):
Thesis): University
Duluth, Minnesota,
Minnesota, 129
129 p.
Thomas,
Thomas, R.L. and
and Dell,
Dell, C.I.,
C.I., 1978,
1978,Sediments
Sedimentsof
of Lake
LakeSuperior:
Superior: Journal
Journal of Great
Great Lakes
Lakes Research,
Research, p.
p. 264-275.
264-275.
Wright, H.E.,
H.E., Matsch, C.L.,
E.J., 1973, Superior and Des Moines
Moines Lobes:
Lobes: Geological
GeologicalSociety
Society of
of
C.L., and Cushing, E.J.,
America Memoir 136,
136, p. 153-185.
153-185.
J.H., and Gast, P.G.,
P.G., 1961, Geological investigations in Lake
Lake Superior: Geotimes,
Zumberge, J.H.?
Geotimes,p.
p. 10-13.
10-13.

sP

p

0

C"
I

•1

C
I

-I

-r'"
.

—

--

Figure 1.
North Shore southwest
southwest of
of
1. Geopulse seismic reflection data collected off the Minnesota North
Grand Marais, Minnesota. Relict
Relict sediments
sediments are
are clearly
clearly preserved
p r e s e ~ e in
din aa broad
broad channel
channel and
and are
are
unconformably overlain by
by younger till and
and glaciolacustrine
glaciolacustrine sediments
sediments of
of the
the Nickerson
Nickerson phase.
phase.

105

�____

PRELIMINARY ORE
OREi MINERALOGY OF THE HERONTRACK SILVER-ZINC-COPPER
OCCURRENCE,
OCCURRENCE, LUMBY LAKE
LAKE AREA,
AREA?ONTARIO,
ONTARIO, CANADA
CANADA
SAINI-EIDUKAT,
Geosciences, North Dakota State
SAINI-EIDUKAT?Bernhardt,
Bemhardt, Department of Geoscien~es~
University, Fargo,
Fargo?ND 58105-5517 USA (sainieid@badlands.nodak.edu).
(s~fieid@badlands.nod&amp;.edu).
Inc., Box 1376,
BERNATCHEZ, Raymond, Atikokan Resources, Inc.?
1376?126
126 Willow
Road, Atikokan, Ontario, Canada (rbernatc@atikokan.lakeheadu.ca)
Road?
(rbernatc @atikokan.lakeheadu.ca)

The Herontrack silver-zinc-copper
silver-zinc-copper occurrence
occurrence occurs near Herontrack Lake
Lake in the
the Lumby
Lumby
Lake greenstone belt. It lies in the southwestern part of the Archean Superior Province, near
Atikokan,
Atikokan?Ontario. Recently discovered in the region of the famous Steep Rock iron mine,
the Herontrack occurrence contains numerous stratiform mineralized horizonsy
horizons, some of
which contain
contain significant
significant Ag
Ag mineralization.
mineralization.
The Lumby Lake greenstone
near
its border
border
greenstone belt occurs
occurs in the Wabigoon subprovince,
subpro~ince~
near its
with the Quetico subprovince (Fig. 1,
1 from Davis and Jackson, 1988). It comprises a 60 km x
mafic, ultramafic (komatiitic) and felsic
20 km synclinal supracrustal assemblage of mafic?
metavolcanic packages with subordinate metasedimentary units (Jackson and Chevalier,
Chevalier?
contacts the
the older Marmion Lake tonalite batholith to the
the southy
south, and is intruded by
1985). ItIt contacts
north, and by mafic dikes. Felsic units include lapilli
the younger Norway Lake granite to the north?
tuffs, quartz porphyriesy
porphyries, and rhyolite flow breccias.
tuffs?
breccia. To the west of the Lumby Lake area,
area?the
northeasterly trending Red Paint Lake fault zone truncates the assemblage.

'-..-_.4+.' ..L—r..JJ

I

*+T

—:

I

!
,./

\

• *

*

+

+

*

*

Finlays0 Lake '*
Belt. • *
++

A

*

+ e't

*

—

.

Marmion Lake Batholith

* —---—-——-

:

+

*

* : --+

kilornetres

Figure 1. Geologic map
showing the location
map of the
the western
western Wabigoon
Wabigoon subprovince, showing
location of the Lumby
Lumby
Lake area. From Davis and Jackson, 1988.

106

�I

The
The lack
lackof
of aametamorphic
metamorphicaureole
aureolein
inthe
thesupracrustal
supracrustalsequence
sequence against
againstthe
theMarmion
Marmion
Lake
Laketonalite
tonaliteindicates
indicatesthat
thatthe
thebatholith
batholithwas
wasaabasement
basementunit
unit upon
upon which
whichthe
theLumby
LumbyLake,
Lake,
and
and possibly
possibly the
the Steep
Steep Rock
Rock Lake
Lake group,
group,were
were deposited
deposited (Davis
(Davis and
and Jackson,
Jackson, 1988).
1988).Davis
Davis
and
and Jackson
Jackson (1988)
(1988) dated
dated felsic
felsic samples
samplesfrom
from the
the Lumby
Lumby Lake
Lake area
area and
and the
the Marmion
Mannion Lake
Lake
batholith
batholith to
to approximately
approximately 33 Ga,
Ga, an
an age
age older
older than
than most
most greenstone
greenstone belts.
belts.
During
1990's,Atikokan
AtikokanResources,
Resources,Inc.
Inc. prospected
prospected the
the Lumby
LumbyLake
Lakearea
areaand
and
During the
the mid
mid 1990's,
discovered
discovered aa high-grade
high-gradesilver
silveroccurrence
occurrenceon
onthe
thewest
westside
sideof
of Herontrack
Herontracklake.
lake.The
The
occurrence
km thick
thick east-west
east-westtrending
trending intermediate
intermediateto
to felsic
felsicvolcanic
volcanic
occurrenceisis hosted
hosted in
inaa1.5
1.5km
sequence
sequencein
in the
the area
areabetween
betweenHerontrack
Herontrackand
andLumby
LumbyLakes
Lakes(Staargaard,
(Staargaard,1997).
1997).This
This
sequence
sequence thins
thinsto
to the
theeast
eastand
andwest,
west,indicating
indicatingititmight
mightbe
bean
aneruptive
eruptivecenter.
center.The
Thefelsic
felsic units
units
are
are fragmental,
fragmental, often
often containing
containing quartz
quartz eyes,
eyes, and
and can
can contain
contain significant
significant cherty
chertyunits.
units. Chip
Chip
samples
samples (over
(over one
onemeter)
meter)indicate
indicategreater
greaterthan
than40
40g/tonne
ghonneAg.
Ag.

Thin
Thin and
and polished
polished block
block sections
sections of
of ore
ore horizon
horizon samples
samples are
are being
being investigated
investigated using
using
transmitted
transmitted and
and reflected
reflected light
lightmicroscopy
microscopyanalysis
analysis to
to determine
determine the
the host
host rock
rock and
and ore
ore
mineralogy
mineralogy and
and genesis.
genesis. The
Therelationship
relationshipbetween
between fold
fold structures
structures recognizable
recognizable on
onboth
both
outcrop
outcrop and
and thin-section
thin-section scales
scalesand
and mineralization
mineralizationindicates
indicatesthat
that the
the silver
silvermineralization
mineralization
may
may be
be locally
locally remobilized.
remobilized. These
Thesefold
fold structures,
structures,however,
however, may
may be
be related
related to
to mafic
mafic dike
dike
intrusion
intrusion and
and not
not to
to regional
regional shear.
shear. Mineralization
Mineralizationoccurs
occurs in
in chert
chert units
units as
as disseminated
disseminated
sphalerite,
sphalerite, galena,
galena, native
native silver,
silver,acanthite,
acanthite,chalcopyrite
chalcopyriteand
and pyrite.
pyrite. Native
Native silver
silverand
andacanthite
acanthite
occur
pm in diameter
diameter and
and as
as veinlets
veinlets 10—20
10 - 20 p.m
pm wide. No Au
Au was
was
occur as
as isolated
isolated grains
grains 10
10to
to 30
30p.m

detected
detected in
in the
the Ag
Agor
orthe
theacanthite
acanthiteusing
using EDS
EDSanalysis.
analysis.Electron
Electronmicroprobe
microprobe analyses
analysesare
are
being
being undertaken
undertaken to
to determine
determinethe
theamount
amountof
of Ag
Ag contained
containedin
in galena
galena and
and trace
traceelement
element
composition
composition of
of sphalerite.
sphalerite.Continued
Continuedmapping
mappingmay
may show
showthat
that the
the Herontrack
Herontracksilver
silver
occurrence
occurrence represents
represents aa locally
locally remobilized
remobilized silver-rich
silver-rich distal
distal portion
portion of
of aa larger
larger massive
massive
sulfide system.
system.
sulfide

Referencescited:
cited:
References
Jackson,
Jackson, M.C.
M.C. and
and Chevalier,
Chevalier, P.,
P., 1985,
1985,Precambrian
Precambrian Geology
Geology of
of the
the Lumby
Lumby Lake
Lake Area,
Area,
Western
Preliminary
Western Part,
Part, Kenora
Kenora District;
District; Ontario
OntarioGeological
Geological Survey,
Survey, Geological
Geological Series
Series-- Preliminary
Map P.2828.
P.2828.
Map
Davis, D.W., and Jackson, M.C.,
M.C., 1988,
1988,Geochronology
Geochronology of
of the Lumby Lake
Lake greenstone
greenstone belt:
belt: aa
Bull. G.S.A.,
G.S.A., v.
v. 100,
100,p.
p.
3 Ga complex within the Wabigoon Subprovince, northwest Ontario: Bull.
8 18-824.
818-824.

Staargaard, C.F., 1997,
1997,Private
Private report
report to
to Atikokan
Atikokan Resources,
Resources, Inc.
Staargaard,

107

�ALTERATION
AND METAMORPHISM
METAMORPHISM IN AN
ALTERATION AND
AN ARCHEAN
ARCHEAN LODE GOLD
GOLDDEPOSIT,
DEPOSIT,
KItEMZAR
KRJZMZARMINE,
MINE,GOUDREAU-LOCHALSH
GOUDREAU-LOCHALSHGOLD
GOLDCAMP,
CAMP,ONTARIO
ONTARIO
SALO,
R.W. and
Lakehead University,
andKISSIN,
KISSIN,S.A.,
S.A., Department
Departmentof
ofGeology,
Geology, Lakehead
University,
SALO, RW.*
Thunder
P7B SE!
SEl
ThunderBay,
Bay, Ontario,
Ontario,P7B

The
TheKremzar
KremzarMine
h4heisislocated
located45km
45km northeast
northeast of
of Wawa,
Wawa, Ontario
Ontarioin
in the
theMichipicoten
Michipicoten
Greenstone
GreenstoneBelt.
Belt.The
TheKremzar
Kremzarisisone
oneofofseveral
severalformer
formergold-producing
gold-producingmines
minesin
inthe
thevicinity
vicinity
including
well as
as aa number of smaller properties. The
including the Magino and Edwards Mines, as well
The
mine
mine was
was most
most recently
recently operated
operatedby
by Canamax
CanamaxResources
ResourcesInc.
hc. in
in the
thelate
late1980s,
1 9 8 0with
with
~ ~ aa total
total
production
productionof
of 46798
46 798oz
ozAu
Au(Domville,
(Domville,1998).
1998). The
Thepresent
presentstudy
studywas
was undertaken
undertakenwhile
whilethe
the
property
is
under
redevelopment
as
the
Island
Gold
Project
of
Patricia
Mines
Inc.
property is under redevelopment as the Island Gold Project of Patricia Mines Inc.
The
TheNo.2
N0.2 Zone,
Zone,aagold-bearing
gold-bearingvein
veinsystem
systemwell
well exposed
exposed on
on the
the surface,
surface,was
was channelchannelsampled
sampled in order
order to
tostudy
studythe
thealteration
alterationassociated
associated with
with the
thequartz-carbonate
quartz-carbonate vein.
vein.
Petrographic
Petrographicstudies
studieswere
werecarried
carriedout
outon
on25
25samples
samplescollected
collectedatatO.5m
OSm intervals;
intervals; 13
13of these
these
were
analyses of
of major,
major, minor
minor and
and trace elements by XRF and
were selected
selected for
for whole-rock
whole-rock analyses
and
NAA, respectively.
respectively.
NAA,
The
Thevein
vein system
system cuts
cuts metavolcanic
metavolcanic rocks of intermediate
intermediatecomposition,
composition,which
which contain
contain
the chlorite
chloritezone
zonemineral
mineralassemblage
assemblagechiorite-sericite-albite.
chlorite-sericite-albite. Alteration
Alteration is
is marked
marked by
by
the
intense carbonate
carbonate and quartz
quartz flooding,
flooding, as well
well as aa number
number ofofchanges
changesininaccessory
accessory
mineralogy. Primary
Primaryilmenite
ilmeniteisisprogressively
progressively replaced by sphene, and allanite
allanite occurs
occurs only
only
within the
the alteration
alterationzone.
zone. Zoisite,
Zoisite, not present in
in the
the country
country rock,
rock, is abundant
abundant in the
the
within
altered zone.
zone. Weakly
Weakly pleochroic, fine-grained
fie-grained biotite is
is closely
closely associated
associated with
with quartz
quartz
altered
veining and
andflooding.
flooding.
veining
Among major components,
CaO increases
increases inward
inward toward the
the vein
vein system,
system, whereas
components, CaO
normally mobile components
components Na20
Na20and
and K20
K20show
show little
little variation. Ti02
Ti02decreases
decreasesslightly,
slightly,
Among
trace
elements,
W
shows
a
marked
increase.
although itit usually
usuallyimmobile.
immobile. Among
elements,
shows a marked increase.
although
Although REE
REE are
areconsidered
consideredtotobe
beimmobile
immobileiningold
goldvein
veinsystems
systems(McCuaig
(McCuaig &amp;
&amp; Kerrich,
Kemch,
1994), the
the light
light REEs, LLaa and Ce, are markedly
markedly enriched in the alteration
alteration zone.
zone.
The presence
and prehnite and abundant
presence of
of euhedral
euhedral zoisite,
zoisite, minor
minor wollastonite
wollastonite and
abundant
The
skarnoid
calcite produce an
an assemblage
assemblage resembling
resembling that of
of aalow-grade
low-gradeskarn.
skarn. The skarnoid
assemblage is the result
result of
of regional
regional metamorphism
metamorphism subsequent to formation
formation of
of the
the vein
vein
and
carbonate-enriched
system,
which has operated
system, which
operated on
onthe
thecompositionally
compositionallymodified
modified
carbonate-enriched
alteration zone.
zone. Multiple
Multiple metamorphic events are consistent
consistent with three
three deformational
deformational
alteration
regimes
&amp;Helmstaedt
Helmstaedt(1989).
(1989).
regimes documented
documented by
by Arias
Arias &amp;
References
References
Arias, Z.G. &amp;
of central and east&amp; Helmstaedt,
Helmstaedt, H.,
H., 1989.
1989. Grant 343
343 Structural
Structural evolution of
eastcentral Michipicoten
(Wawa) Greenstone
Greenstone Belt,
Belt, Superior
Superior Province,
Province, p.
p. 210-226
210-226hj
Michipicoten (Wawa)
Milne, V.G.,
Research Grant
V.G., ed., Geoscience Research
Grant Program,
Program,Summary
Summary of Research
Research 198819881989,
237 p.
p.
1989, Ont. Geol.
Geol. Surv.
Sum. Misc.
Misc. Pap.
Pap. 143,
143,237
Domville,
1-32.
J., 1998.
1998. Patricia
Patricia Mines.
Mines. Ont.
Ont.Prospector
Prospector1998,
1998,p.p.331-32.
Domville, J.,
McCuaig,
T.C. &amp; Kerrich,
of lode gold
McCuaig, T.C.
Kemch, R.,
R., 1994.
1994. P-T-t-deformation-fluid
P-T-t-deformation-fluid characteristics of
gold
deposits:
Evidence from
from alteration
alteration systematics,
systematics,p.p.339-380
339-380 j Lentz,
D.R., ed.,
ed.,
deposits: Evidence
Lentz, D.R.,
Alteration
AlterationProcesses
ProcessesAssociated
Associatedwith
with Ore-forming
Ore-formingProcesses.
Processes. Geol.
Geol.Assoc.
Assoc. Can.
Can.Short
Short
Course
Course Notes,
Notes, v.
v. 11,
11,467p.
467p.
*student
*studentauthor
author

108

�—

ADDITIONAL PALEOMAGNETIC RESULTS FOR A 1500 Ma MAFIC DIKE AT
WATERLOO WISCONSIN
Schaper*, D.

,

Suess*,

W. ,

Katzer*, L.

,and Kean, W. Department of

Geosciences,University of Wisconsin—Milwaukee P.O. Box 413,
Milwaukee, Wi. 53201 (* student authors)

Recent expansion of the Michels Materials Quartzite Quarry
(Gillen Quarry) at Waterloo Wi. has exposed additional outcrops
of a near vertical mafic dike which cuts the quartzite in a
North-South direction. The new exposure is approximately 1.5
meters wide and about 50 meters long located on the NE top
surface of the quarry. The other exposure previously reported by
Kean(1994) is on a vertical wall in the Southwest corner of the
quarry (Luther,1997). The two exposures are on line and appear to
be the same dike.
The age of the dike is assumed to be 1500 Ma,
which is the age of mafic material from a drill core in the
nearby Portland Quarry (Aldrich et.al., 1959) and similar to the
age of a pegmatite (1440 Ma, Aldrich 1959) in the area.
Luther(personal communication, 1994) identified the dike as
basalt which has been metamorphosed to possibly greenshist

fades.
Thirty six cores were collected from both locations, as
well as from the surrounding quartzite. The edges of the dike
show evidence of weathering and mineral alteration, so the
majority of the mafic samples were collected from the center of
the dike. Cores from all sites were subjected to detailed thermal
demagnetization to either 600° or 750° C. Several dike samples
were also A.F. demagnetized to lOOmT. The demagnetization
characteristics and the Saturation Isothermal Remanent
Magnetization characteristics (SIRN) indicate that magnetite is
the primarily carrier of the magnetism. There is one primary
magnetic direction for the dike which is removed with thermal
demagnetization to 600°C. The magnetism of the quartzite is
carried by hematite, as is evident from thermal demagnetization
to 750°C., and SIRM studies.The magnetic directions of all
samples including those reported by Kean, 1994, are presented in
Figure 1. The dike shows negative inclinations (-30° to -50°)and
declinations in the NNW-NNE direction. The quartzites have
positive inclinations (30° to 40) and westerly declinations,
which is similar to the earlier results of Mercer(1984). The
magnetic directions for the dike show streaking, which may
represent an alteration component in some of the samples.
Nonetheless, the overall direction provides a pole position
consistent with other 1400—1600 Ma. rocks in the Lake Superior
region,and significantly different than that of the quartzite.

109

�References:
References:
Aldrich,L.T., Wetherill,G.W.,
~etheri1l~G.W.~
Bass, MN..,
M.N., Compston,
Compston, W.,
Davis,
Aldrich,L.T.,
Bass,
W,Davis,
G.L., and
and Tilton,G.R.,1959,
Tilton,GÃˆR.,1959Mineral
Mineral age
age measurements:
measurements:
G.L.,
58, p.245—247.
p.245-247.
Carnegie
Institute
Washington
Year
Book
Carnegie Institute Washington Year Book. 58,
Kean, WF.,
W.F., 1994,
1994,Paleomagnetism
Paleomagnetismofofa a1500
1500Ma.
Ma. mafic
maficdike
dikeat
at
Kean,
Institute
on
Lake
Superior
Geology
abstracts
Waterloo
Wi.
Waterloo Wi. Institute on Lake Superior Geology abstracts
Vol.40, p.17.
p.17.
and proceedings,
proceedings, Vol.40,
and
Luther, F.,
F., 1997,
1997, The
The precambrian
precambrian Waterloo
waterloo quartzite,
quartzite, Dodge
Dodge and
and
Luther,
Counties,
Wisconsin-petrology,
structure,
and
Jefferson
Jefferson Counties, Wisconsin—petrology, structure, and
Field Trip
Trip No.5,
No.5, in
in Guide
Guide to
to Field
Field Trips
Trips in
industrial uses,
uses, Field
industrial
Wisconsin
and
Adjacent
Areas
of
Minnesota.
31st
annual
Wisconsin and Adjacent Areas of Minnesota. 31st annual
meeting of
of the
the NCGSA,
NCGSA, Madison
Madison , Wi.
Wi. Ed.
Ed. M.G.
MÃ§G Mudrey,
Mudrey, Jr.
Jr.
meeting
,

Mercer, D.,
Paleomagnetism of
of the
theBaraboo
BarabooQuartzite,
Quartzite,tJW—
UWMercer,.
D., 1984,
1984, Paleomagnetism
Milwaukee
M.S.
thesis,
294
p.
Milwaukee M.S. thesis, 294 p.
FIGURE 11
FIGURE
FOR WATERLOO
WATERLOO BASALTIC
BASALTIC DIKE
DIKEAND
AND WATERLOO
WATERLOO
MAGNETIC DIRECTIONS
DIRECTIONS FOR
MAGNETIC
HAS
NEGATIVE
INCLINATIONS
AND
NORTHERLY
QUARTZITE.
DIKE
MATERIAL
QUARTZITE. DIKE MATERIAL HAS NEGATIVE INCLINATIONS AND NORTHERLY
DECLINATIONS.
THE
QUARTZITE
HAS
POSITIVE
INCLINATIONS
AND
DECLINATIONS. THE QUARTZITE HAS POSITIVE INCLINATIONS AND
WESTERLY
DECLINATIONS.
THE
DATA
REPRESENTS
TWO
DIFFERENT
WESTERLY DECLINATIONS. THE DATA REPRESENTS TWO DIFFERENT
EXPOSURES IN
IN THE
THE SAME
SAME QUARRY
QUARRY
EXPOSURES

N

o

EXPOSIJ(

H(Z

NES DC smir.

£
EflU( 1(6 IPC RA.T
s. HORIZ EXPO$UI( P06 DC OUNflZITE

* WRT OPOSU( P06 DC IW1TZITE

110

I

�I

METAMORPHISM,HYDROTHERMAL
HYDROTHERMALALTERATION
ALTERATION AND
AND LATERITIC
LATERITIC
METAMORPHISM,
WEATHERING OF
OF DRILLED MRS VOLCANIC ROCKS IN IOWA
WEATHERING

SCHMIDT,
Susanne Th.!
Th., Mineralogisch-Petrographisches
Mineralogisch-Petrographisches Institut,
SCHMIDT/ Susanne
Institut/
Bernoullistr.
Bernoullistr. 30,
30/ CH
CH 4056
4056 Basel,
Basel/ Switzerland,
Switzerland/
schmidts~ubac1u.unibas.ch;SEIFERT,
SEIFERTt Karl!
schmidts@ubaclu.unibas.ch;
Karl, Departement
Departement of Geological
&amp; Atmospheric
AtmosphericSciences,
Sciences/ Iowa
Iowa State
StateUniversity,
University/Ames,
Ames/IA
IA50011,
500111
kseifert@pop-2.iastate.edu.
kseifertapop-2.iastate.edu.

and cuttings from deep wells into the Precambrian igneous rocks
Well cores and
of the buried
buried Midcontinent
MidcontinentRift
RiftSystem
System in
in Iowa
Iowa (Iowa
(Iowahorst,
horst/Anderson,
Anderson/1990)
1990)
were studied to
to identify
identify primary
primary and
and secondary
secondary mineral
mineral assemblages
assemblages and the
compositionwas
was determined
determined by
by instrumental
instrumental neutron
neutron
bulk geochemical composition
activation analysis (INAA) for trace elements and
and by inductively
inductively coupled
coupled
for major
major elements.
elements. The results indicate a complex
plasma (ICP) analysis for
alteration history with metamorphic and hydrothermal
hydrothermal stages,
stages! followed
followed by
lateritic weathering on the Precambrian erosion surface.
surface. Minerals
Minerals were
analyzed
analysis/clay
clay minerals
minerals by
by X-ray
X-ray diffraction
diffraction
analyzed by
by electron
electron microprobe
microprobe analysis,
(air-dried
and
gly~olated)~
and the
theisotopic
isotopic composition
compositionof
of calcite
calcite was
was
(air-dried and
and glycolated),
determined.
The large majority of these Midcontinent Rift samples were originally
&amp; Anderson,
Anderson/ 1996)
1996) compositionally similar to
basalts or diabases
diabases(Seifert
(Seifert &amp;
intermediate olivine
olivine tholeiites
tholeiites as
as described
described by
by Brannon
Brannon (1984)
(1984) from the
exposed north
north of
Midcontinent Rift or North
North Shore
Shore Volcanic
Volcanic Goup (NSVG)
(NSVG) exposed
Duluth in Minnesota.
Minnesota. Although
Although alteration
alteration has greatly modified
modified the primary
samples/ relicts
relicts of the original
original magmatic
magmatic
composition and texture
texture of
of most
most samples,
mineral assemblage can still be
be observed
observed in
in some
some samples.
samples. Based on
amygdule frequency
frequency and
and degree
degreeof
of alteration
alteration itit is
is possible
possible to
to differentiate
differentiate
morphological flow
flowunits.
units. Flow
tops with a large
between the various morphological
Flow tops
number of amygdules and
and highest
highest degree
degree of
of alteration
alteration can be distinguished
distinguished
without any amygdules and a less
from massive flow interiors without
less intensive
Massive
alteration. In some flow tops no primary igneous texture is visible. Massive
of alteration but
but the primary texture is
flow interiors show various degrees of
often preserved.
A relativly homogenous regional metamorphic alteration
alteration pattern is
observed based on the highly amygdaloidal
amygdaloidal flow tops and amygdule
amygdule minerals.
In addition,
some
massive
flow
interiors
have
preserved
part
of
addition/ some
of the
the early
early
alteration history.
history. The
Theassemblage
assemblageepidote-Fe-rich-chlorite-albiteepidote-Fe-rich-chlorite-albitequartz±pumpellyite±sericite
is characteristic
characteristic for
for all
all studied
studied drill sites of
of the
quartz~umpellyite~ericite
facies. The
Iowa horst and
and indicates
indicates conditions
conditions of the beginning greenschist facies.
The
same facies is also observed in the
lowermost
part
of
the
ca
8
km
thick
NSVG
the lowermost part of the ca 8 k m thick NSVG
in Minnesota near Duluth which is interpreted to be the result of
of burial
metamorphism
(Schmidt,
1990;
1993).
metamorphism (Schmidt/ 1990; 1993).

111

�The Sharp #1 core documents the complex alteration history that affected
at least part of the Midcontinent Rift System in Iowa. A sequence of
secondary alteration stages can be established. In the massive flow interior of
Sharp #1 (sample 2206.4), an early Fe-poor, Si-rich phyllosilicate replaces
pyroxene along grain boundaries. Fe-poor, Si-rich phyllosilicates (smectites)
are also reported from massive flow interiors of the NSVG indicating an
earlier alteration stage under lower temperatures (Schmidt &amp; Robinson,
1997). The Fe-poor, Si-rich phyllosilicate is in turn replaced by a late Fe-rich
chlorite which also occurs in veinlets. This Fe-rich chlorite also forms part of
the epidote-Fe-rich-chlorite-albite-quartz ± pumpellyite ± sericite assemblage
in the amygdaloidal flow tops. In samples, a late potassic alteration is present
with K-feldspar as a frequent overgrowth not only of silicates (albite and
pyroxene), but also of chalcopyrite.
All samples which were derived directly from the original Precambrian
erosion surface are partly intensively altered to kaolinite which is attributed
to a tropical lateritic weathering (Seifert &amp; Anderson, 1996). This correlates
well with the suggested position of Iowa near the equator at the end of the
Precambrian time. No kaolinite is present deeper in the drill cores.
Anderson, R.R. (1992) The Midcontinent Rift of Iowa. Ph. D. thesis,
University of Iowa, Iowa City, 324p.
Brannon, J.C. (1984) Geochemistry of successive lava flows of the
Keweenawan North Shore Volcanic Group. Ph. D. Thesis, Washington
University, St.Louis, 3l2p.
Schmidt, S.Th. (1990) Alteration under conditons of burial metamorphism in
the North Shore Volcanic Group, Minnesota - Mineralogical and
geochemical zonation. Heidelberger Geowisscnschaftliche
Abhandlungen, Band 41, 309 p.
Schmidt, S.Th. (1993) Regional and local patterns of low-grade
metamorphism in the North Shore Volcanic Group, Minnesota, USA.
Journal of metamorphic Geology, 11, 401-414.
Schmidt, S.Th. &amp; Robinson, D. (1997) Metamorphic grade and porosity and
permeability controls on mafic phyllosilicate distributions in a regional
metamorphic zeolite to greenschist facies transition of the North Shore
Volcanic Group. Geological Society of America, Bulletin, 109, 683-697.
Seifert, K. &amp; Anderson, R.R. (1996) Geochemistry of buried Midcontintent Rift
volcanic rocks in Iowa: Data from well samples. Jour. Iowa Acad. Sci. 103
(3-4), 63-7.

112

�CRUSTAL
CRUSTALRECYCLING
RECYCLINGIN
INTHE
THEEVOLUTION
EVOLUTIONOF
OFTHE
THEPENOKEAN
PENOKEANOROGEN:
OROGEN:ISOTOPIC
ISOTOPIC
EVIDENCE
EVIDENCEFOR
FORARCHEAN
ARCHEAN CONTRIBUTIONS
CONTRIBUTIONS TO
TO CRUSTAL
CRUSTAL GROWTH
GROWTH IN
IN THE
THE
PEMBINE-WAUSAU TERRANE,
TERRANE, NORTHERN
NORTHERN WISCONSIN
WISCONSIN
PEMBINE-WAUSAU
Schulz,Klaus
KlausJ.J.and
andAyuso,
Ayuso,Robert
RobertA.,
A.,U.S.
U.S.Geological
GeologicalSurvey,
Survey,954
954National
NationalCenter,
Center,Reston,
Reston,
Schulz,
VA20192
20 192(kschulz@usgs.gov)
(kschulz@usgs.gov)
VA
Continental
Continentalgrowth
growthmodels
modelsdepend
dependon
oninformation
informationregarding
regardingthe
theage
ageofofbasement
basementininorogenic
orogenic
belts
beltsand
andon
onestimates
estimatesof
ofthe
theamount
amountof
ofcrustal
crustalrecycling
recycling involved
involvedin
in their
theirevolution.
evolution. The
Thedistribution
distribution
and
androle
roleof
ofArchean
Archeanbasement
basementininthe
theEarly
EarlyProterozoic
ProterozoicPenokean
Penokeanorogen
orogenininthe
theLake
LakeSuperior
Superiorregion
region
has
haslong
longbeen
been aa topic
topic of
of debate
debate and
and speculation.
speculation. Early
Earlyworkers
workersviewed
viewed the
the Early
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic history
history of
theregion
regionin
interms
termsof
ofintracratonic
intracratonicdeposition
depositionand
andreactivation
reactivation of
of Archean
Archean crust
crust of
of the
the Superior
Superior
the
Province
Province(e.g.,
(e.g.,Sims,
Sims,1976).
1976).More
Morerecently
recentlythere
therehas
hasbeen
beenaageneral
generalconsensus
consensusthat
thatthe
theEarly
Early
Proterozoic
Proterozoicrocks
rocksevolved
evolvedthrough
throughplate
platetectonic
tectonicprocesses
processesincluding
includingcontinental
continentalrifling
riftingand
andsubduction,
subduction,
with
wasaccreted
accretedtotothe
theArchean
Archeancraton
craton
withformation
formationofofsignificant
significantvolumes
volumesofofjuvenile
juvenilecrust
crustthat
thatwas
(Hoffman,
(Hoffinan,1988;
1988;Sims
Sirns and
and others,
others, 1989).
1989).However,
However,isotopic
isotopicstudies
studieson
onrocks
rocksfrom
fromthe
theWisconsin
Wisconsin
maginatic
magmaticterranes
terraneshave
haveagain
againraised
raisedquestions
questionsabout
aboutthe
thedistribution
distributionand
androle
roleofofArchean
Archeancrust
crustininthe
the
Penokean
Penokeanorogen
orogen (Barovich
(Barovichand
and others,
others, 1989;
1989;Van Wyck and Johnson, 1997).
1997). In
Inparticular,
particular,Van
VanWyck
Wyck
and
and Johnson
Johnson(1997)
(1997)proposed
proposedthat
thatthe
thePenokean
Penokeanorogen
orogenevolved
evolvedthrough
throughback-arc
back-arcrifling
riftingofofthe
thesouthern
southern
Superior
SuperiorProvince,
Province,followed
followedby
bycollision
collisionof
ofaacontinental
continentalarc
arcterrane
terrane(the
(theMarshfield
Marshfieldterrane)
terrane)from
fromthe
the
south.
south.
One
Oneof
ofthe
theprimary
primarylines
linesof
ofevidence
evidenceused
usedby
byVan
VanWyck
Wyckand
andJohnson
Johnson(1997)
(1997)totosupport
supportaamodel
model
of
of continental
continentalback-arc
back-arcrifling
riftingfor
forthe
thePembine-Wausau
Pembine-Wausauterrane
terranewas
wasan
aninferred
inferredcorrelation
correlationbetween
betweenthe
the
degree
degree of
of crustal
crustal contamination
contamination and
and distance
distance from the northern margin of the terrane, the Niagara fault
zone,
(i.e.,€Nd(T)
eNd(T)values
valuesbecome
becomemore
morepositive
positive
zone, in
in which
whichcontamination
contaminationdecreased
decreasedsouthward
southward(i.e.,
southwards).
southwards). To
Totest
testthis
thismodel
modelfor
forthe
thePembine-Wausau
Pembine-Wausauterrane
terraneand
andfurther
furtherrefme
refineestimates
estimatesfor
forthe
the
involvementof
of older
oldercrust,
crust,14
14volcanic
volcanicrocks
rocksand
and14
14granitic
graniticrocks
rocksfrom
fromacross
acrossthe
thePembine-Wausau
Pembine-Wausau
involvement
terranein
innorthern
northernWisconsin
Wisconsinwere
wereanalyzed
analyzedfor
forNd
Ndand/or
andlorPb
Pbisotopes.
isotopes. These
Thesesamples,
samples,collected
collectedfrom
from
terrane
thethree
three principal
principal outcrop
outcropareas
areasin
innorthern
northern Wisconsin—the
Wisconsin-the Dunbar-Pembine
Dunbar-Pembine area
area located
located in
in
the
northeastern
northeasternWisconsin
Wisconsinjust
justsouth
southofofthe
theNiagara
Niagarafault
faultzone,
zone,the
theMonico
Monicoarea
arealocated
locatedabout
about45
45 km
krn south
south
of
ofthe
theNiagara
Niagarafault
faultzone
zoneininnorthcentral
northcentralWisconsin,
Wisconsin,and
andthe
theMarathon
MarathonCounty
Countyarea
arealocated
locatedatatthe
the
southern
southernmargin
marginof
ofthe
thePembine-Wausau
Pembine-Wausauterrane
terraneinincentral
centralWisconsin—significantly
Wisconsin-significantly expand
expandthe
the
sampling
sampling density
density in
in these
thesethree
threeareas
areasand
andfor
forthe
thefirst
firsttime
timeprovide
provideisotope
isotopedata
datafor
forseveral
severalvolcanic
volcanic
units
units within
within the
the Pembine-Wausau
Pembine-Wausau terrane.
terrane. Results
Resultsare
aresummarized
summarizedininthe
thetable
tablebelow.
below.

The
Theanalyzed
analyzedmafic
maficvolcanic
volcanicrocks
rocks from
from the
the Monico
Monicoand
and Marathon
Marathon County
County areas
areasare
are light
light REEREEenriched
from +1.3
+1.3 to
to +3
+3 and
and relatively
relatively primitive
primitive p values. These
enrichedbut
but have
havepositive
positiveENd(T)
ENd(T)from
TheseNd
Ndisotope
isotope
data
dataare
are slightly
slightlymore
more enriched
enriched than
than the
the Nd isotope
isotope results of
of Beck and
and Murthy
Murthy (1991)
(199 1) for
for the
the
+4.2 )from
fromthe
thePembine
Pembinearea
areaand
andsuggest
suggestderivation
derivationfrom
fromdepleted
depletedEarly
Early
Quinnesecbasalts
basalts(€Nd(T)
(eNd(T) +4.2)
Quinnesec
Proterozoic
(10%) addition
contrasttoto
Proterozoic mantle
mantle with possibly a small (510%)
additionofofolder
oldercrustal
crustalcomponents.
components.InIncontrast
the
the mafic
mafic volcanic
volcanic rocks,
rocks, the
the felsic
felsic volcanic
volcanic rocks
rocks from throughout
throughout the Pembine-Wausau
Pembine-Wausau terrane
terrane have
eNd(T)
values ranging
ranging from -0
—0toto-4
-4and
andrelatively
relativelyhigh
highppvalues
values &gt;10
&gt;10 suggesting
suggesting variable but significant
eNd(T) values
significant
input
inputof
of older,
older, probably
probablyArchean
Archean crustal
crustalcomponents.
components. Surprisingly,
Surprisingly,the
thefelsic
felsicvolcanic
volcanicrocks
rocksfrom
fromthe
the
Monico
Monico area
area show
show the
the greatest
greatest crustal
crustalcontamination.
contamination. The
Thegranitic
graniticrocks,
rocks,like
likethe
thefelsic
felsicvolcanic
volcanicrocks,
rocks,
also
alsohave
havemostly
mostlynegative
negativeENd(T)
eNd(T)values
valuesbut
butshow
showaagreater
greaterrange
rangefrom
from—0
-0 to
to—7.4,
-7.4, and relatively high
high pp
values
values &gt;10;
&gt;lo; younger
youngergranites
granitestend
tendto
tohave
havethe
themost
mostnegative
negative€Nd(T)
e ~ d ( Tand
) highest p values
values in
in both
both the
the
Dunbar-Pembine
Dunbar-Pembine and
and Marathon
Marathon County
County areas.
areas. The
Theisotope
isotopedata
datalie
liealong
alongmixing
mixinglines
linesbetween
betweendepleted
depleted
Early
Proterozoic
mantle
and
Archean
Superior
Province
crust;
mixing
models
suggest
from
20
Early Proterozoic mantle and Archean Superior
crust; mixing models suggest from to
to
&gt;70%
&gt;70%Archean
Archeancrustal
crustalcontamination
contaminationfor
forfelsic
felsicvolcanic
volcanicand
andgranitic
graniticrocks.
rocks.

-

113

I

�I

Areas
Dunbar-Pembine (North)
Dunbar-Pembine
(North)
• Pemene
Pemene Rhyolite
Rhyolite (2)
(2)
• Dunbar
Dunbar Dome
Dome (5)
(5)
• Bush
Bush Lake
Lake Granite
Granite (1)
(1)
• Twelve Foot Falls
Falls (1)
Quartz
Quartz Diorite
Diorite
Monico
Monico
Basalt (2)
(2)
• Basalt
• Dacite/Rhyolite
DaciteRhyolite (3)
(3)
• Quartz
Quartz Porphyry
Porphyry (1)
(1)
Marathon
Marathon County
County (South)
(South)
Basalt/Andesite (4)
• BasaltIAndesite
• DaciteIRhyolite
Dacite/Rhyolite (3)
(3)
• Pre/Syn-Tectonic
PrefSyn-TectonicGranite
Granite (3)
(3)
Syn/Post-Tectonic Granite
Granite (3)
• SynPost-Tectonic

TDM
TDM(in Ga)
Ga)

ENd(T)
e~d(T.1

-

— M.35
+0.35

p (8U/204Pb)
(*8~/20"~b)
12
--10.4
11.5

.7.4
-7.4
-3.2

2.3
2.3
2.2 to 2.9
2.9
2.8

+2.1
+2.1
-3.1
-3.1
•1
-4.7

2.1
—2.6
2.6
2.5

--9.811
9.4

+3 to +1.3
+1.3
to -2.0
2.0
-0.8 to
4.0
-1.0
42
-4.2

2.0 to 2.2
2.2 to 2.3
2.3
2.8
2.8

9.8
---10.6
- 10.9
13.2

-0.9 to -4.2

-

--

--

12

10.4
11.5

-

— 9.8

11

9.4

9.8
10.6
10.9

.-. 13.2

The new
new data
datapresented
presented here
here do
donot
notsupport
supportaacorrelation
correlationof
ofincreasing
increasing6Nd
eNd
with distance from
Niagara fault zone.
zone. The
the Niagarafault
The felsic
felsic volcanic rocks from throughout the terrane show isotopic evidence
greatest crustal
crustal component
component in
in rhyolites
rhyolites from
fromthe
theMonico
Monicoarea.
area. The
for crustal contamination with the greatest
granitic rocks from throughout the terrane also show isotopic evidence for significant
significant crustal
contamination. However,
However, the
the isotope
isotope data
datado
do suggest
suggest that
that crustal contamination was greatest for syn- to
post-tectonic granites emplaced near the northern and southern margins of the Pembine-Wausau terrane.
post-tectonic

isotope data
data for
for the Pembine-Wausau terrane suggest
suggest that: (1)
(1) input
input of
of Archean crustal
crustal
The new isotope
greater and more widely distributed than previously
components to Penokean crust
crust formation was greater
(2) there
there isisno
noclear
clearcorrelation
correlationbetween
betweenENd
EN^ and
and distance from the northern (Niagara)
recognized; (2)
suture zone, although contamination appears to have been greatest for syn- to post-tectonic granites
shown by the
emplaced near the margins of the terrane; and (3) the high levels of crustal components shown
felsic igneous rocks probably result from crustal assimilation and mixing and not from contamination
contamination of
a depleted mantle source by subduction of Archean derived sediments.

References cited
Barovich, KM.
Cia
KM.,Patchett,
Patchett,P.J.,
P.J.,Peterman,
Petennan,Z.E.,
Z.E.,and
andSims,
Sims,P.K.,
P.K.,1989,
1989,Nd
Ndisotopes
isotopesand
andthe
theorigin
originof
of1.9-1.7
1.9-1.7 Ga
Penokean
Penokean continental
continental crust
crustof
of the
the Lake
Lake Superior
Superiorregion:
region: Geological
GeologicalSociety
Society of
of America
AmericaBulletin,
Bulletin,v.
v. 101,
101,
p. 333-338.
Beck, W. and
and Murthy, V.R.,
V.R, 1991,
1991,Evidence
Evidence for
for continental
continental crustal
crustal assimilation
assimilation in
in the
the Hemlock
Hemlock Formation
Formation flood
flood
basalts
basalts of
of the
the Early
Early Proterozoic
ProterozoicPenokean
Penokean Orogen,
Orogen, Lake
Lake Superior
Superiorregion:
region: U.S.
U.S. Geological
Geological Survey
Survey
Bulletin
25p.
Bulletin 1904-I,
1904-1,25p.
Hoffman, P.F., 1988,
Hoffinan,
1988,United
United plates
plates of
of America,
America, the
the birth
birth of craton:
craton: Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic assembly
assembly and
and growth
growthof
of
Laurentia:
Laurentia:Annual
AnnualReviews
Reviews of
of Earth
Earth and
and Planetary
Planetary Sciences,
Sciences, v. 16,
16,p.
p. 543-603.
543-603.
Sims,
Sims, P.K., 1976,
1976, Precambrian
Precambrian tectonics
tectonics and
and mineral deposits,
deposits, Lake
Lake Superior
Superior region: Economic
Economic Geology,
Geology, v. 71,
71, p.
1092-1177.
1092-1177.
P.K., Van Schrnus,
W.R., Schulz, KJ.,
K.J., and Peterman,
Petennan, Z.E., 1989,
Sims, P.K.,
Schmus, W.R,
1989, Tectono-stratigraphic
Tectono-stratigraphic evolution
evolution of the
Early
Early Proterozoic
ProterozoicWisconsin
Wisconsin magmatic
magmatic terranes
terranes of the
the Penokean
Penokean Orogen:
Orogen: Canadian
CanadianJournal
Journalof
of Earth
Earth
Sciences, v. 26, p. 2145-2158.
Van Wyck, N. and Johnson,
Johnson, C.M.,
C.M., 1997,
1997, Common
Common lead,
lead, Sm-Nd,
Sm-Nd, and
and U-Pb constraints
constraintson
on petrogenesis,
petrogenesis, crustal
crustal
architecture,
architecture,and
and tectonic
tectonic setting
setting of
of the
the Penokean
Penokean orogeny
orogeny (Paleoproterozoic)
(Paleoproterozoic)in
in Wisconsin:
Wisconsin: Geological
Geological
Society of America Bulletin,
Bulletin, v. 109,
109, p. 799-808.
,

114

"
-

II
I

�I

ND ISOTOPE EVIDENCE
EVIDENCE FOR
FOR MIDDLE
MIDDLE AND
AND EARLY
EARLY ARCHEAN
ARCHEAN CRUST
CRUST
IN THE WAWA SUBPROVINCE OF THE SUPERIOR PROVINCE, MICHIGAN, U.S.A.
IN
Sims, P.K., Neymark, L.A.,
L.A., and
and Peterman,
Petennan, Z.E.,
Z.E., U.S.
U.S. Geological
Geological Survey;
Survey;
Kotov, A.B.,
A.B., Institute
Institute of Precambrian
Precambrian Geology
Geology and
and Geochronology,
Geochronology, St.
St. Petersburg,
Petersburg, Russia
Russia
Kotov,

New Sm-Nd
New
Sm-Nd isotopic
isotopic data on Late
Late Archean
Archean granitic
granitic rocks
rocks from
from the
theWawa
Wawasubprovince
subprovince(a(agranite-greenstone
granite-greenstone
terrane)
indicate aa Middle to Early
Archean crustal source for the rocks.
rocks.
terrane) of the Superior province, northern Michigan,
Michigan, indicate
Early Archean
model ages between
between 2.7 and 3.6 Ga
At 2.7 Ga pNd values vary from -6.4 to +3.3, which correspond to depleted mantle
mantle model
Previous Nd-isotope
Nd-isotope studies
studies in
in granite-greenstone
terranes in
in the
the southern part of the
(see table). Previous
granite-greenstone terranes
the Superior
Superior province
province
indicated that
that most
most granitoid rocks are juvenile,
juvenile, i.e.
i.e. mantle derived, with little identifiable participation from older
have indicated
crust or recycled material.
Samples were taken from the Puritan batholith
(Fig. I),
I), which
which lies
lies astride
astride the Michigan
Michigan -- Wisconsin
Wisconsin border,
batholith (Fig.
border, and
the northern complex of the Marquette district
district (Fig.
(Fig. 2); both igneous
igneous bodies
bodies have
have crystallization
crystallization ages
agesof
of—2.7
-2.7 Ga.
Ga.
Candidatesfor
for the
the source
source of
of the Middle
Candidates
Middle and Early
Early Archean
Archean rocks
rocks in the
the Michigan
Michigan segment
segment of the
the Wawa
Wawa
subprovince have not been
been identified,
identified, but these rocks mainly constitute ancient
ancient continental
continental crust,
crust, perhaps a proto-craton
proto-craton
block like that in the Sachigo and Minto subprovinces
subprovinces (Percival
(Percival and
and other,
other, 1994)
1994)to
to the
the north.
north.
Not unexpectedly, high-grade gneisses from the adjacent Minnesota River Valley subprovince, to
to the south, which
which
contains the oldest rocks in the Superior province, have
have comparable
comparable old
old Nd-depleted
Nd-depleted mantle
mantlemodel
modelages
ages(see
(seetable),
table),
ranging from 2.9 to 3.3 Ga.

d

Table. Sm-Nd
Sm-Ndisotope
isotopedata
datafor
forgranites
granitesfrom
from Wawa
WawaSubprovince
Subprovinceand
andfelsic
gneisses and
and granites
granites from
from Minnesota
felsic gneisses
Subprovince.
River Valley Suburovince.
'47Sm/
143Ndt
T(Ga)
Nd
Sample
Sm
d(t) d(O) TDM TDM
'44Nd
'44Nd
(ppm) (ppm)
Subprovince (Granite-Greenstone
(Granite-Greenstone Terrane)
Wawa Subprovince
Terrane)
182B
183B
198

215B
0919-1-89
0919-3-89
0920-4-89

l36R
M169

Ml70
177
179

D1044
D1731
D2493
D2494
D2495

2.7
2.7
2.7
2.7
2.7
2.7
2.7
2.7
2.7
2.7
2.7
2.7
2.7
2.7
2.7
2.7
2.7

8.88
19.7

5.70
2.76
4.06
8.08
3.56
0.79
1.60
2.98

40.9
98.2
32.2
17.0

30.2
57.7
17.9
3.11
11.5
17.4

2.53

13.8

1.01

4.67

4.10

16.7

2.08

10.5

1.26

6.48

5.06

33.6

5.60

33.6

0.0980
0.1214
0.1074
0.0982
0.0815
0.0925
0.1205
0.1545
0.0848
0.1041
0.1107
0.1315
0.1486
0.1200
0.1176
0.0913
0.1012

0.510695 (13)
0.511072 (5)
0.510842 (8)
0.510672 (13)
0.510594 (12)
0.510707 (6)
0.511397(10)
0.511781 (9)
0.5 10708 (10)
0.511040(10)
0.510912 (10)
0.511415(9)
0.511572(7)
0.511070(7)
0.511266(7)

-3.7
-4.5

0.510928 (7)
0.510792(4)

3.3

-37.9
-30.5
-35.0
-38.4
-39.9
-37.7
-24.2
-16.7
-37.6
-31.2
-33.7

3202
3394
3276
3237
2922
3044
2840
3478
2863
2908
3277

-23.9
-20.8
-30.6
-26.8
-33.4
-36.0

3182
3646
3347
2959
2744
3163

3334
3123
3358
3347
2966
2758
3256

-39.8
-32.1

2971

3037

-31.4
-31.6

3192
3309
3072

3226
3325
3104

-6.4

-36.0

3358

3456

-2.3
-2.3

-31.8

3068

3127

-4.1

-4.2
0.1

-1.5
2.3
-2.1
1.2

1.0

-3.8
-1.2
-4.1

-4.0
0.7
-2.9

213

2.8
2.8
2.8

Subprovince (Gneiss Terrane)
Terrane)
Minnesota River Valley
Valley Subprovince
44.9
0.0841
0.510600(8)
0.8
6.22
44.9
0.0841
0.5 10600 (8)
0.8
0.510993(11)
0.510993 (1 1 )
2.35
12.8
0.1117
-1.5
12.8
0.11 17
2.35
0.1170
0.511027(10)
1 1027 (10)
0.5
38.2
-2.7
38.2
0.1 170
7.36
0.511018(8)
21.2
0.1089
0.0
0.1089
0.0
3.80
3.80
21.2

3-90

2.6

10.5
10.5

34-90
161-B
211

2.8

3319
3384
3352
3361
3012
3144

2839
3193
2924
2943

Tilden Granite
Granite
59.2

0.510791
0.5 1079 1 (8)

0.1078
0.1078

Gwinn Granite
226-89

2.6

5.65
5.65

31.6
31.6

0.511006(10)
0.511006(10)

0.1082
0.1082

2 within-run
**)) Data
Data corrected to La
La Jolla
Jolla '43Nd/'44Nd=0.5
'"Nd/'"Nd=0.5 1 11860,
1860, 2,-r
within-run errors
errors are
are given
given inin parentheses.
parentheses.
12ininthe
the source
source of
of rocks before T Ga
** *)
* ) Two-stage
Two-stage Nd-model age
age assuming
assuming47Sm/'41Nd=0.
'"Sm/'"Nd=O. 12
Ga ago.
ago.

115

�________________________________

W"

89'

88O

I

1

LAKE SUPERIOR
47%

Figure 1.
1.Geologic
Geologicmap
mapofofPrecambrian
Precambrianrocks
rocksininnorthern
northernMichigan
Michiganand
and adjacent
adjacent
Figure
Wisconsin, showing
showing
localities Sm-Nd samples. Figure 2 is an enlargement of area outWisconsin,
- localities of Sm-Nd samples. Figure 2 is an enlargement of area outlined
lined south
south of
of Marquette.
Marquette.

n

EXPLANA11ON
EXPLANATION

EXPLANATION

—Contact

Paleozoic
Paleozoicrocks,
rocks,undivided
uncfwidd

(1,600-900Ma)
Ma)
MIDDLEPROTEROZOIC
PROTEROZOIC(1.600-900
MIDDLE

ROCKS

subprovinces

'—Mylonde

(ca.
1 ,I 00Ma)
Ma)
Rocksof
ofmidcontinent
midcontinentrift
riftsystem
system(ca.
Rocks
1,100

Sm-Nd age
locality

.

Wawa /
Sub-

Palmer

EARLY
(2,500—I
.600 Ma)
EARLYPROTEROZOIC
PROTEROZOIC
(2,500-1,600
Ma)

province

'.k)lcanic
Volcanic.and
andgranitoid
granitoidrocks
rocksofofWisconsin
Wisconsin

1618

magmatic
zone
(—1.880—1,860
(-1.880-1.860Ma)
Ma)
magmatlc
zone

Sedimentary
Sedimentaryand
andvolcanic
volcanicrocks
rocksofofMarquette
Marquette
Range
RangeSupergroup
Supergroup

•3.90

Puritanbatholith
batholiih
(-2,700
Ma)
Puritan
(—2,700
Ma)
Granitoid
Granitoidrocks
rocksofofnorthern
northerncomplex
complexofof
Marquette
district
(—2,700
Ma)
Marquette
district
(-2,700
Ma)

'

SAND
COVER

B

828

34-90 '
Minnesota A
subprovince

ARCHEAN
ARCHEAN(2,500
(2,500Ma
Maand
andolder)
older)

':2

PRO TEROZOIC .

MinnesotaRivervalley

Jacobsville
JacobsvilleSandstone
Sandstone

n

1361

Approximate boundary
between Wawa and

Valley

21

21

'\\
5 MILES

5 KILOMETERS

Metavolcajijc
Metavolcanicrocks
rocks
"3
7-

1

Gneiss
(2,750—2,640
Ma)
Gneissand
andamphibolite
amphiboliie
(2.750-2.640
Ma)

mat3icgneiss
gneissofofMinnesota
MinnesotaRiver
RiverValley
Valley
Migmatitic
prwlnce(3,550—2,800
(3,550-2,800
Ma)
subprovince
Ma)
GLTZ,
GLTZ,
Ma,
Ma,
Mar,
Mar,
Me,
Me,

Great
GreatLakes
Lakestectonic
tectoniczone
zone
Marquette,
Marquette,Michigan
Michigan
Marenisco,
Marenism,Michigan
Michigan
Mellen,
Mellen,Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Sm—Nd
Sm-Ndage
agelocality
locality

Figure2.2.Geologic
Geologicsketch
sketchmap
mapofofPrecambrian
Precambrian
Figure
rocksininan
anarea
areasouth
southof
ofMarquette,
Marquette,showing
showing
rocks
localities
of
Sm-Nd
samples.
The
Great
hkes
localities of Sm-Nd samples. The Great Lakes
tectoniczone
zoneseparates
separatesgranite-greenstone
granite-greenstonetertertectonic
rane(Wawa
(Wawasubprovince)
subprovince)from
fromgneiss
gneissterrane
terrane
rane
(MinnesotaRiver
RiverValley
Valley subprovince).
subprovince).
(Minnesota
116

I

�I

A THIN
SHEET
APPROACH
TO
A
T H I N VISCOUS
VISCOUS S
HEET A
PPROACH T
O INVESTIGATE
INVESTIGATE THE POST
POST
OF
THE
RIFT EVOLUTION O
FT
H E MIDCONTINENT
M I D C O N T I N E N T RIFT
RIFT SYSTEM
SYSTEM UNDER
UNDER
THE INFLUENCE OF
O F GRENVILLE
GRENVILLE OROGENY
OROGENY
Soofi,
M. A.,
A., and
and King,
King, S.
S.D.,
D., Department
Department of
of Earth
Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Purdue
Purdue
Soofi, M.
West Lafayette, Indiana
University, West
Indiana 47907
47907

The cause of the termination
termination of
of rifting
rifting along
along the
the Midcontinent
Midcontinent Rift
Rift system
system(MCR)
(MCR)
and the
the presence
presence of reverse faults along
along the rift margins
margins are
are still
still troublesome
troublesome for the
the
investigators
of the MCR. Suggestions
for the cause of rifting
investigators of
Suggestions for
rifting range
range from
fiom aapassive
passive
mechanism, where
where processes
processesatat plate
plate boundaries
responsible (e.g.
(e.g. Hinze
Hinze et al.,
mechanism,
boundaries were
were responsible
al.,
1982), to
to an active mechanism, where
where aa mantle
mantle plume
plume ascended
ascended and
and initiated
initiated rifting (e.g.
19821,
(e.g.
the formation of reverse
reverse faults
faults has been suggested
Cannon and Hinze, 1992). Similarly, the
to be
under the loading due to rift
be aaconsequence
consequence of plate flexure under
rift related
related rocks
rocks (e.g.
(e.g.
stresses from
from the
the plate boundaries, which
Nyquist, 1986),
19861, or an effect
effect of compressive
compressive stresses
which
thrusting along the original rift bounding
not only terminated the
the rifting but also
also caused thrusting
normal faults (e.g.
(eg. Cannon,
Cannon, 1994).
1994).
study focuses on the evolution of
of the
the MCR under the
the influence
of plate
plate boundThis study
influence of
forces from
from the
the Grenville
Orogeny. We are
ary forces,
forces, particularly
particularly the compressive
compressive forces
Grenville Orogeny.
using the thin
using
thin viscous
viscous sheet
sheet model
model (TVS)
(TVS) of
of England
England and
and McKenzie
McKenzie (1983)
(1983) which
which is
implemented in
in aa finite element
element code
code by
by Houseman
Houseman and
and England
England (1986).
(1986). This model
implemented
model
has been used in the
the study
studyof
of India-Asia
India-Asia collision
collision (England and Houseman,
Houseman, 1986)
1986) and
(Sobouti and
and Arkani-Hamed, 1996), where
where it has successArabia-Eurasia convergence
convergence (Sobouti
successfully reproduced
reproduced the topography and deformation
in the overriding Eurasian
Eurasian
deformation observed
observed in
plate. The
Themodel
modeluses
usesincompressible,
incompressible,vertically
vertically averaged,
averaged,power-law
power-law rheology
rheology for the
the
lithosphere.
lithosphere.
For a given
geometry,boundary
boundary conditions,
conditions,stress-strain
stress-strainexponent
exponent(n)
(n) and
and Argand
For
given geometry,
Number (Ar)
(Ar) values,
stresses, strain rates and
Number
values, the
the model
model calculates
calculates crustal thickness, stresses,
and
rotation.
rotation. These
These can
can then
thenbe
becorrelated
correlatedwith
withtopography
topography and
and deformation
deformation in
in the
theover
over
riding plate. A
assumed such
such that
that there is no discontinuity in the
A continuous
continuous medium is assumed
velocity
field. Fault
Fault planes cannot be defined
defined explicitly
explicitlybut,
but, information
information on
on the
the type of
of
velocity field.
faulting can be inferred from
from the
the stress and strain rate
rate distribution.
distribution.
results indicate
indicate that even
(i.e. n=10)
Our results
even in the case
case of aa very
very weak
weak lithosphere
lithosphere (i.e.
n=lO)
stresses
from the
the Grenille
GrenilleEont
Front (GF)
(GF) can
can be
be transmitted
transmitted inland
inland to interact with
stresses from
with the
the
processes that
that were
were occuring
occuringalong
along the
the MCR.
MCR. Also,
Also, depending
dependingon
on the
thesize
sizeof
of the
the colliding
colliding
microcontinents
(i.e. indenters)
indenters) and
and their
their position
position along
alongthe
the GF
GF itit is
is possible
possiblethat
that the
microcontinents (i.e.
MCR was
subjected to different
magnitude of
of stresses
stresses along
along its
its length
length and itit evolved
was subjected
difFerent magnitude
evolved
through the
the superposition
superposition of
of these stresses. The
Thevarying
varying degree
degree of thrust
thrust faulting
faulting obobserved along
along the
the MCR could
style. The models
could be a manifestation
manifestation of such a collision
collision style.
models
also predict significant
of crust
crust next to the
significant thickening of
the indenter,
indenter,the
thethickening
thickeningdecreases
decreases
away
from the collision
boundary. For
For a comparatively
rigid lithosphere
lithosphere (n=l,Ar=l)
(n=1,Ar=1)
away fiom
collision boundary.
comparatively rigid
crustal thickening
is as much
much as
as 2 km where
for a weak
lithosphere (n=lO,Ar=l)
(n=10,Ar=1)
thickening is
where as for
weak lithosphere
crustal thickening is as much as 19 km. Assuming
kg/m3 and
Assuming crustal density
density of 2700
2700 kg/m3
mantle density
density of
of 3300
3300 kg/m3
kg/rn3 and
and assuming
assumingthe
the surface
surfaceof
ofthe
the 35
35 km
km thick
thick crust to
mantle
to
be at
at the
thesea
sealevel
level the
thechange
changein
in crustal
crustalelevation
elevation is
is 0.36
0.36 km for
for rigid lithosphere and
3.4 km
km for
for the relatively
weak lithosphere.
lithosphere. The high elevations
elevations predicted
predicted by
by the
the TVS
3.4
relatively weak
for the
the Tican initiate local
local extension, as suggested by England and McKenzie
McKenzie (1982)
(1982) for
betan
betan plateau.
plateau. Such
Suchaamechanism
mechanismmay
may had
hadbeen
beenresponsible
responsiblefor
for the
the late
latestage
stageextension
extension
reported for the
the Grenville
Grenville Orogeny (e.g.
(e.g. Easton,
Easton, 1992).
1992).
117

�We are also studying
along the
the GF
studying the
the effect
effect of
of oblique
oblique convergence
convergence along
GJ? on
on the
theevoluevolution of the
the MCR.
MCR. For
For fixed
fixed boundary
boundary conditions
conditions and
and rheology,
rheology, the length
length scale
scale of
of dede
formation
decreases
with
increasing
obliquity.
As
discussed
for
the
normal
convergence,
formation decreases
increasing
As discussed
the normal convergence,
microcontinents
convergingobliquely
obliquelyalong
alongthe
the GF
GF can produce stresses
microcontinents of various sizes converging
magnitudes along the
the MCR. Oblique convergence
convergenceproduces
producessame
samepattern
pattern of
of
of different magnitudes
crustal thickening as observed
for
normal
convergence
except
that
it
is
not
symmetric.
observed for normal convergence except that it
One
between oblique
oblique and
and normal convergence is the
the significant area
area
One significant
significant difference between
of
(indenter). This thinning repof crustal thinning next to
to the
the colliding
colliding microcontinent
microcontinent (indenter).
resent extension in the over
over riding plate. For
For normal
normal convergence
convergence the thinning is
is very
very
localised
and produced
produced in a very
localised and
very small
small area
area that
thatdoes
doesnot
notchanges
changessignificantly
significantly with
with
rheology.
this area of
rheology. For oblique convergence this
of extension
extension increases
increases for
for weaker
weaker rheology
(increasing nn value). We
together with a weak
We hypothesize
hypothesize that
that oblique
oblique convergence,
convergence, together
weak
lithosphere (due
subduction), may had helped,
(due to thermal
thermal anomaly
anomaly resulting
resulting from
fiom subduction),
helped, if
if not
initiated, the
the rifting
rifting process.
process.

REFERENCES CITED
CITED
of Grenvillian
Cannon,
Cannon, W. F.,
F., 1994,
1994,Closing
Closing of the Midcontinent
Midcontinent rift
rift -- A
A far-field effect of
compression: Geology,
Geology, v. 22,
22, p.
p. 155-158.
155-158.

on the
the origin of
of the
the North AmerCannon, W. F., and Hinze,
Hinze, W. J., 1992,
1992, Speculations on
ican Midcontinent rift, in
Ziegler,
P.
A.,
ed.,
Geodynaniics
of
rifting,
an Ziegler, P. A., ed., Geodynamics of rifting, Volume
Volume 2.
2.
Case History
History Studies
Studies on
on Rifts:
Rifts: North and
and South
South America
America and
and Africa:
Africa: TectonoTectonophysics, v. 213,
213, p. 49-55.
49-55.

Easton, R.
R. M.,
M., 1992,
1992, The
The Grenville
Grenville Province and the
the Proterozoic
Proterozoic history
history of
of Central
Central
and Southern Ontario, in
an Thurston,
Thurston, P.
P. C.,
C., Williams,
Williams, H. R., Sutcliffe,
Sutcliffe, R. H.,
H., and
Stott,
Stott,G.
G.M.,
M.,eds.,
eds.,Geology
Geologyof
of Ontario,
Ontario,Ontario
OntarioGeological
GeologicalSurvey,
Survey,Special
SpecialVolume
Volume
4, Part
2,
p.
715-904.
Part 2, p. 715-904.

England, P., and
and Houseman,
Houseman, G.,
G., 1986,
1986, Finite strain
straincalculations
calculationsof
of continental
continental defordeformation 2.
2. Comparison
Comparisonwith
with the
theIndia-Asia
India-Asiacollision
collision zone:
zone: Journal
Journalof
ofGeophysical
Geophysical
Research, v. 91,
p.3664-3676.
3664-3676.
91, p.
England, P., and
and McKenzie,
McKenzie, D.,
D., 1983,
1983, Correction to,:
to: A thin
thin viscous
viscous sheet
sheet model
model for
for
continental
continental deformation:
deformation: Geophysical
Geophysical Journal
Journalof
ofthe
theRoyal
RoyalAstromomical
AstromomicalSociety,
Society,
v. 73,
73, p.
p. 523-532.
523-532.

Hinze,
W. J., Wold, R. J.,
J., and
and O'Hara,
O'Hara, N.
N. W.,
W., 1982,
1982,Gravity
Gravity and
and magnetic
magnetic anomaly
anomaly
Hinze, W.
studies of
of Lake
Lake Superior,
Superior, an
in Wold,
Wold, R.
R. J.,
J., and
and Hinze,
Hinze, W. J.,
J., eds.,
eds., Geology
Geology and
and
tectonics of the
Lake
Superior
basin:
Geological
Society
of
America
Memoir
156,
the Lake Superior basin: Geological Society of America Memoir 156,
203-222.
p. 203-222.

Houseman, G., and
and England,
England, P., 1986,
1986, Finite strain
strain calculations
calculations of continental deformation 1.
Method
and
general
results
for
convergent
1. Method and general results for convergent zones:
zones: Journal
Journalof
of Geophysical
Geophysical
Research, v.
v. 91,
91,p.p.3651-3663.
3651-3663.

of the
the Mid-Continent
Mid-Continent rift
rift [Ph.D.
Nyquist, J. E., 1986,
1986, Thermal and mechanical models of
thesis]: University
Universityof
of Wisconsin-Madison,
Wisconsin-Madison,193p.
193p.

Sobouti, F., and
of the
the deformation of
of
and Arkani-Hamed,
Arkani-Hamed, J., 1996,
1996, Numerical
Numerical modelling of
the Iranian plateau:
plateau: Geophysical
Geophysical Journal
Journal International,
International, v.
v. 126,
126,p.
p.805-818.
805-818.

118

I

�U

PALEOMAGNETIC STUDIES OF AA PROTEROZOIC PORPHYRITIC
PORPHYRITIC DIABASE
DIABASE
DIKE, PIFHER AND IRWIN
DIKEf
IRWIN TOWNSHIPS,
TOWNSHIPS LAKE
LAKE NIPIGON
NIPIGON DISTRICT,
DISTRICT
ONTARIO
ONTARIO
T
h ~ m a s *C.,
C~S fKean,
Keanf W., Department
Department of
of Geosciences,
Geosciencesf
Thomas*,
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukeef
53201
Wisconsin—Milwaukee, Milwaukeef
Milwaukee, WI 53201
and Luther,
Lutherf F.,
F e fGeology
Geology Department,
Departmentf UW—Whitewater,
UW-Whitewaterf
Whitewater,
student author)
Whitewaterf WI
WI 53190
53190 (*
( * student
author)
This approximately
This
approximately 50
50 m
m wide
wide porphyritic
porphyritic diabase
diabase dike,
dikef
outcropping
outcropping in western Irwin
Irwin and Pifher
Pifher Townships
Townships in
in the
the
Nipigon district,
districtf is
is locally
locally known
known as
as greenspar. The
The dike
dike has
has
a characteristic
characteristic greenish
greenish mottled appearance
appearance in
in outcrop
outcrop as
as aa
result of saussaritized
saussaritized plagioclase glomerophenocrysts
glomerophenocrysts in
in aa
diabase
(Luther,1997). The
The dike
dike strikes
strikes due
due north
north
diabase groundinass
groundmass (Lutherf1997).
and dips verticallyf
vertically, and is
off-set by
by
is found
found as
as segments,
segmentsf off—set
east—west
east-west faulting(Mackasey,1975).
faulting(Mackasey,l975). There
There are
are no
no radiometric
radiometric
dates on
on this
this rock
rock or
or associated
associated rocks,
rocks, although,
althoughf it
it is
is cut
cut by
by
middle or late Proterozoic sill
a large middle
sill in Irwin
Irwin
Township
1975)..
Township(Mackasey,
(Mackaseyf1975)
Paleomagnetic studies were completed on 2—3
2-3 cores
cores from
from
each of 5 locations. Each location represents
represents one
one dike
dike
segment. Samples
Samples from each location
location were subjected
subjected to
to both
alternating field
alternating
field (A.F.)
(A.F.) and
and thermal
thermal demagnetization
demagnetization studies.
studies.
The
is
The samples
samples show
show one
one primary
primary magnetic
magnetic direction
direction which
which is
removed at demagnetization
demagnetization temperatures
temperatures of
of 5700
570Â C. or
or by
by A.F.
fields of 60
mT. All but one location
normal polarity
fields
60 mT.
location shows
shows normal
with
inclinations of
with northwesterly
northwesterly declinations(200°-300°)
declinations(200~-300') and inclinations
of
40°-80°.
The northern
northern most
most section
section of
of the
the dike
dike which
which we
we sampled
40'-80Â°
The
is reversally
reversally magnetized
magnetized with
with declinations
declinations of
of about
about 90°—100°
90'-100~
and inclinations
inclinations of
of —75°.
-75'- These magnetic directions
directions are
are
consistent with Keweenawan age
age paleomagnetic directions
directions in
in the
the
Lake Superior
Superior Region.
Region.
References
References

Luther,
Proterozoic
Lutherf F.,1997,
F.f1997f The
The Petrology
Petrology of
of Greenspar:
Greenspar: A Proterozoic
Porphyritic
Porphyritic Diabase
Diabase Dike;
Dike; Pifher
Pifher and Irwin
Irwin Townships,
Townshipsf Lake
Lake
Nipigon District,
Districtf Ontario. Institute
Institute on
on Lake
Lake Superior
Superior Geology
Geology
Vol.43.
abstracts
abstracts and
and proceedings
proceedings
Vo1.43.
,

Mackasey,
Mackaseyf W.O.,1975,
W.0.f1975f Geology
Geology of
of Dorothea,
Dorothear Sandra,
Sandra, and
and Irwin
Irwin
Townships,
Townshipsf District
District of
of Thunder
Thunder Bay;
Bay; Ontario
Ontario division
division of
of Mines,
Minesf
83 p.
p.
rpt 122
122 with
with map
map 2294,
2294# 83

119

�.,

GRAVITY, MAGNETIC, AND STRUCTURAL STUDY OF TJ3E
THE WAKEMUP
WAKEMUP BAY
A GMVITY,
TONALITE, MINNESOTA
TIKOFF, Basil, Department of Geology and Geophysics, Rice University, Houston, TX
77005-1892,
770051892, USA, BAUER, Robert Department of Geological Sciences, University of
Missouri, Columbia,
Columbia, MO, 65211,
652 11, USA, VIGNERESSE,
VIGNERESSE, Jean-Louis
Jean-Louis Vigneresse,
Vigneresse,
CREGU, 54501
54501 Vandoeuvre,
Vandoeuvre, Nancy Cedex, France, and HAGGEMAN,
HAGGEMAN, Nick,
Nick,
of Mimesota,
Minnesota, Minneapolis,
Minneapolis, MN
MN
Department of Geology and Geophysics, University of
55455, USA
Wakemup Bay
The wakemuP
Bay tonalite
tonalite is
is aa small
small intrusive
intrusive body that intrudes
intrudes amphibolite-grade
amphibolite-gradebiotite
biotite
schist on the extreme
extreme southern
southern edge of the Quetico sub-province
sub-province in the western part of Lake
Lake
Minnesota. The tonalite is part of
of the
the Wakemup
Wakemup Bay
Bay block,
block, which
which is
is bounded
bounded by
by
Vermilion in Minnesota.
the Vermilion fault to the north and the Haley fault to the south. The Haley fault has a dip-slip
component that separates
separates amphibolite-grade
amphibolite-grade rocks of the Quetico sub-province to the north
greenschist-grade rocks of the Wawa sub-province to
to the
the south.
south. The
The primary
primary purpose
purpose of
of
from greenschist-grade
our investigation was to evaluate the mechanism of emplacement of the Wakemup Bay pluton
and its relationship to local doming by determining its 3D shape and internal magnetic fabric.
conducted aa gravity
gravity survey
survey over
over the
the pluton, and use the gravity
gnvity inversion
inversion to
to evaluate
evaluatethe
the
We conducted
pluton shape.
shape. We
Wecollected
collectedanisotropy
anisotropyof
of magnetic
magnetic susceptibility
susceptibility(AMS)
(AMS) data
data to
to evaluate
eval~latethe
the
magnetic fabric
mdgnetic
fabric of the pluton.
pluton.
Bauer
Bauer (1985,
(1985, 1986)
1986)reports
reports previous
previous structural
structural analysis
analysis and mapping
mapping of the
the Wakemup
Wakemup
Bay pluton. The pluton comprises a medium-grained biotite tonalite, with sphene, apatite,
magnetite,
appearance,
magnetite, and
and zircon
zircon as
as accessory
accessory minerals.
minerals. The tonalite typically has a layered appearance,
indicate solidand the microstructures throughout
throughout the pluton, particularly at the pluton margin, indicate
soliddeformation. Foliation dips outward (20-60°)
(20-60') from the middle of the pluton, in a
state deformation.
plagioclase, quartz, and biotite concentric
concentric pattern.
pattern. Biotite
Biotite schist
schist -- consisting dominantly of p1agioclase7
surrounds the tonalite
tonalite on
on all
all sides,
sides, and
and has
has foliation
foliation that
that also
also dips
dips away
away from
from the
the center
centerof
of the
the
pluton on all sides. On
On aa more
more regional scale, the foliations of the schist defines a doubly
plunging, EW-trending anticline with moderately
moderately dipping
dipping limbs.
limbs. The tonalite is spatially
B auer(1985,
(1985, 1986)
1986)interpreted
interpreted as
as an
an F3
F3 fold
fold
associated with the hinge area of this fold, which Bauer
in the local deformation
biotite schist
deformation sequence. A hornblende
hornblende diorite unit that intruded the biotite
The center of
of the pluton
pluton is
is capped by
by
outcrops on both the north and south sides of the tonalite. The
abovethe
thetonalite
tonalitecontact.
contact.The
The roof
roof consists
consists of both the
wallrock that
that extends
extends—40
-40 mmabove
a roof of walirock
biotite schist
schist and
and aa relatively
relatively flat-lying
flat-lyinglayer
layer of
of the
the hornblende
hornblende diorite.
diorite.
The Anisotropy
Anisotropy of Magnetic Susceptibility
Susceptibility (AMS) is a technique that is widely used in
the study
= K x H, where M is
defmed by M =
study of granitic
granitic fabrics.
fabrics. The
The magnetic
magnetic susceptibility is defined
the induced
magnetization
and
H
is
the
inducing
magnetic
field.
The
variation
induced magnetization and H is the inducing magnetic field. The variationof
of this
thismagnetic
magnetic
susceptibility with the sample
placed
in
different
orientations
produces
an
AMS
ellipsoid,
sample
ellipsoid,
kmin, which
similar to the finite strain ellipsoid. The principle AMS axes are kmax &gt;
&gt; kint &gt;
&gt; kmin7
plane)
or
magnetic
lineation
kint
lineation
may be interpreted
interpreted in terms
terms of a magnetic foliation (kmax (kmax orientation).
orientation). The bulk susceptibility values varied widely
widely in
in the
the Wakemup
Wakemup Bay tonalite
10-1 SI),
SI), interpreted as representing the presence or absence of magnetite. The
(5 x 10-4 to 10-1
AMS foliation essentially
essentially parallels
parallels the measured field foliation.
foliation. The
The major
major insight
insight from
from the
the
AMS study comes
comes from
from the orientation
orientation of the magnetic lineation. Throughout the Wakemup
Bay tonalite,
tonalite, the
the magnetic
magneticlineation
lineationisis oriented
oriented dominantly
dominantly EW,
EW, plunges
plunges shallowly,
shallowly,and
andisis
generally parallel to the long
long direction
direction of the Wakemup Bay pluton and parallel to the trace
trace of
the F3 fold hinge. This
This observation
observation has
has significance
significance with respect
respect to
to emplacement
emplacementmechanism.
mechanism.
We selected
gravity study
study because:
because: 1)
1)ItIt had
had
selectedthe
the Wakemup
Wakemuptonalite
tonalite for
for our
our detailed
detailed gravity
with aa
previous structural
structural mapping
mapping (Bauer,
(Bauer, 1985);
1985); 2) It has a single surrounding
surrounding lithology
lithology with
significant and consistent
± 0.04 for the tonalite and 2.75 k
± 0.04 for the
consistent density
density contrast
contrast (2.67 k
surrounding
3) A
A walirock
wallrock roof exists over the center of the pluton, despite
despite the
surrounding schists);
schists); and
and 3)
(&lt;40
40 m).
m). Thus,
Thus, the depth recorded by the gravity inversion
relatively low relief of the area (&lt;
represents
represents the
the true
true depth
depth of
of the
the pluton, within the limitations
limitations of the gravity inversion
inversion technique
technique
(e.g., method of Vigneresse,
Vigneresse, 1995).
1995). To achieve resolution obtained in structural
measurements,
Wakemup pluton and immediate
measurements,142
142gravity
gravity stations
stations were collected
collected on the Wakemup
immediate
120

I

'

�I

surroundings
surroundingsusing
using aa Lacoste
Lacoste &amp;
&amp; Romberg,
Romberg, model
model G
G gravitimeter.
gravitimeter. Laser theodolite
theodolite from
from
benchmarks and the controlled-elevation shoreline Of Lake
Lake Vermilion provided the
existing benchmarks
Bouguer anomalies is
is provided
provided (Fig.
(Fig. la). Using a
critical elevation controls. A map of the Bouguer
gravimetric three-dimensional
gravirnetric
three-dimensional iterative technique, resulted in a good first-order picture of the
(Fig. ib).
lb).Most
Mostofofthe
thepluton
plutonisisvery
verythin,
thin,less
lessthan
than0.5
0.5 km
km thick.
thick. There
There are
aretwo
two root
root
pluton (Fig.
zones, both of which
which indicate depths of up to 4.0 km, using the calculated densities. The depth
krn
anomaly in the southwest
southwest part of the pluton has a linear, NW trend and is approximately 5 km
thus adjacent to the
the Haley
Haley fault.
fault. The
The
long. It lies adjacent to the SW part of the pluton and is thus
contains aa NW
depth anomaly
anomalyin
in the
thecenter
centerof
ofthe
thepluton
plutonisisslightly
slightlyless
lessdeep
deep(—3
(-3 km). It also contains
NW
NW-SE oriented trend.
trend, although the depth
depth is clearly at a maximum in the SE part of the NW-SE
interesting to note that the deepest portion of the tonalite does not sit under the present
It is interesting
exposure of the pluton.
As a result of the structural geology, magnetic analysis, and gravity measurements, the
Wakemup Bay pluton is interpreted as intruding a broad anticlinal hinge,
hinge, during
during the
the folding
folding
Wakemup
event (F3). This was one of the possibilities suggested by Bauer (1986) and consistent with the
very thin nature of
of the
the pluton
pluton (&lt;0.5
( ~ 0 . km).
5km).The
The walirock
wallrock preservation
preservation in
in the
the roof represents
representsthe
the
anticlinal
anticlinal hinge.
hinge. The
The hornblende diorite unit on the north side, south side, and above the pluton
is a good indication
indication of
of this
this situation.
situation. The
The two NW-root zones
zones were presumably
presumably were
were feeder
feeder
zones for the magma,
magma, although
although given the very high exposure level this claim is impossible to
support by geological
may have
have initiated
initiated on
on NW
NW
geological or
or magnetic measurements. The feeder zones may
oriented fractures.
oriented
fractures. This
This type
type of
of cross-faulting
cross-faulting is commonly
commonly seen
seen in
in folds,
folds, particularly
particularly those
those
with a component
component of
of hinge-parallel
hinge-parallel extension.
extension. The
The large
large southern
southern root
root zone
zone may
may have
have affected
affected
the subsequent
subsequent movement
movement of the Wakemup
Wakemup block, between the Haley and Vermilion faults.
occurs just south of the deep southern root zone, and the root of the
the
The Haley fault occurs
tonalite may have
fault shows
tonalite
have acted
acted as
as a strong
strong heterogeneity in the schist. The Haley fault
indications of some
inferredto
some dextral
dextral strike-slip faulting, which is inferred
to have
have occurred
occurred after
afterits
its
earlier normal
normal movement
movement (e.g.,
(e.g., Bauer, 1986).
1986). This type of small rigid block moving between
major fault
fault systems
systems is
is inferred
inferred in other
other orogenic
orogenic belts.
REFERENCES
REFERENCES
Minnesota. Minnesota
Bauer, R.L., 1985,
1985, Norwegian Bay Quadrangle,
Quadrangle, St. Louis county, Minnesota.
Minnesota
Geological
Geological Survey,
Survey, Miscellaneous Map Series, Map
MapM-59,
M-59, 1:24,000.
1:24,000.
Bauer, R.L., 1986,
1986,Multiple
Multiple folding
folding and pluton emplacement
emplacement in Archean migmatites
rnigmatites of the
the
southern
complex,- northeastern
northeasternMinnesota.
Minnesota. Canadian Journal of Earth
Earth
southern Vermilion granitic
eranitic com~lex,
Sciences, v. 23,
23, p.
p. 1753-1764.
1753-1764.
I

I

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I

I

I

I

I

I

5314.00

5312.00

5310.00

5308.00

5306.0
5304.00

5302.00

5300.00-'
I
I
b
!
t
I
I
53002.00
522.00 524.00
524.00 526.00
526.00 528.00
528.00 530.00
530.00 532.00
532.00 534.00
534.00 536.00
536.00 538.00
538.00 540.00
540.00 542.00
542.00

I
544.00
544.00

Fig.
Fig. 1. Gravity
Gravityinversion
inversion model
model for
for Wakemup
Wakemup Bay tonalite. Heavy
Heavy dashed
dashed line
line represents
represents

current outcropping
outcropping of the pluton. Light
Lightlines
linesare
are inferred
inferred depth
depth of
of the pluton,
pluton, contoured
contoured for
for
km. The
0.5 km.
Thetonalite
tonaliteisisgenerally
generallyaathin
thinsheet
sheet(&lt;0.5
( ~ 0 . km),
5km), with
with two
two deep
deep root
root zones.
zones.
121

�THE RELEVANCE OF THE GEOLOGY
AND OPHIOLITES TO
GEOLOGY OF
OF MID-OCEAN
MID-OCEAN RIDGES AND
UNDERSTANDING OF
MIDCONTINENT RIFT:
RIFT:
THE UNDERSTANDING
OF LAYERED
LAYERED INTRUSIONS
INTRUSIONS IN
IN THE MIDCONTINENT
AND PETROLOGY
PETROLOGY
PART I. GEOMETRY;
GEOMETRY; PART
PART II.
11. INTERNAL STRUCTURE
STRUCTURE AND
Tatiana
TatianaVislova,
Vislova,Department
DepartmentofofGeology
Geologyand
andGeophysics,
Geophysics,University
Universityof
of Minnesota,
Minnesota, USA
USA

Part
Insightsfrom
fromcurrent
current research
research on
on mid-ocean
mid-ocean ridges and ophiolites remain to be applied
Part I.I.Insights
to studies
studies of
ofintracontinental
intracontinental rift
rift systems.
systems. Dynamic
Dynamic magma
magma chambers
chambers where
where fractional
fractional

crystallization and
and formation
formation of
of layered
with spreading are
crystallization
layered cumulates occur simultaneously
simultaneously with
being
ocean island
island and
and mid-ocean
mid-ocean ridge
ridge systems.
systems. But
But layered
layered
being defined
defined by
by seismic data for ocean
intrusions in
in continental
continentalcrust
crustare
are still
still generally
generallystudied
studiedfrom
fromthe
the point
point of
of view
view of fixed
intrusions
fixed
geometry.
conclusion that the Duluth
Duluth Complex
Complex and
and associated
associated
geometry. However,
However, ifif we
we accept the conclusion
intrusions such as the Sonju Lake and the Bald Eagle intrusions formed in an
an intracontinental
intracontinental
rift system, the concept
concept of
of dynamic
dynamic magma
magma chambers
chambers during
during crystallization
crystallization of
of layered
layered gabbro
gabbro
must be considered.
considered.
There is a growing database on the geometry
geometry and dynamic
dynamic processes
processes of
of crystallization
crystallization
and the formation of layered gabbro based
based on seismic studies along
along the
the fast spreading (&gt;-lo
(&gt;-10
cm/yr.)
cmlyr.) East Pacific Rise (Sinton, 1992;
1992; Wang, 1996;
1996; Barth,
Barth, 1996)
1996) and
and the
theslow-spreading
slow-spreading
(&lt;-5
crnlyr.)Mohns
Mohns Ridge
Ridge (Geli,
(Geli, 1994)
1994)and
and Mid-Atlantic
Mid-Atlantic Ridge
Ridge (Rommevaux,
(Rommevaux, 1994).
1994).These
These
(&lt;-5 cm/yr.)
studies demonstrate
studies
demonstrate that active
active magma
magma chambers:
chambers: 1) are
are segmented
segmented and
and centered
centered under
under
and active vents along the ridge axes (McKenzie, 1997
topographic highs and
1997 and
and Wright,
Wright, 1995),
1995),
2) pinch and swell
15 km (Geli,
swell in
in plan
plan view
view with
withtypical
typicalwidths
widthsand
andalong-axis
along-axislengths
lengthsofof5 5—- 15
2.5 km below the seafloor. These features are best
1994), and 3) are
are found
found at
atdepths
depthsofof1.5
1.5—
- 2.5
developed along slow spreading rifts such as the Mohns Ridge (Geli, 1994).
1994).
Because ophiolites are fragments of oceanic crust, they provide an opportunity
opportunity to
to study
study
the processes that occur along
along ridge axes.
axes. Recent
Recent detailed
detailed mapping
mapping and interpretation
interpretation of
of the
the
Oman
generally confirm
confirm the
the segmental
segmental structure
structure of
of ridge
ridge magma
Oman ophiolite
ophiolite generally
magma chambers
chambers as
described above
above (Nicolas,
(Nicolas, 1996
1996and
and references
referencestherein).
therein).
The geophysical expressions
expressions of present-day oceanic
oceanic ridges and the 1.1
1.1 Ga
Ga Midcontinent
Midcontinent
bulls-eye structure on
on a scale of 100-1000
Rift in North America
America show the same
same segmented
segmented bulls-eye
100-1000
km. On aa scale
scaleof
ofI 1—- 100
100 km, the geophysical
geophysical data on active
active magma
magma chambers
chambers along
along ridge
ridge
axes and the first
first derivative
derivative of the
the aeromagnetic
aeromagnetic data on the
the Bald
Bald Eagle
Eagle Intrusion
Intrusion have
have aa
pinch and
and swell geometry.
geometry. These
These similarities
similarities on
on large
large and
and small
small scales
scales imply
imply that
that our
similar pinch
current understanding
of the processes
processes responsible
responsible for
for the
the structure and
and petrologic
petrologic features
features of
of
understanding of
ridge magma chambers and
and layered
layered gabbro in ophiolites
ophiolites can
can be
be used to explain the origin of
similar features
features in
in layered
rifts. The geometries
similar
layered intrusions
intrusions in intracontinental
intracontinental rifts.
geometries of intrusions
intrusions
formed in dynamic or static
magma
chambers
are
related
to
spreading
rates
and
continuity
of
static
With fast,
fast, continuous
continuous spreading
spreadingrates
ratesititisis possible
possibleto
to produce
produce layered
layered gabbro
gabbro at
at aa
spreading. With
lateral scale of many kilometers from a relatively narrow, growing magma chamber which is
never more than 1-2 km wide at any
p.17,842). On the other
any given time (e.g., Nicolas,
Nicolas, 1996, p.17,842).
hand,
rates the
the lateral
lateral extent
extent of layered
hand, with
with slow,
slow, episodic
episodic spreading
spreading rates
layered gabbro
gabbro could
could be
restricted to the dimensions
dimensions of the active
active magma
magma chambers.
chambers. Thus
Thus the
the Sonju
Sonju Lake
Lakeintrusion,
intrusion,
with its sill-like
could have
have formed
sill-like geometry
geometry (Miller,
(Miller, 1996),
1996), could
formed in a static
static magma
magma chamber;
chamber;
whereas the Bald Eagle intrusion, with its funnel shape, could have formed in a more dynamic
dynamic
environment.
environment.
Part II.
Part
It.The
Thefunnel-shaped
funnel-shaped layering
layering in
in the
theBald
BaldEagle
Eagleintrusion
intrusioncontrasts
contrastsremarkably
remarkably with
near-horizontallayering
layeringofofthe
the other
other intrusions
intrusionsinin the
the Duluth
Duluth Complex
Complex and
and in the
near-horizontal
the Oman
Oman
ophiolite. Unfortunately
the
current
interpretations
of
the
layering
in
ophiolites
do
not
provide
Unfortunately the current interpretations
layering
do
provide

122

�readyexplanation
explanation for
for the
the layering
layering in
in the
the Bald
Bald Eagle
Eagle intrusion.
intrusion. There
aaready
Thereisisananactive
activedebate
debateinin
the literature
literature concerning
concerning the
the processes
processes that would
would lead
lead from
from the
the isotropic
isotropic crystal
crystal mushes
mushes of
the
of
active
active ocean-ridge
ocean-ridge magma
magma chambers
chambers to the
the near-horizontal
near-horizontal layering
layering in gabbro
gabbro of
ofthe
theocean
ocean
floorand
andininophiolites
ophiolites(Quick,
(Quick,1993,
1993,and
and Nicolas,
Nicolas, 1996).
1996).In
Inessence
essenceQuick's
Quick'sanalysis
analysisimplies
implies
floor
that the
thelayering
layeringand
andthe
theigneous
igneouslamination
laminationare
arepost-crystallization
post-crystallizationphenomena,
phenomena,produced
produced
that
whencrystal
crystalmush
mush isiscarried
carried away
away from
from the
the active
activemagma
magma chamber.
chamber. IfIfthis
thisidea
ideaisisapplicable
applicableto
to
when
theDuluth
Duluth Complex,
Complex, the
the Bald
Bald Eagle
Eagle intrusion
intrusion could be aa frozen
frozen active
active chamber
chamber thus
thus far
far not
not
the
observed in
in ophiolites.
ophiolites. Layered
Layered gabbro
gabbro of
ofadjacent
adjacentSouth
SouthKawishiwi
Kawishiwiintrusion
intrusioncould
couldbe
bethe
the
observed
equivalent
equivalentof
oflayered
layeredgabbro
gabbroininophiolite
ophioliteproduced
producedduring
duringspreading
spreadingaway
awayfrom
fromaaridge
ridgeaxis.
axis.
One
One might
might expect
expect that
thatthe
thecryptic,
cryptic,compositional
compositionalvariations
variations ofofcumulus
cumulusminerals
minerals
formed
formedininstatic
staticchambers
chambersmight
mightdiffer
differfrom
fromthose
thoseformed
formedinindynamic
dynamicchambers.
chambers.AAsuggestion
suggestion
of
ofsuch
suchdifferences
differencescan
can be
be seen
seenin
inFigure
Figure1.1.All
Allthree
threedata
datasets
setslie
lieon
onaacommon
commontrend.
trend.Gabbro
Gabbro
inthe
theOman
Omanophiolite
ophiolite and
and rocks
rocks in
inthe
theBald
BaldEagle
Eagleintrusion
intrusion show
show more
more restricted
restricted ranges
ranges of
of
in
differentiation
than
rocks
in
the
Sonju
Lake
intrusion,
and
the
Oman
magma
is
the
most
differentiation than rocks
Sonju
intrusion,
Oman magma is the most
primitive.
primitive. Additional
Additional electron
electronmicroprobe
microprobe mineral
mineral and
and minorminor- and
and tracetrace-element
elementrock
rockanalyses
analyses
ofthe
theBald
Bald Eagle
Eagleintrusion
intrusionare
areplanned
planned to
toevaluate
evaluatethe
thesuggestion
suggestionthat
thatthe
thechemical
chemicalvariations
variations
of
produced
produced in
in dynamic
dynamic chambers
chambers are
are
100 100
definitively
definitively distinct
distinct from
from those
those
L-..-.-.---L-.-..-----^---.....--i^&lt;---..
.
90
jp.
established
establishedfor
forstatic
staticchambers.
chambers.
Â
+ .ac ::80
^n- ;

-

1..-.....----

---.--.....L--~-.~.---L-..-......L-------.-.~----------

-3 1

70
70

=

0,

0

5 "

3

- - - - -1
; ; ; + +--+wt*^.+
Hi"++--?--.:
---------- ;
L

.
-------.....

- -------

-.

Fig.
Fig. 1.1.Mg/(Mg+Fe)
Mgl(Mg+Fe) variation
variationin
inpyroxene
pyroxeneand
and
olivine.
All
the
data
are
electron
microprobe
olivine.
All
the
data
are
electron
microprobe
..--.-------------___t+
50
analyses.
analyses. Sonju
SonjuLake
Lakeintrusion
intrusion(Miller,
(Miller,1996);
1996);
+ Sonju Lakelnbusion
Lake intrusion
d.+f?
- - - - - - - - - [ - - - - - - - - +SOOjU
40 --..-.40
points
are
averages
Bald
Eagle
intrusion
data
Bald
Eagle
intrusion
data
points
are
averages
++
OBaldEagle
Eaglelnfrusion
Intrusion
OBald
So --------.---:
---------.;
----xman
. - -ophiolite gabbro SIIISof
ofover
over200
200analyses
analysesof
ofrepresentative
representativesamples
samples
I
I
20
of
oftroctolite,
tructolite,olivine
olivineand
andoxide
oxidegabbros;
gabbros; Oman
Oman
20
40
60
80
loo
40
20
0o
ophiolite
ophiolite—- data
data from
from gabbro
gabbrosills
sills(Korenaga,
(Korenaga,
fitom%
%Mg!(Mg+Fe)
Ma/(Mg+Fe)in
in olivine
olivine
Pom
1997).
1997).
,

60.-----------~----------p.++
--------~.---------~---------60
Â

-

¥

Â

¥

Â

¥

Â

I

l D

References:
References:Barth,
Barth,G.
G.A.,
A ,and
andJ.J.C.C.Mutter,
Mutter,Variability
Variabilityininoceanic
oceaniccrustal
crustalthickness
thicknessand
andstructure:
structure:Multichannel
Multichannel
seismic
resultsfrom
fromthe
thenorthern
northernEast
EastPacific
Pacific
Rise,
J. Geophys.
Res.,
17,951-17,975,
seismic reflection results
Rise,
J. Geophys.
Res.,
10101,
1 17,95
1 17-975,1996.
1996.
Geli,
Geli, L.,
L., and
andV.
V. Renard,
Renard, Ocean
Ocean crust
crust formation
formation process at very slow
slow spreading
spreading centers:
centers: A
A model
model for
for the
the Mohns
Mohns
ridge,
2995-3013, 1994.
basedon
onmagnetic,
magnetic,gravity,
gravity,and
andseismic
seismicdata,
data,J.J.Geophys.
Geophys.Res.,
Res.,99,
99,2995-3013,
1994.
ridge,near
near72
72N,
N,based
Korenaga,
Korenaga, J.,
J., and
and P.
P. B.
B. Kelemen,
Kelemen, Origin
Origin of
of gabbro
gabbro sills
sills in
in the
the Moho
Moho transition
transition zone
zone of
of the
theOman
Omanophiolite:
ophiolite:
Implications
magma transport
transportin
in the
the oceanic
oceanic lower
lower crust,
cmst, J. Geophys. Res., 102,27,729-27,749,
102,27,729-27,749,1997.
1997.
Implicationsfor
formagma
McKenzie,
McKenzie, D., and
and D.
D. Fairhead,
Fairhead, estimates
estimates of
of the
the effective
effective elastic
elastic thickness
thickness of
of the
the continental
continental lithosphere
lithosphere from
from
Bouguer
27,523-27,552, 1997.
Bouguerand
andfree
freeair
airgravity
gravityanomalies,
anomalies,J.J.Geophys.
Geophys.Res.,
Res.,102,
102,27,523-27,552,
1997.
Miller,
Ripley, Layered
LayeredIntrusions
Intrusionsofofthe
theDuluth
DuluthComplex,
Complex,
Minnesota,
USA,
RG.Cawthorn
Cahom
Miller, J.
J. D., and E. M. Ripley,
Minnesota,
USA,
hi:In:
RG.
(ed) Layered
Layered Intrusions,
Intrusions,Elsevier
ElsevierScience,
Science,1996
1996
(ed.)
Nicolas,
crustalthickness
thickness in
inthe
theOman
Omanophiolite:
ophiolite: Implication
Implication for
for
Nicolas, A.,
A , F.
F. Boudier,
Boudier, and
andB.
B.ildefonse,
Ildefonse,Variable
Variable crustal
oceaniccrust,
Geophys. Res.,
Res., 101,
101,17,941-17,950,
17,941-17,950,1996.
1996.
oceanic
crust, J.J. Geophys.
Quick,
Quick, J.J. E.,
E., and
and R.
R P.
P. Denlinger,
Denlinger, Ductile
Ductile deformation
deformation and
and the origin
origin of layered
layered gabbro
gabbro in
in ophiolites,
ophiolites, J. Geophys.
Geophys.
Res., 98,
98, 14,015-14,027,
14,015-14,027,1993.
1993.
Res.,
Rommevaux,
study of
of the
theMid-Atlantic
Mid-AtlanticRidge:
Ridge:evolution
evolution
Ronunevaux,C.,
C., C.
C. Deplus,
Deplus, and
andP.
P. Patriat,
Patriat,Three-dimensional
Three-dimensional gravity
gravity study
of
3015-3029, 1994.
of the
thesegmentation
segmentationbetween
between 28°
28Oand
and29°N
2g0Nduring
duringthe
thelast
last10
10my,
my, J.J.Geophys.
Geophys.Res.,
Res., 99,
99,3015-3029,1994.
Sinton,
and R
it S.
197-216, 1992.
M yand
S.Detrick,
Detrick,Mid-ocean
Mid-oceanridge
ridgemagma
magmachambers,
chambers,J.J.Geophys.
Geophys.Res.,
Res., 97,
97,197-216,1992.
Sinton,J.J. IvL,
Cochranand
andG.G.A.ABarth,
Barth,Gravity
Gravityanomalies,
anomalies,crustal
crustalthickness,
thickness,and
andthe
thepattern
pattern of
of mantle
mantle flow
flow at
at
Wane, X., J.J. itRCochran
Wan&amp;
Res.,
the
EastPacific
PacificRise,
Rise,9-10
9-10N:
N:evidence
evidencefor
forthree-dimensional
three-dimensionalupwelling,
upwelling, J.J.Geophys.
Geophys. Res., 101,
101,
the fast
fastspreading
spreadingEast
17,927-17,940,1996.
1996.
17,927-17,940,
Wright,
D. J.,
Fomari,
Wright, D.
J., itR.MM.Haymon,
Haymon,and
andD.D.J. J.
Fornari,Crustal
Crustalfissuring
fissuringand
anditsitsrelationship
relationship to
tomagmatic
magmatic and
and
hydrothermal
processes
on
the
East
Pacific
Rise
crest
(9°12'
to
54'N),
J.
Geophys.
Res.,
100,
6097-6120,
1995.
hydrothermal
(9O12' to 5479, J. Geophys. Res., 100,6097-6120, 1995.

-

123

�PRECISE
PRECISE U-Pb
U-Pb ZIRCON
ZIRCON AGES
AGES OF
O F MIDCONTINENT RIFT RHYOLITE
RHYOLITE
(CHENGWATANA VOLCANICS), CLAM
FALLS,
WI
CLAM FALLS, WI
WIRTH, Karl
Karl R.,
R.,Geology
Geology Department,
Department, Macalester
Macalester College,
College, St.
St. Paul,
Paul, MN
MN55105,
55105,
WIRTH,
wirth@macalester.edu;
E.,Department
Departmentof
ofGeosciences,
Geosciences,UniUniwirth @macalester.edu;and
and GEHRELS,
GEHRELS,George,
George,E.,
versity
versity of
of Arizona,
Arizona, Tucson,
Tucson, AZ 85721,
85721, gehrels@geo.arizona.edu.
gehrels@geo.arizona.edu.
Recent
Recent studies
studiesof
of the
the southwestern
southwesternsegment
segmentof
of the
the Keweenawan
KeweenawanMidcontinent
Midcontinentrift
riftalong
alongthe
theSt.
St.
Croix River
River have
have focused
focused on
on the
the structural
structural (Leslie
(Leslie et
et al.,
al., 1994),
1994),paleomagnetic
paleomagnetic(Kean
(Keaneteta!.,
al.,
1997),
evolution of the poorly-exposed
poorly-exposed Chengwatana
1997),and
and magmatic
magmatic (Wirth
(Wirthet
et al., 1997)
1997) evolution
ChengwatanaVolcanics
Volcanics
(Minnesota
(Minnesotaand
and Wisconsin).
Wisconsin). Comparison
Comparisonof
ofChengwatana
ChengwatanaVolcanics
Volcanicsfrom
from this
this segment
segmentof
of the
the
rift with the
those
of
the
better-studied
portions
of
the
rift
in
the
Lake
Superior
region
(e.g.,
the those of the better-studied
Superior
(e.g.,
Nicholson
Nicholson et al., 1997)
1997) have
have been
been hindered
hindered by the
the lack
lack of
of well-constrained
well-constrained ages for
for the
the
Chengwatana
ChengwatanaVolcanics.
Volcanics. The
Theonly
onlyprevious
previousgeochronologic
geochronologicstudy
studyof
of these
thesevolcanics
volcanics(Zartman
(Zartman
et
exposed in the Ashland syncline
et al.,
al., 1997)
1997)resulted
resulted in
in an
an age
age of 1094.6
1094.6±
zk 2.1 Ma for rhyolite exposed
syncline
in
northern
Wisconsin;
rhyolite
from
drill
core
in
Hudson-Afton
Horst
(SE
of
Minneapolis)
in northern Wisconsin; rhyolite
drill core in Hudson-Afton Horst (SE of Minneapolis)
yielded
yielded an
an anomalously
anomalouslyold
old(1130
(1130Ma)
Ma) age.
age. Here
Herewe
wereport
reportprecise
preciseU-Pb
U-Pbzircon
zirconages
ages(1102
(1102±k55
Ma)
Ma) for
for rhyolites
rhyolitesexposed
exposedin
in the
the lower
lower part
part of
of the
the volcanic
volcanic section
section along
along the
the Lake
Lake Owen
Owen Fault,
Fault,
which
rhywhich bounds
bounds the
theeastern
easternmargin
marginof
of the
therift.
rift. Petrographic
Petrographic and
and geochemical
geochemical studies
studies of
of the
the rhyolitic
and
basaltic
flows
of
this
segment
of
the
rift
are
described
by
Abbott
et
al.
and
Naiman
olitic
basaltic flows
segment
Abbott
Naiman et
a!.
al. (both this volume).
volume).
Rhyolite exposed one kilometer east of Clam Falls, WI contains phenocrysts of plagioplagioclase
spherulitic groundmass of tabular
tabular quartz
quartz and
and potassium
potassium feldspar.
feldspar. The
clase and rare quartz
quartz in a spherulitic
The
rhyolite is typically
typically finefine- to
to medium-grained
medium-grained and massive
massive (sample
(sample KC-302a), but becomes
becomes
more coarse-grained
coarse-grained near
near its
its base
base (sample
(sample KC-302d)
KC-302d) and
and contains
containssubangular
subangularclasts
clastsof
ofbasalt.
basalt.
Flow structures
the large
large rhyolites
rhyolites of
of
structuresare
are not apparent,
apparent, but the rhyolites are otherwise similar to the
the
the North Shore
Shore Volcanic Group. Rhyolite
Rhyoliteis
is rare
rare in
in this
this portion
portion of
of the Midcontinent
Midcontinentrift
rift and
and is
is
estimated
estimated to
to compose
compose less
less than
than one
one percent
percent of the
the exposed volcanic
volcanic and
and sedimentary
sedimentary sections.
sections.
Zircons
(1ength:width ratios
ratios == 2:1
2: 1 to
to
Zircons from
from both samples
samples have
have relatively simple
simple prismatic (length:width
8:1)
8: 1) forms,
forms, are
are translucent,
translucent, and
and vary
vary in
in color
color from
from reddish-brown,
reddish-brown, to
to honey
honey brown,
brown, and
andto
to pale
pale
pink. Dark
Darkgrains
grainstypically
typicallycontain
containabundant
abundant inclusions
inclusions and were not selected
selected for analysis.
analysis.
Analyses
Analyses were
were conducted
conducted by conventional
conventional isotope
isotope dilution-thermal
dilution-thermal ionization
ionization mass
mass spectromspectrometry, as described by Gehrels et al.
a!. (1991). Six
Six euhedral crystals (175-250 jim
pm in length) from
KC-302a
analyzed as
as individual
individual grains.
grains. Three
KC-302awere
were abraded
abraded to
to 75%
75% their original size and were analyzed
Three
ages
of the grains
grains yielded
yielded concordant
concordant ages
ages with mean 2o6Pb*P38U
2 0 6 ~ b * / 2 3and
and
8 ~2o7Pb*/2o6Pb*
207~b*/206~b*
ages of 1102
1102
Ma; an uncertainty
of k5
±5 Ma
Ma (2a)
uncertainty of
(20) is
is assigned
assigned to this age on the basis of the errors
errors of the
the
individual
individual determinations,
determinations, rather than the error of the mean of the three concordant
concordant analyses.
analyses.
Three
Three additional
additional grains
grains are
are slightly
slightly discordant, presumably due to small amounts of lead loss.
A
discordia
through
these
points,
projected from
from 1102Ma,
Ma,yields
yieldsaalower
lowerintercept
interceptofof196
196±205
5 205
A discordia
Ma (MSWD
(MSWD == 0.15).
0.15). Analyses of KC-302d were conducted on two multigrain fractions, one
Ma
unabraded
unabraded single
singlegrain,
grain,and
andfive
fiveabraded
abradedsingle
singlegrains.
grains.The
Thesingle
singlegrains
grainswere
wereallall—200
-200 .tm
pminin
length
jim
125 pm
length originally,
originally, and
and the
the multigrain
multigrainfractions
fractionsconsisted
consistedof:
of:1)1)seven
sevengrains
grainsmeasuring
measuring—125
in length, and 2)
thirty
grains
—80
jim
in
1enth.
The
three
abraded
grains
are
analytically
2) thirty grains -80 pm in length. The three abraded grains are analytically
Ma k± 5 Ma.
Ma. Three
concordant
concordant and yield mean
mean 2o6Pb*/238U
2 0 6 ~ b * / 2 3and
and
8 ~ZO7pb*/2O6pb*
2O7pb*/2O6pb*ages of 1101 Ma
Three
additional grains
grains and
and the
the two
two multigrain
multigrain fractions
fractions are
are slightly
slightly discordant;
discordant;aa discordia
discordiathrough
through
these
±217
217 Ma
Ma (MSWD
(MSWD==0.45).
0.45).
these points,
points, projected
projectedfrom
from 1101
1101Ma,
Ma, yields a lower intercept of 63 k
Given
the
uncertainties
of
±5
Ma
on
each
of
the
ages,
the
1
Ma
age
difference
between
the
two
Given the uncertainties of k5 Ma on each
1
difference
samples
samples is
is probably
probably not
not significant.
significant.
Analyses of the Chengwatana rhyolites near Clam Falls indicate
indicate that magmatism
magmatism began
began
by at least
least 1102
1102 Ma in
in this
this portion
portion of the rift, considerably
considerably earlier than the age
age reported
reported by
by
Zartman
et
al.
(1997)
for
rhyolite
(1094.6
±
2.1
Ma)
exposed
near
the
base
of
the
Chengwatana
Zartman et al. (1997) for rhyolite (1094.6 k
base of the Chengwatana

-

124

-

I

�U

0.190

0.186
00
en

0.182

0.178

Lower Intercept =

Lower Intercept =
196 ±205 Ma (MS WD=0.15)
I

0.174
1.82

1.90

I

I

2.06

1.98

/ 63±217Ma(MSWD=0.45)

1.82

1.90

1.98

2.06

207Pb / 235 u

207pb / 235 u

section
section in the southeastern limb of the Ashland syncline. This
This implies
implies that flows
flows exposed
exposed near
near
Clam Falls likely formed
formed contemporaneously
contemporaneously with the Upper Kallander Creek Volcanics and
the Mellen
Conglomerate of
Mellen Complex
Complex of
of Northern
Northern Wisconsin,
Wisconsin, and the Group 5 flows and Great Conglomerate
Mamainse Point. The
Maage
ageofofChengwatana
ChengwatanaVolcanics
Volcanics in
in the
the Clam
ClamFalls
Fallsregion
region
The1102
1102±Â55Ma
implies
implies that
that the
the Clam
Clam Falls flows
flows may have "reversed" paleomagnetic
paleomagnetic directions
directionssince
sincethey
they are
are
coeval with the
time
of
the
reverse-to-normal
magnetic
polarity
change
(1105-1100
Ma)
that
the time of the reverse-to-normal magnetic
change (1 105-1100
has
throughout the Lake Superior region.
region. New aeromagnetic
has been widely observed
observed throughout
aeromagnetic data
data (USGS)
(USGS)
suggest
Falls, MN,
MN, are younger than
suggest that Chengwatana
Chengwatana Volcanic flows exposed near Taylors Falls,
those
those near Clam
Clam Falls. Flows
Flowsnear
nearTaylors
Taylors Falls
Falls have predominantly "normal" paleomagnetic
paleomagnetic
directions
(Kean
et
al.,
1997)
and
are
likely
younger
than
the
regionally
documented
reversedirections (Kean et al., 1997) and are likely younger than the regionally documentedreverseto-normal
to-normal polarity
polarity shift;
shift;these
theseflows
flowsmay
may be
be correlative
correlativewith
with Portage
PortageLake
LakeVolcanics
Volcanics (northern
(northern
WI) and Group
Group 66 flows
flows (Mamainse
(Mamainse Point). A
A few
few Taylors
Taylors Falls flows have "reversed" paleomagnetic directions (Kean
reversal event that
that is younger than the
mean et al., 1997)
1997) and record a reversal
regionally
observed
reverse-to-normal
magnetic
regionally
observed
reverse-to-normal
magnetic
Upper Mich
Mich Michipicoten Is.
Is.
Minnesota
Minnesota
polarity
change.
NW
Wisconsin
NW Wisc
Wisc Mamainse
Mamainse Point
Point polarity change.
'

References Cited
Cited
Gehrels, G.E.,
W.C., Samson,
Samson, S.D., and
G.E., McClelland,
McClelland, W.C.,
Patchett,
SciPatchett, P.J.,
P.J., 1991, Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences,
p. 1285-1300.
1285-1300.
ences, v. 28, P.
Green, J.C. and
and Fitz,
Fitz, T.J.,
T.J., 1993,
1993, Journal
Journalof
ofVolcanology
Volcanology
and Geothermal
177-196.
Geothermal Research,
Research, v. 54, p. 177-196.
Kean, W.F.,
W.F., Williams, I., Chan, L., and
and Feeney,
Feeney, J.,
J., 1997,
1997,
Geophysical
Geophysical Research
Research Letters,
Letters, v. 24, p. 1523-1526.
1523-1526.
Leslie, M., Wetzel,
Wetzel, T., Wirth, K.R., and
and Craddock,
Craddock,J.P.,
J.P.,
1994,
40thAnnual Meeting
1994,40thAnnual
Meeting of
of the
the Institute
Institute on
on Lake
Lake
Superior
Houghton, MI, May 11-14,
11-14, Part
Superior Geology, Houghton,
II -- Program
Abstracts, v. 40, p. 35-36.
Program with Abstracts,
35-36.
Miller, J.D., Nicholson,
Nicholson, S.W.,
S.W., and
and Cannon,
Cannon,W.F.,
W.F., 1995,
1995,
Minnesota
MinnesotaGeological
GeologicalSurvey
SurveyGuidebook
GuidebookSeries,
Series,p.p.
1-22.
1-22.
Nicholson,
Nicholson, S.W.,
S.W., Shirey, S.B.,
S.B., Schulz, K.J., Green,
Green, J.C.,
J.C.,
1997, Canadian Journal
Journal of Earth
Earth Sciences,
Sciences,v.v. 34,
34, p.
p.
504-520.
504-520.
Wirth, K.R., Vervoort, J.D.,
J.D., Naiman, Z.J.,
Z.J., 1997, Canadian
Canadian
Journal of Earth Sciences,
Sciences, v. 34, no. 4, p. 536-548.
Zartman,
Zartman, R.E., Nicholson,
Nicholson,S.W.,
S.W., Cannon,
Cannon,W.F.,
W.F., and Morey,
G.B., 1997,
1997, Canadian
Canadian Journal
Journal of
of Earth
EarthSciences,
Sciences,v.v.
34, p.
p. 549-561.
549-561.

125

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                    <text>Minneapolis, Minnesota
May 6-10,1998

Organized by
MINNESOTA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
OF MINNESOTA
UNIVERSITY

�44th
44th Annual
AnnualMeeting
Meeting
INSTITUTE
ON
GEOLOGY
INSTITUTE
ONLAKE
LAKESUPERIOR
SUPERIOR
GEOLOGY

Volume
Volume44
44 contains
contains the
the following
followingparts:
parts:
Part1:
1:Program
Programand
andAbstracts
Abstracts
Part
2: Field
FieldTrip
TripGuidebook
Guidebook
Part2:
Part
1—Early
1-Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic intrusive
intrusiverocks
rocks of
of east-central
east-centralMinnesota
Minnesota
2—Geology
2Ã‘Geolog of
of the
the southeastern
southeasternportion
portionof
of the
theMidcontinent
MidcontinentRift
Rift
System,
stern,eastern
easternMinnesota
Minnesotaand
andwestern
westernWisconsin
Wisconsin
3—Glacial
3-Glacial exotica
exoticaof
of the
theTwin
TwinCities
Citiesarea
area
4—Stratigraphy
&amp;Stratigraphy and
andhydrogeology
hydrogeologyofofPaleozoic
Paleozoicrbcks
rocksof
of southeastern
southeastern
Minnesota
Minnesota
5—Minnesota
5-Minnesota River
River Valley
Valley and vicinity, southwestern
southwesternMinnesota
Minnesota

Reference
Referenceto
to the
thematerial
materialin
inthis
thisvolume
volumeshould
shouldfollow
followthe
theexample
examplebelow:
below:
Sims,
Sims,P.K.,
P.K., Neymark,
Neymark,L.A.,
L.A., Peterman,
Peterman,Z.E.,
Z.E., and
andKotov,
Kotov,A.B.,
A.B., 1998,
1998, Nd isotope
isotope evidence
evidence
for
forMiddle
Middleand
andEarly
EarlyArchean
Archeancrust
crustin
inthe
theWawa
Wawasubprovince
subprovinceof
of the
the Superior
SuperiorProvince,
Province,
Michigan,
44th
Michigan,U.S.A.,
U.S.A., [abstract]:
[abstract]:Institute
Institute on
onLake
Lake Superior
SuperiorGeology
GeologyProceedings,
Proceedings,44th
Annual
MN,
AnnualMeeting,
Meeting,Minneapolis,
Minneapolis,
MN,1998;
1998;v.v.44,
44,Part
Part1,1,p.p.10-11.
10-11.

Volume
Volume44
44 is
is published
publishedby
by the
the Institute
Instituteon
onLake
LakeSuperior
SuperiorGeology
Geologyand
and
distributed
distributedby
bythe
theInstitute
InstituteSecretary-Treasurer:
Secretary-Treasurer:
MarkJirsa
Jirsa
Mark
MinnesotaGeological
Geological Survey
Survey
Minnesota
2642 University
University Avenue
Avenue
2642
MNUSA
USA55114-1057
55114-1057
St.Paul,
Paul,MN
St.
(612)-627-4780
(612)-627-4780
email:jirsa001@tc.umn.edu
jirsaOOl@tc.urnn.edu
email:
/www.geo.mtu.edu/great_lakes
great-lakes /ilsg
/ilsg //
ILSG
website
http: // /www.geo.mtu.edu/
ILSG website http:
ISSN
ISSN1042-9964
1042-9964

�INSTITUTE ON LAKE SUPERIOR GEOLOGY

44th
4th Annual Meeting
May 6-10, 1998
Minneapolis, Minnesota

Sponsored by:
Sponsored
by:
Minnesota
Minnesota Geological Survey
University
University of Minnesota
Minnesota

Field Trip Guidebook
Volume
44
Volume 44
2—FieldTrip
Trip Guidebook
Guidebook
Part 2-Field

EDITORS:
EDITORS:
Terrence J.
J. Boerboom
Boerboom and
and Barbara A. Lusardi
Lusardi
Terrence
Minnesota
Minnesota Geological
Geological Survey
Survey

�PROCEEDINGS VOLUME 44,
44, PART 2—FIELD
%FIELD TRIPS
CONTENTS
CONTENTS

1: Early
EarlyProterozoic
ProterozoicIntrusive
IntrusiveRocks
Rocks of
of East-Central Minnesota
Trip 1:
Introduction
Field Trip Stops

3

18

Leaders
Terry Boerboom,
Boerboom, Minnesota
Minnesota Geological Survey
Mark Jirsa, Minnesota
Minnesota Geological
Geological Survey
Daniel K. Hoim,
Holm, Kent State
State University

Trip
Trip 2: The
TheGeology
Geologyof
of the
the Southeastern
Southeastern Portion
Portionof
of the
the Midcontinent
MidcontinentRift
Rift System,
System,
Eastern
Eastern Minnesota
Minnesota and
andWestern
WesternWisconsin
Wisconsin
Introduction .................................................................................................. 33
Introduction..
33
44
Field Trip Stops
Stops............................................................................................. 44
Leaders:
Karl Wirth,
Wirth, Macalester
Macalester College
College
William S. Cordua,
Cordua, University
University of
of Wisconsin-River
Wisconsin-River Falls
Falls
William F. Kean,
Kean, University
University of
of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Mike Middleton,
Middleton, University of Wisconsin-River Falls
Zachary J. Naiman, University of Arizona

Trip 3: Glacial
Trip
GlacialExotica
Exoticaof
of the
the Twin
Twin Cities
Introduction
Field Trip Stops
Leaders:
Howard Hobbs,
Hobbs, Minnesota
Minnesota Geological
Geological Survey
Survey
Alan Knaeble, Minnesota
Minnesota Geological
Geological Survey
Survey
Minnesota Geological Survey
Gary Meyer, Minnesota

79
82

Trip 4:
4: Stratigraphy
Stratigraphyand
andHydrogeology
HydrogeologyofofPaleozoic
PaleozoicRocks
Rocks of
of Southeastern
Southeastern Minnesota
Minnesota
Trip
Introduction
Field Trip Stops

103
113

Leaders:
Anthony C.
C. Runkel,
Runkel, Minnesota
Minnesota Geological
Geological Survey
Robert
G.
Tipping,
Minnesota
Geological
Robert G. Tipping, Minnesota GeologicalSurvey
Survey

Trip
Trip 5:
5: Archean
Archeanand
andQuaternary
QuaternaryGeology
Geologyofofthe
theMinnesota
MinnesotaRiver
RiverValley
Valley
Introduction to Precambrian Geology
133
Geology.......................................................... 133
Field Trip
137
Trip Stops,
Stops, Day
Day 11................................................................................ 137
Introduction
148
Introduction to
to Quaternary
Quaternary Geology
Geology............................................................ 148
Field Trip Stops,
Day
2
154
Stops,
................................................................................ 154
Leaders:
D. L. Southwick,
Southwick, Minnesota
Minnesota Geological Survey
Carrie J. Patterson, Minnesota
Minnesota Geological
Geological Survey
Survey

��FIELD
FIELD TRIP
TRIP#1
#1
EARLY PROTEROZOIC
PROTEROZOIC INTRUSIVE
INTRUSIVE ROCKS
ROCKS
OF
OF EAST-CENTRAL
EAST-CENTRALMINNESOTA

Leaders: Terry Boerboom, Mark
Mark Jirsa,
Jirsa, and
Leaders:
and Daniel Hoim
Holm
INTRODUCTION
rocks of the St. Cloud District
The Early Proterozoic (Paleoproterozoic) granitoid rocks
District in
in
east-central
east-central Minnesota
Minnesota(Fig.
(Fig.1)
1)have
have long
long been
been aa source
source of both building
building materials
materials and
and geologic
geologic
controversy. Quarrying
Quarrying for
for dimension
dimension stone
stone began in the St. Cloud District in the late 1800's
1800's
1930-1940,
were some
some 18 different
differentquarry
quarrycompanies
companies operating
operating
and peaked at about 19301940, when there were
in the district (Thiel
(Thiel and Dutton, 1935).
1935). Currently,
Currently, Cold
Cold Spring
Spring Granite
Granite is
is the
the only
only dimension
dimension
operating, with 5 active quarries
stone company operating,
quarries here, and
and 4 others
others in different
different parts
parts of
of the
the state.
state.
Meridian Aggregates Company also operates a large crushed-stone operation in the St. Cloud
Cloud
TheSt.
St.Cloud
Cloudarea
areacontains
containsabundant
abundant active
active and inactive quarries, as well as natural
District. The
outcrops. Despite
Despitethese
theseexposures,
exposures,many
many of
of the
the critical
critical relationships
relationships between various intrusive
units are concealed—leaving
concealed-leaving details of the magmatic history unknown and speculative. Until
Until
recently, geologic
geologic maps
reconnaissance-style (Morey
recently,
maps of the district were reconnaissance-style
(Morey and
and others,
others, 1981),
1981),and
and
little geochronologic work had
had been
been conducted.
conducted. This
This field
field trip highlights the results of more
current and thorough
thorough mapping
mapping endeavors
endeavors that utilized quarry and natural exposures, drill core,
These include
include the
the Stearns
Steams County Geologic Atlas (Boerboom
and geophysical interpretation. These
and others, 1995;
1995; Boerboom,
Boerboom, 1996a),
1996a),and
and mapping
mapping north
north and east of St. Cloud (Jirsa and others,
1995a; 1995b; Jirsa and Chandler, 1997). In
In addition,
addition,we
we review
review both pre-existing
pre-existing and
and newly
newly
acquired geochronologic data (e.g., Hoim
Holm 1997,
1997, 1998)
1998) in light of the field,
field, petrographic,
petrographic, and
and
geophysical observations.
observations.
Intrusions
Intrusions of the
the St.
St. Cloud
Cloud District
District were
were emplaced
emplaced relatively
relatively late
late in
in development
developmentof
of the
the
Penokean orogen—a
Penokean
orogen-a belt
belt of
of Early
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic volcanic,
volcanic, sedimentary,
sedimentary,and
and plutonic
plutonic rocks
rocks affected
affected
the Penokean
Penokean orogeny,
orogeny, which
which culminated
culminated at approximately
approximately 1870 Ma (Van
(Van Schmus and
by the
1981). Rocks
Rocksofofthe
theorogen
orogenare
aredivided
dividedfrom
fromnorth
north to
to south
south(Fig.
(Fig. 1)
1)into
intoaavariably
variably
Bickford, 1981).
deformed foreland basin; a fold and thrust belt; and what
what has
has been
been inferred
inferred to
to be
be an accreted
broadly equivalent to the Wisconsin
Wisconsin magmatic
magmatic terranes
terranes (Jirsa
(Jirsa and others,
island-arc terrane, broadly
1995b, Boerboom, 1996b). All
All of
of these
these terranes
terranes were
were deposited
deposited upon or
or accreted
accreted against
against the
the
southern margin of the Archean Superior Province.
Province. Using
Using the terminology of Southwick
Southwick and
into distinct
distinct segments on
on the
the basis
basis of
of
others (1988),
(1988), the fold
fold and thrust belt is further subdivided into
of the Animikie Group and
lithologic and structural attributes: 1) an external zone comprised of
related outliers; 2) a medial
medial zone
zone characterized
characterized by fault slices of interlayered
interlayered volcanic and
related
clastic
including the Cuyuna north
internal zone,
zone,
clastic strata including
north and south (iron) ranges;
ranges; and 3) an internal
containing fault-bounded
fault-bounded blocks
blocks of
of various metamorphic and
and plutonic
plutonic rocks.
rocks.
The
The Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic granitoid
granitoid rocks
rocks of the St. Cloud District occur within the internal
zone of the western Penokean orogen, where they form a physically continuous mass of lateand post-orogenic
post-orogenic intrusions.
intrusions. They
Theyrepresent
represent some
some of the most deeply emplaced magmas of the
3

�orogenicbelt.
belt. Regionally,
Regionally, the
the Early
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic supracrustal
supracrustalcountry
country rocks—including
rocks-including the
the
orogenic
Little
Falls
Formation
to
the
north
and
west,
and
unnamed
volcanic
and
clastic
strata
to
the
east
Little Falls Formation to the north and west, and unnamed volcanic and clastic strata to the east
andsoutheast—were
southeast-were metamorphosed
metamorphosedatatdepths
depthsofof22-25
22-25km
krnduring
duringthe
the Penokean
Penokeanorogeny
orogeny(Holm
(Holm
and
andSelverstone,
Selverstone,1990).
1990).Reconstruction
ReconstructionofofP-T-t
P-T-thistories
historiesindicate
indicatethat
thatthe
therocks
rocks currently
currentlyexposed
exposed
and
remained
at
those
depths
until
well
after
the
orogeny,
then
were
rapidly
exhumed
at
about
1770
remained at those depths until well after the orogeny, then were rapidly exhumed at about 1770
Ma during
during emplacement
emplacement of
of post-tectonic
post-tectonic magmas
magmas (Hoim
(Holm and
and others,
others, 1998).
1998). The
Thesignificant
significant
Ma
depth
of
emplacement
and
the
great
volume
of
igneous
rock
provide
an
excellent
opportunity
to
depth of emplacement and the great volume of igneous rock provide an excellent opportunity to
midcrustal magmatic
magmatic processes
processes that
that occurred
occurred immediately
immediately after
after the
the orogenic
orogenic belt
belt
investigate midcrustal
investigate
was constructed,
constructed,and
andlater
lateras
asthe
theorogen
orogencollapsed.
collapsed.
was
950

940

930

92°

b IIArchean
Archean (A)
(A) I I

1

Superior Province

47O

46'
sland arc rocks
(Equivalent to Wisconsin
agma

45O

thePenokean
Penokeanorogen,
orogen,showing
showingmajor
major
Figu 1. Simplified geologic map of)fthe
Figure
tectcLLL.w.-iLLuLLLo.
bciLbuuaL-Lbb~nic
Penokeanintrusions
intrusionsshown
shownininblack.
black.
tectonic
elements.
LatetoLu post-tectonic
Penokean

GEOLOGYOF
OFINTRUSIVE
INTRUSIVEROCKS
ROCKS
GEOLOGY
Intrusionsof
ofthe
theSt.
St.Cloud
CloudDistrict
District(Fig.
(Fig.2)
2)are
arecomprised
comprisedof
of several
several discrete
discrete units
units that
that
Intrusions
includethe
theReformatory
Reformatorygranodiorite,
granodiorite,the
thecharnockitic
charnockiticRichmond
Richmondgranite,
granite,the
theRockville
RockvilleGranite,
Granite,
include
the St.
St.Cloud
CloudGranite,
Granite,the
theFoley
Foleybatholith,
batholith,and
andseveral
several types
types of
of granitic
graniticand
anddiabasic
diabasicdikes.
dikes.
the
Only
untry
rocks
are
recognized
within
the
intrusions,
Only scattered xenoliths of metamorphic country rocks are recognized within the intrusions,
4

�but numerous
numerous mafic
maficenclaves
enclavesinterpreted
interpretedto
to be
be comagmatic
comagmaticwith
withthe
theenclosing
enclosing granitoid
granitoidrocks
rocks
but
are
present
in
some
units.
The
intrusions
can
be
divided
on
the
basis
of
composition
and
relative
are present in some units. The intrusions can be divided on the basis of composition and relative
1) gray
gray to
to pinkish-gray
pinkish-gray to
to greenish
greenish gray
gray granitic,
granitic,
temporal setting
setting into
into three
three categories:
categories: 1)
temporal
granodioritic,and
and dioritic
dioriticrocks—Reformatory
rocks-Reformatory granodiorite,
granodiorite,Richmond
Rchmond granite,
granite,and
and Rockville
Rockville
granodioritic,
Granite;
2)
red
and
pink
granitic
intrusions-St.
Cloud
Granite,
Foley
batholith,
and
associated
Granite; 2) red and pink granitic intrusions—St. Cloud Granite, Foley batholith, and associated
aplite; and
and 3)
3) diabasic
diabasic and
and porphyritic
porphyritic microgranite
microgranite dikes.
Colorisis not
not always
always an
an adequate
adequate
aplite;
dikes. Color
distinguishing
characteristic
between
various
intrusions
because
components
of
the
"gray"
distinguishing characteristic between various intrusions because components of the "gray"
intrusionscan
canbe
be quite
quite pink.
pink. Other
Otherattributes
attributesthat
that distinguish
distinguish "gray"
"gray" from
from"red"
"red" varieties
varietiesinclude
include
intrusions
the observation
observationthat
that "gray"
"gray" intrusions
intrusionscontain
containmafic
maficenclaves,
enclaves,and
andhave
have aa better
better developed
developedand
and
the
more
pervasive
magmatic
foliation
than
do
the
"red"
ones.
These
differing
attributes
have
more pervasive magmatic foliation than do the "red" ones. These differing attributes have
A description
description
importantimplications
implicationsabout
about the
the magmatic
magmatic history
history that
that will
will be
important
be discussed
discussed below.
below. A
of individual
individualplutonic
plutonic units
unitsfollows.
follows.
of

EARLYVPROTEROZOIC
PARI
PRCTFPfl7flI

',
NW-striking diabase dike
..NW-strikingdiabasedike

Maficto
toultramafic
ultramaficintrusions
intrusions
Mafic

D

St.Cloud
CloudGranite
Granite
St.
Foleybatholith
batholith
Foley
RockvilleGranite
Granite
Rockville
Richmondgranite
granite
Richmond
Reformatotygranodionte
granodiorite
Reformatory
Gabbroicintrusions
intrusions
Gabbroic

=
0

Granite,undivided
undivided
Granite,
AnimikieGroup
Group(slate)
(slate)
Animikie

\

LittleFalls
FallsFormation
Formation
Little
(garnet-stauroliteschist)
schist)
(gamet-staurolite
Volcanicand
andclastic
clasticrocks,
rocks,
Volcanic
iron-formation; largely
large1 of
of
iron-formation;
Mille Lacs
Lacs Group,
Group, undivided
unchided
Mule

Strike- or
or dipdipStrikeslip
fault.
slip fault.
Thrustfault.
fault.
Thrust

El

ARCHEAN
ARCHEAN
Sartell
Gneiss(may
(maybe
beEarly
Early
Sartell Gneiss
Proterozoicininpart)
part)
Proterozoic

'NS

Lithologic
Lithologic
contact.
contact.

0

Gneissterrane
terrane
0Gneiss

Figure 2.
2. An
An extremely
extremely busy
busy and
and largely
largely illegible
illegibleregional
regional geologic
geologic map
map of
of the
the
Figure
area
around
Steams
County
(outlined).
Inset
map
references
location
within
area around Steams County (outlined). Inset map references location within
1).
Penokeanorogen
orogen(Fig.
(Fig.1).
Penokean
55

�Reformatory
Reformatory granodiorite
granodiorite
Reformatory granodiorite
granodiorite (Reformatory
(Reformatory Granite
1978) is presently
presently
The Reformatory
Granite of Morey, 1978)
(trade name Charcoal Granite), just
city of
of St.
St.
extracted from only one quarry (trade
just south of the city
Cloud. However,
However,there
thereare
aredozens
dozensof
of inactive
inactive pits
pits from
from which
which this
this rock
rock has been quarried
quarried in the
the
Cloud.
past, including those that supplied stone to the
the unit's
unit's namesake-the
namesake—the State
State Reformatory!
Reformatory! The
rock is mediummedium- to dark-gray, mediummedium- to
to coarse-grained,
coarse-grained, weakly
wealdyporphyritic
porphyriticbiotite-hornblende
biotite-hornblende
granodiorite characterized by small
small tabular
tabular plagioclase
plagioclase phenocrysts (oligoclase to andesine;
andesine;
Johnson,
Johnson, 1978)
1978)in
in aa groundmass
groundmassof
of plagioclase,
plagioclase, microcline,
microcline, homblende,
hornblende, biotite,
biotite, and
and accessory
accessory
pyroxene,
pyroxene, sphene, and apatite.
apatite. AAweak,
weak,generally
generally subhorizontal
subhorizontal trachytoid
trachytoid fabric in the
the
granodiorite
granodioritecan
canbe
be observed
observed in
in many places. Small
Smallovoid
ovoid mafic enclaves are scattered throughout
the
the intrusion.
intrusion.

Richmond granite
granite
The charnockitic Richmond granite is well exposed between the towns of Richmond
and Cold Spring, but has never been significantly exploited as
as a dimension stone. Although
Although
generally
generallydark
dark greenish-pink,
greenish-pink,ititlocally
locallyretains
retainsaa unique
unique deep
deep green
green color
color where
where the rock has not
been
been subjected
subjectedto
to oxidation
oxidationalong
alongtight
tight brittle
brittle fractures.
fractures. The
Thegranite
granitedisplays
displaysaa prominent
prominentrapakivi
rapakivi
2-6 cmlong
longK-feldspar
K-feldsparmegacrysts,
megacrysts,as
as well
well as
as a consistent
texture defined
defined by plagioclase-mantled,
texture
plagioclase-mantled, 2-6cm
consistent
Hypersthene, redeast-northeast magmatic trachytoid fabric defined by
by aligned
aligned phenocrysts.
phenocrysts. Hypersthene,
brown biotite, and
and green
green homblende
hornblende are
are the
the dominant
dominant mafic
mafic minerals;
minerals; apatite,
apatite, ilmenite,
ilmenite, and
and
zircon
mafic minerals.
minerals. Quartz
zircon form
form abundant
abundant accessory
accessoryphases
phases concentrated
concentrated with the late-formed mafic
Quartz
typically occurs
occurs as
as more-or-less
more-or-less equant,
equant, but anhedral-interstitial,
anhedral-interstitial,monocrystalline
monocrystalline clots
clots as
as large
large
typically
as 11 cm.
cm. Although
Althoughelongate
elongategrains
grainsofofquartz
quartzoccur
occurin
inlocalized,
localized,meter-scale
meter-scale shear
shear bands,
bands, the
the
of the
the intrusion
intrusion contains
contains aawell-developed
well-developed magmatic
magmatic foliation
foliation and no evidence
evidence of
bulk of
metamorphic recrystallization.
recrystallization. Scattered
Scatteredoutcrops
outcropsand
and geophysical
geophysical maps (Fig. 3) indicate that
metamorphic
the Richmond
charnockitic intrusion
intrusion
Richmond granite may be
be one
one component
component of
of aa large
large composite
composite charnockitic
composed
largely
of
gabbroic
and
noritic
intrusive
rocks.
composed largely of gabbroic and noritic intrusive

Rockville Granite
Granite
The Rockville
Rockville Granite is presently
presently taken from
from three separate
separate quarries and marketed
marketed
under
under the
the trade
trade names
namesof
ofDiamond
DiamondPink,
Pink,Rockville
RockvilleBeige,
Beige,and
andRockville
RockvilleWhite.
White. It is
is aa very
very
coarse-grained,
coarse-grained, pinkish- to grayish-white
grayish-white rapakivi granite characterized
characterized by zoned 1-3
1-3 cm
cm
microcline
microcline phenocrysts
phenocrysts and
and smaller
smaller plagioclase (oligoclase; Johnson,
Johnson, 1978)
1978)phenocrysts
phenocrysts in
in aa
groundmass
groundmass of
of coarse
coarsequartz,
quartz,feldspar,
feldspar, biotite,
biotite, and
and hornblende,
hornblende, with
with accessory
accessoryzircon,
zircon,apatite,
apatite,
sphene,
epidote,
and
allanite.
The
Rockville
locally
shows
a
weak
trachytoid
fabric,
defined
sphene, epidote, and allanite. The Rockville locally shows a
trachytoid fabric, defined by
aligned
generally N-S
N-S and
and dips
dips variably
variablyto
to the
the west.
west. This
aligned feldspar phenocrysts, that strikes generally
This
granite
granite contains
containsscattered
scatteredenclaves
enclavesthat
that vary
vary from
from coarse-grained
coarse-grainedblack
black diorite,
diorite, to
to fine-grained,
fine-grained,
gray
gray quartz
quartz monzonite;
monzonite; both
both having
having abundant
abundant homblende
hornblende and biotite. The
Thedioritic
dioriticenclaves
enclaves
commonly
commonlycontain
containmicrocline
microclinephenocrysts
phenocrystsor
orxenocrysts;
xenocrysts;whereas
whereasthe
the monzonitic
monzoniticones
ones contain
contain
scattered
microcline,
scatteredplagioclase
plagioclasephenocrysts
phenocrystsin
in aa pristine
pristine igneous-textured,
igneous-textured, trachytoid
trachytoid matrix
matrix of microcline,
quartz, biotite, and homblende.
hornblende. Dikes
Dikes5-30
5-30cm
cmwide
wideof
of rock
rocklike
likethe
thecoarse-grained
coarse-grained dioritic
dioritic
phase
phaselocally
locallycut
cut the
the Rockville
RockvilleGranite.
Granite. These
Thesetwo
twoconflicting
conflictingoccurrences
occurrencesof
of the
the coarse-grained
coarse-grained
diorite (as both
rphenocrysts' in
in the
thecoarsecoarseboth enclaves
enclaves and
and dikes),
dikes), the
the presence
presence of
of microcline
microcline 'phenocrysts'
grained
grained enclaves,
enclaves, the pristine
pristine trachytoid
trachytoid igneous texture of the finer grained enclaves, and the
rapakivi
mafk and
and felsic
felsic magmas
magmas during
during
rapakivi texture,
texture, all
all imply
imply an
an origin
origin by
by the
the commingling
comminglingof
of mafic
magma
magma ascent
ascent(see
(seeDISCUSSION).
DISCUSSION).
66

�Figure
anomaly map of Stearns
Figure 3.
3. First vertical derivative,
derivative, reduced to pole aeromagnetic anomaly
S t e m s County (white
dashed line, also
also see Figure 2) and the fringing area. Outlines
Outlinesonly
only shown
shown for
for rock
rock units
units discussed
discussed in
in text.
text.

St. Cloud Granite
Granite
The
The St.
St. Cloud
Cloud Granite
Granite occurs
occurs as
as aa zone of variably wide dikes and sills that permeated
into the Reformatory
Reformatory granodiorite,
granodiorite,resulting
resulting in a complex geometry not easily depicted at small
into
map
map scales.
scales.At
Atlarger
largerscale,
scale,dikes
dikesof
ofSt.
St.Cloud
CloudGranite
Graniteare
are irregular
irregular in
in shape,
shape, and
and contacts
contacts most
most
commonly trend
trend to
to the
the north
north and
and northeast. Small
Smalldikes
dikesand
and irregular
irregular pods
pods of
of pink
pink aplite
aplite that
that
commonly
are associated
associated with
with the
the St.
St. Cloud
CloudGranite
Granite also
also cut
cut Reformatory
Reformatory granodiorite.
granodiorite.
The St.
extensively in
in the
the past,
past, but
but no
no longer.
longer. It is a
St. Cloud
Cloud Granite has been quarried extensively
coarse-grained,
coarse-grained,deep-colored,
deep-colored,grayish-pink
grayish-pinkto
tored,
red, hornblende
hornblendegranite
granite having
having a weak porphyritic
texture
texture defined
defined by
by pink
pink microcline
microcline phenocrysts
phenocrysts only slightly larger than the matrix. The
Themain
main
19781, quartz, hornblende,
microcline, plagioclase (albite to oligoclase;
minerals are microcline,
oligoclase; Johnson, 1978),
and biotite,
apatite, zircon,
zircon, sphene,
sphene, and
and rare
rare epidote.
epidote. Using
biotite, with
with accessory
accessory Fe-Ti oxides, apatite,
Using
Maitre (1979),
(19791, the
the St.
St. Cloud
Cloud varies
varies in
in modal
modalmineralogy
mineralogy
Streckeisen and
and Le
Le Maitre
terminology of Streckeisen
from alkali-feldspar
(Fig. 4).
4). A
alkali-feldspar granite to syenogranite (Fig.
A vague
vague trachytoid
trachytoid fabric
fabric defined
defined by
by
aligned
feldspar
and
hornblende
crystals
is
common
and
is
parallel
to
the
margins
of
the
dikes
aligned feldspar and hornblende crystals is common and is parallel to the margins of the dikes
and
and sills
sills in
in which
which the
the St.
St. Cloud
Cloud Granite
Granite occurs. Narrow
Narrowdikes
dikesof
of pink
pink aplitic
apliticgranite
granitelocally
locallycut
cut
the St.
St. Cloud
Cloud and
and Reformatory,
Reformatory, and
and are
are inferred
inferred to
to be
be late
late differentiates
differentiatesof
of the
the St.
St.Cloud
Cloudon
onthe
the
the
basis of
of lithologic
lithologic similarity.
similarity. Coarse
Coarsepegmatite
pegmatiteis
is exceedingly
exceedingly (and
(and conspicuously) rare. The
The
St.
St. Cloud
Cloud commonly
commonlycontains
containsangular
angularxenoliths
xenoliths of
of Reformatory
Reformatorygranodiorite,
granodiorite,along
alongwith
withrare
rare
xenoliths
xenoliths of
of metamorphic
metamorphiccountry
countryrock.
rock.
77

�Foley batholith
batholith
Foley
The
salmon-colored, coarse-grained,
coarse-grained, hornblende-biotite
homblende-biotite granite
TheFoley
Foley batholith
batholith is
is a red to salmon-colored,
granite
that
that is
is cut
cut by
by minor
minoramounts
amountsof
ofgranitic
graniticporphyry
porphyry and
andaplite—similar
aplite-similar in
in nearly
nearly all
allrespects
respectsto
to
the
km),ovoid
ovoidgravity
gravitylow
lowthat
thatextends
extendsfrom
fromthe
the
the St.
St. Cloud
Cloud Granite.
Granite. ItItforms
formsaalarge
large(60
(60xx20
20km),
east
east side
sideof
of St.
St.Cloud,
Cloud, northeastward
northeastward to
to near Mule
Mille Lacs Lake (Jirsa and Chandler, 1997). The
The
batholith
batholith is
is moderately
moderately well
well exposed
exposed along
along its
its western
western terminus,
terminus, where
where its
its intrusive
intrusive contact
contact
against
againstReformatory
Reformatorygranodiorite
granodioritecan
canbe
beseen,
seen,and
andin
inseveral
severalplaces
placeseast
eastof
ofthe
themap
maparea
areashown
shown
on
on Fig.
Fig. 2.
2. Small
Smallquarries
quarriesininthe
thewestern
westernpart
partofofthe
theunit
unitoperated
operatedduring
duringthe
theperiod
period1896-1909.
1896-1909.
The
The Foley
Foley isismassive
massiveto
tovaguely
vaguelyfoliated,
foliated,having
havingaapoorly
poorlydeveloped
developedand
andlocalized
localizedtrachytoid
trachytoid
fabric.
fabric. Although
Althoughititwill
willnot
notbe
bevisited
visitedduring
duringthis
thisfield
fieldtrip,
trip,the
theFoley
Foleyisis described
describedhere
herebecause
because
itit isisaalarge
largeand
anddistinctive
distinctiveunit
unitthat
thatappears
appearsto
tobe
bemagmatically
magmatically related
related (parental?)
(parental?) to
to the
the St.
St.
Cloud Granite.
Granite.
Cloud

Porphyritic
(AKAQFP)
QFP)dikes
dikes
Porphyriticmicrogranite
microgranite(AKA
Thin
Thin northeast-trending
northeast-trendingdikes
dikesof
of distinctively
distinctively textured porphyritic
porphyritic microgranite
microgranite cut
cut the
Reformatory
Foley batholith.
batholith. None of
Reformatory granodiorite,
granodiorite, Rockville
RockvilleGranite,
Granite, St.
St. Cloud Granite, and Foley
these
these dikes
dikes were
were noted
noted in
in the
the Richmond
Richmond granite,
granite, but
but they
they would
would logically
logically post-date that unit.
unit.
Most
2-4 m
m wide,
wide, but
but one
one is
is at
at least
least 30
30 m wide, and
and another
another may
may be as
as much
much
Most of
of these
these dikes
dikesare
are 2-4
as
as 100
100m
m wide,
wide, although
although correlation
correlation of
of the
the latter
latter with this dike set is tenuous. The
Themargins
marginsof
of
these dikes
dikes are
are chilled
chilled and
and locally
locally flow-banded,
flow-banded, texturally similar to volcanic rhyolite. The
The
porphyries
porphyries are
are characterized
characterized by
by 3-10
3-10 percent
percent quartz
quartz phenocrysts as large as 4 mm across
across that
have
primary euhedral
have aa primary
euhedralshape
shapemodified
modified by
by resorption,
resorption,and
and 3-10
3-10 percent
percent microperthite
microperthiteor
or sanidine
sanidine
phenocrysts
phenocrysts as
as large
large as
as 10
10mm.
mm. The
Thefine-grained
fine-grainedgroundmass
groundmassvaries
variesin
intexture
texturefrom
fromanhedralanhedralgranular to spherulitic.
spherulitic. InInaddition
additiontotothe
themain
mainquartz
quartzand
andfeldspar,
feldspar,the
the rock
rock contains
contains minor
minor
amounts of
of fine-grained
fine-grained biotite,
biotite, homblende,
hornblende, actinolite,
actinolite, and
and chlorite,
chlorite, and
and accessory
accessory fluorite,
fluorite,
apatite,
apatite, Fe-Ti
Fe-Ti oxides,
oxides, epidote,
epidote, sphene,
sphene, zircon,
zircon, and
and allanite.
allanite.

Diabase dikes
dikes
Diabase
There
There are
are two
two main
main groups
groupsof
of diabase
diabase dikes
dikes recognized
recognized in
in the
the area: a northeast-trending
northeast-trending
set, and a northwest-trending
northwest-trending set. Both
Both sets
setsare
are steeply
steeply dipping
dipping and are interpreted to be the
youngest
rocks in the St.
youngest Precambrian rocks
St. Cloud
Cloud area,
area, as
as they
they cut
cut nearly
nearly all
all other
other rock
rock types.
types.
Northeast-trending
Northeast-trendingdiabase
diabasedikes
dikesare
aretypically
typically non-magnetic
non-magnetic and
andlack
lackgeophysical
geophysicalexpression,
expression,
but
throughout the area. They
but are
are exposed
exposedin
in several
several outcrops
outcropsand
and old
old quarries
quarries throughout
They are
are most
most commonly
commonly
1-3 m thick, but some
m,and
anddike
dikemargins
margins are
aresharply
sharplychilled
chilled against
against the
the
some are
are as
as wide
wide as
as 88m,
neighboring
metamorphism
neighboringgranitic
graniticrocks.
rocks. These
Thesedikes
dikescontain
containfresh
fresh plagioclase,
plagioclase, but low-grade metamorphism
or
actinolite, chlorite,
or deuteric
deuteric alteration
alteration(?)
(?)has
has altered
alteredthe
the primary
primary mafic minerals
minerals to actinolite,
chlorite, and
and dusty
dusty
oxides.
oxides.
Northwest-trending
Northwest-trendingdiabase
diabasedikes
dikesare
arerarely
rarely exposed,
exposed,but are
are inferred
inferred from geophysical
geophysical
data
100m wide. They
They are
are geophysically
geophysicallytraceable
traceableby
by their
their distinctive,
distinctive,generally
generally
data to
to be
be as
as much
much as
as 100
reversely polarized, aeromagnetic signature (Fig.
(Fig. 3).
3). One
exposed
northwest
dike
(Fig.
F6 of
One exposed
stop descriptions) has
has sharply
sharply chilled
chilled margins,
margins, and
and compared
compared to
to the
the northeast-trending
northeast-trendingset
setisis
strongly magnetic
magnetic (pyhrrotitic)
(pyhrrotitic) and
and is
is less
less altered/metamorphosed,
alteredmetamorphosed, having
having substantially
substantiallymore
more
fresh clinopyroxene. This
Thisdike
dikeisisnormally
normally polarized
polarized and
and only 6 meters thick—attributes
thick-attributes that
contrast somewhat
somewhat with the
the geophysically-defined
geophysically-defined northwest
northwest swarm, making correlation
correlation
8

�uncertain. Another
Anothersmall
smalloutcrop
outcropof
of apatitic
apatiticferrodiorite,
ferrodiorite,in
in northwestern
northwestern Stearns
Steams County,
County, lies
over one of the reverse-dike
reverse-dike anomalies and is probably part of this swarm,
swam, but no
no magnetic
magnetic
polarity tests have been performed.
performed.

GEOCHEMISTRY
A standard
standard alkali-silica
alkali-silica chemical
chemical classification
classificationplot characterizes
characterizesthe
the granitoid
granitoidrocks
rocksas
as
subalkaline to alkaline composition. As
As shown
shown in
in Figure
Figure 4,
4, both
both the
the St.
St. Cloud
Cloud and
and Rockville
Rockville
alkalic
Granites plot as subalkalic
subalkalic using the dividing line of Irvine and Baragar (1971), but as alkalic
Miyashiro (1978).
(1978). This alkalic tendency reflects the perthite-dominated
perthite-dominated
using the dividing line of Miyashiro
mineralogy of the St. Cloud Granite. In
In addition,
addition, the all the granitoid rocks in Stearns
Steams County
are peraluminous,
and I-type,
I-type, consistent
consistent with
with the abundance of biotite
peraluminous, calc-alkaline,
calc-alkaline, and
biotite and
and
hornblende and lack of muscovite.

DISCUSSION
DISCUSSION

Temporal Relationships—Field
Temporal
Relationships-Field Evidence
Evidence
Based on field and petrographic
petrographic observations,
observations, geophysical
geophysical maps and measurements,
measurements, and
and
limited geochronologic
geochronologic data, the following
following sequence—from
sequence-from oldest to youngest—summarizes
youngest-summarizes
the emplacement history of igneous
igneous rocks in the St.
St. Cloud
Cloud District:
1) Reformatory granodiorite, and Rockville and Richmond granites—emplaced
granites+mplaced at
at about
about
1812 Ma;
Granite and associated
associated aplite, and Foley batholith+mplaced
batholith—emplaced at approximately
2) St. Cloud Granite
approximately
1770 Ma;
northeast-trending dikes of porphyritic
3) northeast-trending
porphyritic microgranite
microgranite and diabase;
diabase; and
4) northwest-trending
northwest-trendingdiabase
diabase dikes.
dikes.

10

+
0

9

z

5

SO

feldspar

70

75

VDiabua dikeÂ
8W w a i n R v G
~ P w p b @ c ~ ~ARichond+te
t e
SL CI-4
w e
0 Refemwary pnodiaite

Figure 4. Modal
rocks from
from the
the St.
St. Cloud
Cloud area.
area. (a)
Modaland
andchemical
chemicalvariation
variation diagrams of intrusive rocks
selected
selected modal
modal analyses
analyses compiled
compiled from
from Dittman (1971),
(1971), Morey (1972),
(19721, Johnson (1978),
(19781, Skiliman
Skillman
(1946), and Boerboom (in prep.); (b)
(19461,
(b)alkali-silica
alkali-silicaclassification,
classification,with
with dividing
dividing lines
lines of
of Miyashiro
Miyashiro
(1978, solid line) and Irvine
k i n e and Baragar (1971,
(1971, dashed line).
9

�The
TheSt.
St.Cloud
CloudGranite
Graniteintrudes
intrudesthe
theReformatory
Reformatory granodiorite,
granodiorite,as
as established
establishedabove
above and
and
by
by earlier
earlierworkers
workers(Morey,
(Morey,1978
1978and
and references
references therein).
therein). The
Theintrusive
intrusiverelationships
relationshipsbetween
between
the
the Rockville
Rockville Granite
Granite and
and other
other granitoid
granitoid rocks cannot be seen in outcrop.
outcrop. Although
Although
geochronological
geochronologicaldata
dataimply
implythat
thatthe
theRockville
Rockvilleand
and Reformatory
Reformatory are
are generally
generally synchronous
synchronous(as
(as
discussed
discussedbelow),
below),some
someoutcrops
outcropsof
ofRockville
RockvilleGranite
Granitecontain
containinclusions
inclusionsof
ofrock
rockequivocally
equivocally
similar to
to the
theReformatory
Reformatorygranodiorite.
granodiorite. Geophysical
Geophysical maps
maps imply
imply that
that the
thenon-magnetic
non-magnetic
similar
Rockville
Rockville Granite
Granite forms
forms an
an eastward-thinning
eastward-thinning wedge
wedge that
that overlies
overlies the
the more
moremagnetic
magnetic
Reformatory
3);however,
however, the
the observations
observationscontribute
contributelittle
little to
to their
theirrelative
relative
Reformatorygranodiorite
granodiorite(Fig.
(Fig.3);
emplacementhistory.
history.
emplacement
Porphyritic
dikes are inferred
inferred to
to be either cut by or
Porphyritic microgranite
microgranite dikes
or synchronous
synchronous with
with
northeast-trending
northeast-trendingdiabase
diabasedikes.
dikes.ItItisisinteresting
interestingto
tonote
notethat
thatthe
the microgranite
microgranitedikes
dikescommonly
commonly
have
have aa similar
similar northeast-trending
northeast-trendingdiabase
diabase dike
dike near them. At
At one
one locality
locality aa thin
thin diabase
diabase dike
dike is
is
chilled
chilledagainst
againstthe
theRockville
RockvilleGranite
Graniteon
on one
one side,
side, but
but retains
retains felty-textured
felty-textured plagioclase
plagioclase against
against
the
the contact
contactwith
withaaporphyritic
porphyriticmicrogranite
microgranitedike
dikeon
onthe
theother,
other,implying
implyingthat
thatthe
themicrogranite
microgranite
was
porphyrywas still
stillhot
hot when
when diabase
diabase was
was emplaced.
emplaced. The
Thediabase
diabasecontains
containsabundant
abundantxenocrysts
xenocrystsof
ofporphyryderived
derived quartz and feldspar grains adjacent to this contact. These
Thesetextures
textures indicate
indicate that
that the
the
diabase
diabasemay
may be
be comagmatic
comagmaticwith
with the
the microgranite,
microgranite, or
or that
that diabase
diabase post-dates
post-dates microgranite
micrograniteonly
only
slightly.
A
northwest-trending
diabase
dike
exposed
in
a
quarry
in
Waite
Park
(Fig.
F6
of
slightly. A northwest-trending diabase dike exposed in a quarry in Waite
(Fig. F6 stop
stop
descriptions)
descriptions)unequivocally
unequivocally cuts
cutsand
andisis chilled
chilledagainst
against aa small
smallnortheast-trending
northeast-trendingdiabase
diabasedike.
dike.
If
If this
this northwest-trending
northwest-trendingdike
dikeisisrepresentative
representative of
of the
the aeromagnetically
aeromagneticallydefined
defined dikes
dikes having
having
the
the same
same orientation,
orientation,they
they are
are the
the youngest
youngest intrusive
intrusive rocks in the area.

Temporal
TemporalRelationships—Geochronologic
Relationships~GeochronologicData
Data
All
All the
the intrusions
intrusionsdescribed
describedabove
aboveare
areinferred
inferredto
to be
be Early
Early Proterozoic,
Proterozoic,with
withthe
theexception
exception
of
somewhat equivocal dates. Unfortunately,
of diabasic
diabasicdikes
dikesthat
that cut
cut the
the granitoid
granitoid rocks
rocks and
and yield somewhat
Unfortunately,

U-Pb data
data are
are rare,
rare, and
andfield
fieldobservations
observations together
together with
with Ar-Ar
Ar-Ar and
and K-Ar
K-Ar dates
dates make
make much
much of
of
the
the emplacement
emplacementhistory
historyinferential.
inferential.Reported
ReportedU-Pb
U-Pbdates
datesof
of1,770
1,770Ma
Ma for
for the
the St.
St. Cloud Granite,
Granite,
and
1,812 Â9Ma
Mafor
forboth
boththe
theRockville
Rockvilleand
andReformatory
Reformatory(Goldich,
(Goldich,pers.
pers.comm.,
comm.,as
asreported
reportedin
in
and 1,812±9
Horan
Horan and
and others,
others, 1987)
1987)are
are consistent
consistentwith
with the
the field
field observations
observationsthat
that show
show Reformatory
Reformatory cut
cut
by St.
St. Cloud
Cloud Granite.
Granite. Although
Althoughnot
notdated
datedby
by the
the U-Pb
U-Pb method,
method, the Richmond granite has Nd
and
Pb
isotope
and
trace
element
systematics
consistent
with
and Pb isotope and trace element systematics consistent with it being Early Proterozoic (Spencer,
(Spencer,
1987).
1987).
Most
Most controversial
controversial are
are the dates
dates for diabasic dikes. Hanson
Hanson(1968)
(1968)gives
gives K-Ar
K-Ar wholewholerock ages
northeast-trending diabase
diabase dikes.
dikes. Of these, the
ages of 1280,
1280, 1460,
1460, and 1570
1570 Ma for the northeast-trending
1570
considered aa minimum
consistent
1570Ma
Ma date
date is considered
minimum age,
age, and
and some
some of the dikes yield Pb isotope data consistent
with
northeastwith an
an age
age of approximately
approximately1800
1800Ma
Ma (Horan
(Horan and others, 1987).
1987). Using
Using these
these data,
data, the northeasttrending
with enclosing
enclosing granitic
granitic rocks.
rocks. By
trending diabasic dikes may be more or less comagmatic with
By
contrast,
contrast, Holm
Holm and
andLux
Lux (1997)
(1997)report
reportAr-Ar
Ar-Ar whole-rock ages of 1164±12
1164k12 Ma and 1190±9
1190Â±Ma
two of
of the
thenortheast-trending
northeast-trendingdiabase
diabasedikes.
dikes. Field relationships
relationships do not permit us to
to
from two
However,
some
field,
geophysical,
and
unequivocally
unequivocally resolve
resolve these
these contrasting
contrasting age
age dates.
dates. However,
and
petrographic
petrographicobservations
observationsraise
raisequestions
questionsabout
aboutthe
theyounger
younger(Keweenawan)
(Keweenawan)emplacement
emplacementdate.
date.
For example,
example, nearly
nearly all
all of the diabase
diabase dikes—including
dikes-including those
those dated
dated by Holm and Lux (1997)—
(1997)show alteration of mafic minerals to actinolite. The
The northeast-trending
northeast-trending dikes
dikes in
in the
the St.
St. Cloud
Cloud
District
dikes exposed elsewhere
elsewhere
Districtare
are only
only weakly
weakly to
to non-magnetic,
non-magnetic,in
in contrast
contrast with Keweenawan
Keweenawan dikes
that are
strongly
magnetic.
Furthermore,
paleomagnetic
measurements
on
a
limited
suite of
are strongly magnetic. Furthermore, paleomagnetic
10
10

�samples
samples failed
failed to
to isolate
isolate any
any magnetization
magnetization direction
direction that
that is
is consistent
consistent with
with either
either the
the reversed
reversed
or normal
normal directions
directions typical
typical of
of Keweenawan
Keweenawan dikes
dikes (Val
(Val Chandler,
Chandler, unpub. data, Minnesota
Minnesota
Geological
GeologicalSurvey).
Survey).The
Thegranites
granitessurrounding
surroundingthe
thediabase
diabasedikes
dikesare
are not metamorphosed,
metamorphosed,implying
implying
that the
the alteration
alteration of
of mafic
mafic minerals
minerals to
to actinolite
actinolite in the diabase
diabase may be of
of deuteric
deuteric rather
rather than
than
metamorphic origin. In
Ar-Ar ages
ages in
in the
the range
range of
of 1152-1199
1152-1199 Ma
Ma may
may indeed
indeed
Inthis
thiscase
casethe
theAr-Ar
reflect emplacement,
related to the onset
emplacement, or alternatively
alternatively a weak metamorphic
metamorphic overprint related
onset of
of
Keweenawan
different ages of northeastnortheastKeweenawanigneous
igneousactivity
activityto
to the
the east. A
A third
third scenario
scenariois
is that two different
trending
trending dikes
dikes exist;
exist; however,
however, no systematic
systematic differences
differences between dikes of this trend have been
observed
observed in the field
field or during
during subsequent
subsequent petrographic and geochemical study. The
The apparent
apparent
conflict
conflict of
of dates
dates and
and observations
observationsfrom
from diabasic
diabasic and
and quartzofeldspathic
quartzofeldspathicdikes,
dikes,and
and uncertainties
uncertainties
about the age
age of
of other
other plutonic
plutonic elements
elements in
in east-central
east-central Minnesota,
Minnesota, underscores
underscores the need
need for
for
modern
modem U-Pb
U-Pb zircon
zircon or
or baddelyite
baddelyitedates.
dates.

Mafic microgranular
microgranularenclaves-evidence
enclaves-evidence for
for magma
magma mingling
mingling
Mafic
Mafic microgranular
microgranular enclaves that occur in many intrusions of the St. Cloud area are
interpreted
interpreted as
as the
the product
product of
of commingled,
commingled, coeval felsic and mafic magmas. The
Thetextural
texturaland
and
mineralogical attributes of mafic
mafic microgranular
microgranular enclaves
enclaves in the Rockville
Rockville Granite
Granite and
and
Reformatory
rapakivitexture
textureof
of the
the Rockville
Rockvilleand
and Richmond
Richmondgranites,
granites,are
are
Reformatorygranodiorite,
granodiorite,and
andthe
therapakivi
similar
commingling of mafic and felsic magmas. Although
similarto
to features
featuresattributed
attributedelsewhere
elsewhereto
to the commingling
Although
some
some of
of the
the enclaves
enclavesmay
may have
have originated
originatedby
by the
the reincorporation
reincorporationof
of chilled
chilled intrusion
intrusionmargins
margins
by upwelling
upwelling magma,
magma, textural
texturalevidence
evidenceclearly
clearly shows
shows that
that some
some of the
the enclaves
enclaves coexisted
coexisted as
as aa
melt
melt with
with the
the host
host granite
granite magma.
magma. Textures
Texturesimplying
implyingcommingling
comminglingof
ofmafic
maficand
andfelsic
felsicmagmas
magmas
beg
the
question:
Under
what
conditions
are
these
coeval
yet
disparate
magmas
generated?
beg
question: Under
conditions
coeval yet disparate magmas generated? The
mingling
mingling of
of mafic
mafic and
and felsic
felsic magmas
magmas is
is most likely
likely to occur in regions where crustal melts are
generated
generatedby
by underplating
underplatingof
of continental
continentalcrust
crust by mafic mantle-derived magma. Melt
Meltgenerated
generated
by this process
process and
and in
in aa quantity
quantitysufficient
sufficient to
to accumulate
accumulate at
at the
the base
base of
of the
the crust
crust can
can become
become
fully
(Cruden
fully mobilized
mobilized and
and ascend
ascend rapidly,
rapidly, entraining
entraining the underlying
underlying mafic magma as it rises (Cruden
and
and others,
others, 1995,
1995,and
and references
referencestherein).
therein).
We suggest
suggest that
that the
the numerous
numerous mafic
mafic enclaves
enclavespresent
present in
in the
the 1812
1812 Ma intrusive
intrusive suite
suite
give
give evidence
evidence that
that melting
meltingof
of the
the lower
lower crust
crust by mafic
mafic mantle
mantle underplating
underplatinggave
gave rise
rise to
to the
the latelatetectonic
tectonicsuite
suiteof
of granitic
graniticintrusions,
intrusions,during
duringthe
the waning
waning compressive
compressivestages
stagesof
of Penokean
Penokeanorogeny.
orogeny.
Furthermore,
Furthermore, the numerous
numerous gabbroic to noritic intrusions such as that
that associated
associated with
with the
the
Richmond
Richmond granite
granite (Fig.
(Fig. 2)
2) may
may represent
represent mafic
mafic end-members
end-members of this same
same late-Penokean
late-Penokean suite
suite
of intrusions.
intrusions.
of
In the case
Masuite
suite of
ofpost-tectonic
post-tectonic granites,
granites, mantle
mantle underplating
underplating as the
case of
of the
the —1770
-1770 Ma
result of mantle
(e.g., Holm
Hoim and
and Dahl,
Dahl, 1996; Cruden
mantle lithospheric
lithospheric delamination (e.g.,
Cruden and
andothers,
others,
1995;
Turner
and
others,
1992)
may
have
generated
the
melts.
In
this
model,
delamination
1995; Turner and others, 1992) may
generated
In this model, delaminationand
and
thinning of the
the orogenically
orogenically overthickened
overthickened crust allows hot asthenosphere to well up,
up, raising
raising
the asthenosphere-lithosphere
asthenosphere-lithosphereboundary and increasing the thermal input into
into the
the base
base of
of the
the
crust. This
Thisprocess
processisisattractive
attractivebecause
because granitic
granitic melt
melt generation is delayed until some 40-50
m.y. after the peak of orogenesis,
orogenesis, coincident
coincident with the time necessary for orogenic collapse and
thinning
of
the
mantle
lithosphere
thinning of the mantle lithosphere(Turner
(Turner and
and others,
others, 1992).
1992).
There are
post-orogenic granites of the
are several
several lines of evidence which indicate that the post-orogenic
St. Cloud area may have formed from crustal
crustal underplating
underplating by
by high-temperature
high-temperature mantle material
material
following
following crustal
crustal collapse
collapse and
and mantle
mantle lithospheric
lithosphericdelamination.
delamination.

-

11

�high temperatures
temperatures
1. The
The granite
granite melts are
are inferred by Spencer (1987) to have formed at high
(800-1000°C), and
and are nearly coeval with the
(800-1000Â°C)
the isotopically
isotopically similar
similar mantle-derived
mantle-derived
diabasic
diabasic rocks
rocks (Horan
(Horan and
and others,
others, 1987).
1987).
2. The
Theclose
closeand
andprobable
probablecogenetic
cogeneticassociation
associationof
ofthe
theporphyritic
porphyritic microgranite
microgranitedikes
dikes
with diabase dikes. This
This may
may reflect
reflect bimodal
bimodal magma generation, a common feature
of post-orogenic
post-orogenic plutonic
plutonic complexes
complexeselsewhere
elsewhere (Turner
(Turner and
and others,
others,1992).
1992).
3. The
Theemplacement
emplacementofofgranite
granitelags
lagsbehind
behindpeak
peakorogenesis
orogenesisby
by—50
-50 Ma.
4. Holm
4.
Holm and
and others
others (1998)
(1998) concluded
concluded from garnet
garnet and
and staurolite
staurolite core-rim
core-rim
thermobarometric, geobarometric,
geobarometric, and
and thermochronologic
thermochronologic studies
studies (see following
thermobarometric,
section) that crust
crust thickened
thickened by the
the Penokean
Penokean orogeny
orogeny remained
remained so
so for
for50-60
50-60m.y.
m.y.
before collapse,
collapse, which then may then have triggered sudden lower crustal melting.
5. Spencer
Spencer(1987,
(1987,p.
p.174,
174,e.g.)
e.g.) interpreted
interpreted from
from isotopic
isotopic evidence
evidence that the granite melts
were generated at aa convergent
convergent continental margin that recycled a source
source material
material
with a short-lived crustal history. However, he allows for an extensional
extensional environment
environment
superimposed
superimposedon
on an
an earlier
earlier orogenic
orogenic event,
event, to produce
produce basic mantle
mantle melts
melts beneath
beneaththe
the
crust to melt the
crustal
rocks.
the crustal rocks.

Thermobarometric data
The significant
significant proportion of igneous rocks, together with the regional staurolite grade of
metamorphism of
of the country rocks, implies
implies that
that outcrops
outcrops in this area represent one of
metamorphism
of the
the
deepest exposed levels of the entire
entire Penokean
Penokean orogenic
orogenic belt.
belt. Holm
Hoim and others (1998) recognized
recognized
deepest
that Early Proterozoic country rock within the internal
internal zone
zone (Little
(Little Falls
Falls Formation)
Formation) were
were
metamorphosed twice. Thermobarometric
Therrnobarometricestimates
estimatesindicate
indicate that early, Penokean-age, garnetgrade (Ml)
metamorphism
occurred
at
pressures
of
5-6
kbar and temperatures of 450-500Â°C
450-500°C.
(Ml) metamorphism occurred at pressures
Thermobarometric estimates
metamorphism yield similar pressures,
pressures, and
and only
only slightly
slightly
Thermobarometric
estimatesof the M2 metamorphism
temperatures (500-550Â°C)
(500-550°C). This indicates
plutons exposed
exposed in
in the St.
higher temperatures
indicates that Penokean plutons
District were
Cloud District
were emplaced
emplaced during
during the
the interim
interim between
between the
the two metamorphic
metamorphic events
events at
at 19-23
19-23
depths. The
km midcrustal orogenic depths.
The age
age of
of M2
M2 metamorphism must be older than the 1750Ma mica
mica Ar/Ar
Ar/Ar cooling
cooling ages obtained
obtained throughout
throughout the
the region
region because
because of
of the
the 300Â°
300°C closure
closure
1760 Ma
temperature of biotite
Hoim and Lux, 1997;Holm
Holm and
and others,
others, 1998). These
These ages indicate
indicate
temperature
biotite (Fig.
(Fig. 5; Holm
been reheated
reheated to temperatures
temperatures above 300Â°
300°C since
since that
that time.
time. Five hornblende
hornblende
that the area has not been
Ar/Ar dates obtained from central Minnesota are concordant with the 1760-1750
Ar/Ar
1760-1750 Ma mica
mica
temperatures
dates. Hornblende
Hornblendehas
hasaa typical
typical closure
closure temperature
temperature of 500°C,
500Â°Cwhich matches the temperatures
obtained for M2 metamorphism
(500-550°C).
This
is
strong
evidence
that
the
rocks of the
strong
the
metamorphism (500-550Â°C)
remetamorphosed to
to staurolite
internal zone of the orogen in central
central Minnesota were widely remetamorphosed
grade during the same
same event
event responsible for
for generating
generating the post-tectonic magmas at 1770
1770Ma.
Ma.
5-6 kbars
kbars indicates
indicates that little or
or no
no unroofing
unroofing of
of the
the Penokean
Penokean
The M2 pressure estimate of 5-6
midcrustal root occurred
occurred between
between about
about 1820
1820and 1770
1770 Ma.
Emplacement
Emplacement pressure estimates
estimates using an igneous barometer indicate that some of the
1770 Ma post-Penokean plutons were intruded at 4.6 kbar pressures (17 km depth);
depth); whereas,
whereas,
others were emplaced at lower
pressures
of
3.5
kbar,
or
about
13
km
depth
(Darrah,
lower
kbar, about 13 km depth (Darrah, 1996).
1996).
These contrasting
contrasting pressure estimates—derived
estimatesÃ‘derive from suites of rock tentatively inferred to be
be
comagmatic—indicate
comagmatic-indicate that post-tectonic magma emplacement was synchronous with crustal
uplift (Fig.
(Fig. 6).
6).
12

�________

_________________________________________

Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic tectonomagmatic
tectonomagmaticmodel
Our mapping observations and analytical results of the last five years indicate that there
significant differences in the overall character of the &amp; vs. -Penokean
plutons
are significant
m-Penokean
plutons(Table
(Table
that must be explained in any tectonic model.
model. We believe these differences
differences reflect two very
1) that
tectonomagmatic settings;
different tectonomagmatic
settings; one that occurred at the end of orogenic
orogenic belt construction,
construction,
and one during its demise
demise approximately
approximately 40-50
40-50 my later.

(I)-

ci)
4--

0
0

"0-

S

I-

a)

E

z
1800
Ml
metamor hism
Late- Penokean
plutonism

)
)
)

I
I
I
II
I I '1
11

j Ar/Ar,
ArIAr,hornblende
hornblende

H Ar/Ar, mica
McGrath gneiss
dome dates

S

Ii'

1.1.1.1
——l

I

1700

I

1600

I

1500

AGE (Ma)
Post-tectonic plutonism,
M2 metamorphism
metamorphism

Figure
Figure 5. Histogram
Histogramof
ofAr/Ar
ArlAr dates
dates from
from the
the EarlyProterozoic
EarlyProterozoic of central

Minnesota
Minnesota (after Holm and Lux, 1996;
1996; Holm
Holm and
and others,
others,1998).
1998).
Figure 7 presents a
Temperature (*C)
(C)
schematic
synopsis of
of our
schematic synopsis
our
interpretation
of
pluton
300
400
500
600
300
400
the
emplacement
after
compressive phase
phase (Fig.
(Fig. 7A)
7A) of
compressive
semi-brittle shears
Penokean deformation in central
n
Rapid cooling
Minnesota. The Richmond,
Richmond,
Reformatory, and Rockville-the
Rockville—the
Reformatory,
1770-1760 Ma
"gray
granites"—represent
lower
granites9'-represent
\
1 post-tectonic
crustal
crustal melts intruded into the
the
midcrust
(20-22 km)
km) of the
midcrust (20-22
the
Penokean orogen (Fig 7B). These
These
Penokean
magmas were generated
during
generated during
metamorphism Ml
the waning stages
stages of
of Penokean
Penokean
compression
hence,
compression and
1
late-tectonic
plutons
developed a moderate magmatic
fabric.
fabric.
Figure 6. Summary
Summaryof
of P-T-t
P-T-t diagram
diagram showing
showing the relation
The
The
evidence
for
(M 1and
andM2),
M2),plutonism,
plutonism,and
and forforbetween metamorphism
metamorphism (Ml
commingled
commingled mafic
mafic and felsic
mation of semi-brittle shears in the internal zone of the
these
rocks indicates
magmas
in
Penokena orogen
Penokena
orogen (modified
(modifiedafter
after Hoim
Holm and
and others,
others, 1998).
1998).
13
13

�TABLE 1—Comparison
post-Penokean intrusions
intrusions
1-Comparison of late and post-Penokean
TYPEIAGE
TYPE/AGE
Composition/Color
Composition/Color

LATE
LATE PENOKEAN/—1812
PENOKEXNI- 1812 Ma
Ma
Granodiorite-granite——typically
Granodiorite-granite-typically

gray—with
gray-with mafic
maficenclaves
enclaves

POST-PENOKEAN/--1770
POST-PENOKEANI- 1770 Ma

Granite
Granite (alkali-feldspar
(alkali-feldspargranite
granite to
to
syenogranite)—typically
syenogranitel-typically red—
redwith
with few
few mafic
mafic enclaves
enclaves

Magmatic Fabric
Fabric
Magmatic

Moderately
Moderatelydeveloped,
developed, NE
NE
orientation,
orientation,commonly
commonlyflat
flat

Very weak to absent
absent

Pluton
Pluton Shapes
Shapes

Broad
Broad and
and irregular
irregular

Dikes,
Dikes, sills,
sills, and
and larger
larger plutons
plutons
with a tendency for
for NE orientation
orientation

Geophysical Characteristics
Characteristics

Variable
Variable -- moderate
moderate and busy
busy
magnetic
magnetic signature;
signature;dense
dense

Typically non-magnetic,
non-magnetic,
pronounced
pronounced gravity
gravitylows
lows

Depth
Depth Emplaced
Emplaced

20-22
20-22 km
km(5-6
(5-6 kbar)
kbar)

13-17
13-17 km (3.5-4.5
(3.5-4.5 kbar)
kbar)

Associated Metamorphism
Metamorphism

Garnet
Garnet grade
grade Ml
M 1(5-6
(5-6 kbar)
kbar)

Staurolite
M2 (5-6
(5-6 kbar)
kbar)
Staurolitegrade
gradeM2

Solid-state
Solid-state Fabric
Fabric

Cut
Cut by
by semi-brittle
semi-brittleshears
shears

Cut
Cut by semi-brittle
semi-brittle shears
shears

that
that crustal
crustal underplating
underplatingmay
may have
have played
played an
an important
important role in their generation. However,
However, these
these
crustal melts were not
able
to
penetrate
the
stronger
upper
crust
of
the
orogen,
but
instead
not able to penetrate the stronger
the orogen, but instead
formed
formed irregular
irregularshaped
shaped plutons
plutons at
at depths
depths of
of 20-22
20-22 km
km where
where they remained for approximately
approximately
40
Penokean orogeny
40 m.y. The
Theperiod
period of
of tectonic
tectonic quiescence
quiescenceand
and amagmatism
amagmatismafter
after the Penokean
orogeny (during
(during
the
the period
period approximately
approximately1812-1770
1812-1770Ma)
Ma)was
wasterminated
terminatedby
byaashort-lived
short-livedperiod
periodof
of post-tectonic
post-tectonic
magma
magma generation,
generation,metamorphism,
metamorphism,and
and rapid
rapid midcrustal
midcrustal uplift
uplift and
and cooling
coolingat
at about
about 1770
1770Ma.
Ma.
This
This abrupt
abrupt episode
episode may
may have been triggered by mantle-lithospheric
mantle-lithospheric delamination
delaminationthat
that would
would
have
midcrustto
to temperatures
temperatures
have caused
causedboth
bothmelting
meltingof
ofthe
thelower
lowercrust
crust(Fig.
(Fig. 7C)
7C)and
and heating
heatingof
of the
the midcrust
above
above 500°C
5OO0Cduring
during M2
M2 metamorphism.
metamorphism. This
Thisthermal
thermalheating
heatingsoftened
softenedthe
the overthickened
overthickenedcrust,
crust,
causing
At this
this time
time significant
significant unroofing occurred and shears
shears
causing itit to collapse
collapse and
and thin (Fig. 7D). At
formed as
as the
the rocks
rocks cooled
cooled and
and became more brittle. The
TheSt.
St.Cloud
CloudGranite,
Granite,Foley
Foley batholith,
batholith,
and associated
associated plutons—the
plutons-the "red,
"red, massive
massive granites"—were
granites9'-were advected
advected during
during this
this event
event into
into
uplifting
orogenic shortening
uplifting crust
crustthat
that was
was extending
extendingNW-SE,
NW-SE, parallel
parallel to
to the
the previous orogenic
shorteningdirection.
direction.
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic diabasic
diabasic and
and quartzofeldspathic
quartzofeldspathic dikes apparently lagged behind a bit
bit and
and
were
emplaced just after
after brittle
brittle shears
shearsformed,
formed, using
using the
the shears
shearsas
as conduits
conduits(Fig.
(Fig. 7E).
7E).
were emplaced

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This
This field
field guide
guideis
is an
an outgrowth
outgrowth of studies
studies by the Minnesota Geological Survey
Survey (MGS)
(MGS)
that were
were supported
supportedby
by several
several programs
programs of the State Legislature. The
The Stearns
StearnsCounty
County segment
segment
(Boerboom and others, 1995,
1996a)
was
funded
through
the
Legislative
Commission
1995, 1996a) was funded through the Legislative Commission on
on
Minnesota Resources; funding for drilling
drilling and
and mapping
mapping east of
of St.
St. Cloud
Cloud (Jirsa
(Jirsaand
andothers,
others,
1995a) was made available
available on
on recommendation
recommendation of the
the Minnesota
Minnesota Minerals
Minerals Coordinating
Coordinating
Committee. On-going
On-goingmapping
mapping and
and analytical
analytical work
work in
in both areas
areas has been supported
supported by the
MGS.
was supported
supported
thermobarometricand
andgeochronologic
geochronologicwork
work of
of Daniel
Daniel Holm and others was
MGS. The
Thethermobarometric
by a National Science
Foundation
grant
(EAR-9304070).
We
are
grateful
to
Mr.
Frank
Lyons
Science
We
and
and the
the Meridian
MeridianAggregates
AggregatesCompany
Companyfor
foraccess
accessand
andguidance
guidancein
in the
theaggregate
aggregatequarry,
quarry,and
andfor
for
permission to
to visit
visit their
their developing
developingsouthern
southern property
property (before
(before the
the natural
natural outcrops
outcropsare
aregone!).
gone!).
A very special
special thanks
thanks to
to Charles
Charles Muehlbauer
Muehlbauer and
and other
other employees
employees of the
the Cold
Cold Spring
SpringGranite
Granite
Company
Company for
for assistance,
assistance,advice,
advice, samples,
samples, permission,
permission, and
and guidance
guidance (on their
their day
day off!).
off!).
14

�___

Schematic
Schematic

N

++
+
—

Timing
Timing

Penokean orogeny
Penokean
orogeny
Mj
Mi metamorphism
metamorphism

\

crust
cmst
mantle-

B

s*

s

Penokean
Penokean highlands

Orogenic
Orogenic features
features

—1850Ma
Ma
-1850

strong upper ccrust
wt
—_

Late-Penokean magma
emplacement
emplacement

_..______S2022
datum
20-22 km depth
depth datum
mantle
km

manti

—1812Ma
Ma
-18l.2

basaltic underplating?

----

———, I

--—-—-

M2 metamorpinsin
metamorph

Generation
Generation of post-tectonic
post-tectonic
magmas in the lower crust
1775-1770
Ma
1775-1770 Ma

Mantle delamination, basaltic underplating?
underplating?

D

E

—- H
—
-

-

a- a-

magma emplacement
emplacement
Post-tectonic magma
Crustal
unroofing/cooling
crustal ~
o f ~ / c o o ~
Semi-brittle shears
shears developed
Semi-brittle
Ma
km depth
depth datum
datum 1770-1750
\20-22 20-22 km
1770-1750 Ma

Diahase and QFP dikes

&lt;1750 MaKeweenawan?

—.

post orogenic plutons,
plutons,
Figure 7. Proposed
Proposed tectonomagmatic
tectonomagmaticmode
mode for
for generation
generation of late- and post
central Minnesota.
Minnesota. Heavy dashed lin
un represents 20internal zone of the Penokean orogen, central
22 km depth datum prior to crustal
crustal unroofing
unroofing (B
(B and
andC).
C). Crustal
Crustal unroofing
unroofing and
and exhumation
exhumation
causes upwarping
upwarping of this
this datum
datum livel
live1 in (D
(D and E).
E).

15

�REFERENCES
FWFERENCES CITED
CITED
B arbarin, B.,
B., and
and Didier, J., 1991, Macroscopic features of mafic microgranular enclaves,
Barbarin,
enclaves,in
in
Didier, J., and Barbarin,
Barbarin, B., eds., Enclaves and granite petrology: Elsevier,
Elsevier,p.
p. 253-262.
253-262.
in Meyer,
Meyer, G.N.,
G.N.,
Boerboom, T.J., 1996a,
1996a, Precambrian geology of Steams
S t e m s County,
County, Minnesota, in
and Swanson,
supplement to the Geologic Atlas, Stearns
Steams County,
Swanson,L., eds;
eds; Text supplement
County, Minnesota:
Minnesota:
Survey County
CountyAtlas
AtlasSeries
SeriesC-10,
C-b, Part C, p. 1-6.
Minnesota Geological Survey

Boerboom, T.J., 1996b,
Boerboom,
1996b, Southward
Southward extension of the Penokean terrane through Stearns
Steams County,
County,
Part 1- programs and abstracts;
central Minnesota: Institute on Lake Superior Geology, Part
42nd annual
annual meeting,
meeting, Cable,
Cable, Wisconsin.
Wisconsin.
Boerboom, T.J., Setterhoim,
f
Boerboom,
Setterholm,D.R.,
D.R., and
andChandler,
Chandler,V.W.,
V.W., 1995,
1995, Bedrock geologic map, plate 2 oof
GeologicAtlas
Atlasof
ofStearns
SteamsCounty,
County,Minnesota:
Minnesota: Minnesota
Minnesota
Meyer, G.N., project manager, Geologic
Geological Survey County
County Atlas
AtlasSeries
SeriesC-10,
C-b, Part
A,
scales
1:200,000
and
1:100,000.
Part
scales 1:200,000 and 1:100,000.

A.R., Koyi, H., and Schmeling,
Cruden, A.R.,
Schmeling, H., 1995,
1995, Diapiric basal entrainment
entrainment of mafic
mafic into
into
321-340.
felsic magmas: Earth
Earthand
andPlanetary
PlanetaryScience
ScienceLetters
Letters 131,
131, p. 321-340.
internal zone
zone of
of the
the Early
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic (1870Darrah, K.S., 1996,
1996,An exhumation history of the internal
1830 Ma.) Penokean orogenic belt, central
central Minnesota:
Minnesota: Unpublished
Unpublished M.S.
M.S. thesis,
thesis, Kent
Kent
State
State University,
University, 99
99 p.

Hanson, G.N., 1968,
1968, K-Ar ages for hornblende
hornblende from granites and gneisses and for basaltic
intrusives in Minnesota: Minnesota
8, 20 p.
Minnesota Geological
Geological Survey
Survey Report of Investigations 8,20
Hoim D.K., and Selverstone,
synkinematic
Holm
Selverstone,J., 1990,
1990,Rapid growth
growth and strain rates inferred from synkinematic
garnets,
garnets, Penokean orogeny, Minnesota: Geology,
Geology, v.
v. 18,
18, p. 166-169.
166-169.

Hoim D.K., and Dahl,
delamination an
an important
important process
process in the
Holm
Dahl, P.S.,
P.S., 1996,
1996, Was lithospheric delamination
evolution of Early Proterozoic collisional orogens? Institute
on
Lake
Superior
Institute on Lake Superior Geology,
Part 11- programs and abstracts; 42nd
42nd annual
annual meeting,
meeting, Cable,
Cable, Wisconsin.
proposed for gneiss
gneiss dome
dome development
development
Holm D.K., and Lux, D.R., 1996,
1996, Core complex model proposed
during collapse
v.24,
24, no.
no.
during
collapseof
of the
the paleoproterozoic
paleoproterozoicPenokean
Penokeanorogen,
orogen,Minnesota:
Minnesota:Geology,
Geology,-v.
4, p. 343-346.
Minnesota and
Holm D.K., and
and Lux,
Lux, D.R., 1997,
1997,Results
Results of
of Ar/Ar
ArIAr dating of dikes in central Minnesota
and the
the
Minnesota River Valley:
Valley: Institute on Lake
Lake Superior
SuperiorGeology,
Geology,Part
Part11-program
- program and abstracts;
Minnesota
43rd annual
annual meeting,
meeting, Sudbury,
Sudbury, Engineers,
Engineers, Reston,
Reston, Va., 141
141 p.
Holm D.K.,
D.K., Darrah,
Darrah,K.S.,
K.S., and
andLux,
Lux,D.R.,
D.R., 1998,
1998,Evidence
Evidencefor
forwidespread
widespread—1760
-1760 Ma metamormetamorphism and rapid crustal
(1870-1820
crustal stabilization
stabilization of the early Proterozoic (1
870- 1820 Ma) Penokean
orogen,
298, p. 60-81.
orogen, Minnesota: American
AmericanJournal
Journal of
of Science,
Science,vol
~01298,
60-8 1.

Horan, M.F.,
M.F., Hanson
Hanson G.N.,
G.N., and Spencer,
K.J., 1987, Pb
Pb and Nd isotope and trace element
Spencer, K.J.,
element
constraints
constraints on
on the
the origin
origin of
of basic
basic rocks
rocks in an early Proterozoic
Roterozoic igneous
igneous complex, Minnesota: Precambrian
PrecambrianResearch,
Research,v.
v. 37,
37, p. 323-342.
323-342.
Irvine,
W.R.A., 1971,
A guide
guide to
to the
the chemical
chemical classification
classification of
of the
the common
common
Irvine, T.N., and Baragar, W.R.A.,
1971, A
volcanic rocks: Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, v. 8, p. 523-543.

16

�Jirsa, M.J., Chandler,
J.M., and Meints, J.P.,
J.P., 1995a, Bedrock geologic map of
Chandler, V.W.,
V.W., Cleland, J.M.,
east-central
Minnesota: Minnesota
east-central Minnesota:
Minnesota Geological
Geological Survey
Survey Open-file
Open-file Report 95-1,
95- 1, scale
scale
:100,000.
11:100,000.
Jirsa,
T.J., 1995b,
Jirsa, M.J., Chandler,
Chandler,V.W.,
V.W., and Boerboom, T.J.,
1995b, Extension of the Wisconsin Magmatic
Magmatic
Terranes into the Minnesota segment of the Penokean orogen:
orogen: Institute
Institute on Lake
Lake Superior
Geology, Part 1- programs and abstracts; 41st
41st annual
annual meeting, Marathon,
Marathon, Ontario.
Ontario.

test drilling and mapping in east-central
Jirsa, M.J., and
and Chandler,
Chandler, V.W.,
V.W., 1997, Scientific test
east-centralMinMinnesota, 1994-1995:
1994-1995: Summary of lithologic results: Minnesota Geological Survey Information Circular
Circular 42,
42, 105
105p.
Johnson, M.C.,
east-central MinJohnson,
M.C., 1978,
1978, Mineral
Mineral chemistry
chemistry of four quartz-bearing monzonites in east-central
Minnesota: Unpublished
UnpublishedM.S.
M.S. thesis,
thesis,University
Universityof
of Iowa,
Iowa, 227
227 p.

Miyashiro, A., 1978, Nature of alkalic volcanic
volcanic rock
rock series:
series: Contributions
Contributions to mineralogy
mineralogy and
petrology,
1-104.
petrology, v.
v. 66,
66,p.
p. 991-104.
Morey, G.B., 1978,
Middle Precambrian
Precambrian stratigraphic
stratigraphic nomenclature
nomenclature for east-central
east-central
1978, Lower and Middle
Minnesota: Minnesota
52 p.
MinnesotaGeological
GeologicalSurvey
SurveyReport
Report of
of Investigations
Investigations 21,
21,52

Morey, G.B., Olson, B.M., and Southwick,
Southwick, D.L., 1981,
1981, Geologic map of Minnesota,
Minnesota, east-ceneast-central Minnesota,
bedrock
geology:
Minnesota
Geological
Survey,
scale
1:250,000.
Minnesota,
Minnesota Geological Survey, scale 1:250,000.

Muehlbauer, C.J., and Fuchs, J.P.,
J.P., 1997,
1997, Modern dimension stone quarrying and fabrication
fabrication
technologies,
in Labuz, J.E,
J.F.,ed.,
ed.,Degradation
Degradationof
ofnatural
naturalbuilding
buildingstone:
stone:proceedings
proceedingsof
of22
technologies, in
sessions sponsored by the Rock Mechanics Committee of the Geo-Institute
Geo-Institute of the Amerisessions
can
Minneapolis,
can Society
Society of Civil
Civil Engineers
Engineers in conjunction
conjunction with the ASCE Convention in Minneapolis,
Minnesota,
Reston,Va.,
Va.,141
141p.
p.
Minnesota,October
October 5-8,
5-8, 1997:
1997:American
AmericanSociety
SocietyofofCivil
CivilEngineers,
Engineers,Reston,
Southwick, D.L., Morey, G.B., and McSwiggen, P.L., 1988, Geologic
Geologic map
map (scale 1:250,000)
Southwick,
1:250,000) of
the Penokean orogen,
accompanying text:
text: Minnesota
orogen, central and eastern Minnesota, and accompanying
Minnesota
Geological
25 p.
Geological Survey
Survey Report
Report of
of Investigations
Investigations37,
37,25
p.

Spencer, K.J., 1987,
constraints on the sources of granites in
1987, Isotopic,
Isotopic, major, and trace element constraints

an 1800
near St. Cloud, Minnesota:
1800 Ma-old
Ma-old igneous
igneous complex
complex near
Minnesota: Unpublished
Unpublished Ph.D.
Ph.D.
dissertation,
dissertation, SUNY-Stony
SUNY-Stony Brook.
Brook.
Streckeisen,
A chemical
chemical approximation to
to the modal QAPF
Streckeisen, A.L., and Le Maitre,
Maitre, R.W.,
R.W., 1979, A
classification
classificationof
of the
the igneous
igneousrocks:
rocks:N.
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Miner. Abh.,
Abh., v.
v. 136,
136, p. 169-206.
169-206.

Thiel, G.A., and Dutton, C.E., 1935,
monumental stones of
of
1935, The architectural, structural, and monumental
Minnesota: Minnesota
MinnesotaGeological
GeologicalSurvey
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Bulletin 25,
25, p. 63-87.
Turner,
Sandiford, M, and Foden, J., 1992, Some geodynamic
geodynamic and compositional
compositional constraints
constraints
Turner, S., Sandiford,
on "postorogenic" magmatism:
magmatism: Geology,
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Van Schmus, W.R.,
W.R., and Bickford, M.E.,
M.E., 1981,
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261-296.
17

�FIELD
FIELD TRIP
TRIP STOPS
STOPS
The
shown on
on figure
figureFFl.
The general
general locations
locations of all stops are shown
l. A
A more
more detailed
detailed location and
geologic
geologic map
map is
is included
included with each
each stop
stop description.
description. The
Thevarious
various rock
rock units
units are
are fully
fully
described in
in the
the field
field trip
trip introduction,
introduction,and
and only
only the
the details
details pertinent
pertinent to
to the
the individual
individualsites
sites
described
are given
given below.
below.
are

I

A

KILOMETERS

MILES

1

-------

1

0

0

2

1

1

3

4

2

8

6

-

3

4

7

8

5

0

10

6

Figure Fl.
Fl. Locations
Locationsof
offield
fieldtrip
trip stops.
stops.

STOP
STOP 1.
1. STEARNS
STEARNSCOUNTY
COUNTYQUARRY
QUARRY PARK
• Location:
Location:T.T.124
124N.,
N.,R.R.2828W.,
W.,Section
Section19
19DDA.
DDA.
• St.
St.Cloud
Cloud(red)
(red)Granite,
Granite,diabase
diabasedikes,
dikes,semi-brittle
semi-brittleshears
shearsin
in granite,
granite,
outcrops.
glacially polished outcrops.
This
This area
area contains
containsseveral
severalinactive
inactivequarries
quarries(Figs.
(Figs. F2
F2 and
and F3),
F3), and
and was
was recently
recently made
made into
into
a unique
unique county
county park. The
Thepark
parkprovides
providesexcellent
excellent exposures
exposures in which
which one can
can view
view the
the
relationship
between
the
Reformatory
granodiorite
and
the
St.
Cloud
Granite,
as
well
as
several
relationship between the Reformatory granodiorite and the St. Cloud Granite, as well as several
diabase dikes. Although
Althoughthe
thepark
parkhas
hasexposures
exposuresof
ofboth
bothnortheastnortheast- and
andnorthwest-trending
northwest-trending
diabase dikes, we will
will only
only see
seenortheast-trending
northeast-trending ones and St.
St. Cloud
Cloud Granite,
Granite, due
due to
to time
time
constraints.
constraints.
18
18

�________--

Diabase dike (single line for thin
dike; dashed where inferred)
Porphyritic microgranite
Outcrop

IA

Ii
—450 32 30

.4 QUirri

-

I

DM7 4 0
092 -.

/

C

J --

—

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I

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(JU

:--

Q'II.

rI

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-

'':i

•

t074
p

-

ç— —

I

c..j Â¥
Mhi

=;,

ON

jl

FÃ‘

1

3.',,
3 1,-

' 6282 kilLS
MILS
15
15MIS
MgLS I ,'
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KILOMETRE
11KILOMETRE
i

CONTOUR
CONTOUR INTERVAL
INTERVAL 10
10FEET
FEET
DOTTED
LINES RPR.SNT
5.FOO1
CONTOURS
DOTTED LINES
REPRrSFNT
5-FOOT
CONTOURS

Figure
FigureF2.
F2. Map
MapofofWaite
WaitePark,
Park,southwest
southwestof
ofSt
St.Cloud,
Cloud,showing
showinglocations
locationsof
ofoutcrops
outcropsand
anddikes
dikes
in
1:24,000.
in parts
parts of
of the
theSt.
St.Joseph
Joseph and
andSt.
St.Cloud
Cloud 7.5-minute
7.5-minute quadrangles.
quadrangles. Scale
Scalereduced
reduced from
from 1:24,000.

19

�2, and 3. Scale
Figure F3. Location
Locationmap
map for
for stops
stops 1,
1,2,
Scale1:24,000;
1:24,000;St.
St. Cloud
Cloud
7.5-minute quadrangle.
quadrangle.

At least seven different
different quarry companies were active in what is now the park area—all
area-all
utilizing the St. Cloud Granite. Production
Production started in the early 1900's, peaked in about 1940,
variety of
of "red"
"red"
and ceased in the mid-1950's. The
Thestone
stonethey
they produced was marketed under a variety
"Mahogany Red,"
Red," "Indian
"Indian Red,"
Red," and
and"Rose
"Rose Red."
Red." Most of
names, including "North Star Red,"
Red," "Mahogany
the pits were (and
(and still
still are!) 60
60 to
to more
more than 100
100 feet
feet deep
deep (Thiel
(Thiel and Dutton,
Dutton, 1935).
1935).
PLEASE
PILES ARE
ARE NOT
NOT
PLEASE EXERCISE EXTREME CAUTION! THE
THEQUARRY
QUARRY PILES
STABLE, AND
AND THE
THE PITS
PITS ARE
ARE DEEP!
DEEP!

parking area. From
Follow the park road south from the park entrance to the parking
From here
here walk
walk
trail on
on the
the right
right (west)
(west)that
thatleads
leadsup
upto
toquarried
quarriedarea.
area. Proceed
400 feet south on a dirt road to a trail
up this trail to the edge
edge of
of aa small
small quarry
quarry and
and Stop
Stop 1A
1A (Fig.
(Fig. F4).
F4).

20

�Diabase Dike
St. Cloud
(Red) Granite
Reformatory
(Grey) Granite

Quarry

Figure F4. Outcrop
Outcrop map
map of Stop 1A and lB.
IB.

STOP lA—Three-dimensional
1A-Three-dimensional view
view of diabase and
quartz-epidoteshears
shearsin
inSt.
St.Cloud
Cloud
STOP
and quartz-epidote
Granite.
Granite.
Directly
Directlywest,
west, across
across the
the rubble
rubble
in
the
pit,
is
an
excellent
exposure
in
pit, is an excellent exposure of
a northeast-striking,
northeast-striking, steeply
steeply southsouthdipping,
dipping,meter-thick
meter-thickdiabase
diabasedike
dikethat
that
cuts
cuts St.
St. Cloud
Cloud Granite.
Granite. The
Thedike
dikewas
was
sampled
sampledfor
for both
both paleomagnetic
paleomagneticstudy
study
and
and Ar/Ar
ArIAr dating
dating (see
(seeintroduction).
introduction).
This
This is
is typical
typical of
of the
the diabases
diabases in
in the
the
area,
area, having
having chilled
chilled margins
margins and
and
Diabase
dikes
~iab&amp;e
dikes
Quartz-epidote
Quartz-epidoteshears
shears
scattered
cm-scalexenoliths
xenolithsof
ofgranite
granite
scatteredcm-scale
wallrock.
wallrock. The
Thegranite
graniteadjacent
adjacentto
tothe
the
Figure F5.
F5. Stereographic
Stereographicprojections
projectionsof
oforientations
orientations
Figure
dike
dike contains
contains numerous
numerous thin,
thin,
diabase dikes
dikes (A) and
and quartz-epidote-filled
quartz-epidote-filledsemiserniof diabase
northeast-trending,
northeast-trending, quartzquartz- and
and
brittle
brittle shears
shears(B).
(B).
epidote-lined,
epidote-lined,semi-ductile
semi-ductileshears
shearsthat
that
21

�truncated by
by and are probably
probably in
in part
part occupied
occupied by
by the
the diabase
diabase dike.
dike. This
are clearly truncated
This nearly
nearly
coincident trend
typical of the regional pattern shown on the stereoplots
stereoplots in
coincident
trend of dikes
dikes and
and shears
shears is typical
figure F5. Two
Two other
other diabase
diabasedikes,
dikes, up
up to
to 22 meters
meters thick,
thick, can
can be
be seen
seen north
north of
of this
this dike.
dike.
Although the majority of blocks in the
the waste
waste rubble
rubble before you are
are indigenous,
indigenous, several
several
exotic rock types are present, including
including blocks of Reformatory granodiorite
granodiorite (gray)
(gray) that we
we will
will
see in place at Stop 3. The
Reformatory
granodiorite
is
presently
extracted
from
a
quarry
The Reformatory granodiorite is presently extracted
quarry just
by the Cold Spring Granite
south of the city of
of St.
St. Cloud,
Cloud, marketed
marketed as "Charcoal
"Charcoal Granite"
Granite" by
Company. The
Company.
The maroon-colored
maroon-colored granite
granite blocks are probably
probably imported from quarries near
South Dakota.
Dakota. Blocks of grayish-pink, complexly banded
Ortonville, Minnesota and Milbank, South
Morton gneiss are
are from
from the
the Minnesota
Minnesota River
River Valley.
Valley. Several
Several other blocks of pink granite
granite and
and
pale pink gneiss are from unknown localities, but are not indigenous.

Return to the dirt road,
Return
road, and
and walk
walk south
south (to
(to the
the right)
right) approximately
approximately 250 feet to
to the
the
switchback
right. Note the spheroidally-weathered
granite along
along the
the
switchback trail on the right.
spheroidally-weatheredoutcrops of red granite
west (right) edge of the road between the two trails. The
The aggregate
aggregatecovering
covering the
the switch-back
switch-back
trail illustrates
illustrates one
of
the
many
uses
of
crushed
stone
from
the
Meridian
Aggregates
one
stone
Aggregates Quarry
Quarry that
that
polished outcrop on
on the
the north
north
we will visit at Stop 2. At
At the
the next quarry proceed to a glacially polished
(right) side of the pit.
pit.
STOP
Granite.
STOP 1B—Diabase
1B-Diabase dike in St. Cloud Granite.
The diabase dike splits and rejoins along its length, and has small, 4-10 cm, north-south
'jogs' at
at its
its northeast
northeasttrend.
trend.There
Thereare
areno
noobvious
obviouscross-fractures
cross-fracturesin
in the
the granite
granite that
that might
might have
have
controlled the these small
small offsets,
offsets, making them somewhat enigmatic.
xenoliths, as well as
This stop
stop affords
affords a better look
look at the chilled dike margins and granite xenoliths,
of granite wallrock
walirock torn
torn partly
partly loose
loose during
during dike
dike emplacement.
emplacement. Granite xenoliths in
slivers of
various stages of assimilation
assimilation can be seen,
seen, and xenoliths
xenoliths are concentrated
concentrated in the
the center
center of
of the
the
±0.5
main dike, presumably by flow entrainment. Also
Also visible here, with some searching, are Â±0.
cm amygdules filled with fibrous
fibrous actinolitic
actinolitic amphibole.
side, where
where two
two subparallel,
subparallel, northeast-trending
northeast-trending diabase
Walk around the quarry to its south side,
diabase
approximately 3 m thick—the
this
thick-the maximum thickness of dikes in this
dikes occur. These
These dikes
dikes are approximately
set. They
They are
are cut
cut by
by thin,
thin, white,
white,silicic,
silicic,and
and sugary-textured
sugary-textured veinlets
veinletsthat
that emanate
emanatefrom
from the
the dike
dike
margins and pinch out in the dike interiors. The
Theveinlets—interpreted
veinlets-interpreted as partial melts of
of the
the
presumably because
because narrower
wallrock granite—are
granite-are rarely
rarely present
present in
in dikes
dikes less
less than 2.5 m thick, presumably
narrower
dikes were not capable of heating the wallrock to temperatures sufficient for melt generation.
polished outcrop
mineralogy and
The polished
outcropsurface
surfaceprovides
provides aa good
good look
look at
at the mineralogy
and coarse
coarse texture
texture of
black and white
white mottled,
mottled, red
red color.
color. The
the St. Cloud Granite, characterized
characterized by its distinctive black
The
imparted by microcline,
red color is imparted
microcline,the
the black
black by hornblende
hornblendeand
and minor
minor biotite,
biotite, and
and the
the white
white by
by
saussuritized plagioclase. The
The granite
granite has
has aa very
very weak
weak trachytoid
trachytoid foliation,
foliation, via alignment
alignment of
blocky feldspar and hornblende crystals. Where
Where discernible,
discernible, this fabric parallels the granite
granite
coarse-grained phase)
phase)
dike or sill margins. This
This granite
granite has
has an amazing
amazing lack of pegmatite (very coarse-grained
and a preponderance
preponderance of homblende
hornblendeas
as the
the mafic
mafic phase.
Glacial features are
are well
well displayed
displayed here
here and
and include
include polished
polished outcrops,
outcrops, striations,
striations, and
and
differential
diabase/granite contacts.
contacts. Most
Mostof
of the
the subsurface
subsurfacebedrock
bedrock in
in Minnesota
Minnesota
differential scouring
scouring of the diabaselgranite
is covered by variable
variable thicknesses
thicknesses of
of weathered
weathered bedrock
bedrock residuum (saprolite)
(saprolite) that has
has been
been
highs by
by glacial scouring.
scouring. Saprolite
stripped away from bedrock topographic highs
Saprolite developed
developed on
on
22
22

�granite is typically pale gray-green. Many
Many of
of the
the active
active quarries in this area have exposures of
granite
of
this saprolite
saprolite along
along the
the margins
margins of
of the
the pits.
pits.
interesting hydrologic
hydrologic observation is the approximately 10-foot
10-foot difference in water
An interesting
level
level between this pit and the small one to the south. The
The two
two quarries
quarries are
are separated
separated by little
little
more than
than the
the diabase
diabase dike's
dike's width,
width,and
and the
the hydrologic
hydrologic gradient
gradient exists
exists despite
despite the
the abundance
abundanceof
of
more
cross-fractures
cross-fractures in
in the
the diabase.
diabase.

Addendum
Addendumto
toStop
Stop11
The
The sketch
sketch map shown
shown on figure
figure F6 is included for those who wish to visit the park to
Of particular
particularinterest
interestisis aa pit
pitatatthe
theeast
eastside
sideof
ofthe
thepark
park
view other exposed geologic features. Of
northwest-trending diabase
to the
the
where aa northwest-trending
diabase dike
dike cuts
cuts aa northeast-trending
northeast-trendingone.
one. The next pit to
northwest of that
thatshows
showsSt.
St.Cloud
CloudGranite
Granitehaving
havingmany
manyangular,
angular,meter-scale
meter-scale xenoliths
xenoliths of
of
Reformatory
Reformatory granodiorite—typical
granodiorite-typical of
of regional
regional intrusive
intrusiverelationships
relationships between
between the
the two
twounits.
units.
Diabase Dike

St.Cioud(red) Granite

' Reformatory(gray) granodiorite
j Mixed St. Cloud Granite
and Reformatory granodiorite

.# Cross—country ski trails

Figure
Figure F6.
F6. Sketch
Sketchmap
mapofofthe
theQuarry
QuarryPark
Parkshowing
showingoutcrop
outcropdistribution
distributionand
andsimplified
simplifiedbedrock
bedrock
geology.
geology. Modified
Modifiedfrom
fromStearns
SteamsCounty
CountyPark
Parkwinter
wintertrail
trailmap.
map.
23
23

�STOP
STOP 2.
2. MERIDIAN
MERIDIANAGGREGATES
AGGREGATESQUARRY
QUARRY
• Location:
Location:T.T.124
124N.,
N.,R.R.28
28W.,
W.,south
southhalf
halfofofSection
Section18.
18.
• Quarry
Quarryoverlook,
overlook,crushing
crushingfacilities,
facilities,restrooms.
restrooms.

Due to constraints
constraints of time,
time, safety,
safety, and group size, we will
will not
not go
go into
into the
the Meridian
Meridian
Aggregates
Aggregates quarry,
quarry, but we
we will
will get
get an
an excellent
excellentview
view of
of the
the pit
pit from
froman
anoverlook
overlookpoint.
point.
1.2 million
million tons
tons of
of crushed
crushed
Meridian Aggregates
Aggregates Company produces an average
average of 1.2
The Meridian
rock aggregate
aggregate per year. Mining
Miningand
andcrushing
crushingoperations
operationsrun
run 77 months
months of
of the
the year,
year, although
although
stockpiled
stockpiledproduct
productisis shipped
shippedyear-around.
year-around. This
Thisquarry
quarryutilizes
utilizes the
the complex
complex mixture
mixture of igneous
igneous
rock
rock types
types present
present in
in the
the pit,
pit, mainly
mainly the
the Reformatory
Reformatory granodiorite
granodiorite and St. Cloud Red Granite,
and
and lesser
lesser proportions
proportions of
of diabase
diabaseand
andquartz-feldspar
quartz-feldsparporphyry
porphyry dikes,
dikes, such
such as
as will
will be
be seen
seenatat
Stop
Stop 3.
3. Unlike
Unlikedimension
dimensionstone
stonequarries,
quarries,joints
jointsand
andfractures
fracturesin
inthe
therock
rock are
are not
not detrimental—
detrimentalblast
blast away!
away! Quarrying
Quarryingmethods
methodsinvolve
involvedrilling
drillingand
andblasting,
blasting,primary
primary crushing
crushingin
inaagyratory
gyratory
crusher,
crusher, and
and secondary
secondary crushing
crushing to various sizes. The
The primary
primary use
use of
of the
the aggregate
aggregate is
is railroad
railroad
ballast,
ballast, followed
followed by
by road
road construction
construction and
and other
other uses,
uses, including
including breakwater
breakwater walls, decorative
decorative
stone,
stone, and
and driveway
drivewaymaterial.
material.
A
A substantial
substantialfraction
fractionof
of the
therock
rockin
in this
this quarry
quarry consists
consistsof
of fine-grained
fine-grainedgray
gray granodiorite
granodiorite
interpreted
interpreted by
by earlier
earlierworkers
workersas
asinclusions
inclusionsofofmetamorphosed
metamorphosedand
andmetasomatically-altered
metasomatically-altered
country rock in
in the
the Reformatory
Reformatory granodiorite.
granodiorite. Although
Although there
there are
are undoubtedly
undoubtedly some
some small
small
xenoliths,
finexenoliths,textural
texturaland
andgeochemical
geochemicalevidence
evidenceindicates
indicatesthat
thatthe
thebulk
bulkof
ofthis
thisgray
graymaterial
materialisisfinegrained
grained border
border phase
phase of
of the
the Reformatory
Reformatory granodiorite.
granodiorite.
If
If the
the light
lightconditions
conditionsare
areproper,
proper,aacross-section
cross-sectionisisvisible
visibleon
onthe
thefar
farwall
wallof
of the
the pit
pit showing
showing
fresh
fresh rock,
rock, transitionally
transitionallyoverlain
overlainby weathered
weathered bedrock residuum
residuum (saprolite),
(saprolite),overlain by glacial
deposits.
deposits.
STOP
STOP3.
3. MERIDIAN
MERIDIANAGGREGATES
AGGREGATESCOMPANY—SOUTH
COMPANYÃ‘SOUT PROPERTY
PROPERTY
• Location:
Location:T.T.124
124N.,
N.,R.R.2828W.,
W.,Section
Section19
19AB.
AB.
• St.
quartzSt.Cloud
Cloud(red)
(red) Granite,
Granite,aplite,
aplite, Reformatory
Reformatory granodiorite,
granodiorite,diabase
diabase dikes, quartzfeldspar
feldsparporphyry
porphyry(aka
(akaporphyritic
porphyriticmicrogranite)
microgranite)dikes.
dikes.
This
This stop
stopisislocated
locatedin
inan
anarea
areaof
of planned
planned large-scale
large-scalemining
mining like
like that
that in
in Meridian's
Meridian's main
main
pit
pit (Stop
(Stop2)
2) just across
acrossHighway
Highway 23
23 to
to the
the north.
north. There
Thereare
areaafew
fewsmall
smallabandoned
abandonedquarries
quarrieson
on
the
the property,
property, but
but most
most of
of the
the outcrops
outcrops are natural (Fig. F7). Permission
Permission must
must be
be obtained
obtainedfrom
from
Meridian
Meridian Aggregate
Aggregate Company,
Company, which has kindly
kindly granted
granted access
access for
for this
this trip,
trip, before
before entering
entering
their
their property,
property,but
but these
these outcrops
outcropswill
will soon
soonbe
be mined
mined out.
out.

STOP
Cloud (red)
(red)Granite
Granite intrusive
intrusive into
into Reformatory
Reformatory
STOP3A—NE-trending
3A-NE-trending dikes
dikes of St. Cloud
(gray)
(gray)granodiorite.
granodiorite.
The
TheSt.
St.Cloud
CloudGranite
Graniteisisnot
notaadistinct
distinctsingle
singlebody,
body, but
but rather
rather an
an intricate
intricate series
series of
of vertical
vertical
and
and horizontal
horizontal dikes
dikes emplaced
emplaced into
into the Reformatory granodiorite. As
As represented
represented in this series
series
outcrops,
outcrops,the
theintrusions
intrusionshave
havecomplex
complexgeometries
geometriesand
andvaried
variedthicknesses
thicknessesfrom
fromfew
fewcentimeters
centimeters
to
to more
more than
than 50
50meters.
meters.

24

�3B-A variety
units, including
including (oldest
(oldest to
toyoungest)
youngest)
STOP 3B—A
variety of
of intrusive rock units,
St. Cloud
Cloud
Reformatory granodiorite, St. Cloud Granite, aplite related to the St.
Granite,
Granite,and
anddiabase.
diabase.
The aplite
aplite occurs
occurs as
as small,
small,irregular
irregularpod-shaped
pod-shaped masses
masses that
that apparently
apparentlycut
cutboth
boththe
thered
red
The
and gray
gray intrusions.
intrusions. Although
Althoughthe
thetiming
timingof
of emplacement
emplacement of
of the
the aplites
aplites relative to that of the
and
quartz-feldspar porphyry
porphyry and
and diabase
diabase dikes
dikes is
is uncertain,
uncertain, the
the irregular
irregular shapes
shapes of
of the
the former
former vs.
vs.
quartz-feldspar
the straight
straight and
andcontinuous
continuous(fracture-controlled
(fracture-controlled emplacement) of the latter two
two leads
leads to
to the
the
the
inference that
that the
the aplites
aplites are
are a late
late differentiate
differentiate of the St. Cloud Granite.
At this
this site
site and
and the
the
inference
Granite. At
next (stop
(stop 3C),
3C),note
note the
the contrast
contrast in
in jointing
jointing pattern
pattern of the aplite
aplite and porphyry
porphyry compared
compared to
to the
the
next
surrounding
surroundingplutonic
plutonicrocks.
rocks.

Early Proterozoic
Intrusive Rocks
--------e Diabase dikes
QFP (Porphyritic
microgranite) dikes
Aplite pods related to
St. Cloud Granite (?)
St. Cloud Granite
Ref ormatory
granodiorite
Outcrop
Geolo ical contacts,
\ - - dashe where inferrec
Small or discontinues
diabase dike

0
8

'
200 feet

I 50meten

I

. Trails

I

Figure
FigureF7.
F7.Outcrop
Outcropand
andgeologic
geologicmap
mapofofStop
Stop3.3.

25

%

�STOP 3C-Porphyritic
3C—Porphyritic microgranite (aka quartz-feldspar
quartz-feldspar porphyry).
porphyry).
This dike strikes
strikes N45E, is 4-5
4-5 m thick, and has 4-6 percent
percent glassy
glassy subhedral
subhedral quartz
quartz
phenocrysts and 3-4 percent subhedral
phenocrysts in
in an aphanitic, siliceous,
phenocrysts
subhedral K-feldspar
K-feldspar phenocrysts
groundmass. Dikes
Dikes such
suchas
asthis
thisare
arescattered
scattered around
around the
the St.
St. Cloud
Cloud area,
area, and like the diabase
the St.
St. Cloud
Cloud Granite.
Granite. The
dikes, they cut the Reformatory granodiorite, Rockville Granite and the
phenocrysts vary from the 2-4 mm
cm elsewhere.
elsewhere. The margins
phenocrysts
rnm size here, to as large as 22 cm
margins of the
quartz-feldspar
dikes
are
chilled,
and
in
some
cases
flow-banded.
A
similar
dike
in
quartz-feldspar dikes are chilled, and in some cases flow-banded. A similar dike in the
the aggregate
aggregate
quarry north of here is clearly
clearly comagmatic
comagmatic and commingled with a diabase dike that contains
fresh ophitic clinopyroxene, olivine, and chromite. However,
However, that diabase dike contrasts with
not altered/metamorphosed
altered/metamorphosed
all the other diabase
diabase dikes
dikes in this area in that the mafic minerals are not
to actinolitic
actinolitic amphibole.
amphibole.
STOP
xenolith of
of garnet
garnet amphibolite
amphibolite in St. Cloud Granite.
Granite.
STOP 3D—Small
3DÃ‘Smal xenolith
True xenoliths of external origin (vs. cogenetic mafic enclaves) are
are rare
rare in
in all of the St.
Cloud
District
intrusions.
Xenolith
types
noted
in
the
St.
Cloud
area
include
garnet-magnetiteCloud District intrusions. Xenolith types noted in the St. Cloud area include garnet-magnetiteamphibole schist (probably
(probably metamorphosed
metamorphosed iron-formation), biotite-quartz-feldspar schist of
graywacke
magnetite, and abundant
graywacke protolith,
protolith, granulitic
granuliticgneiss
gneiss that
that contains
contains garnet, sillimanite,
sillimanite, magnetite,
abundant
cordierite,
charnockitic garnet-biotite-orthopyroxene
garnet-biotite-orthopyroxenegranofels. The
The general
general metamorphic
metamorphic
cordierite, and chamockitic
mineral assemblages indicate that the country rock was metamorphosed to amphibolite and
higher
retrograde metamorphism
metamorphism caused
higher grade
grade prior
prior to
to incorporation
incorporationinto
into the granites,
granites, with minor retrograde
caused
by contact with
with granite
granite magma.
magma.
On the way to Stop 4 watch for the
the derrick
derrick in
in the
the deep
deep quarry
quarry north
north (right)
(right) of
of the
the highway
highway
on the east edge of the town of Rockville.
Rockville. This
This is the "Rockville Beige" quarry operated
operated by the
Cold Spring
Spring Granite
Granite Company.
Company.

STOP
STOP 4. COLD
COLDSPRING
SPRINGGRANITE
GRANITEQUARRY
QUARRYAND
AND PROCESSING
PROCESSINGPLANT
PLANT
• Location:
T.T.123
Location:(quarry)
(quarry)
123N.,
N.,R.R.29
29W.,
W.,Section
Section19
19BDAB.
BDAB.
• Rockville
Rockville Granite,
Granite,quarry
quarrymethods,
methods,production
productionof
offinished
finisheddimension
dimensionstone.
stone.

--

'—, —..__/ .1

-/

J/4 ((Gr.v
•

—

u)j

Highway 23')c-StOp 4A
Figure F8. Location
Location of
of Stop
Stop 4A. Other
Otheroutoutcrops of Rockville Granite
shown
in
black,
Granite shown in black,
except over the two quarries.

STOP 4A—Cold
4A-Cold Spring Granite
Granite Rockville
Rockville
White quarry
quarry(Fig.
(Fig. F8),
F8), Rockville
Rockville Granite,
Granite,
mafic
mafic enclaves.
enclaves.
This is the "Rockville
L'RockvilleWhite" quarry,
quarry, one
one
of the three Cold
of
Cold Spring
Spring Granite
Granite quarries
quarries
developed
granite
developed in
in Rockville
Rockville Granite.
Granite. The granite
from the other Rockville quarries is marketed
Beige" and
and "Diamond
"Diamond Pink."
Pink." Due
as "Rockville Beige"
we will not be able to enter
to safety concerns we
the quarry, but will have ample opportunity to
view the Rockville Granite
Granite up close.
close.
This quarry uses the "drive-in
This
"drive-in quarry
quarry
method,"
method," a system that replaces the traditional
cable-operated
cable-operated derrick
derrick method
method of stone
stone removal.
Surprisingly,
Surprisingly, the method was developed only in
26

�the mid-1970's
mid-1970's (Muehlbauer
(Muehlbauerand
andFuchs,
Fuchs,1997).
1997).The
Thedrive-in
drive-inmethod
method utilizes
utilizes aa series
series of benches,
the
from which
which the
the stone
stone is
is removed
removed as a series
series in large "loaves"
"loaves" that vary in size—15-25
size-15-25 feet (5from
8m) high
high xx 20
20 feet
feet (6m)
(6m) wide
wide xx 30-150
30-150feet
feet (lO-50m)
(10-50m) long.
long. These
Theseloaves
loavesare
aresubsequently
subsequently
5.5 x 5.5
5.5 x 10.5
drilled off into smaller blocks that
that are optimally
optimally 5.5
10.5 feet
feet in
in size,
size, weighing in at
approximately 25,000 kg, or nearly 28 tons. This
Thissize
sizeisissmall
smallenough
enoughto
totransport
transportlegally
legallyby
by
approximately
flatbed trailer
trailer without
without aa special
specialpermit,
permit, and
and allows
allows for
for minimum
minimum wastage
wastage during
during processing.
processing.
flatbed
Charles
Charles Muehlbauer of Cold
Cold Spring
Spring Granite
Granite will give a more extensive overview of the
the quarry,
quarry, and will
will also
also answer
answer questions
questions about
about the
the quarry
quarry and
andstone
stone
quarrying process at the
products
products in
in general.
general.
There are many
near the quarry viewing area to
many blocks
blocks of
of Rockville
Rockville Granite stacked near
examine.
examine. The
Thefollowing
followingfeatures
featurescan
canbe
beseen
seenin
inthe
theblocks:
blocks:
1. Porphyritic
Porphyritictexture,
texture,rapakivi
rapakivifeldspars.
feldspars.
2. Mafic
Maficenclaves,
enclaves,some
somewith
with feldspar
feldspar phenocrysts
phenocrysts in them. The
Theenclaves
enclavesare
areinterpreted
interpreted
as
as the
the product
product of
of the
themingling
minglingof
ofmafic
maficand
andfelsic
felsicmagmas
magmas(see
(seeINTRODUCTION).
INTRODUCTION).
Most
Most occur
occur as
as ovoid
ovoid inclusions,
inclusions, although
although discontinuous
discontinuousand
and irregular
irregular dike-like
dike-like masses
masses
of
of the
the same
same composition
compositionhave
have been
been noted
noted in
in another
another quany.
quarry.
3. Weak
phenocrysts. This
Weak trachytoid
trachytoidtexture
texturedefined
defined by aligned
aligned feldspar
feldspar phenocrysts.
Thisisistypical
typicalof
ofthe
the
"gray
g r a y granites."
granites."

Stop
Granite Company Processing and
and Fabrication
Fabrication Plant.
Stop 4B—Cold
4BÃ‘Col Spring Granite
Plant.
Cold
two different
different buildings.
buildings. One
Cold Spring
Springpersonnel
personnelwill
will guide
guide us in small groups through two
One
is
is the
the facing
facing plant,
plant, where
where rough
rough quarry
quarry blocks
blocks are
are cut,
cut, finished
finished (polished
(polished vs.
vs. the
the rougher
rougher "fire"firefinish"),
product specifications. The
finish"), and
and made
made into
into facing
facing panels of varied size, depending on product
The
other
polished, and
and engraved.
engraved. Notice
other is the
the monument
monument plant, where the stone is cut, shaped, polished,
surprisingly
surprisinglyornate
ornateworks!
works!
****PLEASE
* *PLEASE OBSERVE
OBSERVESAFETY
SAFETY REGULATIONS—
REGULATIONS-

HARD
HARDHATAND
HAT ANDSAFETY
SAFETYGLASSES
GLASSESMANDATORY***
MANDATORY***

STOP
STOP5.
5. RICHMOND
RICHMONDGRANITE
GRANITE
• Location:
Location:T.T.123
123N.,
N.,R.R.3030W.,
W.,Section
Section29
29BB
BB center.
center.
• Charnockitic,
prominent trachytoid
trachytoid K-feldspar
Charnockitic,rapakivi
rapakivi granite
granitewith
with prominent
K-feldspar phenocrysts.
phenocrysts.
***PRIVATE
PERMISSION OF
***
***PRIVATEPROPERTY—MUST
PROPERTY-MUST HAVE
HAVE PERMISSION
OFHOMEOWNER
HOMEOWNERTO
TOENTER
ENTER***
—HAMMERING
-HAMMERING AND
AND SAMPLING
SAMPLJNG PROHIBITED—
PROHIBITED-

The
TheRichmond
Richmondgranite
granitewas
wasinterpreted
interpretedby
byearlier
earlierworkers
workersas
asaahigh-grade
high-grademetamorphic
metamorphic
gneiss
gneissof
ofArchean
Archeanage.
age. By
Bycontrast,
contrast,this
thisstop
stopdemonstrates
demonstratesthat
thatthe
thegranite
granitehas
hasaa primary
primary igneous
igneous
texture,
texture, which
which isis typical
typical of
of the
the unit
unit overall.
overall. ItItcontains
containsundeformed
undeformedunit
unitquartz
quartzgrains
grainsas
aslarge
large
as
1
cm
and
euhedral
feldspar
phenocrysts
as
large
as
5
cm.
Because
quartz
is
one
of
the
as 1 cm and euhedral feldspar phenocrysts
Because quartz is one of the first
first
minerals
mineralsto
toexhibit
exhibitstrain
strainand
and recrystallization
recrystallizationduring
during deformation
deformationand
and metamorphism,
metamorphism,the
the rock
rock
clearly
semiclearly has
has not
notexperienced
experienced substantial
substantial amounts
amounts of
of either
either process,
process, and
and only
only localized
localized semibrittle
brittle shearing
shearing exists.
exists. We
Weinterpret
interpretthis
thisand
andother
otherlithologic
lithologic evidence
evidence to
to indicate
indicate that
that the
the
Richmond
emplacedafter
aftermost
mostof
of the
the regional
regional deformation
deformationceased,
ceased, and
and infer
infer that
that itit
Richmondgranite
granitewas
wasemplaced
probably
probablyhad
hadan
anemplacement
emplacementhistory
historylike
likethat
thatof
of the
theReformatory
Reformatorygranodiorite
granodioriteand
andthe
theRockville
Rockville
Granite.
Granite.
27

�Key features
features at
at stop
stop 5:
5:
1. Dark green charnockitic
charnockitic granite. This
Thiscolor
colorphase
phasegrades
gradesinto
intothe
the more
moretypical
typicalpink-tinted
pink-tinted
1.
Richmond granite,
Richmond
granite, due
due to oxidation
oxidation introduced
introduced along
along fracture
fracture planes. At
At first
first glance,
glance, the
the green
green
phase looks like gabbro,
gabbro, but if you trace
trace across the gradation
gradation to the pinker
pinker phase,
phase, you will
will see
see
that it actually
actually contains
contains abundant
abundant quartz
quartzand
and K-feldspar.
K-feldspar.
2. Euhedral,
Euhedral, carlsbad-twinned
carlsbad-twinnedK-feldspar
K-feldspar (microperthite)
(microperthite) phenocrysts. Some
Someof these are mantled
by a thin rim of plagioclase,
plagioclase, giving
giving rise
rise to rapakivi texture—best
texture-best observed
observed on
on vertical,
vertical, slightly
slightly
weathered faces, where plagioclase
plagioclase is bleached white.

3. Magmatic-trachytoid
Magmatic-trachytoidalignment
alignmentof
of feldspar
feldsparphenocrysts
phenocrysts (see
(see Fig. F9).

dark-colored mafic
mafic enclaves.
enclaves. From
From aa petrographic
petrographic standpoint,
standpoint, these enclaves are
4. Small dark-colored
mineralogically identical to aa fine-grained,
mineralogically
fine-grained, trachytoid,
trachytoid, apatitic,
apatitic,quartz-orthopyroxenequartz-orthopyroxeneclinopyroxene ferrodionte
outcrops
clinopyroxene
ferrodiorite(orjotunite,
(orjotunite,in
incharnockite
charnockiteterminology)
terminology)that
that occurs
occurs in several outcrops
1/4
mile to the
the west
west of
of this
this location.
location. This diorite
diorite contains
contains abundant
abundant zircon
zircon and small
phenocrysts
114mile
small phenocrysts
phase that is
of both plagioclase
plagioclase and K-feldspar,
K-feldspar, and locally grades into a coarser-grained
coarser-grained phase
compositionally and
compositionally
and texturally
texturally similar
similar to the Richmond granite as exposed here. The
Thediorite
dioriteto
to
the west is inferred
inferred to
to be
be aaborder
border phase
phase of
of the
theRichmond,
Richmond,and
andthe
the small
smallenclaves
enclavesscattered
scattered
throughout the Richmond
throughout
Richmond are
are interpreted
interpreted as
as cognate
cognate xenoliths derived from
from this dioritic
dioritic border
border
phase.
•END
FiELD TRIP.
TRIP. THANKYOUFORATITENDING!
END OF FIELD
THANK YOU FOR ATTENDING!---------------You are
are encouraged
encouraged to
to visit the poster titled
You
"DIMENSION
"DIMENSION STONE
STONE PRODUCTS
PRODUCTS OF
OF MINNESOTA"
MINNESOTA"
on display at the poster session.

28

�A

——-

Strike and dip of ductile shear fabric

Strike and dip of brittle shear fabric

Strike and dip of trachytoid foliation vertical, inclined

Figure F9. Map of central part of the Cold Spring 7.5-minute quadrangle, showing outcrops of Richmond granite.
Structure symbols touch the outcrop from which they were taken.

OAD

�PHOTOGRAPHS
OF QUARRIES
QUARRIESININTHE
THEST.
ST.CLOUD
CLOUDAREA
AREAFROM
FROMTHE
THE
EARLY
1900's. Top,
QUARRIES
PHOTOGRAPHS
OF
EARLY
1900's.
TOP,
QUARRIESOPERATED
OPERATEDBY
BY
NORTH
STAR
GRANITE
COMPANY,
NOW
OVERRUN
AGGREGATES
QUARRY?;
NORTH
STAR
GRANITE
COMPANY,
NOW
OVERRUNBY
BYTHE
THEPRESENT-DAY
PRESENT-DAY MERIDIAN
MERIDIAN
AGGREGATES
QUARRY?; BOTBOTTOM,AAQUARRY
QUARRY OPERATED
OPERATED BY
GRANITE
COMPANY,
LOCATED IN
FIELD
TOM,
BY THE MELROSE
MELROSE GRANITE
COMPANY,
LOCATED
IN THE
THE VICINITY
VICINITYOF
OFSTOP
STOP 1
1 OF FIELD
TRIP
1.1.
REPRODUCED
FROM
JOURNAL
COLORED
GRANITES
FOUND
IN
TRIP
REPRODUCED
FROM
JOURNALARTICLE
ARTICLE OF
OFTHE
THEBRILLIANT
BRILLIANT
COLORED
GRANITES
FOUND
IN AMERICA'S
AMERICA'S

GREAT
NORTHWEST
AMERICAN STONE
STONE TRADE,
PUBLISHED
GREAT
NORTHWEST
ININ
AMERICAN
TRADE,
PUBLISHEDMAY,
MAY, 1931.
1931.

30
30

��FIELD TRIP
TRIP #2

FIELD
THE SOUTHEASTERN
FIELD GUIDE
GUIDE TO THE GEOLOGY OF THE
RIFT SYSTEM,
PORTION OF
OF THE
THE MIDCONTINENT RIFT
SYSTEM, EASTERN
AND WESTERN
WESTERN WISCONSIN
WISCONSIN
MINNESOTA AND

Leaders:
Leaders: Karl
KarlR.R.Wirth,
Wirth,William
WilliamS.S.Cordua,
Cordua,William
WilliamF.
F. Kean,
Kean,
Mike Middleton, Zachary
Zachary J.
J. Naiman
Naiman
INTRODUCTION
The Middle Proterozoic
Midcontinent rift
rift system
system extends
extends over
over 2,000
Proterozoic (Keweenawan)
(Keweenawan) Midcontinent
kilometers in an arc across central North America
America from
from Kansas
Kansas to
tocentral
centralMichigan.
Michigan. Magmatic
kilometers
Magmatic
continental lithosphere
lithosphere
and sedimentary
sedimentary rocks
rocks in
in this
this major
major tectonic
tectonic feature
feature record the evolution of continental
million years
years ago.
ago. Rifting
as it interacted with a mantle plume 1100 million
Rifting was
was aborted
aborted before the
production of oceanic lithosphere
lithosphere began. Field,
production
Field, geochemical,
geochemical, geochronologic,
geochronologic, and
and geophysical
geophysical
studies during the past decade have made significant contributions
contributions to our understanding
understanding of the
evolution of
of the Midcontinent rift
rift system.
system. The interested reader is referred to several recent
evolution
reviews (Van Schmus
Schmus and Hinze, 1985),
volumes (Tectonophysics,
213, 1992; Canadian
Canadian
reviews
1985), special volumes
(Tectonophysics,v. 213,1992;
Journal of Earth Science,
Science, v.
v.31,
1994; Canadian
34, 1997; Ojakangas
Ojakangas
Journal
3 1,1994;
Canadian Journal
Journal of Earth Science,
Science, v. 34,1997;
et al., 1997),
1997), and
and guidebooks
guidebooks (Miller
(Miller et al.,
al., 1995)
1995) on
on the
the Midcontinent
Midcontinent rift
rift for
for additional
additional
information.
information.
Geophysical
Geophysical studies
studies have provided much information about the nature of the rift, which
lies buried beneath younger deposits along much
much of
of its
its length.
length. Regional gravity and magnetic
surveys were important in establishing the extent and character of the rift (e.g., Hinze
Hinze et
et al.,
al.,
1992). Our
Our knowledge
knowledge of
of the
the detailed
detailed structure
structure and
and stratigraphy
stratigraphy of the rift has
has been
been greatly
greatly
of the COCORP (Serpa et al., 1984;
enhanced by several seismic surveys, most notably those of
1984;
Zhu and
and Brown, 1986)
1986)and
and GLIMPCE
GLIMPCE (Behrendt
(Behrendt et al., 1988;
1988; Cannon et al., 1989)
1989)programs.
programs.
These surveys
basins filled
filled with
with thick sequences of
surveys revealed the presence of fault-bounded basins
sedimentary rock. Detailed
Superior
volcanic and sedimentary
Detailedseismic
seismicimages
imagesof the eastern portion of Lake Superior
indicate the
percent of
oforiginal
original thickness)
thickness) in
in some portions
portions of the
indicate
the extent
extentof
of crustal
crustalthinning
thinning(—30
(-30 percent
kilometers deep
deep and
and consists
consists of
of roughly
roughly 20 kilometers
kilometers
rift; the rift in this region is more than 30 kilometers
of basalt overlain by 10
10 kilometers of Keweenawan sedimentary rock.
The voluminous
tholeiitic basalt flows
voluminous volcanic
volcanic rocks of the rift consist predominantly of tholeiitic
flows
and minor rhyolite (Green,
(Green, 1977;
1977; 1983)
1983) that were erupted during a relatively short
short time
time span
span
(1110-1090
Ma;
Davis
and
Green,
1997).
Trace
element
and
isotopic
studies
indicate
that
the
(1 110-1090
Trace element and isotopic studies indicate
the
basalts were derived from mantle melts that
basalts
that were
were variably
variably contaminated
contaminated by continental
continental
lithospheric mantle
Nicholson et
lithospheric
mantle and
and crust
crust (Nicholson
(Nicholsonand
and Shirey,
Shirey, 1990;
1990;Shirey
Shirey et al., 1994;
1994; Nicholson
et al.,
1997). The
Thecombined
combinedpetrologic,
petrologic,structural,
structural, and
and geophysical
geophysical evidence are consistent with a
"hot-spot"
"hot-spot" origin
originfor
for the
the Midcontinent
Midcontinentrift
rift system
system(Hutchison
(Hutchisonet
et al.,
al., 1990).
1990).
33

�SOUTHWESTERN ARM OF THE
MIDCONTINENT RIFT
SYSTEM
SOUTHWESTERN
THE MIDCONTINENT
RIFT SYSTEM
Most
Most ground-based
ground-based studies
studies of the
the Midcontinent
Midcontinent rift have
have been
been conducted
conducted in
in the
the Lake
Lake
Superior
Superior region
region where
where Keweenawan
Keweenawan volcanic and sedimentary rocks are well-exposed. Along
Along
much
much of
of the
the southeastern
southeastern (Michigan)
(Michigan) and
and southwestern
southwestern (southern
(southern Minnesota
Minnesota to Kansas)
Kansas)
extensions
extensions of the rift,
rift, these
these rocks
rocks are
are largely
largely buried beneath thick Phanerozoic deposits. The
The
objective
objectiveof
of this
this field
fieldtrip
trip is
is to
to provide
provide an
an overview
overview of
of recent
recent studies
studiesof
of the
the Midcontinent
Midcontinentrift
riftin
in
east-central
east-centralMinnesota
Minnesotaand
andwest-central
west-centralWisconsin.
Wisconsin. Despite
Despitethe
therelatively
relativelypoor
poorexposure
exposurein
inthis
this
region,
region, there
there are
are several
several compelling
compelling reasons
reasons for
for studying
studying this portion of the rift. Most
Most studies
studies of
of
the rift in
of the rift formed near the
in the
the Lake
Lake Superior
Superior region
region have focused on the portion of
location
Peterman and Sims,
Sims,
locationof
of the
the inferred
inferred Keweenaw
Keweenaw plume
plume beneath northern
northern Wisconsin (e.g., Peterman
1988). New
(e.g., Campbell
Campbell and
and Giffiths,
Giffiths, 1990)
1990) have
have
New models
modelsof
ofmantle
mantleplume
plumeprocesses
processes (e.g.,
contributed
contributed significantly
significantly to our understanding
understanding of large igneous provinces and suggest that rift
processes
processes may vary with distance
distance from the plume center. Unfortunately,
Unfortunately, the distal portions of
the Midcontinent
rift
system
are
buried,
making
geologic
study
difficult and costly. The
Midcontinent rift system are
geologic
The rocks
rocks
of the
the Taylors
Taylors Falls
Falls-- Clam
Clam Falls
Falls region
region are
are the southernmost
southernmostexposures
exposures of the Midcontinent
Midcontinentrift
rift
of
system
system and
and provide
provide an
an opportunity
opportunity to
to examine
examine variations
variations in rift geology
geology and
and processes
processes along
along
the length
length of
of the
the rift.
rift. AAsecond
secondreason
reasonfor
forstudying
studyingthis
thissegment
segment of
of the
the rift
rift relates
relates to
to regional
regional
geologic
geologic provinces.
provinces. The
TheMidcontinent
Midcontinentrift
riftsystem
systemcrosses
crossesseveral
severalmajor
majorgeologic
geologicprovinces
provincesas
as
itit traverses
In northern
northern Minnesota
Minnesotaand
and Ontario
Ontario
traverses from
from Minnesota
Minnesotato
to Kansas
Kansas (Van Schmus, 1992). In
the
the rift
rift is superimposed
superimposedon
on Late
Late Archean
Archean granite-greenstone
granite-greenstoneterranes
terranes (2.6-2.8
(2.6-2.8 Ga)
Ga) of
of the
the Superior
Superior
Province.
Province.South
SouthofofLake
LakeSuperior,
Superior,the
therift
riftcrosses
crossesaa younger
younger east-west
east-west belt
belt of
of immature
immaturevolcanic
volcanic
and
southward-dipping subduction
and sedimentary
sedimentaryrocks
rocks (Southwick
(Southwicket
et al.,
al., 1989)
1989)that formed
formed in a southward-dipping
subduction
zone
Ga). Subduction
Subduction processes
processes during
zone during
duringthe
the Penokean
Penokeanorogeny
orogeny(—1.85
(-1.85 Ga).
during the Penokean
Penokean may
may
have modified the mantle
beneath
these
terranes,
and
thus
might
have
had
an
effect
on
mantle
an effect on the
the
Keweenawan magmas erupted through them. Studies
Studiesof
of Keweenawan
Keweenawan volcanics south of the
Malmo Structural
Structural Discontinuity
Discontinuity (Minnesota)
(Minnesota) and
and Niagara
Niagara Fault
Fault Zone
Zone (Wisconsin)
(Wisconsin) provide
provide an
an
opportunity
opportunity to
to study
study these
these effects.
effects.
PREVIOUS
PREVIOUS STUDIES
STUDIES
Studies of the
the Taylors
Taylors Falls - Clam
Clam Falls region date back to the time before Minnesota
became
became aa state
state in
in 1858.
1858.AAthorough
thoroughreview
reviewof
ofthe
thehistory
historyof
ofinvestigations
investigationsisis beyond
beyondthe
thescope
scope
of this
guide,
and
the
interested
reader
is
referred
to
the
review
by
Craddock
(1972).
Since
this guide, and the interested reader
review by Craddock (1972). Since the
early
1900'sitithas
hasbeen
beenrecognized
recognizedthat
thatthe
therocks
rocksof
ofthe
theTaylors
Taylors Falls
Falls - Pine
early 1900's
Pine City
City region
region constitute
constitute
a thick, fault-bounded
fault-bounded volcanic and sedimentary
sedimentary sequence that has been broadly folded into a
synform
Hall, 1901). The
synforrn (Strong, 1880;
1880; Berkey, 1897, 1898; Hall,
The term
term "Chengwatana"
"Chengwatana" was
was first
first
assigned by Hall in 1901
1901 to
to refer
refer to
to aa sequence
sequence of flows
flows and interfiow
interflow sediments of "unusual
extent" that are exposed along the Snake River east
east of
of Pine
Pine City
City (Fig.
(Fig. 1). As
As stated
stated by
by Hall
Hall
(1901)
(1901) "The flood
floodof
of 1898,
1898,which
whichtore
toreaway
away the
the dam
dam at
at the
the foot
foot of Cross
Cross lake
lake and
and poured
poured down
down
the river gorge
gorge a vast volume
volume of water, cleaned
cleaned out in an admirable
admirable manner
manner for
for examination
examinationthe
the
channel
channel of the
the stream
stream for
for several
several miles." At
At the
the time,
time, Hall
Hall (1901)
(1901) was
was able
able to
to describe
describe aa nearly
nearly
continuous
continuous sequence
sequence consisting
consistingof
of 65
65lava
lava flows
flows and
and 55 interfiow
intefflow sedimentary
sedimentaryunits,
units, as
aswell
wellas
as
the relationships
relationships of the bounding Douglas fault. He
also
recognized
the
typical
three-fold
flow
He also
morphology and described the igneous and metamorphic minerals.
minerals. Unfortunately,
Unfortunately, the rocks
rocks
along the Snake
Snake River
River are not
not nearly
nearly so
so well-exposed
well-exposed today.
today. Later,
Later, the
the term
term "Chengwatana
"Chengwatana
volcanics"
volcanics" was
wasused
usedto
torefer
referto
to Keweenawan
Keweenawanvolcanic
volcanicrocks
rocks exposed
exposed over
over aa much
much broader
broader region
region
34

�_______
______

_______
______

2:

Croix Falls

1982)
(Modified from Morey
Morey eta],
eta!, 1982)

0
I

I

kilometers
kilometers
I

I

I

50
50
I

Q

.:. .:. .:. .;.
...........

+;,:&gt;:..::
....
:..:...
..........
* * * *

Ordovician
Ordovician

0
N
0

Lower-Middle
Lower-Middle
Proterozoic Quartzite
Proterozoic

Cambrian

Metavolcanic Rocks
Metavolcanic
Rocks

U. Animikie
Animikie Group
Group
Slate
Metagreywacke
Slate &amp; Metagreywacke

Bayfield
Baytield Group
Group

Copper
Copper Harbor
Harbor

Iron
Iron Formation
Formation

Conglomerate
Conglomerate

Group
L. Animikie Group
Quartzite &amp; wacke

Duluth
Duluth Complex
Complex
Gabbro &amp; Anorthosite
Gabbro
Anorthosite

F,,,
- 5)

Prot.
Archean-L. h
ot.
Granite &amp; Gneiss

Mellen Complex,
Complex,
Basalt &amp; Sediment
Sediment
Basalt
Basalt (NSVG and
and
Chengwatana
ChengwatanaVolcanics)
Volcanics)

1. Generalized
Generalizedbedrock
bedrockgeology
geologyof
ofthe
thesouthern
southernLake
Lake Superior
Superiorregion
region showing
showing
Figure 1.
location of
of the
the field
fieldtrip
tripin
inthe
theTaylors
Taylors Falls
Falls -- Clam
Clam Falls region. (Modified
(Modified from
from
the location
Morey et al.,
1982).
al., 1982).
35
35

�between the Douglas fault (west) and Lake Owen fault (east) in east-central Minnesota and
between
west-central Wisconsin (Morey
west-central
(Morey and Mudrey, 1972;
1972; Hassan and Mudrey, 1980).
1980).
The distribution
distribution and stratigraphy
stratigraphy of the Chengwatana volcanics in the Taylors Falls - St.
St.
Cordua (1989a and b;
b; unpublished
unpublished mapping).
mapping). He
Croix Falls region was established by Cordua
He divided
divided
the nearly 3,000 meter thick
thick volcanic
volcanic section
section into
into seven
seven flow units based on
on field
field and
and textural
textural
relationships (Fig. 2). The
by
Themapping
matmin~
bvCordua
Corduaalso
alsodelineated
delineated several
several east-west
east-west faults
faults in
in the
the
region. Nearly
3,000
meters
of
volcanic
and
sedimentary
rock
are
also
dso
exposed
in
the
Clam
Nearly 3,O
region, however corresponding mapping and stratigraphic
been
~ h i cstudies have not been
Falls
Frederic regi
Falls -- Frederic
conducted
conducted there
there yet.
ye1
meters
above
base

Figure 2. Lithostratigraphic column

of Chengwatana volcanics in the
Taylors Falls region (Modified from
Wirth et al., 1997). Top and bottom

2500

of the section are unexposed.
Geochemical sample locations are
shown with tick marks along the right

side of the column. Flow unit
abbreviations are from Cordua
2000

(1989): K!, Lotus lake; Kd, Dresser;
Kt, Traprock Alley; Kep, Eagle Peak;

Ks, Skitrail; Kp, Pipeline; Ky,
unnamed.

1500

1000

Unexposed
Interfiow Sediment
Interflow
Sediment

Intersertal to Ophitic
Ophitic
Plag. phyric, intersertal

500

.......
.......
....... Intersertal
Intersertd

... Ophitic
Ophitic
[

Sub-ophitic
Sub-ophitic

0
36

GEOPHYSICAL
STUDIES
Gravity, magnetic,
~agnetic,and
and
seismic studies
lies were
essential to developing
developing
detailed models of the
buried
the buried
zontinent
parts of the Midcontinent rift
system in Minnesota
mesota and
and
Wisconsin (see:review by
Craddock, 1972).
172). The
regional magnetic
tic character
of the Keweenawan
iwan Rift
E f t in
eastern Minnesota
lesota and
and
western Wisconsin
sin is given
given
in
Chandler et
In Lnanuler
eL a!.
al. (1989) and
Allen
et al.
al. (1997).
Allen et
(1997). The
The
rocks of the Taylors Falls Clam
Clam Falls
Falls region are part of
the St. Croix horst, which is
is
bounded by
by the Douglas
bounded
Douglas
(northwest) and Hastings
Hastings
(northwest)
(southeast) faults (Fig. 3).
(southeast)
3).
On
On the
the basis
basis of
of threethreedimensional
dimensional gravity
gravity models,
models,
the
thickness
ooff
Chengwatana volcanics
volcanics in
Chengwatana
this region ranges from 4
kilometers at Clam Falls to
to
14 kilometers
north of
14
kilometers north
Frederic, and vertical uplift
of the horst ranges from 3
kilometers in the northwest
northwest to 8 kilometers in

�Emerald Basin

+

+

0

20
kilometers
strike/dip of flows and bedding

I

trend of aeromagnetic anomalies

inferred structuraJ/strañgraphic
I discontinuity

450 15'

+

+

920 15'

92° 00'

Falls - Clam Falls region
Figure 3. Sketch
Sketchmap
mapof
ofaeromagnetic
aeromagneticanomalies
anomalies in the Taylors Falls
interpreted from
interpreted
from new
new aeromagnetic
aeromagneticmaps
mapsof
of western
western Wisconsin
Wisconsin (Cannon
(Cannonet
et al.,
al., 1997;
1997;in
in prep).
prep).
the southeast
southeast(Allen
(Allenetetal.,
al.,1997).
1997).Thick
Thick(—5
(-5 km), wedge-shaped
wedge-shaped accumulations
accumulationsof
of Keweenawan
Keweenawan
sediment (Oronto
(Oronto and Bayfield
Bayfield Groups)
Groups) occur
occur in
in basins
basins on the margins of St. Croix
sediment
Croix Horst
Horst
(Allen et a!.,
al., 1997).
1997).
The magnetic character of Polk County is provided by Reich (1989),
(19891, who conducted aa
primarily N-S
ground magnetic
magnetic survey
survey at 0.1 mile intervals, transecting the county along seven primarily
Time-corrected raw data and 3-point smoothed data for line one are
and E-W lines (Fig. 4). Time-corrected
presented in Fig. 5. This
This line covers some of the outcrops seen on this
this field trip,
trip, and shows the
strong magnetic signature of the Chengwatana flows that is about 1000 nanotesla (nT) above
the regional value. The
Theminimum
minimumin
in the
the magnetic
magnetic line
line at approximately
approximately 15
15 kilometers
kilometers from
from the
the
37

�___________

in the
the bedrock
bedrock caused
caused
west end of the line is interpreted
interpreted by Reich (1989) as the result of offset in
by the Cottage Grove fault. The
Thehigh-frequency
high-frequency nature
nature of
of the
the magnetic
magnetic signal
signal on
on the
the west
west end
end
of the flows.
flows. These
of the line is common to all the lines that cross outcrops of
These high-frequency
high-frequency
by lightening.
lightening. Lightening
magnetic
"spikes" may in part represent locations hit by
Lightening strikes
strikes on highly magnetic
rock can produce
produce large
large localized
localized anomalies. Many
Many outcrops
outcropsin
in this
thisregion
regionare
aremagnetically
magnetically
significantly deflect a compass!
compass! Reich
variations in the
strong enough to significantly
Reich (1989) interpreted
interpreted the variations
half-graben faults
faults that
thatparallel
parallelthe
theCottage
CottageGrove
Grovefault.
fault. Recent
Recent
filtered data as resulting from half-graben
work
by
Cannon
et
al.
(1997;
in
prep.)
suggest
that
these
features
are
the
result
of
folding
work Cannon et (1997;
suggest
these features
folding within
within
in the
the magnetic
susceptibility of
of the
the different
different flows
flows may
may also be aa
the flows.
flows. Variations
Variations in
magnetic susceptibility
contributing factor. Recent
Recentstudies
studiesby
by Kean
Kean (1992,
(1992, 1993,
1993,1995)
1995)and
and Kean
Kean et
et al.
al. (1997)
(1997) on
on the
the
paleomagnetic
paleomagnetic character
characterof
of Chengwatana
Chengwatanaflows
flows in
in the
the Taylors
Taylors Falls region are described
described in
in the
the
2.
section for Stop
Stop 2.
et al.,
al., 1997; in prep.) provide
New aeromagnetic data from western Wisconsin (Cannon et
additional constraints on the stratigraphy
stratigraphy and structure of the Chengwatana
Chengwatana volcanics in the
the
Falls
region.
Previously,
the
relationship
between
the
stratigraphic
sections
Taylors Falls
Falls -- Clam
Clam
Previously, relationshipbetween the stratigraphic sections
Taylors
Taylors Falls
Falls and
and Clam
Clam Falls
Falls regions
regions was
wasnot
notwell
wellunderstood.
understood. Preliminary interpretation
interpretation
in the Taylors
suggest that the stratigraphy
stratigraphy continues
trending
of the data suggest
continuesnorth
north of
of the
the Taylors Falls region before trending
to the east
east around
around aa northeastnortheastsouthwest
southwest antiformal
antiformalstructure
structure(Fig.
(Fig.
3). No
Nomajor
majorstructural
structuralbreaks
breaks are
are
STUDY AREA
POW COUNTT
apparent.
apparent. If this
this interpretation
interpretation is
correct, then
then the
correct,
the flows
flows in the
the
Frederic - Clam Falls region are
Frederic
are
stratigraphically below those of the
stratigraphically
the
Falls section.
section. Also apparent
apparent
Taylors Falls
aeromagnetic map
on the aeromagnetic
map are
are several
several
stratigraphic
structural or
stratigraphic
discontinuities surrounding
surrounding the
the
Ashland syncline,
syncline, and northwest of
Frederic. These relationships,
relationships,
combined with the results of recent
geochemical
geochemical and geochronologic
geochronologic
studies, suggest that
that there may be
significant differences between the
flow
flow sequences
sequences and that further
further
stratigraphic
subdivision
of the
stratigraphic
subdivision
the
ICALI I US.SC
CMLII
•
Chengwatana volcanics
volcanics may be
• C S ISKI.OMITICS
warranted.
warranted.
U

U

SA8R STATION

Location map
map for
Figure 4.
4. Location
magnetic
profiles of Polk
magnetic profiles
Polk Co.,
Co.,
1989).
Wisconsin (after
(after Reich,
Reich, 1989).
38

�WI.,

LVIE I

A.

A
GAMMAS

I

.J'jii*w DATA

61500.0

•:". U.TIRCD DATA

60500.0

MM.I$

Plot of raw and filtered data
for line 1 (A—A'I.

-

Figure
Figure 5.
5.

--

Magnetic
Magnetic profile
profile of Line
Line 11 in
in Figure
Figure 44 (after
(after Reich,
Reich, 1989).
1989).

METAMORPHISM
IVETAMORPHISMAND
AND MINERALIZATION
MINEXALIZATION
The
The secondary
s e c o n d q minerals
minerals in
in the
the Keweenawan
Keweenawan volcanic rocks form by aa combination
combination of
of
burial metamorphism,
activity and
and contact
contact metamorphism.
metamorphism. They
metamorphism, hydrothermal
hydrothermal activity
They form
form 20-80
20-80
percent
percent of
of aa typical
typical sample.
sample. They
Theyreplace
replacephenocrysts
phenocrystsand
andgroundmass,
groundmass,fill
fillamygdules,
amygdules,form
form
veins and line
line joint and
and fault
fault planes.
planes. The
Theminerals
mineralsreplacing
replacing ground
ground mass
mass and
and phenocrysts
phenocrysts
typically
albite
epidote+actino1ite~hlorite+qu~z+
albite+1+I- calcite
calcite +1+Itypically consist
consist of
ofthe
theassemblage
assemblageepidote+actinolite+chlorite+quartz+
muscovite
+/-titanite
+1Fe-Ti
muscovite +/-titanite +I- Fe-Ti oxides.
oxides. The
Thecommon
commonminerals
mineralsfilling
filling amygdules
amygdules are
are quartz,
quartz,
chlorite,
crystalline material
chlorite,epidote,
epidote,K-feldspar
K-feldsparand
andcalcite.
calcite.The
Thequartz
quartz may
may be present as coarse crystalline
material
or,
or, more rarely, as agate. Joint
Jointsurfaces
surfacesand
and fault
fault planes
planes may have veins or coatings of any of
the
and chrysotile.
chrysotile. Minor
the above
above mentioned
mentioned minerals,
minerals, but may also show tremolite,
tremolite, and
Minor copper
copper
mineralization
mineralizationin
inthe
theform
formof
of native
native copper,
copper, chalcopyrite,
chalcopyrite, bornite,
bornite, chalcocite
chalcocite and
and malachite
malachite and
and
azurite
occurs
in
amygdules,
flow-top
breccias
or
later
gash
veins
(Grant,
1901;
Dutton,
1972;
azurite occurs in amygdules, flow-top breccias or later gash veins (Grant, 1901; Dutton, 1972;
White,
White, 1978;
1978;Cordua
CorduaetetaL,
al., 1979).
1979).
Epidote
Epidote occurs
occurs as
as both
both granular
granularand
and crystalline
crystalline grains.
grains. Granular
Granularepidote
epidoteisiscommonly
commonly
observed
observed in
in the
the groundmass
groundmassor
orasasalteration
alterationofofthe
theplagioclase,
plagioclase,whereas
whereascrystalline
crystallineepidote
epidote
occurs
occurswithin
withinthe
theamygdules.
amygdules.Actinolite
Actinoliteisispresent
presentmainly
mainlyininthe
thegroundmass,
groundmass,but
butalso
alsoreplaces
replaces
clinopyroxene
clinopyroxeneand
andoccurs
occursin
inamygdules.
amygdules.Chlorite
Chloriteisisubiquitous
ubiquitousininall
allof
of the
the flows
flows and
and is
is present
present
in
intwo
two forms:
forms: ripidolite
ripidolite(brown
(brownbirefringence)
birefringence)and
andpycnochlorite
pycnochlorite(anomalous
(anomalousblue
bluebirefringence).
birefringence).
Although
both
types
are
present
throughout
the
sequence
of
Chengwatana
flows
Although both types are present throughout the sequence of Chengwatana flowsthe
theFe-poor
Fe-poor
variety
variety (pycnochlorite)
(pycnochlorite) is
is most
most abundant
abundant in
in the
theuppermost
uppermostflows,
flows, and
andthe
thehigh-iron
high-ironvariety
variety
(ripidolite)
(ripidolite)isis more
morecommon
commonin
inamygdules
amygdules(Wirth
(Wirthet.
et. al.,
al., 1996).
1996).
The
The pressure
pressure and
andtemperature
temperature conditions
conditions during
during metamorphism
metamorphism in
in these
these rocks
rocksare
are
constrained
the actinolite.
actinolite. The
constrainedby
bymineral
mineralreactions
reactions(Liou
(Liouet
etal.,
al., 1987)
1987)and
and by the Na content of the
The
minimum
minimum temperature
temperatureof
ofmetamorphism
metamorphismof
of the
theChengwatana
Chengwatanavolcanics
volcanics isis constrained
constrainedby
bythe
the
39
39

�presence of actinolite and epidote (Fig. 6) and
presence
and by
by the
the absence
absence of
of coexisting
coexisting prehnite
prehnite and
and
pumpellyite. The upper temperature
temperature boundary of metamorphism is constrained by the lack of
with epidote, chlorite, actinolite
actinolite and
and quartz.
quartz. The
hornblende coexisting with
The maximum
maximum pressure
pressure
conditions of metamorphism
metamorphism (4-6 kbar) are constrained
constrainedby
bythe
theabsence
absenceofofglaucophane.
glaucophane. Further
Further
conditions
constraints on the pressure
constraints
pressure conditions
conditions during
during metamorphism
metamorphism can
can be estimated
estimated from
from the Na and
and
Al contents of the calcic amphiboles in the presence of
of quartz +
+ albite +
+ chlorite +
+ magnetite
A1
(Brown, 1977).
Analyses
(SEM-EDS)
of
actinolite
indicate
that
it
contains
Na
(M-4
site)
1977). Analyses (SEM-EDS) of actinolite indicate
site) and
tetrahedral A1
Al (AlIV).
(Ala'). The
found in
in the
tetrahedral
Theresults
resultsare
are similar
similar to
to the
the composition
composition of amphiboles found
Batholith and suggest
suggest low
low pressure
pressure burial
burialmetamorphism
metamorphism
contact aureoles
aureoles of the Sierra Nevada Batholith
Group. This
of the Chengwatana Volcanic
Volcanic Group.
This suggests
suggests that the
the presently
presently exposed
exposed Chengwatana
Chengwatana
sediment. This
flows were overlain by an additional 6-7 kilometers of volcanic flows or sediment.
This estimate
estimate
is greater than the estimated burial depths made by Cordua (1980; 1989b) and Cavaleri (1987)
by analogy
Group in the Keweenaw Peninsula,
Peninsula, but are consistent
consistent
analogy with
with the
the Portage
PortageLake
LakeVolcanic Group
with the amount of uplift (&lt;8
km)
(&lt;8 km)
estimated from geophysical
geophysical models
models
al., 1997). Assuming
Assuming a peak
(Allen et al.,
metamorphic temperature of
approximately350'
350° C and a burial
approximately
km., the
depth of approximately 7.5 km.,
metamorphic data from the
Chengwatana
flows suggest
Chengwatana flows
suggest aa
geothermal
gradient
of
approximately
geothermal
approximately
0.6
45-50°
45-50' CCwithin
within this
this portion
portion of the
midcontinental
midcontinental rift.
rift. Similar results
were
were obtained
obtained by Livnat (1983)
(1983) using
using
oxygen isotopes in the Portage Lake
volcanic sequence
sequence on
on the
the Keweenaw
Keweenaw
Peninsula.
Peninsula.
The metamorphic minerals in
Polk County are
are distinctly
distinctly different
different
from those
those seen
seen further
from
further north in
content of aci
Wisconsin.
Wisconsin. In the volcanic
volcanic rocks
rocks
pr-s
exposed in northern Douglas County
cz-i-tr+H20
(south shore of Lake
(south
Lake Superior),
Superior),
\X,
prehnite, laumontite
and other
prehnite,
laumontite and
other
X #' \X
zeolites are common
common secondary
secondary
9
.1.
minerals
(Grant,
1901,
1972,
minerals
(Grant,
1901,
Dutton,
1972,
0
400
500
300
200
300
100
Cordua, 1990,1991).
1990,1991). In
White, 1978; Cordua,
southern
Douglas
County,
southern Douglas County, in the
Temperature
Temperature (°C)
(OC)
region between Dairyland to Solon
region
Solon
Figure 6. P-T
P-Tdiagram
diagramfor
forunivariant
univariant reactions
reactionsrelevant
relevant Springs,
prehnite is found, but the
Springs, prehnite
the
to low-grade
low-grade metamorphism
metamorphism of
of mafic
mafic volcanic
volcanic rocks
rocks zeolites
zeolites are rare to absent
absent (Grant,
(Grant,
(modified from
from Wirth
Wirth et al.,
(modified
al., 1997).
1997). Estimated 1901).
1901). To
To the
the east,
east, in
in the
the Minong
Minong
conditions
conditionsof
of metamorphism
metamorphismof
of Chengwatana
Chengwatanavolcanics
volcanics Copper Range, which stretches from
are shown in shaded regions.
Minong
Minong through
through Grandview
Grandview in
in
40

�Washburn,
Washburn, Bayfield and Douglas
Douglas Counties,
Counties, prehnite is
is common
common and
and pumpellyite
pumpellyite has
hasbeen
been
reported.
Mi, 1982). Zeolites
reported. (Grant,
(Grant, 1901;
1901;Smith,
Smith, 1947;
1947; Dutton, 1972; White, 1978; AH,
Zeolites such
such as
as
natrolite
natroliteoccur
occuralong
alonglater
laterjoint
joint surfaces
surfacesnear
near Chittamo
Chittamo and
and heulandite
heulandite and
and natrolite
natroliteare
are reported
reported
occurring
occurring in
in amygdules
amygdules with
with quartz,
quartz, epidote
epidote and
and chlorite
chlorite near
nearGrandview
Grandview (LaPoint,
(Lapoint, 1976).
1976).
South
South of
of Grandview,
Grandview, southeast
southeast of
of the
the Lake
Lake Owen
Owenfault,
fault,epidote,
epidote,chlorite,
chlorite,actinolite,
actinolite,quartz,
quartz,
biotite
zeolites (LePoint,
biotiteand
and ferrostilpnomelane
ferrostilpnomelaneoccur,
occur,with
with no
no prehnite, pumpellyite or zeolites
(LePoint, 1976).
1976).
A
hornblende-epidote-biotiteassemblage
assemblageisislikely
likelydue
duetotothe
thepresence
presenceof
ofnearby
nearbyMellen
MellenIntrusive
Intrusive
A hornblende-epidote-biotite
Complex
plutons
(Cannon
et
al.,
1996).
Toward
the
Michigan
border,
at
Saxon
Falls
Complex
al., 1996). Toward the Michigan border, at Saxon Fallsnear
near
Hurley,
Hurley, prehnite
prehnite and
and zeolites,
zeolites, such
such as
as thomsonite
thomsonite and
and laumontite,
laumontite,are
areagain
againreported
reported(Irving,
(Irving,
1883;
1883;Cannon,
Cannon,1996).
1996).
The
The higher
higher metamorphic
metamorphic grade
grade of
of the
the Chengwatana
Chengwatana basalts could
could reflect
reflect either
either deeper
deeper
burial
burialin
inthe
thevolcanic
volcanicpile
pilethan
thanrocks
rocksto
tothe
thenorth,
north,or
or the
the presence
presence of
of aa higher
higher geothermal
geothermalgradient
gradient
in
in that
that part
part of
of the
the Keweenawan
Keweenawan terrain. Allen
Allen et
etal.
al. (1997)
(1997)estimate
estimatethat
that the
the St.
St. Croix
CroixHorst
Horst has
has
undergone
undergone 3-8
3-8kilometers
kilometers of
of uplift
uplift in
in the
the Taylors
Taylors Falls-Clam Falls region. This
This contrasts
contrastswith
with
estimated
estimateduplift
upliftofof2-4
2-4kilometers
kilometersininthe
theAshland
Ashlandsyncline
synclineand
and1-2
1-2kilometers
kilometersininthe
theTwin
TwinCities
Cities
Basin
Basin(SE
(SEMinnesota).
Minnesota).

GEOCHEMISTRY
GEOCHEMISTRY
Petrographic
Petrographicand
andgeochemical
geochemicalstudies
studiesof
ofthe
theChengwatana
Chengwatanavolcanics
volcanicsin
inthe
theTaylors
TaylorsFalls
Falls
-- Clam
Clam Falls
Falls region
region have
have been
been conducted
conducted by
by Cordua
Cordua(1980;
(1980;1989b),
1989b),Cavaleri
Cavaleri(1987),
(1987),Leslie
Leslieetet

al. (1994),
(1994),Wirth
Wirthet
et al.
al. (1995;
(1995;1996;
1996;1997),
1997),Naiman
Naiman et
et al.
al. (1996;
(1996;1997;
1997;in
in press),
press), and
and Abbott
Abbott et
et
al.
al.
al.(in
(in press).
press). These
Thesestudies
studiesestablished
establishedthe
thetholeiitic,
tholeiitic,high-alumina
high-aluminaand
andhigh-iron
high-iron character
characterof
of
the
the basalts
basaltsin
inthe
theregion
region(Table
(Table1;1;Fig.
Fig. 7);
7);intermediate
intermediate and
and felsic
felsicrocks,
rocks, with
with the
the exception
exceptionof
of
rare
rarerhyolite
rhyolitenear
nearClam
ClamFalls,
Falls, are
are not observed.
observed. Most
Mostflows
flows are
are weakly
weakly olivine-normative
olivine-normative (0-15
(0-15
percent
percent norm
norm ol)
01) and
and the
theremaining
remaining flows
flows have
have trace
trace amounts
amounts of quartz
quartz in
in their
their norms
norms (0-5
(0-5
percent
percentnorm
normqz).
qz).

Nickel
Nickel abundances
abundances (36
(36 -185
185ppm)
ppm)and
andMg#'s
MgWs(Mg#
(Mg#==Mg!
Mg/
[Mg+Fe2]
[Mg+Fe+2]== 0.37
0.37 -- 0.58)
0.58) are
are

Fe2
F ~ ++ Fe3 + Ti

generally
generallylow,
low,suggesting
suggestingthat
thatthe
the

Chengwatana
Chengwatana Volcanic
Volcanic Group
Group
flows
flowshave
haveundergone
undergonesignificant
significant
fractionation.
fractionation. Chengwatana
Chengwatana
basalts
can
be
subdivided
basalts can be subdividedon
onthe
the
basis
basis of
of TiO2
T i 0 2 (less
(less than
than and
and
greater
greater than
than 2.3
2.3 weight
weight %),
%), aa
distinction
distinction that
that has
has been
been
recognized
recognized elsewhere
elsewhere in
in the
the
Midcontinent
Midcontinentrift.
rift.InIngeneral,
general,the
the
high-Ti02
high-Ti02 basalts
basalts are
aremore
more
abundant
in
the
upper
part
of
abundant in the upper part ofthe
the
St. Croix
Croix Falls
Fallssection
sectionand
andare
are
St.
characterized
characterizedby
byhaving
havinggenerally
generally
low
low Mg#
Mg# (&lt;0.5)
(&lt;0.5) and
and high
high

A
Al
A1

Figure
Figure7.7.Plot
PlotofofChengwatana
Chengwatanavolcanics
volcanicsfrom
fromthe
theTaylors
Taylors
Falls
region
on
a
Jensen
cation
plot
(Jensen,
1976)
(after
Falls region on a Jensen cation plot (Jensen, 1976) (after
Wirth
et al., 1997).
Wirthetal.,
1997).
41

�Table 1. Representative
Representative analyses
analyses of basalt and sediment from the Taylors
Taylors
Falls and Clam
Clam Falls
Falls region.
region.

Si02
Si02
Ti02
A1203
*l2O3
Fe203
Fe203
MnO
MnO
MgO
MgO
CaO
CaO
Na20
Na20
K20
K20
P2Â°
LOT
LO1

basalt
KC-lb

basalt
KC-7

basalt
KC-70
KC-70

47.60

48.30

1.69
15.57
13.34

1.71

48.13
2.64
14.07
16.40
0.21
5.17

15.65
13.61
0.19
6.69
9.56

0.19
7.48
8.14
2.38

0.16
3.09

64.75
0.93

59.64
0.84

11.11

13.55
8.75

1.63

8.41
2.45
1.43
0.31
1.25

7.37
0.08
0.97
11.92
0.21
0.73
0.10
2.02

2.60
0.55
0.19

1.13

sediment sediment
sediment
KC-331f
KC-330g
KC-330g KC-33
1f

0.10
2.66
11.55
1.28
0.61
0.13
1.59

Total
Total

100.77

100.68

100.47

100.19

100.70

Mg#
Mg#

0.57

0.43

0.42

0.23

0.48

39.54

0.57
—

qz
qz

—
—

—
—

—
—

hy
hy
ol
01

17.73

17.01

20.38

9.24

6.41

2.66

ne

Rb
Ba
Th
Nb
La
Sm
Sm
Yb
Zr
Y

42
206

Cr
Cr
Ni

—
9

26.68

—
16

15

128

—

206
—

13

9

11

—
—
—

—

—

—

—

—

—

108
23

121

209
42

122

23
142

165
185

125
124

128

79
67

105

248

254

169

161

1.03

9.58
3.50
2.15

Initial ENd
Initial
CNd+0.101

Locations:
Sample
Sample Locations:
-KC-lb
KC-1b
KC-7
KC-7
KC-70
KC-70
KC-330g
KC-310

48
546

14

11

V
v

277

—

--

--

--

6.94

26

82
318

-1.7—
-1.7 -

—
19

-1.86
-1.86

NW1/4, section 5, T
T 33
33 N,
N, R
R 18
18W
NE114, NW114,
W
NE1/4,
1/4, NE
NE 114,
1/4, section 6, T
T 33
33 N,
N, R
R 18
18W
SE
W (Stop
(Stop 1)
1)
SE 114,
NW 114,
1/4, section 14, T
T 33
33 N,
N, R
R 19
19W
NW 1/4,
114, NW
W
T 33 N,
N, R
R 18
18W
NEll4,
NEl14, section 6, T
W
NE1/4, NE1/4,
T 37
37 N,
N, R
R 17
17W
NE114,
SW114 of section 11, T
W (Stop 5)
NE1/4, SW1/4

42

—

50

�the Taylors
Taylors Falls basalts are
are subsubincompatible trace-element
trace-element abundances.
abundances. REE patterns of the
and variably
variably enriched
enriched in
in the
the light
light REE,
REE, with
with abundance
abundance levels
levels 40-100
40- 100times
times chondritic
chondritic
parallel and
values for La, and from
Most samples
samples have
have prominent
prominentnegative
negative
from 12-22
12-22 times chondrites
chondrites for Yb. Most
Eu anomalies,
feature that is consistent with the widespread petrographic
evidence of plagioclase
anomalies, aa feature
petrographic evidence
plagioclase
Normalized trace
trace element
element abundances
abundances (Fig. 8) of the flows are enriched in the
fractionation. Normalized
highly incompatible
elements
(e.g.,
Th,
Nb,
La) relative to the
the less
less incompatible
incompatible trace elements
incompatible elements (e.g., Th,
I.)

a

-4

10

ID

I

I

I

I

I

Nd

La Ce

5o

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

YbLu

Tb

Sm Eu

I

b

:

10

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

Th Nb Ta La Ce Sr P Nd Sm Zr Hf Eu Ti Th Y Yb Lu
Figure
8. (a)
(a)Chondrite-normalized
Chondrite-normalizedplot
plotof
of REE
REE abundances
abundancesin
in representative
Figure 8.
volcanics from
from the Taylors
Taylors Falls
Falls region
region (after Wirth
Wirth et al.,
Chengwatana volcanics
trace-element abundances
normalized to primitive mantle.
(b) Plot
Plot of trace-element
abundances normalized
1997). (b)

(e.g., Zr, Y,
Y,Yb);
Yb);Ta,
Ta,Nb,
Nb,and
andSr
Srare
arerelatively
relativelydepleted.
depleted. These
These relationships
relationships suggest that at least
some of the major
major and
and trace
trace element
element variations
variations exhibited by the Chengwatana
Chengwatana volcanics
volcanics are
are aa
fractional crystallization
contamination. Basaltic
result of fractional
crystallizationand variable contamination.
Basalticflows
flows of the
the Chengwatana
Chengwatana
volcanics exhibit a relatively narrow
narrow range
range of
of Nd
Nd isotopic
isotopic compositions
compositions (Fig.
(Fig. 9).
9). Although
Although
flows range
range from
from+3.4
3.4 to
initial ENd
ENd values of the flows
to 4.5,
-4.5,the
themajority
majority of
of samples
samples plot within a
initial
more limited range (-1.5 and -3.0).
-3.0). The
The combined
combined geochemical
geochemical data suggest that the basalts
originated
contaminated by
by continental
continental lithospheric
lithospheric
originated from
from plume-derived
plume-derived melts that were variably contaminated
mantle
EM values
mantle or
or crust
crust (Wirth
(Wirth et
et al., 1997).
1997).Rhyolites
Rhyolitesfrom
fromthe
theClam
ClamFalls
Fallsregion
regionhas
hasinitial
initialENd
ENd
of ++1.0
Thesevalues
valuesare
areclose
closeto
tothe
thecomposition
compositionof
ofthe
theinferred
inferredplume
plume(initial
(initialENd
1.0 and -0.1. These
value =
= 0)
0) implying that the rhyolites formed by crystal fractionation
fractionation (Abbott
(Abbott et al.,
al., in
in press).
press). '
43
43

�12
Clam Falls Rhyolite

• Clam Falls Basalt

10

Falls Basalt

8
6
L

4
2

0

-12

-10

-8

-4

-6

0

6

Initial Nd
Â£\
Initial
Figure
Figure 9.
9. Histogram
Histogramofofinitial
initialENd
EM values
values (1100
(1100Ma)
Ma) of Chengwatana
Chengwatana volcanics
volcanics
from
from the
the Taylors
TaylorsFalls
Falls and
and Clam
ClamFalls
Falls regions
regions(after
(afterNaiman
Naiman etetal.,
al.,in
inpress).
press).

ITINERARY
ITINERARY
This
in Minneapolis,
Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Minnesota. A
This guide
guide describes
describes aa one-day
one-day trip beginning and ending in
regional
regionalmap
mapof
ofthe
theroute
routeisisgiven
givenin
inFigure
Figure10,
10,and
andmore
moredetailed
detailedmaps
mapsof
ofthe
thestops
stopsare
aregiven
giveninin
Figures
Figures11
11and
and12.
12.AAbrief
briefdescription
descriptionofofthe
theroute
routeisisgiven
givenbelow:
below:
Proceed from
from Minneapolis
Minneapolis about 45 miles to Osceola Wisconsin. One
One route
route to
to Osceola
Osceola
Proceed
would
wouldbe
beas
asfollows:
follows:Take
Take 1-35
1-35 north to the exit for Minnesota 97 east bound. Follow
FollowRoute
Route97
97
for 11
11miles
miles to
to its
its intersection
intersection with
with Minnesota 95. Turn
Turn left
left (north)
(north) on
on Minnesota
Minnesota 95 for 66
for
miles. Turn
Turnright
righton
onroute
route243,
243,cross
crossthe
theSt.
St.Croix
CroixRiver
Riverand
andfollow
followititto
toits
itsintersection
intersectionwith
with
miles.
Wisconsin
Route
35.
Wisconsin Route 35.
Go
Go north
north on
on Route
Route35.
35. InInabout
about4.5
4.5miles
miles(about
(about11mile
milenorth
northof
ofDresser
DresserWisconsin)
Wisconsin)turn
turnright
right
on
Ravine
Drive.
Follow
Ravine
Drive
a
short
distance
to
the
entrance
of
the
Dresser
Trap
Rock
on Ravine Drive. Follow Ravine Drive a short distance to the entrance of the Dresser Trap Rock
Company
CompanyQuarry
Quarry(Stop
(Stop1;1;Fig.
Fig.13).
13).

Return
Return to
to Route
Route 35.
35. Turn
Turnleft
left(south).
(south). Go
Go1 1mile
miletotoState
StateStreet.
Street.Turn
Turnright
right(west)
(west)on
onState
State
Street.
milestotothe
theintersection
intersection
Street. This
Thissoon
soonbecomes
becomes100th
100thAvenue.
Avenue. Follow
Followthis
thisroad
roadabout
about33miles
with
with County
County S.
S.Turn
Turnnorth
northand
andgo
goabout
about1/2
112mile
miletotothe
thepipeline
pipelinecrossing
crossingofofCount
CountSS(Stop
(Stop2;2;
Fig.
Fig. 15).
15).
Return
Return to
to Route
Route 35.
35. Turn
Turnleft
left(north).
(north).Go
Gothree
threemiles
milestotothe
thecity
citylimits
limitsof
ofSt.
St.Croix
CroixFalls.
Falls. Turn
Turn
left
leftinto
intoInterstate
InterstatePark,
Park,Wisconsin
Wisconsin side
side (fee
(fee area).
area). Follow
Followthe
thepark
parkroad
road to
toEagle
EaglePeak
Peakand
andthe
the
group
groupcamp
camparea
area(Stops
(Stops3a
3aand
and3b;
3b;Fig.
Fig.17).
17).

44

�Figure
Figure10.
10.Scanned
Scannedimage
image(not
(notshown
showntotoscale)
scale)ofofUSGS
USGSStiliwater,
Stillwater,Minnesota
Minnesota- -Wisconsin
Wisconsin
topographic
topographicquadrangle
quadrangle(1
(1xx22degree
degreeseries;
series;1:250,000
1:250,000scale)
scale)showing
showingthe
thelocations
locationsofofthe
the
field
fieldtrip
tripstops.
stops.
Return
ReturntotoRoute
Route35.
35.Turn
Turnleft.
left.Follow
Followthe
thesigns
signstotomerge
mergeonto
ontoU.S.
U.S.Highway
Highway8 8- -WEST
bound.
WEST bound.
Cross
Crossthe
theSt.
St.Croix
CroixRiver
Riverinto
intoMinnesota.
Minnesota.Immediately
Immediatelyafter
afterthe
thebridge
bridgeturn
turnleft
leftatatthe
thetraffic
traffic
light
lightinto
intoInterstate
InterstatePark
Park- -Minnesota
Minnesotaside
side(a(adifferent
differentfee
feearea)
area)(Stop
(Stop4;4;Fig.
Fig.17).
17).

Return
Turnright
right(east).
(east).Recross
Recrossthe
theSt.
St.Croix
CroixRiver.
River.Follow
FollowU.S.
U.S.88for
for55miles
miles
ReturntotoHighway
Highway8.8.Turn
totothe
theexit
exitfor
forRoute
Route35
35north.
north.Follow
FollowRoute
Route35
35north
northabout
about25
25miles.
miles.About
About2.5
2.5miles
milesnorth
northof
of
Frederic,
Frederic,turn
turnleft
leftonto
onto130th
130thStreet.
Street.InInabout
about0.5
0.5miles
milesturn
turnleft
lefton
on345th
345thStreet.
Street.InIn0.7
0.7miles,
miles,
look
anoutcrop
outcropininthe
thefield
fieldtotothe
thenorth
north(Stop
(Stop5;5;Fig.
Fig.19).
19).
lookfor
foran
Return
for
Returneast
easton
on345th
345thStreet
StreettotoLewis.
Lewis.Cross
CrossRoute
Route3535and
andcontinue
continueeast
eastononCounty
CountyRoad
RoadEEfor
55miles;
turn
south
on
65th
Street
to
the
town
of
Clam
Falls.
Turn
west
at
the
junction
with
miles; turn south on 65th Street to the town of Clam Falls. Turn west at the junction with
County
CountyRoad
RoadI.I.Stop
Stop55isisNNE
NNEofofthe
thejunctioin
junctioinwith
with73rd
73rdStreet.
Street.(Stop
(Stop6;6;Fig.
Fig.20).
20).
45

�Figure 11.
11. Scanned
Scannedimage
imageof
of aaportion
portion of
of the
the USGS
USGS Stiliwater,
Stillwater, MinnesotaMinnesotaWisconsin topographic quadrangle (30 x 60-minute series; 1:100,000
1:100,000 scale)
scale)

image (not
(not shown
shown to
to scale)
Figure 12.
12. Scanned
Scanned image
scale) of a portion
portion of
of the
the USGS
USGS
topographic
quadrangle
(30
x
60-minute
series;
Grantsburg,
Wisconsin
Minnesota
Grantsburg,
topographic quadrangle (30 60-minute series;
.
1:
100,000 scale)
scale) showing
showing the locations
locations of the
the field
field trip
trip stops
stops 5-7.
5-7.
1:100,000
46

�AlternateStop
Stop66isisreached
reachedfrom
fromstop
stop66by
by continuing
continuingsouth
southon
on73rd
73rdto
tothe
thejunction
junction with
with3315th
Alternate
15th
Ave. Continue
Mckenzie Trail south and around
Continuewest
weston
on315th
3 15thAve
Ave to Mckenzie Trail. Follow Mckenzie
the bend to
to the
the east.
east. The
Theroad
roadveers
veerssouth
southaround
around an
an outcrop
outcropon
on the
the north
north side
side of the
the road
road (Stop
(Stop
the
6b;
6b; Fig.
Fig. 23).
23).
3 15th Ave and continue west to 90th Street along the east side
side of
of Sommers
Sommers Lake.
Lake.
Return to 315th
Turn north
north and
and continue
continueon
on 90th
90th Street
Street to
to the junction with 320th Ave.
Continuewest
west on
on 320th
320th
Turn
Ave. Continue
15thAve.
and on County Road I until the junction
junction with
with 3315th
Ave. Continue
Continue west
west on
on 315thAve.
315th Ave. Outcrops
Outcrops
on
on north
north side
sideof
of road
road near
neartop
topof
ofhill
hill(Stop
(Stop7;7;Fig.
Fig.24).
24).
Return
15th Ave.,
Return to
to Frederic
Fredericand
andRoute
Route35
35by
bytravelling
travellingwest
weston
on3315th
Ave., south
south on
on120th
120thAve.,
Ave., and
and
west
west on
on 310th
3 10thAve.
Ave. A
Asimple
simpleway
way to
to return
return to
to Minneapolis
Minneapolis isis to
to follow
follow Route
Route 35
35 south
southto
to U.S.
U.S.
Highway
Highway 8.
8. Follow
FollowU.S.
U.S.88east
easttotoits
itsintersection
intersectionwith
with1-35.
1-35. 1-35
1-35southbound
southboundleads
leads direcily
directly to
to
the
the Twin
Twin Cities
Cities of
of Minneapolis
Minneapolisand
andSt.
St.Paul.
Paul.

Stop
Trap Rock Quarries.
Stop 1—Chengwatana
1-Chengwatana Lava
Lava Flows
Flows in the Dresser Trap
Quarries.
Location:
NW 1/4
114Sec.
Sec.55
Location: Approximately
Approximatelyone
onemile
mileNNE
NNE of
of Dresser,
Dresser, Wisconsin. North
North Quarry
Quarry -- NW
andNEl/4Sec.6,T33N,R18W.
and NE 114 Sec. 6, T 33 N, R 18W.EastQuarriesEast Quarries - SW1/4Sec.5,T33N,R18W.
SW 114 Sec. 5, T 33 N, R 18 W.
The
The lava
lava flows
flows at
at
Dresser
Dresserhave
havebeen
been mined
mined
for "trap
rock"
since
"trap rock" since
1855. The
Thelarge
largequarry
quarry
complex,
complex, owned
owned by
by
Dresser
Dresser Trap
Trap Rock
Rock Inc.,
Inc.,
currently
produces
currently
produces
750,000
750,000 tons
tons per
per year
year in
in
crushed
crushedstone
stoneof
ofall
allsizes.
sizes.
The rock
rock isis extremely
extremely
tough
an4
durable,
duein
in
tough and durable,due
large
large part
part to
to the
the
interlocking
of
of
microscopic
microscopic unoriented
unoriented
crystals
crystals of
of chlorite
chlorite and
and
actinolite.
actinolite.All
Allvisitors
visitorsare
are
urged
urg6d to
to seek
seekpermission
permission
to
to enter,
enter, and
and to
to use
use Figure
WIFigure 13.
13.Scanned
Scannedimage
imageof.
of portions
portions of
of the
the USGS
USGS Osceola,
Osceola,WIfundamental
rules
of
fundamental rules of MN
MN and
and St.
St.Croix
CroixDalles,
Dalles,WI-MN
WI-MN topographic
topographicquadrangles
quadrangles(7.5(7.5caution.
caution. The
Therock
rockwalls
walls minute
minuteseries;
series;1:24,000
1:24,000scale)
scale)showing
showing the
the location
locationof
of Stop
Stop1.1.
are
are shear,
shear, blasting
blasting isis
frequent,
frequent,rock
rockpiles
pilesare
areunstable,
unstable,and
andquarry
quarrytruck
truckdrivers
driversexpect
expectyou
you to
to yield
yield right-of-way.
right-of-way. We
We
will
will visit
visitseveral
severalspots
spotsininthe
thequarry,
quarry,the
theexact
exact localities
localitiesdependent
dependenton
onthe
theareas
areasaccessible
accessibleatatthe
the
time
of
the
field
trip.
time of the field trip.

Both
Both quarries
quarries expose
expose basaltic
basaltic lava
lava flows
flows that
that have
have been
been recrystallized
recrystallized incipiently
incipiently to
to
completely
completelyto
togreenschist
greenschistfacies
ficiesminerals
mineralsby
bystatic
staticburial
burialmetamorphism,
metamorphism,due
duetotoburial
burialwithin
within
the
thevolcanic
volcanicpile.
pile.
47

�Geology of
of the
the north
north quarry
quarry
The north
north quarry
quarry is
is aa large
largequarry
quarry cut
cut into
into aa single
singlelava
lava flow
flow over
over 35
35 meters
meters thick,
thick, which
which
The
is informally
informally named the Trap Rock Alley flow. The flow is a generally subophitic
subophitic to diabasic
diabasic
porphyritic basalt. The
Themajority
majority of
of the
the phenocrysts are plagioclase. Augite
Augite shows
shows up as lighter
porphyritic
patches on
on weathered
weathered surfaces,
surfaces, giving
giving the rock aa distinctly
distinctly mottled appearance
appearance (Fig.
(Fig. 14
14aa
gray patches
Otherprimary
primary igneous
igneous minerals
minerals are
are plagioclase and ilmenite. In
In places
places these minerals
minerals
and b). Other
are relatively fresh, but usually they are incipiently to completely replaced
replaced by
by a mixture of
chlorite,
titanite. The groundmass usually consists entirely
chlorite, epidote,
epidote, actinolite,
actinolite, albite,
albite, zoisite and titanite.
of this mix of secondary
secondary minerals
minerals
.Locally, bodies of coarse gabbro are present as sill-like
sill-like masses.
masses. Particularly
Particularly common
common on
on
the lowest
lowest level
level of
of the
the quarry,
quarry, they
they average
average 0.5-1.0
0.5-1.0 meters
meters in
in thickness,
thickness, and
and consist
consistof
ofcoarse
coarse
augite,
plagioclase and magnetite. Elongated
to 44cm
cmlong.
long. Secondary
augite, plagioclase
Elongated augite
augitecrystals
crystals may be up to
minerals,
commonly developed
minerals, such
such as
as those
those found
found in the surrounding
surroundingbasalt,
basalt, are
are commonly
developed at
at the expense
expense
of the primary minerals. Angular
Angularvesicles
vesicles occur
occur in
in these
these gabbros,
gabbros, and are filled with euhedral
quartz,
quartz, epidote
epidote and
and felted
felted masses of chlorite.
chlorite. These
Thesegabbros
gabbrosare
areinterpreted
interpretedas
as lenses
lensesof
of slowly
slowly
cooled
intrusions. The
cooled magma
magma trapped
trapped within
within this
this exceptionally
exceptionallythick
thick flow,
flow, rather than as later intrusions.
The
lack
lack of
of chilled
chilled margins
margins in
in the
the gabbro
gabbro against
against the
the basalt
basalt support
support this
this conclusion.
conclusion.
Flow-top
quarry. Here an interfiow
Flow-top features
features are
are common
common along the west wall of the quarry.
interflow zone
is found,
basalt. The
found, containing
containing clasts
clasts of
of fine-grained
fine-grained and extremely amygdaloidal basalt.
The clasts
clasts are
are
angular
consisting
angularand
and up
up to
to 20
20 cm
cm in diameter. Interstitial
Interstitialto
to these
these clasts
clasts in a fine-grained matrix consisting
of
of angular
angular quartz
quartz and
and feldspar.
feldspar. This
Thismay
maybe
bean
aninterfiow
interflowsediment
sedimentconsisting
consistingof
ofwind-blown
wind-blown
scoriaceous
scoriaceous flow-top
flow-top material
material or
or perhaps
perhaps pyroclastic
pyroclastic debris
debris from a nearby cinder cone. Burial
Burial
metamorphism has resulted in the
recrystallization
of
the
matrix
and
growth
of
secondary
the recrystallization
matrix and growth of secondary
minerals,
minerals,especially
especiallyquartz,
quartz,epidote,
epidote,and
and chlorite.
chlorite. Pay
Payclose
closeattention
attentionto
to the
the sedimentary
sedimentaryfeatures
features
at
at this
this stop
stop for
for later
later comparison
comparisonwith
with sediments
sedimentsexposed
exposed at
at Stop
Stop 5.
5.
Amygdules
Amygdules are
are ubiquitous
ubiquitous throughout
throughout the
the flow,
flow, but
but increase
increase in
in size
size and
andnumber
numbertoward
toward
the top of the
the flow.
flow. The
Theminerals
mineralscommonly
commonly found
found filling
filling the
the amygdules
amygdules are
are quartz, chlorite,
epidote, K-feldspar, calcite and actinolite. The
Theamygdules
amygdulesare
are usually
usually zoned,
zoned, with
with chlorite
chlorite
forming
forming the
the rinds.
rinds. Growing
Growingon
onthese
theserinds
rindsare
areinward
inward projecting
projecting crystals
crystals of
of quartz,
quartz, epidote
epidote and
and
pink
pink perthitic
perthitic K-feldspar.
K-feldspar. Calcite,
Calcite,or
oraasecond
secondgeneration
generation of
of chlorite,
chlorite, occupies
occupiesthe
the centers
centers of the
amygdules. Actinolite
Actinoliteoccurs
occursas
asmicroscopic
microscopic fibers
fibers projecting from the groundmass into the
amygdules
amygdules and
and intergrown
intergrown with
with the
the other
other amygdule
amygdule minerals.
Another
joint surfaces
surfaceswithin
withinthe
thebasalt.
basalt. The
Another group
group of minerals
minerals form
form veins or occur along joint
most prominent veins are a series
reverse faults.
faults. These
series of
of quartz
quartz veins
veins formed along reverse
These veins
veins
range from 10-40
10-40 cm
cm in
in thickness
thickness and
andare
aresurrounded
surrounded by
by zones
zonesof
ofparticularly
particularly extensive
extensive
chioritization
chloritization and
and epidotization
epidotization of the basalt. The
Thequartz
quartzisis coarsely
coarsely crystalline
crystalline and
and milky.
milky. At
At
times
crystals up to 15 cm long.
long. Locally
Locally
times the
the veins
veins open
open up
up into
into vugs
vugs containing
containing euhedral
euhedral quartz
quartz crystals
calcite occurs
occurs on
on the
the quartz
quartz as
asyellow-green
yellow-green flattened
flattened rhombohedral
rhombohedral or globular clusters of
radiating crystals. Pink
Pinktotowhite
whiteK-feldspar
K-feldspardruses,
druses,radial
radialgroups
groups of
of dark-green
dark-green chlorite,
chlorite, and
and
copper minerals such
such as
as chalcocite,
chalcocite, cuprite and malachite also occur from time to time in the
veins.
veins.
Joint
chlorite, hematite,
hematite, tremolite
Joint surfaces
surfacesmay
may be
be coated
coated by
by aa variety of minerals, including chlorite,
tremolite
(growing
(growing in
in fibers
fibers up
up to
to 33cm
cmlong),
long),white
whitecleavable
cleavablecalcite,
calcite,chrysotile,
chrysotile,chalcopyrite,
chalcopyrite,bornite,
bornite,
malachite,
malachite,and
andnative
native copper.
copper.
48

�Figure
Figure 14.
14.(a)
(a)Photomicrograph
Photomicrograph(crossed
(crossedpolars)
polars)of
of "ophimottled"
"ophimottled"basalt
basalt(scale
(scalebar
bar along
alongleft
left
mrn long).
long). (b) Photomicrograph
Photomicrograph (uncrossed polars) of augite
augite exhibiting
exhibiting ophitic
ophitic
side is 55 mm
mm
long).
Groundmass
in
(a)
and
(b)
contains
plagioclase
texture
(scale
bar
along
left
side
is
2.5
texture (scale bar along left side is 2.5 rnrn long). Groundmass in (a) and (b) contains plagioclase
microcrysts,
microcrysts, Fe-Ti oxides,
oxides, chlorite,
chlorite, quartz,
quartz, epidote,
epidote, actinolite,
actinolite, and
and calcite.
calcite.
49

�Nuggets
Nuggets of native copper
copper massing up to several kilograms have been found in the quarry,
but the author has not seen any in place.
place. These
Thesereportedly
reportedly are
are most
most common
common when
when quarry
quarry
corner of the quarry. These
operations are active in the flow-top area in the northwestern comer
These can
can
effects on the crusher, and are thus not viewed as a resource
have disastrous effects
resource by the
the quarry
quarry
owner.
quarry are
arecut
cutby
bynumerous
numerousfaults.
faults. Numerous
Numerouseast-dipping
east-dipping(45O
(45°))
The flows of the north quarry
cross-cut by a west-dipping (35°
north-south across
thrust faults are cross-cut
(35O ) thrust fault that trends north-south
across the
center of the quarry (Leslie
et
al.,
1994).
Along
most
of
the
west-dipping
fault
surface
is
(Leslie
1994). Along most of
west-dipping fault surface is massive
massive
and milky-white
milky-white quartz.
epidote-filled en-echelon
en-echelon fractures,
fractures,
quartz. Also
Alsofound
found within
within the
the gouge
gouge zone are epidote-filled
striated and stepped chlorite-quartz-epidote
chlorite-quartz-epidote surfaces, and late-stage syntaxial calcite fillings.
kinematic indicators
indicators indicate
indicate that the hanging wall moved up and
and east
east relative
relative to
to
All of these kinematic
the footwall. Motion
Motionalong
alongthis
thissurface
surfaceoffsets
offsets other
other thrust faults in the quarry that dip to the
east; the magnitude of the motion is not known
known but
but is
is likely
likely minor.
minor. The age of faulting is not
known, but the similar metamorphic minerals found in both the host rock and the gouge zone
suggest that motion occurred
occurred while the rocks were still relatively deeply buried.

Geology of
of the
the east
east quarries
quarries
across the
the railroad
railroad tracks,
tracks, is another
Approximately 0.5
0.5 km
km SSE of the north quarry, across
complex. These
quarry complex.
Thesequarries
quarriesexpose
exposetwo
twoflows
flowsunderlying
underlyingthe
theTrap
TrapRock
RockAlley
Alley flow
flow seen
seen in
in
the north quarry. These
These flows
flows are
are informally
informally named the Dresser flows. Ten to twelve meters of
each flow are exposed. The
flows
The flows dip
dip westerly at about 10
10 degrees. The
The contact
contact between
between the
the
two flows is well exposed.
exposed.
been converted
Both flows
flows are
are subophitic
subophiticdiabase,
diabase,and
andlike
likethe
the Trap
Trap Rock
Rock Alley flow, have been
to greenstones
greenstones during burial metamorphism.
metamorphism. The
The lower
lower flow
flow contains
contains aa primary
primary igneous
igneous
ilmenite. The rock is microporphyritic.
microporphyritic. The
assemblage of augite, plagioclase and ilmenite.
The groundmass
groundmass
phenocrysts are
titanite,
and phenocrysts
are incipiently
incipiently to completely
completely replaced
replaced by a mixture of chlorite, epidote, titanite,
actinolite, albite
albite and
and zoisite.
zoisite. The
plus white
white quartz
quartz and
and pink
pink K
actinolite,
The same
same mineral
mineral assemblage, plus
Feldspar occur in the amygdules.
The
top
of
this
flow
is
well
exposed,
and
has
been
virtually
amygdules. The top of this flow is well exposed, and has been virtually
entirely
entirely recrystallized
recrystallizedto
to aa metamorphic
metamorphic greenstone.
greenstone. Large
Largeamygdules
amygdulesare
areabundant,
abundant,and
and contain
contain
coarse-grained assemblage
yellowan attractive coarse-grained
assemblageof white
white quartz,
quartz, pink K-feldspar,
K-feldspar, red hematite,
hematite, yellowgreen epidote, and dark green chlorite. Only
Onlyminor
minor flow-top
flow-top breccia
breccia can be seen.
seen.
subophitic
The upper flow has a fine-grained chilled base grading upward into a diabasic subophitic
interior. The
Theprimary
primaryigneous
igneousand
andsecondary
secondary minerals
minerals are
are the
the same
same as
as that
that of
of the
the lower
lower flow.
flow.
The
The upper flow
flow contains
contains fewer
fewer amygdules,
amygdules, and
and these
these are
are dominated
dominated by nearly isotropic
isotropic chlorite
chlorite
with minor intergrown epidote and quartz. The
Thetop
topof
of this
thisflow
flow isis not
not exposed.
exposed.

50

�Stop
%Magnetic Characteristics
of the
the Chengwatana
ChengwatanaLava
LavaFlows.
Flows.
Stop 2—Magnetic
Characteristics of
Location:
Outcrops are
are located
located on
on both
both sides
sides of
of the
the road
road near
near the
the intersection
intersection between
between the
the
Location: Outcrops
NE 1/4,
114, NE 1/4,
114, Sec. 11,
11, T 33 N, R 19W.
19 W.
pipeline and County Road S. NE

Figure 15.
15. Scanned
Scannedimage
imageof
ofaaportion
portionof
ofthe
theUSGS
USGS Osceola,
Osceola,WI-MN
WI-MN topographic
topographic
quadrangle (7.5-minute
(7.5-minute series;
series;1:24,000
1:24,000 scale)
scale) showing
showing the
the location
location of
of Stop
Stop 2.
2.
quadrangle
examine and discuss the magnetic characteristics
characteristics of the Chengwatana
Chengwatana
At this stop we will examine
lava flows as exposed in Polk County, Wisconsin.
Wisconsin. Paleomagnetic studies have been
been conducted
conducted
in this region over the past 10
relationship of these
10 years to better understand the stratigraphic relationship
flows within
within the
the context
context of
of the
the regional
regional Keweenawan
Keweenawan magmatic sequence.
paleomagnetic studies
studies for
for this
this region
region are
arereported
reportedby
byKean
Keanetetal.
al.(1997).
(1997). Here
Detailed paleomagnetic
only on
on the
the general
general interpretation
interpretation of
of the
the paleomagnetic
paleomagnetic results
results that
that help
helpto
to place
place
we concentrate
concentrate only
the Chengwatana flows in the context
context of
of the
the other
other Keweenawan
Keweenawan rocks in the Lake
Lake Superior
Superior
region. Keweenawan
Keweenawan paleopole
paleopole positions
positions for the craton are well known and a major polarity
reverse to normal
transition from
fromreverse
normal occurred
occurred during
during the
the middle
middle Keweenawan
Keweenawan (1105-1102
(1 105-1102 Ma)
has been documented by Palmer (1970) and Halls and Pesonen (1982). Table
Table 22 shows
shows this
this
Lake Superior
polarity change
change as
as determined
determined in some
some of the major basalt flows of the southern Lake
predominantly
region. Feeney
Feeney(1990)
(1990)determined
determinedthat
that the
the lava
lava flows throughout Polk Co. have predominantly
a-95=15.5° ;;which is consistent
D=27S0 ,,1=41.5°
1=41S0,, a-95=15.5O
normal polarities,
polarities, with
with aa mean direction
direction of D=275°
consistent
Pesonen, 1982)
1982) such as the
the North
North Shore
with other
other Keweenawan
Keweenawan directions
directions(Table
(Table 2) (Halls and Pesonen,
Volcanic Group
Group (Books,
(Books, 1972).
1972). He
Volcanic
He also
also noted
noted several
several locations
locations with
with reversed
reversed directions.
directions.
St. Croix
CroixFalls
Fallsrendered
renderedamore
amore precise correlation
correlation
Insufficient geologic
geologic control
controlnorth
north of the city of St.
impossible
impossible for
for those
those locations.
locations.However,
However,the
thevolcanics
volcanicssouth
southof
of St.
St. Croix
Croix Falls
Falls are
are better exposed
exposed
and have been mapped in detail
detail by Cordua
Cordua (1989a and b) which allowed for a more detailed
study. Sixty-five
Sixty-fiveoriented
orientedcores
coreswere
were collected
collectedat
at the 66 sites noted in ~FIgure
i g u r e16. Sampling
Samplingwas
was
51

�Table 2. Magnetic
Magnetic polarity
polarity and
anddirections
directionsfor
formany
many Keweenawan
Keweenawan rocks
rocks in
in the
the Lake
Lake
Superior region (from
Superior
(from Halls
Halls and
and Pesonen,
Pesonen, 1982).
1982).
Formation

DeclinDeclination

Jacobsville
Jacobsville Sandstone
Sandstone

263
263

Freda Sandstone
Sandstone

Apha
95

Pole
Position

Polarity

-11

6

183°E, -0.9°S

N

271.3
271.3

0.7

2.8

179.5°E, 1.2°N

N

Nonesuch Shale
Shale

279.8
279.8

9.8

6

176.5°E, 10.3°N

N

Portage
Volc (Avg)
(Avg)
Portage Lake
Lake VoIc

288.6

34.9

2.5

181.2°E, 26.5°N

N

Upper North Shore
Shore Vol.
Vol. (Avg)
(Avg) 290.3
290.3

44.5

4.7

183.8°E, 32.4°N

N

Lower
Lower North Shore
Shore Vol.
Vol. (Avg)
(Avg) 120.9
120.9

-63

7.8

197.8°E, 9.6°N

N

Logan
Logan Sills
Sills

1111
11

-72

2.5

219°E, 49.4°N

N

74
74

-71.5

4.8

232.4°E, 28.9°N

N

Upper Powder Mill Gr.
Gr.

InclinInclination

and 2),
2), and
and
concentrated in the areas
areas where
where Feeney
Feeney (1990)
(1990) found
found reversed
reversed directions
directions (sites
(sites 11 and
equivalent. Most
which are considered stratigraphically equivalent.
Most of
of the
the samples
samples (Table
(Table 3)
3) have
have high
high
intensities of natural
remanent
magnetism
(NRM)
(1.0-2,0
AIm)
and
volume
magnetic
natural remanent magnetism (NRM) (1.0-2.0 Alm) and volume magnetic
susceptibility (4 x 10-2 SI).
SI). The
Themagnetic
magneticproperties
propertiesdiffer
differ somewhat
somewhat between
between flows..
flows. The
The
remanent intensities
middle flows
flows (Pothole
(Potholetrail,
trail, Trap
Trap Rock
Rock Alley and Dresser flows) have remanent
intensities and
and
which are
are at least an order of magnitude less than the other
magnetic susceptibilities which
other flows
flows
(Table 3). For
Forsamples
sampleswith
withvery
very strong
strong remanent
remanent values,
values, the intensities
intensities are typically reduced
A.F. demagnetization to
to 20
20 millitesla
millitesla (mT).
(mT). Petrographic studies
100 fold with A.F..demagnetization
studies of the
the opaque
opaque
minerals in samples from each
each site
site also
also show
show differences
differences which are consistent with the bulk
magnetic parameters of susceptibility
susceptibility and intensity.
intensity. The
The upper
upper lava
lava flows
flows (sites
(sites 1-4;
1-4; Fig. 16)
16)
have a high percentage
percentage of coarse-grained
magnetic
minerals
(25
percent),
which
are
generally
coarse-grained magnetic minerals (25 percent), which are generally
more altered than the older flows (sites 5 and 6),
6),and
and which appear to have been produced
during metamorphism.
metamorphism. Samples
during
Samplesfrom
fromsites
sites55and
and66have
haveonly
only about
about 10
10percent
percent magnetite
magnetitegrains
grains
and the grains are smaller
smaller than the upper flows. Principal
Principalcomponent
componentanalysis
analysisof
of the
the magnetic
magnetic
directions
directions (Kirschvink,
(Kirschvink,1980)
1980)for
for samples
samplesfrom
fromthe
the various
various sites
sitesreveals
reveals two
two directions
directionsthat
that are
are
approximately antiparallel to
to each other.
other. The
most
prominent
direction,
after
removal
of
The most prominent direction, after removal of aa
viscous component is a northwesterly
with inclinations of
of about 430
43O (normal
(normal
northwesterly declination, with
magnetization). A
approximately -50Â
500
A second
seconddirection
direction with
with aa southeasterly
southeasterly declination and approximately
inclination (reverse
in some
some samples
samples at
at sites
sites 11and
and2.2. There are
(reverse magnetization) is present only in
no significant
significant differences
petrographic characteristics
characteristics or in the
the rock
rock magnetic
magnetic properties
properties
differences either
either in petrographic
between the normal
magnetized
samples
and
the
reversely
magnetized
samples
at
both
sites 11
normal
samples
and 2. Wirth
the entire
entire sequence
sequence of
of
Wirth et
et al.
al. (1997)
(1997)report
report only minor geochemical differences for the
flows. The
Thedetailed
detailedmagnetic
magneticinformation
information for
for these
these sites
sites is
is given
given in Table 4. Combined
Combined data
data
from both components yield
yield a Virtual
Virtual Geomagnetic
GeomagneticPole
Pole(VGP)
(VGP)atat30.9'
30.9° N,
N, 186'
186° E, which
which
52

�92 42 3O
Oc

1

Ouarternary Alluvium. Colluviurn. Drift

d

45 25
ST CROIX FALLS

8

PRECAMBRIAN
PRECAMBRIAN KEWEENAWAN
KEWEENAWANVOLCANIC
VOLCANIC SERIES
SERIES
Ky
Kv

0Kp
Kp
0KsKs
0Kep
Kep
tO
Kt

Kd
Kd

Kpt
Kpt

--0
Q

Unnamed
Unnamed Flows
Flows
Pipeline
P~pehneFlows
Flows
Skitrail
Skltra!lFlows
Flows
Eagle
Eagle Peak
Peak Flows
Flows
Traprock
TraprockAlley
Alley Flows
Flows
Dresser
Dresser Flows
Flows
Pothole
Pothole Trail
Tra~lFlows
Flows

Exposed
Exposed Contact
Contact
Unexposed Contact
Contact
Unexposed

Sample Location
LocatlonNormal
Normal
Sample Location
Locat!onReversed
Reversed
Sample Location
LocatlonMixed
Mlxed
1 MILE

G
0

iKM

t

45 20
92
$2'42
42'30
3W

92 37 30

Figure
Figure 16.
16. Map
Mapshowing
showingpaleomagnetic
paleomagneticsampling
samplingsites
sites(after
(after Kean
Kean et
et al., 1997).
1997).

53

�Table 3. NRM
NRM intensities
intensitiesand
and susceptibility
susceptibility values for the Chengwatana volcanics in
the St.
St. Croix
Croix Falls
Falls area.
area.
Flow Name

Number of
samples
samples

Ky
Kv

NRM Intensti
Intenstity
ty
AIM
A514

Magnetic Susceptibility
x10i5
Volume S.I. units xlO-5

9

2.3

3591

Pipeline
Pipeline

14

2.0

5118

SkiTrail
Ski Trail

16

2.1

5326

Eagle Peak
Peak
Eagle

14

0.15

1061

6

0.14

23

0.057

299
742

Trap Rock Alley
Dresser

11

Pothole Trail

6

0.05

LotusLake
h
t u s Lake

6

2.1

3647

Paleomagnetic data for the sites indicated in Figure 16
Paleomagnetic
16 (after Kean et a!.,
al., 1997).
1997).

Table 4.

N

DecinDeclination

Inclination

K

288.9

49.5
5.2

6.9
29.2

36.7

17

Apha
-95

(R)
(3)

7
7

114.8

55.0
-57.8

Site 2 (N)
(N)

7

274.0

51.1

13

-47.5
33.2

14

23.1
20.8

31

16.3

14.1

45.5
42.6
43.4
45.8

11.2

18.8
11.2

Site I1 (N)
(N)

(R)
(3)

Site 33
Site 4
Site 55
Site 66
(N)
Avg
(N)
(N&amp;R)
Avg @&amp;R)

10
10

88

106.7

5

280.0

88
77
88

285.1
306

6
6
88

287.9
286.8
287.5

6.7

25.4
43.9
48.5

10.2

8.04

VGP
Lat(N)
L
atO

Long(E)
Long@)

SITE
SITE
L
ato L
ong0
Lat(N)
Long(W)
45.33

92.65

24.6
31.2

193.4
193.4
198.4
187.9

45.37

92.67

19.9

183

22
43

178.9

29.6
29.7
30.9

183.6
184.9
186.1

45.39
45.39
45.36
45.37

92.66
92.66
92.64
92.63

41

173

agrees well with published
published Keweenawan
Keweenawan paleopoles for stable North American (Halls and
and
Pesonen,
the area,
area, because
because
Pesonen,1982).
1982).ItItisispossible
possiblethere
thereare
areother
other exposures
exposuresof
of the reversed flows in the

detailed magnetic studies have not been conducted over the full length of the two prominent
ridges in the area.
area.
Paleomagnetic Correlation
Correlation
The
appear wimn
within aa thick
thick series
series of
of
The reversed flows in this area are important because they appear
flows that are normally polarized and considered to be equivalent in age, or younger than, the
54

�NorthShore
Shorevolcanics.
volcanics.Past
Pastinterpretations
interpretationssuggested
suggestedthat
thatallallthe
theKeweenawan-age
Keweenawan-ageflows
flowsequivaequivaNorth
lentororyounger
youngerthan
thanthe
theNorth
NorthShore
Shorevolcanics
volcanicswere
werenormally
normallypolarized
polarized(Green,
(Green,1977;
1977;Halls
Halls
lent
and
andPesonen,
Pesonen,1982),
19821,and
andthose
thoseflows
flowsolder
olderthan
thanthe
theNorth
NorthShore
Shorevolcanics
volcanicswere
werereversely
reverselypolarpolarized.
ized.Similar
Similarshort
shortreversals
reversalsatatapparent
apparentequivalent
equivalentstratigraphic
stratigraphiclevels
levelshave
havebeen
been documented
documented
onlyaafew
fewother
otherlocations
locationsin
inthe
theLake
LakeSuperior
Superiorregion.
region. The
Thebasalt
basaltflows
flowsatatMamainse
MamainsePoint
Point
atatonly
theeastern
easternLake
LakeSuperior
Superiorregion
regionshow
showa asimilar
similarshort
shortreversal
reversal(Palmer,
(Palmer,1970;
1970;Robertson,
Robertson,
ininthe
1973).
1973).The
Thedikes
dikesininthe
thealkali
alkalisyenite-carbonatite
syenite-carbonatitecomplexes
complexesininthe
theKapuskasing
Kapuskasingstructural
structural
zone
zoneininCanada
Canadadated
datedatat1097
1097Ma
Mayears
yearsshow
showreversals
reversalsin
in aanormal
normal polarity
polarity sequence
sequence(Symons
(Symons
etetal.
al.1994).
1994).The
Thegeochemical
geochemicaldata
dataofofWirth
Wirthetetal.
al.(1997)
(1997)are
areconsistent
consistentwith
withthis
thisequivalence
equivalenceinin
age
agebetween
betweenthe
theChengwatana
Chengwatanaflows
flowsand
andthe
themiddle
middlesection
sectionat
atMamainse
MamainsePoint.
Point.AAshort
shortreverreversal
salatatthis
thistime
timeisisalso
alsoconsistent
consistentwith
withrecent
recentages
agesby
by Wirth
Wirth and
and Gehrels
Gehrels (in
(in press).
press). They
Theyreport
report
Mafor
forslightly
slightlyolder
olderChengwatana
Chengwatanarhyolites
rhyolitesnear
near
preciseU-Pb
U-Pb zircon
zircon ages
ages of
of 1102
1102Ma
Ma ± 55Ma
precise
Clam
ClamFalls,
Falls,which
whichisison
onthe
theeastern
easternextreme
extremeofofthe
theChengwatana
Chengwatanaexposures.
exposures.

Field
FieldIdentification
IdentificationofofReversed
ReversedFlows
Flows
Unfortunately,
Unfortunately,ititisisnot
notpossible
possibleto
tovisually
visuallyrecognize
recognizenormalnormal-from
fromreverse-polarity
reverse-polarityrocks
rocks
ininthe
thefield.
field.Occasionally,
Occasionally,the
thereversed
reversedflows
flowsininthis
thisarea
areawill
willcause
causeaacompass
compassneedle
needleto
todeflect
deflect
by
but
bymore
morethan
than90°,
90Â°
butthen
thenso
sowill
will areas
areasstruck
struck by lightening.
lightening. Only
Onlydetailed
detaileddemagnetization
demagnetizationof
of
samplesin
inthe
thelaboratory
laboratorycan
canresolve
resolvethe
thepolarity
polarityquestion.
question.
samples

Stop
Interstate Park,
Stop3a—Chengwatana
3a-Chengwatana Volcanic
Volcanic Flows
Flows of Interstate
Park,WI.
WI.
Location:
Location: Access
AccesstotoEagle
EaglePeak
Peakisisfrom
froma ahiking
hikingtrail
trailleading
leadingwest
westfrom
fromthe
thegroup
groupcamping
camping
area,
(WI).NW
NW1/4,
114,SE
SE1/4,
114,Sec.
Sec.36,
36,TT3434N,N,RR1919W.
W.(Fig.
(Fig.17).
17).
area,Interstate
InterstatePark
Park(WI).
NOTE:
NOTE: Specimen
Specimencollecting
collectingisisnot
notallowed
allowedininthe
thepark!
park!
Thecrest
crestof
ofEagle
EaglePeak
Peakisison
ontop
topof
of the
thedipping
dippingEagle
EaglePeak
Peakflow,
flow, aa porphyritic
porphyritic basalt
basalt with
with
The
large
largeplagioclase
plagioclase phenocrysts.
phenocrysts. The
Thepanoramic
panoramicview
viewfrom
fromthe
thecrest
crestallows
allowsvisitors
visitorstotosee
seethe
the
contrasting
contrastingtopography
topographyon
oneast-facing
east-facingflow
flowfronts
frontsversus
versuswest-sloping
west-slopingflow
flowtops,
tops,the
thegeneral
general
distribution
distributionof
ofCambrian
Cambriansedimentary
sedimentaryrocks
rocksdeposited
depositedaround
aroundbasaltic
basalticislands,
islands,and
and the
the Quaternary
Quaternary
featuresof
ofthe
theDalles
Dallesofofthe
theSt.
St.Croix
CroixRiver.
River.
features
TheEagle
EaglePeak
Peakflow
flowmap
mapunit
unitconsists
consistsof
ofseveral
severalflow
flow units
units containing
containingconspicuous
conspicuouspink
pink
The
plagioclasephenocrysts
phenocrystsup
uptoto66cm
cmlong
longin
inaafine
fine crystalline
crystallinematrix.
matrix. The
Thematrix
matrixand
andphenocrysts
phenocrysts
plagioclase
minerals
such
as
epidote,
arepartly
partlyto
tocompletely
completelyreplaced
replacedby
bysecondary
secondarymetamorphic
metamorphic minerals such as epidote,chlorite,
chlorite,
are
actinolite
Kactinolite and
and albite.
albite. The
Theflow
flowtop
topcontains
containsmany
manyamygdules
amygdulesfilled
filledwith
withquartz,
quartz,epidote,
epidote,Kfeldspar
feldsparand
andchlorite.
chlorite.The
Theflows
flowsdip
dipgently
gentlywestward
westwardatatan
anangle
angleofofabout
about15
15degrees.
degrees.
This
Thisflow
flowisisan
animportant
importantstratigraphic
stratigraphicmarker,
marker,traceable
traceablein
inthe
thearea
areafor
forover
over99kilometers
kilometers
along
alongstrike.
strike. InInplaces
placesthe
theunit
unitconsists
consistsofofonly
onlyone
oneflow;
flow;in
inothers
othersititthickens
thickensto
to as
asmuch
muchas
as60
60
meters
meters and
and includes
includesat
atleast
least33 flow
flow units,
units, one
one on
on top
top of the other. In
Inthe
theEagle
EaglePeak
Peakarea,
area,only
only
oneflow
flowisisevident.
evident.
one
The
Theslope
slopecontinuing
continuingdown
downto
tothe
thewest
westisisthe
thedip
dipslope
slopemarking
markingthe
thetop
topof
ofthe
theEagle
EaglePeak
Peak
flow.
flow. This
Thisisisinincontrast
contrasttotothe
thesteep
steepeast-facing
east-facingescarpment
escarpmentone
oneascends
ascendstotoreach
reachthe
thesummit
summit
from
the
group
camping
area.
A
small
escarpment
in
the
trees
marks
a
quarry
exposing
from the group camping area. A small escarpment in the trees marks a quarry exposing the
the
overlying
overlyingflow.
flow. This
Thisemphasizes
emphasizesthe
thestair-step
stair-steptopography
topographyof
of the
the terrain
terrain formed
formed by the dipping
dipping
flows.
flows.
55

�Figure 17.
17. Scanned
Scannedimage
imageof
of aaportion
portion of
of the
the USGS
USGS St.
St. Croix
Croix Dalles,
Dalles, WItopographic quadrangle
MN topographic
quadrangle(7.5-minute
(7.5-minute series;
series; 1:24,000
1:24,000 scale)
scale) showing
showing the
locations of Stops
Stops 3a,
3a, 3b, and 4.
One can see
see outcrops
outcrops of
of Cambrian
Cambrian sediments
sediments deposited unconformably on the complex
in the Chengwatana
Chengwatana flows.
flows. Looking slightly south of west, across the
landscape developed in
sandstones exposed in road cuts along U.S.
river, one sees buff-colored Cambrian Mazomanie sandstones
Highway 8. Cambrian
Cambrianstrata
strata continue
continue down
down to river level on the west side of the St. Croix
Croix
Highway
River. The
fiver.
The sandstone
sandstoneisistraceable
traceablethrough
through the
the trees
trees along
along the
the bluffs north nearly to the town of
Taylors Falls.
Falls. Here
Taylors
Hereaaridge
ridgeofofbasalts
basalts(predominantly
(predominantlythe
the Eagle
EaglePeak
Peak and
andTrap
TrapRock
RockAlley
Alley
flows) rise up from
which the
the town
town rests.
rests. The scenic gorge called
from the river to form the hills on which
the St. Croix Dalles is cut
cut through
through these flows. Locally
Locally along
along the
the contact
contact of
of the
the Cambrian
Cambrian
sediment, is aa coarse
coarse basalt
basalt boulder
boulder conglomerate
conglomerate facies called the Mill Street
Street conglomerate.
conglomerate.
the next
next stop.
stop. Another ridge of basalt is found near
This is not visible here, but will be visited at the
Northern States
Falls is
is built.
built. East
the Northern
States Power
Power Plant
Plant and forms the highlands on which St. Croix Falls
East
of the river are many outcrops
A few
few exposures
exposuresof
of Cambrian
Cambrian sandstone,
sandstone,particularly
particularly
outcrops of basalt. A
along
along the bluffs
bluffs to
to the
the east,
east, can
can also
also be
be found.
found.
56

�Reconstruction
Reconstructionof
of the
the paleogeography
paleogeography of
of the
the Cambrian-Precambrian
Cambrian-Precambrian unconformity
unconformity was
was
done
done using
using outcrop
outcrop and
and water-well
water-well data. The
Theunconformity
unconformity is
is complex
complex and
and shows
shows aa relief
relief of
of
over
over 100
100meters
meters (Scott
(Scott and
and Anderson,
Anderson, 1983).
1983). In
Insome
someareas,
areas,the
the relief
relief occurs
occurs along
along buried
buried shear
shear
cliffs,
Cambrian sea rose. The
as the Cambrian
The Mill
Mill Street
Street conglomerate
conglomerate
cliffs?which
whichwere
wereprogressively
progressively covered
covered as
marks
these
environments.
In
other
areas,
calmer
embayments
and
lagoons
formed
marks these environments. In other areas, calmer embayments and lagoons formed in
in areas
areas of
lower
lowerrelief,
relief?sometimes
sometimesisolated
isolated behind
behind basaltic
basaltic islands.
islands. Fine
Finesandstones
sandstonesand
andshales
shalesof
ofthe
theEau
Eau
Claire
Claireand
and Mazomanie
MazomanieFormations
Formations were
were deposited
deposited in
in these
these areas.
areas. The
Theshapes
shapesofofthese
theseislands
islands
were
of the
the flows?
flows,joint
joint sets,
sets, and
and small
small faults.
faults. The
were controlled
controlled by the
the stair-step
stair-step topography
topography of
The
continuity
continuity of
of the
the Eagle
Eagle Peak
Peak flow
flow from
from island
island to
toisland
island suggests
suggests that
thatfaults
faultswith
withmajor
major
displacement
displacementdid
didnot
notcontrol
controlthe
theshapes
shapesof
ofthe
theislands.
islands.
Knowledge
Knowledge of the
the distribution
distribution of
of basalt
basalt in
inthe
thesubsurface
subsurfacehas
hasconsiderable
considerablepractical
practical
importance.
A
company
building
a
pipeline
through
the
area
in
the
1970's
went
bankrupt
importance. A company building a pipeline through the area in the 1970's went bankruptbecause
because
they
they failed
failedto
totake
takeinto
intoaccount
accountthe
theexpenses
expensesinvolved
involved in
in blasting
blastingthrough
throughthese
theseburied
buriedbasalt
basalt
ridges
ridgeswhen
when submitting
submittingtheir
theirbid.
bid. ItItisisalso
alsonot
notuncommon
uncommonfor
forone
oneparcel
parcel of
of land
land to
to have
have basalt
near
near the
the surface
surfaceto
to have
have little
little or
or no
no ground
ground water, while a neighboring parcel a few 100
100 meters
away
away will
will have
have aa plentiful
plentifulsupply
supply of
of water
water from
fromaathick
thicksection
sectionof
ofPleistocene
Pleistoceneand
andCambrian
Cambrian
sediments.
sediments.
The
The scenic
scenic dalles
dalles of
of the
the St.
St.Croix
CroixRiver
River are
arewhere
wherethe
theriver,
river,after
afterexcavating
excavating the
the soft
soft
Cambrian
sediments
in
a
gap
between
paleo-islands,
has
finally
cut
down
to
the
hard
basaltic
Cambrian sediments in a gap between paleo-islands, has finally cut down to the hard basaltic
shoal
shoal separating
separatingdeeper
deeperCambrian
Cambrianembayments.
embayments.
Immediately
Dalles, aa possible
possible whirlpool
whirlpool or
Immediately to the north, one can see
see the Lake
Lake of the
the Dalles,
plunge
more easterly
easterly course.
course. Finally, numerous
plungepool
pool formed
formedwhen
whenthe
the St.
St. Croix
Croix flowed along a more
glacial
glacial striations
striationsand
andchatter
chattermarks
marks can
canbe
be found
foundon
on the
the bedrock
bedrock surface
surfaceat
atEagle
EaglePeak.
Peak.

Stop
Interstate Park,
Stop 3b—Cambrian
3b-cambrian Rocky
Rocky Shoreline
Shoreline Deposits of Interstate
Park,WI.
WI.
See Figure
Figure 17
17for
forlocation
locationmap.
map.
See
Location:
Lmation: Ravine
Ravineimmediately
immediatelysouth
southofofSkyline
SkylineTrail,
Trail,approximately
approximately 400
400 m
m from
from trailhead
trailhead at
at
group
Park (WI).
(WI). SE1/4,
SE1/4, Sec. 36,
36, TT 34.N7
34N, R 19W.
group campground in Interstate Park
SEl14, SElI4,
19W.
NOTE: Specimen
Specimencollecting
collectingisisnot
notallowed
allowedin
inthe
the park!
park!
The
meters. ItIt then
The Skyline
SkylineTrail
Trail skirts
skirts aa low, marshy area for its first 150 meters.
then begins
begins its
its slow
slow
ascent
ascent onto
onto the
the Trap
Trap Rock
Rock Alley flow of the Precambrian Chengwatana
Chengwatana basalt,
basalt, with
with outcrops
outcropsof
of
basalt
basalt prominent
prominent on
on both
both sides
sides of
of the
the trail. After
Afterapproximately
approximately400
400 m,
m, aa steep-walled,
steep-walled,narrow
narrow
ravine can be
be seen
seen by
by looking
lookingdown
down to
to the
the right
right (south)
(south) of
of the
the trail.
trail. This ravine
ravine marks
marks the
the
approximate
approximatecontact
contactbetween
between Precambrian
Precambrian basalts
basalts and Cambrian sedimentary deposits.
deposits. Basalt
Basalt
outcrops
outcropsoccur
occuron
on the
the floor
floor of
of the
the ravine
ravine and along the north wall. Along
Along the
the south
south wall,
wall, 88 m of
Upper
Mazomanie Formation
Formation
UpperCambrian
Cambrianconglomerates
conglomeratesand
andsandstones
sandstonestentatively
tentatively assigned
assigned to the Mazomanie
of
of the
the Tunnel
Tunnel City
City Group
Group (Mazomanie
(Mazomanie Member
Member of the Franconia
Franconia Formation in Minnesota)
Minnesota) lie
lie
directly
directlyabove
aboveand
andlateral
lateralto
to the
the basalts.
basalts. The
TheCambrian
Cambriansediments
sedimentscan
canbe
betraced
tracedfor
forsome
some240
240m
m
to
to the
the east
east up
up the
theravine,
ravine,but
but the
the best
best exposures
exposuresare
are in
in the
the first
first 70
70 m.
m.
On the south
south wail
wall of
of the
the ravine,
ravine, aa basalt
basalt boulder
boulder conglomerate
conglomerate facies ("the Mill
Mill Street
Street
conglomerate" of
of Berkey,
Berkey, 1897)
1897)lies
lies against
against the
the lava
lava flows and grades
grades vertically
vertically and
and laterally
laterally
into
in this
this area
area (Fig.
(Fig. 18). In
into the sandstone
sandstone facies
facies more typical of the Cambrian section in
In sharp
sharp
contrast
contrastto
to the
the gray-green
gray-greenbasalt
basaltflow
flowoutcrops
outcropson
onthe
the north
north side
sideof
of the
the ravine,
ravine, the
the basalt
basalt boulders
boulders
in the conglomerate
are
heavily
weathered
and
stained
orange-brown
by
iron
oxides.
The
conglomerate are heavily weathered and stained
Thelargest
largest
57
57

�-

-

-

-

-

I

10 meters
meters

Figure 18. Sketch
Sketch of south
south wall
wall of
of ravine
ravine along
along Skyline
Skyline Trail (Stop 3b) showing vertical and
and
boulder conglomerate
conglomerate and
and sandstone
sandstonefacies.
facies. Covered areas
lateral relationships between basalt boulder
indicated by lack of pattern. No
No vertical
vertical exaggeration.
exaggeration.

boulders
boulders near the
the base
base of the exposure
exposure are over 1 m in diameter. The boulders are rounded but
perhaps due to
to original
originaljointing
jointing in
in the
thebasalt.
basalt. A quartz sandstone matrix with
of low sphericity, perhaps
inarticulate brachiopods
brachiopods fills
boulders. No
abundant inarticulate
fills the spaces between the boulders.
No trace
trace of bedding
bedding is
is
present
within
the
main
body
of
the
conglomerate,
although
a
few
thin
conglomerate
beds
present
the conglomerate,
extend out into the sandstones. These
These beds
beds contain
contain rip-up clasts of sandstone as well as basalt
cobbles and pebbles,
pebbles, in
basalt conglomerate
conglomerate in which sandstone
sandstone
cobbles
in contrast
contrast to
to the main body of the basalt
clasts have not been seen. They
Theyalso
alsoshow
showweak
weakimbrication
imbricationsuggesting
suggesting current
current flow
flow to
to the
the
west.
conglomerate and
and sandstone
sandstonefacies
faciesisissurprisingly
surprisinglysharp.
sharp. The
The contact between the conglomerate
The sandstone
sandstone beds
beds
thin- to medium-bedded
quartz arenites.
arenites. The
sandstones are orange-brown, thinmedium-bedded quartz
vary in texture from fine- to coarse-grained,
coarse-grained, from sub-rounded to rounded,
rounded, and from moderately
moderately
to well-sorted. Some
Somefinefine-to
to medium-grained
medium-grained sandstone
sandstoneunits
units contain
contain scattered
scattered coarse,
coarse, frosted
frosted
quartz grains. A
A few
few beds
beds are
aregraded,
graded, and
and some
some contain
contain quartz pebbles and rip-up clasts of
sandstone
with foresets
foresets dipping
dipping
sandstone and siltstone. Many
Many units
units show
show high-angle planar cross-bedding, with
to the west. fron-oxide
Iron-oxidestaining
stainingand
andconcretions
concretions are
are common,
common, as are inarticulate brachiopod
shell- hash layers. AAlarge
trough
cross-bed
set
(or
possibly
a slump) near the center of the
large trough cross-bed set (or
exposure
exposure is indicated
indicated by aa curved
curved erosional
erosional surface
surface marked by basalt cobbles near its base, and
sandstone beds which dip slightly to the east, in contrast to the slight westward
westward dip
dip of
of most of
the sandstone
sandstone beds in
in the
the outcrop.
outcrop.

Interpretation
Interpretation
The Taylors Falls-St.
Falls-St. Croix
Croix Falls
Falls area of Minnesota and
and Wisconsin
Wisconsin isis one
one of the few
localities in North
North America
America where
where Upper
Upper Cambrian
Cambrian conglomerates
conglomerates lie
lie unconformably
unconformably on
on
Precambrian rocks
rocks (Webers
(Webers and
and Austin,
Austin, 1972;
1972;Cavaleri
Cavaleri et. al., 1987).
1987).
58

�Apparently,
Apparently, the
the Cambrian
Cambrian Sauk
Sauksea
seatransgressed
transgressedonto
ontoaaland
landsurface
surfaceof
ofvery
verylow
lowrelief
reliefas
as
itit flooded
advanced. At a few localities
localities
flooded the
the North
North American
American craton,
craton, leaving
leaving a blanket of sand as itit advanced.
such
such as
as Taylors
TaylorsFalls-St.
Falls-St.Croix
CroixFalls
Fallsand
andBaraboo,
Baraboo,Wisconsin
Wisconsin (Dalziel
(Dalzieland
andDott,
Dott,1970;
1970;Dott,
Dott,
1974),
1974), resistant bedrock
bedrock hills
hills stood
stood above
above the
the subdued
subdued land
land surface
surface and
and acted
actedas
aslocal
localsources
sources
for
for coarse
coarse conglomerate
conglomeratedeposits
depositsas
as the sea advanced. In
In Baraboo,
Baraboo, the conglomerate
conglomeratewas
was formed
formed
of quartzite
quartzite boulders
boulders from
from local
local outcrops;
outcrops; in
in the
the Taylors
Taylors Falls-St.
Falls-St. Croix
Croix Falls
Falls area,
area, the
the
conglomerate
conglomerate was
was formed
formed of
of basalt
basalt boulders
boulders from
from the
the local
local lava
lava flows.
flows.
The basalt boulder
boulder conglomerates,
conglomerates, informally called the "Mill Street conglomerate" are
are
exposed
exposed at
at only
only aa handful
handful of
of sites
sites on
on both
both sides
sidesof
of the
the St.
St. Croix
Croix River
River south
southof
of Taylors
Taylors Falls-St.
Falls-St.
Croix
Croix Falls.
Falls. Of
Ofthese
thesesites,
sites,the
theSkyline
SkylineTrail
Traillocality,
locality,shows
showsmost
most clearly
clearlythe
the vertical
verticaland
andlateral
lateral
relationships
relationships between
between the Precambrian
Precambrian basalts and Upper
Upper Cambrian
Cambrian conglomerates
conglomerates and
sandstones.
sandstones. As
Ascan
canbe
beseen
seenin
in the
the ravine,
ravine, the
the basalt boulder conglomerate
conglomerate was deposited
deposited on
on top
of and
and against
against aa steep
steep face
face cut
cut into
into the
the basalt
basalt lava
lava flows. Very
Very high
high energy
energy conditions
conditionsmust
musthave
have
been
been present
present to
to round
round the
the corners
comers of the basalt boulders. Dott
Dott(1974)
(1974)estimated
estimatedthe
theheight
heightof
ofthe
the
waves required to round boulders of similar size in Baraboo.
Baraboo. His
His conservative
conservative estimates
estimates of
m high suggest
suggest storms
storms were important in producing
producing these conglomerates.
conglomerates. A
A
waves 55 m
paleogeographic
paleogeographic reconstruction
reconstructionof
of the
the Taylors
Taylors Falls-St. Croix Falls area as the Sauk
Sauk sea
sea began
began
to submerge
submerge the
the basalt
basalt highlands
highlands shows
shows that the
the lava flows along the Skyline Trail would have
been fully exposed to waves from the west or southwest. ItIt isis tempting
tempting to
to envision
envision basalt
basalt sea
sea
cliffs on the windward
windward side
side of
of islands
islands or
or headlands,
headlands,with
with storm-generated
storm-generatedwaves
waves crashing
crashinginto
into
and
the base
base being
being pounded
pounded and jostled
jostled
and undercutting
undercuttingthe
the cliffs,
cliffs, and
and the
the rubble
rubble in the surf zone at the
to produce rounded
boulders.
Such
an
environment
evokes
images
of
the
Hawaiian
Islands
or
rounded
Such an environment evokes images the Hawaiian
or
perhaps
perhaps the
the Pacific
Pacific Northwest
Northwest coast
coast today.
today. However,
However, very
very little
little has been written
written in the geologic
geologic
literature
literature on
on the characteristics
characteristics of
of rocky shoreline
shoreline deposits (Johnson, 1988)
1988) and care should be
taken in reconstructing
reconstructing the
the exact
exact depositional
depositionalenvironment.
environment.
The
The sharp
sharp contact
contact between
between the conglomerate
conglomerateand
and sandstone
sandstone and the difference in lithology
between
between the
the two
two facies
facies suggest
suggestthat
that the
the sands
sands came
came from
from a more distant
distant source
source and
and were
were washed
washed
along
basalt boulders.
boulders. The
along the shoreline
shoreline and
and deposited
deposited against
against and between the basalt
The graded
graded bedding,
bedding,
rip-up clasts and
shell-hash
layers
show
that
periodic
storms
may
have
been
more
important
and shell-hash layers
been more important in
deposition
deposition of
of the
the sandstone
sandstone beds
beds than normal day-to-day events. Storms
Stormscould
couldalso
also account
accountfor
for
the two conglomerate beds extending out into the sandstone; each
each bed
bed with a mix of basalt
basalt
cobbles and
sandstone
rip-up
clasts
from
the
ocean
floor.
and sandstone rip-up clasts from the ocean floor.
The
The sandstones
sandstones are
are tentatively
tentatively assigned
assigned to
to the
the Mazomanie
MazomanieFormation
Formationof
of the
theTunnel
TunnelCity
City
Group
Group by their
their similarity
similarity to
to outcrops
outcrops of
of that formation
formation across
across the St. Croix River in Minnesota.
However, they
they may represent a near-shore
Ironton Member
Member of
ofthe
theWonewoc
Wonewoc
near-shore facies
facies of
of the
the fronton
Formation
as
well.
The
Mill
Street
conglomerate
varies
in
age
from
Dresbachian
to
Franconian
Formation as well. The Mill Street conglomerate varies
(Webers and Austin, 1972)
1972) and
and thus
thus may
may grade
grade laterally
laterally into
into sandstones
sandstonesof
of either
eitherformation.
formation.
Detailed
Detailed study of
of the
the fossil
fossil assemblages,
assemblages, particularly
particularly the trilobites,
trilobites, in the
the sandstone
sandstone and
and
conglomerate would be the best method
method to tell the age
age and
and formation,
formation, but as
as yet
yet this
this has
has not
not
been attempted.
attempted. Such
Suchaastudy
studywould
would be
be especially
especially valuable
valuable since the Mill Street conglomerate
is known
known to
to contain
contain an
an unusual
unusual assemblage
assemblage of
of trilobites,
trilobites, inarticulate
inarticulate brachiopods
brachiopods and
and
monoplacophoran
monoplacophoran molluscs
molluscs representing
representing an
an intertidal,
intertidal, shoreline
shoreline environment
environment (Webers,
(Webers, 1972).
1972).
According to Johnson (1988), the oldest known
known rocky-shore
rocky-shorefaunas
faunasare
areOrdovician
Ordovicianininage.
age. It
may well be
be that
that the
theunusual
unusualUpper
Upper Cambrian
Cambrian conglomerate
conglomerate deposits
deposits around
around St.
St. Croix
Croix Falls
Falls
and Taylors Falls contain
contain the
the oldest
oldest rocky
rocky shoreline
shorelinefaunas
faunasin
in the
the world.
world.
59

�Stop
Stop4—Potholes
&amp;Potholes of
ofInterstate
InterstatePark,
Park,MN.
MN.
SeeFigure
Figure17
17for
forlocation
locationmap.
map.
See
Location: Paths
Pathsleading
leadingfrom
fromthe
theparking
parkinglot
lotbybythe
theinterpretative
interpretativecenter,
center,Interstate
InterstatePark
Park
Location:
(Minnesota).
SW
1/4,
SW
1/4,
Sec.
30,
T
34
N,
R
18
W.
(Minnesota). SW 114, SW 114, Sec. 30, T 34 N, R 18 W.

NOTE:
NOTE:Specimen
Specimencollecting
collectingisisnot
notallowed
allowedininthe
thepark!
park!

This
Thisstop
stopprovides
providesan
anopportunity
opportunity totoexamine
examineoutcrops
outcropsof
ofbasaltic
basalticlava
lavaflows
flowswith
with
spectacular
spectacular potholes.
potholes. From
Fromthe
theparking
parkinglot,
lot,follow
followthe
theservice
serviceroad
road(also
(alsocalled
calledTrap
TrapRock
Rock
Alley)
Alley)aashort
shortdistance.
distance.Many
Manyshort,
short,well-marked
well-markedtrails
trailstotothe
theeast
eastimaginatively
imaginativelyand
andconveniently
conveniently
lead
over,
around
and
through
world-class
potholes
cut
in
the
top
of
the
Dresser
basaltic
lead over, around and through world-class potholes cut in the top of the Dresser basalticlava
lava
flow.
flow.
The
Thebase
baseofofthe
theTrap
TrapRock
RockAlley
Alleyflow,
flow,here
here at
at its
its type
typelocality,
locality, is
is well
well exposed
exposedalong
alongthe
the
west
westside
sideof
ofTrap
TrapRock
Rock Alley.
Alley. The
Thetop
topof
of the
the Dresser
Dresser flows
flows is exposed to the east. This
Thisflow
flow
dips
dips gently
gently west
westunder
underthe
theTrap
TrapRock
Rock Alley.
Alley. The
Theflow
flowtop
topisistypically
typicallyamygdaloidal
amygdaloidaland
and
extensively
extensivelyepidotized.
epidotized.ItItisiswell
wellexposed
exposedininabundant
abundantoutcrops,
outcrops,asaswell
wellasasalong
alongthe
thesides
sidesof
ofthe
the
manyenormous
enormouspotholes.
potholes.
many
The
Thepotholes
potholesformed
formedon
onthe
theDresser
Dresserflows
flows are
arethought
thought to
to be
be some
someof
of the
thedeepest
deepestin
inthe
the
world
world(Crawford,
(Crawford,undated).
undated).They
Theyrange
rangefrom
fromfist-size
fist-sizedepressions
depressionsto
to"giant's
"giant's kettles"
kettles"that
thatcan
can
be
beover
over66meters
metersacross
acrossand
andmore
morethan
than 20
20 meters
meters deep.
deep. The
Thepotholes
potholesare
aregenerally
generallypartly
partly filled
filled
with
withaamixture
mixtureof
ofsilt,
silt,mud,
mud,peat
peatand
andcoarse
coarsegrind
grindstones
stonesranging
rangingfrom
frompebble
pebbletotoboulder
bouldersize.
size.
The
Thesediments,
sediments,swirled
swirledby
bythe
theturbulence
turbulenceof
ofthe
theriver
riveras
asititraced
racedover
overthe
the basalt,
basalt,were
werethe
thetools
tools
cuttingthese
thesepotholes.
potholes.
cutting
These
Thesepotholes
potholesare
arepart
partofofaalarger
largerregion
regionof
of river-scoured
river-scouredterrain.
terrain. InInaddition
additiontotothem,
them,the
the
bedrock
bedrocksurface
surfaceisisscoured,
scoured,smoothed
smoothedand
andpolished
polished in
in many areas. The
Thepotholes
potholes were
were produced
produced
when
when localized
localized areas,
areas, facilitated
facilitated by
by joint
joint intersections,
intersections, wore
wore down
down slightly
slightly faster
faster than
than the
the
surrounding
rock.
Eddies
formed
over
these
low
spots,
trapping
sediment.
Large
boulders
surrounding rock. Eddies formed over these low spots, trapping sediment. Large boulders
occasionally
occasionally were
were stranded
strandedin
in these
these depressions.
depressions. The
Thestrong
strongcurrent
currentswirled
swirledthem
themabout,
about,but
but
lacked
lackedthe
theforce
forceto
to free
free them.
them. This
Thisaction
actioncut
cutthe
thepotholes.
potholes. Notice
Noticeininplaces
placesthe
thegrooves
groovescut
cutin
in
the
the sides
sidesof
ofthe
thepotholes
potholesas
aslarge
largeboulders
boulders ground
ground their
their way
way down.
down. The
Theboulders
bouldersthemselves
themselves
were
were shaped
shaped by
by the
theprocess.
process. Grind
Grindstones
stonesrecovered
recoveredfrom
fromthe
thepotholes
potholesare
areasassmooth
smooth and
and
roundedas
ascannon
cannonballs.
balls.
rounded
The
Thepotholes
potholes here
hereare
are7.5-18
7.5-18 meters
metersabove
above the
the current
current river
river level.
level. Some
Somepotholes
potholeshave
have
beenfound
foundasashigh
highasas34
34meters
metersabove
aboveriver
riverlevel.
level.
been
The
Thepotholes
potholesformed
formedwhen
whenwater
waterfrom
fromthe
themelting
meltingglaciers
glaciersfilled
filledGlacial
GlacialLake
LakeDuluth
Duluthto
to
the
thenorth
north(Cahow,
(Cahow,1975;
1975;Ojakangas
Ojakangasand
andMatsch,
Matsch,1982).
1982).The
Thewater
waterovertopping
overtoppingthis
thislake
lakeflowed
flowed
south
southdown
downthe
the ancestral
ancestralSt.
St.Croix
CroixRiver.
River. At
AtInterstate
InterstatePark,
Park,these
thesewaters
waterswere
werefurther
furtherfunneled
funneled
down
down the
the narrow
narrow channel
channel now
now seen
seen as
as the Dalles.
Dalles. Below
Belowthe
theDalles,
Dalles,the
the river
river encountered
encounteredsoft
soft
Cambrian
Cambriansandstones
sandstonesand
andshales,
shales,which
whichcut
cutaway
awayfaster
fasterthan
than the
the basalt. This
Thisresulted
resultedininaamajor
major
knickpoint in
in the
the St.
St.Croix
Croixatatthe
the Dalles.
Dalles. This
Thishigh
highgradient
gradientsped
spedup
upthe
thewater,
water, increasing
increasing its
its
knickpoint
ability
abilityto
to gouge
gougeout
outthe
thepotholes
potholesas
asititexcavated
excavatedits
its valley
valley into
into the
the resistant
resistant basaltic
basaltic bedrock.
bedrock.
Many
Many of
of the
thepotholes
potholeshere
herehave
have been
been given
given names
names by the park service.
service. Be
Besure
suretotoenjoy
enjoy
the
the Lily
Lily Pond,
Pond,Devil's
Devil'sParlor,
Parlor,Cauldron,
Cauldron,Bottomless
BottomlessPit
Pit and
and Bake
Bake Oven
Oven as
as time
time permits.
permits. Also
Also
note
note the
the west-dipping
west-dipping thrust
thrust fault
fault exposed
exposed in
in the
the cliff
cliff by
by the
the riverboat
riverboat dock
dock just west
west of
of the
the
potholesarea.
area.
potholes
60
60

�Stop
Stop 5—Volcanic
5-Volcanic Flows and Interfiow
Interflow Sediments
Sedimentswest
west of
of Lewis, WI.
Location: Outcrops
Outcropsare
arelocated
locatedon
on345th
345thAve
AveOne-half
one-half mile west of the intersection
intersection with
with 130th
130th
Location:
Street.
Street. NN1/2,
112,SE
SE1/4
114and
and5S1/2,
112,NE
NE1/4,
114,Sec.
Sec.11,
11,TT37
37N,
N, RR 17
17W;
W, Lat.
Lat. 450
45' 42'
42'
07.6"
07.6" N,
N, Long.
Long. 092°
092' 26'
26'25.8"
25.8"W.
W.

Figure
19. Scanned
Scanned image
image of
of a portion of the
Figure 19.
the USGS
USGS Frederic,
Frederic, Wisconsin
Wisconsin
topographic
topographicquadrangle
quadrangle(7.5-minute
(7.5-minuteSeries;
Series;1:24,000
1:24,000scale)
scale)showing
showing the
the location
location
of
of StopS.
Stop 5.
These
permission before
before entering.
entering. Basalt
Theseoutcrops
outcropsare
areon
on private
private land
land and you should seek permission
Basalt
and
and interfiow
intefflow sediments
sedimentsare
areexposed
exposedin
inaaseries
seriesof
ofoutcrops
outcrops20-100
20-100meters
metersnorth
northof
ofthe
theroad.
road.
Near
Near the
the road,
road,fine-grained
fine-grainedbasalt
basalt isis exposed
exposed in
in aa flow that is at least 4 meters thick. Near
Near
the
amygdules.
the top
top of
of the
theflow,
flow, the
the basalt
basalt contains
containsrare
rare large
large quartz-filled
quartz-tilledamygdules.
Interflow
Intefflow sediment
sedimentisis exposed
exposed further
furthernorth
north and
andisisparticularly
particularly well-exposed
well-exposed in
inan
aneasteastwest
west trending
trendingcliff
cliff face.
face. Please
Pleasedo
donot
nothammer
hammeron
onthis
this face.
face. Excellent
Excellentexamples
examplesofofthe
theinterfiow
interflow
sediment
sediment can be found
found in
in the
the many
many loose
loose blocks along the base of the cliff. The
Thebasalt
basaltisis
overlain
Thesediment
sediment
overlain by aa mixed
mixed basalt
basalt and
and sediment
sediment zone
zone that is roughly 3 meters thick. The
weathers
weatherspale
palereddish-orange
reddish-orangeand
andconsists
consistsof
offine-grained,
fine-grained,poorly
poorly sorted,
sorted,and
andthinly
thinlylaminated
laminated
quartz,
quartz, feldspar,
feldspar, and
and volcanic
volcanic fragments.
fragments. The
Thefine-grained
fine-grainedmatrix
matrixmaterial
materialisiscompletely
completely
recrystallized
minerals. Beds
recrystallized to epidote
epidote and
and other
other greenschist
greenschist facies minerals.
Beds typically
typically show
show planar
planar
bedding
bedding structures,
structures,although
although some
somecross-beds
cross-beds(ripple
(ripplestructures),
structures),channel-fill
channel-fillstructures,
structures,and
and
convoluted
convoluted beds are
are also
also visible. Bedding
Beddingstructures
structuresoften
often trend
trend uninterrupted
uninterrupted right up to the
margins
margins of
of clasts,
clasts, though
though in
in some
someplaces
places bedding
bedding surfaces
surfaces appear
appear to
to be
be deflected
deflected by
by clasts.
clasts.
There
There are
are also
also patches
patches of
of sediment
sedimentthat
that are
are surrounded
surrounded by basalt and appear "isolated" in
in the
the
two-dimensional
two-dimensionaloutcrop
outcropface.
face.'These,
These,asaswell
wellas
asmany
many narrow
narrow sub-vertical
sub-vertical"veins" of
of sediment,
sediment,
exhibit
exhibitwell-defined,
well-defined,sub-horizontal
sub-horizontallayering
layeringthat
thatisissharply
sharplytruncated
truncatedalong
alongits
itsmargins.
margins.
61

,

�Fragments of basalt range from less than
than aa millimeter
millimeter to
to more
morethan
than 15
15centimeters.
centimeters. The
microcrystalline plagioclase,
plagioclase, and are
are highly
highly vesicular
vesicular
clasts are typically sub-angular, consist of microcrystalline
(1-5 mm
mrn diameter); the outer
outer surfaces
surfaces of many
many clasts are
are highly
highly embayed
embayed and
and exhibit
exhibit very
very
"sponge-like" textures.
textures. Some
delicate "sponge-like"
Some clasts
clasts are
are sub-rounded
sub-rounded and exhibit decreasing vesicle
sizes near their outer edges; the long
long axes
axes of
of highly
highly elliptical
elliptical vesicles also parallel the clast
clast
surfaces. Many
Many of
of these
thesefeatures
featuresare
aresuggestive
suggestiveof
of chilled
chilled margins
margins surrounding
surrounding some of the
clasts.
clasts. Many
Manylarger
largerclasts
clastsalso
also have
have numerous
numerous small
small "floating" fragments
fragments around
around their margins.
margins.
Viewed closely, many of these
these fragments
fragments appear
appear to
to be
bedisrupted
disrupted"glassy"
"glassy" walls
walls between
between adjacent
adjacent
vesicles.
fragments are typically filled with
with coarse
coarse epidote.
epidote. Near the
vesicles. Vesicles
Vesicles in
in the interiors
interiors of fragments
continuous layer of vesicular basalt has a highly irregular
top of the outcrop, a nearly continuous
irregular base
base that
that
in some places cross-cuts layering in the underlying sediment. All
All of
of these
these features
features point
point to
to aa
highly immature sediment. Elsewhere
Elsewherein
in the
the rift,
rift, interflow sediments are interpreted to record
deposition in predominantly
environments (e.g.,
(e.g., Jirsa,
Jirsa, 1984). However,
predominantly sedimentary environments
However, some
some
features
features at
at this
this stop
stop are
are suggestive
suggestiveof hyaloclastites,
hyaloclastites,in
in which
which basaltic
basaltic melt
melt interacts
interactswith
with water,
water,
or water-saturated
water-saturated sediment.
sediment.Preliminary
Preliminaryinitial
initialCNd
EM^values
valuesof
ofthese
thesesediments
sediments(—-2.0;
(--2.0; Naiman,
unpublished data) are
are similar
similar to
to those
those of
of the
the surrounding
surrounding basalts (Table 5) suggesting that the
source of the sediments
sediments is primarily immature rift volcanics.

Stop
Stop 6a—Rhyolite
6a-Rhyolite and Basalt
Basalt near
near Clam
ClamFalls.
Falls.
Location: 435
435m
mNNE
NNE of
of the
the intersection
intersection between County Rd I and 73rd St. SE
SE 1/4,
114,SE
SE 1/4,
114,
09.8" N,
N, Long.
Long. 092'
092° 18'
27.4"W.
Sec. 14, T 37 N, R 16W;
16W,Lat.
Lat. 450
45O 41'
41'09.8"
18'27.4"
W.

image of
of a portion
Figure 20.
20. Scanned image
portion of the
the USGS
USGS Clam
Clam Falls,
Falls,
Wisconsin topographic
topographic quadrangle
quadrangle (7.5 minute
minute series;
series; 1:24,000
1:24,000 scale)
scale)
showing the location of Stop
Stop 6a.
6a.
62
62

�Table
Table 5.
5. Representative
Representativeanalyses
analysesof
ofbasalt
basaltand
andrhyolite
rhyolitefrom
fromthe
theClam
ClamFalls
Fallsregion.
region.

Si02
Si02
Ti02
Ti02
Al203
*l2O3
Fe203
Fe203
MnO
MnO
MgO
MgO
CaO
CaO
Na20
Na20
K20
K20

basalt
basalt
KC-301b
KC-301b

basalt
basalt
KC-303
KC-303

rhyolite
rhyolite
KC-302a
KC-302a

rhyolite
rhyolite
KC-302d
KC-302d

rhyolite
rhyolite
KC-310
KC-3 10

47.08
47.08

49.89
49.89

1.60
15.66
14.10
0.18

1.84
14.91
13.61

72.46
72.46
0.49

71.34
7 1.34
0.49
11.52
5.30
0.06

72.18
72.18
0.48
11.93
5.78
0.12
0.40

'25
P2Â°

0.56
0.15

LOl
LO1

1.72

0.17
5.10
8.61
3.17
0.55
0.20
2.31

Total
Total

100.20

100.36

Mg#
Mg#

0.53

6.84
10.00
2.31

qz
qz

or
ab
ab
an
an
hy
hy
01
ol

3.41

20.08
31.54
14.07
9.23

4.87
0.09
0.48

1.36
2.32
2.63
4.11
1.01

1.32
3.52
4.21
0.09
0.40

99.69

100.22

100.43

0.47

0.19

0.37

0.14

0.56
3.36
27.66
25.60
21.60

31.39
30.56
24.75
3.65
6.43

31.85
24.62
22.51
7.55

29.75
25.02
29.90
4.30
7.24

1.08

2.89
5.10
0.08
0.54

0.08

8.21

13

151

91

82
216

1036
80

889

123
831

108

90

12
178

68
794

62
713

38

141

118

67
965
155

205

117

24

133
281

76
299

14
6
21

Rb
Rb
Ba
Ba
Sr
Sr

19
115

Nb
Zr
Y
Y

8

Cr
Cr
Ni
Ni
v
V
InitialENd
EN^
Initial

11.61

164

111
31

+34
"'"3.4

—

-0.10

Sample
Sample Locations:
Locations: T 37 N, R 16W.
16 W.
SW114, SW1/4,
SW114, section
section 13
13
KC-301b
KC-301b -- SW1/4,
SE 1/4,
114, SE 1/4,
114, section
section 14
14 (Stop
(Stop 6)
6)
KC-302a -- SE
KC-302a
KC-302d -- SE
SE 1/4,
114, SE 1/4,
114, section 14
14 (Stop
(Stop 6)
6)
KC-302d
SE114, NW1/4,
NW114, section
section 13
13
KC-303 -- SE1/4,
KC-303
SE114, SE1/4,
SE114,section
section 26
26 (Stop
(Stop 66 Alt.)
Alt.)
KC-310
KC-310 -- SE1/4,

63

14

26

19
9
17

095

�These outcrops
outcrops are
are on
on private
private land and permission to access
access them
them should
should be sought
sought before
before
the intersection
intersection of
of Country
Country
entering. The
The outcrops
outcropscan
can be
be accessed
accessed from
from the property (north of the
73rd St. approximately 1 mile
mile west
west of
of Clam
ClamFalls.
Falls. Direct access to the
the outcrops
outcrops from
Rd I with 73rd
County Rd
Rd I requires
landowner. An alternate
County
requires permission
permission from another
another landowner.
alternate stop (6b)
(6b) near
near the
the
McKenzie
McKenzie Creek
Creek State
State Hunting
HuntingGrounds
Groundsisisgiven
given below.
below.
The purpose of this stop is to examine an example
example of
ofrhyolite.
rhyolite. Rhyolite is extremely rare
in this part of the rift
rift and
and only
only two
two localities
localitiesare
are known
known in
in the
the area
area extending
extendingfrom
fromTaylors
TaylorsFalls
Falls
to Clam Falls. This
Thisisisin
instark
starkcontrast
contrastto
tothe
the relatively
relatively abundant
abundant rhyolites
rhyolites (up
(up to 25
25 percent
percent of
of
the volcanic
volcanic section;
section;Green
Greenand
andFitz,
Fitz, 1993)
1993)that
that are
are exposed
exposed on
on the North Shore
Shore of Lake
Lake Superior.
Superior.
This locality was also
also sampled
sampled for
for U-Pb zircon studies
studies (see
(see below).
At this exposure,
that measures
measures approximately
approximately 150 x
exposure, the rhyolite is exposed over an area that
75 meters. The
the exposure
exposure trends
trends N
N 50Â
50° E and
Theupper
uppersurface
surfaceof
of the
the outcrop
outcrop at
at the north end of the
dips 15°
15O NW,
NW, sub-parallel
sub-parallelto
to the
the trend of flow layering in the area. At the southern
southern end of the
outcrop,
exposures
outcrop, the
the basal
basal contact
contact with
with the underlying
underlying basalt
basalt flow can be seen. In a few isolated exposures
approximately 3-4
3-4 meters
meters below
below the
the top
top of
of the knoll one can observe isolated exposures
exposures in
in
approximately
which basalt and rhyolite are complexly inter-fingered. Sub-angular
Sub-angularto
to rounded
rounded clasts
clasts consist
consist
of fine-grained basalt, up to 15 cm in diameter,
diameter, can
can be
befound
foundin
inrhyolite.
rhyolite. The upper
upper contact of
of
the rhyolite
rhyolite with
with the
the overlying
overlying flows
flows isis not
not exposed.
exposed.
Weakly porphyritic
(An2Abo40r4)and
porphyritic rhyolite
rhyolite consists
consistsof
of phenocrysts
phenocrystsof
of euhedral
euhedralalbite
albite(An2Ab94Or4)
rare quartz
quartz occur
occur in
in aa groundmass
groundmassof
ofintergrown
intergrownquartz
quartzand
andpotassium
potassiumfeldspar
feldspar(An0Ab5Or95);
textures
spherulitic (Fig. 21).
textures range from
from fine-grained
fine-grained intergranular
intergranular to medium-grained
medium-grained spherulitic
Spherulitic
Spheruliticintergrowths
intergrowths are
are commonly
commonly nucleated
nucleated on
on phenocrysts.
phenocrysts. Minor
Minoranhedral
anhedralFe-Ti
Fe-Tioxides,
oxides,
rare calcic amphibole
and accessory apatite and zircon are
amphibole (ferro-edenite-hornblende),
(ferro-edenite-hornblende), and
are also
also
commonly
commonly present.
present. Groundmass
Groundmassquartz
quartzisistypically
typicallyeuhedral
euhedralto
to subhedral
subhedral and tabular to elongate
(length:width
(1ength:width ratios == 10:1
10:1 to 50:1)
50: 1) indicating crystallization as tridymite, the orthorhombic,
high temperature (&gt;867O
(&gt;867° C)
C) form
form of
of quartz.
quartz. The
Thepreservation
preservation of
of these
these delicate
delicate devitrification
textures is remarkable
remarkable given
given the metamorphic
metamorphic alteration
alteration and
and recrystallization
recrystallizationthat
that has
has occurred
occurred
in this portion of the rift.
The rhyolites of the Clam
Clam Falls
Falls region
region are classified as rhyolite or rhyodacite on most
diagrams (Abbott
(Abbottetetal.,
al.,ininpress).
press). The major and trace
major and trace element discriminant diagrams
element compositions
icelandites and granophyres
granophyres from the North
element
compositions(Table
(Table 5)
5) are
are similar
similar to some icelandites
Shore
Green, 1997)
to type
type IIrhyolites
rhyolites from
from the
the Portage
Portage Lake
Lake
Shore Volcanic Group (Vervoort and Green,
1997) and to
volcanics (Nicholson,
(Nicholson, 1992;
1992; Nicholson and Shirey, 1990). Nd
Nd isotopic
isotopic studies
studiesof
of the
the rhyolites
rhyolites
(Abbott
ENd values =
(Abbott et
et al.,
al., in
in press;
press; Naiman
Naiman and
andWirth,
Wirth, in
in press)
press) indicate
indicatethat
that they
they have
have initial
initialENd
This
evidence,
combined
with
their
relatively
minor
abundance
in
the
volcanic
0.
their relatively
abundance the volcanic section,
section,
0.
by magmatic fractionation.
fractionation. This
suggests that they originated as residual melts by
This is
is in contrast
contrast to
to
many
values and are interpreted
interpreted
many of
of the
the rhyolites
rhyoliteson
onthe
theNorth
NorthShore
Shorethat
thathave
havenegative
negativeinitial
initialENd
ENd values
to be the
and Green,
Green, 1997).
1997). Basalt from this part of the
the result
result of
of crustal
crustal melting
melting (Vervoort
(Vervoort and
volcanic
volcanic section
section (e.g.,
(e.g., KC-301b
KC-301band
andKC-303;
KC-303;Table
Table5)
5) isis similar
similarto
to low-Ti
low-Ti basalt
basalt of
of the
the Taylors
Taylors
Falls region and has initial ENd
valuesranging
rangingfrom
from00toto+3.4,
3.4, consistent
ENd values
consistent with
with derivation
derivation from
multiple
asthenosphere (Naiman
multiple mantle
mantle sources,
sources, including
includingenriched
enriched mantle
mantle plume
plume and depleted asthenosphere
(Naiman
and Wirth, in press).

64

�Figure21.
21.(a)
(a) Photomicrograph
Photomicrograph (plane-polarized
(plane-polarized light)
light) of
of spherulitic
Figure
intergrowths of
of tridymite pararnorphs
paramorphs and
and feldspar
feldspar in Clam Falls rhyolite
intergrowths
bar along
(sample KC-302a).
KC-302a). Scale bar
along left side is 0.25
0.25 mm
mm long.
long. (b)
(b)
Photomicrograph showing plagioclase (albite) phenocryst with spherulitic
spherulitic
mrn long.
sideis 1.25
1.25 mm
intergrowths around the margin. Scale
Scale bar
bar along
along left sideis

65

�One of the major difficulties in integrating geologic information from this portion of the
rift with models of
of the
the rift
rift has
has been
been the
thelack
lackof
ofgeochronologic
geochronologic control
control in
in the
the Chengwatana
Chengwatana
volcanic
s. With this objective
collected from both Stop
volcanics.
objective in mind, large samples of rhyolite were collected
Stop
10) has not
6a and Stop 6b for U-Pb zircon dating. The
Thesample
samplematerial
materialfrom
fromStop
Stop6b
6b(KC-3
(KC-310)
been processed
processed at
at this
this time,
time, but two,
two, nearly identical
identical ages
ages were determined
determined for
for different
different rhyolite
rhyolite
phases (KC-302a and
and KC-302d)
KC-302d) from
from Stop
Stop 6a.
6a. Zircons from both samples
samples have
have relatively
relatively
simple
reddish-brown, to honey brown,
simple prismatic
prismatic forms,
forms,are
are translucent,
translucent,and
and vary
vary in
in color
color from reddish-brown,
brown,
and pale pink. Three
Threezircon
zircongrains
grainsfrom
fromKC-302a
KC-302a yielded
yielded concordant
concordant ages
ages (Fig.
(Fig. 22)
22) with mean
mean
2O6pb*/238U
and
2o7Pb*PO6Pb*
of 1102 k
± 5 Ma (2a).
206Pb*/238U and 207~b*/206Pb*
ages of
(20). Three
Threeadditional
additionalgrains
grainsare
are slightly
slightly
discordant,
discordant,presumably
presumablydue
dueto
to small
smallamounts
amountsof
of lead
lead loss,
loss, and
and aa discordia
discordiathrough
through these
thesepoints,
points,
projected from
± 205
Analyses
205 Ma
Ma (MSWD
(MSWD== 0.15).
0.15). Analyses
from 1102
1102Ma,
Ma, yields
yields aa lower
lower intercept of 196
196 k
of three
and
yield
mean
2O6Pb*/238U
three abraded
abradedgrains
grainsfrom
fromKC-302d
KC-302dare
areanalytically
analyticallyconcordant
concordant
and
yield
mean
^Pb*/238U
ages
1101Ma
Mak ±55Ma
Ma(Fig.
(Fig.22).
22). Three additional grains and the two
and 2o7Pb*PooPb*
207~b*/206Pb*ages
ofof1101
multigrain fractions are slightly discordant; a discordia through these points, projected from
uncertainties o
of±
1101 Ma,
Ma, yields
yields a lower intercept
intercept of 63
63 k± 217 Ma (MSWD = 0.45).
0.45). Given the uncertainties
1101
ft
5 Ma on each of
of the
the ages,
ages, the
the 11Ma
Ma age
agedifference
difference between
between the
the two
two samples
samples is
is probably
probably not
not
significant.
significant.
0.190

Rhyolite

Rhyolite

0.186
00

I

Age =

Age =
1080

1102

±5Ma

1080

1101

±5Ma

0.182

0.178

Lower Intercept
196 ±205 Ma (MSWD=0.15)
0.174

I

I

Lower Intercept =
63 ±217Ma (MSWD=0.45)

•

1.98
2.06
1.98
1.82
1.90
1.90
1.90
1.98
2.06
1.82
1.90
1.98
2.06
2O7pb
235 u
2O7pb
235 u
207Pb / 235 U
207Pb /
U
Figure 22. Concordia
Concordiadiagrams
diagramsfor
forChengwatana
Chengwatanavolcanics
volcanics from
from the
the Clam
Clam Falls
Falls area
area (Stop
(Stop6a).
6a).
Error ellipses
ellipses and
and regression
regression age
age uncertainties
uncertainties represent
represent 95
95 percent
percent confidence
confidencelimits
limits(after
(afterWirth
Wirth
and Gehrels, in press).

1.82
1.82

Analyses of the
the Chengwatana
Chengwatana rhyolites near Clam
Clam Falls indicate
indicate that magmatism
magmatism began
began
by at least 1102
1102 Ma
Ma in
in this
this portion
portion of
of the
the rift,
rift, considerably
considerably earlier than the age reported by
Zartman et
± 2.1
Zartman
et al. (1997)
(1997) for
for rhyolite
rhyolite (1094.6 2
2.1Ma)
Ma)exposed
exposednear
near the
the base
base of the
the Chengwatana
Chengwatana
section
section in the southeastern
southeasternlimb
limb of the Ashland syncline. This
This implies
implies that
that lower
lower flows
flows exposed
exposed
near Clam
Clam Falls
Falls likely
likely formed
formed contemporaneous
contemporaneouswith
with the
the Upper
Upper Kallander
Kallander Creek
Creek volcanics
volcanicsand
and
Conglomerate of
the Mellen Complex
Complex of
of Northern
Northern Wisconsin,
Wisconsin, and the Group 5 flows and Great Conglomerate
Mamainse Point (Fig. 23). The
The 1102±
1102 k55Ma
Maage
ageofofChengwatana
Chengwatanavolcanics
volcanics in
in the Clam Falls
66

�Age
(Ma)

Minnesota
Wisconsin
Wisconsin

Upper Mich Michipicoten Is.
Is.
NW Wise
Wisc Mamainse Point
Point

1085

1090

1095

1100

1105

1110
Figure23.
23. Diagram
Diagramillustrating
illustratingthe
thecorrelation
correlationof
ofMidcontinent
Midcontinentrift
riftrocks
rocks from
from
Figure
Taylors Falls-Clam Falls region with those
those of
of northern
northern Wisconsin
Wisconsin and
and
the Taylors
Superior. The
The upper
upper limit
limit of
of the
theChengwatana
Chengwatana volcanics
volcanics is
eastern Lake Superior.
Zartman et
et al.
al. (1997)
(1997) in
in the
the
estimated on
on the
the basis
basis of
of U-Pb
U-Pb zircon
zircon studies
studies by
by Zartman
estimated
Ashland syncline;
syncline; the
the lower
lower limit
limit is
is based on
on the
the age
age of
of Clam
Clam Falls
Falls rhyolite.
rhyolite.
Ashland
The
The age
age of
of Taylors
TaylorsFalls
Falls flows
flows isisbased
basedon
ontheir
theirpredominantly
predominantly "normal"
"normal"
paleomagnetic
paleomagneticsignature
signature(Kean
(Keanetetal.,
al.,1997)
1997)(after
(afterWirth
Wirthand
andGehrels,
Gehrels,in
inpress).
press).
67

�region implies that the lower Clam Falls flows may
may have
have "reversed"
"reversed" paleomagnetic
paleomagnetic directions
directions
since they are approximately
105approximately coeval with the
the reverse-to-normal
reverse-to-normal magnetic
magnetic polarity
polarity change (1
(11051100 Ma)
zk 55
Ma) that
that has
has been
been widely
widely observed
observedthroughout
throughoutthe
theLake
LakeSuperior
Superiorregion.
region.The
The 1102
1102±
age of the
the Clam
Clam Falls
Falls rhyolites
rhyolitesalso
also implies
impliesthat
that this
this section
section of
of the
the Chengwatana
ChengwatanavOlcanics
volcanics
Ma age
during a period regarded as the
was erupted
erupted during
the transition
transition between
between the
the"latent"
"latent" and
and "main-stage"
"main-stage" of
rift magmatism
(Millerand
1996).
magmatism (Miller
andVervoort,
Vervoort, 1996).

Stop 6b -(Alternate)
—(Alternate) Rhyolite
Rhyolite near
near the McKenzie
McKenzie Creek
Creek State
State Hunting
Hunting Grounds.
Outcrops
Outcrops are located on
on 310th
3 10th Ave approximately 0.8 miles south and east of the intersection
intersection
Ave. SE
with 315th Ave.
SE 1/4,
114,SE
SE 1/4,
114, Sec. 26, T 37 N, R 16W;
16 W; Lat.
Lat. 450
45O 39' 15.1" N,
092° 18'
Long. 092O
18'28.4"
28.4" W.
W.

Scannedimage
imageof
of aaportion
portion of
of the
the USGS
USGS Clam
Clam Falls,
Falls, Wisconsin
Wisconsin topographic
topographic
Figure 24. Scanned
quadrangle (7.5 minute series;
quadrangle
series; 1:24,000
1:24,000 scale)
scale) showing
showing the location of Stop 6b.

This stop is an
region. Although
an alternate
alternate stop
stop in the
the rhyolites
rhyolites of the Clam Falls region.
Although the
the
contact
stop does
does permit
permit examination
examination
contact with
with surrounding
surroundingbasalts
basaltsisisnot
not exposed
exposed at
at this locality, the stop
of a large exposure
exposure of rhyolite. The
Theoutcrops
outcropsare
arelocated
locatedalong
alongthe
thenorth
northside
sideof
of 310th
3 10thAve
Ave after
after
the end of the pavement near
near where
where the
the road curves south
south around
around outcrop.
outcrop.
This outcrop is the
the eastemmost
easternmostexposure
exposure of
of Chengwatana
Chengwatana volcanics in the Clam Falls
Falls
region and defines the base of the
region
the exposed
exposed section. At
At this
thislocation,
location,aaseveral-meter-thick
several-meter-thick
section of rhyolite is exposed over an area
area several
severalhundred
hundredsquare
squaremeters.
meters. The
The rock
rock consists
consists of
of
rhyolite. No
layering is
is observed.
observed. The
pale purple and aphanitic rhyolite.
No compositional
compositional or textural
textural layering
outcrop
outcrop is cut by several sets of closely-spaced sub-vertical
sub-verticalfractures
fracturesthat
that have
have coatings
coatings of iron
iron
oxides and other alteration
alteration minerals. Quartz-rich
Quartz-richveins
veinsup
up to
to several
several millimeters
millimetersthick
thick are
are also
also
commonly observed.
commonly

68

�Stop
near Godfrey
Stop 7—Porphyritic
7-Porphyritic flows near
Godfrey Lake,
Lake, WI.
Outcrops are located 0.72 miles west of
of County
County Rd
RdIIon
on 315 St. SE
SE1/4,
1/4,NW
NW1/4,
1/4,Sec.
Sec.29,
29,TT 37
37
N, R 16
W; Lat.
Lat. 45O
45° 39' 43.0" N, Long. 092O
092° 22'
16 W,
22' 43.4"
43.4" W.
W.
purpose of this stop is to examine some of the strongly plagioclase-porphyritic
plagioclase-porphyritic flows
The purpose
flows
features can be observed in the exposures
of the Clam Falls region. Several
Severalinteresting,
interesting-features
exposures along
along
the north
north side
side of
of the road
road at this stop. The
the
Theeastern
eastern end
end of
of the
the exposure
exposure consists
consists of coarse
basalt with
porphyritic basalt*
large (&lt;3 cm
cm long)
long)
large
plagioclase phenocrysts
phenocrysts
plagioclase
(40-60
percent) in aa
(40-60 percent)
groundmass
groundmass consisting
consisting
of microcrysts of
and
plagioclase
secondary minerals;
secondary
minerals; no
minerals
primary mafic minerals
are present. Possible
zoning structures are
zoning
still apparent is some of
the
feldspar
phenocrysts. The
The rock
has been extensively
extensively
altered as evidenced
evidenced by
altered
25. Scanned image
image of a portion of the
strongly
Figure 25.
the USGS
USGS Clam
Clam Falls,
Falls, the
tpographic quadrangle
and
1:24,000scale)
scale) saussuritized
Wisconsin topographic
quadrangle(7.5-minute
(7.5-minuteseries;
series;1:24,000
showing the location
epidotized plagioclase,
plagioclase,
location of Stop
Stop 7.
abundant chlorite,
disseminated
iron-oxides,
quartz,
and
secondary
feldspar
(pink).
Near
the
top of the
the porphyritic
porphyritic
disseminated iron-oxides, quartz,
centimeter thick "epidosite"
"epidosite" that is
is sub-parallel
sub-parallel to
toflow
flowlayering.
layering. This
This epidosite
epidosite is
basalt is a ten centimeter
similar
interfiow sediments
sediments seen at other localities.
localities. Further
similar to many intefflow
Further west is a sparsely porphyritic
basalt and vesicular basalt that
basalt, which is overlain
overlain by repeating layers of fine-grained basalt
might represent several thin flow units. Some
Somecross-cutting
cross-cuttingvesicular
vesicular basalt is also
also observed.
observed.
Other coarse
coarse porphyritic
porphyritic basalts
basalts can be found
found several hundred meters south
south of this
this stop.
stop.
plagioclase phenocrysts
phenocrysts typically comprise 15-25 percent
percent of
ofthe
therock.
rock. Intefflow
Interfiow sediment
sediment
There, plagioclase
is also found. Other
exposures
of
coarse
porphyritic
basalt
are
also
found
further
south
and
Other exposures of coarse porphyritic
west of this stop (one mile NW of Straight Lake).
Lake). The
The orientations
orientations of flows in this area are
NW On
poorly known,
known, but
but they
theygenerally
generallytrend
trendNNE
NNEand
anddip
dipgently
gently(—15°
(-15' ) to the NW.
On the
the basis of
these
considered to be
these general
general trends,
trends, and
and the
the similarity
similarityof rock types, these units are tentatively considered
the same
same stratigraphic
stratigraphicunit. Considering
Consideringthat
thatflows
flowswith
with coarse
coarse porphyritic
porphyritic textures
textures are
are relatively
relatively
rare in the Chengwatana
volcanics
(Eagle
Peak
flows
near
St.
Croix
Falls
and
stop
in
the Clam
Clam
Chengwatana
Falls
in the
region), it is also
Falls region),
also tempting
tempting to suggest
suggest that these geographically disparate
disparate flow units
units might
might
event. A
be a roughly
roughly coeval
coeval eruptive event.
A large
large sample
sample from this outcrop
outcrop was processed
processed for
baddeleyite
and zircon, but did not
baddeleyite and
not yield
yield either
either in
in sufficient
sufficient quantity
quantity for
for U-Pb
U-Pb analysis.
analysis.
Preliminary
Preliminaryinterpretation
interpretationof
of new
new USGS
USGS aeromagnetic
aeromagneticdata
data suggests
suggeststhat
that the
the porphyritic
porphyritic basalts
basalts
at Stop 7 are
are stratigraphically
stratigraphically below those of Stop
Stop 3a.
3a. Additional geochemical
geochemical and stratigraphic
stratigraphic
studies are needed to confirm
confirm this hypothesis.
69

'

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75

��FIELD
FIELD TRIP
TRIP#3
#3
GLACIAL
GLACIAL EXOTICA OF
OF THE
THE TWIN
TWIN CITIES
CITIES AREA

Leaders:
Leaders: Howard
HowardHobbs,
Hobbs, Alan
Alan Knaeble,
Knaeble, Gary
Gary Meyer
Meyer
OVERVIEW OF
OF LATE QUATERNARY
QUATERNARY GEOLOGIC
OVERVIEW
GEOLOGIC HISTORY
Howard
Howard Hobbs
Hobbs
The
The landforms
landformsand
andsurface
surfacesediments
sedimentsof
of this
this area
area formed
formed during
during the
the most
most recent
recent glaciation—
glaciation-

the late Wisconsinan. The
Thearea
areawas
was covered
covered by
by previous
previous glaciations some 10
10 to 20 times, but
sediments
sediments from
from these
these earlier
earlier glaciations
glaciationshave
have been
been partially
partially eroded
eroded by
by subsequent
subsequentglaciations
glaciations
and are
are now
now deeply
deeply buried
buried by sediments
sediments deposited during the last glaciation. Although
Although the
the
volume
of
late
Wisconsinan
drift
in
Minnesota
is
less
than
half
the
volume
of
all
the
older
drifts
volume of late Wisconsinan drift in Minnesota is less than
the volume all
older drifts
put
put together,
together, the
the amount
amountremaining
remainingper
per glaciation
glaciationisisso
somuch
muchmore
morethat
that itit can
can be
be explained
explainedonly
only
by recycling
new drift
drift sheet. In
recycling large
large amounts
amounts of older glacial sediment into each new
In other
other words,
words,
only aa portion
portion of
of the
the sediment
sediment that
that we
we will
will see
see was
was brought
brought from
from its bedrock
bedrock source
source to its
its
present
present position
position in
in one
one glaciation.
glaciation.
The
The Twin
Twin Cities-St.
Cities-St. Cloud
Cloud area
area is
is dominated
dominated by
by the
the deposits
deposits of
of two
two ice
ice lobes,
lobes, each
each from
fromaa
different direction (Fig. 1).
1). The
TheSuperior
Superiorlobe
lobeadvanced
advancedinto
intocentral
centralMinnesota
Minnesotathrough
throughthe
the
Lake Superior
Superior basin from
from northeast. Its
Itstill
tillisisreddish-brown,
reddish-brown,sandy
sandyto
toloamy,
loamy,and
andrich
rich in
inred
red
and
and black
black rocks
rocks from
from the
the Superior
Superiorbasin and
and the north shore of Lake Superior. Typical
Typical rocks are
red sandstone
basalt and
and gabbro.
gabbro. Within the Superior
sandstone and siltstone, rhyolite and granophyre,
granophyre, basalt
basin,
basin, the
the Superior
Superiorlobe
lobedrift
drift contains
containspractically
practically no
no carbonate
carbonaterocks
rocks or
or matrix
matrixcarbonate,
carbonate,but
butin
in
the field
field trip
trip area
area ititcontains
containsaamodest
modestamount,
amount,presumably
presumably recycled
recycledfrom
fromolder,
older,calcareous
calcareous
drifts.
drifts.
The St.
St. Croix
Croix moraine
moraine roughly
roughly marks
marks the
the late
late Wisconsinan
Wisconsinan maximum of the Superior
Superior
lobe.
lobe. There
Thereisisevidence
evidencefrom
frombeyond
beyondthe
themoraine
moraineof
of aa somewhat
somewhat more
more extensive
extensive lobe that may
have preceded moraine-building, but
but this
this zone
zone is
is not
not very
very wide.
wide. On the southeast
southeast side of the
the
lobe,
the moraine
moraine is
is wide
wide and
andhigh.
high. It ranges
lobe, from
from south
south of Minneapolis
Minneapolis to the St. Croix River, the
from 5-10
5-10 miles
miles wide,
wide, and
and the
the thickness
thicknessof
of morainic
morainicmaterial
material ranges
ranges from
from100-300
100-300feet.
feet. Its
Its
surface
development
surface morphology
morphology is
is highly
highly collapsed,
collapsed, indicating
indicating that the final event of moraine development
was
was the
the melting
melting of
of stagnant
stagnantice
icefrom
frombemeath
bemeath thick
thickdebris.
debris.
At the west
west end
end of this
this same
same segment,
segment, the moraine
moraine turns sharply
sharply and
and runs northwest
northwest to
to the
the
St. Cloud area. Most
Mostof
ofthis
thissegment
segmentisisburied
buried by
by glacial
glacial sediment
sediment of
of the
the Des
Des Moines
Moines lobe,
lobe, so
so
is not known in detail. Only
the
highest
parts
(generally
kames)
are
exposed
at
the
surface
(for
Only the highest parts (generally kames) are exposed
surface
example, Stop 1).
1). These
Thesekames
kamesmay
may represent
represent fans
fans of
of sand
sand and
and gravel built at the edge of the
ice by subglacial
subglacial tunnel
tunnel valleys
valleys (Fig.
(Fig. 1.1).
1.1). The
Thetop
topof
ofthe
themoraine
morainein
inthis
thissegment
segmentisislower,
lower,due
due
to a combination
combination of the following
following factors: the
thebase
baseon
on which
whichitit was
was built
built seems
seems to
to be lower;
lower; the
the
average thickness of moraine material is less; and some of the material was eroded off by the
overriding
overridingDes
Des Moines
Moines lobe.
lobe. Inasmuch
Inasmuchas
asthis
this segment
segmentrepresents
represents the frontal
frontal part of the moraine,
the debris
debris may
may have
have been
been spread
spread over
over aa wider
wider zone
zone by minor
minor fluctuations
fluctuations of
of the
the ice
ice front.
front.
79

�EII1 Park

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'- :' 4Bodu
I,

ok

A

pr1

pers C
0O

0

EXPLANATION

hp
td
do

Terraces of the Mississippi River
Des Moines lobe outwash (includes sandy
lake sediment in eastern part)
dag, dpg, Des Moines lobe ground moraine
dbg
Des Moines lobe stagnation moraine
das
dpe, dbe Des Moines lobe end moraine
Superior lobe outwash
so
Superior lobe ground moraine
ssg
Superior lobe end moraine
sse
Figure
Figure 1.
1.Simplified
SimplifiedQuaternary
Quaternarygeology
geologyofofthe
thefield
fieldtrip
triparea,
area,showing
showingmajor
majorroads
roadsand
andlocation
locationofofstops.
stops.

�About 15
15 miles
miles south
south of
of St.
St. Cloud,
Cloud, the
the moraine
moraine begins
begins to
to emerge
emerge from
from under
under its
its Des
Des
About
Moines
Moines lobe
lobe cover.
cover. The
Thehigher
higherparts
partsof
ofthe
themoraine
moraineform
formisolated
isolated bumpy
bumpy knobs,
knobs, while
while the
the
lower
lowerparts
partsare
arecovered
coveredwith
withoutwash
outwashof
of the
the Des
Des Moines
Moines lobe.
lobe. Many
Manyof
ofthe
thehigher
higherparts
parts appear
appear
to
to be
be ice-thrust
ice-thrustfeatures,
features,such
suchas
asthe
theone
oneatatStop
Stop2.2.
The
The Des
Des Moines
Moineslobe
lobeadvanced
advanced from
from the
the northwest,
northwest,following
following the
the broad
broad lowland
lowland now
now
occupied
occupiedby
bythe
theMinnesota
MinnesotaRiver
RiverValley.
Valley. Its
Its till
till isisgray
gray(oxidizing
(oxidizingto
toolive
olivebrown),
brown), loamy
loamy to
to
clayey,
clayey, and
and rich
rich in
in sedimentary
sedimentaryrock
rock fragments—mainly
fragments-mainly carbonate
carbonate and
and gray shale.
shale. Granite
Graniteand
and
Anoffshoot
offshootof
ofthe
theDes
DesMoines
Moineslobe,
lobe,called
calledthe
the
greenstonefragments
fragmentsare
are also
alsofairly
fairlycommon.
common. An
greenstone
Grantsburg
Grantsburgsublobe,
sublobe,extended
extendednortheast
northeastfrom
fromthe
themain
mainlobe,
lobe,burying
buryingthe
theSt.
St.Croix
Croixmoraine,
moraine,and
and
advancing
over
land
that
had
recently
been
vacated
by
the
Superior
lobe.
advancing over land that had recently been vacated by the Superior lobe.
ItIt appears
appearsthat
thatthe
theGrantsburg
Grantsburg sublobe
sublobe was
was aa late
late advance,
advance, during a time when
when the
the main
main
Des
Moines
lobe
was
retreating.
The
retreat
was
interrupted
by
many
minor
re-advances,
each
Des Moines lobe was retreating. The retreat was interrupted by many minor re-advances, each
one
lobeApparently the
the Bemis
Bemis advance
advance of
of the
the Des
DesMoines
Moineslobe—
one less
less extensive
extensive than
than the
thelast.
last. Apparently
14,000
14,000years
years ago—
ago- was
was blocked
blocked and
and diverted
diverted by the St. Croix moraine. How
Howwas
wasthis
thismoraine
moraine
able
ableto
toblock
blockthe
theearliest,
earliest,most
mostextensive
extensiveadvance,
advance,and
andyet
yet was
was overridden
overriddenby
by aa later,
later, less
less powerful
powerful
pulse?
pulse? The
Themost
mostreasonable
reasonableexplanation
explanationisisthat
thatearly
earlyon
onstagnant
stagnantice
iceburied
buriedininthe
themoraine
moraine
made
madeititeffectively
effectivelyhigher.
higher.As
Asthe
theice
icemelted,
melted,the
thebarrier
barrierbecame
becamelow
lowenough
enoughto
tobe
bebreached
breachedby
by
the
theadvancing
advancingice.
ice.
One
One could
could postulate
postulate that
that at
at the
the time
time of
of the
theBemis
Bemisadvance,
advance, the
the St.
St. Croix
Croixmoraine
moraine was
was
backed
sublobeto
to
backedby
byactive
activeglacier
glacierice,
ice,which
whichlater
laterretreated
retreatedenough
enoughto
toallow
allowthe
theGrantsburg
Grantsburgsublobe
cross
crossthe
themoraine.
moraine.However,
However,glacial
glaciallake
lakedeposits
depositshave
havebeen
beendiscovered
discoveredwell
well back
back from
fromthe
the St.
St.
Croix
moraine,
underneath
sediments
of
the
Grantsburg
sublobe.
Johnson
and
Hemstad
(in
Croix moraine, underneath sediments of the Grantsburg sublobe. Johnson and Hemstad (in
prep.)
varve couplets
couplets from
from the
the thickest
thickest part
part of
of the
the lake
lake sediments
sediments as
as
prep.) estimate
estimate at
at least
least 900
900varve
extrapolated
extrapolatedfrom
fromthinner
thinnercounted
countedsections.
sections.This
Thissuggests
suggeststhat
thatactive
activeice
ice had
had melted
melted back
back from
from
the
themoraine
morainelong
longbefore
beforethe
theGrantsburg
Grantsburgadvance.
advance.
The
TheDes
DesMoines
Moineslobe
lobeadvance
advanceover
overthe
theSt.
St.Croix
Croixmoraine
morainewas
was in
in two
two phases:
phases:first
firsttotocross
cross
was
wasthe
theDuelm
DuelmBulge
Bulge(Stops
(Stops44and
and5).
5). The
Thenorthern
northern limit
limit of
of this
thisadvance
advanceisisdefined
definedby
by the
the
Duelm
Duelmchannel,
channel,which
whichcarried
carriedthe
thedischarge
dischargeof
ofthe
theupper
upperMississippi
MississippiRiver
Riveraround
aroundthe
thebulge
bulgeof
of
ice.
The
eastern
limit
of
the
bulge
is
less
certain,
but
it
may
have
been
pinned
by
the
high
ice. The eastern limit of the bulge is less certain, but it may have been pinned by the high
ground
groundnorth
northofofElk
ElkRiver
River(Stop
(Stop7).
7).This
Thisadvance
advanceappears
appearstotohave
havebeen
beenshort-lived,
short-lived,and
andquickly
quickly
succeeded
succeededby
bythe
theadvance
advanceofofthe
theGrantsburg
Grantsburgsublobe.
sublobe.
The
TheGrantsburg
Grantsburgsublobe
sublobecrossed
crossedthe
theSt.
St.Croix
Croixmoraine
moraineover
overaabroad
broadfront,
front,and
andadvanced
advancedtoto
the
thenortheast,
northeast,past
pastthe
theSt.
St.Croix
Croixriver
rivertotothe
thetown
townof
ofGrantsburg,
Grantsburg,Wisconsin.
Wisconsin. ItItwas
washemmed
hemmedinin
by
bythe
theback
backside
sideofofthe
theSt.
St.Croix
Croixmoraine
moraineon
onthe
thesoutheast
southeastside,
side,and
andby
byhigh
highground
groundtotothe
thenorth.
north.
The
TheGrantsburg
Grantsburgappears
appearstotohave
havebeen
beenone
onemain
mainpulse,
pulse,followed
followedby
bywidespread
widespreadstagnation
stagnationand
and
melting.
melting.
Till
Tillof
ofthe
theGrantsburg
Grantsburgadvance
advanceisisquite
quitevariable
variablein
in composition;
composition;ininplaces,
places,ititisisessentially
essentially
the
thesame
sameasastill
tillofofthe
theDes
DesMoines
Moineslobe.
lobe.InInothers,
others,ititisisbanded
bandedred
redand
andgray,
gray,on
onthe
thescale
scaleofoffeet
feet
totoinches.
inches.InInother
otherplaces,
places,ititappears
appearsthe
thesame
sameasastill
tillofofthe
theSuperior
Superiorlobe,
lobe,except
exceptfor
foraatrace
traceof
of
shale.
sublobeincorporated
incorporatedaalarge
largeamount
amountof
ofSuperior
Superior
shale.Apparently,
Apparently,the
theice
iceofofthe
theGrantsburg
Grantsburgsublobe
lobe
lobedebris
debrisasasititwas
waspassing
passingover
overthe
theSt.
St.Croix
Croixmoraine.
moraine. This
Thisdebris
debriswas
waspartially,
partially,but
butnot
not
completely,
completely,mixed
mixedwith
withsediment
sedimentalready
already in
in the
the ice.
ice. InInplaces,
places,especially
especiallyininthe
thecenter
centerofofthe
the
lobe,
lobe,Grantsburg
Grantsburgtill
tillisisthin,
thin,orormissing
missingaltogether.
altogether.
81

�The ice melted
melted more rapidly in the center
center than along
along the margins, presumably
presumably because it
GlacialLake
Lake Anoka
Anoka formed
formed in the center
center of the sublobe,
sublobe, fed by large
large
had less of a debris cover. Glacial
amounts Of
of meltwater
amounts
meltwater from the upper Mississippi (a continuation of the same flow that eroded
the Duelm Channel).
Channel). The
Thelake
lakedeclined
declinedin
instages
stagesas
asice
icemelted
melted out
out of
of the
the margins,
margins,uncovering
uncovering
successively lower outlets into the St. Croix
Croix River,
River, and finally
finally drained
drained altogether
altogether down
down the
the
Mississippi River. This
This drainage
drainageevent
event connected
connectedthe
the upper
upper and
and lower
lower parts
parts of the
the Mississippi
Mississippi
for the first time in its modern course.
course.
of two
two parts:
parts: the
The Anoka Sand Plain is composed of
the lakebottom
lakebottom sediment
sediment (mostly
(mostly fine
fine
plain-delta which extends from the Mississippi valley train
train into the
outwash plain-delta
sand), and a sandy outwash
lake. The
Thelake
lakewas
wasshallow,
shallow,and
and apparently
apparentlymost
most of
of the
the silt
silt and
and clay
clay from
from the
the meitwater
meltwater stayed
stayed
until it was carried downstream.
between the
the delta and the
in suspension
suspension until
downstream. The
The boundary
boundary between
lakebottom sediment
lakebottom
sedimentisisdifficult
difficultto
to pin
pin down,
down, because
becausethe
the texture
textureof
of the
the sand
sand is
is not much
much different,
different,
and because the boundary
boundary shifted
shifted as
as the lake filled in.

STOP 1—Superior
ValleyFan
Fan Sand
Sand and
and Gravel Buried by Superior
1Ã‘Superio Lobe Tunnel Valley
SuperiorLobe
Lobe
and
and Grantsburg
GrantsburgSublobe
SublobeTill.
Till.(Gary
(GaryMeyer)
Meyer)
A radiocarbon
radiocarbon date
32,300±2000
obtained from
from wood fragments
fragments
date of 32,300
k2000years
yearsB.P.
B.P. (Beta-40098)
(Beta-40098) obtained

in a core
core sample
sample taken
taken below
below 130
130 feet
feet of
of Superior
Superior lobe
lobe sand
sand and
and gravel
gravel in Ramsey
Ramsey County
County
(Meyer, 1992),
1992), gives a possible maximum age for the advance
advance of the Superior
Superior lobe
lobe into
into easteastcentral Minnesota. As
Asthe
thefront
frontof
of the
the Superior
Superiorlobe
lobe became stabilized,
stabilized, it formed the St. Croix
moraine—a complex
the east,
east, south,
south, and
and
moraine-a
complexlinear
linear series
seriesof
of high
high hills encircling
encircling the Twin Cities on the
paralleling the Mississippi
Cloud area
area (Fig.
(Fig. 1.1).
1.1). During the eventual
west, and paralleling
Mississippi River to the St. Cloud
retreat of the ice front,
front, meltwater
meltwater issuing
issuing from the Superior lobe became channelized through
the moraine. The
TheSuperior-provenance
Superior-provenance(Table
(Table 1.1)
1.1) sand
sand and gravel deposit at Maple Grove in
northeast Hennepin
Hennepin County
County (Fig.
(Fig. 1.1),
1.l), extensively exposed in gravel pits (Fig. 1.2), was likely
deposited
during
formation
of
the
North
1992),which
which mark
mark a retreatal
retreatal
deposited during formation of the North Ramsey
Ramsey mounds
mounds (Patterson,
(Patterson, 1992),
position of the Superior
Superior lobe
lobe behind the
the St.
St. Croix
Croix moraine.

Table 1.1. General
Generalcharacteristics
characteristicsof
of mapped
mapped glacial
glacial deposits of
ofthe
theTwin
Twin Cities
Cities area.
area.

texture
Till texture

Mountain
Riding Mountain
Provenance
Provenance
loamy

Superior
Superior
Provenance
Provenance
sandy
sandy

Color
oxidized
oxidized
unoxidized
unoxidized

yellow brown to olive
olive brown
gray
gray

red brown
gray to
to red
red gray
gray
gray

common
common
uncommon to common
common

rare to uncommon
common to abundant
abundant

rare to uncommon
uncommon
uncommon to abundant
abundant

common
absent
absent

Feature

Pebble type
white to
to buff carbonate
carbonate
dark gray to gray-green
rocks
red felsite and sandstone
sandstone
gray shale
shale

82

�u
lMTED STATES

Figure
moraine in east-central
east-central Minnesota
Figure 1.1.
1.1. Tunnel
Tunnelvalleys,
valleys,valley-mouth
valley-mouthfans,
fans, and
and the St. Croix moraine

and adjoining counties in Wisconsin.
Wisconsin. Lettered features are landforms
landforms discussed
discussed in
inthe
thetext:
text: M,
Maple Grove fan; E, Elk River fan complex.
complex. Modified
Modified from Patterson (1994).
The
The Maple
Maple Grove
Grove sand
sand and
and gravel
gravel deposit
depositwas
was laid
laid down
down as
as aa fan
fan at
at the
the mouth
mouth of
of aa tunnel
tunnel
valley—a
drainageway (Patterson,
(Patterson, 1994).
1994). The trend
valley-a deeply incised, broad, subglacial drainageway
trend of
of the
the
tunnel valley that fed the fan is
is marked
marked to
to the
the northeast
northeast in
in Anoka County by aa chain
chain of
of lakes
lakes
(Fig. 1.1)
1.1) formed
formed when thick
thick ice filling
filling the valley later melted. The
The sand
sand and
and gravel
gravel laid
laid down
down
at the mouth of the valley evidently buried stagnant ice, as the fan deposit is deeply pitted (Fig.
1.2). The
The buried
buried ice
ice was
was well-insulated,
well-insulated, as
as it apparently was still melting during a readvance of
the Superior
gravel below reddish
reddish sandy till, and then
then during
during an
Superior lobe,
lobe, which
which buried
buried the
the sand
sand and grave1
which further buried
buried the
the sand and gravel with yellowish
advance of the Grantsburg sublobe, which
clayey till. The
Thesand
sandand
andgravel
gravelisis thickest
thickest where
where the
the buried ice was thin, forming ridges in the
postglacial landscape.
landscape. Areas
Areasunderlain
underlain by
by the
the thickest
thickest ice became depressions into which first
Superior lobe till from
Superior
from the
the readvance
readvance (Automba?)
(Automba?) phase flowed,
flowed, and
and then,
then, following
following final
final
deglaciation, both
finally completely
completely
deglaciation,
both Superior
Superiorlobe
lobe and
and Grantsburg
Grantsburg sublobe
sublobe tills flowed
flowed as the ice finally
melted,
deposited. A log at the base of collapsed
melted, apparently
apparently thousands
thousandsof
of years
years after
after it was first deposited.
lake sediments
and Superior
Superior lobe
lobe tills,
tills, exposed in a Maple
sediments overlying
overlying collapsed Grantsburg
Grantsburg and
Maple
Grove fan pit, yielded a date
date of
of 11,930±60
11,93e60radiocarbon
radiocarbon years
years B.P.
B.P. (Beta-23746; Meyer and
Hobbs, 1989),
1989), indicating
indicating that
that buried
buried St.
St. Croix
Croix phase ice was still melting less than 12,000
12,000 years
years
ago.
ago.
83
83

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jj

ci

o a Q J)I

Ik0 TH II
0

0

/

a

0riggI

lemT
I

t

U—

-

-

r

Y.°'—

.'c

4r'/t9r(

_.;

.

..

.

.

.

Figure 1.2.
1.2. Topographic
Topographicmap
mapwith
with Maple
Maple Grove
Grove fan deposit outlined. The
The landform
landform likely
likely extended
extended to
to the
Figure
sublobe meltwater.
meltwater. Area shown is
is about
about 2.8
2.8 miles
miles wide;
wide;
northeast prior to being planed off by Grantsburg sublobe
contour
contour interval
interval 10
10 feet.
feet. (U.S.
(U.S. Geological
Geological Survey
Survey Osseo
Osseo quadrangle,
quadrangle, 7.5-minute series,
series, 1967.)
1967.)

The movement
depressions during
during differential
differential ice-block
ice-block
movement of the bulk of overlying tills into depressions
melt-out
melt-out reduced
reducedthe
the"overburden"
"overburden7'thickness
thicknessabove
abovethe
thesand
sandand
andgravel,
gravel,allowing
allowingitit to
to be exploited
exploited
for construction
construction aggregate.
aggregate. Gravel
Gravelmining
mininghas
hasinverted
inverted the
the topography once
once again,
again, turning the
gravel ridges into deep pits and the till-filled
depressions into
into hills.
hills. Gravel from the Maple
till-filled depressions
Grove
Cities area
area as
as ititconsists
consistsmostly
mostly of
ofPrecambrian
Precambrian
Grove fan
fan deposit
deposit is
is the most durable
durable in the Twin Cities
rock clasts (Meyer and Jirsa7
ursa, 1984).
1984). Superior
Superiorlobe
lobe deposits
deposits to
to the
the east
east and
and southeast
southeast contain
greater
greater amounts
amountsof
of locally-derived,
locally-derived,relatively
relativelysoft
softPaleozoic
Paleozoicclasts,
clasts,eroded
erodedas
asthe
thelobe
lobemoved
movedup
up
the escarpment
others, 1986). Des Moines lobe and
escarpment formed
formed by the Oneota Dolomite (Jirsa and others,
Grantsburg sublobe deposits contain clasts of both Paleozoic carbonate and Cretaceous shale,
as they are of Riding
Riding Mountain
Mountainprovenance
provenance (Table
(Table 1.1).
1.1).
84

�%Powder Ridge
Site-Glacial Thrusting
Cretaceous
STOP 2—Powder
Ridge Borrow
Borrow Pit Site—Glacial
Thrusting of
of Drift and Cretaceous
(Alan Knaeble)
Knaeble)
Bedrock. (Alan
A
located in the St. Croix moraine (Fig. 2.1). The moraine was deposited
A large
large borrow
borrow pit
pit is located
deposited
prior
prior to
to 16,150
16,150years
years BP
BP (Birks,
(Birks,1976)
1976)when
when the
the Superior
Superior lobe was at its maximum. This
Thissite
siteisis

perched
Moines lobe
lobe outwash
outwash plain
plain (Fig.
(Fig. 2.2).
2.2). The
perched about
about 225 ftft above
above the surrounding Des Moines
borrow
to0build up the summit of the ski hill and
and regrade
borrow pit
pit was
was excavated
excavated to
to supply
supply material 1
existing
existing ski-run slopes. The
The pit
pit isis 1/4
114mile
mile long
long and
and oriented
oriented north-south.
north-south. There
There are
are good
good
exposures
wails (Fig. 2.3).
2.3). Six texturally and lithologically distinct
exposureson
on the
the north,
north, west, and east walls
(K); pre
pre Wisconsin
Wisconsin sand
sand (S);
(S);
are recognized
recognized in
in the
the pit
pit including:
including: Cretaceous
Cretaceous shale
shale (K);
units are
unoxidized, dark
dark gray,
gray, clayey
clayey pre-Wisconsin
pre-Wisconsin till (Elmdale
(Elmdale till)
till) (wt-w);
(wt-w); unoxidized,
unoxidized,dark
darkredredunoxidized,
brown pre-Wisconsin till ("Old
("Old Red
Red till")
till") (st-x);
(st-x);oxidized,
oxidized,yellow-brown
yellow-brown or
orunoxidized,
unoxidized,gray
gray
pre-Wisconsin
pre-Wisconsin till (wt-x);
(wt-x); and
and reddish-brown,
reddish-brown, sandy
sandy late
late Wisconsin
Wisconsin till,
till, lake
lake sediments,
sediments,and
and
sandlgravel
identification
sand/gravel (Superior
(Superior lobe deposits) (st). Fossil
Fossil and
and mineral
mineral content
content have helped identification
of
of the Cretaceous
Cretaceousdeposits,
deposits,and
and texture
texture and
and grain
grain count
count analyses
analysesindicate
indicate that
that at
at least
least four
four glacial
glacial
advances
advances are
are represented
represented(Table
(Table2.1;
2.1; Fig.
Fig. 2.4)
2.4) (Knaeble,
(Knaeble,1996).
1996).

-

E

St. Croix moraine

Payn.wC.

Thrusthills
IOMILES

o

• Thrust site

I

Fo

a

10

- ---

15 KMOMETERS
.
.

Figure 2.1. Simplified
Simplifiedmap
mapof
ofStearns
steamsCounty
Countyshowing
showingthe
thelocation
locationof
of thrust
thrust masses
masses
Figure
(hills)
(hills) within the St.
St. Croix
Croix Moraine and 22 thrust sites. From
FromKnaeble
Knaeble(1996).
(1996).

Exposures in the
the pit
pit walls
walls show
show that
that these
these sediments
sediments form slabs
slabs 50-250
50-250 ft thick,
thick, which
which
appear
appear to extend
extend laterally for more than 400 ft. The
The slab
slab contacts
contacts dip
dip 30°-60°
30Â°-60north-northeast,
north-northeast,
in
for the
the Superior
Superiorlobe.
lobe. The
The internal
internal stratification
stratification
in what would
would have been the up-glacier direction for
ft
50-100 ft
within
these slabs
slabs largely
largely subparailels
subparallels slab
slab boundaries, although
although two zones, each 50-100
withiI these
thick,
are
intensely
deformed;
the
sediments
are
sheared,
streaked,
mixed
and,
in
the
intensely
eaked,
mixed
and,
in
the
intensely
thick, are intensely deformed; the sediments are sheared, str
rned zone,
7nne
dicnlmr distorted
dictnrtpd overturned
nvprhirnpd fnldc
Rnqpd on
deformed
display
folds. Based
----on comparisons
comparisons with
with undeformed
undeformed
defonAawu
uALw,
exposures
exposures in
in Stearns
SteamsCounty,
County, the
the sequence
sequence of sediments
sediments in
in this pit can be divided into at least 6
thrust blocks. Each
Eachthrust
thrustblock
blockcontains
containstwo
twoor
ormore
moredistinct
distinctunits
unitsdifferentiated
differentiatedby
by color,
color,
texture, and lithology.
block. Superior
lithology. The
The youngest
youngest till (unit st) caps each thrust block.
Superior lobe
lobe ice,
ice,
associated
with
deposition
of
this
youngest
till,
is
interpreted
to
have
caused
the
thrusting
associated
deposition of
youngest
(Knaeble,
(Knaeble, 1996).
1996).
85
85
uawy*aJ

-au..-A.--

�I

I

glaciotectonic thrusting
Figure 2.2.
2.2. Topographic
Topographicmap
map showing
showing the powder ridge ski pit, a site of glaciotectonic
Figure
on
N., R.
R. 29
29W.).
on the
the St.
St. Croix
Croix Moraine
Moraine (sec.
(sec. 27,
27, T. 22 N.,
W.). Hachured
Hachured lines
lines indicate
indicate scarps;
scarps; hachures
hachures
on
on downslope
downslope side. Area
Areashown
shownisis2.3
2.3 miles
miles wide;
wide; contour
contourinterval
interval10
10feet
feet(U.S.
(U.S.Geological
Geological
Survey Kimball quadrangle, 7.5-minute series, 1967). From
Knaeble
(1996).
From Knaeble (1996).
86

�EXPLANATION
Fill

Unexpose area or Slope wash
Superior lobe lull (Pierz). in places Containing inlerbegs
of Superior lobe lacuustrine
sedumenf (.1) and
Superior lobe sand and gravel deposits (so)

Winnipeg provenance n till )Sauk Centre or Meyer Lake)
v till (Old Red)
Winnipeg provenance w till (Elmdale)
Sand (pre-lafe Wisconsin)
Cretaceous marine Shale
Thrust fault; sawteeth in upper plate
Fault, Showing relative horizontal
motion; approximate
location where dashed
—— — Unit confacl, approximate
location where dashed
Highly deformed mined malerial
Superior provenance

I.

0

tOO

300 feet

Vertical exaggera(l

Figure
thrust blocks.
blocks. Quaternary sediments
sediments and Cretaceous
Figure 2.3. Powder
PowderRidge
Ridgeski
ski pit showing
showing interpreted thrust
clays are exposed on the north, east, and west
west walls
walls of
of the
the pit;
pit; the exposure
exposure on the west wall has been
extended through to the outside face
face of
ofthe
theblock
blockdiagram.
diagram. See
Seefigures
figures 2.1
2.1 and.2.2
and 2.2 for
forpit
pitlocation.
location. From
Knaeble
Knaeble (1996).
(1996).

Table 2.1. Matrix
Matrixtexture
textureof
of glacial
glacialtills
tills in
in the
the Powder
Powder Ridge
Ridge ski
ski pit.

Unit

Percent of
Sand
Sand
Silt

No. of
Samples
Samples

Clay
Clay

wt-w

4

29
29

40

31
31

st-x
st-x

6

41
41

34
34

25
25

Meyer Lake

5

28

57
57

15
15

Sauk
Sauk Centre
Centre

8
8

41
41

41
41

18
18

20

58
58

29
29

wt-x
wt-x

St
st

87

.

13
13

�Clay
Clay
100%
100%

UMTS

• wt-w
+ st-x

• wt-x
o wt-x
St

Figure 2.4. Triangular
Triangular plot of
matrix texture of glacial till
units in the Powder
Ridge ski
ski
units
Powder Ridge
pit. From
FromKnaeble
Knaeble (in
(in prep.).

U..
U

••S•

c&amp;o

•
100%

Sand
Sand

100%

50%

Silt

The
The exposure
exposure on
on the west
west wall at
at the south
south end of the pit, shows Cretaceous marine shale
shale
10-foot-thick packet of deformed
deformed Superior lobe till, which contains
contains streaks
streaks of
of
overlying a 10-foot-thick
incorporated older till. The
deformed
Superior
lobe
till
overlies
25-30
ft
of
very
well
sorted,
The deformed Superior
finely
bedded, finepre-late Wisconsin,
Wisconsin, which in turn
finely bedded,
fine- to medium-grained
medium-grained sand
sand interpreted
interpreted to
to be pre-late
overlies
overlies more Cretaceous
Cretaceous shale.
shale. The
Thecontacts
contactsbetween
betweenthese
theseunits
units dip
dip 30°-60°
30Â°-60north and
and indicate
indicate
south-directed
thrust block
block overlying
overlying younger
south-directedthrusting
thrustingwith
withaa Cretaceous
Cretaceousunit
unit at
at the base of one thrust
units in another
another thrust
thrust block. Drill
Drillcore
coreof
of the
the Cretaceous
Cretaceousshale
shale at
at the south
south end of the pit shows
them to extend
to
a
depth
of
at
least
56
ft,
where
the
drill
core
ended.
The
elevation at the
the top of
extend
ft, where the drill core ended.
the Cretaceous shale is about
about 1300
1300 ft;
ft; yet well
well logs
logs show
show the highest undisturbed Cretaceous
level. Some
Some of the thrust blocks contain
contain
bedrock in the region to be less than 1100
1100 ft above sea level.
Cretaceous
top of
of other
other thrust
thrust
Cretaceous shale,
shale, which
which is
is interpreted
interpreted to have been exhumed and stacked on top
blocks to form
form the moraine
moraine during
during ice
ice advance
advance (Knaeble,
(Knaeble, 1996).
1996).
wide at the
the Powder
PowderRidge
Ridge ski
skipit.
pit. Water-well
Water-well
The St. Croix end moraine is about one mile wide
records for
mile northwest
northwest
records
for three
three wells
wells located
located on
on the flanks
flanks of the end moraine (two about a half mile
of the pit, one
one located
located about
about aa quarter
quarter mile northeast
northeast of the pit) also describe materials that
appear
appear to be thrusted
thrusted (i.e.,
(i.e., Cretaceous
Cretaceousdeposits
depositsover
over till,
till, and
and repetitive
repetitive sequential
sequentialcolor
color changes
changes
in the till units).
units).

There is evidence
evidence that
that the
the presence
presence of permafrost (Mackay
(Mackay and Mathews,
Mathews, 1964;
1964; Clayton
Clayton
increase in
in pore-water
pore-water pressure
pressure
and Moran, 1974;
1974; Bluemle and Clayton,
Clayton, 1984;
1984;Aber, 1988), an increase
in the underlying
underlying sediment
sediment(Clayton
(Claytonand
andMoran,
Moran,1974;
1974;Bluemle
Bluemleand
andClayton,
Clayton,1984;
1984;Aber,
Aber,1988),
1988),
Aber, 1988) are conditions that
and sufficient ice-flow velocities (Clayton and Moran, 1974; Aber,
contribute to thrusting
thrusting of substrata
substrata at ice margins. When
Whenthe
theSuperior
Superiorlobe
lobeadvanced
advancedover
over soft
soft
bedrock, such as
Cretaceous
shale,
or
older
glacial
deposits,
these
conditions
may
have
been
as Cretaceous shale, or older glacial deposits, these conditions
have been
present and appear
appear to
to have
have fostered
fostered thrusting
thrusting (Fig.
(Fig. 2.5) during
during the formation
formation of the
the St.
St. Croix
Croix
moraine at Powder
Powder Ridge.
Ridge.

88

�Zuul—.

'I
//
\—_;.u__ \'_
—
— ——

7,
..

,,
-u '' 7,s_... • /\ 7/._..
.

, _'•-

—' —

—

-

#•%S

_ /'

-

—

_%
'ui —
,
%_

\

'S

-

1s

__u_u—
—
—I

—S —

-. _

..

—

F

I

Is/i ,%7.,I,
—

55

.2s
I5./

,./

—

.2

.. — —

'..

I

..S_I_\
— sI —,.;..
*

—

-' —
%s
'%S
'\ ,%—;_
S_

—

..

',,

\S
S

Ss1 —

'

7

—

—-'

,• .'' _'L.
—

.2

•S__4•.

I

S

,

/
5,

'5

— _.g_l' —

:L
L''-'.7' '•'_i
r''——— '—''——— '—'r5

—

Bedrock Surface
Cretaceous
Precambrian

—

—

5,5
J

———'5' 7,5,,,—5——
— ——
i, — I_,,\
\_ 7, I_5—%_'S_
5,

SJ

1_

—

—

.

.2

':

%___ ,: —

— -__S...

S

—

•

_''_——
—'
s._
''SA \__
'_/t _.ez.'
'ui

SS
.—

.
,','_',/_'.
_,'..'/_!.I
— __ _SS — __
—

—

I

!.

'—S

.

_,—
L

.2

..

'

——

'\
'11ui'' ' S/*'S'' I_

\__ '_'—, — '——

,./ —— I,
5 __/% —,';— •__
us/u

/

z

_;'u•_
,—
— .b

——

—

—

;_

:

I—I
/ .j.

---I...
_'5.

Ice-Thrust Sites

Figure 2.5.
2.5. Geologic
Geologicmap
mapofofSteams
StemsCounty
Countyshowing
showingthe
theSt.
St.Croix
Croix
Figure
moraine
and
the
association
of
ice-thrusts
with
the
underlying
moraine and the association of ice-thrusts with the underlyingbedrock.
bedrock.

Powder
POW^&amp; Ridge
Ridge
Borrow
Borrow Pit
Pit

STOP
Thrusting of Cretaceous
STOP3—Merden
3-Merden Lake
Lake Esker
EskerGravel
GravelPit—Small-scale
Pitamall-scale Thrusting
Cretaceous Bedrock
Bedrock
and
and Glacial
Glacial Drift.
Drift. (Alan
(Alan Knaeble)
Knaeble)
The gravel
gravel pit cuts through a section
section of the Merden Lake esker and provides evidence for
small-scale thrusting that is not associated with
with end-moraine
end-moraine formation
formation(Fig.
(Fig.2.1).
2.1). The esker
formed
formed beneath
beneath the
the Superior
Superiorlobe
lobeas
asthe
the ice
ice advanced
advanced towards
towards the
the southwest.
southwest.

Typical esker
esker deposits
deposits are
are exposed
exposedalong
alongthe
theeast
eastwall
wallof
ofthe
the pit.
pit. Here,
Here, about
about 20
20 ftft of
of
Superior
Superiorlobe
lobe sand
sand and
and gravel
gravelare
are overlain
overlain by aa thin 5-foot
5-foot layer
layer of sandy
sandy Superior
Superiorlobe
lobe till
till (Fig.
(Fig.
3.1). In
represent
Inthe
the northwest
northwestwall,
wall,aa Superior-lobe-source
Superior-lobe-sourcesand
sand and
and gravel
gravel is also interpreted to represent
the
Superior lobe
lobe till that has incorporated
incorporated
the core
core of an
an esker. Mantling
Mantlingthis
thiscore
coreisis aa 5-10-foot
5- 10-footcap
cap of Superior
aa 3-5-foot
Cretaceous shale
3-5-foot slab
slab of old 'Elmdale
'Elmdale till'
till' of
of Meyer (1986). Thin
Thin layers
layers of dark gray Cretaceous
are present
present at the base of the Superior
Superior lobe till cap. The
The Cretaceous
Cretaceous shale
shaleand
and the
the older
older Elmdale
Elmdale
till
till are
are interpreted
interpretedas
as substrata
substratathat
that were
were picked up
up by Superior-lobe
Superior-lobe ice, transported
transported at the base
of the glacier,
glacier, and
and then deposited
deposited on top
top of the esker
esker as
as the ice
ice wasted
wasted (Knaeble,
(Knaeble, 1996).
1996).

Scattered in the sand and gravel on the pit floor you can find pebbles and cobbles of
pisolitic
lateriticclay.
clay. These
Theseclasts
clastsare
areinterpreted
interpretedto
tobe
be derived
derived from
from the
the uppermost
uppermost weathering
weathering
pisolitic lateritic
profile
Precambrian igneous
saprolith, and transported
transported here by
by Superior
Superior
profile of the Precambrian
igneous and metamorphic saprolith,
lobe
landscape
lobe ice
ice and
and meitwater.
meltwater. Setterholm
Setterholm(1990)
(1990)states,
states,"The
"The pisolitic
pisolitic layer
layer marks
marks aa soil
soil of the landscape
upon which
which the
the bulk of
of the
the Upper
Upper Cretaceous
Cretaceous rocks
rocks in
in Steams
S t e m sCounty
Countywere
weredeposited."
deposited.''

89

�andravel
east

____—

west

Cretaceous
Cretaceous shale
shale

iiorlobetil1_
Superior lobe till

sand and gravel
. . . . . . ..

Figure 3.1. Merden
MerdenLake
Lake Esker
Esker gravel
gravel pit: profile
profile of
of exposed
exposed east and west walls.

Brothers Gravel
STOP
STOP 4—
4- Bauerly Brothers
Gravel Pit.
Pit. (Howard
(Howard Hobbs)
lobe drumlin
drumlin (Fig.
(Fig.4.1).
4.1). The near side of the
This pit is dug into the side of a Superior lobe
drumlin is truncated by the
the edge
edge of
of the
theMississippi
Mississippivalley
valley train.
train. There is about
about 25
25 feet
feet of
Superior outwash overlain by
by as much as 25 feet of reddish-brown
till. The till cover
reddish-brown till.
cover gets
thinner on the lower flanks of the drumlin. ItItisisnot
not unusual
unusual for
for drumlins
drumlins of
of the
the Pierz
Pierz drumlin
drumlin
field to contain meltwater
meltwater sediment,
sediment, presumably deposited
deposited in an earlier phase of glaciation,
glaciation, as
as
well as till.
are typical
typical of
ofSuperior-provenance
Superior-provenancedeposits.
deposits. They are reddish
reddish
Both the till and the gravel are
brown, and contain many
many red and black pebbles;
pebbles; carbonate
carbonatepebbles
pebblesare
aresparse.
sparse. The till is aa
brown,
rocky gravelly
gravelly sandy
sandy loam. In
Insharp
sharpcontrast,
contrast,this
thissequence
sequenceisis overlain
overlain in
in places
places by aa thin layer
layer
of buff-colored
buff-colored loamy till, which
which contains
contains only a few rocks and pebbles.
This material
material is
is
interpreted
interpreted as
as till deposited
deposited by the Duelm
Duelm bulge of the Des Moines lobe. This
This site
site is
is only
only aa few
few
miles from
Benton and Sherburne Counties,
from the
the edge
edge of the bulge,
bulge, judged by the soil surveys of Benton
and by the position of the Duelm channel. The
interpreted as
Thethin
thin and
and patchy
patchy nature
nature of the till is interpreted
as
a sign that the
the ice
ice did
did not
not persist
persist long.
long.

90

�I-

4

)

H

.7

/

Wa?j% P....

h-

t:

6

____arr

t

\1C4Ie

309\

t--

/

_

LJ

c

31

0

0w

.

— ?—4 -

. (:

UIN1

cl.1BENTON

rr

hl:

''

M&amp;

c-o. . ii//

Figure 4.1. Duelm Channel and Mississippi valley train.

________

._/ ).

r

y

BovJ sr

c j,

o.i

�_

STOP
STOP 5—
5- Duelm Channel
Channel (Howard
(Howard Hobbs)
Hobbs)
vantage point, on
on an
an erosional
erosional remnant of till,
till, the
the essential
essential elements
elements of
of the
the
From this vantage
4. I). The
Thechannel
channelstretches
stretchesas
asfar
faras
asthe
the eye
eye can
can see
see to
to the
the east
east
Duelm channel
channel can
can be
be seen
seen (Fig.
(Fig. 4.1).
Duelm
Thenorthern
northernbank
bank of
ofthe
thechannel
channel isis about
about 1/2
I12 mile
mile away,
away, rising from 30-60 feet
and west. The
floor. The
The land
landsurface
surface to
to the
the north
north isismade
madeup
upofofdrumlinized
drumlinizedtill,
till,
above the flat channel floor.
underlain in places by outwash,
outwash, of the Superior lobe. To
To the
the south,
south, the edge
edge of the channel
channel is
is
underlain
not so
so well
well defined.
defined. In
Inplaces,
places,the
thechannel
channelcuts
cutsseveral
severaltens
tens of
of feet
feet into
into a drumlinized
drumlinized topography
topography
not
similar
similar to the north
north side,
side, but
but in
in other
other places
places there
there is
is scarcely
scarcely any
any elevation
elevation difference
difference between
between
the channel
channel bottom
bottomand
and the
the land
land outside
outside the
the channel.
channel. In
Insome
someplaces,
places,the
the land
land actually
actuallydrops
dropsoff
off
the
to
dificult to
to see
see how
how the
the channel
channel could
could have
have held in any
any water
water unless
unless itit was
was
to the
the south.
south. ItIt is
is difficult
fronted
fronted by
by glacial
glacial ice
ice on
on the
the south
southside.
side.
This
This channel
channel defines
defines

Duelm channel
,Duelm
channel

the limit
limit of
of what
what II have
have
Princeton0

called
called the "Duelm bulge"
bulge''

(Fig. 5.1).
5.1). ItItisislobate,
lobate,but
but
(Fig.
too small
small to
to be
be an
an ice
ice lobe
lobe
too
or even
even aa sublobe,
sublobe, in
in the
the
usual
usual sense.
sense. All the
the
Duelm
meltwater
flowing
down
meltwater
flowing
down
0
/1
the
the Mississippi
Mississippi valley
valley
0
0
bulge
train
was
diverted
around
train was diverted around
this
this bulge
bulge in
in the
the ice
ice front,
front,
on
on its
its way
way to
to the
the
Mississippi
Mississippi south
south of
of St.
St.
Paul.
Paul. The
The thin
thin skim
skim of
of
-.
gray,
gray, shale-bearing
shale-bearing till
till atat
Stop
Stop 44 indicates
indicates that
that this
this
was
was aa bulge
bulge of
of the
the Des
Des
Figure
Figure 5.1.
5.1. Duelm
Duelmchannel
channeland
andDuelm
Duelmbulge.
bulge.
Moines
Moines lobe,
lobe, which
which was
was
otherwiseheld
heldback
backby
by the
the
otherwise
St.
St. Croix
Croixmoraine.
moraine. Because the till
till is
is thin,
thin, and
and has
has not
notaltered
alteredthe
theunderlying
underlyingdrumlinized
drumlinized
topography
topographyinherited
inheritedfrom
fromthe
theSuperior
Superiorlobe,
lobe,IIinterpret
interpretthe
theDuelm
Duelmbulge
bulgeas
asaashort-lived
short-livedevent.
event.
ItIt was
was probably
probably aasingle
singlepush
pushfollowed
followedby
by stagnation.
stagnation.

\

The
The Duelm
Duelm channel
channel originates
originates just east
east of
of St.
St.Cloud.
Cloud. Its
Its original
original junction
junction with
with the
the
Mississippi
Mississippi valley
valley train
train cannot
cannot be
beobserved,
observed,because
becauseof
of subsequent
subsequenterosion
erosionalong
alongthe
thevalley
valley
train.
train.At
Atthe
theupper
upperend,
end,the
thewatercourse
watercourseisisbroad
broadand
andits
itsedge
edgeisispoorly
poorly defined,
defined,suggesting
suggestingthat
that
itit was
Inthe
themiddle
middlesection,
section, itit isis as
aswe
we see
seeitithere—wellhere-wellwas not
not very
very erosive
erosive in this
this section.
section. In
defined
definedand
anderosive
erosiveon
on the
the north
northside,
side,variable
variable on
on the
the south
south side.
side. At
Atits
itslower
lowerend,
end,the
thechannel
channel
gradually
Anoka Sand
Sand Plain.
Plain. South
graduallyloses
losesits
itsidentity
identityas
asitit is
is buried
buried by younger deposits
deposits of the Anoka
South of
the
the Duelm
Duelm channel
channelisisaa set
setof
of smaller,
smaller,anastamosing
anastamosingchannels
channels at lower elevations. They
They range
range
from
fromwell-defined
well-definedto
toobscure,
obscure,and
andcontain
containmany
manyshallow
shallowdepressions,
depressions,apparently
apparentlyaaresult
resultof
ofice
ice
collapse.
Like
the
main
channel,
they
trend
east
to
southeast,
and
disappear
beneath
the
Anoka
collapse. Like the main channel, they trend east to southeast, and disappear beneath the Anoka
Sand
SandPlain.
Plain.These
Thesechannels
channelsrepresent
representshort-lived
short-liveddiversions
diversionsaround
aroundthe
theice
iceas
asitit was
was advancing,
advancing,
and
andpossibly
possiblyalso
alsoas
asititwas
wasmelting
meltingback.
back.
92

�northwestern part
part of the
the Duelm
Duelm bulge advanced over relatively high drumlinized
drurnlinized till
The northwestern
subsequently covered after the ice melted off. By
By contrast,
contrast,
of the Superior lobe, which was not subsequently
the southern and eastern
eastern parts
parts of
of the
the bulge
bulge passed
passed over
over lower
lower ground,
ground, which
which was
was covered
coveredby
by
Here, itit is
is impossible
impossible to
to tell
tell where
where the
the
sand of the Anoka Sand Plain after the ice melted off.
off. Here,
boundary of the bulge was, or where the Duelm channel went. Clearly,
Clearly, the
the water
water must
must have
have
found its way eventually
eventually to
to the
the Mississippi
MississippiRiver
River below
below the
the Twin
Twin Cities.
Cities.

Stop &amp;The
6—The Lake
LakeAnn
AnnDunes,
Dunes,East-Central
East-Central Sherburne
Sherburne County, Minnesota.
Minnesota. (Gary
(Gary Meyer)
Meyer)
see figure
figure 7.1 for location].
[From Stop 2 by Kerry Keen in Goldstein (1987); see
Sand dunes are an uncommon
uncommon feature
feature of
of Minnesota's
Minnesota's landscape.
landscape. They typically occur as
small distinct areas on much
much larger
larger glacial outwash plains or on terraces
terraces along
along rivers
rivers (Cooper,
(Cooper,
Grigal and
and others,
others, 1976).
1976). Dunes also occur adjacent to
to lakes
lakes and
and on beach
beach ridges
ridges of
of
1935; Grigal
Glacial Lake Agassiz in northwestern Minnesota. Some
Some of
of the
the largest
largest tracts
tracts of well developed
developed
dunes are scattered
scattered across
across the
the Anoka
Anoka Sand
Sand Plain,
Plain, just north
north of
of the
theTwin
Twin Cities
CitiesMetropolitan
Metropolitan
Area. Of
Ofthese,
these,the
thelargest
largestareas
areasof
of dunes
dunesare
are north
north of
of Elk
Elk River
River in eastern
eastern Sherburne
Sherburne County.
These dune areas are best
best described
described as parabolic
parabolic dune blankets (David, 1977) that contain
narrow, elongate, parabolic
parabolic dunes
dunes and
and en
en echelon
echelon dune
dune ridges.
ridges.
the typical
typical geometry
geometry of
of dune
dune blankets
blankets on
on the
the Anoka
Anoka
The Lake Ann dunes (Fig. 6.1) display the
Sand Plain (Fig. 6.2A). This
Thisdune
duneblanket's
blanket's distinct
distinctsoutheast
southeastlobe
lobeappears
appearsto
tohave
have advanced
advanced
Ann. The dune blanket is highly asymmetric, with an indistinct
into the southern area of Lake Ann.
wing. ItIt isis composed
southeastsouthwest margin and a well-developed northeast wing.
composedof
of several
severalsoutheasttrending dune
dune ridges,
ridges, which
with northeast
northeast slopes
slopes steeper
steeper than
than
trending
which also are very asymmetric,
asymmetric, with
outwash plain,
plain,
southwest slopes. The
Thedune
duneblanket
blanket grades
gradesnorthwestward
northwestward into
into wind-deflated
wind-deflated outwash
containing a number
number of northwest-southeast elongate
elongate deflation
deflation depressions.
depressions.

The eolian features of the Anoka Sand Plain were originally attributed to formation by
Cooper, 1935).
1935). However, study of air photos
southwest winds (Leverett and Sardeson, 1932; Cooper,
— the dune blankets and other data indicates that the major eolian features of the sand plain —
were
were formed by northwest winds (Keen, 1985). Modification
Modification by
by west,
west, southwest,
southwest, and
and south
south
winds created the asymmetry
asymmetry of
of the
the dune
dune blankets
blankets and
and dune
dune ridges.
ridges. Sand was eroded and
transported
transported to the
the northeast
northeast over
over the
the dune
dune ridges,
ridges, steepening
steepening their
their northeast
northeast slopes.
slopes. This
modification was so
parabolic dune shapes were nearly obliterated
modification
so severe
severe that the original parabolic
obliterated (Fig.
(Fig.
6.2B). The
Thepresent
presentwind
windregime
regime of
of the
thesand
sandplain
plain isisdominated
dominated by
by northwest
northwest winds
winds that
that are
are
strongest in spring and fall. During
Duringthe
the summer,
summer, winds
winds from
from the west and south would result in
of sand.
sand. The present wind appears to be similar to that
a smaller net northeastward movement of
responsible for eolian activity on the Anoka Sand Plain, although components of this regime
regime
probably varied in importance
importance during
during the Holocene.
Holocene.
A number of vegetational
vegetational communities occur on the dunes of the Anoka Sand Plain and
are well displayed in the Lake Ann
Ann area.
area. Prairie
of
Prairie grows on the dry sunny southwest sides of
dune ridges, whereas oak woods occupy the moister northeast slopes. An
An area
area of
of low
low dunes
dunes in
in
Ann dunes
dunes supports an oak
oak savanna
savannacommunity.
community. Various
Variouswetland
wetlandcommunities
communities occupy
occupy
the Lake Ann
dune depressions.
depressions.
Sediments from
from Lake
Lake Ann were studied
studied with the
the goal
goal of
of interpreting
interpreting the
the vegetation
vegetationand
and
eolian history of the adjacent Lake Ann
Ann dunes
dunes (Keen
(Keen and
and Shane,
Shane, 1990).
1990). As determined
determined by
93

�Ann dune field.
field. Area
Figure 6.1. Topogaphic
Area
Topogaphic map
map showing
showing part of the Lake Ann
shown
(U.S. Geological
GeologicalSurvey
Survey
shown is about 2.8 miles wide; contour
contour interval
interval 10
10 feet. (U.S.
Orrock
Orrock quadrangle,
quadrangle, 7.5-minute
7.5-minute series,
series, 1991).
1991).

94

�I\.
Deflation area
limb

Obscure
southwest
southwasl margin

parabolic dunes

4i
1 .

B.

WENDS
WINDS

1km
m
.k

MAP
MAPVIEW
VIEW

CROSSSECTION
SECTION
CROSS

Figure 6.2.
6.2. A.
A.Typical
Typicalasymmetic
asymmeticdune
dune blanket on the Anoka
Proposed stages
stages
Figure
Anoka Sand
Sand Plain.
Plain. B. Proposed
in
in the
thedevelopment
developmentof
ofmodified
modifiedparabolic
parabolicdunes:
dunes:
A.
A. Initial
Initial development
developmentof
of symmetric
symmetricparabolic
parabolic dunes
dunes by
by strong
strong northwest
northwestwinds.
winds.
B. Modification
Modificationby
bycross-winds.
cross-winds.Northwest
Northwestdunes
dunesare
arestill
stillstrong,
strong,but
butan
animportant
importantsouthsouthB.
west
wind
component
exists.
west wind component exists.
C. Stabilization
Stabilizationand
andrevegetation
revegetation of
of the
the dunes.
dunes. Minor
Minoreolian
eolianerosion
erosion under
under variable
variable wind
wind
C.
directions.
directions. Steep
Steep slope
slope (slipfaces)
(slipfaces)represented
represented by
by lined
linedpattern;
pattern; less
less steep,
steep,eroding
eroding
slopes
slopes(backslopes)
(backslopes)represented
representedby
by dotted
dottedpattern.
pattern.
(Stop
(Stop 22 by
by Keen,
Keen,from
fromGoldstein,
Goldstein,1987)
1987)
95

�O\

"S

[H

[TLTi.
p.,..., •i •i•i ...

—.-. I.

,:$ ,P s
•' lI0 'be'

!.
-

'il-::j

- --F— -,

Istiflid b t C S $54.5. IRS,

'1.!

— I-

;Q'

, 0.s

(or rsd Din.) forest
Birch-Aider forest
Spruce woodland

— Jack pine

Prairie

Oak savanna

Oak I

VEGETATION TYPES

and sample of the spruce pollen decline). From Keen (1985).

The estimated time scale was constructed by linear extrapolation between
dated materials (surface lacustrine sediment, radiocarbon dated samples,

Figure 6.3. A. Abbreviated pollen diagram for Lake Ann, Sherburne
County, Minnesota: B. Eolian component of magnetic susceptibillity
of core F, Lake Ann. Depth is estimated from the frozen lake surface.

"1

4..—

—

'S.—

'S..—

'405—

'7,.—

—

6

Shi'burns Coirnuy . UInn.,oI.

•5SS—

CoreA

lw's.. aOl

?

A.

CorSF

C-' D??S

LAKE ANN

1400-

1300.

1200.

1100.

900.

SOD'

700

I

10

I
9

II

I

20

I

-3000

-2000

-bOO

(yr. B.P.)

Estkn.t.d 'C

B?)

(WIS-I4S2

7420*90

(WIS-1453)

43910

(yr.

—8000

—4000

W

— 10.000

— 9000

$000

-7000

-.000

0
w

z

U

I-

..

Radiocarbon dates

Dipm AdusI.d Inagnstic auscepIty
(ciTu)
(.muIO.) a 1O

bsss of

B

EOLIAN COMPONENT OF MAGNETIC SUSCEPTIBILITY
CORE F. LAKE ANN, SHERBURNE COUNTY. MINNESOTA

___________

�pollen analysis (Fig. 6.3A), the postglacial vegetation
vegetation history
history of
of spruce
spruce woodland,
woodland, birch-alder
birch-alder
forest, pine forest,
and finally oak woodland
other studies
studies
forest, prairie, and
woodland is similar
similar to that inferred from
from other
Minnesota. The
in east-central Minnesota.
The degree
degree of
of representation
representation of prairie-indicator
prairie-indicator species implies
conditions on
on the
the Anoka Sand Plain during the mid-Holocene.
mid-Holocene.
very dry conditions

The chronology of eolian
eolian activity
activity for the dunes
dunes near Lake Ann, derived from analyzing
lake sediment for eolian coarse silt and
and very
very fine
fine sand,
sand, correlates
correlates extremely well with the
vegetation history
determined
from
pollen
analysis.
Because
sediment is found
history determined
Because no wind-derived sediment
in early Holocene
Holocene sediments,
present on the
the sandplain
sandplain in late
late
sediments, it appears
appears unlikely that dunes were present
glacial or early Holocene time, when forest covered the land.
land. Eolian
Eolian activity
activity appears
appears to
to have
have
begun around 8000
8000 years ago,
ago, when the percentage of tree pollen falls to its lowest postglacial
6.3B),
Majoreolian
eolianactivity,
activity,as
as shown
shown best
best by
by the
the magnetic
magnetic susceptibility
susceptibility curve
curve (Fig.
(Fig. 6.3B),
value. Major
occurs during prairie conditions
occurs
conditions of the mid-Holocene,
mid-Holocene, until
until about
about4000
4000years
yearsago.
ago. Minor eolian
activity
activity follows
follows throughout
throughout the
the late
late Holocene.
Holocene.

Stop 7. The
The "Feature"
"Feature"(Howard
(HowardHobbs)
Hobbs)
North of Elk River, an extensive
extensive highland rises above the Anoka Sand Plain (Fig. 7.1).
7.1).
Its largest dimensions
east-west direction and a little less than 15
dimensions are
are aa little
little over 15
15 miles in the east-west
miles north-south. Its
about 100 feet;
feet; local relief ranges
Itsaverage
average height
height above the sandplain is about
up to 100
100 feet,
feet, but
but many
many parts
parts are
areflatter.
flatter.
highland has been interpreted
interpreted as a tunnel-valley fan (Fig. 1). However,
The origin
origin of this highland
However,
it has been mantled
mantled and
and modified
modified since
since its
its formation,
formation,so
so its surficial
surficial sediments
sedimentsare
are quite
quite variable.
variable.
Much of it has been mantled by reddish-brown sandy till, similar to till
till of
of the
the Superior
Superior lobe.
lobe. In
In
places,
places, banded
banded red
red and
and gray
gray till has been observed. The
The till-covered
till-covered part
part of
of the
the feature
feature is
is crossed
crossed
by eskers,
eskers, some
from the Superior
some of which
which appear
appearto
to be Grantsburg,
Grantsburg, some
some of which
which are
are left
left over
over from
Superior
lobe. On
gravel. They are similar
Onthe
thewest
westside
sideof
of the
the highland
highland is
is aa set of north-south ridges of gravel.
to eskers, but are straighter. Stop
Stop77isisaalarge
largegravel
gravelpit
pit in
in one
oneof
of them.
them.

in most
most of
of the
the pit
pit at
The gravel is clean and rather coarse in
at first
first glance,
glance, itit looks
looks just like
like
Superior gravel.
gravel. It has lots
lots of
of black
black and
and red
red pebbles
pebbles from
from the
the Superior
Superior basin
basin and
and the
the North
North
Shore. But
Butlook
lookclosely,
closely,and
andyou
you will
will find
find aa few
few gray
gray shale
shale pebbles,
pebbles, which are
are never found in
pure Superior
Superior gravels. ItItappears
appearsthat
thatmost
most ifif not
not all
all the shale
shale is coming out of the upper part of
the exposure, but this is difficult to confirm, because the lower parts slump over so quickly.
Our best interpretation
interpretation of these ridges is that they were formed as a sort of ice-marginal
meitwater
by the
the highland.
highland. Most
meltwater deposit where the Duelm bulge was hemmed in by
Most of
of the
the gravel
gravel
is reworked from the existing
existing fan, but aa little
little gravel
gravel was
was derived
derived from
from the
the Des
Des Moines
Moines lobe.
lobe.
This is where
where the
the shale
shale came
came from.
from.

97

�Figure 7.1. Location
Locationmap
mapfor
forstops
stops66 and
and 7.
7.

98
98

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with glaciotectonic
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examples: Winston-Salem,
Winston-Salem,
1988, Structural
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N.C., Hunter
HunterTextbooks,
Textbooks,p.p.881-84.
1-84.
Birks, H.J.B., 1976,
1976, Late
LateWisconsin
Wisconsinvegetational
vegetational history
history at
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Bluemle, J.P.,
J.P., and Clayton, L., 1984,
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W.S., 1935,
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Cooper, W.S.,
1935,The history of the upper Mississippi
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inCanada:
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of
P.P., 1977, Sand
eolian
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Dept. of Geology,
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of central
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in
Balaban, N.H.,
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�Leverett, F., and Sardeson,
Sardeson, F.W.,
Minnesota and parts
Leverett,
F.W., 1932, Quaternary geology of Minnesota
parts of adjacent
adjacent
states: U.S.
U.S. Geological
GeologicalSurvey
Survey Professional
Professional Paper
Paper 161,
161, 149
149 p.
Mackay, K.R., and Mathews, W.
W. H.,
H., 1964, The
The role
role of
of permafrost
permafrost in
in ice
ice thrusting:
thrusting: Journal
Journal of
of
Geology, v. 72, p.
378-380.
p. 378-380.
Meyer, G.N., 1986,
1986, Subsurface
Subsurface till
till stratigraphy
stratigraphy of
of the
the Todd
Todd County
County area,
area, central
central Minnesota:
Minnesota:
Minnesota
40 p.
Minnesota Geological
GeologicalSurvey
SurveyReportof
ReportofInvestigation
Investigation34,
34,40
p.
Meyer, G.N., 1992,
plate 55 in
in Meyer,
1992, Quaternary stratigraphy,
stratigraphy, plate
Meyer, G.N.,
G.N., and
and Swanson,
Swanson, L.,
L., eds.,
eds.,
Geologic atlas of Ramsey County, Minnesota: Minnesota
MinnesotaGeological
GeologicalSurvey
Survey County
CountyAtlas
Atlas
Series C-7.
Meyer, G.N.,
in Balaban,
G.N., and Hobbs,
Hobbs, H.C., 1989,
1989, Surficial
Suficial geology, plate 3 in
Balaban, N.H., ed., Geologic
Geologic
atlas of Hennepin County, Minnesota: Minnesota
MinnesotaGeological
GeologicalSurvey
Survey County
County Atlas
Atlas Series
Series
C-4, scale 1:100,000.
1:100,000.
Twin Cities Metropolitan
Meyer, G.N., and Jirsa, M.A., 1984,
1984,Aggregate resources inventory, Twin
Area, Minnesota: Minnesota
MinnesotaGeological
GeologicalSurvey
Survey Information
Information Circular 20, 16
16 p.
Patterson, C.J., 1992,
in Meyer, G.N.,
G.N., and
and Swanson,
Swanson, L.,
L., eds.,
eds., Geologic
Geologic
Patterson,
1992, Surficial
Surficial geology, plate 33 in
atlas of Ramsey County, Minnesota: Minnesota
MinnesotaGeological
GeologicalSurvey
SurveyCounty
CountyAtlas
Atlas Series
Series CC7, scale 1:48,000.
1:48,000.
Patterson, C.J., 1994,
Tunnel-valley fans of the
the St.
St.Croix
Croixmoraine,
moraine,east-central
east-centralMinnesota,
Minnesota, U.S.A.,
U.S.A.,
Patterson,
1994,Tmnel-valley
in Warren, W.P.,
W.P., and
and Croot, D.G.,
D.G., eds., Formation and deformation of glacial
glacial deposits:
deposits:
Rotterdam, Balkema,
Rotterdam,
Balkema,p.p.69—87.
69-87.
Setterhoim, D. R., 1996,
Setterholm,
1996, Geology
Geology of
of the
the Late
Late Cretaceous
Cretaceous Strata
Strata and
and Pre-Late
Pre-Late Cretaceous
Cretaceous
Weathering Profile, Steams
Stearns County,
County, Minnesota,
Minnesota, in
in Meyer,
Meyer,G.
G. N.,
N., and
and Swanson,
Swanson, L.,
L., eds.,
Weathering
Atlas, SStearns
County,Minnesota:
Minnesota: Minnesota
Minnesota Geological
Geological
Text supplement to the Geologic Atlas,
t e m s County,
Survey County Atlas
Atlas Series
Series CC-b,
10,Part
PartC,
C,p.
p. 7-15.
7- 15.

100

��FIELD
FIELD TRIP
TRIP #4
#4
STRATIGRAPHY
STRATIGRAPHYAND
AND HYDROGEOLOGY
HYDROGEOLOGY OF
OF PALEOZOIC
PALEOZOICROCKS
ROCKS
OF
OF SOUTHEASTERN
SOUTHEASTERNMINNESOTA
MINNESOTA

Leaders:
Leaders: Anthony
AnthonyC.
C.Runkel
Runkeland
andRobert
RobertG.
G. Tipping
Tipping
Paleozoic
Paleozoicstrata
strataof
of the
thecentral
centralmidcontinent
midcontinentregion
regionare
areamong
amongthe
thelongest
longeststudied
studiedand
andbest
best
known
America. This
known sedimentary
sedimentary rocks in North America.
This field
field trip
tripwill
willprovide
provide an
anopportunity
opportunityto
to
examine
examinethe
thediverse
diversesuite
suiteof
of lower
lowerPaleozoic
Paleozoicrocks
rocks exposed
exposedalong
alongthe
the Mississippi
MississippiRiver
Riverand
andits
its
1)
the
depositional
tributaries
in
southeastern
Minnesota,
focusing
on
two
interrelated
topics:
tributaries in southeastern Minnesota, focusing on two interrelated topics: 1) the depositional
history
history of
of these
thesestrata,
strata,highlighting
highlightingadvances
advancesmade
madeover
overthe
thepast
pastfifteen
fifteenyears
yearsin
inunderstanding
understanding
the
the origin
originof
of their
their well
well documented
documented enigmatic
enigmatic features,
features, and 2)
2)the
thehydrogeologic
hydrogeologicproperties
propertiesof
of
these
these strata,
strata,with
withparticular
particularemphasis
emphasison
oncharacterization
characterizationof
ofhydrostratigraphic
hydrostratigraphiccomponents.
components.

INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
Paleozoic
Paleozoicstrata
stratain
inthe
thecentral
centralmidcontinent
midcontinentregion
regionof
ofNorth
NorthAmerica
Americaconsist
consistof
ofthin
thinunits
units
of
of carbonate,
carbonate, sandstone,
sandstone,and
and shale
shaledistributed
distributed across
across tens
tens of
of thousands
thousands of
of square
squarekilometers.
kilometers.
This
Thisoverview
overviewfocuses
focuseson
onthe
thenorthernmost
northernmostextent
extentof
of lower
lowerPaleozoic
Paleozoicstrata
stratathat
thatwere
weredeposited
deposited
on
the
stable
cratonic
shelf
northwest
of
the
illinois
and
Michigan
basins
(Figs.
1
and
2). The
on the stable cratonic shelf
Illinois
basins (Figs. and 2).
The
rocks
rocks are
areexposed
exposedin
in aa sinuous
sinuousbelt
beltof
of outcrops
outcropsalong
alongthe
the southern
southernflank
flankof
of the
theTranscontinental
Transcontinental
arch
Minnesota, Wisconsin and northern Michigan.
Michigan.
archand
and the
the Wisconsin
Wisconsindome
dome and
and arch in southern Minnesota,

Deposition
began in
in the
the Middle
Middle to Late Cambrian.
Deposition of Paleozoic
Paleozoic sediments
sediments began
Cambrian. Coarse
Coarse
siliciclastic
Sandstone covered the eroded Precambrian
Precambrian
siliciclasticsediments
sedimentsof
of what
whatisis now
now the Mt. Simon Sandstone
surface.
surface. Overlying
Overlyingstrata
stratawere
weredeposited
depositedinintwo
twobroad,
broad,laterally
laterally equivalent
equivalent facies
facies belts
belts across
across
the
composed
the central
central midcontinent
midcontinentregion
region (Fig.
(Fig.11 inset)
inset) (Palmer, 1960). An inner detrital belt was composed
of
of shallow
shallowmarine
marinesiliciclastics
siliciclasticsderived
derived from
from subaerially
subaerially exposed
exposed Precambrian
Precambrian Shield
Shieldareas
areason
on
and to
to the
the north
north of
of the
theWisconsin
Wisconsin Dome.
Dome. Thin,
Thin,laterally
laterallyextensive
extensiveunits
unitsdominated
dominatedby
by either
either
and
fineto
coarse-grained
quartzose
sandstone,
very
fine
gralned
sandstone,
or
shale
were
deposited
fine- to coarse-grained quartzose sandstone, very fine grained sandstone,
in
intertidal carbonate
carbonate
subtidal to intertidal
in this
this inner
inner detrital
detrital belt. The
Themiddle
middlecarbonate
carbonatebelt
belt consisted
consisted of subtidal
and
and shale
shale that
that accumulated
accumulated to the south.
south. Over
Overtime,
time,the
theboundary
boundary between
between these
thesedepositional
depositional
belts shifted:
shifted: sedimentation
sedimentationininthe
theinner
innerdetrital
detritalbelt
beltwas
wasdominant
dominantduring
during the
theCambrian
Cambrianand
and
part of
of the
the Middle
Middle Ordovician;
Ordovician; and
and sedimentation
sedimentation in
in the
the middle
middle carbonate
carbonate belt
belt was
was dominant
dominant
during
during the
the Early
Early and
and Late
LateOrdovician,
Ordovician,as
aswell
well as
asin
in the
theSilurian
Silurianand
andDevonian
Devonian(Fig.
(Fig.2).
2).
Early
Early Paleozoic
Paleozoicdeposition
depositionoccurred
occurredon
on aa virtually
virtually horizontal,
horizontal, cratonic
cratonic shelf
shelf that
that subsided
subsided
very slowly.
slowly. Late
LateCambrian
Cambriansubsidence
subsidenceaveraged
averaged less
less than
than 10
10m/m.y.
m/m.y. (Sloss,
(Sloss,1988)—about
1988)-about
one-fifthto
to one-tenth
one-tenth the
the rate
rate in the contemporaneous Illinois
199I), and orders
one-fifth
illinois basin (Sargent,
(Sargent, 1991),
magnitude slower
slower than that
that of
of better known, younger basins in North America. Maximum
Maximum
of magnitude
1995; Ludvigson and
typically less than 100 m (e.g., Byers and Dott, 1995;
paleobathymetry was typically
others, 1996)
1996)and
and the
theshelf
shelfhad
hadaalow
low gradient
gradientslope
slopeof
of about
about0.1
0.1 rn/km.
mlkrn.
others,

The Wisconsin
Wisconsin dome
dome and
and arch
arch and Transcontinental
Transcontinental arch were positive structural
The
structural features
features
influenced patterns
patterns of
of early
early Paleozoic
Paleozoic sedimentation,
sedimentation, and
and eventually
eventually controlled
controlled the
the
that influenced
distributionand
and configuration
configurationof the gently folded and faulted Paleozoic
distribution
Paleozoic strata we
we see
see today.
today. In
103

�____

Figure 1.1.Location
Location map
map showing
showing
Figure
early Paleozoic
Paleozoic tectonic
tectonic features,
features,
early
major paleotopographic
pdeotopographic highs of
major
Precambrian rocks
rocks (stippled)
(stippled) and
and the
the
Precambrian
approximate distribution
dismbution of
approximate
Cambrian (C)
Ordovician (0),
Cambrian
(C),, Ordovician
(0),
( S ) ,and
and Devonian
Devonian (D)
(D)
Silurian (S),
strata in the northern part of the
central midcontinent
midcontinent region.
region. The
The
central
area relative
relative to
to
shows the study
study area
inset shows
the Late
Late Cambrian
Cambrianinner
inner (stipple)
(stipple)
the
detrital belts
belts and
and
and outer
outer (dashes)
(dashes)detrital
and
the
the middle
middle carbonate
carbonatebelt (block
(block
Palmer (1960).
(1960). Modified
Modified
pattern) of Palmer
others (1998).
from Runkel and others

GROUP!
FORMATION

UTHOLOGY
.e.

&lt;

Cedar Valley

J

::::"

— —l

-—

Burnt Bluff

Cataract

-———
——

Maquoketa

Dubuque

J

——

Figure
Figure2.2.Generalized
Generalizedstratigraphic
stratigraphiccolumn
column(no
(no
scale)
scale) for
for lower
lower Paleozoic
Paleozoicrocks
rocksininthe
thenorthern
northernpart
part
of the
the central
central midcontinent
midcontinentregion.
region. The
The Cambrian
Cambrian
and
and Ordovician
Ordoviciannomenclature
nomenclatureisis that
that used
used in
in
southeastern
southeastern Minnesota and Wisconsin, the
the
Silurian
from eastern
eastern Wisconsin
Wisconsinand
and northern
northern
Silurian from
Michigan,
Michigan, and
and the
the Devonian
Devonianfrom
fromsouthernmost
southernmost
Minnesota
Minnesota and
and northern
northern Iowa.
Iowa.

ngadine
Manistique

———

Galena
Decorah

PttevilIe

-

St Peter

ShakoPeejPrane

O'

I

j-L--.
—

2

-

\_

..:

.

—. —.
.

.

Group

Jordan
St Lawrence
Franconia
(Lone Koch)
(Worwwoc)

EauClaireand
Bonneterre
• Mt. Simon

Quwtzose
sandstone
@atzosesandstone
Very
shale
Very fine
fines.s.,
s.s., siltstone.
s~lmone,
shale

-

Carbonate
(dashedwhere
whereshahy)
sbl~)
Carbonate(dashed

No
Norecord
record

Unconformity
Unconfonn~ty

104

�northern Iowa, southern Minnesota,
Minnesota, and southwestern
southwestern Wisconsin,
Wisconsin, Paleozoic
Paleozoic strata are
are preserved
preserved
northern
in what is known
known as
as the
the Hollandale
Hollandale embayment,
embayment, which is aa broad
broad syncline
syncline that
that lies
lies between
between
these two positive features. South
Southand
andeast
eastof
of the
theWisconsin
Wisconsin dome
dome and
and arch,
arch, Paleozoic
Paleozoic rocks
rocks
dip less than 11 degree
degree into
into the Illinois
Illinois and
and Michigan
Michigan basins.

DEPOSITIONAL MODELS
DEPOSITIONAL
MODELS
Despite over 100
100 years of study,
study, the depositional
depositional history of lower
lower Paleozoic
Paleozoic siliciclastic
siliciclastic
strata of this region remains poorly
understood. Many
poorly understood.
Many workers
workers have lamented an apparent
apparent
absence of modern or ancient depositional analogues. In addition,
addition, while dozens of local studies
have been conducted (e.g., Nelson, 1956;
1956; Haddox and Dott,
Dott, 1990),
1990), few
few are
are regional-scale
regional-scale
investigations that incorporate several lithofacies into a temporally constrained stratigraphic
framework.
framework. Present-day
Present-dayunderstanding
understandingof
of early
early Paleozoic
Paleozoic siliciclastic
siliciclasticdeposition
depositionis
is based mostly
mostly
on work conducted since
since 1950,
1950,beginning
beginning with the predominantly
predominantly stratigraphic
stratigraphic investigations
investigations
of Berg (1954),
(1956), Bell
Bell and others (19561,
(1956), and Ostrom
(19541, Nelson (1956),
(19561, Berg and others (19561,
(1964, 1970). Subsequent
sedimentologic—focusing on the interpretations
interpretations
(1964,1970).
Subsequentwork
work has
has been chiefly sedimentologic-focusing
of near-shore marine facies (Fraser,
(Fraser, 1976;
1976; Driese and others, 1981;
1981; Dott
Dott and
and others,
others, 1986;
1986;
Haddox and Dott, 1990;
1990;Barnes
Barnes and
and others,
others, 1992;
1992;Mossler, 1992;
1992; Runkel,
Runkel, 1994).
1994).
In a very important
important and widely cited
examined the transition
cited study,
study, Dott and others (1986) examined
transition
from nonmarine to marine environments recorded
recorded in quartzose sandstones, and provided the
of nonmarine
nonmarine facies.
facies. They described an early Paleozoic
first set of criteria for identification of
terrestrial setting with broad braided streams and eolian sheet and erg systems that delivered
sand to a shallow marine environment dominated
dominated by
by small
smallthree-dimensional
three-dimensionaldunes.
dunes. Dott and
of vegetation, between
between early
early Paleozoic
others (1986) stressed the differences,
difherences, such as the lack of
depositional environments
environments and those inferred
inferred for both younger rocks and
and modern
modern settings.
settings.

depositional model
A depositional
model of a simple,
simple, storm-dominated,
storm-dominated, texturally
texturally graded
graded shelf
shelf was
was proposed
proposed
by Runkel and others (1998) (Fig. 31,
3), and is noteworthy
noteworthyin
inits
itssimilarity
similarity to models based on
both younger
younger rocks
regional-scale outgrowth
rocks and modern systems. Their
Their study
study was essentially a regional-scale
of the excellent
students from the University
University of Minnesota
Minnesota
excellent outcrop
outcrop work
work of Charlie
Charlie Bell
Bell and his students
in the 1950's. Runkel
Runkeland
andothers
others(1998)
(1998)suggested
suggestedthat
that early
early Paleozoic
Paleozoic depositional
depositional processes
distribution are analogous
analogous to those depicted in well-known
and facies distribution
well-known models
models of
of the
the Cretaceous
Cretaceous
interior seaway
and the modern
Bering Shelf.
Shelf. The
thin,
widespread
siliciclastic
seaway and
modern Bering
The thin, widespread siliciclastic units
units
characteristic
migrations that occurred
characteristic of lower
lower Paleozoic
Paleozoic strata
strata result from large lateral facies migrations
in response to
to continental-scale
continental-scalechanges
changes in
in relative
relative sea
sea level.

Carbonate rocks within
within the lower
lower Paleozoic sequence
sequence historically
historically have
have been regarded
regarded as
as
more amenable
comparison with both modern and ancient
ancient facies
facies models.
models. Deposition occurred
amenableto comparison
occurred
in environments
supratidal conditions
conditionsfor
for parts
parts of
of the
the Prairie
Prairie du
environments that range from evaporitic,
evaporitic, supratidal
Chien Group
Group (Smith
(Smith and
and others,
others,1993)
1993)to
to subtidal
subtidalsettings
settingsin
in depths
depths of
of 100
100m
m or
or more
more for
for parts
parts
of the Decorah Shale (Ludvigson and others, 1996). Most
Most investigations
investigations have
have been local
local in
in
scope relative
relative to
to the great lateral extent
extent of
of these
these units,
units, and
and there
there are
are too
too many
many to cite them
scope
individually. Ordovician
individually.
Ordovician carbonate
carbonate strata
strata of
of the
the Hollandale
Hollandale embayment
embayment are
are the
the focus
focus of a
monograph edited by Sloan (1986). Silurian
Siluriancarbonates
carbonates on the western flank of the Michigan
basin have recently been studied by Harris and Waldhuetter
Waldhuetter (1996).
(1996). There are many excellent
studies of OrdovicianOrdovician- through
through Devonian-age
Devonian-age strata
strata in northern
northern Iowa,
Iowa, largely
largely conducted
conducted by
by the
the
Iowa Geological
extrapolated to Minnesota and Wisconsin (for
Geological Survey;
Survey; the
the results
results can often be extrapolated
105

�Taylors FaNs Precambrran

ava flow

ndq

SILICICLASTIC (WSMOPE SHELF
-

—

—

MO3ft

—

—

—

—

—

— sand

—

—

— -4,:;—

—

-

—
—

—

—

0

trom ahotataco
—

—
—

——

'
—o

Q\AILW%.PUI
Iranspolt
by storms

Sand

0

—

—

—

''

Storm — naport ot
fn sand. Ol. srral.

—

—
—

—

.'.,,

0

0

- Ternp,sIiI.I —

D Wasfi

Figure3.3.Conceptual
Conceptualdepositional
depositionalmodel
modelofofLate
LateCambrian
Cambrianstorm-dominated,
storm-dominated, texturally
Figure
texturally
graded
shelf.
Quartzose
fineto
coarse-grained
sand
accumulated
nearshore terrestrial
graded shelf. Quartzose fine- to coarse-grained sand accumulated ininnearshore
terrestrial
andshoreface
shorefaceenvironments.
environments.Finer
Finergrained,
grained,feldspathic
feldspathicsiliciclastic
siliciclasticsediments
sedimentsand
and subtidal
and
subtidal
carbonatesaccumulated
accumulatedinindeeper
deeperwater
waterofofthe
theoffshore
offshoreshelf.
shelf.
carbonates
example,several
severalpapers
papersininWitzke
Witzkeand
andothers,
others,1996).
1996).Some
Someregional-scale
regional-scalestudies
studieshave
have recently
example,
recently
been
completed;
a
stratigraphic
framework
has
been
developed
for
the
Prairie
du
Chien Group
been completed; a stratigraphic framework has been developed for the Prairie du Chien
Group
fromthe
theMichigan
Michiganbasin
basintotothe
theHollandale
Hollandaleembayment
embayment(Smith
(Smithand
andothers,
others,1993,
1993, 1996; Barnes
from
1996; Barnes
andothers,
others,1996).
1996).Simo
Simoand
andothers
others(1997)
(1997)are
arecurrently
currentlyconstructing
constructingaalarge
largescale
scalestratigraphic
stratigraphic
and
frameworkfor
forOrdovician
Ordovicianrocks
rocksofofthe
thecentral
centralmidcontinent
midcontinentininorder
orderto
toaddress
addresslong-standing
long-standing
framework
problemssuch
suchasasidentification
identificationof
ofthe
thecontrols
controlsresponsible
responsible for
forthe
theapparently
apparently synchronous
problems
synchronous
regional-scale
changes
from
"tropical"
to
"temperate"
styles
of
carbonate
deposition.
regional-scale changes from "tropical" to "temperate" styles of carbonate deposition.

NOTABLEFEATURES
FEATURESAND
ANDLONGSTANDING
LONGSTANDINGPROBLEMS
PROBLEMS
NOTABLE
LowerPaleozoic
Paleozoicstrata
strataininthe
thecentral
centralmidcontinent
midcontinentregion
regionare
arewell
wellknown
knowntotogeologists
geologists
Lower
outsideof
ofthe
thearea
areafor
forseveral
severalenigmatic
enigmatic features
features(Dott
(Dott and
and Byers,
Byers, 1980).
1980). Most
Most notable is the
outside
notable is the
extreme
textural
and
mineralogical
maturity
of
the
fineto
coarse-grained
sandstones,
and the
the
extreme textural and mineralogical maturity of the fine- to coarse-grained sandstones, and
sheet-likegeometry
geometryofofthese
theseand
andother
othersiliciclastic
siliciclasticunits.
units.The
Theoverall
overalldearth
dearthofofshale
shale has puzzled
sheet-like
has puzzled
sedimentologistsyand
and the
thefundamental
fundamentalcontrols
controls on
onthe
theepisodic
episodicchange
changefrom
from siliciclasticsedimentologists,
siliciclasticdominatedtotocarbonate-dominated
carbonate-dominatedsedimentation
sedimentationremain
remainpoorly
poorlyunderstood.
understood.Lastly,
LastIy, the presence,
dominated
the presence,
position,and
andmagnitude
magnitudeofofunconformities
unconfonnitieshas
hasbeen
been debated
debatedfor
for decades.
decades. The
Theremainder
remainder of this
position,
of this
discussion
summarizes
the
progress
made
since
Dott
and
Byers
(1980)
published
a
similar
discussion summarizes the progress made since Dott and Byers (1980) published a similar
overviewyand
andoffers
offersaaguide
guideto
totopics
topicsthat
thatcan
canbe
bediscussed
discussedatatthe
theindividual
individualfield
fieldtrip
trip stops.
overview,
stops.

Texturalmaturity
maturityofofsandstones
sandstones
Textural
Theextreme
extremetextural
texturaland
andmineralogical
mineralogicalmaturity
maturityofofthe
thefinefine-totocoarsecoarse-grained
grainedsandstone
sandstone
The
units,such
suchasasthe
theSt.
St.Peter
PeterSandstone,
Sandstone,may
maybe
bethe
thebest
bestknown
knownand
andlongest
longeststudied
studied feature in the
units,
feature in the
lower
Paleozoic
strata
of
the
central
midcontinent.
The
sandstones
contain
more than 98 percent
lower Paleozoic strata of the central midcontinent. The sandstones contain more
than 98 percent
quartzand
andmost
mostgrains
grainsare
aremoderately
moderatelyto
towell
wellrounded.
rounded. Such
Suchtextural
texturaland
andcompositional
compositionalmaturity
maturity
quartz
could
not
have
been
achieved
solely
by
fluvial
and
marine
abrasion,
even
over
transport
distances
could not have been achieved solely by fluvial and marine abrasion, even over transport distances

106

�of hundreds of kilometers, if the grains
grains were
were derived
derived directly from crystalline source rocks.
Rare grains with abraded
abraded overgrowths
overgrowths are reworked
reworked from older sedimentary rocks, but the
the
volumetric significance
of suitable
suitable sedimentq
sedimentary rock
volumetric
significanceof such
such recycling is uncertain and a source of
been identified.
identified. Odom
1978) conducted the most comprehensive
comprehensive mineralogical
mineralogical
has never been
Odom (1975,
(1975,1978)
Paleozoic sandstones. He
fine grained
grained fraction
fraction is
is feldspathic,
feldspathic,
study of lower Paleozoic
He noted that the very fine
whereas the fine- to coarse-grained
contains more
more than
than 98 percent
percent quartz (with the
coarse-grained fraction contains
exception
of some lower Mt.
Mt. Simon
Simon Sandstone
Sandstonebeds).
beds). He suggested
exception of
suggested that a long
long history
history of
of
abrasion
abrasion in aa marine
marine setting
setting could
could account
account for
for both
both the maturity of the quartzose
quartzose grains
grains and
and the
the
reduction in size of feldspar grains. Dott
Dott and
and others
others (1986)
(1986) were the first to clearly identify the
presence of substantial
substantial eolian
eolian deposits
deposits within
within some
some quartzose
quartzose sandstones,
sandstones, and
and they
they suggested
suggested
that eolian
mineralogic features
features described
described by Odom
eolian abrasion
abrasion could
could contribute
contributeto the textural and mineralogic
Odom
be taken
taken into
into consideration
consideration
(1975, 1978). Lastly,
Lastly, chemical
chemical weathering
weathering in the source area must be
1978) noted that the very fine grained, feldspathic sandstones
sandstones are
(Morey, 1972). Odom
Odom(1975,
(1975,1978)
rich in K-feldspar
"trace" amount of
of plagioclase
plagioclase grains,
grains, even
even though
though plagioclase
plagioclase
K-feldspar but have only a "trace"
of the Precambrian
Precambrian Shield.
Shield. Selective
was presumably dominant in the source area of
Selective diagenetic
diagenetic
leaching of
of plagioclase
plagioclase grains
grains from
from the
the sandstone
sandstone was
was discounted
discountedby
by Odom
Odom (1978).
(1978). Thus,
leaching
Thus,
chemical weathering probably preferentially dissolved plagioclase crystals and reduced
reduced the
the
amount of other relatively unstable
unstable minerals prior to mechanical
mechanical abrasion
abrasion during
during transport
size and amount
transport
to the shoreline.
shoreline.
been responsible
responsible in part for the
While each of the processes described above could have been
mineralogic
mineralogic and
and textural
textural attributes
attributes of lower Paleozoic sandstones, they do not entirely account
for the compositional record that appears to indicate that virtually all fine- to coarse-grained
coarse-grained
exceptionally mature
the early
early Paleozoic
Paleozoic shoreline.
shoreline. Finesand was exceptionally
mature when it arrived to the
Fine- to
to coarsecoarsegrained
immature
sand
would
have
almost
certainly
been
deposited
locally
if
the
marine
abrasion
grained immature sand would have almost certainly been deposited locally
marine abrasion
model
accurate. Similarly,
terrestrial setting
model of Odom
Odom (1975)
(1975) were accurate.
Similarly,itit is difficult to reconstruct a terrestrial
in which all
all sand
sand isissubjected
subjectedto
toprolonged
prolonged eolian
eolian abrasion
abrasion prior
prior to
to deposition
deposition in
in aa marine
marine
environment
environment as suggested
suggested by Dott
Dott and
and others
others (1986).
(1986).

Sheet geometry
geometry
layers were
were initially
initially deposited
deposited
Another long-standing
long-standing question
question is how sheet-like siliciclastic layers
of thousands of
of square kilometers
kilometers of
of the
the cratonic
cratonic shelf.
shelf. Most
and then preserved across tens of
workers
have
attributed
the
formation
of
such
sheets
to
depositional
processes
and
environments
workers have attributed the formation such sheets
processes and environments
that are markedly
markedly different
different from those described for most younger rocks and modern settings.
Lochman-Balk (1970) inferred the presence of enormous tidal flats extending well over
over two
two
the shoreline.
shoreline. Dott and Byers (1980)
(1980) suggested
suggested that
that
hundred kilometers perpendicular to the
quartzose sand
under high-energy
high-energy conditions
conditions across
quartzose
sand aggraded
aggradedmore
more or
or less
less vertically into a sheet under
across
a vast shallow sea. The
most
widely
cited
hypothesis
is
one
that
attributes
the
origin
of
quartzose
The
widely cited
that attributes the origin of quartzose
sandstone sheets to fluvial
fluvial and
and eolian
eolian processes
processes that
that dispersed
dispersed sand
sand across
across aavegetation-free
vegetation-free
reworking during
during aa transgression
transgression(Dott
(Dottand
andothers,
others, 1986).
1986). Recent
landscape prior to marine reworking
studies, however, have demonstrated
demonstrated that
that some
some quartzose
quartzose sheets were deposited entirely within
the marine realm under
under regressive conditions
conditions (e.g., Runkel,
Runkel, 1994;
1994; Hughes and Hesselbo,
Hesselbo, 1997;
1997;
Runkel and others, 1998),
and
that
the
depositional
processes
responsible
for
the
dispersal
of
1998),
depositional
siliciclastic
ancient sandstones
sandstones
siliciclasticsediments
sedimentswere
were similar
similarto
to those
those operating
operating during
during the deposition of ancient
sheet-like.
that are not sheet-like.
107

�The lateral
lateral persistence
persistence and
and sheet-like
sheet-like geometry
geometry of
of lower
lower Paleozoic
Paleozoic siliciclastic
siliciclastic units
units
probablyreflect
reflectthe
theroles
rolesof
of basin
basin physiography
physiographyand
and tectonics
tectonics in controlling
controlling the lithostratigraphic
probably
lithostratigraphic
architecture, rather
rather than
than the
the existence
existence of atypical
atypical sedimentary environments. Deposition
Deposition was
was
architecture,
characterizedby
byaacontinuous
continuousand
andabundant
abundantsupply
supplyof
of sediment
sedimentto
to aa relatively stable,
stable, nearly flat
flat
characterized
basin that
that had
had aa slow,
slow, uniform
uniform rate
rate of
of subsidence.
subsidence. Individual
basin
Individualsheets
sheetsof
ofsiliciclastic
siliciclasticsediment
sediment
(e.g., Fig.
Fig. 3)
3) migrated
migrated great
great distances
distances during
duringchanges
changesin
in
were deposited
deposited when
when discrete
discrete facies
facies (e.g.,
were
sea level.
level. Deep
Deepincision
incisionofofthe
theindividual
individualsheets
sheetsduring
duringepisodes
episodesof
ofsubaerial
subaerialexposure
exposuredid
didnot
not
sea
occur,
resulting
in
more
or
less
uniform
preservation.
occur, resulting in more or less uniform preservation.

Dearth
Dearthof
ofShale
Shale
LowerPaleozoic
Paleozoicrocks
rocksof
ofthe
thecentral
centralmidcontinent
midcontinentregion
regionare
arenoted
notedfor
foraadearth
dearthofofshale
shale
Lower
compared
comparedto
toother
othershallow
shallowmarine
marinedeposits.
deposits.Two
Twovery
verydifferent
differenthypotheses
hypotheseshave
havebeen
beenproposed
proposed
to
"marinebypassing"
bypassing" model,
model,Pettijohn
Pettijohnand
and others
others (1973)
(1973)
to account
accountfor
for this
this dearth
dearth of
of shale.
shale. In
Inaa"marine
suggested that
that clayclay-and
andsilt-sized
silt-sizedparticles
particleswere
weredelivered
delivered to
to the
the shoreline,
shoreline,but
but subsequently
subsequently
suggested
carriedin
insuspension
suspensionby
byrepeated
repeatedstorms
stormsacross
acrossthe
theshallow
shallowshelf
shelfbefore
beforefinal
finalburial
burial in
in basinward
basinward
carried
areas.InIncontrast,
contrast,Dairymple
Dalrympleand
andothers
others(1985)
(1985)suggested
suggestedthat
thatstrong
strongwinds
windsblew
blewclay
clayand
andsilt
silt
areas.
particles hundreds
hundredsto
to thousands
thousandsof
of kilometers
kilometersoffshore,
offshore, to
to be ultimately
ultimately deposited
deposited in
in the
the outer
outer
particles
detrital
detrital belt
belt (Fig.
(Fig.1).
1).
Recentinvestigations
investigationsof
of Upper
Upper Cambrian
Cambrian siliciclastic
siIiciclastic strata
strata support
support the marine bypassing
Recent
model
model of
of Pettijohn
Pettijohnand
andothers
others(1973),
(1973),demonstrating
demonstratingthat
thatthe
theabsence
absenceof
ofshale
shaleisischaracteristic
characteristic
only
only of
of the
the outcrop
outcropbelt
belt on
on the
the flanks
flanksof
of the
the Wisconsin
Wisconsin dome
dome and
and arch
arch (McKay,
(McKay, 1988;
1988; Runkel
Runkel
and
and others,
others, 1998).
1998).Basinward
Basinwardofofthe
theWisconsin
Wisconsinarch,
arch,subsurface
subsurfacerecords
records from
from Minnesota
Minnesota and
and
Theseshale
shaleand
and siltstone
siltstone
Iowashow
showthat
that facies
faciesdominated
dominatedby
by shale
shale and
and siltstone
siltstone are common. These
Iowa
facies
facies are
are the
the offshore
offshoreequivalent
equivalent of
of the
the shale-poor
shale-poor sandstone
sandstone facies
facies of
of the
the outcrop
outcrop belt,
belt, and
and
their geographic
geographicposition
position changed
changed through
through time
time in
in response
response to
to changes
changes in
in the
the position
position of
of the
the
their
storm-fairweather wave
storm-fairweather
wave base.
base. The
The outcrop
outcrop belt
belt has
has aadearth
dearth of
of shale
shalesimply
simply because
because the
the
depositional
depositional record
record isisdominated
dominatedby
byhighstand
highstandshoreface
shorefacefacies
faciesdeposited
depositedabove
abovefairweather
fairweather
wavebase.
base.This
Thisstratigraphic
stratigraphicand
andsedimentologic
sedimentologicattribute
attributeisisnot
notunique
uniquetotothe
thelower
lowerPaleozoic
Paleozoic
wave
rocks
rocks of
of the
thecentral
centralmidcontinent
midcontinentregion—it
region-it is
is common
common in many
many younger wave-dominated
wave-dominated
sequences along
along the
the landward
landward margins
margins of
of individual
individual basins. The
Thenotion
notionof
ofaashale-free
shale-freeearly
early
sequences
Paleozoic epeiric
epeiric sea
seaisisaadeeply
deeplyentrenched
entrenchedidea
ideathat
thatsimply
simplyreflects
reflectsthe
thebias
biasof
ofthe
theoutcrop
outcrop
Paleozoic
belt.
belt.The
Thedearth
dearthofofshale
shaleininlower
lowerPaleozoic
Paleozoicrocks
rocksshould
shouldbe
beremoved
removedfrom
fromthe
thelist
listofofenigmatic
enigmatic
featuresunless
unlessthe
thescarcity
scarcitycan
canbe
bedemonstrated
demonstratedtotoexist
existon
onaa scale
scalelarger
largerthan
than that
that of the outcrop
features
outcrop
belt.
belt.

Siliciclastic-Carbonate
Siliciclastic-Carbonatecycles
cycles
The
The fundamental
fundamental controls
controls on
onthe
thetransition
transitionfrom
fromnearshore
nearshoresiliciclasticsiliciclastic-to
tocarbonatecarbonatedominated
understood. For
dominated deposition
deposition have
have never
never been satisfactorily
satisfactorily understood.
For example,
example, in
in the
the Early
Early
Ordovician, carbonate
carbonate deposition
deposition apparently
apparently dominated
dominated across
across the
the entire
entire region,
region, even
even in
in the
the
Ordovician,
shallowestwater
waterconditions
conditions(Smith
(Smithand
andothers,
others,1993).
1993).Both
Botholder
older(Jordan
(JordanSandstone)
Sandstone)and
andyounger
younger
shallowest
(St.
(St. Peter
PeterSandstone)
Sandstone)shallow-marine
shallow-marineenvironments
environmentswere
weredominated
dominatedby
bysiliciclastics.
siliciclastics. Only
Only
speculative
kndamentalchanges.
changes.
speculativeand
andvague
vaguehypotheses
hypotheseshave
havebeen
beensuggested
suggestedto
toaccount
accountfor
forsuch
suchfundamental
For
Forexample,
example,Adams
Adams(1978)
(1978)suggested
suggestedthat
thatthe
theEarly
EarlyOrdovician
Ordovicianchange
changeinindepositional
depositionalstyles
styles
may
mayhave
havebeen
beenin
inresponse
responsetotodrowning
drowningof
of the
thesiliciclastic
siliciclasticsource
sourcearea
areaby
by aa shallow
shallow sea
sea or
orthe
the
result
resultof
ofsiliciclastics
siliciclasticsbeing
being"deflected"
"deflected"to
toanother
anotherregion.
region. Early
EarlyPaleozoic
Paleozoiccarbonate-dominated
carbonate-dominated
108

�systems developed following
level (Smith
(Smith and
and others,
others, 1993), which
which
systems
following extended periods of high sea level
siliciclastic source area may have been covered by a blanket of
of carbonate
carbonate
suggests that the siliciclastic
rocks. The
Thespread
spreadof
of certain
certainforms
formsof
of terrestrial
terrestriallife
life such
such as
as bacterial
bacterial encrustation,
encrustation, and
and later
later the
the
development
development of vascular
vascular plants, may have also reduced siliciclastic
siliciclastic input.

Cryptic
Cryptic unconformities
unconformities
Previous investigations
investigations of lower Paleozoic strata of the central midcontinent region have
also been hindered by an inability to recognize unconformities.
unconformities. The unconformities bounding
the major sequences
sequences of Sloss
Sloss (1963)
(1963) are
are fairly well established
established within the strata
strata of
of the
the outcrop
outcrop
belt. The
The presence
presence and
and position
position of "lesser"
"lesser" unconformities,
unconformities, especially
especially within siliciclastic units,
have been a matter of considerable debate. Stratigraphic
Stratigraphicrelations
relations and
and interpreted
interpreted depositional
depositional
histories indicate that such unconformities "should" be present. However,
However, little
little or
or no evidence
evidence
for regionally extensive subaerial
subaerial erosion
erosion has
has been
been documented.
documented. Such
Such sequence-bounding
sequence-bounding
they are contained within coarse siliciclastics
unconformities are difficult to recognize where they
texturally and
and mineralogically
mineralogically similar, and
and
sandstones that are texturally
because they separate quartzose sandstones
because they are relatively
flat—reflecting
erosion
that
occurred
on
a
loose,
sandy
substrate
relatively flat-reflecting
sandy substrate
along a low, uniform
uniform gradient,
gradient, and
and in
in aa nonvegetated
nonvegetatedterrestrial
terrestrialenvironment.
environment. Furthermore,
Furthermore, the
ultra-mature mineral
ultra-mature
mineral composition
compositionof
of the
the exposed
exposed substrate
substrateinhibits
inhibits development
developmentof
of aa distinctive
distinctive
weathering profile.

Recent work has shown some promise for identifying subtle subaerial erosion surfaces.
Recognition of cryptic unconformities
interpretation of regional stratigraphic
stratigraphic relations
Recognition
unconformities requires
requires interpretation
outcrops and high resolution
in conjunction with physical evidence collected at individual outcrops
biostratigraphic data.
data. Smith
deposits of
of silica cement
cement in
biostratigraphic
Smith and
and others
others (1993)
(1993) interpreted local deposits
formed silcrete. Runkel
uppermost Cambrian and Lower Ordovician strata as subaerially formed
Runkel and
and
others
(1998)
suggested
that
cryptic
unconformities
within
the
fronton
and
Galesville
Sandstones
Ironton
Galesville Sandstones
others (1998) suggested that cryptic unconformities within
and at the top
top of
of the
the Jordan
Jordan Sandstone
Sandstone and
and can
can be
be identified
identified only by overlying
overlying lag deposits.
deposits.
These lags deposits are the coarsest bed within nearshore sandstone successions; they separate
a regionally traceable,
traceable, decameter-scale,
decameter-scale, coarsening-upward interval below from a decameterdecameterscale, fining-upward sequence above.
above. Preliminary
Preliminary results of
of high
high resolution
resolution biostratigraphic
biostratigraphic
verified the
the presence
presence of
of an
an erosion
erosion surface
surface on
on top
top of
of the Jordan
dating using conodonts has verified
Sandstone, and
magnitude of such cryptic
cryptic unconformities
unconformities
Sandstone,
and demonstrates
demonstratespromise
promise for
for measuring the magnitude
with detailed paleontologic
paleontologic work.

HYDROGEOLOGY

The Paleozoic
Minnesota are
are the
the most
most widely
widely used
used source of
Paleozoic strata of southeastern
southeastern Minnesota
groundwater in the state.
state. Groundwater
Groundwatermanagement
management and
andscientific
scientificinvestigations,
investigations, including
including
ground water models,
models, estimates
estimates of
of aquifer yields and
predictions of contaminant transport, ground
water well construction codes have, in the past, relied on a generally accepted hydrogeologic
framework
that we believe
believe is inaccurate
inaccurate in
in many
many important
important respects.
respects. This commonly
framework that
commonly used
classification of aquifers and confining beds
beds (e.g.,
(e.g., Kanivetsky
Kanivetskyand
andWalton,
Walton,1979;
1979; Delin and
Woodward, 1985)
assumption that Paleozoic lithostratigraphic
lithostratigraphic units in Minnesota
Minnesota
Woodward,
1985)is based on the assumption
are more or
or less
less internally
internally homogeneous
homogeneous in
in hydrogeologic
hydrogeologic character,
character, and that they
they have
have
boundaries. Furthermore, this paradigm is
boundaries that correspond to hydrostratigraphic boundaries.
based chiefly on the
the hydrogeologic
hydrogeologic characteristics of the Paleozoic strata in the Twin Cities
Metropolitan
from equivalent
equivalent strata
stratain
insoutheastern
southeasternMinnesota.
Minnesota. A
Metropolitan Area, which differ markedly from
109

�more accurate
accurate hydrogeologic
hydrogeologic framework
framework is necessary to advance our understanding of groundwater flow in this region.
region.
We have
have recently
changes in the methods
We
recently made fundamental
fundamental changes
methods used
used to
to characterize
characterize
hydrogeologic attributes
focusingon
onhydrostratigraphic
hydrostratigraphic components
components rather
rather
hydrogeologic
attributes of Paleozoic strata, focusing
than lithostratigraphic
lithostratigraphic units. Fig.
4
shows
our
preliminary
results
in
delineating
hydrostratigraphic
Fig. 4 shows
in delineating hydrostratigraphic
components,
permeability. The Paleozoic
components, distinguished
distinguishedand
and characterized
characterized by their porosity and permeability.
bedrock
hydrostratigraphic components
components that
bedrock of southeastern
southeastern Minnesota
Minnesota consists
consists of four distinct hydrostratigraphic
have been described
described in
in studies
studies at
at both
both the regional
regional and local scale
scale (e.g., Setterholm
Setterholm and
and others,
others,
Miller and
and Delin,
Delin, 1993; Runkel,
Runkel, 1996a, 1996b).
1996b). They are: 1) fine clastic; 2) coarse
1991; Miller
coarse
clastic, 3) carbonate rock,
rock, and 4) mixed
mixed carbonate
carbonate and
and clastic.
clastic. The values for porosity and
permeability
permeability of these
these components,
components,discussed
discussed below,
below, have been determined
determined through
through laboratory
laboratory
tests of plug samples
samples and
and through
through hydraulic
hydraulic testing
testing of
of boreholes
boreholes in
in southeastern
southeasternMinnesota.
Minnesota.
grained, feldspathic
feldspathic sandstone,
sandstone, siltstone
The fine-clastic component consists of very fine grained,
strongly to
to moderately
moderatelycemented.
cemented. This component
and shale in thin to medium beds that are strongly
orders of
of magnitude less than that of the
has low to very
very low
low relative
relative permeability—several
permeability-several orders
coarser-grained sandstone
coarser-grained
sandstone of the quartzose
quartzose component
component described
described below. Vertical
Vertical conductivity
conductivity
based on
on pumping
pumpingtests
testscommonly
commonlyranges
ranges
from
i0
to
i0
ft/day
for
interbedded
from 1 0 to 10'~ft/day for interbedded very
very fine
sandstone and
sandstone
and shale
shale (Miller
(Millerand
and Delin,
Delin, 1993),
1993),to
to as low as iO7
10'~ft/day
ft/day for units composed
composed almost
almost
entirely
entirely of shale
shale (Freeze
(Freeze and
and Cherry, 1979). In
In the
the former,
former, horizontal
horizontal permeability
permeability is
is typically
typically
more than 100
100times
times greater
greater than
than vertical
vertical permeability
permeability (Miller,
(Miller, 1984;
1984;Setterholm
Setterholm and
and others,
others,
1991;
1993).
199
1;Miller and Delin, 1993).
coarse-clastic component
The coarse-clastic
componentis
is aa mostly uncemented,
uncemented, moderately
moderately to
to well-sorted,
well-sorted,finefine-to
to
coarse-grained sandstone composed of about 98 percent quartz. Plug-sample
Plug-sampletests
tests indicate
indicate itit
has aa high
high to
tovery
veryhigh
highpermeability
permeability and
andporosity
porosity due
due to
torelatively
relatively large,
large, well-connected
well-connected
intergranular
intergranular pore spaces.
spaces. Pump
Pumptests
testsof
ofwells
wellsopen
openmostly
mostlyto
tothis
thiscomponent
componenttypically
typicallyrange
range
from
from about
about 2-20
2 -20ft/day,
ft/day, indicating
indicatingaamoderate
moderateto
to high
high conductivity,
conductivity, corroborating
corroborating the results
results of
the plug tests
1 996a).
tests (Miller,
(Miller, 1984;
1984;Setterholm
Setterholmand
and others,
others, 1991;
1991;Miller
Miller and
and Delin,
Delin,1993;
1993;Runkel
Runkel1996a).
The carbonate-rock component consists of limestone or dolostone with minor shale and
sandstone. Porosity
features, and karst features.
sandstone.
Porosityand
andpermeability
permeabilityisisdue
dueto
to fractures
fracturesand solution features,
The permeability
permeability varies
varies substantially
substantiallyfrom
from place
place to
to place
place depending
dependingon
on the
the size,
size, extent,
extent, degree
degree
and interconnectivity
interconnectivityof
of fractures
fracturesand
andsolution
solutionfeatures
features(Libra
(Libraand
andHallberg,
Hallberg,1985;
1985;Visocky
Visockyand
and
others, 1985). Pumping
Pumping tests
tests indicate
indicate that
that this
this component
component in most places is moderately
moderately to
highly permeable
permeable where
where such
such features
features are
are well developed—typically
developed-typically ranging from 1-40
1-40 ft/day
Woodward, 1985).
1985). However,
(Delin and Woodward,
However, in places where fractures and solution features are
minimally developed,
developed, such
such as
as where
where deeply
deeply buried by younger bedrock, the component
component has
has aa
very low conductivity, even at a large
scale
(Libra
and
Hallberg,
1985;
Visocky
and
others,
large scale (Libra and Hallberg, 1985; Visocky and others,
1985).
1985).
The mixed carbonate and clastic component is composed of interbedded siltstone, very
sandstone, sandy dolostone,
dolostone, and shale (Setterholm
(Setterholm and others, 1991;
fine to very coarse grained sandstone,
1991;
Cementationisisvariable;
variable; beds
beds of
of mediummedium- to
to coarse-grained
coarse-grained sandstone
sandstone are
are
Runkel, 1996b). Cementation
typically friable, but very fine to fine-grained sandstone and siltstone are commonly strongly
permeability from
from bed
bed to
tobed.
bed. Coarsecemented. As
As aa heterolithic
heterolithic unit,
unit, it varies markedly in permeability
grained
grained sandstone
sandstone beds
beds that
that are
are too
too weakly
weakly cemented
cemented to
to provide
provide coherent
coherent samples
samplesare
are likely
likelyto
to
be highly permeable. Laboratory
Laboratorytests
testsof
ofthe
themore
morestrongly
stronglycemented,
cemented,finer-grained,
finer-grained, clastic
clastic
110

�0

Group,
Formation.
Member

-

,.-%Â
5

-

Natural Gamma Log

D

Lithology

Increasingcount

LIMESTONE
LIMESTONE

100

API-G units

DOLOSTONE
DOLOSTONE
SANDY
SANDY

SANDSTONE
SANDSTONE
TO FINE
VERY FINE
FINETO
FINE

Prosser
Limestone

FINE
TO MEDIUM
FI
NE TO
MEDIUM

M
EDIUMTO COARSE
MEDIUM
SHALY

Cummingsville
Formation

SILTSTONE
SILTSTONE

SHALE
Vugs
Vugs (commonly
(commonlytilled
filledwith
with
coarse
coarse calcite)
calcite)

Decorah
Shale

Chert
Chert

K-bentonile
K-bentonitebed
bed(altered
(altered
volcanic
volcanic ash
ash bed
bed
Oolites
Oolites
Glaucorrite
Glauconite

Iron
Ironstain
stain

Goethite-hematite ore
Goethite-hematite

St. Peter
Sandstone

Phosphate pellets
Phosphate
pellets

AaI mats
Abal
mats
atromatolites
Algal domes; stromatolltes
Fossiliferous; fossils (symbols
Fossiliferous;
(symbolsnot
not
limestone and dotostone
dolostone
used in limestone
units)
units)
bored
Worm bored
Pebbles (gravel
Pebbles
(gravelIn
in
unconsolidated units)
unconsolidated

Shakopee
Formation

Flat-pebble conglomerate
Flat-pebble
Cross-bedded
Cross-bedded(testoon)
(festoon)
Cross-bedded (planar to
tangential)

-

Ripple cross-laiThnatlons
"TT^- Ripple
cross-laminations

^S-

7

J-

-r 7
J.

J.

Dolomitic
Dolomitic

Calcereous
Calcareous

Contact
Contact marks
marks aa major
majorerosional
erosional
surface
surface

,,'\ .f': .-"ÂFades
Fadeschange
change
Low permeability
permeability and porosity;
Low
hodzontal
horizontal bar shortened
shortened where
lateral
lateralextent
extent is
is limited
limited
high permeability
Moderate to high
permeability
end porosity
porosity
and

Oneota
Dolomite

l

a

Outcrop Intervals.
intervals. Number
Number refers
refersto stop number
number
In the
the field
field guide
guide
in

Coon valley
Member

column showing
showing units
units from
from the
the Prosser
Prosser Limestone
Limestone of
of the
Figure
Figure 4.
4. Bedrock stratigraphic column
Upper Ordovician
Ordovician Galena
Galena Group
Group to the Upper
Upper
Upper Cambrian
CambrianEau
EauClaire
ClaireFormation.
Formation. Column
Colunm includes
hydrostratigraphic
hydrostratigraphicunits
units based
based on
on estimated
estimated permeability
permeability and
and porosity.
porosity.
111

�Group,
Formation,
Member

-

Natural Gamma Log
Increasingcount
-

O

100

API-G units

Coon Valle)

Member

Jordan
Sandstone

St. Lawrence
Formation

Birkmose
Member

Ironton and
Galesville
Sandstones
Eau Claire
Formation

Figure 4. Continued
Continuedfrom
fromprevious
previous page.

beds, indicate aa low
beds,
low permeability
permeability
(Setterholm and
and others,
others, 1991).
1991). These
These
latter beds
beds make
make up
up the
the bulk
latter
bulk of this
heterolithic
meager
heterolithic component, and meager
pumping data
data indicates a horizontal
pumping
horizontal
conductivity
conductivity of
of about one-fifth that of
the coarse
coarse clastic
clastic facies
facies (Runkel,
(Runkel, 1996a).
1996a).
Lateral and vertical variability
variability in
abundance
and interconnectivity of
abundance and
fractures can markedly
markedly affect
affect the
the
hydrologic behavior of each of the four
components described above.
above. Such
features
features are most abundant
abundant and best
best
interconnected where the bedrock is at
or near (within
(within 100
100 feet)
feet) the
the surface.
surface.
Siliciclastic components
componentssuch
such as
as the fine
Siliciclastic
which has low to
clastic component,
component, which
very low intergranular
intergranular permeability, may
be orders
orders of
of magnitude
magnitude higher
higher in
in
conductivity
where they
they lie near the
conductivity where
the
surface because
because there
there is a substantial
surface
substantial
amount
of
flow
along
fractures.
amount of flow along fractures.
Conversely, some carbonate units may
may
have a relatively
relatively low
low conductivity
conductivity and
and
act as confining
confining beds where they
they are
are
covered
by younger
covered by
younger bedrock
bedrock and
and
secondary
porosity
is
not
well
developed
secondary porosity is
developed
(Libra
(Libra and Hallberg,
Hallberg, 1985;
1985;Visocky and
others, 1985).
1985). Additionally,
Additionally, fracture
flow
may be
be dominant
even in the
flow may
dominant even
coarse-clastic component, which
which has a
high intergranular
intergranular permeability
permeability where it
lies near the surface.
surface.

aquifers and
Delineation of aquifers
and confining
confining beds
Given the hydrostratigraphic
hydrostratigraphiccharacter
character of the components
components described
described above,
above, the Paleozoic
Paleozoic
section can be divided
and low
low permeability
permeabilityunits
units(Fig.
(Fig.4).
4). The
The coarse
coarse
divided into moderate/high
moderatehigh and
clastic
that contribute
contribute most
most
clastic and carbonate
carbonate rock
rock component
component (where
(where karstic)
karstic) are likely the sources that
of the yield
yield to
to water
water wells
wells developed
developed in
in Paleozoic
Paleozoic strata. The
Thefine-clastic
fine-clasticcomponent
component can
can
potentially yield
particular where it is fractured near the surface,
potentially
yield moderate
moderatequantities
quantitiesof
of water,
water, in particular
but more importantly itit acts
acts as
as aa confining
confiningunit
unit separating
separatingcoarse-clastic
coarse-clastic and
and karstic
karstic aquifers
aquifers
(e.g., Wenck and Associates,
Associates, Inc., 1997). The
component contains
The mixed carbonate
carbonate and clastic component
contains
individual
beds
that
can
yield
moderate
quantities
of
water,
but
where
greater
than
10
feet
individual beds that can yield moderate quantities of water, but where greater than 10 feetthick,
thick,
this unit apparently
apparently also
(Setterhoim and
and others,
others, 1991). Unfractured
Unfractured carbonate
also acts as an aquitard (Setterholm
carbonate
rock can also
Visockyand
andothers,
others, 1985;
1985;Donahue
Donahueand
andAssociates,
also serve
serve as a confining bed (e.g., Visocky
Associates,
1991;
Barr Engineering,
Engineering, 1996).
199
1;Ban1996).
112

�Of particular
particular importance
this more
more rigorous
rigorous hydrogeologic
hydrogeologic approach
importanceto
to this
this field
field trip is that this
approach
indicates that
that two
two widely
widely used
used aquifers,
aquifers,the
the Prairie
Prairie du
du Chien-Jordan
Chien-JordanAquifer
Aquifer and
and the
the FranconiaFranconiaindicates
Ironton-GalesvilleAquifer,
Aquifer, are
are not single, hydraulically connected aquifer systems as commonly
Ironton-Galesville
commonly
believed
believed (e.g.,
(e.g., Kanivetsky
Kanivetsky and
and Walton, 1979). Pumping
Pumping tests (Miller,
(Miller, 1984;
1984;Delta Environmental
Consultants, Inc.,
Inc., 1992;
1992;Miller
Miller and
and Delin,
Delin, 1993)
1993)and
and carefully
carefullycollected
collectedlocal
localstatic
staticwater
waterlevel
level
Consultants,
measurements
measurements(Delta
(DeltaEnvironmental
EnvironmentalConsultants,
Consultants,Inc.,
Inc.,1992;
1992;Wenck
Wenckand
andAssociates,
Associates,Inc.,
Inc.,1997)
1997)
demonstrate that
that the
the fine
fineclastics
clasticsof
ofthe
theFranconia
FranconiaFormation
Formationhydraulically
hydraulicallyseparate
separate
clearly demonstrate
ground
ground water
water in
in the
the fractured,
fractured, upper
upper part
part of
of the
the Franconia
Franconia Formation
Formation from
from ground
ground water
water in
in
coarse
below. Some fractured,
fractured, carbonate-cemented
carbonate-cemented
coarseclastics
clastics of the Ironton-Galesville Sandstones below.
rock
rock in
in the
the lower
lower part
part of
of the
the Franconia,
Franconia, where it occurs at or near the surface, is the source of
many
many springs
springs in
in the
the area
area and
andisisperhaps
perhapsthe
theonly
onlyhighly
highlypermeable
permeableconduit
conduitfor
forgroundwater
groundwater
within the
the Franconia
Franconia Formation.
Formation. The
ThePrairie
Prairiedu
duChien-Jordan
Chien-JordanAquifer
Aquiferisis likewise
likewisetwo
two distinct
distinct
within
and
coarse clastic
clastic aquifer-separated
aquifer—separated
and separate
separateaquifers—an
aquifers-an upper
upper carbonate
carbonateaquifer
aquiferand
and a lower, coarse
by
clastic component.
component. Hydraulic
by an
an intervening
intervening aquitard
aquitard composed
composed of the mixed carbonate and clastic
Hydraulic
separation
separationof
of the
the carbonate
carbonateand
and coarse-clastic
coarse-clasticaquifers
aquifersisis indicated
indicatedby
by several
severallines
lines of hydrologic
hydrologic
evidence including:
Donahue and
andAssociates,
Associates,1991;
1991;
including: potentiometric
potentiometric data
data (Kanivetsky,
(Kanivetsky, 1988;
1988; Donahue
N.O.
pumping tests (Barr
N.O. Janick
Janick ,,Winona
Winona State University,
University, oral communication
communication 1994), pumping
(Barr
Engineering,
Engineering, 1996;
1996;N.O.
N.O. Janick,
Janick,Winona
Winona State
StateUniversity,
University, oral
oral communication,
communication,1994),
1994),and
andby
by
ground-water
ground-waterchemistry
chemistry(Alexander,
(Alexander,1990;
1990;Setterholm
Setterholmand
andothers,
others,1991,
1991,Wall
Wall and
and Regan,
Regan, 1994).
1994).

FIELD
FIELDTRIP
TRIPSTOPS
STOPS
Introduction
Introduction
As
enigmatic features
As we
we examine
examinethese
these rock
rock exposures,
exposures,think
think about
about the enigmatic
features and
and long-standing
long-standing
sedimentologic
sedimentologic problems associated with these units. For
For example,
example,what
what created
created the
the extreme
extreme
maturity of the fine to coarse-grained sandstones?
sandstones? Is there really a dearth
dearth of
of shale?
shale? Why is it
difficult
to
place
your
hand
on
an
unconformity
in
these
rocks?
In
addition,
difficult
unconformity in these rocks? In addition, think
think about
about the
water-bearing
water-bearing characteristics that are
are determined
determined by grain
grain size,
size, cementation,
cementation, fractures,
fractures, and
and
dissolution
dissolutionfeatures.
features.With
Withthis
thisininmind,
mind,judge
judgefor
foryourself
yourselfthe
thevalidity
validityof
of some
someof
of the
the commonly
commonly
accepted
accepted depictions
depictions of
of the
the hydrogeologic
hydrogeologiccharacteristics
characteristics of the Paleozoic
Paleozoic rocks. For
Forexample,
example,
does
doesthe
thePlatteville
PlattevilleFormation
Formationlook
looklike
likeaaconfining
confiningunit
unit that
that will
will impede
impedethe
the downward
downwardtransport
transport
of
of contaminants,
contaminants,as
asititisis commonly
commonlyshown
shownto
to be on maps?
maps? Compare
Comparethe
theFranconia
FranconiaFormation
Formationtoto
the
try to
to determine
determine why the former is most often
often regarded as an
an
the Eau
Eau Claire
Claire Formation,
Formation, and
and try
aquifer
aquifer and
and the
the latter
latteras
asaaconfining
confiningbed.
bed. Examine
Examinethe
thedramatic
dramaticvariability
variabilityininthe
theporosity
porosityand
and
permeability
ChienGroup
Group and
and Jordan
Jordan Sandstone
Sandstone and ask yourself whether
permeabilitywithin
withinthe
thePrairie
Prairiedu
du Chien
the
the commonly
commonly accepted
accepted hydrogeologic
hydrogeologic depiction
depiction of
of these
these units
units as
asinternally
internallyhomogenous,
homogenous,
hydraulically
connected
aquifers
is
accurate.
hydraulically connected aquifers is accurate.
The
8, 10,
Thelocation
locationof
of individual
individualstops
stops is
is shown
shown on Figures 5, 7,
7,8,
10,and
and 11.
11. Directions
Directionsfrom
from
major
major road
road intersections,
intersections,or
orstreet
streetaddresses,
addresses,are
arealso
alsoprovided
providedfor
foreach
eachstop.
stop.

STOP
STOP1—Rochester
I-Rochester Public
PublicUtilities,
Utilities,4000
4000E.E.River
RiverRoad
RoadNE,
NE,Rochester,
Rochester, Minnesota.
Minnesota.

An
An overview
overview of
of the
thedepositional
depositionalhistory
history and
andhydrogeologic
hydrogeologicattributes
attributes of
of the
thePaleozoic
Paleozoic
strata
strataof
of southeastern
southeasternMinnesota
Minnesotawill
willbe
bepresented
presentedatatthis
this stop.
stop. Paleozoic
Paleozoicbedrock
bedrockininthe
theRochester
Rochester

area
areaare
arenearly
nearly flat
flat lying,
lying, and
and have
have been eroded into an upper and lower plateau. The
The resistant
resistant
limestone
and
dolomite
formations
of
the
Galena
Group
form
an
upper
plateau
that
skirts
limestone and dolomite formations of the Galena Group form an upper plateau that skirtsthe
the
113

�8, 10,
Figure 5.
5. Index
Index map
map of
of field
field stops. Black
Blackboxes
boxes refer
refer to
to maps
maps in
in Figures
Figures 7,
7,8,
10,and
and 11.
11.
Figure
perimeter
perimeter of
of Rochester.
Rochester. The
Themostly
mostlycarbonate
carbonaterocks
rocksof
of the
the Prairie
Prairie du
du Chien
Chien Group
Group form
form a lower
plateau along
the
South
Fork
of
the
Zumbro
River
and
the
lower
ends
of
its
tributaries,
in and
along the South Fork of the Zumbro
around
around the
the city
city of Rochester. These
Thesetwo
twoplateaus
plateausare
areseparated
separatedby
by an
an escarpment,
escarpment, composed
composed of
of
Decorah
Sandstone, which
exposed
DecorahShale,
Shale,Platteville
PlattevilleFormation,
Formation,Glenwood
GlenwoodShale,
Shale,and
and St.
St. Peter
Peter Sandstone,
which is exposed
on steep
city. We will examine most
steep bluffs within and around the city.
most of
of these
these units
units on
on the
the trip
trip
today, as well as
as several
several older
older units,
units, such
such as
as the Jordan Sandstone.
Sandstone.
The hydrostratigraphic attributes of
of many
many of the Paleozoic units that we will
will examine
examine
today have
have aa direct
direct or
orindirect
indirectimpact
impacton
onthe
theavailable
availablewater
watersupply
supplyfor
forthe
thecity
cityof
ofRochester.
Rochester.
The
understanding the
The city
city has
has devoted
devoted aa considerable
considerable amount
amount of
of effort
effort and resources to understanding
the geologic
geologic
controls
controlson
on ground-water
ground-waterquality
qualityand
andquantity
quantityin
in their
their region.
region. An
Aninvestigation
investigationof
of variable
variableyield
yield
from
Dolomite
from city
city wells
wells that
that draw
draw water
water from
from the Jordan Sandstone
Sandstone and
and lower part of the Oneota Dolomite
(Runkel, 1996a)
1996a) provides
provides an
an example
example of
of where
where lithostratigraphic
lithostratigraphic and
and hydrostratigraphic
hydrostratigraphic
boundaries do not coincide.
coincide. The
Theopen-hole
open-holeinterval
interval of
of these
these city
city wells
wells cross
cross three
three or
or more
more
distinct hydrostratigraphic
hydrostratigraphic components—the
components-the fine-clastic,
fine-clastic, coarse-clastic,
coarse-clastic, and mixed carbonate
carbonate
114

�and clastic components (Fig. 6). Permeability
Permeability values
values of
of these
these components
components vary by as much as
four orders of magnitude.
magnitude. Grain
permeability
Grainsize,
size,sorting
sortingand
and degree
degree of cementation
cementation affect
affect the permeability
of these rocks, all within boundaries of what is currently designated as a single aquifer unit—
unitthe Prairie du Chien-Jordan
Aquifer.
Pumping
records
of
municipal
wells
finished
in
these
Chien-Jordan Aquifer. Pumping
municipal
components, all
three components,
all considered
considered "Jordan" wells,
wells, show
show that the productivity
productivity of individual
individual wells
wells
is directly proportional to the thickness of the coarse-clastic component exposed in the openhole interval (Runkel,
(Runkel, 1996a).
1996a).
This stop
Formation in the
the large
large quarry
quarry west
west of
of
stop shows
shows the sandy dolomite of the Shakopee Formation
the road. Notable
Notablefeatures
featuresinclude
includethe
thethin
thincover
coverof
of the
the bedrock
bedrock and
and the
the highly
highly fractured
fractured nature
nature
rock hydrostratigraphic
hydrostratigraphic component.
component. The high density
density of
of fractures
fractures isis typical of
of the carbonate rock
all bedrock units near the land surface
surface in this region.
region. Also visible
visible to the southeast
southeast is the quartzose
quartzose
facies of the St. Peter Sandstone
Sandstone and the overlying Glenwood Shale and Platteville Limestone.
recharge to
to the
the Prairie
Prairie du
du Chien Group and Jordan
Delin (1991) showed that ground-water
ground-water recharge
Sandstone is focused along
along the
the edge
edge of
of the
the plateau
plateau above
abovethe
the St.
St. Peter
Peter Sandstone.
Sandstone. Ongoing
investigations into
into the
the phenomena
phenomena of
of focused
focused recharge
recharge by
by the
the USGS
USGS based
based on earlier work
investigations
(Delin, 1991;
1991; Delin and Almendinger, 1991)
1991) will provide better data on the hydrologic budget
of the region by quantifying
quantifying the amount
amount of water recharging
recharging from
from upper plateau.
plateau.

STOP 2—Bailey
Quarry near
STOP
%Bailey Quarry
nearSt.
St.Charles,
Charles,Minnesota.
Minnesota.West
Westside
sideof
ofMinnesota
Minnesota Highway 74,
about 1.2
1.2 miles south
south of Interstate
Interstate 90. Winona County, Minnesota (Fig. 7).
This quarry has one
one of
of the
the most
most accessible,
accessible, continuous
continuous exposures across the upper
upper St.
St.
Peter Sandstone, Glenwood Shale, and Platteville Formation in Minnesota. Our work on this
part of the Paleozoic
reconnaissance nature at this time. Most
Paleozoic section
section is of a reconnaissance
Most workers
workerswho
whohave
have
studied these units have suggested
suggested that they are part of an overall transgressive sequence (e.g.,
Dott and others 1986;
Mossler,
1985). A
1986; Mossier, 1985).
A rise
rise in
in sea
sea level
level is
is recorded
recorded by the
the facies
facies change
change
upsection from fine- to coarse-grained
coarse-grained quartzose sandstone deposited in a shoreface (St. Peter
deposited in deeper offshore shelf areas (Glenwood
(Glenwood Shale), culminating
culminating in rnicritic
micritic
SS.), to shale deposited
carbonates
offshoreconditions
conditions (Platteville
(PlattevilleFormation).
Formation). While
While
carbonatesthat
that accumulated
accumulated in the most distal offshore
this scenario
scenario is plausible,
plausible, some
some features
features suggest that the depositional
depositional history may be more
more
complex. For
example
the
upper
half
to
two-thirds
of
the
St.
Peter
Sandstone
coarsens
upward
For example the upper half to two-thirds of the St. Peter Sandstone coarsens upward
in southeastern
wh,ich in
in other
other sheet
sheet sandstones
sandstones is
is indicative
indicative of shallowing
shallowing rather
rather
southeastern Minnesota,
Minnesota, wh,ich
than deepening. Workers
Workersin
inother
otherstates
states(e.g.,
(e.g., Simo
Simoand
and others,
others,1997)
1997)have
have suggested
suggestedthat
that the
the
St. Peter Sandstone
Sandstone is capped by an unconformity, which also suggests that its deposition was
culminated by a regressive event. Additionally,
Additionally, the Glenwood
Glenwood Shale contains discrete beds of
medium- to coarse-grained sandstone, some with
with a channel-shape,
channel-shape, and
and the
the lower
lower part
part of the
Platteville Formation
Formation contains
contains matrix-supported,
matrix-supported,coarse
coarsequartz
quartzgrains.
grains. These attributes are
incompatible
incompatible with
with deposition
depositionin
in aa relatively
relatively deep,
deep, distal
distal offshore
offshore shelf
shelf setting.
setting.
here. The
There are three hydrostratigraphic
hydrostratigraphic components exposed here.
The Platteville
Platteville Formation
Formation
consists
fractured carbonate
carbonate rock component, the Glenwood
Glenwood Shale
Shale consists
consists mostly
mostly
consists chiefly
chiefly of the fractured
of the fine clastic
clastic component,
component, and
Sandstone consists
coarse clastic
and the
the St.
St. Peter Sandstone
consists of the coarse
clastic component.
component.
Hence, across this part of
of the
the Paleozoic
Paleozoic section
section lithostratigraphic
lithostratigraphic boundaries nearly (within a
meter) coincide with the principle
hydrostratigraphic
boundaries. We
We will see examples at
principle hydrostratigraphic boundaries.
subsequent stops where the lithostratigraphic
lithostratigraphic boundaries do not correspond to the principal
principal
hydrostratigraphic
hydrostratigraphic boundaries.
boundaries.

115

�____

____

_____

NORTH

/—/

f

•

-

-

.

.

.

___

..

.

.

.

.

-

S

.

a

—
.

••'

*

_z___7__.

.

.
.

.-r
in

-

.

,—

.

ci

- •—---—
•

s

.

.

.

coarse clastic
.
._.—
. .—- •'.
._._—e—t'-—-':;
.
.. s. — —
————

—

•

/

.

.

.

.

.
•

coarse clastic

.

.

-

.

mixed carbonate and clastic.,-

'

'

——-k

SOUTI+

. ., __

-

coarse clastic

———

.--fineclastj,.

-

—
—

.

St. Lawrence Formation

St. Lawrence Formation L

Lines on section dashed where control is poor

434041

161425

mcc

rncct

220166

1

mcc
mcc
cc

Ic
fc I
I

Ic

xl

2C64 21ca11

222525

2226S

-

-

mcc

cc
cc

E)QLANATION

mcc mixed
mixedciastic
clasticand
andcarbonate
carbonatecomponent
component
Ic mixed clastic
ciastic and
and carbonate
carbonatecomponent
component fc

cc
cc

mixed clastic
clastic and
and carbonate
carbonate component
component
mcc

SI

St. Lawrence Formation

sl St. Lawrence Formation

-

-

Ic
fC
—

cc
cc

Ic
fc

Ic
cc

Ic
SI

Figure 6. West-east
West-eaststratigraphic
stratigraphiccross-section
cross-sectionand
andcorresponding
correspondinggamma
gammalogs
logsfor
forthe
theJordan
JordanSandstone
Sandstoneand
andthe
thelower
lowerpart
partof
ofthe
theOneota
Oneota
Figure
Dolomite in the Rochester Metropolitan area, showing the variable thickness of the coarse-clastic and fine-clastic
fine-clastic components of the
Jordan beneath the mixed carbonate and clastic Coon Valley
Valley Member
Member of
of the
the Oneota.
Oneota. (Modified from
from Runkel,
Runkel, 1996a.)
1996a.)

�Figure 7. Map
Map11on
onindex
indexmap
map(Fig.
(Fig. 5)
5) showing
showing the
the location
location of
of stop
stop 2.
2.
quarry is a good example
example of the geologic
geologic controls on ground-water
ground-water recharge
recharge discussed
This quarry
discussed
carbonate Platteville Formation is through
through horizontal
at Stop 1. Ground-water
Ground-waterflow
flow through
through the carbonate
vertical joints.
joints. Matrix
fractures along bedding planes and vertical
Matrix porosity and permeability does not
contribute substantially
Platteville bench
contribute
substantiallyto
to ground-water
ground-water flow.
flow. Water
Water pools
pools on
on top of the lower Platteville
because the underlying
underlying Glenwood
Glenwood Shale
Shale restricts
restricts the downward
downward movement of ground
ground water.
water.
conductivity of
of the
the Glenwood Shale
Shale is
is estimated
estimated to
to be
be similar to values for shale
Hydraulic conductivity
reported in
in the
the literature
literatureof
of iO to
toiO rn/day
&amp;day(Freeze
(Freezeand
andCherry,
Cherry,1979).
1979). The
Thesurface
surfacewater
water
Platteville bench
bench and
and onto
onto the
the top
top of
of the Glenwood Shale
entering the quarry runs across the Platteville
before spilling
quarry. This stream does not account for all the
spilling into the St. Peter section of the quarry.
recharging the St.
Sandstone. Joints
water recharging
St. Peter Sandstone.
Jointsare
arevisible
visiblein
in the
the Platteville
Plattevillethat
that extend
extend into
into the
the
Glenwood Shale. The
ThePlatteville
PlattevilleFormation
Formation and
and Glenwood
Glenwood Shale form aa flat
flat plateau
plateau across
across
much of the Twin
Cities
area.
The
Glenwood
Shale
is
an
important
confining
bed
in
Twin
area. The Glenwood
an important
bed that it
restricts contaminant
contaminant transport
transport to
to lower
lower bedrock aquifers
aquifers where
where it is
is not
not crossed
crossed by
by fractures.
fractures.

STOP 3—Road
&gt;Road Cut
Cut near
nearHomer
HomerMinnesota.
Minnesota.From
Fromintersection
intersectionofofState
StateHighway
Highway 43
43 and
and
U.S. 61
61 inWinona,
in Winona,take
takeState
StateHighway
Highway 61
61 south
south for 3.5 miles. Turn right on County Road
15 (at Homer) and travel 2.2 miles to large
large road cut (Fig.
(Fig. 8).
8).

This
exposures of the Jordan Sandstone
This is one
one of the most complete,
complete, readily accessible
accessible exposures
Sandstone in
the entire central mid-continent
region. The
mid-continent region.
The section
section is
is continuously
continuously exposed from the upper
part of the St. Lawrence
Lawrence Formation,
Formation, through the entire Jordan Sandstone,
Sandstone, and most of the
the Oneota
Dolomite.
cycleisisrecorded.
recorded. The very fine grained
complete regressive-transgressive
regressive-transgressive cycle
grained
Dolomite. AA complete
sandstone, shale and dolostone
dolostone of the St. Lawrence
Lawrence Formation
Formation was deposited
deposited in relatively
relatively deep
deep
water during a high
high stand
stand of
of sea
sealevel
level (Hughes
(Hughes and
and Hesslbo,
Hesslbo, 1997),
19971,which
which was
was followed
followed by
by
117

�KILoMmERs
MILES

1

-1

-

0

-

1

0

- 2

I

3

4

2

5

3

6

1

4

7

8
5

9

$0

6

Map22on
onindex
indexmap
map(Figure
(Figure5)
5) showing
showing the
the location
location of
of Stop
Stop3.
3.
Figure 8. Map
progressive shallowing recorded in the coarsening
coarsening upward Jordan Sandstone, culminated by
subaerial erosion marked by aa pebbly
pebbly sandstone
sandstone lag.
lag. The Oneota
Oneota Dolomite
Dolomite above
above the
the
unconformity
unconformityrecords
recordsthe
thereturn
returnof
ofthe
theshoreline
shorelineand
andgradual
gradualdeepening
deepeningin
inthe
theEarly
EarlyOrdovician.
Ordovician.
Lowermost Oneota
strata
(Coon
Valley
Member)
are
mixed
clastic
carbonate
deposits
that
Oneota strata (Coon Valley
accumulated in supratidal to shallow subtidal conditions.
conditions. Upper
Upper Oneota
Oneota strata
strata (Hagar
(Hagar City
City
Member)
dolostonedeposited
depositedin
in deeper,
deeper, entirely
entirely subtidal
subtidal conditions.
conditions.
Member) are
are mostly
mostly sand-free
sand-freedolostone
Particularly
include large-scale,
large-scale, high-angle
high-angle
Particularly interesting
interestingsedimentologic
sedimentologicfeatures
features at this stop include
cross
cross strata
stratawith
with reactivation
reactivationsurfaces
surfacesand
and shale
shaledrapes
drapesin
in the
the Jordan
Jordan Sandstone
Sandstonethat
that may
may record
record
a strong influence of tidal currents, and bbcabbage-head"
"cabbage-head" stromatolites
stromatolites in the lower Oneota.
Oneota. The
The
depositional
can account
account for
for the
the sedimentologic
sedimentologic and stratigraphic
stratigraphic
depositional model depicted
depicted in
in Figure
Figure 33 can
attributes
of
the
St.
Lawrence
Formation
and
Jordan
Sandstone,
but
does
not
readily
explain the
attributes
Lawrence Formation and Jordan Sandstone,
attributes
attributes of the overlying
overlying Oneota
Oneota Dolomite
Dolomite
This exposure
example,whereaa major
major hydrostratigraphic
hydrostratigraphicboundary
boundary does
does not
not
exposure includes
includes an
an example.where
correspond
hydrostratigraphic variability
correspondto
to aa lithostratigraphic
lithostratigraphicboundary,
boundq, and
and also
also shows
shows the great hydrostratigraphic
variability
within
internally homogenous
homogenous in
in hydrogeologic
hydrogeologic
within lithostratigraphic
lithostratigraphicunits
units that
that are
are widely regarded as internally
properties.
properties. The
TheSt.
St.Lawrence
Lawrence Formation
Formation and
and lower
lower part of the
the Jordan
Jordan Sandstone
Sandstone are both
composed
confining
composedof
of the
the fine-clastic
fine-clastic component.
component. The
TheSt.
St.Lawrence
Lawrence is
is commonly
commonly regarded
regarded as
as a confining
bed and the
the Jordan
Jordan as
as an
an aquifer,
aquifer, yet
yet there
there is
is no
no distinct
distinct hydrogeologic
hydrogeologic boundary between the
two lithostratigraphic units as is commonly believed.
believed. As
As you
you walk
walk up
up the
the outcrop,
outcrop, consider
consider
where
where you would
would define
define the
the bottom
bottom and
and the
the top
top of the "Jordan Aquifer."
Aquifer.'' The
The mixed
mixed carbonate
carbonate
and
and clastic
clastic component
componentthat
that composes
composesthe
the Coon
Coon Valley Member of the Oneota Dolomite (Prairie
(Prairie
du
du Chien
Chien Group)
Group) isis markedly
markedly lower
lower in
in porosity
porosity and
and permeability
permeability than
than the
the coarse
coarseclastics
clasticsof
ofthe
the
uppermost Jordan Sandstone. The
Theoverlying
overlying carbonate
carbonate rock
rock component
component of
of the
the Hagar
Hagar City
City
Member
fractures. Fracture
Member is tightly cemented,
cemented, with primarily horizontal fractures.
Fracture tops show evidence
118

�of dissolution.
Larger scale
scale vertical
vertical dissolution along
dissolution. Larger
along aa vertical
verticaljoint
joint isis also
also visible
visible here.
here. If
such fractures and dissolution
dissolution features
features were not developed in the subsurface
subsurface this unit would be
be
a confining bed.

BIOSTRATIGRAPHY OF
OF CONODONTS
CONODONTS FROM
FROM JORDAN
JORDAN SANDSTONE
SANDSTONEAND
AND
LOWERMOST ONEOTA
LOWERMOST
ONEOTA DOLOMITE
DOLOMITENEAR
NEAR HOMER,
HOMER,MINNESOTA
MINNESOTA
J.F. Miller* and
and Anthony C.
C. Runkel
Runkel
*Southwest
*Southwest Missouri
Missouri State
State University,
University, Department
Departmentof
of Geography,
Geography,Geology,
Geology, and
and
Planning, 901 South
South National
National Avenue, Springfield, Missouri 65804-0089
The physical evidence for the presence
presence of aa large
large magnitude,
magnitude, regional
regional unconformity
unconformity
associated with the Jordan Sandstone has been
been debated for decades. Smith
Smith and
and others
others (1993)
(1993)
described subaerially formed silcrete that occurred at or
or below
below the
the Jordan
Jordan Sandstone-Oneota
Sandstone-Oneota
Dolomite
contact at
at a few outcrops
Wisconsin. Runkel
that a pebbly
Dolomite contact
outcrops in Wisconsin.
Runkel (1994) suggested
suggested that
sandstone that caps the Jordan
Jordan Sandstone
Sandstone at many outcrops in Wisconsin and Minnesota is an
erosional lag of regional extent. ItIt everywhere
everywhere separates
separates a major, decameter-scale coarsening
decameter-scale fining upward
upward sequence
sequence above,
above, and
and was
was formed
formed
upward sequence
sequence below from a decameter-scale
extreme basinward
basinward positions
positions in
inlatest
latestCambrian
Cambriantime.
time. The
when the regressive shoreline was in extreme
to be
be more
more deeply
deeply truncated beneath this lag on the margins of
of
Jordan Sandstone was shown to
the Hollandale Embayment
Embayment (Runkel,
(Runkel, 1994).
1994).
The work described above suggests that
that an unconformity
unconformity is
is present
present near
near or
or at
at the
the top
top of
of
evidence is subtle and
and cannot
cannot be
be recognized
recognized at
at all
all outcrops
outcrops
the Jordan Sandstone
Sandstone but the physical evidence
(Fig. 9). In
unconformity and
and determine
determine its magnitude,
magnitude,
In an
an effort
effort to substantiate
substantiate the presence of an unconformity
Jordan Sandstone and from the
conodont samples
samples were
were collected
collected at the Homer section from the Jordan
overlying
Coon Valley Member of the Oneota Dolomite
overlying Coon
Dolomite by A. C.
C. Runkel
Runkel and were processed
processed by
J.F. Miller. Samples
J.F.
Samples from the Jordan Sandstone
Sandstone contain
contain only two conodont
conodont species,
species,
Proconodontus muelleri
muelleri (Miller)
Proconodontus
(Miller) and
and Eoconodontus
Eoconodontus notchpeakensis
notchpeakensis (Miller),
(Miller), which
which range
range
America and
and are
are diagnostic
diagnostic of
of
throughout the Jordan. These
These species
species are widespread in North America
of the
theEoconodontus
Eoconodontus Zone,
Zone, approximately
approximately of middle
middle
the Eoconodontus notchpeakensis Subzone of
Age. This
from samples
samples 1 through
through 10.
10. Sample 11
Trempealeauan Age.
This fauna
fauna has been recovered from
11 is
from the Coon
Coon Valley
Valley Member of the Oneota
Oneota Dolomite
Dolomite and
and yielded
yielded aa completely
completely different
different
conodont fauna. This
Thissample
sampleincludes
includesAcanthodus uncinatus
uncinatus (Furnish),
(Furnish),Aloxoconus
Aloxoconus iowensis
iowensis
(Furnish),
Aloxoconuspropinquus (Furnish),
Cordylodus intermedius (Furnish),
(Furnish), Aloxoconuspropinquus
(Furnish), Aloxoconus sp., Cordylodus
(Furnish),
Cordylodus lindstromi
lindstromi (Druce
(Druce &amp;
&amp; Jones),
Jones), aa new species of Cordylodus known
known from
from Utah
Utah and
and
Polycostatus oneotensis
oneotensis (Furnish). Many
Texas, and Polycostatus
Many of
of these
these species
species were named by Furnish
(1938)
(1938) from
from the Oneota
Oneota in the Iowa-Minnesota area. The
The presence
presence of
of these
these species
species in
in the
the Coon
Coon
Valley Member indicates a close age relationship between sandstones of the Coon Valley and
Valley
overlying dolomite
the assignment
assignment of these
these sandstones
sandstones
the overlying
dolomite member of the Oneota, and supports the
to the Oneota rather than to the Jordan. This
This assemblage
assemblage of species
species is at least as young as the
Cordylodus angulatus
angulatus Zone
Rossodus manitouensis
manitouensis Zone.
Cordylodus
Zone but
but could
could be from
from the
the overlying
overlying Rossodus
These two zones are
are from
from the
the middle
middle to
to upper
upper part
part of
of the
the Skullrockian
Skullrockian Stage
Stage of
of the
the Ibexian
Ibexian
Series (Lower
(Lower Ordovician)
Ordovician) in the Ibex
Ibex area
area of western Utah (Ross
(Ross and
and others,
others, 1997).
1997).
Sandstone and Coon Valley
Valley Member
Member are
are separated
separated
These faunas indicate
indicate that the Jordan Sandstone
by a large hiatus
hiatus compared
compared with
with the
the continuous
continuous succession
successionin
in the
the Ibex
Ibex area
area of
of Utah,
Utah, which
which was
was
119

�ZONATION
CONODONT
CONODONT ZONATION
MIller
MIIler (1988)
( 1 988)

one I
oneI

z

e = conodonts
conodonts

LU

&lt;I-.

0

wO

a

z-J

0

Rossodusmanitouensis

Ii

z

0
I—
(1,
0
z

Cordylodus lindstromi

.

20

15

I.—.

'Jb

z

0
0

.

.

,

.5

.4

'3

C,,

7

I,,,,,
It

1

1

7

.1

&amp;

7' T1
0•

liii

VF FMCVC

pJg Burrows
B
Intraclasts
gpJ l r l ~ l a s t s
Hunmocky
cross-strata
@Dolostone
O ~ o r l e
Ripple
cross-strata
R i i cross-strala

=EEzL

Z

hlntzei

HirsutodontUS
simplex

...

Clavohamulus
elongatus

d1

-.

)&lt;

LU

Fryxellodontus
inornatus
Hirsutodontus

10

z&lt;

Clavohamulus

hirsutus

Cambroistodus
minutus

5.

•

LU

lapetog,wthus

w

C-)

UJ

Cordylodusangulatus

25

z

Subzone
Subzone

1t•D•
5
&lt;
I-

EoconodontUS
notchpeakensis

—

z=
&lt;

&lt;
&lt;x
WQ
ILl

o

'-

Proconodontus mueller!

Trou
mTang8nMl
o w cross-strata
cross-stram
Tangentlel
cross-strata
cross-stmm
thick
thick hnes
h e s are
are shale
shale drapes
drapes
MedP.sn
to ccoarse-graied
M d b m to
o a r s w n e dS.S.
S.S.

m
.•:
nFimt+gmmd S.S.

Fine-gravied S.S.

Pebbles
Po-

Figure9.
9.Measured
Measuredsection
sectionofofthe
theJordan
JordanSandstone
Sandstoneand
andadjacent
adjacentunits
unitsatatHomer,
Homer, Minnesota
Minnesota
Figure
outcropyhighlighting
highlightingbiostratigraphic
biostratigraphicinterpretation
interpretationbased
basedon
onconodonts
conodontsasasreported
reportedherein.
herein.
outcrop,
Thevertical
verticallines
linesshow
showthe
therelative
relativemagnitude
magnitudeof
of the
the hiatus
hiatus represented
The
represented by the unconformity
unconformity
on
top
of
the
Jordan
Sandstone.
on top of the Jordan Sandstone.

deposited
rapidly subsiding
subsidingmiogeoclinal
miogeoclinal carbonate platform. The
Thefollowing
followingconodont
conodont
deposited on
on aa rapidly
units known
known in
in Utah
Utahare
aremissing
missingbetween
betweenthe
theJordan
Jordanand
andCoon
CoonValley
ValleyatatHomer:
Homer:
biozonal units
Cambrooistodus
Cambrooistodus minutus Subzone
Subzoneof
ofthe
theEoconodontus
Eoconodontus Zone
Zone(uppermost
(uppermostTrempealeauan,
Trempealeauan,
Upper
Cordylodusproavus Zone
Zone(basal
(basalSkullrockian,
Skullrockian,Lower
Lower
Upper Cambrian),
Cambrian),three
three subzones
subzonesof
of the Cordylodusproavus
Ordovician),
Ordovician), two
two subzones
subzones of the Cordylodus intermedius Zone,
Zone, the
the Cordylodusprolindstromi
Cordylodusprolindstromi
Zone,
Zone, the Cordylodus
Cordylodus lindstromi
lindstromi Zone,
Zone,and
andthe
thelapetognathus
IapetognathusZone
Zone(approximately
(approximatelymiddle
middle
Skulirockian).
Skullrockian). InInthe
theIbex
Ibexarea
areaofofUtah,
UtahyUpper
UpperCambrian
Cambriancarbonate
carbonatestrata
strataare
areapproximately
approximately
2850
2850ftft (870
(870m)
m)thick
thickand
andare
areoverlain
overlainby
by approximately
approximately5000
5000ftft(1525
(1525m)
m)of
ofOrdovician
Ordovicianstrata.
strata.
The
The missing
missinginterval
intervalat
atHomer
Homerisisequivalent
equivalentto
to more
more than
than 500
500 ftft (150
(150 m)
m) of
of limestone
limestonein
in Utah.
Utah.
The
The interval
intervalincludes
includesseveral
severalstratigraphic
stratigraphicsequences
sequencesthat
that include
include at
at least
least two
two major
major lowstands
lowstands
of
A similar
similarlarge
large hiatus
hiatus is
is
of sea
sealevel,
level, as
as well
well as
as several
several transgressive
transgressive and highstand sequences. A
known
known on
on the
the crest
crestof
ofthe
theTranscontinental
Transcontinentalarch
archin
inwestern
westernColorado
Colorado(Myrow,
(Myrow, Ethington,
Ethington,&amp;
&amp;
Miller,
Miller,1995),
19951,which
whichisisaawestern
western extension
extensionof
of the
the Minnesota
Minnesota craton.
craton.
120

�STOP 4—Road
&amp;Road cut
cut along
alongnorth
northside
sideofofCounty
CountyRoad
Road3030(time
(timepermitting).
permitting).From
From County
County
STOP
road 14,
14,travel
travel east
east on
on County
County road
road 88 for
for one
one mile
mile (becomes
(becomesCounty
Countyroad
road 30
30in
inWinona
Winona
road
Continueeast
easton
onCounty
Countyroad
road 30
30for
for about
about 0.7
0.7 miles
miles to
to road
road cut
cut (Fig.
(Fig. 10).
10).
County). Continue
The upper
upper part
part of
of Oneota
OneotaDolomite
Dolomiteand
and lowermost
lowermost Shakopee
ShakopeeFormation
Formationof
of the
the Prairie
Prairiedu
du
The
Chien Group are exposed at this stop. The
TheOneota
OneotaDolomite
Dolomite consists
consists chiefly
chiefly of
of tan
tan to
to gray
gray
microcrystalline dolostone
dolostone in thick to medium irregular beds.
The Shakopee
Shakopee consists of sandy,
microcrystalline
beds. The
The New Richmond Sandstone
Sandstone
oolitic and intraclastic dolostone, with intercalated sandstone. The
of the Shakopee
uppermost part
part of
of this
this exposure.
exposure. Deposition
Shakopee Formation forms the uppermost
Deposition of
of these
these
strata occurred
occurred on a carbonate-dominated,
laterally extensive
strata
carbonate-dominated, laterally
extensive platform in environments ranging
from
from supratidal
supratidal to
to shallow
shallow subtidal
subtidal (Smith and others, 1993). The
The Oneota
Oneota Dolomite
Dolomite and
and Shakopee
Shakopee
Formation are separated by an unconformity
unconformity less
meters below
below the
the New
New Richmond
Richmond
less than
than 22meters
Sandstone. Features
Featuresdiagnostic
diagnosticof
ofdepositional
depositionalorigin,
origin,as
aswell
wellas
asthe
theunconformity,
unconformity, are
arelargely
largely
Sandstone.
Stop99will
willprovide
provide aa better
better opportunity
opportunity to
to more
more closely
closely
inaccessible in this steep road cut. Stop
examine the Prairie
Prairie du Chien
Chien Group.
Group.
The primary
primary purpose
purpose of this
this stop
stop is
is to
to discuss
discuss the
the karst
karst features
features exposed
exposed in
in this
this road
roadcut.
cut.
A well developed
developed cave in the Oneota exists at the solution
solution horizon near the Oneota-Shakopee
Oneota-Shakopee
contact. The
Theunconformable
unconformablecontact
contactshows
showssubaerial
subaerialexposure,
exposure,as
as evidenced
evidenced by
by considerable
considerable
karst development
development below
below it, and
and is
is characteristic
characteristic of
of this
this contact
contact throughout
throughout southeastern
southeastern
Minnesota and
and western
western Wisconsin (Smith and others, 1993, 1996). Sinkholes
Sinkholes occur
occur near
near this
this
contact
Maki, 1988;
1988;Magdeline
Magdeline and
and Alexander,
Alexander,
contact (Dalgleish
(Dalgleishand
andAlexander,
Alexander,1984;
1984;Alexander
Alexander and
and Maki,
1995)
catastrophic collapse
treatment lagoons
1995) and have resulted in catastrophic
collapse of several
several sewage treatment
lagoons (Alexander
(Alexander
and
and Book,
Book, 1984;
1984;Alexander
Alexander and
and others,
others, 1993;
1993;Jannik
Jannik and
and others,
others, 1991).
1991).
The
SW. Evidence for the
The cave
cave at this outcrop apparently formed in aajoint
joint trending
trending NE to SW.
development
development of this solution feature is visible. Ground
Groundwater
water originally
originally flowed
flowed horizontally
horizontally
along
along aa permeable
permeable bedding
beddingplain,
plain,widening
wideningitself
itself through
throughdissolution
dissolutionas
as itit became
became the
the dominant
dominant
hydraulic
conduit
at
this
horizon.
At
the
intersection
of
a
vertical
joint,
water
moved
downward,
hydraulic conduit at this horizon. At the intersection of
joint,
downward,
dissolving
dissolving the
the bedrock
bedrock and
and increasing
increasing the size of the cavity. This
This feature
feature widened
widened from
from top
top to
to
bottom,
ground-water flow. Characteristic
bottom, as
as the
the conduit
conduit captured
captured increasing
increasing amounts
amounts of ground-water
Characteristicfeatures
features
include
fracture—and sinuous
include aa flat-topped
flat-topped ceiling—top
ceiling-top of
of the original
original hydraulic fracture-and
sinuous walls formed
by the water
water dissolving
dissolving beds
beds of
of variable
variable permeability.
permeability. A
A large
largecollapse
collapse adjacent
adjacent to
to the
thecave,
cave,
presumably into a void
extending
into
the
outcrop,
and
the
alignment
of
this
feature
with
void extending
with aa
creek
dissolution
creek bed on
on south
south side
side of
of the
the highway,
highway, indicate
indicate the extensive
extensive nature of this type of dissolution
within
within the
the Prairie
Prairie du
du Chien.
Chien.
The regional
regional direction
direction of ground-water
ground-water flow with the Prairie du Chien Group is
is to
to the
the
southeast—perpendicular
southeast-perpendicular to
to the
the trend of this large dissolution feature. Monitoring
Monitoringof
of groundgroundwater quality
quality within
within the
the Prairie
Prairie du
du Chien
Chien is complicated
complicated by these types of features throughout
southeastern
southeastern Minnesota. Dye-trace
Dye-trace studies
studies have
have documented
documented cases where local flow is in aa
direction
perpendicular
to
the
regional
gradient
(Donohue
1991). The
The presence
presence
direction perpendicular to the regional gradient (Donohue and Associates, 1991).
of
of these
these large-scale
large-scaledissolution
dissolutionfeatures
featuresleads
leads to
to extreme
extreme variability in transmissivity, and preclude
the
isotropic porous media in ground-water
ground-water monitoring
the treatment
treatmentof
of the
the Prairie
Prairie du
du Chien
Chien Group
Group as
as isotropic
monitoring
and
and modeling.
modeling.

121

�KILOMETERS
MILES

1
1

- -0
0

2
-

1

1

3

4
2

6
.-7

8
3

'

4

8
5

0

10

6

Figure 10.
10. Map
Map33on
onindex
indexmap
map (Figure
(Figure 5)
5) showing
showingthe
the locations
locationsof
of stops
stops44 through
through 8.
8.

STOP
overlook of
of Mississippi
Mississippi River
River Valley
Valleynear
nearWabasha.
Wabasha. On
STOP 5—Scenic
5Ã‘Sceni overlook
On north side of
State
State Highway
Highway 60
60 about
about 1.3
1.3miles
miles east
east of
of U.S.
U.S. 61
61 (Fig.
(Fig. 10).
10).
This
This overlook
overlook provides
provides aa visual
visual estimate
estimate of
of the
the thickness
thickness of
of the
the lower
lower Jordan
Jordan Sandstone,
Sandstone,
St.
that lie
lie below
below our
our feet.
feet. The
St. Lawrence, and Franconia Formations that
The upper
upper 50
50 ftftof
ofJordan
Jordan
Sandstone,
Sandstone,and
andlower
lower20+
20+ftftof
ofOneota
OneotaDolomite
Dolomite(Coon
(CoonValley
Valley Member)
Member)are
areexposed
exposedhere.
here.This
This
outcrop provides
an
excellent
opportunity
to
examine
the
sequence
bounding
unconformity
provides an excellent opportunity to examine the sequence bounding unconformity
that
quartzose Jordan
Jordan Sandstone
Sandstone below from
from the
that separates
separates well-sorted,
well-sorted,finefine- to
to coarse-grained,
coarse-grained,quartzose
overlying
overlyingheterolithic
heterolithicCoon
CoonValley
Valley Member.
Member. The
TheCoon
CoonValley
Valley Member
Member consists
consists of very finefine- to
coarse-grained
coarse-grainedsandstone,
sandstone,siltstone,
siltstone,shale,
shale, and
and sandy dolostone.
dolostone. The
The erosional
erosional lag
lag marking
marking the
the
unconformity
Minnesota (Stop
(Stop 3)
3) but
but here consists of an
unconformity was poorly developed
developed at Homer, Minnesota
an
2
m
thick—that
contains
intraclastic, poorly sorted, complexly cross-bedded
sandstone—i - 2 thick-that contains
cross-bedded sandstone-1
abundant
abundant pebbles
pebbles of
of Precambrian
Precambrianrocks
rocksas
aslarge
largeas
as22cm
cminindiameter.
diameter.
122

�Note the
the considerable
considerable difference
difference in grain
grain size
size and
and degree
degree of
of cementation
cementation between
between the
the
Note
Jordan
JordanSandstone
Sandstoneand
andthe
theCoon
CoonValley
Valley Member. The
Theformer
formerisisdominated
dominatedby
bythe
the coarse
coarseclastic
clastic
hydrostratigraphic
hydrostratigraphic component, the latter by the
the mixed
mixed carbonate
carbonate and
and clastic
clastic component.
component.
Permeability of the
the mixed
mixed carbonate
carbonate and clastic component
component is as much as three
three orders
orders of
of
Permeability
magnitude
magnitude less
less than
than that
that in
in the
the underlying
underlying coarse clastics. In
Inunfractured
unfracturedsubsurface
subsurfacesettings,
settings,
this
this unit
unit and
and overlying
overlyingunfractured
unfractured carbonate
carbonate rocks
rocks of
of the
the Hagar
Hagar City
City Member
Member of
of the
theOneota
Oneota
Dolomite
Dolomite can
can act
actas
asaaconfining
confiningbeds,
beds, hydraulically
hydraulically isolating
isolating ground
ground water
water in
in the
the Jordan
Jordan from
from
ground
groundwater
waterininthe
theupper
upperPrairie
Prairiedu
duChien.
Chien.This
Thisseparation
separationcan
canbe
beseen
seenininchemical
chemical(Alexander,
(Alexander,
1990;
Setterholm
and
others,
1991;
Smith
and
Nemitz,
1996;
Wall
and
Regan,
1990; Setterholm and others, 1991; Smith and Nemitz, 1996; Wall and Regan, 1995)
1995) and
and
hydraulic
hydraulicdata
data(Barr
(Ban-Engineering,
Engineering,1996).
1996).

STOP
STOP6—Lower
&amp;Lower Franconia
FranconiaFormation
Formationnear
nearWabasha,
Wabasha,Minnesota.
Minnesota.Outcrop
Outcropisisalong
alongwest
west
side
sideof
of U.S.
U.S. Highway
Highway61,
61,1.2
1.2miles
milesnorth
northof
ofState
StateHighway
Highway60
60(Fig.
(Fig.10).
10).
The
Thelower
lowerFranconia
FranconiaFormation
Formationatat this
thisstop
stopisisan
anexcellent
excellentexample
exampleof
ofthe
theheterolithic,
heterolithic,
very
very fine
finegrained
grainedsandstone
sandstoneand
andshale
shalefacies
faciescharacteristic
characteristicof
of Cambrian
Cambrian storm
storm and
and fairweather
fairweather
deposits
that
accumulated
on
the
offshore
shelf
seaward
of
the
quartzose
shoreface
sands.
deposits that accumulated on the offshore shelf seaward of the quartzose shoreface sands. Thin
Thin
to
tomedium
mediumbeds
bedsof
offeldspathic,
feldspathic,variably
variablyglauconitic
glauconiticsandstone,
sandstone,siltstone,
siltstone,and
andshale
shalecommonly
commonly
occur
occurin
innormally
normallygraded
gradedsequences
sequencesas
asmuch
muchas
as30
30cm
cm thick.
thick. Sandstone
Sandstonebeds
bedspinch
pinchand
andswell
swellasas
form
form sets
setsofofsmall-scale
small-scalehummocky
hummockycross-stratification,
cross-stratification, which
which in
in aacomplete
complete depositional
depositional
sequence,
sequence,pass
passtransitionally
transitionallyupward
upwardinto
intoripple
ripplecross-stratified
cross-stratifiedor
orstructureless,
structureless,very
veryfine
finegrained
grained
sandstone
sandstone and
andsiltstone,
siltstone,which
which in
in turn
turn passes
passes upward
upward to
to shale.
shale. Bioturbation
Bioturbationisiscommon,
common,and
and
ranges
rangesfrom
fromisolated
isolatedburrows
burrows(Planolites
(Planolitesand
andSkolithos)
Skolithos)totonearly
nearlyhomogenized
homogenizedsediment.
sediment.
The
Thefine-clastic
fine-clasticcomponent
componentofofthe
thelower
lowerFranconia
FranconiaFormation
Formationisishydrostratigraphically
hydrostratigraphically
similar
similarto
tothe
thesame
samecomponent
componentthat
thatmakes
makesup
upthe
thebulk
bulk of
of the
theSt.
St.Lawrence
LawrenceFormation
Formationseen
seenatat
Stop
Stop3.3.The
TheSt.
St.Lawrence
Lawrenceisiswidely
widelyregarded
regardedasasaaconfining
confiningbed,
bed,yet
yetthe
theFranconia
Franconiaisiscommonly
commonly
designated
designatedasasan
anaquifer
aquiferalong
alongwith
withthe
theunderlying
underlyingcoarse
coarseclastics
clasticsofofthe
thefronton
Irontonand
andGalesville
Galesville
Sandstones.
Sandstones.We
Webelieve
believethat
thatthis
thischaracterization
characterizationof
of the
the Franconia
Franconia is inaccurate. This
Thispart
partof
of
the
onia has
theFranc
Franconia
has permeability
permeabilityvalues
valuesseveral
severalorders
ordersof
of magnitude
magnitudelower
lowerthan
than underlying
underlyingcoarse
coarse
sandstones
sandstones(Miller
(Millerand
and Delin,
Delin, 1993).
1993).Core
Coresamples
samplestaken
takenfrom
fromoutcrop
outcrophad
had permeabilites
permeabilites of
of
0.01
0.006md.
md.(MGS
(MGSunpublished
unpublisheddata,
data,1997).
1997).InInaddition,
addition,wells
wellsfinished
finishedabove
aboveand
andbelow
below
0.01--0.006
this
thispart
partofofthe
theFranconia
Franconiahave
haveover
overaa40-foot
40-footdifference
differenceininhydraulic
hydraulichead
head(Wenck
(Wenckand
andAssoc.,
Assoc.,
1997).
1997).

STOP
STOP7—Road
7-Road cut
cuton
onU.S.
U.S.Highway
Highway61
61near
nearWabasha.
Wabasha.From
FromState
StateHighway
Highway60,
60,take
takeState
State
Highway
Highway61
61south
south1.8
1.8miles
milestotoroad
roadcut
cuton
onwest
westside
sideofofroad
road(Fig.
(Fig.10).
10).
The
metersofoffronton
IrontonSandstone
Sandstoneand
andabout
about44meters
metersof
ofthe
theoverlying
overlyingFranconia
Franconia
Theuppermost
uppermost55meters
Formation
are
exposed
here
in
a
steep
road
cut.
The
fronton
consists
of
poorly
sorted
sandstone
Formation are exposed here in a steep road cut. The Ironton consists of poorly sorted sandstone
that
thathas
hasaapervasive
pervasivebioturbated
bioturbatedtexture,
texture,with
withburrows
burrowsasasmuch
muchasasa acentimeter
centimeterinindiameter.
diameter.
Shale
Shaleand
andsiltstone
siltstoneoccur
occuras
asaamatrix
matrixbetween
between sand
sandgrains
grains and
and as
as lenticles.
lenticles. Moderately
Moderatelytotowellwellsorted
sortedsandstone
sandstonebeds
bedsare
areinternally
internallystructureless
structurelessororcontain
containill-defined
ill-definedtrough
troughand
andtangential
tangential
cross-strata
cross-stratawith
withrare
rareshale
shaledrapes
drapesand
andreactivation
reactivation surfaces.
surfaces. These
Thesefeatures
featuresare
areindicative
indicativeofof
deposition
deposition in
inaashoreface
shorefaceand
andtidal
tidalflat
flatenvironment.
environment. The
Theoverlying
overlyingstrata
strataofofthe
theFranconia
Franconia
Formation
Formationconsists
consistsmostly
mostlyofoffeldspathic,
feldspathic,glauconitic,
glauconitic,finefine-totovery
veryfine
finegrained
grainedsandstone
sandstonewith
with
hummocky
hummockycross-strata
cross-strataand
andtempestites
tempestitesthat
thatwere
weredeposited
depositedon
onthe
theoffshore
offshoreshelf.
shelf.These
Theselower
lower
123

�Franconia
Franconia Formation
Formation strata
strata are
are better
better exposed
exposed at
at Stop
Stop 6.
6. The
The contact
contact between
between the
the Ironton
Ironton
Sandstoneand
andFranconia
FranconiaFormation
Formationisistransitional
transitionaland
and records
records gradual
gradual flooding
flooding during
duringan
an overall
overall
Sandstone
rise
rise in
in sea
sealevel.
level.
The quartzose
quartzosesandstone
sandstoneof
of the
the fronton
Ironton exposed
exposed includes
includesaa pebbly
pebbly sandstone
sandstonebed
bed that
that may
may
The
mark aa regional
regional unconformity.
unconformity. The
Theupper
upper part
part of
ofthe
theunderlying
underlyingEau
Eau Claire
ClaireFormation
Formation and
and
mark
lower
lower approximately
approximately two-thirds
two-thirds of
of the
the fronton/Galesville
Ironton/Galesville Sandstones
Sandstones (below
(below level
level of
of this
this
exposure)form
formaacoarsening-upward
coarsening-upwardsequence
sequencethat
thatrecords
recordsdeposition
depositionininprogressively
progressivelyshallower
shallower
exposure)
water
Ironton/GalesvilleSandstones
Sandstones fines
fines upward,
upward,
water conditions.
conditions. The
Theupper
upperone-third
one-thirdofofthe
thefrontonlGalesville
recordingdeeper
deeperwater
waterconditions.
conditions.The
Thenearly
nearlystructureless,
structureless,resistant
resistantbed
bedabout
about22mmabove
abovethe
the
recording
base
base of
of this
thisoutcrop
outcropisisaa1.5-2
1.5-2mmpebbly
pebblysandstone
sandstonelag
lagthat
thatseparates
separatesthese
thesedecameter-scale
decameter-scale
sequences.
sequences.This
Thispebbly
pebblylag
lagcan
canbe
bephysically
physicallytraced
tracedfrom
fromthe
theTwin
TwinCities
Citiesarea
areasouth
southinto
intoIowa,
Iowa,
and
andfrom
fromsouthwestern
southwesternWisconsin
Wisconsinwestward
westwardatatleast
least80
80kilometers
kilometersinto
intothe
thesubsurface
subsurfaceof
ofsouthsouthcentral
centralMinnesota.
Minnesota.ItItmay
mayrepresent
representaatransgressively
transgressivelyre-worked
re-worked lag
lag that
that developed
developed subaerially
subaerially
when
when the
the "Ironton-Galesville
"Ironton-Galesville shoreline"
shoreline"was
wasininextreme
extremebasinward
basinwardpositions.
positions.
Compare
Compare the
the hydrostratigraphic
hydrostratigraphic properties of the
the Franconia
Franconia Formation
Formation and
and Ironton
Ironton
Sandstone.The
Thefronton
Irontonisiscomposed
composedmostly
mostlyof
ofthe
thecoarse-clastic
coarse-clasticcomponent,
component,specifically
specificallyof
of aa
Sandstone.
poorly
poorlycemented
cementedmostly
mostlyfine
fine-- very
verycoarse
coarsegrained,
grained,shaly
shalysandstone
sandstonewith
withmoderate
moderateporosity
porosityand
and
permeability. The
TheFranconia
Franconiaabove
aboveisisdominated
dominatedby
by the
thefine
fineclastic
clastic component,
component, which
which is
is finer
finer
permeability.
grained
Ironton,and
and contains
contains discrete,
discrete, continuous
continuous laminations
laminations of
of
grainedand
andbetter
bettercemented
cementedthan
than the
the fronton,
shale.
fronton. The
shale.ItItisismarkedly
markedlylower
lowerin
in porosity
porosity and
and permeability than the Ironton.
The common
common practice
practice
of
of lumping
lumpingthese
thesetwo
twounits
unitstogether
togetheras
asaasingle
singleaquifer
aquiferis
is not
not reasonable,
reasonable,and
and gives
gives the
the erroneous
erroneous
impressionthat
thatthey
theyshare
sharesimilar
similar hydrogeologic
hydrogeologicattributes
attributes (see
(see Stop 6 for
impression
for additional
additional discussion).
discussion)
STOP
STOP8—Road
%Road cut
cuton
onU.S.
U.S.Highway
Highway61
61near
nearWabasha.
Wabasha.From
FromState
StateHighway
Highway60,
60,take
takeU.S.
U.S.
61
61south
south2.3
2.3miles
milesto
toroad
roadcut
cuton
onwest
westside
sideof
ofroad
road(Fig.
(Fig.10).
10).
Intethngering
InterfingeringEau
EauClaire
ClaireFormation
Formationand
andIronton-Galesville
Ironton-Galesville(Wonewoc)
(Wonewoc)Sandstones
Sandstonesare
are
exposed
in
this
long
road
cut.
There
are
several
interesting
sedimentologic
features,
including
exposed in this long road cut. There are several interesting sedimentologic features, including
hummocky cross-strata,
cross-strata, tempestites,
tempestites, trough
trough cross
cross stratified
stratified sandstone,
sandstone, and
and coarse
coarse sand
sanddune
dune
hummocky
forms
formsdraped
drapedby
byshale.
shale.Trilobite
Trilobitemolds
moldsare
areabundant
abundantatatthis
thisstop
stopininthe
thehummocky
hummockystratified
stratified
sandstone
sandstonefacies.
facies.This
Thisoutcrop
outcropisisone
oneofofonly
onlytwo
twoknown
knownexposures
exposuresininthis
thisarea
areathat
thatrecord
recordthe
the
boundary
boundarybetween
betweenthe
theMarjumiid
Marjumiidand
andPterocephaliid
Pterocephaliidbiomeres,
biomeres,aamajor
majorisochronous
isochronousextinction
extinction
event
correlatable
across
all
of
North
America.
event correlatable across all of North America.
This
Thisexposure
exposureisisaagood
goodexample
exampleofofthe
thesame
samefine-clastic
fine-clastichydrostratigraphic
hydrostratigraphiccomponent
component
that
thatdominates
dominatesthe
thelower
lowerFranconia
Franconia and
and St.
St. Lawrence
Lawrence Formations seen at stops 3 and 6. Core
Core
samples
samples from
fromall
allthree
threeunits
unitsshow
showaaconsiderably
considerablylower
lowerdensity
densityofoffractures
fracturesalong
alongbedding
bedding
planes.
planes.

STOP
west
STOP9—Vern
9-Vern Keller
KellerQuarry.
Quarry.Along
Along
westside
sideofofCounty
CountyRoad
Road6,6,1.15
1.15miles
milessouth
southof
ofState
State
Highway
Highway19.
19.Goodhue
GoodhueCounty
County(Fig.
(Fig.11).
11).
About
About30
30mmofofthe
themiddle
middlepart
partofofthe
thePrairie
Prairiedu
duChien
ChienGroup
Groupisisexposed
exposedininthis
thisquarry.
quarry.
Relatively
Relativelypure
puredolostone
dolostonebeds
bedsof
ofthe
theuppermost
uppermostOneota
OneotaDolomite
Dolomiteare
areunconformably
unconformablyoverlain
overlain
by
ShakopeeFormation
Formationabout
about22meters
bysandy
sandydolostone
dolostoneand
andsandstone
sandstoneofofthe
theShakopee
metersabove
abovethe
thefloor
floorofof
the
thequarry.
quarry. This
Thisunconformity
unconformityisisregional
regionalininextent,
extent,traced
tracedfrom
fromthis
thisarea
areainto
intothe
theMichigan
Michigan
basin
basin by
bySmith
Smithand
andothers
others(1993).
(1993).Deposition
Depositionofofthe
thePrairie
Prairiedu
duChien
ChienGroup
Groupoccurred
occurredon
onaa
shallow
shallowcarbonate
carbonateplatform
platformduring
duringaarelatively
relativelyhighstand
highstandof
ofsea
sealevel
levelthat
thatflooded
floodedmost
mostof
of North
North
124

�Map 4

KILOMETERS
MILES

11

1

00
00

I1

— 22
1

1

33

—
22

44

=

55

33

6B

=
It

17

88
55

90

—10$0
6

Figure
Figure 11.
11.Map
Map44on
onindex
indexmap
map(Figure
(Figure5)
5) showing
showingthe
the locations
locationsof
of stops
stops99and
and10.
10.
Americaduring
duringthe
the Early
Early Ordovician
Ordovician (Smith
(Smith and
and others,
others, 1993;
1993; Smith
Smith and Clark, 1997).
1997). These
These
America
strataare
are typical
typical of
of "tropical"
"tropical" carbonate
carbonatesystems,
systems,dominated
dominatedby oolitic
oolitic and peloidal grainstones
grainstones
strata
subtidal
andpackstones,
packstones,and
andstromatolitic
stromatoliticand
andwavy-laminated
wavy-laminatedboundstones
boundstonesdeposited
depositedininshallow
shallowsubtidal
and
tosupratidal
supratidalsettings.
settings.Stromatolites
Stromatolitesare
areabundant
abundantininthis
thisquarry:
quarry:digitate
digitateforms
formscan
can be
be discerned
discerned
to
inaafew
fewplaces
placesininthe
theuppermost
uppermostOneota,
Oneota,and
andcabbage-head
cabbage-headstromatolites
stromatolitesare
arecommon
commonininthe
the
in
Shakopee.Evidence
Evidencefor
forsubaerial
subaerialexposure
exposureincludes
includesabundant
abundantmud
mudcracks,
cracks,intraclastic
intraclasticbreccias,
breccias,
Shakopee.
and
andsilicified
silicifiedand
andmoldic
moldicanhydrite.
anhydrite.
Thereare
aresome
someinteresting
interestingquestions
questionsthat
thathave
haveyet
yetto
tobe
be answered
answeredabout
aboutthe
thedeposition
depositionof
of
There
the
ChienGroup:
Group:
thePrairie
Prairiedu
duChien
1)
1)What
What isis the
the fundamental
fundamentalcontrol
control that
that blocked
blocked detrital
detrital input
input when
when most
most of
of the
the Oneota
Oneota
was deposited?
deposited?Much
Muchofofthe
theOneota
Oneotaconsists
consistsofofstrata
stratathat
thatwere
wereapparently
apparentlydeposited
depositedalong
alongaa
was
regional
shoreline
in
which
siliciclastics
were
nearly
absent.
regional shoreline in which siliciclastics were nearly absent.
2)What
What are
arethe
thefundamental
fundamental controls
controls that
that led
led to
to an
an arid,
arid, tropical
tropical carbonate
carbonate style
style of
of
2)
deposition,when
whenboth
bothyounger
youngerand
andolder
oldercarbonate
carbonatedeposition
depositionwas
wasreminiscent
reminiscentof
of modern
modemcoolcooldeposition,
water,
water,temperate
temperateconditions?
conditions?
This
Thispart
partof
ofthe
thePrairie
Prairiedu
duChien
ChienGroup
Groupconsists
consistschiefly
chieflyof
of the
the carbonate-rock
carbonate-rockcomponent.
component.
ItItisisan
anexcellent
excellentexample
exampleof
of the
the importance
importancein
in delineating
delineatingthe
the presence
presence and
and position
position of
of fractures
fractures
that
that are
arethe
theprincipal
principalgroundwater
groundwaterconduits.
conduits. AAprominent
prominenthorizontal
horizontalinterval
intervalofofdissolution
dissolution
features,
features,some
somewith
withstalactites,
stalactites,occurs
occursalong
alongthe
theOneota-Shakopee
Oneota-Shakopeeunconformity
unconformityininthis
thisquarry.
quarry.
AAsecond
seconddissolution
dissolutionlayer
layerisisvisible
visiblehigh
highon
onthe
thequarry's
quarry's south
southwall,
wall,just
just below
belowaa1-2
1-2m
mbed
bedof
of
coarse
coarsesandstone.
sandstone.Work
Workby
byCalvin
CalvinAlexander
Alexanderfrom
fromthe
theUniversity
University of
of Minnesota
Minnesota suggests
suggests that
that
these
these dissolution
dissolution horizons
horizons have
have an
animportant
importantcontrol
control on
on the
thehydrogeologic
hydrogeologicattributes
attributes of
of the
the
Prairie
Theyare
arelikely
likelymajor
majorconduits
conduitsfor
forground-water
ground-waterflow,
flow,and
andenhance
enhancethe
the
Chien. They
Prairie du
du Chien.
development
developmentof
ofsinkholes
sinkholeswhere
wherethey
they are
are nearer
nearer the surface.
surface. Other
Othernotable
notablefeatures
featuresinclude
includethe
the
125

�the carbonate
carbonate rock
rock exposed
exposed on the
the south
south wall
wall of
of the
thequarry—in
quarry-in
tight, unfractured nature of the
contrast with
with the
the carbonate
carbonaterock
rock of
of the
the Shakopee
Shakopeeseen
seen at
at Stop
Stop 11 where it is closer to the surface,
contrast
surface,
and
and secondary
secondary porosity
porosity isisbetter
betterdeveloped.
developed.

Stop 10—Spring
10Ã‘Sprin near
nearVern
VernKeller
KellerQuarry.
Quarry.From
Fromquarry
quarrycontinue
continuesouth
south0.7
0.7 miles
miles on County
Stop
Road
Road 6.
6. Turn
Turneast
easton
onto
togravel
gravel road
road and
and travel
travel 0.1 miles (Fig. 11).
11). Spring
Springisison
on north
northside
side
of
road
on
PRIVATE
PROPERTY.
of road on PRIVATE PROPERTY.
Elevation
Elevationof
of this
this resurgent
resurgent spring
spring approximately
approximatelythe
the same
same as
as the Oneota-Shakopee
Oneota-Shakopeecontact
contact
seen
seen at
at the
the previous
previous stop.
stop. This supports
supports the hypothesis
hypothesis that dissolution
dissolution features along
along the
the
unconformity
unconforrnitymay
maybe
beaamajor
majorconduit
conduitfor
forgroundwater
groundwaterflow.
flow.

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revisited, Beck, B.F.,
Rotterdam, Balkema, p. 43-51.

McKay, R.M.,
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Formation in
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model analysis,
analysis, and
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Miller, R.T.,
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Paper 1530-A,
1530-A,55
55 p.

128

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27 p.
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Ostrom,
Ostrom, M.E., 1964,
1964,Pre-Cincinnatian
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cyclicsediments
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A
1-398.
A discussion:
discussion:Kansas
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169,p.p.38
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Ostrom, M.E.,
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1970,Sedimentation
Sedimentation cycles
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and Natural
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Survey Information
Information Circular
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11,p.
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10-34.
Palmer,
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1960,Some
Someaspects
aspectsof
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the early
early Upper
Upper Cambrian
Cambrian stratigraphy
stratigraphyof
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WhitePine
PineCounty
County

,Nevada,
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of east
eastcentral
central Nevada:
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Intermountain Association of
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GeologistsGuidebook
Guidebook11th
11thAnnual
Annual Field
Field Conference,
Conference, p. 53-58.
53-58.
Pettijohn,
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Springer-Verlag,
Pettijohn,F.J.,
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618
618p.
p.

Ross,
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Jr.,Hintze,
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The
Taylor, M.E.,
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Early Paleozoic
Paleozoic biochronology
biochronologyof
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1579-A,
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Runkel,
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1994, Deposition
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of the
the uppermost
uppermost Cambrian
Cambrian (Croixan)
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Sandstone, and
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the
the nature
natureof
of the
the Cambrian-Ordovician
Cambrian-Ordovicianboundary
boundaryin
inthe
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UpperMississippi
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groundwatermanagement,
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MinnesotaGeological
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SurveyOpen-File
Open-FileReport
Report96-1,
96- 1,

27p.
27 p.
Runkel.,
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Bedrock geology of Houston County. Minnesota:
Minnesota Geological
Geological
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Survey Open File Report 96-4, 1lip.
lp.
Runkel,
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A.C., McKay
McKayR.M.,
R.M.,and
andPalmer,
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A.R.,1998,
1998,Origin
Originof
ofaaclassic
classiccratonic
cratonicsheet
sheetsandstone:
sandstone:

Stratigraphy
11-Sauk III
I11boundary
boundary in
in the
theUpper
UpperMississippi
Mississippi Valley:
Valley:
Stratigraphy across the Sauk
Sauk Il-Sauk
Geological
no.2,
GeologicalSociety
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2, p.188-210.
p. 188-210.
129

�Sansome,
surface, Goodhue
Goodhue County,
Sansome, C.J., 1986,
1986,Origin
Origin and
and configuration
configuration of the present-day land surface,
County,
University of
ofMinnesota,
Minnesota,Minneapolis,
Minneapolis, 144p.
l44p.
Minnesota: Unpublished Ph. D. Thesis, University

Sargent, M.L., 1991,
1991, Sauk Sequence:
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J.J., eds., Interior cratonic basins:
Leighton, M.W., Kolata, D.R., Oltz, D.F.,
basins:
American Association of Petroleum Geologists Memoir 551,
1, p. 75-86.
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Hobbs, H. C., 1991,
1991, Geologic
Geologic factors affecting the sensitivity
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of the Prairie du ChienJordan
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Aquifer: Minnesota
MinnesotaGeological
GeologicalSurvey
SurveyOpen-File
Open-FileReport
Report991-5,18
1-5,18 p.

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Wisconsin and
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adjacent
of eastern Wisconsin,
areas of Minnesota:
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Geological and
and Natural
Natural History
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95-1 14.
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I1
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Views
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446 p.
130

��FIELD
FIELD TRIP
TRIP#5
#5
MINNESOTA
MINNESOTA RIVER
RIVERVALLEY
VALLEYAND
AND VICINITY,
VICINITY,
SOUTHWESTERNMINNESOTA
MINNESOTA
SOUTHWESTERN

Leaders: D.L.
D.L.Southwick
Southwick and
and Carrie
CarrieJ.
J. Patterson
Patterson
Leaders:
INTRODUCTIONTO
TOTHE
THEGEOLOGY
GEOLOGYOF
OFPRECAMBRIAN
PRECAMBRIANROCKS
ROCKSIN
INTHE
THE
INTRODUCTION
MINNESOTA
RIVER
VALLEY
MINNESOTA RIVER VALLEY
D.
D.L.
L.Southwick
Southwick
The Precambrian
Precambrian rocks
rocks exposed
exposed in
inthe
theMinnesota
MinnesotaRiver
RiverValley
Valley are
are within
within an
anArchean
Archean
The
gneiss terrane
terranethat
thatconstitutes
constitutesthe
thesouthernmost
southernmostsubprovince
subprovince of
of the
the Superior
SuperiorProvince
Provinceof
ofthe
the
gneiss
CanadianShield.
Shield.The
TheMinnesota
MinnesotaRiver
RiverValley
Valley(MRV)
(MRV) subprovince
subprovince is
is further
further subdivided
subdivided into
into
Canadian
fourtectonic
tectonicblocks
blocks by
byregional
regionalENE-trending
ENE-trending shear
shear zones
zones (Fig.
(Fig.1;1;Southwick
Southwickand
andChandler,
Chandler,
four
1996).This
Thistrip
tripwill
willfocus
focuson
onexposed
exposedrocks
rocksof
ofthe
theMorton
Mortonand
andMontevideo
Montevideoblocks,
blocks,which
whichare
are
1996).
EXPLANATION'
EXPLANATION
TECTONIC
TECTONICELEMENT
ELEMENT

Sioux Quartzlto

P.nok.an
Ponokoanoreg.n
orogon
(undlvld.d)
(undivided)

ROCKTYPES
TYPES
ROCK

AGE
AGE

Red sandstone
and shale

Middle
Middle
Proterozotc
Proterozoic

a

(51,100Ma)
Ma)
(1,100
Quartzite
Quartzite

Early
Early
Pmterozok
Proterozoic
(1,630-1,770Ma)
Ma)
(1,630.1,770

'fl
/1

Supracrustal
SuPracrustal
endIntrusive
Intrusiverocks
rocks
and
manytypes;
types:
ofofmany
alsoArchean
Archeangnelss
gneiss
also
Penokean
rewwked
reworked
InInPenokean
events
events

Early
Early
Proterozoic
Proterozoic
(depositional
(depositional
andemplacement
emplacement
and
80681.770-2.200
1,770-2.200
ages
Ma)
Ma)

Greenstone-belt
Greenstone-belt
1tNcassociation.
association,
Nthlc
granitoidIntrusions
Intrusions
granitold

LateArchean
Archean
Late
Ma)
('2.700Ma)
(2,700

Greenatone-beft
NtNc association,

Uncertain;Late
Late
Uncertain;
Archeanand/or
and/or
Arctiean
EarlyProterozoic
Proterozoic
Early

SuperiorProvince
Province
Superior
Wawa
W a w subprovlno.
aubprovlnco
(undivided)
(undlvldod)

'

VaMoy mibprovlnce

ffffl'Jffl)
Ilifirnillil

lowtotomoderate
moderate
low
orade
rnetarnor~hic
metamorphic
. grade

4-;
Location Map

Regionalshear
shearzone
zoneorortectonic
tectoniccontact;
contact;barbs
barbs
Regional
indicatedirection
directionofofdip
dipasasInterpreted
interpreted
from
Indicate
from
geophysical
models.
geophysical
models.

IOWA
0

30

-

Quartzofeldspathic
Quartzofeldspathic
MiddletotoLate
Late
Middle
gneiss,granitold
granitoid
gnelsa,
Archean(3,600(3,600Archean
~
~
~
I
U
S
I
O
~
S
Intrusions
2,600Ma)
Ma)
2,600

60 KNOm.tws

Figure
Figure1.1.Tectonic
Tectonicsketch
sketchmap
mapof
ofPrecambrian
Precambrianterranes
terranesin
insouthwestern
southwesternMinnesota.
Minnesota.The
TheMinnesota
Minnesota

River
RiverValley
Valley subprovince
subprovinceconsists
consistsof
of the
the Benson,
Benson, Montevideo,
Montevideo, Morton,
Morton, and
and Jeffers
Jeffers blocks. The
The
Taunton
Tauntonbelt
beltisisa anarrow
narrowseptum
septumofofrelatively
relativelylow
lowgrade
grademetavolcanic
metavolcanicrocks
rocksalong
alongthe
theYellow
Yellow
Medicine
shear
zone,
which
marks
the
boundary
between
the
Montevideo
and
Morton
blocks.
Medicine shear zone, which marks the boundary between the Montevideo and Morton blocks.
The
Theline
lineindicates
indicatesthe
thelocation
locationofofgeophysical
geophysicalprofiles.
profiles.From
FromSouthwick
Southwickand
andChandler
Chandler(1996).
(1996).
133

�central two
two blocks
blocks of the
the subprovince.
subprovince. The
Theboundary
boundarybetween
betweenthese
theseisisthe
theYellow
Yellow Medicine
Medicine
the central
shear zone (YMSZ),
(YMSZ),aamajor
majorcrustal
crustal feature
feature that
that is
is well
well delineated
delineated aeromagnetically
aeromagnetically but does
does
not crop
crop out. The
TheYMSZ
YMSZcrosses
crossesthe
the Minnesota
MinnesotaRiver
River between
betweentrip
trip stops
stops66 and
and 77 (Figs.
(Figs. 11 and
and 2).
2).
At stops
stops 11 through
through 6,
6, south
south of the
the YMSZ, we will see features of the Morton block and at Stops
6 through ii11we
wewill
willsee
seefeatures
featuresof
ofthe
theMontevideo
Montevideoblock.
block.
The characteristic
characteristicrock
rock type
type of
of both blocks
blocks is a modally layered gneiss
gneiss that falls
falls generally
generally
tonalite to granodiorite
granodiorite range in bulk composition (Goldich and others, 1980a
1980a and b).
within the tonalite
irregular blocks of mafic gneiss,
gneiss,
This rock type, together
together with less
less abundant
abundant layers,
layers, lenses,
lenses, and irregular
amphibolite,
constitutes that Morton Gneiss
amphibolite,and
and various
various types
types of aluminous
alurninous gneiss, constitutes
Gneiss south
south of the
YMSZ and the Montevideo
Montevideo Gneiss north of it. Alert readers will note
note the
the correspondence
correspondence
of the
the principal
principal map
mapunit
unitwithin
withinit.
it. Mineral-assemblage
between the block name and the name of
data indicate that the Morton and Montevideo gneisses were metamorphosed
metamorphosed under
under conditions
conditions
of the upper
upper amphibolite
amphibolite and
and granulitic
granulitic facies (Grant,
(Grant, 1973;
1973; Perkins and Chipera,
Chipera, 1985).
1985).
Retrograde processes
Montevideo Gneiss
Retrograde
processeshave
have affected
affectedaa considerable
considerablearea
area of the Montevideo
Gneissbut are
are evident
evident
only locally in the Morton.
The Morton and
by granite (adamellite,
and Montevideo
Montevideo gneisses were invaded by
(adamellite, in the
the
terminology favored
favored by
by Goldich
Goldich and
and others,
others, 1980a and
and b)
b) at two different
different times during the
terminology
Archean.
1 of
980a)
Archean. The
Thefirst
firstepisode
episodeof
ofgranite
graniteemplacement
emplacement(adamellite(adamellite-1
of Goldich
Goldichand
and others,
others,11980a)
fabric in
in the gneissic host rocks;
preceded the development of the predominant metamorphic fabric
that fabric passes
passes through the
the granite
granite bodies,
bodies, most
most of
of which
which are
are aplitic
aplitic or
or pegmatitic,
pegmatitic,without
without
discernable change in
in orientation.
orientation. In addition,
addition, much granite of this
this generation
generation possesses
possesses
of Goldich
metamorphic texture. The
The second
second episode
episode of
of granite
granite emplacement
emplacement (adamellite-2 of
and others, 11980a)
980a) occurred
occurred after
after the
the main
main fabric-forming
fabric-forming events.
events. Most intrusions
intrusions of
of this
this
generation
generationlack
lack internal
internalfabric,
fabric,although
although some
someshow
show aa weak foliation
foliation and therefore
therefore may be latelateAdamellite-2 intrusions
intrusions range from
to post-tectonic.
post-tectonic. Good
Good igneous
igneous textures
textures are the norm. Adamellite-2
aplitic to medium-grained granitic in grain size and from thin dikes and sills to batholiths in
form and scale. The
TheSacred
SacredHeart
HeartGranite
Granite(Stop
(Stop6)
6)forms
formsaa regional-scale,
regional-scale, sheet-like
sheet-like intrusion
intrusion
several kilometers
kilometers in
in thickness
thickness that
that is
is interpreted
interpreted to
to be
be of
of the adamellite-2 generation.
generation. The
Ortonville and Fort Ridgeley granites are late- to post-tectonic
post-tectonic masses that also are of
of the
the
adamellite-2
adamellite-2 type and
and are
are assumed
assumed to
to be approximately
approximately coeval with the Sacred
Sacred Heart.
Between
colleagues devoted huge efforts
efforts to
to pioneering
pioneering
Between 1950
1950 and 1980,
1980, S.S. Goldich and colleagues
geochronologic studies
geochronologic
studies of the
the Morton
Morton and
and Montevideo
Montevideo gneisses
gneisses and
and the various
various granitic
granitic rocks
rocks
that are associated
associated with
with them
them (Goldich
(Goldich and
and Wooden,
Wooden, 1980;
1980; Goldich and others,
others, 1980a
1980a and
and
references therein).
components of both the Morton
references
therein). The
Thegneisses
gneissesproved
provedto
tobe
be (1)
(1)very
very old,
old, with components
and Montevideo as old as
about
3,600
Ma,
and
(2)
geochronologically
as about 3,600 Ma, and (2) geochronologically complex,
complex, with
with several
several
Archean events
events recorded
recorded isotopically.
isotopically. Moreover,
Moreover, the
the Goldich
Goldich group
group found
found the
discernable Archean
"adamellite 1"
the geologically
geologically straightforwardstraightforward"adamellite
1" rocks
rocks to
to be
be isotopically
isotopically complex
complexas
as well, and even the
"adamellite 2" rocks
rocks to
to yield
yield less
less than
thandefinitive
definitive crystallization
crystallization ages.
ages. Goldich's
appearing "adamellite
interpretation of
interpretation
of the
the geologic
geologichistory
historyof
of the
theMRV
MRV subprovince
subprovinceisis presented
presentedin
inTable
Table1.1.
Goldich emphatically
type represented
represented genuine
Goldich
emphaticallybelieved
believedthat
that the
the granite
graniteof the
the adamelliteadamellite- 1 type
igneous
i.e., true
true intrusion.
intrusion. Others
contended
Others have contended
igneous importation
importationof
of magma
magma from
from a distant source; i.e.,
that some,
some, if not
not all,
all, of the
the early
early granite
granite was derived more or less locally through partial
partial melting
melting
of the gneis
sichost.
host. A major question persists as to
to whether
whether the
the pink
pink leucosomatic
leucosomatic components
components
gneissic
of the Morton
1
Morton Uneiss
Gneissin
inthe
thevicinity
vicinityof
ofMorton
Mortoncrystallized
crystallizedfrom
frominjected
injectedmelt
meltofofadamelliteadamellite-1
134

�Figure 2. Locations of field-trip stops for Day 1. More detailed location maps accompany the individual stop descriptions.

�Table1.1.Summary
Summaryofofprincipal
principalPrecambrian
Precambrianevents
eventsininthe
theMinnesota
MinnesotaRiver
RiverValley
Valley subprovince.
subprovince.
Table
Modified and
and interpreted
interpreted from
from Goldich
Goldich and
and Wooden
Wooden (1980); Goldich and others
others (1980a).
(1980a).
Modified
1800 Ma
Ma event
event(Proterozoic):
(Proterozoic): Emplacement
Emplacement of
of small
small intrusions;
intrusions; local
local
1800
retrogade
retrogademetamorphism,
metamorphism,shearing
shearing

2600
2600Ma
Maevent
eventEmplacement
Emplacementofofpost-kinematic
post-kinematicaplite
apliteand
andpegmatite
pegmatitedikes
dikes
Emp1acemen.tof
of Sacred
SacredHeart
Heart Granite,
Granite, other
other granite
granitebatholiths,
batholiths,and
and
Emplacemen.t
associated
associated minor
minor intrusions
intrusions
("adamellite-2";
("adamellite-2"; late-kinematic)
late-kinematic)
High-grade
High-grade metamorphism,
metamorphism, deformation
deformation of
of gneiss
gneiss

3100
Ma event
3100Maevent
High-grade
High-grademetamorphism,
metamorphism,deformation
deformationof
of gneiss
gneiss
Emplacement
Emplacementof
ofminor
minorgranitoid
granitoidintrusions
intrusions("adamellite("adamellite-1")
1")
3600
3600 Ma
Ma event
event
Intrusion
Intrusionof
oftonalite,
tonalite,granodiorite
granodioriteinto
intoheterolithic
heterolithicprecursor
precursorof
of layered
layered
gneiss
gneiss

typeor
orfrom
frommelts
meltsdeveloped
developedthrough
throughanatexis
anatexisof
ofpre-existing
pre-existinggranodioritic
granodioritictototonalitic
tonaliticgneiss.
gneiss.
type
We
and2A.
2A.
We will
will have
have an
anopportunity
opportunityto
toform
formour
ourown
ownconclusions
conclusionsatatstops
stops22and
Although the
theprincipal
principalrock-forming
rock-forming events
events responsible
responsible for
for the
theformation
formationof
ofthe
theMRV
MRV
Although
subprovinceoccurred
occurredover
overaabillion-year
billion-yearinterval
intervalof
ofArchean
Archeantime,
time,there
thereare
areclear
clearindications
indicationsof
of
subprovince
further
furthergeologic
geologicactivity
activityin
in the
the Early
Early Proterozoic.
Proterozoic. The
Thesubprovince
subprovincelay
lay in
in the
the cratonic
cratonicforeland
foreland
(Superiorcraton)
craton)with
with respect
respectto
toPenokean
Penokeantectonism
tectonism in
in the
the interval
interval between
between 2.1
2.1 and
and 1.7
1.7Ga.
Ga.
(Superior
We are
arejust
just beginning
beginningto
torecognize
recognizeand
andquantify
quantifyevents
eventsand
and responses
responses recorded
recorded in
in the
the foreland
foreland
We
rocks
rocksthat
thatwere
wereengendered
engenderedby
bytectonic
tectonicprocesses
processeswithin
withinthe
thePenokean
Penokeanorogen
orogen (Southwick
(Southwickand
and
Chandler,1996;
1996;Holm
Holmand
andothers,
others,1998),
1998),the
the axis
axis of
of which
which lies
lies only a few 10's
10's of kilometers
kilometers to
to
Chandler,
theeast
eastof
ofpresent
presentMRV
MRV exposures.
exposures. Proterozoic
Proterozoicevents
eventsinclude
include(1)
(1)the
theemplacement
emplacementof
of at
at least
least
the
twoand
andpossibly
possiblyasasmany
manyas
asfour
fourswarms
swarmsof
ofdiabase
diabasedikes;
dikes;(2)
(2)the
the emplacement
emplacementof
of small
smallintrusive
intrusive
two
plugsthat
thatrange
rangein
incomposition
compositionfrom
fromperidotite
peridotiteto
togranite;
granite;and
and(3)
(3) differential
differential vertical
vertical movement
movement
plugs
on
onblock-bounding
block-boundingshear
shearzones,
zones,with
withconcomitant
concomitantdevelopment
developmentof
of brittle
brittlestructures
structuresand
and retrograde
retrograde
metamorphic
metamorphiceffects.
effects.
No
No discussion
discussionofofthe
theMRV
MRVsubprovince,
subprovince,regardless
regardlessofofbrevity,,
brevity,.is
is complete
completewithout
withoutan
an
acknowledgment
1956) over
acknowledgmentof
ofthe
theexcellent
excellentgeologic
geologicmapping
mappingdone
doneby
by Ernest
ErnestLund
Lund (1950,
(1950,1956)
over45
45
years
Lund'swork
workwas
wasthe
thestarting
startingpoint
pointfor
forsubsequent
subsequentgenerations
generationsof
offield
fieldinvestigations
investigations
yearsago.
ago.Lund's
(Himmelberg,
(Hirnmelberg, 1968;
1968; Grant,
Grant, 1972;
1972; Bauer,
Bauer, 1980)
1980) and
and was
was the
the principal
principal framework
framework for
for the
the
geochronologicinvestigations
investigationsofofGoldich
Goldichand
andcolleagues.
colleagues.Those
Thoseofofus
usworking
workingtoday
todayfind
findLund's
Lund7s
geochronologic
maps
mapstotobe
beproof
proofofofthe
themantra
mantrathat
thatcareful
carefulgeologic
geologicobservations
observationsand
anddescriptions
descriptionsare
aretimeless;
timeless;
their
theirvalue
valuewill
willoutlast
outlastthe
theinterpretational
interpretationalframework
frameworkwithin
withinwhich
whichthey
theywere
weremade.
made.

136

�FIELD TRIP
FIELD
TRIPSTOPS—DAY
STOPS-DAY 11

Stop 1—MRV
1-MRV geomorphology;
geomorphology; Proterozoic diabase dikes and
and walirock
wallrock of
of Archean
Archean Morton
Morton
Stop
Morganquadrangle,
quadrangle,T.
T.112
112N.-R.
N.-R. 34
34W.-Section
W.-Section 23AAC.
23AAC.
Gneiss. Morgan
At this locality
locality south
Franklin, newcomers can readily comprehend
comprehend several
south of Franklin,
several elements
elements of
post-Precambrian
geologicalhistory
history that
that bear
bear on the condition and distribution
post-Precambrian geological
distribution of the
the Precambrian
Precambrian
rock outcrops on the valley
Point (1):
(1): The
ThePrecambrian
Precambrianrocks
rocks were
were deeply
deeply weathered
weathered
valley floor.
floor. Point
prior to continental glaciation in the Quaternary.
Quaternary. Actually,
Actually, most of the weathering
weathering occurred
prior to the Late Cretaceous.
ManyMRV
MRV outcrops,
outcrops, such
such as these, are incipiently
substantially
Cretaceous. Many
incipiently to substantially
weathered; they represent material that lay just
pre-Cretaceous weathering
just at the base of the pre-Cretaceous
profile. Upper
the
Upper parts
parts of
of the
weathering profile, remnants of
of
weathering
Late Cretaceous marine strata, and
the overlying glacial deposits
deposits were
were
stripped away as the Glacial River
Warren (a high-discharge,
Warren
high-discharge, lowlowgradient
gradient meltwater
meltwater river
river ancestral
ancestralto
to
the Minnesota) eroded downward.
downward.
River
River downcutting
downcutting slowed
slowed or
or
perhaps ceased
perhaps
ceased where
where hard rock was
encountered
at the
the base of
encountered at
of the
the
(2): The
The
weathered section.
section. Point (2'):
present valley-floor outcrops were
rapids and islands
rapids
islands in the Glacial
Glacial
River Warren.
Warren. Their morphology
morphology is
due primarily
due
primarily to river
river erosion.
erosion.
(31: Because
Because of
of the
the
Scoured cuts (former shoots in rapids) and
and potholes
potholes are
are common.
common. Point (3):
history
knobs of approximately
history discussed
discussedin
inpoints
points(1)
(1)and
and(2),
(21, outcrops
outcropstend
tend to
to be clusters
clustersof low knobs
approximately
the same height. InIngeneral
generalthey
theydo
donot
notoccur
occuron
onthe
thevalley
valley walls,
walls,Grand-Canyon
Grand-Canyon style,
style, but
instead are located toward the middle
middle of the
the valley
valley floor
floor where
where the
the stream
stream velocity
velocity and
and
downcutting
greatest. The
commonly
downcuttingpower
power of
of the
the River
River Warren were greatest.
The sides
sides of the valley floor are commonly
occupied by constructional terraces (as here) and the valley walls are chiefly the Quaternary
sediments
sediments through
through which
whichthe
the River
RiverWarren
Warren cut.
cut.
Diabase dikes of
of Proterozoic
Proterozoic age
age form
form prominent
prominent valley-floor
valley-floor ridges
ridges at
at this
thislocality.
locality.
Compositionally,
tholeiites. They are very similar in
in composition
composition
Compositionally,the dikes
dikes are good continental tholeiites.
and petrographic characteristics
characteristics to
to tholeiitic
tholeiitic dikes
dikes near Granite
Granite Falls,
Falls, some
some 40
40 miles
miles up-river,
up-river,
that yield K-Ar dates of about 2,080 Ma (Hanson and Himmelberg, 1967). Several of
of the
the larger
larger
az. 095-100, approximately
parallel to the dikes
dikes here
tholeiite dikes
dikes at
at Granite
Granite Falls
Falls strike
strike about
about az.
tholeiite
approximately parallel
at Franklin.
Franklin. Some
Somebetter
bettergeochronology
geochronologyand
andaalittle
littlepaleomagnetic
paleomagneticwork
workwould
wouldbe
bevery
very helpful
helpful
in deciding
Falls tholeiitic
tholeiitic diabase
diabase dikes
dikes are
are or
or are not
deciding whether
whether the Franklin
Franklin and Granite
Granite Falls
genetically
genetically related.
related.
that is held up
up by
by the
the Cedar
About a mile northwest
northwest of Stop 11 is a prominent brushy knob that
Mountain Complex, a compositionally zoned
zoned igneous
igneous plug
plugof
ofProterozoic
Proterozoicage.
age. The outer part
of the plug
plug isis melanocratic
melanocratic hornblende
hornblende diorite that has aa chilled
chilled external
external rind
rind of
of olivine
olivine
trachybasalt
homblende
trachybasalt porphyry. The
Thecore
core of
of the
the plug is granite and granodiorite. Biotite and hornblende
from the core
core yield
yield essentially
essentially identical
identicalK-Ar
K-Ar ages
ages of
of 1,750
1,750Ma
Ma (Hanson,
(Hanson,1968).
1968).
from

:&amp;,

137

�1.5 miles to the east of Stop 11 is a small plug of highly silicified and carbonatized
About 1.5
Thisbody
body isispost-Archean
post-Archean but
but is
is unconstrained
unconstrained otherwise
otherwise as to age.
serpentinite. This
wallrock to the dikes and other intrusions is a granodioritic
granodioritic variant
The walirock
variant of the middle
Archean
Morton Gneiss.
Gneiss. Because
Becausethe
thegneiss
gneisshere
hereisis in
in such
such poor condition (incipient
(incipient weathering),
Archean Morton
weathering),
it has not been studied in any great detail. We
We will see much better outcrops of the Morton at
4, and
Stops 2,
2,4,
and 5.
5.
Features to see:
see:
• Grain
Grain size
sizeand
andfabric
fabricvariations
variationswithin
within diabase
diabasedikes;
dikes; chilled
chilled margins.
margins.
• Paleomagnetic
Paleomagneticdrill
drillholes:
holes: Where
Where are
are the
the paleomagnetic
paliomagnetic data??
data??

owned and operated
operated by
by the Cold Spring
Stop 2—Morton
%Morton Gneiss, Morton Quarry owned
Spring Granite
Granite
Company. Morton
W.-section 3lDAA.
31DAA. Hard hats must be
Morton quadrangle,
quadrangle, T. 113
113 N.-R. 34 W.-section
worn everywhere
everywhere on company
company property.
quarried here
here isis aa variant
variantof
ofthe
theMorton
MortonGneiss.
Gneiss. It is a
The flamboyant dimension stone quarried
classic migmatite
migmatite in which a pink, granitic
of the neosome
classic
granitic to pegmatitic
pegmatitic component
component of
neosome (the
"adamellite-1" rock suite of Goldich and others, 1980b) is unusually
unusually abundant. More
"adamellite-1"
More typical
typical
Morton Gneiss from the standpoint
standpoint of areal
areal abundance
abundance is aa predominantly
predominantly gray rock of
of
granodioritic to
to tonalitic
tonalitic composition
composition that
that is
is more
more uniform
uniform in
in texture
texture than
than the
the gneiss
gneiss in the
granodioritic
Morton
complex metamorphic
metamorphic
Morton area.
area. This
Thisisisanother
anothercase
casewhere
where the
the concept
concept of "type locality" for a complex
rock turns out to be flawed.
flawed. The
TheMorton
Mortonarea
areasupplied
suppliedthe
the name
name for
for the
the gneiss
gneiss because
because the
the
many quarries provided
accessible, unweathered,
unweathered, clean
exposures to study,
study, not
not because
because
the rock exposed
is
particularly
exposed is particularly
typical of aa mappable
mappable geologic
geologic
unit.
gneiss from
u q
The gneiss
from this qquarry
is marketed
marketed under
under the
the trade
trade name
name
granite." ItIt can
"rainbow granite.''
can be seen
ornamental stone
as a facing and ornamental
stone
on buildings
throughout
buildings throughout the
the
Nation,
Nation, and
and in
in recent
recent years
years itit has
become a favorite
favorite material
material for
for
up-scale
up-scale kitchen counters
counters and
and
tabletops.
The patterns,
plastic,
suggestive
of
inhomogeneous bulk
inhomogeneous
bulk deformation
deformationunder
under conditions
conditionsat
at which
which the
the rock
rock was
was in
in aa partially
partially molten
molten
state,
attractive and intriguing
intriguing to architects
architects and interior designersas
designers as they are to
to geologists.
geologists.
state, are as attractive
Features to
to see:
see:
• Paleosomatic
Paleosomatic"enclaves"
"enclaves" of
of several
several types.
types.
• Evidence
Evidenceof
of rheological
rheologicalcontrasts
contrastsamong
amongdifferent
differentrock
rock types during partial melting and
deformatio.n.
deformati0.n.
• Gently dipping,
tight folds
folds reoriented
reoriented into the
dipping, broadly undulating gneissosity; small, tight
undulating
undulating "regional"
"regional" fabric.
fabric.
138

�• Zones
Zones of
of extensional
extensional ductile
ductile shear,
shear, many
many of
of which
which contain
contain granitoid
granitoid segregations
segregations
interpreted
interpreted to
to have
have formed
formed as
as partial
partial melts.
melts.

Stop
Stop 2A
2A (Alternative
(Alternative to
to Stop
Stop 2)—Morton
2)-Morton Gneiss,
Gneiss, small
small quarry
quarry behind
behind former
former school
school
building in
in town
building
town of Morton.
Morton. Morton
Morton quadrangle,
quadrangle, T.
T. 113
113 N.-R.
N.-R. 34
34 W.-section
W.-section
3 1BCBA.
1BCBA.
Because of insurance
insurance liability
liability considerations,
considerations, the Cold Spring Granite Company does not
quarry. As of press time we were not
normally permit field-trip
field-trip groups
groups into the active Rainbow quarry.
many of
of the
cleared for quarry access. The
The small
small quarry
quarry behind the old Morton school shows many
described under Stop 2 (above), but
but the
the rock
rock surfaces
surfaces are
are smaller
smaller and
and less
less
features of the gneiss described
spectacular than those in the Rainbow quarry. Please
spectacular
Please read
read the
the discussion
discussion of
of Stop
Stop 22 and
and transfer
transfer
it to the Stop 2A exposures.
exposures.
move about
about Stop
Stop 2A.
2A. Rock surfaces that are shaded most of the
Be very careful as you move
time acquire a slimy
slimy coating
coating that can be treacherously
treacherously slick.
slick.
Stop 3—Weathering
Morton Gneiss
Gneissprior
priorto
tothe
theLate
LateCretaceous.
Cretaceous. Redwood
Redwood
Stop
&amp;Weathering profile developed on Morton
Falls
Falls quadrangle,
quadrangle,T.
T. 113
113N.-R.
N.-R.35
35W.-section
W.-section3ODAB.
30DAB.

Clay-rich saprolith of the general type exposed here
here occurs
occurs widely
widely in
in the
the subsurface of
of
southwestern Minnesota.
southwestern
Minnesota. Where
WhereLate
LateCretaceous
Cretaceousmarine
marinestrata
stratahave
havenot
notbeen
been removed
removedby
by postpostCretaceous erosion they overlie the saprolith
saprolith directly, confirming that most of the weathering
weathering
occurred before Late Cretaceous
Cretaceous marine transgression
transgression and the
the deposition
deposition of
of marine
marine sedimentary
sedimentary
occurred
rocks. In places where
where
the Cretaceous
Cretaceous rocks
rocks
were eroded away prior
to glaciation, remnants of
the weathering
weathering profile
profile
directly
underlie
Quaternary
glacial
deposits. The
The clay,
clay, grus,
and corestones from
from the
the
weathered Precambrian
rocks
undoubtedly
contributed
contributed substantially
substantially
to the mass of subsequent
Cretaceous shales and
and
Quaternary tills.
Quaternary
Reworked and inReworked
deposits of Late
situ clay deposits
Cretaceous and postCretaceous
Cretaceous age are
mined at several sites
mined
sites
along the Minnesota
along
Minnesota
River, including one
River,
one
about a mile southeast of
139

�these exposures.
Theclay
clayisisused
used mainly
mainly in
in the
the manufacture
manufacture of portland
portland cement
cement and
and for
for various
various
exposures. The
agricultural purposes.
The weathering profile at this stop was
was studied
studiedby
bySam
SamGoldich
Goldichininthe
the1930's;
1930's; his classic
the weathering
weathering stability
stability of
of rock-forming
rock-forming minerals
minerals (Goldich,
(Goldich, 1938)
1938) was
was based
based on
on
paper on the
Thatfundamental
fundamentalpaper
paper on
onweathering
weathering has
has probably
probably achieved
achieved wider
wider
materials collected here. That
all of
of Sam's
Sam's geochronological
geochronologicalcontributions
contributionscombined.
combined.
notoriety than all
Features
Features to
to see:
see:
Upwardloss
lossof
ofsource-rock
source-rockminerals
mineralsand
andfabric
fabricin
in the
the bottom
bottom two-thirds
two-thirds of the weathering
• Upward
weathering
profile.
profile.
• Pisolitic
Pisoliticclay
claylayer
layertoward
towardthe
thetop
top of
of the
the section.
section.
Beddedclay
clay(reworked
(reworkedby
by streams?)
streams?)above
abovethe
the pisolitic
pisolitic layer
layer and
and below Quaternary
Quaternarytill.
till.
• Bedded
Stop
Stop4—Morton
&amp;Morton Gneiss
Gneisscut
cut by
by adamellite
adamellitedikes.
dikes.
Vicksburg quadrangle,
quadrangle,T.
T. 114
114N.-R. 36
36 W.-section
W.-section 33DDD.
33DDD.

The gray tonalitic gneiss exposed in these outcrops is a common, widespread variant of
of
the Morton. Much
Muchof
ofthe
therock
rock mapped
mapped as
as Morton
Morton Gneiss
Gneiss is basically
basically this lithology
lithology with varying
included mafic "enclaves"
"enclaves7'and
and varying degrees
degrees of intrusion
intrusion by younger
younger granitoid
granitoid
quantities of included
rock types. The
The gray
gray gneiss
gneiss
inclusionhere is about as inclusionas
it
free
gets.
Furthermore,this
this is
is a
Furthermore7
locality where
where there
there is a
locality
intrusive
clear-cut
relationship between
between .late
late
relationship
granite of the Sacred Heart
type (sharp-walled dikes,
dikes,
including an easily
accessible one about two
accessible
meters thick)
thick) and
meters
and the
the
can
tonalitic Morton
Morton Gneiss.
Gneiss. The
Therelative
relativeage
ageof
of the
the two
two is
is not a matter of great debate, in that it can
be reliably
reliably inferred
inferred from
from textural
textural evidence
evidence in the rocks and from field relationships observed at
a number of places in the Valley.
Valley. Accessible outcrops that show the critical field relations are
rather
rare7however.
however.
rather rare,
Samples of tonalitic Morton Gneiss from this
this site
site form
form part
part of
of the
the dataset
dataset for
for the
the "old"
Rb-Sr isochron age of about
about 3,500
3,500 Ma (Goldich
(Goldich and Wooden, 1980) that is widely cited in the
literature. Data
the Rb-Sr
Rb-Sr diagram
diagram (Goldich
(Goldich
literature.
Datafrom
fromhere
hereanchor
anchorthe
the lower
lower or less radiogenic end of the
and Wooden?
Wooden, 1980;
1980; their
their fig.
fig. 2 and
and data
data from
from locality
locality 5).
5). In addition,
addition, zircons from
from the gneiss at
this locality yield an interpreted
interpreted U-Pb age
age of 3,662
3,662+1+I-42
42 Ma (Goldich
(Goldich and
and Fischer,
Fischer, 1986).
1986).
details is beyond
beyond the scope and purpose of this
Lengthy discussion of geochronologic details
this
out7however,
however, that
that healthy disagreements exist as to the exact
field guide. ItItmust
mustbe
bepointed
pointedout,
antiquity of the Morton
Morton Gneiss
Gneiss and
and the
the significance
significanceto
to be
be attached
attached to
to the
the dates
dates determined.
determined.A
A
derives from the
the complexity
complexity of
of the
the neosomatic
neosomatic components
components of
of
major source of controversy derives
migmatitic rocks
rocks (as seen in the quarries
migmatitic
quarries at
at Stops
Stops 22 and
and 2A,
2A, for
forexample)
example) and
andconflicting
conflicting
sequence of
ofprocesses
processesinvolved
involvedinin neosome
neosome genesis.
genesis. The
interpretations of the processes and sequence
140

�more straightforward
straightforward sequence
sequence of
of cross-cutting
cross-cutting relationships
relationships displayed at the
the present
present stop
stop isis
more
informative
informativebecause
becauseitit eliminates
eliminatessome
someof
of the
theinterpretational
interpretationalambiguities
ambiguitiesassociated
associatedwith
withthe
the
more
morecomplex
complexphases
phasesof
ofthe
theMorton.
Morton.
Featuresto
tosee:
see:
Features
• Fabric
Fabricand
andfabric
fabricvariations
variationsinintonalite
tonalitegneiss.
gneiss.
• Folded
Foldedmafic
maficlayer
layerinterpreted
interpretedas
asaadeformed
deformeddiabase
diabasedike.
dike.(Do
(Doyou
youagree?)
agree?)
• Textural
Texturaland
andfabric
fabricvariations
variationswithin
withinpostpost-Morton
Mortonadamellite
adamelliteintrusions.
intrusions.

Stop5—Morton
5-Morton Gneiss
Gneissthat
thatdisplays
displaysaavariety
varietyofofenclaves
enclavesand
andsmall-scale
small-scalestructures.
structures.
Stop
Iverson
IversonLake
Lakequadrangle,
quadrangle,T.
T.114
114N.-R.
N.-R. 37
37W.W.- section
section21CB.
21CB.
These
0.5mile
mile south
southof
of the
the the
the largest
largestexposed
exposedmass
massof
of Sacred
Sacred
Theseoutcrops
outcropsare
arelocated
locatedabout
about0.5
Heart
Heart Granite
Granite in
in the
the Minnesota
Minnesota River
River Valley.
Valley. The
The gneiss
gneiss here
here isis characterized
characterized by
by abundant
abundant
amphibolitic
amphibolitic inclusions
inclusions of
of tholeiitic
tholeiitic and
andkomatiitic
komatiiticcomposition,
composition, complex
complex fold
foldstructures
structures

indicative
indicative of
of multiple
multiple folding
folding events,
events,deformed
deformed(boudinaged,
(boudinaged,folded)
folded) aplitic
aplitic dikes
dikes presumably
presumably
of the
"adamellite
1"
suite,
and
straight,
undeformed
granite
dikes
of
Sacred
Heart
the "adamellite 1" suite, and straight, undeformed granite dikes of Sacred HeartGranite.
Granite.
The
The quartzofeldspathic
quartzofeldspathic gneiss
gneiss that
that encloses
encloses the various
various mafic rock types is variable
variable in modal
modal
composition
composition and
and texture.
texture. Its
Itsoverall
overallcomposition
compositionisisapproximately
approximatelyin
in the
the granodiorite
granodioriterange.
range.
Wander
Wander around among the cedars
cedars and
and thombushes
thornbushes to
to find
find examples
examples of
of the
thefeatures
features
mentioned
above.
Look
before
you
kneel
or
sit!
Little
cacti
with
big
spikes
grow
all
over
these
mentioned above. Look before vou kneel or sit! Little cacti with big spikes grow all
knobs.
knobs.

Stop
Stop6—Sacred
&amp;Sacred Heart
Heart Granite
Granite and
and associated
associated rock types. Iverson
Iverson Lake
Lake quadrangle,
quadrangle,
T. 114
114 N.-R. 37
37 W.-section 7DD,
7DD, near prominent
prominent knob
knob named
named Middag
MiddagKnutea.
Knutea.
The
The Sacred
SacredHeart
HeartGranite
Graniteisisone
oneof
of several
severallarge
large granite
granite masses
masses that
that intruded
intrudedMRV
MRV gneisses
gneisses
2.55 -- 2.7
2.7 Ga
Ga time
time interval.
interval. Available
Availableradiometric
radiometricage
age determinations
determinationson
on these
these intrusions
intrusions
in the
the 2.55
in
are rather imprecise, owing to the scarcity and poor
poor quality
quality of
of the
the contained
contained zircons.
zircons. Further
efforts
to
obtain
high-precision
dates
would
be
most
welcome.
efforts obtain high-precision dates would be most welcome.
141

�I /

::::

Most of
of the
the Sacred
Sacred Heart
Heart is
is aa
Most

rather ordinary
ordinary medium-grained
medium-grained
rather
granite that
that consists
consists of
of subequal
subequal
granite
amountsof
of quartz,
quartz,oligoclase,
oligoclase,and
andKKamounts

I

'7

M

—p

\)

c

!'sA
-

-

--

8
-

N
,
—_.)
))c ,J)

-

feldspar. It was quarried as dimension
stone in an earlier era but is not being
worked now. Although much of the
rock mapped
mappedas
asSacred
SacredHeart
Heartisisquite
quite
rock
uniform in
in texture
texture and
andcomposition,
composition,
uniform
thereare
areparts
partsof
ofthe
themass
massthat
thatdisplay
display
there
'-'c.-zz
C'
quartzstronglygneissose
gneissosefabric
fabricand
andquartzstrongly
°
poor compositions
compositions trending
trending toward
toward
poor
)
"
'
monzonite. Some
Somefeatures
featuresindicative
indicative
monzonite
of aa complex
complex intrusive
intrusive history
history are
are
of
displayedin
in the
the road
roadcuts
cutsatatthis
thisstop.
stop.
displayed
Featuresto
tosee:
see:
Features
• Massive,
Massive,uniform
uniformSacred
SacredHeart
HeartGranite
Granite(road
(roadcuts
cutsabout
about1,000
1,000ftftsouth
southof
of Middag
MiddagKnutea).
Knutea).
• Gneissose
Gneissosefabric
fabriciningranite;
granite;modal
modaland
andtextural
texturallayering
layering(SE
(SEflank
flankof
ofMiddag
MiddagKnutea).
Knutea).
• Monzonite
Monzonitewith
withpyroxene
pyroxenegranulite
granuliteinclusions.
inclusions.

;Q

I

'ci,

tfl

i

U

—

I

Drive
DrivetotoStop
Stop7—The
7-The bedrock
bedrocksurface
surfaceexposed
exposedhere
herewas
wasexhumed
exhumedby
byGlacial
GlacialRiver
RiverWarren,
Warren,
however,
however, significant erosion of fresh rock was not required to form
form this smoothly
smoothly undulating
undulating
bedrock
bedrocksurface
surfacewith
with rounded
rounded bedrock
bedrock knobs and boulders. Such
Suchsurfaces
surfacescan
can be formed simply
by
by the
the removal
removal of
of deeply
deeply weathered
weathered bedrock.
bedrock. Large
Largerounded
roundedboulders
boulderswere
werenot
notshaped
shapedduring
during
fluvial
fluvial and
and glacial
glacial transport;
transport; they
they represent
represent chemically
chemically rounded corestones resting at or near
their source.
source.
their
Pre-Cretaceous weathering penetrated to an average depth of 30 m, but the
rock,
the fresh
fresh rock/
of
relief.
Joints
m
weathered
rock
interface
is
irregular
and
undulates
with
as
much
as
45
Joints and
and
weathered rock interface is irregular and undulates with as much as 45 m
fractures
isolating
fracturesare
are preferentially
preferentiallyexploited
exploitedand
andpenetrated
penetratedto
to depths
depthsof
of 60
60 m in places, locally isolating
meter-sized volumes
volumes of fresh
fresh rock. The
Therounded,
rounded,fresh
fresh rock
rock remnants
remnants are
are known as corestones
corestones
and are
are aa common
common feature
feature of
of the
theweathered
weathered bedrock
bedrock residuum
residuum in
in Minnesota
Minnesota and
and when
when
incorporated
incorporated into
into glacial
glacialsediment,
sediment,may
may be
be misinterpreted.
misinterpreted.
On
Homme-Kollin Unit, Scientific
Scientificand
and Natural
Natural
On the south
south side
side of the road is Swedes Forest, Homme-Kollin
Area.
quarries that
that are
are hibernating
hibernating
Area. Its
Itsmain
mainscientific
scientificsignificance
significanceisisthat
thatititisisthe
the site
site of several old quarries
areas for the rare,
blue-tailed lizards
lizards and
and "blue
"blue devils").
devils"). They
rare, five-lined
five-lined skink (also called blue-tailed
They
prefer sunny
woodlands. The
sunny bedrock exposures near oak woodlands.
The main
main range
range of
of this
this species
species is
is the
the
eastern
eastern United
United States
Statesand
andthese
theseare
arean
anisolated
isolatedpopulation.
population.

142

�Stop7—Garnet-biotite-quartz-feldspar
7-Garnet-biotite-quartz-feldspar gneiss
gneiss (Montevideo Gneiss). Granite
Granite Falls quadrangle,
quadrangle,
Stop
T. 115
N.-R. 39 W.-section
W.-section 10AA.
bAA.
115 N.-R.
The Yellow Medicine
Minnesota
The
Medicine shear zone (YMSZ), a major crustal structure
structure within the Minnesota
River Valley subprovince
subprovince (Southwick
(Southwick and
and Chandler,
Chandler, 1996),
1996),crosses
crosses the
the Minnesota
MinnesotaRiver
Riverabout
about
River
two miles
miles southeast
southeast of here. The
The shear
shear zone
zone rocks
rocks do
do not
two
crop out;
out; the
the zone
zone was first recognized
from geophysical
geophysical
crop
recognized from
mapping and
and the existence
existence of sheared
sheared rock within
within itit was
mapping
later verified
verified through core drilling. The
TheYMSZ
YMSZ isisnow
now
later
informally defined
defined as
as the
the boundary between
between the
the Morton
Morton
informally
Gneiss
Gneiss (to
(to the
the south)
south) and
and the
the Montevideo
Montevideo Gneiss
Gneiss (to
(tothe
the
north).
north).
The
The rock
rock in the rubbly
rubbly road
road cuts
cuts at
at this
this locality
locality is
is aa
garnet-biotite-quartz-plagioclasegneiss,
gneiss,aamappable
mappablesubsubgarnet-biotite-quartz-plagioclase
unit
unit of
of the
the Montevideo
Montevideo Gneiss
Gneiss that
that is
is fairly
fairly abundant
abundant in
in
the
(Himmelberg, 1968).
the Granite
Granite Falls area (Hirnmelberg,
1968). Lund
Lund (1950)
(1950)
mapped
mappeditit as
as the Granite
Granite Falls
Falls garnetiferous
garnetiferousquartz
quartzdiorite
diorite
gneiss, aa name
name that never caught on. The
The protolith
protolithof
of the
the
gneiss,
unit as a whole is not immediately apparent. Parts
Parts of
of itit
unit
are
are quite
quite aluminous,
aluminous, suggestive
suggestive of a sedimentary
sedimentary origin,
origin,
and
and other
other parts
parts are
are very
very feldspathic,
feldspathic,at
at least
least locally
locally suggestive
suggestiveof
of igneous
igneous derivation.
derivation.
This
This and
and other
other rock
rock units
units in
in the
the Granite
Granite Falls
Falls area
area are
are folded
folded broadly
broadly about
about east-trending,
east-trending,
gently
F2 structures.
structures.
gently east-plunging
east-plungingaxes
axes(Himmelberg,
(Himmelberg,1968)
1968)that
that Bauer
Bauer (1980)
(1980) interpreted
interpreted as
as F2
The
Thecomplete
completedeformational
deformationalhistory
historyinvolves
involvesfour
four folding
foldingevents,
events, which
which Bauer
Bauer (1980)
(1980) discusses
discusses
in
in detail.
detail. Faults
Faultsand
andbrittle-ductile
brittle-ductileshears
shearsatatand
andnear
nearthe
thesouth
southedge
edgeof
of the
the garnet
garnet gneiss
gneiss outcrop
outcrop
belt
belt are
are probably
probably related
related to
to late
late deformation
deformationalong
along the
the nearby
nearby YMSZ. There
Therealso
alsoisisscattered
scattered
evidence
evidence of
of earlier,
earlier,more
more deep-seated
deep-seated shear
sheardeformation
deformationthat
that may
may have
have been
been related
relatedto
toearlier
earlier
YMSZ
activity.
YMSZ activity.
Features
Featuresto
tosee:
see:
• Lithologic
Lithologicvariations
variationsin
in the
the gneiss.
gneiss.
• Late
Lateshear
shearzones.
zones.
• Rotational
Rotationalstructures
structuresindicative
indicativeof
ofductile
ductileshear.
shear.

Stop
Stop8—Granulite-facies
8-Granulite-facies mafic
mafic and
and pelitic
pelitic gneiss
gneiss
(Montevideo
(Montevideo Gneiss).
Gneiss). Granite
GraniteFalls
Fallsquadrangle,
quadrangle,
T.
3BBD.
T. 115
115N.-R.
N.-R. 39
39W.-section
W.-section 3BBD.
Garnet-bearing
Garnet-bearinggneiss
gneisssimilar
similarto
tothat
thatatatStop
Stop77
is
is in
in contact
contactwith
withgranulite-grade
granulite-grademafic
maficgneiss
gneiss(cpx(cpxopx-plag)
opx-plag)in
inthese
theseroad
road cuts.
cuts.Small
Smallamounts
amountsof
ofbiotite
biotite
in
in the
the granulite
granulite may
may record
record retrograde
retrograde rereequilibration.
The
garnet
gneiss
is
quite
micaceous
equilibration. The garnet gneiss is quite micaceous
and
and well
well layered,
layered, and
and has
has been
been regarded
regarded as
as aa
metamorphosed
metamorphosedsedimentary
sedimentaryrock.
rock.The
Themafic
maficgneiss
gneiss
may
mayhave
havebeen
beenaabasalt
basaltflow
floworiginally,
originally,although
althoughother
other
mafic
maficprotoliths
protolithsare
arecertainly
certainlypossible.
possible.
143

�Stop 9—Mafic
9-Mafic gneiss
gneiss (Montevideo Gneiss). Shear
Shear zones
zones and pseudotachylite veins. Granite
Granite
Stop
4AAB.
Falls quadrangle,
quadrangle, T.
T. 115
115 N.-R. 39
39 W.-section 4AAB.
Shear structures in these outcrops have been studied by John Craddock and several of his
Thefollowing
followingsummary
summary is
is taken
taken from
from material
material provided
provided by
by
students at Macalester College. The
John.
Twenty-two discrete
discrete shear zones have been
Twenty-two
found here that contain pseudotachylite seams. The
The
subparallel, trend
070 on
on average,
average,
zones are subparallel,
trend about
about az.
az. 070
and dip
and
dip subvertically.
subvertically. This
This orientation
orientation is
is
approximately that of
approximately
of the
the regional-scale
regional-scale Yellow
Yellow
Medicine shear zone and several of the Proterozoic
diabase dikes
dikes in
in the
the area. Within
diabase
Within aa given
given zone the
individual pseudotachylite
pseudotachylite seams
seams (black)
(black) are of
individual
diverse orientations.
orientations.
pseudotachylite matrix is compositionally
compositionally
The pseudotachylite
layered and preserves
preserves flow-foliation
layered
flow-foliation swirls
swirlsand
and relics
relics
of glass. Dextral
Dextralwinged
wingedporphyroclasts
porphyroclastsin
in the
the pseudotachylite
pseudotachylite preserve dextral and sinistral
kinematic
kinematic displacement,
displacement, primarily
primarily opposite
opposite the
the sinistral
sinistral sense
sense of
of S-C
S-C structures
structuresin
in the
the country
country
rock and
and of sinistral
rock
sinistral fault
fault drag
drag indicators
indicators along the strike-slip
strike-slip zones that contain the
pseudotachylite
seams. Seam-margin
pseudotachylite seams.
Seam-margin forking
forking directions
directions are
are dominantly
dominantly toward
toward the
the west;
west;
poryhyroclast imbrication
imbrication within the pseudotachylite is dominantly
dominantly up and easterly.
pseudotachylite seams yield
Calcite in veins that appear to be contemporaneous with the pseudotachylite
twinning strains indicative
indicative of zone-parallel and zone-normal horizontal shortening. Magnetic
Magnetic
pseudotachylite seams give Krnax
Kmax subvertical, Krnin
Kmin subhorizontal
fabric meaurements on the pseudotachylite
and zone-normal.
zone-normal. IfIfthe
themagnetic
magneticfabric
fabriccorrelates
correlateswith
withflow,
flow, these
these results
results indicate
indicate that the flow
of pseudotachylite
pseudotachylite glass
glass was
was upward
upward within
withinthe
thezone
zoneof
ofshear.
shear.
Features
Features to
to see:
see:
• Discrete
Discrete shear
shearzones
zones (many
(many are
are reddened).
reddened).
• Pseudotachylite
Pseudotachyliteseams.
seams.
• Sense-of-shear
Sense-of-shearindicators
indicatorsin
in shear
shear zones.
zones.

Stop lO—Proterozoic
Gneiss. Granite
Stop
10Ã‘Proterozoi "Section
"Section 28" intrusion and wallrocks of Montevideo Gneiss.
Granite
Falls quadrangle,
quadrangle,T.
T. 116
116N.-R. 39
39 W.-section 28BCA.
At this locality a small plug of Proterozoic granite is in complex contact
contact with
with a body
body of
hornblende
hornblende andesite
andesite (also
(also Proterozoic).
Proterozoic). Contacts
Contactswith
withthe
the Montevideo
Montevideogneiss
gneiss are
are not
not exposed,
exposed,
but they can be mapped rather closely.
closely. The
The granite
granite yields a zircon Pb-Pb age of 1825
1825 Ma
(Catanzaro, 1963).
1963).
The standard
standard explanation
explanation of
of the
the relationships
relationships seen
seen here is as follows:
andesite. Dikes
(1) The body of dark rock is a dike of hornblende andesite.
Dikes of
of this
this composition
composition
occur elsewhere
elsewhere in the
the Granite
Granite Falls area
area (e.g.,
(e.g., Stop
Stop 11).
11).
(2) The granite intrudes the dike and thus is the younger rock, by classical geological
reasoning.
reasoning.
contact relations
relations necessarily
necessarily imply
imply the
the interpretation
interpretation outlined
outlined
Do we agree that the observed contact
above?
above?
144

�______ _______

Stop
Gneiss,Proterozoic
Proterozoic dikes
dikes in
inthe
theYellow
Yellow Medicine
Medicine quarry
quarry owned
owned and
an(
Stop11—Montvideo
11- -MontvideoGneiss,
115N.-R.
N.-R.39
39
operatedby
bythe
theMeridian
MeridianAggregates
AggregatesCompany.
Company.Granite
GraniteFalls
Fallsquadrangle,
quadrangle,T.T.115
operated
W.-section
W.-section 33BB.
33BB.Hard
Hardhats
hatsmust
mustbebeworn
worneverywhere
everywhereon
oncompany
companyproperty.
property.
TheYellow
Yellow Medicine
Medicine quarry produces crushed stone, much of which
which is
is used
used as
as railroad
railroad
The
ballast
ballast for
for the
theBurlington
Burlington Northern
Northern Railroad.
Railroad. Aggregate
Aggregatefrom
fromhere
here isisused
used on
onrailroad
railroadtracks
tracks
across
acrossthe
theDakotas
Dakotasand
andMontana
Montanatotothe
theRocky
RockyMountain
Mountainfront.
front.
The principal
principal rock
rock in
in the
the quarry
quarry isis aa
The
granitic
granitic gneiss
gneiss composed
composed of
of quartz,
quartz,
plagioclase, microcline,
microcline, and
and biotite
biotite that
that isis
plagioclase,
modally layered
layered on
on various
various scales.
scales. Scattered
Scattered
modally
withinititare
areconformable
conformablelenses
lensesand
and layers
layersof
of
within
hornblende-pyroxenegneiss.
gneiss.This
Thisgeneral
generalrock
rock
homblende-pyroxene
''
type is
is the
thecommonest
commonest variant
variant of
of the
the
type
MontevideoGneiss
Gneissin
in terms
termsof
ofmap
maparea
areaand
and
Montevideo
D
/
essentiallythe
therock
rockexposed
exposedup-river
up-riveratatthe
the
isisessentially
33L4F
"type locality"
locality" outcrops
outcrops near
near the
thetown
town of
of
"type
Montevideo. Samples
Samplesof
ofgneiss
gneissfrom
fromthe
the
Montevideo.
quarry were
were used
used by
by Goldich
Goldich and
andothers
others
quarry
=
(1980a,
locality 4)
4) to
to identify
identifyaasequence
sequence
(1
980a, their locality
ofRb-Sr
Rb-Srisotopic
isotopicevents
eventsthat
thatrange
rangefrom
from3,530
3,530
of
toto2,265
2,265Ma.
Ma.Various
Variousinterpretations
interpretationsofofthese
these

v'
)\

ranité11s

rriS
I \ ) iriYfA

1ru

•

I

I

:11:

E5!T

145

�I

isotopic results
results are
are discussed
discussed at
at length
length by the original authors. U-Pb zircon data reported for an
isotopic
"older" adamellite
adarnelliteintrusion
intrusioninto
into the
the layered
layered gneiss
gneiss yield an interpreted age of 3,230
3,230 Ma
Ma (Goldich
(Goldich
and others,
1980a).
others, 1980a).
Dikes of
of Proterozoic
Proterozoic hornblende
hornblende andesite
andesite are
are prominently
prominently displayed
displayed in
in the
the quarry
quarrywalls.
walls.
Dikes
all other
other rocks
rocks in
in the
the quarry
quarry are
are shot
shot through
through with chioritized,
chloritized, slickensided,
slickensided, brittle
These and all
shears on all
all orientations.
orientations.This
Thistype
typebrittle
brittleshearing
shearingand
andassociated
associatedevidence
evidenceof
ofhydrothermal
hydrothermal
shears
activity (chlorite
(chlorite films;
films; calcite-quartz
calcite-quartz veins)
veins) are
are associated
associated with a pronounced reddening of the
activity
disseminated hematite. The
Thereddening
reddeningphenomenon
phenomenon affects
affects many
many
rocks, presumably due to disseminated
MRV exposures
exposures north
north of
of the
the YMSZ
YMSZ but is uncommon
uncommon south
south of it.
it.
END OF
OF DAY
DAY ONE.

REFERENCES
REFERENCES CITED
CITED
Bauer, R.L., 1980,
1980, Multiphase deformation in the Granite
Granite Falls-Montevideo area, Minnesota
River
in Morey,
Morey,G.B.,
G.B.,and
andHanson,
Hanson,G.N.,
G.N.,eds.,
eds.,Selected
Selected studies
studies ofkchean
ofArchean gneisses
River Valley, in
gneisses
and lower
Proterozoic
rocks
in
the
southern
Canadian
Shield:
Geological
Society
lower Proterozoic
the southern Canadian
Society of
America
America Special
SpecialPaper
Paper 182,
182,p.
p. 1-17.
1-17.
Catanzaro,
southwestern Minnesota: Journal of Geophysical
Geophysical Research,
Catanzaro,E.J,
E.J, 1963,
1963,Zircon
Zircon ages
ages in southwestern
Research,
v. 68, p. 2045-2048.
2045-2048.
Goldich,
Goldich, S.S.,
S.S., 1938,
1938,A
A study
study of
of rock
rock weathering:
weathering:Journal
Journalof
of Geology,
Geology,v.
v. 46,
46, p.
p. 17-56.
17-56.
Goldich, S.S., and
and Fischer,
Fischer, L.B.,
L.B., 1986,
1986,Air-abraison
Air-abraison experiments
experiments in U-Pb
U-Pb dating
dating of
ofzircon:
zircon:
Chemical
ChemicalGeology,
Geology, v.
v. 58,
58, p. 195-215.
195-215.
Goldich,
J.B., and North, R.M., 1980a,
Goldich, S.S.,
S.S., Hedge,
Hedge, C.E.,
C.E., Stern,
Stem,T.W.,
T.W., Wooden, J.L., Bodkin, J.B.,
1980a,
Archean rocks of
of the
the Granite
GraniteFalls
Falls area,
area, southwestern
southwestern Minnesota,
Minnesota, in Morey,
Morey, G.B., and
Hanson, G.N.,
G.N., eds.,
eds., Selected
Selected studies
studies of
of Archean genisses and lower Proterozoic rocks,
southern
southern Canadian
Canadian Shield: Geological
GeologicalSociety
Societyof
of America
America Special
Special Paper 182,
182, p. 19-43.
19-43.
Goldich,
Goldich, S.S., and
and Wooden, J.L., 1980,
1980, Origin of the Morton Gneiss, southwestern
southwestern Minnesota:
Minnesota:
Part
Archean
Part 3. Geochronology,
Geochronology,ininMorey,
Morey,G.B.,
G.B., and
andHanson,
Hanson,G.N.,
G.N., eds.,
eds., Selected
Selectedstudies
studiesof
ofkchean
gneisses
and
lower
Proterozoic
rocks,
southern
Canadian
Shield:
Geological
Society
of
gneisses
Canadian Shield:
America
America Special
Special Paper
Paper 182,
182,p. 77-94.
77-94.
Goldich,
Goldich,S.S.,
S.S., Wooden,
Wooden,J.L.,
J.L.,Ankenbauer,
Ankenbauer,G.A.,
G.A.,Jr.,
Jr., Levey,
Levey, T.M., and Suda,
Suda, R.U., 1980b,
1980b,Origin
Origin
of the Morton
Morey, G.B.,
G.B., and
and
Morton Gneiss,
Gneiss, southwestern Minnesota: Part
Part 1.
1. Lithology,
Lithology,ininMorey,
Hanson, G.N., eds.,
eds., Selected
Selected studies
studies of
of Archean
Archean gneiss and lower
lower Proterozoic
Proterozoic rocks,
southern
southern Canadian
Canadian Shield:
Shield: Geological
GeologicalSociety
SocietyofofAmerica,
America,Special
SpecialPaper
Paper182,
182,p.p.45-56.
45-56.
Grant,
Grant, J.A.,
J.A., 1972,
1972,Minnesota
MinnesotaRiver
RiverValley,
Valley, southwestern
southwestern Minnesota,
Minnesota,in
in Sims,
Sims,P.K.,
P.K., and
and Morey,
Morey,
G.B., eds., Geology of Minnesota: A
A centennial
centennial volume: Minnesota
MinnesotaGeological
GeologicalSurvey,
Survey,
177-196.
p. 177-196.
Grant,
Grant, J.A., 1973,
1973,Phase
Phase equilibria
equilibriain
in high-grade
high-grade metamorphism
metamorphism and partial melting of pelitic
pelitic
rocks:
rocks: American
American Journal
Journalof
of Science,
Science,v.
v. 273,
273, p.
p. 289-317.
289-3 17.
Hanson, G.N., 1968,
1968, K-Ar
K-Ar ages
ages for
for hornblende
hornblende from
from granites
granites and gneisses
gneisses and
and for
for basaltic
basaltic
intrusives
20 p.p.
intrusives in
in Minnesota:
Minnesota: Minnesota
MinnesotaGeological
GeologicalSurvey
SurveyReport
ReportofofInvestigations
Investigations8,8,20
Hanson,
Granite Falls, Minnesota:
Minnesota:
Hanson,G.N.,
G.N., and
andHimmelberg,
Himmelberg,G.R.,
G.R., 1967,
1967,Ages
Ages of mafic
mafic dikes near Granite
Geological
GeologicalSociety
Societyof
ofAmerica
AmericaBulletin,
Bulletin,v.v. 78,
78,p.
p. 1429-1432.
1429-1432.

146

�G.R., 1968, Geology
Geology of Precambrian
rocks, Granite
Granite Falls - Montevideo
Himmelberg, G.R.,
Precambrian rocks,
Montevideo area,
area,
southwestern Minnesota: Minnesota Geological Survey Special Publication Series
Series SP-5,
SP-5,
33 p.
33
Hoim, D.K.,
Holm,
D.K., Darrah,K.S.,
Darrah,K.S., and
and Lux,
Lux, D.R.,
D.R., 1998,
1998,Evidence
Evidencefor
forwidespread
widespread—1760
-1760 Ma
metamorphism and rapid crustal stabilization of the Early Proterozoic
(1870-1820
Proterozoic (1870-1820 Ma)
Ma)
Penokean orogen,
orogen, Minnesota:
Minnesota: American
American Journal
Journal of
of Science,
Science,v.
v. 298.
298. p.
p. 60-8
60-81.
1.
Igneous and metamorphic rocks of the Minnesota
Minnesota River
River Valley:
Valley: Unpublished
Unpublished
Lund, E.H., 1950,
1950, Igneous
Minneapolis.
Ph.D. dissertation,
dissertation, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis.
Valley: Geological
Lund, E.H., 1956,
1956, Igneous
Igneous and metamorphic rocks of the Minnesota River Valley:
Geological
Society
Society of America Bulletin,
Bulletin, v. 67, p. 1475-1490.
1475-1490.
Moecher, D.P.,
ffi, Leier-Englehardt,
Leier-Englehardt, P.J., and
and Medaris,
Medaris, L.G.,
L.G., Jr.,
Jr., 1986, Metamorphic
Metamorphic
Moecher,
D.P., Perkins, D. in,
conditions of late
high-grade gneisses,
conditions
late Archean high-grade
gneisses, Minnesota
Minnesota River
River valley, U.S.A.: Canadian
Canadian
Journal of Earth
Journal
Earth Sciences,
Sciences,v.
v. 23,
23, p. 633-645.
633-645.
Perkins, D., ifi,
in,and
and Chipera,
Chipera, S.J.,
S.J., 1985,
1985,Garnet-orthopyroxene-plagioclase-quartz
Gmet-orthopyroxene-plagioclase-quartz barometry:
Refinement and application to the English River subprovince and the Minnesota River
Valley: Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology,
Petrology, v. 89, p. 69-80.
69-80.
Southwick, D.L., and
architecture of the Minnesota
Minnesota
Southwick,
and Chandler,
Chandler,V.C.,
V.C., 1996, Block and shear-zone architecture
Valley subprovince:
subprovince: Implications for Late Archean
Archean accretionary
accretionary tectonics: Canadian
Canadian
River Valley
Journal of Earth
v. 33,
33, p. 831-847.
831-847.
Journal
Earth Sciences,
Sciences,v.

147

�I

INTRODUCTION TO THE
INTRODUCTION
THE GLACIAL
GLACIAL HISTORY OF
OF THE
THE
MINNESOTA RIVER VALLEY
Carrie
Carrie J. Patterson
Patterson

Contrary to the four-fold
devised around
around the
the turn of the century for
four-fold glacial chronology devised
terrestrial glacial sediments (Wisconsin, Illinoian, Kansan
Kansan and
and Nebraskan
Nebraskan (Flint, 1957)),
195711, the
current model for the Quaternary
Quaternary record of glaciations is much more
elaborate
(Ruddiman
and
more elaborate
Wright, 1987).
1987). The
Theoxygen
oxygenisotope
isotoperecord
record of
of ocean
ocean carbonate
carbonate sediments
sediments records
records the
the effects
effects of
glaciations.
glaciations.During
Duringglaciations,
glaciations,160,
160,which
whichisispreferentially
preferentiallyevaporated
evaporatedfrom
from the
the oceans
oceans because
because
of it lesser mass, is stored
enriching the glacial
glacial oceans
stored on land in the ice sheets, enriching
oceansin
in 180.
180. According
to this record
record of
of global
globalice
icevolume,
volume,there
therewere
were40
40glacial/interglacial
glacialhnterglacialoscillations
oscillationsinvolving
involving
moderate global
Ma and
and there
therewere
were22
22oscillations
oscillations involving
involving
moderate
global ice
ice volumes
volumes between 2.4
2.4 Ma and 0.9 Ma
greater ice volumes from .9 Ma to the present
present (Fig.
(Fig. 3)
3) (Shackleton
(Shackleton et
et al.,
al., 1984).
1984). Counting back
from our current oxygen isotope stage, stage 1, odd-numbered stages represent interglaciations
interglaciations
stages, glaciations.
glaciations.Oxygen-isotope
Oxygen-isotopestages
stages2,2,6,12
and16
16show
show the
the greatest
greatest
and even-numbered
even-numbered stages,
6, 12 and
ice volumes, perhaps
perhapsexplaining
explainingthe
the historical
historical recognition of a four-fold record of terrestrial
glaciation.
glaciation.

SPECMAP
SPECMAP

COMPOS!TE.
COMPOSITE.
4

0.0

6180
6"0 (cr)
(a)
0
2

—2

6"=0
ö'o (c)
(a)

4

—4

0.0
•

$_

7

,

$

—2

--4

7

10

0.5

0.5

a

2$-uz
1.0

0

2

25

1.0
1 .o

-

•

1.5 -

52

'

•

60

•

52

63

-

Figure 3. Oxygen-isotope
Oxygen-isotope profile derived from four
cores (2 Atlantic
Atlantic and 2 Pacific),
Pacific), showing
showing the
the dominance
dominance
cores
of the 41,000-year
41,000-year frequency before about 700,000
the 100,000-year
100,000-year frequency
frequency after.
after. Note
years ago, and the
the higher values
values (and thus larger ice volumes)
volumes) for
12, and
and 16,
16,perhaps
perhaps representing
representing times
times
stages 2, 6, 12,
when the Laurentide
Laurentide ice sheet extended
extended into the Great
Lakes region and
and beyond (from
(from Williams
Williams et
et a!;
al; 1988).
1988).
Lakes
data are compared
compared with the
the SPECMAP
SPECMAP
These data
compilation
compilation (Imbrie et al., 1984).
1984).
.

2.0 148

.

�oxygen-isotopestage
stage 2 (the late Wisconsin7
During oxygen-isotope
Wisconsin, retained
retained from
from the
the former
former chronology)
chronology)
and possibly
possibly during
during stages
stages6,
6?12
12and
and 16,
167Minnesota
Minnesota was at the edge of an ice sheet that covered
and
most
most of
of Canada
Canada (Fig.
(Fig. 4).
4).
thin7dynamic
dynamic ice
ice lobes
lobes that
that advanced,
advanced?stagnated,
stagnated?and
and
Minnesota was
was affected
affectedmainly
mainly by
by thin,
Minnesota
retreated independently
independently of one another
another (Wright,
(Wright?1972).
1972). Ice-lobe
Ice-lobedynamics
dynamics were
were controlled
controlled by
by
retreated
the mass
mass balance
balance and
and bed conditions
conditions of their respective icesheds.
Owingto
to the
the different
different substrates
substrates
the
icesheds. Owing
the ice
ice flowed
flowed over,
over7it is possible
possible to
to distinguish
distinguish the till of
of the
the different
different ice
ice lobes
lobes using
using matrix
matrix
color?texture
texture and
and mineralogy,
mineralogy?and
and clast
clast lithology,
lithology7and
and thus
thus reconstruct
reconstructthe
the activity
activityof
of the
the lobes.
lobes.
color,
few advances and aid in the reconstruction of the nature of ice
ice
Landforms remain for the last few
advance
advance and
and retreat.
retreat.

Figure
4. Laurentide
Laurentideice
icesheet
sheetatat14
14Ka.
Ka. (Modified
(Modifiedfrom
fromDyke
Dykeand
andPrest,
Prest?1986).
1986).
Figure 4.

Absolute dating
dating of
of the
the late
lateWisconsin
Wisconsin glacial
glacial sediments
sediments is
is possible
possible using
using radiocarbonradiocarbondating methods ifif organic
organic remains
remains are
are found.
found. Pre-late
Pre-late Wisconsin units are difficult
difficult to
to date
date
absolutely
Wright?1987).
1987). AAfew
fewscattered
scattereddates
dateshave
have been
been secured
securedin
in the
the area
area
absolutely (Ruddiman
(Ruddiman and
and Wright,
using
usingthe
the presence
presenceof
of volcanic
volcanicash
ash (Richmond
(Richmondand
and Fullerton,
Fullerton71986),
1986)?magnetic
magneticreversals
reversals preserved
preserved
in till and
lake
sediment
(Patterson,
1993),
amino-acid
dating
of
shells
(Gilbertson,
1990)
and lake sediment (Patterson?1993)?amino-acid
(Gilbertson71990) and
cosmosgenic
cosmosgenic isotope
isotope age
age estimates
estimatesof
of striated
striatedrock
rock surfaces
surfaces(Bierman
(Bierman et
et al.,
al.?in
in press).
press).
149

�The
basic stratigraphy
stratigraphy was
was described
described by Matsch
Matsch (1972).
The history
history of
of work
work in this area and the basic
oldest glacial
glacial sediment
sediment in
in southwestern
southwestern Minnesota
Minnesota is at least of mid-Pleistocene age
age (Fig.
(Fig.
The oldest
(Patterson,1997)
1997)and
and may
may even
even be
be of
of Late
Late PliocenefEarly
Pliocene/Early Pleistocene
Pleistoceneage
age(2.1-1.2
(2.1-1.2
55 A and B) (Patterson,
Ma) based
based on
on correlations
correlations with glacial sediment in
Ma)
in Iowa
Iowaand
andNebraska
Nebraska(Hallberg,
(Hallberg,1986).
1986). These
depositsare
are attributed
attributedto
to northwest-sourced
northwest-sourcedice
iceadvances,
advances,which
which deposited
depositedgray,
gray, loam-to-clayloam-to-claydeposits
loam tills
tills containing
containingclasts
clasts of
of Paleozoic
Paleozoic carbonate
carbonate and Cretaceous
Cretaceous shale. There
Thereare
areatatleast
leasttwo
two
loam
tills
tills of this age
age that are
are difficult
diflicult to differentiate. Similar
Similartills
tills in South
South Dakota are thought to be
.6 Ma to 2.1 Ma (Gilbertson,
1990).
(Gilbertson, 1990).

/

Figure
5. Ice
Iceadvances
advancesinto
intothe
the region.
region. A.
A.Early
EarlyPleistocene
Pleistoceneadvances,
advances,greater
greater that 0.6 Ma; B.
B. Ice
Ice
Figure5.
advance
advance from
from the northwest; C.
C. Ice
Ice advance
advance from the northeast; D.
D. Ice
Iceadvance
advancefrom
fromthe
thenorth,
north,
deposition
0-20
depositionof
ofGranite
GraniteFalls
Fallstill
till&gt;40
&gt;40ka;
ka; E.
E.Late
LateWisconsin
Wisconsinadvance
advanceofofearly
earlyDes
DesMoine
Moinelobe,
lobe,330-20
ka;
F.
Late
Wisconsin
advance
of
the
Des
Moine
lobe,
14
ka.
(From
Patterson,
1993).
ka; F. Late Wisconsin advance of the Des Moine lobe, 14 ka. (From Patterson, 1993).
150

�Stratigraphicallyabove
above these
these gray
gray tills
tills is
is aa northeast-sourced
northeast-sourced glacial
glacial sediment
sediment(Fig.
(Fig.5C)
5C)
Stratigraphically
that can
can be
be distinguished
distinguishedby
by its
itsred-brown
red-brown color,
color, sandier
sandier texture,
texture, and
and clasts
clasts originating
originating in
in the
the
that
Lake Superior
Superiorarea
area including
including banded
banded iron
iron formation,
formation, agate,
agate, red
Thisunit,
unit,
Lake
red clastics
clastics and
and basalt.
basalt. This
the
Hawk
Creek
till
(Matsch,
1972)
is
only
locally
preserved
and
its
southwestern
extent
is
not
the Hawk Creek till (Matsch, 1972) is only locally preserved and its southwestern extent is not
known. ItItisisthought
thoughtto
tobe
be &gt;50
&gt;50 ka
ka (Gilbertson,
(Gilbertson,1990).
1990).
known.
Thelast
lastpre-late
pre-lateWisconsin
Wisconsinglacial
glacial advance
advancewas
was from
from the
the north-northwest
(Fig. 5D)
5D) and
and is
is
The
north-northwest (Fig.
similarto
to the
theolder
oldergray
grayunits
unitsbut
but has
has less
less Cretaceous
Cretaceousshale.
shale.Wood
Woodininthis,
this,the
theGranite
GraniteFalls
Fallstill,
till,
similar
is
A0,OOO
years
old
(Matsch,
1972).
is &gt;40,000 years old (Matsch, 1972).
The surficial
surficial glacial
glacial sediment
sediment in
in the
the Minnesota
Minnesota River
River basin
basin was
was deposited
deposited by
by the
the late
late
The
Wisconsin
Des
Moines
lobe,
which
advanced,
stagnated
and
retreated
repeatedly.
Its
first
advance
Wisconsin Des Moines lobe, which advanced, stagnated and retreated repeatedly. Its first advance
may have
have been
been as
as early
early as
as 30-20
30-20 ka
ka (Fig.
(Fig. 5E)
5E) (Gilbertson,
(Gilbertson, 1990)
1990) The
Theadvance
advanceto
to Des
Des Moines,
Moines,
may
Iowa is
is dated
dated at
at 14
14ka
ka (Fig.
(Fig. SF)
5F) (Clayton
(Clayton and
1982; Hallberg
The
Iowa
and Moran,
Moran, 1982;
Hallberg and
and Kemmis,
Kenimis, 1986).
1986). The
loam-textured
till
is
gray
when
unoxidized
and
has
Cretaceous
shale
and
Paleozoic
carbonate
loam-textured till is gray when unoxidized and has Cretaceous shale and Paleozoic carbonate
clasts.ItItgenerally
generallycontains
containsPierre
PierreShale,
Shale,whereas
whereasthe
theolder
oldergray
graytills
tillscontain
containother
otherCretaceous
Cretaceous
clasts.
formations
such
as
the
Greenhorn
and
Carlisle.
The
base
of
the
Des
Moines
lobe
till
is locally
locally
formations such as the Greenhorn and Carlisle. The base of the Des Moines lobe till is
marked by
by aa planar
planar concentration
concentrationof
offaceted,
faceted,striated
striatedboulders.
boulders.
marked

GlacialLake
LakeAgassiz
Agassiz and
and Glacial
Glacial River
River Warren
Warren
Glacial
commonfor
forlakes
lakes to
toform
formin
infront
frontof
ofaaretreating
retreatingglacier,
glacier, with
with meltwater
meltwater ponding
ponding
ItIt isiscommon
between aa moraine
moraine and
and the
the ice
ice front.
front. AAproglacial
proglaciallake
lakemay
maynot
notbe
bevery
verylarge
large or
or long-lived
long-lived
between
because
of
the
instability
of
the
moraine
dam
and
ice
margin.
However,
an
unusually
stableand
and
because of the instability of the moraine dam and ice margin. However, an unusually stable
large proglacial
proglaciallake
lakebegan
began to
to form
form in
in west-central
west-central Minnesota
Minnesota at approximately
approximately12
12ka
ka as
as the
theice
ice
large
retreatednorth
north of
of the
the Big
Big Stone
StoneMoraine
Moraine and
and the
the nonspectacular
nonspectacular continental
continental divide
divide at
at Brown's
Brown's
retreated
Valley
(Fig.
6).
Valley (Fig. 6).
For much
muchof
ofits
itsearly
earlyhistory,
history,Glacial
GlacialLake
LakeAgassiz
Agassizwas
wasdrained
drainedby
byGlacial
GlacialRiver
RiverWarren,
Warren,
For
which
flowed
southeast
from
the
southern
tip
of
the
lake
(Upham,
1883,
1895;
Matsch
and
which flowed southeast from the southern tip of the lake (Upham, 1883, 1895; Matsch and
Wright, 1967).
1967). Initially
Initially Glacial
Glacial River
Rver Warren
Warren cut
series of
of anastomosing
anastomosing channels
channels with
with
Wright,
cut aa series
streamlined
residual
bars
and
boulder
lags
(Matsch,
1983).
The
style
of
channel
formation
streamlined residual bars and boulder lags (Matsch, 1983). The style of channel formation isis
characteristicof
ofsudden
suddenand
andlarge
largedischarge
dischargefrom
fromaa lake
lake that
that overwhelms
overwhelms the
the existing
existing drainage
drainage
characteristic
system (Kehew
(Kehew and
and Lord,
Lord, 1986).
1986). Flow
Flowwas
waseventually
eventuallyfocused
focused in
inone
onemain
mainspillway
spillwaywhich
which
system
became
more
deeply
incised,
stranding
earlier
channels
(Fig.
7).
became more deeply incised, stranding earlier channels (Fig. 7).
Continuedretreat
retreatof
ofthe
theice
icefront
fronteventually
eventuallyopened
openedlower
lower outlets
outletsfor
for Glacial
GlacialLake
Lake Agassiz
Agassiz
Continued
to
the
northeast
(Clayton,
1983)
and
possibly
the
northwest
(Smith
and
Fisher,
1993)
and
to the northeast (Clayton, 1983) and possibly the northwest (Smith and Fisher, 1993) and Glacial
Glacial
River Warren was abandoned
abandoned as
as an
an outlet.
outlet. Tributaries
Tributaries to
to Glacial
Glacial River
River Warren,
Warren, which
which had
had
River
steepened their
their gradients
gradients in
in response
response to
tothe
thedowncutting,
downcutting,were
were now
now contributing
contributingtoo
toomuch
much
steepened
sediment
to
be
carried
away
by
the
reduced
flow
of
the
river.
Fans
spread
across
the
valley
floor
sediment to be carried away by the reduced flow of the river. Fans spread across the valley floor
partiallydamming
dammingit,it,forming
formingaaseries
seriesof
oflong
longlakes
lakes(Wright,
(Wright,1972;
1972;1990)
1990)including
includingLake
LakeTraverse,
Traverse,
partially
Big
Stone
Lake,
Marsh
Lake
and
Lac
qui
Parle.
The
levels
of
these
lakes
are
now
controlled
by
Big Stone Lake, Marsh Lake and Lac qui Parle. The levels of these lakes are now controlled by
damsfor
for recreation
recreationand
andflood
floodabatement.
abatement.
dams
Thefield
fieldstops
stopswill
willfirst
firstaddress
addressthe
the most
most recent
recent event
event related
related to
to glaciation,
glaciation,the
the formation
formation
The
of the
the Minnesota
MinnesotaRiver
RiverValley,
Valley, and then move
move to
to progressively
progressively older
older events
events that
that are
are exposed
exposed
of
because of
of river
river downcutting.
downcutting. See
Seeplate
plate11(page
(page168)
168)for
forstop
stoplocations.
locations.
because

151

�KM

Figure
Figure6.
6.Early
Earlystages
stagesofofGlacial
Glaciallake
lakeAgassiz.
Agassiz.(Adapted
(Adaptedfrom
fromTeller,
Teller,1987).
1987).

152

�pPpLrmw

hf

Hermanstage
stagedownstream
downstreamfrom
fromOrtonville.
Ortonville.
Herman
Thewide
wideshallow
shallowRiver
RiverWarren
Warren(in
(inblack)
black)
The
flowsacross
acrossaaflat
flatstretch
stretchofoftopography,
topography,
flows
"'i" around
branching
aroundislands
islandsofofdrift.
drift.

r-d
i—J
1

I

I0
ost-Tintah stage downstream from
rtonville. The auxiliary channels are
bandoned as River Warren (in black)
enches more deeply. A few islands,
ome of bedrock,
appear
in the channel
ownstream from Ortonville.

7

r-l-

.-A

resent valley. Alluviation by tributarie
as segmented the valley abandoned by
Warren into a series of long, shallow
lakes, connected by the Minnesota River.

r

-

Figure
Figure 7.7.A.A.Initial
Initialstages
stagesofofdevelopment
developmentof
ofGlacial
Glacial
River Warren.
Warren. B.
B. Formation
Formationofofmain
mainriver
rivertrenches.
trenches.
Abandoned
Abandoned channels
channels may
may be
be marked
marked by river lags. C.
C.
Present-day
Present-day Minnesota
MinnesotaRiver
River Valley. Reproduced
Reproduced from
from
Matsch,
Matsch, 1983.
1983.
153

�FIELD TRIP
FIELD
TRIPSTOPS—DAY
STOPS-DAY 2

Stop 1—Ingebretsen's
1-Ingebretsen's Landing,
Landing, or "the clay banks" on Lac qui Parle.
Milanquadrangle,
quadrangle,
Stop
Pane. Milan
T. 119
42 W.-section 32
32
119 N.-R. 42
and low bank are formed in 2-3 m of reddish
matrix has 43The beach and
reddish brown
brown till.
till. The till matrix
48 percent sand and
and the
the clasts
clasts have
have aa northeastern
northeastern provenance;
provenance; you may find
find Lake
Lake Superior
Superior
clastic rocks on the beach. This
Thiscolor,
color,texture
textureand
and
agates, banded
iron formation,
formation,basalt
basalt and
and red clastic
agates,
banded iron

grain type are unusual for tills in this general area.
area. This is not the surface till in the region but
but
is normally found deeper
deeper in the glacial
glacial section
section and was exhumed by river downcutting.
In places there are
are remnants
remnants of
of another
anothertill
till overlying
overlying this
this red
red till.
till. It can be distinguished
distinguished
by its siltier
northwest, including
siltier texture
texture and
and clasts
clasts typical
typical of
of an
an ice
ice advance
advance from
from the northwest,
includingPaleozoic
Paleozoic
carbonate and Cretaceous
Cretaceous shale.
shale.
discontinuous boulder
A discontinuous
boulder lag
lag represents
represents the erosional discontinuity created as Glacial River
Warren,
Agassiz, cut into the
the glacial
glacial sediments,
sediments, selectively removing
removing
Warren, the spillway
spillwayfor
for Glacial
Glacial Lake
Lake Agassiz,
the finer grains. The
Thefollowing
followingsections
sectionsfrom
from aa paper
paper by Kehew
Kehew and Lord (1986) describe the
general formation of glacial-lake
glacial-lake spiliways
spillways (Fig. 8).
The instability of the
the spillway
spillway rivers
rivers was
was exceptional;
exceptional; torrential
torrential discharges
discharges
no sediment
from glacial-lake
glacial-lake outlets, following
following dam failure, had high energy and no
load. Consequently,
Consequently,flows
flowswhich
whichincised
incisedspillways
spillwayswere
were highly
highly erosive,
erosive, and
and channel
channel
sediment from these events is scarce. The
The flood
flood deposits
deposits which do exist consist of
homogeneous
masses
of
very
poorly
sorted,
pebbly
homogeneous masses
pebbly cobble
cobble gravel,
gravel, which indicates
water. p. 165
rapid aggradation in very turbulent water.
165
154

�The morphological
morphologicd characteristics
characteristics of
of spiliways.
spillways....indicate
indicate that the spiliways
spillways
were channels that
that contained
contained flow
flow at
at bankfull
bankfull stage
stage during
during one
one or more highly
Thesize
sizeof
of the
thespillways
spillwaysqualitatively
qualitatively demonstrates
demonstrates that the
the flood
flood
erosive floods. The
discharges were enormous, and the estimated volumes of most proglacial
proglacial lakes
lakes
(Kehew and Clayton, 1983) require that
that bankfbll
banklull discharges couldn't have been
(Kehew
sustained for more than aa few
few weeks.
weeks. In short, spiliways
spillways in the
the mid-continent
mid-continent
region
geologically instantaneous
instantaneous events of colossal
colossal magnitude
magnitude
region were
were incised
incised by a few, geologically
in comparison
comparison to modern
modern river discharges. p. 165
165
.

At this location in Glacial
Glacial River
River Warren, two subparallel channels were incised rather
than one main channel:
channel: Lac
Parleand
andWatson
Watson Sag.
Sag. They
Theyare
areseparated
separated by the erosional
Lac qui
qui Pale
residual
is located
located on.
on. According to Kehew and
and Lord,
Lord, (1986)
(1986) erosional
erosional
residua1that the
the town of Watson is
residuals
are
key
to
identifying
floods
that
overwhelmed
existing
drainage
systems.
residuals are
identifying floods that overwhelmed existing drainage systems.
organic horizon
horizon associated
associated with
with the
theboulder
boulder lag.
lag. A
A silty
silty lake
lake sediment
sediment
In places there is an organic
caps the section.
The
organic
horizon
and
lake
sediment
may
represent
Glacial
River
section. The organic horizon and lake sediment may represent Glacial River Warren
overbank deposits
deposits or more recent
overbank
E X PP L AANAT
N A T IION
ON
Holocene deposits. An examination
examination
of the organics
of
organics for pollen
pollen to
to
determine their approximate
determine
approximate age
age
fihallow Channel
before radiocarbon
before
radiocarbon dating was
was
considered
yielded
no
identifiable
considered
yielded
identifiable
9 Erosional
Erosional Residual
Residual
grains.
The bank
The
bank has
has retreated
significantly in recent years and the
DNR-fisheries is planning to riprap
Longitudinal
it to prevent
prevent further
further retreat.
retreat. Their
Groove
concern is that sediment loading of
lake is negatively
the
negatively affecting
affecting fish
fish
Boulder Lag
habitat.
habitat.
Features to see:
Features
see:
• Lake
LakeSuperior
Superioragates,
agates, banded iron
formation, basalt
basalt and red elastic
formation7
clastic
rocks on the beach indicative
indicative of a
northeastern provenance
provenance for the
northeastern
till.
• Joints
Joints in
in till
till with
with narrow zones of
reduced
indicating
reduced
till
indicating water
water
Figure 8. There
Thereare
are two
two basic spillway levels: (1)
(1) the
movement along the joints.
trench-like,
channel; and (2) the
trench-like, low sinuosity, inner channel;
• Boulder lag and associated
associated organic
organic
broad outer zone with: (a) slighity
of
slighlty scoured areas of
honzon.
horizon.
channels; and
anastamosing channels;
and (b)
(b) the
the deeply
deeply scoured
scoured

v

/

displays longitudinal
longitudinal grooves,
zone which displays
grooves7streamlined
erosional residuals
residuals and
and boulder
boulder lags.
lags. From
erosional
From Kehew
Kehew
and Lord (1986).
(1986).

155

�Stop2—Glacial
%Glacial Lake
Lake Benson
Benson sediment
sediment exposed
exposed along the Chippewa River.
Bend City
City
Stop
River. Big Bend
quadrangle, T.
T. 120
120N.-R.
N.-R. 41
41 W-section
W-section 36
36

Glacial Lake
Lake Benson, a moraineGlacial
morainedammed,
2800 sq km, proglacial lake in
dammed, 2800
west-central
Minnesota, formed
formed during
during the
the
west-central Minnesota,
late Wisconsin
Wisconsin retreat
retreat of
of the Des Moines
lobe (Fig. 9). It was the last in a series of
of
retreated
lakes before the Des Moines lobe retreated
north of the divide to form
form Glacial
Glacial Lake
Lake
Agassiz
(Diedrick and
and Rust,
Rust, 1975;
1975;
Agassiz (Diedrick
Patterson, Cotter
Cotter and Knaeble,
Patterson,
Knaeble, 1998;
1998;
Rittenour, Geiger and Cotter,
Cotter, in prep.)
Two-rn-thick exposures
exposures of
of lake
Two-m-thick
lake
sediment
Chippewa River in Swift
sediment along
along the Chippewa
and Chippewa counties
counties show
show as many as
23
23 rhythmically bedded couplets
interpreted as annual
interpreted
annual layers
layers (varves)
(varves)
by Des Moines lobe till. In a
underlain by
series of undergraduate
undergraduate and
and NSF-sponsored
NSF-sponsored
for
REU (Reseach
(Reseach Experience
supervised by Jim
Undergraduates) studies
studies supervised
Cotter of University of Minnesota,
Minnesota, Morris,
Morris, students
students have described
described and counted
counted varves at five
five
sites; 44
4 4 varves were
were correlated
correlated (Rittenour,
(Rittenour, 1994;
1994;1995).
1995).
exposure you will note that in some areas the beds
beds are
are overturned.
overturned. We interpret
interpret this
In this exposure
this
as a result of the lake forming
forming in an area where there was stagnant glacial ice which melted out,
out,
been deposited
deposited in
in a
disrupting some of the beds. The
Theupper,
upper, massive
massive silt and clay may have been
shallower lake that was
was
unfavorable
varve
to
development because the wave
base
base disturbed
disturbed the
the bottom
bottom
sediment.
sediment.
Features to see:
see:
• Difference in grain size of the
winter and summer layers.
• Upward decrease in thickness
of summer layer indicating
lessening sediment load and
aid
retreating glacier.
retreating
glacier.
• Overturned beds.
• Dropstones.
Dropstones.
• Nature of
of contact
contact with
underlying Des Moines lobe
lobe
Figure 9. Approximate
Approximateextent
extent of
of Glacial
Glacial Lake
Lake Benson
till.
till.
(from Rittenour
Rittenour et al.,
al., in
in prep).
prep).

1

156

�Stop 3—Ice-confined
&amp;Ice-confined streams. Montivideo
Montivideo landfill
landfill and nearby pits. Montevideo
Montevideoquadrangle,
quadrangle,
Stop
117 N.-R. 40 W.-section 12; Asbury
W.- section
section 13
13and
and T.
T.
T. 117
Asbury quadrangle,
quadrangle, T.
1. 117 N.-R.
N.-R. 40
40W.117
117 N.- R.
R. 39
39 W.-section
W.-section 33.
33.
These
These three
three pits
pits have
have been
been developed
developed in
in southeast-oriented,
southeast-oriented?discontinuous
discontinuousridges
ridgesthat
thatare
are
generally less
less than
than 77 m high. We
We may
may only
only visit
visit one
one or two of the pits depending
generally
depending on the quality
of the exposures
exposures and time constraints. These
transverse to them form
These ridges
ridges and others oriented transverse
a rectilinear
rectilinear pattern
pattern that
that is
is common
common in
in the
the interior
interiorof
of the
the Des
Des Moines
Moines lobe.
lobe.
Ridges
Ridges parallel to
to ice
ice flow,
flow, and therefore to former ice surface
surface slope,
slope?are
are predominantly
predominantly
composed of sorted
sorted sediments. The
Thetransverse
transverse ridges
ridges are
are composed
composed of sediment
sediment ranging
ranging from
from
diamicton to
to sand
sand and
and gravel.
gravel. Most
Mostof
of the
thesampled
sampledtransverse
transverse ridges
ridges were
were only
only slightly
slightlycoarser
coarser
diamicton
and more
more sorted
sorted than
than the
the underlying
underlying and
and surrounding
surrounding till.
till.
ridges are
result of
The ridges
are intepreted
intepreted to
to be
be a result
the pervasively
pervasively crevassed
crevassed
deposition localized in the
stagnant
stagnant ice of the Des
Des Moines
Moines lobe
lobe (Fig.
(Fig. 10)
10)
(Matsch,
(Matsch, 1972;
1972; Patterson,
Patterson?1997).
1997).
Crevasses oriented
oriented paralled
paralled to
to the
the ice
ice surface
surface
Crevasses
slope were preferentially used by
by supraglacial
supraglacial
streams.
streams. Final melting
melting of the ice
ice walls
walls of
of the
the
streams inverted the
the topography
topography and left sorted
sorted
stream sediment
sediment as a positive
positive element
element in
in the
the
landscape.
landscape.
iceBenson outlets were
were iceGlacial Lake Benson
confined and the pits east and north of the landfill
landfill
are interpreted
as part
part of a late-stage
interpreted as
late-stage outlet of
Glacial Lake
northern pit,
pit, well
well
Glacial
Lake Benson.
Benson. In the northern
sorted sand is unconformably
unconformably overlain by poorly
sorted
sorted pebbly
pebbly sand which
which has an
an indistinct,
indistinct,
conformable contact with
with the
the
overlying diamicton.
This is
is
overlying
diamicton. This
interpretedas
as steady
steady discharge
discharge
interpreted
followedby
by aa larger,
larger?short-lived
followed
short-lived
discharge causing
causing the
the collapse
collapse
discharge
of
of stagnant
stagnantice
ice resulting
resultingin
inflow
flow
of diamicton into the channel.
channel.
Features
Featuresto
to see:
see:
• Climbing
Climbingripples.
ripples.
• Uncollapsed
Uncollapsedbeds
beds indicating
indicating
no ice
ice beneath
beneath the
the stream
stream
when
when the sediments
sediments were
were
deposited.
deposited.

157
157

�Figure 10.
10. Heavily crevassed, postsurge
Bering Glacier,
surge ice surface
surface of the Bering
Glacier,
Alaska. Photograph
reproduced
Photograph reproduced with
with
the
the permission
permission of
of B.
B. Molnia.
Molnia.

158

�Stop4—Glacial
&amp;Glacial Stratigraphy,
Stratigraphy,Upper
UpperSioux
SiouxAgency
Agency State
StatePark,
Park, exposure
exposureon
on the
theyellow
Stop
Yellow Medicine
Medicine
LoneTree
TreeLake
Lakequadrangle,
quadrangle,T.
T. 115
115 N.-R. 38
38 W.-section 30
River. Lone
WARNING
This is an unstable
Be aware
awareof
of the
the position
position of others on the slope. Do not
unstable outcrop. Be
another person
before digging
digging or descending.
descending.
follow another
personup
upaagully.
gully. Look
Lookfor
forpeople
peoplebelow
below you before
Climbing up
up is
is easier
easier than
than getting
getting down.
down. Hardhats
Hardhats are
are recommended.
If you chose not to climb around on this outcrop, samples of the till and
and washed
washed
pebbles from the different
different units will be provided for
for viewing
viewingon
ontop
topof
ofthe
thebluff.
bluff. Do not
step too close
There are
are rotational
rotational slump
slump blocks
blocks waiting to descend; avoid
close to
to the
the edge.
edge. There
becoming colluvium.
colluvium.
Nearly
of glacial
glacial sediment
sediment is
is exposured
exposured along this meader bend of
of the
the Yellow
Yellow
Nearly 100 ft of
Medicine River (Fig. 11). This
This is almost
almost the entire thickness of glacial
glacial sediment at this
this location.
location.
constructed from
from waterwaterCross sections constructed
well data show
show the regolith
regolith surface
surface at
at
approximately
immediate
approximately 930
930 ft
ft in the immediate
just a few feet below the river
area; this is just
bed.
bed.
uppermost unit is a 2-3 m layer
The uppermost
of Des Moines lobe till. It
accessible
It is not accessible
from this outcrop. Please
do
not
Please do not try!
try!
There is aa discontinuous
There
discontinuous boulder
boulder
pavement
pavement at the base of the Des
Des Moines
Moines
lobe till.
till. The boulders are faceted and
and
striated and
and form
form aa planar
planar surface.
surface. The
The
boulder pavement, although not
continuous, is found at this stratigraphic
stratigraphic
position
the
position over
over most
most of
of the interior of the
I/i
,—ih,Des Moines lobe in Minnesota (Wright
(Wright et
et
1973). The
Thefaceting
facetingand
andstriating
striatinghad
had to
todevelop
develop beneath
beneath aa moving
moving glacier
glacier that did
did not,
not,
al., 1973).
however,
however, have the shear stress to move
move the
theboulders
boulders very
very far
farbecause
becauseunderlying
underlying beds
beds are
are generally
generally
not disturbed.
Theboulders
bouldersmay
mayhave
havebeen
been concentrated
concentratedat
at the
the surface
surfacebefore
before the glacier
glacier overrode
overrode
disturbed. The
them by water or periglacial processes.
processes. Alternatively,
some
have
proposed
that
the
Alternatively, some have proposed that the boulder
boulder
concentration
settling through an incompetent
incompetent till matrix
concentrationdeveloped
developedsubglacially,
subglacially, by large
large clasts settling
(Clark, 1991).
1991). The
Theissue
issueisisstill
stillunresolved.
unresolved.
The
exposure of the
The next
next unit
unit is exposed
exposed is
is the
the Granite
Granite Falls
Falls till.
till. This may be an atypical exposure
Granite Falls till; it is siltier than normal and layered
layered with
with sorted
sorted sediment.
sediment. Toward the base
base of
this unit, near
near the
the contact
contact with
with the
the underlying
underlying fine
fine sand,
sand, discrete
discrete lobes of
of diamict
diamict can
can be
be
recognized. These
Thesefeatures
featuresare
areinterpreted
interpretedas
as the
the result
result of
of flow
flow of
of the
the till
till into
into standing
standing water.
water.
This is a very plausible
scenario
given
the
unit
immediately
below
which
has
been
interpreted
plausible scenario given
unit
which has been interpreted
as a lake sediment.
sediment.
is mainly
mainly aa fine
fine sand
sand with
with silt
silt and
and some
some clay.
clay. In
The unit interpreted as lake sediment is
In
places it is finely
finely bedded.
bedded. The
Theextent
extentof
of the
the lake
lake sediment
sediment beyond
beyond this outcrop is not well
159

�Figure 11.
11. Yellow
Yellow Medicine
Medicine River
River exposure
exposure in Upper Sioux
Sioux Agency State Park looking
downriver. Photograph
Photographby
by Star
Star Mulder

known. From
Fromthis
thisexposure
exposureitit appears
appearsto
to be
be aarelatively
relatively deep
deep lake and therefore could have
covered a large
large area.
area.
Beneath the
the lake
lake sediment
sedimentis a thick, gray loamy
Beneath
loamy till.
till. Note the many well-striated Paleozoic
Paleozoic
carbonate clasts.
clasts. The
Thelower
lowertill
tillhas
hasnot
not been
been well
well exposed
exposed here
here but at other cuts along this river
carbonate
there are
are two
two gray tills
tills separated
separatedby aa glacial
glacial stream
stream sediment
sediment at
at this stratigraphic
stratigraphicposition.
Features
Features to
to see:
see:
• Striated,
Striated,bullet-shaped
bullet-shaped clasts
clastsof
of Paleozoic
Paleozoic limestone
limestonefrom
from lower
lower till.
till.
• Path
Path of
of groundwater
groundwater flow through glacial units. Note
Note areas
areas of
of lateral
lateral flow.
flow.
• Contact
of
the
Granite
Falls
till
with
underlying
lake
sediment.
Contact of the Granite Falls till with underlying lake sediment.
• Evidence
Evidence for
for depositional
depositional environment
environmentof
of Granite
GraniteFalls
Falls till.
• Boulder
Boulder pavement
pavement (from
(from aa distance,
distance,please).
please).
160

�Stop5—Inge
5-Inge Kea's
Kea's climbing
climbingripples.
ripples. Iverson
IversonLake
Lakequadrangle,
quadrangle,T.
T. 114
114 N.-R. 37 W.-section 23
Stop
(this stop is out of stratigraphic
stratigraphic order along the field trip route)
located in an
an
This sand pit is located
upper terrace along the Minnesota
Minnesota
The deep
deep channel
channel below us is
River. The
the Glacial
Glacial River
River Warren
Warren
part of the
spillway.
spillway. Glacial outwash
outwash streams
streams
flowed from
from the retreating
retreating Des
Des
flowed
Moines
general area of
Moines lobe
lobe in the general
Glacial
Warren prior
prior to its
Glacial River
River Warren
formation.
formation. This exposure is most
most
likely
likely a remnant of an earlier
earlier outwash
stream.
stream. The
The depositional
depositionalenvironment
environment
is distinctly different
different from the first
stop of the
the day.
day.
Features to see:
Variation in migration
and
migration and
aggradationrates
rates (angle
(angle of climb).
climb).
aggradation

Stop6—Rush
&amp;Rush River
River Wayside; Deformation of
Henderson quadrangle
quadrangle T. 112
Stop
of glacial
glacial sediment.
sediment. Henderson
N.-R. 26W-section 15
The downcutting of this east-flowing
east-flowing
Minnesota River has exposed
exposed
tributary to the Minnesota
glacial units
glacial
units that display
display deformation
deformation
induced
by
the
advance
a
glacier.
induced by the advance a glacier. Mark
Mark
Johnson
Johnson of Gustavus
Gustavus Adolphus College has
directed undergraduates
from his school
directed
undergraduates from
school and
from an NSF-sponsored
NSF-sponsored field program
program in
in
work
work on the details
details of this outcrop
outcrop (Fig.
(Fig. 12).
12).
The lowest
lowest unit is a gray
The
gray loamy
loamy till
till and
it is conformably
conformably overlain by lake sediment,
sediment,
that, judging
judging by the color, formed in front
of the retreating, gray-till-bearing
gray-till-bearing ice lobe.
lobe.
The gray lake sediment
sediment grades into a red
red
layers. This sandy unit records
sand with silt layers.
the
northeast.
the advance
advance of an ice lobe from the northeast.
The next unit is a mixture of the underlying sand
sand with
with aa red
red sandy
sandyloam
loamtill.
till. There is a sharp
contact between this and the final unit exposed,
exposed, a homogenous red sandy till.
Folds: The lower two units are folded into three anticlines
anticlines that span the outcrop.
outcrop.
sand displays
displays a subparallel
subparallel series
series of high-angle
high-angle normal faults.
faults.
Faults: The red sand
Faults:
Fabric: The long axis of prolate pebbles in a till
till are
are commonly
commonly measured
measured and plotted
plotted on
Fabric:
a Rose diagram. Pebbles
Pebblesin
in aa subglacial
subglacialtill
till may be oriented
oriented by the
the shear
shear stress
stress
of the overriding
overriding glacier;
glacier; pebbles
pebbles are
are generally
generally parallel
parallel to
to flow,
flow, with a slight
slight upsuggesting ice flow from
from the
the north-northeast.
north-northeast.
glacier dip. The
The red
red till
till has a fabric suggesting
161

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rn

�Si .5Z
$2 .38
53 .10

SI .4
53 .44

53 .o
Elgen Values

Si .55

51 .5S
52 .38

SZ .31

53 .13

53 .0?

* F,t Ta.,
• zs Mlyi Siiuple T.n

w
0000

OlyL1y
MSfldOnud

RhvwO (rscxit)

DdR.d
Old Grey

Grey

EJ Hs$d LayW

Leysre eI 1*. Sam.nts iiwougl.on

—
S Faà.
Tp-.*

sew

Figure
Figure12.
12.Structural
Structuraldata
datafor
forRush
RushRiver
Riveroutcrop.
outcrop.Unpublished
Unpublishedwork
workofofAmy
AmyMoe,
Moe,Gustavus
Gustavus
Adolphus
AdolphusCollege
Collegestudent,
student,1996.
1996.

162

�Ouestion
structural data consistent with the simple interpretation of proglacial deformation
Is the structural
and eventual overriding
overriding by the advance of the
the red-till-bearing
red-till-bearing ice
ice lobe
lobe from
from the
the north-northeast
north-northeast
(Fig.
(Fig. 13)?
13)?
- p_se. —
-.p
mmmbwlI@ll

.I—_
=--

V
v

-

—_

V
v Vv 1401
wt-mmma

A. Advacing
Advacing glacial
glacial ice with attached frozen
frozen-unfrozen
substrate. Shear
Shear forces
forces along the frozen-unfrozen
boundaryat
boundaryat the base
base of the slab
slab initiate
i ~ t i a t thrustthmste
block movement.
movement.

——

\
•

B. Thrusted
Tbrustedsubglacial
subglacialslabs
slabs are
are deformed
deformed and
attacked
Snout.
attacked at the
the glaciers
glaciers~
snout.

C. Glacial
Glacialice
ice ovemdes
ovenides the
the thrust
thrust slabs,
causing more
more deformation.
deformation.

13. Sequence
Sequenceof
ofproglacial
proglacialdeformation
deformationA
A and
and B
B with
with eventual
eventual overriding by
Figure 13.
advancing glacier
glacier (from
(fromAber,
Aber, 1988).
1988).
the advancing

TERRACES
THE MINNESOTA RIVER NEAR SHAKOPEE,
SHAKOPEE,MINNESOTA
MINNESOTA
TERRACES ALONG THE
Barbara Lusardi
Lusardi
The Minnesota
Minnesota River
River Valley near
near Shakopee is almost
almost 200
200 feet
feet deep
deep and
and over
over 33 miles
miles wide
wide
in places.
highlands on
on either
either side
side of
of the valley
rise to an elevation
places. Till highlands
valley rise
elevation of over 900 feet.
Distinct terraces
terraces step
step down into
into the valley where the undefiit
across
underfit Minnesota River meanders across
a broad alluvial
alluvial plain.
based on
on elevation.
elevation. The
Three terraces are distinguished based
The uppermost
uppermost terrace, terrace 3
(Qft3), is visible just to the
the south
south of
of highway
highway 169
169 between
between Marschall
Marschall Road and Marystown
Marystown
Terrace33 is
is at
at an
an elevation
elevation of about 850 feet-150
Road. Terrace
feet—iSO feet
feet above
abovethe
themodern
modernfloodplain.
floodplain. A
distinct scarp separates the terrace from the till upland to the south, and smaller channel scars
crisscross the surface
"islands" above
terrace
above the level of terrace
crisscross
surface breaking
breaking the
the terrace
terrace up into three small ''islands"
thick over
overbedrock.
bedrock. Data from water
2 (Qft2). Alluvial
Alluvial sediments
sediments of
of terrace
terrace 3 are up to 40 feet thick
well logs indicate that sand and gravel extends
suggests that
extends south beneath
beneath the
the till
till upland.
upland. This suggests
the terrace sediments
outwash deposits
deposits that
that have
have been eroded
eroded to form
form the
the terrace.
terrace.
sediments may
may be
be outwash
follows the middle terrace,
terrace, terrace
terrace 2,
2, at
atan
anelevation
elevationof
ofapproximately
approximately
The new highway 169
169 follows
feet—i 10 feet above the modern
modern floodplain. Numerous
810 feet-1
Numerous shallow
shallow channels crisscross the
terrace surface. Alluvial
Paleozoic bedrock.
bedrock. Just south of
Alluvial sediments
sediments are
are 10-50
10-50 feet thick over Paleozoic
Shakopee, terrace
miles wide.
wide. It narrows to the southwest
southwest and
and eventually
eventually disappears
disappears
Shakopee,
terrace 2 is about 1.5 miles
(Qftl) near
Meniam. Many
Manygravel
gravel pit
pit operations
operations occur
occur within sediments of
against terrace 1 (Qftl)
near Merriam.
terrace 2 and
and into
into the
the bedrock
bedrock below.
below.
163

�_

___

14. Terraces
Terracesof
ofthe
theMinnesota
MinnesotaRiver
River Valley
Valley near Shakopee and Chaska.
Figure 14.

;
\G1ajidepsits

\i
.

' ;7i

/

2

/

I

:/ /
'
Qf

/

(

/

/_

/I

*

wa

f

-., —

.

SCALE 1:62
162500
SCALE
500
2

1/2

1

1

1

~

(sand and gravel and till)

i

..

3/4

—

:
I

.

}/'

1

/
...

_,$7 I'

-

•—

1.1
—

ikt

j

$

r

—

.

L

1

.

/

.

Lower terraces cut into glacial

p- sediments and bedrock

I

..

:

I
1 KILOMmER
KILOMETER

preserved as terraces above the floodplain of the modern
Minnesota River Highest terrace cut into glacial sediments

Z

/

I

0
:

ALLUVIAL TERRACES—Cilacial River Warren sediments

-

/ -..

U

11MILE
MILE

0
5
.5
H -

1

Qft3 Alluvium of Terrace 3—Elevation —850 ft 150 ft (46
m) above present floodplain Silty loam to sandy loam
(fine grained in shallow channels) grading into loamy

shale; increasing percentage of gravel with depth.

Qft2
above present floodplain Loam to sandy loam (fine
grained in shallow channels) 1 2mm coarse sand
than 1 percent
percent shale;
shale increasing
fraction contains less than
percentage of gravel with depth
Qftl Alluvium of Terrace 1—Elevation 750 ft 50 ft (15 m)
above present floodplain Variable thickness of
predominantly medium to coarse
coarse sand.
sand.

1

/

c

I

1

/ GLACIAL DEPOSITS—Sediment deposited by the Des
/ Moines lobe Contains abundant shale fragments

.-

1

PALEOZOIC BEDROCK—Prairie du Chien dolostone and
Jordan Sandstone mapped within 10 feet of surface.

L

This map consists of portions of the Shakopee and Jordan East 7.5-minute
quadrangles that have been modified and reduced in scale Linework and
descriptions are taken from Lusardi (1997) and Lusardi (in prep).

Hennepin

I

Carver

---I)ak ota
Scott

L

-Dig ram
Location Digram

I@
164

�The lowest
lowest terrace
terrace is
is at
at an elevation
elevation of approximately
750 feet—50
feet-50 feet
feet above
above the
the modern
modern
The
approximately 750
floodplain. In
Inmany
manyplaces
places the
the underlying
underlying bedrock is at or near the
Ordovician Prairie
Prairie
floodplain.
the surface.
surface. Ordovician
du Chien dolostone is the principal source for crushed stone. Cambrian
Cambrian Jordan
Jordan Sandstone
Sandstoneisis
exposed
limited areas
just west
exposed in limited
areas near Merriam and Baden. The
The only
only known sandstone
sandstone quarry, just
of Baden,
Baden, is
is now
now abandoned.
abandoned.
On the opposite
terraces are narrow
narrow or
or obscured.
obscured. Just northeast
opposite side of the river, the terraces
northeast of
Chaska, sediments
sediments of terrace
terrace 11 are
are buried by colluvial sediments eroded from
from the
the valley
valley wall.
Chaska,
small remnants
remnants of this
this lowest
lowest terrace
terrace are visible above the floodplain.
Terrace22 is
is present
present
Only small
floodplain. Terrace
114 mile
as a very narrow strip, less than 1/4
mile wide,
wide, between
between Chaska
Chaska and
and Carver.
Carver. Terrace 3 is
is present
present
south of Chaska
dramatically south
south of Carver. Sand
Sandat
at the
the same
same elevation
elevation of
of terrace
terrace
south
Chaska and widens dramatically
3 continues to the south
south in aa band
band almost
almost 2.5
2.5 miles
miles wide
wide along
along the
the river,
river, although
although no
no distinct
distinct
scarp is obvious.
Unlikethe
the other
other terrace
terracesurfaces,
surfaces, this
this area is pitted and channeled,
scarp
obvious. Unlike
channeled, and may be
related to
to an
an earlier
earlier flood
flood event. Similarly,
Similarly,thick
thick sand
sand buried
buried by 50-100
50-100feet
feetof
of glacial
glacialtill
till on
on the
the
related
north side
side of
of the
the valley,
valley, north
north of
of Shakopee,
Shakopee, suggests
suggests that
that the
the river
river valley
valley at
at one
one time
timeextended
extended
north
further
further to the
the north. The
Thesand
sandwas
wascovered
coveredby
by glacial
glacial sediment
sediment during
during the
the last
last glacial
glacial advance
advance
and was never re-excavated
re-excavated by subsequent
subsequent floods.
floods.

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v. 27,
Rittenour,
Geiger, K.L.,
K.L., and Cotter, J.J.F.P.,
prep., Evidence
Evidence for Glacial Lake
Lake Benson,
F.P., ininprep.,
r, T.M., Geiger?
Rittenou
-+
..-I XK:....--..+,.
L. Dn++a..nAwest-central
in
W
~ ~ L - L G I I Minnesota,
~
LVLU ~
U EJ W L ~ ,
w Patterson,
=UUWU,C.
C. J., ed., Contributions to the Quaternary
geology of Minnesota: Minnesota
MinnesotaGeological
Geological Survey
Survey Report of Investigations 49.
d

d

166

,

�Ruddiman, W.F., and Wright,
1, in Ruddiman,
W.F., and
Wright, H.E.,
H.E., Jr., 1987, Introduction, Chap. 1,
Ruddiman, W.F.,
H.E., Jr.,
Jr., eds., North America and the adjacent oceans during the last
Wright, H.E.,
Wright,
TheGeology
Geologyof
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NorthAmerica,
America, volume
volume K-3, Geological
Geological Society
Society of
deglaciation: The
America,
America, p.
p. 1-12.
1-12.
Shackelton, N.J., and
and others,
others, 1984,
1984,Oxygen
Oxygen isotope
isotope calibration
calibrationof
of the
the onset
onset of
of ice-rafting
ice-raftingand
and
Shackelton,
history of glaciation
region: Nature,
glaciation in the North Atlantic region:
Nature, v.
v. 307, p. 216-219.
216-219.
Smith, D.G., and
and Fisher, T.G., 1993,
1993, Glacial Lake Agassiz: The
The northwestern
northwestern outlet
outletand
and
Smith,
paleoflood:
paleoflood: Geology,
Geology,v.
v. 21,
21, p.
p. 9-12.
9-12.
Teller, J.T.,
J.T., 1987, Proglacial lakes and the southern margin of
of the Laurentide
Laurentide Ice Sheet. Ch.
Ch.
3,
in Ruddiman,
Ruddiman,W.F.,
W.F., and Wright, H.E., Jr., eds, North America and the adjacent
adjacent
3, in
oceans
oceans during
during the
the last
last deglaciation:
deglaciation: The
TheGeology
GeologyofofNorth
NorthAmerica,
America,volume
volumeK-3,
K-3,
Geological
GeologicalSociety
Societyof
of America,
America, p.
p. 39-69.
39-69.
Upham,
Upham, Warren, 1883,
1883, The
The Minnesota
Minnesota valley
valley in
in the
the ice
ice age:
age: American
American Association
Association for
forthe
the
Advancement
1.
Advancementof
of Science
ScienceProceedings,
Proceedings,v.v.32,
32,p.p.213-23
213-231.
Upham,
Agassiz: U.S.
Upharn, Warren, 1895,
1895, The Glacial Lake Agassiz:
U.S. Geological
Geological Survey
Survey Monograph
Monograph25,
25,
658 p.
Williams,
Thunell, R.C., Tappa, E., Rio, D., and Raffi, I., 1988,
1988, Chronology
Chronology of
of the
the
Williams, F.F.,
F.F., Thunell,

Pleistocene
Pleistocene oxygen isotope record: 0-1.88
0-1.88 my.
my. B.P.:
B.P.: Paleogeography,
Paleogeography,
Paleoclimatology,
Paleoclimatology, Paleoecology,
Paleoecology, v. 64, no. 3-4, p. 221-240.
Wright,
in Sims,
Sims,P.K.,
P.K., and Morey, G.B.,
Wright, H.E.,
H.E., Jr,
Jr, 1972,
1972,Quaternary
Quaternary history
history of
of Minnesota,
Minnesota, in
eds.,
Geology
of
Minnesota:
A
centennial
volume:
Minnesota
eds., Geology Minnesota: A centennial
MinnesotaGeological
GeologicalSurvey,
Survey,
p.515-547.
p.515-547.
Wright,
Jr. 1990,
1990,Geologic
Geologichistory
history of
of Minnesota
Minnesota rivers:
rivers: Minnesota
Minnesota Geological
GeologicalSurvey
Survey
Wright, H.E.,
H.E., Jr.
Educational
20 p.
EducationalSeries
SeriesNo.
No. 7,
7,20
p.
Wright,
E.J., 1973. Superior
in
Wright, H.E., Jr., Matsch,
Matsch, C.L., and Cushing, E.J.,
Superiorand
and Des
Des Moines
Moines lobes,
lobes, in
Black,
H.B., eds., The Wisconsinan
Black, R.F.,
R.F., Goldthwait,
Goldthwait,R.P.,
R.P., and Whillman, H.B.,
Wisconsinanstage:
stage:
Geological
GeologicalSociety
Societyof
ofAmerica
AmericaMemoir
Memoir136,
136,p.p.153-185.
153-185.

167

i
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Ir
Plate
Plate 1.
1. Preliminary
Preliminarysurficial
surficialgeologic
geologicmap
mapof
of the
theupper
upper Minnesota
Minnesota River
River basin showing
showing stop
locations.
locations.

168

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                    <text>~ake
Institute on Lake
Superior Geology
45th
45th Annual
Annual Meeting
Meeting
Ramada
mi
Ramada IInn
Marquette,
Maquette, Michigan
Michigan
1999
May 4-8,
4-8, 1999
Sponsored
Sponsoredby
Northern
Northern Michigan
Michigan University
and
University
and Michigan
Michigan Technological
Technological University

Proceedings Volume 45:
Program and Abstracts
Robert S. Regis and Theodore J. Bornhorst, editors

�45TH ANNUAL MEETING
INSTITUTE ON LAKE SUPERIOR GEOLOGY

Volume
Volume 45 consists of

Pan
1: Program
Partl:
Programand
andAbstracts
Abstracts
Pan
Part2:
2: Field
FieldTrip
TripGuidebook
Guidebook

Reference to material
material in this
this volume should
should follow
follow the
the example
example below:
Ams,
Arns, D. and Hoim,
Holm, D., 1999,
1999, Characterization
Characterization and timing constraints
constraints of post-Penokean
post-Penokean
meso-scale structures
in
the
Watersmeet
and
Republic
gneiss
domes
structures
domes of northern
northern
Michigan (abst.): Institute
Instituteon
on Lake
Lake Superior
Superior Geology Proceedings, 45th Annual
Meeting, Marquette,
Marquette,MI,
MLv.v.45,
part 1,I, p.
p.2.
2.
45, pan

distributed by
Volume
Volume 45
45 Published
Published and distributed
by
Institute
Institute on Lake
Lake Superior
SuperiorGeology
Geology
Mark Jirsa,
Jirsa, Secretary-Treasurer,
Secretary-Treasurer,I.L.S.G.
I.L.S.G.
Minneosta
Minneosta Geological
Geological Survey
Survey
2642 University
University Avenue
Avenue
St. Paul, MN USA
USA 55114-1057
551 14-1057
(612)-627-4780
(61
2)-627-4780
email: jirsaOOl
jirsaOOl@tc.umn.edu
@tc.umn.edu
ILSG
websitehttp://www.eeo.mtu.edu/ereat
http://www.geo.mtu.edu/great lakes/ilsg/
ILSG website
lakes/Us$

ISSN 1042-9964
1042-9964

All volumes are
are available
available for photocopying costs
All
costs from
Michigan Technological
TechnologicalUniversity
UniversityLibrary
Library Archives

�INSTITUTE ON
LAKE SUPERIOR
GEOLOGY
PROCEEDINGS
Volume 45
AND ABSTRACTS
ABSTRACTS
Part 1:
1 :PROGRAM
PROGRAM
AND
*~

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Editors: Robert S. Regis and Theodore
Theodore J.
J. Bornhorst
Bornhorst
Editors:

�CONTENTS
CONTENTS

PROCEEDINGS VOLUME
VOLUME 45
45
PROCEEDINGS
ABSTRACTS
PART 1
1 -- PROGRAM
PART
PROGRAM AND ABSTRACTS
Editors: Robert S. Regis and Theodore
Theodore J.
J. Bornhorst
Bomhorst
Institutes
Institutes on
on Lake
Lake Superior
SuperiorGeology
Geology to
to 1955-99
1955-99.........................................
Constitution
Constitution of
of the
the Institute
Institute on
on Lake
Lake Superior
Superior Geology
Geology......................................

ii

iii
By-Laws
BY-Lawsof
of the
the Institute
Institute on
on Lake
Lake Superior
Superior Geology
Geology ..........................................................iii

iv
Goldich
Goldich Medal
Medal Guidelines
Guidelines ................................................................................................. iv

Goldich
Goldich Medal
Medal Committee
Committee..................................................................

.................v

Past Goldich
Past
Goldich Medalists
Medalists .........................................................

vi
................vi

1999 Goldich
Goldich Medal
Medal Recipient
1999
Recipient .............................

....................... VIvi
..
vii
............vll

Citation
Citation for
for 1999
1999Goldich
Goldich Medal
Medal Recipient
Recipient .............
Student Paper
Paper Awards
Student
Awards ..................................................................

........

...
Viii
.............vlll

...
Student
Student Paper
Paper Awards
Awards Committee
Committee ...................................................................................~Viff
111
Student Travel
Travel Award
Student
Award .........................................................................................
Student Travel
Travel Award
Student
Award Application
Application Form
Form

............................................................

........ ix
IX.
.

ix
ix

Board of
of Directors
Directors ............................................................................................................... xx
Board
x
Local
Local Committees
Committees ...............................................................................................................x

xi
Banquet
Banquet Speaker
Speaker................................................................................................................. xi

xii
Report of the Chair
Chair of the
the 44th
44th Annual
Annual Institute
Institute ...............................................................xii

Program
Program

xv
............................................................................................................................
xv

Abstracts ....................................................................................................................... 1
Abstracts

�INSTITUTE ON LAKE SUPERIOR GEOLOGY
DATE

PLACE

CHAIRS

4

1955
1956
1957
1958

5

1959

6

1960

7
8

1961

Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis,
Minnesota
Houghton. Michigan
Houghton,
East Lansing,
Lansing, Michigan
Michigan
East
Duluth, Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Madison, Wisconsin
Madison.
Port Arthur,
Arthur. Ontario
Houghton. Michigan
Houghton,
Duluth, Minnesota
Ishpeming, Michigan
Ishpeming,
Michigan
St. Paul, Minnesota
Marie. Michigan
Sault Ste. Marie,
East Lansing. Michigan
Superior. Wisconsin
Superior,
Wisconsin
Oshkosh, Wisconsin
Oshkosh.
Thunder Bay. Ontario
Thunder
Duluth, Minnesota
Duluth.
Houghton. Michigan
Madison, Wisconsin
Madison.
Marie, Ontario
Sault Ste. Marie.
Marquette. Michigan
Paul. Minnesota
St. Paul,
Thunder Bay.
Bay. Ontario
Ontario
Milwaukee. Wisconsin
Milwaukee.
Duluth. Minnesota
Duluth,
Eau Claire. Wisconsin
East Lansing. Michigan
Falls, Minnesota
International Falls.
Houghton. Michigan
Wausau. Wisconsin
Wausau.
Kenora. Ontario
Ontario
Kenora,
Wisconsin Rapids. Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wawa, Ontario
Marquette, Michigan
Marquette.
Duluth, Minnesota
Thunder Bay,
Bay. Ontario
Thunder
Eau Claire.
Claire, Wisconsin
Eau
Hurley, Wisconsin
Eveleth. Minnesota
Eveleth,
Houghton, Michigan
Houghton.
Michigan
Marathon, Ontario
Marathon.
Cable, Wisconsin
Sudbury. Ontario
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Marquette, Michigan

C.E. Dutton
. . .
AK. Snelgrove
A.K.
Snelgrove
B.T. Sandeflir
Sandefur
R.W. Marsden
R.W.
E.N. Cameron &amp;
&amp; R.A. Hoppin
E.N.
E.N. Cameron
E.N.
E.G. Pye
E.G.
A.K. Snelerove
Snelgrove
*,. .
A.K.
H. L
Lepp
H.
~PP
A.T. Broderick
A.T.
P.K. Sims &amp;
&amp; R.K.
R.K. Hogberg
P.K.
R.W. White
R.W.
W.J. Hinze
A.B.
A.B. Dickas
G.L.
G.L. LaBerge
M.W. Bartley
&amp; E. Mercy
Bardey &amp;
D.M. Davidson
D.M.
J. Kafliokoski
Kalliokoski
M.E. Ostrom
Osuom
P.E. Giblin
P.E.
J.D. Hughes
M. Walton
M.M. Kehlenbeck
M.M.
C. Mursky
G.
D.M. Davidson i-'fr '
D.M.
P.E. Myers
P.E.
W.C. Cambray
W.C.
DL. Southwick
D.L.
Southwick
T.J. Bornhorst
T.J.
Bomhorst -' -st
CL. LaBerge
G.L.
LaBerge
CE. Blackburn
C.E.
Blackburn
J.K. Greenberg
J.K.
E.D. Prey
Frey &amp; R.P.
R.P. Sage
E.D.
J. S. Klasner
.J.C. Green
Green
J.C.
M.M. Kehlenbeck
M.M.
P.E. Meyers
P.E.
A.B. Dickas
Dickas
A.B.
DL. Southwick
D.L.
Southwick
T.J. Bornhorst
Bomhorst
M.C. Smyk
M.C.
L.G. Woodruff
L.G.
R.P. Sage &amp; W. Meyer
R.P.Sage&amp;W.Meyer
J.D. Miller
Miller &amp; M.A.
M.A. Jirsa
ursa
J.D.
T.J. Bornhorst
Bomhorst &amp;
&amp; R.S. Regis
Regis

INSTITUTE NUMBER
INSTITUTE
NUMBER
1

2
3

9
10
11

12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19

20
2]
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31

32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39

40
41

42
43
44
45

1962
1963
1964
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1972
1973
1974
1975
1976
1977
1978
1979
1980
1981

t982
1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991

1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999

~--.,

�CONSTITUTION OF
OF INSTITUTE
INSTITUTE ON LAKE SUPERIOR GEOLOGY
CONSTITUTION
Article
Article II

Name
Nams

The
be the
the "Institute
"Institute on
onLake
LakeSuperior
SuperiorGeology".
Geology.
The name of the organization shall be

Article I
IIl
Article

Article IU
III
Article

Objectives
Obiectlves

The objectives
objectives of
of this organization
organization are:
are:
geologists in
in the
the Great
Great Lakes
Lakes region
region may
may exchange
exchange ideas
ideas and
and
A. To provide a means whereby geologists
scientific data.
scientific
data.
B.
Superior region.
B. To promote better understanding
understanding of the geology of the Lake Superior
C.
To plan
plan and conduct
C. To
conduct geological
geological field trips.

Status
Sam?

No part of
to the benefit
benefit of any member or individual.
of the
the income
income of the organization shall insure to
In the event of dissolution the assets of the organization shall be distributed to ______________
tax free organization).
organization).
(some
(some tax
(To avoid Federal and State
State income taxes, the organization should be not only
only "scientific
"scientific" or
also "non-profit".)
"educational, but also
"non-profit".)

..

,2..

Minn. Stat.
Slat. Anno. 290.01, subd.
subd. 44
Minn. Stat.
290.05(9)
S t a Anno.
~
Internal Revenue
1(c)(3)
1954 Internal
RevenueCode
Code5.50
s.501(~)(3)

Article
Article IV
IV

,.

Membership
rasmkmm

The membership of the organization shall consist of persons who have registered for an
an annual
annual
meeting or who have indicated interest in being a member according
according to
to membership
membership guidelines
guidelines
approved by the board
approved
board of directors
directors and have paid any applicable
applicable dues.

Article V

Meetin2s
&amp;!dlws
The organization shall
shall meet
meet once
once aa year,
year, preferably
preferablyduring
duringthe
themonth
monthof
ofApril.
April. The
The place
place and
and
exact
directors.
exact date
date of
of each
each meeting
meeting will be designated by the board of directors.

Article VI
Article
VI

Directors
Directors
The board
and the
the last
last three
three past
board of
of directors
directors shall
shall consist
consist of the
the Chair,
Chair, Secretary-Treasurer,
Secretary-Treasurer, and
Chair;
but if the
by reason
reason of
Chair, but
the board
board should
should at any
any time
time consist
consist of fewer
fewer than five persons,
persons, by
unwillingness or inability of any of the above persons to serve as
as directors,
directo&amp; the
the vacancies
vacakies on
on the
the
board may
board up to five members.
may be
be filled
filled by
by Chair
Chair so as to
10 bring the
the membership of the board

Article VH

Officers
smcsls
The
The officers
officersof this
this organization
organization shall be a Chair and Secretary-Treasurer.
A.
be elected
of directors,
A. The Chair
Chair shall
shallbe
elected each
each year
year by
by the
the board
boardof
directors, who
who shall give due
due
consideration to the wishes of any group
DUUD that
that may
may be
be promoting
promoting the
the next
next annual
annualmeeting.
meetine.
His/her
terminate at
at the cl&amp;c
close of theannual
the annual meeting over which
Hisher term of office
office as Chair
Chair will
$lt&amp;nate
he/she
presides or when hisher
his/her successor shall have
have been
been appointed.
appointed. He/she
hdshe presides
Hdshe will
willthen
thenserve
serve
for
for a period
period of
of three
three years
years as
as aa member
memberof
of the
theboard
boardof
of directors.
directors.
B.
shallbe
beelected
electedby
by aa majority
majority
vote of
of members
B. The Secretary-Treasurer
Secretary-Treasurer shall
members at the
the annual
annual
. . vote
meeting. His/her
of
years or
~ i s / h eterm
term
r
ofoffice
officeshall
shall be
be four
fouryears
or until
until his/her
hisher successor
successorshall
shall have
have been
been
appointed.
appointed.

Article VIII

Amendments

This
may be
be amended
amended by
by aa majority
of those
This constitution
constitution may
majority vote
vote (majority
(majority of
those voting)
voting) of
of the
the
membership
membership of
of the
the organization.
organization.

�BY-LAWS OF
OF INSTITUTE
INSTITUTE ON LAKE
LAKE SUPERIOR
SUPERIOR GEOLOGY
"9..

!!i

!',vp..,.

Duties of the
the Officers and Directors
Directors
I. Duties
A.
It shall be the duty of the
the Annual
Annual Chair
Chair to:
to:
&gt;,
.,,, , .
1 -"-&lt; I.. Preside at the annual meeting.
- ,,
Appoint all committees
committees needed for the organization
organization of the annual meeting.
. . ..,.&amp;;, 2. Appoint
..
3. Assume
and
of the
the annual
*. . !
3.
Assumecomplete
completeresponsibility
responsibility for
for the
the organization
organization
and financing
financine
annual meeting
meetine
- of
over which he/she
h&amp;he presides. B.
It shall be the duty of the
B.
the Secretary-Treasurer
Secretary-Treasurerto:
to:
1.
1. Keep accurate
accurke attendance
attendance records
&amp;cords of all annual meetings.
2. Keep
Keep accurate
accurate records
records of
of all meetings
of, and correspondence
between, the
the board
board of
of
2.
meetings of,
correspondence between,
directors.
directors.
3. Hold all funds that may
may accrue
accrue as
as profits
profits from
from annual
annual meetings
meetings or
or field
field trips
trips and
and to make
3.
these funds available
available for the organization and operation
operation of future
future meetings
meetings as
as required.
required.
C.
It shall be the duty of the board of directors to plan locations
locations of annual meetings and to advise
on the organization
organization and
and financing
financingof
of all
all meetings.
meetings.
8

,,

Expenses
and E
IH.
I. Duties and
xuee

s

-

I. Regular
lesson
1.
Regularmembership
membership dues
dues of $5.00
$5.00 or
or less
on an
an annual
annual basis
basis shall
shall be
be assessed
assessed each member
member
as determined by the board
board of directors.
directors.
2. Registration
Registration fees for the annual meetings shall
shall be
be determined
determined by
by the Chair in consultation with
the board of
The registration
fees can
can include expenses
to cover
the
of directors.
directors. The
registration fees
expenses to
cover operations
operations
outside of
of the annual
outside
annual meeting
meeting as
as determined
determined by the
the board
hoard of
of directors.
directors. It is strongly
strongly
recommendedthat
thatregistration
registrationfees
feesbebekept
keptatat aa minimum
to encourage
attendance of
of
recommended
minimum to
encourage attendance
graduate students.

ILL.
Rulesof
ofOrder
Order
;z F
.lQW
The rules contained in Robert's Rules of Order shall govern this organization in all cases to which

The rules contained in Robert's Rules of Order shall govern this organization in all cases to which
they are
are applicable.
applicable.

LV. Anw&gt;nflnw*nfc
Amendments
N.

.

I
,

These by-laws may be amended by
by aa majority
majority vote
vote (majority
(majority of
of those
those voting)
voting) of
of the
the membership
membership
of the organization; provided
provided that
that such
such modifications shall
shall not
not conflict
conflict with
with the
the constitution as
as
;;-of
adopted
or
subsequently
amended.
5 ~ i i ~ .presently
presently
is
adopted
or
subsequently
amended.
.
. ,
.
..;.

Last Amended
May, 1996
Amended -- May,
1996

.'t

.

�GOLDICH
GOLDICH MEDAL GUIDELINES
GUIDELINES
Preamble
Preamble
Institute on
on Lake
The Institute
Lake Superior
Superior Geology
Geology was
was born
born on
on or
or around
around 1955,
1955, as
as documented
documented by
by the
the fact
fact that
that the
the 27th
27th
The
annual meeting
annual
meeting was
was held
held in
in 1981.
1981. The
TheInstitutes
Institutesare
areexemplary
exemplaryin
intheir
theircontinuing
continuingobjectives
objectivesof
ofdealing
dealingwith
withthose
those
aspects of
aspects
of geology
geology that
that are
are related
related geographically
geographically to
to Lake
~ a k eSuperior;
~ u p e r i oof
ofr ;encouraging
encouraging the
the discussion
discussion of
of subjects
subjects and
and
sponsoring field trips which will bring
surveys, and industry; and of
swnsoring
brine together
together geologists
eeoloeists from academia, government surveys.
maintaining an
an exceedingly
exceedingly informal
but highly effective mode
mode of
of operation.
operation.
maintaining
i n f o d buthighiyeffective
During the course of
of its existence,
existence. the membership
membership of the Institute (that is, those geologists who indicate an interest
colleagues have made
in the objectives of the ILSG by
by attending)
attending) has
has become aware
aware of the fact that certain of their colleagues
made
particularly noteworthy
noteworthy and
of Lake
Lake Superior
and
particulaily
and meritorious
meritorious contributions
contributions to
to the
the understanding
understanding of
Superior fgeology
$eolo&amp;'
and mineral
mineral
deposits.
deposits.

The
toSam
SamGoldich
Goldichin
in 1979
1979for
forhis
hismany
many contributions
contributionsto
to the
the geology
geologyof
ofthe
theregion
region
The first award
award was
was made
made by
by ILSG
ILSG to
extending
below.
extending over about 50
50 years. Subsequent
Subsequentmedalists
medalistsand
and this
this year's
year's recipient are listed in the table below.

Award
Award Guidelines
Guidelines
I) The medal shall
to a geologist whose
whose name
name is
is associated
associated
1)
shall be awarded
awarded annually by the ILSG Board of Directors to
contribution to, the geology of the Lake
Lake Superior region.
with a substantial interest in, and contribution

2) The Board
Committee. The
three
Board of
of Directors
Directors shall
shall appoint
appoint the Goldich Medal Committee.
The initial
initial appointment
appointment will be of three
members,
members, one to serve for three
three years,
years, one for
for two
two years,
years, and
and one
one for
for one
one year.
year. The member with the
the briefest
briefest
incumbency shall be chair of the
firstyear,
year,the
the Board
Boardof
ofDirectors
Directorsshall
shallappoint
appoint
the Nominating Committee. After
Afterthe
the first
at each spring
three years. In his/her
hidher third year
year this member
member shall
shall be
be
spring meeting
meeting one
one new
new member
member who
who will
will serve
serve for
for three
the chair. The Committee
of interest
interest and
and geographic
geographic distribution
distribution of
of ILSG
ILSG
Committee membership
membership should reflect the main fields of
membership.
membership.

3) By
to the
the Chair
Chair of
of the
3)
By the
the end
end of
of November,
November, the
the Goldich
Goldich Medal
Medal Committee
Committee shall
shall make
make its
its recommendation
recommendation to
the
Board of Directors,
Directors, who
who will then inform
inform the Board of the nominee.

4) The
4)
The Board
Board of
ofDirectors
Directorsnormally
normally will
will accept
accept the
thenominee
nominee of
ofthe
theCommittee,
Committee. will
will inform
inform the
themedalist
medalist
immediately, and will have one medal engraved appropriately
appropriately for presentation at the next meeting of the Institute.
5) It is recommended
recommended that
that the
the Institute
Institute set
set aside
aside annually
annually from
from whatever
whatever sources, such funds as will be
be required
required to
to
continuing costs of this award.
support the continuing

Nomination Procedures
Procedures
Nomination
Nominations shall be taken
1) Nominations
taken at
at any
anytime
timeby
bythe
theGoldich
GoldichMedal
MedalCon-imittee.
Committee. Committee
Committeemembers
membersmay
may themselves
themselves
candidates. The
nominate candidates.
The deadline
deadline for
for nominations
nominations is
is November 1.
1.
2) Nominations
Nominations must be in writing and supported by appropriate
appropriate documentation such as letters of recommendation,
recommendation,
publications. curriculum
contributions to Lake
Lake Superior geology and to
to the Institute.
lists of publications,
curriculum vita's, and evidence
evidence of contributions

are not
not restricted
restricted to
to Institute
Institute attendees,
attendees, but are
are open
open to
to anyone
anyone who
who has
has worked
worked on
on and
and contributed
contributed
3) Nominations
Nominations are
to the understanding
understanding of
of Lake
Lake Superior
Superiorgeology.
geology.

iv

�Selection Guidelines
Nominees are to be evaluated
1) Nominees
evaluated on the basis of their contributions
contributions to Lake Superior
Superior geology
geology (sensu lato)
lato) including:
including:
a) importance
importance of relevant
relevant publications;
publications;
b)
b) promotion
promotionof
of discovery
discoveryand
andutilization
utilizationof
ofnatural
natural resources;
resources;
c) contributions
contributions to
to understanding
understandingof
of the
the natural
natural history
history and
and environment
environmentof
of the
the region;
d) generation
generation of new ideas
ideas and concepts;
concepts; and
e) contributions
contributions to
to the
the training
training
and education
educationof
of geoscientists
and the
the public.
nublic.
- and
-geoscientistsand
#
., ...,:,{ m, . P,:~:, ,y 2 :
2)
2) Nominees
Nominees are
are to
tobe
beevaluated
evaluatedon
ontheir
theircontributions
contributionsto
tothe
theInstitute
Instituteas
asdemonstrated
demonstratedby
byattendance
attendanceatatInstitute
Institute
meetings,
meetings, presentation
presentationof
of talks
talksand
andposters,
posters. and
andservice
serviceon
onInstitute
Instituteboards,
boards, committees,
committees,and
andfield
fieldtrips.
trips.

3)
3) The
The relative
relative weights
weights given
given to
to each
each of
of the
theforegoing
foregoing criteria
criteria must
must remain
remain flexible and at the discretion
discretion of
of the
the
Cornniittee
Committee members.
members.

- .

..q .* ?
,'
4)
4) There
There are
are several
several points
points to
to considered
considered by
by the
the Goldich
Goldich Medal Committee:
. "...., * . . .
a)
of the
a) An
An attempt
attempt should
should be
be made
madeto
to maintain
maintain aa balance
balanceof
of medal
medal recipients
recipientsfrom
from each
each'of
thethree
threeestates-industry,
estates-industry,
academia,
academia, and government.
government.
b) It
It must
must be
be noted
noted that
thatindustry
industry geoscientists
geoscientistsare
areat
at aa disadvantage
disadvantagein
in that
that much
much of
of their
their work
work is
is not
not published.
published.
.#

5)
5 )Lake
Lake Superior
Superiorhas
hastwo
twosides,
sides,one
onethe
theU.S.,
US., and
andthe
theother
otherCanada.
Canada. This
Thisisisundoubtedly
undoubtedlyone
one of
ofthe
theInstitute's
Institute's great
great
strengths
strengths and should
should be
be nurtured
nurtured by
by equitable
equitablerecognition
recognition of
of excellence
excellencein
in both
both countries.
countries.
Last
Last Amended
Amended 1997
1997

GOLDICH
GOLDICHMEDAL
MEDAL COMMITTEE
COMMITTEE1998-99
1998-99
John
John Klasner
Klasner

(1999)
(1999)
Western
Western Illinois
IllinoisUniversity,
University, Macomb,
Macomb, Illinois
Illinois

Mark
Smyk
MarkSmyk

(2000)
(2000)
Ontario
Ontario Geological
Geological Survey,
Survey, Thunder
Thunder Bay,
Bay, Ontario
Ontario

Rod Johnson
Johnson

(2001)
(2001)
Rod
Rod Johnson
Johnson and
and Associates,
Associates, Negaunee,
Negaunee, Michigan
~ichi'n

V

*'

k'

*

�,;

:G?L

GOLDICH
GOLDICH MEDALISTS
MEDALISTS ''
1991
991 William
WilliamJ. Hinze
1992
William
F. Cannon
Cannon
992
F.
1993
993 Donald W.
W. Davis
1994
994 Cedric
Cedric Iverson
1995
995 Gene
Gene LaBerge
1996
David
L Southwick
996
L.
Southwick
1997
997 Ronald P. Sage
1998
Zell Peterman
Petennan
998 Zell
1999
Tsu-Ming
Han
999 Tsu-Ming Hun

1979 Samuel S.
£ Goldich
Goldich
1980 not awarded
E. Dutton, Jr.
Jr.
1981 Carl
Carl IL
1982 Ralph W. Ma
Marsden
1983 Burton
1983
Burton Boyum
Boyu
1984 Richard
Richard W.
W Ojakangas
Ojakangas
1985 Paul
Paul K.
1985
K. Sims
Sims
1986
1986 G.B. Morey
1987 Henry H. Halls
1988 Walter
£ White
Walter S.
White
1989
JormaKalliokoski
Kalliokoski
1989 Jonna
1990
1990 Kenneth C. Card
Card
''

1999
19999 Goldich Medal Recipient -..

Tsu-Ming Han

vi

!:-

�-

I
I

:

,.. . . ,.

Citation
Citation
Tsu-Ming HHan
an

1999
Recipient
9 Goldich Medal Recipien
The 1999
1999 c3oldich
Goldich Medal recipient epitomizes the characteristics
characteristics required to receive
receive
this unique and prestigious
award. He
life to
to solving nature's
nature's
this
prestigious award.
He has
has devoted
devoted his professional
professional life
myriad challenges
challenges in
in the field
myriad
field of
of geology
geology and
and sharing
sharing his
his findings
findings with
with colleagues
colleagues both
both
verbally and through published and unpublished
unpublished mineral
mineral papers.

r

He
born during
the 1920's
of China.
China. His
He was
was born
during the
1920's in
in the
the Hunan
Hunan Province
Province of
His family
familystressed
stressed
the importance
importance of
of education.
education. He
the
He pursued
pursued his
his education
education during
during a series
series of
of difficult
difficult periods
periods
that included
being kidnapped
kidnapped and
and held
held by
by bandits,
pursued by
by Japanese
Japanese forces,
forces, and
and the
that
included being
bandits, pursued
imposition of
of Nationalist
Nationalist control
control followed
followed by
by the
the cultural
cultural upheaval
upheaval caused
caused by
by the
the ascendancy
ascendancy
imposition
of the Communists
from Northwest
Northwest University in Sian
of
Communists after
after World War
War II.
U. After graduating from
Province in
in 1945
Province
1945 and a brief stint
stint with
with the
the Bureau
Bureau of
of Mineral
Mineral Exploration, he immigrated
immigrated to
to
the U.S.
the
U.S. in
in 1947
1947 to
tocomplete
complete graduate
graduate work
work at
at the
the University
University of
of Cincinnati
Cincinnati and
and the
the
University of Minnesota.
Minnesota. His
Drs. Goldich,
His mentors
mentors at the University of Minnesota included Drs.
Gruner,
and
Schwartz.
Gmner,
Schwartz.
;,

,. ,,,

After summer employment with Clevcland-Cliffs
in 1952,
After
Cleveland-Cliffs in
1952, he
he accepted
accepted permanent
permanent
employment at
at the
the Ishpeming
Ishpeming Research
Researchfacility.
facility. Soon
Soon after,
after, he
he met
met and
and married
married Joy.
Joy. They
They
employment
have
have
advanced
have three
three children
children who
who,,
have also
alsobenefited
beqegted,professionally
professionally by
b yachieving
.achiev&amp;g
*-*
advanced
.,.~
, ,.
educational
educational degrees.
degrees.
,

t

He has published numerous articles on the genesis of iron formations with emphasis
on textural
textural relations
relations during
duringdiagenesis
diagenesisand
and metamorphism.
metamorphism.

What is not generally known
known is that he is an expert on all facets of the beneficiation
and pelletizing
pelletizing process
process that
that has
has dominated
dominated the
the North
North American
Americaniron
ironore
ore industry
industry for
for half
half aa
and
His studies have assisted
in the pelletizing process to
century.
century. His
assisted in continual
continual improvement
improvement in
industry competitive.
keep the industry
competitive.

He
in several
He has
has aa special
special interest
interest in
in the
the preserved
preserved algae
algae present
present in
several areas
areas of
of the
the
Negaunee Iron-formation
Iron-formation at
at the
the Empire
Empire Mine
Mine and
and has
has published his
his findings.
findings.
It should be noted
noted that he delivered
delivered a paper at the first Institute
Institute meeting in 1955
1955 and
and
continues
his
scientific
inquiry
as
evidenced
by
his
current
presentation
at
the
Institute.
continues his scientific inquiry
evidenced by
current presentation
the Institute.
his formal
formal retirement
retirement in
in 1992 is
is that
that he
he now
now wears
Indeed, the only change noticeable since his
tennis shoes
shoes to the office.
office.

It is my pleasure to
to introduce
introduce to the Institute
Institute the
the 1999
1999 recipient
recipient of the
the Goldich
Goldich Medal,
Medal,
friend and our
my friend
our colleague,
colleague, Tsu-Ming
Tsu-Ming Han.
Han.

Tom Wagonner

vii

�STUI)ENT
STUDENT PAPER
PAPER AWARDS
AWARDS
Each year, the Institute selects the best of the
and honors presenters
presenters with
with aa monetary award.
Each
the student
student presentations and
Funding for
for the
Funding
the award
award is
is generated
generated from
from registrations
registrations of
of the
the annual
annual meeting.
meeting. The
The Student
Student Paper
Paper Committee
Committee isis
appointed by
appointed
by the
the annual
annual meeting
meeting Chair
Chair in
in such
such aa manner
manner as
as to
to represent
represent aa broad
broad range
range of
of professional
professionaland
andgeologic
geologic
expertise. Criteria
expertise.
Criteria for
for best
best student
student paper-last
paper-last modified
modified by the
the Board in 1997-follow:
1997-follow:
1) The
The contribution
contribution must
1)
must be
be demonstrably
demonstrablythe
the work
work of
of the
thestudent.
student,

2) The
The student
student must present the contribution
2)
contribution in-person.

3) The Student
shall decide
decide how
how many
many awards
awardsto
to grant,
grant, and
and whether
whether or
or not
not to give separate
3)
Student Paper Committee shall
separate
awards
awards for
for poster
poster vs.
vs. oral
oral presentations.
presentations.

4) In
will be
be made
made to
to the
the senior author,
author, or
or the
the award will be
4)
In cases
cases of
of multiple
multiple student
student authors, the award will
be shared
shared
equally
equally by all authors
authors of
of the
the contribution.
contribution.

5) The
but
The total
total amount
amount of
of the
the awards
awards isisleft
lefttotothe
thediscretion
discretionof
ofthe
themeeting
meetingChair
Chairand
andSecretary-Treasurer,
Secretary-Treasurer, but
typically is in the amount of about $300
$300 US.

6) The
maintains, and
and will
will supply
supply to
to the
6)
The Secretary-Treasurer
Secretary-Treasurer maintains,
the Conmiittee.
Committee, aa form
form for
for the
the numerical
numerical ranking
ranking of
of
presentations. This form
form was
was created and modified
modified by Student
Student Paper
Paper Committees
Committees over several years in
in an
an effort
effort to
to
reduce the
the difficulties that
that may
may arise
arise from selection by
by raters
raters of
of diverse background.
background. The
The me
"Se of
of the
the form
form is not
reduce
required, but
but is
is left
left to
to the
the discretion
discretion of
of the
the Committee.
Committee.
7) The
7)
The names
names of
of award
award recipients
recipients shall
shall be
be included
included as
a s part
part of
of the
the annual
annual Chair's
Chair's report that
that appears
appears in
in the
the next
next
volume
volume of
of the
the Institute.
Institute.

STUDENT PAPER
PAPER COMMITTEE
COMMITTEE
1999 STUDENT
.~
..

~,,.

Allan Blaske, STS
STS Consultants,
Consultants, LTD.
LTD,Lansing,
Lansing, MI
MI

Woodruff, U.S.
Laurel Woodruff,
U.S.Geological
Geological Survey,
Survey, St. Paul, MN

vii

.
'

.
B;

..
, . .. . , . .
.:

,,

..

�I

1

STUT)ENT TRAVEL
TRAVEL AWARD
STUDENT
AWARD
The
Travel Award
Award to
to support
student participation
participation at
at the
the
The 1986
1986Board
Board of
of Directors
Directorsestablished
established the
the LL.S.G.
I.L.S.G. Student
Student Travel
support student
annual
find set
annual Institutes.
Institutes. The
The awards
awardswill
will be
be made
made from
from aa special
special fund
set up
up for
for this
this purpose.
purpose. This
Thisaward
awardisisintended
intendedtoto
help
help defray
defray some
some of
of the
the direct
direct travel
travel costs
costs to
to the
the Institute
Institute and
and includes
includes aa waiver
waiver of
of registration
registration fees,
fees, but
but excludes
excludes
expenses
and field
field trip
trip registration.
registration. The
and value
by the
the
expenses for
for meals,
meals, lodging,
lodging, and
The number
number of
of awards
awards and
value are
are determined
determined by
annual
annual Chairman
Chairman in
in consultation
consultationwith
with the
the Secretary-Treasurer
Secretary-Treasurerand
and will
will be
be announced
announcedat
at the
the annual
annualbanquet.
banquet.
The
beconsidered
consideredby
bythe
theannual
annualChairman,
Chairman,who
whoisisresponsible
responsiblefor
forthe
theselection:
selection:
Thefollowing
followinggeneral
generalcriteria
criteriawill
willbe
1)
1)

The
or graduate)
graduate) student
student status
status at
at the
the time
time of
of the
the
The applicants
applicants must
must have
have active
active resident
resident (undergraduate
(undergraduate or
Institute,
Institute, certified
certified by
by the
the department
department head.
head.

who are
are the
the senior
author on
on either
either an
an oral
2)
Students who
senior author
oral or
or poster
poster paper
paper will
will be
be given
given favored
favored
2 ) Students
consideration.
consideration.
3)
is desirable
desirablefor
fortwo
two or
or more
more students
students tojointly
to jointly request
requesttravel
travel assistance.
assistance.
3) ItIt is

In general,
general,priority
priority will
will be
be given
given to
to those
thosein
in the
the Institute
Institute region
region who
who are
are farthest
farthest away.
4)
4) In

with an
an explanation
of
5)
Each travel
travel award
award request
request shall
shall be
be made
made in
in writing,
writing, to
to the
the annual
annual Chairman,
Chairman, with
explanation of
5 ) Each
need,
need, possible
possibleauthor
authorstatus
statusor
orother
othersignificant
significantdetails.
details.
Successful
Successfulapplicants
applicantswill
willreceive
receivetheir
theirawards
awardsat
atthe
thetime
timeof
of registration
registration for
forthe
the Meeting.
Meeting.
INSTtTUTh ON
SUPERIOR GEOLOGY
ONLAKE
-SUPERIOR
GEOLOGY
Student
A want Application
Student Travel
TravetAwardAppUcdon
Please
Pleaseprint:
print:

Student
Student Name:
Name: _______________________________

Date:
Date: _______________

Address:
Address: _______________________________________________________
:.

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1certifythat
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personisIsan
anactive
activeresident
residentstudent.
student.

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DepartmentHead
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Signature

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Educational
Educational Status:
Status:___________________
Are
an oral
reyou
you the
theSenior
Senior Author
Author of
ofan
oral or
orposter
poster paper?
paper? Yes
Yes
Will
Willany
anyother
otherstudents
studentswill
willbe
betraveliag
(revelingwith
withyou?
you?

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No-_____

How
Howmany?
many?

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(If:(Ifyou
statementofofNeed:
~eed
youneed
needmole
moreloom,
room,please
pleaseuse
usethe
theback
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ofthe
thepage.)
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Other
OtherSignificant
SignificantDetails:
Details:

Please
Please return
returnto:
to:

ix

:

�BOARD
BOARD OF
OF DIRECTORS
DIRECTORS
fheodoreJ.
J. Bornhorst,
Bornhorst, Chair
Chair(2002)
(2002)
Theodore

Michigan
MichiganTechnological
TechnologicalUniversity,
University,Houghton,
Houghton,Michigan
Michigan

James
JamesD.
D.Miller
Miller(2001)
(2001)
Minnesota
Minnesota Geological
GeologicalSurvey,
Survey,St.
St.Paul,
Paul,Minnesota
Minnesota

Ronald
RonaldP.
P.Sage
Sage(2000)
(2000)
Ontario
OntarioGeological
GeologicalSurvey,
Survey,Sudbury,
Sudbury,Ontario
Ontario

&lt;.

Laurel
LaurelG.
G. Woodruff
Woodruff(1999)
(1999)
U.S.
US. Geological
GeologicalSurvey,
Survey,Mounds
MoundsView,
View,Minneapolis
Minneapolis

Mark
MarkA.
A.Jirsa
J i m(2000)
(2000)Institute
InstituteSecretary-Treasurer
Secretary-Treasurer
Minnesota
MinnesotaGeological
GeologicalSurvey,
Survey,St.
St.Paul,
Paul,Minnesota
Minnesota

LOCAL
LOCAL COMMITTEES
COMMITTEES
GENERAL Co-CHAIRS
Robert
RobertS.S.Regis
Regis
Department
Northern Michigan
Departmentof
ofGeography/Earth
Gwgraphy/EarthScience,
Science,Northern
MichiganUniversity,
University, Marquette,
Marquette,Michigan
Michigan49855
49855

Theodore
TheodoreJ.
J. Bornhorst
Bornhorst
Department
Department of
of Geological
GeologicalEngineering
Engineeringand
andSciences,
Sciences,Michigan
MichiganTechnological
TechnologicalUniversity,
University.Houghton,
Houghton,
Michigan
Michigan 49931
49931
PROGRAM
AND
EDITORS
PROGRAM
AND ABSTRACTS EDITORS

,*

.

Robert
RobertS.
S.Regis
Regis
Department
Departmentof
ofGeography/Earth
Geography/EarthScience,
Science,Northern
Northern Michigan
MichiganUniversity,
University, Marquette,
Marquette,Michigan
Michigan 49855
49855

Theodore
TheodoreJ.
J. Bornhorst
Bornhorst
Department of
of Geological
GeologicalEngineering
Engineering and
andSciences,
Sciences,Michigan
MichiganTechnological
TechnologicalUniversity.
University, Houghton,
Houghton,
Michigan
Michigan 49931
49931
FIELD TRIP GUIDEBOOK EDITOR

Theodore
Theodore J.
J. Bornhorst
Bornhocst
Department of
of Geological
Geological Engineering
Engineering and
andSciences,
Sciences,Michigan
MichiganTechnological
TechnologicalUniversity,
University,Houghton,
Houghton,
Michigan 49931
49931

x

�SESSION
CHAiRS
SESSION
CHAIKS

Dave
DaveBaxter,
Baxter,PayDay
PayDayResources,
Resources,Lansing,
Lansing,MI
MI

Shawn
Shawn Carison,
Carlson, Ashton
AshtonMining,
Mining,North
North Vancouver,
Vancouver,BC,
BC, Canada
Canada
Ron
Ron Graber,
Graber, Cliffs
CliffsMining
Mining Services
ServicesCompany,
Company, Ishpeming,
Ishpeming, MI
MI

John
John Green,
Green,University
Universityof
of Minnesota,
Minnesota, Duluth,
Duluth, MN
MN
Rod
Rod Johnson,
Johnson, Rod
RodJohnson
Johnson&amp;
&amp;Associates,
Associates,Inc.,
Inc.,Negaunee,
Negaunee, MI
MI

Gene
Gene Laberge,
Laberge, University
Universityof
of Wisconsin,
Wisconsin,Oshkosh,
Oshkosh, WI
WI

Jim
Jim Small,
Small, Edward
Edward Kraemer
Kraemer &amp;
&amp;Sons,
Sons, Burnsville,
Burnsville, MI
MI
Tom
Tom Waggoner,
Waggoner, retired
retired Cliffs
CliffsMining
MiningServices
ServicesCompany,
Company,Ishpeming,
Ishpeming, MI
MI
"

a,

1999
999 BANQUET
BANQUET SPEAKER
SPEAKER

'

Nelson R.
R. Ham
Ham
Department
Department of Geology
Geology
St.
Norbert
College
St.
College
De
De Pere,
Pere, Wisconsin
Wisconsin

,

.

.

,

Ice-Flow Dynamics and Landform
Landform Development
Development
Along the Southern
Southern Margin
Margin of
of the
the Laurentide
LaurentideIce
Ice Sheet
Sheet

xi

,

�REPORT
REPORTON
ONTHE
THE44th
44thANNUAL
ANNUAL MEETING
MEETINGOF
OFTHE
THE
INSTITUTE
INSTITUTEON
ONLAKE
LAKESUPERIOR
SUPERIORGEOLOGY
GEOLOGY
MINNEAPOLIS,
MINNEAPOLIS,MINNESOTA
MINNESOTA
The
The44th
44thAnnual
AnnualMeeting
Meetingof
ofthe
theInstitute
Instituteon
onLake
LakeSuperior
SuperiorGeology
Geologywas
washeld
heldinin
Minneapolis,
Minneapolis,Minnesota
Minnesotaon
on May
May 6-10,
6-10, 1998.
1998. The
Themeeting
meeting was
was sponsored
sponsored by
by the
the Minnesota
Minnesota
Geological
GeologicalSurvey
Surveyand
andwas
washeld
held at
atthe
the Holiday
Holiday Inn
Inn on
on the
the West
West Bank
Bank of
of the
the University
University of
of
Minnesota
Minnesotacampus.
campus.
Proceedings
Volume44
44of
ofthe
themeeting
meetingwas
waspublished
publishedinintwo
twoparts:
parts:
ProceedingsVolume

Pan
Abstracts
Part1:1:Program
Programand
and
Abstracts(including
(includingextended
extendedabstracts
abstractsofofthe
thespecial
specialoverview
overview session)
session)

Part
Part2:2:Field
FieldTrip
TripGuidebook
Guidebook
1—Early
1-Early Proterozoic
Proterozoicintrusive
intrusiverocks
rocksof
of east-central
east-centralMinnesota
Minnesota
2—Geology
2-Geology of
of the
the southeastern
southeasternportion
portionofofthe
theMidcontinent
MidcontinentRift
RiftSystem.
System,eastern
eastern
Minnesota
Minnesotaand
andwestern
westernWisconsin
Wisconsin
3—Glacial
ofthe
theTwin
TwinCities
Cities area
area
3Ã‘Glacia exotica
exoticaof
4—Stratigraphy
hydrogeology of
M t r a t i g r a p h y and
andhydrogeology
of the
the Paleozoic
Paleozoic rocks
rocks of
of southeastern
southeastern Minnesota
Minnesota
5—Minnesota
River
Valley
and
vicinity,
southwestern
Minnesota
(Precambrian and
5-Minnesota River Valley and vicinity, southwestern Minnesota (Precambrian
and
Quaternary
Quaternarygeology)
geology)
By
By most
most measures,
measures,the
themeeting
meetingwas
wasaagreat
great success.
success. We
Wesaw
sawaaconsiderable
considerablejump
jumpinin
attendance
attendancethis
thisyear
yearto
to200
200participants,
participants.compared
comparedwith
withrecent
recentaverage
averageattendance
attendanceon
onthe
the
order
of
125.
Fifty-six
participants
were
first-time
attendees
to
the
ISLG;
split
about
order of 125. Fifty-six participants were first-time attendees to the ISLG. split aboutequally
equally
between
betweenstudents
studentsand
andrelated
relatedfields
fieldspeople—that
people-that is.
is, those
those involved
involved in
in Quaternary,
Quaternary, Paleozoic,
Paleozoic,
environmental,
are not
not traditional
traditional topics
topics of the
the Institute.
Institute. We
We
environmental,and
andengineering
engineeringgeology
geology that
that are
attribute
attributesome
someof
of this
thisincrease
increasesimply
simplyto
to the
the metropolitan
metropolitan location
location of the
the meeting
meeting and
and our
our
fairly
fairly aggressive
aggressiveappeal
appealto
to the
thelocal
localgeoscience
geosciencecommunity.
community. To
Toattract
attractlocal
localand
andmore
more
broadly
broadlybased
basedinterest,
interest,we
webroke
brokesomewhat
somewhatwith
withtradition
traditionby
byconducting
conductingaaspecial
specialhalf-day
half-day
session
region. To
session overviewing
overviewingthe geology of the Lake Superior region.
Tomake
makethe
themeeting
meetingeven
even
more
moreattractive
attractiveto
tonew-comers,
new-comers,we
weoffered
offeredaafirst-day-only
first-day-onlyregistration
registrationatataareduced
reducedrate
ratefor
for
those
thoseinterested
interestedin
inattending
attendingjust
justthe
thespecial
specialoverview
overviewsession;
session;however,
however,few
fewtook
tookadvantage
advantage
of
of the
the offer.
offer.
The
talksthat
thatoutlined
outlinedcurrent
currentideas
ideasand
and
The special
specialoverview
overviewsession
sessionconsisted
consistedof
ofsix
six30
30minute
minutetalks
new
new research
researchdirections
directionson
onthe
themain
maingeologic
geologicprovinces
provincesof
of the
theLake
LakeSuperior
Superiorregion.
region.
Presentations
(Archean),Dick
DickOjakangas
Ojakangas(Early
(EarlyProterozoic),
Proterozoic),Bill
Bill
Presentationswere
weregiven
givenby
by Ken
KenCard
Card(Archean),
Cannon
Cannon(Middle
(MiddleProterozoic),
Proterozoic),Tony
TonyRunkel
Runkel(Paleozoic),
(Paleozoic),Carrie
CamePatterson
Patterson(Quaternary),
(Quaternary),and
and
Dave
talkswere
werewell
wellpresented
presented
Dave Southwick
Southwick(New
(Newdirections
directionsin
in Lake
Lake Superior
Superior geology). The
Thetalks
and
and well
well received;
received; comments
commentsfrom
fromthe
the participants
participants were overwhelmingly
overwhelmingly favorable. The
The
general
23oral
oralpresentations
presentationscovering
coveringnot
not only
only the
the typical
typical fare
fareof
of
general sessions
sessionsincluded
included23
Precambrian
to groundwater.
groundwater. In
Inaddition,
addition,24
24
Precambriantopics,
topics,but
but also
alsoincluded
included several
severaltalks
talks related
related to
poster
of the
the meeting.
meeting. The
poster presentation
presentation were
were on
on display
display during
during the course of
Thebanquet
banquet speaker
speaker
was
was Dr.
Dr. Bevan
Bevan French
Frenchof
ofthe
theSmithsonian
SmithsonianInstitution,
Institution,who
whogave
gavean
anexcellent
excellenttalk
talkon
onthe
therole
role
of
of meteorite
meteoriteimpacts
impactson
on the
the geologic
geologic history
history of earth
earth and other planets. At
At the
thebanquet,
banquet,Zell
Zell
Peterman
Petennan of
of the
theUSGS
USGSwas
wasawarded
awardedthe
theGoldich
GoldichMedal
Medalfor
forhis
his important
importantgeochronologic
geochronologicand
and

xii

�geologic studies
studies of
of Precambrian
Precambrian geology
geology in
in the
the Lake
LakeSuperior
Superiorregion.
region. Another
Another highlight
highlight of
of
geologic
the meeting for 40
40 participants
participants was
was aa night
night of
of baseball
baseball at
at the
the Metrodome.
Metrodome.
This meeting
excursions that covered a
meeting also
also broke
broke the
the mold
mold a bit by offering five field excursions
similarly wide breadth
similarly
breadth of geology
gwlogy as
as was
was presented in the
the special
special overview
overview session.
session.
Although
the emphasis
highlighting the Paleozoic
Although-the
emphasis remained
remained with Precambrian geology, trips highlighting
and Quaternary geology of central and southern Minnesota
Minnesota were
were also
also included.
included. Three
Threeprepremeeting
the Early
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic gwlogy
geology of
meeting field
field trips
trips were
were run
run on
on Wednesday,
Wednesday,May
May 6th;
6th. 1) the
east-central Minnesota
Minnesota led by Terry Boerboom, Mark Jirsa, and Daniel Holm (26
participants);
Wirth, Bill
participants); 2) the Keweenawan geology of the Taylor's Falls area led by Karl Wirth,
Cordua,
Cordua, Bill Kean,
Kean, Mike
Mike Middleton,
Middleton, and Zach Naiman
Nairnan (46
(46 participants); and 3) Glacial
exotica
exotica of the
the Twin
Twin Cites
Citesarea
area led
led by
by Howard
Howard Hobbs,
Hobbs, Alan
Alan Knaeble
Knaebleand
and Gary
GaryMeyer
Meyer(21
(21
participants). Two
the Paleozoic
Paleozoic stratigraphy,
stratigraphy,
Twopost-meeting
post-meetingtrips
trips included
included aa one-day trip on the
sedimentology,
sedimentology,and hydrogeology
hydrogeology of southeastern
southeastern Minnesota led by Tony Runkel and Bob
Tipping
Tipping (11
(1 1 participants), and a two-day excursion investigating the Quaternary and Archean
geology of the Minnesota
Minnesota River Valley led by Carrie Patterson and David Southwick (33
participants).
participants).
The meeting was also
is to
to at least
also a financial success; that is, if your measure of success is
break even (which has been the traditionally held
held view).
view). We actually turned
turned aa small
small profit
profit of
of
several hundred dollars.
dollars. Although
Althoughregistration
registrationwas
wasmore
morecostly
costlythan
than we
we had
had hoped,
hoped, the
thecost
cost
was unavoidable
unavoidable given the metropolitan
metropolitan location. Part
Partof
of the
theregistration
registrationwe
we all
all pay
pay is
is
applied to encouraging
Institute by
by granting
granting awards
awards for
for student
student
encouraging student
student participation in the Institute
travel and best student
student papers. Eight
Eighttravel
travelawards
awardstotaling
totaling$750,
$750, and
and two
two best
best paper
paperawards
awards
of $150 each were granted.
granted. Best
Bestpaper
paperawards
awardswent
went to
to Kathleen
Kathleen Abbott
Abbott (Macalester
(MacalesterCollege)
College)
for her undergraduate
undergraduate work
work on
on geochemistry
geochemistryand
and petrography
petrography of
of Keweenawan
Keweenawan Chengwatana
Chengwatana
volcanic rocks of Minnesota
and
Wisconsin,
and
to
Dean
Peterson
(University of MinnesotaMinnesota
Duluth)
Duluth) for
for his
his graduate
graduate presentation
presentationon
on (3IS-based
GIs-based mineral potential analyses
analyses of Archean
Archean
rocks in Minnesota. Congratulations
Congratulationsto
to you
you both!
both!.
The Institute's
Institute's Board
Board of Directors
Directors met on May 7th,
7th. and the following is generalized from
minutes of that meeting:
1. Accepted
Acceptedthe
the Report
Report of
of the
the Chair
Chair 43rd
43rd ILSG
ILSG
2. Accepted
Acceptedthe
the1997-1998
1997-1998JLSG
ILSG Financial
Financial Report.
Report.
3. Approved
ro rovedZell
ZellE.
E.Peterman
Petermanas
as1998
1998Goldich
Goldich Medal
Medal recipient.
recipient.
4. Modified
4.
Modifiedthe
thelanguage
languagefor
forGoldich
GoldichAwards
Awards regarding
regarding dates
dates for
for receipt
receipt of nominations
nominations
(now November 1)
1) and final decision (now the end of November).
5. Approved
Approvedthe
theend-of-term
end-of-termreplacement
replacement of
of Dan
Dan England
England (Eveleth Fee Office)
Office) as
committee member
member hy
y Rodney
Goldich Medal committee
RodneyJohnson
Johnson (Trans
(Trans Superior
Superior Resources).
Rod begins a 3-year term in Novemuer
Novemner of 1998.
1998.
title to
to "Eisenbrey
"EisenbreyStudent
StudentTravel
TravelAwards".
Awards'. This
6. Changed
Changedthe
the student
student travel award's title
satisfies a request from
satisfies
from individual
individual and corporate
corporate contributors
contributors to the 1996
1996 meeting
meeting that
that
such a fund be established
in
honor
of
Ned
Eisenbrey,
and
permits
the
use
of &amp;
l
established
=senbrey,
investment income
income for
for encouraging
encouraging student
student participation
participation in the Institute.
ILSG meeting.
meeting. Co-chairs will
7. Approved
Approvedthe
the host
host location—Marquette—for
location-Marquette~for the 1999 ILSG
will
Bomhorst (Michigan
Bob Regis
Regis (Northern
be Ted Bomhorst
(Michigan Technological University) and Bob
Michigan University).
University).

xiii

xiii

�8.8.Discussed
Discusseda apotential
potentialY2K
Y2Kmeeting
meetinglocation—Thunder
location-Thunder Bay
Bayororother
otheraccess
accesspoint
pointtoto
the
theAtikoken
Atikokenarea.
area.
9.
9.Discussed
Discusseda apotential
potential2001
2001meeting
meetinglocation—Sault
1ocationÃ‘SaulSte.
Ste.Marie,
Marie,MI.
MI.
10.
the
10. Other
Otherbusiness—contact
busines-ontact
thesecretary-treasurer
secretary-treasurerfor
fordetails
details
We
Wehope
hopethat
thatwith
withthe
thesuccess
successof
ofthe
the1998
1998meeting,
meeting, the
the ILSO
ILSGtook
took an
an important
important step
steptoward
toward
achieving
achievingthe
thegoal
goalof
ofexpanding
expandingits
itsreach,
reach,both
both in
in terms
termsof
of the
the range
range of
of geological
geological topics
topics and
and
the
thebackground
backgroundof
of participants.
participants. While
Whilewe
wemay
maynot
notbe
beable
ableto
torepeat
repeat the
the attendance
attendancesuccess
success of
of
this
thismeeting
meetingas
aswe
wemove
moveto
tothe
themore
moretypically
typicallyremote
remoteconference
conferencesites,
sites, future
futureorganizers
organizersand
and
those
thoseof
ofus
uswho
whoare
arelong-time
long-timeparticipants
participantsmust
mustdo
doall
allwe
we can
can to
to actively
actively promote
promote the
the ]LSG
ILSG
to
the
broadest
possible
audience.
If
we
had
to
pinpoint
one
reason
for
the
success
to the broadest possible audience. If we had to pinpoint one reason for the successofofthe
the
1998
1998 meeting,
meeting, itit would
would be
be our
ourrelentless
relentlesspromotion
promotionof
ofthe
themeeting
meetingto
tolocal
localgeoscience
geoscience
organizations,
organizations,colleges,
colleges,and
andindividuals.
individuals.For
Forour
ourpart,
part,we
wewill
willencourage
encourageTwin
TwinCities
Cities
geoscientists
geoscientiststo
tocontinue
continuetheir
theirinvolvement,
involvement,now
nowthat
thatthey
they have
have been
been exposed
exposed to
to what
what the
the
ILSO
ILSGhas
hasto
tooffer.
offer.
We
Wewish
wishto
tothank
thankall
allof
ofthe
thepresenters,
presenters,in
inparticular
particularthe
the special
special session
session speakers
speakerswho
who wrote
wrote
extended
extendedabstracts
abstractsthat
thatwill
willserve
serveas
assummaries
summariesof
of their
their fields
fieldsfor
for years
years to
to come.
come. This
This
institute
institutewas
was built
built on
onits
itstradition
traditionof
of fine
finefield
field trips,
trips, and
and this
this year's
year's trips
trips maintained
maintained that
that
tradition,
tradition,thanks
thanksin
inlarge
largepart
partto
toefforts
effortsof
of the
theleaders.
leaders. Acknowledgment
Acknowledgmentisisalso
alsodue
duetotothe
the
session
sessionchairs,
chairs,the
thebest
beststudent
studentpaper
paperaward
awardcommittee,
committee,the
thelocal
localplanning
planningcommittee,
committee,and
andthe
the
LLSG
board members
members for
for making
jobs much
easier by
by doing
theirs well.
ILSG board
making our
our jobs
much easier
doing theirs
well. AAspecial
specialthanks
thanks
to
to Terry
Terry Boerboom
Boerboomfor
forhis
hisflawless
flawlessorganization
organizationof
ofthe
thefield
fieldtrips
tripsand
andguidebook,
guidebook,and
andtotoLori
Lori
Day,
it takes.
takes. Finally
Day, the
the meeting
meeting coordinator,
coordinator, for
for doing
doing all
all that
that it
Finally we
we want
want to
to thank
thank our
our
director
directorof
ofthe
theMinnesota
MinnesotaGeological
GeologicalSurvey,
Survey,David
David Southwick,
Southwick, for
for giving
giving us
us the
the freeboard
freeboard
and
andstaff
stafftime
timeneeded
neededto
topull
pullthe
themeeting
meetingtogether.
together.
Jim
JimMiller
Millerand
andMark
MarkJirsa
Jirsa
Co-chairs
Co-chairsof
ofthe
the44th
44thAnnual
AnnualILSG
ILSG

xiv
xiv

�45TH
4 5ANNUAL
ANNUAL
~ ~ MEETING
MEETING
INSTITUTE
GEOLOGY
INSTITUTEON
ON LAKE
LAKE SUPERIOR
SUPERIOR
GEOLOGY

Program
Program

�Program
Program of
of Events
Tuesday,
Tuesday, May
May 4
4
0800-1730
0800-1730 Field Trip 2
Field Trip 2: Archean Ishpeming Greenstone Belt and Gold
Mineralization,
D.J. Duskin, R.C.
Mineralization, Michigan - Leader T.J. Bornhorst, D.J.
Johnson, R.A. Mahin,
T.O.
Quigley,
and
G.W.
Scott
Mahin, T.O. Quigley,
Scott

Wednesday, May
Wednesday,
May 5
5

,:-3. ,..

:.

.;:,

;+?,

0800-1730
0800- 1730 Field Trip 1I and 2

Field Trip
Trip 1:
1: Early
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic Strata
Strata of the Marquette
Marquette Iron
Iron Range,
Range,
Michigan
Leader:
W.F.
Cannon
Michigan

-

Greenstone Belt and Gold
Field Trip 2: Archean Ishpeming Greenstone
Leaders: T.J.
T.J. Bornhorst, D.J. Duskin, R.C.
Mineralization, Michigan
Michigan - Leaders:
Johnson, R.A. Mahin, T.O. Quigley, and G.W. Scott

-

Registration -- Ramada Inn,
Inn, Marquette,
Marquette, Michigan
Michigan
1700-2000 Registration
1700-2000
1900-2100 Poster Session and cash bar in Ramada Inn
1900-2100
(Authors at posters 1930
1930 to 2100)

xv

�1

J

Thursday,
Thursday,May
Mav 66
All
All technical
technical sessions
sessions are
arein
inRamada
RamadaInn,
Inn,Marquette,
Marquette,Michigan
Michigan

0730-1600
0730-1600

J

Registration
Registration-- Ramada
Ramada Inn
Inn

Technical
Technical Session
SessionII

Session
Session Chair:
Chair: Gene
Gene LaBerge
LaBerge (University
(University of Wisconsin,
Wisconsin, Oshkosh)
Oshkosh)
Shawn
Shawn Carison
Carlson (Ashton
(AshtonMining)
Mining)

0820-0830 Opening
Opening-- 45
45thAnnual
Annual Institute
Instituteon
on Lake
Lake Superior
Superior Geology
Geology
R.
R. S.
S. Regis
Regis and
and T.J.
T.J. Bornhorst,
Bornhorst, Co-Chairs
Co-Chairs

J
J

0830-0930
0830-0930 Invited
Invited Presentation
Presentation
Sarah
Sarah A.
A. Green
Green and
and Judy
Judy Wells-Budd
Wells-Budd
Cross
Cross Margin
Margin Transport
Transportin
in Lake
LakeSuperior
Superior
. !' .,: .

'

.

...

.

0930-1000
0930- 1000 Invited
InvitedPresentation
Presentation
Charles
Kerfoot,
W.
:
~.
W.
Charles
Kerfoot,John
John A.
A. Green,
Green, and
and Lawrence
Lawrence J.
J. Weider
Weider
,
A
New
Approach
to
Historical
Reconstruction:
Combining
A
Approach to Historical Reconstruction: Combining
Descriptive
Descriptiveand
and Experimental
ExperimentalPaleolimnology
Paleolimnology

J

1000-1030
1000-1030 Coffee
CoffeeBreak
Break

J

"

.
1030-1050
1030-1050 Ojakangas,
Ojakangas, R.W.
R.W.
Sedimentology
Sedimentology of
of two
two Deep
Deep Wells
Wells in
in the
the Keweenawan
Keweenawan
Midcontinent
Midcontinent Rift
Rift System
System Near Munising,
Munising, Upper Peninsula,
Peninsula,
Michigan
Michigan
3'.

1050-1110
Puschner,U.,
U., Schmidt,
Schmidt,S.Th.,
S.Th., and
and Bornhorst,
Bornhorst,T.J.
T.J.
1050-1110 Puschner,
Low
Grade
Metamorphism
and
Hydrothermal
Low Grade Metamorphism and Hydrothermal Alteration
Alteration of the
the
Upper
Upper Keweenawan
Keweenawan Portage
Portage Lake
Lake Volcanics, Michigan

J

1110-1130
1110-1130 Maki,
Maki,J.C.
J.C.and
andBornhorst,
Bornhorst,T.J.
T.J.
The Gratiot Chalcocite
Chalcocite Deposit, Keweenaw Peninsula, Michigan

1200-1340
LunchBreak
Break
1200-1340 Lunch
1200-1340
1200-1340 Board
BoardofofDirectors
DirectorsMeeting
Meeting
xvH
xvi i

J

�Technical
II
Technical Session
Session H

Session Chairs: Rod Johnson (Rod
(Rod Johnson &amp;
&amp; Associates,
Associates, Inc.)
Inc.)
Jim Small (Edward
Jim
(Edward Kraemer
Kraemer &amp;
&amp; Sons)
Sons)

1340-1400 Easton,
1340-1400
Easton, R.M.
R.M.

Metamorphic Map
Map of the Canadian
Canadian Shield
Shield of Ontario,
Ontario, Michigan,
Michigan,
Minnesota,
Minnesota, and
and Wisconsin
Wisconsin

1400-1420
Vitton,
1400-1426 itt
ton, S.J. and
and Subhash,
Subhash. G.
G.
Dynamic and Static
Strength of
of Aggregates:
Aggregates: An Estimate
Estimate of
of
Static Strength Strength
Rate
Sensitivity
of
Geological
Materials
Rate Sensitivity Geological Materials . ,. . .. . . ,
:

.:

:&gt;:

, , i.#&amp;:

..' ,

3B

?:'$

.A,

'3

1420-1440
1420-1440 Yeo,
Yeo, G.M.
Is the Janice Lake Unconformity a Link between the Hearne Craton
and the La Ronge
Ronge -- Lynn
Lynn Lake Volcanic Arc?
. .. . . .. . ! I . - .
....
:

1440-1510
1440- 15 10 Coffee
CoffeeBreak
Break
15
10-1530 Czeck,
1510-1530
Czeck, D.M. and
and Hudleston,
Hudleston, P.J.
P.J.
Structural
Structural Fabric
Fabric and
and Strain
Strain for
for the
the Seine
Seine River
River Conglomerates
Conglomeratesat
at the
the
Wabigoon-Quetico
Wabigoon-QueticoSubprovince
Subprovince Boundary
Boundary Near Mine
Mine Centre,
Centre,
Ontario
Ontario

1530-1550 Cannon,
Cannon,W.F.
W.F.and
andWoodruff,
Woodruff,L.G.
L.G.
Isle
Mercury Distribution
in
Bedrock,
Distribution in Bedrock, Native Copper
Copper Ore
Ore and
and Soils
Soils -- Isle
Royale National Park, Michigan
Michigan

1830-1930 Social
Cash Bar
1830-1930
Social - Cash

. . . . . . . ?:.

1930-2130 Annual Banquet at Ramada Inn

xvii i
xvii

.:i"&gt;
,.

:

.
.
.S t . + . .
. ., . . , . . ,. . . .. . . .,. , .
"'

�j
Friday,
Friday, May 7
Technical Session ffl
III
Technical

r-Â¥f

Session Chair.
Chair: Ron Graber (Cliffs Mining Services Co.)
Tom Waggoner (Cliffs
(Cliffs Mining Services
Services Co.)

0830-0850 LaBerge,
0830-0850
LaBerge,G.L.
G.L.
Regional
Patterns
on the Peno
Penokean Continental Margin in the
~e~ional
Southern Lake Superior
Superior Region
Regio
0850-0910
0850-0910 Ottke,
D.
Ottke,D.
i.g,.

,

,, ,

.~*:

Early Descriptions of the Natural Features on the Marquette
1Iron
r o Range
n ~ a n ~- e
,: --.

J
J
U

j

L

0910-0930 Webster,
Webster,C.,
C.,Cambray,
Cambray,W.,
W., Scott,
Scott,0.,
G.,Nordstrom,
Nordstrom,P.,
P., Wilson,
Wilson, E.
E.
Palmer Gneiss: A Large, Low-grade
Low-grade Shear
Shear Zone
Zone

., ,

'.!,

,

0930-0950 Diedrich,
Diedrich,T.R.,
T.R., and
andMorton,
Morton,P.
P.
Investigation of CaO at Thunderbird Mine, Mesabi Range:
Range:
Mineral and Stratigraphic
StratigraphicRelationships
Relationships

j

0950-1020
0950- 1020 Coffee
CoffeeBreak
Break
1020-1040 Medaris,
Medaris,L.G.,
L.G., Fournelle,
Foumelle,J.,
J., Boszhardt,
Boszhardt, R.,
R., and
and Broihahn,
Broihahn, J.
T*
Chemical and Mineralogical Comparison
Comparison of Baraboo, Barron,
Ban-on,
and Sioux
Sioux Argillite, Metapelite,
Metapelite, and Pipestone
Pipestone

1040-1100
1040-1100 Graber,
Graber,R.G.
R.G.and
andStrandlie,
Strandlie,A.J.
A.J.
Where are the Metamorphosed Natural Orebodies of the Mesabi
Range?
Range?

j

1100-1120
1100-1120 Scott, G.W. and Lukey,
Lukey, H.M.
Geology of the Tilden Mine, Marquette iron range, Michigan

J

1120-1140
1120-1140 Meier,
Meier,J.G.
J.G.
Republic Wetland Preserve

1140-1300
1
140-1300 Lunch
Lunch
U

J
xix

j

�I

Technical
TechnicalSession
SessionIV
IV

Session
Session Chair:
Chair: John
John Green
Green (University
(University of
of Minnesota,
Minnesota,Duluth)
Duluth)
Dave
DaveBaxter
Baxter(PayDay
(PayDayResources)
Resources)

1300-1320
1300-1320 Boerboom,
Boerboom,T.J.
T.J.And
AndSeverson,
Severson,M.
M.
Geologic
Geologic Map
Map of
of the
the Western
Western Penokean
Penokean Orogen,
Orogen, East-Central
East-Central
Minnesota
Minnesota
:.
4

8

-?-#

1320-1340
1320- 1340 Daniels,
Daniels,D.L.,
D.L.,Nicholson,
Nicholson,S.W.,
S.W.,Cannon,
Cannon,W.F.,
W.F., and
andBracken,
Bracken,R.E.
R.E.
Preliminary
Aeromagnetic
Map
of
Wisconsin
Preliminary Aeromagnetic Map of Wisconsin

1340-1400
1400 Johnson,
Johnson,R.C.
R.C.and
andBornhorst,
Bomhorst, T.J.
T.J.
Ishpeming
Ishpeming greenstone
greenstone belt
belt -- Evidence
Evidence for
for Archean
Archean tectonic
tectonic evolution
evolution
of
the
southern
edge
of
the
Superior
Province
in
Michigan
of the southern edge of the Superior Province in Michigan

1400-1420
1420 Yeo,
Yeo,G.M.
G.M.
Low-Resolution
Low-Resolution Sequence
Sequence Stratigraphy
Stratigraphyof
of Early
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic
Paragneisses,
Paragneisses, Wollaston
Wollaston Domain,
Domain, Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan

I
I
I
I

I
I

1420-1450
1420- 1450 Coffee
CoffeeBreak
Break
1450-15
10 Bickford,
1450-1510
Bickford, M.E.
M.E. and
and Steinhart,
Steinhart,W.E.
W.E.
Distribution
Distribution of
of the
the Archean
Archean to
to earliest
earliest Paleoproterozoic
Paleoproterozoic Sask
Saskcraton
craton
beneath
beneath deformed
deformed orogenic
orogenic rocks
rocks in
in the
the Trans-Hudson
Trans-Hudson orogen
orogen and
andits
its
tectonic
implications:
Evidence
from
common
Pb
and
Sm-Nd
isotopic
tectonic implications: Evidence from common Pb and Sm-Nd isotopic
data
data
1510-1530 Miller,
Miller, J.D.
J.D. Jr.
Jr.
1510-1530
Potential
Potential for
for stratiform
stratiformPGE
PGE mineralization
mineralization in
in mafic
mafic layered
layered
intrusions
intrusions of
of the
the Duluth
Duluth Complex
Complex
-

1530-1550 Peterson,
Peterson.D.M.
D.M.and
andMorton,
Morton,R.L.
R.L.
Development
Development of
of Volcanogenic
Volcanogenic Massive
Massive Sulfide
Sulfide Deposit
Deposit Exploration
Exploration
Targets
Targets in
in Northern
Northern Minnesota
Minnesotafrom
from GIS
GIs Spatial
SpatialAnalysis
Analysis of
of
Geological,
Geological, Geochemical,
Geochemical, and Geophysical
Geophysical Criteria
1550-1610
1550-16
10 Loughry,
Loughry, J.E., Johnson,
Johnson, Matthew
Matthew M., and Cotter, J.F.P
A Geochemical
Geochemical and
and Petrologic
Petrologic Study
Study to Determine the Origin of the
the
Crowduck
Crowduck Lake
Lake Group,
Group, Kenora,
Kenora, Ontario:
Ontario: A
A Problematic
Problematic
Metaconglomerate
Metaconglomerate
xx

�—I

Poster
Session
Poster Session

J

Posters will be
Friday 1200
Posters
be up
up from
from Wednesday
Wednesday 1900
1900 to
to Friday
1200
Authors will
will be
be at
at posters
posterson
onWednesday
Wednesdayfrom
from1930
1930to
to 2100
Authors
Ams, D. and Holm, D., Characterization
Characterization and Timing
Timing Constraints
Constraints of Post-Penokean
Post-Penokean
Meso-Scale Structures
in
the
Watersmeet
and
Republic
Gneiss
Domes
of Northern
Structures
Michigan
Barber-Delach, R.D. and
and Cannon,
Cannon, W.F., Re-examining Stream
Stream Sediment
Sediment
Geochemical Data from the National Uranium Resource Evaluation Program
Program
Geochemical
(NURE),
Wisconsin
and
Northern
Michigan
(NURE),
and
Michigan

Han, T.M.,
T.M., Megascopic
Megascopic Fossils and Their
Their Possible
Possible Contribution
Contribution to
to the
the
Han,
Development of the Silicate
Silicate Unit
Unit of
of the
the Negaunee
Negaunee Iron
Iron Formation,
Formation, Empire
Empire Mine,
Mine,
Marquette Range, North Michigan
Marquette
Michigan
Holm, D., Romano, D., and Mancusco, C., Comparison of Mica Ar/Ar
AdAr and Rb/Sr
Thennochronology Results from Northern Wisconsin and Northern Michigan

j
J

J

lUasner, J.S.,
Klasner,
J.S., Cannon,
Cannon, W.F., Schulz,
Schulz, K.J., and LaBerge, G.L.,
G.L., The Iron River
Syncline: An Allochthonous Structural
in the
the Penokean
Penokean Foreland
Foreland of
of
Structural Panel in
Syncline:
Northern Michigan
Miller, J.D. Jr, and
Miller,
and Chandler,
Chandler, V.W.,
V.W., New Geologic
Geologic Map of the Central
Central Duluth
Duluth
Complex
Complex

Rausch, D.E., and Wattrus, N.J.,
Rausch,
N.J., Lake Superior's Rings: Clues to the Origin of
Polygonal Fault Systems
Polygo

J
J

j

xxi

j

�Saturday. May
Saturday.
Mav 8
8
0800-1730
0800-1730

Field
and 4
Field Trip
Trip 3 and

Field
of the
the Marquette
Marquette Iron
Iron Range,
Range,
Field Trip
Trip 3:
3: Tilden
Tilden and
and Empire Mines of
Michigan
G.W. Scott,
Scott, P.M.
P.M. Nordstrom
Nordstrom and
and H.M.
H.M. Lukey
Lukey
Leaders: G.W.
Michigan -- Leaders:
Field Trip
4: Paleozoic and
and Glacial Geology from Au Train to Grand
Trip 4:
Marais,
R.S. Regis
Regis and
and J.B.
LB. Anderton
Anderton
Leaders: R.S.
Marais, Michigan
Michigan -- Leaders:

xxi
xxi

i

�45TH ANNUAL MEETING
INSTITUTE ON LAKE SUPERIOR GEOLOGY

Abstracts
Abstracts

�CHARACTERIZATION AND
AND TIMING
TIMING CONSTRAINTS
CHARACTERIZATION
CONSTRAINTS OF POST-PENOKEAN
POST-PENOKEAN
MESO-SCALE STRUCTURES
STRUCTURES IN
IN T
THE
MESO-SCALE
H EWATERSMEET
WATERSMEET AND REPUBLIC
REPUBLI~GNEISS
GNEISS
DOMES OF
OF NORTHERN MICHIGAN
MICHIGAN
David Ams
(undergraduate student) and Daniel Hoim,
Holm, Department
Department of Geology, Kent State
Ams (undergraduate
University, Kent OH
44242
OH 44242
We have measured late, meso-scale,
structures present
present in
in Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic gneiss
gneiss
meso-scale, ductile and brittle structures
in order to
to assess
assess their
their origin.
origin. The Watersmeet and Republic gneiss
gneiss domes
domes
domes of northern Michigan in
lie north
north of
of the
the region
regionofofpervasive
pervasivepost-Penokean
post-Penokean 1600-1650
1600-1650 Ma shortening
shortening (Hoim
(Holm et a!.,
al., 1998,
1998,
Geology) and southeast
which closed the Keweenawan
Keweenawan rift
rift at ca. 1080-1860
southeast of thick-skinned thrusting which
whether meso-scale
meso-scalebrittle
brittle and
andductile
ductile
1994, Geology). The
The challenge
challenge then is to determine whether
Ma (Cannon, 1994,
shear zones formed during
during the late stages
stages of Early Proterozoic gneiss dome formation or if they represent
deformation associated
defamation
associated with these
these younger
younger events.
events.

Watersmeet gneiss
Watersmeet
gneiss dome.
observations were made on the north-east side of the dome, south of its contact with the overlying
Our observations
metasedimentary rocks
rocks (Hwy
(Hwy 45
45 exposures).
exposures). The dominant steep east-west fabric
fabric in
in Archean
Archean rocks
rocks of
of
metasedimentary
brittle shear
shear zones.
zones. The ductile
the dome are cross-cut by steep ductile, semi-brittle, and brittle
ductile and larger semiand dip
dip steeply
steeply both
both north
north and
and
brittle to brittle shear zones show a dominant N70-80E strike orientation and
etc.), the apparent sense
sense
south (Fig. 1). Where
Where relative
relativemotion
motion indicators
indicators exist (offset dikes, pegmatites, etc.),
up. Small
to be
be oriented
oriented NS
NS (with
(with steep
steep east
east
of motion is south-side up.
Small scale
scale brittle
brittle faults and fractures tend to
dips)
dips) or NW (with steep
steep southwest dips). Slickenlines
Slickenlineson
on the
the NW
NW oriented
oriented set
set plunge
plunge gently
gently to
to the
the NW
NW

Pie.
1
(Fig.
1).
.--o- *1
The coarse,
more gentle
gentle to
to the
the north
north toward
toward the
the contact
contact
coarse, steep,
steep, EW fabric
fabric of the dome interior becomes more
rocks and
and shows
shows aareduction
reductioniningrain
grainsize
sizedue
duetotoductile
ductileshearing.
shearing.We
Weattribute
attribute
with the metasedimentary rocks
this to ductile
ductile overprinting
shear zone.
zone. The
overprinting of the steep fabric along a basement-cover shear
The timing
timing of shearing
shearing
during gneiss
gneiss dome
dome formation
formation is
is constrained
constrained by aa 1765
1765 Ma
Ma hornblende
hornblende Ar/Ar
ArIAr plateau date
date obtained
obtained from
from
the core
rocksjust
just
from aa concordant
concordant muscovite plateau date obtained from metasedimentary rocks
core rocks and from
north of the
see also
also Schneider
Schneider et
et al.,
al., 1996,
1996, CJES).
CJES).
the contact
contact (Fig.
(Fig. 2;
2; see
We propose that
ductile and semi-brittle shear zones
zones Conned
formed during
during the
thelate
latestages
stagesof
ofunroofing
unroofingofof
thal the
theductile
of the
the footwall
footwall
In our
our model
model they
thev represent
remesent internal deformation of
the gneiss dome (at ca. 1765-1755
1765-1755 Ma). In
dome rocks as they were unroofed from beneath the metasedimentary cover rocks along a north-dipping

detachment fault
fault at
at the basement-cover
contact. The brittle shear zones have a completely different
detachment
basement-cover contact.
ones. Their
orientation from the ductile and semi-brittle ones.
Their orientations and subhorizontal lineations suggest
rift.
they may be related to closure of the Keweenawan rift.

Republic gneiss dome.
Republic
fracture zones
zones which
which occur
occur in
in the
the Republic
We focused on the numerous chlorite mineralized brittle fracture
Ma post-tectonic
post-tectonic alkali
alkali red
red granite
granite
gneiss dome north of Republic (Fig. 3). They
Theycross-cut
cross-cutthe
the—1735
-1735 Ma
be younger
younger than
than mica
mica cooling
cooling ages
ages within
within the
the dome
dome (1680-1720
(1680-1720 Ma).
Ma).
(Xgaf of Sims.
Sims, 1992)
1992) and must
must be
They have a dominant north-northwest
north-northwest strike
strikeand
anddip
dip moderately
moderatelytotosteeply
steeplytotothe
thewest.
west. Most of the
They
lineations plunge gently
gently to
to the
the northwest.
northwest. Kinematic
fiber steps)
steps) on
on a few
few of these
Kinematic indicators (crystal fiber
show left-lateral, reverse motion. Ductile
Ductileshear
shear zones
zones within
within the dome
dome strike dominantly northwest and
dip steeply and must be older
older than the mica cooling
coo1i.i; ages.
ages.
related to
to the older ductile shear zones along
The brittle fractures do not appear to be kinc:iiatically
kincniatically related
uplifted. The
which the gneiss dome block was probably uplifted.
Thedominant
dominant left-lateral
left-lateral strike-slip
strike-slip motion and
be defonnational
deformational features
features associated
associated with
withclosure
closureof
of
north-northwest attitude indicates they might be also be
the Keweenawan rift. This
Thisinterpretation
interpretationisisconsistent
consistentwith
with prior
prior thermochronologic
thennochronologic evidence
evidence for a low
temperature Keweenawan
CJES).
temperature
Keweenawan age
age disturbance
disturbance of this region (Schneider
(Schneider et al., 1996,
1996, CJES).

2

�Ductile shear zones

Smaller britile fracture zones

Fig.
Fig. 1. Stereonet
Stereonet plots of
of ductile,
ductile, semi-brittle,
semi-brittle, and
and brittle
brittle shear
shear zones
zones within
the Watersmeet
the
Watersmeet gneiss
gneiss dome.

1 -1 Schist outside of the dome
—

2000J

2000: Amphibolite
imnhibolite within
within the
the dome

AGE

1

Ma

1500
-

-

1000-0_

94-MI-3-H
94-MI-3-H
Hornblende
Hornblende
Tg=1751±l3Ma
T g = 1751k13Ma

-

Tp=1765±l3Ma

%39Ar

100 0

UP-i OA-M
UP-1
0A-M
Muscovite
Muscovite

Tg=1760±i4Ma

Tp=1767±l7Ma
100
%39Ar

Fig. 2. Ar/Ar mineral
Fig.
mineral age
age spectra from
from the
the Watersmeet
Watersmeet gneiss
gneiss dome region.
region.
date. Tg
Tg Is
is total gas
Tp is plateau date.
gas date.

Fig. 3.
3. Stereonet plots
plots of
ofrepresentative
representativeductile
ductileshear
shear zones
zones and
and mineralized
mineralized
Fig.
brittle fracture
brittle
fracturezones,
zones. Republic
Republic gneiss
gneiss dome
dome region.
region.

3

1

�Re-examining stream sediment
data ffrom
National U
Uranium
Re-examining
sediment geochemical
geochemical data
r o m tthe
h e National
r a n i u m Resource
Resource
Evaluation Program
and nnorthern
o r t h e r n Michigan
Michigan
Evaluation
P r o g r a m (NURE),
(NURE), Wisconsin
Wisconsin and
Robert D. Barber-Delach, Oak
Oak Ridge
Ridge Associated
Associated Universities,
Universities, at
at U.S.
U.S. Geological
Geological Survey.
Survey, Mail
Mail Stop
Stop
954, Reston, VA
VA 20192
20192
W.F.
W.F. Cannon, U.S. Geological
Geological Survey,
Survey, Mail
Mail Stop
Stop 954,
954, Reston,
Reston, VA
VA 20192
20192

In the
In
the latter
latter 1970's
1970's a astream
streamsediment
sedimentgeochemical
geochemical survey
survey was
was conducted
conducted in
in parts
parts of
ofnorthern
northern
the United
United States Department
Department of
of Energy.
Energy. A
A
Wisconsin and northern Michigan by the NURE program of the
data set consisting
I °x2°
data
consisting of
of multi-element
multi-element analyses
analyses of
of 3185
3 185 samples
samples was
was developed
developed spanning
spanning eight
eight l0x2'
quadrangles. The
but also
quadrangles.
The data
datawere
wereintended
intended for
foruse
use ininevaluating
evaluatingundiscovered
undiscovered uranium
uranium resources,
resources, but
have application
geochemical background
background and
and baseline
have
application for
for establishing
establishing regional
regional variations
variations in geochemical
baseline
concentrations. The
The U.S.
is
concen&amp;itions.
U.S. Geological
~ e o l o ~ i c Survey
Survey
al
is ____________________________________________
expanding research
research on
on regional
regional geochemical
geochemical
Figure I.
1. Comparison of unadjusted (a)
(a) and
patterns, and
and the
the NURE
data set
patterns,
MURE data
set is
is being
being rerenormalized (b)
(b) cobalt
cobalt concentrations
concentrations for
for use
use in
in
normalized
examined as
as part of
of that
that effort.
effort.
displaying NURE stream sediment
sediment data.
data.
In many places
places the
the NURE
NURE data
datashows
showsobvious
obvious
biases in
in values
values between
between adjacent
adjacent quadrangles,
quadrangles,
visual
in some
some cases
cases apparent only by visual
examination of element concentration maps. For
instance, Figure llaa shows
shows significant
discontinuities of cobalt values
values between
quadrangles in the original
original NURE
NURE data.
data. Biases
were probably introduced
introduced by
by somewhat
somewhat different
sampling, processing,
sampling,
processing, and analytic
analytic techniques
techniques
between various quadrangles,
between
quadrangles, and probably also
changes in analytical
by time-dependent
time-dependent changes
instrument
calibration that
that appear
appear not
not to have
instrument calibration
have
been fully accounted for over the duration of the
NURE program.
program. These
Thesequadrangle-based
quadrangle-based biases
biases
render use of
render
of the
thedata
dataproblematical
problematical without
without
careful assessment
careful
assessment and correction
correction of
of analytical
analytical
biases. Here
Here we present
present two
two approaches
approaches by
by
which
the NURE
NURE data
data set
set can
can be
be corrected
corrected for
for
which the
quadrangle biases.
in analytical data
First, systematic biases in
between
can be normalized
between quadrangles
quadrangles can
normalized by
by
quadrangle as
as a
displaying data for each
each quadrangle
function of the statistical
function
statistical distribution
distribution of values
values
for only that quadrangle.
Figure lb
for
quadrangle. Figure
I b shows
shows the
the
same data for cobalt as shown in Figure Ia,
same
la, but
but
each of
with the values within
within each
of the
the eight
separately into
quadrangles
quadrangles classified
separately
percentiles of the data
data set
set from
from that
that quadrangle.
quadrangle.
The between-quadrangle bias
bias is
is largely
largely removed
removed
and natural patterns
patterns of
of cobalt
cobalt variation
variation are
are more
more

4

a. Unadjusted data

.

.

,do.-

adom.

b. Data normalized within quadrangles

�evident.
that standard
standard desktop
desktop G
GIS
software
evident. This
Thistechnique
technique has
has the
the advantage
advantage of
of ease
ease and
and simplicity
simplicity in
in that
I s software
can perform
statistical manipulation
manipulation of
of data
data and
and time
time required
required for
for
perform and display the results with minimal statistical
processing. Also,
Also, the technique
However, two
two
technique does not require acquisition
acquisition of new analytical
analytical data. However,
important shortcomings
shortcomingsof
of the
the technique
only relative
of element
are: 1)
presents only
relative variations
variations of
element
important
technique are:
I) itit presents
concentrations and
and does
does not
not improve the
the overall
overall accuracy
accuracy of
of the
the NURE
NURE data,
data, 2)
2) itit masks
masks true
true variations
variations
concentrations
quadrangle.
that occur at the approximate scale of a l°x2°
l0x2"quadrangle.

A second
In the
the 1980's,
A
second technique
technique requires
requires new
new analytical
analytical data.
data. In
1980's, the
the USGS
USGS became
became the
the official
official
archiving agency
agency for
for NURE
NIJRE data
and maintains
repository in
in Denver,
Denver, Colorado
archiving
data and
and samples,
samples, and
maintains aa sample
sample repository
Colorado
in
which all
N'URE samples
samples are
are accessible
accessiblefor
for restudy.
restudy. We
re-analyzed aa subset
subset of
of those
those samples
samples
We have
have re-analyzed
in which
all NURE
for the Ashland and Rice
Rice Lake
Lake l°x2°
Iox2' quadrangles
quadrangles in northern Wisconsin and compared the results of our
re-analyses to
to the
the original
original data
data reported
reported by
by the
the NURE
NUREprogram.
program. Our
Our analyses
analyses were
were done
done using
using routine
routine
re-analyses
40-element inductively
40-element
inductively coupled
coupled plasmaplasmaatomic emission spectroscopy
Figure 2.
2. Scatterplot
Scatterplot of
of magnesium
magnesium concentration
concentration
spectroscopy (ICP-AES)
(ICP-AES)
Figure
technique supplemented
supplemented by
by more
(ppm) demonstrating
demonstrating the
the quad
quad bias
bias of
of original
original NURE
NURE
technique
more precise
precise
(ppm)
single-element
techniques for arsenic and
data, with
with fitted
fined regression
regression lines
lines and
and correlation
correlation
single-element techniques
and
data,
selenium.
Analytical precision and
and
Analytical
indices (R2).
indices
(R').
accuracy
were monitored
accuracy were
monitored by
by replicate
replicate
2.1
2.1
analyses of standard samples.
,,

1

,

-,
—

1

Comparison of our new
new values
values to
to
1.8
•0
concentrations reported
reported by
by NURE
NURE show
show
$b
—,
quadrangle-based
quadrangle-based biases in virtually all
1.5
elements
elements for which
which aa significant
significant number
number
——
000
of samples exceed
exceed detection limits (about
(about
,.
elements). Figure
20 elements).
Figure 2 shows
shows an extreme
0
case in which NURE magnesium analyses
09
are strongly and
and consistently
consistently quadranglequadrangle0.9
dependent and in which
which both
both quadrangles
quadrangles
vary significantly
from our new analyses.
j,
vary
significantly from
analyses.
of bias
bias within
within aa
0.6
This consistency of
quadrangle allows derivation of equations
•Rice Lake
Lake Quad
Quad
Â¥Ri
that can adjust the original
original NURE data to
03
correct for previous analytical biases and
and
oAshland Quad
Quad
OAshland
,
new
produce a better accord with new
0 data. Although
Although this technique
analytical
analytical data.
technique
1.8
2.1
0.6
0.9
1,2
1.5
0.3
has
00
0.3
0
.6
0.9
1.2
1.5
1.8
2.1
has inherent
inherent statistical
statistical uncertainty,
uncertainty, that
that
the
and the
uncertainty is quantifiable, and
Re-Analyzed Mg
MgConcentration
Concentration
Re-Analyzed
element maps are
resulting element
are significantly
significantly L
more accurate
accurate than
than those made from
more
from the
the
Although this
this technique
techniquedoes
doesrequire
requirethe
the cost
cost and
and time
time of
original NURE data.
of re-analyzing
re-analyzing aa
original
data. Although
significant number
number of
of NURE
NURE samples,
samples, the
the result
result produces
producesaamuch
much improved
improveddata
dataset
setwithout
withoutthe
thecost
costof
of
re-analyzing
the
entire
sample
set.
We
plan
to
proceed
with
this
technique
during
the
coming
year.
re-analyzing the entire
set. We
to
the
year.

,

. 7

•

,

7

i.

•

—

-

7

5

I

�Distribution
Distributionof
ofthe
theArchean
Archean to
to Earliest
Earliest Paleoproterozoic
PaleoproterozoicSask
Sask Craton
Craton Beneath
Beneath Deformed
Deformed
Orogenic
OrogenicRocks
Rocksin
inthe
theTrans-Hudson
Trans-HudsonOrogen
Orogenand
andits
itsTectonic
TectonicImplications:
Implications:Evidence
Evidencefrom
from
Common
Common Pb
Pb and
and Sm-Nd
Sm-Nd Isotopic
IsotopicData
Data

M.
E. Steinhart, III,
ifi, Department
M. E.
E. Bickford
Bickford and
and William
William E.
Departmentof
of Earth
Earth Sciences,
Sciences, Heroy
Heroy Geology
Geology
Laboratory,
Syracuse
University,
Syracuse,
NY
13244-1070
Laboratory, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244-1070
Late,
Late, undeformed,
undefonned ,ca.
ca.1.8
1.8Ga
Gapegmatites,
pegmatites,leucogranitic
leucograniticsheets,
sheets, and
and post-orogenic
post-orogenic plutons
plutons in
in the
Glennie,
Hanson
Lake,
and
La
Ronge
Domains,
and
parts
of
the
Hearne
Province,
were
studied
Glennie, Hanson Lake, and La Ronge Domains, and parts of the Hearne Province, were studied
to
melting ofjuvenile
ofjuvenile orogenic
orogenic crust
crust or
or of Archean
todetermine
determinewhether
whetherthey
they were
werederived
derived by melting
Archean
lower
structuralwindows
windowsin
inthe
theGlennie
Glennieand
andHanson
Hanson
lower crustal
crustalrocks
rocksequivalent
equivalentto
tothose
thoseexposed
exposedin
instructural
Lake
isotopic
composition
of of
PbPb
from
feldspars
(206Pb/2°4Pb
== 14.3
14.3-- 15.2;
15.2;
LakeDomains.
Domains.The
The
isotopic
composition
from
feldspars
(20Ãˆpb/== 15.1
15.1-- 15.25;
15.25;208Pbf°4Pb
^"Pb/'^Pb ==34.4-36.4)
34.4 - 36.4) and
andSm-Nd
Sm-NdTDM
TDM
ages of
of ca.
ca. 3.2
3.2 Ga
Ga
m7~b/2d4pb
ages
for
forca.
ca.1.8
1.8Ga
Gapost-orogenic
post-orogenicintrusions
intrusionsreveal
revealthat
thatArchean
Archean rocks
rocks are
arenot
not only
onlyexposed
exposedin
inthe
the
windows,
windows,but
butalso
alsoextensively
extensivelyunderlie
underlieparts
partsof
ofthe
theGlennie
Glennieand
andHanson
HansonLake
LakeDomains
Domainsininwhich
which
only
Incontrast,
contrast,feldspar
feld arPb
Pbfrom
frompegmatites
pegmatitesin
inthe
the
only juvenile Paleoproterozoic
Paleoproterozoicrocks
rocksare
areexposed.
exposed. In
La
similar
== 15.1
b/-b
15.1-- 15.2;
15.2;
15.4 - 15.6;
15.6;207Pb/2"Pb
LaRonge
Ron eDomain
Domainisisisotopically
isotopically
similar(2°6Pb/2°'Pb
('"'Pb/^'Pb ==15.4208Pb/204Pb
plutons
with
TDM
"'PW
b =34.8
34.8-- 35.2)
35.2)to
tothat
thatofjuvenile,
ofjuvenile,ca.
ca.1.85
1.85Ga
GaPaleoproterozoic
Paleoproterozoic
plutons
with
TDM
ages
oceanic materials.
materials. Sm-Nd data
agesof
ofca.
ca.1.80-2.0
1.80-2.0Ga,
Ga,indicating
indicatingderivation
derivation from similar oceanic
data from
from
two
yield
TDM
ages
twoLa
LaRonge
RongeDomain
Domainaplites,
aplites,ininwhich
whichSm
Smand
andNd
Ndare
areapparently
apparentlyunfractionated,
unfl-actionated,
yield
TDM
ages
of
19 Ga. Surprisingly,
feldspar Pb data (2°'Pb/2°4Pb
207Pb/204Pb = 15.1
Surprisingly,feldsparPbdata
(""Pb/^Pb== 15.515.5 - 15.8;
15.8;^Pb/^'Pb=
15.1-- 15.2;
15.2;
of1.8-.
1.8-.19Ga.
35.0--35.2)
35.2) from
frompegmatites
pegmatitesthat
that intrude
intrudeArchean
Archean rocks
rocksof
ofthe
theHearne
HeameProvince,
Province,in
in
m'~b/-b ==35.0
the
thehinterland
hinterlandwest
westofofthe
theNeedle
NeedleFalls
FallsShear
ShearZone,
Zone,also
alsoindicate
indicatederivation
derivationfrom
fromjuvenile
juvenilesources.
sources.
Thus,
viewthat
thatan
anArchean
Archeanmicrocontinent
microcontinent("Sask
("SaskCraton")
Craton")
Thus,while
whilethese
thesedata
datasupport
supportthe
theview
underlies
underliesparts
partsof
ofGlennie
Glennieand
andHanson
HansonLake
LakeDomains,
Domains, they
they suggest
suggest that
that crust
crustbeneath
beneathLa
LaRonge
Ronge
Domain,
Domain,and
andalso
alsobeneath
beneathatatleast
leastparts
partsofofHearne
HeameProvince,
Province,isisofjuvenile
ofjuvenilemantle
mantlederivation.
derivation.
Alternatively,
LaRonge
RongeDomain
Domainand
andHearne
HearneProvince,
Province,
Alternatively,Archean
Archeancrust
crustmay
maybe
bepresent
presentbeneath
beneaththe
theLa
but
ca.1.8
1.8Ga
Gapegmatites
pegmatiteswere
wereformed.
formed.These
These
butwas
wasbelow
belowthe
thezone
zoneofofmelting
meltingwhen
whenthe
theca.
observations
observationsare
areconsistent
consistentwith
withinterpretation
interpretationofofnorthwesterly-dipping
northwesterly-dippingreflectors
reflectorsbeneath
beneath
Hearne
revealedby
byCanadian
CanadianLithoprobe
Lithoprobeseismic
seismic data,
data, as
asrepresenting
representingsubducted
subducted
H e m eProvince,
Province,asasrevealed
oceanic
oceaniclithosphere.
lithosphere.The
Thepresence
presenceofofoceanic
oceaniclithosphere
lithospherebetween
betweenHearne
HeameProvince
Provinceand
andGlennie
Glennie
Domain
Archeanmicrocontinent
microcontinentbeneath
beneaththe
theGlennie
GlennieDomain
Domainisisprobably
probablynot
not
Domainindicates
indicatesthat
thatthe
theArchean
subducted
subductedHearne
H e m ecrust,
crust,but
butmore
morelikely
likelyan
anexotic
exoticcrustal
crustalfragment.
fragment.

=%

4

6

�GEOLOGIC MAP
GEOLOGIC
MAP OF
OF THE
THEWESTERN
WESTERN PENOKEAN
PENOKEAN OROGEN,
OROGEN, EAST-CENTRAL
EAST-CENTRAL MINNESOTA
BOERBOOM, Terrence
Terrence J.,
J., Minnesota
Minnesota Geological
Geological Survey,
Survey,2642
2642 University
UniversityAve.,
Ave.,St.
St.Paul,
Paul,MN
MN 55114;
BOERBOOM,
55114;
boerboOl @maroon.tc.umn.edu;
@maroon.tc.umn.edu; and
boerb00l
and SEVERSON.
SEVERSON, Mark,
Mark, Natural Resources
Resources Research Institute,
Institute, University
University
of Minnesota, Duluth.
Duluth, MN 55811;
5581 1;mseverso@sage.nrri.unm.edu
mseverso@sage.nrri.umn.edu
The
Natural Resources
Resources Research
Research Institute,
Institute, has
has recently
recently
The Minnesota
MinnesotaGeological
Geological Survey,
Survey, in cooperation with the Natural
completed
Orogen in east-central
east-central Minnesota.
Minnesota.
comnleted aa revised
revised geologic
eeoloeicmap
man of the
the western portion
nortion of the Penokean Oroeen
The geologic framework
western Penokean
framework for
for the
thewestern
~ e n o k e Orogen
kOrogen has
has been
been previously
previously interpreted
interpreted by
by Southwick
Southwick

and others (1988) using plate-tectonic theory
theory (see discussion
discussion below).
below). This
This map
map builds
builds on
on that
that base
base by
by
data. Although
utilizing new drilling information and better geophysical
geophysical data.
Although thousands
thousands of
of exploratory
exploratory holes
holes
were drilled in this area
area from the late l800s
1800sto
tothe
the 1950s,
1950s.nearly
nearly all
all focused
focused on locating
locating iron,
iron, manganese,
manganese, or
or
sulfur ore. As
Asaaresult,
result, the
thedistribution
distributionand
and form
form of
of the
the major
major iron-formations both within and outside the
iron-mining districts are fairly well established, but
but little
little is
is known
known about
aboutthe
the areas
areas in
in between.
between. Thus, any
geologic compilation
compilation necessarily relies
relies heavily on geophysical interpretations.
interpretations.
GEOLOGIC FRAMEWORK

Southwick (1988) interpreted
interpreted the Penokean Orogen to consist of several structural panels that range from
sedimentary
sedimentary rocks
rocks filling
filling aa foreland
foreland basin,
basin, through
through aa main
main fold-and-thrust
fold-and-thrust belt
belt of sedimentary
sedimentaryand
and volcanic
volcanic
rocks, to a complex
terrane. The major terranes, referred
referred to as panels in the list
rocks,
complex metamorphic-plutonic
metamorphic-plutonic terrane.
list
below, are separated by linear,
linear, northeast-trending
northeast-trending aeromagnetic
aeromagnetic anomalies, which are
are interpreted
interpreted as
as thrust
thrust
faults that truncate stratigraphy-related
stratigraphy-relatedaeromagnetic
a e r ~ r n a ~ e tanomalies
ainc o d i e s within the panels. The
Thefollowing
followingsummary
summary
of the structural
I), and modified accordingly
accordingly
structural panels
panels is
is condensed
condensed from
from Southwick
Southwick and others
others (1988)
(1988) (Fig.
(Fig. 1),
for this study
study based
based on
on new
new information.
information.
1.
The
Animikie
basin
is
filled
with essentially
essentially unmetamorphosed
unmetamorphosed sedimentary
1. The Animikie
sedimentary rocks
rocks (Pokegama
(Pokegama Quartzite,
Quartzite,
Biwabik Iron Formation,
Formation,and
and Virginia Formation). The
TheAnimikie
Animikie strata
strata generally
generally have
have aa shallow
shallow south
south
dip, but along
along the
the southern
southern basin
basin margin,
margin, and
and hence
hence this
this map
map area,
area, are
are deformed
deformed into
into fairly
fairly tight
tight upright
upright
folds.
folds. In
Inthis
thisarea
areaofofthe
themap,
map,these
thesestrata
strataunconformably
unconformablyoverlie
overlierocks
rocks of
of the
the foldfold- and
and thrust-belt.
thrust-belt.
2. The North Range
2.
Range panel
panel isisdominated
dominatedby
byweakly
weaklymetamorphosed
metamorphosedargillite,
argillite, siltstone,
siltstone, quartzite,
quartzite,ironironformation, graphitic slate, graywacke, and minor limestone and
and chert.
chert. Volcanic and hypabyssal mafic
rocks
rocks are
are a minor component
componentof the
the North Range. Structurally,
Structurally,the
the North
North Range
Range is
is dominated
dominatedby
by aa large
large
northwest-inclined,
northwest-inclined, doubly plunging synclinorium.
synclinorium. Geophysical
Geophysicalmodels
models (Carlson,
(Carison, 1985)
1985) show that the
folded
Animikie Basin. The
folded Trommald
Trommaldiron-formation
iron-formationcontinues
continuesto
tothe
theeast
eastbeneath
beneath rocks
rocks of
of the
thehimikie
Thestructural
structural
of those deposited in an external
and stratigraphic attributes of North Range rocks are characteristic of
tectonic zone.
zone.
3. The
3.
The South
South Range
Rangepanel
panel also
alsocontains
containsan
an abundance
abundanceof
of slaty
slaty and
and argillaceous
argillaceousrocks,
rocks, but
but unlike
unlike the
the North
North
Range,
rocks, all of which
Ranee. it has aa substantial
substantial component
comoonent of mafic
rnafic volcanic
volcanic and hypabyssal
hvpabyssal intrusive rocks,
have
undergone low-grade
inthe
theSouth
SouthRange
Rangeresembles
resemblesAlgomaAlgomahaveundergone
low-grade metamorphism.
metakorphism. The
Theiron-formation
iron-formationin
type iron-formations
iron-formations in
in that
that itit occurs
occurs as
as aa series
seriesof
of Jenses
lenses closely associated with mafic volcanic rocks
and graphitic
anomalies. The
graphitic slate.
slate. This
Thispanel
panel isis characterized
characterizedby narrow linear aeromagnetic anomalies.
The structure
structure
of the
the South
South Range
Range isis dominated
dominatedby
by elongate
elongateeast-northeast-trending
east-northeast-trending overturned
overturnedfolds.
folds.
The South
Township panel
panel to
to the
the south
south by
byaa
South Range
Range panel
panel is
is separated
separated from
from the Moose Lake-Glen Township
narrow zone of graphite-rich,
graphite-rich, crenulated
crenulated phyllitic schist that curves from northeast to east-west. This
This
graphitic schist
schist may have absorbed
absorbed aa great
great deal
deal of strain
strain during
during thrust
thrust faulting.
faulting.
4. The
TheMoose
MooseLake-Glen
Lake-GlenTownship
Townshippanel
panel isis dominated
dominated by
by quartz-rich
quartz-rich metaclastic rocks and by mafic
mafic
volcanic
graphitic argillite
argillite and
and schist;
schist; all were subjected
volcanic and hypabyssal intrusive rocks, along with graphitic
subjected to
lower greenschist-facies
greensehist-facies metamorphism. This
Thispanel
panel includes
includes the
the Glen
Glen Township Formation, a sulfiderich graphitic schist
schist grading
grading into
into aa sulfide
sulfideiron-formation
iron-formation that
that contains
contains pyrrhotite,
pyrrhotite, pyrite,
pyrite, lesser
lesser
chalcopyrite, and
consists of
ofamygdaloidal
amygdaloidal
chalcopyrite,
and minor
minor sphalerite.
sphalerite. The
Thestratigraphic
stratigraphicsection
section at
at Glen Township consists
basalt overlying
overlying the
the sulfidic-graphitic
sulfidic-graphiticschist, which in turn overlies graywacke. In
In places
places the
the latter
lattertwo
two
are separated by slaty iron-formation.
iron-formation. The
Thebase
base of
of the
thesequence
sequencecomprises
comprises quartz-rich
quartz-rich sedimentary
sedimentary
moderate magnetic
magnetic anomaly.
rocks that typically contain
contain up
up to several
several percent magnetite, which causes a moderate
Several prominent linear
linear aeromagnetic anomalies
anomalies apparently reflect some combination of thrust faults
faults
with relatively minor displacement,
displacement, and stratigraphic and lithologic variation.
variation. The GlenTownship
Glen Township strata
strata
have undergone
undergone at least
least two
two generations
generationsof
of folding
folding that
that produce
produce complex
complex aeromagnetic
aeromagneticpatterns.
patterns.

�A previously unrecognized, synsyn- to
to late-orogenic
late-orogenic monzonitic intrusion
intrusion with
with aa well-defined
well-defined circular
circular
aeromagnetic anomaly
core drilline
drilling iust
just northwest
northwest of
ofMille
Mule Lacs
Lacs Lake.
Lake. Another
Another core
core
aeromaenetic
anomalv was intersected by
bv core
hole
hole drilled
drilled on
on this
this anomaly
anomaly intersected
intersected ten
ten feet
feet of
o faabrick-red,
brick-red,unmetamorphosed
unmetamorphosed quartz-pebble
quartz-pebble
conglomerate. This
Thisunit
unitisisgeophysically
geophysicallyinvisible
invisibleand
and its
its extent
extent is
is thus
thus unknown,
unknown, but
but itit may
may represent
represent
conglomerate that was deposited durine
during Meso~roterozoic
Mesoproterozoic time
time in
in aa shallow
shallow basin
basin on
on the
the backside
backside of
of
aa conelomerate
the Midcontinent
Midcontinent rift, and
the
and thus
thus is
is correlative
correlative with
with Keweenawan
Keweenawan rocks
rocks to
to the
the east.
east
5.
The McGrath-Little
5. The
McGrath-Little Falls
Falls panel,
panel, the
the southernsouthern- and
and internal-most
internal-most component
component of
of the
the foldfold- and
and thrust-belt,
thrust-belt,
comprises
comnrises granitic
eranitic to
to tonalitic
tonalitic gneiss,
eneiss. amphibolite-facies
amnhibolite-facies pelitic
nelitic schist,
schist. and
and latelate- to post-tectonic
nost-tectonic granitic
eranitic
intrusions. An
uncommon
dike that
Penokean
granites
of fresh,
comnosed
fresh.
intr6sions.~n
uncommon
that
nost-dates
~enokekn
=m~
i t e s is composed
-~~
~- ~
~ ~lamprophyre
-la&amp;ronhvredike
-~~~~~
r~ ~
- r ~ ~- ,
~
~~~-~~
~ post-dates
- -~~
-~~~~-~~~
~
euhedral
be traced across
across the entire
entire map area
area
euhedral clinopyroxene
clinopyroxenein
in aa groundmass
groundmass of
of poikilitic feldspar;
feldspar; it can be
by its
its pronounced
pronounced reverse
reverse aeromagnetic
aeromagnetic anomaly. Abundant
Abundant small
small circular
circular to
to elongate
elongate positive
positive magmagnetic anomalies
anomalies are
areindicative
indicative of
of mafic-ultramafic
mafic-ultramafic plugs
plugs similar
similar to
to those that have been drilled at several
locations to
to the
the south
locations
south and
and east.
east. Based
Basedon
onaeromagnetic
aerom&amp;$etic data,
data, these
these plugs
plugs post-date
post-date the
the lamprophyre
lamprophyre
dike. The
Thedike
dikeisisconjectured
conjecturedtotobe
berelated
relatedto
tothe
thewaning
waningstages
stagesof
ofPenokean
Penokean granite
granitemagmatism.
magmatism.
~

~

~~~~

-~

~~~~

~

~

is
~

~

References:
References:
Carlson,
Carlson, K.E.,
K.E.,1985,
1985, A
A combined
combined analysis
analysis of
of gravity
gravity and
and magnetic
magnetic anomalies
anomalies in
in east-central
east-central Minnesota:
Minnesota:
M.S.
138p.
p.
M S . thesis,
thesis. University
University of
of Minnesota,
Minnesota, Minneapolis,
Minneapolis, 138

Southwick,
Geologic map
map (scale
(scale 11:250,000)
of the
the Penokean
Penokean
Southwick, D.L., Morey,
Morey, G.B., and McSwiggen,
McSwiggen, P.L.,
P.L., 1988, Geologic
:250,000) of
Orogen,
and accompanying
accompanying text:
text: Minnesota
Report
Orogen, central
central and
and eastern
eastern Minnesota,
Minnesota, and
Minnesota Geological
Geological Survey
Survey Report
of Investigations 37,
25 p.
37.25
p.
Figure 1.
1. Regional
Regional tectonic
tectonicinterpretation
interpretation
elements discussed in
in
showing the tectonic elements
the abstract- From Southwick and others
(1998). This map does not reflect changes
made on the map accompanying this poster.

Area of revised geologic map
8

�Mercury distribution
National Park,
Park,
Mercury
distributionin
inbedrock,
bedrock,native
nativecopper
copperore,
ore, and
andsoils—Isle
soils-Isle Royale National
Michigan
Michigan
W.F. Cannon, U.S.
W.F.
U.S. Geological
Geological Survey,
Survey, Reston, Va
L.G. Woodruff, U.S. Geological
Geological Survey,
Survey, St. Paul, MN
In response
response to recent
recent findings
findings of elevated
elevated mercury in fish in some inland lakes on Isle Royale, we
have begun a study
of
mercury
concentration
study of
concentration in natural geologic materials of the island. Initially
Initially
we aimed to determine
determine if elevated
elevated mercury from native copper deposits could be contributing
mercury to the impacted lakes. Small
Smallnative
nativecopper
copperdeposits
depositson
onthe
the island
island were
were mined
mined
the 1800's. Those
sporadically in the
Thosedeposits,
deposits,waste
waste dumps
dumps at
at abandoned
abandoned mines, and wastes from
small processing operations, do contain anomalous amounts of
of mercury.
mercury. Our
Our analyses
analyses have
have
found individual
as much as 14
14 parts per million (ppm) mercury, and stamp sands
individual samples
samples with as
were found to contain
contain from 0.6 to 0.7 ppm. In
Incontrast,
contrast,typical
typicalbedrock
bedrockof
of the
the island,
island, aa sequence
sequence
of volcanic
Sampleswe
we have
have
volcanic basalt flows, appears
appears to be uniformly very low in mercury. Samples
analyzed all had no detectable
parts per billion (ppb).
detectable mercury at
at aa detection
detection limit
limit of
of 55 parts
(ppb).
determine if mercury contained
To determine
contained in
in mineral
mineral deposits
deposits could
wuld be
be aa source
source of
of mercury
mercury to
to impacted
impacted
lakes we sampled and analyzed
analyzed soil
soil and
and glacial
glacial deposits
deposits on
on which
which the
the soils
soils formed
formed in
in two
two test
test
wextaken
takenaround
aroundthe
theMinong
Minong mine,
mine, the
the largest
largest mine
mine on
on the
the island,
island, to
to determine
determine
areas. Samples
Sampleswere
the extent
extent to which
which anomalous
anomalous metal content
content of the ore and surrounding altered rocks affected
the drainage
drainage basins
basins of
of
the trace element content of soils. Also,
Also, samples
samples were taken within the
mercury in
in fish.
fish. No copper
Sargent Lake and Lake Wagejo, two of the lakes with elevated mercury
copper
basins, but
but deposits
depositscould
wuld be concealed
concealed beneath
beneath extensive
extensive
deposits are known
known within
within those
those basins,
mercury. In
glacial deposits, and, if present, could be a contributor of mercury.
In total,
total, samples
samples were
were taken
taken
was taken from
from the
theAAsoil
soilhorizon,
horizon, aa dark
dark organic
organic mineral soil,
soil,
at 65 sites. At
Ateach
eachsite
siteaa sample
samplewas
1-6 inched below the surface. A
second
sample
was
taken
from
a
depth
of
about
2
feet,
A second sample was taken from depth
consisting of either
consisting
either reddish
reddish sandy
sandy glacial
glacial till
till or
or till
till slightly
slightly modified by soil-forming
soil-forming processes
processes
(referred
to
here
as
BC
horizon).
as BC
(referred
Results show
Results
show that
that the
the copper
copper deposit
depositat
at Minong
Minong mine
mine produces
produces aa very
very distinct
distinct trace
trace element
element
anomaly in soil,
soil, especially
especially the copper
copper content of the BC horizon. Mercury
Mercury also
also is
is somewhat
somewhat
elevated in samples
closest to
tothe
thecopper
copperdeposit.
deposit. Mean
Mean copper
copper content
content of
of BC
samples of the BC horizon closest
ppm and that of
of mercury
mercury is
is 44
44ppb.
ppb. Highest values are 1160
1160
soils in the Minong mine area is 342 pprn
ppm
copper
and
110
ppb
mercury.
The
A
soil
horizon
near
the
Minong
mine
averages
290
ppm
pprn
110
The A soil horizon near the Minong
averages
pprn
Cu and 70
thedrainage
drainagebasins
basinsfeeding
feedingLake
LakeWagejo
Wagejoand
and Sargent
Sargent Lake, BC soils
70 ppb
ppb Hg.
Hg .InInthe
ppm Cu, nearly five times lower than near Minong
Minong mine,
mine, and
and 38 ppb Hg, essentially
essentially
average 60 pprn
A-horizon soils
soilsin
inthe
the Sargent-Wagejo
Sargent-Wagejo drainage
drainage average
average 63
63 ppm
pprn
the same as at Minong mine. A-horizon
Cu and 133
133 ppb
ppb Hg.
Hg. The
The maximum
maximum value
value for
for Hg
Hg is
is 370
370 ppb,
ppb, an
an exceptionally
exceptionally high
high value
value for
for soil
soil
For
comparison,
similar
soil
geochemical
studies
that
we
are
conducting
in
the
in this
this region.
region.
conducting
Chequamegon National Forest in
Chequamegon
in northern
northern Wisconsin show A-horizon soils
soils to have a mean
mean Hg
content
of
about
54
ppb
with
a
maximum
detected
concentration
of
260
ppb.
C-horizon
content about 54
of 260 ppb. C-horizon soils
soils in
in
that area have a mean of 19
ppb. With
19ppb
ppbHg
Hg and
and aa maximum
maximum of 80 ppb.
With respect
respect to
to soils,
soils, Isle
Isle

9

�than northern
northern Wisconsin. Both
Royale appears to be a more Hg-rich environment than
Both A
A and
and BC
BC
horizon soils
soils are
are at least
least twice
twice as
as high
high on
on the
the island
island as
as in
in northern
northern Wisconsin.
Wisconsin.
The results
results suggest
suggest that the very elevated mercury content of soils in the Sargent
Sargent Lake-Lake
Wagejo area is not caused by concealed
concealed native
native copper
copper deposits
depositsbecause
because there
there is
is little
littleor
orno
no
elevated
elevated copper
copper content of those soils.
soils. Results from the Minong mine area show that concealed
deposits, if present, would produce readily detectable elevated copper content of the soils.
Neither is there reason
reason to conclude
conclude that local bedrock is the source for mercury because all tested
chemically very uniform bedrock have very low mercury
mercury content.
content. Because
samples of the chemically
Becauseof
of the
the
general lack of mercury in the most common
occurrence
common rocks of the island and the very limited occurrence
of native copper
copper deposits
deposits that
that do
do contain some mercury, the mercury content of the soils on Isle
Royale seems very
very likely
likely to
to result
result largely
largely from
from airborne
airborne deposition.
deposition. The
The processes
processes causing
causing the
the
great variability
variability of mercury content
content of similar
similar appearing soils over short distances that
thatwe
wehave
have
observed in our survey remain only speculative. Nevertheless, it appears certain that mercury
must be very mobile
in the soil
soil zone
zone in order to redistribute what must be a relatively uniform
mobile in
amount of deposited mercury into the highly variable observed concentrations.

10
10

�STRUCTURAL
STRUCTURALFABRIC
FABRICAND
AND STRAIN
STRAINFOR
FOR THE
THE SEINE
SEINERIVER
RIVER CONGLOMERATES
CONGLOMERATESAT
AT TIlE
THE
WABI000NQUETICO
WABIGOONQUETICOSUBPROVINCE
SUBPROVINCEBOUNDARY
BOUNDARYNEAR
NEARMINE
MINECENTRE,
CENTRE,ONTARIO.
ONTARIO.
CZECK,
Peter I.,
J., Department
Department of
of Geology
Geology and
M. and
and HTJDLESTON,
HUDLESTON, Peter
and Geophysics,
Geophysics,University
University of
of
CZECK, Dyanna
Dyanna M.
Minnesota,
Minnesota, 310
310 Pillsbury Dr. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455,
55455, dyanna@geolab.geo.umn.edu
dyanna@geolab.geo.unm.edu
INTRODUCTION

The
The Superior
Superior Province
Province consists
consistsof
of approximately
approximatelyeast-west
east-west trending
trending subprovinces
subprovinces defined
defined by
by lithological
lithological
differences,
&amp; Ciesielski
Ciesielski 1986). This
This study
study
differences,metamorphic
metamorphic grade, and structural boundaries (Card &amp;
concentrates
concentrates on
on the
the boundary between
between the
the Quetico
Quetico metasedimentary
metasedimentary subprovince
subprovince and
and the
the Wabigoon
Wabigoon
metavolcanic
subprovince.
The
Seine
River
Metasedimentary
Group,
including
the
Seine
River
metavolcanic
The Seine River Metasedimentary Group,
conglomerates,
are
distinctive
rocks
found
within
a
wedge
along
this
boundary.
along this
conglomerates, are distinctive rocks found within a
Structural
Structural work along the Quetico
Quetico and Wabigoon describes subvertical foliation overprinting
overprinting
large
Hudieston 1991).
1991). These
These structures
structures indicate a strain
large lithological folds (Poulsen 1986,
1986, Tabor &amp; Hudleston
history
history consisting
consisting of an early
early recumbent
recumbent nappe
nappe deformation
deformation followed by a more
more ubiquitous
ubiquitous overprinting
overprinting
of a subvertical flattening
fabric
and
shear
zones
attributed
to
dextral
transpression.
Strain
is
pervasive
flattening
attributed to dextral transpression.
throughout
throughout the
the boundary,
boundary, but
but also
also localized
localized into
into more
more discrete
discrete shear zones
zones including
including two
two main,
main,
connecting
connecting shear
shear zones
zones coincident
coincidentwith
with the
the Rainy
Rainy Lake-Seine
Lake-Seine River
River and Quetico
Quetico Faults. These
Theselarge
large
shear
shear zones
zones are
are interconnected
interconnected with
with smaller
smaller shear
shear zones
zones forming an anastomosing
anastomosing pattern. The
TheSeine
Seine
River conglomerates
conglomerates are
are located
located in
in aa wedge
wedge between
between these two shear
shear zones
zones west
west of their intersection.
intersection.
Poulsen (1986)
(1986) interpreted
interpreted the
the Seine
Seine River
River conglomerates
conglomeratesto
to have
have formed
formed syn-kinematically
syn-kinematically during
during
transpression,
transpression, possibly
possibly in
in structures
structuressimilar
similarto
topull-apart
pull-apanbasins.
basins.
This
This preliminary
preliminary structural
structuralwork
work made
made itit clear
clear that
that the
the WabigoonWabigoon- Quetico
Quetico subprovince
subprovince boundary
is
is not
not merely aa discrete
discrete suture
suturebetween
between two
two tectonic
tectonic microplates,
microplates, but is instead
instead a complex
complex network of
shear zones which together accommodated oblique collision. The
Thegoal
goalof
ofthis
thisstudy
studyisisto
todescribe
describehow
how
this complex
shear
zone
geometry
is
reflected
in
spatially
variable
strain
magnitudes
and
structural
complex shear zone geometry is reflected in spatially variable
magnitudes
structural
fabrics.
fabrics.
-

STRUCTURAL FABRIC
Foliations
Foliations in
in the
the field
field show
show aa consistent
consistent regional
regional orientation
orientation with strike
strike of approximately
approximately 080
080 and
and
subvertical dips. This
Thisstrike
strikeisisconsistent
consistent with
with the
the dextral
dextral transpression model. One
Oneexception
exceptionto
to this
this is
is in
the area of Shoal
045,creating
creatingan
anoverall
overallS-like
S-likegeometry
geometry
Shoal Lake
Lake where
where the
the strike
strikechanges
changesto
toapproximately
approximately045,
with a map pattern analogous
analogous to
to a dextral shear sense indicator. The
Thesame
sameshear
shearsense
senseisisobserved
observedatataa
smaller
scale
within
the
conglomerate
clasts
that
often
form
sigma
and
delta
dextral
shear
smaller scale within the conglomerate clasts that often form sigma and delta dextral shearsense
senseindicators
indicators
on the sub-horizontal
sub-horizontalplane.
plane.
Mineral
chlorite and amphiboles.
Mineral lineations
lineationsin
in the field
field are
are predominantly defined by chlorite
amphiboles. General
General
transpression
1993). However,
However,
transpression theory predicts either vertical or horizontal lineations (Fossen &amp; Tikoff 1993).
lineation orientations
orientations in the field
field vary remarkably within the foliation plane. Typically,
Typically,the
theSeine
SeineGroup
Group
lineations are spatially similar
on
the
scale
of
0.5-1
km.
Therefore,
the
lineation
variations
are
not
Therefore, the lineation variations are not caused
caused
similar
by small-scale-phenomena
by some regional
regional phenomenon.
phenomenon. Rather
small-scalephenomena such as clast interaction, but by
Rather than
than
reflecting different
different bulk kinematic
kinematic conditions
conditions along the boundary (such as partitioned triclinic
transpression).
transpression), the lineation
lineation variations
variations may reflect
reflect anastomosing
anastomosing shear zone patterns and variable pressure
gradients
gradients within
within the
therock.
rock.

11

�Taken together,
the finite strain ellipsoid
Taken
together. foliation and lineation match the variations in the
orientation. The
Thefoliation
foliationpole
polealigns
alignswith
withthe
theminimum
minimumstretching
stretchingdirection,
direction,and
andthe
thelineations
lineationsparallel
parallel
the maximum stretching direction.
direction.
STRAIN ANALYSIS

The Seine River conglomerates are useful strain recorders.
recorders. Qualitative observations and
quantitative strain analyses indicate heterogeneous
heterogeneous strain distributions within the Seine River
conglomerates. Analysis
Analysis confinns
confirmsaaflattening
flatteningstyle
stylestrain
strainthat
that could
could only
only be aa result
result of
of aa threethreedimensional deformational phenomenon such as transpression rather than the two-dimensional strain
strain
produced by wrench or thrust movements.
Results to date show that the longest
axis corresponds to the mineral lineation
longest
lineation measured
. principal
in the field and the shortest principal axis corresponds well with the foliation pole. This
Thissupports
supportsthe
theidea
idea
that structural fabric measured in the field may
reoresent the orientation of the finite
finite strain
mav be used to represent
ellipsoid.
ellipsoid.
The variations in strain ellipsoid orientations
orientations and magnitudes could be used to argue
argue for multiple
multiple
deformation events or complex and variable kinematic
kinematic boundary
boundaryconditions.
conditions. However, the geometry of
of
the anastomosing shear zone pattern can be used to explain the variations in the orientation of the strain
ellipsoid and
and the
the heterogeneous
heterogeneous strain magnitudes within the Seine
Seine Group
Group within a simple dextral
ellipsoid
transpressional setting.

Poles to
to foliation
foliation
138 Measurements
Measurements (equal
(equal area)
area)

Mineral lineations

113 Measurements
Measurements (eaual
(equal area)

Card. K.
IC.D.
D.&amp;
&amp;Ciesielski,
Ciesielski, A.
A. 1986.
1986. DNAG
DNAG Subdivisions
Subdivisions of
of the
the Superior
Superior Province
Province of the Canadian
Card,
Geoscience Canada
Canada 13,
5-13.
Shield. Geoscience
13.5-13.
Fossen, H. &amp; Tikoff, B. 1993.
1993. The deformation matrix for simultaneous simple shearing, pure
shearing and volume change, and its application to transpression- transtension tectonics.
tectonics
Journal
15,
413-422.
Journal of
o fStructural
Structural Geology
Geoloxv
IS.
4
13-422.
-.
Poulsen.
example of
of an
an Archean
Archean Subprovince
Subprovince boundary
boundary
Poulsen, K. H. 1986.
1986. Rainy Lake Wrench Zone: An example
in Northwestern Ontario.
Tectonic evolution
evolution of greenstone belts Technical
Technical Report
Report (edited
(edited
Ontario. In:
In: Tectonic
Ashwal, L.
L. D.)
D.) 86-10. Houston TX,
TX, Lunar and planetary Inst., 177-179.
1. Sc
&amp; Ashwal,
177-179.
by de Wit, M. J.
Tabor. J.
J. R. &amp;
&amp; Hudleston, P. 1
J.. 1991. Deformation at an
an Archean subprovince boundary,
boundary, northern
Tabor,
Minnesota. Canadian
Canadian Journal
292-307.
Journal of
of Earth
EarthSciences
Sciences 28,
28,292-307.
12

�Preliminary
PreliminaryAeromagnetic
AeromagneticMap
Mapof
ofWisconsin
Wisconsin
David
DavidL.
L. Daniels,
Daniels,Suzanne
SuzanneW.
W.Nicholson,
Nicholson,William
WilliamF.
F.Cannon,
Cannon,U.S.
US. Geological
GeologicalSurvey.
Survey,MS
MS 954
954National
National
Center,
E.Bracken,
Bracken,U.S.
U.S. Geological
GeologicalSurvey,
Survey,MS
MS 964,
964, DFC
DFCBox
Box 25046,
25046,
Center,Reston,
Reston,VA
VA20192,
20192,Robert
RobertE.
Denver,
Denver,CO
CO80225
80225
The
The Mineral
MineralResources
ResourcesProgram
Program of
of the
the U.S.
U.S. Geological
GeologicalSurvey
Survey (USGS)
(USGS) has
has conducted
conducted
aeromagnetic
the magnetic coverage
coverage of
of the
the
aeromagneticsurveys
surveys in
in Wisconsin
Wisconsin during
during the past three years to improve the
state.
state. State
Statecoverage
coveragewas
was completed
completed with
with aa survey
survey carried out in 1998/1999.
199811999. The
The new
new aeromagnetic
aeromagnetic
survey
survey fills
fills the
the southern
southernthird
third of
of the
the state
statenot
not covered
covered by existing
existing good quality surveys (see figure).
Right
are:north-south
north-southflight
flightlines
linesatat½Vimile
mile(800
(800m)
m) separation
separation draped
draped at
at 1000
1000ftft (305
(305 m)
m)
Flightspecifications
specificationsare:
mean
mean terrain
terrain clearance.
clearance. Right
Flightlines
linesare
areeast-west
east-westfor
foraapart
partof
ofsoutheast
southeast Wisconsin.
Wisconsin.
The
4' meeting of the ILSG in 1998
1998
The results
resultsof
ofthe
thefirst
firsttwo
twoyears
yearsofofflying
flyingwere
wereshown
shownatat44th
(Daniels
and
others,
1998).
These
data
have
been
released
since
that
meeting
as
paper
contour
(Daniels and others, 1998). These data have been released since that meeting as paper contourmaps
maps
(Snyder,
(Snyder,1998;
1998;USGS
USGS Open-File
Open-File Reports
Reports 98-431 through 439). Digital
Digital data
data for
for the
the 1997/1998
199711998survey
survey
have
have now
now been
been released
released(Open-File
(Open-FileReport
Report99-28)
99-28)on
on CD-ROM
CD-ROM (Daniels,
(Daniels, Nicholson,
Nicholson, and
and Cannon,
Cannon, 1999).
1999).
The
accompanying
figure
shows
a
shaded
image
of
the
aeromagnetic
field
for
current
data
in
The accompanying figure shows a shaded image the aeromagnetic field for current data in
Wisconsin
years data
data are
are blocked and labeled. Three
Threeaeromagnetic
aeromagneticsurveys
surveys
Wisconsin and
and the
the areas
areas of
of the
the first
first22 years
obtained
(M.Mudrey,
Mudrey,
obtainedfrom
fromindustry
industrysources
sourcesby
by the
theWisconsin
WisconsinGeological
Geologicaland
andNatural
NaturalHistory
HistorySurvey
Survey(M.
personal
for the
the new
new survey
survey are
are still
still
personal communication,
communication, 1997)
1997)are
are shown
shown in southern Wisconsin. The data for
preliminary. Blocks
1-5
and
A-D
represent
the
areas
of
the
new
survey
that
will
be
shown
and
the
will
Blocks 1-5 and A-D represent the areas of the new survey
contour
be available
available later
later in
in 1999.
1999.
contour maps
maps that
that will
will be
The
been to
to provide
provide higher
higher resolution
resolution data
data
The rationale
rationale for
for continued
continued aeromagnetic
aeromagnetic surveying has been
with
with which
which to
to interpret
interpretbasement
basementgeology
geologyin
inWisconsin.
Wisconsin.The
Theaeromagnetic
aeromagneticdata
data image
image basement
basement
structures
by glacial
glacial
structures in
in detail
detail and
and give
give clues
clues to
to the
the structural
structural evolution of the Precambrian crust, covered by
and
and Paleozoic
Paleozoiccover.
cover.
References
References

D.L., Nicholson,
Nicholson,S.W.,
S.W., Cannon,
Cannon,W.F.,
W.F., 1999,
1999,Aeromagnetic
~eromahetic
surveying in Wisconsin
Wisconsin 1997-98:
1997-98:
Daniels, D.L.,
Daniels,
surveying
Digital
Digital data
datafiles:
files:U.S.
U.S. Geological
GeologicalSurvey
SurveyOpen-File
Open-FileReport
Report99-28,
99-28, CD-ROM.
CD-ROM.
Daniels,D.L.,
D.L., Snyder,
Snyder,S.L.,
S.L., Nicholson,
Nicholson,S.W.,
S.W., Cannon,
Cannon,W.F.,
W.F., 1998,
1998,New
New aeromagnetic
aeromagnetic surveys
surveysin
in
Daniels,
Wisconsin
part 1,
1,
Wisconsin by
by the
theU.S.
U.S. Geological
GeologicalSurvey:
Survey:Institute
Instituteon
on Lake
Lake Superior
SuperiorGeology
Geology Proceedings
Proceedings v. 44, part
p. 62-63.
62-63.
p.

Snyder, S.L., 1998,
areas:
1998, Aeromagnetic
Aeromagnetic map
map of
of part
part of
of northwestern Wisconsin and
and adjacent areas:
U.S.
U S . Geological Survey
Survey Open-File
Open-File Report
Report 98-228,
98-228, Scale
Scale 1:125,000,
1:125,000,22 sheets.
sheets.

13

�Index
Index Map
Mapof
of'Wisconsin
Wisconsin Aeromagnetic Data
Data
93E
936

92E
926

91E
916

89

9oE

cct
SEE

87E

46E

46E

45E

45E

44E

43E

43E

92E

me.

9oE
90fi

91E
916

ssE

'O'5°20 KM

50
50

0

89E

100

•

14

150

200 KM

siE
876

�INVESTIGATION
INVESTIGATIONOF
OFCaO
CaOAT
ATTHUNDERBIRD
THUNDERBIRDMINE,
MINE,MESABI
MESABIRANGE:
RANGE:MINERAL
MINERALAND
AND
STRATIGRAPHIC
STRATIGRAPHICRELATIONSHIPS
RELATIONSHIPS
DIEDRICH,
DIEDRICH,Tamara
TamaraR.,
R.,and
andMORTON,
MORTON,Penelope,
Penelope,Dept.
Dept.of
ofGeology,
Geology,University
Universityof
ofMinnesota
Minnesota
Duluth,Duluth,
Duluth,MN,
MN,55812,
55812, tdiedric@unnd.edu
tdiedric@umn.d.eduand
andpmorton@unmA.edu
pmorton@umn.d.edu
Duluth,
Mine
Minegeologists
oeolomstsatatEVTAC's
EVTAC'sThunderbird
ThunderbirdMine,
Mine,aataconite
taconitemine
mineininEveleth,
Eveleth,Minnesota,
Minnesota,have
havebeen
been
tracking
variation ofofnaturally
trackingthe
thevariation
naturallyoccurring
occurringCaO
CaOinmiron
ironore
oreconcentrate
concentratefor
foratatleast
leastnine
ninemonths.
months.
Information
Informationabout
aboutthe
theCaO
CaOisishelpful
helnfulininformulating
formulatino
thepartial
fluxpellets
nelleis that
that EVTAC
EVTAC produces.
produces. The
The
-the
.vartialflux
CaO-bearing
CaO-bearinephase
phasewas
wasunidentified,
unidentified,but
butpresumed
presumedto
to be
be aa carbonate.
carbonate. The
Theobjective
objectiveof
ofthis
thisstudy
studywas
wasto
to
investigate
investigatethe
thenature
natureof
ofthis
thisCaO
CaOininterms
termsof:
of:1.)
I .)The
The identification
identificationof
of its
its phase or phases; 2.) Location of
major
majorsiratigraphic
stratigraphiccontributors;
contributors;and
and3.)
3.)The
Theininsitu
situtextural
texturalrelationship
relationshipbetween
betweenthe
theCaO-bearing
CaO-beanng
phase(s)
phase(s)and
andthe
themagnetite.
magnetite.
Manual
Manualinterpretation
interpretationof
ofX-ray
X-raydiffraction
diffractionresults
resultsidentified
identifiedthe
theCaO-bearing
CaO-bearingphase
phasein
inthe
the
concentrate
concentrateto
tobe
beankerite.
ankerite.Other
Otherconstituent
constituentminerals
mineralsinclude
includequartz,
quartz.hematite,
hematite,siderite,
siderite.greenalite,
greenalite,
stilpnomelane,
stilpnomelane,talc,
talc,and
andgoethite.
goethite.
Thunderbird
ThunderbirdMine
Mineexcavates
excavatesore
orefrom
fromthe
theBiwabik
BiwabikIron
IronFormation,
Formation,aaPrecambrian
Precambrianunit
unitcomposed
composed
of
areUpper
UpperUpper
Upper
ofseveral
severalhorizons
horizonsof
ofbanded
bandediron
ironformation.
formation.From
Fromtop
toptotobottom,
bottom,these
thesehorizons
horizonsare
Cherty,
Bottom Lower
Lower
Cherty,Middle
MiddleUpper
UpperCherty,
Cherty,Lower
LowerUpper
UpperCherty,
Cherty, Lower
Lower Slaty,
Slaty, Top
Top Lower Cherty,
Cherty,and Bottom
Cherty.
Cherty.Horizons
Horizonsdiffer
differininphysical
physicalcharacteristics,
characteristics,such
suchasasthickness
thicknessand
andtexture,
texture,and
andchemical
chemical
composition.
areblasted
blasted and
and
composition.When
Whencollecting
collectingore
orefor
forthe
theinitial
initialore
oremix,
mix,aacombination
combinationof
ofhorizons
horizonsare
blended
achieveaadesirable
desirablemagnetic
magneticiron
ironconcentration.
concentration.Statistical
Statisticalanalysis
analysisdemonstrated
demonstratedaastrong
strong
blendedtotoachieve
positive
the amount
amount of
of
positiverelationship
relationshipbetween
betweenthe
thepercentage
percentageof
ofore
orederived
derived from
from the
the Top
Top Lower
Lower Cherty
Cherty and
and the
ankerite
ankeritein
inthe
theresulting
resuitingconcentrate.
~oncen~te.
Textural
Texturalrelationships
relationshiosbetween
betweenthe
theankerite
ankeriteand
andmagnetite
mametitewere
wereobserved
observedand
andphotographed.
photographed.
Ankerite
ankerite
Ankexiteoccurs
occursininatatleast
leastfour
fourdistinct
distincthabits,
habits,relative
relativethe
themagnetite:
magnetite:1.)
1.)Rhombohedral
~hombohedrd
ankeritecrystals
crystals
are
granoblastic,recrystallized
recrystallizedquartz,
aresurrounded
surroundedby
bymuch
muchsmaller,
smaller,granoblastic,
quartz,and
andminor
minormagnetite;
magnetite;2.)
2.) FineFinegrained,
areintergrown
intergrownwith
withmagnetite
magnetiteof
ofapproximately
approximatelythe
thesame
samesize;
size;3.)
3.)An
An
grained,irregular
irregularankerite
ankeritecrystals,
crystals,are
ankerite
ankeritecrystal
crystalcan
canbe
beentirely
entirelyenclosed
enclosedwithin
withinaasingle
singleor
orcluster
clusterof
ofmagnetite
magnetitecrystals;
crystals;and
and4.)
4.)A
Asingle
single
or
orcluster
clusterof
i fankerite
ankeritecrystals
crystalsencapsulates
&amp;apsulates aamagnetite
mapetite crystal.
crystal. The
Theiron
ironore
oreat
atEVTAC
EVTACis
isprocessed
processed by
by
magnetic
mameticseparation.
senaration.Examining
Examininothe
thetextural
texturalrelationship
relationshipbetween
betweenthese
thesetwo
twominerals
mineralscan
can produce
produce
information
informationrelevant
relevanttotomake
makethe
theisolation
isolationof
ofmagnetite
magnetitemore
moreefficient.
efficient.
~~

----

~~~

- - - .~ ~ ~ ~ ~

15

�METAMORPHIC
THE CANADIAN SHIELD
SHIELD OF
OF ONTARIO,
METAMORPHIC MAP
MAP OF THE
ONTARIO,
MICHIGAN,
MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA
MINNESOTA AND
AND WISCONSIN
WISCONSIN
R.M Easton,
Ontario
R.M.
Easton, Ontario
OntarioGeological
GeologicalSurvey,
Survey,933
933Ramsey
RamseyLake
Lake Road,
Road, Sue/bury,
Sudbuty, Ontario
J'3E 6B5,
and R.
G. Berrnan.
Berman, Geological
Geological Survey
P3E
6B5, eastonrm@vianet.Ofl.Ca
eastonrm@yianet.on.ca and
R G.
Survey of
of Canada,
Canada,
601 Booth
Booth Street.
Street, Ottawa,
OE8
607
Ottawa. Ontario
Ontario K1A
KIA 0E8
The Geological
The
Geological Survey
Surveyof
ofCanada's
Canada's undertook
undertookaaproject
projectseveral
severalyears
yearsago
ago to
toproduce
produce an
an updated
updated
metamorphic map for
for the Canadian
Canadian Shield
Shield (GSC
(GSC Map
Map 1475A),
l475A), which
which would
wouldalso
alsobe
be used
used to produce aa
metamorphic map
map of
of the
the world
world (in
(in conjunction
conjunction with
with the
for the
Geologic M
Map
World).
ap of
of the
the World).
metamorphic
the Commission
Commission for
the Geologic
At
of the
Geological Survey
Ontario was
was asked
askedto
to compile
compile aa metamorphic
metamorphic map
map of
of
At the
the request
request of
the Geological
Survey of
of Canada,
Canada, Ontario
the Canadian
Canadian Shield
Shield in
in Ontario.
the
Ontario.
In addition
addition to
to simply
simply compiling
this project
project with
with
In
compiling metamorphic
metamorphic information,
information, Ontario
Ontarioapproached
approached this
the
goal of
the goal
of attempting
attempting to
to integrate
integrate metamorphic
metamorphic information
informationwith
withthe
thetectonic
tectonicsynthesis
synthesisproduced
produced as
a s part
part
of the
Ontario project,
with the
aim of
of developing
mineral exploration
exploration models.
of
the Geology
Geology o
f Ontario
project, with
the aim
developing improved
improved mineral
models. As
As aa
of
consequence,the
the metamorphic
metamorphic map
map of
of Ontario
as to
to complement
complement the existing
existing set
set of
of
consequence,
Ontario was
was designed so as
1: 1.000,000
1.000,000bedrock,
bedrock, suficial
surficial geology,
geology, geophysical,
geophysical,and
andtectonic
tectonicassemblage
assemblagemaps
mapsand
andtime-space
time-space charts
charts
released in
in 1991-92
part of
of the
the Geology
Geology o
Ontario series.
released
1991-92 aas
s part
f Ontario
series. A draft
draft of
of this
this map,
map, at roughly
roughly 1:2,500,000
1:2,500,000
of
scale, will
will be
scale,
be presented
presented here.
here.
Also at
of the
Geological Survey
to produce
produce aa
Also
at the
the request
request of
the Geological
Survey of
ofCanada,
Canada, Ontario
Ontario has
has undertaken
undertaken to
preliminary
in Wisconsin,
Wisconsin, Michigan,
preliminary metamorphic
metamorphicmap
mapof
ofthose
those portions
portions of
ofthe
theCanadian
Canadian Shield
Shield exposed
exposed in
Michigan,
and Minnesota. One
One of
ofthe
thereasons
reasons for requesting
reauestine the involvement of
of the
the Ontario
Ontario Geological
Geological Survey
Survey in
in
this compilation,
wasso
soas
as to
to best
best integrate
integrate the metamorphic
met-orphic pattern
compilation,as
asopposed
opposed to
toother
otherorganizations,
or&amp;izations, was
present
in the
the shield
shield in
in the
the United
United States
with that
that oresent
present across
acrossthe
theborder
borderininOntario.
Ontario. In
In addition.
addition, fast
fast
present in
States with
approaching deadlines
for completion of
deadlines for
of the
the project
project factored
factored into
into this
this decision.
decision.

Thus. the main focus of this presentation
will be
preliminary draft
Thus,
presentation will
be on
on presentation
presentation of a preliminary
draft of
ofthe
the
adjoining Ontario,
metamorphic map for
for the
the shield
shield rocks
rocks in
in the
the areas
areas adjoining
Ontario, for
forthe
thepurposes
purposes of
of discussion
discussion
regarding:
regarding:
the style
style of presentation,
1) the
,,,:~
i.
.
,
,
2) the accuracy
accuracy of
ofthe
the data
data presented,
presented, and
3) solicitation
bringing this
solicitation of
ofpossible
possible assistance
assistance in bringing
this project
project to
to aa conclusion.
concl&amp;on.

The metamorphic map of the Shield is being
being produced
produceddigitally.
digitally. In
Inthe
the case
case of Ontario, the
Tectonic
used as
the geologicalbase.
geological base. Key
aspects of
of the
project include
as the
Key digital
digitalaspects
the project
include
Tectonic Map
Map of
ofOntario
0ntariowas
wasused
digitization of
representing
different
metamorphic
facies
(grade)
and
of
linework
(e.g.
dieitization
ofpolygons
nolveons
reoresentine
different
metamomhic
facies
(grade)
and
of
linework
(e.e.
isoerads.
.
.
. - isograds,
facies boundary
boundary information),
information), into a-CAD
a CAD program.
facies
program. In
In addition,
addition, point-source
point-source information
information (e.g.
(e.g.
assemblage
data.P-T
P-Tdeterminations)
determinations) is
is beinginput
being input into a database.
database. The final
final map product will
willbe
bean
an
assemblage data.
attributed map.
releasedon
onCD-ROM.
CD-ROM.containinc
containingall
allthe
thecom~iled
compiledinformation.
information. The artnbuted
attributed map
map will
will
mao. released
accompany aa standard
standardcoloured,
coloured,hard
hardcopy
copymap,
map,which
whichwill
will mainly
mainly display
display metamorphic
metamorphic facies
facies
distribution.
will be
distribution. This
Thissame
sameapproach
approach will
be taken
taken in compiling
compiling the
the information
information for
forWisconsin
Wisconsin Michigan
Michiganand
and
ofofCanada,
based
Minnesota, except that here, the digital
digital base
base is being
being supplied
supplied by
by the
the Geological
GeologicalSurvey
Survey
Canada,
based
, .
on a previously
previously released
released US geological compilation
compilationmap
mapof
ofthe
theregion.
region.

--

-

in the
Two
Canadian Mineralogist on "Tectonometamorphic
Twospecial
special issues
issues of
of The
The CanadianMineralogist
"~ectonom&amp;&amp;phic Studies
Studiesin
the
Canadian Shield
Shield" are
are being
being produced
producedaas
partofthis
of thisproject.
project. The first (vol.
(vol. 34,
34, part
pan 5,
5, October
October 1997),
1997).
Canadian
s part
includes results
results obtained
obtained from
from aa variety
variety of
of ancillary
to the
the compilation
compilation effort.
includes
ancillary metamorphic
metamorphic studies
studies related
related to
effort
The second issue,
issue, which
which is
is in
in the
the process
process of
of being
being assembled,
assembled, includes regional overviews
overviewsrelated
related to
tothe
the
metamorphic map
well as
map of
of the
the Canadian
Canadian Shield,
Shield, as
as well
a s additional,
additional, detailed
detailed metamorphic
metamorphic studies.
studies.
16
16

�WHERE ARE
OREBODIES
WHERE
ARE THE
THE METAMORPHOSED
METAMORPHOSED NATURAL
NATURAL OREBODIES
OF
THE
MESABI
RANGE?
OF THE MESABI RANGE?
RONALD G.
0. GRABER
RONALD
GRABER AND
AND ALAN
ALAN J.
J. STRANDLJE
STRANDLIE

CLIFFS
COMPANY,ISHPEMING,
ISIIPEMING, MI.
ML 49849
49849
C
U F F S MINING
MINING SERVICES
SERVICES COMPANY.
(graber@ponup.com)
(graber@portup.corn)

The nearly
nearly century-old
century-old debate regarding
The
regarding the genesis
genesis of the hematite-goethite
hematite-goethite iron
iron
ore
deposits
the Mesabi
Mesabi Range
Range has
has recently
recently been
been revisited
revisitedby
byMorey
Morey(1999).
(1999). The
The
ore deposits of
of the
historic debate
for the
the combined
combined oxidation
oxidation
historic
debate centers
centers on
on the
the origin
origin of
of the
the fluids
fluids responsible
responsible for
and
leaching
of
the
Biwabik
iron-formation
to
form
the
deposits
—
they
upward
were
and leaching of the Biwabik iron-formation to form the deposits moving hydrothermal
moving
hydrothermal fluids
fluids (hypogene)
(hypogene)or
or downward
downward moving
movingmeteoric
meteoricwaters
waters
(supergene)?
(supergene)?

Morey presents
conceptual model
model for
for the
the genesis
genesis of
of the
the ores
ores that
that
Morey
presents an
an interesting
interesting conceptual
utilizes
Early Proterozoic,
Proterozoic, driven
driven by
by uplift
utilizes continental-scale
continental-scale groundwater
groundwater flow
flow during
during the
the Early
uplift
in
fold-thrust belt
belt to
to the
the south
south of
of the
the Mesabi
Mesabi Range.
Range. This
This model
model relies
relies on
on
in the
the Penokean
Penokean fold-thrust
the
as aa regional
regional
the Pokegama
Pokegama Quartzite,
Quartzite, which
which underlies
underlies the
the Biwabik
Biwabik iron-formation,
iron-formation, as
aquifer for
for the
aquifer
the movement
movement of
of basinal
basinal waters
waters to
to the
the northern
northern margin
margin of
of the
the Animike
Animike basin.
basin.
A
Ma when
when loss
loss of
the
A minimum
minimum age
age for
for ore
ore genesis
genesis in
in this
this model
model is
is believed
believed to
to be
be 1650
1650 Ma
of the
hydraulic
gradient
for
the
groundwater
flow
system
occurred
due
to
erosion
of
the
hydraulic gradient for the groundwater flow system
recharge area. This
ThisEarly
EarlyProterozoic
Proterozoicage
age for
for ore
ore genesis
genesis is significantly
significantly older than the
Jurassic-Cretaceous
over the
Jurassic-Cretaceous age
age that has been generally,
generally, albeit not universally, accepted over
last 30 plus
plus years
years (Sloan,
(Sloan, 1964;
1964;Morey.
Morey, 1972).
1972).
last
Constraints
Constraints on
on the
the timing
timing of
of the
the hematite-goethite
hematite-goethiteores
ores are
are few
few due
due to
to the
the scarcity
scarcity
of geologic
geologic events
events impacting the
the Mesabi
Mesabi Range
Range between
between the
the Early
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic and
and the
the
of
Late Cretaceous. ItItisison
onthe
theeast
eastend
endof
of the
theMesabi
Mesabi Range
Range where
where intrusive
intrusiveevents
eventsand
and
contact metamorphism associated with the Middle Proterozoic Duluth
Duluth Complex provide a
potential opportunity to put additional time
time constraints
constraints on
onthe
thegenesis
genesisof
ofthe
theores.
ores. Hence
Hence
the title of this paper. IfIf ore
oreformation
formation occurred
occurred prior to the Middle Proterozoic, the
opportunity
equivalents of
of the
the soft
soft hematite-goethite
hematite-goethite
opportunity should exist to find metamorphosed equivalents
ores. Detailed
Detaileddrilling
drillingboth
bothalong
alongthe
theiron-formation
iron-formation outcrop
outcropbelt
belt and
and downclip
downdip as part of
exploration
to find
these metamorphosed
metamorphosed equivalents.
equivalents. In
In
exploration for
for Cu-Ni
Cu-Ni deposits
deposits has
has failed
failed to
find these
fact the distinct
distinct absence
absence of
of enriched
enriched orebodies
orebodies of any sort east of the Duluth Complex's
post-Middle Proterozoic
Proterozoic age
age
metamorphic aureole
aureole has long been utilized as support for aa post-Middle
for ore
ore genesis.
genesis. Alternatively,
Alternatively, thinning
thinningof
of the
the Pokegama
Pokegamaquartzite
quartzitein
in this
thissame
samegeneral
general
area is cited by Morey
Morey to
to explain
explain the
the absence
absence of enriched
enriched ores
ores on
on the
the East
East Mesabi.
Mesabi.
The
The relative
relative abrupt
abrupt absence
absence of
of enriched
enriched ores
ores in
in the
the Biwabik
Biwabik iron-formation
iron-formationoccurs
occurs
within the mining operations
Mining Company,
Company, managed
managed by
by aa subsidiary
subsidiary of
of
operations of LTV Steel Mining
Cleveland-Cliffs, which has been active
1). Detailed
Detaileddata
data
active for over 40 years (Figure 1).
acquired
acquired through
through both
both field
field observations
observationsand
and thousands
thousands of
of drill
drill holes
holes provide
provideinsight
insighton
on
the controls
controls of the
the ore-forming
ore-forming process. The
Thefollowing
followingfeatures
featuresof
of the
the geology
geology at
at LTV
LTV
Steel Mining Company are
are in
in conflict
conflict with
with an
an Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic genesis
genesis of the
the hematitehematitegoethite
ores:
goethite ores:
17

�1.
1.

Due to the economic
economic significance
significance that metamorphism has on the processing of the
magnetic taconites, considerable effort is placed on mapping the metamorphic
isograds at this operation. Further
Further refinement
refinement of the original zonation of the Duluth
Complex's contact
resulted. The
Complex's
contact metamorphic
metamorphic aureole (French, 1968) has resulted.
The
relationship of metamorphic
metamorphic grade with the
the eastern
eastern limit
limit of
of iron-formation
iron-formation enrichment
enrichment
relationship
stronger than the correlation with either the thickness or distribution of the
appears stronger
Pokegama
Pokegama Quartzite. This
Thisisismanifested
manifestedby:
by:
the
abrupt
termination
of enrichment
enrichment and oxidation
oxidation along
along the
the Wentworth
Wentworth
a)
the
abrupt
termination
a)
structure
structure due
due to increasing
increasing metamorphic
metamorphic grade;
grade; and,
and,
b)
the
b) the
thepresence
presenceof
ofenrichment
enrichmenteast
eastof
ofthe
the Siphon
Siphon structure
structure which
which is
is the
controlling structure
for aa dramatic
dramatic decrease
decrease in
in Pokegama
Pokegama Quartzite
Quartzite thickness.
thickness.
controlling
structure for

2.
the Biwabik
Biwabik iron-formation in
2. The Aurora sill,
sill, aa sizeable
sizeable syenitic
syenitic body that intrudes the

the western portion of the mining operation, appears to have contributed to the
localization
James and
and the
the Miller-Mohawk
Miller-Mohawk mines.
mines. This sill
localization of ore formation in the St. James
has visual similarities
to
granophyres
associated
elsewhere
with
the
Duluth
Complex
similarities granophyres
elsewhere
and as such has long
been
considered
Keweenawan
(White.
1954).
Jf
ore
genesis
in
long
(White, 1954). If ore genesisin
these mines
constrain ore
mines were Early
Early Proterozoic, how could a Keweenawan sill constrain
formation?
formation? Likewise,
Likewise,no
nometamorphic
metamorphic overprint
overprint has
has been reported from these
%
orebodies. Definitive
Definitiveage
agedating
dating though
though is
is lacking
lacking for
for this intrusive.

ri
3. AAlarge
largenumber
numberofofthe
theenriched
enrichedorebodies
orebodiesat
at the
the LTV
LTV Steel
Steel Mining Company
operation are very shallow. Drilling
of a
Drilling has
has been
been conducted
conducted through the bottom of
number of the natural ore
magnetic taconite
taconite
ore pits successfully
successfully finding fresh, unaltered magnetic
reserves below. The
Thelack
lackof
of alteration
alteration between
between the
the Pokegama
Pokegama Quartzite
Quartzite and the
orebodies
orebodies is
is problematical
problematical for
for ascending
ascendinggroundwater
groundwaterflow
flowmodels.
models.

French, B.M. 1968,
of the
the Biwabik
Biwabik iron-formation,
iron-formation,
1968, Progressive
Progressive contact metamorphism of
Mesabi Range, Minnesota,
p.103.
Minnesota, Minnesota
Minnesota Geological Survey Bulletin 45, p.
103.
Morey.
Morey, eds..
eds., Geology
Geology of
of
Morey, G.B.,
G.B., 1972,
1972, Mesabi Range;
Range; in P.K. Sims
Sims and G.B. Morey,
Minnesota:
Minnesota: A
A Centennial
Centennial Volume,
Volume, Minnesota
MinnesotaGeological
GeologicalSurvey.
Survey,pp.
pp. 204-217.
204-217.
Morey,
Mesabi Range,
Range, MinnesotaMinnesotaMorey, G.B.,
G.B., 1999,
1999, High-grade
High-grade iron
iron ore
ore deposits
deposits of
of the
the Mesabi
Product of a continental-scale
ground-water
system.
Econ.
Geology,
vol.
94, pp 133-142.
continental-scale ground-water system,
Geological Survey
Sloan, R.E.,
R.E., 1964,
1964, The Cretaceous system in Minnesota: Minnesota Geological
5 . 64p.
64~.
Report of Investigations
Investigations 5,
White, D.A.,
White,
D.A., 1954,
1954,The
The stratigraphy
stratigraphyand
and structure
structureof
of the
the Mesabi
Mesabi Range,
Range, Minnesota:
Minnesota:
Minnesota
92p.
Minnesota Geological
Geological Survey
Survey Bulletin
Bulletin 38,
38,92p.

18

�Figure 1.
Map of
of LTV Steel
Steel Mining
Mining Company
Company
Figure
1. Geologic
Geologic Map

19

�Cross
Cross Margin
Margin Transport
Transport in
in Lake
Lake Superior
Superior
GREEN,
GREEN,Sarah
Sarah A.
A. and
and BUDD,
BUDD, Judith
Judith W.,
W., Dept.
Dept. of
of Chemistry
Chemistry and Dept. of Geological
Geological
Engineering
Engineeringand
andSciences,
Sciences,Michigan
MichiganTechnological
TechnologicalUniversity,
University, Houghton,
Houghton,MI
MI49931
4993 1
The
The Keweenaw
Keweenaw Interdisciplinary
InterdisciplinaryTransport
Transport Experiment
Experiment in Superior
Superior (KITES)
(KITES) is focused
focused
on
on cross-margin
cross-margintransport
transportprocesses
processesalong
alongthe
thewestern
westernshore
shoreof
ofLake
LakeSuperior's
Superior's
Keweenaw
Keweenaw Peninsula.
Peninsula. The
Thedominant
dominantfeature
featureofofthis
thisregion
regionisisthe
theshore-parallel
shore-parallel
Keweenaw
Keweenaw Current,
Current,which
whichflows
flowsto
tothe
thenortheast
northeastand
andisisstongest
stongestnear
nearEagle
EagleHarbor.
Harbor.
Water,
Water, sediment,
sediment,and
andhydrographic
hydrographicdata
dataare
arebeing
beingcorrelated
correlatedwith
with satellite
satelliteimagery
imageryto
to
obtain
obtain an
an integrated
integrated view
view of
of transport
transport of
of suspended
suspended sediments,
sediments, nutrients, and organic
organic
material
material near
near and
and across
acrossthe
thecurrent.
current.

Time
show cross
cross margin
margin transport
Time series
series SeaWiFS
SeaWiFS images from May to September, 1998 show
events
in
Lake
Superior.
These
chlorophyll
and
turbidity
maps
reveal
a
highly
events in Lake Superior. These chlorophyll and turbidity maps reveal a highly productive
productive
southern
of the
the Keweenaw.
southern corridor
corridor from Duluth Harbor to the tip of
Keweenaw. Distinctive
Distinctivesediment
sediment
and
and chlorophyll
chlorophyll plumes
plumes can
can be
be seen
seenoffshore
offshorewest
west of
of the
the Ontonagon
Ontonagon River
Riverand
andnear
nearthe
the
tip of the
the Keweenaw
Keweenaw Peninsula. Movement
Movementofofthe
theplumes
plumesoffshore
offshorewas
washighly
highlyvariable
variable
depending
dependingupon
upon the
thedirection
directionofofprevailing
prevailingwinds
windsprior
priortotothe
thesatellite
satelliteband
bandpass.
pass.
Simultaneously
Simultaneouslyacquired
acquiredSeaWiPS
SeaWiFS(Sea-viewing
(Sea-viewing Wide
Wide Field-of-View Sensor)
Sensor) and
AVHRR
23,1998
1998were
were
AVHRR(Advanced
(AdvancedVery
VeryHigh
HighResolution
ResolutionRadiometer)
Radiometer)images
imagesfrom
fromMay
May23,
used
used to
to verify
verify cross
cross margin
margin transport
transport events
events in
in Lake
Lake Superior.
Superior. The
TheAVHRR
AVHRRlake
lakesurface
surface
temperature
temperatureimage
imagereveals
reveals aa dramatic
dramatic northward
northward flowing
flowing offshore
offshore eddy
eddycurrent
currentat
atthe
thetip
tip
of
of the
the Keweenaw
Keweenaw Peninsula.
Peninsula. AASeaWiFS
SeaWiFSturbidity
turbidity map
mapacquired
acquiredwithin
withinhours
hoursof
ofthe
the
AVHRR
AVHRR SST
SSTimage
imagesuggests
suggeststhat
that materials
materials were
weretransported
transportedoffshore
offshorenorth
northof
ofEagle
Eagle
Harbor,
Harbor, providing
providingevidence
evidenceof
of crosscross- margin
margin transport.
transport. These
Thesepatterns
patternswere
werenot
notpresent
presentin
in
AVHRR
23rdevent
event(on
(onMay
May20
20
AVHRR and
and SeaWiFS
SeaWiFSimages
imagesobtained
obtainedbefore
beforeor
orafter
afterthe
theMay
May23rd
and
and May
May 27).
27).
Sediment
Sedimentpatterns,
patterns,in-water
in-wateroptical
opticalmeasurements,
measurements,and
andphysical
physicalmodels
modelsare
arehelping
helping
clarify
in the
the KITES
KITESstudy
study region.
region.
clarify transport
transport mechanisms
mechanismsand
andpathways
pathwaysin

20

�Megascopic
Fossils and
and Their
Megaswpic Fossils
Their Possible
Possible Contribution
Contribution to
to the
theDevelopment
Development of
of the
theSilicate
SilicateUnit
Unit
of
Iron-Formation, Empire
of the
the Negaunee
Negaunee Iron-Formation,
Empire Mine,
Mine, Marquette
MarquetteRange,
Range, North
NorthMichigan
Michigan

T. M. Han, Senior Research Scientist (Emeritus), Cleveland-Cliffs Inc.
Abstract

The
fossils discovered
discoveredin
in the
the Early
Early Proterozoic
Negaunee Iron-Formation
Iron-Formation are
The megascopic
megascopic fossils
Proterozoic Negaunee
are the
the
world's
have been
been reported
reported as
as eukaryotic
eukaryotic algae
algae similar
similar to
to
world's oldest
oldest known
known fossils.
fossils. These
These fossils
fossils have
Grypania
may have
have played
Grypania spiralis
spiralis (Han
(Han and
and Runnegar
Runnegar 1992).
1992). Their
Their existence
existence may
played a
a key
key role
role in
in the
the

development of
of the
the thin
thin banded
banded "silicate unit"
unit" of the
the Negaunee
Negaunee Iron-Formation
Iron-Formation at
at the
the Empire
Empire Mine.
Mine.
This
of magnetite-rich
magnetite-rich layers
layers alternating
alternating with layers having
This unit is
is composed
wmposed of
having a mineral
mineralassemblage
assemblage
of
of chert,
chert, siderite,
siderite, ankerite,
ankerite,minnesotaite
ininnesotaiteand
and stilpnomelane
stilpnomelane in various
various proportions.
proportions.
Two
fossil types
typesare
are recognized.
recognized. One
filaments that
that are long
One type
type is
is fine
fine filaments
long and
and uniform
uniform in
in width
width
Two fossil

and
"springs". The
The other
other type
type is
is short,
short, coarse,
coarse, in
inwhole
whole and
andsectional
sectional forms,
forms, and
and
and coiled
wiled like
like "springs".

resembles
"coiled garden
garden worms".
worms". These
were apparently
apparently transported
transported by
resembles "coiled
Thesefossils
fossils were
by direct
direct current
current and
and
deposited at
at distances
from
their
origin.
Based
on
the
relationship
between
the
current
marks
distances
between the
marks and
and
the orientation
coils on
on the
the outcrops
outcrops measured,
measured, the direction
orientation of
of the
the fossil
fossil patches
patches and
and oval-shaped
oval-shaped coils
of the paleocurrent
where Archean rocks
paleocurrent at
at the
the time
timeof
of sedimentation
sedimentation was from
from the
the southwest
southwest where
rocks are
are
distributed.
distributed.

•

'a-".:

z"&amp;

,.

Fossil remains resembling
resembhg "coiled
"coiledgarden
garden worms"
worms"
21

�An
An induced
induced oxidation
oxidation study
study reveals
reveals that
that much
much of
of the
themagnetite
magnetitewas
wasdeveloped
developed and
andenriched
enriched
through Fe+
nuclei. These
These laths
laths are
are randomly
randomly arranged,
arranged,
through
Fe+ + diffusion,
diffusion, using
using lath-shaped
lath-shaped hematite
hematite as
as nuclei.
either scattered,
either
scattered, or
or in
in irregular
irregularclusters
clustersand
andexisted
existedbefore
beforethe
themagnetite
magnetitedevelopment.
development.
The
gangue
layers
are
believed
to
be
derived
from
a
highly
sfficeous
gel with
with carbonaceous
carbonaceous matter
The gangue layers are believed to be derived from a highly siliceous gel
matter
and other
and replaced
and
other impurities.
impurities. They
Theywere
weresubsequently
subsequently recrystallized
recrystallized and
replaced by
by siderite,
siderite, ankerite,
ankerite,
minnesotaite and
and stilpnomelane
and low-grade
regional metamorphism.
minnesotaite
stilpnomelane during
during diagenesis
diagenesis and
low-grade regional
metamorphism.

+

--f

-.

Magn eliteand
and magnetite
magn elitegranule
granule layers, white;
Microstructrure of
Magnetite
white;
250x
Micmstructrure
of aa magnetite
magnetite layer.
layer. 250x
gangue layers, dark.
Magnetite, gray;
gray; hematite
grayish white
dark.
and gangue,
gangue, black.
black.
Magnetite,
hematite grayish
white and

According
to LaBarge
LaBarge et
et al
is reasonable
According to
a1(1987),
(1989, it
it is
reasonable to
to assume
assume that
that the
theheavily
heavilypopulated
populated
megascopic eukaryotic
eukaryotic algae
algae were
were probably
probably one
the principal
megascopic
one of
of the
principal oxygen
oxygen suppliers
suppliers for
for precipitating
precipitating
Ee+ +
± as
as Fe(OH)3.
Fe(OH)3. The
Theclusters
clustersof
ofthe
thelath-shaped
lath-shapedmagnetite
magnetite pseudorph
pseudorph in
in magnetite
magnetitelaininae
laminae and
and
Fe+
granules
hematite . The effect of
granules probably
probably represent
represent dehydrated
dehydratedand
andcrystallized
crystallized Fe(OH)3
Fe(OH)3 flocculi,
flocculi, hematite
flocculation,
if any,
any, would
flocculation. if
would cause
cause the
the segregation
segregation between
between the
the siliceous
siliceous gel
gel and
and the
theEe(OH)3.
Fe(Om3.
Furthermore, the
gravity of
of the
theFe(OH)3
Fe(Om3 is
is significantly
significantly greater
greater than
thanthe
thesificeous
siliceousgel.
gel.
the specific
specific gravity
Consequently,the
the interbanded
interbanded structure
structure of
of the
unit is
Consequently,
the lithological
lithologic111 unit
is believed
believed to
to be
be deposited
deposited
simultaneously
through processes
of selective
flocculation and
and differential
differential settling between
simultaneously through
processes of
selective flocculation
between the
Fe(OH)3
and siliceous
gelunder
under aa rhymatic
rhymatic and
and cyclic
cyclic manner
maimer regulated
regulated by
by the
the life
life and
and death
Fe(OH)3 and
siliceous gel
death of
of
the organism, i.e.
the off-season
is aa period
period of
growing season
season is aa period
period of
of deposition
deposition while the
off-season is
the
i.e. the
the growing
solution. Furthermore,
Furthermore, the
solution.
the carbonaceous
carbonaceous matter associated
associated with the precipitates
precipitates may
may generate
generate
Fe+ ++during
duringdiagenesis
diagenesisand
andmetamorphism
metamorphismfor
forthe
thedevelopment
development of
of various
various types
types of hon
iron minerals,
minerals,
particularly,
particularly, the
the development
development and
and enrichment
enrichment of
of magnetite.
magnetite.

.

References
,.

,

.

1. Han, T. M.
1.
M. and
andRunnegar,
Runnegar,B.
B.(1992)
(1%) Megascopic
MegascopicEukaryotic
EukaryotiiAlgae
&amp;ae from
fromthe
the2.1
2.1 Billion-YearBillion-YearAmerican
Association
for
the
Advancement
Oldd Negaunee Iron-Formation,
Iron-Formation.Michigan.
Michigan.
American
Association
for
the
Advancement
of Science,
science, Vol.
Vol. 237,
237, pp.
pp..232-235
.232-235
2.
2. Han, T. M.
M. (1978)
(1978) Microstructures
Microstructuresof
ofMaguetite
Magnetite as
as Guides
Guides to
to Its
Its Origin
Origin in
in Some
Some Precambrian
Precambrian
Iron-Formations.
Fortschr.Miner.
Miner.Vol.
Vol.56
56pp.
on.105-142
105-142
Iron-Formations. Fortschr.
(1988) Origin of Magnetite
Magnetite in
inPrecambrian
Precambrian Iron-Formations
Iron-Formations of Low
Low Metamorphic
Metamorphic Grade
Grade
(1988)
Proceedings of the Seventh
Symposium. pp.641-656
Seventh Quadrennial JAGOD
IAGOD Symposium.
pp.641-656
3. Laflerge,
LaBerge, C.
G. L.,
L., Robbins,
Robbins, E.
E. I.,
I.,and
andHan,
Han,T.T.M.
M.(1987)
(1987)AAModel
Modelfor
forthe
theBiological
Biological Precipitation
Precambrian Iron-Formations
Evidence. Precambrian
Precambrian Iron
of Precambrian
Iron-Formations- A: GeologicalEvidence.
IronFormations.
Formatt.ons.
Publication, SA.
Athens, Greece. Editors: Peter
and Gene
Gene LaBarge.
LaBarge.
Theophrastus Publication,
SA. Athens,
Peter Appel
Appel and
pp.69-96
pp.
69-96
~

-

22

�COMPARISON OF
O F MICA Ar/Ar
ArIAr AND
AND Rb/Sr
RblSr THERMOCHRONOLOGY
THERMOCHRONOLOGY RESULTS
RESULTS
FROM NORTHERN WISCONSIN
AND
NORTHERN
MICHIGAN
WISCONSIN AND
Daniel HoIm,
Holm, Denise Romano,
Romano, and
andCraig
CraigManeuso,
Mancuso,Dept.
Dept.ofofGeology,
Geology,Kent
KentState
StateUniversity,
University,
Kent, OH 44242; Ken Foland,
Dept.
of
Geological
Sciences,
The
Ohio
State
Poland, Dept. of Geological Sciences, The Ohio State University,
University,
Columbus, OH
OH 43210.
43210.
Columbus,

Thermochronologic
data from
from the
the southern Lake Superior
Thermochronologic data
Superior region has historically
historically been
been
dominated by the RblSr
Rb/Sr method
method on biotite (Fig.
(Fig. 1; Peterman
Peterman and
and Sims,
Sims. 1988,
1988, ~&amp;Q&amp;J.
Tectonics). We
We
summarize the results of 45
45 new
new mica
mica Ar/Ar
ArlAr age
age dates
dates from
from northern
northern Wisconsin
Wisconsin and
and northern
northern
Michigan (Fig.
Rb/Sr data.
data. Because
(Fig. 2) and compare these with the RbISr
Because the Rb/Sr
RbISr and K/Ar systems
in biotite
thissummary
summaryprovides
providesan
an
biotite are
are known
known to
to have
have similar
similarclosure
closuretemperatures
temperatures(300°±50°C),
(300Â¡Â±50Â°this
excellent opportunity
opportunity to
to compare how susceptible these
these systems
systems are
are to
to partial
partial or
or complete
complete
excellent
resetting.
Northwest
to 1730 M
ML
Northwest Wisconsin.
Wisconsin. Rb/Sr
RbISrbiotite
biotitedates
datesfrom
fromthis
thisregion
region vary
vary from
from 1309
1309 to
a In
In
contrast, Ar/Ar
ArIAr mica
mica dates
dates fall
fall tightly
tightlyinto
intotwo
twogroups,
groups,an
anolder
older—1755
-1755 Ma group and a younger
—1600Ma
Magroup.
group. The two groups of Ar/Ar
-1600
Ar/Ar dates
dates are
are separated
separated by
by aa sharp
sharppost-Penokean
post-Penokean
deforinational
front in the overlying
defonnationallthennal
defonnational front
overlying Early Proterozoic quartzites. The
ThedeformationalJthermal
in the
front here probably
probably represents
represents the northern
northern limit of
of Mazatzal
Mazatzal foreland
foreland deformation
deformation in
southern Lake Superior
Superior region.

Northern
1630-1650
Ma
ArIArchrontours,
chrontours,which
whichcoincide
coincidein
in
Northern Michigan.
Michigan.The
The
1630-1650
MaRb/Sr
RbISrand
andAr/Ar
northwest
Wisconsin, diverge
diverge eastward
eastward into
into northern
northern Michigan.
Michigan. Given
northwest Wisconsin,
Given the
the absence
absence of
of postpostPenokean quartzites
quartzites in
in this region,
region, we suggest that the Ar/Ar
proxy for
for
Penokean
ArIAr ages can serve as aa proxy
determining
the
northern
limit
of
Mazatzal
deformation.
We
suggest
that
the
Republic
area
determining the northern limit of Mazatzal deformation.
area
escaped significant Mazatzal related deformation
deformation and higher-temperature
higher-temperature metamorphic affects
but did undergo
some
form
of
lower-temperature,
possibly
hydrothermal, metamorphism
metamorphism at
undergo some form of lower-temperature, possibly hydrothermal,
—1630
1630 Ma.

-

Northeast Wisconsin.
largearea
areaofof&lt;1200
el200Ma
MaRb/Sr
Rb/Srbiotite
biotitedates
dates(the
(theGoodman
GoodmanSwell)
Swell)
Northeast
Wisconsin. AAlarge
north of the Wolf River batholith has been
been interpreted as an uplifted flexural bulge created by
rapid loading along
Fig. 1). In
In contrast,
contrast,
along the mid-continent rift axis to the north (dashed ellipse of Fig.
Ar/Ar dates
mica ArIAr
dates from the
the same
same region
region define
define aa much
much smaller
smaller region
region of &lt;1200
c1200 Ma
Ma dates
dates (dashed
(dashed
ellipse of Fig. 2). An
isolated
1170
Ma
Ar/Ar
biotite
date
has
also
been
obtained
from
basement
An isolated 1170 Ma ArlAr biotite date has also
swell. We
over 100
100 km southwest of the swell.
Weinterpret
interpretthe
the &lt;1200
c1200 Ma dates for both systems to reflect
shallow intrusion-related resetting. The
larger
locus
of
The larger locus of anomalously
anomalously young
young Rb/Sr
RbISr dates
dates probably
reflects
reflects the
the fact
fact that
that the
the Rb/Sr
RWSrsystem
systemisismore
moresusceptible
susceptibleto
tolower-temperature
lower-temperatureresetting
resettingthan
thanthe
the
Ar/Ar system. This
Thisinterpretation
interpretationalso
alsoprovides
providesan
anexplanation
explanation for
for the
the problematic
problematic Rb/Sr
RbISr and
and
AdAr
Ar/Ar dates that fall between
between 1200 and
and 1400 Ma.
Ma. Because
AdAr
Because much of the 1470
1470 Ma Wolf River
batholith and associated
intruded into
into shallow
shallow crust and
batholith
associated plutons (Wausau
(Wausau Syenite complex)
complex) intruded
cooled through
Ma (Fig.
(Fig. 1 and 2).
2), it is likely
through 300°C
300OCby
by —1400
-1400 Ma
likely that
that the
the surrounding
surroundingPrecambrian
Precambrian
country rock to the north and west was also shallow. We
We suggest,
suggest, therefore,
therefore, that the 1200-1400
1200-1400
Ma country rock mineral dates for
for both systems
systems indicate
indicate incomplete mineral resetting related to
shallow Keweenawan intrusions.

23

�Fig.
Fig.1 1Rb/Sr
RbISrBIOTITE
BIOTITEAGE
AGEDATA
DATA
Republic iis

4'—

KEWEENAWAN

4

- ,,____,__,__

S'S.. —

-

—

1686.

Peavy

-1018=-—

W:.1537+4+!.&amp;ioa.thJ.
ifs8l

c*rtJL:i
4. +.ff
rj¼l63:.llss..

'..5%&amp; 1l03j.j..j
tmbeau quartz'te 1249, r '
tfQightly foldedrL!:.',
.'i'!! 1516

'us-i 620

ti's

1354S 1739

IZ3Sbj

1354

1360

1384"74//
a,
g
408

4/

.:.LLJ.:L1.J.J.:.Lth1455

'IV.

::15e2

1385 Edge of Late Proterozol
Phanerozoic cover'

After Peterman and Sims (1988) but excluding data of Aldrich et al. (1965)

• Biotite

Fig. 2 Ar/Ar MICA AGE DATA

&lt;4

ff011

'111

4', % — —.--

KEWEENAWAN

"p

,',',',','.\.'.','l 696-,'

0 MuscovIte
___
ept
I R7A

"'%"' 10,natIonah11ft0i
, , '..'' - IA!
—

tTrrrrrrrw1576;n.:.E.:n
cm067'r*101
r.trhTrTnT.Tr:!Tr:,Tr:tT:-r-'.r'
- 1358t
-. Qua
1605-—
_._.._j_
_,ø.__;
-- -—
r,-n11366rrtt1456
-'--1
HFlambeau quarizute :1-1372t:h-htr

t1753I'r!."

—

4

(tughtlyfolded)

1581

-

S

LJ.:1461 -!

-

1A7

1616

415

Edge of Late Proti
Phanerozoic covei

Compiled
Compiledfrom
fromRomano
Romano(1999,
(1999.Kent
KentState
StateM.S.
M.S.thesis),
thesis),Mancuso
Mancuso(1999.
(1099.Kent
Kent
State
CJES),
StateM.S.
M.S.thesis),
thesis).Hoim
Holmand
andLux
Lux(1998,
(1998.
CJES).Hoim
Holmetelal.
al.(1996,
(1998.GSAA).
GSAA),and
and
.
Schneideretetal.
al.(1996,
(1996,CJES).
CJES).
Schneider
24
24

�ISHPEMING
ISHPEMING GREENSTONE
GREENSTONE BELT
BELT --EVIDENCE
EVIDENCEFOR
FOR ARCHEAN
ARCHEANTECTONIC
TECTONIC
EVOLUTION
OF
THE
SOUTHERN
EDGE
OF
THE
SUPERIOR
EVOLUTION OF THE SOUTHERN EDGE OF THE SUPERIOR PROVINCE
PROVINCE IN
IN
MICHIGAN
MICHIGAN
JOHNSON,
JOHNSON,Rodney
RodneyC.,
C., Rod
Rod Johnson
Johnson&amp;
&amp;Associates,
Associates,Inc.,
Inc., Negaunee,
Negaunee, MI
MI 49866,
49866,
MinerDoc@aol.com;
MinerDoc@aol.com;and
andBORNHORST,
BORNHORST, Theodore
Theodore J.,
J., Department
Department of
of Geological
Geological
Engineering
Engineeringand
and Sciences,
Sciences,Michigan
MichiganTechnological
Technological University,
University, Houghton,
Houghton, MI
MI 49931,
4993 1,
tjbomho@mtu.edu
tjbomho@mtu.edu
The
The Ishpeming
Ishpeminggreenstone
greenstonebelt
belt is
is the
the southernmost
southernmostgreenstone
greenstone belt of
of the
the Superior
Superior
Province.
The
southern
boundary
of
the
Superior
Province
and
the
Ishpeming
Province. The southern boundary of the Superior Province and the Ishpeming greenstone
greenstone
belt
zone. Late
k m long
long Great
Great Lakes
Lakes tectonic
tectonic zone.
LateArchean
Archean greenstone
greenstone and
i d
belt is
is the
the 1,000
1,000km
granite
graniteterrane
terraneto
tothe
thenorth
north(Ishpeming
(Ishpeminggreenstone
greenstone belt)
belt) are
are juxtaposed against
against Early
Early to
to
Middle
migmatite-gneiss-amphiboliteand
and Late
Late Archean
Archean granite
granite terrane
terrane
MiddleArchean
Archeanmigmatite-gneiss-amphibolite
(southern
(southern complex).
complex). The
TheIshpeming
Ishpeminggreenstone
greenstonebelt
belt consists
consistsof
of subaqueous
subaqueous tholeiitic
tholeiitic
basalt
thickness. New
calc-alkalic rhyolite,
rhyolite, 10-15
10-15km in total thickness.
basalt to
to calc-alkalic
New U-Pb
U-Pb zircon
zircon data
data
establish
establishthe
the age
ageof
of volcanism
volcanism at
at 2705.8+/-1.6
2705.8+/-1.6 Ma. (Table
(Table 1) Recent
Recent field
field studies
studiesdefine
define
aa sequence
sequenceof
of multiple
multipledeformation
deformationand
and intrusive
intrusiveevents
events following
followingvolcanism.
volcanism. The
The
volcanic
volcanic rocks
rockswere
wereenveloped
envelopedby
by aatonalite
tonalitesuite
suite just before
before and
and during
during the
the northnorthdirected
directed thrusting
thrustingand
and nappe
nappe formation.
formation. This
Thiswas
wasfollowed
followedby
bydevelopment
developmentof
ofstrike-slip
strike-slip
shear
zones
and
the
deposition
of
clastic
sediments
into
pull-apart
basins.
A
second
second
shear zones and the deposition
pull-apart basins.
phase
suite intruded the belt
phase of
of folding
folding produced upright folds. A
Atrondhjemite
trondhjemiteto
to granite suite
and
and deformed
deformedearlier
earlierfabrics.
fabrics. The
Thetiming
timingof
ofdeformation
deformationisisconstrained
constrainedwith
withnew
newU-Pb
U-Pb
zircon
zircon data
data yielding
yielding an
an age
age of 2668.4÷2.l/-l.8
2668.4+2.1/-1.8 Ma
Mafor
foran
anintrusion
intrusionin
inthis
thissuite.
suite.
Intrusions
Intrusionsof
of hornblendite
homblenditeto
to syenite
syenite (appinite
(appinite suite)
suite) and
and continued movement along
along shear
shear
zones
zones represent
represent the
the end
end of
of deformation.
deformation.An
Anundeformed
undeformedpost-tectonic
post-tectonicgranite
graniteintrusion
intrusion
has
has an
an age
ageof
of 2585
2585(Sims
(Simsand
andPeterman,
Peteman, 1992).
1992).
This
are readily
readily interpreted in a
This sequence
sequenceof
of deformation
deformationmagmatic/volcanic
magmatic/volcanicevents
events are
modern
modem plate
plate tectonic
tectonic context.
context. The
Thevolcanic
volcanicarc
arcrocks
rocksare
arethe
theresult
resultof
of north-directed
north-directed
subduction.
Tonalite-suite
plutons
intruded
the
arc
just
prior
to
collision
subduction. Tonalite-suite plutons intruded the arc just prior to collisionof
ofaasmall
small
continent
from
the
south
(southern
complex)
along
the
Great
Lakes
tectonic
continent from the south (southern complex) along the Great Lakes tectoniczone
zone
(suture).
(suture). Collision
Collisionoccurred
occurredover
overan
anextended
extendedperiod
periodof
oftime
timewith
withmultiple
multipledeformation
deformation
and
and magmatic
magmatic events.
events. The
Theappinite
appinitesuite
suiteisischaracteristic
characteristicof
ofmodern
modemcollision-related
collision-related
magmatism.
magmatism. The
Thefield-based
field-basedsequence
sequenceof
ofevents
eventsand
andnew
new age
agedates
datesare
areimportant
importantdata
datain
in
continuing
continuing to
to unravel
unravel the
the tectonic
tectonic evolution
evolution of the southern
southern edge of the Superior
Superior
Province.
sProvince.
References:

Sims,
Sims, P.K.
P.K. and
and Peterman,
Peterman, Z.,
Z., 1992,
1992, Guide
Guideto
tothe
thegeology
geologyof
of the
theGreat
GreatLakes
Lakestectonic
tectonic
paleosuture: Institute
zone
zone in
in the
the Marquette
Marquettearea,
area,Michigan
Michigan -- A
A late
late Archean
Archean paleosuture:
Instituteon
on
Lake
LakeSuperior
SuperiorGeology
GeologyProceedings,
Proceedings,38th
38"' Annual
Annual Meeting,
Meeting, Hurley,
Hurley, WI,
WI, v.
v. 38.
38, part
part 2,
2,
p.
p. 105-135.
105-135.
25

�1

Table 1.
and constraining
constraining age
age dates
dates for
for the
the
Table
1.Summary
Summaryof
ofdeformation
deformation sequence,
sequence, volcanic/magmatic
volcanic/magmatic activity
activity and
Jshepming greenstone
Ishepming
greenstone belt.
belt.

Event

Characteristic

.,

VolcanicfMagmatic
Vnlcanic~MaematicActivity
Activity

Age Dates

Undeformed
Undeformed post-tectonic
post-tectonic granite
granite

2585 Ma

Kink bands
Kink
bands with
with north-easterly
north-easterly
striking kink
kink planes
planes and
striking
and steeply
steeply
plunging hinges
:,'',,-&gt;$

'.f03']

D5
Ds

Dip slip motion along shear
zones.

U4
D4

Folding associated
associated with
Folding
with
intrusion of plutons.

D3
D3

Upright folding.

Appinite suite

Di
U2

Strike-slip shearing.

Trondjhemite-granite suite
Tmndjhemite-granite
suite

U1
Di

Recumbent folding.
Recumbent
folding.

Tonalite suite
Tonalite
suite
:

yw;
.8fel.

Extrusion of mafic
ma ic and
an felsic
sic
volcanic rocks.

26

2668.4+2.11-1.8
2668.4+2.1/- 1.8 Ma
Ma

,".

,,. ,

. .

, : ,. :* : :
2705.8+/-1.6 Ma

;
,

,

b

�A NEW APPROACH
APPROACH TO
TO HISTORICAL
HISTORICAL RECONSTRUCTION: COMBINING
DESCRIPTIVE
AND
DESCRIPTIVE AND EXPERIMENTAL
EXPERIMENTAL PALEOLIMNOLOGY
W.
W. Charles
CharlesKerfoot,
Kerfoot,Lake
LakeSuperior
SuperiorEcosystem
EcosystemResearch
Research Center
Center and
and Department
Department of
of
Biological
BiologicalSciences,
Sciences,Michigan
MichiganTechnological
TechnologicalUniversity,
University, Houghton,
Houghton, MI
MI 49931
4993 1
John
John A.
A. Robbins,
Robbins,NOAA
NOAAGreat
GreatLakes
LakesEnvironmental
EnvironmentalResearch
Research Laboratory,
Laboratory, 2205
2205
Commonwealth
CommonwealthBlvd.,
Blvd., Ann
Ann Arbor,
Arbor,MI
MI 48105
48105
Lawrence
LawrenceJ.
1.Welder,
Weider,Max-Planck-Institut
Max-Planck-Institutfür
f i rLimnologie,
Limnologie,Postfach
Postfach165,
165,D-24302
D-24302PlOn,
PlOn,
Germany*
Germany*

Here
Here we
we introduce
introduce aa combined
combined experimental
experimental and
and descriptive
descriptive approach (termed "Resurrection
Ecology")
Ecology") to
toreconstructing
reconstructinghistorical
historicalperturbations,
perturbations,pointing
pointing out
out how
how direct
direct tests
tests with
with
sediments
sediments and
and hatched
hatched resting
resting eggs
eggs complement
complement the traditional descriptive calculation of
microfossil
microfossil fluxes.
fluxes. This
Thisapproach
approachisisbeing
beingstudied
studiedin
in both
both NSFINOAA
NSF/NOAA Cooperative sites, the
KITES
Project in
in Lake
LakeMichigan.
Michigan. Additional core
KITES Project in Lake Superior
Superior and the EGLEE Project
studies
studies involve
involveBaltic
Baltic German
German lakes
lakes and
and the Caspian Sea.
In the
the Keweenaw
Keweenaw Waterway,
Waterway, aa freshwater
freshwater estuary
estuary off Lake Superior, turn-of-the-century
copper
coppermining
mining impacted
impactedthe
the resident
residentbiota.
biota. Remain
Remain fluxes
fluxes document
document that
that diatom,
diatom, rhizopod.
rhizopod,
and
production all declined
declined during stamp sand discharges, but recovered rapidly
and Bosmina production
after
moving above background levels due to developing
developing eutrophication.
eutrophication. In addition
addition
after WWLI,
WWII, moving
to biogenic
biogenic silica,
silica, we
we discovered
discovered that
that bromine
bromine flux holds promise as an indicator of diatom
production
production and
and confirmed
confirmed that
that this
this element
element is present in several genera. Fluxes of Daphnia
resting eggs also
the 1940's.
1940's, dominated by
by aa hybrid
hybrid apparently
apparently
also increased dramatically since the
produced
produced from
from crosses
crosses between offshore
offshore and interior
interior Waterway species, after channeling
promoted
promoted greater
greater mixing
mixing of
of water
water masses.
masses.
Toxicity
Toxicity studies
studieswith
with sediments
sediments and
and Daphnia
Daphnia clones
clones directly
directly tested
tested recovery
recovery of environments
environments
after
concentrations and
after cessation
cessation of
of mining
mining activities.
activities. The
The studies
studies document
document that increased concentrations
fluxes
fluxes of
of copper
copper in
in the
the Waterway
Waterway during
during mining
mining discharges
discharges were toxic to invertebrates. Once
stamp
stamp sand
sand discharges
discharges ceased,
ceased, the
the biota
biota recovered
recovered rapidly due to a combination of decreased
copper
copper cycling
cycling and
and organic
organiccomplexation.
complexation. Although
Although sedimentation
sedimentation has returned to nearbackground
background conditions
conditionsand
and surficial
surficial sediments
sediments in much of Portage Lake are no longer toxic,
eutrophication
eutrophicationand
and faunal
faunal exchange
exchange with
with Lake
Lake Superior
Superior make it unlikely that the original
zooplankton
zooplankton community
communitycomposition
composition will
will return
return to
to the Waterway system.

27

�THE IRON
IRON RIVER
RIVER SYNCLINE: AN
AN ALLOCHTHONOUS
ALLOCHTHONOUSSTRUCTURAL
STRUCTURALPANEL
PANELIN
INTHE
THE
PENOKEAN
PENOKEANFORELAND
FORELANDOF
OF NORTHERN
NORTHERN MICHIGAN
MICHIGAN

KLASNER, John S.,
Survey Western
S., Department
Department of
of Geology
Geology and U. S. Geological Survey,
Western Illinois
Illinois
University,
University. Macomb,
Macomb, IL
IL61455,
61455. jklasner@macomb.com;
jklasner@macomb.com; CANNON,
CANNON, William
William F.
F. and
and SCHULZ,
SCHULZ,
Klaus
Klaus J., U.
U. S. Geological
Geological Survey,
Survey, National
NationalCenter,
Center, MS.
MS. 954,
954, Reston,
Reston, VA
VA 20192;
20192; and
and
LABERGE,
S. Geological
Geological Survey,
Survey, University
Universityof
of
LABERGE, Gene
Gene L.,
L., Department
Department of
of Geology
Geology and
and U.
U. S.
Wisconsin
54901
Oshkosh, Oshkosh,
Oshkosh,WI
Wl54901
Wisconsin -- Oshkosh,
The
The Iron
IronRiver
Riversyncline
syncline(James
(Jamesand
andothers,
others, 1968)
1968)lies
liesnear
nearthe
the southern
southernmargin
marginof
ofthe
the
Penokean
strata of
of the
Penokeanfold
fold and
and thrust
thrust belt
beltin
innorthern
northernMichigan.
Michigan. It
It contains sedimentary strata
the Paint
Paint
River
River Group
Group and
and underlying Badwater
BadwaterGreenstone.
Greenstone. The
Thesyncline
synclinehas
has aa triangular
triangular map
map pattern
pattern
and
and is
is flanked
flankedby
by strata
strataof
ofthe
theMichigamme
MichigammeFormation
Formationon
onits
itsnorth
northand
andeast
eastsides
sidesand
andby
by
intensely
comolex.
intensely deformed
deformed Early
Earlv Proterozoic
Proterozoic strata on its southwest side. An
An unusually
unusuallvcomplex,
multiply-folded
structure
within the
multiply~folded
structurewithin
the syncline
synclinehas
hasbeen
beenrecognized
recognizedsince
since the
the detailed
detailedstudies
studiesby
by
James
James and
and others
others (1965).
(1968). Traditional
Traditionalstratigraphic
stratigraphicinterpretation
interpretationhas
hasbeen
beenthat
that the
the strata
stratain
inthe
the
syncline
syncline are
are stratigraphically
stratigraphicallyabove
abovethe
the Baraga
BaragaGroup
Groupand
and that
that the
the Badwater
BadwaterGreenstone
Greenstoneand
and
Paint
Paint River
River Group
Group are
are the
the youngest
youngest parts
parts of the Marquette
Marquette Range Supergroup. More
Morerecently,
recently,
an
an allochthonous
allochthonousorigin
originfor
forthe
thesyncline
syncline has
hasbeen
beenadvocated
advocated(Sims,
(Sims, 1996)
1996)and
andthe
the exact
exact
correlation
correlationof
of units
unitsin
inthe
thesyncline
synclinewith
with autochthonous
autochthonousunits
unitselsewhere
elsewhere in
inthe
the foreland
foreland is
is
uncertain.
uncertain. Our
Ourrecent
recentre-examination
re-examinationof
of the
the region
region lends
lends support to
tothe
theview
view that
that the
the syncline
syncline
is
is an
anallochthon
allochthonemplaced
emplacedby
bygenerally
generallynorthward-directed
northward-directed thrusting. A
A thrust
thrust of
of considerable
considerable
magnitude
This thrust
thrust forms
forms the
the
magnitude is
is interpreted
interpretedto
to lie
lie at
at the
the base
base of the Badwater Greenstone. This
base
base of
of the
the allocthon
allocthonand
andseparates
separatescomplexly
complexlydeformed
deformedstrata
strataabove
abovefrom
from more
moresimply
simply
deformed
deformed strata
strata below.
below. Several
Severalsets
setsof
ofstructural
structuralobservations
observationsargue
arguefor
for the
the allochthonous
allochthonous
nature
nature of
of the
the Iron
IronRiver
Riversyncline,
syncline,the
theprincipal
principalargument
argumentbeing
beingthat
that the
the syncline
synclinehas
hasaafolding
folding
history
history and
and fold
fold geometry
geometrymore
morecomplex
complexthan
thansurrounding,
surrounding,and
andpresumably
presumablyunderlying
underlyingrocks.
rocks. ItIt
must
must therefore
thereforehave
haveacquired
acquiredsome
someaspect
aspectof
ofits
itsstructure
structureeither
eitheras
asaageographically
geographicallyseparated
separated
terrane
terrane or
or during
duringthin-skinned
thin-skinnedemplacement
emplacementover
overthe
thefootwall
footwallrocks.
rocks.
~~~~

Structures
Structures in
in the
the allocthon
allocthon

Studies
Studies of
of outcrops
outcropsof
ofthe
thePaint
PaintRiver
RiverGroup
Groupshow
showthat
that at
atleast
leasttwo
twoand
andprobably
probablythree
threeor
ormore
more
generations
generations of
of fold
fold axes
axes occur
occur in
in the
the Iron
Iron River
River syncline. Most
Mostfolds
folds are
are tight
tight to
to isoclinal
isoclinalwith
with
steeply-plunging
steeply-plungingaxes.
axes. Similar
Similarsteeply-plunging
steeply-plunging fold
fold axes
axes are
are common
common in
in fault
fault panels
panelswithin
within the
the
Niagara
Niagara fault
fault complex,
complex, part
partof
of which
which bounds
bounds the
the syncline
syncline on
on the
the south,
south, but
but are
are rare
rare elsewhere
elsewhere
in
in the
the foreland. Bedding
Beddingand
andaxial
axialplanar
planarfoliation
foliationare
are variably
variably oriented,
oriented, but
but generally
generally dip
dip
steeply.
steeply. Remnants
Remnantsof
of sub-horizontal
sub-horizontal foliation
foliation occur
occur in
in aa few places
places suggesting
suggesting that
that recumbent
recumbent
folds
of folding.
folding. AAcross
folds may
may have
have been
been significant
significant during early stages of
crosssection
section(James
(Jamesand
and
others,
synclinenear
near
others,1968)
1968)from
fromiron
ironmine
mineworkings
workingsat
atthe
thewest
westend
endof
ofthe
theIron
IronRiver
Riversyncline
Staumbaugh,
steeplyStaumbaugh, Michigan
Michigan shows
shows a
a recumbent
recumbentfold
foldthat
thatisisonly
only moderately
moderately overprinted
overprinted by
by steeplydipping
dipping structures.
structures.
The
The Badwater
BadwaterGreenstone,
Greenstone,although
althoughlargely
largelymassive,
massive,does
doescontain
containstructures
structuressimilar
similarto
tothose
those
shown
history. The
shown in
in the
the Paint
Paint River
River Group
Group and
and appears
appears to have the same structural history.
The Badwater
Badwater
Greenstone
Greenstoneis
is therefore
thereforeconsidered
consideredpart
partof
ofthe
theallochthon.
allochthon.

28

�syncline
Structures iinn rocks surrounding the Iron
Iron River syncline
Rocks within the Niagara fault
fault complex, south
south of
of the
the syncline,
syncline, have
havenorthwest-striking,
northwest-striking,steeply
steeply
south-dipping foliation and tight
tight to
to isoclinal folds
folds that
that are
are steeply
steeply plunging,
plunging,like
likethose
thosewithin
withinthe
the
Structures in Baraga Group rocks (primarily
(primarily Michigamme
Michigamme Formation),
Formation),which
whichbound
boundthe
the
syncline. Structures
the north and east, are much different and
and generally
generally have
havewest-northwest-striking
west-northwest-striking
syncline on the
foliation
to sub-horizontal
sub-horizontal fold
fold axes
axes that
that
foliation that dips moderately to steeply south, and horizontal to
trend
fold axes
axes are
are rare
rare in
in the
the Iron
Iron River
River
trend west-northwest. Such
Such sub-horizontal, west-trending fold
first generation recumbent folding
foldingwith
with sub-horizontal
sub-horizontalaxial
axialplanar
planar
syncline. Several areas of first
foliation
foliation have
have been
been found
found over
over the
the past
past several
several years
years within
within the
the Baraga
Baraga Group
Group rocks,
rocks,
small recumbent
recumbentfolds
foldswith
with sub-horizontal
sub-horizontal
suggesting the formation of nappes. Most recently, small
foliation
of the
the Iron
Iron River
River
foliation have
have been
been documented
documented near Watersmeet, Michigan, northwest of
structures north
north and
andeast
eastof
ofthe
the Iron
Iron
syncline. Together
Together with
with previous
previous observations
observations of similar structures
River syncline, there is now widespread evidence
evidence of
of an
early
phase
of
recumbent
folding
and
an early phase
foliation, now
now variably
variably overprinted
overprintedby
bymore
moreupright
upright
generation of low angle axial planar foliation,
structures.
structures.
Interpretation
Interpretation
Recumbent
Recumbent folds documented
documentedby
by underground
underground mapping
mapping in
in the Iron
Iron River
River syncline
syncline (James
(James and
and
others, 1968) and remnants
of
flat-lying
foliation
found
in
outcrops
of
the
Paint
River
Group
remnants
found in outcrops of the Paint River Group
Baraga Group
Group had
had aa similar
similarearly
early
suggest that both
both the Iron
Iron River syncline and adjacent Baraga
structural history
history of recumbent folding and development of
of low
low angle
anglefoliation.
foliation. However,
structural
However,
multiple generations
generations of
of steeply-plunging
steeply-plungingfold axes
axes and
and steeply-dipping, variably-oriented
variably-oriented axial
axial
planar foliations of the Iron
River
syncline,
are
distinct
from
the
gently
west-plunging
fold
axes
Iron
distinct from the gently west-plunging fold axes
found in the
the Michigamme
Michigamme Formation
Formation north
northand
andeast
eastof
of
with south-dipping
south-dipping axial planar foliation found
the syncline. Similar
Similarsteeply
steeplyplunging
plungingfold
foldaxes
axes are
are common
common in
in very highly
highly strained rocks
rocks along
to events
events related
related to
to suturing
suturing of
ofthe
thevolcanic
volcanic
the Niagara
Niagara Fault
Fault and seem clearly to be integral to
terranes south
south of the fault. This
Thissuggests
suggeststhat
thatthe
theIron
IronRiver
Riversyncline
syncline was
was detached
detached from
from
folding history.
history. The base
interpreted to
underlying rocks during much of its folding
base of the allocthon is interpreted
be a thrust fault along the
the base
base of
of the
the Badwater
Badwater Greenstone,
Greenstone, along which the allochthon
allochthon has
has
been thrust
thrust northward over foreland basin turbidite
turbidite deposits
deposits of
ofthe
the Michigamme
MichigammeFormation.
Formation. We
folding within
within the
the Iron
Iron River
Riversyncline
synclineisisaaresult
resultof
of
suggest that the unusual
unusual complexity of folding
zone. During
thrusting of earlier
earlierdeformed
deformedrocks
rocks northward
northward from the suture zone.
During this thrusting, an
earlier set of recumbent folds was intensely redeformed. In
In contrast,
contrast, rocks
rocks in
in the structural
structural
the fact
fact that
that the
the Iron
Iron River
Riversyncline
synclinecross-cuts
cross-cutsthe
the
footwall were little
little deformed as shown by the
west-trending, sub-horizontal
west-trending,
sub-horizontal fold
fold axes
axes in
in the
the adjacent
adjacent Michigamme
Michigamme Formation.
Formation.
REFERENCES
REFERENCES

J., and Wier,
Wier, K.
K. L.,
L., 1968,
1968, Geology
Geology and
andOre
Ore Deposits
Depositsof
of
James, H. L.,
L., Dutton, C. E.,
E., Pettijohn, F. J.,
the Iron
Iron River-Crystal
River-Crystal Falls
Falls District,
District, Iron
Iron county,
county, Michigan:
Michigan: U. S. Geological
Geological Survey
Professional Paper 570, 134
134 p.
P.K., 1996,
L.M.H., eds.,
Sims, P.K.,
1996,Structure
Structureof
of continental
continentalmargin,
margin, in
in Sims, P.K.,
P.K., and Carter, L.M.H.,
Archean and Proterozoic
geology
of
the
Lake
Superior
region,
U.S.A.,
1993:
Proterozoic
of the Lake Superior region, U.S.A., 1993: U.S. Geological
Professional Paper
Paper 1556,
1556, p.
p.44-51.
Survey Professional
44-51.

29

�REGIONAL PATTERNS
PAYIERNS ON
THE
ON THE
THE PENOKEAN
PENOKEAN CONTINENTAL MARGIN IN THE
SOUTHERN
SOUTHERN LAKE SUPERIOR REGION
Gene
, Oshkosh,
Oshkosh, WI
L. LaBerge,
M e r g e , UW
UW Oshkosh
Oshkosh ,
W I 54901 and U.
U.S.
S. Geological
Geological Survey
Survey
Gene L.
Studies of outcrops
outcrops and exploration drill cores
reveal several
cores during the past decade
decade reveal
several
regional patterns in the deposition
deposition and subsequent deformation
deformation and metamorphism
metamorphism of
of the
the
Early Proterozoic
Earl
Proterozoic Penokean continental
continental margin
margin rocks
rocks in
in northern
northern Wisconsin
Wisconsin and
and northern
northern
Michigan. These
datahelp
helpconstrain
constrain models
models of
of the
the depositional
depositional and tectonic history of the
~ichigan.
Thesedata
region.
.
region.
I. Regional depositional
depositional patterns.
patterns.
A. Thinning westward of the basal arenite of
of the
the Chocolav
Chocolay Grouo.
Group. The
A.
The Mesnard
and Sturgeon
Formations are
are prominent arenite
arenite units in the Marquette
~ a r ~ b e tand
te
Sturge&amp; Formations
Menominee districts,
Menominee
districts. respectively,
resuectivelv. and the
the Sunday
Sundav Quartzite
Ouartzite forms
forms a thin basal unit
on the eastern Gogebic &amp;nee.
range. However,
basal arenite
&amp;&amp;te is
is absent
absent on
on the
thewestern
rfowever, aabasal
Gogebic
range, where the
the
the dolomite
dolomite unit characteristic
characteristic of the upper part of the
Gogebic range,
Group rests directly on
on Archean basement.
basement. Drill
Chocolay Group
Drill core
coredata
data from
from the
the Park
Park
Falls -- Mercer area of northern
Falls
northern Wisconsin suggests
suggests that this
this pattern
pattern extends
extends
southward toward
toward the
the proposed continental
continental margin.
southward

increase in politic
pelitic rocks
rocks southward toward the proposed continental
B. An increase
margin. Drill
pelitic
ParkFalls
Falls -- Mercer area intersect abundant ~elitic
marein.
Drillcores
coresfrom
from the
the Park
schists, some of which contain interbedded carbonate
carbonate units.
units. Bedded
Bedded sulfides
sulfides are
are
present locally within the politic
pelitic rocks.
rocks. The
Thestratigraphic
stratigraphicposition
positionof
of the
thepelitic
politicunits
units
has not been ascertained, but they may be broadly correlative
correlative with the Chocolay
(Cannon and others, 1998).
1998).
Group (Cannon
C. A consistent pattern of litholoeies
lithologies within the Palms formation of the Menominee
Menominee
Penokean platform.
platform. The
Group throughout the Penokean
The thin-bedded argillaceous lower
member and the thick-bedded
thick-bedded orthoquartzite
are recognizable
orthoauartzite upper
uooer member
membea are
r e c o b b l e from
from
member
the Marenisco
are also
~amekaion.These
Thesemembers
membekare
also
Marenisco area westward to Lake Namekagon.
recognizable
recoenizable in drill
drill cores
cores from
from the
the Pine
PineLake
LakeSubterrane
Subterrane(Cannon
(Cannonand
andothers,
others.
1998) from the Lake Gogebic
Gogebic area southwestward
WI area,
area,
southwestward at least to the Butternut, WI
suggesting a uniform platformal
depositional environment.
platf-1
suggesting

D. Rift-related
ironRift-relatedvolcanic
volcanicrocks
rocks(Sims
(Sims and
and others, 1989)
1989) are
are associated with ironformation of the Menoninee ~Group
G u on
p the proposed shelf. The
The Emperor
Emperor Volcanics
Volcanics
are interbedded
interbedded with iron-formation on the
the eastern
eastern Gogebic
Gogebic (LaBerge
(LaBereeand
and Klasner,
Klasner,
1994), and volcanics are present within the iron-formation
iron-formation on
&amp; the western
w-&amp;tern end
end of
the Gogebic ((LaBerge
M e r g e and others, 1995). Volcanic
Volcanic rocks
rocks as
as well as carbonaceous
sediments are associated with iron-formation south of the Gogebic range in a belt
that extends
extends from
from near
near Lake
Lake Gogebic
Gogebic southwestward
southwestward at
at least
least to
to the
the Butternut,
Butternut,
Wisconsin area, (LaBerge,
(JaBer e, 1997). This
Thissuggests
suggeststhat
that rifting,
rifting, with
with associated
volcanism and stagnant
stagnant basin development,
development, occurred
occurredafter
after deposition
deposition of
of the
the Palms
Palms
Formation on the continental margin. On
Onthe
themain
mainGogebic
Gogebicrange,
range,then,
then, the
the ironironformation accumulated
accumulated on a shallow
shallow platform bounded
bounded on
on the
the east,
east, south
south and
and west
west
basins with active
active volcanism. by rift basins
II.
deformation/metamorhpic
11. Regional
Regional
defonnation/metamorhmcpatterns.
"
A. Metamorphism
~ &amp; o r p h i s m of
ofcontinent
&amp;tin&amp; margin
margin sediments
sedimentsthat
that increases
increasesin
in intensity
intensity
associated with
with intense
intense folding
foldingand
andnorth-directed
north-directedthrusting.
thrusting. A
A zone
zone of
of
southward associated
high pressure
pressure metamorphism
metamorphism characterized
characterized by kyanite and a high temperature zone
30

�sillimanite(the Powell Subtenane
Subterrane and the Park Falls Subterrane,
Subterrane,
characterized by sillimanitefthe
respectively of Cannon and others, 1998).
1998).

pegmatitic, granites, some of
of
B. Emplacement of post-tectonic potassic, commonly pegmatitic,
two-mica granites,
or garnet,
garnet,typical
typicalof
of
which are two-mica
granites, or which contain sillimanite or
anatectic granites.

later deformational
deformational event
eventwith
withassociated
associatedretrograde
retrogrademetamorphism.
metamorphism.This
Thisisis
C. A later
widespread alteration
alteration of
of high grade minerals such
such as
as sillimanite
sillimaniteand
and
expressed as widespread
rocks)to
topyrophyllite
pyrophylliteand
andserpentine,
serpentine,respectively.
respectively. This
This
olivine (in carbonate rocks)
the post-tectonic
post-tectonic granites
granitesassociated
associatedwith
withthe
theearlier
earlier
deformation has locally affected the
deformation.

References:
Cannon, W.F.,
W.F., LaBerge, G.L.,
G.L., Klasner,
Kiasner, J.S.,
J.S., and Schulz, K.J.,
K.J., 1998, Reinterpretation
Reinterpretation
of the Penokean continental margin in part of northern Wisconsin and Michigan
(Abstract): 44th Annual Institute on Lake Superior Geology, vol.
vol. 44,
44, part
part 1, p.
p.
52-53.
J.S., and M
LaBerge,
G.L., 1994,
Klasner, J.S.,
e r g e , G.L.,
1994, Structural evolution of the eastern Gogebic
Michigan (Abstract):
(Abstract): 40th
40th Annual
AnnualInstitute
Instituteon
onLake
LakeSuperior
Superiot
range, northern Michigan
vol. 40, part
part 1, p. 23-24.
Geology, vol.
LaBerge, G.L.,
G.L., 1997,
break-up of
of the
the Superior
SuperiorCraton:
Craton:Implications
Implicationsofof
Merge,
1997, Early Proterozoic break-up
drill core and geophysical data south of
of the
the Gogebic range,
range, northern
northern Wisconsin
Wisconsin
(Abstract), 43rd Annual
Annual Institute
Instituteon
onLake
LakeSuperior
SuperiorGeology,
Geology,vol.
vol.43,
43,part
part1,1,p.p.
3 1-32.
31-32.

LaBerge, G.L.,
G.L., Cannon,
Cannon, W.F., and
andKiasner,
Klasner,J.S.,
J.S., 1995,
1995,New
New observations
observations on the

geology of the western Gogebic range (Abstract):
Institute on Lake
(Abstract): 41st Annual Institute
Superior Geology, vol. 41, part I,1,p.p.331-32.
1-32.

LaBerge, G.L.
G.L. and Klasner, J.S.,
J.S., 1994, Tectonic
Tectonic implications
implications of the Early Proterozoic
lithostratigraphy on
the
eastern
Gogebic
range,
northern Michigan (Abstract): 41st
on the eastern Gogebic
Annual Institute on Lake Superior Geology, vol.
vol. 41, part
part 1, p.
p. 33-34.

Sims, P.K.,
P.K., Van Schmus, W.R.,
W.R., Schulz, K.J.,
K.J., and Peterman, Z.E.,
Z.E., 1989, TectonoTectonostratigraphic evolution
evolution of
of the
the Early
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic Wisconsin
Wisconsin magmatic
magmatictenanes
terranesof
ofthe
the
Penokean Orogen:
Canadian
Journal
of
Earth
Sciences,
v.
26,
p.
2
145-2158.
Orogen: Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, v. 26, p. 2145-2158.

31

�1

I

DETERMINE THE
THE ORIGIN
ORIGIN OF
A GEOCHEMICAL AND PETROLOGIC STUDY TO DETERMINE
CROWDUCK LAKE
THE CROWDUCK
LAKE GROUP,
GROUP. KENORA, ONTARIO: A PROBLEMATIC
METACONGLOMERATE.
METACONGLOMERATE.
JOHNSON, Matthew M.
M.and
and COTTER,
COTTER, J.F.P.,
J.F.P.,
LOUGHRY, Joy
LOUGHRY,
Joy E., JOHNSON,
Geology
Geology Discipline,
Discipline, University
University of
of Minnesota,
Minnesota, Morris,
Morris,
Morris
56267
Morris MN
M N 56267
The
The Crowduck
Crowduck LakeLake Group is
is a sequence
sequence of
of argillite
argillite and aa poorly
poorly
sorted
sorted conglomerate (Archean
(Archean ? age)
age) exposed
exposed near
near Kenora,
Kenora, Ontario.
Ontario. Smith
Smith

(1988)
may be
be a debris
debris flow
flow
(1988) suggested
suggested that
that the
the Crowduck
Crowduck Lake
Lake Group
Group may
deposit,
deposit, however
however lithology
lithology and
and geographic
geographic location
location suggest
suggest that
that it may
may be
be
aa correlative
correlative of
of the
the"Gowganda
"Gowganda tillites'
tillites" (polymictic
(polymictic conglomerates
conglomerates
deposited
deposited during
during the
the Gowganda
Gowganda glaciation
glaciation 1.8
1.8 billion
billion years
years ago).
ago). The goal
goal
of
Crowduck Lake
Lake Group
Group is
is glacial
glacial in
in
of this
this study
study is
is to
todetermine
determine ifif the
theCrowduck
origin.
origin.
Extensive
research has
has been
been done
done on
Extensive research
on the
the deposits
deposits of
of the
the Gowganda
Gowganda
Glaciation
of the
Glaciation (Summarized
(Summarized by
by Young
Young 1969,
1969, 1973.
1973, 1999).
1999). Outcrops
Outcrops of
the
Gowganda
Gowganda are
are located
located in
in Chibougamau,
Chibougamau, Quebec,
Quebec, Wyoming.
Wyoming, and
and Northern
Northern
Michigan.
Geochemical analysis
analysis indicate
indicate that
that there
Geochemical
there are
are broad
broad similarities
similarities
in diamictite constituents.
Additionally.
Chemical Index
in
constituents.
Additionally, Chemical
Index Alteration
Alteration studies
studies
provide
provide evidence
evidence of
of regionally
regionally cold
cold climatic
climatic conditions
conditions (Young,
(Young, 1999).
1999).
Young
on the
Young (1969),
(1969). on
the basis
basis of
of outcrop
outcrop distribution,
distribution, suggests
suggests that
that
elsewhere
in
Canada
there
elsewhere in Canada there are
arepolymictic
polymictic conglomerates
conglomerates which
which on
on detailed
detailed
analysis
may
well
turn
out
to
be
tillites.
analysis may well turn out to be tillites.
For
For this
this study
study an
an outcrop
outcrop at
at the
the type
type locality
locality of
of the
theCrowduck
Crowduck Lake
Lake
Group
Group was
was described
described and
and sampled.
sampled. Hand
Hand samples
samples were
were analyzed
analyzed for
for
sedimentary structures,
Geochemistry
structures, clast provenance
provenance and
and clast
clast shape.
shape.
Geochemistry
of matrix
matrix samples
samples was
was determined
determined using
using ICP.
ICP. Thin
Thin sections
sections of
of matrix
matrix were
were
used
used for
for petrographic
petrographic analyis.
analyis.
Geochemistry
of the
Crowduck Lake
Lake Group
Group is
is similar
similar to
to that
that of
of the
the
Geochemistry of
the Crowduck
type
of these
type Gowganda
Gowganda Fotmation
Fofmation of
of Ontario.
Ontario. However,
However, interpretation
interpretation of
these
results is
results
is restricted
restricted because
because little
little is
is known
known about
about the
the geochemistry
geochemistry of
of the
the
bedrock at
at the
Additionally,
the age
age of
of the
the Crowduck
bedrock
the time
time of
ofdeposition.
deposition.
Crowduck
Additionally, the
Lake Group
Lake
Group is
is poorly
poorly constrained.
constrained. Thus,
Thus, several
several possible
possible origins
origins of the
the
Crowduck
Crowduck Lake
Lake Group
Group remain
remain plausible:
plausible: glacial
glacial tillite,
tillite, turbidite/debris
turbiditeldebris
flow, and
flow,
and basal
basal conglomerate.
conglomerate. Although
Although the sedimentology.
sedimentology, location
location and
and
age of
of the
the Crowduck
Crowduck Lake
Lake Group
Group make
make aaglacial
glacial origin
originattractive,
attractive, evidence
evidence
is
Additional
is not conclusive.
conclusive.
Additional petrographic
petrographic analysis
analysis are
are underway.
underway.

32

�THE GRATIOT CHALCOCITE DEPOSIT, KEWEENAW PENINSULA, MICHIGAN

MAKI, John C., Department of
of Geological
Geological Engineering
Engineeringand
andSciences,
Sciences,Michigan
Michigan Technological
Technological
University.
Houghton,
MI
49931,
jcmaki@mtu.edu;
and
BORNHORST,
Theodore
J., Department
Department of
of
University,
4993 1Jcmaki@mtu.edu; and BORNHORST, Theodore J.,
Geological
University, Houghton,
Houghton, MI 49931,
Geological Engineering and Sciences,
Sciences, Michigan Technological University,
tjbomho@mtu.edu
tjbomho@mtu.edu
ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT

Michigans
Michigan's Keweenaw
Keweenaw Peninsula
Peninsula is
is well
well known for world-class
world-class native copper deposits and the lack
of significant amounts of copper sulfides. Twelve
copper
Twelve copper sulfide
sulfide (chalcocite-dominated)
(chalcocite-dominated) deposits
depositshave
have
Peninsula. Robertson (1975) described one small deposit near Mt.
been discovered in the Keweenaw Peninsula.
Bohemia. Chalcocite-dominated
deposits are
are concentrated
concentratedininthe
the lower
lowerquarter
quarter of
of the
the Portage
Portage Lake
Lake
Bohemia.
Chalcocite-dominated deposits
to Mt.
Mt. Bohemia
Bohemia (Figure
(Figure 1).
1). The Gratiot chalcocite
Volcanics from Suffolk to
chalcocite deposit (previously termed
543-S) is the largest of the
deposits and
and contains about
about 4.5
4.5 million metric
5434)
the copper
copper sulfide
sulfide dominated
dominated deposits
tons of ore with an average
average grade
grade of
of 2.3%
2.3% copper.
copper.
The
The Gratiot chalcocite
chalcocite deposit
deposit is
is hosted
hosted by the Portage Lake Volcanics and is about 1.4
1.4 km from
from the
In
vicinity
of
the
ore,
basalt
lava
flows
are
Keweenaw fault, a major reverse
fault
of
regional
extent.
reverse fault of regional
In vicinity of
dikes. These
to the
the orientation
orientation of
of the
the lava
lava flows.
flows.
cut by two dacite-andesite dikes.
These dikes are nearly subparallel to
flow tops, although lesser amounts are
Ore grade intercepts occur mostly in brecciated
brecciated amygdaloidal flow
found in flow interiors and
and dikes.
dikes. The
both dikes are present
present
The highest
highest grade and tonnage exists where both
both dikes
dikes are
are thick.
thick. Faulting and
both dikes
dikes
and where both
and fracturing
fracturing are most prevalent in rocks where both
exist. The deposit
zone, the
the Gratiot-Suffolk
Gratiot-Suffolkfault,
fault, that has a stratigraphic
exist.
deposit is within a 12
12 km long fault zone,
displacement of about 7 meters and is sub-parallel to
to the
the attitude
attitude of
of the
the basalt
basalt flows
flows and
and sub-parallel to
to
fault. Two
deposit are
are the
the Cross-Gratiot
Cross-Gratiot fault
fault that
that is
is
the Keweenaw fault.
Two other
other significant
significant faults that cut the deposit
basalt flows
flows with
with aa stratigraphic
stratigraphic displacement
displacement of
of about
roughly perpendicular to the attitude of the basalt
about 15
15
meters and
and the
the Gratiot
fault that
that is sub-parallel
to the
the attitude
attitude of
of the
the basalt
basalt flows
flows with
with very
meters
Gratiot fault
sub-parallel to
very little
little
The
highest
grades
are
associated
with
the
intersection
of
the
Gratiotstratigraphic displacement.
displacement.
highest grades
associated with the intersection
the GratiotSuffolk fault, the Gratiot
Gratiot fault
fault and
and the
the Cross-Gratiot
Cross-Gratiot fault.
fault.
fill amygdules
amygdules and
and fractures
fractures within
within the
the basalt lava
A suite
suite of
of secondary
secondary hydrothermal
hydrothermal minerals
minerals fill
lava
flows and dikes. Chlorite
was
the
earliest
secondary
mineral,
followed
by
epidote,
potassium
feldspar,
Chlorite was the earliest secondary
by epidote, potassium feldspar,
Deposition of
of
native copper and native silver, prehnite
prehnite and quartz and calcite (approximate order). Deposition
pyrite clearly follows native copper and was itself followed by
by chalcopyrite, bomite,
bornite, chalcocite
chalcocite and
and
hematite. The
Thelast
lastphase
phaseof
ofsecondary
secondarymineral
mineral deposition
deposition was adularia, laumontite and more calcite.
Chalcocite
Chalcocite is by far
far the
the major
majorcopper-bearing
copper-bearing mineral
mineral in the Gratiot
Gratiot deposit,
deposit, other
other copper-bearing
copper-bearing
minerals are trace to rare in occurrence. The
deposit
The relative
relative age of mineral deposition in the Gratiot deposit
matches the relative age of mineral
mineral deposition
deposition in the large native copper deposits in the
the Keweenaw
Keweenaw
Peninsula. Butler
an early
early suite of
of minerals associated
associated with
with native
native
Butler and
and Burbank
Burbank (1929)
(1929) documented
documented an
Native copper
copper in
in the
copper followed by
late adularia,
adularia, laumontite and calcite. Native
by chalcocite and then late
Keweenaw Peninsula is interpreted to be temporally and
and genetically
genetically related
related to
to compressional tectonics
The close temporal
produced reverse motion
motion along
along the
the Keweenaw
Keweenaw fault (Bornhorst,
(Bomhorst, 1997).
1997). The
temporal
that produced
also
chalcocite is also
relationship
of native copper and chalcocite
relationship of
chalcocite in the Gratiot deposit suggests that chalcocite
are interpreted
interpreted as
as very
Native copper
copper ore-depositing
ore-depositing fluids are
very
tectonics. Native
related to
to compressional
compressional tectonics.
related
Chalcocite
ore
must
Chalcocite
ore
fluids
must
sulfur
poor
and
derived
from
basalts
within
the
rift
(Bomhorst,
1997).
sulfur poor and derived from
within the rift (Bomhorst, 1997).

33

�have
have carried
carried more
moresulfur
sulfurthan
thannative
nativecopper
copperfluids.
fluids. However,
However, the
the genesis
genesis of
offluids
fluidsgenerating
generatingthe
the
chalcocite
chalcocitedeposits
depositsisiscurrently
currentlyspeculative.
speculative.

Gratiot-Suffolk Fault

Gratiot Lake

Mt Bohemia
Deposit

Gratiot
GratiotDeposit
Deposit
Suffolk
Deposit

1111111

Jacobsville Sandstone

KXI

Oronto GrOLQ

I

Portage Lake Volcanics

I

20

0

km

FIGURE
FIGURE 1:
1: LOCATION
LOCATIONOF
OFCOPPER
COPPERSULFIDE
SULFIDEDEPOSITS
DEPOSITS
References
References

-

,&lt;
.

Bornhorst,
Bomhorst, T.
T. J.,
J., 1997,
1997,Tectonic
Tectoniccontext
contextof
ofnative
nativecopper
copperdeposits
deposits of
of the
the North
North American
American
Midcontinent
Midcontinent Rift
Rift System:
System: Geological
GeologicalSociety
Societyof
ofAmerica
AmericaSpecial
SpecialPaper
Paper 312,
312, p.
p. 127-136.
127-136
Butler,
deposits of
of Michigan:
Michigan: U.
S., 1929,
1929, The copper deposits
U. S.
S. Geol.
Geol. Survey
Survey Prof.
Prof.
Butler, B. S. and Burbank, W. 5.,
Paper
238 p.p.
Paper 144,
144,238

Robertson,
Robertson, J. M.,
M., 1975,
1975, Geology
Geologyand
andmineralogy
mineralogy of
of some
somecopper
coppersulfide
sulfidedeposits
depositsnear
near

Mount
Mount Bohemia,
Bohemia, Keweenaw
Keweenaw County.
County, Michigan: Economic
Economic Geology,
Geology, v.
v. 70,
70, p.p.1202-1224.
1202-1224.
34

�CHEMICAL AND
AND MINERALOGICAL
MINERALOGICAL COMPARISON
COMPARISON OF
OF BARABOO,
BARABOO, BARRON,
BARRON, AND
AND SIOUX
SIOUX
CHEMICAL
ARGILLITE,
METAPELITE
AND
PIPESTONE
ARGILLITE, METAPELITE AND PIPESTONE
MEDARJS,
L.G., Jr.,
of
MEDARIS, L.G.,
Jr., and
and FOURNELLE,
FOURNELLE, J.H.,
J.H., Dept.
Dept. of
of Geology
Geology &amp;
&amp; Geophysics,Univ.
Geophysics,Univ. of
Wisconsin-Madison,53706,
53706,medaris@geology.wisc.edu,
inedarisgeology.wisc.edu, johnf@geology.wisc.edu;
johnfgeo1ogy.wisc.edu;
Wisconsin-Madison,
BOSZHARDT,
BOSZHARDT, RI.,
RF.,Mississippi
MississippiValley
ValleyArchaeology
ArchaeologyCenter,
Center,Univ.
Univ.ofofWisconsin-La
Wisconsin-LaCrosse,
Crosse,
54601, rboszhar@uwlax.edu;
J.H., State
rboszhar@uwlax.edu, BROII{AHM,
BROBHAHN, J.H.,
State Historical Society
Society of
of Wisconsin-Madison,
53706,
John.Broihahn@ccmail.adp.wisc.edu
53706, John.Broihahn@ccmail.adp.wisc.edu
Early
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic (1760-1630
(1760-1630 Ma)
Ma) red
red quartzites
quartzitesin
in the
the southern
southern Lake
Lake Superior
Superiorregion
region place
place important
important
constraints
on
the
climatic,
sedimentary,
and
tectonic
history
of
North
America,
and
fine-grained
constraints on the climatic, sedimentary, and tectonic history of North America, and fine-grained
sedimentary and hydrothemially
hydrothermally altered rocks in
sedimentaly
in the quartzite sequences
sequences have provided material for
for Native
Native
artihcts. Although
American artifacts.
Althoughargillites
argilhtesand
andpipestones
pipestonesfrom
fromseveral
severallocalities
localities have
have been
been investigated
investigated
freviously by
previously
by X-ray
X-ray diffiaction,
diffraction, little
littleattention
attentionhas
hasbeen
beenpaid
paid so
sofar
firto
totheir
theirchemical
chemical compositions
compositions and
and
textural details. Representative
samples
of
Baraboo,
Barron,
and
Sioux
argillite,
metapelite,
and pipestone
Representative samples of Barabw, Ban-on, and Sioux
have been investigated by
by petrographic
petrographic microscope, XRF,
XRD, and EMP to
determine
textural characteristics
to determine their textural
characteristics and
and
chemical and
and mineralogical
mineralogical compositions.
compositions. Such
chemical
Such information
information
provides
provides aa basis
basis ibr
for evaluating
evaluatingpossible
possibleregional
regional variations
variations in
in
chemical compositions and metamorphic
metamorphic conditions
among
conditions among
the
artifact
determining artifact
the quartzite
quartzite localities
localities and
and for
for determining
provenances.
provenances.
Bamboo: fine-grained metasedimentary
metasedimentary layers,
Barabw:
layers, several
several
to several
several feet
feet in
inthickness,
thckness, are interbedded
interbedded with
inches to
quartzite and vary
varyfrom
frompink
pink argillite
argillite(metasiltstone)
(metasiltstone) to gray
phyllonite (metapelite), depending on
on the
the proportions
proportions of
quartz and pyrophyllite. Pipestone
occurs
Pipestone occursin
in several
several small
pipestone quarries and one outcrop near the base of the
quartzite sequence
sequence in the south
south limb of the
the Bamboo
Baraboo syncline.
syncline.
The pipestone is a dark purplish-red argillite,
aigillite, consisting of
quartz,
quartz, pyrophyllite, and
and hematite,
hematite, which
which is
is cut
cut by
by thin
thin white
white
hydrothermal
veins
containing
pyrophyffite,
muscovite,
and
hydrothermal
containing pyrophyllite,
and
diaspore. In
several
pipestone
samples,
argillite
itself
has
In several pipestone samples, argillite
been altered to an assemblage
assemblage of
of muscovite-pyrophyllitemuscovite-pyrophyllitediasp
ore-hematite, in
in which
which quartz
quartz has been replaced
diaspore-hematite,
replaced largely
largely
by pyrophyllite (Fig. 1).
Small
amounts
of
kaolinite
in
1). Small amounts of kaolinite inthe
the
metasedimentary rocks and
and pipestone
pipestone are
are retrograde
retrogradein
in origin,
origin,
replacing
replacing pyrophyllite
pyrophyllite or
or muscovite.
muscovite.
Barron: four
samples
fow samples of
of discarded
discardedpipestone
pipestone were
collected in the vicinity of a pipestone
pipestone quarry
quarryin
in the
the Doyle
Doyle
Barron County. The
Forest Unit, Barren
Thepipestone
pipestoneisis aamassive
massive to
laminated red argillite, which contains quark,
quartz, hematite,
hematite, and
and
large vermicular
grains of
vermicular-grains
of kaolinite
kaolmite (Fig. 2).
2).
Sioux: two samples
M:
samples of
of pipestone
pipestone from
from Pipestone
Pipestone National
Monument and one of flaggy aigillite
argillite from the Jasper quadquadrangle (sec. 32, Tl
04N, R4W)
T104N,
R4W) were
were provided by David
and Tony
Tony Runkel.
Runkel. The
Southwick and
Thepipestone
pipestone samples
samples are
are
typical catlinite,
catlinite, being
being fine-grained
fine-grainedand
and deep
deepred
red in
in color,
color,

m:

35

�I

locally with small pale orange-red reduction spots and pale gray elliptical domains. The
Thepipestone
pipestone mineral
mineral
assemblage
assemblage is pyrophyllite-diaspore-muscovite-hematite,
pyrophyllite-diaspore-muscovite-hematite,and the pale
pale gray
gray elliptical
elliptical domains
domains are
are largely
largely
pyrophyllite with minor diaspore and muscovite (Fig. 3). Small
Smallamounts
amountsof
ofkaolinite
kaoliniteare
are retrograde
retrogradeafter
after
argillitecontains
containsquartz,
quartz,hematite,
hematite,pyrophyllite,
pyrophyllite,and
and traces
tracesof
of detrital
detrital
pyrophyllite and muscovite. The
Theargillite
muscovite.
muscovite.
Chemical Comoosition
Composition Six
are
Six samples
samples of Baraboo, Barron,
Barron, and Sioux
Sioux argillite and metapelite are
of Na,0
Na20 and CaO
CaO and
and contain
wntain less than
than
essentially devoid of
0.39 wt%
wt% K20,
K,0, attesting
attestingto
totheir
theirextreme
extreme chemical
chemical
Rock Compositions in the q Baraboo
Baron
ICASH System
matunty and
maturity
and contrasting
contrastingmarkedly
markedly with
with the
the composition
composition of
Projected onto tle KAS Plane
Sioux
average shale (Fig.
(Fig. 4). Relative
argillite and average
Relative to
to argiuite
shale, the K-rich and Si-poor
Si-poor compositions
wmpositions of Bamboo
Baraboo and
and
19
Si
Sioux pipestones (0.66-5.62 wt% lC,O
Sioux
K,0 and 40.90-54.20
wt% SiOJ
5i02) indicate
wt%
indicate that they may have
have formed from
ppestone
argillite by addition of K and removal of Si through
argilhte
hydrothermal activity. Such
Suchaa process
processcould
could account
account for
kin
estone and
replacement of quartz
quartzin
inBaraboo
Baraboopip
pipestone
and
the replacement
suggests
suggests that
that the
the elliptical
ellipticalpyrophyllite
pyrophyllite domains
domains in
in Sioux
Sioux
K
pipestone may also be the result of quartz
pipestone
replacement.
replacement.
8
Metamorphic
Metamomhic Conditions: the Barron
Ban-on argillite
argiUite
assemblage, quartz-kaolinite,
assemblage,
quartz-kaolimte, is limited to
6
at 22 kbar
kbar (Fig.
(Fig. 5).
5). The
temperatures below 3300°C
0 0 T at
The
Bamboo and
Baraboo
and Sioux
Siouxargilhite
argillite assemblage, quartzquartzpyrophyllite, is stable
stable between 300 and 390°C
3 9 0 T at 2
-.
kbar, and
and the
the pipestone
pipestone assemblage,
assemblage, pyrophyllitepyropbyllite22
muscovite-diaspore, is
is more
more narrowly
narrowlyconfined
confined
between 3315
and 360Â°
360°C (Fig.
(Fig. 5).
5). The Baraboo and
hetween
15 and
Sioux assemblages
assemblages cannot
cannotbe
be due
due to
to burial
burial alone,
alone,
o
o
450
350
400
250
300
because depths on the order of 18-19
18-19 km
k m would be
250
300
350
400
450
T
C
T,
"C
required to reach
reach 300°C
'raton
quiredm
3000c for a typical stable craton
5 Reactions
Fig. 5
Fig.
Reactions in
in the
the KASH
KASH system
system and
and assemblages
assemblages
conductive g
geotherm.
conductive
~ t h e n n The
.Theage
ageand
andsource
source of the
u Bamboo, Barron,
in
Ban-on, and
and Sioux
Sioux rocks
rocks
thermal pulse responsible
responsible for
for Baraboo
Baraboo and
and Sioux
Sioux
metamorphism remains uncertain. In
Inaddition,
addition,kaolinite
kaolinite is
is widely reported in the Sioux Quartzite, and it is
was ubiquitous in the
the Sioux Quartzite (as it was
was in the Baraboo quartzite),
unclear whether metamorphism was
or restricted
restricted to
to zones
zones of
of hydrothermal
hydrothermal activity,
activity, perhaps
perhapsrelated
relatedto
tofaulting.
faulting.
Conclusions:
Conclusions: the
thechemical
chemicalcompositions
wmpositionsof
ofargillite
argilliteand
andmetapelite
metapeliteconfirm
confirmthe
the chemical
chemicalmaturity
maturity of
of all
all
sedimentary members of the Bamboo,
Barron,
and
Sioux
sequences,
consistent
with
derivation
from
a
Baraboo, Barren, and Sioux sequences, consistent with derivation from a
deeply weathered,
weathered, low-relief
low-relief source
source in
in an
an Early
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic warm,
warm, humid
humid climate.
climate. Comparable
Comparable mineral
assemblages in Bamboo
assemblages
Baraboo and
and Sioux
Siouxpipestones
pipestonesdemonstrate
demonstratethat
thatthe
thepromotmg
promotinghydrothennal
hydrothermalactivity
activitydoes
does
not coincide with the 1630
1630 Ma thermal front in the southern Lake
Lake Superior
Superiorregion,
region, postulated
postulatedby
by Hoim
Holm et
et
al. (1998);
(1998); whether
whether they are
are contemporaneous remains
remains to be seen. Regarding
Regarding artifact
artifactprovenance,
provenance, Barron
Barron
pipestone is easily
easily distinguished
distinguished from Bamboo
Baraboo and
and Sioux
Siouxpipestone
pipestone by
by the
the presence
presence of
of vermicular
vermicular kaolinite.
kaolinite.
Comparable
Comparable mineral
mineral assemblages
assemblagesand
and textures
texturesmake
makediscrimination
discriminationbetween
between Baraboo
Baraboo and
and Sioux
Siouxpipestones
pipestones
more difficult. Baraboo
Baraboopipestone
pipestonemay
maycontain
wntainquartz,
quartz,isislocally
locallycut
cutby
bythin,
thin,white
white veins,
veins, and
and is
is dark
dark
purplish
purplish red
red in
in color;
color; Sioux
Siouxpipestone
pipestoneis
isdevoid
devoid of
of quartz
quartzand
andveins,
veins, commonly
commonly has
has reduction
reduction spots
spotsand
and
conspicuous,
conspicuous, small,
small, pale
pale gray,
gray,elliptical
ellipticalpyrophyllite-rich
pyropbylhte-rich domains,
domains, and
and isis deep
deep red
red to
to orange
orangein
in color.
color.
36

�REPUBLIC
REPUBLIC WETLAND PRESERVE

John G.
G. Meier

-

District
DistrictManager
Manager— Environmental
Environmental Affairs
Affairs

Cliffs
Cliffs Mining
Milling Services Company
Iron
Iron ore
ore mining,
mining, by
by its
its very
very nature,
nature, causes
causes large
large potential impacts to natural resources.
Development
Developmentof
of mine
mine pits,
pits, rock
rock stockpiles
stockpiles and
and tailings
tailings basins
basins impacts
impacts wetlands
wetlands from time
to
to time.
time. Permits
Permitstotoimpact
impactwetlands
wetlandsare
areissued
issuedby
by the
the Michigan
Michigan Department
Department of
Environmental
EnvironmentalQuality
Quality ifif the
the impacts
impacts are
are "unavoidable"
"unavoidable" and
and are
are "minimized
"minimized to
to the
the
greatest
greatest extent
extent possible".
possible". Each
Eachpermit
permitrequires
requiresthat
that"compensatory
"compensatory wetland
wetland mitigation"
mitigation"
be
be provided.
provided.
The
The Republic
RepublicWetland
WetlandPreserve
Preserveisis being
being created
created at
at the
the former
former Republic
Republic Mine
Mine tailings
tailings
basin
basin to
to provide
providecompensatory
compensatorywetland
wetland mitigation
mitigation for
for those unavoidable
unavoidable impacts to
wetlands
wetlands at
at other
other mining operations.
operations. Instead
Insteadof
of merely
merely draining
draining the water from the
various
various tailings
tailings and
and water
water clarification
clarification ponds and converting the land to upland at
Republic, Cliffs, with MDEQ oversight, is
in these
these areas.
areas. Several
is constructing wetlands in
hundred
hundred acres
acres of creditable
creditable wetland will be created. This
This wetland area,
area, along
along with
adjacent upland and external
external preservation area, will be placed in a Conservation
Easement
Easement for
for the
the benefit
benefit of the
the State
State for long term protection.

37

�POTENTIAL
PGE
IN
POTENTIALFOR
FORSTRATIFORM
STRATIFORM
PGEMINERALIZATION
MINERALIZATION
IN
MAFIC
LAYERED
INTRUSIONS
COMPLEX
MAFIC
LAYERED
INTRUSIONSOF
OFTHE
THEDULUTh
DULUTH
COMPLEX

MILLER,
55114
MILLER,James
JamesD.,
D.,Jr.,
Jr.,Minnesota
MinnesotaGeological
GeologicalSurvey,
Survey,2642
2642University
UniversityAve.,
Ave.,St.
St.Paul,
Paul,MN
MN 55114
(mille066@maroon.tc.unm.edu)
(mille066@maroon.tc.umn.edu)

Economic
Economicconcentrations
concentrationsof
ofplatinum
platinumgroup
groupelements
elements(PGEs)
(PGEs)ininmeter-thick,
meter-thick,stratiform,
stratiform,sulfide-bearing
sulfide-bearing
horizons
horizons(reefs)
(reefs)have
havelong
lonebeen
beenknown
knowntotobebeassociated
associatedwith
withultramafic-mafic
ultramafic-maficlayered
layeredintrusions
intrusionssuch
suchasas
the
theBushveld
~ u s h i e land
dA dStillwater
Stillwatercomplexes.
complexes. Recent
Recentdiscoveries
discoveriesofofPGE
PGEmineralization
minerali&amp;on ininthe
theSkaergaard
Skaergaard
Intrusion
Intrusionand
andrelated
relatedbodies
bodiesininGreenland
Greenland(Bird
(Birdetetal.,
al.,1991,
1991,1995;
1995;Neilsen
Neilsenand
andBrooks,
Brooks,1995;
1995;Aranson,
Aranson,etet

-

al.,
al., 1997;
1997;Andersen
Andersenetetal.,
al.,1998)
1998)have
haveshown
shownthat
thatstratiform
stratiformPGE
PGEmineralization
mineralization can
can also
alsooccur
occurinin

tholeiitic
tholeiiticlayered
layeredintrusions.
intrusions.The
Thepresence
presenceofofmany
manytholeiitic
tholeiiticmafic
maficlayered
layeredintrusions
intrusionsassociated
associatedwith
withthe
the
1.1
1.1 Ga
GaMidcontinent
MidcontinentRift
Riftsuggests
suggeststhat
thatthe
theLake
LakeSuperior
Superiorregion
region isisfertile
fertileground
groundfor
forexploration
explorationof
ofthis
this
newly
newlyrecognized
recognizedtype
typeof
ofPGE
PGEmineralization.
mineralization. With
Withthe
thesupport
supportofofthe
theState
StateofofMinnesota's
Minnesota'sMinerals
Minerals
Coordinating
the
been assessing
coordinatingCommittee
~ommi'ttee
theMinnesota
MinnesotaGeological
GeologicalSurvey
Surveyhas
hasbeen
assessingthe
thepotential
potentialfor
forstratiform
stratiform
PGE
PGE mineralization
mineralization in
in two
twointrusions
intrusionsof
ofthe
theDuluth
DuluthComplex—the
Complex-the Layered
Layered Series
Series at
at Duluth
Duluth and
andthe
the
Sonju
SonjuLake
Lakeintrusion
intrusion(Miller
(Millerand
andRipley,
Ripley.1996).
1996).

Based
Skaergaardand
andother
othertholeiitic
tholeiitic
Based on
onempirical
empiricalobservations
observations of
ofPGE
PGEmineralization
mineralizationin
inthe
theSkaergaard
intrusions,
intrusions, and
andon
ontheoretical
theoreticalconsiderations
considerationsof
ofsulfur
sulfurand
andPGE
PGEbehavior
behaviorinindynamic,
dynamic,differentiating
differentiating
intrusions,
intrusions, the
the conditions
conditions that
that favor
favorthe
theformation
formationofofPGE-enriched
PGE-enrichedhorizons
horizonsinintholeiitic
tholeiiticlayered
layered
intrusions
intrusionsare:
are:
1.1.The
undersaturated
Theparent
parentmagma
magmaisisinitially
initiallysulfide
sulfideundersaturated.
2.2.The
parent
magma
has
a
high
initial
PGE
experiences
&amp;h
experiencesaaconsiderable
considerableamount
amount
The parent magma has a high initial PGEconcentration
concentrationand/or
of
offractional
fractionalcrystallization
crystallizationtotobuild
buildup
upnoble
noblemetal
metalconcentrations
concentrationsprior
priorto
tosulfide
sulfidesaturation.
saturation.

of sulfide
3.3. The
Theinitial
initial segregation
segregation of
sulfide melt
melt is
is triggered
triggered by
by aaprocess
processsuch
suchasasmagma
magmamixing,
mixing,

decompression,
decompression, assimilation,
assimilation, or
or simple
simple differentiation
differentiation that
that promotes
promotes aa large
large R-factor
R-factor
(silicatdsulfidemelt
meltratio).
ratio).
(silicate/sulfide
These
Theseconditions
conditionsimply
implythat
thatan
anintrusion
intrusionthat
thatformed
formedfrom
fromananinitially
initiallysulfide-undersaturated,
sulfide-undersaturated,tholeiitic
tholeiitic
parent
parentmagma
magmahas
hasthe
thebest
bestchance
chancefor
forsignificant
significantPGE
PGEmineralization
mineralizationin
in the
themidmid- to
toupper-level
upper-level horizon
horizon
that
that marks
marksthe
thefirst
first"cumulus
"cumulusarrival"
arrival"ofofimmiscible
immisciblesulfide
sulfidemelt.
melt. Theoretically,
Theoretically, aa gabbro
gabbrocumulate
cumulate
crystallized
crystallizedfrom
fromaamagma
magmasaturated
saturatedininsulfide
sulfideshould
shouldcontain
containgreater
greaterthan
than400
400ppm
ppmsulfur
sulfur(Boudreau
(Boudreauand
and
McCallum,
McCallum, 1992).
1992).Regardless
Regardlessofofhow
howsulfide
sulfidesaturation
saturationisistriggered,
triggered,ororthe
theway
wayininwhich
whichsulfide
sulfide melt
melt

arrives
arrives at
atthe
themagma
magmachamber
chamberfloor,
floor,ititisislikely
likelythat
thatthe
thefirst
firstsignificant
significantsulfide-saturated
sulfide-saturated melt
melt has
has the
the
greatest
greatestchance
chanceof
ofencountering
encounteringthe
themost
mostPGE-enriched
PGE-enriched silicate
silicate magma.
magma. Thus,
Thus, exploration
exploration for
foraaPGEPGEenriched
enrichedhorizon
horizonshould
shouldattempt
attempttotoseek
seekout
outthe
thestratigraphically
stratigraphicallylowest
lowestgabbroic
gabbroiccumulates
cumulatesthat
thatcontain
contain
400 ppm
ppm SSor
ormore.
more. The
The Cu/Pd
Cfld ratio
ratioindicates
indicatesthe
theeffectiveness
effectiveness of
of the
thesulfide-saturated
suicide-saturated melt
melt inin
400
scavenging
of magnitude
scavengingchalcophile
chalcophilemetals
metalsfrom
fromthe
thesilicate
silicatemagma.
magma. Because
BecausePd
Pdisisseveral
severalorders.
ordersof
magnitude more
more
compatible
Cu,an
anefficiently
efficientlyscavenged
scavengedsilicate
silicatemelt
meltshould
shouldrecord
recorda asignficant
signficant
compatiblewith
with sulfide
sulfidemelt
meltthan
thanCu,

increase
increasein
inCu/Pd
CuIPdafter
afteraasulfide-segregation
sulfide-segregationevent.
event.
These
(DLS,Miller,
Miller,1998).
1998).
Thesegeochemical
geochemicalcriteria
criteriawere
werefirst
firstapplied
appliedtotothe
theLayered
LayeredSeries
SeriesatatDuluth
Duluth(DLS,
The
TheDLS
DLSisisaa3.53.5-toto4-km-thick,
4-km-thick,well-differentiated,
well-differentiated,layered
layeredintrusion
intrusionemplaced
emplaced into
into the
the basal
basal section
section of
of
comagmatic Keweenawan
Keweenawan volcanics
volcanics in
in the
the vicinity
vicinity of
of Duluth.
Duluth. The
The DLS
DLS isis composed
composed of
of aa
comagmatic
unidirectionally
troctolite(P1+01)
(Pl+01) to gabbro
gabbro
unidirectionally differentiated
differentiatedsuite
suiteof
of mafic
maficcumulates
cumulatesthat
that grades
grades up
up from
from troctolite
and
(Pl+Aug+FemÂ±O1Â±Ap
and displays
displays aa complementary
complementary cryptic
cryptic variation
variation inin cumulus
cumulus mineral
mineral
(Pl+Aug+Fe0±0l±Ap),
compositions.
1-km-thickinterval
interval
compositions. The
Thetransition
transitionfrom
fromtroctolitic
troctolitictotogabbroic
gabbroiccumulates
cumulatesoccurs
occurs in
inan
an1-km-thick

called
called the
thecyclic
cycliczone
zonewherein
whereinP1+01
Pl+01cumulates
cumulatesgrade
gradeupward
upwardto
toPl+Aug+Fe0,,+0l
Pl+Aug+Fe-+01 cumlates,
cumlates, and
and regress
regress

abruptly
abruptly back
back to
to P1+01
Pl+01 cumulates.
cumulates. The
Thecyclic
cyclic zone
zone isismade
made up
upof
ofasasmany
manyasassix
sixsuch
suchmacrocycles,
macrocycles,
38

�which implies that despite
despite being
being well-differentiated,
well-differentiated, the DLS magma system was open
open to
to recharge
rechargeand
and
venting (Miller
and
Ripley,
1996).
(Miller and Ripley, 1996).
Sulfur concentrations indicate that
that the DLS was initially sulfide undersaturated
undersaturated and
and did
did not reach
Cu/Pd
ratios
begin
to
show
sulfide saturation until the onset
begin
show irregular
irregular
onset of
of cyclic
cyclic zone
zonecrystallization.
crystallization. CuRd
upsection from
from the
the base
base of
of the
the cyclic
cyclic zone.
zone. The
though significant increases upsection
The irregular
irregular increase in Cu/Pd
CuIPd
ratios probably reflects the open nature of the DLS system. Interestingly,
Interestingly,the
theanomolous
anomolous concentrations
concentrations
of sulfur
sulfur and PGEs occur
occur at macrocycle
macrocycleboundaries, which I interpret
interpret to
to indicate
indicate venting
venting and/or
and/or recharge
recharge
events. These
observations
suggest
that
a
PGE-enriched
sulfide
reef
may
exist
near
the
base of cyclic
These observations suggest that a PGE-enriched
reef may
zone, and may correspond
correspond to
to aa horizon
horizon indicative
indicativeof
of open-system
open-system perturbations
perturbations to
to the
the DLS
DLSmagma.
magma.
the stratiform PGE
PCE potential
potential of
of the Sonju Lake
Geochemical studies were recently initiated to study the
intrusion (SLI) near Finland, Minnesota. The
The SLI
SLI isis aa 1-km
1-km thick, sheet-like
sheet-like intrusion that was emplaced
beneath
beneath a granophyre
granophyre body.
body. It is
is aa completely
completely differentiated
differentiated intrusion
intrusion that displays a very
very regular,
regular,
unidirectional
cumulus
paragenesis:
Ol—&gt;Pl+Ol—&gt;Pl÷Aug+Ol—&gt;Pl+Aug+Fe—&gt;Pl+Aug+Fe+Ol+
unidirectional
paragenesis: 01-&gt;P1+01-&gt;Pl+Aug+01-&gt;Pl+Aug+Fe_-&gt;Pl+Ang+Fe_+Ol+
Ap. This
Thisphase
phaseprogression
progressionand
andaasmooth
smoothcryptic
crypticvariation
variationin
inmineral
mineral composition
composition indicate
indicate that
that the
the SLI
SLI
crystallized as an almost
The SLI is the
intrusion most
most similar to the
crystallized
almost closed
closed system.
system. The
the Keweenawan
Keweenawan intrusion
the
Skaergaard.
Geochemical
analyses
of
sulfur
and
PGEs
have
not
yet
been
completed
for
the
SLI.
Skaergaard. Geochemical analyses of sulfur and PGEs have not yet been completed for
SLI.
Previous analyses included Cu which provides indirect evidence for
for the
the abundance
abundance of
of sulfide in
in the SLI
cumulates. The
TheCu
Cuconcentration
concentrationshows
shows aa dramatic
dramatic 5-fold
Sfold increase
increase (from cl0Oppm
e100ppm to &gt;500
&gt;500 ppm)
ppm) at
at aa
level
equal to 2/3
2.13 of
of its
itsthickness.
thickness. This change is
level above
above the base
base of
of the
theintrusion
intrusion approximately
approximately equal
approximately midway
midway through
cumulate interval;
interval; notably,
notably, it is at
approximately
through the Pl+Aug+Fe0,
Pl+Aug+Fe cumulate
at the
theequivalent
equivalent
stratigraphic
level,
and
within
the
same
cumulate
type
as
the
Platinova
reef
of
the
Skaergaard
stratigraphic
the same cumulate
as the Platinova reef of the SkaergaardIntrusion
Intrusion
ILSGmeeting.
meeting.
(Andersen et al., 1998).
1998). I anticipate
anticipate reporting
reporting geochemical analyses for the SLI
SLI at
at the
theILSG
horizon in
They will provide more direct evidence of the potential
potential for aa PGE-enriched
PGE-enriched sulfide-bearing horizon
the upper part of SLI.
may exist in the
In conclusion, these studies
studies suggest
suggest that
that significant
significant PGE mineralization
mineralization may
the medial
medial
orupper
parts
of
the
DLS
and
SLI
intrusions,
as
well
as
in
other
tholeiitic
layered
intrusions
of the
the
orupper parts of
DLS and SLI intrusions, as well as in other tholeiitic layered intrusions of
Midcontinent Rift. Moreover,
demonstrate that
that geochemical
geochemical criteria
criteria can
can be
be used (1) to
Moreover, these studies demonstrate
to
evaluate the overall potential for stratiform
stratiform PGE mineralization in tholeiitic mafic intrusions, and (2) to
Because potential PGEassist in
assist
in identification
identification of
of favorable
favorableintervals
intervalswithin
within individual
individual intrusions.
intrusions. Because
PGEmineralized horizons
horizons are likely
likely to be meter-scale
and contain
contain only
only a few modal percent
meter-scale in thickness,
thickness, and
sulfide, core drilling
drilling and
and systematic
systematicgeochemical
geochemical sampling
sampling are
are necessary
necessary to
to confirm
confirmtheir
their existence.
existence.
References

:.,!,

J.C.ø., Rasmussen,
J.G., 1998, The Triple Group and the Platinova gold and palladium
Andersen, J.C.0..
Rasmussen, H.,
H., Neilsen,
Neilsen, T.F.D.,
T.F.D., Rønsbo,
R~nsbo.J.G.,
reefs in
relations:
ECONOMIC
ECONOMIC GEOLOGY,
488-509.
reefs
in the
the Skaergaard
SkaergaardIntusion—stratigraphic
Intusion-stratigraphicand
andpetrographic
petrographic
relations:
GEOLOGY, v.93,
v.93, p. 488—509.
DX., Bernstein,
PB., 1997,
J.G., Bird, D.K.,
Bernstein, S. and
and Kelemen,
Kelemen, P.B.,
1997, Gold
Goldand
andplatinum-group
platinum-groupelement
element mineralization
mineralization in the
Aranson, J.G.,
Kruuse
ECONOMIC
Kmuse Fjord
FjordGabbro
Gabbrocomplex.
complex.East
EastGreenland:
Greenland:
ECONOMICGEOLOGY,
490-501.
GEOLOGY,v.92,
v.92, p. 490—501.
Bird, D.K.,
Bird,
D.K., Brooks, C.K.,
C.K., Gannicott,
Gannicott, R.A.,
R.A., Turner, P.A.,
P.A., 1991,
1991, A
A gold-bearing
gold-bearing horizon
horizon in the
the Skaergaard
Skaergaard Intrusion,
Intrusion, East
East
Greenland:
GEOLOGY,
v.
092.
ECONOMIC
GEOLOGY,
v. 86,
86,p.p.1083—1
1083-1092.
Greenland:ECONOMIC
Brandriss. ME.,
M.E., Nevle,
Nevle, R.J.,
Kelerotn, P.R.,
P.B., 1995,
1995,
Bird,
Bird, D.K.,
D.K., Aranson, J.G.,
IC., Brandriss,
It)., Radford, G.,
C., Bernstein, S., Gannicott, R.A..
R.A., and Kelemen,
A gold-bearing
gold-bearing horizon
East
Greenland:
ECONOMIC
ECONOMICGEOLOGY,
90. p. 1288—1300.
1288-1300.
A
horizonininthe
theKap
KapEdvard
EdvardHoIm
HolmComplex,
Complex,
East
Greenland:
GEOLOGY,v.v.90,
by magmatic fluids in layered intrusions:
Boudreau, A.E.
A.E. and McCallum,
McCallum, 1.8.,
IS., 1992,
1992, Concentration of platinum-group elements by
intrusions:
ECONOMIC GEOLOGY, v. 87,
ECONOMICGEOLOGY,
87.p.p.1830—1848.
1830-1848.
J.D., Jr., 1998,
1998,Potential
Potential for
for stratiform
stratiform POE
PGE deposits
deposits in sulfide-undersaturated,
sulfide-undersaturated, tholeiitic layered intrusions of the Duluth
Miller, J.D..
Complex.
Complex, Minnesota,
Minnesota, USA.
USA. 8th
8th International
International Platinum
Platinum Symposium
Symposium Abstracts,
Abstracts, Rustenburg,
Rustenburg, South
South Africa,
Africa, GSSA
GSSA and
and
SAIMM Symposium
Symposium Series
Series 518.
S18,p.263—266.
p. 263-266.
J.D.. Jr..
Jr., and Ripley,
Ripley, E.M.,
E.M., 1996,
1996,Layered
Layeredintrusions
intrusions of
of the
the Duluth
Duluth Complex,
Complex, Minnesota,
Minnesota, USA,
USA, in
in Cawthorne, R
.G.,ed.,
Miller, J.D.,
R.G.,
Layered
Layered Intrusions:
Intrusions:Amsterdam,
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Sci..p.p.257—301.
257-301.
T.F.D. and Brooks,
East Greenland:
Greenland: Factors
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tothe
themineralization
mineralization
Neilsen, T.F.D.
Brooks, C.K.,
C.K., 1995,
1995,Precious
Preciousmetals
metals in
in magmas
magmas of
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in
ECONOMIC
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in the
theSkaergaard
SkaergaardIntrusion:
Intrusion:

39

�NEW GEOLOGIC MAP OF THE CENTRAL DULUTH COMPLEX

MILLER, James D.,
D., Jr.,
Jr., and
and CHANDLER,
CHANDLER, Val.
Val. W., Minnesota
Minnesota Geological
Geological Survey,
Survey, University of
of
Minnesota, 2642 University Ave.,
Ave., St. Paul, MN
MN 55114
orchand004@tc.umn.edu)
551 14(milleO66
(mille066 or
chand004@tc.umn.edu)
The Minnesota
The
Minnesota Geological
Geological Survey
Survey is
is preparing
preparing aa new
new interpretation
interpretation of
of the
the geology
geology of
of the
the central
central part
pan of
of
the Duluth Complex,
00,000-scale man
mapthis
thissummer.
summer. The map
1: 100.000-scale
mao will cover
cover
Comnlex. which
which will be published
nublished as a 1:1
and lat.
rectangular area
and
9101510011
aa rectangular
areaof
ofabout
about1,100
1,100square
squaremiles
milesbounded
boundedbybylong.
long.92°07'30"
92007'30
and
91Â°15'00 andlat.
47°37'30" and
Both the
the southeastern
southeastern comer
corner of
of the
the map
map area,
area, which
which is
is anchored
anchored to
to the
the Lake
Lake
47'37'30
and 47°15'OO".
47Â°15'00" Both
Superior shoreline
contact of
Superior
shoreline near
near Silver
Silver Bay,
Bay, and
and the
the northwestern
northwestern corner,
comer, which
which covers the
the basal
basal contact
of the
the
Duluth Complex,
Duluth
Complex, have
have adequate
adequatebedrock
bedrock exposure
exposure that
that has
has been
been mapped
mapped at
at the
the scale
scale of
of 1:24,000
1:24,000 (Miller,
(Miller,
Miller and others, 1993;
1988; Miller
1993; Severson and Hauck, 1990; Severson and Miller, 1999). However,
However, the
the
intervening area,
area, roughly
roughly 90%
90% of
of the
the map
map area,
area, contains
contains little
little or
orno
nobedrock
bedrockexposure.
exposure. Geologic
Geologic
intervening
evaluation of
of aeromagnetic
aeromagneticand
andgravity
gravitydata.
data. Geologic
interpretations in
in this area largely depend on evaluation
control for the
the geophysical
geophysical data
data is
is limited
limited to
to widely
widely and
and unevenly
unevenly dispersed
dispersed drill cores as
as well
well as
as scattered
scattered
outcrop (Severson,
1971).
areas of outcrop
(Severson, 1995;
1995; Chandler
Chandler and others,
others, 1991;
1991;Bonnichsen, 1971).
The bedrock geology
geology of the
the map area
area is
is dominated by intrusive
intrusive rocks that were emplaced
emplaced into
into the
the
basaltic North
North Shore
Shore Volcanic
Volcanic Group
Group (NSVG)
(NSVG) during
during the
the main
main
lower and medial portionS
portions of the largely basaltic
stages of the Midcontinent Rift magmatism (Paces and
and Miller,
Miller, 1993).
1993). The intrusive rocks can be grossly
subdivided
into
those
belonging
to
the
more
plutonic
Duluth
Complex
and those
more
subdivided into those belonging to the more plutonic Duluth Complex and
those composing
composing the
the more
intrusions of the Beaver Bay Complex. The
complexes
hypabyssal intrusions
The boundary
boundary between
between two intrusive complexes
corresponds to a semi-continuous
semi-continuous septa
septa of strongly hornfelsed
homfelsed volcanic rocks, locally containing minor
corresponds
the middle
middle of
of the
the map
maparea
area(Fig.
(Fig. 1).
1). Large-scale intrusions of
of
intrusions, that trends northeasterly through the
differentiated mafic cumulates,
cumulates, gabbroic
gabbroic anorthosites,
&amp;orthosites. gabbros,
gabbros, and
&amp;d granophyres
pnophyres compose the Duluth
Complex northwest of the volcanic septa. Southeast
Southeast of
of the
the volcanic
volcanic septa,
septa, smaller scale, sheet-like bodies
and dikes
dikes of mafic
mafic cumulate
cumulate rocks,
rocks, gabbro,
gabbro,diabase.
diabase, diorite
dionte and granophyre
granophyre constitute
constitute multiple
multiple intrusions
intrusions
of the Beaver
Beaver Bay
Bay Complex
Complex that
that were
were emplaced
emplaced into
into higher
higher levels
levels of the
the volcanic
volcanic edifice.
edifice.
A number of intrusive components can be
be distinguished
distinguished within
within the
theDuluth
DuluthComplex.
Complex. The oldest is a
structurally
structurally complex
complex assemblage
assemblageof
of mostly
mostly leucogabbroic
leucogabbroic to
to anorthositic
anorthositic rocks, small bodies of olivine
olivine
oxide
hornfels (collectively
(collectivelytermed
termedAGV
AGVin
inFigure
Figure IA).
1A). This
oxide gabbro, and scattered inclusions of volcanic homfels
assemblage
assemblage corresponds
correspondsto
to aa very
very heterogeneous
heterogeneous aeromagnetic
aeromagneticsignature
signature of variable
variable amplitude
amplitude in the
to aa more
more subdued
subdued signature
signaturetotothe
theeast
east(upsection).
(upsection). The
The
western part of the complex but gives rise to
consistently anorthositic
anorthositic compositions.
compositions. Irregular masses of
change may indicate a transition to more consistently
granophyre
granophyre occur
occur within the
the eastern
eastern part of the
the AGV,
AGV, but contact
contact relationships
relationships are not exposed in the
study area. Aeromagnetic
Aeromagneticpatterns
patternssuggest
suggestthat
thatthe
thesubcircular
subcircularto
tolensoidal
lensoidalgranophyre
granophyrebodies
bodieswere
were
emplaced
emplaced into
into the
the AGV,
AGV, but
but exposures
exposures outside
outside the map
map area (Boerboom
(Boerboom and Miller, 1994)
1994) indicate
indicate that
large granophyre
granophyrebodies
bodies can
can be
be older
olderthan
than the
the anorthositic
anorthositic rocks.
More than half
half of
of the
the Duluth
Duluth Complex
Complex in
in the
the map
map area
area is composed of six discrete mafic layered
layered
intrusions
intrusions which were
were emplaced
emplaced beneath
beneath and
and within the AGV and, in one case, beneath a body of
granophyre.
granophyre. The
Thestratiform
stratiforminternal
internalstructure
structureofofthese
theselayered
layeredintrusions
intrusionsgives
givesrise
riseto
toaacrudely
crudelybanded
banded
aeromagnetic
aeromagnetic pattern.
pattern. Truncations
Truncationsofofthe
thepatterns
patternsimply
implyaageneral
generalsequence
sequenceof
ofemplacement
emplacementand
andsuggest
suggest
that successive
successiveintrusions
intrusions overplated
overplated previous intrusions.
intrusions. Although
Althoughthe
theigneous
igneousstratigraphy
stratigraphyof
ofeach
each
intrusion is generally
generally poorly known,
known, some
some notable differences
differences are evident. Apparently,
Apparently, the
theoldest
oldestlayered
layered
mafic intrusion
intrusion is
is the
the Partridge
Partridge River
River intrusion
intrusion (PRI), which forms the basal contact in the northwestern
by frequent
frequent
PRI suggests
suggests that it formed by
part of the map area. The
Thepreponderance
preponderanceof
of troctolite
troctolitein
in the
the FRI
truncated by
by the
impulses of magma and little internal differentiation. The
The northeast end of the PRI is truncated
South Kawishiwi
South
Kawishiwi intrusion
intrusion (SKI).
(SKI). Where
Whereititisismore
morecompletely
completelyexposed
exposedin
inthe
theGabbro
GabbmLake
Lakequadrangle
quadrangle
dominatedby
bytroctolite.
troctolite. At its southern end,
end, the
the
to the north (Green and others, 1966),
1966). the SKI is also dominated
PRI is overplated
overplated and
and ultimately cut
cut out
out by another
another intrusive
intrusive body that is almost entirely unexposed
except for a few drill
except
drill holes
holes along
along its
its basal
basal contact
contact and some
some troctolite emplaced into the AGV hanging
wall of the PRI. This
Thisintrusion,
intrusion,which
whichwe
wetentatively
tentativelycall
callthe
theWest-central
West-centralmargin
marginintrusion,
intrusion,has
hasaa
subdued
subdued aeromagnetic
aeromagnetic signature
signature indicative
indicative of troctolitic
troctolitic cumulates.
cumulates. The
Thesubdued
subduedpattern
pattern passes
passesupsection
upsection
into a busy, high-amplitude
high-amplitude signature
signature that
that shows
shows some
some banding and thus may indicate the presence of
roof zone. The
upper gabbroic cumulates beneath an AGV roof
The Greenwood Lake intrusion (GLI) is a
somewhat isolated
somewhat
isolated intrusion
intrusion that
that truncates
truncates the
the SKI
SKI but otherwise
otherwise intrudes AGV and granophyre rocks.
troctolite
The GLI is unique in
in that
that itit contains
contains aa complete
complete differentiation
differentiation sequence
sequence that grades from lower troctolite
40

�cumulates
cumulatesto
to upper
upper oxide
oxide gabbro
gabbro cumulates. The
Thenorthern
northern extent
extent of
of the
the GLI
GLI is
is truncated by the southern
margin
margin of
of the
the troctolitic
troctolitic Bald
BaldEagle
Eagleintrusion,
intrusion,apparently
apparentlythe
the youngest
youngest major
major mafic
mafic layered
layered intrusion
intrusion in
in
the
the map
map area.
area. The
TheOsier
OsierLake
Lakeintrusion
intrusionisisaasmall,
small,plug-like
plug-likebody
body of
of troctolite
troctolite cored by gabbro
gabbro cumulates
that
that is
is known
known from
from two
two drill
drill core
core and a bull's-eye aeromagnetic signature. It
It was
was emplaced entirely
entirely into
anorthositic
anorthositicrocks
rocks of
of the
the AGV,
AGV, and
andthus,
thus,its
itsage
agerelative
relative to
to other
other layered
layered intrusions
intrusions is
is unknown.
unknown.
Intrusions
Intrusionsof
of the
the Beaver
BeaverBay
Bay Complex
Complexoccur
occuras
asseveral
severalsuites
suites of
of east-dipping,
east-dipping, half-saucer-shaped
half-saucer-shaped
sheets,
anomaly patterns.
patterns. The largest and
sheets, which
which produce
produce very
very distinctive, concentric
concentric aeromagnetic anomaly
earliest
to be
be aa nested
nested set
set of
of
earliestintrusive
intrusivesuite
suiteis
is the
the Cloquet
Cloquet Lake
Lake layered
layered series (CLLS), which appears to
sheet-like
sheet-like intrusions.
intrusions.ItItisisdifficult
difficulttotoaccurately
accuratelydetermine
determinethe
thecompositional
compositionalvariability
variability of
of the
the CLLS
CLLS
because
dozen or so drill
drill core.
core. In
In general,
general, the
the lower
lower
becauseitit is
is completely
completely unexposed
unexposed and
and penetrated
penetrated by only a dozenor
part
part of
of the
the series
seriesappears
appearsto
tobe
becomposed
composedof
ofatatleast
leasttwo
twodifferentiated
differentiatedsequences
sequencesof
of troctolitic
troctolitic to
to gabbroic
gabbroic
cumulates.
cumulates.The
Theupper
upperpart
partofofthe
theseries
seriesappears
appearstotocontain
containmore
moreevolved
evolvedintrusive
intrusiverocks,
rocks, including
including
gabbro,
ferrodiorite,monzodiorite,
monzodiorite,and
andgranophyre,
granophyre,as
aswell
wellas
gabbro, ferrodiorite,
asan
an unknown
unknown amount
amountof
of volcanic
volcanic hornfels.
hornfels.
A
A complex
complexaeromagnetic
aeromagneticpattern
pattern emanating
emanatingfrom
fromthe
thesouthern
southernmargin
margin of
of the
the CLLS
CLLS may
may be
be caused
caused by
by
numerous
numeroussatellite
satellitedikes
dikesand
and sheets
sheetsemplaced
emplaced into
into volcanic rocks. The
Theeastern
easternside
side of
of the
the CLLS
CLLS is
is cut
cut by
another
anothersheet-like
sheet-likebody—the
body-the Sonju
Sonju Lake
Lake intrusion
intrusion (SLI). This
Thisstrongly
stronglydifferentiated
differentiated mafic
mafii layered
layered
intrusion
in the
theFinland
Finland quadrangle
quadrangle(Miller
(Millerand
and others,
others,
intrusion isiswell
wellexposed
exposedjust
just to
tothe
theeast
eastof
ofthe
themap
maparea
areain
1993)
of the
the Finland
Finland granite.
granite. Good exposure
1993) and is
is capped
capped by ferromonzonitic to granophyric rocks of
exposure in
the
the southern
southernDoyle
DoyleLake
Lakeand
andSilver
SilverBay
Bayquadrangles
quadrangles(Miller,
(Miller,1988;
1988;Miller
Millerand
and others.
others, 1993)
1993)shows
showsthat
that
the
of the
the Lax
Lax Lake
Lake gabbro.
gabbro. Both
the Finland
Finlandgranite
granitecuts
cutsan
an early
early suite
suiteof
of gabbroic
gabbroic to ferromonzonitic rocks of
the
the Finland
Finlandgranite
graniteand
andthe
theLax
LaxLake
Lakegabbro
gabbromay
mayoriginally
originallyhave
havebeen
been part
part of
of the
the CLLS
CLLS but
but were
were
disassociated
are the
disassociatedfrom
fromitit by
by the
the intrusion
intrusion of
of the
the SLI.
SLI. The
Theyoungest
youngestintrusions
intrusionsin
in the
the map
map area
area are
anorthosite-inclusion-bearing
is
anorthosite-inclusion-bearing dikes
dikes and
and sills
sills of the Beaver River diabase. This
This intrusive
intrusive swarm,
swarm, which
which is
well exposed
exposed in
in the
the southeastern
southeastern corner
comer of
of the
the map
map area,
area, is
is bounded on the west by a prominent dike
dike that
feeds
feeds into
into southeast-dipping
southeast-dipping sheets.
sheets. The
Theupper
upperparts
partsof
ofthese
thesesheets
sheetscommonly
commonly contain
contain ferrogabbroic
ferrogabbroic
cumulate
cumulatebodies,
bodies, collectively
collectivelytermed
termedthe
theSilver
SilverBay
Bay intrusions.
intrusions.
The
00,000-scale map of
of the central Duluth
Duluth Complex
Complex will
will represent
represent aa significant
significant improvement
improvement on
on
The 1:1
1:100,000-scale
previous
previous regional
regional geologic
geologic maps
maps of
of the
the complex.
complex. Because
Becausethis
this map
map will
will be
be digitally
digitally compiled,
compiled, we intend
to
to revise
revise itit periodically
periodically as
as new
new data
data become
become available. An
Animportant
importantcontribution
contribution of this
this new geologic
map
map isis that
that itit will
willidentify
identifymany
manypreviously
previouslyunrecognized
unrecognizedintrusive
intrusivebodies
bodies that
that should
should provide
provide new
new
exploration
explorationtargets
targetsfor
forstratiform
stratiformPGE
PGEdeposits.
deposits.
References
References
Bonnichsen,
Bonnichsen, 8.,
B.,1971,
1971,Outcrop
Outcropmap
mapofofsouthern
southernpart
partofofDuluth
DuluthComplex
Complexand
andassociated
associatedKeweenawan
Keweenawan rocks,
rocks,St.
St.
Louis
1, scale
Louis and
and Lake
LakeCounties,
Counties,Minnesota:
Minnesota:Minn.
Minn. Geol.
Geol. Surv.
Surv. Misc.
Misc. Map
Map M-l
M-11,
scale 1:24,000.
1:24,000.
Boerboom,
Boerboom, T.J.,
T.J., and
and Miller,
Miller,J.D.,
J.D., Jr.,
Jr., 1994,
1994,Geologic
Geologicmap
map of
of the
the Wilson Lake
Lake quadrangle and parts of the Silver
Silver
Island Lake and Toohey Lake quadrangles.
quadrangles, Lake and
and Cook
Cook Counties,
Counties,Minnesota:
Minnesota: Minn.
Minn. Geol.
Geol. SUN.
Surv. Misc.
Misc.
M-81, scale
scale 1:24,000.
1:24,000.
Map M-81,
Map
Chandler,
V.W.,Miller,
Miller,J.D.,
J.D., Jr.,
Jr.,and
and Venzke,
Venzke,E.
E. A.,
A,,1991,
1991,Central
Central Duluith
Dululth Complex drilling
drilling project; Minn. Geol.
Chandler,V.W.,
S w . OFR 91-4,2
sheets,accompanying
accompanyingtext.
text.
Surv.
91-4,2 sheets,
Green,
County, Minnesota: Minn.
W.C., and
and Weiblen,
Weiblen,P.W.,
P.W., 1966,
1966,Gabbro
GabbroLake
Lake quadrangle,
quadrangle. Lake County,
Green, J.C.,
J.C., Phinney,
Phinney,W.C.,
Surv. Misc.
Misc. Map
Map M-2,
M-2, scale
scale 1:24,000.
1:24,000.
Geol. Surv.
Miller,
County,
quadrangles. Lake County,
Miller, J.D.,
J.D., Jr.,
Jr., 1988,
1988,Geologic
Geologicmap
mapof
of the
the Silver
SilverBay
Bay and
and Split
Split Rock
Rock Point NE quadrangles,
Minnesota: Minn.
Minn. Geol.
Geol. Surv.
SUN.Misc.
Misc. Map
Map M-65,
M-65, scale
scale 1:24,000.
1:24,000.
Minnesota:
Miller, J.D.,
J.D., Jr.,
Jr., Green,
Green,J.C.,
J.C., Chandler,
Chandler,V.W.,
V.W., and
and Boerboom,
Boerboom, T.J.,
T.J., 1993,
1993,Geologic
Geologic map of the Finland and Doyle
Miller,
Lake
Lake quadrangles,
quadrangles, Lake
Lake County,
County,Minnesota:
Minnesota: Minn.
Minn. Geol. Surv. Misc. Map M-72, scale 1:24,000.
Paces,
intrusions,
Paces, JR.,
J.B., and
andMiller,
Miller,J.D.,
J.D.,Jr.,
Jr.,1993,
1993,Precise
PreciseU-Pb
U-Pbages
agesof
of Duluth
Duluth Complex and related mafic intrusions,
northeastern,
northeastern, Minnesota:
Minnesota: new
new insights
insightsfor
for physical,
physical, petrogenetic, paleomagnetic and tectono-magmatic
13997-14013.
processes
rifting: J.
J. Geophys.
Geophys.Res.,
Res.,v.v.98,
p. 13
processes associated
associated with 1.1
1.1 Ga Midcontinent rifling:
98, p.
997-14 013.
Severson,
Severson, M.J., 1995,
1995,Geology
Geology of
of the
the southern
southern portion
portion of
of the Duluth Complex: Univ. of Minn. Natural Resources
Res. Inst.,
Inst.,Tech.
Tech.Rept.
Rept.NRRITI'R-95126,
NRRI/TR-95/26, 185
185 p.
Res.
Severson,
Severson, M.J.,
MJ., and
and Hauck,
Hauck, S.A.,
S.A., 1990,
1990,Geology,
Geology, geochemistry,
geochemistry, and stratigraphy of a portion of the Partridge River
NRRIIGMIN-TR-89-l 1,236 p.
intrusion: Univ. of
of Minn.
Minn. Natural Resources
Resources Res. Inst., Tech. Rept. NRRIIGMIN-TR-89-11.236
Severson,
quadrangle, Minnesota: Minn. Geol.
M.J.. and
and Miller,
Miller, J.D.,
J.D., Jr.,
Jr., 1999,
1999,Bedrock
Bedrock geologic
geologic map of the Allen quadrangle,
Severson, M.J.,
Surv. Misc. Map M-91,
M-91, scale
scale 1:24,000.
1:24,000.

41

�A.

—fSBl

Footwall

Beaver Bay complex

Miscellaneous
Volcanic

Shale
Iron-formation

Grariute

Duluth Complex

NSVG

—-"

—

"BRD

Mafic Granophyre
Anohositic Rocks ftGranophyre
Rocks Gabbroic Rocks Gabbroic Cumulates Gabbro, Ferrodiotite, Monzodiorite

Fault

Volcanic Homlels LilTroctolite Cumulates Diabase, 01 Gabbro, Troctolite
• Oxide Ultramatic

Metavolcanic Rocks

10 Miles

=20 Kilometers

FIGURE 1. A) Preliminary generalized geologic map of the central Duluth Complex. Specific intrusive units are: AGV-Anorthositic-gabbroicvolcanic assemblage (rock types distinguished in the northwest area), PRI-Partidge River intrusion, WCMI-West-central margin intrusion, SKI-South

Kawishiwi intrusion,OLl-Oreenwood Lake intrusion. BEt-Bald Eagle intrusion, OLI-Osier Lake intrusion, CLLS-Cloquet Lake layered series. SLISonju Lake intrusion, FO-Finland granite, LLG-Lax Lake gabbro, BRD-Beaver River diabase, SBI-Silver Bay intrusions. Crosses mark 7.5' quadrangle
corners. B) First-vertical-derivative, reduced-to-pole image of
data, which forms basis for the geologic interpretation shown in A.

aeromaic

�SEDIMENTOLOGY OF TWO DEEP
MIDGONTINENT
SEDIMENTOLOGY
DEEP WELLS IN THE KEEWANAWAN MIDCONTINENT
RIFT SYSTEM NEAR MUNISING, UPPER
RIFT
UPPERPENINSULA,
PENINSULA,MICHIGAN
MICHIGAN

OJAKANGAS. Richard
Richard W.,
W., Department
Department of
of Geology,
OJAKANGAS,
Geology, University of
Minnesota-Duluth,
Duluth,
MN
55812,
rojakang@d.umn.edu
Minnesota-Duluth,
MN 55812, rojakang@d.umn.edu

Amoco Production
Production Company
Companydrilled
drilled the
the St.
St. Amour
Amoco
Amour stratigraphic
stratigraphic test well
well
in 1987.
six
miles
south-southeast
of
Munising,
Ml.
The
well
bottomed
well bottomed at
at
1987,
miles south-southeast
Munising, MI.
Eight mites
to the southeast
7,241 ft.
ft. Eight
miles to
southeast of the
the St.
St. Amour
Amour welt,
well, at
at Mickey
Hickey
7,241
Creek, Cliffs
Cliffs Mining
Mining Services
Services Company
Companyhad
haddrilled
drilledaa 5,345
5.345 ftft deep
Creek,
deep well
well in
in
1969.
1969. These
These wells
wells are located
located on
on the
the southwest
southwest flank
flank of
of the
theMidcontinent
Midcontinent
Rift System
where the
the rift
Rift
System (MRS)
(MRS) where
rift starts
starts bending
bending towards
towards the
the south.
south.

Except for
for the
the Pleistocene
(110ftft thick
thick in
in the
the St.
Except
Pleistocene (110
St. Amour
Amour and
and 88 ft thick
thick in
in
the Mickey
Creek), both
both wells
wells were
the
Hickey Creek),
were cored from
from top to
to bottom.
bottom. The
The youngest
youngest
bedrock is
is the
the Ordovician
Au Train
Train Formation,
Formation,about
about280
280ftft thick
thick in
in the St.
bedrock
Ordovician Au
St.
Amour well
well and
and 235
Amour
235 ft thick
thick in
inthe
theMickey
Hickey Creek
Creek well.
well. The
The Au
Au Train
Train
overties the
the Upper
(?) Munising
Munising Formation,
Formation, a quartz
quartz arenite
arenite unit
unit
overlies
Upper Cambrian
Cambrian (?)
that
is
135
ft
thick
in
the
St.
Amour
and
310
ft
thick
in
the
Hickey
Creek.
that
135
thick in the St. Amour and 310 ft thick in the Hickey Creek.
The Keweenawan
rocks in
in the St.
Keweenawan rocks
St. Amour
Amour well
well from
from the
thebase
basedownward
downward
include
QIF/L=
=2200
ft
of
feldspatholithic
sandstone
(N=8:
QlF/L= 72.2/20.7/
72.2120.71
include -2200
feldspatholithic sandstone (N=8:
interpreted as
as Jacobsville
Jacobsville Fm.;
Fm.; =3000
-3000 ft of
of lithofeldspathic
lithofeldspathic
7.2) interpreted
725 ft
sandstone (N=7:
(N=7: Q/F/L=58.1/19.3/22.6)
interpreted as Freda
Freda Fm.;
Fm.;
725
ft
sandstone
QIF/L=58.1/19.3/22.6) interpreted
of
basalt
flows
400 ftft of basalt flows
of quartz
.4/5.0): 400
of
quartz sandstone
sandstone(N=4:
(N=4:Q/F/L=93.6/1
QlFIL=93.611.4/5.0);
with interflow
with
interflow black
black shales
shales and
and red
red to
tobrown
browncoarse
coarseclastics
elasticsincluding
including
conglomerateand
and lithic
lithic sandstone
sandstone (N=2:
(N=2: QlFlL=65.010.5134.5);
QIFIL65.0I0.5/34.5); and
and 300
300 ftft
conglomerate
of
of dacitic
dacitic (?)
(?) ignimbritic flows.
flows.

-

The Keweenawan
rocks in
in the
The
Keweenawan rocks
the Hickey
Hickey Creek
Creek welt
well from
from the
the base
basedownward
downward
include
include =1720
-1720 ft
ft of
of dominantly
dominantly feldspatholithic
feldspatholithic sandstone
sandstone (N=6:
(N=6:
Q/F/L=78.2/16.7/5.1) interpreted
interpreted as
as Jacobsville
Q/F/L=78.2116.715.1)
Jacobsville Fm.
Fm. and
and —2845
52845 ft
ft of
dominantly
lithofefdspathic
sandstone
(N=9:
QIF/L=
54.8/19.0/26.3)
dominantly lithofeldspathic sandstone (N=9: Q/FlL= 54.8119.0126.3)
interpreted
as Freda
main two
two types
types of
of sand-sized
sand-sized rock
rock
interpreted as
Freda Fm.
Fm. The main
In the
fragments
in the two
fragments in
two wells
wells are
aremetamorphic
metamorphic and
and fetsic
felsic volcanic.
volcanic. In
the St.
St.
Amour
well,
metamorphic
rock
fragments
(schist
and
greenstone)
are
on
Amour well, metamorphic rock fragments (schist and greenstone) are on
average
twice as abundant
average twice
abundant as
as felsic
felsic volcanic
volcanic fragments,
fragments, whereas
whereas in
in the
the
Mickey Creek
Creek well,
well, felsic
fetsic volcanics
volcanics are
are three
three times
times as
Hickey
as abundant
abundant as
as
metamorphic
rock fragments.
metamorphic rock
fragments. Porosity
Porosity decreases
decreases downward
downward in both
both wells,
wells,
with
with virtually
virtually no
no porosity
porosity present
present below
below 2750
2750 ft.
ft.
43

�I
I

The
in the
the two
The mineralogy
mineralogy in
two wells
wells is
is quite
quite similar
similar for
for the
the upper
upper 5300
5300 ftftand
and
the
formations,
not
unexpectedly,
correlate
well.
They
also
correlate
well
the formations, not unexpectedly, correlate well. They also correlate well
with
with Keweenawan
Keweenawan outcrops
outcrops in the
the Lake
LakeSuperior
Superior region
region(Ojakangas,
(Ojakangas, 1986;
1986;
However,
the
lower
portion
of
the
St.
Amour
does
not
Adamson,
1997).
However,
the
lower
portion
of
the
St.
Amour
does
not
Adamson, 1997).
correlate
correlate well
well with
with the
theexposed
exposedBayfield
Bayfield and
andOronto
OrontoGroups.
Groups. Quartz
Quartz
sandstones
occur low
low in the
sandstones occur
the well,
well, in
in direct
direct contrast
contrast to
toexposed
exposedsections
sections
where
deep in
in the rift
where they
they are
are near
near the
the top.
top. Quartzose
Quartzose sediments
sediments deep
rift are
arealso
also
present
present in
in the
the Eischeid
Eischeid ## 11 well
well in
in Iowa
Iowa(Ludvigson
(Ludvigson et
et at,
al, 1990).
1990).Clearly,
Clearly,
the
the search
search for
for uniformity
uniformity and
andcorrelation
correlationwhere
wheredeposition
deposition likely occurred
occurred
in
in aaseries
seriesofofsub-basins
sub-basins(haif-grabens)
(half-grabens) is
is aa tenuous
tenuous pursuit,
pursuit, as
asnoted
noted
earlier
earlier by
by Mauk
Mauk(1991).
(1991). Soreghan
Soreghan and
and Cohen
Cohen (1993)
(1993) interpreted
interpreted relatively
relatively
quartzose
quartzose sands
sands (Q
(Q to
to 79%)
79%) on
onhinged
hingedmargins
marginsofofmodern
modernLake
LakeTanganyika
Tanganyika
to
to be
be the
theresult
resultofofreworking
reworkingininshallow
shallowwater.
water. This
This may
may be
be aa partial
partial
analogue
for these
but eolian
analogue for
these quartz
quartz sandstones,
sandstones, but
eolian activity
activity in
in the
the
vegetationless
vegetationless Middle
Middle Proterozoic
Proterozoic terrestrial
terrestrial environment
environment is
is also
also likely.
likely.
Cliffs
Cliffs Mining
Mining Services
Services Company
Company kindly
kindly purchased
purchased the
the thin
thin sections.
sections.
REFERENCES
REFERENCES

Adamson,
k.F, 1997,
Adamson, K.F.,
1997,Petrology,
Petrology, stratigraphy,
stratigraphy, and
and sedimentation
sedimentation of
of the
the
Middle
Middle Proterozoic
Proterozoic Bayfield
Bayfield Group.
Group, Northwestern
NorthwesternWisconsin:
Wisconsin:
Unpublished
M.S. thesis.
thesis, University
of Minnesota,
Unpublished M.S.
University of
Minnesota, Duluth,
Duluth, 203 p.
p.
Ludvigson,
Ludvigson, G.A.,
G.A., Mckay,
McKay, H.M.,
P.M., and
andAnderson,
Anderson, R.R.,
R.R., 1990,
1990,Pekrology
Petrology of
of

Keweenawan
sedimentaryrocks
rocksinin the
the MG.
drillhole: in
in
Keweenawan sedimentary
M.G. Eischeid
Eischeid ## 1 drillhole:
Anderson,
DeepPetroleum
PetroleumTest,
Test,
Anderson, R.R.,
R.R., ed.,
ed.. The
The Amoco
Amoco M.G.
M.G. Eischeid
Eischeid ## 11Deep
Carroll
Carroll County,
County, Iowa,
Iowa, Iowa
Iowa Department
Department of
of Natural
NaturalResources
Resources
Special
Special Report
Report Series
Series No..
No., 2, p.
p. 77-112.
77-112.
Mauk, J.
J. L.,
L., 1991,
1991, Sub-basins
Sub-basins in
in the
theProterozoic
Proterozoic Midcontinent
Midcontinent Rift:
Rift:
Mauk,
Stratigraphic
Stratigraphic evidence
evidence from
from Upper
Upper Michigan
Michigan (Abs.):
(Abs.): Geological
Geological
Society
Society of
of America
America Abstracts
Abstracts with
with Programs,
Programs, San
San Diego,
Diego, CA,
CA, p.
p. A59.
A59.
Ojakangas,
R.W.,
1986,
Reservoir
characteristics
of
the
keweenawan
Ojakangas, R.W., 1986, Reservoir characteristics
the Keweenawan
MG. Jr.,
Supergroup,
in Mudrey, M.G.
Jr., ed.,
ed.,
Supergroup, Lake Superior
Superior region:
region: in
Precambrian
Precambrian Petroleum
Petroleum Potential,
Potential, Wisconsin
Wisconsin and
and Michigan.
Michigan,
Geoscience
Wisconsin, V.
V. 11,
11. p.
p. 25-31.
25-31.
Geoscience Wisconsin.
Soreghan,
M.J.. and Cohen,
Soreghan, M.J.,
Cohen, A.S.,
A.S., 1993,
1993, The
The effects
effects of
of basin
basinasymmetry
asymmetry on
on
in
Examples from
from Lake
Lake Tanganyika.
Tanganyika, Africa:
Africa: in
sand
sand composition:
composition: Examples
Johnsson,
Johnsson, M.J.,
M.J., and
and Basu,
Basu, A..
A., eds..
eds., Processes
ProcessesControlling
Controlling the
the
Geological
Composition
Composition of Clastic
Clastic Sediments:
Sediments: Geological Society
Society of
of America
America
Special
Special Paper 284.
284, p.
p. 285-301.
285-301.
1

44

�DESCRIPTIONS OF
MARQUETTE
EARLY DESCRIPTIONS
OF THE
THE NATURAL
NATURAL FEATURES ON THE MARQUETTE
IRON RANGE
Doug Ottke, U.S. Geological Survey, 12201 Sunrise
SunriseValley
ValleyDr.
Dr. Reston,
Reston, Virginia
Virginia 20192
-,
--

--

r

The
peninsula of
of Michigan
Michigan is
is integrally
integrally linked
linked to
to
The history
history of the Marquette Iron Range in the upper peninsula
the environment. The
the mode
mode of
of production
production on
Thenatural
naturalfeatures
features of
of the
the Marquette
Marquette Range defined the
on
the
the Range,
Range, and
and conversely,
conversely, as
as human
human systems
systems became more adept in these modes of production
they
they became
became the
the most
most important
importantmodifiers
modifiersof
of the
the natural
natural systems.
systems.

Settlement
natural
Settlement on the
the Marquette
Marquette Iron
Iron Range was closely related to two factors of natural
environment:
environment: the
the iron
iron ore
ore formations
formationsand
and the
the hardwood
hardwood forest. The distribution of three iron ore
ore
formations--principally
formations-principally the
the Negaunee,
Negaunee, but
but also
also the
the Bijiki
Biiiki and other
other Iron-formations
Iron-formations within the
Michigamme
--determined the
the locations
locations of
of the sites
sites of
of extraction of iron ore
Michigamme Formation
Formation --determined
ore in the
the
area.
area. Stands
Standsof
of hardwood
hardwood forest,
forest, particularly
particularly maple
maple and yellow birch were the major factor
determining
determiningthe
the location
location for
for processing
pro&amp;ssing operations
operations that converted iron ore into pig
pig iron.
iron. The
location of beehive
kilns
where
the
hardwood
was
converted
into
charcoal,
the
early
forges, and
and
beehive kilns
charcoal, the early forges,
the
of hardwood.
hardwood. The iron ore formations
the blast
blast furnaces
furnaces were reliant foremost on the availability of
formations
and
and the
the hardwood
hardwood forest
forest of
of the
the Range
Range defined
defined the physical subdivision of the land into tracts
owned
the mines,
mines, forges,
forges,
owned by individuals.
individuals. Because
Becauseaareadily
readilyavailable
available workforce
workforce was needed at the
kilns,
kilns, and
and furnaces
furnaces of
of the
the area,
area, locations
locations of
of settlement
settlement on the Range were within very close
proximity
proximity to
to the
the sites
sites of
of extraction and processing operations. Transportation, from the earliest
trails
to
the
plank
road,
trails to the plank road, strap
straprailroad
railroad and
and the
the Iron
Iron Mountain Railroad completed in the 1857
1857 were
were
defined
defined by
by the
the natural
natural location
location of
of the
the ore
ore and
and the processes
processes involved with extracting it.
In
1850's, with
withadvances
advancesinintransportation
transportationassociated
associatedwith
with the
the completion
completion of
of the
the railroad
railroad
In the
the mid
mid 1850's,
to
to the
the mining
mining areas
areasnear
near Negaunee
Negaunee and
and lshpeming
Ishpeming and the completion of the Sault Locks near
Sault
By 1868 that
that
Sault Saint
SaintMarie,
Marie, the
the production
production of
of iron
iron ore
ore reached
reached a level of 11,343 tons per year. By
number
508,000 tons mined. The
Thedepression
depression of
of 1873
I873 caused aa sharp
sharp drop
drop
number had
had reached
reached aa level
level of
of 508,000
in
in production.
production. However,
However,for
forthe
theyear
yearbefore
beforethe
thedrop
dropone
onemillion
million tons
tonshad
had been
been withdrawn
withdrawn from
from
40
rose to
to
40 pits
pits carved
carved into
into the ore bodies. In
In 1880
1880two
two million
million tons were mined and that number rose
seven
seven million
million tons
tonsmined
mined during
duringthe
the year
year of
of 1890.
1890. The
Thequarrying
quarryingoperations
operationsprogressed
progressed deeper
deeper
into
into the earth
earth until
until by
by the
the 1880's
1880's shaft
shaftmining
miningbecame
became aa necessity,
necessity, calling
calling for
for advancement
advancement in
in
technological
applications
and
forcing
many
of
the
less
wealthy
operations
out
of
business.
The
technological applications
wealthy operations out of business. The
large
large amounts
amounts of
of capital
capital involved
involved in
in diamond drilling
drilling exploration, and the operations
underground
underground forced
forced industrial
industrial consolidation
consolidation of
of the many small operations into a few large
companies
companiescommanding
commandinglarge
largeresources.
resources. As
Asmines
mineswent
wentunderground,
underground,the
the need
need for
for timber
timber also
also
increased
became aa necessity.
necessity. Between .72 and .92
increased as
as supports
supports for
for the underground workings became
cubic
cubicfeet
feetof
oftimber
timberwas
wasneeded
neededper
perton
tonof
ofore
oreextracted.
extracted.
In
In 1868
1868eleven
elevenblast
blast furnaces
furnaceswere
were in
in operation
operation on the Marquette Range. Twenty
Twentyfive
fivefurnaces
furnaces
total
total were
were built
built ininMarquette
MarquetteCounty.
County.Numerous
Numerous beehive
beehive kilns
kilns dotted the countryside. These
These
kilns
pine, and
and other softwoods
softwoods
kilns converted
converted maple,
maple, yellow
yellow birch
birch and,
and, in
in some instances, hemlock, pine,
into
iron produced
produced in
in furnaces
furnaces varied
varied from
from 110
110
into charcoal.
charcoal. The
Thecharcoal
charcoalconsumed
consumedper
per ton
ton of
of iron
bushels
to
140
bushels,
with
a
bushel
consisting
of
20
pounds
of
charcoal.
The
Pioneer
Furnace,
bushels to 140 bushels, with a bushel consisting of 20 pounds of charcoal. The Pioneer Furnace,
the
theoriginal
originalblast
blastfurnace
furnaceininthe
thearea
arealocated
locatedin
in Negaunee,
Negaunee, used
used the timber from 1,500
1,500 acres in the
year
year of
of 1869
1869to
to produce
produce 9,500
9,500 tons
tons of pig iron. One
Oneacre
acreof
ofwood
wood could
could produce
produce 14
14 tons of iron.
iron.
ItIt isis estimated
the kilns of the
the
estimatedthat
thatby
by 1903
1903thirty
thirty acres
acresof
of hardwood
hardwood per day was needed to supply the
Marquette
MarquetteRange.
Range.InInthe
thefirst
firsthalf
halfcentury
centuryofofiron
ironproduction
production330,000
330,000acres
acreswere
were cut.
cut.
In
In order
orderto
to understand
understand more
more thoroughly
thoroughly how natural and human systems have modified each other
on
pre-major European
European settlement
settlement natural environment must be
on the
the Marquette
MarquetteRange,
Range, the
the pre-major
45

�I

delineated.
delineated. Beginning
Beginninginin1838,
1838,the
theMichigan
MichiganGeological
GeologicalSurvey
Surveyand
andthe
the Linear
LinearSurvey
Surveyof
ofthe
the
U.S.
U.S.Land
Land Office
Officecreated
createddescriptions
descriptions of
ofthe
thenatural
naturalenvironment
environmentof
ofthe
theMarquette
MarquetteRange.
Range. These
These
descriptions
descriptionsbetter
betterenable
enablethe
theunderstanding
understanding of
ofthe
thepre-major
pre-majorsettlement
settlementnatural
naturalenvironment.
environment.
The
Thedescriptions
descriptions contained
contained within
withinthese
these reports
reports of
of the location
location of
of the
the original
originaloutcrops
outcropsof
ofiron
ironore
ore
and
andthe
thestands
stands of
of trees
trees shows
shows how
how important
importantthese
these factors
factors were
were to
to the
the early
early settlement
settlement of
ofthe
the
Marquette
MarquetteRange.
Range. The
Thedescriptions
descriptionsalso
alsoallow
allowus
usto
tosee
see how
how influential
influentialthat
thatsettlement
settlementwas
wasin
in
modi1'ing
modifyingthe
thenatural
naturalsystems
systemsofofthe
theRange.
Range.

46

�DEVELOPMENT OF VOLCANOGENIC
VOLCANOGENIC MASSIVE
MASSIVE SULFIDE
SULFIDEDEPOSIT
DEPOSITEXPLORATION
EXPLORATION
OF
TARGETS IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA FROM GIS
GIs SPATIAL
SPATIAL ANALYSIS OF
GEOLOGICAL, GEOCHEMICAL,
GEOPHYSICALCRITERIA
CRITERIA
AND GEOPHYSICAL
GEOLOGICAL,
GEOCHEMICAL, AND
DEANM.
M. PETERSON
PETERSONand
andDR.
DR. RONALD
RONALDL.
L. MORTON
MORTON
DEAN

Economic Volcanology Research
Research Lab,
Lab, Geology Department,
Department, University ofMinnesota
of Minnesota --Duluth,
Duluth,
Economic
Duluth, Minnesota,
Minnesota, USA
USA 55812

massive sulfide (VMS) deposits are
are syngenetic
syngenetic stratifm
stratiformiron
ironand
andbase-metal
base-metal(Cu-Zn-Pb)
(Cu-Zn-Pb)
Volcanogenic massive
systems in
in subaqueous
subaqueousvolcanic
volcanicenvironments.
environments. At the
accumulations that form out of large geothermal systems
"bottom" of VMS-producing systems are subvolcanic intrusions, which
which produce
produce focused
focusedheat
heatsources
sourcesthat
that
"bottom"
provide the energy for circulating hydrothermal fluids and leaching reactions,
reactions, and
and may
may add
addbase-metals
base-metals
into the geothermal system. Above
Above the
the subvolcanic
subvolcanicintrusions,
intrusions, the strata have undergone extensive highmetal depletion, alkali
alkalimodification,
modification,and
andextensive
extensive
temperature alteration, which can include metal
silicification.
silicification.

Over the last twenty years, a VMS ore
ore deposit
deposit model has been developed from the work of many
researchers. Important
features
of
the
model
Important features of the model include
include the
the following:
following:
•
•
•

•

•

•

deposits are associated
VMS deposits
associated with
with submarine
submarine volcanic
volcanic rocks, and typically are
are spatially
spatially associated
associated
with felsic volcanic rocks in greenstone terranes.
with age
age or
or petrochemistry
petrochemistrybut
butdo
dooccur
occurin
indistinct
distinct
VMS deposits occur with no obvious correlation with
provinces, camps or clusters.
Deposits often occur at one or more distinctive favorable stratigraphic
stratigraphichorizons
horizonswithin
withinaacamp.
camp. These
Deposits
represent quiescent
horizons represent
quiescentperiods
periods in
in volcanic
volcanic activity,
activity, tops
tops of volcanic
volcanic cycles,
cycles, or a major volcanicor aa
sediment interface. The
Thedistal
distal extent
extentof
of ore
ore horizons
horizons may be marked by a siliceous, ferruginous, or
tuff.
base metal bearing
bearing sediment
sediment and/or
and/or felsic
felsic tuff.
Footwall subvolcanic
subvolcanic intrusions
intrusionsare
are typically
typically sill-like,
sill-like, with
with irregularly
irregularly distributed
distributed porphyritic and
non-porphyritic phases. The
intrusions
may
contain
minor
porphyry
copper
occurrences.
The intrusions may contain minor
Synvolcanic
fault
controls
are
recognized
in
some
deposits,
and
may
control
the location of rhyolite
some
Synvolcanic
controls
deposits. Proximal facies volcanic rocks associated with
with
domes that occur in the footwall of some deposits.
synvolcanic faults are generally
generally the most favorable
favorable horizons for ore deposition.
alteration may include
semi-conformable and cloud-like
Footwall alteration
include a pipe-like zone and/or
andlor widespread semi-confmable
alteration.
alteration.
The massive-sulfide nature of the ore
ore typically makes them conductors
conductors of electricity, and therefore
can be detected by airborne
and
ground-based
electro-magnetic
(EM) surveys.
airborne

feature of the ore deposit
deposits have been based on only one feature
Many exploration programs for
for VMS deposits
specifically, the blind drilling of airborne EM
EM conductors.
conductors. Although this method of exploration
model, specifically,
has discovered many major
major deposits
deposits in the
the past, strictly
strictly EM-based VMS exploration has many
shortcomings. The
The drawbacks
drawbacks include
include any
any or
or all of the following:
•

•
•
•

Poor geologic control of conductor location
block
Poor ranking of conductors in a survey block
High cost of drilling tens
tens to hundreds
hundreds of barren or graphitic EM conductors prior to discovery
1% of drilled EM conductors
conductors lead to mines)
Poor rate of discovery
discovery (less than 1%

47

�This study
study formulates
formulates a GIS-based
GIs-based exploration
exploration model
model that
that incorporates
incorporates all
all facets
facets of
of the
the VMS
VMS ore deposit
deposit
Thesemaps
maps have
have ultimately
ultimately led
led to
to the generation of specific
s p e c i f VMS
icps
model into a series of digital maps. These
exploration targets in the study area of northern Minnesota. The
km
The study
study integrates
integrates a new 5880
5880 km
geologic compilation map with
with mapped
mapped alteration
alteration zones,
zones, over
over 5400
5400 ground
ground and airbome
airborne EM
EM anomalies,
anomalies,
and approximately 21,000 copper and zinc assays. Intermediate
Intermediate maps
maps used to predict VMS potential
include stratigraphy,
stratigraphy, heat generation,
generation, alteration, Cu-Zn
Cu-Zn geochemistry,
geochemistry, and
and EM
EM conductors.
conductors. The
methodology
inFigure
~ i &amp;1.1.
e
methodology used
used to
to create
create the
the 015-based
GIs-basedmodel
modelisispresented
presentedin

STEP
STEP I1
Build
luild Spatial
Spatial
Data Base
Base

STEP
STEP22

Collect
Collect spatial
Spatial
Data
Data and
and Input
Input
into
into GIS
CIS
Extraction
of 015
CIS
Extraction of
Features Relevant
Relevant
to
the
VMS
Ore
to the VMS Ore
Deposit
Deposit Model
Model

S

S
BEDROCK
BEDROCK
GEOLOGY
GEOLOGY

S

MAPPED
MAPPED
ALTERATION
ALTERATION
ZONES
ZONES

-H———— ———--H—
I. Extractqtz.cpidote
2.
Extract chlorite
2.Extractchlonu

t.1.Reclassii
RecUmfy

2.
2 Extract
. m - contacts
3.
Qeale buffers
3.0cÃ§Ebufiei

3.
3 .CYeate
O m e bbuffers
ufim

I.1.Classifymiervals
aassi&amp; intervals
2.
Grid soil &amp; lake aSs
2.Gndsoil&amp;lateseds
3.
Buffer rock &amp; axe
3.Bufferrock&amp;core

Data
Data

Processing
Processing

Preliminary
Preliminary Maps
Maps
of
of Selected
Selected GIS
GIs
Features
Features

S

ROCK,
CORE, SOIL
SOIL AIRBORNE
ROCK. CORE.
AIRBORNEAND
AND
&amp;
&amp; LAKE
LAKE SEDIMENT
SEDIMENT GROUND
GROUND EM
EM
CONDUCTORS
GEOCHEMISTRY
CONDUCTORS

tontacts
;contscts

Volcanic-Sedin.t

contacts
Greanstone
Subvókar.ac
5eq
lntrusio,.s

Qsarfl-

Chlorite

A -A-

Cu
Zn Cu Zn Cu
C"aC"a
m Zna

Epidote

I

I.
Extnct ground EM
1-ExtractcrowdEM
2.
airborne EM
2. Classil5,
Classify airbornem

soils
Soik

Lake
Lake

Rocks
Reeks

Gromd
t
EM
EM
EM
EM

Assign
Assign Weights
Weights
of
ofEvidence
Evidence

hny,gIits(O.on
. t.)
F-wriflte(0m-lm)

STEP
STEP33

Integration
Integration
Modelling
Modelling

Map
Map Overlay
Overlay
to
Produce
to Produce
Interrnedtate
Intermediate
Factor
Factor Maps
Maps

1

STRATIGRAPHY
STRATIGRAPHY HEAT
HEAT
Factor
Factor

Factor
Factor

1

ALTERATION
ALTERATION
Factor
Factor

1

GEOCHEMICAL
GEOCHEMICAL
Factor
Factor

1
EM
EM
Factor
Factor

Overlay
of
Overlay of

Intermediate
Intermediate
Factor
Factor Maps
Maps
to
to Produce
Producethe
the
Final Predictive
Final
Predictive Map
Map

Figure
Figure 1.
1.

VMS
NJFEWflAL MAP
VMS NERAL
MINERAL-POTENTIAL
MAP

L
Flowchart
Flowchart for
for the
the 3-step
3-step GIS
GIs modelling
modelling of the VMS potential of the Archean Vermilion
District
District and
and its
its western
western extension,
extension, northeastern,
northeastern, Minnesota.
Minnesota. The
Thethree
threesteps
stepsin
inthe
thestudy
study
are:
are: 1)
1)Detailed
Detailedgeologic
geologicmapping
mappingand
andcompilation
compilationof
ofall
allavailable
availablegeological,
geological,
geochemical,
geochemical,and
and geophysical
geophysical data.
data. Conversion
Conversionof
ofall
alldata
datainto
intoprimary
primaryGIS
GIsdatasets;
datasets;
2)
2) Extracting
Extractingand
and enhancing
enhancing the
the features
featuresof
of the
the primary
primary datasets
datasets that are important
important for
predicting
VMS
and 3)
3) Integration
Integration of
of the preliminary
prelimhry maps using GIS
GIs modelling
p~dicting
VMS deposits;
deposits;and
techniques
techniquesthat
that predict
predictmineral
mineralpotential.
potential.

48

�LOW-GRADE
LOW-GRADEMETAMORPHISM
METAMORPHISMAND
AND HYDROTHERMAL
HYDROTHERMAL ALTERATION
ALTERATION OF
OF THE
THE
UPPER
KEWEENAWAN
PORTAGE
LAKE
VOLCANICS,
MICHIGAN
UPPER KEWEENAWAN PORTAGE LAKE VOLCANICS, MICHIGAN

PUSCHNER,
PUSCHNER, Ulrich,
Ulrich, SCHMIDT,
SCHMIDT,Susanne
SusanneTh.,
Th., Mineralogisch-Petrographisches
Mineralogisch-PetrographischesInstitut,
Institut,
Base!,
J.. Department
Department of Geological
Basel. Switzerland
Switzerlandand
and BORNHORST,
BORNHORST. Theodore
Theodore J.,
Engineering
Sciences,
University,
~ n ~ i n e e rand
and
in~
Sciences,Michigan
Michigan Technological
~echnolo~ical
university, Houghton,
~ o u ~ h t o Michigan
n,-~ichi~an
49931
4993 1
The
ThePortage
PortageLake
LakeVolcanics
Volcanicsin
inthe
theKeweenaw
KeweenawPeninsu!a
Peninsula of Michigan
Michigan consists
consists of aa thick
thick
succession
interfiow sedimentary
sedimentary
successionof
of subaerial
subaerialtho!eiitic
tholeiiticbasalt
basalt !ava
lava flows with scattered interflow
!ayers.
layers. These
Theserocks
rockshave
havebeen
beensubjected
subjectedtotolow-grade
low-grademetamorphic
metamorphicand
andhydrothermal
hydrothermal
alteration.
emplaced during
during this alteration
alteration
alteration.The
Theworld-class
world-classnative
nativecopper
copperdeposits
depositswere
were emplaced
event.
In
the
Keweenaw
Peninsula,
and
elsewhere,
the
Portage
Lake
Volcanics
are not
event. In the Keweenaw Peninsula, and elsewhere, the
widely
widely exposed
exposed at
at the
the surface
surface because
because of overlying
overlying unconsolidated glacial sediments.
However,
Peninsula during
However, subsurface
subsurfacedrill
drill core
core were
were obtained
obtained in the Keweenaw Peninsula
during
exploration
explorationfor
for native
native copper. Much
Muchdrill
drillcore,
core,some
someover
over 100
100years old, still exists in
excellent
and locations.
locations. Mr. Gordon Peterson
excellent condition
condition and
and with original dri!l
drill core logs and
of
of Calumet
Calumetowns
ownsand
and continues
continuesto
to maintain
maintain much
much of the
the existing
existing drill
drill core
core and
and allowed
allowed us
us
to
to sample
samnlethe
the core
core for
for our
our research. Stoiber
Stoiberand
and Davidson
Davidson (1959a,
(l959a. b), in part,
part. used a drill
core
portage Lake
Lake Volcanics.
Volcanics.
corecross-section
cross-sectionto
topostu!ate
postulatemetamorphic
metamorphic zonation
zonation within
within the
the Portage
Four
Fourdrill
drillcore
corecross
crosssections
sectionsthrough
through the
thePortage
PortageLake
Lake Volcanic
Volcanic have been studied
studied using
using
aa combination
combinationof
of microscopic
microscopicinvestigation,
investigation, XRD
XRD technique,
technique, and electron
electron microprobe
analysis,
by Stoiber
Stoiber &amp;
&amp;Davidson
Davidson(1959a.
(1959a,b).
b). These
analysis, including
including the drill core section studied by
four
are located
located between Ahmeek and Copper Harbor and
four dril!
drill core
core cross
cross sections
sections are
provide
km
provide coverage
coveragethrough
through 3000m
3000m of
of the
the Portage
Portage Lake Volcanics over a distance of 60 k
m
along
alongstrike.
strike. Interlayered
Interlayeredsediments
sedimentsand
andse!ected
selectedlava
lavaflows
flows can
can be
be used
used as
as marker
marker
horizons
horizonsto
to corre!ate
correlatethe
the stratigraphic
stratigraphic zones
zones between the different individual drill holes.
Initial
distinguished within
Initial results
resultsdemonstrate
demonstratethat
that two
two main
main minera!
mineral associations
associations can be distinguished
the
the amygdaloidal
amygdaloidal tops
tops of
of the
the basaltic
basaltic !ava
lava flows of the upper part of the Portage Lake
Vo!canics
Volcanics (above
(above the
the Greenstone
Greenstone flow)
flow) in the Copper Harbor to Ahmeek sections: (1) a
zeolite-dominated
laumontite-chlorite-corrensite±wairakite±quartz±
zeolite-dominated assemb!age
assemblage with laumontite-chlorite-corrensiteÂ±wairakiteÂ±quart
calcite,
with chloriteiquartz*
chlorite±quartz±
calcite, and
and (2)
(2) aa pumpellyite-epidote-dominated assemblage with
calcite±prehnite±laumontite.
The
zeolite-dominated
assemblage
is
more frequent in the
the
calciteÂ±prehniteÂ±laumontit
upper
upper part
part of
of the
the section,
section,but
butwairakite
wairakiteoccurs
occurs only below the Hancock Conglomerate.
The
pumpellyite-epidote-dominated
assemblage
of the
the lower part of the
The pumpellyite-epidote-dominated assemblage is characteristic of
sequence.
sequence. Zeolite
Zeoliteminerals
mineralsare
arepresent
present throughout
throughout the whole vertical section. Along
strike,
strike, aa temperature
temperature gradient
gradient is
is observed
observed with lower temperature conditions in the
Copper
Copper Harbor
Harbor section
section and
and higher
higher temperature conditions in the Ahmeek section near
Ahmeek
Ahrneek to the southwest.
southwest. This
Thiscorrelates
correlateswith
with the
the distribution of native copper deposits
increasing
in
frequency
and
size
from
Copper
Harbor
Ahmeek.
increasing in frequency and size from Copper Harbor towards
towards Ahmeek.
The
The most
most abundant
abundantphyllosilicates
phyllosilicates in
in the
the upper part of the Portage Lake Volcanics are
chlinochlore
units of
of aa lava
lava
chlinochlore and corrensite. Chlinoc!ore
Chlinoclore is present in all morphological units
flow,
within all
flow, i.e. in
in the
the amygdaloidal
amygdaloidal flow top and in the massive interior, and within
stratigraphic
as determined
determined by
by electron
electron
stratigraphichorizons.
horizons. The
Themean
meanof
ofthe
theinterlayered
interlayeredcations
cationsas
microprobe
microprobe analysis
analysisis
is around
around 0.1
0.1 indicating
indicatingon!y
only very low mixed-layered
mixed-layered components.
components.
Corrensite
amygdaloidal flow
flowtops.
tops. In the eastern
eastern most
most Copper
Copper
Corrensite is more abundant in the amygdaloidal
49

�Harbor
Harbor section,
section, smectites
smectites (saponite,
(saponite,montmorillonite)
montmorillonite)as
as well
well as
asparagonite
paragoniteand
and
pyrophyllite
pyrophyllite are
are also
also present
present in
in the
the zeolite-dominated
zeolite-dominatedassemblage.
assemblage.
The
complexmetamorphic
metamorphicand
andhydrothermal
hydrothermal
The Portage
Portage Lake
Lake Volcanics
Volcanicswas
was subjected
subjectedto
to aacomplex
alteration
event
(Stoiber
&amp;
Davidson,
1959,
Bornhorst,
1997).
The
initial
1997). The initialresults
resultsof
ofthis
this
alteration event (Stoiber &amp; Davidson, 1959,
continuing
continuing research
research suggest
suggest that the abundant laumontite-chlorite assemblage in most of
the
the upper
upper part
part of
of the
the Portage
Portage Lake
Lake Volcanics
Volcanicswas
was likely
likely the
the result
result of
of regional
regional zeolite
zeolite
fades
pumpellyite-prehnite-epidoteassemblage
assemblageis
is
faciesmetamorphism
metamorphism during
duringburial.
burial. The
Thepumpellyite-prehnite-epidote
likely
In the
the Copper
CopperHarbor
Harbor to
to Ahmeek
Ahmeek section
sectionthe
the
likely related to a hydrothermal
hydrothermal phase. In
hydrothermal
hydrothermalevent
eventoccurs
occursonly
onlylocally,
locally,but
but when
when present
present itit is
ispervasive.
pervasive.
References
References

. Bornhorst,
Bornhorst, T.J.,
T.J., 1997,
1997,Tectonic
Tectoniccontext
context of
of native
native copper
copper deposits
depositsof
of the
the North
NorthAmerican
American

Midcontinent
Midcontinent rift
rift system:
system: Geological
Geological Society
Society of America Special Paper, 312,
312, p.
p. 127127136.
136.

Stoiber,
E.S., l959a,
1959a.Amygdule
Amygdulemineral
mineralzoning
zoningin
inthe
thePortage
PortageLake
Lake
Stoiber, R.E.
R.E. and
and Davidson,
Davidson, E.S.,
Lava
v. 54,
54. p.1250Lava Series,
Series, Michigan Copper
Copper district.
district. Part I: Economic Geology, v.
p.12501277.
1277.

Stoiber,
R.E. and
and Davidson,
Davidson, E.S.,
E.S., l959b,
1959b.Amygdule
Amygdulemineral
mineralzoning
zoningin
in the
thePortage
PortageLake
Lake
Stoiber, R.E.
Lava
Lava Series,
Series, Michigan
Michigan Copper
Copper district.
district.Part
Part H:
IT Economic
Economic Geology, v. 54,
54, p.
p. 144414441460.
1460.

50

�Lake Superior's
Superior's lUngs:
Fault Systems
Lake
Rings: Clues
Clues to
to the
the origin
origin of
of Polygonal
Polygonal Fault
Systems
Deborah
J. Wattrus
Deborah E.
E. Rausch
Rausch and
and N/gel
NigeI J.
Wattrus
Large Lakes
Minnesota
Large
Lakes Observatory,
Observatory, University
University of
ofMinnesota
Duluth
MN 55812
55812
Duluth MN
email: drausch2(did.umn.edu

Polygonal Fault
Fault Systems
Systems (PFS)
(PFS) are
are aa recently
recently recoenized
recognized class
class of
of soft-sediment
soft-sedimentstructures.
structures. They
result
They result
Polygonal
from
volumetric contraction
contraction triggered
triggered by
by s&amp;eresis-during
syneresis during early
early compaction
compactionof
ofultra-fine
ultra-finesediments.
sediments. PFS
PFS
from-volumetric
were first described in Paleoeene
Paleogene clavstones
claystones from
from the
the North
North Sea
Seabasin
basin (Cartwrieht.
(Cartwright,
1994). In 2D cross1994).
.
sections,
PES appear
appear be
be small
small extensional
extensional faults
and in
in map
map view,
view, the
the faults
faults have
have aa polygonal
polygonal appearance.
sections, PFS
faults and
appearance.
Cartwright and
and Lonergan
Lonergan (1996) measured
measured the extensional
Camwight
extensional strain and determined
determined that apparent
apparent extension
extension
on any
any given
given horizon
horizon was
was uniform
uniform in
in all
all directions.
directions. They
this that
that the
the fault
fault systems
systems could
could
on
They concluded
concluded from
from this
not
not have
have aa tectonic
tectonic origin
origin and
and that
that the
the faulting
faulting was
was related
related to
to volumetric
volumetric contraction
contraction of
of sediments
sedimentsduring
during
early burial
burial and
and compaction.
compaction. From
North Sea, Cartwright
Cartwright and
and Dewhurst
Dewhurst
early
From 3D
3D seismic
seismic data
data collected
collected in the North
(1998) identified
identified specific
specific criteria
criteria of
of PFS.
PFS. These
in other
other
(1998)
These criteria
criteria are
are used
used to
to delineate
delineate systems
systems in
sedimentary
basins. Based
normal faults
faults with
with small
small
sedimentary basins.
Based on
on these
these criteria,
criteria, PFS
PFS are
are typically
typically close
close networks
networks of
of normal
throws that
that occur
occur over
over aa large
large area
area in
in sedimentary
sedimentary basins.
basins. The
bound and
and are
are
throws
The systems
systems are
are layer
layer bound
occasionally tiered. They
Theyonly
onlyoccur
occurin
in very
very fine-grained
fine-grained sediments
sediments (&lt;2
(&lt;2 micron). There
Thereare
areno
noknown
known
modern analogues.
analogues.

-

&lt;

Doughnut-shaped rings
rings and
and subcircular
depressions have been observed in
in the
the side-scan
records collected
Doughnut-shaped
subcircular depressions
side-scan records
collected
in Lake
Lake Superior (Bergson
(Bergson and Clay, 1973;
et al., 1984;
Flood and
and Johnson,
Johnson, 1984;
in
1973; Johnson et
1984; Flood
1984; Flood, 1989;
1989;
and Anderson, 1997). The
The described
describedfeatures
features are
are 100-300
100-300 meters in diameter.
diameter, 10-3- meters wide and 5
meters deep. Side-scan
Side-scandata
datacollected
collectedby
by the
the Large
Large Lakes
Lakes Observatory
Observatory (LLO) confirms
confirms the widespread
development of
of ring
ring structures
structures throughout
throughout much
much of
of the
the basin.
basin. The rings
rings commonly
commonly occur
occur wherever
wherever finefinedevelopment
grained glacio-lacustrine
glacio-lacustrine sediments
sediments are
are found.
found. High-resolution
reflection data
data collected
collected with
with
grained
High-resolution seismic reflection
boomer A
and
d echosounder
echosounder systems
systems show
show that
that the
the nngs
ringsare
areassociated
associated with
with deformation
deformationthat
thattypically
typically
disrupts the
the thir
thifl Holocene
Ilolocene surface sediments
sediments and
and elacio-lacustrine
glacio-lacustrinesediments
sedimentsbelow.
below. The echosounder
dismots
data clearly shows that the underlying
underlying glacio-lacustrine
glacio-lacusmne exhibits extensive fracturing and small-scale
small-scale
ring or
or
faulting. Some
Someof
of these
these fractures
fractures and
and faults
faults continue to the surface where they coincide with a ring
partial ring structure. Many,
Many,however,
however,are
aretruncated
truncated at
at the
the Holocene
Holocene boundary. Throws
Throwson
onthe
thesmall
small
faults are often less than 50 cm and the apparent displacement on these faults is typically normal. Some
Some
echosounder records show evidence
apparently genetically unique deformation
deformation sequences
sequences in the
of the echosounder
evidence of apparently
fine-grained sediments.
sediments. These
poorly resolved
resolved horizon
horizon with
with little
little coherent
coherent
These sequences
sequencesare
are separated
separated by a poorly
internal reflections.
reflections. The
well developed
Thesequences
sequencesabove
aboveand
andbelow
belowexhibit
exhibitwell
developedinternal
internalreflections
reflectionsthat
thatdo
do
not appear
appear to be concordant.
concordant: Both
Bothsystems
systemsshow
showwell-developed
well-developedfracture
fractureand
andmicro-faulting
micro-faultingpatterns.
patterns.
observation suggests that these systems
in the subsurface, and are
This observation
systems are confined to distinct intervals in
therefore genetically
genetically unique.
unique.

.

~

~

~

~~

-

~

~

It is proposed that the rings in Lake Superior
expressions of PFS developed in the near surface
surface
Superior are surface expressions
clays. AAcomparison
comparisonwith
withthe
thecriteria
criteriaoutlined
outlinedby
byCartwright
Camwightand
andDewhurst
Dewhurst(1998)
(1998)show
showthat
thatthe
thenearnearsurface
requirements for PFS development.
surface sediment
sediment and data from Lake
Lake Superior
Superior meet nearly all of the requirements
development.
The seismic data collected thus far indicate
indicate that there are basinwide layer bound normal fault systems
systems
with small throws. The
TheLake
LakeSuperior
Superiorglacio-lacustrine
glacio-lacustrinesediments
sedimentsare
arecharacterized
characterizedby
by fine
finegrain
grainsize,
size,
high water content,
content, and
and aa clay
clay fraction
fractioncomposed
composedpredominantly
predominantlyof
ofillite.
illite.

51

�The following
following model is proposed
proposed to explain
explain the
the origin
origin of the
the rings
rings on the floor of Lake Superior. High
High
sedimentation
sedimentation rates associated with the retreat of ice
ice out of the basin produced
produced deposits
deposits with
with high
high water
water
Sometimeafter
after deposition,
deposition, syneresis
syneresis in the sediments
sediments
contents, which behaved like a colloidal fluid. Sometime
tothe
thedevelopment
developmentof
of fractures
fracturesand
and faulting
faultingin
in the
the
initiated volumetric
volumetric contraction. This
Thisprocess
pocess led
ledto
initiated
clays. The
Thegrowth-fault
growth-faultappearance
appearanceof
ofsome
someof
ofthe
the faults
faultssuggests
suggests that
that deformation
deformation and
and faulting
faulting was
was
clays.
syndepositional
syndepositional and continued for some time. Since
Since many of
of the fractures
fractures and
and faults
faults truncate
truncate against
against the
the
Holocene
the deposition of
Holocene boundary, we believe that most of the volumetric contraction ceased before the
the
the Holocene
Holocene sediment.
sediment. Some
Somefractures
fractureswhich
whichcontinue
continueto
tothe
thesurface
surface appear
appear to
to act
act as
asconduits
conduitsfor
forthe
the
expressed
expressed water. This
Thisisissupported
supportedby
bysubmersible
submersibleobservations
observations(Flood,
(Flood, 1989)
1989) that
that appear
appear to
to suggest
suggestthat
that
water
in
water venting
venting from
from the
the lake
lake floor
floorremoved
removed or
or prevented
prevented the
the deposition
depositionof
of the
the fine
fineHolocene
Holocenematerial
materialin
the
the vicinity
vicinity of
of the
the ring.
ring.

REFERENCES
REFERENCES

Anderson,
graphic study
Anderson,K.A.,
K.A., 1997,
1997,A
A seismic
seismic strati
stratigraphic
study of
of western
western Lake Superior
Superior(M.S.
(M.S. thesis).
thesis): University
University of
of

Minnesota, 74p.
74p.

and Clay,
Clay. C.S.,
C.S., 1973,
1973. Possible
Possiblesyneresis
syneresisorigin
originof
ofvalleys
valleyson
on the
thefloor of
ofLake
Superior:
Berkson, J.M..
f.M., and
Lake Superior:
Nature,
Nature, 245:89-91.
24589-91.

Cartwright,
from geopressured
Cartwright,f.A..
J.A., 1994,
1994.Episodic
Episodicbasin-wide
basin-widefluid
fluid expulsion
expulsionÂ¥fro
geopressuredshale
shale sequence
sequencein
in the
the
North
2222:447-450.
:44 7-450.
NorthSea
Seabasin:
basin:Geology,
Geology,
J.A., and
sediments:
Cartwright,.J.A.,
Cartwright.
and Dewhursi,
Dewhurst, D.N.,
D.N., 1998.
1998, Layer-bound
Layer-bound compactionfaults
faults infine-grained
infine-grained sediments:
Geol.
7.
Geol.Soc.
Soc. Am.
Am. Bull.,
Bull., 110:1242-125
110:1242-1257.

Cart-wright,
.14. and Lonergan.
Lonergan, L.,
Cartwright,J.A.
L., 1996,
1996,Volumetric
Volumetriccontraction
contractionduring
duringthe
thecompaction
compactionofofmudroc/cy:
mudrocks: AA
mechanism
cale polygonal
polygonalfault
mechanismfor the
the development
development of regional-s
regional-scale
fault systems:
systems: Basin
BasinResearch,
Research,v.8,
v.8,

p 183-193.
183-193.

Flood.
topography in Lake Superior:
Superior: .1
Flood, RD.,
R.D., 1989.
I989,Submersible
Submersiblestudies
studiesof
of current-modified
current-modified bottom topography
J.
Great
GreatLakes
Lakes Res.,
Res., 15:3-14.
15:3-14.
Flood.
C., 1984,
for bedforms and
Flood. R.
R. D. and
and Johnson,
Johnson,TT.C.,
1984,Side-scan
Side-scan targets
targetsin
in Lake
Lake SuperiorSuperior- evidence
evidencefor
sediment
sediment transport:
transport:Sedimentology,
Sedimentology,v.v.31,
31,p.
p. 311-333.
311-333.
Johnson,
and
currents andfish
Johnson,T.
T.C..
C.,Halfman,
Hal/man,J.D.,
J.D., Busch,
Busch,W.H.,
W.H.,
and Flood,
Flood,R.D.,
R.D., 1984,
1984,Effects
Effects of bottom currents
and fish on
on
sedimentation
sedimentationin
inaadeep-water.
deepwater,lacustrine
lacustrineenvironment.'
environment:Geol.
Geol.Soc.
Soc.Am.
Am.BulL,
Bull., 95:1425-1436,
95:1425-1436.

Mollard,
patterns ononthe
J.D.,1983,
1983,The
Theorigin
originofofreticulate
reticulateand
andorbicular
orbicularpatterns
thefloor
floorofofthe
theLake
LakeAgassiz
Agassiz basin
basin
Mollard. ID.,
in
IT. and
in Teller,
Teller, J.T.
andClayton,
Clayton,L.,
L., eds..
eds.. Glacial
GlacialLake
Lake Agassiz: GeoL
Geol. Assoc. Can.
Can. Sp
Sp. Paper,
Paper,p.
p. 355355374.
3 74.

52

�GEOLOGY OF THE TILDEN MINE,
MINE,MARQUETTE
MARQUEflE IRON
IRONRANGE,
RANGE, MICHIGAN
MICHIGAN
Glenn W. Scott
Scott and Helene
Helene M. Lukey,
Lukey, Mine Engineering
Engineering Department,
Department, Tilden
Tilden Mining
Mining
Company, P.O. Box 2000,
2000, Ishpeming, MI 49849

The Tilden
hon Formation,
Tilden Mine
Mine produces
produces iron
iron ore
ore from
from the Negaunee Iron
Formation, Menominee
Menominee Group,
Group,
Marquette
Range
Supergroup
in
the
Upper
Peninsula
of
Michigan.
As
the
base
of
the
iron
peninsula
iron
Marquette ~ a n ~ e ~ u p e r ~ r o u p
formation is not exposed
exposed at
at the
the Tilden
Tilden Mine, the stratigraphic thickness is unknown. The
The
thickness
exceeds
1000
feet
and
is
probably
underlain
by
and
is
gradational
into
thickness exceeds 1000 feet and is probably underlain bfand is gradational into
Mine. The
undifferentiated elastics and iron formation of the Empire Mine.
The iron
iron ore
ore deposit
deposit at
at the
the
Tilden Mine
hut, more
Mine has
has been divided
divided into
into geologic
geologic domains based in part on lithology but,
importantly on
on the
the metallurgical
metallurgical response
response based
based on
on bench
bench tests
tests and
and in
in the
the processing
processingplant.
plant.
The interaction of sedimentation
sedimentation and diagenesis within growth fault controlled basin,
metamorphism
and
metamorphism and supergene
supergeneoxidation
oxidationhas
has resulted
resulted in
in aa complex
complexsuite
suiteof
of ore
oretypes,
types,each
each
with specific,
problems. Production
specific, if not entirely
entirely objective, blending characteristics and problems.
Production
since 1974
million long
long tons
tons of ore at a
1974 has been 126
126 million long tons of pellets from 355 million
1999, the
Asof
ofJanuary
January1,1,1999,
the proven
proven and
and probable long
long range (30
(30 year)
stripping ratio of 0.94. As
mine
mine plan reserve
reserve was 628
628 million long tons of ore containing 233 million long tons of
pellets at
a
stripping
ratio
0.77.
at a stripping ratio of
of 0.77.
Chlorite
Chlorite schist
schist defines
defines the footwall
footwall of the Tilden ore body. The
The Martite
Martite and
and main
main pit
pit
Carbonate
Carbonate domains
domainsdomains
domainslie
lie stratigraphically
stratigraphicallybelow
below the
the CDffl
CDffl Footwall
Footwall and
and Main
Main Pit
Pit
Hanging wall intrusives. This
is
metallurgically
"good
ore"
and
is
typically
characterized
This is metallurgically "good ore" and is typically characterizedby
by
high weight recovery (35-45+%),
(35-45+%), low phosphorous,
phosphorous, low slime
slime iron and good grinding
grinding media.
The West PitJCDffl
Pit/CDin Hematite domain in the west pit is stratigraphically
stratigraphically between the CDffl
CDIII
this is
is metallurgically
metallurgically 'poor'
'poor'
In contrast
contrast to the martite domain, this
hanging wall and footwall. In
ore with higher slime iron, phosphorous and poor grinding. Mineralogically
Mineralogically and
and texturally,
martite domain
domain in
in being
being dominantly
dominantly platey hematite
hematite with
with thin
thin
this domain
domain differs
differs from
from the
the martite
(mm scale) chert laminae. The
equivalent to the
(mrn
The Magnetite
Magnetite domain
domain is
is the
the stratigraphically
stratigraphically equivalent
West PitJCDIII.
Pit/CDffl. Mineralogically,
Mineralogically,the
the ore
oreconsists
consistsprimarily
primarily of
of magnetite-siderite-chert
magnetite-siderite-chertwith
with
variable hematite and silicates.
silicates. This
Thismineralogy,
mineralogy, along
along with
with the
the thin laminations,
laminations,appears
appears to
to
indicate a restricted basin and a reduced environment
of
deposition.
environment

There are several igneous
igneous horizons
horizonsatatthe
theTilden
TildenMine.
Mine.The
Theterm
term'intrusive'
'intrusive' or
or 'dike'
'dike' is
is used
for diabasic to porphyritic
porphyritic to aphanitic
aphanitic bodies, which vary from (semi) conformable sill-like
horizons, usually interpreted
as
interpreted as synsedimentary sills but may be flows, to obviously
crosscutting bodies, interpreted as dikes that may
may be
be feeders.
feeders. The sills and majority of the
crosscutting
andlor the
dikes appear
appear to be of early
early Proterozoic
Proterozoic age, related to the Clarksburg
Clarksburg Volcanics and/or
Hemlock and Emperor
Emperor Volcanics, but there
there are
are several
several dikes that are interpreted
interpreted to be of
Keweenawan
based on
Keweenawan age
agebased
on the
the magnetic
magnetic signature.
signature.

53

�AN ESTIMATE OF RATE
DYNAMIC AND STATIC
STATICSTRENGTH
STRENGTH OF AGGREGATES: AN
SENITIVITY OF
SENITIVITY
OF GEOLOGIC
GEOLOGIC MATERIALS
MATERIALS
STANLEY
J. VITTON, Department of &amp;
&amp;Environmental
Environmental Engineering,
Engineering,GHATUPARTHJ
GHATUPARTHI
STANLEY J.
S
UBHASH, Department
Mechanics, Michigan
Michigan
SUBHASH,
DepartmentofofMechanical
MechanicalEngineering—Engineering
Engineering-Engineering Mechanics,
Technological University,
Technological
University,Floughton,
Houghton, Michigan
Michigan49931
4993 1

The Michigan
Michigan Department
Department of
ofTransportation
Transportation (MDOT)
(MDOT)has
has initiated
initiatedresearch
research into
into the dynamic
dynamic fracture
fracture
characteristics of
cement concrete
concrete(PCC)
(PCC) pavements.
pavements. The main focus of this
characteristics
of aggregates
aggregates in Portland cement
this
aggregateportion
portion in PCC.
research is to study the fracture
fractureand
and strength
strcngth characteristics of the coarse aggregate
wide range
Due to the wide
range of
of rock
rock types
types inin Michigan,
Michigan,there
thereisisaacorresponding
correspondingrange
range of
ofcoarse
coarse aggregate
aggregate
used PCC.
PCC. In
used
In addition,
addition,aasignificant
significant amount
amountofofblast
blastfurnace
furnaceslag
slag isis produced
produced and used
used in PCC. To
study
unconfined uniaxial
uniaxial compressive
of
study the static
static and dynamic
dynan~icstrength
strength of
of the
the aggregates.
aggregates, unconfined
compressive strength of
three limestones,
limestones, four
fourdolomites.
dolomites,two
twobasalts
basaltsand
andthree
three blast
blastfurnace
furnaceslags
slags were
were conducted.
conducted. InIn
addition,
conditions. The
addition,tests
tests were
wcre also
also conducted
conducted under dry
dry and
and saturated
saturated conditions.
The studies
studies revealed that
that the
the
aggregates exhibited
exhibited the lowest compressive strcngth,
strength,followed
followed by the limestones and dolomites.
slag aggrcgates
aggregates exhibited
exhibited the
the highest
highestcompressive
compressivestrength.
strength. The
The compressive
compressive strcngth
strength data
dataof
of
The basalt aggregates
rocks were
were found
found to
to have
haveaastrong
strongcorrelation
correlationtotothe
thebulk
bulkdensities.
densities. Both the dry
thy
dry and saturated rocks
and saturated aggregates revealed
revealed aahigher
higher compressive
compressive strength
strength under
under dynamic
dynamic loads compared
compared to
to
in dynamic compressive strcngth
strength over
over its static strength is
the static loads. The
Thepercentage
percentage increase
increase in
identified as
which may
identified
as aa measure
measure of the rate sensitivity
sensitivityofofthese
these aggregates,
aggregates, which
may have
have considerable
considerable
geologic interpretation.
relevance in applications
applicationssuch
such as rock blasting, underground construction, and geologic
interpretation.
The aggregate used
used in
in the
thestudy
studywere
wereobtained
obtainedfrom
fromquarries
quarriesininMichigan,
Michigan, Ohio
Ohio and
and Ontario,
Ontario, while
while
blast furnnace
ftrnnace slags
obtainedfrom
from steel
steelmills
mills in
in Sault Stc.
Ste.Marie.
Marie, Ontario
Ontario and
and Detroit.
Detroit,
the blast
slam were obtained
Michigan. The
limestones investigated
Michigan.
Thethree
threelimestones
investigated were from the Fibron Limestone
Limestone Formation of
of middle
middle
Silurain
City Limestone
Silurain age
age (Port Inland
Inland Quarry),
Quarry), the
the Roger City
Limestone Formation of
of middle
middle Devonian
Devonian age
age
(Presque
Isle Quarry),
Quarry), and the
the Bay
Bay Port
Port Limestone
Limestone of
of late Mississippian
Mississippian age
age (Bay
(Bay County
County ~
Road
(Presquc Isle
oad
Commission Quarry). The
Dolomite Formation of middle
Thedolomites
dolomiteswere
wcre from
from the
the Engadine Dolomite
middle Silurian
Silurian
(Cedarville Quarry),
age (Cedarvillc
Quarry), the
the Raisin
Raisin River
River Dolomite
DolomiteFormation
Formationofoflate
lateSilurian
Silurianage
age(France
(FranceStone
Stone
Quarry). the Lucas Dolomite
Dolomite Formation of
Quan-y),
of middle
middleDevonian
Devonian age
age (Rockwood Quarry),
Quarry), and a
stratigraphically
later
dolomite
from
the
Lucas
Formation
(Denniston
Quany).
stratigraphically later dolomite from the Lucas Formation (Denniston Quarry).The
Theigneous
igneous rocks
rocks
tested were
were from
from the Portage Lake
Lake Volcanics
Volcanics (Moyle
(Moyle Quarry)
Quarry)and
and the
the Paleoproterozic
Paleoprotcrozic volcanics near
near
Bruce Mines, Ontario
Ontario (Ontario
(OntarioTraprock
Traprock Quarry).
Quarry).

The aggregates
weresubjected
subjectedtotouniaxial
uniaxial compressive
compressiveloads
loadsatattwo
twodifferent
different strain
strain rates.
rates. Low
Low strain
aggrcgates were
strain
rate
(static) wcre
were conducted
conducted on
on aa MTS servohydraulic
and high strain
rate experiments
experiments (static)
sc~ohydraulicmachine
machine and
strain rate
rate
experiments (dynamic)
(dynamic) were conducted
conducted on
on aa modified
modified split Hopkinson
Hopkinson pressure
pressure bar (MSHPB).
(MSHPB). The
The
experiments
Split
bar (also
çalsocalled
calledaa Kolsky
Kolsky bar,
bar, Kolsky, 1949)
Split Hopkinson
Hopkinson pressure
pressure bar
1949)technique
technique has
has been
been widely
used for
for dynamic testing
testing of
of materials
materialsatathigh
highstrain
strainrates
ratesininthe
therange
rangeofof10'-104
IO'-l 4 s"'
s' (Ravichandran
used
(Ravichandran and
and
Subhash,
1995). It consists
consists of aa striker
strikerbar,
bar, an
anincident
incidcntbar
barand
andaatransmission
transmission bar,
bar, as
as shown
shown
Subhash, 1995).

schematically
in Figure I.1. The
schematically in
Thespecimen
specimen totobe
becharacterized
characterized isis placed
placed between
between the incident
incident and
and
transmission bars.
bars.The
Thefree
freeend
endof
of the
theincident
incident bar
bar isis impacted
impactedby
by the
the striker
striker bar,
bar, which
which is launched
transmission
launched
from aa gas gun, at aa predetermined
predetermined velocity.
velocity. The
pulse in
in the incidcnt
incident
The impact
impact generates
generates aa compression pulsc
from
specimen,subjecting
subjectingitit to
to the
the required
required compressive
compressiveloading.
loading.AApart
part of
of
bar which travels towards the specimcn,
and the
the rest
rest is
is rcflected
reflected back
back into
into the
the incident bar as a
this pulse is transmitted to the transmitter bar and
tensile pulsc.
pulse. Strain
Strain gages
gages are
are mounted
mountedat
at the
the center
center of
of each
bar to measure
the magnitude
and
tensile
each bar
measure the
magnitude and
duration of
of these
these stress
stress pulses.
pulses. Based
Based on
on one-dimensional
one-dimensional calculations,
calculations, it can
can be
be shown
shown that
that the
the
magnitude of the
transmitted
pulse
gives
a
measure
of
the
stress
to
which
the
specimen
is
subjected
the transmitted pulsc gives a measure
which the specimen is subjected
and the
the magnitude
and
magnitude of the reflected
reflected wave gives aa measure
measure of the
the strain
strain rate
rate within
withinthe
thespecimen.
specimen.
54

�integrating
Integratingthe
the strain
strainrate
ratewith
withrespect
respecttototime
timeyields
yieldsthe
thestrain
strainin
in the
the specimen.
specimen.Thus,
Thus. the
thestress-strain
stress-strain
a
material
can
be
obtained
at
high
strain
rates.
response
response of a material can be obtained at high strain rates.
A
A minimum
minimum often
of tensamples
sampleswere
weretested
testedfor
foreach
eachaggregate
aggregatetype
type in
in each
each condition,
condition, e.g.
e.g. thy,
dry,saturated,
saturated,

static, and dynamic
dynamic conditions. The
Theresults
results of
of the
the static
static and
and dynamic
dynamic testing for thy
dry conditions
conditions are
arc
presented in Figure
slags arc
are identified
identifiedas
as sample
sampletypes
types I.1. 2,
2, and 3; the
2, where
whcre the
the blast
blast fi1rnace
furnace sla&amp;s
the
Figure 2,
and
the
basalt
and
6;
the
dolomites
are
sample
types
7
through
10;
lirnestones
are
sample
types
4,
5,
limestones are sample types 4, 5. and the dolomites arc
10; and the basalt
sample
sample types are II11and
and12.
12. In addition, the bulk density of the rock types are
are also
alsopresented.
presented. ItIt can
can
be
be seen
seen from
from this
thisdata
datathat
thatthe
theslags
slagsexhibited
exhibitedthe
thelowest
lowest strength
strength followed
followed by the
the limestones
limestones and
and
addition, itit can
can be
be sccn
seen that
that there
there is
is aa good
dolomites
dolomites with
withthe
thebasalts
basaltshaving
havingthe
thehighest
higheststrength.
strength. In
In addition,
good
of the
the slag!,,
slags, all of the
correlation with
with bulk
bulk density.
density. With the partial exception
cxception of
the materials
materials tested
tested
showed an increase
indicating that
that these materials are
increase in
in dynamic
dynamic strength
strength over
o v a the static strength,
strength, indicating
rate
rate sensitive.
sensitive.

The blast
blast furnace
furnacc slag
slag showed
showed relatively
relatively low
low strength
strength both
both in
in satic
satictesting
testingand
anddynamic
dynamictesting.
testing.
However, it can be
strength and strength in the range of the
be seen that
that the
the air
air cooled
cooled slag had both low strcngth
the
limestoncs
dolomites. The
liniestones and dolomites.
The two
two data
data sets
sets shown
shown for
for the
the air
air cooled
cooled slag
slag represent
represent samples
samples form
form
two different blocks of slag
slag material
material assumed
assunicd to have been
been cooled
cooled at different rates depending on
where
it
was
deposited.
The
blast
fijrnacc
slag
is
formed
from
the gangue
gangue and
and secondary
secondaryconstiuents
constiuents
whcre
deposited The blast furnacc slag is formed from the
in iron ore as
and has
has aa chemical
chemicalcomposition
compositionof
ofCaO,
CaO,Si02,
Si02, A103
Al03
as well as coke residue and limestone and
and MgO with trace amounts of
of.sulphur
and some
some alkalis
alkalis (Smolczyk,
(Smolczyk,1980).
1980). The final structure of
sulphur and
the slag depends on the cooling conditions
conditionsof
ofthe
themolten
moltenslag.
slag. When
When itit is allowed to cool slowly it
forms into
into aadense
densecrystalline
crystallinestructure
structurewith
with properties
properties similar
similartotorock.
rock. When the molten
molten slag
slag isis
quenshed
quickly
with
limited
amonts
of
water,
it
traps
steam
in
the
mass
and
produces
a
porous,
quenshed quickly with limited amonts of water,
mass and produces a porous,
glassy
properties. However,
slag is formed it also
glassy material
material with poor mechanical propcriies.
Howcvcr, when the air cooled slag
has different rates of cooling depending on its location when
when deposited
deposited for
for cooling.
cooling. The
The molten
moltenslag
slag
exposed to the
then the slag at the
the atmosphere
atmosphere (top) will cool more
more quickly then
the bottom
bottom of
ofthe
thedeposit.
deposit.
The
appearance of pores.
The statification
statification when
when cooling
cooling isis cieariy
clearly observed
observed by a color straification and the appearance
The test data
data shows
shows this
this with
with aa significant
significant increase
increase in strength
strcngth with test samples from two different
blocks from
from the
the same
same deposit.
deposit, i.e.,
i.e., top
topand
and bottom
bottom locations.
locations.
In the case of the
tested, itit can
can be
be sccn
seen that
that the
the trap
trap rock
rock basalt
basalt has aa higher strength then the
the basalt.s
basalts tested,
Portage
Portage Lake
Lake volcanic
volcanic basalt.
basalt. in
In a simplied
simplied framework it is assumed that the cooling rate of the trap
trap
rock basalt was longer
which were
were formed
formed formed
formed near
near or
or at the
longer than the Portage
Portage Lake voleanics,
volcanics, which
the
surface.
surface. This is also
also seen in
in the
the crystalline
crystallinc structure
structurc of the two basalts, with the trap
trap rock
rock basalt
basalt
having a more uniform crystallinc
crystalline structure
structure and
and the
the Portage Lake
Lake volcanics
volcanics a more inconsistent and
random crystalline
crystallinestructure.
structure.
The
The sedimentary
sedimentarylimestones
limestones and
and dolomites
dolomitesalso
alsoshow
showrate
ratesensitivity.
sensitivity. It is interesting
interesting to note in the
the

limestones
that the
the static strength
strength for the three
three limestones
limestones tested
tested are relatively
relatively close,
close, while the
the
limestones that
dynamic
dynamic strength
strength are
archigher.
higher. In particular, the Silurian limestone (Port Inland) showed significantly
significantly
higher rate sensitivity
than
does
the
Devonian
limestone
(Preque
Isle)
or
the
Mississippian
limestone
sensitivity
(Prcque Islc)
limestone
With
the
exception
However,
this
same
trend
is
not
seen
in
the
doloinites.
trend
seen in the dolomites. With
cxception of the
the
(Bay County).
County). Howcvcr, this

Silurian
dolomite (Cedarville)
(Cedarvillc)there
thereisis an
an increase
increase in
in both
Silurian dolomite
both the static
static and
and dyanmic
dyanmic strength
strength with
with
geologic
geologic age.
age.

Previous
research has
has shown
shown that
that for
Previous research
for aa brittle
brittle material,
material, the
the damage
damage evolution
evolution under
under applied
applied
compressive
microeracking at defects such a pores, inclusions, second
compressive loading is intimately related to microcracking
second
phase particles, twin grain boundary intersetcions and triple point grain boundary
boundary junctions
junctions (Lanford,
(Lanford,
1977). However,
strain rate the
the rate
rate sensitivity of a
However, under dynamic loading conditions above a critical strain
atiributted to
to the
the inertia-dominated
inertia-dominateddynamic
dynamiccrack
crackgrowth
growthfrom
fromprc-existing
pre-existingflaws.
flaws. Thus,
material is attributted
55

�response
responseofofaadefect
defecttotoloading
loadingisisinertia
inertiadependent,
dependent,i.e.
i.e,the
thetime
timeitittakes
takestotoovercome
overcomethe
theinertia
inertiaofofthe
the
strength.
Therefore,
microcrack,
more
defects
are
loaded
in
the
material
leading
to
higher
microcrack, more defects are loaded in the material leading to higher strength. Therefore, ititisis

speculated
speculated that
thatififdynamic
dynamicloading
loadingstresses
stressesaalarger
largerportion
portionofofa amaterial's
material'sdefects,
defects,then
thenititmay
maybebe
lithification
may
possible
possiblethat
thatgeologic
geologicmechanism
mechanismsuch
suchasasformational
formationalhistory,
history,compaction
compactionand
and lithification maybebe
better
bcncrobserved
observedunder
underdynamic
dynamicfracture
fracturetesting.
testing.
References
References

Koisky,
Kolsky,H.,
H.,1949,
1949,AnAnInvestigation
Investigationofofthe
theMechanical
Mechanicalproperties
propertiesof
ofMaterials
MaterialsatatVery
VeryHigh
HighRates
Ratesofof
Loading.
Proc.R.R.Soc.
Sue.London,
London,B62,
B62,pp.
pp.676-700.
676-700.
Loading,Pmc.
Ravichandran.
Ravichandran,G.
G.and
andSubhash,
Subhash, G.,
G., 1995,
1995, A
A Micromechanical
MicromechanicalModel
Modclfor
forHigh
HighStrain
StrainRate
RateBehavior
Behavior
32
Ceramics,lifiernalional
International.Journal
JournalofofSolids
Solidsand
andSiructures.
S/ruc/ure.~.
32[17/IS],
[I 71181,pp.
pp.2627-2646.
2627-2646.
ofofCeramics,
Smolczyk,
1950,
Smolczyk,H.G..
H.G.,
1980.Slag
SlagStrcture
Strctureand
andIdentification
IdentificationofofSlags,
Slags,Inter.
Inter.Congress
Congressononthe
theChcmistry
Chemistryofof
Cement,
editions Septima,
Cement,7"7*ed.
ed.1980.
1980.Paris
Parisa aeditions
Septima,pp.
pp.3-17.
3-17.
High
HighSpeed,
Speed,44Channel
Channel
Digital
DigitalOscilloscope
Oscilloscope

PR040)
(NicoletPRO4O)
(Nicolet

I I

Wheatstone
Bridge
Strain gage

- 1
Striker
StrikerBar
Bar

-

specimen

m

m

Incident
IncidentBar
Bar

I

Transmission
TransmissionBar
Bar

Modifidied
ModifidiedSplit
SplitHopkinson
HopkinsonPressure
PressureBar
Bdrwit
witMomentum
MomentumTrap.
Trap.

Figure
Figure I 1

0

=

0

S

d

22

Q
F

-

700

V
0

H

0

ii Ji 1'

3.5

ID

—

600
m

U.

5
C

0

3.0
Stat

500

C.,

E

Dens 0

0

&gt;

0
C

0

1

400

I
I

300

I

.4:

2.5C

I

0

C,
V

C

1

I

I;

200

2'
VA

=

0

C
2.0

00

0
0

1.5
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

6

9

10

11

Sample
SampleType
Type

Figure
Figure22

Dynamic
Dry Conditions.
Dynamicand
and Static
Static Strength
Strength Tests
Tests in Dry
Conditions.
56
56

12

13

�8

Palmer
Palmer Gneiss;
Gneiss; aa large,
large, low-grade
low-grade shear
shear zone
zone

' 1

~ e b s t e rC.
C.
, L., 'Cambray
'cambray W.
W. F.,
F., 2Scott,
'~cott,0.,
G.,'~ordstrom,
'Webster,
2Nordstrom, P.
P. 'Widson,
'Wilson, E.
'Dept.
Sciences,
Lansing, MI 48824
' ~ e ~Geological
Geological
t.
Sciences, Michigan State
State University,
University, East Lansing,
22Cleveland Cliffs Mining Co, lshpeming, MI
Cleveland Cliffs
Ishpeming, MI
The Marquette
Marquette Trough
Trough is
is interpreted
interpreted to
to be
be an
an asymmetric
asymmetricrift-related
rift-related basin;
basin, truncated
truncatedstratigraphy
stratigraphy
southern margin and a rollover
on the southern
rollover structure
structure to
to the
the north
north provides
provides evidence
evidencefor
for this
this

interpretation, Marking
interpretation.
Markingthe
thesouthern
southernboundary,
boundary,between
between the
the Archean
Archeangneiss
gneiss and
and the
the Early
Early
Proterozoic
Proterozoic metasedimentary
metasedimentary rocks of the Marquette
Marquette Range Supergroup, is the Palmer Gneiss

(PG). Van
Hiseand
andBayley
Bayley(1897)
(1897)first
firstinterpreted
interpretedthe
the PG
PG as
as aa comminuited,
comminuited, sericitzed and
VanRise
partly silicified
silicified phase of
of the lower
lower Precambrian
Precambrian gneiss. In
In1968,
1968,Gair
Gairand
andSimmons
Simmonsconcurred
concurred

with theft
their interpretation and offered
offered three
three possible modes of genesis: (1) alteration and shearing
of Precambrian
Precambrian rock during
during faulting,
faulting, (2)
(2) migration
migrationof
of fluids
the contact
contactbetween
betweenlower
lowerand
and
fluids along
along the

middle Precambrian rocks, and (3) alteration of
of aa regolith
regolith during
duringfolding.
folding. Since the
the time
time of
of

mapping by Gair
Gair and Simmons,
Simmons, Tilden
Tilden open pit mining
mining operations have exposed the PG. Large
Large
shear bands, with approximately
approximately2.5
2.5 meter
meter spacing,
spacing,indicate
indicatethe
the importance
importanceof
of ductile
ductile

zone (Figure
(Figure 1). Foliation
deformation during the formation
formation of the PG in a low-grade shear zone
Foliation
measurements show
measurements
show aa steep
steep NNE
NNE dipping
dippingS-foliation
S-foliation being
being cut
cutby
by aa shallow
shallowNNE
NNE shear
shearband,
band,

indicating a reverse sense
sense of shear (Figure 2). The
Thefolds
foldsmeasured
measuredin
in the
the adjacent
adjacent iron
ironformation,
formation,
at the Tilden
Tilden and
and Empire
Empire mines,
mines, consistently
consistentlyplunge
plunge gently
gently towards
towardsthe
the WNW,
WNW,reflecting
reflectingthat
that

they were formed
zone. The
formed under
under the same strain
strain conditions
conditions as the shear zone.
TheNNE-SSW
NNE-SSW
compressive
compressive direction
direction corresponds
corresponds to previous studies in the area (Myers, 1984). Whole
Whole rock
rock
chemical analysis
chemical
analysis of
of the PG
PG suggests
suggeststhat
that these
these altered
altered rocks
rocks are
are not
not granitic
granitic in
in origin,
origin, but
but rather
rather

basaltic. The
age. The
The basaltic
basalticnature
nature indicates
indicates that the PG is of Proterozoic age.
The Penokeon
Penokeon Orogeny,

collision of an island
island arc
arc with
with the
the Lake
Lake Superior
Superior Craton,
Craton,caused
caused closure
closure of
of the
the Marquette
MarquetteTrough
Trough
that reactivated preexisting normal faults and resulted in a reverse dip
dip slip.
slip. Strain
Strain was
was
concentrated
concentrated in
in aa portion
portion of
of aa metadiabase
metadiabasesill
sillthat
that was
was dragged
dragged into
into the
the shear
shearzone
zone causing
causing

57

�alterationand
andshearing
shearingofofthe
therock
rocktotoform
formthe
the PG. A 34% loss of volume is the calculated effect
alteration
PG. A 34% loss of volume is the calculated effect
alterationfrom
fromthe
themetadiabase
metadiabaseprotolith
protolith to the PG (Gresens, 1967).
ofofalteration
to the PG (Gresens, 1967).
References:
References:
Gair, J. E., and Simmons, G. C, 1968, Palmer Gneiss-an example of retrograde metamorphism
Gair, J. E., and Simmons, G. C, 1968, Palmer Gneiss-an example of retrograde metamorphism
alongan
anunconformity:
unconfonnity:U.S.
U.S.Geological
GeologicalSurvey
Survey Professional Paper, 600-D, p. D186along
Professional Paper, 600-D, p. D186D194.
D194.
Gresens, R L., 1967, Composition-volume relationships of metasomatism: Chemical Geology, v.
Gresens, R. L., 1967, Composition-volume relationships of metasomatism: Chemical Geology, v.
47-65.
2,2,p.p.47-65.
G., 1984, Structural analysis of foliated Proterozoic metadiabase dikes in the MarquetteMyers,
Myers, G., 1984, Structural analysis of foliated Proterozoic metadiabase dikes in the MarquetteRepublicregion
regionofofNorthern
NorthernMichigan:
Michigan:Master's
Master's Thesis, Michigan State University.
Republic
Thesis,
Michigan
StateofUniversity.
Van
Hise,
C.
R
.
,
and
Bayley,
W.
S.,
1895,
The
Marquette
iron-bearing
district
Michigan: U.S.
Van Hise, C. R., and Bayley, W. S., 1895, The Marquette iron-bearing
district
of
Michigan:
U.S.
28, p. 608.
GeologicalSurvey
SurveyMonograph
Monograph28,
Geological
p. 608.

East

West

2.5

Fig.11Footwall
FootwallShear
ShearZone,
Zone,Tilden
TildenMine
Mine
Fig.

N\
.

-*-

(Palmer Gneiss)
(Palmer Onees}

o
•

Pole to mean C'-foliation
Pole to mean C-foliation
Pole to mean S-foliation

Pole to mean S-foliation

Slip direction
Mean S-C' intersection

A

Slip direction

*

Mean S-C. intersection

S-C' intersections
S-foliation plane
S-foliation plane
Top of shear zone
S-C' intersections

\

Top of shear zone

C'-foliation
plane

C-foliation
plane

StereonetofofFootwall
FootwallShear
ShearZone,
Zone,Tilden
Tilden
Fig.22Stereonet
Fig.
58

58

�IS
ISTHE
THEJANICE
JANICELAKE
LAKEUNCONFORMITY
UNCONFORMITYAALINK
LINKBETWEEN
BETWEENTHE
THEHEARNE
HEARNE
LAKE
VOLCANIC
ARC?
CRATON
CRATONAND
ANDTHE
THELA
LARONGE
RONGE- LYNN
LYNN LAKE VOLCANIC ARC?
YEO.
YEO,Gary
GaryM.,
M.,Saskatchewan
SaskatchewanEnergy
Energyand
andMines,
Mines, 1914
1914Hamilton
HamiltonSt.,
St.,Regina,
Regina,SK,
SK,

-

S4P 4V4, gary.yeo@sem.gov.sk.ca

The
TheWollaston
WollastonDomain,
Domain,aaNE-trending,
NE-trending, 75km
75 kmwide
widebelt
beltofof2076-1860?
2076-1860?Ma
Maparagneisses,
paragneisses,
overlying
Archean
orthogneisses
along
the
eastern
edge
of
the
Heame
Craton
overlying Archean orthogneisses along the eastern edge of the Hearne Cratonin
in Saskatchewan,
Saskatchewan,isis
separated
from
1910-1875
Ma
arc
volcanics
and
sediments
of
the
La
Ronge
Domain
by (a)
(a)
separated from 1910-1875 Ma arc volcanics and sediments of the La Ronge Domain by
Archean
Archeanorthogneisses,
orthogneisses,poorly
poorlyknown
known supracrustal
supracrustalrocks,
rocks, and
and minor
minor Proterozoic
Proterozoic plutons
plutons of
of the
the
Peter
PeterLake
LakeDomain,
Domain,(b)
(b)1855
1855Ma
Mamonzogranite
monzograniteto
toquartz
quartzdiorite
diorite of
of the
the Wathaman
Wathaman Batholith,
Batholith, and
and
(c)
(c)the
theRottenstone
RottenstoneDomain,
Domain,aamigmatitic
migmatiticbelt
beltof
of sediments,
sediments,similar
similarto
to those
those of
of the
the La
La Ronge
Ronge
Domain,
Domain, intruded
intrudedby
by tonalite.
tonalite. The
Theboundary
boundarybetween
betweenWathaman
Wathaman Batholith
Batholith and
and Wollaston and
Lake
Shear
Zone.
While
this
Parker
Peter
PeterLake
Lakedomains
domainsisisthe
theNeedle
NeedleFalls
Falls-- Parker Lake Shear Zone. While thisisisaafundamental
fundamental
break
breakbetween
betweenancient
ancientcrust
crustto
tothe
thewest
westand
andjuvenile
juvenile crust
crustof
of Trans-Hudson
Trans-Hudson Orogen
Orogen to
to the
the east,
east,
there
thereisisno
noevidence
evidencethat
thatititisisaacollisional
collisionalsuture.
suture.
Within
Within the
theWollaston
Wollastonsupracrustal
supracrustalsuccession,
succession,the
the Janice
Janice Lake
Lake Conglomerate,
Conglomerate, which can
be
traced
discontinuously
for
245
km
along
the
eastern
margin
of
the
belt,
be traced discontinuously for 245 km along the eastern margin of the belt, marks
marks aa major
major
unconformity.
The
conglomerate
is
polymictic,
with
clasts
derived
from
underlying
unconformity. The conglomerate is polymictic, with clasts derived from underlying strata
strata
predominating.
predominating.Locally,
Locally,ititincludes
includesfanglomerate.
fanglomerate.Although
Althoughthe
theconglomerate
conglomeratecannot
cannotbe
betraced
traced
westward,
westward,younger
youngercalc-silicate
calc-silicatebearing
bearingstrata,
strata,locally
locally resting
restingon
on various
various older
olderlithostratigraphic
lithostratigraphic
units,
units,mark
markthe
thepresence
presence of
of aa profound
profound unconformity. AAcorrelative
correlativeunconformity
unconformityhas
hasbeen
been
recognized
recognizedininthe
theManitoba
Manitobasegment
segmentof
of Wollaston
Wollaston Domain,
Domain, another
another200
200 km
km to
to the
the northeast.
northeast.
In
In the
the absence
absence of
of any
any evidence
evidence for
for thermal
thermal uplift (ie. igneous
igneous activity), uplift and
extension
extensionin
in Janice
Janice Lake
Lake time
time must
must be
be due
due to
to mechanical
mechanical flexure
flexure of the crust. AAprobable
probablecause
causeisis
Lynn Lake
tectonic
tectonicloading
loadingof
of the
the eastern
eastern margin
margin of
of the
the Hearne
H e m e craton
craton as
as the
the La Ronge --Lynn
Lake volcanic
volcanic
arc
LaRonge
Ronge-arcconverged
convergedtowards
towardsitit over
overan
an east-dipping
east-dippingsubduction
subduction zone.
zone. Volcanism
Volcanismininthe
theLa
Lynn
LynnLake
Lakearc
arcbegan
beganabout
about1910
1910Ma
Maand
andreached
reachedaa peak
peak about
about 1880
1880Ma.
Ma. Following
Followingarc-craton
arc-craton
collision
collisionat
at about
about1860
1860Ma,
Ma, the
the sense
senseof
of subduction
subductionwas
was reversed
reversed and the Wathaman Batholith
was
was emplaced
emplaced at
at about
about 1855
1855 Ma. Geochemical
Geochemicalevidence
evidencesuggests
suggests that the La Ronge segment of
the
thearc
arcdeveloped
developedin
in aatransitional
transitionalcrust
crust setting,
setting, close
close to
to or
or partly
partly over marginal continental crust.
Tectonic
Tectonic loading
loadingof
of the
the outboard
outboard margin
margin of
of the
the Heame
Heame Craton
Craton would have resulted in an
inboard
flexural
bulge,
with
consequent
normal
faulting
and
erosion
over its crest and deposition
inboard flexural bulge, with consequent normal faulting
of
coarse
clastics
on
its
flanks.
As
convergence
proceeded,
the
bulge
of coarse clastics on its flanks. As convergence proceeded, the bulgewould
would have
have migrated
migrated
cratonward
cratonward and
and died
died out,
out, creating
creatingaa diachronous
diachronous regional unconformity. Preservation
Preservationof
of coarse
coarse
clastics
clasticswould
would be
be favoured
favoured only
only on the
the trailing, eastern flank of the bulge, however. The
The
approaching
approachingvolcanic
volcanic arc
arc would
would have
have become a bather
barrierto
tothe
the open
open ocean,
ocean, and
and accumulation
accumulation of
evaporites
evaporitesand
and carbonates
carbonates in
in the
the resulting
resulting restricted
restricted basin would have been increasingly favoured.
This
by the
the
This hypothesis
hypothesisalso
also explains
explains the
the dramatic
dramatic change
change in sedimentation recorded by
Wollaston
of
Wollastonparagneisses.
paragneisses. Following
Following2100
2100Ma
Marifting,
rifting, the
the widespread
widespread Lower Sequence of
psammopelites,
psammopelites,pelites,
pelites, and
and feldspathic
feldspathic psammites accumulated
accumulated on a passive margin. As
As arcarcahead of
of
craton
craton convergence
convergenceproceeded,
proceeded,coarse
coarseclastics
clastics were
were shed
shedoff
off aa migrating
migrating flexural
flexural bulge
bulge ahead
the
arc.
Upper
Sequence
calc-silicate
rich
strata
subsequently
accumulated
in
the
developing
the arc. Upper Sequence calc-silicate
subsequently
in the developing
foreland basin.
basin.
foreland

59

�-

(a) Rift
Rift Sequence (Courtenay
(Courtenay - Cairns
Cairns Lake
LakeBelt):
Belt):2100
2100 Ma
Ma
Rift

Stretched continental crust

sediments—_

* + t ÷ j* + %+ + L+ +

±

Superior Cratori?

- Hearne Craton

÷+

÷

+ %+ + A+ + + ±1
++

÷

4•

+

Oceanic crust

-

,..,

La Range
Volcanic
Volcanic Arc
Arc
(1910- 1860 Ma)

(b) Lower
LowerSequence:
Sequence:2100
2100- 1880
1880Ma
I

-

(c) Upper Sequence: 1880
1880-1860
1860 Ma
Ma
Restricted basin
Restricted
basin

Uplift and erosion (uncónforrMy)
Uplift
(uncbnformity)

(d) Cord illeran Margin: 1860 - 1830 Ma
Foreland sedimentation

tharnan
(1855 Ma)

Reference
Reference
+'&gt;,

: &lt;;s

Yeo, ci.
G. 1998.
1998 A systems tract approach
oach to
totthe stratigraphy of paragneisses
isses in
in the
the southeastern
southeastern
Wollaston Domain:
Wollaston
Domain: Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan Energy
Energy and
and Mines,
Mines, Misc.
Misc. Rep.
Rep. 98-4,
98-4, p36-47.
p36-47.

60

�LOW-RESOLUTION
OFF EARLY
PROTEROZOJC
LOW-RESOLUTION SEQUENCE
SEQUENCE STRATIGRAPHY
STRATIGRAPHY O
EARLY PROTEROZOIC
PARAGNEISSES,
PARAGNEISSES, WOLLASTON
WOLLASTON DOMAIN,
DOMAIN, SASKATCHEWAN
SASKATCHEWAN

YEO,
Saskatchewan
YEO, Gary
Gary M.,
M.,
SaskatchewanEnergy
Energy and
andMines,
Mines,1914
1914Hamilton
HamiltonSt.,
St.,Regina,
Regina,SIC,
SK. S4P
S4P4V4,
4V4,
gary.yeo @sem.ov.sk.ca

The Wollaston
Wollaston Domain
75 km
km wide
wide belt
belt of
of of
of early
early Proterozoic
Proterozoic paragneisses,
paragneisses,
The
Domain is
is aa NE-trending,
NE-trending, 75
overlying
Archean orthogneisses
the eastern
eastern edge
edge of
of the
overlying Archean
orthogneisses along
along the
the Hearne
Hearne Craton;
Craton; west
west of
of the
the TransTransHudson
Hudson Orogen.
Orogen. Bimodal
Bimodal volcanics
volcanics near
near the
the base
base of
of the
the paragneiss
paragneiss succession
succession give
give aa U-Pb
U-Pb zircon
zircon
age
granitic plutons
plutons range
range from
from 1.81
to 1.84
Ga. A
age of
of 2.08
2.08 Ga.
Ga, while
while minor
minor gabbro
gabbro and
and granitic
1.81 to
1.84 Ga.
A threethreeyear,
year, 1:20,000
1:20,000 scale
scale mapping
mapping project
project was
was begun
begun in
in 1997
1997in
in the
the southern
southern part
part of
of Wollaston
Wollaston
Domain
Domain to
to improve
improve understanding
understanding of
of the
the stratigraphy
stratigraphy and
and structure
structure of
of the
the guesses,
gnesses, which
which underlie
underlie
the unconformity-type
unconformity-type uranium
the
uranium deposits
deposits of
of Athabasca
Athabasca Basin.
Basin. A
A basic
basic strategy
strategy of
of the
the project
project is
is to
to
map
outward
from
Archean
inliers
so
as
to
be
able
to
work
out
the
stratigraphic
succession
in
map outward from Archean inliers so as to be able to work out the stratigraphic succession in
spite of
of complex
complex deformation
deformation and
spite
and high
high metamorphic
metamorphic grade.
grade.

Four
episodes of
of regional
regional deformation
deformation can
can be
be distinguished.
distinguished. D
Dll involved
Four episodes
involved isoclinal
isoclinal
folding, local
local basement
basement ovenhmsting,
overthrusting, and
and transposition
transposition of
of primary
primary layering
layering into
into the
the SSIl foliation,
foliation.
folding,
D2 involved
involved tight
tight to
D2
to isoclinal
isoclinal folding
folding about
about NE-trending
NE-trending axes,
axes, superposition
superposition of
of aa strong
strong 52
S2
foliation, and
and local
local thrust
thrust faulting.
faulting. D3
foliation,
D3 involved
involved local
local open
open folding
folding about
about SW
SW to
to NW
N W axes,
axes, and
and
local
brittle-ductile fault
fault movement.
movement. D4
D4 involved
involved minor
minor sinistral
sinistral offset
offset on
on aa series
series of
of N
N to
to NNW
NNW
local brittle-ductile
trending brittle
trending
brittle faults.
faults.
Two
lower granulite facies)
(upper amphiboIite
amphibolite - lower
Two episodes
episodes of
of high
high T
T -- low
low P (upper
metamorphism
are associated
associated with
Dl and
Peak
with Dl
a n 1)2
d ~ deformation.
def&amp;mation.
2
Peak P-T
PITconditions,
conditions. reached
reached during
during
metamorphisk are
D2,
750°C and
and 55 kbar.
kbar. Along
the
eastern
margin
of
the
belt,
however,
metamorphic
D2, were
were about
about 750Â°
Alone
the
eastern
margin
of
the
belt.
however,
metamorphic
grades are
are relatively
relatively low
lower amphibolite facies).
grades
low (upper
(upper greenschist
greenschist - lower
Two widespread
Two
widespread paragneiss
paragneiss successions
successions are
are distinguished
distinguished in
in Wollaston
Wollaston Domain:
Domain: aa lower
lower
Pelite
Pelite Unit,
Unit, and
and an overlying
overlying Psammite
Psammite Unit.
Unit. These
These can
can be
be subdivided
subdivided into
into at
at least
least eight
eight subunits
subunits
in the
the Foster
Foster -- Daly lakes
area. Two
lakes area.
Tworestricted
restricted successions
successions are
are also
also recognized:
recognized: aa basal
basal package
package
in
(Courtenay Lake
Lake and
(Courtenay
and Souter
Souter Lake
Lake Formations),
Formations). preserved
preserved locally
locally along
along the
the eastern
eastern margin
margin of
of the
the
domain, and the heterogenous Hidden Bay Assemblage of interlayered quartzites, pelites.
domain.
pelites,
amphibolites. calc-silicates,
amphibolites,
calc-silicates, and
and marbles,
marbles, which
which likely
likely overlies
overlies or
or is
is correlative
correlative with
with the
the
Psammite Unit
Unit near
near Wollaston
Wollaston Lake.
Lake. The
demonstrated to
to
Psammite
TheCourtenay
Courtenay Lake
Lake Formation
Formation has
has been
been demonstrated
be a rift succession, while a passive margin
margin setting is inferred
inferred for
for the
the overlying
overlying Pelite and
Attempts to
to determine the depositional setting of individual lithologic units,
Psanunite units. Attempts
Psammite
however, have been restricted to
to the
the low-grade
low-grade rocks
rocks along
along the eastern margin of
of the
the domain.
domain.
Although sequence
Although
sequence stratigraphy
stratigraphy has
has become
become aa standard
standard technique
technique for
for analysis
analysis of
of platform
platform
and craton margin strata, there have been few attempts to apply it to metamorphosed and
deformed rocks.
rocks. As
which
deformed
As demonstrated
demonstrated here,
here, itit has
has great
great potential
potential in
in interpreting
interpreting strata
strata in
in which
obliteration of primary
primary features limits application of facies models or comparison with modern
obliteration
modem
sedimentary environments.
environments.

Two major sequence boundaries subdivide the succession.
succession. The
The unconformity on Archean
basement can be recognized
recognized without
without difficulty.
difficulty. The
Thebase
baseof
ofthe
theJanice
JaniceLake
LakeConglomerate
Conglomerate(Unit
(Unit
Wo) marks a second unconformity.
unconformity. To
To the
the west,
west, where
where the
the conglomerate
conglomerate is
is absent, this
unconformity corresponds to the base
base of
of the
the calcareous rocks
rocks that
that overlie
overlie it.
it. Within each
unconformity
sequence, the mapped lithofacies
lithofacies units can be asigned to a succession of
of systems
systems tracts.
61

�Lower Sequence:
Lower
Sequence:Ferruginous
Ferruginous(garnet),
(garnet),anoxic
anoxic(graphite),
(graphite), muddy
muddy sediments
sediments of Unit
Wna fine upward
upward into aluminous (clay-rich)
(clay-rich) muddy
muddy sediments
sediments of
of Unit
Unit Wnps.
Wnps. Such retrogradation
is
consistent with
transgressive systems
is consistent
with aa transgressive
systems tract.
tract. The quartzite
quartzite beds in Unit
Unit Wna may be stormstormgenerated flows. Less aluminous muddy sediments of Unit Wns are transitional through Unit
Wnsp to Unit Wrn
Wm sands. Such a progradational sequence is consistent with a highstand systems
systems
tract.
Upper Sequence:
Upper
Sequence:Polymict
Polymictconglomerate
conglomerateof
ofUnit
UnitWo
Womarks
marksaaperiod
periodof
of uplift
uplift and
and
succession. Although
erosion. Most
Most clasts
clasts are
are derived
derived from the underlying sedimentary succession.
restricted to the eastern margin of Wollaston Domain,
Domain, the Janice
Janice Lake
Lake Conglomerate
Conglomerate can
can be
be
for at
at least
least 245
245 km.
km. This unit is interpreted
interpreted as
as alluvial
alluvial fan
fan deposits.
deposits. Nontraced along strike for
tract. An
marine conditions indicate that it is a lowstand systems tract.
An upward
upward decrease
decrease in
in clastic input
is suggested between calc-silicate
calc-silicate bearing
bearing Unit Wmc
Wrnc and
and calc-silicate
calc-silicate rich
rich Unit
Unit Wnc.
Wnc. This
suggests another transgressive
transgressive systems tract.
tract. The
rocks may
may be evaporitic
The calc-silicate
calc-silicate rich
rich rocks
deposits.
LIthelpay
LuhtMY

C,

0

C
C,

C.
C,

Cl)

IC,
C.

a

Wnc

lnterDretatipn

Gale-silicate
Gale-silicate rocks
rocks

Wrnc

Wo

Transgressive
Transgressive
Systems Tract
Systems
Tract

Gale-silicate -bee ring
Calc-silicate-bearing

arkose

1

I

-

Gale-silicate-bearing
Calc-silicate-bearing
conglomerate and arkose

Lowstand
Lowstand
Systems Tract
Systems
Tract

C,

0

C

C,

Wnsp

=

C.
C,

Cl)

Wns

C,

-I0

Wnps
Wna

I

Arid zone
zone
alluvial fan deposits
alluvial
deposits

Coastal sands
sands

Arkose and subarkose
wbarkose
Highstand
Highstand
Systems Tract
Systems
Tract

Biotite psarn mite

and psammopelite

Transitionat
Transitional shell
shelf sands
sands
and muddy
muddy sands
and

Biotite psammopeiite
psammopelite
and psammite
psammite

Shelf muddy sands
Shell

Sillimanite-cordieriteiimanite-cordieritebiotule
psammopelite
biotite ~
sammo~eiite
and psammite
Graphite-garnet-biotute
psammopelite and
psammopeiite
and pelite
pelite
with quartzite interbeds

shell muddy
Outer shelf
muddy sands
sands
and sandy muds

Transgressive
Transgressive
Systems Tract

Unconformity
strain zone)
(and high
high strai
Unconformity (and

Basement

1

Carbonate-cemented
Carbonate-cemented
coastal sands
coastal

Uplift
Uplift and
and erosion
erosion

Unconformity
Unconformity

Wrn

Sauna or restricted
restricted basin
basin
Salina
calcareous sediments
calcareous
sediments and
and
evaporites
evaporites

Anoxic shell
shelf muds
muds
and
and sands
sands

Uplift and erosion
erosion

Granitoid rocks
rocks with
with local
local
amphibolite,
amphibolite, metased.
metased.
xenoliths,
chsrnockie
xenoliths, and charnockile

References
Delaney. G
GD..
and Tisdale.
Tisdale, D
D., 1997,
Geological investigations
investigationsof
ofthe
theCounenay
CourtenayLake.
Lake.
D Jankovic,
Jankovic, Z.,
Z . MacNeil,
MacNol. A..
A . McGowan,
McGowan. J..
J .and
1997. Geological
Cairnss Lake Fold Belt and the H
Hill
Embayment, Johnson
Johnson River
River Intier.
Intier, Wollasion
Wollaston Domain.
Domain, northern
northern Saskatchewan.
Saskatchewan:
C
i l l Lake Embayment,
Saskatchewan
SaskatchewanEnergy
Energy and
and Mines,
Mines. Misc.
Misc Rep.
Rep 97.4.
97-4,p90-1O1.
p90-101
Tran,
G.M.,
Geology of
of the
the Burtudge
BurbidgeLake
Lake'- northern
Lake area,
aica. eastern
eastern Wollaston
Domain
Yeo, O
M . . 1997.
1997. Geology
northern Upper
Upper Foster Lake
Wollasion D
omn
Tran, H.T.
H T and
and Yeo,
(NTS
74A-14):
Saskatchewan
Energy
and
Mines.
Misc.
Rep. 97-4.
97.4. p72-89.
N T S 74A-14)- Saskatchewan
Tran,
H.T.,
Yco,
G.,
Bradley.
S.
and
Lowry,
Jl*,
1998.
Geology
of
the
Daly-suttle-Middle
Foster
lakes
asea,
eastern
wollaston
S. and Lewry. J.F. 1998.
o f the My-Sutile-Middle
area. eastern Wollasion
Tran. H.T.. Yeo. G..
and.12):
-12)Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan Energy
E n e m and
and Mines,
Mmcs, Misc.
Misc Rep.
Rep 98-4. p36-47.
Domajn (NTS
Domain
(NTS 74A-5,
74A-5, -I
-Il.I,
and
p36.47.
paragneisses iinn the
the southeastern
southeastern Wollaason
Domain: Saskaichewal
Saskatchewan
G., 1998.
A systems
systems tract approach to
to the stratigraphy of
of para&amp;sses
Yeo, G..
1998, A
~oliaston
Domain:
Energy and Mines,
Misc, Rep. 98.4.
Mines. Misc.
984. p36.47.
p3647.

.

.

62

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                    <text>Trip 1: Early
EarlyProterozoic
Proterozoic Strata
Strata
of the Maquette
Marquette Iron
of
Range, Michigan
Ishpeming
Trip 22:: Archean
Arc1
Greenstone
Belt and
Ore,
G01d
Golf Mineralization

H-&lt;o&lt;a

3: Tilden
Trip 3:
Tilden and
and Empire
Empire A tc.*
~ c . \6
6
A\~
Mines
0f the Marquette
Mines of
Marpette
Iron Range, Michigan
Trip 4: Paleozoic andIGlacial
Glacial
Geology from1 Au Train to
to
Grand Marais,3, Michigan

I

on ~Lake
Institute on
ake

Superior Geology
45th
45th Annual
Annual Meeting
Meeting
Ramada
da IInn
nn
Rama
Marquette,,Michigan
Maquette
~ichigan
May 4-8,
4-8, 1999
1999
Sponsored by
Sponsored
Northern
Northern Michigan
Michigan University
and Michigan
University
and
Michigan Technological University

Proceedings Volume 45:
Field Trip Guidebook
Theodore J. Bornhorst, editor

�45TH ANNUAL MEETING
SUPERIOR GEOLOGY
GEOLOGY
INSTITUTE ON LAKE SUPERIOR

Volume 45 consists of

Part
Part 1:
1:Program
Programand
and Abstracts
Abstracts
Part 2:
2: Field
FieldTrip
Trip Guidebook
Guidebook

Reference to material in this volume should follow the example below:
Holm, D., 1999,
1999, Characterization and timing constraints of post-Penokean
Ams, D. and Hoim,
meso-scale structures in the Watersmeet and Republic gneiss domes of northern
Michigan (abst.):
(ahst.): Institute
Institute on
on Lake
Lake Superior
Superior Geology Proceedings, 45th Annual
Meeting, Marquette, MI, v. 45, part 1,
1, p. 2.
2.

Volume 45 Published and distributed by
Institute on Lake Superior Geology
Mark
.G.
Mark Jirsa,
Jirsa, Secretary-Treasurer,
Secretary-Treasurer,I.L.S
I.L.S.G.
Minneosta Geological Survey
2642 University Avenue
St. Paul, MN USA 55114-1057
551 14-1057
(612)-627-4780
email:
jjrsaOOl
@tc.umn.edu
email: jirsaOOl @tc.umn.edu
ILSGwebsite
websitehtto://www.eeo.mtu.edu/ereat
http://www.geo.mtu.edu/great lakes/ilse/
lakes/ilsg/
ILSG

ISSN 1042-9964
1042-9964

All volumes
volumes are
are available for photocopying
All
photocopying costs
costs from
Michigan Technological
Technological University
University Library
Library Archives
Archives

�INSTITUTE ON
LAKE SUPERIOR
GEOLOGY

PROCEEDINGS
Volume 45
45
Part 2: Field Trip Guidebook

�CONTENTS

PROCEEDINGS VOLUME
VOLUME 45
PROCEEDINGS
PART
2: FIELD
TRIP GUIDEBOOK
GUIDEBOOK
PART2:
FIELDTRIP
Editor: Theodore J. Bornhorst

Field Trip 1 :: Early Proterozoic Strata
Strata of the Marquette
Marquette Iron
Iron Range,
Range, Michigan
Leader: W.F.
W.F. Cannon
Early Proterozoic Strata
Strata of the Marquette Iron Range by W.F. Cannon ........................ 22

Field Trip
Trip 2:
2: Archean
Archean Ishpeming
Ishpeming Greenstone
GreenstoneBelt
Belt and
and Gold
Gold Mineralization,
Mineralization,Michigan
Michigan
Leaders: T.J. Bornhorst, D.J. Duskin, R.C. Johnson, R.A.
R.A. Mahin,
Mahin, T.O.
TO. Quigley,
Quigley, and
and G.W.
G.W.
Scott

and
An Introduction to the Archean Ishpeming Greenstone Belt, Michigan by R.C. Johnson and
12
T.J. Bornhorst ..........................................................................................
12
Introduction to the Ropes Gold Deposit in the Ishpeming Greenstone Belt, Michigan
abstracted from R.A. Brozdowski by T.J. Bornhorst, S.E. Bair, and G. W. Scott ............ 29
29
Geologic Field Excursion to the Ishpeming Greenstone Belt by R.C. Johnson and T.J.
T.J.
45
Bornhorst ...............................................................................................
Bomhorst
45
Shear Zones and Gold Mineralization in the South Half of the Ishpeming Greenstone
Belt, Michigan by D.J. Duskin and T.O. Quigley ................................................57
Examples of Gold Mineralization in the Northern Block of the Ishpeming Greenstone
97
Belt by T.O. Quigley and R.A.
R.A. Mahin ...............................................................
97

of the
the Marquette
Marquette Iron Range, Michigan
Field Trip 3: Tilden and Empire
Empire Mines of
Leaders: G.W. Scott, P.M. Nordstrom and H.M. Lukey
Geologic setting of the Tilden and Empire Mines, Michigan by T.J. Bornhorst ............ 108
108
Geologic Field Trip to the Tilden Mine by G.W. Scott and H.M. Lukey .................... 114
114

Geologic Field Trip to the Empire Mine by P.M. Nordstrom ..................................129
129

Trip 4: Paleozoic and
and Glacial
Glacial Strata
Strata from Au
Au Train
Train to Grand
Grand Marais,
Field Trip
Marais, Michigan
Michigan
Leaders: R.S. Regis
and
J.
Anderton
Regis and J. Anderton
Paleozoic and Glacial Geology from Au Train to Grand Marais, Michigan
by R.S. Regis and J.
J. Anderton ......................................................................136
136

�Field Trip
Trip11
Early
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic Strata
Strataof
of the
the
Marquette
MarquetteIron
IronRange,
Range,Michigan
Michigan

Leader:
Leader:W.F.
W.F. Cannon
Cannon

2

�FIELD TRIP #1
EARLY PROTEROZOIC
PROTEROZOICSTRATA
STRATA OF
OF THE
THEMARQUETTE
MARQUETTEIRON
IRONRANGE
RANGE
LEADER: W.F.
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
W.F.CANNON,
CANNON, U.S. GEOLOGICAL
INTRODUCTION
preserved in the Marquette Iron Range
Early Proterozoic strata of the Marquette Range Supergroup preserved
the south edge of the
the Archean Superior craton.
record the tectonic evolution of a continental margin along the
That evolution spans an imprecisely known period culminating in suturing with volcanic arcs to the south at
about 1855 Ma.
Ma. Lower
the Chocolay
Chocolay Group
Group(Stops
(Stops1,2,3,5),
1,2,3, 5), are mostly a sequence of
Lower parts
parts of the section, the
pure quartzite, dolomite, and shale believed to have formed in a stable cratonic setting. They
They were
were deposited
deposited
now most commonly a fault (Stop I).
unconformably on Archean greenstone and granite, but the contact is now
1).
A low angle unconformity separates the Chocolay Group from the overlying
overlying Menominee Group (Stop 5).
The Menominee Group consists of a basal quartzite-shale unit (Stop 5) overlain
overlain by the principal
principal ironproducing unit in the range, the Negaunee Iron-formation
The Menominee
Menominee Group
Groupwas
was
Iron-formation (Stops 6, 7, 10). The
deposited in actively subsiding grabens, probably on the rifting continental margin, although a foreland
researchers in
in the
the region.
region. Strata
basin setting is possible and is favored by some current researchers
Strata of
of the
the Baraga
Baraga
9, 11) are widely accepted
accepted as products
products of sedimentation
sedimentation in
in aa foreland
foreland basin
basin during
during
8,9,
Group (Stops 4, 8,
preserved in
in northern
northern Wisconsin.
Wisconsin. The
accretion of volcanic terranes now preserved
The Baraga
Baraga Group
Group which lies
lies with
with aa
prominent low angle unconformity
unconformity on rocks of the
the Menominee
Menominee Group
Group (Stop
(Stop 4),
4), is
is composed
composed mostly
mostly of a
prominent
turbidite sequence of graywacke and shale (stop 11),
and conglomerate
conglomerate (stop
(stop 4),
4), lesser
1I), quartzite and
lesser black
black shale
shale
(stop 8), and minor volcanic rocks
rocks (stop
(stop 9).
9).
The Marquette Iron Range
Range is
is aa complexly
complexly folded
folded and faulted,
faulted, gently
gently west-plunging
west-plunging synclinorium
synclinorium
composed of strata of the Marquette Range Supergroup and intrusive
intrusive diabase
diabase sheets.
sheets. Deformation
Deformation occurred
occurred
during the Penokean orogeny at about 1850
Ma.
The
synclinorium
is
bounded
on
both
the
north
and
1850 Ma, The synclinorium is bounded on both the north and south
south
by Archean volcanic and granitic rocks, which are most
most commonly in
in fault
fault contact
contact with
with the
the Early
Early
Proterozoic strata. The
Theintense
intense penetrative
penetrative deformation
deformation seen
seen in
in the
the Early
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic strata
strata isis not
not present
present in
in
the Archean basement rocks, which were last penetratively
deformed in
in Lake
Lake Archean
Archean time.
time. This has led to
penetratively deformed
the interpretation that the Archean rocks behaved as relatively
relatively rigid,
rigid, fault-bounded
fault-bounded blocks
blocks during the
Penokean orogeny, and were structuraliy
highly deformed
deformed Early
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic strata. By
structurally decoupled from the highly
By
that interpretation, the Marquette synclinorium is a graben with
with respect
respect to
to Archean
Archean basement
basement rocks.
rocks. The
synclinorium
synclinorium of
of Early
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic rocks
rocks lies
lies within
within that
that graben.
graben.

localities that
that have
have been
been visited
visited by
by literally
literally
The Marquette area contains many classic geologic localities
thousands of geologists during the past century. The
TheInstitute
Institute on
on Lake
Lake Superior
SuperiorGeology
Geology has
has visited
visited the
the area
area
during several past meetings, but the
the Marquette
Marquette Range stratigraphy has
has not
not been
been examined
examined since
sincethe
the
Twenty-first Annual Meeting in 1975.
1975. This
Thisguidebook
guidebook isis based
based very
very largely
largely on
on the
the guidebook
guidebook prepared
prepared for
for
that meeting and other guidebooks
guidebooks (Cannon
(Cannon and
and others,
others, 1975;
1975; Prinz,
Prinz, and
and others,
others, 1975;
1975;Margeson,
Margeson,1989;
1989;
Morey, 1989).
1989). For
Forthose
thosewho
whohave
havetoured
toured the
the region
region before,
before, the
the stops
stops will
will be
be largely
largely the
the same
same and
and the
the rocks
rocks
familiar; only the interpretations have changed. The stops are arranged,
arranged, to
to the
the extent
extent practical,
practical, to
to view
view the
the
beginning at the base of the
the section
section and
and progressing
progressing up-section.
up-section. To streamline logistics and
stratigraphy beginning
minimize driving distances a few stops are out of proper stratigraphic order.

3

�a

n

-

00

1

1

22

33

44

1

5 miles
5miles

4-

C;

�frt?
+
C-

7p2

5

�Stop 1. Enchantment
EnchantmentLake
LakeFormation
Formationand
andArchean
Archeanvolcanic
volcanic rocks.
rocks.
The Enchantment Lake Formation is
is a discontinuous unit at the base of
of the Marquette
Marquette Range
Range
Supergroup. ItIt consists
arkose, and
and slate.
slate. Most geologists who have studied it
Supergroup.
consists of
of conglomerate,
conglomerate, graywacke, arkose,
believe that itit is of
of glacial
glacial origin,
origin, although
although that
that interpretation
interpretation remains
remains in
in dispute.
dispute. It conformably underlies
underlies
hills immediately
immediately south
south of
of stop
stop 1,
I, but
the Mesnard Quartzite. The
The transition
transition to the Mesnard can be seen in hills
will not be visited on this trip.
hip.
Immediately north of the Old State
State Road are
are several exposures of
of basal
basal conglomerate
conglomerate of
of the
the
fragments of
of tonalitic
tonalitic gneiss
gneiss and
and greenstone.
greenstone. The matrix is
Enchantment Lake Formation, containing fragments
is rich
rich in
in
chlorite. The
The conglomerate
conglomerate can
can be
be seen
seen in
in sharp
sharp vertical
vertical contact
contact with slaty, highly sheared greenstone
greenstone of the
underlying Mona Schist (Archean). About
About 100
100 feet
feet north of the contact, the Mona becomes mostly massive
massive
greenstone. Both
Both the
the greenstone
greenstoneand
and conglomerate
conglomerate are
are strongly
strongly foliated
foliated near the contact and
and steeply
steeply
plunging to vertical lineations
lineations are
are common on
on foliation surfaces.
surfaces.
The contact of the Mona Schist and Enchantment Lake
Lake Formation
Formation has
has been
been interpreted
interpreted as
as aa fault. In
In
addition to the highly sheared rocks along
along the contact,
contact, the two units
units are
are stratigraphically
stratigraphically "back
"back to
to back".
back".
Pillows in the Mona Schist
Schist in
in nearby
nearby outcrops
outcrops are
are uniformly
uniformly north-facing,
north-facing, whereas
whereas the
the Enchantment
Enchantment Lake
Lake
and overlying formations are south-facing. The
present
attitude
of
the
rocks
is
probably
a
result
of
vertical
The present attitude of
rocks is probably a
of vertical
rise of aafault
faultblock
blockof
ofMona
MonaSchist
Schistand
and passive
passive draping
draping of
of the
the Enchantment
Enchantment Lake
Lake Formation
Formation over
over the block.
block.

Stop 2. Mesnard Quartzite
Quartzite and
and Jacohsvitle
Jacobsville Sandstone.
Sandstone.
In this lakeshore outcrop the Mesnard Quartzite, the basal orthoquartzite unit of
of the
the Chocolay
Chocolay
Group, is overlain with
with aa sharp
sharp angular
angular unconformity
unconformity by
by the
the Middle
Middle Proterozoic
Proterozoic Jacobsville
Jacobsville Sandstone.
Sandstone.
strikes eastward and
and dips
dips
White-weathering vitreous Mesnard Quartzite in beds 4 to 88 inches thick strikes
80°S
to vertically.
vertically. Cross
80's to
Cross beds
beds and
and ripple
ripple marks indicate top direction to the south, in conformance with the
position of the quartzite on the north limb
limb of the Marquette synclinorium. Reddish Jacobsvillle
Jacobsvillle Sandstone
Sandstone
dips 10-15°
10-15' eastward to southeastward and the contact with the Mesnard is visible at several places on
on the
the
outcrop. Patches of Jacobsville are plastered against the north side
of
the
quartzite
outcrop,
and
on
the
south
side
outcrop, and on the south
side the contact is steep. Evidently
Evidently during
during deposition
deposition of
of the
the Jacobsville,
Jacobsville, the Mesnard at this locality formed
formed
a low topographic ridge, much as it does now. Flat-lying
Flat-lying Jacobsville
Jacobsville is
is on the flank of Mt. Mesnard, about
about
3/4
miles west of here and 370 feet above current lake level, which indicates a pre-Jacobsville topographic
Vs
miles
relief and ruggedness approximately the same
same or
or greater than that adjacent to the present
present shore
shore of
of Lake
Lake
Superior.
Superior.

3. Kona
Kona Dolomite
Dolomite
Stop 3.
on the
the Mesnard
Mesnard Quartzite.
Quartzite. The formation is mostly dolomite,
The Kona Dolomite lies conformably on
fine- to
to medium-grained
medium-grained clastic
clastic rocks.
rocks. The outcrops on the north
siliceous dolomite, and lesser amounts of fineside of the highway show exceptionally
exceptionally well preserved sedimentary textures indicative of
of aa shallow
shallow water
water to
to
intratidal environment, probably open tidal
tidal flats at
at this
this stratigraphic
stratigraphic interval.
interval. Many beds are algal
carbonates with large stromatolites
stromatolites exceptionally well displayed and accentuated by differential
differential weathering.
weathering.
visitors. Other
Please help preserve these features for future visitors.
Other well preserved features
features include dessication
and rip-up
structures, ripple marks, and
rip-up beds
beds probably
probably produced
produced by tidal currents.

6

�4. Goodrich Quartzite
Stop 4.
This stop, for the sake of economizing
economizing driving
drivingtime,
time, isisnot
notininproper
properstratigraphic
stratigraphicorder.
order. We
We have
have
temporarily skipped over the Menominee Group and will examine the basal conglomerate of the Baraga
Group. At
At this
this stop,
stop,just
just south
southof
ofthe
the village
village of
of Palmer
Palmer and
and near
near the
the old
old Isabella
Isabella Mine,
Mine, coarse
coarse conglomeratic
conglomeratic
Goodrich Quartzite are exposed.
exposed. The
rocks forming the lower part of the Goodrich
The Goodrich
Goodrich Quartzite,
Quartzite, the
the basal
basal unit
unit
of the Baraga Group, unconformably overlies the Negaunee Iron-formation. Here
Here aa basal
basal conglomerate
containing clasts of iron-formation
iron-formation as
as much as 0.5
0.5 m
m diameter can be seen.
The angular
angular clasts
clasts have
have features
features
seen. The
indicative of brittle fracturing, implying that the Negaunee
Negaunee was
was well
well lithified
lithified prior
prior to
to the
the time that
that these
clasts were eroded. Well
Wellrounded
rounded clasts
clastsof
ofvein
vein quartz
quartz are
are also
also common,
common, most
most likely
likely derived
derived from
from aa locally
locally
exposed basement
basement terrane.
terrane. The
lack
of
other
basement
rock
types
in
clasts
may
mean
that
the
surface
of
The lack of
in clasts may mean that the surface of
vein material
material persisted
persisted in coarse fragments. The
exposed basement rocks was deeply weathered so that only vein
The
exposures seen here are only a few feet above the unconformity and
and Negaunee
Negaunee Iron-formation
Iron-formation was mined
from small pits immediately
immediately south
south of
of the
the outcrop.
outcrop.
Conglomerate
Conglomerate units such as seen here are typically lenticular. They range up to a few hundred feet
thick locally but pinch out along strike so that quartzite commonly lies on the Negaunee with
with little or no
conglomerate. The
Thecoarse
coarseconglomerate
conglomeratelenses
lenses may
mayhave
have been
been alluvial
alluvial fans
fans along
along the
the scarps
scarpsof
offaults
faultsthat
that
were active during deposition. The
Thefeatures
featuresseen
seenhere
here suggest
suggestaa rather
rather long
long time
time interval
interval across
across the
the
unconformity and renewed deposition during reactivation
reactivation of basement faults. One
One interpretation
interpretation isisthat
that the
the
Menominee Group was deposited during continental
margin and that the Baraga Group,
continental breakup on a rifting margin
beginning with the Goodrich Quartzite, was deposited
deposited in
in aa foreland
foreland basin
basin at
at the
the outset
outset of
of collision
collision with
with
volcanic terranes now
now seen
seen in
in northern
northern Wisconsin.
Wisconsin.

5. Chocolay Group and lower
Group (Ajibik Quartzite
Quartzite and Siamo Slate)
lower part
part of
of Menominee Group
Stop 5.
The series of roadcuts along U.S. Highway
much of the
the stratigraphy
stratigraphy of the
the lower part of
Highway 41 exposes much
the Marquette Range Supergroup. The
Theeasternmost
easternmost cut
cut shows
shows aa few
few tens
tens of
of feet
feet of
of green
green chloritic
chloritic slate
slate
Formation. Here
mapped as the upper part of the Enchantment Lake Formation.
Here the
the Enchantment
Enchantment Lake
Lake differs
differs
significantly from that seen at stop I1 in
in being
being much
much thinner, probably not much thicker than the section
section
exposed here, and it lacks conglomerate beds. The
The Enchantment
Enchantment Lake
Lake grades
grades over
over aa few
few feet
feet into
into the
the
overlying vitreous quartzite of the Mesnard
Mesnard Quartzite, essentially similar
similar to
to that
that seen
seen at
at stop
stop 2.
2. The
The Ajibik
Ajibik
Quartzite is exposed in the next set of roadcuts to the west. Although
Although similar
similar in
in appearance
appearance to
to the
the Mesnard,
Mesnard,
the Ajibik in general is somewhat more feldspathic. The
The geology
geology near
near here
here was
was mapped
mapped in
in detail
detail by
by Willard
Willard
Puffett
Puffen to document the rdationship
relationshipbetween
between the
the two
two quartzite
quartzite units.
units. Puffett
Puffett was
was able
able to
to trace
trace aa distinctive
distinctive
granule bed, about 10
Ajibik and show that the
the Ajibik
Ajibik cuts across the
10 inches
inches thick near the base of the Ajibik
Mesnard at a low angle, demonstrating the angular unconformable nature of the
the contact.
contact. The
The thinness
thinnessof
ofthe
the
Chocolay Group here and the absence of the Kona Dolomite reflect
reflect the westward
westward beveling of the group by
the Ajibik. Within
Withinaamile
milewest
westof
ofhere
herethe
theChocolay
ChocolayGroup
Group isis absent
absent and
and the
the Ajibik
Ajibik rests
rests directly
directly on
on
Archean rocks.
The Ajibik grades upward into the Siamo Slate seen in
in roadcuts
roadcuts about
about 1000 feet
feet farther
farther west
west on the
south side ofthe
of the highway.
highway. The
The Siamo
Siamo is
is a lithologic
lithologic mixture of slate,
slate, arkosic
arkosic quartzite, and graywacke,
generally in beds from a few inches to a few feet thick.
thick. The
The rock
rock here
here has
has aa prominent
prominent cleavage
cleavage that
that dips
dips
southward more steeply than bedding, consistent with the location
location on the north limb
limb of
of the
the Marquette
Marquette
synclinorium. An
An interesting
interesting and
and controversial
controversial feature
feature of
of this outcrop
outcrop is
is lenses
lenses of graywacke that lie
lie within

7

�the cleavage and transect bedding. Various
Variousauthors
authors have
have interpreted
interpreted these
these as
as clastic
clastic dikes
dikes or
or as
as lithified
lithified beds
beds
tectonically forced into
into cleavage
cleavage planes.
planes.

Stop 6.
6. Negaunee Iron-formation (carbonate fades)
facies)
This stop, near the old Athens Mine, shows carbonate
carbonate facies
facies iron-formation
iron-formation typical
typical of
of much
much of
of the
the lower
lower
part of the Negaunee Iron-formation.
Iron-formation. The
here consists
consists mainly
mainly of
of alternating
alternating laminae
laminae of
of
The iron-formation
iron-formation seen here
sideritic carbonate and
5% minnesotaite, which imparts a
and chert,
chert, but
but some
some layers
layers contain
contain as
as much
much as
as 115%
greenish color. Some
Somelayers
layerscontain
contain small
smallamounts
amounts of
of magnetite,
magnetite, but
but in
in general
general the
the rock
rock isis only
only weakly
weakly
foot thick, are
are also
also present
present in
in the exposure.
exposure.
magnetic. Thin
Thin sills
sillsof
ofaltered
altered metadiabase,
metadiabase, less
less than
than aa foot
This exposure provides striking
striking examples of the effects of
of surface
surface weathering
weathering and
and oxidation
oxidation and
and
replacement of sideritic iron-formation.
iron-formation. The
The weathering
weathering has
has taken place in
in the relatively few decades
decades since
since
the road cut (originally a railroad cut) was excavated. Oxidation
Oxidation has
has advanced
advanced inward
inward from
from cracks
cracks and
and
exposed surfaces, first converting
converting layers
layers rich
rich in
in carbonate
carbonate into
into yellow
yellow brown
brown to
to reddish
reddish brown
brown goethitic
goethiticiron
iron
laminae into iron
iron oxide.
oxide. These
oxide, and eventually changing even chert laminae
These surficial
surficial effects
effects are analogous
analogous to
to
those that formed the "soft ores" of the region. The
major
ore
bodies
in
the
eastern
end
of
the
iron
range,
The major ore bodies in the eastern end of the iron range,
including those in the immediate
immediate vicinity
vicinity of
of this stop,
stop, were replacement masses of
of iron
iron oxides
oxides and
and
hydroxides formed by low
low temperature alteration
alteration of
of carbonate
carbonate and
and silicate
silicate iron-formation
iron-formation accompanied
accompanied by
by
dissolution and replacement
replacement of
of chert.
chert.

Stop 7. Negaunee
Negaunee Iron-formation (hematite-jasper
(hematite-jasper fades)
facies)
Classic exposures
exposures of
of the jaspillitic upper
upper part
part of
of the
the Negaunee Iron-formation
Iron-formation are
are seen
seen on
on Jasper
Jasper Knob.
Knob.
These exposures
just north
north of
of the
the major
major fold
fold axis of the
exposures are in
in the central part of the Marquette synclinorium, just
district. The
Theknob
knob itself
itself isison
on aa west-plunging
west-plunging anticline
anticline so
so that the base of the Goodrich
Goodricb Quartzite wraps
around the west end of the knob and is
is exposed in
in some of the fenced mined areas
areas near
near the
the base
base of
of the
the west
west
slope. The
alternating thin
thin beds
beds of
of specular hematite and bright
The iron-formation
iron-formation here
here characteristically
characteristically has alternating
jasper. Specularite
red jasper.
Speculariteplates
plates are
are strongly
strongly oriented
oriented parallel
parallel to bedding in the hematitic layers.

Folds having drag folds on their limbs and themselves being drag folds on the limbs of still
still larger
larger
folds are strikingly shown
shown in
in many
many exposures.
exposures. Fold axes are horizontal
horizontal to
to gently
gently plunging.
plunging. Small breccia
zones are common and appear to lie roughly along axial
axial planes
planes of
of folds.
folds. In these zones fractured jasper beds
are surrounded by crystalline hematite.
hematite,

theories have
have been
been advanced
advancedfor
forthe
theorigin
originofofthejaspillite.
oxidation of
Two theories
the jaspillite. One advocates oxidation
siderite-chert iron-formation
iron-formation during the post-Negaunee erosional interval and its recrystallization
recrystallization to
to
Penokean deformation
deformation and
and metamorphism.
metamorphism. This theory accounts for patches of
specularite-jasper during Penokean
specularite-jasper within carbonate facies iron-formation near contacts between the two rock types,
types, as,
as, for
for
example, in the Cliffs Shaft mine about '/2
¼ mile
mile to
to the
the west.
west. The second theory advocates a primary origin
for the hematite and jasper in
in a more
more oxidizing
oxidizing depositional
depositional environment than that responsible
responsible for
for carbonate
carbonate
iron-formation. The
Theeven-bedded
even-bedded and
and thin-bedded
thin-bedded nature
nature of
of the jaspillite on Jasper Knob is very similar to
iron-formation. ItIt contrasts
the bedding characteristics of carbonate iron-formation.
contrasts sharply
sharply with wavy bedding and oolitic
structure common
common in
injaspillite
jaspillite elsewhere
elsewhere in the district.
district. At
At the
the Kloman
Kloman Mine, near Republic (stop 10),
lo), a
convincing case can be made
made for aa primary
primary depositional
depositionalorigin
originofjaspillite.
ofjaspillite. Here, at Jasper Knob, an origin
origin
by oxidation of carbonate iron-formation
iron-formation is more possible.

8

�Stop 8. Michigamme
Michigamme Formation,
Formation, lower
lower slate
slate member.
member.
black sulfidic slate well
well represented by the
The lower part of the Michigamme Formation consists of black
outcrops along the south side of Highway 41. This
Thisoutcrop
outcropisisnear
near the
the axis
axisof
of the
the Marquette
Marquette synclinorium,
synclinorium.
Subtle beds show mostly low dips and gentle folds with nearly horizontal axes. A
A steep
steepaxial
axial plane
planecleavage
cleavage
is well developed. Very
Very fine-grained
fine-grained pyrite
pyrite is
is abundant in many beds. This
This black
black slate
slate facies
facies lies
lies on
on the
the
Goodrich Quartzite and is overlain by the Greenwood Iron-formation
Iron-formation Member, a lean silicate-magnetite
iron-formation.
iron-formation.

Stop 9. Michigamme
Michigamme Formation,
Formation, Clarksburg
ClarksburgVolcanics
Volcanics Member.
Member.
The Clarksburg Volcanics is
is a local unit resting on the Greenwood Iron-formation Member. The
volcanic rocks are restricted to the south limb of the Marquette synclinorium, where they are exposed along
length of about
about 15 miles
miles and
and range
range up
upto
toabout
about 1I mile
mile thick.
thick. The absence of volcanic rocks on the
a strike length
away, shows that
that deposition
deposition in
in the
the Marquette trough
trough
north limb of the synclinorium, only a few kilometers away,
was very assymetrical at this time and
and that
that the
the trough
trough was
was probably
probablymuch
muchdeeper
deeperon
onthe
thesouth.
south. Lenses of
lean iron-formation
horizons throughout
throughout the
the volcanic
volcanic section
section indicate that
that
iron-formation at numerous stratigraphic horizons
volcanism was mostly or
or entirely
entirely submarine.
submarine.
The volcanics are almost exclusively mafic and pyroclastic.
pyroclastic. This
This outcrop
outcrop along
alongthe
the north
north side
sideof
ofthe
the
which layering is shown
shown distinctly by
by variations in
abandoned railroad grade is representative of the unit in which
highly vesicular mafic rock,
rock, and
and the
the matrix is rich in
fragment size, most fragments are angular pieces of highly
carbonate minerals. Fragments
of
argillite
and
chert
are
also
present.
Rocks
here
are
Fragments of argillite and
Rocks here are metamorphosed
metamorphosed to
to
garnet grade and original mafic minerals are converted to amphibole and biotite.
biotite. In
In spite
spite of
ofthe
the
recrystallization, original igneous textures are very well preserved, even at microscopic
microscopic scales. Low
Low
outcrops south of the railroad grade show lean, impure iron-formation
typical of lenses that
that are widespread
iron-formation typical
in the
the Clarksburg Volcanics.
Volcanics. The rocks consist of
of alternating
alternating layers
layers of
of magnetic
magnetic biotite
biotite argillite
argillite and
and siliceous
in
beds with abundant
abundant fine-grained
fine-grained muscovite.
muscovite.

Stop 10. Negaunee Iron-formation at
a t Kioman
Kloman Mine.
Mine.
the Negaunee
Negaunee Iron-formation.
Iron-formation. Interbedded
Exposures here are of the uppermost units of the
Interbedded on
on aa scale
scale
iron-formation, aa wavy-bedded,
wavy-bedded, oolitic
oolitic jaspillite
jaspillite
of one to three feet are two contrasting lithologic types of iron-formation,
and even-bedded cherty grunerite-magnetite
gmnerite-magnetite iron-formation. The
The features
features seen
seen in
in this
this exposure
exposure were
were
instrumental in Hal James' formulation
formulation in
in the 1950's
1950'sof
ofhis
his concepts
concepts of
of sedimentary
sedimentary facies
facies of
ofiron-formation
iron-formation
mineral assemblages
assemblages during
during high
high grade
grade metamorphism.
metamorphism. A
as well as oxygen-buffering by contrasting mineral
A
critical feature
feature very well shown
shown here
here isis aa correspondence
correspondence between
between bedding
bedding characteristics
characteristics and
andoxidation
oxidation
state. Relatively
Relatively reduced
reduced rocks,
rocks, now
now grunerite-magnetite
grunerite-magnetite assemblages,
assemblages, are invariably
invariably in thin, even beds,
beds,
probably reflecting deposition in
in quiet,
quiet, poorly
poorly oxygenated
oxygenatedwater.
water. Interbeds ofjaspillite
ofjaspillite invariably
invariably show
show
irregular wavy
wavy beds and oolites are common,
common, especially
especially in
in thicker
thickerjasper
jasper beds.
beds. These
These units are
are believed
believed to
to
formed in agitated, more oxygenated
oxygenated water.
water. James
have formed
James used
used this correspondence of sedimentary
sedimentary features
features
and mineral assemblages to argue
argue that the different
different lithologies
lithologies and
and their oxidation
oxidation states,
states, although
although
metamorphosed to sillimanite grade
grade here,
here, still
still reflect
reflect differences
differences in
in primary
primary depositional
depositional settings.
settings.

9

�Stop 11. Michigamme
Michigamme Formation.
the Michigamme
Michigamme Formation
Formation in
in the
the axis
axis of the
the
This roadcut shows very highly deformed
deformed schist of the
northwest-plunging Republic trough. The
The rock
rock here
here consists
consists of
of iron-rich
iron-rich metasediments, now
now consisting of
of
biotite-garnet-amphibole schist. The
The light-colored
light-colored bladed
bladed amphibole
amphibole is
is commonly
commonly mistaken for
for sillimanite,
sillimanite,
but although this exposure is
is within the sillimanite
sillimanite metamorphic zone, detailed petrographic
petrographic examination
examination
failed to find sillimanite in this outcrop. Thicker
has failed
Thicker beds,
beds, up
up to a few
few inches,
inches, of impure
impure quartzite form
form
readily traceable marker beds
and
reveal
very
tight
folds
with
amplitudes
many
times
greater
than
beds and reveal very
folds with amplitudes many times greater than
wavelength, and highly attenuated limbs. Fold
Fold axes,
axes, even
even in
in adjacent
adjacent folds,
folds, diverge
diverge by
by as
as much
much as
as 600.
60'. The
The
compression of
of the
the metasediments
metasediments between
between two
two blocks
blocks of
of
very tight folding is caused, in large part, by compression
Archean gneissic rocks that flank
flank the Republic
Republic trough on
on the northeast
northeast and
and southwest
southwest sides.
sides.

References
Cannon, W.F., Gair, J.E., Klasner, J.S., and Boyum, B.H., 1978, Marquette
Marquette Iron
Iron Range:
Range: Twenty-First
Twenty-First
Annual Institute on Lake Superior Geology, Field Trip Guidebook, p. 125-173.
125-173.

Prinz, W.C., Gair, J.E., and Cannon, W.F., 1975,
1975, Greenstone: Twenty-First Annual Institute
Institute on
on Lake
Lake
p.41-85.
Superior Geology, Field Trip Guidebook, p.
41-85.
and metal
metal occurrences,
occurrences, Michigan's
Michigan's upper peninsula: Society of
Margeson, G.B., 1989, Precambrian
Precambrian geology and
Economic Geologists
Geologists Fall Field Conference, 154
154 p.
Morey, G.B., 1989,
28"' International Geological
1989, Early Proterozoic rocks of the Great Lakes region: 28th
63 p.
Congress Field Trip Guidebook T145,
T145,63

10

�Field
Field Trip
Trip22
Archean
ArcheanIshpeming
IshpemingGreenstone
GreenstoneBelt
Beltand
andGold
Gold
Mineralization,
Mineralization,Michigan
Michigan

Leaders:
Leaders:T.J.
T.J.Bornhorst,
Bornhorst,DJ.
D.J.Duskin,
Duskin,ftC.
R.C.Johnson,
Johnson,R.A.
R.A.
Mahin,
Mahin,T.O.
T.O.Quigley,
Quigley,and
andG.W.
G.W.Scott
Scott

11

�An Introduction
Introduction to
to the
the Archean
Archean Ishpeming
Ishpeming Greenstone
GreenstoneBelt,
Belt,
Michigan
Michigan
Rodney
Johnson &amp;
&amp; Associates,
Associates, Inc., 1550
1550 Baldwin
Baldwin Ave.,
Ave., Negaunee,
Negaunee, MI
MI
Rodney C. Johnson, Rod Johnson
49866 Theodore
of Geological
Theodore J.
J. Bornhorst,
Bornhorst, Department
Department of
Geological Engineering
Engineering and
and Sciences,
Sciences,
Michigan Technological
Technological University,
University, Houghton,
Houghton, MI
MI 49931
49931

Introduction
Introduction
The Ishpeming
belt (IGB)
(1GB)covers
coversan
anarea
area of
of about
about 300
300 km2
km2 and
and is located
Ishpeming greenstone
greenstone belt
located in
Michigan's Upper
Upper Peninsula.
Peninsula. It is
is on
on the
the southernmost
southernmost edge of the Superior
Superior province and is
is
part of the
composed of
of tholeiitic
tholeiitic pillowed
pillowed basalt
basalt
the Wawa
Wawa subprovince
subprovince (Figure 1).
1). The belt is composed
flows and lesser amounts
to felsic volcanic
flows
amounts of intermediate
intermediate to
volcanic rocks
rocks and minor
minor clastic
clastic and
and
chemical sedimentary
sedimentary rocks.
rocks. The 1GB
IGB is about 2,700
2,700 Ma
Ma (Bornhorst
(Bornhorst and
and Johnson,
Johnson, 1998;
1998;
Hammond, 1978).
1978). The
The1GB
IGB is
is north
north of
of the
the Great
Great Lakes tectonic zone, an Archean
Archean continentcontinentcontinent
In Michigan,
the Archean
rocks south
Michigan, the
Archean rocks
south of the
the Great
Great Lake
Lake
continent suture
suture (Sims,
(Sims, 1991). In
tectonic
tectonic zone
zone are composed
composed of old
old Archean
Archean gneiss
gneiss and
and migmatite
migmatite intruded
intruded by younger
younger
Archean granites
granites and
and is
is part
part of
of the
the Minnesota
Minnesota River
River Valley
Valley Subprovince
Subprovince(Sims,
(Sims,1996).
1996).

Tholeiitic to caic-alkalic
calc-alkalic volcanism
volcanism of
of the
the 1GB
IGB belt resulted
resulted from
from north-directed
north-directed subduction
subduction
(Hoffman, 1989; Card, 1990)
Archean time. Successive Archean
Archean accretion resulted in
1990) during Archean
southward younging
younging of
of greenstone
greenstone belts
belts in
in the
the Superior
Superior province.
province. The Great Lakes tectonic
tectonic
zone (GLTZ)
km long
longArchean
Archean paleosuture
paleosuture (Sims,
(Sims, 1991),
1991), the
the most
most significant
significant
(GLTZ) is aa 1,000
1,000km
Archean
boundary within
within the
the U.S.A.
U.S.A. Sims
Archean tectonic
tectonic boundary
Sims (1991)
(1991) has
has studied
studied aasignificant
significant shear
shear
zone, just south
south of
of the
the 1GB,
IGB, that he has interpreted as the only exposed segment of
of the
the GLTZ
GLTZ
(Figure 1). The
buried. A
The Minnesota
Minnesota segment
segment of the GLTZ is buried.
A result
result of
of detailed
detailed and
andregional
regional
field studies,
studies, including
including structural
structural geology,
geology, is
is the
the synthesis
synthesis of
of the
the lithostratigraphy
lithostratigraphyof
ofthe
the1GB
IGB
in close
close proximity
proximity to
to the
the Great
Great Lakes
Lakes tectonic
tectonic zone.
zone.

Structure
Structure
stratigraphic correlation
correlation depends
depends on
on good
good understanding
understanding of
of deformation
deformationhistory.
history.
Accurate stratigraphic
studies have
have shown
shown that
that the
the rocks
rocks of
of the
the 1GB
IGB have been effected by six periods of
of
Recent studies
deformation (Table
(Table 1)(Johnson,
l)(Johnson, 1993;
1993;Nachatilo
Nachatilo and
and Bauer,
Bauer, 1993).
1993).D1
Dldeformation
deformation
Archean deformation
produced
axial-planar cleavage (Johnson
produced recumbent folds with a flat-lying penetrative, nearly axial-planar
and Bornhorst, 1991).
1991). D2
D; deformation
deformation produced large-scale strike-slip
strike-slip shear
shear zones
zones that
that
Dadeformation
deformation produced
produced upright
uprightfolds
folds
define the
the boundaries
boundaries of
of lithostratigraphic
lithostratigraphic blocks.
blocks. D3
define
axial-planar cleavage
cleavage that is
is developed best
best in
in felsic
felsic volcanic
volcanic
(Figure 2) with a near-vertical axial-planar
D4 deformation is associated with the intrusion of late
interflow sedimentary units. D4
and interfiow
trondjhemite-granite suite
suite plutons
plutons that
that reorient
reorient earlier
earlier fabrics.
fabrics. D5
Dsdeformation
deformation produced
produceddipdiptrondjhemite-granite
slip motion in shear
shear zones.
zones. D6
D6 deformation
deformation produced
produced crenulation cleavage,
cleavage, local
local kink
kink bands,
bands,
Archean rocks
rocks of
of the
the 1GB
IGB were not significantly deformed
TheArchean
and strike-slip shear zones. The
Orogeny (Nachatilo
(Nachatilo and
and Bauer,
Bauer, 1993).
1993).
during the Early Proterozoic Penokean Orogeny
strata of the southwest
southwest block (Figure
(Figure 2)
2) form
form aa steeply
steeply west-plunging synformal
synformal
The strata
This fold
foldisisdefined
defined by
by the
the orientation
orientation of bedding. Fieldwork
Fieldwork has
has identified
identified northnorthanticline. This
12

�'

I

'00

700

I

I

700KM

Explanation
Explanation
Phanerozoic
Phanerozoic
111111

-

Precambrian
Precambrian

1----]

Middle Proterozoic
Proterozoic volcanic and sedimentary
sedimentary rocks
rocks
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic sedimentary and volcanic rocks

V//A

-

Grenville front boundary
boundary fault
fault

Sedimentary rocks
rocks

--

Fault

Margins of Great Lakes
Lakes tectonic
tectonic zone;
zone;
short dashed where inferred
inferred or
or covered
covered

greenstone-granite complexes
Archean greenstone-granite
complexes
Archean gneiss
gneiss and
and local
local granitoid
granitoid rocks
rocks

Regional geologic setting of the Archean Ishpeming greenstone belt and Archean
Figure
Figure 1: Regional
Great Lakes tectonic zone.

13

�____

87°30'

-

0

I

T.
50

2 Mi.

0 1 2 3 K m .

N

T.

49
N

++++++

T.

++++++
+++++++

48
N.

46°30

Explanation
Explanation
Mona
Mona Formation
Formation
Upper tuff unit
lapilli-tuff unit
unit and
and lapilli-tuff
IN '1 Basalt flow unit
unit
Kitchi
Formation
Kitchl Formation
Tuff unit and lahar
I- — — —l
lahar unit
unit
Basalt flow unit

Proterozoic
Proterozoic
Sedimentary
Sedimentary rocks
rocks
Archean
Archean
Intrusive Rocks
intrusive
Rocks
Granodiorite
k'."J Granodiorite
Ii Tonalite
Tonalite
Deer Lake
Lake Peridotite
Peridotite
P
Sedimentary Rocks
Rocks
£S&amp;S1 Timiskaming-type
Timiskaming-type sedimentary
sedimentary rocks
Volcanic Rocks
Rocks
Lighthouse
Lighthouse Point
Point Basalt
Basalt
Basalt
Basalt
V//I Reany
Lake
pyroclastic
Reany
Lake
pyroclasticunit
unitand
and
Fire Center mine iron-formation
iron-formation unit
unit
PL.JLJ Nash Creek glomerophyric
glomerophyric basalt unit
unit

a

I\ /1

0
I

I

a

I

Bedding
Bedding
Overturned
Overturned bedding
bedding
Facing of pillows
pillows
'C Plunging anticline
anticline
syncline
'C Plunging syncline
Plunging overturned anticline
anticline
\ Shear zone

&amp;
-

87
f
87+

A

%

Figure 2: Generalized
Figure
Generalized geologic
geologic map
map of
o f the
the Ishpeming
Ishpeminggreenstone
greenstone belt.
belt.

14

�Table
Table1.1.Summary
Summaryofofdeformation
deformationsequence
sequenceand
andvolcanic/magmatic
volcanic/magmaticactivity
activity and
and constraining
constraining age
agedates
datesfor
forthe
the
Ishepming greenstone belt.
belt.

Event
Event
-

Characteristic
Characteristic

Volcanic/Magmatic Activity
Volcanic/Ma~matic
Activity

Age
Dates
Ace Dates

Undeformed post-tectonic
post-tectonic granite
granite

2585 Ma
Ma

D6

Kink
Kink bands
bands with
with north-easterly
north-easterly
striking kink
kmk planes and steeply
plunging hinges

D5
Ds

Dip slip motion along shear
shear
zones.

D4
D4

Folding associated
Folding
associated with
with
intrusion of plutons.
plutons.

D3

Upright
Upright folding.
folding.

Appinite suite

D2

Strike-slip
Strike-slip shearing.
shearing.

Trondjheniite-granite suite
Trondjhemite-granite

DI

Recumbent
Recumbent folding.
folding.

Tonalite suite
Extrusion of mafic and felsic
volcanic rocks.

15

2668.4+2.11-1.8 Ma
2668.4+2.1/-1.8

2705.8+/-1.6 Ma

�northeast-lacing beds in tuffaceous
tuffaceous units on the northern
northern limb
limb of
of th'is
this D3
D3fold.
fold. Tuffs
Tuffs of
and northeast-facing
the southwest block have a well-developed axial planar foliation
foliation (S4.
(53). Pillow basalts of
of the
the
southeast block consistently
consistently young to the north and
and have
have aa poorly
poorly developed
developed cleavage.
cleavage.
Interfiow sedimentary rocks
rocks dip
dip steeply
steeply to
to the
the north.
north. Tuffs that overlie the basalts
basalts have two
Interflow
well-developed cleaviges
cleavages that defini
define a-moderately
a moderately plunging
plunging D3
D3synform.
synform. The
The strata of the
well-developed
sedimentary and felsic volcaniclastic
volcaniclastic rocks define a
north block have been re-folded, and sedimentary
pattern (Johnson
(Johnson and
and Bornhorst,
Bornhorst, 1991).
1991). The low density of
broad Z-shaped outcrop pattern
sedimentary rocks necessitates relying on pillows
pillows in pillow
pillow lava for defining younging
directions (Figure 2). AAwell-developed
well-developed foliation
foliation in
in amphibolite-facies
amphibolite-faciesbasalt
basalt was
was
subsequently refolded by D3 deformation.
deformation. D3
folds are
are upright,
upright, open
open to
to tight
tight and have
D3 folds
shallow to steeply plunging fold axes.
axes.

Stratified Rocks
Stratified
lithostratigraphic blocks that comprise
Bornhorst (1988) subdivided the 1GB
IGB into three lithostratigraphic
comprise
units bounded
boundedby
bydeformation
deformationzones
zones (Figure 3).
3). As
internally consistent stratigraphic units
As aa
whole, the belt is bounded to the south by Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic sedimentary rocks along the
Carp River Falls shear zone, a structure that was active from the Archean
Archean through the
Proterozoic (Puffett, 1974).
1974). The
Thesouthwest
southwest block
block isis bounded
bounded to
to the
the west
west by
by Archean
Archean
granitoid rocks. This
Thiscontact
contact may
may be
be aafault
fault since
since the
the boundary
boundary is
is not
not transitional
transitional lit-par-lit
lit-par-lit
as found near the intrusive greenstone-granitoid
contact of
of the
the north
north block
block of
of the greenstone
greenstone-granitoid contact
belt (Johnson and Bornhorst,
Bomhorst, 1991). The
The Carp
Carp River
River shear zone separates the southwest
interpreted to be a dextral shear zone with uncertain
block from the southeast
southeast block. It is interpreted
displacement. The
stratigraphic displacement.
The dextral
dextral Dead
Dead River
River shear
shear zone separates
separates the two southern
southern
blocks from the north block. The north block is bounded
bounded to the east, north
north and west by
Archean granitoid rocks that have intrusive relationships
relationships with
with the volcanic rocks
rocks (Wilkins
and Bornhorst, 1992;
1992; Johnson and Bomhorst,
Bornhorst, 1991).
1991).
Southwest Block

The southwest block is composed of mafic flows and intermediate to
to felsic volcanic and
volcaniclastic rocks of the Kitchi Formation which are subdivided into
vokaniclastic
into three
three informal
informal units:
units:
basalt flow, tuff, and lahar units (Figure 44 and 5). The
The basalt flow unit, at
at the base of
of the
the
Kitchi Formation is composed of 1,800
1,800 meters of dominantly pillowed basalt flows,
flows, but
but
includes massive basalt flows as well. The
The basalts
basalts are
are dominantly
dominantly magnesian tholeiites
tholeiites
composed of hornblende-actinolite-albite-chlorite-clinozoisite
hornblende-actinolite-albite-chlorite-clinozoisitewith minor amounts
amounts of
of sphene,
sphene,
magnetite, and (or) pyrite. The
The base
base of
of the
the basalt
basalt flow
flow unit
unit is
is in probable fault
fault contact
contact with
with
beds of
of chert and
and dacite
dacite to
to rhyolite
rhyolite tuff
tuff are
are interlayered
interlayered
Archean granitoid rocks. Several thin beds
basalt flow unit. Near
near the middle of the hasalt
Near the
the top
ton of
of the
the basalt flow
flow unit is
is aa 30-meter30-meterplagioclase phenocrysts
phenocrysts up
up to
to 22 cm
cm in
in diameter.
diameter. The
The
thick glomerophyric flow containing plagioclase
uppermost basalt flows intercalate with intermediate
volcanic
rocks
of
the
overlying
tuff
intermediate
overlying
unit.
- - tuff unit.
Formation is composed
composed of
of 5,000 meters
meters of
of tuff
tuff with
with lesser
lesser amounts
amounts
~Thei tuff
e unit of the Kitchi Formation
of interlayered lahar with the thicker beds of lahar separated
separated into
into the
the lahar
lahar unit.
unit. The
The tuff
tuff unit
unit
ash tuffs,
tuffs, dominantly
dominantly calccalcand lithic
lithic tuffs, with minor lapilli-ash and ash
consists of crystal and
alkalic andesite in composition. The
Therocks
rocks are
are schist
schist composed
composed of
of quartz-feldspar-sericitequartz-feldspar-sericitechlorite containing quartz and feldspar phenocrysts.
phenocrysts. Pillowed
Pillowed basalt
basalt flows
flows interfinger
interfinger with
with
16

�T
50
N

T
49
N

T
48
N

4630

R2SW

R2JW
0

R26W
5

111111

R25W

10 KILOMETERS

Explanation
Explanation
Middle Proterozoic
Proterozoic (900-1,600
(900-1,600 Ma)
Ma)

Metavolcanic rocks
Metavolcanic
rocks

LAttJ ,Jacobsville
JacobsvilleSanstone
Sanstone(Midcontinent
(Midcontinentrift
rift system)
system)
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic (1,600-2,500
(I
,600-2,500 Ma)
Ma)
I Sedimentav
Sedimentary rocks
0
rocks of
of Marquette
MarquetteRange
RangeSupergroup
Supergroup

I

Archean

--

- Contact
Contact

+f -

Shear zone
Approximate trace of
of axial
axial
plane of plunging
plunging anticline
anticline

+i
f-

Approximate trace of axial
axial
— plane
planeof
ofplunging
plungingsyncline
syncline

I÷++4 Granitoid
Granitoid rocks
rocks

Figure 3: Lithostratigraphic
Figure
Lithostratigraphicblocks
blocks of the
the Ishpeming
Ishpeminggreenstone
greenstone belt.
belt.

17

�8r4

8fl0

AAA A Y

4t32'30"

66 A

AA

A Aa A A'St'/?s

—4

A

A A A A A A'S {/? z A

A A A A 2-

A A A A A%

M&amp;io -

-

r4

2'

-

A A
'a
a FJA.Je5 A C - -

eq

-, -—

aa

,
V

0lshpemiig

e3cy

0

88 KILOMETERS
KILOMETERS

0

I

Explanation
Explanation
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic

0Undifferentiated
Undifferentiated metasedimentary
metasedimentary rocks
rocks
I

LAAAAAJ

Tuff unit
Tuff
unit

----

Basalt flow
flow unit
unit
Basalt

+

App~ximate
Approximate trace of axial plane
of anticline
anttcl~ne

I

Archean
Archean

- Contact
Contact

Undifferentiated
Undifferentiatedrocks
rocks

—r

Metagabbro
Metagabbro

65

Strike and dip
dip of
of beds
beds

"- Shear
zone
Shear
zone

Deer Lake Peridotite
Peridotite
Kitchi Formation
Formation
Lahar unit
unit

#—

Note: All rocks are metamorphosed
metamorphosed
Figure 4:
4: Generalized geologic map of
southwest block
block of the Ishpming
n s t o n e belt.
Mi.
of the southwest
lshpeming p
greenstone

18

�METERS
METE1
0
0

500
500]

1000
1000

Tuff unit

Lahar unit
unil

unit cc:
Lahar unit

J

Basalt flow
unit

Formation within the southwest block
Figure
Figure 5: Generalized stratigraphy of the Kitchi Formation

of the Ishpeming greenstone
greenstone belt.
belt.

19

�the tuff unit near the top and base of the unit. The
Thelahar
lahar unit
unit of
of the
the Kitchi
Kitchi Formation
Formation isis
composed of
of beds and
and lenses
lenses of
of polymictic volcanic conglomerate containing clasts of thinly
laminated,
laminated, porphyritic,
porphyritic, and
and holocrystaline
holocrystaline rocks that are calc-alkalic andesite to dacite
dacite in
in
composition. The
polymict volcanic
volcanic conglomerates
conglomerates are
are more
more common near the base of the
Thepolymict
tuff unit
unit and
and are
are interpreted
interpreted as
as lahar
lahar deposits
deposits (Bornhorst
(Bomhorst and
andJohnson,
Johnson,1993).
1993).
Southeast
Southeast Block
Block

The southeast
southeast block is
is composed of basalt flows and felsic volcanic and volcaniclastic rocks
of the Mona Formation, which
which is subdivided
subdivided into informal units: basalt flow, lapiffi-tuff, and
and
upper tuff units (Figure 6). The
Thebasalt
basalt flow
flow unit,
unit, at
at the
the base of the Mona Formation, is a
5,500-meter-thick
5,500-meter-thick sequence of pillowed with minor massive basalt flows. The basalts are
dominantly magnesian tholeiite basalt flows. Within the basalt flow unit are thin interfiow
interflow
chert-magnetite iron formations and schistose
schistose quartz-sericite
quartz-sericiterocks
rocks (tuffs).
(tuffs). The most notable
occurrence of interflow sedimentary
sedimentary rocks in the Mona Formation occurs north of the Pine
Hill
Hill Quarry
Quarry (Figure
(Figure 6).
6). At
Atthis
thislocation,
location,chert-magnetite
chert-magnetiteand
andchert-pyrite
chert-pyriteiron-formation
iron-formationare
are
intercalated with graphite and quartz-sericite
schist (tuffs)
(tuffs) as
as interflow
interfiow units.
units. Diamond
quartz-sericite schist
drilling
drilling along
along this interval
interval has indicated that these units have a combined thickness of
approximately
approximately 10
10 meters.
meters. The
Thelapilli-tuff
lapilli-tuffunit
unitoverlies
overliesthe
thebasalt
basalt flow
flowunit
unit (Figure
(Figure7)
7)and
andisis
composed of
calc-alkalic
rhyolite
lapilli
in
a
quartz-sericite-chlorite
matrix
supporting
quartz
of calc-alkalic
quartz-sericite-chlorite
and, less commonly, feldspar phenocrysts. This unit is interpreted as subaqueous pyroclastic
flow and fall
fall deposits
deposits (Bornhorst
(Bornhorst and Johnson, 1993).
1993). The
Thelapilli-tuff
lapilli-tuff unit
unit grades
gradeslaterally
laterally
and vertically into the upper tuff unit. This
quartz-feldspar-sericiteThisunit
unitisiscomposed
composedof
of quartz-feldspar-sericitechlorite
chlorite schist
schist with
with aa bulk
bulk calc-alkalic
calc-alkalic dacite
dacite composition.
composition. It is interpreted as interbedded
tuffs
tuffs and
and volcanic
volcanic derived
derived graywacke (Bomhorst and Johnson, 1993). The
The combined
combined
thickness
thickness of
of these
these felsic
felsicvolcanic
volcanic and
andvolcaniclastic
volcaniclastic units
units isis900
900meters.
meters.
North
North Block
Block

The
The north
north block
block isis composed
composed of
of the
the 3,100-meter-thick
3,100-meter-thick Lighthouse Point Basalt (Figure 8).
8).
The
Lighthouse
Point
Basalt
is
dominantly
pillowed
tholeiitic-magnesian
basalt
flows
with
The Lighthouse Point Basalt is dominantly
with
minor
minor massive
massive flows.
flows. AAglomerophyric
glomerophyric(Nash
(NashCreek)
Creek)basalt
basaltflow
flowoccurs
occursnear
nearthe
thebase
base
(Figure 9).
9). Within
Withinthe
theLighthouse
LighthousePoint
PointBasalt,
Basalt,the
theReany
ReanyLake
Lakepyroclastic
pyroclastic unit
unitisiscomposed
composed
(Figure
of interbedded
interbedded ash
ash to
to lapilli
lapilli ash
ash tuffs
tuffs of
of caic-alkalic
calc-alkalic dacite composition. ItItisisininturn
tumoverlain
overlain
of
by
thinly bedded chert-magnetite
chert-magnetiteiron-formation
iron-formation
by the
the Fire
FireCenter
Centermine
mineiron-formation
iron-formationunit
unit—- aa thinly
with
with lesser
lesseramounts
amountsof
ofassociated
associatedchlorite-magnetite
chlorite-magnetite schist
schistand
andchert-pyrite
chert-pyrite iron-formation.
iron-formation.
Over-lying
Over-lyingthe
the iron-formation
iron-formation isisintercalated
intercalated chlorite-carbonate-feldspar
chlorite-carbonate-feldspar and
andquartz-chlorite
quartz-chlorite
schist
schist (tuffs).
(tuffs). Above
Aboveand
andbelow
belowthe
theiron-formation
iron-formationare
areisolated
isolatedlenses
lensesand
andpods
podsof
ofgraphitegraphitepyrite
pyrite schist.
schist. This
Thisinterval
internalofofsedimentary
sedimentaryrocks
rocksisispoorly
poorlyexposed,
exposed,but
buthas
hasan
anestimated
estimated
thickness
thickness of
of approximately
approximately 100
100meters.
meters. The
TheReany
ReanyLake
Lakepyroclastic
pyroclastic unit
unitalso
alsocrops
cropsout
outinin
the
the vicinity
vicinity of
of Hills
Hills Lakes
Lakes where
where itit is
is composed
composed of lapilli and ash tuffs of calc-alkalic dacite
to
to rhyolite
rhyolite composition.
composition. The
TheLighthouse
LighthousePoint
PointBasalt
Basaltrepresents
representsaasuccession
successionofofsubaqueous
subaqueous
tholehite
tholeliitebasalt
basalt flows
flowswith
with intercalated
intercalated distal
distal to
to nearly
nearly proximal
proximal felsic
felsic volcanic
volcanic rocks
rocks
(Johnson
(Johnson and
andBornhorst,
Bornhorst,1991).
1991).

20

�3fl5

8740

a

4

___
-A

t

.........................

A A A A A A £e/Lt,
——
A A fr - &amp;

DeadRiver
StorageBasin

AA

8t25
87%

87'30

\D

A A.

-- - A A A Ah
—---" A A A A A SMarquette

-_

4632 30 - - - -C4
•

- - - - - - - "s/i
CARP RIVER FALLS SHEAR ZONE

0Negaunee
10lshpeming

4630

10 KILOMETERS
KILOMETERS
j0

5

0

1

Explanation
Explanation

0Undifferentiated
Undifferentiated metasedimentary
rnetasedimentary rocks
rocks

I

I

V//A

Lapilli-tuff unit
unit

Basalt flow unit
unit

ARCH EAN
ARCHEAN

- --

L1 Undifferentiated
rocks
Undifferentiated
rocks

-

Metagabbro
Metagabbro
Mona Formation
Formation

'4-+

unit
LA.AI Upper tuff unit

—

Contact--Dashed where concealed
concealed

Shear zone
Approximate trace of axial
axial plane
plane of
of
plunging syncline
plunging
syncline
Note: All rocks
rocks are metamorphosed
metamorphosed

Figure 6: Generalized geolgic map of
off the Ishpeming greenstone
greenstone belt.
o f the southeast block o

21

�Upper
upper
tuff unit
*tuff
unit

Lapilli-tuff
Lapilli-tuff
unit
unit

METERS
METERS
0

Basalt
Basalt
* flow
flow
unit
unit

500

1000

Figure 7:
7: Generalized
Generalizedstratigraphy
stratigraphy of
of the
the Mona
Mona Formation
Formation within
within the
the southeast
southeast block
block
Figure
the Ishpeming
Ishpeming greenstone
greenstone belt.
belt.
of the

22

�_____
______

______

0

10

5

Explanation
Explanation

0Sedimentav
rocks of Middle and EaW
Proterozoic ages
ages
Sedimentary rocks of Middle and Early

I

Fire Center
center mine iron-formation and
and
Reany Lake pyroclastic
pyroclastic units
units

I

ARCHEAN
ARCHEAN

a
to a a]

Nash
Nash Creek glomerophyric
glotnerophyric basalt
basalt unit
unit
where inferred
- Fault—Dashed
Fault-Dashed where
inferred

---

Reany Creek
Reany
Creek Formation
Formation

Granodiorite near Rocking
Granodiorite
Rocking Chair Lakes
Lakes
Gneissic granite
Gneissic
granite to
to tonalite
tonalite

Strike and dip of overturned
overturned bedding
bedding

%5

+f I..

Lighthouse Point
Lighthouse
Point Basalt
Basalt
Hills Lakes
Hills
Lakes pyroclastic
pyrodastic unit
unit

Shear
Shear zone
zone

—

'-{T -

Approximate
Approximate trace of axial plane
plane of
plunging
plunging anticline
anticline
Approximate
Approximate trace
trace of
of axial
axial plane
planeof
of
plunging syncline
plunging
syncline

Figure 8: Generalized geologic map
map of
of the north block of
of the Ishpeming
Ishpeming greenstone
greenstone belt.
belt.

23

�Local unconformil
unconformity

+

Hills Lakes pyroclastic unit
unit

Main lithology of
Lighthouse Point Basalt

Fire Center mine iron-formation unit
Reany Lake pyroclastic
pyroclastic unit
unit

Nash Creek glomerphyric basalt unit
Base unknown
unknown
Figure 9: Generalized stratigraphy of the Lighthouse Point Basalt within the north block
of the Ishpeming greenstone belt.

24

�Stratigraphic Relationships
Stratigraphic
Relationships Among
Among Lithostratigraphic Blocks
Blocks

Stratigraphic
correlations made across major
maior shear zones are tenuous. The folded rocks in
in the
the
southwest block comprise a steep westward plunging synformal anticline, with tops to
bedding on the north limb facing northward (Figure
(Figure 2).
2). Pillows
Pillows in
in the
the southeast
southeast block
block
consistently
consist&amp;tly young to the north, thus strata
strata of the southeast block could be
be interpreted
interpreted as
as
younger than and overlying strata of the southwest
southwest block.
block. Displacement
Displacement along
along the
the Carp
Carp
River shear zone may have eliminated
eliminated some of
of the
the stratigraphic
stratigraphic section.
section. However, itit could
could
also be argued that the stratigraphy of the southwest and southeast blocks may have been
juxtaposed by thrusting along the Carp River shear zone making stratigraphic relationships
between them indeterminate but evidence for thrusting is lacking.
&amp;

The stratigraphic
stratigraphic units of the north block and the southeast block face each other
other across
across the
the
Dead River Basin,
Basin, but
but are separated
separated by
bythe
theDead
DeadRiver
Rivershear
shearzone
zone (Figure
(Figure 2).
2). The strata
strata of
the southeast block consist of pillowed and massive tholeiitic basalt flows overlain
calcoverlain by
by calcalkalic tuffs and lapilli-tuff.
lapilli-tuff. The
alkalic
The Lighthouse
Lighthouse Point Basalt and the Mona Formation may
represent the opposing limbs of a synform. This
This is
is much
much more
more speculative
speculative than the
stratigraphic correlation between the southeast
southeast and
and southwest
southwest block.
block.
If each block is stratigraphically unique and represents distinct and separate
separate strata,
strata, the
the total
total
stratigraphic thickness is 16,000
16,000 meters. If all three blocks are correlatable with one another,
the cumulative
cumulative thickness
thichess isis 13,000
13.000meters.
meters.

Intrusive
Intrusive Rocks
Rocks
have been
been intmded
intruded by
by multiple
multiple episodes
episodes of
of Archean
Archean mafic and felsic
The rocks of the 1GB
IGB have
magmas. The
and peridotite
peridotite sills.
sills. The gabbros
Theoldest
oldest intrusive
intmsive rocks
rocks are synvolcanic gabbro and
are chemically indistinguishable from the surrounding basalt flows and likely represent
subvolcanic intmsions
intrusions (Bornhorst
(Bornhorst and
and Johnson,
Johnson, 1993).
1993). The Deer Lake Peridotite is intmded
intruded
subvolcanic
between the basalt and tuff units of the Kitchi Formation.
Formation. Contacts with surrounding
volcanic rocks are conformable,
conformable, but lack of quench textures (spinifex), pillow structures,
structures, or
or
other features typical
tpical of ultramafic flows lead to the interpretation of the peridotite body as
as aa
(Bornhorst and
and Johnson,
Johnson, 1993;
1993; Brozdowski,
Brozdowski, 1990,
1990,Bornhorst
Bomhorstet
et al.,
al., 1986).
1986). The
sill complex (Bornhorst
peridotite is lherzolite
lherzolite to harzburgite in composition (Rossell, 1983)
1983) and similar to ultramafic
ultramafk
flows and sills
from
other
Archean
greenstone
belts.
sills from other Archean greenstone belts.
The oldest felsic intrusive
intmsive bodies are foliated diorite to granite gneiss batholiths that intrude
intmde
the margins of the greenstone belt. These
These intrusions
intmsions post-date
post-date mafic volcanism in the
greenstone belt and were deformed along with volcanic rocks during the earliest stage of
quartz-feldspar porphyry dikes cut
deformation. Archean granodiorite to syenite stocks and quartz-feldspar
greenstone belt and
Dzthrough
through D4
D4deformation
deformation
the greenstone
and are
are interpreted
interpreted to
tobe
besynchronous
synchronouswith
withD2
(Wilkin and Bornhorst,
Bornhorst, 1992).
1992).

25

�Discussion
Structural
Stmctural studies
studies in the 1GB
IGB have led to a more accurate picture of stratigraphic
thickness within lithostratigraphic
Iithostratigraphic blocks and
and possible
possible correlations
correlations between
between blocks.
blocks.
Geological studies prior to 1988
1988 (Bornhorst)
(Bomhorst) did not recognize the stratigraphic significance
of lithostratigraphic
Iithostratigraphic blocks. The
Therecognition
recognition of
of the
the synformal
synfonnal anticline
anticline in
in the
the southwest
southwest
block allows the true thickness of the volcanic strata of the Kitchi
Kitchi Formation to be estimated
1,500 meter thickness estimated by Morgan
at 6,800
6,800 meters, a four fold increase
increase over
over the
the ++1,500
and DeCristoforo (1980).
polyphase deformation in the Lighthouse Point
(1980). The recognition of polyphase
Basalt of the north block lead to a thickness estimate of 3,000 meters, compared to an earlier
estimate of 4,500 meters (Morgan
(Morgan and DeCristoforo,
DeCristoforo, 1980).
1980).

The stratigraphy of the 1GB
can be
be compared
compared to
tothat
thatof
ofthe
theAbitibi
Abitibigreenstone
greenstonebelt.
belt. In
IGB can
particular, the volcanic stratigraphy
can
be
compared
to
the
Tisdale
Group,
which
stratigraphy
compared the Tisdale Group, which isis
composed of komatiites and basaltic komatiites at the base overlain
overlain by tholeiitic basalts,
calc-alkalic volcaniclastic
volcaniclastic rocks
rocks (Pyke,
(Pyke, 1982). The Tisdale
subsequently overlain by calc-alkalic
Tisdale Group
Group
has a total thickness of from 950 to 4,000 meters. The
The 1GB
IGB has a similar volcanic
stratigraphy: tholeiitic basalt (the basalt
basalt flow units
units of
of the
the Kitchi
Kitchi and
and Mona
Mona Formations,
Formations, and
the Lighthouse Point Basalt) at the base, succeeded by calc-alkalic volcaniclastic rocks
rocks (the
(the
tuff unit of the Kitchi
Gtchi and
and the upper
upper tuff
tuff unit
unit of the Mona
Mona Formations,
Formations, and
and the
the Reany
Reany Lake
Lake
pyroclastic unit of the Lighthouse Point
Point Basalt).
Basalt). The stratigraphy is even more comparable ifif
the Deer Lake
Lake Peridotite
Peridotite represents
represents subvolcanic
subvolcanic sills
sills analogous
analogous with
with komatiitic
komatiitic volcanism.
volcanism.
Thus, in terms of lithology
lithology and
and thickness
thickness the
the stratigraphy
stratigraphy of
of the
the 1GB
IGB is directly comparable
comparable
to the Abitibi greenstone belt. The
The1GB
IGB represents an Archean volcanic arc assemblage as
characterized
characterized by Thurston
Thurston and
and Chievers
Chievers (1990).
(1990).
The environment of deposition is important in identifying
identifying potential
potential ore deposits
deposits with'in
within the
JOB. Significant occurrences of volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits are not known in the
IGB.
the
1GB.
Chalcopyrite and sphalerite associated with chert in the Reany Lake pyroclastic unit of
IGB. Chalcopyrite
the Lighthouse Point Basalt was interpreted by Johnson and Bomhorst
Bornhorst (1991) as a massive
sulfide deposit incorporated
incorporated in the pyroclastic
pyroclastic flow.
flow. Typically,
Typically, volcanogenic massive
greenstone belts
belts that
that have
have aa greater
greater than
than average
average volume
volume of
of
sulfides are hosted in greenstone
volcanic and sedimentary
sedimentary rocks
rocks (Franklin,
(Franklin, 1990). The
intermediate volcanic, felsic volcanic
The JOB
IGB is
favorable for VMS deposits because of its considerable
considerable stratigraphic
stratigraphic thickness.
thickness. The
The Ropes
Ropes
18901s,and more recently from 1985
1985 to
to 1989,
1989,is
is
gold mine, which was in production in the 1890's,
1990).
controlled by a shear zone (Bornhorst
(Bomhorst et al., 1986;
1986; Brozdowski, 1990).
Card (1990) suggested that the Superior province grew by Archean accretion,
accretion, and
and that
that
of north directed
directed subduction.
subduction. A similar sequence of
Archean volcanism was the result of
of events
events
could explain the Archean geology of the IGB.
1GB. The mafic to felsic volcanism could have
subduction. Extra-belt
been the result of northward directed subduction.
Extra-belt tonalite
tonalite batholiths,
batholiths, intra-belt
intra-belt
granodiorite stocks, and appinite stocks intrude
intrude the
the greenstone
greenstone belt.
belt. The transition
transition from
from
subduction to collision is
is preserved by the volcanic rocks (subduction
(subduction related arc)
arc) and
and by
by
intrusive rocks as described by Wilkin and
and Bornhorst (1992)
(1992) (transition from
from subduction
subduction to
to
collision).

26

�1GBcan
canbe
beplaced
placedininan
ananalogous
analogousmodem
modemenvironment.
environment. As
As a
The volcanic strata of the IGB
directed subduction
subduction thick
thick accumulations
accumulations of pillowed tholeiitic
tholeiitic basalt
basalt flows
flows
result of north directed
(basalt flow units of the Kitchi and Mona Formations and the Lighthouse Point Basalt) were
were
Subsequently, dome
dome complexes
complexes developed
developed on
on the
the mafic
mafic
erupted from shield volcanoes. Subsequently,
shield volcanoes. Subaqueous pyroclastic and lahar flows (tuff and lahar units of the Kitchi
Kitchi
Formation, upper tuff and lapilli-tuff units of the Mona
Mona Formation,
Formation, and
and pyroclastic
pyroclastic units
units of
of
the Lighthouse Point Basalt) erupted
erupted from the dome complexes. The
Therocks
rocksofofthe
the1GB
IGB
Continent-continent collision
collision caused
caused the
the
represent coalescing volcanoes in an arc complex.
complex. Continent-continent
cessation of volcanism
volcanism and
and complex
complex post-deposition
post-deposition deformation.
deformation.

Summary
Summary
The Tshpeming
Ishpeming greenstone belt consists of subaqueous tholeiitic basalt to calc-alkalic
calc-alkalic
rhyolite, 10-15
!an in total thickness.
thichess. U-Pb
U-Pb zircon
zircon data
data establish
establish the
the age
age of
of volcanism
volcanism at
at
10-15 km
2705.8
+1—i .6 Ma
Ma (Bornhorst
Johnson, 1998). The
2705.8+/-1.6
(Bomhorst and Johnson,
The volcanic rocks were enveloped by
tonalite suite
suite plutons just before
before and
and during the beginning of recumbent folding
folding (Table
(Table 1).
1).
Strike-slip
Stnke-slip shear
shear zones
zones and
and the
the deposition
deposition of clastic sediments into pull-apart basins followed
followed
recumbent folding. The
folded. A
The belt
belt rocks
rocks were
were then upright folded.
A trondhjemite
trondhjemite to granite suite
suite
intruded the belt and folded earlier fabrics. The
timing
of
deformation
is
constrained
with
UThe timing of deformation is
with Udata yielding
yielding an
an age
age of
of 2668.4+2.1/-1.8
2668.4+2.1/-1.8 Ma for an intrusion in this suite
suite (Bornhorst
(Bornhorst
Pb zircon data
and Johnson, 1998).
1998). Intrusions
Intrusions of
of hornblendite
homblendite to
to syenite
syenite (appinite
(appinite suite)
suite) and
and continued
continued
movement along shear zones represent
represent the end of
of deformation.
deformation. An undeformed post-tectonic
granite
(Sims,1991).
1991).
granite intrusion
intrusion has
has an
an age
age of
of 2585
2585 (Sims,

These events are readily interpreted in a modem
modern plate
plate tectonic
tectonic context.
context. North-directed
arc. Subduction-related
subduction produced a volcanic arc.
Subduction-related tonalite intruded the arc just prior to
collision of a small
km long
long
small continent
continent from
from the south (southern complex) along the 1000
1000 kin
Great Lakes tectonic zone (suture). Collision
Collision occurred
occurred over
over an
an extended period of time with
multiple deformation and magmatic events.
events. The
The appinite
appinite suite
suite is characteristic of modem
collision-related magmatism.
magmatism. Continuing
Continuingstudies
studiesof
ofthe
the1GB
IGB and
and vicinity
vicinity will
will help
help to
to unravel
unravel
the tectonic evolution
evolution of
of the
the southern
southem edge
edge of
of the
the Superior
SuperiorProvince.
Province.

Acknowledgments
Acknowledgments
We thank
thank Shannon
Shannon E.
E. Bair
Bair for
forcomputer
computerdrafting
drafting of
of the
thefigures.
figures.
We

References
References
T.J., 1988,
1988,Geological
Geological overview
overview of
of the Marquette greenstone
greenstone belt, Michigan
Michigan ThirtyThirtyBornhorst, T.J.,
annual meeting,
meeting, Institute
Institute on Lake
L&amp;e Superior Geology, Field Trip Guide Books,
Books, part
part 2,
2, p.
p,
fourth annual
Al-A31.
ALA3 1.
1998, Archean evolution of the southern
southem edge of the Superior
Superior
Bornhorst, T.J., and Johnson, R.C., 1998,
30, p. AProvince in Michigan: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 30,
159.
159.
and Johnson, R.C., 1993,
1993, Geology of volcanic rocks in the southern half of
of the
the
Bornhorst, T.J. and
U S . Geological Survey Bulletin 1904-P,
1904-P, l3p.
13p.
Ishpeming greenstone belt, Michigan: U.S.
27

�Bornhorst, T.J., Shepeck,
Shepeck, A.W., and Rossell, D.M., 1986,
1986, The Ropes gold mine, Marquette
County, Michigan, U.S.A.-- an Archean hosted lode gold deposit: MacDonald, A.J. (ed),
(ed.),
Proceedings of Gold '86, an International Symposium on the Geology of Gold, Toronto,
p.213-227.
bend, Marquette greenstone
Brozdowski, WA.,
R.A., 1990,
1990, Ropes pyritic gold deposit in a dilational bend,
belt, Michigan: University of Western Ontario, London, Ph.D. dissertation, 592 p.
Card, K.D., 1990,
1990, A review of the Superior Province of the Canadian Shield, a product of
of Archean
Archean
accretion: Precambrian
56.
accretion:
PrecambrianResearch,
Research,v.48,
v.48,p.99-1
p.99-156.
Card, K.D. and Ciesielski, A.,
A,, 1986,
1986, DNAG No.1. Subdivisions of the Superior
Superior Province
Province of
of the
the
Canadian Shield.
Shield. Geoscience
Geoscience Canada,
Canada, v.13,
v.13, p.5-13.
Franklin, J.M., 1990,
massive sulphide
sulphidedeposits,
deposits,inin Ho,
Ho, S.E.,
SE., Robert,
1990, Volcanic-associated massive
Robert, F.,
F., and
and
Groves D.I. (eds.), Gold and
and Base-Metal
Base-Metal Mineralization in the Abitibi
Ahitibi Subprovince,
Subprovince, Canada,
Canada,
With Emphasis
1-242.
Emphasis on
on the
the Quebec
Quebec Segment,
Segment,Short
ShortCourse
CourseNotes,
Notes,p.21
p.211-242.
Hammond, R.D., 1978,
1978, Geochronology and origin of Archean rocks in Marquette County, Upper
Upper
Michigan: University
of
Kansas,
Lawrence,
Kansas,
M.S.
thesis,
69
p.
University Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, M.S. thesis, 69 p.
Hoffman, P.F., 1989,
1989, Precambrian
Precambrian geology and tectonic
tectonic history
history of North America,
America, in
in Bally,
Bally, A.W.,
A.W.,
and Palmer, A.R. (eds.),
(eds.), The geology
geology of North
North America:
America: an
an overview:
overview: Boulder,
Boulder, Colorado,
Colorado,
Geological society
society of America, The Geology
Geology of North America,
America, v.4,
v.4, p.447-512.
p.447-512.
Johnson,
R.C., 1993,
structural, tectonic,
tectonic, and
and economic
economic studies
studies of the
Archean
Johnson, R.C.,
1993, Stratigraphic,
Stratigraphic, structural,
the Archean
Ispheming greenstone belt, Marquette County, Michigan: Michigan Technological University,
University,
Houghton, Ph.D. Dissertation,
Dissertation, 119
119 p.
Johnson, R.C. and Bornhorst,
of the
the Ishpeming
Ishpeming
Bomhorst, T.J., 1991,
1991, Archean geology of the northern block of
Bulletin 1904-F, 20 p.
greenstone belt, Marquette County, Michigan: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin
Morgan, J.P.,
J.P., and
and DeCristoforo,
DeCristoforo, D.T., 1980,
1980, Geological
Geological evolution of the
the Ishpeming
Ishpeming Greenstone
Greenstone
Belt, Michigan,
Michigan, U.S.A.:
U.S.A.: Precambrian Research,
Research, v.11,
v.11, p.23-41.
p.23-41.
Nachatilo,
Nachatilo, S.A., and Bauer, R.L., 1993,
1993, Structural
Structural analyses
analyses of Archean
Archean rocks
rocks in
in the
theNegaunee
Negaunee
area, Michigan ---- constraints
constraints on Archean versus
versus Proterozoic
Proterozoic deformation:
deformation: U.S.
U.S. Geological
Geological
Survey
Survey Bulletin
Bulletin 1904-0.
1904-0.
Puffett, W. p.,
U.S.
P., 1974,
1974, Geology of the Negaunee Quadrangle, Marquette County, Michigan: U
S.
Geol. Survey
Professional
Paper
788,
53
p.
Survey Professional Paper 788,53
Pyke, D.R., 1982,
Timmins area, District of Cochrane: Ontario Geological Survey
1982, Geology of the Tirnrnins
Report 219,
219, l4lp.
141p.
Rossell,
Rossell, D.M., 1983,
1983, Alteration of the Deer Lake peridotite in the vicinity
vicinity of the
the Ropes
Ropes mine,
mine,
Marquette County,
Michigan:
Michigan
Technological
University,
Houghton,
Michigan,
County, Michigan: Michigan Technological University, Houghton, Michigan, M.S.
M.S.
thesis,
thesis, 83
83 p.
p.
Subprovince (Archean
(Archean Gneiss
Gneiss Terrane):
Terrane): in
in Archean
Archean and
and
Sims, P.K., 1996,
1996, Minnesota River Valley Suhprovince
Proterozoic
Proterozoic Geology of the Lake Superior
Superior Region, U.S.A.,
U.S.A., 1993:
1993: U.S.
U.S. Geological
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Professional
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Paper 1556,
1556,p.
p. 14-23.
14-23.
Sims, P.K., 1991, Great Lakes
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tectonic zone
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inMarquette
Marquettearea,
area,Michigan
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- implications for
for
Archean tectonics in north-central United States: U.S.
US. Geological
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Survey Bulletinl9O4-E,
Bulletin1904-E, 77 p.
p.
Thurston, P.C.,
and
Chievers,
K.M.,
1990,
Secular
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P.C.,
Chievers,
1990, Secular variations greenstone sequence development,
emphasizing
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Province, Canada:
Canada: Precambrian Research,
Research, v.46,
v.46, p. 21-58.
21-58.
Geology and
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T.3., 1992, Geology
Wilkin, R.T.,
R.T., and Bornhorst,
Bornhorst, 713.,
Archean Northern complex,
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Michigan, U.S.A.:
U.S.A.: Can. Journal of Earth Science,
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v. 29,
29, p. 167416741685.
1685.

28

�INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION TO THE
THE ROPES GOLD DEPOSIT
DEPOSIT IN THE
THE
ISHPEMING GREENSTONE
GREENSTONE BELT, MICHIGAN
ABSTRACTED
H PERMISSION FROM GEOLOGY OF
ABSTRACTED WIT
WITH
OF THE ROPES
ROPES GOLD
GOLD
DEPOSIT BY R.A. BROZDOWSKI
BROZDOWSKI (1988)
(1988)

Theodore J. Bornhorst and Shannon E. Bair, Department of Geological Engineering
Engineering and
and
Sciences, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI 49931;
4993 1; and Glenn
Glenn Scott,
Scott, Tilden
Tilden
Mining Company,
company, Ishpeming, MI 49849

Introduction
Introduction
The southwest part of the greenstone belt (Figure 1)
1) consists of,
of, from west
west to
to east:
east:
pillowed and massive basalt, hypabyssal gabbro, dacite tuff and subordinate tuff breccia,
breccia,
fine-grained peridotite
peridotite of
of the
the Deer
Deer Lake
Lake Peridotite.
Peridotite. Volcanic rocks strike
serpentinitic, fine-grained
northeast, with a major bend to the east northeast at the Bjork-Lundeen prospect, 1.5
1.5km
km west
west
of the Ropes deposit. Rocks face consistently to the southeast, based on pillows and
graded
and graded
bedding
The Ropes deposit is southeast of a transition from dominantly basalt to the
the northwest
northwest
to dominantly dacite tuft to the southeast (Figure
(Figure 2).
2). Meter-thick banded iron formation
formation and
and
several meter thick greywacke are within the dacite up section from the interlayered basalt
basalt
and dacite. Sericite
Sericiteprogressively
progressively overprints
overprints and
and finally
finally totally pesudomorphs feldspar
feldspar
phenocrysts in dacite tuff as the Ropes gold deposit is approached from the west. The
deposit is in quartz-sericite-chlorite
quartz-sericite-chloriterock which is interpreted as quartz-sericite altered
altered dacite
dacite
tuff.
tuff.

Major Rock Types within
Major
within the
the Ropes
Ropes Deposit
The four major rock types in or immediately bounding the Ropes deposit are
are (Figures
(Figures
quartz-sericite-chlorite rock which encloses ore, strikes 070'
070°
3 and 4): 1.) fine grained quartz-serieite-chlorite
overall, but 080'
080° where
where it hosts the
the Ropes deposit,
deposit, and
and dips
dips steeply
steeply south
south or vertical. This
This
rock type is bounded north and south by 2.) fine grained carbonate-quartz-chlorite rock
which is massive to compositionally layered on a scale of several millimeters. It and the
the
quartz-sericite-chlorite rock are locally complexly interlayered, particularly in the west part
quartz-sericite-chlorite
of the deposit, and have
have generally
generally sharp
sharp contacts.
contacts. Carbonate-quartz-chlorite rock is flanked
successively, on both the north and south sides by, 3.) fine grained, massive to moderately
rock, and 4.)
4.) fine
foliated, carbonate-talc rock,
fine grained,
grained, serpentinitic peridotite which commonly
original olivine
olivine and
and lesser
lesserpyroxene.
pyroxene. This is variably
has pesudomorph texture after original
with carbonate-talc
carbonate-talc rock.
rock. Contacts between carbonatecarbonate-bearing near its contacts with
quartz-chlorite rock and carbonate-talc rock and between the carbonate-talc rock and the
serpentinitic peridotite are generally gradational over one to several meters.
Quartz-Sericite-Chlorite
Quartz-Sericite-ChloriteRock
Rock

The main host for gold is light green, massive to slightly foliated, fine grained,
quartz-sericite-chlorite
thick on the 800
quartz-sericite-chlorite rock. This
This rock
rock is
is aa 080°-striking
080'-striking layer up to 40 m thick
mine level,
but
narrows
toward
the
surface
and
toward
the
east
to
less
than
6 m thick. It is
is
level.
29

�0

km

2

EXPLANATION
EXPLANATION
PROTEROZOIC
PROTEROZOIC

1 graywacke and slate
2 quartalte
ARCH LAN

3 serpentinillc peridotila
4 volcanIc conglomerate, subordinate daclte tuti
5 banded Iron lorniatton
6 daclle tutt, lull breccta and ltows

7 tonallIe and granodlorlte
a gabbro
9 basalt
10 gtornerophyrlc basalt

Figure1:1:Geologic
Geologicsetting
setting
theRopes
Ropesmine
mineininthe
thesouthwest
southwestblock
blockofofthe
theIshpeming
Ishpeming
Figure
ofofthe
greenstone
greenstonebelt.
belt.

30

,

�EXPLANI4
TION
EXPLANA JION

0

0
0

ii

GRAYWACKE
GRAYWACKE

10

QUARTZITE
QUARTZITE

w

F-

0
a-

SERPENTINITIC
PERIDOTITE
LJ SERPENTINI11C
PERIDOTITE

EIJ CARBONATE
RICH,
SERPENnNITIC
CARBONATE
RICH,
SERPENTINITICPERIDOTITE
PERIDOTITE

1

a

-

CARBONATE TALCROCK
ROCK
ED CARBONATE-TALC

COMPOSITIONALLY
LAYERED TO MASSIVE
COMPOSKIONALLY LAYERED
MASSIVE
CARBONATE
QUARTZ - CHLORITE
CHLORITE ROCK
ROCK
CARBONATE- QUARTZ

-

-

TUFF, TUFF
TUFF BRECCIA,
BRECCIA, AND FLOWS;
FLOWS;
DACITE TIJFF,
(ALTERED TO QUARTZQUARTZ-SERICITESERICITE- CHLORITE
CHLORITE
ROCK IN
INROPES
ROPESDEPOSE!)
DEPOSIn

S

"

=

-

ED BANDED
BANDEDQUARTZ
QUARTZ - MAGNETrrE
MAGNETITE IRON FORMATION
FORMATION
GRAYWACKE
ANDSILTSTONE
SILTSTONE
ED GRAYWACKE
AND

E1J FINE
GRAINED
FINE
GRAINEDGABBRO
GABBRO

1'
L

S

BASALT (INCLUDES
(INCLUDES PILLOWED
PILLOWED AND
GLOMEROPHYRIC VARIETIES)
VARIETIES)

PROJECTION TO
SURFACE OF
OF OREBODIES
OREBODIES
UPDIP PROJECTION
TO SURFACE
A = main
main ore
ore zone
zone
northwest ore
B = northwest
ore zone
zone

Figure 2: Surface
Surfacegeologic
geologic map
mapof
o f the
the Ropes
Ropes mine
m i n e and vicinity.

31

�1

300 level

1152 level

200 Ft
CI

I

61 M

I

N
200E

400E

6006

BODE

I000E

12006

EXPLANATION
EXPLANATION

I

i

I

I

2

I

i

3

i

a
[5
a

Quartz-Sericite
SerpentiniticFeridotite
Peridotite L41 Quartz-Seridte
chlorite Rock -.
Serpentinitic
Chlorite
Rock
locally carbonate
carbonate rich
rich
locally
Carbonate-Talc
Carbonate-Talc Rock
Rock

Carbonate-Quartz -Carbonate-Quadz
Chlorite Rock
Rock
Chlorite

I

Orebody
Orebody
&gt;2
2
, g /tonne
,tonne Au
Au

Figure 3: Geologic
Geologicplan
planmap
mapof
ofthe
the300
300and
and1152
1152levels
levels of
of the
the Ropes
Ropes mine.
mine.
Figure

32

�ROPES
R O P E S MINE
MINE

600 E
E Cross-Section
Cross-Section
Looking
LookingS80°W
S80Â°

i

Elevation
Elevation(ft)
(

1

Serpentinitic Peridotite
Peridotite
Serpentinitic
locallycarbonate
carbonaterich
rich
locally

I

a

121 Carbonate-Talc
Carbonate-TalcRock
Rock

1400
1401

I

1200
1201

Carbonate-Quaflz -Carbonate-Quartz
Chlorite Rock
Rock
Chlorite

3

4

i

Quartz-Sericite
Quartz-Sericite ChloriteRock
Rock
Chlorite

Orebody
151 Orebody
gltonneAu
Au
&gt;&gt;22g/tonne

1000
1001

C
0mine
minelevels
levels
800
80C

Scale
0

600
600

100

200ff
61 m

100

400
40C

200 ft

61 m

200
200

Sea
SeaLevel
Level

-200
-200

Figure
Figure4:4:Geologic
Geologiccross
crosssection
sectionofofthe
theRopes
Ropesmine
minelooking
loohngS80°W
S80Â° along
alongthe
the600E
600Esection.
section,

33

�complexly interlayered with carbonate-quartz-chlorite rock, especially west of the Ropes
main ore zone and in the mine. Randomly
Randomlyoriented
orientedto
tomoderately
moderately aligned,
aligned, 11to
to22 mm,
mm,
angular, rectangular mats of felted sericite up to 2 mm in length, comprised of individual
sericite grains less than 10
10 microns in size, and minor quartz, are enveloped in this matrix
and have an external habit identical to plagioclase
In dacite
dacite tuff
tuff immediately
immediately
plagioclasephenocryst.
phenocryst. In
west of the deposit there are plagioclase phenocrysts. The
Therectangular
rectangular mats
matsare
areinterpreted
interpreted as
as
pseudomorphs after the plagioclase phenocrysts.
phenocrysts. The rock is layered locally with 5 mm thick,
lens-like, sericite-rich
sericite-rich and
and alternating
alternating more
more chlorite-rich
chlorite-rich laminae.
laminae.
Sericite
quartz-sericite-chloriterock
rock decreases
decreases
Sericite in
in relict
relict feldspar
feldspar and
and lithic
lithic clasts
clasts in
in the
the quartz-sericite-chlorite
gradationally westward from the Ropes main ore zone over a distance of
of several hundred
meters into aa large
large body of
of dacite
dacite tuff
tuff that
that has
has moderately
moderately aligned
aligned twinned
twinned plagioclase
plagioclase
phenocrysts
phenocrysts with
with only
only very
very minor
minor sericite
sericite internal to the phenocrysts, bipyramidal quartz, and
volcanic
volcanic rock
rock fragments
fragments in
in an
an aphanitic
aphanitic quartz-sericite feldspar-chlorite matrix. The
Thedacite
dacite
tuff
outside
of
the
Ropes
deposit,
proper,
has
local
lapilli-sized
fragments
as
well
as
tuff
tuff outside of the Ropes
breccia
breccia layers.
layers.

Gold abundance
abundance is generally greatest where very fine to aphanitic pyrite is 5 to 8%
8% of
the
the rock,
rock, quartz
quartz and
and sericite
sericite are
are most
most abundant, and chlorite is least abundant. However,
However,this
this
generality
generality does
does not
not apply
apply to
to the
the chioritic,
chloritic, pyritic,
pyritic, eastern
eastern most
most rim
rim of
of the
the Ropes
Ropesmain
mainore
ore
zone.
zone. Anastomosing
Anastomosingquartz
quartzveinlets
veinletsless
lessthan
than11mm
mmthick
thickmake
makeup
upseveral
severalpercent
percentof
ofthe
the
rock.
rock, Rock
Rockoutside
outsideofofthe
theore
orezones
zonescontains
containsless
lessthan
than2%
2%very
very fine
finepyrite.
pyrite.
The
The overall
overall 070°
quartz-sericite-chlorite rock
rock which
which hosts
hosts the
theRopes
Ropes
070' striking
striking trend
trend of
of quartz-sericite-chlorite
main
main and
and northwest
northwest ore
ore zones
zones interfingers
interfingers with
with carbonate-quartz
carbonate-quartz chlorite
chloriterock
rockwest
westof
ofthe
the
deposit,
and
does
not
continue
west
of
the
northwest
ore
zone
(Figure
2).
East
of
the
deposit,
deposit, and does not continue west of the northwest ore zone (Figure 2). East of the deposit,
the
the trend
trend of
of quartz-sericite-chlorite
quartz-sericite-chlorite rock does not continue at surface beyond 300 m east of
the
the Ropes
Ropes main
main ore
ore zone.
zone. A
A zone
zone of
of carbonate-talc
carbonate-talc rock
rock within
within the
the serpentinitic
serpentinitic peridotite
peridotite
marks
marks the
the east-northeast
east-northeastprojection
projection of
ofthe
thetrend.
trend.

Carbonate-Quartz-Chlorite
Rock
Carbonate-Quartz-Chlorite
Rock
Carbonate-quartz-chlorite
Carbonate-quartz-chloriterock
rock envelopes
envelopes the
the quartz-sericite-chlorite
quartz-sericite-chloriterock
rockand
andisis
complexly
complexly interlayered
interlayered with
with it,
it, particularly
particularly toward
toward the
the west
west end
end of
of the
the Ropes
Ropesdeposit.
aeposit.
Carbonate-quartz-chlorite rock
rock isis restricted
restricted largely
largely to
to the
the deposit
deposit although
although layers
layersup
uptoto22mm
Carbonate-quartz-chlorite
thick
thick occur
occur up
up to
to 400
400 m
m west of the Ropes main ore zone. The
The thickest
thickest layers
layersof
of carbonatecarbonatetalc
talc rock
rock are
are immediately
immediately north
north and
and south
south of
of the
the deposit;
deposit; however,
however, thin
thin layers
layersof
oftalc-rich
talc-rich
rock
rock are
are at
at numerous
numerous localities
localities atat the
the contacts
contacts of,
of, and
and also
also within
within serpentinitic
serpentiniticperidotite
peridotite
along
along the
the northwest
northwest contact
contact of
of the
the peridotite
peridotite up
up to
to 500
500 m
m away
away from
from the
the deposit.
deposit.
Carbonate-quartz-chlorite
Carbonate-quartz-chlorite rock
rock contains
contains abundant
abundant ferroan
ferroan dolomite,
dolomite, and
andlesser
lesserquartz
quartz
and
and chlorite.
chlorite. Minor
Minorsericite
sericiteisisininsome
someparts
partsand
andvariable
variable amounts
amounts of
of talc
talc in
inothers,
others,but
butthese
these
two
quartz-sericite-chloriterock
rock
two minerals
minerals are
are generally
generally mutually exclusive. Contacts
Contactswith
with quartz-sericite-chlorite
are
are sharp
sharp in
in aa direction
direction across
acrossthe
the strike
strikeof
of the
the rock
rock type,
type, but
but are
arelocally
locallygradational
gradationalalong
along
strike.
strike. Barren
Barrenmilky
milkyquartz
quartzveins
veinsup
uptoto10
10cm
cmthick
thickoccur
occurlocally
locallyand
andare
areconformable
conformabletotothe
the
contact.
contact. Minor
Minorcarbonate
carbonateminerals
mineralsare
arepresent
presentininthe
thequartzquartz-sericite-chlorite
sericite-chloriterock
rocknear
nearits
its
contacts
contacts with
with the
the carbonate-quartz-chlorite
carbonate-quartz-chloriterock,
rock, and
and minor
minor sericite
sericiteisispresent
presentininthe
the
carbonate-quartz-chlorite
carbonate-quartz-chlorite rock
rock near
near its
itscontacts
contactswith
with quartz-sericitequartz-sericite-chlorite
chloriterock.
rock.
Carbonate-quartz-chlorite rock
rock has
has up
up to
to150
150ppb
ppb Au,
Au, and
and quartz
quartzrich
richparts
partsof
ofthe
thecarbonatecarbonateCarbonate-quartz-chlorite
34

�quartz-chlorite rock only very locally contain several percent pyrite and up to 11 ppm Au.
Locally the carbonate-quartz-chlorite rock is brecciated, with angular fragments of carbonate
carbonate
veined carbonate-quartz-chlorite rock in a chlorite rich matrix particularly at the south
south side
side of
of
the deposit.
Carbonate-quartz-chlorite rock is generally compositionally layered on a scale of
several millimeters, but
but locally
locally is
is massive.
massive. Layering is defined by
hy fine to medium grained
white cxbonate
carbonate lenses, chlorite foliation,
foliation, and
and quartz-chlorite
quartz-chloriterich
richlaminae.
laminae. The rock is
white
increasingly talcose toward the contact with carbonate-talc rock. Coarse grained, barren,
white dolomite veins up to 5 cm thick cut across all other features and are several percent of
rock. Carbonatethe rock.
Carbonate- quartz-chlorite
quartz-chlorite rock
rock is
is not only within the deposit but also in a zone up
to 60 m thick on its north side, where it contains thin layers of the other three main rock
types. Carbonate-quartz-chlorite
types.
Carbonate-quartz-chlorite rock
rock is
is in local lenses along the northeast striking contact of
and northwest
northwest of
of the
the Ropes
Ropesdeposit.
deposit. The carbonatethe Deer Lake Peridotite, southwest and
quartz-chlorite rock is interpreted as an alteration product of a serpentinitic peridotite
protolith.

Serpentinitic Peridotite and Carbonate-Talc
Serpenrinitic
Carbonate-Talc Rock
Rock
quartz-sericite-chlorite rock and carbonate-quartz-chlorite rocks are
The interlayered quartz-sericite-ihlorite
are
bounded on north and south by elongate masses of serpentinitic peridotite. There are also
several smaller serpentinitic peridotite bodies enclosed within the carbonate-quartz-chlorite
of the Ropes
Ropes deposit.
deposit. The largest of these bodies is the north wall of
rock on the north side of
the Ropes deposit. The
The rock
rock is
is dark
dark gray
gray to green,
green, mostly fine grained, with major
serpentine, subordinate talc and carbonate,
carhonate, minor chlorite, and accessory chromite and
magnetite. The
The serpentine
serpentine isis aa mixture
mixture of
of felted
felted chrysotile and oriented plates of antigorite.
Commonly it has a relict texture of 11 to 3 mm serpentine pseudomorphs after major olivine
pyroxene. The
and subordinate pyroxene.
The pseudomorphs
pseudomorphs are surrounded by rims of talc, carbonate
and accessory
accessory fine-grained
fine-grained magnetite
magnetiteand
andchromite.
chromite. Locally the
the rock
rock is
is dark green,
minerals and
felted textured serpentine which
which lacks
lacks aa pseudomorphic
pseudomorphic texture.
texture. The serpentinitic peridotite
is increasingly carbonate-rich toward its borders, although the relict texture is commonly
preserved. Fibrous
continuously preserved.
Fibrous chrysotile
chrysotile veinlets in the serpentinite are locally
pseudomorphed by carbonate. Au abundance is typically less than 30 ppb, even in close
proximity to the deposit.
deposit.
Massive to well foliated, gray to dark green, very fine grained carbonate-talc rock
margins of
of serpentinitic
serpentinitic peridotite.
peridotite. Chlorite, serpentine, magnetite and
occurs around the margins
pyrite are minor phases.
phases. The
carbonate-talc
The carbonate-talc rock has gradational contacts over one to several
meters with serpentinitic peridotite and with talc-rich parts of the carbonate-quartz-chlorite
subequal. The carbonate
rock. Talc
Talc and
and carbonate
carbonate contents
contents are generally
generally subequal.
carhonate mineral in the
ferroan dolomite
dolomite with
with minor
minormagnesite.
magnesite. Au abundance is
carbonate-talc rock is dominantly ferroan
from less than 30 ppb to approximately 100
100 ppb locally in the carbonate-talc rock.

The Gold Ore
g/ton Au, including production and
The Ropes deposit is 2.8 million tonnes with 3.24 glton
reserves. There
Ninety five percent
percent of the ore
all categories of reserves.
There are
are two
two main types of ore: 1.)
1.) Ninety
dispersed pyrite
pyrite in
in quartz-sericite-chlorite
quartz-sericite-chloriterock.
rock. This ore has several subtypes
is gold with dispersed
proportions of
of quartz,
quartz, sericite,
sericite, chlorite,
chlorite, and
andpyrite.
pyrite. 2.) Five percent of the ore is
with varying proportions
35

�auriferous quartz veins with saccharoidal
saccharoidal texture and tetrahedrite, pyrite, galena,
galena, and
and
chalcopyrite. ItItisisgenerally
generallyatator
ornear
nearthe
thesouth
southside
sideof
of the
the deposit.
deposit.
Dispersed Pyrite in Quartz-Sericite-Chlorite
Gold With Dispersed
Quartz-Sericite-ChloriteRock
Rock

The Ropes main ore zone is steeply dipping, 335 m in maximum strike length, 12
12 m
in average thickness, and 600 m in known down dip extent (Figures 4). It is within the
quartz-sericite-chlorite rock, and gold is associated
associated with dispersed pyrite with only minor
quartz veins.
veins.
The Ropes main ore zone can be divided longitudinally into three ore subtypes
section. Subtype
(Figure 5). These
These subtypes
subtypes are,
are, from west to east, in long section.
Subtype 11 is
is light
light gray
gray to
to
pale green, siliceous quartz-sericite rock, containing minor lenses of
of light gray cherty quartz
rock with pyrite, tetrahedrite, chalcopyrite and galena.
galena. Pyrite
Pyrite abundance
abundance does
does not
not correlate
correlate
with gold grade. Subtype
quartz-sericite-chlorite
Subtype11has
hasan
aninterdigitating
interdigitatingcontact
contact with
with barren
barren quartz-sericite-chlorite
and carbonate-quartz-chlorite rock to the west, and a gradational contact to the east with
is 6.8
6.8 glton.
g/ton. Subtype
subtype 2. The average gold concentration is
Subtype 2 is
is light green
green quartzquartzsericite-chlorite-pyrite rock with a positive correlation between fine-grained pyrite
pyrite content
content
and Au abundance. Subtype 2 is the thickest part of the ore zone and, therefore,
therefore, the most
volumetrically important. ItIt has
with subtype 3. The
has aa relatively
relatively sharp contact to the east with
The
average Au concentration ranges from 2.6 glton,
g/ton, rarely up to 6.2 glton.
g/ton. Subtype
dark
Subtype33isisdark
green quartz-chlorite-pyrite
consistently large fine-grained
fine-grained pyrite
pyrite content. ItIt has
quartz-chlorite-pyrite rock with a consistently
has
barren quartz-sericite-chlorite rock
rock to
to the
the east.
east. The
a sharp contact with barren
The average
average Au
Au
concentration is
is 10.3
10.3g/ton.
glton.

Zones of greater than 4 g/ton
glton Au abundance, defined by assay data, are
are contained
contained
centrally within the Ropes main ore zone. The
middle
parts
of
these
greater
than
The middle parts of these greater than 44 g/ton
glton Au
Au
zones strike
echelon fashion at approximately
strike across the 080°
080' trend of the orebody in en echelon
055°,
055', whereas their extremities have a nearly 070°
070' strike, thus forming
forming a low
low angle
angle sigmoidal
sigmoidal
pattern across the ore
ore zone.
zone. This
This pattern
pattern is
is most
most pronounced
pronounced at
at and
and below
below the
the 1152
1152level
level
toward the east end of
of the
the Ropes
Ropes main
main ore
ore zone
zone (Figure
(Figure 6).
6).
Above the 650 level, ore is separated from carbonate-quartz-chlorite rock on
on the
the north
north
by slightly auriferous quartz-sericite-chlorite rock, but
but below
below the
the 650 level
level the east end of the
ore is in contact with carbonate-quartz-chlorite
carbonate-quartz-chlorite rock (Figure 3).
3). The north side
side of
of the
the ore
ore
strikes 070°
070" and dips very steeply north whereas the contact between quartz-sericite-chlorite
quartz-sericite-chlorite
rock and the carbonate-quartz-chlorite rock strikes 080°
080Âwithin the deposit and dips
dips steeply
steeply
south. Therefore,
Therefore, atatdepth,
depth, the
the ore
ore abuts
abuts the
the carbonate-quartz-chlorite
carbonate-quartz-chlorite rock contact
contact on
on the
the
north, with the east limit of the Ropes main ore zone plunging to the west at
at deeper
deeper levels
levels
along the line defined by the intersection of the planes of the orebody and the
the carbonatecarbonatequartz-chlorite rock contact on the north. Below
Below the
the 1284
1284 level, the 25
25 to 40 m
m thick quartzquartzsericite-chlorite rock thins markedly to the east and interfingers along strike
strike to
to the
the east
east with
with
quartz-sericite-chlorite rock
rock plunges
plunges
carbonate-quartz-chlorite rock. The
The thickest
thickest part
part of
of the
the quartz-sericite-chlorite
approximately 45°
45' east and is coincident with the bend in strike of the trend of quartz-sericite-chlorite rock from 080°
070° east of the main ore zone.
080' within the deposit back to 070'
zone.
There are several other gold bearing bodies
bodies near the
the main
main ore
ore zone
zone (Figure
(Figure 5). The
The
northwest ore zone is a small ore zone of 101,000 tons
tons with
with 4.6
4.6 glton
g/ton Au,
Au, 170 m
m northwest
northwest of
of
the Ropes main ore zone, and is dominantly ore subtype 2.
2. Auriferous,
Auriferous, pyritic
pyritic quartzquartz36

�_____
_____

long section
section of
of the
the Ropes
Ropes deposit in
in the
the
Vertical long
N80Â° plane, with gold
gold ore
ore subtypes:
subtypes:
N80°E
1

1

2

3

-

QUARTZ SERICITE
SERICITE ROCK,
ROCK,
QUARTZWITH
WITH GRAY
GRAY QUARTZ
QUARTZ LENSES
LENSES
QUARTZ
SERICITE -- CHLORITE
CHLORITE ROCK,
ROCK,
QUARTZ -- SERICITE
GOOD Au
AU :: PYRITE CORRELATION
CORRELATION

-

QUARTZ
CHLORITE - PYRITE
PYRITE ROCK
ROCK
QUARTZ -- CHLORITE

FigureS:
Figure 5 : Vertical
Vertical long
long section
section of
of the
the Ropes
Ropes mine
mine in
in the
the N80°E
N8O0E showing gold
gold ore
ore subtypes.
subtypes.

37
37

�0

50

meters
meters

ROPESMINE
MINE 1152
1152 LEVEL
LEVELPLAN
PLAN
ROPES

tonne Au
Au ore
orezones
zones
&gt;&gt; 44 gg I1tonne
I

0quartz
quartz-- sericite
sericite-- chlorite
chloriterock
rock
1

Figure6:6:Geologic
Geologicplan
planmap
mapofofthe
the1152
1152level
levelofofthe
theRopes
Ropesmine
mineshowing
showinghigh
highgrade
gradeore
orezones.
zones
Figure

38

�Ropes
Ropes Mine
Mine
Level
1620 Level
Geologic Plan
Geologic
Plan

IN

ul

m

C
L,

+

cu

"1"

50
50

m

EXPLANATION
EXPLANATION

serpentinitic peridotite
a serpenthitic
peridotite

C &gt;2g/tonneAu
0
&gt; 2 g I tonne Au

carbonate - talc rock

C] &gt;4g/tonneAu
0
&gt; 4 g I tonne Au

a carbonate - quartz - chlorite rock
rock
-

A,,
Au

LIII quartz
rock
quartz -- sericite -- chlorite rock

auriferous quartz vein
(Lower Secondary
Secondary Drift
Drift Vein)
Vein)

LI microcrystalline
a
rnicrocrystallinecarbonate
carbonate - quartz rock
rock

Figure 7: Geologic
Geologic plan
plan map
map of
of the
the 1620
1620 level of the Ropes mine.
mine

39

�south
south of
of the
the central
central part
part of
of the
the main
main ore
ore zone.
zone,
Non-Aunferous
Non-Aur$erous Veins
Veins

Milky white,
white, vitreous,
vitreous, medium to coarse-grained quartz veins commonly cut the east
northeast foliation in the quartz-sericite-chlorite
quartz-sericite-chlorite rock at a high angle. Some
Somedip
dipsteeply,
steeply,
whereas others are shallowly dipping veins offset in north side up stepwise fashion along
foliation parallel structures. The
The veins
veins are
are not
not auriferous
auriferous and are commonly up to 10cm
10 cm
thick and several meters in length. They are approximately 1% of the quartz-sericite-chlorite
quartz-sericite-chlorite
rock.
rock. Quartz
Quartzininthe
theveins
veinshas
hasfull
fullextinction
extinctionunder
undercrossed
crossedpolars,
polars,simple
simplegrain
grainboundaries,
boundaries,
and locally
locally has
has minor
minor pyrite.
pyrite.
Banded dolomite veins commonly strike 015'
015° and dip nearly vertical.
vertical. They cut the
auriferous quartz veins. Massive, planar sided, coarse crystalline white
white dolomite veins up to
10
10 cm thick
thick cut
cut all
all other
other veins
veins and
andare
areundeformed.
undefonned.

Structure
Structure
An 065°
065' striking
striking near vertical foliation is defined by planar alignment of sericite and
chlorite
chlorite in
in the
the quartz-sericite-chlorite
quartz-sericite-chlorite rock. This
Thisfoliation
foliationisisinterpreted
interpreted as
astectonic
tectonic
schistosity
schistosity or
or SS fabric
fabricbecause
because the
the sericite
sericite and
and chlorite
chloriteare
aresecondary
secondaryminerals
mineralsthat
thatcut
cutand
and
locally
locally displace
displace relict
relict primary
primary magmatic features, such as domains of former feldspar
phenocrysts,
phenocrysts, and
and lithic
lithic fragments.
fragments. Locally
LocallyS-C
S-Cfabric
fabricisisdeveloped,
developed, especially
especiallyin
incarbonatecarbonatetalc
talc and
and carbonate-quartz-chlorite
carbonate-quartz-chlorite rocks.
rocks.
Contacts
Contacts between
between the
the quartz-sericite-chlorite
quartz-sericite-chlorite rock
rock and
and rocks
rocks derived
derived from
fromaaperidotite
peridotite
protolith
protolith defined
defined planes
planes of
of weakness
weakness that favored development of a shear zone. The
The
orientation
orientation of
of reactivated
reactivated zones
zones of
of weakness such as contacts between rock types are not
strictly
strictly governed
governed by
by the
the exact
exact orientation
orientation of
of the
the stress
stress that
that causes
causesthe
the movement.
movement.

Ore
Ore Related
Related Structure
Structure
The
The Ropes
Ropes main
main ore
orezone
zone trends
trends 080°
080' overall,
overall, but
but is
is internally
internally comprised
comprised of
of 055°
055' to
to
065°
065O trending
trending zones
zones of
of greater
greater Au concentration,
concentration, which host most of the gold. These
Theseoccur
occur
in
glton Au
Au concentration
concentrationwithin
within ore
ore
in low
low angle
angle sigmoidal
sigmoidalzones
zones of
of greater
greater than
than 44 g/ton
characterized
characterized by
by dispersed
dispersedpyrite
pyrite or
or in
in auriferous
auriferous quartz-tetrahedrite
quartz-tetrahedrite oblique
obliqueshear
shearveins
veinswith
with
similar
similar geometry
geometryand
andorientation.
orientation.
Zones
Zones with
withgreater
greaterthan
than44g/ton
@on gold
goldconcentration1
concentration, defined
defined by
by assay
assaydata,
data,are
aremore
more
centrally
centrally within
within the
the Ropes
Ropes main
main ore zone (Figures 6 and 7). The
Themiddle
middle parts
partsof
ofthese
thesehigher
higher
grade
grade zones
zones strike
strikeen
en echelon
echelon across
acrossthe
the overall
overall 080°
080" trend
trend of
of the
the ore
orebody
bodyatatapproximately
approximately
055" whereas their extremities
extremities nearer
nearer the contacts
contacts with the
the carbonate-quartz-chlorite
carbonate-quartz-chlorite rock
rock
0550
strike
strike approximately
approximately070°,
070Â°forming
formingaalow
low angle
angle sigmoidal
sigmoidal pattern
pattern across
acrossthe
thezone,
zone,which
whichisis
most
most prominent
prominent on
onthe
theeast
eastend
endof
ofthe
the1152
1152level
level (Figure
(Figure6).
6).This
Thisgeometry
geometryisisconsistent
consistentwith
with
greater movement
movementbeing
beingaccommodated
accommodated near
nearthe
themargin
margin of
ofmore
moreductile
ductiledeforming
deforming
greater
carbonate-quartz-chlorite
carbonate-quartz-chloriterock,
rock,where
wherethe
theoriginally
originally formed
formed 055°
055' to
to065°
065' schistosity
schistositywas
was
flattened
080' plane
plane of
of shear,
shear, represented
represented by
by the
the contact
contact between
between contrasting
contrastingrock
rock
flattened to
tothe
thelocal
local080°
types.
types.

40

�sericite-chiorite
sericite-chlorite rock
rock was
was encountered
encountered in
in deep
deep drilling
drilling at
at the
the Ropes
Ropes deposit,
deposit, in
in aa zone
zone
separate
separate from,
from, and
and deeper
deeper to
to the
the east
east of,
of, the
the Ropes
Ropes main
main ore
ore zone.
zone.

Ore
Ore Minerals
Minerals and
and Textures
Textures and
and Metal
Metal Distribution
Distribution
Gold is with pyrite
pyrite less
less than
than 100
100 microns
microns in
in diameter
diameter dispersed
dispersed throughout
throughout the
the mass
mass of
of the
the
quartz-sericite-chlorite
quartz-sericite-chloriterock,
rock, and
and with
with this
this pyrite
pyrite on
on fractures,
fractures, foliations,
foliations,and
and within
within and
and
along the margins of millimeter-thick quartz veinlets.
veinlets. Native
Native gold,
gold, of
of variable
variable fineness,
fineness, isis 11
to
to 10
10micron
micron grains
grains isis attached
attached to
to the
the surface
surface of
of the
the fine
fine grained
grained pyrite,
pyrite, included
included as
asround
round
blebs
hlebs within
within fine
fine grained
grained pyrite,
pyrite, on
on fractures
fractures within
within fine
fine grained
grained pyrite,
pyrite, and
andatatgrain
grain
boundaries
boundaries of
of fine
fine grained
grained quartz
quartz and
and sericite. Minor
Minorcoarse
coarsegold
goldisison
onfractures
fracturesin
inquartz
quartz
veins.
veins. Silver
Silver isis in
in electrum,
electrum, native
native silver
silver isis with
with fine
fine pyrite,
pyrite, argentiferous
argentiferous tetrahedrite,
tetrahedrite,
argentiferous
argentiferousgalena,
galena,and
andrare
raredyscrasite.
dyscrasite.

Pyrite
Argentiferous galena,
galena,
Pyrite is
is 97%
97% of
of the
the metallic
metallic minerals followed by 1% chalcopyrite. Argentiferous
argentiferous
tetrahedrite,
tetrahedrite,
sphalerite,
millerite,
bravoite,
magnetite,
and
argentiferous tetrahedrite, tetrahedrite, sphalerite, millerite, bravoite, magnetite, and rutile
rutile are
are
present
present in
in trace
trace amounts.
amounts. The
The gold
gold is
is silver
silver bearing and metallic silver is gold bearing.
bearing, The
The
low
low bulk
bulk Au/Ag
AulAg of
of 0.65
0.65 for
for the
the Ropes
Ropes gold
gold deposit
deposit differs
differs from
from ratios
ratios reported
reported for
for
Precambrian
Precambrian gold-quartz
gold-quartz veins
veins and
and lodes
lodes (Boyle,
(Boyle, 1979),
19791,which
which range
range from
from1.37
1.37to
to12.5
12.5and
and
average
average about
about 4.2.
4.2. Both
BothAu
Auand
andAg
Aghave
havecontinuous
continuouspositively
positivelyskewed
skewed log
log normal
normal
distributions,
distributions, each
each with
with aa single
singlemaximum,
maximum, interpreted
interpretedasasindicating
indicatingonly
onlyone
oneperiod
periodof
of
mineralization.
mineralization.
Distribution.
Distribution.Geometry
Geometryand
andAu
Au Concentration
ConcentrationofofAur?ferous
Auriferous Quartz
QuartzVeins
Veins

Auriferous
Auriferous quartz
quartz veins
veins are
are concentrated
concentrated at the south side of the deposit. Individual
Individual
veins
average
20
cm
thick
and
extend
12
m
horizontally
and
15
m
vertically,
but
collectively
veins average 20 cm thick and extend 12 m horizontally and 15 m vertically, but collectively
these
these veins
veins are
aregrouped
groupeden
enechelon,
echelon,and
andlocally
locally they
they form
formore
oreshoots
shoots88to
to11
11mmthick,
thick,with
withthe
the
quartz
quartz-sericite-chlorite rock. The
Theveins
veinsstrike
strikeen
en
quartz veins
veins separated
separated by
by auriferous
auriferous foliated
foliated quartz-sericite-chlorite
echelon
echelonatat055°
055' to
to065°
065' across
acrossthe
the080°
080' trend
trend of
of the
the quartz-sericite-chlorite
quartz-sericite-chloriterock
rocktype,
type,dip
dip
vertically
geometry. They
vertically to
to 85°
85' south,
south, and
and have a slight sigmoidal geometry.
They occur
occur progressively
progressively
further
further east
east in
in successively
successively deeper
deeper mine
mine levels. Eight
Eightmajor
majorshoots
shootsmade
madeup
upof
of these
these veins
veins
were
were mined
mined in
in the
the 1800's
1800'sand
and 1890's
1890's above
above the 800 level. Broderick
Broderick (1945)
(1945)implied
implied that
that
single
single large
largequartz
quartz veins
veinsranged
ranged up
up to
to11
11m
m thick,
thick, 60
60m
m in
in horizontal
horizontal extent,
extent,and
and76
76m
m
vertical
vertical extent,
extent,but
but examination
examinationof
of the
the old
old mine
mine workings
workings concurrent
concurrent with
with development
developmentof
ofthe
the
modern
modern Ropes
Ropes mine,
mine, and
anddetailed
detailedhistoric
historic descriptions
descriptions indicate
indicate the
the old
old stopes
stopeswere
were ore
oreshoots
shoots
made
made up
upof
of aaseries
seriesof
ofsmaller
smallerindividual
individualquartz
quartz veins
veins and
and intervening
interveningauriferous
auriferousfoliated
foliated
quartz-sericite-chlorite
quartz-sericite-chlorite rock.
rock. The
Theveins
veinsare
aresaccharoidal
saccharoidalwhite
white to
tolight
lightgray
grayquartz,
quartz,with
with
pyrite
pyrite and
andminor
minorargentiferous
argentiferoustetrahedrite,
tetrahedrite, galena,
galena, and
and chalcopyrite;
chalcopyrite;and
and rare
rare free
freegold,
gold,
molybdenite,
molybdenite, dyscrasite,
dyscrasite, tourmaline,
tourmaline, and
and native silver. Overall,
Overall,metal
metal concentrations
concentrations in
inthe
the
veins
veins range
rangefrom
from20
20to
to75
75g/ton
gltonAu
Au with
with Au/Ag
AulAgratio
ratio from
from 0.08
0.08 to
to 1.76.
1.76.

Thequartz
quartzveins
veinshave
havegreater
greaterconcentrations
concentrationsof
ofgold
goldthan
thanmost
mostof
ofthe
thegold
goldwith
withdispersed
dispersed
The
quartz-sericite-chloriterock,
rock,but
butthe
thezones
zonesof
ofgreater
greaterthan
than44g/tonne
gltonneAu
Au
pyriteininquartz-sericite-chlorite
pyrite
concentrationin
inthe
thequartz-sericite-chlorite
quartz-sericite-chloriterock
rock are
are not
not generally
generally zoned
zoned about
about the
theveins,
veins,
concentration
rather,they
they occur
occurmore
morecentrally
centrallywithin
within the
the quartz-sericite-chlorite
quartz-sericite-chloriterock
rock north
northof
ofthe
theveins.
veins.In
In
rather,
some
instances,
Au
concentrations
of
greater
than
4
glton
in
the
gold
with
dispersed
pyrite
in
some instances, Au concentrations of greater than 4 g/ton in the gold with dispersed pyrite in
quartz-sericite- chlorite
chloriterock
rockextend
extendalong
alongthe
the same
same055°
055' to
to 065°
065' trend
trend eastward
eastwardfrom
fromthe
the
quartz-sericitewest end
endof
ofold
oldstopes
stopeswhich
which mark
markconcentrations
concentrations of
of quartz
quartz veins,
veins,particularly
particularlyfor
forold
oldstopes
stopes
west
41

�westward plunging
plunging auriferous
auriferous quartz-tetrahedrite
quartz-tetrahedrite veins
Vertically dipping, steeply westward
occur progressively further east in successively deeper levels of the mine. These banded,
auriferous, tetrahedrite-bearing
tetrahedrite-bearing quartz veins with aligned schistose inclusions of sericitequartz-chlorite wall rock are at or near the south side of the main
main ore zone and have an
orientation the same as the zones of schistosity parallel gold concentration with dispersed
pyrite, which are more centrally within
within the
the trend
trend of
of quartz-sericite-chlorite
quartz-sericite-chloriterock.
rock. The veins
are oriented nearly parallel to the schistosity, and therefore
therefore nearly
nearly perpendicular to the
inferred maximum principal
principal stress. They
They contain schistose septa identical in composition to
the quartz-sericite-chlorlte wall rock and have quartz with undulose
undulose extinction and subgrain
development textures indicating grain size reduction.
reduction. These characteristics are compatible
with an origin as oblique shear veins formed in the direction of
of shear movement
movement (Hodgson,
1989). Oblique
shears
Oblique shear
shear veins
veins are
are inclined
inclined to
to shear
shear zone
zone margins
margins in the same
same way as
as PP shears
and show the same sense of en echelon stepping as the sense of
of movement
movement across the zone
containing them (Hodgson, 1989). In
In the case of the Ropes deposit, this indicates a dextral
component in plan view. An
An origin
origin for
for the
the quartz-tetrahedrite
quartz-tetrahedrite veins,
veins, and
and the
the en
en echelon
echelon
zones of Au concentration with dispersed pyrite,
pyrite, as tension
tension shears, extension
extension veins, or Riedel
shears in a sinistral shear zone is not indicated
indicated because the
the low
low angle orientation of the tips of
the veins with respect to the shear zone margin,
margin, and the similar orientation of
of the ends of the
en echelon zones of Au concentration with dispersed
dispersed pyrite,
pyrite, is not
not consistent with the sense
of rotation expected in sinistral
sinistral shear.
shear.
The sigmoidal zones of gold concentration with dispersed
dispersed pyrite
pyrite and the oblique shear
veins have orientations nearly parallel
parallel to the S fabric,
fabric, consistent with
with an origin as P shears. PP
shears commonly form at approximately 10°
10' to the shear
shear zone
zone boundaries,
boundaries, after
after peak
peak
deformation, when resistance to shear is decreased
decreased by
by the
the presence
presence of
of well
well developed planar
fabric (Tchalenko,
(Tchalenko, 1970).
1970).

Inferred Direction of Shear
Movement direction in aa shear zone is commonly considered
considered to
to be
he in
in the
the line
line
perpendicular to the intersection of
of the shear zone margin with the plane
plane of
of the
the oblique
obliqueSS
fabric, and the sense of movement is inferred from the
the sense of
of obliquity
obliquity of
of the
the fabric
fabric to the
shear zone margin. In
In aaductile
ductile environment
environmentthe
the acute
acute angle
angle between
between the
the SS fabric
fabric and
and the
the
shear plane faces away from the direction of movement. The
The sigmoidal
sigmoidal zones
zones of
of greater
greater gold
gold
concentration with dispersed pyrite follow an SS fabric,
fabric, interpreted as
as aa largely
largely compressive,
compressive,
ductile feature. Contacts
Contactswith
with nonfoliated
nonfoliated serpentinitic
serpentinitic peridotite
peridotite north
north and
and south
south of
of the
the
Ropes deposit are considered
considered shear planes parallel to the C
C direction.
direction. The
The orientation
orientation of
of the
the SS
fabric relative to the C direction indicates a dextral
dextral component
component of
of movement
movement when
when viewed in
the horizontal plane, with the south
south side
side of
of the zone moving west southwest
southwest and
and the
the north
north
side moving east northeast. (Figure 8). Offsets
Offsets along
along northeast
northeast trending
trending faults
faults in
in the
the deposit,
deposit,
and the Z sense of warping of layering between
between the
the rock
rock types
types at
at the
the south
south side of
of the
the deposit
(Figure 7)
7) also support
support a dextral component of movement.

Localization of the Deposit Within
Within a Dilational Jog
quartz-sericite-chlorite rock strikes
strikes 070°
070' overall
overall but
but 080°
080" where
where itithosts
hosts
The trend of quartz-sericite-chlorite
the main ore zone (Figure 8). This
This080°
080Âpart
part of
of the
the trend
trend acted
acted as
as aa dilational
dilational jog or
or releasing
releasing
of movement
movement in
in plan view
view (Figure
(Figure 8).
8).
bend during the indicated dextral component of
Releasing bends are
are commonly
commonly sites
sites for
for ore
ore deposits,
deposits, even
even if
if the
the main
main fault
fault trend
trend isis barren
barren
42

�0

1

km

r

N
2

3

1

1

Ropes deposit

quartz vein prospect

- 18 svucture

anspg, s'rn obliqu, m, v.i,,.,

nd.s nht Loan 01 gvSr Au conc.,Wi,flon

slTh .p.nnpjfl,

Numbered quadrants mathed by dashed lines are
ranges of possible orientations of horizontal
components of maximum principal stresses which
could account for dextral components of strain at:
I. Bjork -- Lundeen
prospect
1.
Lundeen prospect
2.
2. I-I -18
18Structure
Structure
3. Ropes
Ropesdeposit
deposit
4.
range
4 Possible
Poss~ole
rangeof
01 horizontal
horizontalcomponent
component
01 maximum
maxfmumprincipal
pr,nc~paI
stress which
wnlcn could
co~ld
of
stress
s ~ m ~ l t a n e o usatisfy
sat~sfv
s l ~ requirements
requmvnentsfor
lor
simultaneously
sites
2, and
sqles 1,
1.2.
and33 above
above

Figure 8:
8: Structural
Structuralmodel
model for
for the
the Ropes
Ropes mine,
mine.

43

�(Sibson, 1987). Both
Both the
the sigmoidal
sigmoidal zones
zones of
of Au
Au concentration
concentration with
with dispersed
dispersed pyrite,
pyrite, and
and the
the
auriferous quartz veins are interpreted as indicating local extension within aa dilational
dilational jog.
jog.
There is a component of positive volume change in the shear zone, in an otherwise
compressive tectonic regime. Increased
Increased pore
pore pressure
pressure within
within the
the shear
shear zone
zone as
as
microfractures filled with fluid, combined with the extensional effect
effect of
of the dilational jog,
jog,
local extension.
extension. Slip
jogs involves extensional
may have contributed to local
Slip transfer in dilational jogs
fracture openings localized in the jog,
jog, or step over. Formation
Formation of
of dilational
dilational jogs involves
involves
local loss of cohesion, or brittle failure, in an
an otherwise ductile
ductile environment.
environment.
The trend of quartz-sericite-chlorite rock which hosts
hosts the Ropes main ore zone
narrows to the east of the deposit, as well as toward
toward surface up
up dip from the deposit, where it
70° south dip at shallow
shallow levels.
levels. This
bends from a near vertical dip at depth to a 70"
This change
change in
in
thickenss and attitude may have caused barrier
barrier conditions
conditions for ascending hydrothermal fluids,
thickens
addition to
to the
the dilational jog
jog controlling
resulting in another control on localization of ore in addition
of the overall setting
setting of
of the
the deposit.
deposit.

References
References
Anderson,E.M.,
Anderson, E.M., 1951,
1951,The
The Dynamics
Dynamics of
of Faulting:
Faulting: London, England. Oliver and Boyd,
Boyd, 191
191 p.
p,
Geochemistry of Gold and Its Deposits:
Deposits: Geological
Geological Survey of
Boyle, R.W., 1979,
1979, The Geochemistry
Canada Bulletin 280,
584 p.
280,584
p.
Broderick, T.M., 1945,
1945, Geology
Geology of the Ropes
Ropes Gold Mine,
Mine, Marquette
Marquette County,
County, Michigan:
Michigan:
Economic Geology,
Geology, v.40,
v.40, p.115-128.
p.115-128.
of Economic
Brozdowski, R.A., 1989,
1989, Geology of The Ropes Mine, Society of
Economic Geologists
Geologists Fall
Fall
Field Conference Guidebook,
Guidebook, Precambrian Geology and
and Metal
Metal Occurrences,
Occurrences,
Michigan's
Michigan's Upper Peninsula Field Conference,
Conference, p. 38-75.
Groshong, R.H., Jr., 1988,
1988, Low Temperature
Temperature Deformation Mechanisms
Mechanisms and
and Their
Their
v. 100, p. 1329-1360.
1329-1360.
Interpretation: Geological Society of America Bulletin, v.100,
Hodgson, C.J., 1989,
1989, Patterns
Patterns of
of Mineralization, Chapter
Chapter 3,
3, in:
in:
Mineralization and Shear Zones, Geological Association of Notes v.6, Montreal,
Quebec, May 12-14,
12-14, p.51-88.
Lisle, R.J., 1989,
Dike Sets: Geol.
1989, Paleostress Analysis from Sheared Dike
Geol. Soc.
Soc. Am.
Am. Bulletin,
Bulletin, v.
v.
101, p. 968-972.
Sibson, R.H.,1987, Earthquake Rupturing as a Mineralizing Agent in Hydrothermal Systems:
Systems:
Geology, v.15,
v. 15, p 701-704.
701-704.
Tchalenko, J.S., 1970,
1970, Similarities
Similarities Between Shear
Shear Zones of Different Magnitudes:
Magnitudes:
625-1640.
Geological Society
Society of
of America
America Bulletin,
Bulletin,v.81,
v.81,p.1
p.1625-1640.

44

�Geologic Field
Field Excursion
Excursion to
to the
the Ispheming Greenstone
Greenstone Belt
Rodney C. Johnson,
Johnson, Rod
Rod Johnson
Johnson &amp;
&amp; Associates,
Associates, Inc.,
Inc., Negaunee, MI
MI 49866
49866
Theodore J. Bornhorst, Department
Department of Geological
Geological Engineering
Engineering and
and Sciences,
Sciences, Michigan
Michigan
Technological
Technological University,
University, Houghton,
Houghton,MI
MI49931
4993 1

Introduction
Introduction
This geologic field excursion to the Ishpeming
Ishpeming greenstone belt consists
consists of
of 88 selected
selected stops
stops
(Figure 1). These
These stops
stops are
are designed
designed to
to cover
cover the major varieties of volcanic lithologies
found in the belt and several localities of structural
structural significance.
significance. Johnson and
and Bornhorst
Bomhorst
(this volume) provide an overview of the greenstone belt and explanation of stratigraphic
stratigraphic
terminology used in this guide. AA detailed
detailed topographic
topographic map
map is
is provided
provided to
to identify
identify the
the
location of the stops,
however
users
should
refer
to
larger
scale
maps
in
order
to
navigate
stops,
order to navigate
roads to the stops.
stops.

Trip Stops
Field Trip
Stops
Stop
Stop A -- Lighthouse Point

Purpose: View:
View:1)1)amphibolite
amphibolite schist
schist of
of Lighthouse
Lighthouse Point
Point Basalt,
Basalt, 2)
2) Dead
Dead River Shear
Shear Zone,
Zone,
and 3) cross-cutting relationships of Archean and Proterozoic rocks (Figure 2).

Note: You
Guard to
to visit
visit this
this locality.
locality. No rock
You must
must obtain
obtain permission
permission from
from the U.S. Coast Guard
rock
hammers or specimen collecting are allowed at this
this stop. Park
Park in
in the
the parking lot across
across from
from
the Coast
Coast Guard
Guard office.
office.
At this stop excellent shoreline exposures on Lighthouse Point and along the adjacent beach
provide a view of Archean and Proterozoic
Proterozoic rocks
rocks (Figure
(Figure 3).
3). Gair
Gair and
and Thaden (1968)
(1968)
mapped these rocks in detail.
detail.
Part I. The
Theoutcrop
outcrop in
in the
the middle
middle of
of the
the beach
beach near the parking lot is composed of Archean
thinly layered, amphibolite schist (basalt). The basalt here is part of the Lighthouse Point
generally strike E-W
E-W and
and dip
dip 70Â°N
70°N. The layers in
Basalt. The
The layers
layers on
on Lighthouse
Lighthouse Point generally
highly flattened
flattened pillows.
pillows. The flattening is interpreted to be a
the basalt are interpreted as highly
result of north verging recumbent folding (Johnson and Bomhorst, 1991).
1991).

Part 11.
II. The
Theoutcrop
outcropon
on the
the southwest
southwest end
end of
of the beach is composed of chlorite-sericite
schist, again part of the Lighthouse Point Basalt (see Johnson and Bornhorst,
Bomhorst, this volume).
The chlorite-sericite schist is interpreted to be deformed pillow basalt and are
Kinematic indicators
indicators (S-C fabric in particular)
metamorphosed to greenschist facies.
metamorphosed
facies. Kinematic
indicate a dominantly left-lateral shear sense, but on close inspection right-lateral and northnorthindicators are also present.
present. This locality is interpreted to be the eastern extension of
side-up indicators
block of
of the Ispheming greenstone
the Dead River Shear Zone that separates the northern block
belt from the southern
1).
southern two
two blocks
blocks (Figure
(Figure 1).
45

�____

T.

50
N

T.

49
N

T.

48
N.

46°30'

R.28W.

R.27W.

R.26W.

R.25W.

Explanation
Explanation
Proterozoic
Proterozoic

Sedimentary rocks
0Sedimentary
rocks

I

Mona
Mona Formation
Formation
Upper tuff unit
unit and lapilli-tuff
lapilli-tuff unit
unit
Basalt
Basalt flow unit
unit
Kitchi Formation
Formation
Kitchi
Tuff unit and lahar unit
Basalt
unit
Basalt flow unit

l\ /1

I

Archean
Intrusive
Intrusive Rocks
Rocks
k''-4 Granodiorite
Granodiorite
177771 Tonalite
Tonalite
1 Deer
Lake
Peridotite
Deer
Lake
Peridotite
Sedimentary Rocks
Sedimentary
Rocks
K"Xl Timiskaming-type
Timiskaming-typesedimentary
sedimentaryrocks
rocks
Volcanic Rocks
Rocks
Lighthouse
Lighthouse Point
Point Basalt
Basalt
Basalt
Basalt
V/A Reany
Reany Lake pyroclastic
pyroclastic unit
unit and
and
Fire Center mine
mine iron-formation
iron-formation unit
unit
HP_Li Nash
NashCreek
Creek glomerophyric
glomerophyric basalt
basalt unit
unit

3

L\1
m

Bedding
Bedding
87
f Overturned bedding
bedding
87+
Facing of pillows
A Facing
pillows
Plunging anticline
Plunging
anticline
Plunging syncline
syncline
'C Plunging
overturned anticline
Plunging overturned
Shear
zone
1
@ Location
Location of stops
stops

&amp;
-

A

%

Figure 1:
1: Generalized geologic
geologic map of the Ishpeming greenstone belt showing location
location
of stops.
stops.

46

�R. 25W.

T. 48 N.

Figure 2:
2: Stop
StopAA- Lighthouse
Lighthouse Point
Point
Figure

47

�100

0

200m

0

50rn

I

Explanation
Middle
Middle Proterozoic
Proterozoic

/,%j Keweenawan
Keweenawandiabase
diabasedike
dike
Early
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic
'dt*S Metadiabase
Metadiabasedike
dike
Archean
Archean

I

Intrusive
IntrusiveRocks
Rocks
Rhyolite
Rhyolite

0
I

Lighthouse
Lighthouse Point
PointBasalt
Basalt
Basalt,
Basalt,outcrops
outcropsinindarker
darkershade
shade
Figure
Figure3:
3:Geologic
Geologicmap
mapof
of Lighthouse
LighthousePoint
Point (modified
(modifiedfrom
fromGair,
Gair,1959).
1959).

48

I

�Within the basalt dominated outcrop there are lenticular pods of quartz-chert (hematite
(hematite
The interpretation of the
the quartz-chert
stained) and small texturally different
different quartz
quartz veins.
veins. The
with deposition
deposition of
of the
the basalts.
basalts. Small
Small quartz
quartz
pods is not clear, they could be synchronous with
veins are found in rocks throughout
throughout the
the Ishpeming
Ishpeming greenstone
greenstone belt.
belt. Most of
of these were
were
Archean deformation
deformation and
and metamorphism.
metamorphism. However, at
at least some
some
likely emplaced during Archean
1998).
were emplaced during the Proterozoic (Bornhorst
(Bomhorst and others, 1998).
Part III.
111. The main outcrops of Lighthouse Point are northeast of the first two localities.
localities.
This trip will only
only visit
visit the
the shorline
shorline ouctrops
ouctrops on
on the
the northeast end of
of the
the beach,
beach, near
near aa house.
house.
Here, Archean thinly layered, amphibolite schist (basalt) is cut by a tabular, porphyritic
rhyolite dike trending roughly parallel to the layering. The layered basalt is part of the
the
Lighthouse Point Basalt and the rhyolite is interpreted as synchronous with the synorogenic
late trondjhemite-granite suite plutons that reorient earlier fabrics.
are
The Archean rocks are cut by two N-S trending Proterozoic diabase dikes that are
metamorphosed to greenschist facies as compared to the surrounding Archean rocks that are
are
metamorphosed to amphibolite facies. The
The crest
crest of the ridge (not visited today) is underlain
by a relatively unmetamorphosed E-W
E-W trending diabase dike
dike of Keweenawan
Keweenawan age.
age.
White Bear Drive
Stop B -- White
Drive

Purpose: View
Viewthe
theupper
uppertuff
tuffunit
unitof
ofthe
theMona
Mona Formation
Formation and
andS3
S3crenulation cleavage
cleavage
(Figure
(Figure 4).
4).

The rocks at this stop are part
part of
of the
the upper
upper tuff
tuff unit
unit of
of the
the Mona
MonaFormation.
Formation. The rocks of the
quartz-feldspar-sericite-chlorite schist.
schist. Thin primary layering subupper tuff unit consist of quartz-feldspar-sericite-chlorite
parallel to S
S,foliation
foliationcan
canbe
beobserved
observed in
in some
some of the outcrop in this area. Based
Based on
on the
the
presence of sand-sized,
sand-sized, lenticular
lenticular volcanic
volcanic fragments, and lack of sand-sized quartz
quartz and
and
feldspar in an intact framework, most of these schist beds are interpreted as tuff.
On the north side of the outcrop nearest White Bear Drive we can see the hinge of a
fold. This allows us to see S3 crenulation
crenulationcleavage.
cleavage. On the limbs of
westward plunging F3 fold.
S and
Bornhorst, this volume,
andS3
S3are
are parallel
parallel and
and indistinguishable (see Johnson and Bomhorst,
the fold S,
Table 1).
1).

Stop C - Tower
Purpose: View
Viewthe
thelapilli-tuff
lapilli-tuff unit
unitof
ofthe
theMona
MonaFormation
Formation and
andS3
S3crenulation cleavage
cleavage
(Figure 5).
5).
Note: Park
Parkatatthe
thecommunication
communicationtower
towerand
andwalk
walkabout
about lOOm
loom downhill in a southerly
direction to aa series
series of
of outcrops
outcrops alongside
alongside the
the hill.
hill.

The rocks at this stop are part of the lapilli-tuff
lapilli-tuff unit
unit of
of the
the Mona
MonaFormation.
Formation. The rock is
composed of calc-alkalic rhyolite lapilli in a quartz-sericite-chlorite matrix with quartz and
and
49

�R. 26W.

T. 48 N.

Figure 4: Stop
Stop B-White
B-White Bear Drive
Drive

R. 26W.

T. 48 N.

Figure
Figure 5:
5: Stop
Stop C-Tower
C-Tower

50

�R. 26W.

1.48 N.

Figure
Figure 6:
6:Stop
Stop D-Shunk
D-Shunk Furniture
Furniture

R. 26W.

T. 48 N.

StopE-Tuff
E-Tuff Unit
Unitof
ofthe
theKitchi
KitchiFormation
Formation
Figure7:7:Stop
Figure

51

�less commonly, feldspar phenocrysts. Flattened
Flattened apple
apple green
green lapilli
lapilli (muscovite
(muscoviteand
and chlorite;
chlorite;
Puffet, 1974) are also common at this stop. This
This unit
unit isis interpreted
interpreted as
as subaqueous
subaqueous
pyroclastic flow and fall deposits.
At this stop an earlier shallowly easterly dipping foliation (S1)
(Si) is crenulated by a later E-W
foliation and
and elongated
elongated in the
(S3). The
The lapilli
lapilli are
are flattened along the S1
S, foliation
trending foliation (53).
direction of the intersection of Si and S3.
The
Dead
River
Shear
zone
(D2,
D4) is interpreted
83. The Dead River Shear zone (Dz,D4)
to be located on the north side of the tower hill.
Stop D - Shunk Furniture
Purpose: View
Viewpillowed
pillowedbasalt
basalt of
ofthe
theMona
MonaFormation
Formation (Figure
(Figure 6)
6)
Note: Park
Parkalongside
alongsideof
ofthe
theroad
roadacross
acrossfrom
fromShunk
ShunkFurniture,
Furniture, but
but be
be very
very careful
careful of
oftraffic.
traffic.
There are excellent views of relatively undeformed pillowed
pillowed tholeiitic basalt in outcrops
pillowed basalts are part
part of
of the
the basalt
basalt flow
flow unit
unit of
of the
the Mona
Mona
alongside of U.S. The pillowed
30 cm
cm X
X 1.5
1.5 m;
m;
Formation. The
Thepillows
pillows are
are ellipsoidal
ellipsoidal in
in shape
shape with
with dimensions
dimensions about
about 30
E-W and
and dips
dips 85'
85° N.
N. Cusps on pillows indicate
attitude of bedding strikes approximately E-W
that stratigraphic top is to the north. There
There are
are characteristic
characteristic well-developed
well-developed pillow
pillow rinds,
rinds,
radial fractures, and interpillow void spaces filled with quartz and carbonate.
carbonate. Overall,
Overall,
pillowed and massive tholeiitic basalt is the dominant lithology in the Ishpeming greenstone
belt.
Stop EE—
Kitchi Formation
Stop
- Tuff Unit of the Kitchi

Purpose: View
View tuff
tuff unit
unit of
of the
the Kitchi
Kitchi Formation
Formation and
and evidence
evidence for
for superposed
superposed folding
folding
(Figure 7).
7).
Kitchi
At this stop we will see some of the lithologic variation within the tuff unit of
of the
the Kitchi
folding. Cross-bedding,
Formation and evidence for large scale folding.
Cross-bedding, graded
graded bedding, and
and cut
cut and
and
Kitchi Formation,
Formation, but
but in
in this
this area
area clearly
clearly indicate
indicate tops
tops to
to
fill structures are uncommon in the Kitchi
the east. AA foliation
foliation atatright
right angles
angles to
to bedding
bedding indicates
indicates this
this area
area is
is near aa vertically
vertically
plunging fold nose.
Stop F - Teal
Teal Lake
Purpose: View
View the
theCarp
CarpRiver
River Falls
Falls shear
shear zone,
zone, tuff
tuff unit
unit of
of the Kitchi
Kitchi Formation and
and Ajibik
Ajibik
8).
Quartzite of the Menominee Group of the Marquette Range Supergroup (Figure
(Figure 8).
At this stop we will cross the Carp
Carp River Falls shear zone from Lower Proterozoic
metasedimentary rocks into Archean
We will
will begin the
the traverse in
in the
the
Archean metavolcanic
metavolcanic rocks.
rocks. We
steeply dipping Ajibik Quartzite of the Lower Proterozoic Marquette
Marquette
relatively undeformed steeply
TheCarp
CarpRiver
River Falls
Falls shear
shear zone
zone is
is aa high
high strain
strain zone
zone indicated
indicated by
by
Range Supergroup. The
The foliation
foliation in
in the
the schist
schist is
is near
near vertical
vertical and
and has
has aa
quartz-sericite-feldspar-chlorite schist. The
steep mineral lineation. As
As the
the shear
shearzone
zone isis traversed
traversed there
there is
is aa noticeable
noticeable increase
increase in
in the
the
52

�R. 27W.

T. 48 N.

Figure 8:
8: Stop
Stop F-Teal
F-Teal Lake
Lake

R. 27W.

T. 48 N.

Figure
Figure 9:
9: Stop
Stop G-Alorig
G-Along Deer
Deer Lake
Lake

53

�amount of chlorite in the schist. On
Onthe
thenorth
north side
side of
of the
the Carp
Carp River
River Falls
Falls shear
shear zone
zone isis
quartz-feldspar-sericite-chlorite schist
schist of
of the
the tuff
tuff unit
unit of
of the
the Kitchi
Kitchi Formation.
Formation.
Stop G --Along
Along Deer Lake
Lake

Purpose: View
View lahar
laharunit
unitof
ofthe
theKitchi
Kitchi Formation
Formation (Figure
(Figure 9).
9).
At this stop polymictic volcanic conglomerate is exposed in
in a glacially
glacially polished
polished outcrop
along the north side the road
road towards
towards Deer
Deer Lake.
Lake. Park alongside of the road.
road. This
This volcanic
volcanic
part of the
the lahar
lahar unit
unit of
of the
the Kitchi
KitchiFormation.
Formation. On the polished
polished surface, the
conglomerate is part
volcanic clasts vary from 25 cm X 35 cm in cross section,
section, down
down to
to the
the size of the matrix
grains. Larger
1.2mminincross
crosssection,
section, are
are present
present in
in the
the nearby
nearby lake
lake
Larger clasts,
clasts, up
up to
to 60cm
60 cmXX1.2
shore outcrops. Clasts
Clastsgreater
greater than
than 11cm
cm make
make up
up about
about 20
20 %
% of
of the
the rock
rock and
and there
there isis an
an
obvious stratification in clast
clast size. Shape
very angular to
to rounded.
rounded. The
Shape of clasts varies from very
The
volcanic clasts are caic-alkalic
calc-alkalic andesite
andesite to dacite
dacite in composition with
with most
most clasts
clasts at
at this
this
locality being near the andesite to dacite division
division with
with small
small chemical
chemical variation
variation (Bomhorst
(Bornhorst
unpublished
holocrystalline. The
unpublished data). Most
Most clasts
clasts are
are porphyritic and some are holocrystalline.
The volcanic
volcanic
conglomerate is interpreted as a subaqueous lahar deposit.
deposit.

Stop H - Shoreline of Deer Lake
Purpose: View
ViewDeer
DeerLake
LakePeridotite
Peridotite (Figure
(Figure10).
10).

road. Park
Note: There
There isis aa small
small pullover
pullover on
on the east side of the road.
Park and
and walk
walk along
along the
the road
road to
to
the north where you can find a small
small trail that leads through the woods to
to the
the tip
tip of
of the
the point.
point.
Outcrops occur along the shoreline of this small point into
into Deer Lake. At this
this stop
stop
serpentized peridotite of the Deer Lake Peridotite is exposed along the shore
shore of
of Deer
Deer Lake.
Lake.
Elongate pods of massive serpentized peridotite with closely spaced
spaced fractures
fractures are
are surrounded
surrounded
by 2 to 5 cm wide ribbons of 11 to 22 mm subparallel veins of cross
cross cross-fiber serpentine
serpentine
(Bornhorst
fine(Bomhorst and others, 1986).
1986). The
Thedark
dark grey
grey to
to green
green massive
massive serpentized
serpentized peridotite
peridotite is
is fineto medium-grained and lacks obvious foliation. lit
In hand sample one can find well-developed
well-developed
1 to
to 55 mm
mm pseudomorphs
pseudomorphs after olivine and
and pyroxene
pyroxene outlined
outlined by
by thin
thin selvages of white
carbonate or talc. No
No spinifex
spinifex or
or pyroxene "string beef'
beef' textures
textures indicative
indicative of
of komatiite
komatiite
flows have been found. The
Thechemical
chemical composition
composition indicates
indicates an
an olivine
olivine to
to pyroxene ratio
ratio
from about 0.25 to 2 and most samples
samples are
are in the harzburgite field and
and some
some are
are in
in the
the
Iherzolite
lherzolite field. The
The Deer
Deer Lake
Lake Peridotite
Peridotite is
is interpreted
interpreted as
as a sill complex.

This locality is only a few 100
Ropes gold
gold mine.
mine. The
100 meters from the Ropes
The shear
shear zone
zone that
that hosts
hosts
the Ropes gold mine projects immediately
immediately north
north of
of this
this small
small point.
point. The
The serpentized
serpentized
peridotite has a strong,
veinlets and
and streaks
streaks
strong, contorted
contorted foliation with magnetite as irregular
irregular veinlets
along the foliation
foliation planes indicating the shear zone that hosts gold at
at the Ropes
~ o ~mine
mine
e s
continues into the Deer Lake Peridotite. Adjacent
Adjacent to
to the
the gold
gold ore
ore body
body the
the serpentized
serpentized
peridotite is altered
altered to a talc-carbonate rock (Bornhorst
(Bornhorst and
and others, this
this volume).
volume).

54

�R. 26W.

T. 48. N.

Figure 10:
10:Stop
Stop HH- Shoreline
Shoreline of
of Deer
Deer Lake
Lake
Figure

R. 26W.

T. 48 N.

Figure 11:
11:Stop
StopI-I-County
CountyRoad
Road510
510
Figure

55

�StopiStop
I -County
County Road
Road 510
Purpose: View
Purpose:
View fire
fire Center
Center Mine
Mine iron-formation
iron-formation of the Lighthouse Point Basalt (Figure
(Figure 11).
11).
Note: Park
Parkalongside
alongsideof
ofthe
theroad,
road, but
but be
be careful
careful to
to watch
watch for
for logging
logging trucks
trucks moving
moving at
at high
high
speeds.
There are several outcrops
outcrops on both sides of County Road 510
510 at
at this stop.
stop. The
The particular
particular
outcrop of interest is near the top of the slope
slope on the east side of the road, itit may
may take
take aa little
little
effort to find the iron-formation.
iron-formation. At
At this
this stop
stop the
the Fire
Fire Center
Center Mine
Mine iron-formation
iron-formation unit
unit of
of the
the
Lighthouse Point Basalt is overlain and underlain by massive tholeiitic basalt of
of the
the
Lighthouse Point Basalt. The
Theiron-formation
iron-formation isis approximately
approximately 1.5
1.5 m
m thick
thick and
and strikes
strikes
N30°W.
N30Â¡WItIt isis composed
composed of
of fine,
fine, black
black chert
chert that contains scattered magnetite grains and
pyrite. To
Tothe
thewest
west of
of this
thislocality,
locality, the
the iron-formation
iron-formation is
is layered
layered with 1.5
1.5 cm
cm thick chert
chert and
and
magnetite bands. Despite
Despitevariable
variable magnetite
magnetite content,
content, this
this iron-formation
iron-formation produces
produces aa strong
strong
magnetic signature
signature and can be traced from north to south in this stratigraphic
stratigraphic block
block of
of the
the
greenstone belt. This
marker. The
This iron-formation
iron-formation is an excellent stratigraphic marker.
The basalt is dark
dark
amphibolite
green to black, fine-grained and relatively non-foliated and metamorphosed to amphibolite
grade.
grade.

Acknowledgments
We thank Shannon E. Bair for computer drafting of the figures.

References
Bomhorst T.J.,
T.J., Shepeck,
Shepeck, A.W.,
A.W., and
and Rossell,
Rossell, D.M.,
D.M., 1986,
1986, The
The Ropes
Ropes gold
gold mine,
mine, Marquette
Marquette
County, Michigan,
gold deposit:
deposit: MacDonald,
- an Archean hosted lode gold
MacDonald, E.J.
E.J.
Michigan, U.S.A -(ed.), Proceedings of Gold '86, an International Symposium on the Geology of Gold,
Toronto, p.
13-227.
Toronto,
p. 2213-227.
Bornhorst,
Bomhorst, T.J., Thorpe, R.I.,
R.I., and Johnson, R.C., 1998,
1998, Lead isotope study of veins in
in the
the
Archean Ishpeming greenstone belt, Michigan: Econ. Geol., v. 93, pp. 102-107.
102-107.
Gair, J.E. and Thaden, R.E., 1968,
1968, Geology of the Marquette and Sands
Sands Quadrangles,
Quadrangles,
Marquette County, Michigan: U.S. Geol. Survey Professional Paper397, 77 p.
Johnson,
R.C. and Bornhorst,
T.J., 1991, Archean
Archean geology
geology of
of the
the northern
Johnson, R.C.
Bomhorst, T.J.,
northern block
block of the
the
Ishpeming
belt, Marquette
Ishpeming greenstone
greenstone belt,
Marquette County,
County, Michigan:
Michigan: U.S.
U S . Geological
Geological Survey
Survey
Bulletin 1904-F,
1904-F, 20
20 p.
p.
Puffett, W. P., 1974,
1974, Geology of the Negaunee Quadrangle, Marquette County, Michigan:
U.S.
53 p.
U S . Geol. Survey
Survey Professional
Professional Paper
Paper 788,
788,53
p.

56

�Shear
Shear Zones
Zones and
and Gold
Gold Mineralization
Mineralization
in the
the South
South Half
Half of
of the
the Ishpeming
Ishpeming Greenstone
GreenstoneBelt,
Belt,
Michigan
Michigan

by

D.J. Duskin
Duskin
Consulting
Consulting Geologist
Geologist
210
21 0 Union Street
Street
Camden, SC 29020
29020
and
and

T.O.
T.O. Quigley
President
Minerals
Minerals Processing
Processing Corporation
Corporation
4547
4547 County
County Road
Road 601
60 1
Champion, MI 49814
49814

57

�Foreword
Foreword
Much of this field trip is devoted to gold occurrences.
occunences. At
Atmost
moststops,
stops,the
theguidebook
guidebookdescriptions
descriptions
will include the
the results
results of
of sampling
sampling and
and assaying
assayingfor
forgold.
gold. The term "grab sample" means a small
reconnaissance-style sample deliberately chosen
chosen by
by an
an exploration
exploration geologist to have, in his experience, the
maximum chance of yielding gold in the assay because of the presence of alteration, sulfides,
sulfides, gossan,
gossan, etc..
etc..

If our reported result contains
contains gold,
gold, this
this doesn't
doesn't necessarily mean
mean that
that someone
someone else's
else's subsequent sample
the same value.
value. This phase of sampling is deliberately subjective, and
and gold
gold distribution
distribution is
is far
far
will give the
from uniform in Archean deposits,
deposits, varying
varying greatly
greatlywithin
withinsmall
smalldomains,
domains,even
evenatatproducing
producingmines.
mines. More
representative sampling will
will be
be discussed at some of the field trip stops as either "channel" or "chip"

samples across an exposure.
exposure. Channel
front diamond blade rock saw cuts or hand-cut
Channel samples,
samples, taken either from

by hammer and moil, are meant to be volumetrically equivalent to a ¼
'/2 split of BQ (1.5-inch
(1 S-inch diameter)
drill core. Chip
Chipsamples
samples are
are more
more representative
representative of the exposure than a grab sample, but not as rigorously
taken as a channel sample.
sample.

Unless otherwise specifically noted, all gold values reported herein are from samples
samples crushed,
ground, split and assayed at the former Callahan Mining Corporation assay lab in the Humboldt (Ropes)

Gold Mill, now owned and operated by Minerals Processing
Processing Corporation
Corporation (MPC).
(MPC). MPC's
MPC's assays
assays were
were all
all
done by the fire
fife assay-gravimetric finish
finish method,
method, using
usingaa 1-assay
I-assay ton
ton (29.167
(29.167 gram)
gram) subsplit.
subsplit. MPC's
MPC's
lower detection limit by
by this
this technique
technique isis ,003
.003 odton
oz/ton (103
(103 ppb)
ppb) Au.
Au. The terms "no gold",
gold, or
or "below
"below
detection" refer to this limit. In
Insome
somecases
caseswhere
wherewe
we felt
feltititimportant
importantto
toknow
knowthe
thepresence
presenceof
ofeven
evenlower
lower
Au values, separate subsplits were sent to Chemex Labs in Vancouver, B.C. for analysis by a lower
detection limit technique, noted herein where so done. This
This technique
technique is
is the
the fire
fire assay
assay -- atomic absorption
finish
fmish process (FA-AA),
(FA-AA), and has
has aa lower
lower detection
detection limit
limit of
of 10
10ppb.
ppb.

Chemex Labs also performed whole rock
rock major
major oxide analyses.
analyses. Results
Results from samples
samples taken at
(Grunsky, 1983; Jensen, 1976)
some of the field trip stops are shown on Jensen cation plots (Gnmsky,
1976) that have been
routinely used for characterizing the lithochemisby
lithochemistry of
of the
the rocks
rocks from
from this
this region (Bomhorst
(Bornhorst and Johnson,

1993). Figure lisa
1993).
1 is atemplate
templateJensen
Jensenplot.
plot.The
TheJensen
Jensenplots
plotswere
weredone
doneby
byconsulting
consulting geologist
geologist R.A.
Campbell, Burlington, Ontario, using "Newpet"
"Newpet" software developed and distributed by the Earth Sciences
Sciences

Department of Memorial
Memorial University
Universityof
ofNewfoundland
Newfoundland.. Mr.
Mr. Campbell's
Campbell's assistance
assistance is
is gratefully
acknowledged.
acknowledged.

58

�Chemex
Chemexalso
alsodid
didaa32-trace
32-traceelement
elementanalysis
analysisusing
usingthe
theX-ray
X-rayfluorescence
fluorescencetechnique
techniquefor
forall
all
samples
samplessubmitted
submittedfor
forassay;
assay;results
resultsare
arediscussed
discussedwhere
wheresignificant.
significant.

All
thinsections
sectionsexamined
examinedwith
withthe
theassistance
assistanceofofR.L.
R.L.
Allpetrographic
petrographicdescriptions
descriptionsare
arefrom
frompolished
polishedthin
Bamett
BamettofofBameti
BamettGeological
GeologicalConsulting,
Consulting,London,
London,Ontario.
Ontario. Mineral
Mineralcompositions
compositionswere
weredetermined
determined
using
JEOLModel
Model733
733five
fivespectrometer
spectrometerscanning
scanningelectron
electronmicroprobe.
microprobe.Mineral
Mineral
usingBaniett
BamettGeological's
Geological'sJEOL

percentages
percentagesare
arevisual
visualestimates;
estimates;no
no point
point counts
counts were done. Mr.
Mr.Bamett's
Barnett'svaluable
valuablehelp
helpisisalso
alsogratefldly
gratefully
acknowledged.
acknowledged.

FeO* + 1102

Cation %
Jensen (1976)

PJ203
A1203

Mgo
MgO

Figure
1: 1 :Fields
Plot
Figure
Fieldsfor
forthe
theJensen
JensenCation
Cation
Plot
595 9

I

�CONTOUR INTERVAL 20 FEET

0.. )

20
Zr.C

.5

r

CQ

0

t%Z

0
0

�Stop SC-I:
SG1:

Variably
basalt of
ol'Mona
Mona Formation
Formation near
near M
Marquette
Harbor
Variably sheared
sheared pillow basalt
a q u e t t e Harbor
(Location
2).
(Location map, Figure
Figure 2).

Gair and
(1968)
and Thaden
Thaden (1
968) last mapped this locality and assigned it to the lower member of the

Mona Schist. Recently
(1993)have
have revised
revised the
the stratigraphic
stratigraphic nomenclature
nomenclature of
of the
the
Recently Bornhorst
Bomhorst and
and Johnson
Johnson (1993)
lshpeming
Ishpeming Greenstone Belt; this locality would now be assigned to the informal basalt flow of the Mona

lowermost unit
unit.. Pillowed
Formation, its lowermost
Pillowedmetabasalts
metahasaltsof
ofgreenschist
greenschistfacies
facies are
are the
the predominant Ethology
lithology
in this
this unit.
unit.

The exposures here are best seen in a three-part sequence. After
After parking in
in the
the abandoned
abandoned railroad
railroad

yard, head east and take the trail along the south side of
of Whetstone
Whetstone Brook
Brook to
to the
the lakeshore
lakeshoreto
tosee
seeglacially
glacially
polished outcrops of pillow lavas. The
Theoutcrops
outcropsdisplay
displaywell
wellpreserved
preservedglacial
glacial grooves
grooves and
andstriae
striaetrending
trending
198°;
19S0; some of the grooves contain
contain classic
classic examples
examples of
of crescent-shaped
crescent-shaped chaffer
chatter marks pointing down-ice.
down-ice.
The two outcrops here show
show a layer of massive
massive non-pillowed
non-pillowed basalt
basalt conformably
conformably sandwiched
sandwiched

between two pillowed
pillowed layers.
layers. The layering shown by
by this "sandwich"
"sandwich" trends
trends approximately
approximately 305'.
305°. The
The
pillows are pristine and
and undeformed,
undeformed, some
some of
of them
them up
up to
to six
six feet
feet across.
across. They display internal cooling
cooling
fractures, well preserved rinds, and cusps
cusps consistently
consistently showing
showing tops to
to the
the north.
north.

The next point of interest is about
about 100 feet
feet south
south on
on the
the rocky
rockypoint
pointof
of the
thelakeshore.
lakeshore. Please he
be
careful while making your wav
way southward over
over this
this slioperv
slippery outcro~.
outcrop. On
On the
the south
south side
side of
of this
this rocky
rocky point
point

are pillowed basalt and thin discontinuous lenses of chert interbedded
interbedded with the pillows,
pillows, some
someforming
forming
pillow selvages. Some
brecciated red
Someof
ofthe
thechert
chertcontains
contains patches
patches of
ofbrecciated
red jasper; this
this texture is
is probably the
the

deformation. None of
result of soft sediment deformation.
of these cherts is magnetic. A
A great
great deal of
of excess calcite is
also present with the pillows. This
This probably
probably contributed
contributed to
to the
the development
development of
of shearing,
shearing, which
which can
can be
be
to be increasing rapidly
rapidly in
in intensity
intensity southward
southwardin
inthis
thisoutcrop.
outcrop. We think that the calcite and
clearly seen to
the result
result of
of degassing
degassing and
and seawater
seawaterprecipitation
precipitationininand
andnear
nearaaflow
flowtop.
top. In our experience
chert lenses are the

such interpillow zones containing discontinuous thin cherts are very common.
path from the beach
beach westward
westward back
back to
to the
the railroad
railroadyard
yard the
the progressive
progressive deformation
deformation of
of
Taking the path
best seen.
seen. Entering
pillow basalt here is perhaps best
Entering the yard, the outcrop exposure on the right (north) again

marks the north edge of the developing shearing. Here
Here the rock is moderately and variably sheared but the
outlines of pillows can still be seen
seen despite a penetrative
penetrative foliation striking
striking 290°,
290Â°85°N
85'N (photo,
(photo,Figure
Figure3).
3).

The pillow rinds are pinkish weathering calcite, and the pillows here are much smaller than those earlier
seen to the north, again a possible contributing
contributing factor to the development
development of
of shearing
shearing here.
here.

61

�Figure
northwest
Figure3.3.Looking
Looking
northwestatatsheared
shearedgreenstone
greenstoneoutcrop
outcropononeast
eastside
sideofofrail
railyard,
yard,Stop
StopSG-1.
SG-1.
Hammer
Hammerpoint
pointtouching
touchingcalcareous
calcareousflattened
flattenedpillow
pillowrind.
rind.

Moving
is is
itsitswest
Movingwest
westacross
acrossthe
therailroad
railroadyard,
yard,the
thethird
thirdpart
partofofthis
thisstop
stop
westwall.
wall.The
The
features
here
features
here

50yards
yardswest
westofofhere
hereand
andabove
aboveususininthe
theU.S.
U.S.Highway
Highway4141road
roadcut;
cut;
aremore
morecontinuously
continuouslyexposed
exposedabout
about50
are
that
vexydangerous
dangeroushigh
highspeed
speedIraffic
trafficlocation
locationand
andwe've
we'vechosen
chosentotoshow
showthe
thesame
sameunits
unitsinindetail
detailatat
thatisisa avery
this
instead.
thisrail
railyard
yardexposure
exposure
instead.

62

�'V
p/I/sawed

4.ilr

1

n.bbl caicgreo4Jt —-—---—
ZontS
ii

4n14
a
71

Careen

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Th— r--sheand 2
i4/ pt/al- p//Iota c,_.rinds

—'-c

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p1/ala

0

20

—'-

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- -4--

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Jo.sper £he-rt
71

P/I/a

Ec/kt p//loots

v

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X

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®

u/kale- rock

mj#trtJ ,tiaiQa
d1 te.
e-'-- ,-._,

_iCoeapsss and Tape.

ao

Figure
Figure4.
4. Compass
Compassand
andtape
tapemap
mapofofwest
westwall
wall of
of railroad
railroad yard, Stop SG-l.
SG-1

63

Ca inple
-Thea

£

—A...
....LL__

C
-at

ny

�Figure 4 is a map of the rail
rail yard
yard exposure.
exposure. From
From north
north to
to south,
south, the
the first exposed
exposed unit
unit is
is dark
blackish green non-amygdaloidal
non-aniygdaloidal pillowed
pillowed basalt
basalt with
with calcareous
calcareousepidote-rich
epidote-richpillow
pillowrinds.
rinds. The pillows
are quite large, some up to four feet across. Blobs
Blobs of
ofcalcite
calcite and
and calcite-cemented
calcite-cemented breccia fill some
some of the
pillow interstices. Within
Withinthis
thisunit
unitthere
thereare
areshallow
shallownorth-dipping
north-dipping rubbly
rubbly zones
zonesthat
thatmay
may represent
represent

irregular flow tops. Many
Many of
ofthe
thepillow
pillowcusps
cuspsindicate
indicatefacing
facingto
to the
thenorth,
north, but
butthis
thisisiseasily
easilyarguable
arguableatatthis
this
outcrop. The
Thepillows
pillows themselves
themselvesare
arenot
not megascopically
megascopically foliated.
foliated.
Moving southward, there is an 8-foot covered interval critical to the relationship between the

pillowed basalt and the next unit.
unit, In
In the
the Highway
Highway 41 exposure
exposure to the west, this zone is occupied by a
sheared-off lens of gray chert and highly sheared rusty weathering chlorite
chlorite rock
rock with
with abundant
abundant oxidized
oxidized

pyrite along
along shear
shearplanes.
planes. (grab
(grab sample
sample HIWAY-1,
HIWAY-l, .013
fine cubic pyrite
,013 ozlton Au). The
The remainder
remainder of the unit,
exposed past the covered interval here, is highly sheared and light gray-green, with
with aa strong Si
S foliation
foliation
striking 269",
269°, 8O0N,
80°N, defined by chloritic slip planes with vertically plunging lineations. Oblique
Obliqueto
toS1
Sl and
dipping more shallowly to the north are discontinuous blobs of white calcite and feathery seams of light

brow!] ankerite.
ankerite. These appear to
to be flattened and
and sheared-out
sheared-out pillow
pillowrinds.
rinds. Both textural features are cut
brown
S1,striking
strikingapproximately
approximately300'
300°and
and dipping
dipping 30'-4O0N,
30°-40°N, defined by
by a tensional cleavage conjugate to Si,
seamlets. There
thin fibrous calcite searnlets.
There are
are also
also wide
wide spaced
spaced flat-dipping
flat-dipping relief
relief fractures
fractures with
with fibrous
fibrouscalcite.
calcite.

At first sight this
this rock
rock might
mightbe
betaken
takenfor
foraamafic
mafictuff.
tuft However,
However, itit lacks definitive features of
such a protolith, i.e., lapilli, crystals, lithic fragments or bedding. Instead,
Instead,itit appears
appearsto
tohave
have been
been derived
derived
from shearing of massive rock, save for the relict pillow rinds, which here indicate that the pillows were
quite small and probably more susceptible to shearing than the more massive large pillows to the north.

Southward there is another
another 10-foot covered
covered interval.
interval, in
In the Highway 41 exposure to the west, a

highly sheared rusty sericite-chlorite-ankerite
sericite-chlorite-ankeritezone with traces of oxidized cubic
cubic pyrite
pyrite occupies
occupies this.
this.
(grab sample HIWAY-2, .009 odton
ozlton Au). Past
Past this
this covered
covered interval, the exposure is of moderately
sheared gray-green rock.
rock. SSifoliation
vertical;
foliationisisapproximately
approximately270°,
270Â°
vertical;the
theshallow
shallowdipping
dipping cleavage
cleavage isis
weakly developed. Blobs
Blobsof
ofchlorite
chlorite in
in the
the plane
plane of SSlshow
showvertical
verticalalignment,
alignment,and
and the
the rock
rock carries
carries
disseminated coarse cubic pyrite with vertically aligned
aligned calcite
calcite pressure
pressure shadows;
shadows; in
in thin
thin section
section both
both of
of
these exhibit porphyroblastic development, rather than a pre-existing textural fabric. This
Thischlorite-spotted
chlorite-spotted
unit has a higher MgO content than the adjacent rocks, plotting in
in the
the komatiitic field
field (see
(seeJensen
Jensencation
cation
plot, Figure
Figure 5).
5).

Further south within this sheared rock
rock is a 1.5 -foot bed of non-magnetic jasper chert that almost

285°, dipping 73'N.
73°N. The
surely
surely defmes
defines an
an original
originallayering
layering(So).
(So). It strikes 285',
Thepatchy
patchy bright
bright red
red jasper zones
zones

64

�in this chert are brecciated in
in places, as seen
seen in
in the
the outcrop
outcrop east
east across
across the
the railroad
railroad tracks.
tracks. The chert is
is not
foliated, but carries a trace of fine cubic pyrite on late white quartz fractures. A
A grab
grab sample
sample here
here yielded
yielded
oziton gold
gold;;FA-AA
0.003
0 3 odton
FA-AA re-analysis
re-analysis by
by Chemex
Chernex gave
gave 51
5 1ppb
ppb Au.
Au.

Good examples of relict pillows are a couple of feet north of the hanging wall of the chert.

This sheared lithology
southern contact
contact is
is
hthoáogy grades
grades southward
southward into
intonon-foliated
non-foliatedpillowed
pillowedbasalt.
basalt. The basalt's southern
This
a thin discontinuous 0-4"
0-4" nonmagnetic
non-magnetic chert-jasper breccia
breccia that
that gave
gave no
no gold
gold in
in aa grab
grab sample.
sample. This
Beyond its
its cherty
cherty southern
southern contact
contact the
the
foliation-resistant pillow basalt unit is about 15 feet thick. Beyond
remainder of the exposure consists
consists of
of highly
highly sheared,
sheared, light
light gray-green
gray-green rock with arguable
arguable relict
relict pillow
pillow

"vein"
S i at 260°,
260Â°70°N.
70Â°NWithin this southernmost part of the exposure is a 2-foot calcareous "vein"
textures, S1

oblique to S,,
S, strike
foliation. A grab sample
strike 315°,
3 15O, 72°N.
72'N. ItItexhibits
exhibitsslickensides
slickensides and
and drag of the S1
S, foliation.

yielded no gold. In
In thin
thin section
sectionthis
this rock
rock consists
consists of
of alternating
alternating parallel bands of
of fine
fine grained
grained calcite and
and
plagioclase aggregates in nearly equal amounts, both carrying interstitial high magnesian chlorite that

constitutes about 10%
10% of the rock. The
Thecalcite
calcitebands
bands contain
contain lozenge-shaped
lozenge-shaped ankeritic
ankeritic domains.
Accessory minerals include apatite, zinc-rich cbromite
chromite and abundant chromian titanornagnetite
titanomagnetite commonly

displaying atoll textures, a feature of
of ultramafic rocks.
rocks. Other
Other indications
indications of
of an
an ultramafic
ultramafic parentage
parentage are
are the
the

high magnesian chlorite and a trace element analysis that includes 296 ppm Ni, an unusually high result in
comparison to the nickel content found in
in the dozens
dozens of
of other
other rocks
rocks analyzed
analyzed in
in the
the study
studyfor
forthis
thisfield
field

trip. We
altered ultramafic
ultramafic dike.
dike. Gair and Thaden (1968,
Wethus
thus consider
consider this
this "vein" to be
be a hydrotherrnally
hydrothemally altered

pl. 1) showed
southernmost end of
of what
what was
was then
then the
the
p1.1)
showed an
an outcrop
outcrop of
of "hornblende
"hornblende lamprophyre" at the southernmost
Highway 41 road cut. Their
Their outcrop
outcrop cannot
cannot be
be found
found today,
today, but
hut this
this dike
dike may
may represent
represent its
its eastward
eastward
extension.
extension.

Marked on Figure 4 are five samples taken for
for whole rock major oxide
oxide and
and 32-element
32-element trace
trace

analysis. Two
Two are
are from
from unfoliated
unfoliated pillow
pillow basalts,
basalts, two are
are from
from the
the sheared
sheared lithologies, and the fifth is

The whole
whole rock
rock results
results are
are shown
shown on Figure 5.
from the ultramafic dike. The
Discussion

In this exposure chemically very similar rock
rock units
unitsexhibit
exhibit shearing
shearingthat
that isispreferentially
preferentially
developed in weaker units (zones of small pillows, lava interfiow
interflow beds, more
more magnesian
magnesian layers).
layers).
to shearing. The
Intervening more massive buttress units are resistant to
The sense
sense of
of shearing
shearingisis nearly
nearly vertical.
vertical

65

�FeO* + 1102

SAMPLES

Cation %
Cation
%
Jensen
Jensen(1
(1 976)
976)

S

RRCVN

•

PR-i

A
V

RR-2
RR-3

•

RR-4

S
BK

V

A1203

MgO
Figure 5:
Stop SG-1
Figure
5: Stop
SG-1

66

�Gait
outcrop on
on their
their map
map of
of the
the Marquette
Marquette quadrangle,
quadrangle,but
but didn't
didn't
Gair and Thaden (1968) noted this outcrop
indicate shearing or
or slaty lithology
lithology here.
here. A couple of
of miles
miles to
to the
the southwest
southwest they did describe
describe east-west
shearing at the southern contact of the Mona greenstones and the overlying
overlying Proterozoic
Proterozoic Enchantment
EnchantmentLake
Lake

conglomerate. Mapping
Fails
Mapping the
the next
next quadrangle
quadrangle west, Puffett (1974, p.43) recognized the Carp River Falls
shear zone near that same contact and correlated it with the shearing in the Marquette quadrangle
quadrangle

by Gair and Thaden. Both
previously noted by
Both authors
authors pointed
pointed out
out that
that the
the sense
sense of
of shearing
shearing isis strongly
strongly

vertical. Puffett
and noted
noted (p.
(p. 45),
45), "The
"The
Puffett (1974)
(1974) also
also recognized
recognized and named the Dead River shear zone and

projection of the shear zone to the southeast
southeast across the Marquette quadrangle
quadrangle meets
meets aa conspicuous
conspicuous rereentrant in the shoreline of
of Lake
Lake Superior."
Superior." Thus
Thus neither
neither of
of these
these two
two major
major later-recognized
later-recognized block

boundary shear zones is actually
actually shown
shown on
onGair
Gait and
andThaden's
Thaden's 1968 map.
map. This
This was
was left
left to
to later
later authors of

maps at various smaller scales, who usually place the Dead River shear
shear zone
zone as
as aa west-northwest
west-northwest trend
trend
meeting the lakeshore at the approximate contact with the Mona formation basalt
basalt flow unit of the southern
unit of
of the
the northern
northern block
block of
of the
the Ishpeming
lshpeming Greenstone Belt. This
block and the Lighthouse Point basalt unit
This

the Dead
Dead River
River shear
shear zone
zoneabout
about'/&lt;
¾mile
miledue
duenorth
northof
ofthis
thisfield
fieldtrip
tripstop.
stop. (Figure 2)
2) The
would place the
The zone
seen here is a probable parallel, sympathetic
sympathetic structure.

Discussing the structural framework of the Ishpeming Greenstone Belt, Bornhorst
Bomhorst and
and Johnson
Johnson
(1993,
event (Dl)
(Di) was
was recumbent
recumbent folding.
folding. This was followed by
(1993, p. 4) stated,
stated, "The oldest recognized event
axes (Dz).
(D2). Shear zones are interpreted to
to have formed during and
upright folding about east-west oriented axes
later than 1)2
andmay
mayhave
havebeen
beenreactivated
reactivatedduring
duringthe
theearly
earlyProterozoic
Proterozoic Penokean
Penokean deformation."
deformation." They
D; and
They

"Rock units in all blocks are also cut by
by minor shear zones.
zones. These
went on to point out,
out, "Rock
These high-strain
high-strain zones
zones
are characterized by
by rocks that
that are more
more intensely
intensely foliated
foliatedthan
thanthe
thesurrounding
surroundingrocks."
rocks." We agree with
these interpretations and offer the exposure at this stop as a case in point.
point. Whether
Whether or
or not
not this
this particular
particular
major or minor one has yet
yet to
to be
be determined. To
shear zone is a major
To the
the west
west itit projects
projects into
into an
an urbanized
urbanized area
area

with no outcrop.
outcrop.
The sheared lithologies at this locality exhibit varying levels of propylitic alteration (pyrite,

carbonate, chlorite); significant
significant trace amounts of gold can
can be found where pyrite andlor carbonate are
are well
developed. As
Asaapractical
practicalmatter,
matter, further
further exploration
exploration for
for gold
gold in
in this
this shear
shear zone
zone isis ruled
ruled out
out by
by its
its

location.

67

�56-2:
Stop SG2:

Dead
with gold
gold mineralization
mineralization at
at Marquette
Marquette Mall (Location map,
Dead River Shear Zone with

Figure 2).
Figure
2).
After parking at the head of the ski trail in the southeast comer
corner of the Marquette Mall parking lot,

walk about 500 feet ESE up the trail to an outcrop knob
knob of undeformed metabasalt. This
This greenstone
greenstone has
unusually high
high number
number of
of blocky
blocky hematitic
hematiticfractures.
fractures. The northern limit
limit of
of this
this outcrop
outcrop is
isaa cliff
an unusually
cliff face
face

that is controlled by
by foliation
foliation planes
planes striking
striking280Â°
280°,85%
85°S. This cliff
cliff face
face represents
representsthe
thesouthern
southern margin
margin of
of
was exposed
exposed in man-made outcrops in the bank of the Holiday Inn parking lot until it was
shearing that was

recently covered
covered by
by landscaping.
landscaping. R. Brozdowski (personal communication, 1988) reported anomalous
recently

gold values from Callahan's
Callahan's sampling
sampling of
of that
that sheared
sheared rock.
rock.
Returning about 400 feet westward down the trail, a makeshift wooden bridge crosses
crosses the stream
leading to the motel's duck pond. Intermittently
Intermittentlyexposed
exposed along
along the
the stream
stream are
are small outcrops
outcrops of sheared
chiorite-sericite rock
rock with
with brown
brown carbonate
carbonate weathering
weathering rinds
rinds and
and oblique
oblique quartz
quartz veinlets.
veinlets. Some
chlorite-sericite
Some of
of this
this
phenocrysts, indicating aa crystal
crystal tuff
tuff protolith.
protolith. Of
rock has small gray quartz phenocrysts,
Of three
threewidely
widely spaced
spacedgrab
grab

took here,
here, one
one gave
gave ,023
.023 odton
or/ton Au, the
the other
other two
two were
were below
below MPC's
MPC's detection limits. The
samples we took
The

sample that yielded the gold value was taken aa couple of feet below the little wooden bridge.
Mail parking lot and moving west along its south bank,
bank, there is a 650 foot
Back at the Marquette Mall

rock. Bornhorst
long exposure of highly sheared rock.
Bomhorst and Johnson (1993, p. 9)
9) gave aa brief description of this
"..... tuffaceous rock and a graphitic zone crop out."
outcrop: ".
rock is badly
badly slumped northward towards the
the parking
parking lot throughout
throughout
This sheared phyllonitic rock

much of its length. At
At its
its eastern
easternend
end itit is
is more
more hematitic
hematitic than elsewhere,
elsewhere, with reddish
reddish foliation
foliation planes
planes
in the
the relatively
relatively underformed
underformed greenstone
greenstone to
to the
the east.
east. Throughout
resembling the fractures in
Throughout its
its entirety
entirety there
on foliation planes,
planes, with
with much
much of the rock exhibiting a
is a strong presence of chlorite and sporadic sericite on

color due
due to
to weathering
weathering of
of chlorite
chloriteand
andferroan
ferroancarbonate.
carbonate. Where not
not slumped,
slumped, foliation
maroon-reddish color
measurements
measurements cluster
cluster closely
closely about
about 280°,
280Â°vertical.
vertical.

probable tuff
There are some zones of chlorite-poor rock with small quartz eyes indicating aa probable

protolith, similar to that found in the stream to the east. Near
Near the
the eastern
eastern end
end of
of the
the outcrop
outcropisisan
an irregular
irregular
to 2 feet layer of nearly pure graphite. Our
Our grab sample of the graphite gave
foliation-parallel two inches to

no Au. One
Oneorortwo
twofeet
feetacross
acrossfoliation
foliationfrom
fromthe
thegraphite
graphiteisisaathin
thinsemi-parallel
semi-parallel layer
layer of
of rusty
rusty to
to black
gossan with selvages of massive and semi-massive
semi-massive pyrite carbonate
carbonate breccia.
breccia. From
From the
the pyrite-gossan
pyrite-gossanzone,
zone,
Gleason (1986) reported values
values up
up to
to 22 gmltonne
gmltonne (.06
(.06 ozlton)
or/ton) Au.
Au. Our
Our grab
grab sample
sample of
of the
the gossan
g o w n gave
gave
.037
gave .028
.028 odton
or/ton Au.
Au. A
0 3 7 or/ton
odton Au,
Au, while our sample of pyrite breccia selvages gave
A polished
polished thin
thin section
section

sample of the pyrite breccia shows
shows that there are
are two generations
generations of
of pyrite
pyrite in
in aa quartz-calcite-chlorite
quartz-calcite-chlorite

68

�gangue, with the calcite late
late in
in the
the paragenetic
paragenetic sequence.
sequence. The first generation pyrite is large and often
framboidal, corroded and
and partially
partially replaced
replaced by
by quartz
quartz and
and second
secondgeneration
generationpyrite
pyrite in
in smaller,
smaller,euliedral
euhedral

crystals. Heavy
as inclusions
inclusions in the second generation pyrite and as tiny
Heavy traces
traces of
of covellite
covellite (CuS)
(CuS) occur
occur as

gangue. Other
free grains in the gangue.
Other inclusions
inclusionswithin
within pyrite
pyrite found
found by
by the
the microprobe
microprobe include
include chalcopyrite

and sphalerite as
as lesser trace sulfides. Accessory
Accessory minerals
minerals found
found in
in this
this breccia
breccia are
are monazite
monazite and
and ilmenite
ilmenite
rutile, a common
hydrothermal alteration.
alteration. No grains
common result of hydrothermal
partially altered to mtile,
grains of
of free gold were found

in this thin section sample. Besides
Besides the
the highly anomalous gold in
in the corresponding
corresponding assay
assay grab
grab sample,
sample,

anomalous trace
trace elements
elementswere
werepresent
present(ppm):
(ppm): Ag-3;
Ag-3; As-252;
As-252; Cu-1700;
Cu-l700; Pb-68; Zn-124; Uthe following anomalous
10.
10.

About 150
150 feet from the western end of this exposure is a 2-foot complexly brecciated chloritecalcite-quartz-graphite vein
vein with
with strong
strong vertical
verticalhematitic
hematiticslickensides
slickensidesand
andminor
minorcopper
copperstain.
stain. The
slickensided hangingwall of
of this
this vein
vein strikes,
strikes, 290'
290° 75'N.
75°N. Our
Our grab
grab sample
sample yielded .005
.005 ozlton
odton Au,
Au, as
aswell
well

as 244 pprn
ppm Cu and 100 ppm Zn. Study
Study of
ofaa corresponding
corresponding polished thin section did not fmd any gold

grains but confirmed the presence of
of very fine grained
grained chalcopyrite
chalcopyrite and
and covellite
covellite in
in irregular
irregular trains
trains
following late fractures and rimming graphite. This
This vein
vein appears to be cut
cut off
off by
by aa northerly
northerly cross
cross fault.
fault.
About 75 feet from the western end of the exposure is a thin discontinuous vein
vein of similar composition;
our grab sample
sample yielded
yielded no
no Au.
Au.

About 100
100 yards southward and uphill
uphill from the west end off the Mall exposure is a slumped-in

and partially flooded small open
open cut
cut next
next to
to the
the north-flowing creek. In
to the
the south
south wall of
of this old mine pit
there is an exposed patch of
of rusty
rusty weathering,
weathering, ankeritic phyllonite similar to the Mall exposure
exposure lithology.
lithology

of the
the ore
ore mined.
mined. This
There are no dumps or other present evidence of
This is
is the
the Eureka
Eureka mine
mine (Williams,
(Williams, 1890).
1890).
Gair and Thaden (1968, p. 69) provided the following: "The
"Theprincipal
principaloccurrence
occurrenceof
ofiron
ironininthe
the
Marquette-Sands area was at the old Eureka mine ...
... Perhaps
Perhaps as much as several hundred tons of earthy
goethitic iron ore was mined from
from aa shear
shear zone
zone about
about 55 feet
feet wide
wide in
in chloritic
chloritic slaty
slatygreenstone
greenstone (Mona
(Mona

Schist). Secondary
Secondaryquartz
quartz and
and iron-bearing
iron-bearing carbonate
carbonate were deposited along the shear zone in places, prior
to formation of
of the iron ore. The
Theore
oreresulted
resultedfrom
fromoxidation
oxidationof
ofcarbonate
carbonateand
andchlorite,
chlorite,the
theconcentration
concentration
of iron,
iron, and
and the
the removal
removal of
of silica,
silica, MgO,
MgO, CaO
CaOand
and alumina
alumina by
by ground
groundwater
watercirculating
circulatingalong
alongthe
theshear
shear

zone. Virtually
Virtually all
all mining
mining was
was done
done prior to
to 1880,
1880,and
and whatever
whatever ore
ore was extracted was shipped
shipped to
to local
smelters. There were several unsuccessful attempts to
to renew
renew mining
mining in
in the
the 1880's and
charcoal-burning smelters.
three test holes were drilled at the site in the 1920's".
1920's".

69

�Discussion
Discussion
This
(1968, P1,
1). Their
Thislocality
locality was
was last
last mapped by (3air
Gair and Thaden (1968,
PI. 1).
Their map shows
shows only
only aa couple
couple
of
members of
of small
small exposures
exposureshere,
here, marking
marking the contact between their Lower and Lighthouse Point members
of the
the
Mona
MonaSchist.
Schist.We
Webelieve
believethat
thatthe
theoutcrops
outcropshere
hererepresent
representthe
thesouthern
southernmargin
marginof
ofthe
theDead
DeadRiver
Rivershear
shear
zone.
zone. The
Thepresence
presenceofofgold
goldand
andbase
basemetals
metalsininthe
theMaIl
Mallexposure
exposureisisdirect
directevidence
evidence of
of their
their localization
localization by
by
major
major shear
shearzones,
zones, and
and we
we suspect
suspect that some
some of
of the
the ore
ore produced
produced by
by the
the Eureka
Eureka mine
mine may have
have been,
been, in
in

aftersuluides.
sulfides.
part,gossan
gossanafter
part,
The
The trend
trend of
of shearing
shearingprojects
projects from
from here
here westward
westward along
along the
the valley of an E-W creek.
creek. No
No
exposures
exposures could
could be
be found
found along
along itit except
except aa few
few outcrops
outcropsof
of aanarrow
narrowE-W
E-W magnetic
magnetic diabase
diabase dike
dikeon
on its
its
south
4,200feet
feetwest
west of
ofhere,
here, probably
probably emplaced
emplaced atator
orclose
closeto
tothe
thesouthern
southernmargin
margin of
of the
theshear
shearzone.
zone.
southside
side4,200

Thatdiabase
diabaseisisnot
noton
onany
anypublished
publishedmap.
map.
That

StopSG—3:
SG3:
Stop

Archean metavolcanics
metavolcanics (Location
map,
Keweenawan diabase in hornfelsed, foliated Archean
(Location map,
Figure
Figure2).
2).

Loojeuvs &amp;4.cr

'4
C

-c
-a

C
U

'4

'7

sphero,Sc

'a

0"

S'a 6atc
h. h b It

pg
S
-c
1

-z

Lj

:W40/e t-k/Occay scnsp.'e

SM

0

U.

a

m rr

AFPCg
m&amp;&gt;C
o%
.
reE

Figure6.
6. Sketch
Sketch cross
cross section of outcrop
outcrop at
at Stop
StopSG-3,
SG-3,looking
lookingeast.
east.
Figure

70

�This outcrop was last mapped by
by Gair
Gair and
and Thaden
Thaden (1968,
(1968,P1.
PI. 1)
1) as
as Late
Late Precambrian
Precambrian diabase
diabase with
with
a small adjoining patch of
site" belonging to their lower unit of the Lighthouse Point Member
of "fel
"felsite"
Member of
of the
the

Mona Schist. There
There is no outcrop description in their text. This
This one
one is
is part of
of a series
series of outcrops
outcrops of
of a
long narrow diabase dike that Gair and
and Thaden traced eastward
eastward into
into Lake
Lake Superior
Superior at
atLighhouse
Lighhouse Point.
Point.
Here it strikes 250Â°
250°, dip 8O0N.
80°N. ItIt appears
not
appears to
to be
be about
about 50
50 feet
feet thick,
thick, although its southern contact is not
exposed. The
Thediabase
diabaseisisnon-foliated
non-foliatedand
andisismagnetic
magneticthroughout.
throughout.

Figure 6 isisaa sketch
sketch cross
cross section
section of this exposure. At
Atthe
thesouth
south end
end the
the diabase
diabase is
is medium
medium
jointing
grained, has a felty texture and contains rare vugs lined with drusy calcite.
calcite. It shows
shows rectangular
rectangularjointing
that controls incipient spheroidal
spheroidal weathering
weathering at the erosion surface;
surface; the joint planes
planes are
are hematitic
hematitic and
and

calcareous. The
The diabase
diabase grain
grain size
size lessens
lessens northward to a fme
fine grained but still magnetic chilled margin at
the host rock contact. This
Thiscontact
contactisisstrongly
strongly foliated
foliated parallel
parallel to
to the
the dike
dike margin
margin for
for aa few
few inches.
inches.

Beyond that the immediate
immediate host
host rock
rock is
is aablack,
black,non-magnetic,
non-magnetic,aphanitic
aphanitichomfels
homfelswith
with strong
strong foliation
foliation
defined mostly by prominent pink K-spar-quartz laminae. This
Thisrock
rock carries
carries aa trace
trace of
of disseminated
disseminated
extremely fine-grained pyrite, and some
some discontinous
discontinous foliation-parallel
foliation-parallel lenses
lenses of
of coarsely
coarselyciystallized
crystallized
quartz.
greenish gray.
gray. Outward to the north, the host rock becomes rusty weathering,
quartz. It weathers light greenish

"baked"-lookthg, all the while exhibiting strong foliation planes closely
slaty and less "baked"-looking,
closely clustered
clustered around
around

280°, 80%.
80°N. The source
280"
source of
of the rusty color appears to be numerous foliation partings of ferroan carbonate;

no pyrite is visible on a fresh surface. An
An irregular
irregular 4-6
4-6 inch
inch foliation-parallel
foliation-parallel quartz-iron oxide
oxide vein marks
marks
the transition northward to non-thennally
non-thermally altered
altered grainy-light
grainy-light greenish-gray
greenish-gray sheared
sheared rock
rock with
with rusty
rusty
275°, 85Â¡
85°N continuing
continuing to the northern limit of the exposure.
exposure.
foliation planes at 275Â¡

Four grab samples of the host rock are shown on the sketch
sketch cross
cross section.
section. Two
Two of
of these
these were
were

clearly below
below MPC's
MPC's detection limit for gold (samples DBS-2
DBS-2 and
and 3).
3). The other two returned values at or

near the detection limit and were re-analyzed by Chemex using FA-AA, returning weakly anomalous gold
values: DBS-l,
DBS-1,51
5 1ppb;
ppb;HFEL,
HFEL,33
33ppb.
ppb.No
Nounusual
unusualtrace
traceelement
elementsignatures
signatureswere
werepresent
presentininany
anyof
ofthese
these
samples.
samples.

Study of a polished thin section of a sample corresponding to assay sample HFEL
HEEL confirmed that
that
the pink bands consist of quartz phenocrysts
phenoctysts in a K-spar groundmass. The
The darker-colored
darker-colored domains
domains of
of this
this
phenociysts/ciystals of albite-oligoclase,
rock have a porphyritic texture with scattered phenocrysts/crystals
albite-oligoclase, quartz
quartz (often
(often in
in

with pyrite),
pyrite), and
and composite
composite large
large grains
grains or
or fragments
fragments of
of quartzquartz- plagioclase.
plagioclase. The dark
biminerallic grains with

color appears to be mainly due to biotization
biotization of
of numerous
numerous foliation-defining
foliation-defining chlorite-quartz-plagioclase
chlorite-quartz-plagioclase
to ruhle.
rutile. The
laminae and to an overall content of about 5% opaques: pyrite and ilmenite altered partially to
The
nature of the coarse grained components suggests that
that this
this rock
rock was
was originally
originallyaa crystal
crystallithic
lithictuff.
tuff. The

71

�thermal metamorphic effects
effects near the contact of the diabase
diabase dike
dike appear
appear to be limited
limited to
to prograde
prograde
alteration of chlorite to biotite
biotite and recrystallization
recrystallization of quartz and feldspar.
feldspar. Figure 7 is a Jensen cation
plot of
of the
the whole rock analyses
analyses of the four
four samples
samples taken at this stop.
stop.

Discussion
Discussion
The foliation in the weakly hornfelsed country rock here is at an oblique angle to the diabase
diabase dike,

can best
best be
be seen
seen at
at the
the top
top of
of the
the outcrop
outcropknob).
knob). Because of this, we
(which can
webelieve
believethis
thisfoliation
foliationprepreexisted the emplacement of the dike. We
We also
also believe
believe that much of the foliation
foliation in the host rock here is the
result of shearing,
shearing, and that this outcrop lies near the middle of the Dead River
River shear
shear zone. The
The southern
southern

boundary of this shear zone would lie
lie near
near the
the Marquette
Marquette Mall
Mall outcrop
outcropatatStop
Stop SG-2.
SG-2. The emplacement of
this diabase
diabase dike
dike within such
such aa large
large zone
zone of
of weakness
weaknesswould
would not
notbe
beunexpected.
unexpected.

Gaff and
and Thaden
Thaden (1968),
(1968), though noting shearing in
in their
their text
text from
from place
place to
to place in the Archean
Gair

Quadrangle, did
did not
not emphasize
emphasize its
its importance,
importance,nor
norillustrate
illustrateititon
ontheir
theirmap.
map. They
They
rocks of the Marquette Quadrangle,

also found very few outcrops of their lower unit of the Lighthouse Point Member, most of which are
are
shown as "felsite".
"felsite". About
About 1200
1200feet
feet NNW
NNW of
ofhere,
here, theft
their map
map shows
showsaa cluster
cluster of
of 44 small
small outcrops
outcrops on
on aa low
low
bill,
"felsite". The
hill, marked as ""felsite".
TheWestwood
WestwoodMall
Mall and
and its
its parking
parking lots
lots now cover
cover them, but we suspect that
have exhibited
exhibited shearing
shearingsimilar
similartotohere.
here. About 500 feet further north in
in the
the woods
woods
these outcrops would have
and sewer line
line were
were being
being constructed
constructed in
in the
the fall
fall of
of 1998. The
behind the Mall, a new east-west street and
The

construction equipment tore up the tops of several small subcrops of sheared rock whose composition
chioritic to nearly pure
pure massive
massive sericite. ItIt was
was not
not possible
possible to
to obtain
obtain dips, but the strike
varies from highly chloritic

of the shearing is east-west.
east-west. These exposures lie
he near the probable northern contact
contact of
of the
the Dead
Dead River
River

shear zone. Since
Since it's
it's unlikely
unlikely that
that they'll
they'll be
bestill
still available
availablein
in the
the spring
spring of
of 1999,
1999, we
we offer
offer Stop
Stop SG-4
SG-4 as
as
an alternative.
alternative.

72

�FeO* + 1102

SAMPLES

•
•

Cation
Cation %
%
Jensen (1976)
Jensen
(1 976)

A

DBS-1

DBS-2

DBS-3

v HEEL

BK

A1203
A1203

MgO
Figure 7:
Stop SG-3
Figure
7; Stop
SG-3

73

�Stop
Stop SG-4:
SG4:

margin of Dead River Shear
Northern margin
Shear Zone on Wright
Wright Street
Street (Location map,

Figure
Figure 2).
2).
This is an optional
optional stop
stop that
that is
is included
included here
here for
for those
those interested
interestedin
in seeing
seeing more
moreof
of the
theDead
DeadRiver
River
Zone in
in the
the Marquette
Marquette area.
area. This exposure
be
Shear Zone
exposure is very close to a busy highway, and care should be
exercised when
when visiting
visitingit.
it. About
About 65
65 feet
feet of
of sheared
sheared greenstone
greenstone is exposed here on the east side of Wright

Street. The
The lower
lower level
level of
of the
the exposure
exposurewas
wasrecently
recently created
created by
by widening
wideningthe
the road,
road, and
andwas
wasnot
notavailable
available
to Gair and Thaden (1968), who showed
showed the
the upper
upper part
part of
of the
the exposure
exposureas
as aa lithology
lithologylabeled
labeled"interlayered
"interlayered
)
massive basalt(?)" on
on their
their map
map(P1.
(PI. I1).
The degree of shearing is variable here,
here, but
but much
much of
of itit is
is intense.
intense. Foliation
The
Foliation becomes generally

more strongly developed from north to south, and strikes E-W,
E-W, nearly
nearly vertical.
vertical, hi
In the
the small
small cut above
above the
forms similar to
to the
the sheared
shearedpillows
pillows at
at Stop
StopSG-1
SO-i are present. Figure
lower ledge, curvilinear sheared forms
Figure 88 isis
a photograph of pencil cleavage
cleavage developed
developed further
further south
south as
as shearing
shearing intensifies.
intensifies. There
Thereisisweak
weakcarbonate
carbonate

alteration in some of the most heavily sheared rock, but it is not pyritic; we didn't sample
samplefor
forgold
goldhere.
here.

Figure 8.
Figure
8. Looking
Lookingdue
dueeast
eastatatpencil
pencilcleavage
cleavagedeveloped
developedby
by shearing
shearingin
in greenstone
greenstonein
in low
low

roadcut, east side
side of
of Wright
Wright Street,
Street, Stop
StopSG-4.
SG-4.

74

�The northern part of this outcrop consists of nearly chaotic chloritic foliation that appears to result
from the contact with a shear-resistant dike of non-magnetic gabbro that is only weakly foliated. Only
Onlyaa

couple of feet of this gabbro
gabbro are exposed
exposed in the roadcut, but a larger, glacially smoothed outcrop
outcrop of
of itit lies
lies
above
above and
and aa few
few yards
yards east
east of
of here.
here.

ii
D is c u S 5
Discusssion

About 400 feet to the north, on the east side of
of the road
road is an
an outcrop
outcrop of
of relatively undeformed
metabasalt; glacially polished outcrops
outcrops of similar rock are exposed
exposed in the south side
side of the gravel pit being

development aa couple
couple of
of hundred
hundred yards
yards further
furtherENE.
ENE. These rocks appear
appear to
to be
be
converted to a housing development
Point basalt
basalt typical
typical of
of this
this area
area(Johnson
(Johnsonand
andBomhorst,
Bornborst,1991).
1991). So we would
would place
place the
the
Lighthouse Point
northern boundary of the Dead River Shear Zone, if not at this outcrop, then no more than a few hundred

feet north of here. Figure
Figure22shows
showswhat
what we
we think
think are
are the
the approximate
approximatelimits
limits of
of the
the shear
shear zone,
zone, which
which
corresponds roughly to the lower unit
imit of the Lighthouse Point
Point Member of
of the
the Mona
Mona Schist of
of Gair and
corresponds

Thaden (1968),
(1968), in turn corresponding roughly to the "Eureka Group" of Williams
Williams (1890), nomenclature
nomenclature
that was discarded by Van Hise and Bayley (1897). This
Thiswould
wouldmake
makethe
theDead
DeadRiver
RiverShear
ShearZone
Zone3,000
3,000

feet wide at this point. Puffett
Puffett (1974,
(1974, p.
p. 44)
44) noted
noted that
that the
the Dead
Dead River
River Shear
Shear Zone four miles west-

northwest of here is about 3,400
3,400 feet
feet wide.
wide.
To better define
define and
and understand
understand the
the Dead
Dead River
River Shear
ShearZone
Zone in
in this
this important
importanthinge
hinge area
areabetween
between

the northern and southern blocks of the Ishpeming Greenstone Belt,
Belt, remapping
re-mapping and
and structural study
study of
of

existing and newly
newly created
created outcrops
outcrops are
areneeded,
needed,before
beforeit's
it's too
too late.
late. The ex-urban growth around
Marquette,
Marquette, although presently
presently creating
creating new outcrops,
outcrops, will
will eventually
eventually result in a net loss
loss of
of exposures.
exposures.

75

I
I

I

�Figure 9. Location map for Stops SG-5,6 and?

76

�Stop SG-5:
Stop
SG5:

Progressively shearedlaltered
sheared/altered metavolcanics
metavolcanics in Carp River Falls Shear
Shear Zone.
9).
(Location map, Figure
Figure 9).

Puffett
Puffett (1974)
(1974) last mapped this
this locality
locality as
as "undifferentiated
"undifferentiated greenstone"
greenstone" within
within the Carp River

Falls shear zone. Dealing
Dealing with
with this
this exposure
exposurespecifically,
specifically,he
he included
included aa photograph
photograph of
ofits
itsmost
mostsheared
sheared
part, and described it as follows (p. 43): "Sericite,
and altered part.
"Sericite,chlorite,
chlorite,carbonate,
carbonate,and
andleucoxene
leucoxeneare
arethe
the

products. Weathered
brown from
from oxidized
oxidized
most conspicuous alteration products.
Weathered surfaces are commonly stained brown
minerals. Quartz-carbonate
iron minerals.
Quartz-carbonate veinlets fomi
form an
an anastomosing network in some rock. Copper
Copper minerals
minerals

are present locally. Analytical
Analytical data
datasuggest
suggestthat
that the
the altered
altered rocks
rocks are
are enriched
enriched in CaO
CaO and Co2
Co2(Table 12)."
value, 90
90 ppm.
ppm. W.A.
Puffett's analysis from here gave an anomalous copper value,
W.A. Bodwell
Bodwell (personal
(personal

communication, 1998)
1998) reports having noted trace chalcopyrite and copper staining here, hut
but they are not
not
easily found.
found.
This exposure was a 1988
follows (Bornhorst
(Bomhorst and
1988 I.L.S.G. field trip stop
stop described,
described, in part, as follows

others, 1988):
1988): "The
"The rocks
rocksin
in this
this roadcut
roadcut have
have aa well developed close-spaced foliation (N75-88W, dip 7089°S) which produces
produces a slate-like appearance.
appearance. These
89OS)
These rocks
rocks are
are within
within the Archean Carp River Falls Shear

Zone. There
two lithologies
lithologiesin
in this outcrop: chlorite
chloriteschist
schistfrom
fromaabasaltic
basaltic parent,
parent, and
and quartz-sericite
quartz-sericite
Thereare
are two

schist from a rhyolitic parent."
Bornhorst
Bomhorst and others (1988) also pointed out that near the very eastern end of the outcrop are
probable relict pillow rinds. As
probable
Asseen
seenelsewhere
elsewhereon
onthis
thisfield
fieldtrip,
trip,these
these are
are gradually
gradually obliterated
obliterated by
by
shearing as one moves westward
westward along the outcrop.
outcrop. The
The chioritic
chloritic sheared
sheared metabasalt
metabasalt gives way

progressively to more and
and more
more rusty
rusty weathering
weathering carbonate-sericite
carbonate-sericitealtered
altered rock;
rock; we
we believe
believe itit represents
represents aa
progressively
progressive change from
from propylitic
propylitic alteration
alterationto
to weak
weak potassic
potassicalteration
alterationin
in aa rock
rock of
ofthe
thesame
sameparentage.
parentage.
progressive
lighter colored
colored carhonate-sericite
carbonate-sericitealtered
alteredrock
rocknear
nearthe
thewestern
westernend
endthere
thereisisaa 6-inch
6-inch pyritic
In the lighter
pyritic

carbonate zone. Our
Our grab
grab sample
sample of
of this
this gave .005 oz/ton
odton Au (sample STOP 3). AA70-foot
70-footchip
chip sample
sample
across
across the entire
entire sericite-carbonate
sericite-carbonate altered
altered zone here (not including
including the pyritic
pyritic grab
grab sample)
sample) gave
gave

undetectable AU
Au (sample STOP-3A)
STOP-3A)..An
AnFA-AA
FA-AAre-analysis
re-analysisby
by Chemex
Chemex of
of the
the pyritic
pyritic grab sample gave a

value of 90 ppb Au,
Au, confirming MPC's
MPC's results. We
Wealso
alsotook
tookwhole
wholerock
rocksamples
samplesfrom
fromthe
thevery
veryeastern
eastern

exposure in the pillowed
pillowed greenstone
greenstone(sample
(sample 5-1),
5-l), one
onefrom
frommoderately
moderatelysheared
shearedrock
rocknear
nearthe
the
end of the exposure
(5-I), and one at the western end of the outcrop in approximately the same spot sampled and
middle (5-1),
photographed by Puffett (our sample 5-3). Whole
Whole rock analyses
analyseswere
were also
also done
done on
on the
the two samples
samples taken
for gold assay; sample STOP-3A is the
themost
mostrepresentative
representativeof
of the
the light
light colored
colored sheared
sheared rock at
at the
western end of the exposure,
exposure, since
since itit was aa composite
composite chip
chip sample
sampleacross
across 70
70 feet
feetof
ofit.
it. Figure 10
10 is a

77

�Jensen plot showing the
Note that
that sample
sample STOP
STOP33 is
is anomalously
anomalously high
high in
in iron
iron because
becauseititwas
was
Jensen
the results.
results. ((Note
chosen
chosen for
for best
bestpyrite
pyritecontent).
content).

+

FeO*
FeO* + 1102
Ti02

Cation%
%
Cation
Jensen (1976)
(1 976)
Jensen

SAMPLES
SAMPLES

• 5-1
5-1

• 5-2
5-2
5-3
5-3
"v STOP3
STOP 3
A
A

• STOP-3A
STOP-3A

PJ203

MgO
Figure
Figure 10:
10: Stop
Stop SG-5
SG-5

78

�A polished thin section was made of a specimen corresponding
corresponding to
to pyntic
pyritic grab
grab sample
sample STOP
STOP 33

that yielded anomalous gold. Megascopically
Megascopicallythis
thisspecimen
specimenisisaa chlorite-sericite
chlorite-sericiteschist
schist hosting
hostingaa foliationfoliation¼-inch veinlet
veinlet of
of carbonate.
carbonate. Under
conformable %-inch
Under the microscope
microscope and electron microprobe the host rock is

1%tiny
tiny
a fine grained mixture of 50% quartz, 30%
30% chlorite
chlorite and 20%
20% niuscovite/sericite,
muscovite/sericite, containing
containing about
about 1%
rutile grains. The
grains of disseminated chalcopyrite, as well as trace amounts of tiny disseminated mtile
The
dolomite with high-manganese cores, with about
carbonate veinlet is a mosaic of coarse grains of zoned dolomite
10%
high-iron chlorite.
chlorite. This
10% interstitial high-iron
This vein
vein assemblage
assemblage hosts
hosts schlieren texturally similar to the host rock
except that these fragments have no quartz.
quartz, consist primarily of zoned ankerite with dolomitic cores and

contain about 25% opaques, mostly Mn and Fe oxides, but also abundant fine
fine grained euhedral pyrite and
subordinate chalcopyrite. One
Oneof
of the
thechalcopyrite
chalcopyritegrains
grains was
was found
found to
to have
have inclusions
inclusions of
of nonnonand one 3-micron grain of
of high-gold
high-gold electrum
electrum (photo,
(photo, Figure 11). This
argentiferous tetrahedrite and
Thiswas
was the
the

only gold grain found in
in this
this sample.
sampie Arsenopyrite
Arsenopyritewas
wasnot
notfound,
found,but
but trace
traceelement
elementanalysis
analysis of
of the
the
corresponding assay sample yielded 170
170 ppm As.

'I,

3e+

Figure
3, White
Figure II.
11.Polaroid
Polaroidphoto
photoofofbackscattered
backscatteredelectron
electrondetector
detectorimage,
image, sample
sample STOP 3.
White
vertical scale bar at lower left is 10
10 microns. Bright 3-micron grain of
of high gold
gold electrum
electrum in
in

(teØ. Black
chalcopyrite (cpy) that also contains larger inclusions of tetrahedrite (tet).
Black areas
areasare
are gangue.
gangue.

79

�Discussion
Puffett (1974,
(1974, P.
p. 43-44)
43-44) noted
noted copper
copper minerals
minerals at
at more
more than one locality in the Carp
Carp River Falls

shear zone, an encouraging base metal association from
kom the gold exploration
explorationpoint
point of
ofview,
view,since
sincegold
gold
mineral here.
here. This
occurs directly with a copper mineral
This outcrop
outcrop is
is close
close to
to the
the north
notth margin
margin of the shear
shear zone.
zone.
margin appears to be marked by bluffs that are coneolled
controlled by
by E-W foliated greenstone, across
across
The south margin
behind Ball Moving and Storage, makiig
making the
the zone
zone about
about 400
400 feet wide
wide at
at this
this point
point, mostly
mostly
the highway behind

covered by U.S.Highway 441.
1. We
Wewill
will cross
crossthe
the highway
highway here to
to see
see more
more evidence
evidence of
of gold
gold
mineralization.
mineralization.

Stop SG-6:
Stop
SG&amp;

Gold-bearing
gtacial erratic
erratic (Bill
Bodwell'sBoulder)
Boulder).. Location
Gold-bearing glacial
(Bii Bodwell's
Location map,
map, Figure
Figure 9.

first noticed
noticed and
and sampled
sampled by
by Bill
BillBodwell
Bodwellininthe
the1980's.
1980's. His
This was fust
His attempts
attempts to find
fmd a bedrock
source in the immediate
immediate vicinity were unsuccessfid.
unsuccessful. However,
However, judging
judging by
byits
itslarge
largesize
sizeand
andangularity,
angularity,this
this

boulder hasn't traveled
traveled very
very far.
far. The
Theeastern
easternend
endof
ofthe
theboulder
bouldershows
showsthe
thepreserved
preservedremains
remainsof
ofan
an
original bedrock surface.
snrface.

This rectangular 5 by 10
I0 foot
foot block
block was
was unearthed
unearthed in
in sandy
sandy glacio-fluvial
glacio-fluvial sediments
sedimentsduring
during site
site

clearing for the moving and storage facilities, and
and has
has lain
lain in
inits
itspresent
presentposition
positionfor
forabout
about 30
30years.
years. It

up to
to one
one foot thick.
thick. The
consists of about
about 50%
50% close-spaced,
close-spaced, sub-parallel
sub-parallelen
en echelon white quartz veins up
veins contain l0%-20%
10%-20%light
lightbrown
brownweathering
weathehgferroan
ferroancarbonate
carbonateininblobs
blobsand
andseamlets,
seamlets,lesser
lessersmall
small
masses of dark green euhedral
euhedral chlorite,
chlorite, and rare
rare small
small blobs
blobs of
of very
very late
late stage
stage black tourmaline.
tourmaline.

Interstitial to the quartz veins,
veins, the
the other 50%
50% of
of the
the boulder
boulder is
is made
made up
up of
of highly
highly foliated
foliated "horses"
"horses" of
of
chloritic greenstone, showing an impressive
impressive internal
internal continuity
continuity of
of foliation throughout
carbonate-altered cblontic
with oblique tensional development in a
boulder. The
vein g", consistent with
the boulder.
The style
style of veining is "ladder veining",
sheared
sheared rock.
rock.

chalcopyrite, and abundant malachite
The quartz veins contain
contain patchy blobs of pyrite with lesser chalcopyrite,

staining. Bill
Bill Bodwell's
Bodwell'sinitial
initialgrab
g a bsample
sampleof
ofthe
thesulfide-bearing
sulfide-bearingquartz
quartz gave
gave .267
,267oz/ton
odton Au;
Au; two later
later
10,000 ppm Cu,
samples
odton and .006 01/ton,
odton, respectively. All
All of
of these
these samples
samples yielded ++lO,OOO
samples yielded .036 oz/ton
Ch

showing that copper, although obviously mineralogically associated with gold here, does not necessarily

have a direct assay correlation (Bodwell, 1988, written
written communication).
communication). Our grab sample
sample of the quartz.006 odton
oz/ton Au.
Au. Our
greenstone yielded 005
sulfide gave ,006
Our sample
sample of
of the
the barren-looking host greenstone
,005o1/ton
odton Au.
Au.

80

�This
This wide range of gold
gold assay results demonstrates the "nuggety" distribution
dihbution of gold
gold within
within this
this boulder,
boulder,
aa phenomenon
phenomenon that
that requires
requires special
special assaying
assaying techniques
techniquesto
toobtain
obtainaarepresentative
representativevalue.
value.

However,
Carp
However, the
the main point of
of this
this field
fieldtrip
trip stop
stopisisthat
that this
this boulder
boulderlikely
lkeiy caine
cameeither
eitherfrom
from the
the Carp

River
from a similar zone nearby. It's
River Falls
Falls shear zone or &amp;om
It'sinteresting
interestingto
to note
notethat
that glacial
glacialstriae
striae on
on the
the

pillowed greenstone
greenstone near
near the USGS
USGS benchmark
benchmark at
at the eastern
eastern end
end of
of the
theStop
StopSG-5
SG-5outcrop
outcrop across
across the
the
pillowed
highway
highway are
are nearly
nearly east-west,
east-west, paralleling the shear zone. The
Thestrongest
strongestinference
inferencefrom
h m the
theevidence
evidenceatat
both
both this
this stop
stopand
and the
the preceding
preceding one
one isis that
that the
the Carp
CarpRiver
River Falls
Fallsshear
shear zone
zone isis in
in itself
itself aagold
goldexploration
exploration
target.
target.

Stop
StopSG-7:
SG7:

Basal
Basal Proterozoic
Proterozoic Enchantment
EnchantmentLake
Lakeconglomerate
conglomeratein
in contact
contact with Carp
Carp River
River
Falls
Falls shear
shear zone
zone in
in Archean
Archean metabasalt.
metabasalt. (Location
(Locationmap,
map,Figure
Figure9).
9).

This
This spot
spot has
has been
been aa classic
classic field
field trip
trip stop
stop for
for seeing
seeingthe
the features
features of
of the
the Mesnard
Mesnard and
and Ajibik
Ajibk

quartzites
U.S 41
41roadcut.
roadcut.But
Butour
ourinterest
interestlies
liesthither
furtherdown-section
down-sectionininthe
theProterozoic,
Proterozoic,atatits
its
quartzites in the US.
contact
contact with
with the Archean. This
Thislocality
localitywas
waslast
lastmapped
mappedby
byPuffett
hffett(1974),
(1974),who
whoshowed
showedthe
theArchean
Archean
rocks
rockshere
here as
as Mona
Mona Schist,
Schist, now
now included
included in
in the
the informal
informal lower
lower basalt flow
flow unit
unit of
of the Mona
Mona Formation
Formation of
of
Bornhorst
Bomhorst and
and Johnson
Johnson (1993).
(1993).Puffett's
Puffett'smap
map(P1.
(PI.1)1)shows
showsthe
theCarp
CarpRiver
RiverFalls
Fallsshear
shearzone
zoneasasaaline
line
passing
passingabout
ahoutaa half
half mile
mile north
north of
ofhere,
here, but
but he
hestated
statedin
in his
his text
text (p.43),
(p.431, "The
"The zone
zoneisis indicated
indicatedon
on the
the map
map
as
asaanarrow,
narrow,well
well defmed
defmedstructure,
structure,but
but the
the symbol
symbolmarks
marks only
only the
the north
north limit
limit of
of aa broad
broad zone
zoneof
of sheared
sheared
and
andaltered
alteredlower
lowerPrecambrian
Precambrianrocks."
rocks."

After
M e rparking
parking at
atthe
the intersection
intersectionof
of U.S.
U.S. 41
4 1and
andChippewa
ChippewaDrive,
Drive, walk
walk about
about100
100feet
feetnorthwest
northwest
past
pastthe
thebillboard
billboardto
to aaseries
seriesof
oflow
lowoutcrops
outcropsininthe
thewoods.
woods.The
Thefirst
fistone
oneencountered
encounteredisisglacially
glaciallypolished,
polishe4
and
andexposes
exposesthe
theCarp
CarpRiver
RiverFalls
Fallsshear
shearzone
zoneinincontact
contactwith
withthe
theoverlying
overlyingbasal
basalconglomerate
conglomerateofofthe
the

Enchantment
EnchantmentLake
L&amp;e Formation.
Formation.Both
Botheast
eastand
andwest
westofofhere
herethere
thereare
arenumerous
numerousnearby
nearbyexposures
exposuresofofthe
the
shear
shearzone
zonelying
lyingnorth
north of
of this
this contact.
contact. AAwidth
widthofofabout
about200
200feet
feetofofthe
theshear
shearzone
zoneisisexposed
exposedininthe
the
immediate
immediatevicinity.
vicinity. Shearing
Shearingintensity
intensity isis variable;
variable; relict
relict pillow
pillow textures
texturesare
are present
present in
in exposures
exposuresabout
about

150
150yards
yardsto
to the
the east.
east. Here
Hereatatthis
thisexposure,
exposure,the
theArchean
Archeangreenstone
greenstoneshows
showsstrong
strongfoliation
foliationstriking
striking280°,
280Â°
85°
85' S.
S.AAparallel
parallelfoliation
foliationalso
alsoaffects
a f k t sthe
thelowermost
lowermostpart
partofofthe
theoverlying
overlyingconglomerate.
conglomerate.
The
Theconglomerate
conglomerateisisabout
about55feet
feetthick,
thickbut
butisissomewhat
somewhatpatchy
patchyand
anddiscontinuous,
discontinuous,grading
grading
intermittently
intermittentlyboth
bothupwards
upwardsand
andlaterally
laterallyinto
intocoarse
coarsegrained
gainedquartzite
quartzitecontaining
containingonly
onlyoccasional
occasionalsmall
small

81

�cobbles or pebbles. The
Theentire
entireunit,
unit, including
includingthe
the quartzite,
quartzite,isis20-50
20-50 feet
feetthick,
thick forming
formingan
an erosionally
erosionally
resistant E-W ledge. South
South of
of it,
it, aa 100-foot-wide
100-foot-widelow
lowswale
swaleoccupies
occupiesthe
theinterval
interval presumed
presumed to
to represent
represent
erosionally recessive sericite slate that constitutes the upper part of
erosionally
of the
the Enchantment
Enchantment Lake Formation
Fornation in
in

this area (Puffett, 1974);
1974); the very uppermost
uppermost part
part of
of this
thislithology
lithologycan
canbe
beseen
seenbelow
belowthe
theMesnard
Mesnardquartzite
quartzite
back at the
the highway.
highway.
The basal conglomerate
conglomerate can be traced
traced westward
westward from
fromhere
here at
at the
the initial
initial outcrop
outcrop for
forabout
about250
250feet.
feet.

layers of
of itit consist
consist of
of +80%
The coarsest layers
+8O% white vein qquartz
u a cobbles. ItIt bears
bears aa striking
striking physical
resemblance to the low-pyrite varieties of the Witwatersrand
resemblance
Witwatersrand conglomerate
conglomerate of
of South
South Africa,
Afiica, and
and occurs
occurs in
in

a similar geologic setting.
setting. We
We took
tookthree
threegrab
grabsamples
samplesof
of conglomerate ffom
from these
these outcrops.
outcrops. Two of
them retumed
returned detectable gold:
gold: ,003
.003 odton
ozlton and
and ,005
.005 odton.
or/ton. These
These two
two were
were re-analyzed by Chemex and
returned
retumed 65 ppb and 37 ppb Au, respectively.
respectively, These
Theseresults
resultssuggest
suggestaa problem
problem with
with nugget
nugget effect
effect at the

low end of the detectability scale, which would not be surprising
surprising in the case of placer gold. No sulfides
sulfides are
are
megascopically visible in this rock, nor were any found
found under
under the
the binocular
binocular microscope
microscope in
in an
an examination
examination

crushed rejects
rejects from
from our
our grab
grabsamples,
samples. We
of the cmshed
Wehave
havenot
not done
doneany
any further
further testing to ddetermine
e t d e the
internal domains hosting these low but anomalous gold values.
intemal

Discussion
Diicussion
Although it may tum
turn out that the
the traces
traces of gold
gold in this rock are caused solely by the foliation event

it, aa paleoplacer
paleoplacer origin
originseems
seemstotous
ustotobe
be much more
more likely.
likely. For economic concentrations of
of
that affects it,

paleoplacer gold to be found
found in
in the
the Enchantment
Enchantment Lake
Lake conglomerate,
conglomerate, the first
fust consideration
consideration would be
be
deposits in the Archean tmane
terrane were actually in existence prior
prior to
to the erosional events
whether or not gold deposits

deposition of
of the
the conglomerate.
conglomerate. The
in
that led to the deposition
Theonly
onlyknown
known significant
significant gold mineralization in
region occws
occurs in veins at the Champion iron mine; the
Proterozoic rocks in this region
the Proterozoic
Proterozoicisis otherwise
otherwise

notable for its paucity of gold showings. Bornhorst
Bomhorst and
and others
others(1998)
(1998) have
have attempted
attempted to constrain
constrain the
dates for some
some of the mineralization in the Archean rocks by lead isotope studies, obtaining
obtaining a model
model age
age
2,455 to
to 2,510
2,s 10Ma
Ma for
forgalena
galenathat
thatoccurs
occurswith
with gold
goldin
inthe
theRopes
Ropesmine,
mine, but
but also
alsomentioning
mentioningstructural
stn~ctural
of 2,455
evidence suggesting that
that the
the Ropes
Ropes gold
gold was
was deposited
deposited at
at about
about 2,690
2,690 Ma.
Ma. They also pointed out that ages
are poorly constrained for the timing
timing of the
the rifting that
that initiated
initiated the earliest Marquette
MarquetteRange
RangeSupergroup
Supergroup

sedimentation that this conglomerate represents.
Whatever the absolute age(s) of the
thegold-bearing
g o l d - b e ~veins
gveinsin
in the
the Archean
Archean rocks
rocks of
of the
the Ishpeming
Ishpeming
belt, this
this conglomerate
conglomerateprobably
probablypost-dates
post-datesthem.
them. Evidence for this is
is the
the high
high preponderance
preponderance
greenstone belt,

82

�of vein quartz within it at this
this locality,
locality, the
the presence
presenceof
of anomalous
anomalous gold
gold in
in it,
it, and its apparently
unconformable relationship with the Carp River Falls shear zone, which was demonskated
demonstrated to be goldpaleoplacer-typegold
golddeposit
depositwithin
withinthis
this
mineralized at Stop SG-5
Whether or
or not
not a paleoplacer-type
SO-S of
of this field
field hip.
trip. Whether
for exploration
exploration is
is another
another matter. There
Thereare
arevery
veryfew
fewexposures
exposuresofofthe
theEnchaniment
Enchantment
unit is a prime target for
Lake Formation, and especially few
hin conglomeratic
few of
of this
this tthin
conglomeraticphase.
phase. The many samples needed
needed for
for
assaying, provenance
provenancestudies
studiesand
andthe
thelike
likewould
would nearly
nearly all
all have
have to
to be
be obtained
obtainedby
byexpensive
expensivesubsurface
subsurface
assaying,
means
means over
over aa wide
wide area.
area.

Stop
Stop SC-8:
SG8:

Lithology-seleetive
Lithology-selectiveductile
ductile shearing
s h e a ~ with
g
boudinage i
in
n the Carp
Carp River
River Falls
F a h shear
shear
12).
zone. (Location
(Locationmap,
map,Figure
Figure12).

This
This locality
locality was last mapped
mapped by Cannon and
and Klasner
Klasner (1977),
(1977), shown
shown as
as part
part of
of their
their Precambrian
Precambrian

mafic-uleamafic complex.
complex. The
Therevised
revisedstratigraphy
stratigraphyof
ofthe
theArchean
Archeanrocks
rocksof
ofthe
theIshpeming
Ishpeminggreenstone
greenstone
W mafic-ultramafic
belt (Bomhorst
(Bomhorst and
and Johnson,
Johnson, 1993)
1993)assigns
assignsitit to
to the
the informal
informal basalt
basalt flow
flow unit
unit of
of the
the Kitchi
Kitchi Formation.
Formation.
Beginning about us
118 mile
mile east
east of
of here, Cannon and Klasner mapped a large area
area of
of Precambrian W
serpentinite,
serpentinite, now considered
considered part of the Deer Lake peridotite. About
About1/4
I14 mile to the northeast are a number
of outcrops
outcrops of
of aa very
very fresh
fiesh looking,
looking, nearly
nearly unfoliated biotite
biotite tonalite
tonalite intrusion
inhusion that we informally refer to

as the "Mockler tonalite", named
named for
for an
an adjacent
adjacent small gold
gold prospect; Cannon
Cannon and
and Klasner
Klasner mapped
mapped that
as
Only a few hundred feet south of here Cannon and Klasner's
outcrop area as Precambrian W felsic rocks.
rocks. Only
Klasner's
map shows
shows a fault
fault contact
contact between the Archean and the Proterozoic. Bornhorst
Bomhorstand
andJohnson
Johnson(1993)
(1993)
included
included this
this in the Carp
Carp River
River falls
falls shear
shear zone.
zone.

This
expowe was
was not
not available
available to previous workers. ItItwas
wascreated
createdonly
onlyvery
very recently,
recently, when
when the
This exposure
Marquette
Marquette County
County Road
RoadCommission
Commissionstraightened
straightenedthe
the approach
approachto
tothe
therailway
railwayunderpass
underpassimmediately
immediately

south of
of us. The
TheRoad
RoadCommission
Commissiondumped
dumpedaavery
very large
large pile
pile of
of excess
excess blasted
blasted rock from
fiom this new
south
roadcut
roadcut in aa gravel pit that lies a couple of hundred
hundredyards
yardssoutheast.
southeast.
Figure 13
13 is a detailed
detailed map of
of this
this exposure.
exposure. ItItshows
showsaawide
widevariety
varietyof
ofrock
rocktypes,
types,which
which are
are
affected
affected by
by an
an east-west
east-west zone
zoneof
ofductile
ductileshearing
shearingthat
that varies
varies from
fiom weakly
weakly to
to intensely
intenselydeveloped,
developed,

dependiig on the rock type. There
Thereisisevidence
evidencehere
here for
formultiple
multiple deformation:
deformation: aa nearly
nearly horizontal
horizontal 52
S2
depending
crenulation
crenulationcleavage
cleavageisis superimposed
superimposedon
onaavertical
verticalS1
S, cleavage, and
and is
is mimicked
mimickedatatall
allscales
scalesby
bynearnear-

horizontal
horizontal boudins
boudinsof
offoliation-resistant
foliation-resistantveins
veinsand
androck
rockunits
units (see
(seephoto,
photo,Figure
Figure15).
15).

83

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_____

Figure 12. Location map for Stops SG-8, 9 and 10.

32'30'

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16/8

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84

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Figure
Figure 13.
13. Plan
Planmap
map of
of Marquette
Marquette County Highway
8.
Higbway "CL" roadcut, Stop SGSO-S.

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85

�Figure IS.
50-8. Near
Figure
15.Looking
Lookingeastward
eastwardat
at roadcut
roadcut exposure, Stop SG-8.
Nearcenter
centerof
of photo
photo is
is
mega-boudined blocky tonalite porphyry with
with brecciated south
south margin
margin of
of tonalite
tonalite fragments,
fragments,
quartz, chlorite and tourmaline.
tounnaline. Tonalite
Tonalitemega-boudin
mega-boudinisisenveloped
envelopedin
in highly
highly sheared
sheared basalt
basalt that
also hosts horizontally
horizontally boudined
boudined quartz-carbonate
quartz-carbonatevein
veinnear
nearleft
leftside
sideof
ofphoto.
photo. Highly
sheared talcose ultramafic
ultramafic is
is at far
far right.
right.

This exposure exhibits lithologic and structural features too numerous to be described
described in detail in
will be
be briefly
briefly mentioned.
mentioned. Near the south end,
end, a 15-foot
this paper; the highlights will
%foot layer of virtually
piliowed metabasalt and
undeformed graywacke and minor pink chert lies between weakly foliated pillowed

moderately sheared metabasalt.
rnetabasalt The
not clear.
clear. The southern
Thegraywacke
grayacke has graded bedding, but tops are not
contact of the sediments
sediments with the basalt appears to be conformable,
conformable, but the northern contact
contact with the

by pyritic
pyritic slickensides.
slickensides. Moving northward past a mbbly
rubbly interval of
moderately sheared basalt is marked by
near-outcropping sheared
sheared basalt, shearing becomes progressively more intense, and seems to be centered

on a 4-foot
none can be
be found at the
4-foot zone of talcose.
talcose,papery-thin
papery-thin sheared
sheared ultrarnafic
ultramafic rock. Although none
outcrop itself, aapiece
pieceof
ofthis
thisrock
rock found
foundin
in the
the gravel
gravel pit
pit waste
waste pile
pile contained
contained cross-fiber
cross-fiber chrysotile. On
On
the Jensen
Jensen cation
cation plot
plotof
ofour
ourwhole
wholerock
rockanalyses
analysesfrom
fromthis
thisexposure,
exposure,the
thesample
samplefrom
from this talcose material
material

86

�plots in the peridotitic komatiite field (see Figure 14). This
This rock
rock isis either
either an apophysis
apophysis of the Deer Lake
peridotite, or a tectonically emplaced slice
slice of it;
it; it exhibits
exhibits vertical
vertical rodding
rodding but
but horizontal
horizontal slickensides.
slickensides.
Because of the structural deformation here, it's problematic
problematicwhether
whether the
the boudined
bondined tonalite
tonalite

porphyry is a dike or a sill. This
Thisisisaafme
fmegrained
grained dark
dark pinkish
pinkish gray
gray rock with up to about 20% small

phenoctysts, which
which in
in thin
thin section
sectionare
areall
allhighly
highlysericitized
sericitizedalbite-oligoclase.
albite-oligoclasa The
feldspar phenocrysts,
The groundmass
composition is: a few
few percent opaques,
opaques, (about
(about ¾
% rutile
rude pseudomorphing
pseudomorphing ilmenite
ilmenite and ¼
'/4 porphyroblastic
porphyroblastic
cubic pyrite); one third anhedral quartz;
quartz; one
one third
third sericitized
sericitized albitic
albitic plagioclase;
plagioclase;and
andone
onethird
thirdinterstitial
interstitial

chlorite, sometimes as pressure shadows of pyrite, defining a clear thin section-scale foliation. This
This isis an
an
albitic rock that yielded
yielded 6.04%
6.04% Na20,
Na20, the
study. A
the highest
highest of any of the whole rock analyses done for this study.
A
K20 content of 1.39%
K20
1.39% is
is probably
probably entirely
entirely due
due to
to sericite;
sericite; no
no K-spar
K-spar was
was found.
found.
A zone of
of interest
interest in
in the
the sheared
sheared metabasalt
metabasaltand
and marked
marked on
onthe
themap
mapisisaathin
thininterval
intervalrich
richinin
disseminated
disseminated coarse
coarse magnetite
magnetite coexisting
coexisting with randomly
randomly oriented
oriented coarse
coarsecubic
cubicpyrite
pyrite that
thatappears
appearsto
tohave
have

developed porhyroblastically
porhyroblastically without pressure shadows in a low strain environment. Another
Another isis aa few
few feet
feet
of sheared
sheared greenstone
greenstone with minor
minor iron
iron carbonate,
carbonate, aa trace
trace of
of fine
finedisseminated
disseminatedpyrite
pyriteand
andrare
raremalachite
malachite
spotting.
spotting.

This exposure has been sampled for gold more than once by MPC;
MPC; the locations
locations of
of the latest three

grab samples are shown on the map. None
None of
of the
the samples
samples yielded
yielded gold above
above detection limits. Despite
Despite
the favorable-looking
favorable-looking shearing,
shearing,the
the lack
lack of
of significant
significantaccompanying
accompanyingcarbonate
carbonatealteration
alterationmay
maybe
hean
an

important reason for the lack of
of detectable
detectablegold
gold in
in it,
it, even
even where
where copper
copperminerals
mineralsare
arepresent.
present.
Figure 14,
14, the Jensen
Jensen plot
plot for
for the
the whole
whole rock
rock samples
samplestaken
takenfrom
fromthis
thisexposure,
exposure,illustrates
illustratesthat
thatthe
the

greenstone samples,
samples,regardless
regardless of
of degree
degreeof
of shearing,
shearing, plot
plot closely
closely together
together in
in the
the high iron tholeiite
tholeiite field.
Our sample of the tonalite porphyry from here is shown repeated on the Jensen plot of Figure 16 for the
purpose of comparison
comparison with
with two
two other
other felsic
felsic intrusive
intrusive bodies
bodies in
in this
this vicinity,
vicinity, the
the Mockler
Mockler tonalite
tonalite(sample
(sample
"MOCK")
mine (sample
(sample"PG-1").
"PG-I"). (Note:
"MOCK) and
andthe
the tonalite
tonalite porphyry at the Peninsula
Peninsula mine
(Note: Accessory
Accessory zircon
zircon
was noted in thin sections
sections of all of
of these
these rocks).
rocks).
The shearing
be traced westward only
shearing seen here cannot be Iraced
traced eastward, and can he
only a few
few hundred

feet, where it is partially exposed in the old highway
highway cut. Beyond
Beyond that
that point,
point, scattered
scatteredoutcrops
outcrops in
in the
the hills
to the west are of unfoliated metabasalt. The
Theductile
ductileshearing
shearingseen
seen at
at this
this stop
stop might
might represent
represent only
only a
branching splay of the Carp
Carp River
River Falls
Falls shear
shear zone, whose
whose main expression
expression may
may well
well lie
lie south
southof
of here
here at
at
the Proterozoic
Proterozoiccontact.
contact.

87

�FeO* + 1102
SAMPLES

Cation %
Cation
YO
Jensen
Jensen (1976)
(1 976)

• PC-B-i
• PC-B-2
£ PC-8-3
V PC-UM

•

PC-PFWO

AJ203

MgO
Figure 114:
4: Stop
Stop SG-8
SG-8

Fe0*
FeO*++1102
m02
Cation
Cation %
%
Jensen
Jensen (1976)
( 1 976)

.

w
SAMPLES

• MOCK
K C K
• RC-PI-WO
m
K-RtNO
£

PJ203
A203

PG-I

MgO
Figure
6
Figure116

88

�Stop SG9:
SG.9: Peninsula
Peninsula gold
gold deposit (Location
(Location map,
map, Figure
Figure 12).
12).
In
In contrast to the broad anastomosing
anastomosing ductile shear
shear zones seell
seen so far on this field trip, the

Peninsula gold deposit occurs in a discrete brittle-ductile structure. Also
Alsoin
in contrast
contrast to
to the
the nearly
nearly east
east -west regional shear zones seen so
so far, the Peninsula
Peninsula structure
structure strikes
strikes north
north -- northeast.
northeast. This structure
structure cuts a
by Cannon
Cannou
variety of host
hostrocks,
rocks, regionally
regionally mapped
mapped as
as Precambrian
Precambrian W massive
massive and layered felsic rocks by
and Klasner (1977) and subsequently
subsequently assigned to the informal basalt flow
flow unit of the Kitchi Formation
(Bornhorst
1993). At
(Bomhorst and Jobnson(
Johnson(l993).
At aa scale
scale useful
usefbl for exploration,
exploration, the
the geology
geology is
is quite
quite complex.
complex.

History
Gold was discovered at the Peninsula in the 1880's,
1 8 8 0 ' but
~but
~ there
there was
was never
never any
any commercial
commercial
production. All
Allinformation
informationon
onthis
thisperiod
periodconsists
consistsof
ofold
oldnewspaper
newspaperarticles
articleswith
withvery
verylittle
littleuseful
useful

technical data except the probable depths of the two old main shafts on the property, 69 feet for the North
shaft and 80 feet for the South Shaft (Fountain,
(Fountain, 1992).
1992). There
Therewas
wasno
nomodem-day
modem-dayactivity
activityat
at the
the Peninsula
Peninsula
by Callahan Miing
Mining Corp. in 1981. MPC
until it was purchased by
MPCpurchased
purchasedthe
thetracts
tractsencompassing
encompassingthe
the

Peninsula and the nearby Michigan gold mine
mine from
from Callahan
Callaban in
in 1995;
1995;included
includedin
inthis
thisacquisition
acquisitionwere
wereall
all
reports on these properties.
properties. The following
of Callahan's
Callahan's drill
d d l core,
core, exploration data
data and internal rqorts
following synopsis
part of a
of the work done by Callahan is based on an analysis and summary of this acquired data in p~
detailed report for MPC (Duskin,
(Duskin, 1997).
1997).
detailed
mapping, rock sampling and
and
Between 1981
1981 and 1984
1984 Callahan conducted surface reconnaisssance
recomaisssance mapping

geophysics. An
An early
early phase,
phase,called
calledthe
the "granitoid
"granitoid program"
program'' was
wasfocused
focusedon
onintensive
intensivechip
chipand
and channel
channel
sampling of the tonalite porphyry, thought to be a pluglike intrusion
with potential for large tonnage,
tonnage, open
inmsion with
open
pittable gold mineralization. Disappointing
pittahle
Disappointingresults
resultsled
led to
to aare-focus
re-focus on
on the
the steeply
steeplydipping
dipping"siliceous
"siliceous
exhalite" originally tested by the oldtimers, termed
tenned the "Target
exbalite"
"Target Zone" by Callahan.
Callahan. The
The subsequent
subsequent testing
No detailed mapping or trenching
Irenching were
were done.
done. Three
program consisted entirely of angle core drilling. No
mee

shallow test holes under the old workings
workings in 1984
1984returned
returned sub-ore
sub-oregrade
gradeassay
assayresults
resultsbut
but encouraging
encouraging
Shaft, returned
returned 15.6 slant feet
feet grading
grading .216
thicknesses. In
In 1985
1985the
the fourth
fourth hole, under the old South Shak
,216
oz/ton
odton Au. Intensive
Intensiveclose
close spaced
spaced drilling
drillingwas
wasthen
then carried
carried out
out through
through 1987,
1987, resulting
resulting in about 20,000

feet of core in a total of 37
37 holes.
boles. During
D U Mthe
the
~ course
courseof
ofthis
thisdrilling
drillingaapresumed
presumedblind
bliid en
enechelon
echelon
termed the
the "Back Zone", was
was discovered.
stratabound zone
zone of
of mineralization,
mineralization, tenned
The purpose
purpose of
of the
the drilling
drilling was
was to
to quickly
quickly prove
prove up
up aa ramp-minable
ramp-minableshallow
shallowtonnage
tonnageof
ofhigh
higb

grade
grade ore to augment
augment or eventually
eventually replace the ore being fed to the mill by the Callahan's mining operation

89

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200 feet

Geology

Peninsula Gold Project

Minaals Processing
Corporation

100

Trench

Outcrop

Fault

Gold—bearing zone

Laminated felsic tuf I

Greenstone

Metagabbro

Magnetic

Figure 17: Stop SG-9

0

r
Tonalite porphyry

�at the
the Ropes
Ropes deposit.
deposit. There
Therewas
wasno
noattempt
attemptatatstepout
stepoutdrilling,
drilling,and
andthe
the deposit
deposit remains
remains open
open at
at depth
depth and
and
at
in both
both directions
directions along
along strike.
strike. Callahan
Callahan eventually
eventually calculated
calculated a reserve of 51,700
5 1,700tons
tons grading
grading .141
,141 01/ton
odton
in
in
in the
the outcropping
outcropping Target
Target Zone
Zone segment
segment of
of the
the structure,
structure, and
and an
an additional
additional 41,200
41,200 tons
tonsgrading
grading.082
,082

oz/ton
asfar
far as
as obtaining
obtaining aa mining
mining permit in 1988
1988 from
from the first
fust
odton in
in the
the Back Zone. Mining
Miingplans
planswent
went as
level
level of
of authority,
authority, Marquette County. But
Butthe
thedeclining
decliningfortunes
fortunesof
of the
the Ropes
Ropes mine
mine and
and ofofthe
the

corporationitself
itself led
ledtotoaasuspension
suspensionofofactivity
activityatatthe
thePeninsula
Peninsulafrom
fromthen
thenuntil
untilthe
thesale
saletotoMPC.
MPC.
corporation
Taking
in the
the early
early
Taking aa new
new approach
approach not influenced
influencedby
bythe
thestratabound
strataboundgold
goldmodels
modelsin
in vogue
vogue in

1980's, MPC
MPCbegan
began its
its re-evaluation
re-evaluation of
of the
the property
property by rock sampling
sampling and mapping
mappingon
onaagrid
gridat
atl"=lOO'
l"=lOO'
1980's,
in
in 1996.
1996.This
Thisled
ledtotothe
thediscovery
d i s w v wof
ofthe
theBack
BackZone
Zoneininoutcrop
outcrop(now
(nowrenamed
renamed the
the "B
"B Zone"),
Zone"), and
and the
the
recognition
recognition that
that itit is
is simply
simply aa fault
fault offset
offset of
of the
the Peninsula
Peninsula structure.
structure. Further
Furtherwork
workincluded
includeddigging
diggingand
and
channel
"=20' mapping
channel sampling
sampling 11
11backhoe
backhoe trenches,
trenches, detailed
detailed11"=20'
mappingalong
alongthe
theentire
entireexposed
exposedstructure,
strncture,

petrographic
petrographic and polished section studies
studies of mineralized core intervals, complete re-logging of many of
the
thecore
coreholes,
holes,and
andcorrelation
correlationof
ofthe
therevised
revisedcore
corelog
loggeology
geologywith
withthe
thesurface
surfacemapping.
mapping. Figure
Figure17
17isisaa
geologic
geologicmap
mapcompiled
compiledfrom
fromthis
thiswork.
work.

Lithology
Lithology
The
The oldest
oldest of
of the
the rocks
rocks hosting
hosting the
the deposit
deposit area
area appear
appear to
to be
be an
an interlayered
interlayered sequence
sequence of
of

greenstones
greenstones and a laminated felsic
felsic tuft'fragmental
tuWfiagmental unit.
unit. The
Thetuff'fragmental
tuWEapentd isisnon-magnetic
non-magnetic and
and
erosionally
one very
v q small outcrop
outcrop just east of the North Shaft
Shaft can be found
found on
on surface;
snrface; it
erosionallyrecessive.
recessive. Only one
was
wasalso
alsoencountered
encounteredin
in Trench
Trench 77 northwest
northwest of
of there.
there. InIndrill
drillcore
corethis
thisgray
grayrock
rockisisextremely
extremelywell
wellbanded
banded
and
andoften
oftencarries
canies coarsely
coarselyfragmental
kagmental heterolithic
heterolithic layers.
layers. ItItexhibits
exhibitsgraded
gradedbedding,
bedding,but
buttops
topsand
andbottoms
bottoms
in
inthis
thissequence
sequencehave
have not
not yet
yet been worked
worked out.
out. The
Thegreenstones
greenstonesare
aretypical
typicalmetabasalts
metabasaltsand
andoften
oftenexhibit
exhibit
amygdules
amygdulesin
in drill
drill core.
core. The
Themany
manystructural
structuraldislocations
dislocationsininthe
theimmediate
immediatePeninsula
Peninsulavicinity
vicinitymake
makeitit
difficult
difficultto
todetermine
determineaastrike
striketrend
aendfor
forthese
theseunits,
nnits,but
butaadistinctive
distinctivebedded
beddedchert
cherthorizon
horizonwithin
withinthis
this
sequence
sequencethat
that outcrops
outcropsabout
about1000
1000feet
feetnorthwest
northwestgives
givesan
anattitude
attitudeof
of035°,
035",72°SE.
72"SE.
The
Thecoarse
coarsegrained
grainedmetagabbro
metagabbrowest
westofofthe
theNorth
NorthShaft
Shaftappears
appearstotobe
beaasmall
smallplug
plugororsill
sillintruding
inin~diig

the
thegreenstone;
greenstone;itit contains
containslarge
large angular
angular fragments
Eagments of
of greenstone.
greenstone.This
Thismetagabbro
metagabbroisisnon-magnetic
non-magneticand
and
completely
completelyamphibolitized,
amphibolitizedwith
withpseudomorphs
pseudomorphsofofcalcic
calcicamphibole
amphiboleafter
afterorthopyroxene
orthopyroxenefaintly
faintlypreserved.
presewed.

ItIt contains
contains 2-5%
2-5Yo coarse
coarse cubic
cubic porphyroblastic
porphyroblastic pyrite
pyrite that
that often
often hosts microscopic inclusions
inclusions of
of
6

chalcopyrite;
chalcopyite; tiny
tinyfree
Eeegrains
grainsof
ofchalcopyrite
chalcopyriteare
arealso
also present
present in
in traces. The
Therock
rockcontains
containsabout
about5%
5%
chlorite
chloritereplacing
replacing amphibole,
amphibole, indicating
indicatingretrograde
retrogrademetamorphism.
metamorphism.

91

�The
porphyry. This
The most
most erosionally
erosionally resistant
resistant of
of the
the Peninsula
Peninsula structure
structure host rocks is the tonalite porphy~~.
This
rock
rock has
has been
been affected
affectedby
by both
both metamorphism
metamorphismand
andhydrothermal
hydrothermalprocesses,
processes,especially
especiallywhere
whereititlies
liesclose
close

to the
the auriferous
auriferous structure,
structure, where gold values ranging from
fiom a few to a few hundred ppb can often be found
to
in
init.
it. In
In mapping
mapping near
near this
this structure,
structure, itit is
is often
often difficult
diff~cultto
todistinguish
distinguishaadivision
divisionbetween
between the
the two
two alteration
alteration

effects,
effects, but
but one
one of
of the
the principal
principal hallmarks
hallmarks of
of the
thehydrothermal
hydrothermalalteration
alterationisis an
an increase
increasein
in chlorite
chloriteas
as

replacements,
replacements, seamlets,
s e d e t s ,enhanced
enhanced foliation
foliation partings
p d g s and
and slickensides. Other
Other such
such effects
effects are
are elevated
elevated
content
content of
of fme
fine grained
grained disseminated
disseminatedpyrite,
pyrite,carbonate
carbonatereplacement
replacementof
ofthe
thegroundmass,
groundmass,and
andwhite
whitequartz
quark
veining.
veining. Strong
Strongalteration
alterationseldom
seldompersists
persistsfor
formore
morethan
thanaafew
fewfeet
f&amp; from
fromstructural
structuralcontacts.
contacts.
The
Theporphyritic
porphyriticnature
natureof
ofthis
thisrock
rock isisoften
oftentoo
toosubtle
subtletotoreadily
readilydiscern
discernininhand
handspecimens,
specimens,even
even

in
in relatively
relatively fresh
fiesh samples. In
Inthin
thinsections
sectionsof
ofthese,
these,the
thephenocryst
phenocrystcontent
contentvaries
variesfrom
from5%
5%to
to 30%,
30%, and
and
these
these are
are all
all heavily sericitized,
sericitized, corroded albite-oligoclase
albite-oligoclase crystals. The
The groundmass
groundmasshas
has about
about 20%
20%
anhedral
anhedral quartz,
quark, within
within aa very
very fme
fme grained
grained mixture
mixtureof
ofbiotite
biotitealtering
alteringto
to chlorite,
chlorite, chlorite,
chlorite,albite,
albite,

muscovite/sericite,
primarily of
of rutile
rutile and
and pyrite. Very
muscovitelsericite, and opaques consisting primarily
Very rare
rare tiny
tiny grains
grains of
of
probable
thin
probablemolybdenite
molybde~tehave been found in a few hand specimens. In
In one polished t
hin section of altered
altered
tonalite,
tonalite,microscopic
microscopicinclusions
inclusionsof
ofmixed
mixedchalcopyrite-pyrrhotite
chalwpyrite-pymhotitewere
werefound
foundininpyrite.
pyrite.
Because
Becauseof
ofits
itsrelative
relativeerosional
erosionalresistance,
resistance,this
thisunit
unit has
hasbeen
been "overmapped"
"overmapped"ininthe
thepast,
past,and
andisis

probably
probablyalso
alsosomewhat
somewhatovermapped
overmappedas
asdepicted
depictedon
onFigure
Figure 17.
17. InInseveral
severaldrill
drillholes
holespassing
passingunder
under
outcrops
outcropsof
oftonalite,
tonalite, none
none was
was encountered
encountered in the subsurface.
subsnrface. In
Insome
someof
ofthe
thetrenches
trenchesitit was
was found
foundthat
that
low
by outcrops
outcropsof
oftonalite
tonalitewere
wereunderlain
underlamby
bysubcrop
subaopof
ofthe
theolder
oldergreenstone-tuff
greenstone-tuff
lowareas
areassurrounded
surroundedby
sequence
sequencethat
thatthis
thishypabyssal
hypabyssalintrusive
intrusiveinvades.
invades. In
In drill
drillcore
coreintercepts,
intercepts, its
itscontacts
contactswith
withthis
thissequence
sequence

are
areusually
usuallybrecciated
brecciated and/or
and/or slickensided,
slickensided, but
butaafew
fewof
ofthem
themshow
showinjections
injectionsof
ofthe
thetonalite
tonaliteinto
intothe
the

greenstone.
greenstone. The
Thetonalite
tonaliteporphyry
porphyryisisnot
notaamassive
massiveplug,
plug,but
butrather
ratheraacluster
cluster of
of dikes/sills.
diiedsills.
The
Theyoungest
youngestrock
rock unit
unitisismapped
mappedas
as"magnetic
"magneticmafic
mafic intrusive",
intrusive", but
butititisisprobably
probablyaametadiabase.
metadiabase.
This
Thisblack
blackrock
rockisisvery
veryweakly
weaklyfoliated
foliated(except
(exceptimmediately
immediatelyadjacent
adjacenttotocontacts),
contacts),exhibits
exhibitsan
an equigranular
equigranular
texture,
texture,and
andcontains
containsmegascopic
megascopicfresh
fieshbiotite.
biotite. ItItcarries
carriesaafew
fewpercent
percentcoarse
coarseeuhedral
euhedralpyrite,
pyrite,asaswell
wellasas

ubiquitousdisseminated
disseminated magnetite,
magnetite, sometimes
sometimes up
up to
to 10%.
10Y0.InIndrill
drillcore
coreititcontains
containstrains
bainsand
andscreens
screensof
of
ubiquitous
angular
fragmentsofofthe
thetonalite.
tonalite.
angularfragments

92

�Structure
Mineralization
Structure and
and Mineralization
The Peninsula
Peninsula fault
fault structure
structure affects
affects all of
of the
the rock
rock types,
types, inclusions
inclusionsof
ofwhich
whichcan
canbe
be found
foundwithin
within
it. We
Werecognize
recognize two
two basic
basic lithotypes within the structure: quartz-carbonate
quartz-carbonate ("q-c"),
("q-c"), and chlorite("ccpy"). Angular
carbonate-pyrite ("copy").
Angular breccias are common in the q-c lithotype. Host
Hostrock
rock fragments
fragments are
are
less abundant, but sometimes
ccpy lithotype, usually as boudins. The
sometimes present
present in the copy
Theq-c
q-clithology
lithology
predominates
Target Zone;
Zone; itit exhibits
predominates where the fault
fault structure
structure intersects tonalite, primarily in the Target
exhibitsmostly
mostly
brittle
brittle texures and has abundant
abundant albite as veinlets and breccia matrix. The
Theprimary
primary carbonate
carbonate is
is dolomite,
dolomite,

with lesser ankerite, rhodochrosite and
and late
late calcite.
calcite. Silica content is highly variable.
variable. The q-c usually
contains
chioritic slip planes
planes,,and
contains chloritic
and sometimes
sometimes lenses
lenses or intetfingering
interfmgering layers of copy. Megascopic
Megascopic metallic
minerals in the q-c are pyrite, very minor chalcopyrite,
minerals
chalcopyrite, and,
and, rarely, visible
visible gold.
gold. There
Thereisis aa strong
strong

conelation
correlationof
ofgold
gold assays
assays with
with pyrite, but it is not 1:1.
1:1. In
Inmicroscope
microscopeexamination
examinationof
of high
high gold
gold -- high
pyrite samples, gold
gold is
is found
found as
as tiny
tiny inclusions in pyrite, either alone or with sphalerite. Other
Otherinclusions
inclusions
in pyrite
samples with visible gold, the
pyrite are
are argentiferous
argentiferous galena,
galena- pyrrhotite
pyrrhotite and
and chalcopyrite.
chalcopyrite. In low pyrite samples
gold appears
appears to
to be
be later
later than
than pyrite,
pyrite, occurring
occurring as
as free
freegrains
grains in
in chlorite
chloriteand
and carbonate,
carbonate,associated
associatedwith
with
chalcopyrite.
chalcopyrite.

characteristically displays
The dominant mineral in the copy
ccpy lithology is chlorite, and this rock characteristically

ductile textures. This
Thislithology
lithologyseems
seemsto
to dominate
dominatethe
the fault
fault zone
zone where
where itit intersects
intersects greenstone or
and in
in the
the deeper
deeper levels
levels of
of the
the Target
Target Zone
Zone segment.
segment. There is
metadiabase, both in the B Zone segment and

albite in the matrix of this rock,
rock, but
but virtually
virtuallyno
noquartz.
quartz. In the B Zone,
Zone, most
most of which
which involves
involves faulting
adjacent to the metadiabase, much of the chlorite can be
be seen in thin
thin section to
to be
be replacing
replacing biotite.
biotite. The
The
ccpy is generally much higher in pyrite than the q-c, and also contains
copy
contains several
several percent
percent magnetite in the B

Zone segment, probably
probably derived
derived directly from the metadiabase. In
Inpolished
polished section
sectionmagnetite
magnetite and
and pyrite
pyrite

exhibit coexisting mutual
mutual textures.
textures. Chalocopyrite
in this
thislithology.
lithology. Gold,
Chalocopyrite also occurs as aa minor sulfide in

where found so far, occurs
occurs as
as inclusions in pyrite, and in quartz and
and carbonate
carbonate veinlets.
that the
the composition
composition of
of the
the Peninsula
Peninsula gold
gold structure's
structure's gangue is
is very
very host
host
The clear impression is that

rock-dependent. ItIt appears
appearsthat
that aa great
great deal
deal of
of host
host rock has
has been
been assimilated
assimilated into
into the structure, with the
the metatonalite
metatonalite contributing
contributingto
tothe
thequartz
quartzin
inthe
theq-c
q-clithology.
lithology. Similarly, the
the
availability of free silica in the
of ferromagnesians
fenomagnesians in more mafic host rocks promoted the
lack of free silica and the abundance of
rocks were
were intersected.
intersected. The abundance of dolomite in the q-c and of
development of chlorite where those rocks
chlorite
cepy indicates
introduction of magnesium
chlorite in the copy
indicates a very strong introduction
magnesium into
into the
the hydrothermal system
system that
that
operated within the
operated
the Peninsula
Peninsula fault
fault structure.
structure.

93

�Zone strikes 020'
020° and dips steeply SE. On
The Target Zone
Onthe
thesouthwest
southwestititisisoffset
offsetby
by aa later
laterhigh
high
angle fault which also rotates it into
Zone).
into an
an orientation
orientation trending
trending 050°,
050Â°still
stilldipping
dippingsteeply
steeplySE
SE(the
(theBBZone).

Vertical movement on
on this
this cross
crossfault
faulthas
has exposed
exposedthe
thegold
goldstructure
structurehere
hereatataadifferent
differentdepth
depthlevel,
level,
porphyry. Where
involving mostly
mostly the
the magnetic
magnetic metadiabase in its footwall instead of the tonalite porphyry.
Where
intersected
of breccia. These
intersected in drilling, late faults such as this one consist of narrow zones of
Thesefaults
faults form
form an
an
interconnecting pattern. Their
interconnecting
Their traces
traces in
in some
somecases
cases yield
yield anomalous
anomalous gold
gold in
in grab
grab sampling,
sampling, but it's not
not
clear whether this represents a later
later mineralizing
mineralizing event or mineralization
mineralization remobilized
remobilized from
from the
the Peninsula
Peninsula
structure.
structure.

SG-1O: Michigan
Michigan Gold Mine
Mine (Location
Stop SG10:
(Location map,
map, Figure
Figure12).
12).
MPC has done only a limited amount of work so far on this gold occurrence,
MFC
occurrence. ItItisisincluded
included as
as an
an
optional field trip stop
stop if time permits. There
Thereare
arevery
veryfew
fewoutcrops
outcropsin
inthe
theimmediate
immediatemine
mine vicinity;
vicinity; most
most
of them are metabasalts
metabasalts of the
the Kitchi
Kitchi Formation
Formation informal
informal basalt
basalt flow
flowunit,
unit, cut
cutby
by tonalite
tonaliteporphyry
porphyrysimilar
similar

to that at the Peninsula mine. These
Theserocks
rocksare
are cut
cut by
by at
at least
least five
five parallel, east-west, nearly vertical quartz
veins. Compared
Comparedto
toother
othergold
golddeposits
depositsininthis
thisarea,
area, the
theMichigan
Michigan veins
veins are
are very
very low
low in
in pyrite, and
represent a low sulfide
sulfide hydrothermal system. There
Thereisis no
no particular
particular correlation
correlation of
of gold
gold with
with pyrite, and
and
this deposit represents a case of severe nugget
nugget effect.
effect. These
These veins
veins are
are famous
famous for
for carrying
carrying free
free gold,

which can only be
be found today
today through
through very
verydiligent
diligenteffort
efforton
onthe
theold
oldmine
minedump.
dump. Examination of
of the
the
dump rocks and three core holes drilled by Callahan in the
the 1980's
1980's shows
shows that the
theveins
veinsrepresent
representbrittle
brittle
structures. Angular
are open
open space
space filling
filling textures. Black
Blacktourmaline
tourmalineisisaacommon
common
Angular breccia
breccia is
is common,
common, as
as are
vein mineral here; other exotic
exotic minerals
minerals found
found here include
include coarse
coarse molybdenite,
molybdenite, powellite,
powellite, scheelite,
scheelite,

chalcopyrite
chalcopyrite and a bismuth telluride. This
Thismineralogy
mineralogy is
is typical of
of the
the igneous
igneous assemblage often found in
the roots
roots of
of porphyry
porphyry copper
copper deposits.
deposits.

Recorded 19th
19&amp;Century production from
from here was 856
856 ounces
ounces of gold. Most
Most of
ofthis
this appears
appears to
have come
come from
from the
the No.
No. 66 Shaft
Shafton
onthe
the "main"
"main"vein,
vein,which
whichwas
wasmined
minedfrom
fromthe
the55-foot
55-footlevel
levelupwards.
upwards.

the property
property by
by MPC,
MPC, nothing
According to records inherited with the
nothing happened at
at this
this mine again until the
1930's, when aa financially
financially struggling
strugglingsmall local stock company
company deepened
deepened the
the No.
No. 66to
to 250
250feet
feetand
and

drifted laterally east and west along the
the vein.
vein. The blocked-out ore was never mined except for bulk
sample
sample tests.
tests. It is not clear exactly
exactlywhere
where in
in the
the mine the bulk samples came from.
from. The
Thereason
reasonthat
thatthe
the

bulk tests were done
done is that the company's
company's underground
underground grab
grab and
and channel
channelsamples
samplesall
allshowed
showedextreme
extreme

94

�assay variability.
variability. Two
Two bulk tests,
tests, first
first of
of aa 1-ton
1-ton sample
sample and
and then of a 10-ton
10-ton sample, were done in
Floughton by
by Michigan
Michigan Tech.,
Tech., which
which determined
determined aa grade
grade of
of approximately
approximately .3 odton
oz/ton Au.
Au. A
Houghton
A third
third test
test was
was

done in 1937 at a flotation
flotation mill
SI! on-site
Tech.. This
on-site under
under the
the supervision
supervision of Michigan Tech..
This also indicated a
oziton. At
Atthis
this point
point the
the stock
stock company
company tried
tried to
to pay
pay its
its debts
debts and move to commercial mining
grade of .3 odton.

by floating a new stock issue in a difficult fmancial
financial and regulatory environment. The
The various
variousrecords
records and
and
correspondence in MPC's files
files show
showthat
that this
this company
companywas
was still
still frying
trying to get approval to market its stock
the summer of
of 1941. As
began, the
the War
War Production
Production Board
Board prohibited all
as late as the
Assoon
soonas
asWorld
WorldWar
War11
TI began,
gold
nothing apparently
apparently ever
ever happened
happenedat
atthe
the Michigan
Michigan after
afterthat
thatexcept
exceptthe
thethree
threecore
core
gold mining in the U.S.; nothing
holes
by Callahan.
Callahan.
holes drilled
drilled by

95

�References
References Cited
Cited
Bornhorst,
Bornhorst, T.J.,
T.J., Thorpe,
Thorpe, R.I.
R.I. and
and Johnson,
Johnson,R.C.,
R.C., 1998,
1998,Lead
LeadIsotope
Isotopestudy
studyof
ofveins
veinsin
inthe
theArchean
Archean
Ishpeming
Ishpeming(}reenstone
GreenstoneBelt,
Belt,Michigan:
Michigan:Economic
EconomicGeology,
Geology,vol.93,
vol.93,p.102-107.
p.102-107.

Cannon,W.F.,
W.F., and
and Klasner,
Klasner, J.S.,
J.S., 1977,
1977,Bedrock
BedrockGeologic
Geologicmap
mapof
ofthe
thesouthern
southernpart
part of
ofthe
theDiorite
Diorite
Cannon,
and
Champion
7
Vz-minute
quadrangles,
Marquette
County,
Michigan:
U.S.
Geological
and Champion 7 %-minute quadrangles,
Geological
Survey
Survey Miscellaneous
MiscellaneousInvestigations
InvestigationsSeries
SeriesMap
Map1-1058,
1-1058,scale
scale1:24,000.
1:24,000.
Duskin, D.J.,
D.J.,1997,
1997,Peninsula
Peninsula gold
gold prospect:
prospect: private
privatereport
reportfor
forMinerals
MineralsProcessing
Processing Corporation,
Corporation,
Duskin,
21p.
2lp.
in the
the Upper
Upper Peninsula:
Peninsula: Lake
Lake Superior
Superior Port
Port Cities
Cities
Fountain, W., 1992,
1992,Michigan
Michigan gold
gold mining
mining in
Fountain,
Press,
Press, l68p.
l68p.
Gair,
Gair, J.E., and
and Thaden,
Thaden, R.E.,
R.E., 1968,
1968,Geology
Geology of
of the
the Marquette
Marquetteand
and Sands
SandsQuadrangles,
Quadrangles, Marquette
Marquette
County,
Tip., scale
County, Michigan:
Michigan: U.S.
US. Geological
GeologicalSurvey
SurveyProfessional
Professionalpaper
paper 397,
397,77p.,
scale1:24,000.
1:24,000.
Gleason,
Gleason, R.J.,
R.J., 1986,
1986,Extended
Extended Phase
Phase 11Exploration
Explorationof
of the
the Dead
Dead RiverRiver- Ishpeming
Ishpeming Greenstone
Greenstone
Belt,
CallahanMining
Mining Corp.
Corp. private
privatereport,
report, 57p.
57p.
Belt,Marquette
Marquette County,
County, Michigan:
Michigan:Callahan

Grunsky, E.C., 1981,
1981, No.16No. 16- An algorithm
algorithm for
for the classification
classification of subalkalic
subalkalic volcanic rocks
Grunsky,
using
1using the
the Jensen
Jensen cation
cationplot:
plot: Ontario
OntarioGeological
GeologicalSurvey
SurveyMiscellaneous
MiscellaneousPaper
Paper100,
100,p.6
p.6165.
65.
subalkalicvolcanic
volcanicrocks:
rocks: Ontario
Ontario
1976, A new cation plot for classifying
Jensen, L.S., 1976,
c1assi'ing subalkalic
Division
66,22p.
22p.
Division of
of Mines
Mines Misc.
Misc.Publication
Publication##66,
Johnson,
Johnson, R.C.,
R.C., and
and Bornhorst,
Bomhorst, T.J. 1991,
1991,Archean
Archean geology
geology of
of the
the northern
northern block of
of the Ishpeming
Ishpeming
greenstone
belt,
Marquette
County,
Michigan:
U.S.
Geological
Survey
Bulletin
1904-F,
greenstone belt, Marquette County, Michigan: US. Geological Survey Bulletin 1904-F,
20p.
20p.
Puffet,
Puffet, W.P.,
W.P., 1974,
1974,Geology
Geologyof
ofthe
theNegaunee
NegauneeQuadrangle,
Quadrangle,Marquette
MarquetteCounty,
County,Michigan:
Michigan:U.S.
U.S
Geological
Geological Survey
Survey Professional
Professional Paper
Paper 788,
788,53p.,
53p.,1:24,000.
1:24,000.

Van
Van Hise,
Hise, C.R.,
C.R., and
and Bayley,
Bayley ,W.S.,
W.S.,1897,
1897,The
TheMarquette
Marquetteironiron-bearing
bearingdistrict
districtof
ofMichigan:
Michigan:U.S.
U.S.
Geological
6O8p.
Geological Survey
SurveyMonograph
Monograph28,
28,608~.
Williams, G.H., 1890,
1890, The greenstone
greenstone schist areas of the Menominee and Marquette regions of
Michigan:
62, 2'llp.
Michigan: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 62,241~.

96

�Examples of
of Gold
Gold Mineralization
in the N
orthern
Mineralization in
Northern
Block of
of the
the Isbpeming
Ishpeming Greenstonc
Greenstone Belt
Thomas 0.
0. Quigley and
A. Mnhin
Mahin
and Robert
Robed A.
Minerals
Minerals Processing Corporation,
Champion MI
Corporation, Champion

97

�Minerals Processing Corporation's High
High Point,
Point., Silver
Silver Creek West, and Gold Bluff
Bluff gold properties
properties
the in
in the
the northern
northern m
arm of
of the
the Ishpeming
Jshpeminggreenstone
greenstonebelt.
belt. The field trip stops are intended to
to
all lie in the
illudrate
Host lithologies, structure,
illustrate the
the various
various styles
styles of
of gold
gold mineralization
mineralization found
found in
in this
thispart
part of
of the
the belt.
belt. Host
mineralization, and alteration
discus^ and
and compared.
compared.
controls of mineralizatioq
alteration will be discussed

High Point Gold Prospect
The High Point prospect was discovered
diswvered by
by MPC
MPC during
duringreconnaissance
rewnnaissanceexploration
explorationactivities
activities
from Callahan
Callahan Mining Corp's
working out fiom
Corp's Silver
SilverCreek
CreekWest
Westoccurrence
occurrencelocated
located1500
1500ft.
ft.totothe
thesoutheast.
southeast,
High grade surface mineralization at High Point is hosted by aa prominent knob
knob of
of intrusive
intrusive felsic
felsic porphyry
porphy~~
escarpment of the
the Dead
Dead River Shear Zone
Zone (DRSZ).
(DRSZ). Subsequent
along the topographic escaynent
Subsequent exploration
activities at the prospect included detailed mapping and
and sampling,
sampling, geochemical surveys, trenching, and
diamond drilling. Figures
Figures 11and 22 show
show the
the geology
geology of
of the
the High
High Point
Point prospect.
prospect.

Lithology
Rock types
rocks,
types at the High Point
Point prospect
prospect consist
wnsist of
of felsic,
felsic, porphyritic
porphy5ticintrusive
in-ive
rocks, within
within aa sheared
sheared
of matic
mafic flows and tuffacwus
tuffaceous rocks and minor interfiow
sequence of
interflow sediments
sediments corresponding
correspondingto
to the
the
Lighthouse Point Basalt of Johnson and Bomhorst
Bornhorst (1991). The
TheHigh
High Point
Point intrusive
intrusiveis
is aa fme
fme to
to medium
medium
grained, massive to weakly foliated
foliated feldspar
feldspar porphyry
porphyq stock
stock consisting
consisting of
of small
small phenocrysts
phenoaysts of
of albite
albitein
in aa
matrix of quartz, albite, potassium feldspar and carbonate. In
thin
In addition
additionto
to the
the main
main stock,
stock, numerous
numerous thin
stringers of pporphyry
o ~ h y r yof similar composition
composition are
are present
present in the surrounding
mounding volcanics. These mafic
volcanic
volcanic rocks consist of fine
h e grained, chlorite,
chlorite, sericite,
sericite, and
and amphibole
amphibole schists,
schists, and
and are
are probably
probably altered
altered
basalts and related kff"wus
tuffaceous rocks that have been variably sheared and deformed.
Structure
types
defonnation related
All rock t
ypes at the High Point prospect have been subjected to shearing and deformation
related to
to
the DRSZ. Mafic
units
exhibit
steeply
dipping
shear
related
foliations
striking
NW-SE,
parallel
to
the
Mafk units exhibit steeply dipping shem
foliations
the
ancillary shearing oblique
obliqueto
tothe
themain
main DRSZ
DRSZtrend.
trend. This shearing is
main DRSZ, as well as E -- W striking ancillaq~
through 33 (see Figure 21,
2), which expose the flanking volcanic d
section
well exposed in backhoe trenches 11 &amp;rough
o n
to the High
High Point
Point iintrusive.
and dikes exhibit
exhibit
adjacent to
n h i v e . The
The High
High Point
Point Intrusive
I n h i v e body and related sills and
intense brittle deformation
deformation manifested
manifested by irregular stockwork fracturing, quartz -- carbonate
carbonate veining,
veining, and
and
brecciation. Irregular
Irregularcontacts
contactsof
ofthese
these felsic
felsicunits
unitsobserved
observedin
indrill
drillcore,
core,as
aswell
weU as
as aa lack
lackof
ofcontinuity
continuity
between pporphyry
units have been
o r p h y ~units
~ in outcrops, drill holes, and trenches,
kenches, suggest that these felsic units
extensively disrupted and possibly rotated as
as large competent
wmpetent blocks within this portion of the DRSZ.
Alteration
Alteration
Ubiquitous
Ubiquitous carbonate
carbonate alteration
alteration consisting
consisling of
of calcite
calcite and dolomite-ankerite is present throughout the
the High
High Point
Point P
Prospect,
pervasive replacement
replacement of
of rock
rock matrix, and as
sheared section at the
r o s p q occurring as a pmasive
discrete
fillings in both mafic and felsic
muscovite, as
discrete veins and fracture
fiacture mlings
felsic units. Coarse, secondary muswvite,
as well as
black shiny carbon mineral are wmmonly
commonly associated with
with carbonate
carbonate veining
veining in
in the
the High
High
an unknown black
Point area. Examples of the carbon mineral
mineralcan be readily
readily found in the talus slope below the
the mineralized
that
mineral is present
present throughout
throughout the
the
ha! this mineral
outcrops of High Point intrusive,
intrusive, and drilling has revealed t

98

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CORPORATION

Geology of the High
Point Prospect
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Hiab Point Intrusive
Porpbyiy, Slice to madimu pained, reddish brown porphyriuo rock
p,mpo.ed of 1 to 5 = sibite pbgiooryat. in a matrix of elba.. K—feitpar.

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quarts, otuacovite and carbonat.. Parnitvely franturod, end veined with quartz,
ten-can dolornito. ankorita. end en action black carbon minaret.

liii j4j4j

}li.h Point Intrusive
Bericit. end cerbonata alias-ed porph1ry, cut by bieguler etockwork Veina and
mesas of gray quartz. iron carbonates, minor pyrita, minor guiana, bismuth

tafluride., and gold.

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Scala In S'bet

Basalt. Indesita

EJ
-

Fine grelnad chlorite, earlclt carbonate ecbi.te. Massive to roustad end
fractured with atockwork carbonate — carbon mineral yams and
dissemlatatad pyrtte where .haared, Locaily containing gray quarts veining

ecd gold inlnarellsauon, Sequence contains minor mntarfior shexty. pyritln
sediments-

I

Figure
Figure 1.
1. Geology of High
High Point
Point

�0
0

'4
+
4

4

4
4

4

4-4-4

MPC Trench

in ppb.

7 4+4 444

1

+

+

÷

+

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±

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'Intt.

4

4

4

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4.

±

Gold Values (ppb)

CORPORATION

Oda\E.ctMc

Psat Geel

0

25

0

IT

I

Scale in Feet

0

Channel Chip and Trench
Samples

Figure 2. Detailed Geology of High Point

4

44 tt* 4+4444

4 44444444 * 4

rTTI Channel sample with gold value

Basalt, Andesite

4

4

+t.tt.t-,-ttttt4
444 4-4+4 4

4

T:] High Point Intrusive

IThrfl
vfl

C

4+44

Trench 1

50

MINERALS PROCESSING

__

�flanking volcanic section as well. Within
Withinthe
themineralized
mineralizedportion
portionof
ofthe
theHigh
HighPoint
Pointintnisive,
intmsive,microprobe
microprobe
analysis has shown that zoned
zoned dolomite-ankerite
dolomite-ankeriteis
isintimately
intimatelyintergrown
intergrownwith
with barium
bariumbearing
bearingK-feldspar
K-feldspar
Tourmaline is also locally present in quartz veins, in the matrix
matrix of brecciated porphyry,
and muscovite. Tourmaline
and intergrown
intergrown with chlorite
chlorite along
along fracture
ffacture surfaces
surfacesin
in sheared
sheared volcanic
volcanicrocks.
rocks.
Mineralization
Mineralization
gray
Surface mineralization at High Point is confmed to the porphyry, and consists of irregular gray
quartz veining in altered porphyry
porphyry on
on the
the southeast
southeast side
sideof
ofthe
themain
mainknob.
knob. Here channel chip
chip sampling
sampling of
of
exposed
exposed outcrops
outcrops (Chip
(Chip Samples
Samples A,
A, B,
B, and
and C)
C) returned
retumed significant
significant gold
gold values
values including 28 ft.
&amp;. of
of .09
.09
ozlton,
.35 oz/ton
odton including
including 4 ft of 1.25
1.25 ozlton
odton (Figure 2). The
Themineralized
mineralized quartz
quartz from
ffom these
odton, and 14
14 ft. of .35
exposures
gay, cut
cut by
by iron
ironcarbonate
carbonateveinlets,
veinlets, and
andcontains
containssmall
smallamounts
amountsof
ofpyrite,
pyite, chalcopyrite,
chalcopyrite,
exposures is dark
dark gray,
galena, sphalerite,
galenq
sphalerite, and electrum
electnun as
as well
well as
as an
an exotic
exoticsuite
suiteof
of bismuth
bismuth tellurides,
tellurides,lead
leadbismuth
bismuth tellurides,
tellurides,
and an unknown lead-bismuth-silver sulfide. The
Thegeometry
geometryof
ofthis
thismineralized
mineralizedzone
zonehas
has not
not yet
yet been
been
defined,
and
defmed, although
although its
its extent
extent has
has been
been partially
patially confined
confmedby
by trenching
~~enching
andwide
widespaced
spaceddrilling.
drilling.

Silver Creek
Creek West
Fiver
Silver Creek West is a gold occurrence
variably altered and
and foliated
foliated mafic
mafic rocks.
rocks. In
occmnce within variably
In 1988
1988
million tons @O.O37optAu
@0.037optAu for Silver
I. 1 &amp;ion
Silver Creek
Callahan Mining Corporation calculated a resource of 1.1
controls. Surface
West but never exploited it because of unresolved concerns over gold continuity and coneols.
Surface
trenching exposes
exposes gold mineralization
eenching
mineralidon in
in ductile
ductile sheared
sheared and
and carbonate-chlorite-sericite-pyrite
carbonate-chlonte-sericite-pyritealtered
altered
basalt near the margin of a felsic porphyry. In
Indrill
drillhole
hole intersections,
intersection&amp;mineralization
mineralizationappears
appears to
to be
stratabound
seatabound within 170
170 foot
foot section
section of
ofmoderately
moderatelycarbonate
carbonatealtered,
altered,massive
massivemedium
mediumgrained
grainedmafics.
mafics,
Mineralization in both trenches
eenches and
and drill
drill core
core will be
be observed
observed at
at this
this stop.
stop.The
Thegeneral
general geology
geologyof
ofSilver
Silver
Creek West is
3.
is shown
shown in
in Figure
Figure3.
Lithology

The lithologies in the immediate vicinity of the Silver Creek
Creek West
West prospect
prospect consist
consist of
of aa number
number of
of
generally
generally northwest striking,
striking steeply dipping
dipping units, largely
largely of the Archean Lighthouse
Lighthouse Point Basalt
(Johnson and Bornhorst,
largeexpanse
expanseof
offine
finegrained,
graind
Bomhorst, 1991).
1991).To
Tothe
thenortheast
northeastof
ofthe
theSCW
SCWprospect
prospectisisaalarge
pillowed basalt. Nearer
Nearerto
tothe
theprospect
prospectoccurs
occursaamedium
mediumto
tofine
finegrained
grainedequigranular
equigranularchiorite-albitechlorite-albitecarbonate
carbonate unit, variously interpreted
interpreted as
as an ophitic
ophitic basalt, aa sheared
sheared carbonated
carbonatedbasalt,
basalt, and
and aa hypabyssal
hypabysd
mafic
pyrrhotite and hosts gold
mafic intrusive
intrusive or sill. The
Theunit
unit isisgenerally
generally massive,
massive, contains
contains significant
significant pynhotite
mineralization
mineralization at depth in drill core. The
Thenext
nextunit
unit to
to the
the southwest
southwestis
is aa narrow
narrow band of
of chlorite-albitechlorite-albitephyllite interpreted
interpreted as
as aa ductile
ductile sheared
shearedbasalt.
basalt. This unit hosts
hosts gold mineralization
mineralization
sericite-carbonatephyllite
trenches. This
exposed in surface trenches.
Thisbasalt
basalt is
is bounded
bounded to
to the
the southwest
southwest along
along the cliff
cliff face
face by aa rhyodacite
rhyodacite
porphyry which
which consists
consists of
of quartz,
q w feldspar,
feldspar,and
andchlorite
chloritephenocrysts
phenocrystsin
in aa felsic
felsicgroundmass.
groundmass.Drill
Bill
intercepts show an additional sequence
sequence of chiorite-albite-sericite
chlonte-albite-sericite phyllite and quartz-feldspar
quartz-feldspar intrusive
intrusive to
the southwest. In
Inatatleast
least one
onehole
holethe
the latter
latter felsic
felsic is
is in
in fault
fault contact
contact with Proterozoic
Proterozoic sediments
sediments which
have
have been down-thrown
dom-thrown to form
form the
the basin
basin to
to the
the southwest.
southwest.

101

�_
__

___
____

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MINERALS PROCESSING
CORPORATION

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Silver Creek West
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—

200

0

Figure 3.
3. Geology
Geology of
of Silver
Silver Creek
Creek West
West
Figure

200
Scale

in feet

400

V Vi

�Structure and mineralization
mineralization

At the surface, gold mineralization exposed
exposed in trenches by Callahan occurs within a ductile
ductile sheared
mafic
mafic volcanic
volcanic near the margin of
of aa felsic
felsic porphyry. This
Thisshearing
shearingstrikes
strikes300°
300' and
andmineralization
mineralization is
is
considered C-type replacement. In
Incontrast
contrastto
tosurface
surfaceexposures,
exposures,mineralized
mineralizedintervals
intervalsin
in drill
drill core
core are
are in
in
an unfbliated,
weakly altered
altered medium
medium grained
grained mafic
maficunit;
unit; there
thereisislittle
littleresemblance
resemblanceto
to mineralization
mineralizationin
in
unfoliated, weakly
depth to
to the
the easthortheast
east/northeast from
from
the sheared basalt. Gold-bearing intervals that in drill intercepts occur at depth
the trenched intervals
intervals do not project
project upwards
upwards along
alongobvious
obviousstructural
structuralplanes
planesto
tothe
thesurface
surfaceworkings.
workings.

The exact controls to the mineralization at
at depth
depth have
havenot
not been
beenproved.
proved. Intersection lineations
lineations of
of
plunge down to
to the east and offer
offer one possible explanation for joining
joining surface
various structural features plunge
and drill-hole gold (Johnson,
1991).
MF'C has
hasshown
shownthat
thatanomalous
anomalousmineralization
mineralization
fJohnson
19911Limited
Limitedwork
workby
bvMPC
.
occurs in outcrop
outcrop to
to the
the east
eastof
o fthe
thehigh
gradetrenches
trenchesatatthe
theup-dip
up-dip(along
(alongSSlfoliation)
projection of
of the
the
occurs
high grade
1 foliation) projection
mineralized drill core
mineralized
core intervals,
intervals, suggesting
suggesting that the trench and
and drill
drill core
core intercepts
interceptsare
are not connected.
connected.
Alteration
The
mineralized zone
The mineralized
zone is
is associated
associated with
with weakly
weakly disseminated
disseminatedcalcite+chlorite+sericite+pyrite
calcite+chlorite+sericite+pyrite
alteration. Locally,
Locally,minor
minorFe-carbonate
Fe-carbonateisisobserved
observedatatsurface
surfaceand
andin
infelsic
felsicunits
units encountered
encountered in
in drilling.
drilling.
Additionally,
Additionally, Callahan
Callahan geologists
geologists identified
identified an
an early
early epidote-pyrrhotite
epidote-pynhotite(spilite)
(spilite)event
eventin
in the
the basalts.
basalts.

Gold
Gold Bluff
BluffProspect
Prospect
Gold Bluff
Bluff is one of Minerals Processing Corporation's
Corporation's active gold properties
properties (see
(see Figure
Figure4).
4). Gold
Bluff
trending, 1000 foot wide shear zone in mafic
mafic volcanics.
volcanics. A
A 100 to
to 200 foot
Bluff is
is located
located within a 3000
300' trending,
wide
wide felsic
felsic porphyry
porphyry (the
(the GB
GBporphyry)
porphyry) intrudes
intrudesthe
theshear
shearzone.
zone.Within
Withinthe
thebounding
boundingshear
shearoccur
occureasteastwest and northeast striking mineralized subsidiary shear zones.
zones. Outcrop
Outcropsampling
sampling routinely yields
yields gold in
the
Oppm range.
range. Trenching
the lppm
lppmto
to1lOppm
1998 intersected
intersected significant
significant widths of disseminated
Trenching and drilling
drilling in 1998
low
low grade gold
gold mineralization
mineralization the GB porphyry and higher grade gold in mafic host rock. Mineralization
in both mafic
felsic hosts
hosts in
in different
different structural
structural orientations
orientations will
will be
be seen
seen at
at Gold
Gold Bluff.
Bluff.
mafic and felsic
Lithology

Three lithologies are found at Gold
Gold Bluff:
Bluff:fine-grained
fine-grained mafic
mafic volcanic;
volcanic; medium
medium to
tocoarse-grained
coarse-grained
mafic volcanic,
referred to as aa gabbro;
volcanic, referred
gabbro; and
andfelsic
felsicporphyry.
porphyry. The
The mafic
maficunits
units are
aremetamorphosed
metamorphosed to
to
facies and both
both can be massive
massive to
to strongly
strongly foliated.
foliated. They
greenschist fades
They belong
belong to
to Lighthouse
Lighthouse Point
Point Basalt
Basalt as
as
described by
by Johnson
and Bonthorst
(1991). The felsic unit
described
Johnson and
Bornhorst (1991).
unit isis aarhyodacite
rhyodacite porphyry
porphyry interpreted
interpreted as
as
intrusive. Where
unit that
that divides the
the two
two mafic
mafic units,
units, itit is
is dubbed
dubbed the
the GB
intrusive.
Where it appears
appears to be aa continuous
continuous unit
throughout the
theproperty.
property. Contacts
porphyry. Smaller
Smallerfelsic
felsic dikes
dikes are
are also observed in various orientations throughout
Contacts
strike northwest and have
have steep dips. A
Areversely
reverselypolarized
polarized dike
dikeof
ofKeeweenawan
Keeweenawan age
age is
is interpreted
interpreted from
from
data to lie just
just to the north of the outcropping rocks.
rocks. The
magnetic data
The only
only other
other unit
unit of
of significance
significance in
in the
the
area is the Reany Lake Pyroclastic (Johnson
(Johnson and
and Bomhorst,
Bomhorst, 1991) which
which occurs
occursjust
just off
off the Gold Bluff
property to the
the north and
and west
west in
in association
association with
with gabbro
gabbro flows.
flows.

103

�104

Bluff Gold of Geology

—

.tgnlflcnt

I

thoy

Figure

4.

soda-

tat

wits. — .siclt.
flax. Isyaxat

a .aanta

acp.alUon. .od.duo to basaitia pobabi. of rook
mle4 and The.. u4—eet.d rse,. patoad. o.tdf to Ito.
Rnnko Vnlnin MaNe

Locally

33 Sec
28 Sec

— — foto gr4. inn

to coax..

iocr.iln .44 sonata. &amp;aiztt.).
(t. t.rbcats S44h .lnd .04 1.t.d broesalad. fr.osr.d. locally qwtL
and/ot Mltpc or pb.toetyM. otth pakUo to SqWjnmiIar bO4a
th04o .04 — dfr. rflo]a to t.Itth rot to wtittt
nedja to

vest

jeus.

Rocks Intrusive Feisic
palnb.d

Vfl 0
4

Ir'

4

0

0

•

44
+

4

V

H

'-•t•

01'
4t ciw
g- flçf -,
V V

'7

VVVVV

V

V

S÷
'4

:÷.

V

'-——V

c'flu V

—

:rn7t;

a-+-..

-.

?bfl
?V fl)

t;vytV

-

•

-

w

4

VV

+, 4

VVV

o'

-t

4

4

4

47

4÷

—

4

fl3 V

01 •vv-r

4_,

, .4_

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t

hJt&amp;

+

•

0

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+,

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•

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C

VW

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1'-

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C)

flt

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4

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VVV9?
q

feet in
300

200

.—Iy

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100

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GEOLOGY

Project Bluff Gold
Corporation
Processing Minerals

—.

S

WE
N

�Structure
The orientation
orientation of
of brittle
brittle and
and ductile
ductile shear
shear structures,
structure&amp;felsic
felsicporphyries,
porphyries, and
and quartz
quartzveins
veinsisis
with a system of
of conjugate shears
shears that
that control
control gold
gold mineralization,
mineralization. Bounding
geometrically consistent with
shear features, mostly penetrative foliation in mafic rocks
rocks and along felsic contacts,
contacts, strike
strike 300'
300°.
. Within
this, subsidiary stnctures
structures and a variety of
of mineralization
mineralization styles are
are observed.
observed. For
For example,
example, the
the GB
GB
trends
3200 and appears
porphyry m
d s 320'
appears to occupy an oblique shear
shear position (probably R-type Reidel).
Mineralization
300 °and
and is C-type
Mineralization in Trench 5 and DDH GB-3, and along felsic contacts, strikes 300'
replacement veining. R'-type
R'-typeshears
shearsare
arepresent
presentas
asnortheast
northeaststriking
strikingductile
ductilemicro-shears
micro-shears and
and as
as numerous
numerous
mineralized quartz veins. Numerous
Numerousductile
ductileshears
shearsand
and minor
minor felsic
felsic porphyries
porphyries that
that strike
strike 080°
080' to 1000
100'
or S-type
S-type structures.
structures.
may be either
either P or
quartz-carbonate-tounnaline veins
White quartz-carbonate-towmaline
veins with
with fibrous
fibrousstructure
structnreperpendicular
peqendicular to
to the
the vein
vein walls
walls are
are
interpreted
features. These
intqreted as extensional fmtures.
Thesetypically
typically dip
dip in
in the
the 30°
30' to
to40°
40' range
rangeand
andindicate
indicateaahigh
highangle
angle
component
veins. Gray
Gray quartz
quartz veins
veins are
are often
often mineralized,
component to the shearing event responsible for these veins.
defonned,
deformed, and
andcross-cut
cross-cutby
bywhite
whitequartz
quartzveins
veinsindicating
indicatingmultiple
multipleshearing
shearingand
andvein
veindeposition
depositionevents.
events.

Alteration
Alteration
A zoned carbonate alterationhalo
halo occurs
occursat
atGold
GoldBid.
Bluff Distal
Distalalteration
alterationin
in the
the mafic
ma&amp; volcanics
consists
cousists of
of disseminated
disseminated calcite
calciteand
and weak
weak Fe-carbonate,
Fe-carbonate, (ankerite-dolomite).
(ankerite-dolomite). As
As the
the GB
GB porphyry
porphyryisis
approached, Fe-carbonate
approached,
Fe-carbonate increases
increases and can
can be pervasive to the point
point of
of flooding
floodingand
and the
theassemblage
assemblage
sericite+white quartz+pyrit&amp;tourmaline
quartz+pyrite+tounnaline appears,
sencitewhite
appears, largely
largely in
in the
the felsics.
felsics. Lithologic
Lithologic textures
texturesare
are generally
generally
intact. Within
Withinthe
theGB
GBporphyry
poxphyryaazone
zoneof
ofstrong
saongsericite+pyrite+Fe-carbonate
sericite+pyrite+Fecarbonate occurs
occurswith
with porphyritic
porphyritic
sometimes completely
completely replaced by fine
textures sometimes
fine grained
gained sericite.
sericite.

Mineralization
Mineralization occurs in all three lithologies
lithologies and consists
consists of quartz+gold+pyrite+Ag&amp;Bi-tellurides.
qm?z+gold+pyrite+Ag&amp;Bi-tellurides.
mineralization (i.e.,
In the metabasalts C-type replacement mineralkalion
(i.e., highly silicified and sulfidized
sulfidized zones
wnes with
with
is generally
generally confined
confined to thin
thin ductile
ductile shears
shears at
at or
or
narrow foliation-parallel
foliation-parallel quartz
quartz veins, lenses
lenses and pods) is
proximal
proximal to
to felsic
felsic contacts.
contacts.Similar,
Similar, although
althoughoften
oftenhigher
higher grade,
grade, mineralization
minerahation occurs
occursat
atthe
thegabbro/felsic
gabbro/felsic
contact. Significant
SignificantC-type
C-typevein
vein mineralization
mineralizationnot associated
associated with a felsic contact also occurs within
sheared
gabbro
south
of
the
GB
porphyry
(S.7'@O.
188opt
optAu
Auand
and17'@0.077
l7'@0.077 opt
sheaxed
(S.T@O. 188
opt including
including
7.5'@0.1480pt w/VG).
wNG).
7.5'@0.l4Sopt
In
In the GB porphyry, mineralization
mineraIizatiou is
is found
found in
in quartz
quartz vein
vein stockwork
stockwork and
and tends
tends to
to be
be associated
associated
with disseminated pyrite and strong alteration. Gold-bearing
Gold-bearing veins
veins are gray
g a y colored compared
compared to
to barren
veins, although
although white
whitequartz
quartzveins
veinsare
arean
animportant
importantindicator.
indicator. One ggray
ay
white quartz-carbonate-tourmaline veins,
quartz vein 0.4 feet wide assays 20-50 opt Au and has yielded impressive
impressive visible
visible gold
gold specimens. Recent
Recent
drilling in the GB porphyry by MF'
MPC
significant m
mineralization
(224'@0.Ol8opt including
C intersected sigificant
i n e r h t i o n (224'@0.018opt
including
1l'@O,l78 and 3'@0.l22
3'@0.122 opt).
opt).
ll'@O.178

105

�References
R.C., 1991.
proposal: Stage
Johnson, KC.,
1991. Silver Creek West drilling proposal:
Stage III.
111. Western
Western Mining
CorporationlCallahan
CorporatiodCallahanMining Corporation
Corporation unpublished
unpublished report,
report, February,
F e b m ~1991.
1991.
,
R.C., and Bodorst,
Bornhorst, T.J.,
Johnson, R.C.,
T.J., 1991,
1991, Archean geology
geology of
of the northern
northern block of
of the Ishpeming
Greenstone belt, Marquette
Marquette County,
County, Michigan:
Michigan:U.S.
U.S.Geological
GeologicalSurvey
SurveyBulletin
Bulletin1904-F,
1904-F,2Op.
20p.

106

�Field
Field Trip
Trip33
Tilden
Marquette Iron
Tilden and
and Empire
EmpireMines
Mines of the Marquette
Iron
Range,
Range,Michigan
Michigan

Leaders:
Leaders:G.W.
G.W.Scott,
Scott, P.M.
P.M. Nordstrom
Nordstrom and
andH.M.
H.M. Lukey
Lukey

107

�Setting of
of the
the Tilden
Tilden and
and Empire
Empire Mines, Michigan
Michigan
Geologic Setting
Theodore
Theodore J. Bornhorst,
Bornhorst, Department
Department of
of Geological
Geological Engineering
Engineering and
and Sciences,
Sciences, Michigan
Michigan
Technological
Technological University,
University, Houghton,
Houghton, MI
MI 49931
4993 1

Introduction
Introduction
The Tilden and Empire Mines are located in the Marquette Iron
hon Range
Range of Michigan's
Michigan's Upper
Upper
Peninsula (Figure
(Figure 1).
1). Mining
Miningbegan
beganatatthe
theEmpire
EmpireMine
Minein
in 1963
1963and
and at
at the
the Tilden
TildenMine
Minein
in
1974. This
This is
is the
the first
first Institute
Institute of
of Lake
Lake Superior
Superior Geology
Geology field trip to either of these iron
mines. The
TheMarquette
Marquette hon
IronRange
Rangehas
hashad
had aalong
long and
and varied
varied mining history (Boyum,
(Boyum, 1988).
1988).
reserves are
are sufficient
sufficient to
to sustain iron mining
Iron mining began in the mid-1800's and current reserves
until at
at least
least 2030.
2030.

Stratigraphic Setting
Stratigraphic
Marquette
Marquette Range
Range Supergroup
Supergroup
The Tilden and Empire Mines produce iron ores from the Early Proterozoic rocks of the
Marquette Range Supergroup (Figure 2). The
The Marquette Range Supergroup consists of
sedimentary
sedimentary rocks with minor
minor amounts
amounts of
cf volcanic
volcanic rocks and is
is subdivided
subdivided into
into three
three groups:
groups:
to youngest.
youngest. The
Chocolay, Menominee and Baraga Groups, from oldest to
The rocks
rocks of
of the
the
on older
older Archean
Archean basement.
basement.
Marquette Range Supergroup were unconformably deposited on
are separated
separated by
by minor
minor angular
angular
The three groups of the Marquette Range Supergroup are
and informal
informal units.
units. The
unconformities. The
The groups
groups are
are subdivided
subdivided into formal formations and
The
from the base upward, of conglomerate
Chocolay Group
Group consists,
consists, from
conglomerate (Enchantment
(EnchantmentLake
Lake
Formation), quartzite
quartzite (Mesnard
(Mesnard Quartzite),
Quartzite), dolomite
dolomite (Kona
(Kona Dolomite),
Dolomite),and
and slate
slate (Wewe
(Wewe
Slate).
Slate). The
TheMenominee
MenomineeGroup
Groupunconformably
unconformably overlies
overlies the
the Chocolay
Chocolay Group
Group and
and consists,
consists,
from the base upwards,
upwards, of local
local conglomerate,
conglomerate, quartzite
quartzite (Ajibik
(Ajibik Quartzite),
Quartzite),slate
slate (Siamo
(Siamo
Slate), and iron formation (Neguanee Iron
IronFormation).
Formation). The Baraga Group is
is the
the youngest
youngest of
of
Menominee Group.
Group. The
the three groups and unconformably overlies the Menominee
The Baraga
Baraga Group
Group
includes a variety of stratigraphic units. In
In the
the Marquette
Marquette area
area itit consists,
consists,from
from the
the base
base
upwards, of quartzite
quartzite (Goodrich
(Goodrich Quartzite),
Quartzite), slate
slate (Lower
(Lower Slate
Slate of the
the Michigamme
Formation), iron formation (Greenwood Iron
hon Formation),
Formation),
Formation), mafic pyroclastics (Clarksburg
(Clarksburg
Volcanics),
Volcanics), iron formation,
formation, slate
slate (Upper
(Upper Slate
Slate of the Michigamme
Michigamme Formation),
Formation),and
and iron
iron
formation (Bijiki Iron Formation). hon
Ironore
orehas
has been
been mined
mined from
from iron formations within the
Menominee and Baraga Groups. However,
However, most
most production
production has
has come
come from
from the
the Negaunee
Negaunee
hon Formation
Iron
Formation of
of the
the Menominee
Menominee Group,
Group, including the Tilden and Empire Mines.
Diabase Dikes
Dikes and
and Sills
Sills
stratified units of the Marquette
The stratified
Marquette Range Supergroup
Supergroup are commonly
commonly intruded
intruded by Early
Early
the form
form of
of dikes
dikes and
and sills.
sills. Early
Proterozoic diabase (metamorphosed) in the
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic
diabase dikes and sills
sills are particularly
particularly common in vicinity of the Tilden and
and Empire
Empire Mines.
Mines.
Volcanics of
of the
the Baraga
Baraga Group,
Group, 10 to
to 20
20 km
km
Diabase is also associated with the Clarksburg Volcanics
108

�%

LAKE
SUPERIOR

srow

or

EXPLANATION
EXPLANATION
Paleozoic
Paleozoic
Undifferentiated Paleozoic
Undifferentiated
Paleozoic Rocks
Rocks
Keweenawan
Keweenawan
UndifferentiatedKeweenawan
Keweenawan Rocks
Rocks
[----1 Undifferentiated
Early Proterozoic
Early_Proterozoic
ji Undifferentiated
UndifferentiitedEarly
EarlyProterozoic
ProterozoicRocks
Rocks
Archean
Archean
Undifferentiated
Undifferentiated Archean Rocks
Rocks
I

I

Marquette iron
Figure 1: Geologic setting of the Marquette
Figure
iron range.
range

109

�Explanation
Explanation
Archean
Proterozoic
Proterozoic
Middle Proterozoic
Early Proterozoic
Archean
Metadiabase
Undifferentiated
Keweenawan
sandstone
ItLIMI Undifferentiated
Keweenawan sandstone
Metadlabase
I
and diabase
diabase
Marquette
Range
Supergroup
Marquette Range Supergroup
Baraga Group
Group
Baraga
rc::.i Undifferentiated
Undifferentiated
Menominee Group
Group
Menornmee
Negaunee Iron
Negaunee
Iron Formation
Formation
Siate
I&gt;'"&gt;I Siamo Slate
Quartzite
LL.Jj.JI Ajibik Quartzite
Chocolay Group
Group
Chocolay
Undifferentiated
Undifferentiated
1++1

0

I

!1

Generalized geology in vicinity
Figure 2: Generalized
vicinity of the Tilden
Tilden and
and Empire
Empire Mines.
Mines.

110

�west of the mines. Several
Severalgeologists
geologists have
have suggested
suggested that Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic diabase
diabase
intrusions
intrusions throughout the Marquette region are the same age as the Clarksburg
Clarksburg Volcanics
Volcanics of
of
younger than
than the
theNegaunee
NegauneeIron
hon Formation.
Formation. However, some of the
the Baraga Group and younger
diabase sills at the Tilden and Empire Mines may have been lava flows (Scott
(Scott and Lukey,
Lukey,
this volume). This
Thisinterpretation
suggestsmultiple
ages of Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic diabase
diabase and
interpretation suggests
multiple ages
of deposition of
of iron
iron formation.
formation. The Hemlock Formation,
mafic magmatism during the time of
Formation,
south of the Marquette area in the Iron
hon Mountain area, consists of mafic volcanics that is
(Morey, 1996). This supports
correlative with the Menominee Group (Morey,
supports the interpretation
interpretation of
mafic magmatism during the Menominee Group in the Marquette area.
metamorphosed) UKC&gt;
dikes also
{UUL LLLCLUWL~LLUXAI,
uu cut
LUL the rocks
rocks
diabas~(not
Later Middle Proterozoic
Proterozoic Keweenawan diabase
and cut
cut the
the Negaunee
Negaunee Iron
hon Formation at the Tilden and
of the Marquette Range Supergroup and
Empire
Empire Mines.
Mines.

Negaunee
Fonnation
Negaunee Iron Formation
The Neguanee hon
Iron Formation
Formation consists
consists of
of aa variety of iron rich rocks in the Marquette
Marquette area
(Figure 2). The
Themajor
major types
types of
of iron
iron formation
formation are
are carbonate iron-formation (iron carbonate
carbonate
and chert with minor magnetite), oxide iron formation (hematite or magnetite and chert),
magnetite-banded iron formation (laminated magnetite and chert), hematite banded iron
formation (laminated hematite and chert), silicate iron formation (iron silicate minerals
formation
minerals and
types (Gair,
(Gair, 1975). The
TheNegaunee
NegauneeIron
hon Formation is
chert) and combinations of these types
described in detail by Scott and Lukey (this volume), Nordstrom (this volume), and Gair
(1975). The
Theorigin
originof
of the
the iron
iron minerals
minerals in
in the
the Negaunee hon
Iron Formation
Formation isis aa complex
complex
processes.
combination of primary sedimentary depositional, diagenetic, and metamorphic processes.
The
The maximum
maximum thickness
thickness of
of the
the Negaunee
Negaunee Iron Formation is about
about 1150
1150meters,
meters, although
although
to assess
assess (Gair,
(Gair, 1975).
1975). The Negaunee hon
folds and faults make thickness difficult to
Iron
Formation is thickest
thickest in
in vicinity
vicinity of the Tilden and Empire Mines where is occurs
occurs in
in the
the nose
nose
km across
across (Figure
(Figure2).
2).
of a regional west plunging
plunging syneline
synclineabout
about 66 km
Age of the Marquette Range Supergroup

Morey (1996) has provided a stratigraphic synthesis of the Marquette Range Supergroup.
Supergroup.
Supergroup is
Although the age of the onset of sedimentation of the Marquette Range Supergroup
2,219+1-4Ma.
Ma. The age
uncertain, he has suggested that the Chocolay Group is younger than 2,219+/-4
age
the Menominee
Menominee Group
Groupisis 1,910+/-10
1,910+/-10Ma.
Ma. Deposition of the
of volcanic rocks correlated with the
Baraga Group
Baraga
Group ended
endedby
by1,852+1-6
1,852+/-6Ma.
Ma.

Depositional and
and Tectonic
Tectonic Setting
Setting
The Marquette Range Supergroup is interpreted to have been deposited in several stages
(Morey, 1996; Schulz and
and others,
others, 1993).
1993). The
Thesediments
sedimentsof
of the
the Chocolay
Chocolay Group
Groupwere
were
deposited
or intrarift
intrarift stage
stage (Figure
(Figure3).
3). The sediments
deposited during a late intracratonic or
sediments of the
Menominee Group were deposited on a passive continental margin in normal listric fault
bounded rift basins (Cambray, 1991). The
The Negaunee
Negaunee hon
Iron Formation
Formation mined
mined at
at the
the Tilden
Tildenand
and
111

�Late lntracratonic
Intracratonic or Intrarift
lntrarift Stage
Stage
Chocolay Group
Archean Basement
Basement

Rift Stage
Rift
Stage
Menominee Group
Group
Spreading
Spreading
Center

Archean Basement

Foredeep
Foredeep Basin
Basin Stage
Stage

Archean Basement

Continent-arc
Continent-arc
Collision

matic
Oceanic Crust

Figure
Figure 3: Depositional
Depositional and
and tectonic
tectonic setting of the Marquette
Marquette Range
Range Supergroup
Supergroup

(modified
(modified from
from Morey,
Morey, 1996).
1996).

112

�Empire Mines was deposited
deposited during this stage
stage and some
some faults
faults at the mines may
may be
be related
related to
to
this stage (Scott and Lukey, this volume). Elsewhere,
Elsewhere, and
and perhaps
perhaps in
in the Marquette
Marquette area
area too,
too,
tholeiitic basaltic
basaltic magmatism also
also accumulated in these rift basins. The Negaunee
Negaunee Iron
Iron
Formation
basin(s) are
are located along the Great
Great Lakes tectonic
tectonic zone,
zone, aa late
late
Formation depositional
depositional basin(s)
others, 1980). Passive margin deposition transitioned into
Archean suture zone (Sims and others,
deposition
deposition of sediments
sediments and
and minor volcanic rocks in a foredeep
foredeep basin stage
stage that
that formed
formed as
as aa
result of Penokean collision
collision of the Wisconsin
Wisconsin magmatic arc with the edge
edge of the
the continent
continent
(Morey, 1996). The
The continent-arc
continent-arcsuture
suture zone
zone approximately
approximately follows the MichiganWisconsin border. The
TheBaraga
BaragaGroup
Groupwas
was mostly
mostly deposited
deposited during
during the foredeep
foredeep stage
stage as
as
turbdites.
turbdites.
The Marquette Range
t h s t belt of the 1850
1850Ma
Ma Penokean
Penokean
Range Supergroup
Supergroup is
is within the fold and thrust
orogen (Sims, 1996). The
The Tilden
Tilden and
and Empire
Empire Mines are located on the south limb of the
Marquette Synclinorium, an east-west trending, west plunging syncline that is about 6 km
km
across and 55 lun
km long
long parallel
parallel to
tothe
thefold
foldaxis.
axis. The synclinorium, like
likethe
theNegaunee
NegauneeIron
hon
Formation depositional basin(s), may have been controlled by the Archean Great Lakes
tectonic zone. The
Archean structures
structures were subsequently folded during
The iron
iron formation
formationand
and Archean
the Penokean Orogeny. The
The Penokean
Penokean orogenic
orogenic event produced complex folds and faults and
greenschist facies metamorphsim
metamorphsim of the rocks at the Tilden and Empire Mines

Acknowidegments
Acknowldegments
for comments
comments on
on aa version
versionof
ofthis
thispaper.
paper. Shannon Bair
I thank Rod Johnson and Glenn Scott for
and Chris Pascoe
Pascoe helped
helped with
with drafting
draftingof
of the
the figures.
figures.

References
References
Boyum, B.H., 1988,
1988, Marquette
Marquette Mineral District of Michigan Mining History and Geology:
Geology:
Meeting,
Institute on Lake
Lake Superior
Superior Geology
Geology Proceedings,
Proceedings, 34th
3 4 Annual
Annual
~
Meeting, Marquette,
Marquette, MI,
MI, v.
v.
34, part 2, p. B1-B33.
Bl-B33.
Cambray, F.W., Mancusco, J.J.,
J.J., and Slitor, W., 1991,
1991, Detachment faulting and the origin of
asymmetric depositional
depositional pattern of the Marquette trough (abstract): Institute on Lake
Clalre, WI, v. 37, part 1,
Superior
Superior Geology
Geology Proceedings,
Proceedings, 337th7 Annual
Annual
~
Meeting, Eau Claire,
1, p.
17-18.
17-18.
Gair, J.E.,
J.E., 1975,
1975, Bedrock
Bedrock geology and ore deposits of the Palmer Quadrangle,
Quadrangle, Marquette
Marquette
County, Michigan: U.S.
U S Geological Survey Professional Paper 769, l59p.
159p.
Continental Margin Assemblage:
Morey, G.B., 1996,
Assemblage:
1996, Early
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic Penokean Orogen - Continental
U.S.
U S . Geological
Geological Survey
Survey Professional
Professional Paper
Paper 1556,
1556,p.
p. 30-44.
30-44.
Sims, P.K., Card, K.D., Morey, G.B., and Peterman, Z.E.,
Z.E., 1980, The Great Lakes tectonic
major crustal
crustal structure
structure in
in central
central North
North America: Geological Society
-A major
Society of
zone —A
v.91,
p.690-698.
America Bulletin, v.
91, Pt.
pt. 1, p.
690-698.
Structure of the Continental
Sims, P.K., 1996,
Continental Margin:
Sims,
1996,Early
Early Proterozoic
ProterozoicPenokean
Penokean Orogen
Orogen -- Structure
U.S.
p.44-51.
U
S . Geological Survey Professional Paper 1556, p.
44-51.

113

�GEOLOGIC
GEOLOGIC FIELD TRIP
TRIP TO THE
THE TILDEN MINE
Engineering Department, Tilden Mining
Glenn W. Scott and Helene M. Lukey, Mine Engineering
Mining
Company, P.O. Box 2000, Ishpeniing,
MI
49849
Ishpeming,

Introduction
Introduction
This geologic
primary structural and
geologic field trip to the Tilden Mine is designed to show the primary
stratigraphic features of the iron ore bodies and the implication
implication of these geologic
stratigraphic
geologic features
features
in mine planning and ore control. The
The interaction
interaction of sedimentation
sedimentation and
and diagenesis
diagenesis within
within
and supergene oxidation
oxidation has
has resulted
resulted in
in aa
growth fault controlled basin, metamorphism and
complex suite of ore types, each with specific,
specific, if not entirely
entirely objective, blending
blending
characteristics
and
problems.
Although
the
mining
operation
tends
toward
characteristics
Although the mining operation tends toward "brute
"bruteforce",
force",
some of the blending concerns can be quite subtle and sensitive.
sensitive.

For the purpose of mine modeling, the deposit has been divided
divided into
into geologic
geologic domains
domains
3;Table
Table1)
1)based
based in
in part
part on
on lithology
lithology but, more importantly
importantly on the
(Figures 1,2
1 , 2and
and3;
bench tests
tests and
and in
in the
the processing
processing plant
plant (Table
(Table 2).
2). The
metallurgical response based on bench
The
primary
p r i m w ore/waste
orelwaste parameters are weight recovery (the percentage of each ton of ore that
is turned into concentrate
concentrate and pellets; i.e. the value of that ton of ore) and grade
grade (does
(does the
the
ore contain sufficient
sufficient iron and silica
silica grade). Other factors which can effect the plant
operation and pellet quality are mineralogy (as related to total oxides and loss on
ignition); trace chemical
ignition);
chemical composition (in particular phosphorous but also
also Mn and
and alkalis);
alkalis);
crude, magnetic and slime iron; and autogenous grinding feed. It should be noted that
essentially all based on rather involved bench tests that may not directly
these data are essentially
directly
reflect the plant response.
response.
Structural Geology
Geology

Ththis
thisregion,
region,the
the Marquette
Marquette Range
Range Supergroup
Supergroup is
is in
in aa narrow
narrow east
east west trending basin
In
basin
known as the Marquette Synclinorium. This
basin
lies
along
the
Great
Lakes
Tectonic
This
lies along
originally defined by Sims and others (1980) as a Late Archean crustal scale
Zone as originally
suture with Superior
Superior Province
Province granite-greenstone
granite-greenstone terrain to the north and older
older Southern
Southern
Complex gneiss
gneiss to the
the south.
south. The
The northern
northern margin displays a more or less complete
complete
stratigraphic
stratigraphic succession from the base of the Chocolay Group through to the top of the
Menominee Group. The
Thesouthern
southernmargin
margin is
is truncated;
truncate&amp; the
the Negaunee Iron Formation
Formation at
Menominee group abuts directly against the high grade Archean Gneiss.
Gneiss.
the top of the Menominee
This sharp
sharp contact
contact is
is marked
marked by outcrops
outcrops of the Palmer Gneiss,
Gneiss, described
described as
as a
"comminuted, sericitised
sericitised and partly silicified phase of the lower Precambrian gneiss"
"comminuted,
gneiss"
use and
(Van Hise
andBayley,
Bayley, 1897).
1897).

since that time
time has exposed a large face (Stop2)
(Stop2) of the chioritic
chloritic schists
schists
Mining activity since
that form part of the Palmer Gneiss. ItIt displays
displays mega-shear
mega-shear bands, the spacing
spacing between
114

�NORTH
INTRUSIVE

4--

-

35

I.A±J -,
—

—

-4'

-

HEI'l

�F1

:

H

lN
1

rC
it.

4.

CDIII

PIT

MAGNETIU CD-Ill
I

420

L?1AIN

/3

1/

—

a

H 1420

/
/

H

DOOIAIN

vii Jat

2

7/
/

(_

CROSS SECN'

'N

iT

I OOP$A1S1

V

2

zi

IIAIH

'F

7-

CN-

N,

L
—

3

JF
-'

'H'

1

(i11T"fH

,-_
-!

-

IZO F

—

—

TILDEN MINE

Figure

1-21.000

DATE:

1

3/11/99

"

IDSnAINJ:

v1

''

-

.1

400

0

I

=
*ivwW

C::

g

-

000

I

)

.(

1

—

20

-

'

PIT

F

=

800
I

1000

C

w

OanoIa BoeIdorIts

::

flT

Me Tot

�TILDEN HEMATITE
NORTH-SOUTH CROSS-SECTION -13,100
-13,10(

-

TILDEN MAGNETITE
MAGNETITE
EAST-WEST CROSS-SECTION
CROSS-SECTION -16,000 WES
WE'

—

�________

_________

PIT
PIT

I

LOOKING WEST
WEST
LOOKING
NORTIOWEST DOMAIN

(500)
HANGINGWALL ZONE

(470)

L

MAGP11TITI DOMAIN

1(420)

x4 rooTwALi. ZONE

Li

ri

(410)
HEMATITh DOMAIN

$NOWAU. CONTACT 20111

DOMAIN

INTRUSOVE

(200) (230)(240)

I_____

L

CLAY ZONE

(350)
HEMATITE - MARTIn DOMAIN

(350)
MAIN PIT CARIONATE IRON FOMIATIOII

(340)
FOOTWALL CLASTICS

(480)
FOOTWALI. IRON FOM4ATIOII DOMAIN
—

I

(310)
FOOTWAU. AND MANOINOWALI.

(12Q(250)

200

400

600

800

L
FIGURI 2

CDIII PIT
PIT
CDIII
LT

LnqKING NORTH
NORTH
LOOKING
I
-.

-

ORIGINAL GR0tMD

r

I

CDIII HANGINGWALL AND FOOTWALL

E-:J (230) (250)

,/ HEMATITE

r'
/

(440)
1 INTRUSIVE

(460)

HAGNETITE

(420)

Figure 2

HANGING WALL ZONE
(470)

0

200

I

I

400
I

600
I

800
I

FIGuRE 5

000 FT.

1000 F

�North
North

S
outh
South

coolly UT PIT

.tt I FT

NW UUVU

600 rT

EAST PIT
+1200 FT

a
DIAGRAMATIC STRATIGRAPHIC
STRATIGRAPHIC SECTION
SECTION OF
OF TILDEN
DIAGRAMATIC
T I L D E N MINE
MINE
West
Looking
Lookin9
est
- W

Refer
R
e f e r to
t o tcxbIe
t ~ k d e11

Figure 33

�Mine. The
Table 1:
1: Geologic domains
domains and subdomains at the Tilden Mine.
The domains
domainsare
arebased
based on
on
lithology
and
metallurgical
response.
The
numbers
for
each
domain
correspond
to
those
lithology
metallurgical
The numbers for each domain correspond to those
shown on Figures 1,
2, and 3 and are used as drill core codes and in modeling of the deposit
1,2,
using MEDSYSTEM.
MEDSYSTEM.

NORTHWESTDOMAIN
DOMAIN
500 NORTHWEST
The Northwest Domain is stratigraphically above CD IIll/West
I W e s t pit hanging wall metadiabase
metadiabase
(250) and below North Intrusive
Intrusive (270);
(270); this
this domain
domain includes
includes numerous
numerous dikes
dikes and
and one
one
mappable igneous
igneous horizon,
horizon, the
the West Intrusive
Intrusive (260).
(260).
550 West Hematite
550
Hematitedomain,
domain,restricted
restrictedto
tothe
theFar
Far West
West Extension,
Extension, is dominantly
40% and
and variable
variable but
but elevated
elevated
hematite chert with mixed goethite, recoveries around 40%
and metallurgical
metallurgical
phosphorous. Contact
Contact with
with 530
530 domain is defined by a thin intrusive and
change.
change.
530 (Hematite)-Goethite
(Hematitel-Goethitedomain
domainincludes
includesflot
flot"ore"
"ore"(531)
(531)and
and WIF
WIF (532).
(532).
531 Plot
Flot"ore"
"ore"that
thatisisdominantly
dominantlygoethite-chert
goethite-chert with
with weight
weight recovery
recovery of
of iron
iron in
in the
the
low 30 to -mid 40
40 %;
%; variable, but generally
generally high silica
silica and
and phosphorous.
phosphorous.
532 WIF
WIF"ore"
"ore"isisoxidized
oxidizedmartite/goethite;
martitelgoethite;low
low weight
weight recovery,
recovery,high
high silica
silica and
and
phosphorous; low heads
indicate
original
iron
formation
may
have
been
carbonate(?).
heads
formation
have been carbonate(?).
Sulfates
Sulfates are
are locally
locally common
common in
in bench
bench faces.
faces.
520 Magnetite
horizons. This
Magnetitedomain
domainisisdominantly
dominantlymagnetite-carbonate
magnetite-carbonate with silicate horizons.
may be flot and/or
andor mag ore in part depending on liberation.
liberation.
510
Clastic
horizon
is
at
the
contact
with
top
of
5 10 Clastic horizon is at the contact with top of the
the CDffl/West
CDIIT/West pit
pit hanging
hanging wall (250)
syncline.This
This horizon
horizon isis in
in part
part flot
lot ore.
in a local ('1)
(?) syncline.
ore.

400 CDIII-WEST
CDIII-WESTPIT
PITDOMAIN
DOMAIN
This domain is stratigraphically
stratigraphically between CDIIJIWest
C D W e s t pit hanging wall metadiabase
metadiabase (250)
(250) and
and
Thisdomain
domainincludes
includesnumerous
numerous small
small dikes
dikes and
and sills,
sills, aa Keweenawan
Keweenawan
CDIII footwall (230). This
dike and the West Pit Marker horizon (240).
Footwallclastic
clasticzone
zonealong
alongMain
Mainpit
pit footwall
footwall (100).
(100). Consists of dominant martite
480 Footwall
clastics with coarse
coarse quartzite/conglomerate
quartzitelconglomerate and interbedded martite-hematite
martite-hematitechert.
chert.
470 Hanging
Hangingwall
wallzone
zonealong
alongbase
baseofofCDIII/West
CDIIIlWestpit
pithanging
hangingwall
wallmetadiabase
metadiabase(250).
(250).
WIF
Defined as W
F due to very fine grain size andlor
andor oxidization.
Dikedomain
domainisisdefined
definedasasaanortheast
northeasttrending
trendingzone
zone of
of chioritic
chloritic dikes
dikes and
and
460 Dike
associated oxidized
associated
oxidized and unoxidized iron formation.
450 South
South Hematite
Hematitedomain
domainoccurs
occursininthe
thesouth
southpart
part of
of CDffl
CDIII and
and the
the West pit. It
contains flot
oreof
of variable
variablemetallurgy
metallurgy and
and WIF and is dominantly thin bedded, fine
lot ore
grained hematite-martite chert although some zones may be oxidized
oxidized carbonate.
carbonate.
451 Goethite
Goethitezones
zoneswithin
withinhematite
hematitedomain.
domain.These
Thesezones
zonesare
areassociated
associatedwith
with folding
folding
and faulting. A
goethite
zone
along
the
footwall
is
present
but
not
broken
out
as
A goethite zone along the footwall
as aa
domain
domain at
at this
this time.
time.
452 Goethite
Goethitezone
zonealong
alongCDIII
CDIIIfootwall
footwallsouth
southof
ofKeweenawan
Keweenawan dike. This
This zone
zone
typically
typically has high slime
slime Fe,
Fe, may be oxidized
oxidized Carbonate
Carbonate (430)
(430) domain
domain along
along
intersection of dike
and
footwall.
dike
footwall.

118

�440 North
Northhematite
hematitedomain
domainconsists
consistsofoffine
finegrained
grainedoxidized
oxidizedmartite-hematite
martite-hematite chert
with numerous dikes. The
Theboundary
boundary between
between this
this domain
domain and the Magnetite
Magnetite domain
domain
(420) trends northeast and dips steeply
Plot ore in part.
steeply south. Flot
Carbonatedomain
domainisiscarbonate
carbonateflot
flotore
orewith
withlow
lowmagnetite
magnetite content, high weight
430 Carbonate
recovery and low concentrate grade. Fault
Fault bounded
bounded on
on north and south
south but apparently
apparently
gradational down dip to the west into magnetite domain (420).
gradational
(420).
420 Magnetite
Magnetitedomain
domainconsists
consistsofofmagnetite-carbonate
magnetite-carbonateand
and magnetite
magnetite silicate-chert
silicate-chert
with variable
variable oxidation and grain size.
size. This domain has relatively sharp
sharp boundaries
boundaries with
with
other domains. Domain
Domaingenerally
generallydefined
defined by
by magnetite
magnetite content,
content, not ore type, so
so it
contains potential flot
contains
flot ore.
ore.
421 West
Westpit
pitmagnetite
magnetitedomain
domainisisananisolated(?)
isolated(?)zone
zoneof
ofhigh
highgrade
grademagnetite
magnetite in
the west pit. It is defined
defined by drilling
drilling and
and blast
blast pattern
pattern data.
data.
Footwallzone
zoneisisdefined
definedasasthe
themagnetite-silicate
magnetite-silicate horizon
horizon at
at the contact
contact with the
410 Footwall
CDIII Footwall metadiabase
metadiabase (230).
(230). It is typically waste or low grade
grade due to low
low
magnetite content
or
poor
liberation.
content or poor liberation.

MAIN PIT
PIT DOMAIN
DOMAIN
300 MAIN
The Main Pit
Pit Domain
Domain contains
contains iron
iron formation
formation units stratigraphically
stratigraphically below the
the CDffl
CDIII
footwall metadiabase (230) and/or the East pit hanging wall metadiabase (200).
(200). This domain
domain
includes numerous
includes
numerous small
small mafic
mafic intrusives.
intrusives.
370 Hanging
Hangingwall
wallcontact
contactincludes
includeszones
zonesof
oferratic
erratic metallurgy
metallurgy along
along the base of the
CDffl footwall
CDIII
footwall (230)
(230) or
or East
East pit
pit hangingwall
hangingwall(200).
(200).
360 Transition
Transitionzone
zonebetween
betweenCDffl
CDIIIfootwall
footwall(230)
(230)and
and East
East pit hanging wall (200).
This zone consists
consists of variably
variably oxidized
oxidized hematite
hematite iron formation
formation and mafic intrusives.
intrusives.
Restricted to north side
side of East
East pit.
350 Hematite-martite
Hematite-martitedomain
domainininEast
Eastpit
pitconsists
consistsofofvarious
varioustypes
types of
of martite
martite chert.
This domain includes
includes horizons of magnetite-carbonate iron formation and thin dikes.
Gradational transition over 20-50 feet to Carbonate iron formation (340).
Gradational
340 Carbonate
is is
stratigraphically
Carbonateiron
ironformation
formation
stratigraphicallybelow
belowthe
thehematite-martite
hematite-martitedomain
domain
It
consists
of
martite-carbonate-chert
with
variable
in
East
pit.
(350)
(350) East pit. consists martite-carbonate-chert
variable
magnetite/martitelFe silicate content. This
magnetite1martiteFe
This unit is defined by magnetic Fe, weight
recovery and total oxides. ItIt has
has lower
lower weight recovery and higher concentrate grade
than CDIII
CDIII carbonates
carbonates (430)
(430) and
and may
may be
be magnetite
magnetite ore
ore in
in part.
part.
330 Clay
Clayzone
zoneisisdefined
definedasasthe
thehorizons
horizonsof
of iron
ironformation
formationoutlined
outlinedas
as waste
waste due
due to
to high
high
silica from montmorillonite (or other) interference.
interference. This does not differentiate
differentiate
nonliberating hematite material. This zone may be stratigraphically
stratigraphically controlled.
controlled. Includes
nonliberating
Includes
some
some flot
flot ore
ore within
within boundaries.
boundaries.
320 East
East pit
pitclastics
clasticsare
aremixed
mixedsiliceous
siliceous clastics
clastics and iron formation. This
This unit
unit includes
includes
oxide and carbonate horizons. ItIt may
may be
be the
the stratigraphic
stratigraphic equivalent
equivalent of carbonate
domain (340)
down
plunge
to
the
west
(7).
(340) down plunge to the west (?).
321 Clay
similar
Clay zone
zone in
in clastics.is
c1astics.i~
similarto
to clay
clay zone
zone (330)
(330) but in clastic
clastic domain.
domain.
Footwalliron
ironformation
formationdomain
domainconsists
consistsofofvariably
variablyoxidized
oxidizedoxide
oxide iron
iron
310 Footwall
by erratic metallurgy.
formation and coarse clastics. This domain is typified by
311
31 1 Earthy
Earthyfines
finesare
arehigh
highgrade
grade (&gt;50
(&gt;50 weight recovery
recovev and &gt;50 head Fe) oxidized
zones
zones are
are controlled
controlledby structures
structures within
within the
the footwall
footwall domain.
domain.
119

�200 INTRUSIVE
INTRUSIVEDOMAINS
DOMAINS
These domains are used for correlations of the iron formation domains, and structural trends.
They appear to be conformable at the
the scale
scale of
of the
the ore
orebody.
body. These rocks are generally
which vary
vary from
from diabasic
diabasic to
to porphyritic
porphyritic
interpreted as intrusives, they consist of mafic rocks which
to aphanitic. All
horizons
appear
to
thin
to
the
west
and
south.
Contacts
tend
to
be
All horizons appear
Contacts tend to be sheared
sheared
if
and locally oxidized. Contact
Contact metamorphism
metamorphism of the iron formation is minimal and, if
present, results in finer grained iron
iron formation. Synclinal
structures
and
intersections
with
Synclinal
dikes have focused oxidation of the iron formation.
formation.
270 North
intrusive
is
a
poorly
defined
North intrusive is a poorly definedhorizon
horizonatatthe
thetop
topof
of the
the Northwest
Northwest zone
zone (500).
(500).
West intrusive
260 West
intrusiveisisaapoorly
poorlydefined
definedbut
but mappable
mappable horizon within the Northwest
zone
zone (500).
(500).
CDIIIIWest pit
250 CDIII/West
pithanging
hangingwall
wallisisaarelatively
relativelyeasily
easilymappable
mappablehorizon
horizon and
and along
along
principle horizons for stratigraphic
with the CDIII footwall
footwall (230)
(230) is one of the principle
stratigraphic
correlations between the CDffl
correlations
CDIII pit and the
the Main
Main pit.
240 West
Westpit
pitmarker
markerisisa athin
thinbut
butcontinuous
continuoushorizon
horizon within
within the
the CDIII/West
CDin/West pit
stratigraphy (300). ItIt isis interpreted
interpreted to
to extend
extend from
from the
the Foster
Foster Lake
Lake slot
slot through
through the
the West
West
pit.
230 Top
Topof
ofthe
theCDIII
CDIIIfootwall
footwalldefines
definesthe
thebase
baseofofthe
theCDIIIfWest
CDIO/West pit
pit domain
domain (400)
(400)
while the base defines the top of the Main pit east domain (300).
(300).
220 Chloritic
Chloriticand
anddiabase
diabasedikes
dikesand
andthin
thinsills
sillsoccur
occurininall
alldomains.
domains. This
Thisunit
unitincludes
includes
east-west trending 30+ foot thick Keweenawan
Keweenawan dike in CDIII.
200 East
Eastpit
pithanging
hangingwall
wallisisseparated
separatedfrom
fromthe
theCDffl
CDIIIfootwall
footwall (230)
(230) by the Transition
zone (360) iron formation. This
Thisunit
unit occurs
occurs along
along the
the north
north side
side of
of the
the East
East pit,
pit, the
the base
base
Main pit
pit East
East domain
domain (300)
(300) for
for mining
mining and
and planning
planning
of this horizon marks the top of the Main
purposes
PIT FOOT
WALL DOMAIN
100 MAIN
MAIN PIT
FOOTWALL
100
rocks which
which are
are separated
separated from
from the
the iron
iron
This domain consists of Archean metamorphic rocks
formation
formation domains
domains by an
an east-west
east-west trending, north-dipping
north-dipping high angle
angle fault.
fault.
121 Chloritic
Chloriticschist
schistisisthe
thedominant
dominantfootwall
footwallrock
rocktype
typeexposed
exposed within
within the
the pit
pit and
and in
in
of the
the CDIII
CDffl footwall horizon
horizon (230) within
the drill holes. This rock may the extension of
the fault zone.
zone.
111
111 Granite
Granitegneiss
gneissoccurs
occurssouth
southofofthe
thechloritic
chloriticschist
schist(121)
(121)but
but isisonly
onlypoorly
poorly exposed
exposed
in the pit. This
Thisdomain
domainhas
hasnot
not been
been used
used in
in the
the drill
drill hole
hole codes.
codes.

999 OVERBURDEN
OVERBURDENDOMAIN
DOMAIN
This domain
domain consists
consists of
of Quaternary
Quaternary overburden,
overburden, rock
rock fill
fill and
and broken
broken bench
bench material.
material.

120

�Table
Table 2: Glossary
Glossary of terms
terms and
and abbreviations.
abbreviations,

Natural
The amount of material recovered from the material fed
Natural Weight
Weight Recovery
Recovery -- The
fed into
into the
the
concentrator
In other words,
words, it's the tons of concentrate
concentrate made
made (measured
(measuredas
as filter
filter
concentrator circuit.
circuit. In
cake) from tons of crude
crude ore
ore used (measured
(measured by #3 belt scale).
scale).
Metallurgical
Metallurgical Weight
Weight Recovery
Recovery (Met.
(Met. Wt.
Wt. Rec.)
Rec.) - Calculated
Calculated by comparing
comparing the iron losses
losses
(as tailings)
tailings) with the iron
iron content
content of the crude
crude ore fed into
into the concentrator
concentrator circuit
circuit (i.e.,
(i.e., the
the
head Fe). The formula
formula used for
for this
this calculation
calculation is called the iron balance
balance formula,
formula, or
or
sometimes
sometimes called
called the
the concentration
concentration formula.
formula.
(Head Fe - Tail Fe)

Wt. Rec. =

x 100

(Grade - Tail Fe)

Grade
Grade -- Also
Also called the concentrate grade, is a chemical measurement (assay) of the total
total
iron oxide
oxide of the concentrate. Iron oxide
oxide is found in iron minerals such
such as hematite
hematite (Fe203),
(Fe203),
magnetite
magnetite (Fe304),
(Fe304),geothite
geothite(Fe203
(Fez03** OH),
OH), and iron
iron carbonate
carbonate(FeCO3).
(FeC03).

Concentrate Silica Grade
Grade - The chemical
Concentrate
chemical measurement
measurement (assay)
(assay)of
of the
the %
% SiO2
Si02in the
the
concentrate.
concentrate. When
When aalower
lowerconcentrate
concentratesilica
silicagrade
grade is
is achieved,
achieved, the losses
losses in iron units
(tailings)
(tailings) increases.
increases.
content of the crude ore fed into the concentrator
concentrator circuit.
circuit,
Grade -- The assayed iron content
Head Grade
concentrator's ability
Iron
Iron Recovery
Recovery(Fe
(FeRec.)
Rec.) -- A calculation of the efficiency of the concentrator's
ability to
recover the iron available.
This
is
calculated
by
comparing
the
Met.
Wt.
Rec.,
at
some iron
available.
grade, with the head Fe of the crude
crude ore. For example,
(Met. Wt. Rec. x Grade
% Fe)
Grade %
%
= ..................................
% Fe Rec,
Rec. =
(Head
(Head % Fe)

Percent
Percent Magnetic
Magnetic Iron
Iron Recovered
Recovered (%
(% Mag. Fe Rec.) - The calculation
calculation of the efficiency of
recovering
recovering the magnetic
magnetic iron that was in the feed (crude ore). The Met. Wt. Rec.,
Rec., at
at some
some
iron grade, is compared
compared with the magnetic potential (i.e.
(i.e. head) of the crude
crude ore. For example,
example,

(Met. Wt.
WI Rec.
% Fe)
Rec. xx Grade
Grade %
Rec = ..................................
% Mag Fe Re
(Head Mag % Fe)

Tailings
Tailings -- The
The product lost in the process. Tailings always includes iron, because iron is
always associated with many other minerals (silica, phosphate, carbonate, etc.).

121

�Flot (flotation) -- Flot ores are
are the martite,
martite, hematite,
hematite, geothite
geothite and
and carbonates,
carbonates that are
are treated
treated
The final stage of the
by selective chemical
chemical processes to achieve Fe and silica grade. The
magnetite process
magnetite
process is
is flotation
flotation to
to achieve
achieve target
target silica
silica grade.
grade.
to low
low weight
weight recovery
recovery andlor
and/or high
WIF (waste iron formation)
formation) -- hon
Iron formation that due to
silica cannot be treated in the plant to produce economic
economic concentrate.
concentrate.Rarely,
Rarely, phosphorous
phosphorous
levels are too high to be treated.
treated.
The percent of the crude iron that
that is concentrated
concentrated in
in the
the Davis
Davis Magnetic
Magnetic
Magnetic iron - The
Tube Test (DMTT).
(DMTT).

%MagFe
%MagFe == DMTT Wt. Rec.
Rec. x DMTT Grade
Grade

However, in
in the
the Tilden
Tilden ores
ores an
The assumption
assumption is that all of this occurs as magnetite. However,
appreciable
and is
is carried
carried into the DMTT
appreciable amount of hematite is up locked with the magnetite and
Fe content by
by 1-2% points
points and
concentrate. This tends to over estimate the magnetic Fe
therefore
therefore the over
over estimate
estimate weight
weight recovery.

Satmagan
susceptibility and
and is
is the
the
Satmagan - The satmagan magnetic iron content is measured using susceptibility
actual magnetite content
content of
of the
the crude
crude or
or concentrate.
concentrate.

Domain - The
The deposit
deposit is divided into volumes of rock with similar
similar metallurgical
metallurgicalresponse.
response.
These are usually stratigraphic
stratigraphichorizons
horizons but may be fault
fault bounded
bounded or
or nonconformable
nonconfonnable
alteration/oxidation
alteratiodoxidation zones. The
The domains
domains are
are the basis for
for the economic
economic and
and planning
planning models.
models.

122

�CIstructures
structuresisison
onthe
theorder
orderofof2.5
2.5meters,
meters,most
mostcommonly
commonlysuch
suchstructures
structuresare
arehand
hand
Cl
specimen
specimentotomicroscopic
microscopicininscale.
scale.They
Theyindicate
indicatethe
thepresence
presenceofofa alarge,
large,reverse
reversedip
dipslip,
slip,
ductile
ductileshear
shearzone
zonewith
withaaNNE
NNEtotoSSW
SSWtransport
transportdirection.
direction.The
Thefact
factthat
thatthe
theNegaunee
Negaunee
hon
IronFormation
Formationisisthrust
thrustup
upon
ontotothe
theolder
olderArchean
ArcheanGneiss
Gneissindicates
indicatesthat
thatthere
theremust
musthave
have
been
beenprior
priorlocal
localsubsidence
subsidencehere
heretotoform
formthe
thesedimentary
sedimentarybasin,
basin,aaclassic
classicbasin
basininversion
inversion
pattern
pattern(Gillchrist
(Gillchristand
andothers,
others,1987).
1987).
Folds
Foldsmeasured
measuredwith
withininthe
theNegaunee
NegauneeIron
IronFormation
Formationhave
haveaxial
axialsurfaces
surfacesand
andhinge
hingelines
lines
that
WNW,indicating
indicatingaasimilar
similarstrain
strainenvironment
environmenttotothat
thatdetermined
determined
thattrend
trendeast-west
east-westtotoWNW,
from
the
shear
zone.
The
folding
and
shearing
are
thought
to
have
occurred
at
from the shear zone. The folding and shearing are thought to have occurred atthe
thesame
same
time.
time.

The
Theiron
ironformation
formationisismostly
mostlyaachemical
chemicalor
or biochemical
biochemical deposit.
deposit. The
Theclastic
clasticlenses
lensesthat
that
in
the
south,
thinning
and
occur
occurininthe
theformation
formationare
arethickest
thickestand
andmost
mostnumerous
numerous in the south, thinning and
becoming
becomingless
lessfrequent
frequentto
tothe
thenorth
north (Breithart,
(Breithart, 1983).
1983). The
Thepattern
patternsuggests
suggestsan
an
asymmetric
asymmetricrift
riftbasin
basinwith
withaabreakaway
breakawayfault
faulton
on the
thesouthern
southernmargin
margin and
andaarollover
rolloveron
onthe
the
north
side.
The
principal
source
of
clastic
sediments
would
have
been
derived
from
the
north side. The principal source of clastic sediments would have been derived from the
southern
southernmargin
marginthat
thatwas
wasbeing
being uplifted
uplifted along
along the
the fault.
fault. This
Thisepisode
episodeisisrelated
relatedto
tothe
the
development
of
a
passive
margin
during
the
early
Proterozoic.
Subsequent
compression
development of a passive margin during the early Proterozoic. Subsequent compression
during
duringthe
thePenokean
PenokeanOrogeny
Orogenyinverted
invertedthe
thebasin
basinand
andinitiated
initiatedreverse
reversefaulting
faultingthat
thatgave
gave
rise
to
the
shear
zone
(Cambray,
1978).
To
the
east,
in
the
Harvey
Quarry,
a
similar
rise to the shear zone (Cambray, 1978). To the east, in the Harvey Quarry, a similar
pattern
patternof
ofyounger
youngerover
overolder
olderthrusting
thrustingisisobserved
observedsuggesting
suggestingthat
that this
thisrelationship
relationshipisis
rift
and
later
thrusting
common
commonalong
alongthe
theSynclinorium
Synclinoriumand
andconfirms
confirmsthe
theearly
early rift and later thrustingpattern.
pattern.

Mining
Mining
Ore
50'x50'x45'
Orereserve
reserveand
and long
long range
range mine
mine planning is done in MEDSYSTEM using 5O'x50'x45'
blocks
based
primarily
on
development
drill
holes
which
are
on
a
nominal
300
blocks based primarily on development drill holes which are on a nominal 300foot
foot
spacing.
spacing.Weekly
Weeklyplans
plansand
anddaily
dailyore
orepredictions
predictionsare
arebased
basedon
onblast
blastpattern
patternsamples,
samples,
which
which are
areon
on about
about 90
90 foot
foot centers.
centers. Reconciliation
Reconciliationof
of ore,
ore,waste
wasteand
and pellet
pellet production
production
between
betweenthe
the'model"
"model"and
andactual
actualproduction
productionshows
showsless
lessthan
than1%
1%difference.
difference.
The
Theannual
annualmining
miningtask
taskisisto
tomove
moveapproximately
approximately38
38million
million long
longtons,
tons, about
about20
20million
million
long
longtons
tonsof
ofore
oreand
and18
18million
millionlong
longtons
tonsof
ofstripping
strippingwaste,
waste,to
to produce
produce 7.8
7.8million
millionlong
long
tons
tonsof
of flux
fluxpellets
pellets per
per year.
year. Production
Productionsince
since1974
1974has
hasbeen
been 126
126million
million long
longtons
tonsof
of
pellets
pellets from
from355
355million
million long
long tons
tons of
of ore
ore at
at aa stripping
stripping ratio of 0.94. As
As of
of January
January1,1,
1999,
1999,the
the proven
proven and
and probable
probablelong
longrange
range (30
(30year)
year) mine
mine plan
plan reserve
reservewas
was628
628million
million
long
long tons
tons of
of ore
ore containing
containing233
233 million
million long
long tons
tons of
of pellets
pellets at
at aa stripping
strippingratio
ratio of
of 0.77.
0.77.
The
P&amp;H 2800
2800(38
(38 cubic
cubic yard)
yard) cable
cable shovels,
shovels, three
three P&amp;H
P&amp;H
Theloading
loadingfleet
fleetconsists
consistsof
of two
twoP&amp;H
2100
2100 (l7cubic
(17cubicyard)
yard)cable
cableshovels
shovelsand
andtwo
two994
994(21
(21cubic
cubicyard)
yard)Caterpillar
Caterpillarwheel
wheel loaders.
loaders.
The
The hauling
haulingfleet
fleetconsists
consistsof
of three
three 793
793 (240
(240 ton)
ton) Caterpillar
Caterpillar trucks,
trucks, seven
seven 789
789 (190
(190 ton)
ton)
Caterpillar
trucks
and
six
Haulpack
630E
(170
ton)
trucks.
Drilling
is
done
with
one
trucks. Drilling is done with one
Caterpillar trucks
GD120
120drill.
drill.
P&amp;H and
and one
oneGD
P&amp;H

123

�Field Trip
Trip Stops
Stops

- .

stops to be visited and their locations cannot he
be determined
determined until
until iust
just urior
prior to
The actual stoos
the field trip. The
generic
stop
descriptions
are
provided
in
this
guide
and
the
actual
The generic stop descriptions are provided in this guide and the actual
localities to be visited will be provided
provided to participants on
on the
the day
day of the
the field
field trip.
trip.
Stop 1 - Pit Service Building
Before beginning the tour of the Tilden pit, the mine safety rules will be reviewed and
and aa
short video of the Tilden
Tilden Mine
Mine operation
operation will be shown.
shown. The
The video, not
not particularly
particularly
geologic, describes
pelletizing processes that have
describes the mining cycle, milling and pelletizing
have aa major
major
impact on the ore quality determinations.
determinations.
Stop 2 -- Main
Main Pit Footwall Shear
Shear Zone
Zone

Chlorite schist defines the footwall of the Tilden ore body.
body. This
This chlorite
chlorite schist
schist is
is
described
described in the literature
literature (Van Hise and Bayley, 1897;
1897; Gair, 1975)
1975) as part of the Palmer
Palmer
Gneiss and marks the boundary between the Archean Compeau Creek gneiss
gneiss of the
the
Southern complex and the early Proterozoic sediments. This
This contact
contact extends
extends for
for
approximately seven miles east from the
the Tilden Mine. Gair
Gair and Simmons
Simmons (1968)
(1968) made
madeaa
complete
complete study
study of this rock and proposed three possible modes of origin: 1)
1)alteration
alterationand
and
shearing
shearing of Precambrian rock during
during faulting;
faulting; 2) migration of fluids
fluids along
along the contact
contact
between lower
and
middle
Precambrian
rocks;
and
3)
alteration
of
a
regolith
during
lower
Precambrian
alteration
regolith during
folding.
folding. At
Atthe
theTilden
TildenMine,
Mine,there
thereappear
appearto
to be
be two
two varieties
varieties of
of gneiss,
gneiss, aa southern
southern
sericitic phase related to a granitic protolith and a northern chloritic phase with a diabasic
diabasic
protolith.
protolith.
At this locality
surface cut by the
the more
more
locality one
one can see
see the dominant,
dominant, steep
steep north dipping
dipping S surface
gently north dipping Cl
4). The
C/ surface (Figure 4).
The intersection
intersection between the S and Cl
C/ plunges
plunges
WNW. The
gently to the WNW.
The movement
movement plane
plane on the shear
shear zone is at right angles to this
intersection and the intersection of this plane and the boundary of the shear zone
(determined from drill records) gives the direction of movement (marked with a filled
(determined
filled
triangle on Figure 5). The
Thepattern
patternof
of the
the SS surfaces
surfaces and
and shear
shear bands
bands give the sense
sense of
movement (Figure 4). Chemical
Chemical analyses
analyses indicate that the protolith for the shear zone
was most likely to have been one of the diabase bodies found interlayered with the
banded iron formation.
formation.

(-60') foliation
foliation in the chlorite schist creates a bench and slope
slope
The steep
steepnorth
northdipping
dipping(—60°)
stability concern. This
45° final wall slope with 35
Thisisis controlled
controlled by
by triple
triple benching to a 45"
35
foot catchers. Proper
Properclean
cleanup
up along
alongthe
the toe
toe line
line is
is critical
critical to avoid "undercutting" the
the
foliation.
foliation.

124

�West

2.5

Shear Zone
(Palmer
IPaImrGness)
GneW

Figure
Figure 4:
4: Footwall
Footwallshear
shearzone,
zone,Tilden
TildenMine.
Mine.

Pole
Poleto
to mean
mean C-foliation
C'-foliation

S

*
U

Pole
poleto
tomean
meanS-foliation
~-fo~atim

Slip direction

Mean
~ e a S-C
S-C.
n intersection
intersection
S-C intersections

S-foliafion plane
Top of shear zone
'

.C-foliation
C'-foliation plane
p4ane
"Nonnal
intersection
\ N o m d totoS-C'
S-C/intersection

Figure5:
5: Stereo
Stereo projection
projection of
of shear
shearzone
zonestructures.
structures,
Figure

125

�Stop 3 -- Martite and Main Pit
Pit Carbonate
CarbonateDomains
Domains

The Martite and main pit Carbonate
Carbonatedomains
domains lie
lie stratigraphically
stratigraphically below
below the
the CDffl
CDEI
Footwall and Main Pit Hangingwall intrusives. This
This is
is metallurgically
metallurgically "good
"good ore"
ore" and
and isis
typically characterized
characterized by high weight recovery (35-45+%),
(35-45÷%), low phosphorous, low slime
slime
iron and good grinding media. With
Withcrude
crudeFe
Fe around
around 35%,
35%, iron
iron recovery
recovev averages
averages over
over
70%. The
The'best'
'best'ore
oreisiscentered
centeredon
onthe
theMain
MainPit
Pitanticline
anticlineand
andconsists
consistsof
of thick
thick bedded
bedded (2(24 cm) chert with variable
variable martite
martite and magnetite
magnetite plus subordinate
subordinatecarbonates
carbonatesand
and silicates.
silicates.
The boundary between the Martite and Carbonate
domains
is
based
on
higher
magnetite
Carbonate domains
higher magnetite
content;
content; the Carbonate
Carbonate domain
domain contains
contains low calculated
calculated total oxides
oxides that
that may
may be
be due
due to
to
iron silicates.
silicates. The
Thevariation
variationin
inmagnetite
magnetitecontent
content may
may reflect
reflect either
either the
the environment
environment of
of
deposition
deposition or
or diagenesis;
diagenesis;itit is
is unlikely
unlikely to be due
due to supergene
supergene effects.

This domain comprises
reserve. The
mine plan
comprises about 56% of the ore reserve.
The~mine
plan attempts
attempts to
to control
control
the blend percentages to about 50% of this domain. This
This has
has been
been only
only partially
partially
successful due to pellet quality concerns when blending with other types of ore. The
successful
planned final
final depth
depth of
of the
the Main
Main pit
pit is
is about
about sea
sea level
level so
so the
the pit will
will be
be about
about 1000
1000feet
feet
deeper.
deeper.

As the base of the iron formation is not exposed at the Tilden Mine, the stratigraphic
stratigraphic
thickness is unknown. The
Thethickness
thickness exceeds
exceeds 1000
1000feet
feet and
and is probably underlain by and
is gradational into undifferentiated clastics and iron formation
formation of the Empire
Empire Mine.
"Intrusive" Igneous Horizons
Stop 4 - Mafic "Intrusive"
formation and the rapid
Due to the lack of clear stratigraphic markers within the iron formation
rapid
facies changes in the iron formation, several igneous horizons are used for stratigraphic
stratigraphic
and structural correlation
correlation(Figure
(Figure 1).
1).

The term 'intrusive'
'intrusive' or
or'dike'
'dike'isisused
usedfor
forgreen
greenand
andgray-green
gray-green mafic
mafic igneous
igneous rocks,
which vary from (semi)
(semi) conformable sill-like
sill-like horizons to obviously crosscutting
crosscutting bodies.
bodies.
Since the fabric varies from diabasic
diabasic to porphyritic to aphanitic, the conformable
conformable bodies
bodies
are usually interpreted as synsedimentary sills
sills but
but may
maybe
beflows.
flows. The sills range in
thickness
thickness from a few tens of feet to at least 600
600 feet with the thicker horizons
horizons thinning
thinning to
to
the south. Dikes,
typically 55 to
to 20
20 feet
feetthick.
thick. The
Dikes,obviously
obviously crosscutting
crosscutting bodies, are typically
dikes may be feeders.
feeders. The dikes and thinner parts of the sills are commonly altered
altered to
chlorite and carbonate
retain primary
primary igneous
igneoustextures.
textures. Contacts
cabonate while the thicker parts retain
Contacts
with the
iron
formation
are
variably
sheared
and
altered.
the iron formation are variably sheared and altered.
The principal
principal sills
sills are
are the
the Main pit
pit hangingwall,
hangingwall, CDffl
CDEI footwall
footwall and the CDffl
CDEI
hangingwall.
hangingwall. The
Thesills
sillsand
andmajority
majorityof
of the
the dikes
dikes appear
appear to be of early Proterozoic
Proterozoic age but,
there are several dikes that are interpreted to be of Keweenawan age based on the
and fracture
fracture zones.
zones. The igneous event
magnetic signature. Dikes
Dikes commonly fill faults and
Clarksburg,
that emplaced
emplaced the sills
sills and majority of the dikes may be related to the Clarksburg,
Hemlock and Emperor Volcanics.
126

�Dilution from dikes, especially along shallowly dipping contacts, is the most common
internal waste.
waste. kcipient
type of internal
Incipientrecrystallization
recrystallization due
due to
to contact
contact metamorphism
metamo~hismand
hangingwall.
quartz overgrowing magnetite results in high silica waste along the CDIII hangingwall,
Stop 5 - West
West Pit/CDIJI
Pit/CDZZZ Hematite
Hematite Domain
The West Pit/CDffl
PivCDIII Hematite
Hematite domain
domain in
in the
the west pit is
is stratigraphically
stratigraphicallybetween
between the
the
CDffl
hangingwall
and
footwall.
This
domain
extends
from
CDffl
along
the
north
limb
CDIII
This domain extends
CDIII
pit anticline. In contrast to the martite domain, this is
and over the crest of the Main pit
metallurgically 'poor' ore
orewith
with higher
higher slime
slime iron,
iron, phosphorous and poor grinding.
Fe), due to the
the high crude Fe
Although weight recoveries are relatively good (about 36% Fe),
below 60%.
60%. Mineralogically
of 40%, the iron in this domain is below
Mineralogically and texturally, this
domain differs from the martite domain in being dominantly platey hematite with thin
(mm scale) chert laminae. Presumably, the bedding thickness reflects the original
sedimentary
sedimentary features but it is unclear as to the nature of the oxidation event that produced
the hematite
hematite (related
(related to
to deposition,
deposition,diagenesis
diagenesisor
or supergene
supergenealteration).
alteration).

With a thickness
thickness of about
about 600
600 feet, this domain contains
contains 27% of the ore reserve but, due
due
to blending concerns for phosphorous,
slimes
or
grinding,
it
is
often
difficult
to
maintain
phosphorous,
maintain
that percentage
percentage in
in the
the blend
blend going
going into
into the
the processing
processing plant.
plant.
Stop 66 -- Magnetite Domain

The Magnetite
PitJCDffl hematite
hematite
Magnetite domain
domain is the stratigraphically equivalent of the West PivCDIII
but is essentially
essentially restricted to the CDffl
CDIII syncline (basin?). Magnetite
Magnetiteore
orequality
qualityisis
determined
(magnetic
determined by the percentage of the crude iron that occurs as magnetic iron (mapetic
concentrate determined by the Davis Magnetic
Magnetic Tube
TubeTest).
Test). On average, the Magnetite
domain contains 27% magnetic iron with 37% total
total crude
crude iron.
iron. With about 90%
magnetic
magnetic iron recovery
recovery in the plant, weight recoveries are 34-36% iron. Mineralogically,
Mineralogically,
the ore consists
primarily
of
magnetite-siderite-chert
with
variable
hematite
and silicates.
consists primarily
silicates.
This
This mineralogy, along
along with the thin laminations,
laminations, appears to indicate a restricted basin
and a reduced environment
environment of deposition.
deposition.
respect to
to the
There is some scientific
scientific controversy as to the role of diagenesis with respect
hematite and
and siderite.
siderite. Within the Magnetite domain
relationship between magnetite, hematite
there is a faultldike-bounded
faulvdike-bounded zone of low magnetite siderite ore; it is uncertain whether
this is the protolith of the magnetite ore. The
The southern
southern extension of the CDffl
CDIII magnetite
into the hematite domain contains the highest
highest grades
grades (-30
(-30 magnetic iron). The
The sharp
sharp
contact, not structural,
structural, indicates
indicates that this is some sort of redox front but it is unknown
unknown
whether it is
is of
of diagenetic
diageneticor
or supergene
supergene origin.
origin.

Approximately
reserves are
are in
in magnetite.
magnetite. Development of the
Approximately 23% of the Tilden ore reserves
of pushbacks
pushbacks along
along the
thewest
westwall
wallininthe
theintrusive.
intrusive. The
The wall is
reserve involves a series of
planned
planned to move
move back about
about 800
800 feet and the pit is to be
he deepened about 600 feet.
127

�Acknowledgments
Acknowledgments
We thank Bill Cambray
Cambray and Cheryl Webster for their contribution of the Structural
Stmctural
Geology section in the Introduction and structural
structural discussion in Stop
Stop 2.
References
References

Cambray, F. W., 1978,
1978, Plate Tectonics as a model for the environment
environment of deposition
deposition and
and
deformation
Northern Michigan:
Michigan:
deformation of the
the early
early Proterozoic
Proterozoic (Precambrian X) of Northern
Geological
7, p. 376.
376.
Geological Society
Society of America Abstracts with Programs,
Programs, v.10, no. 7,
Breithart, M. S.,
S., 1983,
1983,Significance
Significanceof
of the
the distribution
distribution of
of clastic
clastic lenses
lenses within
within the
the
Breithart,
Negaunee Iron Formation
Formation at the eastern end of the of the Palmer Basin, Marquette
Marquette
Synclinorium,
Synclinorium, Northern Michigan: Masters
Masters thesis, Michigan
Michigan State
State University.
University.
Gair, J.E.,
J.E., 1975,
1975,Bedrock
Bedrock geology
geology and ore deposits
deposits of the Palmer
Palmer Quadrangle,
Quadrangle, Marquette
Marquette
County, Michigan: U.S.
U S . Geological
Geological Survey
Survey Professional
Professional Paper 769, lS9p.
159p.
Gair, J. E. and
and G.
G. C.
C. Simmons,
Simmons, 1968,
1968,Palmer
Palmer Gneiss
Gneiss -- an
an example of retrograde
retrograde
metamorphism
metamorphism along
along and
and unconformity: U.S.
US. Geological
Geological Survey
Survey Professional
Professional Paper,
Paper,
600-D,
600-D, p. D186D186- D194.
D194.
Gillchrist,
Gillchrist, Ralph,
Ralph, Mike
Mike Coward
Coward and
and Jean-Louis Mugnier,
Mugnier, 1987,
1987,Structural
Structural inversion
inversionand
and
its controls:
controls: examples
examples from
from the
the French
French Alpine foreland
foreland and
and the
the French
French Alps:
Alps:
Geodinamica Acta (Paris) v.1, no. 1, p.
p.5-34.
5-34.

Sims, P.K., Card, K.D., Morey, G.B., and Peterman, Z.E., 1980, The Great Lakes tectonic
zone
A major crustal
cmstal structure
structure in central North America: Geological Society of
zone -- A
America bulletin, V.
V.91,
91, Pt.
pt. 1,
1, P.690-698.
p. 690-698.
Van Hise, C.R.,
and
C.R.,
and Bayley, W.W., 1897,
1897, The Marquette iron-bearing district of
Michigan:
Michigan: U.S.
U.S. Geological
GeologicalSurvey
Survey Monograph
Monograph 28,
2 8 ,608p.
608~.

128

�Geologic Field
Field Trip
Trip to the Empire
Empire Mine
Mine

,

M. Nordstrom,
Nordstrom, Empire
Empire hon
IronMining
MiningPartnership,
Partnership,P.O.
P.O. Box
Box 38,
38, Palmer,
Palmer, MI
MI 49871
49871
Paul M.

Introduction
Introduction
Empire mine commenced operations in 1963;
1963; over the past thirty-five years the operation
The Empire
has produced nearly 200
200 million long tons of pelletized iron concentrates. The
TheEmpire
EmpireMine
Mine
represents
repr&amp;ents a partnership
partnekhip of steel making
m G n g and iron
iion mining interests and is partially oowned
h e d and
operated by the Cleveland-Cliffs Iron
hon Company. The
Thereserve
reserveis
is about
about 600
600 million
million long
long tons
tons
of magnetite
magnetite ore.
ore. The
Thecurrent
currentannual
annualproduction
productionisis8.4
8.4million
million long
longtons
tonsof
of pellets
pelletsfrom
from27.5
27.5
million long tons of ore. Han
hon
Han (1975)
(1975)provides
provides aa detailed description of the Negaunee Iron
Formation at
at the
the Empire
Empire Mine.
Mine.
Stratigraphic
hon Formation
Stratigraphicrelationships
relationships within the Negaunee Iron
Formation in
in the
the vicinity
vicinity of
of the
the Empire
Empire
Mine
Mine are:
are:
• Upper
UpperUndifferentiated
UndifferentiatedSeries
Series(+
(+1500'):
1500'):intermixed
intermixedsequence
sequenceof
ofcarbonate,
carbonate,silicate,
silicate,
clastic
clastic and "lean"
"lean" carbonate
carbonateassemblages.
assemblages.
• Clastic
Clastic horizon (200-300');
(200-300'); graywacke
graywackeand
and feldspathic
feldspathicquartzite
quartzite interbedded
interbedded with
with
chert, iron carbonate
carbonate minerals
minerals and
and magnetite.
magnetite.
• Carbonate
Carbonate horizon
horizon (350-500'):
(350-500'): alternating
alternating bands
bands of
of magnetite-chert
magnetite-chert and
and chert,
chert, with
with
siderite
siderite or
or ankerite
ankerite distributed
distributedthroughout.
throughout. Local,
Local, minor
minor beds
beds of
of riebeckite
riebeckiteand
and aegerine-augite
aegerine-augite
are present
contact.
present near
near the
the upper
upper
contact.
..
• Silicate
Silicate horizon
horizon (400-500'): alternating
alternating laminae
laminae of
of magnetite,
magnetite, carbonate,
carbonate, greenish
greenish
microstilpnomelane),
and
chert.
micro- to
to sub-microscopic
sub-microscopiciron
iron silicate
silicateminerals
minerals(principally
(principally
stilpnomelane),
and
chert.
- .
• Lower
h w e r Undifferentiated
undkferentiated Series
Series (700-1500'):
(700-1500'): intermixed
intermixid sequence
sequence of carbonate,
carbonate,
silicate
silicate minerals and
and clastics
clastics (clastics
(clasticsincrease
increasetoward
toward base
base of
of interval).
internal).
The
The basal
basal contact
contact of
of the
the Lower
Lower Series
Series is
is transitional with the underlying Siamo Slate. The
The
Siamo
Slate
is
represented
in
the
mine
area
by
quartz-arkose
and
graywacke.
Siamo Slate is represented in the mine area
graywacke.
A
A geologic
geologicmap
map and
and section
sectionof
of the
theEmpire
EmpireMine
Mine(Figure
(Figure11and
and 2)
2) illustrate
illustratethe
therelationships
relationships
between
between the
the various
variouslithologic
lithologicunits.
units.

hon
Ironformation
formationatatthe
theEmpire
EmpireMine
Mineisistransected
transectedby
by aa number
number of
of near-vertical,
near-vertical, chioritized
chloritized
metadiabase
are
metadiabase dikes.
dikes.The
Thedikes
dikesoccupy
occupyfaults,
faults,believed
believed to
to be
be of
of early
earlyProterozoic
Proterozoicage,
age,which
which are
probably related
related to
to basin
basin development.
development. The
Thedikes
dikeshave
havehad
hadaasignificant
significantlocalized
localizedimpact
impact on
on ore
ore
probably
processes.
processes. The
Thefine
finegrain
grainsize
sizeofofmagnetite
magnetite(5
(5p.)
p)in
in iron
iron formation
formationadjacent
adjacentto
tothe
thedikes
dikes
represents
represents aa "selvage"
"selvage" which
which was
was apparently
apparently impervious
impewious to subsequent
subsequent processes that influenced
influenced
growth of
of the
the magnetite
magnetite grains
grains in
in other portions of the iron formation. Effective
Effectiveliberation
liberationof
of
growth
magnetite in
in these
these"fine-gralned"
"fine-grained"rocks
rockscan
canrarely
rarelybe
beachieved.
achieved.
magnetite

The iron
iron content
content of
of the
the iron
iron formation
formation at
at the Empire
Empire mine is fairly uniform, about 32-35%. The
The
The
amount
amount and
and grain-size
grain-size of
of magnetite
magnetite determines
determines ore quality. Ore-forming
Ore-formingprocesses
processescontributed
contributed
and remobilized
remobilizediron
ironby
bydiagenetic
diageneticor
orlow-grade
low-grademetamorphic
metamorphicreactions
reactionsof
of recrystallization
recrystallizationand
and
and
replacement. Oxidation
Oxidationofofsiderite
sideritehas
hasresulted
resultedininlarge-scale
large-scalereplacement
replacementby
by magnetite,
magnetite,but
but
replacement.
129

�N

N

N

N

P1010ED

04/05/99

Formation Iron Fine—Grained
2000

Horizon Carbonate

UOji.OWtiOJ Iron
UOJI Oxidized
PdZlplXn
Formation

Horizon Ctastics

Series Undifferentiated Upper

Siamo

1

Figure

Series Undifferentiated Lower

Horizon Silicate

\

Dike Diabase

Keweenawan

SiLt/Dike Mc-taciiobase

-

LEGEND GEOLOGIC

—-

'9tfV.K

's.-.)

'

Eevation) Bench (+940

—22000

---r-

ç—1j

.

-

\(iJ l

—

-.

GEOLOGY MINE EMPIRE

—18000

(7bt

--

20

t

'tion

_J

'A'
--

—14000

Resource
IV CD

—10000

Cu

0
0
0
Li

00
0

nJ

o
o
o

Li

Li

EIIJ

��of the
the magnetite
magnetite in
in these
these enriched
enriched
chert layers are also replaced by magnetite; the grain size of
zones is coarser
than
magnetite
in
zones
not
effected
by
replacement.
coarser
magnetite zones
effected replacement.
the Empire
Empire Mine.
Mine. NonSecondary oxidation has a profound impact on ore quality at the
Non- or
or weakly
weakly
characteristic of
of oxidized
oxidized zones
zones are
are typically
magnetic iron minerals (e.g., martite, hematite) characteristic
rejected during primary magnetic separation. Incipient
Incipient or
or partial
partial oxidation
oxidation of
of magnetite
magnetitegrains
grains
then in flotation
flotation stages.
may cause them also to be rejected, if not in magnetic separation, then
extent of
of oxidation
oxidation and
and predict
predict its
its impact
impact on
on plant
plant
However, it is often difficult to recognize the extent
recovery. The
Theoxidation
oxidationisisthought
thoughtto
to be
be largely,
largely,ifif not
not entirely,
entirely, the
the result
result of
of supergene
supergene
processes.
processes. Circulation
Circulationof
ofthe
theoxidizing
oxidizingfluids
fluidswas
wascontrolled
controlled by
by faults,
faults,dike
dikecontacts
contactsand
andclastic
clastic
beds and lenses. However,
the
boundaries
of
oxidized
zones
are
very
irregular
and
difficult
to
However, the boundaries of oxidized
define.
define.
all Empire
Empire iron
iron ores,
ores, including
including the
the
Due to the very fine grain size of magnetite in virtually all
carbonate ores, extremely
carbonate
extremely fine
fine grinding
grinding (93-95%
(93-95% passing 500
500 mesh) is
is required
required to
to achieve
achieve
sufficient
sufficient liberation of magnetite for product specifications. Process
Process control
control is
is dominated
dominated by
by the
the
specification for Si02
Si02 in the final product.
product. Smaller
Smalleraverage
average grain
grain size
size of magnetite
magnetite in
in silicatesilicateliberation. In
type ores means that they must be ground finer to achieve acceptable liberation.
In general,
general,the
the
becomes significantly
significantly more
finer grain size also implies increased work index so that grinding becomes
costly.
costly.

Field Trip
Trip Stops
Stops
be determined
determined until
untiljust
just prior
prior to the field
The actual stops to be visited and their locations cannot be
trip. The
Thegeneric
genericstop
stopdescriptions
descriptionsare
areprovided
provided in
in this
this guide
guideand
and the
the actual
actual localities
localities to
to be
be
visited will be provided to
to participants
participants on
on the
the day
day of the
the field
field trip.
trip.
Stop
Overlook
Stop 11 -- Dispatch Overlook

Mining development
pit, with
with significant contributions
contributions from
development at Empire has focused on the Main pit,
satellite
satellite pits to the north
north (CD-I),
(CD-I), east
east (Section
(Section 20)
20) and
and west (Southwest
(Southwest Extension),
Extension),and
and
expanding
expanding development
development to the northwest (CD-V). The
The bottom
bottom bench
bench of
of the
the Main
Main pit
pit is
is
approximately
pit will
will ultimately
ultimately be
be developed
approximately 1,000
1,000 feet below the dispatch overlook, and the pit
750 feet below the present mining
mining level.
level.
entirely in
in the
the Carbonate
Carbonate and
and Silicate
Silicate
The bottom bench of the Main pit is developed almost entirely
horizons.
horizons. The
The iron
iron formation
formation in
in this
this area
area strikes
strikes about
about N35°E
N35"E and
and dips
dips 30-35°
30-35' to
to the
the northwest.
northwest.

Stop 2 -- First Class Carbonate
Carbonate
The Carbonate
i)
Carbonate unit is gray to dark gray, relatively coarse-grained (magnetite grain size: 20-30 p)
and characterized
characterized by "thick" (5-25 mm), indistinct magnetite-rich and chert-rich layers with
subordinate
The term
term "carbonate"
"carbonate" is
is utilized
utilized at
at the
the Empire
Empire Mine
Mine to
to
subordinate siderite and ankerite. The
c 10)
10) with very good liberation characteristics (low concentrate of
indicate soft ores (work index &lt;
Si02). These high-grade ores
ores have
havebeen
beenthe
the"life-blood"
life-blood' of
Si02).
of Empire's
Empire's production.
production.

132

�Stop 33 -- First Class
Silicate
Class Silicate

Silicate iron
ironformation
formationconsists
consists
thin
laminae
(2 mm)
of magnetite
(minor
tominor
very minor
of of
thin
laminae
(2 mm)
of magnetite
(minor
to very
amounts
greenish or
or brownish-gray
brownish-gray mixtures
mixtures of
of
amounts of silicate, carbonate, chert, and clastics) and greenish
silicate minerals, siderite, magnetite, chert and clastics. The
The silicate
silicate minerals
minerals are
are dominantly
dominantly
stilpnomelane
stilpnomelane and
and minnesotaite. The
TheSilicate
Silicatehorizon
horizoncommonly
commonlyhas
has aa greater
greaterabundance
abundanceof
of
carbonate
p) is finer
carbonate minerals
minerals than the Carbonate
Carbonate zone. The
Thegrain
grainsize
sizeof
of the
the magnetite
magnetite(5-20
(5-20 L')
than in the Carbonate-type.
The
term
"silicate"
at
the
Empire
Mine
is
applied
to
ores
Carbonate-type. The term "silicate" at the Empire Mine is applied to oreswith
withwork
work
index&gt;
10and
andliberation
liberationcharacteristics
characteristicsthat
thatare
areinferior
inferiorto
to carbonate
carbonateores;
ores; silicate
silicate or
or yield
yield
index &gt;10
higher
higher concentrate
concentrate of
of Si02.
Si02.

Stop4Stop 4 -CD-V
CD-V
Future development
in two areas: the
the "pillar"
"pillar" between the
development of the mine will be principally focused in
Main
Main pit and
and the
the Section
Section 20
20 pit
pit (west
(west wall),
wall), and
and the
the north
north and
and northwest
northwest areas
areas of
of the
the Main
Main pit
pit
termed CD-V.
CD-V. Development
Developmentof
ofthe
thewest
westwall
wallincludes
includesrelocation
relocation of
of the
the existing
existing rail
rail lines
linesaround
around
the
the east side
side of the Section
Section 20 pit; the "pillar" area will then be excavated to expose ores in the
wall and,
and, more
more importantly,
importantly,below
below the
the bottom
bottom of
of the
the present
present pit.
pit.
The
The CD-V
CD-V pit
pit is
is being
being developed
developed in
in the
the Upper
Upper Series
Series horizon,
horizon, characterized
characterizedprincipally
principallyby
by
carbonate-type
ores
and
clastic
bands
and
lenses.
Much
of
the
yellowish
carbonate
material
carbonate-type
Much of the yellowish carbonate material
contains
contains very
very little
little magnetite
magnetite ("lean"
("lean" carbonate),
carbonate),consisting
consistingdominantly
dominantlyof
of siderite
sideriteand
andchert.
chert.
However, very
very rich
rich carbonate
carbonate ores
ores are
are also
also present
present in
in the
the push-back of
of the
the Main
Main pit
pit wall.
wall.
However,
Current
Current development
development is
is just below
below aa large
large diabase
diabase sill
sill that
that is
is 200-400
200-400 feet
feet thick.
thick. Several
Several of
of these
these
large, generally
generally conformable,
conformable, tabular
tabular diabase
diabase bodies
bodies intrude
intrude the
the Negaunee
Negaunee Iron
Iron Formation
Formation in
in this
this
large,
area of the mine. Predictably,
Predictably, "fine-grained"
"fine-grainer effects
effectsare
are extensive
extensiveadjacent
adjacentto
to these
these large
largeigneous
igneous
bodies.
bodies.
In
In the
the CD-V
CD-V area
areaof
of the
themine,
mine, iron
ironformation
formationand
and interlayered
interlayeredsills
sillshave
have been
been folded
foldedinto
intoseveral
several
smallsmall- to moderate-scale
moderate-scale anticlinal
anticlinal and synclinal features. Fold
Fold axes
axes plunge
plunge 10-20°
10-20' toward
toward the
the
northwest.
northwest.
Bounding
BoundingCD-V
CD-V to
tothe
thenorth
northisisaalarge
largearea
areaunderlain
underlain by
by magnetite-bearing
magnetite-bearingiron
iron formation
formationthat,
that,
because
because of
of its
its extreme
extremehardness
hardness (work
(workindex
index18-20)
18-20)and
and poor
poor liberating
liberatingqualities,
qualities,isispresently
presently
regarded
regarded as
as aa resource,
resource, not
not aa reserve.
reserve. The
Thenature
natureof
ofthe
themetallurgical
metallurgicalproblems
problemsin
in processing
processing
these
these ores
ores isis under
under investigation
investigationby
by Cleveland
ClevelandCliffs'
Cliffs'research
researchgroup.
group.

Stop 5- CD-I
CD-I
CD-I has
has been
been an
an important
importantsource
sourceof
of very
veryhigh
high quality
quality(high
(high weight
weight recovery,
recovery,low
lowconcentrate
concentrate
Si02)carbonate
carbonatematerial
materialfor
forblending
blendingwith
with lower
lowerquality
qualityores
ores from
from other
otherlocations
locationsin
in the
themine.
mine.
Si02)
Ironformation
formationininCD-I
CD-Istrikes
strikesnorth-south
north-southand
anddips
dipsabout
about30°
30' to
to the
the west.
west. Two
TwoKeweenawan
Keweenawan
hon
age (1.1
(1.1 Ga)
Ga) diabase
diabase dikes
dikes cross the pit in a westerly to southwesterly direction.
These two
two dikes
dikes
age
direction. These
are
are coarser-grained
coarser-grainedand
and fresher
fresherin
in appearance
appearancethan
than the
the other,
other, older
older early
early Proterozoic
Proterozoic diabase
diabase
dikes.
dikes.
133

�The current phase of pit development
development in CD-I will be completed in 1999. High
High quality
qualitycarbonate
carbonate
but its potential
potential development
development is
is hindered
hindered by
by the
the large
large
ore extends to the west beneath the pit wall but
amount of stripping required. About
About 750
750feet
feet of
of overlying
overlying waste
waste rock
rock would
would have
have to
to be
be mined
mined in
in
order to access
access the ore.
ore.

References
References
Han, Tsu-Ming, 1975,
Petrology of
of Iron-Formation
hon-Formation at the Empire
1975, Lithology, Stratigraphy, and Petrology
Deposits of
of the
the Palmer
Palmer Quadrangle,
Mine, in Gair, Jacob E., Bedrock Geology and Ore Deposits
Marquette
Marquette County,
County, Michigan,
Michigan, U.S.G.S.
U.S.G.S. Prof.
Prof. Paper
Paper 769,
769, pp.
pp. 76-106.
76-106.

134

�Field Trip
Trip 4

and Glacial Geology
Geology from
from Au
Au Train
Train to
Paleozoic and
Grand Marais,
Grand
Marais, Michigan

Leaders:
and J.
J. Anderton
Anderton
Leaders: R.S. Regis and

�______
______
____
______

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CHART
CHART 11
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2071
em

�ILSG Field
Field Tdp
Trip ##4from
1999 ZLSG
4 -Paleozoic
Paleozoic and
andPleistocene
Pleistocene Geology
Geologyfrom
Au Train
Train to Grand
Grand Marais, Michigan
Road log
log
Overview
Ovewiew

-

-

Au Train
Train channel
Profile of Au

Stop 11
stop

--

Au
Au Train
Train Falls
Falls

Stop
stop 22

-

-

Beach
Beach ridges and
and

Stop
stop 33

--

Au Train-Whitefish
Train-Whitefish Channel
Channel
Grand
Grand Island Overlook
Overlook

Stop
stop 44

--

Stop
stop 55

--

Stop 6

--

Stop 77
stop

--

Break
Stop 88
stop

--

Stop 9
stop
Stop 10
stop
10
Stop 11
stop
11

----

Stop 12
stop
12

--

US4
US41I S. (view to east at 2.3-3 ml.)
mi.)
continue 16.2
ml
to
M94,
F.
then
E.
16.2 mi
18.2 mi.
ml. to Forest
Forest Lk. Rd.
Rd.
Return to Forest Lk. Rd. N 7.4 mi. to
M28
M28

F. 2.5 mi. to H58, then to
M28 E.
Washington St.
St. (1.2 mi.), to
Munising
Munising Falls (0.55
(0.55 mi.)
mi.)
Munising
Munising Falls
Falls
Return to H58 (0.55 mi.), E to
Miners Castle Rd (3.7 mi.), then N to
Miners Castle
Castle (4.9 mi.)
mi.)
Miners
Miners Castle
Castle
Return to H58, continue
continue F
E to
to Bear
Bear
Trap Inn 9 (3.6 mi.),
mi.), keep
keep left
left and
and
continue on H58 (end of pavement
another 4.3 mi.) to Kingston Corner
Comer
(11.2
(1
I .2 mi. beyond pavement end)
Kingston
Kingston Outwash
Outwash Plains
Plains
N on H58 to 2-track on left (7.1 mi.)
Proceed on 2 track 0.1 mi.
&amp; park
park
mi. &amp;
Walk due W 400 yds (strenuous)
(strenuous)
Turtle
Return to H58,2.1
H58, 2.1 mi. to dropoff
Turtle Lake Kettle
into channel, @ 6.7 mi. is edge of
upper outwash terrace, @
@ 8.7 mi.
turn left on Log Slide
Slide Rd.. Continue
Continue
to Log Slide
Slide (0.75 ml.)
mi.)
Picnic area
area @
Grand Sable
@ NW side Grand
Sable Lk.
Log Slide
Slide
Return to
to H58.
H58. FE on
on H58
H58 to
to parking
lot for Sable Creek falls and Ghost
forest (5.6 mi.).
Ghost
Ghost Forest
Sable
Sable Falls
Falls
To Grand Marais (1.7
(1.7 mi.)
Grand
Harbor
Grand Marais Harbor
Nipissing Bluff
E-W
M77 to M28 (22.6
E-W channels
channels crossed
crossed by
by M77
M77
(22.6 mi.)
To Munising (22.4 mi.)
To Marquette (44 mi.)

137

�Detailed
Detailed Road
Road Log.
Log.
of Au
Au Train
Train Whitefish Channel
Overview of
From the WashingtonfBaraga
Washingtonmaraga St.
St. intersection in downtown Marquette travel S on baraga St
St
US41). Along
(turns into US4l).
Along U.S.
U S . 41
41 at
at about
about 2-3
2-3 miles
miles south
south of Marquette, a view to the east
reveals a profile of channel cut by proglacial meltwater that flowed eastward along the margin of
the Marquette (Grand Marais) ice.
ice. The
the Onota
The feature
feature was referred to by Hughes (1971) as the
outlier. Water
Waterspilled
spilledinto
intothe
theAu
Au Train
TrainWhitefish
Whitefish channel
channel southward
southward to
to (present)
(present) Lake
Lake Michigan
after passing through this channel. Continue
on
U.S.
41
south
16.2
miles
to
M94,
turn east.
Continue
16.2
Travel to 29.9
29.9 mi. to
to Chatham,
Chatham, turn
turn SS at
at stopsign,
stopsign, travel
travel to 30.9
30.9 mi and
and turn FE on
on M94,
M94, continue
continue
to 34.4
34.4 mi and
and turn N
N on
on Forest
Forest lake
lake rd., travel 0.1 mi to dirt road on right, follow to
to gated
gated
parking area. Walk
Walkto
to falls.
falls.

Au Train
Train Formation
Formationand
andAu
AuTrain-Whitefish
Train-WhitefishChannel,
Channel,Beach
Beachridge
ridgecomplex
complex
Return to Forest
Forest lake
lake Rd.,
Rd., turn N. Follow
Follow Forest
Forest Lake Rd. At 6.3 miles and all the way to M28,
note the beach ridge complex. Turn
TurnEE on
on M28
M28 and
and travel
travel to
to the Grand Island overlook parking
lot on the N side
side of M28.
M28.
Grand Island
Island Overlook
Overlook
From the Grand Island overlook, return
return to M-28 and
and travel
travel east
east 2.5
2.5 miles
milesto
toMunising.
Munising. Turn on
Dogpatch restaurant
restaurant is on Ge
the right at
H-58 after passing the Holiday gas station on the left (the Dogpatch
the intersection...excellent
vittles! In
In aa rustic, Li'l Abner
Abner setting).
setting).
Continueon
on H-58
H-58 an
an additional
additional
intersection ...excellent vittles!
. Continue
0.55 miles to
to Washington
Washington St.,
St., turn
turn left
left and
and proceed to Munising
Munising Falls
Falls visitors
visitors center
center parking lot
lot
(0.3 miles).
miles).
Munising Falls
Return to H-58 from the parking lot and
and proceed
proceed north
north 3.7
3.7miles
milesto
toMiners
MinersCastle
CastleRoad.
Road. Turn
left. Travel
Travel 4.9
4.9 miles
miles to
to the
the Miners
Miners Castle
Castle parking
parking lot.
Miners Castle
turn east (left).
(left). Travel 5.9 miles to the Bear Trap Inn, veer left to
to
Return to H-58 (4.9 miles) and turn
stay on H-58. End
End of
of pavement
pavement 4.4
4.4 miles
miles from the Bear Trap Inn. Continue
Continueto
to Kingston
Kingston Corner
Comer
junction (11.2
(1 1.2 miles).
Kingston Plain
Travel north on H-58 7.1 miles to the small 2-track road on the left. Proceed
Proceed about
about50
50yards
yardson
on
the road and park. Walk
Walk about
about 55 minutes
minutes due
due west (this
(this walk may be strenuous for some). We
We
will remain at this stop
for
about
½
hour
to
allow
time
to
walk
to
the
bottom
of
the
kettle.
stop
?h
NOTE: At 2.1 miles
miles drop-off
drop-off onto
ontosurface
surfaceB
B (Hughes).
(Hughes).
NOTE: At 6.7 miles
miles steep
steephill
hill marking
markingedge
edge of
of surface
surface C.
C.

Turtle Lake
Return to H-58 and continue north.
north. Travel 8.75 miles to the
the Log
Log Slide
SlideRoad.
Road. Turn north. Travel
Travel
0.75 miles to the
the Log
h g Slide
Slide parking lot.
139

�Log Slide
Slide
Return to H-58. Proceed
Proceed east.
east.

NOTE: At 3.7 miles, the Grand
Grand Sable
Sable dunes
dunes are
areon
onthe
theleft
left(north).
(north). At
At the
the intersection
intersection of
of
Newburg and William Hill roads, turn north on William Hill road and travel 0.7 miles to the
Sable Falls parking lot. Walk
Walkto
tothe
theGhost
Ghostforest
forest then
then to
to Sable
Sable Falls.
Falls.

Ghost Forest and
and Sable
Sable falls
Return to parking
parking lot
lot and
and travel
travel to
to Grand
Grand Marais
Marais (east).
(east),

harbor
Grand Marais harbor
Follow M77 to M28,
M28, turn
turn e,
e, follow
follow to
to US41,
US41, N
N to
to Marquette.
Marquette.

Meitwater
Meltwater channels
channels
Observe the outwash channels along M-77
appearance
M-77 as
as we
we proceed
proceed south.
south. The "terrace"-like appearance
of the topography is due
due to M77
M77 crossing
crossing proglacial meltwater
meltwater terraces at right angles.
angles.
Streamfiow was to the east. Note
Streamflow
Note the
the gentle
gentle southward
southward slope
slope of individual
individual terraces, marked by
drained, swampy
swampy areas
areas near
near their
their southern
southernedge.
edge.
poorly drained,
98 miles to Marquette. Sleep!
Sleep!

Grand Marais to M-28
M-28 south
south on
on M-77
M-77
West on M-28
M-28 to
to U.S.
U.S. 41
41
North on U.S. 41 to
to Marquette
Marquette

140

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rfiIrnCTMUSeUnt

_______

�and Pleistocene Geology
Geologyfrom
fromAu
AuTrain
Trainto
toGrand
Grand Marais,
Marais, Michigan
Michigan
Paleozoic and
(FIELD TRIP
#4)
(FIELD
TRIP#4)
by Robert S. Regis and John B.
B. Anderton
Anderton
Northern Michigan University
University

The geological history of the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore (PRNL)
(PRNL) is limited
limited to
to
intervals of geologic
two intervals
geologic time;
time; the Pleistocene
Pleistocene epoch
epoch when glaciers reworked
reworked and
and mantled
mantled the
the
underlying
underlying bedrock
bedrock with
with aa nearly
nearly continuous
continuous veneer
veneer of drift,
drift, and the
the late
late Proterozoic,
Proterozoic,Cambrian
Cambrian
and early Ordovician periods when sediments deposited in shallow seas became the
the sandstones
sandstones
that form the "pictured rocks" section
section of
of the
the lakeshore.
lakeshore.

Late
the Central Upper
Late ProterozoiclCambrian/Ordovician
Proterozoic/Cambrian/OrdovicianHistory of the
Peninsula
Peninsula including
including PRNL
PRNL
Hamblin (1958), who
who performed
performed a
Most material for this section was compiled from Hamblin
detailed study of the Cambrian rocks outcropping in the PRNL and elsewhere
elsewhere in northern
Michigan.
Michigan. The
The Paleozoic
Paleozoicgeologic
geologic history
history of
of the
the PRNL
PRNL is
is best described
described as
as aa period
period of
of eroding
eroding
highlands
highlands and sedimentary
sedimentary deposition
deposition into
into transgressing
transgressing empeiric
empeiric seas.
seas. The
The Northern
Northern Michigan
Michigan
Highlands
Highlands and the
the Wisconsin
Wisconsin Arch
Arch stood
stood as
as eroding
erodingremnants
remnants of
of former
former highlands
highlandsand
and
mountains, trending
east-west
across
northern
Michigan
and
more
north-south
across
Wisconsin,
trending
east-west
across
northern
Michigan
and
more
north-south
across
Wisconsin.
respectively. Encroaching
respectively.
Encroachingshallow
shallowseas
seas(the
(theSauk
Sauk transgression)
transgression) during
during the late Proterozoic
Proterozoic and
and
throughout
the
Cambrian
were
depositional
journey's
end
for
of
eroded
sediments.
the
journey's
most
the
sediments.
Bedrock
Bedrock is
is best
best exposed
exposed in
in the
the pictured
pictured rock
rock section
section where
where bluffs
bluffs rise
rise up
up to
to 200'
200' above
above
short
Lake Superior and extend seventeen miles from Munising to
to the
the Beaver
Beaver Basin.
Basin. For aa short
distance
distance inland from
from the
the escarpment,
escarpment, usually
usually no more than several
several hundred
hundred yards, bedrock may
may
occasional outcroppings.
outcroppings. Elsewhere
Elsewherein
in the
the National
National Lakeshore
Lakeshore bedrock is
is only
only found
found
be seen in occasional
in the vicinity of the
the Grand
Grand Sable
Sable bank, where
where it forms a low bluff around
around the
the north
north and
and east
east side
side
of Au Sable Point,
Point, and
and in
in the
the gorge
gorge at
at Sable
Sable Falls.
On this field trip, we will observe the rock
rock formations
formations in
in reverse
reverse order.
order. The first rocks
we will see are the youngest
youngest exposed in the
the park (western
(western end) and last rocks we see
see are
are the
oldest (eastern end). The
TheJacobsville
Jacobsvillesandstone,
sandstone,of
of questionable
questionablelate-Proterozoic
late-Proterozoicto
to lower
lower and
and
age, is
is the
the oldest
oldest formation
formation in
in the
the lakeshore
lakeshore (more
(more than 520,000,000
520,000,000years
years old).
old).
middle Cambrian age,
It is a feldspar-rich, quartz
quartz sandstone,
sandstone, deep
deep red in color
color with white mottlings. Although
Although the
the
Jacobsville has a thickness
thickness of
of 1100
1100feet,
feet, only
only the top several
several feet rise above
above lake level,
level, and
and only
only
Jacobsville
Onthis
thistrip,
trip,we
we will
will see
see the
the Jacobsville
Jacobsville at
at Sable
Sable Falls
Falls (Stop
(Stop 10).
10).
in the eastern part of the park. On
The early-to-middle
early-to-middle Cambrian-age
Cambrian-age Munising- formation underlies most of the
the lakeshore,
lakeshore,
mostof
and forms most
of the significant bedrock outcroppings in
in the
the park.
park. It lies unconformably on top
of the Jacobsville
Jacobsville sandstone. The
TheMunising
MunisingFormation
Formation isis divided
divided into
into two
two members,
members, the
the lower
lower
and 5)
5) members
members (500
(500 -Chapel Rock
Rock (Stops
(Stops 10
10and
and 5)
5) and
and the
the upper
upper Miners
Miners Castle
Castle (Stops
(Stops 44 and
520,000,000
520,000,000 years old).
old). Except
Except where
where the friable Miners Castle member is being rapidly
rapidly
undermined
by
wave
action
it
forms
slopes
rather
than
cliffs.
undermined
forms slopes rather
cliffs.
In the western half of the "pictured rocks" the late Cambrian Au Train formation
formation cropscropsout only along
the
top
edge
of
the
cliff
(480
The Au
Au Train
Train is
is aa light
light
along
edge
(480 500,000,000
500,000,000 years old). The
brown or white, hard, dolomitic
dolomitic sandstone
sandstone usually highly
present, it forms
forms a
highly glauconitic.
glauconitic. Where present,

-

142

�cap
cap rock
rock on
on the
the weaker
weaker Miners
Miners Castle
Castle member. We
Wewill
will observe
observethe
the"type
"type locality"
locality" of
ofthe
theAu
Au
Train
Trainformation
formationatatAu
AuTrain
TrainFalls
Falls(stop
(stop1)1)on
onthis
thisfield
fieldtrip.
trip.
All
All formations
formationsdip
diptoward
towardthe
thesouth
southaadegree
degreeor
ortwo
twoas
as shown
shownin
in the
thephoto
photohere
here(view
(viewisis
toward
toward the
the east).
east). All
Allthe
theformations
formationsalso
alsoarise
ariseeastward
eastwardso
sothat
thatthe
theAu
Au Train
Trainformation
formationisismissing
missing
east of
of Miners
MinersCastle
castlebut
but
east
the
the Jacobsville,
Jacobsville,which
whichisis
below
below lake
lake level
levelat
atMiners
Miners
Castle,
Castle,carries
carriesabove
abovelake
lake
level. East
Eastof
ofMiners
Miners
level.
beach,
it
is
well
exposed
beach, it is well exposed
beneath
beneath the
the conglomerate
conglomerateof
of
ChapelRock
Rockand
andin
inthe
the
Chapel
gorgeat
atSable
SableFalls.
Falls.
gorge
Thereare
aremany
many
There
waterfalls along
along the
the
waterfalls
escarpment
escarpmentformed
formed mostly
mostly
by the
the Au
Au Train
Trainformation,
formation,
by
but all
all are
arefed
fedby
by small
small
but
streamswith
with small
small
streams
watersheds and
and are
are only
only
watersheds
imposingin
in the
the spring
springand
and
imposing
during wet
wet periods.
periods.
during
MunisingFalls
Falls(stop
(stop4)
4) isis
Munising
view
View along
along the
thePictured
PicturedRocks
Rocksshowing
showing the
the Munisiug
Munisine formation
formation dipping
dipping to
to the
the
the most
most unusual
unusual and
and
the
south
south at
at aalow
lowangle.
angle.
interesting
of the
the falls.
falls. ItIt isis
interesting
- of
an
an extremely
extremelywell-developed
well-developedcap-rock
cap-rockwaterfall
waterfall with
withthe
the Au
Au train
train Formation
Formation forming
forming aa shelf
shelf that
that
overhangs
overhangs the
the Miners
Miners Castle
Castle member
member by
by 25
25 to
to 30
30 feet
feet permitting observers
observers to walk behind
behind the
the
torrent
torrent which
which falls
falls from
fromthe
the center
center of
of the
the overhang
overhang as
as aa concentrated
concentrated stream
stream and then
then descends
descends
another
another 30
30 to
to 40
40 feet
feet in
in aa series
series of cascades. AArecent
recent collapse
collapseof
of aa section
section of this formation
formation onto
onto
the
walkway
prompted
Park
officials
to
close
a
part
of
the
walkway.
Some
well
developed
the walkway
officials
of the walkway. Some
potholes
potholes may
may be seen
seen in the cataract section. Miners
MinersFalls
Falls has
has developed
developed where
where the Miners
Miners River
River
drops
from
the
upper
to
the
broad
lower
valley.
The
fall
is
vertical
and
about
30
feet
high.
drops from the upper to the broad lower valley. The fall is vertical and about 30 feet high.
Chapel
Chapel Falls
Falls isis fed
fed by
by aa tributary
tributary to
to Chapel
Chapel Lake
Lake that courses down the valley slope where there
is no cap rock. The
fall
is
a
long
cascade,
about
The fall is a long cascade, about 90
90 feet
feet high that broadens fan-like from ten feet
at the top
top to
to 30
30 feet
feet at
at the
the bottom.
bottom. Bridalveil
Bridalveil Falls
Falls and Spray
Spray Falls are formed where streams
streams fall,
fall,
about
90
feet,
directly
into
Lake
Superior,
adding
greatly
to
the
beauty
of
the
Pictured
Rocks.
At
about 90 feet, directly into Lake Superior,
of
At
Sable
Sable Falls,
Falls, the
the stream
stream draining
draining Grand
Grand Sable
Sable Lake
Lake cut into the Chapel Rock and Jacobsville
Jacobsville
formations
formations where
where they
they lie
lie beneath
beneath sand
sand dunes.
dunes. The
Thedeeply
deeplywooded
woodedsetting
settingisisexceptionally
exceptionally
beautiful
beautiful and
and is
is but
but aa short
shortwalk
walk from
from the
the lakeshore
lakeshore and
and the
the parking lot.
The
The Pictured
Pictured Rock
Rock escarpment
escarpmenthas
has been
been carved,
carved, by frost action and wave erosion
erosion of the
the
present
present lake,
lake, as
as well
well as
as higher
higher stages,
stages,into
into aa variety
variety of shore
shore cliff features
features such as: stacks,
stacks, caves,
caves,
sea arches, and promontories. These
Thesefeatures
features have
have been named:
named: Lovers
LoversLeap,
Leap,Rainbow
RainbowCave,
Cave,
Grand
Grand Portal,
Portal, Miners
Miners Castle,
Castle, Chapel
Chapel Rock,
Rock, The
The Battleships,
Battleships, Flower Vase and Indian Drum Cave.
Cave.
Most
Most of
of the
the features
features can
can be
be reached
reached by hiking but only Miners Castle is accessible
accessible by automobile.
The
The best way to appreciate
appreciate the cliffs
cliffs is by boat tour. Increased
Increased accessibility
accessibilityby
by land
land will
will not
not
diminish
diminish the
the advantage
advantageof
of viewing
viewingthe
thecliffs
cliffsfrom
fromthe
thewater.
water.
143

�Late Quaternary
QuaternaryHistory
Historyof
of the
the Central
CentralUpper
UpperPeninula
Peninulaincluding
includingPRNL
PRNL
The Great Lakes region experienced
experienced repeated glaciations
glaciations and concommittant
concommittant inundation
inundation
The
the Quaternary.
Quaternary. For
by proglacial lakes throughout the
For the
the purposes
purposes of
of this fieldtrip, the final major
(i.e. 11,800 BP)
BP) marks
marks the
the beginning
beginning of
of
deglaciation of the area during post-Twocreekan times (i.e.
is most
most relevant.
relevant. Between 11,800
the portion of Late Quaternary history that is
11,800and 11,500
11,500 the
Superior
covered the
the Upper Peninsula (Farrand and Drexler 1985).
Superior Ice Lobe nearly completely covered
1985).
By about 11,500
11,500 BP, retreating
retreating glacial ice, followed
followed closely by the high stands
stands of Glacial Lake
Lake
Futyma, 1981).
1981). The retreat of ice continued,
Algonquin, had nearly left the region (Larsen, 1987; Futyrna,
opening up large
portions
of
the
Lake
Superior
basin
in
what
is
large portions the Lake Superior
is known as
as Glacial
Glacial Lake
Lake Duluth
Duluth
(Phases A and B), allowing
allowing discharge
discharge from
from Glacial
Glacial Agassiz during
during Post Algonquin
Algonquin times
times (ca.
(ca.
10,700 BP); however, evidence of this period was largely obliterated by a final readvance of ice
into the Lake Superior
Superior basin. The
Theglacial
glacialreadvance
readvance is
is known
known as
as the
the Marquette
Marquette advance
advance (Drexler
(Drexler
et al. 1983).
1983).
Shoreline features created by these earlier lake stages in the Lake Superior
Superior basin were
Shoreline
largely destroyed during
during the Marquette
Marquette Advance (Hughes, 1978; Drexler, 1981;
1981; Farrand and
and
Drexler, 1985).
1985). By
Byabout
about9800
9800BP,
BP, the
theice
icehad
had begun
begun to
to retreat
retreat again,
again, resulting in a stepwise
stepwise
drop in lake
lake levels
levels which initiated
initiated the
the Post
Post Duluth
Duluth Phase
Phase lakes
lakes (Farrand
(Farrand and
and Drexler
Drexler 1985).
1985).
After about 9,800
BP,
Marquette
Advance
ice
had
retreated
far
enough
to
the
north
to
9,800
Marquette Advance ice
north to allow
allow lake
lake
water from the western part
part of Superior
Superior basin to drain eastward and southward,
southward, eventually
eventually
However, catastrophic
catastrophic discharge
discharge
creating the Main Minong Phase (Farrand and Dexler, 1985). However,
from Lake Agassiz early in the Nipigon Phase is thought to have breached a till barrier at
at the
the east
east
end of the Lake Superior
Superior basin,
basin, causing
causing aa decline
decline in Lake Minong resulting in at least
least five
five or
or six
six
Teller and
and Thorleifson,
Thorleifson, 1983). The
The
post-Minong levels
levels in the Superior
Superior basin (Farrand, 1960; Teller
lowering was finally
finally stopped
stopped as resistant
resistant bedrock at the Sault
Sault outlet
outlet was reached,
reached, culminating
culminatingat
at
the Houghton
Houghton Low around
around 8000
8000 BP,
BP, the
the lowest
lowest lake
lake phase in the Superior
Superiorbasin.
basin. Finally,
Finally, as
as the
the
ice left the south
south shore
shore of
of the
the basin,
basin, Glacial
Glacial Lake
Lake Minong formed
formed along the margins
margins of the
the
retreating glacier reaching
its
maximum
expression
by
about
9500
BP;
however,
shortly
reaching
expression
9500
shortly
afterwards
afterwards the retreating
retreating ice
ice front
front in the eastern
eastern Great Lakes revealed the isostatically depressed
depressed
known as
as the
the Houghton
HoughtonLow.
Low. During this
North Bay outlet, resulting in falling lake levels known
period, lake
lake levels
levels in the
the Superior
Superiorbasin dropped to their
their all
all time
time lowest
lowest elevation,
elevation, which
which may
may
their valley
valley channels.
channels. By about 8000 BP the bedrock
have allowed many rivers to deeply incise their
sill at the Sault
Sault acted
acted to
to halt
halt falling
falling lake
lake levels
levels in
in the
the Lake Superior
Superior basin; however,
however, by then
isostatic
isostatic uplift had
had acted
acted to
to raise
raise the
the elevation
elevation of
of the
the North Bay outlet,
outlet, resulting
resulting in rising
rising lake
lake
levels in the southern
southern basins.
Eventually,
Eventually, the
the rising
rising lake
lake levels
levels reached the elevation
elevation of the Sault
Sault Outlet
Outlet and
and lake
lake levels
levels
in the Superior
Superior basin began to gain in elevation. During
During this
this period,
period, known as
as the
the "Nipissing
"Nipissing
Great Lakes," water in the basins
basins of Lake Superior
Superior and Lakes Huron and Michigan joined
together to create
create one
one huge lake,
lake, which
which was controlled
controlled by the North Bay outlet.
Notwithstanding,
Notwithstanding, the
the North
North Bay
Bay outlet
outlet continued
continued to
to rise
rise and
and eventually
eventually lower
lower drainages
drainages to
to the
the
south became active
active commencing
commencing the three-outlet (Chicago,
(Chicago, Port Huron, and North Bay) phase of
Lake Nipissing (Nipissing
(Nipissing I),
I),which reached its maximum elevation between 4700 and 4000 BP
BP
(Hansel et al. 1985).
1985). During
Duringthe
the Nipissing
Nipissing Maximum,
Maximum, flooding
flooding of many tributary river valleys
embayments along the coastal areas of the Upper Peninsula (Anderton 1993a).
created large embayments
1993a).
The Nipissing II
IIphase, marking a slight drop in levels, was attained about 4000 years BP
as continued
continued isostatic
isostatic uplift
uplift raised the North Bay outlet above the altitude of the two southern
southern
II phase, lake-levels began to
outlets (Hansel et al. 1985,
1985, Larsen 1985b). Following
Following the
the Nipissing II

w

�fall as
as downcutting
downcuttingprogressively
progressively lowered
lowered the Port Huron outlet and water volumes fluctuated
fluctuated in
in
the
the basins.
basins. AAshort
shortpeak
peakininlake-levels
lake-levelsatatabout
about3200
3200BP
BPresulted
resulted in
in the
the Algoma
Algoma phase,
phase, but
but by
by
about 2200
2200 BP
BP lake-levels
lake-levels in
in the
the Lake
Lake Michigan-Huron basin had fallen below the elevation
elevation of
of
the
the rebounding
rebounding sill
sill at
at the
theSault,
Sault,separating
separatingthe
the Superior
Superiorbasin
basin from
from the
the lower
lowerGreat
Great Lakes
Lakesand
and
initiating
1960). Modern
Modem lake-levels
lake-levels in
in both the
the Lake Superior
Superior and Lake
initiating the Sault
Sault level (Farrand 1960).
Michigan-Huron
Michigan-Huronbasins
basinswere
werefinally
finallyattained
attainedby
byabout
about2000
2000years
yearsago.
ago.
Larsen
Larsen (1985),
(1985), working
working in the
the southern
southern portions of the Lake Michigan-Huron basins, has
has
also
also proposed an
an alternative
alternativemodel
model of
of Holocene
Holocene lake-level
lake-level fluctuations,
fluctuations, which suggests
suggests aa
complex
record
of
climate-related
changes
that
lasted
between
200
and
300
years
complex record of climate-related changes that lasted between 200 and 300 years each
each and
and
fluctuated
fluctuated with
with an
an amplitude
amplitudeof
of 11to
to 22 meters above the apparent mean lake level. In
In the
the last
last
7000
7000 years at least
least eight
eight episodes
episodes of high water periods separated by intervening low water
periods are
are recognized
recognized (Larsen
(Larsen 1985).
1985).
periods

Stop 1. Au
Au Train
TrainFormation
Formationat
atAu
Au Train
TrainFalls
Falls
At
At Au
Au Train
Train Falls,
Falls, aa 30
30 meter
meter thick
thick section
section of the 100
100 meter thick early Ordovician
Ordovician Au
Train Formation (aka Trempealeau Formation) is exposed.
exposed. The
The formation consists
consists of 2 parts, the
upper and lower members. At
Atthis
thisstop,
stop,we
we will
will examine
examine the
the lower
lower section
section at the lower
lower falls,
falls, and
walk to
to an overview
overview of
of the
the upper
upper section,
section, which is
is exposed about 200
200 meters upstream,
upstream, but is
is
relatively inaccessible.
inaccessible. The
TheAu
Au Train
TrainFormation
Formation lies
lies unconformably
unconformably upon the Munising
Formation,
Formation, and
and is
is representative
representative of
of the
the
continued
continued Sauk
Sauk sea
sea marine
marine
transgression
transgression that
that began
began in
in the
the late
late
Proterozoic. The
environment
of
The environment of
depositionwas
was aa shallow
shallow shelf
shelf
deposition
platform
platform with
with fluctuating
fluctuatingsea
sea levels.
levels.
Paleogeographically,
Paleogeographically,the
theregion
region was
was
equatorial with
with the
the equator
equatortrending
trending
equatorial
nearly north-south
north-south compared
compared to
to
nearly
modern
modem orientation.
orientation.
Note the
the step-like
step-like character
character of
falls (also
(also in
in the
the upper
upperfalls)
falls)
the falls
created by the alternating
alternating layers
layers of
of dolomite,
dolomite, shale,
shale, and
and sandstone
sandstoneof
of varying
varyingdegrees
degrees of
of
resistance. Near
areaaseries
seriesof
ofthin
thinbeds
bedsof
of glauconitic
glauconiticsandstone
sandstone
Nearthe
thebase
baseofofthe
thelower
lowerfalls
fallsare
(hydrous
(hydrous silicate
silicate of iron
iron and potassium)
potassium) and shale. Glauconite
Glauconiteisisdisseminated
disseminatedas
asflakes
flakes
throughout the sandstone.
sandstone.Glauconite
Glauconite comprises
comprises as much as 35% of some beds in the lower
lower
Individual
beds
Individual
beds vary
vary
section
and
imparts
a
speckled
green
to
dark
green
color
to
the
formation.
section and imparts a speckled green to dark green color to the formation.
from pure sandstone
sandstone to pure dolomite (Hamblin, 1958). Dolomitic
Dolomitic beds are
are bluish gray in color.
An intraformational
conglomerate(?)
with
pebbles
of
sandstone
and
dolomitic
intraformational conglomerate(?)
dolomitic sandstone
sandstone are
are
found in a few of the units near the base of
of the section (see
(see cross
cross section
sectionon
onnext
nextpage).
page). At the
base of the lower
lower Au
Au Train,
Train, the
the contact
contact with the underlying Miners Castle member of the
Munising Formation is easy to recognize because the friable sandstone is quite
quite different in
Munising
appearance from the hard, resistant dolomitic sandstone
sandstone of the Au Train. Fossils are rare in the
formations. Following deposition of the Au Train
Au Train but become abundant in later formations.
Formation was
was aa minor
minor regression
regression that
that formed
formed an
an unconformity.
unconformity.
145

�eq

a.

a
Cl)

I-

a
a
Cl)

�Footage
Footage

Section
section

-

top
Upper
Train
rep of
of ~
m Au
AU
s~
r r i nr7.11.
a n
Sandy
grayi.h..blu. to
to dark
4-10 Inch*.
inches [hick.
thick, some
M d y dolomite,
dtilmnitq, grayi#h-blu.
dark blue,
h h Ã §b.ds
bed# 4-10
miu interbedded
buff
fin., ttoo mediurn.grained
1
iwft finemedium-grained sandstone
Â¥andÃ§tounits.
ualte, .everal
Â¥Â¥vr horizons contain
contain abundant

• '/.
120
120

Description
Detcription of
of lithology
lithology

,1auconite and
and a
uthl'enic
pyrite
authigenic
pyrite
Iglauconit.
Olagco.ddc
Gl.ueonldc

.

Sand.tone
bed6""thick,
S u d i t o i r bed
thick, buff
buff to
to light gray, medium- to flne-grain.d,
fine-grxincd, well
wellrounded
rounded
well sorted
and well
sorted
Sand.tone
bed, same
above
S
a d i t o n e bad,
#Â¥mas above
110
110

Sandstonebed,
bed, mame
same ,a.iabove
SuidÃ§ton
above

Ito
110

Authigenic pyrite filling vu ge
Pure dolomite

I::.:
•

90
90

-

:1
Highly glauconitic

Authigenic pyrite filling wg.
80
80

70
70

-

Sandstoneb ibed
thick,finefine-totomedium-(rained,
medium-grained,buff
bufftotolight
light gny,
gray, well rounded
thick,
rounded
SkndatonÃ
d 8"8"
sad
well
a dw
e l l sorted
sorted

_

Abundant tuthigenic pyrite

-: •

-

60

60

Highly glauconitic

of UppÃ§
Upper An
Au Train
Train FP41.
1Base
!am ef
dln

interysi
(Covered
:overed interval

-

50.
50

40
40

-

betweenUpper
Upperaud
andLowr
LowerAu
AuTrain
Train fills
Falls
between

-2

and" dolomite
thick,generally
generally
Sandy
dolomit,to
todolomitic
dolomiticsanditone,
sandstone,buff
bufftotobluish-#ray,
bluieh-gray,bÃ§d
beds2"-t"
2"-" thick,
separated
by thin
thin !.me*
lenses of
of silt
silt or
c p r t t e d by
or clay,
clay, bedding
bedding planes
plane* are
ere undulatory,
undulatory, percent of sand
sand
b e
' Ã § r lthroughout
throughout
Ã
the section,
#action, glauconite
gluuconit. extremely
extremelyabundant
abundant mmpeclaily
vane,
the
especially near the base
GlauconitÃ
Glauconit. and clay galls
Crest of
of 1.ow.r
lower Au Train
Train Falls
CrÃ§s
Fall.

30
30

Olauconit. concentrated along several horizons, sandy units ezhitat email-scale
croci bedding, thin shale lense. separate unite

20
20

10
10

00

-

_

_

Clauconite is
is extremely
10-30 percent
percent of
of many
many
extremely abundant
abundant as iitt conslitutee
Gl*ucÃˆnit
coirtltu1.m between
bÃ§twÃ§10-30
unit.
thin uaite

Had, weather, dark brown, beds Iron.
thick, several horizons contain
pebbles of .and.tone and dolomitic .sndstone which ,.pparently constitute an
intraformational conglomerate
IBase of Lower Au Train F'41s

Columnar
Columnarsection
sectionofofthe
theAu
AuTrain
TrainFormation
FormationatatAu
AuTrain
Trainfalls
falls(1-tamblin,
[Hamblin, 1958)
1958)
147
147

�Stop
Stop 2. Au
Au Train-Whitefish
Train-WhitefishChannel,
Channel, Barrier,
Barrier,and
andBeach
BeachRidge
RidgeComplex
Complex
Train Whitefish
Whitefish Channel
Channel
Au Train
The
The Whitefish-Au
Whitefish-Au Train
Train Channel
Channel isis aa former
formerproglacial
proglacial lake
lake spillway
spillwaythat
that drained
drainedacross
across
the
the central
central Upper
Upper Peninsula.
Peninsula. From
FromLittle
LittleBay
BayDe
DeNoc,
Noc,north
northto
toAu
Au Train
TrainBay
Bay on
on Lake
Lake Superior,
Superior,
kilometers
the
channel
is
over
60
kilometers
(36
miles)
in
length
and
ranges
between
about
2.5
the channel is over 60 kilometers (36 miles) in length and ranges between about 2.5 kilometers
(1.5 miles) to 6.7
6.7 kilometers
kilometers (4
(4 miles)
miles) in width. The
TheWhitefish
WhitefishRiver,
River,aatributary
tributaryto
to Little
LittleBay
Bay De
De
Noc,
Noc, drains
drains the
the southern
southerntwo-thirds
two-thirds of
of the
the Channel.
Channel. The
Thenorthern
northernthird
thirdisisdrained
drainedby
bythe
theAu
Au
Train
Train River,
River, aa tributary
tributary to
to Lake
Lake Superior.
Superior. Most
Mostof
ofthe
thechannel
channelbottom
bottomisisunderlain
underlainby
by thin
thin
deposits of
of gravel
gravel or
or till
till over
over bedrock.
bedrock.
deposits
The
The lowlands
lowlands of
of the
the Au
Au Train-Whitefish
Train-WhitefishChannel
Channel were
were first
first noted
notedby
by Foster
Fosterand
andWhitney
Whitney
(1851),
(1851), but itit was
was Winchell
Winchell (1871)
(1871) who
who interpreted
interpreted the feature as a meltwater spillway. Russell
Russell
(1904),
(1904), however, identified
identified the
the channel
channel sides
sides as
as kame
kame terraces
terraces having
having been
been deposited
deposited by
by aa thin
thin
lobe of ice that had stretched
stretched across the Upper Peninsula. The
The channel
channel has
has since
since been
been studied
studied by
by
a number
(1929), Hough
Hough (1958),
(1958), Drexler
Drexler et
et al.
al. (1983),
(1983), Farrand
Farrand and
and
number of workers
workers including
including Leverett
Leverett (1929),
Drexler (1985),
(1985), and Hughes
Hughes (1990).
(1990). Incidently,
Incidently,Leverett
Leverett (1929)
(1929) indicates
indicates that during
during the 1920s,
1920s,
government
government engineers
engineers considered
considered cutting
cutting aa ship
ship canal
canal through
through the
the Au
Au Train-Whitefish
Train-WhitefishChannel
Channel
and connecting
connecting Lake
Lake Superior
Superior to
to Lake
Lake Michigan, thus avoiding
avoiding the Sault
Sault Locks.
According to Hughes (1990),
(1990), the Au Train-Whitefish Channel reached its
its full expression
expression
According
during
during the Marquette
Marquette Advance
Advance about 10,000
10,000 BP. At
At this
this time,
time, lake
lakelevels
levels in
in the
the Lake
Lake MichiganMichiganHuron basins
as retreating
retreating ice
ice had revealed
revealed the
the
basins were
were extremely
extremely low
low (Chippewa-Stanley
(Chippewa-Stanley Low) as
isostatically
isostatically depressed
depressed North
North Bay
Bay outlet,
outlet, allowing
allowing water
water to nearly drain from the southern
southern basins.
basins.
Before,
Before, during,
during, and,
and, for
for an
an unknown
unknown period
period after
after the
the Marquette
Marquette Advance,
Advance, proglacial
proglacial lake
lake water
water
drained across the central
Upper
Peninsula
to
the
lower
lakes,
creating
the
Au
Train-Whitefish
central Upper Peninsula
lakes, creating
Train-Whitefish
Channel. Hughes
Hughes(1990)
(1990)has
hassuggested
suggestedthe
the Channel
Channel extends
extends under Little Bay De Noc and Green
Bay to a large, Chippewa-level
off the east
east side
side of
of the
the Door
Door Peninsula.
Peninsula. The
Chippewa-level delta submerged off
The
Channel was abandoned
abandoned at
at around
around 9700
9700 BP when retreating
retreating ice allowed
allowed lake water to reach the
the
Sault Outlet
Outlet on the
the east
east end
end of
of the
the Superior
Superior basin.
Barrier
Au Train Barrier
During Nipissing
Nipissing times,
times, lake
lake water
water flooded
flooded some
some 66 kilometers
kilometers (3.6 miles)
miles) into
into the
the
northern end of the
the Au Train-Whitefish
Train-Whitefish Channel
Channel creating
creating Au Train Relict
Relict Bay, which is
is one
one of
of
Nipissing II wave-cut bluffs
the largest Nipissing embayments in the central Upper
Upper Peninsula.
Peninsula. Nipissing
and cliffs, cut
cut in bedrock
bedrock and
and unconsolidated
unconsolidated sediments
sediments at
at 192
192meters,
meters, rim much
much of
of the
the east
east and
and
west sides
of
the
former
embayment;
however,
in
places
along
the
southeast
fringes,
the
shoreline
sides the former embayment;
southeast fringes, the shoreline
is less developed, appearing
by eolian
eolian activity.
activity. In fact, small relict
appearing to have been modified by
along the
the southeast
southeast side of Au
foredunes may be present along
Au Train Lake.
Lake. A massive mid-bay barrier
extends
extends from
from northwest
northwest of
of Paulson
Paulson Lake,
Lake, east
east to
to Joel
Joel Creek,
Creek, forming
forming the
the northern
northern boundary
boundary of
of
modern Au Train Lake. The
Thebarrier,
barrier, having
having an
an elevation
elevation of 186
186 meters on its north side
side and 189
189
its south
south side,
side, reaches
reaches an
an elevation
elevation at
at its
its crest
crest between 195
195 and
and 192
192 meters
meters and
and aa
meters on its
maximum elevation
dune remnant.
remnant. In
elevation of 201 meters on what appears to be a dune
In places,
places, the barrier
severely eroded
eroded by
by the
the Au
Au Train
Train River.
River.
has been severely
The barrier
barrier created
created aa huge
huge lagoon
lagoon between the barrier proper and the southern
southern rim of
of the
the
The
bay, now occupied
occupiedby
byAu
Au Train
TrainLake,
Lake, Paulson
Paulson Lake,
Lake, and surrounding
surrounding wetlands. Based on the
depth of Au Train
Train Lake
Lake (USDA,
(USDA, 1938),
1938),during
during Nipissing II times,
times, the lagoon would have
have had
had aa
maximum
maximum depth
depth of
of at
at least
least7.5
7.5 meters
meters (25
(25feet),
feet), an
an average
average depth
depth of 33 to
to 44 meters
meters (9.8
(9.8 to
to 13
13feet),
feet),
miles). Drainage may have exited from the
and covered about 6 square kilometers (2 square miles).
148
148

�Au Train
Lake

$Iapnck Cr.

AU TRAIN-

CisySand Cliffs
Baa n

SPI LLWAY
Cr.

WhIt.fish P.

SCALE
SCALE
kilomstsrs
I

a

,

j

I

0

-I

$

IQ

Ovation In ff11 vs

Little
Bay Do Noc

AuTrain-Wiifeflsh Spiliway
AuTrain-Whitefish
Spillway (Hughes,
(Hughes, 1971)
1971)
149

�D

Moraines and channels in the Marquette area and the Eben-Chatham channels (Hughes, 1971)

�SUBMARINE VALLEY

IN
IN THE
THE FLOOR
FLOOR

OF GREEN
GREEN BAY
BAY

I
11

SCALE

I.
I.

ItI•
KIlO S•I SI I

SSIk,Ic lIt,SI - S S4—•

151

�lagoon on its
its northeast
northeast corner
comer near
near the
the eastern
eastern end
end of
of the
the Au
Au Train
Train Barrier
Barrier or
or at
at some
somemidmidposition breach in the barrier, where the Au Train River runs through today.
today. Nipissing
Nipissing II
IIlevels
levels
may have modified the
the northern
northern edge
edge of the
the barrier, which is
is at an
an elevation
elevation of
of 186
186meters.
meters.

Au Train
TrainBeach
BeachRidge
Ridge Complex
Complex
The
The Au Train
Train Beach
Beach Ridge
Ridge Complex
Complex occupies
occupies the
the area
area between
between the
the barrier
barrier and
and the
the
modern
shoreline
of
Lake
Superior.
The
complex
is
composed
of
some
50
separate
recessional
modem shoreline
Superior. The complex is composed of some 50 separate recessional
ridges which form a compact, arcuate shaped "corrugated plain"
plain' as first
first termed by Bergquist
Bergquist
(1936).
The
rIdges,
which
range
in
elevation
between
186
and
184
meters,
are
currently
being
(1936). The ridges, which range in
186
184
eroded
eroded by Lake
Lake Superior,
Superior, which has
has created
created an irregular
irregular line of actively forming coastal
coastal
foredunes on the northern end of the complex. The
The Au
Au Train
Train River has also
also meandered through
the ridges
ridges resulting
resulting in
in erosion
erosion and
and truncation,
truncation, suggesting
suggesting that
that the
the river's
river's present
present course
course isis
relatively recent. The
Theridges
ridgesare
areparallel
parallel to
toeach
each other,
other, and
and there
there is
is no
no evidence
evidence of cross-cutting
cross-cutting
relationships,
relationships, indicating
indicatingfluctuating
fluctuatinglake
lake levels.
levels.

Grand Island/Powell
Stop 3. Grand
Island/PowellPoint
Point Scenic
Scenic Overlook
moraine. The
This stop
stop is on the crest of a Marquette Advance moraine.
The overlook
overlook affords
affords aa view
view
of Grand Island,
Island, Grand island
Island Harbor,
Harbor, Murray Bay, and Sand Point. Sand Point, a large cuspate
spit, is visible in the east channel of Grand Island Harbor.
Harbor. The
The spit,
spit, which ranges in elevation
elevation
between 185
185 and 183
183 meters, appears
appears to
to have formed in post-Nipissing times,
times, and
and is
is still
still being
being
actively modified by wave-action
wave-action from
from Lake
Lake Superior.
Superior. It is composed of a number of lesser
bathers that
deve]opment of
of the
the spit. A
sandy barriers
that appear
appear to
to have
have created smaller
smaller lagoons during the development
A
massive Nipissing
I,
wave-cut
bluff
at
192
meters
is
present
along
the
southeast
side
of
the
spit,
192
southeast side the spit,
Nipissing I,
which extend
extend to the
the northeast
northeast from
marking the start of the modem cliffs of the Pictured Rocks, which
Sand Point.
Point.
On Grand Island,
Island, Nipissing
Nipissing I wave-cut bluffs developed in bedrock at 192
192 meters
meters rim
rim
much of the southern portions of island. Wave-cut
Wave-cut caves,
caves, shoreline
shorelinestacks
stacks and
and arches,
arches, and pocket
pocket
shoreline along
beaches are present along the Nipissing I shoreline
along the west side of Murray Bay. WaveWavecut bluffs at 192
192 meters
meters rim portions
portions of the
the Island's
Island's western high ground, known locally as
as the
the
Thumb.
Thumb. AAwell-developed
well-developedsystem
systemof
ofstream
streamgullies
gullieshas
has dissected
dissected the
the eastern
eastern hillsides
hillsides of
of the
the
main lobe of the island, as well as much of the hillsides on
on the
the Thumb.
Thumb. These
These narrow,
narrow, deep
deep
incised valleys end abruptly
at
the
Nipissing
I
shoreline,
indicating
that
they
formed
in
preabruptly
shoreline,
Nipissing, Houghton Low times
Nipissing,
times when stream
stream base levels were extremely
extremely low.
Cuspate
Cuspate barriers
barriers grading
grading from the Nipissing I bluffs to about 186
186 meters are
are also
also visible
visible
on Grand Island. The
Cuspate Bather,
Barrier,which
which isis located
located
Themost
most obvious
obvious of
of these is the Duck
DuckLake
Lake Cuspate
on the east side of the main lobe of the island. ItIt isis composed
composed of
of a number
number of large ridges
ridges that
trend east to west on the south side, and north to south on the east
east side of
of the
the barrier.
barrier. Duck
Duck Lake,
Lake,
a small inland lake,
lake, is
is aa lagoon
lagoon remnant
remnant associated
associated with the
the barrier. The
The Muskrat
Muskrat Point
Point Cuspate
Cuspate
Bather,
Barrier, formed
formedoff
off the
the southwestern
southwestern end
end of
of the
the Thumb, also contains a lagoon remnant, now a
small swampy pond. Wave
Waveaction
actionfrom
fromLake
Lake Superior
Superiorhas
has eroded the southeastern
southeastern tip of the
the
Duck Lake Cuspate
Cuspate Barrier, the
the southern
southern limb
limb of the
the Muskrat
Muskrat Point
Point Cuspate
Cuspate Barrier,
Barrier, and
and the
the
southeastern
southeastern tip
tip of
of the
the Williams
WilliamsLanding
Landing Spit,
Spit, exposing
exposing imbricated
imbricated gravel
gravel and
and cobble
cobble beds
beds in
in
both cases. These
Theseeroded
erodedareas
areasshow
showup
upas
ashigh,
high, sandy
sandy bluffs
bluffs along
along the modern shoreline.
The Grand Island Beach Ridge Complex, a complex of at least 25 beach ridges ranging
ranging in
tombolo between the Thumb
Thumb and
and the
the main
main part
part
elevation between 186
186 and 183.5
183.5 meters,
meters, forms a tombolo
of the island. 1i
Inplaces
placeson
onthe
thesouthern
southernedge
edgeof
of the
the complex,
complex, beach
beach ridges are submerged by
152
1 52

�Stops 3 &amp; 4

Stop 5
153

�Lake Superior,
Superior, while
while the
the northern
northern edge
edge is
is currently
currently being eroded
eroded by the modern
modem lake,
lake, creating
creating
small coastal foredunes
foredunes along
along Trout
Trout Bay.
of Grand Island
Island presents
presents an
an enigma.
enigma. Some
A steep cliff visible high on the west side of
Some
workers (Don
and
Eschman,
1971)
have
suggested
it
is
a
wave-cut
bluff
from
Lake
Algonquin.
(Dorr and Eschman, 1971) have suggested it is a
However, such
such aa feature
feature would
would have
have been
been destroyed
destroyed during
during the
the Marquette
Marquette Advance.
Advance.
Alternatively,
the
escarpment
may
be
a
remnant
of
an
ice
marginal
stream
channel
Alternatively,
escarpment may
stream channel created
created during
during
the retreat of Marquette
Marquette Advance
Advance ice
ice or
or itit may
may have been created
created by headward
headward erosion
erosion and
and retreat
retreat
of a caprock on the
the highest
highest portions
portions of
of Grand
Grand Island.
Island.

Stop 4. Munising
Munising Falls
Falls
At Munising falls, the Au Train Formation (see
(see stop
stop 11for
for a more complete
complete description)
description)
meters thick. Conformably
forms a resistant
resistant caprock
caprock of
of dolomitic
dolomitic sandstone
sandstoneabout
about 55 meters
Conformably below is the
weaker Miners Castle member of the Munising Formation, which has
has been
been undercut
undercut to
to form
form a
steep high-walled valley. Munising
MunisingCreek
Creek plunges
plunges 10
10meters
meters over
over the
the falls
falls in
in its
its short
short journey to
to
Lake Superior. At
plunge pools.
pools. They were
At the
the base
base of
of the
the falls
falls are
are several potholes and plunge
abraded into the sandstone
sandstone by
by hard cutting
cutting tools
tools carried from
from the overlying
overlying caprock
caprock and
and from
from
glacial drift. Visitors
Visitorsused
usedtotowalk
walkbehind
behindthe
thefalls,
falls,underneath
underneath the
the overhanging
overhanging caprock,
caprock, but
but aa
recent collapse
collapse of aa section
section onto
onto the
the walkway
walkway prompted
prompted park officials
officials to
to close
close that
that part
part from
from the
the
general
general public.
public.
The Munising
Munising formation
formation represents
represents aa transgression
transgression of
of the
the shallow
shallow Sauk
Sauk sea
sea onto
ontothe
themidmidcontinent region in Cambrian
Cambrian time. The
Theupper
upper Miners
MinersCastle
Castle Member
Member isis aa light
light gray
gray to
to white
white
colored, poorly
poorly sorted,
sorted, cross-bedded sandstone
sandstone that comprises
comprises the
the upper
upper 30
30 meters
meters of
of the
the
Munising Formation. In the lower part of the member, thin
thin lenses
lenses of
of blue
blue shale
shale are
are common,
common, but
but
become scarce
scarce in the
the upper
upper portions.
portions. Quartz
Quartz grains
grains dominate
dominate the
the lithology
lithology (&gt;95%)
(&gt;95%) of
of the
the Miners
Miners
Castle member,
member, with feldspar comprising most of the remainder. Most
Most quartz
quartz grains
grains exhibit
exhibit
straight extinction and are likely of igneous origin.
origin. ItIt is
is not
not uncommon to find
find 1-3
1-3 cm
cm thick
thick beds
beds
of shale alternating with 10cm
10 cmthick
thickbeds
bedsof
of coarse
coarsesandstone
sandstoneand
and even
even conglomerate!
conglomerate! Especially
Especially
in the lower parts of the Miners Castle member. Higher
Higher up in the member,
member, fewer beds of shale
and conglomerate
conglomerate are
are found,
found, and
and beds
beds consist
consist mostly
mostly of well-sorted,
well-sorted, cross-bedded sandstones
sandstones
with a greater degree of mineralogical and textural
textural maturity.
maturity. Some
Some individual
individual beds are
are quartz
quartz
arenites, but in sum the formation
formation is poorly sorted. Quartz
Quartzisis also
also the
the dominant
dominant cementing
cementing agent,
agent,
but with only
only slight
slight secondary
secondary enlargement of the detrital
detrital grains,
grains, it is porous
porous and
and friable.
friable.
Authigenic
Authigenic pyrite
pyrite is
is common
common enough
enough in
in some
some of the middle
middle beds that it is
is megascopically
megascopically
discernable. Discussion
Discussionof
ofthe
theMiners
MinersCastle
Castlemember
member continues
continuesat
at the
the next
next stop.
stop.

Stop
Stop 5.
5. Miners
Miners Castle
This stop
stop examines
examines the
the type locality
locality of the Miners Castle member of the Munising
Munising
formation (see description in stop 4). Sedimentary
structures
such
as
mud
cracks
(mostly
Sedimentary structures
as
(mostly in the
shale beds), ripple marks
marks and cross
cross bedding
bedding (as seen at this stop) suggest an alternating
alternating
fluvialllacustrine environment of deposition. Significantly,
fluvial/lacustrine
Significantly,the ripple marks and cross bedding in
the Miners Castle
Castle member
member indicate
indicate aa transport
transport direction
direction from the east-northeast,
east-northeast, as
as opposed
opposed to
to
the northwesterly transport direction
direction measured in the older Chapel Rock member (see
(see figure
figure
illustrating cross-bedding directions). The
The abrupt
abrupt change
change in
in transport
transport directions
directions in the two
members provides
provides further
further evidence
evidence of an unconformity that separates
separates them. The change
change in
transport direction also
also suggests
suggests that
that the
the Wisconsin Arch and the
the Northern Michigan
Michigan highlands,
highlands,
1544
15

�Miners Castle
Castle Member
Member of the Munising Formation
Au Train
Train Formation
Formation
dolomitic, yellow-brown, coarse-and
coarse-and medium
medium grained with much
148 'Sandstone, very
very dolomitic,
148
' -152'
152' Sandstone,
very coarse and little fine,
fine, scattered
scattered very
veryfine
fineand
andfine
finequartz
quartzpebbles.
pebbles. Some
irregularly bedded.
bedded. Some large
zones conglomeritic. Massive
Massive bedded and irregularly
sandstone
sandstone pebbles.
pebbles.
Munising
Formation, Miners
Munising Formation.
Miners Castle
Castle Member
Member
144' - 148'
148'
Sandstone,
144'
Sandstone, light
light yellow gray, medium grained
grained with much fine
fine and
and aa little
little fine,
fine,
even bedded and thin-medium
thin-medium beds.
Another bed as above
above
140' - 144'
haccessible
122' - 140'
Inaccessible
Light yellow-gray sandstone, coarse and very coarse grained with a trace of
121'- 120'
granules. Cross-bedded
Cross-beddedin
inmedium-thin
medium-thin beds.
beds.
Light yellow-gray sandstone medium to fine grained with traces
traces of granules.
granules.
115'- 121'
bedding. Poorly sorted with much fine
Medium - thick bedded with cross bedding.
material in lower foot
foot of bed.
112' - 115'
coarse to
to medium
medium grains.
grains. Trace
Light yellow gray sandstone, coarse
Trace of granules.
Massive, cross
cross bedded.
111' -112'
Light yellow gray sandstone, poorly sorted with sizes ranging from silt
silt to
to
granules. Abundant
Abundant limonite
limonite staining. Appears
Appears to
to be
be burrowed. Narrow
Narrow ledge.
ledge.
108' - 111'
Light brown gray sandstone. Medium to coarse grained
grained with much
much fines.
fines.
Massive. Trace
Traceof
of granules.
granules.
Light yellow gray sandstone. Poorly
Poorly sorted
sorted with grains
grains ranging from silt
silt to
to
106' - 108'
granules. Abundant
Abundantburrows
burrowsbest
bestseen
seenfrom
from overhangs.
overhangs.
103' - 106'
Light yellow brown sandstone. Medium
Medium to
to coarse
coarse grained
grained with
with few
few granules.
granules.
Massive bedded.
Massive
bedded.
Same as above
above except
except more silty and abundant
abundant burrows.
99' - 103'
95' - 99'
gray sandstone.
sandstone. Silty
Light yellow gray to gray
Silty medium to fine grained with thin beds
of red, blue and green shale. Poorly
Poorly sorted.
sorted.
40' - 95'
gray sandstone.
sandstone. Poorly sorted to well
well sorted beds.
beds. The
Light yellow gray
The upper
upper part,
part,
of medium to fine grained
beginning at the top of Miners Castle pinnacle, consists of
wed
wee1sorted
sortedbeds
beds of
of sandstone,
sandstone,interbedded
interbedded with
with poorly
poorly sorted
sorted beds
beds of
of sandstone
sandstone
containing abundant silt and thin beds of silty shale, and conglomeritic beds with
silty shale pebbles. The
The upper
upper 66 feet contains burrowed beds. At
At 10-12
10-12feet
feet
below the top, are
prominent
poorly
sorted,
shaly,
conglomeritic
and
cross
are prominent
conglomeritic and cross bedded
bedded
sandstones.
sandstones.
20' - 40'
Gray sandstone. Poorly
Poorlysorted,
sorted,medium
medium grained
grained with
with abundant
abundant thin
thin blue
blue shale
shale
partings.
Some
conglomerate.
Cross
bedded.
Some
conglomerate.
Cross
bedded.
10' - 20'
Light yellow gray sandstone, coarse
coarse grained,
grained, well
well sorted.
sorted. Contains
Contains clay pebbles.
pebbles.
Formation, Chapel
Munising Formation,
Chapel Rock Member
Light yellow gray sandstone. Medium
0'
0' -- 10'
10'
Medium to
to fine
fine grained
grained with
with aa trace
trace of
of coarse,
coarse, wellwellsorted sandstaone. Cross
Cross bedded.
bedded.
Lake Level
183 m (602')
Level == 183
(602')
155

�+

Inland—0Prairie du
du Chlen
Chien inland

PJI
members arise to
to the
the east
east so that
that JacobsvllIe
All members
Jacobsville
is
above lake
Is above
lakelevel
levelat
atGrand
GrandMarais
Maraisand
andthe
theAu
AuTrain
Train
fornialion
formationIsismissing
missingfrom
fromThe
the top
top of
ofcliffs,
cliffs.

—

7

a

—— ——

-

-

Unconformity

- -I- —- ——
Light brown, hard, dolomilic
sandstone. Giauconillc.

Au Train Formation

Resistant
Resistant
A

Upper 5-12
5-12 meters
meters
Upper
Moderate
Moderateto
tovery
vewdoiomitlc
doiommcwttti
with
O L O gronJies
~
on0
pebDie5.
qUarlz
granuies
and pebbles.
Burrowed
br the
ELnowea "for
tnebirdC
Diros"

i

Soft
riable ,,poorly
pooW sorted
sorted
Soft, ffriable
silty
silly, shaM
shov, sandstone, often
often
cross-bedded.
cross-bedded,
Light yellow-gray
color
Light
yellow-gray color
imparted
importedby
bylimonite.
llmontte.(In
(In
varying
varying amounts
amounts

Miners Castle Member
C

0

About 3Dm to lake

0

U-

0)
C
Cl,

C

0'

A

———

_Uo9rmjy_

——

Pink. light
Pink,
Ughtbuff
buffto
to brown,
brown, medium
medium
omoquommcsandstone.
sandstone.
grainedorthoquartzWc
grained
Thin
blue shale
shale beds
beds 2-3
2-3cm
Thin blue
cmthick.
thick.
Mudcracks
Mudcrocksininshale
shalebeds.
beds.

""bdsôh"é'(°h€ri Uórtz
quartzite, and chert w/minor amounts
of siate, BiF, basalt and granite)

Chapel Rock Memberô a

—————a——
c

b

a

Jacobsville
Jacobsville Formation
Formation

I

-

—a———

a

I

Nigular unconformity

Nkosic
to
Arkosic quartz
quartz sandstone.
sandstone. Red
Redto
red-brown
abundant mottles
red-brownwith abundant
mottles
and
where
on0sireaks,
s ~ ~ o &lt; sespecially
es~ecioirv
.
wnere
permeable.
Th cmessvaries
vanesgrecztts
greatly,
Denneooie.Thickness
from &gt; 1m to 500 m,
from&gt;lmtoSOOm.

�____________________________________________________________________________________

Ga rat Zircon

looter,

5.çtton

Dcecflptioaotltthotogy

ntis
0

I

DeIsmilic ttnd.tae. light brown, Very resistant
3ssso1 kU TRAIN formation tencanlormity
•

•

ISO

''.•.'

Top of MUNISINC t.rmatlea Miner's C..tj. nwmb.r
teStIsa. .Mte, m.dlwn-grasn.4, friable, ma.!,. badtsg (I' tot thick),
fonti vertical di/l.
—

Details of ..dimtntsry strvcttr.s ob•c,and hyw.ath.riag; ataytadte appnrt
be

cr*tt.b.dd*d

120 Sandstone

wMt. mSwm.praintd. ..U

coned,

masal,. bedding (I' tel thick).

email cavee and arch... friable

N'&amp;marc'aa

tat;. tcrsdeaa along bedding pta.

Smelt—scale crass bedding

to,.

11.4 stains ales; certain hastens

.... b6.
i" bed. very resistant. contains abtaadaat n.atris
Sandstone. pr.tn,iaaatly
poorly sorted

ttt. is gray. tniaor streak.

.1 red, blee and grssn,

5... of Mint's Castle piradle

55

Coarse .and.sene conc.atrat.d along cantata bedding p1....

Abundant day pail.;. deposited parallel to the cro.*

bedding

cbann*I. and Ian... shine cflgtOrnhrstO
iO

Small ceagiarat. lens..
So.
Coarse eand and conglomerate I.....

S

Slut, grita, red, and yells'. colorado. foflo.tn bedding ,a.'...

S.ndst.. gray to grayteh'.bl.a., m.tum,grain.d, pearly .on.d amall_.caIa
crosa bedding 4".,i" thick ..parat.d by thin blue hal. I.n.e. l14"-t" thick

'4

3°

(approalmaisly 2030 percent .hal*), torn, coarse and fin. coagloanarat.

/

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10 ,
&amp;

¶cat.r t*v.l
of

bk.

r

/

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1

pa.'

of Itt.,'0 tail. m..r unonntor

Top of Chapel Rock rna,.bor

5aad.tots, pink, coors.-grainsd, nil sorted, rounded, abundant clay pellet.
Mud cracks 4"-S' In tonnetar dontloped in beds of bIn. shale ines than I' thick.
Clay pellet.
sandseont light brown to buff well carted
large •cale cross bedding It thick

j
-

Superior

Columnar
Columnarsection
sectionof
ofthe
theMiners
Miners Castle
Castle member
memberof
ofthe
theMunising
MunisingFormation
Formation
at
atMiners
MinersCastle
Castle(after
(afterHamblin,
Hamblin,1958)
1958)
157
157

�Paleogeography
member of
Paleogeographyduring
duringdeposition
depositionof
of the
the Miners
Miners Castle member
of the
the
Munising
Munising Formation
Formation(after
(afterHamblin,
Hamblin, 1958)
1958)

£IPLSNAtION

bSSJ

V

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ndI.*

d—

- — •_N_ •m
Caib — — fl4 —*•

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•f — t* un—*.
_*._ cni .4

*

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it

sai—. t—
'0

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Cross bedding
bedding directions
MinersCastle
Castlemember
member of the
the
directions in the Miners
Munising
(after Hamblin,
Homblin, 1958)
Munising FormatHon
Formatiion (after
1958)
158
158

�which
which provided
providedthe
thesource
sourcefor
forsediments
sedimentsduring
duringthe
the Jacobsville
Jacobsvilleand
and Chapel
Chapel Rock
Rock deposition,
deposition,had
had
eroded
erodedenough
enoughthat
thatthe
thetransgressing
transgressingSauk
SaukSea
Seasubmerged
submerged most
most of
of the
the Upper
Upper Peninsula
peninsula and
and
Wisconsin.
Wisconsin.

Stop6.
6. Kingston
Kingston Plain
Plain
Stop
Stop
Stop66 isison
onthe
theKingston
KingstonPlain,
Plain,an
an extensive
extensiveoutwash
outwashplain
plain that
that isislocated
locatedbetween
betweenthe
the
towns
towns of
of Munising
Munising and
and Grand
Grand Marais.
Marais. The
ThePlain
Plainpresents
presentsaaunique,
unique,prairie-like
prairie-likesetting
setting compared
compared
to
to much
much of
of the
the more
more heavily
heavily forested
forested areas of the Upper Peninsula. The
The multitude
multitude of
of pine
pine stumps
stumps
preserved
presemed on
on the
the Kingston
Kingston Plain
Plain serve
serveas
as testimony
testimony to
to the
the intensity
intensity of
of historic
historic clear-cut
clear-cut logging.
logging.
A
(Leverett,1911,
1911,
A number
numberof
of workers
workershave
havestudied
studiedthe
the geology
geology of
of the
the Kingston
Kingston Plain
Plain (Leverett,
1929;
1929;Bergquist,
Bergquist, 1936;
1936;Martin,
Martin, 1957;
1957;Hughes,
Hughes, 1968;
1968;Drexler,
Drexler, 1981,
1981, Drexler
Drexler et
et al.,
al., 1981;
1981;Blewett
Blewett
and
and Rieck,
Rieck,1987;
1987;Blewett,
Blewett,1994),
1994),which
which has
has resulted
resulted in
in aa wide
wide range
range of
of theories
theories concerning
concerningits
its
formation
formationhistory.
history.Largely,
Largely,the
thecontroversy
controversyhas
hasfocused
focusedon
onthe
theinterpretation
interpretationof
ofthe
theMunising
Munising
Moraine,
which
the
Kingston
Plain
is
part
of
(Blewett,
1994).
According
to
Hughes
Moraine, which the Kingston Plain is part (Blewett, 1994). According to Hughes (1968
(1968and
and
unpublished
unpublishedwork),
work),and
andlater
laterby
by Blewett
Blewett (1994),
(19941,whom
whom has
has done
done the
the most
most current
currentQuaternary
Quaternary
geology
geology research
research in
in the
the area,
area,the
the Plain
Plain initially
initially formed
formed when
when Marquette
Marquette Advance
Advance ice
ice probably
probably
reached
reached an
an equilibrium
equilibriumand
andsouthward
southwardflowing
flowingmeltwater
meltwater streams
streamsbuilt
built the
the Upper
Upper Kingston
Kingston
Outwash
I). Ice
Outwash Plain
Plain surface
surface at
at about
about 10,000
10,000 BP (Phase 0.
Ice retreated
retreated somewhat
somewhat from this position,
opening
opening up drainage
drainage to
to the
the east
east between
between the
the ice
ice front
front and higher ground to the south,
south, creating
creating aa
channel
M-77. The
channel at
at 283
283 m
m that
that currently
currently parallels state highway M-77.
The upper
upper portions
portions of
of the
the
Kingston
Kingston Lake
Lake Kettle
KettleChain
Chainformed
formedatatthis
thistime.
time.
Next
Next (Phase
(PhaseII),
lI), the
the ice
ice margin
margin retreated to a new position along
along the Lower Kingston
Kingston
Plain,
opening
even
lower
drainage
outlets
from
the
west.
Consequently,
water
flowing
to the
Plain, opening even lower
west. Consequently, water
east
east between
between the
the ice
ice front
front and
and the
the now
now abandoned
abandoned Upper
Upper Kingston ice-contact
ice-contact slope,
slope, formed
formed aa
broad,
broad, kame
kame terrace
terraceatatabout
about285
285m,
m,which
whichslopes
slopestotothe
theeast.
east.
Marginal
Marginal retreat
retreat of
of the
the ice
ice from
from highlands
highlands south
south of Grand
Grand Marais
Marais allowed
allowed still
still lower
lower
outlets
outlets to
to open
open (Phase
(PhaseIII),
I Q ,which
which resulted
resulted in
in the
the incision
incision of a channel
channel at 250-253 m, into the
the
Lower
Lower Kingston Plain
Plain surface.
surface. The
TheHurricane
Humcane River
River currently
currently follows this channel. Also
Alsoatatthis
this
time,
time, some
some meitwater
meltwaterspilled
spilledsouthward
southward from
from the
the Lower
Lower Kingston
Kingston ice-contact
ice-contact slope
slope south
south of
of
Beaver
Beaver Lake,
Lake, forming
forming the
the Long
Long Lake Channel. The
Thelower
lowerportions
portionsof
ofthe
theKingston
KingstonLake
LakeKettle
Kettle
Chain,
Chain, including
includingKingston
KingstonLake
Lakebasin
basinmust
musthave
haveformed
formedduring
duringthis
thisphase.
phase.
IV,and
and55 of
of Blewett, 1994),
1994), the ice withdrew to a position
position several
several
Eventually(Phase
(PhaseIV,
Eventually
kilometers
kilometers north
north of
of the
the Lower
Lower Kingston
Kingston ice-contact
ice-contact slope,
slope, allowing
allowing meltwater
meltwater drainage
drainage across
across aa
broad
terrace
heading
at
230
m,
known
as
the
Beaver
Basin
surface.
Further
retreat
of
ice
broad terrace heading at 230 m, known as the Beaver
Further retreat of ice
allowed
allowed even
even lower
lower channels
channelsat
at 225
225 and
and 215
215 m
m to
to be
be incised
incised into
into the
the Beaver Basin surface.
surface.
Finally,
the
glacier
retreated
to
a
position
just
south
of
Portal
Point,
but
eventually
Finally,
glacier
eventually further
retreat
retreat allowed
allowedlake
lake water
water in
in the
the western
western Superior
Superiorbasin
basin to
to flow
flow eastward,
eastward, abandoning
abandoning the
the Au
Au
Train-Whitefish
Channel,
into
the
eastern
basin,
forming
an
early
version
of
Lake
Minong.
Train-Whitefish Channel, into the eastern basin, forming an early
of Lake
Continual
Continual retreat
retreat allowed
allowed Lake
Lake Minong
Minong to expand,
expand, eventually
eventually filling the entire Superior
Superior basin.

159

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Stops
Stops66&amp;&amp;77
160
160

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Pr-e dank7
k" //ey

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L'a//ey?

Grand Sa6/ Lke

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The Kingston Outwash Plain and meltwater channels near Grand Marais, Michigan

Ti,

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cc' a'icsA .rr lace

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Mosaic
Mosaic of
of digital
digital elevation
elevationmodels
models(DEM)
(DEM)processed
processedtotoshow
showrelief
relief(illumination
(illuminationfrom
fromSE)
SE)

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Stop 7.7.Turtle
Lake
(actually
an unnamed
pond,
soso
called
stop
lbrtle
Lake
(actually
an unnamed
pond,
calledononthis
thistrip
tripbecause
becauseon
on previous
previous visits itit
was observed
observed that many
many turtles
turtles make
make itit their
their home)
home) occupies
occupies aa deep
deep kettle
kettle in
in the
the Kingston
KingstonOutwash
Outwash
Plain. The kettle
kettle is
is the
the deepest
deepest (though
(though not
not the
the largest)
largest) in
in aa south-southeast/north-northwest
south-southeasthorth-northwesttrending
trending
chain of kettles that (presumably) were formed as ice stagnated in aa now-buried
now-buried bedrock
bedrock valley.
valley. A
from bedrock
bedrock and a minimum
minimum
seismic study conducted by Regis in the 1980's revealed no reflection from
sediment thickness of 60 meters. The kettle is several hundred meters in diameter
diameter and
and is
is at
at least
least 40
40
meters deep.
deep. Because
Because the
the kettle
kettle chain
chain extends
extends across
across (cuts)
(cuts) each
each of
of the
the outwash
outwash and
and drainage
drainagesurfaces,
surfaces,
the stagnant
Marais) ice was
was building
building
stagnant ice must have been in place from
&amp;om the time the Marquette (Grand Marais)
surface, and was buried by sediments
sediments as the main ice
ice mass
mass retreated.
retreated.
the upper Kingston outwash surface,
00 m
m hike
hike through
through the
the woods,
woods, and
and ifif descending
descending into
into the
the kettle,
kettle, aa strenuous
strenuous
This stop requires a 2-3
2-300
return hike.
164
164

�Stop 8. Log
Log Slide
Slide
From the
to the
the east.
east. Two
the Log Slide, the Grand Sable complex is visible to
Two geomorphic
geomorphic
features,
in this
this view:
view: The
features, the "Banks"
"Banks" and the "Dunes" are prominent in
The Grand Sable
Sable Banks
consist
of
a
steep,
north-facing
exposure
of
glaciofluvial
sediments
ranging
in
thickness
consist of a steep, north-facing exposure of glaciofluvial sediments ranging in thickness from
from 30
30
to
to 100
100 meters,
meters, rising
rising directly
directly above
above the
the shoreline
shoreline of Lake Superior.
Superior. To
Tothe
thesouth
southaway
awayfrom
fromLake
Lake
Superior,
Superior, the Banks form
form aa high
high terrace
terrace surface, which is overlain by the Grand Sable Dunes, a
dune
dune field
field "perched"
"perched"up
up to
to 100
100meters
meters above
above the
the lake
lake and
and covering
covering about
about 10
10square
square kilometers.
kilometers.
The
The deposit
deposit that
that underlies
underlies the
the dune
duneplateau,
plateau, exposed
exposed in
in the
the Grand
Grand Sable
Sable Banks,
Banks, has
has been
been
variously
variously interpreted
interpreted as
as aa crevasse
crevasse filling
filling or
or kame
kame terrace
terrace that incorporated
incorporated heterogeneous
heterogeneous
glaciofluvial
glaciofluvialdebris
debris transported
transported by
by rivers
rivers flowing
flowing west to east
east along
along an ice marginal channel
channel
(Drexler,
(Drexler, 1981;
1981;John D.
D. Hughes,
Hughes, personal communication). Within
Within the
the central
central portion
portion of
of the
the
Banks,
Banks, stratigraphy
stratigraphy of the
the lower
lower third
third of
of the
the section
section is obscured by colluvial and aeolian
aeolian sand;
sand; at
at
the
the east and
and west ends
ends of the banks, the section is better exposed. Upper
Upper portions
portions of
of the
the banks
banks
are
several thin
thin gravel
gravel beds.
beds. thterbedded
are dominated
dominated by coarse,
coarse, cross-bedded
cross-bedded sand and include several
Interbedded
silt
silt and
and sand
sand comprise
comprise the
the middle
middle third of the deposit. The
Thelower
lower third
third is
is dominated
dominated by
by fine
fine
textured
textured material,
material, primarily
primarily silt.
silt. AAsurface
surfacegravel
gravel layer
layer is
is presently partially exposed in a
"stripped
"stripped plain" in the central plateau. This
This layer
layer is
is often iron-stained and contributes
contributesto
toaalag
lag
that
that periodically
periodically armors
armors the
the bluff
bluff crest
crest as
as the
the slope
slope retreats
retreats southward
southward (Farrell and Hughes,
Hughes,
1985).
1985).
The
The Grand
Grand Sable
SableDunes
Dunescontain
contain evidence
evidence of
of buried
buried soils,
soils, which
which record
record episodes
episodes of
of
geomorphic
geomorphic change
change consisting
consistingof
of soil
soil profile
profile development
development followed
followed by soil profile
profile burial
burial
(Anderton
(Anderton and Loope,
Loope, 1995).
1995). In
Inmost
mostcases,
cases,an
an entire
entire episode
episode is
is preserved
presewed as a buried soil profile
or
or organic
organic accumulation,
accumulation,capped
capped by
by relatively
relatively finer sediments,
sediments, such as silt and very fine to fine
sand,
which
is
capped
by
medium
to
coarse
eolian
cross-bedded
sand. The contact between the
sand, which is capped
cross-bedded sand.
upper
upper soil
soil horizon,
horizon, usually
usually an
an 0/A
OIAhorizon,
horizon,isisoften
oftenvery
verysharp,
sharp,suggesting
suggestingrelatively
relativelyrapid
rapidburial.
burial.
Such
Such sedimentary
sedimentaryand
andpedological
pedologicalevidence
evidencestrongly
stronglysuggests
suggeststhat
that periods
periodsof
ofstability
stabilityare
are
represented
represented by
by forest
forest vegetation
vegetation colonizing
colonizing landscape
landscape surfaces
surfaces within the Dunes, while
while periods
periods of
of
instability
instabilityare
are characterized
characterizedby
by the
the burial
burial of trees and associated soil profiles and organic
organic
accumulations.
accumulations.
A
A soil
soil catena,
catena, consisting
consistingof
of aa sequence
sequenceof
of buried Spodosols,
Spodosols, may be found
found outcropping
outcropping in
in
various
various places
places throughout
throughoutthe
the Dunes,
Dunes, especially
especially at
at the Log Slide
Slide locality. The
Thecatena,
catena,referred
referredto
to
as
as the
the Sable
Sable Creek
Creek Soil
Soil(Anderton
(Anderton and
and Loope,
Loope, 1995),
1995),is
is traceable
traceable across
across much of the
the Bluff top
top
and
and outcrops
outcrops sporadically
sporadicallywithin
within the
the Dunes
Dunes reflecting
reflecting the preservation
presemation of a past soilscape
soilscape which
began forming
forming immediately
immediatelyafter
after deglaciation
deglaciation about
about 10,000
10,000 years ago, but was isolated from
further
further surface
surface weathering
weatheringunder
under eolian
eolian sediments
sediments beginning about 5000
5000 years ago. The
Theburial
burial
event
event seems
seems to
to have
have been
been initiated
initiatedby
by the
the massive
massive destabilization
destabilization of the
the Bank Front
Front during
during the
the
high
lake
levels
of
the
Nipissing
Great
Lakes.
high lake levels of the Nipissing Great Lakes.
While
While there
there may
may have
have been
been some
some eolian
eolian activity
activity immediately following deglaciation,
deglaciation, the
evidence
tends
to
support
the
hypotheses
of
Farrell
and
Hughes
(1985)
who
suggest
evidence tends to support the hypotheses of
(1985)
suggest that the
Grand
Grand Sable
Sable Dunes
Dunes are
are no
no older
older than 5500
5500 BP. This
Thisisisin
in contrast
contrast to
to Marsh
Marsh and
and Marsh
Marsh (1990)
(1990)
who
who argue
arguethat
that the
the Grand
GrandSable
SableDunes
Dunes began
began forming
forming as
as lake
lake levels
levels rose from
from the pre-Nipissing
pre-Nipissing
lows
lows sometime
sometimearound
around 9000
9000 BP.
BP. Marsh
Marshand
andMarsh
Marsh(1990)
(1990)maintain
maintain that
that sand
sand nourishment
nourishment to
to the
the
Dunes
until around
around 3500
3500 BP.
BP. However,
Dunes increased
increased from
from 9000
9000 BP
BP to
to 5500
5500 BP and remained high until
However,
the
the presence
presenceof
of the
theSable
SableCreek
CreekSoil,
Soil,which
which isis developed
developed into
into glaciofluvial
glaciofluvialsediments,
sediments,suggests
suggests
that
that the
the Bluff
Bluff top
topwas
wasaastable,
stable,forested
forestedenvironment
environment from
from deglaciation
deglaciationuntil about
about 5000
5000BP
BP when
when
eolian
eoliansand
sandbegan
began to
to cover
coverthe
the upper
upper surface.
surface. Rising
Risingpost-Houghton
post-Houghtonlevels
levelsapparently
apparentlyhad
hadlittle
little
165
165

�a.

t

0
0
2

0)
0)

0

D
C
0

0
KN

0'
a.

166

�effect on the Banks until well into
into the
the mid-Holocene,
mid-Holocene, suggesting that wave action did not begin
to modify the bluff front until lake levels were relatively high during the Nipissing Great Lakes.

Stop 9. Ghost Forest
Subsequent,
Subsequent, post-Nipissing
post-Nipissing fluctuations
fluctuations in lake level also
also seem to have influenced
influenced the
the
Bank front, causing
changes
in
the
sediment
available
for
eolian
transport
on
the
upper
surfaces
causing
upper surfaces
of the Grand Sables,
Sables, resulting in a discontinuous
discontinuous occurrence
occurrence of buried soils
soils and organic
organic layers
layers of
various ages within the Dunes. In
In addition
addition to
to the
the major
major burial event
event that covered the Sable Creek
Soil at least as early
early as around 4500 BP, radiocarbon dates from the Ghost Forest profile also
more recent
recent burial
burial at
at about
about 100
100years
yearsago.
ago. Also a
record a burial event at about 3500 BP and a more
radiocarbon date from other localities
localities in the Dunes suggest that eolian activity also took place at
about 1500
1500BP,
BP, and
and at
at about
about 700
700years
years ago.
ago.
While, these
these data
data may not be conclusive, an analysis of radiocarbon dates from the Grand
Sable Dunes strengthens
strengthens interpretations. Beginning
Beginning with the investigations
investigations of Bach (1978),
(1978),
researchers working in the Grand Sable
Dunes
have
been
collecting
and
radiocarbon
dating
Sable
collecting
the study
study area.
area. In general, the dates seem to
preserved wood, bulk soil, and charcoal from the
roughly delineate
delineate major times of increased eolian activity, documenting burial events within the
Grand Sable
Sable Dunes, and likely
likely recording fluctuations in the lake levels of the Lake Superior
Superior
basin.
Based on the available
available data,
data, episodes of increased eolian activity occurred at about
about 5300,
5300,
2100, 1500,
500, and
4600, and 3500
3500 RCYBP,
RCYBP, and
and may also
also have occurred at about 2500,
2500,2100,
1500, 1000,
1000,500,
and
RCYBP. The
100 RCYBP.
The first
first three
three episodes
episodesseem
seem to
to coincide
coincide well
well with
with rising
rising Nipissing,
Nipissing, Nipissing
NipissingI,I,
and Nipissing II
II phases, which are recognized throughout the southern Great Lakes (Larsen,
1985). The
other,
The other,later
laterepisodes
episodesalso
alsocompare
compare favorably
favorably to
to previous research
research which
which indicates
indicates
fluctuating
fluctuating lake levels
levels in
in the
the Lake
Lake Michigan basin during the last 3000 years (Larsen, 1985).
1985).
Larsen (1985)
(1985) has suggested
suggested that Holocene lake level fluctuations are linked to climatic
climatic changes
changes
that affected the
the temperature
temperature and moisture
moisture patterns influencing the water balance of the lakes.
lakes.
Holocene climate
of proxy
proxy indicators suggest
climate changes
changes in the
the Great
Great Lakes, as revealed by a varity of
alternating
alternating episodes
episodes of cool,
cool, moist
moist and
and warm, dry conditions (Swain, 1978;
1978; Bernabo,
Bemabo, 1981).
1981).
Comparison of burial
burial events
events within
within Grand
Grand Sable
Sable system
system with lake level and climate
climate data
data from
from the
the
Great
In general,
general,
Great Lakes
Lakes region for
for the
the last
last 3000
3000 years indicate a general correlation of events. In
of cool, wet climatic
increased eolian activity in the dunes appears to correlate with periods of
conditions,
conditions, while
while periods
periods of
of relative
relative stability
stability and soil development
development are
are associated
associated with times
times of
of
of shore-zone
warm, dry climatic conditions. These
These findings
findings do not fit Larsen's (1985) model of
changes during rising and falling lake levels. In
the
Larsen
model,
increased
precipitation
In the Larsen model, increased precipitation and
and
lowered temperature result in high lake levels that cause tributary stream aggradation, marsh
establishment, and soil profile development in
in eolian
eolian sands.
sands. Decreased precipitation and raised
establishment,
temperatures cause
temperatures
cause low lake levels that result in tributary stream erosion, marsh extinction, and
soil profiles becoming buried by eolian sands. While
While Larsen's model seems to work for most
coastal areas, perched dunes,
dunes, such as the Grand Sable
Sable system, appear to be reacting differently to
climatically-induced
climatically-induced changes
changes in
in lake
lake level.
level.
been a nearly
nearly constant
constant rain
rain of
of eolian
eolian sediments
sediments with
with
In general, there seems to have been
relatively short-lived periods of soil development and forest colonization within the Dunes since
about 3000 BP. The
Thedistinct,
distinct,buried
buried soil
soil profiles
profiles of different ages within the Dunes argues for
the Bank
Bank front.
front. Otherwise,
the fact that only relatively high lake levels are influencing the
Otherwise,ifif the
the
of stability, but rather a
Bank front was continually being undercut, there would be no evidence of
157

�homogeneous deposit of eolian sands. Thus,
Thus,the
the evidence
evidence of
of geomorphic
geomorphic changes
changes from
from the
the
Grand Sable Dunes seems
shore of
seems to
to be
be an
an indicator
indicator of lake
lake level changes
changes along
along the
the south
southshore
of Lake
Lake
Superior. Th
In sum, the buried soil profiles reflect fluctuations
fluctuations in the amount
amount of sediment
sediment available
available
Hughes, 1985). The
for eolian transport within the Dunes (Farrell and Hughes,
The availability
availability of sediment
sediment
Bank face
face (Marsh
(Marshand
andMarsh,
Marsh,1987)
1987).. High
depends on the condition of the Bank
High lake levels result in
increased wave action, which undercuts the bank toe slope,
slope, causing mass
mass wasting,
wasting, destabilizing
destabilizing
for wind
wind deflation.
deflation, If enough sediment is available
the Bank face and presenting a fresh surface for
on the
the high
high terraces.
terraces. Low lake
for a long enough period of time the result is dune development on
lake
levels allow the Bank face to stabilize
stabilize and
and perhaps
perhaps become
become vegetated,
vegetated, resulting
resulting in
in aa reduction
reduction or
or
near elimination of available sediment. Thus,
Thus, dune
dune building
building
on the
the high
high
terraces is retarded,
retarded,
- on
- terraces
allowing stabilization
stabilization and surface
surface weathering to begin, as well as forest vegetation
vegetation to
to colonize
colonize
the fresh landscape surfaces. Thus,
Thus, soil
soil profiles
profiles formed
formed in
in the
the Grand
Grand Sable
Sable Dunes during
during periods
periods
basin. These
of low lake levels in the Lake Superior basin.
These soil
soil profiles
profiles and in many cases the forests
themselves were, however, buried by eolian sediments,
sediments, eliminating further soil development
development and
and
forest growth, the result
of
high
lake
levels
destabilizing
the
Bank
front.
result
lake
destabilizing

Stop
Stop 10.
10. Sable Falls
At Sable
Sable Falls,
Falls, the
the Jacobsville
Jacobsville Sandstone
Sandstone forms
forms the
the base of the
the section
section exposed
exposed in
in the
the
gorge. The
The Jacobsville
Jacobsvillesandstone
sandstoneisisaa redbed
redbed deposit
deposit of
of questionable
questionable late Proterozoic-early
Proterozoic-early
Cambrian age named by Lane and Seaman (1907) after the Keweenaw Peninsula town of
Jacobsville. There,
There,the
the"Portage
"PortageSandstone"
Sandstone"that
thatwas
was used
used as
as ornamental
ornamental and
and construction
construction stone
stone
was quarried. ItIt isisexposed
exposedall
all along
alongthe
the southern
southern shoreline
shoreline of Lake Superior
Superior from the
Keweenaw Peninsula to Munising. However,
However, from
from Munising
Munising to Beaver Bay, it is below lake
level, spare for a few occurrences slightly above
above water.
water. At Sable Falls and south of Grand
Marais, good exposures are found. Thickness
Thicknessof
of the
the Jacobsville
Jacobsville appears
appears to be extremely
extremely variable
variable
and largely controlled by the underlying Precambrian topography, upon
upon which
which the Jacobsville
unconformably for the most part. For example,
rests unconformably
example, Hamblin (1958)
(1958) cites an instance
instance of aa 22
wells, one of which drilled
loot of
of Jacobsville Sandstone, and the other well drilled
drilled through 11100'
through only 46'
46 of
and the wells are only
of the
the same
same rock
rock before
before reaching Precambrian quartzite, and
10 miles apart (T47N,
(T47N, R1E).
RlE).
The Jacobsville can be easily recognized
recognized by
by its
its striking
striking red
redto
to red-brown
red-browncolor.
color. Much of
the Jacobsville is mottled with white reduction splotches and streaks. The
The color
color change
change is
is abrupt
abrupt
and distinct. Most
of
the
mottles
are
related
to
variations
in
permeability
of
the
beds.
That
is,
Most of the mottles are
permeability of the beds.
is.
where the beds have the greatest permeability, leaching and white coloration is the greatest.
greatest.
Most fine grained beds and shale lenses in the Jacobsville are
are not
not leached
leached at
at all.
all. Leaching most
joints, and
and cross-bedding.
cross-bedding. Spherical
often ffollows
o l l o k bedding planes, fractures such as joints,
Spherical spots
spotiofof
leaching appear to be controlled
controlled by a dark grain or pebble at occurs at the center of the spots.
The grains are probably of some
some lithology that have a composition sufficient to produce a
reducing
reducing environment.
environment.
Texturally,
Texturally, the
the Jacobsville
Jacobsville Formation
Formation ranges from conglomerate
conglomerate to a fine grained
grained
siltstone. The
by Hamblin
Hamblin (1958).
(1958). The
Theformation
formationhas
has 44 different
different facies, as described by
conglomerate
conglomerate facies
facies occurs
occurs mostly at the base of the formation,
formation, especially
especially where it lies
unconformably
unconformably on Precambrian rocks (Presque Isle near Marquette, for example), but may also
be found
found scattered
scatteredthroughout
throughoutthe
theyounger
younger beds.
beds. Thickness of these beds can be as great as 5
meters. The
Themost
mostcommon
commonof
of the
the44 facies
facies(laterally
(laterally and vertically) is a red to reddish brown,
medium-grained,
medium-grained, lenticular
lenticular bedded sandstone. In
In some
some places,
places, lenticular
lenticular bedded sandstones
sandstones are
are
168

�over
meters in thickness. Trough
over 100
100 meters
Troughcross
cross bedding
bedding and
and ripple marks are
are common in this
this facies.
facies.
bedding in
in the
the formation
formation accentuate
accentuatethe
thestructures.
structures. The
Selective leaching along cross bedding
occurrence
environment of
occurrence of ripple marks, mud cracks
cracks and clay pebbles clearly indicate a fluvial environment
deposition. AAmassive
deposition.
massivefacies
faciesof
of the
theJacobsville
Jacobsville is
is characterized
characterized by persistent, thick beds of
relatively structureless
structureless sandstone,
sandstone, many over 3 meters in thickness. At Victoria Falls, a measured
measured
section of 200 meters of Jacobsville
Jacobsville consists
consists almost
almost entirely
entirely of 3 meter thick beds of sandstone.
sandstone.
Some laterally persistent oscillation ripple marks are found in the beds and support
support a lacustrine
lacustrine
environment of
of deposition.
deposition. Finally, Hamblin
Hamblin recognized
recognizedaared
redsiltstone
siltstonefacies.
fades. Though not
not
common (except
(except at Laughing Fish Point and Agate Falls), beds of siltstone
siltstone and shale occur
occur
interfingered with other facies
and
is
interpreted
as
a
quiet-water
lacustrine
environment
facies
environment of
deposition.
deposition.
Paleogeographically, the Jacobsville Sandstone represents a continental red bed sandstone
sandstone
from the
the Northern
NorthernMichigan
Michiganhighlands.
highlands. As shown in the
deposited by streams flowing northward from
paleocurrent (cross
(cross bedding and ripple marks) map produced by Hamblin (1958) there is very
little deviation in trend (of indicators)
indicators) from the mean.
An unconformity, in some
some places a disconformity, but as on Grand Island, an angular
unconformity, separates
separates the Jacobsville
Jacobsville from the overlying Chapel Rock Member of the
Munising Formation. At
At Grand
Grand Island
Island the
the Jacobsville
Jacobsville dips a few degrees northward, and the
Chapel Rock member of the Munising
Munising Formation dips a few degrees southward, but at this stop,
stop,
bedding appears
appears to
to be
be parallel
parallel or
or nearly
nearly parallel
parallel at
at the
the contact.
contact.
The lower two to fifteen
foot
section
of
the
Chapel
Rock member is a basal conglomerate,
fifteen foot
conglomerate,
formation
90% vein quartz, quartzite
quartzite and chert with lesser amounts of slate, basalt, granite, iron formation
and sandstone. The
Theupper
upper 49
49to
to 60
60feet
feet isis pink
pink to
to light bluff to brown, medium grained
orthoquartzitic sandstone
blue-clay and
and silty
siltyshale
shalebeds.
beds. The beds in the top 20
orthoquartzitic
sandstone with several thin, blue-clay
very dolomitic
dolomitic and
andfrequently
frequently"burrowed."
"burrowed." Limonite imparts a light
or 40 feet are moderately or very
yellow-gray color to the member
member and occasionally
occasionally red to some
some thin beds.
beds.
Northern Michigan
The (lower) Chapel Rock member represents a period when the Northern
Highlands (to the south)
were
eroding
and
shedding
their
sediments
into
a shallow empeiric sea
south)
to the north (see
page). The
(see the figures on the next page).
The Chapel
Chapel Rock member is composed
composed almost
entirely of quartz (mostly
of
igneous
origin;
Hamblin,
1958)
with
minor
amounts
of feldspar.
(mostly
minor
of tourmaline, and abundant zircon
Heavy minerals in the member include well-rounded grains of
(20-50% of the total heavies, both altered and unaltered), magnetite, hematite, and ilmenite.
Silica is the predominant cement in most places and occurs as secondary overgrowths of varying
degrees. Farther
Farthereast,
east,near
nearTahquamenon
TahquamenonFalls,
Falls, porosity
porosity in
in the
the Chapel
Chapel Rock
Rock member
member isis reduced
reduced
to almost zero due to the silica cement. Texturally,
Texturally, the Chapel Rock member is well-sorted,
medium-grained sandstone. Most
Most grains
grainsare
are 1/4
114to 1/2
112 mm diameter. Color
Colorgradually
graduallyranges
ranges
sedimentary
from white to buff to red. Large
Large scale
scale trough cross bedding is the most abundant sedimentary
The size
size of these troughs range from I1 to
to nearly
nearly 200
200
structure in the Chapel Rock member.
member. The
meters in width (mean about
about 10
10 meters). Megascopically,
Megascopically,they
they are
are useful
useful for
for differentiating
differentiatingthe
the
Miners
Chapel Rock Member
Member from the underlying Jacobsville Formation and the overlying Miners
Castle member. At
At Miners
MinersCastle,
Castle, they
they are
are abundant.
abundant. They
Theyrepresent
represent deep
deep erosional
erosional channels
channels
that were cut into the older units. Near
Near the
the base
base of the Chapel Rock member, pebbles become
abundant in the cross-beds
that
fill
the
troughs.
Hamblin
cross-beds
Hamblin(1958)
(1958)suggests
suggeststhat
thatthey
theyare
areindicative
indicative
along aa cuspate
cuspate shore.
shore. Ripples marks are less abundant and
of marine deposition in embayments along
are both current-formed and oscillatory. Where
Wherecurrent-formed,
current-formed,they
they indicate
indicate aa mean
mean transport
transport
direction to the northwest with little
little standard
standard deviation about that mean (see figure illustrating
illustrating
cross-bedding directions
directions in the
the U.P.). This
Thisindicates
indicatesaafairly
fairlysteep
steepgradient
gradientwith
with little
little
cross-bedding
169

�11

UPLI6*TION

S
V

•t•*d
O$Iø *1

— bs#' an a4 —

biSS d.ttli.

4 A'SM I.l..
s4

I

474 t1

isa— ii—.— ii

I———

iii

ii. *i• tsis.
0

G••t_ — .9
0

•?

to

Cross bedding
bedding directions
directions in
in the
the Jacobsville
Jacobsville Sandstone
Sandstone (after
(after Hamblin,
Hamblin, 1958)
1958)

Paleogeographyduring
during deposition
depositionof
of the
theJccobsville
JacobsvilleSandstone
Sandstone(after
(afterHamblin,
Hamblin, 1958)
19581
Paleogeography

170
170

�1

Cflt*N*?IO
V

—
•Iadad

— ..d at

d.(i.IIa

I

tetIa .1 n. - g*.•

•.n k..—.' - • ••—'

I—

4, t%St fr.at

If SpI —a.
Tnqt.....q P•fIi
t
—

— Mtt
•

ft !a.f •—

If
so

I-.

Is

ma'..

Cross
Crossbedding
beddingdirections
directionsininthe
theChapel
ChapelRock
Rockmember
member
ofofthe
theMunising
MunisingFormation
Formation(affer
(afterRamblin,
Hamblin,1958)
1958)

Paleogeography
Paleogeographyof
ofNorthern
NorthernMichigan
Michiganduring
during deposition
deposition of the
the Chapel
ChapelRock
Rockmember
member
958)
ofthe
theMunising
MunisingFormation
Formation(after
(afterHamblin,
Hamblin, 1958)
of
171
171

�meandering.
meandering.InInthe
theupper
upperpart
partofofthe
theChapel
ChapelRock
Rockmember,
member,mudcracks
mudcracksare
arefound
foundininthe
thefinefinetextured
cm in
in diameter
diameterand
and the
theintervening
intervening
textured sandstone
sandstoneand
andthe
theshale
shalebeds.
beds. They
Theyare
areabout
about55cm
cracks
cracksare
arefilled
filled with
with sand.
sand. Paleogeographically
Paleogeographicallyand
andenvironmentally,
environmentally,they
theyindicate
indicatedeposition
depositionin
in
aa shallow
shallowwater,
water, subaerial
subaerialenvironment
environmentwith
with the
the sea
sea regressing
regressing northward. These
Thesebeds
bedsgrade
grade
directly
into
the
Miners
Castle
Member
and
suggest
a
minor
regression
of
the
Chapel
Rock
directly into the Miners Castle Member and suggest a minor regression of the Chapel Rocksea.
sea.
Compact
Compact till
till isis found
found overlying
overlying the
the bedrock in this valley. The
Thetill
tillisisreddish
reddishin
incolor,
color,and
and
texturally
ranges
from
clay
to
cobbles.
It
is
likely
Marquette
age
(about
10,000
YBP)
and
was
texturally ranges from clay to cobbles. It is likely Marquette age (about 10,000 YBP) and was
deposited
deposited as
as the
the Munising
Munisingmoraine
moraineand
and Kingston
Kingston outwash
outwash plain were being deposited (Phase I1of
of
thi previous
previousdiagrams).
diagrams).
the

Grand Marais
Marais Harbor
Harbor
Stop 11. Grand
Grand
Grand Marais
Marais Harbor
Harborisisthe
theonly
only Harbor
Harbor of
of Refuge
Refuge between
between Marquette
Marquetteand
and Sault
SaultSt.
St.
Marie.
Native Americans.
Americans. Later,
Marie. Originally,
Originally,the
theprotected
protectedbay
bay was
was aa summer
summer camping place for Native
French
voyageurs
used
the
bay
as
stopping
place
to
either
prepare
for,
or
recuperate
French voyageurs used the bay as stopping place to either prepare for, or recuperate from,
from, the
the
dangerous
dangerouspaddle
paddle along
alongthe
thecliffs
cliffsof
of the
the Pictured
Pictured Rocks
Rocksduring
during their
their travels
travelsalong
alongthe
thesouth
southshore
shore
of
of Lake
Lake Superior.
Superior. The
Thetown
townitself
itselfwas
wasestablished
establishedininthe
the1860's
1860'sby
by the
the fishing
fishing and
and lumber
lumber
industries
industriesas
as aa boom
boom town.
town. However,
However,by
by1910,
1910,the
thelumber
lumberindustry
industrydeclined
declinedand
and Grand
Grand Marais
Marais
became
became mainly
mainly a commercial
commercial fishing
fishing port. Eventually,
Eventually,this
thisindustry
i n d u s e also
also declined
declined and
and the
the
community
community became
became all
all but aa ghost
ghost town. Today,
Today,Grand
Grand Marais
Maraisis
is seeing
seeing aa renaissance
renaissance as
as aa
summer and
and winter
winterrecreation
recreation town.
town.
summer
Recent,
Recent, soon-to-be-published
soon-to-be-publishedresearch
research at
at the
the Drexler-Carter
Drexler-Carter(D-C)
(D-C)site
site(Anderton,
(Anderton,in
in
progress),
fill section
section exposed
exposed along
along the
the front
front of
of the
the eastern
eastern portion
portion of
of the
theGrand
Grand
progress), aa paleo-valley
paleo-valleyfill
Sable
Banks,
suggests
that
prior
to
the
Nipissing
transgression,
the
Grand
Marais
area
may
Sable Banks, suggests that prior to the Nipissing transgression, the Grand Marais area may have
have
consisted
consisted of
of extensive
extensive lagoon.
lagoon. Evidence
Evidencefor
forthe
thelagoon
lagoonconsists
consistsof
of extremely
extremelythick.
thick. Compressed
Compressed
peat
peat deposits,
deposits,dated
datedatatbetween
betweenapproximately
approximately7000-6000
7000-6000BP,
BP, which
which have
have been
been found
foundatatthe
theD-C
D-C
site,
site, on
on the
the floor
floor of
of Grand
Grand Marais
Marais Harbor
Harbor by
by divers,
divers, and
and during
during drilling
drilling of wells
wells to
to the
the east
east of
of the
the
Harbor.
Harbor. The
Thepre-Nipissing
pre-Nipissinglagoon
lagoonwas
waslikely
likelyprotected
protectedbehind
behindananextremely
extremelylarge
largebay
baybarrier,
barrier,
which
which may have
have extended
extended from
from as
as far
far west
west as
as the
the ancestral
ancestral Grand Sable
Sable Banks
Banks or
or Au
Au Sable
Sable Point.
Point.
The
The high
high ground
groundand
andassociated
associateddune
duneforms,
forms,which
which begin
begin at
at Lonesome
LonesomePoint
Point and
andextend
extendto
tothe
the
east for
for several
several kilometers,
kilometers, may
may be
be remnants
remnants of
of this
this older
older barrier,
bamer, which was
was apparently
apparently breached
breached
during rising Nipissing levels. Much
Muchfurther
furtherwork
work isis needed
needed to
to verify
verify these
these interpretations.
interpretations.
The
The Nipissing
Nipissing transgression
transgressioninundated
inundated the
the Grand
Grand Marais
Marais area,
area, flooding
flooding the
the mouth
mouth of
of the
the
Sucker
Sucker River
River and
and extending
extending inland
inland for
for several
several kilometers
kilometers south
south of
of the
the high
high ground
ground that
that begins
begins at
at
Lonesome
Point.
Steep,
Nipissing-age,
wave-cut
bluffs
at
an
elevation
of
about
195
m
(640
ft)
Lonesome
Steep, Nipissing-age, wave-cut bluffs at an elevation of about I95 m (640 ft)
rim the
the southern
southern edges
edges of the town and harbor. Much
Much of
of the
the town
town appears
appears to
to have
have been
been built
built on
on aa
Nipissing wave-cut
wave-cut platform.
platform.
Nipissing
Recently,
Recently, Grand
Grand Marais
Marais Harbor
Harbor has
has been
been the
the focus
focus of a great
great deal of concern by local
local
residents
West Bay.
Bay. From
residents in regard to the condition of West
Fromthe
thetime
time of
of the
the earliest
earliest written
written records
and
and maps
maps of
of Grand
Grand Marais,
Marais,the
the bay
bay was
was originally
originally portrayed as relatively
relatively deep water lagoon,
protected
protected behind
behind aa low,
low,sandy
sandybaymouth
baymouth barrier
barrier that
that extended
extended from
from the
the west
west side
side of
of the
the current
current
town,
town, east
east to
to Lonsome
Lonsome Point.
Point. AAsmall
smallchannel,
channel,which
whichallowed
allowedwater
waterto
to pass
pass from
from the
the bay
bay into
into
the
to the harbor.
harbor. This
the waters
waters of
of lake
lake Superior,
Superior, provided
provided the only navigable entrance to
This natural
natural
channel,
channel, adequate
adequate for
for several
several centuries
centuries for
for Native Americans
Americans and Voyageurs in canoes, was
was
prone to sand
sand bar development,
development, which
which interfered
interfered with commercial shipping
shipping associated
associated with
with the
the
lumber
800ts. Consequently, various harbor
lumber and
and fishing
fishing industries
industries that
that began
began in
in the
the late
late 11800's.
protection
protection structures,
structures, including
includingeventually
eventually aa large
large breakwater, were built beginning
beginning as
as early
early as
as
172
17 2

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Eastward-slopingmeliwater
meltwaterdischarge
dischargechannels
channels
southofofGrand
Grand
Marais
Easiword-sloping
south
Morals
17 3

�1883
1883 to stop sand bars from
from blocking
blocking the
the entrance
entrance to the bay (USCOE,
(USCOE, 1980).
1980). ,
Over
Over the
the years,
years, the
the harbor
harbor protection
protection structures
structureshave
have effectively
effectively blocked
blocked coastallycoastallytransported
transported sand,
sand, that
that would
would have
have otherwise
otherwisebeen
been conveyed
conveyed by
by littoral
littoral drift
drift processes,
processes,from
from
replenishing the eastern portion of the original bamer.
Consequently,this
this part
part of
of the
the barrier
barrier has
has
replenishing
barrier. Consequently,
been removed
removed by
by wave
wave erosion,
erosion, exposing
exposing nearly
nearly the
the entire
entire east
east end
end of the
the bay
bay to
to Lake
Lake Superior.
Superior.
On the west side
side of
of the
the structures,
structures,sand
sand eroded
erodedfrom
from the
the Grand
Grand Sable
Sable Banks
Banks and
and transported
transportedto
to
the
the east
east has
has been
been deposited.
deposited. Since
Since 1961
1961the
the beach
beach in this area has been growing at a rate of
38,000 cubic m per year (USCOE, 1980).
According
(1990),the
the beach
beach has
has widened
widened by
by
1980). Accordingto
to Marsh
Marsh (1990),
2500-3000
2500-3000 m,
m, and,
and,ifif left
leftunchecked,
unchecked,will
willeventually
eventuallywiden
widen to
to the
thepoint
pointwhere
wherethe
thebeach
beach
effectively cuts off wave-contact
wave-contact with the Grand Sable Banks. ifIf this
thishappens,
happens,the
thesand
sandsupply
supplyto
to
effectively
the
the Grand
Grand Sable
SableDunes,
Dunes,which
which isisultimately
ultimately tied
tied to
to lake
lakelevels
levelsand
andbluff
bluff recession,
recession,will
willbe
be
artificially reduce
reduce dune
dune nourishment
nourishment rates. In
Ineffect,
effect,the
theDunes
Dunesmay
may cease
cease to
to exist.
exist.
artificially

Stop
stop 12
12
Stop
Stop 12
12is
is not
not really
really aa stop,
stop, but
but an
an overview
ovewiew of
of channels
channels as
as we
we leave
leave Grand
Grand Marais
Marais
southward
southward on
on M-77.
M-77. Eastward
Eastwarddischarging
dischargingstreams
streamscut
cutchannels
channelsatatsuccessively
successivelylower
lower elevations
elevations
as the
the Marquette
Marquette (Grand
(Grand Marais)
Marais) ice
ice retreated
retreated into the Lake Superior basin.
At least
least 88channels
channels
as
basin. At
are
are recognized
recognized from
from 207
207 meters
meters to 271 meters. Leverett
Leverett(1929)
(1929)and
andothers
othersmistakenly
mistakenlyinterpreted
interpreted
these
these surfaces
surfaces as
as Lake
Lake Algonquin wave-cut platforms. Hughes
Hughes (1968),
(19681,through
through use
use of
of aneroid
aneroid
barometers and
and topographic
topographicmaps,
maps,determined
determined they
they slope
slopeeastward
eastward and
and asserted
assertedthat
that they
theyare
are
barometers
glacial
glacial spillways.
spillways. Further,
Further,Hughes
Hughesrecognized
recognizedthe
thefact
factthat,
that, in
in profile,
profile, the
the surfaces
surfacesactually
actually slope
slope
southward
southward toward
toward the
the next
next escarpment
escarpment(characterized
(characterized by
by poorly
poorly drained
drained swampy
swampyregions
regions at
at the
the
south
theywere
werewave-cut
wave-cutterraces,
terraces,the
the slope
slope in
in profile
profile would
would be
be in
in the
the
south edge
edge of
of the
the surfaces).
surfaces). ifIfthey
opposite
direction.
opposite direction.

174

�REFERENCES
Bach,
Bach, D.P. 1978.
1978.Plant
Plant Communities,
Communities,Habitats
Habitatsand
and Soil
Soil Conditions
Conditionsof
of Grand
Grand Sable
SableDunes,
Dunes,
Pictured
Rocks
National
Lakeshore,
Michigan.
Unpublished
Masters
Thesis,
Michigan
Pictured Rocks
Lakeshore,
Unpublished Master's Thesis, Michigan
Technological
Technological University,
University, 180
180p.
p.
Bergquist,
Bergquist, S.C.
S.C. 1936.
1936.The
The Pleistocene
Pleistocenehistory
history of
of the
the Tahquamenon
Tahquamenon and
and Manistique
Manistique drainage
drainage
region of
hblication 40,
40,
of the
the northern
northern peninsula
peninsula of
of Michigan.
Michigan. Michigan
Michigan Geological
Geological Survey
Survey Publication
Geological
GeologicalSeries
Series34,
34,part
part11pp.7-148.
pp.7-148.
Blewett,
Blewett, W.L.
W.L. and
and R.L.
R.L. Rieck.
Rieck. 1987.
1987. Reinterpretation
Reinterpretationof aa portion of the
the Munising
Munising Moraine
Moraine in
in
northern
northern Michigan.
Michigan.Geological
GeologicalSociety
Societyof
ofAmerica
AmericaBulletin
Bulletin98:169-175
98: 169-175
Blewett,
Blewett, W.L. 1994,
1994,Late
Late Wisconsin
Wisconsin History
History of Pictured Rocks
Rocks National Lakeshore
Lakeshore and Vicinity.
Vicinity.
National Park
Park Service
Service PIRO
P R O 94-01,
94-01,8
p.
National
8 p.
Carey, L. 1993.
1993. Interim
Interimsoil
soilsurvey
surveyof
ofPictured
PicturedRocks
RocksNational
NationalLakeshore,
Lakeshore,Alger
AlgerCo.,
Co.,Michigan.
Michigan.
USDA,
USDA, Soil
Soil Conservation
ConservationService,
Service,Marquette,
Marquette,MI.
MI.
Drexler,
Drexler, C.W.
C.W. 1981.
1981.Outlet
Outletchannels
channelsfor
for the
the post-Duluth
post-Duluth lakes
lakes of
of the
the Upper
Upper Peninsula
Peninsula of
of
Michigan. PhD
PhD dissertation,
dissertation, University
University of
of Michigan,
Michigan, Ann
Ann Arbor.
Arbor. 295
295 p.
p.
Michigan.
Ells,
Ells, G.D.,
G.D., 1967,
1967,Correlation
Correlationof
of Cambro-Ordovician
Cambro-Ordovician Rocks
Rocks in
in Michigan.
Michigan. in
in Correlation
CorrelationProblems
Problems
of the Cambrian
and
Ordovician
Outcrop
Areas,
Northern
Peninsula
of
Michigan,
Michigan
Cambrian and Ordovician Outcrop
Peninsula
Basin Geological
} pp.
Geological Society
SocietyAnnual
Annual Field
FieldExcursion,
Excursion,M.E.
M.E. Ogstrom
Ogstromand
andA.E.
A.E.Slaughter,
Slaughter,{eds.
{eds.]
pp.
42-57.
Farrell,
Farrell, J.P. and
and J.D.
J.D. Hughes
Hughes 1985.
1985. Long
Long Term Implications,
Implications, From a Geomorphological
Geomorphological
Standpoint,
Location at
at Grand
Grand Sable
SableLake.
Lake. Contract Report
Standpoint, of Maintaining
Maintaining H-58 in its Present Location
PX60000-4-0839,
PX60000-4-0839, submitted
submittedto
tothe
theNational
NationalPark
ParkService,
Service,78
78p.p.
Hamblin,
Hamblin, W.K., 1958,
1958,Cambrian
Cambrian Sandstones
Sandstonesof
of Northern Michigan. Michigan
Michigan Dept. of Natural
Natural
Resources Pub. 51,
51, 146
146p.
p.
Resources
Larsen,
Larsen, C.E. 1985.
1985.Lake
Lake Level, Uplift,
Uplift, and Outlet Incision, The Nipissing and Algoma Great
Lakes. In Quaternary
Calkin.
Quaternary Evolution
Evolution of
of the
the Great
GreatLakes,
Lakes, edited
edited by
by P.F.
P.F. Karrow
Karrow and
and P.E.
P.E. Calkin.
Geological
GeologicalAssociation
Associationof
of Canada
CanadaSpecial
SpecialPaper
Paper30.
30.
Leverett,
U.S. Geological Survey
Leverett, F. 1929.
1929.Moraines
Moraines and
and shorelines
shorelines of the Lake Superior region. U.S.
Prof. Paper
Paper 154-A.
154-A.72
72 p.
p.

Levin, H.L.,
H.L., 1996,
1996, Earth
Earth Through
Through Time.
Time. 5th
5~ ed., Saunders,
Saunders, 568
568 p.
Marsh, W.M. 1990.
1990.Nourishment of Perched Sand
Sand Dunes and the Issue of Erosion Control in the
Great Lakes. Environ.
Environ.Geol.Water
GeoLWaterSci.
Sci.16(2):
16(2):155-164.
155-164.
175

�Marsh, W.M. and B.D. Marsh 1988.
1988. Wind Erosion and Sand Dune Formation
Formation orj
on High Lake
Superior Bluffs. Geografiska
GeografiskaAnnaler
Annaler 69A
69A (3-4):379-391.
(3-4):379-391.
Schaetzl, R.J. and D.L. Mokma 1988.
1988. A Numerical Index of Podzol and Podzolic Soil
Development.
Development. Physical
Physical Geography
Geography 9(3):232-246.
9(3):232-246.
USCOE, 1980,
1980, Final Detailed
Detailed Project
Project Report on Shore
Shore Damage of Grand
Grand Marais Harbor,
Harbor,
Section ifi,
in, Detroit,
Detroit, MI
MI Detroit
Detroit District.
Michigan, Section

176

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                    <text>4

FORTY-SIXTH ANNUAL MEETING
St

ON LAKE SUPERIOR
: SINSTITUTEGEOLOG
S

—

Si

h1*r Bay,Ontario

—

S

May. 08-13,2000
44

'1

44

.

4.

••r
:4

.tssi.:.

S

S

S

S

PROCEEDINGS VOLUME 46
45

/4 4

/4
/4

4/4

PARfl: PROGRAMAND
ABSTRACTS

�46th

I.L.S.G.
rogram

&amp; Abstracts
2000
May 8-13,
8-13,2000

Hosted at
at Lakehead University
Universi
by the Geology Department
Thunder Bay, Ontario Canada

�46thAnnual
Annual Meeting
Meeting
46th

1

II INSTITUTE ON LAKE SUPERIOR GEOLOGY U
Volume 46 contains the following parts:
parts:
Part 1:
1: Program and Abstracts
Part 2: Field Trip Guidebook
— Geology of the Mesoproterozoic Sibley Group
1 -Geology
22 —
PGE-Cu-Ni Mine
- Geology
Geology of the Lac
Lac des
des Ties
Iles PGE-Cu-Ni
Mine
33 —
Geoarcheology
and
deglaciation
history
the Thunder
Thunder Bay
Bay area
- Geoarcheology
history of the
44 —
- Geology
Geology of the Paleoproterozoic Gunflint Formation
55 —
- Glacial
Glacial history and regional till sampling
sampling in the Archean Shebandowan
Shebandowan

Greenstone
Greenstone Belt
6—
Finlayson Lake Greenstone
Greenstone
Geology of
of the Archean
Archean Steep
Steep Rock
Rock Lake
Lake - Finlayson
6 -Geology
Belt

-

Reference
ce to the material
material in
in this
this volume
volume should
should follow
follow the
the example
examplebelow:
below:
A., 2000. Chemistry and mineralogy of Lower Chowlay
Chocolay G roup rocks, Dickinson
Dickinson
Argast, A,,
County, Michigan,
Michigan, [abstract]:
[abstract]: Institute
Institute on
on Lake
Lake Superior
SuperiorGeology
GeologyProceedings,
Proceedings,46th
46*
Annual Meeting,
Meeting, Thunder
Thunder Bay,
Bay, ON,
ON, 2000;
2000; v.46,
v.46, Part
Part 1,
1, p.
p. 1-2.
1-2.

Volume 46 is published by the Institute on Lake Superior Geology and distributed
by the Institute
Institute Secretary-Treasurer.
Secretary-Treasurer.
Jirsa (term
(term 1994-2000)
1994-2000)
Mark Jirsa
Minnesota
Minnesota Geological
Geological Survey
Survey
2642 University Avenue
St. Paul, MN USA 55114-1057
55 114-1057
(612)-627-4780
(6 12)-627-4780
email: jirsaOO
iirsa00liätc.umn.edu
1(Sitc.umn.edu
http://www.ilsgeology.org
ILSG website:
website: htto://www.ilsgeologv.org
All volumes are
are available
available at
at the
the cost
costofphotocopying
ofphotocopyingfrom
from Michigan
Michigan Technical
TechnicalUniversity
UniversityArchives.

TSSN 1042-9964
1042-9964
ISSN

�INSTITUTE
LAKE SUPERIOR
SUPERIOR GEOLOGY
GEOLOGY
INSTITUTE ON
ON LAKE

CONTENTS
Proceedings
Proceedings Volume
Volume 46
46
Part
Part 1—Program
I-Program and Abstracts
Abstracts
Editor: Stephen
Editor:
StephenA.
A. Kissin
Kissin
Institutes on
Institutes
on Lake
Lake Superior
Superior Geology,
Geology, 1955-2000
1955-2000 .....

.

...... iii

...
By-Laws of
the Institute
Lake Superior
Geology ....
By-Laws
of the
Institute on
on Lake
Superior Geology

. . . .v

Constitution of
Constitution
of the
the Institute
Institute on
on Lake
Lake Superior
Superior Geology
Geology

Goldich
Goldich Medal Guidelines
Guidelines

Past Goldich Medallists
Medallists

...................

.....

. . . vivi

...
..... viii
Vlll

Goldich Medal Committee ...............

...
viii
..... Vlll

Citation
Recipient.......
Citation for 2000
2000 Goldieh
Goldich Medal Recipient

...... ix
.

.................

. . . xi

...

..............

. . . . . . xii
...
xiii
. . . . . . Xlll

Student Paper
Student
Paper Awards
Awards Committee
Committee .....

...
. . . . . . Xxiii
lll

Student Travel
Travel Awards
Awards

Student Travel
Travel Award Application
Application Form
Form
Student Paper
Student
Paper Awards
Awards

Board of Directors
Directors

.............

Xiv
. . . . . . xiv

Local Committees
Committees

.....

. . . . . . xiv

.................................
Report of the
the Chair
Chair of
of the
the 45th
45th Annual
Annual Institute
Institute Meeting ......
Program ........................................
Banquet
Speaker
Banquetspeaker

Abstracts
Abstracts

....

xv
.......XV

...... xvi

...... Xix
xix
... 1
.

1

�ON LAKE
LAKE SUPERIOR
SUPERIOR GEOLOGY,
GEOLOGY, 1955-2000
1955-2000
INSTITUTES ON
# DATE

PLACE

CHAIRS

1
1955
1
1955 Minneapolis,
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minnesota
Floughton,
Michigan
1956
1956 Houghton,
3 1957
1957 East Lansing,
Lansing, Michigan
Michigan
44 1958
1958 Duluth,
Duluth, Minnesota
Minnesota
5 1959
1959 Minneapolis,
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minnesota

C.E. Dutton
Dutton
A.K. Sneigrove
Snelgrove
B.T. Sandefür
Sandefiir
R.W. Marsden
Marsden
G.M. Schwartz
&amp; C. Craddock
Craddock (note
(note
Schwartz &amp;

2
2

66
77
88
9
9
10
10
11
11
12
12
13
13
14
14
15
15
16
16
17
17
18
18
19
19
20
20
21
21
22
22
23
23
24
24
25
25
26
27
28
29
30
30
31
31
32
32
33
33
34
34
35
35
36
37
38

1960
1960 Madison,
Madison, Wisconsin
1961
1961
1962
1962
1963
1963
1964
1964
1965
1965
1966
1966
1967
1967
1968
1968
1969
1969
1970
1970
1971
1971
1972
1972
1973
1973
1974
1974
1975
1975
1976
1976
1977
1977
1978
1978
1979
1979
1980
1980
1981
1981
1982
1982
1983
1983
1984
1984
1985
1985
1986
1986
1987
1988
1988
1989
1989
1990
1990
1991
1991
1992
1992

Port Arthur,
Arthur, Ontario
Ontario
Houghton,
Michigan
Houghton, Michigan
Duluth,
Duluth, Minnesota
Minnesota
Ishpcming,
Ishpeming, Michigan
St. Paul, Minnesota
Minnesota
Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan
Michigan
East Lansing, Michigan
Superior,
Superior, Wisconsin
Oshkosh, Wisconsin
Thunder Bay, Ontario
Ontario
Duluth, Minnesota
Houghton, Michigan
Madison, Wisconsin
Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
Marquette,
Marquette, Michigan
Michigan
Minnesota
St. Paul, Minnesota
Thunder
Thunder Bay, Ontario
Ontario
Wisconsin
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Minnesota
Duluth, Minnesota
Eau Claire, Wisconsin
East Lansing, Michigan
International Falls, Minnesota
Houghton, Michigan
Wausau, Wisconsin
Kenora, Ontario
Ontario
Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wawa, Ontario
Ontario
Marquette, Michigan
Marquette,
Duluth, Minnesota
Minnesota
Thunder Bay, Ontario
Ontario
Eau Claire,
Claire, Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Hurley, Wisconsin
I

correction)
correction)
E.N. Cameron
Cameron
E.G. Pye
Pye
A.K. Snelgrove
Snelgrove
H. Lepp
Lepp
A.T. Broderick
Broderick
P.K. Sims &amp; R.K. Hogberg
R.W. White
W.J. Hinze
H i e
A.B. Dickas
A.B.
G.L. LaBerge
LaBerge
M.W. Bartley &amp; E. Mercy
M.W.
D.M. Davidson
Davidson
Kalliokoski
J. Kalliokoski
M.E. Ostrom
Ostrom
P.E. Giblin
Giblin
J.D. Hughes
Hughes
M. Walton
Walton
M.M. Kehienbeck
Kehlenbeck
U. Mursky
G.
D.M. Davidson
Davidson
P.E. Myers
Myers
W.C. Cambray
W.C.
D.L. Southwick
Southwick
D.L.
Bomhorst
T.J. Bornhorst
LaBerge
G.L. LaBerge
Blackburn
C.E. Blackburn
J.K.
Greenberg
J.K. Greenberg
Sage
E.D. Frey &amp; R.P. Sage
J. S. Klasner
J.C. Green
Green
M.M. Kehlenbeck
Kehlenbeck
P.E. Myers
Myers
A.B. Dickas
Dickas

�39
40
41
42
43

44
45

1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999

46 2000

D.L. Southwick
Southwick
T.J. Borithorst
Bornhorst
M.C. Smyk
L.CI.Woodruff
Woodruff
L.G.
R.P. Sage, W. Meyer
J.D. Miller, M.A. Jirsa
T.J. Bornhorst, R.S. Regis
S.A. Kissin, P. Fralick

Eveleth, Minnesota
Minnesota
Houghton,
Houghton, Michigan
Michigan
Marathon, Ontario
Ontario
Cable, Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Sudbury, Ontario
Ontario
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Marquette,
Marquette, Michigan
Michigan
Thunder Bay, Ontario
Ontario

11

�CONSTITUTION
CONSTITUTION

LAKE SUPERIOR
SUPERIOR GEOLOGY
GEOLOGY
OF THE INSTITUTE ON LAKE
(Last amended by the
the Board—May
Board-May 8, 1997)
1997)
Article II
Article

Name
The name of the organization
organization shall be the "Institute on Lake
Superior Geology".
Geology".

Article II
Article
I1

Objectives
Objectives
The objectives
objectivesof
of this
this organization
organizationare:
are:

A. To
Toprovide
provideaameans
meanswhereby
whereby geologists
geologists in
in the
the Great
Great Lakes
Lakes region
region may
exchange ideas and scientific
scientific data.
B. To
Topromote
promotebetter
better understanding
understanding of
of the geology of the Lake Superior
Superior
region.
region.
C. To
Toplan
plan and
and conduct
conduct geological
geological field
field trips.
Article III
Article
111

Status
&amp;&amp;
No part of
of the income
income of the organization
organization shall
shall insure
insure to the benefit
benefit of
of any
any
member or individual. In the event of dissolution, the assets of the
organization shall
organization
shall be distributed
distributed to
to _________(some
free
(some tax free
organization).
organization).

(To avoid Federal and State income taxes, the organization should be not
educational, but
only "scientific" or "educational,
but also
also "non-profit")
"non-profit")

Anno. 290.01,
290.01, subd.
subd. 44
Minn. Stat.
Stat. Anna.
Minn. Stat.
Stat. Anno. 290.05(9)
290.05(9)
1954
1954 Internal Revenue
Revenue Code
Code s.501(c)(3)
s.501(~)(3)
Article IV
Article

Membership
Membershir
The membership of the organization shall consist of persons who have
registered for an annual meeting within the past three
three years, and those who
indicate interest in being a member according to guidelines approved by
the Board of Directors.
Directors.

Article V
Article

Meetings
Meetings
The organization shall meet once aa year.
year. The
The place and exact date of each
meeting will
will be
be designated
designated by
by the
the Board
Board of
of Directors.
Directors.

Article VI

Directors
Directors
The Board of Directors shall consist of the Chair, Secretary-Treasurer, and
the last three past Chairs; but if the board should at
at any
any time
time consist
consist of
of

...

I"I
ll

�fewer than five persons, by reason of unwillingness or inability of any of
the above persons to serve as directors, the vacancies on the board may be
be
filled by the Chair so as to bring the membership of the board to five
members.
members.
Article
ArticleVII
VII

Officers
Officers

The
The officers
officers of
of this
this organization
organization shall
shall be
be aa Chair
Chair and
and Secretary-Treasurer.
Secretary-Treasurer.

A.
A. The
TheChair
Chairshall
shallbe
beelected
electedeach
eachyear
year by
by the
the Board
Board of
of Directors,
Directors, who
shall
give
due
consideration
to
the
wishes
of
any
group
that
shall give due consideration to the wishes of any group that may
may be
be
promoting
the
next
annual
His/her
term
of
office
as
Chair
will
promoting
the
meeting.
Hisher
term
of
office
as
Chair
will
terminate
terminate at
at the
the close
close of
of the
the annual
annual meeting over
over which
which he/she
helshe presides, or
or
when
when his/her
hisiher successor shall have been appointed. He/she
Helshe will then
then serve
serve
for
for aa period
period of
of three
three years
years as
as aa member
member of
of the
the Board
Boardof
ofDirectors.
Directors.
B.
The
Secretary-Treasurer
shall
be
elected
at
the
annual
B. The Secretary-Treasurer shall be elected at the annualmeeting.
meeting.
His/her
Hisiher term
term of
of office
office shall
shall be four
four years, or until his/her
hisher successor
successor shall
shall
have
been
appointed.
have been appointed.
Article
ArticleVIII
VIII

Amendments
Amendments
This
This constitution
constitutionmay
may be
be amended
amended by
by aa majority
majority vote
vote (majority
(majority of
of those
those
voting)
voting)of
of the
the membership
membershipof
ofthe
theorganization.
organization.

iv

�BY-LAWS
OF THE INSTITUTE ON LAKE
LAKE SUPERIOR GEOLOGY
I. Duties
Dutiesof
of the
the Officers
Officers and Directors
A. ItItshall
shallbe
bethe
theduty
dutyof
ofthe
the Annual
Annual Chairman
Chairman to:
1. Preside
Preside at
at the
the annual
annual meeting.
meeting.
2. Appoint
Appointall
allcommittees
committeesneeded
needed for
for the
the organization
organizationof
of the
the annual
annual meeting.
meeting.
3. Assume
Assumecomplete
completeresponsibility
responsibility for
forthe
the organization
organizationand
and financing
financing of
of the
the
annual meeting over which he/she
presides.
helshe
B. ItItshall
shallbe
bethe
theduty
dutyof
ofthe
theSecretary-Treasurer
Secretary-Treasurerto:
1. Keep
Keep accurate
accurateattendance
attendance records
records of
of all
all annual
annual meetings.
meetings.
2. Keep
Keepaccurate
accuraterecords
records of
of all
all meetings
meetings of, and correspondence
correspondence between, the
Board of Directors.
Directors.
3. Hold
Holdall
allfunds
fundsthat
that may
may accrue
accrue as
as profits
profits from
from annual meetings
meetings or field
field
organization and operation
trips and to make these funds available
available for the organization
operation
of future
future meetings
meetings as
as required.
required.
C. ItItshall
shallbe
bethe
theduty
dutyof
ofthe
the Board
Board of
of Directors
Directorsto
to plan locations
locations of
of annual
annual
meetings
meetings and to advise
advise on the organization
organization and financing
financing of all meetings.

II. Duties
11.
Duties and
and Expenses
Expenses
A. Regular
$5.00or
or less
less on
on an
an annual
annual basis
basis shall
shall be assessed
assessed
Regularmembership
membershipdues
duesof
of $5.00
each
each member
member as
as determined
determined by
by the
the Board
Boardof
of Directors..
Directors..

B. Registration
Registrationfees
feesfor
forthe
the annual
annual meetings
meetings shall
shall be determined by the Chair in
Directors. The
consultation with the Board of Directors.
The registration
registration fees
fees can include
include
determined by
expenses to cover operations outside of the annual meeting as determined
the Board of Directors. ItItisisstrongly
recommended
that
registration
strongly recommended that registration fees
fees be
be
kept at a minimum
minimum to
to encourage
encourage attendance
attendance of
of students.
students.
III. Rules
111.
Rules of
of Order
The rules contained
contained in Robert's Rules of Order shall govern this organization
organization in
in all
all
cases
cases to which
which they
they are
are applicable.
applicable.

IV. Amendments
Amendments
by aa majority
majorityvote
vote (majority
(majorityof
ofthose
thosevoting)
voting)of
of
These by-laws may be amended by
the membership
membership of
of the organization;
organization; provided
provided that such
such modifications
modifications shall
shall not
not
conflict with the constitution
as
presently
adopted
or
subsequently
amended.
constitution

v

�GOLDICH
GOLDICH MEDAL
MEDAL GUIDELINES
GUIDELINES
(Adopted
(Adopted by the
the Board
Board of
of Directors, 1981;
1981;amended
amended 1999)
1999)
Preamble
Preamble

The
The Institute
Institute on
on Lake
Lake Superior
Superior Geology
Geology was born in 1955,
1955, as documented
documented by the fact
fact that
that
the 27th
annual
meeting
was
held
in
1981.
The
Institute's
continuing
objectives
are
to
27th annual
The Institute's continuing objectives are
deal with those
those aspects
aspects of
of geology that are related geographically
geographically to Lake Superior;
Superior; to
encourage
encourage the discussion
discussion of
of subjects
subjects and sponsoring
sponsoring field trips that will bring
bring together
together
geologists
geologists from
from academia,
academia, government surveys,
surveys, and industry; and to maintain an
an informal
informal
but
but highly
highly effective
effectivemode
modeof
ofoperation.
operation.
During
During the
the course
course of
of its
its existence,
existence, the
the membership
membershipof
of the
the Institute
Institute (that
(that is,
is, those
those
geologists
who
indicate
an
interest
in
the
objectives
of
the
ILSG
by
attending)
geologists
indicate an interest
objectives
attending) has
has
become
become aware
aware of
of the
the fact
fact that
that certain
certain of
of their
their colleagues
colleagues have made particularly
noteworthy
noteworthy and
and meritorious
meritoriouscontributions
contributionsto
to the
the understanding
understanding of
of Lake
Lake Superior
Superiorgeology
geology
and
and mineral
mineral deposits.
deposits.
The
The first
first award
awardwas
was made
made by
by ILSG
ILSG to
to Sam
SamGoldich
Goldich in
in 1979
1979for
for his
his many
many contributions
contributionsto
to
the
the geology
geologyof
of the
the region
regionextending
extendingover
over about
about 50
50 years.
years. Subsequent
Subsequent medalists
medalists and
and this
this
year's
year's recipient
recipientare
arelisted
listedin
inthe
thetable
tablebelow.
below.
Award
Award Guidelines
Guidelines
1)
1) The
Themedal
medalshall
shallbe
beawarded
awardedannually
annuallyby
bythe
theILSG
ILSGBoard
Boardof
ofDirectors
Directorsto
toaageologist
geologist
whose
whose name
name is
is associated
associated with a substantial
substantial interest in, and contribution
contributionto,
to, the
the geology
geology
of
the
Lake
Superior
region.
of the Lake Superior region.

2) The
TheBoard
Boardof
ofDirectors
Directorsshall
shall appoint
appoint the Goldich Medal Committee. The
The initial
initial
appointment
appointment will
will be
be of
of three
three members,
members, one
one to
to serve
serve for
for three
three years, one
one for
for two
two years,
years, and
and
one
one for
for one
one year.
year. The
Themember
memberwith
withthe
thebriefest
briefestincumbency
incumbencyshall
shallbe
be chair
chair of
of the
the
Nominating
Committee.
After
the
first
year,
the
Board
of
Directors
shall
appoint
Nominating Committee. After the first year, the Board of Directors shall appoint at
at each
each
spring
years. In
histher third
third year
year this
this
spring meeting
meeting one
one new
new member
member who will serve for three years.
In his/her
member
member shall
shall be
be the
the chair.
chair. The
TheCommittee
Committeemembership
membershipshould
shouldreflect
reflect the
the main
main fields
fieldsof
of
interest
interestand
andgeographic
geographicdistribution
distributionofofILSG
ILSGmembership.
membership.
3)
3) By
Bythe
theend
endofofNovember,
November,the
theGoldich
GoldichMedal
Medal Committee
Committeeshall
shall make
make its
its
recommendation
recommendationto
to the
theChair
Chairof
ofthe
the Board
Board of
of Directors,
Directors, who
who will
will then
then inform
inform the
the Board
Board
of
the
nominee.
of the nominee.
4)
4) The
TheBoard
BoardofofDirectors
Directorsnormally
normallywill
willaccept
acceptthe
thenominee
nomineeof
ofthe
theCommittee,
Committee,inform
inform
the
the medallist,
medallist,and
andhave
haveone
onemedal
medalengraved
engravedappropriately
appropriatelyfor
for presentation
presentation at
at the
the next
next
meeting
meetingof
ofthe
theInstitute.
Institute.

vi

�I

sources, such
5) ItIt isisrecommended
recommendedthat
that the
the Institute
Institute set
set aside
aside annually from whatever sources.
funds as will be required to support the continuing
continuing costs of this award.
award.
Nominating
Nominatine Procedures
Procedures
1) The
The deadline
deadline for
for nominations
nominations is November 1. Nominations shall be taken at any time
by the Goldich Medal Committee. Committee
Committee members
members may themselves
themselves nominate
nominate
candidates; however, Board members may not solicit for or support individual
candidates;
individual nominees.

2) Nominations
Nominationsmust
mustbe
bein
inwriting
writing and
and supported
supported by
by appropriate
appropriate documentation
documentation such
such as
as
letters of recommendation, lists
of
publications,
curriculum
vita's,
and
evidence
of
lists
curriculum
evidence
contributions
contributions to Lake Superior
Superior geology and to the Institute.
Institute.

3) Nominations
Nominationsare
arenot
notrestricted
restricted to
to Institute
Instituteattendees,
attendees, but are open to anyone
anyone who has
worked on and contributed to the understanding of Lake Superior
Superior geology.
Selection
Selection Guidelines
Guidelines
1) Nominees
Nominees are
are to
to be
be evaluated
evaluated on
on the
the basis of their contributions
contributions to Lake Superior
geology (sensu
(sensu lato)
lato) including:
including:
geology
a) importance
importanceof
ofrelevant
relevantpublications;
publications;
b) promotion
promotionof
ofdiscovery
discoveryand
andutilization
utilizationof
of natural
natural resources;
resources;
c) contributions
contributionsto
tounderstanding
understandingof
of the
the natural
natural history
history and
and environment
environmentof
of the
the
region;
region;
d) generation
generationof
ofnew
new ideas
ideas and
and concepts; and
e) contributions
contributionsto
to the
the training
training and
and education
education of geoscientists
geoscientists and the public.

2) Nominees
Nomineesare
areto
tobe
beevaluated
evaluatedon
ontheir
their contributions
contributionsto
to the
the Institute
Institute as
as demonstrated
demonstrated by
attendance
at
Institute
meetings,
presentation
of
talks
and
posters,
and
service
attendance at Institute
of talks
service on
on Institute
Institute
boards, committees,
committees, and
and field
field trips.
trips.

3) The
Therelative
relativeweights
weightsgiven
givento
to each
each of
of the foregoing
foregoing criteria must remain flexible and at
the discretion
discretion of
of the
the Committee
Committee members.
members.
4) There
Thereare
areseveral
severalpoints
pointsto
tobe
beconsidered
consideredby
by the
the Goldich
Goldich Medal
Medal Committee:
Committee:
a) An
attempt
should
be
made
to
maintain
a
balance
of
medal
recipients from
An attempt should be made to maintain a balance of
from each
each
of the
the three
three estates—industry,
estates-industry, academia, and government.
government.
b) ItItmust
mustbe
benoted
notedthat
thatindustry
industrygeoscientists
geoscientistsare
are at
at aa disadvantage
disadvantage in that much of
of
their work in not published.

5) Lake
Canada. This
LakeSuperior
Superiorhas
has two
two sides,
sides, one
one the U.S.,
U.S., and the other Canada.
This is
is undoubtedly
undoubtedly
one of the Institute's great strengths and should be
be nurtured
nurtured by
by equitable
equitable recognition
recognition of
of
excellence
excellence in
in both
both countries.
countries.

vii

�GOLDICH MEDALISTS
MEDALISTS
1979 Samuel
Samuel5.
S.Goldich
Goldich

1990 Kenneth
C. Card
Card
KennethC.

1980 not
not awarded
awarded
1980

1991 William Hinze
1991

1981
1981 Carl E. Dutton, Jr.

1992 William
William F.
F. Cannon

1982 Ralph
RalphW.
W. Marsden
Marsden

1993 Donald
Donald W.
W. Davis
Davis

1983 Burton
BurtonBoyum
Boyum

1994 Cedric
CedricIverson
Iverson

1984 Richard
RichardW.
W. Ojakangas
Ojakangas

1995 Gene
GeneLaBerge
LaBerge

K. Sims
Sims
1985 Paul
Paul K.

1996 David
David L.
L. Southwick
Southwick

1986 G.B.
G.B.Morey
Morey

1997 Ronald
P. Sage
Sage
Ronald P.

1987 Henry
HenryH.
H. Halls
Halls

Petennan
1998
1998 Zell Peterman

1988 Walter
WalterS.
S.White
White

1999 Tsu-Ming
Tsu-Ming Han

1989
Kalliokoski
1989 Jorma
Jorma}Calliokoski

2000 John
2000
John C
C. Green
Green

GOLDICH MEDAL COMMITTEE
COMMITTEE1999-2000
1999-2000
members
(Committee
(Committeemembership
membershipextends
extendsthrough
throughthe
the meeting
meeting year
year shown;
shown; replacement
replacement members
that year.
year. Note
will be selected during the Board of Directors' annual meeting of that
Note that
that the
the
1999 Board of Directors)
Directors)
term of each
each committee
committee member was extended 11 year by the 1999

John Klasner
John
Klasner(2000)
(2000)
Western Illinois
Illinois University, Macomb, Illinois
Illinois
Mark
Mark Smyk
Smyk(2001)
(2001)
Ontario
Ontario Geological
Geological Survey,
Survey, Thunder
Thunder Bay
Bay

Johnson (2002)
Rod Johnson
(2002)
Rod Johnson and Associates,
Associates, Negaunee, Michigan
viii
viii

�CITATION

John C
C.Green,
Green,
Medal Recipient
2000 Goldich Medal
John C.
C. Green,
Green, Professor
Professor Emeritus
Emeritus of
of the
the Department
Department of
ofGeological
GeologicalSciences,
Sciences,
University of Minnesota-Duluth, has
had
a
long,
distinguished,
and
on-going
career
has
distinguished, and on-going careerin
in the
the
Lake Superior
Superior region.
He received his B.A.
B.A. Degree
Degree in
in Geology
Geology from
from Dartmouth
DartmouthCollege
Collegeinin 1953.
1953. He
at the
the University
University of
of Oslo
Osloon
onaaFulbright
FulbrightFellowship.
Fellowship. He
then spent a year amid Norskies at
Ph.D. in 1960, both
both from
from Harvard
Harvard University.
University. With
received his M.A. in 1956
1956 and his Ph.D.
With his
his
dissertation
on
Appalachian
geology
of
an
area
in
New
Hampshire/Maine
not
quite
dissertation on Appalachian geology of
in New Hampshire/Maine not quite
finished, New Englanders
Englanders John and Jan moved to Duluth in 1958
1958 when John accepted the
position at UMD.
position
UMD. Most
Mostofofhis
hissubsequent
subsequentsummers
summers were
were spent
spent mapping
mapping in
in northern
northern
He
did
the
Archean
portion
of the
Minnesota for the
Minnesota
Geological
Survey.
the
the Minnesota Geological Survey.
the Archean
Gabbro
1966), the first
first detailed map
map
Gabbro Lake 15'
15' Quadrangle
Quadrangle(Green,
(Green, Phinney,
Phinney, and Weiblen, 1966),
in the
that was undertaken
by the MGS
the remapping
remapping of the
the Precambrian
Precambrian that
undertaken by
MGS under
under the
the
leadership of Paul Sims. Whereas
Minnesota
has
been
his
primary
working
domain,
Whereas Minnesota has been his primary working domain, he
he
has taught at the Wasatch-Uinta
Wasatch-Uinta Geology Field Camp in Utah for six summers, has spent
a year
year as
as aaNASA-NRC
NASA-NRC Senior
Senior Research
Research Associate
Associate at the
the Johnson
Johnson Space
Space Center
Center in
in
including
study
Houston, and
has
traveled
widely
—
Japan,
Iceland,
and
Namibia
—
to
Iceland, and Namibia - to study
and has traveled widely - including
volcanic
volcanic rocks.
rocks.
John has served as Head of UMD's Department
Department of Geology, has served
served on
on dozens
dozens
of university committees, and has chaired several of them.
them. He
Hewas
wason
onthe
theAll-University
All-University
Council
has chaired
chaired the
the Board of
of Directors
Council on Environmental
Environmental Quality for eight years. He
He has
of the Lake Superior
Basin
Studies
Center.
He
has
taught
20
different
courses,
including
Superior
Studies
He has taught 20 different courses,including
several that
that deal with
geology, one
one of
of his many
He has
several
with environmental
environmental geology,
many interests.
interests. He
has
supervised 13
supervised
13 M.S. theses
theses and has served
served on
on 61
61 M.S. and
and 55 Ph.D. examining
examining committees.
committees.
He has
has authored
authored or
or co-authored
co-authored more
more than
than 100
100publications,
publications, maps,
maps, field
field guides,
guides, and
and
abstracts.
abstracts.

John's
has been
been the
theNorth
NorthShore
ShoreVolcanic
VolcanicGroup
Group—John's main
main scientific
scientific interest
interest has
physical volcanology,
stratigraphy, physical
volcanology, structure,
structure, petrology,
petrology, and
and chemistry
chemistry—- and
and the
the
in general.
general. Indeed, the name of John C. Green is synonymous
Midcontinent Rift System in
with
with the NSVG.
NSVG.

He is a most careflil
geologist. Today,
careful and observant field geologist.
Today, at the
the age
age of
of 68,
68, long
long
would have
have hung
hung up
up their field boots
after many geologists would
boots and settled for writing the
paper about
about their
their glory
glory days, he is still out their leading field trips,
umpteenth summary paper
beating the bush and the bugs, and hunting for the outcrops that
that will
will bring
bring him
him a little
beating
John
doesn't
just
look
at
the
rocks!
He
is
the
rare
"complete
closer
is the rare "complete
closer to the
the truth.
truth. John doesn't just look at the rocks!
naturalist", for he knows every species of flora and
and fauna
fauna as
as well.
well. And,
And, he
he isis very
very active
active
in preservation
preservation ooff nature for the enjoyment
enjoyment of all. His foresight, initiative, and drive
resulted in
in the
the preservation
preservation of
of Sugarloaf
Sugarloaf Cove/Point
CoveIPoint near Schroeder on the North Shore,
Shore,
with its unique geology,
geology, flora,
flora, and cultural
cultural history, as aa protected
protected Natural and
and Scientific
Scientific
ix

�Site.
Site. He was
was instrumental
instrumental in the
the founding
founding and
and continuance
continuance of SICA,
SICA, the Sugarloaf
Sugarloaf
Interpretative
Center
Association.
Interpretative Center Association.

One of his
his more
more recent
recent accomplishments
accomplishments is his book on
on the
the geology
geology and
and natural
natural
history
of
the
state
parks
of
the
North
Shore,
entitled
"Geology
on
Display".
history
state parks of the North Shore, entitled "Geology on Display". It was
was
published by the
1996.
published
the Minnesota
MinnesotaDNR
DNR in
in 1996.

John has been one
one of
of the
the strongest
strongest supporters
supporters of the
the Institute
Institute on
on Lake
Lake Superior
Superior
Geology over the last several decades.
decades. He presented his first talk there in 1959,
1959, and has
added 28 abstracts
abstracts since
since then.
then. It is because of the dedication and support of people
people like
like
John, that the ILSG has remained
such
a
viable
and
healthy
organization
for
nearly
half
remained such a viable and healthy organization for nearly half aa
century.
century.

geologist, the
the laboratory
John
C. Green
Green—- the
the tireless
tireless field
field geologist,
laboratory scientist,
scientist, the
John C.
demanding teacher,
teacher, the knowledgeable and
and cooperative
colleague,
the
educator
of the
cooperative colleague, the
the
most deserving
deserving of the
public, the complete
complete naturalist,
naturalist, and
and the
the advocate
advocateof
ofILSG
ILSG—- is
is most
Goldich Medal!
Medal! All of us
us assembled
assembled here, as well
well as
as wife
wife Jan,
Jan, daughters
daughters Martha
Martha and
and
Sarah, sons-in-law Joe and Richard, and
five
grandchildren,
are
proud
of
you!
and five grandchildren, are proud of you!
Congratulations, J.C.!
Congratulations,
J.C.!

x

�4

EISENBREY
EISENBREYSTUDENT
STUDENTTRAVEL
TRAVELAWARDS
AWARDS

The
The 1986
1986Board
Board of
ofDirectors
Directorsestablished
established the
the ILSU
ILSG Student
Student Travel
Travel Awards
Awards to
to support
support
student
Institute. The
student participation at the annual meeting
meeting of the Institute.
Thename
name "Eisenbrey"
"Eisenbrey" was
was

added
Eisenbrey(1926-1985)
(1926-1985)and
andutilize
utilize
added to
to the
theaward
awardinin1998
1998totohonor
honorEdward
EdwardH.H.Eisenbrey
contributions
contributions made
made to
to the
the 1996
1996Institute
Institutemeeting
meetingininhis
hisname.
name. "Ned'
"Ned"isiscredited
creditedwith
with
discovery of significant
massive sulfide
sulfide deposits
deposits in
in Wisconsin,
significant volcanogenic
volcanogenic massive
Wisconsin, but his
his
talents as
scopewas
was much
muchbroader—he
broader-he has been described as having unique talents
as an
an ore
ore finder,
finder,
scope

geologist,
geologist, and
and teacher.
teacher. These
Theseawards
awardsare
areintended
intendedtotohelp
helpdefray
defraysome
someof
ofthe
thedirect
directtravel
travel

costs
costs of
of attending
attending Institute
Institute meetings,
meetings, and include
include a waiver
waiver of
of registration
registration fees,
fees, but
but
exclude
exclude expenses
expenses for
for meals,
meals, lodging,
lodging, and
and field
field trip registration.
registration. The
Thenumber
numberofofawards
awards

and
and value
value are
aredetermined
determined by
by the
theannual
annualChair
Chairininconsultation
consultationwith
withthe
theSecretarySecretaryTreasurer.
Treasurer.Recipients
Recipientswill
willbe
beannounced
announcedatatthe
theannual
annualbanquet.
banquet.

The
The following
followinggeneral
general criteria
criteria will
will be
be considered
considered by the annual
annual Chair,
Chair, who
who is
is responsible
responsible
for
forthe
theselection:
selection:

1)
1) The
Theapplicants
applicantsmust
musthave
haveactive
activeresident
resident(undergraduate
(undergraduate or
or graduate)
graduate)student
studentstatus
statusatai
the
thetime
timeof
ofthe
theannual
annualmeeting
meetingof
ofthe
theInstitute,
Institute,certified
certifiedby
by the
thedepartment
departmenthead.
head.

who are the senior author
author on
on either
either an oral or poster
2) Students who
poster paper
paper will be
be given
given
2)
favored
favoredconsideration.
consideration.

3)
3) ItItisisdesirable
desirablefor
fortwo
twoorormore
morestudents
studentsto
tojointly
jointly request
requesttravel
travel assistance.
assistance.

4)
4) InIngeneral,
general,priority
prioritywill
willbebegiven
giventotothose
thoseininthe
theInstitute
Instituteregion
regionwho
whoare
arefarthest
farthestaway
away
from
from the
the meeting
meetinglocation.
location.

5) Each
Eachtravel
travelaward
awardrequest
requestshall
shallbe
bemade
madeininwriting
writingtotothe
theannual
annualChair,
Chair,arid
andshould
should
explain need, student and author status, and other significant
significant details.
details. The
The form
form below is
is
optional.
optional.
Students
Students can
can use
use the
the form
form below,
below, or
or consult
consultthe
the Institute's
Institute's web
webpage
page(ilsgeology.org)
(ilsgeology.org) to
to
apply.
apply. Successful
Successful applicants should contact the meeting chair to receive
receive their
their awards
awards
during
during the
the meeting.
meeting.

xi

�-

p

INSTITUTE
SUPERIOR
GEOLOGY
INSTITUTE ONLAKE
ONLAKE
SUPERIOR
GEOLOGY

flTenbrey

Eisenbrey Student
Student Travel
Travel Award
Award Application
Application

Student
StudentName:
Name:

Date:
Date:

Address:
email: _____________________
Department
DepartmentHead-Typed
Head-Typed
Department
DepartmentHead-Signature
Head-Signature

Educational
Educational Status:
Status:________________________

Are
the senior
seniorauthor
authorofofanan
oral
or poster
paper?
NO_._
oral
or poster
paper?
Y YES—
E S NOAre you the
Will
Will any
any other
otherstudents
studentsbe
betraveling
travelingwith
withyou?
you?

Who?
Who? ________________

Statement
Statementof
of need
need (use
(useadditional
additionalpage
pageififnecessaiy)
necessary)

to:
Pleasereturn
returnto:
Please

xl'
xii

�STUDENT PAPER AWARDS
.,

Each year, the Institute selects the best of the student presentations and honors presenters
Funding for
for the award
registrations of the
with aa monetary
monetary award.
award. Funding
award is generated from registrations
annual meeting. The
TheStudent
StudentPaper
Paper Committee
Committeeis
is appointed
appointed by
by the
the annual
annual meeting
meeting Chair
Chair
in such a manner
as
to
represent
a
broad
range
of
professional
and
geologic
expertise.
manner as to represent a broad range of professional and geologic expertise.
Criteria
for
Criteria for best
best student
studentpaper—last
paper-last modified by the Board
Board in
in 1997—follow:
1997-follow:
1)

The contribution
contribution must be demonstrably
demonstrably the work of the student.
student.

2)

The student
student must present the contribution
contribution in-person.

3)

The Student
Student Paper Committee
Committee shall
shall decide
decide how many awards to grant, and whether
or not to give
give separate
separate awards
awards for
for poster
poster vs.
vs. oral
oral presentations.
presentations.

4)

In cases of multiple
senior author,
author, or
or
multiple student
student authors, the award will be made to the senior
*
the award will be shared equally by all authors
authors of the contribution.
contribution.

5)

The
The total amount of the awards is left to the discretion of the meeting Chair and
typically is about
Secretary-Treasurer, but typically
about $300
$300 US.
US.

6)

The Secretary-Treasurer
Secretary-Treasurer maintains, and will supply
supply to the Committee,
Committee, a form
form for
for the
the
numerical ranking of presentations. This
This form
form was
was created
created and modified
modified by Student
Student
Paper Committees
Committees over several
several years in an effort to reduce the difficulties
difficulties that may
arise from selection
background. The
selection by raters of diverse background.
The use of the form is not
required, but is
required,
is left
left to the
the discretion
discretion of the Committee.
Committee.

7)

The names of award recipients shall
Chair's report
report
shall be included as part of the annual Chair's
that appears
appears in
in the
the next volume of the Institute.
Institute.

Student
Student papers
papers will
will be
be noted
noted (*)
(*)on
onthe
the Program.
Program.

STUDENTPAPER
PAPER AWARDS
AWARDS COMMITTEE
COMMITTEE
2000 STUDENT

Manfred M. Kehlenbeck, Chair
Chair
Manfred
Lakehead Univers
University, Thunder Bay, Ontario
Terrence
TerrenceS.
J. Boerboom
Boerboom
Minnesota Geological Survey, St. Paul, Minnesota
Graham C. Wilson
son
Turnstone
urnstone Geological
Geological Ltd., Campbellford,
Campbellford, Ontario
Ontario

...

xiii
Xlll

�2000 BOARD
2000
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
meeting year shown in parentheses)
parentheses)
(Board membership extends through the meeting

Stephen
Stephen A. Kissin, Chair
Chair(2003)
(2003)
Lakehead University, Thunder
Thunder Bay, Ontario
Ontario
Theodore J. Bornhorst
Bornhorst(2002)
(2002)
Michigan Technological
Technological University,
University, Houghton,
Houghton, Michigan
Michigan
James
James D.
D. Miller
Miller (2001)
(2001)
Minnesota Geological
Geological Survey,
Survey, St.
St. Paul,
Paul, Minnesota
Minnesota
Ronald
Ronald P.
P.Sage
Sage(2000)
(2000)
Ontario Geological
Geological Survey
Survey

Mark
Mark Jirsa
Jirsa(2000)
(2000) Institute
Institute Secretary-Treasurer
Secretary-Treasurer
Minnesota Geological Survey, St. Paul, Minnesota

LOCAL COMMITTEES
LOCAL
COMMITTEES 2000
GENERAL
GENERAL CO-CHAIRS:
CO-CHAIRS:Stephen
StephenA.A.Kissin
Kissinand
andPhilip
PhilipW.
W. Fralick
Fralick
PROGRAM
PROGRAMAND
AND ABSTRACTS
ABSTRACTS EDITORS:
EDITORS:Stephen
StephenA.
A. Kissin
Kissin

FIELD
FIELD TRIP
TRIPCOORDINATOR
COORDINATORAND
AND GUIDEBOOK
GUIDEBOOKEDITOR:
EDITOR:Philip
PhilipW.
W. Fralick
Fralick
Assistance to
Assistance
to the
thelocal
localcommittee
committeewas
wasprovided by
by the
thefollowing individuals:
individuals:
Karen
Karen Farther
Farrier - Lakehead
Lakehead University
Manuscript preparation, accounting
accounting and communications

Sam
Lakehead University
Sam Spivak
Spivak -- Lakehead
Graphics
Graphics

Becky Rogala
Lakehead University
Rogala - Lakehead
Manuscript
preparation
Manuscript preparation and
and audio-visual
audio-visual
Mark Smyk
Northern Development
Developmentand
arid
Mines
Mines
Smyk -- Ministry of Northern
Organization
Organization

xiv

�SESSION CHAIRS (in order
order of appearance):
appearance):
Wed. AM
Manfred Kehlenbeck
Lakehead
Lakehead University
University—
- Thunder
Thunder Bay
Dick Ojakangas
University
University of
of Minnesota
Minnesota—
-Duluth
Duluth

Wed. PM
Bornhorst
Ted Bornhorst
Houghton
Michigan Technological
TechnologicalUniversity
University—
- Houghton
Mike Mudrey
Wisconsin Geological
Wisconsin
Geologicaland
and Natural
NaturalHistory
HistorySurvey
Survey—
-Madison
Madison

Thurs.
Thurs. AM
AM
Andrew Mitchell
Andrew
Mitchell
Thunder Bay
DST
DST Consulting
ConsultingEngineers
Engineers—
- Thunder
Bay
Tony Naldrett
Naldrett
Consultant —
Toronto
Consultant
- Toronto

Thurs.
Thurs. PM
PM
Mark
Mark Smyk
Smyk
Bay
Ontario
Ontario Geological
GeologicalSurvey
Survey—
- Thunder
Thunder Bay
Jim
Jim Miller
Miller
Minnesota
Minnesota Geological
GeologicalSurvey
Survey—
- Duluth

BANQUET SPEAKER
SPEAKER 2000
2000
Bruce
Bruce Simonson
Simonson
Oberlin
Oberlin College
College
"Depositional
"Depositional settings
settings and
and Early Diagenesis
Diagenesis of Large Precambrian
Precambrian Iron Formations"
Formations"

xv

�REPORT
MEETING OF
REPORTOF
OF TilE
THE45"'
4SthANNUAL
ANNUAL MEETING
OF THE
THE
INSTITUTE
INSTITUTE ON LAKE SUPERIOR
SUPERIOR GEOLOGY
GEOLOGY
Marquette,
Marquette, Michigan
Michigan

REPORT ON
MEETING OF THE INSTITUTE
INSTITUTE
REPORT
ON THE
THE 45TH
45TH ANNUAL MEETING
SUPERIOR GEOLOGY, MARQUETTE,
ON LAKE SUPERIOR
MARQUETTE, MICHIGAN
MICHIGAN
The 45th Annual
Annual Meeting
Meeting of the Institute
Institute on
on Lake
Lake Superior
Superior Geology
Geology was held in
in Marquette,
Marquette,
Michigan
May
4-8,
1999
at
the
Ramada
Inn.
The
meeting
was
co-sponsored
by
Michigan May 4-8, 1999 at the Ramada Inn.
was co-sponsored by Northern
Northern
Michigan University
Michigan Technological
Technological University.
University. Robert S. Regis and Theodore J.
University and Michigan
Bornhorst co-chaired the annual meeting.
meeting. The
The meeting was well attended with 120 geoscientists
registering
from 10
provinces, and
and Switzerland.
Switzerland. The
registering from
10 different states,
states, three Canadian
Canadian provinces,
The meeting
meeting
consisted
of
two
pre-technical
session
and
two
post-technical
session
field
trips,
two
days of
of
consisted
pre-technical session and two post-technical session field hips, two days
technical sessions,
sessions, and
and an
an evening
evening banquet.
banquet.
The Proceedings
Volume 45 was published
1- Program
Program and
and Abstracts
Abstracts was
was
Proceedings Volume
published in two
two parts.
parts. Part 1Theodore J.
J. Bornhorst.
Bornhorst. There
edited by Robert S. Regis and Theodore
There were
were 33 published abstracts for the
22 oral
Part 22 -- Field Trip
Trip
22
oral and
and 11
11poster
posterpresentations
presentations given
given in
in the
the technical
technical sessions.
sessions. Part
Guidebook, was
Guidebook,
was edited
edited by
by Theodore
Theodore J. Bornhorst. There
There were
were 44 field
field trips
hips and
and for
for two
two of
ofthem
them
there were
were separate
separate papers
papers with
with supplementary
supplementary information.
information. The
Theguidebook
guidebookcontained
contained several
several
colored maps and cross-sections.
Field hips
trips continue to be an important component
component of
of the
the annual
annual meeting
meeting of ILSG
ILSG evidenced
evidenced by
by
76% of attendees participating in 11 or more field hips.
trips. The
Theguidebook
guidebook contains
contains44field
fieldtrips:
hips:
Field trip 11 was titled
titled "Early
"Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic strata of the Marquette iron range, Michigan" and
was lead
W.F. Cannon.
Cannon. This one-day
one-day field
field trip
hip had
had 30
30 participants
participants who visited classic
classic
lead by
by W.F.
geologic localities in
in the Marquette
Marquette area.
area.
Field trip
"ArcheanIshpeming
Ishpeming greenstone
greenstone belt
belt and
and gold
goldmineralization,
mineralization,
Field
trio 22 was
wastitled
titled"Archean
Michigan" and
and was
was lead by T.O.
Michigan"
T.O. Quigley,
Quigley, R.A.
R.A. Mahin,
Mahin, D.J.
D.J. Duskin,
Duskin, R.C. Johnson,
Johnson, T.J.
Bornhorst, and G.W. Scott. This
two-day
field
trip
had
28
participants
and
visited
localities
This two-day field hip had
localities
focused on lithology,
New data
focused
lithology, structure,
structure, and
and gold
goldmineralization.
mineralization. New
data on
on several
several gold
gold
prospects were presented.
Field trip 3 was
Field
was titled
titled "Tilden
"Tilden and
and Empire
Empire Mines of the
the Marquette
Marquette iron
iron range,
range, Michgian"
Michgian"
and was lead by G.W. Scott, P.M. Nordstrom,
Nordstrom, and H.M.
H.M. Lukey.
Lukey. This
This one-day
one-day trip
trip was
was very
very
well attended with 45 participants. We
Wethank
thank the
the Tilden
Tilden Mining
Mining Company
Company and
and the
the Empire
Empire
Partnership for
for allowing
allowingaccess
accesstotothese
thesetwo
twoiron
ironmines.
mines. Participants
of this
Iron Mining
Mining Partnership
Participants of
one-day field trip
visited
localities
within
the
open-pit
mines.
This
was
the
first
time
trip visited localities
This was the first timeILSG
ILSG
has visited either of these two mines.
mines. The
The last
last time
time aa Michigan
Michigan iron
iron mine
mine was visited by an
ILSG field trip
hip was
was 27
27 years
years ago
ago in
in 1972.
1972.
Field
Field trip 44 was
wastitled
titled"Paleozoic
"Paleozoic and
and glacial
glacial strata
shata from
from Au
Au Train
Train totoGrand
Grand Marais,
Marais,
field trip
Michigan"
and was lead by R.S.
Michigan" and
R.S. Regis
Regis and
and J.J. Anderton.
Anderton. This one-day
one-day field
hip had 16
16
This is the first
participants. This
first time
time ILSG
ILSG has had
had a field
field trip
hip in
in the
the Munising
Munising area
area and
and
participants
were able to see
participants were
see and
and learn
learn about
about the
the geology
geology of
ofthe
thePictured
Pictured Rocks
RocksNational
National
Lakeshore.

xvi

�by 99 out of
of the
the 120 participants
participants at
at the
the annual
annual meeting.
meeting. Nelson Ham
The banquet was attended by
along the
the southern edge of the
of St.
St. Norbert College gave an excellent talk on glacial processes along
Laurentide ice sheet. A
Ahighlight
highlight of
of the
the banquet
banquet was
was the awarding of the 1999
1999 Goldich medal to
Tsu-Ming Han for his contributions
contributions to the North American iron ore industry. It is
is interesting
interesting to
note that Tsu-Ming delivered a paper at the first ILSG annual meeting in
in 1955
1955and
and another
another at
at this
this
meeting
some
45
years
later.
meeting some years later.

The technical sessions
sessions included two invited papers: "Cross
"Cross Margin Transport
Transport in
in Lake
Lake Superior"
Superior"
presented by
by Sarah
presented
Sarah Green
Green and
and 'A
"ANew
NewApproach
ApproachtotoHistorical
HistoricalReconstruction:
Reconstruction: Combining
Combining
Descriptive and Experimental Paleolimnology" presented
presented by
by Charlie
Charlie Kerfoot.
Kerfoot. We
We are
are grateful
grateful to
to
associated with Cliffs Mining Services,
the solicited presentations made by industry
industry personnel associated
Services,
Company and
and Empire Iron
Iron Mining
Mining Partnership.
Partnership. Two students were selected
Tilden Mining Company
selected for
Ulrich Puschner
(Basel, Switzerland)
was awarded
awarded $150 for his
outstanding presentations.
presentations. Ulrich
Puschner (Basel,
Switzerland) was
his
paper on metamorphism
of the
the Portage
Portage Lake
Lake Volcanics
Volcanics in
in Michigan
Michigan and
and Joy Loughry
poster paper
metamorphism of
(Univ. Minnesota-Moms)
Minnesota-Morris) was
was awarded
awarded $150
$150 for
for her oral presentation
presentation on the Crowduck
Crowduck Lake
David Ams (Kent State Univ.,
Group, Kenora,
Kenora, Ontario.
Ontario. Three students, David
Univ., Ohio),
Ohio), Dyana
Dyana Czeck
Czeck
(Univ. Minnesota), and Ulrich Puschner were awarded Eisenbrey
Eisenbrey Student Travel
Travel Awards
Awards for a
total of $800. All
Allof
ofthese
thesestudents
studentspresented
presented papers
papers at
at the meeting.
The Institute's Board of Directors met on May 6, 1999
1999 and the following is an overview
overview of the
meeting.
meeting.
1.
1. Accepted the Report
Report of
of the
the Chairs
Chairs for
for the
the 44th
44th ILSG.
ILSG.
2.
2. Accepted the 1998-99
1998-99 ILSG financial report. There was discussion on methods to
encourage student attendance through monetary and other means. A lower cost for
encourage
students
students to attend field
field trips, just like
like meeting registration, was acceptable.
acceptable.
3.
3. Discussed guidelines
guidelinesfor
for the
the Goldich
Goldich Award.
Award.
Committee for one year.
4.
4. Maintained the composition
composition of the Goldich Medal Committee
5. Discussed
Discussed recasting of the Goldich
Goldich Medal.
6. Discussed and approved 2000 meeting location in Thunder Bay with Kissin and Fralick
6.
Fralick
as co-chairs.
co-chairs.
7. Discussed the possibility of a 2001 meeting in Sault
7.
Sault Ste Marie, Michigan.
Michigan.
8.
8. Discussed defraying
defraying the meeting
meeting expenses
expenses for the secretary-treasurer.
secretary-treasurer. The
The Board
Board
(registration, field trips, and
approved waiving registration for all meeting events (registration,
banquet).
9. Approved a Corporate Resolution for the secretary-treasurer to conduct investments.
9.
10. Reaffirmed
Reaffirmed Board commitment to the ILSG Newsletter
Newsletter and Web
Web page.
page. The
The Web
Web page
page
Bomhorst.
will be reorganized
reorganized by Laurel
Laurel Woodruff
Woodruff and
and Ted
Ted Bornhorst.
11. Agreed that only one of the two co-chairs
co-chairs would continue
continue as
as primary
primary board
boardmember.
member.
Ted Bornhorst will
will be
be the
the representative
representative from
from the
the 1999
1999meeting.
meeting.
We wish to thank all of the people
the field trips and made
people who lead and prepared materials for the
presentations. While field trips continue
continue as
as the
the traditional
traditional strength
strength of
of ILSG,
ILSG, the
the presentations
presentations
provide a forum for discussion of Lake Superior geology. Of
Of course,
course, there
there are
are many
many others
others who
who
to the success of aa meeting
we acknowledge for contributing to
meeting including
including the session
session chairs,
chairs, best
best
student paper
paper award
award committee,
committee, ILSG
ILSG Board
Boardmembers,
members,and
andthe
the staff
staff of
of the
the Ramada
Ramada Inn.
Inn. We
We
volunteer help
help with
with registration.
registration. Last we thank all of
especially thank Suki Smaglik for all of her volunteer
those who attended
attended the
the 45th
45th annual
annual ILSG
ILSG meeting,
meeting, for
for without
without them there
there would
would not
not be
be an
an JLSG.
ILSG.
Our "break
pre-meetinginterest.
interest. As a result
"break even"
even" budget
budget model was based
based on indicated
indicated pre-meeting
result of
of

xvii

�than expected
expected and
and some
some unexpected
unexpected additional
additional monies,
monies, the meeting generated
higher attendance
attendance than
generated
cash flow
flow of a few thousands
of dollars
dollars for
for ILSG.
!LSG.
aa positive cash
thousands of

personally satisfied
satisfied with the overall
We are personally
overall outcome
outcome of
of the
the meeting
meeting and
and feel
feel ititwas
was aa success.
success.
waswell
well worth
worth the
the effort.
effort. We
While itit is
is aa lot
lot of
of work
work to
toput
put on
on the
the ILSG
ILSG annual
annual meeting,
meeting, itit was
We
encourage
others
to
consider
being
chair
or
co-chairs
of
the
ILSG
annual
meeting.
encourage others to consider being chair or co-chairs of the ILSG

Regis
Ted Bornhorst
Bornhorst and
and Bob
Bob Regis
Co-Chairs of the 45th
Co-Chairs
45th Annual ILSG

xviii

�CALENDAR
PROGRAM
CALENDAR OF
OF EVENTS
EVENTS AND PROGRAM
MONDAY,
2000
MONDAY. MAY
MAY 8.
8.2000

I
I
I

0800-1800
0800-1800

PRE-MEETING FIELD
FIELDTRIPS
TRIPS
PRE-MEETING
All field trips
trips leave
leave and
and return
returneach
eachevening
eveningto
to Lakehead
Lakehead University
University
Alifleld
1)
1) MESOPROTEROZOIC
MEsoPRoTERozoIc SIBLEY
SIBLEYGROUP
GROUP(Day
(DayOne)
One)
Leaders: Philip
Philip Fralick,
Fralick, Mark Smyk
Smyk

TUESDAY.
2000
TUESDAY. MAY
MAY 9.
9.2000

I

0800-1800
0800-1800

PRE-MEETING
PRE-MEETING FIELD
FIELDTRIPS
TRIPS
1) MESOPROTEROZOIC
MESOPROTEROZOIC SIBLEY
SIBLEYGROUP
GROUP(Day
(DayTwo)
Two)
Leaders:
Leaders: Philip
Philip Fralick,
Fralick, Mark
Mark Smyk
Smyk

2) LAC
LAC DES
DES ILES
ILES MINE
MINE (I)
(I)
Leader: Moe
Lavigne
Moe Lavigne

3)
3) GEOARCHEOLOGY
GEOARCHEOLOGY OF
OF THE THUNDER
THUNDER BAY AREA
Leaders: Brian Phillips,
Phillips, Scott
Scott Hamilton,
Hamilton, Joe Stewart,
Stewart, Pat Julig,
Julig, Bill
Bill Ross
Ross

I

1700-2200
1700-2200

REGISTRATION AT LAKEHEAD UNIVERSITY
POSTER
POSTER SESSION/CASH
SESSIONICASH BAR MIXER
Agora/Faculty
AgoraPaculty Lounge
Lounge

xix
xix

�WEDNESDAY.
2000
WEDNESDAY. MAY
MAY 10.
10.2000
0800-1200
0800-1200

REOISTRATION/PRE-REGISTRATION
REGISTRATION/PRE-REGISTRATIONPACKET
PACKETPICK-UP
PICK-UP

I:
GEOLOGICAL
PROVINCE
Session I:
GEOLOGICAL OVERVIEW OF THE WESTERN SUPERIOR PROVINCE
University Centre Theatre
Theatre
0900-0915
0900-0915

WELCOME AND OPENING
OPENING REMARKS
REMARKS

0915-0945
091
5-0945

Kehlenbeck,
Kehlenbeck, M.M.
M.M.
Rocks of
ofthe
theQuetico
QueticoSubprovince
Subprovinceand
andAdjacent
AdjacentTerranes
Tenanes
A Review of Structures in Rocks

0945-10155
0945-101

Davis,
Davis, D.W.
D.W.
Western Superior Province: Geochronologic
GeochronologicAspects
Aspects

1015-1040
1015-1040

COFFEE
COFFEE BREAK AND
AND POSTER
POSTER SESSION
SESSION

1040-1110
1040-1
110

Tomlinson,
Tomlinson, K.
K.
Western Superior
Superior Province:
Province: Volcanological
Volcanological Aspects
Aspects

1110-1140
1110-1140

Fralick, P.W.
P.W.
Fralick,
Western Superior
Superior Province:
Province: Sedimentological
Sedimentological Aspects
Aspects

1140-1200
1140-1200

Czeck, D.M.* and Hudleston, P.J.
P.J.
A Sequence
Transpression in the
the Seine River
River Conglomerates
Conglomerates
Sequence of Folding and Dextral Transpression

1200-13
1200-1310
10

LUNCH BREAK

1310-1330
1310-1330

R.R.
Davis, D.W., Amelin, Y.,
V., Nowell,
Nowell,G.M.
G.M. and
and Parrish,
Parrish, R.R.
Hf Isotope Study
Study on
on Zircons
Zircons from
from the
the Western
Western Superior
SuperiorProvince
Province

1330-1350
1330-1350

Pettigrew, N.T.*, Hattori,
Hattori, K.H. and
and Percival,
Percival, J.A.
Intrusion: a POE-bearing
Samuels Lake Intrusion:
PGE-bearing Quetico-type
Quetico-type Intrusion
Intrusion in
in the
the Central,
Central,
Western Quetico Subprovince,
Subprovince, Northwestern Ontario

1350-1410
1350-1410

Wilson, A.C.
Archean Diamond Exploration Targets in the Michipicoten Greenstone
Greenstone Belt,
Wawa, Ontario
Ontario

1410-1430
1410-1430

R.P. and
and Crabtree,
Crabtree, D.C.
Morris, T.F., Sage, R.P.
Kimberlite, Base Metal, Gold and Carbonatite Exploration Targets, Derived from
Overburden Heavy Mineral Data, Killala Lake Area, Northwestern
Northwestern Ontario
Ontario
xx

�1430-1450

Karkkäinen, N. and Bornhorst,
Bornhorst, T.J.
Karkkainen,
Small Mafic Intrusions of the Lake Superior Region: Targets for Titanium
Titanium
Exploration

1450-15 10

COFFEE BREAK AND POSTER SESSION

1510-1530

Bajc,A.F.
Bajc,
A.F.
Results of Regional Till Sampling
Sampling in the Western Part of the Shebandowan
Shebandowan
Greenstone
Belt,
Northwestern
Ontario
Greenstone
Northwestern Ontario

1530-1550

Cannon, W.F. and
Cannon,
and Woodruff,
Woodruff, L.G.
Some
Some Factors That Control the Distribution of Mercury in the Near-surface
Environment of Isle Royale National Park, Michigan-earth, Wind and Fire

1550-1610

Larson, P.C.
Larson,
P.C. and
andMooers,
Mooers, H.D.
H.D.
Commination
Commination and Dilution of Glacial Indicators: Rate Estimates
Estimates from
from Field
Field Data
Data

1610-1630

Peterson, D.M.
Peterson,
D.M.
Geometry
Between Gold-rich
Gold-rich Subsidiary
Subsidiary Shear
Shear Zones
Zones and Major
Geometry Between
Major Structures:
Structures:
Implicationsfor
Archean
Lode-Gold
Mineral
Exploration
Implicationsfor

1630

ILSG Business
Business Meeting
Meeting

1800-1930

MIXER (Residence Cafeteria)
Cafeteria)
MIXER
Cash Bar

1930-2130

ANNUAL BANQUET
BANQUET AND AWARDS PRESENTATION
Residence Cafeteria
Cafeteria
• Announcement
Announcementofof47th
4T11 Annual Meeting location
location
• Banquet
BanquetSpeaker:
Speaker: Dr.
Dr. Bruce
BruceSimonson,
Simonson,Oberlin
Oberlin College
College

"Depositional Settings
Settings and Early Diagenesis
Diagenesis of Large Precambrian
Iron Formation"

xxi

�THURSDAY. MAY 11.2000
GEOLOGICAL OVERVIEW OF THE WESTERN SUPERIOR PROVINCE
II;
Session 1
1:
University Centre Theatre
Theatre
0900-0930
0900-0930

Lavigne, M.J.
The Lac
Mine, Northwestern Ontario
Lac des
des Ties
lies Mine,
Ontario

0930-1000
0930-1000

Fralick,
Fralick, P.W.
Western
Western Superior
Superior Province:
Province: Proterozoic
Proterozoic Sediments
Sediments

1000-1030
1000-1030

Kissin,
Kissin, S.A.
S.A.
Vein-type Deposits of the Thunder Bay Area

1030-1050
1030-1050

COFFEE BREAK AND POSTER
POSTER SESSION
SESSION

1050-1110

Pueschner, U.*
and Schmidt,
Pueschner,
U.* and
Schmidt,S.T.
S.T.
the Keweenawan
Keweenawan Portage
Portage Lake
Lake Volcanics
Volcanics on
Low-grade Metamorphic Zonation of the
the Keweenaw
Keweenaw Peninsula,
Peninsula, Michigan
Michigan

1110-1130

Rampe, .LS.*
Rampe,
J.S.* and Holm,
Holm, D.K.
Modelling the Effect of Intermediate
Intermediate Temperature
Temperature (350°-500°C)
(350'-500Â°C Mazatzal-Age
Mazatzal-Age
Thermal Overprinting
Superior Region
Thermal
Overprinting on Argon Diffusion from the Southern Lake Superior

1130-1150

Hudak, G.J.,
Hudak,
G.J., Morton,
Morton, R.L.
RL. and
and Dahlberg, H.
Preliminary
Volcanology
and
PreliminaryVolcanology and Hydrothermal
HydrothermalAlteration
AlterationStudies
Studiesat
at the
the Five
Five Mile Lake,
Eagles Nest, and Quartz Hill
Hill Prospects:
Prospects: Implications
Implications for
forVMS-Style
VMS-StyleMineralization
Mineralization
Eagles
in Northeastern
Northeastern Minnesota
Minnesota

1150-1300

LUNCH
LUNCH

1300-1320

Green,
Green, J.C.
J.C.
Mystery Faults
Faults of the Cascade River, North Shore, or What Is this Granite
Doing
Doing Here?
Here?

1320-1340

K.J. and
Schulz, KJ.
and Nicholson,
Nicholson, S.W.
Lithogeochemistry
Lithogeochemistry and
and Paleotectonic
Paleotectonic Setting
Setting of the Bend Massive
Massive Sulfide
Sulfide Deposit,
Deposit,
Northern Wisconsin

1340-1400

Van Schmus,
Schmus, W.R.,
W.R, MacNeill,
MacNeill, L.C., Holm,
and
HoIm, D.K.,
D.K., Boerboom,
Boerboom, T.J. and
xxii

�Jirsa, M.A.
Jirsa,
M.A.
The 1787-1772
1787-1772 Ma
Ma East-Central
East-Central Minnesota
Minnesota Batholith:
Batholith: Precursor
Precursor to
to Crustal
Crustal
Stabilization in the Lake Superior
Region
Superior Region
1400-1420

Schweitzer, D.J.*, Schnieder, D.A.,
and
Schweitzer,
D.A., Boerboom,
Boerboom,T.J.,
T.J., Holm,
Hoim, D.K.
BK. and
Van Schmus,
Schmus,W.R.
Assessing
the Extent of
Assessing the
of Early
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic Penokean
Penokean Versus
Versus -A770-1760
-1770-1760 Ma
Ma
Metamorphism
Metamorphism in East-Central
East-Central Minnesota
Minnesota

1420-1440

HoIm, D.K..
D.K., Hodees.
Hodges, K.V.
K.V.and
and Hurtado,
Hurtado, J.
Holm.
Results
of40Ar/39Ar
Laser
Microprobe
Mapping of
of~Muscovite
from
Precambrian
~ e s u l tof
s40k~9i~&amp;
~ iec r o ~ r o~~e
bAge
e Mapping
u s c o v i t from
e ~recambrian
Bedrock of the Southern Lake Superior Region

1440-1500

Kissin, S.A., Okamoto,
RG.
Okamoto, M., Addison, W.D.
W.D. and
and Brumpton,
Brumpton, R.G.
A Possible Sudbury
Ejecta
Layer
in
the
Gunflint
Formation,
Northwestern
Ontario
Sudbury
Ontario

1500-1520

COFFEE BREAK AND POSTER
POSTER SESSION
SESSION

1520-1530

STUDENT AWARDS
STUDENT
AWARDS

1530-1550

North,
J.
North,J.
Nature
of Logan
Nature and Distribution
Distribution of
Logan Diabase
Diabase Sills and Gabbro
Gabbro Channels in the
the
near Thunder
Thunder Bay,
Bay, Ontario:
Ontario: Brief
BriefComparison
Comparisonto
toNoril'sk
Noril'sk
Keweenawan Rift near

1550-1610

Jr.
Medaris, L.G. Jr.
The Barren
Barron Saprolite: Confirmation
Confinnation of
of Mature
Mature Chemical
Chemical Weathering
Weathering in the Source
Source
Paleoproterozoic Quartz Arenites in the Lake Superior Region
for Paleoproterozoic

1610-1630

Argust,A.
Argust,
A.
Chemistry
Chemistry and Mineralogy of Lower Chocolay Group Rocks, Dickinson
Dickinson County,
County,
Michigan
Michigan

1630-1650

Simonson, B.M.
Simonson,
Conglomerates and Intraformational
Intraformational Breccias
The Distinction Between Flat Pebble Conglomerates
Breccias
in Precambrian
Precambrian Iron
Formations
Iron Formations

xxiii

�POSTER PRESENTATIONS
POSTER
PRESENTATIONS
B.R.* and Saini-Eidukat,
Saini-Fidukat, B.
Bandli, B.R*
B.
Nomarski DIC Microscopy
Analysis of
of Plagioclases
Plagioclases from
from the Duluth
Microscopy and Structural State Analysis
Complex, Minnesota
.J
andHavholm,
H~VUUIII!,
K.G.
Beaster, K.F.*, Kohn, J.D.*
J.D.t and
K.G.
Wind or Water?
Water?
Paleoenvironment of the Proterozoic
oterozoic Hinckley Sandstone,
Sandstone,
Northeastern Minnesota
Minnesota

Harris,
Harris, E.C.A.*
E.C.A.* and Wirth,
Wirth, K.R.
K.R
region, eastern
eastern Mesabi
Mesabi Range,
Range, Minnesota
Petrogenesis of granitic rocks of the Dunka River region,
Hauck, S.A.,
S.A., Bite, A. and
Severson, M.
Hauck,
and Severson,
Copper
Pyroxene Homfelsed
Homfelsed Archean
Archean Giants
Giants Range
RangeBatholith
Batholith Footwall
Footwall of
of
opper Mineralization of Pyroxene
thee Keweenanwan South Kawishwi Intrusion, Duluth Complex, NE Minnesota -- Archean
Archean
orr Keweenawan Mineralization?
Mineralization?

Jerde, E.A.
Jerde,
E.A.
Magmatic
for Nathan's
Series: An Initial
of the
Magmatic Origins
Origins for
Nathan's Layered
Layered Series:
Initial Reassessment
Reassessment of
the
or Plutonic Materials
Midcontinent Rift's First
FirstMaj
Major
Materials

Kean,
Kean. W.F. and Luther,
Luther. F.
F.
Additional Paleomagnetic
PaleoniagneticStudies
Studiesofof aa Proterozoic
Proterozoic Diabase
DiabaseDike,
Dike, in
in Pifher
Pifher and Irwin
Irwin
Townships,,Lake Nipigon District,
District, Ontario
Wirth, K.R.
Kennedy, B.C.*, Wirth,
K.R and
and Vervoort,
Vewoort, J.D.
Petrogenesis
Petrogenesis of the Midcontinent
Midcontinent Rift Granophyric
Granophyric Complexes
Complexes of Northern Minnesota
Minnesota
Luther,
Luther, F.R.
Low-grade
Metamorphismofofan
an Archean
Archean Debris
Debris Flow,
Flow, Irwin,
Irwin, Pither
Low-grade Metamorphism
Pifher and
and Meader
Meader
Townships, Lake Nipigon Region, Ontario

Jr. and
Medaris, L.G. Jr.
and Fournelle,
Fournelle, J.H.
Tourmaline-bearing
QuartzVeins
Veinsin
in the
the Baraboo
Baraboo Quartzite:
Quartzite: A
A New
New Occurrence
Tourmaline-bearing Quartz
Occurrence of the
Alkali-deficient Tourmaline, Foitite
Morris,
R.P. and Crabtree,
Morris, T.F., Sage,
Sage, RP.
Crabtree,D.C.
D.C.
Kimberlite, Base Metal, Gold and
Kimberlite,
and Carbonatite
Carbonatite Exploration
Exploration Targets,
Targets, Derived
Derived from
from Heavy
Heavy
Mineral Data, Killala
Killala Lake
Lake Area, Northwestern Ontario
Ontario
Peterson,
Peterson, D.M.
Geologic and GIS-based
Geologic
GIS-based Lode-gold
Lode-gold and Volcanogenic
Volcanogenic Massive Sulfide
Sulfide (VMS)
(VMS) Mineral
Mineral
xxiv
xxiv

�Potential Maps
Maps of aa Portion
Potential
Portion ofofthe
theArchean
ArcheanVermillion
VermillionGreenstone
GreenstoneBelt,
Belt,Northeastern
Northeastern
Minnesota
Minnesota
E.H.*, Wirth,
Wirth, K.R. and
Phillips, EX.*,
and Morey,
Morey, G.B.
G.B.
Petrogenesis
of
the
Enigmatic
Aurora
Sill, Mesabi Range, Minnesota
Petrogenesis
Enigmatic
Minnesota
Sage,
Sage, R.P.
The "Sandor" Diamond
Diamond Occurrence,
Occurrence, Michipicoten
Michipicoten Greenstone
Greenstone Belt,
Belt, Wawa,
Wawa, Ontario
Ontario

Stott,
Stott, G. and
and Berdusco,
Berdusco, B.
B.
Precambrian Features under the James Bay and Hudson Bay Lowlands

Vervoort,
Vewoort, J.D., Wirth,
Wirth, K.R. and
andKennedy,
Kennedy, B.C.
Isotopic Constraints
Constraints on
on the Origin of Granophyre
in the Midcontinent
Isotopic
Granophyre Complexes
Complexes in
Midcontinent Rift
Ritt
of nNortheastern
or the astern Minnesota
Wilson,
Wilson, A.
A.
Archean Diamond Exploration Targets in the Michipicoten Greenstone Belt

Wolbers,
Wolbers, J.A.* and
and Seifert,
Seifert, K.E.
K.E.
Petrogenesis of the Silver Creek
Midcontinent Rift
Petrogenesis
Creek Dike: a 1.1 Ga Intrusion in the Midcontinent

L.G., Attig,
Attig,J.W.
J.W.and
andCannon,
Cannon,W.F.
WI.
Woodruff, L.G.,
Geochemical Impacts of an Undisturbed Mineral Deposit -- Results from the Bend Deposit,
Chequamegon
Chequamegon National Forest,
Forest, Wisconsin

xxv
XXV

�FRIDAY.
2000
FRIDAY. MAY 12.
12.2000
0800-1800
0800- 1800

POST-MEETING FIELD TRIPS
TRIPS
All field
field trips leave and
and return
returneach
eachevening
eveningto
to Lakehead
Lakehead University,
University,except
exceptfor
Field
an overnight stay in
Field Tr4p
Trip 6, which will involve an
in Atikokan on May 12 (at
(at the
the
participant's
expense).
participant's expense).
4) PALEOPROTEROZOIC
PALEOPROTEROZOIC GUNFLINT
GUNFLINTFORMATION
FORMATION
Leaders: Pier
Pufahi
and
Philip
Fralick
Pier Pufahl and Philip
5)
5) QUATERNARY
QUATERNARYGEOLOGY,
GEOLOGY,SHEBANDOWAN
SHEBANDOWANBELT
BELT
Leader: Andy
Andy Bajc
Bajc

-

-

6)
6) STEEP
STEEPROCK
ROCK - FINLAYSON
FINLAYSON - LUMBY
LUMBY BELTS
BELTS (Day
(Day One)
One)
Leaders: Denver
Stone,
Kirsty
Tomlinson,
Ray
Bernatchez
Denver Stone, Kirsty Tomlinson, Ray Bematchez and
Philip
Philip Fralick
Fralick
7)
7) LAC
LAC DES
DES ILES
ILES MINE
MINE(II)
(11)
Leader: Moe
Lavigne
Moe Lavigne

SATURDAY.
2000
SATURDAY. MAY
MAY 13.
13.2000
0800-1800
0800- 1800

FIELD
FIELD TRJP
TRIP66(Day
(DayTwo)
Two)

xxvi
xxvi

�Chemistry
Group Rocks,
Chemistry and
and Mineralogy
Mineralogy of Lower Chocolay Group
Dickinson County, Michigan
Michigan
ARGAST, Anne, Department of Geosciences,
Geosciences, Indiana-Purdue
Indiana-Purdue University
University Fort
Fort Wayne,
Wayne,
Fort Wayne,
Wayne,IN
IN46805-1499,
46805-1499,argast(%ipfw.edu
argastipfw.edu
Fort
Rocks of the Chocolay
Dickinson County,
County, Michigan.
Michigan. Most
Most
Chocolay Group rest on Archean basement in Dickinson
likely accumulated
accumulated in the interval 1.9-2.1
Ga.
ago,
the
Group
consists
of
the
basal,
partly
1.9-2.1
consists
partly
conglomeratic, Fern Creek Formation, overlain
conglomeratic,
overlain by Sturgeon River Quartzite
Quartzite and
and Randville
Randville
Dolomite. Chocolay Group likely represents deposition
terrigenous and shallow
deposition in temgenous
shallowmarine
marine
environments with later
environments
later units of the Marquette Range Supergroup
Supergroup (Menominee
(Menominee and
and Baraga
Baraga
Groups) transitioning upwards into deeper water, more active and isolated environments.
environments.

There are two alternate
alternate views for the origin
origin of the Fern Creek
Creek Formation. Some
Some interpret
interpret the
the
Fern Creek (or its putative
equivalents
of
Reany
Creek
and
Enchantment
Lake
Formations
putative equivalents
Lake Formations
farther north in Michigan) as examples
examples of glaciogenic
glaciogenic sediments, possibly synchronous
synchronous with
with
Gowganda
glaciation
(e.g.,
Pettijohn,
1943;
Gair,
1981;
Young,
1983;
Ojakangas,
1984).
Gowganda glaciation
Pettijohn, 1943;
1981;
1983;
1984).Others
Others
interpret the Fern Creek as originating,
originating, for
for example, in fluviatile,
fluviatile, occasionally
occasionally torrential
torrential
environments (e.g.,
environments
(e.g., Bayley et al., 1966;
1966; Larue, 1981;
1981; Mattson
Mattson and Cambray,
Cambray, 1983).
1983). This
This is
is an
an
important determination,
determination, affecting
affecting aspects
aspects of regional and interregional
interregional correlation
correlation on
on aa
significant scale (e.g. Ojakangas, 1988).
1988).
This study focuses
focuses on
on the bulk and
and mineral chemistries
chemistries of the Fern
Fern Creek
Creek Formation
Formation and
and
Sturgeon
Sturgeon River Quartzite
Quartzite exposed
exposed along an
an access
access road
road to aa hydroelectric
hydroelectric dam
dam located
located about
about33
km northeast of Loretto,
Loretto, Michigan. The purpose is to further
further evaluate
evaluate the glaciogenic
glaciogenic vs.
vs.
fluviatile origins
fluviatile
origins of the Fern
Fern Creek Formation,
Formation, and to characterize
characterize the materials
materials to
to constrain
constrain
possible source
source areas.
Fern Creek rocks are dominated by quartz, sodic
sodic plagioclase, K-feldspar, antiperthite,
antiperthite, and
and micas
micas
of di- and trioctahedral
trioctahedral composition.
Sturgeon
River
is
predominantly
quartz
with
minor
illite.
composition. Sturgeon River
quartz with minor illite.
Zircon, tourmaline,
tourmaline, fluor-hydroxy
fluor-hydroxy apatite,
apatite, pyrite, rutile,
mtile, fluorite,
fluorite, monazite, huttonite
huttonite and
and aa fluorfluorREF mineral occur
Zircon and tourmaline
tourmaline dominate in the
hydroxy REE
occur in the Fern Creek Formation. Zircon
Sturgeon
Sturgeon River
River Quartzite.
Quartzite.
The tourmaline compositions
compositionsvary systematically
systematically with
with vertical
vertical position
position throughout
throughout the
the Fern
Fern
Creek/Sturgeon
CreekBturgeon River
River sequence.
sequence. This
This suggests
suggests a gradual
gradual denudation
denudationof
of the
the source
source area
areaover
over an
an
extended
length of time. extended length
Bulk chemistries
chemistries for
for the
the Sturgeon
SturgeonRiver
River Quartzite
Quartzite are
are consistent
consistent with
with an
an origin
origin as
as aa well
well sorted
sorted
sediment in a nearshore marine environment. Fern Creek chemistries
are
typical
of
unsorted
chemistries
unsorted
materials
materials that have
have not undergone
undergone hydraulic
hydraulic differentiation,
differentiation,and
and are
are similar
similarto
to chemistries
chemistriesfrom
from
the underlying
Carney
Lake
Gneiss.
underlying Carney Lake Gneiss.

I

�REE distributions
distributions are highly
highly variable in the Fern Creek Formation, ranging from nearly flat
(normalized to PAAS) to extremely steep (e.g. chondrite normalized LdYb
La/Yb of 101.5).
(normalized
101.5). These
These
distributions
result
from
enrichment
in
LREEand
Tb-rich
minerals.
distributions
Th-rich

The bulk chemistry and presence of REE minerals are consistent with proximal derivation
derivation from
the underlying (pegmatite-rich) Carney Lake Gneiss. The trends in tourmaline composition
composition
suggest association
association with a process capable of deep erosion over an extended period of time. The
similarity
similarity of the Fern Creek to stratigraphically equivalent rocks at some distance north suggests
suggests
a process of significant
significant areal extent. Taken together, these results strongly support
support the origin
origin of
the Fern Creek Formation as a proximal till derived from the underlying gneiss.
References
References
iron-bearing
Bayley, R.W, Dutton, C.E., and Lamey, C.A., 1966, Geology of the Menominee iron-bearing
Counties, Wisconsin:
district Dickinson County, Michigan and Florence and Marinette Counties,
96 pp.
U.S. Geological Survey Professional
Professional Paper
Paper 513,
513,96

Gair, J.E., 1981, Lower Proterozoic
Proterozoic glacial deposits
deposits of Northern Michigan, in Hambrey, M.J.,
University
and Harland, W.B., eds., Earth's pre-Pleistocene glacial record: Cambridge University
803-806.
Press, p. 803-806.
Lame, D.K., 1981,
1981, The
The Chocolay
Chocolay Group,
Group, Lake Superior
Superior region, U.S.A.: Sedimentologic
Sedimentologic
evidence for deposition
deposition in basinal and platform settings
settings on an Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic craton:
Geological
v. 92,
92,p.
p. 417-435.
417-435.
Geological Society
Society of
of America
America Bulletin,
Bulletin, Part
Part 1,1, v.

F.W., 1983, The
The Reany
Reany Creek
Creek Formation:
Formation: aa mass-flow
mass-flowdeposit
deposit of
of
Mattson, S.R. and Cambray, F.W.,
possible post Menominee
possible
Menominee age
age [abs.],
[abs.], in
in Proceedings,
Proceedings,29th
29' Annual Institute
Institute on Lake
Lake Superior
Superior
Geology, p. 27.
27.
Ojakangas, R.W., 1984,
1984, Basal Lower Proterozoic glaciogenic formations,
formations, Marquette
Marquette Range
Annual
Supergroup, Upper
Peninsula,
Michigan
[abs.]:
in
Proceedings,
30th
Institute
Upper Peninsula, Michigan [abs.]: in Proceedings, 30'
Institute on
Lake Superior
Superior Geology,
Geology, Wausau,
Wausau,WI,
WI,p.p. 43.
43.
Ojakangas, R.W., 1988,
1988, Glaciation:
Glaciation: An uncommon "mega-event"
"mega-event" as a key to intracontinental
intracontinentaland
and
intercontinental
intercontinental correlation
correlation of Early Proterozoic basin fill, North American and Baltic
Baltic
New perspectives in basin analysis:
Cratons, in Kleinspehn, K.L., and Paola, C., eds., New
Springer-Verlag, p. 431-444.
43 1-444.
Pettijohn, F.J., 1943,
1943, Basal
Basal Huronian
Huronian conglomerates
conglomerates of Menominee and Calumet
Calumet districts,
districts,
Michigan:
Journal
of.
Geology,
v.
51,
p.
387-397.
Michigan:
Geology, 51, 387-397.
Young, G.M., 1983, Tectono-sedimentary history of Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic rocks of the northern
Proterozoic geology of the Great Lakes
Great Lakes region, in Medaris, L.G., Jr., ed., Early Proterozoic
Lakes
region: Geological Society of America Memoir 160, p.15-32.

2

�RESULTS OF REGIONAL TILL
TILL SAMPLING IN THE WESTERN PART OF
THE
SHEBANDOWAN
GREENSTONE
BELT, NORTHWESTERN
NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO
ONTARIO
THE
GREENSTONE BELT,
Bajc, A.F., Sedimentary Geoscience Section, Ontario Geological
Geological Survey,
Survey, Ministry
Northern Development and Mines, 933 Ramsey Lake
Lake Road,
Road, Sudbury, ON
of Northern
P3E 6B5
6B5
A project of Quaternary
Quaternary geological
geological mapping
mapping and regional till sampling
sampling was
was undertaken
undertaken
over the western part of
of the Shebandowan
Shebandowan greenstone
greenstone belt during
during the
the 1999
1999field
field season.
season.
Quaternary
Quaternary mapping helped to characterize
characterize the surficial
surficial materials
materials present within
within the
the
study area and to reconstruct the ice flow history associated with
with these
these deposits.
deposits. This
This
information
information provided a framework
framework by which
which the regional materials
materials compositional
compositional
datasets could be interpreted.
interpreted. The
Theregional
regional sampling
sampling program
program provided
provided information
informationon
on
the background concentrations
concentrations of various elements
elements in
in till as
as well as
as on
on the
the number
number and
and
character
character of gold grains
grains and base metal indicators
indicators in
in till.

The study area contains a relatively simple record of Quaternary events.
events. Most
Most deposits
deposits
were laid down during the final retreat of ice from the
the area. Ice
flow
indicators
Ice flow indicatorssuggest
suggest aa
consistent
consistent pattern of flow
flow towards
towards the south
south across
across the eastern
eastern half
half of
of the
the study
study area,
area,
becoming more westerly towards the west. Till
cover
is
generally
thin
and
discontinuous
Till cover is generally thin and discontinuous
over most parts of the study area. Thicker,
Thicker, more
more extensive
extensive till
till is
is present
present within
within Hagey,
Hagey,
Conacher
Conacher and Blackwell townships. Till
Tillsamples
samplescollected
collected from
from these
these townships
townships are
are less
less
representative
representative of local
local geology
geology than are
are samples
samples collected
collected from
from areas
areas of
of very
very thin
thin till.
till.
Geochemical
Geochemical and mineralogical
mineralogical interpretations
interpretations should
should consider
consider these
these local
local variations
variationsin
in
till character.
character.
The till sampling
sampling program
program has
has clearly
clearly identified
identified aa number
number of
of precious
precious and
and base
base metal
metal
exploration
belt. Higher
exploration targets within the western Shebandowan greenstone belt.
Higher density
density
follow-up
follow-up sampling
sampling surveys
surveys are
are recommended
recommended for
for these
these areas
areas to
to determine
determinethe
the
the anomalies and more
more precisely
precisely define
define potential
potential source
sourcerocks.
rocks. The
significance of the
regional character
character of this
this survey
survey will assist
assist with
with the
the interpretation
interpretationof
of local,
local, property-scale
property-scale
geochemical
datasets by placing results
results into
into context
context with
with respect
respect to
to regional
regional background.
background.
geochemical datasets
The results of this survey
survey clearly
clearly support
support the
the use
use of
of till compositional
compositional surveys
surveysfor
for mineral
mineral
exploration.
exploration. The
Theapproach
approachfor
forfollow-up
follow-upsampling
samplingprograms
programs will
will be
be dictated
dictated by
by the
the type
type
of mineralization
mineralization sought
sought and
and the
the local
local conditions
conditionswithin
within aa given
given property.
property.

3

�NOMARSKIIDIC
DICMICROSCOPY
MICROSCOPY AND
AND STRUCTURAL
STRUCTURAL STATE ANALYSIS
ANALYSIS OF
NOMARSKI
OF
PLAGIOCLASES FROM THE
PLAGIOCLASES
THE DULUTH COMPLEX, MINNESOTA
MINNESOTA

BANDLI, Bryan R., Department of Geosciences,
Geosciences, North Dakota
Dakota State
Statc University,
University,Fargo,
Fargo,
ND 58105-5517 USA. (Bryan_Bandli@ndsu.nodak.edu).
(Bryan.Bandli@ndsu.nodak.edu). SAINI-BIDUKAT,
SAINI-EIDUKAT,
Bemhardt, Department
Bernhardt,
Department of Geosciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo,
ND 58105-5517
58 105-5517 USA. (sainieid@badlands.nodak.edu)
(sainieid@badlands.nodak.edu)

Nomarski Differential
Differential Interference
Interference Contrast
Contrast (DIC)
(DIC) and
and structural
structural state
state XRD
XRD analyses
analyseswere
were
carried out on samples of Duluth Complex Anorthositic Series rocks.
rocks. Nomarski DIC is a
reflected light technique
technique which uses aa double-crystal
double-crystal prism
prism to
to split
split plane-polarized
plane-polarizedlight
lightto
to
produce a dark-light shading that highlights microrelief. To use the method on mineral
in acid to
to produce
produce microtopography.
microtopography. Anderson
Anderson
specimens, polished sections are etched in
(1983), Pearce and Kolisnik (1990),
(1990), and Pearce
Pearce (1994)
(1994) discuss the
the importance
importance of
of interference
interference
imaging in showing that high-resolution
high-resolution mineral
mineral zonation patterns,
patterns, that
that are
are correlatable
correlatable with
with
varying An content, record complicated
complicated dissolution
dissolution and reaction
reaction events
events that
that occurred
occurredduring
during
crystal growth.
growth.
Polished block and thin sections
sections were prepared from three
three samples
samples of
of the
the anorthositic
anorthositic
series taken near its contact with the Duluth Layered Series,
Series, along
along Skyline
Skyline Parkway
Parkway in
in
Duluth above Oneota Cemetary (Stop 1-5 of Miller, 1995). Sample 1 is an inclusion
containing more than 95% plagioclase;
plagioclase; sample
sample 22 is the
the host
host gabbroic
gabbroic anorthosite,
anorthosite, and
and sample
sample
three is from the outcrop used for zircon
zircon age
age dating
dating (Paces
(Paces and
and Miller,
Miller, 1993).
1993).Polished
Polishedthin
thin
sections were prepared on orthogonal
orthogonal axes
axes to expose
expose a variety
variety of
of crystallographic
crystallographic
orientations, etched in 48-50% HBF4
HBF4 for approximately seven minutes (adapted from the
method of Anderson, 1983),
1983), and then imaged
imaged using aa Nomarski
Nomarski mirror
mirror cube
cube and
and prism
prism slider
slider
on an Olympus
Olyrnpus BX-60 petrographic
petrographic microscope.
Although some
some oscillatory
oscillatory zoning was
was observed,
observed, the
the most
most common
common zoning
zoning observed
observed was
was
patchy. This type of zoning
zoning could be considered
considered a hiatus
hiatus type
type of
of discontinuity
discontinuityas
as defined
definedby
by
Castro and de la Rosa (1994). Irregular
Irregular zoning
zoning of
of plagioclase
plagioclase is
is common
common in
in the
the Anorthositic
Anorthositic
Weiblen, 1990)
1990)and
and could
could indicate
indicate significant
significant disruptions
disruptions of
of the
the
Series (Miller and Weiblen,
crystallizing surface
surface due to dissolution
dissolution and
and reaction events
events as
as the
the crystal
crystal mush
mush moved
moved from
from
deep to shallow chambers.
chambers.
Plagioclase
Plagioclase structural
structural analyses
analyses were
were carried
carried out
out on
on the
the three
three samples
samples plus
plus one
one additional
additional
plagioclase separate
separate from
from the
the Duluth
Duluth Anorthositic
AnorthositicSeries
Series (Sample
(SampleD-12)
D-12) and
and one
onefrom
from the
the
plagioclase
Gabbro Lake area
area (sample
(sample BL-27).
BL-27). Samples
Samples were
were crushed
crushed and
and plagioclase
plagioclasewas
was hand-picked,
hand-picked,
powdered, and diffraction patterns collected on a Philips Automatic Vertical Diffractometer
Characterization Laboratory
at the Materials Characterization
Laboratory at NDSU. Scans
Scans were
were made
made from
from 6.0
6.0 to
to 65
65
degrees 20 using
using a step
step of
of 0.02°
0.02' 28,
20, Cu Ka
Karadiation
radiation (X=
(\= 1.54184
1.54184 angstroms),
angstroms), a diffracted
diffracted
4

�beam
beam monochrometer,
monochrometer, and
and aa sealed
sealed proportional
proportional counter.
counter. Patterns were
were matched
matched to
to aa
plagioclase in the PDF reference file and refined using Garvey's
Gamey's (1986)
(1986) implementation
implementation of
the program of Appleman and Evans (1973). Refined A131 and yvalues
yvalues were used to
determine
(1983). Despite
determinethe
the structural
structuralstate
state based
based on
on figures
figures from
from Kroll
Kroll(1983).
Despite the
the potential
potential
difficulties
difficultieswith
with refining
refining zoned
zoned minerals,
minerals, the
the results
results (with
(with the
the exception
exception of
of sample
sample 3-99,
3-99, for
for
which
are in
in "low"
"low' (lowwhich An
An content
content is yet to be measured) indicate that all the samples are
(lowtemperature,
temperature,or
orordered)
ordered)structural
structuralstate
state(Table
(Table1).
1).
samnie

1-99

90.180
(-i-I-

An

65*

0.084)

2-99
90.247
(+1- 0.204)

62*

3-99
90.299

BL-27
89.843

D-12
90.213

(+1- 0.130)

(+1- 0.190)

(÷1- 0.218)

n.m.

55

63

Table
Refinedgamma
gamma
and
values
plagioclase
separates
of Duluth
Complex
Anorthositic
Series rocks.
Table 1. Refined
and
AnAn
values
for for
plagioclase
separates
of Duluth
Complex
Anorthositic
Series rocks.
*from
*from Miller
Miller (1995);
(1995);n.m.
n.m. not
not measured.
measured. Errors
Errors reported
reported as two standard
standard deviations,
deviations, because no internal
standard
wasused.
used.
standardwas

References
Referencescited:
cited:
Anderson,
Anderson, A.T.,
A.T., Jr.,
Jr., 1983,
1983,Oscillatory
Oscillatoryzoning
zoning of
of plagoclase:
plagoclase: Nomarski
Nomarski interference
interferencecontrast
contrast
microscopy
microscopy of
of etched
etched polished
polished sections:
sections: American
AmericanMineralogist,
Mineralogist,v.
v. 68,
68, p.
p. 125-129.
125-129.
Appleman,
Appleman,D.E.
D.E. and
andEvans,
Evans, H.T.,
H.T., Jr.,
Jr., 1973,
1973,Job
Job 9214:
9214: indexing
indexingand
and least-squares
least-squaresrefinement
refinement
of
67 pp.
20,67
pp. (NTIS
(NTIS
of powder
powder diffraction
diffraction data.
data. U.S.
U.S. Geological
GeologicalSurvey,
Survey, Computer
Computer Contrib.
Contrib. 20,
Doc.
Doc. PB2-16188)
PB2-16188)
Castro,
A,,and
and de
dela
laRosa,
Rosa,J.,
J., 1994,
1994,Nomarksi
Nomarksi study
study of
of zoned
zoned plagioclases
plagioclasesfrom
from granitoids
granitoidsof
of
Castro,A.,
the
the Seville
SevilleRange
Range batholith,
batholith, SW
SW Spain.
Spain. Petrogenetic
Petrogenetic implications: European
European Journal
Journalof
of
Mineralogy,
Mineralogy,v.v.6,6,p.p.647-656.
647-656.
Garvey,
Garvey,R.G.,
R.G., 1986,
1986,LSUCRIPC
LSUCRIPCLeast
Leastsquares
squaresunit
unitcell
cellrefmement
refinementwith
with indexing
indexingon
onthe
the
personal
personalcomputer.
computer.Powder
PowderDiffraction,
Diffraction,v.
v.I1no.
no.1.,
I.,p.p.114.
114.
Kroll,
Kroll,H.,
H.,1983,
1983,Lattice
Latticeparameters
parameters and
anddeterminative
determinativemethods
methods for
for plagioclase
plagioclaseand
andternary
ternary
feldspars,
ed., Reviews
Reviews in
in Mineralogy,
Mineralogy,v.v.2,
2 ed.,
feldspars, in
in Ribbe, P.H.,
P.H., ed.,
2, 2nd
ed., p.
p. 101-119.
101-119.
Miller,J.D.,
J.D., Jr.,
Jr.,1995,
Duluth Complex
Complex at
at Duluth,
Duluth, in
in Miller,
Miller, J.D.
J.D. Jr.,
Jr., ed.,
ed., Field
FieldTrip
Trip
Miller,
1995, The Duluth
Guidebook
Guidebookfor
forthe
theGeology
Geologyand
andOre
OreDeposits
Depositsof
of the
theMidcontinent
MidcontinentRift
Riftin
in the
the Lake
Lake
Superior
SuperiorRegion.
Region.Minnesota
MinnesotaGeological
GeologicalSurvey
SurveyGuidebook
GuidebookSeries,
Series,no.
no. 20,
20,p.p.123-169.
123-169.
Miller,J.D.,
J.D., Jr.,
Jr., and
andWeiblen,
Weiblen, P.W.,
P.W., 1990,
1990,Anorthositic
Anorthositic rocks
rocks of
of the
the Duluth
DuluthComplex:
Complex:
Miller,
Examples
Examplesof
of rocks
rocks formed
formed from
from plagioclase
plagioclase crystal mush: Journal
Journalof
of Petrology,
Petrology,v.v.31,
31,p.p.
295-339.
295-339.
Paces,J.B.,
J.B., and
andMiller,
Miller,J.D.,
J.D., Jr.,
Jr., 1993,
1993,Precise
PreciseU-Pb
U-Pb ages
agesof
of Duluth
DuluthComplex
Complexand
andrelated
related
Paces,
maficintrusions,
intrusions,northeastern
northeasternMinnesota:
Minnesota:Geochronological
Geochronologicalinsights
insightsto
tophysical,
physical,
mafic
petrogenetic,paleomagnetic
paleomagneticand
andtectono-magmatic
tectono-magmaticprocesses
processesassociated
associatedwith
withthe
the1.1
1.1Ga
Ga
petrogenetic,
Midcontinent
Midcontinentrift
rift system:
system: Journal
JournalofofGeophysical
GeophysicalResearch,
Research,v.v. 98,
98,p.
p. 13,997-14,013.
13,997-14,013.
Pearce,
Pearce,T.H.,
T.H., 1994,
1994,Recent
Recentwork
workon
onoscillatory
oscillatoryzoning
zoningin
in plagioclase,
plagioclase,in
inParson,
Parson,I.,
I.,eds.,
eds.,
Feldsparsand
andTheft
TheirReactions:
Reactions:Dordrecht,
Dordrecht,Kluwer,
Kluwer,p.p.3313-349.
Feldspars
13-349.
Pearce,T.H.,
T.H., and
andKolisnilc,
Kolisnik, A.M.,
A.M., 1990,
1990,Observations
Observationsof
of plagioclase
plagioclasezoning
zoningusing
using
Pearce,
interference
EarthScience
ScienceReviews,
Reviews,v.v.29,
29,p.p.9-26.
9-26.
interferenceimaging:
imaging:Earth

Grierguided
guidedus
usinincarrying
carryingout
outthe
theplagioclase
plagioclasestructural
structuralanalyses.
analyses.BSE
BSE
Acknowledgements:Dean
DeanGrier
Acknowledgements:
gratefully
NDEPSCoR
EPSCoRthrough
throughNSF
NSFgrant
grant#OSR-9452892.
#OSR-9452892.
gratefullyacknowledges
acknowledgesfinancial
financialsupport
supportfrom
fromND

5

�Wind or Water?
Paleoenvironment
Paleoenvironmentof the Proterozoic
Proterozoic Hinckley Sandstone,
Sandstone,
Northeastern Minnesota
Northeastern
Beaster, K.F.,
Geology
K.F., Kohn,
Kohn,J.D.,
J.D.,and
andHavholm,
flavholm,K.G.,
K.G.,havholke@uwec.edu,
havhoIkwuwcc.edu, Geology
Department, University of
Claire, Eau Claire, WI 54702-4004
o f Wisconsin-Eau
Wisconsin-Eau Claire,
The Proterozoic Hinckley Sandstone is a mineralogically mature, fine-grained quartz
(Tryhorn &amp;
arenite representing late stage Keweenawan rift fill sedimentation. Previous work (Tryhom
Ojakangas, 1972)
interpreted
the
Hinckley
Sandstone
as
a
shallow-water
lacustrine
deposit.
1972)
shallow-water
Recent recognition of adhesion structures, formed by sand blown onto a damp surface, suggest
be partially
partially eolian
eolian (wind-deposited).
(wind-deposited). The purpose of this project was to
that this formation may he
reevaluate the environment(s)
of
deposition
environmentfs) of deposition of
of the
the Hinckley
Hinckley Sandstone.
Sandstone.
The study area is located in Pine County, MN, near the town
town of Sandstone, where
five sections along the Kettle River were measured and described in detail. Four major facies
were identified: planar-bedded sandstone (PS), cross-stratified sandstone (CSS), trough crossstratified sandstone
sandstone (TCS), and pebbly trough cross-stratified sandstone (PTS). The planarbedded facies comprises a complexly interbedded sequence of crinkly and mottled strata,
preserved ripple forms, and packages of thin (2-6 mm.), planar, inversely graded laminae.
Crinkly and mottled strata are interpreted as adhesion structures (Hunter, 1973, 1980).
1980). Ripples
have low ripple indices (&lt;10)
( 4 0 ) and steep, normally graded foresets, indicating a subaqueous origin
(Hunter, 1977). Planar
(Hunter,
Planar laminae
laminae are
are identified
identified as
as climbing wind-ripple laminations (Hunter,
1977). Therefore, the planar-bedded facies represents an environment where
where conditions
conditions
alternated from wet to damp to
to dry. Fine
nature of
Fine grain
grain size, large set size, and the compound nature
large sets suggest a large-scale eolian dune
dune origin
origin for
for the
the cross-stratified
cross-stratifiedsandstone
sandstonefacies.
facies. In
addition, wind-ripple and adhesion lamination were identified in tangential dune apron toe-sets.
Trough cross-strata
cross-strata and pebbly trough cross-strata facies contain predominantly medium-grained
sandstone; pebbles
cm.are
arecommon
commonininthe
thepebbly
pebbly trough
trough cross-stratified
cross-stratified facies.
facies.
pebblesup
uptoto44cm.
Adhesion and wind-ripple laminae are absent in these relatively small (up to 2 m. wide and 20
cm. thick), simple trough cross-strata.
cross-strata. Coarse
Coarse grain
grain size and nature of strata suggest a
subaqueous
subaqueous origin
origin for
for these
these facies.
facies.
Exposures of the Hinckley Sandstone are incomplete and widely separated, limiting detailed
correlation of sections. The
m. for
The thickest
thickest exposure
exposure measures
measures 30 m., whereas a thickness of 150 m.
this formation is reported from a well in the
the area
area (Morey,
(Morey, 1977).
1977). However, using a regional
regional
structural dip of 50
(Tryhorn and Ojakangas,
Ojakangas, 1972) the
the measured
measured sections
sections stack
stack to
to give a
5' or less, (Tryhom
sediment sequence
sequence that alternates
alternates from depositon in subaqueous to subaerial and back to
subaqueous conditions several times. Small
Small (mm.(mm.- to cm-scale)
cm.-scale)extensional
extensional faults
faultsand
andcm.cm.-to
to
dm.-scale fluid-escape structures are associated
associated with
with the
the subaqueous
subaqueousto
tosubaerial
subaerialtransition.
transition. This
vertical sequence
sequence suggests
suggests a rift setting
setting with a shifting mosaic of eolian and fluvial, and possibly
lacustrine, environments.
lacustrmne,
environments.

Reference
Reference cited:
cited:
by climbing
climbing adhesion
adhesionripples.
ripples. Journal of Sedimentary
Sedimentary
Hunter, R.E., 1973, Pseudo-crosslamination formed by
Petrology, v.
v.43,
p.
1125-1127.
43, p. 1125-1 127.

R.E., 1977, Basic types
types of
of stratification
stratificationininsmall
smalleolian
eoliandunes.
dunes.Sedimentology,
Sedimentology,v.v.24,
p.361-387.
Hunter, R.E.,
24, p.
361-387.

6

�-

I
I
I

-

Hunter,
— an
Hunter,R.E.,
R.E., 1980,
1980,Quasi-planar
Quasi-planaradhesion
adhesionstratification
stratification
an eolian
eolian structure
structure formed in wet sand. Journal
Journal
of
of Sedimentary
SedimentaryPetrology,
Petrology, v.
v. 50,
50, p.
p. 263-266.
263-266.

Morey,
Morey, G.B.,
G.B., 1977,
1977,Revised
Revised Keweenawan
Keweenawan subsurface
subsurface stratigraphy, southeastern Minnesota. Minnesota
Minnesota
Geological
2lpp.
Geological Survey
SurveyReport
Report of
of Investigations
Investigations 16,
16,27pp.
Tryhorn,
Tryhorn, A.D.
A.D. and
and Ojakangas,
Ojakangas, R.W.,
R.W., 1972,
1972,Sedimentation
Sedimentation and petrology of the Upper Precambrian
Hinckley
Hinckley Sandstone
Sandstoneof
of east-central
east-central Minnesota. In,
In,P.K.
P.K. Sims
Simsand
andG.B.
G.B. Morey,
Morey,eds.,
eds., Geology
Geologyof
of
Minnesota:
Minnesota: AACentennial
CentennialVolume,
Volume,Minneapolis,
Minneapolis,Minnesota
MinnesotaGeological
GeologicalSurvey,
Survey,p.
p. 431-435.
431-435.

7

�Some factors
factors that control the distribution of mercury in the near-surface
environment
National Park,
Park, Michigan-earth,
Michigan—earth, wind, and fire
environment of Isle Royale National
W.F.
W.F. Cannon,
Cannon,U.S.
U.S. Geological
GeologicalSurvey,
Survey,Reston,
Reston,VA
VA
L.G.
U.S.Geological
GeologicalSurvey,
Survey,St.
St.Paul,
Paul,MN
MN
L.G. Woodruff,
Woodruff,U.S.

The
The concentration
concentrationof
of mercury
mercury in
in soils
soils on
on Isle
Isle Royale
Royale is
is highly variable
variable in
in response
response to
to
many
understood. Our
Our studIes
studies during
during the
many factors
factors whose affects and interplay are poorly understood.
past
them. Interest
past three
three years
years have helped to clarify some of them.
Interest in
in mercury
mercury distribution
distribution on
on
the
island
was
heightened
in
the
mid
1990's
when
potentially
dangerous
mercury
levels
the island was heightened in the
1990's when potentially dangerous mercury levels
were
were discovered
discovered in
in game
game fish
fish from
from six
six of
of the island's
island'sinland
inlandlakes.
lakes.Because
Becausethese
thesesix
six
lakes
were
clustered
in
the
north
central
part
of
the
island,
whereas
lakes
on
other
parts
lakes were clustered in
of the
whereas lakes on other parts of
of
the
the island
island showed
showed lower
lower mercury
mercury levels
levels in
in game
game fish,
fish, we initially
initially suspected
suspected that
that
previously
previously unrecognized
unrecognized bedrock
bedrock mercury concentrations
concentrationswithin
within the
the watersheds
watersheds could
could be
be
aa cause.
cause. Small
Smallnative
nativecopper
copperdeposits
depositswith
withsignificant
significantmercury
mercury content
content are
are distributed
distributed
throughout
throughout the
the island.
island. To
Totest
testthis
thishypothesis
hypothesiswe
we sampled
sampledsoils
soilsaround
around the
the Minong
Minong
Copper
19&amp;century
century mining
mining operations,
operations, and
and within
within the
the watershed
watershed
CopperMine,
Mine,the
thelargest
largestofofthe
the19th
of
of Sargent
SargentLake,
Lake, one
one of
of the
the mercury
mercury impacted
impacted lakes.
lakes. Results
Results presented
presented last
last year
year (Cannon
(Cannon
and
and Woodruff,
Woodruff, 1999)
1999)showed
showed that
that aa bedrock
bedrock source
source for
for mercury
mercury to
to the
the impacted
impactedlakes
lakesisis
unlikely. The
TheMinong
Minongcopper
copperdeposit
depositproduces
produces aa very
very pronounced
pronounced copper
copper anomaly
anomaly in
in
soils,
Lake watershed.
watershed. We
soils, but a comparable
comparable anomaly
anomaly is absent within the Sargent Lake
We did
did
find,
find, however,
however, that
that a-horizon
a-horizon soils
soilsin
in the
the Sargent
Sargent Lake
Lake watershed
watershed contain
contain very
very high
high
mercury
mercury concentrations.
concentrations. Because
Because aa bedrock
bedrock source
source is
is unlikely
unlikely we
we concluded
concludedthat
that mercury
mercury
concentrations
concentrationswere
were largely
largelyfrom
fromairborne
airbornedeposition.
deposition.
Additional
Additional sampling
samplingand
and analyses
analyses have
have been
been conducted
conducted in
in the
the past
past year
year to
to address
address the
the
question
~uestionof
of why
whv mercury
mercurv concentrations
concentrationsare
are so
so variable
variable in
in soils
soils ifif the
the source
sourceof
of mercury
mercurv
is atmospheric
atmospheric pollution.
pollution. There
There isis aa very
very high
high correlation
correlationbetween
between organic
organiccarbon
carbonin
in soils
soils
and
total
mercury
content
(R=0.9).
Thus,
it
appears
that
factors
that
control
carbon
and total mercury content
Thus, it appears that factors that control carbon
sequestration
sequestrationin
in soils
soils also
also control mercury sequestration. One
One factor
factorthat
that could
could influence
influence
both
bothisis the
the history
history of
of forest
forest fires.
fires. During
Duringaafire
firemuch
muchof
ofthe
thecarbon
carbonon
onthe
theforest
forestfloor
floorand
and
in
in surface
surface soil
soil layers
layers may
may be
be burned,
burned, thus
thus liberating
liberating adsorbed
adsorbed mercury
mercury as
as aa gas
gas or
or fine
fine
particles
that
would
be
transported
out
of
the
area.
After
a
fire,
the
gradual
accumulation
particles that would be transported
After a fire, the gradual accumulation
of
of organic
organic carbon
carbon and
and mercury
mercury can
can require
require decades
decades or
or longer
longer to
to reestablish
reestablish pre-fire
pre-fire
concentrations.
A
large
portion
of
Isle
Royale
burned
in
1936,
including
part
concentrations. A large portion of Isle Royale burned in 1936, including partof
ofour
ourstudy
study
area,
burned in
in historic
historic times.
times. Soils
area, whereas the remainder of our study area has not burned
Soils
within
within the
the 1936
1936burn
burn area
area invariably
invariably have low carbon and mercury content. All
Allsamples
samples
are
are below the mean concentration
concentration for the island. Some
Somesoils
soilsoutside
outside of
of the
the bum
burn have
have
comparably
comparably low
low values
values but most are significantly higher. Further
Further sampling
samplingis
is being
being
conducted
fire to
to
conducted to
to seek
seek additional
additionalconfirmation
confirmationof
of the
the importance
importance of
of this
this 64-year-old
64-year-old fire
current
currentmercury
mercurydistribution.
distribution.

is

Finally,
Finally,the
thedistribution
distributionof
ofmercury
mercuryin
ingeological
geologicalmaterials
materialsas
asaa possible
possiblefactor
factorinin
controlling
controllinemercury
mercurv accumulation
accumulation in
in the aquatic
aauatic food web needs to be addressed. High
Hi&amp;
mercury
mercuryconcentrations
concentrationsin
ingame
gamefish
fishare
arethe
theend
endresult
result of
ofsuccessive
successiveaccumulations
accumulations
through various steps in the food web. Mercury concentrations inngame
gamefish
fishtissue
tissuemay
maybe
be

-

-

..

8

�as
lake water.
water. Furthermore,
as much as one
one million times higher than in the ambient lake
Furthermore,
mercury
mercury enters
enters the food
food web
web as
as an
an organic
organic compound,
compound, mostly
mostly dimethyl
dimethyl mercury,
mercury, rather
rather
than
the
more
common
inorganic
forms.
As
a
result,
may
researchers
discount
the
than
As a result, may researchers discount the
concentrations
concentrationsof
of mercury
mercury in
in the
the terrestrial
terrestrial environment
environment as
as aa factor
factor controlling
controllingmercury
mercuryin
in
fish.
Rather,
the
efficiency
of
methylation
processes
within
a
lake
and
its
watershed
and
fish. Rather. the efficiency of methvlation orocesses within a lake and its watershed and
complexities
complexitiesin
in the
the food
food web
web are
are commonly
commonly cited
cited as
as causes
causes for
for widely
widely variable
variablemercury
mercury
content
Ourresults
resultsnow
now show
showthat
that there
there are
aremuch
much higher
higher
content of
of fish
fish between nearby lakes. Our
mercury
mercury concentrations
concentrationsin
in soils
soilsin
in the
the watersheds
watershedsof
of Sargent
SargentLake
Lake (high
(highmercury
mercury in
in fish)
fish)
than
than in
in soils
soils around
around nearby Lake Richie (low mercury in fish). Although
Althoughthese
theseresults
results
address
address only
only two
two lakes,
lakes, we
we suggest
suggestthat
that itit would
would be
be premature
prematureto
to discount
discountvariations
variationsin
in
mercury
mercury in
in watershed
watershed soils
soilsas
as aa factor
factorin
in determining
determiningthe
the intensity
intensityof
of mercury
mercury
accumulation
accumulationin
in related
related aquatic
aquaticecosystems.
ecosystems.

.

&lt;

4.

SARGENT

LAKE4J

MINONG MINE

.:•—.

LAKE RICHIE

6

6

0

l2MiIes

East half of
soil thickness)
thickness)in
inaaof Isle
Isle Royale.
Royale. Relative
Relative mass
mass of
of mercury
mercury (concentration
(concentrationxx soil
horizon shown
fire. Native
Native
shown by black squares. White
White area
areawas
was burned
burned in
in 1936
1936forest
forest fire.
copper
copper mines
mines and
and prospects
prospects shown
shown by pick and
and hammer
hammer symbol.
symbol.
'. a
7

3

Reference
Reference

Cannon, W.F.,
W.F., and
and Woodruff,
Woodruff, L.G., 1999,
1999,Mercury
Mercury distribution
distribution in
in bedrock,
bedrock, native
native copper
copper
Cannon,
ore and soils—Isle
soils-Isle Royale National Park, Michigan (abs): Institute on Lake Superior
Superior
Geology Proceedings,
45, p.9-10.
p.9-10.
Geology
Proceedings, v.
v. 45,
9

�A SEQUENCE OF FOLDING AND DEXTRAL TRANSPRESSION IN THE SEINE RIVER
CONGLOMERATES.
Peter J.,
J., Department
Department of
of Geology
Geology and
and Geophysics,
Geophysics, University
University of
of
CZECK, Dyanna M. and HUDLESTON, Peter
Minnesota, 310
3 10 Pillsbury Drive SE, Minneapolis MN, 55455,
55455, czecO019@tc.umn.edu
czec0019@tc.umn.edu

GEOLOGICAL INTRODUCTION
The Superior Province is
subprovinces that
that are
are
is comprised of
of approximately
approximately east
east -- west trending subprovinces
defined by lithological contrasts, metamorphic grade, and structural boundaries (Card and Ciesielski,
1986). A
A popular
popular tectonic
tectonic model for
for this
this province
province is
is the
the successive
successive accretion
accretion of
of island
island arcs
arcs and
and their
their
associated sediments
sediments(Floffluan,
(Hoffman, 1989).
1989).
metavolcanic Wabigoon
Wabigoon and the
This study focuses on the boundary between the metavolcanic
metasedimentary Quetico subprovinces near Mine Centre, Ontario. The Quetico contains mostly
amphibolite facies metasediments, and the Wabigoon contains greenschist facies metavolcanics.
Distinctive rocks found along this boundary are the Seine River Metasedimentary
Metasedimentary Group including the
conglomerates. From
River conglomerates
polymictic Seine River conglomerates.
From stratigraphic evidence, the Seine River
deposition of
of the
the volcanic
volcanic sequences
sequences(Poulsen
(Poulsenetetal.,
at., 1980).
1980). Preliminary
formed late following the deposition
attempts at absolute
absolute dating
dating have
have confirmed
confirmed this
this (Davis
(Daviset
et al.,
al., 1989).
1989).
Previous structural work along this boundary described a dominant subvertical foliation
(Poulsen, 1986; Tabor
Tabor and
and Hudleston,
Hudleston, 1991).
1991). These features are interpreted
interpreted to
to
transecting large folds (Poulsen,
have formed during dextral transpression.
STRUCTURAL INTRODUCTION
The term "transpression" was first introduced by Harland (1971) to describe motion that is
obliquely
convergent, or motion
motion partitioned
partitioned into
into both
both convergent
convergentand
andstrike-slip.
strike-slip. In
In Harland's original
obliquely convergent,
described the development
development of
of folds
folds and
and strike-slip
strike-slip structures
structuresdue
duetotooblique
obliqueconvergence.
convergence. A
A
paper, he described
Marchini (1984). This
specialized case of transpression was introduced by Sanderson and Marchini
This idealized
idealized
definition of transpression has been used to describe homogeneous deformation consisting of orthogonal
simple shear and pure shear components with constant volume and confined deformation
deformation boundaries,
possibly corresponding to the strain in deep ductile shear zones that accommodate oblique convergence.
Quetico boundary seems to be related to this more specific
The dominant foliation along the Wabigoon - Quetico
type of transpression
transpression based
based on
on the flattening
flattening fabrics
fabrics and asymmetric features indicating simple
simple shear
shear in
in
subhorizontal plane.
the subhorizontal
One of the questions addressed by this study is the relationship between the folds and the
dominant foliation. Clearly,
Clearly,itithas
hasbeen
beendemonstrated
demonstratedthat
that folds
foldscan
canform
formin
intranspression
transpression Flarland
Harland
transpression fabric, or are they an
(1971). Are
Are the
the folds
folds at
at this
this boundary
boundary consistent
consistent with the rest of the transpression
earlier structural feature?
FOLIATION/ BEDDING INTERSECTIONS
The Seine Group has well defined bedding indicated by fine grained layers interbedded with the
recognized
pebble conglomerates.
conglomerates. In
In this
this analysis,
analysis, the
the major
major fold
fold in
in the Seine River conglomerates was recognized
on the basis of
of structural
structural facing
facing between
between bedding
bedding and
and the
the dominant
dominant foliation
foliation(Shackleton's
(Shackleton'srule
rule—- see
Borradaile (1976)). This
Thisfold
foldisisconsistent
consistent with
with the
the observed
observed 'way
"wayup"
up" indicators
indicators in
in the
the conglomerates
conglomerates
based on graded bedding.
bedding.

10

�If this fold were to have formed as a result of the transpression,
transpression, the foliation!
foliation1 bedding
throughout the
the field
field area.
area. In fact, the plunge of the intersection varies
intersections should be consistent throughout
throughout the field area. The
The intersection
intersection angle
angle is
is generally small because both foliation and bedding
throughout
are steep;
steep; however,
however, locally the
the angle
angle is
is quite
quite large
large nearing
nearing 75"
75°atatthe
thehinge.
hinge. This suggests a more
history, and that the folding occurred prior to the major transpressive event.
complex history,
TECTONIC IMPLICATIONS
As described elsewhere in the Superior province, the sequence of initial folding followed by
homogeneous transpression (and possibly later stage amplification of the strike- slip
slip shear
shear component
component
reasonable for
for the
the WabigoonWabigoon-Quetico
Queticoboundary.
boundary. It remains an
along discrete shear zones) seems reasonable
interesting question whether the folds and the homogeneous transpression were two entirely abrupt,
separate events or rather an evolution of structural styles during different stages of the same
same oblique
oblique
collisional event.
The fact that the initial folding
folding is seen in the Seine Group has important implications for
for the
the
relative timing between this change in
in structural
structural style
style and
and Seine
Seinedeposition.
deposition. Some researchers have
pull-apart basins formed as
suggested that the Seine Group could have been syntectonically deposited in pull-apart
as
(Poulsen, 1986). The
a result of wrenching (Poulsen,
The early folding
folding of the Seine seems to indicate that it was
deposited earlier in the deformation sequence, prior
prior to
to at
at least
least some
some of
ofthe
thefolding.
folding. Additionally, the
overall geometry of the interconnected faults
faults seems
seems to indicate that during dextral wrenching, the
the Seine
Seine
Group's "basin"
"basin" would
would have
have been
been in
in aa compressive
compressive rather
rather than
than an
an extensional
extensional regime
regime required
required of
ofaapullpullbasin. This
apart basin.
Thissuggests
suggests that
that aa different
different sedimentation/
sedimentation,tectonic model for the Seine Group is needed.

J., 1976.
the Palaeozoic
Palaeozoic rocks
rocks of
of the
the Malaguide
Malaguide Complex
Complex
Borradaile, G. J.,
1976. "Structural
"Structural facing" (Shackleton's rule) and the
nederlandse akademie
akademie van
van wetenschappen
wetenschappen 79B,
798,
near Velez Rubis, SE Spain. Proceedings, Koninklijke nederlandse
330330336.
336.
A., 1986.
the Superior Province
Province of
of the
the Canadian
Canadian Shield.
Shield. Geoscience
Geoscience
Card, K. D., Ciesielski, A,,
1986. DNAG Subdivisions of the
Canada 13,
5-13.
13,5-13.
Davis, D. W., Poulsen,
Poulsen, K. H., Kamo,
Kamo, S.
S. L.,
L., 1989.
1989.New
New insights
insightsinto
into Archean
Archean crustal
crustaldevelopment
developmentfrom
from
geochronology
97, 379-398.
geochronology in the Rainy Lake area,
area. Superior
Superior Province, Canada. Journal of Geology 97,379-398.
8., 1971.
27-42.
Harland, W. B.,
1971.Tectonic
Tectonictranspression
transpressionin
in Caledonian
Caledonian Spitsbergen.
Spitsbergen. Geological Magazine 108,
108,27-42.
Hoffman, P. F., 1989.
America. In:
In: Bally,
Bally, A.
A. W.,
W., Palmer, A.
A. R
R. (
Hoflinan,
1989. Precambrian geology
geology and tectonic history of North America.
Eds.), The geology
geology of
of North America; an overview. The geology of North America A, pp. 447-512.
Poulsen, K. Fl.,
example of
of an
an Archean
Archean Subprovince
Subprovinceboundary
boundary in
inNorthwestern
Northwestern
H., 1986.
1986. Rainy Lake
Lake Wrench Zone: An example
Ontario.
(Eds.), Tectonic evolution of greenstone
greenstone belts
belts Technical Report
Ontario. In: de Wit, M. J., Ashwal, L. D. (Eds.),
86-10, pp. 177-179.
177-179.
Poulsen, K. H., Borradaile,
Archean succession
succession at
at Ramy
Rainy Lake,
Lake,
Borradaile, G. J., Kehlenbeck, M. M., 1980. An inverted Archean
Ontario. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences 17,
17,1358-1369.
1358-1369.
D., 1984. Transpression.
Transpression. Journal
Journal of
of Structural
Structural Geology
Geology 6,449-458.
6,449-458.
Sanderson, D. J., Marchini, W. R. D.,
Tabor,
J.
R.,
Hudleston,
P.
J.,
1991.
Deformation
at
an
Archean
subprovince
boundary,
northern
Minnesota.
1991.
Tabor,
Hudleston,
Canadian Journal of E
Earth
Sciences
28,292-307.
arth
28,292-307.

11

�A
A Hf
Hf isotopic
isotopic study
study on zircons from
from the
the western
western Superior
Superiorprovince
province
D.W.
D.W.Davis,
Davis,Y.
Y.Amelin,
Amelin,Earth
EarthScience
ScienceDept.,
Dept.,Royal
RoyalOntario
OntarioMuseum,
Museum,100
100 Queen's
Queen's
Park,
dond(drom.on.ca, G.M.
G.M. Nowell
Nowelland
andR.R.
R.R. Parrish
Parrish
Park. Toronto,
Toronto. ON,
ON. M5S 2C6 dond@,rom.on.ca.
NERC
NERC Isotope
Isotope Geoscience
GeoscienceLaboratory,
Laboratory,Kingsley
Kingsley Dunham
Dunham Centre,
Centre, Keyworth,
Keyworth,
Nottingham,
Nottingham, NG12
NG12 5GG
5GGUK
UK
U-Pb
U-Pb dating
datingof
of zircon
zirconhas
hasprovided
provided some
someof
of the
the most
most important
importantconstraints
constraintson
on geological
geological
interpretations
interpretationsininthe
theSuperior
Superiorprovince.
province.Zircon
Zirconalso
alsocontains
containsHf,
Hf,whose
whose176Hf
"'Hf isotope
isotopecan
can
be
beused
used to
toinfer
inferolder
oldercrustal
crustal provenance
provenance of
of the magma from which it crystallized.
crystallized. Early Hf
studies
by
Corth
and
Stott
(1993,
1996)
in
the
Uchi
subprovince
show
a distribution
studies by Corfu and Stott (1993, 1996) in the
distribution of EHf
EHf
values
valuesthat
thatrange
rangebetween
betweendepleted
depletedmantle
mantleand
and aa3.0
3.0Ga
Gacrustal
crustalgrowth
growth curve,
curve, reflecting
reflecting
contamination
contaminationfrom
fromthe
theNorth
NorthCaribou
Caribouterrane
terraneand
andsupporting
supportingthe
themodel
modelof
ofan
anAndean-type
Andean-type
tectonic
tectonicsetting.
setting.These
Thesestudies
studiesused
usedthermal
thermalionization
ionizationmass
massspectrometry,
spectrometry,which
whichisis
laborious
laboriousand
andrequires
requireslarge
largequantities
quantitiesof
ofzircon.
zircon.The
Therecent
recentdevelopment
developmentof
ofmulti-collector
multi-collector
inductively
inductivelycoupled
coupledmass
massspectrometry
spectrometrynow
nowpermits
permitsprecise
precisemeasurement
measurementof
ofHf
Hfisotopic
isotopic
analyses
analyseson
onsingle
singlezircon
zircongrains
grainsas
assmall
smallas
as22micrograms
microgramswith
withanalysis
analysistimes
timeson
onthe
the order
order
of
10
minutes
per
sample.
of 10 minutes per sample.
Using
Usingthe
thePlasmaS4
Plasma54instrument
instrumentatatthe
the NERC
NERC lab,
lab,Hf
Hf isotopes
isotopeswere
weremeasured
measured on
on
dated
datedzircons
zirconsfrom
from62
62separate
separaterock
rockunits
unitsin
inthe
thewestern
westernSuperior
Superiorregion
regionplus
plus25
25detrital
detrital
zircon
zircongrains
grainsfrom
fromthe
theca.
ca.2700
2700Ga
GaQuetico
Queticometasediments
metasedimentsand
andpre-2800
pre-2800Ma
Maquartz
quartz
arenites.
arenites.The
Themass
massspectrometer
spectrometeranalyses
analyseswere
weredone
doneover
overaafour
fourday
dayperiod.
period.This
Thisexpands
expands
the
available
Hf
database
in
the
transect
area
by
a
factor
of
four.
the available Hf database in the transect area by a factor of four.
Most
Mostdata
datafrom
fromthe
theSW
SWWabigoon
Wabigoonsubprovince
subprovincecluster
clustertightly
tightlyaround
aroundaadepleted
depleted
mantle
value of +6S.
+6.5. This confirms that assemblages south of the Wiimipeg
mantleEHf
Enfvalue
Winnipeg River
River
subprovince
subprovincewere
weremagmatically
magmaticallyemplaced
emplacedininan
anoceanic
oceanicenvironment.
environment.Analyzed
Analyzedzircons
zircons
from
fromthe
theSturgeon-Savant
Sturgeon-Savantarea
areashow
showaatrend
trendof
ofincreasing
increasingcontamination
contaminationby
byolder
oldercrust
crust
with
younger
age
(decreasing
Eflf
down
to
+2).
with younger age (decreasing Ein-down to +2).
Younger
Youngerplutons
plutonsand
andvolcanics
volcanicsfrom
fromthe
thecentral
centralWabigoon
Wabigoonsubprovince
subprovince(2693-2750
(2693-2750
Ma)
mostly
scatter
around
values
of
+4
±
1,
showing
the
possibility
of
slight
Ma) mostly scatter around values of +4 1, showing the possibility of slight
contamination
contaminationby
byolder
oldercrust.
crust.Zircons
Zirconsfrom
fromthe
theolder
older3000
3000Ma
Maold
oldrocks
rocksininthe
theLumby
Lumby
Lake
Lakebelt
beltcluster
clustertightly
tightlyaround
aroundaadepleted
depletedmantle
mantlevalue
value(at
(at3.0
3.0Ga)
Ga)ofof+5.5.
+5.5.Zircons
Zirconsfrom
from
ca.
ca.2.9
2.9Ga
Gaplume-derived
plume-derivedrocks
rocksgive
giveslightly
slightlymore
moreenriched
enrichedvalues
valuesdown
downtoto+4.
+4.The
Theresults
results
from
fromLumby
LumbyLake
Lakeoverlap
overlapwith
withthose
thosefrom
fromsimilar
similaraged
agedrocks
rocksininthe
theNorth
NorthCaribou
CaribouLake
Lake
area
of
the
Sachigo
subprovince,
supporting
the
suggestion
that
the
Lumby
Lake
and
area of the Sachigo subprovince, supporting the suggestion that the Lumby Lake andNorth
North
Caribou
Caribouterranes
terranesare
arecorrelative.
correlative.
The
TheHf
Hfdata
datafield
fieldfrom
fromthe
theWabigoon
Wabigoonand
andSachigo
Sachigosubprovinces
subprovincesoverlaps
overlapsclosely
closely
with
withthat
thatofofCorfu
Corfuand
andStott
Stott(1996)
(1996)from
fromthe
theUchi
Uchisubprovince.
subprovince.InIncontrast
contrastzircons
zirconsfrom
fromthe
the
Winnipeg
WinnipegRiver
Riversubprovince
subprovinceare
arenoticably
noticablymore
moreenriched,
enriched,with
withEHf
EHfvalues
valuesof
ofabout
about00toto
-2
over
an
age
range
of
2721
Ma
to
3225
Ma.
An
EHf
value
of—2
value
found
on
3.2 Ga
Ga
-2 over an age range of 2721 Ma to 3225 Ma. An Eufvalue of -2 value found on3.2
zircons
zirconsfrom
fromthe
theCedar
CedarLake
Lakegneiss
gneissimplies
impliesaaca.
ca.3.5
3.5Ga
Gacrustal
crustalprotolith,
protolith,ininagreement
agreement
with
withresults
resultsofofNd
Ndwhole
wholerock
rockisotopes
isotopes(Henry
(Henryetetal.
al.1997).
1997).
AAsingle
singleanalysis
analysisfrom
fromthe
thewidespread
widespread2722
2722Ma
Mavolcanics
volcanicsininthe
theShebandowan
Shebandowanbelt
belt
shows
showsaadepleted
depletedsignature,
signature,asasdoes
doesaa2726
2726Ma
Mavolcanic
volcanicfrom
fromthe
theMelchett
MelchettLake
Lakebelt,
belt,ininthe
the
middle
middleofofthe
theEnglish
EnglishRiver
Riversubprovince.
subprovince.However,
However,2723
2723Ma
Mavolcanic
volcaniczircons
zirconsfrom
fromthe
the
Separation
SeparationLake
Lakegreenstone
greenstonebelt,
belt,which
whichmay
mayunderlie
underlieEnglish
EnglishRiver
Rivermetasediments,
metasediments,show
showaa

*

12

�more enriched
enriched value
value of
of -2,
-2, suggesting
suggesting that
that itit is
is contaminated
contaminatedby
by much
much older
olderWinnipeg
Winnipeg
River-type
River-type crust.
crust.
Results
Results on
on detrital
detrital zircons
zirconsfrom
from quartz
quartz arenites
arenites in
in the
the North
North Caribou
Caribouterrane
terranegenerally
generally
overlap
An analysis
analysis from
from 3250
3250 Ma
Ma old
old zircon
zirconin
inthe
the
overlap the
the data
data field
field from
from rocks
rocks in
in this
this area.
area. An
Jutten
Jutten quartz
quartz arenite
arenitein
in the
the northern
northern Wabigoon
Wabigoon subprovince
subprovinceshows
shows still
still older
oldercontamination
contamination
(E1
( h fof
of 0),
0), suggesting
suggestingthat
that 3.0
3.0 to
to 3.3
3.3 Ga
Ga detrital
detrital zircons
zircons in this unit were derived
derived from
from the
adjacent
adjacent Winnipeg
Winnipeg River
River subprovince.
subprovince.Ca.
Ca. 3.2
3.2 Ga
Ga zircons
zircons from
from the
the Quetico
Quetico metasediments
metasediments
also
show
enriched
values
down
to
—3,
while
the
youngest
zircons
at
ea.
2.7
also show enriched values down to -3, while the youngest zircons at ca. 2.7 Ga show
variable
variableenrichments
enrichmentsfrom
from+5
+5 to
to +0,
+0, again
againsuggesting
suggestingaa source
sourcepartially
partiallyin
inthe
theWinnipeg
Winnipeg
River
subprovince.
River subprovince.
The
values at
at ca.
ca. 2.7
2.7 Ga
Ga and
and 3.0 Ga provides
The general
general coherence
coherenceof
ofthe
thehighest
highestEHf
Enfvalues
reasonable
reasonable constraints
constraintson
onthe
theevolution
evolutionof
ofthe
thedepleted
depletedmantle
mantlereservoir
reservoirduring
duringthe
thelate
late
Archean.
These
results
agree
with
the
linear
growth
trend
defined
by
other
Hf
Archean. These results agree with the linear growth trend defined other Hf
measurements
measurements from
from younger
younger rocks
rocks and
and from
from early
early Archean
Archean rocks
rocks in
in Greenland
Greenland (Vervoort
(Vervoort
and
Blichert-Toft
1999).
They
give
evidence
for
a
major
depletion
of
the
mantle
or
and Blichert-Toft 1999). They give evidence for a major depletion of the mantle atator
before
4.0Ga.
Ga.IfIfcontinental
continentalcrust
crustwas
wasthe
thecomplimentary
complimentaryenriched
enrichedreservoir,
reservoir,this
thisimplies
implies
before 4.0
that
that such
suchcrust
crustwas
wasof
ofan
anextent
extentcomparable
comparableto
to the
thepresent
present during
duringthe
theearly
earlyArchean.
Archean.
Otherwise,
Otherwise, the
the enriched
enriched reservoir
reservoir may
may have
have been
been oceanic
oceanic crust
crust that
that was
was subducted
subductedand
and
stored
Archean.
stored in
in the
the deep
deep mantle
mantle until
until the
the end
end of
of the
the Archean.
Continuing
Hf
isotopic
studies
on
precisely
Continuing Hf isotopic studies on precisely dated
dated zircons
zirconspromise
promiseto
to be
beaapowerifil
powerful
tool
tool for
forresolving
resolvinglocal
localand
andglobal
globalproblems
problemsininEarth
Earthhistory.
history.
REFERENCES
REFERENCES

Corfu,
Corfu, F.
F. and
and Stott,
Stott,G.
G. 1996.
1996. Hf
Hf isotopic
isotopic composition
composition and
and age
age constraints on the evolution
evolution
of
of the
the Archean
Archean central
central Uchi subprovince,
subprovince, Ontario, Canada. Precamb. Res. 78: 535363.
63.
Corfli,
Corfu,F.
F. and
and Stott,
Stott,G.
G.1993.
1993.Age
Ageand
andpetrogenesis
petrogenesisof
oftwo
twolate
lateArchean
Archeanmagmatic
magmaticsuites,
suites,
northwestern
northwesternSuperior
Superiorprovince,
province,Canada:
Canada:Zircon
ZirconU-Pb
U-Pb and
andLu-Hf
Lu-Hf isotopic
isotopicrelations.
relations.
Jour.
Petrol.
34:
8
17-838.
Jour. Petrol. 34: 817-838.
Henry,
Henry,P.,
P., Stevensen,
Stevensen,R.,
R., Larbi,
Larbi,Y.,
Y.,and
andGariepy,
Gariepy,C.
C.1997.
1997.Use
Useof
ofNd
Ndisotopes
isotopestotoquantify
quantify
700
in the
700 Ma
Maof
ofcrustal
crustalgrowth
growthfrom
from3.4
3.4to
to2.7
2.7Ga
Gain
thewestern
westernSuperior
Superiorprovince
province
(Ontario,
(Ontario,Canada).
Canada).Western
WesternSuperior
SuperiorTransect
TransectWorkshop
WorkshopReport
Report#63:
#63:27-36.
27-36.
Vervoort,
Vervoort,J.D.
J.D. and
andBlichert-Toft,
Blichert-Toft,J.J.1999.
1999.Evolution
Evolutionof
ofthe
thedepleted
depletedmantle:
mantle:Hf
Hfisotope
isotope
evidence
from
juvenile
rocks
through
time.
Geochim.
Cosmochim.
Acta
evidence from juvenile rocks through time. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta63:
63:533533556.
556.

13

�MYSTERY FAULTS
FAULTSOF
OFTHE
THE CASCADE RIVER,
RIVER, NORTH
NORTH SHORE,
MYSTERY
SHORE, OR,
OR,WHAT
WHATIS
IS THIS
THIS
GRANITE DOING HERE?
HERE?
GREEN,
GREEN,John
JohnC.,
C., Department
DepartmentofofGeological
GeologicalSciences,
Sciences, University
University of Minnesota Duluth,
Duluth, MN
55812, jgreen@d.umn.edu
jpreen@d.umn.edu
Duluth,
MN 55812,
The
The Cascade
Cascade River in Cook County, MN, exposes
exposes a homoclinal section
section about
about 13
13km
km long
longacross
across
normal-polarity rocks
rocks of
of the
the North
North Shore Volcanic
Volcanic Group.
Group. With
normal-polarity
With an
an average dip of about 12
degrees, this
this amounts
amounts to a thickness of about 2.4 km. In
degrees,
Inits
itslowest
lowest mile
mile and
and aa major
major tributary,
tributary, it cuts
across several faults
faults that
that involve the
the great,
great, cuesta-forming
cuesta-forming Terrace
Terrace Point
Point basalt flow and the thick,
underlying Good
Good Harbor
Harbor Bay
Bay sandstone.
sandstone.
red sandstone and the
At the top of
of the
the cascades,
cascades, the conformable contact between the big red
also visible
visiblefour
four miles
miles to
to the
the east at the big Good
overlying flood basalt flow, also
GoodHarbor
HarborBay
Bayhighway
highway
fault. As the
the river
river starts
starts
cut, is dropped down to
to the
the north
northaafew
fewfeet
feetalong
alongaa high-angle,
hii-angle, east-west fault.
cascades,the
the top
top of
of the sandstone can be seen under the
to enter
enter the
the gorge and plunge down the cascades,
100m
m into
intothe
thegorge,
gorge,the
thebasalt
basaltisis interrupted
interruptedby
byaaremarkable
remarkablebreccia
brecciaof
ofpink,
pink,
basalt. But
Butless
less than
than 100
apparent fault contact
medium-grained granite that occurs in apparent
contact with the
the volcanic
volcanic rocks.
rocks. Locally,
Locally,
fragments of
of basalt
basalt and
and perhaps
perhaps sandstone are caught up
up in the breccia, but
but most of it is
granite. On
uncontaminated granite.
Onthe
thedownstream
downstreamside,
side,abundant
abundantjoints
joints in
in the
the adjacent
adjacent basalt imply aa
upstream, but
but itit isis covered.
covered. On
steep fault contact dipping upstream,
On the
the upstream
upstream side,
side, the bounding
bounding fault
apparently dips much
apparently
much more
more gently
gently downstream,
downstream,implying
implying aa wedge of
of granite
granite emplaced
emplaced mechanically
mechanically
flows. A fault contact a kilometer or
or so to
to the northeast between the sandstone
into the lava
lava. flows.
sandstone and aa
rhyolite may be related to this event.
event.
There are two conceivable sources for this granite,
granite, which
which must
must be
be far
far from
from its original
original site
siteof
of
There
crystallization.
related to
to the roof zone
zone of
crystallization. If itit is Keweenawan, and related
of the
the Duluth
Duluth Complex
Complexthat
thatisis
Eagle Mountain,
Mountain, ititwould
would have
havemoved
movedupward
upward at
at least
least2.4
2.4km.
km. Otherwise
exposed up-dip (inland) at Eagle
it could be part of the
the Archean
Archean basement,
basement, in
in which case it would have come up much farther,
perhaps 10 km. ItItisismedium-grained,
medium-grained,hypidiomorphic
hypidiomorphicwith
with minor
minor micrographic
micrographic patches
patches and
and its
its
ferromagnesian silicate is
is Fe-rich biotite, which is rare in Keweenawan granites. Petrographically
Petrographically itit
rocks of
of
is not a good match for
for either
either the
the Eagle
Eagle Mountain
Mountain granophyre
granophyre or
or typical
typical Archean granitic rocks
the region. Its
from, but
but not
not how it
Itsabundant
abundantzircons
zircons should
should solve
solve the problem of where it came from,
got to
to its
its present
present position.
position.

x----

-----

Geologic sketch map from
from Green,
Green,
1996, Geolom
Diswlav: Geology
Geology
Geology on Display:
Minnesota's North
and Scenery of Minnesota's
Shore State Parks, MN Dept. of
of Nat.
Nat.
Resources,
Resources. St.
St. Paul
Paul

. .. .

...............
...............
....
- Fault
880

Sandstone

I

14

�PETROGENESIS OF
RiVER REGION,
PETROGENESIS
OF GRANITIC
GRANITIC ROCKS
ROCKS OF
OF THE
THE DUNKA RIVER
REGION,
EASTERN
EASTERNMESAI3I
MESABI RANGE, MINNESOTA
MINNESOTA
HARRIS, Emily
HARRIS,
Emily C.
C. A.,
A,, Macalester
Macalester College,
College, St.
St. Paul,
Paul, MN 55105,
55105, eharris@macalester.edu;
eharris@macalester.edu;
Wirth,
Wirth, Karl
Karl R.,
R., Geology
Geology Department,
Department, Macalester
Macalester College,
College, St.
St. Paul,
Paul, MN
MN 55105,
55105,
wirth@macalester.edu
throughout the
the Midcontinent
Midcontinent Rift (MCR)
Middle Proterozoic felsic igneous rocks are exposed throughout
and the eastern Mesabi Range of northern
northern Minnesota.
Minnesota. Many of these are considered to be

Keweenawan (1,100 Ma) in age. However,
However,recent
recent studies
studies suggest
suggest that some
some early Middle Proterozoic felsic magmatism may have
have occurred
occuned in the region
region as
as well
well (Phillips
(Phillipset.
et.al.,
al.,this
thisvolume).
volume). To
better understand
understand the history of felsic magmatism in northern Minnesota, samples from the Dunka
River Region, which is situated along the base of the Duluth Complex, have been collected and
studied. Felsic
Felsicrocks
rocksthat
thatintrude
intrudegabbros
gabbrosof
of the
the Dunka
Dunka River
River Region
Region have
have coarse
coarse graphic
graphic textures,
textures,
chemically distinct
complexes in the Midcontinent
Midcontinent Rift.
and are chemically
distinct from granophyre complexes
Granitic rocks were
were collected
collected from
from along
along the
the eastern
eastern Mesabi
Mesabi Range
Range between
between Babbitt
Babbitt and
and
Aurora, Minnesota. Granite
with
coarse
graphic
texture
was
collected
from
stockpiles
within
the
Granite with coarse graphic
within the
Biwabik Iron
Iron Formation
Fonnation and gabbro
mining operations
operations along the contact between metamorphosed Biwabik
gabbro
withingabbro
gabbroand
andiron
ironformation
formation(Strandlie,
(Strandlie,pers.
pers.
of the MCR. These
Thesegranites
granitesoccur
occuras
assmall
smalldikes
dikeswithin
conimunication). They
communication).
Theyare
arecommonly
commonly pegmatitie,
pegmatitic, and are composed of potassium feldspar or sodic
%), and biotite
biotite (5-10
(5-10 %).
%). Feldspars
Feldspars are variably altered
altered to
plagioclase (40-50 %), quartz (35-45 %),
clay minerals and biotite is altered to chlorite. These
Thesegraphic
graphic granites
granites are
are mineralogically
mineralogically and
and
texturally comparable
comparable to some
some felsic
felsic granophyres of the Midcontinent Rift (Kennedy
(Kennedy et al., this
vol.). Other
vol.).
Othergranitic
graniticrocks
rocks were
were collected
collected from
____________________________________
IS
15
nearby outcrops of the eastern
eastern margin of
of the
the
Archean
Aurora Sill
Archean Giants
Giants Range
Range batholith
batholith for
for comparison.
comparison.
MCi felt
The Archean granites are finefine- to
to mediummediumgnnophyres
10
s
10
grained, and consist
consist of
of plagioclase
plagioclase (20-40%),
(20-40%),
amphibole
amphibole (&lt;15%),
(&lt;15%), quartz
quartz (10-40%),
(10-40%), potassium
potassium S.
C
feldspar
feldspar (5-20%),
(5-20%), biotite
biotite (5-10%),
(5-lo%),and
andFe-Ti
Fe-Tioxox- %
ides
ides (&lt;5%),
(&lt;5%), and
and commonly
commonlyexhibit
exhibitstrained
strainedquartz
quartz C+
Giants Range bathofith
and weakly foliated textures. These
These granites
granites are
are 9a
MCRmalIc
texturally
texturally and
and compositionally
compositionallysimilar
similarto
to grangrangnnophyrs
gra=ophy=
ites of the western Giants Range batholith (e.g.,
Boerboom and Zartman, 1993).
1993).
60
70
80
o 40~ " " " " 50
SO" " " " " (50
'
70
80
The graphic
graphic granite
granite dikes
dikes from
from the
the Dunka
Dunka
SiO.* drt.
%).
o)
St02(wt.
.
characterized by a greater
Pit are characterized
greater silica
silica content Figure
Figure 1. Plot of Na20+K20
Na 20+1(20 (total
(totalalkalis) versus
(Si02=70.8-78.7 wt.
(Si02=70.8-78.7
wt. %)
%) than
than isis observed
observed in
in MCR
MCR
SiO2
comparing
Dunka
granites (open
Dunks
graphic
granites
(open
gi02
wt. %; Kennedy et al., this
this
ggranophyres
r a n o ~ h ~ r(66-76
es
circles) with rocks from the Giants
Range
Giants Ranee
vol.) and
and the Aurora
Aurora Sill
Sfflsyenites
syenites (54.6-60.7
(54.6-60.7 wt.%;
W.%;
batholith (Boerboom and Zartman,1993),
Zartman,l993), the
the
Potassium,sodium,
sodium,and
and
Phillips et al., this vol.). Potassium,
Aurora Silt
Sill (Phillips et at.,
al., this vol.), and granogranocalcium concentrations of the granite
phyre complexes of the MCR (Kennedy
granite dikes
dikes
(Kennedy et
et al.,
al.,
(K20=2.98-5.16 wt.
wt.%;
%; Na2O=3.20-6.48
Na20=3.20-6.48wt,
wt, %;
%;
this
vol.).
this vol.).
(1(20=2.98-5.16

*

1

-

-

-

I

-

-

~~~

~

15

�CaO=O.28-1 .09wt.
wt.%)
%)are
aresimilar
similar to
to those
those of
of
Ca0=0.28-1.09
the MCR granophyres
and
the
Aurora
Sill
(Figgranophyres
ure 1).
1). However,
However,most
mostof
ofthe
thegraphic
graphic granites
granites
have high
high A1203
Al203 concentrations
concentrations and are
are
have
peraluminous, similar to those of the Aurora
Sill; MCR granophyres are peraluminous to
metaluminous. The
metaluminous.
Thegraphic
graphicgranites
granites also have
Ti02than
than rocks
rocks of
of the
the MCR
MCR and
and the
the AuAuless Ti02
ron
Sill.
The
graphic
granites
are
compositionS
i
l
l
.
The
graphic
granites
are
compositionrora
ally similar to those of
of the
the Giants
Giants Range
Range
batholith, although
although they have slightly
slightly higher
higher
59
Si02 concentrations
Si02 valSi02
concentrations (Giants
(Giants Range Si02
ppm)
ues
%).
ues range from 52.9-73.6 wt. %).
2. Plot
PlotofofNb
Nbversus
versusY
Y comparing
comparing Dunka
On
On trace element
element diagrams
diagrams (e.g. ZrITiO2
Zr/Ti02 Figure 2.
circles)
with other
graphic
granites
(open
circles)
other felsic
felsic
Nb/Y) the graphic
graphic granites
granites are
are distinct
distinct from
from
vs. Nb/Y)
Minnesota;
Figure
1
for
data
rocks
of
northern
Minnesota;
see
1
Aurora Sill syenites
syenites (Phillips
(Phillips et al.,
al., this
this vol.),
references.
and
references.
but plot with the Duluth Complex
Complex granophyres
granophyres
((Kennedy
~ e k e et
d al.,
~ this vol.). However,
However, whereas
whereas major element concentrations of Dunka graphic
granites are similar
similar to those of felsic rocks of the MCR granophyre
granophyre complexes,
complexes, their trace
trace element
element
compositions
are
more
similar
to
those
of
mafic
rocks
of
the
MCR
granophyres.
A
plot
of
Nb
vs. Y
compositions
similar
mafic rocks of the MCR granophyres.
of
(Figure 2) reveals the depletion in graphic granites of both Nb and Y with respect to MCR granogranoY/Nb and
and ThfNb
ThINb ratios
ratios of
of the
the graphic
graphic
phyres and Aurora Sill
Sill syenites.
syenites. Furthermore,
Furthermore, the
the greater
greater Y/Nb
batholith and
and suggest
suggest that
that these
these rocks
rocks contain
contain
granites are most similar
similar to those of the Giants Range batholith
a more significant crustal
crustal component
component than do the MCR granophyres and Aurora syenites.
similar in mineral and major element
element composicomposiGraphic granites of the Dunka River Area are similar
lions to felsic granophyres associated with
with the
the Midcontinent
MidcontinentRift.
Rift. However, the low trace element
tions
concentrations of the
concentrations
the Dunka
Dunka graphic
graphic granites
granites are
are more
more similar
similar to the
the mafic
mafic rocks
rocks of
of the
the granophyre
granophyre
complexes. Therefore,
Therefore,we
weconclude
concludethat
thatthe
thegraphic
graphicgranites
granites of
of the
the Dunka
Dunka Region
Regionare
areunrelated
unrelatedto
to
Midcontinent Rift
Rift and
and to
to the
theAurora
Aurora Sill.
Sill. Alternatively, they
the other felsic granophyres of the Midcontinent
sirnimight be partial melts of country rock along the base of the Duluth Complex. The
The chemical
chemicalsimilarity between the Dunka graphic granites and the Giants Range
Range batholith
batholith granite
granite suggests
suggests that
have produced
produced the
themelts
meltsfor
forthe
thegraphic
graphicgranite.
granite. Alternapartial melting of Archean granites could have
tively, the graphic
graphic granites might be the melting products of nearby argillite, argillaceous siltstone,
(e.g., Morey,
Morey, 1972).
1972).
and fme-grained
fine-grained feldspathic
feldspathic graywacke
graywackeof
of the
the Virginia
Virginia Formation
Formation (e.g.,

j

References
Zartman, Robert E.,
E., 1993. Geology, geochemistry, and
and geochronology
geochronology of the central
Boerboom, Terrence J. and Zartman,
Giants Range batholith,
batholith, northeastern Minnesota.
Minnesota. Canadian
Canadian Journal
Journal Earth
Earth Science,
Science,v. 30,
30, p.
p. 2510-2522.
2510-2522.
Kennedy, Bryan
Bryan C. wirth,
Wirth,K.,
K., and
andVervoort,
Vervoort,J,J,this
thisvolume.
volume.Petrogenesis
Petrogenesisof
ofthe
theMidcontinent
MidcontinentRift
Riftgranophyric
granopbyriccomcomplexes of northern Minnesota.
P.K. and
and Morey,
Morey, G.B.,
GB.,
Morey, GB.,
G.B., 1972.
1972.Mesabi
MesabiRange.
Range.A
A Centennial
CentennialVolume,
Volume, Minnesota Geological Survey, Sims, P.K.
editors, Minnesota
Minnesota Geological
Geological Survey,
Survey,p. 204-217.
204-217.
Phillips,
Phillips, Erin
Erin H. and
and Wirth,
Wirth, K.,
K., this
this volume.
volume. Petrogenesis
Petrogenesisof
of the
the Enigmatic
EnigmaticAurora
AuroraSill,
Sill,Mesabi
MesabiRange,
Range,Minnesota.
Minnesota.

16

�Pyroxene Homfelsed
Copper Mineralization in the Pyroxene
Hornfelsed Archean Giants RangeBatholith
Range Batholith Footwall
Keweenawan
Footwall of the Keweenawan
Intrusion,
Duluth
South
Kawishiwi
NE Minnesota - Archean or Keweenawan Mineralization?
South
Intrusion, Dnlnth Complex,
Complex, NE

-

Steven
Miller Trunk
Trunk
Steven A.
A. Hauck,
Hauck, Natural Resources
Resources Research
Research Institute,
Institute, University
University of
of Minnesota, Duluth,
Duluth, 5013 Miller
Andy
Wallbridge
Mining
Company
Fielding Road,
Hwy., Duluth, MN, 5581
1,
Bite, Wallbridge Mining Company Ltd., 129
129Fieldiing
Road, Lively, Ontario,
55811,
5013
P3Y 1L7,
1L7, and Mark Severson, Natural Resources Research Institute, University of Minnesota, Duluth,
Duluth, 5013
55811.
Hwy., Duluth, MN,
1.
Miller Trunk Hwy.,
MN, 5581
Copper
sulfide mineralization
mineralization in
Ga)Giants
GiantsRange
RangeBatholith
Batholith(GRB)
(GRE)footwall
footwallofthe
of theSouth
SouthKawishiwi
Kawishiwi
Copper sulfide
in the
the Archean
Archean (—2.7
(-2.7 Ga)

intrusion
the Keweenawan
intrusion (SKI)
(SKI) of
ofthe
Keweenawan (1.1 Ga)
Ga) Duluth
Duluth Complex
Complex (DC)
(DC) of
of northeastern
northeastern Minnesota
Minnesotawas
was first
first discovered
discoveredby
by
exploration companies
960s and 1970s,
exploration
companiesdrilling
drillingin
in the
the I1960s
1970s, and
and was
was recently reported
reported in
in outcrop
outcropin
in the
the Spruce
SpruceRoad
Roadarea
area
E.. H..
H.. Dahlberg, 1998). The
firstdescribed
(pers. corn., E..
The Cu mineralization was first
described by
by Bonnichsen
Bonnichsen et
et al.
al. (1980) and
and further
further
described
Severson (1994). According
occurs as disseminatedsulfides
disseminated sulfides
described by Severson
Accordingto
to Severson
Severson (1994), the copper mineralization occurs
within the uppermost 330 ft. of the ORB,
GRB, although in some
some drill
drill holes
holesthe
thefirst
first 100
100ft.
ft.may
maybe
bebarren.
barren. Chalcopyrite
Chalcopyrite is
the dominant sulfide. However,
pynhotite is
However, in
in the
the overlying
overlying SKI rocks pyrrhotite
is the dominant
dominant sulfide. Also,
Also, at
at or
or just
just above
above
the basal contact
contact of
of the SKI
SKI and within the upper 100
100 ft. of the GRB, semi-massive to massive sulfides
sulfides can occur,
occur, e.g.,
drill holes BL-95-1,
BL-95- I, K-1.
K-I. These
Thesesulfides
sulfidesare
aregenerally
generallypyrrhotite-rich,
pyrrhotite-rich, and
andmay
may have
have Ni&gt;Cu
N i X u values
values exceeding
exceeding1%
1%Ni
Ni
and/or
contain sulfides
GRE, that these
andlor Cu.
Cu. Severson
Severson(1994)
(1994)suggests,
suggests,based
basedon
onthe
thelinearity
linearityof
ofthe
the drill
drill holes
holes that contain
sulfides in the GRB,
drill
northeast-trending belts
drill holes define
define two northeast-trending
belts or
or faults. Also
Alsocoincident
coincidentwith
withthese
theselinear
linearzones
zonesare
areelevated
elevatedplatinumplatinummineralizationin
inthe
theoverlying
overlyingSKI.
SKI. Bonnichsen
Bonnichsen et
et al.
al. (p.
(p. 563,1980)
563,1980) state
state these Cugroup element (PGE) and Cr mineralization
enriched
enriched zones
zones in the
the GRE
ORB "probably
"probably resulted
resulted because
because fractional
fractional crystallization
crystallizationcaused
caused Cu
Cu enrichment
enrichmentin
in the
the melts
melts as
as
they trickled downward through a decreasing
decreasing thermal
thermal gradient beneath the complex". AAsimilar
similarmodel
modelfor
forCu-PGE
Cu-PGE
mineralization has been proposed for the footwall mineralization in the Sudbury Complex
Complex (Naldrett,
(Naldrett, et
et al.,
al., 1999)
mineralization
In 1997,
Nickel,began
beganaa new
new exploration
explorationprogram
programon
ontheir
theirSpruce
SpruceRoad
Road
INCO's U.S.
U.S. subsidiary,
subsidiary,American
AmericanCopper
Copper&amp;&amp;Nickel,
1997, INCO's
Cu-Ni deposit east of Ely, MN. Based
copper intercepts
Based on
on their previous drilling,
drilling, INCO identified fifteen s 1%
1% copper
interceptsin
in the
footwall,
footwall, which suggested
suggested footwall
footwall copper
copper exploration potential. Recently
Recentlyat
at Spruce
SpruceRoad,
Road, several
several 1960-era
1960-eradrill
drill holes
holes
geophysical surveys.
surveys. Two drill holes (13648,34889)
(13648,34889) were probed using a 3D Borehole
Borehole Pulse
were found to be open for geophysical
geophysical survey,
was identified
identified at
at 375131
375m (1,230
(1,230 ft.;Ravenhurst,
ft.;Ravenhurst, 1997).
EM geophysical
survey, and in hole 13648,
13648, a footwall conductor was
In 1999,
injoint
drilled DDH WM-lto
WM- ito 1,754 ft.
ft. At 183
1999, Wallbridge Mining
Mining Company, in
joint venture
venture with INCO, drilledDDH
183 ft. and 330
footwall copper mineralization was intersected,
ft. beneath the basal contact
contact of the Duluth Complex
Complex (919 ft.), footwall
intersected,i.e.,
i.e., 79.5
79.5
ft. of 1.91%
Cu and
and 10.5
10.5 ft.
ft. of
of 0.55%
0.55% Cu.
Cu. Nickel, PGEs, and Au
ft. of 0.17% Cu, which includes
includes 1.1
1.1 ft.
1.91% Cu
Au are
are minor
minor
constituents.
constituents.

The footwall to the DC
DC is
is generally
generally composed
composed of
of felsic,
felsic,intermediate,
intermediate, mafic, hybrid
hybrid rocks, and
and scattered
scattered homfelsed
homfelsed
inclusions
of which
which may
maybe
berelated
relatedtotothe
theGRB.
GEE. In the Spruce Road area, Green (1970)
inclusions (Severson,
(Severson, 1994),
1994), some or all of
of granitic rocks,
rocks,i.e.,
i.e.,porphyritic
porphyriticandnon-porphyritic.
andnon-porphyritic. Both types
types are
are composed
composed ofhomblende-biotite
ofhornblende-biotite
reports two types ofgranitic
adamellite, monzonite,
gabbroic
adamellite,
monzonite,granodiorite,
granodiorite,and
andseveral
severalmafic
maficrocks.
rocks. All
Allrock
rocktypes
typesare
arecut
cut by a variety of dioritic and gabbroic
dikes, which may have been metamorphosed by the SKI. In
In the
the vicinity
vicinity of
of the
the Spruce
Spruce Road Cu-Ni
Cu-Ni deposit,
deposit, the
the GRB
ORB
metamorphosed (Green,
(Green, 1970).
1970). The
has been contact metamorphosed
The GRE
ORB rocks
rocks intersected
intersected in WM-linclude
WM-Iinclude several
several of
of these
these rock
rock
types, e.g., porphyritic
porphyritic quartz
quartz monzonite,
monzonite, quartz
quartz monzonite,
monzonite, granodiorite,
granodiorite, monzonite,
monzonite, possible Archean
Archean Knife
Knife Lake
Lake
Group homfels inclusions,
norites, which
which are
are less
lesscertain
certainin
inorigin.
origin. All of these rock types
inclusions, as well as melanorites and norites,
have undergone pyroxene homfels
hornfels (opx+cpx+amphibole)
(opx+cpx+amphibole)contact
contactmetamorphism.
metamorphism. Of primary interest, however, is
mineralization within
itself.
mineralization
within the
the footwall
footwallmelanorites/norites,
melanorites/norites, and
and the
the footwall
footwallGRB
GRB itself.
The melanorites
with the
the granitoid
granitoid rocks,
rocks, and
and include
include rounded
rounded fragments
fragments of
of
melanorites and norites have sharp intrusive contacts with
them. Petrographically,
the
melanorites
are
composed
of
opx
and
cpx
(30-60%),
amphibole
(—1-80%),
zoned
and
Petrographically, the melanorites are composed of opx and cpx (30-60%), amphibole ( -1-SO%),
uuzonedplagioclase
(10-60%),biotite
biotite(4-8%), minorquartz(1-3%),
oxides(&lt;1-2%),
(4-2%),
unzoned
plagioclase (10-60%),
minor quartz (1-3%), apatite(&lt;!%),
apatite (&lt;1%), muscovite
muscovite (4-3%),
(&lt;1-3%), oxides
(&lt;1-3%). Opx
early. Amphibole
and sulfides (4-3%).
Opx and
and cpx
cpx are
are subhedral
subhedral to euhedral and crystallized early.
Amphibole generally rims the
pyroxenes,
Anhedralto
to subhedral,
subhedral,zoned
zoned
pyroxenes, and in some
some instances
instances corrodes
corrodes the pyroxenes producing anhedral crystals. Anhedral

17

�and unzoned plagioclase may show
show undulose extinction,
extinction, occur
occur as equant grains, and are often altered
altered to clay
clay minerals.
Anhedral to subhedral
flakes
of
biotite
follow
the
crystallization
of
plagioclase
and
can
be
porphyroblastic.
suhhedral flakes
porphyroblastic. Quartz
Quartzisis
the last
silicate
to
crystallize.
Apatite
occurs
as
euhedral
rods,
both
very
early
and
late
in
the
sequence.
last silicate to crystallize. Apatite occurs as euhedral rods, both very early and late in the sequence. Oxides
(magnetite&gt;
ilmenite) and
and sulfides
sulfides are
are last
last to crystallize. The
The oxides
oxides and
and sulfides
sulfides are
are often associated with alteration
(magnetite &gt;ilmenite)
of the pyroxenes
pyroxenes to
to biotite,
biotite, muscovite,
muscovite,talc
talc(?),
(?),and
andchlorite
chlorite(?)
(?)along
alongfractures
fracturesand
andalong
alongthe
therims
rimsininthe
theopx.
opx. The
sulfides, in order of appearance,
appearance, are
are millerite,
millerite, sphalerite,
sphalerite,and
andhomite
bomiteandlor
and/orchalcopyrite.
chalcopyrite. The
The sulfides
sulfides also
also occur
occur as
as
interstitial to net-textured
net-textured grains that surround
surround opx.
opx. The
melanorites
also
contain
net-textured
magnetite.
The
A similar sulfide and silicate mineralogy occurs in the footwall
footwall host
host rocks.
rocks. These
These rocks
rocks can
can have
have feldspar
feldspar phenocrysts
phenocrysts
with a plagioclase
plagioclase matrix
matrix and minor
minor quartz
quartz ((5%),
amphibole,
opx,
biotite,
oxides
(magnetite,
ilmenite),
~ 5 % )amphibole,
,
opx, biotite, oxides (magnetite, ilmenite), and
andsulfides
sulfides
(chalcopyrite, hornite,
bomite, millerite, pentlandite, sphalerite). The
blebs and
anddiscontinuous
discontinuous veins,
veins, generally
generally
The sulfides occur as blebs
associated with biotite, plagioclase, opx, Â±amphibole
±amphibole, Â±quartz
±quartz, and oxides. The
The plagioclase
plagioclase in
in these
these zones
zones is equant and
equigranular, and exhibits sutured contacts with the larger plagioclase.

The copper mineralization in the granitoid and noritic rocks have Cu:Ni ratios of 8-32:l,
8-32:1, compared to the 3.3:1
3.3: 1 in the
overlying DC. The
Pd:Pt
ratio
is
these
rocks
is
1-15:1,
compared
to
the
3:1
in
the
overlying
DC.
Data
from
The Pd:Pt ratio is these rocks is 1-15:1, compared
3: 1
Data fromSeverson
Severson
(1994) on other footwall
intercepts
give
Cu:Ni
and
Pd:Pt
ratios
of
2-9:1
and
2-7:1,
respectively,
indicating
footwall intercepts give Cu:Ni and Pd:Pt
of 2-9:1 and 2-7:1, respectively, indicating that
thatCu
Cuisis
enriched, and Ni and PGEs are depleted in WM-1 when compared to other footwall samples. Comparison
Comparisonof
ofCu:Ni
Cu:Niinin
all GRB samples indicates a tendency for Cu enrichment and Ni depletion with depth beneath the
the basal contact.
contact.

geology. Possible
The origin of this
this mineralization
mineralization opens
opens new and
and exciting
exciting aspects in Duluth Complex geology.
Possible
emplacement scenarios
scenarios include:
include:
I) A relict of Archean emplacement. The
1)
Themodel
model isis supported
supported by both sharp contacts
contacts and net-textured sulfides
sulfides
and oxides in the mafic rocks
rocks of the footwall.
Duluth Complex
Complex sulfide.
sulfide. The observed depletion of nickel and enrichment
enrichment
2) Keweenawan fractionation of Duluth
depth below
below the
the footwall-Duluth
footwall-Duluth Complex
Complex contact,
contact, and
andthe
theassociation
associationof
ofnet-textured
net-texturedand
anddiscontinuous
discontinuous
of copper with depth
biotite-muscovite-talc(?)-chlorite(?) alteration support this possibility.
vein sulfide with biotite-muscovite-talc(?)-chlorite(?)
feeder-dike' totothe
3) Proximity to a "feeder-dike"
theDuluth
DuluthComplex.
Comvlex.This
Thiscase
caseisissupported
supportedby
bythe
thepresence
presence of
ofmagmaticmagmatichigh-grade sulfide intersections
intersections not
not unlike
unlike those
those from
from Voisey's
Voisey's Bay and Sudbury. These
looking high-grade
Theseintersections
intersections are
are
associated with mafic assemblages not normally part of granitoid intrusions.
Regardless ofpreferred
genetic model,
developments indicate significant new exploration
exploration potential
Regardless
ofpreferredgenetic
model, these recent developments
potential
for the Duluth Complex.

Y., 1980, Geologic setting, mineralogy,
mineralogy, and geochemistry of magmatic
Bonnichsen, B., Fukui, L. M., and Chang, L. L. Y.,
magmatic
D., ed.,
ed., Proceedings
Proceedings ofthe
of the fifth
fifth quadrennial
quadrennial IAGOD
IAOOD symposium,
symposium,
sulfide deposits, Duluth Complex, U.S.A, in Ridge, J. D.,
Alta, Utah, 1978: Stuttgart, Schweizerbart'sche
Schweizerbart'sche Verlagsbuchhandlung,
Verlagsbuchhandlung, v.
v. 1, p.
p. 545-565.
Snowbird, Aka,

3. C.,
C., 1970, Lower Precambrian rocks of the Gabbro
Green, J.
Gabhro Lake Quadrangle,
Quadrangle, northeastern
northeastern Minnesota:
Minnesota: Minnesota
Minnesota
Geological Survey, Special
Special Publication Series,
Series, SP-13,
SP-13, 96
96 p.

Naldrett, A. J., Asif, M., Schandl, E., Searcy, T., Morrison, G
G.. G., Binney,
Binney, W. P.,
P., and
and Moore,
Moore, C.,
C., 1999, Platinum-group
Platinum-group
to the
the origin
origin of
of different
different ore
ore zones
zones and
and to
to the
the exploration
exploration for
for
elements in the Sudbury ores: Significance with respect to
orebodies: Economic
Economic Geology,
Geology, v.v.94,
footwall orehodies:
94, no.2,
no. 2, p.
p. 185-210.
185-210.
Ravenhurst, B., 1997,
1997, Geophysical
Geophysical survey
survey report
report for
for American
American Copper
Copper &amp;
&amp; Nickel
Nickel Inc.,
Inc., Spruce
SpruceRoad
Road project:
project: Division
Division
of Lands and Minerals, Minnesota
Minnesota Department
Department of
of Natural Resources,
Resources, Open-File Report, 26
26 p.
p.
of the South
South Kawishiwi
Kawishiwi Intrusion,
Intrusion,Duluth
DuluthComplex,
Complex,northeastern
northeastern Minnesota:
Minnesota:
Severson, M. J., 1994, Igneous stratigraphy ofthe
210
Duluth, Natural Resources Research
Research Institute,
Institute, Univ. Minnesota,
Minnesota, Duluth,
Duluth, Technical
Technical Report NRRI/TR-93/34,
NRRIITR-93/34,2
10p.
p.

18

�An Archean age argument is supported by
by::I)1)sharp
sharpintrusive
intrusivecontacts
contactswith
with xenoliths
xenolithsof
ofhost
host rock
rock in
in the
the melanorites;
melanorites;
and 2) magmatic-looking
net-textured
sulfides
and
oxides
in
the
melanorites.
A
Keweenawan
argument
magmatic-looking
sulfides
the
A Keweenawan argument includes
includesthe
the
previous
examples
and
is
also
supported
by:
1)
depletion
ofNi
and
enrichment
of
copper
with
depth
beneath
1)
ofNi and enrichment of copper with depth beneath the
the basal
basal
previous examples and is
contact of the DC (as might be expected of a downward differentiating
differentiating sulfide
sulfidemelt
meltthrough
through fractures
fractures and
and faults);
faults); 2)
2)
association of net-textured
and
discontinuous
vein
sulfides
with
biotite-muscovite-talc
(?)-chlorite
(?)
alteration;
and
(?)
net-textured
discontinuous
sulfides
3) possible emplacement
Keweenawan"feeder
"feeder dike"
dike" to the DC. Evidence
Evidencewould
wouldinclude
includethe
thepresence
presenceof
ofmagmatic
magmatic
emplacementof
of aa Keweenawan
pyrrhotite-pentlandite-chalcopyrite
mineralization
not
unlike
that
of
the
Sudbury
and
Voisey's
Bay,
as
well as the
pyrrhotite-pentlandite-chalcopyritemineralization not unlike that of the Sudbury and Voisey's Bay, as well
association of mafic assemblages not normally part of the granitoid intrusions. In
In any
any event,
event, the
the presence
presenceof
of Cu-rich
Cu-rich
well below the basal contact of the SKI (300-425 ft.)
ft.) is interesting and suggests a new exploration
mineralization well
potential for
potential
for the
the DC.
DC.
Table I.
WM-l
1. Footwall
Footwall Copper
Copper Intersections in WM-1
Interval
Ni
Interval
Feet Cu
Cu
Ni
Co
Ag
Au
Pt Pd
ppm
ppm
ppb
ppb
ppm
ppm
(ft.)
(ft.)
(ft.)
(ft4 P P ~P P ~P P ~P P ~P P ~P P ~ppb
P P ~
1102.0-1
107.3
15
2.7
54
152
1102.0-1107.3 5.3
5.3 4872 237
15
2.7
54
59 152
1251.6-1252.7
1.1 19100
592
23
5.7
154
1251.6-1252.7
1.1
19100 592
23
5.7
99 69
69 154
1251.6-1262.1
1251.6-1262.1

10.5
10.5

5496
5496

1249.0-1328.2
1249.0-1328.2

79.2
79.2

1655
1655

421
421
144
144

19

22
22
12
12

2.7
2.7
0.9
0.9

43
43
21
21

23
23

99

69
37

�Results
of ^ArP9Ar
40ArP9Ar laser
laser microprobe
microprobe grain-scale
grain-scale age mapping
Results of
mapping of
of muscovite
muscovite from
from
Precambrian bedrock
Precambrian
bedrock of the southern Lake Superior
Superior region
HOLM, Daniel
Daniel K.,
K., Department
of Geology,
HOLM,
Department of
Geology, Kent State University,
University, Kent.
Kent, OH
OH 44242;
44242;
V., and HURTADO, Jose, both at Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and
HODGES, Kip V.,
Cambridge, MA, 01239
Planetary Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge,
01239
step-heating mineral
mineral ages collected
collected in the
4OArP9Ar step-heating
the
The results
results of
of over
over 100
100conventional
conventional40Ar/39Ar
1990's
1990's from the southern Lake Superior region have greatly increased our understanding of
the thermal and deformational
deformational history of the crust
crust following
following the
the Paleoproterozoic
PaleoproterozoicPenokean
Penokean
Step-heating experiments,
experiments,however,
however,may
may not
not effectively
effectively reveal
reveal the internal
orogeny. Step-heating
distribution of radiogenic
radiogenic argon within crystals,
distribution
crystals, but instead can mask
mask important
importantdetails
details of
of the
the
GCA).
samples thermal history (Hodges
(Hodges et al., 1994,
1994, Geology;
Geology; Hodges
Hodges and
and Bowring,
Bowring, 1995,
1995,GCA).
step-heating experiments
experiments on four
We compare results of
of previous
previous conventional
conventional 40Ar/39Ar
40ArP9Ar step-heating
muscovite grains
grains with
with new
new results
results from
from in
in situ spot analyses
analyses using
using the Ar-ion
Ar-ion laser
laser
muscovite
microprobe (see table below; age in Ma, uncertainties at two sigma).
Samnle
s
?A!u2k

97CM7
97CM7
97CM13
97CM 13
96DR8
96DR8
97DR7
97DR7

Location
LQ&amp;Qll

Republic, MI
Dunbar,
inb bar, WI
Little Falls, WI
Neillsville, WI

Step-heating
ae
stemheathe
.@g
1716±5
171 6 s plateau
olateau
1366±6 iear-plateau
near-plateau
1366&amp;6
plateau
11614±5
6 1 4 s plateau
1518 total gas

Age gradient
1707-1660
1373-1327
1373-1327
1652-1563
1652-1563
1923-1414
1923-1414

The form
97CM7suggests
suggestsincorporation
incorporationof
ofexcess
excess40Ar
^Ar
form of
of the
the age
agegradient
gradient of
of sample
sample97CM7
along the grain boundaries.
boundaries. Core
Core spot
spot ages
ages of
of 1660-1680
1660-1680 Ma
Ma are
are consistent
consistent with a nearby
nearby
biotite plateau spectrum age (Schneider
(Schneider et
et al.,
al., 1996, CJES).
CJES). Laser
Laser microprobe
microprobe results
results from
the other three samples
samples reveal varying degrees
degrees of age gradients
gradients (see
(see Figure
Figure 11for
forexamples).
examples).
Sample 96DR8, which yielded an excellent plateau age of 1614±5
1 6 1 4 s Ma, revealed a &gt;90 m.y.
my.
age gradient.
gradient. The
The weighted
weighted mean
mean of the
the 10
10 spot
spot fusion
fusion ages
ages is
is close
close to
to the
the plateau
plateau age.
age.
Step-heating therefore appears to have homogenized age gradients present in
in this
this sample.
sample.
97CM13 gives
gives aa near plateau
plateau age of 1366±6
The spectrum of sample 97CM13
1 3 6 6 s Ma, but shows age
increasing from
from 1334 Ma
Ma to
to 1383 Ma.
Ma. In
increments generally increasing
I n situ spot
spot laser analyses
analyses allow
us to verify the existence of an age gradient (from at least 1373±12
1373k12 Ma to
to 1327±9
1327BMa)
Ma) with
with
significant clarity. Sample
Sample97DR7
97DR7yielded
yielded aa saddle-shaped
saddle-shapedage
age spectra
spectra with
with aa minimum
minimum age
age
increment
of
1484±2
Ma
(Fig.
I).
increment of 1484zk2 Ma (Fig. 1). Ar-ion
Ar-ion laser microprobe data reveals a spectacular 500
500
m.y. age gradient from core (oldest) to
to rim.
rim. The
my.
The youngest
youngest ages
ages preserved (down to 1414±21
1414Â±2
Ma) are
are obtained from what
what is probably a real grain boundary.
A difficult problem in
in interpreting
interpreting 40ArP9Ar
4OArP9Ar age gradients is whether they formed
formed during
during
slow cooling or resulted
resulted from
from superimposed,
superimposed, episodic
episodic reheating.
reheating. If the entire core to
to rim
rim
south transect,
transect, Fig.
Fig. 1)
1)reflects
reflectssimple
simpleslow
slow
gradient of sample 97DR7 (along the center to south
then the implied
implied cooling
cooling rate
rate is
is about
about 0.3
0.3 K1m.y.
K/m.y. This
cooling with volume diffusion, then
This rate
rate is
is
remarkably similar to the integrated cooling rate estimated for the Proterozoic terrain of the
southwest United
United States (Hodges et al.,
southwest
a]., 1994).
1994). However,
However, consideration
consideration of the overall
overall
geologic context within which these dated samples exist suggests
suggests aa more
more complex
complex episodic
episodic
thermal history.
Case studies
studies (i.e.,
(i.e., Hames
Hames and
and Cheney, 1996,
1996, Los)
Bos) suggest that the form of
history. Case
grain-scale 'chrontour'
'chrontour' maps
maps should
should help
help to distinguish between
between simple and more
detailed grain-scale
complex thermal histories.
histories. Whatever
Whatever their
their mechanism
mechanism of
of formation,
formation, the
the documentation
documentation of
large and quantifiable
quantifiable age gradients
gradients in this
this study
study indicates
indicates promise
promise for
forobtaining
obtaining more
more
detailed information about the Proterozoic thermal evolution of the
the southern
southern Lake
Lake Superior
Superior
region.

20

�97DR7 Muscovite
Muscovite

10000
C-)

C,

0

'5
1550
C

0)
1500

1450
0

20

60

40

80

100

%
Ar cumulative
O
h ^Ar
cumulativereleased
released

,

-

,

r

,
I

.

I

1

.

,

,

,

s

10000
10000

9GDRBMuscovite
Muscovite
96DR8
100
100

10
10
I

-

,

I

I

,

,

,

.

1

,

,

,

,

I

I

.

,

,

8

,

,

,

I

I

96-DR-8
96-DR-8 Muscovite
Muscovite

-

1650
1
6~0

1600
1600

,

I

*

s

-

I1, = 1614±5 Ma

1550

t91615Ma
1500

I

0

20

40

60

80

lao

%
cumulative released
released
% 30Ar
^Ar cumulative

Figure 1.
Figure
1.Spot
Spotfusion,
fusion,single
singlecrystal
crystalage
agedata
data(this
(thisstudy)
study)and
andcorresponding
corresponding conventional
conventional
incremental-release
data
(after
Romano,
Kent
State
M.S.
thesis,
incremental-release data
Romano,
thesis, 1999)
1999) for
fortwo
twomuscovite
muscovite
97DR7 is coarse
samples
samples from
from the southern
southern Lake
Lake Superior
Superior region.
region. 97DR7
coarse muscovite
muscovite from
from a
muscovite
gneiss
of
probable
Archean
age
collected
at
Sylvan
Lake
west
of
Neillsville,
muscovite gneiss of probable Archean
collected
Sylvan Lake west of Neillsville,
Wisconsin. 96DR8
Wisconsin.
96DR8 isis muscovite
muscovite from
from aa late
late pegmatite
pegmatite dike
dike collected
collected at
at Little
Little Falls
Falls south of
Eau Claire, Wisconsin.
Wisconsin. Grain
images
are
video
stills
of
individual
(001)
cleavage
fragments
Grain images are video stills of individual
Ar-ion
laser
fusion
micron-diameter
(outlined),
and
the
dots
indicate
the
position
of
ca.
100
(outlined), and
position
100
fusion
pits, each labeled with its measured age
(age
uncertainties
are
variable
but
generally
less
age (age uncertainties are variable but generally lessthan
than
Unlabeled pits
pits in
in 96DR8
too little gas
10 Ma at two
two sigma).
sigma). Unlabeled
96DR8 produced
produced too
gas for
for effective
effective
measurement.

21

�PRELIMINARY
HYDROTHERMAL ALTERATION
PRELIMINARY VOLCANOLOGY
VOLCANOLOGY AND HYDROTHERMAL
ALTERATION STUDIES
STUDIESAT
AT THE
THE
AND QUARTZ
QUARTZHILL
HILL PROSPECTS:
PROSPECTS:
FIVE MILE LAKE, EAGLES NEST, AND
IMPLICATIONS
IMPLICATIONS FOR
FOR VMS-STYLE
VMS-STYLE MINERALIZATION
MINERALIZATION IN NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA
GEORGE .1.
HUDAK
GEORGE
J. HUDAK
Department
54901
Departmentof
of Geology, University
iversityof
of Wisconsin
Wisconsin Oshkosh,
Oshkosh, Oshlcosh,
Oshkosh, WI
WI 54901

RONALD L. MORTON
MORTON
Geology
Duluth, MA'
MN 55812
55812
Geology Department,
Department, University
Universityof
of Minnesota
Minnesota—Duluth,
-Duluth, Duluth,
HENK DAHLBERG
Minnesota Department
MN
Department of
of Natural
Natural Resources,
Resources, Minerals
MineralsDivision,
Division, Hibbing,
Hibbing, MN

The Five
The
Five Mile
Mile Lake,
Lake, Eagles
Eagles Nest,
Nest, and
and Quartz
Quartz Hill
Hill prospects
prospects occur
occur ininArchean
Archean metavolcanic
metavolcanic and
and
metasedimentary rocks
rocks the
the western
western half
half of the Vermilion District
District of northeastern
northeastern Minnesota.
Minnesota. The
metasedimentary
TheFive
FiveMile
MileLake
Lake
prospects occur within the lower member of the Ely Greenstone Sequence, whereas the Quartz
and the Eagles Nest prospects
Hill prospect
Detailed diamond
relogging,
Hill
prospect occurs within the
the Bass
Bass Lake
LakeSequence
Sequence (Peterson,
(Peterson, 1999).
1999). Detailed
diamond drill core
core relogging,
petrography, and lithogeochemistry
lithogeochemistry have
have been
been recently
recently completed
completed at
at these
these prospects
prospects (Hudak
(Hudak and
and Morton,
Morton, 1999) to:
petrography,
a) better understand the geology (in particular,
particular, the physical
physical volcanology)
volcanology) associated
associated with
with these
these prospects;
prospects; b)
b) identify
identi&amp;
and evaluate the metamorphosed hydrothermal alteration mineral assemblages that occur at each of
of these
these prospects;
prospects;
and c) evaluate the potential for volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) and/or gold mineralization in
in these
these areas.
areas.
During our investigation,
investigation, a total of eight
eight diamond
diamond drill
drill holes
holes from
from the
the three
threeprospects
prospects listed
listedabove
abovewere
were
and sampled
sampled for petrographic
petrographic and
and lithogeochemical
lithogeochemicalanalysis.
analysis. Four diamond drill holes from the Five Mile
relogged and
Lake prospect
prospect (SXL-1,
(SXL-l, SXL-2,
SXL-4), two
two diamond
diamond drill
drill holes
holes from
from the
the Eagle's
Eagle'sNest
Nestprospect
prospect(EN-4
(EN4
SXL-2, SXL-3,
SXL-3, and
and SXL-4),
EN-7), and two diamond
diamond drill holes from the Quartz Hill prospect (QH-84-2 and QH-85-4) were relogged with
and EN-7),
an emphasis
emphasis on identi'ing
identifyinglithology,
lithology,volcanic
volcanicfeatures
featuresand
andtextures,
textures,metamorphosed
metamorphosedhydrothermal
hydrothermal alteration
alteration
mineral assemblages,
assemblages, and syn-volcanic
thin sections (33 from Five
syn-volcanic and post-volcanic
post-volcanic fault zones. Sixty-four thin
Five Mile
Mile
Lake, 18 from Eagles Nest,
Nest, and 13
Lake,
13 from
from Quartz
Quartz Hill)
Hill) were
were evaluated
evaluated for lithology,
lithology, alteration
alteration types, primary
primary and
textures, mineral modal analysis, and fragment
secondary textures,
fragment modal analysis. In
In addition,
addition, thirty-eight
thirty-eight lithogeochernical
lithogeochemical
(both major and trace element) were
were also
also performed
performed (22
(22 from
from Five
Five Mile
Mile Lake,
Lake, 10 from Eagles Nest, and 6
analyses (both
from Quartz Hill).
Hill).
andesite/basalt lava flows and scoriaThe Five Mile Lake region is composed of massive to amygdaloidal andesitehasalt
rich volcaniclastic deposits, locally quartz-phyric dacitic to rhyolitic lavas and flow breccias, and
and volcaniclastic
volcaniclastic and
and
chemical sedimentary
sedimentary rocks.
rocks. Quartz-feldspar
Quartz-feldspar porphyry
porphyry and
and diahase
diabase dikes are also present throughout
chemical
throughout the
the volcanic
volcanic
and sedimentary sequence.
textures indicate
indicate that
that these
these rocks
rocks likely
sequence. Volcanic
Volcanic textures
likely were formed within a deep
deep water
water
Hydrothermal alteration
alteration minerals
minerals include
include epidote,
epidote, iron-rich chlorite, magnesium-rich
(&gt;500meters) environment. Hydrothermal
magnesium-rich
Stringer and
and semi-massive
sulfide mineralization
mineralization are
are associated
associated with
with two
chlorite, and quartz
quartz (silicification).
(silicification). Stringer
semi-massive sulfide
chlorite,
assemblage, and
and b) an epidote - iron
distinct alteration assemblages: a) an early
early iron-rich
iron-rich chlorite
chlorite - sericite
sericite - quartz assemblage,
iron
carbonate assemblage
assemblage associated
associatedwith
with late
late sulfide
sulfide remobilization.
remobilization.The
TheFive
FiveMile
Mile Lake
Lake prospect
prospect appears
appears to
to be
be a
carbonate
"Noranda-type" VMS system based on
on the criteria discussed by Morton and Franklin (1987).
(1987).
Two diamond
drill holes
in the
Two
diamond drill
holes investigated
investigated in
the Eagles
Eagles Nest
Nest region
region comprise
comprise massive
massive to
toamygdaloidal
amygdaloidal
andesite/basalt lava flows and associated flow
andesiteibasalt
flow breccias/hyaloclastite,
breccias/hyaloclastite, mafic
mafic to
to intermediate
intermediatevolcaniclastic
volcaniclasticsediments,
sediments,
Algoma-type mixed
mixed facies
facies (sulfide,
(sulfide, oxide,
oxide, silicate)
silicate) iron
iron formations
Algoma-type
formations and associated
associated chert horizons,
horizons, interbedded
interhedded
semi-massive to massive sulfide deposits,
deposits, and rhyodacite
rhyodacite to rhyolite tuffs and/or
siltstone and debris flow deposits, semi-massive
tuffaceous volcaniclastic
porphyry intrusions
intrusions and
and diabase
diabase dikes
dikes are also
volcaniclastic sediments.
sediments. Quartz
Quartz feldspar
feldspar porphyry
also present.
present.
textures suggest that the rocks in the area were also formed in a deep water
Volcanic textures
water (&gt;500
(&gt;500 meters)
meters) environment.
environment. A
A
massive sulfide is overlain
overlain by
by approximately
approximately 2 meters (6 feet) of sulfide
four meter thick intersection of pyrite-rich massive
approximately 22
22 meters
meters (73
(73 feet)
feet) of
of mixed
mixedfacies
faciesAlgoma-type
Algoma-typeiron
iron
(py)-chert exhalite, which is overlain in turn by approximately
formation. The
The host
host and
and footwall
footwall rocks
rocks to
to the sulfide
sulfide mineralization
mineralization comprise sericite-, iron-rich chlorite-, kaolinitecarbonate- (dolomite
(dolomite andlor
and/or ankerite)
ankerite) and
and locally
chlorite-alteredfelsic
felsic ash
ash tuffs
tuffs or tuffaceous
carbonatelocally magnesium-rich
magnesium-rich chlorite-altered
tuffaceous
volcaniclastic sediments.
sediments. Based
Based on
on the volcanology
alteration present,
present, the Eagles Nest prospect
volcaniclastic
volcanology and hydrothermal
hydrothermal alteration
prospect
represent aa "Noranda-type"
also appears to represent
"Noranda-type" VMS
VMS system.
system.

-

22

-

�The two diamond
diamond drill holes investigated
investigated at the Quartz
Quartz Hill
Hill prospect
prospect comprise
comprise amygdaloidal
amygdaloidal to massive
massive
basalt/andesitelava
lava flows,
flows, mixed
mixed volcaniclastic
and chemical
(including chert,
chert, silicate-fades
basaltlandesite
volcaniclastic and
chemical sediments
sediments (including
silicate-facies iron
iron
formation, oxide-facies iron formation), and felsic tuffs and/or
andlor tuffaceous volcaniclastic sediments.
sediments. Massive
Massiveto
tosemisemimassive sulfide
sulfide mineralization
mineralization occurs
occurs between
between 89
89 and
and 150 feet
feet in exploration
diamond drill
drill hole QH-84-2,
exploration diamond
QH-84-2, and is
hosted within felsic
felsic ash tuff or tuffaceous
tuffaceous sedimentary
sedimentary rocks.
rocks. The
relative
abundance
of
felsic
tuffs
and
The
and tuffaceous
tuffaceous
material, coupled with hydrothermal alteration assemblages comprising andalusite, chloritoid, and hon-rich
iron-rich chlorite,
chlorite,
suggests that
that the
the Quartz Hill mineralization
suggests
mineralization may represent
represent either
either a) aa "Mattabi-type"
"Mattabi-type" VMS
VMS system
system (Morton
(Morton and
and
Franklin, 1987); or
or b) an ancient shallow subaqueous or subaerial high-sulfidation
high-sulfidation system (White and Hedenquist,
Franklin,
Mattabi-type VMS
VMS systems
systems are characteristic
1990,
Sillitoe et al.,
al., 1996).
1996). Mattabi-type
characteristic of shallow
shallow water
water
1990, 1995;
1995; Sillitoe,
Sillitoe, 1995; Sillitoe
meters water
water depth)
depth) hydrothermal
hydrothermal systems,
systems, reflect
reflect extreme
extreme acid
acid leaching
leaching of the rocks by
((&lt;500
6 0 0 meters
by the
the hydrothermal
hydrothermal
fluids, and
and may he
be analogous to "high
fluids,
"high sulfidation"
sulfidation" epithermal
epithermal systems within shallow water environments.
environments. Such
Such
hydrothermal systems may produce gold-rich massive sulfide deposits (Hannington et
et al., 1997).
1997).
The results of this study indicate that the Vermilion region of northeastern Minnesota contains at least
least two
examples (Five
(Five Mile Lake and Eagles
examples
Eagles Nest)
Nest) of
ofdeep
deepwater,
water,flow-dominated
flow-dominated VMS
VMSsystems
systems(Noranda-type).
(Noranda-type). The
The
Quartz Hill prospect may represent either a volcaniclastic dominated, shallow water "Mattabi-type" VMS system, or
Continued re-evaluation
re-evaluation of
of
a shallow subaqueous
subaqueous or possibly
possibly subaerial
subaerial high
high sulfidation-type
sulfidation-type epithermal
epithermal system.
system. Continued
mapping, diamond
these
these prospects
prospects via detailed
detailed field mapping,
diamond drill core
core relogging, petrographic analysis,
analysis, and
lithogeochemical
studieswill
willbe
be performed
performedduring
duringthe
the next
next year
year to further evaluate
lithogeochemical studies
evaluate and better
better understand
understand these
potentially ore-forming hydrothermal systems.
References
References

Hannington, M., Poulson, K. H., Thompson, J., &amp; Sillitoe, R. H., (1997): Volcanogenic gold
gold and
and epithermal-style
epithermal-style
environment. In
In Barrie,
Barrie, C.
C. T.,
T.,and Hannington, M. D. (Eds.),
(Eds.), Volcanic
mineralization in the VMS environment.
Associated Massive Sulfide Deposits: Processes and Examples in Modern
Modem and
and Ancient Settings:
Settings: GACGACMDD-SED Short Course Volume, 183-214.
183-214.
J., &amp; Morton, R. L., (1999): Bedrock and glacial drift
Hudak, G. J.,
drift mapping for
for VMS
VMS and
and lode
lode gold
gold alteration
alteration in
in the
the
Vermilion —
Big Fork Greenstone Belt: Part A: Discussion of
Vermilion
-Big
of lithology,
lithology, alteration,
alteration, and
and geochemistry
geochemistry atatthe
the
Five Mile Lake, Eagles Nest,
Nest, and Quartz Hill
Hill Prospects.
Prospects. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Project 326 Open File Report, 136
136 pages.

L., &amp;
&amp; Franklin,
Franklin, J.
J. M.,
M., (1987):
(1987): Two-fold
Two-fold classification of Archean volcanic-associated massive sulfide
Morton, R. L.,
Geol., 82, 1057-1063.
1057-1063.
deposits. Econ. Geol.,
D. M., (1999): Economic geology and lode gold and volcanogenic massive sulfide
Peterson, D.
sulfide prospects
prospects of
ofthe
the
western Vermilion District, St. Louis and Lake Counties, northeastern Minnesota. Minnesota
Minnesota Exploration
Exploration
Conference 1999, Lode Gold and Massive Sulfide
Sulfide Prospects
Prospects in
in the
the Archean
Archean Western
Western Vermilion
Vermilion District
District of
of
Northeastern Minnesota, Abstracts
Abstracts Volume,
Volume, 3-5.
3-5.
Fl., (1995):
(1995): The influence of magmatic-hydrothermal models on exploration strategies
Sillitoe, R. H.,
strategies for volcanoSillitoe,

Deposits, Mineralogical
In Thompson,
Thompson, 3.
J. F. H.,
H., (Ed.), Magmas,
Mamas. Fluids,
Fluids. and Ore Deoosits,
Mineralogical Association
Association
plutonic arcs. In
of Canada Short Course Volume 23,511-525.
Sillitoe, R. H.,
H., Hannington,
Hannington, M.
M.D.,
&amp; Thompson,
Thompson, J.J. F.
F. H.,
H.,(1996):
(1996): High
High sulfidation deposits in the volcanogenic
D., &amp;
massive sulfide environment. Econ.
204-2 12.
Econ.GeoL,
Geol.,91,
91,204-212.
White, N. C., &amp;Hedenquist, 3.
W., (1990): Epithermal environments and styles of mineralization: variations and
J. W.,
and
their causes, and guidelines for exploration. Jour.
445-474.
Jour.Geochein.
Geochem.Res.,
Res., 36,
36,445-474.
N. C., &amp; Hedenquist, J.
3. W.,
W., (1995): Epithermal gold deposits:
deposits: styles, characteristics, and Exploration. SEG
White, N.
Newsletter, 23,9-13.
Newsletter,
23, 9-13.

23

�MAGMATIC ORIGINS
ORIGINS FOR
FOR NATHAN'S
NATHAN'S LAYERED SERIES: AN INITIAL REASSESSMENT
REASSESSMENT OF
OF
MAGMATIC
THE MIDCONTINENT RIFT'S FIRST
FIRST MAJOR PLUTONIC MATERIALS
JERDE, Eric
JERDE,
Eric A. (e.jerde@morehead-st.edu),
(e.jerde@morehead-st.edu),Dept.
Dept. of
ofPhysical
Physical Sciences,
Sciences, Morehead
MoreheadState
State
University, Morehead,
KY
40351
Morehead,
4035 1
In recent years, great
greatstrides
strideshave
havebeen
beenmade
madein
indeciphering
decipheringdetails
detailsof
ofthe
the evolution of
of the
the Midcontinent
MidcontinentRift
Rift
(MCR.),and
andthe
theemplacement
emplacementof
ofthe
theDuluth
DuluthComplex
Complexintrusions
intrusionsand
andassociated
associatedlavas.
lavas. The
The vast
vast majority
majority of
of
System (MCR),
Ripley, 1996),
material produced by the MCR was between 1099
1099and 1095
1095Ma
Ma (Miller
(Miller and Smyk, 1995;
1995; Miller and Ripley,
an indication of how vigorous the system was. The
Theearliest
earliestmaterials,
materials,however,
however, were
wereproduced
producedininexcess
excessofof88
years previously,
previously, and
and because
because of their relative rarity are incompletely understood.
understood.
million years
One of the most interesting
period of rifting is
is known
known informally
informallyas
asNathan's
Nathan's Layered
Layered
interesting intrusions of this early period
Series after
after the
the work of Nathan (1969). HIs
still
stands
as
the
most
intensive
study
of
the
rocks,
comprising
His still stands as the most intensive study of the rocks,comprisingfield
field
descriptions, petrographic
petrographic analysis, and some microprobe and optical determinations of m
mineral
compositions. No
ineral compositions.
No
work has
has been
been performed
performedon
on any
anyrocks
rocksof
ofthis
thisseries.
series. A U-Pb zircon date of 1106.9 Â
± .6
.6 Ma has been
geochemical work
obtained for one
(Paces and Miller, 1993), confirming its antiquity in
in the
the MCR
MCR. Nathan
one of
of the
the units
units of this series
series (Paces
Nathan
(1969) identified 27 separate
the letter designations A-Z and AA in their inferred
separate units, which are given the
the discordancies
discordancies observed.
observed. Nathan's
chronological order based on the
Nathan'sown
owninterpretation,
interpretation,plus
plus those
thoseof
ofsubsequent
subsequent
observers,
gradational variations, whBe
while others
others may be sparse dikes or
observers,offers that many of the separate
separate units may be gradational
"sport" varieties,
Nathan (1969).
varieties, to
to use
use the
theterminology
terminology of
ofNathan
(1969).
In terms of major magma bodies,
bodies, the
the series
seriescomprises
comprisesfour
fourprincipal
principalunits:
units:A-B
A-B(troctolites
(troctolitestotogabbronorites),
gabbronorites),G0
(oxide-rich
olivinegabbro),
gabbro),M
M (gabbronorite),
(gabbronorite), and
andP-Q
P-Q((troctolites
troctolites to
to gabbros).
gabbros), These
(oxide-rich olivine
These units
units are
are present
present in
in amounts
amounts
great enough
great
enough to
to permit
permit their
their being assigned as the principal events in the evolution of the series. Typical
Typicalmodal
modal
abundances and m
mineral
compositionsfor
forthese
thesegroups
groupsare
aregiven
givenininTable
Table1.1. One
One of
of the
the more
more interesting
interestingaspects
aspects of
of
ineral compositions
the presence of large amounts of of Fe-Ti oxides in many
many of
of the
the units.
units. There
Thereare
areseveral
severalunits
units that
that
this series is the
occasionally have
have in
in excess
excess of
of 30%
30% Fe-Ti
Fe-Ti oxides.
oxides. Among
Among the
the major
major units, only
only Unit 0Gisisnotable
notablefor
foraahigh
high
abundance of oxide phases, in some locations exceeding 60%.
60%. This
abundance
Thisoccurs
occursin
in aa fairly
fairly primitive magma (forming
abundant olivine of
of Fo.io.50
Fo,0 and
andlittle
littlequartz
quartzororgranophyre),
granophyre),resembling
resemblingthe
theother
othermajor
majormagmas
magmasin
inother
otheraspects.
aspects.
1. TyDical
Tvoical Mineral Abundances
Abundancesfor
for NLS
NLS and
and Model
ModelResults.
Results.
Table 1.
Model
g
!
Q
l
&amp;
g
Q
e
&amp;
&amp;
g
fl
IEli
Q!
AizQn&amp;Qa
Eiz
Li!

u

A-B

P-Q

42
42

53
53

Fo
AAn6.e
lien,; FRY?
58
58

33

An,4 Fo
Feat

3

Mg9
Mg*4,9
-—-

~ % 4 3

M

59

---

62

An555

32
Mg71
M&amp;wl

13

_
77

24---

Mg53 Mg

An55.43

G

22

3

5

8

Fo

11

—-

-_

6kb
6kb

47

io,
10%

An
Afl63

..

—

46
Fo62
FO(Q

22

6kb
6kb

49
49

14
14
Fo
F06o

4

An62
&amp;2

51

6

5

1kb

i

14

Mg3

!izAnQ

-15%

6kb

2

Q
Qi l

An

Fo

48

6

An54

Fo45

55 Mg,
M
~Ãˆ-~

33
33

Mg

---

M~

Mg5g

343

--2816
Mg.57

Petrographic data
data from Nathan (1969).
Petrographic
(1969).

Modelling of magma crystallization was
was made
made to
to explore possible
possible scenarios
scenarios for
for the
the unusual
unusual abundance
abundance of
of oxide
oxide
in the
the material
material comprising
comprisingUnit
UnitG.
0. This
Thismodelling
modelling was
was done
donewith
with the
the MAGFOX
MAGFOX program
program(J.
(1.Longhi,
Longhi, pers.
pa.
minerals in
comm.). AAtypical
typicalcomposition
compositionof
ofaa Logan
Logansill
sill (Table
(Table 2)
2) was
was used
used as
as aa parent
parentsince
sinceitit represents
representsthe
theonly
onlycommon
common
composition in the region that
is even remotely
remotely coeval
coeval(the
(theLogan
Loganssills
havebeen
beendated
datedatat1108
1108-1./.2
composition
that is
ills have
; by Davis and
and
Sutcliffe, 1985).
1985).
constraints are poor
Nathan's series,
series,some
someinteresting
interesting
Although the constraints
poor since
since no liquid compositions are known for Nathan's
features
features of
of the
the modelling are present. Using
Usingthe
theLogan
Logancomposition
compositionofofTable
Table2,2,materials
materialsresembling
resemblingthose
thoseof
ofunits
units
P-Q, can
to 6 kb. In
A-B,
can be generated
generated through
through crystallization
crystallization at depths
depthscorresponding
corresponding to
Inthis,
this, A-B
A-B and
and P-Q
A-B, M, and P-Q,
P-Q

24

�I
I
I
Â

Â

I

M after
crystallizatiow These
shown in
can
can be
be formed
fanned after
after 10-15%
10-15% crystallization,
crystallization, and
and M
after —25%
-25% crystallization
Theseresults
results are
are shown
in Table
Table I1
adjacent
to the
the petrographic
petrographic observations
of Nathan
Nathan (1969).
(1969). In
adjacent to
observations of
Inthis
thismodel,
model,the
theoxide
oxidephases
phasesappear
appear after
after28%
28%
crystallization,
are moderately
moderately abundant
abundantthereafter,
thereafter,consistent
consistentwith
withthe
thefe
few
percentofofoxides
oxidespresent
presentininP-Q
P-Q.ItIt
crystallization, and
and are
w percent
is interesting
interesting to
to note
existed at
at 66 kb,
kb, then
then the
the P-Q
P-Q magma must
mustbe
beolder
olderthan
thanM,
M, in
in
that ififonly
onlyone
onemagma
magma chamber
chamber existed
is
note that
contradiction
to the
or that
that
contradiction to
the original
original mapping.
mapping. IfIfNathan
Nathan(1969)
(1969)isiscorrect,
correct,ititimplies
impliesthat
thatmultiple
multiplechambers
chambers existed,
existed, or
recharge was
was taking
taking place,
place, both
both of
of course
course plausible.
plausible. At
recharge
At 66kb,
kb,oxides
oxidesdo
donot
notform
formininabundances
abundancesakin
akintotothose
thoseseen
seen in
in
&gt;50% crystallization,
that point,
the
0 until
until &gt;SO%
crystallization,and
and at
at that
point, the
the liquid
liquid isis far
far more
moreevolved
evolved than
than could
could have
have produced
produced the
Unit G
responsible for
for the
the smaller
intrusive dikes
to other
other minerals
other
minerals seen.
seen. Such
Such liquids may be
be responsible
smaller intrusive
dikes and
and sills
sills assigned
assigned to
other units
units
enlarge
the
stability
field
for
and
modelling
at
I
kb
showed
oxide
phases,
by
Nathan.
However,
lower
pressures
by
However, lower pressures enlarge stability field for oxide
and modelling at 1
suggested by
by the model
0 are
ilmenite appearing
appearing after
afterless
less than
than 20%
20% crystallization.
crystallization. Materials
Materials akin
akin to those of Unit G
are suggested
ilmenite
crystallization, Thus
0 may
evolution in
shallower magma chamber.
after
after approximately 40% crystallization
Thus Unit G
may reflect evolution
in aa shallower
chamber.
The
tremendous variation
and the
the gradational
gradational nature
nature of the rocks
is
The tremendous
variation in
in cumulate
cumulate textures on
on aa small
small scale, and
rocks is
of (and
presage) the
the later
later Anorthositic
Anorthositic Series
Duluth Complex
reminiscent
reminiscent of
(and in
in this
this case
case may presage)
Series rocks
rocks of the
the Dulutb
Complex suggested
suggested to
to
have formed
formed as
asinjections
injectionsof
of plagioclase
plagioclasecrystal
crystalmushes
mushes(Miller
(Millerand
andWeiblen,
Weiblen,1990).
1990). Thus,
Thus, the
the rocks
rocksof
of Nathan's
Nathan's
have
Layered Series
representmaterial
material (of
(of Logan
Logan composition?)
in the
Layered
Series may represent
composition?) that
that was
was emplaced
emplaced at
at several
several levels
levels in
the crust
crust in
in
the
initial
phases
of
rifting.
Evolution
in
these
disparate
chambers
would
lead
to
some
magmas
having
unusual
the initial phases of rifting. Evolution in these disparate chambers would lead to some magmas having unusual
amounts
amount's
of
nxidm
..--- of
-.oxides.
-.----.
It
composition similar
It isis interesting
interestingto
to note
note that
that the
the models
models produced
produced a liquid composition
similar to
to the
the Grand
Grand Portage
Portage dikes
(composition given
Green
al., 1987) after
after35-40%
3540% crystallization
0.
(composition
given by G
reen etetal.,
crystallization at
at 1kb,
lkb, roughly
roughly equivalent
equivalent to that of Unit G.
Perhaps
theGrand
Grand Portage
PortageDikes
Dikes are
arethe
thehypabyssal
hypabyssalsibling
siblingofofthe
theplutonic
plutonicUnit
Unit G
0 seen
further inland.
Perhaps the
seen farther
inland.

may

-

F

Table 2. Paren t ('am nnsitinn IIwit in M odelling and one result I wt nerrenti
MnO MaO
Na,O !c22
un!! 1Q2 1122 A1223

1Q

fzQs

Logan
Login

49.0
49.0

3.40
3.40

13.1
13.1

15.6
15.6

0.22
0.22

5.60

7.45

2.52
2.52

1.16
1.16

0.38

40%

53.9

2.49

13.3

15.1

0.25

2.11

7.07

2.96

1.82

0.62

Grand 52.5
Grand
52.5
Portage
Portage

2.48

13.4
13.4

13.3
'13.3

0.19
0.19

3.68
3.68

6.72
6.72

3.17

1.79
1.79

0.48
0.48

@1kb

Logan
composition from
from Geul
Logan composition
Ged (1970).
(1970).
Grand
of 17
Grand Portage
Portage isis an average of
17dikes
dikes (Green
(Greenet al., 1987).
1987).

Citedi
References Cited:
ItH.,1985, U-Pb
Davis, D.W. and Sutclift'e,
Sutcliffe, RH.,1985,
U-Pb ages
ages from the Nipigon Plate and
and northern
northern Lake
Lake Superior:
Superior: Geological
Geological Society of
Davis,
AmericaBulletin,
96,1572-1579.
1572-1579.
America
Bulletin, v. 96,
of Mines,
Mines, Geological
Geological
of Devon
Location: Ontario
Geul, J.J.C.,
J.J.C., 1970,
1970, Geology of
Devonand
and Pardee
Panfee Townships and Stuart Location:
Ontario Department of
Geul,
Report
52p.
Rewrt 87,
87.520.

RE., Pesonen,
and Wilband,
Green,k.,
Bomhocst, Ti.,
T.J.,Chandler,
Chandler, V.W., Mudrey,
Mudrey, MJ.,
Mya-s, P.E.,
PisaKtt.LJ.,
Wilband,J
.T., 1987,
1987,
Mi., Jr., Myers,
Li,, aud
iC., Bomhorst
IT.,

Region: Evidence
Evidencefor
forevolution
evolutionof
of the
the Middle
Middle Proterozoic
Proterozoic Midcontinent
Mideontinent Rift
Rift in
Keweenawan
Keweenawan Dykes of the Lake Superior Region:
in
289-302.
North America, in Halls,
North
Halls, H.C.
KC.and
and Fahrig,
Fahrig,W.F.,
W.F., eds.,
cds., Mafic
MaficDyke
DykeSwarms:
Swarms:Geol.
Geol.Soc.
Soc. Canada
Camda Spec.
Spec. Paper
Paper 34,
34,289-302.
examples of
Wieblen, P
P.W.,
Anorthositic rocks of the D
Duluth
Miller, J.D.,
Jr. and Wieblen,
.W.,1990, Anorthositic
ulufliComplex:
Complex: examples
of rocks
rocks formed
formed from
&amp;omplagioclase
plagioclase
Miller,
3D., Jr.
Petrology, v.
v. 31.295-339.
31,295-339.
crystal
crvstalmush:
mush: Journal of Prtrolotv.
Trip Guidebook for
in Field Tnp
Miller,
M.,,1995,
Gabbroic intrusions
M ~ I IJ.D.,
~D. JJrJr. and Smyk,
St&amp; M
1995,Gabbroic
mmisioiis of the
the international
mieniatid boundary area, in
forthe
die
region: Minnesota Geoloacal
Geological Survev
Swvey Guidebook
geology
deposits of
of the Midcontinent
emloev and ore dcoosits
Mdcooement Rift
Rift in
m the Lake
Lake Superior
Suoenorrefflon,
~Series
e r iNo.
e ~20,171-181.
20,
~ o171-181
.
USA, In
1996, Layered intrusions
Miller, J.D.,
J.D., Jr. and bley,
intmions in
in the Duluth
Duluth Complex,
Complex,Minnesota,
Minnesota, USA,
in Cawthorn,
Cawthoin, KG.,
ed.,
Miller,
Ripley,EM.,
EM., 19%.
ItO., ed.,
Layered
Intrusions: Amsterdam.
Amsterdam, Elsevier,
Uvered Intrusions:
Elsevier, 257-301.
257-301.
Cook County,
The geology
geology of a portion
portion of the
the Duluth
Duluth Complex, Cook
County,Minnesota:
Minnesota: Ph.D.
Ph.D. dissertation,
dissertation.University
University
~ a t h a H.D.,
n . - ~1969,
. ~ . , The
Nathan,
Minneapolis, l9Sp.
of Minnesota,
Minnesota. Minueawlls.
1980.
related mafic
mafic intrusions,
northeastern
J,D.,
U-Pb ages
Paces,J.B. and ~Miller,
i e rJ.D.:
, Jr., 1993,
1993"Precise
Precise U-Pb
ages of
ofDuluth
Dulufli Complex and related
intrusions, northeastern
Paces,
Minnesota:
Minnesota:Geochronological
Geochronologicalinsights
insightstotophysical,
physical,petrogenetic,
petrogenetic,paleomagnetic
paleomagncticand
andtectono-magmatic
tectono-magmaticprocesses
processes associated
associated
Midcontinent Rift System:
of Geophysical
GeophysicalResearch,
Research,v.v,98,l3,997-14,013.
withthe
with the 1.1
1.1Ga MidcontinentRift
System:Journal of
98,13,997-14,013.

.

I

.

-

25

-

�INTRUSIONS OF
OF THE
THE LAKE
LAKE SUPERIOR
SUPERIOR REGION:
REGION: TARGETS
TARGETS FOR
FOR
SMALL MAFIC INTRUSIONS
TITANIUM EXPLORATION
KARKKAINEN,
Nub, Geological
-E
N,
Niilo,
Geological Survey
Survey of Finland, 02150 Espoo,
Espoo, Finland;
Finland; BORNHORST,
BORNHORST,
Theodore, J., Department of Geological Engineering and Sciences, Michigan Technological
University,
University, Houghton,
oughto on, MI
MI 49931
4993 1
-

magmatic ilmenite deposits are often in or closely associated with
Globally, high-grade magmati
anorthosite complexes. Large layered mafic intrusions host Ti-rich magnetite in Fe-Ti oxide
anorthosite
rocks. There
There are
are many mafic intrusions
intrusions throughout
throughout the Lake Superior
Superior region that range in
in age
age
from Archean to Proterozoic. However,
most
of
these
intrusions
are
not
associated
with
However,
many are
are relatively
relatively small.
small. Despite these characteristics, small mafic
anorthosite complexes and many
amounts of Ti, based
intrusions of the Lake Superior
Superior region have the potential to host significant amounts
on analogy with a recently documented
documented occurrence
occurrence in
in Finland.
Finland.
The Finnish Koivusaarenneva
Koivusaarenneva gabbro is a small mafic intrusion, not associated with an
anorthosite complex, that contains inferred resources of 44 Mt with 15 % ilmenite and 5% V-rich
magnetite
50m (an
(an additional
additional 44
44 Mt
Mt are
arepossible
possible to
to aa depth
depth of
of
magnetite (0.7
(0.7 wt.
wt. %
% V)
V) to aa depth
depth of
of 1150m
300m). The
Thefeasibility
feasibilityof
of mining
mining this
this ore
ore body
body is
is currently
currently being investigated by a Finnish
mining
mining company.
company.
Koivusaarenneva gabbro is an elongated sill-like intrusion, 0.5 to 1 km thick and 3
The Koivusaarenneva
km long
long parallel to strike.
strike. The
Theintrusion
intrusionproduces
produces aa 44 mGal
mGal gravity
gravity anomaly
anomaly and a clear
clear NE-SWNE-S
oriented aeromagnetic anomaly
anomaly in the low-intensity
low-intensity background. The intrusion was emplaced at
1881 Ma
Ma into tonalitic bedrock and is part of a gabbro province
province interpreted to
to have formed in
tensional zones
zones in
in the
the vicinity
vicinity of
of or
or marginal to
to convergent
convergent plate boundaries.
boundaries. The
The
Koivusaarenneva gabbro is part of a 12
km long chain of intrusions that were emplaced along
along a
Koivusaarenneva
12 krn
NE-SW oriented
oriented fault
fault zone. The
The intrusion
intrusion is
is mostly composed
composed of
of modally
modally layered
layered mediummediumgrained and metamorphosed
metamorphosed gabbro and gabbronorite. The magmatic layers have been tilted to a
subvertical orientation and faults
faults segment
segment the intrusion. The intrusion is divided into
into three
three zones
zones
on the basis of geochemistry
geochemistry and petrography. Fe-Ti oxide-rich layers are common in the lower
middle zones.
ratioisisconstant
constantfor
forall
allrock
rocktypes
types in
in the
the lower zone at
and middle
zones. The
TheTi02/Fe2O3TOT
Ti02/FezOsToT
ratio
about 0.2. The
Themiddle
middlezone
zonecontains
containsthe
the 22 km
km long
long ilmenite
ilmenite ore body that grades between 8 and
an
ratioofofthe
themiddle
middlezone
zoneisisbetween
between0.25
0.25and
and0.50.
0.50. The
The upper
upper
48% ilmenite.
ilmenite. The
TheTiO2/Fe2O3TOT
Ti02/Fe203ToT
ratio
zone consists
consists of P-rich gabbro
and
leucogabbro.
gabbro
The genetic
genetic model
model of the intrusion
intrusion and ore body begins with primary tholeiitic
tholeiitic mafic
mafic
magma emplaced
emplaced in a deep
deep magma chamber at or near the base of the crust. In the deep chamber,
crystal-liquid
crystal-liquid fractionation,
fractionation,under
under conditions
conditionsof
ofvery
verylow
lowf02,
fm, generated Ti-enriched parent
magma averaging about 3.3% TiOz.
Ti02. This parental magma was
was successively
successively injected
injected into
into each
each of
of
the three zones
zones of the
the intrusion.
intrusion. Variation
Variation within the lower
lower and upper zones is consistent
consistent with
with
closed-system
closed-system crystal-liquid
crystal-liquid fractionation
fractionation of two separate
separate batches of magma
magma from the deep
deep
chamber.
chamber.
The middle zone contains the voluminous
voluminous ilmenite ore. The overall composition of nonnon
non-mineralized gabbro
mineralized gabbro from the middle zone is compositionally
compositionally similar to non-mineralized
gabbro

26

�from the lower zone, however, the weighted average composition
composition of the middle zone is
Fe than
than the
the weighted
weighted average
averagecomposition
compositionof
ofthe
thelower
lowerzone.
zone. The
considerably higher in Ti and Fe
volume of magma
magma in the
the middle
middle zone
zone is
is far
far too small
small to yield the
the large
large mass
mass of
of ilmenite
ilmeniteunless
unless
the parent magma had extreme
extreme Ti and Fe. Instead, the extreme excess
excess of Ti and Fe
Fe in
in the
the middle
middle
zone can be explained
explained by a parent magma with elevated, but rather normal Ti and Fe
Fe (like
(like the
the
lower and upper zones)
that
flowed
through
the
partly
crystallized
magma
chamber.
After
an
zones)
crystallized
chamber. After an
oxide-rich immiscible
immiscible liquid was
was extracted from the magma this
this dense
dense material
material sank
sank to
to the
the floor
floor
of the shallow
magma
chamber
to
form
a
Fe-Ti
oxide
rich
matrix
between
a
silicate
framework.
shallow magma chamber form
oxide
silicate framework.
The Ti and Fe depleted
depleted magma
magma was then replaced by a new batch of parent magma
magma and
and so
so on.
on.
.
The middle
middle zone
zone represents
represents a channel
channel for
for magma flow with multiple
multiple episodes
episodes required
required for
for
accumulation
accumulation of the large mass
mass of
of oxides. A similar
similar magma
magma flow
flow through
through model
model has
has been
been
proposed to generate
generate gabbro-hosted
gabbro-hosted Ni-POE
Ni-PGE sulfide
sulfide mineralization
mineralization at Norilsk,
Norilsk, Russia
Russia (Naldrett
(Naldrettet
et
al., 1996)
1996) and Voisey's Bay, Canada
Canada (Evan-Lamswood
(Evan-Lamswood et al., 1998).
1998).
an
For Ti-deposits in small mafic intrusions, an open magma flow through system
system is
is an
essential
essential genetic
genetic component
component to produce
produce economic
economic size
size deposits. Continuity
Continuity of
of gabbro
gabbro intrusions
intrusions
as a chain or along a fault zone is a favorable geologic
geologic setting.
setting. An
An overall
overall elevated
elevated Ti
Ti content
content of
of
non-mineralized
non-mineralized gabbros
gabbros is
is another
another favorable
favorable characteristic
characteristic indicating elevated
elevated Ti in
in the
the parent
parent
magma. Small
mafic
intrusions
of
the
Lake
Superior
region
can
be
tested
for
potential
to
Small mafic intrusions of the Lake Superior
can tested for potential to host
host Ti
Ti
resources using an
an exploration
exploration model based on the Finnish Koivusaarenneva
Koivusaarenneva gabbro
gabbro intrusion.
intrusion.

27

�ADDITIONAL PALEOMAGNETIC STUDIES OF
OF A
A PROTEROZOIC
PROTEROZOIC DIABASE
DIABASE DIKE,
PIFTIER AND
ANDIRWIN
IRWINTOWNSHIPS,
TOWNSHIPS,LAKE
LAKE NIPIGON
NIPIGON DISTRICT,
DISTRICT, ONTARIO
IN PIFHER
Kean, W. F., Department
Department of
of Geosciences,
Gwsciences, University
University of
of Wisconsin-Milwaukee,
Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee,
Milwaukee, WI
WI
53201, and Luther, F., Geology
Geology Department, UW
UW Whitewater,
Whitewater, Whitewater,
Whitewater, WI
WI 53190
53190
An approximately 50 m wide porphyritic diabase dike outcrops
outcrops in
and Pither
in western
westernIrwin
Irwinand
Pier
Townships
in
the
Nipigon
district
and
is
locally
known
as
greenspar.
The
dike
has
a
characteristic
Townships the Niigon district and is locally known as greenspar.
characteristic
outcrop as a result of saussaritized
greenish mottled appearance in outcrop
saussaritizedplagioclase
glomerophenocrysts in
in aadiabase
diabasegroundmass
groundmass(Luther,
(Luther, 1997).
1997). The dike strikes due north and dips
dips
vertically, and is
is found
foundas
assegments,
segments,off-set
off-setby
byeast-west
east-westfaulting
faulting(Mackasey,
(Mackasey,1975).
1975). There
There are
are no
radiometric
this rock or
radiometric dates
dates on this
or associated
associated rocks,
rocks,although,
although,itit isiscut
cutby
by aalarge
largemiddle
middle or
or late
late
Proterozoic sill
Proterozoic
sill in Irwin Township (Mackasey, 1975).
1975).

We previously reported
reported palco
magnetic studies on
on four sites f
from
(Thomas and
paleomagnetic
rom this area (Thomas
others
1998).
Five
additional
sites
were
collected
in
the
summer
of
1999,
primarily
others 1998). Five additional sites were collected in the summer of 1999, primarily from
from locations
locations
Pither Township. The
The nine
nine sites
sites span
span approximately
approximately27km.
27km.of
ofthe
thedike.
dike. Samples
Samples from each
in Piflier
location were subjected
suljected to
(A.F.) and thermal demagnetization
demagnetization. The
to both
both alternating
alternating field (A.F.)
The samples
samples
demagnetization temperatures
show one
one primary magnetic direction which is removed at demagnetization
temperaturesof
of 5100
570Â
C. A.F.
A.F. demagnetization
demagnetizationof
ofsamples
samplesup
up to
to60
60mT,
mT,also
alsogives
givesonly
onlyone
onedirection
directionof
ofmagnetization..
magnetization
the magnetometer
the samples are quite viscous and require a long wait time in the
However, the
between measurements. All
All but two
two locations
locationsshow
shownormal
normal polarity
polarity with
with northwesterly
northwesterly
declinations
(200°-300°)
and
inclinations
of
40°
to
80°.
One
site
in
southern
declinations (200"-300") and inclinations 40" to 80'. One site in southernPifher
PifterTownship
Township
appears
100°, and
appears to
to be
be reversally
reversallymagnetized
magnetizedwith
withdeclinations
declinationsof
of90°
90"totolOOo,
andinclinations
inclinationsof
of -75°.
-75'.
The
The southern
southern most location near Beardmore produces
producesinconsistent
inconsistentresults.
results.

Overall, the
themagnetic
magnetic directions
directions are
are consistent with Keweenawan paleomagnetic
paleomagnetic
directions
directions in the Lake Superior
SuperiorRegion.
Region.
References
References

Luther, F., 1997,
Pither.
1997,The
The Petrology
Petrology of
of Greenspar:
Greenspar: A
A Proterozoic
Proterozoic Porphyritic Diabase Dike; Pifher
and Irwin Townships, Lake Nipigon
Nipigon District,
District, Ontario.,
Ontario., [abstract]:
[abstracti: Institute on Lake Superior
Geology Proceedings,
Proceedings,v.v.43,
Part
l,p.
43,
1,p.
Macjçasey,
W.O., 1975, Gwlogy
Geology of
of Dorothea,
Dorothea, Sandra, and Irwin Townships, District of Thunder
Mackasey, W.O.,
Bay; Ontario division of Mines, rpt
rpt 122
2294, 83 p.
122 with map 2294,83

Kean, W.,
W.,and
and Luther,
Luther, F.,
F., 1998,
1998,Paleomagnetic
Paleomagnetic Studies
Studiesof
ofaaProterozoic
ProterozoicPorphyritic
Porphyritic
Thomas, C., Kean,
Diabase Dike, Pifher
Nipigon District,
District, Ontario.,[abstract]:
Ontario.,[abstractj: Institute
P i i and Irwin Townships, Lake Nipigon
Institute on
on
Lake Superior
Part 1
l,p.
,p. 119.
119.
Superior Geology Proceedings,v.44, Part

28

�PETROGENESIS
PETROGENESIS OF
OF THE
THE MIDCONTINENT
MIDCONTINENTRIFT
RIFTGRANOPHYRIC
GRANOPHYRICCOMPLEXES
COMPLEXESOF
OF
NORTHERN
NORTHERNMINNESOTA
MINNESOTA
----

-

-

Kennedy,
&amp; Wirth,
Kennedy,Bryan
Bryan C.,
C., (bkennedy@macalester.edu)
(bkennedy@macalester.edu) &amp;
Wirth,Karl
Karl R.,
R., Geology Department,
Macalester College, St.
Jeff D.,
St. Paul, MN (wirth@macalester.edu); Vervoort,
Vervoort,Jeff
D., Department
Department
of Geosciences, University
(vervoort@geo.Arizona.edu)
University of
of Arizona,
Arizona, Tucson,
Tucson, AZ
AZ (vervoort@geo.Arizona.edu)
The
The hypabyssal
hypabyssal granitic
granitic rocks
rocks of northeastern Minnesota,
Minnesota, commonly
commonly referred
referred to
to as
as granophyres,
granophyres,
are
are an
an important
important component
component of
of the
the Midcontinent
Midcontinent Rift
Rift (MCR)
(MCR)of
of northeastern
northeastern Minnesota.
Minnesota. InInthis
thisstudy
study
we
we examine
examine eight
eight intrusive
intrusive complexes
complexes associated
associated with the
the rift,
rift, including
including detailed
detailedtransects
transects across
across the
the
Misquah
Misquah Hills
Hills and
and Greenwood
Greenwood Lake
Lake granophyres. Evidence
Evidence from petrographic, major and trace element
element
data
data suggest
suggest a combination of
of magma
magma mixing, chemical differentiation, and partial melting
melting of
of MCR
MCR and
and
older
granophyrecomplexes.
complexes.
older crust
crust to
to form
form the
thegranophyre
The
in
30to
to150
150km
km in
The granophyre
granophyre complexes
complexes are generally concordant intrusions
intrusions that
thatrange
rangefrom
from 30
surface area and are up
up to
to 1000 meters
metersthick.
thick. The
The complexes
basaldiorite,
diorite, monzodiorite,
monzodiorite,
complexes typically consist of basal
and quartz monzodiorite
monzodiorite and
and upper
uppergranite
graniteand
andgranodiorite.
granodiorite. The
The contact
contact zones
zones between the mafic and
felsic rocks are
are compositionally
compositionally and
and structurally
structurally heterogeneous;
heterogeneous; evidence
evidence of
ofmutual
mutual intrusive
intrusive relationships
relationships
between
between the mafic
mafic and
and felsic
felsic rocks can often be found within the
the same
same outcrop.
outcrop. Porphyritic
Porphyriticrhyolire
rhyolite
overlies granitic
of the
the complexes
complexes (e.g.,
(e.g., Misquah
Misquah Hills,
Hills,Greenwood
Greenwood Lake,
Lake, Eagle
EagleMountain,
Mountain,
granitic rocks
rocks of several of
and Lima
Lima Mountain).
Mountain). Thus
Thusfar,
far,only
onlyone
oneof
ofthe
thecomplexes
complexeshas
has been
been dated
dated (Swamper
(SwamperLake=Greenwood
Lake=Greenwood
Lake granophyre,
granophyre, 1107
1107 Ma
Ma ±Â1.1,
reversed
magnetic
polarity;
Davis
and
Green,
1.1, reversed magnetic polarity; Davis
Green, 1997);
1997);the
the other
othercomcomplexes are undated but are generally considered
considered to
to have
have normal
normal magnetic
magnetic polarity,
polarity,with
withthe
the exception
exception of
of
the
the Misquah
MisquahHills
Hillsbody
bodywhich
whichisispossibly
possibly reversed.
reversed.
The
monzodiorite, monzodiorite,
monzodiorite, and diorite)
diorite) are
The mafic
maficrocks
rocks of the complexes
complexes (e.g., quartz monzodiorite,
are distindistinguished by
by abundant (15-35 vol.%)
significant (1
(1-3
vol.%) apatite.
apatite. The
-3 vol.%)
Thefelsic
felsic
vol.%) interstitial pyroxene and significant
rocks
sodic plagioclase
plagioclase (30-40
(30-40 vol.%),
vol.%), orthoclase
orthoclase (25-35 vol.%), and quartz (20-30
(20-30 vol.%).
rocks are composed of sodic
vol.%).
Plagioclase
Plagioclase commonly exhibits
exhibits normal
normal and
andoscillatory
oscillatorycompositional
compositionalzoning;
zoning;many
manyplagioclase
plagioclasegrains
grainsare
are
mantled
mantled by
by thin
thinrims
rimsof
ofsodic
sodicplagioclase.
plagioclase. Anhedral
Anhedral pyroxene
pyroxene and
andsmall
smallFe-Ti
Fe-Ti oxides
oxides make
make up
up less
less than
than
10%
10% of the rock. All
All of
of the
the rocks
rocks in
in the
the complexes
complexes are characterized
characterized by granophyric intergrowths of alkalifeldspar
feldspar and
and quartz.
quartz. Intergrowths
Intergrowths are
are interinter_________________________________________________
10.0
stitial
or
more
commonly
..
stitial between
between plagioclase
plagioclase
or
more
commonly
radiate
radiate from
from euhedral
euhedral plagioclase phenocrysts.
phenocrysts.
-quartz
monzodiorite,
monzodiortie,
and
diorite
n
monzodiorite,
diorite
•
8 0
lntergrown
quartz
ranges
from
coarse
and
Intergrown
quartz
ranges
from
coarse
and mimioo -granophyric
-granophyricgranite
graniteand
and granodiorite
granodiorite
7.0
crographic
crographiccuneiforms
cuneiformsto
to fine
fine and
andradially
radiallygragranophyric
$ 6.0
6.0
o
O
nophyricshapes.
shapes.
The
granophyre
complexes
Thegranophyre
complexesdisplay
displayaa wide
wide
5.0
5Q5.0
0
S
silica
ino
0
o
b
$
'
%
As
%).
As
inSiO2
(47-76
wt
range
of
range
of
Si02
(47-76
wt
%).
cc$°°o
4Z 4.0
4.0 creases,
TiOz,
MnO,
MgO,
CaO,
and
creases,
1107,
Fe203,
CaO,
and
33.0
0
2 0 increases. There
P20sdecrease, whereas K
P205
K20
There
20
2.0
• m • hare
notable
compositional
"gaps"
in
lincompositional
"gaps"
in
the
lin•
.^ ~ ~
10
l . •~ %
ear trends on Harker variation
variation diagrams
diagrams be0.0
tween the
the mafic
mafic and
and felsic
felsic portions
portions of each
each of
of
65,0
55.0
60.0
55.0
60.0
65.0
70.0
75.0
50.0
the
complexes
(Figure
1).
Although
rocks
in
(Figure 1). Although rocks
S
(w
- .i n- 7 (wt,%)
.. r... %
.,l
Si02
the lower
complexes have
have relalower portions of the complexes
relaFig. II - K20
K 2 0(wt.
(wt.%)
%) versus
versusSi02
(wt.%)
%)diagramfor
diagramforall
allsamples
Si02 (wt.
samples
tively
low
Si02
(47-62
wt.
/o)
most
are
tively
Si02 (47-62 wt.%)
are silica
silica
illustrating the compositional
compositional
from the granophyre
ganophyre complexes,
complexes, illustrating
over-saturated
over-saturated and all but two
two samples
samples congap between the
rocks of
ofthe
the intrusions.
intrusions. Note
the mafic and felsic
felsicrocks
Note
tam
normative
quartz.
The
granitic
rocks
tain
The
granitic
rocks in
trend of the major element
element variation
variation with increasing
the linear trend
the
the
upper
portions
of
the
complexes
are
SiO
the
upper
portions
of
the
complexes
are
SiO z2SiOz.Full
Fulldata
dataset
setin
inKennedy
Kennedy (2000)
(2000)
Si02.

1

-

~

Za?aj
o
&amp;
+',PQJ

.-•

••

~

-

-

\

.

.

.

29

�rich (66-76 wt.%), and
and are
are
slightly
to
metaluminous
metaluminous
to
slightly

2.0

2.0
1.8

0

1,8

peraluminous.
peraluminous. The
The mafic
mafic and
and felsic
felsic

1.6

0

-

rocks plot along linear
—
linear trends
trends on
on most
most
——
F
1.4
incompatible
incompatible trace
trace element
elementdiagrams
diagrams
.975
0 0
(e.g., U,
U, Nb, Ce,
(e.g.,
Ce, and
and Zr
Zr vs.
vs. SiO
SiO2);
2); Q 1.2
0
LZ
.950
compositional
compositional"gaps"
"gaps" between
between the
the mamaI.0
• -quartz
-quartz monzodiorite,
monzodiorite,monzomonzofic
evident in
fie and
and felsic
felsic rocks
rocks are also evident
in
0.8
diorite, and diorite
these
these plots.
plots. The
Themafic
maficand
andfelsic
felsicrocks
rocks
o granophyric granite and
0.6
0-6
from
from all of the granophyre
granophyre complexes
complexes
granodiorite
exhibit
-mixing
0.4
trend;
exhibit negative
negative Nb-anomalies
Nb-anomalies on
on
0.4
mixing
trend; values
values at
at tick
tick
,—
marks
indicate
the
fraction
of
multi-element variation
variation diagrams.
diagrams.
o,7
marks
indicate
the
fraction
of
0.2
felsic component
component
The
Th/Nb and
The small
small variation
variation in
in the
the Th/Nb
and
______________
0.0 M
50.0
£00.0
150.0
200.0
250.0
M
50.0
100.0
150.0
200.0
250.0
Ce/Nb ratios between the
the mafic
mafic and
Ce/Nb
felsic
rocks
suggests
that
the
source
of
S
iO
2/C
aO
felsic rocks
that the source
SiOzICaO
the hyperbolic
Fig.
Fig. 22 - KzO/Fe203*
KzO/FeaO3* versus
versus SiO2/CaO
SiOdCaO diagram showing the
hyperbolic
the
the Nb
Nb depletion
depletionisis common
common for both
mixing
trend
for
all
samples
from
the
granophyre
concordant
mixing
trend
for
all
from
the
granophyre
complexes,
concordant
the
mafic
and
felsic
rocks.
the mafic and felsic rocks.
withhmixing
mixing model. The
Themixing
mixingmodel
model isis based
based on
on two
two end
endmember
member
Although
, ~ ~ the
the~major
~ ~ ~with
majorh element
parental
compositions
(triangles),
Sonju
Lake
(M)
and
parental
compositions
(triangles),
the
intrusion
(M)
and an
an
variation
variation might
mightbe
beexplained
explainedby
bycryscrysaverage
of the three
most
felsic granitic samples (F).
(F). The
dashed
line
isis
The
dashed
line
average
three
most
tal
tal fractionation
fractionationofofaatypical
typicalMCR
MCRmamathe
the NSVG
the mixing model with the
NSVG olivine
olivinetholeiite
tholeiiteasasthe
themafic
maficcompowmpofic
fie component,
component, itit seems
seems unlikely that
nent,
nent,which
which isis not
not concordant
concordantwith
with the
the data.
data.
fractionation
fractionationofofmafic
maficmelts
meltscould
couldacaccount
10.15% of the intrusive rocks
countfor
for the
theformation
formationof
of this
this large
large volume of granitic rock (approximately 10-15%
of
SiO 27(e.g.,
(e.g.,
of the
the MCR
MCR exposed
exposed in northeast
northeast Minnesota).
Minnesota). Furthermore,
Furthermore,on
onplots
plotsof
ofmajor
major elements
elements versus
versus SiO
K20;
change during
during
thetrend
trendof
ofthe
thedata
datashould
shouldchange
changein
inslope
slope as
as the
the fractionating
fractionatingassemblages
assemblages change
K20;Figure
Figure 1)
1) the
crystallization.
of SiO
SiO 22 concentrations
concentrations which
crystallization. Instead,
Instead, the
thedata
dataplot
plotalong
alonglinear
lineartrends
trends over
over aa wide range of
may
may indicate mechanical mixing.
mixing. On
Ondiagrams
diagrams of
of major element ratios, the
themafic
maficand
andfelsic
felsic rocks
rocks plot
along
vs.SiOz/CaO,
SiO2/CaO,Figure
Figure2).
2). These
These trends
trends can be modeled
modeled by
along hyperbolic
hyperbolic trends
trends (e.g.,
(e.g., K2O/Fe2O3*
K2O/FezOj* vs.
mixing of a mafic
mafic (Miller
(Miller &amp;Chandler'scomposite
&amp; Chandler's composite Sonju
Sonju Lake intrusion
intrusion parental
parental magma (1997))
(1997)) and
and felsic
felsic
(average
(average of the
the most
most evolved
evolved samples
samples from the granophyre complexes) end-members. IfIf aa more
more primitive
primitive
olivine
olivinetholeiite
tholeiitefrom
fromthe
theNSVG
NSVGisisused
usedas
asthe
themafic
mafic end
end member,
member, the
the resulting
resulting model does not fit
fit the
the data
data
for
for the
the granophyre
granophyre complexes.
complexes. Samples
Samplesthat
thatdo
donot
notplot
plotalong
alongthis
thismixing
mixingline
linelikely
likely evolved
evolved from mixing
products
SiO2/CaO
z/CaOand
andK1O/Fe2O3.
K20/Fe203.
productsby
by fractional
fractionalcrystallization,
crystallization,which
whichwould
wouldincrease
increaseSiO
An
A n origin
origin for
for the
the granophyre
granophyre complexes
complexes by mixing is consistent with the field relationships
relationships and
and
linear trends
trends on
on major
major element
elementdiagrams.
diagrams. However,
However,although
although aa combination
combinationof
ofmagma
magma mixing
mixing and
and fracfractionation
tionationmay
may explain
explainthe
theorigin
originof
ofthe
thegranophyre
granophyrecomplexes,
complexes,itit does
does not
not explain
explainthe
thesource
sourceof
of the
thelarge
large
volume
of
felsic
end-member
necessary
for
mixing.
Nd
isotope
data
from
the
granophyre
complexes
volume of
Nd isotope data from the granophyre complexessugsuggest that
that the
thefelsic
felsic component
component may
may be
be the
the result
result of
of fractionation
fractionation or
or melting
melting of
of contemporaneous crustal
materials (Vervoort,
(Vewoort, this volume). Further
Further examination
examinationisisneeded
neededto
todetermine
determinean
anultimate
ultimatesource
sourcefor
for the
the
felsic material
material and
and it's
it's relationship
relationshiptotothe
thegenesis
genesisof
ofthe
thegranophyres.
granophyres.

*

,--

-

References
References
Davis,
Green, J. C. 1997.
North American
1997. Geochronology
Geochronology of the North
American Midcontinent
MidwntinentRift
Riftininwestern
westernLake
LakeSu
Su
Davis, D. W. &amp; Green,
perior
perior and
andimplications
implicationsfor
forits
itsgeodynamic
geodynamicevolution,
evolution,Can.
Can.J.J. Earth
EarthSci.
Sci.34:
34:476-488
476-488
Kennedy,
Kennedy, B.C. 2000.
2000. Petrogenesis
Petrogenesisofofmidcontinent
midcontinentrift
riftgranophyres:
granophyres:evidence
evidencefrom
fromgeochemistry
geochemistryof
ofKeweenawan
Keweenawan
granitic
northern Minnesota.
MacalesterCollege,
College,
graniticigneous
igneous complexes
complexes of northern
Minnesota. Senior
SeniorHonors
HonorsThesis,
Thesis,Macalester
Saint
SaintPaul,
Paul,MN.
MN.
Miller,
J.D. &amp;
Chandler, V.W.
Miller,J.D.
&amp;Chandler,
V.W. 1997.
1997.Geology,
Geology,petrology,
petrology,and
andtectonic
tectonicsignificance
significanceofofthe
theBeaver
BeaverBay
BayComplex,
Complex,
northeastern,
3 12.
northeastern,Minnesota.
Minnesota.Geological
GeologicalSociety
SocietyofofAmerica
AmericaSpecial
SpecialPaper
Paper312.

30

�A
A POSSIBLE
POSSIBLESUDBURY
SUDBURY EJECTA
EJECTA LAYER
LAYER IN
IN THE
THEGUNFLINT
GUNFLINT
FORMATION,
FORMATION,NORTHWESTERN
NORTHWESTERNONTARIO
ONTARIO
Stephen
Thunder Bay, Ontario,
Stephen A.
A. Kissin,
Kissin,Department
Departmentof
ofGeology,
Geology, Lakehead University, Thunder
Ontario,
Makoto
International University,
Makoto Okamoto,
Okamoto,Faculty
Facultyof
ofEconomical
Economical Sciences,
Sciences, Kyushu International
University,
Kitakyushu,
Kitakyushu, Japan,
Japan,William
William 0.
D.Addison,
Addison,Thunder
ThunderBay,
Bay,Ontario
Ontarioand
andGreg
GregR.
R.Brumpton,
Brumpton,
Thunder
ThunderBay,
Bay, Ontario
Ontario
Previous
Previous studies
studiesrevealed
revealed that
that the
the Gunflint
Gunflint lapilli
lapilli tuff
tuffunit,
unit, located
located in
in the
the Kamistiquia
KamistiquiaGorge
Gorgenear
near
Thunder
Bay,
Ontario,
is
unlikely
to
represent
an
ejecta
layer
from
the
Sudbury
impact
event.
Thunder Bay, Ontario, is unlikely to represent an ejecta layer from the Sudbury impact event.
Euhedral
unit have
878±2Ma (Fralick
tuffunit
haveyielded
yieldedaadate
dateof
of11878i2Ma
(Fralicket
et al.,
al.,
Euhedralzircons
zirconsextracted
extractedfrom
fromthe
thelapilli
lapillituff
1998)
1998) presumed
presumed to
to be
be the
the age
age of
of sedimentation
sedimentation based
based on
on aa volcanic
volcanic source
source for
for the
the zircons,
zircons,too
tooold
old
to
4Ma (Krogh
to be
be associated
associatedwith
withthe
theSudbury
Sudburyevent
eventatat1836±1
1836il4Ma
(Kroghet
et al.,
a1.J1984)
984) However,
However,aadistinct
distinctash
ash
layer
higher in section has been
layer approximately
approximately lOOm
loom stratigraphically higher
been recently
recently discovered
discovered and
and
investigated.
investigated.
A
A grey
greyash
ashlayer
layer11.5
11.5cm
cm thick
thick isis exposed
exposed in
in two
two locations
locationson
on the southern
southernside
side of
of the
the Kaministiquia
Kaministiquia

Gorge.
Gorge. The
Thelayer
layerisiscomprised
comprisedmostly
mostlyofoffriable
fiableillite
illiteand
andmontmorillonite,
montmorillonite, but
but separation
separation of
of
particulate
mudball lapilli,
lapilli, crystal
crystal fragments
fragmentsand
and
particulatefractions
fractionsrevealed
revealedthe
thepresence
presenceof
of lithic
lithic fragments,
fragments, mudball
green spherules
spherules with a glassy appearance. The
The latter
latter were
were found to be glauconite,
glauconite, which also has
has
been described
The crystal
crystalfragments
fragments
described in
in the
the Gunflint
Gunflint lapilli tuff unit (Hassler &amp; Simonson, 1989). The
are
are mostly
mostly pure
pure potassium
potassium feldspar,
feldspar, with
with minor
minor quartz,
quartz, calcite
calcite and
and various
various other
other minerals.
minerals.
The
proximal
The glauconite
glauconitepellets
pelletsand
andpotassium
potassiumfeldspar
feldsparclasts
clasts have
have been
been interpreted
interpreted as
as indicative
indicativeof
of aaproximal
submarine
submarine volcanic vent (Hassler &amp; Simonson, 1989). In
Inparticular,
particular, the
the sodium-free
sodium-free potassium
potassium

feldspar
feldspar clasts have
have been
bee; interpreted
interpreted as
as the
theproduct
productofofmetasomatic
ietasomatic replacement
replacement of
i f igneous
igneous
plagioclase.
Also
present
are
quench-textured
basaltic
clasts
and
occasional
devitrified
vesicular
plagioclase. Also present are quench-textured basaltic clasts and occasional devitrified vesicular
glass
glass fragments.
fragments. However,
However,large,
large,unstrained
unstrainedquartz
quartzclasts
clastsand
and fresh
fresh plagioclase
plagioclase clasts
clasts suggest
suggest that
aa somewhat
somewhat more
more felsic
felsicvolcanic
volcanic source
sourcehas
has also
alsocontributed
contributedto
to the
the particulate
particulateassemblage.
assemblage.
Analyses
enclosing shales
Analysesof
of samples
samplestaken
taken at
at various
variousintervals
intervals in
in the
the layer,
layer, as
as well as
as of the enclosing
shales at one
of
of the locations,
locations,revealed
revealed the
the presence
presenceof
of anomalous
anomalousJr
Ir (1.9 ppb)
ppb) as well as other
other PGEs
PGEs and
and Au.
Au. On
On
the
Ni are
in the
the ash
ash layer
layer as
as compared
compared
the other
other hand,
hand, the
the chalcophiles
chalcophilesCo,
Co,Cr
Crand
andNi
are significantly
significantly depleted
depletedin
to
which have
to the enclosing
enclosing shales. AAstrong
strongenrichment
enrichmentin
in Zr
Zr indicates
indicates the presence of zircons, which
have

opportunitiesfor
for dating
dating of
of the
the material
been
been separated
separated and
and should
should again
again provide
provide opportunities
material as well
well
investigation for shock features.
features. Shock
Shock features
features in
in the
the particulate
particulate fraction have not so far
far been
been
identified, and the depletion
depletion of
of chalcophiles
chalcophiles is contrary
contrary to expectations
expectations in an
an ejecta
ejecta layer
layer(e.g.
(e.g.
Hildebrand, 1993). However,
However, Simonson
Simonson et
et al.
al. (1998)
(1998) noted
noted that
that the
the Acraman
Acraman impact
impact layer
layer in
in
Australia
Australia lacks
lacks this
this enrichment.
enrichment.This
Thislayer
layeras
aswell
well as
as aa layer
layer seen in the Hammersley Basin can be
explained
explained as
as the result of submarine impact. As
As the
the Sudbury
Sudbury Structure
Structureis
is believed to have formed
formed
in
in aa marine
marine shelf
shelf environment,
environment, the
the possibility
possibilityof
of an
an impact
impact origin
origin for
for the
the Gunflint
Gunflintash
ash layer
layer remains
remains
open.
open. To
To date,
date, however,
however, the evidence
evidence is in favor
favor of
of aa volcanic
volcanic source
source for
for the
the ash
ashlayer,
layer,but
but
geochronology
geochronology will
will be
be needed
neededin
inorder
orderto
to exclude
excludethe
the possible
possible impact
impact origin
originof
of the
the layer.
layer.

31

�References
References
Kissin, S.A.
Fralick, P.W., Kissin,
S.A. and Davis, D.W. (1998)
(1998) The age and provenance of the Gunflint
Gunflint lapilli
lapilli
Inst.
tuff. Program
and
Abstracts,
44th
Lake
Superior
Geol,
Minneapolis,
66-67.
Program and Abstracts, 441hInst.
Minneapolis, 66-67.
vocaniclastic strata in two
Hassler, S.W. and Simonson, B.M. (1989) Deposition and alteration of vocaniclastic
Proterozoic iron-formations in Canada. Can. J. Earth Sci. 26, 1574-1585.
1574-1585.
lare, early Proterozoic
Cretaceous/Tertiary boundary
boundary impact
impact (or
(or the
the dinosaurs
dinosaurs didn't
didn't have a
Hildebrand, A.R. (1993) The CretaceousITertiary
Roy. Astronom.
Astronom.SOC.
Soc.Can.
Can.g,
$, 77-118.
chance). J.J. Roy.
77-1 18.
Krogh, T.E.,
T.E., Davis, D.W. and Corfu, F. (1984) Precise U-pb
U-pb zircon and baddeleyite ages for the
Sudbury area,
-446 in The
Deposits ofthe
of the Sudbury
Sudbury Structure,
Sudbury
area, p.431
p. 43 1-446
The Geology
Geology and Ore Deposits
Structure,edited
editedby
by E.G.
E.G.
Pye, A.J. Naldrett and
P.E.
Giblin,
Ont.
Geol.
Surv.
Spec.
Vol.
1,
6O3p.
and P.E. Giblin, Ont. Geol. Surv. Spec. Vol. 1 , 6 0 3 ~ .
Reeves, S.
S. and Hassler,
S.W. (1998)
anomalybut
but
Simonson,
B.M., Davies,
Davies, D., Wallace,
Wallace,M., Reeves,
Simonson, B.M.,
Hassler, S.W.
(1998) Iridium
Iridium anomaly
nor shocked quartz
quartz from
fromLate
LateArchean
Archeanmicrokrystic
microkrysticlayer:
layer:Oceanic
Oceanicimpact
impact
ejecta?
Geology
,
ejecta? Geology 2 , 1 19595198.
198.

32

�COMMINUTION
COMMINUTION AND
AND DILUTION
DILUTION OF GLACIAL
GLACIAL INDICATORS:
INDICATORS: RATE ESTIMATES
ESTIMATES FROM
FROM FIELD
FIELD
DATA
DATA

LARSON,
LARSON, Phillip
Phillip C.,
C., and
and MOOERS,
MOOERS, Howard D., Department
D e p m e n t of Geological Sciences, University of
Minnesota,Duluth,
Duluth,MN
MN55812,
55812,plarson2@d.umn.edu
plarson2@d.umn.edu
Minnesota,

Introduction:
Introduction: Tracing
Tracing glacial
glacial indicator
indicator trains has long
long been
been recognized
recognized as
as being
being fundamentally
fundamentally a problem
problem of
of
interpreting
of an
an indicator
indicator with
with increasing
increasingtransport
transportdistance
distancefrom
fromits
itssource,
source. The
interpreting the diminishing
diminishing concentrations
concentrations of
dispersal
dispersal pattern of
of an
an indicator
indicator is
is aa function
function of
of the
the processes
processes of dilution
dilution and comminution acting on that indicator
indicator
during
during transport.
transport, Numerous
Numerousstudies
studieshave
haveestablished
establishedempirically
empiricallythat
thatdispersal
dispersalpatterns
patternstypically
typicallytake
a ethe
theform
formofofan
an
exponential
exponential decay curve. However,
However,while
while an
anindicator
indicator ideally
ideally comprises
comprises all debris
debris with
with aa particular
particular lithologic
lithologic or
or
geochemical
geochemical signature
signature derived from a unique source,
source, in practice most indicator studies examine only a portion
portion of
of
the
the size
sizefractions
fractionsof
ofaatill.
till.
This
This approach
approach precludes
precludes precise
precise quantification
quantification of the
the systematics
systematics of
of indicator
indicator transport,
transport, ininparticular
particular
quantification
quantification of dilution
dilution and
and comminution
comminution rates. This
Tbis is due
due to
to aanumber
numberofoffactors;
factors;previous
previousindicator
indicatortracing
tracing
studies
studies have
have often
often been
been limited
limited to
to examination
examination of
of only
only aa portion of the size
size fractions containing
containiig an indicator, and in
in
many
many cases
cases recognition
recognition of
of aa unique
unique indicator
indicator derived
derived from
from aa specific
specific bedrock
bedrock source
source has
has proven
proven difficult.
dificult. The
Thelack
lack
of
due to
to dilution
(largely a function
of specific
specific data
data relating
relating the
the relative
relative changes
changes in
in indicator
indicator concentrations
concentrations due
dilution (largely
function of
interaction
interaction with the bed)
bed) and
and comminution
comminution (largely
(largely a function
function of the
the material
material properties
properties of
of the
tbe indicator)
indicator) have
have
precluded
precludedsatisfactory
satisfactoryquantitative
quantitativemodeling
modelingofofglacial
glacialdebris
debristransport.
transport.
The
The present
present study
study attempts
attempts to address
address these
these questions
questions by examining
examining dispersal
dispersal of clasts derived from
from aa
quartz-epidote
District, Minnesota.
Minnesota. Bedrock
qum-epidote altered basalt unit in the Vermilion District,
Bedrock within the study area consists
consists of
of aa
metavolcanic-dominated
E-W. Glacial
Glacial drift in the area
area isis thin
thin (0-10
(0-10 m),
m), and
and
metavolcanic-dominated greenstone belt
belt striking
striking roughly
roughly E-W.
records
advance moving
moving from
from the
the W
NNE.
records aa single
single advance
advance of the Rainy
Rainy Lobe, with the last glacial advance
E . Samples
Samples were
were
collected
from basal
basal tills,
tills, and screened
to separate
separate ibree
three adjacent
adjacent size
size fractions
fractions(1-2,
(1-2,2-4,
2-4, and
and 4-16
4-16 mm).
mm). The
collected from
screened to
The
quartz-epidote
altered basalt
basalt indicator
indicator is
is visually
quartz-epidote altered
visually distinct
distinct and was
was easily
easily separated
separated from
from each
eachsize
sizefraction;
fraction;
concentrations represent mass proportions,
proportions. A
A transport
transport distance
distance for each
each sample
sample was
was calculated
calculated by measuring
measuring the
the
distance
distance from
from each
eachsample
samplelocation
locationalong
alongthe
theflow
flowpath
pathto
tothe
thesource
sourcearea.
area.
Dispersal:
Dispersal: The
The concentration
concentration of an
an indicator
indicator in
in aa particular
particular size
size fraction
fraction of
of till
till is
is aa function
function of
of the
the change
change in
in
concentration due
due to
to dilution,
dilution, and
and the
the change
change inin
concentration
concentration due
due to
to comminution.
comminution. The
The relationship
relationship
concentration
between dispersal,
dispersal, dilution,
dilution, and
and comminution
comminution can
can be
be
between
expressed
expressedas:
as:
CD1SJ
=
(I)
Grs~
= CDm
CDTLCCOM
' CCOM
(1)
C

Dispersal
Dispersal curves
cuwes for
for the
the indicator
indicator inineach
eachparticle
particle 0
size
size fraction
fraction in
in the
the study
study area
areawere
weregenerated
generatedby
byplotting
plotting
C
indicator
indicator concentration
concentrationagainst
againsttransport
transportdistance
distance(T,
(T,inin1cm)
!an) 5
of the largest
(Fig, 1).
I). Concentrations
Concentrations of
largest clasts
clasts (4-16
(4-16 mm)
mm) C
(Fig.
0
decreased with transport
transport distance
distance at the
the fastest
fastest rate,
rate, while
while 0
decreased
medium-sized (2-4
(2-4 mm)
mm) clast
clast concentrations
concentrations decreased
decreased at aa
medium-sized
rate. Dispersal
Dispersal of
of the
the smallest
smallest clasts
clasts (1-2
(1-2 mm)
mm) has
has aa
lower rate.
curious
km
curious form;
form;concentrations
concentrationsincrease
increaseduring
duringthe
thefirst
fust—5
-5 km
transport, then
then decrease
decrease with
with increasing
increasing transport
transport
of transport,
0
4
12
distance.
distance.
3
Dilution: Dilution
Dilution reduces
reduces indicator
indicator concentration
concentration by
by
Tmnsporl Distance
Distance(km)
(km)
Dilution:
eroding
erodiig and incorporating
incorporating material from
from the
the bed
bed downflow
downflow
Figure
I . Dispersal
Dispersal Curves
Cuwes
Figure 1.
from the mdicator
indicator source.
source, AAdilution
dilutioncurve
curveshould
should ideally
ideally
QE
doler Allered
Basalts
Quarlz-Epidote
Altered
Basalts
take
a e the form
fonn of
of aapower
power function,
function, with
with the
the exact
exact slope
slope of
of
the dilution
dilution curve
curve at any
any given
given point
point in
in space
space and
and time
time aa
the
function
function of
of distance
distance from
from the
the source
source and
and the instantaneous
instantaneous rate of erosion and entrainment. These
'hese are
aredependent
dependent on
on
a number
and the
the basal
basal thermal
thermal regime.
regime. Deviations
number of
of variables,
variables, including
including bed
bed roughness,
roughness, bed composition,
composition, and
Deviations of
of aa

Trans
-

33

�dilution curve from
from a power function of represent deviations
deviations from
from uniform
uniform conditions.
conditions. However, over relatively
short
distances
on
a
bed
of
uniform
composition
it
is
short distances on a bed of uniform composition it is , 0.04
reasonabletoto assume
assume aa uniform
rate of erosion
reasonable
uniform rate
erosion and
and
S
incorporation.
incorporation.
An estimate
of the
in the
An
estimate of
the dilution
dilution rate
rate in
0.03
Vermilion District was obtained by calculating
calculating the
the total
total =05
S
proportion of indicator
Ct
indicator material in the
the 1-16
1-16mm
nun fraction
fraction 5
(Fig. 1).
of the total sample pig.
I). Regression
Regression analysis
analysisof
of these
these E0,02
a&gt;
C,
S
C
data results in the following equation
equation for dilution:
0
C)

CD = O.O348e)2T

(2)

S
S

too
Clearly, this dilution rate represents non-ideal
2
conditions. This
Thisisisdominantly
dominantlyan
anartifact
artifactof
of not
not
Transport Distance Qan)
TrawxtDi&amp;nce
(km)
the—I
mm and
and +I6
+16mm
including the
-I nun
mm size
size fractions in the
Figure
2.
Dilution
Curve
Figure 2.Dilution Curve
calculations,
calculations, however
however itit represents
represents aa reasonable
reasonable
Quartz-Epidote Altered
Altered Basalts
Quartz-Epidote
Basalts
estimate.
estimate.
Comminution:
Comminution:Comminution
Comminutionalters
altersthe
theconcentration
concentrationofofan
anindicator
indicatorwithin
wifimaaparticular
particularsize
sizefraction
hction as
asparticles
particlesare
are
than
broken down by
by clast-on-clast
clast-on-clast and
andclast-on-bed
clast-on-bed interactions.
interactions. Larger clasts tend to comminute
comminute more
more rapidly
rapidly than
smaller clasts. Larger
Largerclasts
clastsare
arenot
notlost
lost to
to the
the system
system as
as they break down, but are transferred to smaller
smaller size
size classes.
classes.
The concentration of an indicator in a particular size fraction
hction at a given transport distance is thus a function of
of the
the
of larger
larger clasts,
clasts, and the rate at
rate at which particles are being
Kmg added to the size
size class
class by comminution
comminution of
at which
which
particles are leaving the size
particles
size class
class by
by comminution
comminution to
$asmaller
smaller clasts.
clam.
+
Comminution
rates for indicator
Comminution rates
indicator clasts in the
the
OM'
I j4no
•
1-zm
+
by rearranging
Vermilion Dislxict
District were
were calculated
calculated by
Vermilion
rearranging
•
2-4mm
2-4equation (I)
CCOM
equation
(1)and
andsolving
solvingforfor
CcoM at
at each sample
sample
m'
• 4-18mm
4.16location using the
3). CCoM
the model
modelCDIL
CDL (Fig. 3).
CCOM for the
largest particles showed poor
poor correlation
correlation with
with transport
transport F EM,4 e +
distance; this is
is probably
probably aa result
result of
of significant
significantvariation
variation
0
S
in
indicator boulder concentrations
in indicator
concentrations along
along individual
individual
flow lines resulting from variable rates of addition
addition by
boulder comminution to this size
size class.
class. Medium-sized
particles showed
increase
in in
CCOM
CcoMwith
particles
showedaarelatively
relativelysharp
sharp
increase
om
transport distance, reflecting the higher rate
transport
rate of
Transport
TtansprlDistance
D i m(km)
(h)
comminution of the
comminution
the coarsest
coarsest particles.
particles. The smallest
smallest
Figure 3. Comminution
ComminutionCurves
Cu~es
particles showed a lower rate of
of increase
increase reflecting
reflecting the
Quartz-Epidote
Altered Basalts
Quartz-Epidote
Altered
Basalts
lower rate at which coarser
comminuted to
coarser particles are comminuted
this size
size class.
class.
Conclusions:
Conclusions: Results of indicator
indicator tracing in
in the
the Vermilion
Vermilion District
District illustrate
illustrate the importance
importance of segregating
sepgating the
effects of dilution and comminution
comminution to modeling the concentration of an indicator at a particular transport distance.
Dilution affects
affects the concentration
Dilution
concentration of each
each particle
particle size
s i z equally,
equally, however
however comminution
comminution rates
rates strongly
strongly and
and
differentially influence
influence indicator
indicator concentrations
concentrationsin
in differing
d i f f e ~size
g
sizeclasses.
classes. Since clast comminution is controlled
controlled by
by
grain size and
and material
material properties, the
the concentration
concentration of an indicator
indicator at aa particular
particular transport
transport distance
distance can
can be
be seen
seento
to
be dominantly
dominantly aa function
function of
of the
the initial
initialparticle
particle size
sizedistribution
distribution and
and the
the material
material properties
properties of
of the
the indicator.
indicator.
basalts. However,
This study focused on dispersal of quartz-epidote
qnartz-epidote aaltered
l t e d hasalts.
However, several
severalother
otherdispersal
dispersaltrains
trains
were recognized in the
the Vermilion
Vermilion District
Dislxict during
during the course
course of
of the
thestudy,
study,including
includingankerite-sericite
ankerite-sericite lode
lode goldgoldassociated alteration, and iron formation,
associated
formation, each
each displaying
displaying aa unique
unique dispersal
dispersalpattern.
pattern. Given an identical
identical glacial
glacial
of the
the differing material
material properties
properties of
of the
the indicator. These
environment, these differences must be a reflection of
Thesedata
data
underscore
that may accompany
application of
of a general
underscore the potential
potential problems
problems that
accompany application
general regional
regional dispersal
dispersal model
model to
to
interpreting particular localized
interpreting
localized glacial
glacial indicator
indicator trains.
6

4

0

.

12

10

+

+

0A4

+

!03it
!!
Em'

::

2

34

4

6

$

10

12

�1

Low-grade
Low-grademetamorphism
metamorphismof
of an
anArchean
Archeandebris
debrisflow,
flow,
Irwin,
Irwin, Pifher,
Pifher, and
and Meader
Meader Townships, Lake
LakeNipigon
NipigonRegion,
Region,Ontario
Ontario

1
I
I

Frank
FrankR.
R.Luther,
Luther,Geography
Geographyand
andGeology
GeologyDepartment,
Department,
UW-Whitewater,
hitewater, Whitewater,
Whitewater, WI 53190
lutherf@mail.uww.edu
lutherf@mail.uww.edu

This
hisextensive
extensivebody
bodyof
of volcanic
volcanic breccia
brecciaisislocated
locatedeast
eastof
of Lake
LakeNipigon
Nipigoninin
northern
northernIrwin,
Irwin, southeastern
southeasternMeader,
Meader, and
and aa large
largepart
partof
of southern
southernand
andeastern
eastern
Pifher
PiiherTownships.
Townships. ItItisis10-25
10-25km
kmeast
eastof
ofLake
LakeNipigon
Nipigonand
and17-28
17-28km
kmnorthnorthnortheast
northeastofofBeardmore.
Beardmore. Mapping
Mappingby
byMackasey
Mackasey(1975),
(19751,Kresz
Kreszand
andZayachivsky
Zayachivsky
(1989),
(1989),and
andas
as aapart
partof
of this
thisstudy
studyshows
showsthis
thisrock
rockto
tobe
beenclosed
enclosedininaathick
thick
sequence
sequenceof
of typical
typicalgreenstone
greenstoneassemblage
assemblagerocks.
rocks. Metamorphism,
Metamorphism,probably
probably
caused
causedby
by large
large granitic
granitic intrusives
intrusivesin
in Pifher
Piiher Twp, increases
thenortheast.
northeast.
increases totothe
The
Thebreccia
brecciawas
was thoroughly
thoroughly described
described and
andan
anorigin
originas
asaasubaqueous
subaqueous
debris
debrisflow
flowwas
wasdocumented
documentedby
byLuther
Luther(1998).
(1998). In
Inbrief,
brief,the
the breccia
brecciaconsists
consistsof
of
rounded
roundedrock
rock fragments
fragments ranging
rangingfrom
from &lt;1
e l mm
mmto
toover
over11mmininaavery
veryfine-grained
finegrained
matrix.
matrix. Larger
Larger fragments
fragments tend
tend to
to be
besimilar
similar to
tothe
thematrix
matrixinincomposition
compositionwhile
while
smaller
smaller fragments
fragmentsvary
vary in
incomposition
compositionfrom
from that
that of
of the
thematrix
matrixto
tomafic
maficto
toultramafic
ultramafic
to
tocarbonate-rich.
carbonate-rich. The
The matrix
matrixof
of the
thebreccia
brecciawas
wascomposed
composedof
of quartz
quartzgrains,
grains,
euhedral
euhedral and
and broken
brokencrystals
crystals of
of plagioclase,
plagioclase, aa glass
glassshard/pelitic
shardlpelitic fraction
fraction (now
(now
replaced
below), and
replaced by
by the
the greenschist
greenschist metamorphic assemblage described below),
and
pyroxene
pyroxene and/or
andlor hornblende
hornblende (now
(now chlorite)
chlorite) up
up to
to 0.5
0.5 mm.
mm. Representative
Representativewhole
whole
rock
rock analyses
analyses of
of the
the portion
portionof
of the
thebreccia
brecciaaffected
affectedby
bylow-grade
low-grademetamorphism
metamorphism are
are
presented
presented in
in Table
Table 1;
1;these
these analyses
analyses show
show the
the average
average (igneous
(igneous rock
rock equivalent)
equivalent)
composition
compositionof
of the
thebreccia
brecciato
tobe
bedacitic.
dacitic.
A
A metamorphic
metamorphic assemblage
assemblage of
of Mg-Fe
Mg-Fechlorite,
chlorite, high-Al
high-A1to
to high-Fe
high-Feepidote,
epidote,
aluminous
aluminous actinolite,
actinolite, phengitic-paragonitic
phengitic-paragoniticsericite, albite,
albite, high-Fe
high-Fe biotite,
biotite, and
and
minor
minor KK feldspar
feldspar over-prints
over-printsthe
the primary
primarytexture
textureand
andreplaces
replacesthe
the glass/pelitic
glasslpelitic
fraction;
fraction; EMPA
EMPAanalyses
analysesof
of the
themore
morevoluminous
voluminousmetamorphic-origin
metamorphic-originminerals
mineralsare
are
given
givenininTable
Table2.
2. Most
Most of
of the
the metamorphic
metamorphic minerals,
minerals, as
as isisto
to be
beexpected
expectedinin
greenschist
greenschist facies
faciesrocks,
rocks, show
showminor
minorvariation
variationininindividual
individualminoral
mineralcompositions;
compositions;
two
two minerals,
minerals,plagioclase
plagioclaseand
andepidote,
epidote, show
showmajor
majorcompositional
compositionalvariation.
variation.
Plagioclase
varieties:
— an5
an5and
and— an40.
a m . The
Thelarge
largeplagioclase
plagioclase
Plagioclaseisispresent
presentinintwo
two
varieties:
crystals
an40and
and are
are partially
partially sausuritized;
saussuritized; these
these grains
grains
crystalshave
haveaacomposition
compositionofof— anw
are
are interpreted
interpretedas
as relict
relictigneous
igneousplagioclase.
plagioclase. The
The small
small matrix
matrix grains
grains of
of plagioplagioclase
an5;these
thesegrains
grains are
are interpreted
interpreted as metamorphic
metamorphic plagioclase
plagioclase generatgeneratclase are
are —ans;
ed
of the
the breccia
brecciamatrix.
matrix. The
The variation
variation in
inepidote
epidotecomposition
composition
ed by
by recrystallization
recrystallizationof
probably
probably represents
represents crystallization
crystallization of
of epidote
epidote over
over aa range
rangeof
of temperatures;
temperatures;high-Al
high-A1
epidote
epidote usually
usually crystallizes
crystallizes at
at aahigher
highertemperature
temperaturethan
thanthe
thehigh-Fe
high-Feepidote.
epidote.

-

-

-

35

-

�In
Insummary:
summary: aa classic
classic greenschist
greenschistfacies
faciesmineralogy
mineralogyof
of albite,
albite,epidote,
epidote,
muscovite,
muscovite, biotite,
biotite, actinolite,
actinolite, and
and chlorite
chlorite overprints
overprints the
the primary
primarymineralogy
mineralogyof
of the
the
debris
debris flow
flow which
whichincluded
includedfinely-crystalline
finely-crystallinequartz,
quartz,glass
glassand
andaltered
alteredglass
glass(pelite),
(pelite),
and
anddetrital
detrital quartz,
quartz, plagioclase,
plagioclase, and
and mafic
mafic minerals
minerals grains.
grains.

Table
Table1.1. Whole
Whole rock
rock analyses
analyses of
of the
the samples
samples of
of the
thevolcanic
volcanicbreccia
brecciawhich
whichwere
were
affected
by
low-grade
metamorphism.
Analyses
by
XRAL.
affected by low-grade metamorphism. Analyses by XRAL.
S102
AL203 CAO
NA2O K20
K20 FE203
T102 P205
P205 LOl
S102 AL203
CAO MOO
MGO NA20
FE203 FEO
FEO MNO
MNO TI02
LO1 SUM
SUM
0.58
0.15
3.20100.3
3.40
1.72
6.25
4.30
0.08
16.0
3.84
4.00
LN97-3-1A 61.0
61.0 16.0 3.84 4.00 3.40 1.72 6.25 4.30 0.08 0.58 0.15 3.20100.3
LN97-3-1A
LN97-6-1B
LN97-6-19 63.2
63.2 16.5
16.5

6.03
99.8
6.03 2.15
2.15 3.53
3.53 1.49
1.49 5.30
5.30 3.10
3.10 0.07
0.07 0.51
0.51 0.11
0.11 0.85
0.85 99.8

Table
Table2.2. Chemical
Chemical analyses
analyses of major
major greenschist-facies
greenschist-facies minerals
minerals in
in the
the volcanic
volcanic

breccia.
breccia. Analyses
Analysesby
byelectron
electronmicroprobe
microprobeat
atUW-Madison.
UW-Madison.
hi-Al epidote

biotite

chlorite

37.9

35.2

25.3

0.3

1.7

0.1

23.9
23.9

28.0

16.8

20.9

10.6
10.6

10.9
10.9

5.6

20.2

23.2

MnO
MnO

0.2
0.2

0.2
0.2

0.2

0.3

MgO
MgO

13.4
13.4

10.3

16.3

CaO
CaO

11.3
11.3

actinohte
actinolite

b-Al
lo-AIeDidote
eoidote

5102
Si02

55.5
55.5

37.0
37.0

1102
Ti02

0.0
0.0

-----

A1203
A1203

5.1
5.1

FeO
FeO

Na20
Na20

K20
K20
TOTAL
TOTAL

1.6
1.6

0.1

23.1
23.I

24.3

-----

0.2
0.2
=

97.9
97.9

96.2

95.1
95.1

0.1
0.1

0.4

9.9

0.1

94.4

86.7

REFERENCES
REFERENCES

Kresz, D.U. and Zayachivsky, B., 1989, Precambrian geology, Barbara, Meader and Rfher
Pifher
Townships;
2536-2537,91 p.
Townships; Ontario
Ontario Geological
Geological Survey,
Survey, rpt 270 with maps 2536-2537,91
Mackasey,
Mackasey, W.O., 1975,
1975, Geology of Dorothea, Sandra, and Irwin Townships, District of
Thunder
2294,83 p.
Thunder Bay;
Bay; Ontario
Ontario Division
Division of Mines, rpt 122 with map 2294,83
1998,An
An Archean
Archean subaqueous
subaqueous heterolithic
heterolithic debris
debris flow,
flow, Irwin,
Irwin, Pifher, and Meader
_______ ,1998,
Townships,
44thAnnual
Annual Institute
Instituteon
on
Townships,Lake
Lake Nipigon
Nipigon Region,
Region, Ontario
Ontario(extended
(extendedabstract):
abstract):44th
Lake
44.
Lake Superior
Superior Geology
Geology meeting,
meeting, Minneapolis,
Minneapolis,Minnesota,
Minnesota,v.
v. 44.
36

�ThE
THEBARRON
BARRONSAPROLITE:
SAPROLITE:CONFIRMATION
CONFIRMATIONOF
OF MATURE
MATURE CHEMICAL WEATHERING
IN
IN THE
THE SOURCE
SOURCE FOR
FOR PALEOPROTEROZOIC
PALEOPROTEROZOIC QUARTZ
QUARTZ AREMTES
ARENITESIN
INTHE
THELAKE
LAKE
SUPERIOR
REGION
SUPERIOR REGION
MEDAMS,
MEDARIS,L.G.,
L.G., Jr.,
Jr.,Dept.
Dept.ofofGeology
Geology&amp;&amp;Geophysics,
Geophysics,Univ.
Univ. of
ofWisconsin-Madison,
Wisconsin-Madison,
1215 W.
W. Dayton
Dayton Street,
Street,Madison,
Madison,WI,
WI,53706,
53706,medaris@geology.wisc.edu
medarisgeology.wisc.edu
It
It has
has long
long been
been inferred
inferred that
that the
the post-1760
post-1760 Ma
Ma supermature
supennature Baraboo,
Bamboo, Sioux,
Sioux,Barron
Barren and
and related
related
quartz
arenites
were
derived
from
sources
that
experienced
mature
chemical
weathering,
due
quartz arenites were derived from sources that experienced mature chemical weathering, dueto
to
the
in
the
the near
near absence
absence of
of feldspar
feldsparin
in the
the arenites
arenites and
and predominance
predominance of
of kaolinite
kaolinite and
and pyrophyllite
pyrophyllite
in
the
-- - argillaceous
1983; Ojakangas
Weber,
al., 1986). Paleosols
argillaceous strata
strata (Don,
(~ott,1983;
Ojakangas and ~
e b e r1984;
,
Southwick et al.,
Paleosols
have been recognized
recognized beneath
beneath the
the Baraboo,
Baraboo, Sioux,
Sioux, and
and Barron
Barren quartzites
quartzites (Medaris
(Medaris et
et al.,
al., 1997;
1997;
Southwick
of aa continuing
continuing investigation
investigationto
to
Southwick and
and Mosler, 1984),
1984), and
and the
the present
present report
report is
is part of
determine
determine the chemical
chemical maturity
maturity of such
such paleosols
paleosols and to evaluate
evaluate the climatic
climatic conditions
conditions
associated
associated with genesis
genesis and
and deposition
deposition of the supermature
supennature sedimentary
sedimentary rocks.
rd- ,xL ------rA-A large
large outcrop
outcrop of
of red saprolite
saprolite occurs
occurs beneath
beneath the
A
Barton
Ban-on Quartzite
Quartzite on
on the
the south
southbank
bank of
of Weirgor
Weirgor Creek,
Creek,
—lOOm
east
of
Reichel
Road,
in
Rusk
County
(NWI/4,
-100m east of Reichel Road, in Rusk County (NW114,
R7W). The closest basement
Sec 9,
9, T36N, R7W).
basement exposure
exposure
SWll4,Sec
SWI/4,
is
milesouth,
south,where
wheremetatonalite
metatonalite crops out on
is —J/2
-% mile
on both
both
sides of Reichel Road. Although
Althoughthe
the saprolite
saprolite and
and metametamile apart,
tonalite
tonaliteoutcrops
outcropsare
areV2
%mile
apart, the
the close
close similarity
similarityin
in
their textures
textures (Fig. 1)
1) makes the metatonalite
metatonalite a reasonable
reasonable
protolith
orotolith candidate. The
Themetatonalite
metatonalitehas
has inequigranular
ineauimular
- texture,
texture, in
in which
which large
large quartz
quartz grains
grains are
are surrounded
surrounded by aa
medium- to fine-grained
fine-grained granoblastic
granoblastic assemblage
assemblage of quartz,
Figure 1. Polished
Barron
polishedslabs
slabsof
ofBarron
plagioclase, hornblende,
homblende, epidote, and opaques.
opaques. The texture of metatonalite
metatonalite protolith
protolith and
and saprolite;
saprolite;
metatonalite has
has been preserved
preserved in
in saprolite,
saprolite, in which
which large
large light
light grains
grainsare
are quartz.
quartz.
the metatonalite
relict quartz
grains
are
surrounded
by
a
matrix
of
finer-grained
quartz grains are surrounded
finer-grained
Table 1.
1. Chemical
Chemical Analyses
Analyses
quartz,
quartz, kaolinite-rich
kaolinite-rich domains
domains (after
(after feldspar),
feldspar), hematite-rich
hematite-rich domains
domains %
(2)
(3)
(2)
(3)
(1)
70.25
67.85
-10
Si02
(after
(after hornblende),
hornblende), traces
traces of
of sericite
sericiteand tiny, euhedral
euhedral crystals of
Sioz
~i02
67."
0.24
70.25
0.29
-10
0
crandallite-florencite(aluminophosphate
(aluminophosphateminerals).
minerals).
A1203
14.00
16.15
o
crandallite-florencite
AIQs
7.05
+9
5.63
Fe203
The
The most striking
strikingfeature
featureof
of the
the saprolite
saprolite chemical
chemical composition
composition $;FMnO
0.00
0.07
-100
0.09
-97
Mgo
2.41
is the virtual absence
absence of
of MnO,
MnO, MgO,
MgO, CaO
CaOand
andNa2O
Na20 and the low
MOO
2.41
0.09
-97
concentration
concentration of K20
K20 (Table 1).
1). The
Thechemical
chemicalindex
indexof
ofalteration
alteration
o3 -100
-lE
0:58
57
1.17
(CIA)
for
the
saprolite
is
95.7,
illustrating
the
high
degree
x2o
(CIA) for the saprolite is 95.7, illustrating the
degree of
of
KSJ
1.17
0.58
-57
',05
m5
maturity
maturity attained
attained by
by chemical
chemical weathering
weathering of
of the saprolite
saprolite [CIA
[CIA ==
I'%
LO1
0.70
5.53
100.06
99,91
100*A1203/(AI2O3+CaO+Na2O+K2O)
on
a
molar
basis].
The
isocon Sum
lOO*Al203/(Al203+CaO+Na~0+K20)
on a molar basis]. The isocon
sum
99.91
1m.w
method (Grant, 1986)
1986) has been used to evaluate
evaluate the magnitude
magnitude of
ppm
..Ã
14
8
-52
8
-52
Rb
14
chemical
changes
associated
with
weathering,
taking
metatonalite
chemical changes associated
mitatonalite as
Sr
321
90
-76
Sr
protolith for
for the saprolite.
saprolite. When
Whenoxides
oxidesand
andelements
elementsin
insaprolite
saprolite
Ba
251
31
-89
Ba
91
00
80
91
Zr
80
and
and protolith
protolith are
areplotted
plottedagainst
againsteach
eachother
other(Fig.
(Fig.2),
2),A1203,
A1203,TiO2
Ti02 and
and
Barron metatonaliie
metatonalite protolith
(1)
Barren
pmtoli
Zr lie on a straight
straight line,
line, an
an isocon,
isocon, along
along which the relative concenBarron sapmliie
saprolite
(2) Barren
trations of
trations
of the defining
defining constituents
constituents remained
remained constant
constant dunng
during
% change relative
(3) %change
relativeto
to isocon
isocon

r
,.

37

:
;5

7:

;3
4:

i::

�weathering. The
Therelatively
relativelysmall
smalldeviation
deviationof
ofFe203
Fe203
40
40
/
from the isocon may be
he due to an unrepresentative
unrepresentative
concentration of Fe203
in the
the assumed
assumed protolith, rather
o 5*SiO:
concentration
Fez03 in
&lt; / O.5'5i02
30
than
than its mobility. The
The isocon slope of 1.15
1.15
&lt;D 30
+
.corresponds
corresponds to a 13%
13% mass
mass decrease
decrease during
during
0.
weathering,
weathering, when MnO,
MnO, MgO,
MgO, CaO
CaO and
and Na20
Na20were
were
20
2o
effectively
effectively completely
completely removed,
removed, and
and K20,
K20, P205,
P20s, Rb,
Rh, Sr
Sr g
and Ba were substantially
substantially removed from
from metatonalite
metatonalite
5
m
(Table 1).
1).
0 . m
(Table
10 -Fe2%'".2oow2o5
•OPSr
The Baraboo
Barahoo Quartzite
Quartzite is
is also
also underlain
underlain by
by aa
7 •SOl'Rb
saprolite
saprolite on Baxter
Baxter Hollow
Hollow granite
granite (Medaris
(Medaris et
et al.,
al.,
e° •
,'lo*T102
I!••
00
1997), and application
application of the
the isocon
isocon technique
technique to
to the
the
1997),
00
10
20
30
40
10
20
30
40
Baraboo
saprolite yields
Barahoo saprolite
yields an
an isocon
isocondefined
definedby
byAl203
A1203
Barron protolith
protolith
and Ti02
Ti02with a slope of 1.14,
1.14,corresponding
corresponding to
to aa 12%
12%
diagram for Barron
Figure
2.
Isocon
mass decrease, similar
similar to
to that
that for
for the
the Barron
Barron saprolite.
saprolite.
protolith
saprohte; oxides
in wt%,
protolith and saprolite;
oxides m
Chemical maturity
matunty of
of Baraboo
Barahoo saprolite
saprolite is comparable
comparable to that elements
elements in ppm.
of Barron saprolite, as
as indicated
indicated by the
""
levels of depletion in
in MnO,
MnO, MgO,
M ~ O CaO,
:C~O,
6
60
60 - A %
Na20, Sr
Sr and
and Ba
Ba (Fig.
(Fig. 3). Depletion
Depletion of Si02
Si02
".. %
40
both saprolites,
is --'10%
-10% in both
saprolites,and
and—'30%
-30% Fe203
Fe203 § 40 : A
A
- 20
20 Baraboo. Following
was removed at Barahoo.
Following
9
weathering of the
the Baraboo
Barahoo saprolite,
saprolite, K20
Â£2
2-rn 00
Rb were reintroduced by hydrothermal
-20
and Rh
hydrothermal
-20 fluids, which were channeled
channeled along
along the
the
§'
sub-Baraboo unconforrnity
unconformity during
suh-Barahoo
60
metamorphism.
metamorphism.
-80
The Barron and other
other contemporaneous
contemporaneous
b00
. " m " m . n
saprolites exhibit a high degree of
&amp; Â ¡ &amp; m0
Q0
' &amp;a ' 0S , Q Q Q Q
°
mineralogical
mineralogical and
and chemical
chemical maturity,
maturity,
x
g
~
us
s
a
~
+
similar
Figure 3. Comparison of
similar to that found
found in
in present-day
o f chemical changes
changes in
in Bàrron
Barren
and Baraboo saprolites;
s~prolites;elements and oxides arranged
arranged
weathering zones
zones in
in humid,
humid, warm
warm climates,
climates,
in order
order of decreasing ionic
ionic radius.
radius.
where intense chemical
chemical leaching
leaching is
is characteristic,
characteristic, in
demonstrating the existence of a tropical environment in the Lake Superior region at
thereby demonstrating
-4750-1650 Ma.
-1750-1650
Ma. Such
Suchaaclimate,
climate,combined
combinedwith
withaastable
stabletectonic
tectonicsetting,
setting,was
wasessential
essentialfor
for
supermature features of the Baraboo, Barron and Sioux quartzites.
generating the supennature
Acknowledgments
Acknowledmzents I'm indebted to Mike Mudrey, who drew my attention to the Barron saprolite
saprolite
and provided a locality map, and to Jim Grant, who enlightened me regarding the isocon method.
References
Dott,
Don, R.H. Jr. (1983)
(1983) Geol. Soc.
Soc. Amer. Memoir 160,
160, 129-141;
129-141; Grant, J.A. (1986)
(1986) Econ.
Econ. Geol.,
Geol.,
v. 81, 1976-1982;
1976-1982; Medaris, L.G. Jr. eta!.
et al. (1997)
(1997)43rd
43rd Inst.
Inst. Lake
Lake Superior
Superior Geol.,
Geol., 39-40;
39-40;
Ojakangas, R.W. and Weber, R.W. (1984) Minn. Geol. Sun'.,
Surv., Rept.
Rept. Inv.
Inv. 32,
32, 1-15;
1-15;Southwick,
Southwick,
Mossler, J.H.
D.L. et al. (1986) Geol. Soc. Amer. Bull., v. 97, 1432-1441;
1432-1441; Southwick, D.L. and Mossier,
(1984) Minn. Geol. Sun'.,
Surv.,Rept.
Rept.Inv.
Inv. 32,
32, 17-44.
17-44.
-

-

/

-

-

7

-

-

I

•

•

.

.

.

.

.

0

-

38

-

�TOURMALINE-BEARING
VEiNS IN THE BARABOO QUARTZITE: A NEW
TOURMALINE-BEARING QUARTZ VEINS
OCCURRENCE
OCCURRENCE OF THE ALKALI-DEFICIENT TOURMALINE,
TOURMALINE, FOITITE
FOITITE
MEDA1US,
L.G.,
Jr.and
FOURNELLE,
J.H.,
Department
of
Geology
&amp; Geophysics,
Geophysics,
MEDARIS, L.G., Jr.and FOURNELLE, J.H., Department
University
University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1215
1215 W. Dayton Street, Madison, WI, 53706;
53706;

medarisgeology.wisc.edu;
johnfgeology.wisc.edu
medaris@geology.wisc.edu; johnf@geology.wisc.edu
Tourmaline
Tourmaline has long
long been known to occur in quartz veins in the Baraboo
Baraboo Quartzite,
Quartzite, but its
its
chemical composition and geological significance have
have never
neverbeen
been assessed.
assessed. The present
investigation was undertaken to characterize this tourmaline, as part of an ongoing project to
establish the mineralogical and chemical composition of Proterozoic rocks in the Baraboo
Bamboo Range.
Three samples of tourmaline-bearing
tourmaline-bearing quartz
quartz
veins from low in the Bamboo
Baraboo stratigraphic
stratigraphic section
section
on the south limb
limb of the Baraboo
Baraboo syncline
syncline were
were
selected for investigation:
investigation: sample I)
1)aa folded,
folded, 1.5
1.5
cm thick quartz
quartz vein in
in the
the regolith
regolith of
of the
the Baraboo
Baraboo
paleosol from drill core 613 in Baxter Hollow;
sample 2) a 3 cm thick quartz vein in quartzite in the
SE ¼
'A Sec. 29, Baxter Hollow; and sample 3)
3) a 3 mm
nun
thick, tourmaline-rich
tourmaline-rich quartz vein in quartzite and
metapelite in the NW ¼
'A Sec. 35, Pine Hollow. All
All
three samples
samples are mineralogically
mineralogically simple, consisting
of quartz,
quartz, specular
specular hematite
hematite and
and tourmaline.
tourmaline.
Tourmaline
Tourmaline occurs in clusters
clusters of small, randomly
Figure 1. Photomicrograph
tourmaline,
Photomicrograp~of
oftourmaline,
oriented
oriented pleochroic
pleochroic crystals
crystals (Fig.
(Fig. 1),
l), in
in which
which
sample 3, plane polarized light
= pale
o=
0
pale to medium
medium grayish
grayish blue
blue and
and EE == colorless.
colorless.
Tourmaline analyses
Tourmaline
analyses were obtained
obtained by wavelength
Table
Electron microprobe
Table 1. Electron
microprobe analyses
analyses
5X50 instrument,
quartz veins
dispersive
tournialine from quartz
of tourmaline
veins in
in
dispersive spectrometry on a Cameca SX50
using
instrument, using
Baraboo
Quartzite
Barabw
Quartzite
a 15
kV
accelerating
voltage,
a
10
nA
beam
current,
a
beam
15
accelerating voltage, a 10 nA beam current, a beam
2
3
sample
1
2
3
sample
p.m.the
the(bpZ
pZ reduction
diameter of 1 pm,
reductionsoftware,
software, and a
wt%
combination of natural and synthetic
combination
synthetic minerals
minerals as
as standards.
standards.
35.14
Si02
35.14 35.23 35.18
35.18
tourmalme by electron
Analysis of tourmaline
Analysis
electron microprobe
microprobe presents
presents aa
34.86
2O3
35.05
A
~ O S 34.00
34.00 35.05
34.86
14.59
challenge because
13.98
FeO
13.98 12.35
12.35 14.59
to measure
measure Li
Li and
and H
H directly,
directly, FeO
challenge
because of
of the inability
inability to
1.11
0.00
MgO
0.49
0.49
1.11
0.00
MgO
the difficulty in determining B and 0
0 precisely, and the
Na20
0.62
0.55
0.47
uncertainty in valency of transition elements. Nevertheless,
Nevertheless,
8
Sum
84.23
84.29 85.09
results
are
achieved
by
normalizing
acceptable
acceptable results
achieved normalizing cations
cations to
to 24.5
cations p.fu.
cationsp.~u.
5.96
6.00
5.96
Si
6.00
5.96
5.96'
Si
oxygens
HzO- and
and B203-free
B203-free basis and assuming
assumingaa
oxygens on an H206.85
6.98
6.96
Al
6.96
6.85
6.98
A1
B atoms
atoms and
and 331
0 atoms
stoichiometric formula containing 33 B
10
1.75
2.07
Fe
2.00
2.07
Fe
2.00
1.75
ofF).
(in the absence of
F). Tourmaline
Tourmalinewas
wasanalyzed
analyzed for
for Si,
Si, Ti, Al,
Mg
0.12
0.28
0.00
Fe, Mn, Mg, Ca, Na, K, F, and Cl, but only Si, Al, Fe, Mg, and Na
0.20
0118
ohs
N~
0.20
0.18
0.15
occupancy
are Fe-rich,
Fe-rich, site occupancy
TheBamboo
Baraboo samples
samplesare
Na were detected (Table 1). The
5.96
6.00
5.96
T(6)
6.00
5.96
5.96
T(6)
the Y-site is effectively
effectively filled
filled with Fe and Al
A1 (means
(means and
6.00
&amp;00
6.00
Z(6)
z(6)
6.00
6.00
6.00
standard deviations are 2.96±0.05,
2.96±0.08 and 2.98±0.06
2.96+0.05,2.96+0.08
2.98L0.06
3.01
3.03
y(3,
2.97
for the three samples),
samples), indicating
indicating the absence of Li, and the
o.is
0120
0.18
0.18
0.15
X(O-1)
0.20
x(0-1)
X-site is largely vacant, containing
containing subordinate
subordinate amounts of Na.

,.

1

r°

39

�Thus,
Thus, the
the composition
composition of
of Baraboo
Barabootourmaline
tourmalineisis close
close
to type
foitite
and
lies
in
a
field
near
the
foitite
corner
type foitite and lies in
comer
of a plane defmed
definedby
by the
the tourmaline
tourmaline end-members,
end-members,

,

foitite

foitite
[O(Fe2+2A~)Aksi60~~(Bo3)3(oH)3(oH)],
foitite[D(Fe22Al)Al6SioOia(BO3)3(OH)3(OH)J,
schorl
8(B03)3(OH)3(OH)J,
schorl[Na(Fe2s)AloSisOj
paCFe2+~)A&amp;O~s@O~)3(0I^OH)],

and
and their
their Mg
Mg counterparts
counterparts(Fig.
(Fig. 2).
2).
&gt;c
All
three Baraboo
Baraboosamples
samplesare
arealkali-deficient,
alkali-deficient,with
with
All three
A
cores
0.5&lt;X0c0.9,
0.5&lt;X60.9, although
althoughthey
theyeach
eachoccupy
occupyaadifferent
different
field
field in Fig. 2. The
TheFe
Fe##ininsample
sample33isis99-100
99-100 and
and in
in
sample
is 90-95,
90-95, but
but sample
sample22isismore
moremagnesian,
magnesian,
sample 22 is
with the
Fe#
of
rims
being
70-85
and
of
cores,
the Fe# of rims being 70-85 and of cores, 35-55.
35-55.
The
The effective
effectiveoperation
operationof
of the
thecoupled
coupledexchange,
exchange,
90
100
60
70
60
50
40
30
X(D)
Fe#
Y(A1) ==X(Na)
X(Na) +
+ Y(Fe+Mg),
Y(Fe+Mg), is
is illustrated
illustrated by
by
X(D) ++Y(Al)
F&amp;
4
schorl
schorl
the linear
linear covariance
covariance of
of Al
A1 and
and Fe+Mg
Fe+Mg (Fig.
(Fig. 3).
3).
Figure
2.
Fipe
2-Compositional variation of
Most analyses
extend
from
the
theoretical
composition
of
analyses extend from
theoretical composition
Baraboo
tourmaline
Bamboo
tourmalineininterms
termsof
ofX-site
X-site
foitite
(6 Al,
foitite (7 Al,
Al, 22 Fe+Mg)
Fe+Mg) toward
toward that
that for
forschorl
schorl(6
Al, 33
vacancy,
0,
and
Fe#,
I
0O*Fe/(Fe+Mg)
vacancy,
0,
and
Fe#,
100*Fe/(Fe+Mg)
Fe+Mg), although
although the
the cores
cores of
of tourmaline
tourmaline in
in sample
sample33 are
are
3.C
more
more aluminous,
aluminous,extending
extendingtoward
toward88Al
Aland
and11Fe+Mg,
Fe+Mg,
* type fofte
\....
0 sanplel
which,
which, in
in the
the absence ofF
of Fand
andLi,
Li, suggests
suggeststhe
the presence
presence of
of
A sample2
\..
4

.

an
[D(Fe2Al2)Al6Si6O13(BO3)3(OH)3O].
anoxy-foitite
oxy-foititecomponent
component
[D(Fe2+A12)A16S&amp;O18(B03)3(OH)30].

•

b.

2.5
25
Foitite
Foititeisis aa relatively
relativelyuncommon
uncommonvariety
varietyof
oftourmaline
tourmaline
%Nq
:
t
that
has
been
described
from
late-stage
hydrothermal
veins
that has been described from late-stage hydrothennal veins ?
?jk
associated
associatedwith
with granitic
granitic pegmatites
pegmatites and
and from
from metasomatized
metasomatized If
wall
wall rocks
rocks in
in areas
areas of
of Pb-Zn mineralization. Such
Suchfoitite
foitite
"- 2.0
2o
:
differs
differs from
from that
that at
at Baraboo
Barabooin
incontaining
containingappreciable
appreciable
quantities
quantities of
of Ti,
Ti, Mn,
Mn,Ca,
Ca, Li
Li and
and F,
F, depending
dependingon
onlocality,
locality,
A
and
andin
in being
beingassociated
associatedwith
withaavariety
varietyof
ofsilicate
silicateminerals,
minerals,
1.5
6.0
6.5
7.0
7.5
6o
65
7o
75
includingalbite,
albite,adularia,
adularia,micas
micasand
andzeolites,
zeolites,among
amongothers.
others.
including
Al,
A aptu
am
In
In contrast,
contrast,the
theBaraboo
Baraboofoitite
foititeisischemically
chemicallysimple,
simple,
3.0
30
1Vs8mp183
containing
containingonly
onlySi,
Si,Al,
Al,Fe,
Fe,Mg
Mgand
andNa
Na(+
(+B+O+H),
B+O+H),and
andisis
•\\
accompanied
accompanied solely
solely by quartz
quartz and hematite. The
Thechemical
chemical
. \
2.5
25
constitution
constitutionand
andalkali
alkalideficiency
deficiencyof
ofBaraboo
Barabootourmaline
tourmalineare
are
•.•.c,,v
"\..v
%..
V
V,
consistent
consistentwith
with its
its environment
environmentof
of formation
formationin
in hydrohydroÃˆ.
a
t
2.0
thermal
thermal veins
veinswithin
withinBaraboo
Baraboometasedimentary
metasedimentaryrocks.
rocks.
a,
&amp; 20
+
During
post-Penokean
folding
and
low-grade
metaDuring post-Penokean folding and low-grade metae
U.
LL.
3%.
morphism,
morphism, hydrothermal
hydrothermalfluids
fluids migrated
migrated through
through the
the
15
-\\
1.5
v
chemically
chemicallymature
mature Baraboo
Baraboo sequence,
sequence, which
which consists
consists almost
almost
+...
V\
B
entirely
entirelyof
of5i02,
SiOa,Al203
A1203and
andFe203,
Fe203, where
where they
theyscavenged
scavengedBB
%
.1
1.0
10
and
and the
the few
fewother
otherelements
elementsnecessary
necessaryto
toprecipitate
precipitatequartz,
quartz,
60
65
7o
75
8o
6.0
6.5
7.0
8.0
7.5
Al, apfu
am
hematite,
hematite, and
and alkali-deficient
alkali-deficient tourmaline. Thus,
Thus,the
the
Figure
3. Covariance
Covarianceof
ofFe+Mg
Fe+Mg
Figure3.
chemical
chemicaland
and mineralogical
mineralogicalcompositions
compositionsof
ofhydrothermal
hydrothermal
(Y-and
and Z-sites)
Z-sites)
(Y-site) and
and Al
A1(Y('V-site)
quartz
quartzveins
veins in
in the
the Bamboo
Baraboo range
range are
are inherited
inherited in
in part
part from
from
in
Bamboo
tourmaline;
scale
in
in
Baraboo
tourmaline;
scale
in
Proterozoic
Proterozoicweathering
weatheringand
andsedimentation
sedimentationprocesses.
processes.
.

&amp;
I

.

,

.

'%.

.

t\;\\
\\

.

Â
%
¥.

!

atomsper
performula
formulaunit
unit
atoms

40

�Metal, Gold
Gold and
and Carbonatite
Carbonatite Exploration
Kimberlite, Base Metal,
Exploration Targets,
Derived From Overburden
Overburden Heavy Mineral Data, Killala Lake Area,

Northwestern Ontario.
MORRIS,
MORRIS, T.F., SAGE,
SAGE, R.P., Ontario
Ontario Geological
Geological Survey, 933
933 Ramsey
Ramsey Lake
Lake Road,
Road,
Sudbury,
ON. P3E
tom.morris(ändm.gov.on.ca; CRABTREE, D.C.,
D.C., Ontario Geoscience
Sudbury, ON.
P3E 6B5, tom.morrisfaindm.gov.on.ca;
P3E 6B5.
Laboratories, 933 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury,
Sudbury, ON., P3E

ABSTRACT
Since
Since 1993,
1993, the Ontario
Ontario Geological
Geological Survey
Survey (OGS)
(OGS) has
has conducted
conducted aa series
series of
of Quaternary
Quaternary mapping
mapping
and overburden
overburden sampling
sampling programs
programs to assess
assess the diamond potential of the
the Kapuskasing
Kapuskasing Structural
Structural
A suite
suiteof
of heavy
heavy
Zone (KSZ). Kimberlite
Kimberlite is
is recognized as
as the primary host
host rock for
for diamond.
diamond. A
minerals (Cr-pyrope
minerals
(Cr-pyrope garnet,
garnet, chromite,
cbromite, Mg-rich ilmenite,
ilmenite, Cr-diopside
Cr-diopside and
and forsteritic
forsteriticolivine)
olivine)are
are
commonly
KIMs).
commonlv associated
associated with kimberlite
kimberlite and
and are
are referred
referred to
to as
as kimberlite
kimberlite indicator
indicator minerals
minerals(KIMs).
The typeiand
types and distribution
distribution of
of KIMs
KIMs recovered
recovered from
from these
these programs
programs clearly
clearly demonstrate
demonstratethat
that the
the
KSZ has excellent potential for hosting diamond-bearing kimberlite.
kimberlite. To
To date,
date, 22 occurrences
occurrences of
of
diamond-bearing rock and
diamond-bearing
and kimberlite
kimberlite have
have been
been discovered
discovered in
in the
the Wawa
Wawa area
area (KWG
(KWG Resources
Resources
1nc.ISpider Resources
Resources Inc.,
Inc., Press
Press Release,
Release, 20/08/97;
20108197; Canabrava
Canabrava Diamond Corporation,
Corporation, Press
Press
Inc./Spider
Band-Ore Resources
Release, 09/12/97;
09/12/97; Band-Ore
Resources Ltd., Press
Press Release
Release 10/02/00;
10102100;Pele
Pele Mountain Resources
Resources
Release,
Inc., Press Release,
Release, 10/02/00).
10/02/00).
Following the success
success of the KSZ Quaternary
Quaternary mapping
mapping and overburden
overburden sampling
sampling programs,
programs,
plans to assess
similar
structures
in
other
parts
of
Ontario
were
made.
One
such
assess similar structures in other parts of Ontario were made. One sucharea,
area, the
the TransTransfrom Michigan
Michigan north-northeast
north-northeast into
intoOntario,
Ontario,west
west of
of
Superior Tectonic Zone (TSTZ), extends from
Marathon.
Marathon. Kimberlites
Kiberlites straddle
straddlethe
the structure
structurewithin
within Michigan
Michigan and
and ultramafic
ultramafic lamprophyres,
lamprophyres,
which may belong
"clan", are recognized in association with the TSTZ in
belong to the kimberlite "clan",
Ontario.
Ontario. The
The TSTZ
TSTZ represents
represents aa fault
fault system
system that
that has
has accommodated
accommodated emplacement
emplacementof
of upper
upper
mantle derived
derived material.
material. To
To evaluate
evaluate the
the kimberlite
kimberlitepotential
potential of
of the
the TSTZ
TSTZ in
in Ontario,
Ontario,an
an area
area
between the towns of Marathon and Terrace
Terrace Bay was chosen for Quatemary
Quaternary mapping
mapping and
and stream
stream
sediment and till sampling.
Collected
overburden
samples
were
processed
to
determine
KIM
sampling. Collected overburden samples
determine KIM
signatures.
signatures.

In addition
addition to KIMs,
KIMs, overburden
overburden samples
samples were
were processed for
for metamorphic
metamorphic or
or magmatic
magmatic
gold grains and carbonatite indicator
massive sulphide indicator minerals (MMSIM ),
), gold
indicator minerals.
minerals.
The MMSIMs
MMSIMs are
are associated
associated with
with 33 main types
types of
of base
base metal deposits:
deposits: 1)
1)volcanosedimentary
volcanosedimentary
massive sulphides
sulphides in
in high grade
grade regional
regional metamorphic
metamorphic terrain;
terrain; 2) skarn
skarn and
and greisen
greisen deposits;
deposits; and
and
3) magmatic
Ni-Cu
sulphides.
The
composition
of
gahnite,
a
rare
and
important
MMSIM
magmatic
sulphides. The composition of gahnite, a rare and important MMSIM
associated with metamorphosed
associated
metamorphosedvolcanosedimentary
volcanosedimentarymassive
massive sulphide
sulphide deposits,
deposits, can
can also
also be used
used
to indicate
indicate the presence
presence of
of rare-element
rare-element pegmatite.
pegmatite. The
The presence
presence and
and distribution
distribution of
of MMSIMs
MMSIMs
and gold grains
grains recovered
recovered from
from overburden
overburden sampling
samplingprograms
programs completed
completed over
over the
the KSZ
KSZ defined
defined
several
several important
important base
base metal,
metal, rare-element
rare-element pegmatite
pegmatite and
and gold
gold exploration
exploration targets.
targets.

This presentation
presentation provides
provides data
data and preliminary
preliminary interpretations
interpretations on the types
types and
and distribution
distribution
of kimberlite
kimberliteheavy
heavy mineral
mineral indicators
indicators(KIMs),
(KIMs), metamorphic
metamorphicor
or magmatic
magmatic massive
massive sulphide
sulphide
indicator minerals (MMSIMs), gold grains
grains and carbonatite
carbonatite indicator
indicator minerals
minerals from
from modern
modem
Registered Trademark,
Trademark, Overburden
Overburden Drilling
Drilling Management
Management Drilling
Drilling Limited
Limited
41

�alluvium and till samples collected in the Killala Lake area, northwestern Ontario. This data can
be used to focus exploration efforts for kimberlite (diamonds), base metal, gold and carbonatite
(rare earth )) deposits. A total of 230 modern alluvium and 82 till samples were collected from
across the study area.

modern alluvium and till samples, 8 bedrock samples were collected
In addition to the modem
and processed to characterize their heavy mineral composition. Orientation surveys
surveys were
were
completed over the Prairie Lake
Lake Carbonatite,
Carbonatite,Major
MajorGeneral
GeneralResources
ResourcesLtd.'s
Ltd's Spider
Spider Lake
Lake base
base
metal deposit and Cameco Gold Inc.'s
Inc.'s Empress
EmpressHill
Hill gold
gold deposit.
deposit. These
Thesesurveys
surveysdefined
defined
overburden heavy mineral signatures
signatures associated with each deposit type. Bedrock and overburden
overburden
data obtained from the orientation surveys
surveys were used to help interpret heavy mineral signatures
signatures
derived from the regional overburden sampling program.
From the overburden samples,
samples, a number of kimberlite indicator minerals, base metal indicator
minerals,
carbonatite
iiidicator
minerals, carbonatite indicator minerals and a few gold grains were recovered. This data will be released in
number 6013,
6013,April
April2000.
an Ontario Geological Survey Open File Report, number
2000.

42

�Nature and distribution
distribution of
ofLogan
Logandiabase
diabase sills
sills and
and gabbro
gabbro channels
channelsin
inthe
the
Keweenawan Rift near Thunder
Thunder Bay,
Bay,Ontario:
Ontario: Brief
Brief comparison
comparison to
to Noril'sk
Noril'sk

-

Jon
NorthAtlantic
AtlanticNickel
NickelCorp.
Corp.
Jon North
North- North
Flat-lying
Flat-lyingLogan
Logandiabase
diabasesills,
sills, vertical
verticaldiabase
diabasedikes,
dikes, and
andlayered
layeredgabbro
gabbrocomplexes
complexes
intrude
intrudelower
lowerProterozoic
Proterozoicand
andArchean
Archean rocks
rocksin
inthe
thenorthwest
northwestcorner
cornerof
ofthe
theKeweenawan
Keweenawan
Rift.
These
1108
Ma
plutonic
and
hypabyssal
rocks
are
broadly
contemporaneous
Rift. These 1108 Ma plutonic and hypabyssal rocks are broadly contemporaneouswith
with
thick
thick sequences
sequences of
of flood
flood basalt
basaltof
of the
the North
NorthShore
ShoreVolcanic
VolcanicGroup
Groupand
andOsler
OsierGroup
Groupinin
northern
northernLake
LakeSuperior
Superiorand
andthey
they ostensibly
ostensibly represent
representthe
themagma
magmapathways
pathwaysfor
forthe
theflood
flood
basalts.
basalts. South
Southof
of Thunder
ThunderBay,
Bay,aarugged,
rugged,upland
uplandarea
areaof
ofdiabase-capped
diabase-cappedcuestas
cuestas
occupies
occupies aa 70
70 km
km by
by30
30km
kmnortheast-trending
northeast-trendingtopographic
topographicfeature
feature--the
the"Logan
"LoganBasin"
Basin"-between
betweenThunder
ThunderBay
Bayand
andthe
theMinnesota
Minnesotaborder.
border. The
The Keweenawan
Keweenawan diabase
diabase caps
caps of
of
the
above valleys
valleys and
and canyons
canyons
thecuestas
cuestas(i.e.
(i.e. the
theLogan
LoganSills)
Sills) commonly
commonly rise
rise 15Cm
150 mabove
underlain
underlainby
by deeply
deeply eroded
erodedflat-lying
flat-lying sedimentary
sedimentaryrocks
rocksof
of the
the lower
lowerProterozoic
ProterozoicRove
Rove
Formation
Formation of
of the
the Animikie
Animikie Group.
Group. Northwest
Northwestof
ofthe
theLogan
LoganBasin
BasinArchean
Archeangranitoid
granitoidrocks
rocks
of
of the
the southern
southernSuperior
SuperiorProvince
Provinceform
form low
low rolling
rolling hills. Southeast
Southeastofofthe
theLogan
LoganBasin
Basin
the
thetopography
topographyisisaarugged
ruggedupland
uplandarea
areaof
ofnortheast-trending,
northeast-trending,linear
linearridges
ridgesformed
formedby
by
vertical
verticaldiabase
diabaseand
andgabbro
gabbrodikes
dikesintruded
intrudeddiscordantly
discordantlythrough
throughthe
theflat-lying
flat-lyingstratigraphy
stratigraphy
of
ofthe
the Animikie
AnimikieGroup.
Group. Geological
Geologicalmaps
mapsofofthe
thearea
area(e.g.
(e.g.Smith
Smithand
andSutcliffe
Sutcliffe1987;1989,
1987;1989,
Pye
and
Fenwick
1963)
tentatively
illustrate
NE-trending
faults
on
the
NW
and
Pye and Fenwick 1963) tentatively illustrate NE-trending faults on the NW andSE
SEsides
sides
of
the
Logan
Basin.
of the Logan Basin.
The
I), high
TheLogan
LoganBasin
Basinhas
hasrelatively
relativelyhigh
hightotal
totalmagnetic
magneticintensity
intensity(TM
(TMI),
highmagnetic
magneticrelief,
relief,
and
andlong
longwavelength
wavelengthmagnetic
magneticanomalies
anomaliescaused
causedby
bythe
theflat-lying,
flat-lying,magnetic
magneticdiabasediabasecapped
cappedcuestas.
cuestas. North
Northofofthe
theLogan
LoganBasin
Basinaadomain
domainofoflow
lowTMI
TMIand
andlow
lowrelief
reliefcoincides
coincides
with
Archeancrust
crustand
andsoutheast
southeastof
ofthe
theLogan
LoganBasin
Basinhigh
highTMI,
TMI,high
highrelief,
relief,and
andhigh
high
with Archean
frequency
magnetic
anomalies
coincide
with
the
area
of
northeast-trending
diabase
frequency magnetic anomalies coincide with the area of northeast-trending diabase
dikes.
dikes.Northeast
Northeastand
andeast-trending
east-trendingfaults
faultscan
canbe
beinterpreted
interpretedas
asthe
theboundaries
boundariesofofthe
the
Logan
LoganBasin.
Basin.

The
Thejuxtaposition
juxtapositionofofthe
thedomain
domainofofsills
sillsofofthe
theLogan
LoganBasin
Basinagainst
againstthe
thedomain
domainofofdikes
dikestoto
the
thesoutheast
southeastcan
canbe
bereconciled
reconciledininan
anhypothetical
hypotheticalcross
crosssection
sectionififthe
theLogan
LoganBasin
Basinisis
interpreted
interpretedas
asaagraben
grabenwhere
wherethe
thetransition
transitionfrom
fromvertical
verticaldikes
dikesto
tohorizontal
horizontalsills
sillsisis
preserved
preservedat
atdepth.
depth.The
Thenortheast-trending
northeast-trendingdikes
dikestotothe
thesoutheast
southeastare
arevertical
verticalconduits
conduits
to
tothe
theLogan
Logansills
sillsunroofed
unroofedby
byerosion
erosionininaahorst-like
horst-likefeature.
feature.
In
In1995
1995aalocal
localprospector
prospectordrilled
drilledaa499
499mmvertical
verticalhole
holeinto
intothe
theLogan
LoganBasin
BasinininBlake
Blake
Township
Townshipand
anddiscovered
discoveredan
anunusual,
unusual,131
131m-thick
m-thicksulphide-bearing
sulphide-bearinggabbro
gabbrobelow
belowthe
the
Logan
Sills.
Lighifoot
and
Lavigne
(1995)
compared
the
geology
and
texture
of
the
Logan Sills. Lightfoot and Lavigne (1995) compared the geology and texture of the
gabbro
gabbroto
tothe
thefertile
fertileNi-Cu-PGE
Ni-Cu-PGEbearing
bearingsub-horizontal
sub-horizontalgabbro
gabbrochannels
channelsbelow
belowthe
theflood
flood
basalt
basaltsequence
sequenceatatNoril'sk,
Noril'sk, Siberia,
Siberia,the
theworld's
world'slargest
largestnickel
nickeldeposit.
deposit.
North
NorthAtlantic
AtlanticNickel
Nickelsubsequently
subsequentlydetermined
determinedthat
thatthe
thegabbro
gabbrowas
wasaaflat-lying,
flat-lying,
northeast-trending,
northeast-trending,taxitic-textured
taxitic-texturedintrusion
intrusionup
upto
to130
130mmthick
thickwhich
whichpinches
pinchesdown
downtotoaa
normal-looking
normal-lookingLogan
Logandiabase
diabasesill
sillless
lessthan
than20
20mmthick
thickwithin
within300
300mmofofthe
thecentre
centreofofthe
the
intrusion.
intrusion.An
Aninterpretation
interpretationisisthat
thatthe
thetransition
transitionfrom
fromvertical
verticaldikes
dikestotohorizontal
horizontalsills
sillsinin
the
theLogan
LoganBasin
Basinisisaccompanied
accompaniedby
byhorizontal
horizontalmagma
magmachannelling.
channelling.This
Thisdiscovery
discovery
underscores
underscoresthe
thepotential
potentialfor
forNoril'sk-type
Noril'sk-typeNi-Cu-PGE
Ni-Cu-PGEconcentrations
concentrationsininthe
thebasal
basalpart
partofof
the
Rift
theflood
floodbasalt
basaltsequence
sequenceofofthe
theKeweenawan
Keweenawan
anidea
ideathat
thathas
hasbeen
beendeveloped
developed
Rift—-an
and
andadvanced
advancedby
byseveral
severalworkers
workersininthe
thepast
pastdecade.
decade.
43

�References
Lightfoot, P.C., and Lavigne, M.J.,
M.J., 1995. Nickel,
Nickel, copper, and platinum group element
mineralization
in
Keweenawan
intrusive
rocks:
new targets in the Keweenawan
mineralization Keweenawan intrusive
Keweenawan of the
Thunder Bay
Bay region, northwestern Ontario. Ontario
Ontario Geological
Geological Survey
Survey Open
Open File
File Report
Report
5928, 32
32 p.
p.

Fenwick, K.G.,
KG., 1963.
Pye, E.G., and Fenwick,
1963. Atikokan-Lakehead
Atikokan-Lakehead Sheet, Map
Map 2065, Ontario
Department of Mines, Geological Compilation Series, scale 1:253,440.
Smith,
A.R., and Sutcliffe, R.H.,
Smith. A.R.,
R.H., 1987. Keweenawan
Keweenawanintrusive
intrusive rocks
rocks of the Thunder Bay
Bav
area, in
in Summary of Fieldwork, 1987. Ontario
OntarioGeological
Geological Survey
Survey Miscellaneous
Miscellaneous Paper
paper
137, p. 248-255.
A.R., and Sutcliffe, R.H.,
R.H., 1989. Precambrian
Smith, A.R.,
Precambrian geology of Keweenawan
Keweenawan intrusive
intrusive
River area;
area; Ontario
rocks in the Crystal Lake-Pigeon River
Ontario Geological Survey, Map P. 3139,
Geological Series - Preliminary
Preliminary Map,
Map, scale
scale 1:50,000.
1:50,000. Geology 1987.

44

�GEOMETRY BETWEEN
GEOMETRY
BETWEEN GOLD-RICH
GOLD-RICHSUBSIDARY
SUBSIDARY SHEAR
SHEAR ZONES
ZONES AND
MAJOR
MAJOR STRUCTURES:
STRUCTURES: IMPLICATIONS
IMPLICATIONS FOR
FOR ARCHEAN
ARCHEAN
LODE-GOLD
LODE-GOLD MINERAL
MINERAL EXPLORATION
EXPLORATION
DEAN M. PETERSON

Department of Geology, University
Minnesota -- Duluth
University of Minnesota
Detailed
GIS-based spatial
spatial analysis
analysis of
of the three
Detailed GIs-based
three largest
largest Archean
Archean lode-gold
lode-gold mining
mining camps
camps in
in
Canada
Canada has led
led to
to the
thedevelopment
developmentof
ofsome
someseemingly
seeminglyfundamental
fundamentalgeometric
geometric relationships
relationships
between major structures, subsidiary
subsidiary structures,
structures, and
and gold
gold mineralization.
mineralization. The lode-gold
between
lode-gold mining
camps included in the
Lake, and Hemlo
Hemlo
the analysis
analysis are
arethe
theTimmins,
Timmins,Kirkland
KirklandLake
Lake—- Larder Lake,
districts, which together have produced approximately 115 million ounces of gold. Additional
analysis of the Noranda, Cadillac, and Malarctic
analysis
Malarctic gold camps
camps of northwestern
northwestern Quebec
Quebec corroborate
corroborate
the original
original findings, and add strength to the implications
implications of the model. The relationships
relationships link the
location and
and size
size of gold
location
gold mines
mines with
with the
the sense
sense of
ofshear,
shear,stress
stressregime
regime(compression
(compression verses
verses
extension verses parallel), and
and distance to
to the
the major
major structures
structures in
in each
each camp.
camp. Additional analysis
doduments the
the relationship
relationship between
between the
the location
location and size of gold
gold mines
mines to
to the
the orientation
orientation and
and
distance
distance to subsidiary
subsidiary shear zones in the
the camps.
camps. These relationships allow the
the exploration
exploration
geologist to quickly develop specific lode-gold
lode-gold structural
structural targets
targets based
based on
on the
the simple
simple analysis
anaiysis of
of
geologic
maps.
geologic maps.
For this study,
study, the major
major shear
shear zones
zones were
were divided
divided into
into compressional,
compressional, extensional, and shear
parallel segments
based on regional
maps and
and literature
literature review
review (see
(see inset map of
parallel
segments based
regional geological
geological maps
Figure 1). GIS
GIs analysis
analysis has
has shown
shown that
that essentially
essentially all
all of
of the
the gold
gold in
in the
the camps
camps has
has been
been mined
mined
a). In
within 6 kilometers of major
major shear
shear zones
zones (Table
(Table 1la).
In addition,
addition, greater
greaterthan
than 98%
98%of
of the
the gold
gold in
in
the three camps has been mined from zones of regional compression (Table
(Table lb).
ib). Together, these
facts lead to the conclusion
conclusion that lode-gold
lode-gold mineral exploration programs should be targeted upon
areas
areas within 6 kilometers
kilometers of compressional
compressional zones
zones of
of major
major shear
shearzones.
zones.

Inset

H

.4P

N\

1St
Order Shear
Shear Zone
Zone.
1st Order
'\\

yP&amp;IeI

212T
21.27'

-

\'

\

163.670
163.67'

Figure 11
Figure

, 59.700

\_

*

—

--

\

Order Shear Compression
Compression Zone
1st Order
Zone

7

Regional shear
shear zone
zone classification
classification(inset
(insetmap)
map)and
androles
rulesfor
forclassifying
classiing the geometry
of
Regional
geometry of
associated with
with major
major structures. Angles
subsidiary shear zones spatially associated
Angles are
are measured
measured along
along
arcs from
points, in the same direction as the major structures
ares
Son) inferred intersection points,
structures sense of
shear.
shear.
45

�Proximity (A)
(A) and
and structural
structural (B)
(B) relationships
Table I1 Proximity
relationships between
between lode-gold
lode-gold mines
mines and
and major
major structures
structuresfor
for
Timunins,
Kirkland
Lake-Larder Lake, and Hemlo gold
the T
iins,K
i a n d Lake-Larder
gold camps,
camps, Ontario.
Ontario.

-

A) Proximity
Proximity Analysis
A)
Analysis

Distance to Major
Structure
&lt;3
&lt; 3Kilometers
Kilometers

33—6
- 6 Kilometers
Kilometers

&gt;6
&gt; 6Kilometers
Kilometers

B) Structural
Structural Analysis
Analvsis

Mined Gold
(million
Oz)
(million Oz)

Structural
Structural
Setting
Selling

Mined
Mined Gold
Gold

Gold

(million Oz)
(million
Oz)

Gold
Gold

83.108
83.108
32.100
32.100
0.235
0.235

72.0%
72.0%
27.8%
27.8%
0.2%

Compressional
Extensional
Extensional
Parallel

113.539
113.539
1.877
1.877
0.027

98.35%
1.63%
1.63%
0.02%
0.02%

((%)
%)

Table
Table 22
Proximity
Proximity (A) and structural
structural (B) relationships
relationships
between lode-gold mines and subsidiary
subsidiary
structures for the T
Timmins,
structures
i i n s , Kirkland LakeLarder Lake,
Lake, and Hemlo
Hemlo gold
gold camps
camps
A)
Proximity
Analysis
A) Proximity Analvsis

Distance to
Subsidiary Shear
&lt;200
&lt; 200meters
meters
200—250
- 250 meters
meters
200

Mined Gold

1%)
('%)

(millionOz)
Oz)
(million

Gold

108.417
108.417
5.869
5.869
0.5 10
0.510
1.157

93.91%
93.91%
5.08%
5.08%
0.44%
0.44%
1.00%

250—300
250
- 300 meters
&gt; 300 meters

Bl Structural Analvsis (250 m Buffer1
Subsidiary Shear Mined Gold
t%&gt;
(%)
Gold
Angle
~ n &amp;
(million
Oz)
(million Oz)
106.252
106.252

160°
- 180Â
180°
160Â¡

140°- 160°
120°- 140°

1.398

100° - 120°
80° - 100°

0.000
0.400
0.000

60° - 80°
400 - 60°
20° - 40°
0° - 20°

0.006
0.860
4.170

1.200

92.97%
92.97%
1.22%
0.00%
0.35%
0.00%
1.05%
0.01%
0.75%
3.65%

(%)
1%)

-

For this study, the relationship between the major
and
has been defined
and subsidiary
subsidiary structures
structures has
defined by
by
measurements along an arc in the same
same direction
as the
the dominant
dominant sense
sense of shear
shear of the
the major
major
structure (Figure
(Figure 1).
1). Each
structure
Each subsidiary
subsidiary shear zone
segment has
has an
an associated
angle to the major
segment
associated angle
major
structure
stored
in
its
associated
GIS
database.
structure stored
its associated GIs database.
The location of gold mines and their production
records in each camp were spatially
records
spatially linked
linked with
shear zone.
zone. The
the nearest subsidiary
subsidiary shear
The outcome
outcome
spatial analysis
analysis isis given
2.
of this
this spatial
given in
in Table
Table 2.
Approximately 99% of the gold in the camps has
Approximately
been mined
been
mined within
within 250 meters
meters of
of aa subsidiary
subsidiary
In
addition,
(Table 2a).
2a).
addition, subsidiary
subsidiary
shear zone (Table
high-angle (160°-180°,
Figure 1)
1) structures
structures in the
(1600-180Â°Figure
compressional
zones of
of the major
compressional zones
major structures
structures
account for
ofall
all gold
gold mined
mined in the camps
-93% of
for —93%
(Table 2b).
Table 33 display the
Area calculations in Table
usefulness of this analysis
usefulness
analysis for gold
gold exploration.
exploration.
Programs that
that would
would be targeted upon the highhighPrograms
subsidiary in
in regional
regional compresangle (160°-l80°)
(160"-1800) subsidiary
sional
zones would
would reduce
reduce the
the total
total area to be
sional zones
be
Similar
targeting
criteria
in
explored
by
99%.
explored by 99%.
lode-gold
exploration
programs
would
greatly
lode-gold exploration programs
greatly
lower
lower cost,
cost, reduce
reduce time,
time, and
and would
would quickly
quickly
vector the program
vector
program into areas
areas of
of high
high lode-gold
lode-gold
mineral potential.

-

Table 33 Tabulation
Table
Tabulation of
of the
the total
total GIS
GIS map
map area,
area,areas
areaswithin
withm 250
250meters
metersof
ofhigh-angle
high-anglesubsidiary
subsidiaryshears,
shears,
and
explorationwould
wouldbe
be targeted
targetedonly
onlyinin
and percentage
percentage of
of the
the map
map area
area reduced
reduced ifif exploration
the most favorable
favorable areas
areas of
of the
the three
three mining
mining
-camps.
.

~Mining
Camp
Camp
Hemlo
Hemlo
Timmins
Timmins

Kirkland

GIS Map 2
Area
( ~ m )
Area (Km2)

2280.00
4106.00
2414.00

~~

5 Buffer Around Hi-angle0 Percentage Reduced from
~
Area (Km2) of2SOm
Total
Map Area
Area
(&gt; 1607
Subsidiary Shears
Shears
Total Map
160°) Subsidiary

"

5.55
5.55
19.04
19.04

24.94
24.94

46

99.70%
99.70%
99.42%
99.42%
98.70%
98.70%

�GEOLOGIC
GEOLOGICAND
AND GIS-BASED
GIs-BASED LODE-GOLD
LODE-GOLD &amp;
&amp; VOLCANOGENIC
VOLCANOGENICMASSIVE
MASSIVE
SULFIDE
SULFIDE(VMS)
(VMS) MINERAL
MINERAL POTENTIAL
POTENTIALMAPS
MAPS OF
OFA
A PORTION
PORTION
OF
OFTHE
THEARCHEAN
ARCHEAN VERMILION
VERMILIONGREENSTONE
GREENSTONEBELT,
BELT,
NORTHEASTERN
NORTHEASTERNMINNESOTA
MINNESOTA
DEAN M. PETERSON

Department
Departmentof
ofGeology,
Geology,University
Universityof
of Minnesota
Minnesota -- Duluth
Duluth
Lode-gold
Lode-gold and VMS
VMS mineral
mineral potential
potential maps
maps of
of aaportion
portionofofthe
theArchean
ArcheanVermilion
Vermiliongreenstone
greenstone
belt
belt in
in northeastern
northeastern Minnesota
Minnesota have
have been
been developed
developed from
from the
the digital
digitalincorporation
incorporationof
ofthe
thelodelodegold and VMS ore deposit models into spatial analysis of a new 1:100,000
1:100,000 scale geologic map of
the
the study
study area.
area. The
TheGIS-based
GIs-basedmineral
mineralpotential
potentialmodels
modelsincorporated
incorporatedfuzzy-logic
fuzzy-logic techniques
techniques of
of
map
map combination
combination using
using variations
variations of
of knowledge-driven
knowledge-driven (ore deposit
deposit model)
model) and
and data-driven
data-driven
(analog
(analog mining camp analysis) techniques. Inference
Inferencenets
nets depicting
depictingthe
the mineral
mineral potential
potential models
models
are
presented
in
Figure
1
(lode-gold
model)
and
Figure
2
(VMS
model).
are presented in Figure 1 (lode-gold model) and Figure 2 (VMS model).

.a

STEP I

Weld
Spatial

STEP 2

Dab
Ptocasmg

a

Collect Spatial
Date and Input
into GIS

GEOLOGIC
GEOLOGIC
STRUCTURES
STOUCTURES

Extraction of GIS
Features Relevant
to the VMS Ore

2. Cetass burg

—

I. Recteifr

——

ladoeda

I.tOtder

Prolimhiaiy

Maptof
Selected GIS

Peanuts

PoId

3rd Ott

Aalt

Shass

l.ExwtRoekTypa
2. Crate baea

I. Babies mapped eats
2. Qeeiy Database

3. C*

3. Ct.att Baits

—I
S

Aakarile SandIa SadISt

—I—
ASisli'

QFP

Pynte Afida —

Sa

GOLD
GOLD
ANOMALIES
ANOMALIES

COMPETENCY
COMPETENCY
CONThASTS
CONTRASTS

LthSse

I. Emct C-to

2. Reclassify Types

LCeateBaff

froesG

____________________
Tails

——

tabs.

.a

S0
ALTERATION
ALTERATION

ASSOCIATED
ASSOCIATED
HOST
ROCKS
HOSTROCKS

it

Soils

!ssa)cael
s_

— Wth_
of Evidence

Fany tut(O.lI
Map
Overlay
%Overlay

STEP
STEP33

to Peedsice
=
*
Intenuedisee

Factor Maps

STRUCTURAL
STRUCTURAL

F-

Integration

i

i

HOSTROCK
HOSTROCK

ALTERATION
ALTERATION
Factor
F-

Factor

1

GEOChEMICAL
GEOCHEWCAL
Factor
Facto'

i

ROCK
RHEOLOGY
ROCKRHEOLOGY
Factor
Factor

Modelling
UwkOsss

Overlay of
Intermediate
Factor Maps
to Pyodece the
Final Predictive
Map

04
Map Weightings

Map Woifligs

-

LODE
MAY
LODEGOLD
GOLDMINERAL
MINERALPOTENTIAL
POTBtTTUU.
MAP

Figure
Figure1.1. Inference
Inference net for
for the
the three-step
three-step GIS
GIs model
model of
ofthe
thelode-gold
lode-gold mineral
mineral potential
potential of
of the
theArchean
Archean

Vermilion
Minnesota. The
Vermilion greenstone belt, Northeastern, Minnesota.
The three
three steps
stepsare:
are:1)1)Detailed
Detailedgeologic
geologic
mapping
Conversion of all
all data
datainto
intoprimary
primary
mapping and compilation
compilation of
of all
all available
available geologic
geologic data.
data. Conversion
GIS
datasets;2)
2) Extracting
Extractingand
and enhancing
enhancingthe
the features
featuresof
ofthe
theprimary
primarydatasets
datasetsthat
thatare
areimportant
important
GIs datasets;

for predicting
deposits; and
and 3) Integration
predicting lode-gold
lode-gold deposits;
Integration of the
the preliminary
preliminary maps
maps using
using GIS
GIS
modeling
modeling techniques
techniques that
that predict
predict mineral
mineralpotential.
potential.

47

�Build
Build

Collect
Collect Spatial
Spatial
Inpul
Data and Input
Data

Spatial
Spatial

into
into GIS

GIs

Database

Extraction
Extractionof
of GIS
GIS
Features
Features Relevant
Relevan
to
to ±e
theVMS
VMS Ore
Ore
Deposit
Deposit Model
Model

.

.

sTEP 1

•

S

MAPPED

BEDROCK
13EDROCK
GEOLOGY
GEOLOUY

ALTERATION
Al.Tf-RATION
ZONES
ZONES

ROCK,
ROCK.CORE,
CORE.SOIL
SOIL REGIONAL
REGIONAL
&amp; LAKE
MAGNETICS
A
LAKk SEDIMENT
SEDIMENT MAGNI-IlCS
GEOCHEMISTRY
GEOCHEMISTRY

.

AIRBORNE &amp;
GROUND
EM
GROUNDFM
CONDUCTORS
CONDUCTORS

————t——t——±—H—
,
II . ~Reclaatij
e~la~~ify
2 Extract
2.
EM contacts
con3. Create
Cteate buffers
buflrs

I.
I. ~Classi
. ~ExtractAitTypes
x t r a c t A l ~1~classifyinterval~
~ ~ intervals
2. Create buffers
2. Grid soil &amp; lakes
3.
Buffer
rock
Ctassifr
3. Classify
rock &amp;
&amp; core
core

II. .CompileTF
C . &amp; T FMae
M ~ ~1.IExtractEM
.E~~~~~~EM
2. Reduce
pole
Claaai'
Reduce to
topole
2. Classify
3. Calculate
Calculate 2VD
2VD
4. Extract
Polygona
ExtractPolygons

STEP 22
STEP

Data
Data
Processing
roccssiog

Preliminary
Preliminary
Maps
Maps of
of

Selected GIs
GIS
Selected
Features
Features

contacts
contacts

1

Quattz-

contacts
contacts

Epedote

Volcanic-Sedsment
contacts
Greenstone
Subvolcanic
Sequences
Inmiatotia

Msnerattzed
Intxut,ves

*
-Na20 ChIotite Pyrite

Cu Zn
Soila

Cu Zn
Lake

Cu Zn
Rocks
Core

2"VD

Ground

Aithonse

Mag

EM

EM

Assign Weights
Weights
Assign
Evidence
of Evidence

Fair weights to - I)
Fuzzyweighs(0-1)

Map Overlay
MapOverlay

STEP 3
STEP

Integration
itegration
Modelling
toddling

to Produce
Produce
to
Intermediate
Intermediate
Factor Maps

1

Overlay of
Intermediate
Intermediate
Factor Maps
to Produce
Produce the
Final Predictive
Predictive
Map

1

1

STRATIGRAPHY
STRATIGRAPHY HEAT
HEAT
Factor
Factor
Factor
Factor

1

ALTERATION
ALTERATION
Factor
Factor

rILiTt

1

GEOCHEMICAL
GEOCHEMICAL
Factor
Factor

VVMS
M S MINERAL POTENTIAL MAP

1

MAGNETIC
Factor
Factor

Â

EM

Factor

0.20

VMSTARGETSI
TARGETS
!____rIVMS

GIS modeling of the VMS potential of the mineral
mineral potential of
of
Figure 22 Inference network for the 3-step GIs
the Archean Vermilion greenstone belt.
belt, Northeastern,
Northeastern, Minnesota.
Minnesota. The
The three
three steps
steps in
in the
thestudy
study
are: 1)
1) Detailed
Detailed geologic
geologic mapping
mapping and compilation
compilation of
of all
all available
available geological,
geological,geochemical,
geochemical,and
and
geophysical data.
data. Conversion
Conversion of
of all
all data
data into
into primary GIS
GIs datasets;
datasets; 2) Extracting and enhancing
the features of the primary
VMS deposits; and 3)
the
primary datasets that are important
important for predicting
predicting VMS
Integration of
of the preliminary
Integration
preliminary maps
maps using GIS
GIs modeling
modeling techniques
techniques that predict
predict mineral
mineral
potential.

Unlike similar greenstone belts of the Canadian Shield in Canada, the Vermilion greenstone belt
Minnesota remains
remainsunder-explored.
under-explored. One
One of the main reasons
reasons that the area has
of northeastern
northeastern Minnesota
seen little mineral exploration was
was due
due to
to the
the discovery of
of the
the great
great iron
iron deposits in
in the
the 1870's.
Iron companies acquired great tracks of land
and
essentially
prevented
precious
and
base
land and essentially prevented precious and base metal
metal
exploration for over a century. Recent
Recentmapping
mappinghas
hasshown
shownthe
thepresence
presenceof
ofvery
verylarge-scale
large-scaleVMS
VMS
alteration systems (&gt; 19
19km
km strike
strikelength
lengthofofsemi-conformable
semi-conformable quartz-epidote
quartz-epidote alteration)
alteration) and
and
gold-mineralized shear systems analogous to Archean gold camps
camps in Canada.

The mineral potential
potential maps
maps integrate
integrateimportant
important geological,
geological, geochemical,
geochemical, and
and geophysical
geophysical data
data
mapped and compiled by the author with ore deposit models. The
Theore
oredeposit
depositmodels
modelshave
havebeen
been
largely developed
developed from
from the
the study
study of mines within the Canadian Shield and western Austrailia.
largely
Areas on the
the maps
maps with
with high
high modeled
modeled VMS
VMS and
and lode-gold
lode-gold mineral
mineral potential
potential should
shouldbe
beexamined
examined
in detail by
or
in
by exploration
exploration geologists
geologists because
because they
they possess
possess geologic
geologic features
features indicative
indicative of
ofmaj
major
districts.
mining districts.

48

�Samuels Lake Intrusion:
Intrusion: A PGE-bearing Quetico-type Intrusion
Intrusion in the
Central, Western
Western Quetico
Quetico
Central,
Subprovince, Northwestern Ontario
Ontario
•I
2
Keiko H. ~
Hattori
Neil T. Pettigrew
pettigrewl,, Kbiko
a t t o r iand
and
' John
John A. Percival
perciva12
I

I.
Ont Canada,
1. Dept
Dept.of
ofEarth
EarthSciences,
Sciences, University
University of Ottawa, Ont.
Canada,KIN
KIN 6N5
6N5
Survey of
of Canada,
Canada, Ont. Canada,
Canada, KIA 0E8
2. Geological Survey
OE8
An array of mafic-ultramafic
mafic-ultramafic bodies known as the Quetico
Quetico intrusions
intrusions occur
occur along
alongthe
the
northern boundary of the Quetico
Quetico subprovince
subprovince adjacent
adjacent to the Wabigoon
Wabigoon belt (Fig.
(Fig. 1).
1). This
This study
study
identified two previously
has identified
previously unrecognised
unrecognised Quetico-type
Quetico-type intrusions,
intrusions, the Samuels
SamuelsLake
Lake and
and
Redhorse Lake intrusions,
intrusions, in the central
central western Quetico
Quetico subprovince
subprovince (Fig.
(Fig. 1).
1). The
The Redhorse
Redhorse
the westernmost
westernmost identified
identified example
example of
of this
this type
type of
of
Lake intrusion near the US-Canada border is the
intrusion.
intrusion.
The Quetico
Quetico intrusions
intrusions characteristically
characteristically contain
contain hornblendite,
hornblendite, clinopyroxenite,
clinopyroxenite, minor
minor
appinite and are accompanied
appinite
accompanied by Cu-Ni-PGE mineralization.
mineralization. Larger intrusions
intrusionsalso
also contain
contain
wherlite, gabbro, diorite
diorite and syenite.
syenite. They are distinguished
distinguished from
from the mafic-ultramafic
mafic-ultramafic intrusions
intrusions
in the Wabigoon
Wabigoon and Wawa
Wawa greenstone
greenstone belts, such
such as
as the Bad Vermilion
Vermilion Lake,
Lake, Grassy
Grassy Portage,
Portage,
and Shebandowan
Shebandowan complexes,
complexes, by their
their lack
lack of
of associated
associated komatiities
komatiities and
and anorthosites.
anorthosites.
The 1999
1999 field
field season
season consisted
consisted of reconnaissance
reconnaissance work on
on the Quetico
Quetico intrusions
intrusionsalong
along
the subprovince
subprovince boundary
boundary and alkaline
alkaline intrusions
intrusions surrounding
surrounding the Samuels
SamuelsLake
Lake intrusion.
intrusion. Grid
Grid
mapping and sampling
were
conducted
on
the
Samuels
Lake
intrusion
which
was
chosen
for
sampling
conducted
Samuels Lake intrusion which was chosen for
detailed work due to recent
recent exploration
exploration activity
activity and a lack of previous
previous work.
The Samuels
Lake
intrusion
has
an
NE-SW
elliptical
form,
displaying
Samuels Lake intrusion
an
elliptical
displaying weak
weak concentric
concentric
zoning with a wehrlite
wehrlite core
core partially surrounded
surrounded by hornblendite
hornblendite and
and completely
completely surrounded
surrounded by
by
marginal clinopyroxenite.
clinopyroxenite. These
These units
units are
are cut
cut by small
small dikes
dikes and
and plugs
plugs of
of diorite.
diorite. The
The wehrlite
wehrlite
and clinopyroxenite
clinopyroxenite phases show
show aa gradational
gradational change
change in modal
modal abundance
abundance of
of constituent
constituent
and clinopyroxene
clinopyroxene (Mg#
(Mg# =0.83)
=0.83) with
with
minerals. The wehrlite is composed primarily of olivine and
minor phlogopite. Sulphides
%
Sulphides(pyrrhotite,
(pyrrhotite,chalcopyrite
chalcopyriteand
and pentlandite)
pentlandite) constitute
constitute up
up to
to 30
30 vol
vol %
with olivine
olivineand
andclinopyroxne
clinopyroxne suggest
suggest the
the separation
separation of
of
. The intergrowth textures of sulphides with
inuniscible
(&lt;0.06
immisciblesulphide
sulphide melt
melt from
fromthe
the parental
parental silicate
silicate magma
m a m a .. Low Ni f&lt;
0.06 wt%)
wt%)in
in olivine
suggests
suggests sulphide
sulphide saturation
saturation prior
prior or
or during
during olivine
olivine crystallization.
crystallization. The
The clinopyroxenite
clinopyroxenite contains
contains
clinopyroxene
(Mg#=
0.84)
variable
amounts
of
olivine
(Fo76)
and
minor
phlogopite
with
clinopyroxene (Mg#=
variable amounts of olivine (Fojyj) and minor phlogopite with trace
trace
sulphides.
sulphides. Homblendite
Hornblendite isis composed
composedof
of euhedral
euhedralpargasite
pargasite to
to magnesio-hornblende,
magnesio-hornblende,phlogopitic
phlogopitic
biotite, and plagioclase
plagioclase with
with trace
trace titanite,
titanite, pyrrhotite,
pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite,
chalcopyrite, and
and ilmenite.
ilmenite. Diorite
Dioriteconsists
consists
of plagioclase, magnesio-hornblende,
biotite,
quartz,
and
microcline
with
trace
pyrrhotite,
magnesia-hornblende, biotite, quartz, and microcline with trace pyrrhotite,
chalcopyrite,
ilmenite,
magnetite,
ilmenite,
magnetite, titanite,
titanite, and
and zircon.
zircon.
..
intrusion has undergone
The Samuels
Samuels Lake
~akeintrusion
undergone high temperature, deuteric
deuteric processes
processes and
and lowlowtemperature
temnerature retrograde
retrograde alteration.
alteration. The
The deuteric
deuteric phase
chase resulted
resulted in
in the
the formation
formation of
of hornblende
hornblende
after clinopyroxene,
clinopyroxene, and
andthe
theformation
formationof
oflow-Ti
low-Timagnetite.
magnetite.ItIt may
may have
have been
been accompanied
accompanied by
by
serpentinization of olivine.
temperature alteration
Low temperature
alteration produced tremolite-actinolite
tremolite-actinolite alteration of homblende,
hornblende,
chlorite after hornblende
homblende and
biotite,
and
carbonate
alteration.
Alteration
style
and biotite, and carbonate alteration. Alteration style and
and intensity
intensity vary
vary
between
between phases
phases and
and appear
appear to
to partially
partially control
control Cu-PGE
Cu-PGE mineralization.
mineralization.In
In the
the clinopyroxenite
clinopyroxenite

-

.

-

49

�phase, Cu-POE
Cu-PGE mineralization
mineralization occurs
occurs in areas
areas of intense
intense alteration
alteration of the border
border phase
phase with
with
associated
associated chalcopyrite-rich
chalcopyrite-rich blebs, inter-fingered with actinolite
actinolite and calcite. In wehrlite,
wehrlite, high
high
levels
of
POE
mineralization
occur
in
chalcopyrite-rich
zones
instead
of
pentlandite-pyrrhotite
levels PGE mineralization occur chalcopyrite-rich
pentlandite-pyrrhotite
rich zones. Small
veinlets in wehrlite
wehrlite may contain significant
significant amounts
amounts of
of apatite
apatite and
and
Small chalcopyrite
chalcopyrite veinlets
with elevated
POE
contents.
POE
mineralization
in
the
wehrlite
phase
is
associated
with
the
elevated PGE contents. PGE mineralization
associated with the
immiscible
immiscible sulphide
sulphide liquid,
liquid, indicating
indicating a magmatic origin. In the clinopyroxenite
clinopyroxenite border
border phase,
phase,
POE mineralization
PGE
mineralization is
is associated
associated with apatite, carbonate
carbonate and Cu enrichment
enrichment suggesting
suggestingthat
that
volatile-rich
PGEs.
volatile-rich fluid,
fluid, most
most likely
likely deuteric
deuteric in origin,
origin, were responsible
responsible for
for concentration
concentration of
of PGEs.
The
The Quetico-type
Quetico-type intrusions
intrusions may not be restricted
restricted to the Quetico
Quetico belt. The
The east-west
east-west
trending array
array of
of intrusions
intrusions may be extended
extended eastward into the Wabigoon
Wabigoon subprovince
subprovince to
to include
include
Lac Des Milles Lac, Demar Lake,
Lake, Taman
Taman Lake, Legris
Legris Lake, Lac Des Iles,
Iles, and
and Tip
Tip Oabbro
Gabbro
mafic-ultramafic
1). These
These intrusions
intrusions have similar
similar lithological
lithological assemblages
assemblages to
to the
the
mafic-ultramafic intrusions
intrusions (Fig.
(Fig. 1).
Quetico
Quetico intrusions.
intrusions. The
The mineralization
mineralization observed in Samuels
Samuels Lake and other
other Quetico
Quetico intrusions
intrusions
are also
also similar
similar to
to that
that in
in the
the clinopyroxenite
clinopyroxenitephase
phaseof
ofthe
theRoby
Robyzone
zoneininthe
the2692
2692+41-2
+4/-2 Ma
Ma Lac
Lac
Des Ties
mafic-ultramafic complex. If this correlation is supported by geochronology
lies mafic-ultramafic
geochronology in
in progress,
progress,
it will establish
2692 Ma.
establish that
that the
the Quetico
Quetico and
and Wabigoon
Wabigoon subprovinces
subprovinces were proximal
proximal by 2692

Figure
Figure1.1.Simplified
Simplifiedgeological
geologicalmap
mapof
ofWestern
WesternWabigoon,
Wabigoon, Quetico,
Quetico, and Wawa
subprovinces.
Solid,
finely
dashed
line
outlines
the
distribution
of
similar
subprovinces. Solid, finely dashed line outlines
distribution similar mafic-ultramafic
mafic-ultramafic
intrusions
intrusions across
across the
the Quetico-Wabigoon
Quetico-Wabigoonsubprovince
subprovince boundary.

50

�PETROGENESIS
PETROGENESISOF
OFTHE
THEENIGMATIC
ENIGMATICAURORA
AURORASILL,
SILL, MESABI
MESABI RANGE,
RANGE, MINNESOTA
MINNESOTA
PHILLIPS,
PHILLIPS,Erin
ErinH.
H.(ephillips@macalestetedu);
(ephillips@macalester.edu);Wirth,
Wirth,Karl
KarlR.,
R.,Geology
GeologyDepartment,
Department, Macalester
Macalester
St. Paul,
Paul, MN
MN 55105
and Morey, G.B., Minnesota Geological
55105 (wirth@macalesteiiedu);
(wirth@macalester.edu); and
College, St.
2642 University Ave.,
Ave., St.
St. Paul,
Paul, MN
MN 55114
Survey, 2642
syenitic Aurora Sill intrudes the Biwabii
Biwabik Iron-formation
Iron-formation of
ofthe
the Mesabi
Mesabi Range
Range in
in northern
northern MmMinThe syenitic
nesota. Since the work of White (1954),
(1954), the sill
sill has
has commonly
commonly been assigned
assigned aa Mesoproterozoic
Mesoproterozoic
(Keweenawan)
because of its resemblance to "red rocks" associated
associated with the Midcontinent
Midcontinent Rift in the
(Keweenawan) age because
Duluth region. The
Theage
ageof
ofthe
thesill
sillisisimportant
important to
to understanding
understanding the
the timing
timing of
of ore
ore formation
formation in
in the Mesabi
Mesabi
Range. In
In1999,
1999,Morey
Moreyproposed
proposedaaconceptual
conceptualmodel
model in
in which
which the
the high-grade
high-grade ores
ores formed
formed in
in aa regional
regional
ground-water
Strandlie (1999) argued that
ground-water system
system during
during Paleoproterozoic
Paleoproterozoic time. Subsequently,
Subsequently,Graber
Graber and Strandlie
nearby
appears
nearby high
high grade
grade ores
ores must
must have
have formed
formed in Mesoproterozoic
Mesoproterozoic or
or later
later time, because the
the Aurora Sill appears
to have controlled
controlledore-forming
ore-forming processes
processes in nearby mines. New
New data
datafrom
from this
this study
study imply
imply that
that the
the Aurora
Aurora
mineralogically and
Sill is quite different, both mineralogically
and geochemically,
geochemically,from
from known
known felsic
felsic rocks
rocks in
in the Midcontinent
Midcontinent
Rift. Thus,
Thus,the
the age
ageof
of the
the sill
sillremains
remains uncertain
uncertain and the possibility exists that it was intruded soon after
deposition of the Biwabik
deposition
Biwabik Iron-formation
Iron-formation in
in the
the Paleoproterozoic
Paleoproterozoic(ca
(ca 1878
1878Ma;
Ma; Fralick,
Fralick,1998).
1998).
The
Aurora
The Aurora Sill
Sill extends
extends approximately
approximately 5.6
5.6 km
km along
along the
the Mesabi
Mesabi Range
Rangenorth
northof
ofthe
thetown
townof
ofAurora
and ranges in thickness
thickness from 6 to 37 m
m (White,
(White, 1954). The sill was recently exposed
exposed during
during mining operaoperations in the NW 1/4,
NE 1/4,
T58N, R15W.
RISW. Due to the inaccessibility
inaccessibility of
the exposures
114,NE
114, sec 3, T58N,
ofthe
exposuresalong
along vertical
vertical
walls in the mine, samples were collected
collected from
from large
largeblocks
blocksalong
alongaabench
benchimmediately
immediatelyabove
abovethe
thesill.
sill. In
In
all, ten samples
samples were studied
from
this
locality
along
with
seven
samples
from
core
(16.4-38.1
m
in
depth)
studied
locality
in
see 2, T58N, R15W.
R15W. Fine-grained, porphyritic
porphyritic syenite
syenite from
from the
the margin
margin of
of
114, NE 1/4,
114, sec
drilled in the NW 1/4,
the sill exhibits
exhibits trachytic
trachytic texture;
texture; mediummedium- to
to coarse-grained
coarse-grained syenite
syenite in
in the
the interior
interior of
of the sill
sill lacks
lacks aligned
aligned
microcrysts (0.2-1.0
(0.2-1.0 mm)
mm)
plagioclase. Sodic
Sodicplagioclase
plagioclase(albite)
(albite)occurs
occurs as
as phenoerysts
phenocrysts (3.0-7.0
(3.0-7.0 mm) and microciysts
Maiic minerals
minerals in
in finefineand is extensively altered. Mafic
' ' ' ' #
' '
' ' #
'
' ' ' ' ' ' ' '
I15s
grained samples include
grained
include small
small (0.1-0.3
(0.1-0.3 mm)
mm) and
and
euhedral aegirine;
euhedral
aegirine;fibrous
fibrousamphibole
amphiboleand
andchlorite
chloriteare
are
common in the coarse-grained samples. Other
Otherminminerals
oxides, Fe sulfide,
sulfide, and zirerals are
are K-feldspar,
K-feldspar, Fe-Ti oxides,
3 ,oI0 con.
con. The presence
presence of two
two feldspars
feldspars indicates
indicates $
1
w
subsolvus crystallization at
at high
highPH2@
H2Q
0
Coarse-grained
Coarse-grained samples
samplescontain
contain50
50 modal
modal per- S
Mideontinent Rift
sodic plagioclase
plagioclase and
modal percent
cent sodic
and 5-20
5-20 modal
percent K-feldK-feld1
Granophyre Complexes
Complexes
4: 5
Graaopbyre
spar and are classified as syenite
syenite and alkali-feldspar
alkali-feldspar a?
Lester
Lester River Sill
Sill
these rocks insyenite. CIPW
CIPW norm
norm compositions
compositions of
ofthese
clude 68-82 percent alkali
alkali feldspar
feldspar (Or
(Or ++ Ab), 5-10
Endion Sill
sill
o 4o , , ,
, , , ,
, , ,
I
, , , ,
percent plagioclase (An), and as much as 5 percent
50
60
70
SO
60
70
80
nepheline; they are
are classified
classified as
as nepheline-bearing
nepheline-bearing
Si02
%)
Sio, (wt. %)
alkali syenite or
or nepheline-bearing
nepheline-bearing syenite.
syenite. FineFinegrained samples from along the margin ofthe sill congrained
from
margin ofthe con- Figure
Figure1.
1 Na20+K20
NaO+K20(total
(totalalkalis)
alkalis) versus Si02
SiO comparwmpartain 74-84 percent normative alkali feldspar (Or +
+
ing Aurora Sill rocks
rocks with
with those ofthe
of the Endion
Endion Sill, Lester
Lester
(&lt;4%) normative quartz
quartz and River Sill (Green, 1972; JJerde,
Ab) with small amounts (&lt;40h)n0rmative
1991), Midwntinent
Midcontinent Rift
d e , 1991),
are classified
classified as alkali
alkali feldspar
feldspar syenite.
granophyre complexes
complexes (Kennedy
(Kennedy et al., this volume),
volume), and
granophyre
Samples from
from the Aurora Sill exhibit
granophyric dikes of the Dunka River region (Harris
exhibit little
little granophyric
(Harris and
and
percent; Wirth, this
this volume).
volume). Symbols: inverted
geochemical
inverted triangles
triangles == drill
geochemicalvariation
variation(SiO2
(SO2=
= 54.6-60.7 wt. percent;
(open =
= fine-grained;
Y=
= 9-19
Mg#
mine (open
fine-grained;half-filled
half-filled==
core; diamonds
diamonds == mine
9-19 ppm) suggesting
suggesting that
that the core;
Mg# == 0.40-0.75; Y
filled
=
coarse-grained).
=
warse-grained).
medium-grained;
filled
medium-grained;
intrusion has undergone relatively little
intrusion
little internal frac-

1.0

6

,

51

�tionation.
Al 203 con159
so
tionation.All
Allofofthe
thesamples
samplesexhibit
exhibithigh
highA120i
concentrations
centrations and
andare
areperalurninous
peraluminous to
tometaluminous.
metaluminous.
There
There appears
appears to
tobe
beno
nocorrelation
correlationbetween
betweenstrucstructural
tural position
position in
in the
the sill
silland
andcomposition.
com~osition.Marked
Marked
00
0
differences
differencesexist
existininthe
theconcentrations
concentrationsofofsome
someeleelements
drillcore
coreand
and I
(e.g., K20
K 2 0and
and Si02)
SO2) between
between drill
ments(e.g.,
mine
minesamples
samples.Such
Suchdifferences
differencescould
couldreflect
reflectdifferdiffer- S-S
ent
entdegrees
degreesof
ofalteration
alterationororfractionation
fractionationalong
alongthe
the &amp; I
length
the sill.
lengthof
ofthe
sill.Alternatively,
Alternatively,the
thedifferences
differencesmight
might
reflect
reflectthe
thepresence
presence of
oftwo
twoseparate
separateintrusions,
intrusions, but
but
this
thisisisconsidered
consideredunlikely
unlikelybecause
becausethese
thesesample
sampletolocalities
are
well
within
the
5.6
km
expanse
of
the
sill
calities are well within the 5.6 km expanse ofthe sill
o
0
as
10
15
asdefined
definedby
by'White
White(1954).
0954).
"(}"')
yhmm)
The
Aurora
Sill
is
distinct
from
the
felsic
com~ h e ~ &amp; o sillis
r a distinct from the felsic comFigure2.2.Nb
Nbversus
v a ~Yplot
Yplot
s comparing
comparingAurora
AuroraSill
Sillsamples
samples
plexes
plexesofofthe
theMidcontinent
MidcontinentRift
Riftininseveral
severalrespects.
respects. Figure
withanalyses
analysesofofMidcontinent
MidcontinentRift
Riftgranophyre
granophyrecomplexes
complexes
The
andquartz with
Thesill
silllacks
lacksthe
thegranophyric
granophec textures
texturesand
(Kennedyetetal.5
flmvolume).
volume).Symbols
SymbolsasasininFigure
Figure1.1.
al., this
that
thatare
an.typical
typicalofoffelsic
f&amp;iC rocks
r o c kofofthe
theMidcontinent
Midcontinat (Kennedy

$

I

-

I

I

Rift.
Rift.The
Thesill
sillisisweakly
weaklysaturated
saturatedtotoundersaturated
undersaturated
ininsilica
silicaand
andcontrasts
contrastssharply
sharplywith
withthe
thesilica-saturated
silica-saturatedrift-related
rift-relatedgranophyres.
granophyres. Furthermore
Furthermorethe
theAurora
Aurora
Sill
Sillisischaracterized
characterizedby
byhigh
hightotal
totalalkalis
alkalis(Figure
(Figure1),I),Nb/Y
NbN(Figure
(Figure2),
2).and
andCe/Zr
CeIZrcompared
comparedwith
withfelsic
felsicrocks
rocks
of
ofthe
theMidcontinent
MidcontinentRift.
Rift. The
Thesill
sillalso
alsolacks
lacksthe
thenegative
negativeNb
Nbanomalies
anomaliesthat
that are
arecharacteristic
characteristicof
ofthe
the
MidcontinentRift
Riftgranophyres.
granophyres.This
Thisproperty
propertysuggests
suggeststhat
thatthe
thesill
sillwas
wasderived
derivedfrom
fromaamantle
mantlemelt
meltthat
thatdid
did
Midcontinent
Nband
andRb,
Rb,low-Y
low-Ycomposition
compositionof
ofthe
thesill
sillisis
notinteract
interactsignificantly
significantly with
withcrustal
crustalmaterials.
materials. The
Thehigh
highNb
not
theAnimikie
Animildeforelandbasin.
foreland basin.
typicalofofwithin
plategranites
m i t e s(Pearce,
(Pearce,1984),
1984).consistent
consistentwith
withemplacement
emplacementininthe
typical
within plate
Nd
Ndisotope
isotopeand
andU-Pb
U-Pbzircon
zirconstudies
studiesare
areininprogress
progressand should provide additional constraints on the petrogenesis
genesisand
andage
ageofofthe
theAurora
AuroraSill
Sill(Phillips,
(Phillips,ininprep).
prep
References
ReferencesCited
Cited
D.W.Davis,
Davis,1998,
1998,The
TheAge
Ageand
andProvenance
Provenanceofofthe
theGunflint
Gunflimt
LapilliTuff.
Tuff.Institute
Instituteonon
Fralick.P.W.,
P.W.,S.A.
SA.Kissin,
Kissin,and
and11W.
Fralick,
Lapilli
Lake
LakeSuperior
SuperiorGeology,
Geology,Proceedings
Proceedingsand
andAbstracts,
Abstracts,p.p.66-67.
66-67.
Strandlie,1999,
1999,Where
Whereace
arethe
theMetamorphosed
MetamorphosedNatural
NaturalOrebodies
Orebodiesofofthe
theMesabi
Mesabi
Graber,Ronald
RonaldG.
G.and
andAlan
AlanI.J.Strandlie,
Graber,
Range?
ononLake
17-19.
Range?Institute
Institute
LakeSuperior
SuperiorGeology,
Geology,Proceedings
Proceedingsand
andAbstracts,
Abstracts,p.p.17-19.
Green,J.C.,
J.C.,1972,
1972,North
NorthShore
ShoreVolcanic
VolcanicGroup:
Group:ininAACentennial
CentennialVolume,
Volume,Minnesota
MinnesotaGeological
GeologicalSurvey,
Survey,Sims,
Sims,P.K.
P.K.
Green,
and
andG.B.
G.B.Morey,
Morey,editors,
editors,p.p.294-332.
294-332.
andK.R.
K.R.Wirth,
Wirth,this
thisvolume,
volume,Petrogeneis
Petrogeneisofofgranitic
graniticrocks
rocksofofthe
theDunka
DunkaRiver
Riverregion,
region,eastern
easternMesabi
Mesabi
Harris,E.E.and
Harris,
Range,
Range,Minnesota.
Minnesota.
Jerde,Eric
EricA.,
A,,1991,
1991,Geochemistry
Geochemistry
andPetrology
PetrologyofofHyuabyssal
RocksAssociated
Associatedwith
withthe
theMidcontinent
MidcontinentRift,
Rift,NorthNorthJerde,
and
1-lypabyssal Rocks
easternMinnesota.
Minnesota.Unpublished
Unpublished
Ph.D.Thesis,
Thesis,
UniversityofofCalifornia,
California,Los
LosAngelas.
Augelas.
eastern
Ph.D.
University
W i d ,and
andJ.J.Vervoort,
Vervoort,this
thisvolume,
volume,Petrogenesis
PetrogenesisofofMidcontinent
MidcontinentRift
RiftGranophyres:
Granophyres:EviEviKennedy,Bryan
BryanC.,
C.,K.K.Wirth,
Kennedy,
dence
dencefrom
fromgeochemistry
geochemistryofofKeweenawan
Keweenawangranitic
graniticigneous
igneouscomplexes
complexesofofnorthern
northernMinnesota.
Minnesota.
— Product
Morey,G.E.,
G.B.,1999,
1999.High-Grade
High-GradeIron
IronOre
OreDeposits
Depositsofofthe
theMesabi
MesabiRange,
Range,Minnesota
MinnesotaProductofofaaContinental-Scale
Continental-Scale
Morey,
Proterozoic
133-142.
ProterozoicGround-Water
Ground-WaterSystem.
System.Economic
EconomicGeology,
Geology,VV94,
94,p.p.133-142.
Pearce,l.A.,
J.A.,NEW.
N.B.W.
Harris,
Ymdle,
1984,
Trace
element
discrimination
diagrams
tectonic
intetprePearce,
Harris,
and8ndA.G.
AG. Tindle,
1984,
Trace
element
discrimination
diagrams
forfor
thethe
tectonic
interpretation
rocks.
Journal
of
Petrology,
V
25,
p.
956-983.
tationofofgranitic
granitic
rocks.
Journal
of
Petroloev.
V
25.
D.
956-983.
. ,
Phillips,
Aurora
Phillips,Erin
ErinH.,
Hi,ininprep,
prep,Petrogenesis
Petrogenesisofofthe
theEnigmatic
Enigmatic
AuroraSill,
Sill,Mesabi
MesabiRange,
Range,Minnesota,
Minnesota,Unpublished
Unpublishedhonors
honors
thesis,
MN.
thesis,Macalester
MacalesterCollege,
College,St.St.Paul,
Paul.MN.
White,
Geological
White,David
DavidA.,
A.,1954,
1954,The Stratigraphy
Stratigraphyand
andStructure
Structureofofthe
theMesabi
MesahiRange,
Range,Minnesota.
Minnesota.Minnesota
Minnesota
Geological
Survey
University
ofofMinnesota
SurveyBulletin
Bulletin38.
38.Minneapolis:
Minneapolis:The
The
University
MinnesotaPress,
Press.p.n.63-66.
63-66.

-.

.

52

�I
I
I

Low-grade metamorphic
o the Keweenawan Portage
Low-grade
metamorphic zonation
zonation of
Lake
Lake Volcanics
Volcanics on
on the
the Keweenaw
Keweenaw Peninsula,
Peninsula, Michigan
Michigan
U.
U. PUESCHNER*
PUESCHNER* and
and S.
S. Th.
Th. SCHMIDT
SCHMIDT

Mineralogisch-Petrographisches
Mineralogisch-PetrographischesInstitut
Institut
Universitaet
Universitaet Basel/Switzerland
BaseWSwitzerland

*UPUESCITNER@l1njbch
*U.PUESCHNER@unibas.ch

The
The metamorphic-hydrothermal
metamorphic-hydrothermal alteration and mineral assemblages
assemblages of the
the Portage
Portage Lake
Lake
Volcanics
Volcanics (PLV)
(PLV) on
onthe
theKeweenaw
KeweenawPeninsula
Peninsulain
in Michigan
Michigan
have been
been studied
studiedover
overthe
thelast
last
- have
ten
decades
due
to
the
occurrence
of
native
copper
deposits.
Jolly
&amp;
Smith
(1972)
ten decades due to the occurrence of native copper deposits. Jolly &amp; Smith (1972)
illustrated
illustrated for
for the
the first
firsttime
timethe
theexistence
existenceofofa asystematic
systematiczeolite-prehnite-pumpellyite
zeolite-prehnite-pumpellyite
sequence
in
the
PLY.
In
their
Eagle
Harbor
drill
core
profile
sequence the PLV. In their Eagle Harbor drill core profilethey
theyidentified
identifiedaazonation
zonation
from
from zeolite
zeolite facies
facies in
in the
the upper
upper part
part of
of the
thesection
sectiontotoaaprehnite-pumpellyite
prehnite-pumpellyite facies
facies in
in
stratigraphically
lower
parts.
In
this
study,
three
diamond-drill
core
profiles
(Fig.
A)
A)
stratigraphically lower parts. In
study, three diamond-drill
through
through the
the PLY
PLV were
were re-examined
re-examined using
using aa combination
combination of
of different
different techniques
techniques such
such as
as
electron
electronmicroprobe
microprobeanalysis
analysisand
and special
specialX-ray
X-ray powder
powder diffraction
diffraction techniques.
techniques. The
Theprofile
profile
include
the
Ahmeek,
the
Copper
Harbor,
and
the
Eagle
Harbor
profile
and
penetrate
penetrate 5000
5000
include the Ahmeek, the Copper Harbor, and the Eagle Harbor
m
m of
of vertical
vertical section
section in
in the
the PLY,
PLV, and
and are
are spaced
spaced over
over aa distance
distance of
of 50
50kin.
km. The
Theprofiles
profiles
were
were correlated
correlatedusing
usingcharacteristic
characteristicinterfiow
interflowsediments
sedimentsand
and selected
selectedlava
lavaflows
flowsas
asmarker
marker
horizons.
horizons.

Macroscopic
of 614 samples
indicate at least three
Macroscopic and microscopic
microscopic examination
examination of
samples indicate
three and
and
possibly
possibly up
upto
tofive
fivedifferent
differentstages
stagesofofalteration
alterationbased
based on
onthe
thevarious
variousamygdule
amygduleinfilling
infilling
sequences
sequences that
that can
canbe
bedifferentiated
differentiatedduring
duringthe
thedeposition
depositionand
andsubsequent
subsequenttilting
tiltinghistory
history
of
of the
the PLY.
PLV. AA vertical
vertical as
as well
well as
aslateral
lateral zonation
zonation is observed
observed in the PLY
PLV on
on the
the
Keweenaw
Keweenaw Peninsula.
Peninsula. From
From the
the approximately
approximately southwest
southwest to
to the
the northeast,
northeast, three
three different
different
low-grade
metamorphic
zones
can
be
observed.
In
the
vicinity
of
the
former
low-grade metamorphic zones can be observed. In
vicinity
the former copper
copper
mining
mining region
region and
andadjacent
adjacenttotothe
theKeweenaw
KeweenawFault,
Fault,aapumpellyite-prehnite
pumpellyite-prehnitefacies,
facies,also
also
with
abundant
epidote
is
observed.
Further
to
the
north
and
stratigraphically
below
the
with abundant epidote is observed. Further to the north and stratigraphically below the
Greenstone
Greenstone Flow
Flow aapumpellyite-prehnite
pumpellyite-prehnite facies
facies isis present.
present. The
The flows
flows above
above the
the
Greenstone
to the
the northeast
northeast toward
toward the
the Keweenaw
Keweenaw Tip
Tip show
show aa zeolite
zeolite
Greenstone Flow and
and thrther
further to
facies
facieswith
with laumontite,
laumontite,phyllosilicates
phyllosilicates(mainly
(mainlyclinochlore)
clinochlore)and
andcalcite.
calcite.

I
I
I
I
I
I

The
The alteration
alterationof
of the
the PLY
PLV starts
startswith
withthe
thefilling
fillingof
ofsmall
small(&lt;3
(&lt;3 mm)
mm) vesicles
vesicles and
and the
the lining
lining

of
1). During
During deposition
deposition and
and
of larger
largervesicles
vesicleswith
withphyllosilicates
phyllosilicates(alteration
(alterationstage
stage 1).
subsequent
subsequent burial
burial metamorphism
metamorphism of the
the sequence
sequence (alteration
(alteration stage 2),
2), Section
Section CC and
andDD
(Fig.:
A ++ B)
B) experienced
experienced conditions
conditions of
ofthe
thepumpellyite-prelmite
pumpellyite-prehnitefacies
facies(assemblage
(assemblage
(Fig.: A
pumpellyite-prehnite-epidote-albite) which
the sequence.
sequence. The
The
pumpellyite-prehnite-epidote-albite)
which is the highest observed in the

beginning
beginning thrusting-event
thrusting-event of
of the
the PLY
PLV combined
combined with
with the
theformation
formationof
ofthe
theKeweenaw
Keweenaw
Fault
Fault tilts
tilts the
thePLV.
PLV. AAnew
newalteration
alterationstage
stage33with
withaafluid
fluidprobably
probablyoriginating
originatingfrom
fromthe
the
Lake
LakeSuperior
Superiorsyncline
synclinenow
nowcrosscuts
crosscutsand
andoverprints
overprintsthe
the earlier
earlierburial
burialmetamorphic
metamorphicstage
stage
53

�2, especially
especially in
in the
the Section
SectionAAand
andB.B.Afterwards
Afterwardsa anew
newNINW-SSE
NNW-SSE directed
directed fracture
fracture
system was set up on the Keweenaw Peninsula. Along these fracture zones a hyper salinar

ore containing
containing fluid deposited
deposited in open
open pore
pore space
space quartz,
quartz, native
native copper
copper and
and calcite
calcite
conditions similar to the
the temperature
temperature conditions
conditions of
of alteration
alteration
(alteration stage 4) under conditions
stage 3. The low-grade
history of
of the
the Keweenaw
Peninsula ends
ends with
with a
low-grade metamorphic
metamorphic history
Keweenaw Peninsula
meteoric, cold and low salinity fluid that precipitates the final calcite and late zeolites in
veins
veins and
and still
still open
open amygdules
amygdules(alteration
(alterationstage
stage5).
5).

Differentiation of
of
Jolly, W. T. a.
a. S.,
S., Raymond
Raymond E.,
E., 1972,
1972, Degradation
Degradation and Metamorphic
Metamorphic Differentiation

the Keweenawan
Journal of
the
Keweenawan Tholeiitie
Tholeiitie Lavas
Lavas of
of Northern
Northern Michigan,
Michigan, U.S.A.:
U.S.A.: Journal
Petrology, v. 13,
13, p.
p. 273-309.
273-309.

Paces, 1988, Magmatic
Magmatic processes,
processes, evolution and
and mantle
mantle source characteristics
characteristics
Paces,

contributing
to the petrogenesis
contributing to
petrogenesis of the
the Midcontinent
Midcontinent Rift basalts:
basalts: Portage
Portage Lake
Lake
Volcanics, Keweenaw Peninsula, Michigan [Ph.D. thesis]: Michigan
Michigan Technological
Technological
University, 413p.
4l3p.

54

�A:

SW

NE

[m]
-o
Top of Portage Lake Volcanics

-1000

Hancock Congi.

Calumet &amp; Hecla Congl.

- 2000

3000

Bohemia Congi.

- 4000

Keweenaw Fault

- 5000
0

n

n.

Portage
Portage Lake
Lake Volcanics
Volcanics

b q
1- 1
I—-i
[
1

1

1

D57 1
I D57I

bigger single flows in
in the
the PLV
PLV
Interflow sediments used as marker horizons
Interflow
horizons
other interfiow
interflow sediments
sediments with
with in
inthe
the PLV
PLV

sampled drill cores

Figure:
A: :Back
~
~ a rotated
c k stratigraphic cross-section
cross-sectionof
of the
the Portage
PortageLake
LakeVolcanics
Volcanics (PLV)
(PLV) along
along strike
strike from
from
Houghton in the southwest to the Keweenaw Point in the
the northeast. With
With the
the sampled
sampled drill cores
Houghton
appropriate marker
and appropriate
marker horizons.
horizons. (Modified
(Modifiedfrom
from Paces
Paces1988)
1988)
Simplified sketch of cross-section
B: Simplified
cross-sectionfor easy
easy reference.
reference.
55
55

�Modeling
Modeling the effect of intermediate
intermediate temperature
temperature(350°-500°C)
(350'-500Â°C Mazatzal-age
Mazatzal-age thermal
thermal
overprinting on
on argon
argon diffusion in hornblende from the southern Lake Superior
Superior region.
region.
RAMPE,
RAMPE, J.S., and
and HOLM,
HOLM, D.K.,
D.K., Dept.
Dept. of
of Geology,
Geology, Kent
Kent State
State University,
University,Kent,
Kent,OH
OH44242
44242

Mica Ar/Ar
ArIAr ages from the southern Lake Superior region leave little question that
that much
much of
of the
the
Penokean
Penokean orogenic belt was thermally and deformationalty
deformationally overprinted by Mazatzal (ca.
(ca. 1650
1650
Ma) orogenic activity to the south (Holm et al., 1998;
1998; Romano et al., 2000; Loofboro
Loofboro and
and HoIm,
Holm,
1998). Complete
Complete resetting
resetting of
of mica
mica argon
argon systematics
systematics from
from bedrock
bedrock samples
samples beneath
beneath 1750-1630
1750-1630
Ma deformed
heating to temperatures
deformed quartzites
quartzites suggests
suggests widespread
widespread heating
temperatures above 350°C
350Â° during
during
Mazatzal-related
metamorphism. Hornblende
Ar/Ar ages
ages from within the
Mazatzal-related metamorphism.
Hornblende ArIAr
the deformed
deformed region
region
(Romano,
2000) are predominantly
(Romano, 1999; Mancuso,
Mancuso, 2000)
predominantly younger
younger than the
the Penokean
Penokean Orogeny,
Orogeny,
scattering from 1800-1638
1800-1638 Ma (Fig.
(Fig. 1).
1). Three of
of the
the hornblende
hornblende separates
separates analyzed
analyzed were
were
completely
completely reset, probably by localized
localized hydrothermal fluid-related activity associated with the
the
Mazatzal
postRomano et
et al.
al. (2000)
(2000) have
have postulated
postulated that the
the scatter
scatter of
of the
the other
other postMazatzal Orogeny.
Orogeny. Romano
Penokean
Penokean hornblende
hornblende ages
ages (over
(over aa 70
70 m.y.
m y . interval)
interval) reflect
reflect variable
variable retention
retention of
of radiogenic
radiogenic argon
argon
associated
associated with episodic
episodic loss
loss after
after initial
initial closure
closure during
during Penokean
Penokean time.
time. In
In order
order to
to test
test this
this
hypothesis,
hypothesis, we
we have
have modeled
modeled various
various thermal
thermal histories
histories by
by imposing
imposing peak
peak temperature
temperature excursions
excursions
from
over orogenic
orogenic timescales
timescales (20-80
(20-80 my.).
m.y.). The
from 350°-600°C
350'-600Â° over
The effectiveness
effectiveness of diffusion
diffusion in
in
resetting
ArIAr ages is primarily a function of the
the peak
peak temperature
temperature and its
its duration;
duration; the
the model
model
resetting Ar/Ar
results
results are
are fairly insensitive
insensitive to choice of initial and final conditions (Lootboro
(Loofboro and
and Holm,
Holm, 1998).
1998).
The
suggests that the distribution of hornblende Ar/Ar
ArIAr ages
ages (Fig.
(Fig.
The results of modeling
modeling (Fig.
(Fig. 2) suggests
1)
1) is consistent with the
the partial
partial resetting
resetting of
of argon
argon systematics
systematics at
at ca.
ca. 1650
1650Ma
Maby
bythermal
thermalpulses
pulses
reaching
temperatures between
between 350'
350° and
and 460Â°C
460°C. A recent petrologic investigation of
reaching maximum temperatures
the
the deformed
deformed Baraboo
Baraboo quartzite
quartzite indicates
indicates metamorphic
metamorphic temperatures
temperatures of
of 320°-390°C
320'-39O0C (Medaris
(Medarisetet
al., 1998).
1998). We
Wedo
donot
notconsider
considerititimprobable,
improbable, therefore,
therefore, that
that bedrock
bedrock regions
regions underlying
underlying the
the
deformed
deformed quartzites
quartzites reached
reached even higher
higher temperatures
temperatures (between
(between 400°
400' and
and 460°C)
460Â°Cduring
during
Mazatzal-age
Mazatzal-age overprinting.
overprinting. The
Themodeling
modelingsuggests
suggeststhat
thataacombination
combinationofofelevated
elevatedtemperatures
temperatures
(350°-460°C
(350'-460Â° with
with gradients
gradients in
inTmax)
Tmax)and
and localized
localized fluid-activity
fluid-activity associated
associated with
withMazatzal
Mazatzal
deformation
deformation provide
provide the simplist
simplist explanation
explanation for preservation
preservation of
of the
the scattered
scatteredPenokean,
Penokean,
intermediate,
intermediate, and
and Mazatzal
Mazatzal hornblende
hornblende age
agedata
data(Fig.
(Fig.1).
1).
We
We present
present aa conceptual
conceptual model
model for
for Mazatzal
Mazatzal orogenic
orogenic overprinting
overprinting of
of the
thesouthern
southernLake
Lake
Superior
Superior region (Fig. 3). The
Thegeometry
geometrywe
wedepict
depictfor
forcollision
collisionof
ofthe
theMazatzal
Mazatzalprovince
province isisinin
concert
concert with
with that
that recently
recently proposed
proposed for
for Mazatzal
Mazatzal collision
collision in
in the
thesouthwest
southwestU.S.A.
U.S.A. (Selverstone
(Selverstone
et
al., 1999)
1999)and
and accounts
accounts for
for southward
southward vergence
vergence of
of folds
folds in
in the
the Baraboo
Baraboo quartzite
quartzite (Dalziel
(Dalziel and
and
et al.,
Dott, 1970).
1970). Our
Ourresults
resultscorroborate
corroboratethe
thehypothesis
hypothesisproposed
proposed nearly
nearly 20
20years
years ago
agoby
by Dott
Dott(1983)
(1983)
Dott,
that
that the
the severity
severity of
of quartzite
quartzite deformation
deformation in
in Wisconsin
Wisconsin was
was related
related to
tocollision
collisionfrom
fromthe
thesouth
southatat
—1630
-1630 Ma.
Ma.

References
References
Dalziel,
Wisc.Geol.
Geol.and
andNat.
Nat.Hist.
Hist.Surv.
Surv.Inf.
Inf.Circ.
Circ.14,
14,164
164p.p.
Dalziel, I.W.D.,
I.W.D., and
and Dott,
Dott, R.H.
R.H.,Jr.,
Jr.,1970,
1970,Wisc.
Dott,
Dott, R.H.,
R.H., Jr.,
Jr., 1983,
1983,Geo.
Geo.Soc.
Soc.Am.
Am. Mem.
Mem. 160,
160,129-141.
129-141.
Holm, D.K.,
D.K., Schneider,
Schneider,D.,
D., and
and Coath,
Coath,C.D.,
C.D., 1998,
1998,Geology
Geology 26,
26,907-910.
907-910.
Hoim,
Loofboro,
1-82.
Loofboro, J.J. and
andHolm,
Holm,D.K.,
D.K.,1998,
1998,Inst.
Inst.Lake
LakeSuper.
Super.Geo.
Geo.44,
44,881-82.
Mancuso,
C., 2000,
2000, Kent
Kent State
StateUniversity
University MS
MS thesis,
thesis,97
97p.
p.
Mancuso, C.,
Medaris, L.G.,
L.G., Jr.,
Jr., Brown,
Brown, PB.,
P.B.,and
andBunge,
Bunge,R.J.,
R.J.,1998,
1998,Inst.
Inst.Lake
LakeSuper.
Super.Geo.
Geo.44,
44,89-90.
89-90.
Medaris,
Romano,
Romano, D.,
D., 1999,
1999,Kent
KentState
StateUniversity
University MS
MSthesis,
thesis,92
92p.p.
K.A., 2000,
2000, Precambrian
Precambrian Geology
Geology(in
(inpress).
press).
Romano, D.,
D., HoIm,
Holm, D.K.,
D.K., and
and Foland,
Poland, K.A.,
Romano,
Selverstone, J.,
J., Pun,
Pun, A.,
A,, and
and Condie,
Condie, K.C.,
K.C., 1999,
1999, Geol.
Geol. Soc.
Soc. Am. Bull. 111,590-606.
I l l , 590-606.
Selverstone,

56

�Partial resetting
Partial
resetting associated
associated
with
with Mazatzal
Mazatzal deformation
deformation

A&gt;

i 0'/
dBiW3-0 a
Y
7
-'9Q
Inu
Li

Penokean
metamorphism /\
Penokean metamorphism
(not reset)
reset)
(not
\
c'

500
500

6-

complete resetting
Locally complete
resetting
associated
associated with
with Mazatzal
Mazatzal
deformation
deformation

'S
\

Age of
Age
of metamorphism
metamorphism

\

\

2

\
\

a
E
C)

H

4
/1

v

100•
100

25
25

--

'L

\

300
0

and deformation of
quartzites
Toward localized
localized younger
— — D Toward
resetting associated
associated
resetting
with
with 1100
1100Ma
Ma rifting
rifting

9
I

,

1850
1850

I

I

P

P

1550
1650
1650
1550
Age
Age (Ma)
(Ma)
south of
of the
the Mazatzal-age
Figure
1. Summary
Summary of
from bedrock
bedrock south
Figure 1.
of hornblende
hornblendeAr/Ar
ArIAr dates
dates from
Mazatzal-agethermal
thermal front
front
Romano et
al.
(after Flomano,
Romano, 1999,
1999, and
and Mancuso,
Mancuso,2000).
2000).Temperature-time
Temperature-timepath
pathmodified
modifiedafter
after Romano
eta\.
(after
(2000).
Note gap
gap in
spread of
ofhornblende
hornblendedates
datesbetween
between 1733
1733 and
and 1646
1646 Ma.
(2000). Note
in spread
Ma.
1850

1750
1750

0
Hornblende

—
.5

(C

S 1750

20 Ma excursion
intervals

C)

0)

S

(0

0
PC

0)
1650

80 Ma excursion
intervals

C

S

S

5'——

mica ages

2
PC

C.
C.

araooo —

&lt; 1550

metamorphism
metamorphism

I
I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I
I

600
400
500
200
300
200
300
400
500
600
Maximum
thermal excursion
excursion
Maximum temperature reached during thermal
(°C)
PC)

Figure 2. Results
Resultsof
of modeling
modelingaa Mazatzal-age
Mazatzal-age (1650-1600
(1650-1600 Ma) thermal overprinting on minerals which
the Penokean orogeny
orogeny (1850-1830
(1850-1830Ma).
Ma). Dashed
Dashed curves show effect on
initially cooled shortly after the
apparent age data for
for 20 m.y.
m.y. temperature
temperature excursions
excursionsat
atvarious
variouspeak
peaktemperatures.
temperatures. Solid lines for 80 m.y.
m.y.
excursions. Squares
Squaresrepresent
represent hornblende
hornblende age
age data
data as in figure 1. Stippled
Stippledregion
regiondepicts
depictsthe
thetemperature
temperature
range necessary to thermally reset
reset hornblende
hornblende to the degree
degree indicated
indicated by the
the hornblende
hornblendeage
age data.
data.

N

undeformed Barron
undeformed
Barren
quartzite \
quartzite
deformed quartzites

sS
1650-1630
0 Ma
Ma
Mazatzal Orogeny
Orogeny

C

Figure 3. Conceptual
Conceptualmodel
model(no
(no scale)
scale) for the Mazatzal orogeny and
andits
its effects
effectsin
inthe
the southern
southernLake
Lake
Superior region. Modified
Modifiedafter
after Romano
Romano et al., 2000. Collision
Collisioncauses
causescrustal-scale
crustal-scaledeformation,
deformation,
south-verging
of the
the Penokean orogenic
orogenic belt.
belt. CM is continental
south-vergingfolds, and heating of much of
continental margin,
MT is Marshfield
Marshfield terrane, MP is Mazatzal
Mazatzai province, NFZ is Niagara
Niagara fault zone, WMT
WMT is
is Wisconsin
Wisconsin
magmatic terrane.
magmatic

57

�THE 'SANDOR'
'SANDOR' DIAMOND
DIAMOND OCCURRENCE,
OCCURRENCE, MICHIPICOTEN
MICHIPICOTEN GREENSTONE
GREENSTONEBELT,
BELT, WAWA,
WAWA,
preliminary study)
ONTARIO
study)
ONTARIO ( a preliminary
SAGE, R.P.,
R.P., Ontario Geological Survey,
Survey, 933
933 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury,
Sudbury, Ontario, P3E 6B5 (705-670SAGE,
5949; ron.sage@ndm.gov.on.ca)
ron.sagendm.gov.on.ca)
The "Sandor" diamond occurrence is
is the first discovery of a bedrock diamond source in the Michipicoten
region since
since veteran prospector "Mickey"
"Mickey" Clement reported in 1993
1993 the presence of alluvial diamond
diamond in the
the
Michipicoten River
to
the
Ontario
Geological
Survey.
River to the Ontario Geological Survey.
A xenolith-bearing lamprophyre dike
Surmacz and
and Geologist
Geologist
dike was observed by veteran prospector Sandor Sumiacz
Marcefle
Marcelle Hauseux along highway 17
17 in Lalibert Township north of Wawa, Ontario on June 22, 1993
1993 (S.
( S.
Surmacz, Prospector, personal communication, 1997).
area
1997). Exploratory work was being conducted in the area
under an Ontario Prospector Assistance Program (OPAP) grant. Diamond indicators were not found but a
sample for geochemical analysis returned results interpreted as unfavorable for the presence of diamond
diamond (S.
Prospector, personal
personal communication,
communication,1997).
1997).
Surmacz, Prospector,
Surmacz
resampled the
the Wawa
Wawa dike
dike in
in 1995. The
The sample was
was sent to the Saskatchewan
Surmacz and
and 1-lauseux
Hauseux resampled
Research Council's diamond recovery laboratory and 6 gem diamonds recovered (press release, KWG
Resources Inc., June 6, 1996;
1996; S.
S. Surmacz,
Sunnacz, Prospector, personal communication, 1997).
1997). The ground was
claimed from the Algoma Central Railroad and optioned to Spider Resources Inc. (S. Surmacz, Prospector,
1997).
personal communication, 1997).

The occurrence represents a unique discovery
Â 42 Ma, L. Heaman,
discovery of diamond in Archean (2703 ±
University of
Alberta,
unpublished
data)
rocks
of
non-kimberlite
composition.
The dikes are commonly
data)
non-kiiberlite
of
characterized by rounded mafic xenoliths up to 11 metre in size set in a fme
fine grained groundmass. The
The
xenoliths are commonly widely spaced
spaced throughout the lamprophyre dike but
hut in some dikes the xenoliths
may be densely packed. The
The xenoliths weather in
in positive relief and commonly are enveloped in a dark
biotite-rich reaction rim up
up to
to several
several centimeters
centimeters in
in width. The dikes have been subjected to regional
metamorphism and tectonism and
actinolite-talc-carbonateassemblage. Primary
and the xenoliths altered
altered to an actinolite-talc-carbonate
mineralogy and texture are
are not preserved in
in the matrix or xenoliths.
Geochemically the dikes
dikes approximate aa basalt or
or mildly alkalic basalt magma and the xenoliths pyroxenite.
These diamoniferous dikes
dikes are
are concentrated
concentrated in
in the northwest-central region of the Michipicoten Greenstone
Belt largely restricted to
to aa synformal anticline
anticline centered in Lalibert Township. The dikes are concentrated
near and east of
of the Dickenson
Dickenson Lake
Lake syenite
syenite stock, but a genetic relationship between the stock and dikes
dikes
remains to be firmly
firmly established.
established. The
The dikes are
are both conformable and crosscutting to the deformed
supracrustal
supracmstal stratigraphy. The
The lamprophyre
lamprophyre dikes are
are up to 5 m in width and cannot be traced any great
great
distance in the bush
% of
of the
bush covered terrain. Diamond
Diamond is
is distributed erratically in the dikes and only 10
10 %
dikes have yielded diamond.
diamond.
The dikes
likely source
source for
for
dikes do
do not contain
contain mineral
mineral compositions
compositions characteristic of kimberlite and are not a likely
the kimberlite
kiiberlite indicator
indicator minerals found
found in
in the region. Geophysical
Geophysical methods have proven ineffective in
in
locating the dikes. The presence of actinolite and anomlous Cr and Ni contents in the soils are the most
effective prospecting techniques.

58

�Lithogeochemistry
Lithogeochemistry and
and Paleotectonic
Paleotectonic Setting
Setting of the Bend
Northern Wisconsin
Massive Sulfide Deposit, Northern
Klaus J. Schulz
Nicholson
Schulz and Suzanne W. Nicholsov
U.S. Geological
Geological Survey
Survey
954 National
National Center
Center
Reston, VA 20192
20192
The Bend massive sulfide
sulfide deposit
deposit is
is located
located in
in Taylor
Taylor County,
County, Wisconsin,
Wisconsin, approximately
approximately
miles north-northwest
north-northwest of Medford,
Medford, in
in the
the Chequamegon
ChequamegonNational
NationalForest.
Forest. Exploration
19 miles
conducted between 1985
1985and
and 1994
1994by
by the
the former
former Jump
Jump River
River Venture,
Venture, and
and more
more recently
recently by
by
Sharpe
Sharpe Energy
Energy and
and Resources,
Resources, identified
identified 3.9
3.9 million
million short
short tons
tons of
of ore
ore grading
grading 1.87%
1.87% copper,
copper, 0.09
0.09
opt gold, and 0.39 opt silver (DeMatties and Rowell,
RowelI, 1996). We conducted
a
geochemical
study
conducted
of the volcanic section
section hosting
hosting the
the massive
massive sulfide
sulfidedeposit
deposit using
using 90
90 samples
samplescollected
collected from
from drill
drill
core. The
(e.g., REE,
REE, Zr, Hf, Ta, Ti) to
Thestudy
studyemphasized
emphasizedinterpretation
interpretationof
ofstable
stabletrace
traceelements
elements(e.g.,
help determine
determine primary
primary magmatic
magmaticaffinities
affinitiesand
and the
the tectonic
tectonic setting
settingof
of the
the volcanic
volcanic section
section
hosting the Bend deposit.
deposit.
massive sulfide
The Bend massive
sulfide deposit
deposit occurs
occurs in a felsic
felsic volcanic-dominated
volcanic-dominatedsequence,
sequence,located
located
along
the
southern
flank
of
a
mafic
volcanic
succession
(DeMatties,
1994).
The
felsic
volcanic
(TDeMatties. 19941.
alone
sequence is up to 2000 feet thick, steeply dipping, south facing, andlow&amp;greenschist
and lower greenschist facies.
facies. The
stratigraphic footwall consists of bedded felsic tuffs
tiffs (sericite
stratieraohic
(sericite schist)
schist) with
with interbedded
interbedded quartztiffs (quartz-sericite
crystal tuffs
(quartz-sericiteschist)
schist)overlain
overlain(stratigraphic
(stratigraphichangingwall)
hangingwall)by mafic
rnafic to felsic
feisic
fine tuffs
tiffs and sediments.
feldspar-phyric lava flows, felsic volcaniclastic layers, and associated fine
sediments.
Alteration, consisting
sericitization, and
and sulfidation,
sulfidation, is
is most
most intense
intense near
near the
the
Alteration,
consisting of
of silicification,
silicification,sericitization,
massive sulfide, particularly in the footwall sericite and quartz-sericite schist. Mafic
Mafic to
to
intermediate dikes
intermediate
dikes and
and sills
sills (?)
(?) are
are present
present locally.
locally.
The Bend volcanic
sequence
volcanic sequence ranges
ranges from
from basalt
basalt through
through andesite
andesite to
to dacite-rhyodacite
dacite-rhyodacite
with dacite-rhyodacite most abundant. Both
Boththe
the mafic
mafic and
and felsic
felsic rocks
rocks are
are calc-alkaline
calc-alkaline in
FeOt and
and high
high La/Yb
LdYb (&gt;15)
(&gt;IS) and
and Th/Yb
Th/Yb (&gt;0.65) ratios (i.e., Barrett and
character with decreasing
decreasingFeOt
MacLean, 1999).
1999). Mafic
Maficrocks,
rocks,mostly
mostlyandesite
andesitewith
with minor
minor basalt,
basalt, are
are characterized
characterized by enriched
enriched
6),
relatively
flat
heavy-REE,
prominent
depletion
of
Ta,
Zr,
Hf,
and Ti,
([La/Yb]n
6),
relatively
flat
prominent
depletion
light-REE
light-REE ([LaIYb]n
and enriched Th on a primitive
primitive mantle
mantle normalized
normalizedplot
plot(Fig.
(Fig.la).
la). Relatively
unaltered
Relatively
hangingwall felsic
hangingwall
felsic volcanic
volcanic rocks
rocks partly
partly overlap
overlapcompositionally
compositionallywith
with the
the most
most evolved
evolved andesites
andesites
3-4 vs -2-3
--2-3 for the andesites)
light-REE(i.e.,
(i.e.,[La/Sm}n
[LaISmln— 3-4
andesites)
but have
have slightly
slightlygreater
greaterenrichment
enrichmentininlight-REE
and no to small negative
negative Eu anomalies. On
Onaaprimitive
primitive mantle
mantle normalized
normalized plot the
the hangingwall
patterns similar
Nb,Ta, and Ti,
felsic rocks show patterns
similar to the
the andesites
andesiteswith
with prominent
prominent depletions
depletions in Nb,
lesser
lesser depletion
depletion of Zr-Hf, and enriched Th (Fig. la).
la). The
Thehangingwall
hangingwalldacite-rhyodacite
dacite-rhyodacitewas
was
plagioclase+pyroxene+Fe-Ti oxide
oxide from
from the
the andesite.
andesite.
probably derived
derived through
throughfractionation
fractionationof
of plagioclase+pyroxene+Fe-Ti
Footwall sericite
sericite and
and quartz-sericite
quartz-sericite schist
schist show
show compositional
compositional effects
effects of
of alteration
alteration with
with
more variable
Si02,higher
higher K20/K20+Na20,
K20/K20+Na20,and
andhigher
higherSScontent
contentthan
thanmost
mosthangingwall
hangingwallfelsic
felsic
variable Si02,
rocks; footwall
footwallsamples
samplesalso
alsoshow
showincreasingly
increasinglypositive
positive Eu
Eu anomalies
anomalieswith
with increasing
increasingSScontent.
content.
felsic rocks
rocks mostly
mostly have
have depleted
depleted heavy-PEE
heavy-REEand
and generally
generallylower
lowertrace
traceelement
element
The footwall felsic
abundances than hangingwall felsic rocks (Fig. ib).
lb). Although
Althoughthe
theheavy-REE
heavy-REEdepletion
depletionin
in the
the
footwall samples
samples could
could be
be aa result
result of
of alteration,
alteration,some
some samples
samples with
with depleted
depleted heavy-PEE
heavy-REEshow
showno
no
compositional
evidence
of
significant
alteration
(e.g.,
no
high
S
content
and/or
high
K20/K20+
compositional evidence of significant alteration (e.g., no high S content andlor high K20/K20+
Na2Oratio).
ratio). Also, studies
Na20
studies of
of PEE
REE mobility
mobility associated
associated with alteration below massive sulfide
deposits have identified
deposits
identified mobility
mobility of
of lightlight- and
and middle-PEE
middle-REE but
but general
general stability
stability of the heavy-PEE
heavy-REE
(Barrett and MacLean, 1999).
(Barren
1999). Thus,
Thus,the
thecompositional
compositionaldifference
difference between footwall and
hangingwall felsic
hangingwall
felsic rocks
rocks may
may reflect
reflect primary
primary differences.
differences.
~

-

-~

-

-

59

�''JIlT

Roc4P.imwve
RoWPrirnitiveMantle
Mantle
1000
1000

RocWPrlmiffve
Mantle
Rock/Primit!ve Mantle
1000
1000

b.

100
100

100

Hangingwall Felsic Rocks

Hangingwall Felsic Rocks

10
10

10

1

1

Footwall Felsic Rocks

.1
.1

I

.1

II,,

ThNbTsLaCeNdZr HfSmTiGdTbDy Y HoErTmYbLu

Figure I.1. Primitive
Primitivemantle
mantlenormalized
normalized(Kerrich
(Kemchand
andWyman,
Wyman,1997)
1997)trace
traceelement
element plots
plots for
for Bend a)
a) basalt-andesite
basalt-andesite
and hangingwall
b) hangingwall
hangingwalland
and footwall
footwallfelsic
felsicrocks.
rocks.
hangingwall felsic
felsic rocks
rocks and
and b)

The Bend volcanic rocks plot as
as a typical orogenic caic-alkaline
calc-alkaline basalt-andesite-daciterhyodacite suite
suite on
on various
various compositional
compositionaldiscrimination
discriminationdiagrams
diagrams(e.g.,
(ex.,
Th-Hf-Ta; Th-Th-Ta;
Th-Tb-Ta:
. - . Th-FIf-Ta;
Th/Yb-TaIYb).
the
T l k - T ~ I Y ~Further,
Further,
).
theenriched
enrichedlight-REE
light-REEand
andhigh
highTh
T bof
o fthe
theBend
Bend suite
suiteare
arecharacteristic
characteristic
Acontinental
continental setting
setting
of orogenic sequences in continental settings
settings (Barrett
(Barren; and MacLean, 1999).
1999). A
volcanic rocks
rocks in
in the
the Bend
Bend sequence.
sequence. In
is also supported by the abundance of felsic calc-alkaline volcanic
addition, the volcanic rocks hosting the Bend massive sulfide deposit are similar compositionally
to those in the Monico
Monico area
area in
in north-central Wisconsin
Wisconsin that
that host the Pelican deposit (Sims
(Sims and
and
have
others, 1989). Neodymium
Neodymium isotope
isotope data
data for
for felsic
felsic volcanic
volcanic rocks in the Monico area have
contribution from
from an
an enriched
enriched crustal
crustal source.
source. The
negative epsilon Nd indicating a contribution
lithogeochemistry suggests that the Bend deposit
deposit and probably other massive sulfide deposits
associated with felsic centers in northern Wisconsin (e.g.,
(e.g., Flambeau, Pelican, Crandon) evolved
in an extensional continental setting, possibly a continental back-arc
back-arc basin in a southwarddirected subduction system.
References cited:
lithogeochemistry, and
and hydrothermal
hydrothennal
Barrett, T.J. and MacLean, W.H., 1999,
1999, Volcanic sequences, lithogeochemishy,
alteration in some bimodal volcanic-associated massive sulfide
sulfide systems:
systems: in
in Bame,
Bathe, C.T.
C.T. and
alteration
Hannington, M.D., editors,
Hannington,
editors, Volcanic-Associated
Volcanic-AssociatedMassive
Massive Sulfide
SulfideDeposits: Proceeses
Proceeses and
and
Examples in Modem
v.8,
8, p.
p. 101-131.
101-131.
Examples
Modem and
and Ancient
Ancient Settings:
Settings: Reviews in Economic Geology, v.
DeMatties, T.A., 1994,
1994,Early
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoicvolcanogenic
volcanogenicmassive
massive sulfide
sulfide deposits
depositsin
in Wisconsin:
Wisconsin:an
an
overview: Economic
Economic Geology,
Geology, v. 89,
89, p. 1122-1151.
1122-1151.
DeMatties, T.A. and Rowell, W.F.,
Wi., 1996,
1996,The
TheBend
Benddeposit:
deposit:an
an Early
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic copper-gold VMS
deposit: in LaBerge,
LaBerge, G.L.,
G.L., editor,
editor,Volcanogenic
Volcanogenicmassive
massive sulfide
sulfidedeposits
depositsof
of northern
northern Wisconsin:
Wisconsin; aa
commemorative volume:
commemorative
volume: Institute
Institute on
onLake
LakeSuporior
SuperiorGeology
Geology Proceedings,
Proceedings,v.
v. 42,
42, Part
Part 2,
2, p.
p. 143143159.
159.
Kenich, R.
Kemch,
R. and
andWyman,
Wyman,D.A.,
D.A., 1997,
1997,Review
Reviewof
of developments
developmentsin
in trace-element
trace-element fmgerprinting
fingerprinting of
geodynamic
geodynamic settings
settingsand
and their
theirimplications
implicationsfor
formineral
mineralresources:
resources: Australian
AustralianJournal
Journalof
of Earth
Earth
465-487.
Sciences, v. 44, p. 465-487.
inthe
theevolution
evolutionof
ofthe
thePenokean
Penokeanorgogen:
orgogen:isotopic
isotopic
Schuiz, K.J. and
and Ayuso,
Ayuso, R.
R. A.,
A,,1998,
1998,Crustal
Crustalrecycling
recyclingin
Schulz,
evidence
evidence for
for Archean
Archean contributions
contributionsto
tocrustal
crustalgrowth
growthin
inthe
the Pembine-Wausau
Pembine-Wausau terrane,
terrane,northern
northern
Wisconsin
Wisconsin [abstracti:
[abstract]: Institute
Instituteon
onLake
LakeSuperior
SuperiorGeology
GeologyProceedings,
Proceedings,44th
44&amp;Annual
Annual Meeting,
Meeting,
Minneapolis, MN, 1998; v.
44, p.
p. 113-114.
113-114.
v.44,
Sims, P.K.,
Schmus, W.R., Schulz,
Schulz, K.J., and
and Peterman, Z.E., 1989,
1989,Tecton-stratigraphic
Tecton-stratigraphicevolution
evolution of
P.K., Van Schmus,
the Early Proterozoic
ProterozoicWisconsin
Wisconsin magmatic
magmatic terranes
terranes of
of the
the Penokean
Penokean Orogen:
Orogen: Canadian
Canadian Journal
Journal of
of
Earth Sciences,
Sciences, v. 26,
26, p. 2145-2158.
2145-2158.

60

�Assessing the extent of Early Proterozoic
Mametamorphism
metamorphism
Proterozoic Penokean
Penokeanversus
versus—1770-1760
-1770-1760Ma
in east-central
east-central Minnesota
Schweitzer,
Kent, OH;
OH; Schneider,
Schneider, D.A.,
Schweitzer, D.J.,
DJ., Dept.
Dept. of
of Geology,
Geology, Kent State University, Kent,
DA., Dept. of
Earth and Environmental Sciences, Lehigh
Lehigh University,
University,Bethlehem,
Bethlehem,PA,
PA;Boerboom,
Boerboom, TJ.,
T.J.,
Minnesota Geological Survey,
Survey, 2642
2642University
UniversityAvenue,
Avenue,St.
St.Paul,
Paul,MN,
MN;Holm,
iloIm,D.K.,
D.K.,Dept
Dept of
Geology, Kent State University, Kent,
Kent, OH;
OH; and
and Van
Van Schmus, W.R.,
W.R., Dept.
Dept. of
of Geology,
Geology,
University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS.

Combined field,
field, geophysical,
geophysical, and
and drill
drill core
core data from the internal zone
Combined
zone of
of the
the Penokean
Penokean

orogen in Minnesota
Minnesota have
have greatly
greatly increased
increased our
our knowledge
knowledge of
of this
this orogen's
orogen's architecture,
architecture,allowing
allowing

new correlations
with the Wisconsin
Wisconsin magmatic
magmaticterranes
terranesto
to the
the east
east (Jirsa
(Jirsa et
et a].,
al., 1995). Lowcorrelations with
Lowgrade, greenschist
structural panels
panels have been identified as
greenschist metamorphic,
metamorphic, structural
as arcuate,
arcuate, imbricate
imbricate
thrust sheets in the poorly exposed, southeast portion of
of the zone (Jirsa and Chandler, 1997). To
To
the west and
and north,
north, these
these structural
structural panels
panels have
have been
been intruded
intruded by
bv abundant
abundant post-tectonic
vost-tectonic
granitoids
granitoids that make up aa physically
physically continuous
continuous mass of bedrock
bedrock over
over 7000
7000 km2
k d (Figure
(Figure 1).
1).
Holm et al.
al. (1998)
(1998) have
have documented
documentedwidespread
widespread post-Penokean
post-Penokean (1770-1760
(1770-1760 Ma)
Ma) amphibolite
amphibolite
metamorphism in
in the
the plutonic
plutonic region.
region. Our
goal is
facies metamorphism
Ourgoal
is to
to determine
determine the
the extent
extent of
of Penokean
Penokean
and/or —1760
Mametamorphism
metamorphismwithin
withinthe
the lower-grade
lower-grade terranes
terranes to the southeast.
andlor
-1760 Ma
We have
have dated
dated five
five mineral
mineral separates
separates from
from recently
recently obtained
obtained drill core housed
housed at
at the
the
Minnesota Geological
Geological Survey.
Survey. Sample
Minnesota
Sample localities
localities and
and associated
associated dates
dates are
are plotted
plotted on
on figure
figure11
(Southwick, 1994; Holm
Holm and Lux,
together with results from prior thermochronologic
thennochronologic studies (Southwick,
HoIm et
et al.,
a!., 1998).
1998). Biotite from a biotite-hornblende
1996; Holm
biotite.-hornblende granodiorite (EC-8) intruded by the
post-tectonic
Foley batholith
batholith yielded
yielded aa plateau
plateau age
age of 1846±6
post-tectonic Foley
1846k6 Ma
Ma (four
(four age
age increments
increments
75% of
of the gas released).
released). In
constituting over 75%
In spite
spite of
of its
its proximity
proximity to
to the
the Foley
Foley intrusion,
intrusion, this
this
unaffected by
by it thermally.
thermally. Biotite
rock was apparently unaffected
Biotite from
from aa biotite
biotite schist
schist(EC-22)
(EC-22)sampled
sampled
east of the Foley batholith yielded a plateau age of 1863±7
1863k7 Ma (eight age increments constituting
over 72% of the gas released). Biotite
Biotitefrom
from aa tonalitic
tonalitic orthogneiss
orthogneiss (EC-27) yielded a plateau age
increments, 81%
81% of
of total
total gas
gas released).
released). A
1820Â± Ma (seven increments,
A hornblende
hornblende separate
separate from the
of 1820±7
same drill core sample of orthogneiss yielded a plateau age of 1831±6
1831k6 Ma (seven
(seven increments;
from a meta-quartzdiorite
(EC-l6) yielded
64% of total gas
gas released).
released). Lastly, hornblende
hornblende from
meta-quartzdiorite (EC-16)
yielded aa
81% of
of total
total gas
gas released). Only
plateau hornblende date of 1838±5
1838k5 Ma (seven increments, 81%
Only one
one
other Penokean
Penokean Ar/Ar
ArIAr age
age on hornblende
hornblende has been reported from east-central Minnesota
Minnesota (1854±5
(1854s
Ma plateau
plateau date
date on
on the
thePhilbrook
Philbrook pluton;
pluton; Southwick,
Southwick, 1994).
1994). Five previously
previously published
published
hornblende Ar/Ar
ArIAr dates
dates from
from the
theplutonic
plutonicterrane
terreneall
allyielded
yieldedpost-Penokean
post-Penokeandates
datesofof—1760
-1760 Ma
Ma
(Holm et al., 1998).
1998).
This is the
ArIAr cooling
cooling ages
ages in
in east-central
east-central
the first
first study
study totodocument
document biotite
biotite Penokean
Penokean Ar/Ar
Minnesota. These
Thesedata
datafirmly
firmlyestablish
establishaaPenokean
Penokean age
age of
ofmetamorphism
metamorphism for
for the
the lower
lower grade
grade
structural panels
panels described
described by
by Jirsa and Chandler
Chandler (1997).
(1997). While
While preliminary,
preliminary, these
these data
data also
also
indicate
thermal overprinting
overprinting atat either
either ca.
ca. 1760 Ma
Ma (as documented
indicate no significant
significant thermal
documented to the
northwest in the plutonic terrane) or at ca. 1630
1630 Ma (as
(as long documented
documented in adjacent
adjacent parts of the
the
orogen in Wisconsin). ItItappears
appearsthe
the1770-1760
1770-1760Ma
Ma barrovian
barrovian amphibolite
amphibolite metamorphism
metamorphism in
in the
the
internal zone of east-central
east-central Minnesota may be restricted
restricted to
to the
the deepest
deepest exposed
exposed region
region which
which
also contains
contains abundant
abundant post-tectonic
post-tectonic plutons.
plutons. If so,
so, this
this would
would be
be consistent
consistent with
with the
the
interpretation of Holm et al. (1998)
(1998) that the deepest
deepest exposed region was probably the thickest
thickest
portion
portion of the
the Penokean
Penokean orogenic
orogenic belt
belt which
which became
became unstable
unstable and
and rapidly
rapidly collapsed
collapsed (i.e.,
(i.e.,
unroofed) at —1760
Ma. The temporal and spatial association of post-tectonic plutons, barrovian
-1760 Ma.
—1760
Mametamorphism,
metamorphism,and
andmidcrustal
midcrustal unroofing
unroofing suggest
suggest aa genetic link between
-1760 Ma
between thermal
thermal
softening of the overthickened
overthickened crust and post-orogenic collapse in the hinterland of the Penokean
Penokean
orogen.

61

�QiDKeweenawan Supergroup
Paleoproterozoic

C:)
LIWe Falls Fonnation

Mixed supraaustai rot and

shearS granitic rocks. Mets.plutomc rocks may be Archean an part

0 HilIman tonalite (may be
Archean in part)

c1 Archean/Proterozoic?
Undiffetentiated

—

Minnesota. Filled
Figure 1.
1.Generalized
Generalized bedrock
bedrockgeology
geology map
map of
of east-central Minnesota.
Filled circles
circles
represent localities
Lux, 1996;
HoIm etal.,
(after HoIm
Holm and Lux.
1996;Holm
etal.. 1998)
1998)which
reoresent
localities of
of prior
crior results
results (after
yielded ca. 1760-1750
Ma dates onmica
on mica and hornblende. Also plotted
the 1854
1854Ma
M a Ar/Ar
Arlk
clotted is
is the
vikded
1760-1756%
plateau age on hornblende from the Penokean Philbrook
Philbrook pluton
pluton (southwick,
(Southwick, 1
1994).
Open
994). Open
circles
from
study. LF
circles represent localities
localities and results f
rom this study.
LF is
is Little
Little Falls, SC
SC is St
S tCloud.
Cloud

. ~ ~ ~ - ~ ~ - ~
~~~~

References
References
HoIm, D.K.,and
D.K.,and Lux,
Lux, D.R.,
DR., 19%,
1996,Core
Corecomplex
complexmodel
model proposed for gneiss dome development
Holm,
Paleoproterozoic Penokean
Penokean omgen,
orogen, Minnesota:
Minnesota Geology, 24,343-346.
24,343-346.
during collapse of the Paleopmteromic
D.K., Darrah, K.S.,
K.S., and Lux,
Lux, D.R.,
DR., 1998,
-1760 Ma
Holm, D.K.,
1998,Evidence for widespread -1760
Ma metamorphism and
870-1820 Ma)
morphism
and rapid
rapid crustal
crustal stabilization
stabilizationof
ofthe
theEarly
EarlyProterozoic
Proterozoic(1
(1870-1820
Ma) Penokean
Penokean
Orogen, Minnesota:
Minnesota American
60-81.
298,60-81.
Omgen,
AmericanJournal
Journalof
ofScience,
Science,298,
M. and
Jirsa, M.,
andChandler,
Chandler,V.,
V,1997,
1997,Scientific
Scientifictest
testdrilling
drillingand
andmapping
mappingin
ineast-central
east-centralMinnesota,
Minnesota,
1994-1995: Sununary
Summaryof
oflithologic
lithologicresults:
results:M~M.
Mlnn.Geol.
Geol.Smv.
Suit Info. Circular
105 pp.
1994-1995:
Circular42,
42,105
.,Chandler,
Chandler, V,
V, and
andBoerboom,
Boerboom,11,
T., 1995,
1995,Extension
Extension of
of the
the Wisconsin
Wisconsin magmatic terranes
Jim, M
Jirsa,
lvi,
into the Minnesota
Minnesota segment of the Penokean omgen:
orogen: Institute
Institute on
on Lake
Lake Superior
Superior Geology,
4
1st Annual Meeting,
41st
Meeting, Marathon, ON, 42.25-26.
42,25-26.
D.L., 1994,
geochronologic studies
studies of
of Precambrian
Precambrianterranes
terranes in
inMinnesota:
Minnesott
Southwick, D.L.,
1994,Assorted geochronologic
A potpourri of timely information:
information: in
in Short
Short Contributions
Contributions to the
the Geology
Geology of
of Minnesota,
Minnesota, 1994,
1994,
Investigations 43,
1-19.
edited by D.L. Southwick, Minnesota Geological Survey Report of Investigations
43,l-19.

62

�THE
THE DISTINCTION
DISTINCTION BETWEEN
BETWEEN FLAT
FLAT PEBBLE
PEBBLECONGLOMERATES
CONGLOMERATES AND
AND
INTRAFORMATIONAL
INTRAFORMATIONALBRECCIAS
BRECCIASIN
INPRECAMBRIAN
PRECAMBRIANIRON
IRONFORMATIONS
FORMATIONS
Bruce
BruceM.
M.Simonson
Simonson
Geology
GeologyDepartment
Department
Oberlin
OberlinCollege
College
Oberlin,
USA
Oberlin,01144074-1044
OH 44074-1044USA

Iron
Ironformation,
formation,aa distinctive
distinctivetype
type of
of rock
rock restricted
restricted largely to the Precambrian,
Precambrian, consists
consists mainly of
oi
silica
(in
the
form
of
ehert)
and
such
iron-rich
minerals
as
hematite,
magnetite,
siderite,
andlor
silica (in the form of chert) and such iron-rich minerals as hematite, magnetite, siderite, and/or
greenalite.
greenalite. Lamination
Laminationand
andthin
thinbedding
beddingare
arecommonplace
commonplacein
inthese
theserocks
rocksas
asevidenced
evidencedby
by the
the
near-universal
use
of
the
term
BIF
(for
"Banded
Iron
Formation"),
but
a
substantial
minority
near-universal use of the term BIF (for "Banded
substantial minority of
of
iron
iron formations
formations(particularly
(particularlythose
thosein
inNorth
North America)
America)are
are actually
actually GIF
GIF(for
(for "Granular
"GranularIron
Iron
Formation").
Formation"). Such
Suchunits
unitshave
havecoarsely
coarselyclastic
clastictextures
textures(analogous
(analogousto
tothose
thoseof
ofcarbonate
carbonate
grainstones
and
oolites)
and
display
structures
such
as
cross-bedding
rather
than
grainstones and oolites) and display structures such as cross-beddmg rather thanbanding.
banding.
CentimeterCentimeter-to
todecimeter-scale
decimeter-scalelayers
layersrich
richin
insiliceous,
siliceous,flat,
flat,pebble-size
pebble-size fragments
fragmentsare
areminor
minor
constituents
of
both
BIF
and
GIF.
The
fragments
are
clearly
intraformational
in
origin
constituents of both BIF and GIF. The fragments are clearly intraformational in originand
andare
are
frequently
bothsettings,
settings,
frequentlycited
citedas
asevidence
evidenceof
ofdeposition
depositionin
inshallow,
shallow,high-energy
high-energyenvironments
environmentsininboth
but
but they
they have
have very
very different
differentorigins.
origins.The
Thefragments
fragmentsin
in GIF
GIFoccur
occurin
in flat
flatpebble
pebbleconglomerates
conglomerates
where
where they
they generally
generally have
havewell-rounded
well-roundedends,
ends, form
formaa grain-supported
grain-supported framework,
framework,and
andoriginated
originated
via
via erosion
erosionand
and reworking
reworkingatatthe
the sediment-water
sediment-waterinterface.
interface.In
In contrast,
contrast,the
the fragments
fragmentsin
inBIF
BIF
occur
in
breccias
where
they
are
generally
much
more
angular,
isolated
in
a
matrix
of
less
occur in breccias where they are generally much more angular, isolated in a matrix of less
siliceous
siliceousmaterial,
material,and
andoriginated
originatedafter
afterdeposition
depositionand
andatatleast
leastshallow
shallowburial
burialvia
viapartial
partial
liquefaction.
liquefaction.The
Thedominance
dominanceof
ofeherty
chertyfragments
fragmentsin
inboth
bothbreccias
brecciasand
andconglomerates
conglomeratesindicates
indicates
that
thansilica-poor
silica-poorones
onesin
inboth
bothBIF
BIFand
and
that silica-rich
silica-richlayers
layerswere
weresignificantly
significantlymore
morecohesive
cohesivethan
GIF.
GIF. Many
Manv of
of the
the flat
flat pebbles
nebbles in
in GIF
GIF are
are identical
identical to
to nodular
nodular masses
masses known
known as
aschert
chertpods
in
-podsin
underlying
sediments,
suggesting
they
are
exhumed
nodules.
Petrographic
evidence
such
as
underlying sediments, suggesting they are exhumed
Petrographic evidence such as
large
differences
in
minus-cement
porosity
inside
large
differences
vorositv
vs.
outside
the
pods and dramatic thinning- of
.
individual
individuallayers
layersas
as they
they exit
exitpods
podsindicates
indicatesthe
the pods
podsformed
formedvia
via early
earlysilica
silicacementation.
cementation.This
This
widespread
widespread early
early cementation
cementationisis probably
probably due
dueto
to high
high silica
silicaconcentrations
concentrationsin
inPrecambrian
Precambrian
seawater
seawater which,
which, unlike
unlike today,
today, caused
caused silica
silicato
to difftise
diffuse into
into (rather
(rather than
than out
out of)
of) sediment
sedimentpore
pore
waters
(Siever,
1992,
Geochimica
et
Cosmochiiica
Acta
56,3265-3272).
waters (Siever, 1992, Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 56, 3265-3272).

.

63

�PRECAMBRIAN FEATURES UNDER THE
THE JAMES
JAMES BAY
BAY AND HUDSON BAY
BAY LOWLANDS
LOWLANDS
PRECAMBRIAN
Geological Survey,
Ontario Geological
Lake Rd,
Rd, Sudbury,
Sudbury, ONP3E
ON F3E 6B5
Greg Stott, Brian
Survey, 933 Ramsey Lake
Brian Berdusco, Ontario
stottg(ägov.on.ca ;brian.berdusco)ndm.gov.on.ca
stottgf%~ov.on.ca
brian.berdusco@ndm.eov.on.ca

Large
cover of
of both
both the James
Bay and
and Hudson
Large parts
parts of the
the Superior
Superior Province
Province underlie
underlie the Phanerozoic
Phanerozoic cover
James Bay
Hudson Bay

lowlands. This,
This, plus
plus the
the poor
poorbedrock
bedrockexposure
exposureininthe
theeastern
easternand
and northernmost
northernmostexposed
exposed Sachigo
Sachigo Subprovince,
Subprovince,has
has
permitted only limited
with
permitted
limitedsuccess
success to date
date in correlating
correlating the regional geology of
of the
the Uchi-Sachigo
Uchi-Sachigo superterrane
superterrane with
parts
project is planned
number of geological
the Superior
Superior Province
Province in
in northwestern
northwestern Quebec.
Quebec. AA project
planned to examine
examine aa number
parts of the
problems in addition
addition totoregional
regionalcorrelations
correlations by
byreprocessing
reprocessing the
the ODMJGSC
ODMIGSC aeromagnetic
aeromagnetic data
the 1960s
1960s
problems
data of
of the
covering the region mainly north of
of Latitude
Latitude 510.
51'. This will
willbe
be done
done in
in co-operation
co-operation with
with Regional
Regional Geophysics
Geophysics staff
of
under the
the lowland cover
of the
the GSC.
GSC. This
This poster
poster isis intended
intended to
to outline
outlinesome
some of
of the
the Precambrian
Precambrian features under
cover that might
might
be
he enhanced when the reprocessing is completed.
Features and Interpretive
Interpretiveissues:
issues:

the substrate
substrateof
of the
the northern
northern Hudson
Hudson Bay
1) The complex, broad high magnetic
magnetic susceptibility
susceptibility that
that characterizes
characterizes the
I)

[HBL] isissimilar
Lowlands [HBL]
similartotothat
thatofofthe
thePikwitonei
Pikwitoneigranulite
granulitedomain
domainand
and adjacent
adjacent domains
domains in Manitoba. We
suspect that
that this
this region
region of old
broad range
range of
of Archean
Archean ages
ages including
includingpre-3.8
pre-3.8 Cia
Ga crust
crust (cf.
(cf.
suspect
old crust,
crust, containing
containingaa broad
B6hm
Geology, JanIOO),
JanIOO), continues
and underlies
underlies the early
early
BOhm et
et al., Geology,
continuesinto
intothe
the northernmost
northernmostpart
partof
of Ontario
Ontario and
Inlier.
Proterozoic Sutton Inlier.
Orogen [THO]
[THO] are
in parts
parts of
of Manitoba and the
the HBL. Re-interpretation
2) Elements of the Trans-Hudson Orogen
are exposed
exposed in
Re-interpretation
of the aeromagnetic
aeromagnetic patterns
patterns that
that characterize
characterize this
this region
region suggests
suggests several points to
to consider:
consider:

3)
3)

River Belt
BeltofofManitoba
Manitobadoes
doesnot
notappear
appeartotocontinue
continueeastwards
eastwards across
across the northern
northern
a) The Proterozoic Fox River
HBL but
border and
and probably
probably links
links to the
hut continues
continues north
north to
to Hudson
Hudson Bay
Bay near
near the
the Manitoba-Ontario
Manitoba-Ontario border
the
Internides of the main THO linear gravity
gravity anomaly just
just offshore, north
north of Ontario.
Strata
seem to reappear
reappear as
of
Strata from
from the Trans-Hudson Orogen
Orogen offshore
offshore in Hudson Bay seem
asfolded
folded units
units north of
b)
h)
the Sutton Inlier
the
Inlier and
anddiscontinuously
discontinuouslyextend
extend southwards
southwards towards the inlier.
inlier.These
These features
features need
need further
further
discrimination to
to establish
establish their full
extent.
discrimination
full extent.
as aa single,
single, continuous
continuous package
packageof
of rock
rock as
as currently
c) The Sutton
Sutton Inlier
Inlier has
has for
formany
manyyears
years been
been treated
treated as
c)
portrayed on
on geological maps
maps (compiled
(compiled from
from the
the original
original work by H. Bostock
GSC Paper
Paper 70-42). But a
portrayed
Bostock -- GSC
closer examination of
patterns in
in its
its vicinity
vicinity suggests
the Sutton Inlier
Inlier is
of the
the aeromagnetic patterns
suggests the
is not
not aa single
single large
large
domain but aa set
set of
ofsouthward-convex-shaped
southward-convex-shaped inliers
resemble "klippe-like"
domain
inliers strung
strung along
along aa line. They resemble
features
comprising shallow
shallow water platform sedimentary
depositsincluding
including iron
iron formation, and
features comprising
sedimentary deposits
and gabbroic
gahhroic
sills that
southwardsonto
ontothe
theArchean
Archeancraton
cratonfrom
from the
the main
main THO belt
that might
might have
have been
been transported
transported southwards
belt
offshore. Smaller
of the currently defined
aeromagneticallyapparent
apparent to the north and east
east of
defined
Smaller "klippe"
"klippe"are
arealso
alsoaeromagnetically
Sutton Inlier. The
the Nastapoka
NastapokaFormation
Formationon
onthe
the eastern
easternshore
shoreofof Hudson
HudsonBay
Bay (cf.
(cf.
Sutton
The strata
strata resemble
resemble the
Chandler
Res.1989)
1989)and
andpart
partofofthe
thePovungnituk
PovungnitukGroup
Group of
of Cape
Cape Smith
Smith Belt.
Chandler and
and Parrish, Prec. Res.
Beneath
the James
JamesBay
BayLowlands
Lowlands [JBL],
[JBLJ,there
thereisis aa strong
strong likelihood
likelihood that
that the
Beneath the
the English
English River
River and
and Quetico
Quetico
metasedimentarysuhprovinces
subprovincesconverge
converge
underthetheJames
JamesBay
BayLowland
Lowlandcover
cover and
and that
that the
metasedimentary
under
the Wabigoon
Wabigoon
Subprovince pinches
pinches out
out eastwards.
eastwards.Discrimination
Discriminationof
of this
this has
hasimportant
importanttectonic
tectonic implications
implications for the original
Subprovince
original
that the converging
nature of these
these subprovinces.
subprovinces. It is compelling
compelling to
to suggest
suggest that
converging English
English River
River and
and Quetico
Quetico
nature
resemble telescoped
telescoped inter-arc
inter-arc basins
basins that
that wrap
wrap around the
the east
eastend
endof
of aa Wabigoon
Wabigoon microcontinent
microcontinent and
and continue
continue
'basins in Quebec.
The merged
merged English
English R
R - Quetico
R. and
and Opinaca
Opinaca R.
R. "basins"
Quebec. The
Quetico isis
on-line with
with the
the Nemiscau
Nemiscau R.
on-line
conceptually
conceptually analogous
analogous to
to the
the modern
modem basins
basins of
of the
the Solomon
Solomon and
and Coral
Coral seas
seas respectively north
north and
and south
south of
of east
east
Papua-New
Papua-New Guinea.
Guinea.
The Sachigo and Uchi
Uchi subprovinces
to merge
merge under
under the
the eastern
easternHBL
HBL and
and JBL
JBL
suhprovinces of northwestern Ontario appear
appear to
and continue
as aa single
single domain
domain and
and emerging
emerging as
asthe
theMinto
Minto domain
domain of northern Quebec.
continue eastwards
eastwards as
Quehec.
the eastern
easternHBL,
HBL,flanked
flankedto
tothe
thewest
westby
byaafault
faultsimilar
similar in orientation
A major
major indenter-like
indenter-likefeature
feature occurs
occurs under the
to the
the Miniss
Miniss Fault.
Fault. This
Thisfeature,
feature, like
likeother
other"indenters"
"indenters"ininnorthwestern
northwestern Ontario
Ontario (e.g.,
(e.g., at Savant
Savant Lake,
Lake,
Shebandowan
and Manitouwadge),
Manitouwadge), closes
closesnorthwards
northwardsand
andborders
bordersaa"bow-tie"
"bow-tie" aermagnetic
aermagneticpattern
patternon
on its
its north
Shehandowan and
flank, which
flank,
whichappears
appears to
to reflect
reflectshortening
shorteningand
andexhumation
exhumationofofdeeper
deepercrust.
crust.

-

4)
4)

5)
5)

64

�THE
THE 1787-1772
1787-1772MA
MAEAST-CENTRAL
EAST-CENTRAL MINNESOTA
MINNESOTA BATHOLITH:
BATHOLITH:
PRECURSOR TO
TOCRUSTAL
CRUSTALSTABILIZATION
STABILIZATION IN
IN THE
THEL.L.SUPERIOR
SUPERIOR
PRECURSOR
REGION
REGION
- -

VAN
both
bothatatDept.
Dept.of
ofGeology,
Geology,Univ.
Univ.ofof
VAN SCHMUS,
SCHMUS, W.R.,
W.R.. and
andMacNEILL,
MacNEILL,L.L.C.,C.,

ofofGeology,
Kansas,Lawrence,
Lawrence,KS,
KS,55045
55045(rvschmus@ukans.edu);
(rvschmus@ukans.edu);HOLM,
HOLM.D.K.,
D.K.,Dept.
Dept.
Geology,Kent
Kent
Kansas,
both
at
Minnesota
BOERBOOM,
JIRSA. M.A,
M.A. both at Minnesota
State Univ.,
State
Univ.,Kent,
Kent,OH;
OH;
BOERBOOM,T.J.
T.J.and
and JIRSA,
Geological
MN
GeologicalSurvey,
Survey,2642
2642University
UniversityAvenue,
Avenue,St.
St.Paul,
Paul,MN
The
Thecause
causeofof—1760
-1760 Ma magmatism in the
the southern
southernL.
L.Superior
Superiorregion
regionhas
hasbeen
beenconsidered
considered
considerable
amagmatic
enigmatic
because
of
its
apparently
abrupt
nature
and
the
enigmatic because of its apparently abrupt nature and the considerable amagmatichiatus
hiatus(—60
(-60
m.y.)
m.y.) that
that separates
separates itit from
from Penokean
Penokean orogenesis.
orogenesis. The
Theage
age of
of post-Penokean
post-Penokeanmagmatism
magmatisminin
Wisconsin,
Wisconsin,commonly
commonlyreferred
referredtotoasas"1760
"1760Ma",
Ma",was
wasobtained
obtainedby
by dating
datingmg-sized
mg-sizedfractions
fractionsfrom
from
here
new
U-Pb
data
rhyolites and
and epizonal
epizonal granites
granites (Van
(Van Schmus,
Schmus, 1980).
1980). We
Wereport
report here new U-Pb datafrom
fromthe
the
rhyolites
recently
recentlycharacterized
characterizedmidcrustal
midcrustalplutonic
plutonicterrane
terraneinineast-central
east-centralMinnesota.
Minnesota. This
Thisportion
portionofofthe
the
exposed
exposed Penokean
Penokean orogen
orogencontains
containsnumerous
numerouspost-tectonic
post-tectonicplutons
plutonsof
ofvarying
varyingcomposition
compositionand
and
Based
on
field,
drill-core,
geometry(Jirsa
(Jirsaetetal.,
al.,1995;
1995;Boerboom
Boerboometetal.,
al.,1995;
1995;1998).
1998). Based on field, drill-core,petrologic,
petrologic,
geometry
and
andgeophysical
geophysicalstudies,
studies,about
about20
20separate
separateintrusive
intrusivebodies
bodieshave
havebeen
been identified
identifiedand
andcategorized
categorized
granites;
into
1)granodioritic
granodioritic to
todioritic
dioriticrocks;
rocks;2)2)gray
gray granites; 3)
3)red
redgranite
granite
into four
four separate
separate groups:
groups: 1)
quartzofeldspathic
dikes.
plutons,
plutons,dikes
dikesand
andsills;
sills;and
and4)4)late
laternafic
maficplugs
plugsand
anddiabasic
diabasictoto quartzofeldspathic dikes.
0.34
Richmond Granite
Intercepts at

4 grains

'N f?2-

0±0&amp;1772.3±1.OMaI
MSWD= 1.6; P = a16J

0.32

1 grain

1720

0.30

0.28

600

TV"
.1

grains

0.26

0.24
3.5

3.7

3.9

4.3

4.1

201
207

4.5

4.7

4.9

p y 235 U(J
Pb!235

Fiyure 1.1. Plot
Plotof
ofzircon
zircondata
datafrom
fromthe
theyounger
youngerand
andolder
olderends
endsof
ofthe
theage
agespectrum
spectrumfor
forthe
theEastEastFigure
Central
CentralMinnesota
Minnesotabatholith.
batholith.Data
Datafor
forother
otherunits
unitsfall
fallininbetween
betweenthese
thesetwo
twopopulations.
populations.
65

�Our new results are mostly U-Pb isotope dilution analyses from single zircons
zircons weighing
weighing 11 to
to
5 micrograms, with
with several
several hand-picked,
hand-picked,air-abraded
air-abradedgrains
grainsselected
selectedfor
foreach
eachrock
rockunit.
unit. For the
most part the analyses are not influenced by
by xenocrystic cores,
cores, although in a few cases they may
be present. All
units
of
the
post-tectonic
suite,
the
"East-Central
All units of the post-tectonic suite, the "East-Central Minnesota
Minnesota batholith" (ECMB),
(ECMB),
yield ages within the range 1772±1
Ma
(Richmond
Granite)
to
1787±3
1772i1
to 1787i3 Ma (Warman
(Wannan Granite).
The relative
relative ages within this range correlate with relative
relative ages based
based on
on field
fieldrelationships
relationships
known). Thus,
(where known).
Thus, all
all units
units of
of the
the ECMB
ECMB (St. Cloud
Cloud Red Granite,
Granite, Reformatory
Reformatory Granodiorite;
Granodiorite;
Rockville Granite, Freedham Tonalite, Anne Lake
Lake Granite,
Granite, plus
plus others)
others) were emplaced within 15
15
m.y.
are determining
determining ages from
from surrounding
surrounding basement rocks, using
using
m.y. In
Inaddition
additionto
to the
the ECMB,
ECMB, we
we are
outcrop and
and drill core samples;
preliminary results
resultsyield
yield an
an age
age of
of 1800±8
Ma for a foliated
samples; preliminary
1800Â± Ma
foliated
tonaiite
tonalite within the Hillman migmatitecomplex. We are
are also
also redetermining
redetermining U-Pb
U-Pb ages
ages of
of several
several
units of the "1760 Ma" suite in Wisconsin using
using single-crystal
single-crystal analyses,
analyses, but
but at
at this
this time our data
definitive.
are not definitive.
Our results suggest that the "1760 Ma" magmatic event is only
only the
the last
last stage
stageof
ofaa—25
-25 m.y.
m.y.
episode of post-tectonic
magmatism. These
post-tectonic magmatism.
These data
data significantly
significantlyreduce
reduce the
the time-lag
time-lagbetween
between the
the
end of Penokean orogenesis and the onset of post-tectonic plutonism, bringing it into
into line
line with
with
thermal and physical
physical models which
which predict
predict characteristic
characteristic time-lags
time-lags of
of only
only 20-40 m.y.
m.y. (England
thermal
Thompson, 1984;
and Thompson,
1984;Turner
Turneret
et aL,
al., 1992).
1992).
Intrusion
of the
Intrusion of
the ECMB
ECMB was
was associated
associated with
withwidespread
widespread midcrustal
midcrustal amphibolite
amphibolite
and directly preceeded
preceeded rapid
rapid exhumation
exhumation (i.e.,
(i.e., collapse?)
collapse?) and
and crustal
crustal stabilization
metamorphism and
In some
(Holm
al., 1998).
1998). In
some regions
regions of incipient
incipient collapse
collapse (i.e.,
(i.e., India-Asia
India-Asia today),
today), the
the
(Holm et al.,
overthickened crust
crust contains
contains aa partially
partially molten
molten layer
layer ponded
ponded in
in its mid-section (Nelson et al.,
overthickened
al.,
1996).
manner we suggest the overthickened
overthickened Penokean crust was
was invaded
invaded by
by
1996). In analagous manner
midcrustal melts
melts which
which probably
probably affected
affected its
its rheological
rheologicalbehavior.
behavior. Vast magma
midcrustal
magma intrusion
intrusion may
may
dramatically decreased crustal viscosity and
and promoted
promoted collapse (as recently proposed for
have dramatically
the Canadian Cordillera;
Cordillera; Vanderhaeghe
Vanderhaeghe et
et aL,
al., 1999).
1999).

References
Boerboom, T.,
T., Jirsa,
Jirsa, M.,
M., and Holm,
Hoim, D.K.,
D.K., 1998, Early
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic Intrusive
Intrusive Rocks of EastBoerboom,
Superior Gwl.
Geol. Fieldtrip
Fieldtrip Guidebook,
Central Minnesota: Institute on L. Superior
Guidebook, v. 44,
44, p. 3-30.
3-30.
Boerboom, T.J.,
T.J., Setterholm, D.R.,
D.R., and Chandler, V.W.,
V.W., 1995, Bedrock geologic map, plate 2
G.N., Project
Project Manager,
Manager,Geologic
Geologicatlas
atlasofofSteams
SteamsCounty,
County,Minnesota:
Minnesota: Minnesota
of Meyer, G.N.,
SurveyCounty
CountyAtlas
AtlasSeries,
Series,C-10,
C-b, Part A,
Geological Survey
scales 1:200,000
and l:lOO,000.England,
P.C., and
and Thompson,
A.B., 1984,
scales
1:200,000 and
l:lOO,OOO.England, P.C.,
Thompson, A.B.,
1984, PressurePressuretemperature-time paths
paths of
of regional
regional metamorphism
metamorphism I.I. Heat
Heat transfer
transfer during
during the evolution of
temperature-time
regions of thickened continental crust: Journal of Petrology, v. 25, p. 894-928.
894-928.
Holm,
Darrah, K.,
K., and
and Lux,
Lux, D.R.,
D.R., 1998,
1998,Evidence
Evidence for
forwidespread
widespread—1760
-1760 Ma
Ma
Holm, D.K.,
D.K., Darrah,
metamorphism and
and rapid crustal stabilization of the Early
metamorphism
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic (1870-1820
(1870-1820 Ma)
Ma)
Penokean orogen, Minnesota: American
American Journal
Journal of Science,
Science, v. 298, p. 60-81.
60-81.
Jirsa, M.A.,
1995, Bedrock geologic map of easteastM.A., Chandler, V.,
V., Cleland, J.,
J., and Meints, J.,
J., 1995,
central Minnesota: Minnesota
Minnesota Geological
Geological Survey
Survey Open-File
Open-File Report
Report 95-1.
Nelson, K.D.,
K.D., and 27 others, 1996,
Nelson,
1996, Partially molten middle crust beneath
beneath southern
southern Tibet:
Tibet:
Synthesis of project INDEPTH results: Science, v. 274, p. 1684-1688.
1684-1688.
and Foden,
Foden, J.,
J., 1992,
1992,Some
Some geodynamic
geodynamic and
and compositional
compositional
Turner,
Sandiford, M.,
Turner, S.,
S., Sandiford,
M., and
constraints on "postorogenic" magmatism:
1-934.
constraints
magmatism:Geology,
Gwlogy,v.v.20,
20,p.p.93
931-934.
Vanderhaeghe, O.,
0., Teyssier,
Vanderhaeghe,
Teyssier, C., and
and Wysoczanski,
Wysoczanski, R., 1999,
1999, Structural
Structural and
and geochronologic
geochronologic
constraints on the role of partial melting during
during the formation
formation of the
the Shuswap
Shuswapmetamorphic
metamorphic
Thor-Odin dome, British Columbia:
Columbia: Can. J. Earth Sci.,
core complex at the latitude of the Thor-Odin
17-943.
v. 36,
36, p.
p. 9917-943.
W.R., 1980,
Van Schmus, W.R.,
1980, Chronology of igneous rocks associated with the Penokean orogeny
orogeny
in Wisconsin: Geol.
Geol. Soc.
Soc.America
AmericaSpec.
Spec. Paper
Paper 182,
182,p.
p. 159-168.
159-168.
66

�ISOTOPIC CONSTRAINTS
CONSTRAINTS ON THE ORIGIN
ORIGIN OF GRANOPHYRE
GRANOPHYRE COMPLEXES
COMPLEXES IN
IN THE
THE
MIDCONTINENT
RIFT
OF
NORTHEASTERN
MINNESOTA.
MIDCONTINENT
OF NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA.
Vervoort, Jeff
D., Department
Department of
of Geosciences,
Geosciences, University of
of Arizona, Tucson,
Tucson, AZ
AZ
Vewoort,
JeffD.,
(ve~oor@,geo.arizona.edu);
Wirth,K.R.,
K.R.,(wirth@macalester.edu)
(wirth@macalester.edu) &amp;
&amp; Kennedy,
Kennedy,B.C.,
B.C.,
(vervoort(geo.arizona.edu); Wirth,
(bkennedy@macalester.edu).
Macalester College, St. Paul, MN (bkennedy@macalester.edu).
The magmatism of the Midcontinent
Midcontinent Rift (MCR)
(MCR) is dominantly
dominantly mafic in composition
compositionin
in both
both
the volcanic
In some
someportions
portionsof
of the
the MCR,
MCR,
volcanic sequences
sequences as well as the underlying intrusive rocks. In
however, the magmatism
magmatism is strongly
strongly bimodal with significant
significant volumes of rhyolite
rhyolite and
and granite
granite in
in
[1]. This
This is
is particularly true
true for
for the northeast
northeast limb of the North
association with basalt and gabbro [I].
km thick
thick volcanic
volcanic stratigraphy
stratigraphy
Shore Volcanic Group
Group (NSVG)
(NSVG) where
where approximately
approximately 25%
25% of
of its
its 6.4
6.4 km
other evolved
evolved lavas
lavas 121.
[2]. Evolved intrusive rocks
rocks are also
also prominent
prominent in
in
is composed of rhyolite and other
the northwest
flank
of
the
MCR
and
occur
in
compositionally
stratified
complexes.
Although
these
stratified complexes. Although
northwest flank
are dominantly granitic (granite-granodiorite)
(granite-granodiorite) in composition,
composition, intermediate
intermediate rocks
rocks (monzodiorite(monzodioritein the
the lower
lower portions
portions of
ofthese
thesecomplexes.
complexes. Collectively these
quartz monzodiorite) predominate in
granophyres because of their
their characteristic
characteristic gmophy&amp;
granophyrictextures.
textures. The field relahave been termed graniphyres
tions, petrography,
and
geochemistry
of
these
complexes
are
described
by
Kennedy
petrography, and geochemistry of these complexes are described by Kennedyet
et al.
al.[3].
[3].
similarities to
to the
the overlying
overlying volcanic
volcanic rocks.
rocks. Both
The granophyres
granophyres have striking geochemical similarities
8-67% SiO2
S i O (Fig. 1).
1).
have a strong bimodal character illustrated by the compositional gap at 558-67%
The chemistry of the rhyolites and the granites are similar in many
many respects (e.g.,
(e.g., major and trace
elements, REE patterns) which begs the interpretation
elements,
interpretation that the granophyric
granophyric complexes
complexes represent
represent
the magma chambers
chambers that supplied
supplied the large rhyolitic
rhyolitic eruptions.
eruptions.
The
NSVG lavas are isotopihe NSVG
i&amp;topi7
(Fig. 2).
2). Most
cally heterogeneous (Fig.
Granophyre
~ r a u ~ p ~Complexes
Complexes
qm
values close
close
basalts
e.,, values
basaltshave
haveinitial
initial£Nd
• Greenwood
6
1
&amp;wood Lake
Lake
[4, 5].
51.
to zero or slightly negative
negative [4,
A
A Misquali
MiquahHills
Hilh
The rhyolites,
&lt;)Eagle
The
rhyolites, in
in contrast,
contrast, typically
typically
5
@
EagleMountain
Mountain
• Pine
0
PineMountain
Mountain
eNd
have strongly
strongly negative
negativeinitial
initial8Nd
4
o Finland
values (down
values
(down to -15)
- 15)indicating
indicatingthey
they
were formed
formed in
in large
large part by the
the par- 1(20
4
t
3
a
NSVG Rhyolites
melting and
tial melting
and assimilation
assimilation of
of older
(most
Archean) crustal
crustalrocks.
rocks.
(most likely
likely Archean)
C&gt;
2
In contrast
contrast to
to the
the NSVG lavas,
lavas,
the granophyres are more isotopi1I
NSVG transitional baaalia
b:alts
cally
homogenous both individually
cally homogenous
individually
0
and
and collectively
collectively (Fig. 2). With one
one
60
65
75
80
exception
hiexception all
all granophyres
granophyres have
have iniSi02
similar to most
values 0
tiale.,
0 to
to -5,
-5, similar
tial
aNd values
Figure 1. Si02
S i Ovs.
vs. 1(20
K,0 plot illustrating
illustrating the linear array
basalts in the MCR [7].
[7]. The
The isotoisotoand
bimodal
distribution
of of
and
bimodal
distribution
of the
the granophyre
granophyre
pic homogeneity of individual gracompositions.
Also
shown
are
data
for
NSVG
tholeiitic
Also shown are data for
tholeiitic
nophyres is demonstrated by the
and
and
transitional
basalts
[5]
rhyolites
[6].
Few
samples
Few
samples
transitional
[5]
and
compositions of two granophyre
(4
of
5
are
from
the
Finland
granophyre)
plot
in
the
SiO2
from
Finland
granophyre)
plot
in
the
Si02
complexes (Misquah
complexes
(Misquah Hills and
and
gap
(58%
to
67%).
(58% to 67%).
Greenwood Lake)
Greenwood
Lake) located
located in
in central
central

-

n

.I

-

455055

67

�Cook County. The
The Greenwood
Greenwood Lake
Lake
granophyre
granophyre ranges from monzodiorite
to granite ((Si02
S i O 52% to 72%) but has
initialENd values of-0.7
of -0.7to
to -1.9
-1.9 (Fig.
(Fig.
initial
2), an extremely
extremely small
small range considerconsidering analytical
analytical reproducibility
reproducibility (±0.3
(Â±0.to
to
0.4&amp;Nd
G units). The Greenwood Lake ENd
0.4
NSVG Rhplites
granophyre was emplaced
emplaced during
during the
the
early stage
stage of the MCR
MCR (1107
(1 107Ma;
Ma; [8]).
[8]).
A Misquah Hilb granophyre
The Misquah
Hills
granophyre
has
not
Misquah
granophyre
been dated but is likely of similar age
because it intrudes
because
intrudes a sequence
sequence of older,
45
50
55
60
65
70
75
reversed polarity lavas.
These new isotopic data, in
in conconFigure 2.
2. Si02
Figure
S i O vs.
vs. initial
initial EENd of the granophyre
junction with major and trace-element
chemistry and previously published Nd
complexes. Also
Also shown
shownare
are data
data for
for NSVG
NSVG tholeiitic
tholeiitic
results from 6 other granophyres [6],
basalts
[5]
and
rhyolites
[6].
Note
the
Nd
isotopic
basalts
and rhyolites [6]. Note the
isotopic
[6],
homogeneity of the Misquah Hills and Greenwood
provide important constraints on the
origin of the granophyre
Lake granophyres
granophyres over
over a wide
wide range
range of
of Si02.
SiO.
granophyre complexes.
complexes.
First, the granophyres
graniphges are isotopically
i~ot6~icall~
distinct from the rhyolites. Although
Althoughtwo
twoof
ofthe
theCook
Cook County
County rhyolites
rhyolites(Kimball
(KimballCreek,
Creek,Red
Red Rock)
Rock)
about
-5,
this
is
more
negative
(Eagle
have initial G~
values
than
all
but
one
of
the
granophyres
ENd
genetically related to
Q =
= -7.7).
-7.7). This indicates that the granophyres are probably not genetically
Mtn.,
initialENd
Mm., initial
the rhyolite flows and do not represent the
the magma
magma chambers
chambersfrom
fromwhich
whichthe
therhyolites
rhyoliteswere
werefed.
fed. It
is important to note, however, that the granophyres most thoroughly studied thus far (Misquah
likely older
older(-1
(l 107
Hills, Greenwood Lake) are likely
107Ma).
Ma). ItItisisnot
notuntil
untilthe
themain
mainstage
stageof
of the
the rift
rift (&lt;1100
( 4 100
&amp;Nd values were erupted
erupted in
in the
the NSVG.
NSVG.
Ma, [9])
[9]) that
thatthe
thelarge
largerhyolites
rhyoliteswith
withthe
thehighly
highlynegative
negative
Secondly,
homogeneity. This
Secondly, the two granophyres
granophyres examined thus far show remarkable isotopic homogeneity.
This
implies that these complexes have been derived from a single parental
parental magma
magma or
or from
from magmas
magmas that
are isotopically similar. In
In the
the case
case of
of the
the granophyre
granophyre complexes,
complexes, the high silica portions could not
have been derived to a significant
significant extent from melting or assimilation of older crust. Rather,
Rather,ititisis
complexes were
were produced
more probable that the limited isotopic variations within the granophyre complexes
minor assimilation.
assimilation. It remains
by fractionation and mixing processes with only minor
remains possible
possible that
that the
the
granitic rocks have been derived by partial melting and cannibalization
cannibalization of crystallized
crystallized MRS magmas lower in the crust, but this seems unlikely considering the refractory nature of such rocks and
the availability of less refractory older crust present in the lower crust, especially during early
stages
stages of
of rifling.
rifting.

sd

-

sd

References:
References: [I]
[1] J.C.Green, 1982, Geol. Soc.
Soc. Am.
Am. Mem.,
Mem., 156,47.
156, 47. [2] J.C.Green and T.J.Fitz, J.

Volcan. Geotherm.
Geothenn. Res., 54, 177
177 (1993). [3]
[3] B.C.Kennedy,
B.C.Kennedy, K.R.Wirth,
K.R.Wirth, and
and J.D.Vervoort,
J.D.Vervoort, this
this vol[4]J.C.Brannon,
J.C.Brannon, Ph.D.
Ph.D. thesis,
thesis, St.
St. Louis Univ. (1984).
[5] L.Dosso,
L.Dosso, Ph.D. thesis, Univ.
ume. [4]
(1984). [5]
(1984). [6]
[6]J.D.Vervoort
J.D.Vervoortand
andJ.C.Green,
J.C.Green, Can.
Can. J. Earth
Earth Sci.,34,
Sci.,34,521
[7]S.W.Nicholson,
S.W.Nicholson,
Minn. (1984).
521 (1997). [7]
K.J.Schulz, and
and J.C.Green,
J.C.Green,Can.
Can.J.J.Earth
EarthSci.,
Sci.,34,504
34, 504(1997).
(1997). [8] D.W.Davis and
S.B.Shirey, K.J.Schulz,
J.C.Green, Can. J. Earth Sci.,
Sci., 34,476
[9] J.D.Miller
J.D.Millerand
andJ.D.Vervoort,
J.D.Vervoort,ILSG
ILSG abstr,
abstr, (1996).
(1996).
J.C.Green,
34, 476 (1997). [9]

68

�ARCHEAN DIAMOND EXPLORATION
EXPLORATION TARGETS IN
IN THE
THE MICHIPICOTEN
MICHIPICOTEN GREENSTONE
GREENSTONE BELT,
BELT,
WAWA, ONTARIO
WILSON, A.
A. C.,
C., Ministry
Ministryof
ofNorthern
NorthernDevelopment
Development and
and Mines,
Mines, Ontario
Ontario Government
Government Complex,
Complex, Highway 101
101 East,
East.
WILSON,
Porcupine, Ontario, P0N
0. Bag
IHO (705-235-1614;
(705-235-1614;ann.wilsonfiindm.gov.on.ca
ann.wilson(ndm.gov.on.ca
Bag 3060,
3060, South
South Porcupine,
PON 1HO
P. 0.
Traditionally, diamond exploration
Traditionally,
exploration in Ontario
Ontario has focussed
focussed on following
following KIM dispersion
dispersion trails
trails and
and on
on
examining geophysical targets believed to be related
related to
to kiiberlite
kimberlite pipes.
pipes. However, the 1993
announcement
1993 announcement of the
discovery of three
three alluvial
alluvial diamonds
diamonds recovered
recovered from the
the Michipicoten
Michipicoten River
River area
area south
south of
of Wawa
Wawa has
has led
led to
tothe
the
search for much different diamond
diamond sources.
sources.
Surmacz and
the frst
first discovery
discovery of
of Archean-aged
Archean-agedbedrock
bedrock occurrence
occurrence of
of
In 1995,
1995, S. Sunnacz
and M. Hauseux made the
diamonds in Ontario
kilometers north of the town of Wawa. Following
diamonds
Ontario in Lalibert
Lalibert Township,
Township, approximately
approximately 20 kilometers
Following this
this
discovered nine
the same geographic
geographic region
region in
announcement, Spider
announcement,
Spider Resources
Resources discovered
nine more diamondiferous dikes in the
1997. Early
Earlythis
this year,
year, Ban-Ore Resources Ltd. announced the discovery of at least one more diamondiferous
diamondiferous dike
dike
Township. To date,
commercial stones, 42 macrodiamonds
(the GQ Occurrence),
macrodiamonds and
in Musquash
Musquash Township.
date, 55 commercial
and 338
338
Occurrence), this
this time
time in
microdiamonds have
microdiamonds
have been recovered
recovered from
from bedrock
bedrock in
in an
an area
area approximately
approximately30
30 square
square kilometers in size.
size.
Presently,
bedrock in
in the
the area. The
Presently, there
there appear
appear to
to be two
two types
types of Archean diamond-bearing bedrock
The "Sandor"Sandoractinolite+talc+carbonatexenoliths
xenolithsranging
ranging
type" dikes
dikes are
are mafic
mafic in
in composition
compositionand
and contain
contain up
up to
to 35%
35% spectacular
spectacular actinolite+talc+carbonate
up to 11 metre in size. The fine-grained matrix is foliated. These
These cocks
rocks have been classified as lamprophyres. These
These
dikes are detailed
P. Sage
Sage of
of the
the Ontario
Ontario Geological
GeologicalSurvey
Surveyin
in Sudbury.
Sudbury.
detailed in
in another
another featured
featured poster
poster by
by R.
R. P.
The second type of dike, the GQ-type, is more strongly
strongly foliated than the first
frst type and
and very
very closely
closely
resembles the intennediate
intermediate to
to felsic
felsic tuffs
tuffs that host them. The
Thematrix
matrixisisfute-grained,
fme-grained,actinolite-rich
actinolite-richand
andup
up to
to 60%
60%
subangular, supracrustal xenoliths have been observed in the
the dikes.
dikes. These
rocks
have
yet
to
be
classified.
These
Both
maximum length
length is
is unknown.
unknown. The
10 m wide) and their maximum
Both types
typesof
ofdikes
dikesare
aretypically
typicallynarrow
narrow(0.1
(0.1— 10
dikes trend both northeast
northeast and
and northwest
northwest and,
and, as
as yet, seem
seem to
to display
display no
no readily
readily recognizable
recognizablegeophysical
geophysicalsignature.
signature.
Both types
types of
of dikes
dikes are
are metamorphosed
metamorphosedand
and are
are presumed
presumed to
to be
be slightly
slightlyolder
older than
than the
the supracrustal
supracrustalrocks
rocksthat
thatthey
they
diopsides or
KIM signature
signatureassociated
associatedwith
with these
these occurrences
occurrences is unusual in that there are no chrome diopsides
intrude. The
TheKIM
chrome
chrome pyrope gamets
garnets related
related to the dikes. Chromite
Chromiteand
andilmenite
ilmeniteare
are the
the only
only two
two indicator
indicator minerals
minerals presently
presently
thought to be associated
associated with
with these
these occurrences.
occurrences.
These dikes are concentrated
concentrated in the central part of the Michipicoten
Michipicoten greenstone
greenstone belt and
and are
are related
related to
to aa
synfonnal
anticliiie
centred
on
Leclaire
Township.
These
dikes
appear
to
be
related
to
a
nappe
structure
lying
synformal anticline centred
These dikes appear to be related to a nappe structure lying on
on the
the
northwest
shoulder
of
the
Kapuskasing
Structural
Zone.
northwest shoulder of the Kapuskasing Structural Zone.
The recent discovery
discovery of Archean-aged diamondiferous
diamondiferousdikes
dikes within the Kapuskasing
Kapuskasing Structure
Structurein
in Ontario
Ontario
has significantly
significantlyinfluenced
influenced diamond
diamond exploration
explorationin
in the
the province.
province.

-

69

�DIAMONDS AND
AND DIAMOND
DIAMOND EXPLORATION
EXPLORATION IN
IN NORTHERN
NORTHERN ONTARIO
ONTARIO WITH
WITH A FOCUS ON THE
MICHIPICOTEN
MICHIPICOTENGREENSTONE
GREENSTONE BELT,
BELT, WAWA,
WAWA, ONTARIO
WILSON,
C., Ministiy
Ministryof
ofNorthern
NorthernDevelopment
Development and
and Mines,
Mines, Ontario
Ontario Government Complex, Highway 101
101 East,
East.
WILSON, A.
A. C.,
P. 0.
0.Bag
Bag3060,
3060,South
SouthPorcupine,
Porcupine,Ontario,
Ontario,PON
PON1HO
1HO(705-235-1614;
(705-235-1614;ann.wilson(1iindm.gov.on.ca)
ann.wilson@,ndm.eov.on.ca)
Since 1899, it has been postulated that the source of the alluvial diamonds found south of Lake Superior
originated east or west of James Bay. Blue
Blue (1899)
(1899) made this suggestion based on the fact that many of the gravels
and boulders found in the glacial drift of Wisconsin, Michigan and Ohio, for example, are identical in composition
and structure to the materials north of the Great Lakes.
The first
in hedrock,
bedrock, in
in Ontario,
Ontario,was
wasin
in 1914.
1914. Microscopic diamonds were
f i r t reported occurrence of diamond in
reported by the Ontario Department of Mines in a sample collected from the claims of D. O'Connor in
inReaume
Reaume
Township, located approximately 32 kilometers north of Porcupine.
Exploration for diamonds in Ontario began in earnest in about 1960
1960 when the presence of
of diamond
indicator minerals (KIMs)
(KIM5) was
was discovered
discovered by
by Selco
SelcoExploration
Explorationininthe
theMoose
MooseRiver
Riverdrainage
drainagebasin.
basin. The first
confirmed kimberlite
kimherlite was discovered in Hogg Township by Aquitaine Company of Canada iii
in 1974.
1974.
The James Bay Lowlands have been a diamond exploration hotspot since the late 1980's
1980's and
andhas
hascontinued
continued
up to
to the
the present.
present. Exploration has involved companies such as KWG Resources,
Resources,
to be a favourite exploration target up
Spider Resources, Ashton Mining of Canada, Continental Precious Metals, Garde Mining Exploration, B.
B. P.
Ltd. Exploration
kimberlite clusters, the
Resources Canada Ltd. and Monopos Ltd.
Exploration has led to the discovery of several kiiherlite
most notable being the cluster situated in the
the Attawapiskat
Attawapiskat River
Riverarea.
area. During the winter
winter of 1999-2000, Monopros
Monopros
Ltd. has been in the process of extracting a 10,000
10,000 tonne bulk
hulk sample from the Victor kimberlite
kimherlite pipe.
Traditionally, diamond exploration has focussed on following KIM dispersion trails and on examining
examining
related to kimberlite
kimberlite pipes.
pipes. However, the 1993 announcement
announcement of the discovery of
geophysical targets believed to be related
three alluvial diamonds recovered from the Michipicoten River area south of Wawa has led to the search for
for much
much
different diamond sources.
In 1995
Surmacz and M. Hauseux made the first discovery of Archean-aged bedrock occurrence of
of
1995 S. Surmacz
diamonds in Ontario in Lalibert Township, approximately
approximately 20
20 kilometers
kilometersnorth
northof
ofthe
thetown
townof
ofWawa.
Wawa. Following this
announcement, Spider Resources discovered nine more diamondiferous dikes in the same geographic
geographic region in
in
1997. Early
Early this
this year,
year, Ban-Ore
Ban-OreResources
ResourcesLtd.
Ltd.announced
announcedthe
the discovery
discovery of
of at
at least
leastone
onemore
more diamondiferous
diamondiferous dike
dike
Township. To
(the GQ Occurrence), this time in Musquash Township.
To date, 5 commercial
commercial stones, 42 macrodiamonds and 338
from bedrock
hedrock in an area
area approximately 30 square kilometers in
in size.
microdiamonds have been recovered from
Archean diamond-bearing
diamond-bearingbedrock
bedrockin
inthe
thearea.
area. The "SandorPresently, there appear to be two types of Archean
actinolite+talc+carhonate xenoliths ranging
ranging
type" dikes are
are mafic in
in composition
composition and
and contain
contain up to 35%
35% spectacular actinolite+talc+carbonate
fme-grained matrix
matrix is foliated.
foliated. These rocks have been classified as lamprophyres.
lamprophyres.
up to 11 metre in size. The fine-grained
The second type of dike, the GQ-type, is more strongly foliated than the first type and very closely
tuffs that
that host
host them.
them. The matrix is fine-grained, actinolite-rich
actinolite-rich and up
up to 60%
resembles the intermediate to felsic tuffs
been observed
observed in
in the
the dikes.
dikes. These rocks have yet to be classified.
classified.
subangular, supracrustal xenoliths have been
their maximum
maximum length
length is
is unknown.
unknown. The
10 m wide) and their
The
Both types
types of
ofdikes
dikesare
aretypically
typicallynarrow
narrow(0.1
(0.1—- 10
dikes trend both northeast and northwest and, as yet, seem to display no readily recognizable geophysical signature.
Both types of dikes are metamorphosed and are presumed to be
he slightly older than the supracrustal rocks
rocks that they
they
intrude. The
TheKIM
KIMsignature
signatureassociated
associated with
with these
these occurrences
occurrences is unusual in that there are no chrome diopsides or
chrome pyrope garnets related to the dikes. Chromite
presently
ilmenite are the only two indicator minerals presently
Chromite and
and ilmenite
thought to be associated with these
these occurrences.
occurrences.
The recent discovery of
of Archean-aged
Archean-aged diamondiferous dikes within the Kapuskasing Structure
Structure in
in Ontario
Ontario
will significantly influence
influence the way that future
future diamond exploration is conducted in the province.
19-124.
in Report of the Ontario
Ontario Bureau
Bureau of
of Mines
Mines 1900,
1900,p.1
p.119-124
Blue, A. 1899.
1899. Are
Arethere
there diamonds
diamondsin
inOntario?;
Ontario?; in

Gibson, T. W. 1914.
1914. Statistical
StatisticalReview
Review of
of the
the Mineral
Mineral Industry
Industry of Ontario for 1913;
1913; in Ontario Bureau of Mines
Annual Report 1913, v.
v.23,
p.47.
23, pt.
pi. 1,
1, p.
47.

70

�PETROGENESIS OF THE SILVER
SILVER CREEK DIKE: A 1.1
1.1 Ga INTRUSION IN THE
MIDCONTINENT
MIDCONTINENT RIFT
RIFT
SEIFERT, Karl
Karl E.,
E., Department
Departmentof
ofGeological
Geological&amp;
&amp;Atmospheric
Atmospheric
WOLBERS, Jennifer A., and SEIFERT,
State University, Ames, Iowa 50011
50011
Sciences, Iowa State
The
Lake Superior at Silver
The Silver Creek dike is a mafic intrusion exposed along Lake
Silver Creek cliff north
of Duluth, Minnesota. Silver
Creek
cliff
is
comprised
of
several
lava
flows
of the North Shore
Silver Creek cliff is comprised
Volcanic Group, which the
the dike
dike intrudes,
intrudes,and
andaathin
thinoverlying
overlyingsill.
sill. Previous
Previous misinterpretations
misinterpretations of
of
the result
result of
of an
an unseen
unseen upper
upper contact, a contact that is
Silver Cliff as a single sill were the
is now clearly
exposed as the result of
of aa tunneling
tunneling project
project in
in the
the early
early 1990s.
1990s.
Samples from field work and drill cores taken during the tunneling project have been
analyzed for both maior
major and trace
trace elements.
elements. Major
Maior element data from both XRF analysis
analvsis and
microprobe work indicate that
that the Silver Creek dike is
is aa diabase consisting predominantly of
of
labradorite, augite, olivine, and Fe-Ti oxides. The
The rare
rare earth
earth element (REE) pattern of the dike's
upper chill zone mimics that
that of the
the overlying flows
flows suggesting
suggestingcontam&amp;tion
contamination inthe
theupper
upperpart
part of
of
be aa primitive
primitive olivine
olivine tholeiite
the dike. REE
REEpatterns
patternsofofthe
thelower
lowerchill
chillzone,
zone, however,
however, show
show itit to
to be
dataindicates
indicatesthat
that the
theSilver
SilverCreek
Creekdike
dikeformed
formed from
from
with no significant contamination. Isotope
Isotopedata
a relatively primitive and uncontaminated
0.
uncontaminated mantle magma with eNd values near
near 0.

in

71

�Geochemical Impacts of An
An Undisturbed
Undisturbed Mineral
MineralDeposit
Deposit—
- Results From
the Bend Deposit, Chequamegon National Forest, Wisconsin
Laurel G. Woodruff,
Woodruff, USGS,
USGS,St.
St.Paul,
Paul,MN
MN55112
55112(woodruff@usgs.gov),
(woodruffusgs.gov), John
John W.
W. Attig,
Attig,
Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey, Madison, WI 53705,
53705, and William F.
F.
Cannon, USGS, Reston, VA 22092
The Bend copper-gold massive sulfide deposit in the Medford District
District of
of the
Chequamegon National Forest, Taylor County, Wisconsin, is hosted by Early Proterozoic
volcanic rocks. Pre-Pleistocene
Pre-Pleistocene saprolite and 100-120
100-120 feet of Quatemary
Quaternary materials
materials cap
cap
the mineralized horizon. Ore
Oreconsists
consists of
of massive
massive pyrite with varying amounts
amounts of
bornite, arsenopyrite, chalcocite, and rare gold-silver
chalcopyrite, tetrahedrite-tenantite, bornite,
tellurides. The ore zone at Bend contains significant
concentrations of arsenic,
significant concentrations
arsenic, bismuth,
bismuth,
mercury, tellurium, thallium, and antimony
antimony in addition to the principal ore metals,
metals, copper
copper
and gold. Because
Because these
these elements
elements are atypical of surrounding bedrock, the Bend deposit
was selected
selected to examine
examine natural elemental dispersion from a buried massive
massive sulfide
sulfide in
in aa
glaciated region. The
The influence
influence of the Bend mineralization on its environment is
characterized using a geochemical
characterized
geochemical database
database that
that includes:
includes: 1) bedrock,
sulfide
bedrock, massive sulfide
provided by Sharpe Energy and Resources
and saprolite obtained from diamond drill core provided
and the Jump River Joint Venture; 2) regional samples
samples of Quaternary
Quaternary materials
materials from
from
Taylor County (Attig,
subsurface Quaternary
Quaternary material and weathered
weathered
(Attig, 1993);
1993); and 3) subsurface
bedrock from the area of the Bend deposit obtained by rotasonic drilling.
The USGS drilled five rotasonic
rotasonic drill holes through the Quaternary deposits
deposits along
along aa 0.5
0.5
mile
the strike
strike of
of the
the Bend
Bendmineralized
mineralizedzone.
zone. Nearly
mile linear transect that crossed the
Nearlv
continuous core was recovered from every borehole, including up to several feet of
weathered
weathered bedrock. The core reveals a complex Quatemary
Quaternary section
section that
that consists
consistsof
of two
two
till sheets, several intervals of gray, clay-rich lake sediments, and several
several areas
areas of
of
outwash. The older till is gray, carbonate-rich
carbonate-rich till of the Marathon
Marathon Formation
Formation and
and the
the
younger is reddish brown till of the Copper Falls
Falls Formation.
Formation. The Marathon
Marathon Formation
Formation
both underlies and overlies lake sediments and
and outwash.
outwash. Bedrock
Bedrock in the area
area of the Bend
deposit is directly overlain by the lowermost outwash
outwash unit, whereas the Marathon
Marathon
Formation
Formation is draped over metagabbro
metagabbro that forms a bedrock high to the south
south of
of the
the
deposit. Detailed
Detailed geochemical
geochemical analyses
analyses of the different units show that in addition to
obvious color and grain size distinctions, higher average Ca content also distinguishes the
Marathon
Marathon Formation
Formation from
from the
the Copper
Copper Falls
Falls Formation.
Formation.
As much as 20 meters of saprolite
saprolite is preserved over massive sulfide
sulfide at the Bend
Bend deposit.
deposit.
Saprolite is leached of most metals that are concentrated in unweathered massive sulfide.
Cu, Zn, Au, As, Se, and Te concentrations all decline sharply across the transition from
massive sulfide
sulfide to saprolite,
saprolite, whereas
whereas Ba, Mn, Ti, Cr, Ni, and V increase
increase markedly.
Anomalous
Anomalous concentrations
concentrations of those elements
elements within the massive sulfide
sulfide are
are mostly
mostlv
lacking in overlying glacial deposits suggesting that the saprolite
saprolite cap prevented physical
rock by
by glacial
glacial movement.
movement. However, in the glacial deposits directly
dispersal of sulfide rock
relatively high
high values
valuesof
ofHg
Hgand
andxAu
arefound.
found. This
over the Bend mineralization, relatively
u are
of these
these elements
elements from
frommassive
massivesulfide.
sulfide. In the downsuggests hydromorphic dispersion of
72

�ice direction from the Bend deposit, gold concentrations are found increasingly
increasingly higher in
the Quaternary section (Figure 1). The
The overall pattern for Hg is less distinct, although Hg
values found in both Marathon Formation and Copper Falls Formation tills from
rotasonic core are markedly higher than Hg values measured in regional subsurface
subsurface
samples from the same
formations.
same formations.

This study shows that although regional background geochemical values in glacial
glacial
deposits can be influenced by anomalous concentrations of elements in bedrock, the
nature of both the sources and the sinks for various elements controls the dispersion
dispersion
subcrop of a massive
patterns. ItIt also
alsoshows
showsthat
that understanding
understanding the character
character of the subcrop
sulfide and the intervening surficial stratigraphy is critical in geochemical exploration
exploration in
In the
the case
caseof
of the
the Bend
Bend deposit,
deposit, metal-depleted saprolite caps the deposit
this terrane. In
and has protected massive sulfide from glacial dispersion, so sulfide-bearing boulders
boulders and
traditional metal (such as Cu and Zn) anomalies have not developed even in till near the
bedrock surface. However,
However, more
more subtle
subtle dispersion
dispersion patterns of other elements
elements may
indicate the presence of sulfide
mineralization.
sulfide mineralization.
North

Ta-4
Ta-4
Ta-3

1350

South
South

Ta-5

I—...—-

Ta-2
1330

Ta-i

rr
L.r
CF

1310

.

—

••

1290

—

——

C

I

'S

—

A

I

0
'U

—

-

C)

C

—

Ow

.

1270

ow

a)

w
1250

1230

•--

-.

ailay

S.-----

ls.

t

Bedrock surface

-

OH.
.

,

-

—___
-

-S

d deposit
1210

Figure 1: Cross-section
of Bend
Bend deposit.
deposit. CF =
Cross-section of
of the
the surficial
surficial section in the area of
= Copper
= outwash,
Falls Formation, MA =
= Marathon
Marathon Formation, ow =
outwash, ls
Is == lake
lake sediments,
sediments, Ta
drill hole.
hole. Striped
designates each rotosonic drill
Striped areas
areas show locations
locations of samples with greater
than .01
.O1 ppm Au. Vertical
Verticaland
andhorizontal
horizontaldimensions
dimensionsare
are not
not to
to scale.
scale.
Reference: Attig,
Attig,J.1.W.,
W., 1993,
1993, Pleistocene
Pleistocene geology of Taylor County, Wisconsin: Wisconsin
Wisconsin Geological
Geological
27 p.
and Natural History
History Survey
Survey Information
InformationCircular
Circular65,
65,27
p.
73

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                    <text>FORTY-SIXTH ANNUAL MEETING

INSTITUTE ON LAKE SUPERIOR
.GEOLOGY.

thunder Bay, Ontario May 08-13; 2000
*

4

1

PROCEEDINGS VOLUME 46
4

PART 2: FIELD TRIP GUIDE BOOKS

S

�46th
I.L.S.G.
46th I.L.S.G.

ield Guide
May 8-13, 2000

�46thANNUAL
ANNUAL MEETING
MEETING
INSTITUTE
INSTITUTE ON LAKE SUPERIOR GEOLOGY
GEOLOGY
Volume 46 consists of

Part
Part 1:1:Program
Programand
and Abstracts
Abstracts
Part
Part 2:
2: Field
FieldTrip
Trip Guidebook
Guidebook

References
References to
to material
material in
in this
this volume
volume should
shouldfollow
follow the
the example
examplebelow:
below:
Ams,
Holm, D., 2000, Characterization
Characterization and timing constraints of
Arns, D. and Hoim,
post-Penokean meso-scale structures
structures in the Watersmeet and Republic
gneiss
Institute on Lake Superior
gneiss domes
domes of northern Michigan (abst.): Institute
Superior,
Geology
46"' Annual
Annual Meeting,
Meeting, Thunder Bay, Ontario,
Ontario,
GeologyProceedings,
Proceedings,46th
v.46,
p.2.
part 1,
1, p.
2.
v. 46, part

Volume
Volume 46
46 Published
Published and
and distributed
distributedby
by
Institute
Institute on
on Lake
Lake Superior
Superior Geology
Geology
Mark Jirsa,
Jirsa, Secretary-Treasurer,
Secretary-Treasurer, I.L.S.G.
I.L.S.G.
Minnesota
Minnesota Geological Survey
Survey
2642 University Avenue
Avenue
St.Paul,MN
USA 55114-1057
551 14-1057
St. Paul, MN USA
(612) 627-4780
627-4780
(612)
email:
jirsa00ltc.unm.edu
email:jirsaOOl0,tc.urnn.edu
ILSG
://www.Qeo.mtu.edulgreat lakes/ilsg/
ILSG website:
website:httn
httw://www.geo.mtu.edu/great
lakedilsd
ISBN
ISBN 1042-9964
1042-9964

All volumes are available
availablefor photocopying
photocopying costs
costs from
Michigan
Michigan Technological
TechnologicalUniversity
UniversityLibrary
Library Archives

�INSTITUTE
INSTITUTE ON
LAKE SUPERIOR
GEOLOGY
PROCEEDINGS
PROCEEDINGS
Volume 46

Field Trip Guidebook
Compiled by: Philip Fralick

�TABLE OF
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
CONTENTS
The
trip description
coded to
to aid
aid
The first
first page
page of
of each
each field
field trip
description is
is colour
colour coded
finding it
finding
it in
in the
the book.
book.
Field Trip
Field
Trip 1)
1)

Mesoproterozoic Sibley
Sibley Group
Group (yellow)
Mesoproterozoic
(yellow)

Field Trip
Field
Trip 2)
2)

Lac des
des Iles
Iles Mine
Mine (purple)
(purple)
Lac

Field Trip
Field
Trip 3)
3)

Geoarcheology of
of the
the Thunder
Thunder Bay
Bay Area
Area (red)
(red)
Geoarcheology

Field Trip
Field
Trip 4)
4)

Paleoproterozoic Gunflint
Gunflint Formation
Formation (blue)
(blue)
Paleoproterozoic

Field Trip
Field
Trip 5)
5)

Quaternary Geology
Shebandowan Belt
Belt (orange)
(orange)
Quaternary
Geology Shebandowan

Field Trip
Field
Trip 6)
6)

Steep
Rock-Lumby Belts
Belts (green)
(green)
Steep Rock-Lumby

�GEOLOGY OF THE MESOPROTEROZOIC
SIBLEY
SIBLEY GROUP
GROUP
Philip Fralick, Lakehead University
Mark Smyk, Ontario Geological Survey

This
of a
This trip
trip will
will examine
examine the depositional
depositional architecture
architec
playa-alluvial
playa-alZuvialsuccession
successiondeveloped
developed in
in an
an intracratonic
intra
basin.
The
pristine
sequence
records
the
effects
basin. The pristine sequence records the effectsof
ofboth
both
climate
climateand
andtectonics
tectonicson
onsediment
sediment character.
character.

�Geology and
and Stratigraphy
Stratigraphy of the
Mesoproterozoic Sibley Group
Group
by

Philip
Mark Smyk2
and Mariah
Mariah Mailman'
Philip Fralick1,
~ralick',Mark
smyk2 and
ail man'

1

a

Amethystine
stromatolite, Rossport
Rossport Formation,
Formation, Dorion,
Dorion, Ontario
Ontario
Amethystine stromatolite,

1

'Department
of
'~e~artrnent
of Geology,
Geology, Lakehead
LakeheadUniversity,
University,Thunder
ThunderBay
Bay ON
ON P7B
P7B 5E1
5E1
2Ontwio
'0ntario Geological Survey,
Survey, Resident
Resident Geologists
Geologist'sProgram,
Program,Ministry
Ministryof
ofNorthern
NorthernDevelopment
Development
and
435 S.
and Mines,
Mines, Suite
SuiteB002,
B002,435
S. James
James St.,
St., Thunder
Thunder Bay ON
ON P7E
P7E 657
6S7

�FOREWORD
FORE WORD

This field
of the
This
field guide
guide is
is intended
intended to
to provide
provide aacomprehensive
comprehensive overview
overview of
the Sibley
Sibley Group
Group
Trip
stops
have
been
sedimentary
rocks,
their
stratigraphy
and
associated
mineral
deposits.
sedimentary rocks,
deposits. Trip
selected on
on the basis of representivity
many other key and noteworthy sites
selected
representivity and accessibility;
accessibility; many
cannot be easily accessed but are described in the text.
This guide follows in the footsteps of a number of previous field trips that have focused on the
Proterozoic geology
geology of the Thunder Bay area. Field stop descriptions have incorporated
Proterozoic
incorporated and
built upon
and Kustra
Kustra et
et al.
(1972), Kustra
built
upon those found in guide
guide books written
written by Franklin
Franklin and
Kustra (1972),
aL (1982) and Kissin (1990), as
as well as other, unpublished
unpublished reports.
(1977), Franklin ci
et al.

contact the staff of the
Please contact
the Resident
Resident Geologist's
Geologist's Office, Thunder Bay South District, (807)
475-1331,
475-133
1, for current information regarding
regarding permitted
permitted access
access to private and staked properties.

A CKNO WLEDGEMENTS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors
would like
like to thank
Scott for
for assistance
in the
the scanning
of
The
authors would
thank J.
J. Scott
assistance in
scanning 1I digitization
digitization of
K. Farrier
Farrier and
and S. Warren
photographs and maps. S. Spivak drafted some of the
the diagrams.
diagrams. K.
Warren
photographs
the Ruby Lake quarry was permitted
permitted by Ruby Lake
provided word processing support. Access to the
Marble Ltd.
Ltd. Discussions
with J. Franklin,
Marble
Discussions with
Franklin, H. Poulsen,
Poulsen, other
other geologists
geologists and prospectors
prospectors are
appreciated.
appreciated.

�INTRODUC
HON
INTRODUCTION

Sedimentaryrocks
rocksof
of the
the Sibley
discontinuouslyoutcrop
outcropon
on the
the north
north shore
shore of Lake
Sedimentary
Sibley Group
Group discontinuously
Lake
Superior
and
around
Lake
Nipigon
(Figure
1).
The
flat-lying
to
gently
dipping,
elastic-carbonate
Superior and around Lake Nipigon (Figure 1). The flat-lying to gently dipping, clastic-carbonate
succession
oval area disconfonnably
overlying
succession occupies
occupies aa broad
broad oval
disconformably to unconformably
unconformably overlying
Mesoproterozoic,
Paleoproterozoic
and
Neoarchean
rocks.
Mesoproterozoic, Paleoproterozoic and Neoarchean rocks.
Sibley Group rocks are located
located in
in the
the Southern
Southern Province
Province of
of northwestern
northwestern Ontario.
Ontario. The first
first
documentation
of
these
red
beds
was
by
Logan
(1863).
Hunt
(1873)
divided
Logan's
Upper
documentation of these red beds was
(1863). Hunt
divided Logan's "Upper
Copper-Bearing Series" into the Animikie and Keweenaw groups; the Sibley was assigned to the
latter.
descriptions of
of the
the Sibley Group were
were provided
provided by
by Bell (1870), Parks (1901) and
latter. Other descriptions
Wilson (1910) who compared the Sibley
Sibley (then called "Nipigon
"Nipigon Series")
Series") to
to similar
similarKeweenawan
Keweenawan
and Paleozoic rocks
rocks elsewhere.
elsewhere. Despite similarities to these younger rocks, the Sibley
Sibley Group
Group
rocks were different enough to preclude assigning them a definite Precambrian age.

Subsequently,
they were
were given
given the
the name
name "Sibley
by Tanton
Subsequently, they
"Sibley Group"
Group" by
Tanton (1931)
(1931) after
after the
the Sibley
Sibley
Peninsula on
on which
which they
they are
are well-exposed.
well-exposed. The
Peninsula
The Sibley
Sibley Group
Group rocks were studied
studied by Hawley
Hawley
(1930) and Moorhouse (1960), but they were not mapped comprehensively
comprehensively until Coates
Coates (1972).
(1972).
Mcllwaine (1971a,b;
(1971a,b; 1975)
1975) also
also studied
studied the
the Sibley Group
Mcllwaine
Group rocks. Franklin
Franklin (1970) pursued
pursued a
doctoral thesis
thesis regarding
regarding the
the metallogeny
of Proterozoic
rocks in the
doctoral
metallogeny of
Proterozoic rocks
the Thunder
Thunder Bay
Bay District,
District,
including the Sibley Group. Thereafter, he described the stratigraphy and depositional setting of
the Sibley Group (Franklin et al. 1980).
1980). The
Thetectonic
tectonic setting,
setting, source
source areas,
areas, and
and environments
environments of
deposition
Keweenawan strata
strata in
in the
the Lake
Lake Superior
region were
were published
published by
by Morey
Morey and
deposition of Keweenawan
Superior region
and
A
doctoral
thesis
by
Cheadle
(1985)
was
executed
on
the
"lower
Ojakangas
(1982).
the "lower
Ojakangas (1982). A doctoral thesis by Cheadle (1985) was executed
Keweenawan" Sibley
Sibley Group.
Group. In all of
of these
these studies
studies the Sibley
Sibley Group
Group rocks are presented as
Rift.
ift. This
Thisnotion
notionwas
was refuted
refuted by
by Fralick
Fralick and
and Kissin
Kissin
being genetically related to the Keweenawan R
(1995).
(1995).
Outcrop exposure and drill core lithologies provide evidence that the Sibley
Sibley Group
Group sedimentary
sedimentary
rocks are continuous, near-horizontal strata there were deposited in an
an extensive,
extensive, low-lying
low-lying area.
area.
For this reason, the structure
structure in
in which
which the
the sediments
sedimentsaccumulated
accumulated will
will be
be called
called the
the Sibley
SibleyBasin.
Basin.
The Sibley Basin is elongate
elongate in a northwesterly
northwesterly direction, extending
extending from
from the north
north shore
shore of
of Lake
Lake
It
Superior in the south, along the western mar
margin
of
Lake
Nipigon,
to
Armstrong
in
the
north.
in
Nipigon,
It
discontinuouslywithin
withinaa15
15000
000km
km area
area (Franklin et
eta?.
crops out discontinuously
al. 1980).
1980). The
Theexposed
exposed basin
basin is
now 175
175 km wide and
and 400
400 km
km long.
long.

5

The fluvial
fluvial and
and lacustrine
lacustrine strata
strata of
of the
the Sibley
SibleyGroup
Groupare
aredivided
dividedinto
intothree
threesubhorizontal
subhorizontal
formations: 1) the
the lowermost is the Pass Lake Formation; 2) the Rossport Formation overlies it,
formations:
followed by 3)
3)the
the Kama
KamaHill
Hill Formation.
Formation.
The Pass Lake Formation varies from 0 to 50
50 m in
in thickness
thickness and
and consists
consists of
of basal
basal conglomerate
conglomerate
It was
and
beds of
quartz arenite.
arenite. It
was deposited
deposited in
in aashallow
shallowlacustrine
lacustrine
and upward-thinning
upward-thinning beds
of quartz
135
m
thick
Rossport
Formation
is
composed
The
135
thick
Rossport
composed
of a
a!. 1980).
environment (Franklin et a!.
1980).
lower,
arenaceous, red
red dolomite
unit, a central
and stromatolitic
unit, and an
lower, arenaceous,
dolomite unit,
central chert-carbonate
chert-carbonate and
stromatolitic unit,
upper, argillaceous,
argillaceous, red
red dolomite
dolomite unit.
unit. These
These beds were
were laid down in aa shallow,
shallow, saline
saline basin
basin of
of
Fifty
metres
of
purple
shale
constitute
the
Kama
Hill
fluctuating
size
(Franklin
et
a!.
fluctuating
a!. 1980).
constitute
Kama Hill
1980). Fifty metres

�Formation.
Formation. Desiccation
Desiccationcracks,
cracks,evaporite
evaporiteclasts,
clasts,and
and mud
mud chip
chip conglomerates
conglomerates in this purple
purple shale
were formed
on
mudflats
that
were
subaerially
exposed
and
dried
out
periodically
(ibid).
formed on mudflats that were subaerially exposed
dried
periodically (ibid).
The
The lack
lack of
of fossils
fossils in
in the
the Precambrian
Precambrian presents problems in age determination and in interpreting
that are
are present
present in
in the Sibley Group rocks
the environment
environment of
of deposition.
deposition. The stromatolites
stromatolites that
(Hoffman
(Hoffinan 1969)
1969) can
can occur
occur in
in both marine and fresh water, but the red beds are characteristic of a
continental setting (Morey
(Morey and Ojakangas
Ojakangas 1982).
1982). The thick dolomite and gypsum
gypsum sequences
sequences
formed
formed during
during intermittent,
intermittent, arid
arid periods.
33 Ma, to 1537
Historically,
has been
been postulated
postulated that
that the
the Sibley
SibleyBasin
Basin(1339
(1339+1+/- 33
1537 Ma; Franklin
Historically, itit has
1978a; Davis and Sutcliffe
1985,
respectively)
developed
because
of
crustal
attenuation
Sutcliffe 1985,
attenuation caused
caused
described itit as a failed
by the Keweenawan
Rift System.
System. Franklin
Franklin et
et aL
al. (1980) described
Keweenawan Midcontinent Rift
arm, radial
radial to aa paloplume
palasoplumeininrelation
relationthe
theKeweenawan
Keweenawan Rift.
Rift. Morey
Morey and Ojakangas (1982)
described a sedimentary-tectonic
framework
for
the
Sibley
Basin
that is
is related
related temporally
temporally and
and
sedimentary-tectonic framework for the
Basin that
spatially
Rift; the Sibley
subsidence of
of the
Sibley Basin developed
developed as renewed
renewed subsidence
spatially to the Keweenawan
Keweenawan Rift;
Conversely,
Cheadle
(1986)
described
Animikie
Animikie Fault Block
Block Basin
Basin (2200-2000
(2200-2000 Ma).
Ma). Conversely, Cheadle (1986) described the
tectonic framework of the Sibley Basin as broad, subsiding sag where significant fault control is
lacking at the
Sibley Group red beds are representative of the
the margins.
margins. It was thought that the Sibley
earliest evidence
Event. However,
evidence of the Keweenawan Rift Event.
However, this
this interpretation
interpretation is problematic.

The oldest igneous
activity that
that isis related
relatedtoto rifting
riflingisisdated
datedatat-1l 109
igneous activity
109 Ma
Ma (Davis
(Davis and
and Sutcliffe
Sutcliffe
1985) aa minimum
minimum of
of -230
230 My
Myafter
afterthe
theSibley
SibleyGroup
Groupwas
was deposited.
deposited. Conceptually,
Conceptually, aa thermal
thermal
dome precedes rifting,
rifling, and erosion will
will occur.
occur. It is
reasonable
to
presume
that
volcanism
can be
be
that volcanism can
is
preceded by sedimentation
on this
this time
time scale,
scale,but
butthe
thepalasodrainage
palodrainage system
sedimentation on
system will
will develop
develop away
away
from the dome. This
palocurrent work
This conflicts
conflicts with the palasocurrent
workdone
doneby
by Cheadle
Cheadle (1986)
(1986) in which the
palodrainage
palasodrainagesystem
systemflowed
flowedtoward
towardthe
thethermal
thermal welt.
welt. It is unreasonable to hypothesize that the
pre-rifi
pre-rift basin was
was overlying
overlying the
the thermal
thermal welt.
welt. Thus, the presumed
presumed relationship
relationship of the Sibley
Sibley
Basin with the Keweenawan
Rift must
must be
be reappraised.
reappraised. The two events are not related directly
Keweenawan Rift
the Sibley
Sibley Basin
Basin may
may be
be genetically
linked to the
Kissin 1995).
1995). Alternatively,
Alternatively, the
genetically linked
(Fralick and Kissin
heating
event
represented
by
the
igneous
complex
formed
at
Redstone
Point,
Lake
Nipigon
heating
represented
igneous complex formed
Redstone Point,
(1537 Ma; Davis
SibleyGroup
Group
Davis and
and Sutcliffe
Sutcliffe 1984)
1984)as
as these
these igneous
igneous rocks
rocks lay
lay directly
directly under
under the
the Sibley
Basin (Fralick
(Fralick and Kissin 1995).
1995). In
Inthis
thisscenario,
scenario,mantle
mantle upwelling
upwelling would cause partial melting
of the lower crust, forming the Redstone Point
Point felsic
felsic magmas.
magmas. The higher heat
heat flow
flow would
would cause
cause
thermal doming
the dome.
dome. Upon relaxation of the crust an infracratonic
infracratonic
doming with erosive stripping of the
This basin
basin,
basin, the Sibley
Sibley Basin,
Basin, would
would be
be created.
created. This
basin would
would be
be saucer-shaped
saucer-shaped without
without
pronounced
pronounced boundary
boundary faults.
faults. This
Thiscorresponds
correspondsto
to the
theactual
actual basin
basin geometry.
geometry.
REGIONAL
REGIONAL GEOLOGY
GEOLOGY
The Sibley Group rocks rest unconformably on the Paleoproterozoic Animikie
Animikie Group
Group (Rove
(Rove and
and
Gunflint Formations)
and Ojakangas 1982).
Formations) and Neoarchean granitic and volcanic rocks (Morey and
The Sibley
Formation, a series of trough crossSibley Group
Group possibly correlates
correlates with the Puckwunge Formation,
crossstratified, medium-grained,
lensoid
sandstones
occurring
in
northeastern
Minnesota
(Mattis
medium-grained, lensoid sandstones occurring
northeastern Minnesota (Mattis
overlies Paleoproterozoic
Rove Formation
Formation shales
shales and
1972). This formation
formation unconformably
unwnformably overlies
Paleoproterozoic Rove
1972).

�represents
braided fluvial
fluvial channel
channel deposition,
deposition, exhibiting
exhibiting strong,
strong,
represents South
South Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan River-type,
River-type, braided
unimodal
flow
to
the
southeast.
unimodal flow to the southeast.

The
and sandstone
unit, the
the Pass
The Sibley
Sibley Group
Group consists
consists of
of aa lower
lower basal
basal conglomerate
conglomerate and
sandstone unit,
Pass Lake
Lake
Formation,
and an
Formation, aa middle
middle unit
unit of
of red
red and
and buff
buff dolomitic
dolomitic mudstone,
mudstone, the
the Rossport
Rossport Formation,
Formation, and
an
upper unit,
unit, the
to
siltstone to
upper
the Kama
Kama Hill
Hill Formation,
Formation, consisting
consisting of
of purple
purple shale
shale and
and buff-coloured
buff-coloured siltstone
fine
has subdivided
the Sibley
to the
fine sandstone.
sandstone. Cheadle
Cheadle (1986)
(1986) has
subdivided the
Sibley Group
Group according
according to
the different
different
sedimentary
facies. From
sedimentary facies.
Frombottom
bottom to
to top:
top:

Pass Lake
Lake Formation
Formation
Pass

Loon
Loon Member
Member (basal
(basal conglomerate
conglomerate facies)
facies)
Fork
Bay
Member
(plane-bedded
Fork Bay Member (plane-bedded facies
facies and
and cross-bedded
cross-beddedfacies)
facies)

Rossport Formation
Rossport
Formation

Channel
facies and
Channel Island
Island Member
Member (cyclic
(cyclic facies
and mudstone
mudstone facies)
facies)
Middlebrun Bay
Bay Member
Middlebnm
Member (stromatolite
(stromatolite facies)
facies)
Fire Hill
Hill Member
Fire
Member (chalcedonic
(chalcedonic mudstone
mudstone facies)
facies)

Kama
is constituted
wholly by
by aa laminated
shale facies
facies and
and thus,
Kama Hill
Hill Formation
Formation is
constituted wholly
laminated shale
thus, is
is not
not
subdivided.
subdivided.

PASS
FORMATION
PASS LAKE
LAKE FORMA
TION

The Loon
Lake Member
Member is
is best
best exposed
exposed at
at Pass
Pass Lake
Lake in
in aa cliff,
The
Loon Lake
cliff, consisting
consisting of
of the
the Pass
PassLake
Lake
At the
Formation, which
which runs
runs parallel
parallel to
to the
the Canadian
Canadian National
National Railway.
Railway. At
the north
north end
end of
of the
the
Formation,
outcrop, the
the Paleoproterozoic
Rove Formation
Formation is
is visible
visible where
where the
the lowermost
lowermost beds
beds of
of the
the Pass
outcrop,
Paleoproterowic Rove
Pass
Lake Formation
disconformably overlie
overlie it.
it. The
The Pass
Pass Lake
Lake Formation
Formation ranges
ranges in
in thickness
thickness from
from
Lake
Formation disconformably
The Loon
facies, consists
consists of
of thin,
18
thin, lensoid
lensoid
18 to
to 50
50 m.
m. The
Loon Member,
Member, the
the basal
basal conglomerate
conglomerate facies,
conglomeratic sediment.
sediment. ItItisisthickest
near the
the basin
basin margin
margin and
and it
it thins
thins down to
conglomeratic
thickest(-'-15
(-15 m) near
to about
about
Animikie taconite,
taconite, jasper,
jasper, and
and shale
one metre
in the
the basin
basincenter
center(Cheadle
(Cheadle 1986).
1986). Animiie
shale clasts
clasts
one
metre in
predominate in
in the
over Animikie
rocks whereas
predominate
the conglomerate
conglomerate deposited
deposited over
Animikie rocks
whereas vein
vein quartz
quartz vein,
vein,
granite, and metavolcanic rock clasts
dominate
where
an
Archean
basement
is
present
clasts dominate
an Archean
is present (Cheadle
(Cheadle
and are
are &lt;
5 30
30 cm
cm in
in diameter
diameter (Morey
(Morey and
and Ojakangas
Ojakangas 1982)
1982) and
are in
in matrixmatrix1986). The
The clasts
clasts are
1986).
The polymictic
polymictic matrix
matrix isis brick-red
brick-red (Franklin
(Franklinetet aal.
and it
support (Cheadle 1986).
1986). The
t. 1980)
1980) and
it is
is
composed of
of medium
medium to
to coarse
coarse grains
grains of
of quartz,
quartz, hematite,
hematite, and
and mudstone
mudstone(Cheadle
(Cheadle1986).
1986). The
The
composed
conglomerate has
has calcareous
calcareous cement.
cement. The
with deeper
and
conglomerate
The lenses
lenses have
have scour
scour and
and fill
fill structures
structures with
deeper and
They are
narrower channels
channels cut proximal
narrower
proximal to the
the source.
source. They
are cross-bedded
cross-bedded with
with rare
rare dolomite
dolomite
mudstone layers.
layers. At
with the
the lower
lower half
half of
of the
the bed
bed in
in clast
clast
mudstone
At Silver
Silver Islet,
Islet, the
the lensoids
lensoids are
are graded
graded with
support
that
changes
into
matrix
support
in
the
upper
half
(Cheadle
1986).
support that changes into matrix support in the upper half (Cheadle 1986).
The Fork
Fork Bay
Bay Member
Member is
is dominated
dominated by
by medium-grained
medium-grained sandstones
sandstones which
which are
are subdivided
subdivided into
into aa
The
lower plane-bedded
plane-bedded facies
facies and an
an upper cross-bedded facies. ItItoverlies
overliesthe
theLoon
LoonMember.
Member.

Plane Bedded
Facies: 20
Plane
Bedded Fades:
20 to
to 80
80m
mofofplaneplane-totocross-bedded
cross-bedded quartz
quartz arenite
arenite overlie
overlie the
the basal
basal
conglomerate (Cheadle 1986). This
buff-coloured
sandstone
consists
of
well-sorted,
rounded
to
This buff-coloured
well-sorted,

�well-rounded,
coarse-grained, mature
subarkose to sublitharenite
sublitharenite
well-rounded, finefine- to
to coarse-grained,
mature quartz
quartz arenite
arenite to
to subarkose
and Ojakangas
Ojakangas 1982). Minor
quartzfragments
fragmentsare
arepresent.
present. As
(Morey and
Mmor chert and polycrystalline quartz
layers that
that separate the 5 cm
well, there are thinly interbedded dolomitic mudstone and siltstone layers
to 11 m thick
thick sandstone
sandstone beds. The
Theupper
upper 55to
to 10
10cm
cmof
ofsome
somesandstone
sandstonebeds
beds contain
contain mud
mud chips.
chips.
The plane-bedded
facies
hosts
an
array
of
sedimentary
structures
plane-bedded facies hosts an array of sedimentary structures including
including horizontal
laminations and
and parting
laminations
parting lineations,
lineations, isolated
isolated planar
planar cross-beds,
cross-beds, straightstraight- to
to sinuous-crested
sinuous-crested
oscillation
ripples,
rare
current
ripple
laminations,
rare
sand
volcanoes
and
dewatering
tubes, and
and
oscillation
volcanoes and dewatering tubes,
desiccation
desiccation cracks
cracks and halite
halite clasts
clasts in thinly interbedded mudstone (Cheadle 1986).
Cross Bedded Fades:
Facies: The
Thecross-bedded
cross-bedded facies
facies is
is 55 to
to 10
10m
m thick,
thick, with
with mediummedium- to large-scale,
large-scale,
cross-bedded arenite intercalated
beds at
cross-bedded
intercalated with
with 1 m thick
thick planar,
planar, cross-stratified
cross-stratified sandstone
sandstone beds
Rossport, Red Rock, Channel Island,
contains scoured
scoured bases and
Rossport,
Island, and Pass Lake.
Lake. This facies contains
The ripple-marked
ripple-marked and
and mud-cracked
mud-crackedquartz
quartz arenite
arenite beds
beds have
have
pebbly
(Cheadle 1986).
1986). The
pebbly infill (Cheadle
horizontal to
to wavy
wavy stratification
stratificationwith
withminor
minortrough
troughcross-beds.
cross-beds.The
Thepalaeocurrents
palocurrents of the crosshorizontal
beds at Pass Lake and the Enterprise Mine are scattered, with predominantly south-southeast and
east-southeast directions,
east-southeast
directions, respectively (Morey and Ojakangas 1982).
aL (1980) logged the 50 m
m cliff
cliff exposure
exposure at
at Pass
PassLake.
Lake. Twenty metres of
of buff arenite
Franklin et al.
rest on the basal lensoid conglomerate. This
This buff
buff arenite
arenite thins upward from 1 m thick beds at the
base to
to 1 to 22 cm
The sequence alternates
alternates upwards
upwards from
from dolomite
dolomite to
cm thick
thick beds
beds at
at the
the top.
top. The
base
arenite. They
recorded
1
m
of
red
dolomitic
arenite
to
13
m
of
buff
arenite;
1
m
of
thinly
bedded
They recorded 1 m of red
buff arenite; 1 m of thinly bedded
m of
of buff
buff arenite;
arenite; 1 m
m of
ofred
reddolomitic
dolomiticarenite;
arenite;and
and 77m
mof
of
red dolomite and dolomitic arenite; 10 m
thickly bedded buff arenite.
arenite. AAsharp
sharpincrease
increase in
inthe
thedolomite
dolomite content,
content, aa pigmentation
pigmentation change,
and a gradual decrease in clastic content mark the upper boundary of the Pass
Pass Lake
Lake Formation
Formation
et aL
al. 1980).
1980).
(Franklin
(Franklin et

At Redstone Point, along the
At
the Lake
Lake Nipigon
Nipigon shoreline,
shoreline, the Pass
Pass Lake
Lake Formation
Formation overlies an
anorogenic, felsic intrusive-extrusive granitoid suite (Fralick and Kissin 1996, unpublished data)
dated at 1537
One metre below the
dated
1537 Ma
Ma (Davis
(Davis and
and Sutcliffe
Sutcliffe 1985).
1985). One
the volcanic-sedimentary
volcanic-sedimentary
contact, the
the igneous rocks
rocks are weathered
weathered and
and the
the feldspar
feldspar exhibits
exhibits aa chalky,
chalky, cream
cream to
to salmon
contact,
colouration. There
There is aa 30
colouration.
30cm
cmthick
thickvolcanic
volcanic breccia
breccia with
with caliche
caliche overlying
overlying the
the weathered
weathered
rocks. The
igneous rocks.
ThePass
PassLake
LakeFormation
Formation isis lacking
lacking the
the basal
basal conglomerate
conglomerate at Redstone
Redstone Point.
Point.
Instead,
there
are
fine-grained,
red
sublithareniite
to
subarkosic
sandstones
with
massive
or
Instead,
fine-grained,
sublitharenite to subarkosic sandstones with massive or
parallel-laminated beds.
beds. Trough
These strata contain very angular,
Trough cross-stratification
cross-stratification is rare. These
volcanic clasts
clasts with
with oxidized
oxidizedrims
rimsand
andweathered
weathered
granular to pebble to small cobble-sized, felsic volcanic
pebbles.
feldspars. There
Thereare
arealso
alsoless
lessabundant
abundant clasts
clasts of
of hematitic
hematitic mudstone, chert, and caliche pebbles.
The basal pebble sandstone
sandstone is poorly sorted with subrounded to rounded sand and small angular
grains. The
hascarbonate
carbonatecement
cement with
with clay filling between the grains.
The beds range from
from 11 to
pebbles. ItIt has
80 cm thick, with a mean thickness of 15 cm. They
They are
are laterally
laterally continuous
continuous over several metres
with rare, 1 m wide channels. Tightly
Tightlypacked
packed quartz
quartzarenite
arenite overlies the basal pebbly sandstone.
contains minor
minor clay
clay in the matrix,
The quartz arenite is well-sorted,
well-sorted, subangular to subrounded, contains
and has quartz cement. The
Thearenites
arenitesare
are folded
folded slightly
slightly and
and plunge at &lt;15°
&lt;15' to the east
east (Fralick
(Fralick
and Kissin 1996,
1996, unpublished data).

�ROSSPORT FORMA
FORMATION
ROSSPORT
TION

The
The Rossport
Rossport Formation
Formation consists
consists of
of red,
red, fine-grained,
fine-grained, arenaceous
arenaceous and
and clayey
clayey dolomite.
dolomite. It
It lies
lies
disconformably
on the
the Pass
Pass Lake
Lake arenite
arenite (Franklin
(Franklin et
et at.
al. 1980)
disconformably on
1980) and
and it
it has
has aamaximum
maximum vertical
vertical
outcrop
of 134
m at
marker bed
bed (Morey
and
outcrop of
134 m
at its
its type
type locality
locality where
where it
it is
is lacking
lacking the
the stromatolite
stromatolite marker
(Morey and
Ojakangas
1982). North
Ojakangas 1982).
North of
of Nipigon
Nipigon and
and north
north of
of Dorion
Dorion there
there have
have been
been 300
300 m
m and
and 180
180 m
m of
of
the
et aL
al. (1980)
(1980) logged
logged and
and subdivided
subdivided the
the
the Rossport
Rossport Formation
Formation drilled,
drilled, respectively.
respectively. Franklin
Franklin et
Rossport Formation,
Formation, starting
starting with
with aa lower,
lower, argillaceous
argillaceousred
reddolomite
dolomiteunit.
unit. They recorded 11 m
m of
Rossport
red
through the
the sequence,
there is
red conglomerate
conglomerate at
at the
the base.
base. Upwards
Upwards through
sequence, there
is 96
96 m
mof
ofwell-bedded,
well-bedded,
brick
and arenaceous
dolomite intercalated
intercalatedwith
withbuff
buff to
to white
white arenite,
arenite, 11 to
to 22 m
m of
brick red
red dolomite
dolomite and
arenaceous dolomite
of
black
chert,
gray
chert,
and
buff
calcite
that
alternate
from
0.5
to
I
cm
thick
laminae
with
a
lowblack chert, gray chert, and buff calcite that alternate from 0.5 to 1 cm thick laminae with a lowamplitude
is topped
amplitude crinkle
crinkle structure.
structure. The
The sequence
sequence is
topped with
with 37
37 m
m of
ofmassive
massive red
reddolomite
dolomite and
and
arenaceous
and irregular
arenaceous dolomite
dolomite that
that fractures
fracturesconchoidally.
conchoidally. Spherical
Spherical and
irregular reduction
reduction spots
spots are
are
noted
throughout the
the upper
upper and
and lower
lower units.
units. The
noted throughout
The top
top of
of the
the Rossport
Rossport Formation
Formation is
is marked
marked by
by aa
change
as it
gradually to
to zero.
zero. The
change in
in the
the dolomite
dolomite content
content as
it decreases
decreases gradually
TheRossport
Rossport Formation
Formation rests
rests
unconformably
on Archean
Archean rocks
rocks at
at Kama
Kama Bay.
Bay. At
unconformably on
At this
this location,
location, as
as well
well as
as at
atPass
PassLake,
Lake, Red
Red
Rock, and Moseau Mountain, the Rossport's basal,
basal, red
red conglomerate
conglomerateis
is not
not present.
present.
Cheadle
has divided
Cheadle (1986)
(1986) has
divided the
the Rossport
Rossport Formation
Formation into
into four
four facies
facies from
from base
base to
to top:
top:
Channel
Island
Member
(cyclic
and
mudstone
facies)
Channel Island Member
(cyclic and mudstone facies)
Middlebrun
Middlebrun Bay
Bay Member
Member
(stromatolitefacies)
facies)
(stromatolite
Fire
Fire Hill
Hill Member
Member
(chalcedonic
(chalcedonic mudstone
mudstone facies)
facies)

Cyclic
of the
Member isis 77 to
It has
has
Cyclic Facies:
Fades: The
The cyclic
cyclic facies
facies of
the Channel
Channel Island
Island Member
to 30
30 m
m thick.
thick. It
rhythmic layering of mudstone and dolomite couplets or mudstone and sandstone
sandstone couplets. The
The
couplets
couplets range
range from
from 5
5 to
to 160
160 cm
cm in
in thickness.
thickness. The
Thesandstone
sandstoneand
anddolomite
dolomiteare
areend
endmembers
members that
that
have
throughout the
the sequence.
sequence. The
have various
various degrees
degrees of
of mud
mud interlayering
interlaye~g
throughout
The dolomitic
dolomitic mudstone
mudstone is
is
red, massive, friable, and tabular. ItIt isis common
common to
to both
both cycles.
cycles. The
Themudstone
mudstoneoften
oftencontains
containssilt
silt
or
or sand
sand and
and rounded,
rounded, reworked
reworked pebble-sized
pebble-sized carbonate
carbonate clasts
clasts (Cheadle
(Cheadle 1986).
1986).
Red
Red Rossport
Rossport
Formation
Formationmudstones
mudstones
with
with diagenetic
diagenetic
evaporite
evaporite minerals
minerals
formed by
by
precipitation
precipitation in
in aa
clastic-dominated,
clastic-dominated,
sabkha
sabkha setting
setting

Mudstone
The
Mudstone Facies:
Fades: The
mudstone
mudstone facies
facies has
has

�red
red and
and buff,
buff, dolomicritic
dolomicritic mudstone
mudstone and
and claystone
claystone that
that are
are dominantly
dominantly massive
massive and
and friable,
friable, but
but
have
local
desiccation
cracks
and
adhesion
ripples,
and
small,
scattered
gypsum
and
anhydrite
have local desiccation cracks and adhesion ripples, and small, scattered gypsum and anhydrite
nodules.
One to
nodules. One
to two
two metre
metre thick
thickfinefine-totomedium-grained,
medium-grained, poorly
poorly sorted,
sorted, subarkose
subarkose and
and
sublitharenite
with
10%
matrix
are
sporadically
introduced
into
the
dolomicritic
mudstone.
matrix are sporadically introduced into the dolomicritic mudstone.
sublitharenite with
These subarkose and sublitharenite beds have powering-down
powering-down sequences: scoured
scoured bases,
bases, planeplanebedded
laminations,
ripple
cross-laminations,
and
horizontal,
suspended
load
laminations
bedded laminations, ripple cross-laminations, and horizontal, suspended load laminations
(Cheadle 1986).
(Cheadle
1986).

Stromatolite Facies:
Fades: The
Stromatolite
Thestromatolite
stromatolitefacies,
facies,or
or the
the Middlebrun
Middlebrun Bay Member, which is located
in the middle of the Rossport Formation, is 80 to 140 cm thick. The
Thegray
graychert-carbonate,
chert-carbonate,cryptcryptalgal laminate is laterally
laterally extensive,
extensive, but
but commonly
commonly brecciated.
brecciated. The base of this
this marker
marker bed
bed has
has
alternating layers of light gray dolomite, dark gray chert, and crinkly laminae. Moving
upwards,
Moving upwards,
there is a thin
thin chert-carbonate
chert-carbonate breccia, a layer
layer of
of laterally
laterally linked
linked and
and domical
domical single
single
parabolic
- parabolic
stromatolites,
and
a
dark
gray
chert
band
(Cheadle
1986).
stromatolites,
gray chert band (~headle1986).

I

1
I

I

I
I

Plan
Plan view
view section of
stromatolitic marble
garganicus),
(Conophyton garganicus),
Wolatko Lake

Mudsione Facies:.
Facies:. The upper Rossport
Rossport Formation is
is composed
composed of
of the
the chalcedonic
chalcedonic
Chalcedonic Mudstone
mudstone
facies.
At
the
base,
there
are
local
lenticular,
intraformational,
paraconglomerate
mudstone facies.
the base, there are local lenticular, intraformational, paraconglomerate
wedges that
that contain
contain subangluar
subangluar mudstone
mudstoneclasts
clastsup
uptoto22 m
m in
in diameter.
diameter. Reduction
Reduction spheres
spheres are
wedges
comnon. Red
of
common.
Redand
andbuff,
buff,dolomicritic
dolomicriticmudstone
mudstone and
and claystone
claystone are the dominant constituents
constituents of
this sequence. They
lack
the
coarse
silt
and
sand
that
is
present
in
the
Channel
island
mudstone
They lack the coarse silt and sand that is present in the Channel Island mudstone
and claystone. Dolomite
Dolomitepartially
partially replaces
replaces 22 cm
cm diameter
diameter chalcedony
chalcedony nodules that are
are found
found in
in
weathering horizons.
resistant weathering
horizons.

I

�KAJVL4
HILLFORMATION
FORMATION
KAMA HILL

The
The Kama
Kama Hill
Hill Formation
Formation consists
consists of
of aa single
single (laminated
(laminated shale)
shale) facies,
facies, and
and thus
thus is
is not
not subdivided
subdivided
into
constituent
members.
The
original
thickness
of
the
Kama
Hill
Formation
is
unknown
into constituent members. The original thickness of the Kama Hill Formation is unknown as
as the
the

top
top is
is truncated
truncated by
by the
the Logan
Logan diabase
diabase sills.
sills. The
The Kama
Kama Hill
Hill laminated
laminated shale
shale has
has aa minimum
minimum
thickness
of 46
46 m
m (exposed
at Kama
Kama Hill),
Hill), and
and this
this varies,
varies, depending
dependingon
onthe
the location.
location. At
thickness of
(exposed at
At Red
Red
Rock,
Island, and
and Stewart
StewartLake
Lakeititisis 20
20 m
m thick,
thick, and
and at
at Albert
Albert Lake
Lake itit is
is 45
Rock, Channel
Channel Island,
45 m
m thick
thick
(Franklin
et a!.
(Franklin et
al. 1980).
1980). The
Thehorizontally
horizontallylaminated,
laminated, buff
buff arkosic
arkosicsiltstone
siltstoneto
to fine
finesandstone
sandstoneare
are
exposed
in aa cliff
exposed in
cliff face
face along
along the
the shore
shore of
of Kama
Kama Bay,
Bay, east
east of
of Nipigon
Nipigon (Franklin
(Franklin et
et aL
al. 1980;
1980;
Cheadle 1986).
The base
base is
istransitional
transitional over
over 11 to
to 22 mmand
andcontains
containsvery
verylittle
littlecarbonate.
carbonate.
1986). The
Reduction
spots
are
common,
as
are
mud
cracks
and
ripple
marks
on
bedding
surfaces
Reduction spots are common, as are mud cracks and ripple marks on bedding surfaces(Franklin
(Franklin
et
et al.
al. 1980).
1980). Breccia
Brecciadikes
dikesare
arepresent
presentand
andmud-chip
mud-chipconglomerates
conglomeratesare
are associated
associated with
with the
the siltsiltdominated
layers
(Morey
and
Ojakangas
1982;
Cheadle
1986).
The
siltstone
layers
contain
dominated layers (Morey and Ojakangas 1982; Cheadle 1986). The siltstone layers containthe
the
following
ripple cross-laminations,
low amplitude
ripple
following sedimentary
sedimentary structures:
structures: erosional
erosional bases,
bases, ripple
cross-laminations, low
amplitude ripple
marks,
normal grading,
marks, centimetre
centimetre to
to decimetre
decimetre fining-upward
fining-upward sequences,
sequences, normal
grading, and
and suspensate
suspensate caps
caps
(Cheadle
This formation
formation locally
locally contains
contains
(Cheadle 1986)
1986) evaporite
evaporite casts
casts and
andraindrop
raindropimpressions.
impressions. This
carbonate
algal stromatolites
stromatolites at
at the
the base
base of
of the
carbonate algal
the facies
facies in
in the
the north
north half
half the
the basin
basin (Morey
(Morey and
and
Ojakangas
Ojakangas 1982;
1982; Cheadle
Cheadle 1986).
1986).

Enigmatic mudcracks(?) in distal bar
Formation
bar sequences
sequences of
of the Kama Hill Formation

�.1

I

I

I

I

LEGEND
L
EGEND

Conglomerate
Basal Conglomerate

Dolomite
lolomite

Sandstone
Sandstone

Gypsum

Siltstone

__jshale

p

Mud Chip Conglomerate
Mud

1

Stromatolites ,
Diabase

Magnetic Granite
Granite
Magnetic
Gneiss

�DEPOSITIONAL SYSTEM
DEPOSITIONAL
SYSTEM

The Sibley
were laid
The
Sibley Group
Group sediments
sediments were
laid down
down in
in aa broadly
broadly subsiding,
subsiding, ovoid
ovoid basin
basin during
during the
the
Mesoproterozoic.
There
is
no
evidence
of
high
relief
along
any
exposed
segments
of
Mesoproterozoic. There is no evidence of high relief along any exposed segments of the
the basin
basin
margin.
At the
margin. At
the time
time of
of deposition,
deposition, the
the Sibley
Sibley Basin
Basin was
was situated
situated very
very close
close to
to the
theequator
equator
(unpublished paleomagnetic
paleomagnetic results,
results, Dr
Dr G.
G. Borradaile)
Borradaile) and
and was
was subjected
subjected to
to an
an arid
arid to
(unpublished
to semiarid
semiarid
climatic
regime. These
These factors
factors combined
combined to
to dictate
dictate the
the types
climatic regime.
types of
of depositional
depositional systems
systems which
which
developed
the basin's
developed during
during the
basin's active
activelifetime.
lifetime.
The large-scale
The
large-scale depositional
depositional patterns
patterns are
are quite
quite clear
clear and
and will
will be
be discussed
discussed in
in the
the following
followingpages.
pages.
However,
superimposed
on
this
are
complex,
and
sometimes
conflicting,
data
provided
smallHowever, superimposed on this are complex, and sometimes conflicting, data provided by
by smallscale structures.
This complexity
scale
structures. This
complexity is
is aa result
result of
of the
the excellent
excellent preservation
preservation on
on minute
minute structures
structures in
in
both outcrop
outcrop and
and core.
the field
trip we
we will
will investigate
possible solutions
solutions to
to some
some of
of the
the
both
core. During
During the
field trip
investigate possible
conflicting data,
data, and
and hopefully
conflicting
hopefully gain
gain further
further insight
insight into
into how
how aaMesoproterozoic,
Mesoproterozoic, low-relief,
low-relief,
interior drainage
interior
drainage depositional
depositional system
system operated.
operated.

Pass Lake
Formation
Disagreement exists
exists as
as to
to the
the depositional
depositional setting
setting of
of the
the Pass
Pass
Lake Formation
Disagreement
Pass Lake
Lake
Formation.
Franklin et al.
Formation. Franklin
al. (1980)
(1980) believed
believed that
that the
the sandstones
sandstones and
and conglomerates
conglomerates were
were deposited
deposited
in a shallow
shallow lacustrine
lacustrine environment,
environment, whereas Cheadle (1986) put forward an alluvial fan-fluvial
fan-fluvial
model.
This
controversy
model. This controversy may
may be
be due
due to
to different
differentdepositional
depositional processes
processes operating
operating in
in different
different
places. The
The sequences
of powering-down
beds,such
such as
as at
at Pass
places.
sequences of
powering-down beds,
Pass Lake,
Lake, appear
appear to
to represent
represent
lacustrine sheet
sheet sandstones
sandstones laid
laid down
down during
during the
the waning
waningphases
phases of
of storm
storm events
events in
in aa shallow
lacustrine
shallow
lacustrine environment.
environment. The
The lensoid,
planar and
lacustrine
lensoid, large-scale
large-scale planar
and trough
trough cross-stratified
cross-stratified sandstones,
sandstones,
present on
present
on Channel
Channel Island
Island and
and neighbouring
neighbouring islands,
islands, probably
probably represent
represent transverse
transverse bar
bar sand
sand flats
flats
in aa braided
they may
may be
be aeolian.
in
braided fluvial
fluvial system.
system. However,
However, they
aeolian. The
The rapid
rapid lateral
lateral variations
variations in
in
thickness of
of the
the unit,
thickness
unit, not
not related
related to
to position
position relative
relative to
to the
the basin
basin margin,
margin, reflect
reflect infilling
infilling of
of
basement depressions
depressionsrather
rather than
than clastic
clastic wedges
wedges advancing
advancing from
from sediment
sediment entry points.
points. A
A picture
picture
arises
than sands
sands evening
evening the
the topography
topography
arises of
of the
the Pass
Pass Lake
Lake Formation
Formation representing
representing first
first gravels
gravels than
by
by infilling
infilling basement
basement valleys
valleys through
through braided
braided stream
stream transport
transport to
to a
a shallow
shallow lacustrine
lacustrine
environment.
environment.

In
with
In the
the upper
upper portion
portion of
of the
the Pass
Pass Lake
Lake Formation,
Formation, the
the sheet
sheet sandstones
sandstones become
become interbedded
interbedded with
red,
red, silty
silty shales.
shales. This
This represents
represents aa more
moreoffshore
offshoredepositional
depositional setting
setting where
where muds
muds deposited
deposited
between
storm events
events are
are not
not eroded
by the
the next
as is
between storm
eroded by
next storm,
storm, as
is the
the case
case in
in the
the nearshore
nearshore multimultistorey sandstones. The upward decrease in the sand-to-mud
ratio
indicates
deepening
sand-to-mud
deepening water
water and
and
culminates in the siltculminates
silt- and
and mud-dominated
mud-dominated Rossport
Rossport Formation.
Formation.

The
the Pass
The contact
contact between
between the
Pass Lake
Lake Formation
Formation and
and the
the Rossport
Rossport
Formation is
is gradational,
with the
the name
Formation
gradational, with
name change
change occurring
occurring where
where the
the mudstone
mudstone begins
begins to
to
dominate. Upward
Upward through
through the
the sequence,
indicationsofof dessication
dessicationbegin
begin to
to appear
dominate.
sequence, indications
appear (eg.
(e.g.
mudcracks and
and early, authigenic gypsum growth).
at this point,
growth). Commonly at
point, interlayering,
interlayering, with
with
mudcracks
millimetre- to
to centimetre-scale
dolomite laminae,
laminae, begins
begins to
to occur.
In drill
millimetrecentimetre-scale dolomite
occur. In
drill cores
cores from
from areas
areas
closer to
to the
of dolomite
closer
the basin
basin center,
center, an
aninterlaminated,
interlaminated, decametres
decametres thick,
thick, succession
succession of
dolomite and
and
gypsum occurs
gypsum
occurs at
at this
this stratigraphic
stratigraphic position.
position. The
The dessicated
dessicated mudstones
mudstones probably
probably represent
represent
periodically exposed
exposed mudflats
mudflats surrounding
surrounding the
the lake.
lake. This
This necessitates
necessitates aa regressive
regressive phase
phase in
in the
the
periodically
lower Rossport
Rossport Formation,
Formation, for
for which
there is
friable siltstone
lower
which there
is some
some evidence
evidence (e.g.
(e.g. brick-red,
brick-red, friable
siltstone at
at

Rossport Formation

�The dolomite-mudstone
horizon).
horizon).
The
dolomite-mudstone interlayered
interlayered sequence represents
represents aa shallow
shallow offshore
offshore
environment. Muds
Muds were
were washed
washed in during rainy periods and dolomite
environment.
dolomite precipitated during dry
periods as the saline lake shrank. The deeper offshore only received clastic
elastic input during the latter
stages off this depositional
episode.
It
was
probably
dominated
by
chemical
depositional
was probably dominated
chemical precipitation
precipitation of
dolomite during the wetter periods when the lake salinity decreased, and by rainout of
of gypsum
gypsum
crystals on the bottom during dry intervals with increasing salinity. Alternatively, both may have
precipitated during dry intervals with hiatuses representing wet periods. The control in this model
is the MgICa
Ca2 inhibits dolomite precipitation and a period of removal
MgKa ratio. The presence of ca2+
of Ca2
ca2+via
viagypsum
gypsumprecipitation
precipitationisisneeded
needed before
before dolomite
dolomite will
will begin
begin to precipitate.
precipitate. Thus, first
gypsum
then
dolomite
would
precipitate
during
the
dry
intervals
in
this
scenario.
gypsum then dolomite would precipitate during the
scenario. Oxygen
Oxygen and
and
carbon stable isotope analysis is needed to choose between the two alternatives.
Sandstone beds
beds appear interbedded
with the upper dolomite-mudstone
sequence or overlie it.
Sandstone
interbedded with
dolomite-mudstone sequence
These are interbedded with red mudstone and the unit is
laterally
extensive
is laterally extensive throughout
throughout the
the basin.
basin.
Closer to
to the southern
Closer
southern edge
edge of
of the
thebasin,
basin,repetitive
repetitivesandstone
sandstone assemblages
assemblages occur
occur (metre(metre- to
to
decametre-scale thicknesses) with intervening
intervening decametre-scale,
decametre-scale, dolomite-mudstone
dolomite-mudstoneassemblages.
assemblages.
Here, trough
trough cross-stratification
and channelling
channellingare
are much
much more
more evident
evident in the
Here,
cross-stratification and
the sandstones.
sandstones.
in this unit show higher variability than in the Pass Lake Formation. They appear
Paleocurrents in
to have a southern
southern source as opposed to the northern source for the Pass Lake.
Lake. The
The sandstones
sandstones
appear to represent renewed
renewed tectonism
tectonism and basin tilting, resulting
resulting in sediment influx from the
south, with sand dunes migrating through scour
scour channels
channels during
duringhigh-discharge
high-dischargeevents.
events.Whether
Whether
this was
was subaerial
subaerial or
or shallow
shallow subaqueous
subaqueous deposition
deposition is difficult
difficult to determine
determine as
as strandline
strandline
position is
position
is obscure.
obscure.
Metres to decametres of mud-chip
mud-chip conglomerates
conglomerates overly the sandstones,
sandstones, either interbedded
interbedded with
Mudstone
the upper sandstones
sandstones or interbedded
interbedded with
with siltstones
siltstones overlying
overlying the upper
upper sandstones.
sandstones. Mudstone
fragments are up to metres
in
diameter,
although
this
is
rare,
and
have
variable
compositions.
metres in diameter, although
is rare, and have variable compositions.
This unit appears
appears to thicken
thicken towards
towards the
the basin
basin center
centerand
and may
mayrepresent
representupraising
upraisingand
andrecycling
recycling
(cannibalization)
of
basin
margin
lithofacies;
perhaps
a
further
stage
of
the
north-down
(cannibalization) of basin margin lithofacies; perhaps
the north-down basin
basin
tilting, represented by the sandstone
sandstone wedges, upraising
upraising the southern
southern basin margin.

The mudblock conglomerate is succeeded in some areas by red mudstones
mudstones with mudcracks
mudcracks and
abundant gypsum veins
veins and nodules
nodules representing
representing clastic
clastic sabkhas.
sabkhas. In
In other
otherareas,
areas, aabrecciated
brecciated and
and
stromatolitic
stromatolitic carbonate occurs at this
this horizon.
horizon. This
Thisrepresents
representssubaqueous,
subaqueous,shallow
shallowlacustrine
lacustrine
deposition,
with teepee
teepee structures reflecting
reflecting periodic
periodic drying.
drying.These
These units
units are
are overlain
overlain by
by the
deposition, with
Kama Hill Formation.
Formation.

The Kama Hill Formation consists of red to
Kama Hill Formation:
to purple
purplemudstones
mudstones with
with
Formation:
sandstones. The
ripple-laminated, coarse-grained
siltstones to fine-grained
interlayered,
coarse-grained siltstones
fine-grained sandstones.
The
interlayered, ripple-laminated,
abundance
of
rippled
units
increases
upward
until
they
are
replaced
by
sandstones,
which
abundance of rippled
increases upward
are replaced by sandstones, which
continue the coarsening- and thickening-upward trend. The sandstones
sandstones and
and all
all stratigraphically
stratigraphically
higher units are only present in
core.
The
Kama
Hill
mudstones
represent
subaqueous
in core. The Kama Hill mudstones represent subaqueousdeposition
deposition
in a non-saline lake. The coarseningcoarsening- and
and thickening-upward sequence
sequence reflects
reflects delta
delta progradation
progradation
and eventual
establishmentof
of aa fluvial delta
delta top environment,
forming the
the base
base of the next
environment, forming
next
and
eventual establishment
formation.
formation.

�This is
This
is a
a new
new unit
unit which
which has
has not
not been
been formally
formally named.
named. It
It is
is present
present
only
in
drill
core
from
under
Nipigon
Bay.
At
some
localities,
the
coarsening-upward
only in drill core from under Nipigon Bay. At some localities, the coarsening-upward delta
delta

Nipigon Bay
Bay Formation:
Formation:
Nipigon

sequence of
planar cross-stratified,
sequence
of the
the Kama
Kama Hill
HillFormation
Formationisisoverlain
overlainby
bylarge—scale,
large-scale, planar
cross-stratified, mediummediumgrained
sandstones
of
the
Nipigon
Bay
Formation.
These
reach
approximately
500 m
m in
grained sandstones of the Nipigon Bay Formation. These reach approximately 500
in
thickness. Mudstone
Mudstone and
and siltstone
siltstone interlayers
interlayersare
are almost
almost totally
totally absent
absent with
with the
thickness.
the entire
entire unit
unit
consisting of
of multi-storey
multi-storey sandstones.
sandstones. Colour
Colour varies
varies from
red to
consisting
from red
to white,
white, with
with the
the white
white sandstones
sandstones
containing gypsum
gypsum grains
grains and
containing
and aa gypsum
gypsum cement.
cement. Research
Research continues
continues on
on this
this formation,
formation,with
with the
the
present data
data indicating
indicating an
an aeolian
aeolian origin
origin with
with possibly
possibly some
some braided
braided fluvial
fluvial reworking.
reworking.
present

At other
other locations,
locations, aa different
different assemblage
the one
one described
described above
the Kama
At
assemblage separates
separates the
above from
from the
Kama Hill
Hill
Formation.
This
assemblage
overlies
the
coarsening-upward
sequence
of
the
delta
and is
Formation. This assemblage overlies the coarsening-upward sequence of the delta and
is
composed of
of finingcomposed
fining- and
and thinning-upward,
thinning-upward, multi-storey
multi-storey sandstones,
sandstones, metres
metres to
to decametres
decametres thick,
thick,
separated by
by friable
red mudstones
In some
some places,
places, minor
minorcarbonate
carbonate
separated
friable red
mudstones and
and fissile
fissile green
green mudstones.
mudstones. In
layers are
layers
are associated
associated with
with the
the green
green mudstones.
mudstones. The
The sandstones
sandstones are
are fluvial
fluvial channels;
channels; the
the
intervening mudstones
mudstonesrepresent
representaa rare
intervening
rare example
example of
of a apreserved
preservedPrecambrian
Precambrianfloodplain
floodplain
succession with
with sun-baked,
poorly developed
succession
sun-baked, poorly
developed soils,
soils, friable
friable units,
units, and
and small,
small, open-water
open-water ponds.
ponds.
The possibly
possibly aeolian
The
aeolian sandstones
sandstones lie
lie sharply
sharply on
on top
top of
of this
this unit.
unit.

�FIELD TRIPROAD
TRIP ROAD LOG

Stop Number

Locality

Road Lop
Loe (kin)
(km)

DAY
DAY ONE STOPS

1-1
1-1

Remote Drill Core Storage Facility
(Generalized
(GeneralizedStratigraphy)
Stratigraphy)

1-2
1-2

Thunder
North (Downtown)
Thunder Bay
Bay North
(Downtown)
(Architectural
Stone)
(Architectural Stone)
Junction
JunctionHighways
Highways 11-17
11-17 and
and 587
587

0.0 km (Reset)
(Reset)

1-3

Pass
Pass Lake
Lake (Railway)
(Railway)
(Animikie/Sibley disconformity;
disconformity;
Pass
PassLake
Lake Fm.
Fm. Type
Type section)
section)

5.9 to 6.1 km

1-4

Pass
Pass Lake
Lake (Highway)
(Highway)
(Lacustrine
(LacustrineSheet Sandstones,
Sandstones, Rossport
Rossport Fm.)

8.6 km

1-5

Pass
Pass Lake
Lake (Highway)
(Highway)
(Lacustrine
(LacustrineChannel
ChannelSandstones,
Sandstones,Rossport
Rossport Fm.)
Fm.)

9.9 km

Pass
Pass Lake
Lake Crossroad
Crossroad

10.3 km

Pass
Pass Lake
Lake (Highway)
(Highway)
(Subaerial
(SubaerialSiltstone-Caliche,
Siltstone-Caliche,Rossport
RossportFm.)
Fm.)

10.7 km

Junction
JunctionHighways
Highways11-17
1 1 - 17and
and587
587

0.0
0.0 km
km (Reset)
(Reset)

Turn-off
Turn-off(Pipeline
(Pipelineroad)
road)
to
to Enterprise
Enterprise Pb-Zn
Pb-Zn Mine
Mine

14.5
14.5 km
km

1-6

1-7

�DAY TWO
TWO STOPS
STOPS
DAY

Stop
Number
Stop Number

Locality

Road Lou
Road
Loe (kin)
(km)

Junction of
Junction
of Highways
Highways 11
11 and
and 17,
17,
east of
Nipigon
east
of Nipigon

0.0 km
km (Reset)
0.0
(Reset)

2-1

Gurney (Highway)
Gurney
(Highway)
(Archean-Sibley
(Archean-Sibley Unconformity,
Unconformity,
Debris
Debris Flows,
Flows, Pass
Pass Lake
Lake Fm.)
Fm.)

39.9 km
km (east
of
39.9
(east of
junction)
junction)

2-2

Kama
Kama Hill
Hill (Highway)
(Highway)
junction)
junction)
(Interbedded
(Interbedded Dolostone-Siltstone,
Dolostone-Siltstone, Rossport Fm.)
Fm.)

21.4
km (east
of
(east of
21.4 km

2-3

Ruby
Ruby Lake
Lake Marble
Marble Quarry
Quarry
(Turn-off
from Highway
Highway 17;
17;
(Turn-off from
4.1
4.1km
km into
into site)
site)

6.8
km (east
of
(east of
6.8 km
junction)
junction)

2-4

2-5

2-6

Junction
Junction of
of Highways
Highways 11
11and
and 17,
17,
east
of
Nipigon
east of Nipigon

0.0 km (Reset)
(Reset)

Junction
Junction of
of Highways
Highways 11-17
11-17and
and 585
585

4.0 km

Turn-off
Turn-off to
to Moseau
Moseau Mountain
Mountain

5.0
5.0 km
km

17.5
17.5-- 18.5
18.5 km
Moseau
Moseau Mountain
Mountain
(Pass
Lake
Fm.
&amp;
Evaporite
Breccias,
Rossport
Fm)
(Pass Lake Fm.&amp; Evaporite
Rossport Fm)

Junction
Junction of
of Highways
Highways11-17
11-17and
and 628
628

0.0 km
km (Reset)
(Reset)

Pull-off
Pull-off parking
parking lot;
lot; start
start of
of hiking
hiking trail
trail

6.3
6.3 km
km

Lloyds
Lloyd's Lookout
Lookout
q'Shales
&amp;Rippled
RippledSiltstones,
Siltstones, Kama
Kama Hill
Hill Fm.)
Fm)
(Shales &amp;

(walk
(walk trail
trail 0.8
0.8 km)
km)

Junction
Junction of
of Highways
Highways 11-17
11-17 and
and 628
628

0.0 km (Reset)
(Reset)

Big
Big Squaw
Squaw Creek
Creek Road
Road Cut
Cut
(Hornfelsed Rossport Fm.)
Fm.)
(Hornfelsed

10.2
10.2 km
km

�(JAY

(((UNDER

I

Rossport Fm

0

0:
12

LAKE
Map 2232 NIPIGON-SCHREIBER SHEET, MNDM

Miles

I P (CO (V

2-5 Lloyd's

—

(IV4 /.k fACQ,'
r
Thunder Bay, Ontario

a

a

C

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Ic-i

-t
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-a.

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0

CD

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C/D

0
0
0
0

C/D

I-I

I

ILSG 2000 Sibley Group Field Trip

�FIELD
FIELD TRIP
TRIP STOP
STOP DESCRIPTIONS
DESCRIPTIONS
STOP
Y REMOTE
GE SITE,
SITE, CONMEE
STOP 1-1:
1-1: THUNDER
THUNDERBA
BAY
REMOTE DRILL
DRILL CORE
CORESTORA
STORAGE
CONMEE
TOWNSHIP
TO WNSHZP

This
This stop
stop presents
presents an
an opportunity
opportunity to
to

view
view stratigraphic
stratigraphic sections
sections of
of the
the

Sibley
Sibley Group
Group in
in diamond
diamond drill
drill core
core

donated
donated to,
to, or
or collected
collected by,
by, the
the
MINDM
from private
MNDM from
private sector
sector mineral
mineral
exploration
exploration projects.
projects. Core
Core from
from three
three
drill
drill holes
holes has
has been
been selected
selected from
from
different
of
different parts
parts
of the
the Sibley
Sibley
depositional
basin
to
provide
depositional
basin
to
provide
geographically
and
stratigraphically
geographically and stratigraphically
distinct
of the
distinct sections
sections of
the constituent
constituent
formations
formations and
and their
their characteristic
characteristic
lithologies.
lithologies.

The
The latest
latest drilling
drilling was
was completed
completed by
by Falconbridge
Falconbridge Limited
Limited and
and joint-venture
joint-venture partners,
partners,Canmine
Canmine
Resources
Corporation and
and Red
Red Engine
Engine Resources,
Resources, in
in 1997
1997 from
from the
the ice
ice of
of Nipigon
Nipigon Bay
Bay as
as part
part
Resources Corporation
of
an
exploration
program
designed
to
evaluate
the
area's
nickel
potential
(Assessment
files,
of an exploration program designed to evaluate the area's nickel potential (Assessment files,
Thunder
Thunder Bay
Bay South
South District,
District, Thunder
Thunder Bay).
Bay). Falconbridge
Falconbridgebecame
becameinterested
interestedin
inthe
thearea
areainin1991
1991
and
started
a
compilation
and
regional
reconnaissance
program
which
delineated
a
23 km
k m long
long
and started a compilation and regional reconnaissance program which delineated a 23
magnetic
anomaly adjacent
adjacent to
to the
the North
Airborne and
and ground
ground
magnetic anomaly
North Shore
Shore fault
fault (see
(see map
map below).
below). Airbome
geophysical
geophysical surveys,
surveys, geological
geological mapping,
mapping, soil
soil sampling
sampling ensued,
ensued, culminating
culminatingin
in the
thedeep
deepdrilling
drilling
program
program (ibid).
(ibid). No
Nosignificant
significantnickel
nickelnor
norcopper
coppervalues
values were
were returned
returned from
fromthe
thedrilling
drillingand
andthe
the
Exploration
Licence of
of Occupation
on Lake
was allowed
allowed to
to lapse
lapse in
Exploration Licence
Occupation on
Lake Superior
Superior was
in 1999.
1999. Despite
Despite the
the
disappointing
results, the
the drilling
disappointing results,
drilling provided
provided aa plethora
plethora of
of new
new stratigraphic
stratigraphic information
information on
on the
the
Sibley
Sibley Group
Group in an
an area
area where
where no
no drilling
drillinghad
had previously
previously taken
taken place.
place. Most
Most remarkable
remarkable of
of these
these
results
were
the
unexpectedly
thick
sections
(up
to
850
m)
that
dwarfed
previously
measured
results were the unexpectedly thick sections (up to 850 m) that dwarfed previously measured
sections
total thickness
thickness on
on the
the mainland,
mainland, as well
well as
as the
the presence
presence of
of upper
upper units
units of
of
sections and
and estimated
estimated total

the
the Sibley
Sibley Group
Group which
which had
had not
notpreviously
previously been
been recognized
recognized (i.e.
(i.e. proposed
proposed Nipigon
Nipigon Bay
Bay
Formation).
Formation).

Drill
Drill Hole
Hole
CYP 96-01
CYP
96-01
NB
NB 97-02
97-02
NB
NB 97-03
97-03
NB
NB 97-04
97-04
NB
NB 97-05
97-05

(m)
Overburden (m)
Overburden

Sibley
Group (m)
Sibley Group
(m)

2.0
2.0
22.7
22.7
30.0
28.6
28.6
73.2
73.2

62.56
62.56
452.5
452.5
75.0*
75.0*
858.2
858.2
635.1*
635.1*

Total Length
(m)
Total
Length (m)
464.5
464.5
677.8
677.8
105.0
105.0
1015.6
1015.6
744.2
744.2

Table showing thicknesses of Sibley
Sibley Group
Group intersected
intersected by Falconbridge
Falconbridge Limited's
Limited'sdrilling.
drilling.
(*hole did not reach
reach Archean
Archean basement)
basement)

�Vert Island

Black Bay
Peninsula

Osler
Osier Group
Group

FZ1
0

5 km

LI Loqari
Logandiabase
diabase
/ North
Shore
/
North
ShoreFault
Fault

1
Archean
Archean
I
'High" 1
Magnetic 'High"

r]
Sibley Group
Group
D
-Sibley
I/

Map of
of Nip
Nipigon
drilling
Map
igon Bay,
Bay, showing
showing location
location of Falconbridge
Falconbridge Limited's drilling

The sedimentary
rocks unconformably
overlieaa red
red granite
which has been
sedimentary rocks
unconformably overlie
granite which
been subjected
subjected to
to
Mesoproterozoic, equatorial
equatorial weathering.
weathering.
Mesoproterozoic,

Two drill holes, completed
Noranda Inc.,
Inc., will also be examined at this stop.
completed by Noranda
stop. These holes
were drilled
drilled north of
of Dorion
Dorion on
on aa north-south
north-south line,
line, with
with one
one lying
lying approximately
approximately 15
15 km
km closer
closer to
to
Thus,
the
three
holes
examined
will
show
basin
margin
basin center
center than
than the
the other.
other. Thus,
three holes examined will show basin margin
the basin
(Falconbridge),
(Falconbridge), medial
medial (Noranda)
(Noranda) and
and basin
basin center
center (Noranda)
(Noranda) lithofacies
lithofacies assemblages.
assemblages.
The basin-center drill hole bottoms out in diabase which is overlain by millimetre- to centimetrescale layers
layers of dolomite and gypsum. This
This assemblage
assemblage is
is approximately
approximately 40 m thick and contains
pink to
to red,
red, clay-rich
clay-rich interlayers
interlayers near
near its
its top.
top. This is overlain
overlain by
by aashale-siltstone
shale-siltstone sequence
sequence
containing
containing abundant
abundant layers
layers of
of intraformational
intrafonnationalconglomerate
conglomerate(mud-chip
(mud-chipconglomerates).
conglomerates).

�The
The medial
medial drill
drill hole
holeoverlies
overliesa agneissic
gneissicbasement.
basement. An
An upward-fining,
upward-fining, conglomerate
conglomerate to
to

sandstone
sandstone to
to siltstone,
siltstone, trend
trend is
is well
well developed
developed in
in the
the Pass
Pass Lake
LakeFormation
Formation present
present in
inthis
thishole.
hole.

Approximately
50 m
m of
and red
Approximately 50
of inter-laminated
inter-laminated dolomite
dolomite and
red mudstone
mudstone overlie
overlie the
the Pass
Pass Lake
Lake
siltstone
containing
layers
of
mud-block
succeeded
by
a
Formation.
in
is
turn,
This,
Formation. This, in turn, is succeeded by a siltstone containing layers of mud-block
conglomerate.
conglomerate. AAbrecciated
brecciatedand
andstromatolitic,
stromatolitic,white
whitecarbonate
carbonateunit
unitoverlies
overliesthe
theclastic
clasticrocks
rocksand
and
this
this is
is succeeded
succeededupwards
upwards by
by siltstones
siltstonesof
of the
the Kama
Kama Hill
Hill Formation.
Formation.

The
drill hole
hole is
is similar
The basin-marginal
basin-marginal drill
similar to
to the
the medial
medial hole
hole except:
except: 1)
1) the
the basal
basal Pass
Pass Lake
Lake is
is
almost
entirely
missing;
2)
the
upper
carbonate
unit
is
not
present;
3)
it
contains
approximately
almost entirely missing; 2) the upper carbonate unit is not present; 3) it contains approximately
550m
Sibley strata
strata not
not previously
previously discovered
discovered elsewhere
elsewhere in
in the
thebasin.
basin. The
The upper
upper
550m of
of overlying
overlying Sibley
strata
consist
of
a
coarsening-upward,
deltaic
sequence
at
the
top
of
the
Kama
Hill
Formation.
strata consist of a coarsening-upward, deltaic sequence at the top of the Kama Hill Formation.
This
This is
is overlain
overlain by
by aawell-developed
well-developedfluvial
fluvialsystem
systemwith
withmulti-storey,
multi-storey, powering-down,
powering-down, channel
channel

sandstone
sandstone assemblages
assemblagesimbedded
imbedded with
with floodplain
floodplain fines.
fines. Overlying
Overlyingthis
thisisisaasandstone
sandstonesuccession
succession
hundreds
dry aeolian
aeoliansystem.
system.
hundreds of
of metres
metres thick
thick which
which was
was probably
probably deposited
deposited in
in aa dry

We
We will
will spend
spend the
the morning
morning in
in the
the core
coreyard
yardexamining
examining the
the various
variouslithofacies
lithofacieswhich
whichare
arepresent
present
in
in each
each of
of these
these lithofacies
lithofacies assemblages.
assemblages. For
Foraa more
more detailed
detailed description
descriptionof
of the
the sequence
sequence see
see the
the
section
section on
on "Depositional
"Depositional Environment".
Environment".

STOP(S)
STOP(.) 1-2A,B,C:
1-2 A,B.C: THUNDER
THUNDERBAYNORTH(DOWNTOWN)
BAY NORTH (DOWNTOWN)

This
This series
series of
of stops
stops is
is designed
designed to
to show
showexamples
examples of
of rough
rough and
and cut
cutdimension
dimensionstone
stonethat
thatwas
was
quarried
quarried from three different
different sites
sites around
around the turn
turn of
of the
the century.
century. Sibley
Sibley Group
Group stone
stone quarries
quarries
are
are listed
listed below
below (summarized
(summarized from
from Hinz
Hinz et
et al.
al.1994):
1994):

Quarry

Rock Type

Cooke Point
George
George Point
Point
La Grange Island
Nipigon River
Quarry
Ouarrv Island
Island
Ruby
~ u bLake
~
yake
Simpson
SimpsonIsland
Island
Vert
Vert Island
Island
Wolf
Wolf River
River

Marble
Gray
Gray sandstone
sandstone
Red sandstone
Variegated marble
White
White sandstone
sandstone
Variegated
Variegated marble
marble
Buff
Buff sandstone
sandstone
Red
Red sandstone
sandstone
Buff
Buff sandstone
sandstone

.

-

Years of Operation
1931-1 940(?)

Late
800s(?)
Late 118001s(?)

1882-1
1882-1883(?)
883(?)
1883-1910(?)
1883-l910(?)
Late
800's(?)
Late11800's(?)
1998-present
1998-present
1904-1912
1904-1912
1881-1912
1881-1912
1913-15;
1913-15;1921-31
1921-31

�These three
three architectural
stops along
along one
one of Thunder
These
architectural stops
Thunder
Bay's
major
arteries
provide
an
opportunity
see aa
Bay's major arteries provide an opportunity toto see
variety of
of Sibley
Sibley Group
Group stones
stonesand
and note
note the
the effects
effects of
of
variety
The architectural
of exposure.
almost a century of
exposure.
The
are taken
website
descriptions are
taken from
from aa walking
walking tour
tour website
developed and
and maintained
by the
developed
maintained by
the Local
Local Architecural
Architecural
Conservation
Advisory
Committee
conservation
Advisory
Committee
(L.A.C.A.C.)
(L.A.C.A.C.)
(http://www.city.thunder-bay.on.caltbwalkingtourf).
(http://www.city
.thunder-bay.on.ca/tbwalkingtour/).

STOP 1-2A: 432
432 RED
RED RIVER
RIVER ROAD
retaining wall
wall is constructed with distinctive, brickThis retaining
red Vert
red
Vert Island
Island sandstone
sandstone (Nipigon
(Nipigon Bay
Bay Formation?).
Formation?).
was aa popular stone used in the construction of many
many
This was
grand
homes
and
other
buildings
in
Fort
William
grand homes and other buildings in Fort William (now
(now
Thunder Bay South).

PORT ARTHUR
STOP 1-2B: PORT
ARTHUR
INSTITUTE (401
INSTITUTE
(401 Red
Red River Road)

COLLEGIATE
COLLEGIATE

This building,
building, constructed
constructedin
in 1909
1909of
ofSimpson
SimpsonIsland
Island buff
buff
sandstone (Nipigon Bay Formation?), is an example of the
Queen Anne
Anne style that
that was
was in
in common
common use
use from
from the
the 1880s
l880s
I
to the 191
Os.wWhen
the school
school board
board made
made the initial
to
1910s.
h e n the
initial
planning for the building, it was decided that it should be "erected for posterity, and
and not
not be
be of the
'shack' order",
resulted in the
shack'
order", so
so they
they chose
chose the
the stately
stately Queen
Queen Anne style.
style. Alterations in 1925 resulted
addition of four more classrooms, and more renovations to the north and south
in
1953
south 1953 and 1962
1962
created other
other rooms.
rooms. These
These alterations
alterationsused
usedstone
stoneinin an
an attempt
attempt to
to blend
created
blend into the original
original
building, but a gynmasium
gymnasium planned in 1964
1964 and completed in 1974,
1974, provoked controversy as its
design was incompatible
incompatible with the rest of the school.
school.

'

�Port Arthur
after its
Port
Arthur Collegiate
_.
..sgiate Institute,
Institute, shortly
rtly after
its construction
co ..-.. ~ c t i o n

STOP J-2C:
South)
STOP
1-2C:TRINITY
TRINITYUNITED
UNITEDCHURCH
CHURCH(30
(30Algoma
Algoma Street
Street South)

This building,
building, constructed
constructed in
in 1906,
was formerly
known as
as the
This
1906, was
formerly known
the Trinity
Trinity Methodist
Methodist Church,
Church, and
and
became
the
Trinity
United
Church
after
the
United
Church
of
Canada
was
formed
became the Trinity United Church after the United Church of Canada was formed in
in 1925.
1925.
Constructed of
of rough
rough cut,
Constructed
cut, Simpson
Simpson Island
Island buff
buff sandstone
sandstone (Nipigon
(Nipigon Bay
Bay Formation?),
Formation?), this
this
structure is
is an
an example
890s to
to the
the
that was
was popular
popular from
from the
the 11890s
structure
example of
of the
the Late
Late Gothic
Gothic Revival
Revival style
style that
1 940s.The
Theunusual
unusualtower
tower features
featuresvery
very narrow
narrow windows,
windows, four
four buttresses,
buttresses, each
each capped
capped with
with aa
1940s.
pyramid shaped
shaped finial,
finial, and
and an
an extremely
extremely sharp
sharp hexagonal
hexagonalspire.
spire.The
The rest
rest of
of the
the building
also
pyramid
building also
features very
very steeply
pitched roofs,
features
steeply pitched
roofs, and
and arched
arched windows
windows in
in the
the Gothic
Gothic style.
style.

�TrinityUnited
UnitedChurch
Church
Trinity

STOPI-2D:
I-2D:MASONIC
MASONICHALL
HALL(262-270
(262-270Red
RedRiver
RiverRoad)
Road)
STOP
Builtinin1910
1910and
andalso
alsoknown
knownas
asShuniah
ShuniahLodge,
Lodge,this
thisstone,
stone,brick
brickand
andconcrete
concretebuilding
buildingreplaced
replaced
Built
the
1909.The
Thefirst
firstfloor
floorisismade
madeof
ofcut
cutNipigon
Nipigon
theold
oldMasonic
Masonictemple
templethat
thatwas
wasdestroyed
destroyedby
byfire
fireinin1909.
River
Rivermarble
marble(Rossport
(RossportFormation)
Formation)and
andthe
theentrance
entrancefeatures
featurescarved
carvedmarble
marblepilasters
pilastersand
and
decorative
decorativepanels.
panels.Originally
Originallythere
therewas
wasaadome
domeon
onthe
theroof
roofover
overthe
theentrance,
entrance,which
whichhas
hassince
since
been
been removed.
removed.The
Thecentral
centralportion
portionof
ofthe
thebuilding
buildinghas
hasaaMansard
Mansardroof
roofof
ofFrench
Frenchdesign.
design.The
The
building's
building'swindows
windowsare
aredecorated
decoratedwith
withalternating
alternatinground
roundand
andtriangular
triangularpediments
pediments above
above them.
them.
Conmercial
Commercialspace
spaceoccupies
occupiesthe
theground
groundfloor,
floor,while
whilethe
thelodge
lodgeisislocated
locatedabove.
above.

�STOP
STOP 1-3:
1-3:PASS
PASS LAKE
LAKE (RAILROAD
(RAILROADCUT)
CUT)
j

'

Ill

4

I A
A cliff
cliff on
on the
the far
far side
side of
ofthe
therailroad
railroad tracks
tracks

contains
the type
type section
of the
contains the
section of
the Pass
Pass Lake
Lake
A
Formation.
disconformity
Formation.
A low-angle
low-angle disconformity
separates the
the basal
separates
basal conglomerates
conglomerates of
of the
the Pass
Pass
lake
Formation
from
the
underlying,
—1.9
Ga
lake Formation from the underlvin~.
-, -1.9 Ga
Rove
Formation
shales
(lower
photo).
The
Rove Formation shales (lower r&gt;hoto\. The
maroon
maroon and
and green
green shales
shales exhibit
exhibit extensive
extensive
weathering.
evidence of
Mesoproterozoic weathering.
evidence
of Mesooroterozoic
The
The basal
basal conglomerate
conglomerate thins
thins and
and thickens
thickens
laterally,
laterally, pinching
pinching down
down to
to pebbly
pebbly sandstone
sandstone
in
in places.
places. Clasts
Clastsare
are generally
generally surrounded
surrounded and
and
by
dominated
local
Gunflint
dominated by local Gunflint formation
formation
lithologies.
lithologies. The
The matrix
matrix is
is poorly
poorly sorted.
sorted. The
The
conglomerates
are
overlain
by
a
conglomerates are overlain by a thinningthinningupward
of sandstone
(ohoto at
at
uoward sequence
seauence of
sandstone beds
beds (photo
laterally
left).
left). Individual
~ndividualbeds
beds are
are reasonably
reasonablylaterally
continuous
though sometimes
sometimes lens
lensout.
out. They
continuous thoueh
They
are
by upper
are dominated
dominated bv
uover flow
flow regime
regime parallel
oarallel
lamination
with occasional
lamination with
occasional ripples
ripples and
and smallsmallscale
scale dunes
dunes on
on their
their tops.
tops.

.

-

~

-

A -

~

-

of this
this
depositional
environment of
depositional environment
Both
alluvial
fansequence
is
continuous.
atuuence is continuous. Both alluvial fanThe

braided

fluvial

and
and

shallow
shallow

lacustrine
lacustrine

(Cheadle
(Cheadle 1986;
1986; Franklin
Franklin 1980;
1980; respectively)
respectively)
While examining
examining the
the lithofacies
lithofacies in
in the
the field
depositional environments
ments have
have been
been proposed.
proposed. While
field we
we
depositional
em

will discuss the merits
incuts of
of each
each interpretation.
interpretation.

between the
the
Disconformity between
Disconformity
conglomerate
basal
basal conglomerate of
of the
the
Pass
Pass Lake
Lake Formation
Formation (cgl)
(cgl)
Rove
and
weathered
and
weathered
Formation shales
at Pass
Pass
Formation
shales (reg)
(reg) at
Lake. A
Lake.
A concretion
concretion (con)
(con) is
is
shown at lower right.
right.

�STOP 1-4:
(HIGHWA!)
1-4: PASS LAKE (HIGHWAY)

This
This is aa roadside
roadside exposure
exposure of
of the
the transition
transition zone
zone between
between the Pass
Pass Lake
Lake and
and Rossport
Rossport
Formations. Laterally
Laterally continuous
continuoussandstone
sandstone beds interlayer in a red silty mudstone assemblage.
The sandstones are often massive, though
though one bed at this
this location
location contains
contains low angle,
angle. wispy,
wisvv.
trough
trough cross-stratification.
cross-stratification.

Here again, two
two possibilities
possibilities exist
exist for
for the
theenvironment
environment of
of deposition.
deposition. The sandstones could
represent crevasse
fines during
during flood-stage
flood-stage failure
failure
crevasse splay sand sheets spread out on the floodplain fines
of fluvial levee systems. Alternatively,
Alternatively, the
the sand
sand sheets
sheets may
may represent
represent shallow lacustrine storm
deposits caused by rainfall event-driven
fluvial sand delivery
delivery to
to a lacustrine system and storm
event-driven fluvial
surge ebb plus river
river mouth
mouth density
density current
current transport of sand offshore into a fair
fair weather
weather siltsiltdominated area. The
merits
of
both
interpretations
will
be
discussed
in
the
field.
The merits of both interpretations will be discussed in

I

�STOP 1-5:
WA 17
STOP
1-5:PASS
PASSLAKE
LAKE(HIGH
(HIGHWAT)

This
This stop
stop contains
contains aa variety
variety of
of lithofacies.
lithofacies. Large
Largesandstone
sandstonelenses
lensescap
capthe
the outcrop,
outcrop, overlying
overlying
siltstones,
siltstones, a fairly continuous,
continuous, non-silty,
non-silty, purple
purple shale
shale and
and aa massive,
massive, lensoid
lensoid dolomite.
dolomite.

tQ

—

.1

.:

C

:- :-A'
-

r1.a ff

!$

... .
S

.

—

,.

.
.

',r

-

-.
.1

..

.,

Layer geometry
geometry and
and contact
contact relations
relations in
in this
this exposure
exposure are
are perplexing
perplexingat
at first
first glance.
glance. Take
Layer
Take some
some
time to
to trace
time
trace out
out the
the geometries
geometries of
of the
the various
various lithologies.
lithologies. Hopefully
Hopefully we
we will
will be
be able
able to
to answer
answer
the
the following
following questions
questionswhile
whileat
at this
thisstop:
stop:
Is
the dolomite
dolomite really lensoid?
Is the
lensoid?
Is this
this caused by structural disturbance?
disturbance?
How does
does the
the dolomite
How
dolomite correlate across
across the road?
Are any intraformational
intraformational conglomerates present?
What is their geometry?
geometry?
How could have this small
small sequence
sequence of various lithologies have formed?
•

STOP 1-6:
WA 17
STOP
1-6:PASS
PASSLAKE
LAKE(HIGH
(HIGHWAY)

This is
is aa small,
small, crumbly
crumbly outcrop
outcrop of
of red,
red, friable
friable silty-mudstone.
silty-mudstone. Although
Although it
it is
is not
not impressive,
impressive, its
its
This
brick-red colour and friable nature are important.
important. Commonly, outcrops such as this
this one are
brick-red
interpreted as highly
highly sunbaked
that is
is probably
probably what
what this
this outcrop
outcrop represents.
represents.
interpreted
sunbaked soils
soils / caliche, and that

�1-7: ENTERPRISE
STOP 1-7:
ENTERPRISE MINE

Peter MeKellar
discovered aa lead-copper-mineralized
veinatatthis
thislocation
locationinin 1865
1865 that
that was
was
Peter
McKellar discovered
lead-copper-mineralized vein
subsequently
developed as
as the
the Enterprise
Enterprise Mine
Mine (Tanton
(Tanton 1931).
1931). Between 1870 and 1876,
subsequently developed
1876, two
two
shafts were sunk. No.
1
shaft
reached
a
depth
of
180
feet
(55m);
levels
were
run
easterly
76
feet
No. 1 shaft reached a depth of 180 feet
and westerly
westerly 66 feet
feet at
at aa depth
depth of
of 60
60 feet.
feet. A
A stope
stope was made in the west drift and a winze was
sunk in the east drift about 50 feet from the
the shaft.
shaft. A crosscut was driven from the
the bottom
bottom of the
the
shaft 115feet
5feetsouth.
south. Shaft No. 2 was sunk 60 feet at a point approximately 300 feet west of
No.
11
of
shaft (ibid).

The total
total recorded
productionfrom
fromthe
themine
minewas
wasaa single
single shipment
shipmentofof 167
167 tons
tons made
made to
to
The
recorded production
Swansea,
Wales, in
in 1875 (ibid)
(ibid) that
that averaged
averaged37.4%
37.4%Pb.
Pb. Although no
no other metal
metal credits
credits are
Swansea, Wales,
listed, appreciable copper,
copper, silver
silver and
and gold
gold were
were reported
reportedin
in some
somesamples.
samples. Analyses conducted
by Dr. E.J. Chapman
Chapman in
in 1874
1874include
include one of a large,
large, average
average sample
sample of the vein near surface
surface that
that
returned 41.84% Pb, 5.40% Cu, 3.2 ounce Ag per ton and 0.33
0.33 ounce Au per ton (Tanton 1931).
Hawley (1930) reported Chapman's
Chapman's estimate
estimate of
of part
part of
of the ore body near surface as 47.5% Pb,
Hawley
Pb,
10.0% Cu, 17
17 dwt. 12
12 grammes
grarnrnes (sic) Au and 2 ounces
ounces 22 dwt. Ag per ton.
ton.
Mining operations ceased
ceased in
in 1876; fire destroyed
destroyed the
the mine
mine buildings
buildings aa few
few years
years later (Tanton
(Tanton
Mining
1931).
New
owners
dewatered
and
sampled
the
workings
in
1884
but
no
ore
was
produced.
1931). New owners dewatered
workings in
but
produced.
927(ibid).
Dewatering, examination and subsequent suspension took place between
between 1926
1926and
and11927(ibid).
The mine site was initially rehabilitated in 1926 and 1927 and is now monitored and maintained
by the Canadian
CanadianNational
~ a t i o n Railway.
al~ailwa~.
have described
describedthe
thelocal
localgeology.
geology. Ore-bearing
Ore-bearingveins
veinsoccupy
occupyaa
Hawley (1930) and Tanton (1931) have
breccia
breccia zone in
in dolomitic
dolomitic siltstones
siltstones of the
the Rossport
Rossport Formation
Formation that extends
extends down into
into the
the
has
basement. This
Archean granitic basement.
This breccia
breccia zone strikes 065°
065' and dips 70°
70' SE to vertically. ItIt has
been traced
traced over
over 60 m and has an average width
width of 1.2 m. Fracture-controlled
offshoots and
and
been
Fracture-controlled offshoots
branch veinlets may occur in a metre-wide envelope
envelope or
or "shatter
"shatter zone"
zone" around
aroundthe
themain
mainvein.
vein. The
veins tend to pinch-and-swell;
pinch-and-swell; mineralized zones over 4 m wide have been noted (ibid).

The veins consist
consist of the
the ore
oreminerals
minerals galena,
galena, low-Fe
low-Fe sphalerite
sphalerite pyrite
pyrite and chalcopyrite
chalcopyrite in a
Malachite has
gangue
assemblage of
of quartz / amethystine
gangue assemblage
amethystine quartz,
quartz, calcite
calcite and
and pink
pink barite.
barite. Malachite
precipitated on chalcopyrite-rich,
chalcopyrite-rich, weathered dump material.
First synopsized by Hawley
Hawley (1930)
(1930) and
and further
further described
described by Tanton
Tanton (1931),
(1931), "lead-zinc-barite
"lead-zinc-barite
termed, were
were reported
reportedas
asearly
earlyas
as1866.
1866. Of
Of the
the approximately
approximately
veins" (LZBV), as they are locally termed,
only the Dorion,
Ogema and
and Enterprise
Enterprisedeposits
depositswere
weremined
minedtotoany
anydegree.
degree. As
30 deposits, only
Dorion, Ogema
noted by Franklin
Franklin and
and Mitchell
Mitchell (1977),
(1977), these
these small
small deposits
deposits comprise
comprise a distinct
distinct metallogenetic
metallogenetic
and is
is spatially
spatially confined
confined to
to the
the
group that has a consistent, simple vein mineralogy and structure, and
basin. Although
Sibley Group depositional basin.
Although temporally
temporally similar,
similar, they are
are clearly
clearly distinguishable
distinguishable
from silver-bearing
veins that occur near Thunder
Animikie Group
Group
from
silver-bearing veins
Thunder Bay in
in Paleoproterozoic
Paleoproterozoic Animikie
sedimentary rocks and Logan diabase.

�Franklin
Franklinand
andMitchell
Mitchell(1977)
(1977)subdivided
subdividedthese
theseLZBV
LZBVdeposits
depositsinto
intothree
threeclasses:
classes:
(1)
those
that
have
the
Sibley
Group
as
at
least
one
wall
rock
(1) those that have the Sibley Group as at least one wall rock(e.g.
(e.g.Dorion
DorionMine);
Mine);
(2)
those
that
are
entirely
enclosed
within
Sibley
Group
rocks
(e.g.
Enterprise
(2) those that are entirely enclosed within Sibley Group rocks (e.g. EnterpriseMine);
Mine);and
and
lie
within
the
Archean
basement
but
near
the
unconformity
with
(3)
those
(3) those lie within the Archean basement but near the unconformity withbasal
basal
sandstones
sandstonesof
ofthe
theSibley
SibleyGroup
Group(e.g.
(e.g.Ogema
OgemaMine).
Mine).

Wall
Wall rock
rockalteration,
alteration,typically
typicallybest
best manifested
manifested in
in dolomitic
dolomiticrocks,
rocks, isistan
tanto
togrey
greyinincolour
colourand
andisis
characterized
characterized by
by enrichment
enrichmentin
in 5i02
Si02and
andCaO,
CaO,slight
slightenrichment
enrichmentin
inFeO
FeOand
andMnO
MnOand
anddepletion
depletion
of
ofMgO,
MgO,CO2
CO2and
andA1203.
A1203.(ibid).
(ibid). This
This indicates
indicates silicification,
silicification, the
the conversion
conversion /I replacement
replacement of
of
dolomite
dolomite by
by calcite,
calcite, removal
removal of
of feldspar
feldspar and
and mica
mica and
and pyritization.
pyritization. Metal
Metalenrichment
enrichmentis
is noted
noted in
in
altered
alteredwall
wallrock.
rock.

Archean
K-Arages,
ages,indicating
indicatingthat
thatvein-forming
vein-formingfluids
fluidswere
were
Archean wall
wall rocks
rockshave
havereturned
returnedArchean
ArcheanK-Ar
Sulphur-isotopic
data
not
hot
enough
to
re-equilibrate
the
argon
in
the
analysed
mica.
not hot enough to re-equilibrate the argon in the analysed mica. Sulphur-isotopic dataindicate
indicate
equilibrium
equilibrium between
between galena
galena and
and sphalerite
sphalerite yielding
yielding aa depositional
depositional range
range of
of35°-135°C,
35O-l35OC, and
and
disequilibrium
disequilibriumbetween
between sulphide-sulphate
sulphide-sulphate pairs
pairs (ibid).
(ibid). Haynes
Haynes(1988)
(1988)noted
notedthat
thatfluid
fluidinclusions
inclusions
in
wt.%NaCI
NaCl±+
in quartz
quartzand
andsphalerite
sphaleriteindicate
indicatedeposition
depositionfrom
fromNa-Ca
Na-Cachloride
chloridebrines
brines(26-33
(26-33wt.%
CaCl2 equiv.
equiv. salinity)
salinity)atattemperatures
temperaturesofof90°-200°C.
9O0-20O0C. He
He also
alsosuggested
suggestedthat
thattwo
twoisotopically
isotopically
CaCl2
distinct
CaCl2 &gt;&gt;
&gt;&gt;
Theinclusion
inclusionfluids
fluidscontain
containNaC1
NaCl&gt;&gt;CaCl2
distinctbrines
brines were
were involved
involvedin
invein
veinformation.
formation.The
brines
and
Mississippi
Valley-type
present-day
basinal
to
KC1, compositionally
compositionally similar
similar to present-day basinal brines and Mississippi Valley-type
KCl,
mineralizing
mineralizingsolutions.
solutions.
High
ratios
30.7) from
from vein
vein galena
galena (Franklin
(Franklin and
and Mitchell
Mitchell 1977)
1977)likely
likelyreflect
reflect
2 0 6 ~ b / 2 wratios
~ b ((s 30.7)
High206Pb/2°4Pb
radiogenic
lead
associated
with
the
radioactive,
Archean,
Bowker
granite.
As
noted
radiogenic lead associated with the radioactive, Archean, Bowker granite. As notedby
byFranklin
Franklin

(l978b),
(1978b),the
theEnterprise
Enterprise Mine
Mine has
hasthe
thedistinction
distinction of
ofbeing
being the
theonly
onlyLZBV
LZBVdeposit
deposittotocontain
contain

appreciable
U)portions
portionsof
ofthe
theEnterprise
Enterpriseveins
veins
appreciable amounts
amounts of
of uranium.
uranium. U-enriched
U-enriched(up
(upto
to540
540ppm
ppmU)
(Ruzicka
(Ruzicka1976)
1976)are
areapparently
apparentlyspatially
spatially associated
associated with
with galena
galena and
and likely
likely reflect
reflectproximity
proximityto
toaa
uraniferous,
uraniferous, basement
basement source
source rock.
rock. Lead
Leadisotopes
isotopesare
arehighly
highlyanomalous,
anomalous,yielding
yieldingaa secondary
secondary

isochron
isochron that
that likely
likely indicates
indicatesaamixed
mixedArchean-Paleoproterozoic
Archean-Paleoproterozoic lead
lead source
source (Franklin
(Franklin and
and
Mitchell
Mitchell 1977).
1977). These
These anomalous
anomalous and
and very
very radiogenic
radiogenic leads
leads are
are more
more uranogenic
uranogenic and
and less
less
thorogenic
thorogenic than
than leads
leads found
found in
insilver-bearing
silver-bearing veins
veins near
near Thunder
Thunder Bay
Bay (Franklin
(Franklinet
et al.
al. 1986)
1986)to
to
which
they
are
temporally
and
tectonically
similar.
The
LZBV
mineralization
is
most
which they are temporally and tectonically similar. The LZBV mineralization is mostlikely
likely
related
110 Ma).
related to
to dewatering
dewateringof
of the
the Sibley
Sibleybasin
basin during
during Keweenawan
Keweenawanrifting
rifting(ca.1090-l
(ca.1090-1110
Ma).

Franklin
Franklin and
and Mitchell
Mitchell (1977)
(1977) suggested
suggested that
that the
the vein
vein metals
metals were
were either
either leached
leached from
from basement
basement
rocks
rocks anchor
andlor the breakdown
breakdown of
of Sibley
Sibleysandstone
sandstonematrix.
matrix. Metals
Metals and
and sulphate
sulphatemoved
moved through
through
permeable
permeable Pass
Pass Lake
Lake Formation
Formation sandstone
sandstoneas
as chloride
chloride complexes
complexes (Haynes
(Haynes 1988)
1988)in
in aa very
very saline
saline
brine,
brine, and
and precipitated
precipitated in
in veins
veins at
at the
thesandstone
sandstone pinch-out,
pinch-out, at
at or
or near
near the
the Archean
Archean unconformity.
unconformity.
Isotopically
Isotopically light
light sulphur,
sulphur,perhaps
perhapsof
oforganic
organicderivation,
derivation,may
mayhave
havebeen
beenlocked
lockedinina aH2S-bearing
His-bearing
gas
gas trap
trap at the
the pinch-out,
pinch-out, and
and caused
caused the
the metals
metals to
to precipitate.
precipitate.

�-

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-

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—

—

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KAMA HILL-FM-L-..

—

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H S accumulates
ROSSPORT FM.
pinch-out
trap
•

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•
PASSLAKE FM
: ,
f
:.:c:::::::::I.:4;. Tt0Itso •,e.:,.f_.e_•._
.

-,.•s• 4—BASEMENT
'_.,—,-,—;.-;
— 4-t4t'+
+
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—

Schematic
formation of
LZBVdeposits
from Franklin
Franklin and
and Mitchell
Mitchell (1977);
fl977); scale is
Schematic model
model of
of the formation
ofLZBV
depositsfrom
is

variable.
variable.

Amethyst
The
The largest
largest deposits
depositsof
of amethyst,
amethyst,Ontario's
Ontario's provincial
provincial mineral
mineral emblem,
emblem, occur
occur in
in the
the Thunder
Thunder Bay
Bay
area.
area. Nearly
Nearlyall
allof
ofthe
themost
mostextensive
extensiveand
andrichest
richestdeposits
depositsoccur
occur in
in aa 10
10km-long,
km-long, northeastnortheasttrending
trending belt
belt near
near the
the margin
margin of
of the
the Sibley
SibleyGroup
Group outcrop
outcrop where
where itit is
is underlain
underlain by
by Hilma
Hilma Lake
Lake
granite
granite (Kissin
(Kissin 1990;
1990; Garland 1994;
1994; Vos 1976).
1976). Other
Otheroccurrences,
occurrences,mainly
mainly hosted
hosted in
in granite,
granite, are
also
also spatially
spatially related
related to
to Sibley
Sibley outcrop.
outcrop.
These
amethystine quartz,
quartz, with minor calcite,
calcite, barite and sulphide
sulphide
These deposits
depositsconsist
consist of
of quartz
quartz ++ amethystine
minerals
minerals (e.g.
(e.g. pyrite,
pyrite, chalcopyrite,
chalcopyrite, bomite). They
Theytypically
typicallyoccupy
occupyfaults
faultsand
and related
related fracture
fracture
zones
zones where
where brecciation
brecciation and open-space-filling
open-space-filling are common (ibid). The
The similarities
similarities in
in geologic
geologic
setting
setting between
between amethyst
amethyst and
and LZBV
LZBV led
led Kissin
Kissin (1990)
(1990) to
to suggest
suggest that
that these
these two
two types
types of
of vein
vein
deposits
in McArthur
McArthur and
deposits are
are cogenetic.
cogenetic. Fluid
Fluidinclusion
inclusionstudies
studiesby
by McArthur
McArthur (1988),
(1988), reported
reported in
Kissin
Kissin (1988),
(1988), indicate
indicate that
that most
most amethyst
amethyst formed
formed near
near the
the surface,
surface, at
at temperatures
temperatures ranging
ranging from
from
60'
to
90'
C.
Kissin
(1990)
suggested
that
they
may
be
low-temperature
derivatives
of
LZBV,
60" to 90" C. Kissin (1990) suggested that they may be low-temperature derivatives of LZBV,
poorer in
in sulphides
sulphidesand
and richer
richer in
in quartz.
quartz. The
The presence
presence of
of aa uraniferous
uraniferous basement granite
granite
(Franklin
1978)
was
probably
crucial
in
the
formation
of
local
amethyst
deposits
(Kissin
1990),
(Franklin 1978) was probably crucial in the formation of local amethyst deposits (Kissin1990),
because radioactivity
radioactivity is
is essential
essential in
in causing
causingelemental
elemental substitution
substitutionand
and defects
defectsin
in the
the quartz
quartz
crystal
crystal that
that impart
impart the
the purple
purple colour
colour (Garland
(Garland1994
1994and
and references
referencestherein).
therein).
In
In the vicinity
vicinity of
of the
the Enterprise
Enterprise Mine,
Mine, amethyst
amethyst veins
veins and
and breccia
breccia zones
zones occur
occur in
in basement
basement
granitoids
granitoids and
and in
in overlying
overlyingclastic
clastic and
and stromatolitic
stromatoliticSibley
Sibley Group
Group rocks
rocks at
at or
or near
near the
the
unconformity.
paper)
basemetal-mineralized
metal-mineralizedstromatolites
stromatolites(see
(seefrontispiece, this
this paper)
unconformity. Amethyst
Amethyst± base
the
Ontario
Gem
Welch's Farm occurrence
occurrence (C. Anderson,
Anderson, pers. comm., 1999),
1999), at
occur at the Welch's
Company
Company Amethyst
Amethyst Mine
Mine (Garland
(Garland 1994)
1994)and in other
other places
places east
east of
of Ancliff
Ancliff station
station (Tanton
(Tanton

+

�1931;
J. Scott,
Scott, pers.
pers. comm.,
comm., 1999;
Mcllwaine 1971
a,b). They
They typically
typically occur
occur on
on top
top of
of
1931; J.
1999; Mcllwaine
1971a,b).
prominent granite
granite knobs
knobs which
which may
mayreflect
reflectpaleotopographic
paleotopographic"highs".
'highs.
prominent

The nearby
nearby rockcut
rockcut produced
produced by
the railway
railway exposes
exposes the
the basal
basal contact
contact of
the Sibley
The
by the
of the
Sibley Group
Group with
with
underlying Archean
Archean granitoids.
A regolith
regolith makes
makes identification
identification of
of the
the contact
contact difficult
difficult in
places.
underlvine
eranitoids. A
in vlaces.

Unconformity
betweenArchean
Archeangranite
granite (Gr)
(Gr) and
and trough
Unconformity between
trough crossbedded,
crossbedded, Pass
Pass Lake
Lake Formation
Formation
quartz
arenite
(s.s.),
Enterprise
Mine
quartz arenite ( i s . ) , Enterprise Mine
Medium-grained,trough
trough cross-stratified
cross-stratifiedsandstones
sandstoneslie
lie directly
directly on
on the
Medium-grained,
the regolith.
regolith. The
The lensoid,
lensoid,
cross-cutting bed
bed geometry
the sandstone
discernable. Flow
cross-cutting
geometry of
of the
sandstone units
units is
is easily
easily discernable.
Flow was
was to
to the
the southeast
southeast
(Cheadlel986).
Again the
the exact
these units
units were
were laid
laid down
(Cheadlel986). Again
exact depositional
depositional environment
environment these
down in
in is
is
difficult to
to ascertain.
difficult
ascertain. Without
Without fossil
fossil evidence
evidence to
to rely
relyon
onnear-shore,
near-shore,trough
troughcross-stratified,
cross-stratified,
sandstone
sandstone sequences
sequencesare
aredifficult
difficultto
to differentiate
differentiate from
from South
South Saskatchewan-type,
Saskatchewan-type, braided
braided fluvial,
fluvial,
channel
channel sandstones.
sandstones. Overall
Overall unit
unit geometry
geometry can
can give
give some
some clues,
clues, as
as can
can variability
variability of
of paleocurrent
paleocurrent
directions and
directions
and associated
associated minor
minor lithofacies,
lithofacies, but,
but, thick,
thick, laterally
laterally persistent,
persistent, monolithic
monolithic successions
successions
assigning
a depositional
in
serious
problems
of
trough
cross-stratified
sandstone
pose
of trough cross-stratified sandstone pose serious problems in assigning a
depositional
environment. Are
Are there
there any
any clues
which would
would help
help in
environment.
clues in
in this
this assemblage
assemblage which
in deciding
deciding between
between the
the
two aforementioned
two
aforementioned environments?
environments?

�STOP
GH WA 17
STOP2-1:
2-1:GURNEY
GURNEY(HI
(HIGHWAY)

The basal unconformity between the Sibley Group and underlying granitoids is exposed at
at this
this
location.
A
channel
is
eroded
into
basement,
and
containing
matrix-supported
visible, eroded into basement, and containing matrix-supported
location. A channel is visible,
conglomerates
overlain by
by cross-stratified
sandstones. This
This sequence
sequence differs
differs from the
conglomerates overlain
cross-stratified sandstones.
the other
other
coarse-grained, basal sediments we have examined, as itit represents
episodes
of
subaerial
debris
represents episodes of subaerial debris
flow
flow activity
activity interspersed
intersversed with
with normal
normal flash
flashflood
flood runoff.
runoff.

Unconformity between
betweenweatheredArchean
weatheredArchean granite (Gr)
flows
(Gr) and
and Pass
Pass Lake
Lake Formation
Formationdebris
debrisjlows
and
Highway 17
17 at
at Gurney
Gurney
and sandstones,
sandstones,Highway
Archean granitic
granitic rocks are altered
altered at the unconformity and likely represent a pre-Sibley
weathered
regolith.
This
weathered
weathered regolith. This weathered paleosol, noted
noted by Gill
Gill (1926)
(1926) and
and Moorhouse
Moorhouse(1960),
(1960),was
was
locally
described by Scott (1987). Friable,
locally described
Friable,blotchy,
blotchy,red
redand
andgreen
greengranite
granitehosts
hostsquartz-carbonate
quartz-carbonate
veins between exfoliation
exfoliation blocks. Feldspars
Feldsnarshave
havebeen
beenhematitized
hematitizedand/or
and/ordestroyed;
destroyed:.
ferromagnesian
ferromagnesian minerals
minerals have
have been
been chloritized
chlohtized(ibid).
(ibid). Limited sampling
sampling of
of drill
drill core
core from
from the
the
Black Sturgeon Lake area
area cited by Scott (1987)
(1987) suggests
suggests that this alteration may typically
involve marked increases
H20 and decreases in NazO,
Na20, CaO and perhaps KiO.
K20.
increases in Fe203, MgO, H2O
Paleomagnetic data suggest
suggest that this weathering was equatorial (G. Borradaille, unpublished
data, 1999).
1999).
data,

.

As
(1987)
number of
As noted
noted by
by Franklin
Franklin(1
(1 978b), Scott (1
987) and Tanton (1948),
(1 948), a number
of uranium
uranium occurrences
occurrences
are
rocks within
within the Sibley
Sibley
are associated
associated with
with altered
altered Archean
Archean granitoids
granitoids and
and overlying
overlying sedimentary
sedimentary rocks
basin,
basin, prompting
prompting comparisons
comparisonswith
with the
the Athabasca
Athabasca basin
basin in
in Saskatchewan.
Saskatchewan. Favourable
Favourablelocal
local
parameters
parameters for
for supergene
supergeneuranium
uranium deposits
depositsinclude:
include: (i)
(i) uranium-enriched
uranium-enriched basement rocks
rocks (quartz
monzonites,
(ii) onlaps
onlapsof
ofbasal
basal Sibley
Sibleysandstones
sandstoneson
onArchean
Archeanpaleotopographic
paleotopographic
monzonites, pegmatites);
pegmatites); (ii)
"highs';
"highs";and
and(iii)
(iii)Keweenawan(?)
Keweenawan(?)faults
faultsthat
thatextend
extendto
tothe
thebasement
basement(ibid).
(ibid).

�STOP 2-2:
HILL
STOP
2-2:KAIMA
KAMA HILL

Diabase-capped
Kama Hill
Hill provides
Diabase-capped Kama
provides an
an excellent
excellent roadside
roadside exposure
exposure of
of the
theRossport
RossportFormation.
Formation.
The
sequence
is
dominated
by
interlaminated
dolostone
and
red
shale
with
The sequence is dominated by interlaminated dolostone and red shale with layer
layer thicknesses
thicknesses
ranging from
from millimeters
millimeters to
to ten
ten centimeters.
There is
is some
ranging
centimeters. There
some cyclicity
cyclicity in
in layer
layer thickness
thickness variation
variation
up
through
the
sequence,
but
it
is
not
a
strong
trend.
Some
carbonate
layers
up through the sequence, but it is not a strong trend. Some carbonate layers contain
contain coarsecoarse- to
to
medium-grained sand
sand grains.
grains. Dessication
medium-grained
Dessication cracks
cracks are
are present,
present, but
but not
not common.
common.Synsedimentary
Synsedientary
deformation manifests
manifests itself
itself as
deformation
as small
small to
to large
large slump
slump folds
folds and
and brecciation
brecciation of
of units
unitsin
inplaces.
places.The
The

sequence is
is intruded
sequence
intruded by
by diabase
diabase dykes
dykes which
which bake
bake immediately
immediately adjacent
adjacent sediments.
sediments. Some
Some

evidence
has been
been put
put forward
evidence has
forward that
that the
the diabase
diabase intruded
intruded watery
watery sediment,
sediment, but
but we
we have
have not
not seen
seen
clear
indications of
of this.
this. Structural
clear indications
Structural controls
controls on
on the
the emplacement
emplacement of
of local
local sills
sills were
were suggested
suggested by
by
Antonellini and
and Cambray
Cambray (1992).
(1992). AAchert-carbonate
Antonellini
chert-carbonate unit
unit (Middlebrun
(Middlebmn Bay
Bay Member;
Member; Cheadle
Cheadle
1986)
locally hosts
hosts stromatolites
1986) locally
stromatolites and
and hydrocarbons.
hydrocarbons.

The Kama
below the
the upper
The
Kama Hill
Hill sequence,
sequence, exposed
exposed below
upper diabase
diabase sill,
sill, was
was laid
laid down
down in
in the
theshoreshoreproximal
region
of
a
playa
lake.
Pieces
accessible
in
a
pile
of
excavated
talus
display
proximal region of a playa lake. Pieces accessible in a pile of excavated talus display ripple
ripple
rainy periods,
periods, water
marks, mudcracks
influx into
into the
the
marks,
mudcracks and
and rare
rare raindrop
raindrop impressions.
impressions. During
During rainy
water influx
lake
lake brought
brought and
and deposited
deposited hematite-rich
hematite-rich clays.
clays. In
In dry
dry periods,
periods, evaporation
evaporation from
from the
the internal
internal
drainage system
system resulted
resulted in
in lake
contraction, hypersalinity
hypersalinity and
and the
the precipitation
drainage
lake contraction,
precipitation of
of dolomite.
dolomite. This
This
requires aa high
high MgICa
Mg/Ca ratio
ratio in
in the
the lake
lake water
water and
and may
may have
have been
been the
the result
result of
of the
the precipitation
precipitation of
of
requires
gypsum in
in the
the central
this is
is unlikely
are expected
in the
the
gypsum
central lake.
lake. However,
However, this
unlikely as
as higher
higher salinities
salinities are
expected in
shallower, marginal
marginal areas
areas then
then the
shallower,
the lake
lake center,
center, and
and thus,
thus, gypsum
gypsum precipitation
precipitation should
shouldbe
be initiated
initiated
in
triplets. The
The lack
in the
the shallows,
shallows, producing
producing shale-gypsum-dolomite
shale-gypsum-dolomite triplets.
lack of
of these
these means
means that
that gypsum
gypsum
precipitation was
was not
not necessary
necessary to
to increase
increase the
the MgKa
Mg/Ca ratio.
ratio. The
The ambient
ambient ratio
ratio in
in the
the lake
lake water
water
precipitation
itself
must
have
been
high
enough
for
the
precipitation
of
dolomite.
itself must have been high enough for the precipitation of dolomite.
Interlaminated red
formed
Interlaminated
red shales
shales and
and dolostone,
dolostone, formed
by
climatic cycling
cycling in
in aa semi-arid,
semi-arid, playa
playa lake
by climatic
lake
environment, Rossport
Rossport Formation,
Formation, Kama
environment,
Kama Hill.
Hill.

I

Reduction
spheres in
Reduction suheres
in hematitic
hematitic siltstone,
siltstone. Kama
Kama
Hill, with black, carbonaceous, locally
"",z,.-"*;.,"
"""*"""
radioactive
centers.

�STOP
STOP2-3:
2-3:RUBYLAKEMARBLELTD.
RUBY LAKE MARBLE LTD.QUARRY
QUARRY

The
The Ruby
Ruby Lake
Lake Marble
Marble Ltd. quany
quarry isis
owned
owned and
and operated
operated by
by Don
DonMacAlpine
MacAlpine
and Gerald
Gerald Landry.
Landry. Variegated,
Variegated, multimulticoloured,
coloured, banded
banded marble
marble is
is quarried
quarried for
for
landscaping
landscaping stone.
stone. Approximately
Approximately 175
175
tonnes
tonnes of
of marble
marble were
were quarried
quarried and
and
shipped
shipped in
in 1998
1998(D.
(D. MacAlpine,
MacAlpine, personal
personal
communication,1999).
1999). The dimensions
dimensions
communication,
of
of the
the largest,
largest, transported
transported block
block was
was 1.8
1.8
by
by 0.50
0.50mm(=
( 1.8
1.8 tonnes)
tonnes) (ibid).
(ibid).
by 0.75
0.75 by
Approximately
398 tonnes
Approximately 398
tonnes of
of marble
marble
were
were quarried
quarried and
and shipped
shipped in
in 1999
1999(D.
(D.
MacAlpine,
MacAlpine, pers.
pers. comm.,
comm., 2000).
2000).
Additional
Additional information
information is provided
orovided on
on
their
their World
World Wide
Wide Website
Website(http://www.rubylakemarble.com).
(http://www.mbylakemarble.com).

.

This
This marble
marble consists
consistsofofcontact
contactmetamorphosed,
metamorphosed,Mesoproterozoic,
Mesoproterozoic, Rossport
Rossport Formation
Formation
contact
sedimentary
rocks
in
the
(Sibley
(Sibley Group)
Group) dolostone
dolostone and
and other,
other, calcareous
calcareous sedimentary rocks in
metamorphic
metamorphic aureole
aureole of
of Keweenawan
Keweenawan diabase
diabase sills.
sills. It has previously been termed
termed Nipigon
Nipigon
River
from 1883
1883 to
to ca.
ca. 1910 at
at a site on the
River marble and was quarried
quarried from
the eastern
eastern side
side of
of the
the
cxl. 1994). A
Nipigon River, approximately
km west
west of the Ruby
approximately 66 km
Ruby Lake
Lake quarry
quarry (Hinz
(Hinz et
et al.
similar,
similar, hornfelsed
homfelsed unit is
is described
described in more detail
detail at Stop
Stop 2-6.
all
Calcite,
and opaque
minerals were
were noted
noted in
in thin section by Hinz
Him et
et al.
Calcite, dolomite, epidote
epidote and
opaque minerals
(1994) from the Nipigon
Nipigon River
River quarry.
quarry. The
The following
following
chemical analyses
analyses for
for Nipigon
Nipigon River
River
(1994)
- chemical
marble
also provided
(wt.%)were
werialso
provided (ibid):
(ibid):
marble (wt.%)

Sample
Sample S102
SiO;
89MCK 35.21
35.21
89MCK

1 MgO
MgO

Ti02 A1203
A1203
Ti02
0.20
0.20 8.20
8.20

Fe203
Fe203

FeO
FeO

MnO
MnO

2.04
2.04

0.05
0.05

23.56
23.56

CaO
26.74

Na20
0.00

1(20
2.38

P205

1.53
1.53

0.10

2.04

0.00

0.03

27.63

35.32

0.00

0.41

0.07

0.09

-09
-09
89MCK

29.19

5.20

-10

Shallow
Shallow exploration
explorationtrenches
trenches on
on the side
side of the road leading to the top of Ruby Mountain (i.e.
(i.e.
top of
marble. Fine-grained,
of the
the upper
upper sill)
sill)have
have exposed
exposed copper-mineralized
copper-mineralized marble.
Fine-grained, disseminated
disseminated
blebs
blebs of
of native
native copper
copper (0.1
(0.1 to
to 1.0
1.0 mm
mm occur
occur along
along calcite-coated, hairline fractures parallel to
fractures are
are most easily
planes. Mineralized
Mineralized fractures
easily recognized
recognized where
where secondary
secondary
bedding planes.
just
formed. The top of the
the adjacent
adjacent (middle?) sill is exposed just
(supergene) malachite has formed.
Polygonal cooling
coolingjoints
joints (seen
(seen in
in plan
plan view)
view) and
and the chilled, upper
upper
farther along
along the
the road.
road. Polygonal
are evident.
evident.
margin are

Similar,
calcareous units
units have
have been
been noted
noted near
near a diabase sill contact at
Similar, copper-mineralized, calcareous
all
Hughes Point, 2.5 km
krn to the south-southwest
south-southwest by Schnieders et al. (1996). At
At this
this location,
location, 2
to 55 cm
cm wide
wide calcite
calciteveins
veinscontain
containdisseminated
disseminated covellite
covellite (after
(after chalcocite?)
chalcocite?) and
and malachite.
malachite.

�The
Theorientation
orientationof
ofthe
theveins
veinsare
areroughly
roughlyparallel
parallelto
tojoints
joints developed
developedin
inthe
theadjacent
adjacentsill.
sill.Grab
Grab
samples
have
returned
up
to
3.065%
Cu,
nil
Au
and
nil
Ag
(ibid).
samples have returned up to 3.065% Cu, nil Au and nil Ag (ibid).

Franklin
Franklin (1970)
(1970)described
describedcopper-mineralized
copper-mineralized stromatolitic
stromatolitic units
units near
nearDisraeli
DisraeliLake.
Lake. AA
variety
varietyof
ofcopper
copperminerals,
minerals,including
includingdigenite,
digenite,cuprite,
cuprite,covellite,
covellite,chalcopyrite,
chalcopyrite,native
nativecopper
copper
and
and malachite,
malachite, were
were identified
identified as
as open-space
open-space fillings
fillings in
in the
the vuggy
vuggy host
hostrock.
rock. Franklin
Franklin
(1970)
(1970)suggested
suggestedthat
thatthe
thecopper
copperwas
wasintroduced
introducedepigenetically
epigenetically from
fromaagabbro
gabbrototoperidotite
peridotite
The
close
spatial
association
plug
plug that
thatintruded
intrudedthese
theseSibley
SibleyGroup
Grouprocks.
rocks. The close spatial associationofofcoppercoppermineralized
mineralizedrocks
rockswith
withdiabase
diabasesill
sillcontacts
contactsininthe
thevicinity
vicinityof
ofRuby
RubyLake
Lakesupports
supportsthis
thistheory.
theory.

The
Themarble
marble isisstromatolitic,
stromatolitic, though
though this
this is
is difficult
difficult to
to ascertain
ascertain in
in most
most places
places due
due to
tothe
the
alteration.
The
stromatolites
are
best
seen
on
the
tops
of
beds
where
they
protrude,
causing
alteration. The stromatolites are best seen on the tops of beds where they protrude, causing
the
thecontact
contactto
tobecome
becomewavy.
wavy. Hints
Hintsof
ofthe
thepresence
presenceofofstromatotactis
stromatotactisare
arevisible,
visible,giving
givingthe
the
impression
impression that
that aa large
largeamount
amount ofofthe
thehorizontal
horizontallayering
layeringisisstromatolitic
stromatoliticS-mat.
S-mat. This
This
sequence
sequence was
was deposited
deposited in
inaastrandline
strandlineproximal
proximalposition
positioninin the
the playa,
playa, as
asdenoted
denotedby
bythe
the
horizon
at
other
locations.
This
infers
that
lake
size
presence
presenceof
ofteepee
teepeestructures
structuresininthis
this horizon at other locations. This infers that lake sizehad
had
stabilized
stabilizedduring
during this
thisinterval,
interval,eliminating
eliminatingthe
theseasonal,
seasonal,large-scale
large-scalefluctuations
fluctuationsin
inshoreline
shoreline
positioning.
positioning.

r

.

-

-

-

-

.—

t

-

-

—

4T :

TI

-

-

-

--

Lz.L

..

.

Parallel-laminated
ininpossible
Parallel-laminatedcarbonate
carbonatewith
withvariable
variableamounts
amountsofofhematitic
hematiticclays
...~,
'a
possibleS-mat
stromatolite, Ruby Lake Quarry

�U MOUNTAIN
MOUNTAIN
STOP 2-4:
2-4: MOSEA
MOSEAU

The Moseau
stop consists
consists of
of a number
Moseau Mountain
Mountain stop
number of
of small
small outcrops
outcrops extending
extending from
from the
the
granitic basement
basement to
to the middle
granitic
middle portion
portion of
ofthe
theRossport
RossportFormation.
Formation. Cross-stratified
sandstones of the Pass Lake
multiLake Formation
Formation overlie basement. The lower
lower sandstones
sandstones are multistorey, but as we proceed upwards mudstone
mudstoneinterbeds
interbedsbegin
begin to
to appear.
appear. Above
Above this
thiszone
zonethe
the
sandstones are replaced by siltstones, continuing the general upward-fining trend.
trend. Higher
Higher in
the siltstone
mudblock conglomerates
conglomeratesbegin
begintoto appear.
appear. These,
These, in
in turn,
turn, are
are
the
siltstone succession
succession mudblock
upwardly transitional into evaporite block conglomerates, with gypsum and
dolomite
clasts.
and dolomite clasts.
Diabase intrusions
intrusions occur
occur above
above this
this zone.
zone.
The lower
portion of
of the sequence
is similar
to the one observed
The
lower portion
sequence is
similar to
observed at Pass
Pass Lake,
Lake, where
where a
and conglomerates to
to the
the siltstones
thinning and fining trend exists from the basal sandstones and
of the basal Rossport Formation. This again represents expansion
expansion of a playa
playa lake
lake system.
system. The
The
intraformational conglomerates which
which overly
overly this
this sequence may
may have
have been produced by two
intrafonnational
mechanisms. Dissolution
Dissolution of
of an evaporitic layer causing collapse of the overlying
mechanisms.
overlying units,
units, or
or
tectonic raising of the basin margin
margin resulting
resulting in
inthe
theerosion
erosionand
and resedimentation
resedimentation in
in aa more
more
basin-center environment of the upper marginal sediments. The latter explanation
explanation is preferred
as this unit is regional in extent, occurring where it is unlikely that underlying evaporites ever
existed.
existed.

STOP 2-5:
S LOOKOUT
2-5: LLOYD
LLOYD'S
LOOKOUT
This stop, located on the Nipigon-Red Rock hiking trail, features exposures of Kama Hill
Formation shales and siltstones
siltstones underneath a Logan diabase sill which caps the prominent
mesa and provides the vantage point over Nipigon
Nipigon Bay
Bay known
known as
as Lloyd's
Lloyd'sLookout.
Lookout. From
one can
can view
view the
themouth
mouthof
ofthe
theNipigon
NipigonRiver
Riverand
andNipigon
NipigonBay.
Bay. The
this vantage point, one
locations of the quarries
1-2 are shown in the photograph
photograph below.
quarries mentioned in STOP 1-2

Viewfrom
fromLloyd's
Lloyd's Lookout,
Lookout, looking
looking east
east over Nipigon Bay
View

I

�This
This is
is one
oneof
ofthe
thefew
fewaccessible
accessibleexposures
exposuresof
ofthe
theKama
KamaHill
HillFormation.
Formation.This
ThisFormation
Formationisis
homogeneous,
consisting
of
brick-red
mudstones
with
interlayered,
current-rippled,
homogeneous, consisting of brick-red mudstones with interlayered, current-rippled,coarsecoarsegrained
grained siltstones
siltstones and
and very
veryfine-grained
fine-grained sandstones.
sandstones. The
The rippled
rippled layers
layers are
are usually
usually
centimeters
centimetersto
to aa few
fewdecimeters
decimetersthick.
thick.The
Themudstones
mudstonesare
arecommonly
commonlymudcracked.
mudcracked.

Cheadle
believed that
that this
this unit
unit was
was deposited
deposited as
as subaerial
subaerialmudflats,
mudflats, representing
representing the
the
Cheadle (1986)
(1986) believed
final
final stage
stageof
of infilling
infilling of
of the
the lake
lake basin.
basin. However,
However, new
new drill
drill core
core data
dataindicate
indicate that
that the
the Kama
Kama

Hill
Hill Formation
Formation is
is overlain
overlain by
by aaprograding,
prograding,deltaic
deltaicsequence.
sequence. This
Thisinfers
infersa asubaqueous
subaqueous
position
position for
for the
the Kama
KamaHill
HillFormation
Formationwith
withthe
thesediments
sedimentsrepresenting
representingprodelta
prodeltato
todistal
distalbar
bar

sequences.
In core,
core, these
these are
are overlain
overlain by
by distributary
distributary mouth
mouth bar
bar and
andfluvial
fluvialchannel
channel
sequences. In
sandstones.
The
mudcracks
are
problematic.
They
may
be
syneresis
cracks,
sandstones. The mudcracks are problematic. They may be syneresis cracks, formed
formed
subaqueously
subaqueously through
through differential
differential swelling
swelling of
of clays,
clays, or
or they
they may
mayrepresent
representlarge-scale,
large-scale,water
water
level
level fluctuations.
fluctuations.Neither
Neither of
ofthese
theseexplanations
explanationsappears
appearsadequate.
adequate.

The
The view
view over
over Nipigon
Nipigon Bay
Bay isistowards
towardswhere
wherethe
thedrillcore
drillcoreexamined
examinedthe
theprevious
previousday
daywas
was
drilled.
20 m
m of
ofwater,
water,
drilled. During
During Kama
Kama Hill
Hill time
time we
we would
would be
be standing
standing in
in approximately
approximately 20
looking
looking towards
towards aa horizon
horizon where
where aa delta
delta system
system would
would be
be located,
located, building
building towards
towards us.
us.

STOP
STOP 2-6:
2-6:BIG
BIGSQUAW
SQUAWCREEK
CREEKROAD
ROAD CUT
CUT
This
This stop
stop presents
presents the
the opportunity
opportunity to
to view
view stoped
stoped blocks
blocks of
of Rossport
Rossport Formation
Formation dolostone
dolostone in
in
aa diabase
diabase sill,
sill, as
as well
well as
asthe
theattendant
attendantmetamorphic
metamorphic and
andmetasomatic
metasomaticeffects.
effects. Pale
Pale green
green to
to
buff,
buff, thinly
thinly bedded
bedded dolostones
dolostonesare
are preserved
preserved as
as rafted
rafted xenoliths
xenolithsup
up to
to several
severalmetres
metres thick.
thick.

Rafied
Formation in
Rafted xenoliths of hornfelsed Rossport Formation
in Logan diabase
diabase sill,
sill, Highway
Highway 11-17
11-1 7 at
at
Big Squaw Creek
Creek

I
I

I

I

�Thin section
Thin
section petrography
petrography reveals aa recrystallized,
recrystallized, granoblastic
granoblastic texture
texture predominated
predominated by
epidote. Subhedral
to
euhedral,
epidote
porphyroblasts
are
typically
0.05
to
0.10mm
size,
mm in size,
Subhedral
porphyroblasts are typically 0.05 to 0.10
but they may reach 0.25 mm, in a fine-grained matrix of vermicularly intergrown quartz and
feldspar. Large
Large (&lt;0.75
(&lt;0.75 cm),
cm), optically
optically continuous,
continuous, decussate,
decussate, acicular biotite porphyroblasts
Radiating, sheaf-like
sheaf-like aggregates
aggregates have
have been
are also overgrown
are
overgrown by
by epidote.
epidote. Radiating,
been tentatively
tentatively
Minor sericite
sericite and
and calcite were
were also noted. Epidote persists into the
identified as chlorite.
chlorite. Minor
margin of
of the
the diabase.
diabase. Joints
fine-grained, chilled margin
Joints and
and fractures
fractures surfaces may be coated
coated with
Large, consp
conspicuous, lime-green clots of prehnite occur in epidote-calcite veins
muscovite. Large,
within the diabase.
Little work has been done
done on
on contact
contact metamorphic
metamorphic effects in vicinity of the diabase
diabase sills.
sills.
(1986) noted
noted that
that such metamorphism
occurs in
in calcareous
calcareous rocks
rocks over
over a zone
Sutcliffe (1986)
Sutcliffe
metamorphism occurs
zone
several metres
metres thick,
thick, where
where bleaching
bleaching is
is its
its most obvious manifestation.
manifestation. Fine-grained,
Fine-grained, calcmineral-bearing assemblages
assemblages identified
identified by
by Sutcliffe
Sutcliffe (1986)
(1986) include
include calcite, plus (in
silicate mineral-bearing
(in
order of increasing
metamorphic
grade):
talc,
tremolite,
serpentine
(after
forsterite)
and
increasing metamorphic grade):
tremolite, serpentine (after forsterite) and
Calculations by
by Sutcliffe
Sutcliffe (1986)
(1986) suggest
suggest that
that the diabase sills were emplaced at
diopside.
diopside. Calculations
shallow crustal
crustal levels,
levels, near
near the
the Archean-Proterozoic
Archean-Proterozoicunconformity,
unconformity,atataalithostatic
lithostaticload
loadof
of
shallow
&lt;0.4
adjacent
88OSC,while adjacent
0 . 4 kbars. The
Thesills
sillscrystallized
crystallizedover
over aa temperature
temperature range of 1100°
1100" to 880°C,
wall rocks may have experienced
665°C (ibid).
experienced temperatures
temperatures ranging
ranging from 540°
540' to 665'C
hornfels at Big Squaw Creek may
may reflect simple
The mineral assemblage in the calc-silicate hornfels
significant
recrystallization of
sedimentary
units
without
of the impure,
impure, calcareous sedimentary units without significant
compositional or
compositional
or volumetric
volumetric changes
changes (ci'.
(cf. Hall and
and MacKevitt
MacKevitt 1962).
1962).

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McTavish Township
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Thunder
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and
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Affairs,
Preliminary
Map
1,
Bay; Ontario Department of Mines and Northern Affairs, Preliminary MapP.72
P.721,
scale
1:15 840.
840.
scale 1:15
(West part
part of
. 1971b.
197Ib. McTavish
McTavish Township
Township (West
of north
north halt),
half), District
District of
ofThunder
ThunderBay;
Bay;
Ontario
Ontario Department
Department of
of Mines
Mines and
and Northern
Northern Affairs,
Affairs, Preliminary
Preliminary Map
Map P.720,
P.720, scale
scale
1:15
1:15 840.
840.

.

1975.
1975. McTavish
McTavish Township
Township (south
(south half),
half), District
District of
of Thunder
Thunder Bay;
Bay; Ontario
Ontario

Department
Department of
of Mines
Mines and
and Northern
Northern Affairs,
Affairs, Preliminary
Preliminary Map
Map P.990,
P.990, scale
scale 1:15
1:I5 840.
840.

Moorhouse,
W.W. 1960. The Gunflint
Moorhouse, W.W.
Gunflint iron range in the
the vicinity
vicinity of
ofPort
PortArthur;
Arthur;Ontario
Ontario
Department
Department of
of Mines,
Mines, Annual
AnnualReport,
Report,v.69,
v.69, pt.7,
pt.7, p.1-40.
p.1-40.

Morey,
Morey, GB.
G.B. and
andOjakangas,
Ojakangas, R.W.
R.W.1982.
1982.Keweenawan
Keweenawan sedimentary
sedimentary rocks
rocks of
ofeastern
eastern

Minnesota and northwestern
northwestern Wisconsin;
Wisconsin; in Tectonic
Tectonic history of
of the
the Lake
LakeSuperior
Superior
basin, Geological
Geological Society
Society of
of America,
America, Memoir
Memoir 156,
156, p.135-146.
p.135-146.

Parks, W.A. 1901.
1901. Report of 1901
1901 on
on the
the geology
geology and
and natural
natural resources
resourcesof
ofthe
thesoutheastern
southeastern
Nipigon
district;
Geological
Survey
of
Canada,
Report.
Nipigon district; Geological Survey of Canada, Report.

Ruzicka,
V. 1976.
in Report
1976. Assessment
Assessment of some
some Canadian
Canadian uranium
uranium occurrences;
occurrences; in
Report of
Ruzicka, V.
Activities, Part A, Geological Survey of Canada,
Canada, Paper
Paper 76-IA,
76-lA, p.341-342,
p.341-342.

�Scott, J.F.
J.F. 1987. Uranium occurrences of the Thunder Bay-Nipigon-Marathon
area; Ontario
Ontario
Bay-Nipigon-Marathon area;
l58p.
Geological Survey, Open File Report 5634, 158p.

Sutcliffe, R.H.
R.H. 1986. The
The petrology,
mineral chemistry
chemistry and
and tectonics
tectonics of Proterozoic
Sutcliffe,
petrology, mineral
Proterozoic riftrelated
igneous
rocks
at
Lake
Nipigon,
Ontario;
unpublished
Ph.D.
related igneous rocks
Lake Nipigon, Ontario; unpublished Ph.D. thesis,
thesis, The
The
University of Western Ontario, London, 325p.
Tanton, T.L.
T.L. 1931. Fort William and Port Arthur, and Thunder Cape map-areas,
Thunder
Tanton,
map-areas, Thunder
222p.
Bay District, Ontario; Geological Survey of Canada, Memoir 167,
167,222~.
Radioactive nodules
nodules in
in sediments
sediments of
of the Sibley series, Nipigon, Ontario;
1948. Radioactive
. 1948.
Ontario;
III, section IV, p.69-75.
Transactions of the Royal Society of Canada, v.XLII, series 111,

Wilson, A.W.G. 1910.
1910. Geology of the Nipigon Basin, Ontario; Canada Department of Mines,
Geological Survey Branch, Memoir
Memoir No.
No. 1, 152p.
l52p.

1

�GEOLOGY
GEOLOGY OF
OF THE
THE LAC
LAC DES
DES ILES
ILES
PGE-Cu-Ni
PGE-Cu-Ni MINE
MINE

Moe Lavigne,
Lavigne, Matawin
Matawin Mineral
Mineral Exploration,
Exploration, and
and
Moe
Staff, Lac
Lac des
des lies
lies Mines
Mines Ltd.
Ltd.
Staff,

North American
American Palladium
Palladium Limited's
pit Lac
Iles
North
Limited's open
open pit
Lac des
des lies
Mine
Archean Lac
Lac des
des lies
Iles mafic-ultramafic
mafic-ultrama/Ic
Mine is
is hosted
hosted by
by the
the Archean
intrusive
complex.
This
trip
on
PGE
intrusive complex. This trip willfocus
will focus on PGE mineralization
mineralization
as
structure and
and alteration.
as it
it relates
relates to
to intrusive
intrusive lithology,
lithology, structure
alteration.

�PaHadurn
Geology
Geology of the
the Lac
Lac des lies
lles Palladium Deposit
Regional
Regional Geology
Geology
The
age rocks
rocks (2.6
(2.6 ttoo 3.0
The Lac
Lac des
des lies
lles area is underlain by the Archean age
3.0 billion
billionyears)
years) of
ofthe
theCanadian
CanadianShield.These
Shield.These

rocks are overlain and
and intruded
intruded by
by Proterozoic
Proterozoic age
agerocks
rocks(0.9
(0.9t o
to 2.2
2.2billion
billionyears)
years)that
thatformed
formedduring
duringrifting
riftingof
of
the
mafictto
or have
the continent,
continent,centered
centeredon
onLake
LakeSuperior.Archean
Superior.Archean age.
age. mafic
o ultramafic intrusions that host,
host. or
have the potenpoten-

tial
are dispersed
dispersedthroughout
throughoutNorthwestern
Northwestern 0ntario.These
Ontario.These intrusions are
are concentratconcentrattial to
t ohost
hostPGE
PGE mineralization,
mineralization,are
ed
malor faults.The
20km
km south
south of Lac
Lac
ed within
within granite-greenstone
granite-greenstone terrain,
terrain, and
and along major
faults.The Quetico
Quetico Fault,
Fault, which passes
passes 20

des lles,
lies, is
is coincident
coincident with
with a 180km
southwesterly trend
trend of PGE
bearing intrusi0ns.A
intrusions.A particular
particular high
high concentraconcentral80km southwesterly
PGE bearing
tion
circular feature
feature with
with a 30 km
tion of
ofintrusions
intrusionsoccur
occurininthe
theLac
Lacdes
des lies
llesarea,
area,aa number of intrusions define a circular
diameter.These
major crustal sutures are
are important
important as
that can
can only
only originate
originate from
diameter.These major
as they allow
allow PGE
PGE rich magma
magma that

the
the earths
earths mantle,
mantle, ttoo move
move upwards
upwards into
into the
the crust.
crust
Proterozoic
mineralization isis not
not as
as common
common in northwestern
northwestern Ontario.
Ontario.However,
However,potential
potentialPGE
PGE hosting
hosting
Proterozoicage
age PGE
PGE mineralization

Proterozoic
mafic tto
voluminous.Gabbro
Gabbrocovers
coversor
or intrudes
intrudes most
most of the
Proterozoic age mafic
o ultramafic intrusions are much more voluminous.
Lake Superior
Superior area,
area, no
no less
lessthan
than 20,000
20,000km2.A
km2.A recent 8 g/t
lies at Wolf
Wolf
g/t Pd+Pt
Pd+Pt discovery
discovery made
made east of Lac
Lac des lles

Mountain in a Proterozoic
ultramafic intrusion
intrusion is testament
testament tto
o its
its potential.
potential.
Proterozoic age
age ultramafic
The known
knownmafic
mafic to
t oultramafic
ultramaficintrusions
intrusionsininthe
theLac
Lacdes
deslIes
llesarea
area consists
consists of
of the
the following;
following;

.

•

Lac des lles
lies Complex
Complex (—30km2)
(-30km2) (Company ownership;
ownership;100%)
100%)

• Tib
TibLake
LakeIntrusion
Intrusion(—25km2)
(-25km2)

(Company
(Company ownership;
ownership;65%)
65%)

..,~
~,
~:~
,.

• Legris
2km2) (Company ownership;
LegrisLake
LakeIntrusion
Intrusion(—.1
(-1 2km2)
ownership; 0%)
0%)

• Demars
DemarsLake
LakeIntrusion
Intrusion(-.(-1I km2)
km2)(Company
(Companyownership;
ownership;100%)
100%)

.
.

• Taman
Taman Lake
Lake Intrusion
Intrusion (CI
(C Ikm2
km2

(Company
(Company ownership;
ownership;0%)
0%)

DogRiver
RiverIntrusions
Intrusions(&lt;I
(&lt; lkm2)
km2)
• Dog

(Company
(Company ownership;
ownership;0%)

• Buck
BuckLake
LakeIntrusion
Intrusion(—Skm2)
(-5km2)

(Company
(Company ownership;
ownership;90%)
90%)

• Wakinoo
WakinooLake
LakeIntrusion
Intrusion(--II
(-1 kni2)
lkm2)(Company
(Companyownership;
ownership;100%)
100%)

w)

These intrusion
intrusion are
are similar
similar in
in that
that they
theyare
arelate
latetectonic
tectonicand
andintrude
intrudetonalite
tonalitegneiss,
gneiss,have
have tholeHtic
tholeiitic affinity and
contain
rangingfrom
from ultramafic
ultramafic peridotitic
contain phases
phases ranging
peridotiticand
andpyroxenitic
pyroxeniticcummulates
cummulatestot omagnesian
magnesiangabbro-norite
gabbro-noriteand
and
iron-rich
Taman and Dog
Dog River intrusions.
is found
found in
in all
all except
except the
theTaman
intrusions.
iron-rich gabbro.
gabbro. PGE
PGE mineralization
mineralization is

des lles
lies Complex consist of three
The Lac des
three distinct
distinct lithological
lithologicalpackages;
packages; tto
o the north,
north, ultramafic
ultramafic intrusions
intrusionscencentered
gabbroic intrusions
intrusions immediately south of the lake
and a horntered on
on Lac
Lac des
des lies,
lles, complex gabbroic
lake (Mine Complex),
Complex),and
blende gabbro southwest
southwest of
of Camp
Camp Lake
Lake (Camp
(Camp Lake
Lake lntrusion).These three
threesegments
segments are
are partially
partiallyseparated
separated by
by

tonalite
of which consist of several
septums.The ultramafic
ultramafic intrusions
intrusions consist
consist of
of two
twocoalescing
coalescingcentres,
centres, each
each of
tonalite septums.The
It conconintrusive phases.The
northern ultramafic centre is nearly circular in plan with a diameter of nearly 4 km. It
phases.The northern

sist of interlayered
interlayered dunite
dunite and
and wehrlite,
wehrlite,olivine-clinopyroxenite
olivine-clinopyroxeniteand
andclinopyroxenite.
clinopyroxenite.and
and websterite
websteritewhich
whichdefine
define aa

�Palladium
concentric
concentric inward
inward dipping
dipping pattern.These
pattern.These lithologies
lithologies occur
occurininseveral
several cycles
cycles which
which probably
probably represents
represents fractional
fractional
crystallization of
pulses.ItItalso
alsorepresents
representsrepeated
repeatedopportunities
opportunities tto
concentrate PGE's.
This
crystallization
of separate
separate magma
magma pulses.
o concentrate
PGE's. This
part of
sulphide rich
rich horizons,
occurrences (&gt;1
part
of the
thecomplex
complexdoes
doeshave
haveseveral
several PGE's
PGE's bearing
bearing sulphide
horizons, and
and 55 PGE
PGE occurrences
(&gt;I g/t
g/t
Pd+Pt)
were discovered
999.The elliptical
elliptical southern
southern ultramafic
wehrlite core
Pd+Pt) were
discovered in
in I1999.The
ultramafic centre
centre consist
consist of
of aamassive
massive wehrlite
coresursur-

rounded
websterite.These two
gabbronorite wedge
on the
the east
side of
of the
the
rounded by
by websterite.These
two centres
centres are
are partially
partiallyseparated
separated by
by aa gabbronorite
wedge on
east side
complex..This area
PGE occurrences,
occurrences,S
5 discovered
discovered in
in 1999.
1999.
complex..This
area contains
contains 77 PGE

The
had been
been considered
considered tto
a relatively
homogenous hornblende
hornblende
be a
relatively homogenous
The Camp
Camp Lake
Lake Intrusion,
Intrusion, south
south of
of Camp
Camp Lake,
Lake, had
o be
gabbro
and barren
barren of
of PGE
mineralization. Historically,
Historically, itit had
had been
been subjected
subjected tto
minimal exploration.
exploration. Stripping
gabbro and
PGE mineralization.
o minimal
Stripping
along
its northern
northernmargin
margininin1999
1999revealed
revealedunexpected
unexpectedcomplexity
complexityand
andsampling
samplinggenerated
generatedlow
lowgrade
gradePGE
PGEassays.
assays.
along its

The
mineralcompositionally, texturally
texturallyand
and structurally
structurallycomplex,
complex,contains
contains abundant
abundant PGE
PGE mineralThe Mine
Mine Complex,
Complex, which
which isis compositionally,

ization. Its
Its composition
composition ranges
rangesfrom
from anorthosite
anorthosite to
ization.
t o clinopyroxenite,
clinopyroxenite,gabbronorite
gabbronoriteto
t omelanonorite
melanonoriteand
andincludes
includes
magnetite rich
rich gabbro.Textures
gabbro.Textures include
include equigranular
equigranularfine
fine to
to coarse
coarse grain,
grain, porphyrytic,
porphyrytic, pegmatitic.
pegmatitic, varitextured
varitextured
magnetite
units
three textural
units and
and heterolithic-gabbro-breccia.These
heterolithic-gabbro-breccia.Theselast
last three
texturaltypes
typescoincide
coincidewith
withallallmineralized
mineralizedzones.
zones.
Fragments in
in these
these breccias,
breccias,which
whichvary
varyfrom
fromaafew
few centimeters
centimeters tto
Fragments
o tens
tens of
of meters
metersininsize,
size, are
are representative
representative of
of

most
most of
of the
the lithologies
lithologiesininthe
thearea.The
area.Thebreccias
breccias were
were created
created as
as the result
result of
of an
an energetic
energetic influx
influxof
of aa volatile
volatile
charged,
PGEbearing
bearing magma,
magma,which
whichassimilated
assimilatedofofaalarge
largevolume
volumeof
of rock
rock and
disrupted Iayering.The
charged. PGE
and disrupted
layering.The PGE
PGE bearing
bearing
magma,
typically aa melanogabbro,
melanogabbro,isisthe
the matrix
matrix to
magma, typically
t o the
thebreccia
brecciaand
andcontains
containshigh
highgrade
gradePGE
PGEvalues.The
values.The accompanyaccompany-

ing volatiles,
volatiles, migrating
migrating through
through the
altered the
the chamber,
chamber, produced varitextured
varitexturedand
andpegmatitic
pegmatiticgabbro,
gabbro,altered
thesilicates,
silicates,

mobilized
produced sulphide poor
poor mineralization.The
mineralization.The varitextured
varitexturedgabbro
gabbrothat
thatdefines
definesthe
theoval
ovalshape
shape
mobilized metals and produced

of the
to the
the Roby
Roby Zone.The
Zone.The occurrence
occurrenceof
ofthese
these key
key rock
rock types
types and
and mineralization
mineralization
the Mine
Mine Complex,
Complex, is host to
throughout the
it in
throughout
the Mine
MineComplex
Complexisisevidence
evidence that
thatthe
themineralizing
mineralizingprocess
process affected it
in its
its entirety.
entirety.

POE
Mineralization of
PGE Mineralization
of the
the Mine
Mine Complex
Complex
Zones of PGE
PGE mineralization with delineated resources in the Mine Complex
Complex consists
consists of the Roby
Roby Zone,Twilight
Zone,
Moore Zone.
from 0.7
0.7 e/t
g/t to
Zone. Baker Zone and Moore
Zone. Other
Othermineralized
mineralizedareas,
areas, with values
values from
to 23
23 g/t
g/t Pd
Pd have
have had limited amounts of surface sampling and
anddiamond
diamond drilling
drilling and
and require
require follow-up.
follow-up.

Roby
Zone
Roby Zone
The Roby Zone is
is a bulk
bulk mineable deposit with aa minimum
minimum strike
strike length
length of
of 850
850 meters,
meters, width
width achieving
achieving 365
meters and aa depth
depth of 500 meters.The zone
and tto
and potential exist for
zone remains
remains open at depth, and
o the southeast and
for
new mineralization
mineralization ttoo the
the west.
west.
Ore (7.6%
North Roby
The Roby Zone contains three
three distinct
distinctore
oretypes;
types; Shear
Shear Ore
(7.6% of volume), North
Roby Ore
Ore(5.3%
(5.3%of
ofvolume)
volume)
and Breccia
1%
% of volume).
volume).
Breccia Ore
Ore(87.
(87.1

Shear Ore
Ore
Shear
Ore is
is confined
confinedtto
portion of a IS
Shear Ore
o aa portion
15 to
t o25
25meter
meterthick
thicklayer
layerof
ofpyroxenite
pyroxenitethat
thatisisthe
thehanging
hanging wall in the
central portion
Only aa 400
400 metre
metre portion
portion of
portionof
ofthe
theRoby
RobyZone,
Zone,inincontact
contactwith
withaabarren
barrengabbro
gabbrohangingwall.
hangingwall. Only
of the
the

�Palladium
mineralized, the
the strike
pyroxenite
pyroxenite is
is mineralized,
strike extensions
extensionsare
are barren.The
barren.Thepyroxenite
pyroxeniteisisplanar,
planar,trends
trendsatat3410,
3 ~ ,is
sis subvertical
subvertical

to
t o aa depth
depth of
of 250
250metres
metresand
and shallows
shallows to
to the
theeast
eastat
at greater
greaterdepth.
depth
Higher
grades(6
(6tto
g/t Pd)
are achieved
achievedin
inthose
thoseportions
portions o
off the
Higher PGE
PGE grades
o 12
12 g/t
Pd) are
the pyroxenite
pyroxenite that
that are
arealtered
alteredto
t oaaschisschistose
assemblage
of
actinolite-talc-chlorite
(Shear
Ore).The
sulphide
content
of
the
pyroxenite,
including
the conconlose assemblage of actinolite-talc-chlorite (Shear Ore).The sulphide content of the pyroxenite, including the
tained shears,
shears,isis 1%
1%t oto3%
3%with
with local
localpatches
patchesofofnet
nettexture
texture with
with up
tenor is
tained
up to
to10%
10% sulphide.
sulphide. The
The PGE
PGE tenor
is not
notproproportional
to
the
sulphide
content.The
dominant
sulphides
are
pyrrhotite,
chalcopyrite
and
pentlandite.
PGM
are
portional t o the sulphide content.The dominant sulphides are pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite and pentlandite. PGM are
vysotskite (Pd,Ni)S
Sb2As2 , kotulskite
sperrylite PtAs2
,and aa
vysoiskite
(Pd.Ni)S , isomerticite
isomerticitePd
PdIII ISb2As2
kotulskitePd(Te,Bi),
Pd(Te.Bi). sperrylite
PtAs2 , Merenskyite
Merenskyite PdTe2
PdTe2 .and
Pd
arsenide,either
either Stillwaterice
Stillwaterite or
segment of
of the
the pyroxenite
pyroxenite is
is juxtaposed
juxtaposed
Pd arsenide,
o r Palladoarsenide.
Palladoarsenide. The
The higher-grade
higher-grade segment
with
the
higher
grades
found
in
the
adjacent
breccia
ore.The
PGE
tenor
of
the
pyroxenite
declines
with the higher grades found in the adjacent breccia ore.The PGE tenor of the pyroxenite declines dramatically
dramatically
ttoo the
the south
southwhere
wherethe
thedegree
degreeof
oftalc
talcalteration
alterationisisdiminished.
diminished.ItI talso
alsodeclines
declines in
in the
theadjacent
adjacent breccia
breccia ore.The
ore.The
pyroxenite and
and iits
contained shears
shears pinch
pinch out
out tto
to
pyroxenite
t s contained
o the
the northwest.The
northwest.TheShear
Shear Ore
Orehas
has been
been drilled
drilledsystematically
systematically rn
a
depth
of
500
mecers.The
pyroxenite
separates
the
two
other
major
ore
types.
a depth of 500 meters.The pyroxenice separates the two other major ore types.

.

.

.

North
Roby Ore
Ore
N
o r t h Roby
North ofofthe
Roby
Ore
is a
zone
whose
gradual
boundaries
are
It
North
thepyroxenite,
pyroxenite,the
theNorth
North
Roby
Ore
is tabular
a tabular
zone
whose
gradual
boundaries
aredefined
definedby
byassay.
assay. It
is 20
20 to
to 40
The zone
zone strikes
strikes aatt 20'
20° with
with its
is
40 meters
meters thick,
thick, and
and 200
200 meters
meters long.
long.The
its footwall
footwalldipping
dippingto
t othe
theeast
eastat
at45°
45wall steeper.
steeper.ItIt isishosted
hostedby
byaawide
wide variety
variety of
of lithologies.At
lithologies.At surface,
it is
is dominated
dominated by
by
surface, it
tto
o 60°
60Âand
and the
the hanging
hanging wall
coarse
grain Ieucogabbro
containing irregular
irregular masses
massesof
ofvari-textured
van-textured gabbro
gabbro and
and medium
medium tto
gabbrocoarse grain
leucogabbro containing
o coarse
coarse grain
grain gabbronorite.The proportion
with depth.The
content of
of this
this
norite.The
proportionof
ofnoritic
noriticrock,
rock,and
andheterolithic
heterolithicbreccia
brecciaincreases
increases with
depth.The suiphide
sulphide content
mineralization
ranges
from
trace
amounts
to
4%,
and
typically
is
less
than
0.25%.The
sulphide
poor
mineralization
mineralization ranges from trace amounts t o 4%. and typically is less than 0.25%.The sulphide poor mineralization
cannot visually
visually be
be distinguished
distinguished from
from the
the barren
cannot
barren wallrock.The
wallrock.The dominant
dominantsulphides
sulphides are
are pyrrhotite,
pyrrhotite.pentlandite.
pentlandite,chalchalcopyrite and
distribution isis erratic
1616
g/teft
Pd)
and
weakens
copyrite
and pyrite.The
Pd)
and
weakensininaaNE
N Edirection.
direction.Systematic
Systematic
pyrite.The PGE
PGE distribution
erratic(I( Itot o
drilling of
a maximum
maximum depth
depth of
of 250
drilling
of this
this zone
zone has
has only
only attained
attained a
250 metres.
metres.

Breccia
Ore
Breccia O
re
Southwest
of the
Southwest of
the Shear
Shear Ore,
Ore, Breccia
Breccia Ore
Ore isis contained
containedwithin
withinaamineralized
mineralizedcomplex
complexthat
thatmeasures
measures550
550by
by350
350
meters.This complex
complex contains
contains intrusive
intrusive lithologies
lithologies that
that range
range in
in composition
composition from
from clinopyroxenite
clinopyroxenite tto
meters.This
o anorthosite
anorthosite
van-textured and
tto
o norite.Textures
norite.Texturesinclude
includeequigranular
equigranular fine
fine to
t ocoarse
coarsegrain,
grain, porphyrytic,
porphyrytic.pegmatitic.
pegmatitic.vari-textured
and heterolithheterolithic-gabbroic-breccia.
Mineralization
is
concentrated
in
these
last
three
textural
types,
but
it
is
also
commonly
ic-gabbroic-breccia. Mineralization is concentrated in these last three textural types, but it is also commonlyfound
found
in
medium grain
grain norite
norite and
coarse grain
grain gabbro-norite.All
gabbro-norite.All of
in clinopyroxenite,
clinopyroxenite.melanogabbro,
melanogabbro, medium
and medium
medium and
and coarse
ofthese
these
rocks types
rocks
types occur
occur as
as discontinuous,
discontinuous, irregularly
irregularlyshaped
shaped pods
pods with
with rnaxiryium
maximum dimensions
dimensions of
of 60
60 meters
metersthat,
that,when
when
viewed
are in
viewed on
on aa map,
map, are
in fact
fact aa larger
largerscale
scale of
ofbreccia.
breccia.

The
boundary tto
the central
portion of
the sub-vertical
contact with
with the
the
The east
east boundary
o the
central portion
of the
theBreccia
Breccia Ore
Ore is
is defined
defined by
by the
sub-vertical contact
pyroxenite.The southeast
extension of
of the
pyroxenite.The
southeast extension
the Breccia
Breccia Ore
Ore remains
remains open.The
open.The southern
southern and
and western
western boundaries
boundaries of
of
the
Breccia
Ore
are
all
defined
by
a
gradual
decline
in
PGE
content.As
defined
by
the
0.7
g/t
Pd
assay
cutoff,
the
the Breccia Ore are all defined by a gradual decline in PGE content.As defined by the 0.7 g/t Pd assay cutoff, the
western
and the
the southern
southern boundary
boundary dips
dips steeply
steeplyt to
the north.
north. Due
Due tto
nature
is sub-vertical
sub-vertical and
o the
o the
the gradual
gradual nature
western boundary
boundary is
distribution, these
assaycutoff.The
cutoffThe greatest potential
of the PGE
PGE distribution,
these boundaries
boundaries are subject to
t o changes
changes in assay
potential for
forexpanexpansion of
of resources
assuming similar
similar continuity
continuity of
the extent
extent of
sion
resources at
at the
the Roby
Roby Zone,
Zone.assuming
of grade,
grade, is
is deepening
deepening the
of the
the Breccia
Breccia
Ore.
Ore.

�Palladium
The
The most
mostdefinitive
definitive lithological
lithologicalcontrol
controlon
onPGE
PGEgrade
gradewithin
withinthe
theRoby
RobyZone
Zoneisisthe
thepresence
presenceoro rabsence
absenceof
ofhetheterolithic-gabbro-breccia
erolithic-gabbro-breccia and
andaccompanying
accompanying varitextured
varitexturedgabbro.The
gabbro.Thebreccia
brecciaisisalways
always ore,
ore, and
and other
otherlithologies
lithologies
are
are only
only ore
oregrade
gradewhen
when in
inproximity
proximitytot obreccia.
breccia.However,
However,mineralized
mineralized breccia
breccia on
o n the
the margin
margin of
of the
theRoby
RobyZone
Zone
can
contain
less
than
0.7
g/t
Pd.Also,
with
the
exception
of
post
mineralization
dykes.
every
lithology
can
either
can contain less than 0.7 g/t Pd.Also. with the exception of post mineralization dykes, every lithology can either
be
orwaste.
waste.I-Ieterolithic-gabbro-breccia
Heterolithic-gabbro-brecciaisiscomposed
composedof
offragments
fragmentsaafew
fewcentimetres
centimetrestotoseveral
severalmetres
metresinin
be ore
oreor
size
area,
size that
that are
are representative
representative of
ofmost
mostof
o fthe
thelithologies
lithologiesininthe
the
area.as
aswell
wellas
asaafew
fewexotic
exoticclast.This
clast.Thisbreccia
brecciahas
hasaa
wide
spectrum
of
characteristics.
It
can
consist
of
sub-angular
fragments
crowded
together
with
very
little
matrix
wide spectrum of characteristics. It can consist of sub-angular fragments crowded together with very little matrix
and
to aa breccia
of 10%
sub-rounded fragments
fragments (digested
(digestedxenoliths)
xenoliths) and
and 90%
90%matrix.
matrix. A
A trantranbreccia consisting
consisting of
10% sub-rounded
and can
can grade
grade to
sition
matrix
rich
breccia
is is
observed
in in
the
southern
Breccia
Ore.
Melanogabbro
matrix
rich
breccia
observed
the
southern
Breccia
Ore.
Melanogabbroisisthe
the
sition from
frommatrix
matrixpoor
poortoto
matrix
Observed gabbroic
gabbroic composition
composition for
for the
matrixand
andthe
theintrusive
intrusivemagma
magma creating
creating the
the breccia.
breccia. Observed
the matrix
matrixin
inmany
many localocations
selectively
assayed,
tions isisinterpreted
interpretedas
asaacomposition
compositionchange
changedue
dueto
t odigestion
digestionofofless
lessmafic
maficxenolithsWhere
xenoliths.Where
selectively
assayed,
the
gltPd,
Pd,and
andthe
thefragments
fragments0.08
0.08 g/t
g/t Pd.This
Pd.This explains
explains the
the observation
observation that
that matrix
matrixpoor
poor
the matrix
matrixwill
willcontain
contain8 8g/t
breccia
is
usually
low
grade.
Pegmatitic
gabbro
occurs
on
the
rims
of
the
fragments,
as
irregular
patches
and
breccia is usually low grade. Pegmatitic gabbro occurs on the rims of the fragments,as irregular patches andveinveinlets
lets throughout.
throughout.

Breccia
is transitional
transitional into
Breccia is
into varitextured
varitextured gabbro
gabbroand
and lacks
lacks distinct
distinct xenoliths.Varitextured
xenoliths.Varitextured gabbroic
gabbroic rock
rock range
range in
in
composition
from
leucocratic
to
melanocratic,
and
some
varieties
are
fine
grain
with
medium
grain
patches
and
composition from leucocratic t o melanocratic, and some varieties are fine grain with medium grain patches and
veinlets,
grain with
with pegmatitic
veinlets, medium
medium grain
grain with
withcoarse
coarseand
andpegmatitic
pegmatiticpatches
patchesand
and veinlets,
veinlets. and
and coarse
coarse grain
pegmatitic patches
patches
and
Pegmatitic rock
rock is
occursas
asconvex
convexmultiple
multiplelaylayand veinlets.
veinlets. Pegmatitic
is more
more abundant
abundant in
in the
the central
central Breccia
Breccia Ore.
Ore.Here
Hereititoccurs
ers,
and lenses
lensesup
upto
to several
severalmetres
metresin
inwidth
width but
but not
not laterally
ers, dykes
dykes and
laterally continuous.The
continuous.The common
common pairing
pairing of
of the
the brecbreccia
pegmatitic gabbro
gabbro nnot
cia and
and varitextured
varitextured gabbro,
gabbro, and
and its
its associated
associated pegmatitic
o t only
only key
key to
t o interpreting
interpretingthe
theprocess
processthat
that
created the
the ore,
ore. but
butalso
alsoserves
serves as
as an important
importantassociation
association that
that guides
guides exploration.
exploration.
The
5%chalcopyrite.
chalcopyrite.pentlandite.
pentlandite,pyrrhotite
pyrrhotiteand
andpyrite.
pyrite.ItItoccurs
occursas
asfine
fine grain
grain
The Central
CentralBreccia
BrecciaOre
O r econtain
containup
uptoto5%
disseminations
throughout.
and
as
coarse
blebs
interstitial
to
pegmatitic
clinopyroxene
and
plagioclase.The
fine
disseminations throughout, and as coarse blebs interstitial t o pegmatitic clinopyroxene and plagioclase.The fine
sulphides
are contained
contained as
asstreaks
streakswithin
within the
the clinopyroxene
clinopyroxene pseudomorph
pseudomorph that
that are
are now
now composed
composed of
of actinolite,
actinolite,
sulphides are
chlorite
chlorite and
and talc.This
talc.This late
late introduction
introductionof
ofsulphide
sulphideisis synchronous
synchronous with
with the
the alteration
alteration of
ofpyroxene
pyroxene to
t oactinolite.
actinolite.

Twilight
TwilightZone
Zone
The
Twilight Zone
TheTwilight
Zone is
is aa new
new zone
zone in
inthe
theprocess
processof
ofbeing
beingdelineated
delineated by
by diamond
diamond drilling.This
drilling.This zone
zone isisseparated
separated
from
the
Roby
Zone
on
its
western
boundary
by
a
50
to
70
metre
thick
unit
of
massive
homogenous
from the Roby Zone on its western boundary by a 50 t o 70 metre thick unit of massive homogenousbarren
barrengabgabbro
from the
broand
and separated
separated from
the southeastern
southeastern extension
extension of
of the
theRoby
RobyZone
Zoneby
byaa50
50metre
metrethick
thickbarren
barrendyke.Twentydyke.Twentytwo
t w odiamond
diamonddrill
drillholes
holestotodate
datehave
havedelineated
delineatedaazone
zone 100
100 metre
metrewide.
wide, 200
200 metre
metredeep
deep and
and 200
200 metre
metrelong.The
long.The
zone
remains
open
to
the
east,
and
south.This
area
has
the
same
style
of
lithological
complexity
as
the
Roby
zone remains open t o the east,and south.This area has the same style of lithological complexity as the Roby
Zone,
pegZone, but
but isis dominated
dominatedby
byaaless
less heterolithic
heterolithicgabbronorite-breccia,
gabbronorite-breccia,and
and does
does not
notcontain
containvaritextured
varitexturedand
andpegmatitic
matitic gabbro.The
gabbro.The most
mostsignificant
significant mineralization
mineralization discovered
discovered in
in this
this area
area to
t odate
datewas
was intersected
intersectedby
byholes
holes99-040
99-040
and
99-I
71
This
mineralization,
containing
0.25%
to
0.5
%
pyrrhotite
and
chalcopyrite.
assayed
2.38
g/t
Pd
over
and 99-1 71 .This mineralization,containing 0.25% to 0.5 % pyrrhotite and chalcopyrite,assayed 2.38 g/t Pd over
I

I II 6 metres.
metres.

�North American
America:Palladium
Palladium Ltd
Baker Z
Zone
Baker
one
The Baker
surface
is one
one kilometer
kilometereast
eastofofthe
theRoby
RobyZone.
Zone.Detailed
Detailed
surfacesampling
samplinghas
has defined
defined aa mineralized
mineralized
The
Baker Zone
Zone is

zone that
that is
wide and
traced continuously
continuously for
for 250
meters. This
defined by
by
is 100
100 meters
meters wide
and traced
250 meters.
This northeast-striking
northeast-strikingzone
zone is
is defined
zone
assaysgreater
greaterthan
than0.68
0.68g/t
g/t Pd
Pdand
andgenerally
generallycontains
containsless
lessthan
than 11%
sulphides.The
Themineralized
mineralizedrock
rockconsists
consistsof
of
assays
% sulphides.
gabbro, varitexcured
varitextured gabbro.
and heterolithic-gabbro-breccia.To
heterolithic-gabbro-breccia.To date,
date, the
the highest
highest grades are associated
gabbro,
gabbro, pyroxenite, and

with aa pyrrhotite-chalcopyrite
samplesover
overaa 115
meter length
with
pyrrhotite-chalcopyriterich
richarea
areaat
ataabreccia/gabbro
breccWgabbro contact.
contact. Channel samples
5 meter
assayed4.69
4.69g/t
g/tPd,
Pd,0.27
0.27g/t
g/tAu.
0.48g/t
g/tPC.
Pt.0.43%
0.43%Cu
Cuand
and0.39%
0.39%
Ni.A3500
3500metres
metres(20
(20holes)
holes)diamond
diamonddrilling
drilling
Au, 0.48
Ni.A
assayed

program conducted
conducted during
during the
the winter
winter of
program
of 1998-99
1998-99 tested
tested the
the zone
zone over
over aa 250
250 metre
metre strike
strikelength,
length, tto
o aa maximum
maximum
200 metres,
metres, at 50
50 metre
metrespacing.
spacing.
depth of
of 200

Moore
Moore Zone
Zone
area 600
600 metres
metres south
south of
of the
the Roby Zone
poorlyexposed
exposedmineralized
mineralized area
area in
in aa swampy area
The Moore
Moore Zone
Zoneisis aapoorly
Mineralization has
hasbeen
beenuncovered
uncoveredin
inan
anarea
area 100
100by
by200
200meters
metersand
andappears
appearstotohave
havea aNW
NW strike
strike
boundary. Mineralization
basedon
on the
the alignment
alignmentof
of aa sulphide
sulphiderich
rich zone.
zone. Where
Where best
exposed the
the mineralization
consist of
of heterolithicheterolithicbased
best exposed
mineralization consist

with less
less than
than 1%
1%disseminated
disseminatedpyrrhotite
pyrrhotiteand
andchalcopyrite.An
chalcopyrite.Aninterval
intervalofofnorice
norite within
within the
the
gabbro-norite-breccia with
breccia contains
contains 22 to
to 5%
5% pyrrhotite
pyrrhotite and
interval generated
generatedfrom
from diamond
diamond drilling
drilling is
is
and chalcopyrite.The
chalcopyrite.The best
best assay
assay interval
24.3 meters
meters grading
I .39 g/t
g/t Pd+PC+Au,
Pd±Pt+Au, 0.29
0.291%
Ni, and
and 0
0.3
I 2%Cu.
Cu.On
Onthe
the basis
basisof
of 17 diamond
diamond drill
drill holes,
24.3
grading 1.39
1% Ni,
.3 12%
holes, itit is
is
interpreted that
interpreted
that the
theMoore
MooreZone
Zoneisisrod
rodshaped,
shaped,and
and has
has maximum
maximum dimensions of 22m x 45m x 90m
90m deep.
deep.

�LH
r Palladium
Pafladium Ltd
Northi American

Geology of
of the
the Lake
Lake Superior
Superior Region
Region

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Norite; equigranular
Gabbro-norite; equigranular
Meianogabbro-norite (10-35% plag)
Ilelerolithic gabbro-norite breccia

Gabbro; varitexiured
Gabbro;equigranular
Incipient heterolithic gabbro breccia
Heterolithic qabbro breccia

Leucogabbro/East Gabbro

Anorthosite (&lt;10% matics)
Leucogabbro; porphyrltic
Leucogabbro; varitextured

Mine Sequence

Felsic Dyke

Folsic Plutonic Rocks

U

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Heterolithic melanogabbro breccia
Melanogabbro

Breccia Dykes

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Surface
South Roby
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(overlay on
on "Detailed
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South Roby
Zone")
SurfacePd
Pdassay,
assay, South
geology, South
Roby Zone")

Pd Grade

5 &gt;5.0 g/tonne
5 2.50 to 5.0 g/tonne
5 0.70 to 2.50 g/tonne
5 0.35 to 0.70 g/tonne

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�GEOARCHAEOLOGY AND DEGLACIATION
GEOARCHAEOLOGY
HISTORY OF
AREA
HISTORY
OF THE
THE THUNDER
THUNDER BAY
BAY AREA
Brian Phillips, Lakehead University
Scott Hamilton,
Hamilton, Lakehead
Lakehead University
Joe Stewart,
Lakehead University
University
Joe
Stewart, Lakehead
Pat Julig,
Larentian University
Pat
Julig, Larentian
University
Bill Ross,
Ross, Ontario
Ontario Ministry
Ministry of
of Citizenship,
Citizenship,
Culture and
Culture
and Recreation
Recreation

Soon after
after deglaciation,
deglaciation, native
nativepeoples
peoples established
established habitation
habitation
Soon
examine how
how the
the local
local geomorphology
geomorphology
will examine
sites. This trip will
these sites
sites and
and the
the nature
nature of
of
controlled the location of these
human activities.
activities.

�Forty-Sixth Annual Meeting
Forty-Sixth
Meeting
Institute on Lake Superior Geology
Thunder Bay, Ontario, May 8-13th, 2000

PRE-MEETING FIELD TRIP 3
PRE-MEETING

-

Geoarchaeology of the Thunder Bay area - Field Guide
Dr. Brian Phillips, Department
Department of Geography,
Geography, Lakehead
Lakehead University.
with
Dr. Joe
Joe Stewart,
Stewart, Department of Anthropology,
Anthropology, Lakehead University.
Hamilton, DeDartment
Department of Anthro~oloav,
Anthropology, Lakehead
Dr. Scott Hamilton.
Lakehead University
Universitv
Dr. Pat Julig,
Julig, ~
Department
of
Anthropology,
Laurentian
University
e ~ a r t m e n t~ n t h r o ~ o lLurentian
o~~,
Mr. Bill Ross, Regional Archaeologist, Ministry
Ministry of Culture
Culture and
and Recreation.
Recreation.

-

Objectives:
Objectives:
field trip
tripwill
willfocus
focuson
onthe
thedeglaciation
deglaciationand
and lake
lake level
level history
history of
of Thunder
The field
Bay and the area immediately to the west of
of the
thecity
city -the
the Kaministiquia
Kaministiquia river
river valley,
Kakabeka Falls
Falls and
and the Marks Moraine.
evidence of
of Paleoindian
Kakabeka
Moraine. In particular,
particular, evidence
presence associated
with
the
abandoned
shorelines,
river
mouths
and
deltas
associated with
shorelines, river
deltas of the
9.5 ka
ka B.P.) will be examined
examined (Figure
(Figure 1).
1).
Lake Minong stage of Lake Superior
Superior (circa
(circa 9.5
The trip
trip will
will start
startby
byaa visit
visit to
to the
the former
former mouth
mouth of
of the
the Current
Current River
River at
at the
the
north
north end of the city, where the Simmonds and McDaid
McDaid sites, both surface sites, are
located. Then
Then the trip will head
head west,
west, up valley, to the more famous Cummins site, a
site,part
partofof which
which is
is preserved
preserved within aa fenced area.
area. The third area to be
be
stratified site,
the
western
extent
of
Lake
visited
will
be
the
Rosslyn
delta,
on
the
Kam
river,
visited
Rosslyn delta,
the Kam river, the western extent of
there the
the trip
trip will
will travel
travel west
west to
toKakabeka,
Kakabeka,where
whereearlier
earlierLake
Lake Beaver
Beaver
Minong. From there
Bay features
will
be
examined.
Finally,
the
trip
will
mount
the
Marks
moraine,
features
examined. Finally,
trip will mount the Marks moraine,
that will place the days observations in context with pre
pre and post
providing a view that
Marquette ice marginal events and Paleoindian
Paleoindian presence.

-

Introduction
strongthough
though not
notexclusive
exclusiverelationship
relationshipofof Paleoindian
Paleoindian habitation
habitation
There is aa strong
in the Thunder Bay area
areawith
with the
the shoreline
shoreline features
features of
of the
the post-glacial
post-glacial lakes of
of the
Superior basin, particularly those
those of
of Lake Minong, established about 9.5 ka
ka B.P.
B.P.
This is perhaps illusory in that they
they occupied
occupied aa number
number of
of habitats,
habitats, some
some far
far from
from aa
lakeshore, but
but in geomorphological mapping of
of these
these shorelines, it is these sites
lakeshore,
which have
been
most
commonly
found
and
reported.
have been most commonly
since early
early excavations
excavations by
by MacNeish
MacNeish (1952)
(1952) by
by both
Evidence accumulated since
amateur and professional archaeologists
(Fox 1975, 1980:
amateur
archaeologists (Fox
1980; Dawson 1983; Julig,
Julig,
PIano Indians migrated north eastwards from
from the
the area
area of
of Dakota
Dakota
1984) suggest that Piano
cul-de-sac formed
formed between
between Lake
Lake Agassiz,
Agassiz, which
which covered
and Minnesota into the cul-de-sac
of Manitoba and parts of Northwestern
Ontario at
at its maximum
Northwestern Ontario
maximum extent,
extent, the
most of
lakes of
of the Superior basin and the retreating margin of
of the Laurentide ice sheet.
These people,
people, derived
derived from
from plains
plains cultures
cultures characterised
characterisedby
byaa fluted
fluted point
point lithic
These

�Sturgeon Pt

u4ittgleton I

_

p.

uneII

1:

Keeter

T hn,e,r

250,000

tIIand

.-

B

atne

.t---

Li CT

1.tAdcKeIIAr

Greenetone Pt

T
ARTHUR

r 165
are Pt

-

S

ç1\,
-

�technology,
probablyfollowed
followedgame
gameinto
intothe
the area
area as
as hunters,
technology, probably
hunters, but
but in
in staying,
staying,
to form
and in their
diversified
diversified in
in their economic
economic activities
activities and
their tool-kit
tool-kit design,
design, to
form a
a
recognisable
"Interlakes Composite"
Composite"(Ross,
(Ross,1994)
1994)characterised
characterisedby
byaa parallel
recognisable "Interlakes
flaked
making particular
particular use
use of
of the
flaked point
point lithic
lithic technology,
technology, making
the red
red (jasper)
(jasper) taconite
taconite

material
material found in the siliceous Gunflint
Gunflint formation that outcrops in the Thunder Bay
Bay
area.
area.

Deglaclation
Deglaclatlon HIstory
History

The broad details of
of the
the deglaciation
of the
the Superior
Superior basin
basin are
are shown
shown in
deglaciation of
Figure
2. As ice
central
of the
the Rainy
Rainy River
River and
and Superior
Superior lobes
lobes withdrew
withdrew from
from central
Figure 2.
ice of
Minnesota,
series of
of recessional
moraines were
were left
left in
in place.
recessional moraines
place. The
The Vermilion
Vermilion
Minnesota, aa series
moraine, trending northwest
northwest to southeast,
southeast, across northeastern
northeastern Minnesota,
Minnesota, was
was

followed
on the Canadian
Canadian side of the border, and
and the
followed by
by the Steep
Steep Rock
Rock moraine on
Brule
moraine (Figure
(Figure 3).
3). Guided
Guided by
by these
these ice
Brule moraine
ice marginal
marginal positions,
positions, Lake
Lake Agassiz
Agassiz
found
found an
an early
early eastern
eastern outlet
outlet through
through the Arrow/Whitefish
ArrowiWhitefish lakes corridor (circa
(circa 11
11
ka
and, shortly after,
after,through
throughthe
theShebandowan
Shebandowan lake corridor,
corridor, ultimately
ultimately using
ka B.P.)
B.P.) and,
the Lake
Lake Nipigon
Nipigon spillways
spillways around
around 10.4
10.4 ka
ka B.P.
B.P. (Figure
(Figure 2a) to enter
enter Early
Early Lake
Lake
Minong
Minong (Teller, 1985) which occupied
occupied the Superior
Superior basin.
basin.

There
is no
to believe
did not
There is
no reason
reason to
believe that
that the
the warming
warming climate
climate did
not permit
permit

environmental conditions
conditions to
to become
become suitable
suitable for
for the
the immigration
immigration of
of animal
animal herds
and prehistoric
peoples
into
the
Thunder
Bay
region
at
this
time.
Only
tenuous
prehistoric peoples into the Thunder Bay region at
time.
evidence
of
such
early
occupation
has
been
reported
(Phillips,
1993:
Ross,
occupation
reported (Phillips, 1993: Ross, 1994),
1994),
evidence
though
corridor has
has confirmed
confirmed aa number of sites
though recent
recent work in
in the Arrow/Whitefish
ArrowIWhitefish corridor
sites
that most likely represent
earlier Paleoindian presence. (McLeod and Phillips,
represent an earlier
Phillips,
1999).
pers. communication, 1999).
A major event in the
the deglaciation
deglaciation history of
ofthe
the Lake
Lake Superior
Superior basin
basin was the
the
Marquette readvance
readvance (9.9
(9.9ka
ka B.P.),
B.P.),during
duringwhich
whichthe
the basin
basin and
and its margins were
briefly reoccupied by ice (Figure 2b). Recessional
of the Brule
Recessional moraines northeast of
moraine
formed in
in their
their place. This event
moraine were destroyed
destroyed and
and more
more recent features formed
of
archaeological implications,
implications, since
since any
also
also has
has considerable
considerable archaeological
any evidence
evidence of

occupation
prior to
to the
the Marquette
Marquettereadvance
readvanceisislikely
likelytoto have
have been
been buried
buried or
or
occupation prior

destroyed
destroyed completely
completely by
by the
the new
new ice
ice cover.
cover.
Hudson Bay ice pushed southwestward
southwestward into
into the
the Lake
LakeSuperior
Superior basin,
basin, to
to halt
on its southern shore (Drexler,
(Drexler, Farrand
Farrand and
and Hughes,
Hughes, 1983).
1983). Only in
in aa small
small portion

of Whitefish
Bay near
near Sault
Sault Ste.
Ste. Marie,
corner of
of the basin, did
Whitefish Bay
Marie, in the southeast corner
did
Early
an open
1985). The
Early Lake
Lake Minong
Minong remain
remain an
open lake
lake (Farrand
(Farrand and
andDrexler,
Drexler, 1985).
Marquette lobe pushed westward against
against the
the steep
steep Minnesota shore
shore and,
and, where
flowed northwest up
up the
the Kaministiquia
Kaministiquia valley
valley to the Marks moraine
less obstructed, flowed
moraine
(Figure
(Figure 3). This
Thisprominent
prominentridge,
ridge,rising
risingto
to over
over 470
470 m
m (1550')
(1550') in
in places,
places, curves
curves from
Lappe through
and around
around the
the northwest
of Kakabeka
towards the
the
through Mokomon
Mokomon and
northwest of
Kakabeka towards
Pigeon River (Zoltai,
l965b; Burwasser, 1977, 1980; Burwasser and
and
Pigeon
(Zoltai, 1963,
1963, l965a,
1965a, 1965b;
Ferguson, 1980). Contemporaneously, to the
the west
west of
of the
the Lake
Lake Superior
Superior basin, the
Patricia ice lobe pushed
district and
and halted to
to deposit the
pushed towards the Rainy
Rainy River district
Dog
Dog Lake moraine. This
This runs
runs northwest
northwest from Lappe and holds up Hazlewood, One
of Lappe,
Lappe, where
where the two moraines meet, a
Hawkeye and
and Dog
Doglakes.
lakes. East of
Island, Hawkeye
line of glacial debris known
as
the
Mackenzie
interlobate
moraine can be
known
Mackenzie
be traced
traced

�Figure
Figure 22

The
TheGlacial
GlacialPeriod
Periodand
andEarly
EarlyPeoples
Peoples

d)

km

Figure 1: The retreat of the glaciers in the Superior region nbetween
between10,400
10,400and
and9,500
9,500year
yearago.
ago.(from
(from
Phillips,
Phillips,
1993, p. 95)

�Figure
Figure33
- -....

o0
•

to

.

.-..- . . ..

. .. .

..
.
.

. .-...

.... ....- .

-.

.

.

.

-

... . .

...

4 0ma..
mile
40
I

area showing moraines
moraines and
Mapof
ofthe
theQuetico—Nipigon
Quetico-Nipigon area
and direction
direction of
of ice
ice movement
movement
FIG.5.5. Map
Fm.
duringvarious
variousphases.
phases.
during
-

from
from ZoItal,
Zoltai, 11965a)
965a)

�through
Pearl and
and on to
through Pearl
to the
the Black
Black Bay
Baypeninsula.
peninsula.

A glacial
glacial lake,
lake, Lake
Kaministiquia,
was formed
formed between
between the
the two
two ice margins
1985) and,
and, at
Kaministiquia, was
margins (Teller,
(Teller, 1985)
Lappe,
off the
the
Lappe, a huge sand
sand and gravel
gravel delta
delta was
was built
built by
bysediment
sediment pouring
pouring off
interlobate
of debate, however, and
and there
there
interlobate moraine.
moraine. This
Thisscenario
scenarioisisstill
stillthe
the subject
subject of
is some
the Marks
and Dog
may be older
some field
field evidence
evidence that
that the
Marks and
Dog Lake
Lake moraines
moraines may
older
features that
that were
were simply reoccupied
reoccupied by ice
ice ofofthe
theMarquette
Marquetteadvance
advance(Jul19,
(Julig,
Lake
McAndrews and Mahaney,
Mahaney, 1990;
1990; Tickle,
Tickle, 1996;
1996;Noble,
Noble,pers.comm.1999).
pers.comm.1999). Lake
Agassiz, deprived
advance of
of the
the ice,
ice, expanded
expanded in area
area
deprived of its
its eastern outlets by the advance
and depth
(the
Emerson
phase),
and
flooded
catastrophically
through
depth
Emerson phase), and flooded catastrophically through the
the
Clearwater
Saskatchewan and
the
Clearwater and
and Athabasca
Athabasca valleys
valleys in
in Saskatchewan
and Alberta into the
Mackenzie
Mackenzieriver
river and
and the
the Arctic
Arctic ocean
ocean (Smith
(Smithand
andFisher,
Fisher,1993).
1993).
The
of Lake
Lake
The Marquette readvance obliterated evidence of the earlier phase
phase of
Superior's shoreline history in most
of
the
basin.
Shoreline
sites
that
prehistoric
basin. Shoreline sites that prehistoric
most
people
people might
might have
have occupied in
in the area of Thunder Bay before 9.9 ka B.P.
B.P. may lie
lie
buried
beneath
Marquette
deposits.
In
the
four
hundred
years
between
9.9
and
9.5
buried beneath Marquette deposits. the four
ka B.P.,
about which
which much more is known,
B.P., aa period about
known, ice withdrew from
from the Lake
Lake
Superior
basin
(Figure
2c/2d).
Then,
again,
Paleoindian
people
followed
game
up
2cl2d). Then, again, Paleoindian
up
Superior basin
the Interlakes
this time
time to
to settle,
settle, in
in part at
Interlakes corridor and into the Thunder Bay region, this
least, on the shores
shores of
of Lake Beaver Bay (Stuart, 1993) and Lake Minong
Minong (Phillips,
(Phillips,
1988).
1988).

Shoreline
Shoreline History
History
At
At the peak
peak of
of Wisconsinan
Wisconsinan glaciation,
glaciation, the
the northeastern
northeastern margin of the
the Lake
Lake
Superior
was depressed
by the
the weight
to a
ice (isostatic
(isostatic depression)
depression) to
Superior basin was
depressed by
weight of ice
greater degree than
the
less
heavily
ice-loaded
southwestern
side.
As
a
result,
than the less heavily ice-loaded southwestern side.
result,
"rebound" (isostatic
(isostatic recovery) since that time has been greater on the north
north shore
shore
of the Lake
Lake Superior
Superior basin
basin than
than on
on the
the south
south shore.
shore. Lake shorelines which had
had

been originally
originally horizontal
horizontal became
became progressively
progressively tilted
tilted along
along an
an approximate
approximate
northeast
such that
that aa shoreline
shoreline of
of the
the same
same chronological age increases in
northeast axis,
axis, such
altitude
northeast along
along the western
western shore
shore of
of Lake
Lake Superior.
Superior. AA
altitude from
from southwest to northeast
theoretical archaeological site at Grand Marais,
Marais, Minnesota, found at 184
184 metres,
metres,
just
theoretical site
just above
abovethe
the present
present storm beach, will be of similar age to another theoretical
site
in
contour (1
(117
in Terrace
Terrace Bay,
Bay, Ontario,
Ontario, at the 300 metre contour
17 metres above the
the present
present
lake),
lake), with
with both
both sites
sites lying
lying on
on the
the same tilted
tilted shoreline
shoreline (Figure
(Figure 4).
As
As the
the Marquette
Marquette ice
ice lobe
lobe wasted
wasted back, the eastern and western sides
sides of
of the
the
basin
(Figure 2c).
2c). On
basin were exposed as separate entities (Figure
On the eastern
eastern side, a fairly
fairly
stable
Mary's River outlet at Sault
stable Lake
Lake Minong, controlled by the height of the St. Mary's
Ste. Marie, extended northwards up the Ontario shore and westwards along the
the
Michigan
(Farrand and
and Drexler,
Drexler, 1985).
1985).
Michiganshore
shore as
as they were exposed by
by melting
melting ice
ice (Farrand
In
succession of
of ever
ever larger but
In the enclosed western end of the basin, a distinct succession
progressively
lower level
progressively lower
level lakes
lakes formed
formed (Lakes
(Lakes Duluth,
Duluth, Highbridge,
Highbridge, Moquah,
Moquah,
Washburn,
Manitou, and
and Beaver
Beaver Bay),
each extending
Washburn, Manitou,
Bay), each
extending further
further northeast
northeast up the
the
Minnesota
Minnesota - Ontario
Ontario shore
shore and east
east along
along the
the Wisconsin
Wisconsin shore
shore (Farrand
(Farrand and
and
Drexler,
of these
these water bodies
bodies were formed
Drexler, 1985). Along
Along the
the land-based
land-based margins
margins of
various
features, such as bluffs and beaches, by which the shorelines can
various coastal features,
can
be
ice vacated
vacated the basin,
basin, the
the eastern
eastern and
and western
western lakes
lakes were
were
be traced
tracedtoday.
today. As ice

�Figure
Figure44
Shoreline
ShorelineDiagram
Diagramfor
forthe
thePigeon
PigeonRiverlThunder
RiverKhunderBay
BayArea
Area
1400

a;

S
I

H
(fromFarrand,
Farrand,1960)
1860)
(from

FIgure
Figure 55

ofpotential
Figure
pre-Nipissing transgression
Figure10:
10:The
Thepre-Nipissing
transgressionand
andthe
theresulting
resulting loss
loss ofpotential
archaeological
archaeologicalsites
sitesalong
alongthe
theshores
shoresof
ofLake
Lake Superior
Superior,(from
(fromPhillips,
Phillips, 1993,
1993,
p.
P. 100)
100)

�united and the single shoreline of Lake Minong was formed around
around the
the basin
basin about
about
(Figure2d).
2d). For the
the next
next 1,500
1,500years,
years,water-levels
water-levelsininthe
the Lake
Lake Superior
Superior
9.5 ka B.P. (Figure
basin declined as the St.
St. Mary's
Mary's sill
sill was
was eroded
eroded down
down to
to bedrock.
bedrock. A staircase of
of
Post-Minongshorelines
shorelineswere
wereformed,
formed,the
thelast
lastand
and lowest
lowest ofof which
which was
was Lake
Post-Minong
Lake
Houghton,
about
8.0
ka
B.P.
Houghton, about 8.0 ka B.P.
By 8.0
8.0 ka B.P.,
due to isostatic
uplift, the
the rising levels of
of Lake Huron
Huron had
had
By
B.P., due
isostatic uplift,
flooded into the St.
St. Mary's
Mary's River
River and
and reversed
reversed the
the flow
flow (Larsen,
(Larsen, 1987).
1987). This
backThis backflooding led
Lake Superior
Superior basin
basin and
and culminated
culminated
flooding
led to slowly rising water-levels in the Lake
in the Nipissing lake stage around 5,000 years
years B.P..
B.P.. Known as the pre-Nipissing
pre-Nipissing
transgression, this rise in
in water-level
water-level was
was imposed
imposedupon
uponaastill-tilting
still-tiltingbasin.
basin. On
On the
the
north shore,
shore, east
east of
of Dorion,
Dorion,the
therate
rateofofisostatic
isostaticuplift
upliftremained
remained more
more rapid
rapid than
than the
waters of
of the
the pre-Nipissing
pre-Nipissing period,
period, with
with the
the result
result being
being that
that the
the shoreline
rising waters
marking the Nipissing
lies at
at a lower
all older
older
marking
Nipissing maximum
maximum level
level lies
lower altitude
altitude than
than all
shorelines, including that of
of Lake
Lake Houghton.
Houghton. On the south shore the pre-Nipissing
pre-Nipissing
transgression was more rapid
than
isostatic
recovery,
and
wave
action
"inherited"
rapid
isostatic
"inherited"
the features
of older
older shorelines,
shorelines, modifying
modifying and
and destroying
destroying portions
portions of them,
them,
the
features of
including pre-existing
pre-existing shoreline
shoreline archaeological
archaeological sites
sites(Phillips,
(Phillips,1977).
1977). This
This causes
causes
a chronological discontinuity which
which is at its
its greatest
greatest near Duluth
Duluth and
and decreases
decreases
towards Dorion where the Houghton shoreline
shoreline appears
appears above
above the
the present waterlevel (Figure
(Figure 5).
5).
Thunder Bay,
Bay, evidence
evidence of
of Paleoindian
would normaliy
Paleoindian activities
activities would
normally have
have
In Thunder

been traced as aa continuum
continuum from the high
high Minong
Minong shoreline
shoreline to
to the
the Houghton
Houghton
(which lies just
(which
just below
below present
present water-level),
water-level), but
but the
the pre-Nipissing
pre-Nipissing transgression
transgression
reoccupied the
the lower
lower and
and later
later part
part of
of that
that record
record and
and cut
cut a prominent
reoccupied
prominent bluff on
on
which the General
St. Joseph's
Joseph's Hospital,
Hospital, and Lakehead
General Hospital, the Court House, St.
Lakehead
University are
are built.
built. The Nipissing shoreline can be traced
traced up
up the valley
valley towards
University
Thus, the
the later
later part
part of
of the
Mapleward road and across
across towards
towards Mount
Mount McKay.
McKay. Thus,
record, the
the important
important transition
transition into
into the
the Archaic
Archaic period,
period, and
and aa good
Paleoindian record,
portion of the early Archaic is
is missing
missing in
in Thunder
Thunder Bay.
Bay.
portion
Local HIstory
History
an interpretation of
of the
the detailed
detailed history of
of the
the withdrawal
withdrawal
Figure 6 represents an
of Superior (Marquette) ice from
from the Thunder
Thunder Bay area,
area, based on currently known
information, though
though subject to
As ice wasted
information,
to revision.
revision. As
wasted back
back from
from the Marks
Marks
Moraine, shorelines
shorelineson
onthe
thesouth
southside
sideofof the
the moraine
moraine show
show that
that aa body
body of
of water
water
Moraine,
between the
the moraine
moraineand
andthe
theice
icefront
front(Figure
(Figure6a).
6a).This
This proglacial
proglacial lake
lake
collected between
and there
there is
is tenuous
tenuous evidence
evidence
has been named Lake Cedar Creek (Jahnke, 1993), and
that
with high
high level
level lakes
Lake Duluth
Duluth
that it connected
connected with
lakes to the
the south,
south, perhaps
perhaps of Lake
Kaministiquia embayment
embayment aa small
equivalence.
As ice
equivalence. As
ice withdrew
withdrew from
from the
the Kaministiquia
small
The higher
higher levels of
of lake
readvance to the Intola Moraine occurred (Figure
(Figure 6b). The
been traced
traced into
into this
this moraine
moraine (Stuart,
(Stuart,1993),
1993),and
andititisis likely
likely that
that
Beaver Bay have been
Paleoindian
time, probably using the Marks
Paleoindian peoples
peoples entered
entered the area at about this time,
Marks
causeway. As
As ice
ice withdrew
withdrew further
further and
and water
water level
level declined
declined to
to the
moraine as a causeway.
of
lake
Beaver
Bay
(Figure
6c),
the
possibility
of
Paleoindian
lower
lower levels
levels of lake Beaver Bay (Figure 6c), the possibility
Paleoindian
in the
the
occupation increases,
increases,and
and by
by the
the time Lake
occupation
Lake Minong
Minong was
was established
established in
Kaministiquia embayment,
embayment,there
thereisisplenty
plentyofof evidence
evidenceto
to prove
prove their
their presence
presence
Kaministiquia

�Figure
Figure 66
An
history in
in the
Bay area.
area.
An interpretation
Interpretation of
of post-Marquette
post-Marquette history
the Thunder
Thunder Bay
(a) Marquette toe and Proglaciat Lakes area
9,800 years 8.P

(b)
Intola Moraine
Moraine and Upper
Upper Lake Beaver Bey
Bay circa
circa
(
bl irrtola
9,700 years
years B,P.
9.700
B.P.
Hudson Bay t.obe -

KaWA7 M

s—ar

S.—,

*

—

;8.s'.a.yr
—

Uporlor
Lobe'.

1=
,1-..t22i

(c) Lower
Cc)
LowerLake
LakeBeaver
BeaverBay
Baycirca
circa9.600
9.600years
yearsB.P.
89.

Cd) Lake Minong, 9,500 years B.P.

(from Phillips, Hill, Fralick
Fralick and Ross,
Ross, 1994)
1994)

I

�(Figure 6d).
6d). The
withdrew from
The shoreline
shoreline diagram
diagram (Figure
(Figure 4) shows that only as ice withdrew
sequence of post-glacial
the Thunder Bay region did the sequence
post-glacial takes
lakes extend into the area.
Beaver Bay shorelines
shorelines can
can be
be found
found at
at Kakabeka,
Kakabeka,but
butonly
onty the
the lower
tower levels
levels extend
eastwards
eastwards through
through the
the city towards the Mackenzie
Mackenzie River.
River.
A
few
notable
sites
associated
with
the
Minong
shorelineare
arethe
the Simmonds
Simmonds
A few notable sites associated with the Minona shoreline
sites at
at the
the mouth
mouth of
of the
the Current
Current ~
River,
Catherine and
and McDaid sites
i v e r the
,the Biloski,
Biloski, Catherine
Cummins sites
sites along
along the north side
side of
of the Kam embayment,
embayment, and
and the
the collection of
on the
the Rosslyn
Rosslyndelta
deltaat
atthe
themouth
mouthof
ofthe
the Kaminsitiquia
Kaminsitiquia River,
River,though
though here
here the
the
sites on
association
is
less
simple
and
deserved
more
analysis
(Hamilton,
1996).
Some
association
analysis (Hamilton,
Paleoindian sites unrelated to
to shorelines
shorelines occur
occur at
at High
High Falls
Falls on
on the
the Pigeon river,
1982), at
at Harstone
Harstone Hill,
Hill, near
near the
the junction
junction of
of the Whitefish
on Dog Lake (McLeod,
(McLeod, 1982),
rivers and
and near
near Kakabeka
Falls where
where the
the Kaministiquia
Kaministiquia river
river
and Kaministiquia
Kaministiquia rivers
Kakabeka Falls
might have been most logically
logically crossed.
crossed. The
Crane
site
near
Kakabeka,
found
The Crane
found in a
garden, provides
providesaa rich
richcache
cacheofofbeautifully
beautifullycrafted
crafted10
10cm
cmbiiaces
bifacesin
in aa
vegetable garden,
location apparently unrelated
unrelated to
to any
any topographic
topographic feature,
feature, though
though on
on the
the surface of
of
Beaver Bay
Bay terraces.
one of the higher Beaver
Because
of
their
antiquity
and the acidic
Because of their
acidic nature
nature of
of the
the Boreat
Boreal forest
forest soils,
soils,
(Figure 7),
7), though
though itit is
is very
very
only the lithic materials remain to be found at these sites (Figure
likely that many other natural materials would have been
been used
used by these peoples.

Field Excursion Stops

-

Stop 11 - Hillcrest
Stop
Hillcrest Park
Park Lookout.
from the
the University will
will be down Oliver Road and,
and, just
just below
betow the
The route from
bluff, left
left on
on High
High Street
Streetand
and up
upthe
thehill
hill for
for aa brief visit to Hillcrest
Nipissing bluff,
Hillcrest Park
Park
from where
where the
the city
city can
can be seen
and Lake
from
seen in
in context
context with
with local
local topography
topography and
Superior.
Superior.

-

Boulevard Park,
Park, the
the Bluffs
Bluffs and
and CentennIal
Centennial Park
Park Rd.
Rd.
Stop 2 and 3 - Boulevard
will head northeast on
on High
High St.,
St., over
overthe
theSt.Joseph/Hillcrest
St.Joseph/Hillcrest island
island
The route will
lefton
on Balsam
BalsamSt,
St,right
righton
onHudson
HudsonAve
Aveand
and onto
onto Arundel
Arundel St. from
from
of Minong times, left
which a left turn before Black
which
Black Bay bridge will lead
lead to
to the
the Bluffs
Bluffs Scenic
Scenic Lookout.
Lookout.
Walk down to Simmonds site. Then board to cross Black
Black Bay
Bay bridge
bridge and
and turn
turn left
left on
on
Walk
Centennial Park
roadway.
Centennial
Park Rd
Rd to visit the McDaid
McDaid site, adjacent
adjacent to the roadway.
Simmonds (DcJh-4) and
arid McDaid
McDaid (DcJh-16)
(DcJh-16) Sites
Sites
The Simmonds
present Current
Current river
riverruns
runsin
in aa channel
channel incised
incised into
into a gently lakeward
The present
formationthat
thatfronts
frontsaa bounding
bounding rock
rock wall,
wall, a structural
dipping shelf
shelf of
of Gunflint
Gunflint formation
structural
feature,
which now forms the 'bluffs'
In the Minong
feature, which
'bluffs' scenic
scenic lookout
lookout (Figure
(Figure 8).
8). In
Minong
river carried
carried much
muchwater
waterand
andsediment
sedimentfrom
frominland
inlandproglacial
proglaciallake
lake flows
flows
period, the river
of coastal
coastal history, a series
and here evidence
evidence supports
supports a major 'bar building'
building' phase
phase of
spits or
or bars being
being formed
formed on
on both
both sides
sides of
of the
the river
riveras
as water
water level
of river mouth spits
generally declined.
generally
The highest
lay against
the bounding
at
The
highest Minong
Minong shoreline
shoreline lay
against the
bounding rock
rock wall at
approximately the
the 252
252 m
m (827')
(827') level
level but
but between
between 240
240 and
and 236
236 m (787-774')
(787-774') a
approximately
of sand
sand bars
bars formed
formedparallel
parallel to
to the
the wall
wall on
on the
the west
west bank
bank of
of the
the river
river and
and a
series of
matching series
seriesofofbars
barson
on the
the east
east side
side curve
curve sharply
sharply into
into the
the then
then river mouth
matching

�Figure
Figure 7
7
Paleolndlan
bifaces from the
Paleoindian blfaces
the Thunder
Thunder Bay
Bay region.
region.

THE LAKEHEAD
LAKEHEAOCOMPLEX
COMPLEX
—REFINED
-REFINED BTFACES
BIFACES —

-

DaJn—7

DfJg—1

Quetico Park

Oliver
O l t v e rLake
Lake

DeJj-6
DcJi—1

4%

I'"

OdJf—I

tT;.rJTH:::i;:::tc::
OdJn— 7

DdJn—7

1995)
(from Ross, 1995)

�Figure 88

MOUTh

Figure 9: The
The changing
changing geography
geography and
and present
present characteristics
characteristics of
Figure
of the
and
sites.
(fivm Phillips,1988,
1988, p.
p. 135)
~Simmonds
i k n d and
s ~McDaid
c ~ asite;
i d (from~hillips,

LATER

4O RE LINE

A. UPPER

MINONG 250fl!m

F .SLAOOO\

R.POSTMINONG SERIES OF MAJOR
•ARS

+ FLAT
SWALE

• EASTERN 'US FORMEDPOST

MINONG 217215n,

'F ALLUVIUM

.&amp;rMARSH
C

—Cr— CREST

Pr CUFF

u,4.

DIRECTION OF SLOPE
MODIFIED

�from aa source
source on
on the
thesame
same rock
rockwall
wall east
east of
of the
the point
point where
where itit is
It
from
is cut
cut by
by the
the river.
river. It
appears
that
the
river
entered
Lake
Minong
along
the
rock
wall,
forming
offshore
appears that the river entered Lake Minong along the rock wall, forming offshore
and beach
and
beach bars
bars which
which extend
extend south
south eastwards
eastwards across
across the
the shallow
shallow McVickers
McVickers
embayment
to
the
southwest.
Simultaneously,
longshore
transport
embayment to the southwest. Simultaneously, longshore transport from
from the
the east
east
built
bars
partially
across
the
river
mouth
at
times,
only
to
be
later
truncated
by
built bars partially across the river mouth at times, only to be later truncated by
fluvial
fluvial action.
action.
The
Simmonds site
site on
on the
the west
west side,
side,occurring
occurringon
on the
the parallel
parallel bars
bars at
at about
about
The Simmonds
236 m
is matched
in elevation
and position
position by
by the
the McDaid
site on
on the
236
m (774')
(774') is
matched in
elevation and
McDaid site
the
eastern
curving bars
bars (Figure
(Figure 9).
9). Neither
Neither site
site is
is aa long
long term
term habitation
habitation site
site but
but show
show
eastern curving
evidence of
activity typical
typical of
of aa river
river mouth
mouth camping
evidence
of activity
camping and
and fishing
fishingsite.
site. Interestingly,
Interestingly,
the
to have
to the
the
the major
major bar
bar building
building episode
episode appears
appears to
have been
been just
just subsequent
subsequent to
occupation
of these
these two
two sites,
sites,two
twolarge
largecurving
curvingbars
bars being
being formed
formed at
at 231
231 and
and 227
227
occupation of
m (758-745')
flat topped
one largely
m
(758-745') on
on the
the east
east bank,
bank, the
the latter
latter flat
topped one
largely aa subaqueous
subaqueous
feature that
that was
was probably
probably contemporaneous
contemporaneous with
with the
the supra-aqueous
supra-aqueous ridge
ridge form
form of
of
feature
the
first.
On
the
west
bank
a
very
long
bar,
now
unfortunately
truncated
at
its
river
the first. On the west bank a very long bar, now unfortunately truncated at its river
mouth
In
south west,
west, in
in places
places broadening
broadening to
over 100
(328') in
end, runs
mouth end,
runs south
to over
100 m
m (328')
in width.
width. In
almost
text-like
manner,
the
mean
grain
size
and
sorting
characteristics
along
its
almost text-like manner, the mean grain size and sorting characteristics along its
length
out from
from the
length confirm
confirm that
that itit prograded
prograded out
the mouth
mouth across
across the
the McVickers
McVickers
embayment,
probably
mostly
in
subaqueous
form.
Some
evidence
of Paleoindian
embayment, probably mostly in subaqueous form. Some evidence of
Paleoindian
activity has
has been
been found
found on
on the
the crests
crestsofofthese
thesenewer
newerbars
barsbut
butno
no sites
sites equivalent
equivalent to
to
activity
those
those named.
named.

-

Stop 4
Stop
4 - Mapleward
Mapieward Road,
Road, the
the Cummlns
Cummins Site.
Site.
The route
to Balsam
The
route will
will retrace
retrace to
Balsam and
and join
join the
the Expressway
Expressway heading
heading
southwest. Just
Just beyond
beyond the
the John
John St.
St. traffic
lights the
the route
southwest.
traffic lights
route crosses
crosses the
the Mcintyre
Mclntyre
River. On
On the
the north
north side
side the
the low
bluff will
will be
River.
low Minong
Minong bluff
be seen,
seen, with
with aa housing
housing
development on
on top.
top. The
The Biloski
Biloski site
siteoccupies
occupiesthis
thissurface
surfaceand
andaa small
small sand
sand bar
bar at
at
development
the bluff
bluff foot,
foot, where
where a
a small
small embayment
embayment and
the
and secondary
secondary river
river channel
channel once
once existed.
existed.
As the
the Expressway
Expressway curves
curves to
to the
the south,
south,the
thearea
areaon
on the
the right
right holds
holds a
As
a lengthy
lengthy
baymouth
bar
on
the
end
of
which
lies
the
Catherine
site,
unseen
from
the
baymouth
of
the road. On
the summit
summit of
of Rabbit
RabbitMMt
(275m, 902'),
902'), which
which rises
t. (275m,
rises behind
behind the
the embayment,
embayment, lies
lies the
the
the
Irene site, a lookout
lookout site.
site.
The route
route turns
turnswest
weston
on Oliver
Oliver Road
Road and
and within
within 22 km
km rises
The
rises up
up the
the distinct
distinct
Minong
bluff.
A
left
turn
on
Mapleward
Road
sees
a
gentle
descent
to
the
Minong bluff. left turn on Mapleward Road sees a gentle descent to the Minong
Minong
shore again, and
and the
the Cummins
Cummins site.
site.
Cummins Site
1)
The Curnmins
Site(DCJi(DCJi-l)
By far
far the
Paleoindiansite
site isis that
that of
of the
By
the most
most significant
significant Paleoindian
the Cummins
Cummins site
site
(Figure 10). Reported
the site
site has
has been
been excavated
excavated and
and
Reported by
by a local
local collector
collector in
in 1962,
1962, the
considered a
has been the focus of thorough
thorough examination.
examination. Initially
Initially considered
a typical
typical surface
surface
site, Julig
Julig et
et al.
al. (1986)
(1986) concluded
concluded that
that itit is
is a
a rare deeply stratified
site,
stratified Paleoindian
Paleoindiansite,
site,
under
use over
over a
under continued
continued use
a long
long period
periodof
ofchanging
changingenvironmental
environmentalconditions.
conditions.
Though the
the basic
basic tool
tool kit
Though
kit is
is that
that of
of Plains
PlainsPiano
Pianoculture
culture(Dawson,
(Dawson, 1983;
1983; Julig,
Julig,
1984), the
the wide
wide range
range of
of artefacts
artefacts imply
imply a
a diversification
diversification into
into woodworking,
woodworking, fishing
fishing
1984),
and beaver
trapping in
in addition
addition to
to the
and
beaver trapping
the regular
regular hunting
hunting of
of caribou
caribou and
and perhaps
perhaps
bison (McAndrews,
(McAndrews, 1982).
1982). The
The Cummins
Cummins Site
Site was
was a major regional tool
tool making
making

�Figure 9

tHE MCDAID SITE — geamorphologicl basis and
archaeological test and transect locations
PT — Pathway

V
metres

•

— Shovel

•

- Excavation in path

U

— Feature

'Ill'

— Culling

leil
I

sites

— ((napping 'lotion

- Spot height (in metre,)

S Beach ridge axis
—— —

— Swale axis

236.6

236 6?

baseline
conlrol pabst

— Elevation

0236

.7

transect

A

a

I

(from Stewart, Ross and Phillips, 1984)

�and the
the presence of
of exotic
exotic lithic components
components implies
implies aa broad geographical
centre and
interaction
interaction with other groups in
in the region
region (Julig, 1984).
1984).
While the
the archaeological
archaeological value
value of
of the Cummins Site was being
While
being revealed,
revealed,
broader questions
questions remained
remainedconcerning
concerningthe
thechoice
choiceofofthis
this and
and other
other sites
sites for
broader
habitation,
habitation, especially
especially in
in relation
relationto
to lake
lake margin
margin history.
history.
The Cummins
CumminsSite
Site occurs
occurs across
across the
the surface
surface of
of several
several large
large sand
sand and
The
which trend
trend northeastwards from
from the
the then
then Neebing river mouth across
gravel bars which
southerly gentle
gentledip
dip slope
slopeof
oflocal
localGunflint
Gunflintshales,
shales,overlain
overlain by
by aa thin
thin water
water
a broad southerly
washed silty
these shales
shales occurs
occurs jasper
jasper taconite,
taconite, the
the major
major source
source of
of tool
till. In these
silty till.
making material.
Figure I10
of the
the site and
and the
the
material. Figure
0 shows
shows the
the fenced
fenced area of
morphological details (Julig et al., 1990).
Figure I
11
1990). Figure
I shows the paleogeographic
reconstructionofof events
events believed
believed to
to have
have formed
formed the
the area
area (Phillips,
(Phillips, 1982).
reconstruction
1962).
Longshore transport from
from the
the Neebing
Neebing rivermouth
rivermouth built
built aa series
series of
of progressive bars
bars
Longshore
across
the shallow
shallow water
water rock
rock shelf,
shelf, recurving
recurving into
into aa minor
across the
minor river
river valley
valley which
which
sheltered embayrnent
embaymentto
tothe
thewest
westofofa arock
rockisland.
island. AA further
further bar
bar was
was built
built
formed a sheltered
front of
of existing
existing ones eventually crossed
along the front
crossed the
the embayment
embayment in
in tombolo-Jike
tombolo-tike
form to
to enclose
enclose a small lagoon, the Cummins
Pond, after
after which
which lower
lower and
and later
later
form
Cummins Pond,
the established
established plan
plan shape.
shape. A pollen
shoreline features mimicked the
pollen core taken in the
pond suggests
etal.,
al., 1986).
1986).
pond
suggests this enclosure
enclosure took place
place before
before 8.1
8.1 ka
ka B.P.
B.P. (Julig et
of the
the bars
bars is not compatible with
with a declining
The plan shape and structure of
water level
indeed the
the accumulation
and building
building up
up of
of these
water
level margin,
margin, indeed
accumulation and
these large
large
features
shelf slope
slope is unlikely
unlikely without
without transgressive
transgressivewave
waveaction.
action. Even
features on a gentle shelf
so, such action across
across aa gentle
gentle shore
shoreslope
slopewould
would not
notordinarily
ordinarilybuild
build up
up a large
so,
large
supra-aqueous
bar
without
some
initial
encouragement
to
accumulate
sediments
supra-aqueous bar without some initial encouragement to accumulate sediments
sheet. The
along a line
line rather
rather than disperse them in a sheet.
The key
key to the existence of these
bedrock control.
control. While Julig (1984) determined
bars in this location is underlying bedrock
and ground
ground radar studies that
that variation
variation in sediment
through resistivity
resistivity and
sediment character
character
irregularities could
could be
be traced,
traced, aa more
of the
and bedrock
bedrock irregularities
more simple reconstruction
reconstruction of
possible. By surveying
surveying down
downthe
theexposed
exposed bedrock
bedrock dip
dip slope
bedrock profile is also possible.
of the
the site,
site, the
the trend
trend (see inset, Figure
showed that
that beneath
beneath the site must
north of
Figure111)
I ) showed
must
typical of
of many that
that occur
occur in
in the
the present
present topography
topography of
of these
these
lie a marked
marked rock step, typical
flat-lying shales, and often sharpened by wave action. Accumulation of
of sediments
took place
place firstly
firstly against
against this
this rock
rock step
step and
and subsequently
subsequently over
over the
the top
top of
of it. ItIt is
took
possible that some till
till remained
remained in the
the angle
angle of
ofthe
thestep.
step. To
To the
the west
west of
of Mapleward
possible
Road an
an exposure
exposure of
of coarse
coarse sand
sand and
and gravel
gravel with
with angular
angular shale inclusions at the
rear of the bar
bar in contact
contact with
with bedrock
bedrock suggests
suggestsoverwash
overwashof
ofthe
thetype
typethat
thatwould
would be
expected in this scenario
(Figure
12).
Once
the
linear
feature
was
established,
scenario (Figure 12). Once the
established,
longshore sediment supply would extend its length and add
add to
to the
the lakeward
lakeward face.
face.
overwash and
and building
building in elevation is characteristic
characteristicof
of wave
wave action
action either
either
However, overwash
storm event
eventor
or aa transgressive
transgressivelake
lakemargin.
margin. Again,
Again,aa 'bar
'bar building'
building'
in an extreme storm
evident at
at Cummins.
Cummins. Julig
Julig (1984)
(1984) found
found confirmatory
evidence of
of
period seems
seems evident
confirmatory evidence
of these
these bars
bars during
during the
the process
process of
of their
their accumulation,
accumulation, aa buried
buried layer of
habitation of
water worn
being associated
associated with
with aa period of
water
worn taconite
taconite artefacts
artefacts being
of overwash
overwash and
and
construction.
construction.
While occupation of
of the site when a lakeshore location offered advantages
While
of longshore
of
longshore access,
access, lagoon fishing and perhaps
perhaps water
water transport,
transport, a cremation
cremation

�(1982) Phillips by mapping morphological on based (1990), Mahaney and McAndrews, Julig,

scions. sod aandarsi
of

Figure
Onurio Superior. Lake nartbwzern size, UChSeCIOiS Cummins 5.

1don sad

Quarry

nct'ottons edge 3-Bog
acovah1s Minwtg Z.Lower
section DI &amp; excavations Main I.

pit Growl

%

cliff

—

Govt Ontero by purchased site of gortion Fenced
ponns undisturbed Sot',.
ridges beach Mong tower and middle at
grawl-remoct) s.c destnjction site totol to severe of Areas

,-. —

ridge beach Minong middle of limits Aggrazimate ——

viSit7.

the in

elevatton Spot
pit Gravel

xe'

zidg bcb and r.n*4
'ccc

terrace wove or Bluff

—.-,

ridge beach Removed
ridge Beach

—

Ouzailo, Supeñor, Lake oorthwzern she, Cummins 4. Fsguzt

500

9

NCThCS

PMPOOSIGC1 OF TWP
eat TIC$OCR OF CITY

10 Figure

�Figure 11
Figure
11

+ FLAT
SWAtS

'1 ALUWIUM
MARSH

CREST
CUFF

S

...d.

DIRECTI ON OF 5LOFE
MOCIFIED

C. MAJOI •AR FORMATION
FIIOFILE ACROSS CUMMINS Sits EAST OF MAPLEWARD ROSS

ri,cit

0. POST MINONsMIN0R EARS
FORMED MIMICKING PLANE SHAPE
OF MAIN EAR

0—n..

Nh

Figure 8:
p.
Fisure
8:The
Thechanging
changinggeography
geographyand
andpresent
presentcharacteristics
characteristicsofofthe
theCummins
Cummimsite.
site. (from
(from Phillips,
PhiZlips, 1988, p.
133)
133)

�Figure 12
12
Schematic representation
representationofofthe
the cliff
cliff face at the
the Cummins site.
Schematic
site
W

Wind
wi
nd Deflation
-flation Lag
Lag
Fbviai Deposits

0—I
00

-

Rich Berm
Berm
Gravel —Rich

Magnetite —
Rich
Magnetita
-Rich
Foreshore Beach
Foreshwe
8each
Sands
Sands

.. .

Foreshore Beach

cc! Talus Slope

Sands

Backbeach
Backbeach
I—.zkl Bioturbated Sands
Sands

Massive, Heavily
Massive,
Bioturbated Dune
Dune Sands
Sands

+

+..

• 4+

+

Bedrock
Bedrvk

Sedimentology
Sediment010
y
A wellwell-developed,
exposed at the Cummins site.
site. Figure30
30shows
shows a
eveloped, beach deposit is exposed
schematicrepresentation
representationofofthe
thesandy
sandy dii
cliffface
face where
where the
the strandline
strandlinedeposits
deposits are
are visible.
schematic
cross-stratified sands
sands of
of the
the foreshore
foreshore dominate
dominatethe
the exposure.
exposure. individual
Low-angle, planar cross-stratified
Individual
Iarninae
dipping 3'
3° to 12°
12' lakeward
lakeward (original swash-backwash surfaces) are arranged
atranged into
into
laminae dipping
one another
anotheratatvery
verylow
low angles.
angles. The
packets which erosively truncate one
Theplanar
planarcross-stratified
moss-stratified
both laterally
laterally and
and vertically
vertically into massive sands through a bioturbated
sands are transitional both
bioturbated
zone. the
zone.
thebioturbated
bioturbatedarea
area represents
represents a sparsely
sparsely vegetated
vegetatedbackshore
backshore environment
environment while
while
massive sands
the massive
sands were
were deposited
depositedas
asaeoliari
aeolian dunes.
foreshore sands
sands are
areerosively
erosivelytruncated
truncatedininthe
theeastem
easternportion
portionofofthe
the dii
cliff by
by
The foreshore
magnetite-richsands.
sands. Internal
internalstructures
structuresindicate
indicatethat
thatthey
theyare
arealso
alsoforeshore
foreshoredeposits.
deposits. The
The
magnetite-rich
magnetite-richforeshore
foreshorelaminae
laminaewere
wereformed
formedduring
duringregression
regressionwhen
whenstorm
stormwave
wave activiv
activity
magnetite-rich
During the
the lower portion of the beach, erosively
erosivelytruncating
truncating the older
older deposits. During
reworked the
intervening periods
periods of fair
events sand was removed
storm events
removed and stored in offshore bars. In inte~ening
weather, sand
sand moved fmm
fromthe
theoffshore
offshorebars
barsback
backonto
ontothe
thebeach
beachand
andwas
waswinnowing
winnowing by
by
weather,
waves, producing
small waves,
produangthe
themagnetite-rich
magnetite-richlag
lag deposits
depositsfilling
fillingscour
scour truncations.
truncations.
The beach assemblage is
is overlain
overlainby
by erosively
erosively based, trough cross stratified
stratified sands.
sands.
Major rainfall
rainfallevents
events caused
after subaereal
subaereal exposure
exposure of
of the area.
fomed after
area. Major
These were formed
to flow
flow off the adjacent rock knoll
knot!dissecting
dissectingand
and reworking
reworkingthe
theupper
upper layer of beach
streams to
beach
deposits.
deposits.

3

Phillips, Fralick
Fralick and
and Ross,
Ross, 1987.
Phillips,
C-12,
From INQUA Field Guide GI
2,
Eds. Geddes,
Geddes, Kristjansson
Kristjansson and
and Teller.
Teller.
Eds.

�burial site on
on the
the rock
rock island (Dawson,
(Dawson, 1983) was
was dated to
to 8,480
8,480 + 390 years BP.
both just
just below
below the
the aeolian
aeolian sands
sands that
that characteristically
characteristically
Julig (1984) found artefacts both
modified
the topography
of the
the shoreline
shoreline features
features once
once the offshore
offshore shelf
shelf was
modified the
topography of
exposed by
by lower
exposed
lower lake
lake levels
levels (circa
(circa 8.0
8.0 ka
ka BP)
BP) and
and in
in peat
peat that
that accumulated
accumulated in
in
Cummins Pond,
Indications are
are that
that long
longafter
afterthe
the lake
lake ceased
ceased to
to lap the beach
Cummins
Pond. Indications
beach
face, the site remained
remained used,
used, at
at least
least until
until 7.5
7.5 ka
ka BP
BP (Julig
(Julig et
et al., 1986).
1986).

-

Stop 5
Stop
5 (several)
(several) - The
The Rosslyn
Rosslyn Delta
Delta
will retrace to
to Oliver
Oliver Road
Roadand
and continue
continue west,
west, turning
turning south at the
The route will
towards Twin
Twin City
City Crossroads.
Crossroads. Immediately
Immediatelysouth
south of
of the
the driving
driving range,
Golf Course towards
the road
road descends
descends aa gentle
gentle bluff
bluff around
around the
the 268m
268m (880')
(880') contour
contour that
that is
is aa Beaver
Beaver
the
Bay shoreline,
shoreline, and
and then,
then, beyond
beyond two
two turns
turns in
in the
the road,
the descent
down the
the
Bay
road, the
descent down
shoreline arrives
flat surface
of the offshore
shelf and
offshore shelf
Minong shoreline
arrives on the extensive,
extensive, flat
surface of
the Kaministiquia
Kaministiquia River
River where
where it entered Lake Minong. This surface, 222m
delta of the
(729') at the
mainly of sandy
with boggy
sandy silts,
silts, with
boggy areas
(729')
the crossroad,
crossroad, is composed
composed mainly
the crossroads
crossroads the
the route
route will
will turn
turn west
west along
underlain by more clayey silts. From the
Hwy 11-17,
Minong bluff, forming an abrupt rise at
11-17, where, within 2 kms, is again the Minong
Hwy
at
the Weighscales.
Weighscales. Turning
Turning left,
left,once
once on
on the
the terrace,
terrace, the
the road leads south to several
several
fields in which
the Dairy
fields
which lithic
lithic material
material has
has been
been found.
found. These
These sites,
sites, the
Dairy Farm,
Farm,
Breukelman Evergreen and
and Halow A,
A, B
B and
andC,
C,will
willbe
beviewed
viewed (Figure
(Figure 15)
15) and
and then
of the Kaministiquia River
River towards
towards Stanley.
Stanley. En
the route will follow the north side of
route the upper and lower Drezecky sites
sites will
will be seen (Figure
(Figure 17),
17), as
as well
well as the
Pawlick site
site which
whichcan
canbe
be seen
seen on
on the
the south
south side
side of
of the river.
From Stanley
Stanley the
the
river. From
Pawlick
Stanley delta and return
return to Hwy 11-17.
11-17.
route will climb the terraces of the Stanley
The
following extract
extractofof text
textand
and figures
figuresderives
derivesfrom
fromaa paper
paper by
by Scoff
The following
Scott

Hamilton, that
that has
has been
been submitted
submitted for
forpublication
publication review
review to
to the
theCanadian
Canadian Journal
Journal
Archaeology. Entitled
Entitled"Archaeological
"ArchaeologicalPredictive
PredictiveModelling
Modellingininthe
theBoreal
BorealForest:
Forest
of Archaeology.

No Easy
the paper
paper addresses
addresses the
the difficult
difficult problem
problem of
of developing
No
Easy Answers",
Answers", the
developing
archaeological predictive models to aid in Forest Class
Class environmental
environmental assessment.
assessment
archaeological
Among the many
many challenges
challenges is
is the issue of development
sensitive
Among
development of temporally
temporally sensitive
palaeo-environmental
reconstructions,
and
also
models
of
land
use
that are
are
palaeo-environmental reconstructions, and also models of land use that
relevant
to
the
political
economy
and
social
organization
of
the
ancient
peoples
relevant
political economy and social organization of the ancient peoples
under consideration.
consideration.
"The apparent
apparent correlation
correlation between
between relict
relict shorelines
shorelines and Piano archaeological
archaeological
well known in the Thunder Bay area where landscape evolution has been
sites is well
been
of some
somestudy
study(Figure
(Figure 13).
13).While
While many
many Piano
Piano shoreline
shoreline archaeological
archaeological
the subject of
documented,the
thebest
best known
known ones
ones are
are lithic quarry and workshop sites
sites are documented,
such as the
and McDaid Sites (Julig 1984,
the Cummins,
Cummins, Biloski, Simmonds,
Simmonds, and
1984, 1994;
1994;
MacNeish 1952;
1952; Hinchelwood
Hinchelwood 1990;
1990; Phillips 1988,
These large
large sites
sites are
MacNeish
1988, 1993).
1993). These
well removed
shorelines, but
but are
are associated
associated with
with the
the late
late Pleistocene
removed from modern shorelines,
shorelines of Glacial Lake Minong
Minong and
and Gunflint
Gunflint Formation
Formation bedrock exposures that
are suitable
suitable for lithic
lithic tool
tool production
production (Figure
(Figure 13)
13) (see
(see Julig,
Julig, McAndrews
McAndrews and
and
Mahaney 1990; Phillips
Phillips 1988,
1988, 1993).
1993). However,
However, these
these special-purpose
special-purpose sites
sites do
do not
not
characterize the full Paleo-Indian
settlement
pattern.
Rather,
the
dense
recoveries
Paleo-Indian
Rather, the dense recoveries

�from, and ready visibility
visibility of,
of, these
these sites has resulted in their over-representation
over-representation in
in

the published
literature. Archaeological
Archaeological reconnaissance
reconnaissance upon
the
published archaeological
archaeological literature.
agricultural fields
fields within
within the Kaministiquia River
River delta
delta has
has revealed
revealed a number
number of
PIano or
or probable
probable Plano
Piano sites
sites in a wide
of landscape
landscape contexts
contexts (Hamilton
Plano
wide range
range of
1996) (Figure
(Figure 14).
14). Many
Manyofofthese
thesesites
sitesare
arefound
foundatatorornear
nearLake
LakeMinong
Minong shoreline
shoreline
elevations
(i.e. 750
750 feet
feet or
or 228.6
A.S.L). When
elevations (i.e.
228.6 metres
metres A.S.L.).
When placed in aa hypothetical
hypothetical
Minong- environmental
Lake Minong
environmentalcontext, they are found associated with:
flowing into
into sheltered
sheltered coves
coves of Lake Minong (Figure 15:
1) springs flowing
15: Breukelman
Breukelman
Evergreen);
Evergreen);

2) on points of land that protruded
protruded out
out into Lake Minong to the
the northeast
northeast and
and
southeast of the Breukelman
Evergreen
site
cluster
(Figure
15);
Breukelman Evergreen site cluster (Figure 15);

well-drained sandy
knolls surrounded
surrounded by
by poorly
drained
3)
upon low,
low, well-drained
sandy knolls
poorly drained
3) upon
floodplain/deltaic sediments
floodplainldeltaic
sediments (Figure
(Figure 15:
15: Halow
Halow C);
4) along deltaic
deltaic backwater
backwater channels (Figure 16: DbJi-8, DbJi-7, DcJi-28, DcJi32);
32); or

5) on sandy storm
storm beaches
beaches developed upon relict deltas (Figure
(Figure 16:
16: DcJi-30,
DcJi-30,
DcJi-31).
DcJi-31).

Other sites were found upon:
upon:
6) raised
raised Pleistocene
Pleistocene terraces
terraces overlooking
overlooking the
the present
present Kaministiquia
Kaministiquia River
River
channel (Figure
channel
(Figure 17:
17: Pawlick);
Pawlick);
7) on high
high valley
valley rims
rims that offer panoramic views (Figure 17: Drezecky E);
the Lake Minong shores
shores (Figure
(Figure 16:
16: Halow
Halow A
A
8) along draws leading down to the
and
B);
and B);
well removed from
from late Pleistocene shorelines (Figure
9) along upland
upland streams well
(Figure
17: DcJj-12, DcJj-13); and

10) upon well-drained upland knolls
knolls on what likely were formerly discontinuous
permafrost uplands
permafrost
uplands (Figure
(Figure 18:
18: Breukelman
BreukelmanField:
Field:lithic
lithicscatters
scatters AA to
to E).
E).

Probable Plano
Piano lithic
lithic scatters
scatters have
have also
also been
been found
found upon isolated bedrock
Probable
controlled knolls
knolls offering
offering panoramic
panoramicviews
viewsofof floodplains
floodpiainsadjacent
adjacenttoto the
the Lake
controlled
Thisrange
range of
of landscape
landscape characteristics
Minong shoreline (Figure 19:
19: BeIluz
Belluz Farm). This
is certainly not exhaustive, but is sufficient to demonstrate
demonstrate the
the diverse
diverse microhabitats
microhabitats
frequented by
frequented
by Piano
Piano people.
people.
Lakehead Complex sites in terms of
of a very
These sites are consistent with other Lakehead
preference for Gunflint
Gunflint Formation
Formation lithic
lithic materials
materials (Hamilton 1996). However,
strong preference
virtually all
all of
of these
are well
well removed
are
virtually
these sites
sites are
removed from
from bedrock
bedrock exposures,
exposures, are

�Figure
Figure 13
13

Late Rolocene watere
Cuminins Site

Bioski Site
Brohn. Site

.r Julig, MscAndr..,s nit Maimmy
(l900tfl)

Figure
Figure66The
The Correlation
Correlationbetween
betweenLakehead
Lakfcu-u Complex
bxinplexsites,
sites, Minong
Minong
beaches
beachesand
andGunflint
GunflintFormation
Formationoutcrops
outcrops(Hamilton
(Hamilton1996:34)
1996:34)

�Figure 14
Figure
14
Some Archaeological Sites associated
with the Kaministiquia River Delta
• Modern Hydrological System
U Lake Minong water levels
* Lakehead Complex Site

SModern Community ..-M
fl

f

Lake
Superior

distribution of confirmed
confirmed or
Figure 7 The distribution
or probable
probable Lakehead
LakeheadComplex
Complex sites
sites on
on the
the
Kaministiquia River
(Hamilton1996:
1996:36)
36)
Kaministiquia
Riverdelta
delta(Hamilton

�Figure
Figure 15
15

Figure
or probable
welldrained
drained sediment
sediment near
near
Figure 88 Confirmed or
probable Piano
Piano sites on well
(750feet
feetASL)
ASL)(Hamilton
(Hamilton 1996:59)
1996:59)
LakeMinong
Minongshorelines
shorelines(750
Lake

�1996:65). (Hamilton channels backwater deltaic along and beaches,
storm Minong on Sites Piano probable and Confirmed 9 Figure

16 Figure

�1). 1996:5 (Hamilton terraces river Holocene early
and Pleistocene late along sites Piano possible and Confirmed 10 Figure

17 Figure

�Figure 18
18
3ntour Interval = 10 metres

AN

1

Figure
PIano sites located
located upon
upon well-drained
well-drained knolls
knolls in
in upland
upland
Figure11
11 Possible Piano
regions
(Hamilton1996:47).
199647).
regions well
well removed
removedfrom
fromLake
LakeMinong
Minong(Hamilton

�Figure
Figure 19
19

Figure
Figure12
12Probable
ProbablePiano
Pianosites
siteson
on aa bedrock
bedrock controlled
controlledknoll
knoll
overlooking
overlookingPleistocene
Pleistocenefloodplain
floodplainzone
zone(Hamilton
(Hamilton1996:57).
1996:57).

�significantly smaller
smaller than
than the
the quarry-workshop
quarry-workshop sites
sites (such
(such as
as the
the Cummins Site),
When compared
compared to
to the
the quarry/workshop
quarry/workshop sites,
sites, these
these
and yield many fewer artifacts. When
small
sites
also
yield
a
much
higher
relative
frequency
of
tools,
preforms
tools, preforms and
small sites also
a much higher relative frequency
to debitage
debitage (Hamilton
(Hamilton 1996). This indicates that the small
utilized flakes compared to
sites represent
represent encampments,
encampments,hunting
hunting stands
stands and
and food procurement
procurement sites, rather
than
lithic extraction
extraction and reduction
stations. Such
Such observations
than lithic
reduction stations.
observations are hardly
surprising,
but
they
do
serve
as
cautionary
tales
regarding
surprising, but they do serve as cautionary tales regarding the dangers
dangers of
of
predicting site distribution on the basis of our current incomplete heritage
heritage inventory.
inventory.
predicting
in that
that they
theydemonstrate
demonstratethat
thatmodelling
modelling ancient
ancient
These examples are also important in
human behaviour
requires ongoing
ongoing refinement,
an understanding
of human
human
human
behaviour requires
refinement, an
understanding of
forager
behaviour, and a well-developed sense
sense of
of the
the nature
nature and
and structure
structure of
of the
forager behaviour,
ancient landscape
landscape and
and its
its microhabitats."
microhabitats."

As one leaves
delta (Minong,
(Minong, 9.5
9.5 ka
ka B.P.)
B.P.) and
and moves
As
leaves the Rosslyn
Rosslyn delta
moves up the
the
present Kaministiquia valley,
valley,one
one is
is in
in effect
effect travelling
travelling back
back in time.
time. The Stanley
delta was built into Lake Beaver Bay (9.7 ka
ka B.P.),
B.P.), the
the first
first Superior
Superior lake to occupy
occupy
the area recently
recently vacated
vacated by Marquette
Marquette ice
ice retreating
retreating from
from the
the Marks
Marks moraine.
moraine.
Though
perhaps less
less conspicuous,
conspicuous,Paleoindian
Paleoindiansites
sitesofofthis
this period
period are
are also
also
Though perhaps
present.
present.
The larger step back in paleogeography
paleogeography is
is to consider
consider the area that lies
lies to
to the
the
west
of the maximum
of the Marks
maximum position
position of
Marks moraine,
moraine, an area
area which
which remained
remained
west of
unglaciated by the Marquette readvance and
and which
which was
was freed
freed from
from ice
icearound
around 11.0
unglaciated
B.P. Figure
Figure 20
20 shows
shows the
the projected
projected maximum
maximum position
position of
ofthe
the Marquette
Marquettelobe
lobe and
and
ka B.P.
the large area covered
of aa pre-Marquette
pre-Marquette lake
lake (Early
(Early Lake
Lake Minong) ,
covered by the waters of
by the
the 1400' contour.
contour. On
Onthe
thebasis
basis of
of some
some long known sites,
now approximated by
both in the interior
Phillips and
and Hill (1995)
both
interior and
and on
on the
the Minnesota
Minnesota northshore,
northshore, Phillips
proposed that a Paleoindian
Paleoindian routeway
routeway along the Minnesota
Minnesota shore turned inland
of Judge
Judge C.
C. Magney
MagneyState
StatePark,
Park,towards
towardsNorth
Northand
andSouth
South Fowl
Fowl lakes
lakes and
and
just east of
in the
the Whitefish
number of more
more recently
recently discovered
discovered sites in
Whitefish Lake region.
region. A number
Whitefish -- Arrow
Arrow Lake
Lake corridor
corridor supports
supports the
the contention
contention that
that Paleoindian peoples
peoples
Whitefish
the Marquette
advance, and
were present in the area perhaps before and during the
Marquette advance,
that
corridor continued
continued to
to be used into
periods of
of Lake
that the corridor
into the
the post-Marquette
post-Marquette periods
Though conjectural,
conjectural, there
there is
is the possibility that after
Beaver Bay and Lake Minong. Though
the retreat of
of Marquette
Marquetteice
ice had
hadbegun,
begun,the
the Marks
Marks moraine
moraine itself
itself provided
provided aa high
ground
from the
the Whitefish
Whitefish Lake
Lake area
area along
along the north
of the
ground routeway
routeway from
north side
side of
Kaministiquia valley
of Thunder
Thunder Bay.
Bay.
Kaministiquia
valley and
andinto
intothe
the area
areato
to the
the north
northand
andeast
eastof

-

Stop 6 - Kakabeka Falls
Just west
west of
of the
the junction
junction of
of Hwy
Hwy 11-17 and the Stanley turn off,
off, the
the huge
Just
structure
of
the
Stanley
delta
is
seen
(Figure
21).
This
delta
was
formed
as the
structure of the Stanley delta seen (Figure 21). This delta was formed as
Kaministiquia River
Beaver Bay.
Bay. A
A well
welt formed
formed bluff representing a
River entered Lake Beaver
lower
Beaver
Bay
phase
of
260m
(853'),
runs
along
the north
north side
side of
of the main
main
lower Beaver Bay phase of 260m (853'), runs along the
highway, and the surface below
below itit (250-2401%
(250-240m;820-787')
820-787')is
is heavily
heavily exploited
exploited by the
sand and gravel industry. The present Kaministiquia river
river has
has incised
incised deeply into
into
the delta, creating a terraced valley side.

�Figure 2200
Figure

--

1 Kaminisliqili R. Valley
2 Whilefish Lake
4 N &amp; S Fowl Lake

5 Pigeon R.Valley
6 Silver Mountain

km

SW99

(Alter Phillips
and Hill
Hamilton 1996)
(After
Phillips and
Hill 1995:22-24,
1995:22-24, HuDUton
1996

Figure 13
Siteson
onthe
theUplands
Uplands west
westof
ofThunder
Thunder Bay
Bay
Figure
13 Some Piano Archaeological Sites

�-4

(

Shorelines -

Terraces -

-1

r
(from Grootenboer, 1972)

—

-C

-

Lower Beaver

-4

cirumlinoid

-r
Upp,

N

N

Beaver 88y

N

(

Figure 21

�Kakabeka
Kakabeka village
village is
is built
built on
on the
the floor (277m;
(277m; 909')
909') of
of an
an old
old distributary
distributaryof
of the
the
Kaministiquia
Kaministiquia river which cut through a higher terrace still (Figure 21). Remnants of
this
at around
around 300m
3Com(984')
(984')overlook
overlookthe
the village.
village. They
They represent
represent the
this terrace surface at
highest
Lake
and
highest level
level of
of the Stanley delta, as
asitit formed into Upper ~
a k eBeaver
~ e a v e Bay,
r
and on
on
the
of the
the Kaministiquia
KaministiquiaRiver,
River, the Crane
Crane site was found.
the one
one on
on the
the west
west side
side of
Kakabeka Falls is aa major
major scenic
scenic attraction.
attraction. ItIt is
is formed
formed as
as aa result of
of a very
was just
just this sort of
resistant chert bed that caps the
the underlying,
underlying, softer
softer shales.
shales. It was
rock material
material that was desired
desired for tool making. Today, a fairly spectacular gorge lies
lies
below
the
falls
(Figure
22).
There
has
been
some
debate
concerning
the
age
of
the
below the falls (Figure
gorge, since unless inherited and exhumed from
from a previous stage of
of river
river incision
to
prior to
there is only post
to the
the Marquette
Marquette readvance,
readvance, there
post Beaver
Beaver Bay
Bay time
time for it to
develop its current grandeur.
grandeur. An
An interesting
interestingabandoned
abandonedfalls
falls and
and plunge
plunge pool on
the west side of the gorge lies
lies aa short
short walk
walk from
from the
the Park
Park Information
Information Centre, and
represents
'horseshoe' fall that would have been more spectacular than the
represents a wide 'horseshoe'
present
present falls.
falls.

-

Stop 7 (several)
(several) - The
The Marks
Marks Moraine.
Moraine.
The route will turn on Hwy 590 just
just west of
of Kakabeka,
Kakabeka, run
run across
across the
the High
Beaver Bay terrace
terrace remnant
remnant (look
(lookfor
forthe
thecemetery
cemeteryon
onthe
the right)
right) and
and due
due west
west until
turning
Moraine. As
Asthe
thedirt
dirtroad
road rises
rises up
up the
the outer
outer face
face of
of
turning north
north towards the Marks Moraine.
the Marks
(1400') and 442m
Marks moraine it crosses
crosses two distinct
distinct benches at 42Gm
426m (1400')
(1450').
These shorelines
shorelines of
of pro-glacial
pro-glacial Lake
Lake Cedar
Cedar Creek
Creek have been traced all
(1450'). These
along
of the
theMarks
Marksmoraine
moraine (Jahnke,
(Jahnke, 1993)
1993) and
and represent
represent
along the outer
outer slope
slope of
stillstands in a lake earlier than and isolated
of the
the Superior
Superior basin.
isolated from the lakes of
The Marks
Marks Moraine.
Moraine.
Stopping
on the
46Cm (1510'),
(1510'),the
the view
view south
south over
over the
Stopping on
the crest
crest around
around 460m
Whitefish valley and the
the rugged
rugged borderland
borderland country
country of
of the mesa-like NorWesters
Norwesters is
spectacular. It is not hard
hard to
to envisage
envisage ice
ice pushing
pushing its
its way
way up to the Marks
Marks moraine,
moraine,
nor is it hard
to
imagine
pro-glacial
Lake
Cedar
Creek
occupying
the
narrow
strip
hard imagine pro-glacial Lake Cedar
between
between the
the moraine
moraine and
and the
the retreating
retreatingice
icemargin.
margin.
The moraine is not a simple structure.
structure. Although
Although characterised
characterised by
by aa till which
contains diagnostic pieces of Sibley red
red sedimentary
sedimentary rocks, along much its length
the Marks
joins and
Marks moraine
moraine joins
and smothers
smothers isolated
isolated rock
rock outcrops
outcrops which
which probably
probably
greatly
top of
of the
the moraine
greatly influenced
influencedthe
the extent to which the ice pushed inland. The top
kettles. Spillway
remarkable flat
flat in many
many places
places and
and is pockmarked
pockmarked with
with kettles.
is remarkable
Lake
at one
channels
channels cross
cross the
the feature
feature in
in places suggesting
suggesting that at
one point
point Lake
Kaministiquia to the north was a few metres higher than Lake Cedar Creek to the
south.
The moraine
moraine appears
appears to
to have
have briefly
briefly existed
existedas
as aa narrow
south. The
narrow ridge between
between
these two water
bodies,
and
a
possible
post-Marquette
routeway
for
animals
routeway for animals and
water
Paleo-lndian
Arrow/Whitefish region
region and
and
Paleo-Indian people, from the unglaciated
unglaciated (Marquette) ArrowIWhitefish
Interlakes corridor.
corridor.
Interlakes
The Conmee
Pit and
and spiliway.
spillway.
Conmee Pit
Continuing
north across
across the
the moraine
and then turning east brings
Continuing north
moraine and
brings the
the
excursion to
to a distinct
south across
across the moraine
excursion
distinct channel cutting from
from north to south
surface.
Here Conmee
Township has
has several
several gravel
gravel pits.
from the huge
surface. Here
Conmee Township
pits. Apart
Apart from
huge
boulder
beds that
that suggest
suggest high
high discharges
discharges down
down this
this spillway
spillway at
at times,
times, the
the pit
boulder beds

�Figure 22

(from Grootenboer, 1972)

�reveals another
another key
key fact
fact in
in understanding
local deglaciation.
deglaciation. Figure
Figure 23
23 shows
shows a
understanding local
rare occasion
occasion when
when the
the western
western pit
pit face
rare
face was cleanly
cleanly exposed.
exposed. Tickle
Tickle (1996)
(1996)
interpreted the
the sequence
sequence as
as consisting
consisting of
of two
two tills separated
interpreted
separated by
by fluvioglacial
fluvioglacial
sediments. However,
However,while
while one
one till
till was
was of
of diagnostic
diagnostic Sibley
Sibley origin,
origin, the
the underlying
sediments.
lobes.
one was of a northern provenance typical of the Patricia or Rainy River lobes.
Elsewhere,
at several
several places
places along
along the
the Marks
Marks moraine
moraine aa thin
thin Sibley till
Elsewhere, at
till is
p'astered over
over fluvioglacial
fluvioglacial sediments.
sediments.The
The observation
observationsuggests
suggeststhat
thatthe
thebulk
bulk of
of
plastered
the Marks moraine may
may in
in fact
fact be
be pre-Marquette
pro-Marquettein
inorigin,
origin,with
with thin
thin Marquette
Marquette ice
the moraine.
moraine.This
Thishas
hasbeen
beenthe
the growing
growing opinion
opinion of another local field
field
reoccupying the
Figure 3,
1999) and
and looking
the
worker (T.
(T. Noble,
Noble, pers.communication,
pers.communication, 1999)
looking at Figure
worker
3, the
possibility of the Marks moraine
moraine being
being the
the result
result of
of pushing
pushing the
the eastward
eastward part
part of
of the
the
possibility
former Brule moraine
till
contorted till
former
moraine is not
not unreasonable.
unreasonable. Several exposures
exposures of contorted
structures also support this idea.
idea.
Moraine scenic
Marks Moraine
scenic lookout.
lookout.
outofofthe
thepit
pitand
andagain
againatatthe
thecrossroad
crossroadbrings
bringsone
oneto
toaa point
point in
in
Turning left out
the road from
from which
which a view east over the Kaministiquia
Kaministiquia valley,
valley, Thunder
Thunder Bay city
the distant
distant Sleeping
Sleeping Giant
Giant is
is obtained.
obtained. The
The stop
stop is useful only to
to impress
impress
and the
of things. It is easy to imagine ice
viewers with scale of
ice grinding
grinding past
past Mt.
Mt. McKay
McKay and
and
flowing up
to imagine
imagine that
that aa slight
slight tilt
tilt of
of the
the present lake
flowing
up the valley, just as it is easy to
would bring the margin of the lake
lake right
right up
up into
into the
the Kaministiquia
Kaministiquia and
and Whitefish
Whitefish
valleys.
valleys.

1I
I
I

ii

I

to the
the crossroad,
crossroad, the
the route
routewill
will turn
turn left
leftdown
down the
the face
face of
of the Marks
Marks
Returning to
road is
is straight,
straight,save
savefor
foraajog
jogaround
aroundaakettle
kettlehole,
hole, and,
and, lower
lower down,
down,
moraine. The road
fields and along the stream
stream beds.
beds. Turning
Turning right
rightat
at Hwy
Hwy 11
11-17
rock is exposed in the fields
-17
back to
to Kakabeka
Kakabeka Falls.
Falls. From
Fromhere
herethe
theroute
routewill
will take
take Oliver
Oliver
brings the excursion back
Road back
back to
to the
the University.
University.The
The road
road climbs
climbs out
out of
of Kakabeka
over the
the Upper
Kakabeka over
Beaver Bay terrace remnant and then runs due east to Lakehead University.
University.
One landform of
of note
note on
on the
theway
wayisis aa crag
crag and
and tail
tail feature,
feature, showing the flow
up the
the Kaministiquia
Kaministiquiavalley.
valley.The
The'Old
'Old Barn'
Barn' restaurant
restaurantlies
lieson
on the
thetail
tail and
and on
on
of ice up
farmhouse, open
open for
for bed
bed and
and breakfast
breakfast (another
(another time,
time, eh!).
ehl). Just east
the crag is the farmhouse,
the north
north of
of Oliver
Oliver Road
Roadisisthe
theMurillo
Murillodrumlin
drumlinfield,
field, aa series
series of
of long
of Murillo but to the
narrow forms parallel to the
the strike
strike of
ofthe
theGunflint
Gunflintshales,
shales,suggesting
suggestingaagood
good deal
deal of
bedrock control.
bedrock

The
The excursion
excursion is over.
over. We
We hope that
that participants
participants obtained
obtained an informed
informed
glimpse of
of the
the deglaciation
deglaciation history
history and
and Paleoindian
presence in
in the area, and
glimpse
Paleoindian presence
and
enjoyed
enjoyed doing
doing so.
so.

I

�Figure
Figure23
23
.

,

Figure
Figure1.1
1.1 The
TheStudy
StudySite
Site--Conmee
Cn-mee Township
Townshipgravel
gravelpit
pi

SOUTH

Note:
Note: Vertical
Vertical sections
sectionstaken
takenatatnumbered
numberedlocations.
locations.

(from Tickle, 1996)

�References and
and Bibliography
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Levson, V.M. D.E. Kerr, and T.R.

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Archaeological Potential
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Archaeological
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Gwmorphologial and
Individual

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:

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Thedeglaciation
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�Ross,
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!

�TIlE PALEOPROTEROZOIC
GEOLOGY OF THE
GUNFLINT FORMATION

Peir Pufahi,
Pufahl, University
University of British Columbia
Fralick, Lakehead
Philip Fralick,
Lakehead University
John Scott,
John
Scott, Ministry
Ministry of
of Northern
Northern Development
Development &amp; Mines

Formation records
records a chemically dominated shelf
shelf
The Gunflint Formation
silica- and iron-rich
iron-rich precipitates
precipitates predominate.
predominate.
sequence in which silicathe role
role that both physical
physical and
and chemical
chemical
This frzp
trip will examine the
This
processes played in
invarious
variousshelf
shelf environments.
environments.

�FIELDTRIP 4
DEPOSITIONAL ENVIRONMENTS OF THE
PALEOPROTEROZOIC
GUNFLINT FORMATION
Pier Pufahl and Philip Fralick

INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
Paleoproterozoic
many other
other important
important
Paleoproterozoiciron
ironformations
formationshost
host most
mostof
of the
the world's iron ore and many

Consequentlythey
theyhave
havebeen
beenthe
the focus
focus of
of hundreds
hundreds of
of
mineral deposits
deposits (Simonson,
(Simonson, 1985).
1985). Consequently
mineralogical, geochemical
investigations. However, in
in spite
spiteof
ofthis
immense
mineralogical,
geochemical and sedimentological investigations.
this immense
amount of data no consensus has ever
ever been
been reached
reachedas
asto
totheir
theirorigins.
origins. Some
Some of
of this
this controversy
controversy
stems
accumulated
stems from a poor understanding of the sedimentological environments in which they accumulated
(Simonson, 1985). They
were
deposited
during
a
unique
interval
of
earth
history
when
grossly
They were deposited during a unique interval
different
prevailed (Cloud, 1973), and therefore
therefore lack
lack precise
precise
different atmospheric
atmosphericand
and hydrologic
hydrologic conditions
conditions prevailed
modem analogues (Simonson, 1985; Fralick and Barrett,
Barrett, 1995). Modem
subaqueous
hot-spring
Modem subaqueous hot-spring
activity has provided
sediments, but
but the
provided clues to understanding
understanding the precipitation
precipitation of iron-rich sediments,
mineralogy and
deposits is not
not comparable
comparable to
tothe
thelarge
largePaleoproterozoic
Paleoproterozoic iron
iron
mineralogy
and areal
areal extent
extent of modem deposits
formations
deposited during
during the
the Earths
Barren, 1995).
1995). Detailed
formations deposited
Earth's early
early history
history (Fralick
(Fralick and
and Barrett,
petrographic
to interpreting the
the paragenesis
paragenesis of
of
petrographic investigations
investigations of iron formations
formations have contributed to
syndepositional, diagenetic and metamorphic mineral
mineral assemblages,
assemblages, but
but they
they have done little to
provide
detailed, reliable information
information regarding
regarding iron
iron formation
formationdepositional
depositionalprocesses.
processes. Minerals
Minerals and
and
provide detailed,
textures are
are commonly
commonly altered
altered to
to secondary
secondary assemblages, and when primary minerals
minerals are
are present
present
theoretical
has been
been limited in
in its
its ability to explain
explain their genesis
genesis (Fralick
(Fralick and
and
theoretical chemical
chemical modelling
modelling has
Barrett,
Barren, 1995).
1995). Paleoenvironmental
Paleoenvironmentalinferences
inferencesfrom
fromgrain-size
grain-sizedistributions
distributionsin
in iron
iron formations
formationsare
are
also plagued with
with uncertainty
uncertainty because
because they
they are
are commonly
commonly indurated,
indurated, diagenetically
&amp;genetically altered,
altered, and
and
frequently fine-grained
fine-grained (Simonson,
(Simonson, 1985).
1985).
Fortunately, these problems can be overcome by combining a regional basin analysis
analysis of
clastic
clastic and
and volcanic
volcanicrocks
rocks surrounding
surroundingiron
iron formations
formations with detailed
detailed examination
examination of vertical and
lateral
facies
trends
within
chemical
sedimentary
successions
(Fralick
and
Barrett,1995).
1995).Associated
Associated
lateral faciestrends withinchemical sedimentary successions(Fralick and Barren,
sedimentary
settings. Sedimentary structures
sedimentary and volcanic rocks provide data on depositional settings.
structures and
lithic
processes, and
lithic associations
associationswithin
within iron
iron formations
formationsgive
give information on physical sedimentary processes,
regional basin analysis
analysis provides a framework
framework within which to
to view
view iron
ironformation
formationgenesis.
genesis.
Combining these techniques
techniques makes
makes paleogeographic
paleogeographic reconstruction
reconstruction and depositional
depositional modelling
modelling
Barrett, 1995).
1995). This is the same
same approach
approach used by sedimentologists
sedimentologists and
possible (Fralick and Barrett,
stratigraphers
to
reconstruct
clastic
depositional
systems.
stratigraphers reconstruct clastic depositional systems.
Location
Location
The
United States,
The main
main portion
portionofthe
of theGunflint
Gunflintiron
ironrange
rangeextends
extends170
170km
km northeast
northeast from
from the United
States,
at Gunflint
Lake,
to
Loon
Lake,
Ontario
(Figure
1).
In
Minnesota
the
Gunflint
forms
a
narrow
belt
Gunflint
1). In
narrow belt

�Figure 1. Distribution
Figure
Distributionof
ofPaleoproterozoic
Paleoproterozoic iron
iron formations in the Lake Superior region.

Ontario

f

GUNFLINT

—

——

—

-S. —

—

1

4+(

41-4 i2H-'

•4.*

4+4+444443+ +4.

A

.

—.

MESABI

Cf 'of

MARQUETTE

t,++ •+ 4j 4+4+ 4 + 4

:
444

+44

CUYUNA

F

rocks younger than
early Proterozoic
Proterozoic
early
_____ Penokean plutonics
L
and volcanics
early Proterozoic
early
____ rocks, BIF in black
Archean greenstone -::.:;:; Archean
granite terrane

.:

+'4"

+

...

+44

.

.

.

444+ •831 •44

GOGEBIC

.... ....
. .....

.

__

A

.

44+
44
4.44
4+

L5r

';

I,

Ii

II.—

/

i/pt/li/I

p/il, '1/

LEGEND

—

I,

Archean
Archean gneiss
gneiss terrane
terrane

I

/
t
t
-

.

-

Minnesota

I-

ON R1VE

-

Wisconsin.

C.

L100km

I
.

�20
the southwest
southwest by
bythe
theDuluth
DuluthComplex.
Complex. Erosional remnants 98 km
20 km long which is truncated to the
northeast
Ontario, suggest
suggest apre-erosional
apre-erosional continuation
continuation of the
the chemical
chemical
northeast of
of Thunder
Thunder Bay at Schreiber, Ontario,
sedimentary
rocks
to
the
east.
sedimentary rocks to the east.

Previous
Previous Work
Work
The Gunflint
was discovered
discovered in
in 1850.
1850. The
Gunflint iron formation was
The earliest
earliest recorded
recorded geological
investigation of the Gunflint
by E. D. Ingall in 1887 (Ingall, 1888), who briefly
briefly
Gunflint was conducted by
described the iron-bearing
and Whitefish
Whitefish Lake.
Lake. Other early accounts
iron-bearing strata near Silver Mountain and
accounts
were made by
general
by Smith
Smith (1905)
(1905) and Silver
Silver (1906).
(1906). Van
VanHise
Hiseand
and Leith
Leith in
in 1911
1911presented
presented aa general
overview of the iron bearing rocks
rocks in
in the
the Thunder
ThunderBay
Baydistrict.
district. In 1924 J. E. Gill was
was the
the first to
to
describe
its stratigraphy
stratigraphynortheast
northeastof
ofSilver
SilverMountain.
Mountain. In 1927
describe the Gunflint in detail, and in 1926, its
Gill published
the chemical
chemical sediments.
sediments. T. L. Tanton described the
published again, this
this time on the origin of the
iron prospects at
at Mink
Mink Mountain
Mountain in
in 1923,
1923, and in 1931
1931 gave an overview of the general geology in
the vicinity
vicinity of
of Thunder
Thunder Bay.
Bay.
In 1956
formation was divided by Goodwin
Goodwin (1956)
(1956) into six major sedimentary
sedimentary facies
1956the iron formation
facies
representing
Conglomerate Member,
Member, 2) Lower
Lower
representingtwo
twodepositional
depositionalcycles
cyclesand
and four
four members,
members, a 1)
1)Basal Conglomerate
Gunflint
Member,
3)
Upper
Gunflint
Member
and
4)
Upper
Limestone
Member;
which
are
largely
Gunflint Member, 3)
Gunflint Member

correlative with Broderick's (1920) four-fold division of
of the Gunflint
Gunflint iron
iron range
range in northeastern
Minnesota and Wolff
Wolffss (1917) subdivision of the
the Biwabik
Biwabii iron
iron range
range in
in east-central
east-central Minnesota
Minnesota
(Figure 2). He
He also
alsodrew
drewattention
attentionto
to evidence
evidence of widespread volcanism associated with deposition
of
the
chemical
sediments
and
suggested
the iron
iron and
and silica.
silica. In 1960
Goodwin
of the chemical sediments and suggested a volcanic source for the
1960Goodwin
and Moorehouse published the first detailed geological maps of the region (scale 1:31
1:31 680)
680) and
and
reported
on
the
economic
potential,
mineralogy
and
chemistry
of
the
iron
bearing
strata,
and
reported
the economic potential, mineralogy and chemistry of the
bearing
modified
modified Gunflint
Gunflintstratigraphy
stratigraphyinto
intoaaLower
Lowerand
and Upper
Upper Gunflint
Gunflint depositional
depositionalcycle
cycle composed
composedof
of 10
10
members; a Basal
Lower Taconite,
Taconite, Local
Local Lava
Lava
Basal Conglomerate,
Conglomerate, Lower Algal Chert, Lower Shale, Lower
Flows, Upper Algal Chert,
Chert, Upper Jasper, Upper Shale,
Shale, Upper
Upper Taconite and an
an Upper Limestone
Limestone
member. Fralick and Barrett
Barrett (1995)
(1995) have
have recently
recently redefined
redefined Gunflint
Gunflint stratigraphy
stratigraphy as
as simply
simply
member.
consisting
oncolitric cherts,
cherts, and
and cherty
cherty
consisting of
of 22 members;
members; aa lower
lower member
member comprised
comprised of
of basal algal and oncolitric
They
grainstones,
and
an
upper
member
similar
in
stratigraphy
to
the
lower
member.
grainstones,
upper member similar in stratigraphy to the lower member. They have
interpreted
interpreted this
this succession
successionas
as representing
representing aa wave- and
and tide-dominated inner shelf
shelf sequence.
Floran
Lougheed (1983)
(1983) and
and Simonson
Simonson
Papike (1975),
(1975), Randazzo
Floran and
and Papike
Randazzo and Markun (1980), Lougheed
(1987)
mineral assemblages comprising
comprising the
the ~Gunflint
(1987) have
have given
givendetailed
detkled petrographic
ietro&amp;aphicdescriptions
descriptionsof
ofmineral
unflint
iron
formation. The
iron formation.
TheGunflint
Gunflintvolcanics
volcanics(Goodwin,
(Goodwin,1956,1960)
1956,1960)have
havebeen
been petrographically
petrographically described
described
by Hassler and Simonson
by Kissin and
REE geochemistry
geochemistry has been determined by
Simonson (1989). Their
TheirREE
Fralick
exhalative origin
Fralick (1994).
(1994). Carbon
Carbonand
andsulfur
sulfurisotopic
isotopicstudies
studieshave
have indicated a hydrothermal exhalative
geochemical
source for
for the
the iron
iron (Cameron,
(Cameron, 1983;
1983; Carrigan
Camgan and
as the source
and Cameron,
Cameron, 1991).
1991). Other geochemical
investigations
investigations(Kronberg
(Kronbergand
and Fralick,
Fralick,1992)
1992)have
have attributed
attributedthe
the alteration
alteration of the Archean basement
to the penetration
penetration of
Gunflint-derived fluids
diagenetic or low-grade metamorphic
metamorphic conditions.
conditions.
of Gunflint-derived
fluids under
under diagenetic
Detailed accounts
accounts of
of
The overlying Rove Formation
Formation was
was described
described by Morey
Morey (1967,
(1967, 1969).
1969). Detailed
microfossils preserved
and Barghoorn (1
(1954),
Barghoorn
microfossils
preservedwithin
withinGunflint
Gunflintchert
chertare
arerecorded
recordedby Tyler andBarghoom
954), Barghoom
and Tyler (1965a,b),
Awramik (1976).
(1976).
(1965a,b), Edhom
Edhom(1973)
(1973) and
and Awramik

�S.

I

....

Basal con
glomeraté

Iron Formation

Gunflint

.

.

Formatin

Pokagama
Quartzite

Biwabik
Iron Formation

0

a
=

Dunham
Formation

Glen Township
Formation

lJttie Falls
Formation

Trout Lake
Formation

Mahnomen
Formation

Trommaid
Formation

Formation

Rabbit Lake

Virginia
Formation

Rove

Morey, 1978

White, 1954

Goodwin, 1958

Cuna range

Mesath range

Gunflirite

Northwest segment

S

a

a
Sunday
Quartzite

Bad River
Dolomite

Palms
Formation

Formation

Iron-

Ironwood

Formation

Tyler

Aldrich, 1929

Blair

/
Ajibik
Quartzite

Siamo Slate

Negaunee
Iron Formation

Goodrich
Quartzite

Michigamme
Formation

Cannon, 1986

Marquette range

Archean rocks, undivided

Bad River
Dolomite

Palms
Formation

Creek
Formation

Emperor
Volcanic
Compl

Formation

copp

NFormation

N Michigamrne

GogeLNcrage

For mation

Reany Creek

Enchantment
Lake Formation

Mesnard
Quartzite

Kona Dolomite

Wewe Slate

Quartz ite

Ajibik

Siamo Slate

Formation

Iron-

Negaunee

Goodrich
Quartz ite

Thaden, 1968

Marquette range

Saunders

Hemlock
Formation

Amasa and
Fence River
Formations

Michigamme
Slate

Green stone

Badwater

Cannon, 1986

A7uPhft

-

Southeast segment

Hemlock
Formation

Amasa and
Fence River
Formations

Mithigamme
Slate

Dunn Creek
Slate

Badwater
Greenstone

Riverton
Iron Formation

Fortune
Lakes Slate
Stambaugh
Formation
Hiawatha
Graywacke

Cannon, 1986

ta

Figure 2. Proposed correlations ofAnimikie Group sediments in the Lake Superior region.

Fern Creek
Formation

Qua rtzite

Sturgeon

Randville
Dolomite

Fetch
Formation

Formation

Iron-

Vulcan

Michigamme
Slate

Badwater
Greenstone

ratttn

2

j

a

a
0

0

C
E

a

0

0.
=

I!

a

d.

0

a
=

I

0

0,
=

0

a
=

2
2'
0

a
=

�Figure 3.
Gunflint sediments
sediments outcropping
outcropping at
at the spiiway
Photographs of
of Gunflint
spillway section
section near
Figure
3. Photographs
Kakabeka Falls. A) Trough
Kakabeka
Troughcross-stratified
cross-stratified"lapihi"
'Tap(Â¥//i"tuff'(reworke
volcaniclastic
tuff (reworked
rip-ups).
rip-ups).
ofseqAence.
B) Large
Largealgal
algalbioherm
biohermdraped
drapedby
by shales
shales at
at the
the base of
sequence.

I

A

C!

__

-

-—

,

-: r' a
-a

/ -

-

/

-

;1

'.

,

-

2

-

-

I

—

_----1-_

-

ft

/;

-

I

.-;C

f

�Several
isotopic investigations
investigations have
have constrained
constrainedthe
the depositional
depositionalage
ageof
of the
the Gunflint
Several isotopic
Formation between
between 1.6
1.6 and
and 2.0
2.0Ga.
Ga. Hurley
Hurley et
et al.
at (1962)
minimum age
age of
of deposition
depositionof
of
(1962) obtained aa minimum
about
K-Ar methods,
methods, to
to which
which they
theyapplied
appliedan
anempirical
empiricalcorrection
correction factor,
factor,
about 1.6
1.6 Ga
Ga by both Rb-Sr and K-Ar
which allowed
age of
ofapproximately
approximately 1.9
1.9Ga
Ga(Stille
and Clauer,
Clauer, 1986).
1986). Faure and
which
allowed them to propose an age
(Stille and
approximately 1.6
1.6 Ga.
Ga. More
Kovach (1969) also obtained a Rb-Sr isochron age of approximately
More recently,
recently, Stille
Stille
Clauer (1986) obtained
about 2.08
2.08 Ga
Ga for
forvolcanic
volcanicslates
slatesinterbedded
interbedded
and Clauer
obtained a Sm-Nd isochron age of about
with iron-bearing
iron-bearing strata
strata of the Guntlint
Gunflint Formation.

The absolute age
age of
of the
the Gunflint Formation
Formationwas
wasdetermined
determinedby
byFralick
Fralicketetal.
a. (1998) by
conducting
U-Pb,
single
zircon
geochronology
on
a
sample
population
from
reworked
tuffs
conducting U-Pb, single zircon geochronology on a
population from reworked tuffs
outcropping near Kakabeka
Kakabeka Falls
Falls (Figure
(Figure3),
3),aaeuhedral
euhedralzircon
zircongave
gaveaaconcordant
concordantage
ageof
of1878
1878zE2
Â±
outcropping
(Figure 4) which Fralick et al.
at (1998)
(Figure
(1998)argue
argueis
is the
the depositional
depositional age of this unit.

I

KB-TUFF
Brown euhedral
zircons

.34

.338

.336

.334

.332

5.2

5.25

5.3

5.35

5.4

5.45

fromthe
theupper
upperGunflint
GunflintFormation
Formation (Fralick,
(Fralick,etetal,
at 1998)
1998)
Figure 4. Concordia
Concordiadiagram
diagramfor zirconsfrom
Animikie Basin
Paleoproterozoic sedimentary
Animikie Basin
Basin form a southwardsouthwardThe Paleoproterozoic
sedimentaryrocks
rocks deposited
deposited in
in the Animikie
thickening wedge
province, which
truncated in
in eastthickening
wedge covering
coveringthe
the southern
southernmargin
marginof
of the
the Superior
Superiorprovince,
which is truncated
central Minnesota
and
northern
Wisconsin
by
the
'Penokean"
magmatic
terranes".
Sedimentation
Minnesota
by the "Penokean"
terranes". Sedimentation
began approximately
prior to
to or during
during
approximately 2.1
2.1 Ga
Ga ago
ago and
and ceased
ceased roughly 1.85
1.85 Ga ago (Morey, 1983), prior
the Penokean orogeny of Goldich et al.
at (1961).
The
nature
of
the
sediment
varies
considerably,
The
nature
of
the
sediment
varies
considerably,
(1961).
ranging
the thick
thick successions
successions of
of
ranging from
from volcanic
volcanic and
and clastic to the chemical precipitates which form the
iron formation. The
Thetermination
terminationof
ofthe
thePenokean
Penokeanorogeny
orogeny marked
marked the onset
onset of an intrusive igneous
phase
plutons into
into the
theAnimikie
Animikiesediments
sediments
emplaced subduction
subductionrelated
related tonalitic
tonalitic and granitic plutons
phase which
which emplaced
related volcanics
volcanics of the
the Wisconsin
Wisconsin magmatic
magmatic terranes.
terranes. The
the basin
basin was
was
The present form of the
and the arc related

�achieved
around1.1
1.1 Ga
Gaago
achieved around
ago (Silver
(Silver and Green, 1972;
1972; Hanson,
Hanson, 1975;Wanless
Wanless and
and Lovebridge,
Lovebridge, 1978)
1978)
System (King
(King and Zietz,
1971)
when a north-northwest trending
trending branch of the Midcontinental Rift System
Zietz, 1971)
separated the Animikie
Animikie sediments
southeastern segment (Morey, 1983).
separated
sediments into a northwestern and southeastern
1983).

of the Animikie
Animikie Group unconformably
unconformably overlays
overlays the
the Superior
The northwestern segment of
Province
Malinomen Formation),
Province and
and consists
consistsof a basal sandstone-siltstone (Pokegama
(Pokegama Quartzite, Mahnomen
Formation),
(Gunflint, Biwabik,
Biwabii, Trommald iron formations), and a thick, upper,
formation (Gunflint,
iron formation
upper, shale-siltstone
shale-siltstone
sequence (Rove, Virginia and Rabbit
Rabbit Lake
Lake Formations).
Formations). In east-central Minnesota the
the Thomson
Formation
Rove, Virginia
Virginia and
and Rabbit
Rabbit Lake
Lake Formations,
Formations, has
has also
also
Formation which has similar
similar lithology to the Rove,
considered correlative
and Ojakangas,
Ojakangas, 1970). However,
been considered
correlativeto the Animikie Group (Morey and
However, recent
recent

structural interpretations
have complicated
complicated the
the correlation
interpretations have
correlation of these units
units (Ojakangas,
(Ojakangas, 1995);
1995);
northward
Penokean Orogeny
Orogenyhas
hasjuxtaposed
units of
ofdiffering
differingEarly
EarlyProterowic
Proterozoic
juxtaposedunits
northward thrusting
thrustingduring
during the Penokean
ages in east-central Minnesota
(Southwick
et
al.,
1991; Hemming,
Hemming,
Minnesota
at, 1988; Southwick and Morey, 1991;
1994). Similar
within the
the southeastern
southeastern segment
segment in
in
Similarstructural
structuralcomplexities
complexities also hinder correlation within
northern Wisconsin
1991
;
Gregg
1993).
northern
Wisconsin and
and the
the Upper
Upper Peninsula
Peninsula of Michigan (Klasner et al.,
at, 1991;
1993).

The
were deformed
deformed during
during the
the Penokean
Penokean orogeny,
orogeny,
The sedimentary
sedimentary rocks
rocks of the Animikie Basin were
and Archean
Archean rocks
rocks along
along the
the
forming a zone
zone of
of deformed
deformed and
and metamorphosed
metamorphosed Paleoproterozoic and
southern
margin of the Superior Province
Province (Sims,
(Sims. 1991). It is thought to
to have
have occurred
occurred between
between 1.9
1.9
southern margin
and Bickford,
Bickford, 1985). In the Great Lakes region it
and 1.76 Ga (Van Schmus, 1976; Van Schmus and
forms
the Late
Archean crust
crust of the
the Superior
Superior Province
Province and
and the
the
forms the transition
transition between
between the
Late Archean
Paleoproterozoic
Paleoproterowic continental crust of the Mazatzal
Mazatzal and Yavapai
Yavapai provinces of the southwestern
southwestern
Deformation along
United
United States
States(Sims
(Simsand
and Petennan,
Peterman,1986;
1986;Hoffman,
Hofflnan, 1989;
1989;Barovich
Barovich et al.,
at, 1989). Deformation
this
thrusting and development of basement
basement gneiss
gneissdomes
domes(Southwick
(Southwicket
etal.,
this tectonic
tectonic front
front involved
involved thrusting
at,
Minnesota, northern
northern Wisconsin
Wisconsin and
and the
the
1988). Rocks of the orogeny are exposed in east-central Minnesota,
1988).
Upper Peninsula
Peninsulaof
of Michigan.
Michigan.

The orogeny
Animikie strata
strata and
and a southern
orogeny consists
consists of a northern
northern zone of deformed
deformed Animikie
southern
assemblage
plutonic rocks
rocks of
of the
the Wisconsin
Wisconsin
assemblageof
of arc-related
arc-related volcanics
volcanics and synorogenic, calc-alkaline plutonic

magmatic terranes, separated by
by the Niagra Fault Zone
Zone in
in northern
northern Wisconsin
Wisconsin and the
the Upper
Upper
Peninsula
1989)
and
by
the
Malmo
Discontinuity
in
east-central
Minnesota
1989)
and
by
the
Malmo
Discontinuity
in
east-central
Minnesota
Peninsulaof
of Michigan
Michigan(Sims
(Sims et al.,
at,
(Southwick and
and Morey,
Morey, 1991).
1991).
(Southwick

The earliest sedimentological
for the
the Animikie
Animikie Basin
Basin relied
relied on
on the
the work
work of
of James
James
sedimentological models for
(1954)
successions evolved from
from aa "miogeosynclinal"
"miogeosynclinal" sequence
sequence
(1954) who concluded
concluded that iron formation successions
to a "eugeosynclinal"
during Paleoproterowic
Paleoproterozoictime.
time. James'
James original ideas were then
"eugeosynclinal" assemblage during

discarded in the mid
sediments in
in aa rift-like
rift-like basin
basin
discarded
mid 1970's
1970's in
in favour
favour of
of deposition
deposition of Animikie
Animikie sediments
(Cambray, 1978).
1978). In
Inthis
thismodel
modelrifling
riftingwas
wasfollowed
followedby
by the
theultimate
ultimateclosure
closureof
of the
the basin
basin with
with the
the
and
Penokean orogeny.
orogeny. In the early
early 1980's
1980's Young
Young (1983),
(1983), by analogy
analogy with other Phanerozoic and
Proterozoic
tectonic and sedimentary history
history of
ofProterozoic
Proterozoicdepositional
depositionalbasins,
basins, interpreted
interpretedthe
the tectonic
Proterozoic rocks
in the northern Great Lakes region in terms of an aulacogen model.
model. Unfortunately,
Unfortunately, there was no
general consensus on the driving force which
which caused
caused the
the basin
basin to
to form and the characteristic
characteristic
sediments
analogous
to
rift/aulacogen
depositional
systems
are
absent.
In
In the mid 1980's
1980's continued
sediments analogousto rifVaulacogen depositional systems
research lead to
to significant
significant advancements
advancements in understanding
understanding the tectonics associated with basin
development. These
Thesestrides
strideslead
leadHoffman
Hofflnan(1987)
(1987)to
tosuggest
suggestdeposition
depositionof
ofchemical-sediments
chemical-sediments

�Icr\,

member 2
member

member!1
member

member 4
member 3
member

member S
member
5

, I.
p..)

:

I

20m
C

ra'&lt;

I

I

C)

t ININ

coarsening upwards sequence

transgression
basal transgression
middle transgression

upper transgression

Stratigraphk section
from holes
Figure 5. Stratigraphic
sectionthrough
throughthe
theGunflint
GunflintFormation
Formationbased
basedon
on drill
drill core
corefrom
Figure
is
aafew
few kilometres
kilometres north
north of the
the US
US border.
barrfcr.A
A detailed
detailed discussion
discusshn of the lithofacies is

-

-

L

(sen/o/In the tort

'ft Up vorlion graillsizg
changes in water
4
tR1 In4n-nt clianees
trends.,,

L

[_Z L L

�occurred
crustal loading
occurredin
inaamigrating
migratingperipheral
peripheralforeland
forelandbasin
basinwhich
whichformed
formedin
in response
response to crustal
loading during
during
the
thePenokean
Penokeanorogeny.
orogeny.Southwick
Southwicketetatal.(1988)
(1988)and
andSouthwick
Southwickand
andMorey
Morey(1991)
(1991)then
thenreinterpreted
reinterpreted
the
at, 1960)
1960)in
in Minnesota. Like
LikeHoffman,
Hoffinan,(1987)
(1987)
thesegment
segmentof
ofthe
thePenokean
Penokean orogeny
orogeny (Goldich, et al.,
they
peripheral foreland
theyalso
alsoconcluded
concludedthat
thatthe
theAnimikie
AnimikieGroup
Groupaccumulated
accumulatedin
inaaperipheral
forelandbasin
basinand
andthat
thatiron
iron
formation
formationdeposition
depositionoccurred
occurredin
inthree
threedistinct
distincttectonic
tectonic settings
settings as
as the orogeny evolved.
evolved. Recently,
Recently,
Pufahl
(1995, 1996)
1995) have
Pufahl(1995,
1996)and
andHemming
Hemming(1994,
(1994,1995)
have demonstrated
demonstrated that this tectonic
tectonic model
model is
is no
no
longer
1995) contends
longervalid.
valid. Hemming
Hemming(1994,
(1994,1995)
contendsthat
thatnedodimium
nedodimiumand
and lead
lead isotopic
isotopic evidence
evidence for
for the
provenance
provenanceof
ofthe
theAnimikie
AnimikieGroup
Groupis
isconsistent
consistentwith
with the
the tectonic
tectonic evolution
evolution of
of the Animikie
Animikie Basin
Basin
beginning
telescoped back arc basin
basin that
that
beginningas
asaapassive
passivemargin
marginwithin
withinaaback
backarc
arc basin,
basin, and
and ending
ending as a telescoped
closed
closedas
asaa result
resultof
ofaa change
change in
in relative
relative plate convergence
convergence direction. Nevertheless,
Nevertheless,in
in recent
recentyears
years
the
theforeland
forelandmodel
modelhas
hasreached
reachedwidespread
widespreadacceptance
acceptancebased
basedon
on high
high resolution
resolution aeromagnetic
data,
aeromagneticdata,
exploratory
exploratory drilling
drillingthrough
through structurally
structurally complex
complex regions, and sedimentological
sedientological investigations
investigations of
clastic
(Hoffman, 1987;
1987;Southwick
Southwicketal.
etat,,1988;
1988; Southwick
clasticunits
unitsabove
aboveand
and below
below iron-bearing strata (Hoffman,
Southwick
and
andMorey,
Morey,1991;
1991;Ojakangas,
Ojakangas,1995).
1995).

GUNFLINT
GUNFLINTIRON
IRONFORMATION
FORMATION
PALEOGEOGRAPHIC
PALEOGEOGRAPHICRECONSTRUCTION
RECONSTRUCTION
Interpretations
Interpretations presented
presented here
here are
are based
based on
on the
the study
study of
of core
core drilled
drilled through
through the
the Gunflint
Guntlint
Formation.
Formation. The
The Formation
Formation has
has been
been divided
divided into
into five
five members
members based
based on
on distinct
distinct lithofacies
lithofacies
associations
associationsand
andcontrolled
controlledby
bytransgressive-regressive
transgressive-regressivecycles
cycles(Figure
(Figure5).
5). The
The strand
strand proximal
proximal
succession
fine-grained, chemical
chemical sediments
sediments
successionpresent
presentin
inNorthwestern
NorthwesternOntario
Ontarioofflaps
offlapsto
to the south as fine-grained,
of
6 and
and 7).
7). This
of the
the slope
slopeare
are approached
approachedin
in the
the Cuyuna
Cuyuna Iron
Iron Range
Range (Figures
(Figures 6
Thischapter
chapterwill
will give
give

detailed
detailed interpretations
interpretations of the
the depositional
depositional environment
environment of each
each of
of these
these members;
members; but
but first
first an
an
overview
overviewof
ofnearshore
nearshoresedimentation
sedimentationisispresented.
presented.

Lateral
Lateral and
and vertical
vertical facies
facies changes
changes within
within the
the Gunflint
Gunflint Formation
Formation indicate
indicate deposition
deposition
occurred
on
a
shallow,
non-barred,
microtidal,
storm-enhanced
shelf
with
little
influx.
occurred on a shallow, non-barred, microtidal, storm-enhanced shelf with little clastic
clasticinflux.
Bedforms
Bedformsand
andinternal
internalsedimentary
sedimentarystructures
structurescomposing
composingGunflint
Guntlintstrata
strataare
are directly
directly comparable
comparable to
to
those
found
in
modern
nearshore-to-shallow
marine
clastic
and
carbonate
depositional
those found in modern nearshore-to-shallow marine clastic and carbonate depositionalsystems.
systems.
These
These facies
facies trends
trendsrecord
recordenergy
energytransformations
transformationsfrom
fromdeep
deep water,
water, offshore
offshorewaves
waves to
to nearshore,
nearshore,
shoaling
conditions. Minor
shoaling waves
waves under
under fairweather
fairweather and storm conditions.
Minor mafic
mafic flows (Goodwin, 1960)
1960) and
extensive
extensivetuffaceous
tuffaceoushorizons
horizons(Hassler
(Hassler and
and Simonson,
Simonson,1989)
1989)within
within the
the Gunflint
Gunflint indicate
indicate that
that the
the
region
region was
was volcanically
volcanicallyactive
activeat
at the
the time
time of
of basin
basin formation
formationand
and subsidence
subsidence (Fralick
(Fralick and Barrett,
Barren,
1995).
1995). The
Themain
mainmorphological
morphologicalelements,
elements,bedforms
bedformsand
andinternal
internal sedimentary
sedimentary structures
structures along
along aa
typical
typical beach-shoreface-offshore
beach-shoreface-offshore profile
profile are
are shown
shown in
in Figure
Figure 8.
8. The
Thefollowing
followingsummary
summary of
of these
these
features
and Clifton
Clifton et.
et. al.
at (1971).
features is
is taken
taken from
from Walker and Plint (1992), Einsele (1992) and
(1971).

The
foreshore, also
portion above
above the
the low
low tide
tide line
line
alsosynonymous
synonymouswith
with beach,
beach, consists
consistsof
of the
the portion
Theforeshore,
In the
the foreshore
foreshore zone
zone the
the most
most
and
and is
is dominated
dominatedby
by the
theswash
swashand
andbackwash
backwash of
of breaking
breakingwaves.
waves. In
high
characteristic
dipping seaward.
seaward. On
characteristicfeature
featureis
is parallel
parallel to
to low-angle
low-angle cross-bedding
cross-bedding dipping
On non-barred
non-barred high
inner
(upper
foreshore),
planar
zone
and
energy
an
energyshorelines,
shorelines,two
twoplanar
planarlaminated
laminatedzones
zonesoccur,
occur,an
an inner (upper foreshore), planar zone and an
outer
(lower
foreshore)
planar
zone
within
the
zone
of
breaking waves.
waves. In between these
outer (lower foreshore) planar zone within
these two
two zones
zones
depositional features.
the
the bedding
beddingsurface
surfacebecomes
becomesrough
roughdue
dueto
to dotted
dotted and
andirregular
irregularerosional
erosionaland
and depositional
features.

�Figure 6.
Figure
6. Location of driliholes depicted on Figure 7.

�G-1

MGS-8

Mahnomen Fm (Cs)

18290

Rabbit Lake Fm (Vs)

SW

Is. •

-.4

MGS-7

MGS-2

20m

Figure 7.

30f

TB0642
4 Gp,GIICS

TB0218

Rove Fm (Vs)

NE

slope.

The green units are fine-grained volcaniclastics.
Other units are described in the text.

sections are from logged driliholes (for locations see Figure
6). Sc and Si arc fine-graincd chemical sediments of the

Lithofacies distribution across the Gunflint, Mesabi and
Cuyuna shelf to slope depositional system. Stratigraphic

Kakabeka Conglomerate (Cp)

GF-3

ftp
Pokegama Quartzite (Cs)

MGS-5

Virginia Fm (Vs)

�Morphological elements,
and internal
Figure &amp;
elements, bedforms
bedforms and
internal sedimentary
sedimentary structures
structures along
along aa
Figure
8. Morphological
typical
beach-shoreface-offs
bore
profile.
@pica1beach-shoreface-offshoreprofile.

-

ZONE
ZONE OF
OF
SHOALING
SHOALING WAVES

SURF ZONE

fairweather wave
base
!Sn'9
P2

stormwave
wave
storm
basebase

S

SHOREFACE
SHOREFACE

SHELF
INNER SHELF

(subtidal)
(subtidal)
Beciforms
Bedforms

Grain
Grain size
size

-

parallel - laminated
laminated mud facies
fades

silt and
and clay
clay

—I
I
lunate
lunate outer
assymetric
HCS
HCS
assYmetric dune
planar
dune planar
fades facies
facies rippled facies
facies
fades facies
facies

fine
sand
sand
- silt
silt

-

-

fine fine
medium
medium
sand
sand

FORE
FORE

BACK
BACK

SHORE SHORE
SHORE
SHORE
(supratidal)
(intertidal) (supratidal)
(intertidal)
inner
inner
rough
rough
facies
facies

inner
inner
planar
planar

fades
facies

coarse
coarse fine sand
sand - fine
mediurr
fine
fine mediur
sand
gravel sand
gravel

-

-

�In tidally
tidally dominated
dominated systems
systems the
the foreshore
foreshore and
and upper
upper shoreface
shoreface is
is comprised
comprised of
of flaser, wavy, and
In
lenticular
lenticular bedded
bedded sands
sands and
and muds
muds typical
typical of
of sedimentation
sedimentation on inter- and subtidal,
sand-mud
subtidal, mixed sand-mud
flats. The
shorefacelies
liesbelow
belowlow
lowtide
tidelevel
leveland
andisischaracterized
characterized by
by day-to-day
day-to-day sand transport
transport
Theshoreface
above fairweather
fairweather wave
wave base.
base. The
above
Theshoreface
shoreface normally
normally has
has a concave-upward profile, which is
is in
in

equilibrium with
with the
the waves
waves that
that shape
On the
the lower
at depths
equilibrium
shape it.
it. On
lower shoreface,
shoreface, at
depths near
near or
or below
below
produced by storm
fairweather wave base (10
(10 to 20 m), are long crested symmetrical
symmetrical wave ripples, produced
storm
waves. Landward,
Landward, on
onthe
themiddle
middleshoreface,
shoreface,these
these inactive
inactive ripples
ripples pass into
into active
active ripples
ripples which
which
become increasingly
increasingly asymmetric,
trough cross
become
asymmetric, irregular, and short-crested. Larger, trough
cross stratified,
stratified, lunate
lunate
zone. All
dunes are frequently observed on the upper shoreface in the breaker zone.
All these
these bedforms
bedforms are
are
associated with small-scale or larger-scale cross bedding which is
is predominantly oriented
oriented toward
toward
continuous agitation, the deposition of mud
the land. Because
Becausethe
thesediments
sedimentsof
of this
this zone
zone are
are under continuous
base and has a lower
istypically
typically below
below fairweather wave base
is prevented. The
The mud-dominated
mud-dominated shelf is
depositional slope
foreshore and shoreface. Muds
typicallyparallel
parallel laminated
laminated and
and highly
highly
thanthe foreshore
Muds are typically
depositional
slope than
bioturbated
bioturbated in
in modem
modem shallow-marine
shallow-marinedepositional
depositionalsystems.
systems.
In storm
In
storm enhanced
enhanced shallow
shallow marine
marine non-barred,
non-barred, environments
environments the
the shoreface
shoreface processes
processes
described thus
described
thus far,
far, as
as well
well as
as processes
processes in
in deeper
deeper regions
regions of
of the
the inner
inner and
and outer
outer shelves
shelvesare
are strongly
strongly
affected and
and modified
modified by
by storm
storm events
events (Davis,
(Davis, 1992;
1992; Einsele,
Einsele, 1992).
1992). Storms
affected
Storms can
can deposit
deposit sandy
sandy
material in
in the
material
the supra
supra tidal
tidal zone,
zone, as
aswell
well as
asgenerate
generatespecial
specialnon-channelized
non-channelized flow
flow conditions
conditions in
in
deeper water.
water. These
deeper
Thesehigh
highenergy
energyevents
eventsfrequently
frequently produce
produce characteristic
characteristic sheet-like
sheet-like sand
sand and
and mud
mud
beds, called tempestites, of considerable lateral extent (Johnson and Baldwin,
Baldwin, 1986; Morton, 1988;
Nummedal,
1991;
Einsele,
1992).
Storm-generated
bed
forms
show
a
the beach
beach
Nummedal, 1991; E i e l e , 1992). Storm-generated bed forms show adistinct
distincttrend
trend from
fromthe
into
deeper
water.
The
upper
shoreface
(surf
zone)
displays
dunes
oriented
parallel
to
the
shoreline.
into deeper water. The upper shoreface (surf zone) displays dunes oriented parallel to the shoreline.
When flow becomes channelized longshore
erosively scour
scour fairweather
fairweather sediments,
sediments,
longshore and rip currents erosively
depositing
mediumand
coarse-grained,
trough
and
planar,
cross
stratified
sands.
The
middle
depositing medium- and coarse-grained, trough and planar, cross stratified sands. The middle
shoreface is dominated
dominated by both
bedfonns with
horizontal or
shoreface
both flat and swaley bedforms
with nearly horizontal
or low-angle
low-angle swaley
swaley
cross
cross stratification.
stratification. Because
Becauseof
ofthe
thecontinual
continual agitation
agitation of
of sediments
sediments through
through wave
wave action
action on
on the
the
upper
middle shoreface
record of
of heavy
heavy storms
storms is
isusually
usuallydestroyed.
destroyed. On
the lower
lower shoreface
shoreface
upper and
and middle
shorefacethe
the record
On the
(5
to 20
20 m
m water
water depth),
depth), the
ebb currents
currents reaches
reaches about
about the
the same
same magnitude
magnitude as
(5 to
the stress
stress of
of storm
storm surge
surge ebb
as
the oppositely
oppositely directed
the
directed storm-wave
storm-waveinduced
induced oscillatory
oscillatory flow
flow (Einsele,
( E i e l e , 1992).
1992). Thus,
Thus,for
foraashort
shorttime,
time,
both currents
both
currents may stir
stir up
up sand
sand and
and mud,
mud, which
which are
are redeposited
redeposited as
as parallel
parallel and
and hummocky
hummocky crosscrossstratified
fine-grained,graded
gradedbeds
bedsatat the
the same
same location
location or
or nearby
nearby (Einsele,
(Einsele, 1992;
1992; Dott
Doll and
stratified fine-grained,
and
Bourgeois,
1982). On
inhigh-energy
high-energy
Bourgeois, 1982).
Onthe
theinner
innershelf
shelfand
andparts
partsof
ofthe
theouter
outershelf,
shelf,particularly
particularly in
environments,
environments, storm-induced combined flow may still
still generate HCS or thin, graded,
graded, sandy
sandy beds
beds
resulting from
If the
the suspension
suspension originates
originates from
from storms
storms and
and
resulting
from laterally
laterally flowing
flowing suspension
suspension currents.
currents. If
the sandy
the
sandy layers
layers alternate
alternate with
with shelf
shelfmuds,
muds, the
thestorm
storminduced
inducedbeds
bedsrepresent
represent distal
distaltempestites
tempestites
(Aigner,
Einsele,
the current
current component
component of
of the
the
(Aigner, 1985;
1985; E
i e l e , 1992).
1992). At
At greater
greater water
water depths
depths on
on the
the shelf,
shelf, the
combined storm
beds
combined
storm flow
flow becomes
becomes dominant,
dominant,leading
leadingto
to current
currentrippled,
rippled, offshore,
offshore, fine
fine sand
sand and
and silt
silt beds
and graded
graded rhythmites
rhythmites (Aigner,
and
(Aigner, 1985;
1985;Einsele,
Eisele, 1992).
1992). Since
Sinceonly
onlythe
thelargest
largeststorms
stormscan
canaffect
affectthe
the
mud
deposition.
quiescence and mud deposition.
storm events
events are
are followed
followed by long
long periods of quiescence
sea floor in this zone, storm

Paleogeographic interpretation
interpretation
Paleogeographic
The following
following discussion
discussion has
divided into
into three
three sections.
sections. Each
The
has been
been divided
Eachdeals
deals with
with interpreting
interpreting
the
vertical
and
lateral
facies
trends
comprising
the
basal
transgressive,
middle
regressive
and upper
upper
the vertical and lateral facies trends comprising the basal transgressive, middle regressive and
transgressive
depositional
cycles
of
the
Gunflint
Formation
in
detail.
transgressive depositional cycles of the Gunflit Formation in detail.

�Kakaheka Conglomerate
Conglomerate

,tidal

roB

Figure 9.
Figure
9. Paleogeographic reconstruction
reconstruction of
of the
thedepositional
depositional system
system which
which produced
produced the
Gunflint Formation.
Formation. AAdetailed
attributes of this
this system
system isispresented
presented
detaileddiscussion
discussionof
of the
the attributes
Gunflint
-in &amp;the
iB
&amp;L text.
-

?UOPtE

�Basal transgression
Basal
transgression
extends from
from the
the base
base of
ofthe
theAnimikie
Animikie Group
Group to
to the
the
This 20 m thick, upward fining cycle extends
middle of
base of the cycle
a
middle
of member
member 2.
2. The base
cycle is
is characterized
characterized by the Kakabeka Conglomerate, a
backshore, pebbly
pebbly beach
beach deposit
deposit preserved
preserved as
as aa transgressive
pebble lag
lag (Figure
This
backshore,
transgressive pebble
(Figure 9).
9). This
intraformational conglomerate
conglomeratewas
was formed
formedby
bythe
the localized
localizedweathering
weatheringof
ofthe
thepeneplain.
peneplain. Then,
intraformational
tirough subsequent
intraclasts were reworked
reworked
(swash/backwash) these
these intraclasts
through
subsequentstorm-generated
storm-generatedwave
waveaction
action(swashlbackwash)
crudely stratified,
tidal, beach
beach deposits.
deposits. Ojakangas
into crudely
stratified, matrix supported,
supported, pebbly, supra tidal,
Ojakangas (1983)
(1983) has
similar interpretation
conglomeratic unit forming the
the base
base of
of the
the Pokegama
Pokegama quartzite
quartzite
made a similar
interpretation of the conglomeratic
Mesabi iron range
in the Mesabi
range in east-central Minnesota.
Minnesota.
As the basal transgression progressed these coarse beachface
beachface sediments
sediments were
were on-lapped
on-lapped by
by

the fineparallel laminated
laminated grainstones
grainstones(GP
(GP facies)
facies) of
of member
member 1.
The
the
fine- and
and medium-grained,
medium-grained, parallel
1. The
hematite-enriched
transition
from
member
I
may
indicate
a
change
in
the
redox
state of
of the
hematite-enriched transition from member 1 may indicate a change in the redox state
the

depositional system
level or,
or, more
more simply,
simply,ititmay
mayrepresent
representoxidation
oxidationof
of
depositional
system accompanying
accompanying a rise in sea level
iron-bearing sediments
by
late
phase
oxygen-rich
meteoric
waters
percolating
along
this
lithologic
sediments
meteoric waters percolating along this lithologic
boundary. Deposition
boundary.
Deposition of
of this
this thin,
thin, parallel
parallel bedded
bedded grainstone unit marks the onset of intertidal
intertidal
sedimentation on the
the foreshore
foreshore (Figure
(Figure 9).
9). Member
Member l's
m) and
and apparent
apparent lack
lack of
of
sedimentation
1'srelative
relative thinness
thinness (5 m)
desiccation features
features suggests
suggests that
that the
the intertidal
zone was
was not well developed
Animikie
desiccation
intertidal zone
developed on the Animikie
(tidal range
range &lt;2
&lt;2 m)
m) (Reineck
(Reineck and
and
shoreline, a situation typical of modem, microtidal environments (tidal
Singh,
may have
have developed
developed
LLHstromatolitic
stromatoliticbioherms
bioherms(Ad
(Ad facies)
facies)at
at the base of member 1 may
Singh, 1975).
1975). LLH
modem, colunmar
in much the same way modem,
columnarstromatolites
stromatolitesand
and crypt
crypt algal
algal knolls
knolls form
form in the low energy
Here columnar
intertidal flats
flats of
intertidal
of Shark
Shark Bay,
Bay, Australia
Australia (Hoffman,
(Hoffinan, 1976;
1976; Schreiber,
Schreiber, 1986).
1986). Here
columnar
stromatolites develop in the lower intertidal zone in response
response to
to strong
strong wave
wave action.
action. An oncolitic
stromatolites
oncolitic
mats marks the
the transition
transition into
into the
the subtidal
subtidal (Figure
(Figure
horizon (Ao facies)
facies) above these intertidal, algal mats
Ginsburg (1960)
(1960) compared
compared modem
modern
9) (1
(Logan
al.,1964;
1964; Ginsburg,
Ginsburg, 1960,
1960, Sellwood,
Sellwood, 1986).
1986). Ginsburg
ogan et aT,
oncolites from
Devonian, Permian and Precambrian
Precambrian examples
examples and
oncolites
from the
the Florida
Florida and
and Bahama
Bahama Banks to Devonian,
found they formed I1 to
or near
near the
the subtidal
subtidaltransition.
transition. Oncolites
to 88 feet below mean water level at or
from the Paris
Paris Basin,
Basin, aa non-barred,
non-barred, shallow
shallow epeiric
epeiric sea
sea covering
covering much
much of
of northwestern
northwestern Europe
Europe
during the Middle
Jurassic,
were
also
determined
to
characterize
this
transition
(Seliwood,
Middle Jurassic, were also determined
(Sellwood, 1986).
1986).

The overlying flaser and wavy bedded
grainstones(Gf,
(Gf, Gw
Gw facies) of
bedded chert-carbonate
chert-carbonate grainstones
member 2 represents
represents subtidal
deposition on a shallow,
shallow, storm
stormenhanced,
enhanced,non-barred
non-barred shoreline
shoreline (Figure
(Figure
member
subtidal deposition

9).
9). Similar
Similar Middle
Middle and
and Upper
Upper Cambrian,
Cambrian, cyclic,
cyclic, peritidal,
peritidal, carbonate,
carbonate, tempestites
tempestites compose
compose the
the
Elbrook
Virginia Appalachians
Appalachians (Demicco,
(Demicco, 1985,
1985, Koerschner
Koerschner
Elbrook and Conococheague
ConococheagueFormations
Formations in the Virginia
This 1.6
and Read, 1989).
krn thick
thick carbonate
carbonate sequence
sequence formed
formed on
on the
the Cambro-Ordivician
Cambro-Ordivician
1989). This
1.6 km
continental shelf;
aggraded, rimmed, mature, passive
passive continental
continental margin
margin (Koerschner
(Koerschner and
and Read,
Read,
continental
shelf; an aggraded,
1989). Cycles
thickness, possess
possess aa sharp
sharp basal
basal transgressive
transgressive
1989).
Cyclestypically
typically range
range between
between 11 and
and 7
7m
m in
in thickness,
surface, are overlain
overlain by aa subtidal
subtidal unit
unit passing
passing into
into aa tidal
tidal flat
flat cap, and record regional changes
changes in
time (Koerschner and
and Read,
Read, 1989).
1989). Three types of cycles are
sea level over very short intervals of time
recognized, thin-based
cycles. The
been
recognized,
thin-basedcycles,
cycles,thrombolitic-based
thrombolitic-basedcycles,
cycles,and
and thick
thick based
based cycles.
The latter
latter has
has been
divided into three
grainstone-based and
and
digitate-algal-bioherm-based,grainstone-based
three subcycles,
subcycles, those which are digitate-algal-bioherm-based,
Ribbon-carbonate-basedcycles
cyclesmost
most closely
closely resemble
resemble member
member 33 and
ribbon-carbonate-based.
and
ribbon-carbonate-based. Ribbon-carbonate-based
therefore will
will be
be the
the only
only cycle
cycle fully
fully reviewed
reviewedin
inthe
thefollowing
followingdiscussion.
discussion. For
Foraafull
fulltreatment
treatmentof
of
these cyclic, peritidal carbonates
carbonates the reader is referred to Koerschner and Read (1989).

�Ribbon-carbonate-based
cycles are composed
Ribbon-carbonate-based cycles
composed of 11 to
to 55 m
m thick
thick fining
fining and
andcoarsening
coarsening
upwards
upwards sequences
sequencesof
of flaser
flaserbedded
beddedcoarse-grained
coarse-grainedcarbonate
carbonate grainstones/packstones
grainstonedpackstones which are
are
comprised
of
wavy
and
lenticular
bedded
finer-grained
pelletal
carbonates
and
rare
lime
comprised
wavy and lenticular bedded finer-grained pelletal carbonates
rare lime
conglomerates
dolomitic mudstones. The
conglomeratesintimately
intimately interbedded
interbedded with
with parallel laminated dolomitic
The term
term comes
comes
from
the
field
appearance
ofthe
alternating
thin-beds
(ribbons)
of
differentially
weathered
limestone
from the field appearanceofthe alternatingthin-beds (ribbons) of differentially weathered limestone
and
are
and dolostone
dolostone (Demicco,
(Demicco, 1983).
1983). The
Thecoarse-grained
coarse-grainedribbon
ribboncarbonates
carbonatesand
and pellet
pellet packstones
packstones are
most similar
to
the
flaser
bedded,
chert-carbonate
grainstones
(Of
facies)
of
member
3
in
the
similar to the flaser bedded, chert-carbonate grainstones (Gf facies) of member 3
Gunflint
Gunflintchemical
chemicalsedimentary
sedimentarysuccession.
succession.Coarse-grained
Coarse-grainedribbon
ribboncarbonates
carbonatesare
areunlayered
unlayered or
or have
have
low-angle
cross
bedding
with
weakly
graded
foreset
laminae.
Pellet
packstones
have
horizontal
low-angle cross
laminae. Pellet packstones
horizontal
laminations,
ripple cross-lamination.
cross-lamination. Mud-poor pelletlaminations,climbing
climbingwave-ripple
wave-ripple lamination and wave ripple
rich ribbon
ribbon carbonates
carbonates and
and mud-and-pellet
mud-and-pellet rich ribbon
ribbon sequences
sequences most
most closely
closely resemble
resemble wavy
wavy
bedded,
bedded, chert-carbonate
chert-carbonategrainstones
grainstones(Gw
(Gwfacies).
facies). Mud-poor,
Mud-poor, pellet-rich
pellet-rich ribbon
ribbon carbonates
carbonatesare
are planar
laminated;
pellet
laminated;mud-and-pellet-rich
mud-and-pellet-richribbon
ribbonsequences
sequencesare
arecomprised
comprisedofwavy
of wavyand
andlenticular
lenticular bedded pellet
layers interbedded
interbedded with
with form-discordant
form-discordant wave ripples,
ripples, starved ripples and
and parallel
parallel laminated
laminated
dolomite mudstones
mudstones(Koerschner
(Koerschnerand
and Read,
Read, 1989).
1989).
dolomite

Demicco
Demicco (1983)
(1983) and Koerschner
Koerschner and Read (1989)
(1989) interpret these ribbon sequences as
recording
storm-influenced subtidal settings floored
floored by
byinterlayered
interlayered
recordingshallowing
shallowingby
by aggradation
aggradationfrom
from storm-influenced
Coarsening-upward
lime muds
muds and
and sands,
sands, to
to subtidal
subtidal sand
sand flats
flats on
on aa mature,
mature, rimmed
rimmed shelf
shelf. Coarsening-upward
sequences
sequencesrecord
record low
lowenergy,
energy, subtidal
subtidalconditions,
conditions,followed
followedby upward-shallowing
upward-shallowinginto
into high
high energy
energy
shallow
zone). Koerschner
contend these
these
shallowwater
water settings
settings (ie. surf zone and breaker zone).
Koerschner and Read (1989) contend
coarse-grained
coarse-grained ribbon
ribbon carbonates
carbonatesformed
formed on
on sand
sand flats,
flats, where coarse layers were reworked during
storms and
stormitidalenergy
energy waned.
waned. The rare lime
lime
and less
less common
common fine
fine layers
layerssettled
settledout
outasasstorm/tidal
conglomerate
conglomerate interbeds
interbeds were deposited
deposited during storms
storms which swept semi-lithified, peloidal sands
from
transgressive
from shallow
shallowsubtidal
subtidaland
and intertidal
intertidal settings.
settings. Fining
Finingupwards
upwards ribbon
ribbon sequences
sequences record transgressive
high-energy conditions that gave way
way to low energy
energy conditions
conditionsas
asthe
theplatform
platform shallowed.
shallowed. Finegrained
response
grained peletal,
peletal, ribbon
ribbon carbonates
carbonatesformed
formed on lower energy, subtidal, mixed sand flats in response
to wave
wave action
action and
and grade
gradelandward
landward into
into mixed
mixed sand-mud
sand-mud flats
flats (Koerschner
(Koerschner and Read, 1989).
1989).
Fairweather
with deposition of
of thick
thick storm layers of
Fairweather reworking of wave rippled beds alternated with
pelletal
pelletal sediment
sedimentwith
withamalgamated
amalgamatedhurnmocky
hummocky cross
cross stratification,
stratification, and wave and current ripples
(Koerschner
(Koerschnerand
and Read,
Read, 1989).
1989).Similar
Similarclastic,
clastic,shallow,
shallow,tidal
tidal marine
marine sequences
sequences occur
occur in the modem
North
Sea
(Demicco,
1983).
North Sea (Demicco, 1983).
Unlike
wavy
Unlike the
the Cambrian
Cambrian ribbon
ribbon carbonates
carbonatesof the Virginia Appalachians these flaser and wavy
bedded
bedded chemical
chemicalsediments
sedimentsdid
didnot
notform
formby
by aggradation
aggradationof
of upward
upward shoaling
shoaling grainstone
grainstonesequences.
sequences.

Instead, vertical changes
reflect a rate of relative sea level
level rise which
which
changes in iron formation facies reflect
consistently
consistently outpaced
outpaced that
that of
of sedimentation.
sedimentation.

Middle regression
regression
Middle
This
extends to
This minor,
minor, 20
20 m
m thick, regressive
regressive phase begins in the middle of member 2 and extends
3. It records the gradual onset of shallowing from the middle shoreface to the
the top
top of
of member
member 3.
the
lower
lower foreshore.
foreshore. The
Thesubtidal
subtidalmixed
mixedgrainstone-chemical
grainstone-chemicalmud
mud flats
flats of member 2 coarsen upwards
to
packages) of flaser bedded chert-carbonate grainstones.
grainstones. These
to 33 m thick packages)
These coarse
coarse packages
packages formed
formed
during
duringregressive
regressiveofflap
offlapof
oflower-middle
lower-middleshoreface
shorefacefacies
faciesand,
and,like
likethe
theflaser
flaser bedded
bedded package
packageat
atthe
the
base
base of
of this
this member,
member, represent
represent dune
dunedevelopment
development in
in the
the surf
surf zone
zone of
of the upper shoreface.
shoreface.

�As
level continued
continued to
these flaser
flaser and
and wavy
wavy bedded
bedded chert-carbonate
chert-carbonate grainstones
As sea
sea level
to fall
fall these
grainstoneswere
were
transgressed
by
the
coarser,
higher
energy,
stromatolitic
and
oncolitic,
chert-carbonate,
transgressed by the coarser, higher energy, stromatolitic and oncolitic, chert-carbonate,grainstones
grainstones
of member
member 3.
3. These
Thesestorm
stormenhanced,
enhanced,crypt
cryptalgal,
algal, lower
lower foreshore
foreshoredeposits
depositsmark
mark the
the regressive
regressivepeak
peak
of
of
this
middle
cycle.
Like
the
Gf
facies
chert-carbonate
grainstones
of
member
2,
those
of this middle cycle. Like the Gf facies chert-carbonate grainstones of member 2, those comprising
comprising

member 3
3 also
member
also record
record lunate
lunate dune
dunedevelopment
developmenton
onaasubtidal/lower
subtidal/lowerintertidal
intertidalchert-carbonate
chert-carbonate
grainstone
flat.
grainstone flat.
The 6
6 cm
cm thick,
thick, Gi
Gi facies
grainstone bed
bed at
at the
the base
base of
of member
member 33 in
in O'Connor
O'Connor township
township is
is
facies grainstone
The
interpreted
as
being
a
proximal
tempestite
deposited
in
this
shallow,
high
energy
environment.
This
interpreted as being a proximal tempestite deposited in this shallow, high energy environment. This

coarse, storm
storm generated
lag is
coarse,
generated lag
is thin,
thin, possesses
possesses aa base
base which
which appears
appears to
to erosively
erosively scour
scour the
the flaser
flaser
bedded chert-carbonate
2, contains
contains abundant
abundant magnetitemagnetite- and
and hematite-rich
hematite-rich
bedded
chert-carbonate grainstones
grainstones of
of member
member 2,
rip ups
ups and
and pinches
pinches laterally
laterally towards
rip
towards Blake
Blake township;
township;all
all are
are characteristics
characteristicsof
of nearshore
nearshoresheet
sheetstorm
storm
deposits (Einsele,
deposits
(Einsele, 1992).
1992). With
Withaareturn
returnto
tofairweather
fairweatherconditions
conditionsthis
this storm
stormbed
bed provided
provided an
an ideal
ideal
substrate for
stromatolites to
colonize. ItIt was
not easily
easily reworked
reworked by
by normal
normal shelf
shelf currents
currents
substrate
for stromatolites
to colonize.
was firm
firm and
and not
(Fralick, 1988).
was however
however not
not
(Fralick,
1988). Development
Developmentof
of crypt
crypt algal
algal knolls
knolls on
on this
this intraformational
intraformational lag
lag was
widespread
as they
they colonized
colonized only
only the
the most
most stable
stableregions
regions sheltered
shelteredfrom
from fairweather
fairweatherreworking.
reworking.
widespread as
The thin,
thin, discontinuous,
discontinuous, stromatolitic
which developed
developed above
above this
this basal,
basal, crypt
crypt
The
stromatoliticand
and oncolitic
oncolitichorizons
horizons which
algal layer
layer suggests
suggests subtidal,
on aa substrate
substrate that
that underwent
underwent periodic,
periodic,
algal
subtidal, stromatolitic
stromatolitic growth
growth occurred
occurred on
fairweather reworking.
reworking. The
LLH and
and SS
SS
fairweather
The development
development of
of these
these poorly
poorly formed,
formed, discontinuous
discontinuous LLH
stromatolitic
on shallow,
shallow, high
high energy,
energy, subtidal
subtidal sand
sand sheets
sheets
stromatolitic bioherms
biohermsis
is typical
typical of
of crypt
crypt algal
algal growth
growth on
of the
the upper
upper shoreface
(Pratt et
et a
al.,
of
shoreface and
and lower
lower foreshore
foreshore (Pratt
!., 1992).
1992).
Upper transgression
transgression
possibly
The
upper transgressive
member 3, through
through member
member 5,
The upper
transgressivecycle
cycleextends
extendsfrom
fromthe
thetop
top of
of member
5, possibly
to the top of the Rove Formation;
Formation; a vertical distance of almost 700 m.
m. Its
onset
is
rapid
and
Its onset is rapid and records
records

the
those of
of the
the lower
lower shoreface.
shoreface. The
the progressive
progressive onlap
onlap of
of offshore
offshore facies
facies over
over those
The thin
thin package
package of
of
hummocky
cross
stratified
chertand
hematite-rich
grainstones
(GHCS
facies)
at
the
base of
of
hummocky cross stratified chert- and hematite-rich grainstones (GHCS facies) at the base
member
4
in
O'Connor
township
marks
this
transition.
Modern
hummocky-cross-stratified
sands
member 4 in O'Connor township marks this transition. Modem hummocky-cross-stratified sands
occur below
wave base
base on
of storm
dominated, shallow
shallow marine
marine
occur
below fairweather
fairweather wave
on the
the lower
lower shoreface
shoreface of
storm dominated,

depositional systems
transition to the
the inner
inner shelf
shelf (Hamblin
(Hamblin and
and Walker,
Walker, 1979;
Dott and
depositional
systemsat
ator
or near
near the
the transition
1979; Dott
and
Binsele, 1992; Davis,
Davis, 1992). The
Bourgeois, 1982;
1982; Aigner,
Aigner, 1985;
1985; Walker and Plint, 1992; Emsele,
The parallel
parallel
bedded, hematite-rich,
(Gp facies
grainstone) to
to which
which this
this basal
basal
bedded,
hematite-rich,slaty
slatyand
and cherty
chertyiron
iron formation
formationbeds
beds (Gp
facies grainstone)
hummocky-cross-stratified unit
of storm
storm deposition
deposition near
near this
this change
change
hummocky-cross-stratified
unit grades
grades are
are also
also characteristic
characteristic of
They are
(Figure 9).
9). They
are identical
identical to
to modern,
modem, proximal
proximal offshore,
offshore, storm-sand
storm-sand layers
layers (proximal
(proximal
tempestites) and their
their more distal equivalents,
rhythmites (distal
(distal tempestites)
tempestites) (Reinick
(Reinick and
and
tempestites)
equivalents, graded rhythmites
Singh,
Aigner, 1985).
these storm
1985). Like
Likethe
theparallel
parallel bedded
bedded chemical
chemical sediments
sediments these
storm beds
beds also
also
Singh, 1972;
1972; Aigner,
posses a sharp
instances may
may grade
grade upward
upward into
into plane
planelaminated
laminatedmud
mud layers.
layers. In
In
posses
sharp base, and in some instances
modern tempestites
laminated rhythmites,
rhythmites, in
modem
tempestitesthe
the sand
sandlayers
layersare
are either
either evenly
evenly laminated
laminated or
or are laminated
in which
which
the lower
lower laminae
grade upwards
upwards into
into thinner
thinner and
and finer-grained
finer-grained
the
laminae are thicker
thicker and coarser-grained
coarser-grainedand grade
laminae (Reinick
(Reinick and
and Singh, 1972).
marine, storm
storm
laminae
1972). They
They are
are the
the result
result of
of deposition
deposition from shallow marine,
generated turbidity currents
Finsele, 1992;
generated
currents (Reinick
(Reinick and Singh, 1972;
1972; Walker, 1984; Einsele,
1992; Davis, 1992).
1992).
The fine- and medium-grained chert- and hematite-rich
hematite-rich grainstone
grainstone beds
beds comprising
comprising this
this member
member
represent episodic
development
of
storm-generated,
chemical
sedimentary
beds.
Thicker,
episodic development
Thicker,graded,
graded,
coarser beds developed during the most severe storms. The
hematite-rich
slaty
The hematite-rich slaty iron
iron formation
formation
packages between
fairweather sedimentation
sedimentation on
lower
packages
between storm-grainstones
storm-grainstonesrepresents
representsthe
the return
return to fairweather
on the lower

�Figure
precipitation of iron-rich
iron-rich sediments on
ontheAnimikie
theAnimikie shelf.
shelf
Figure10.
10. Depositional modelfor
modelfor the
theprecipitation
The model is based on data
from the Gunflint and Gogebic
data collected
collectedfrom
Gogebic iron ranges.
Samples
from these areas were
Samples from
were examined
examined in thin section
section under
under a petrographic
petroeraphic
- microscope and using aa scanning
scanningelectron
electronmicroscope
microscope with an
an energy dispersive
dispersive
systent
rock analysis was also performed
performed using an
system. Whole
Whole rock
an inductively
inductively coupled
plasma.
plasma. During
Duringthe
thePaleoproterozoic
Paleoproterozoicthe
theworld
world ocean
ocean contained much less oxygen
than
enabledFeu
FC and
thanatatpresent
present(Cloud,
(Cloud,1973).
1973). This enabled
and MC
Mnutotostay
stayininsolution.
solution.
Oxygen
present in appreciable quantities in the
Oxygen would only be present
the shallow, near shore
environment
environmentwhere
wherereasonable
reasonablelevels
levelsof
of light
light penetration
penetrationtotothe
thebottom
bottomwould
would allow
allow
the
cyanobacteria
colonies
in
this
area
to
thrive,
and
thus
release
oxygen
(1).
During
the cyanobacteriacolonies in this area to
and
oxygen (1). During
storm
pressure system
system over
overthe
the area
area
storm events
events the
the combined
combined effects of an extreme low pressure
and
forcing caused the buildup of water in
in aa strand-proximalposition.
strand-proximal position. Upon
and wave
waveforcing
Upon
waning
this water would be returned
returned to the mid and
and outer
outer shelfvia
shelf via
waning of
of the
the storm
storm event
event this
aa storm
storm surge
surgeebb
ebbflow.
flow. The
Thedeliverance
deliveranceof
ofmore
morehighly
highlyoxygenated
oxygenated waters
waters to
to the
the
deeper
deeper shelf would
would cause the
the rapid
rapid precipitation of iron
iron oxide
oxide (probably
(probably as
as iron
iron
hydroxyoxide)
(2). At high
high Fe/Mg
FdWg ratios
ratios itit isis likely
likely that
that precipitation
precipitation of iron
iron
hydroxyoxide)(2).
compounds
during this
rapid precipitation phase.
phase. As oxygen and/or
compoundswould
would dominate
dominate during
this rapidprecipitation
and/or
iron
iron is/are
Mare depleted
depleted precipitation
precipitation rate slows
slows and silica
silica gel,
gel, which
which isis slowly
slowly but
but
constantly
from seawater,
seawater, increases
increases in
in importance
importance as
as aa constituent
constituent of
of
constantlyprecipitating from
the
phase due
the layer.
layer. Finally,
Finally,with
withdepletion
depletionof
of iron
iron in
in the
the aqueous
aqueousphase
due to
to precipitation,
and
a resu
king decrease in
Fe/Mg ratio, manganese
anda
resultingdecrease
in the
the FdWgratio,
manganesebegins
beginsto
to effectively
effectivelyscavenge
oxygen
forming MnO-rich
Mn 0-rich tops
some layers.
layers. If another
another storm
occurs before
oxygenforming
tops to some
storm event occurs
the
the Fe/Mg
F e w ratio
ratioof
of seawater
seawater has
hasdecreased
decreased to
to the
thepoint
point manganese
manganeseprecipitation
precipitation
becomes
sign jficant the
the upper
upperportion
portion of
of the
thelayer
layer will
willnot
notform.
form. Smaller
Smaller storms
storms are
are
becomes significant
able
precesses to operate in the mid-shelfarea,
mid-shelf area, whereas
ableto
to cause
causethe
theabove
aboveprecesses
whereasonly
only large
large
storms
shelf Thus,
storms effect
effect the outer shelf.
Thus,manganese
manganeseconcentrations
concentrationsare
are much
much higher
higherin
in
rocksformed
environment A)
sequencefound
rocksformed in
inthe
theouter
outershelf-slope
shelf-slope environment.
A) Typical
Typicalsequence
found in
in the
mid-shelf
(1cm)
cm) chemical
chemical sediment
sediment laminae
laminae directly
directly overlay
overlay storm
mid-shelf where
where thick
thick (1
generated
from the outer mid-shelf.
mid-shelf C)
B)Typical
Typical laminae from
C)Thin,
Thin,
generated granule
granule lenses.
lenses. B)
complete
laminae
deposited
in
the
outer
helf
complete laminae deposited
helf.

�-

1. Fairweather
FairweatherPeriod
Period - Stratified
Stratified Water
Water Body
Body
02

02

020202
F'

02

— PC'
—

Mn

PC'

PC' PC'
PC'

Mn"

-I-

FC'

2. Storm - Destratitied Water Body

4

÷+

PC'

Fe'
Fe"

cmC

cm
20

C.mm
-

mm

-5 Ca
fl
• 'e3'•4
+ 5102
Massive
Fe304

Granular
-o 1e304

2MnO
Fe304

+ Si02
Massive
Fe304

0

Trough
Trough
Cross-Stratified
Fine to Medium Grained Sand
Grained

-

Ripple Laminated
d and
Massive Very FineS
Fine
Grained Sand to
Coarse - Grained
Grained Silt
Silt
Coarse

-

-

Thinly to Thickly
Laminated Mud

�shoreface.
storm layers lay directly
shoreface. In
In Blake
Blake township
township these chemical sedimentary storm
directly on the
the
grainstones
grainstonesof
ofmember
member2.
2.

The
The pulse
pulse of
of volcanism
volcanism preserved
preserved in
in the
the middle
middle of member
member 4 as a 6m thick volcaniclastic
volcaniclastic
horizon
deposition. Its
(Vsfacies)
facies) occurred
occurred swiftly,
swiftly, outpacing iron formation deposition.
Its sharp
sharp bottom
bottom contact
contact
horizon(Vs
indicates
indicatesrapid
rapid influx
influxof
of volcaniclastic
volcaniclasticmaterial
material into
into the depositional
depositional system. Its
Its gradational
gradational upper
contact
waned gradually
gradually over
overtime.
tuff
contactsuggests
suggestsdelivery
delivery of
of volcaniclastics
volcaniclastics to the basin waned
time. The
The lapilli
lapillituff
(Vt
reworked and deposited
deposited
(Vtfacies)
facies)which
whichcharacterizes
characterizesthe
thebase
baseof
ofmember
member 55 is
is interpreted
interpreted as being reworked
by
by storms
stormsfrom
from more
more proximal,
proximal, nearshore
nearshore settings.
settings. The
Themassive,
massive,mediummedium-to
tocoarse-grained
coarse-grainedchertchertcarbonate
grainstone
bed
(Gi
facies)
characterizing
its
base
is
similar
to
the
(Gi facies) characterizing
stromatolitic,storm
storm
carbonate grainstone
stromatolitic,
generated
itslower
lowerbounding
boundingsurface
surfaceisiserosive
erosiveinto
intothe
thetop
topof
of member
member44 and
and itit also
also
generatedlag
lagin
inmember
member3;3;its
pinches
laterally
towards
Blake
Township.
beds within the Gunflint
pinches laterally towards Blake Township. Similar
Similar volcaniclastic
volcaniclastic beds
Gunflint
Formation
Formation have
have also
alsobeen
been interpreted
interpreted by
by Hassler
Hassler and
and Simonson
Simonson(1989)
(1989) as being
being reworked
reworked and
and
redeposited
by
turbidity
currents.
redeposited by turbidity currents.

The
The coarsening
coarsening upwards,
upwards, massive
massive and
andcross-stratified,
cross-stratified, chert-carbonate,
chert-carbonate, grainstone
grainstone
successions
onlapof
ofinner
innershelf
shelffacies
facies over those of
successions(Gc
(Gcfacies)
facies)of
ofmember
member55mark
markthe
theprogressive
progressiveonlap
the
GHCS
thelower
lowershoreface
shorefaceparallel
parallel laminated
laminated and
and hummocky cross-stratified grainstones (Gp and GHCS
facies)
facies)(Figure
(Figure9).
9).Similar
Similarsuccessions
successionsdeposited
depositedinincoastal
coastaland
andopen
openmarine
marineenvironments
environmentscomprise
comprise

the
Sussex and
and Shannon
Shannon sandstones
sandstones of the Powder
Powder River
River Basin
Basin in
in northern
northern
the Upper
Upper Cretaceous,
Cretaceous, Sussex
Wyoming.
Wyoming.InInWyoming
Wyomingcycles
cyclescoarsen
coarsenfrom
fromsilty
siltyoffshore
offshoremudstones,
mudstones,through
throughthin
thin bedded,
bedded, stormstormand
and tide-generated
tide-generated sandstones
sandstones to
to cross
cross stratified
stratified sandstones
sandstones with
with abundant
abundant clay
clay rip-ups.
rip-ups. The
The
depositional
depositionalmodel
modelproposed
proposedfor
forthe
theShannon
Shannonand
andSussex
Sussexsandstones
sandstonesconsists
consistsof
ofmigrating,
migrating,offshore
offshore
bar
Hobson
barcomplexes
complexesthat
thathave
havetheir
theirsurfaces
surfacescovered
coveredby
bysand
sandwaves
waves(Berg,
(Berg,1975;
1975;Brenner,
Brenner,1978;
1978;Hobson
etetal.,
al.,1982;
1982;Davis,
Davis, 1992).
1992).With
Withsome
somemodification
modificationthis
thismodel
modelmay
may also
also be
be applied
applied to
to the
the coarsercoarsergrained,
grained,shoaling
shoalingupwards
upwardssequences
sequencescomprising
comprisingmember
member55 of
of the
the Gunflint
GunflintFormation.
Formation.
Like
Like bar
bardevelopment
development in
inclastic
clasticsystems
systemsgenesis
genesisof
ofchemical
chemicalsedimentary,
sedimentary, offshore
offshorebar
bar
complexes
2)the
the
complexesdepends
dependson,
on,1)1)the
theavailability
availabilityof
ofcoarse
coarsesediment
sedimentto
to offshore
offshore environments
environments and
and 2)
presence
presenceof
ofcurrents
currentscapable
capableof
ofshaping
shapingthis
thissand
sandinto
intowell
well defined,
defined, migrating,
migrating, sand
sandbodies.
bodies. In
In
elastic,
clastic,shallow
shallowmarine
marinedepositional
depositionalsystems
systemscoarse
coarsedetritus
detritusisissupplied
suppliedtotooffshore
offshoreareas
areasby
bystorm
storm
Tillmanand
andMartinson,
Martinson,1984)
1984)and
andtide
tide(Spearing,
(Spearing,1976;
1976;Brenner,
Brenner,1978;
1978;
(Berg,1975;
1975;Walker,
Walker,1984;
1984;Tillman
(Berg,
Seeling,
1978)
generated
currents.
However,
unlike
their
clastic
counterparts,
bar
genesis
Seeling, 1978) generated currents. However, unlike their clastic counterparts,
genesis in
in
chemical
chemicalsedimentary
sedimentarysystems
systemsrelies
relieson
onoffshore
offshoreprecipitation
precipitation of
of iron
iron oxides
oxides and
and silica
silica gel
gel from
from
upwelled
1993),and
andsubsequent
subsequent
upwelledenriched
enrichedbottom
bottomwaters
waters(Borchert,
(Borchert,1950;
1950;Drever,
Drever,1974;
1974;Morris,
Moms,1993),
current
currentreworking
reworkingof
ofthe
thesubstrate
substrateinto
intorip-up
rip-upgrains
grains(Simonson
(Simonsonand
andGoode,
Goode,1989)
1989)(Figure
(Figure10).
10).
Consequently
this
process
does
not
depend
on
systems
tracts
capable
of
delivering
coarse
detritus
Consequently this process does not depend on systems tracts capable of delivering coarse detritus
to
development
in in
a chemical
sedimentary,
tothe
theshelf
shelf.Bar
Bar
development
a chemical
sedimentary,shallow-marine
shallow-marinedepositional
depositionalsystem
systemisis
therefore
governed
by
the
position
of
areas
on
the
shelf
with
high,
primary
chertlcarbonate
therefore governed by the position of areas on the shelf with high, primary chert/carbonategrain
grain
production
production and
and the
the presence
presence of
ofcurrents
currentsable
abletotorework
reworkthese
thesechemical
chemical precipitates
precipitates into
into bar
bar
complexes.
The
relative
stratigraphic
position
of
member
5,
over
facies
characteristic
of
the
lower
complexes. The relative stratigraphic position of member 5, over facies characteristic of the lower
shoreface
graingenesis
genesis were
were below
below
shoreface(Gp
(Gpand
andGHCS
GHCSfacies),
facies),suggests
suggeststhat
thatregions
regionsofofprimary
primarygrain
fairweather
wave
base
and
that
storm-generated,
oscillatory
flow
was
responsible
for
reworking
fairweather wave base and that storm-generated,oscillatory flow was responsible for reworkingthe
the
substrate
substrateinto
intorip-up
rip-upgrains.
grains.
Finer-grained,
Finer-grained,shoaling
shoalingupwards,
upwards,chemical
chemicalsedimentary
sedimentarysuccessions
successionsfrom
fromthe
theGogebic
GogebicIron
Iron
Range
in
Wisconsin
(Figure
11)
(Pufahl,
1994)
are
identical
to
the
coarsening
upwards
successions
Range in Wisconsin (Figure 11) (Pufahl, 1994) are identical to the coarsening upwards successions

�comprising
comprising the Sussex
Sussex and Shannon
Shannon sandstones in Wyoming. They
They are regarded
regarded as
as being
being the distal
equivalents
equivalentsto
to the
the coarse
coarse offshore
offshore bars
bars of
of the
the Gunflint
Gunflint(Pufahl,
(Pufahl, 1994).
1994). Cycles in Wisconsin
Wisconsin coarsen
from parallel laminated, magnetite-rich slaty iron formation in much
much the
the same
same way
way the
the Cretaceous
Cretaceous
upwards shoaling
shoaling cycles coarsen from shelf mudstones.

4
Sm.g

0*4.

Dunes

400,
'S

4%
44.
)
O4

Figure 11.
Figure
11. Development
Development oof
f
coarsening- and thickeningcoarseningthickening- upwards
sequences in
sequences
in Wisconsin
Wisconsinwere
were related
related to
progradation of lunate dune
offshoreprogradation
dominated sand
sand sheets.
sheets.
In a broad sense these offshore
In
offshore regions of primary grain genesis are similar to the "subtidal
carbonate factories"
factories" responsible
responsible for
for grain
grain production
production on
on modem
modem and some
carbonate
some ancient
ancient carbonate
carbonate
platforms (James and Kendall, 1992). The
upwards cycles
cycles
The coarse
coarse nature of the Gunflint shoaling upwards
suggests bar
bar development
developmentoccurred
occurredatator
or near
near aa "grainstone
"grainstone
in Blake and O'Coimor
O'Connor townships suggests
factory. As
with shoreline
shoreline retreat
retreat
factory".
Asthe
thetransgression
transgressionprogressed
progressedthese
thesefactories
factoriesmigrated
migrated in step with
resulting in the deposition
complexes further
ftrther from regions of primary
deposition of slightly finer-grained bar complexes
production. The
absence of
of aa mud
mud
grain production.
Theexistence
existenceof
of these
these offshore
offshore factories
factories would account for the absence
dominated offshore,
offshore, which is so
clastic shallow-marine
shallow-marine depositional systems
dominated
so characteristic
characteristic of
of clastic
(Walker and Plint, 1992).
1992).

Alternatively, these coarsening upwards,
upwards, GGc
fades grainstone
c facies
grainstone successions
successions may represent
paracycle development (Vail et al.,
aL, 1977) in regions
regions of high
high primary
primary grain
grain genesis
genesis during
during relative
relative
sea level rise. Paracycles
form
in
response
to
a
punctuated
rise
in
overall
sea
level.
They
record
a
Paracycles form in response
sea level.
period of rapid, relative sea level rise
rise and still stand, followed
by another
another relative
relative rise
rise with
with no
no
period
followed by

�significant
that accumulates
accumulates is
is coarsening
coarsening upwards,
upwards,
significantfall
fall intervening
intervening (Vail
(Vail et aL,
al.,1977).
1977). The sequence that
suggestive
of
mediumsuggestive
of continued
continued shoaliñg
shoaling
as sediments
sediments accumulate
accumulate to sea level. In
In this
this scenario
scenario the
the medium-- as

grained, chert-carbonate
grainstonesatat the
the base
base of coarsening upward cycles would represent
chert-carbonate grainstones
grainstone deposition
deposition during
during rapid
rapid sea level
level rise as regions of primary
primary grain
grain genesis
genesis migrated
migrated
shoreward.
The
coarse-grained
tops
of
cycles
would
represent
accumulation
of
grainstones
shoreward. The coarse-grained tops of cycles would represent accumulation of grainstonesnear
near to
to
base level where breaking waves were able to winnow the substrate during an interval of relative
calm. At
Atthe
thepresent
presenttime
timedata
dataisisinsufficient
insufficient to
to choose
choose whether
whether an autocyclic
autocyclic (depositional) or
allocyclic
allocyclic (sea
(sea level)
level) mechanism
mechanism governed
governed cycle
cycle genesis.

-

The
transitional facies into the
the
The Gi
Gi facies
facies chert-carbonate
chert-carbonategrainstone
erainstonebeds which characterize transitional
overlying
Rove
in
Blake
township
are
interpreted
as
representing
deposition
from
suspension
clouds
overlying Rove in Blake township are interpreted representing
suspension
generated
generated by either
either storms
storms or
or tectonism
tectonism during
during basin subsidence.
subsidence.

OVERVIEW
OVERVIEW OF
OF THE
THEANIMIKIE
ANIMIKIEBASIN
BASIN
The iron-bearing
iron-bearing rocks in Ontario and Minnesota
Minnesota form
form aachemical
chemicalsedimentary
sedimentary wedge
wedge which
which
fines
fines and
and thickens
thickens from
from coarse,
coarse, wave
wave reworked,
reworked, nearshore deposits of the Gunflint Formation to
offshore,
offshore, parallel-laminated, chemical mudstones of the Trommald iron formation in east-central

Minnesota.
to those
those observed
observed in
in
Minnesota. Lateral
Lateral and
and vertical
vertical facies
facies transitions
transitions are directly comparable to
modem
They record
modem shallow
shallow marine
marine clastic
clastic and
and carbonate
carbonate depositional
depositional systems.
systems. They
record energy
energy
transformations
nearshore, shoaling
shoaling waves
waves under
under fairweather
fairweather and
transformationsfrom
fromdeep
deepwater,
water, offshore
offshorewaves
waves to nearshore,
storm
storm conditions.
conditions.Paleocurrent
Paleocurrentdata
datasuggests
suggestsdeposition
depositionof
of chemical
chemical sedimentary
sedimentaryrocks
rocks occurred
occurred on
on
a southward
southward facing
facing paleoslope.
paleoslope.

Nearshore
rocks consist
Nearshore chemical
chemical sedimentary
sedimentary rocks
consist of
of successions
successions of
ofstrand-proximal
strand-proximal
stromatolites,
flaser and wavy
and parallel
parallel bedded
stromatolites, flaser
wavy bedded
bedded chert-carbonate
chert-carbonate grainstones,
grainstones, and
bedded and
hummocky
non-barred, microtidal,
microtidal,
hummocky cross
cross stratified
stratified hematite-rich cherty grainstones deposited on aa non-barred,
storm-enhanced
storm-enhancedshoreline
shorelinewith
with little
little clastic
clastic influx. Deposition
Depositionon
on the
the inner shelf was dominated by
accumulation
accumulationof
of coarse-grained,
coarse-grained,shoaling
shoalingupwards,
upwards, chert-carbonate
chert-carbonategrainstone
grainstone successions,
successions,possibly
possibly
associated with offshore bar development.
development. Their
Their genesis is believed to have been the result of a
unique
physiological conditions
Animikie
unique interplay
interplaybetween
betweenthe
the chemical
chemicaland
and physiological
conditionswhich
which prevailed
prevailed in
in the Animikie
Basin
Basin during
during iron
iron formation
formation deposition.
deposition. They
Theyformed
formedin
in proximal
proximal offshore
offshore areas
areas where iron oxide
and
precipitating, and
precipitates into
and silica
silicagel
gel were actively precipitating,
and where currents could rework chemical precipitates
into
rip-up grains
grains and redistribute
redistribute them. The
Theshoaling
shoalingupwards
upwards successions
successions replace
replace a mud dominated
offshore,
offshore, which
which is
is so
so characteristic
characteristicof
of modern
modem shallow-marine
shallow-marine depositional
depositional systems.
systems.
Distally,
finer-grained and less
lesswell
welldeveloped.
developed. They
They
Distally, coarsening
coarsening upwards
upwards sequences
sequencesbecome
become finer-grained
coarsen
medium-grained, massive
massive and
and
coarsen from
from parallel
parallel laminated,
laminated, magnetite-rich chemical slates to medium-grained,
cross
offshore
crossstratified,
stratified,chert-carbonate
chert-carbonategrainstones,
grainstones,and
andare
areinterpreted
interpretedas
as recording
recording progradation of offshore
bar complexes
of high
high primary
primary
complexeson
on the
the middle
middle shelf
shelf below
below fairweather
fairweather wave base, away from areas of
grain
paracycledevelopment
developmentduring
during an
an overall
overall rise
rise
grain genesis.
genesis. These
Thesesuccessions
successionsmay
mayalso
alsorepresent
representparacycle
in
in relative
relative sea
sealevel.
level.
Monotonously
parallel and
slatescharacterize
characterizedeposition
deposition
Monotonouslyinterbedded
interbeddedparallel
and wavy
wavy bedded chemical slates

of
of iron
iron formation
formation on
on the
the outer
outer shelf
shelfand
and slope-break.
slope-break. The
Thepresence
presence of
ofrare,
rare, massive
massive and
and cross
cross

�stratified,
magnetite-rich slaty
slaty laminations
laminations indicates
indicates that
that
stratified, chert-carbonate
chert-carbonate grainstones
grainstones and graded, magnetite-rich
storm-generated
storm-generatedturbidity
turbiditycurrents
currentsoriginating
originatingon
onthe
theinner
innershelf,
shelf,where
where grain
grain production
productiontook
tookplace,
place,
were
for moving
moving sediment
sediment onto
ontothe
thedistal
distalshelf.
shelf The
were an
an important
important mechanism for
The existence
existenceof
of iron
iron
formation
1963) in
in the
the Cuyuna
Cuyunanorth
north range suggests that mass
mass flow
flow processes
processes
formation breccia
breccia (Schmidt,
(Schmidt, 1963)
generated
the distal
distal shelf
shelf were important
generatedby
by large-scale
large-scalerotational
rotationalslumping
slumpingand
and sliding
sliding on the
important in moving
sediment
sediment from
from the
the slope
slope to
to the
the rise.
rise.
Sedimentological
Sedimentologicaland
andstratigraphic
stratigraphicdata
datado
do not
not provide
provide definitive
definitiveanswers
answers to
to the
the question
question of
of
plate
plate tectonic
tectonic setting
settingof
of the
the Animikie
Animikie Basin. However,
However,paleogeographic
paleogeographicreconstructions
reconstructionsbased
based on
vertical
vertical and
and lateral
lateral facies
facies transitions
transitions present within the Gunflint,
Gunflint, Biwabik, and Trommald iron

formations,
and clastic units above and below
strata indicate
indicate that
that it is
is doubtful
doubtful
formations, and
below iron-bearing
iron-bearing strata
deposition
migrating peripheral
depositionof
ofthe
theAnimikie
AnimikieGroup
Groupoccurred
occurredwithin
withinaamigrating
peripheral foreland
foreland basin
basin (Figure
(Figure 12).
12).

There
There is
is an
an apparent
apparentlack
lackof
ofcoarse
coarseturbiditic,
turbiditic, deltaic,
deltaic, and
and fluvial
fluvial sediments, adjacent to the fold
thrust
thrustbelt,
belt, and
and paleocurrent
paleocurrentdata
data from
from clastic
clastic and chemical sedimentary rocks are
are opposite
opposite to what
should
formation was
shouldbe
be observed
observed if
if deposition
deposition took
took place in a foreland basin. Also,
Also, if
if iron
iron formation
was to have
accumulated
accumulated in aa foreland
foreland setting
setting it
it should
should be
be restricted
restricted to the distal
distal shelf
shelf as
as weathering
weathering of the
peripheral
peripheralbulge
bulgewould
wouldshed
shedclastics
clasticsinto
intonearshore
nearshoreregions
regionseffectively
effectivelypreventing
preventingdeposition
depositionof
ofiron
iron
formation.
formation. Facies
Faciestransitions
transitionswithin
withiniron-bearing
iron-bearingmembers
membersindicate
indicatethe
the contrary,
contrary, a complete
complete shelf
shelf
sequence,
sequence, not
not just
just the
the distal
distalportion
portionis
ispresent.
present.

Although
Animikie Basin
Basin in
Although data
datais
is insufficient
insufficient to
to reconstruct
reconstruct the
the tectonic
tectonic evolution
evolution of the Animikie
detail,
detail,some
somegeneral
generalinferences
inferencesregarding
regarding the
the depositional
depositionalhistory
history of
of the
the Paleoproterozoic
Paleoproterowic strata
stratain
in
Ontario
Ontarioand
and Minnesota
Minnesotacan
canbe
be made.
made. Sedimentation
Sedimentationwithin
withinthe
thebasin
basinbegan
beganwith
withan
anoverall
overallmarine
marine
transgression
the
transgressiononto
ontothe
thesouthern
southernmargin
marginof
ofthe
the peneplained
peneplainedSuperior
Superior province
province and deposition
deposition of the
Pokegama
Mahnomen Formation.
Formation. The
PokegamaQuartzite
Quartzite and
and Mahnomen
ThePokegama
PokegamaQuartzite
Quartziteaccumulated
accumulated in
in nearshore,
tidally
tidally influenced
influencedsettings
settingswhile
whilethe
theMahnomen
Mahnomen Formation
Formation was deposited
deposited simultaneously in more
distal
shelf
regions
by
pelagic
settling
and
waning
turbidity
currents.
This
clastic deposition
deposition
distal shelf regions by pelagic settling
turbidity
This phase of clastic
was
probably
associated
with
the
early
history
of
basin
development.
Through
time,
the
continuing
was probably associated with the
Through
continuing
erosion
erosionof
of the
the source
sourceterrain
terrainresulted
resultedin
in aa reduction
reduction of
of clastic
clastic supply
supply to
to the
the basin,
basin, to
to aa point
pointwhere
where

iron
iron formation
formation began to accumulate
accumulate on the
the shelf,
shelf, away
away from
from the
the land-derived
land-derived clastics
clastics still
still
accumulating
iron formation
formation was
accumulatingin
inthe
thenearshore.
nearshore.Once
Oncethe
thehighland
highlandwas
wasreduced
reducedto
to near
near base
base level
level iron
then
then able
ableto
to accumulate
accumulatein
inthe
thenearshore,
nearshore, and
anddirectly
directlyonlap
onlapthe
the Superior
Superiorprovince.
province.

Deposition
Deposition of
of iron
ironformation
formation occurred
occurred during
during an
anoverall
overalltransgressive
transgressive marine
marine event
event

punctuated
punctuatedby
by two
twominor
minorregressions.
regressions.Lateral
Lateralfacies
faciestransitions
transitionswithin
withiniron-bearing
iron-bearingunits
unitsrecord
recordaa
complete
reworked nearshore
nearshore deposits
deposits
completeshelf
shelfsequence
sequencewhich
which fines
finesand
and thickens
thickens from
from coarse,
coarse, wave
wave reworked
to
the distal
distal shelf.
shelf. The
to parallel-laminated
parallel-laminated chemical
chemical mudstones
mudstones of
of the
The existence
existence of
of minor
minor mafic
mafic flows
flows
and
three volcaniclastic
volcaniclastic horizons
horizons in
in the
the
and tuffaceous
tuffaceous horizons
horizons in
in the
the Gunflint,
Gunflint, and
andthe
thepresence
presence of
of three
Ounflint
Gunflintand
andMesabi
Mesabiiron
ironranges
rangesindicate
indicatethat
that the
the region
region was
was volcanically active
active during
during subsidence
subsidence
in
in this
this phase
phaseof
of basin
basin development.
development.The
Thethickest
thickestvolcaniclastic
volcaniclastichorizon
horizonforms
formsthe
thebase
baseof
ofthe
theRove,
Rove,

Virginia,
Virginia, and
and Rabbit
Rabbit Lake
Lake Formations,
Formations, and
and marks
marks the
the transition
transition from
from chemical
chemical to
to clastic
clastic

sedimentation.
sedimentation.This
Thisvolcanic
volcanicepisode
episodestopped
stoppediron
ironformation
formationgenesis
genesisby
bychoking
chokingthe
thedepositional
depositional
system
with
volcaniclastics.
As
relative
sea
level
continued
to
rise
deposition
within
system with volcaniclastics. As relative sea level continued to rise deposition within the
the Animikie
Animikie
Basin
Basin was
wasdominated
dominatedby
byaccumulation
accumulationof
of clastics
clasticsderived
derived from
from the
the north
north by
by southward
southward flowing
flowing
turbidity
turbiditycurrents.
currents.

�Figure
asaamigrating
migratingperipheral
peripheralforeland
basin. Arguments
Figure 12.
12. The
TheAnimikie
Animikie Basin
Basin modelled
modelled as
foreland basin.
against this tectonic interpretation are presented in the text.

SOUTH
SOUTH

NORTH

-

-

FOLD
THRUST BELT
FOLD - AND
AND - THRUST
BELT

I FORELAND
FORELAND BASIN I
migrating to north

PERIPHERAL
PERIPHERAL BULGE

• •iiui

sediment
sediment eroded
eroded from
from
fold
fold -- and
and thrust
thrust belt
belt

mmmm
—
---- Â¥I

-

fluvio
deltaic
flu

I

sedts

.N

sediment eroded
eroded from
sediment
from
peripheral bulge

N

SUPERIOR PRO VINCE

nearshore clastics

ff011 formation

and coarse turbidites

0

20km

10
I

I

I

�FIELD
TRIP
FIELD T
R I P STOPS
STOPS
ITINERARY
ITINERARY
Stop 11
Stop
Stop 22
Stop
Stop 33
Stop
Stop 44
Stop
Stop S5
Stop
Stop
Stop 66
Stop 77
Stop
Stop 88
stop
Stop 99
Stop
Stop 10
Stop
10
Stop
Stop11
11
Stop 12
Stop
12

V

V

V
V

V

V
V

V

V

V
V

V
V

V
V

V
V

V

V
V

VV

V

V

V
V

V

Basal
stromatolites; Nolalu
Nolalu turnoff
turnoff
Basal unconformity,
unconformity, stromatolites;
Basal unconformity,
unconformity, stromatolites;
stromatolites; Kaministikwia
Kaministikwia Riven
Riverr
Basal
TufTs,volcaniclastic
volcaniclastic sediments;
sediments; Kakabeka
Kakabeka Falls
Tuffs,
Falls
Ribbon chert-carbonate;
chert-carbonate; Kakabeka
Kakabeka Falls
Falls
Ribbon
Basal
Basal pebbly
pebbly sandstone;
sandstone; Oliver
Oliver Road
Road
Stromatolites, beachrock;
beachrock; Rupert
Rupert Street
Stmmatolites,
Collapse breccia;
breccia; base
basc of
High Street
Park
Collapse
of High
Street Park
Grainstones, stromatolites; Current River
Slumped ribbon
ribbon chert-carbonate;
chert-carbonate; road
road to
to Pass
Pass Lake
Lake
Slumped
Rippled
Rippled siltstones;
siltstones; Transcanada
Transcanada Highway
Highway
Grainstones
with volcanic
volcanic sherds;
sherds; Terry
Teriy Fox
Fox Lookout
Lookout
Grainstones with
Grainstones; Transcanada
Transcanada Highway
Highway near
near Current
Cunent River
Grainstones;
River

V

V

V

V

pa
Thunder

V

o 00

V

Bay

000
0 hwy. 1h17

÷

g

—-

Lake
Superior

LEGEND
ARCHEAN

PROTER OZOIC
PROTEROZOIC

km
km

V

V

111
0
0

V
V

V

'I

++

V

V

V

5
5

Rove
Rove Formation
Formation

Eorniation
Gunflint Formation
10 0021 Gunflint

Figure
13. Geology
Geology of the Thunder
ThunderBay
Bay area.
area
Figure 13.

Rocks
~ ~ +1
~ Granitic
a ? i Rocks
+ i c
I

~olcanics
IV V VJ Volcanics

�STOP
STOP 11

Proceed west
weston
onHighway
Highway 11/17
11/17(the
(the Transcanada)
Transcanada) (Figure 13)past Kakabeka Falls
and over the Kaministikwia
Kaministikwia River. A
A few
few hundred metres
metres past this bridge there is a
turn off to Nolalu. Take
outcrop
Takeitit and
and proceed
proceed approximately
approximately100
100metres, the main outcrop
is
is on
on the
the right.
right.
Chemical
Archean granitoids
granitoids at
Chemical sediments
sedimentsof
of the Gunflint
Gunflint Formation rest directly on Archean
this location. This
thin conglomeratic
conglomeratic
Thishighlights
highlightsthe
the sporadic
sporadicdevelopment
development ooff the
the thin
veneer
comprising the Kakabeka Conglomerate
Conglomerate in
inthis
thisarea.
area. Stromatolites,
Stromatolites, including
including
veneer comprising
some
these basal
basal cherty
cherty carbonates.
carbonates. The
some large forms, are developed in these
The stromatolitic
stromatoliti;
ribbon carbonates
carbonates are
are abruptly
abruptly overlain
overlain by aa grainstone
grainstone succession.
succession.

STOP
STOP22

Proceed
Proceed back to
to the
the Transcanada
Transcanada Highway turn right and cross the Kaministiquia
Bridge. Turn
park to
to end
end of
Turnleft
lefton
onroad
road immediately
immediately after
after bridge
bridge and drive through park
road.
road .AApath
pathleads
leadstotothe
thefirst
firstset
setofofrapids
rapidsabove
abovethe
the bridge.
bridge.

The
The rapids
rapids are
are formed by Archean granitoids. The
The slow-water
slow-waterarea
area to
to the
the south
southisis
underlain
Gunflint Formation.
Formation. River
Riverlevel
level will
will govern
govern what can
can be observed
observed
underlain by the Gunflint
at
at this
this stop.
stop. The Kakabeka
Kakabeka Conglomerate
Conglomerate is patchily developed overlying the
Archean
Archean at
at this stop.
stop. Silicified
Silicifiedstromatolites
stromatolitesare
aredeveloped
developedon
on the
the Conglomerate
Conglomerateor
or
directly
directly on
on the granitic
granitic basement. This
Thisisis the
the location
location from
from which samples collected
in
cyanobacteria described in
in the
theliterature.
literature. The
in the 1950's
1950's yielded the first Gunflint cyanobacteriadescribed
samples
samples were
were from
from the
the silicified
silicified stromatolites
stromatolites and were described by Tyler and
and
Barghoom (1954).
(1954).
Barghoorn

STOP
STOP33

Proceed back to the Transcanada Highway
Highway and
andturn
turn left.
left. Turn
Turn right
right into
into the
the main
main
park entrance
entrance and
and park in
in the parking lot. Walk
Walkto
tothe
theobservation
observationplatform.
platform.
The
The river
river gorge
gorge is
is composed
composed of
of aa sequence
sequence of
of volcaniclastic
volcaniclastic shales
shales (less
(less resistant,
darker
darker units)
units) and
and tuffs
tuffs (more
(moreresistant,
resistant, lighter
lighter coloured
coloured units).
units). This sequence
sequence
represents
the
ma]
or
volcaniclastic
horizon
present
in
the
upper
Gunflint
Formation
represents the major volcaniclastic horizon present the upper
Formation
and
and is
is traceable
traceable to
to the
thesouth
souththrough
throughthe
theMesabi
MesabiRange.
Range. Basalts outcropping
outcropping
approximately
probably correlatable
this unit.
approximately30
30kilometres
kilometresto
tothe
the southwest
southwestare
are probably
correlatablewith
withthisunit.
Unpublished
Unpublishedgeochemistry
geochemistry(major,
(major,trace,
trace, REE
REEanalysis)
analysis)performed
performedon
onsamples
samplesof
of the
the
basalt
basalt indicate
indicate aa tholeiitic
tholeiiticcomposition
composition with a deep
deep mantle source
source (plume).

STOP
STOP44

Walk
Walk back
back to
to the
the southeast
southeastside
sideof
ofthe
the parking
parking lot.
lot.

An
forms this
this cut.
cut. Folds
An outcrop
outcrop of
of ribbon
ribbon chert-carbonate (ankerite) forms
Folds and faults
faults are
present
deformation. Commonly,
present and
and probably
probably represent soft sediment deformation.
Commonly, past studies
studies
of
of the
the Gunflint
GunflintFormation
Formationhave
havedescribed
describedthis
thistype
typeof
ofsediment
sedimentas
asforming
formingin
inaadeep,
deep,
quiet
quiet water
water environment
environment and
and this
this may
may be
becorrect.
correct. However, similar carbonate
carbonate
sequences
intertidal or
or lagoonal
lagoonal subtidal
subtidal
sequences are often
often attributed
attributed to deposition
deposition in intertidal
environments.
environments.The
Theevidence
evidencesupporting
supportingaadeep
deepor
or aa shallow
shallow setting
setting will be discussed
at
at this
thisstop.
stop.

�a tS-s
-:.

-

4

.,

-

.

-A

..r!'efl j

_

Figure
wave rip-up
rip-up
Figure 14.
14. Stop
Ston6.
6.A)
A)Intraformational
Intraformationalbeachrock
beachrockconglomerate
conglomerateformed by
by storm wave
of partially
partially cemented
cementedsurficial
surficial layers
layers of
of medium-grained
medium-grainedsand
sandin
in the
the upper
upper beach
beach
of
environment B)
stromatolites with
withmedium-grained
medium-grainedan
and
B)Plan-view
Plan-viewof
of cabbage-sized
cabbage-sizedstromatolites
environment.
granule sand
sand layers
layers banked
bankedup
upagainst
againstthem.
thea
granule

1

�STOP
STOP 55

Turn right onto the Transcanada
and turn left onto Oliver Road. Turn
Turn left on
Turn
Transcanada and
Road and
and right
right on
on Dawson
DawsonRoad.
Road. Drive 7.4 km
km to
to aa small
small dirt
dirt pull
pull off
off
Mapleward Road
on the left and park. Walk
down
the
path
for
a
few
minutes
until
you
see
a
small,
Walk down
rounded outcrop.
belonging to
to the
the Kakabeka
Kakabeka Conglomerate.
Conglomerate. It
This is an outcrop of pebbly sandstone belonging
overlies
Archean
granitic
rocks
and
represents
gris
(angular,
granitic
debris), probably
probably
@tic debris),
overlies Archean granitic rocks and represents
surrounding basement.
weathered from surroundiig

STOP 66
STOP

Turn left
left on Dawson
Turn right
right on
the
Turn
Dawson Road
Road and
and proceed
proceed to
to Thunder
Thunder Bay.
Bay. Turn
onthe
Oliver Road.
Road. Continue down Oliver Road Turn right
right at
at Hill
Hill
Transcanada and left on Oliver
the comer
corner with
with Queen
Queen Street.
Street. This
Street and stop at the
This is private property so stay on
the outcrop.
outcrop.
the base
base of
of the
the
This is a no hammer stop. The
The middle
middle stromatolitic
stromatolitic unit forming the
the Gunflint
Gunflint Formation
Formationoutcrops
outcropsatatthis
thislocation.
location. The carbonate
upper member of the
stromatolites are excellently preserved and are visible
visible in
in both
both cross-section
cross-section and
and plan
plan
stromatolites
forms
Carbonate sands
sands are
are banked up against the cabbage-sized forms
view (Figure 14). Carbonate
and eventually
eventually overwhelm
overwhelmthem.
them. The stromatolites
established themselves
themselveson
on aa
and
stromatolites established
silicified horizon
horizon which at other
other locations
locationsshows
showsevidence
evidenceof
ofsubaerial
subaerialexuosure.
exposure.This
This
silicified
provided the necessary hard substrate
substrate to
to allow
allowthe
thestromatolites
stromatolitesto
todevelop.
develop. The
unit providedthe
maj or
stromatolitic horizon is overlain by beachrock which has been disrupted by a major
stromatolites have been
been ripped
ripped up
up along
along with
with
storm event. Pieces
Pieces of
of the underlying stromatolites
overlying partially cemented carbonate sands. The beachrock formed in
inthe
theupper
upper
the overlying
beach environment
beach
environment due to salt
salt spray
spray from
from breaking
breaking waves
waves depositing
depositing meniscus
meniscus
cements at grain
grain contacts
contacts of the sand. This
partially cemented
cements
This partially
cemented sand
sand layer
layer on the upper
disrupted into slabs when
when a large storm caused waves
waves to
to break in this
tbis
beach was dismpted
environment.
environment.

STOP
STOP 77

Proceed back
back to
to Oliver
Oliver Road.
Road. Turn right. Turn
the
Turn left
left on Crown Street (at the
junction with
near where
where it bends
bends right
right and
and &amp;s
turns into
into Dixon
Dixon
junction
with John
John Street)
Street)and
and drive
drive to ;ear
Street. Drive
one
block
northwest
on
a
small
lane
to
the
base
of
the
High
Street
Park
Drive one block northwest
to the base of the High Street Park
hill.
outcrop forming
forming the base of the hill
bill is composed
composed of carbonate
carbonate breccia
breccia with
with some
The outcrop
chert clasts. Wavy
laminated
dripstone
forms
discontinuous
layers
blanketing
some
Wavy laminated dripstone
discontinuous
of the
the roof
roof of a
of the breccia piles. This
Thisisisaacollapse
collapse breccia
breccia formed by failure of
cavern
in
the
ankerite.
A
number
of
failures
occurred
as
denoted
by the
the ankerite. A number of failures occurred as denoted by
cavern
which were
were deposited
depositedon
ondebris
debrispiles
pileson
onthe
thecavern
cavernfloor
floor
interlaminated dripstones, which
by roof leakage. This
Thisunit
unit forms
forms the
the upper layer of the Gunflint Formation's lower
correlatable with
with STOP
STOP 6.
6. Maximum
Maximum
member and is often overlain by stromatolites comelatable
regression of the Animikie sea occurs at this internal
interval leading to
to subaerial
subaerial exposure
exposure
Gunflint sediments
sediments in the
the Thunder
ThunderBay
Bayregion.
region.Evidence
Evidenceof
ofsubaerial
subaerialexposure
exposurehas
has
of Gunflint
not been obserned
observed in drill core examined from south of the U.S. border.

�A) Sills
jfied stromatolitic
stromatolitic reef
reef overlain
ales
Figure
8.8. A)
Siliszjied
overlain by
by black
blackvolcaniclastic
volcanicIasticsit
shales
Figure I15.
S . Stop
Sto~
(background).
plane of
ankeritic grainstones.
grainstones.
-' B)
-' Hummocky
Hummoc'- bedding
' ?ddingplane
of ankeritic

�STOP 8

Drive
turn left.
left. Proceed to its end and
andturn
turnleft
leftonto
onto Cumberland.
Cumberland.
Drive to Oliver Road and turn
Continue
River. Turn
Continue driving
driving on
on Cumberland
Cumberland to
to Current
Current Ever.
Turnleft
left onto
onto Arundel
Arundel Street
Streetand
and
proceed to the cement bridge across the Current Rver.
River. Immediately
Immediately before crossing
crossing
the
onto Lyon Blvd. Pull
to the right into one of the
the parking
parking m
the bridge
bridge turn
turnleft onto
Pull off
offto
as.
areas.
Walk to the river then
then down
down river
river to
to the
the end
end of
of the
the outcrop.
outcrop.

You are standing on the Paleoproterowic
Paleoproterozoic sea
sea floor.
floor. The
The uneven topography of the
ankerite
ankerite grainstones
grainstones reflects
reflects the presence of dunes and hummocks produced by the
storm
which moved
moved thi
the carbonate
sands over
over the
the bottom
15).
carbonate sands
bottok (Figure
(~igure-15).
storm events
events which
Silicified
dot this
this irregular
irregularseascape.
seascape. This forms
forms the
the lower
lower
Silicified colonies of stromatolites dot
unit of
of a tripartite assemblage. Large
Large silicified
silicifiedstromatolites
stmmatolites occur
occur on the other side
of
directly overlying
overlying these is aavolcaniclastic
volcaniclastic silty
silty shale.
shale. A description
description
of the
the bridge and directly
of this
this sequence
sequence and
and its
itsinferred
inferreddepositional
depositional environment
environment follows (taken from
Fralick,
1989).
Fralick, 1989).

Major
Major Subdivisions
Subdivisions
Coalesced domal stromatolites form the microbial bioherms
bioherms present
present in the outcrops
outcrops on
on
Current
underlain by
by parallel
parallel
CurrentRiver.
River. They
Theyrepresent
representaaportion
portionof
ofthe
the upper
upper stromatolitic
stromatoliticzone and are underlain
laminated
complicated
laminatedand
and hummocky
hummocky cross-stratified
cross-stratified carbonate
carbonate grainstone which has undergone a complicated
history
and dolomitizition-ankeritizition.
dolomitization-ankeritization. The bioherms
history of
of silicification,
silicification, neomorphic
neomorphic spar growth and
are
are draped
draped by
by graded,
graded, centimetre-scale
centime&amp;-scale beds
beds of
of dark grey siltstone
siltstone and shale
shale (Figure
(Figure 16).
16).

Carbonate
Carbonate Grainstone
Grainstone
The grainstone
grainstone is divisible
divisible into
into three
three types:
types: 1)1)hummocky
hummocky cross-stratified;
cross-stratifie4 2) parallel
parallel
laminated;
3) massive,
massive, highly
highly silicified.
silicified.Flummocky
Hummockycross-stratification
cross-stratificationgenerally
generally has
has wavewavelaminated; and
and 3)
lengths,
lengths,between
between0.5
0.5 and
and 11m. ItItcommonly
commonlycontains
containsoval
oval and
and rectangular
rectangular rip-up
rip-up clasts
clasts which,
which, when
when
abundant,
abundant,fine
fineupwards
upwards in
in individual
individualbeds.
beds. Often
Oftensilicified
silicifiedrip-ups
rip-upsor
or mixtures
mixtures of
of silicified
silicified and
and nonsilicified
silicified rip-ups
rip-ups are
arepresent
present in
in non-silicified
non-silicified beds.
beds.
Parallel
they are less
less abundant. The
The
Parallellaminated
laminated grainstone
grainstone also
also contains rip-up clasts, but they
appearance of these units is
nodules. The
is complicated
complicated by the presence of silicified nodnles.
Thegrainstone
grainstone
develops
bend around
around silicified
silicified areas.
areas. The compaction
compaction
developsaa wavy
wavy lamination
laminationwhere
where the
the parallel laminae bend
deformed
but can be
deformed laminae
laminae are similar
similar in
inappearance
appearance to
tohummocky
hummocky cross-silicification,
cross-silicification, but
be
distinguished
distinguishedby
by the
thepresence
presence of
of low-angle
low-angleerosive
erosive truncations
truncationsin
in the latter.
Silicification
is very
verycommon.
common. One bed
bed near
near the
the base
base of
of
Silicificationof
of layers
layers and patches within layers is
the
silicification, culminating,
culminating, at
at its
its top
top in
the measured
measured section
section exhibits
exhibitsaa marked upward increase in silicification,
aa layer
layer of
of massive
massive chert.
chert. Another
Anotherhighly
highlysilicified
silicifiedzone
zonedirectly
directlyunderlies
underlies the
the stromatolite
stromatolitebearing
bearing
horizon.
horizon. Silicified
Silicifiedlaminae
laminaepresent
presentin
inother
other beds
beds have
have sharp,
sharp, flat top surfaces and sharp irregular
bottom
bottomsurfaces.
surfaces.Water
Waterescape
escapestructures,
structures,common
commonthroughout
thoughout the
the hummocky
hummocky cross-stratified
cross-stratifiedunits,
units,
sometimes
brittlelydeform
deformthese
thesesilicifled
silicifiedlayers,
layers, forming
forming cross-cutting
cross-cutting carbonate
carbonate dikes
dikes which rotate
sometimesbrittlely
plug-like,
plug-like,angular
angularchert
chertblocks
blocksto
toone
oneside.
side.

�Figure 16.
of1 the
stromatolitic sequence
on Current
Current
Figure
16. Stratigraphic
Stratigraphic sections
sections at
at varying
vafying scales
scales 0
the stromatolztzc
sequence on
River.

LEGEND
L
EGEND
I:

m

Limestone

I

90 -

Dolomite
Dolomite

____

wavy Lamination
Hum mocky Cross
Cross -Hummocky
Stratification
Stratification

El
V

/

1

I

F

/

F

F

/

I
F

F

/

F

so -

II,

__________ Section A

Intrabasinal
lntrabasinal
Rip—up Clasts
Rip-up
Clasts
Escape
Fluid Escape
Fluid
Structures
structures

0

ARCHEAN
BASEMENT

SECTION B
SECTION

SECTION A
SECTION
m

I

F
F

Pyrite Lenses
%
Lenses
___ Pyrite

.tr

I

/
/ / I / 1' / / 1 I I 1
/ / II / I / / I

F

Hemispherical
Hemispherical
___ .Stromatdi+es
Stromatolites

:°

I

I

60 -

Chert Light/Dark
Chert
LightIDark

e0

I

/

Parallel to
rj Parallel
Wavy Lamination

Co

I

F

=
Interbedded
flTInterbedded
Siltstone and
Siltstone
and Shale
Shale

t1

''I'll

- — — — -JROVE
FORMATION

--

m
m

12 —

I--- . -- - - -- - - -I -

7' i/i

.9 —

6

17 /
.,
'.-1
//I

,—. /

•6

3

.3

0

0

A PAP SpA P A p
PAPA PA P A P A
ASASASSA AS

P

�Microbial Bioherms
Bioherm
The base of
of the
thebioherm
biohem bearing
bearing layers
layers isiscomposed
composed of
ofparallel
parallellaminated
laminated carbonate
carbonate
containing isolated
isolated centimetre
centimetre to
todecimetre-scale
decimetre-scale (maximum
(maximum
grainstone, wavy silicified in patches, containiig
20cm
20
cmhigh
high xx 50
50 cm
cm wide)
wide) domal
domal stromatolites.
stromatolites. They
They represent
represent the
the SH-C/LLH-C
SH-CLLH-C type of Logan et
aL
mounds. Some
01. (1964). Grainstone
Grainstonelaminae
laminae are
are banked
banked up against the sides of the microbial mounds.
Some
mounds are buried by
the
grainstone
while
others,
after
being
partially
covered,
re-established
by the grainstone while others, after being p d a l l y covered, re-established
themselves.
stromatolites begin
themselves. The
Theamount
amountof
ofgrainstone
grainstonedecreases
decreasesupward
upward and
and the cabbage sized stromatolites
laterally merging. This
trend
resulted
in
the
development
of
up
to
1
m
high,
sometimes
overlapping,
This trend resulted in the development of up to 1mhigh, sometimes overlapping,
microbial mounds scattered oover
bottom. In
v e ~the bottom.
In areas
areas where
where early stromatolites
stromatolites flourished raised
platforms
were
built
(up
to
0.5
m
above
the
surrounding
bottom)
on
which
large, coalescing.
coalescing, domal
domal
platforms were built (up
mounds grew,
grew, giving
giving aa total
total relief
reliefabove
abovethe
the adjacent
adjacentarea
area of
of well
well over
over1I m.
m.
All stromatolites
stromatolites have
internal structures
poorly preserved.
presewed.
have been extensively silicified
silicified and internal
structuresare
are poorly
Lamination in the strornatolites,
when
visible,
is
caused
by
the
alternation
of
light
and
dark
stromatolites,
caused by the alternation of light and dark chert
chert
bands.
bands.

Pyrite layers and irregular blobs are present in the mounds, in places forming up to 20% of
the rock. A
A stratiform,
stratifom,discontinuous
discontinuouspyrite
pyritelayer
layeralso
also drapes
drapes some
some mounds; the larger ones. Lenses
Lenses
in this unit attain
attain thicknesses
thicknesses up to
to 10
I0 cm.
Siliciclastics
Siliciclastic,
microbial biohems.
bioherms. Centimetre-scale
beds
Siliciclastic, fine
f i e grained
Centimetre-scale graded
graded
beds
-grained rocks drape the microbial
comprising this
comprising
this unit
unit are
are internally
internally composed
composed of
of alternating
altemating matrix-rich and
and matrix-poor, millimetremillimetrescale laminae. The
angular qtmtz
quartz
Thematrix-rich
matrix-richlayers
layerscontain
containfine
fine grained,
grained, sand-sized
sand-sized clasts
clasts of very angular
and orthoclase
containing
orthoclase floating
floating in aa matrix
m&amp;ix composed
composed of
02very
very fine
finegrained
graineddark
darkmaterial
mat-erial-cont&amp;ng
disseminated pyrite and 1I to 2%
non-carbonate
carbon.
Matrix-poor
layers
are
composed
2% non-carbonate
Matrix-poor layers are composedof
of very
very
(maximum size
size 0.1
0.1 mm).
mm). The
The
angular quartz, orthoclase, biotite and muscovite in clast support (maximum
thinly
bedded
rocks
are
overlain
by
an
indistinctly
laminated
unit
which
fills
in
hollows
between
thinly bedded rocks are overlain by an indistinctly laminated unit which fills in hollows between the
the
stromatolite
stromatolite mounds.
mounds. It is aapoorly
poorly sorted,
sorted,matrix
matrix supported
supported silty
silty shale
shale with bedding
bedding parallel
muscovite flakes
muscovite
flakes up
up to
to 55 mm in length. Shallow,
Shallow,saucer
saucershaped
shapedscours
scoursoccur
occur in
in its
its upper
upper portion.
portion.
The scours
carbonate grainstone laminae
thick. The
scours are overlain
overlain by carbonate
laminae up to 1 cm thick.
The grainstone
grainstone unit
unit is
is 10
10
cm in thickness
and
is
interbedded
with
and
overlain
by
well
laminated
silty
shale
similar
to
the
silty
similar to
thickness and is interbedded
lower
lower unit.
unit.

DEPOSITIONAL ENVIRONMENT
DEPOSITIONAL
ENVIRONMENT AND HISTORY
HISTORY
Sta2e A -- Storm Dominated Sheq
Stage
Shelf
The presence
presence of hummocky
hummocky cross-stratified
cross-stratifiedcarbonate
carbonate grainstone
grainstone with
with the
the absence
absence of
of wavewaveripple
weather wave-base
wave-base
ripple reworked
reworkedtops
topsindicates
indicatesthat
thatthe
thesand
sandblankets
blankets were
were deposited
depositedbetween
between fair
fair weather
and stom
storm wave-base in arelatively
a relatively silicicIastic-free
siliciclastic-free environment
environment (Figwe
(Figure 17). The
The carbonate,
carbonate,or
or its
its
precursor was likely precipitated, eroded and abraded in shallow water areas and transported into
deeper water during storm events. Silicified
Silicifiedrip-up
rip-up clasts
clasts and
and crusts
cmstsdenote
denote that
that silicification
silicificationwas
was
syndepositional (as
degree of silicification increasing towards the
syndepositional
(asproposed
proposed by
by Simonson,
Simonson,1986);
1986);the
the degree
bed indicates
indicates that
that seawater
seawater(sensu
(sensulato)
lato)was
wasprobably
probablythe
thesilicieing
siliciing agent.
top of the bed

�/
-

...:

.

,
..

D.

sediments present at
Stop 8.
Figure
Figure17.
17. Developmentalphases
DeveIopmentaIphasesofofthe
theenvironment
environmentrepresented
represented by
by sedimentspresent
atS-.
Each
text.
Each stage
stage is
is discussed
discussed in
in the
the text.

I

�-

Stare B - Stabilization
Siii4fication of
Stabilization and Siliczfication
Stase
of the Substrate
If seawater
seawater was the
the agent
agent causing
causing alteration
alteration of
of the
the carbonates
carbonatesthen
then silicification
silicification should
should
increase
with
length
of
time
the
unit
was
positioned
close
to
the
water-sediment
interface.
increase with length of time the unit was positioned close to the water-sediment interface. This
This
scenario implies
implies that
that the
the stromatolites
formed by
by alteration
of
scenario
the massive
massive chert
chert underlying
underlying the
stromatolites formed
alteration of
carbonates
during
an
interval
of
lowered
deposition
rate.
This
is
best
explained
by
increasing
the
carbonates during an interval of lowered deposition rate. This is best explained by increasing the
water depth
depth so
so that
that the
the bottom
bottom sinks
sinks below
below storm
storm wave-base
wave-base and
and slower
slower deposition
deposition rates
rates ensue.
ensue.

-

Stage C
Stase
C - Stromatolite
Stromatolite Development
Development
Stromatolites grew on the silicified,
silicified, stabilized
stabilized substrate,
substrate, forming
forming inverted-bowl shaped
mounds on the
Some
mounds
the bottom.
bottom. The lack of
of wave
wave agitation
agitation and
and firm
firm substrate
substrate proved
proved ideal.
ideal. Some
stromatolites
were
occasionally
buried
by
grainstone
laminae
brought
in
by
seaward
flowing
bottom
stromatoliteswere occasionally buried grainstone laminae
seaward
bottom
currents generated during storm
events.
storm
Stage D
D --Large
Large Microbial Bioherm
Stase
Bwherm Growth
Growth
Individual
stromatolite
Individual stromatolitecolonies
coloniescoalesced
coalesced upwards,
upwards, forming
forminglarge
large mound
mound shaped
shapedstructures
structures
irregular bottom
bottom topography.
topography. Little
and creating an irregular
Little sediment
sediment accumulated
accumulated between
between the stromatolite
stromatolite
mounds
mounds as
as storm
storm events
events became
became less
less capable
capableof
of supplying
supplyingdetritus
detritusto
to the
the area.
area.

-

State E - Volcaniclastic
VolcaniclasticBurial
Growth of
of the bioherms
was abruptly
terminatedby
bythe
the deposition
depositionofof aa series
Growth
bioherms was
abruptly terminated
series of
volcaniclastic sediment blankets. The
Thedraping
drapingof
of these
these blankets
blankets over the mounds rather than their
than sedimentation from bottom
ponding in intermound
intermound areas indicates
indicates rain out from above rather than
currents.
currents.
feldspars) and
and sorting
sorting (large
The composition (fresh detrital biotite), angularity (subhedral feldspars)
well formed crystals floating
in
a
dark
fine
grained
groundmass)
all
point
to
little
or
no
reworking
floating a dark fine grained
of pyroclastic
pyroclastic material.
asrain
rainout
outfrom
fromash
ash landing
landingon
on
material. The
Thelayers
layersmay
mayhave
havebeen
beendeposited
depositeddirectly
directlyas
the water's surface
or
as
storm
deposited
layers.
The
latter
is
preferred,
as
the
microlaminations
can
surface or as storm
The latter is
microlaminations can
then be explained
explained by fluctuations
fluctuationsin
in the
the energy
energy level.
level. The
Thepresence
presenceof
of significant
significantquantities
quantitiesof
ofnonnoncarbonate carbon in the groundmass of these rapidly deposited units
units may
may reflect
reflect the
the settling
settling of
of the
the
volcaniclastics
a composition similar
siinilarto
vegetable soup.
soup. The occasional
occasional
volcaniclasticsthrough
throughaa sea
sea with acomposition
to microbial vegetable
large storm event eroded saucer shaped scours into the
the fine
fine grained
grained material
material and
andtransported
transported minor
minor
amounts of carbonate
amounts
carbonate in
in from
from the
the shore-proximal
shore-proximal zone.
zone.

Lateral Implications
As water depth
depth increased,
increased, the bottom changed
changed from
from a wave dominated
dominated condition
condition to
to aa zone
zone
sedimentation and
of slow sedimentation
and thus pervasive silicification.
silicification.This
Thisled
ledto
to stabilization
stabilizationof
of the
the sediment
sedimentand
and
stromatolites
began
to
develop.
With
time
(increasing
water
depth)
large
domal
structures
grew.
With time (increasing water depth)
domal structures
stromatolites
stromatolitic zone of the Gunflint Formation by
This succession
succession was
was brought
brought to an end in the upper stromatolitic
pyroclastic eruptions
eruptionsand
and volcaniclastic
volcaniclasticdeposition
depositiondrastically
drastically altering
altering bottom
bottom conditions.
conditions.
STOP 99
STOP

Turn left on Lyon Blvd.
Blvd. Then
Arundel. Turn
nodder Ave
Then right on Anmdel.
Turn left on Hodder
Ave and
and drive
drive
Transcanada. Turn
to the Transcanada.
Turnright
righton
onthe
theTranscanada
Transcanadaand
anddrive
driveto
to the
the Pass
Pass Lake
Laketurnoff.
turnoff.
Turn right here and proceed till you encounter
encounter a large outcrop of contorted
contorted ribbon
ribbon
chert-carbonate on
chert-carbonate
on your
your left.
left.

�Figure 18.
ribbon chedearbonate
chert-carbonate layers. B) SStop
Chert-carbonate silt
to1
~11.
1. Chert-carbonate
A)-.Ston 9. Disrupted ribbon
Figure
18. A)
to pebbly
pebbly grainstone
grainstone with rip-ups of volcaniclastic
sediment
and
fingernail-sized
volcaniclastic sediment and fingernail-sized,
shards.
shards.

1

____

- :' F&amp;:
.

1;

_

�a- Jrrce

——

_____

w

L

a:

r

Ia

r

TTTT
'a

—

, -a

/ 't* ;c
•-

5'4

'1r * J *

a

a

:
s

A
.1-1

—

at'

Efl C_

-

\
'

-

—

—

*

—

a-

a-

I

a

-,

Figure 19. A)
internal laminations
medium-grained sandstone stormlayer.
layer. The
Figure
A)Close-up
Close-upof internal
laminations in a medium-grainedsandstonestorm
one third
third of
of the
thelayer
layercontains
containsupperflow
upperfiowregime
regimeparallel
parallellaminations.
laminations. The
bottom one
two thirds
thirds Ic
hummockycross-stratified
cross-stratjfiedwith
withlow
lowangle
angletruncation
truncationsurfaces
surfaces
upper two
is hummocky
B) Outcrops
Outcropsat
at Stop
Ston 12.
12.
clearly visible. B)

�Laterally
chert and
and ankerite
ankerite layers
layers occur
occur in
Laterally continuous
continuous interlaminated
interlaminated chert
in this
this outcrop
outcrop
(Figure
1
8A).
These
layers
are
intensely
folded
and
disrupted
in
places.
The outcrop
outcrop
(Figure 18A). These layers are intensely folded and disrupted in places. The
provides
an
excellent
opportunity
to
discuss
if
the
deformation
is
synsedimentary,
provides an excellent opportunity to discuss if the deformation is synsedimentary,
why the
the ribbon
ribbon chert-carbonates
preferentially exhibit
exhibit this
this type
type of
of deformation
deformation and
and
why
chert-carbonates preferentially
what type
type of
depositional environment
what
of depositional
environment is
is represented
represented by
by these
these sediments.
sediments.

STOP 10
STOP
10

Proceed back
back to
Bay. Drive
Proceed
to the
the Transcanada
Transcanada and
and turn
turn left,
left, towards
towards Thunder
Thunder Bay.
Drive
approximately 1.8km
road on
on the
the right.
right. Turn
approximately
1.8km until
until you
you reach
reach the
the small
small side
side road
Turn right
right onto
onto
the
the dirt
dirt road
road and
and park.
park.
Volcaniclastic,
Volcaniclastic, very
very fine-grained
fine-grained sandstones,
sandstones, siltstones
siltstones and
and mudstones
mudstones occur
occur at
at this
this
location. These
location.
Theseare
areprobably
probably correlatable
the gorge
gorge at
correlatablewith
with the
the interval
interval examined
examined in the
Kakabeka
Kakabeka Falls.
Falls. The
Thevery
veryfine-grained
fine-grainedsandstones
sandstonesand
and coarse-grained
coarse-grained siltstones
siltstonesare
are
ripple
ripple laminated
laminated with
with well
well preserved
preserved internal
internal structure
structure (see
(see polished
polished hand
hand samples).
samples).
Again
possible depositional
Again the
the possible
depositionalprocesses
processes which
which may
may have
have operated
operated to
to form
form this
this unit
unit
will
be
discussed
in
the
field.
will be discussed in the field.

STOP
STOP11
11

Turn
right onto
onto the
the Transcanada
Transcanada and
and proceed
proceed towards
towards Thunder
Thunder Bay.
Bay. Turn
Turn right
Turn right
right at
at the
the
access
road
to
the
Terry
Fox
lookout.
Park
in
the
parking
lot
and
walk
to
the
large
access road to the Terry Fox lookout. Park in the parking lot and walk to the large
outcrop
outcrop on
on the
the highway;
highway; watch
watch out
outfor
forcars.
cars.

A
the Gunflint
Gunflint Formation
Formation at
at this
this location.
location. The
A large
large diabase
diabase sill
sill overlies
overlies the
The Gunflint
Gunflint
grainstones
present
here
contain
large
rip-up
fragments
and
both
small
grainstones present here contain large rip-up fragments and both small and
and large
large
sherds of
of volcanogenic
volcanogenic origin
origin(Figure
(Figure 18B).
l8B). Volcaniclastic
present near
near
Volcaniclastic shales
shales are
are present
sherds
the
top of
the sedimentary
this has
has been
been described
described by
by some
some workers
workers as
as
the top
of the
sedimentary sequence
sequence and
and this
However, interbedding
interbedding of
of volcaniclastic
the
the Gunflint-Rove
Gunflint-Rove contact.
contact. However,
volcaniclastic shales
shales and
and
chemical sediment
the upper
upper portions
portions of
of the
the Gunflint
Gunflint Formation,
Formation, and
chemical
sediment is
is common
common in
in the
and
if more
sediment occurs
occurs at
at aa higher
higher level
level this
this cannot
cannot be
be defined
defined as
as the
the
if
more chemical
chemical sediment
contact.
contact.

STOP
STOP 12
12

Turn
Turn right
right on
on the
the Transcanada
Transcanada and
and drive
drive across
across the
the bridge
bridge over
over the
the Current
CurrentRiver.
River.
Proceed up
hill on
the other
Proceed
up the
the hill
on the
other side.
side. A
Arock
rock cut
cutoccurs
occursat
at the
the top
top of
of the
the hill
hill and
and there
there
is
a dirt
dirt pull-in.
pull-in. Park
is a
Park here.
here.
This grainstone
those examined
on the
the Current
Current River
This
grainstone sequence
sequence is
is similar
similar to
to those
examined on
River (Figure
(Figure
19).
There
may
be
metre-scale
thinning-upwards
cycles
present
here
19). There may be metre-scale thinning-upwards cycles present here hut
but they
they are
are
indistinct.
indistinct.Thin,
Thin, discontinuous
discontinuouschert
chertlayers
layersoccur
occurat
at the
the tops
tops of
of these
these possible
possible cycles.
cycles.
In
places this
this chert
very carbon-rich,
carbon-rich, possibly
possibly denoting
denoting aa slowing
slowing of
of the
the deposition
deposition
In places
chert is
is very
rate
allowing
accumulation
of
organic
carbon.
This
outcrop
provides
an
opportunity
rate allowing accumulation of organic carbon. This outcrop provides an opportunity
to discuss
to
discuss some
some of
of the
the possible
possible process
process which
which could
could drive
drive deposition
deposition of
of this
this type
type of
of
assymetric
cycle
(Figure
20).
assymetric cycle (Figure 20).

Turn right
Turn left
left on
on
Turn
right on
on the
the Transcanada
Transcanada and
and proceed
proceed to
to Oliver
Oliver Road.
Road. Turn
Oliver Road
Road and
and turn
turn right
right at
at the
the road
road leading
leading to
to the
the main
main entrance
entrance of
of Lakehead
Lakehead
Oliver
University.
University.

�Figure
modelfor
for nonbarred
nonbarred portions
portions of
Figure 20.
20. Generalized
Generalized depositional
depositional model
of the
the strand-proximal
strand-proximal
Gunflint
shelf
during
deposition
of
upper
Gunflint
chemical
sediments.
Gunjlint shelf during deposition of upper Gunflint chemical sediments.

Karstified Area
Karstified

Stromatolites,ij
Stromatolites
//'.i:;.:

I—

attcc

-

..

-

..

.

C-

—r--rr.
—.

'C.

/

7

.•.

Grainstone
Reworked
( Reworked
Chemical
Chemical
Sediment))
Sediment
C

L.

Fine —
Grained
Fine
- Grained
Chemical
Chemical Sediment
Sediment

�.+.

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�GLACIAL
GLACIAL HISTORY AND REGIONAL TILL
SAMPLING
SAMPLING IN THE
THE ARCHEAN
SHEBANDO WANGREENSTONE
GREENSTONE BE
BELT
SHEBANDOWAN
I

Andy Bajc, Ontario Geological Survey

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Shebandowan Greenstone Belt,
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is aa bedrock-dominated
bedrock-dominated
terrain,
terrain, typically
typically having
having thin
thin till cover. Till
Till sampling
sampling
techniques and resultant
grain and
resultant gold grain
and other
other heayy
heavy mineral
results will be examined in an exploration context
context.

�INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
The Shebandowan
Shebandowan greenstone
greenstone belt, which is located
located immediately north and west of the city of
Thunder
exploration and mining spanning well over 100
Thunder Bay, has a rich history of mineral exploration
100 years.
The
belt
is
host
to
a
variety
of
precious
and
base
metal
mineral
deposit
types.
Past
producers
The
mineral deposit types.
include the Inco
Inco Limited Shebandowan
Shebandowan Ni-Cu-PGE mine, the
the North Coldstream
Coldstream Cu-Au-Ag
Cu-Au-Ag mine
mine
include
and the Ardeen Au mine which
which was
was northern
northernOntario's
Ontario's first
first gold
gold producer.
producer. Exploration activity
activity
within
response to the depressed prices of precious
precious and
within the belt has
has currently
currently subsided,
subsided, largely
largely in response
base metals
and
the
inability
ofjunior
mining
companies
to
raise
hinds
for
exploration.
metals
of junior mining companies to raise funds for exploration.
In response to this
this recent decline
decline in mining
mining and mineral
mineral exploration
exploration activity
activity within the belt, the
Ontario
and drift
drift geochemistry
geochemistry
Ontario Geological
Geological Survey
Survey initiated a 2 year program of Quaternary geology and
to further evaluate
potential of
of the
the Shebandowan belt.
belt. This was accomplished
evaluate the mineral resource potential
by detailed (1:50
(1 :50 000
000 scale)
scale) Quaternary geology mapping and regional humus and c-horizon till
sampling.
sampling. Quaternary
Quaternarymapping
mapping was
was undertaken
undertaken to
to document
document the
the distribution
distribution and character of the
various
Quaternary
deposits
within
the
study
area
and
to
reconstruct
various Quaternary deposits within the study area and to reconstruct the
the ice
ice flow
flow history
history associated
associated
with
with these
these deposits.
deposits. This
Thisinformation
informationisis essential
essentialfor
forthe
thesuccessful
successfulimplementation
implementationof
ofmineral
mineral
exploration
drift prospecting
prospectingtechniques
techniquesand
and surficial
surficialgeochemistry.
geochemistry.
explorationprograms
programsutilizing
utilizing drift
During
During the
the 1998
1998field
field season,
season, Quaternary
Quaternary mapping
mapping and
and regional
regional humus
humus and
and c-horizon
c-horizon till
till
sampling
sampling were conducted
conducted over the eastern half of the belt within
within the area
area covered by the Sunshine
Sunshine
(52A/l2)
(52N12)and
andKakabeka
KakabekaFalls
Falls (52A/5)
(52N5) 1:50
1:50000
000scale
scaleNational
NationalTopographic
Topographic System
System (NTS) map
sheets
sheets (Figure
(Figure 1).
1). The
Theresults
resultsof
ofthis
thiswork
workare
aresummarized
summarizedin
in Ontario
OntarioGeological
Geological Survey
Survey Open File
Report
(Bajc 1999a).
1999a). Mapping
Mappingand
andsampling
samplingwas
wasextended
extendedwestward
westward into
into the
the Shebandowan
Shebandowan
Report 5993
5993 (Bajc
(52B/9)
(52B19) and
and Burchell Lake (52B/10)
(52B110) 1:50000
1:50 000scale
scaleNTS
NTS map
map areas
areas during
during the 1999
1999 field season.
An OGS
OGS preliminary
preliminary map
map containing
containing information
information on
on the
the regional
regional distribution
distribution of
of gold
gold grains
grains in
in till
till
within
was released during the fall of 1999
1999 (Bajc 1999b). The
The complete
complete mineralogical
mineralogical and
within this
this area
area was
geochemical
geochemicaldatasets
datasetsfor
for the
the western
western half
half of
of the
the belt
belt were
were released
released in
in the
the spring
spring of
of 2000
2000 (Bajc
(Bajc
2000).
2000).

BEDROCK
BEDROCK GEOLOGY
GEOLOGY
A
A comprehensive
comprehensivesummary
summaryof
of the
the bedrock
bedrock geology
geology of
of the
the study
study area
area is
is contained
contained in papers by
Sutcliffe
Sutcliffe (1991),
(1991), Williams
Williams (1991)
(1991) and Williams
Williams aetall
al.(1991)
(1991)as
aswell
wellas
asininnumerous
numerousOntario
Ontario
Geological
Geological Survey
Survey maps
maps and reports. The
Thestudy
studyarea
areacontains
contains33 distinct
distinct bedrock domains
domains (Figure
(Figure
2).
2). The
Thecentrally-located
centrally-locatedWawa
WawaSubprovince,
Subprovince,within
withinwhich
whichthe
the Shebandowan
Shebandowan greenstone
greenstone belt
occurs,
occurs, is
is fault-bounded
fault-boundedto
to the
the north
north by
by metasedimentary
metasedimentaryand
and felsic
felsic intrusive
intrusive rocks
rocks of
of the
the Quetico
Quetico
Subprovince
Subprovinceand
and unconformably
unconformably overlain
overlain to
to the
the south
southby
by Paleoproterozoic
Paleoproterozoicmetasedimentary
metasedimentaryrocks
rocks
of
Animikie Group
Group(Gunflint
(Gunflintand
and Rove
Roveformations).
formations).
of the
the Animikie
Metasedimentary
Metasedimentaryrocks
rocks of
of the
the Quetico
QueticoSubprovince
Subprovinceconsist
consistprimarily
primarily of
of turbiditic
turbiditic wackes,
wackes,
arkoses
migmatites.
PostQuartzarenites
arenites and
and their
their associated
associated paragneisses
varaeneisses
and miematites.
Post- to
to
arkoses and
and quartz
- syndepositional
syn&amp;msitiorkl felsic
felsicplutons
plutonsconsisting
consistingof
offeldspar-megacrystic
feldspar-megacrysticgranite,
granite, granodiorite
granodiorite to
to tonalite
tonalite
and
and monzonite
monzonite comprise
comprise aa notable
notable proportion
proportion of this domain. Narrow,
Narrow, elongate
elongatelenses
lensesof
of tholeiitic,
tholeiitic,

�PROTEROZOIC
Jacobsville Gp.- sandstone, shale, wnglomerate
[_\j Keweenawan mafic intrusive rocks
Sibley Gp.-conglomerate,sandstone,shale
I
Animikie Gp.-wacke, shale, iron formation,
limestone, minor volcanics
Oskr Gp.- basalt, wn@omerate, a h s e

a

ARCHEAN
Fekic lntmsbe ro&amp;

0 Queliw Subpvinm mtasedimnta~yrocks
UI

tig goon Subpvince supracrustal rocks
Wawa Subprovince supramstat rocks

[S3 1998 Survey Area
19gg suwey Area

Figure 1.
Figure
1.Location
Locationmap
mapofofstudy
studyarea
areaincluding
includingregional
regionalbedrock
bedrockgeology.
geology.
mafic metavolcanic
the Quetico
metavolcanic rocks and associated gabbroic rocks occur locally within the
Subprovince (Brown 1995,
1995, Osmani
Osmani 1997).
1997).
Metasedimentary rocks of the Gunflint
Gunflint and Rove formations (Animikie Group) were deposited
Metasedimentary
Minnesota, Wisconsin
Wisconsin and
and Michigan
Michigan(Sutcliffe
(Suteliffe 1991).
1991). The
within a large basin that extends into Minnesota,
Gunflint Formation
unconformably on the Archean
Formation contains a basal unit of conglomerates
conglomerates that rest unconfommbly
jasper,
basement and are overlain by interbedded argillites, argillite tuffs, cherts, algal cherts, jasper,
carbonates, hematite,
hematite, magnetite
magnetitetaconite
taconiteand
andsilicate
silicate(aconite.
taconite. The
carbonates, ferruginous carbonates,
consists of black, locally pyritic shales and grades upward
upward into
into
overlying Rove Formation consists
interbedded black shale and arkosic greywackes.
greywackes. Mesoproterozoic
"Logan"
diabase
sills
intrude the
the
Mesoproterowic
diabase sills intrude
resistant cap rocks of large mesas in the southern part of the map
Rove Formation
Formation and form the resistant
area. Silver
Silvermineralization
mineralizationoccurs
occurslocally
locally along
along normal
normal faults
faults that intersect the contact between
Rove Formation shales and Logan diabase
diabase sills.
sills. Notable silver
silver deposits
deposits occur in the southeastern
corner
of
the
Kakabeka
Falls
NTS
map
area,
in
the
vicinity
of
Badger
and Beaver mountains
mountains
comer
Mountain group
group of
of deposits)
deposits) and
and Silver
SilverMountain.
Mountain. Accessory minerals
minerals in
in these
these
(Creswel or Rabbit Mountain
calcite; quartz;
quartz; barite;
barite; and
and fluorite
fluorite
deposits include: acanthite; pyrite; sphalerite; marcasite; galena; calcite;
(Franklin eta/.
1986).
et at 1986).

�Figure 2. Bedrock geology of the study area,

Archean metasedimentary rocks (Wawa Subprovince)

Aichean mafic intruswe rocks

Archean felsic4ntennediate intrusive rocks

Archean meta volcanic rocks

*
CmsweuRabbit Mtn. Ag deposits

Snodgrass Lake Au deposit

Shebandowan Ni-Cu-POE mine

North Coidsiream Cu-Au mine

Animikie Op. Metasedimentaiy rocks

Archean metasedirnentary rocks (Quetici, Subprovince)

Ardeen Au mine

Keweenawan malic intrusive rocks

�can be
be subdivided into
into 2 contrasting
Supracrustal rocks of the Shebandowan greenstone belt can
packages of metavolcanic
metasedimentary rocks: 1)
metavolcanic and metasedimentary
1) an older suite of mafic to felsic
metavolcanic
metavolcanic rocks
rocks belonging to the Greenwater
Greenwater assemblage; and 2) a younger suite of
metasedimentary
to the
the Shebandowan
Shebandowan assemblage.
assemblage. The
metasedimentary and metavolcanic rocks belonging to
Greenwater
assemblage
consists
primarily
of
tholeiitic
basalts
with
intercalated
intermediate to
Greenwater assemblage
felsic
and Stott 1998). Mineralization
felsic metavolcanic
metavolcanic rocks and minor komatiites (Corfu and
Mineralization at the
Shebandowan, North Coldstream and Ardeen mines are all contained within Greenwater
assemblage
Ni-Cu-Pt-Co mineralization
mineralizationatatthe
theShebandowan
Shebandowanmine
mineisishosted
hosted by
by aa gabbrogabbroassemblage rocks. Ni-Cu-N-Co
peridotite
sill.
Cu-Au-Ag
mineralization
at
the
North
Coldstream
mine
is
hosted
by
a
highly
peridotite
Cu-Au-Ag mineralization at the North Coldstream mine is hosted
silicified
silicified gabbro. Gold
Goldmineralization
mineralizationatatthe
the Ardeen
Ardeen mine
mine occurs
occurs in
in composite
composite quartz veins
developed
along
the
Pete
and
Ardeen
fault
systems.
Advanced
exploration
developed
Pele
exploration in the form of a decline
ramp
ramp and
and bulk sample
sample was
was undertaken
undertaken at the Snodgrass
Snodgrass Lake Au prospect in central Moss
Township
mid-i 980s. Gold
Township during the mid-1980s.
Gold mineralization
mineralizationoccurs
occurs in
in sheared
sheared felsic
felsic metavoicanic
metavolcanic rocks
and in sheared and fractured diorite, gabbro and
and quartz-feldspar
quartz-feldsparporphyries.
porphyries. The Haines gabbroanothosite
within the
the belt.
belt. The intrusion,
anothosite complex
complex represents one of the larger mafic intrusions within
which
occurrences.
which is
is crudely layered, is host to a number of Ni-Cu-PGE occurrences.
The
overlies (i.e.,
(i.e., fault contact) and
The younger, Shebandowan
Shebandowan assemblage
assemblage both unconformably overlies
intrudes
intrudes the Greenwater
Greenwater assemblage. ItIt consists
consists of
of alkalic
alkalic metavolcanic
metavolcanic and intrusive rocks (tuff,
breccia,
breccia, syenite,
syenite, lamprophyre,
lamprophyre, quartz
quartz and
and feldspar
feldspar porphyry, granodiorite and diorite) as well as
metasedimentary
metasedimentaryrocks
rocks (arkoses,
(arkoses, wackes, conglomerates
conglomeratesand oxide-facies
oxide-facies iron
iron formation)
formation)
at
1998).
This
assemblage
is
interpreted
as
representing
an
intracratonic
(Schneiders
ci'
This assemblage is interpreted as representing an intracratonicbasin
basin
(Schneiders et al.
assemblage
assemblagesimilar
similarto
to the
the Timiskaming
Timiskamingassemblage
assemblageof
of the
the Abitibi
Abitibi subprovince.
subprovince.
Most
Most gold
gold occurences
occurencesin
in the
the eastern
eastern portion
portion of
of the
the Shebandowan
Shebandowangreenstone
greenstone belt display
display a close
close
spatial
association
with
rocks
of
the
Shebandowan
assemblage.
The
style
of
gold
mineralization
is
spatial association
The style of
not unlike
and
Kirkland Lake.
Lake. Gold
i m m i nand
i I&amp;kland
unlike that which occurs in such
such prolific mining camps as ~Tinimins
mineralization
mineralizationisiscommonly
commonly associated
associatedwith
with both
both large
large scale
scale and
and subsidiary
subsidiarystructures
structures and
structurally-controlled
en echelon
echelon quartz veins,
structurally-controlledintrusions.
intrusions. Mineralization
Mineralizationoccurs
occursin
in sheeted
sheetedand
and en
stockwork
stockworkzones
zones and
and vein
vein breccias
breccias as
as well
well as
as in
in stocks,
stocks,dikes
dikes and
and sills
sillsof
of felsic
felsicto
to mafic
mafic
composition.
composition. Gold
Goldisisalso
alsocommonly
commonlyassociated
associatedwith:
with: sulphide-rich,
sulphide-rich,quartz-veined
quartz-veined replacement
replacement
zones
zonesin
in oxide
oxidefacies
faciesiron
iron formation;
formation;silica-flooded,
silica-flooded,hydrothermally-altered
hydrothermally-altered zones; and
and ironcarbonate
with shear
shear and
and permeable
permeablezones.
zones. Associated
carbonate and
and pyrite-rich zones commonly associated with
alteration
alteration and
and accessory
accessory minerals
minerals thclude:
include: iron
iron carbonate;
carbonate; silica;
silica; potassic
potassic feldspar;
feldspar; sericite;
sericite;
arsenopyrite; tourmaline;
tourmaline; and
and green
green mica (Schneiders
(Schneiders et aL
al. 1998).
1998).
hematite; chlorite;
chlorite; calcite;
calcite; pyrite;
pyrite; arsenopyrite;
hematite;
Notable
Notable exploration
explorationprograms
programs within
within the
the current
currentstudy
study area
area are
are highlighted
highlighted in the last 55 annual
annual
volumes
volumes of
of the Resident
Resident Geologist's
Geologist's Report
Report of
of Activities.
Activities.

as

GLACIAL
GLACIALGEOLOGY
GEOLOGY
The
The study
study area
area isis characterized
characterizedby
by several
several contrasting
contrasting physiographic
physiographic regions, each defined by a
unique
unique suite
suite of
of overburden
overburden conditions. Most
Mostof
ofthe
theBurchell
BurchellLake
Lakeand
and Shebandowan
Shebandowan NTS map
areas
areas as
as well
well as
as parts
parts of
of the
the Sunshine
Sunshineand
and Kakabeka
Kakabeka Falls
Falls NTS
NTS map
map areas
areas are
are characterized
characterized as
as
bedrock-dominated
drift occur
occur in
in morainic
morainic belts,
bedrock-dominated terrains. Local
Localaccumulations
accumulationsof
of thick
thick drift
glaciofluvial
glaciofluvial complexes
complexesand
and narrow,
narrow, structurally-controlled
structurally-controlleddepressions
depressions within
within these
these uplands.

�Thicker
within g.
Thicker deposits
deposits of
of till and/or
andlor glaciofluvial
glaciofluvial and glaciolacustrine sediments occur within#?
isolated
isolatedbasins
basins(Figure
(Figure3).
3). AAnorthern
northernlowland,
lowland,here
herereferred
referredtotoasasthe
the"Kaministikwia
"Kaministikwiabasin",
basin",
occupies
Kaministikwia rivers. AA
occupies the
the valleys
valleys of
of the
the Oskondaga,
Oskondaga, Matawin, Shebandowan and Kaministikwia
southern
In the
the northern
northern
southern basin is centred
centred on the valleys of the Whitefish and Kaministikwia rivers. In
basin,
basin, thick
thick deposits
deposits(several
(several tens
tens of
of metres) of
of glaciofluvial
glaciofluvial and glaciolacustrine
glaciolacustrine sediments
sediments drape a
rugged
surface
rolling landscape
landscapewith
with sporadic
sporadicbedrock
bedrock
rugged Archean
~ r c h e bedrock
bedrock
k
surface producing
producing aa gently rolling
outcrops.
The
low
relief
observed
within
the
southern
basin
is
a
reflection
of
not
only
outcrops. The low relief observed within the southern basin is a reflection of not onlythe
theflat-lying
flat-lying
Proterozoic
glaciolacustrine deposits that
~roterizoicsediments
sedimentsthat
that underlie
underlie the
the region, but the extremely
extremely thick glaciolacustrine
have
have infilled
infilled deep
deep valleys
valleys along the Whitefish
Whitefish and Kaministikwia
Kaministikwia rivers. Overburden
Overburdenthicknesses
thicknesses
along
along these
these valleys
valleysexceed
exceed 60
60m
m in
in places.
places.
The
The erosional
erosionaland
and depositional
depositionalfeatures
features preserved within the study area record a complex
history
history of
of ice
ice flow
flow events
events associated
associated with the Wisconsinan glaciation
( T i m 44).1 The
Theentire
entirestudy
study
-daciation (Figure
area
area was
was initially
initially affected
affected by southward flowing "northern"
"northern" ice. Striae
striaeassociated
associatedwith
with this
thisevent
event
generally
220° Az. In
In the
the southern
southernhalf
half of
of the
the Sunshine
Sunshinemap
map area,
area, there
there is
is
generally range between 190°
190Âand 220'
widespread
evidence
for
an
older
ice
flow
event
towards
160°
Az.
The
age
and
significance
of
this
widespread evidence for an older ice flow event
160"
significance
event
event is
is not
not known.
known.
Pauses
Pauses in
in the
the general
general retreat
retreat of
of the
the "northern"
"northern" ice
ice lobe
lobe resulted
resulted in
in the
the formation
formationof
oflarge,
large,
which
traverses
arcuate,
arcuate, recessional
recessional moraines
moraines in northwestern Ontario. The
TheBrule
Brule Creek
CreekMoraine,
Moraine,
Aldina
A l d i and Marks
Marks townships
townships in the west-central portion of the Kakabeka Falls NTS map area,
represents
represents one
one of these stilistand
stillstand positions (Figure 4). This
Thismoraine
morainehas
hasbeen
beentraced
tracedwestward
westward into
the Shebandowan
by aa discontinuous
discontinuous belt
belt of
Shebandowan and
and Burchell Lake map areas where it is defined by
morainic
associated ice-contact
ice-contact stratified
stratifieddeposits.
deposits. West of the stud
study
morainic ridges composed of till and associated
with
the
Eagle
Finlayson
Moraine
(Zoltai
area,
the
Brule
Creek
Moraine
has
been
correlated
area, the Brule Creek Moraine has been correlated with the Eagle Finlayson Moraine (Zoltai 1965).
1965).
A
A large
large ice-contact delta
delta built off of this moraine along the south shore of Burchell Lake is graded
to
to an
an upper
upper level
level of
of glacial Lake Agassiz. The
Theupper
uppertopset
topsetsurface
surfaceof
of the
the delta
deltaoccurs
occursat
at an
an
elevation
as1 (1500-1550 feet aasl).
s h To
To the east of Marks Township, the Brule
elevation of 457 to 472 m asl
Creek
Creek Moraine
Moraine has
has been
been overridden
overridden and obscured
obscured by
by aayounger
younger glacial
glacial advance
advance (Figure
(Figure 4).
Isolated
deposits of northern provenance and
Isolated buried deposits
denosits of
of ice-contact
ice-contact stratified
stratified glaciofluvial
elaciofluvial dewsits
possibly associated
and
associated with
with the
the Brule Creek Moraine occur in south-central Conmee A
d west-central
Oliver
Olivertownships.
townships.

-

A second major moraine of northern affinity (Dog Lake
Lake Moraine)
Moraine) is
is situated
situated in
in the
the northeastern
northeastern
corner
4). Unlike
comer of
of the Sunshine
Sunshine map
map area
area in the vicinity of Dog Lake (Figure 4).
Unlike the Brule Creek
Moraine,
this
moraine
was
constructed
following
a
minor
readvance
of
the
"northern" ice lobe.
Moraine, this moraine was
following
Glaciolacustrine
readvance. In
In the
the vicinity
vicinity
Glaciolacustrine sediments
sediments underlying till north of the moraine support aa readvance.
of Dog Lake, the moraine is fronted by a lobate, flat-topped,
flat-topped, glaciofluvial
glaciofluvial plain
plain believed
believed to
to be
be
deltaic
deltaic in origin. The
Theelevation
elevationof
ofthis
thisplain
plain(460
(460m
masl)
as]) defines
definesthe
the level
level of
of Glacial
GlacialLake
Lake
Kaministikwia, a large
large glacial lake which occupied the Kaministikwia basin. Distinctive
Distinctivered
red clays,
clays,
associated with this
to, but not above, this
this glacial lake can be found throughout the basin up to,
elevation.

�IA

r—

I'

-

-

r- —

C—

Figure 3. Digital elevation model of the Shebandowan greenstone belt and surrounding region.

,1

c—

r-—

C

—- — -

—

--

r

-

�f(i

ij

Figure4.4. Ice
Ice flow
flowpatterns,
patterns, major
major moraines
moraines and
and surface
surface tills
tills of
of the
the study
study area.
area. Onlapping
Onlappingpattern
pattern of
ofarrows
arrowsindicates
indicates age
age relationships
relationships
Figure
of
ice
flow
events.
Light
grey
zone
indicates
area
where
older,
northern
till
exposed
on
surface.
Dark
grey
zone
indicates
of ice flow events. Light grey zone indicates area where older, northern till exposed on surface. Dark grey zone indicates
area
affected
by
Marquette
readvance
(southern
area
by
Superior
lobe;
northern
area
by
northern
lobe).
area affected by Marquette readvance (southern area by Superior lobe; northern area by northern lobe).

�Kaministikwia was
was topographically-supported
topographically-supportedon
on its
its southern
southernflanks
flanksby
by an
anupland
upland
Glacial Lake Kaministikwia
in the northwestern corner of the Kakabeka Falls NTS area
area (Figure
(Figure 3)
3) as
as well as
as by glacial
glacial ice
ice
advancing out of the Superior basin and whose terminal position is defined by the Marks moraine
TheMarks
Marksand
andDog
DogLake
Lake moraines
moraines are
are correlative
correlative and
and merge
merge east
east of
of the
the study
study area
area
(Figure 4). The
Striaeassociated
associatedwith
withthe
theadvance
advanceof
of the
the Superior
Superiorlobe
lobe
along the McKenzie interlobate Moraine. Striae
range from
from 3400
340ÂAz in the northeast to 240Â
240° Az in the southwest attesting to the lobate nature of the
Thisadvance
advanceisiscorrelated
correlatedwith
withthe
theMarquette
Marquettestadial,
stadial,aalate-glacial
late-glacial surge
surgeevent
event that
that
Superior lobe. This
resulted in much of the Superior basin being reoccupied by glacial ice about 9.9 ka
With the
the
ka BP.
BP. With
corner of the Kakabeka Falls area, the Superior lobe advanced into a
exception of the northeast comer
glacial lake, referred to as "Glacial Lake OtConnortt
Numerous sections
sectionsalong
along the
the
O'Connor" (Zoltai
(Zoltai 1963). Numerous
Whitefish River expose thick sequences of glaciolacustrine rhythmites beneath a fine-textured
Superior lobe till. Shorelines
Shorelinesof
ofthis
thisglacial
glaciallake
lakehave
havenot
notbeen
beenidentified.
identified.
Superior
(Patrician) provenance has been observed throughout the
the entire study area.
area. On
Till of northern (Patrician)
On
less than
than aa few metres
metres
Archean terrane, beyond the limits of the Superior lobe, the till is generally less
thick and has a silty sand texture with low to
to moderate
moderate stone-content.
stone-content. Till cover is significantly
more extensive
thicknesses of 5
extensive over
over the east-central part of the Shebandowan
Shebandowan NTS map area where thicknesses
to 10 m
m are
are not
not uncommon.
uncommon. Unoxidized till generally has an olive-grey
olive-grey to
to buff-grey
buff-greycolour.
colour. The
contains a high proportion of clasts
clasts that are locally-derived. Faceted
Faceted and
andstriated
striatedclasts
clasts
till often contains
within the till indicate deposition by ice flowing towards
towards the
the south-southwest.
south-southwest. Many exposures of
this northern till contain remnant clasts
Sibley Group metasediments. These
Thesedistinctive,
distinctive,reddishreddishclasts of Sibley
coloured siltstones occur most commonly east of Thunder Bay on
the
Sibley
Peninsula
and
on the
Peninsula and to
to aa
Nipigon basin.
basin. Sibley
Sibley Group
Group clasts
clasts in
in northern
northern
lesser extent, northeast of the study area in the Lake Nipigon
till are likely derived from the Nipigon basin, 70 km to the northeast. The
Thenon-magnetic
non-magneticheavy
heavy
mineral concentrates
concentrates of northern tills are rich in clinopyroxenes derived from Nipigon diabase
within this same
same area.
area.

Northern till is buried beneath variable thicknesses of glaciolacustrine deposits
deposits and Superior
Superior
lobe till within the Whitefish-Kaministikwia
Whitefish-Kaministikwia lowland.
lowland. InInthis
thisarea,
area,the
thetill
tillisissignificantly
significantlyfinerfinertextured owing
owing its fineness
fineness to the underlying shales
shales and argillites
argillites of the Rove and Gunflint
formations.
formations. Stony
Stonytill,
till,of
ofpresumed
presumednorthern
northernprovenance,
provenance,exposed
exposedatatwater
waterlevel
levelalong
alongWhitewood
Whitewood
Creek in east-central O'Connor Township, contains abundant striated and faceted boulders
boulders
indicating ice
ice flow
flow toward
toward the
the southwest.
southwest.
Superior Lobe till is easily recognized
recognized by its fine-texture
fine-texture and
and high
high proportion
proportion of
of Animikie
Animikie
Group
Group metasedimentary clasts in the pebble fraction. Even
Evenin
inareas
areasunderlain
underlainby
by Archean
Archean terrane,
terrane,
as occur in the northeast corner
comer of the Kakabeka Falls area, Superior lobe till contains only a small
proportion of the underlying rock
rock types
types in
in the
the pebble
pebble fraction.
fraction. This has important implications for
programs of mineral exploration utilizing till as a sample medium.
medium. The
The colour of the unweathered
till ranges from dark grey, to brown to reddish-brown. Sections
Sectionsof
oftill,
till,containing
containinglayers
layerswith
with all
all 33
reflect the
the melting
melting out
out of
of
colours have been observed in Oliver and Gillies townships and probably reflect
debris bands derived from different bedrock sources. Superior
Superiorlobe
lobetill
till also
alsovaries
varies markedly
markedly in
in
texture. In
InOliver
OliverTownship,
Township,near
nearthe
thecommunity
communityof
ofMurillo,
Murillo,Superior
Superiorlobe
lobetill
tillisissilty
siltyand
andcharged
charged
with shales
shales of the Gunflint Formation. The
The till
till in
in this
this region
region is
is fluted
fluted and has been observed to
reach thicknesses
thicknesses of 7 to 8 m. Similarly,
Similarly,to
to the
the south
south in
in Scoble
Scoble and Gillies
Gillies townships, Superior

�Lobe till is silty and charged with clasts of Rove Formation shale and Logan diabase.
diabase. Along
Along the
the
Whitefish
contains less
less than
than 5%
5% clasts.
clasts. This
Whitefish River valley, the till is silty to clayey and contains
This is
is primarily
primarily
due
due to
to the
the thick
thick deposits
depositsof
ofglaciolacustrine
glaciolacustrinesilts
siltsand
andclays
claysthat
that were overridden
overridden and
and incorporated
incorporated
into
the
basal
debris
layers
of
the
advancing
Superior
lobe.
into the basal debris layers of the advancing Superior lobe.

OVERVIEW
OVERVIEWOF
OFFIELDTRIP
FIELDTRIPAGENDA
AGENDA
The landforms,
landforms, deposits
depositsand
and features
featureswe
we will
will be
be visiting
visitingtoday
today will
will provide
provide an
an overview
overviewof
of the
the
The
important
belt. An
important elements
elements of
of the Quaternary
Quaternary geology of the Shebandowan greenstone belt.
An attempt
attempt
will
willbe
be made
madeto
toillustrate
illustratehow
howthe
thevarious
variousQuaternary
Quaternarydeposits
depositscan
canbe
beutilized
utilizedfor
forprograms
programs of
of
mineral
mineral exploration. Figure
Figure55 shows
showsthe
the locations
locations of
of the
the fieldtrip
fieldtrip stops. The
Thefieldtrip
fieldtripwill
willbegin
begin in
in
the
anderosional
erosional
thecentral
centralpart
part of
ofthe
thebelt
beltwhere
wherewe
wewill
willhave
havean
anopportunity
opportunitytotoview
viewdeposits
depositsand
features
features associated
associated with the advance and retreat of northern ice. Some
Sometime
timewill
willbe
be spent
spent
demonstrating
demonstratingsampling
samplingtechniques,
techniques,discussing
discussingthe
thepros
prosand
andcons
consof
ofvarious
varioussample
samplemedia,
media,and
and
finally,
reviewing
strategies
for
property-scale
surficial
geochemical
surveys.
We
will
proceed
finally, reviewing strategies for property-scale
We will proceed
easterly
easterlyinto
intothe
the centre
centreof
ofthe
thenorthern,
northern,Kaministikwia
Kaministikwiabasin
basinwhere
wherewe
wewill
willhave
havean
anopportunity
opportunitytoto
view
deposits
of
glacial
Lake
Kaministikwia
and
discuss
the
glacial
lake
history
of
this
view deposits of glacial Lake Kaministikwia and discuss the glacial lake history of thisand
andother
other
proglacial
proglacial water
water bodies
bodies within
within the
the region.
region. From
Fromhere,
here,we
wewill
willproceed
proceedsouth
southand
andwest
westwhere
wherewe
we
will
have
an
opportunity
to
view
deposits
and
landforms
associated
with
the
advancing
Superior
will have an opportunity to view deposits and landforms associated with the advancing Superior
lobe.
lobe. Stops
Stopswill
willinclude:
include:1)1)aasection
sectioncut
cutinto
intoice-marginal,
ice-marginal,subaquatic
subaquaticdebris
debrisflows
flowsdeposited
depositednear
near
the
the outer
outer limit
limitof
of the
the Superior
Superiorlobe;
lobe; 2)
2) aa Superior
Superiorlobe
lobe ice-contact
ice-contact delta
delta which
which has
has been overridden
overridden
by
by the
the advancing
advancingSuperior
Superiorlobe;
lobe;3)
3) an
anexposure
exposureof
ofSuperior
Superiorlobe
lobetill
tilloverlying
overlyingnorthern
northerntill;
till;4)
4)aa
panoramic
panoramicview
viewof
ofthe
thelowland
lowlandinto
intowhich
whichthe
theSuperior
Superiorlobe
lobeadvanced;
advanced;and
and5)5 )aastop
stoptotoview
viewthe
the
morphology
morphologyof
of the
the Marks
Marks Moraine.
Moraine. At
Atseveral
severalofofthese
thesestops,
stops,we
wewill
willhave
havean
anopportunity
opportunityto
to
discuss
discussthe
thesuitability
suitabilityof
ofSuperior
Superiordrift
driftas
asaasample
samplemedium
mediumfor
forprograms
programsofofmineral
mineralexploration.
exploration.
The
The trip
trip will
will conclude
concludeby
by travelling
travellingsouthward
southwardinto
intothe
theWhitefish
WhitefishRiver
Riverlowland
lowlandwhere
wherewe
wewill
willlook
look
at
ataa couple
coupleof
ofexposures
exposuresthat
thatillustrate
illustratethe
thedrastic
drasticfacies
facieschanges
changesthat
thatoccur
occurininboth
boththe
theSuperior
Superiorand
and
northern
northernlobe
lobetills
tillsas
asyou
youproceed
proceedinto
intothe
thelowland.
lowland.The
Thesignificance
significanceofofglaciolacustrine
glaciolacustrinedeposits
deposits
exposed
exposedatateach
eachof
ofthe
thesites
siteswill
willbe
bediscussed
discussedasaswell.
well.
The
proceed westward
The bus
bus will
will depart
depart the
the Lakehead
Lakehead University
Universitycampus
campus and
andproceed
westwardalong
alongHighway
Highway 102
102
towards
Kaministikwia
where
it
will
meet
Highway
11/17
at
Sistonens
Corners.
Turn
right
onto
towards Kaministikwia where it will meet
Corners. Turn right onto
Highway
Highway 11/17
11/17and
andproceed
proceed west
west 16.0
16.0k,ns.
kms. Turn
Turnleft
left on
on aasmall
small sideroad
sideroadsituated
situatedapproximately
approximately
150
m before
before (east
(eastof)
of)aa sign
sign on
on the
the north
northside
side of
of the
the highway
highway marking
marking "Bylund
"BylundPit
Pit Road".
Road".
150to
to 200
200 m
Follow
Follow the
the main
mainroute
route on
on this
this sideroad
sideroadfor approximately
approximately 300 to 400 m. Park
Park vehicle
vehicle at aa large
large
area
areaofofstripped
strippedoutcrop.
outcrop.This
Thisisisthe
theBylundAu
Bylund Auoccurrence.
occurrence.

�Figure 5. Location map of fieldtrip stops.

S-

C

S

r

r—

C

-

S——--

5--

-

-

�Stop 1:
Bylund Trenches
1: Property-Scale Sampling Programs:
Programs: Bylund
Regional and property-scale
property-scale surficial sampling
sampling programs
programs have been
been widely used in
in the
the mineral
mineral
Unfortunately, aa significant
significant proportion of
of the surveys
exploration sector for many years. Unfortunately,
surveys
Clearly, many
many of
of the failures
failures
undertaken within glaciated terrain have met with mixed results. Clearly,
some effort been put forth
forth in
in understanding
understanding the
the nature
nature of
of the
the
could have been avoided had some
development of
of sampling
sampling strategies
strategiesand
and
Quaternary deposits present within a given area prior to the development
At this
thisstop,
stop,discussion
discussionwill
will focus
focuson
on the
the various
various sampling
sampling
implementation of sampling programs. At
media that are available to the explorationist
explorationist for
for aa surficial
surficial geochemical
geochemical perspective,
perspective, how
how they
they are
are
collected and at what density and finally, the analytical techniques employed for their analysis.
Trenches exposed adjacent to the Bylund Au occurrence
occurrence will be used to demonstrate
demonstrate the
the various
various
media and sampling techniques.

The Bylund Au property is located at the west end of the Dawson Road Lots and is
is jointly
operated by Freewest Resources
Resources &amp;
&amp; Co.
Co. Inc.
Inc. and
and Greater
Greater Lenora
LenoraResources
ResourcesCorp.
Corp. Mineralization is
contained within a 125
125 m wide, east-trending
east-trending zone
zone of
of carbonate-altered,
carbonate-altered, mafic
mafic to
to ultramafic
ultramafic
metavolcanic rocks transected by a stockwork
stockwork of northeast-trending
northeast-trending quartz-carbonate
quartz-carbonate veins
veins
(Schneiders et al. 1998).
1998). Finely
Finelydisseminated
disseminatedarsenopyrite
arsenopyriteis
is commonly
commonly associated
associated with
with
Theauriferous
auriferousdeformation
deformationzone
zoneoccurs
occursatator
ornear
near the
theunconformable
unconformablecontact
contact
mineralization. The
between Greenwater assemblage metavolcanics
metavolcanics to the south
south and
and Shebandowan
Shebandowanassemblage
assemblage
metasedimentary rocks to
Channel sampling
sampling over
over the
the main
main Bylund occurrence
occurrence has
to the north.
north. Channel
14 m. Outcrops
Outcropsexposed
exposedin
intrenches
trenchessituated
situatedboth
both east
eastand
and
returned values of up to 4.1 g/t Au over 14
showing have
have returned
returned values
values typically
typically in
in the
the range
range of
of 11 to
to 22 g/t
g/t Au
Au over
over several
several
west of the main showing
metres. Notable
Notableintersections
intersectionsinclude
includeaa 0.54
0.54m
m section,
section,just west
west of
of the
the main
main showing,
showing, assaying
assaying 123
123
g/t Au (C. Bishop, Freewest Resources, personal communication,
communication, 1998).
1998).
The trenches west of the main Bylund occurrence
occurrence were opened to investigate
investigate Au and As
anomalies in soil. They
They expose
expose aa variety of material types. Two
Two facies
facies of till have been recognized;
buff-grey, stone-poor, silty sand till
till of
of semi-local
semi-local composition
composition and
and aa stony,
stony, silty
siltysand
sandtill
tillof
of
a light, buff-grey,
local composition. The
Thelower,
lower,local
localtill
till contains
containsabundant
abundantclasts
clastsof
of mineralized,
mineralized, iron-carbonate
iron-carbonate
altered sericite schist. ItIt isis restricted
restricted to
to the
the up-ice
up-ice side
side of
of aa prominent
prominent bedrock
bedrock ridge
ridge where erosive
erosive
forces beneath the advancing ice were greatest. Compressive
Compressive subglacial
subglacial forces
forces resulted in the
the till
till section. This
lower, local till being sheared up into the upper parts of the
This till
till contains
contains
anomalous concentrations
concentrations of gold
gold grains
grains and appears
appears to reflect
reflect local
local mineralization
mineralization along
along aa major
major
break. The
Thebuff-grey
buff-grey till
till reflects
reflects semi-local
semi-local bedrock
bedrock sources
sources and
and was
was probably derived from the
melting out of debris bands in the basal portions of the glacier. Red
Red glaciolacustrine
glaciolacustrine clays
clays overlie
overlie
the till in low-lying ground to the north. Drift
Drift thickness
thickness diminishes
diminishes to
to less
less than
than aa metre
metre at
at the
the crest
crest
of the hill
consists of deeply
deeply weathered
weathered till.
till. Soil samples collected for mineral exploration
exploration
bill and consists
from this area returned anomalous Au and As values. The
The bedrock
bedrock surface
surface drops
drops off
off abruptly
abruptly to the
south and is overlain by deposits of different character. Stratified
Stratified deposits
depositsare
are intimately
intimately associated
associated
with the till and were probably deposited in a leeside cavity beneath
beneath the
the glacier.
glacier. These deposits
deposits
have been modified by glaciolacustrine processes. A
A thin
thin layer
layer of
of red clay overlies
overlies the till package
gravel. This
and is capped by nearshore deposits of sand and gravel.
This example
example clearly
clearly demonstrates the
variabilty that
that can
can occur
occurover
oversuch
suchaashort
shortdistance.
distance. Clearly,
Clearly, an understanding of
complexity and variabilty
the origin of samples
samples collected is required
required for
for the
the successful
successful interpretation
interpretation of
of geochemical
geochemicaldatasets.
datasets.

�Sample Media
Four distinct media types are commonly sampled for programs of mineral exploration utilizing
These include:
include: 1)
1) vegetation;
3) b-horizon
b-horizon soil; and 4)
surficial geochemistry. These
vegetation; 2)
4) c-horizon
c-horizon
humus; 3)
2) humus;
till.
till.
Vegetation
Vegetation

consists of the leaves, needles, twigs,
twigs, cones
cones or
or bark
bark of
ofplants.
plants. The premise behind
behind
sampling plant tissue for mineral exploration
exploration is that the root systems of the plants will absorb
metals contained in groundwater, overburden and bedrock at a given sample site. The
The geochemical
geochemical
response of the plant tissue will therefore provide information on the chemistry of the
the substrate on
which the plant is growing. Vegetation
Vegetationsampling
samplingisisbest
best utilized
utilized in
interrains
terrainswhere
where overburden
overburdencover
cover
is thin (less than 3-4 m) and locally
locally derived
derived and
and where
where root
root systems
systems are
are able
able to
to penetrate
penetrate fractures
fractures
and joints
Inareas
areasof
of thick,
thick, exotic
exoticoverburden,
overburden,vegetation
vegetation sampling
samplingmay
may fail
fail to
to evaluate
evaluate
joints in bedrock. In
local mineral potential. For
Foraaregional
regionalor
orproperty-scale
property-scale sampling
sampling program,
program, itit is
is important
important to
to collect
collect
samples of the same organ from plants
plants of
of the
the same
same species,
species, size
size and
and outer
outer appearance.
appearance.
Humus is a black to brownish-black, organic-rich material derived from the decomposition of
forest lifter.
litter. It consists of unidentifiable remains of leaves, roots, needles, bark, etc. that
that have
have been
been
Humus sampling
sampling
broken down into a fine-grained, amorphous material by
by organisms and
and bacteria.
bacteria. Humus
is, in many respects, similar to that of vegetation sampling. Being
Being aa first
first derivative
derivative of
of vegetation,
vegetation,
geochemical results
geochemical
The same
same basic
basic rules apply to humus
resultsshould
shouldmimick
mimick those of vegetation. The
sampling as well.
Drastic changes
changes in vegetation type could
different
well. Drastic
could produce humus with different
Bothhumus
humusand
andvegetation
vegetationare
aresusceptible
susceptibleto
tocontamination
contaminationfrom
fromanthropogenic
anthropogenic
compositions. Both
11117 between
between the
the Shebandowan
Shebandowan Nisources of metal. Humus
Humussamples
samplescollected
collectedalong
alongHighway
Highway 11/17
Cu-PGE mine and the hamlet of Sunshine are strongly contaminated. Hauling
Hauling of
of Ni-Cu concentrate
concentrate
in aa corridor
corridor aa few
few hundered
hundered metres
metres on
on either
eitherside
sideof
of the
the highway
highway within
within
along the highway resulted in
values are enriched in humus. The
Thec-horizon
c-horizontill
tilldata
datawithin
withinthis
thiscorridor
corridorhighlights
highlights
which metal values
the true geochemical
geochemical signature
signature for
for this
this area.
area.
B-horizon soil
soil is usually
usually the
the dark,
dark, orange-brown
orange-brown material
material encountered
encounteredat
at aa depth
depth of
of 5-10
5-10 cm
cmin
in
immediately below the humus layer. Often
Oftenthere
therewill
willbe
be aathin
thinhorizon
horizon of
ofgreyishgreyishthe soil profile immediately
Thislayer
layer(Ae)
(Ae)has
has been
been
coloured mineral matter (Ae horizon) between the humus and B-horizon. This
leached of most metals by the downward
percolation
of
groundwaters
rich
in
humic
and
fulvic
downward percolation of groundwaters rich in humic and fulvicacids
acids
derived from the decomposition of the overlying organic
organic debris.
debris. The B-horizon is the
the zone of
of
accumulation
accumulation of
of clays
clays and
and iron
iron and
and manganese
manganese oxides
oxidesderived
derivedfrom
fromthe
theweathering
weatheringof
ofunstable
unstable
mineral grains. They
Theyare
are excellent
excellentscavengers
scavengers of metals. B-horizon
B-horizonsoils
soilscan
can be
be developed
developed on
on
parent materials of local to non-local composition. For
For the successful
successful implementation of b-horizon
soil sampling surveys,
surveys, it is critical that the
the parent
parent materials
materials be
be composed
composed of
of till,
till, that
that they
they have
have
characteristics and that they be of a local provenance.
provenance. ItIt is
similar grain size characteristics
is also
also important
important that the
till cover not exceed 2 to 3 m in thickness.

C-horizon till is the relatively unaltered sediment that underlies the B-horizon. In
In well-drained
well-drained
upland environments, oxidation can extend down several meters
meters into
into the
theprofile.
profile. Metals contained
within sulphide
sulphide minerals in this zone
zone of
of weathering
weathering are generally liberated by oxidation and

�hydromorphically dispersed downwards
The upper part of the c-horizon will often
often be
downwards in
in the
the profile.
profile. The
enriched in metals compared
surveys are
compared to
to the
the b-horizon.
b-horizon. C-horizon till sampling surveys
are best
best undertaken
undertaken
in areas where till thicknesses are less than
The till
till will
will often
often exhibit
exhibit aa local
local
than aa few metres.
metres. The
signature under these
In areas
areas where
where till cover is thicker, more
more expensive
expensive sampling
sampling
these conditions. In
methods, such as reverse circulation drilling, are required to obtain till samples from the
bedrockloverburdeninterface.
interface.
bedrock/overburden
Analytical Methods

explorationutilizing
utilizing drift
drift prospecting
prospecting
Analytical methods employed for programs of mineral exploration
techniques and surficial geochemistry
geochemistry vary depending upon the commodity
commodity sought
sought and
and the sample
sample
media collected.
collected. For the Shebandowan
Shebandowan regional sampling
sampling survey, 2 samples
samples of
of screened
screened c-horizon
c-horizon
mm) were collected for analysis. A
A 10
10kg
kg sample
sample was
was collected
collected for
for heavy mineral
till (-5 mm)
concentration and subsequent
subsequent gold grain, kimberlite indicator
indicator mineral
mineral (KIM)
(KIM) and
and
metamorphic/magmatic massive sulphide indicator mineral
Heavy
mineral (MMSIM) determinations.
determinations. Heavy
minerals were separated from the -2 mm fraction of these
these samples
samples by wet gravity
gravity tabling, producing
producing
a "table concentrate", then further concentrated to &gt;3.2
B3.2 S.G. using density-dependent
density-dependent settling
settling in
in
methylene iodide. Magnetic
Magneticminerals
minerals were
were removed
removed from
from the
the methylene iodide heavy mineral
concentrate (HMC) using an automagnet.
automagnet.
At the tabling stage, a preliminary count of gold grains, including size
size and shape
shape determinations
determinations
Thegold
goldgrain
graincontent
contentof
ofthe
thetable
tableconcentrates
concentrateswas
was further
further refined
refined using
using aa
was undertaken. The
secondary panning
samples containing greater
panning procedure
procedure to
to obtain
obtain more
more exact
exact grain
grain counts.
counts. Only samples
10 gold grains at the tabling stage were panned. The
Thesize
sizeand
and shape
shape of
of the
the panned
panned gold
gold grains
grains
than 10
table concentrate.
concentrate.
were recorded before they were returned to the table
A second 2 to 3 kg sample of screened
screened c-horizon till was
was also
also collected
collected for
for -63
-63 micron
micron fraction
fraction
geochemical determinations. A
A 30
30gg split
split of
of the
the -63
-63 micron
micron (silt
(silt and
and clay)
clay) size
size fraction
fraction of this till
(1NAA). The neutron activation
activation
matrix was sent for instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA).
dataset provides excellent information
information on
on the
the Au, As,
As, Sb
Sb and
and REE
REE content of the samples. A
second 20 to 25 g split was sent for Pt-Pd-Au determinations by
by Pb
Pb fire
fire assay1ICP-MS
assay/ICP-MS finish.
finish. A
third split was sent for geochemical
geochemical determinations
determinations by ICP-OES and ICP-MS following
following aa standard
standard
aqua regia digestion. These
Thesemethods
methods produce
produce high
high quality
quality data
data on
on the
the base metal content of the
samples. Similar
Similaranalytical
analyticalmethods
methodsshould
shouldbe
be employed
employedfor
for vegetation,
vegetation, humus
humus and
and b-horizon
b-horizon
sampling
sampling programs
programs as
as well.
well. For
Forhumus,
humus,the
the—177
-1 77 im
pmfraction
fractionisisanalyzed
analyzedrather
ratherthan
thanthe
the—63
-63 .tm
pm
fraction. Humus
Humussamples
samples are
are briquetted
briquetted prior to neutron activation analysis. Vegetation
Vegetation samples
are either macerated and briquetted or ashed prior to analysis.
analysis.

Sampling Strategies
The density at which samples
samples are collected
collected is dependent
dependent upon the
the style
style of
of mineralization
mineralization sought.
sought.
Dispersal trains originating
from
lode
gold
type
mineralization
are
significantly
smaller
than
those
originating from
mineralization are significantly smaller than those
originating from volcanogenic massive sulphide-type mineralization.
mineralization. The
The surface
surface area
area of
mineralized rock available for erosion is probably the
the most
most important factor that
that effects
effects the
the scale
scale of
of
the dispersal train produced. The
Theorientation
orientationof
ofthe
themineralized
mineralizedstructure
structureor
or horizon
horizon with
with respect
respect to
to

�regional ice
ice flow
flow is
is parallel
parallel to
to
regional ice flow also effects the geometry of the
the dispersal trains.
trains. IfIf regional
the strike of mineralization, the resulting dispersal train will be long, narrow and difficult to
identify. IfIf regional
regional ice
ice flow
flowisis perpendicular
perpendicular to
to the
the strike
strikeof
of mineralization,
mineralization, then
then the
the resulting
resulting
Theposition
positionof
ofmineralization
mineralizationwith
withrespect
respectto
toregional
regionalice
iceflow
flowisisalso
also
dispersal train will be wider. The
important. For
For example,
example, ifif the
the mineralized
mineralized horizon is shear-hosted and situated within a deep
ravine perpendicular to ice flow, the advancing glacier may not
not actively
actively erode
erode the
the mineralized
mineralized rock
rock
and therefore not produce a dispersal plume from mineralization.
Dispersal trains originating from lode gold deposits of northern Ontario are typically less than
than
200 to 300 m in length. Sampling
Samplingprograms
programs aimed
aimed at
at locating
locating these types of deposits should
Asample
samplespacing
spacingof
of200
200m
mand
and
therefore be designed to be able to identify a train of this length. A
100 m, staggered on 100
100 m lines, is recommended to recognize a potential target of this
preferable 100
Onceaadispersal
dispersaltrain
trainisisidentified,
identified,the
thedensity
densityatatwhich
whichsamples
samplesare
arecollected
collectedshould
shouldbe
be
type. Once
increased to
to 25
25 m or 50 m spacing to more clearly define the source of the
Dispersal
increased
the gold
gold anomaly.
anomaly. Dispersal
arising from base metal targets can reach several kilometres in length. AAsampling
samplingprogram
program
trains arising
aimed at identifying this type of dispersal train could involve collecting samples initially at 500 m
spacing then increasing the density to
to 100 m in anomalous areas to
to further refine
refine exploration
exploration
targets.
targets.
Bylund Case
Case Study
High density, property-scale
property-scale soil
soil sampling
sampling was
was undertaken
undertaken over
over and
and adjacent
adjacentto
to the
theBylund
Bylund Au
Au
occurrence at the west end of Dawson Road Lots. Fifty-three
Fifty-threeb-horizon
b-horizon soil
soilsamples
sampleswere
were collected
collected
at 100
100 m centres
centres on 6 grid lines spaced 100
100 m apart. The
Theproperty
propertyisischaracterized
characterizedas
asaa bedrockbedrockaccumulations of drift
drift (till and stratified deposits)
deposits) in low-lying areas.
dominated upland with local accumulations
Most soils
soils are developed in till, however, a small
small proportion have stratified sands
sands and pebbly sands
as their parent material. These
These samples
sampleswere
were included
included in
in the geochemical dataset since most of
them were derived from the washing and sorting of
of the
the underlying
underlyingtill.
till. Soil samples were not
collected from a poorly drained
drained wetland
wetland that
that occurs
occurs along
along the
the west-central
west-centraledge
edgeof
ofthe
the property.
property.
The sample grid is oriented at 150°
150' Az and extends
extends approximately 500 m south of the mineralized
zone into unaltered Keewatin mafic metavolcanics. The
Thesilt
siltand
andclay
clayfraction
fractionof
ofthe
thesoil
soilsamples
samples
were extracted
extracted and
and geochemically
geochemically analyzed
analyzed by instrumental
instrumental neutron
neutron activation
activation analysis
analysisand
and ICPICPfollowing a standard aqua
OES following
aqua regia digestion.
digestion.

Contoured plots of Au and As content derived by neutron activation analysis are presented in
Figures 6. Other
Otherelements
elementsdid
did not
not show
show aa close
close spatial
spatial association with mineralization. The
The
patterns depicted by Au and As clearly delineate the position of mineralization with little or no
evidence for down-ice
down-icedispersal
dispersalbeyond
beyond aa few
few hundred metres. Similar
Similarscales
scalesof
of glacial
glacial dispersal
dispersal
have been previously documented at the Matachewan Consolidated Mine in northeastern Ontario
(Bajc 1997) as well as at numerous other gold properties within the province. Gold
Gold values
values quickly
quickly
100 to 200 metres down-ice (south-southwest)
decline to below detection limit (&lt;2 ppb) within 100
from the Bylund occurrence. Arsenic
Arsenic values
values display
display aa slightly
slightly more
more diffuse
diffuse pattern.
L1W
west of
of the
the documented
documented Au
Au
W and L2W, immediately west
Elevated Au and As values along L1
zones suggests a possible
possible westerly
westerly extension
extension of
ofmineralization.
mineralization. A sample on L1
L1W
that
returned
W that returned aa

�1280 ppb and an As value of
of 88.4
88.4 ppm was
was collected
collected from
from the
the fringes
fringesof
of aa poorly
poorly
gold value of 1280
This anomaly
anomaly may have been
drained wetland and contained significant amounts of organic matter.
matter. This
A
produced by hydromorphic dispersion from
from mineralized
mineralized till
till and
and rock
rock on
on the
the upland
upland to
to the
the north.
north. A
anomalous Au and As response
response was
was obtained,
obtained, however,
however, from
from an
an upland
upland soil
soil 100
100metres
metresto
to
similar anomalous
the east. These
These22anomalies
anomaliesmay
may suggest
suggest aa second
second auriferous
auriferous structure
structure is
is present to the south;
south; this
warrants further investigation. A
A strong
strong Au
Au and
and As
As anomaly
anomaly along
along the
the central portions of lines
lines 2E
and 3E suggest
suggestthe
the potential
potential for
for another,
another, as
as yet
yet undiscovered,
undiscovered, zone
zone of
of mineralization.
mineralization.
recommendations can be drawn
drawn from
from the
the Bylund
Bylund soil
soil sampling
sampling
Several conclusions and recommendations
orientation
survey.
orientation survey.
1. Soil geochemistry is a viable exploration tool for shear-hosted
1.
shear-hosted gold
gold in
in the
the eastern
eastern
portion of the Shebandowan
Shebandowan greenstone belt. The
Thetechnique
techniqueisisbest
best suited
suitedto
to upland
upland
properties with thin till cover and abundant
abundant outcrop.
outcrop.

2. AAsample
samplespacing
spacingofof100
100mmstaggered
staggeredon
onadjacent
adjacentlines
linesappears
appearsto
to be
be sufficient
sufficient for
for the
the
delineation
delineation of potential
potential mineralized
mineralized zones.
zones.

3. Gold and arsenic appear to be the elements
elements best suited
suited for
for target delineation
delineation at
at the
the
Bylund occurrence. Neutron
fraction (-63pm)
(-63tm) of
Neutron activation
activation analysis of the silt and clay fraction
of
soil provides excellent contrast between background and anomalies.
anomalies.
4.
4. There is very little
little evidence
evidence in
in support
support of
of down-ice
down-ice dispersal
dispersal of
of gold
gold greater
greater than
than 100
100to
to

200 m from mineralization. Ultra-high
Ultra-highdensity
densitysampling
sampling(i.e.
(i.e.20
20to
to 25
25 m
m spacing)
spacing)would
would
be required to more
more clearly
clearly define
define glacial
glacial dispersal
dispersal patterns.
patterns.

Turn vehicles
vehicles around
around and proceed
proceed back out to the highway.
highway. Turn
Turn right,
right, drive 3.1 km
km east along
Highway 11/17 and stop at aa rockcut
rockcut along
alongthe
the sides
sidesof
of the
the highway.
highway.

�A

*C)
• &lt;2

• &lt;2

Auu mineralization
mineralization

5'

•&lt;2
• &lt;2

Au (ppb)

• &lt;2
• &lt;2

.3
• &lt;2

.3

100 m

.3

•

• &lt;2

.3

13
• &lt;2

B
.1.8

/
.2.9

100 m

•2O

.19

4.6
S

/.12

Figure
Figure6.
6.Geochemical
Geochemicalresponse
responseofofb-horizon
b-horizonsoils
soilsover
overand
andadjacent
adjacentto
to the
the Bylund Au
contoured
Au
data:
B:
contoured
occurrence,
Dawson
Road
Lots.
A:
occurrence,
Lots. A:
data: B: contoured As
As data.
data.

�Stop 2: Crossing
Crossing Striation
Striation Site
Site
At this stop, we will have an opportunity to look at an outcrop
outcrop of
of Shebandowan
Shebandowanassemblage
assemblage
The striation
striation
metasediments that are well striated and flanked by red, glaciolacustrine clay
clay and
and till.
till. The
displays a consistent
consistent pattern
pattern of
of flow
flow towards
towards the
the south
south
record for the western half of the belt displays
There is,
is, however,
however, evidence
evidence for an older
becoming progressively more westerly
westerly towards
towards the
the west.
west. There
ice flow event towards the
the southeast in the
the southwestern comer
corner of
of the
the Sunshine
Sunshine map
map area.
area. The
significance of this event is
There are
are several
several examples
examples of
of southeasterly-oriented
southeasterly-oriented (160°
(160'
is not
not known.
known. There
Az) striae
striae crossed by south-southwesterly
south-southwesterly (200-210°
(200-2 10' Az) striae
striae on
on the
the outcrop
outcrop surface
surface (Figure
(Figure 7).
7).
This older
older event
event is
is
In most cases, the older striae are preserved on faceted, protected
protected surfaces.
surfaces. This
krn
since it has been observed
observed at many sites
sites spanning
spanning aa 30
30 km
recognized as regionally significant since
The till
till overlying
overlying the bedrock surface is
distance and is not apparently related to topography. The
deposited by ice flowing
flowing towards
towards the
the south-southwest
south-southwest (latest
(latest ice
ice fow
fow direction).
direction).
believed to be deposited
on the
the southeast
southeast end
end of
of the
the roadcut
roadcut have
have striated
striated upper
upper surfaces
surfaces
Faceted boulders within the till on
indicating flow towards the south-southwest. This
Thisinformation
informationisis critical
critical for
for the
the successful
successful followfollowanomalies obtained
obtained from
from this
this area.
area.
up of till anomalies

Figure
Figure7.
7. Crossing
Crossingglacial
glacialstriae
striaewere
werefrequently
frequentlyencountered
encounteredin
in the
the Dawson
Dawson Road Lots area. In
In
this example,
example, an
an older
older set
set of
of striae
striaeoriented
oriented at
at 160°
160' Az
Az are
are crossed
crossed by
by aa main
main set
set oriented
oriented
at 210°
Az.
210' Az.
Proceed
11/17 to
to Sunshine
Sunshine Cross
Cross Rd.
Rd. Turn left
left (north) onto
onto sideroad
sideroad and
Proceed 9.8
9.8km
krn east on Highway 11/17
stop by the railway
railway tracks.
tracks.

�Stop 3:
Contamination and
and Implications for Mineral Exploration
3: Humus Contamination
At this stop, we will have an opportunity to discuss humus sampling and potential problems that
may arise with contamination. This
This site
site was chosen for the stop because it is located adjacent to
to aa
railway siding that was used by 1NCO
INCO for
for loading
loading Ni-Cu
Ni-Cu concentrate from the Shebandowan mine
onto railway cars. During
Duringthe
the early
early days
days of
of production
production at
at the
the Shebandowan
Shebandowanmine
mine site,
site, Ni-Cu
Ni-Cu
concentrate was hauled by dump truck from the mill to the railroad siding at Sunshine, a distance of
Thedispersal
dispersalof
offine
fineparticulate
particulate suiphides
sulphidesby
by wind
wind from
from these
these trucks
trucks
approximately 50 km. The
resulted in a strong Ni-Cu geochemical anomaly in humus following the Highway
1117 corridor
Highway 111/17
corridor
and extending several hundred metres in from the highway. The
The Ni-Cu
Ni-Cu geochemical
geochemical datasets
datasetsfor
for
Sunshine and Kakabeka
Kakabeka Falls
Falls map areas
areas clearly illustrate
illustrate this contamination (Figure 8). The
The
the Sunshine
geochemical datasets
c-horizon till are
are drastically
drastically different
different from
from those
those portrayed
portrayed by
by the
the humus
humus
datasets for c-horizon
and reflect the primary geochemical
geochemical signature
signature associated
associated with
with local
local variations
variationsin
in bedrock
bedrock source
source
and 7).
7). It would appear
appear that there is no signal of contamination within c-horizon
rocks (Figures
(Figures 66 and
rocks
till.
till.
All humus sampling programs should consider the potential for problems associated with
contamination. Contamination
Contaminationcould
couldarise
arisefrom
fromaavariety
varietyof
ofsources
sourcesincluding
including road
road dust
dust from
from local
local
logging operations, wind-blown tailings dust and airborne fallout from smelters. In
In the
the Sudbury
Sudbury
area, there is a strong geochemical signature in humus associated with the smelting operations. The
The
element associations
associations closley mimmick those of the ore mined in Sudbury. Fine
Finecolloidal
colloidalsulphide
sulphide
element
particles
particles are dispersed by wind and quickly oxidize in the surficial environment where they are
available for adsorption by humic and falvic
fulvic acids
acids present
present within
withinthe
thehumus.
humus. Should a potential
source of contamination be identified within a given area, it is recommended that the explorationist
avoid sampling humus and that c-horizon till be considered
considered as the preferred sampling medium for
surficial geochemical
geochemical surveys.
surveys.
Proceed back
back out
out to
to Highway 11/17. Turn
Turnleft
left (east)
(east)and
anddrive
drive 3.0
3.0km
krn to the intersection
intersection of
Proceed
Highways 11/17 and
and 102
102 (Sistonens
(Sistonens Corners).
Corners).Turn
Turnleft
leftonto
ontoHighway
Highway102
102and
andproceed
proceed7.0
7.0kms
krns
before turning left into a sand
sand and
and gravel
gravel pit
pit owned
owned and
andoperated
operatedby
byTowland-Hewitson
Towland-Hewitson
Construction Ltd.
Construction
Ltd.

�Figure 8. Comparison of humus and c-horizon till geochemical datasets for nickel, Note the strong anthropogenic signature in humus along the
Highway 11/17 corridor. This anomaly is attributed to the haulage of Ni-Cu concentrate from the Shebandowan mine to a railway
siding near the village of Sunshine.

�Stop 4: Glacial Lakes of the Shebandowan
Shebandowan Area
Portions of
of the
the Shebandowan
Shebandowan study
study area were inundated by glacial lakes. These
Theseinclude:
include:1)
1)
Portions
glacial Lake Agassiz
Agassiz in
in the
the extreme
extreme western
western part
part of
of the
the study
study area;
area; 2) glacial
glacial Lake Kaministikwia
Kaministikwia
glacial
and high
high level
level Superior
Superiorbasin
basin lakes
lakes
within the Sunshine
Sunshine map area;
area; and 3) glacial lakes O'Connor and
within
Thedeposits
depositsof
ofthese
theseglacial
glaciallakes
lakes are
are considered
considered aa
Kakabeka Falls map area (Figure 9). The
within the Kakabeka
hinderance to
to programs
programs of
ofmineral
mineralexploration
explorationutilizing
utilizingsurficial
surficialgeochemistry
geochemistryininthat
thatthey
theyconceal
conceal
hinderance
and prevent access to deposits of till
till and the
the underlying
underlying bedrock.
bedrock. The composition of
glaciolacustrine deposits
deposits does
does not
not closely
closely reflect
reflect the
the composition
compositionof
ofthe
theunderlying
underlyingbedrock
bedrockand
and
glaciolacustrine
should
should therefore not be sampled for mineral exploration purposes. Expensive
Expensiveoverburden
overburdendrilling
drilling
techniques must
must be
be utilized
utilized to
to sample
sample the
the glacial
glacial tills
tills that
that underlie
underlie these
these deposits.
deposits.
techniques
Glacial
Glacial Lake
Lake Agassiz
Agassiz was
was the
the largest
largestof
ofseveral
severalwater
waterbodies
bodieswhich
whichbordered
borderedthe
thesouthern
southern
margin
margin of
of the
the Laurentide
Laurentide Ice Sheet
Sheet during Late Wisconsinan glaciation. ItItinundated
inundatedan
anarea
areaof
of
approximately11million
million square
squarekilometres,
kilometres,although
althoughatatno
noparticular
particulartime
timedid
didititoccupy
occupythis
thisentire
entire
approximately
area. The
Thelake
lakeformed
formedapproximately
approximately12.0
12.0ka
kaBP
BPwhen
whenice
iceof
ofthe
theDes
DesMoines
MoinesLobe
Loberetreated
retreatednorth
north
area.
of the
the continental
continental drainage
drainage divide
divide in
in eastern
eastern North Dakota
Dakota and northwestern
northwestern Minnesota ponding
of
water
water within
within the
the Red
Red River
River valley.
valley. Progressive
Progressiveexpansion
expansionofofthe
thelake
lakeinto
intoManitoba,
Manitoba,Ontario
Ontarioand
and
parts of
of Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan occurred
occurred with
with further
further retreat of the ice margin. Glacial
GlacialLake
LakeAgassiz
Agassiz
parts
extended into
into northwestern
northwestern Ontario,
Ontario, fronting
fronting the
the retreating
retreating ice margin in low-lying areas. Deposits
Deposits
extended
of glacial
glacial Lake
Lake Agassiz
Agassiz occur
occur in
in the
the southwestern
southwesterncorner
cornerof
ofthe
theBurchell
BurchellLake
Lakearea
areaalong
alongthe
the
of
Obadinaw
Obadinaw River
River valley. The
Thedeposits
depositsare
aremainly
mainlycoarse-textured
coarse-texturedwithin
withinthis
thisregion,
region,however,
however,
varved clays
clays have been reported from the banks of Tilly Creek. An
Anice-contact
ice-contactdelta
deltabuilt
built off
off of
ofthe
the
Brule Creek
Creek Moraine
Moraine south
southof
ofBurchell
BurchellLake
Lakegrades
gradesto
to an
anupper
upper level
levelof
ofLake
LakeAgassiz
Agassiz(Herman
(Herman
Brule
level) at
at 457
457 to 472 m
m asl.
asl. All
Allareas
areassouth
southofofthis
thismoraine
moraineand
andbelow
belowthis
thiselevation
elevationwould
wouldhave
have
level)
been
been inundated
inundatedby
by Lake
LakeAgassiz.
Agassiz.
Glacial
Glacial Lake
Lake Kaministikwia
Kaministikwiaoccupied
occupiedthe
thevalleys
valleysof
ofthe
theOskondaga,
Oskondaga,Matawin,
Matawin,Shebandowan
Shebandowan
and Kaministikwia
Kaministikwiarivers
riverswithin
within the
the Sunshine
SunshineNTS
NTS map
maparea.
area. The
Thelake
lakewas
wasbordered
borderedon
onits
its
and
northeastern
northeasternand
andsoutheastern
southeasternflanks
flanksby
byglacial
glacialice
iceof
ofthe
thenorthern
northernand
andSuperior
Superiorlobes,
lobes,respectively.
respectively.
High
High ground
ground bordered
bordered the
the lake
lake to
to the
the north,
north, west
west and
and southwest.
southwest. The
TheDog
DogLake
Lakeand
andMarks
Marks
moraines
morainesmark
mark the
thepositions
positionsofofthe
thenorthern
northernand
andSuperior
Superiorlobes,
lobes,respectively
respectivelywhile
whileLake
Lake
Kaministikwia
Anice-contact
ice-contactdelta
deltaconstructed
constructedoff
offofofthe
theDog
DogLake
LakeMoraine
Morainejust
just
Kaministikwiawas
was in
in existence.
existence. An
south
of
Dog
Lake
and
whose
upper
surface
occurs
at
460
m
as!
defines
the
glacial
Lake
south of Dog Lake and whose upper surface occurs at 460 m as1 defines the glacial Lake
Kaministikwia
Kaministikwiawater
water plane.
plane. The
Thelake
lakeformed
formedwithin
withinthe
thestudy
studyarea
areaapproximately
approximately10.0
10.0ka
kaBP
BPwhen
when
the
northern
and
Superior
lobes
readvanced
into
the
study
area
during
a
late-glacial
surge
event
the northern and Superior lobes readvanced into the study area during a late-glacial surge event
(Marquette
(Marquetteadvance).
advance). The
Theextent
extenttotowhich
whichnorthern
northernand
andSuperior
Superiorice
iceretreated
retreatedprior
priortotothis
thisevent
eventisis
not
not known.
known. Meltwaters
Meltwatersinitially
initiallydrained
drainedfreely
freelysouthward
southwardoff
offofofthe
theretreating
retreatingnorthern
northernice
icemargin
margin
depositing
depositingthick
thicksequences
sequencesof
ofglaciofluvial
glaciofluvialsands
sandsand
andgravels
gravelswithin
withinthe
thevalleys
valleysofofthe
the
Kaministikwia
Kaministikwiaand
and Oskondaga
Oskondagarivers.
rivers. Progressive
Progressiveincision
incisionofofthe
thefluvial
fluvialdeposits
depositsoccurred
occurredasasbase
base
levels
levelsdropped
dropped within
within the
the lower
lowerreaches
reaches of
of the
the valleys.
valleys. Thick
Thicksections
sectionsofofglaciofluvial
glaciofluvialsand
sandand
and
gravel
gravelare
areclearly
clearly visible
visible from
from Highway
Highway 102
102within
within the
the Kaministikwia
Kaministikwia river valley. These
Thesedeposits
deposits
are
are terraced
terraced and
and draped
draped by
by distinctive,
distinctive,red
red clays
clays associated
associated with
with glacial
glacial Lake Kaministikwia. The
The
red
red clays
clayswhich
whichcan
canreach
reachthicknesses
thicknessesof
ofseveral
severaltens
tensofofmetres,
metres,are
aretypically
typicallyfaintly
faintlylaminated
laminatednear
near
the
the base
base and
and become
become progressively
progressively more
more massive
massive upwards.
upwards. The
Thered
redpigmentation
pigmentationofofthe
theclay
clayisis

�showing the locations of the major moraines and glacial lake basins.
Figure 9. Digital elevation model of the Thunder Bay area

�derived from Sibley Group metasedimentary source
source rocks
rocks eroded
eroded by
bythe
the Superior
SuperiorLobe.
Lobe. Glacial
Lake Kaministikwia probably
probably lasted no
no more
more than
than aa few
few hundred
hundred years.
years. The lake overflowed
westward into the Glacial Lake Agassiz basin via a narrow lowland
lowland through
through Shebandowan
ShebandowanLake.
Lake.
Red clays within the eastern Lake Agassiz basin attest to this influx
influx of
of sediment
sediment from
from Lake
Lake
GlacialLake
LakeAgassiz
Agassizmust
musthave
havefallen
fallenfrom
fromaa Herman
Herman to
to aa lower
lower level
level prior
prior to
to the
the
Kaministikwia. Glacial
development
Kaministikwia.
development of Lake Kaministikwia.
occupied the
the valleys
valleys of the Whitefish
Whitefish and Kaministikwia
Kaministikwia rivers within
Glacial Lake 0'Connor
O'Connor occupied
the Kakabeka Falls map area. The
Thelake
lakefronted
frontedthe
the advancing
advancingSuperior
Superiorlobe
lobe during
during the
the Marquette
Marquette
the Whitefish Lake
Lake basin.
basin. Shorelines
advance and probably drained westward through the
Shorelines associated
associated
with this glacial lake have not been identified. Fine
Finetextured
textured glaciolacustrine
glaciolacustrinedeposits
depositshave
have
0'Connor occur both
however been observed beneath till up to 350
350 m asl. Deposits
Deposits of
of glacial
glacial Lake O'Connor
above and below till of the Superior lobe. This
Thissequence
sequenceisistypical
typical of
of an
an ice
ice advance-retreat
advance-retreat cycle
cycle
within a glacial lake basin. Thick
Thicksequences
sequencesof
ofsilty
siltyto
to clayey
clayey grey
grey rhythmites, in places exceeding
30 m in thickness, occur beneath fine-textured Superior lobe till within the Whitefish River
lowland. Excellent
Excellentexposures
exposuresof
ofthese
thesedeposits
depositsoccur
occurin
inlarge
largesections
sectionsalong
along the
the Whitefish
Whitefish River
River
valley and its tributaries. Grey,
Grey, rhythmically
rhythmically laminated
laminated clays
clays associated with Lake O'Connor
overlie Superior lobe till. These
Thesedeposits
depositshave
havebeen
been observed
observedto
to exceed
exceed several
several metres
metres in
in thickness.
thickness.
As the Superior lobe continued to withdraw from the Whitefish-Kaministikwia lowland, low-level
outlets to the Superior
Superior basin were uncovered resulting in the termination of glacial Lake
Lake O'Connor.
O'Connor.
Superior basin waters inundated low-lying areas up to
This represents
represents the
the
to approximately 260
260 m
m asl.
asl. This
approximate level of glacial Lake Minong, the highest water
water body
body to
to occupy
occupy the
the entire
entire perimeter
perimeterof
of
the Lake Superior basin. Very
Verylittle
littleisisknown
knownabout
aboutthe
thelate-glacial
late-glacialhistory
history of
of glacial
glacial lakes
lakes within
within
Clearly,additional
additional studies
studiesare
are required.
this southern basin. Clearly,
At this fieldtrip stop, we will look at a section of glaciolacustrine deposits associated with
glacial Lake Kaministikwia. These
Thesered,
red, clay
clay rich
rich deposits
depositsare
are unusual
unusual in
in that
that they were deposited in
the ice
ice margin.
margin. The
approximately 100 m of water less than a few kilometres from the
The clays
clays are
rhythmically
rhythmically laminated
laminated at
at their
their base, where
where they
they overlie
overlie glaciofluvial
glaciofluvial deposits
depositsof
of sand
sandand
and gravel,
gravel,
and quickly become massive upwards. There
Thereisis very
very little
little indication
indication of
of aa proximal
proximal ice
ice margin.
margin.
That is, there are very few dropstones and few
few indications
indications of
of seasonal
seasonal variability
variability in
in sediment
sediment load.
load.
Proceed
Proceed back
back to
to Highway 11/17 (Sistonens Corners) and turn left (south). Travel
Travel 5.2
5.2km south
along
along Highway 11/17 and turn
turn left on Teitto Road. The
The next stop consists of aa road cut on the
southeast
ofthis
this intersection.
intersection.
southeast corner
cornerof

Subaquatic Flow Till and
Stop 5: Subaquatic
and Glaciolacustrine
Glaciolacustrine Sediment
Sediment of the Superior
Superior Lobe
Lobe
lobe. This
At this site, we begin to see the first direct evidence of the advancing Superior lobe.
This 22 m
m
well
exposure is located less than a few kilometres from the Marks Moraine and consists of well
overlying massive
massive dark
dark grey
grey silty
siltytill.
till. These sediments were
laminated, gritty, pebbly silt and clay overlying
likely deposited at the bottom of
of Lake
Lake Kaministikwia
Kaministikwia as
as bottom-hugging
bottom-hugging density
density currents
currents and
and as
as
ice-rafted debris (rainout) in water depths of about 50 m. Red
Red Sibley
SibleyGroup
Group siltstones
siltstonesand
and dark
dark
grey shales derived from the Gunflint Formation
Formation are
are clearly
clearly recognizable
recognizable in
in the pebble
pebble fraction
fraction and
and
provide direct evidence for a Superior lobe provenance. Red,
Red, massive
massive clays
clays associated
associated with
with glacial
glacial

�Lake Kaministikwja
Kaministikwia occur less
less than a few
few kilometres
kilometres to
Clearly, the
to the
the north
north of
of this
this site.
site. Clearly,
the
composition of the Superior
Superior lobe
lobe flow
flow tills
tills and
and glaciolacustrine
glaciolacustrine deposits
do
not
reflect
the
composition
deposits do not reflect the
This material
material should
should not
not be
be sampled
sampled for
for mineral
mineral
composition of the underlying Archean bedrock.
bedrock. This
exploration purposes.
purposes.
exploration
Turn vehicles around and
and turn
turnleft
left onto
onto Highway
Highway 11/17.
11/17. Proceed
south 5.3
5.3 km
krn to
Proceed south
to Briggs
Briggs Drive
Drive and
and
turn right (east)
(east) into
into Conmee Township sand
and
gravel
pit.
Park
vehicle
at
gate
i
f
locked.
sand and gravel pit. Park vehicle at gate j/locked.

OverriddenSuperior
SuperiorLobe
LobeDelta
Delta and
and Conmee
Conmee Base
Stop 6: Overridden
Base Metal
Metal Float
Float
exposed sequence
sequence
At this stop, we will be looking at aa section of
of Superior
Superior lobe
lobe drift.
drift. The exposed
consists
of
approximately
6
to
7
m
of
well
sorted,
steeply-dipping
sand
and
gravel
of
Superior
consists
Clastsin
in the
the lower
lower
provenance overlain by 2 to 3 m of silty Superior lobe till
till (Figure 10). Clasts
glaciofluvial unit consist primarily of Proterozoic
Proterozoic metasedimentary
metasedimentaryrocks.
rocks. Numerous
cobbles and
Numerous cobbles
and
Gunflint Formation
Formation and
and Sibley
Sibley Group
Group are
are recognizable.
Foreset
beds
dip
boulders belonging to the Gunflint
recognizable. Foreset beds dip
The delta
delta was
steeply to the north and are likely of deltaic origin.
origin. The
was probably
probably built
built proglacially
proglacially into
into
an early phase of glacial Lake
Kaministikwia.
The
feature
therefore
represents
a
location
at
which
Lake Kaministikwia. The feature
advancing Superior
Superior Lobe
Lobe stalled
stalled prior
prior to
to reaching
reaching its
its maximum
maximumposition
positionatatthe
theMarks
MarksMoraine.
Moraine.
the advancing
The delta is actually located within only 3 km
krn of the Superior
Superior lobe limit
limit and
and occurs at an elevation
was
of about 375 m asl,
asi, 85 m below
below the
the maximum
maximum elevation
elevation of
of Lake
LakeKaministikwia.
Kaministikwia. The delta was
overridden
by
the
Superior
lobe
resulting
in
the
truncation
of
the
foreset
unit
and
removal
of
the
overridden
Superior
resulting in the truncation of the foreset unit and removal of the
Severalmetres
metresof
ofsilty,
silty,Superior
SuperiorLobe
Lobe subglacial
subglacialtill
till was
was deposited
deposited on
on top
top of
of the
the sands
sands
topset beds. Several
and gravels.
gravels.

of large
large angular
angular to rounded boulders
boulders on
on the
the pit
pit floor.
floor.
significanceis the occurrence
occurrence of
Of particular significance
from the lower
lower glaciofluvial
glaciofluvial unit
unit and,
and, in
in some
some cases, do not appear to
The boulders were extracted from
have been transported very far. Some
Someof
of the
the larger
larger boulders
boulders measure
measure several
several metres across and still
still
display striated surfaces. The
The boulders
boulders are
are derived
derived from
from both
both Archean
Archean and
and Proterozoic
Proterozoic source
source
rocks. Several
Severalboulders
bouldersof
ofsuiphidized
sulphidizediron
ironformation
formationand
andmassive
massivepyrite
pyriteof
ofArchean
Archeanage
agewere
were
discovered in the boulder piles. One
Oneof
ofthe
theboulders
bouldersmeasured
measuredover
over11m
min
indiameter
diameterand
and consisted
consisted
of massive pyrite and magnetite with 10
to
15%
sphalerite
disseminated
in
pyrite-rich
sections.
10 15% sphalerite disseminated in pyrite-rich sections.
throughout the
Sphalerite was also concentrated
concentrated along
along fractures
fractures and
and adjacent
adjacent to
to quartz
quartz veinlets
veinlets throughout
the rock.
rock.
18 pprn
ppm Cu,
Cu, 19
ppm
Two samples
samples from
from the pyrite-rich
pyrite-rich zones
zones returned
returned values
values of:
of: 1)
1)5.13%
5.13% Zn,
Zn, 18
19 pprn
16
ppm
Cu,
20
ppm
Pb,
245
ppb
Au
and
Pb, 260 ppb Au and 0.5 pprn
ppm Ag; and 2)
2)2.85%
2.85% Zn,
Zn, 16 pprn Cu, 20 pprn Pb, 245 ppb Au and 0.5
0.5
magnetite-rich
zone
returned
values
of
850
ppm
Zn,
25
ppm
Cu,
ppm
Ag.
A
sample
from
the
pprn
A sample from
magnetite-rich zone returned values of 850 pprn Zn, 25 pprn Cu, 55
ppm
&lt;0.2 pprn
ppm Ag.
Ag. A second
second sulphidized
sulphidized iron
iron formation
formation boulder
boulder measuring
measuring
pprn Pb, 25 ppb Au and &lt;0.2
pyrite,
returned
of pyrite, returned values
approximately 0.5 m in diameter and consisting almost exclusively of
values of
of 140
140
ppb Au
Au and
ppm Zn, 8 pprn
ppm Cu, 11
ppm Pb, 710 ppb
1 1 pprn
and &lt;0.2
&lt;0.2 ppm
pprn Ag.
Ag.
pprn

There are two possible source
source areas
areas for
for the
the boulders.
boulders. Superior
Superior lobe
lobe striae
striae in
in the
the immediate
immediate
eroded
and
transported
vicinity of the pit are oriented at 320 to 330'
330° Az. IfIf the
the boulders
boulderswere
were eroded and transported by
by
from
they
could
have
been
Superior ice, then there is a 5 km window towards the southeast from which
which they could have been
beyond the
the 55 krn
km limit.
limit. Alternatively,
derived. Proterozoic
derived.
Proterozoic metasedimentary
metasedimentary rocks
rocks outcrop
outcrop beyond
Alternatively, the
the

�Figure 10.
Figure
10. Steeply-dipping
Steeply-dippingforeset
foresetbeds
beds of
of aa delta
delta constructed
constructed along the margin of the advancing
Township). Silty
Superior lobe (Conmee Township).
Silty Superior
Superior lobe
lobe till caps the sequence.
boulders could have initially been eroded by northern ice from a source
source to the north-northeast
north-northeast of
of the
the
pit then remobilized
by
the
Superior
lobe.
remobilized
Superior
Exploration work during
900s along the lower reaches of Brule Creek, 4 to 5 km
during the early 11900
Sulphur Company and General
General
north-northeast of the gravel pit, by B.L. Morrison, the Davis Sulphur
Chemical Company resulted in the discovery
discovery of "seven
"seven lenticular masses of brecciated,
brecciated, banded iron
iron
formation, in which pyrite has replaced
replaced aa considerable
considerable part
part of
of the
the rock"
rock" (Carter
(Carter 1990b).
1990b). The largest
of these masses has a maximum width of 23 m and is 244 m long. Other
Other discoveries
discoveriesinclude
includeaa 21
21
magnetite and
and pyrrhotite
pyrrhotite and
andaa99m
mwide
wideby
by 15
15m
mlong
longzone
zoneof
of
m wide body of pyrite containing magnetite
magnetite-pyrite-jasper ironstone. ItIt is
is possible
possible that
that the
the boulders
boulders found
found within the gravel pit were
derived from this area and that sphalerite was
was not
not recognized
recognized in
in the
the rock.
rock. It is
is not yet clear whether
sulphides indicate proximity to
to a VMS style zone
zone of
of mineralization.
mineralization. Further
the sulphides
Further work is
is required
required to
assess
the
mineral
potential
of
this
area.
assess

south on
onHighway
Highway111/I
0.5km.
k,n. Turn
Turn left
leftatatHolland
HollandRoad
Roadand
andproceed
proceedeastward
eastwardfor
for
Continue south
1 4 77for
for 0.5
roadcut at
2.6 km to a roadcut
at the
the top
top of
of aa steep
steep decline.
decline.

�7: Superior
Northern Till
Stop 7:
SuperiorLobe
Lobe Till Overlying Northern
The purpose of this stop is to compare and contrast
contrast tills
tills of Superior and
and northern
northern provenance
provenance
programs. Exposed
with respect to drift prospecting programs.
Exposed in
in the
the road cut
cut on
on the
the south
south side
side of
of the
the road
road is
is
approximately
fairly high
approximately 2 to 3 m of brown, blocky, silty Superior lobe till containing aa fairly
from the
the Gunflint
Gunflint Formation,
Formation, 2.5
2.5 km
km to
to the
the southeast.
southeast. Despite
concentration of platy clasts derived from
Despite
its apparent subglacial origin, this
this till
till contains few clasts
clasts of
of Archean
Archean supracrustal
supracrustal or
or intrusive
intrusive
composition. An
olive
grey,
silty
sand
till
of
northern
provenance
is
exposed
in
a
few
An olive grey, silty sand
of northern provenance
few places
beneath the
the Superior
Superior lobe
lobetill.
till. Most of the clasts in this
this lower till
till are
are of
of an
an Archean
Archean
directly beneath
affinity. A
quartz-feldspar
porphyry
is
exposed
in
outcrop
further
down
the
slope
and
probably
A quartz-feldspar porphyry is exposed in outcrop
underlies the northern till in this exposure.
exposure.
lobe till
till as
as aa sample medium
medium for
for mineral
mineral
Under discussion is the suitability of Superior lobe
exploration programs over Archean terrain
terrain in
in the
the eastern
eastern portion
portion of
of the
the belt.
belt. Compositionally,
Compositionally,
lobe till
till overlying
overlying Archean
Archean bedrock
bedrockdoes
doesnot
notreflect
reflectlocal
localbedrock
bedrocksources.
sources. This is likely
Superior lobe
attributed to the fact that the Superior lobe was
was surging into
into aa glacial
glacial lake,
lake, overriding
overriding fine-grained
fine-grained
glaciolacustrine deposits and shales. The
fine-grained
substrates
and
proglacial
lakes
faciltated
The fine-grained substrates
proglacial lakes faciltated the
process. Subglacial erosion close to the
the ice
ice margin
margin was
wasreduced
reduceddue
dueto
toaafloating
floatingice
iceshelf
shelf
surging process.
and reduced subglacial
pressures
caused
by
buoyancy.
subglacial pressures caused by buoyancy.
The background concentrations of gold grains
grains and
and elements
elements in
in Superior
Superior lobe
lobe till
till are
are
different from those of northern tills. It is therefore advisable to treat datasets
significantly different
containing information from both tills as separate populations
populations for anomaly
anomaly recognition.
recognition. Even more
more
importantly, it is recommended that only the
the lower
lower northern
northern till
till be
be sampled
sampled in
in Archean
Archean areas
areas
affected by the
the Superior lobe. In
In areas
areas of
of thick
thick overburden,
overburden, it may be necessary to employ
expensive drilling techniques to sample the
the lower till.
till. Alternatively,
Alternatively, itit may
may be
be possible
possible to access
access
by backhoe
backhoe trenching
trenching off
offof
ofoutcrops
outcropsininthe
thearea.
area. To
To the
the south
south of
of the
the Whitefish
Whitefish River
River
the lower till by
lowland, Superior lobe till
till is exposed
exposed on
on the
the flanks
flanksof
ofthe
theLogan
Logandiabase
diabasesills.
sills. The
The till
till in
in this
this area
area
appears to reflect local variations in bedrock geology
geology and
and may
maybe
be suitable
suitablefor
for exploration
exploration programs
programs
for such commodities
commodities as
as silver
silver or
or the platinum group
group elements.
elements.

the vehicles
vehiclesaround
around andproceed
and proceed back to
to Highway
Highway 11/17.
11/17. Drive
Drive straight through
Turn the
through Highway
down Holland
Holland Road
Roadfor
for 3.2 Ion.
kin. Stop at top of hill adjacent to aa microwave
11/17 down
microwave tower on
on the
side of
of the
the road.
road. Proceed
pit adjacent
adjacent to the
south side
Proceed to
to the
the north
north edge
edge of the sand and gravel pit
microwave
tower.
microwave tower.

8: Scenic
Brule Creek Moraine
Stop 8:
Scenic Lookout and Extension of the Brule
this site provides
provides the
the fieldtrip
fieldtrip participant
participant an
an excellent
excellent view
view of
of the
the lowland
lowland
The view afforded at this
advanced during
during the
the Marquette
MarquetteAdvance.
Advance. Thunder Bay is located
into which the Superior Lobe advanced
km to
to the
the east
east and
and the
the Logan
Logandiabase
diabasesills
sillstotothe
thesouth
southare
areapproximately
approximately12
12km
kmaway.
away. Our
over 30 km
point is
is situated
situated approximately
approximately 120
120mm above the Whitefish
Whitefish River
River lowland
lowland to
tothe
the south
southand
and
vantage point
the east.
east. The
230 m above Lake Superior to the
The upland
upland on which we stand
stand clearly
clearly affected the
Superior Lobe causing it to halt less than 3 km to the northeast of this
advancing Superior
this location.
location.

�-s-

——

—

--

-

-

-

—

-

_

-

-

____________

--

-

_

—
—

_
-

---

-

---j

--

-c
1--:

-t....

-:

_
r—

--

-

C *S-

-

—

Cr----:

I
Ic- - ___
-

1-

-

____

T_i_±
- —- - C --S--

2__ _

-

Figure 11.
Figure
11.Oblique
Obliqueaerial
aerialview
viewofofthe
theWhitefish-Kaministikwia
Whitefish-Kaministikwialowland
lowlandinto
intowhich
whichthe
theSuperior
Superior
the Marquette
Marquette stadial.
stadial. Mesas of Proterozoic diabase are visible
lobe advanced during the
in the distance.
distance.

Exposed in the sand and gravel pit before us is a sequence of glaciofluvial sand and gravel of
northern provenance which is in turn overlain by a unit of glaciolacustrine sand and finally by
m of silty
silty Superior
Superior Lobe
Lobetill.
till. Paleocurrents in the lower glaciofluvial unit suggest
approximately 3 m
flow towards the
the south-southwest.
south-southwest. This is consistent with
with aa northward
northward retreating
retreatingice
icemargin.
margin. The
The
glaciolacustrine sands
glaciolacustrine
sands are likely associated
associated with
with an
an early
early phase
phase of
of glacial
glacial Lake
Lake Kaministikwia.
Kaministikwia.
A number of buried sand and gravel deposits of northern provenance occur in southern and
and adjoining
adjoining Oliver
Oliver Township.
Township. It is possible that these deposits
southeastern Conmee Township and
Brule Creek Moraine, a significant ice-marginal feature
represent the eastern extension of the Bmle
the retreating northern
northern ice
ice lobe.
lobe. The eastern extension of the Brule Creek Moraine
associated with the
beyond the Marks Moraine
was
obscured
by
Moraine
obscured the
the advancing
advancing Superior
Superiorlobe.
lobe.
The next
next stop
stop is
is optional
optional depending
depending upon
upon the
the condition
conditionof
ofthe
theroad
road intothe
intothe site.
site. Continue
Continue west
kmdown
downHolland
HollandRoad
RoadtotoSovereign
SovereignRoad.
Road Turn
Turn right
right and
and drive
drive north
north 800
800 m.
m. Turn
another 1.
1.77 km
logging road
road and follow
follow ititfor
for approximately
approximately600
600m.
m. Turn right
right at
at vv in
in road
road and
andfollow
follow road
road
left on logging
(-1 kin,).
km). Park
Parkvehicle
vehicleatatcrest
crestofofhilL
hill.
to the north until you reach
reach aa clearcut
clearcut('-4

�9: Marks Moraine
Stop 9:
This fieldtrip stop is located on
on the
the crest
crestof
ofthe
theMarks
MarksMoraine,
Moraine,aaterminal
terminalmoraine
moraineassociated
assoiated
9.9 to 10.0
10.0ka
ka BP,
BP,
with the advancing Superior lobe. The
The moraine
moraine was
was constructed
constructed approximately
approximately 9.9
during the Marquette Stadial. ItIt has
has been
been traced
traced across
across the study
study area
area from the southwestern
southwestern corner
comer
of Marks Township to the southeastern comer
corner of
of Ware
Ware Township.
Township. Mapping
is
required
toward
Mapping is required toward the
the
its position.
position. Where it is best developed, the moraine consists
consists of
of multiple
multiple till
till
southwest to determine its
ridges within a zone 11 to 2 km wide (Figure 12).
It
is
composed
primarily
of
fine-textured
till
and
12). It is composed primarily of fine-textured till and
relatively low
low profile.
profile. In other areas, the moraine consists of a stacked
therefore displays a relatively
sequence of flow tills
tills and glaciolacustrine deposits
deposits with
with no
no apparent
apparent geomorphic
geomorphic expression.
expression.

The moraine here is assymetrical in cross-section, displaying a steeper slope on the
ice-contact side.
side. Fine-textured glaciolacustrine sediments
sediments interbedded
interbeddedwith
with Superior
Superior
southeastern, ice-contact
tills occur bevone
beyong
themoraine
morainetotothe
thenorthwest.
northwest. To
To the
the southwest
southwest are
areaa series
seriesof
of
lobe flow tills
. the
that follow
follow the
the ice
ice margin
margin and
and terminate
terminate in
in the
the Kaministikwia
Kaministikwia basin
basin to
to
northeast-trending channels that
the northeast. Paleocurrents
flow towards
towards the
the
Paleocurrentsof
of cross-bedded
cross-bedded sands within these channels indicate flow
Kaministikwia
basin.
Kaministikwia basin.

-

Drive back out to the intersection of
of Sovereign
SovereignRoad
Roadand
andHolland
HollandRoad
Roadand
andproceed
proceedsouth
south on
on
Sovereign Road for
for 4.9 km
km till
tillyou
youreach
reach Highway
Highway 590.
590. You have
have now
now descended
descended into
into the
the
Whitefish-Kaministikwialowland,
lowland,aavertical
verticaldrop
dropof
ofover
over100
100in.
m. Sovereign
SovereignRoad
Roadchanges
changes into
into
Whitefish-Kaministikwia
Highway 595
595 beyond
beyond Highway
Highway590.
590. Continue south on Highway 595
595for
for an
an additional 4.9
Highway
4.9 km.
km.
Smith Road
Road and
and drive
drivefor
for 3.0 km
km till
tillyou
you reach
reach a bridge crossing
Turn left on Smith
crossing Whitewood
Whitewood Creek.
Creek.
Park the
far side
Park
the vehicle
vehicle on the right on
on the far
side of
of the bridge.
bridge.
Stop 10:
10: Whitewood Creek Section
At this stop, we will be looking at a section along the banks of Whitewood Creek that exposes 2
glaciolacustrinedeposits.
deposits. The section has
has not
not been
been studied
studied
tills with intervening and superimposed glaciolacustrine
in detail.
however, demonstrate
demonstrate the
the drastic
drastic changes
changes that
that occur
occur in
in till
till character
character as
as one
one
detail. It does, however,
Archean upland
upland to
tothe
thenorth
northinto
intothe
theWhitefish-Kaministikwia
Whitefish-Kaministikwialowland.
lowland. At
At this
this
proceeds off of the Archean
stop, we will concentrate on
on the
the lower
lower till
till unit.
unit. The steepness of the section makes
makes itit difficult
difficult to
to
units. These units will be viewed at the next fieldstop.
view the upper stratigraphic units.
At river level is exposed a dark grey, sandy silty
silty subglacial
subglacial till
till presumed
presumed to
to be
be of
of northern
northern
its subglacial
subglacial origin.
origin. A
affinity. The
The till
till contains
contains numerous
numerous faceted and striated clasts supporting its
stone line or boulder pavement is clearly visible
visible aa few metres
metres above
above water
water level
level when
when the
the section
section is
is
towards the
the
well exposed. Striations
Striationson
on the
the upper
upper surfaces
surfaces of the boulders indicate ice flow towards
southwest. Most
Shales, wackes,
wackes, ironstones
ironstones
Mostof
of the
the clasts
clasts are
are derived from the Gunflint Formation. Shales,
jaspers are commonly seen in the
the river
river bed.
bed. Only
and oolitic jaspers
Only aa small
small proportion
proportion of
of the clasts
clasts are
are
derived from Archean terrain
terrain to
to the
the north.
north. Oxidation of sulphide minerals contained
contained within
within
Gunflint Formation shales has caused a rusty appearance
appearance to
to the
the till
till up
up to
to the
the high
high water
water line
line in
in the
the
section. The
that which
which is
is observed
observed over
over
Thecharacter
character of
of this
this lower
lower northern till is quite different from that
to the
the north.
north. The
owing its
its fineness
fineness to
to the
the texture
texture
Archean terrain to
The till is significantly finer textured, owing
displays aa much
much darker
darker colour.
colour. It is similar
of the underlying source rocks and displays
similar in that it appears
appears to

�:Jw •w&amp;w
•

fl LjflMj

f'?

2

Figure 12.
Figure
12. Aerial
Aerialphoto
photoof
ofthe
thearea
areasurrounding
surrounding Stop
Stop 9.
9. The
Themorainie
morainicridges
ridgesform
form part
part of
of the
the
Marks Moraine.
Moraine. The
Theesker
eskerridge
ridgewas
wasdeposited
depositedby
bysouthward
southwardflowing
flowingnorthern
northernice.
ice.
Superior lobe till flanks
flanks the eastern
eastern margin of
of the
the esker.
esker.

�reflect local bedrock sources
sources and
and therefore is
is aa suitable
suitable sampling
samplingmedium
medium for
for programs
programs of
of mineral
mineral
exploration
exploration within
within this
thisarea.
area.
The
The lower,
lower, northern
northern till
till is
is overlain
overlainby
by aa sequence
sequence of
of silty
silty glaciolacustrine
glaciolacustrinesediments
sedimentswhich
which were
were
likely
deposited
within
glacial
Lake
O'Connor.
These
sediments
have
likely deposited within glacial Lake O'Connor. These sediments have not
not been
been looked
lookedat
at in
in any
any
detail. There
Thereare
arenumerous
numeroussections
sectionsalong
alongthe
thevalley
valleyof
ofthe
theWhitefish
WhitefishRiver
Riverand
andtributaries
tributariesthat
that
expose
Lake
O'Connor
sediments.
These
sections
require
detailed
examination
to
expose Lake O'Connor sediments. These sections require detailed examination to assist
assist with
with
unravelling
unravelling the
the history
history of
of this
this glacial
glacial lake.
lake.
Higher
toclayey
clayey
Higher up
up in
in the
the section,
section, immediately
immediatelyabove
abovethese
these stratified
stratifieddeposits
depositsisisaamassive
massivesilty
siltyto
diamicton
pebbles. This
diamicton with
with aa few
few grits
grits and
and pebbles.
Thisunit
unitisisinterpreted
interpretedto
tobe
beaatill
tillderived
derivedfrom
fromthe
the
Superior
Superior lobe.
lobe. The
Thetill
till owes
owesits
itsfine
fine texture
texture to
to the
the incorporation
incorporation of
of large
large volumes
volumes of
of
glaciolacustrine
deposits
into
the
base
of
the
advancing
Superior
lobe.
This
till
barely
glaciolacustrine deposits into the base of the advancing Superior lobe. This till barelyresembles
resembles
other
other examples
examples of
of Superior
Superior lobe
lobe till which we
we have
have seen
seen earlier
earlier in this fieldtrip.
fieldtrip. The
Thepebbles
pebbleswithin
within
this
till
are
easily
recognized
as
derived
from
the
Animikie
and
Sibley
Group
metasediments
to
the
this till are easily recognized as derived from the Animikie and Sibley Group metasediments to the
northeast
and
east.
This
till
does
not
carry
a
signature
of
local
geology
because
the
ice
that
northeast and east. This till does not cany a signature of local geology because the ice that
deposited
deposited it
it did
did not
not have
have access
access to
to the
the bedrock
bedrock surface.
surface.
The
The upper,
upper, Superior
Superior lobe
lobe till
till is
is overlain
overlainby
by aa second
secondsequence
sequenceof
ofglaciolacustrine
glaciolacustrinedeposits.
deposits.
These
These sediments
sedimentswere
were probably
probably also
also deposited
deposited within
within glacial
glacial Lake O'Coimor
O'Connor as
as the
the Superior
Superiorlobe
lobe
ice
ice margin
margin retreated
retreated eastward
eastwardout
out of
ofthe
thelowland.
lowland.

Turn
vehicles around
around and
and go
go back
back to
to Highway
Highway595.
595 Turn
for 3.3
km. Turn
Turn the
the vehicles
Turnleft
left and
and drive
drive south
southfor
3.3 km.
Turn
left on Blaikie
Rd and
Bluikie Rd.
anddrive
drive east
eastfor
for 1.8
1.8kin.
km.The
Theexposure
exposurewe
wewill
will be
belooking
lookingat
atisiscut
cutinto
intothe
the
River valley
valley and
and is
is located
located on
on the southwest
southwest side
side of the
the road.
road
walls of the
the Whitefish
Whitefish River

Stop
Stop 11:
11: Whitefish
WhitefishRiver
RiverSection.
Section.
At
At this
this stop,
stop, we
we will
will have
have an
an opportunity
opportunityto
to look
look at,
at, in
in detail,
detail, aa section
section through
through glacial
glacial lake
lake
O'Connor
anupper
upper sequence
sequenceof
of glaciolacustrine
glaciolacustrineand
and fluvial
fluvial
O'Connor sediments,
sediments,Superior
SuperiorLobe
Lobetill
till and
and an
deposits.
deposits. The
Thelower
lower33toto44mmconsists
consistsofofdark
darkgrey,
grey,well
welllaminated
laminatedsilt
siltand
andclay
claylikely
likelydeposited
deposited
with
are the
the Rove
Rove and
and
with glacial
glacial Lake
Lake O'Connor.
O'Connor. The
Theclays
claysare
areclark
dark grey
grey because
because their
their source
source rocks
rocks are
Gunflint
Gunflint Formations.
Formations. Glacial
GlacialLake
LakeO'Connor
O'Connorformed
formedproglacially
proglaciallywhen
when the
the Superior
Superiorlobe
lobe advanced
advanced
into
intothe
the Whitefish
WhitefishRiver
Rivervalley
valleyproducing
producingaaclosed
closedbasin
basinsupported
supportedon
onits
itsnorthern
northernand
andsouthern
southern
flanks
flanksby
by high
high ground.
ground. The
Thelake
lakemust
musthave
havedrained
drainedwestward
westwardout
outthrough
throughthe
theWhitefish
WhitefishLake
Lakebasin.
basin.
Eventually
Eventually the
the advancing
advancingSuperior
Superiorlobe
lobeoverrode
overrodethese
thesedeposits
depositsproducing
producingaafine-textured,
fine-textured,
clayey
silt
till
with
few
pebbles.
This
till
is
very
similar
to
that
exposed
clayey silt till with few pebbles. This till is very similar to that exposedatatnear
nearthe
thetop
topof
ofthe
the
section
at
Stop
10.
The
till
is
massive,
dense,
compact
and
was
probably
deposited
subglacially
section at Stop 10. The till is massive, dense, compact and was probably deposited subglacially
under
of
under active
active ice.
ice. The
Thefineness
finenessof
ofthe
theunderlying
underlying deposits
deposits would
would have
have prevented
prevented the
the infiltration
infiltration of
subglacial
meltwater
into
the
substrate.
This
would
help
to
promote
the
development
of
a
thin
layer
subglacial meltwater into the substrate. This would help to promote the development of a thin layer
of
of water
water at
at the
the glacier
glacier sole
sole which
which would
would have
have facilitated
facilitated the
the rapid
rapid advance
advance of
of ice
ice into
into the
the basin.
basin. As
As
mentioned
earlier,
the
base
of
the
advancing
Superior
lobe
was
isolated
from
the
bedrock
surface
by
mentioned earlier, the base of the advancing Superior lobe was isolated from the bedrock surfaceby

�several tens
tens of
of metres
metres of
of intervening
intervening sediment.
sediment. As
this ice
not
several
As aa result,
result, the
the till
till deposited
deposited by
by this
ice does
does not
display
a
signature
of
local
bedrock
within
the
Whitefish
River
valley.
display a signature of local bedrock within the Whitefish River valley.
Superior
Superior lobe
lobe till
till is
is abruptly
abruptlyoverlain
overlainby
by approximately
approximately22m
mof
ofdark
darkgrey
greyclay
clayand
andsilty
siltyclay.
clay.
This
sediment
was
deposited
proglacially
beyond
the
retreating
margin
of
the
Superior
lobe. The
This sediment was deposited proglacially beyond the retreating margin of the Superior lobe.
The
dark grey
grey colour
colour of
of this
this sediment
sediment suggests
deposition within
dark
suggests deposition
within aa closed
closed basin
basin (i.e.
(i.e. aa basin
basin not
not linked
linked
with Lake
with
Lake Superior).
Superior).

This
overlain by
by approximately
approximately 11 m
m of
of pebble
pebble gravel.
gravel. The
This unit
unit is
is abruptly
abruptly overlain
The gravel
gravel is
is wellwellmoderately
sorted
and
probably
of
fluvial
character.
A
low-water
phase
is
implied
by
this unit.
unit.
moderately sorted and probably of fluvial character. A low-water phase is implied by this
Perhaps the
the eastward
eastward retreat
retreat of
of Superior
Perhaps
Superior ice
ice beyon
beyon d
d Stanley
Stanley Hill
Hill in
in southwestern
southwestern Paipoonge
Paipoonge
Township resulted
resulted in
in the
the drop
drop of
of glacial
glacial Lake
Lake O'Connor
O'Connor to
to aa lower
Township
lower level.
level. This
Thiswould
wouldhave
have resulted
resulted
in
the
influx
of
coarse
sediments
from
uplands
east
of
the
site
(Little
Pig
and
Badger
Mountains)
in the influx of coarse sediments from uplands east of the site (Little Pig and Badger Mountains)
resulting
resulting in
in the
the superposition
superposition of
of fluvial
fluvial sands
sands and
and gravels
gravelsover
over clay.
clay.
The fluvial
fluvial unit
unit is
abruptly overlain
overlain by
reddish-coloured glaciolacustrine
The
is abruptly
by reddish-coloured
glaciolacustrine deposits
deposits of
of silt,
silt, very
very
fine
minor clay.
clay. The
fine sand
sand and
and minor
Theupper
upper surface
surfaceof
of this
thisglaciolacustrine
glaciolacustrineplain
plain occurs
occurs at
at approximately
approximately
275
275 m
m asl,
as], well
well above
above the
the highest
highest elevations
elevations reported
reported for
for Superior
Superiorbasin
basin lakes
lakesin
in the
theThunder
ThunderBay
Bay
area.
area. These
Thesedeposits
depositswere
werelikely
likelylaid
laiddown
downwithin
withinaa confined
confined basin
basin with
with aa configuration
configurationsimilar
similarto
to
that of
of glacial
glacial Lake
Lake O'Connor.
O'Connor. The
of the
the sediment
sediment
that
Thesignificance
significanceof
of the
the colour
colour and
and textural
textural change
change of
is
is unclear.
unclear. Clearly,
Clearly,additional
additionalwork
work is
isrequired
requiredto
to obtain
obtainaa better
better understanding
understanding of
of the
the
glaciolacustrine history
glaciolacustrine
history of
of this
this region.
region.

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A.F. 1997.
1997. A
Aregional
regionalevaluation
evaluationof
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goldpotential
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alongthe
the western
western extension
extensionof
of the
the Larder
Larder
Lake-Cadillac
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Matachewan
area:
results
of
regional
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sampling;
Ontario
Lake-Cadillac Break, Matachewan area: results of regional till sampling; OntarioGeological
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Bajc,
A.F. 1999a.
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Shebandowan
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Greenstone Belt;
Belt; Ontario
Ontario Geological
Geological Survey,
Survey, Report
Report 296,
296, 135p.
l35p.
Shebandowan
Schneiders,
B.R., Scott,
Scott, J.F.
J.F. and
and Smyk,
M.C. 1998.
Schneiders, B.R.,
Smyk, M.C.
1998. Report
Report of
ofActivities,
Activities,1997,
1997,Resident
ResidentGeologist
Geologist
Program, Thunder
Thunder Bay
Bay South
South Regional
Regional Resident
Resident Geologist's
Geologist's Report:
Program,
Report: Thunder
Thunder Bay
Bay South
South
District; Ontario
District;
Ontario Geological
Geological Survey,
Survey, Open
Open File
File Report
Report 5971,
5971, 56p.
56p.
Sutcliffe,
R.H. 1991.
Sutcliffe, R.H.
1991. Proterozoic
Proterozoicgeology
geologyof
ofthe
the Lake
Lake Superior
Superiorarea;
area; in
in Geology
Geology of
of Ontario,
Ontario,
Ontario
Ontario Geological
Geological Survey,
Survey, Special
Special Volume
Volume 4, Part
Part 1,
1, p.627-660.

Williams, H.R.
H.R. 1991. Quetico
in Geology
Geology of
of Ontario,
Ontario, Ontario
Ontario Geological
Geological Survey,
Survey,
QueticoSubprovince;
Subprovince;in
Special
Special Volume
Volume 4, Part
Part 1,
1, p.383-404.
p.383-404.

�Williams,
T.L. and
and Sage,
Sage, R.P.
R.P. 1991. Wawa Subprovihce;
Williams, H.R.,
H.R., Stott,
Stott, G.M., Heather, K.B.,
K.B., Muir, T.L.
in
in Geology
Geology of
of Ontario,
Ontario, Ontario
OntarioGeological
Geological Survey,
Survey, Special
Special Volume
Volume 4, Part
Part 1,
1, p.485-542.
Zoltai,
Zoltai, S.C.
S.C. 1963.
1963.Glacial
Glacialfeatures
featuresof
ofthe
theCanadian
CanadianLakehead
Lakeheadarea;
area; Canadian
Canadian Geographer,
Geographer, v.7,
p.101-115.
p.101-115.
Zoltai,
Zoltai, S.C.
S.C. 1965.
1965.Glacial
Glacial features
featuresof
of the
the Quetico-Nipigon
Quetico-Nipigonarea,
area, Ontario;
Ontario; Canadian
Canadian Journal
Journal of
of Earth
Earth
Sciences,v.2,
v.2, p.247-269.
p.247-269.
Sciences,

�GEOLOGY OF
STEEP
GEOLOGY
OF THE
THE ARCHEAN
ARCHEAN STEEP
ROCK LAKE
FINLAYSON LAKE
LAKE
ROCK
LAKE - FINLAYSON
GREENSTONE BELT
GREENSTONE
BELT

Denver
Denver Stone,
Stone, Ontario
Ontario Geological
Geological Survey
Survey
Kirsty Tomlinson,
Survey of
of Canada
Canada
Kirsty
Tomlinson, Geological
Geological Survey
Ray
Ray Bernatchez,
Bernatchez, Atikokan
Atikokan Resources
Resources Inc.
Inc.
Philip Fralick,
Fralick, Lakehead
Philip
Lakehead University
University

3.0 Ga
Ga assemblage
qfIc tofelsic
fr/sic
This 3.0
assemblageconsists
consistsof
ofu/tram
ultramaflc
metavolcanic rocks and
metavolcanic
and chemical-clastic
chemical-clasticsedimentary
sedimentaryrocks.
rocks.
This trip will
will examine
examine the
the structural,
structural, petrographic,
petrographic,
sedimentaological
sedimentaologicaland
andeconomic
economicaspects
aspectsof
ofthese
theserocks.
rocks.

�FIELDTRIP 2B
FIELDTRIP
2B

MESOARCHEAN GEOLOGY
GEOLOGY OF
OF THE
THE STEEP
STEEP ROCK
ROCK
MESOARCHEAN
LUMI3Y LAKE
LAKE TERRAINS
TERRAINS
LUMBY

INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
The various Mesoarchean
Mesoarchean sequences
sequencesin
in the Canadian
Canadian Shield are remarkably similar, being
composed
metabasalt-quarta areniate-iron
areniate-iron formation
formation association
association or a 2)
2) metavolcanicmetavolcanic:1) a metabasalt-quartz
composedof
of either
either :1)
shallow
water
carbonate
association
(Thurston
and
Chivers,
1990;
Erikisson
et
al,
1994).
Worldwide
shallow water carbonate association (Thurstonand Chivers, 1990;Erikisson
Worldwide
examples of these associations
associations typically overlie
overlie granitoids
granitoids or volcanic
volcanic successions
successions intruded by
granitoids and include
theoleiitic
basalt
and
komatiite,
quartz
arenite,
iron
formation, pelite and/or
include theoleiitic
quartz
andlor
stromatolitic carbonate.
carbonate.Conglomeratic
Conglomeraticintervals
intervalstypically
typicallyare
arepresent
presentatat the
the base
base of
stromatolitic
of these
these
successions. Included in this association
successions.
association are the Manjeri Formation at the base of the Ngezi Group
in Zimbabwe,
the
Paddy
Market
in the
the Pilbara
Zimbabwe,
Paddy Market Supersequence
Supersequence in
Pilbara Block,
Block, and
and numerous
numerous local
local
occurrences in
in Superior Province
Province (Erikisson
(Erikissonetet al,
al, 1994;
1994; Erikisson
Erikisson et
et al,
al, 1996). Of the various
occurrences
various
examples
examplesof
of this
this association
associationthe
the carbonate
carbonatedominated
dominatedSteep
SteepRock
Rock assemblage
assemblagehas
has received
receivedthe
the most
most
detailed analysis. Thurston and Chivers (1990) and Erikisson et al (1994,
(1994, 1996)
1996)concluded
concluded that
that
associations
associations of
of this
this type
type are
areformed
formedas
asaa stable
stableplatform
platform undergoes
undergoesrifting.
rifting.
Data
amassed
in
recent
years
on
these
Mesoarchean
sequences
Data amassed in recent years on these Mesoarchean sequenceshas,
has, in
in some
some cases,
cases, led
led to
to an
an
elaboration of
of preexisting
preexisting tectonic
tectonic models,
models, while
while in
in other
other cases
cases has
has caused new models to be
elaboration
be
proposed.
This
new
data
on
the
Steep
Rock-Lumby
Lake
Terrains
is
briefly
reviewed
at
the
end
of
proposed. This new data on the Steep Rock-Lumby Lake Terrains
this article,
with the
the new
article, with
with the aim
aim of
of familiarizing
familiarizing the field
field trip participants
participants with
new ideas on
Mesoarchean
tectonics
being
developed
in
this
area.
First
we
will
stan
with
an
introduction
to and
Mesoarchean tectonics
developed
First we will start with an
description of the
the belt.
belt.

General Geology
General
Geology
The Steep
Steep RockRock- Lumby
Lumby Lake
within the
the District
District of
of Rainy
Rainy River,
River, extending
extending
Lake Terrain
Terrain is located within
Atikokan to the northeast,
northeast, and
approximately 200km
Thunder Bay, Ontario
200km to the west of Thunder
from Atikokan
and lying approximately
TheSteep
SteepRock
RockGreenstone
GreenstoneBelt
Beltlies
liesimmediately
immediatelyto
tothe
thenorth
north of
of Atikokan, near the
(Figure 1). The
(Figure 2).
2). It was first described by Smyth (1891) as a
Quetico-Wabigoon subprovince boundary (Figure
vertical succession
ferruginous strata
strata and
and volcanics.
volcanics. The
The belt
vertical
succession of conglomerate,
conglomerate, limestone,
limestone, ferruginous
belt
unconformably overlies the 3003-+5Ma (Davis and Jackson, 1988) tonalitic Mannion
Marmion batholith
(Wilks, 1986; Stone et al., 1992).
1992). The
The greenstone
greenstone Belt comprises
comprises the following
following five Formations
defined
(1959),Wilks
Wilksand
andNisbet
Nisbet(1986)
(1986)(Figure
(Figure3)
3)and
andStone
Stoneetetal.
al.(1992).
(1992).
defined by Jolliffe
Jolliffe (1959),
1.
quartzo-feldspathic conglomerates
1.
Basal quartzo-feldspathic
conglomeratesand
andsandstones
sandstonesof
ofthe
theWagita
WagitaFormation
Formation(up
(upto
to 150
150
m thick)
thick) representing
representing alluvial
alluvial fan
fan deposits
deposits on
on fault
fault scarps
scarps (Wilks, 1986);
2.
Stromatolitic
limestones
of
the
Mosher
Carbonate
Formation(up
(uptoto 500
2.
Stromatolitic limestones of the Mosher Carbonate Formation
500 m
m thick)
thick)
representing deposition
deposition in
in aa shallow
shallowsea;
sea;
3.
Iron formation
formation and carbonate-Mn-Fe-rich
carbonate-Mn-Fe-rich mudstones
mudstones of the
the Jolliffe Ore
Ore zone
zone Formation
Formation (up
to 400 m thick) representing
representing deposition
deposition in a subsiding
subsiding basin (Wilks, 1986);
1986);
4.
an
unusual
high-Mg,
predominately
pyroclastic
komatiitic
unit
named
the Dismal Ashrock
4.
predominately pyroclastic komatiitic
Formation (50-400 m thick) representing
Formation
representing shallow water volcanism; and

�n

-.4

I

n

t

—. —.

Location (if nit itihohan /Steep Ruck area in relation to the belt structure of
Superior Province.

�p..

*

N

e

Geology of the Steep Rock (a and south-east of A), Finlayson Lake (B) and
Lumby Lake (C,S, E) areas.

t

:!lj

Figure 2.

�5.

.

aa sequence
the Witch
Witch Bay
Bay Formation
Formation (ca.
(ea. 55
sequence of mafic and minor felsic metavolcanics called the
km
km thick)
thick) representing
representingsubaqueous
subaqueousvolcanism.
volcanism.

T
200
nil]
200 m
.1.

B.
B.
Metosedirnents
Metosediments

WITCH
WITCH BAY
BAY
FORMATION
FORMATION
(( rnetavolcanics
metavolconics ,
metasedirnents)
metosediments I
Possible
Possible
Tectonic
break
Tectonic break

Lovas
LOWS

?

DISMAL
DISMAL
ASHROCK
ASHROCK

JOLLIFFE
JOLLIFFE
ORE
ORE ZONE
ZONE

Pyrite
Pyrite lenses
lenses

Buckshot
Buckshot ore
ore
Mammil
lose
Mommillose
St
ro m a to ites
Stromatolites

./
/
/

Fault

MOSHER CARBONATE

1

WAGrTA FORMATION
i clostics I
unconformity

MARMtON

COMPLEX

MOSHER
MOSHER
CARBONATE
CARBONATE

WAGITA
WAGITA
FORMATION
FORMATION
clastics
( ctostics) I
MARMION
MARMION
COMPLEX
COMPLEX

Giant Columnar
Columnar
Stromalolites
Oncolites

Strotiform Stromatolites

Pseudomorphs otter
Gypsum (Atikokania)
Branching &amp; Hemispherical
Stromotolites
Xenoliths
Xenoliths
Eorly
Early Mofic
Mafic Dykes
Dykes

Figure
Rock area.
area. The
sedimenta,y units
Figure3.3. A)
A) Geology
Geology of the Steep Rock
Thewhite
white area
area south
south of
of the
the sedimentary
unitsisis
mostly
mafic
volcanics.
B)
Stratigraphy
of
the
Steep
Rock
succession.
(Mod
j/ied
mostly
B) Stratigraphy of the Steep Rock
(Modified
afterWllks
Wilksand
andNisbet,
Nisbet,1986)..
1986)..
after

The
The age
ageof
ofthe
theSteep
SteepRock
Rock Group
Group isis fairly
fairly well
well constrained.
constrained. Six
Sixdetrital
detritalzircons
zirconsfrom
fromthe
the
basal
basal sandstones
sandstonesare
areca.
ca. 2999
2999 Ma
Ma (reported
(reported by
by Fralick
Fralick and
and King,
King, 1996
1996 as
as D.
D. Davis,
Davis, personal
personal
communication).
The
Dismal
Ashrock
Formation
contains
zircons
which
are
2997
Ma,
and
these
communication). The Dismal Ashrock Formation contains zircons which are 2997 Ma, and these
may
Davis, personal
personal communication,
communication,1998).
1998). Sphenes
Sphenes in
in the
the Marmion
Mannion
(D. Davis,
may also
alsototobe
bedetrital
detrital(D.
batholith
batholithhave
havebeen
beendated
datedatatca.
ca.2950
2950Ma,
Ma,possibly
possiblyreflecting
reflectingthe
theage
ageof
of hydrothermal
hydrothermalactivity
activity that
that
generated
JolliffeOre
Orezone
zoneFormation
Formation(D.
generatedthe
theJolliffe
(D. Davis,
Davis,persona
personacommunication,
communication, 1998).
1998).
The
TheFinlayson
FinlaysonLake
LakeGreenstone
GreenstoneBelt
Beltajoins
ajoinsthe
theSteep
SteepRock
RockBelt
Belttotothe
thenorthwest
northwestand
and
extends
extendstotothe
thenortheast.
northeast.ItItisisapparently
apparentlyan
anextension
extensionof
ofthe
theSteep
SteepRock
Rock sequence,
sequence, but with
with the
the
sedimentary
sedimentaryassemblage
assemblageon
ontop
topofofthe
thevolcanic
volcanicpile
pilerather
ratherthan
thanbelow
belowit,
it,as
asisisthe
the case
case with
with Steep
Steep
Rock.
Rock.
The
thanthe
theSteep
SteepRock
Rockgreenstone
greenstonebelt
belt and
andthe
therocks
rocks are
are atat
The belt
belt isismore
moredeformed
deformedthan
greenschist
greenschistto
toamphibolite
amphibolitefacies.
facies.The
Thebelt
beltisisthought
thoughttotooverlie
overliethe
theMarmion
Marmionbatholith
batholith(Stone
(Stone et.,
et.,
1992)
1992)but
butthe
thecontact
contacthas
hasbeen
beenintruded
intrudedby
bysynsyn-to
to post-volcanic
post-volcanic tonalite
tonaliteand
and granodiorite
granodiorite(Stone
(Stoneand
and
Kamineni,1989).
1989).The
Thebelt
beltisisdominated
dominatedbybysheared,
sheared,pillowed
pillowedand
andmassive
massivemafic
maficlava
lavaflows
flowsand
and
Kamineni,
banded
bandedamphibolites.
amphibolites.Thin
Thinunits
unitsofoffelsic
felsictuff
tuffand
andmetasedimentary
metasedimentarvrocks
rocksare
are intercalated
intercalatedwith
with the
the
mafic
maficvolcanics
volcanicsapproximately
approximatelyhalfway
half waythrough
throughand
andatatthe
thetop
topofofthe
thesequence
sequence(Fralick
(Fralickand
andKing,
King,
1996).
Six
detrital
zircons
from
the
upper
sedimentary
sequence
give
an
age
range
of
3002
to
2997
1996). Six detrital zircons from the upper sedimentary sequence give an age range of 3002 to 2997

�Ma
Ma (Fralick
(Fralick and
and King,
King, 1996)
1996)and
and aa rhyolite
rhyolite near
near the
the top
top of
of the
the volcanic
volcanic sequence
sequencehas
has been
beendated
datedat
at
2932±
2
Ma
(Davis,
1993).
2932 Â 2 Ma (Davis, 1993).
The
The Luinby
LumbyLake
LakeGreenstone
GreenstoneBelt
Beltextends
extendseastwards
eastwardsfrom
fromthe
thenorth
northend
endof
of the
the Finlayson
Finlayson
belt (Jackson.
(Jackson, l985a,
belt
1985a,b).
b). The
Thesouthern
southernmargin
margin of
ofthe
the belt
belt is
is in
in faulted
faulted contact
contact with
with the
the Marmion
Marmion
batholith (Sage
(Sage et
et al.,
al., 1974).
pillow
batholith
1974). The
Thebelt
beltisisdominated
dominated by
by mafic
mafic volcanic
volcanic rocks,
rocks, particularly
particularly pillow
lavas, but
but also
of komatiite
komatiite flows
flows and
and pyroclastics,
pyroclastics, felsic
felsic volcanic
volcanic units
units and
and
lavas,
also contains
contains sequences
sequences of
chemical
the
chemical and
and clastic
clastic sediments.
sediments. The
Thenorthern
northernhalf
half of
of the
the belt
belt generally
generally youngs
youngs to
to the
the south
south and
and the
southern
the belt
belt dipping
dipping steeply.
steeply. Jackson
a,b) suggested
southernhalf
half to
to the
the north,
north, with
with both
both halves
halves of
of the
Jackson(1985
(1985a,b)
suggested
that
represented aa syncline
along the
the sedimentary
sedimentary units
units at
the centre
centre of
of the
the
that the
the belt
belt represented
syncline with
with the
the fold
fold axis
axis along
at the

belt.
This model
model appears
to be
belt. This
appears to
be oversimplified
oversimplified as
as there
there are
are reversals
reversals in
in younging
younging direction
direction and
and
because the
the stratigraphy
stratigraphy in
in the
the two
two halves
halves of
of the
the belt
belt is
is rather
rather different.
different. We
because
We suggest
suggest that
that these
these
opposing
tectonic boundary
simple synclinal
synclinal axis,
opposing sequences
sequencesmay
may be
be separated
separatedby
by aa tectonic
boundary rather
rather than
than aa simple
axis, but
but
do not
not discount
do
discount that
that the
the two
two halves
halves of
of the
the belt
belt are
are related.
related.
A felsic
of the
the southern
southern half
half of
of the
the belt
belt contains
contains 2999
2999 Ma
Ma
tuff unit
unit low
low in
in the
the stratigraphy
stratigraphy of
A
felsic tuff
zircons and
and aa felsic
felsic tuff
tuff slightly
slightly higher
higher in
the stratigraphy
stratigraphy contains
range 2999
zircons
in the
contains zircons
zircons in
in the
the range
2999 to
to 2903
2903
Ma (Davis
(Davis and
and Jackson,
Jackson, 1988).
1988). However
the 2999
2999 Ma
Ma component
component in
in each
eachof
ofthese
these felsic
felsic units
units is
is
Ma
However the
thought
to be
be detrital
detrital (D.
(D. Davis,
1998). This
higher felsic
felsic unit
unit is
thought to
Davis, personal
personal communication,
communication, 1998).
This higher
is also
also
along
1 50-m-thickunit
unit(Jackson,
(Jackson, 1985a)
1 985a)ofofsandstones,
sandstones,carbonates
carbonatesand
and chert
chert
along strike
strike from
from aa ca.
ca. 150-m-thick
thought to
thought
to have
have formed
formed in
in aa shallow
shallowwater
water environment
environment (lower
(lower sedimentary
sedimentary sequence;
sequence; Fralick
Fralick and
and
King, 1996).
1996).
A thick
thick felsic
the belt
belt contains
contains zircons
zircons that
that give
give aa maximum
maximum
felsic tuff unit in the northern
northern half of the
U-Pb age
age of
of 2973
2973 ma
ma (D.
(D. Davis,
An upper
upper sedimentary
sedimentary sequence
sequence
U-Pb
Davis, personal communication,
communication, 1997).
1997). An
described by Fralick and King (1996)
m of chert-rich
chert-rich iron formation
formation and elastic
described
(1 996) comprises
comprises 500-700
500-700 m
clastic
sedimentary rocks
rocks that
that occur
The upper
part of
sedimentary
occur along
along the
the centre
centre of
of the
the greenstone
greenstone belt.
belt. The
upper part
of the
the upper
upper
sedimentary sequence
sedimentary
sequence comprises
comprises elastic
clastic turbidites
turbidites with conglomeratic
conglomeratic intervals
intervals (Fralick
(Fralick and King,
1996).
1996).
The mafic
rocks of
of the
belt are
The
mafic and
and ultramafic
ultramafic volcanic
volcanic rocks
the Lumby
Lurnby Lake
Lake greenstone
greenstone belt
are at
at
amphibolite
the northen
northen margin
margin of
of the
the greenstone
greenstone
amphibolitegrade
grade close
close to
to the
the Norway Lake
Lake pluton and along
along the
belt, but
but otherwise
otherwise they
they are
are generally
generally at
at greenschist
greenschist facies.
facies. They
belt,
They are,
are, in places,
places, well
well exposed
exposed and,
and,
although
original stratigraphic
stratigraphic and
textural features
features are frequently
frequently very well preserved,
preserved,
although often
often sheared,
sheared, original
and textural
particularly in
particularly
in the
the northern
northern half
half of
of the
the belt.
belt.

Steep Rock
Rock Group
Group
Steep
Smyth (1891)
was the
the first
first to
to describe
describe the
the Steep
Steep Rock
Rock succession
succession which
which he
he interpreted
interpreted as
as aa
Smyth
(1891) was
monoclinal assemblage
monoclinal
assemblageof
ofnine
nineformations
formationsthat
that unconformably
unconformablyoverlie
overlieaa granitic
graniticbasement
basementcomplex.
complex.
The
unconformable basal
(1912),
though he reduced
reduced Smyth's
Smyth's nine
912), though
Lawson (1
The unconformable
basal contact
contactwas
was confirmed
confirmedby Lawson
formations
formationsto
to four
four by eliminating
eliminatingthe
the dubious
dubious upper
upper units.
units. Moore
Moore (1939),
(1939), Jolliffe
Jolliffe (1966),
(1966), Shklanka
Shklanka
(1972) and Wilks
Wilks and
Nisbet (1988)
(1972)
andNisbet
(1988)all
all redefined
redefined the constituents
constituents of
of the Steep
Steep Rock
Rock Group,
Group, with
with the
the
presently accepted
presently
accepted definition
definitionbeing
being the
thelatter.
latter.

Intrusive Igneous
Atikokan
area
Intrusive
IgneousRocks.
Rocks.The
The
Atikokan
areastraddles
straddlesan
anelongate
elongatebelt
beltof
ofmetasediments
metasedimentsto
to the
the
(Quetico Subprovince)
south (Quetico
Subprovince)and
andmixed
mixedmetavolcanic,
metavolcanic,gneissic,
gneissic,and
andfelsic
felsicplutonic
plutonicrocks
rocksto
tothe
the north
north
tonalite and
and "old"
'old" tonalite
(Wabigoon Subprovince). PrePre- to
to synvolcanic
synvolcanic intrusions
intrusions include mafic tonalite
tonalite

�(which
predate the
the Marmion
Marmion batholith
batholith and
and Lefteye
Lefteye stock
stock as
as well
wellas
astonalite
tonalite
(which predate
the Steep
Steep Rock
Rock Group)
Group) in
in the

and
Syn-to postvolcanic
postvolcanic intrusions
and mafic
mafic tonalite
tonalite gneisses
gneisses of
of the
the Dashwa
Dashwa gneiss
gneiss complex.
complex. Syn-to
intrusions
encompass
a
broad
range
of
felsic
to
mafic
magmas.
"Young"
tonalite,
which postdates
postdates some
some
encompass a broad range of felsic to mafic magmas. "Young" tonalite, which
supracrustal
the Nevison,
Nevison, Righteye,
Righteye, Wasp,
Wasp, Bow,
Bow,and
andHardtack
Hardtackintrusions.
intrusions. The
TheLittle
Little
supracrustal rocks,
rocks, occupies
occupies the
Eye
stock
is
composed
of
homblendite
and
diorite.
Granodiorite
and
granite
occur
in
the
Diversion,
Eye stock is composed of hornblendite and diorite. Granodiorite and granite occur in the Diversion,
Margaret,
Margaret, Bewag,
Bewag, Eye-Dashwa,
Eye-Dashwa, and
and White
White Otter
Otterfelsic
felsic intrusive
intrusive centres.
centres.
'Old"
tonalite
is
so-named
because
it
is
the
dominant
" O l d tonalite is so-named because it is the dominant lithology
lithology of
of the
the basement
basement complex
complex
upon
which
rocks
of
the
Steep
Rock
Group
were
deposited.
Along
northeastern
margins
upon which rocks ofthe Steep Rock Group were deposited. Along northeastern marginsof
of the
the Steep
Steep
Rock
of several
metres to
to metasandstone
metasandstone and
and
Rock belt,
belt, the
the "old"
"old" tonalite
tonalite is
is gradational
gradational over
over distances
distances of
several metres
meaconglomerate
at
the
base
of
the
Steep
Rock
Group.
Here
the
plutonic
basement
is
tan-brown
in
meaconglomerate at the base of the Steep Rock Group. Here the plutonic basement is tan-brown in
colour,
shear zones
zones and
and abundant
abundant metagabbro
metagabbro dykes.
dykes.
colour, schistose,
schistose, highly
highly fractured,
fractured, and
and transected
transected by
by shear

The
dykes are
are fewer
fewer and
and the
the "old"
in the
The metagabbro
metagabbro dykes
" o l d tonalite
tonalite is
is less
less intensely
intensely foliated
foliated in
the central
central
Marmion
this tonalite,
tonalite, collected
collected near the Ontario
Ontario Hydro
Marmionbatholith
batholith(Marmion
(MarmionLake
Lakearea).
area).A
Asample
sampleof
ofthis

generating
station, has
has aa U/Pb
generating station,
Ma (Don
(Don Davis,
Davis, Royal
Royal Ontario
Ontario Museum,
Museum,
U/Pb titanite
titanite age
age of
of 2953
2953 Ma
pers.comm.,
1987).
Granodiorite
of
the
Margaret
and
Diversion
stocks
intrudes
the northern
northern and
and
pers.comm., 1987). Granodiorite of the Margaret and Diversion stocks intrudes the
southern
southern margins
margins of
of the
the Marmion
Marmion batholith.
batholith.

"Old"
"Old" tonalite
tonalite is
is typically
typically mediummedium- to
to coarse-grained,
coarse-grained, foliated,
foliated, and
and inequigranular
inequigranular to
to

porhpyritic.
quartz (25%),
(25%), and
andbiotite
biotite(20%).
(20%). Plagioclase
Plagioclase and
porhpyritic. It is composed
composed of plagioclase (40%), quartz
biotite
are
extensively
altered
to
epidote,
sericite,
and
chlorite
in
shear
zones
and
biotite are extensively altered to epidote, sericite, and chlorite in shear zones and adjacent
adjacent to
to the
the
Steep
Steep Rock
Rock belt.
belt.

Sedimentary
SedimentaryRocks
Rocks
The
Rock Group
Group and
and consists
consists of
of pebble
pebble and
and cobble
cobble
The Wagita
Wagita Formation
Formation forms
forms the
the base
base of
of the
the Steep
Steep Rock
conglomerates
interbedded with
with poorly
poorly sorted
sorted sandstones
sandstones
conglomerateswith
withangular
angularto
to subrounded
subrounded igneous
igneous clasts
clasts interbedded
and fine-grained chioritic
in thickness
thickness from
from 0
0 to
to 150
chloritic layers. The clastic
clastic sequence varies in
150 m and
and is
is
overlain
overlain by
by carbonates.
carbonates.
The
by dark
dark kerogen
The Mosher
Mosher Carbonates
Carbonates are
are well
well banded
banded with
with the
the layering
layering accentuated
accentuated by
kerogen
streaks
silica-rich ridges
ridges at
at some
some locations.
locations. The
The laminated
laminated carbonates
carbonates
streaks or millimetre-scale elevated silica-rich
are
are commonly
commonly brecciated
brecciated where
where they
they are
are spatially
spatially associated
associated with
with fault
fault zones
zones and
and mafic
mafic dykes.
dykes.
Calcite,
and brecciated
brecciated units,
units, although
although the
the
ankerite and dolomite
dolomite are
are present in both the laminated and
Calcite, ankerite
breccias
Stromatolites are
breccias often
often have
have an
anadditional,
additional,late-stage
late-stagedolomitic
dolomiticpore-filling
pore-filling cement.
cement. Stromatolites
common
forms dominating
dominating in
in the
the lower
lower portions
portions and
common throughout the carbonate
carbonate unit, with smaller forms
larger mounds, 33 m
m in
in diameter,
diameter, becoming
becoming abundant
abundant near the upper contact (Wilks and Nesbit,
1988).
very irregular
irregular upper
upper contact
contact
1988).The
Theentire
entirecarbonate
carbonateassemble
assembleisisup
upto
to 500
500 m
m in thickness with a very
which
which may
may be
be karstified.
karstified.
A
rock" overlies
the
A 100
100to
to 300
300 m
m thick
thick succession
successionof
of manganiferous
manganiferous strata
strata termed
termed "paint
"paint rock"
overlies the
Mosher
Jolliffe Ore Zone,
Zone, consists
Mosher Carbonates.
Carbonates. This
Thissuccession,
succession,which
whichforms
formsthe
thelower
lower unit of the Jolliffe
consists
of
of an
an of
of an earthy,
earthy, poorly
poorly consolidated
consolidated mixture
mixture of
of goethite,
goethite, hematite,
hematite, chert,
chert, kaolinite,
kaolinite, illite,
illite,calcite,
calcite,
gibbsite
gibbsite and
and pyrolusite
pyrolusite (Huston
(Huston 1956).
1956). The
Thepaint
paintrock
rockisisoverlain
overlainby
by the
the upper
upper unit
unit of
of the
the Jolliffe
Jolliffe
Ore
Ore Zone,
Zone, the
the Goethite
GoethiteMember,
Member, which, like
like the paint rock, is composed of
of goethite
goethiteand
and hematite,
hematite,
but
versus 5%,
5%, respectively).
respectively). The Goethite
Goethite Member,
Member, which
which
but has
has aa lower
lower manganese
manganesecontent
content(3.8%
(3.8%versus
is
is 50
50 to
to 100
100m
m thick,
thick,occurs
occursboth
bothas
asbrecciated
brecciatedmasses
masses and
and alternating
alternating layers
layers of goethite
goethite and
and chert
chert
(McIntosh
mafic to ultramafic pyroclastics and minor
(Mclntosh 1972).
1972).The
The Goethite
Goethite Member is
is overlain by mafic
thin
thin flows
flows of
of the
the Dismal
Dismal Ashrock.
Ashrock.

�and Nisbet
Nisbet (1
(1988)
suggest the
the depositional
depositional environment
environment of
ofthe
small
Wilks and
988) suggest
the basal
basal clastics
elasticsis
is a small
alluvial fan
fan with
alluvial
with aa fluvial
fluvial system
system that
that has
has incised
incised and
and backfilled
backfilled channels
channels into
into the
the underlaying
underlaying
Marmion Complex.
Complex. As
Marmion
As clastic
clastic deposition
deposition in
in the
the area
area ended,
ended, carbonate
carbonate began to accumulate in a
shallow marine setting.
setting. The
depth is indicated
indicated by
byprobable
probablegypsumpseudomorphs,
gypsum pseudomorphs,possible
possible
shallow
The shallow
shallow depth
desiccated ripples,
ripples, and
and polygonal
polygonal cracks
cracks on
on large
(Wilks and
and Nisbet,
desiccated
large stromatolites
stromatolites (Wilks
Nisbet, 1988).
1988).
Stromatolite
sabkha to
Stromatolite morphology may reflect adaptations to various water depths ranging from sabkha
subtidal (Wilks
(Wilks and
and Nisbet
Nisbet 1988).
1988). The
of the
the carbonate
carbonate assemblage
assemblage suggests
suggests an
an
subtidal
The karstified
karstified surface
surface of
interval
of
subaerial
exposure
that
caused
dissolution
of
the
upper
units.
It
is
also
possible
that
acidic
interval subaerial exposure
dissolution
upper units. It is also possible that acidic
pile and
and dissolved
dissolved the
the carbonates.
carbonates. In
solutions moved downward through the sediment pile
In either
either case
case
the manganiferous
manganiferous paint
represent residual
residual deposits
deposits left
leftbehind
behindafter
after carbonate
carbonate dissolution.
dissolution.
paint rock may represent
published concerning
concerning the
the origins
origins of
ofthe
theoverlying
overlyingJolliffe
JolliffeOre
OreZone.
Zone. The
The alternating
alternating layers
layers
Little is published
unit is a classic
classic iron
iron formation;
formation; modified
modified through
through dissolution
dissolution or
or as
as
of chert and Goethe suggest this unit
paleosol.
aa paleosol.

Volcanic Rocks
Formation has
has been
been
Volcanic
Rocks The
Thestratigraphy
stratigraphyand
andpetrography
petrography of
of the
the Dismal
Dismal Ashrock
Ashrock Formation
Komatiiticlapilli
lapillituff
tuff makes
makesup
up over
over 80%
80% of
of the
the
described by
by Schaefer
described
Schaefer and Morton
Morton (1991).
(1991). Komatiitic
formation, the remainder comprising
comprising lenses
lenses of komatiitic
komatiitic volcanic
volcanic breccia,
breccia,komatiitic
komatiiticvolcaniclastic
volcaniclastic
formation,
sandstone and siltstone, and mafic to
to ultrarnafic
ultramafic lava
lava flows.
flows. The rocks are classified
classified as
as komatiites
komatiites
as defined
defined by
by Arndt
Arndt and
and Nisbet
Nisbet (1
(1982)
although spinifex
spinifex texture
texture is
is rare.
rare. Wilks (1986) recognized
recognized
as
982) although
possible pseudomorphs after spinifex layering
layering' in
in one
one lava
lava flow,
flow, and
and Schaefer
Schaefer and Morton
Morton (1991)
(1991)
possible
described
lapilli fragments. The nvroclastic
pyroclastic rocks of
of the
the Dismal
DismalAshrock
Ashrock
described micro-spinifex
micro-sninifex texture in lanilli
Formation
thought to have formed by explosive
explosive volcanism
volcanism caused
causedby
byultramafic
ultramaficmagma
magmaentering
entering
Formationare
are thought
water-saturated sediments
Formations (Schaefer
water-saturated
sedimentsof
of the
the Mosher
Mosher Carbonate
Carbonateand
and Jolliffe Ore Zone Formations
(Schaeferand
Morton, 1991).
1991). The
Thetop
topof
ofthe
the Dismal
Dismal Ashrock
Ashrock Formation
Formation is in most places tectonised or invaded
original stratigraphic
stratigraphic relation-ship
relation-ship occurs between
between the
the Dismal
Dismal Ashrock
Ashrock Formation-and
Formation-and
by sills but an original
al., 1992; Tomlinson
Tomlinson ct
ct al.,
al., 1996%
1996a; TomlinTomlinthe Witch Bay Formation near Strawhat
Strawhat Lake (Stone et al.,
son, 1996).
1996).
The Witch
Witch Bay Formation dominates
Rock greenstone
greenstone belt
belt and
and is
is aa sequence
sequence of
of
The
dominates the Steep Rock
mainly mafic
mafic lavas
lavas comprising
comprising up
up to
to 80% pillow
pillow lavas.
lavas. Flyaloclastite
and massive
massive lava
lava flows
flows also
also
mainly
Hyaloclastite and
beds of
of felsic
felsic pyroclastic
pyroclastic volcanics.
volcanics. The
occur along with rare beds
The volcanics
volcanics have
have in places been highly
suggested that the original thickness
thickness was
was likely
likely to
to approach
approach 55km
kmbased
based
folded. Stone et al. (1992) suggested
of pillow
pillow lavas
lavas at
at the
the south
south end
end of
of Steep
SteepRock
RockLake.
Lake. The Witch Bay
on a homoclinal sequence of
Formation is
is overlain by
by intermediate
to felsic
felsic volcanics
volcanics whose
whose age
age and
and contact
contact relationship
relationship with
with
Formation
intermediate to
the underlying predominantly mafic
mafic sequence
sequence is unknown.

-

A.

Finlayson and
and Lumby Lake Greenstone Belts
Finlayson
Early reconnaissance surveys
surveys were
were conducted
conducted in
in the
the Lumby
Lumby Lake
Lake area
area by
by the
the Geological
Geological
Early
Canada in the late
andthe
thearea
areareceived
receivedconsiderable
considerableattention
attentionfrom
fromprospectors
prospectors
Survey of Canada
late 18001s,
1800's, and
890ts.L.
L.F.F.Kindle
Kindletraversed
traversedthe
thearea
areain
in 1937
1937for
forthe
theG.S.C.
G.S.C.and
andthe
therocks
rocksof
ofthe
thebelt
belt were
were
in the 11890's.
by Jackson (1985).
mapped for the Ontario
Ontario Geological survey by Woolverton (1960) and again by
Volcanic Rocks Volcanic
mafic lava
lavaflows
flowspredominating.
predominating. These
These
Volcanicrocks
rocks dominate
dominate the belts, with mafic
commonly
have
massive
lower
portions
and
pillowed
upper
portions
and
are
rarely
capped
by
commonly have massive
portions and pillowed upper portions and are rarely capped by
brecciated flow
flow tops.
tops. Individual
flows (ca.
(ca. 44 m
ni thick)
by thin
thin units
thick) are
are often
often separated
separated by
units of
of iron
iron
brecciated
Individual flows

�formation and
and iron
iron rich
rich material
material is
is also
also common
commonbetween
betweenpillows.
pillows. Variolitic
Variolitic lavas
lavas are
are found
found in
in the
the
formation
upper
portion
of
the
stratigraphy.
upper portion of the stratigraphy.
Two komatiite
komatiite horizons
horizons occur
occur in
in the
the northern
northern half
half of
ofthe
thebelt.
belt. The
The main
main komatiitic
komatiitic sequence
sequence
Two
is
120
m
thick
and
includes
numerous
komatiite
flows,
pillowed
and
hyaloclastite
portions
of flows,
flows,
is 120 m thick and includes numerous komatiite flows, pillowed and hyaloclastiteportions of
variolitic
intervals,
subordinate
mafic
flows
and
inter-flow
sediment
comprising
chert
and
iron
variolitic intervals, subordinate mafic flows and inter-flow sediment comprising chert and iron
formation
(Tomlinson
et
al.,
196b).
Komatiite
flows
are
4
to
13
m
thick
with
cumulate
bases
and
formation (Tomlinson et aL, 196b). Komatiite flows are 4 to 13 m thick with cumulate bases and
spinifex-textured tops.
tops. This
can be
be traced
traced for
for ca.
ca. 13
13 krn
km along
along
spinifex-textured
This predominantly
predominantly ultramafic
ultramafic sequence
sequence can
strike and
and occurs
occurs on
pluton but
but itit thins
thins to
to the
This main
main
strike
on either
either side
side of
of the
the Van
Van Nostrand
Nostrand pluton
the east.
east. This
komatiite
overlain by
by further
further mafic
maficflows
flowsand
andiron
ironformation.
formation. An
An upper
upperkomatiitic
komatiitic unit
unit
komatiite sequence
sequence is
is overlain
is
present east
east of
of the
the Van
Van Nostrand
Nostrandpluton,
pluton, near
near the
the top
top of
of the
the stratigraphy.
stratigraphy. This
upper komatiitic
komatiitic
is present
This upper
unit varies
varies along
along strike.
20 m
m thick
thick bedded
beddedpyroclastic
pyroclasticunit
unit(similar
(similar
unit
strike. To
Tothe
the east
east itit comprises
comprises aa Ca.
ca. 20
to the
the Dismal
Dismal Ashrock
Ashrock Formation)
Formation) interbedded
interbedded with
with thin
thincarbonates
carbonatesand
andiron
ironformation.
formation. West
West of
ofthis
this
to
is
ca.20
20m
mthick
thickcoarse-grained,
coarse-grained,unsorted
unsortedand
andmassive
massiveultramafic
ultramaficpyroclastic-flow
pyroclastic-flowunit.
unit. Both
Both units
units
is aa ca.
overlie
a prominent
prominent ca.
l0-m-thick, chert-rich
chert-rich iron
iron formation
formation and
and are
are themselves
themselves overlain
overlain by
by further
further
overlie a
ca. 10-m-thick,
amygdaloidal
amygdaloidal mafic
mafic lavas.
lavas.
The
main sequence
in the
the southern
southern half
half of
of the
the belt
belt isis less
lesswell
wellknown.
known. Fine-grained
Fine-grained pillow
pillow
The main
sequence in
lavas
are
common
but
the
exposure
is
not
good
enough
to
establish
flow
thickness
or
lavas are common but the exposure is not good enough to establish flow thickness or flow
flow
stratigraphy.
phenocrysts up
upto
to22cm
cmacross.
across. Poorly
Poorly exposed
exposed
stratigraphy. Some
Somelava
lava units
units contain
contain plagioclase
plagioclase phenocrysts
komatiite flows
unknown extent
near the
the top
top of
ofthe
thestratigraphy
stratigraphy(which
(whichwere
werefirst
firstrecorded
recorded
komatiite
flows of
of unknown
extent occur
occur near
by
Jackson,
I
985a).
Thin
felsic
tuff
units
(10-20
m)
occur
intermittently
in
the
southern
stratigraphic
by Jackson, 1985a). Thin felsic tuff units (10-20
occur intermittently in the southern stratigraphic
sequence.
sequence.

Sedimentary Rocks
Sedimentary
RocksAAthin
thinsuccession
successionofoffelsic
felsicmetavolcanic
metavolcanicunits
units and
and matasediments
matasediments occurs
occurs
approximately halfway
halfway through
through the
the volcanic
volcanic sequence
sequenceand
and aa thicker
thicker assemblage
assemblage of
of elastics
clastics and
and
approximately
chemical sediments
caps the
In the
the Finlayson
Finlayson Lake
Lake area
area the
the lower
chemical
sediments caps
the assemblage.
assemblage. In
lower clastic
clastic wedge
wedge
thickens and
and coarsens
coarsens to
to the
the southwest,
and is
is gradational
in this
this direction
to aa felsic
thickens
southwest, and
gradational in
direction to
felsic volcanic
volcanic
assemblage (Figure
(Figure 4).
Beds vary
in thickness
assemblage
4). Beds
vary from
from centimetre-to
centimetre-to metre-scale
metre-scale in
thickness averaging
averaging
approximately 70
Coarse-grainedsand
sand with
with felsic
felsic volcanic-clast
pebble bands
bands
approximately
70 centimetres.
centimetres. Coarse-grained
volcanic-clast pebble
dominates, except
except in
in volcanic
volcanic proximal
proximal areas
areas where
units gain
gain in
in importance.
importance.
dominates,
where the
the conglomeratic
conglomeratic units
Clastic
mud drapes
drapes and
and mafic
centimetre-scaleinterbeds.
interbeds. The
The sandstones
sandstones are
are
Clastic mud
mafic tuffs
tuffs rarely
rarely form
form centimetre-scale
massive and
and nongraded.
nongraded. Bed
the metasedimentary
massive
Bed thicknesses
thicknesses decrease
decrease to
to the
the northeast
northeast where
where the
metasedimentary
succession
thin and sporatically present.
succession is thin

�Little Falls!
Little
Falls 1Finlayson
Finlayson

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V

V

V

v

v

.....:::...:

....
...-....

V

V

V

v

V

V

v

V

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V

V

V

v
v
v
vv v
v. v
v
vV vV "V v V " V v V v V v V
vV "V "V vV v V vV v V v V v V v V
v vv v v v v v v v
vV vV vV vV vV vV vV vV vV vV
v

v

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K\"+";;v:v
V

v

v

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v

v

v

v

+

+

v

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v

v

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v

+ + + + + + + V V V
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+ + + v+ v
+ + + +
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Figure
Figure 4.
4.

V

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lv vv vv vV vV vV vV vV vV vV vV vV vV vV vV vV v
l v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v
I

lYlafic Volcanic
Volcanic
Mafic
Rocks
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AA
Felsic Volcanic
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Rocks
1+ +1 Intrusive
lntruslveRocks
Rocks
IV

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Iron
Iron Formation
Formation
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11111111111
Carbonate
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Conglomerate
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Sandstonepiltstone
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Agnlomerate

..

l;".;,vvy
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Reconstruction of
Finlayson andLumby
-.sect;anal
Reconstruction
of the
the units
unitsin
in the Finlayson
andLumbyLakes
Lakesarea
areain
incross
trim-sectional
view.
view. The
The stratigraphy
stratigraphyisIs discussed
discussedin
in the
thetext.
text.

These sediments
sediments represent
represent aa clastic
clastic debris apron formed adjacent to, and deriving sediment
These
sediment
Sedimenttransport
transport was
was via
via subaqueous
subaqueous sediment-water
sediment-water dispersions
dispersions
from, a felsic volcanic centre. Sediment
with
to keep
keep material
material in
in suspension.
suspension. This
with dispersive
dispersivepressure
pressure probably acting
acting as an important force to
This
requires a high slope,
slope, possibly higher
higher than 10
in the
the area
areathe
theflows
flowswere
weregenerated.
generated. Subarial
Subarial
requires
10 degrees, in
mafic
mafic volcanism
volcanism was
was also
also active
activeduring
during this
this depositional
depositional interval.
interval.
The
Lake area
area is
is also
also laterally
laterally transitional
transitional
metasedimentary belt
belt present
present in the Lumby Lake
The lower
lower metasedimentary
to felsic
centimetres, and
felsic volcanics.
volcanics. Sandstones
Sandstonespresent
presenthere
hereare
are more
more thinly bedded, averaging 15 centimetres,
do
mafic ash
interbeds. They
nongraded varieties exist.
do not contain
containmafic
ashinterbeds.
Theyare
aremassive,
massive,and
and both
both graded
graded and
andnongradedvarieties
exist.
The elastic
with cherts
cherts and
and carbonates.
carbonates. The cherts are laminated
laminated on
on the
the
clastic sequence is intercalated with
centimetrerecrystallized with
with fractures,
fractures, which may
centimetre-and
and subcentimeter-scale
subcentimeter-scaleand
and the
the carbonates
carbonates are recrystallized
represent
represent original
original bedding,
bedding, spaced
spaced on
on the
the decimeter-scale.
decimeter-scale.
This
provides very little information
information on
ondepositional
depositionalenvironment.
environment. The sandstones
sandstones
This sequence
sequence provides
suggest
imply aa water
water
suggest deposition
depositionby
by grain
grainflows
flows and
and high-density turbidity
turbidity currents,
currents, but this does not imply
depth. Personal
Personalexperience
experienceindicates
indicatesthat
thatArchean
Archean carbonates
carbonates associated with cherts usually form
in shallow
shallow water
water environments,
environments, though
though this
this remains
remains speculative.
speculative.
The capping
cappingsedimentary
sedimentarysequence
sequencepresent
present at Finlayson
The
Finlayson Lake conformably
conformably overlies
overlies pillowed
and massive mafic volcanic
pile in the
volcanic rocks in the
the southern and central area and an agglomeratic pile
north. Basal
by centimetre
centimetre thick
thick DE
DE
Basalcherts
chertsand
andoxide
oxidefacies
faciesiron
iron formation
formation are
are succeeded upwards by
turbidites.
turbidites. These gradually
gradually thicken and coarsen
coarsen up sequence
sequence to decimeter
decimeter thick, graded
graded beds
beds
Above this
this zone
zone internal,
internal, scallop-shaped scours,
composed of medium-grained sand. Above
scours, filled
filled with
coarse-grained sand, appear in the beds. These
Theseare
areoverlain
overlainby
by pebble
pebble and
and cobble
cobble conglomerates
conglomerates

with sandstone
sandstone interbeds
interbeds and lenses
lenses (Figure
(Figure 5).
5). The coarsening
coarsening upward
upward trend
trend in
in this
this zone is

interrupted
grainsize to medium-grained
medium-grained turbidites,
turbidites, which again gradationally
gradationally
interruptedby
by abrupt
abruptdecreases
decreasesin grainsize
coarsen
coarsen upwards
upwards to
to conglomerates.
conglomerates.

+

+

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200
S.
s.

graphite
graphite
sulfides
sulfides

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C.

ch
e ii
chert

9.
9.

150

F-5

1I-I- +H Diabase
Diabase

1
Conglomerate
Conglomerate
Sandstone with
with
lil Sandstone
L°o°o°S!

I.E
I.F. Iron
IronFormation
Formation

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100

Al

I

scours
scours
Sandstone
Sandstone
( turbidites )
(turbidites)

Siltstone
Siltstone
Slate
SlateCouplets
Couplets
Slate
Slate
MaficVolcanic
Volcanic
Mafic
Rocks
Rocks

Agglomerate
Agglomerate

F-4
F-2

F-i
c.Is.

___

oJ c..,g.js.

0

FigureS.
sections through
Figure 5. Stratigraphic
Stratigraphicsections
throughthe
theuppersedimentary
uppersedimentaryunit
unitononFinlayson
FinlaysonLake.
Lake.Section
Section

F-i
logged
other
F-1was
was
loggednear
nearthe
thenorth-east
north-eastend
endofofthe
thelake.
lake.The
The
othersections
sectionsare
arespaced
spaced
along
approximately
iO10
km
alonga aline
linerunning
running
approximately
krntotothe
thesouth-west
south-westand
andending
endingwith
withF-6
F-6inin
the
lake.
system
braidedfault
systemlongitudinally
longitudinallycutting
cuttingthe
thebelt
belt
thesouthern
southernportion
portionofthe
of the
lake.AAbraidedfault
inintwo
twonear
nearitsitscenter
centerdownsteps
downstepsthe
thestratigraphy
stratigraphyininaanorth-east
north-eastdirection.
direction.

1
I
&lt;
1
I

�3,000 Ma

2,925 Ma

?7
A

v
V

V

v
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v
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v

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1

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LittleFalls
FallsI1Finla
Finlayson
yson

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—
——

r

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v

?1
?
I

V
v

V

v

V
v

Lumby
Lumby

vV

/

Iron
Iron Formation
Formation IJJJfflJJCarbonate
Carbonate
J'I Conglomerate
Conglomerate
Sandstone
Slate %
H I Agglomerate
Siltstone I/Slate
Agglomerate
..... Sandstone
____
____ Siltstone
IAAI Felsic
F e M cVolcanic
VolcanicRocks
Rocks

Mafic
VolcanicRocks
Rocks
l"I Mafic
Volcanic

Figure
for the
Figure6.6. Sequential
Sequential environmental
environmental reconstruction
reconstruction of
of the
the depositional
depositional environments
environments for
the
lower
sedimentary units
of the
the Finlayson
Finlayson and
lower sedimentary
sedimentary units
units(A)
(A) and
and upper
uppersedimentary
units (B, C) of
and
Lumby
Lumby Lake greenstone
greenstone belts. Processes
Processes are
arediscussed
discussedin
in the
the text.
text.

Il

�This
After cessation
cessation of
of mafic
This succession
succession represents
represents shoreline
shoreline progradation
progradation (Figure
(Figure 6).
6). After
mafic
volcanism
a
starved
succession
of
chemical
sediments
was
deposited.
The
first
clastics
delivered
volcanism a starved succession of chemical sediments was deposited. The first clastics delivered
to
silts transported
transported by
by low-density
low-density turbidity
turbidity flows.
flows. This
This probably
probably represents
represents
to the
the area
area were
were clays
clays and
and silts
prodelta
debris,
though
sediment
transport
via
storm
currents
is
possible.
Shoreline
progradation
prodelta debris, though sediment transport via storm currents is possible. Shoreline progradation
caused
caused the
the coarsening
coarseningupwards
upwardssuccession
successionto
to form,
form, culminating
culminatingin
in deposition
depositionin
in depths
depthseffected
effectedby
by
wave
induced
scour.
Delta
top
sands
and
gravels
cap
the
sediment
pile
and
show
the
effects
lobe
wave induced scour. Delta top sands and gravels cap the sediment pile and show the effects of
of lobe
outbuilding
outbuildingand
andabandonment,
abandonment,with
withsubsequent
subsequentsubsidence
subsidenceinduced
induced flooding
floodingand
and aa return
return to
to deeper
deeper
water
water conditions.
conditions. This
Thisisisfollowed
followedby
byaaminor
minorcoarsening
coarseningupward
upward sequence
sequenceformed
formedby
by another
anotherstage
stage
of
is capped
capped by
by aa final
final flooding
flooding event.
event.
of delta
delta lobe
lobe outbuilding
outbuildingin
in the
the area
area and
and the
the entire
entire sequence
sequence is
The
The sedimentary
sedimentary sequence
sequence capping
capping the
the assemblage
assemblage of
of mafic
mafic volcanic
volcanic rocks
rocks in
in the
the Lumby
Lumby
Lake
thick sequences
sequences ofboth
ofboth clastic
and chemical
chemical units
units (Figures
(Figures 5).
5). WayLake greenstone
greenstonebelt
belt consists
consistsof
of thick
clastic and
up
up directions
directionsare
are ambiguous
ambiguous though
though itit is
is more
more likely
likely that
that the
the iron
iron formation
formation and
and chert
chert assemblage
assemblage
overlies
overlies the
the elastic
clastic assemblage.
assemblage. AAthin
thinzone
zoneof
ofchert
chertand
andiron
ironformation
formationseparates
separates the
the volcanic
volcanic
sequence
sequence from
from the
the clastic
clastic sediments.
sediments. The
Theclastics
clasticsconsist
consistof
of decimeter-scale
decimeter-scaleturbidites
turbiditeswith
with metremetrescale
the map
map area.
area. Structural
scale conglomeratic
conglomeratic interbeds
interbeds in
in the
the western
western portion
portion of
of the
Structural complexities
complexitiesand
and
scarcity
if aa coarsening
coarsening upwards
upwards trend
trend exists.
exists. In
scarcity of
of outcrops
outcrops prohibited
prohibited ascertaining
ascertaining if
In the
the west
west the
the
elastic
clasticsuccession
successionis
isoverlain
overlainby
by thinly
thinly laminated
laminatedcarbonates
carbonates with
with submillimeter-scale
submillimeter-scale clay
clay drapes
drapes
commonly
commonly developed
developed between
between laminations. A
Avery
very chert-rich
chert-rich iron formation
formation assemblage
assemblage overlies
the
carbonates
in
the
west,
lies
on
clastics
in
the
central
area
and
directly
overlies
the carbonates in the west, lies on clastics in the central area and directly overlies the
the volcanic
volcanic
succession
successionin
inthe
theeastern
easternoutcrop
outcroparea
area(Figure
(Figure4).
4).

Scarcity
of outcrop
Scarcity of
outcrop in
in this
this belt
belt inhibits
inhibits aa detailed
detailed reconstruction
reconstruction of
of depositional
depositional

environments.
environments.After
Aftercessation
cessationof
ofvolcanic
volcanicactivity
activityaaclastic
clasticsediment
sedimentstarved
starved interval
interval was
was followed
followed
by
by deposition
depositionvia
via high
high and
and low
low density
density turbidity
turbidity currents.
currents. Conglomeratic
Conglomeraticunits
unitsprobably
probably represent
represent
the
the most
most strand-proximal
strand-proximaldepositional
depositional events.
events. This
Thisisisfollowed
followedby
bythe
thesequence
sequencebecoming
becomingrapidly
rapidly
sediment
sedimentstarved
starvedwith
withcarbonates
carbonatesdeposited
deposited in
in the
the shallower
shallower areas,
areas, in
in the
the west
west where
where the
the strandstrandproximal
and cherty
cherty iron
iron formation
formation in
in deeper
deeper areas.
areas. With
proximal conglomerates
conglomerates are
are located,
located, and
With increasing
increasing
water
migrated westward
westward until
until iron
iron formation
formation
diachronouscontact
contactwith
with the
the iron
iron formation
formation migrated
water depth
depththe
the diachronous
was
was being
being deposited
depositedthroughout
throughoutthe
theentire
entirearea.
area.

Structure
Structure

The
from mainly
mainly
The east-trending
east-trending Quetico-Wabigoon
Quetico-Wabigoonboundary
boundary separates
separatesturbidites
turbiditesto the south from
volcanic
rocks
to
the
north
and
is
a
first
order
lithostrnctural
feature
in
the
area.
Regional
volcanic rocks to the north and is a first order lithostructural feature in the area. Regional
juxtaposition
subduction-related accretion
accretion of
ofthe
juxtapositionof
ofthe
thecontrasting
contrastinglithologies
lithologieshas
has been
been attributed
attributed to subduction-related
the
Quetico
sedimentary
prism
against
the
Wabigoon
volcanic
arc
about
2695
Quetico sedimentary prism against the Wabigoon volcanic arc about 2695 Ma
Ma ago.
ago.
Quetico
Quetico metasediments
metasedientshave
have pervasive
pervasive easterly
easterly structural
structural trends
trends and
and isoclinal,
isoclinal, mainly
mainly easteast-

facing
facing folds
folds possibly
possibly generated
generated by
by strong
strongdextral
dextraltranspression
transpression after
after accretion.
accretion. In contrast,
contrast,

Wabigoon
WabigoonSubprovince
Subprovinceshows
showsmegascopic
megascopicoval
ovalstructures
structuresdefined
definedby
by concentrically
concentricallyzoned
zoned structural
structural

trends
trends in
in gneisses
gneissesand
and supracrustal
supracrustal rocks
rocks that
that envelope
envelope felsic
felsic plutons.
plutons. Metavolcanic belts are
are
situated
situatedbetween
between some
someoval
oval structures.
structures. This
Thisstructural
structuralpattern
pattern may
may have
have originated
originated due to rise of
granites
overlying
granitesand
and gneisses
gneissesin
incentral
centralparts
parts of
of oval
oval structures
structures attendant
attendant with slumping of dense overlying
supracrustal
supracrustalrocks
rocksinto
intomarginal
marginaltroughs
troughs(metavolcanic
(metavolcanicbelts).
belts).
The
Theaxes
axesof
ofsix
sixmajor
majorfolds
foldsextend
extendalong
alongthe
the central
central Finlayson
Finlayson belt
belt whereas
whereas the
the Steep
SteepRock
Rock
belt
belt shows
showsfewer
fewerfolds
foldsand
andaa thick
thick east-younging
east-youngingsequence
sequenceof
of pillow
pillow lavas
lavas that
that may
may be
be aa deformed
deformed
lava
lavacone.
cone.

�A complex system
system of
of oblique-slip and
and normal
normal faults
faults and
and metagabbro
metagabbro dykes
dykes transect
transect the
the
A
Marmion batholith.
batholith. The
Samuel fault
fault appears
appears to
to have
have
The dip-slip,
dip-slip, probably
probably reverse
reverse displacement
displacement Samuel
uplifted a segment
segment of the batholith
batholith into
into the
the central
central Steep
SteepRock
Rockbelt.
belt. Displacements
Displacements of
of reverse
reverse sense
sense
uplifted
are also likely to have occurred on the Atikokan fault, which is conformable
conformable with the
the upper
upper ashrock
ashrock
transcurrent fault
fault in
in the
the vicinity
vicinity of
of
contact in the Steep Rock Mine area. Clear
Clear evidence
evidence of a major transcurrent
the Quetico-Wabigoon
Quetico-Wabigoon boundary has not been found.

Metamorphism
Metamorphism
Supracrustal
belts of
Metavolcanic belts
belts have
Supracrustal belts
of the
the Atikokan
Atikokan area
areaare
aremetamorphically
metamorphically zoned.
zoned. Metavolcanic
greenschist assemblages
(chlorite-epidote-plagioclase-calcite+actinolite) and
and
greenschist
assemblages at their cores (chlorite-epidote-plagioclase-calcit&amp;actinolite)
amphibolite assemblages
assemblages at the margins
margins (hornblende-plagioclase-biotite-ilmenite-sphene).
(hornblende-plagioclase-biotite-ilmenite-sphene).
amphibolite
Metamorphic grade
grade does
does not
not change
but increases
Metamorphic
change abruptly
abruptly at
at the
the Quetico-Wabigoon
Quetico-Wabigoon boundary
boundary but
increases
garnet, and
and staurolite
staurolite isograds.
isograds. Pressuresteadily southward as defined by biotite, Ca-amphibole, garnet,
Presswetemperature conditions
conditions in
in the
the garnet
garnet zone
zone of
of Quetico
Quetico metasediments
metasediments fall
fall in
in the
the upper
upper greenschist
greenschist
temperature
facies
facies (P-230-430
(P230-43O MPa,
MPa,T-419-577T).
T4l9-577°C).
Except for greenschist
greenschist assemblages
assemblages in the Marmion
Marmion batholithadjacent
batholith adjacent to
to the
the Steep
Steep Rock
Rock belt,
belt,
Except
tonalites and gneisses show amphibolite conditions (P=560
(P=560 MPa,
MPa, T=7OO0C).
T=700°C).
tondites
The high metamorphic grade of
of gneisses
gneisses within
within oval
oval structures
structures is
is attributed
attributedto
totheir
theirhaving
having
risen
from
deeper
crustal
levels,
as
well
as
proximity
to
felsic
plutons.
Thermal
anomalies
risen from deeper cmstal levels, as well as proximity to felsic plutons. Thermal
associated with oval structures
associated
structures and
and plutons,
plutons, superimposed
superimposed on regional burial metamorphism,
metamorphism, may
may
be responsible
responsible for the metamorphic
zonation
of
these
supracrustal
belts.
metamorphic zonation
supracrustal

Tectonic Environment
Environment
Tectonic
Nisbet (1988) were
were the
the first
first to
to attempt
attempt to
to define
definethe
the tectonic
tectonic environment
environment that
that
Wilks and Nisbet
Mesoarchean
Mesoarchean strata
strata in the Atikokan
Atikokan area
area formed in. They believed that a rift, formed by extension
extension
of the Marmion
Marmion block, is the most
most probable
probable tectonic setting for the
the Steep
Steep Rock
Rock Group.
Group. This explains
explains
the outcrop
outcrop patterns
patternsof
of the
the Steep
SteepRock
Rock and
and nearby
nearby Lumby
Lumby Lake
Lake successions
successionsas
as having
having formed
formed on
on two
two
adjacent tilted
tilted blocks.
blocks. Alternatively,
may have
have taken
taken place
place on
on aa stable
stable divergent
divergent
adjacent
Alternatively, sedimentation
sedimentation may
continental margin with all or only the lower
lower part of
of the
the Wagita
Wagita Formation
Formation representing synrift
symift
deposits and the remainder of the succession up to and including the Joliffe Ore Zone reflecting
deposition on a post-fift
post-rift stable shelf.
shelf. If the overlying Witch Bay
Bay volcanics
volcanics are
areautochthonous,
autochthonous,they
they
deposition
record renewed extension.
extension.
A study by Thurston and Chivers (1990) put the Steep Rock and Lumby Lake Belts into a
A

*

group they
they termed
sequences. These
These consist,
consist,from
frombase
basetoto top,
top, of
of quartz
group
termed platform
platform sequences.
quartz arenite
arenite ±
carbonate,
oxide
facies
iron
formation
and
komatiitic
to
tholeiitic
volcanic
rocks.
They
strornatolitic
strornatoliticcarbonate, oxide facies
formation
komatiitic to tholeiitic volcanic rocks. They
compare
these
with
plateform
sequences
at
modern
passive
margins.
compare
sequences at modem
at the
the base
base of
of the
the Steep Rock
Fralick and King (1995) correlate the sedimentary sequence at
Group with sediments at the top of the Finlayson-Lumby Lake
Lakevolcanic
volcanicsuccession.
succession. This implies
chronologicallyseparated
separatedby
byaasedimentation
sedimentationevent.
event. They
They also
also
two periods of mafic volcanism chronologically
record subsidence of
of an
an oceanic
oceanic plateau
plateauand
andthe
thelong
longperiod
period
stress that the sedimentary sequences record
plume driven volcanism is consistent
consistent with
with coupling
coupling of
ofthe
thearsenosphere
arsenosphereand
andlithosphere.
lithosphere. If
If they
they
of plume
are correct this would
plate tectonics
during the
the early
are
would negate
negate the
the operation
operation of
of modern-style
modem-style plate
tectonics during
Mesoarchean.
Mesoarchean.

�Hollings et a1
a! (1998) agree with Fralick and
and King's
King's (1995) stratigraphic interpretation but
advance a more elaborate model
model to
to explain
explainthe
thegeochemistry
geochemistryof
ofvolcanic
volcanicand
andintrusive
intrusiveunits.
units. They
They
which is mainly
mainly represented
represented by
by the
the
believe that an arc
arc developed,
developed, due to subducting lithosphere, which
deformed and eroded remnants of the intrusive tonalites.
tonalites. Failed subduction of an ocean plateauridge complex
al, 1998).
complex juxtaposed the
the arc
arc intrusives
intrusives with the metavolcanics (Hollings et a],
1998).
Kusky and Hudleston (1999) agree with
with Hollings
Hollings et
et d
al (1998)
(1998)that
thatthe
thetonalites
tonalitesrepresent
representan
an
sedimentary succession formed
formed aa shallow
shallow water
water carbonate
carbonate
eroded arc remnant, but suggest that the sedimenw
platform during arc rifling
and
the
Dismal
Ashrock
is
an
allochthonous
melange
overridden
by
rifting
Dismal
allochthonous
ovemdden by
structurally
structurally emplaced
emplaced arc
arc volcanics
volcanics of
of the
the Witch
Witch Bay
Bay Formation.
Formation.
Based on extensive geochemical analysis of volcanic units Tomlinson et al(1999)
al (1999) propose
that the unfractionated
high-Mg basalts
basalts represent
represent high
unfractionated basaltic
basaltic komatiites and spinifex-textured
spinifex-textured high-Mg
degree
partial
melts
of
the
upper
mantle.
These
are
geochemically
similar
to
lavas
erupted
forming
empted forming
degree
These
the modem Ontong-Java
Ontong-Java oceanic plateau. Enriched
Enriched basaltic
basaltic komatiites represent a deep mantle
plume source that has
not
been
mixed
with
depleted
Volcanism in
in the
the Steep Rock,
has not been mixed with depleted mantle.
mantle. Volcanism
Rock,
Finlayson and Lumby Lake belts most likely occurred in a continental setting and was probably
proceeded by rifling
rifting of
of the continental
continental crust. The
Thestratigraphy
stratigraphyof
of the greenstone
greenstone belts and evidence
of
magmatism may
70 Ma)
Ma) indicates
indicates that more than one pulse of plume magmatism
of protracted
protracted volcanism
volcanism (ca.
(ca. 70
have
been
involved
(Tomlinson
et
a!,
1999).
have been involved (Tomlinson et al, 1999).
Obviously opinions
tectonic setting the
the succession
succession developed
developed in. The fieldtrip
Obviously
opinionsdiffer
differas
as to the tectonic
will provide
a
form
where
these
ideas
can
be
discussed
on
the
outcrop.
provide a form where these

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unpubliihd
PhD
thesis. University
University of
PhD thesis,
of Portsmouth,
P o ~ m o u t hUK,
U&amp;
, pp.287.
pp.287.

Tomlinson, K.Y.,
KY., Hughes,
I) the
Hughes, Di.,
D.J.,Thurston,
'Ibumton,P.C.,
P.C., 1996b,
1996b,Metavoleanic
Metavolcanic rocks
rocks of
of the
the central
c e n d Wabigoon
Wabigmn Subprovince:
Subprovince: 1)
the Lurnby
Lumby Lake
Lake
Tomlinson,
greenstonebelt.
belt.1":
In: Summary
Summas'yofofFicidwork
other Activities, 1996.
Geological Survey
pp. 60-63.
60'63.
greenstone
Fieldwork and
and otherAdvities.
1996. Ontario
OntarioGeological
SurveyMiscellaneous
MiscellaneomPaper
Paper 166.
166, pp.
tJgIow,
vicinity of
Rook No.
No. 8,
12th IInternational
I, 12th
n t m d o n a l Geological
GeologicalCongress,
Congress,issued
iswed
Uglow, W.L.,
W.L.. 1913,
1913, Geology
Geology of
of the
the vioinity
ofSteep
Steep Rock
Rock Lake:
Lake: in
in Guide
Guide Rook
8, Pt.
pt. I,
by the
Canada, p.
by
the Geological
Geological Survey
S w e yof
ofCanada
p. 46.53.
46-53.
Walcott,
Ontario. CanadCanada;Geological
GeologicalSurvey
Surveyof
ofCCanada.
Memoir 28,
28, p.
p. 16onfossils
fos?.ils from
tiomlimestone
limestoneof
o fSteeprock
Steeprock Series,
Series, Ontario,
d a . Memoir
16W d w C CD,,
C.D.,1912,
1912,Notes
Noteson
23.
23.

Wilks, ME.,
NorthwesternOntario:
Ontario:aaMajor
Major Archean
ArcheanUmwfonnity
Unconformity an
an Archean
Archean Swomatolites,
Stromatolites,
TheGeology
Geologyof
ofthe
theSteep
Steep Rock
Rock Group
Group Norrhwestem
Wilks,
M.E..1936,
1986,The
MSc thesis.
Saskatchewan,
MSG
thesis. University
University
Saskatchewan.Saskatoon,
Saskmon,Saskatchewan,
Saskatchewan, 206
206 pp.
pp.
Wilks,
unconformity and
Wilb. ME,,
M.E.,and
andNisbet,
N i s ME.G.,
E.G.,1988,
1988,Stratigraphy
Stratigraphyofofthe
theSteep
SteepRock
Rock Group,
Group, northwestern
northwestern Ontario:
Ontario: aa major
major Archean
Amhean unwnfomity
and Archean
Amhem
stromatolites:
smmatolites: Canadian
Canadian iournal
l o ~ aofoflEarth
EaOhSciences.
Sciences,v.v.25,
25,P.
p. 370-391.
370-391.

Wilka, ME.,
major Archean
Wilks,
M.E., 1986,
1986,The
Thegeology
geologyofofthe
theSteep
SteepRock
RockGroup,
&amp;up, northwestern
mxthwestem Ontario:
Ontario: a
a major
Archem unconformity
unwnfomity and
and Archean
Archean stromatolites;
smmmliies;
M.Sc. thesis,
MSe.
thesis,University
UnivmityofofSaskatchewan,
Saskatchewan,Saskatoon,
Stskmon,Saskatchewan,
Saskatchewan,206
206P.
p.

Wilks, ME,,
ofofthe
Wilb,
M.E.,Nisbct,
Nisbet,E.G.,
E.G.,198$,
1988,Stratigraphy
Shati-hy
theSteep
SteepRock
RockGroup,
Group,northwestern
norrhwestmn Ontario
Ontario major
major Archean
Archean unconformity
unwnfomity and
and Archean
Archean
stromatolites.
370-391,
smmatoliies. Canadian
Canadian iournal
JournalofofEarth
EarthScience:25,
Scimce:25,370-391.
Wright, CM,,
the Steeprock
Queen'sUniversity,
University,Kingston,
Kingston, Ontario.
Ontario.
zonesininthe
thehangingwall
hangingwallofofthe
Steeprock Ore
%Zone;
Zone; M.Sc.
M.SG thesis,
thesis, Queeds
Wright,
C.M.,1959.
1959,Pyrite
Pyritezones

I

I

�Day 1 Field
Field Trip
Tnp Stops
Stops
Field stops in the Lumby Lake
Lake greenstone
greenstone belt.
From Thunder Bay travel NW to
to Upsala
Upsala on
onTrans-Canada
Trans-Canada Highway
Highway 17.
17.Approximately
Approximately
15-16 km further west of Upsala at the Graham
road, turn left (west) onto the
Graham logging
logging road,
gravel road to Sapawe.
This
road
initially
follows
the
Firesteel
Sapawe.
follows
Firesteel River (Provincial Series
Pakashkan Lake sheet). After approx.
approx. 24-25
24-25 km you come to aa junction
junction
map 52G15E,
52G/SE, Pakashkan
where the main gravel
Sapawe-Upsala
road
turns
south
(left),
continue
ahead
(right
gravel Sapawe-Upsala
south
(right hand
hand
fork) and after
km you
you come
come to
to aabridge
bridgecrossing
crossingBrush
Brush Creek
Creek (Provincial
(Provincial Series
Series map
map
after 22 km
520/SW,
Gulliver
River
sheet).
You
are
at
the
eastern
extent
of
the
greenstone
belt
and
52G/SW, Gulliver
eastern
within the northern half of the stratigraphy (Figure 1).
1). This generally east-west bush road
runs across most of the length of the Lumby
Lumby Lake
Lake greenstone
greenstone belt (at a low
low angle
angle to
to the
the
strike) before turning
turning south
near
Lumby
Lake
and
joining
the
gravel
north-south
Premiere
south
joining
Lake road (near km 33),
main Sapawe-Upsala
Sapawe-Upsala road (between km
33), which
which later
later rejoins
rejoins the main
12 and 13).
13).

Stop
643340E 5435920N:
5435920N:BIF,
BIF,ultramafic
ultramafic fragmentals,
fragmentals, mafic
Stov 1:
1: UTM
UTM zone
zone 15,
15,643340E
maficlavas.
lavas.
reachthe
thefirst
firststop
stop(Figure
(Figure 1).
1).ItIt is
is on the
From Brush Creek
Creek continue
continue another
another —2km
-2km totoreach
left side of the road next
next to
to aa clearing
clearing for
for parking,
parking, and opposite
opposite aa road
road heading
heading off
off on
on the
the
right hand side. The area
area was
was burnt
burnt over
over in
in 1995
1995but
but new
new trees have been planted and are
are
growing
Om thick
growing fast.
fast. A
A large
largeoutcrop
outcropofofbanded-iron
banded-ironformation
formationisisclose
closetotothe
theroad
road(—4
(-10m
unit) and then
further
from
the
road
(south)
is
an
ultramafic
fragmental
sequence
then further from the road (south) is an ultramafic fragmental sequence(—20m
(-20m
thick). South of this are
are mafic
mafic amygdaloidal
amygdaloidal flows, followed by mafic pillow lavas. The
ultramafic fragmental
ultramafic
fragmental sequence
sequence is unusual
unusual and
and ofofdebatable
debatable origin.
origin. It comprises
comprises
predominantly ultramalic
ultramafic lithic,
lithic, lapilli-sized
lapilli-sized fragments
fragments within an
an ultramafic
ultramafic matrix
matrix (bulk
(bulk
composition 12
to
21
wt.
%
MgO,
38-45
wt.
%
Si02).
a
ranges
from
ungraded
to
graded
12 21 wt. % MgO,
% Si02). It ranges from ungraded to graded
and would be
breccia. In places it shows
be classified
classified un-genetically
un-genetically as aa volcaniclastic
volcaniclastic breccia.
shows
evidence
and quenched
but was
was itit generated
evidence of hyaloclatite
hyaloclatite textures
textures and
quenched fragments
fragments but
generated by
by
predominantly
pyroclastic
or
autoclastic
processes
and
has
it
been
resedimented?
predominantly pyroclastic or autoclastic processes and has it been resedimented?
in high-field strength
strength
Geochemically these are Al-depleted komatiites
komatiites which are enriched in
elements and light rare earth
earth elements
elements (REE)
(WE) but depleted
depleted in
in heavy
heavy REE. See
See Tomlinson
Tomliison
(l999a) for
et al. (1999a)
foraadetailed
detaileddescription
descriptionof
of the
the chemistry
chemistry and
and petrogenesis.
petrogenesis.
Stop 2: UTM
637750E 5437300N:
5437300N: komatiite
komatiite flows, interflow
interfiow BIF
BIF and
and chefl.
Stov
UTM zone
zone 15,
15,637750E
chert.
From stop
I
continue
a
further
—6
km
west
along
the
road
to
a
small
turn
off
on
the
right.
stop 1 continue a further -6 km west
Follow
Follow this
thistrail
trailfor
for—200
-200 m then
then turn
turn left
leftonto
ontoanother
anotherfrail
trailand
andafter
after—300
-300 m you
you come
cometo
to
the
outcrop
or
a large, flat,
flat, glacially
glacially polished
polished outcrop.
outcrop. ItIt may
may be
be possible
possible to drive
drive right
right to
outcrop
the trails may be too
too muddy.
muddy. At this
this stop
stop (Stop
(Stop 2, Figure
Figure 1)
1) there
there are
are several
several large
large

�mapof
ofthe
theLumby
LumbyLake
Lake greenstone
greenstone belt
belt showing
showing trip
trip localities
Figure 1: GeoLogical
Geological map
Jackson, 1985
(geochronology from Davis and Jackson,
1985 and
and Tomlinson
Tomlmson et
et a!.,
al., 1999b).
1999b).
-t

Norway Lake
Pluton

Ma
3014 Ma

A

Red Paint

/3014

-t

,
/,

Irene-Eltruit
me-Eltruit
Lakes
ikes Complex
Complex

Lake

-s - —

.1

Gargoyle
Lake

4' Norway
A

Lake

V

'Bar

1
2

Divers ion

W

1

T

1

--

L

-

2997
r'---a

0,-1c,11',

Jefferson Lake

!U..::A

-

Stnç

*

Sapawe4

Post-tectonic granite
Post-tectonic
granite
Pre-tectonic tonalite-gabbro
intrusive complex
Pre-tectonic granodioritegranodioritetonalite gneiss

I
.

)

-

r.

Marmion Batholith
3003. Ma

Sedimentary
edimentary rocks

-

Brush
Brush
Creek

I Lake

-1

.4

-

&lt;2963
~
2 9 6 3Ma

6 kilometers

h/f.

' Sapawç
* Komatiitic
ir
Komatiiticrocks
rocks

Intermediate
felsic ..a.
~termediateto felsic
A pillow
~nging
Pillow p
younging
volcanic rocks
direction
direction

*

volcanicrocks
rocks * U-Pb
U-Pbage
age
Mafic volcanic

--f-i—

4

4-

1

Faults
Faults
Fold axis:
Fold
. axis:
. syncline
anticline,
anticline,

Q Trip
@
Triplocality
locality
Roads
Roads

ala

�komatiite outcrops that have been stripped by a prospector (Ray Bernatchez) and hence
the rocks are well exposed with beautifully preserved textures and field relationships
visible. The first large outcrop contains komatiite flows, some are thin (&lt;lm thick) with
thin pillowed flow tops (sequence youngs to the SW\ Spinifex texture is rare on this
outcrop. Spherules are common as are ancient cracks that facilitated devitrification. Walk
through the bush towards the NW and several outcrops occur along the way, the first on a
small scarp shows wonderful spinifex texture. Several small outcrops show banded iron
formation (BIF) and evidence of komatiite lava flowing into water-laden sediment.
Peperite textures, evidence of autobrecciation, ultramafic pillows etc. are all beautifully
preserved. Continue to the NW and a large outcrop of spinifex textured komatiite occurs.
Flows are separated by thin units of cherty BIF. A 9m thick flow contains randomly
orientated pyroxene crystals (altered to actinolite) which in the top 3m of the flow are
spinifex textured with branching acicular blades. Generalized log of these outcrops shown
in Figure 2 (from Tomlinson et al., 1996 and 1999b).
Compositionally many of these flows are basaltic komatiites (18-13 wt. % MgO) and
spinifex textured high-Mg basalts (9-12 wt. % MgO). Chemically they differ from the
ultramafic fragmental units and are Al-undepleted with REE profiles that are generally
unfractionated (Tomlinson et al., 1999a).
Stons 3 and 4: UTM zone 15, 0637345E 5437130N, and further along the road:
Mafic lava flows.
Return to the east-west road that runs across the greenstone belt, reset the odometer and
continue driving west. Many outcrops along the road between the komatiite locality and
the culverts at Pinecone and Cryderman Lakes (2 large lakes either side of the road after a
-7.5 km stretch) show well preserved mafic lava flows. This lithology (having undergone
various states of strain) makes up the majority of the greenstone belt stratigraphy. We
will stop at a couple of localities before Pinecone and Crydennan Lakes. In the first (just
-300 m from where we rejoined the road, Stop 3, Figure I), flow top breccia is overlain
by a massive flow base, which is in turn overlain by pillowed lava, which is capped by
thin hyaloclastite. The complete flow is 3.8 m thick with 80 cm of pillowed flow. Further
along the road several outcrops show undefonned pillows where younging direction is
easy identified (any of these outcrops are suitable for stop 4). Pillows are small with
convex upward tops and bases that project downwards into the interstices between the
underlying pillows.
4

S t o 5:
~ UTM zone 15,633266E 5435600N: view.
Continue along the "main" road until reaching the culverts at Pinecone and Cryderman
Lakes (Stop 5, Figure 1, -7-7.5 km from Stop 3), reset the odometer again. These lakes
occur at the central east-west axis of the belt within sedimentary units that separate the
northern and southern halves of the belt. Unfortunately the sedimentary units are poorly
exposed but the view is nice and so is the water if its warm enough for swimming!

�Figure 2. Lower komatiite unit, northern assemblage, Lumby
Lake greenstone belt (after Tomlinson et al., 1999a).

Metres

SW

Pyroxene cumulate

Pillowed and spherultitc flows
Komatiite flow
Ultramafic hyaloclastite
Komatiite flow
Ultramafic hyatoclastite
Interbedded komatiite flows,
iron formation and chert

Komatiite flow
Komatiite flow
Gabbro with increasing
proportion of tremolite
needles towards the top

�Stoo 6 (if time allows): UTM zone 15,628130E S433850N: mafic lavas.
Continue following the road through the belt. The road heads predominantly west and is
now cutting the southern stratigraphy at a low angle to the strike. Unlike the northern half
of the belt (which youngs southwards), the southern half youngs predominantly to the
north. Mafic pillow lavas again make up the majority of the stratigraphy and an outcrop
6 km further on shows good younging to the north (Stop 6, Figure 1).

-

Stoo 7: UTM zone 15,624000E 54323SON: felsic volcanics a t S margin of the belt.
Continue on this "main" road for a further -6 lan as the road eventually turns south into
the felsic volcanic sequence at the base of the greenstone belt. Close to Lumby Lake itself
a large property has been cleared by Ray Bernatchez and the felsic sequence is well
exposed (Stop 7, Figure 1). Felsic volcanic rocks make up a relatively thick sequence
here. They have been dated at 3 localities along the southern margin of the belt (including
this site) and range from 3001 to 2997 Ma which is within error of the age of the
Marmion tonalite. The felsic volcanics are quartz porphyritic and range from fragmental
units to massive rhyolite flows.
Continue south and this road rejoins the main gravel logging road down to Sapawe
(Provincial Series map 52B/NW, Marmion Lake sheet). A few km south of Sapawe the
road rejoins Trans-Canada Highway 11. To the right is Atikokan and to the left is
Thunder Bay.
References
Davis, D.W. and Jackson, M.C., 1988. Geochronology of the Lumby Lake greenstone
belt: a 3 Ga complex within the Wabigoon Subprovince, northwest Ontario. Geol. Soc.
Am. Bull., 100, 818-824.
Tomlinson, K.Y., Hughes, D.J., Thurston, P.C. and Hall, R.P. 1999a. Plume magmatism
and crustal growth at 2.9 to 3.0 Ga in the Steep Rock and Lumby Lake area, western
Superior Province. Lithos, 4611, 103-136.
Tornlinson, K.Y., Davis, D.W., Thurston, P.C., Hughes, D.J. and Sasseville, C. 1999b.
Geochemistry, Nd isotopes and geochronology from the Central Wabigoon Subprovince
and North Caribou Terrane: regional correlations leading towards a Mesoarchean
reconstruction; in Harrap, R.M. and Helmstaedt, H. (eds.). Western Superior Transect
1999 Annual Meeting, Lithoprobe Report #70. Lithoprobe Secretariat, University of
British Columbia, p 136-146.
Tomlinson, K.Y., Hughes, D.J. and Thurston, P.C. 1996. Metavolcanic rocks of the
central Wabigoon subprovince: 1) the Lumby Lake greenstone belt. Summary of
Fieldwork and Other Activities, 1996. Ontario Geological Survey Misc. Paper 166: 6063.

�Day 2. Atikokan area
Day 2 features several unique geologic features spanning 300 My of Archean crustal
evolution in the southern Wabigoon and adjacent Quetico Subprovinces. Stops include
the early Mannion tonalite batholith, a rare Archean unconformity, the Steep Rock Group
(a platform sequence) and contiguous metavolcanic and metasedimentary rocks (Figure
1). An attempt is made to examine the structural relation between these rocks. Most
stops are in vicinity of the abandoned Steep Rock Iron Mine from which approximately
100 Mt of ore were removed from 1944 to 1979.
Starting from the junction of Highways 622 and 11B in Atikokan, proceed west on Highway 11B
turning north on Mercury or O'Brien Streets. Continue past the Atikokan airport in the direction
of the abandoned Steep Rock Iron Mine. After passing under the Canadian National Railway
overpass, follow the paved perimeter road along the west side of the mine area. The perimeter
road curves around the north end of the mine area and crosses back and forth beneath a power
line. Stop where the road crosses the power line for the second time approximately 1 1 km from
the start and walk west to low, rounded outcrops interspersed with grassy areas.
The Marmion batholith -The Marmion batholith is a large oval tonalitic intrusion extending at
least 50 km east of Atikokan. Dated at 3003+5 Ma (Davis and Jackson 1988) it is among oldest
felsic intrusions in the western Superior Province and together with the pre 2900 Ma Dashwa
Gneiss Complex and Finlayson and Lumby greenstone belts (Davis and Jackson 1988) is part of
the enigmatic older volcanoplutonic terrane in the central Wabigoon Subprovince.
The Marmion batholithformed a mature erosional surface on which the Steep Rock
Group was unconformably deposited at an unknown but probably early stage in tectonic
evolution of the area. Although rare in central parts of the Marmion batholith, metagabbro
dikes are voluminous near the Steep Rock belt; some dikes seem topredate whereas others
postdate the Steep Rock Group. Although the tectonic environment at the time of Steep Rock
Group deposition is speculative, the dikes imply extensional conditions, possibly in a rifted
continental margin setting (Wilks and Nisbet 1988).
Felsic and mafic varieties of tonalite are mapped in the Marmion batholith near the Steep
Rock belt. These are typically medium-grained, weaklyfoliated and inequigranular to
porphyritic rocks composed of essentially plagioclase, quartz and biotite and up to 20%
hornblende in the mafic variety. The Marmion batholith is cut by ductile-brittlefaults and
primary minerals are extensively converted to sericite, carbonate, chlorite and actinolite within
a few kilometers of the Steep Rock belt.
Stop 6-1 The Marmion batholith adjacent to the Steep Rockgreenstone belt

Exposures in the power line right-of-way are somewhat poor due to an intense brown
weathering rind but consist of tonalite interspersed with about 30% metagabbro dikes.
Dikes are irregular in shape and are mainly north-northeast trending. All rocks are well
foliated to friable and intensely altered to greenschist minerals. A few hundred meters
south of this locality the Marrnion tonalite is overlain by the Steep Rock Group.

�Figure 6-1 : Geologic map of the Atikokan area shown field-trip stops 6-8 and 6-9. See Figure 63 for other stops.

�From the power line, follow the perimeter road south for a distance of about 1 km where the
pavement ends at an abandoned railway crossing. Park in the grassy area near the end of the
paved perimeter road and walk west along the tom-up railway roadbed.
Unconformity at the base of the Steep Rock Group - Greenstone belts are interspersed with
voluminousfelsic plutonic rocks throughout the Superior Province and in the majority ofplaces
the boundaries between the two are marked by sharp contacts where plutonic rocks intrude and
contact metamorphose greenstone belts. Rarely is the base of an Archean greenstone belt
preserved although in recent years, an increasing number of localities have been identified
where the bases of greenstone successions lie unconformably on felsic plutonic rocks. Most arc:
found in remote northwestern parts of the Superior Province. The Steep Rock Lake locality
represents an extremely rare, well-preserved and accessible example of an Archean
unconformity and is featured in several stops on this trip.
Stop 6-2 Unconformity at the base of the Steep Rock Group
Outcrops at this locality illustrate the gradational nature of the unconformity at the base of
the Steep Rock Group. After walking about 200 m along the tom-up railway line past
outcrops of mainly tonalite, you will see a large vertical rock-cut on the east side.
Foliated, relatively fine-grained dark metagabbro makes up most of the vertical rock-cut
and, at the north end of the vertical rock-cut, is transitional to friable, buff, gritty
metasandstone (Wagita Formation). The metasandstone is poorly bedded, but locally
shows clasts, and is well foliated, possibly indicating enhanced shearing at the
unconformity. The metasandstone can be traced north from the large vertical rock-cut
through a series of small exposures to a rounded outcrop of metaconglomerate that lies
opposite piles of mine-waste placed on the railway line. Boulders of the conglomerate
are mainly tonalite and a dark rock that is probably metagabbro.
Beyond the metaconglomerate, rock-cuts show carbonate breccia, tonalite and
metagabbro. Outcrops at the obstructed tunnel entrance are metamorphosed pelite and
sandstone.
The section along the railway line passes back and forth through the unconformity at the
base of the Steep Rock Group. Rarely is the unconformity sharply defined as the
transition from tonalite to sandstone takes place gradually over distances of a few meters.
Return to the vehicle and drive .9 km south along the gravel perimeter road past remains of the
head frame of the Hogarth shaft and a branch road (east) to the former concentrator plant area.
Turn right and proceed .2 krn down the pit access ramp. Turn right at the first side-road and
proceed .15 km and park at the outside of a sharp bend overlooking the pit. Walk down the
gravel slope following an erosional channel past several rusty, jagged outcrops of tonalite and
gabbro. Follow a flagged trail from the base of the gravel slope about 100 m westerly through a
wooded area and emerge onto a north-facing slope interspersed with outcrops, boulders and

�Mafic
Metavolcanii
rocks

Dismal Ashroch

Jolliffe
Ore Zone

Mosher
Carbonate
Wagita Formation
(elastics)

Stromatolites
Unconforrnity

Marrnion

Batholith
Early Mafic Dikes
Figure 6-2: Schematic diagram (after Wilks and Nisbet 1988) showing the Steep Rock Group and
contiguous supracrustal rocks of the Steep Rock belt. See legend of Figure 6-1.The upper
ashrock contact is locally faulted and may represent a depositional time-gap.

�small trees.
The Steep Rock Group -The Steep Rock Group was extensively studied over the past century (see
reviews in Stone et at. 1992) and although early workers offered diverse structural and
stratigraphic interpretations, later studies showed the Group to be a homoclinal succession of 4
formations totalling about 1000 m thickness. These include,from the base up, the Wagita
Formation (conglomerate, sandstone), Mosher Carbonate Formation (limestone, dolostone),
Jolliffe Ore Zone Formation (goethitic ironformation) and Dismal Ashrock Formation
(ultramafic pyroclastic rocks) as shown in Figures 6-2 and 6-3. The lower boundary of the Steep
Rock Group is defined by an unconformity at the base of the Wagitaformation. Although
sheared locally (e.g. Stops 6-2, 6-3) other exposures of the unconformity (e.g. Stop 6-5) show
little deformation and preclude tectonicjuxtaposition of the Steep Rock Group onto the Marmion
batholith. The upper contact of the Dismal Ashrock Formation is highly deformed in the Steep
Rock Mine area and is widely cited as the upper boundary of the Steep Rock Group (e.g. Jolliffe
1955).
The Steep Rock Group is cited as a prime example of a platform sequence (Thurston and Chivers
1990); platform sequences typically comprise a succession of quartz arenite and conglomerate,
stromatolitic carbonates, iron formation and komatiitic rocks unconformably overlyingfelsic
plutonic rocks. Most are concentrated in the Sachigo Subprovince and arepre 2.8 Ga in age
having preceded the mafic, mafic tofelsic and "Timiskaming-type" volcanic sequences that
make up many greenstone belts. Geologic evidence suggests platform sequences developed in
shallow water in a tectonically stable environment, involving initial erosion of widespread older
sial followed by rift-related volcanism (Thurston and Chivers 1990).
Stop 6-3 Marmion tonalite; Wagita Formation; Mosher Carbonate Formation; stromatolites
The outcrop at the end of the trail is made up of buff, gntty, poorly bedded Wagita
Formation and altered friable tonalite that gives way westerly over a distance of about 10
m to grey, bedded Mosher Carbonate Formation. Note that the contact between clastic
metasedimentary rocks and Mosher Carbonate Formation is sharp; rocks are strongly
foliated possibly due to shearing at this locality.
About 10 m north at the low end of the outcrop, spherical and pseudocolumnar
stromatolites, typically .1 m in diameter are exposed in bedded Mosher Carbonate
Formation. A west-sloping face of the outcrop provides a lateral section showing the
concentric domical shape of stromatolites. Apexes of the stromatolite domes indicate a
westerly younging direction.
Continue down the slope to a level area and turn west toward the edge of the Hogarth open pit.
Observe large domical stromatolites exposed on the west-facing wall of the upper bench. Rather
than returning to the vehicles by the way in which you came, proceed northerly from the level
area along a steep access ramp to the perimeter road. Walk along the perimeter road to the
vehicles and drive .1 km up the hill and park in a level place at the observation area. Walk to the
west side of the observation area.
Stop 6-4 Scenic lookout and overview of the Steep Rock Group
The partly flooded Hogarth pit can be seen to the north and the Roberts pit to the extreme

�Figure 6-3:

Detailed

geologic map of the Steep Rock Mine area showing l o c a t i o n s o f field-trip

stops 6-1 to 6-7.

Dlsmel Ashrook Formatton
Pyrite Zones
JoIHffe Ore Zone Formati
Moaher Carbonate Format!
Wagita Formation
~onai~te

-

./--ROÃˆ
-Railway,

.....

-

'

abandoned railws

Water lavÃ§*l1 9 8 8 )

Geological contact

/

Fault

^%/Aautt

+

zone

synctirr

outcrop

�south. Looking west, the west arm of Steep Rock Lake can be seen beyond a concrete
retaining dam.
This stop provides an overview of the west-facing Steep Rock Group and adjacent, eastfacing mafic metavolcanic sequences in the Mine area (Figure 6-3). The scenic lookout is
situated on Marmion tonalite at the base of the Steep Rock Group. The Wagita
Formation is not well exposed and can be either absent or else thin at this locality. In
either case, the base of the Steep Rock Group extends along the foot of the slope
immediately in front of you. Grey outcrops underlying the tree-covered hill 200 to 300 m
west, and the rusty jagged bluff to the northwest are Mosher Carbonate Formation. The
Jolliffe Ore Zone Formation is almost completely flooded; a few reddish outcrops at the
northwest end of the Hogarth pit may be remnants of the ore-zone. Dark grey-greenish
outcrops on the west side of the pit near the centre of the mine area are Dismal Ashrock
Formation. The sides of large heaps of waste rock on the west side of the mine area also
appear to be mainly ashrock. The upper bench road that runs nearly fill1 length of the
west side of the mine area approximately marks the contact between Dismal Ashrock
Formation and adjacent mafic metavolcanic rocks. East-facing pillow lavas and
metagabbro dikes underlie most of the tree-covered ridge beyond the upper bench road.
The failed slope at the northwest end of the Hogarth pit is in metagabbro and tonalite.
Proceed back down the side-road, turn right and continue 1 km down the main access ramp. Park
at the junction with the first bench road to the left and walk about 300 m south along the bench
road.
Stop 6-5: Unconformity; Wagita Formation; Mosher Carbonate Formation

The large bluff east of the bench road is composed of tonalite cut by thick, inclined
metagabbro dikes. Near the top and at the south end of a small talus slope about 300 m
from the parking area, steep-westerly dipping beds of rusty Mosher Carbonate Formation
lie in unconformable contact with tonalite along the face of the bluff. Normally grey
crystalline tonalite becomes buff, friable and altered possibly reflecting development of a
regolith at the unconformity. Mafic minerals and plagioclase are altered to chlorite,
sericite and carbonate however, the rock retains a relict igneous texture shown by
unaltered quartz grains dispersed throughout the medium.
The unconformity is marked by a transition over a distance of 1 to 2 m from altered
tonalite through gritty sandstone (Wagita Formation) to bedded Mosher Carbonate
Formation. Quartz content increases up-section in the sandstone; quartz grains are
nresent in the lower carbonate beds. The unconformitv is relatively unfaulted at this
locality.
Proceed back up the main ace
of Dismal Ashrock in the west wall of the Hogarth pit
Stop 6-6:Dismal Ashrock Formation

mine to exposures

�The soft, dull, dark green rock is representative of Dismal Ashrock Formation. The
ashrock is composed of dark, poorly sorted, subrounded lapilli and is essentially a lapilli
tuff that rarely shows stratification. Some lapilli are zoned possibly due to accretionary
growth under subaerial conditions. Although Jolliffe (1955) noted thin lava flows in this
unit, the ashrock is dominantly pyroclastic and in this regard is rare among Archean
komatiites.
Continue north on the upper bench road along the west side of the mine area. Turn right and
proceed .3 km down a pit-access ramp turning right at an ensuing junction and continue .2 km
down toward the flooded Hogarth pit. Park by two power poles mounted in cement-filled tires.
Walk north along the access road curving up-hill to the west. From the end of the road follow a
flagged trail north over heaps of mine waste to the edge of the pit.
Supracrustal assemblages and the structure of greenstone belts - Although originally interpreted
as homoclinal successions, geochronology has shown in recent years that many greenstone belts
are composites of supracrustal assemblages differing in age by up to 300 Ma (e.g. Corfu and
Andrews 1986; Ayres and Corfu 1991). Although assemblages are major structural components
of greenstone belts, mapping of assemblages has proven difficult because many contain similar
types of volcanic and sedimentary rocks and all have been affected by late metamorphism and
deformation. Boundaries between assemblages tend to be poorly exposed and can be either
depositional time gaps orfaults with large possible displacements. In certain well-studied areas
such as the Favourable Lake greenstone belt, assemblage boundaries appear to be mainly thrust
faults (Ayres and Corfu 1991).
At the present locality, the boundary between the Dismal Ashrock Formation and contiguous
mafic metavolcanic rocks could possibly be an assemblage boundary. Favourable evidence
includes the major lithologic and structural transition from the west-facing Steep Rock Group to
a thick sequence of east-facing mafic lava flows and gabbro. The boundary isfaulted in the mine
area (Figure 6-3; Stop 6-7),which implies that the mafic sequence could have been tectonically
juxtaposed with the Steep Rock Group. Since neither the Steep Rock Group or metavolcanic
rocks of the Steep Rock belt are dated, the depositional time gap at their mutual contact is
unknown.
Stop 6-7: Deformation at the contact between the Dismal Ashrock Formation and mafic
metavolcanic rocks
The pale green to white outcrops west of the upper bench road are pillowed mafic flows.
East of the flooded Hogarth pit are bluffs of rusty Mosher Carbonate Formation.
Approximately where the trail ends, the Steep Rock Group curves abruptly west and is
cut off by a large metagabbro dike and the Bartley fault at the northwest end of the
Hogarth pit. Metagabbro and tonalite make up most of the large bluff beyond the
northwest end of the pit; a large rock slide in this area forced the mine to close
prematurely in 1979.
Provided that the slope of waste rock to the north is not flooded, carefully move down the

�slope. Observe the pale-green to white friable rock that shows good pencil structure in
the bench wall to your left. The pale green rock is probably a deformed mafic
metavolcanic flow. Moving farther down the slope you pass beside soft, crumbled and
crenulated, variably rusty to dark green rock of uncertain type. Upon reaching the lower
bench level, go west along the bench to apoint where it is overrun with talus. The darkgreen deformed rocks in the pit wall behind the bench are Dismal Ashrock Formation and
metagabbro. A rusty zone, which is possibly a pyrite lense, can be seen high on the pit
wall. Several subvertical, north-trending mesoscopic faults cut up through the ashrock
and are eroded back into the pit wall.
The area illustrates severe deformation at the upper ashrock contact in the mine area,
Mineral lineations plunge down-dip westerly implying a dominant component of dip-slip
faulting.
Proceed back up the ramps to the upper bench road and go south on to the paved perimeter road
in the direction of Atikokan. Turn right on the road leading to the seaplane base on Steep Rock
Lake and continue up a steep hill and around several curves for .4 km. Park in a turn-out on the
left side of the road and walk east about 50 m through small trees to low outcrops in an
abandoned gravel pit.
Stop 6-8 (optional) Pillowed mafic metavolcanic flows
This outcrop lies within the Canadian Charelston Gravel Pit that was strip-mined for ironore gravel in 1960 to 1965.
Pillowed mafic metavolcanic flows that underlie the western half of the Steep ~ o c belt
k
are represented in this outcrop. Pillows typically have a pale-green, homogeneous
interior and very-fine-grained, dark-green rims. Several varieties of pillows ranging from
large "mattress" to small spherical types occur together. The younging direction derived
from pillow shapes in this outcrop and elsewhere in the western Steep Rock belt is east.
A massive flow occurs at the extreme west end of the outcrop. The rock is calc-alkaline
basalt.
Proceed back to Atikokan and south to the junction of Highway 11B and Highway 11. Turn west
on Highway 11 and continue for 1.2 kilometers turning north on a forest access road just before
Kemuel Lake. Drive about 200 m into a clear-cut and reforested area, park at the first turn-out
and walk to a low outcrop on the east side of the road.

Stop 6-9 (optional) Quetico metasedimentary rocks
This outcrop shows several types of bedding and sedimentary features. Thick beds (up to
1. m) of fairly homogeneous metawacke occur at the north side of the outcrop. Bed
thickness is generally .05 to .2 m; many beds are graded from a coarse sandy base to a
grey, laminated, silty top. Truncated beds and crescentic scour channels filled with
coarse material are present. Clasts (up to .2 m) of fine-grained, white chert or possibly

�felsic volcanic material fill some scoured channels. Grainsize gradation and scour
channels indicate that the local younging direction is south. The outcrop is cut by quartz
veins, fractures and small-displacement faults. The mafic mineral is mainly biotite.
Metamorphic grade increases south with the appearance of amphibole and garnet about 1.
krn distant.
End of Day 2. Return to Atikokan or Thunder Bay.

�References
Ayres, L.D. and Corfu, F. 1991. Stacking of disparate volcanic and sedimentary units by
thrusting in the Archean Favourable Lake greenstone belt, central Canada; Precambrian
Research, v. 50, p. 221-238.
Corfu, F. and Andrews, A.J. 1987. Geochronological constraints on the timing of magmatism,
deformation, and gold mineralization in the Red Lake greenstone belt, northwestern Ontario;
Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, v. 24, p. 1302-1320.
Davis, D.W. and Jackson, M.C. 1988. Geochronology of the Lumby Lake greenstone belt: a 3 Ga
complex within the Wabigoon Subprovince, northwest Ontario; Geological Society of America,
Bulletin, v. 100, p. 818-824.
Jolliffe, A.W. 1955. Geology and iron ores of Steep Rock Lake; Economic Geology, v. 50,
p.373-398.
Stone, D., Kamineni, D.C. and Jackson, M.C. 1992. Precambrian geology of the Atikokan area,
northwestern Ontario; Geological Survey of Canada, Bulletin 405, 106p.
Thurston, P.C. and Chivers, K.M. 1990. Secular variation in greenstone sequence development
emphasizing Superior Province, Canada; Precambriari Research, v. 46, p. 21-58.
Wilks, M.E. and Nisbet, E.G. 1988. Stratigraphy of the Steep Rock Group, northwestern Ontario:
a major Archean unconformity and Archean stromatolites; Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences,
v. 25, p. 370-391.

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                    <text>47th Annual Meeting
Institute on Lake Superior Geology
Proceedings Volume 47
Part 1—Program and Abstracts

Madison, Wisconsin • May 9—12, 2001

�INSTITUTE ON LAKE SUPERIOR GEOLOGY

U

47th

Annual Meeting
May 9-12, 2001
Madison, Wisconsin
Hosted by:

University of Wisconsin-Extension
Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Department of Geology and Geophysics

Proceedings
Volume 47

Part 1 - Program and Abstracts

�47th

Annual Meeting

Institute on Lake Superior Geology
Volume 47 contains the following parts:
Part 1: Program and Abstracts

Part 2: Field Trip Guidebook
1-

Sedimentologic, Tectonic and Metamorphic History of the Baraboo Interval:

New Evidence from Investigations in the Baraboo Range, Wisconsin
2 - Geology, Ore Deposits, and Cultural History of the Upper Mississippi Valley

Zinc-Lead District
3 - Economic Geology of the Baraboo and Waterloo Quartzites

of Southern Wisconsin
Reference to the material in this volume should follow the example below:
Medaris, L.G., Jr., 2001, Precambrian geology of S. Wisconsin: A panorama from the
Baraboo Range, [abstract]: Institute on Lake Superior Geology Proceedings, 47th Annual
Meeting, Madison, WI, 2001, v. 47, Part 1, p. 51.

Volume 47 is published by the Institute on Lake Superior Geology and distributed by the
Institute Secretary-Treasurer:

Mark Jirsa
Minnesota Geological Survey
2642 University Avenue
St. Paul, MN USA 55114-1057
(612) 627-4780

email: jirsa001tc.umn.edu
ILSG webstite http://www.ilsgeology.org/
ISSN 1042-9964

Cover Illustration:
Van Hise Rock, Abelmans Gorge, SW1/4, sec. 28, T21N, R5E, Sauk County, Wisconsin from
Salisbury, R.D., and W. W Atwood, 1900, The Geography of the Region About Devil's Lake
and the Dalles of the Wisconsin: Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey Bulletin
V. Plate IX.

Charles R. Van Hise and Charles K. Leith used this outcrop as a laboratory to demonstrate the
fundamental geometric relationship between slaty cleavage and bedding at an outcrop-scale for
inferring larger-scale structures. See Field Trip Stop 4, this meeting, Part 2, p. 17.

�CONTENTS
Proceedings Volume 47

Part 1—Program and Abstracts
Editor: Michael G. Mudrey, Jr.
iv

Institutes on Lake Superior Geology, 1955-2001
Constitution of the Institute on Lake Superior Geology

v

By-Laws of the Institute on Lake Superior Geology

vi

An Obituary for Samuel S. Goldich by Bruce R. Doe

vii

Goldich Medal Guidelines

xiv

Goldich Medalists

XV

Goldich Medal Committee

xvi

Citation for 2001 Goldich Medal Recipient by Gene L. Laberge

xvii

Eisenbrey Student Travel Awards

xviii

Student Travel Award Application Form

xviii

Student Paper Awards

xix

Student Paper Awards Committee

xix
xx

Membership Criteria
Board of Directors

Xxi

Local Committee

XXi

Session Chairs

XXU

Banquet Speaker

Xxii

Report of the Chair of the 46th Annual Institute Meeting

xxiii

Program

XXiV

Xxiv
Xxiv

Wednesday May 9
Thursday Morning May 10
Thursday Afternoon and Evening May 11

xxv
xxvi
xxvii

Friday Morning May 11
Friday Afternoon May 11
Saturday May 12

XXVfl

xxviii

List of Poster Presentations
Abstracts

1

111

�INSTITUTES ON LAKE SUPERIOR GEOLOGY, 1955-2001
#
1

2

3

4
5
6

7
8
9
10
11

12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19

20
21

22
23
24
25
26
27

28
29
30
31

32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41

42
43
44
45
46
47

DATE
PLACE
1955 Minneapolis, Minnesota
1956 Houghton, Michigan
1957 East Lansing, Michigan
1958 Duluth, Minnesota
1959 Minneapolis, Minnesota
1960 Madison, Wisconsin
1961 Port Arthur, Ontario
1962 Houghton, Michigan
1963 Duluth, Minnesota
1964 Ishpeming, Michigan
1965 St. Paul, Minnesota
1966 Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan
1967 East Lansing, Michigan
1968 Superior, Wisconsin
1969 Oshkosh, Wisconsin
1970 Thunder Bay, Ontario
1971
Duluth, Minnesota
1972 Houghton, Michigan
1973 Madison, Wisconsin
1974 Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
1975 Marquette, Michigan
1976 St. Paul, Minnesota
1977 Thunder Bay, Ontario
1978 Milwaukee, Wisconsin
1979 Duluth, Minnesota
1980 Eau Claire, Wisconsin
1981 East Lansing, Michigan
1982 International Falls, Minnesota
1983 Houghton, Michigan
1984 Wausau, Wisconsin
1985 Kenora, Ontario
1986 Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin
1987 Wawa, Ontario
1988 Marquette, Michigan
1989 Duluth, Minnesota
1990 Thunder Bay, Ontario
1991 Eau Claire, Wisconsin
1992 Hurley, Wisconsin
1993 Eveleth, Minnesota
1994 Houghton, Michigan
1995 Marathon, Ontario
1996 Cable, Wisconsin
1997 Sudbury, Ontario
1998 Minneapolis, Minnesota
1999 Marquette, Michigan

2000
2001

CHAIRS

C.E. Dutton
A.K. Sneigrove
B.T. Sandefur
R.W. Marsden
G.M. Schwartz &amp; C. Craddock
E.N. Cameron
E.G. Pye
A.K. Sneigrove
H. Lepp
A.T. Broderick
P.K. Sims &amp; R.K. Hogberg
R.W. White
W.J. Hinze
A.B. Dickas
G.L. LaBerge
M.W. Bartley &amp; E. Mercy
D.M. Davidson
J. Kalliokoski
M.E. Ostrom
P.E. Giblin
J.D. Hughes
M. Walton
M.M. Kehienbeck
G. Mursky
D.M. Davidson
P.E. Myers
W.C. Cambray
D.L. Southwick
T.J. Bornhorst
G.L. LaBerge
C.E. Blackburn
J.K. Greenberg
E.D. Frey &amp; R.P. Sage
J. S. Kiasner
J.C. Green
M.M. Kehienbeck
P.E. Myers
A.B. Dickas
D.L. Southwick
T.J. Bornhorst
M.C. Smyk
L.G. Woodruff
R.P. Sage, W. Meyer
J.D. Miller, M.A. ursa
T.J. Bomhorst, R.S. Regis
S.A. Kissin, P. Fralick
M.G. Mudrey, Jr., B.A. Brown

Thunder Bay, Ontario
Madison, Wisconsin

iv

�__________

CONSTITUTION OF THE INSTITUTE ON LAKE SUPERIOR GEOLOGY
(Last amended by the Board—May 8, 1997)
Article I

Name
The name of the organization shall be the "Institute on Lake Superior Geology'.

Article II

Objectives
The objectives of this organization are:

A. To provide a means whereby geologists in the Great Lakes region may exchange
ideas and scientific data.
B. To promote better understanding of the geology of the Lake Superior region.
C. To plan and conduct geological field trips.
Article III

Status

No part of the income of the organization shall insure to the benefit of any member or
individual. In the event of dissolution, the assets of the organization shall be distributed
(some tax free organization).
to
(To avoid Federal and State income taxes, the organization should be not only scientific"
or "educational, but also "non-profit")

Minn. Stat. Anno. 290.01, subd. 4
Minn. Stat. Anno. 290.05(9)
1954 Internal Revenue Code s.501(c)(3)
Article IV

Membership
The membership of the organization shall consist of persons who have registered for an
annual meeting within the past three years, and those who indicate interest in being a
member according to guidelines approved by the Board of Directors.

Article V

Meetings
The organization shall meet once a year. The place and exact date of each meeting will
be designated by the Board of Directors.

Article VI

Directors
The Board of Directors shall consist of the Chair, Secretary-Treasurer, and the last three
past Chairs; but if the board should at any time consist of fewer than five persons, by
reason of unwillingness or inability of any of the above persons to serve as directors, the
vacancies on the board may be filled by the Chair so as to bring the membership of the
board to five members.

Article VII

Officers
The officers of this organization shall be a Chair and Secretary-Treasurer.
A. The Chair shall be elected each year by the Board of Directors, who shall give due
consideration to the wishes of any group that may be promoting the next annual meeting.
His/her term of office as Chair will terminate at the close of the annual meeting over
which he/she presides, or when his/her successor shall have been appointed. He/she will
then serve for a period of three years as a member of the Board of Directors.
B. The Secretary-Treasurer shall be elected at the annual meeting. His/her term of office
shall be four years, or until his/her successor shall have been appointed.

Article VIII

Amendments
This constitution may be amended by a majority vote (majority of those voting) of the
membership of the organization.

V

�BY-LAWS
OF THE INSTITUTE ON LAKE SUPERIOR GEOLOGY
I. Duties of the Officers and Directors
A. It shall be the duty of the Annual Chairman to:
1.

Preside at the annual meeting.

2.

Appoint all committees needed for the organization of the annual meeting.

3.

Assume complete responsibility for the organization and financing of the annual
meeting over which he/she presides.

B. It shall be the duty of the Secretary-Treasurer to:
1.

Keep accurate attendance records of all annual meetings.

2.

Keep accurate records of all meetings of, and correspondence between, the Board
of Directors.

3.

Hold all funds that may accrue as profits from annual meetings or field trips and to
make these funds available for the organization and operation of future meetings as
required.

C. It shall be the duty of the Board of Directors to plan locations of annual meetings and to
advise on the organization and financing of all meetings.

II. Duties and Extenses
A. Regular membership dues of $5.00 or less on an annual basis shall be assessed each
member as determined by the Board of Directors..
B.

Registration fees for the annual meetings shall be determined by the Chair in
consultation with the Board of Directors. The registration fees can include expenses to
cover operations outside of the annual meeting as determined by the Board of
Directors. It is strongly recommended that registration fees be kept at a minimum to
encourage attendance of students.

III. Rules of Order
The rules contained in Robert's Rules of Order shall govern this organization in all cases to
which they are applicable.

IV. Amendments
These by-laws may be amended by a majority vote (majority of those voting) of the
membership of the organization; provided that such modifications shall not conflict with the
constitution as presently adopted or subsequently amended.

vi

�AN OBITUARY FOR SAMUEL S. GOLDICH
By Bruce R. Doe

Goldschmidt Medal winner in 1983, Samuel
Stephen Goldich died 20 December 2000 at his
apartment in Applewood, Colorado (a suburb of

system in granites. In brief, the theory says that as the

Denver), less than a month before his 92nd birthday.
Sam, as he was widely known, received early fame

with his 1938 paper in the Journal of Geology on
rock weathering based on his Ph.D. thesis, an amazing paper that continued to receive citations into the
1990s, more than 50 years later. In short, he deter-

mined that the resistance of igneous minerals to
weathering was the inverse of the Bowen Reaction
Series, that is minerals crystallized at lower temperatures were more resistant to weathering than those
crystallized at high temperatures (and pressures). In
other words the last minerals to crystallize (e.g., the
most resistant was quartz followed by orthoclase,
etc.) from a melt were the most resistant to weathering, a sequence that became known as the Goldich
Stability Series (for a short discussion of this on the

web see the 1996 web site of Pamela Gore at
http://www.dc.peachnet.edu/_pgore/ge0logY/geo 10
1/weáther.htm. A few years later in 1941, a second,

two-part widely utilized paper was published by
pressure on minerals and rocks is released through
uplift and erosion, they expand and make lead that is
not in the structure accessible to removal by crustal
fluids. No biography of Goldich would be complete
without mention of Sam's interest in the
3 ,500-myr.-old rocks of the Minnesota River Valley

Sandell and Goldich on the trace-element concentrations in igneous rocks, also in the Journal of Geology.

This pioneering paper introduced the dithizone
colorimetric analytical technique for trace-element
determination to earth science and resulted in some of

the most precise trace-element data in extent at the
time and for decades thereafter.
Sam got into an argument with the late Paul Gast

which originally appeared to be 3,800 myr. old in his
collaborations with Ed Catanzaro and later Tom Stern
(see Goldich, Hedge and Stern, 1970). This discovery

over which radiometric dating system on biotite

led to the search of other areas in the U.S. for

would be more susceptible to alteration by weathering -- the K-Ar system or the Rb-Sr system -- and a
bet ensued. Paul thought that K-Ar would be more
affected by weathering which would open the structure of biotite and let the argon escape which was not
bound in the structure. Sam, however, thought that
Rb-Sr would be more affected because the Sr that did

perancient rocks with the discovery by others of these
sorts of rocks in Michigan and Wyoming. He ended
his research career with a very important paper on the
air abrasion method ofpreparing zircons for U-Th-Pb
dating (Goldich and Fischer, 1986) that has become

not fit in the structure would be subject to ion exchange. Thus a paper resulted (Goldich and Gast
1966). Incidentally, Goldich won the bet. A very
important paper with Mudrey (first presented in
abstract form at the Geological Society of America

Interior Distinguished Service Award in 1965, and he

much used for Pb isotope tracer work as well as
zircon dating. Sam received the Department of

was a founder of the Institute of Lake superior
Geology and received its first Goldich Award in
1980.

S.S. Goldich received an AB from the University

meeting as Goldich and Mudrey, 1969, with the paper
appearing in 1972) using dilatancy to help explain the

ofMinnesotain 1929 andeventuallyaPh.D. in 1936.
In between, he earned an M.A. from Syracuse University in 1930 (and was to receive their Alexander
Winchell Award in Geology in 1977), spent two
years as an assistant in geology at the then Missouri

discordance of the U-Th-Pb ages in zircons never
received the acclaim it deserved because of its original publication in a Russian book, but Doe was later
to make use of it in explain the U-Th-Pb whole-rock
vii

�School of Mines, 1930-1932 (now, University of
Missouri at Rolla) where his association with Garrett

Muilenburg resulted in his first paper (Muilenberg
and Goldich, 1933), and was a fellow at Washington
University in St. Louis where he published a paper

with Carl Tolman (Tolman and Goldich, 1935).
While a graduate student at the University of Minnesota, he was a chemist in the famous Rock Analysis
Laboratory. In the period 1936- 1941, Sam rose from
instructor to Associate Professor at the Texas Agricultural and Mechanical College which resulted in a
number of papers on Texas geology and developed

his research interest in iron ore in a paper with
Barnes, Goldich, and Romberg (1949) that resulted in

the milestone papers with Henry Lepp (Lepp and
Goldich, 1959, 1964). He served World War II in the
U.S. Geological Survey in exploration and study of
laterite and bauxite in a number of unusual locations
that eventually resulted in a series of papers during a
second tour with the U.S. Geological Survey in 1947

and 1948. There were papers with Hendricks and
Nelson in 1946 on a portable differential thermal
analysis unit for bauxite exploration, with Bergquist
on aluminous latentic soil ofthe Dominican Republic
in 1947, and with Bridge in 1948 on the bauxite of
Babelthuap Island in the Palau Group of islands.

time and became the founding Branch Chief of the
famous Branch of Isotope Geology in 1960, now
defunct. Initially, the Branch was located at the old
National Bureau of Standards site on Connecticut
Avenue and Van Ness in Washington. D.C. (Now the
site of the University of the District of Columbia).
This location also allowed Goldich to make a close
association with Bill Shields of the National Bureau
of Standards (NBS, now called the National Institute
of Standards and Technology) who was involved in
using mass spectrometry for redeterniining atomic
weights. This association resulted in much upgrading
of the instrumentation in the Branch plus the building
of new equipment known as Shields Mass Spectrometers and led the late Paul Gast to say that Shields
was the most valuable employee in the Branch of
Isotope Geology and the U.S. Geological Survey
didn't even have to pay him. The core of this Branch
came from the old Nucleonics Group that had been
headed by Frank Senftle. In addition to Senftle, there

were Irving Friedman, Henry Faul, Lorin Stieff,
Thomas Stern, and Meyer Rubin, among others.
Stieff shortly left to pursue his interest in world
peace. Faul and Goldich had a falling out and Faul
eventually left for the University of Pennsylvania.
Quickly added were Ron Kistler (who was soon to
return to the U.S. Geological Survey in Menlo Park,

Sam rejoined the University of Minnesota in

California), Carl Hedge, Edward Catanzaro, and

1948 and became Professor and Director of the Rock
Analysis Laboratory the following year, a position he

became a professor at the University of Alberta,

Bruce Doe. Catanzaro soon left to join Shields at the
NBS. The NBS site had to be abandoned because of
their move to Gaithersburg and the Assistant Chief
Geology for the Central Region came up with a small
building (Bldg. 21) at the former WW II munitions
plant in Lakewood, Colorado, known as the Denver
Federal Center. John Rosholt was already there, and
Irving Friedman in 1963 was the first to move. John
Stacey and Mitsunobu Tatsumoto were soon added

Harry Gehman who went to work in the oil industry,

and Bruce Doe moved there in 1963 followed by

and Richard B. Taylor who became Chief of the
Branch of Central Mineral Resources in the U.S.
Geological Survey. Master's candidates included

most of the others in 1964, including Robert Zartman
and John Obradovich. During a period of years after
this move, Senftle and Stern stayed in Washington,
D.C., and joined other groups. Meyer Rubin was to
remain there in the Branch with his carbon- 14 operation. A popular way for the Branch of Isotope Geology to acquire researchers was from other branches.

was to hold until his departure in 1959 (and was to
receive the Minnesota Outstanding Achievement
Award in 1985). Notable among his Ph.D. graduate
students were Ralph Erickson who was the founding
Branch Chief of the U.S. Geological Survey's Geochemical Exploration Branch, Ronald Burwash who

Gary Ernst, currently a Professor at Stanford Univer-

sity, and Zell Peterman a former Chief of the late
Branch of Isotope Geology, U.S. Geological Survey,

and a pioneer in strontium isotope geochemistry.
During this period and in collaboration with Alfred

Zell Peterman, for example, came from a branch

Nier of the University of Minnesota, Sam organized

called Geochemical Census (and, for example, later
in Menlo Park, Marvin Lanphere from the Branch of

a potassium-argon facilty in the Department of

Alaskan Geology, and Brent Dalrymple from the

Geology with Halfdon Baadsgaard (who also later
became a professor at the University of Alberta). A

Branch of Theoretical Geophysics) [History of the
Branch of Isotope Geology after Sam ceased being
Branch Chief in 1964 is not covered here.]
.

number of important papers resulted from this collaboration.

Upon leaving the University of Minnesota,

Doe, a Post-doctoral Fellow at the Geophysical
Laboratory, was hired under an agreement that the

Goldich joined the U.S. Geological Survey a third
viii

�U.S. Geological Survey would acquire a 12-inch
Shields solid-source mass spectrometer. After that,
however, most equipment was obtained as a result of

cooperation with other organizations. Stieff, for
example, arranged an investigation of uranium series

disequilibrium in soils that freed up money for a
second 12-inch Shields mass spectrometer and the

stayed on for a fifth year to get a bachelors degree in
geological engineering but decided to go on and get
a master's degree somewhere else as well. I went in to
Sam to tell him this and I was going to ask him not to

prejudice others that I would ask to write letters of
reference for me. I only got out that I was thinking of

going somewhere for a master degree when he
interrupted that he thought that was a great idea and
he could get me a good deal at Missouri School of
Mines. He added that I would never regret it. So I
decided to leave it at that, and he was right, I never
did regret it. Later when I mentioned I wanted to go
on for a Ph.D., he suggested I apply to Caltech and
that he would have a place for me in the isotope lab
when I flunked out. Well, I did apply and was accepted, but, fortunately, never flunked out. Once I
told Dick Taylor about my confusion concerning the
unexpected result over the master's degree proposal,
and he replied, that Sam was hard on me because he
thought I had potential. I had noticed that with certain
students of little accomplishment he would talk about

building of a clean laboratory for isotopic investigations in Denver. A program with Saudi Arabia freed

up money for a 6-inch Shields solid-source mass
spectrometer. Money was obtained from the Japan-U.S. Scientific Cooperation Program for an
argon mass-spectrometer (for an entertaining account
of the argon mass spectrometer, you are referred to
Glynu's book "The Road to Jaramillo").

After his tour as Chief of the Branch of Isotope
Geology, Goldich was to leave the U.S. Geological
Survey again and from 1964-1965 joined Pennsylvania State University as Professor of Geology and
Geochemistry and Director of the Mineral Constitution Laboratories, for which he was to hire his former
associate Oliver Ingamells. The State University of
New York began upgrading their faculty and Sam
moved to the State University of New York at Stony
Brook as Professor of Geology from 1965 to 1968 at
which he oversaw the building of another isotope

fishing, hunting, movies, and the like, but that he
eventually even wrote papers with some of the people

he was hardest on. However, he left an ill will with
many which probably accounts for this remarkable
scientist not winning more honors than he did. But
there were a lot of us that learned to overcome Sam's

laboratory and hired Gil Hanson who became a
professor there. Restless, he moved to Northern

outbursts and to regard him as a friend and wonderful
scientist.

Illinois University in 1968 as Professor of Geology
until his retirement in 1977 as emeritus and where he
organized yet a fourth isotope geology laboratory. He
was to move to Denver in his retirement and became
emeritus at the Colorado School of Mines. Sam was
a fellow of the American Geophysical Union, Mineralogical Society of America, and Geological Society
of America.

Selected Bibliography of
Samuel Stephen Goldich

Bridge, Josiah, Goldich, Samuel S., Preliminary
report on the bauxite deposits of Babeithuap island,
Palau group, p. 46, 1948.
Cameron, R.L., Goldich, S.S., Hoffman, J.H., Radioactivity age ofrocks from the Windmill islands, Budd
coast, Antarctica, Stockholm Contributions in Geology, 6, p. 1-6, 1960.

No discussion of Sam would be complete with-

out some mention of his famous personality. Although Sam could be very generous, he was prone to

giving unsolicited good advice or opinions. This
Goldich, Samuel S., A study of rock-weathering, 97
p., 1936. Thesis Doctoral from University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minneapolis, MN, United States

advice or opinions was often given in a tone that the
recipient would take as criticism or, even, condemnation. Perhaps all those who were close to Sam, and

even many more distant, experienced this at some
time or other. He was prone to allergies which did not
improve his disposition. I recall once in a class when
he repeatedly asked some question in an increasingly
agitated and loud voice punctuated by his blowing his

Goldich, Samuel S., Authigenic feldspar in sandstones of southeastern Minnesota, Journal of Sedi-

nose as one student after another he called upon

Goldich, Samuel S., A study in rock weathering,

couldn't answer it. He finally said with a cute smile,
"This class sure is stupid when I don't feel good." I

Journal of Geology, 46(1), p. 17-58, 1938.

recall thinking he didn't like me when I was an

Goldich, Samuel Stephen, Bergquist, Harlan Richard,

undergraduate at the University of Minnesota. I had

Aluminous latentic soil of the Sierra de Bahoruco

mentary Petrology, 4 (2), p. 89-95, 1934.

ix

�area, Dominican Republic, West Indies, U. S. Geological Survey Bulletin, B 0953-C, p. 53-84, 1947.

Goldich, Samuel S., Lidiak, Edward G., Hedge, Carl

Goldich, Samuel Stephen, Origin and development of
aluminous latente and bauxite, Geological Society of
America Bulletin, 59 (12, Part 2), p. 1326, 1948.

area, Journal of Geophysical Research, 71(22), p.

E., Walthall, Frank G., Geochronology of the
midcontinent region, United States; [Part] 2, Northern

5389-5408, 1966.

Goldich, Samuel S., Muehlberger, William R.,
Goldich, Samuel Stephen, Bergquist, Harlan Richard,

Lidiak, Edward G., Hedge, Carl E., Geochronology
of the midcontinent region, United States; [Part] 1,
Scope, methods, and principles, Journal ofGeophysical Research, 71(22), p. 5375-5388, 1966.

Aluminous lateritic soil of the Republic of Haiti,
West Indies, U. S. Geological Survey Bulletin, B
0954-C, p. 63-111, 1948.

Goldich, Samuel Stephen, Oslund, Eileen H., Composition of Westerly granite G- 1 and Centerville
diabase W-l, Geological Society of America Bulletin, 67(6), p. 811-815, 1956.

Goldich, S.S., Geochronology in the Lake Superior
region, Inst. Lake Superior Geology, 13th Ann., East
Lansing, Mich., 1967, p. 13, 1967.
Goldich, S.S., Ingamells, CO., Suhr, N. H., Anderson, D. H., Analyses of silicate rock and mineral
standards, Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, 4(5),
p. 747-755, 1967.

Goldich, Samuel Stephen, Nier, Alfred Otto C.,
Problems of the division of Precambrian time, Institute on Lake Superior geology, April 21-22, 1958., p.
11, 1958.

Goldich, S.S., Mudrey, M.G., Jr., Dilatancy model

Goldich, Samuel Stephen, Nier, Alfred Otto C.,

for discordant U-Pb zircon ages, Abstracts with

Baadsgaard, Halfdon, Three-fold division ofPrecam-

Programs - Geological Society of America, Part 7, p.
80, 1969.

brian in the Lake Superior region, Transactions American Geophysical Union, 39 (3), p. 516, 1958.

Goldich, S.S., Nier, A.O., Washburn, A.L., A (super

Goldich, S.S., Hanson, G.N., Geology of the
Saganaga-Northern Light Lakes area, Minne-

40) /K (super 40) age of gneiss from McMurdo

sota-Ontario, Inst. Lake Superior Geology, 15th

Sound, Antarctica, Transactions - American Geophysical Union, 39 (5), p. 956-958, 1958.

Ann., 1969, Tech. Sess. Abs., p. 16, 1969.

Goldich, S.S., Geochronology in the Lake Superior
region, Geochronology of Precambrian stratified
rocks--Internat. Conf., Edmonton, Alberta, 1967,
Papers, Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, 5 (3,
Part 2), p. 7 15-724, 1968.

Goldich, Samuel S., Nier, Alfred 0., Baadsgaard,
Halfdon, Hoffman, John H., Krueger, Harold W.,
The Precambrian geology and geochronology of
Minnesota, Bulletin - Minnesota Geological Survey,
193 p., 1961.

Goldich, S.S., Geochronology of the Minnesota-Ontario border region, Summary of fieldwork,
1969, Information Circular - Minnesota Geological
Survey, 7, p. 30, 1969.

Goldich, S.S., Hedge, C.E., Dating of the Precambrian of the Minnesota River valley, Minnesota,
Journal of Geophysical Research, 67 (9), p.
3561-3562, 1962.

Goldich, S.S., Ages of rocks assigned to the
Penokean orogeny in Minnesota, Summary of fieldwork, 1969, Information Circular - Minnesota Geological Survey, 7, p. 31, 1969.

Goldich, S.S., Hedge, C.E., Investigations in Rb-Sr
dating, Journal of Geophysical Research, 67 (4), p.
1638, 1962.

Goldich, S.S., Age of the Precambrian rocks of
southwestern Minnesota, Summary of fieldwork,

Goldich, S.S., Ingamells, C.O., Comparative determi-

nations of potassium and rubidium, Transactions American Geophysical Union, 44(1), p. 109, 1963.

1969, Information Circular - Minnesota Geological
Survey, 7, p. 31, 1969.

Goldich, S.S., Gast, P. W., Effects of weathering on
the Rb-Sr and K-Ar ages of biotite from the Morton

Goldich, S.S., Hanson, G.N., Hailford, C.R., Mudrey,

Gneiss, Minnesota, Earth and Planetary Science

M.G., Jr., Re-interpretation of the structure of the

Letters, 1(6), p. 372-375, 1966.

Saganaga-Northern Light Lakes area,
x

�Minnesota-Ontario, Special Paper
Society of America, p. 114, 1969.

-

Goldich, Samuel S., Ages of Precambrian Banded

Geological

Iron-Formations, Precambrian iron-formations of the

world, Economic Geology and the Bulletin of the

the Morton and Montevideo gneisses and related

Society of Economic
1126-1134, 1973.

rocks, southwestern Minnesota: Geological Society
of Amenca Bulletin, 81, p. 367 1-3696, 1970.

Goldich, S.S., Hedge, C.E., 3 ,800-Myr granitic gneiss

Goldich, S.S., Hedge, C.E., and Stern, T.W., Age of

Geologists, 68

(7), p.

in south-western Minnesota, Nature (London), 252.
(5483), p. 467-468, 1974.

Goldich, Samuel S., Turek, Andrew, Hanson, Gilbert
N., Peterman, Zell E., Correlation of early Precam-

brian basins of the Canadian shield, Geological

Goldich, S.S., Hedge, C.E., Interpretation ages in

Association of Canada-Mineralogical Association of
Canada, Joint Annual Meetings, Abstracts of Papers,
p. 27, 1970.

Minnesota — Reply: Nature, 257 (5528), p. 722-722,
1975.

Goldich, S.S., Bodkin, J.L., Fluorine in Cenozoic
Goldich, S.S., Lunar and terrestrial ilmenite basalt,
Science, 171 (3977), p. 1245-1246, 1971.

volcanic rocks of Ross Island and vicinity,
Antarctica; a progress report, Bulletin - Dry Valley
Drilling Project (DVDP) (6), p. 6-7, 1975.

Goldich, S.S., Geochronology in Minnesota, Geology
of Minnesota; A Centennial Volume, p. 27-37, 1972.

Goldich, S.S., Doe, Bruce R., Delevaux, M.H.,
Possible further evidence for 3.8 b.y.-old rocks in the
Minnesota River valley of southwestern Minnesota,

Goldich, S.S., The Penokean orogeny [abstr.], Proceedings and Abstracts - Institute on Lake Superior
Geology, Annual Meeting, 1972.

Open-File Report - U. S. Geological Survey, OF
75-0065, p. Il, 1975.
Goldich, S.S., Treves, S.B., Suhr, N.H., et al., Geochemistry of Cenozoic volcanic-rocks of Ross-Island
and vicinity, Antarctica: Journal of Geology, 83 (4),
p. 415-435, 1975

Goldich, S.S., Ages of Precambrian iron-formations,
Precambrian iron-formation symposium, Abstracts
and Field Guides, p. [19], 1972.
Goldich, Samuel S., Geochronology and geochemistry, Field Trip Guide Book for Precambrian
Migmatitic Terrane of the Minnesota River Valley,
Guidebook Series - Minnesota Geological Survey, 5,
p. 17-41, 1972.

Goldich, S.S., Precision and accuracy in silicate
analysis, National Bureau of Standards Special
Publication (422), p. 79-89, 1976.

Goldich, S.S., Problems in dating old Precambrian
rocks, Program with Abstracts - Geological Associa-

Goldich, Samuel S., Fallacious isochrons and wrong
numbers, North-Central Section, 6th Annual Meeting,

tion of Canada; Mineralogical Association of
Canada; Canadian Geophysical Union, Joint Annual
Meeting, 1, p. 71, 1976. Meeting: Geological Association of Canada, 29th annual meeting; Mineralogical
Association of Canada, 21st annual meeting, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, May 19-21, 1976.

Abstracts with Programs - Geological Society of
America, 4 (5), p. 322, 1972.
Goldich, S.S., Mudrey, M.G.,Jr., Model' rasshireniya
dlya ob"yasneniya nesoglasnykh urano-svintsovykh
vozrastov v tsirkonakh; Dilatancy model for explain-

Goldich,. S.S., Peterman, Z. E., Geology and geochemistry of the Rainy Lake area, Gorton, M. P.
(editor), Archean geochemistry, Precambrian Research, 11(3-4), p. 307-327, 1980. Meeting: Archean
geochemistry field conference, Ontario and Minnesota, Canada, Aug. 2-17, 1978.

ing discordant uranium-lead zircon ages, Ocherki
sovremennoy geokhimii i analiticheskoy khimii, p.
415-418, 1972.

Goldich, S.S., Hanson, G.N., Hallford, C.R., and
Mudrey, M.G., Jr., Early Precambrian rocks in the
Saganaga Lake-Northern Light Lake area, Minnesota-Ontario. Part II. Petrogenesis, Doe. B.R. (edi-

Goldich, S.S., Wooden, J.L., Geochemistry of the

tor) and Smith, D.K. (editor), Studies in Mineralogy

Archean rocks in the Morton and Granite Falls areas,

and Precambrian Geology, Memoir - Geological

southwestern Minnesota, Gorton, M. P. (editor),
Archean geochemistry, Precambrian Research, 11

Society of America, l3S,p. 151-178, 1972.

(3-4), p. 267-296, 1980. Meeting: Archean geochemxi

�istry field conference, Ontario and Minnesota,

brian iron formations, Economic Geology and the
Bulletin of the Society of Economic Geologists, 59

Canada, Aug. 2-17, 1978.

(6), p. 1025-1060, 1964.

Goldich, S.S., Wooden, J.L., Origin of the Morton
Gneiss, southwestern Minnesota; Part 3, Geochronol-

Lepp, Henry, Goldich, Samuel S., Kistler, Ronald
W., A Grenville cross section from Port Cartier to
Mount Reed, Quebec, Canada, American Journal of

ogy, More, G. B. (editor), Hanson, Gilbert N. (editor), Selected studies of Archean gneisses and lower
Proterozoic rocks, southern Canadian Shield, Special
Paper - Geological Society of America (182), p.
77-94, 1980. ISBN: 0-8137-2182-2.

Science, 261 (8), p. 693-7 12, 1963.

Lepp, Henry, Goldich, Samuel S., Origin of Precambrian iron formations, Kvenvolden, Keith A. (editor),

Goldich, S.S., Wooden, J.L., Ankenbauer, G.A., Jr.,

Geochemistry and the origin of life, Benchmark

Levy, T.M., Suda, R.U., Origin of the Morton

Papers in Geology, 14, p. 195-209, 1974. (reprint)

Gneiss, southwestern Minnesota; Part 1, Lithology,
More, G. B. (editor), Hanson, Gilbert N. (editor),

Ludwig, K.R., Zartman, R.E., Goldich, S.S., Gentry,
Robert V., Lead retention in zircons; discussion and
reply, Science, 223 (4638), p. 835, 1984.

Selected studies of Archean gneisses and lower
Proterozoic rocks, southern Canadian Shield, Special

Paper - Geological Society of America (182), p.
45-56, 1980. ISBN: 0-8137-2182-2.

Peterman, Z.E., Goldich, S.S., Hedge, CE., and
Yardley, D.H., Geochronology of the Rainy Lake

Goldich, S.S., Hedge, C.E., Stern, T.W., Wooden,

Region, Minnesota-Ontario, Doe, B.R. (editor) and

J.L., Bodkin, J.B., North, R.M., Archean rocks of the
Granite Falls area, southwestern Minnesota, More, G.

Smith, D.K. (editor), Studies in Mineralogy and
Precambrian Geology, Memoir - Geological Society
of America, l35,p. 193-215, 1972.

B. (editor), Hanson, Gilbert N. (editor), Selected
studies of Archean gneisses and lower Proterozoic
rocks, southern Canadian Shield, Special Paper -

Sandell, Ernest Birger, Goldich, Samuel S., The rarer

Geological Society of America (182), p. 19-43, 1980.

metallic constituents of some American igneous

ISBN: 0-8137-2182-2.

rocks, American Mineralogist, 24(12, Part 2), p. 12,
1939.

Goldich, Samuel S., Determination of ferrous iron in

silicate rocks, Chemical Geology, 42 (1-4), p.

Sandell, Ernest Birger, Goldich, Samuel Stephen, The
rarer metallic constituents of some American igneous

343-347, 1984.

rocks; Part 1, Journal of Geology, 51. (Part 1), p.
99-115, (Part 2), 167-189, 1943.

Goldich, S.S., and Fisher, L.B., Air-Abrasion experiments in U-Pb dating of zircon: Chemical Geology,
v. 58: (3), p. 195-215, 1986

Shields, W.R., Garner, E.L., Hedge, C.E., Goldich,
S.S., Survey of Rb (super 85)/Rb (super 87) ratios in
minerals, Journal of Geophysical Research, 68 (8), p.

Hanson, G.N., Goldich, S.S., Early Precambrian
Rocks in the Saganaga Lake-Northern Light Lake

233 1-2334, 1963.

Area, Minnesota-Ontario; Part II, Petrogenesis, Doe.

B.R. (editor) and Smith, D.K. (editor), Studies in
Mineralogy and Precambrian Geology, Memoir Geological Society of America, 135, p. 179-192,
1972.

Shields, W.R., Goldich, S.S., Garner, E.L., Murphy,
T. J, Natural variations in the abundance ratio and the
atomic weight of copper, Journal of Geophysical
Research, 70 (2), p. 479-49 1, 1965.

Jenks, William F., Goldich, S.S., Ignimbrites in

Stern, T.W., Goldich, S.S., Newell, M.F., Effects of

southern Peru, Geological Society of America Bulletin, 65 (12, Part 2), p. 1271, 1954.

weathering on the U-Pb ages of zircon from the
Morton Gneiss, Minnesota, Earth and Planetary
Science Letters, 1(6), p. 369-371, 1966.

Lepp, Henry, Goldich, Samuel Stephen, The chemistry and origin of iron formations, Economic Geology
and the Bulletin of the Society of Economic Geologists, 54 (7), p. 1348-1349, 1959.

Stuckless, John S., Weiblen, Paul W., Goldich,
Samuel S., A petrogenetic model for the alkalic rocks

from the Ross Island area, Antarctica, Dry Valley
Drilling Project (DVDP) Seminar-i, Bulletin - Dry
Valley Drilling Project (DVDP), 4, p. 52-53, 1974.

Lepp, Henry, Goldich, Samuel S., Origin of Precamxii

�Stuckless, J. S., Miesch, A.T., Goldich, S.S.,
Weiblen, P. W., A Q-mode factor for the petrogen-

esis of the volcanic rocks from Ross Island and
vicinity, Antarctica, McGinnis, Lyle D. (editor), Dry
Valley Drilling Project, Antarctic Research Series,
33, p. 257-280, 1981. ISBN: 0-87590-177-8.

Wooden. J.L., Goldich, S.S., Suhr, N.H., Origin of
the Morton Gneiss, southwestern Minnesota; Part 2,
Geochemistry, More, G. B. (editor), Hanson, Gilbert
N. (editor), Selected studies of Archean gneisses and
lower Proterozoic rocks, southern Canadian Shield,
Special Paper - Geological Society of America (182),
p. 57-75, 1980. ISBN: 0-8137-2182-2.

Yardley, D.H., Goldich, S.S., Preliminary review of
Precambrian shield rocks for potential waste repository, YIOWIISUB-436712, p. (unpaginated), 1975.

xlii

�G0LDICH MEDAL GUIDELINES
(Adopted by the Board of Directors, 1981; amended 1999)
Preamble

The Institute on Lake Superior Geology was born in 1955, as documented by the fact that the 27th annual
meeting was held in 1981. The Institute's continuing objectives are to deal with those aspects of geology
that are related geographically to Lake Superior; to encourage the discussion of subjects and sponsoring
field trips that will bring together geologists from academia, government surveys, and industry; and to
maintain an informal but highly effective mode of operation.
During the course of its existence, the membership of the Institute (that is, those geologists who indicate an
interest in the objectives of the ILSG by attending) has become aware of the fact that certain of their
colleagues have made particularly noteworthy and meritorious contributions to the understanding of Lake
Superior geology and mineral deposits.
The first award was made by ILSG to Sam Goldich in 1979 for his many contributions to the geology of
the region extending over about 50 years. Subsequent medalists and this year's recipient are listed in the
table below.
Award Guidelines
1) The medal shall be awarded annually by the ILSG Board of Directors to a geologist whose name is
associated with a substantial interest in, and contribution to, the geology of the Lake Superior region.

2) The Board of Directors shall appoint the Goldich Medal Committee. The initial appointment will be of
three members, one to serve for three years, one for two years, and one for one year. The member with the
briefest incumbency shall be chair of the Nominating Committee. After the first year, the Board of
Directors shall appoint at each spring meeting one new member who will serve for three years. In his/her
third year this member shall be the chair. The Committee membership should reflect the main fields of
interest and geographic distribution of ILSG membership. The out-going, senior member of the Board of
Directors shall act as liaison between the Board and the Committee for a period of one year.
3) By the end of November, the Goldich Medal Committee shall make its recommendation to the Chair of
the Board of Directors, who will then inform the Board of the nominee.
4) The Board of Directors normally will accept the nominee of the Committee, inform the medalist, and
have one medal engraved appropriately for presentation at the next meeting of the Institute.
5) It is recommended that the Institute set aside annually from whatever sources, such funds as will be
required to support the continuing costs of this award.
Nominating Procedures
1) The deadline for nominations is November 1. Nominations shall be taken at any time by the Goldich
Medal Committee. Committee members may themselves nominate candidates; however, Board members
may not solicit for or support individual nominees.

2) Nominations must be in writing and supported by appropriate documentation such as letters of
recommendation, lists of publications, curriculum vita's, and evidence of contributions to Lake Superior
geology and to the Institute.
3) Nominations are not restricted to Institute attendees, but are open to anyone who has worked on and
contributed to the understanding of Lake Superior geology.

xiv

�Selection Guidelines

1) Nominees are to be evaluated on the basis of their contributions to Lake Superior geology (sensu lato)
including:
a) importance of relevant publications;
b) promotion of discovery and utilization of natural resources;
c) contributions to understanding of the natural history and environment of the region;
d) generation of new ideas and concepts; and
e) contributions to the training and education of geoscientists and the public.
2) Nominees are to be evaluated on their contributions to the Institute as demonstrated by attendance at
Institute meetings, presentation of talks and posters, and service on Institute boards, committees, and field
trips.
3) The relative weights given to each of the foregoing criteria must remain flexible and at the discretion of
the Committee members.
4) There are several points to be considered by the Goldich Medal Committee:
a) An attempt should be made to maintain a balance of medal recipients from each of the three
estates—industry, academia, and government.
b) It must be noted that industry geoscientists are at a disadvantage in that much of their work in not
published.

5) Lake Superior has two sides, one the U.S., and the other Canada. This is undoubtedly one of the
Institute's great strengths and should be nurtured by equitable recognition of excellence in both countries.

xv

�GOLDICH MEDALISTS
1979 Samuel S. Goldich

1990 Kenneth C. Card

1980 not awarded

1991

1981

Carl E. Dutton, Jr.

William Hinze

1992 William F. Cannon

1982 Ralph W. Marsden

1993 Donald W. Davis

1983 Burton Boyum

1994 Cedric Iverson

1984 Richard W. Ojakangas

1995 Gene LaBerge

1985 Paul K. Sims

1996 David L. Southwick

1986 G.B.Morey

1997 RonaldP.Sage

1987 Henry H. Halls

1998 Zell Peterman

1988 Walter S. White

1999 Tsu-Ming Han

1989 Jorma Kalliokoski

2000 John C. Green

2001 John S. Kiasner
GOLDICH MEDAL COMMITTEE
Mark Smyk (2001)
Ontario Geological Survey, Thunder Bay

Rod Johnson (2002)
Rod Johnson and Associates, Negaunee, Michigan
Frank Luther (2003)
University of Wisconsin, Whitewater
James D. Miller, Jr., as out-going senior member of Institute Board of Directors, is liaison between
Goldich Medal Committee and the Board through the 2001 meeting.

xvi

�CITATION FOR JOHN S. KLASNER
2001 G0LDICH AWARD RECIPIENT
It is my distinct honor and privilege to present this citation for John Klasner, the 22 recipient of the
Goldich Award. John was born and raised in the Upper Peninsula. He received his Bachelor's degree in
1957 from Michigan State. His first professional job was with [NCO in the bush of northern Ontario in the
summer of 1957. From 1958 to 1962, John worked for Geophysical Services International reducing seismic
data for petroleum exploration in New Mexico, Texas, Wyoming, and then overseas in Libya and Muscat.
He returned to Michigan State in 1962 and earned a Master's degree in geophysics in 1964. His thesis,
mapping a bedrock valley by gravity methods was sponsored by the Groundwater Branch of the U.S.G.S.
For the next five years, John worked for the Standard Oil Company of California as an exploration
geophysicist stationed mainly in Anchorage, Alaska. He worked in the Cook Inlet area, and while in
Anchorage, he met and married his wife, Gretchen, who also happens to be from the U.P. of Michigan. He
worked in California from 1967 to 1969, and was then transferred back to Alaska in 1969 to work on the
North Slope oil project.
In the fall of 1969, he left Standard Oil to work on a Ph.D. at Michigan Tech., under Jo Kalliokoski.
His dissertation was on the structure and metamorphism in the western Marquette range. I believe that
John's thesis was the first study to show that the Early Proteozoic rocks are detached from the Archean in the
area, suggesting large-scale horizontal tectonics. Upon completion of his Ph.D. in 1972, John joined the
faculty at Western Illinois University, where he taught for 27 years. He resumed his contact with the
U.S.G.S. spending summers mapping in northern Michigan. John as applied his knowledge of geophysic and
structural geology to solving problems in the Precambrian of a number of areas including he Marquette range,
the Gogebic range, the Feich trough, several areas in Wisconsin and in the Trans-Hudson Orogeny. He has
done a broader range of structural studies in the Lake Superior region than anyone I know. He has a long list
of publications (49) resulting from his work, in addition to the teaching and administrative load at an
undergraduate university. He received the highest awards offered by Western Illinois University for his
teaching and research. An indication of the esteem with which he was held at Western is shown by his being
named Director of their Honors Program from 1994-1998. He introduced many students to the mysteries of
he Precambrian by leading a field trip to the area every year. Especially important, I think, has been his role
of introducing undergraduate students to professional activities by supervising fourteen Senior theses and six
Honors theses during his years of teaching at Western.
I have had the privilege of working directly with John since the mid-i 980s, doing field work in
Wisconsin and northern Michigan. During this time John has been the mentor for a number of
NAGGED/USES Summer trainees and volunteers. I have found John to be an exceptionally dedicated
teacher of young geologists, as well as being a very competent geologist himself, a very good woodsman, and
a pleasant fellow to work with. Therefore, it is with great pleasure that I present the 2001 recipient of the
Goldich Award for "Outstanding Contributions To The Geology Of The Lake Superior Region", John S.
Klasner.
Gene L. LaBerge

xvii

�_______________________________
_____________
___________

EISENBREY STUDENT TRAVEL AWARDS
The 1986 Board of Directors established the ILSG Student Travel Awards to support student participation at the

annual meeting of the Institute. The name "Eisenbrey" was added to the award in 1998 to honor Edward H.
Eisenbrey (1926-1985) and utilize substantial contributions made to the 1996 Institute meeting in his name.
'Ned" Eisenbrey is credited with discovery of significant volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits in Wisconsin,
but his scope as much broader—he has been described as having unique talents as an ore finder, geologist, and
teacher. These awards are intended to help defray some of the direct travel costs of attending Institute meetings,
and include a waiver of registration fees, but exclude expenses for meals, lodging, and field trip registration. The
number of awards and value are determined by the annual Chair in consultation with the Secretary-Treasurer.
Recipients will be announced at the annual banquet.
The following general criteria will be considered by the annual Chair, who is responsible for the selection:
1) The applicants must have active resident (undergraduate or graduate) student status at the time of
the annual meeting of the Institute, certified by the department head.
2) Students who are the senior author on either an oral or poster paper will be given favored
consideration.
3) It is desirable for two or more students to jointly request travel assistance.
4) In general, priority will be given to those in the Institute region who are farthest away from the
meeting location.
5) Each travel award request shall be made in writing to the annual Chair, and should explain need,
student and author status, and other significant details. The form below is optional.
Successful applicants will receive their awards during the meeting.

enbrey

INSTITUTE ONLAIE SUPERIOR GEOLOGY

Student Travel Award Application

Student Name:

Date.

Address:

DpartmentHead-Tjped

EducationalStatns:__________________

Department Head-Si gnature

Are you the senior author of an oral or poster paper? YES_ NO___

Will any other students be traveling with you?

Who?

Statement of need (use additi onal page Efnecessary)

Please

xviii

rdurn to:

�STUDENT PAPER AWARDS
Each year, the Institute selects the best of the student presentations and honors presenters with a monetary
award. Funding for the award is generated from registrations of the annual meeting. The Student Paper
Committee is appointed by the annual meeting Chair in such a manner as to represent a broad range of
professional and geologic expertise. Criteria for best student paper—last modified by the Board in
1997—follow:

1) The contribution must be demonstrably the work of the student.
2) The student must present the contribution in-person.
3) The Student Paper Committee shall decide how many awards to grant, and whether or not to give separate
awards for poster vs. oral presentations.
4) In cases of multiple student authors, the award will be made to the senior author, or the award will be
shared equally by all authors of the contribution.
5) The total amount of the awards is left to the discretion of the meeting Chair and Secretary-Treasurer, but

typically is in the amount of about $300 US.

6) The Secretary-Treasurer maintains, and will supply to the Committee, a form for the numerical ranking of
presentations. This form was created and modified by Student Paper Committees over several years in an
effort to reduce the difficulties that may arise from selection by raters of diverse background. The use of the
form is not required, but is left to the discretion of the Committee.
7) The names of award recipients shall be included as part of the annual Chair's report that appears in the
next volume of the Institute.
Student papers will be noted on the Program.

STUDENT PAPER AWARDS COMMITTEE
Dave Meineke - Committee Chair
Menden Engineering LLC

Anne Argast
Indiana University - Purdue University Fort Wayne

Thomas J. Evans
Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey

Steve Kircher
Nicolet Minerals

xix

�MEMBERSHIP CRITERIA
FOR THE INSTITUTE ON LAKE SUPERIOR GEOLOGY
Approved May 8, 1997

A. Membership in the Institute on Lake Superior Geology requires either participation in Institute activities,
or an indication on a regular basis of interest in the Institute. Those individuals registering for an annual
meeting will remain as members for 4 years unless: 1) they indicate no further interest in the Institute by
responding negatively to the statement on meeting circulars "Remove my name from the mailing list"; or 2)
two successive mailings in different years are returned by the postal service as address unknown.
B. Those individuals who have not registered for an annual meeting in the past 4 years must indicate an
interest in the Institute by postal, electronic , or verbal correspondence with the Secretary-Treasurer at least
once every two years. Such individuals will be removed from the membership if they indicate no further
interest in the Institute or two successive mailing in different years are returned by the postal service as
address unknown.

C. The Secretary-Treasurer will maintain a list of current members. The list will include the date of the
beginning of continuous membership, dates of returned mail, dates of last contact (expression of interest),
and the date membership expires, barring a change of status initiated by the member. Those individuals who
have become members of ILSG by Section B will have an expiration date listed at 2 years from the upcoming
meeting. For example, a member who expresses interest in September of 1997 (the next annual meeting is
May, 1998) will have an expiration date of May, 2000, unless the member contacts the Secretary-Treasurer or
attends an annual meeting.
D. "Member for Life" status is granted to individuals who have been (nearly) continuous participants of the
ILSG meetings for 15 years, Goldich Medal recipients, or those who have served as meeting chairs. This
status will be further maintained unless the individuals indicate no further interest in the Institute, or 4
mailings in different years are returned by the postal service as address unknown, or they are deceased.

E. All members will be mailed the First Circular for the Annual Meeting and the ILSG Newsletter. The
Chair of the annual meeting may opt to send the first circular to additional individuals. All returned mail
should be reported to the Secretary-Treasurer.
F. The Secretary-Treasurer can designate any individual who is on the ILSG membership list (mailing list) as
of January 1, 1997 as a member for life based on participation in ILSG activities.
G: Members are strongly encourage to send address corrections to the Secretary-Treasurer to avoid
unintentional lapse of membership.

xx

�2001 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
(Board membership through the close of the meeting year shown)

Michael G. Mudrey, Jr., General Chairman (2004)
Bruce A. Brown, Co-chair
Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey

Stephen A. Kissin (2003)
Lakehead University

Theodore J.Bornhorst (2002)
Michigan Technological Univensty

James D. Miller, Jr. (2001) Goldich Liaison
Minnesota Geological Survey

Mark A. Jirsa - Executive Secretary (2002)
Minnesota Geological Survey

2001 LOCAL PLANNING COMMITTEE
Michael G. Mudrey, Jr. - Co-chair
Bruce A. Brown - Co-chair

Robert H. Dott, Jr. - Program Co-chair
L. Gordon Medaris, Jr. - Program Co-chair
Kathleen M. Zwettler - Meeting Coordinator
Assistance to the local committee was provided by the following individuals from the Wisconsin Geological
and Natural History Survey:

James M. Robertson
Director and State Geologist - Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey

Virginia Trapino
Office Support

Mindy James
Publication Preparation

Susan Hunt
Graphic Arts

Michael L. Czechanski
Program and Technical Assistance

xxi

�2001 SEssioN CHAIRS
(In order of appearance)

James M. Robertson - Geologic Overview of Southern Wisconsin
Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey

D.L. Daniels - Geophysical Overview and Earliest Archean Evolution
U.S. Geological Survey

William F. Cannon - Geology and Hydrogeology ofArsenic in Domestic and Public Water Supplies
U.S. Geological Survey

Michael D. Lemcke - Geology and Hydrogeology of Arsenic in Domestic and Public Water Supplies
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Suzanne W. Nicholson - General Geology
U.S. Geological Survey
Dean Rossell - Developments in Understanding Keweenawan Geology
Kennecott Exploration Company
D.K. HoIm - Thermo-Tectonic History of 1800 to 1200 Ma post-Penokean to Pre-Keweenawan Rocks
Bowling Green State University

D.A. Schneider - Thermo- Tectonic History of 1800 to 1200 Ma post-Penokean to Pre-Keweenawan Rocks
Syracuse University

Eric Jerde - Developments in Understanding Archean Geology and Ore Depo.its
Morehead State University

2001 BANQUET SPEAKER
Thomas C. Hunt
University of Wisconsin - Platteville

A Practical Exercise in Metallic Mine Reclamation - Ladysmith, Wisconsin

xxii

�REPORT ON THE 46TH ANNUAL MEETING
OF THE INSTITUTE ON LAKE SUPERIOR GEOLOGY
Thunder Bay, Ontario
The 46tl Annual Meeting ofthe Institute on Lake Superior Geology was held in Thunder Bay, Ontario, May 8-13,
2000, at Lakehead University. The meeting was sponsored by the Department of Geology, Lakehead University,
with the assistance of the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines, Thunder Bay office. The meeting was

co-chaired by Stephen A. Kissin and Philip W. Fralick. The meeting was attended by approximately 200
geoscientists from the United States and Canada. The meeting consisted of two days of technical sessions, with
welcoming reception and annual banquet, and after six field trips before and after the technical sessions.
The Proceedings Volume 46 was published in two parts. Part 1 - Program and Abstracts was edited by Stephen
A. Kissin. There were 41 published abstracts for the 23 oral and 18 poster presentations given in the technical
sessions. Part 2 - Field Trips was edited by Philip W. Fralick. There were six field trips, one before and after
the technical sessions; all were described by the respective leaders in Part 2 of the Proceedings.
The field trips were as follows:
Mesoproterozoic Sibley Group was lead by Philip Fralick and Mark Smyk. This was a two day trip.
1)
Lac des Iles Mine was lead by Moe Lavigne. The trip was run before and after the technical sessions.
2)
Geoarcheology of the Thunder Bay Area was lead by Brian Phillips, Scott Hamilton, Joe Stewart, Pat
3)
Julig, and Bill Ross.
Paleoproterozoic Gunflint Formation was lead by Peir Pufahl and Philip Fralick.
4)
Quaternaiy Geology, Shebandowan Belt was lead by Andy Bajc.
5)
Steeprock-Finlayson-Lumby Belts, a two day trip was lead by Denver Stone, Kirsty Tomlinson, Ray
6)
Bernatchez and Philip Fralick.

The annual banquet was held in the Residence Dining Room at Lakehead University. The dinner speaker was

Bruce Simonson of Oberlin College whose talk "Depositional Settings and Early Diagenesis of Large
Precambrian Iron-Formations" was enthusiastically received. The 2000 Goldich Medal was awarded to John C.
Green for his contributions to the geology of the North Shore Volcanic Group.
The technical sessions included seven invited papers on the Canadian side of Lake Superior: M.M. Kehlenbeck

"A Review of Structures in Rocks of Quetico Subprovence and Adjacent Terranes", D.W. Davis "Western
Superior Province: Geochronologic Aspects", K. Tomlinson "Western Superior Provence: Sedimentological
Aspects", M.J. Lavigne "The Lac des Ties Mine, Northwestern Ontario", P.W. Fralick "Western Superior
Province: Proterozoic Sediments", and S.A. Kissin "Vein-type Deposits of the Thunder Bay Area". Student
awards were given to Neil Pettigrew (University of Ottawa) for his oral presentation on the Samuels Lake
intrusion, Ontario and to K.F. Beaster and J.D. Kohn (University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire) for their poster
presentation on the Hinckley Sandstone of Minnesota. The Eisenbrey Student Travel Award was distributed
among eight student presenters of oral and poster papers.
The Board of Directors of the Institute met for a brief business meeting on May 10. Michael Mudrey of the
Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey agreed to host the 2001 meeting at Madison, Wisconsin. The
term of the Secretary-Treasurer, Mark Jirsa, expired at this meeting. He was nominated for an additional term
as Secretary-Treasurer. There being no further nominations, he was acclaimed for an additional term.
We wish to thank all those who contributed to the success of the meeting. The field trip leaders who contributed
to the guidebook in Part 2 and devoted time and energy to field trips merit our special thanks. The session chairs
are thanked for their services as well as the awards committee. We are especially grateful to Mark Smyk and staff
of the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines, Sam Spivak, Karen Farrier, Becky Rogola and France
Lagroix of the Department of Geology for invaluable assistance. Finally we would like to thank all participants
whose attendance made the meeting a financial success.

Stephen A. Kissin and Philip W. Fralick
Co-Chairs of the 46th Annual ILSG
xxiii

�CALENDAR OF EVENTS AND PROGRAM
WEDNESDAY MAY 9
8:00 am.

FIELD TRIP 1: Sedimenlology, Tectonic and Metamorphic History of the Baraboo Interval:
New Evidence from Investigations in the Baraboo Range, Wisconsin
L.Gordon Medans, Jr. and Robert. H. Dott, Jr.
University of Wisconsin - Madison

Return of Trip 1
6:00 p.m.
5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Registration
7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Welcoming Reception, Cash bar and Poster Setup
THURSDAY MAY 10
7:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. REGISTRATION
8:10 a.m.

INTRODUCTORYREMARKS

M.G. Mudrey, Jr. Chairman
Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey
SESSION I: GEOLOGIC OVERVIEW OF SOUTHERN WISCONSIN

Session Chair: J.M. Robertson, Director and State Geologist, Wisconsin Geological and
Natural History Survey
8:20 a.m.

MICKELSON, D.M. and Clayton, L., (University of Wisconsin - Madison;
Wisconsin Geological &amp; Natural History Survey)

Recent Advances in Understanding the Glacial Record of Wisconsin
9:05 a.m.

BYERS, C.E. (University of Wisconsin - Madison)
Overview of Paleozoic Geology in Southern Wisconsin

9:50 a.m.

MEDARIS, L.G., Jr. (University of Wisconsin - Madison)

Precambrian Geology of S. Wisconsin: A Panorama from the Baraboo Range
10:35 a.m. COFFEEBREAK AND POSTER SESSION
SESSION II: GEOPHYSICAL OVERVIEW AND EARLIEST ARCHEAN EVOLUTION

Session Chair: D. Daniels, US. Geological Survey

10:55 a.m. CHANDLER, Val W. and MUDREY, M.G., JR.
Overview of Aeromagnetic Mapping: Minnesota (Chandler) and Wisconsin (Mudrey)

11:20 a.m. CANNON, W.F., Daniels, David L., Snyder, Stephen L., and Nicholson, Suzanne W.
A Preliminary Interpretation of New Aeromagnetic and Gravity Data in Wisconsin

11:40 a.m. VALLEY, J.W., Peck, W.H., King, E.M, Graham, C.M., and Wilde, S.A.
The Cool Early Earth: Oxygen isotope Evidence for Continental Crust and Oceans on Earth at
4.4 Ga
NOON

LUNCH BREAK

ILSG BOARD MEETING (by invitation)
POSTER SESSION

xxiv

�SESSION III:

GEOLOGY AND HYDROGEOLOGY OF ARSENIC IN DOMESTIC AND PUBLIC WATER
SUPPLIES

Session Chairs: W.F. Cannon (U.S. Geological Survey)
M.D. Lemcke (Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources)
1:30 p.m.

NORDSTROM, D. Kirk (US. Geological Survey)
Overview of Arsenic Occurrences and Processes in Controlling Mobility in Groundwater

2:30 p.m.

MUDREY, M.G., Jr., Brown, B.A., Freiberg P.G., and Simo, J.A.
Mississippi Valley-Type Mineralization in the Fox River Valley, Eastern Wisconsin

2:45 p.m.

GOTKOWITZ, M.B., Schreiber, M.E., and Simo, J.A.
Contrasts in the Geologic and Hydrochemical Occurrences of Arsenic contamination of
Groundwater in Eastern Wisconsin

3:05 p.m.

KANIVETSKY, Roman
ilydrogeochemical Modeling of Arsenic in Minnesota Ground Water

3:25 p.m.

KOLKER, Allan, Cannon, W.F., Haack, S.K., Westjohn, D.B. and Woodruff, L.G.
Hydrogeologic Setting of Elevated Arsenic in Southeastern Michigan

3:45 p.m.

COFFEE BREAK AND POSTER SESSION

SESSION IV: GENERAL GEOLOGY

Session Chair:

Suzanne W. Nicholson, US. Geological Survey

4:05 p.m.

WOODRUFF, L.G., Attig, J.W., and Cannon, W.F.
Geochemistry of Quaternary Deposits in North-central Wisconsin: Geochemical Exploration and
Provenance Analysis

4:25 p.m.

FAUBLE, Philip, and Lien, Jennifer
Some Observations from the Williams Quarry Exposure: Evidence of Debris Flow Deposits in
the Parfeys Glen Formation?

4:45 p.m.

BOERBOOM, Terrence J. and Jirsa, Mark A.
Stratigraphy of the Paleoproterozoic Denham Formation Basalt, Arkose, and Dolomite

6:00 p.m.

a

Continental Margin Assemblage of

ICE BREAKER - MIXER

Cash Bar
7:00 p.m.

•
•
•
•

ANNUAL BANQUET AND AWARD PRESENTATION

Announcement of 48th Annual Meeting Location
Memorial on Samuel Stephen Goldich 1909 - 2000

2001 Goldich Award Presentation to John Kiasner
Banquet Speaker: Thomas Hunt, University of Wisconsin Platteville

A Practical Exercise in Metallic Mine
Reclamation - Ladysmith, Wisconsin

Participants who are not registered for the banquet are welcome to join for the speaker

xxv

�FRIDAY MAY 11
8:10 a.m.

INTRODUCTORYREMARKS

M.G. Mudrey, Jr. Chairman
Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey

V: DEVELOPMENTS IN UNDERSTANDING KEWEENA WAN GEOLOGY
Session Chair: Dean Rossell, Ken necott Exploration Company

SESSION

8:20 a.m.

MILLER, James D., Jr.
The Duluth Complex: What it Is, What it Ain't, and What We Still Don't Know

8:50 a.m.

GREEN, J.C., Davis, D.W., and Schmitz, M.D.
Three New Zircon Dates for the Midcontinent Rift, North Shore, Minnesota: More Data, More
Questions

9:10 a.m.

ROGALA, B., and Fralick, P.W.
A Metamorphosed Evaponte Sequence from the Sibley Basin

SESSIoN

VI: THERMO-TECTONIC HISTORY OF 1800 TO 1200 MA

POST-PENOKEAN TO PRE-KEWEENA WAN

ROCKS IN THE MIDWEST
Session Chairs: D.K. Holm,

Kent State University
D.A. Schneider, Syracuse University

9:30 a.m.

HOLM, D.K., Van Schmus, W.R. and MacNeill, L.C.
Age of the Humboldt granite, northern Michigan: Implications for the origin of the Republic
metamorphic node

9:50 a.m.

VAN SCHMUS, W.R., MacNeill, L.C., Hoim, D.K., and Boerboom, T.J.
New U-Pb Ages from Minnesota, Michigan, and Wisconsin: Implications for Late
Paleoproterozoic Crustal Stabilization

10:10 a.m. COFFEEBREAK AND POSTER SESSION

10:30 a.m. SCHWEITZER, D., Hoim, D., Van Schmus, W.R. and Boerboom, T.
Results of Igneous Thermometry and Barometry on the East-central Minnesota Batholith:
Evidence for Post-emplacement Exhumation and Cooling
10:50 a.m. NAYMARK, Alissa, Singer, Brad, and Medaris, L.G., Jr., Recognition of Post-1630 Ma Fluiddriven Metamorphism in Baraboo Interval Quartzites by Means of Laser Probe 40Ar/39Ar
Geochronology

11:10 am. DAVIS, Peter B., Williams, Michael L., Bownng, Samuel A. and Ramezani, Jahan
Middle Proterozoic Tectonic History of the Central Tusas Mountains, Northern New Mexico,
and Comparison with the Baraboo Interval, Southern Lake Superior Region

11:30 a.m. WILLIAMS, M.L., Jercinovic, M.J., and Karlstrom, K.E.
Proterozoic Tectonic History of Southwestern North America: Insight from Microprobe
Monazite Geochronology
11:50 a.m. HOLM, D., Jercinovic, M.M., and Williams, M.
Initial Results of In Situ electron Microprobe (EMP) Age Dating of Monazite from the Southern
Lake Superior Region: Confirmation of Widespread Geon 17 Metamorphism

xxvi

�_____

12:10 p.m. SCHNEIDER, D.A., Hoim, D.K., and Hamilton, M.A.
Directing Timing Constraints of Paleoproterozoic Metamorphism, Southern Lake Superior
Region: Results from Shrimp U-Pb Dating of Metamorphic Monazites
12:30

LUNcH BREAK

POSTERS removed after Lunch
SESSION VII: DEVELOPMENTS IN UNDERSTANDING ARCHEAN GEOLOGYAND ORE DEPOSITS
Session Chair:

2:00 p.m.

Eric Jerde, Morehead State

University

HUDAK, George J., Peterson, Dean M., and

Morton, Ronald

L.

New Volume Calculations for the Pyroclastic Eruptions Associated with the Sturgeon Lake
Caldera Complex, Northwestern Ontario: Implications for the Scale of Archean Volcanic

Processes

2:20 p.m.

PETERSON, D.M., Gallup, C., Jirsa, M.A. and Davis. D.W.
Correlation of Archean Assemblages Across the U.S.-Canadian Border: Phase I Geochronology

2:40 p.m.

JIRSA, Mark A. and Chandler, Val W.
Geophysical

Answers to Geologic Queries in the Superior Province of Northern Minnesota

C., Mason, John K., Schnieders, Bernie R., and Stott, Greg M.
A Synopsis of Archean and Proterozoic Platinum Group Element Mineralization in the Thunder
Bay District, Ontario

3:00 p.m.

SMYK, Mark

3:20 p.m.

COFFEEBREAK

SESSION VIII: GEOLOGIC SETTINGS OF WEEKEND FIELD TRIPS
3:40 p.m.

MUDREY, M.G., Jr., Hunt, T.C., and Czechanski, M.L.
Overview of Field Trip 2:

4:00 p.m.

Upper Mississippi Valley Zinc-Lead District

BROWN, B.A., Luther, F.R., Courter, S.M., Schmitt, J.W., and Lien, 3.

Field Trip 3: Economic Geology of the Baraboo and Waterloo Quartzites

5:00 p.m.

SINGER, Brad (Department of Geology and Geophysics)

Tour of Weeks Hall, University of Wisconsin
(Transportation provided)
SATURDAY
8:00

a.m.

and Weeks End Refreshment Seminar

MAY 12

FIELD TRIP 2: Upper Mississippi Valley Zinc-Lead District

M.G. Mudrey, Jr. and Thomas C. Hunt
Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey and University of Wisconsin - Platteville
8:00

a.m.

6:00 p.m.

TRIP 3: Industrial Mineral and Aggregate Resources of the Baraboo Interval Quartzites
Brown, B.A., Luther, F.R., Courter, S.M., Schmitt, J.W., and Lien, 3.
Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey, University of Wisconsin - Whitewater, Mathy
Construction, Kraemer Company
FIELD

Return of Field Trips

xxvii

�POSTER PRESENTATIONS
BESKAR, Shawn
The Blake Gabbro: A taxitic-tectured gabbro sill south of Thunder Bay, Ontario
BIHARI, D.B. and Kissin, S.A.
Alteration and Pge-au Mineralization in the North Roby Zone, Lac Des lies Mine, Northwestern
Ontario

BOERBOOM, Terrence J.
Redefined Volcanic and Sedimentary Stratigraphy of the Northern St. Croix Horst in Pine County,
Minnesota, and the Application of Arcview to Geologic Mapping
BROWN, B.A. and Czechanski, M.L.
GIS Applications for Resource Inventory and Land-use Planning in Wisconsin

BUCHHOLZ, Thomas W., Faister, Alexander U., and Simmons, Wm. B.
Recent Developments in the Mineralogy of the Nine Mile Piuton, Wausau Complex
CANNON, W.F. and Woodruff, L.G.
Regional Arsenic Anomalies Shown by NURE Stream Sediment and Hydrogeochemical Data in
Northern Wisconsin and Michigan

CHANDLER, Val W. and Morey, G.B.
Paleomagnetic Study of Paleoproterozoic Rocks in the Animikie Group, Northern Minnesota
DAHL, D.
Structure, Stratigraphy and Punctuated Evolution of Minnesota's Mineral Exploration Archives
DANIELS, David L., Nicholson, Suzanne W., Cannon, William F., and Kucks, Robert P.
New Aeromagnetic Map of Wisconsin Examined by Regional Context
Jerde, Eric A., SAL VATO, DanielJ., Thole, Jeff and Wirth, Karl R.
The Early Gabbroic Series of the Midcontinent Rift System: Continued Assessment of Magmatic
Origins

JOHNSON, Dave
Distribution of Arsenic in Wisconsin Groundwater
JOHNSON, J.R. and Kissin, S.A.
Fluid Inclusion Evidence for a Role for Hydrothermal Activity in the Roby Zone, Lac Des lies Mine,
Northwestern Ontario
KELLY, Colleen, and Kean, William F.
Rock Magnetic Studies of Phyllitic Zones from the Baraboo Syncline, Wisconsin

KNOBELOCH, Lynda, Warzecha, Charles. and Nelson, Shelli
Health Surveillance in a Community Affected by Arsenic-Contaminated Water
LARSON, Phillip C.
Potential for Copper Mineralization in the Animikie Group, Minnesota

LIVELY, Richard and Morey, G.B.
Contributions to the Cultural Geography of the West Mesabi Range, Northern Minnesota

xxviii

�MILLER, J.D., Jr., Wahi, T.E., Green, J.C.,Chandler, V.W., Severson, M.A., and Peterson, D.E.
Digital Geologic Map of Northeastern Minnesota and Associated Databases in GEMS - a Modified
Arcview Format
MUDREY, M.G., Jr., and Brown, B.A.
Structure of the Buried Precambrian Basement in Southwest Wisconsin and Its Influence on Regional
Paleozoic Geology and Zinc-Lead Mineralization
MUDREY, M.G., Jr., Brown, B.A. and Daniels, Daniels L.
Preliminary Analysis of Aeromagnetic Data in Southern Wisconsin: The Role of Precambrian
Basement in Paleozoic Evolution
NEMITZ, Michael B. and Larson, Phillip C.
Mineralogical Variations in Iron-formation in the Thermal Metamorphic Aureole of a Diabase Dike
NEWKIRK, Trent T., Hudak, George J., and Hauck, Steven A.
Preliminary Lava Flow Morphology Studies at the Five Mile Lake Vms Prospect, Archean Vermilion
District, Ne Minnesota: Implications for Volcanic Processes, Volcanic Paleoenvironments, and VMS
Exploration
NICHOLSON, S.,W., Boerboom, T., Cannon, W.F., Wirth, K., and Isachsen, C.E.
A New Look at the 1.1. Ga Chengwatana Volcanics in the St. Croix Horst, Minnesota and Wisconsin
ODETTE, Jason D., Hudak, George J., Suszek, Thomas, and Hauck, Steven A.
Preliminary Evaluation of Hydrothermal Alteration Mineral Assemblages and Their Relationship to
VMS-style Mineralization in the Five Mile Lake Area of the Archean Vermilion Greenstone Belt,
Northeastern Minnesota
PETERSON, Dean M., Gallup, Christina, Jirsa, Mark A. and Davis. Donald W.
Correlation of Archean Assemblages Across the U.S.-Canadian Border: Phase I Geochronology
PEYCHAL, C., Kean, W.F., and Schaper, D.
Magnetic Survey Near Waterloo Wisconsin

PHILLIPS, Erin H., Wirth, Karl R., Veroort, J.D. Gehrels, G.E.
Nd and U-Pb Isotope Studies of the Syenitic Aurora Sill, Mesabi Range, Minnesota

REID, Daniel D.
Freeze/Thaw Testing of Carbonate Aggregate Sources in Wisconsin - a Status Report
SANDLAND, Travis 0., Wirth, Karl R., Vervoort, Jeff D., Gehrels, George E., Kennedy, Bryan
C. and Harpp, Karen S.
Roles of Fractional Crystallization and Assimilation in the Production of Midcontinent Rift Granophyres

SMYK, Mark C., Stewart, Jennifer and O'Brien, Mark S.
Platinum Group Element Exploration in Northwestern Ontario
SNYDER, Stephen L., Ervin, C.Patrick, Geister, Daniel W., and Daniels, David L.
A New Gravity Map of Wisconsin
SOOFI, M.A. and King, S.D.
Post-rift Evolution of the Midcontinent Rift System: Some Numerical Experiments

Weissbach, Annette E., HEINEN Elizabeth M., and Lauridsen, Keld B.
A Study of Well Construction for Arsenic Contamination in Northeast Wisconsin
xxix

�Industry and Informational Displays
CRONK, William J.
Layne Northwest, W229 N5005 DuPlainville Rd, Pewaukee, WI 53072. Phone (262)-246-4646

KIRCHER, Steve
Crandon Mine Development, Nicolet Minerals, 7 N. Brown St, 3rd Floor, Rhinelander, WI 54501.
Phone (715)365-1450 (Rhinelander office), (715)478-1516 (Crandon office)

STEWART, Jennifer
Ontario Geological Survey Resident Geologist Program, Northwestern Ontario District, Suite B002,
475 South James Street, Thunder Bay ON, P7E 6E3. Phone (807) 475-1108

SUNDEEN, S. Paul
Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, Geological Survey Division, 735 E. Hazel Street,
P.O. Box 30256, Lansing, MI 48909. Phone(517) 334-6959.

xxx

�The Blake Gabbro: A taxitic-textured gabbro sill south of Thunder Bay, Ontario.
Shawn Beskar - University of St. Thomas
South of Thunder Bay, Ontario, plutonic and hypabyssal rocks associated with the Keweenawan Rift (1109 Ma to
1086 Ma) intrude sedimentary rocks of the Lower Proterozoic (1.9 Ga) Animikie Group. Prior to the discovery of
the Blake Gabbro, the igneous terrane south of Thunder Bay was thought to have been comprised of five distinct
intrusions (Lightfoot and Lavigne, 1995): (1) Logan Sills; (2) Arrow River Dikes; (3) Pigeon River Dikes; (4)
Crystal Lake Gabbro; (5) Pine River - Mount Molly Intrusion.
Discovered in 1995, the Blake Gabbro is situated south of Thunder Bay within Blake Township, some 60 km north
of the Duluth Complex. The region is characterized by northeast trending diabase-capped ridges and deeply eroded
valleys. Positioned beneath a sequence of flat lying Logan Sills, the Blake Gabbro intrudes the argillites of the Rove
Formation (Animikie Group). Since 1995, diamond drill cores that intersect the Blake Gabbro have been recovered
and logged. From these cores it has been determined that the Blake Gabbro is a northeast trending, sub-horizontal
sill of limited plan width but unknown strike length. The maximum thickness intersected by holes drilled thus far is
131 m. The sill thins to less than 20 mat its margins, some 300 m from the center of the body.
Samples of the Blake Gabbro have been taken from the diamond drill cores for petrologic study. Initial studies
indicate that the Blake Gabbro is a taxitic-textured sulphide-bearing sill. Plagioclase and pyroxene are present in
roughly equal quantities. Elongate, cumulus plagioclase grains of variable size are enclosed by optically continuous
intercumulus pyroxene. Initial analyses of plagioclase yield compositions ranging from An72 to An83. Minor
amounts of olivine and biotite are present. Sulphide minerals consist of pyrrhotite and chalcopyrite. Preliminary
whole-rock geochemical data obtained through XRF spectroscopy is presented in Table 1.
The significance of the Blake Gabbro is realized upon comparison with the igneous terrane of Noril'sk, Siberia. The
region south of Thunder Bay is thought to be equivalent in many respects to the geologic setting of the Noril'sk
region and as such, may host large magmatic sulphide deposits (Lightfoot and Lavigne, 1995). The Keweenawan
Osler Group Volcanic rocks are similar in composition to the Nadezhdinsky Formation lavas at Noril'sk. Both
exhibit large degrees of crustal contamination (as evidenced by their high silica content and LaJSm ratio) and are
depleted in nickel and copper. At Noril'sk, chonoliths (subvolcanic tube-like magma channels) containing
mineralized picrites and gabbros served as feeders to the overlying sequence of flood basalt. It is thought that the
Blake Gabbro may represent such a conduit. Chalcophile elements (nickel, copper and platinum group metals)
missing from the associated Osler Group Volcanic sequence may reside within the Blake Gabbro, although the
preliminary geochemical data presented seems to suggest otherwise.

REFRENCES
Lightfoot, P.C. and Lavigne, Jr., M.J. 1995. Nickel, copper, and platinum group element mineralization in
Keweenawan intrusive rocks: new targets in the Keweenawan of the Thunder Bay region, northwestern Ontario:
Ontario Geological Survey, Open File Report 5928, 32p.

1

�Table 1. Preliminary whole-rock geochemistry
Major element data presented as weight per cent
Trace element data presented as parts per million
BP98.1-1

BP99.1-2

BP99.2-1

BP99.3-2

BP99.3-3

Si02
Ti02

51.42

49.29

48.54

52.00

51.18

3.38

1.43

1.27

2.95

3.48

A1203

13.84

18.52

15.18

13.65

13.97

Fe203
MnO
MgO
CaO
Na20
1(20
P205

17.09

10.91

11.14

16.15

16.54

0.17

0.14

0.14

0.15

0.16

4.44

6.72

10.16

4.62

4.92

6.76

10.85

9.11

6.68

6.99

2.97

2.81

1.58

2.67

2.70

1.35

0.66

0.61

1.38

1.33

0.59

0.25

0.18

0.44

0.48

Total

102.01

101.58

97.91

100.69

101.75

Sc

23.5

25.6

25.2

25.8

26

V

337.5

224

200.9

343.9

396.8

Cr

51.8

157.1

104.8

63.1

48.9

Co

46.1

46.7

58

47.5

45.9

Ni

67

121.1

207

79.2

74.5

Zn
Ga
Rb
Sr

162.5

82.9

90.6

172.9

144.9

25.6

20.9

19.5

23.9

24.1

54.9

23.2

29.3

61.3

60.8

425

306.6

348.8

447.4

501.8

Y

42.4

23.5

20.4

36.2

36

Zr

277.8

101.7

87.3

243.6

233.5

Nb

30.8

9.7

9.5

27.4

28.9

Ba

337.7

167.4

189.3

390.9

442.8

La
Ce
Pb

32.4

6.6

4.2

32.3

24.8

79.5

26.6

25.6

77.3

68.7

7.5

3.9

3

10.1

6.7

2

�ALTERATION AND PGE-AU MINERALIZATION IN THE NORTH ROBY
ZONE, LAC DES ILES MINE, NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO
BIHARI, D.B. and KISS1N, S.A., Department of Geology, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, ON,
P7B 5E 1, stephen.kissin(Z)lakeheadu.ca

The Lac des Ties Complex appears as a linear zone of mafic plutons that trend east to northeast and
extends from Lake Nipigon to Atikokan in northwestern Ontario (Sutcliffe, 1986). The complex is
situated in Archean granitoids that consist of gneissic tonalites, medium-grained hornblende diorites

and quartz diorites. The Lac des lies Complex occurs in a circular outcrop fashion that is
approximately 30 km in diameter and is the largest of a series of mafic to ultramafic intrusions
(Sutcliffe, 1986). The Roby Zone was the initial site of mining at the Lac des Iles Mine. The North
Roby Zone is its narrow northward extension.
The North Roby Zone contains a narrow strip (&lt;50 m) of anomalously high PGE and Au
values associated with sparse sulfides called "noseeum ore". Five stripped outcrops approximately
50 x 10 m were studied in the North Roby Zone. Alteration of primary pyroxene to talc and pink
coloration of recessively weathered plagioclase is strongly suggestive of hydrothermal alteration.
The five stripped outcrops reveal a northeasterly striking, steeply dipping sequence of
leucogabbro, varitextured gabbro, pyroxenite and east gabbro. A total of 32 hand samples were
collected and studied in thin section. From these 21 were selected for whole-rock and trace element
analysis in order to compare chemistry of altered and unaltered samples.
Hydrothermal alteration appears to have affected the primary ortho- and clinopyroxenes of
the host rocks, progressively converting them to talc. Other petrographic indications are obscure,
as regional metamorphism has overprinted the Lac des Iles Complex and its mineralized rocks.
The grade of metamorphism is the albite-epidote subfacies of greenschist facies as evidence
by incipient breakdown of plagioclase to sericite and clinozoisite, chioritization of pyroxenes and
formation of tremolite-actinolite, as well as minor metamorphic albite. Chlorite coronas surround
mafic minerals, and develops decussate assemblages of chlorite and tremolite-actinolite. Minor
penetrative deformation is evident in undulatory extinction in plagioclase and development of weak
schistosity.
The development chlorite coronas and general overprinting ofmafic minerals by chlorite and
sericitization ofplagioclase are significant in distinguishing hydrothermal alteration from subsequent

regional metamorphism.
Analysis did not generally reveal striking compositional variations in the host rocks;
however, more detailed analysis did show chemical effects of alteration. Chondrite-normalized REE
plots revealed that all REEs were depleted relative to unaltered rocks; however, in most altered
leucogabbro and varitextured gabbro, minor to insignificant depletion of Eu relative to other REEs
produced an apparent positive Eu anomaly in the plots.
Other chemical changes, because of their subtle expression and obscurity owing the problem
of closure, were examined by use of Pearce Element Ratios. Most notable was Na-depletion due to
alteration, which can be distinguished from igneous fractionation effects in plagioclase.

Sutcliffe, R.H., 1989. Magma Mixing in Late Archean Tonalitic and Mafic Rocks of the
Lac des lies Area, Western Superior Province. Precambrian Research, vol. 44,
pp.81-101.

3

�________________

REDEFINED VOLCANIC AND SEDIMENTARY STRATIGRAPHY OF THE NORTHERN ST. CROIX HORST
IN PINE COUNTY, MINNESOTA, AND THE APPLICATION OF ARC VIEW TO GEOLOGIC MAPPING
BOERBOOM, Terrence J.
(Minnesota Geological Survey, boerb001@unm.edu)
Pine County, Minnesota, located on the northwestern margin of the St. Croix horst (Fig. 1), contains bedrock that ranges
from Archean to Pale ozoic in age; however, most of the county is underlain by rocks of the Midcontinent rift (Fig. 2).
The southeastern half of the county is underlain by mafic volcanic rocks ofthe St. Croix horst, late rift-filling sedimentary
rocks (Hinckley Sandstone and Fond du Lac Formation) underlie the central part of the county, and the far northwestern
corner is made up of Archean and Paleoproterozoic rocks (see Boerboom, this volume). This county was recently
remapped by the Minnesota Geological Survey (MGS)', but due to generally poor outcrop, the mapping relied heavily

on geophysical and drill hole data. ArcView GIS
software proved useful in manipulating and integrating
these data, particularly the 4000 water wells contained
in the MGS County Well Index database.
This presentation is intended to demonstrate the
usefulness of Arc View software in map construction,
and also to show the results of our mapping efforts in

T

Pine County. Other Arc files to be demonstrated

/1

—

Pine

include maps of depth to bedrock, bedrock topography,

and surficial geology.
Craddock (1972) provides a review of the history

I

— St.

— -)

Croix horst

of investigations in Pine County and environs, but
some of the notable early accounts of the bedrock
geology in Pine County are by Upham (1888) and Hall
(1901); Grout (1910) described the occurrence of
copper mineralization in Pine County. The most recent

published geologic map to cover Pine County is
1:250,000scale(Moreyandothers, 1981). Ourlatest
mapping coincides with other mapping projects in

—

N

/

Sedimentary rocks
Intrusive rocks
Volcanic rocks

\

I

Figure 1. Location of Pine County relative to the St. Croix
horst and the Mid-continent rift system.

adjacent Wisconsin (Wirth and others, 1998, Cannon

and others, 2001; Nicholson and others, 2001).
Geologists on both sides of the border benefited greatly from the recent acquisition of high-resolution aeromagnetic
data in Wisconsin by the U.S.G.S., as summarized by Cannon and others (2001).
The St. Croix horst, part of the Mesoproterozoic Midcontinent rift system, is comprised of subaerial mafic volcanic
rocks that have traditionally been lumped together as the Chengwatana volcanic group. Based on our work and that of
the U.S.G.S., the term "Chengwatana" is now restricted only to those volcanic rocks that lie between the Douglas and
Pine Faults (Fig. 2). The demarcation of Keweenawan sedimentary vs. volcanic rocks (i.e. the Douglas Fault) is welldefined on the basis of water well information. The Pine Fault (Fig. 2) lies inboard of and parallel to the Douglas Fault,
and as summarized by Cannon and others (2001), may have been a bounding fault that controlled the distribution of
graben-fill volcanic rocks.
Hall (1901) first applied the term "Chengwatana Series" to a series of steeply dipping basalt flows and interfiow
conglomerates exposed along the Snake River near Pine City, Minnesota. According to Hall: "Thefloodofl898, which
tore away the dam at the foot of Cross Lake and poured down the [Snake] river a vast volume of water, cleaned out in
an admirable manner for examination the channel of the stream for several miles." In this stretch of outcrop, Hall
recognized 65 steeply dipping lava flows and five interfiow conglomerates. Our remapping of this now less wellexposed sequence identified 37 basalt flows that range from 10 to 300 feet thick, and six interfiow conglomerates that

range from 10 to 100 feet thick, although a more careful examination might reveal more flows. The interfiow
conglomerates contain abundant round boulders of Keweenawan-type granophyric granite and porphyritic basalt from
an unknown source. This sequence, the type locality for the Chengwatana volcanic group, dips about 65 degrees east,
and starts within a few hundred feet of the Douglas Fault. Other outcrops of the redefined Chengwatana group that are
adjacent to the Douglas Fault dip 40 to 70 degrees east, and those near the Pine Fault dip 10 degrees west. This change
in dip is consistent with aeromagnetic patterns that indicate the presence of a southward-plunging syncline that merges

4

�into an unnamed fault (Fig. 2). Hall (190 l)recognized this

syncline on the basis of the change in dip direction.
Sedimentary rocks similar to the Fond du Lac Formation
are present on top of the horst at the south edge of the county.
The Minong volcanics (approximately 1094 Ma; Nicholson

and others, 2001), part of the northeast-plunging Ashland
Syncline, lie to the east of the Chengwatana group, and are

interpreted to be younger. The Minong volcanics are
distinguished from an unnamed central pile of volcanic rocks

to the north by divergent linear aeromagnetic patterns.
Aeromagnetic lineaments imply that the rocks in this central
panel are folded into a doubly-plunging anticline (Fig. 2).

Several aeromagnetically-inferred, reverse-polarized
diabase dikes cut all three of the volcanic packages in Pine
County.

The Hinckley fault (Fig. 2) is proposed as a splay from
the Douglas Fault that has displaced the contact between
the Hinckley Sandstone and Fond du Lac Formation slightly

upward, based on outcrop and geophysical data. North of
this fault, the Hinckley Sandstone is typical cliff-forming,
uniform and fine-grained quartz arenite, whereas south of
the fault the sandstone forms subdued outcrops, is slightly
more feldspathic, and contains scattered cobbles of quartzite
and minor agate. Locally, tributary streams have cut through
Sandstone similar
to Fond du Lac Formation

Figure 2. Simplified geologic map of Pine County, Minnesota.

this feldspathic sandstone and exposed conglomeratic
sandstone, typified by trough cross-beds with trough bases

lined by small basalt cobbles, which is assigned to the

underlying Fond du Lac Formation.
Although the major distribution of rock types has not changed significantly as a result of this mapping effort, we
have been able to refine the volcanic stratigraphy of the St. Croix horst. Pronounced linear trends on aeromagnetic
maps, essentially parallel to the strike of bedding in volcanic rocks, outline the different volcanic basins, and the measured
orientations of volcanic flows in outcrops match those aeromagnetic trends.
'This work was done as part of the Pine County Geologic Atlas (Minnesota Geological Survey, County Atlas Series, in prep.), which includes data
base, bedrock geology, surficial geology, Quaternary stratigraphy, depth to bedrock and bedrock topography, and mineral resource plates.

References:
Cannon, W.F., Daniels, D.L., Nicholson, S.W., Phillips, J., Woodruff, L.G., Chandler, V.W., Morey, G.B., Boerboom,
T.J., Wirth, K., and Mudrey, M.G., Jr., 2001, New map reveals origin and geology of North American Mid-continent
rift: Eos, v. 82, no. 8, p. 97.
Craddock, C., 1972, Keweenawan geology of east-central and southeastern Minnesota, in Sims, P.K., and Morey, G.B.,
eds., Geology of Minnesota—A centennial volume: Minnesota Geological Survey, p. 4 16-424.
Grout, F.F., 1910, Keweenawan copper deposits: Economic Geology, v. 5, p. 471-476.
Hall, C.W., 1901, Keweenawan area of eastern Minnesota: Bulletin of the Geological Society ofAmerica, v. 12, p. 312342.
Morey, G.B., Olson, B.M., and Southwick, D.L., 1981, East-central Minnesota, bedrock geology: Minnesota Geological
Survey, scale 1:250,000.
S.W.,
Boerboom,
T.J.,
Cannon,
W.F.,
and
Wirth,
K.,
2001,
Reinterpretation
of
the
Chengwatana volcanics in
Nicholson,
the St. Croix horst, Minnesota and Wisconsin: Geological Society ofAmerica, North-Central Section Abstracts, 35"
Annual Meeting.
Upham, W., 1888, The geology of Pine County, in Winchell, N.H., and Upham, W., eds., The geology of Minnesota:
Minnesota Geological Survey Final Report 1, v. 2, p. 629-645.
Wirth, K., Cordua, W.S., Kean, W.F., Middleton, M., and Naiman, Z.J., 1998, Field guide to the geology of the southeastern
portion of the Midcontinent rift system, eastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin: Institute on Lake Superior Geology
44" Annual Meeting, Minneapolis, Minn., Proceedings, v. 44, Pt. 2, Field trip guidebook, P. 33-75.

5

�STRATIGRAPHY OF THE PALEOPROTEROZOIC DENHAM FORMATION-A CONTINENTAL MARGIN
ASSEMBLAGE OF BASALT, ARKOSE, AND DOLOMITE
BOERBOOM, Terrence J., and JIRSA, Mark A.
(Minnesota Geological Survey, boerb001@umn.edu andjirsa001@umn.edu)

The Paleoproterozoic Denham Formation, as originally defined, consists of metamorphosed quartz-rich sedimentary
rocks, dolomite, and mafic volcanic rocks (Morey, 1978). The type locality of the Denham Formation, in northwestern

Pine County, Minnesota (see figure 2 in Boerboom, this volume), consists of a series of outcrops in and near an
abandoned glacial outwash channel. The Denham Formation forms a pronounced linear, positive aeromagnetic anomaly
that can be traced from the exposures for 40 miles to the west, to Mille Lacs Lake (Boerboom and others, 1999). This

anomaly follows the northern margin of the Archean McGrath Gneiss (2550±14 Ma, Van Schmus and others, this
volume). The anomaly is produced by scattered chert-magnetite clasts within fragmental volcanic rocks. The Denham
area was mapped as part of the Pine County Geologic Atlas (see Boerboom, this volume). In addition to the outcrops,
15 exploratory drill cores and cuttings holes were utilized in the map interpretation, as was information from water
wells contained in the Minnesota Geological Survey County Well Index. The results will be published on the forthcoming
1:100,000 scale geologic map of Pine County, which will include a 1:12,000 scale inset map of the type locality.
The rocks of the Denham Formation have undergone regional, amphibolite-grade metamorphism and at least two

periods of deformation. The mafic volcanic rocks are amphibolitic, but contain well-preserved primary features. The
granular sedimentary rocks are recrystallized, but retain much of their primary grain size, shape, and composition. In
contrast, layers interpreted as pelitic sedimentary rocks are recrystallized to garnet-staurolite-sericite schist. Dolomite
is completely recrystallized to marble, with local relict bedding features. The first of two deformation events was
synchronous with metamorphism to the garnet zone of the amphibolite facies (Holm, 1986). It produced Si foliation
that typically is parallel to bedding, and a locally strong, shallowly plunging, stretching lineation. The second deformation

folded Si and bedding along steeply dipping axes, and was concurrent with or followed by peak metamorphism that
produced staurolite. In the Denham valley, the stratigraphic sequence dips variably to the north, having local F2 folds
with overturned limbs. North of the valley, bedding and SI in graywacke are nearly horizontal, and are deformed into
open F2 folds with local crenulation features. North of these graywacke outcrops, the bedding dips to the south,
defining a broad, regional-scale, F2 syncline.
Despite deformation and metamorphism, the stratigraphy of the Denham Formation forms a coherent package that
is shown schematically on Figures 1 and 2. In this discussion, metamorphic rock names, and the prefix "meta" are
omitted for clarity. The base of the Denham consists of interbedded siltstone and
cross-stratified pebble conglomerate. This is overlain by coarse-grained and locally
conglomeratic arkose that apparently pinches out laterally. The arkose is interbedded
3-10
Graphitic argillite
with amygdaloidal basalt flows that grade stratigraphically upward (northward) from
Dolomite
&gt;500
massive, to pillowed, to fragmental. The volcanic rocks are thickest at the eastern
limit of outcrop, where at least four flows of nearly 1000 feet total thickness were c
Fragmental mafic
ol anic rocks
700
recognized and thin westward to two flows of 300 feet total thickness This distribution
implies that the eastern exposures are nearest to the vent, which may lie beneath the
DOIOiIC
ad arkose
Fond du Lac Formation (Fig 2) The overlying arkosic and pelitic strata apparently
Shale
350
pinch out to the east where the volcanic package thickens, and are not present in drill
holes to the north and east of the Denham valley. The northern-most outcrops in the
Pillowed
basalt
valley consist of very pure dolomite, now marble, having ptygmatically folded and
3001000
strongly lineated quartz veins. Drill cores show that the dolomite is at least 500 feet
Dolomiticarkose
200
thick, and is overlain by graywacke that is exposed discontinuously to the north for
some distance. The contact between dolomite and overlying graywacke is marked by
Siltstone
1100
a thin layer of graphitic argillite.
Field and petrographic observations imply that clastic detritus in the Denham
Formation was derived in large part from a weathering residuum on the subjacent McGth
McGrath Gneiss. Near the contact with the Denham Formation, the McGrath grades Gneiss :
abruptly from granite gneiss containing quartz, orthoclase, plagioclase, and biotite; to Figure 1. Stratigraphic column of
strongly foliated, quartz- and sericite-rich schist that contains orthoclase, but no Denham Formation; thicknesses
plagioclase. The arkosic parts of the Denham Formation similarly lack plagioclase, in feet.

Ok

6

�Fraacvolc
Dolomitic mble

—-----

—

I

r' -— t.

t_

L

-

-

Lva_3.

Explanation

Metagraywactse
(Palnoproterozotc)

Strike and dip of inclined bedding showing
younging dtrection

Direction and plunge of lineations inctnding

Outcrop

—

elongate metamohic mineeds, fold axes.

on
McOuath
Ofleiss

Strike and dip of Fl cleavage
Map urea
—

Fond On Lac
Formation

_

Conlacl between basalt flows

and elongate pillows
-r-10

Strike and dip of inclined bedding, youngiug
direclion unknown

—r_

Strike and dip of overturned bedding. in this
example beds top to northeast but dip southwest

Geologic contact

Figure 2. Simplified geologic map of the Denham Formation and adjacent McGrath Gneiss.

and are composed of quartz and orthoclase grains, together with scattered clasts of granitic gneiss. Studies of saprolite
developed beneath Cretaceous sedimentary rocks on Precambrian crystalline rocks in southwestern Minnesota may
provide an analog (Setterholm and others, 1989). These studies demonstrate that plagioclase is one of the first minerals
to alter to kaolinitic clay during the weathering process, and that orthoclase and quartz are the most resistant to weathering.
The basal Cretaceous strata locally consists of reworked saprolite, including beds of cross-stratified sandstone and
nearly pure kaolinitic shale, Exposures of basal Cretaceous sedimentary rocks locally contain detrital orthoclase and
quartz derived by slight reworking of grus-textured, weathered granite. We infer that the same process occurred in the
Paleoproterozoic by erosion and reworking of weathered McGrath Gneiss into beds of arkose and kaolinitic shale.

These were subsequently metamorphosed to produce recrystallized arkose and staurolite-garnet- sericite schist.
Weathering of orthoclase may have liberated potassium for the inferred conversion of kaolinite to sericite during
metamorphism.
The Denham Formation is interpreted to represent a rift-margin assemblage deposited during the Paleoproterozoic,
genetically similar to, and perhaps temporally equivalent with, the Chocolay Group in Michigan. In this setting, the
McGrath Gneiss was part of the continental margin that was weathered and eroded to provide detritus to an evolving
rift basin undergoing active, shallow water volcanism. Interbedded arkose and dolomite higher in the stratigraphic
section represent foundering of the shelf and deepening water, possibly by subsidence of localized grabens. The lack
of arkose in the upper, dolomite-dominated part of the sequence indicates that deposition of coarse detritus was restricted
to the shallow, nearshore environment adjacent to the McGrath. The sedimentological gradation of dolomite to graywacke
stratigraphically upward indicates further deepening water and associated turbidite deposition. The deformation of the
Denham Formation is inferred to be the product of basin closure during the Penokean orogeny.
References:
Boerboom, T.J., Severson, M.J., and Southwick, DL., 1999, Bedrock geology of the Mule Lacs 30 x 60-minute quadrangle, eastcentral Minnesota: Minnesota Geological Survey Miscellaneous Map Series M-l00, scale 1:100,000.
Holm, D.K., 1986, A structural investigation and tectonic interpretation of the Penokean Orogeny: east-central Minnesota: Unpubi.
M.S. thesis, University of Minnesota, Duluth, 114 p.
Morey, GB., 1978, Lower and Middle Precambrian stratigraphic nomenclature for east-central Minnesota: Minnesota Geological

Survey Report of Investigations 21,52 p.
Setterhoim, DR., Morey, GB., Boerboom, T.J., and Lamons, R.C, 1989, Minnesota kaolin clay deposits—A subsurface study in
selected areas of southwestern and east-central Minnesota: Minnesota Geological Survey Information Circular 27, 99 p.

7

�GIS Applications for Resource Inventory and Land-use Planning in Wisconsin
B. A. Brown and M. L. Czechanski
Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey
Madison, Wi

Wisconsin has recently enacted comprehensive "smart growth"land-use planning
legislation that specifically requires counties and local units of government to consider
metallic and nonmetallic mineral resources as they develop and adopt a comprehensive plan
by 2010. Wisconsin's nonmetallic mine reclamation rules take effect in 2001. These rules

contain provisions to protect undeveloped aggregate deposits from zoning changes, and
designate end uses for reclaimed sites, both of which link reclamation into the planning
process. Implementation of mandatory reclamation and planning for future supplies both
require an inventory of active production sites. In addition, planning requires analysis of
geologic data to identify location, extent, and quality of undeveloped resources. Wisconsin
Geological and Natural History Survey (WGNHS) is working in cooperation with the U.S.
Geological Survey and several state agencies to compile a spatial database of active

operations and historic mineral production sites. This database will ultimately link existing
state and federal databases containing a variety of information on location, lithology,
formation, engineering testing, permit status etc., through a common identification number.
WGNIHS is also working with county and local governments to inventory active sites and to

assemble and assess the quality of geologic data available for comprehensive planning.
Computerized geographic information system (GIS) technology provides powerful
new tools for inventory and analysis of mineral resource information. Digital coverages

showing the locations of mines, pits, and quarries, and spatial databases documenting the
character and extent of deposits can now be easily incorporated with bedrock and surficial
geology, soils maps, water resource maps and an ever increasing variety of other
environmental, cultural, and political coverages to feed directly into the land-use planning
process.

We will present an interactive demonstration of statewide and county geologic and
mineral resource coverages recently produced by WGNHS and discuss some of the land-use

planning methodologies and applications currently under development.

8

�Field Trip 3:Economic Geology of the Baraboo and Waterloo Quartzites
Bruce A. Brown (1), Frank R. Luther (2), Susan M. Courter (3), James W. Schmitt (4), and
Jennifer Lien (5)

Field trip 3 will examine the aggregate and industrial mineral resources of the Proterozoic
Baraboo and Waterloo Quartzites of southern Wisconsin. In the Waterloo area twenty miles east
of Madison, we will visit a large quarry that produces construction aggregate, breakwater stone,
and railroad ballast. We will travel from waterloo to the Baraboo area, where we will visit five
operations that produce a variety of aggregate products.
The Proterozoic quartzites of southern Wisconsin have long been recognized for their
unique hardness and durability, refractory properties, and resistence to weathering. Quarries have
operated in both areas for more than a century, producing a variety of industrial mineral products
and aggregates. Today the major uses for this hard and durable rock are railroad ballast, riprap
and breakwater stone, and crushed stone base material. A variety of specialty aggregates ranging
from seal coat chips to leachate collection and filter bed material are produced as well.
Stop 1 will be the Michels Materials Waterloo quarry. This operation was opened in
1988 as a source of large stones with high resistance to freeze-thaw loss, for use in constructing
breakwaters and erosion control structures on the great lakes. Bedding in the Waterloo Quartzite
is up to 2 meters thick and joints are widely spaced, allowing blocks up to 10 tons or larger to
be quarried. Crushed material was first produced only as a means of disposing of undersize waste
rock. Michels continues to produce breakwater stone that exceeds all Corps of Engineers
specifications, but much of the current output is crushed for ballast and construction aggregate.
We will not have time to visit the historical quarries located to the south of the Michels Quarry
which were operated in the early 1900s for refractory blocks, but the geology of the Michels
quarry and the old quarry area is described in previous guidebooks by Luther(1992, 1997). From
Stop 1 we will travel northwest across the glaciated landscape of Dane and Colombia counties to
the Baraboo Range. This drive will provide a look at a classic drumlin landscape.
Stop 2 will be the Williams quarry, operated by the Kraemer Company. This quarry is
located on the north limb of the Baraboo syncline and utilizes the Parfreys Glen Formation, a
time-transgressive, near-shore deposit that accumulated around the Baraboo bluffs during
Cambro-Ordovician submergence. This quarry produces aggregate that is essentially a quartzite
gravel. As the quarry goes deeper into the hillside, more solid quartzite is being quarried. The
sedimentary structures in the coarse basal conglomerates and overlying sandstones are
spectacular. Stop 3 will briefly examine the 1760 Ma. Rhyolite that underlies the quartzite,

9

—

�exposed in a road cut on STH 33. Stop 4 will be Milestone Materials Jesse Pit a combination
gravel pit/quartzite quarry on top of the south range. Lunch will be in Devils Lake State Park,
near the site of a former refractory and abrasive quarry. After lunch we will visit Milestone's
Fox Ridge pit and asphalt plant where a variety of quartzite aggregate products are produced,
sold, and made into asphalt paving materials. We will next visit the Martin-Marietta Rock
Springs Quarry, a historic operation now a major producer of ballast. We will finish at the
Kraemer Co, LaRue Quarry on the south range near the site of the historic Sauk and Illinois iron
mines. LaRue Quarry contains many examples of sedimentary and tectonic structures as well as
examples of quartzite weathering. The trip will return to the Sheraton by 6:00 PM.

Luther, F.R., (1992 ), The Waterloo Quartzite at the old Portland Quarry: in The 56th Annual TriState Geology Field conference Guidebook to the Geological setting of whitewater, Wisconsin
and surrounding Area, Jack Travis, ed. P51-61.

Luther, F.R. (1997), The Precambrian Waterloo Quartzite, Dodge and Jefferson Counties,
Wisconsin—Petrology, Structure, and Industrial Use: in Mudrey, M.G., Jr., ed. Guide to Field
Trips in Wisconsin and Adjacent areas of Minnesota., 31st Meeting Northcentral Section, Geol.
Soc. Am., Madison, WI, p.31-35.

1) Wisconsin Geological Survey, Madison, WI
2 )UW-Whitewater, Whitewater, Wi
3) Michels Materials, Inc., Brownsville, WI
4) D.L.Gasser Construction, Baraboo, WI
5) The Kraemer Company, Plain, WI

10

�RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN THE MINERALOGY OF THE NINE MILE PLUTON, WAUSAU
COMPLEX
BUCHHOLZ, Thomas W., 1140 12th Street North, Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin 54494; FALSTER,
Alexander. U., and SIMMONS, Wm. B., Department of Geology and Geophysics, University of New
Orleans, New Orleans, Louisiana 70148
The mid-Proterozoic Wausau Complex is composed of four intrusive centers; from north to south the
Stettin, Wausau, Rib Mountain and Nine Mile plutons (Meyers eta!, 1984). The Stettrn intrusion is the oldest
and most ailcalic, and the three other plutons are progressively younger and more siicic. The youngest and
most silicic intrusion, the Nine Mile Pluton, is an epizonal anorogenic and heterogeneous granitic intrusion,
with locally abundant pegmatites, aplites and miarolitic zones. Miarolitic cavities in the pegmatites as well as
miaroles within some phases of the granite attest to shallow levels of emplacement of the pluton. At the
surface the granite is altered to a friable disaggregated material called "grus" that is extensively quarried for use
as road gravel.
The Nine Mile pluton's pegmatites and aplites contain a wealth of mineral species (Faister, 1981,
1987, Hanson et a!., 1998. Buchholz eta!., 1999, 2000), which show heterogeneous distribution for many
species across the pluton.
Titanium oxide species, such as anatase, brookite, and rutile are abundant in pegmatites of the northern part of
the pluton and are far less conspicuous in the central and southern portions. Anatase is by far the most abundant
polymorph in the Nine Mile pluton. Niobium and tantalum mineralization is sparse in the northern part of the
pluton but becomes more abundant in the central and southern parts. As in most other anorogenic pegmatites,
Nb&gt; Ta in Nb-Ta oxides such as ferrocolumbite, uranopyrochlore, liandratite/petschekite, and ilmenorutile.
However, in some small-scale, restricted environments late-stage Ta-enrichment is manifest as tapiolite,
manganotantalite, strueverite and microlite. In Ta-rich areas there is also a dramatic increase in the abundance
of fluorite (Buchholz et al., 1999, 2000). In these areas fluorite becomes a significant mineral phase in some of
the pegmatites and even in the adjacent granite.
Beryllium mineralization is dominated by phenakite and bertrandite. Rare beiyl, bavenite, and euclase
tend to be more common in the northern segment of the pluton. Lithium mineralization is absent but elevated
contents of Li are found in micas (lithian biotite and zinnwaldite) in the central and northern parts of the pluton,
typically associated with more fractionated mineral species of the Nb-Ta oxides.
LREE-mineralizalion in the Wausau complex is dominated by phosphates of the monazite group,
rhabdophane, and by carbonates of the bastnaesite group. HREE-minerals are essentially restricted to
xenotime-group minerals. Both LREE and HREE minerals are found throughout the pluton. Unlike the REEminerals in the South Platte district in Colorado (Simmons Ct a!., 1987), REE-minerals in the Nine Mile pluton
occur as small crystals and grains throughout the pegmatites (Hanson et a!., 1998), whereas in the South Platte
pegmatites, they form large masses in the core margin and in the replacement units.
Zirconium mineralization is restricted to zircon, which occurs as an accessory mineral throughout the
complex, but more HI-enriched examples are restricted to the high-F environments. Tin is exceedingly rare but
it has been found as cassiterite in the central and western portions of the pluton. Some Nb-Ta-oxide minerals
from this area contain elevated Sn-content, as well. Manganese mineralization tends to increase from north to
south throughout the pluton.
The mineralogy of the Nine Mile pluton exhibits some unusual geochemical trends which are not
commonly seen in other anorogenic intrusive systems (which are typical NYF-type environments, i.e. Nb, Y,
and F-enriched): The strong Ta-, HI- and minor Li-, and Sn-enrichment, if only in localized environments, are
far more characteristic of LCT-type pegmatites (Li, Cs, and Ta-enriched).
REFERENCES:

Buchholz, T. W., Falster, A. U. &amp; Simmons, Wm. B. 1999. Ta, Nb, U, Y, and REF Minerals of the Koss
Quariy, Marathon County, Wisconsin: The 26th Rochester Mineralogical Symposium, Abstracts of Contributed
Papers. p.6.

Buchholz, T. W., Falster, A. U. &amp; Simmons, Wm. B. 2000. Additional Mineralogy of the Koss Quarry,
Miarathon County, Wisconsin: The 27" itochester Mineralogical Symposium, Abstracts of Contributed Papers.
P.S.

11

�Falster, A. U. 1981. Minerals of the Wausau Pluton: The Mineralogical Record, 12, P. 93-97.
Faister, A. U. 1987. Minerals of the Pegmatitic Bodies in the Wausau Pluton, Marathon Co., Wisconsin: Rocks
and Minerals, 62, p. 188-193.
Faister, A. U., Simmons, Wm. B., Webber, K. L., &amp; Buchholz, T.W. (in press). Peginatites and Pegmatite
Minerals of the Wausau Complex, Marathon C., Wisconsin: Special volume published by the Societa Italiana
di Scienze Naturali

Hanson, S.L., Faister, A.U., Simmons, W.B., Webber, K.L., Buchholz, T. 1998. Rare-Earth-Element (REE)
Mineralization of Pegmatites in the Wausau Complex, Marathon County, Wisconsin: The 25th Rochester
Mineralogical Symposium, Abstracts of Contributed Papers. p. 12.

Myers, P.E., Sood, M.H., Berlin, L.A. &amp; Faister, A.U. 1984. The Wausau Syenite Complex, Central
Wisconsin: Thirtieth Annual Inst. On Lake Superior Geology, Field Trip Guidebook 3.
Simmons, W. B., M. T. Lee, and R. H. Brewster 1987. Geochemistry and evolution of the South Platte granitepegmatite system, Jefferson Co., Colorado. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Ada, 51, 455-471.

12

�CAMBRO-ORDOVICIAN STRATIGRAPHY OF SOUTHERN WISCONSIN:
SEQUENCE STRATIGRAPHY RULES
Byers, C.W., Dept. of Geology and Geophysics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706
cwbyers(i).geology.wisc .edu

During the past decade, the series of sandstone and carbonate formations that range from
Late Cambrian through Late Ordovician have been reinterpreted n terms of the tenets of sequence
stratigraphy. Older interpretations relied heavily on the facies concept; while some facies
changes are still accepted, others have been superceded by the recognition of subtle
unconformities, both at formation contacts and within formations. The new approach breaks the
stratigraphic column into numerous unconformity-bounded units, indicating many short-term sea
level fluctuations. These cycles are shorter by more than an order of magnitude than the major
cratonic sequences originally defined by Sloss.
Rarely do they local sequences show the full range of features expected in a complete
cycle: subaerial weathering, lowstand sediments, marine transgressive surface, zone of maximum
flooding, offlapping deposits. More typically, the sequences are asymmetric and truncated, with
their thicknesses dominated by only one phase of the transgressive-regressive cycle. For
example, the Cambrian Jordan Sandstone consists of two shaling-upward marine packages
(offlaps) separated by a surface of transgression; lowstand and transgressive deposits are lacking.
In contrast, the Ordovician St. Peter Sandstone is composed mostly of eolian lowstand and
transgressive marine strata, with a thin cap of Glenwood Shale representing the zone of
maximum flooding. Offlapping strata are thin or absent.

Because southern Wisconsin lies on the flank of a cratonic dome, minor unconformities
might be expected to grade into comformable sections downdip into the surrounding basins but
reappear on other cratonic highs, if the cycles are eustatic in origin.

13

�A preliminary interpretation of new aeromagnetic and gravity data in Wisconsin
W. F. Cannon, David L. Daniels, Stephen L. Snyder, Suzanne W. Nicholson, USGS,
Reston, VA
This geologic sketch map showing Precambrian basement terranes of Wisconsin is an
early interpretation of newly acquired and compiled gravity and aeromagnetic data.
Geophysical data are supplemented by bedrock mapping in the north and by limited drill
hole information and erosional windows through Paleozoic cover in the south. The map
presents a new picture of parts of the Precambrian basement in the southern and western
parts of the state where it is largely concealed by a thin cover of Paleozoic strata. The
map allows inferences on the mineral resources of shallowly buried basement rocks.

NOKEAN FOLD AND THu

rfI'?*

•

Most of the basement of Wisconsin is composed of rocks formed or modified during the
Penokean orogeny, roughly 1850 m.y. ago. Isotopic evidence indicates that Penokean
crust extends throughout the southern part of the state where younger granite, rhyolite,

14

�and quartzite lie unconformably on it. All were folded and metamorphosed in the
foreland of the Mazatzal orogen sometime after 1760 Ma. Archean crust can be
confidently traced as far south as the Trempealeau fault, but there is no geologic or
isotopic evidence for it south of that structure. The southern Penokean Province appears
to be entirely juvenile crust formed during the Penokean orogeny and composes the
continental basement for the slightly younger Mazatzal orogeny. Large anorogenic
granite plutons were intruded at about 1450 Ma and mafic plutons of unknown age also
are widespread. Finally, dikes of diabase, probably related to the Midcontinent rift, cut
all other Precambrian units.
Diabase dikes
Midcontinent Rift- sandstone in flanking basins.
I.

I

Midcontinent Rift- basalt flows and conglomerate in central horst (1100 Ma).

Anorogenic granite plutons and related rhyolite. Roughly 1 450 m.y. old.
Mafic plutons of unknown age. Identified by circular to ovoid corresponding
magnetic and gravity anomalies.

Quartzite, lesser argillite and schist, minor iron-formation. Unconformable on
1 760 Ma rhyolite and granite. Strongly folded and variably metamorphosed.
Granite plutons (1 760 Ma). Post -orogenic plutons with respect to Penokean
orogeny.

Rhyolite and epizonal granite (1760 Ma). Contains undifferentiated areas of
younger quartzite. Strongly folded in Mazatzal orogeny.

ROCKS OF PENOKEAN OROGEN
Fold and thrust belt- Early Proterozoic metasedimentary and metavolcanic
rocks and Archean basement gneisses.
1'

. VV

v

I

V

V•

Y

Pembine-Wausau terrane- Early Proterozoic metavolcanic rocks, syntectonic
granite. Archean basement lacking or discontinuous.

Marshfield terrane- Archean gneiss and infolded Early Proterozoic metavolcanic
and granitic rocks. Mostly granitic gneisses based on low gravity values.

Ia—I
V

V

V

V

V

K

V

V

*VXXXX
V

V

V

1.'

Marshfield terrane- Archean gneiss and infolded Early Proterozoic metavolcanic
and granitic rocks. Mostly mafic gneiss based on high gravity values.

Southern Penokean terrane- poorly known unit with high gravity and magnetic
anomalies. Probably mostly mafic metavolcanic rocks. Contains undifferentiated
areas of quartzite and 1 760 Ma rhyolite and granite.
Southern Penokean terrane- poorly known unit with low gravity and magnetic
anomalies. Probably mostly felsic rocks. Contains undifferentiated areas of
quartzite and 1 760 Ma rhyolite and granite.
Northern limit of Paleozoic strata.

15

�REGIONAL ARSENIC ANOMALIES SHOWN BY NURE STREAM SEDIMENT AND
HYDROGEOCHEMICAL DATA IN NORTHERN WISCONSIN AND MICHIGAN

W. F. Cannon, USGS, Reston, VA
L. G. Woodruff, USGS, Mounds View, MN

A regional arsenic anomaly in northeastern Wisconsin and the upper peninsula of
Michigan is identified in the NURE (National Uranium Resource Evaluation) surveys of
stream sediments and ground water. The anomalous region is about 250 miles long in
north-south direction and as much as 75 miles wide. Examination of the anomaly with
regard to bedrock and glacial geologic features suggests that it is a composite anomaly
caused by two different bedrock sources of arsenic and variations in glacial dispersal of
arsenic-rich bedrock. The two sources differ in their expression. One, the Michigamme
anomaly is expressed mostly in stream sediments and to a lesser degree in well water.
The other, the Fox River Valley anomaly is expressed strongly in well water, but has
almost no stream sediment signature.

Figure 1. Composite arsenic anomaly map of northern Wisconsin and Michigan. Base is
map of glacial lobes. The shaded semi-transparent surface shows a combined anomaly
from both NURE stream sediment and well water data. The surface shows the more
anomalous of the two data sets relative to the regional mean values of 2 ppm As for
stream sediments and 0.65 ppb As for well water. Only areas with arsenic above regional
mean values are shown in the 3-D surface. The surface is defined by about 3200 stream
sediment analyses and 3500 well water analyses. Black unit is arsenic-bearing
Michigamme Formation and heavy line is the outcrop trace of arsenic-bearing Ordovician
sandstone.

16

�Figure 2. A. The Fox River Valley anomaly shown by well water. Anomaly lies mostly
west of arsenic-rich sandstone. B. The Michigamme anomaly shown by stream
sediments. Anomaly location is controlled by location of Michigamme Formation and
glacial features. Base map as in Figure 1. Arrows show direction of ice movement.

The Fox River Valley Anomaly
The Fox River Valley arsenic anomaly is best shown by NURE well water data and is
only weakly expressed in stream sediment data (see Figure 2A). Arsenic values range up
to a maximum of 60 ppb in well water. Interestingly, a great majority of the wells that
show high arsenic in the NURE data lie west of the outcrop trace of the gently eastdipping arsenic-bearing sandstone and also west of the area where more recent data has
identified an arsenic problem in wells. Bedrock in the western area of the anomaly is
mostly Cambrian sandstone and Precambrian crystalline rocks, mostly granite. No arsenic
source is known in these rock units. The anomaly is mostly within the area once occupied
by the Green Bay glacial lobe and lies in a down-ice direction from the Ordovician
sandstone. Glacial transport of arsenic-rich bedrock into the anomalous area appears to be
a significant factor, suggesting that the immediate source of arsenic in well water west of
the outcrop of the arsenic-rich sandstone is the unconsolidated glacial deposits.

The Michigamme Anomaly
The Michigamme anomaly is most strongly expressed in stream sediment date, but also
occurs in well water data (Figure 2). It is geographically restricted by a combination of
bedrock and glacial geology. The northern extent of the anomaly in stream sediments
coincides very closely with the northern extent of the outcrop belt of black slate within
the Precambrian Michigamme Formation. The eastern extent of the anomaly in northern
Michigan is defined by the western margin of the Green Bay glacial lobe, which did not
cross arsenic-rich bedrock. To the south, there appears to be glacial dispersal of arsenicrich bedrock in both the Green Bay lobe and Langlade sublobe in northern Wisconsin
where high arsenic values in stream sediments and well water extend more than 50 km
south of the outcrop belt of the Michigamme black slates.

17

�PALEOMAGNETIC STUDY OF PALEOPROTEROZOIC ROCKS IN THE ANIMIKIE
GROUP, NORTHERN MINNESOTA
CHANDLER, Va! W. and MOREY, G.B.
(Minnesota Geological Survey, chand004@umii.edu and moreyOol @urnn.edu)

A pilot study was conducted to investigate paleomagnetism in the Pokegama Quartzite and
Biwabik Iron Formation of the Paleoproterozoic Animikie Group. The quartzite was sampled at six sites
along the northern margin of the central and western parts of the Mesabi Iron Range, with three to six
oriented samples collected per site. The iron-formation was sampled at four sites at a small outlier located
to the north of the range near Pike Mountain; one to five oriented samples were collected per site. All
samples are fresh and unoxidized. Core and cube specimens were cut from the field samples, and selected
specimens were subjected to stepwise alternating-field and thermal demagnetization. Observed directions
of magnetization have considerable scatter, and some specimens, especially those of magnetite-rich ironformation, were highly unstable during stepwise demagnetization. Nonetheless, several samples of each
unit yielded stable, well-clustered magnetizations which appear to be associated with the early history of the
rocks. With regard to thermal demagnetization, high blocking temperatures (greater than 600°C) are
consistent with hematite as the primary carrier of stable magnetizations in the iron-formation. Hematite is
an original or very early diagenetic phase in the iron-formation, whereas magnetite is a diagenetic phase that
may have formed much later in the paragenetic scheme. Unstable or nulled magnetizations above thermal
levels of 550°C in Pokegama specimens imply that magnetic minerals other than hematite may be present.
Correcting for a bedding dip average of 100 to the south, the stable magnetizations of the Biwabik

and Pokegama formations are directed at declinations/inclinations averaging 242°/65° and 289°/85°,
respectively. The Pokegama (alpha=13.3°) and Biwabik (alpha=21.9°) directions cannot be discriminated
from each other, or from a direction derived previously for the stratigraphically equivalent Gunflint Iron
Formation in Canada (Symons, 1966) within 95 percent confidence. Our Animikie directions also overlap
with those of a secondary imprint recognized to the north in the pre-Animikie Kenora-Kabetogama dikes

by Halls (1986), who attributed it to a regional episode of hydrous alteration that tended to be more
pronounced southwards, towards the Animikie basin. A working model that is consistent with present
observations proposes that the diagenesis and subsequent magnetization of the Animikie rocks were
accompanied by a regional groundwater flow system that may have been concentrated near the base of the
Animikie sequence.

The results of this study indicate that further paleomagnetic work on the Animikie Group rocks
will be valuable, although the selection of sites that will produce useful results may pose some problems.
Remaining tasks include determining if the Pokegama and Biwabik directions are truly indiscriminate from
each other as well as from other Paleoproterozoic directions reported in the area. Ultimately, tightly
constrained paleopole(s) can be combined with high-resolution radiometric dating to significantly improve
the Paleoproterozoic apparent polar wander path for North America.

References Cited:

Halls, H. C., 1986, Paleomagnetism, structure, and longitudinal correlation of middle Precambrian dykes
from northwestern Ontario and Minnesota: Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, v. 23, p. 142-157.

Symons, D. T. A., 1966, A paleomagnetic study of the Gunflint, Mesabi, and Cuyuna Iron Ranges in the
Lake Superior Region: Economic Geology, v.61, p. 1336-1361.

18

�AN OVERVIEW OF AEROMGANETIC MAPPING IN MINNESOTA
CHANDLER, Val W., Minnesota Geological Survey,2642 University Avenue,
St. Paul, MN 55114, chand004@tc.umn.edu

AN OVERVIEW OF AEROMAGNETIC MAPPING IN WISCONSIN
MUDREY, M.G. Jr., Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey,
3817 Mineral Point Rd., Madison, WI 53705, mgmudreyfacstaff.wisc.edu

MINNESOTA
Magnetic methods have long been used by geologists in Minnesota to help investigate poorly
exposed Precambrian bedrock. In fact, the Cuyuna iron range, which was discovered in 1904
by dip needle, was the first mining district in the United States that was discovered wholly by
a geophysical method. The first large-scale magnetic project in Minnesota occurred after
WWII, when George M. Schwartz, then-director of the Minnesota Geological Survey (MGS),
made a cooperative arrangement with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) for surveying in
Minnesota using the newly developed aeromagnetic method. Although the priority of this
early work was locating new iron ore resources, the usefulness of the new method in mapping
Precambrian geology was quickly realized, and by 1950 over 40,000 square miles of northern
Minnesota had been covered by this method. During the 1960s while P.K. Sims was director
of the MGS, the USGS aeromagnetic coverage over the entire state was completed, and an
integrated program of geologic mapping using aeromagnetic and gravity data began. These
efforts culminated in 1970 with the publication of a state geologic map, the first since 1932.
By the mid-1970s, the potential of the USGS aeromagnetic data had been realized,
and newer, higher resolution data were needed. Through the efforts of Matt Walton, thendirector of the MGS, and Robert Hansen, then-executive director of the Legislative
Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCMR), a new state-wide program of high-resolution
aeromagnetic surveying began in 1979. Funding came primarily from the LCMR, with
additional contributions of data from the USGS, the U.S. Steel Corporation and the
Geological Survey of Canada. The data obtained earlier was flown at one mile line spacing
with 1000 feet terrain clearance, and much of the new flying was conducted at ¼ mile
spacing with 500 feet terrain clearance. In addition, the new data were digital and could be
readily subjected to a variety of computer-based processing and enhancement schemes to
assist in geologic interpretation and mapping. State-wide coverage was completed in 1991,
and the new aeromagnetic data, used in conjunction with an improved gravity database, have
dramatically improved Precambrian geologic mapping in Minnesota. Virtually all
Precambrian bedrock in the state has been re-mapped at a scale of 1:1,000,000 or larger. The
new geologic maps, as well as the geophysical data used to help make them, will be useful to
a variety of scientific and economic investigations for many years to come.

WISCONSIN
T.C. Chamberlin's geologic staff began mapping in northern Wisconsin in 1 870s as a
continuation of mapping in southern Wisconsin. It was recognized that conventional
geological techniques did not provide sufficient information in the glacially covered,

19

�geologically complex areas of the Gogebic Range. C.E. Wright of the Chamberlin's
Wisconsin Geological Survey sent a sketch to instrument maker Gurley in Troy, New York,
of a "dipping needle" based on a design he had seen from Sweden. The determination of the
inclination and declination of the magnetic field had been well established by R.D. Irving and
C.R. Van Hise of the U.S. Geological Survey by the late nineteenth century. Beginning in
1913, W.O. Hotchkiss and colleagues of the Wisconsin Geological and Natural History
Survey (WGNHS) mapped large areas of northern Wisconsin by conventional and magnetic
methods to assess mineral value for taxation. In 1935, C.K. Leith, R.J. Lund and A. Leith of
the U.S. Geological Survey were able to produce a reasonable regional geologic map of the
Lake Superior Precambrian that was based on conventional geology, mineral mapping, and
extensive magnetic surveys.
Using fluxgate magnetometers developed during World War II, G.P. Wollard and his
students undertook regional magnetic surveying in Wisconsin in the early 1 960s. Of note is
the regional aeromagnetic map of Wisconsin in 1964 by R.W. Patenaude and colleagues, who
mapped Wisconsin on a 1 0-km line spacing at 1 000-m elevation.
Prior to 1972, more detailed surveys were limited to small areas in support of
geologic programs in southwestern and central Wisconsin. In 1972, the WGNHS received a
small grant from industry to initiate surveys in central Wisconsin. With this seed and grants
from Upper Great Lakes Regional Commission, the WGNHS and University of WisconsinOshkosh professor John Karl conducted a survey of a large area in northern Wisconsin. That
survey was completed in 1977 with a "fill in the holes" grant from U.S. Geological Survey.
These and subsequent public surveys were flown on lines spaced at 805 m, and oriented in a
north-south direction. The altitude was draped to topography at 305 m above ground level.
Interest in massive sulfide exploration in the 1 980s resulted in many private surveys,
some of which were released to the public through the WGNHS. More recently (1997-1999)
the U.S. Geological Survey completed surveying the remaining land areas of Wisconsin. The
release of these data on CD-ROM is stimulating a reevaluation of the regional geologic fabric
of the upper Midwest.
Remaining activities include an adjustment of the surveys to a common base and
preliminary analysis of the newly acquired data by W.F. Cannon and others.
The statewide coverage, used in conjunction with an improved gravity database, will
dramatically improve subsurface geologic mapping. The new geologic maps as well as the
geophysical data used to help make them will be useful to a variety of scientific and
economic investigations for many years to come.

20

�STRUCTURE, STRATIGRAPHY AND PUNCTUATED EVOLUTION OF
MINNESOTA'S MINERAL EXPLORATION ARCHIVES
David Dahi, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Hibbing, Mn 55746
A project to catalog the content of Minnesota DNR's mineral exploration archives for remote
digital access has provided a substantial "opportunity" to better understand the structure and
relationships among some 15,000 unpublished mineral exploration documents, and the 100+
exploration programs they came from. Together, the documents provide a mosaic of
evolving mineral exploration methods and exploration models, and reflect changing
exploration focus over time.
In the past, archive users have often had a sense of déjà vu when researching
Minnesota's archives. Indeed, during the process of cataloguing the content, some 25% of
the archive documents were found to be duplicates of existing information. In some cases,
more than a dozen copies of a document existed in the files. The lineage of that duplication,
and the reasonable geographic motif that led to that duplication offer several lessons about
the geographic nature of mineral exploration programs and storage of mineral exploration
data for future geologic research.
Within government activities, remote access to the mineral exploration archive
provides a needed input for more responsive local and regional planning, and offers a
historical background for mineral resource management decisions. In conjunction with
online comparison to other data sets such as DOQ's, DRG's, DEM's, Public Land Survey,
aeromagnetic data, published geologic maps, land use, landsat, soils and other baseline
information, the exploration data archives can now be used to more quickly glean unique
insights about previous exploration efforts and to develop insights for new geologic and
geophysical exploration and research.

21

�NEW AEROMAGNETIC MAP OF WISCONSIN EXAMINED IN A REGIONAL CONTEXT
DANIELS, David L., daveusgs.gov, NICHOLSON, Suzanne W., swnichusgs.gov, CANNON,
William F., wcannonusgs.gov, U.S. Geological Survey, MS 954 National Center, Reston, VA 20192,
and KUCKS, Robert P., rkucksusgs.gov, U.S. Geological Survey, MS964 DFC Box 25046, Denver,
CO 80225
The new aeromagnetic map of Wisconsin portrayed in color at a scale of 1:500,000, is the result of digitally
blending grids of 22 surveys flown between 1948 and 1999. The composite grid features 1) a resolution of 250m,
and 2) a common elevation; all surveys were either flown at, or digitally continued to, an elevation of 1000 ft
(305m) above mean terrain, prior to assembling into a state grid. The U.S. Geological Survey acquired all recent
data in the state (1988 to 1999) amounting to about 77,000 line-miles. The digital flightline data for three of these
surveys have recently been released on CD-ROMs. These data were added to earlier USGS surveys and 4 surveys
acquired by Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey. Flight lines are V2-mile apart or less for 95% of the
state, giving the aeromagnetic map nearly uniform specifications, and making the map an excellent tool for USGS
mineral resource investigations.
The Wisconsin grid has also been digitally blended with data from surrounding areas (Chandler, 1991;
Hildenbrand and Kucks 1984, 1991) to form a preliminary regional aeromagnetic map of the North-Central US that
reflects the structure of Precambrian basement rocks (see gray-scale index map). The regional map will be shown in
color at a scale of 1:2,000,000.
The aeromagnetic data of the region include some surveys of widely spaced flight lines (3 to 6 miles),
particularly in northwestern and central Illinois, Lake Michigan, and the lower-peninsula of Michigan. These are
areas where higher resolution data would be helpful to better define basement geology.
Aeromagnetic features observed within Wisconsin can be traced into surrounding states. These features
include: 1) high-amplitude linear anomalies that record the upturned edges of Keweenawan basaltic lava flows of
the Midcontinent Rift System, and the smooth magnetic field of the flanking sedimentary basins; 2) abundant,
narrow, linear magnetic anomalies probably generated by diabase dikes show a variety of trends across the region.
(These anomalies are prominent only in areas of high-resolution surveys); 3) a strong ENE directed aeromagnetic
fabric in areas of exposed Precambrian rocks in northern Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan's northern Peninsula, and
Canada that records highly-deformed basement rocks, and 4) an aeromagnetic fabric with no preferred trend and
abundant circular to arcuate anomalies, that characterizes much of the area to the south. This undirected fabric may
reflect large areas of anorogenic igneous rocks, although part of the undirected fabric could also be due to greater
depth to basement and lower survey resolutions. In SE Wisconsin a belt of high overall magnetic intensity lies
within this area of undirected fabric, and is characterized by a series of high-amplitude, oval to circular anomalies.
The belt continues SW through Illinois and Iowa into Missouri and eastward across Lake Michigan (A-A' on
figure). The circular to oval anomalies suggest plutonic complexes in the basement.
References

Chandler, V. W., 1991, Shaded-relief aeromagnetic anomaly maps of Minnesota: Minnesota Geological Survey, one
sheet, Scale 1:1,000,000
Hildenbrand, T.G., and Kucks, R.P., 1984, Residual total intensity magnetic map of Ohio: U.S. Geological Survey
Geophysical Investigations Map GP-096 1, 1 sheet, scale 1:500,000.

Hildenbrand, T.G., and Kucks, R.P., 1991, Total intensity magnetic anomaly map of Missouri: U.S. Geological
Survey Open-File Report 9 1-0573, 1 sheet, scale 1:500,000.

22

�Aeromagnetic Anomaly Map of Wisconsin and North-Central US

0

0

_950

9O0

100

0

100

kilometres
NAD27/LCC9O

23

200

-85°

�MIDDLE PROTEROZOIC TECTONIIC HISTORY OF THE CENTRAL TUSAS
MOUNTAINS, NORTHERN NEW MEXICO, AND COMPARISON WiTH THE
BARABOO INTERVAL, SOUTHERN LAKE SUPERIOR REGION
DAVIS, Peter B 1, WILLIAMS, Michael L. 1, BOWRING, Samuel A 2, and RAMEZANI, Jahan 2.
(1) Department of Geosciences, Univ of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003,
davis@geo.umass.edu, (2) Earth, Atmospheric &amp; Planetary Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of
Technology

The similarity between mid-Proterozoic quartzite units of the Baraboo interval, and the Ortega
quartzite of northern New Mexico, has been recognized for decades. (Dott 1993) These
similarities are based on sedimentary characteristics and the general timing of deposition,
deformation and metamorphism of these supermature quartzite units. Plate tectonic
reconstruction models also show a trend in the bedrock's mantle separation age extending from
southwest to northeast that conned these units
(Hoffman 1988)(Figure#1).
However, drawing a meaningful correlation
between them across a 1000-mile separation is
extremely difficult because of the sparse nature of
intervening exposure, and the uncertainty in the
absolute timing of events. Recent work in the
Tusas Mountains of northern New Mexico has
further constrained the tectonic history that
affected the Ortega quartzite among other units,
and therefore might shed light on this tentative
correlation.
Recent field mapping, geochronology, and
petrologic analysis in the Tusas Mountains has
focused on a northwest-southeast striking enigmatic discontinuity that is suspected to be a late
mesoproterozoic ductile fault. This fault juxtaposes higher-grade complexly deformed
supracrustal immature to mature metasediments (which includes the Ortega Quartzite) and
felsic metavolcarncs found to the south against lower grade immature metasediments and mafic
to felsic metavolcanics and intrusives found to the north (Figure#2). Ductile deformational
features present in these rocks can be grouped into three generations. A strong bedding parallel
Si foliation is ubiquitous, however there are few Fl folds. D2 features include reclined tight to
isoclinal folds with a strong SW dipping S2 foliation, and SW plunging stretching lineations
(L2), sub-parallel to fold axes. Kinematic indicators suggest transport on this lineation was to
the northeast. These structures are more pronounced south of the discontinuity. D3 produced
east-west trending open folds, and either a newer crenulation clevage, or reactivated S2. In
some localities D3 has reoriented F2 folds into F3 folds. Metamorphic conditions can also be
grouped into three generations. Ml conditions reached lower greenschist facies. M2 reached
greenschist facies conditions. M3 is discontinuous across the NW-SE discontinuity from upper
greenschist to the north, to sub-amphibolite to the south (550°C -4.5kb). Timing of all three of
these deformational events were traditionally correlated with the 1.67-1.65Ga. Mazatzal
orogeny. New geochronologic data of 1.67-1.69 Ga. for the wealdy deformed Tusas granite
suggests that the strong fabric in the Moppin group host rock was produced before 1.69Ga.,
possibly during the Yavapai Orogeny. A refined age for the Tres Piedras Granite, and a syn-Di
dike, is now 1.67-1.69 Ga. is interpreted to suggest that the first two fabrics in the granite,
directly correlative to regional fabrics, are indeed the result of 1.68-1.65Ga. Mazatzal tectonism.
These data also further constrain the age of deposition of the Hondo group, which includes the

24

�______

Ortega Quartzite, to older than 1.69 -Ga., but
younger than the underlying 1.70-1.7lGa. Burned
Mountain rhyolite. D3, which increases in strength
from north to south across the Tusas Mountains,
was recently constrained in the southern Tusas
Mountains to 1.45-1.4OGa. (Bishop et al 1996).

Island-Arc Related
Mafic to Felsic Volcanic
sediments and Intrusives
Moppin Group
&gt; 1.775

The earliest tectonic event represents an
Tusas Granite
early phase of thrusting with syn-orogenic
- 1.69 Ga
plutonism, and is primarly preserved to the
SuDracrustal
northern portion of the Tusas Mountains. The
Sediments
Tres
second event, thought to be the result of additional
and Volcanics
thrusting with folding, is preserved throughout the
Granite
—1.68 Ga
Tusas Mountain range. The third event
significantly overprinted much of the range both
Vadito Group
tectonically and thermally. Its effects are thought to
-1 .7OGa.
be the result of the burial of the range to the midcrust leaving the region to eventually cool
isobarically, erasing much of the evidence for
earlier events. The effects of this overprint however
5 Miles
strong in the southern half of the tusas, diminish at
the discontinuity, and are poorly preserved to the
Figure#2 - Tectonic Map of
north.
the Tusas Mountains, NM
This refined model for the central Tusas
Mountains of northern New Mexico provides a better framework with which to compare the
Baraboo Interval in future regional models. Both regions contain a generalized supracrustal
sequence of rhyolite followed by laminated to massive supermature quartzites. Constraint on
the timing of deposition of both quartzite units is between approximately 1.71 — 1.65 Ga.
Deformation is constrained between deposition and respective thermal event around 1.45 Ga.
(Medaris 1996). Some have suggested that folding of the Baraboo Interval occured around
approximately 1.63 Ga., during which whole-rock Rb-Sr systems were reset over the region.
The 1.45 Ga. thermal and tectonic event that affected both the southern Lake Superior Region
and the Tusas Mountains is thought to be related to the anorogenic magmatic event (Anderson

/

1992).

Proterozoic rocks of northern New Mexico and the Baraboo Interval of the southern
Lake Superior region are windows into important tectonic processes. These widely separated
windows reveal different structural levels and foreland proximities along a general orogenic
trend across the Laurentian margin as it grew through mid-Proterozoic time.
Hoffman, Paul F. United plates of America, the birth of a craton; early Proterozoic assembly
and growth of Laurentia, Annual Review of Earth and Planetary Sciences. 16; P 543-603. 1988.
Bishop, Jennifer L. Williams, Michael L. Lanzirotti Antonio. A doubly-looping P-T-t-D history
for Proterozoic rocks of northern New Mexico and implications for the tectonothermal behavior
of the mid-crust. Abstracts with Programs, Geological Society of America. 28; 7, P 495.
1996.

Medaris, Gordon L. The Baraboo Quartzite, Wisconsin; Proterozoic deposition and deformation
in the Lake Superior region. Abstracts with Programs, Geological Society of America. 28; 7,
P376. 1996.

Dott, Robert H. The Proterozoic red quartzite enigma in the north-central United States;
resolved by plate collision?. In: Early Proterozoic geology of the Great Lakes region. Memoir Geological Society of America. 160; Pages 129-141. 1983.

25

�SOME OBSERVATIONS FROM THE WILLIAMS QUARRY EXPOSURE: EVIDENCE OF DEBRIS
FLOW DEPOSITS IN THE PARFEYS GLEN FORMATION?
PHILIP FAUBLE, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, P.O. Box 7921, Madison, WI
53707-7921; faub1p@dnr.ta.wi.us
JENNIFER LIEN, Kraemer Company, P.O. Box 235, Plain, WI 53577; jen1@mhtc.net
A quarry located on the north side of the North Range of the Baraboo Syncline, originally developed to mine
sand and gravel from a quartzite conglomerate of the Parfeys Glen Formation, has recently expanded into insitu Baraboo Quartzite. This provides a unique opportunity to observe the Precambrian/Cambrian
unconformity and its relationship to the overlying conglomeratic deposits.
The undifferentiated quartzite conglomerate and conglomeratic sandstones, found in a broad band on
both sides of the North and South Ranges of the Baraboo Hills, were first described in detail by Dalziel and
Doll (1970). They inferred that these deposits were the result of wave action eroding and transporting
quartzite from the ancestral Baraboo Hills during the transgression of the late Cambrian seas. These deposits
were later named the Parfeys Glen Formation by Clayton and Attig (1990), who split the formation into three
componants: a talus conglomerate directly adjacent to the quartzite, a conglomeratic sandstone and a
sandstone unit that may or may not contain quartzite pebbles. Although the causes of the lithologic
differences between individual units within the Parfreys Glen Formation were unclear, they considered it
likely that the talus conglomerate was considerably older than the adjacent sandstone.
At present, the quarry exposure is approximately 15 meters high, 200 meters long, north facing, and
generally oriented east to west, parallel to the axis of the North Range. There are three distinct lithologies
exposed along the quarry wall consisting of the following, from the base of the exposure to the top: in-situ
quartzite, a very coarse quartzite conglomerate, and a finer-grained conglomeritic sandstone that gradually
transitions to a quartz sandstone.
In-situ Quartzite: An irregular, rounded outcrop of Precambrian Baraboo Formation quartzite is
exposed at the base of the quarry wall. The quartzite is slightly overturned and dips steeply to the north.
The main quarry face roughly parallels the strike of the quartzite beds. The largest exposure of quartzite is
located just west of the center of the quarry wall and seems to represent a subdued topographic high prior to
deposition of the upper units.
The most striking feature of the in-situ quartzite is the presence of a smooth, rounded, gently
undulating erosional surface along the unconformity between the quartzite and the overlying conglomerate.
This smooth surface is present on both vertical and near horizontal exposures. While smooth, this surface is
not varnished and does not possess striations, gouges or percussion marks. There are no obvious potholes
developed in this surface, but shallow features that resemble small chutes are common.
Quartzite Conglomerate: Overlying the smooth erosional unconformity developed on the quartzite is
a quartzite conglomerate of varying thickness. This deposit is thinnest on the top of the quartzite knob,
thickest within two low areas that flank the western and eastern sides of the knob, and gradually thins to the
east. An exposure along the western wall of the quarry indicates that the coarse conglomerate gently dips
northward.
The conglomerate is composed of large rounded boulders of quartzite suspended in an unsorted,
massive matrix of sand, rounded pebbles and cobbles. The conglomerate is poorly cemented and seems to
lack any materials smaller than fme sand. All lithic fragments larger than sand are composed of quartzite or
quartzite breccia likely derived from the nearby outcrops of Baraboo quartzite. Depending on quarry
development, exposed quartzite boulders can range in size from 1 to over 3 meters in diameter along their
longest visible axis. The largest boulders appear to be concentrated along the quartzite unconformity and the
upper margins of the deposit. As first noted by Dalziel and Dott (1970), boulders larger than 2 meters in
diameter tend to be angular or posses smooth rounded features on only one or two faces. Boulders smaller
than about 2 meters are almost always completely rounded. There does not appear to be any clear fabric or
preferred orientation to the larger clasts within the deposit.
Con glomeratic Sandstone: Above and to the north of the quartzite conglomerate is a conglomeratic
sandstone that thickens dramatically from less than 3 meters directly above the quartzite knob to over 10
meters at the northern edge of the quarry. It is composed of horizontally bedded strata consisting of
alternating layers of sand and pebble conglomerate. This deposit is likely marine in origin, with abundant
glauconite, sometimes occurring in thin, discrete beds, and abundant Scolithus burrows in the sand layers.
The sandstone is visibly finer grained and much better cemented than the quartzite conglomerate directly
below it. In contrast to the large boulders found in the conglomerate, an informal, random sampling of 50 of

26

�the largest pebbles visible in the sandstone exposed along the eastern wall of the quarry indicated a long axis
diameter no greater than 20 cm.
On the eastern wall of the quarry, the horizontally bedded conglomeratic sandstone can be seen to
neatly onlap the north-dipping conglomerate. Above the conglomerate/sandstone unconformity, sandstone
drapes the larger boulders projecting above the surface of the conglomerate deposit. Along the southern wall
of the quarry, the conglomeratic sandstone extends from above the quartzite conglomerate to within about 3
meters of the top of the exposure where it abruptly transitions into a well cemented quartz aremte. This
transition does not appear to be an unconformable surface, but likely reflects the drowning of the pebble
source as the transgressing Cambrian seas covered the crest of the North Range.
Conclusions: The exposure at the Williams Quarry clearly preserves and records three distinct
events that occurred on the North Range of the ancestral Baraboo Hills sometime from the late Precambrian
to the late Cambrian. First, topographically prominent exposures of the Baraboo quartzite were eroded into a
series of smoothly rounded features. Second, conditions changed and a deposit of unsorted quartzite debris
(conglomerate) covered the erosional surface, filling in swales and blanketing hillslopes. Lastly, a marine
deposit of sand and locally derived pebbles covered the conglomerate.
The exact processes and conditions that produced the smooth weathering/erosional surface on the insitu quartzite are unknown. However, the nature of the unsorted quartzite conglomerate indicates that it is
likely the result of subaerial mass movements of material eroded from the crest of the North Range. We
suggest that these movements took place in the form of large debris flows that generally followed drainages
developed in the ancestral Baraboo Hills. Similar coarse conglomeritic deposits adjacent to Precambrian
erosional surfaces have been noted in other regions. The lowest facies of the Upper Cambrian Lamotte
Sandstone in southeast Missouri contain locally-derived rhyolite boulder conglomerates that have been
interpreted as small alluvial fans formed, in part, by debris flows adjacent to the incised Precambrian bedrock
of the ancestral St. Francois Mountains (Houseknecht, 1978).
The wide grain size distribution of the conglomerate, ranging from fine sands to boulders several
meters in diameter, the larger clasts suspended within in an unsorted mass, and the lack of clear grading or
internal structures, closely matches the description of debris flow deposits in Coussot (1996). Debris flow
deposits result from the rapid transport and mass emplacement of a highly viscous slurry of water and debris.
Evidence that the quartzite debris within the conglomerate was transported and not merely weathered in place
can be seen at the unconformable boundary between the in-situ quartzite and the conglomerate, just east of the
bedrock knob. The in-situ quartzite at this location contains an extensive quartzite breccia, very similar to the
Rock Springs (Abelman's Gorge) breccia (Dalziel and Dott, 1970). Directly above the smooth, truncated
surface of the eroded breccia lie large boulders and cobbles that contain no evidence of breccia. Conversely,
large grains of breccia-bearing material can be seen in the conglomerate mass above other areas that lack insitu breccia.
Many other questions concerning this conglomerate deposit remain unanswered. The source area
and the processes that produced the rounded boulders, cobbles and sand that make up the conglomerate
remain enigmatic. Thick deposits of Paleozoic and glacial sediments obscure the most likely quartzite source
areas near the crest of the North Range, south of the quarry. If the top of the conglomeratic sandstone
represents the drowning of the uppermost quartzite outcrop, then the source area for the conglomerate may be
no more than a few meters higher in elevation than the top of the quartzite knob exposed in the quarry wall.
This doesn't preclude the formation of a debris flow because, once a flow is initiated, it may continue to
move over slopes as low as a few degrees. Debris flows are also very poor rounding agents, so it is likely
that the quartzite clasts in the deposit were already rounded smooth prior to transport. Features visible in a
few of the conglomerate boulders suggest that at least some of the rounding occurred in situ, possibly in
response to intense chemical weathering.
REFERENCES CITED
Clayton, L. and Attig, J., 1990, Geology of Sauk County, Wisconsin, Wisconsin Geological and Natural
History Survey Information Circular No. 67, 68p.
Coussot, P. and Meunier, M., 1996, Recognition, classification and mechanical description of debris flows,
Earth Science Reviews, 40, 209-2TJp.
Dalziel, I.W. and Dott, R.H., 1970, Geology of the Baraboo District, Wisconsin, Wisconsin Geological and
Natural History Survey Information Circular No. 14, l64p.
Houseknecht, D. and Etheridge, F., 1978, Depositional history of the Lamotte Sandstone of southeast
Missouri, Journal of Sedimentary Petrology, v.48, 5'75-586p.

27

�Contrasts in the Geologic and Hydrochemical Occurrences of Arsenic Contamination of Groundwater in
Eastern Wisconsin
Gotkowitz, M.B., Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey, 3817 Mineral Point Road, Madison,
WI 53705 mbgotkow(facstaffvisc .edu
Schreiber, M.E., Department of Geological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Derring Hall, Blacksburg, VA 24061
mschreib@vt.edu
Simo, J.A., Department of Geology and Geophysics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1215 W. Dayton
St, Madison, WI 53706 simo@geology.wisc.edu
Clusters of arsenic-impacted wells are found in two areas of eastern Wisconsin: the Fox River valley
(east-central Wisconsin) and the Lake Geneva (southeastern Wisconsin) areas. In the Fox River valley
area, arsenic concentrations up to 12,000 ppb have been measured in groundwater from a CambrianOrdovician sandstone aquifer. An arsenic-rich, sulfide-bearing, secondary cement horizon (SCH) is
commonly present at the top of the Ordovician St. Peter Formation. Within the SCH, arsenic occurs in
pyrite and marcasite and in iron oxyhydroxides, but not as a separate arsenopyrite phase. Whole rock
concentrations of arsenic within the SCH range from about 15 to 675 ppm. Core samples show that
arsenic-bearing minerals are also present in the St. Peter below the SCH.
Several pieces of evidence support the hypothesis that oxidation of sulfides is the cause of high
(&gt;100 ppb) concentrations of arsenic in well water, including 1) the presence of arsenic-bearing sulfides
in the aquifer, 2) water-chemistry data that show a positive correlation between arsenic, iron, and sulfate
and negative correlation between arsenic and pH; and 3) nearly identical sulfur isotopic signatures in
pyrite and dissolved sulfate. There is a strong correlation between high arsenic concentrations and the
occurrence of intersecting elevations of the SCH and water levels within wells. This relationship provides
the basis for our conclusion that atmospheric oxygen, introduced to the SCH through well boreholes,
provides an oxidant to the system.
However, the cause of more commonly encountered, moderate (less than 100 ppb) arsenic
concentrations found in wells in the Fox River valley is not well understood. The variability of the
thickness of the SCH and the associated mass of arsenic within the sulfides, as well as the local
availability of an oxidant to fuel the oxidation of the SCH, may contribute to the spatial variability in
arsenic concentrations in well water. The available water quality data are not sufficient to determine if
other geochemical mechanisms, such as desorption or reductive dissolution of arsenic-bearing iron
oxyhydroxides, control the moderate arsenic concentrations measured in well water.
Our preliminary work in the Lake Geneva area indicates that geologic and hydrogeologic
conditions leading to a cluster of arsenic-impacted wells in this part of the state are not similar to those in
the Fox River valley. Arsenic has been detected in wells open to the Quaternary deposits, Silurian
dolomite, and the Cambrian-Ordovician sandstone. Arsenic concentrations in rock samples from these
aquifers range from 1.4 to 18 ppm; aqueous concentrations in well water range up to 80 ppb. Water
chemistry in arsenic-contaminated wells is not consistent with sulfide oxidation, and sulfide
mineralization has not been observed in rock samples collected from the area. These results indicate that
other geochemical mechanisms of arsenic release, such as the reduction of arsenic-bearing iron-oxides,
may also affect Wisconsin groundwater supplies.

28

�THREE NEW ZIRCON DATES FOR THE MIDCONTINENT RIFT, NORTH SHORE,
MINNESOTA: MORE DATA, MORE QUESTIONS
GREEN,J. C., Geological Sciences, U. of MN Duluth, Duluth, MN 55812; DAVIS, D. W.,
Royal Ontario Museum, 100 Queen's Park, Toronto, ON M5S 2C6; and SCHMITZ, M. D.,
Earth and Planetary Sciences, MIT, 77 Mass. Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139
U/Pb zircon dates have been obtained for three significant localities on the North Shore,
with some intriguing results.
Skeletal zircons from the residual monzodiorite at the top of the Duluth Complex Layered
Series in Duluth give an age of 1098.5 +7-1.3 Ma (DWD). This agrees with the 1099.3 +1- 0.3
Ma age determined by Paces and Miller (1993) from a segregation within the upper part of the
Layered Series. The skeletal crystal habit assures that the new date represents the magma
crystallization age, not inherited crystals.
A rhyolite flow exposed below the quarry in the southeast flank of Canton Peak near Tofte
gives an age of 1092.6 +7- 2.0 Ma (DWD). This is the youngest date yet found on the North
Shore. This local volcanic sequence is apparently isolated by faults from the rest of the North
Shore Volcanic Group, including its uppermost sequence, the Schroeder-Lutsen basalts (SLB),
and it is clearly younger than the 1096.6 +7- 1.9 Ma Palisade thyolite (Davis and Green, 1997)
which unconformably underlies the SLB. Since it has been suested (Miller et al., 1995) that
the SLB is an outlier or fringe of the Portage Lake Volcanics (dated at 1096-1094 Ma, Davis and
Paces, 1990), this new date implies either that the SLB is actually considerably younger that the
PLy, or that the Canton Quarry sequence is an isolated remnant of heretofore unrecognized
late volcanic activity on the Minnesota flank of the MRS. Furthermore, the dated quarry
sequence is intruded by the anorthosite-xenolith-bearing Carlton Peak diabase, making that still
younger and not coeval with dated units of the Beaver Bay Complex (—1096 Ma, Paces and
Miller, 1993).
Finally, a granite xenolith in the Terrace Point basalt flow southwest of Grand Marais
(Green, 2000) is dated at 1096.7 +7- 1.4 Ma (MDS). Since this medium-grained, upper
mesozone-looking biotite granite must have crystallized slowly at many kilometers' depth before
being broken off and carried to the surface in the basalt magma, this implies that the Terrace
Point flow (basal flow of the SLB) is significantly younger than the granite. A coarse-grained
segregation vein within the Schroeder basalts was collected and processed, but no zircons or
baddelyite were found, leaving the SLB still undated.

Davis, D.W. and Green,J.C., 1997, Geochronology of the North American Midcontinent
rift in western Lake Superior and implications for its geodynamic evolution: Can. Jour. Earth
Sci., v. 34, p. 476-488
Davis, D.W. and Paces,J.B., 1990, Time resolution of geologic events on the Keweenaw
Peninsula and implications for development of the Midcontinent Rift system: Earth and
Planet. Sci. Lett., v. 97, p. 54-64
Green, J .C., 2000, Mystery faults of the Cascade River, North Shore, or, What is this granite
doing here? (abs.): Proceedings Vol. 46, Part 1: Abstracts and Programs, Forty-Sixth Ann.
Institute on Lake Superior Geology, Thunder Bay, ON, p. 14
Miller,J.D.,Jr., Chandler, V.W., Green,J.C. and Witthun, K., 1995, The Finland Tectonomagmatic Discontinuity - a growth fault marking the western margin of the Portage Lake
volcanic basin of the Midcontinent Rift System: Basement Tectonics 10, R.W. Ojakangas,
A.B. Dickas, andJ.C. Green, Eds, Kiuwer Acad. Publ, p. 35-40
Paces,J.B. and Miller,J.D.,Jr., 1993, Precise U-Pb ages of Duluth Complex and related
mafic intrusions, northeastern Minnesota: Geochnonological insights to physical,
petrogenetic, paleomagnetic, and tectonomagmatic processes associated with the 1.1 Ga
Midcontinent Rift System: Jour. Geophys. Res., v. 98, No. B8, p. 13,997-14,013.

29

�INITIAL RESULTS OF IN SITU ELECTRON MICROPROBE (EMP) AGE DATING OF
MONAZITE FROM THE SOUTHERN LAKE SUPERIOR REGION: CONFIRMATION OF
WIDESPREAD GEON 17 METAMORPHISM

IIOLM, D., dhohnkentedu, Dept of Geology, Kent State University, 44242; JERCINOVIC, MJ.,
and WILLIAMS, M., both at Dept of Geosciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst MA
01002.

Introduction. Like most orogens the pattern and degree of Proterozoic metamorphism preserved across the
1870-1830 Ma Penokean orogemc belt is highly variable. Widespread 1630 Ma metamorphism of much of

the Penokean arc terrane in Wisconsin is well documented (see Table 4 of Peterman et aL, 1985, CMP;
Romano Ct al., 2000, PreC. Res.) and intrusion of the 1470 Ma Wolf River batholith certainly produced
thermal overprinting in central and southern Wisconsin (Hohn et aL, 1998, GSAA; Naymark et al., 2001,
GSAA). Until recently, intermediate pressure and higher temperature metamorphism both north and west of
the arc terrane (northernmost Wisconsin, northern Michigan and east-central Minnesota) has been attributed to
the geon 18 Penokean orogeny (see overview by Geiger and Guidotti, 1989, Geoscience Wise.). Three
separate studies published in the late 1990's however (Schneider Ct al., 19%, CJES; Marshak et al., 1997,

Geology; Hohu et al, 1998, AJS) proposed the presence of a widespread geon 17 amphibolite facies
overprinting metamorphism. In order to better establish the timing of intermediate grade metamorphism in the

southern Lake Superior region we have started a microprobe monazite geochronology study of selected
metamorphic samples from east-central Minnesota and northern Wisconsin. EMP dating of monazite is
currently emerging as a rapid and accurate means of geochronology, and is most easily applied to the
Precambrian where the Pb concentration often allows greater analytical precision (Williams et al., 1999,
Geology).

Results from East-Central Minnesota. We dated monazite from a staurolite-garnet schist outcrop (sample
MN-29) of the metamorphosed Little Falls Formation collected on the Mississippi River (Blanchard Dam).
Thermobarometric, thermochronologic, and textural analysis of this and other metamorphosed samples led
Hoim et al. (1998) to suggest two episodes of aniphibolite facies metamorphism (a geon 18 Penokean Ml and
a younger geon 17 M2 associated with emplacement of abundant post-tectonic plutons). Eight EMP spot
analyses on three separate monazite grains yielded U-Th-P ages ranging from 1755 Ma down to 1667 Ma
(mean age of 1719±21 Ma). The oldest ages are concordant with abundant Ar/Ar mica and hornblende ages
obtained throughout the region (Holm and Lux, 19%, Geology; Holin et al., 1998).
Results from northern Wisconsin. We have obtained preliminaiy data from two drill core samples of
garnet-biotite-sillimanite schist located near Park Falls, Wisconsin. These samples occur within the recently
identified fault-bounded, sillimanite-bearing panel just north of the Niagara Fault zone (Park Falls subterrane
of Cannon et al., 1998, ILSG). Sample PF-2-311 yielded a mean age of 1710 ± 43 Ma from 3 spots analyzed
on 3 separate monazite grains. Sample BL-2-252 (located nearby the first sample) revealed a distinctly
chemically zoned grain which produced distinct core and rim ages of 1805 Ma and 1695 Ma, respectively.
Finally, we sampled the well known kyanite bearing outcrop located near the town of Powell. This sample
is located within the higher pressure fault-bounded panel identified as the Powell subterrane (Cannon et at.,
1998). Ten EMP spot analyses on three separate grains yielded U-Th-Pb ages ranging from 1780 Ma to 1747

Ma(meanageofl765±7Ma).
Implications and Conclusions. These data, although preliminary, appear to support other independent
evidence for a widespread, post-Penokean, geon 17 intermediate grade metamorphic event in the southern
Lake Superior region. In Minnesota, geon 17 metamorphism appears concentrated within the internal zone of
the orogen where abundant post-tectonic pistons exist To the north in the medial zone earlier geon 18
metamorphic ages are preserved in garnet grade rocks (Schneider et aL, 2001, ILSG). In northern Wisconsin
the age of metamorphism in stmctural panels preserving contrasting metamorphic conditions (sillimarnte
versus kyanite) appears to be dominantly geon 17 although a hint of earlier Penokean metamorphism is
apparently preserved (see also Schneider et at., 2001, for Penokean metamorphic ages preserved north of the
Niagara Fault zone in northern Michigan). These metamorphic age constraints suggest that the fault-bounded

subterranes may have been juxtaposed after

the

Penokean orogeny during a period of widespread

metamorphism followed by rapid unrooflng (as suggested by geon 17 cooling ages).

We conclude that microprobe monazite geochronology holds promise for unraveling the timing of
multiple metamorphic and tectonic events in the Lake Superior region as it has for other portions of the
southern maigin of Laurentia (Williams et at, 2001, ILSG).

30

�AGE OF THE HUMBOLDT GRANITE, NORThERN MICHIGAN: IMPLICATIONS FOR THE
ORIGIN OF THE REPUBLIC METAMORPHIC NODE.
HOLM, D., dholni(ã)Jentedu, Dept of Geology, Kent State University, 44242; VAN SCLIMUS,
W.R.. and MacNEILL, LC., both at Dept of Geology, Univ. of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, 55045.
The alkali-feldspar granite near Humboldt lies on the northeastern edge of a large negative gravity
anomaly that is roughly coincident with the Republic metamorphic node. Hornblende, muscovite, and
biotite Ar/Ar ages obtained from country rock across the node are 1720-1670 Ma (Schneider et al., 1996).
A whole-rock Rb/Sr minimum age of 1733±25 Ma on the granite was reported by Schulz et a!. (1988). The
concordance of the whole-rock age with the thermochronologic data led Schneider Ct a!. (1996) to infer that
post-tectonic plutonism caused the metamorphic nodal pattern. In order to test this hypothesis we obtained
both U-Pb and Ar/Ar mineral age data on the Humboldt granite.
U-Pb zircon results. Six single-grain analyses of somewhat tuibid grains separated from a sample
of the Humboldt granite (AGR-1, collected by Holin) yielded a linear array on a conventional U-Pb
concordia diagram. All six analyses yield an upper intercept age of 1806±21 Ma, although one analysis is
clearly off the line. Elimination of this analysis yields an age of 1805 ±7 Ma with a lower intercept of 181
±64 Ma. One analysis is nearly concordant and has a 201Pb/206Pb age of 1802±6 Ma. Thus it is clear that
the ciystallization age is significantly older than the Ar retention age or the Rb/Sr age, which is a common
situation in the Lake Superior region.
Ar/Ar mica results. We dated three separate mica fractions obtained from a coarse phase of the
granite. In order to test for possible intraciystalline age gradients we furnace step-heated the rim and core
portion of a coarse muscovite grain. Both analyses yielded essentially concordant plateau dates of
1712±6 Ma (core) and 1703±6 Ma (rim). Step-heating of biotite did not produce a reliable plateau age.
Incremental ages increased monotonically with the three highest temperature fractions giving ages between
1670 and 1700 Ma (amounting to 45% of the gas released). These Ar/Ar results are comparable to mica
Ar/Ar ages from older bedrock of the Republic region and are concordant within error with the whole-rock
Rb/Sr age of the Humboldt granite.
The crystallization age of the granite indicates that it could not have provided the heat source
needed to form the Republic metamorphic node at ca. 1720 Ma. We cannot rule out the possibility of a
younger geon 17 intrusive body existing in the Republic subsurface, although thus far geon 17 plutons have
been documented predominantly south of the Niagara fault zone (the sole exception being the 1781 Ma
Parlc Falls granite, Van Schmus et a!., 2001). A combination of anomalously high basement heat
production rates (Attob, 2000) together with basement remobilization (i.e., Marshak et al., 1997) might
better explain geon 17 low P/high T metamorphism in the Republic region of northern Michigan.

Attob, K, 2000, Contrasting Metamorphic Record of Heat Production Anomalies in the Penokean Orogen
of Northern Michigan: Journal of Geology, v. 108, p. 353-36 1.
Marshak, S., Tinkham, D., Allcmim, F., Bruekner, H., and Bornhorst, T., 1997, Dome-and-keel provinces
formed during Paleoproterozoic orogenic collapse — core complexes, diapirs, or neither?: Examples
from the Quadrilatero Ferrifero and the Penokean orogen: Geology, v. 25, p. 415-418.
Schneider, D., Holin, D., and Lux, D., 1996, On the origin of Early Proterozoic gneiss domes and
metamorphic nodes, northern Michigan: Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, v. 33, p. 1053-1063.
Schulz, K.J., Sims, P.K., and Peterman, Z.E., 1988, A post-tectonic rare-metal-rich granite in the Southern
34th
Ann. Inst. on L. Superior Geology, Marquette, Michigan,
Complex, Upper Peninsula, Michigan:
p. 95-96.
Van Schmus, W.R, MacNeill, L.C., Holm, D.K, and Boerboom, T.J., 2001, New U-Pb ages from
Minnesota, Michigan, and Wisconsin: Implications for Late Paleoproterozoic Crustal Stabilization:
47th
Ann. Inst. on L. Superior Geology, Madison, Wisconsin, May (this volume).

31

I

�206PbI

0.20

0.22

0.24

0.26

0.28

0.30

0.32

0.34

3.0

3.4

3.8

207Pb/235U

4.2

4.6

5.0

5.4

�NEW VOLUME CALCULATIONS FOR THE PYROCLASTIC ERUPTIONS ASSOCIATED
WITH THE STURGEON LAKE CALDERA COMPLEX, NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO:
IMPLICATIONS FOR THE SCALE OF ARCHEAN VOLCANIC PROCESSES
GEORGE J. HUDAK
Department of Geology, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, Oshkosh, WI 54901

DEAN M. PETERSON and RONALD L. MORTON
Department of Geology, University of Minnesota — Duluth, Duluth, MN 55812
The Archean Sturgeon Lake Caldera Complex (SLCC) of northwestern Ontario comprises a
north-facing, homoclinal, bimodal sequence of caldera-associated, greenschist facies metamorphosed,
volcanic, intrusive and sedimentary strata with a composite thickness of nearly 4500 meters and a strike
length of at least 25 km (Morton et al., 1991). At least three volcanic-associated massive sulfide (VMS)
orebodies were formed as sub-seafloor replacement deposits within quartz-phyric, pumice-rich vitric tuff
within the caldera complex (F-Group, Mattabi, and Sturgeon Lake); the other three orebodies in the
region (Sub-Creek Zone, Creek Zone, and Lyon Lake) were probably formed from structural deformation
of the Sturgeon Lake Mine (Hudak, 1996).
Hudak et al. (2000) have divided the caldera complex into three stratigraphic sequences. The
Pre-Caldera Sequence (PCS) is composed of a 200-2100 meter thick succession comprising subaerial
basalt lavas, scoria-rich volcaniclastic rocks, and very minor rhyolite lavas that formed prior to the
development of the caldera complex. The Early Caldera Sequence (ECS) comprises a 650-1300 meter
thick succession of subaerial rhyolite ash tuff formed immediately prior to the formation of the caldera
edifice, and subaqueous coarse heterolithic breccias, syneruptive aphyric and quartz-phyric pumice-rich
vitric tuffs, and andesitic to rhyolitic lava flows formed prior to, or simultaneously with, the Mattabi VMS
orebody. The Late Caldera Sequence (LCS) is composed of a complex, 500-1500 meter thick succession
of subaqueous quartz- and quartz-plagioclase-phyric vitric tuffs, andesitic to dacitic lava flows, lava
domes, and cryptodomes, resedimented syn-eruptive ash-rich mudstones, ash-rich sandstones, and lithic
lapillistones, as well as post-eruptive tuffaceous mudstones, tuffaceous sandstones, tuffaceous breccias,
and Algoma-type iron formations. Hudak (1996) and Morton et a!. (1998) have shown that the
stratigraphic relationships indicate that the SLCC developed in a manner similar to the well-known
caldera cycle of Smith and Bailey (1968).
The presence of exceptionally well-preserved, often delicate primary lithological textures within
the volcaniclastic and volcanic rocks in the south Sturgeon Lake region has allowed individual rock units
and their facies equivalent deposits to be distinguished and correlated. These features indicate that only
minor amounts of structural deformation, and probably only minor amounts of diagenetic compaction,
have occurred within the intracaldera volcaniclastic rocks that are present. This, along with the steeply
dipping nature of the strata in the region, allows us to make very accurate areal calculations of the
volcaniclastic strata by means of geographic information system (GIS) analysis. Although arguably
speculative, volumes of individual pyroclastic eruptions have been calculated using the average
thicknesses of each of the major pyrociastic units within the caldera, the strike lengths of the pyroclastic
units, and the assumption that these units were deposited within a circular caldera.
The results of our eruption volume calculations are contained in Table 1. These calculations
indicate that, although Archean in age, the SLCC eruptions were similar in scale to eruptions associated
with Cenozoic arc-associated caldera systems. Thus, it appears that not only was the caldera cycle (Smith
and Bailey, 1968) established by Late Archean time, but that pyroclastic eruptions occurring in Archean
arc-associated caldera complexes were similar in scale to pyroclastic eruptions occurring in more recent
arc-associated caldera systems. Although more detailed studies on the evolutionary processes and
eruptive volumes need to be completed at other well-preserved Archean caldera complexes, these results
may provide us with clues to Late Archean tectonic and petrological processes.

33

�Table 1. Volume Estimates of Sturgeon Lake Caldera Complex Eruptions
Eruption
Caldera Sequence
- Estimated
Jackpot Lake
High Level Lake
Bell River
Mattabi
Lower "L"
Middle "L"
Upper "L"

Eruption

Pre-Caldera
Early Caldera
Early Caldera
Early Caldera
Late Caldera
Late Caldera
Late Caldera

VoIu(J

8.8
16.6
1.9
28.7

3.0
6.9
3.5

Table 2. Volume Estimates of Historic Caldera Eruptions
Estimated Volume (km3)
Source

Pinatubo (1991)
Krakatau(1883)
Santorini (3.6 ka)
Tambora (1815)
Vandever Mtn Tuff(T-J)
Taupo (1.8 Ka)
Kuwai (—1450)

4-5
10

25-30
25
13-26
30-35
32-39

Lipman, 2000
Lipman, 2000
Lipman, 2000; Cas and Wright, 1987
Cas and Wright, 1987
Kokelaar and Busby, 1992
Lipman, 2000: Cas and Wright, 1987
Monzier et al., 1994

References

Cas, R. A., and Wright, J. V., 1987. Volcanic Succession Modern and Ancient: Allen and Unwin,
London, 528 pp.
Hudak, G. J., 1996. The physical volcanology and hydrothermal alteration associated with late caldera
volcanic and volcaniclastic rocks and volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits in the Sturgeon Lake
region of northwestern Ontario: unpublished Ph. D. dissertation, University of Minnesota,
Minneapolis, MN, 463 pages.
Hudak, G. J., Morton, R. L., Peterson, D.M., and Franklin, J. M., 2000. The Sturgeon Lake Caldera
Complex, northwestern Ontario: volcanological evolution of an Archean shallow water VHMS
belt: Volcanic Environments and Massive Sulfide Deposits, CODES Special Publication 3, p. 8991.

Kokelaar, P., and Busby, C., 1992. Subaqueous explosive eruptions and welding of pyroclastic deposits:
Science, v. 257, p. 196-201.
Lipman, P. W., 2000. Calderas, in Sigurdsson, H., 2000, Encyclopedia of Volcanoes: Academic Press,
San Diego, CA, p. 643-662.
Monzier, M., Robin, C., and Eissen, J.-P., 1994. Kuwae (—1425 A. D.): the forgotten caldera: Journal of
Volcanology and Geothermal Research, v. 59, p. 207-218.
Morton, R. L., Walker, J. S., Hudak, G. J., and Franklin, J. M., 1991. The early development of an
Archean submarine caldera complex with emphasis on the Mattabi ash-flow tuff and its
relationship to the Mattabi massive sulfide deposit: Economic Geology, v. 86, p. 1002-1011.
Morton, R. L., Hudak, G. J., Walker, J. S., Jongewaard, P. K., and Murphy, C. M., 1998. The
stratigraphy and physical volcanology of the Archean south Sturgeon Lake Caldera Complex,
northwestern Ontario: Geological Association of Canada / Mineralogical Association of Canada
Annual Meeting Abstract Volume 23, p. A-128.
Smith, R. L., and Bailey, R. A., 1968. Resurgent Cauldrons, in Coats, R. R., Hay, R. L., and Anderson,
C. A. (eds), Studies in Volcanology (Howell Williams Volume), Geological Society of America

Memoir ll6,p. 153-210.

34

-

�A PRACTICAL EXERCISE IN METALLIC MINE RECLAMATION
LADYSMITH, WISCONSIN
T.C. HUNT, Director of the Reclamation Program, School of Agriculture,
University of Wisconsin - Platteville, Platteville, WI 53818

hi November 1968, Great Lakes Exploration, a subsidiary of Kennecott, intersected copper
mineralization along the Flambeau River south of Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wisconsin. This
discovery and the rising environmental consciousness in Wisconsin lead to nearly 25 years of
legislation, engineering evaluation, and environmental regulation. The Flambeau Mine was
officially opened on July 31, 1993 and by the time the mine closed in 1997, 1.9 million short
tons of ore averaging 8.9 percent copper and 0.10 ounces per ton of gold were produced.
This mine was unique in that all of the ore was shipped directly to smelters for metal
recovery; there was no beneficiation on site. Reclamation of the property was an important
part of the entire mine design.
Kennecott Minerals' Flambeau Mine reclaimed their open pit copper mine under the
jurisdiction of Wisconsin's environmentally sensitive metallic mining laws; viewed by many
as the most strict in the nation. It was alleged that Wisconsin's modem mining laws were
prohibitive, but the Flambeau Mine provides a case study demonstrating viable mining and
reclamation within the constraints of rigorously protective regulatory requirements can
happen.
The mine site is adjacent to the Flambeau River, one of Wisconsin's premier
whitewater canoeing area, and surface water, groundwater, and mine water were important
parts of the mining plan. Reclamation was initiated prior to the completion of mining.
Flambeau backfilled the open pit mine by layering mine waste and carbonate rock to control
acidity, and reclaimed the surface using state-of-the-science ecological restoration methods.
The company brought the surface of the former pit to its approximate original contour, rebuilt
pre-existing intermittent stream channels, restored native plant communities, and developed a
series of biofilters and wetlands to enhance runoff quality. A trail system opens the site to the
public for recreational pursuits such as hiking, cross-country skiing, and bird watching. Bald
Eagles and black bears are frequent visitors to the site. Visual inspection and statistical
analysis of surface water samples present evidence that the site is stabilizing and that the
hydrologic system is functioning as designed. Monitoring continues on the site, and the
vegetative sampling results indicate the reclaimed mine site is on the desired trajectory for
plant community development, diversity, cover, plant frequency, and productivity.
This experience of a well designed and implemented mine plan, in conjunction with a
well designed and implemented reclamation plan, illustrates that mining and the environment
can be compatible.

35

�THE EARLY GABBROIC SERIES OF THE MIDCONTINENT RIFT SYSTEM:
CONTINUED ASSESSMENT OF MAGMATIC ORIGINS

JERDE, Eric A. (e.jerde@moreheadst.edu) and SAL VATO, Daniel J. (student), Department of
Physical Sciences, Morehead State University, Morehead, KY 40351; THOLE, Jeff and
WTRTH, Karl R., Geology Department, Macalester College, St. Paul, Minnesota, 55105

The Early Gabbroic Series of the Midcontinent Rift System (MCR), informally known as Nathan's Layered Series (after
Nathan, 1969), is comprised of numerous tabular and sheetlike intrusions just south of the Gunflint Trail in the vicinity of Poplar
Lake in extreme northeastern Minnesota. A U-Pb zircon date of 1106.9 ± 0.6 Ma has been obtained for one of the units in this
series (Paces and Miller, 1993), making it among the oldest materials associated with the MCR. Nathan (1969) identified 27
separate units, given the letter designations A-Z and AA in their inferred chronological order. The chronological sequence was
based entirely on cross-cutting relations and discordances observed. Nathan's own interpretation, plus those of subsequent
observers, offers that many of the separate units may be gradational variations, while others may be unique dikes
or "sport"
varieties (to use the terminology of Nathan (1969).
In terms of major magma bodies, the series comprises four principal units: A-B (troctolites to gabbronorites), F-G (oxiderich olivine gabbro), M (gabbronorite), and P-Q (troctolites to gabbros). These intrusions can fairly be considered to be the
principal events in the evolution of the Early Gabbroic Series. A key aspect of this series of rocks, and one that led to the initial
interest by H.D. Nathan in the I 960s, is that several units contain large amounts of Fe-Ti oxides. In places oxides comprise in
excess of 30% of the rock (Nathan, 1969). However, among the major units listed above, only unit F-G is notable for high
abundances of oxide, exceeding 60% at some locations. Until now, no chemical analyses have been available for rocks of this
series.

Initial modeling of magma crystallization (Jerde, 2000) indicated that the principal units of the early Gabbroic Series may be
the result of polybaric fractionation. In such a scenario, units A-B, and P-Q formed through crystallization at 6kb, with M being
more fractionated. Unit F-G could have formed through extensive crystallization at I kb. Oxide phases are favored by
fractionation at lower pressures, resulting in the higher amounts seen in unit F-G.
Results of initial chemical analyses of bulk rocks (Table I) show that both high-Al, low-Ti magmas and low-Al, high-Ti
magmas are present. This is an interesting result since it has long been assumed that the earliest magmatic products of the MCR
were all low-Al and high-Ti. The oxide-rich nature of the Early Gabbroic Series was consistent with this assumption. From this
data, it is evident that unit F is significantly different from other units. Unit F may not be associated with unit G at all, and
chemically resembles unit A. This is in marked contrast to the interpretation of Nathan (1969).
The mineral data for some of the units shows variations consistent with multiple magma compositions, particularly among
the pyroxenes. Among pyroxenes, Unit C appears to resemble unit P-Q, which was originally thought to be much younger. The
variations in pyroxene may be additional evidence for polybaric fractionation since pressure differences plays a pivotal role in the
appearance of pyroxene during crystallization. Most plagioclase is of an intermediate An content, showing very little variation
among the units.
The latest field efforts have focused on individual units, simply to be systematic. These probably represent individual
intrusions, and once each one is examined, they can hopefully be placed into a broader context. The first unit examined was P-Q.
This unit is present in a single band extending from Poplar Lake for approximately 15 kilometers to the west. It is interesting to
note that Unit P is repeated, appearing twice in the magma stack (Fig. 1). In both instances, unit J is present stratigraphically
above unit P. Unit J has a very characteristic appearance, with large ophitic pyroxenes (up to 3 cm) and layers of coarse grained
material rich in Fe-Ti oxides. In most instances, when the top of unit P is approached, material very much like unit J appears,
suggesting a gradational contact. A definitive contact between P and J was not observed at any location. Chemical and mineral
data, along with the completely gradational contact between P (a gabbro) and Q (a troctolite), indicate that these are probably a
single intrusion that has undergone continuous fractionation. It is possible that J is simply a late stage fractionate, formed after P.
The repetition of unit P may reflect a second pulse of magma, or perhaps faulting (a thrust?) There is some indication that the
two layers of unit P may have different compositions (compare sample JO-I 4 with the other unit P compositions in Table 1). One
sample does not a difference make, however, and a definitive answer awaits further analysis, which will take place in the next
few weeks.
Recent studies of anorthosite-bearing intrusions such as the Kiglapait, Laramie, and Nain intrusions, has indicated that

anorthosites can be produced through fractionation of a high-Al, high-Fe basaltic magma at pressures of 9-14 kb (Scoates and
Lindsley, 2000). Such high-Al, high-Fe melts are consistent with low degrees of melting of an Fe-rich, enriched mantle source.
Fractionation of these melts at higher pressures (-.14 kb) produces strong Fe enrichment and oxide phases appear early in the
crystal assemblage. In such a scenario, the fractionation produces a ferrodiorite which is in equilibrium with anorthosite of an
intermediate (An) composition. Enrichment of Si during fractionation is only possible at low pressures due to a thermal
divide between cpx and opx at pressures in excess of 5 kb (Scoates and Lindsley, 2000). If such a magma were parental to the
Early Gabbroic Series, it suggests that some of the Early Gabbroic Series units may be siblings to the liquids that formed the
anorthositic series further to the south. Additional crystallization modeling is definitely needed to explore this new potential
source for rocks of the early stages of the Midcontinent Rift development.

36

�!

Table 1. Preliminary whole-rock compositions of major units from the Early Gabbroic Series

Sample Unit
J9-38

J9-35
J9-32
J9-31

J9-2
J9-46
J9-24
J9-23
J9-22
J9-29

A
A
B
B
C
F

G
G
G

SiO2 TiO2
48.26
0.25
49.47
0.25
52.63
52.66
50.02
51.53
45.65

0.55
0.75
0.50

47.31

4.79
3.05

M
M
M

47.06
51.48
48.09
48.29
47.03

P

48.31

io-io

P
P

jo-il
J0-14
J9-26
J0-4
J0-13
J9-48

J9-41

J9-40
J9-37
J9-27
J9-17

1.12
3.73

20.01
17.93
13.84
16.36
16.23
15.08
15.74
12.98
15.14

49.20
49.30

0.41
1.83
1.80
1.72

22.98
18.93
22.28
17.52
15.56
15.40
14.53

p

4743

2.15

15.81

P

49.63
51.70

1.15

J

Q
Q
Q
Y

1.61

1.30

2.64

48.17
49.03

0.93
0.17
0.12

16.14
14.68
18.48
19.92

52.76

1.75

18.81

1.28
1.32
1.54
1.11
1.31

1.26
1.99
1.99

2.19
0.92
1.38
1.26
1.62
1.50
1.45
1.50
1.67
1.30
1.21

1.72
1.48
1.70

!P MiiQ M CaO
8.50
8.80
10.24
7.42
8.72
8.38
13.27
13.26
14.60
6.14
9.20

8.41
10.79
9.98
9.68
9.97
11.14
8.63
8.03
11.46
9.85
11.30

0.12
0.14
0.23
0.16
0.15
0.16
0.18

9.40
10.70
8.03
8.99
8.24
4.73

0.21

5.41

0.20
0.08
0.13
0.09
0.15
0.16
0.16
0.17
0.16
0.15
0.17
0.16
0.14
0.10

4.88

8.75

1.76
7.43
1.76
10.25
7.23
7.15

7.84
6.46
7.25
7.64
8.16
7.12
4.38

8.92
9.05
8.38
11.08
11.68
12.05
9.60
9.39
7.36
9.58
9.74
10.15
7.71
12.81

12.09
12.60
11.80
12.94
12.79
7.12
7.66
3.07

2.94
2.75
2.13
2.65
2.46
2.34
2.87
2.68
3.13
3.80
2.85
3.78
2.63
2.40
2.44
2.32
2.45
2.32
2.58
3.14
3.38
2.92

0.25
0.23
0.22
0.42
0.25
0.33
0.61
0.81
0.93

0.98
0.29
0.48
0.29
0.23
0.37
0.21

0.29
0.19
0.47
0.35
0.35
2.15

!Qs

0.04
0.03
0.02
0.13
0.03
0.10
0.57
0.31

0.76
0.07
0.03
0.11

0.07
0.02
0.13
0.06
0.03
0.02
0.11

0.07
0.06
0.22

99.33
99.39
100.51
100.83
100.37
100.64
98.96
99.14
99.32
99.44
99.40
99.26
98.47
100.07
99.90
100.22
99.39
99.72
100.32
99.00
99.11

99.19

61.8
62.6
62.1

63.0
61.8
60.7
35.9
39.0
34.4
31.0
55.9
24.7
59.9
53.2
53.7
55.3
47.7
56.9
59.9
52.8
53.2
37.8

Analyses performed by XRF in the Department of Geology, Macalester College, St. Paul.

Fig. 1. North-South
cross section of the Early
Gabbroic Series. Note
the P-J-Q-P-J sequence
in the center of the
figure. (from Nathan,
1969).

0

I,,,,

References Cited:
Jerde, E.A., 2000, Magmatic origins for Nathan's Layered Series: An initial reassessment of the Midcontinent Rift's first major
plutonic materials: Institute on Lake Superior Geology Proceedings, 46th Annual Meeting, Thunder Bay, ON, May, v.46,
part 1, p. 24-25.
Nathan, H.D., 1969, The geology of a portion of the Duluth Complex, Cook County, Minnesota: Ph.D. dissertation, University of
Minnesota, Minneapolis, i98p.
Paces, J.B. and Miller, J.D., Jr., 1993, Precise U-Pb ages of Duluth Complex and related mafic intrusions, northeastern
Minnesota: Geochronological insights to physical, petrogenetic, paleomagnetic and tectono-magmatic processes associated
with the 1.1 Ga Midcontinent Rift System: Journal of Geophysical Research, v.9 8, 13,997-14013.
Scoates, J.S. and Lindsley, D.H., 2000, New insights from experiments on the origin of anorthosite: EOS Transactions American
Geophysical Union, v.81, no.48, Fall meeting Supplement.

37

�GEOPHYSICAL ANSWERS TO GEOLOGIC QUERIES IN THE SUPERIOR PROVINCE OF
NORTHERN MINNESOTA
JIRSA, Mark A., and CHANDLER, Va! W.
(Minnesota Geological Survey, jirsa001@umn.edu, and chand004@umn.edu)
Geophysical investigations play a vital role in geologic mapping in Minnesota. As an example, we present
here some highlights from mapping the Archean Superior Province in parts of Minnesota where the bedrock
is covered by glacial sediment as thick as one hundred meters. Mapping of the well-exposed Archean
rocks, restricted largely to the Vermilion district of northeastern Minnesota (Fig. 1), was completed in the
1960s and 1970s. Although significant, this outcrop mapping suffered from two shortcomings: 1) the area

constitutes less than 5 percent of the state's bedrock crust; and 2) the Vermilion district may not be
representative of the remainder of the state's Archean terranes that comprise two-thirds of Minnesota's
first crystalline bedrock beneath glacial materials. These shortcomings were recognized in the late-1970s
by Dr. Matt Walton, then-director of the Minnesota Geological Survey (MGS). He lobbied the State Legislature
and received funding (from 1979 to 1991) to collect high-resolution, state-wide, aeromagnetic data. Additional

aeromagnetic data were contributed by the U.S. Geological Survey and U.S. Steel Corporation. This was
coupled with efforts to map areas having poorly exposed bedrock, acquire gravity and corresponding rock
properties data, and drill test-borings in locations determined by the new geophysical data and geologic
models. After two decades, the results include aeromagnetic coverage of the entire state, a grid containing

more than 56,000 gravity stations (averaging 1 station per 2 square kilometers, state-wide), 2,500
determinations of density and magnetic susceptibility from nearly every major rock type, and drill cores
representing many of Minnesota's Archean rocks. Armed with these data, the MGS has produced variably
detailed geologic maps, and in the process raised important questions about the nature of the Archean
crust. Some of those questions are described below.

International

VERMILION
DISTRICT

Falls

9o

COOK- ,-'

&gt;GRB NIA
HORN

LIJthb2

SIDE LAKE

//

Archean rocks
Mafic to felsic stocks
Granitoid batholiths

Schist of sedimentary protolith
Gneiss and schist

I

L_

0

(JJ Layered mafic complexes

6Omi

0
I

I

80km

MAP AREA

Metavolcanic and metasedimentary rocks

Figure 1. Simplified geologic map of the Superior Province in Minnesota showing the location of various
map areas discussed in the text (LLSD—Leech Lake structural discontinuity, GRB—Giants Range
batholith).

38

�Early thrust nappes
Mapping in the Cook-Side Lake area (Fig. 1) was directed toward understanding the geological
relationships between well exposed strata of the Vermilion district on the east, and the less well exposed
rocks of the Side Lake area on the west. The volcanic sequences in each district are lithologically
similar, and form broad anticlines that face stratigraphically toward one another. The intervening area,
covering some 600 square kilometers, is marked by scattered exposures composed of turbiditic graywacke
and slate of the Lake Vermilion Formation. These strata are complexly deformed, and their interpretation
required detailed structural and sedimentological analysis. The model that evolved requires that much
of the Lake Vermilion Formation has been exhumed to a level that exposes the bottom of a very large

thrust nappe. Geophysical data are consistent with this interpretation, as they show graywacke as a
relatively thin, geophysically translucent package overlying a "floor" of denser and variably magnetic
volcanic strata.
Leech Lake structural discontinuity
The broadly folded volcanic and turbiditic strata of the Lake Vermilion Formation are part of what
is known as the Soudan belt. The Soudan belt is structurally contrasted with the adjacent Newton
belt to the north; the latter forms a series of fault-bounded, mostly north-facing, homoclinal panels.
The Newton belt differs further in containing komatiitic flows and abundant mafic to ultramafic sills
that are not present in rocks of the Soudan belt. In the well-exposed Vermilion district, the belts are
dissected by late faults to such an extent that the relationships between the belts, and even the exact
position of the boundary, are unclear. Extending the belts westward away from the zone of coinciding
faults using a combination of geophysical, outcrop, and drilling data identified a major state-wide
discontinuity between the two contrasting structural panels. Although its origin is not well understood,
the informally named Leech Lake structural discontinuity (LLSD on Fig. 1) is considered a significant
Archean crustal suture.
Mud Lake syncline
Because Archean bedrock in the area known as the Virginia horn (Fig. 1) is mantled by magnetic
iron-formation of Paleoproterozoic age, recent mapping in the area relied almost exclusively on gravity
modeling. The Archean bedrock is marked by a large fold, thought by earlier geologists to be an anticline,

having graywacke in the core and volcanic strata on the limbs. The graywacke is complexly folded,
and detailed structural analyses of cleavage/bedding relationships produced a contrasting model of an
early-formed, west-facing, upright syncline. The model was tested by a series of gravity profiles that
outlined a broad synform that is cored by relatively low-density graywacke, and flanked by inwardfacing limbs of dense basaltic crust. Gravity modeling indicates that graywacke along the syncline
axis is I to 2 kilometers thick and underlain by dense basaltic rocks.
Geophysical boundary at 5 kilometers
Constrained by physical property data, gravity and magnetic model studies of Superior Province
rocks in Minnesota indicate that density and magnetization contrasts associated with the Archean
greenstone-granite belts do not appear to extend to depths much greater than about 5 kilometers. This
depth is surprisingly shallow, given the width and near-vertical geometry of most of these belts. The
belts could be cut off by low-angle thrusting, which would be consistent with the convergent-margin,
accretionary models advanced by the Canadian Lithoprobe project. On the other hand, the limited
depth extent of the greenstone-granite belts could represent enhanced assimilation and mixing of magmatic
and supracrustal components at depth. Support for the latter model exists along the southern boundary

of the Giants Range batholith with adjacent supracrustal sequences that are complexly invaded and
locally migmatized by granodiorite. In either interpretation (low-angle thrust or assimilation at depth),
gravity and magnetic model studies indicate the observed anomaly signatures associated with Superior
Province rocks in Minnesota are largely the result of sources within the uppermost crust, and that relatively

little anomaly signature is apparently produced by middle or lower crustal rocks.
In summary, aeromagnetic data, supplemented by gravity and rock property data, have had tremendous
impact on mapping Superior Province rocks in Minnesota. These geophysical data provide an essential
framework and continuity that is not typically available from existing drill holes and outcrops. During
the last 20 years, much of the Archean bedrock outside of the Vermilion district has been remapped at
scales of 1:1,000,000 or greater. This ongoing mapping provides a valuable base for launching mineral
exploration programs, and has revolutionized our understanding of early crustal evolution in Minnesota.

39

�DISTRIBUTION OF ARSENIC IN WISCONSIN GROUNDWATER
DAVE JOITThSON, Drinking Water &amp; Groundwater Bureau, Wisconsin Department of
Natural Resources, PU Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707-7921,

johnsdmmail0.dnr.state.wi.us
Iii the past ten years, with the recognition of elevated arsenic is drinking water supplies, the
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has analyzed over 15,000 individual samples statewide.
Ten percent of the statewide samples exceed the 10 ppb proposed Arsenic standard by the US
Environmental Protection Agency; in some large areas over 25 percent of the samples exceed this
level. The objectives of the sampling program were to (1) identify the distribution of elevated
arsenic in water supplies, (2) identify concentration ranges and causes for the elevated arsenic, and
(3) determine construction guidelines to minimize the problem.
The arsenic appears in many settings, the most common presently recognized being a
northeast trending belt in east-central Wisconsin, west of the Fox River. The highest concentration
in Wisconsin, 15,000 ppb, occurs in this belt. Numerous studies (Burkel, 1993; Pelczar, 1996; Simo
and others, 1996,1997; and Gotkowitz, 2001) have identified a sulfide-rich horizon recognized near
the top of the St. Peter sandstone. This appears to be the principal source for As in this area.
However, there are some elevated levels west of the western-most subcrop extent of the sandstone
unit.

Other areas of elevated As have been identified. These include relatively shallow domestic
water wells in Silurian dolomite in southeast Wisconsin and in association with the Upper
Mississippi Valley Zinc-Lead District in southwestern Wisconsin. Elevated concentrations are also
noted in isolated areas in central and northeastern Wisconsin associated with unique Precambrian
units.
Township-based surveys of private wells in east central Wisconsin are continuing and may
permit greater delineation of the As problem and possible solutions.
Burkel, R.S., 1993, Arsenic as a Naturally Elevated Parameter in Water Wells in Winnebago and
Outagamie Counties, Wisconsin: unpub. MS thesis, University of Wisconsin -Green Bay, 111 p.
Pelczar, J.S., 1996, Groundwater Chemistry of Wells Existing Natural Arsenic Contamination in
East-central Wisconsin: unpub. MS thesis, University of Wisconsin - Green Bay, 206 p.
Simo, J.A., Freiberg, P.G., and Freiberg, KS., 1996, Geologic Constraints on Arsenic in
Groundwater with Applications to Groundwater Modeling: Wisconsin Water Resources Center GRR
96-01, 57 p.
Simo, J.A., Freiberg, P.G., and Schreiber, M.E., 1997, Stratigraphic and Geochemical Controls on the
Mobilization and Transport of Naturally Occurring Arsenic in Groundwater: Implications for Water
Supply Protection in Northeastern Wisconsin: Wisconsin Water Resources Center GRR 97-05, 56 p.
Gotkowitz, M.B., Scbrieber, M.E., and Simo, J.A., 2001, Contrasts in the geologic and
hydrochemical Occurrences of Arsenic contamination of Groundwater in Eastern Wisconsin:
thstitute on Lake Superior Geology, this meeting.

40

�FLUID INCLUSION EVIDENCE FOR A ROLE FOR HYDROTHERMAL
ACTIVITY IN THE ROBY ZONE, LAC DES ILES MINE, NORTHWESTERN
ONTARIO
JOHNSON, J.R. and KISSIN, S.A., Department of Geology, Lakehead University, Thunder
Bay, ON, P7B 5E 1, stephen.kissin@lakeheadu.ca
The Roby Zone of the Lac des lies Pd-Pt-Ni-Cu-Au mine, located 90 km north-northwest of
Thunder Bay, Ontario, was the initial locus of mining activity in the deposit. A striking
aspect of the deposit in the early stages of mining was the coincidence of the ore zone with an
envelope of taicose hydrothermal alteration (Michaud, 1998). Based on evidence of
hydrothermal activity in off-set and deep, copper-rich deposits at Sudbury (Molnar et al.,
1997) and observations of felsic veins and pods in the Roby Zone, an investigation of fluid
inclusions was undertaken.
From a suite of samples collected during pre- and early-mining stages at the Roby
Zone by Michaud (1998), hand specimen were selected. The hand samples used in the study
were selected based on the presence and abundance of transparent minerals.
From three hand samples (Lac-3 18, Lac-304 and Lac-46) taken from the heterolithic
gabbro located in the middle of the Roby Zone, a number of doubly polished sections 100
tim-thick were prepared. Sample Lac-3 18 is composed of pegmatitic gabbro that contain
minor veins of plagioclase and epidote. Sample Lac-304 consists of a quartz vein that is
emplaced within a medium-grained gabbro. The last sample used, Lac-46, is a mediumgrained gabbro crosscut by a felsic vein network.

Four distinct types of fluid inclusions were observed occurring in plagioclase and
quartz:
Type I - Single-phase liquid inclusions. These were extremely numerous in

quartz but less common in plagioclase.
Type II- Two-phase inclusions (liquid + vapour). The most numerous type of
inclusion that was found in plagioclase. The majority had a vapour content of
10-20% by volume.
Type III - Polyphase inclusions (liquid + vapour + one or more solid phases).
These were fairly abundant but of a small size, occurring only only in
plagioclase. Numerous inclusions contained a single crystal, but only a few
were found to contain more than one solid.
Type IV - CO2-rich polyphase inclusions. These were found only in
plagioclase, containg two solids, two liquids and vapour.
The fluid inclusion studies revealed the following results:
Type II and Type III inclusions - All but one inclusion homogenized to vapour
in the range of 540.1-352.4°C, but the majority were in the range 460-420°C.
Eutectic temperatures generally clustered about -52°C or -49.8°C, the eutectics

41

�for NaC1-CaC12-H20 and CaCl2-H20, respectively. Some lower eutectic
temperatures observed may be the result of the small size of the inclusions and
difficulty in detecting the first melting. Some eutectic temperatures were near
-21.2°C, the NaCl-H20 eutectic temperature. These may be attributed to lower
concentrations of CaC12, such that its effects on melting behaviour were
difficult to observe. Most inclusions in this group had final melting
temperature of about -20°C, indicating moderate to high salinity.
Type IV inclusion - Only one inclusion containing liquid CO2 and two
daughter crystals was observed. The eutectic temperature was -54.2°C with a
final melting temperature of -15.5°C, consistent with data from Type II and II
inclusions. Liquid CO2 homogenized to vapour at 26.8°C, and the remaining
vapour homogenized to liquid at 160.8°C. However, the daughter crystals
melted at 230°C and &gt;412°C, the decrepetation temperature.
Type I - Liquid only inclusions exhibited eutectic temperatures of--34°C and

final melting temperatures of-15°C. These inclusions, although saline, were
clearly formed at low temperature.
The study has shown that high-temperature saline fluids are intimately associated with
the ore zone of the Roby Zone. It is suggested that the present distribution of the ore is the
result of hydrothermal activity associated with these fluids, possible of late magmatic origin.
Similarity to fluids active in the Sudbury Igneous Complex is striking.
Michaud, M.J., 1998. The Geology, Petrology, Geochemistry and Platinum-Group ElementGold-Copper-Nickel Ore Assemblage of the Roby Zone, Lac des Iles Mafic-Ultramafic
Comples, Northwestern Ontario. M.Sc. thesis, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, Ontario.

Molnar, F., Watkinson, D.H., Jones, P.C. and Gatter, I., 1997. Fluid inclusion Evidence for
Hydrothermal Enrichment of Magmatic Ore at the Contact Zone of the Ni-Cu-PlatinumGroup Element 4b Deposit, Lindsley Mine, Sudbury, Canada. Economic Geology, vol. 92,
pp. 674-685.

42

�HYDROGEOCHEMICAL MODELING OF ARSENIC IN MINNESOTA GROUND
WAT1R
KANTVTSKY, Roman, Minnesota Geological Survey, 2642 University Avenue, St. Paul, MN
55114, kaniv001@umn.edu
Concentrations of dissolved arsenic in Minnesota ground water commonly exceed 3pJL
(micrograms per liter) and are as much as 157 piL. The highest regional concentration of arsenic in
ground water (0.06—91 WL, mean 6 iJL) is documented in the western part of the state where the
aquifers are buried bodies of sand, gravel, and silty sand that form discontinuous lenses beneath
lake deposits and within till. Because of this, the hydrogeochemical modeling was performed for
ground water systems in this part of the state.

A surface complexation two-layer sorption model was used to assess the mechanisms
controlling arsenic distribution in the Quaternary buried artesian aquifer and Cretaceous aquifer
systems. The release of sorbed arsenic from iron hydroxides into ground water was estimated by
this model. The test data consisted of concentrations of total arsenic and iron in solution; this was
derived from the arsenic and iron concentrations in the geological materials. The result of this
model is the distribution of arsenic—either adsorbed to the surface of iron hydroxides, or into the
aqueous phase.

These results suggest that mobility of arsenic is promoted by the onset of suboxic
conditions in aquifer systems where iron hydroxides have sorbed arsenic. The reduction of ferric
oxides and hydroxides, together with the reduction of As(V) to the less-strongly adsorbed and
more mobile As(III), can release adsorbed arsenic into ground water. This reduction may be
driven by microbial degradation of natural organic matter in aquifer systems. The source of the
arsenic in the Quaternary buried artesian system is presumed to be iron oxides and iron hydroxides
that have sorbed arsenic, and form amorphous coatings on mineral grains within the silty-clayey
till. Despite the fact that the arsenic concentrations in the ground water and the geological materials
used for the modeling were far apart, the modeling illustrates that the process is probably generic
and not limited by geography.
Based on the sorption model and the classification of aqueous environments, the working
model that explains the mech anisms controlling distribution of arsenic in ground water can be
applied to five hydrogeochemical systems in Minnesota: the Quatemary buried artesian aquifer
system, the Quaternary water-table aquifer system, the Cretaceous aquifer system, the Paleozoic-

Mesoproterozoic artesian basin aquifer system, and the Precambrian crystalline rock aquifer
system. The thick, silty-clayey, glacial and lacustrine sediments that cover the aquifers of the
Quatemary buried artesian aquifer system in west-central Minnesota serve as a geochemical
transition zone associated with the transformation from oxic to suboxic conditions. In areas where
the tifi is more sandy, suboxic conditions may not exist. Variability in arsenic concentrations in

water of the Quaternary buried artesian aquifer system can thus be explained by changes in
geochemical conditions, the variability of the arsenic content in the sediments, or by variability in
Waters within other
distribution of chemical reductants (e.g. buried organic matter).
hydrogeochemical systems typically have low concentrations of arsenic, possibly because they are
associated with oxic conditions. High arsenic concentrations associated with sulfide mineralization
or iron-formation may be present locally within any system, but are not a regional feature of any of
these hydrogeochemical systems.

Reference:

Kanivetsky, R., 2000, Arsenic in Minnesota ground water: hydrogeochemical modeling of the
Quaternary buried artesian aquifer and Cretaceous aquifer systems: Minnesota Geological Survey
Report of Investigation 55, 23 p.

43

�ROCK MAGNETIC STUDIES OF PHYLLITIC ZONES FROM THE BARABOO
SYNCLINE, WISCONSIN.
KELLY*, COLLEEN, AND KEAN, WILLIAM F., Department of Geosciences,
University of Wisconsin —Milwaukee, P.O. Box 413, Milwaukee, WI 53201
wkean@uwm.edu. (* student)
Preliminary paleomagnetic results based on limited sampling from a variety of rock types,
suggested that the magnetism of the metamorphic rocks associated with the Baraboo
Syncline was pre-folding (Kean and Mercer,1986). The detailed work by Mercer (1984)
based on data from two quartzite sites on the southern limb and one site on the northern limb
shows the magnetism is carried by hematite, and is prefolding. The unfolded magnetic
direction is Dec=201°, Inc.66.4°, Alpha 95=10.7°, which gives a paleopole at 257°E,
4.67°N. This is consistent with 1.75Ga. paleopole positions for North American.
However, the sites with phyllites were notably inconclusive (Mercer, 1984). Possible causes
are; incomplete structural information, synfolding magnetization that was not recorded by the
quartzite, or anisotropy of magnetization caused during the folding. Nonetheless magnetic
results from these strata could provide important clues about the actual age of folding of the
syncline. The phyllites result from metamorphism of clay rich layers within the original
sandstone sequence, which could also contain hematite, magnetite or maghemite. It is likely
that the magnetic mineralogy, and/or the magnetic direction in these layers will change
during metamorphism and folding, and therefore provide information on the deformation
history.
A suite of oriented hand samples, collected from phyllitic zones on both sides of the Baraboo
Syncline, were subjected to a variety of magnetic measurements to determine the magnetic
mineralogy and remanent directions. The measurements included stepwise alternating field
(AF) and thermal demagnetization to either 1 OOmT or 750° C respectively, magnetic
susceptibility, saturation isothermal remanent magnetization (SIRM), and hysteresis
properties. A.F. demagnetization was mostly ineffective. However, the thermal
demagnetization results show that the majority of samples have a single magnetic direction
that reduced to zero intensity between 650-750° C. The SIRM plots never reach saturation by
300mT, and the coercivity of remanence (Hcr) values derived from the hysteresis ioops are in
the range of 140-180 mT. These results are indicative of hematite with an effective grain size
of 15-20 tm, that probably developed during metamorphism. However, additional studies
are required to exclude the possibility that the differences in the magnetic directions for these
sites are not due to local structural conditions, or anisotropy of remanent magnetization.
References:
Mercer, D.,1984, Paleomagnetism of the Baraboo Quartzite, Unpublished MS thesis, UWMilwaukee, 294 pp.
Kean, W.F. and Mercer, D., 1986, Preliminary Paleomagnetic Study of the Baraboo
Quartzite, Wisconsin, Geoscience Wisconsin, Vol. 10, p 46-53.

44

�HEALTH SURVEILLANCE IN A COMMUNITY AFFECTED BY ARSENICCONTAMINATED WATER
Lynda Knobeloch and Charles Warzecha, Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services
Shelli Nelson, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Environmental Toxicology Center

Many private drinking water wells in Wisconsin's Fox River Valley contain naturally occurring
arsenic at levels of health concern (Riewe et al., 2000). In 1993, the Department of Health and
Family Services surveyed water use and health status among families living in the affected
region. Data from this initiative indicated that residents whose daily arsenic intakes exceeded 50
were approximately three times more likely to report skin cancer than residents with lower
arsenic intakes (Haupert et al, 1996). The Department is currently re-evaluating arsenic exposure
and health status in this region. Three factors make this re-evaluation timely. In January, the
U.S. EPA lowered the safe drinking water standard for arsenic from 50 ug/L to 10 ugIL,
increasing the number of wells that will be deemed "unsafe." Since the previous study, the
number of families that use private wells in this region has increased dramatically. In addition,
repeated sampling of several wells in this region seems to indicate that arsenic concentrations are
increasing over time, possibly due to regional drawdown of the aquifer. The current study covers
a much broader geographic region than the 1993 study. Each township within Outagamie and
Winnebago Counties has been encouraged to participate. To date, nearly 2000 families have
submitted well water samples for arsenic analysis and completed a 4-page health questionnaire.
This larger study population, combined with a more extensive list of health outcomes, is
expected to provide us with a better understanding of arsenic exposure and its impact on the
health of families that consume water from private wells in these counties.
References:
Riewe T, Weissbach A, Heinen L, and R Stoll, 2000. Naturally occurring arsenic in well water

in Wisconsin. Water Well J; (June 2000): 24-31.
Haupert TA, Wiersma JH, and JM Goldring, 1996. Health effects of ingesting arseniccontaminated groundwater. Wisc Med J; 95(2):100-104.

45

�HYDROGEOLOGIC SETTING OF ELEVATED ARSENIC IN SOUTHEASTERN MICHIGAN
KOLKER, Allan, and CANNON, W. F., U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA, 20192,
HAACK, S. K., and WESTJOHN, D. B., U.S. Geological Survey, Lansing, Ml, 48911, and
WOODRUFF, L. G., U.S. Geological Survey, Saint Paul, MN 55112.
High levels of arsenic, up to nearly 40 times the EPA standard of 10 tg/L, are present in
southeastern Michigan, primarily in private supply wells. To investigate the problem, the USGS,
in collaboration with the University of Michigan, sampled more than 100 wells, including public,
private and monitoring wells, and examined aquifer materials in the region for possible sources
of arsenic. The study area includes nearly all of Genesee, Huron, Lapeer, Livingston, Oakland,
Sanilac, Shiawassee, Tuscola, and Washtenaw counties, which have a combined population of
more than 2 million. Of the wells sampled by the USGS, more than 50% exceed the current
EPA drinking water standard [1,2]. Most of the affected wells are completed in the Marshall
Sandstone (Mississippian), the principal bedrock aquifer in the region, but in some cases, water
in overlying glacial aquifers, or in the Saginaw (Pennsylvanian) aquifer is also affected.
Problem wells are concentrated in the eastern and southeastern parts of the Marshall
Sandstone subcrop belt, where Marshall Sandstone is in direct hydrologic contact with
permeable Pleistocene glacial deposits [3].
To investigate the possible relation between the composition of aquifer materials and the
arsenic content of well water, test wells were drilled by the USGS in Huron County (H-i 5D) and
Lapeer County (LP-1), in areas known to contain wells with high arsenic contents. Both of the
USGS wells show a gradual decrease in total arsenic of well water with depth, but redox
conditions (Eh = 29 to 68 mV; [1]) and the fraction of As III (88 — 100% of total arsenic),
measured for H-15D, are essentially uniform with depth (Figure). There is no distinct correlation
between arsenic contents of aquifer materials, sampled in 4.5 ft. (1.37 m) intervals (0 to —300
ppm), and waters, sampled largely in 50-ft. (15.7 m) intervals (Figure). Likewise, there is no
correlation between As concentration and total Fe or SO4 contents of waters in the region, even
for samples having the highest (&gt;50 p.g/L) As contents. These findings suggest that in-situ
pyrite oxidation in the Marshall aquifer is very limited.
In the Marshall Sandstone and in portions of the overlying Michigan Formation, pyrite is
locally present as a cement whose texture indicates growth that has displaced framework sand
grains. This pyrite locally contains highly arsenic-enriched domains (up to 8.5 wt. %) occurring
as overgrowths on pyrite framboids having much lower arsenic contents, that are in turn
incorporated into pyrite having low arsenic contents [4,5]. Well cuttings containing arsenic-rich
pyrite have arsenic contents as high as 1020 ppm. Investigation of till samples containing iron
oxy-hydroxides, probably derived from weathering of arsenian pyrite, shows arsenic contents up
to about 0.7 weight percent. This indicates that a portion of the arsenic is retained during the
weathering/oxidation process, or that arsenic is concentrated on oxide surfaces by adsorption of
aqueous arsenic.
Because there are multiple sources of arsenic in glacial and bedrock aquifers that are in
hydrologic continuity, no single process may explain the overall distribution of arsenic in
southeastern Michigan wells. Reduction of iron-oxyhydroxides in glacial aquifers by exposure to
suboxic ground water, is one possible source. In-situ pyrite oxidation, while limited, may locally
be enhanced by high concentrations of bicarbonate [6]. Because of the extreme arsenic
contents of some Marshall Sandstone pyrite, small amounts of in-situ oxidation could result in
contamination of bedrock aquifers. Likewise, we cannot rule out sporadic paleo-oxidation of
pyrite in the bedrock aquifer, resulting from lower water table levels that existed following the
last glaciation. All of these processes have likely contributed to the widespread but sporadic
nature of arsenic enrichment in southeastern Michigan ground water.

46

�Compilation of
analytical results for
arsenic in USGS test
cores H-15D (A), and
LP-1 (C) and waters in
corresponding packed
intervals (B and D).
Data represent bedrock
intervals only, with the
exception of glacial drift
recovered from LP-i.
Brackets on water data
indicate size of packed
intervals represented.
Results for arsenic
speciation in H-i 5D
waters are from M.-J.

E

a
C

0

10

Kim [21.

20
30

Sandstone!

40

Siltstone

60
70

Mudstone

80

90
100

Shale

110

120

As (ppb)

As (ppm)

Carbonate

References
and selected geochemical characteristics of
[1] Haack, S. K., and Trecanni, S. L., 2000, Arsenic concentration U.S. Geological Survey Water Resources
in
southeastern
Michigan:
ground water and aquifer materials
Investigations Report 00-4171, 38 p.
groundwater of southeast Michigan: Ph.D. dissertation,
[2] Kim., M.-J., 1999, Arsenic dissolution and speciation in
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Ml, 201 p.
framework of the Michigan Basin Regional Aquifer
[3] Westjohn, 0. B., and Weaver, T. L., 1998, HydrogeologiC
Professional
Paper
1418,
47 p.
System: U.S. Geological Survey
pyrite in the Mississippian
0. B., Woodruff, L. G., 1998, Arsenic-rich
[4] Kolker, Allan, Cannon, W. F., Westjohn,
Michigan ground water: Geological Society
anomalous
arsenic
in
southeastern
Marshall Sandstone: Source of
of America, Abstracts with Programs, v. 30, no. 7, p. A-59.
D. B., Haack, S. K., and Kim, M.-J., 1999, Arsenic in
[5] Kolker, Allan, Cannon, W. F., Woodruff, L. G., Westjohn,
EOS, American Geophysical Union
southeastern Michigan ground water: Results of USGS test drilling:
S147.
Transactions, v.80, no.17, p. S146ions and arsenic dissolution by ground water:
[6] Kim, M.-J., Nriagu, Jerome, and Haack, S. K., 2000, Carbonate
34,
p.
3094-3100.
Environmental Science and Technology, v.

47

�POTENTIAL FOR COPPER MINERALIZATION IN THE ANIMIKIE GROUP, MINNESOTA
LARSON, Phillip C., Department of Geological Sciences, University of Minnesota, Duluth, MN 55812,
plarson2@d.umn.edu

Numerous lines of evidence have recently been identified suggesting the potential occurrence of Keewenawanstyle native copper or White Pine-style sediment-hosted copper mineralization in Animikie Group sediments in
northeastern Minnesota.
Native copper has been reported in quartz veins in the Wanless Mine near Buhi (Gruner, 1946). Copperstained rocks have been observed in the Butler Taconite mine (D. Ridgeway, pers. comm.). Hydrothermally altered

diabase dikes in the National Steel Pellet Company (NPSC) Mine have elevated copper values (up to 950 ppm)
associated with a chlorite-quartz alteration assemblage (Larson et a!., 1999). In addition, diagenetic pyrite from the
NSPC mine frequently displays a secondary coating of chalcopyrite on bedding and fracture surfaces. Finds of float
native copper in glacial drift have occasionally been reported in the Nashwauk-Keewatin area of the Mesabi Range
(L. Mattson, pers. comm.). It is improbable that this float copper is derived from the Lake Superior basin, as

surficial drift on the Mesabi has either a northwest or northeast provenance; this strongly suggests a local
provenance. These occurrences suggest the northern flank of the Animikie Basin has hosted a regional-scale
mineralizing event by an oxidized cupriferous fluid.
The timing of copper mineralization is constrained by cross-cutting relationships. A series of diabase dikes
intrude iron formation in the NSPC mine area; these dikes are tentatively dated at —1 100 Ma. Overprinting of
alteration on well-developed cooling structures and post-emplacement shears in the dikes suggests that the copper
mineralizing event significantly post-dated dike emplacement — similar to native copper mineralization on the
Keewenaw peninsula. In contrast, in the South Stevenson Mine a diabase dike intruded the natural iron-ore body,
indicating dike emplacement post-dates natural iron-ore formation. These relationships demonstrate that the natural
iron-ore forming hydrothermal event is distinct from, and preceded the copper mineralizing event.
Morey (1999) has presented a model for formation of natural iron ore deposits on the Mesabi by alteration
of Biwabik iron-formation by a hydrothermal fluid generated deep in the Animikie basin. A topographically-driven
regional hydraulic flow system was induced by recharge in a highland area bounding the southern end of the basin.
Fluids evolved deep in the basin were driven through relatively permeable strata at the base of the Animikie Group
(Pokegama Quartzite). These fluids leaked upward along fractures through the overlying iron-formation toward the
margins of the basin.

Concentration of iron oxides in natural iron-ore deposits is chiefly a function of silica removal from
unaltered iron-formation. Evidence suggests that this process extended down into the underlying Pokegama
Quartzite as well. Holway (1956) reported that at the Auburn Mine, quartzite underlying the natural iron-ore was
composed of friable sand from which the silica cement had been leached. In most exposures, the Pokegama
Quartzite is a well-cemented low permeability rock. However, local desilicification associated with natural iron-ore
formation has enhanced permeability along numerous fault- and fracture-hosted fluid pathways.

During formation of the Midcontinent Rift System, rift-filling volcanics, intrusives, and sediments
truncated the southern margin of the Animikie basin. The base of the Animikie Group is thus presumably in contact
with volcanic rocks in the deeper portions of the rift — the likely source of oxidized cupriferous brines associated
with Keewenawan native copper mineralization. These same fluids may have been driven from the western flank of
the rift into the basal portion of the Animikie Group (Fig. 1). Fluid flow would have been focused through the basal
clastic units, and in particular along the preexisting desilicified faults and fractures. Overlying iron-formation and
shale units would have served as effective aquitards.
Two scenarios for concentration of significant copper mineralization by cupriferous brines discharging
along the northern margin of the basin present themselves (Fig. 2). High-porosity, high-permeability desilicified
clastic sediments within the Pokegama Quartzite may be the host for native copper mineralization similar to that
observed in brecciated flow-tops and conglomerate beds on the Keewenaw Peninsula. Interaction of the brines with
the iron-sulfide-rich base of the Virginia Formation may have produced stratiform copper sulfide mineralization
similar to that observed at the White Pine and Presque Isle deposits.

48

�Midconfinent Rift

Mesabi Range
Animikie Basin
NW

OronfoIBaieId
Group

Sec mentsJSE

Figure 1. Schematic cross-section of post-Midcontinent Rift flow system through the
Animikie Basin.

k\
\

White Pine-Style

Copper Sulfide \Tirginia Formation

Figure 2. Schematic cross-section of copper mineralization, showing relationship
between faults/fractures, desilicification, and Animikie Group sediments.

References
Gruner, J.W., 1946, Mineralogy and Geology of the Mesabi Range: Office of the Commissioner of the Iron Range
Resources and Rehabilitation, St. Paul, 127 p.
Hoiway, W., 1956, Auburn Mine, in Schwartz, G.M., ed., Geol. Soc. America Annual Meeting Field Trip 1
Guidebook, p.160-167.
Larson, P. C., Hanttula, J. E. and Price, J. 5., 1999, Proterozoic mafic dikes, western Mesabi Range, Minnesota.
GSA Abstracts with Programs, Vol. 31, No. 7: 106.
Morey, G. B., 1999, High-grade iron ore deposits of the Mesabi Range, Minnesota — product of a continental-scale
Proterozoic ground-water flow system. Economic Geology 94: 133-142.

49

�CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE CULTURAL GEOGRAPHY OF THE WEST MESABI RANGE,
NORTHERN MINNESOTA
LIVELY, Richard and MOREY, G. B.
(Minnesota Geological Survey, lively@umn.edu and morey001@umn.edu)

The Mesabi Iron Range in northern Minnesota has produced more than 4 billion tons of iron ore and
taconite from more than 500 mines since ore was first shipped from that area in 1892. Mining, confined to
an east-northeast trending strip of land some 100 miles long and 4 miles wide, has greatly modified both
the original landscapes and associated cultural features. In this discussion, we assess some of those
changes utilizing modern data and topographic maps prepared during the summer of 1899 and 1900 by
E.C. Bebb and his assistants D.L. Fairchild and Louis B. Weed, all topographers with the U.S. Geological
Survey. The original data were compiled at a scale of 1:16,000 with a contour interval of 20 feet, and
ultimately were published at a scale of 1:50,000 in 1903 (Leith, 1903). The original field maps were
obtained from the Cuyler Adams estate in the early 1 980s and were subsequently digitized by Emily Bauer
of the Minnesota Geological Survey to produce a pre-mining topographic rendition of the western half of
the Mesabi range. The digitized maps were prepared as part of a larger study of the hydrologic character of
the western Mesabi range sponsored by the Legislative Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCMR).
We compare here the 1899-1900 data with topographic data obtained in 1999 by the Minnesota
Department of Natural Resources as part of the Mesabi Elevation Project (DNR, 1999). As one would
expect, open-pit mining has considerably changed the topographic expression along the range, mainly by
increasing the relative abundance and depth of topographically low areas and redistributing topographically
high areas. In general, the overall spread in elevation has increased by over 100 feet due to excavation,
while over the same period the maximum elevations on the range have not changed substantially. When
comparing data from the 1999 high-resolution digital surface with data from the 1899-1900 survey in
undisturbed areas, the resulting correlations are virtually identical. This implies a high degree of accuracy
among the early topographers mapping the Mesabi range.
In 1899-1900, the western half of the range contained 11 mines and 17 mine dumps totaling about
0.7 square miles, or about 0.3 percent of the 230 square miles originally mapped. In 1986, mining activity
accounted for about 140 square miles of pits and dumps, or about 60 percent of the study area. Mining
also significantly affected drainage patterns along the range. In 1899-1900, mapped streams totaled over

400 miles in length, whereas only about 220 miles could be found compiled from topographic maps
between 1970 and 1990, a reduction of about 45 percent. Much of that loss involved the removal of
headwaters for many southward flowing streams along the south side of the Laurentian drainage divide.
The transportation features mapped on the range in 1899-1900 were primarily limited to about 170
miles of roads or trails and about 125 miles of railroad track. Most of these extended along the strike of the
range, with relatively little development crossing the range. By 1990, railroad mileage had doubled to about
250 miles and road length had increased to over 1000 miles. In addition to the increased transportation
network, mining created and destroyed many towns as it progressed. For example, the entire town of
Hibbing was moved several miles after a rich deposit was discovered under its streets.

The Leith (1903) report also included a geologic map that was designed to aid exploration by
delineating the boundaries of the Biwabik Iron Formation. That map, compiled during the spring of 1900
and the summers of 1900 and 1901, relied heavily on the support and geologic information, especially test
pit and drill hole data, provided by J.U. Sebenius of the Lake Superior Consolidated Iron Mines (now
owned by the U.S. Steel Corporation). Although the geologic data base was limited to relatively few,
sparsely distributed data points, the resulting geologic map read very much as it does today, even with
more complete data now available. The only significant difference involves a better understanding of faults
and related structures which became apparent as extensive test drilling and mining progressed.
References Cited:

Leith, C.K., 1903, The Mesabi iron-bearing district of Minnesota: United States Geological Survey
Monographs, v. 43, 316 p., 1 plate.
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, 1999, Mesabi Elevation Project: St. Paul, Minnesota.

50

�PRECAMBRIAN GEOLOGY OF S. WISCONSIN: A PANORAMA FROM THE BARABOO RANGE
MEDARIS, L.G., Jr., Dept. of Geology &amp; Geophysics, Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison,
1215 W. Dayton Street, Madison, WI, 53706, medarisgeology.wisc.edu

Red, supermature quartzites, most notably the Baraboo, Barron, and Sioux Quartzites, have long been
recognized as a distinctive Proterbzoic feature in the southern Lake Superior region, signifying
depositionon a stable craton under conditions of intense chemical weathering in the presence of
significant free atmospheric oxygen (Dalziel &amp; Dott, 1970; Ojakangas &amp; Weber, 1984; Southwick et al.,
1986). The quartzites were inferred to be post-1750 Ma in age, to have been folded and metamorphosed
at —4630 Ma, and locally intruded by granitic rocks at —1450 Ma. The term, Baraboo interval, was
introduced by Dott (1983) for this succession of sedimentation, deformation, metamorphism, and
intrusion in the time span of 1750 to 1450 Ma. In the last six years investigators at Wisconsin and Dan
Holm at Ball State and coworkers have taken a renewed interest in the Baraboo interval, and their results
substantiate the original concept and framework of the Baraboo interval and provide a more detailed
understanding of the disparate geological processes that shaped the southern Lake Superior region in
mid-Proterozoic time.
Igneous Basement of the Baraboo Range The Baraboo Quartzite is underlain by diorite, granite,
and rhyolitic lavas and pyroclastic rocks (Dalziel and Doff, 1970). U-Pb zircon ages of the Baxter
Hollow granite and rhyolite are indistinguishable, and taken together, yield an age of 1749±12 Ma (Van
Wyck, 1995). Chronologically and petrologically, the Baraboo basement is correlative with the
subalkalic granite and rhyolite suite of the Fox River Valley (Smith, 1978; Anderson et a!., 1980).
Igneous textures are well preserved in all units of the Baraboo basement, although igneous minerals are
partly to completely replaced by a variety of greenschist facies minerals. Typically, biotite is replaced by
chlorite, plagioclase is transformed to albite and fine-grained epidote (saussurite), and intermediate alkali
feldspar is recrystallized to a fine-grained mixture of near end-member microcline and albite.
Hornblende in diorite is partly replaced by chlorite and intergrown actinolite and cummingtonite.
Paleosols beneath the Quartzites Mature paleosols have been recognized beneath the Sioux,
Baraboo, and Barron quartzites (Southwick &amp; Mosler, 1984; Medaris et al., 1997; Medaris, 2000).
Among these paleosols, the Barron represents the best standard for comparison, because it has not been
affected by later hydrothermal alteration, as have the other two. The Barron paleosol is a saprolite,
derived from Penokean metatonalite and consisting of quartz, kaolinite, hematite, traces of sericite, and
crandallite-florencite. During weathering of the metatonalite protolith, A12O3, TiO2 and Zr remained
immobile, Na20, CaO, MgO, and MnO were effectively removed, Ba, Sr, K2O, and Rb were substantially
reduced, and SiO2 decreased by 10%. The extreme chemical maturity of the Barron saprolite is reflected
in a high value, 95.7, for its Chemical Index of Alteration.
The Baraboo Quartzite is underlain by saprolite, which varies in thickness from 30 to 50 feet and was
derived from granite and rhyolite. Chemical changes in the Baraboo saprolite relative to protolith are
similar to those in the Barron, except for subsequent hydrothermal addition of K20 and Rb.
Common features of the Barron, Baraboo, and Sioux paleosols are the absence of feldspar and a high
degree of mineralogical and chemical maturity, similar to present-day weathering profiles in warm,
humid climates, where intense chemical leaching is characteristic. Such a climate and a stable tectonic
setting were essential for generating the supermature features of the Baraboo interval quartzites.
Depositional Age and Composition of Baraboo Interval Sedimentary Rocks A post-Pen okean
depositional age for the Baraboo interval quartzites was long recognized, and recent analyses of detrital
zircon grains in the Baraboo, Barron, Flambeau, McCaslin, and Sioux quartzites have yielded numerous
U-Pb ages from 1782 to 1712 Ma (Van Wyck, 1995; Doff et a!., 1997; Holm Ct al, 1998), demonstrating
that the quartzites were deposited no earlier than —1710 Ma. The chemical maturity of the Baraboo

51

�interval sediments was previously inferred from the near absence of detrital feldspar, the abundance of
pyrophyllite or kaolinite, and the predominance of zircon, magnetite, rutile, and apatite among heavy
minerals. Recent analyses of Barron, Baraboo, and Sioux siltstone, pelite, and their metamorphosed
equivalents, yield compositions consisting essentially of Si02, Al203, Fe203, hO2, and H20, with a
Chemical Index of Alteration ranging from 96.8 to 98.6. The extreme chemical maturity of the Baraboo
interval sediments reflects a source region that experienced extensive chemical leaching and produced
detritus consisting largely of quartz, kaolinite, and hematite.
1630 Ma Folding and Metamorphism There was widespread Rb-Sr isotopic resetting at 1635±33
Ma in Fox River Valley granite and rhyolite, Baxter Hollow granite, and Baraboo rhyolite (Dott &amp;
Dalziel, 1972; Van Schmus et al., 1975; X = 1.42*1011 yr'), and it was suggested that such isotopic
resetting was coincident with folding of the quartzites, which might represent an eastern expression of
the Mazatzal deformation in the southwestern U.S. (Dott, 1983; Van Schmus et al., 1993). The extent of
foreland deformation is marked by a 1630 Ma tectonic and thermal front in northern Wisconsin, which
was located on the basis of 40ArP9Ar cooling ages of mica and hornblende in basement rocks and the
distribution of folding in quartzites (Holm et al., 1998; Romano et al., 2000).
The Barron Quartzite is unfolded and unmetamorphosed, consisting of quartz, kaolinite, and
hematite. In contrast, the Baraboo Quartzite and underlying basement have been folded and
recrystallized under low grade conditions (Medaris et al., 1998). The coexistence of quartz and
pyrophyllite in the metasedimentary rocks requires a temperature between 285°C and 360°C, at 1 kbar
and unit activity of H20.
Post-i 630 Ma HydrothermalActivitv Muscovite grains from sub-Baraboo metasaprolite and from
muscovite-pyrophyllite-diaspore veins near the base of the Baraboo quartzite yield discordant 39Ar
release spectra, with well-defined plateaux ages at 1456±11 and 1467±11 Ma, respectively (Naymark et
al., 2001a). An apparent whole-rock Rb-Sr isochron age for saprolite and pedogene is 1336±75 Ma.
These data provide the first substantial evidence for a Wolf River-age imprint on the Baraboo Range, due
to the effects of hydrothermal fluids that probably were driven along the sub-Baraboo nonconformity by
heat from regionally extensive Wolf River magmatism.
Muscovite grains from two samples of Sioux pipestone, which contain the assemblage muscovitepyrophyllite-diaspore, also yield discordant 39Ar release spectra, but with significantly younger plateaux
ages of 1370±10 and 1268±11 Ma (Naymark et al., 2001b). The geological significance of such ages is
unclear at present, and the —100 m.y. difference in ages of the two samples, which occur at the same
stratigraphic level, deserves further investigation. Nevertheless, these recent 40ArP9Ar results reveal the
existence of important, and possibly widespread, post-1630 Ma hydrothermal activity in the southern
Lake Superior region.
References
Anderson, J.L. et al. (1980) Contrib. Mineral. Petrol., v. 74, 3 11-328; Dalziel I.W.D. &amp; Dott R.H., Jr. (1970)
Wis. Geol. Nat. History Survey, Inf. Circ. 14, 164 pp; Dott, RH. Jr. (1983) Geol. Soc. Amer. Memoir 160,
129-141; Dott, R.H., Jr. &amp; Daiziel, I.W.D. (1972) Jour. Geol., v. 80, 552-568; Dott, R.H., Jr. et al. (1997) Geol
Soc. Amer. Abstr. with Progr., v. 29, No. 4, 13; HoIm, D. et at. (1998) Geology, v. 26, 907-910; Medaris, L.G. Jr.
et al. (1997) 43rd Inst. Lake Superior Geol., 39-40; Medaris, L.G., Jr. et al. (1998) 44th Inst. Lake Superior Geol.,
89-90; Medaris, L.G., Jr. (2000) 46th Inst. Lake Superior Geol., 37-38; Naymark, A. et at. (2001a) Geol. Soc.
Amer. Abstr. with Progr., v. 33, No. 4, in press; Naymark. A. et al. (2001b) 47th Inst. Lake Superior Geol., in press;
Ojakangas, R.W. &amp; Weber, R.W. (1984) Minn. Geol. Surv., Rept. mv. 32, 1-15; Romano, D. et at. (2000)
Precambr. Res., v. 104, 25-46; Smith, E.I. (1978) Geol. Soc. Amer. Bull., v. 89, 875-890; Southwick, D.L. et at.
(1986) Geol. Soc. Amer. Bull., v.97, 1432-1441; Southwick, D.L. &amp; Mossler,J.H. (1984) Minn. Geol. Surv.,
Rept. mv. 32, 17-44; Van Schmus, W.R. et at. (1975) Geol. Soc. Amer. Bull., v. 86, 1255-1265; Van Schmus,
W.R. et al. (1993) Precambrian: Conterminous U. S., Geol. North America, v. C-2, 270-28 1, Geol. Soc. Amer.; Van
Wyck, N. (1995) Ph.D. thesis, Univ. Wis.-Madison, 280 pp.

52

�RECENT ADVANCES IN UNDERSTANDING THE GLACIAL RECORD OF WISCONSIN
MICKELSON, D.M., Department of Geology and Geophysics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706.
Micke1son(dgeology.wiscedu and CLAYTON, LEE, Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey, 3817
Mineral Point Rd., Madison, WI 53706.
Several glacier advances reached Wisconsin, but the record of early ice advances is sparse, probably because of
their age (some &gt;800 ka) and the intense erosion that took place during the subsequent glaciations (Alden, 1918;
Bleuer, 1970; Baker, etal., 1983; Miller, 2000). Thin, discontinuous till occurs on the uplands in west central and
central Wisconsin and south of the late Wisconsin deposits in southern Wisconsin. Most have been classified into
the lithostratigraphic system adopted by the Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey, as have younger
1987; Clayton,
1991). More detailed mapping of
1984; Attig,
glacial deposits (Mickelson,
Quaternary deposits at 1:100,00 scale has been published for about 18 counties, and several more are in preparation.
South and west of late Wisconsin and older glacial deposits lies the Dnftless Area. Recognized as driftless since
before 1850 because of its higher relief and lack of erratics, the Driftless Area has Paleozoic bedrock close to the
surface with only a cover of bess less than lOm thick. The landscape has been produced by fluvial erosion since at
least sometime in the Tertiary. Although Black (1960) suggested that it was glaciated, there is no evidence that it
was (Mickelson etal., 1982). In all likelihood, the Driftiess Area remained unglaciated because it had to cross the
deep, east-west Lake Superior basin. Much ice was diverted into the Green Bay Lobe and into the Superior Lobe,
which extended westward into Minnesota. The Driftless Are a is surrounded by glacial deposits of different ages,
but was never surrounded by ice as portrayed by early workers and many textbooks.
Late Wisconsin ice advanced into the northeast Wisconsin by about 24,000 radiocarbon years ago based on model
results and radiocarbon dates in Illinois. There is a relative lack of radiocarbon dates from this time period in
Wisconsin, probably because permafrost was thick and tundra vegetation covered the landscape. Also, ice was
particularly erosive behind the ice margin compared to further south in Illinois. Although there is no radiocarbon
record of the advance, model results indicate that the Lake Michigan Lobe advanced more quickly than lobes that
had to traverse the deep, east-west oriented Lake Superior basin (Cutler, j., 2000a) because extensive calving
slowed their advance.
Ice of the Green Bay, Langlade, Chippewa, and Superior Lobes clearly advanced onto permafrost. This argument is
based field observation of ice wedge casts (Clayton, etal., 1997), the lack of buried wood, (Attig, etal., 1989)
evidence of tundra vegetation (Maher and Mickelson, 1996), and model results (Cutler, etal., 2000b). Landforms
near the maximum ice extent appear to reflect subglacial conditions at the time they were deposited. Relief within
end moraines increases from about 10 m in southern Wisconsin to more that 60 m in northern Wisconsin, reflecting
the wider, longer lasting frozen-bed zone near the margin. Drumlins are extensive, probably because slow melt out
of subglacial permafrost caused inhomogenities in the bed and differential streamlining. Tunnel channels left by
large, probably catastrophic, flows of water from beneath the ice sheet are common along the outer margins
in press). Tunnel channels and drumlins appear to be absent farther south in
(Clayton,., 1999; Cutler,
Illinois where buried wood and model results indicate there were warmer temperatures during the advance to the
maximum ice advance position.
The length of time that ice remained at or near the maximum position in the Green Bay lobe is debated. Maher and
Mickelson (1996) have argued that ice remained near its maximum extent until about 15, 000 years ago and that
subsquent deglaciation was rapid based on radiocarbon dates from Devils Lake and northeastern Wisconsin. Colgan
submitted) argue that deglaciation was slower based on cosmogenic dates and time needed for
(1999; Colgan
glacial landform development.
References Cited
Attig, J.W., Clayton, Lee, and Mickelson, D.M., (Eds.), 1988, Pleistocene stratigraphic units of Wisconsin 198487: Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey, Information Circular 62, 61 pp.
Attig, J.W., Mickelson, D.M., and Clayton, Lee, 1989, Late Wisconsin landform distribution and glacier-bed
conditions in Wisconsin, Sedimentary Geology, v. 62, p. 399-405.
Baker, R.W., Biehl, J.F., Simpson, T.W., Zelazny, L.W., and Beske-Deihl, S., 1983, Pre-Wisconsinan glacial

53

�stratigraphy, chronology, and paleomagnetics of west-central Wisconsin: Geological Society of America Bulletin,
v. 94, p. 1442-1449.
Clayton, Lee, Attig, J.W., and Mickelson, D.M., and Johnson, M.D., 1991, Glaciation of Wisconsin: Wisconsin
Geological and Natural History Survey, Educational Series 36, 4 p.
Clayton, Lee, Attig, J.W., Mickelson, D.M., 1997, Conditions around the margin of the Green Bay lobe during the
height of the Wisconsin glaciation: j: Mudrey, M.G., Jr., Guide to Field Trips in Wisconsin and adjacent areas of
Minnesota, 31st Annual meeting of the North-central section, Geological Society of America: Wisconsin
Geological and Natural History Survey, p. 23-30.
Clayton, L, Attig, J.W., and Mickelson, D.M., 1999, Tunnel channels formed in Wisconsin during the last
glaciation: In Mickelson, D.M. and Attig, J.A., (Eds.), Glacial Processes Past and Present: Geological Society of
America Special Paper 337, p. 69-82.
Colgan, P.M. and Mickelson, D.M., 1997, Genesis of streamlined landforms and flow history of the Green Bay
lobe, Wisconsin, USA: Sedimentary Geology, v. 111, p. 7-25.
Colgan, P.M., 1999, Reconstruction of the Green Bay Lobe, Wisconsin, United States, from 26,000 to 13,000
radiocarbon years B.P. :In Mickelson, D.M. and Attig, J.A., (Eds.), Glacial Processes Past and Present: Geological
Society of America Special Paper 337, p. 137-150.
Colgan, P.M., Bierman, P.R., Mickelson, and Caffee, Marc, submitted, Variation in glacial erosion near the
southern margin of the Laurentide Ice Sheet, south central Wisconsin: implications for cosmogenic dating of glacial
terrains: Geological Society of America Bulletin,
Cutler, P.M., Colgan, P.M., Mickelson, D.M., and MacAyeal, 2000a, Influence of the Great Lakes on the advance
of the southern Laurentide Ice Sheet at the last glacial maximum: Geological Society of America, 2000 Abstracts
with Programs, v. 32, no. 7, p. A-330
Cutler, P.M., MacAyeal, D.R., Mickelson. D.M., Parizek, B.R., and Colgan, P.M., 2000b, A numerical investigation
of ice-lobe-permafrost interaction around the southern Laurentide Ice Sheet: Journal of Glaciology, v. 46, no. 153,

p.311-325.
Cutler, P. M. Clayton, Lee, Mickelson, D.M., Colgan, P.M., and Attig, J.W., in press, Tunnel Channels and
Associated Fan Deposits in Wisconsin, U.S.A.: Insights into the Plumbing of the Southern Laurentide Ice Sheet:
Quaternary International.
Maher, L.J. Jr., and Mickelson, D.M., 1996, Palynological and radiocarbon evidence for deglaciation events in the
Green Bay lobe, Wisconsin: Quaternary Research, v. 46, p. 251-259.

Mickelson, D.M., 1997, Wisconsin's glacial landscapes: In Ostergren, R.C. and Vale, T.R., Wisconsin Land and
Life: Madison, University of Wisconsin Press, p. 35-48.
Mickelson, D.M., Clayton, Lee, Baker, R.W., Mode, W.N., and Schneider, A.F., 1984, Pleistocene stratigraphic
units of Wisconsin: Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey, Miscellaneous Paper, 84-1, 199 pp.
Miller, J.W., 2000, Glacial stratigraphy and chronology of central southern Wisconsin, west of the Rock River,
Wisconsin: Madison, Wisconsin, M.S. Thesis, University of Wisconsin, 147 pp.

Mickelson, D.M.,Knox, J.C. and Clayton, Lee, 1982, Glaciation of the Driftless Area: An evaluation of the
evidence, In: Quaternary history of the Driftless Area , Knox, J.C., Clayton, Lee, and Mickelson, D.M. (Eds.),
Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey, Field Trip Guidebook 5, p. 155-169.

54

�THE DULUTH COMPLEX: WHAT IT IS, WHAT IT AIN'T, AND WHAT WE STILL DON'T
KNOW
p

Miller, James D., Jr.
(Minnesota Geological Survey, do Natural Resources Research Institute, 5103 Miller Trunk
Highway, Duluth, MN 55811 mille066@tc.umn.edu)

Since the time of the first Minnesota state geological survey over 100 years ago (1.), several generations
of geologists have worked to unravel the mysteries of the igneous rocks of northeastern Minnesota: the
aptly named Duluth Complex. Each new level of understanding was brought about by new data or
concepts about geological processes. With early survey studies recognizing the general distribution of

igneous rock types, Grout's (2-5) work in the Duluth area established many of the broader geologic
relationships of the Complex and developed fundamental concepts about how layered mafic intrusions
form, many of which are still held today. However, one of his principle ideas, that the Duluth Complex is
a large singular lopolithic intrusion (2), was proven to be an oversimplification by a flurry of geologic
mapping conducted throughout the complex in the 1950s to 1970s (6-13). These studies were spurred by
efforts to establish a geological framework within which to understand the Cu-Ni sulfide deposits first
discovered in the late-1940s. Despite the fact that these deposits have yet to prove of economic
importance, this intense period of geologic mapping served to formalize the general intrusive stratigraphy
of the Duluth Complex and showed it to be a multiply intruded igneous system. In the early-70s,
acceptance of the plate tectonic theory and recognition that the Duluth Complex was part of an
intracontinental rift system created a new paradigm within which to evaluate the magmatic and tectonic
history of the Duluth Complex (14).
The current generation of Duluth Complex studies have focused on five major objectives:
1)

2)
3)

4)
5)

to interpret the geologic picture of the vast, poorly exposed central part of the Duluth Complex
using high-resolution aeromagnetic data acquired in the early-1980s (15, 16);
to unravel the intrusive history of the complex with high resolution U-Pb dating of its gabbroic,
anorthositic and felsic rocks (17, 18);
to delineate the internal igneous stratigraphy of the various layered intrusions of the Duluth
Complex with core logging, detailed mapping, and petrologic studies (19-22);
to map the intrusive components of the hypabyssal Beaver Bay Complex and distinguish these
from intrusions of the deeper Duluth Complex (23); and
to evaluate the potential for economic base- and precious-metal deposits in areas of known
mineralization and in other unexplored areas of the Duluth Complex (25).

This presentation will highlight some of the new ideas that have emerged from this generation of
studies and that are currently being summarized in a new 1:200,000-scale digital geologic map of
northeastern Minnesota (see Miller and others, this volume) and in a companion report to be published in
summer, 2001. It will also attempt to clarify some misconceptions about the Duluth Complex and point
out where more study is needed.

Keweenawan intrusive igneous rocks compose more than 60 percent of the bedrock geology of
northeastern Minnesota, but only about half of them constitute the Duluth Complex. The Duluth Complex

refers to those intrusions that were emplaced into the base of the comagmatic volcanic edifice of the
North Shore Volcanic Group. Intrusions emplaced higher within the volcanic pile are not considered part
of the Duluth Complex, but rather belong to the Beaver Bay Complex or, where isolated, are identified as
individual subvolcanic bodies. Other than scattered, isolated masses of strongly hornfelsed mafic volcanic
rock, the Duluth Complex is virtually a continuous mass of intrusive igneous rock. Within that mass, four
general rock series are distinguished on the basis of age, dominant lithology, internal structure, and
structural position within the complex. Each rock series was multiply emplaced and, where possible,
individual intrusion names are assigned.

55

�Early Gabbroic Series—layered sequences of dominantly gabbroic cumulates occurring along the
northeastern contact of the Duluth Complex. With their reversed magnetic polarity and 1108 Ma U-Pb
zircon age (17), these rocks were evidently emplaced during the early magmatic stage of rifting. Two
intrusive units are currently recognized: Nathan's Layered Series and the Cucumber Lake gabbro,
though the latter has not been mapped in detail (10).

Felsic Series—massive granophyric granite with lesser intermediate rocks occur in a semicontinuous
string of elliptical bodies along the eastern and central roof zone of the complex. Ongoing age dating
and isotopic studies of these various bodies by Vervoort (26, 18) suggest that most were emplaced
during early magmatic activity between 1109 to 1102 Ma and came from Paleoproterozoic to
Mesoproterozoic crustal sources. The position of major mafic and anorthositic intrusions beneath
these granophyre bodies suggests that the felsic rocks acted as density barriers to mafic magmas, thus
causing their plutonic emplacement.

Anorthositic Series—a structurally complex suite of foliated, but rarely layered plagioclase-rich gabbroic
cumulates that evidently formed by multiple emplacement of plagioclase crystal mushes (27). The
erratic internal structure of these rocks typically precludes distinguishing individual intrusive bodies.
Although commonly intruded by and included in layered series rocks, U-Pb dating indicates
comparable ages of 1099 Ma for both rock series (17).

Layered Series—previously referred to as the troctolitic series (9-12, 14), this suite is composed of
troctolitic to ferrogabbroic cumulates that constitute at least 11 major mafic layered intrusions. These
intrusions display a range of internal differentiation from poorly differentiated troctolitic bodies, such

as the Partridge River and South Kawishiwi intrusions, to the well-differentiated Duluth Layered
Series and Greenwood Lake intrusion (21). Interpretations of geophysical data over the unexposed
central and southern parts of the complex (15, 16; Miller and others, this volume) have led to the
recognition of several previously unidentified layered intrusions: the Boulder Lake, Western Margin,
Greenwood Lake, and Osier Lake intrusions. Aeromagnetic data also imply that emplacement of the
thick sheet-like intrusions of the layered series occurred by sequential overplating of previous
intrusions beginning in the northwestern part of the complex and progressing southeastward.

Although much has been learned about this enormous and complex igneous system in the past 20
years, much more remains to be done before a complete picture of the Duluth Complex is developed.
Vast areas of the Duluth Complex and associated subvolcanic intrusions are unmapped in detail
(especially in the BWCA). Age dating studies have only begun to unravel the emplacement history of
Duluth Complex intrusions and their possible relationship to higher subvolcanic intrusions and volcanic
rocks. Determining the igneous stratigraphy of the newly recognized, but poorly exposed layered
intrusions (and their potential for stratiform POE deposits) will require systematic drilling and
geochemical studies. These and other challenges await the next generation of geologists who dare to
tackle the mysteries of the Duluth Complex.

References:
1) Winchell, 1899, MGS Final Rpt IV; 2) Grout, 1918a, Am J Sci 46, p.516; 3) Grout, l9l8b, J Geol 26, p.626; 4)
Grout, 1918c, J Geol 26, p.481; 5) Grout, 9l8d; J Geol 26, p.439; 6) Grout, Sharp, &amp; Schwartz, 1959, MGS Bull 39;
7) Taylor, 1964, MGS Bull 44; 8) Green, Phinney &amp; Weiblen, 1966, MGS Misc Map M-2; 9) Phinney, 1972, Geol
of Mimi: Cent Vol, p.335; 10) Phinney, 1972, Geol of Minn: Cent Vol, p.346; II) Davidson, 1972, Geol of Minn:
Cent Vol, p.354; 12) Bonnichsen, 1972, Geol of Minn: Cent Vol, p.361; 13) Green, 1982, MGS Geologic Map of
Minn—Two Harbors sheet; 14) Weiblen &amp; Morey, 1980, Am J Sci 280-A, p. 88; 15) Chandler, 1990, Econ Geol 85,

p.816; 16) Miller &amp; Chandler, 1999, MGS Misc Map M-l0l; 17) Paces &amp; Miller, 1993, J Geophys Res 98, p.13997;
18) Vervoort &amp; others, this volume; 19) Severson &amp; Hauck, 1990, NRRIJGMIN-TR-89-1l; 3) Severson, 1994,
NRRI/TR-93/34; 21) Miller &amp; Ripley, 1996, Layered intrusions, Elsevier, p.257; 22) Severson &amp; Miller, 1999, MGS
Misc Map M-91; 23) Miller &amp; Chandler, 1997, GSA Spec Paper 312, p.73; 24) Hauck et a!., 1997, GSA Spec Paper
312, p.137; 25) Miller, 1999, MGS Inf Circ 44; ) Vervoort &amp; Green, 1997, Can J Earth Sci 34, p.521; 27) Miller &amp;
Weiblen, 1990, J Pet 31, p.295.

56

�DIGITAL GEOLOGIC MAP OF NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA AND ASSOCIATED DATABASES
IN GeMS—A MODIFIED ARCVIEW FORMAT
Miller, J.D., Jr.', WahI, T.E.', Green, J.C.2, Chandler, V.W.', Severson, MA.3, and Peterson, D.E.23
1) Minnesota Geological Survey, 2642 University Ave., St. Paul, MN 55114; 2) Department of Geological
Sciences, University of Minnesota—Duluth, Duluth, MN 55812; 3) Natural Resources Research Institute,
5013 Miller Trunk Highway, Duluth, MN 55811

The Minnesota Geological Survey (MGS), in collaboration with the Natural Resources Research Institute
and the Department of Geological Sciences at the University of Minnesota—Duluth, is currently compiling
geologic, structural, drill hole, geophysical and geochemical data from northeastern Minnesota into an ArcViewbased GIS called GeMS (Geologic Mapping System). The main focus of this project, which is being funded

by the Minnesota State Legislature through the Minerals Coordinating Committee, is to develop a new
1:200,000-scale geologic map of the Duluth Complex and related Keweenawan igneous rocks. The map
will be available in summer, 2001 either as a 1:200,000-scale paper map, as a downloadable image from
the MGS website, or as part of a CD-ROM that will also include all related data compiled for the study in
an ArcView format. A companion report addressing the geology and mineral potential of the Duluth Complex
will also be published in summer, 2001. This presentation will give an overview of the basic components
of GeMS and will describe the types and attributes of database themes included in the compilation.

GeMS was initially conceived to be a user-friendly interface to the UNIX workstation-based Arclnfo
software for the purpose of digitally storing, retrieving and imaging geologic, geophysical and geochemical

data (WahI and others, 1995, 1997). GeMS was recently converted to ArcView 3.2 for this and other
MGS mapping projects because of ArcView's common usage as GIS software on the PC platform, its expanded

data management capabilities, and its more flexible and easy-to-use graphical user interface. ArcView
manages geographical data as point, line and polygon themes and links them to attribute tables containing
related information. ArcView is particularly well-suited to making geologic maps because of its ability to
sort data and interpretive themes by various attributes, to graphically portray the sorted data in a variety
of ways, and to accommodate various types of base images (DRGS, geophysical images, orthophotos,
etc.). The types of data and information themes that are part of the current version of GeMS are listed in
Table 1.

Table 1. Data and interpretive themes included in GeMS
Data type

Theme type Attributes

outcrop

polygon

field station ID, geologist, date visited, data source, observational detail, exposure,
outcrop types, # of photos taken, # of samples taken, rock type, field description, map
unit

sample

point

field station ID, geologist, date sampled, data source, form of sample, rock type, map
unit, field description, # of thin sections, petrographic description, related data available
(probe, whole rock, isotope, assay, geochron, rock properties)

structure

point

field station ID, geologist, date measured, data source, structure type, attitude, confidence

level, # of averaged measurements, display scale
drill hole

point

drill hole ID, date drilled, logged by, date logged, lessee, elevation, azimuth, plunge,
depth, depth to bedrock, first bedrock, last rock type, present core location, core diameter

map lines

line

geologist, date, basis 1, basis 2, line type (e.g., fault, contact, dike, fold axis, etc.)

map unit

polygon

geologist, date, basis I, basis 2, map label, unit description

miscellaneous varied

gossan zones, test pit locations, etc.

57

�The advantages of moving from the old cartographic methods of making geologic maps to a GIS-based
approach are numerous: GIS maps are easily updated as new data become available; several types of geologic

data can be viewed at the same time; and different bases can be used. In addition to these advantages
common to all GIS map systems, GeMS incorporates some other unique and useful features. These include
source identification data (who, when and where). This is especially important for the compilation of the
1:200,000-scale geologic map of northeastern Minnesota, which compiles data and interpretations from
various sources. Another important feature is the identification of the basis for geologic interpretations
(map lines and units). For example, possible options for the basis for a fault interpretation are: topographic
expression, inference from aeromagnetic data, geologic unit offset, air photo lineament, or local observation
in outcrop.
The database for northeastern Minnesota available on CD-ROM will not be a complete compilation.

The amount of detailed outcrop data alone that could potentially be compiled totals more than 100,000
polygons. This project is concentrating on data from areas that are open to mineral exploration. The
completeness of the database at present is shown in Table 2. In addition to continuing to fill out this database,

some other elements that will be added to GeMS include 1) compiling all geochemical data and linking
that database to outcrop and drill hole samples, 2) allowing for drill core logs to be added to the database,
and 3) exporting portions of the system to handheld devices to allow direct data capture in the field. As
new mapping is conducted and new data are acquired, updated versions of the regional geologic map and
its associated database will be published—a task made easier having moved our map-making into the digital
age.

Table 2. Current Status of Data Compilation for the Northeastern Minnesota Geologic Map Area
Data Type

Outcrop

Areas where compilation
nearly complete

Areas yet to be compiled

—23,000

Duluth area, southern and
central Duluth complex, Allen
and Babbitt quadrangles,
Beaver Bay Complex'

Northern Duluth Complex (map
areas of Phinney, Davidson,
Foose, and Nathan), North
Shore (Green)

Units compiled
Total units
to be compiled to date
&gt;100,000

Samples2

—5000

—3600

Duluth area, central Duluth
Complex, Allen quadrangle,
Beaver Bay Complex

Samples of Green and misc.
uncatalogued samples and thin
sections stored at the MGS

Structure

—8000

&gt;5000

All published geologic maps

Unpublished mapping by
Phinney and Green

—600

All drill hole data are compiled

Drill Holes

—600

')only about 30% of outcrop polygons in the Beaver Bay Complex have their attributes compiled, the unattributed
polygons thus mark only outcrop location.
2) includes well-located samples for which geochemical, petrographic, or rock property data exist and/or for which
a preserved sample or thin section exists.

References:

1995 ESRI
International User Conference Proceedings, http://www.esri.comllibrary/userconf/proc95/to200/p I 67.html

Wahl, T.E., Miller, J.D., Jr., Bauer, E.J., 1995, Bedrock geologic mapping using Arclnfo:

Wahi, T.E., Miller, J.D., Jr., Jirsa, M.A., Boerboom, T.J., Chandler, V.W., Runkel, A.C., Dahl, D., Severson,
M.J., 1997, Geologic mapping System (GeMS): a digital approach to bedrock geologic mapping: Institute
on Lake Superior Geology, Proceedings v. 43, part 1, p. 59-60.

58

�STRUCTURE OF THE BURIED PRECAMBRIAN BASEMENT IN SOUTHWEST
WISCONSIN AND ITS INFLUENCE ON REGIONAL PALEOZOIC GEOLOGY
AND ZINC-LEAD MINERALIZATION
MUDREY, M.G. Jr., Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey,
3817 Mineral Point Rd., Madison, WI 53705, mgmudreyfacstaff.wisc.edu
BROWN, B.A., Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey,
3817 Mineral Point Rd., Madison, WI 53705, babrown1@facstaff.wisc.edu

Our recent geologic mapping in southwestern Wisconsin has focused on pre-Sinnipee Group
formations in the area north of the historic upper Mississippi Valley Zinc-Lead Mining
District and south of the Wisconsin River. The regional stratigraphy can be clearly defined
from outcrop exposures and mineral exploration boreholes in the Tunnel City Group,
Trempealeau Group, Prairie du Chien Formation, and Ancell Group. The relatively easy
recognition of the various units, in some cases to within 3 meters of a member or formation
boundary, permits recognition of repeated sections and offset. This and previous mapping
permits delineation of regionally significant anticlines, synclines, and faults, some which of
have throws of more than 30 meters.
Our analysis of recent aeromagnetic data (Bracken and Nicholson, 2000) leads to a
better understanding of folds and faults recognized in outcrop and permits extrapolation of
some of the faults to the east at least 60 km. The large, broad folds mapped by previous
workers were based on detailed examination of mineral exploration boreholes and outcrops.
Many of the structures correlate with basement linear features defined from the aeromagnetic
data. Some of the folds, such as the Allamakee Anticline, may be related to readjustments
along Keweenawan and older structural features (such as the Belle Plaine Fault and
equivalent structures). Other east-west features, notably the Meekers Grove Anticline, are
coincident with aeromagnetic linears at depth. These linear features are probably faults or
faults with coincident dikes and probably define the north tectonic edge of the Illinois Basin.
Regional map analysis suggests a steepening of dip of the Paleozoic rock units southward
into the Illinois Basin along these regional deep basement trends, from a regional dip of less
than 10 feet per mile to over 20 feet per mile.

The large, quiet magnetic areas in western Grant County and else where in southern
Wisconsin may reflect Wolf River-age plutons within the basement because the signatures
are circular and apparently undeformed. Wolf River-aged material has been drilled along the
state line between Wisconsin and Illinois (Coates, and others, 1983). Some of the linear
anomalies defined from aeromagnetic data are coincident with positive linear gravity
anomalies (Geister and Ervin, this meeting) and are probably wide, mafic dikes. The
location of the plutons and faults probably influenced sedimentation patterns during the early
Paleozoic by localizing the large reef/carbonate bank deposits of Middle Ordovician
(Ludvigson and others, 1983).
It is commonly thought that deep brines from the Illinois Basin gave rise to the
hydrothermal solutions responsible for mineralization (Bethke, 1986). Localization of the

59

�zinc-lead mineralization along small faults and folds in mine workings is well documented
from detailed mine mapping; however, this mineralization does not appear to be related to the
deeper, more extensive basement structures. Heyl and others (1970) concluded that the
broad-scale folds and faults were responsible for the tectonic framework, but the structures
controlling ore deposition were developed by solution and slumping during the
mineralization stages.
We propose that the broader tectonic elements at the periphery of the Illinois Basin
controlled ascent of the hydrothermal brines and therefore distribution of regional
mineralization. The rapid cooling of those ascending brines along fractures resulted in the
mineral concentrations. In this model it is the details of depth of burial of individual geologic
units, their uplift and cooling history, and timing of transit of the hydrothermal brines, that
are important in mineralization rather than host-rock lithology and local structure.
Bethke, C.M., 1986, Hydrologic constraints on the genesis of the Upper Mississippi Valley
mineral district from Illinois Basin brines: Economic Geology, v. 81, p. 233-249.
Bracken, R.E., and Nicholson, S.W., 2000, Aeromagnetic Surveying in Wisconsn 1998-99:
Digital Data Files: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 99-527.
Coates, M.S., Haimson, B.C., Hinze, W.J., and Van-Schmus, W.R., 1983, Introduction to the
Illinois Deep Hole Project: Journal of Geophysical Research. B, v 88, no. 9, p. 7267-7285.
Heyl, A.V., Broughton, W.A., and West, W.S., 1970 (1st edition), Geology of the Upper
Mississippi Valley Base-Metal District, Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey
[3Td
Information Circular 16, 45 p. (some sections revised by M.G. Mudrey, Jr. in 1978
edition]).

Ludvigson, G.A., Bunker, B.J., Witzke, B.J., and Garvin, P.L, 1983, A burial diagenetic
model for the emplacement of zinc-lead sulfide ores in the Upper Mississippi Valley, USA:
in Kisvarsanyi, G., Grant, S.K., Pratt, W.P., and Koenig, J.W., eds. International conference
on mississippi valley type lead-zinc deposits (proceedings volume): University of Missouri Rolla, Rolla, MO, p. 497-5 15.

60

�___

PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS OF AEROMAGNETIC DATA IN SOUTHERN
WISCONSIN: THE ROLE OF PRECA1'LBRIAN BASEMENT IN PALEOZOIC
EVOLUTION
MUDREY, M.G. Jr., Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey,
3817 Mineral Point Rd., Madison, WI 53705, mgmudreyfacstaff.wisc.edu
BROWN, B.A., Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey,
3817 Mineral Point Rd., Madison, WI 53705, babrown1@facstaff.wisc.edu
DANIELS, David L., U.S. Geological Survey, MS954 National Center,
Reston, VA 20192, dave@usgs.gov
The new aeromagnetic map of Wisconsin was the result of digitally blending the data from
22 surveys flown between 1948 and 1999. The most recent survey (74,000 line-kilometers),
acquired by the U.S. Geological Survey, covers much of southern Wisconsin. The flight line
data for four surveys acquired by the U.S.Geological Survey during the past 12 years have
been released on CD-ROMs. These data were added to earlier U.S.Geological Survey surveys
and 4 surveys acquired by Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey. Flight lines are
800m apart or less for 95% of the state, giving the aeromagnetic map nearly uniform
specifications. All surveys were either flown at or continued to an elevation of 305m above
terrain prior to assembling into a state grid. The data interval of the grid is 250 m.
In this presentation, we show a preliminary analysis of the aeromagnetic data south of
4350, for which there is little Precambrian information either from outcrop or cuttings from
deep boreholes. The resulting aeromagnetic map of southern Wisconsin illustrates the
structure of the Precambrian rock underlying Paleozoic and Pleistocene cover. The pattern
generally represents a complex Precambrian terrane that may include middle Proterozoic
granite-green stone terrace containing small, circular anomalies related to the Wolf River
batholith. The dominant Precambrian bedrock in eastern Wisconsin is quartzite of the
Baraboo type. This unit is generally magnetically transparent; as a result, the magnetic
signature originates from rock of the basement to the quartzite. In places, notably Fond du
Lac County, folding within some units in the quartzite sequence is evident and suggests
interbedded slate and iron formation.
Other basement features include well defined faults in the Precambrian, some of
which are clearly of Paleozoic age. In eastern Wisconsin the Waukesha and related faults
define a basement terrace boundary, and in southern Wisconsin the Beloit and other faults
define the northern edge of the Illinois Basin. The lack of relationship between the Upper
Mississippi Valley Zinc-Lead District mineralization and Precambrian basement suggests a
minor role for pre-Paleozoic elements during localization of the zinc-lead mineralization.

61

�MISSISSIPPI VALLEY-TYPE MINERALIZATION IN THE FOX RIVER VALLEY,
EASTERN WISCONSIN (Modified from 42nd ILSG - Cable, Wisconsin, 1996)
MUDREY, M.G. Jr., Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey,
3817 Mineral Point Rd., Madison, WI 53705, mgmudrey@facstaff.wisc.edu
BROWN, B.A., Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey,
3817 Mineral Point Rd., Madison, WI 53705, babrownl@facstaff.wisc.edu
FREIBERG, P.G., Department of Geology and Geophysics 1215 W. Dayton St.,
Madison, WI 53706-1692,
SIMO, J.A., Department of Geology and Geophysics 1215 W. Dayton St.,
Madison, WI 53706-1692, simo@geology.wisc.edu

Regional NURE (National Uranium Resource Evaluation Program) geochemical data suggest
that anomalous concentrations of arsenic and other mineral exploration path-finder elements
are present in the area southwest of Green Bay, Wisconsin where the Sinnipee, Ancell and
Prairie du Chien Groups are the uppermost bedrock units. In addition, fluorine levels in
groundwater have been known to be high in the Fox River valley between Green Bay and
Appleton, where fluorite and other Mississippi Valley-type minerals are reported to be
present in well cutting from the Sinnipee Group.
Areas of significantly elevated values occupy northwestern Outagamie County and
adjacent areas. A clearly defined nickel province that spatially corresponds to the arsenic
province suggests that a polymetallic (As, Co, Mo, Ni, Th, V) hydrogeochemical province
exists in eastern Wisconsin and may relate to documented faults (Mudrey and Bradbury,
1992). The geology differs from the better documentd five-element (Ni-Co-As-Ag-Bi) veins
(Kissin, 1993) by being carbonate hosted rather than shale or volcanic hosted, but are similar
in essential mineralogy and elements.

Economic concentrations of Mississippi Valley-type mineralization have not been
found in Wisconsin outside of Grant, Iowa, and Lafayette Counties, but geologic logs of 16
mineral exploration holes and more than 600 water wells in eastern Wisconsin contain
reports of minor mineralization. In addition, more than 100 occurrences of sulfide minerals
have been reported from outcrops and quarries throughout southern and eastern Wisconsin
(Brown and Maass, 1992). A fairly continuous horizon of sulfide mineralization has been
observed in quarries and drill core from Kenosha to Green Bay. Mineralization within this
horizon consists of sulfide-cemented sandstone and sulfide infills of vugs and molds of fossil.
The principal concentration of mineralization has been observed at or near the top of the St.
Peter sandstone, but scattered mineralization is known throughout the Paleozoic section in
this region.
References:

Brown, B.A. and Maass, R.S.. 1992, A reconnaissance survey of wells in eastern Wisconsin
for indications of Mississippi Valley type mineralization: Wisconsin Geological and Natural
History Survey Open-file Report WOFR 1992-3, 31 p.

62

�Kissin, S.A., 1993, Five-element Ni-Co-As-Ag-Bi) Veins: in P.A. Sheahan and M.E. Cheny,
Ore Deposit Models, Volume II, Geoscience Canada Reprint Series,V. 6, p. 87-98.
Mudrey, M.G., Jr., and Bradbury, K.R., 1992, Evaluation of NURE hydrogeochemical data
for use in Wisconsin groundwater studies: Wisconsin Geological and Natural Histoly Survey
Open-file Report WOFR 93-2, 61 p., 1 computer diskette.

Mudrey, M.G., Jr., Brown, B.A., Freibeg, P.O., and Simo, J.A, 19%, Mississippi ValleyType Mineralization in the Fox River Valley, Eastern Wisconsin (abs.): Institute on Lake
Superior Geology Proceedings, 42nd Aimual Meeting, Cable, WI, 1996, v. 42, part 1, p. 38-39

63

�OVERVIEW OF FIELD TRIP 2: UPPER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY - ZINC-LEAD
DISTRICT, WISCONSIN
MUDREY, M.G., Jr., Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey, 3817
Mineral Point Road, Madison WI 535705, mgmudreyfacstaff.wisc.edu
HUNT, T.C., Director of the Reclamation Program, School of Agriculture, University
of Wisconsin - Platteville, Platteville, WI 53818, huntt@am.uwplatt.edu
CZECHANSKI, M.L., Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey, 3817
Mineral Point Road, Madison WI 535705, mlczecha@facstaff.wisc.edu
First recovery of galena in the Driftless Region of Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa and Minnesota
was by native Americans for ornamentation about 1000 C.E. By 1690 Europeans recognized
the lead deposits and began mining in what is now known as the Upper Mississippi Valley
Zinc-Lead District. In the early 19th century, this was the premier lead mining district in
North America. Numerous immigrant groups and developers were attracted to the area and
the resulting population in flux played a major role in the eventual formation of the states of
Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin.
Initial mineral development (late 1 8111 and early 1 9t11 centuries) consisted of collecting

surface occunences of galena and digging down until the excavations became unstable
(badger holes). Deeper mining techniques were initiated, but were hampered by inadequate
dewatering techniques below the water table. By 1850 lead production had peaked.
Metallurgical developments and techniques to dewater mines led to significant zinc
production (zinc ore became abundant with depth), initially from smithsonite (dry bone) and
since 1900 from spha!erite. Peak production years were 1917 and 1952. The last mine,
Eagle-Picher's Shullsburg Mine, ceased production in 1978.
Since 1900, the U.S. Bureau of Mines, the U.S. Geological Survey, and the Wisconsin
Geological and Natural History Survey have collected large amounts of information from the
area including, detailed mine maps, drillhole locations, assay data, and geologic logs. This
information is summarized in detailed geologic maps. Al Hey! and others (1959)
summarized information up to 1950s in U.S. Geo!ogica! Survey Professiona! Paper 309.
Hey! and others (1970) prepared a shorter summary of Professional Paper 309 for the
Geological Society of America Meeting in Milwaukee in 1970. In addition, a large number
of detailed geologic maps were prepared for southwestern Wisconsin and adjoining Illinois
and Iowa.
This area is the type-locality of the Upper Mississippi Valley Zinc-Lead
mineralization. Warm (135 to 180 °C) mineral-bearing saline bnnes from the south (Illinois
Basin) and southwest (Iowa Basin) are responsible for the mineralization. The bulk of the
mineralization occuned in Middle Ordovician strata during the PermianlPennsylvania.
Dominant mineralization occurred in the Decorah shaly dolomite, with significant quantities
of mineralization in the over- and under-lying dolomite strata. Deeper mineralization has not
been significantly tested. Local ore controls include minor folds and faults. Mineralization
occurs as replacement and breccia filling in vertical fractures and crevices (gash veins),

64

�dipping fracture planes (pitches) and horizontal bedding planes (flats). Gash veins not
uncommonly occur directly over the pitch and flat structures. There is a general vertical ore
zonation with lead in the vertical veins and zinc concentrated in pitches and flats.
Replacement and solution breccia are common, leading to some bonanza-type mineralization.
Wall rock alteration is minimal, suggesting no widespread thermal events, but rather joint
and fracture localization.
The field trip will examine the Potosi Hill Ordovician geologic exposure, where the
entire section from the Ancell Group through the Sinnipee Group is exposed; the Platteville
Mining Museum and Bevan Mine which illustrates the regional geology and historical
mineral development techniques; Pendarvis State Historical Site which captures the 1 830s
spirit of mining;; and modem reclamation at the Shullsburg site, location of the last
producing zinc mine in Wisconsin (1978).
Heyl, A.V., Agnew, A.F., Lyons, E.J., and Behre, C.H., Jr., 1959, The Geology of the Upper
Mississippi Valley Zinc-Lead District: U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 309, 310
p.

Heyl, A.V., Broughton, W.A., and West, W.S., 1970 (1st edition), Geology of the Upper
Mississippi Valley Base-Metal District, Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey
Circular 16, 45 p. (some sections revised by M.G. Mudrey, Jr. in 1978 (3"' edition))

65

�RECOGNITION OF POST-1630 MA FLUID-DRIVEN METAMORPHISM IN BARABOO
INTERVAL QUARTZITES BY MEANS OF LASER PROBE 40Ar/39Ar GEOCHRONOLOGY
NAYMARK, ALISSA, SINGER, BRAD and MEDARIS, L.G., Jr., Deptartment of Geology and
Geophysics, Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison, 53706, anaymark@students.wisc.edu,
bsinger@geology.wisc.edu, medaris @geology.wisc.edu.
The southern Lake Superior region experienced many transformations during Proterozoic time
Quartzites of the Baraboo interval, most notably the Baraboo, Barron, and Sioux, are known to have
been deposited between —1710 Ma and 1630 Ma on 1750 Ma and older igneous and metamorphic
basement. Quartzites south of Hoim et al.'s (1998) tectonic front were folded at —1630 Ma and,
presumably, subjected to low-grade metamorphism at the same time. The present investigation, using
CO2 laser probe 40Ar/39Ar incremental-heating methods, was undertaken to evaluate the timing and
extent of low-grade metamorphism in Baraboo interval sedimentary rocks. Surprisingly, little
evidence for 1630 Ma metamorphism was found in the analyzed samples; instead, a strong signature
of post-1630 Ma hydrothermal activity was discovered in the Baraboo and Sioux quartzites.

The Baraboo Ranke: Age spectra for three muscovite samples are discordant in the low temperature
gas steps, but gave similar plateau ages. The initial 30% of gas released typically gave apparent ages
beginning at —900 Ma in the vein material, and —1200 Ma in the samples from Baxter Hollow, rising
to concordant plateau ages for the last 70% of the gas released. Muscovite from hydrothermal
muscovite-pyrophyllite-diaspore veins in the base of the Baraboo Quartzite yielded a plateau age of
1467±10 Ma (±2) [Figure 1A]. Samples of muscovite from metasaprolite at Baxter Hollow yielded
plateau ages of 1456± 11 and 1461± 12 Ma [Figure 1B]. These data provide the first evidence that
hydrothermal metamorphism coeval with the Wolf River Batholith affected rocks in the Baraboo
Range. We propose that this hydrothermal activity was due to large-scale movement of fluids
through the crust, driven by heat provided by Wolf River granitic magmatism. The Denzer diorite is
a member of the —1750 Ma igneous suite underlying the Baraboo Quartzite. It preserves an igneous
texture, but was weakly recrystallized, presumably at 1630 Ma, with plagioclase partly replaced by
albite and epidote, biotite altered to chlorite, and hornblende altered to actinolite, cumrningtonite, and
chlorite. Biotite from the Denzer diorite yielded a plateau age of 1746±12 Ma [Figure 1D] that may
reflect time since crystallization. In contrast, two samples of hornblende with intergrowths of
actinolite, cummingtonite, and chlorite, yielded ages of 1596±16 and 1427± 15 Ma, which represent
partial and complete Ar resetting of what may have been a 1630 Ma metamorphic assemblage.
Sioux Ouartzite: Numerous samples of fine-grained metasedimentary rocks (pipestone) were
collected from Pipestone National Monument, SE Minnesota. They were analyzed optically and via
electron microprobe, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray fluorescence to determine their mineralogical and
chemical compositions. Most samples contain the assemblage: muscovite-pyrophyllite-diaspore,
similar to pipestone and hydrothermal veins at Baraboo. Owing to the fine grain size (—20 pm), less
than 0.0 1mg whole rock samples were prepared from the SiOux pipestone based on X-ray diffraction
patterns indicating that muscovite was the only potassium bearing phase present. The samples with
K20 greater than 4.0 wt. % and more than 35% modal muscovite were chosen for the whole rock
40Ar/39Ar experiments. The plateau ages are slightly discordant at low and high temperature.
However, 80% of the gas gave plateau ages of 1370±10 and 1268±10 Ma [Figure 1C], suggesting
that post-1460 Ma hydrothermal activity affected the Sioux Quartzite. The geological significance of
these ages from Sioux pipestone remains unclear, and the 100 million year difference in age between
two samples from the same stratigraphic level is problematic. A possible explanation is differential
loss of argon via diffusion from multiple small domains within the submicroscopic mica.
The Barron Quartzite: The Barron Quartzite, which is located north of Holm et al.'s (1998)
inferred tectonic front, was unaffected by 1630 Ma folding and metamorphism, and consists

66

�.

predominately of quartz, kaolinite, and hematite. Although muscovite is rare in the Barron
sedimentary rocks, t was found immediately beitw the Barron Quartzite in a vein, which cuts
metatonalite basement. Both the vein and metatonalite are now saprolites, having been weathered in
Proterozoic time, and the muscovite is partly replaced by kaolinite. The muscovite yields a plateau
age of 1808±14 Ma, demonstrating that the Barron Quartzite and underlying basement were not
affected by 1630 Ma folding and metamorphism, or by 1460 Ma hydrothermal activity.
Conclusions: "°Ar/39Ar analyses of Baraboo and Sioux samples that were affected by Kmetasomatism, including Baraboo metasaprolite and hydrothermal veins and Sioux pipestone,
revealed post-1630 Ma hydrothermal activity in the southern Lake Superior region. Hydrothermal
fluids attending Wolf River magmatism exploited the nonconformity separating quartzites from
underlying plutonic and metamorphic rocks. The muscovite 40Ar/39Ar plateau ages most likely record
low temperature crystallization (—300CC) assemblages in metasaprolite, hydrothermal veins, and
pipestone. Further investigation will be necessary to delineate the scale of this potentially regional
fluid flow in the crust.

Reference: HoIm, D., D. Schneider, and C. D. Coath. (1998) Age and deformation of Early
Proterozoic quartzites in the southern Lake Superior region: Implications for extent of foreland
deformation during final assembly of Laurentia. Geology, v. 26, p. 907-9 10.
A
2000-

B

I

I

I

I

2000

OOBOWIa muscovite vein
1467.14 ± 10.55 Ma

.

96BHIA Baxter Hollow muscovite

1461.23 ± 11.79 Ma and 1455.93± 11.45 Ma

•

1600

: 1600:

4

120O-

1200

, 8O0

800-

400-

400-

I

I

I

20

40

60

C

I
80

,

0
iC 0

I

0

uuu. D

I

OOPNMOI muscovite whole rock
1370.42± 10.30 Ma

20

40

I
60

I

80

10 0

•

1600-

1600-

,1200-

OODDOI Denzer Diorite biotite
1742.02±11.91 Ma

1200

I:

OOPNMO3 muscovite whole rock
1268.10± 10.63 Ma

800-

400

0

I

I

I

I

20

40

60

80

100

0

20

40

60

80

100

Cumulative 39Ar released %

Cumulative 39Ar released %

Figure 1: Age spectra discussed in text. Weighted mean plateau ages are reported with 2 errors.

67

�MINERALOGICAL VARIATIONS IN IRON-FORMATION IN THE THERMAL
METAMORPHIC AUREOLE OF A DIABASE DIKE
NEMITZ, Michael B., and LARSON, Phillip C., Department of Geological Sciences, University
of Minnesota, Duluth, MN 55812

The Biwabik Iron-formation in the National Steel Pellet Company Mine near Keewatin,
Minnesota is cut by a series of diabase dikes. It has previously been empirically observed that
iron-formation adjacent to these dikes is characterized by enhanced magnetite weight recovery,
increased silica liberation indices, and increased oxidation reflected as elevated Fe3!Fe2 ratios.
Granular cherty iron-formation samples were collected in two transects perpendicular to
the contact of a 5-rn thick diabase dike. The transects extended 25-rn along the strike of the ironWhole-rock geochemical analyses, x-ray diffractometry, and reflected- and
formation.
transmitted-light polarizing microscopy were used to assess the geochemical, mineralogical, and
textural variations in iron-formation adjacent to the dikes.
Microscopy indicates an increase in the total amount of primary, euhedral magnetite,
hematite, and total Fe-oxide proximal to the dike. The total Fe-oxide content appears to increase
in an exponential fashion. This trend is reflected in the whole-rock Fe content. Magnetite occurs
in all samples as primary euhedral crystals. Hematite occurs in a number of forms: euhedral to

subhedral pseudomorphs after magnetite (martite), as inclusions in the lattice of euhedral
magnetite, or as fine grained aggregates.
Previous to iron-formation oxidation, a hydrothermal alteration event was focused along
the dike margins. Alteration leached Mg, Ca, and Na from both diabase and iron-formation. This

event is reflected in the iron-formation whole-rock Mg content, which show that Mg has
essentially been removed in the 5-m zone proximal to the contact. Carbonate, and to a lesser
extent Fe-silicate minerals have essentially been removed in the 10-rn zone proximal to the dike
contact. Conversely, void space is most abundant in this same zone. This suggests void space
has been created at the expense of carbonate and silicate phases.
The increase in void space also correlates with the increase in hematite proximal to the

This suggests that the oxidation of Fe-oxides to hematite may be related to increased
porosity and permeability of iron-formation due to void space. Increased porosity allowed
dike.

oxidizing meteoric waters to circulate deeper along the dike margins.
This study demonstrates that thermal metamorphism of iron-formation by diabase dikes

has caused an increase in Fe-oxide content, both magnetite and hematite, thus resulting in
increased magnetite weight recovery. However, the increase in void space due to alteration has
allowed increased circulation of meteoric waters, resulting in oxidation of iron-formation and
elevated hematite content relative to magnetite.

68

�PRELIMINARY LAVA FLOW MORPHOLOGY STUDIES AT THE FIVE MILE LAKE VMS
PROSPECT, ARCHEAN VERMILION DISTRICT, NE MINNESOTA: IMPLICATIONS FOR
VOLCANIC PROCESSES, VOLCANIC PALEOENVIRONMENTS, AND VMS EXPLORATION
TRENT T. NEWKIRK, GEORGE J. HUDAK
Department of Geology, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, Oshkosh, WI 54901
STEVEN A. HAUCK
Natural Resources Research Institute, University of Minnesota-Duluth, Duluth, MN 55811

As part of a two-year grant from the Minerals Coordinating Committee (MCC, State of
Minnesota), we have undertaken a field-based, detailed investigation of the pillow lava morphology at
the Five Mile Lake volcanic-associated massive sulfide (VMS) prospect, which is located approximately
15 miles southwest of Ely, Minnesota. This prospect is situated within a greenschist facies
metamorphosed assemblage of Archean subaqueous, primarily mafic metavolcanic and metasedimentary
rocks. These rocks lie within the Lower Member of the Late Archean Ely Greenstone (Peterson and
ursa, 1999).
Historically, several mineral exploration programs have been conducted in the Lower Member of
the Ely Greenstone to evaluate its potential for VMS-style base metal mineralization. One of the most
significant exploration programs to date was completed in 1995, when Teck Exploration Ltd. intersected
stringer Zn-Cu mineralization in several diamond drill holes at the Five Mile Lake prospect.
Cas (1992) and Gibson et al. (1999) and have emphasized the importance to mineral exploration
programs of determining the volcanic environments associated with VMS mineralization. Gibson et al.
(1999) have noted that mapping the orientation of synvolcanic dikes and sills is perhaps one of the most
effective means to identify synvolcanic fault zones in lava flow dominated volcanic settings. This
mapping is important because these structures not only dictate the location of volcanic vent sites, but also
commonly control the locations of hydrothermal discharge sites responsible for making VMS deposits.
Unfortunately, the generally small size of synvolcanic dikes and sills relative to their volcanic
products commonly makes them difficult to recognize, especially in ancient volcanic sequences that are
often plagued by a general lack of outcrop. Thus, detailed facies mapping in volcanic sequences is also
an essential part of determining vent proximal volcanic environments.
Studies of modern subaqueous mafic lava flows indicate that flow morphology has a direct
relationship to effusion rate, cooling rate, and the slope upon which the lavas are erupted (Kennish and
Lutz, 1998). In areas with relative fast effusion rates, sheet flows commonly occur in vent proximal
environments, and grade laterally into pillow lavas farther from the volcanic vent. Slow effusion rates
favor the immediate development of pillow lavas.
It is interesting to note that several studies (Ballard and Moore, 1977; Ballard et al., 1981;
Hekininan, 1984; Hekinian et al., 1989) have found that the glassy margins on vent proximal sheet flows
tend to be thicker than the glassy margins on more distal, pillow lavas formed from the same eruption.
This occurs because pillow lavas generally contain more crystals or crystal nuclei that inhibit the
formation of their glassy outer margins (Kennish and Lutz, 1998). Therefore, the thickness of the glassy
margins on these lava flows is also a general indicator of proximity to the volcanic vent.
We have undertaken detailed mapping (1:120 scale to 1:5000 scale) of the physical
characteristics of the extremely well-preserved, relatively undefonned pillow lavas at the Five Mile Lake
prospect. We have measured various features of these pillows, including pillow shape, pillow horizontal
dimensions, pillow vertical dimensions, pillow vesicularity, pillow selvedge characteristics, and the
thicknesses of chlorite-rich, formerly glassy pillow margins. The relatively high vesicularity of these

69

�pillows (commonly between 10% and 15%), as well as the local presence of multiple pillow selvedges
suggests that these flows were formed in a relatively shallow (&lt;1 km) subaqueous environment.
Our detailed mapping has also allowed us to identify several shallow mafic dikes that can be seen
undergoing a vertical, then lateral transformation into pillow lavas. These regions represent the volcanic
vent sites from which these pillow lavas issued. In several vent-proximal locations, chert-rich exhalite
horizons (up to 1 meter thick) containing traces to several percent pyrite, sphalerite, and chalcopyrite are
also present. Thus, our results support the relationships between proximal volcanic environments and
mineralization in lava flow dominated sequences indicated by Gibson et al. (1999).
Of particular interest are the results of our measurements of the thickness of the formerly glassy
margins surrounding the pillows at the prospect. We have found that the formerly glassy pillow margins
are clearly thicker (&gt;4.5 cm thick) at these vent proximal locations than they are at locations that appear
to be more distal to volcanic vents (where they are generally 2cm or less in thickness).
Our results suggest that in pillow-dominated sequences, the thickness of the glassy margin
surrounding pillow margins may be an accurate indicator of proximity to volcanic vents. This has
significant implications for mineral exploration, as this measurement can be easily and quickly completed
during field mapping, and may provide an effective means to identify regions within monotonous pillow
sequences that are more likely to contain VMS mineralization.
References
Ballard, R. D., and Moore, J. G., 1977. Photographic Atlas of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge Rift Valley:
Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 114 p.
Ballard, R. D., Francheteau, J., Juteau, T., Rangin, C., and Normark, W.,1981. East Pacific Rise at 21°N:
the volcanic, tectonic and hydrothermal processes of the central axis: Earth and Planetary
Science Letters, v. 55, p. 1-10.
Cas, R. A. F., 1992. Submarine volcanism: eruptions styles, products, and relevance to understanding the
host rock successions to volcanic-hosted massive sulphide deposits: Economic Geology, v. 87., p.
5 11-541.

Gibson, H. L., Morton, R. L., and Hudak, G. J., 1999. Submarine volcanic processes, deposits, and
environments favorable for the location of volcanic-associated massive sulfide deposits: Reviews
in Economic Geology, v. 8, p. 13-5 1.
Hekinian, R., 1984. Undersea Volcanoes: Scientific American, v. 251, p. 46-55.
Hekinian, R., Thompson, G., and Bideau, D., 1989. Axial and off-axial heterogeneity of basaltic rocks
from the East Pacific Rise at 12°35'N — 12°5 1 'N and 1 1°26'N — I l°30'N: Journal of
Geophysical Research, v. 94, p. 17437-17463.
Kennish, M. J., and Lutz, R. A., 1998. Morphology and distribution of lava flows on mid-ocean ridges: a
review: Earth Science Reviews, v. 43, p. 63-90.
Peterson, D. M., and Jirsa, M. A., 1999. Bedrock Geological Map and Mineral Exploration Data,
Western Vermilion District, St. Louis and Lake Counties, Northeastern Minnesota.

70

�A NEW LOOK AT THE 1.1 GA CHENGWATANA VOLCANICS
IN THE ST. CROIX HORST, MINNESOTA AND WISCONSIN
Nicholson, S.W., U.S.Geological Survey, MS 954, Reston, VA 20192; Boerboom, T.,
Minnesota Geological Survey, St. Paul, MN 55114; Cannon, W.F., U.S.Geological Survey,
MS 954, Reston, VA 20192; Wirth, K., Macalester College, St. Paul, MN 55105; and
Isachsen, C.E., University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721
The 1.1 Ga Midcontinent rift system (MRS) hosts several classes of hydrothermal and magmatic
mineral deposits (Nicholson et al, 1992). Recent speculation about the presence of additional magmatic mineral
deposits (e.g., "Voisey's Bay"-type Ni-Cu: Schulz et al., 1998) has focused attention on the chemical
compositions of rift-related basalts and the identification of central volcanic complexes as exploration tools. The
St. Croix horst contains the most southerly exposure of volcanic and sedimentary rocks related to the MRS, but
until now, sufficient chemical, age, and geophysical data have not been available to characterize adequately the
nature of the volcanic rocks (Nicholson et al., 1997) and their relationship to the regional chemical stratigraphy
established for the MRS.
North of the St. Croix horst rift-related rocks are exposed around the margins of Lake Superior and
detailed stratigraphic sections are well established. Outcrops within the St. Croix horst are sparse: the volcanic
rocks are nearly all subaerial basalt flows and were previously assigned to the Chengwatana Volcanics. Recently
Cannon et al. (2001) used new detailed aeromagnetic imaging and age determinations to subdivide the former
Chengwatana Volcanics into three units, the Minong Volcanics, the Clam Falls Volcanics, and a newly
redefined Chengwatana Volcanics (Fig. 1). More than 200 chemical analyses are now available for volcanic
rocks in the St. Croix horst. When compared to the regional chemical stratigraphy recognized previously around
western Lake Superior (Nicholson et al., 1997), the three new volcanic units appear to be related as follows.
The youngest unit, the Minong Volcanics, is most similar to the Portage Lake Volcanics (1096-1094
Ma). Both are dominated by low- TiO2 (less than about 2.0 wt. % Ti02 ) basalts with low abundances of
incompatible trace elements. Like the Portage Lake Volcanics, the Minong Volcanics contain few rhyolites, but
a rhyolite flow near the base of the section has been dated at about 1094 Ma (Lake Nelson rhyolite; Zartman et
al., 1997), an age comparable to the upper Portage Lake Volcanics. Basalts with depleted compositions similar
to N-MORB occur as flows near the top of the Minong Volcanics and as dikes in the upper Portage Lake
Volcanics.
The Clam Falls Volcanics unconformably underlie the Minong Volcanics. It is also dominantly lowTi02 basalts, but high-Ti02 basalts (more than about 2.5 wt % Ti02; increased abundances of incompatible trace
elements) are more common in this unit than in the overlying unit. The high- TiO2 basalts are similar in
composition to high- Ti02 basalts in the Portage Lake Volcanics and the underlying upper Kallander Creek
Volcanics (dated at 1098 Ma) to the northeast. Although chemically similar, the metamorphic grade of the Clam
Falls Volcanics is considerably higher than the Minong, Portage Lake, or Kallander Creek Volcanics, suggesting
that this unit represents exhumation of a more deeply buried portion of the rift (Wirth et al., 1997). A rhyolite
flow at the base of the Clam Falls Volcanics yields ages between 1100 and 1102 Ma (unpub. data: K.R. Wirth).
The oldest unit, the newly redefined Chengwatana Volcanics now confined to the volcanic rocks
between the Pine and Douglas faults, is dominated by high- Ti02 basalts with accompanying intermediate and
felsic volcanic rocks. This association of high-hO2 basalts with intermediate and felsic volcanic rocks has been
postulated elsewhere in the rift to be related to central volcanic complexes, sites of prolonged shallow magma
chamber development and accompanying volcanism. The Amnicon gabbroic and granophyric intrusive complex
southeast of Duluth cuts the base of the redefined Chengwatana Volcanics and most likely represents the magma
chamber for a central volcanic complex. The extensive granophyre in the Amnicon pluton is identical
chemically to an overlying rhyolite flow. This rhyolite flow has a preliminary date of about 1106 Ma (unpub.
data: C.E. Isachsen). Southwest of the Amnicon pluton the Chengwatana Volcanics include more low- hO2
basalts as the influence of the localized Amnicon magmatic system diminishes.
In conclusion, the high- Ti02 basalts and related intermediate and felsic rocks of the redefined
Chengwatana Volcanics in the St. Croix horst were probably erupted from localized magmatic sources from
about 1107 to about 1102 Ma. This was followed by outpourings of voluminous low-Ti02 flood basalts
characteristic of the main stage of nfting of the MRS after about 1102 Ma, now represented in the St. Croix

71

�horst by the Clam Falls and Minong Volcanics. Central volcanic complexes in the St. Croix horst, such as the
Amnicon complex, may be potential exploration targets for Cu-Ni sulfide mineralization, if further study can
show the availability of a source of sufficient sulfur to produce segregation of Cu-Ni+PGE metals.

References:
Cannon, W.F., Daniels, D.L., Nicholson, S.W., Phillips, J., Woodruff, L.G., Chandler, Va!, Morey, G.B.,
Wirth, K.R., and Mudrey, MG., Jr., 2001, New map reveals origin and geology of North America Midcontinent rift: EOS, v. 82, no.8, pp. 97-101.
Davis, D.W., and Green, J.C., 1997, Geochronology of the North American Midcontment rift in western Lake
Superior and implications for its geodynamic evolution: Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, v. 34, pp.
476-488.
Davis, D.W., and Paces, J.B., 1990, Time resolution of geologic events on the Keweenawan Peninsula and
implications for development of the Midcontinent rift system: Earth and Planetary Science Letters, v.
97, pp. 54-64.
Nicholson, S.W., Cannon, W.F., and Schulz, K.J., 1992, Metallogeny of the Midcontinent rift system of North
America: Precambrian Research, v., 58, pp. 355-386.
Nicholson, SW., Shirey, S.B., Schulz, K.J., and Green, J.C., 1997, Rift-wide correlation of 1.1 Ga
Midcontinent rift system basalts: implications for multiple mantle sources during rift development:
Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, v. 34, pp. 504-520.
Schulz, K.J., Cannon, W.F., Nicholson, S.W., and Woodruff, L.G., 1998, Is there a "Voisey's Bay" —type Ni-Cu
sulfide deposit in the Midcontinent rift system in the Lake Superior region?: Mining Engineering, v. 50,
pp. 57-62.
Wirth, K.R., Vervoort, J.D., and Naiman, Z. J., 1997, The Chengwatana Volcanics, Wisconsin and Minnesota:
petrogenesis of the southernmost volcanic rocks exposed in the Midcontinent rift: Canadian Journal of
Earth Sciences, v. 34, pp. 536-548.
Zartman, R.E., Nicholson, SW., Cannon, W.F., and Morey, G.B., 1997, U-Th-Pb zircon ages of some
Keweenawan Supergroup rocks from the south shore of Lake Superior: Canadian Journal of Earth
Sciences, v. 34, pp. 549-561.

Upper Michigan and
North-Central Wisconsin

Northwest Wisconsin
Eastern Minnesota

Fig.!: Stratigraphic column for Keweenawan volcanic
rocks on the south shore of western Lake Superior.
The U-Pb age dates are from the following sources: a,
Davis and Green, 1997; b, Zartman et a!., 1977; c,
Davis and Paces, 1990; d, unpublished data, K.R.
Wirth; e, unpublished data, C.E. Isachsen

72

�OVERVIEW OF ARSENIC OCCURRENCES AND PROCESSES CONTROLLING
ARSENIC MOBILITY IN GROUND WATER
D. Kirk Nordstrom
U.S. Geological Survey
Boulder, CO

Introduction
Arsenic concentrations in ground waters can range from less than a few jtg/L to tens or even
hundreds of mg/L in locally contaminated environments. Both anthropogenic and natural sources
for arsenic in ground waters occur in many locations world-wide. Natural sources are causing or have
caused poisoning of populations in India, Bangladesh, Chile, Argentina, Mexico, Taiwan, Mongolia,
Japan, and China. Mining activities are responsible for arsenic poisoning in Thailand. Arsenic mass
poisoning in Bangladesh is the largest known, affecting nearly 30 million people. The processes that
enrich arsenic in minerals and in ground waters are complex but apprehensible.

Sources

The geochemical cycle of arsenic from magmatic-hydrothermal processes through weathering,
sedimentation, and diagenesis transforms the element in a number of ways that produces an array
of present-day natural sources. Probably the single most abundant mineral source of arsenic is
arsenian pyrite. Pyrite is ubiquitous in the earth's crust, occurring in sedimentary, metamorphic, and
igneous rocks. Arsenic has a strong affinity for the sulfur site in pyrite, substituting up to about 10
wt. % regardless of whether the origin is sedimentary or hydrothermal (Kolkar, Nordstrom, and
Goldhaber, 2001). Arsenopyrite contains higher concentrations of arsenic (39-53%) but it is a much
rarer mineral. Arsenopyrite and arsenian pyrite are commonly found in association with gold
mineralization so that gold mining frequently releases arsenic to the environment. Other arsenic-rich
minerals include orpiment, realgar, and enargite. Weathering of these minerals in oxidizing
environments solubilizes arsenic as As(III) and ultimately as As(V). Arsenate, or As(V), has a strong
adsorption affinity for hydrated iron oxides (Pierce and Moore, 1982) and in oxidized sediments iron

oxides can be a source of soluble arsenic if they undergo reductive dissolution during early
diagenesis. Geothermal springs are commonly enriched in arsenic, containing 0.1-5 mgIL dissolved
arsenic (as both As(llI) and As(V)). Geothermal power plants often have to deal with proper disposal
of arsenic-enriched waste waters.

Anthropogenic sources of arsenic are numerous. The primary source of industrial and commercial
arsenic was arsenic trioxide that was produced as a by-product of metal mining and processing,
primarily from copper smelting. More than 300,000 tons of flue dust containing an average of 6.5%
arsenic were piled at Anaconda, Montana before removal and disposal. Stockpiles of arsenic trioxide
still exist without proper containment and are releasing soluble arsenic to ground waters. Several
arsenic insecticides (copper, lead, calcium, magnesium, zinc, and sodium arsenites and arsenates),
herbicides (sodium arsenite and methanearsonate, disodium methanearsonate, and cacodylic acid),
dessicants (arsenic acid), wood preservatives, animal feed additives, drugs, chemical weapons, and
alloys were produced for many years. Roxarsone, an organic arsenical, is still widely used today to

73

�clean parasites out from the stomachs of pigs and poultry (Garbarino et al., 2001).

Transformations and Processes
Arsenic in surface and ground waters occur dominantly as either arsenite, As(III), or arsenate, As(V).

Reduction of arsenic occurs with the possible formation of several methylated species, the most
prevalent being monomethly- and dimethylarsenic acid. Several microorganisms including species
of fungi, algae, and bacteria catalyze the reduction of arsenic. Methylated arsenic is volatile and is
released to the atmosphere in open systems. Oxidation of arsenic is also catalyzed by microbes and
it has been demonstrated that soluble As(III) and arsenic sulfide minerals such as arsenopyrite and
orpiment can be catalytically oxidized to soluble As(V). More than 25 species of arsenic-oxidizing
bacteria have been identified and many more are believed to exist. In geothermal waters, the
dominant form of dissolved arsenic is As(ffl) at the source of the discharge but this can be oxidized
rapidly to As(V) by microbes that survive at temperatures of 50-95°C. Little is known about the

breakdown of feed additives such as roxarsone. Although there has been research on the
transformations of arsenic within humans and some other organisms, the pathways are very
complicated and much remains to be learned.

Water quality environments that encourage solubilization and mobility of arsenic are high pH and
oxic conditions, anoxic or moderately reducing conditions with no sulfate reduction, anoxic with
strongly reducing conditions with little to no sulfate present, or strongly acidic oxidizing conditions
(below the normal solubility of hydrated iron oxides). Environments that encourage low arsenic
mobility are moderately acidic to neutral and oxidizing conditions, or organic rich sulfate-reducing
environments.

References
Garbarino, J.R., Rutherford, D.W., and Wershaw, R.L. (2001) Degradation of roxarsone in poultry

litter. USGS Workshop on Arsenic in the Environment, Feb. 21-22, 2001, website:
wwwbrr.cr.usgs.gov/Arsenic

Kolkar, A., Nordstrom, D.K., and Goidhaber, Mi. (2001) Occurrence and micro-distribution of
arsenic in pyrite. USGS Workshop on Arsenic in the Environment, Feb. 21-22, 2001,
website: wwwbrr.cr.usgs.gov/Arsenic

Pierce, M.L. and Moore, C.B. (1982) Adsorption of arsenite and arsenate on amorphous iron
hydroxide. Water Res. 16, 1247-1253.

74

�PRELIMINARY EVALUATION OF HYDROTHERMAL ALTERATION MINERAL
ASSEMBLAGES AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP TO VMS-STYLE MINERALIZATION IN THE
FIVE MILE LAKE AREA OF THE ARCHEAN VERMILION GREENSTONE BELT,
NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA
JASON D. ODETTE, GEORGE J. HUDAK, THOMAS SUSZEK
Department of Geology, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, Oshkosh, WI 54901
STEVEN A. HAUCK
Natural Resources Research Institute, University of Minnesota Duluth, Duluth, MN 55811

The Minerals Coordinating Committee (MCC, State of Minnesota) recently awarded a two year
grant to geologists from the Natural Resources Research Institute (NRRI), University of Minnesota —
Duluth (UMD), and the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh to further characterize the geology,
volcanology and metamorphosed hydrothermal alteration mineral assemblages associated with several
volcanic-associated massive sulfide (VMS) prospects in the Vermilion District of northeastern Minnesota.
This investigation includes detailed outcrop mapping, diamond drill core relogging, petrography,
lithogeochemistry, and geophysical rock property evaluations.
The Five Mile Lake prospect occurs approximately 15 miles southwest of Ely, Minnesota, and is
situated within greenschist facies metamorphosed, primarily mafic Archean metavolcanic and
metasedimentary rocks within the Lower Member of the Ely Greenstone Sequence of the Vermilion
District. In 1994, Teck Exploration Ltd. intersected volcanic-associated massive sulfide (VMS) — style
stringer Zn-Cu mineralization in three of four diamond drill holes completed at this prospect. Subsequent
studies by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (Hudak and Morton, 1999) have suggested
that mineralization at Five Mile Lake may be representative of that associated with "Noranda-type"
(Morton and Franklin, 1987) Archean VMS
We are currently completing a detailed investigation of the mineralogical, chemical, and spatial
characteristics of the metamorphosed synvolcanic hydrothermal alteration that occurs at the Five Mile
Lake VMS prospect. Our two-month long field program was completed during the summer, 2000, and
consisted of two investigative phases. The first phase comprised GPS-assisted geological mapping of the
entire prospect at 1:5000 scale, with more detailed mapping of surface-mineralized zones at 1:120 scale.
During our mapping, special attention was paid to alteration mineral assemblages present, and their
apparent relationships to locally extremely well-preserved volcanic and volcaniclastic textures. Hand
samples were collected from each outcrop. When appropriate, a portable, hand-held diamond drill was
used to collect samples of adjacent alteration mineral assemblages. During the second phase of our
investigation, Teck Exploration Ltd.'s four diamond drill holes (SXL-1, SXL-2, SXL-3 and SXL-4) were
relogged, with particular emphasis being paid to the alteration mineral assemblages and textures present.
Laboratory investigations are currently being conducted. All outcrop and drill core samples have
been slabbed and investigated using a binocular microscope for alteration mineral assemblages, alteration
textures, and alteration paragenesis. Prepartion of one hundred ninety-seven thin sections is currently
being completed, and petrographic analyses on the available thin sections are being performed. Fiftythree samples have been analyzed for major and trace elements by ALS Chemex Labs, Inc. (Sparks, NV).
At the present time, we have concentrated our alteration studies on the mafic pillow lava flows
and the diabase dikes that occur at the prospect. Based on our preliminary field and laboratory
investigations, all pillow lavas at the prospect have undergone varying degrees of hydrothermal alteration.
This is consistent with the findings of Peterson (personal communication, 2001), who indicates that the
prospect resides within a semiconformable alteration zone comprising at least 3 0km2 of rocks. Three
distinct hydrothermal alteration mineral assemblages occur within the pillow lavas at the prospect. The

75

�least altered assemblage (LA) comprises pillow lavas containing a mineral assemblage composed of albite
+ epidote + chlorite in proportions which are consistent with greenschist facies metamorphism of an
original basalt or basaltic andesite lava composition. A quartz + albite + epidote ± actinolite assemblage
(QAE) occurs within pillow cores, whereas a chlorite + actinolite ± epidote assemblage (CA) occurs in

pillow selvedges and within the matrix to pillow breccia and pillow hyaloclastite. Locally, CA
assemblage filled amygdules occur within the QAE assemblage pillow cores, and these rocks seem to
have a close spatial relationship to thin (&lt;Im thick) mineralized exhalite horizons at the prospect.
Textural relationships indicate that the paragenesis of these alteration mineral assemblages is early QAE
followed by later CA.
Mass balance analysis of least altered pillow lavas, QAE assemblage, and CA assemblage rocks
have been performed using constant Al203 and best fit (based on Al203, Ti02, Zr, Nb) isocons (Grant,
1986). Relative to least altered rocks, QAE assemblage rocks illustrate gains in Si02 and Na20 and
decreases in CaO, Fe203, FeO, MgO, MnO, K20, H20, Cu and Zn. These trends may be indicative of
regional silicification and spilitization from rapidly heated, downwelling, silica-saturated hydrothermal
fluid. Relative to least altered rocks, CA assemblage pillows are enriched in MgO, Fe203, FeO, Zn and
H20 and are depleted in Si02, K20, and CaO. These results may represent an alteration assemblage
formed from the mixing of cooler, downwelling Mg-rich seawater and hotter, upwelling Fe- and Zn-rich
evolved hydrothermal solutions within permeable pillow selvedges and hyaloclastite.
Locally, diabase dikes are altered to epidosite. The epidosite zones comprise rounded to oval,
0.1-1.5 meter diameter patches composed of pale green epidote (locally up to 40%) + quartz ± actinolite.
Preliminary x-ray diffraction analyses indicate that the major epidote mineral in these epidosite zones is
clinozoisite. Least altered diabase is composed of a mineral assemblage containing quartz-clinochloreferroactinolite and albite with only minor (&lt;5%) epidote and clinozoisite being present. Mass balance
analysis of the least altered diabase and the epidosite alteration patches have also been performed using
constant A1203 and best fit isocons. These analyses indicate that the epidosite zones are enriched in CaO,
and simultaneously depleted in Na20, K20, MnO, Fe203, FeO, 5, Zn, and Cu relative to the least altered
diabase. We initially interpret these epidosite patches as areas of locally high water:rock ratio alteration
within lower semi-conformable alteration zones associated with high temperature base metal leaching.
At the present time we are in the process of further characterizing the alteration mineral
assemblages by means of our laboratory studies. Petrographic and x-ray analyses to further characterize
the mineralogy and paragenetic sequences of the alteration mineral assemblages is just beginning, and
further geochemical classification of the alteration mineral assemblages will be performed. It is believed
that in the long term, further characterization of the alteration mineral assemblages at the Five Mile Lake
VMS prospect will provide exploration companies with additional data that is needed to conduct efficient
and effective mineral exploration programs for VMS deposits in the Vermilion District.
References
Grant, J. A., 1986. The isocon diagram — a simple solution to Gresen's equation for metasomatic
alteration: Economic Geology, v. 81, p. 1976-1982.

Hudak, G. J., and Morton, R. L., 1999. Bedrock and Glacial Drift Mapping for VMS and Lode
Gold Alteration in the Vermilion — Big Fork Greenstone Belt, Part A, Discussion of Lithology,
Alteration, and Geochemistry at the Five Mile Lake, Eagles Nest, and Quartz Hill Prospects:
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Project 326, 136 pages.
Morton, R. L., and Franklin, J. M., 1987. Two-fold classification of Archean volcanic-associated
massive sulfide deposits: Economic Geology, v. 82, p. 1057-1063.

76

�CORRELATION OF ARCHEAN ASSEMBLAGES ACROSS THE U.S.-CANADIAN BORDER:
PHASE I GEOCHRONOLOGY
PETERSON, Dean M. (Natural Resources Research Institute, Duluth, MN, dpetersl@nrri.umn.edu); GALLUP, Christina
(University of Minnesota-Duluth, cgallupd.umn.edu); uRSA, Mark A. (Minnesota GeologicalSurvey,jirsa OOl@umn.edu);
and DAVIS, Donald W. (Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, ON, dond@rom.on.ca)

Past attempts at temporal correlation of Archean stratigraphic assemblages between rocks of the geochronologically well
constrained Shebandowan district of Ontario, and the Vermilion district of northeastern Minnesota (Figure 1), have invariably
suffered because: I) at some scale, one greenstone belt looks pretty much like another; 2) rocks of both districts are dissected by
faults having poorly known displacements; and 3) little geochronologic data exists for the Minnesota rocks. Nevertheless,

detailed analyses reveal that there are significant stratigraphic and lithologic relationships in each assemblage that can be
compared and contrasted. Recent U-Pb geochronology is beginning to shed light on similarities and differences between assemb1aes in the two areas. Here we report the results of two sets of U-Pb dates on zircons from the Vermilion district.

-

Locatkrn of dated samples

A 2683±1.4 Ma Porphyry
B 2722±0.9 Ma Rhyohte

-

'11'"

S

,',S

- ''/,

.'.''.."

'.Northern Light Gneiss

Saganaga piuton"

,t,A,,,

'l

Western SupedoProvtce

Vermilion "

wgoo,

District

A
R
B

j IIIIlIU4Soudari

'Btgfork

' Shebandowan

's.Stratigraphic faong

p'Lake \,....

,E!y','

, ;)"
'SSS,

,-,5555
s'Gmnitnd truss

S.ipeno

r

Twnisiiameg lype
conglomeratic sequences

- ''" 'S"

Wawa Subprovlnce

Vermilion
Ouetico Subprovlnce

Wabigoon
Subprovince
Graywactra

Metasvcanic rocks

J1111 Graywacke

-KomatutcTholeidic

NEWTON BELT

Shebandowan

GREETCHELL

Cak-akaiic/thoIeitic/komatiitic
Migmatite.
schist. and
j granite

TIf1 Graywacke

SOUDAN BELT

SAGANAGONS ASSEMBLAGE

LI Cac-aalcflhoeiiiic

Figure 1. Preliminary correlation of Late Archean stratigraphic assemblages and belts through the Vermilion
district, showing the location of dated samples. Inset shows the map location within the western Superior Province.
Rocks of the Vermilion district are subdivided on the basis of stratigraphic and structural contrast into two distinct domains,

known as the Soudan and Newton belts (Figure 1). The Soudan belt contains large, broad folds involving caic-alkalic and
tholeiitic volcanic strata overlain by, and locally interdigitates with, turbiditic rocks. In contrast, the Newton belt consists of
elongate, northeast trending, and mostly northward-younging volcanic and volcaniclastic sequences. Volcanic rocks of the
Newton belt differ from those of the Soudan in containing locally abundant komatiitic flows and peridotitic sills (eg. the Newton
Lake Formation and Deer Lake sequence). The belts are fault-bounded, and the relationship between stratigraphic units within
each belt is largely conformable, though faults obscure contacts locally. In its eastern extension, the Soudan belt is continuous
with the Saganagons assemblage that terminates against the Saganaga pluton and Northern Light Gneiss (Figure 1). The Newton
belt extends discontinuously eastward into the Shebandowan district, and broadens to form the approximately 2720 Ma-old
Greenwater and Burchell assemblages2. The Greenwater assemblage is similar to the Newton Lake Formation in younging
predominantly to the north, and in containing komatiitic and tholeiitic flows, mafic and ultramafic sills, and local intermediate to

felsic flows and pyroclastic rocks. The Burchell is lithologically similar and temporally identical, but youngs to the south.
Intrusions in both districts vary from felsic porphyries demonstrably related to volcanism, to large plutons emplaced posttectonically. Both districts contain unconformable, Timiskaming-type sequences composed of caic-alkalic volcanic rocks, conglomerates, and finer grained sedimentary rocks. These Timiskaming-type rocks include the roughly 2690 Ma-old Shebandowan
assemblage2 and some lithologic components of the Knife Lake Group in Minnesota5.
Periods of generally N-S-directed compression resulted in three major deformation events that are recognized in rocks of
both districts. The earliest, D1, produced broad, locally recumbent folds within the Soudan belt and major fault zones throughout
the region. The affect of D1 on rocks of the Newton belt and much of the Greenwater assemblage appears to have been thrust
imbrication of large crustal blocks, resulting in mainly northward stratigraphic facing. Field relationships indicate that uplift,
faulting, and the deposition of Timiskaming-type sequences in local fault-bounded basins occurred late in D1 deformation. The

77

�second deformation event, D2, produced synchronous regional metamorphism, foliation development, and structures having
largely dextral asymmetry. D2 has been constrained in the Vermilion district to the time period 2674 Ma to 2685 Ma', and
between about 2680 and 2685 Ma in the Shebandowan2. The abundant NE- and NW-trending faults that dissect the stratigraphic
assemblages are assigned to D3.
The two samples from the Vermilion district were selected mainly because they had the potential to produce zircons, and their

ages would constrain the timing of volcanism and D2 deformation. Zircons were separated and isotopic compositions were
measured at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto, using methods developed by Krogh4. The samples include: A) Newton belt a weakly deformed, irregularly shaped quartz-feldspar porphyry (QFP) body intruded discordantly along a basalt - iron-formation
contact within the Pac Man Pond gold prospect. Field relationships indicate that the QFP was emplaced late in D2, because it
(and similar intrusions) cuts D2 shear zones but is itself weakly deformed. B) Soudan belt — quartz-phyric rhyolite lava flow in
the Fivemile Lake VMS prospect. Zircons from the Newton belt sample were very light brown, small (—lig after abrasion),

subhedral, prismatic, and typically cracked. The zircons from the Soudan belt sample were colorless to light brown or pink,
larger (—2-3 jig after abrasion), euhedral to subhedral, prismatic, and except for rare grains having a clear core, lacked observable
internal cracks. After abrasion, three zircons from each sample were chosen for dating: the results are shown in Figure 2, plotted
as 2 sigma error ellipses relative to concordia. Regression and age calculation follow the method of Davis (1982). Only one
zircon without cracks could be found in the Newton belt sample. This produced the datum that is closest to concordia (Figure 2).
It defines a line with the other data, giving an upper concordia intercept age of 2681 +1-4 Ma. All data have 207Pb/206Pb ages that
are indistinguishable within error. Under the assumption that Pb loss was recent, the average 207Pb/206Pb age of 2683.0 +1- 1.4 Ma
gives a more precise value for the age of intrusion. The age of this late-syn D2 porphyry constrains the maximum age of D2 in the
Vermilion district, and is similar in age to parts of the Giants Range batholith, which forms the southern margin of the Vermilion
greenstone belt. Data from the Fivemile Lake rhyolite zircons plot very near concordia and have indistinguishable 207Pb/206Pb
ages that average to 2722.6 ± 0.9 Ma. This is the first age ever reported for the Ely Greenstone, and is similar in age to rhyolites
in the Greenwater assemblage in Shebandowan district.

.528

.526

D
.524

.522
.520

.518

13.4

13.5

13.6

11.6

13.7

12

12.4

12.8

207Pb/235LJ

207Pb/235u

Figure 2. U-Pb isotopic compositions for A) Porphyry in the Newton Belt, and B) Rhyolite in the Soudan Belt.
7
The ca 2720 Ma volcanic rocks in the Vermilion and Shebandowan districts, as well the Manitouwadge area6' farther to the
east, together with the bracketed ages for D2 deformation that are nearly identical in all three districts, implies that this terrane
defines a major orogen extending more than 600 kilometers. The individual belts have been strongly attenuated by deformation
and pluton emplacement, but further U-Pb dates will continue to explore the Vermilion district in this broader orogenic context.

Boerboom, T.J., and Zartman, R.E., 1993, Geology, geochemistry, and geochronology of the central Giants Range batholith,
northeastern Minnesota: Can. J. Earth Sci. 30:25 10-2522.
2Corfu, F., and Stott, G.M., 1998, Shebandowan greenstone belt, western Superior Province: U-Pb ages, tectonic implications,
and correlations: GSA Bulletin 110:1467-1484.
3Davis, D.W., 1982. Optimum linear regression and error estimation applied to U-Pb data. Can. J. Earth Sci. 19: 2141-2149.
4Krogh, T.E., 1982, Improved accuracy of U-Pb ages by the creation of more concordant systems using an air abrasion
technique. Geoch. et Cosmochim. Acta, 46: 637-649.
5iirsa, M.A., 2000, The Midway sequence: a Timiskaming-type pull-apart basin deposit in the western Wawa subprovince,
Minnesota: Can J. Earth Sci., 37: 1-15.
6Zaleski, E., van Breemen, 0., and Peterson, V.L., 1999, Geological evolution of the Manitouwadge greenstone belt and WawaQuetico subprovince boundary, Superior Province, Ontario, constrained by U-Pb zircon dates of supracrustal and plutonic
rocks: Can. J. Earth Sci., 36: 945-966.
7Davis, D.W., Schandi, E.S., and Wasteneys, H.A. 1994. U-Pb dating of minerals in alteration halos of Superior Province
massive sulfide deposits: syngenesis vs. metamorphism. Contrib. Mineral. Petrol. 115: 427-437.

78

�MAGNETIC SURVEY NEAR WATERLOO WISCONSIN
PEYCHALI*, C., KEAN', W. F., and SCHAPER2*, D., Department of Geosciences,
University of Wisconsin -Milwaukee'4 Department of Geological Engineering,
University of Wisconsin-Madison2. wkean@uwm.edu. (* student)

The Waterloo Wisconsin area continues to provide geologic puzzles because of its diverse
bedrock. The Waterloo Quartzite is considered by most as cotemporaneous with the Baraboo
Quartzite. A mafic dike is known from two quarries about I mile apart along a north-south
strike, and a course feldspar rich pegmatite appears within 200 meters north of the quartzite
quarry in which the mafic dike is found ( Luther, 1977). The age relationship of these three
rock types is still uncertain. Although, the two igneous rock types intrude the quartzite, and
both are dated in the range of 1.45 -1.5 Ga.(Van Schmus Ct al. 1978, Brown, 1986), which is
not necessarily the primary age. Paleomagnetic studies on the mafic dike provide a well
defmed magnetic direction of Dec.=299°, Inc.-43°, N=26, Alpha 95= 13.7°, giving a
paleopole at 323° E, 2° S which is interpreted as a 1 .7Ga. pole position ( Schaper and Kean,
1999).

The object of this study is to better define the magnetic basement in this region in an attempt
to clarify the relationship of these known rocks. A proton precession magnetometer survey
covered most of the roads in the vicinity of the old Portland Quarry and the Michels
Materials Quarry. A first survey covered the region at 0.1 mile spacing. Selected locations
were resurveyed at 50 meter spacing , and also with a continuously reading rubidium vapor
magnetometer. Finally one road section was covered at 2 meter spacing. Well construction
reports, and the aeromagnetic maps of the region were examined for additional insight into
the bedrock.
The aeromagnetic maps show a general decreasing trend from west to east, with a 200 nT.
anomaly northeast of the Michels Materials quarry, where well construction reports indicate
granite. The ground magnetic survey shows a 1000 nT. negative anomaly along Highway 19
that appears to be in line with the known outcrops of the mafic dike. The negative value is
consistent with the negative remanent magnetism of the mafic dike. Similar anomalies are
found on the south-north section of Hubbleton Rd. which passes in front of the active quarry.
We interpret these as the extension of the dike to the north east of its known outcrop.
References:
Brown, B.A., 1986, The Baraboo Interval in Wisconsin, Geoscience Wisconsin, vol.10, p.1-15.
Luther, F. R., 1997, the Precambrian Waterloo Quartzite, Dodge and Jefferson Counties, WisconsinPetrology, structure and Industrial Use. In "Guide to Field Trips in Wisconsin and Adjacent Areas of
Minnesota". M.G. Mudrey Jr. Field Trip Coordinator, Wisconsin Geological Survey, 114 pp.
Schaper, D., and Kean, W., 1999, Multiple Magnetic Directions in a Proterozoic Dike near Waterloo,
Wisconsin. Fall Meeting AGU, abstracts.
Van Schmus, W.R., 1978, Geochronology of the Southern Wisconsin Rhyolites and Granites,
Geoscience Wisconsin, vol.2, p.1 9-24.

79

�Nd and U-Pb Isotope Studies of the Syenitic Aurora Sill, Mesabi Range, Minnesota
Phillips, Erin H., Macalester College, St. Paul, MN 55105; Wirth, Karl R., Geology Department,
Macalester College, St. Paul, MN 55105, wirth@macalester.edu; Vervoort, J.D., and Gehrels, G.E.,
Dept. of Geosciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721
The Aurora sill is a concordant tabular intrusion approximately 5.6 km long and 6 to 37 meters thick that occurs in the
Mesabi Range north of the town of Aurora, Minnesota. The age of the sill is unknown, but it has commonly been assigned
a Mesoproterozoic (Keweenawan) age because it intrudes the 1.88 Ga Biwabik Iron-Formation and also because of its
resemblance to granitic complexes, or "granophyres", of the Midcontinent Rift (White, 1954). The geochemistry and
petrography of the Aurora sill, however, are quite different from the Midcontinent Rift (MCR) granophyres (Phillips et al.,

2000). The isotopic data presened ho indicate that the Aurora sill has a Keweenawan age and represents a unique
occurrence of this rock type in this portion of the MCR.
Mineralogically, the Aurora sill is composed of albite, potassium-feldspar, aegerine, fibrous amphibole, chlorite, Fe-Ti
oxides, Fe sulfide, and zircon and is classified as a syenite (&lt; 5% normative quartz or nepheline) based on both modal and
normative compositions. The presence of two feldspars indicates subsolvus crystallization and high P1120. Albite is the
predominant mineral in the sill and is aligned in fine-grained samples to produce a trachytic texture. Samples from the
Aurora sill exhibit limited geochemical variation (Si02=54.6-60.7 wt. percent; Mg#=0.4-0.75; Y=9-19 ppm) suggesting
that the intrusion has undergone relatively minor internal fractionation.
A large sample from the Aurora sill yielded only a few small (60-80 jim) anhedral zircons. No crystal faces were
present on any of the zircon grains but it is unknown whether this is due to fracturing during processing or resorption of the
grains. Four U-Pb zircon analyses (each consisting of 3 small zircons) yield a highly discordant regression with an upper
intercept of 2970 ± 257 (2; Figure 1). It is improbable that this date represents the age of the sill because it intrudes the
Biwabik Iron-Formation that was deposited about 1.88 Ga(Fralick et al., 1998). Our interpretation is that the zircons grew
in the Mesoproterozoic with significant inheritance from Archean basement rocks in the region. The lower intercept of
1190 ± 466 Ma indicates either zircon growth or a Pb loss event in the Mesoproterozoic that may have coincided with
intrusion of the sill. Nd isotopes provide further evidence of a Keweenawan age for the Aurora sill. A slightly negative
epsilon Nd value of -1.4 results when an age of 1,100 Ma is assumed for the Aurora sill (Figure 2). If older ages are used,
they result in unrealistically high ENd values (ENd = +9 @ 1,800 Ma; ENd +23 @ 2,900 Ma). The Nd isotopic results
corroborate a Keweenawan age (1 .1 Ga) for the sill and are consistent with the lower U-Pb zircon intercept.

If the Aurora sill is Keweenawan in age, the sill

would represent a relatively rare type of alkaline

0.6

magmatism in this part of the MCR. The sill is distinct

from the granophyric complexes of the northwestern
limb of the MCR in several respects. The granophyric

0.5

textures and modal quartz that are typical of felsic rocks

of the MCR are not present in the Aurora sill. The sill

is saturated to weakly undersaturated in silica and

0.4

contrasts sharply with the silica saturated granophyres

of the MCR.

Furthermore the Aurora sill

is

characterized by high total alkalis, Nb/Y, and Ce/Zr
compared with felsic rocks of the MCR. The Aurora

0.3

sill also lacks the negative Nb anomalies that are
0.2

characteristic of the MCR granophyres. Although there
are no known Keweenawan syenites in the vicinity of
the Aurora sill, there are several alkaline intrusions in

01

the northern portion of the MCR. The Coldwell
Complex and Killala Lake Complex both contain

7Pb* 1235U

syenites that have been dated at 1108 ± I Ma, near the

Figure 1

80

�beginning of continental rifting (Heaman and
Machado, 1992). Preliminary examination of the
geochemistry of these syenites displays similarities
to the Aurora sill. For example, they exhibit high

Nb/Y ratios and follow similar trends on many
geochemical plots (e.g., Na20+K20 versus Si02)
and have broadly similar ENd values to the early

E Nd
(T)

gabbro phases from the Coldwell complex
(Heaman and Machado, 1992). Unlike the
Coldwell and Killala Lake complexes, the Aurora
sill is not known to be associated with carbonitites.
The Nd isotopic and trace-element signatures
of the Aurora sill suggest that it was derived from

a mantle melt that did not interact with older,
evolved crustal materials. However, this

Age (Ga)

Figure 2

.

interpretation is not fully consistent with the U-Pb

zircon data which clearly indicate inheritance of
older zircons. It is difficult to imagine a process whereby zircons are inherited from the extant Archean crust without that
crust contributing a highly unradiogenic Nd isotopic signature (negative ENd values) to the sill. This could occur if the
assimilant was of low concentration and/or near-chondritic Sm/Nd ratios, but neither is a common characteristic of zircon
bearing lithologies. One possibility is that the zircons in the Aurora sill have been derived from small degrees of assimilation
of Biwabik Iron-Formation or related Animikie sediments. These sediments have variable but generally less negative E
values in the Mesoproterozoic (Hemming et al., 1995) and also contain Archean detrital zircons.

The age of the Aurora sill is important to understanding the timing of ore formation in the Mesabi Range. In 1999,
Morey proposed a conceptual model in which the high-grade ores formed in a regional ground-water system during
Paleoproterozoic time (1.6-2.5 Ga). Subsequently, Graber and Strandlie (1999) argued that nearby high grade ores must
have formed in Mesoproterozoic or later time, because the Aurora sill appears to have controlled ore-forming processes in
nearby mines. Since a Keweenawan Aurora sill could not have had an effect on ore-formation in the Paleoproterozoic, it is
not possible at this time to confirm the model described by Morey (1999).
References Cited
Fralick, P.W., S.A. Kissin, and D.W. Davis, 1998, The Age and Provenance of the Gunflint Lapilli Tuff. Institute on
Lake Superior Geology, Proceedings and Abstracts, p. 66-67.
Graber, Ronald G. and Alan J. Strandlie, 1999, Where are the Metamorphosed Natural Orebodies of the Mesabi Range?
Institute on Lake Superior Geology, Proceedings and Abstracts, p. 17-19.
Heaman, L.M. and Machado, N., 1992, Timing and origin of the Midcontinent rift alkaline magmatism, North America:
Evidence from the CoIdwell complex. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, V 110, p. 289-303.
Hemming, S.R., S.M. McLennan, and G.N. Hanson, 1995, Geochemical and Nd/Pb isotopic evidence for the provenance
of the Early Proterozoic Virginia Formation, Minnesota. Implications for the tectonic setting of the Animikie
basin, Journal of Geology, V 103, p. 147-168.
Morey, G.B., 1999, High-Grade Iron Ore Deposits of the Mesabi Range, Minnesota Product of a Continental-Scale
Proterozoic Ground-Water System. Economic Geology, V 94, p. 133-142.
Phillips, E.H., 2000, Petrogenesis of the Enigmatic Aurora Sill, Mesabi Range, Minnesota, Unpublished honors thesis,
Macalester College, St. Paul, MN.
Phillips, E.H., K.R. Wirth, and G.B. Morey, 2000, Petrogenesis of the Enigmatic Aurora Sill, Mesabi Range, Minnesota.
Institute on Lake Superior Geology, Proceedings and Abstracts, p. 51-52.
White, David A., 1954, The Stratigraphy and Structure of the Mesabi Range, Minnesota. Minnesota Geological Survey
Bulletin 38. Minneapolis: The University of Minnesota Press, p. 63-66.

81

�Freeze/Thaw Testing of Carbonate Aggregate Sources in Wisconsin — A
Status Report
Daniel D. Reid, Wisconsin Department of Transportation, 3502 Kinsman BlvcL, Madison,
Wisconsin 53704-2507

Delamination and deterioration of exposed pavement aggregates has been a common occurrence
on highways in southern and northeastern Wisconsin, and has lead to highway maintenance
problems in some areas. The principal cause of these problems is crushed stone aggregate
produced from Sinnipee Group (Galena, Decorah and Platteville Formations) rock. Prior to
1999, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) excluded entire formations and
members of the Sinnipee Group as a way of mitigating pavement problems. A study of carbonate
aggregate resources in Wisconsin, conducted jointly by WisDOT and the Wisconsin Geologic
and Natural History Survey (WGNHS), provided a comprehensive analysis of the stratigraphy
and geologic properties of Sinnipee Group aggregate resources. This study identified significant
regional variability in Sinnipee Group rock, and concluded that the laboratory freeze/thaw test
was the most effective method of identifying problem aggregate sources. Based on this data,
WisDOT concluded that specifications excluding certain formations and members were not
appropriate for uniform application across the entire state.

As a result of the WisDOT/WGNHS carbonate aggregate study, WisDOT developed and
implemented specifications for freeze/thaw testing of carbonate aggregate sources used in
pavements and bridge decks in October 1999. These specifications mandated freeze/thaw testing
in counties where Sinnipee Group rock outcrops, and set the threshold for loss at 18% by weight.
Included in the specifications was a clause that allows WisDOT to waive freeze/thaw testing for
existing aggregate sources determined to be in the Silurian System or Prairie du Chien Group of
carbonate rocks. WisDOT has now completed over 230 independent freeze/thaw tests on
carbonate aggregate source material throughout Wisconsin. To date, the results indicate that
freeze/thaw testing is performing it's intended function. A decrease in pavement problems has
been reported and WisDOT now has an effective method of controlling aggregates that produce
excessive delamination. As an added benefit, aggregate producers are now permitted to use
aggregate sources that were excluded prior to establishment of the freeze/thaw testing
specification, so long as material from these sources tests under the 18% threshold.

References:

-

AASHTO, 1996, Standard Specification for Soundness of Aggregates by Freezing and Thawing,
American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Designation
T 103-91.

Brown, Bruce A., 1999, Aggregate Resources of the Sinnipee Group in Eastern and Southern
Wisconsin, Wisconsin Geologic and Natural History Survey Open-File Report 1999-07.
Ostrom, M.E., 1967, Paleozoic Stratigraphic Nomenclature for Wisconsin, Wisconsin Geological
and Natural History Survey Information Circular No. 8.

82

�___

A Metamorphosed Evaporite Sequence from the Sibley Basin
Rogala,

B. and Fralick, P.W., Department of Geology, Lakehead University, Thunder

Bay, Ontario

The Sibley Group sediments were deposited in a subsiding infracratonic basin
(Fralick and Kissin, 1995), between 1339 ± 33 Ma (Franklin et aL, 1980) and 1537 +10-2
(Davis and Sutcliffe, 1984). The Group is divided into three main Formations: Pass

Lake, Rossport, and Kama Hill, representing deposition in a braided fluvial-mudflatplaya environment (Cheadle, 1986). This study concentrates on a section through a
lateral correlative of the cyclic facies contained in the Rossport Formation present in the
Noranda drill core NI-92-5. The location of this drill hole is north f iier cored sections
and outcrops of the cyclic facies and represents a more basin center environment. The
cyclic facies to the south consists of alternating layers of dolomite and red shale with
individual layers, in the approximately 40 m thick assemblage, varying from mm- to dm-

In drill hole NI-92-5 the layering is at a similar scale, but is composed of
alternations between what was first thought to be dolomite-rich and gypsum-rich
scale.

intervals, reflecting wet and dry seasonality in the central playa environment.

SEM and XRD analysis indicate that the sequence was metamorphosed. The
progression of metamorphic facies, from lower to higher T towards the diabase sill, is
represented by the following reactions:

3CaMg(C03)2 + 4SiO2 +1H20 —' lMg3Si4Oio(OH)2 + 3CaCO3 + 3CO2
and
5Mg3Si4O10(OH)2 + 6CaCO3 + 45i02 —. 3Ca2Mg5Si8O22(OH)2 + 6C02 + 2H20
or
2Mg3Si4Oio(OH)2 +3CaCO3 - lCa2Mg5Si8O22(OH)2+ lCaMg(CO3)2 + 1CO2 +1H20
or
5CaMg(C03)2 + 8SiO2 + 1H2O — lCa2Mg5Si8O22(OH)2 + 3CaCO3 + 7CO2
(Winkler, 1974)

Near the diabase sill pargasite, a hornblende with the composition
(Na,K)01Ca2Mg4A13Si6O22(OH), is the dominant mineral. Clinochlore, a chlorite mineral
with a composition of Mg5Al5Si3Oio(OH), is found throughout the metamorphic series.
Both of these minerals are common in magnesian carbonate metamorphism (Pattison and
Tracy, 1991).
Primary layering has been masked in places by metamorphism. However, S.E.M.

analysis clearly shows the mineralogical layering, reflecting variations in primary
geochemical constituents between individual laminae. ICP-AES analysis also highlights
the varying compositions of the sequence. CafMg ratios indicate the precipitation of
gypsum in many layers. This is supported by the observation of gypsum using S.E.M..
The pargasite tends to exist in layers with differing K and Na proportions. The K and
Na ions may reflect the incorporation of KCI and NaC1. Both of the minerals are found
in S.E.M. sections taken near the middle of the sequence.

83

�Clastic input is variable between individual layers, but shows an increase at the
top of the section. This increase is related to the appearance of sand sheets, which
typically mark the end of the cyclic facies in the Sibley Group sediments. Clastic
material becomes slightly enriched in elements denoting a mafic rock source up-section.
The source material is distinctly alkalic. Alkalic material may be associated with
plume activity, which would fit the infracratonic theory for the formation of the Sibley
Basin. However, suitably alkalic rocks have not been found in the area.

References
Cheadle, B.A. 1986. Alluvial-playa sedimentation in the lower Keweenawan Sibley
Group, Thunder Bay District, Ontario. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, 23,
527-542.

Davis, D.W. and Sutcliffe, R.H. 1984. U-Pb ages from the Nipigon Plate and Northern
Lake Superior. Geological Society of America Bulletin, 96, 1572-1579.
Fralick, P. and Kissin, S. 1995. Mesoproterozoic basin development in central North
America: implications of Sibley Group volcanism and sedimentation at Redstone
Point. in: Petrology and metallogeny if volcanic and intrusive rocks of the midcontinent rift system, Proceedings of the International Geological Correlation
Program, Project 336.

Franklin, J.M., Mcllwaine, W.H., Poulsen, K.H. and Wanless, R.K. 1980. Stratigraphy
and depositional setting of the Sibley Group, Thunder Bay District, Ontario,
Canada. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, 17, 633-651.

Pattison, D.R.M. and Tracy, R.J. 1991. Phase equilibria and thermobarometry of
calcareous, ultramafic, and mafic rocks, and iron formations. In: Kerrick, D.M.
(ed.), Contact Metamorphism. Reviews in Mineralogy, 26, Mineralogical Society
of America.
Winkler, H.G.F. 1974. Petrogenesis of Metamorphic Rocks. Springer-Verlag: New
York Inc., 320 p.

84

�Roles of Fractional Crystallization and Assimilation in the Production of
Midcontinent Rift Granophyres.
Sandland, Travis 0., (tsandland@Macalester.edu) &amp; Wirth, Karl R., Geology Department,
Macalester College, St. Paul, MN, 55105; Vervoort, Jeff D. &amp; Gehrels, George E., Department

of Geosciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721; Kennedy, Bryan C., Geology
Department, Macalester College, St. Paul, MN, 55105; Harpp, Karen S., Department of
Geology, Colgate University, Hamilton, N 13346
The granitic complexes of the Midcontinent Rift (MCR), commonly termed granophyres,
comprise a significant portion of the Duluth Complex in northern Minnesota. They range in size from
30 to 150 km2 in surface area and are ito 2 km in thickness. They consist of basal diorite and monzodiorite
and progress upward to quartz monzodiorite, granodiorite, and granite. This study focuses on the
petrogenesis of four of these complexes: the Greenwood Lake, Misquah Hills, Eagle Mountain, and
Pine Mountain granophyres.
Miller and Vervoort (1996) identified two magmatic stages in this part of the MCR. An "early
stage" from 1108-1105 Ma, and a "main stage" from 1100-1094 Ma. The four granophyre complexes
addressed in this study have U-Pb zircon ages consonant with this chronology. The older granophyres
include the Misquah Hills and Greenwood Lake complexes with ages of 1106±6 Ma and 1106±3 Ma
(±2 sigma), respectively, and were emplaced during the early stage of the rift. The Eagle Mountain and
Pine Mountain granophyres have ages of 1098±4 and 1095±4 Ma, respectively, and were emplaced
during the main magmatic stage.
The granophyre complexes vary widely in
composition (47-76 wt. % Si02) and plot as linear
Figure 1
trends on many Harker variation diagrams. The
two granophyre groups (early and main stage) are
indistinguishable on such plots and appear to have
ci
very similar major element chemistry.
Incompatible trace elements (including REEs) are
enriched in both groups (Fig. 1) although the early

stage granophyres generally have higher
concentrations than the late stage granophyres.
Incompatible trace element ratios (e.g., LaISm, Gd!

Yb) are similar for both groups. The early stage
granophyres have initial epsilon Nd values between
20

0 and -2. In contrast, the main stage granophyres
are isotopically enriched, with initial epsilon Nd
Ce
values between -3 and -8.
The isotopic and incompatible element data suggest both fractional crystallization (FC) and
La

Pr

Tb Ho Tm Lu
Nd Sm Gd Dy Er Yb
Eu

assimilation fractional crystallization (AFC) processes were involved in the evolution of the granophyres.
The large negative epsilon Nd values associated with the main stage granophyres indicate AFC processes

and suggest contamination by an isotopically enriched source, possibly felsic Archean crustal rocks.
This trend can be seen on a graph of epsilon Nd vs. La/Yb (Fig. 2). The main stage granophyres also

85

�have low Nb/Y ratios, a signature of contamination by crustal materials, whereas the Nb/Y ratios of the
early stage granophyres are positively correlated with La/Sm (Fig. 3). If AFC processes were active
during the formation of the early stage granophyres, the assimilant was likely limited to juvenile mafic
rocks with little or no isotopic enrichment. Alternatively, the enrichment of incompatible elements in
the early stage granophyres could be the result of fractional crystallization.

Figure 2

Figure 3

20

2

FC

AFC
10 -

Early

Stage.

Main Stages
0

I

-8

-7

I

I

I

-6

-5

-4

I

-3

-2

0

I

-l

La/Sm

Epsilon Nd

These data support the model of rift evolution as presented by Vervoort and Green (1997). The
early stage granophyres were formed either by fractional crystallization, or by AFC processes with
contamination from a high Sm/Nd mafic crust. During this stage of rift evolution, the middle to upper
crust was probably relatively cold, so assimilation likely occurred in the lower crust due to local heating
as a result of plume initiation. The main stage granophyres are isotopically contaminated and suggest
AFC processes at work. During this time period, renewed rifling resulted in higher ambient temperatures
in the crust, and allowed melting of older, low Sm/Nd, negative epsilon Nd sources, possibly at middle
to upper crustal levels.

References:

Miller, J.D., Vervoort, J.D., 1996, The latent magmatic stage of the Midcontinent rift: a period of
magmatic underplating and melting of the lower crust. in 42" Annual Meeting of the Institute
on Lake Superior Geology, Cable, Wis., May 1996, Proceedings volume 42, pp 33-35.

Vervoort, J.D., and Green, J.C., 1997, Origin of evolved magmas in the Midcontinent rift system,
northeast Minnesota: Nd-isotope evidence for melting of Archean crust: Canadian Journal of
Earth Sciences, v. 34. p. 52 1-535.

86

�DIRECT TIMING CONSTRAINTS ON PALEOPROTEROZOIC
METAMORPHISM, SOUTHERN LAKE SuPERIOR REGION: RESULTS
FROM SHRIMP U-PB DATING OF METAMORPHIC MONAZITES
Schneider, D.A., Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, 13244; Hoim, D.K., Kent State
University, Kent,OH, 44242; Hamilton, M.A., Geological Survey of Canada, Ottawa,
ONT, K1A 0E8

The age of the Penokean Orogeny has been firmly established for decades by U-Pb
pluton age data. The timing of post-orogenic cooling and lower temperature overprinting

has only been established more recently by thermochronologic investigations. Little
information exists however on the timing of the initial higher-grade metamorphism
which affected the southern Lake Superior region during the Paleoproterozoic. Such
information represents a critical missing link in our understanding of the tectonothermal

evolution of the crust during and after Penokean orogenesis. Monazite, a REEphosphate accessory mineral, grows as a common metamorphic phase under
amphibolite and higher-grade conditions. Monazite U-Pb ages typically yield reliable

estimates for the timing of peak metamorphism, although post-metamorphic
deformation and fluid flux can cause lower-temperature monazite dissolution and
reprecipitation. We utilized the SHRIMP at the GSC in Ottawa to obtain geochronologic
information on distinct mineral domains (e.g., core vs. rim) which may have resulted

from particular tectonothermal events. Through BSE imaging prior to analyses, we
found rim textures spatially distinct from interior replacement textures. Age data are
indistinguishable from each domain and replacement probably resulted from the same

thermal event as the rim neogrowth. Age data summarized below include only
concordant or near concordant analyses and are reported as weighted average
207Pb/206Pb ages.

In this pilot study we separated monazite from an amphibolite grade Paleoproterozoic
metasedimentary unit in east-central Minnesota (Kettle River locality) and from an
Archean gneiss unit within the Peavy district, northern Michigan (Foster City locality).

From Kettle River, a sample of garnet schist, which attained peak metamorphic
conditions of 470-520°C at 5-6 kbar, yielded distinct populations of core and rim U-Pb
ages from 5 monazite grains. Eight analyses of core domains yielded a U-Pb monazite

crystallization age of 1834.0 ± 6.1 Ma, reflecting primary metamorphic growth. A
population of monazite rimlreplacement spot analyses, characterized by a higher Th
content, yielded an age of 1792.9 ± 4.3 Ma. This latter age is similar to the --1799 Ma
U-Pb crystallization age of the deformed Hillman tonalite (Van Schmus et aL, 2000,
ILSG and this volume). From Foster city (&gt;500°C and -4 kbar), an Archean muscovitebiotite quartzofeldspathic gneiss yielded a monazite core age of 1834.4 ± 6.0 Ma from
10 spots on 11 grains. Rimlreplacement domain analyses from 9 spots yielded a younger
age of 1809.8 ± 6.3 Ma, consistent with high-temperature cooling in the region (1800
and 1785 Ma Ar-Ar hornblende ages; Mancuso et al., ILSG, 1997).

87

�These metamorphic U-Pb ages are the first reliable metamorphic dates from this
Paleoproterozoic orogen and indicate a widespread thermal pulse at 1835 Ma in response
to accretion-induced crustal thickening. Albeit preliminary, the age of metamorphism is

remarkably consistent across the orogen. High temperature Ar-Ar cooling ages on
hornblende (—500°C) from north of the Watersmeet dome (—1822 Ma; Schneider et a!.,
1996, CJES) and biotite Ar-Ar dates from low-grade structural panels from east-central
Minnesota (1840-1830 Ma; Schweitzer et al., 2000, ILSG) are compatible with an —1835
Ma orogenwide metamorphic episode. Further accessory mineral geochronology holds

promise for better elucidating the timing of syn-orogenic metamorphism, as well as
overprinting post-orogenic events throughout the southern Lake Superior region.

Foster City
Archean mu-bi quartzofeldspathic schist

0.35

-a

a.

(p

0
0.33

1:

0.31

0.29

0.27

4.2

4.4

0.33

0.31

0.29

0.27
4.2

4.4

4.6

88

4.8

5.0

5.2

5.4

5.6

�RESULTS OF IGNEOUS THERMOMETRY AND BAROMETRY ON THE EAST-CENTRAL
MINNESOTA BATIIOL1TH: EVIDENCE FOR POST-EMPLACEMENT EXHUMATION AND
COOLING
SCHWEiTZER, D., and HOLM, D., both at Dept of Geology, Kent State University, Kent; OH,

44242; VAN SCHMUS, W.R., Dept. of Geology, Univ. of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, 55045;
BOERBOOM, T., Minnesota Geological Survey, 2642 University Avenue, St Paul, MN

The internal zone of the Penokean orogen in east-central Minnesota was invaded by abundant
plutonism associated with emplacement of the East-Central Minnesota Batholith (ECMB) from 1787 to 1772
Ma (Van Schmus et al., 2000). Previous application of the Aluminum-in-Hornblende (AH) igneous barometer
on phases of the ECMB indicate paleodepth estimates that increase from -13 km in the north (Ka-F, K-4; Fig

1) to —18 km in the southeast near St Cloud (SC, Fig 1). HoIm aed others (1998) inferred the depth
differences to reflect intrusion of different magma bodies into a rapidly unroofing terrane. This interpretation
predicts that progressively younger intrusions would have been emplaced into progressively shallower crustal
levels. At the time, their hypothesis was limited by the lack of any precise age data on the intrusions analyzed.
The new ECMB U-Pb age data provides the framework to directly test this hypothesis of syn-emplacement
exhumation.
We selected six new samples for further All barometric work (starred localities, Fig 1). Anderson
and Smith (1995) outlined the important role that temperature plays in the Al concentration in homblende rims
and proposed a temperature correcting calibration for the application of the All barometer. For this reason,
the Hornblende-Plagioclase (HB-PL) thermometer (Blundy and Holland, 1992) was applied to these samples in
order to derive a crystallization temperature estimate for each sample. The Schmidt (1992) pressure calibration
is presented in order to compare the effects of the temperature correction. The electron microprobe at the
University of Maine, Orono was used to obtain compositional data used for both the All barometer and HB-PL
thermometer. The results of these analyses are summarized in the following table.

Table 1: Summary of igneous thermometry and barnmetry results
Schmidt, 1992 A and S, 1995
An Content B and H, 1990
kbar
kbar
Temperature (°C)
(%)
Sample ID Rock Unit
EC-31
EC-15
DS-99-17
EC-1
EC-35
RFG-7

Granodiorite
Mafic Plug
Anne Lake Granite
Watab Quartz Dionte
Granodiorite
Reformatory Granodiorite

789 ± 38

49.99
59.35
31.29
40.01
43.77
51.31

884±38
745 ± 38

6% *38
746±38
783 ± 38

9.1 ± 0.6
13.4 ± 0.6
6.0 ± 0.6
5.2 ± 0.6
8.5 ± 0.6
6.4 ± 0.6

&lt;6.5 ± 0.6
&lt;6.2 ± 0.6
4.9 ± 0.6
5.0 ± 0.6
&lt;7.2 ± 0.6
4.4 ± 0.6

Assuming an average overburden density of 2.7 g/cc, the pressures recorded by EC-31, EC-15, and
EC-35 correspond to maximum emplacement depths of 23-27km. These appear to be anomalously high when
compared to other rocks in the area and probably reflect artificial Al enrichment of hornblende crystal rims due
to high An content. Samples RFG-7 (17 lan), EC-1(18 km), and DS-99-17(18 km) when corrected for
temperature effects appear to preserve viable estimates since they are consistent with prior barometric results.
In the north, samples Ka-F and K-4 (Fig. 1) both preserve emplacement depths of 13 km but their UPb ages are 15m.y. apart. To the south, all samples near St Cloud record —17-18 km depths regardless of age.
This implies that very little uplift occurred during emplacement of the ECMB. The bulk of post-tectonic
exhumation appears to have occurred after the emplacement of the ECMB. Preserved pressure differences
probably reflect deeper emplacement depths (from N to 5) across the batholith. Post-emplacement exhumation
is consistent with cooling ages being 10-20 m.y. younger than ciystallization ages from the batholith (Holm et
al, 1998; Hohn and Lux, 19%). The ECMB was likely completely exhumed prior to deposition of the Early
Proterozoic (1750-1650 Ma) red quartzites.

89

�MSD:

\

,.-

H

It

Is

MN-29

:-::•::-: 18±2km

I—

A

l P16

(MSD)

,c—I___

-.

',

/

-,

—

_s.

\ I_,&gt;.
—

—

-%.—

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5——

'11787*

' I&lt;23*2km

s.

,,-I, '
5.

Is

; '___-\ I_/'-'/

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c-i
J

,
—

;, _, __'_l

10 km

F/ /'

,

_s—
-,

I,

/

—

.,- —.

—

I
/

\

'I'—'' ' — —'
-

Figure 1: Simplified map of the internal zone of the Pekonean orogen. Localities marked with filled
circles represent samples analyzed by Hotm et at (1998). Starred localities denote samples analyzed
in this study. MSD = Malmo Structural Discontinuity; SC = St. Cloud; LF = Little Falls. U-Pb ages after
Van Schmus et at (2000).

References
Anderson, J.L, and Smith, D.R, 1 995,The effects of temperature and oxygen fugacity on the Al-in
-hornblende barometer: American Mineralogist, v.80, p.549-559.
Blundy, J.D., and Holland,TJ.B, 1990, Calcic amphibole equilibria and a new amphibole-plagiodase
geothermometer: Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, v.104, p.208-224.
HoIm, D.K.and Lux, D.R, 1996, Core complex model proposed for gneiss dome development during
collapse of the Paleoproterozoic Penokean orogen, MN: Geology, v.24, p.343-346.
Holm, D.K., Darrah, KS., and Lux, D.R., 1998, Evidence for widespread —.1760 Ma metamorphism and
rapid stabilization of the Early-Proterozoic (1870-1820 Ma) Penokean orogen, MN: Am. J. of
Science, v.298, p.60-81.
Schmidt, M.W., 1992, Amphibole compoisition in tonalite as a function of pressure: an experimental
calibration of the Al-in-hornblende barometer: Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology,
v.1 10, p. 304-310.

Van Schmus,W.R., MacNeill, LC., Holm, D.K, Boerboom,TJ., and isa, M.A., 2000,The 1787-1772 Ma
east-central Minnesota batholith: Precursor to crustal stabilization in the Lake Superior region:
ILSG proceedings, 46th annual meeting, Marquette, Ml, v.46, p.65-66.

90

�A SYNOPSIS OF ARCHEAN AND PROTEROZOIC PLATINUM GROUP ELEMENT
MINERALIZATION IN THE THUNDER BAY DISTRICT, ONTARIO
SMYK, Mark C., MASON, John K. and SCHNIEDERS, Bernie R., Ontario Geological Survey,
Ministry of Northern Development and Mines, Suite B002, 435 James St. South, Thunder Bay,
ON P7E 6S7, and STOTT, Greg M. Ontario Geological Survey, Ministry of Northern
Development and Mines, Willet Green Miller Centre, 933 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, ON P3E
6B5

Platinum group element (PGE) occurrences and deposils are in both Neoarchean and Mesoproterozoic
mafic to ultramafic intrusive rocks in the Thunder Bay District. Recent, dramatic increases in platinum
group metal prices have prompted renewed interest in PGE exploration, resulting in the discovery of
hitherto unknown hosts and styles of mineralization.

Archean

There are four broad, temporally diverse settings for Neoarchean PGE mineralization:
(1)

Pre-tectonic, mafic to ultramafic, subvolcanic(?) intrusions intimately associated with greenstone
belts of various ages in the Wawa and Wabigoon subprovinces;
(e.g. Haines Gabbro (Shebandowan belt / Wawa; 2722 Ma); Core Zone gabbro (Obonga Lake belt
/ Wabigoon; 2733 Ma);

(2)

Post-tectonic, mafic to ultramafic intrusions (Ca. 2692 Ma), related to late plutonism in the
Wabigoon Subprovince, hosted by gneissic tonalite-granodiorite
(e.g. Lac des Iles and Tib Lake complexes; Buck Lake, Legris Lake, etc.);

(3)

Syn- to post-tectonic, mafic to ultramafic intrusions (a.k.a. "Quetico-type"; Ca. 2680 to 2688 Ma)
hosted by Quetico subprovince metasedimentary rocks
(e.g. Samuels Lake, Kawene, Nym Lake, Chief Peter Lake, North Elbow Lake, etc.); and

(4)

Mafic intrusive rocks occurring within syn- to post-tectonic, diorite-monzodiorite-monzonite
suites with sanukitoid affinity (ca. 2680 to 2685 Ma), within the Wabigoon, Quetico and Wawa
subprovinces (cf Stern eta!. 1989)
(e.g. Roaring River Complex; Entwine Lake).

Disseminated to locally net-textured chalcopyrite, Fe-sulphides, pentlandite and magnetite typically
characterize PGE-mineralized zones, which are commonly associated with intrusive contacts, polyphase
intrusive breccias, as well as sheared and hydrothermally altered zones.

Proterozoic
Mesoproterozoic intrusive rocks associated with the Midcontinent Rift locally range in age from Ca. 1108
Ma (e.g. reversely polarized Coldwell alkaline complex; Logan diabase) to ages younger than the magnetic
polarity reversal that occurred between 1105 and 1102 Ma (Davis and Green 1997). A tabulated synopsis
is provided below:

91

�Intrusion I Lithology

Mineralization Style

Local Examples
(Associated PGE-Miizeralized Areas)

Disseminated sulphides and
native metals in lherzolite, dunite,
peridotite,_etc.
Disseminated and blebby
sulphides in medium- to coarsegrained, varied-textured
(a.k.a._'taxitic')_gabbro
Disseminated sulphides in Crspinel-bearing cumulate layers
Disseminated, intergranular
sulphides, fracture fillings
Disseminated sulphides in
medium- to coarse-grained

Leckie Lake (Wolf Mountain);
Hele Township; Eva-Kitto townships

Normal Magnetic Polarity
&lt;(1005-1102 Ma):

U

Layered(?) picritic ultramafic
intrusions

Layered gabbro-anorthositic
intrusions:
Crystal Lake Gabbro

Pine Point - Mount Mollie
Gabbro

Pigeon River and Arrow River
diabase dykes

Crystal Lake Gabbro
(Great Lakes Nickel deposit)

(Cr-spinel-bearing, anorthositic
gabbro above Cu-Ni deposit)
(Mount Mollie; Pine River)
(Wallenius; Naomi Island; Jarvis
Point)

gabbro_and_diabase

Reversed Magnetic Polarity
(ca. 1108 Ma):

Logan diabase sills, cone sheets
Tholeiitic to alkaline
complexes:
CoIdwell alkaline complex
Killala Lake alkaline complex

I

Sparse,

disseminated sulphides

Disseminated sulphides in
medium- to coarse-grained,
van-textured (a.k.a. taxitic)
gabbro

Disseminated sulphides in
massive Fe-Ti-oxide
cumulate layers

(Numerous)

Coldwell
Two Duck Lake
gabbro
(Marathon deposit);
Geordie Lake gabbro
Eastern Border gabbro
(Skipper Lake zone)

Killala Lake
Border
gabbro
(Sandspit Killala)
(Unknown)

The development of tectono-magmatic models for these various suites of intrusions is the focus of ongoing
research as part of the Ontario Geological Survey's Operation Treasure Hunt. These new data will provide
new insights into late Archean subprovince accretion in the Superior Province, as well as the development
of the Midcontinent Rift. They will help to elucidate possible links between the age, geochemistry and
setting of these intrusive rocks and PGE mineralization processes in order to generate new exploration
targets.

References

Davis, D.W. and Green, J.C. 1997. Geochronology of the North American Midcontinent rift in western
Lake Superior and implications for its geodynamic evolution; Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences,
V.34, p.476-488.
Stern, R.A., Hanson, G.N. and Shirey, S.B. 1989. Petrogenesis of mantle-derived, LILE-enriched Archean
monzodiorites and trachyandesites (sanukitoids) in southwestern Superior Province; Canadian
Journal of Earth Sciences, v.26, p.1688-1712.

92

�PLATINUM GROUP ELEMENT EXPLORATION IN NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO
SMYK, Mark C., S11IWART, Jennifer and O'BRIEN, Mark S. Ontario Geological Survey,
Ministry of Northern Development and Mines, Suite B002, 435 James St. South, Thunder Bay,
ONP7EÔS7
During the past two years there has been a marked increase in exploration for the platinum-group elements
(PGE) In iiorthwestern Ontario. This interest has been driven by a dramatic rise in the prices of platinum
and palladwm. Renewed PGE exploration in northwestern Ontario has also been significantly influenced
by the sticcess of North American Palladium Ltd.'s Lac des Ties Mine which produced 95 116 ounces of
-palladium at àcash cost of US$142 per ounce in 2000. Recent exploration efforts at Lac des lies have
increased 'the measured and indicated resource to 145 600 000 tonnes at an average grade of 1.57 glt Pd,
0.17 g/t Pt, 0.12 g/t Au, 0.06% Cu and 0.05 % Ni.
There were over 100 PGE exploration programs in northwestern Ontario in 2000, accounting for more than
half of all mineral exploration in the region. These exploration efforts have focused on both Archean and
Proterozoic mafic to ultramafic intrusions, leading to the discovery of many occurrences in areas andlor
intrusions not previously known to host PGE mineralization.

PGE occur in two main geological settings:
(1)

In Archean pre- to post-tectonic, mafic to ultramafic intrusions. Mineralization may be associated
with:

•

Disseminated "sparse" sulphides in gabbro and ultramafic rocks (e.g. Lac des Ties complex and
satellite intrusive complexes), and localized by:
• Zones of hydrothermal alteration
• Heterolithic, igneous breccia zones
Contact zones and tectonic structures
•

•

(Semi-) massive, sheared, copper-nickel sulphide deposits (e.g. Shebandowan and Thierry mines) in
ultramafic rocks

•

Sheared ultramafic rocks with copper-nickel sulphides intruding banded iron formation
(e.g. Trout Bay)

•

Chromitite within layered ultramafic complexes (e.g. Big Trout Lake, Chrome Lake?)

(2)

In Mesoproterozoic, Midcontinent Rift-related (ca. 1108-1102 Ma), mafic to ultramafic intrusions
near Lake Superior and Lake Nipigon. Mineralization may be associated with:

•

Disseminated suiphides in coarse-grained to pegmatitic, van-textured ("taxitic") gabbro
(e.g. Great Lakes Nickel; Marathon deposits)

•

Massive oxide (± sulphide) units in layered gabbro (e.g. Coidwell Eastern Gabbro (Ti-Fe-oxides);
Great Lakes Nickel (Cr-spinel)

•

Disseminated sulphide ± native metals in olivine-rich, layered ultramafic rocks (e.g. Wolf Mountain)

93

�A NEW GRAVITY MAP OF WISCONSIN
SNYDER, Stephen L., U.S. Geological Survey, MS 954 National Center, Reston, VA 20192,
ssnyder@usgs.gov; ERVIN, C. Patrick, Dept. of Geology and Environmental Geosciences,
Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL 60115, pervin@niu.edu; GEISTER, Daniel W., Dept. of
Geology and Environmental Geosciences, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL 60115,
z011561@students.niu.edu and DANIELS, David L., U.S. Geological Survey, dave(usgs.gov.

A new Bouguer anomaly gravity map of Wisconsin has been created from more than 37,000
gravity measurements collected between 1948 and 2000. North of latitude 44° N., more than 28,000
stations were compiled by C.P. Ervin and M.E. Thompson. These data include stations from the
Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey (WGNHS), the National Geophysical Data Center
(NGDC), the Defense Mapping Agency (DMA), the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), and Northern
Illinois University. An approximate station interval of 1 mile (1.6 km) was established where possible,
but limited access in some areas necessitated a greater spacing.
Prior to 1999, the data south of latitude 44° N. totaled approximately 3800 stations from NGDC
and from G. Randy Keller (University of Texas-El Paso). The current USGS effort, begun in 1999, is
directed at upgrading the gravity coverage of the state south of latitude 44° N. with a station density
comparable to that north of 44° N. To date we have added measurements at more than 6800 stations to
achieve a nominal spacing of one to two miles. These new data replace the older data from the NGDC,
which had a nominal station spacing ranging from 3 to 10 miles. Nearly all of the data are tied to the
Wisconsin First-order Gravity Base Station Network, which is in turn tied to the International Gravity
Standardization Network-1971 (IGSN-71). The 37,000 measurements were then gridded at an interval of
500 m. The map will be presented at a scale of 1:500,000.

The rationale for upgrading the gravity coverage has been to provide higher resolution data to
assist in the interpretation of the basement geology of southern Wisconsin, much of which is hidden by
glacial and Paleozoic cover. The gravity data, along with aeromagnetic data, give clues to the structural
evolution of the Precambrian crust, making the map an excellent tool for USGS mineral resource studies.
Some notable features shown on this map include 1) the Midcontinent gravity high, which has
one of the steepest gravity gradients in the conterminous US, 2) the flanking gravity lows corresponding

to Keweenawan sedimentary basins, 3) gravity highs over inferred mafic plutons in southeastern
Wisconsin, 4) a low centered on the Precambrian Wolf River batholith, but much larger in area, 5) gravity
lows associated with granitic intrusives just south of latitude 46° N., and 6) several northwest trending
linear features of unknown origin.
The accompanying figure shows a shaded relief image of the gravity map.

94

�92°

-89

-91

880

-87°

.5

.15

H

21 .—

.55 —
27 .—
30 .—

33 —

35—
35 I

42 *
45 —

-45 *
51

54 *
50

53
-55
72

-51

500

milhigals

50

50

0

klometres
NA027/ LGC-90

95

�POST-RIFT EVOLUTION OF THE MIDCONTINENT RIFT SYSTEM:
SOME NUMERICAL EXPERIMENTS
Soofi, M. A., and King, S. D., Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Purdue
University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907
The Midcontinent Rift system (MCR) is a major geological and geophysical feature
of North America. This 1.1 b.y. old feature (Nicholson and Shirey, 1990; Klewin and
Shirey, 1992) is believe to have evolved first through the tensile forces of a rift origin
and then through the compressive forces from the intraplate collision between North
America and Grenville Tectonic Zone (GTZ) (Van Schmus and Hinze, 1985). The
support for interaction between the MCR and GTZ come from the geophysical studies
which reveal thrust faults and folds along the length of the MCR (e.g., Zhu and Brown,
1986; Chandler et al., 1989; Mariano and Hinze, 1994; Allen et al., 1997). Also, the time
of thrusting along the MCR is constrain to be 1060 Ma (Bornhorst et al., 1988; Cannon
et al., 1993) which is comparable to 1100-1060 Ma (Easton, 1992) as the duration of
collision in Grenville Tectonic Zone.
A quantitative study of the late-stage deformation of the MCR under the Grenville
tectonism has been performed by Soofi and King (1999). They showed that the distance
between the MCR and Grenville Tectonic Zone is appropriate for the two geologic
provinces to interact. We expand on their findings and investigate the contribution
of various factors involved in the collision between North America and the Grenville
terranes, including: the size of colliding terranes of Grenville Tectonic Zone; the location
of collision along the eastern and southern boundaries of North America; and the angle
of convergence between North America and the Grenville terranes. We use a 2D, viscous,
finite element model that treats lithosphere as a thin sheet with stresses averaged over
its thickness (for computational method see Houseman and England (1986); for program
location see the web site http : / /www.earth.monash.edu.au/Research/Basil). The model
boundaries coincide with pre-Grenville collision boundary of North America. In the
model, the MCR is considered as a low-strength block. We consider the present shape
of the MCR as the shape at the time of collision with the Grenville terranes. The models
are run to represent 21 Ma of convergence at the rate of 50 mm/yr. To constrain the
model results we use geophysically observed uplifts along the reverse faults of the MCR
(e.g., Zhu and Brown, 1986; Mariano and Hinze, 1994; Allen et al., 1997). These uplifts
are compared with crustal thickening along the MCR in the model.
Based on our results we conclude that the 3 to 8 km variation in uplift along the
thrust faults of the western arm of the MCR is the consequence of size of the colliding
terranes and location of the collision. The model results also suggest that deformation
along the eastern arm of the MCR was comparable to that along the western arm. The
reason we do not observe such deformation in geophysical studies (e.g., Zhu and Brown,
1986) is, perhaps, due to later surficial and/or tectonic processes. We also conclude that
collision with Crenville Tectonic Zone was active along both the eastern and southern
boundaries of North America. This resulted in the non-linear shape of the western
arm of the MCR and may also played a role in the formation of the Belle Plaine fault.
We do not observe any significant difference in the model results for different angles
of convergence between North America and Grenville terranes. Consideration of other
constraints in addition to the uplift along the MCR may help to determine the dominant
angle of convergence between North America and Grenville Tectonic Zone.

96

�REFERENCES CITED
Allen,D.J., Hinze, W.J., Dickas, A.B., and Mudrey, M.G.Jr., 1997, tnterMedgeophysical modeling of the North American midcontineñt rift system: New thterpretations for western Lake Superior, northwestern Wisconsin, and eastern Minnesota:
Geological Society of America Special Paper 312, p. 47-71.

Bornhorst, T J, Paces, J B, Grant, N K, Obradich D, and Thiber, NkK 1988,
Ae f native copper mineralization, Ke-weenaw Peninula, Michigan: conmi
(eiogy, v 83, p. 41,19-625

Cannon, W.F., Petermn, Z.E., and Sims, P.K., 193, Crustal- sca1ethrtisting and
origin of the Montreal river monocline - A 35 km thick cross-section of the midcontinent rift in northern Michigan and Wisconsin: Tectonics, v. 12, p. 728-744.

Chandler, V.W., McSwiggen, P.L., Morey, G.B., Hinze, W.J,, and Anderson, R.R.,
1989, Interpretation of seismic reflection, gravity, and magnetic data across middle Proterozoic mid-continent rift system, northwestern Wisconsin, eastern Minnesota, and central Iowa: American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin,
v. 73, p. 261-275.
Easton, R.M., 1992, The Grenville Province and the Proterozoic history of central and

southern Ontario, in Thurston, P.C. Williams, H.R., Sutcliffe, R.H., and Stott,
G.M., eds., Geology of Ontario, Ontario Geological Survey, Special volume 4, Part
2, p. 715-904.

Houseman, G., and England, P., 1986, Finite strain calculations of continental deformation 1. Method and General results for Convergent zone: Journal of Geophysical
Research, v. 91, p. 3651-3663.

Klewin, K.W., and Shirey, S.B., 1992, The igneous petrology and magmatic evolution
of the midcontinent rift system: Tectonophysics, v. 213, p. 33-40.

Mariano, J., and Hinze, W.J., 1994, Structural interpretation of the Midcontinent
Rift in eastern Lake Superior from seismic reflection and potential-field studies:
Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, v. 31, p. 619-628.
Nicholson, S.W., and Shirey, S.B., 1990, Midcontinent rift volcanism in the Lake Supe-

rior region: Sr, Nd, and Pb isotopic evidence for a mantle plume origin: Journal
of Geophysical Research, v. 95, p. 10851-10868.
Soofi, M.A., and King, S.D., 1999. A modified beam analysis effect of lateral forces on
lithospheric flexure and its implication for post-rift evolution of the Midcontinent
Rift System, Tectonophysics, v. 306, p. 149-162.

Van Schmus, W.R., and Hinze, W.J., 1985, The midcontinent rift system: Annual
Reviews of Earth and Planetary Science, v. 13, p. 345-383.
Zhu, T., and Brown, L.D., 1986, Consortium for continental reflection profiling Michigan surveys: Reprocessing and results: Journal of Geophysical Research, v. 91,
p. 11477-11495.

97

�THE COOL EARLY EARTH: OXYGEN ISOTOPE EVIDENCE
FOR CONTINENTAL CRUST AND OCEANS ON EARTH AT 4.4 Ga
VALLEY, JW*, PECK, WH, KING, EM, Dept. of Geology + Geophysics, Univ. of
Wisconsin-Madison; GRAHAM, CM, Dept. of Geology + Geophysics, Edinburgh
Univ., Scotland; and WILDE, SA, School of Applied Geology, Curtin Univ., Bentley,
Western Australia, * valley@geology.wisc.edu
Zircons preserve the best record of U-Pb crystallization age and oxygen isotope
ratios of igneous rocks. The I8O of non-metamict zircon is unaffected even by
hydrothermal alteration and high-grade metamorphism.
Ion microprobe analysis of detrital zircons from the —3 Ga Jack Hills
metaconglomerate (Narryer Gneiss Terrane, Yilgarn Craton, Western Australia) yield UPb ages from 3.1 to 4.4 Ga (Fig. 1, SHRIMP II, ref 1) and I8O from 5 to 8 %c (Cameca
4f, ref 2). The 18O of these zircons averages 6.3, and is 1 per mil higher than that in
equilibrium with the mantle and that of normal Archean granitic zircons (Fig. 2; 5.3±0.3
%o, 5.5±0.4 %, respectively; ref 3). The distribution of mantle-like vs. mildly elevated
18O values for magmas is constant from 2.7 to 4.4 Ga, and on 4 continents (Fig. 2).

The age of 4.404 ±0.008 Ga from one 200 im zircon is &gt;99% concordant and
represents the oldest recognized terrestrial material. This crystal is zoned in ö'80
(5.0±0.7% vs. 7.4±0.7%o) and REEs (La=0.3 to 13.6 ppm), and contains inclusions of
Si02. REE patterns are HREE enriched with positive Ce and negative Eu anomalies;
calculated melts are LREE enriched. Taken together, these results suggest crystallization
from a quartz-saturated granitic magma and thus the existence of continental crust,
possibly in a setting like Iceland. The high 6180 portion of the crystal would be in
equilibrium with a magma at 6'80(WR)= 8.5-9.5%. There is no known mantle reservoir
with such high values. '8O(WR) values above 8.5 are typical of "S-type" granites that
have melted or assimilated material that was altered by low temperature interaction with
water at the surface of the Earth (i.e., weathering, diagenesis, low T hydrothermal
alteration). Thus the high 18O value of the 4.4 Ga zircon suggests that surface
temperatures were cool enough for liquid water suggesting that the early steam-rich
atmosphere condensed to form oceans at that time.
The evidence for liquid water and oceans at 4.4 Ga suggests a Cool Early Earth.
This contrasts with the Hot Early Earth and global magma oceans envisioned at 4.5-4.3
Ga based on: an impact origin of the Moon (4.45-4.50 Ga), core formation, higher
Hadean radioactive heat production, and intense early meteorite bombardment (4). The
surface of the Earth cools quickly to form a crust by radiation, but a magma ocean caused
by these processes would persist beneath the initially thin crust for up to 400 m.y. (5) and
might erupt as massive flood basalts in response to major meteorite impacts, boiling
surface waters. The thermal contrasts presented by these lines of evidence are minimized
if the Moon and core formed earlier (-.4.5 Ga), if the Moon formed by a process not
involving a Mars-size impactor, or if the early meteorite bombardment was less intense or
irregular in timing. It is possible that periods of Cool vs. Hot Early Earth alternated, with

98

�boiling of early oceans after major impact events followed by periods of cooler surface
conditions. If life evolved in these seas, multiple extinctions before 3.9 Ga are suggested.

1.20

Detrital Zircon
from Jack Hills
Metaconglomerate W74

1.10
1 .00

0.90

0.80

206Pb
238

U

0.70
0.60
0.50

0.40
0.30
0.20

0.10.

207 Pb/ 235U

-I-

7

A

+

6
dD

A

AAA

£

V

A

5.3±0.3%c

A

V

A

a

mantle zircon

A

A

£

V

A

0

V

A

Jack Hills Australia

V Barberton
+ Superior Province

4,

Scotland

® Manitouwadge
Miscellaneous
2

2600

,

2800

3000

3200

3400

3600

3800

4000

4200

4400

U-Pb Zircon age (Ma)
(1) SA Wilde, JW Valley, WFI Peck and CM Graham (2001) Evidence from Detrital Zircons for
the Existence of Continental Crust and Oceans on the Earth 4.4 Gyr Ago. Nature. 409: 175-178.
(2) WH Peck, JW Valley, SA Wilde, and CM Graham (2001) Oxygen Isotope Ratios and Rare
Earth elements in 3.3 to 4.4 Ga zircons: Ion Microprobe Evidence for Early Archean high ö'80 Continental
Crust. Geochim Cosmochim Acta, in press
(3) WH Peck, EM King, JW Valley (2000) An Oxygen Isotope Perspective on Precambrian
Crustal Growth and Maturation. Geology 28: 363-366; EM King, JW Valley, DW Davis, GR Edwards
(1998) Oxygen isotope ratios of Archean plutonic zircons from granite-greenstone belts of the Superior
Province. Precam, Res 92: 365-387.
(4) HN Pollack (1997) Thermal Characteristics of the Archaean, in: de Wit and Ashwal (eds),
Greenstone Belts, 223-232
(5) Y Abe (1993) Physical State of the Very Early Earth. Lithos 30:223-235

99

�NW U.PB AGES FROM MINNESOTA, MICHIGAN, AND WISCONSIN: IMPLICATIONS FOR
LATE PALEOPROTEROZOIC CRUSTAL STABILIZATION.
Van Schmus, W.R. (rvschmus@ku.edu) and MacNeil!, L.C., both at Dept. of Geology, Univ. of Kansas,
Lawrence, KS 66045, HoIm, D.K., Dept. of Geology, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242; and
Boerboom, T. J., Minnesota Geological Survey, 2642 University Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55114.

As part of a comprehensive study of the East-Central Minnesota Batholith (ECMB: Boerboom and HoIm, 2000;

Van Schmus et al., 2000), we have also determined the U-Pb ages of several rock units spatially and (or)
temporally related to it. The samples fall into several categories (Table 1): (a) the McGrath Gneiss to the NE of
the ECMB in Minnesota; (b) Penokean basement east of the ECMB in Minnesota; (c) post-Penokean, preECMB rocks in Michigan and Minnesota, and (d) units coeval with or slightly younger than the ECMB in
Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Table 1. New U-Pb Results from Minnesota, Michigan, and Wisconsin.
Sample

Description

MNOO-07

McGrath Gneiss, 2 mi. west of McGrath, MN

2550 ±

MNOO-0 1

Bradbury Creek granodiorite, 4 mi. south of Onamia, MN
Tonalitic gn., Hillman migmatite?, 3 mi. south of Onamia, MN

1877±15 Ma

MNOO-02

MN99-09
MNOO-03
MNOO-04
AGR-1

Late tonalite in Hiliman migmatite, 3 mi. SE of Lastrup, MN
Late tonalite in Hilhnan migmatite, 9 mi. west of Onamia, MN
Late tonalite in Hilhnan migmatite, 13 mi. west of Onamia, MN
Humboldt granite, Humboldt, MI (Hoim et aL, 2001)

Multiple

East Central Minnesota Batholith
Van Schmus et al. (2000); Boerboom and HoIm (2000)
Includes EC-2, -4, -5, -15, and -25 of Jima and Chandler (1997)

1787 to 1772 Ma

PF-99
VS73-37

Two-mica granite, Park Falls, Wisconsin
Radisson Granite, Radisson, Wisconsin

1781 ± 14 Ma
1776 ± 08 Ma

V573-08
VS77-251
VS79-85

Amberg granite, 1 mi. north of Amberg, WI
Lugerville granite, 1.5 mi. SW Lugerville, WI
Lugerville granite, Rock Carry Rapids, 1 mi. E Lugerville, WI

1754±llMa

VS74-13
VS73-02

Observatory Hill rhyolite, 6 mi. south of Montello, WI
Montello granite, Montello, WI

Age
14

Ma

1853 ± 10

Ma

1798 ± 03

Ma

(composite of

3 samples)
1805 ± 07 Ma

all

1749 ± 04 Ma
(pooled; all near)
concordia)
1759 ± 02 Ma
1746 ± 03 Ma

The oldest sample is from the McGrath Gneiss and confirms the late Archean age of that unit. Two samples
yielded Penokean ages. The Bradbury Creek granodiorite was dated by Goldich and Fischer (1986) at 1869 ± 5
Ma, and our date of 1877 ± 15 Ma is fully consistent with this. A tonalitic gneiss (MNOO-02) about one mile to
the north-northwest and mapped as Hillman migmatite yields a slightly younger, but statistically indistinct, age
of 1853 ± 10 Ma. We are investigating the possibility that the Bradbury Creek unit is more extensive than
originally defmed from aeromagnetic data. In any case, normal Penokean ages occur in eastern Minnesota, and
Penokean basement forms the host crust for the ECMB.

Several samples yielded U-Pb ages close to 1800 Ma. The main units in Minnesota are late, undeformed (or
less deformed) tonalite phases within the Hillman migmatite complex. Samples from three separate localities
yield a mean age of 1798 ± 3 Ma for the tonalite. For one of these samples (MNOO-03), the tonalite dated
intrudes deformed tonalitic gneiss similar to that of MNOO-02. At this time it appears that the protolith for the
Hillman migmatite may be Penokean, but that it was extensively injected by younger tonalite about 1800 Ma.

100

�Further detailed sampling and geochronology will need to be done to test this option. In Upper Michigan an
alkali-feldspar granite near Humboldt yielded an upper intercept age of 1805 ± 7 Ma (HoIm et al., 2001). These
rocks define a distinct post-Penokean, pre-ECMB phase of magmatism in or near the southern part of the
Superior Province.

As reported previously (Van Schmus et al., 2000), the East-Central Minnesota Batholith was emplaced within a
relatively short span of time 1787 to 1772 Ma. We analysed zircons from several drill core samples to the east
(ursa and Chandler, 1997), and the results (Table 1: EC-2, EC-4, EC-5, EC-1 5, EC-25) extend the known area
of the ECMB. In order to determine whether units of the so-called "1760 Ma" suite of rocks in Wisconsin are
coeval with the ECMB, we reanalysed several samples from the senior author's collection, plus one new sample
(PF-99) using single-grain analyses and more precise techniques. The westernmost samples (PF-99 and VS7337) yield ages indistinguishable from those of the ECMB, suggesting that magmatism of that episode extended
into northwestern Wisconsin. In contrast, samples of the "1760 Ma suite" farther east (Amberg and Lugerville
granite) or farther south (Montello granite, Observatory Hill rhyolite) are distinctly younger, with ages of 1746

to 1759 Ma. These ages are similar to Ar-Ar ages reported for the ECMB and indicate that the last major
magmatic pulse occurred about 1750 Ma.

Our new data now suggest three main post-Penokean pulses of magmatism about 25 m.y. apart in the southern
Lake Superior region: ca. 1800, 1775, and 1750 Ma. The origin of the thermal energy in each case is presently
unknown. These ages fall within the time span of magmatism in the Yavapai province-northern Central Plains
orogen (inner accretionary belt; Van Schmus et al., 1993) and could correlate with pulses of northward directed
subduction associated with southward growth of the continent. Interestingly, the two older and deeper-seated
igneous bodies currently reside in Paleoproterozoic crust unaffected by younger Mazatzal deformation and
reheating (Holm Ct al., 1998). It appears that localization of the earlier pulses in the west (Minnesota) and north
(northwesternmost Wisconsin) may have contributed to the overall greater exhumation of these areas (compared
to most of Wisconsin) and that this in turn may have dramatically strengthened the crust in those regions. We
note that crustal remelting and thinning after orogenesis can both contribute to an overall stronger continental
lithosphere. One fmal note: reference to a "1760 Ma" suite in Wisconsin should probably now be discontinued,
since those rocks formed in two pulses at about 1775 and 1750 Ma.

Boerboom, TJ., and Holm, D.K., 2000, Paleoproterozoic intrusive igneous rocks of southeastern Stearns
County, central Minnesota. Minn. Geol. Survey, Rept. mv. 56, 36p + 1 map.
Goldich, S.S., and Fischer, L.B., 1986, Air-abrasion experiments in U-Pb dating of zircon. Chemical Geology,
v. 58, p. 195-215.
Holm, D., Schneider, D., and Coath, C., 1998, Age and deformation of Early Proterozoic quartzites in the
southern Lake Superior region: Implications for extent of foreland deformation during final assembly of
Laurentia: Geology, v. 26, p. 907-910.
Holm, D., Van Schmus, R., Boerboom, T., and Jirsa, M., 1999, Role of post-Penokean granite genesis in crustal
stabilization in the Lake Superior region, north-central United States. Geol. Soc. America Abstracts with
Programs, v. 31, no. 7, p. A-259.
Hoim, D.K., Van Schmus, W.R., and MacNeill, L.C., 2001, Age of the Humboldt granite, northern Michigan:
Implications for the origin of the Republic metamorphic node. 47th Ann. Inst. on L. Superior Geology,
Madison, Wisconsin, May (this volume).
Jirsa, M.A., and Chandler, V.W., 1997, Scientific test drilling and mapping in east-central Minnesota, 19941995: summary of lithologic results. Minn. Geol. Survey, Inf. Circular 42, lO5p.
Schweitzer, D.J., Schneider, D.A., Boerboom, T.J., HoIm, D.K., and Van Schmus, W.R., 2000, Assessing the
extent of Early Proterozoic Penokean versus 1770-1760 Ma metamorphism in east-central Minnesota.
Abstracts, 46th Ann. Inst. on L. Superior Geology, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, Ontario, May
Van Schmus, W.R., Bickford, M.E., and Condie, K.C., 1993, Early Proterozoic crustal evolution, in Reed, J.C.,
Jr., Bickford, M.E., Houston, R.S., Link, P.K., Rankin, D.W., Sims, P.K., and Van Schmus, W.R., editors,
Precambrian: Conterminous U.S. Geological Society of America, The Geology of North America, v. C-2,
p.270-281.
Van Schmus, W.R., MacNeill, L. C., Holm, D.K., Boerboom, T.J. and Jima, M.A., 2000, The 1787-1772 Eastcentral Minnesota batholith: precursor to crustal stabilization in the L. Superior region. Abstracts, 46th
Ann. Inst. on L. Superior Geology, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, Ontario, May

101

�A STUDY OF WELL CONSTRUCTION FOR ARSENIC CONTAMINATION IN
NORTHEAST WISCONSIN
ANNETTE E. WEISSBACH, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, DNRNortheast Region, Waste Management, Remediation, and Redevelopment, 1125 N
Military Aye, P0 Box 10448, Green Bay WI 54307-0448
ELIZABETH M. HEINEN, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, DNRManitowoc Field Station, 2220 E CTH V, Mishicot WI 54228, and
KELD B. LAURIDSEN, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, DNR-Northeast
Region, Waste Management, Remediation, and Redevelopment, 1125 N Military Aye,
P0 Box 10448, Green Bay WI 54307-0448
Arsenic has been detected in approximately one third of the private drinking water wells in the
Fox River valley of Northeast Wisconsin. Concentrations detected are some of the highest found
naturally occurring in the world. Research has indicated that presently 3.5% of the wells in
Outagamie and Winnebago counties exceed the current drinking water standard of 50 ppb,
whereas close to a quarter of the wells may exceed the proposed standard of 10 ppb.
Department of Natural Resources study results indicate the geochemical phenomenon
causing the elevated levels of arsenic in groundwater of this region is associated with oxidation
of a sulfide-mineralized zone located at the top of the deep sandstone aquifer system. A regional
decline in water levels may have exposed this sulfide rich zone to oxidation from air within the
open boreholes of water wells extending through this zone. This oxidation process can initiate a
chemical reaction similar to acid mine drainage.
Recommendations have been developed for constructing wells within a delineated
advisory area. This guidance recommends constructing wells with well casing pipe to extend
through the sulfide rich zone. This study compared arsenic concentrations of wells constructed
according to the guidance, with wells constructed to traditional construction standards.
Additionally, this study examined data to determine if it was better to replace a contaminated
well with a new one, or to reconstruct the existing well with a liner.
The results of this study indicate that the guidance gives adequate protection for wells
constructed in the arsenic advisory area and that liners are successful at reducing arsenic
concentrations, although not as successful eliminating arsenic contamination.

102

�holes from which the samples were collected, and so may be from near the base of the
Quaternary section. Low ppm Th I wt.% K ratios, which is the case for most of these
high K tills, in general are indicators of potassic alteration. Because there is no apparent
process that would create this type of alteration pattern following till deposition, it is
proposed that tills with high K contents may have a local bedrock source area
characterized by potassic alteration. This alteration may indicate pre-Marathon
Foration paleoweathering of bedrock or may indicate local or regional hydrothermal
alterat4on. Because potassic alteration can indicate precious metal and sulfide
mineralization, high-K tills in the lower part of the Marathon Formation, characterized by
some high Zn values, may aid in mineral exploration.

Provenance Discrimination

Samples of Quatemary deposits collected from closely spaced rotasonic boreholes in
the area of the Bend massive sulfide deposit in Taylor County proved to have unique
geochemical characteristics that could be xpiained by differences in source areas and
sedimentological processes (Woodruff and others, 2000). The classification of till
samples in the field was successfully duplicated by discriminate analysis of the
geochemical data set using the statistical software package 5+. Based on geochemistry
and grain size, samples from the Bend area were statistically grouped into either Copper
and a Lake
Falls or Marathon Formations, easily distinguishing a carbonate provenance
Superior provenance. The same type of discriminate analysis was run on the regional
data set using identical element and grain size input. When compared to field
classifications, results gave an error of 17% (correctly predicting 38 of 46 samples) for a
carbonate provenance and an error of 5% (correctly predicting 51 of 54 samples) for a
Lake Superior provenance. However, the utility of this statistical approach for the
regional Quaternary data set is questionable. Geochemical fingerprints of correlated Mg
Cu and Ti for
and Ca values for samples from the Marathon Formation and correlated
samples from the Copper Falls Formation identified in the Bend section are less distinct
compared to the
in the regional data set. Several factors inherent to the regional data, as
These
Bend area data, may complicate correlations and discrimination of provenance.
factors include differences in the method of sample collection (rotasonic core vs. auger
glaciofluivial or
sampling), which could influence sample identification (e.g., till vs.
glaciogenic debris samples), and the existence of geochemical outliers, such as the high
larger geographic area
K tills, in the regional data set that may reflect sampling from a
with many diverse bedrock sources of material.

References
Wisconsin
Attig, J. W., 1993, Pleistocene geology of Taylor County, Wisconsin:
Geological and Natural History Survey Bulletin 90, 35 p.
Woodruff, L.G., Attig, J.W., and Cannon, W.F., 2000, Geochemical impacts of an
undisturbed mineral deposit — results from the Bend deposit, Wisconsin [abs]: Institute
on Lake Superior Geology Proceedings, v. 46, p. 72-73.

105

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                    <text>���CONTENTS

CONTENTS
Proceedings Volume 47
Part 22 -— Field Trips
Interval: New
TripI:
Tripi: Sedimentologic, Tectonic and Metamorphic
Metamorphic History of the Baraboo Interval:
11
Evidence from Investigations
in
the
Baraboo
Range,Wisconsin
Investigations
Locality 1: Baxter Hollow
10
10
Locality 2: Hydrothennal
Veins,
Hwy
12
14
14
Hydrothermal
15
Locality 3: Quartzite and Metapelite, Hwy 12
15
Locality 4: Abelman's Gorge
17
17
Leaders:
L. Gordon Medaris, University of Wisconsin -- Madison

Madison
Robert H. Dott, Jf.,
Madison

Jr., University of Wisconsin -- Madison

Trip
Trip 2: Geology, Ore Deposits, and Cultural History ofthe
of the Upper Mississippi Valley
Zinc-Lead District
Stop 1: Platteville Mining Museum and Rollo Jamison Museum
Stop 2: Potosi Hill - Ordovician Sinnipee Group
Stop 3: New Diggings Lead Digs
Stop 4: Shullsburg Mine Site - Metallic Mine Reclamation
Reclamation
Stop 5: Pendarvis State Historical
Site
(Mineral
Point)
Historical

23
30
30
36
36
39

Leaders:
M.G.
M.G. Mudrey,
Mudrey, Jf.,
Jr., Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey
Thomas C. Hunt, University of Wisconsin - Platteville

of the Baraboo and Waterloo Quartzites
Trip
Trip 3: Economic Geology
Geology of
Quartzites
of Southern
Southern Wisconsin
Stop
Stop 1: Michels
Michels Materials Waterloo Quarry
Stop 2: The Kraemer Co. Williams Quarry
Stop
Stop 3: 1,760
1,760 MaRhyolite
Ma Rhyolite
Stop
Stop 4: Milestone Materials Jesse Pit and Quarry
Stop
Stop 5: Milestone Materials Fox Ridge Asphalt Plant and Sales Yard
6: Martin Marietta Aggregates
Aggregates Rock Springs Quarry
Stop 6:
Stop 7: Kraemer Company LaRue Quarry
Leaders:

Leaders:
Brown, Wisconsin Geological and Natural History
HistOlY Survey

Bruce A. Brown,
Survey
University of Wisconsin - Whitewater

Frank R. Luther, University
Whitewater
Susan M.
M. Courter, Michels Materials

Susan
Materials
James W. Schmitt, D.L. Gasser Construction

Construction
Company
Jennifer Lien, The Kraemer Company


111

43
46
47
49
50
50

51
52

�This page intentionally left blank

�Field Trip 11
Sedimentologic, Tectonic and Metamorphic History of the Baraboo Interval:
Interval:

New Evidence from Investigations in the Baraboo Range,
Range, Wisconsin
Wisconsin

by

H. Dott,
Dort, Jr.
Ir.
L. Gordon Medaris, Ir.
Jr. and Robert H.
Department of Geology and Geophysics

Geophysics
of Wisconsin
Wisconsin -- Madison
Madison

University
University of

Devil's Lake State
Park
View to the west along the East Bluff, Devil's
State Park

(foreground), Devil's Lake (background)

Baraboo Quartzite (foreground),
(background)

�This page intentionally left blank

�FOREWORD
Baraboo Range began
began in 1852 and
and culminated in
in 1970 with
with
Geological investigations of the Baraboo
Dott.
publication of the monograph, "Geology of the Baraboo District, Wisconsin", by Dalziel and Dott.
Despite its publication 30 years ago, this monograph (with accompanying
accompanying detailed geological map)
Despite
remains today the most comprehensive
Baraboo Range.
comprehensive treatise on the Baraboo
In 1996 a paleosol at the base of the Baraboo
Baraboo Quartzite
Quartzite was discovered in a drill core taken in
in
Baxter Hollow (Medaris et al., 1996). Recognition of
ofthe
paleosol,
which
was
developed
at
the
expense
the
developed
expense
of granite underlying the quartzite, resolved any remaining question about the relative ages of the
Baraboo Quartzite and Baxter Hollow Granite. This discovery subsequently inspired aa new look at the
Baraboo
techniques that
that were unavailable
unavailable 30 years ago, and led
led to
Baraboo Range, using a variety of analytical techniques
depositional age of the quartzite, paleoclimatic environment,
elaboration of a number of topics, including depositional
data substantiate
substantiate the
sedimentary geochemistry, and conditions and age of metamorphism. The new data
Dott and provide additional insight into
into the processes
conclusions originally drawn by Dalziel and Don
discovery is
is
responsible for producing the Baraboo Range. An especially exciting and unexpected
unexpected new discovery
the occurrence of 1,460 Ma hydrothermal activity along the base
base of the Baraboo Quartzite, presumably
driven by heat from Wolf River-type magmatism.
Proterozoic evolution of
of the Baraboo
This field guide provides an updated overview
overview of the Proterozoic
and
describes
several
key
outcrops,
from which
Range, based on the results of our recent investigations,
investigations,
many of the new data were obtained.
INTRODUCTION
Red, supermature quartzites, most notably the
the Baraboo, Barron, and Sioux Quartzites,
Quartzites, have long
long
been recognized as distinctive and important Precambrian
Precambrian features in the southern Lake Superior
Superior region.
region.
The physical and chemical characteristics of the quartzites signify deposition in a stable cratonic setting
under conditions of intense chemical weathering in the presence of significant free oxygen in the
post-1,750
1997; FloIm
Holm et a!.,
al.,
atmosphere. These quartzites are now known to be post-I,
750 Ma in age (Dott et al., 1997;
~ 1,630 Ma (Romano eta!.,
et al., 2000), and locally intruded
1998), to have been folded
folded and metamorphosed at 1,630
I,450 Ma (Dott and Dalziel, 1972).
by granitic rocks at ~—l,450
1972). The term, Baraboo interval, was introduced by
Dott
DoU (1983) for this distinctive sequence of sedimentation, deformation, and metamorphism in the time
span of 1,450 to 1,750 Ma. Our recent investigations not only validate the concept ofthe
of the Baraboo
interval, but also provide greater insight into the disparate geological events that shaped
shaped the southern
Lake Superior region in mid-Proterozoic time.
REGIONAL SETTING
Baraboo interval sedimentary rocks are widely distributed in the southern Lake Superior region
metamorphic rocks. The
(Fig. 1), where they lie nonconformably on 1,750 Ma and older igneous and metamorphic
the
general
southerly
direction
paleocurrents, the
increase in sediment thickness from north to south.
south,
direction of paleocurrents,
suggest that
chemical maturity of the sedimentary rocks, and the occurrence of mature paleosols suggest
deposition occurred
occurred on a stable, passive continental margin on the southern edge of a Proto-North
American craton (Dott,
(Dort, 1983). All of the quartzites in Figure 1,
1, except for the Waterloo, have yielded
detrital zircon grains with V-Pb
ages
in
the
range,
1,712
to
1,778
et aL, 1997; Holm et al.,
U-Pb
1,778 Ma (Dott
(Dort eta!.,
1998; Van Wyck, 1995), and these data, combined with the inferred time offolding
of folding and deformation at
—1,630 Ma, established from 4°ArP9Ar
40Ar/39Ar cooling ages of basement amphibole and mica (Romano
~1,630
(Romano et al.,
(Dort and Dalziel,
Dalziel, 1972; Van Schmus et
al., 1975),
2000) and Rb-Sr resetting of granite and rhyolite (Dott
eta!.,

3
3


�constrain deposition
to between
between 1,710
and 1,630
Ma. Subsequently,
constrain
deposition of
of the
the Baraboo
Baraboo interval
interval sediments
sediments to
1,710 and
1,630 Ma.
Subsequently,
the
easternmost
quartzites
at
McCaslin
and
Waterloo
were
intruded
by
granitic
rocks
of Wolf
Wolf River
River age
age
the easternmost quartzites at McCaslin and Waterloo were intruded by granitic rocks of
Dalziel, 1972;
1972; Van Wyck,
Wyck, 1995).
1995).
(Dott and Daiziel,

200 km

NO

(,

~-S~D~--~ MN

Barron (300 m) • •

1630Ma
McCaslin

\ A ,. Flambeau

­

~..t f~-Water - - ­

'~

to

­

B"abOO(~ml ~I ~_MI
NE

, )~

IA

I

IN

Figure
Figure 1.
1. Distribution
Distribution of
of Baraboo
Baraboo and
and correlative
correlative quartzites
quartzites in
in the
the southern
southern Lake
Lake Superior
Superior
region, with
meters, and
region,
with average
average paleocurrent
paleocurrent directions,
directions, thicknesses
thicknesses in
in meters,
and paleosol
paleosol localities
localities
quartzites have
(*). Heavy
(*).
Heavyline
lineisisthe
theinferred
inferred1,630
1,630Ma
Matectonic
tectonic front,
front, south
south of
of which
which quartzites
have
been folded (Hoim
been
(Holm et al.,
aI., 1998)
1998)

IGNEOUS
IGNEOUS BASEMENT
BASEMENT OF
OF THE
THEBARABOO
BARABOO RANGE
RANGE
The Baraboo
Baraboo Quartzite
Quartzite is
diorite near
the town
town of
of Denzer,
Denzer, by
The
is underlain
underlain by
by diorite
near the
by granite
granite in
in Baxter
Baxter
both
limbs
of
the
syncline
in
its
Hollow, and
and by rhyolitic lavas and pyroclastic rocks beneath both limbs of the syncline in its eastern
eastern part
part
Hollow,
granite
and
rhyolite
are
(Daiziel
and
Dott,
1970).
U-Pb
zircon
ages
of
the
Baxter
Hollow
(Dalziel and Dott, 1970). U-Pb zircon ages of the Baxter Hollow granite and rhyolite are
indistinguishable, and
indistinguishable,
and taken
taken together,
together, yield
yield an
an age
age of
of1,749±12
1,749±12 Ma
Ma (Van
(Van Wyck,
Wyck, 1995).
1995). Chronologically
Chronologically
subalkalic
granite
and rhyolite
rhyolite suite
suite of
of
and petrologically,
petrologically, the
the subalkalic granite and
is correlative
correlative with
with the
and
the Baraboo
Baraboo basement
basement is
Fox River
River Valley
Valley igneous
igneous suite
suite contains
the Fox
Fox River
River Valley
Valley (Smith,
(Smith, 1978;
Anderson etet al..
a!.. 1980).
1980). The
The Fox
the
1978; Anderson
contains
analyses
demonstrate
that
both
metaluminous
and
peraluminous
types,
and
recent
chemical
both metaluminous and peraluminous types, and recent chemical analyses demonstrate that Denzer
Denzer
diorite
is peraluminous.
peraluminous. and
and rhvolite
rhyolite is
is both
both peraluminous
peraluminous and
and
diorite is
is metaluminous,
metaluminous, Baxter
Baxter Hollow
Hollow granite
granite is
the
Baxter
Hollow
metaluminous (Fig.
(Fig. 2A).
2A). Among
Ma silicic
silicic lithologies.
lithologies. the Baxter Hollow granite
granite is
is the
the
metaluminous
Amongall
allthe
the1,750
1,750 Ma
Fe-number and
least differentiated
differentiated in
as measured
by fe-number
in terms
terms of
of major
major elements,
elements, as
measured by
and Ca-number
Ca-number (Fig.
(fig. 2B).
2B).
least
of
Figure
2.
containing
625-700
The
Denzer
diorite
is
metaluminous
and
plots
outside
the
scales
The Denzer diorite is metaluminous and plots outside the scales of Figure 2. containing 625-700 ppm
ppm Sr.
Sr,
0.62-0.68.
of
0.70-0.82,
Fe-number
of
0.46-0.48.
and
Ca-number
of
an A1203/(K20+Na20+CaO)
AbO)(K20+Na20+CaO) value of 0.70-0.82, fe-number of0.46-0.-l8. and Ca-number of 0.62-0.68.

44


�•


1000

1000

G Baxter Hollow granite

rhyolite booBara R
granite Hollow Baxter G

R Baraboo rhyolite

GG
C

C

G

cC

G

G G
E

P

P

100

100

R

P

0.
0

.3

R

E

P

R

en

P

C/)

R

R

R

R
R

P

granites peraluminous

~~ P
P

'--- peraluminous granites

A

M1

MJi'l.MM;P ~

~ metaluminous granites

A

graniteS metaluminous

PP

I""

I""

I""

j_.IPH
1.0

1.1

10

0.9

1.0

I

1.2

I""

1.3

I",.;""

10
0.9

1.1

1.2

1.3

1.0

1.0

*

+

0.9

+
R

+
C

G
~

".)..

R

0

~~,

G

a)

0.7

~...,,~.

&lt;$)~

G

G

a)

0.6

0.61

G

0
E

rhyolite boo Bara R
granite Ho/low Baxter G

B

G Baxter Hollow granite

B

R Baraboo rhyolite

t! ,

o	

!

,

I,

,!

I

I

!!

I!!!, I ,

!

!

!

I,

!

I

I

I

CaO/(CaO+Na20) molecular
0.3
0.2
0.1

0.5

0.1
0.2
03
molecular CaO/(CaO+Na20)

!

!!

!,!!

0.4

('3

0

"

G

Li:::J

u

E

G

G

~

07

~
0

G

~

G

0+

U-

"'' 'oj&gt;.

G

0.8

0.8

R

0

~

*

~

++

R +,.

0OJ
u.

R

+ ++

*

+

OJ

u.

metaluminous granites
R

6"
Cl

:2:
+
0

granifes meta/uminous

J.

/
+ /

0.4

0.5

0

impublished) Medaris, 1980; al., et Anderson
1978; Smith, from (data suite Valley River Fox the
of granites (F) peraluminous and (M) metaluminous
with (R) rhyolite Baraboo and (G) granite
Hollow Baxter of comparison Chemical 2. Figure

Figure 2. Chemical comparison of Baxter Hollow
granite (G) and Baraboo rhyolite (R) with
metaluminous (M) and peraluminous (P) granites of
the Fox River Valley suite (data from Smith, 1978;
Anderson et aI., 1980; Medaris, unpublished)

quartz. q,
saussurite; and albite mostly plagioclase, p,
hornblende; h, biotite; after chlorite c, biotite; b,
feldspar; alkali a, Abbreviations: polarizers).
crossed matrix, aphanitic m microphenocrists
(plagioclase rhyolite Baraboo and light), polarized
plane (micrographic, granite Hollow Baxter light),
polarized plane granular, (subhedral diorite Denzer
in textures typical of Photomicrographs 3. Figure

Figure 3. Photomicrographs of typical textures in
Denzer diorite (subhedral granular, plane polarized
light), Baxter Hollow granite (micrographic, plane
polarized light), and Baraboo rhyolite (plagioclase
microphenocrysts in aphanitic matrix, crossed
polarizers). Abbreviations: a, alkali feldspar;
b, biotite; c, chlorite after biotite; h, hornblende;
p, plagioclase, mostly albite and saussurite;
q, quartz.

5). (Fig. cummingtonite and actinolite intergrown and
chlorite by replaced partly is hornblende diorite. Denzer In 4). (Fig. albite and microcline end-member
near of mixture fine-grained extremely an into exsolves
feldspar alkali intermediate and (saussurite), epidote
fine-grained and albite to transformed is plagioclase
chlorite, by replaced is biotite Typically, minerals.
facies greenschist of variety a by replaced completely to
partly being minerals igneous with extensive, is lization
recrystal- although 3), (Fig. basement Baraboo the of
units all in preserved well are textures Igneous

Igneous textures are well preserved in all units
of the Baraboo basement (Fig. 3), although recrystal­
lization is extensive, with igneous minerals being partly
to completely replaced by a variety of greenschist facies
minerals. Typically, biotite is replaced by chlorite,
plagioclase is transformed to albite and fine-grained
epidote (saussurite), and intermediate alkali feldspar
exsolves into an extremely fine-grained mixture of near
end-member microcline and albite (Fig. 4). In Denzer diorite, hornblende is partly replaced by chlorite
and intergrown actinolite and cummingtonite (Fig. 5).

5

5


�Figure
image, showing
Figure 4.
4. Back-scattered electron image,
partial
of relict igneous alkali feldspar,
partial replacement of
af
(Or 54-70)
54-70) by
by K-feldspar,
K-feldspar, k (Or 98.5) and albite,
af(Or
ab
p, epidote
epidote and
and albite
albite after plagioclase;
ab (Ab
(Ab 96.4).
96.4). p,
q,
q, quartz.

of amphibole in Denzer
Denzer
Figure 5.
5. Ca Ka X-ray map of
diorite. Relict igneous hornblende, hb, partly
partly
chI, and an intergrowth of
replaced by chlorite, chl.
actinolite, act, and cummingtonite, cum.
cum.

BARABOO QUARTZITE
QUARTZITE
BARABOO
The
1,500 m thick and is overlain conformably by
by the black
black Seeley
Seeley Slate
Slate
The Baraboo Quartzite is 1,500
(100
(100 m),
m), Freedom
Freedom Dolomite
Dolomite with
with iron formation
formation (300 m), Dake Quartzite (65 m), and Rowley Creek
Slate
The Baraboo
Baraboo Quartzite
Quartzite consists
consists of
of 85-90%
85-90% of
of quartz
quartz arenite and subordinate
subordinate quartz wacke,
wacke,
Slate (45m).
(45m). The
which are characterized by prominent cross bedding
bedding (Fig.
(Fig. 6)
6) and
and ripple
ripple marks,
marks, 5-10%
5-10% of
ofconglomerate,
conglomerate,
and
Although all of
of these rock types have experienced low
and 5-10%
5-10% of
of siltstone
siltstone (Fig.
(Fig. 7)
7) and
and pelite
pelite (Fig.
(Fig. 8).
8). Although
grade
9) and
grade metamorphism,
metamorphism, the
the original
original clastic
elastic textures are remarkably well-preserved in quartzite (Fig. 9)

Figure 6.
6. Typical
Typical quartzite
quartzite with
with prominent
prominent
Figure
cross bedding.

metasiltstone with
with refracted
refracted
Figure 7. Typical metasiltstone
Coin isis 2.5
2.5 cm in
in
cleavage, Field
cleavage,
Field Locality
Locality 2.
2. Coin
diameter.

6
6

�fL.
Figure 9. Photomicrograph of typical quartzite with
relict clastic texture (partly crossed polarizers).
polarizers). crossed (partly texture elastic relict
with quartzite typical of Photomicrograph 9. Figure

__j

cleavage. crenulation and folds
chevron with Larue, near Metapelite 8. Figure

Figure 8. Metapelite near Larue, with chevron
folds and crenulation cleavage.

polarizers). crossed (partly texture elastic relict
with metasiltstone of Photomicrograph 10. Figure

Figure 10. Photomicrograph of metasiltstone with
relict clastic texture (partly crossed polarizers).

intense experienced that region source a implies sediments interval Baraboo the of maturity chemical
ages
average to compared and shale average to normalized
extreme The 11).
(Fig.
different
of
shale
are compositions rock the when apparent readily
(Al:O±K2O+Na2O+CaO)
is maturity chemical of degree remarkable The
Al203/ 100*molar = CIA radius. ionic decreasing
98.6. to 96.8 from ranging high, exceptionally
of order in arranged Elements ages. the over shale
average to compared and 1985) McLeiman, and (Taylor
is Alteration of Index Chemical The MnO.
and MgO, CaO, Na20, K20, of concentrations
shale average to normalized rocks, metasedimentary
interval Baraboo fine-grained of Compositions 11. Figure low extremely with H20, and Ti02, Fe203, A1203,
Si
Al
Fe
Mg
Ca
Na
K
Si02, of entirely almost consist chemically
0.001
quartzites
Barron and Sioux, Baraboo, the
Cenozoic &amp;
from
metapelite and Metasiltstone minerals.
Mesozoic
heavy among apatite and rutile, magnetite,
0.01
Paleozoic
zircon, of predominance the and pyrophyllite,
x
of abundance the feldspar, detrital of absence
Proterozoic
near the from inferred been long has Quartzite
x
0.1
Archean
Baraboo the of maturity chemical The
-9-Sioux
metasiltstone. and quartzite in domains
interstitial in and 8), (Fig. cleavage crenulation
Barron
of development by accompanied is it where
Baraboo
layers, metapelite in only occurred has lization
recrystal- Complete 10). (Fig. metasiltstone

metasiltstone (Fig. 10). Complete recrystal­
10 F r - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - _
lization has occurred only in metapelite layers,
Baraboo
-.­
CIA 50.4 - 65.4
where it is accompanied by development of
Barron
crenulation cleavage (Fig. 8), and in interstitial
..
&lt;
SIOUX
domains in quartzite and metasiltstone.
".ii
x
-;
The chemical maturity of the Baraboo ~
Archean
f
0&lt;
Quartzite has long been inferred from the near ~ 0.1f~
ProterozOic
absence of detrital feldspar, the abundance of
x
ii
PaleOZOIC
pyrophyllite, and the predominance of zircon,
E
CIA 96.8 - 98.6
magnetite, rutile, and apatite among heavy
"'
MeSOZOIc
&amp; CenozoIc
minerals. Metasiltstone and metapelite from
the Baraboo, Sioux, and Barron quartzites
0.001 I~-----'---~--~-----'---~--'---'
K
Na
Ca
Mg
Fe
AI
Si
chemically consist almost entirely of SiOl,
Ah03, Fe 203, Ti0 2, and H 20, with extremely low Figure I 1. Compositions of fine-grained Baraboo interval
metasedimentary rocks. normalized to average shale
concentrations of KlO, Na 20, CaO, MgO, and
(Taylor and McLennan, 1985) and compared to average
MnO. The Chemical Index of Alteration is
shale over the ages. Elements arranged in order of
exceptionally high, ranging from 96.8 to 98.6.
decreasing ionic radius. CIA = 100*molar AbO/
The remarkable degree of chemical maturity is
(AbOJ+K20+N a20+CaO)
readily apparent when the rock compositions are
normalized to average shale and compared to average shale of different ages (Fig. 11). The extreme
chemical maturity of the Baraboo interval sediments implies a source region that experienced intense
10

~ 1i~

;

~

:

~I

~

,

..

~

.

'

7

7


�chemical leaching
leaching and
and produced
produced detritus
detritus consisting
consisting largely
largely of
of quartz,
quartz, kaolinite,
kaolinite, and
and hematite.
hematite.
chemical
The persistent question about
the
about the
grains of
of the Baraboo Quartzite and
relative ages of
I Individual
Individual grains
of detrital
detrital zircon
zircon
0.34
ft from
basal
Baraboo
Quartzite
0.34
from
basal
Baraboo
Quartzite
Baxter Hollow granite was
was resolved
resolved with
with the
the

1800 Ma
UW Radio genic Isotope Lab
! UW
Radiogenic Isotope Lab
1800 Ma

discovery of
the
sub-Baraboo
paleosol
in
drill
of
paleosol in drill
Analyst:
Analyst: Ron
Ron Schott
Schott
0.30
0.30
core from Baxter Hollow (Medaris
(Medaris et
et al.,
aI., 1996)
1996)
1600
and subsequent recognition of
1600 Ma _ _ 1761 (3)
I
of saprolite
saprolite in
in
b
,i712(4) •1866 (3)
outcrop in Baxter Hollow granite
granite and
and in
in
0.26
1715(12)
6
rhyolite beneath the east end
1400 MaZ
°.'222
1691(2) -1866 (3)
end of
of the syncline
syncline
1400 Ma
- 1691 (2)
al., 1997).
(Medaris et aI.,
1997). Further
Further confirmation
confirmation
i&lt;
•17793
. 0	 0.22
-1779 (3)
post-1,750 Ma depositional age of
of the post-l,750
of the
0- °
CD
o
quartzite was provided by U-Pb analyses of
N

M.
detrital zircon from near the base of
of the
the

0.18
1000 Ma
quartzite, using the single-grain evaporation
quartzite,
1740 (6)
-1740 (6)
technique. Among
Among the
the seven
seven grains
grains analyzed,
analyzed,
_~I
--'---'----'I_ _ J
0.14
0.14
six are slightly discordant and
and one
one is
is more
more so,
so,
5.0
4.0
3.0
2.0
1.0
1.0
2.0
3.0
4.0
5.0
age of
with one
onegrain
grainyielding
yieldinga 207Pb/206Pb
a 207Pbpo6Pb age
2O7pb*
207
*
/
235
pb
U
1,691
1,866 Ma, and the other
other six
six ranging
rangingfrom
from 1,691
12. V-Pb
U-Pb concordia
concordia diagram
diagram for
Figure 12.
Figure
for detrital
detrital zircon
zireon
to 1,779 Ma (Fig.
(Fig. 12; Dott et al.,
1997).
Although
a1., 1997). Although
grains
from
the
Baraboo
Quartzite.
207Pb/206Pb
ages are
grains from the Baraboo Quartzite. 207Pbfo6 Pb ages
are
of 1,691
1,691 and 1,715
1,715 Ma are
the two grains with ages of
given for
for individual
individualgrains;
grains;2cr
2 standard
given
standard deviations
deviations are
are

shown in
parentheses.
highly radiogenic and may not be reliable, the
the

in parentheses.
shown
other grains are "well behaved" and indicate
indicate that
+ hematite
deposition may
~ 1,710 Ma.
may have
have begun
begunas
aslate
lateasas—4,710
qtz
:!:
hematite
diorite,
qtz
diorite,
rutile
rutile
silt
stone
granite
svanbergite
siltstone 5vanbergite
granite
METAMORPHISM
&amp; petite
pelite
albite
&amp;
rhyolite
&amp;
&amp; rhyolite
albite

r

'
I	
~	

,I

/

-

­

01.1-

;;~; ~i~)

""

II

1

chlorite

chlorite
pale
osol
pri
actinolite
paleosol
Although the structure of
of the Baraboo Range
actinolite
cummingtonite
has been
been well
well studied,
studied, little attention has
has been
cummingtonite
has
been	
mc
epidote
epidote
devoted to metamorphism, other than identifying
identifying
titanite
titanite
pyrophyllite in metapelite. ItItisis now
(kaolinite,
now known
known that
that all
all
(kaolinite,
retrograde)
lithologic units in the Baraboo
Baraboo Range
Range have
have been
been
retrograde)
recrystallized to varying
hydrothermal
varying degrees
degrees by
by low-grade
low-grade
veins
metamorphism
(Medaris
et
at.,
1998).
Because
of
veins
metamorphism (Medaris et aI., 1998). Because
Si02
the extreme chemical maturity
maturity of
ofmany
many rock
rock types,
types,
the critical mineral assemblages can be adequately
represented in
in the
the system,
system, K20-Al203-Si02K 20-Ab03-SiOz- H20
H20
(KASH)
(Fig.
13).
Baraboo
quartzite.
metasiltstone,
(KASH) (Fig. 13). Baraboo quartzite. metasiltstone,
and metapelite
metapelite contain
contain quartz and pyrophyllite plus
plus
and
svanbergite (a
hematite, rutile, and svanbergite
accessory hematite,
(a strontian
strontian
aluminophosphate-sulfate diagenetic
diagenetic mineral);
mineral);
of quartz,
quartz, muscovite,
muscovite, hematite,
hematite,
metapaleosol consists of
usp
and rutile;
rutile; hydrothermal
hydrothermal veins
veins near
of the
the
and
near the
the base
base of
A1203
K20
quartzite contain pyrophyllite, muscovite, and
Figure
compositions and
diaspore; and the metaigneous basement is
Figure 13.
13. Rock
Rock compositions
and mineral
mineral assemblages
assemblages in
in
the
Baraboo
Range,
projected
into
the
system,
the Baraboo Range, projected into the system, KASH.
KASH.
characterized by quartz, microcline,
microcIine, and
and albite
albite
Abbreviations: dsp, diaspore; mc, microcline; ms, mus+/- muscovite, hematite, chlorite, epidote,
epidote, titanite,
titanite, Abbreviations: dsp, diaspore; me, microeline: ms, mus­
covite; qtz,
covite;
qtz, quartz:
quartz: pri.
prl. pyrophyllite.
pyrophylJite.
actinolite, and cummingtonite, depending
depending on
on

8
8


,I

�2. and I Localities
Field on sections following the in further discussed are results new significant These magmatism.
River Wolf from pulse thermal a by driven fluids hydrothermal of activity the to related presumably
found, was Ma —1,460 at overprint strong a metamorphism, Ma 1,630 for evidence obtaining than
rather However, 2001). eta!., (Naymark Ma 1,630 of age metamorphic a confirm to effort an in taken
under- recently was Range Baraboo the in muscovite
(1975).
and hornblende of investigation 40Ar/39Ar A
eta!. Schnius Van and (1972) Dalziel and Dott
north. the to ages older and Penokean from south the in
of data from recalculated intercept and Age
ages post-Penokean separates front tectonic the 2000);
Valley. River Fox the and Baraboo from rhyolite
and granite for isochron Rb-Sr 15. Figure
a!., et Romano 1998; al., et (Holm rocks basement
in biotite and hornblende of analyses 40Ar/39Ar
6 S I Ri.r
by established was 1) Fig. (see Wisconsin central
40
30
20
10
0
0.6
and northern in deformation foreland of extent
0.70254
the marking front tectonic a of position The
8.1 = MSWD
0.8
time. this at occurred also Range Baraboo the
of metamorphism and folding that implication
1.0 5
the with 1993), Schmusetal., Van 1983;
(Dott, U.S. southwest the in orogeny Mazatzal
1.2 w
Ma -—1,650 the with associated deformation
foreland to related metamorphism low-grade
1.4
regional by caused was resetting Rb-Sr
granite Valley River Fox V
such that suggested was it Subsequently, ). yr
rhyohte Valley River Fox
= Ma(X 33 ± 1,635 of age isochron
BaxterHollowgranite
1.42*10.11
1.6
rhyolite Baraboo A
Rb-Sr whole-rock apparent an yielded Valley
River Fox the and Baraboo from rocks igneous that and Ma —l,650 at region Superior Lake southern
the in systems Rb-Sr of resetting widespread was there that recognized Schmus Van 1975 in However,
Range. Baraboo the from available were ages mineral metamorphic meaningful no recently, Until
metamorphism. Baraboo of conditions the precisely more establish to effort an in underway
are studies inclusion Fluid respectively. C, 335
1. = a(H20) for calculated
and 290 and 50°C, 3 and 275 to lowered be would
KASH, system, the in reactions Stable 14. Figure
limits temperature these example for 0.9
0C T
activity,
H20
reduced At 345°C. and 305°C
450
400
350
300
250
to further temperature the restrict
between
0
Quartzite Baraboo the of base the at veins
hydrothermal in diaspore and pyrophyllite of
coexistence The kbar. 1 at 60°C 3 and 285°C
2
between to metamorphism of temperature
the constrains kyanite) or (andalusite phase
4
aluminosilicate an or kaolinite of absence
the in pyrophyllite and quartz of association
stable The 14. Figure in shown topology
6
the in resulting 1989), al., et (Brown base
data thermodynamic GeoCaic the of means
by activity H20 unit at calculated been have
8
KASH, system, the in equilibria Phase
product.
retrograde a is it that indicate relations textural occurs, kaolinite Where composition. bulk specific

specific bulk composition. Where kaolinite occurs, textural relations indicate that it is a retrograde

product.

Phase equilibria in the system, KASH,

8I
I \
,
,
have been calculated at unit H 20 activity by
means of the GeoCalc thermodynamic data
base (Brown et al., 1989), resulting in the
6
topology shown in Figure 14. The stable
association of quartz and pyrophyllite in the
....
(IJ
absence of kaolinite or an aluminosilicate
~ 4
phase (andalusite or kyanite) constrains the
0:
temperature of metamorphism to between
2
285°C and 360°C at 1 kbar. The coexistence
of pyrophyllite and diaspore in hydrothermal
veins at the base of the Baraboo Quartzite
oI
V
/1
&lt;1
/' I
I
I
I
restrict the temperature further to between
250
300
350
400
450
305°C and 345°C. At reduced H 20 activity,
T,oC
0.9 for example, these temperature limits
Figure 14. Stable reactions in the system, KASH,
would be lowered to 275 and 350°C, and 290 and
calculated for a(HzO) = I.
335°C, respectively. Fluid inclusion studies are
underway in an effort to establish more precisely the conditions of Baraboo metamorphism.
Until recently, no meaningful metamorphic mineral ages were available from the Baraboo Range.
However, in 1975 Van Schmus recognized that there was widespread resetting of Rb-Sr systems in the
southern Lake Superior region at ~ 1,650 Ma and that igneous rocks from Baraboo and the Fox River
Valley yielded an apparent whole-rock Rb-Sr
I
l. Baraboo rhyolite
1.6
Y Baxter Hollow granite
isochron age of 1,635 ± 33 Ma (A = 1.42*10. 11
n Fox River Valley rhyolite
yr· l ). Subsequently, it was suggested that such
'V Fox River Valley granite
1.4
Rb-Sr resetting was caused by regional
&lt;0
low-grade metamorphism related to foreland
~
(f)
1.2
deformation associated with the ~ 1,650 Ma
!'--­
Mazatzal orogeny in the southwest U.S. (Dott,
&lt;Xl
(jj 1.0
1983; Van Schmus et aL, 1993), with the
implication that folding and metamorphism of
0.8
the Baraboo Range also occurred at this time.
MSWD = 8.1
The position of a tectonic front marking the
0.6
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
extent of foreland deformation in northern and
o
10
20
30
40
central Wisconsin (see Fig. 1) was established by
Rrfl7j sr8 6
40 ArP9 Ar analyses of hornblende and biotite in
basement rocks (Holm et al., 1998; Romano et aL,
Figure 15. Rb-Sr isochron for granite and
2000); the tectonic front separates post-Penokean ages
rhyolite from Baraboo and the Fox River Valley.
in the south from Penokean and older ages to the north.
Age and intercept recalculated from data of
A 40ArP9 Ar investigation of hornblende and
Dott and Dalziel (1972) and Van Schmus et al.
muscovite in the Baraboo Range was recently under(1975).
taken in an effort to confirm a metamorphic age of 1,630 Ma (Naymark et al., 2001). However, rather
than obtaining evidence for 1,630 Ma metamorphism, a strong overprint at -1,460 Ma was found,
presumably related to the activity of hydrothermal fluids driven by a thermal pulse from Wolf River
magmatism. These significant new results are discussed further in the following sections on Field
Localities 1 and 2.

i

.

.

.

I

—

9

9


!

I

�DESCRIPTIONS OF FIELD TRIP LOCALITIES
LOCALITIES


Figure 16.
Figure
16. Perspective
Perspective sketch
sketch map
map of
of the
the Baraboo
Baraboo Range,
Range, showthg
showing Field
Field Trip
Trip Localities
Localities 1-4,
1-4,
of quartzite in
in the Baraboo syncline
syncline (light stipple), extent
extent of
of glacial
glacial drift
drift (parallel
(parallel
distribution of
lines), and
and important
from map
map by
by L.J.
LJ. Maher).
Maher).
lines),
important geographic
geographic features
features (modified
(modified from

Locality 1:
Locality
1: Baxter
Baxter Hollow
Hollow
1
(SW¼,
Sec 33,
33, T1IN,
TI iN, R6E;
(SW
i4, Sec
R6E; Figure
Figure 17)
17)
Relation
Baxter Hollow
Hollow granite
granite and
and Baraboo
Relation between
between Baxter
Baraboo
Quartzite;
sub-Baraboo
paleosol
Quartzite: sub-Baraboo paleosol
Note
that the
are on
Note that
the outcrops
outcrops in
in Baxter
Baxter Hollow
Holloware
0!l private
private
property, and
and pennission
permission is
is required
required for
for access.
access.
property,
Although
the contact
contact between
Although the
between Baxter
Baxter Hollow
Hollow
granite
and
Baraboo
Quartzite
is
not
exposed,
granite and Baraboo Quartzite is not exposed, the
the
closest
outcrops
of
the
two
rock
types
being
20
closest outcrops of the two rock types being 20 feet
feet
apart,
(1970) concluded
and Doff
Dott (1970)
concluded that
that quartzite
quartzite
apart, Daiziel
Dalziel and
is
nonconformable on
on granite,
granite, because
is nonconformable
because of
of the
the absence
absence
of granitic
granitic dikes
dikes in
quartzite, quartzite
of
in quartzite,
quartzite xenoliths
xenoliths in
in
granite,
and
contact
metamorphic
effects
in
quartzite.
granite, and contact metamorphic effects in quartzite.
The uppermost
uppermost outcrops
outcrops of
of granite
granite in
The
in Baxter
Baxter Hollow
Hollow
are commonly
commonly sheared,
sheared, most
most likely
are
likely due
due to
to concenconcen­
tration
along the
tration of
of deformation
deformation along
the quartzite-granite
quartzite-granite
Figure 17. Locality 1,
1, Baxter
Baxter Hollow.
Hollow. Symbols:
Symbols: PEg,
PEg,
 contact by differential slip between two competent
contact
by
differential
slip
between
two competent
Baxter Hollow
Hollow granite;
granite P€b,
Quartzite
Baxter
PEb, Baraboo Quartzite;

lithologic units
units during
during folding.
folding.
lithologic

€, Upper Cambrian quartzite conglomerate and
E,
and

conglomeratic sandstone. This and other locality
locality

maps from
from Dalziel and Dott, 1970.
maps
1970.


10
10


�i;
I

:1
W

rrIiiI

I

.

'

c:

11:
18. Composite figure
figure of Baraboo
Baraboo paleosol
paleosol in Drill
Drill Core 613. Left: boxed drill core with recovered
Figure 18.
quartzite. regolith, and saprolite;
saprolite; center: enlargements of selected
selected intervals; right: photomicrographs of
quartzite (note
(note Si0
Si022 overgrowths on
on detrital
detrital quartz
quartz grains).
grains). regolith (pedogene). and saprolite.
quartzite
saprolite.

11
11

�The lower
lower 100-200
The
100-200 meters
meters of
of quartzite
quartzite exposed
exposed uphill
uphill to
to the
the north
north are
are characterized
characterized by
by red,
red,
Pebbles
average
30
sand-sized strata
strata with
with pebble
mm in
in
sand-sized
pebble beds
beds and
and lenses.
lenses. Metapelite
Metapelite layers
layers are
are rare.
rare. Pebbles average 30 mm
formation,
milky
vein
quartz
pebbles
diameter,
but
range
up
to
68
mm
near
the
base.
Throughout
the
diameter, but range up to 68 mm near the base. Throughout the formation, milky vein quartz pebbles
The latter probably
predominate,
predominate, but
but red
red cherty
cherty granules
granules and
and pebbles
pebbles form
form aa persistent
persistent lesser
lesser component.
component. The latter probably
Stratification here
here consists
include
include clasts
clasts of
of devitrified
devitrified groundmass
groundmass from
from the
the 1,750
1,750 Ma
Ma rhyolites.
rhyolites. Stratification
consists mostly
mostly
50
cm
thick.
Several
these
of long, low-angle
oflong,
low-angle cross
cross bedding
bedding in
in both
both tabular
tabular and
and wedge
wedge sets
sets up
up to
to 50 cm thick. Several sets
sets of
ofthese
overturning beneath
beneath their
their upper
upper truncation
truncation surfaces.
surfaces. A
cross laminae show syndepositional overturning
A sudden
sudden
and
disturbed
pore
fluid
and
grain
increase
of
shear
velocity
scoured
grains
from
the
bed
increase of shear velocity scoured grains from the bed and disturbed pore fluid and grain packing,
packing,
causing incipient
of the
the cross
cross bed
bed set
set deformed
deformed as
as ififentirely
entirely
causing
incipient liquefaction
liquefaction during
during which
which the
the upper
upper part
part of
characteristic
of
fluvial
and
liquid. Such
Such distorted
distorted cross
liquid.
cross bedding
bedding in
in low-angle
low-angle sets
sets is
is most
most characteristic of fluvial and tidal
tidal sands,
sands,
which
experience
large
fluctuations
of
current
velocity.
which experience large fluctuations of current velocity.
holes drilled
drilled in
The quartzite-granite
quartzite-granite contact
The
contact was
was penetrated
penetrated by
by eight
eight holes
in 1959
1959 by
by the
the U.S.
U.S. Army
Army
the
contact
was
recovered
in
only
one
drill
core, this
this
Corps of Engineers, and although material from the contact was recovered in only one drill core,
single recovery was fortuitous, because it demonstrates the
the existence
existence of
of aa paleosol
paleosol beneath
beneath the
the quartzite
quartzite
pebbly quartzite is separated from underlying
(Medaris et
et al.,
al., 1997).
18) overlying
overlying pebbly quartzite is separated from underlying
(Medaris
1997). In
In drill
drill core
core 613
613 (Fig.
(Fig. 18)
pedogenic zone,
zone, consisting
consisting of
of fine-grained
foot-thick, reddish-purple pedogenic
granitic saprolite
saprolite by
byaa2Y2
2\12 foot-thick,
fine-grained hematite,
hematite,
largely
Granitic
texture
is
preserved
in
saprolite,
but
biotite
quartz, and muscovite (±
(± kaolinite).
kaolinite). Granitic texture is preserved in saprolite, but biotite is
is largely
replaced by
by muscovite.
muscovite. The
replaced by hematite, and
and feldspar
feldspar isis completely
completely replaced
The first
first feldspar
feldspar to
to appear
appear in
in
of the saprolite
drill core is
feet below
below quartzite.
quartzite. Note that
is —30
~30 feet
that the
the uppermost
uppermost part
part ofthe
saprolite (2"
(2" thick)
thick) has
has aa
not in
to that
pronounced
pronounced planar
planar fabric
fabric (Fig.
(Fig. 18),
18), which
which is
is similar
similar in
in style,
style, if
if not
in scale,
scale, to
that in
in the
the sheared
sheared granite
granite
outcrops.
change in oxides, has been calculated by
Chemical weathering
weathering in
as %
Chemical
in the
the paleosol,
paleosol, expressed
expressed as
% change in oxides, has been calculated by
unweathered
granites from outcrops —30 and 40 feet
comparing paleosol
paleosol samples
comparing
samples to
to the
the average
average of
of two
two unweathered granites from outcrops ~30 and 40 feet
(Fig.
to be
be immobile
during weathering
below the contact,
contact,and
andnormalizing
normalizingtotoA1203,
Al z0 3, which
which is
is assumed
assumed to
immobile during
weathering (Fig.
in K.
effective
removal
of
Mg,
Ca,
and
Na,
and
enrichment
19).
19). The
The most
most notable
notable chemical
chemical changes
changes are effective removal of Mg, Ca, and Na, and enrichment in K.
o ,.-----~-o-r~
0

o 1 ,--------,---___,

0.1

o

~ .::."....;~. ,.~..... :. " :.......'::..1­
0

a

~

I

s s ss

~

10

{g

:.~
10

10 ••••••••••••••••••••• •••• ••••••• J•••••

GG

..

.....

100 ~--'-'---'--'-~~...L.......l.-o-~
20
-20
-40
-60
-60
-40
-20
00
20

01 —

~ ..~

s

10

:~

L

..;
100
-100
-100

100

0

0

100

300

200

200

300

% change Fe203
% change Fe203

L .

50
25
0
100-100......--e~-'-'-'-'~~~.L........J
-50
-25
-75
-100 -75 -50
-25 MgO
0
25
50
% change
Lot

% change MgO
0.1 ,------,-~-___,
0

0
0

III

~

0.1

01
01

b
10

I

r i G

%
% change
change S102
5i02

01

~

0
0

I

peciogenic
pedogenic
zone
z
one,

0

0
0

i,: ~(·········t·:~ i·····:::,;::··l···:~·····r·1·
1

I 0)

-c

0

1

0

.-

s

saprO1!t

10

10

is

athered
,·················,1; ·········,··;;=:,:;;;;····;1'·
·················'···1·;·'·
I_t_II•
GIG

100
100
-100
-100

-80
-80

-60
-60

'

-40
-40

-20
-20

% change
%
change CaO
CaO

00

1
0 -60
'
-1000-60
-100 -80
-60

-40

-40

-20

-20

% change Na20
% change Na20

'
0
0

100-80 -60 -40 -20 0 ' 20
.
-80 -60 -40
-20 0 K20
20
% change

% change K20

19. Depth
Depth variation
variation in
in %
% change
change of
of selected
selected oxides
Figure
Figure 19.
oxides in
in

the
the Baraboo
Baraboo paleosol.
paleosol. 0,
O. pedigene;
pedigene; S,
S, saprolite;
saprolite; G,
G, granite.
granite.

12
12

40

60

40

60

�___________________________________________
occurred, but that K
K was
We believe that all feldspar was altered during weathering
weathering and that K leaching occurred,
reintroduced during later metasomatism
80 " - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ,
80
associated with fluid flow along the sub­
subsaprolite comparison
comparison
60
Baraboo nonconformity. Note that detrital
E
0
]i
feldspar is rare in quartzite, and interlayered,	
interlayered,
0
ec. 40
0.
fine-grained metasedimentary
metasedimentary rocks are
are	
20
.S
for	
impoverished in K, Na, and Ca. A model for
~
\	
,c .... t.::
/
.s0 01
Baraboo saprolite, prior to K metasomatism,
metasomatism,	
~
is	
is provided by the Barron saprolite,
saprolite, which is
~
-20
a)
~
unmetamorphosed and located
located north of the
the	
•
asa) -40
0)
g&gt;
inferred 1,630 Ma tectonic front (Fig. 1;	
1;
0
~
-60
-c
Medaris, 2000). A comparison
comparison of the two
':!&lt;
o
-80
saprolites (Fig. 20) reveals a close similarity	
similarity
in most elements, except for the enrichment of
-100
!
¥ ! '.~!
!
-100
p
AI Si
Rb
Al
Rb KK Ba Sr Na Ca
Ca Mg Mn Fe
Fe Ti
K and Rb in Baraboo saprolite. The chemical
features of the Baraboo and Barron paleosols
Figure
Figure 20. Chemical
Chemical comparison of
are similar to those of modern-day,
modem-day, mature weathering
weathering
Baraboo and Barron saprolites.
Baraboo
profiles developed in warm, humid climates.
profiles
-

(,l
C.)

1

I

1

An apparent whole-rock Rb-Sr isochron age of the paleosol is 1336 ±
± 75 Ma (Fig. 21), and
39 Ar release spectrum, with a well-defined plateau
plateau at
at
metasaprolite yields a discordant 39Ar
muscovite from metasaprolite
evidence
for
1,456 ±
11
(Fig.
Naymark
et
aI.,
These
data
provide
the
substantial
evidence
a
1,456
11
Ma
22;
al.,
2001).
These
data
provide
first
substantial
±
Wolf River imprint on the Baraboo Range, due most likely to the
the effects of hydrothermal
hydrothermal fluids that were
channeled along the sub-Baraboo
nonconformity and driven by a thermal pulse generated by regionally
sub-Baraboo nonconformity
extensive magmatism of Wolf River age.
0.85

j	

~

0.80

(jj	

r-:-	
co

(jj

075
0.75	

z

7

I

a0

I

I

1

I

I

1500
ro 1500
1)3

~
1250
1250
OJ
'E

~
«

0.
c.
0.
c.

I

I

I
I

I

55

I

!

L1J~

1456

t 11
±

Ma
(2o)
Ma (20")

1000
1000
750

muscovite, metasapralite,
metasaprolite, Baxter Hollow
muscovite.
Hallow

500
500
250
250

o

0

I

6

ThnJI

IF=!'

C)
Cl

«0

MSWD = 19.4
194

2
4
2
3
3 4

TI- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ,

1750
1750


UW Radiogenic
Radio genic Isotope Lab
Lab
Analyst: Ron Schott

— 0.70817	
0.70817

~

0.70
0.70

\

2000

I

Baraboo paleosol

paleosol
R regolith (pedogene)
(pedogene
R
S
s saprolite

saprolite

UW Rare Gas Geochronology
UWRare
Geochronoiogy Lab
Lab
Analyst: A!,ssa
Alissa Naymark
Naymark
4naIySf:

+-I---~--~---~-------&lt;
40
60
80
20
40
60
80
100

o

0

7

Cumulative 39Ar Released (%)

87; Sr
86
Rb87!
Sr86
Rb

Figure 21. Rb-Sr whole-rock isochron for the
paleoso!.
metamorphosed Baraboo paleosol.

39Ar
Figure 22.
22. 39
Ar release spectrum for muscovite
from the
the metamorphosed Baraboo saprolite.

13
13


�Locality 2:
2: Hydrothermal
Hydrothermal Veins.
Locality
Veins, Hwy
Hwy 12
12
(SW1/4,
NE1/4, Sec
Sec 34,
34, TIIN,
Ti iN, R6E;
(SWl/4, NEl/4,
R6E; Figure
Figure 23)
23)

Diaspore.-muscovite-pyrophyllite
veins in
in Baraboo
Baraboo
Diaspore-muscovite-pyrophyllite veins
Quartzite,
near
the
base
of
the
section
Quartzite, near the base ofthe section

Figure 24.
24. Diaspore-muscovite-pyrOPhyllite
Figure
Diaspore-muscovite-pyrophyllite veins
veins
in
quartzite.
in quartzite.

Figure 23. Locality 2,
2, hydrothermal
hydrothennal vems
veins in
in
quartzite. Symbols as in
in Fig.
Fig. 17.
17.

of Baraboo Quartzite, which contains a

A few
few meters
meters east
east of
dark red
A
of Highway
Highway 12
12 is
is aa dark
red outcrop
outcrop of Baraboo Quartzite, which contains a
consisting of
of diaspore,
diaspore, muscovite,
muscovite, and
network ofthin,
of thin, white
network
white hydrothermal
hydrothermal veins
veins (Fig.
(Fig. 24),
24), consisting
and pyrophyllite.
pyrophyllite.
occurring
in
the
center
and
intergrown
muscovite
The veins
veins are
are commonly zoned, with
The
with diaspore occurring in the center and intergrown muscovite and
and
pyrophyllite
along
the
margins
(Fig.
25).
Kaolinite
pyrophyllite along the margins (Fig. 25). Kaolinite
of pyrophyllite.
occurs as a retrograde replacement of
pyrophyllite.
Locally, fine-grained
fine-grained sedimentary
Locally,
sedimentary rocks,
rocks,
originally
quartz-bearing,
near
the
base
of
the
originally quartz-bearing, near the base of the
quartzite have
quartzite
have been
been pervasively
pervasively replaced
replaced by
by diaspore,
diaspore,
muscovite, pyrophyllite,
pyrophyllite, and
muscovite,
and hematite,
hematite, resulting
resulting in
in aa
soft,
purple-red
stone
that
was
quarried
by
Native
soft, purple-red stone that was quarried by Native
Americans for
for the
the production
production of
of pipes.
pipes. This
Americans
This mineral
mineral
assemblage is
the same
assemblage
is the
same as
as that
that in
in the
the classic
classic
pipestone (catlinite)
(catlinite) from
pipestone
from the
the Sioux
Sioux Quartzite
Quartzite
(Medaris
et
al.,
1999).
The
formation
(Medaris et a!., 1999). The formation of
of diaspore
diaspore at
at
300-350°C in
in the
the Si0
Si02-rich
300-350°C
environment of
of the
the
2-rich environment
Baraboo and
and Sioux
Baraboo
Sioux quartzites
quartzites is
is surprising,
surprising, and
and
requires
the
influence
of
a
fluid
phase
with
an
requires the influence of a fluid phase with an
0.01.
extremely
extremely low
low activity
activity of
of Si02,
Si0 2, on
on the
the order
order of
of 0.0
I.

14
14


05mm

Figure 25. Photomicrograph of hydrothermal vein in
Figure 25. Photomicrograph ofhydrothennal vein in
quartzite (plane
(plane polarized
polarized light).
quartzite
light). Abbreviations:
Abbreviations: dsp,
dsp.
diaspore;
ms,
muscovite:
prl,
pyrophyllite.
diaspore; ms. muscovite: prl. pyrophyllite.

�Muscovite in a sample
discordant 39Ar
39Ar release
release spectrum with
with a
Locality 2 yields a discordant
sample of vein from Locality
" --------------------,
2000
plateau age of 1,467 ±
11
Ma,
which
is
within
± 11
error of the 1,456 Ma plateau age for muscovite
muscovite
1750
1750
from metasaprolite. Thus, the age of fluid
1500
1500
.....
ro
activity responsible for K-metasomatism in the
1250
Baraboo
1,460 Ma.
J1250j ~
-1,460
Baraboo Range is well established at ~
1467 ±± 11 Ma
Ma (2o)
(20-)
1467
Although
migration was
C woo
1000
Although large-scale fluid migration
!!!
probably
probably driven by heat from Wolf River
fr 750
muscovite, ms-pu-dsp
ms-prl-dsp vein,
vein, Hwy
Hwy 12
12
muscovite,
c(
magmatism,
magmatism, the source and composition of such
500
500
fluid
fluid remains
remains unknown
unknown and deserves
UW Rare Gas
Gas Geocivoao!ogy
GeochronologyLab
Lab
250
250
UWRare
investigation.
Analyst: Alissa Nayma,*
Naymarl&lt;
AaaIyst
I

f

11

AhSSa

Figure 26.
Ar release spectrum for muscovite from ~
26. 39
Ar
hydrothermal vein in quartzite, Highway 12.

o

0

I

o

0

I
20
20

40
40

60
60

80
80

100
100

CumulatIve 39Ar
Released (%)
(%)
Cumulative
Ar Released

Locality 3: Quartzite
Quartzite and
and Metapelite,
Metapelite, Hwy 12
12
(NWI/4,
IS, Ti
TlIN,
Figure 27)
27)
(NW 1/4, Sec 15,
iN, R6E; Figure
Sedimentary and metamorphic
metamorphic features of Baraboo
Baraboo
Sedimentwy
quartzite and metapelite
metapelite

"~:Ji£b

Qal

27. Locality 3.
3, Baraboo quartzite and meta­
metaFigure 27.
Symbols: Qal.
Qal, Quaternary alluvium; other
pelite. Symbols:
as in
in Fig.
Fig. 17.
17.
symbols as

outcrop at Locality
Locality 3, illustrating
illustrating aa
Figure 28. Quartzite outcrop
cross sets
reactivation surface (left arrow) and contorted cross
(right arrow). DO NOT HAMMER
HAMMER THIS OUTCROP!
OUTCROP!

The upper stratigraphic
stratigraphic portion
portion of the Baraboo quartzite differs in several ways
ways from the lower part
part at
at
The
Baxter Hollow. Pebbly layers are rare, metapelite layers are
Baxter
are more
more common
common (the thickest known zone
zone isis
exposed here),
here), and the style
style of stratification is different. Cross bedding
exposed
bedding is higher angle and occurs
occurs in
in sets
sets
mostly 10
10 to 20 em
cm thick.
thick. Master
Master bedding surfaces are commonly defined by
by thin metapelite.
metapelite. Individual
mostly
are slightly
slightly concave upward; sets of cross laminae are mostly tabular, but some
cross laminae are
some troughtrough­
shaped sets occur in this roadcut. Excellent asymmetric. sinous-crested
sinous-crested ripple
ripple marks
marks visible
visible on one
of the exposure indicate the dominant
dominant south-flowing
surface in the middle ofthe
south-flowing paleocurrent direction typical
typical
the entire foonation.
formation.
for the
On the south-facing
south-facing cliff, several reactivation surfaces and some
some contorted cross
cross sets
sets are
are exposed
exposed
in cross section
section (Fig. 28). Reactivation surfaces are convex-up
in
convex-up truncations
truncations of
of cross bed sets. They
They
spasmodic activation of
of dune forms that produce cross bedding, and are most
most characteristic
characteristic of
indicate spasmodic

15
15


�tidal systems.
The dominant
migrate to
to form
form cross
cross laminations,
laminations, then
tidal
systems. The
dominant tidal
tidal flow
flow activates
activates dunes,
dunes, which
which migrate
then
the
subordinate
flow
partially
erodes
the
dunes
to
form
the
convex-up
surface.
When
the tide
the subordinate flow partially erodes the dunes to form the convex-up surface. When the
tide turns
turns again,
again,
the dominant
of cross
cross laminae,
which bury
the reactivation
laminae, which
bury the
reactivation
the
dominant flow
flow reactivates
reactivates the
the dunes
dunes to
to form
form aa new
new set
set of
surface. In this cliff, the
the dominant
dominant currenf
current'ss bed
bed shear occasionally disturbed
disturbed the
the grain
grain packing
packing and
and
caused
deformation
of
cross
laminae
as
described
for
Locality
1.
Reactivation
surfaces
suggest
that the
the
caused deformation of cross laminae as described for Locality I. Reactivation surfaces suggest that
origin,
indicating
a
gradual
northward
of the Baraboo Quartzite is of
of shallow marine origin, indicating a gradual northward
upper half of
transgression during
formations are
are all
all considered
considered to
to be
transgression
during its
its deposition;
deposition; the
the overlying
overlying Precambrian
Precambrian formations
be normal
normal
marine.
manne.
of the
A
the north
end of
of the
the roadcut
roadcut and
and at
at the
the top
A prominent
prominent metapelite
metapelite layer
layer is
is exposed
exposed at
at the
north end
top of
the hill,
hill,
metapelite
(Fig.
where one
one can
can see
see excellent exposures of
and crenulation
crenulation cleavage
cleavage in
in metapelite (Fig. 29).
of chevron folds
folds and
29).
where
Red quartzite
quartzite boudins are common
Red
common in
in metapelite,
metapelite, as
as are
are folded
folded white
white quartz
quartz veins,
veins, which
which appear
appear to
to
inferred to
to have
have originally
originally been
emanate from
from the
the quartzite
quartzite boudins.
boudins. The metapelite is inferred
been aa kaolinite-rich
kaolinite-rich
in
metapelite, which
shale, based on its bulk chemical composition.
composition. The
which is
is
shale,
The present
present mineral
mineral assemblage
assemblage in metapelite,
with
subordinate
typical for metapelite
metapelite throughout
throughout the
the Baraboo
Baraboo Range,
Range, consists
consists mostly
mostly of
ofpyrophyilite
pyrophyllite with subordinate
small grains
grains of
of rutile,
and minor
tablets of
of black
black hematite,
hematite, small
rutile, and
minor
amounts of recrystallized quartz, thin tablets
retrograde
kaolinite
(Fig.
30).
Trace
of
retrograde kaolinite (Fig. 30). Trace amounts
amounts of
Ce-bearing
svanbergite,
SrAl3(P04)(S04)(OH)6,
Ce-bearing svanbergite, SrAb(P0 4 )(S04)(OH)6,
10
to 20
20 !-lm
tm in
10 to
in diameter,
diameter, are
are scattered
scattered through
through the
the
metapelite
(Medaris
and
Fournelle,
1998).
The
metapelite (Medaris and Fournelle, 1998). The
occurrence
of this
this diagenetic
diagenetic aluminophosphatealuminophosphate­
occurrence of
sulfate
mineral
is
significant
because itit bears
bears on
on
sulfate mineral is significant because
the
phosphorus
flux
in
the
oceans.
the phosphorus flux in the oceans.

Figure
30. Back-scattered
Back-scattered electron
electron image
image of
of
Figure 30.
metapelite.
Locality
3.
Abbreviations:
h,
hematite;
metapelite, Locality 3. Abbreviations: h, hematite;
k,
k, kaolinite;
kaolinite; p,
p, pyrophyllite;
pyrophyllite; q,
q, quartz.
quartz.

Figure 29. Chevron folds
folds and
and crenulation
crenulation cleavage
cleavage
in metapelite, Locality 3. The
scale
The scale coin,
coin, enhanced
enhanced
by a black circle, is
is 2.5 cm
em in
in diameter.
diameter.
DO NOT HAMMER THIS
THIS OUTCROP!
OUTCROP!

16
16

�Gorge Ableman's 4: Locality

Locality 4: Ableman's Gorge

dunes eolian Cambrian Upper Rock; Hise Van zone;
breccia quartzite quartzite; in layers metasiltstone
and ripples Quartzite; Baraboo and conglomerate
Cambrian Upper between unconformity Angular
31) Figure R5E; T12N, 28/29, Sec (SW1/4,
(SW1I4, Sec 28/29, T12N, R5E; Figure 31)
Angular unconformity between Upper Cambrian
conglomerate and Baraboo Quartzite; ripples and
metasiltstone layers in quartzite; quartzite breccia
zone; Van Hise Rock; Upper Cambrian eolian dunes

17. Fig. in as symbols other
Group; City Tunnel Cambrian Upper €tc, Sandstone;
Galesville Cambrian Upper Eg Symbols: dunes. eolian
Cambrian and unconformity angular 4D, Rock; Hise
Van 4C, breccia; quartzite 4B, Quartzite; Baraboo and
conglomerate Cambrian Upper between unconformity
angular 4A: Gorge. Ableman's 4, Locality 31. Figure

Figure 31. Locality 4, Ableman's Gorge. 4A: angular
unconformity between Upper Cambrian conglomerate
and Baraboo Quartzite; 4B, quartzite breccia; 4C, Van
Hise Rock; 4D, angular unconformity and Cambrian
eolian dunes. Symbols: €g Upper Cambrian Galesville
Sandstone; Etc, Upper Cambrian Tunnel City Group;
other symbols as in Fig. 17.

N

8r,,",,- Zon.

­

1100

1000

.11m:['p'f~~ ~11.EJ51in

",?,.iH

I~~~900

D

B

C

1

?
?

A

t 'kh~s;;~..

5'/0

iOcx

~:;;:;r~I']1'l' ~'fq

'Opo

Feel

o

Feel

(1970). Dott and Daiziel from Modified
gorge. the of ends both at cliffs quartzite buried against butting strata Cambrian of symmetiy the Note D. - A
letters by indicated Localities Field with west), (lookmg Gorge Ableman's through section Cross 32. Figure

Figure 32. Cross section through Ableman's Gorge (looking west), with Field Localities indicated by letters
A-D. Note the symmetry of Cambrian strata butting against buried quartzite cliffs at both ends of the gorge.
Modified from Dalziel and Dott (1970).

features guartzite unconformity; angular Precambrian - Cambrian Upper 4A:

4A: Upper Cambrian - Precambrian angular unconformity; quartzite features
Baraboo. the of part upper marine, the in be must exposures These
waves. by formation indicate which symmetric, and straight relatively are these of crests the 3, Locality
at ripples the Unlike bed. overlying the of bottom the on ripples the of casts are see we What board. wash
great-grandmother's resembling face marked ripple spectacular a is quarry the of end south The
help). (binoculars boulders quartzite coarse with conglomerate
Cambrian Upper brown-weathering and quartzite red between unconformity angular the see can
one cliff, the of top the At face. quarry old the in visible layers metasiltstone thin and sets bed cross with
quartzite vertical exposes 32) (Fig. Gorge Ableman's of side west the on quarry abandoned The

The abandoned quarry on the west side of Ableman's Gorge (Fig. 32) exposes vertical quartzite
with cross bed sets and thin metasiltstone layers visible in the old quarry face. At the top of the cliff, one
can see the angular unconformity between red quartzite and brown-weathering Upper Cambrian
conglomerate with coarse quartzite boulders (binoculars help).
The south end of the quarry is a spectacular ripple marked face resembling great-grandmother's
wash board. What we see are casts of the ripples on the bOllom of the overlying bed. Unlike the ripples at
Locality 3, the crests of these are relatively straight and symmetric, which indicate formation by waves.
These exposures must be in the marine, upper part of the Baraboo.

17

17


�4B:Qjiartzite
4B:
Quartzite Breccia
Breccia Zone
Exposed on
on the
the west
west wall
wall of
the gorge
Exposed
of the
gorge is
is aa
quartzite
breccia
zone,
consisting
of
angular
red
quartzite
breccia zone, consisting
blocks cemented
cemented by a stockwork of
of white quartz
blocks
generally massive,
veins (Fig.
(Fig. 33).
33). The vein quartz is generally
massive,
veins
of
which
but locally euhedral quartz crystals,
some
crystals, some of which
(a member
member of
are coated by dickite (a
of the
the kaolinite
kaolinite
are
The
mineral group),
group), occur
occur in
mineral
in vugs
vugs (Fig.
(Fig. 34).
34). The
growth
euhedral quartz crystals commonly show growth
euhedral
indicates
that
zoning, and
and preliminary investigation indicates that
zoning,
isotopes
quartz is
is zoned
zoned with
with respect to oxygen isotopes as
as
quartz
18
from
9.33
to
18.95
%o
ranging
well,
with
18O
from 9.33 to 18.95 %0
well, with 8 0
in one
one crystal
crystal (Fig.
(Fig. 35).
35). S.
(VSMOW) in
(VSMOW)
S. W.
W. Bailey
Bailey
for
fluid
reported a temperature of
of 105-107°C
105-1 07°C for fluid
reported
inclusions in
in the
the quartz,
quartz, which
which is
inclusions
is consistent
consistent with
with the
the
(cited in
in Daiziel
Dalziel and
and Doft,
Dott, 1970).
1970).
presence of dickite (cited
In some
some places
places in
in the
the breccia
breccia zone,
zone, the
the
In
slightly
separated
quartzite fragments
fragments appear
quartzite
appear to
to be
be slightly separated
the impression
pieces of a jigsaw
jigsaw puzzle, giving the
impression that
that
fragmented
by some
the quartzite might have been fragmented by
the
some
Perhaps brecciation
type of explosive activity. Perhaps
brecciation was
was
type
(sub
critical
caused
by
passage
of
a
low-temperature
caused by passage of a low-temperature (sub critical
fluid to
to the
the vapor
vapor
point) hydrothermal
hydrothermal fluid
point)
fluid from
from the
the fluid
shallower
levels
field as it migrated from deeper to shallower levels
field
Figure 33. Quartzite breccia, Martm-Marietta Quarry,
north limb
limb of
of the
the
along the
the quartzite strata in the north
along
Figure 33. Quartzite breccia, Martin-Marietta Quarry,
along strike and 1 km east of Field Locality 4B.
hydrothermal activity
activity is
syncline. The
The age
age of such hydrothermal
along strike and ­ I km east of Field Locality 4B.
is
syncline.
Precambrian, because
unknown, other
other than
than being
being Precambrian,
unknown,
because
Cambrian conglomerate.
breccia
boulders
and
cobbles
of
quartzite
occur in
in the
the overlying
overlying Upper
Upper Cambrian conglomerate.
boulders and cobbles of quartzite breccia occur
1 mm

1 mm

UW Stable Isotope Lab
Analyst:
Mike
Spicuzza
UW Stable
Isotope
Lab
Analyst Mike Spicu2Za

Sample
Sample
98BB20
986820

breccia,
Figure 34.
34. Polished
Polished slab
Figure
slab of
of quartzite
quartzite breccia,
crystals.
showing aa vug
vug lined
lined by
by euhedral
euhedral quartz
showing
quartz crystals.

VSMOW) in a zoned
Figure 35. Variation of ö'°O
180 (%o,
of8
(%0,
VSMOW)
in a zoned
Figure
35.
Variation
breccia.
euhedral quartz crystal from the quartzite
euhedral quartz crystal from the quartzite breccia.

18

18


�here.
quartzite the in seen be also can cleavage widely-spaced a and bedding Cross idea. better a have not do
We surface. unusual this produced probably time Pleistocene during silt and sand by blasting wind that
suggested Twenhofel W.H. 1930s, the In polish. exceptional an has quartzite of outcrop an highway, the
of west just and north meters 100 32). (Fig. gorge the of end south the at spring artesian the behind seen
is as quartzite the in joints and bedding along weathering by produced fissures down filtered that sand
Cambrian as it interpret We saw? just we that unconformity the below feet 200 least at here doing this
is What quartzite. vertical of outcrop an within quartzite of fragments angular enclosing sandstone quartz
Cambrian-type tan-colored, has exposure subtle a zone, breccia the of north meters 100 About
alteration. hydrothermal of episodes unrelated and different two by
affected was Range Baraboo the whether or 2), and 1 (Localities quartzite the of base the modified that
fluids River-age Wolf the of variants shallower and cooler are brecciation with associated fluids thermal
hydro- the whether seen be to remains It Range. Baraboo the in feature widespread a thus is breccia
quartzite of development The syncline. the throughout scattered are vertical, and east-west oriented also
features, breccia incipient with veins quartz thin and kilometers, of-20 distance a over syncline Baraboo
the of limb north the along occur breccia quartzite of Outcrops dip. vertical and strike east-west an
with layers, quartzite adjoining the to parallel oriented and thick meters -400 is zone breccia The

The breccia zone is ~ 100 meters thick and oriented parallel to the adjoining quartzite layers, with
an east-west strike and vertical dip. Outcrops of quartzite breccia occur along the north limb of the
Baraboo syncline over a distance of ~20 kilometers, and thin quartz veins with incipient breccia features,
also oriented east-west and vertical, are scattered throughout the syncline. The development of quartzite
breccia is thus a widespread feature in the Baraboo Range. It remains to be seen whether the hydro­
thermal fluids associated with brecciation are cooler and shallower variants of the Wolf River-age fluids
that modified the base of the quartzite (Localities 1 and 2), or whether the Baraboo Range was affected
by two different and unrelated episodes of hydrothermal alteration.
About 100 meters north of the breccia zone, a subtle exposure has tan-colored, Cambrian-type
quartz sandstone enclosing angular fragments of quartzite within an outcrop of vertical quartzite. What is
this doing here at least 200 feet below the unconformity that we just saw? We interpret it as Cambrian
sand that filtered down fissures produced by weathering along bedding and joints in the quartzite as is
seen behind the artesian spring at the south end of the gorge (Fig. 32). 100 meters north and just west of
the highway, an outcrop of quartzite has an exceptional polish. In the 1930s, W.H. Twenhofel suggested
that wind blasting by sand and silt during Pleistocene time probably produced this unusual surface. We
do not have a better idea. Cross bedding and a widely-spaced cleavage can also be seen in the quartzite
here.

Rock Hise Van 4C:

4C: Van Hise Rock

wall). washboard ripple-cast the did (as south the to
be also must up' 'way the that shows geometry its for this, with consistent is bedding cross truncated The
Gorge. Ableman's of south the to axis its with syncline a be must structure that that infer then We fold.
large a surface axial the parallels roughly cleavage the that assume we part, a is Rock Hise Van which
of structure larger the see not can we Although beds. quartzite two these of each in visible is bedding
cross addition, In side. either on quartzite pink coarser the into (flattens) refracts cleavage this that note
degrees; 20 about northward dipping cleavage slaty shows it Today Quartzite. Baraboo the of part upper
the
mudstone silty a as deposited was rock the of center the in band dark vertical The
within
Landmark. Historical National a declared was Rock the 1999, May, In annually.
visit professionals and students of hundreds century; a for trips field for stop essential an this made
has Rock Hise Van of clarity and accessibility The 'way-up.' or direction facing structural determining
for marks ripple and bedding cross folds, drag cleavage, of use the perfected team Their region. Superior
Lake the of geology Precambrian the study to
side. either on quartzite cross-bedded by bounded layer central
Leith later and Hise Van by headed Madison
slaty the with east, the from viewed Rock Hise Van 36. Figure
at office district a 1882 in established had
Survey Geological U.S. the mining, iron of
commencement the by Stimulated country.
vegetated in clear not typically are which
structures, larger-scale inferring for clue scale
outcrop- an as bedding and cleavage slaty
between relationship geometric fundamental
the demonstrate to laboratory a as this used
Leith, K. Charles protégé, his and Hise Van
R. Charles sign. historic 1999 a and plaque
metal 1923 a by described as geologists, for
interest historic special of is 36) (Fig. highway
the of side east the on Rock Hise Van

Van Hise Rock on the east side of the
highway (Fig. 36) is of special historic interest
for geologists, as described by a 1923 metal
plaque and a 1999 historic sign. Charles R.
Van Hise and his protege, Charles K. Leith,
used this as a laboratory to demonstrate the
fundamental geometric relationship between
slaty cleavage and bedding as an outcrop­
scale clue for inferring larger-scale structures,
which are typically not clear in vegetated
country. Stimulated by the commencement
of iron mining, the U.S. Geological Survey
had established in 1882 a district office at
Figure 36. Van Hise Rock viewed from the east, with the slaty
Madison headed by Van Hise and later Leith
central layer bounded by cross-bedded quartzite on either side.
to study the Precambrian geology of the Lake
Superior region. Their team perfected the use of cleavage, drag folds, cross bedding and ripple marks for
determining structural facing direction or 'way-up.' The accessibility and clarity of Van Hise Rock has
made this an essential stop for field trips for a century; hundreds of students and professionals visit
annually. In May, 1999, the Rock was declared a National Historical Landmark.
The vertical dark band in the center of the rock was deposited as a silty mudstone within the
upper part of the Baraboo Quartzite. Today it shows slaty cleavage dipping northward about 20 degrees;
note that this cleavage refracts (flattens) into the coarser pink quartzite on either side. In addition, cross
bedding is visible in each of these two quartzite beds. Although we can not see the larger structure of
which Van Hise Rock is a part, we assume that the cleavage roughly parallels the axial surface a large
fold. We then infer that that structure must be a syncline with its axis to the south of Ableman's Gorge.
The truncated cross bedding is consistent with this, for its geometry shows that the 'way up' must also be
to the south (as did the ripple-cast washboard wall).

19

19


�and Eolian
4D: Basal
Basal Cambrian
Cambrian Unconformity and
4D:
Eolian Dunes
Dunes
basal Cambrian unconformity again to the northeast (Fig.
From Van
Van Hise
Hise Rock,
From
Rock, we
we can
can see
see the
the basal Cambrian unconformity again to the northeast (Fig.
Cambrian conglomerates.
high on
on the
the wall
wall at
the top
32, right
right end).
end). The flat-lying strata high
32,
at the
top of
of the
the Gorge
Gorge are
are Cambrian conglomerates.
against
buried cliffs of
sandstones underlie
As shown
shown in
in Figure 32, Cambrian sandstones
As
underlie these
these and
and terminate
terminate against buried cliffs of
eolian dunes blown up
these sandstones
quartzite. Large,
Large, sweeping cross beds in these
quartzite.
sandstones were
were formed
formed within
within eolian dunes blown up
fell
from the cliffs to be
angular blocks
blocks of
of quartzite
quartzite occasionally
against those
those cliffs.
cliffs. Rare,
Rare, scattered angular
against
occasionally fell from the cliffs to be
Late
Cambrian sea is
sand. The
The arrival
the encroaching
buried, but
but not abraded,
abraded, by
by the
the eolian sand.
buried,
arrival here
here of
ofthe
encroaching Late Cambrian
sea is
quartzite conglomerate, which is underlain by a
recorded by
by aa sharp boundary with overlying rounded
recorded
rounded quartzite conglomerate, which isparallel
underlain
by a
vertical
called Skolithos
(closely spaced, straight,
sandstone layer with marine worm burrows called
sandstone
Skolithos (closely spaced, straight, parallel vertical
20 mm
from 33 -- 20
tubes about 1 mm in diameter and from
mm long).
long).
pocket sample of most of the important features of the
Ableman's
Gorge
provides
a
geologic
vest
of the
Ableman's Gorge provides a geologic vest pocket sample of most of the important
within afeatures
mountain
deposited, then
then folded
folded and
Baraboo Hills. Baraboo Quartzite was deposited,
and metamorphosed
metamorphosed within a mountain
Ma ago), an elliptical ring of quartzite hills
eroded. In
range, which was then eroded.
In Late
Late Cambrian
Cambrian time
time (500
(500 Ma ago), an elliptical ring of quartzite hills
range,
encroached, those hills were converted
deposits. Then,
began to be buried by wind deposits.
began
Then, as
as the
the Cambrian
Cambrian sea
sea encroached, those hills were
converted
tropics at about 15 degrees south latitude, so
islands. North
North America
America lay
to an
an atoll-like
atoll-like ring
ring of
of islands.
lay in
in the
the tropics at about 15 degrees south latitude, so
to
cliffs and tore away quartzite
huge waves,
waves, which
the sea
passing tropical storms generated huge
which broke
broke upon
upon the
sea cliffs and tore away quartzite
and occasionally swept
rounded boulders
blocks. Repetition of this scenario rounded
boulders up
up to
to 1.5
1.5 m
m in
in diameter,
diameter, and occasionally swept
blocks.
the
islands
became
buried by sediment,
for half
haifaa kilometer
some of them
them offshore for
kilometer or
or so.
so. Gradually
Gradually the islands becameisland
burieddisappeared
by sediment,
some
by the
clearly revealed
than
here.
The
Abieman
testimony of which is nowhere more clearly
revealed than here. The Ableman island disappeared by the
buried until the end of the Ordovician
highest islands
end of Cambrian time, but the highest
islands were
were not
not finally
finally buried until the end ofthe Ordovician
end
Period (ca 440 Ma).
Acknowledgments

departmental
Weare
are indebted
indebted to
to many
of our departmental
We
many ofour
encouragement, and
and
colleagues for
for their interest, encouragement,
colleagues
John
Fournelle
technical
expertise.
These
include
technical expertise. These include John Fournelle
(rare gas
(electron microprobe,1,
Brad Singer
Singer (rare
(electron
microprobe), Brad
gas isotopes),
isotopes),
John
Valley
(stable
Clark
Johnson
(radiogenic
isotopes),
Clark Johnson
isotopes), John Valley (stable
inclusions), who
isotopes), and
and Phil
Phil Brown
Brown ('fluid
(fluid inelusiam),
who
isotopes),
made possible
possible
provided analytical
analytical facilities
facilities that
that made
provided
Baraboo data.
data. Several
acquisition ofmany
of man of
the new
ofthe
new Baraboo
Several
acquisition
analyses that
that are
are
students and technicians pe/formed
performed analyses
students
Alissa
Nayniark,
reported here,
reported
here, including
ineluding Robb
Robb Bunge,
Bunge, Alissa Naymark.
Brian Hess
Hess prepared
prepared
Ron Schott,
Schott, and
and Mike
Mike Spicuzza.
Spicuzza. Brian
Ron
thin sections,
sections, and
and Mary
various types of
high-quality thin
ofhigh-quality
Mmy
composite
diagram
of the
Diman created
created the
Diman
the marvelous
marvelous composite diagram ofthe
Baraboo paleosol.
Geological and
and Natural
Natural
From the
From
the Wisconsin
Wisconsin Geological
provided access to the
History Survey.
Histor.v
Survey. Bruce
Bruce Brown
Brown provided access to the
examination
which
Baxter Hollow
Hollow drill
drill core.
core, the
Baxter
the examination of
ofwhich
take aa new
look at
at the
to take
prompted us to
new look
the Baraboo
Baraboo Range,
Range,
the
Barron
and
Mike
Mudrey
informed
us
of
paleosol,
and Mike Mudrey informed us of the Barron paleosol.
unmnodJIedBaraboo
Baraboo
which serves
serves as
as aa model
for unmodified
which
model for
paleosol.

20

20


Cleopatra's Needle, overlooking Devil's Lake

Cleopatra's Needle, overlooking Devil's Lake

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Jr. (2000) The Barron saprolite
Confirmation of mature chemical weathering in the
the source for
Mcdaris,
saprolite: Confirmation
Paleoproterozoic
Paleoproterozoic quartz arenites
aremtes in the Lake Superior
Superior region: 46th Inst. Lake Superior Geol., Abstracts with
Programs, v. 46, p.
p. 37-38.
Naymark, A., Singer, B.S. and Medaris, L.
G.. Jr
I) Recognition of Wolf River-age metamorphism in the
L.G..
Jr. (200
(2001)
Baraboo
Ar thermochronology:
thermochronology: Geol. Soc. Amer. Abstracts with Programs, v.
V. 33,
Baraboo Range by means of 4°ArP~
40Ax/39Ar
no. 4, in press.
Romano, D., Holm, D.K. and Foland. K.A. (2UOO)
(2000) Determining the extent and nature of Mazatzal-related
overprinting of the Penokean orogenic belt in the southern Lake Superior region, north-central USA:
Res.. v. 104, p.
Precambrian Res.,
p. 25-46
Smith, E.I.
El. (1978) Precambrian rhyolites and granites in south-central Wisconsin: Field relations and
Smith,
875-890.
geochemistry: GeoL
Geol. Soc. Amer. Bull
Bull.... v 89. p. 875-890.
SR. and McLennan,
Crust: Its Composition and Evolution: Blackwell,
BlackwelL
Taylor. S.R
McLeiman. S.M.
SM. (1985)
(1985) The ContlI1ental
Continental Crust:
Oxford, 312 pp.
pp.
Van Schmus, W.R., Thurman. E.M. and Peterman. Z.E.
ZE (1975) Geology and Rb-Sr chronology
chronology of Middle
Wisconsin: Geol. Soc. Amer. Bull.,
v. 86.
Precambrian rocks in eastern and central Wisconsin
BulL, V.
86, p.
p. 1255-1265.
K.C. (1993) Early Proterozoic
Jr.
Proterozoic crustal evolution, in Reed, J.C.
J.e. Jr
Van Schmus, W.R., Bickford. M.E. and Condie. K.c.
U.S.. Geology of North America,
America. V.
v. C-2, GeoL
Geol. Soc. Amer., Boulder,
et al., eds., Precambrian: Conterminous US.
Boulder,
p. 270-281.

21

�This page intentionally left blank

�Field Trip 2

Geology, Ore Deposits, and Cultural History
of the Upper Mississippi Valley Zinc-Lead District
M.G. Mudrey, Jr.
Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey
3817 Mineral Point Road
Madison, Wisconsin 53705-5100
T.C. Hunt
University of Wisconsin–Platteville
Platteville, Wisconsin 53818

Headframe of a southwestern Wisconsin zinc-lead mine circa 1930
(photograph courtesy of Platteville Mining Museum).

�This page intentionally left blank

�BACKGROUND
The Upper Mississippi Valley Zinc-Lead District of southwestern Wisconsin was one of the
oldest continuously producing mining districts in the United States. The largest and most productive parts of the district extended across five Wisconsin counties and into small areas in Illinois
and Iowa (fig. 1). Over 1.2 million tons of zinc and nearly 100,000 tons of lead were recovered
from the Wisconsin part of the Upper Mississippi Valley District from 1910 to 1974. Heyl and
others (1959) suggested that an additional 250,000 tons of zinc and 350,000 tons of lead were
produced in the Wisconsin part of the district from 1800 to 1910. This field trip provides a
geologic, mineral deposit, and cultural overview of the area. Numerous detailed geologic reports
about the area have been prepared; the most significant by Heyl and others (1959) documents
____
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INDEX TO MINES AND DIGGINGS
25

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EXPLANATION
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II

Figure 1. Map of the main part of the Upper Mississippi Valley district and mineral deposits in outlying parts
of the district (from Heyl and others, 1959).

25

�hundreds of mineral properties in Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin. A good summary of the geology
and economic geology of the district is given by Heyl and others (1970). In addition, more than
1,000 square miles have been mapped and published on standard 1:24000, 7.5-minute topographic maps.
The zinc and lead mines of southwestern Wisconsin are part of the earliest producing
zinc-lead mining districts in the United States—the Upper Mississippi Valley District. There was
a small amount of production in Minnesota. Production prior to 1800 was very small. Use of
galena and mining were reported by explorers Jean Nicolet in 1634 and by Nicolas Perrot in
1692. In 1788 Julien Dubuque obtained permission from the Sauk and Fox to work lead mines in
the area.. Dubuque mined, with these Native Americans as his labor force; on the west bank of
the Mississippi River in the vicinity of what is now Dubuque, Iowa. This was the principal
mining center in the region from 1788 until Dubuque’s death in 1810.
Early white miners worked the properties during the summer, returning south in the
winter. The arrival of permanent settlers in 1825, the Winnebago Peace Treaty, and “lead rush of
1827” established the Upper Mississippi District as a major mineral producer and resulted in the
states of Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin. The Mexican War of 1847, the California Gold Rush of
1849, and the cholera epidemic of 1854 brought the district into decline, but by 1859 and the
Civil War, production of lead increased, and eventually zinc production began. The District
remained in production until 1978 with the close of the Eagle–Picher mine in Shullsburg.
Around 1906, systematic mine mapping was begun by students and faculty at the Wisconsin School of Mines, now University of Wisconsin–Platteville. In 1946 systematic geologic
mapping was initiated by the U.S. Geological Survey. This mapping program was built on the
foundation of mine maps and mineral reserve studies initiated during World War II.
Thecooperation of the former U.S. Bureau of Mines, U.S. Geological Survey, University of
Wisconsin–Platteville, and the Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey led to the
development of the Wisconsin Mineral Development Atlas (Heyl and Broughton, 1980). In a
series of atlas plates at 1:2400-scale, mine workings, drillhole location and number, and selected
surface features (roads, lead digs) are shown. The details of the 30,000 drillholes are kept in
approximately two dozen large binders covering Grant, Iowa, and Lafayette Counties. Supplemental data include Green County. From this information Broughton (1991) estimated 12.5
million tons of ore averaging 4.94 percent zinc and 0.47 percent lead remain in place. There are
large areas for which there is no modern (post-1900) mineral exploration, and little exploration
data below the base of the Sinnipee Group.
The field trip begins in Madison, Wisconsin, proceeds to Platteville (Stop 1) for an
overview of the district at the Bevan Mine and Rollo Jamison Museum. The Bevan Mine is an
1845 lead mine that produced more than two million pounds of lead ore in one year. The underground workings include two dioramas, one of an 1840 crevice lead mine, and the other a 1935
zinc mine. The Mining Museum includes numerous dioramas about the regional geology and
mineral deposits and how miners in the 19th century went about their business.
The geologic stop will be west of Dickeyville on Potosi Hill (Stop 2). This road cut
contains St. Peter sandstone (Ancell Group) at the base to Galena Dolomite (Sinnipee Group) at
the top. Two stops will be made to address mine reclamation: west of New Diggings (Stop 3),
where one of the few remaining area of lead digs is preserved (natural reclamation from 1840),
and Shullsburg at the former Eagle–Picher mine (Stop 4). The trip ends with a tour of Pendarvis
State Historical Site (Stop 5), which recreates the cultural–historical setting of the 1840s mine
district.

26

�Geology and Ore Deposits
The zinc-lead deposits of southwestern Wisconsin are a classic example of the stratabound
Mississippi Valley-type zinc–lead deposits. Although deposits are known to occur in most of the
lower Paleozoic dolomite and sandstone units of the district (fig. 2), all important ore bodies are
in the Middle Ordovician Sinnipee Group (Platteville, Decorah, and Galena Formations). The
most common type of deposits (fig. 3) are (1) those associated with vertical or steeply inclined
joints or fractures, called gash-vein or crevice deposits (dominantly galena with gangue);

j
E

ZINC

'

z

I/

i/z
/ /

2

A/,/
/

I

a
%

k

Average

Maquoketa shale

200

-

Dolomite, buff, cherty; argillaceous near base

110

108—240

//

Dolomite, yellowish-buff, thin-bedded, shaly

40

Dolomite, yellowish-buff, thick-bedded;.Receptacuhtes
in middle

80

/

-

,,

7 /7
1"

Dolomite, drab to buff; cherty; Receptac-uhies
near base

Platteville formation

Limestone and dolomite, brown and grayish; green,
sandy shale and phosphatic nodules at base

St. Peter sandstone

Sandstone. quartz, coarse, rounded

-

105

35—40

.

DISCONFORMITY

-DISCONFORMITY—

-r-±7

225

-

Dolomite, limestone, and shale, green and brown;
phosphatic nodules and bentonite near base

Decorah formation

——

90

// "/ /
1

0

Dolomite, buff, cherty; Pentamerizs at top,

Shale, blue, dolomitic; phosphatic depauperate
fauna at base

Galena dolomite

&gt;

—
thickn:ss,

Description

40+

—

—

-----

--

Prairie du Chien group
(undifferentiated)

Trempealeau
formation

280-

Dolomite, light-buff, cherty; sandy near base and
in upper part; shaly in upper part

.:

-

0—

320

240

.____________ —
Sandstone, siltstone, and dolomite

120-150

Franconia sandstone

Sandstone and siltstone, glauconitic

110—140

Dresbach sandstone

Sandstone

•I- -/-

-

a

z
a,

0.
0.

Eau Claire sandstone

60--

140

Siltstone and sandstone

Mount Simon

:.' . -- - -. -:

sandstone

---:-:-:•:•:-:

Sandstone

700—

1050

440—

780

Figure 2. Simplified stratigraphic section showing relative quantitative stratigarphic distribution of lead and
zinc in the Upper Mississippi Valley district (from Heyl and others, 1978).

27

�(2) those associated with inclined and horizontal fractures, called pitch-and-flat deposits (sphalerite with minor galena and gangue); (3) those consisting of fine galena and sphalerite scattered
through the country rock, called disseminated deposits; and (4) those consisting of angular
breccia or country rock fragments cemented with ore and associated minerals, called breccia
deposits.
The most abundant gangue minerals with the ore minerals sphalerite and galena are
calcite, pyrite, marcasite, barite, and rarely, chalcopyrite. The ore deposits are contained within
weak structures produced by gentle folds in the dolomite strata. The ore deposits show vertical
and regional zoning. Copper, barium, nickel, and arsenic are abundant in the east-central part of
the district. Vertically, lead is greater in the higher part of a mineralized area; zinc, iron sulfides,
nickel, and secondary dolomite are more abundant in the deeper deposits, generally conforming
to structural control. Details of the district and individual properties are given in Heyl and others
(1959).
The paragenetic sequence generally involves early deposition of quartz, dolomite, pyrite,
marcasite, with several generations of sphalerite and galena. Mineralization of cobaltite, chalcopyrite, chalcocite, millerite, and enargite are reported. Late gangue minerals include most of
the calcite. It should be emphasized that the paragenetic sequence is generalized. Deposition

Figure 3. Diagrammatic plans and sections illustrating typical patterns of gash-vein lead deposits and
underlying pitch-and-flat deposits of the arcuate and linear types and their stratigraphic position to one
another (from Heyl and others, 1978).

28

�throughout the general sulfide period took place under conditions of rhythmic oscillations in
composition and temperature; such oscillations formed the hundreds of minute color bands
characteristic of all the main minerals. McLimans and Barnes (1975) argued that most, if not all,
of the distinct color-banding in sphalerite from mine to mine and area to area are coeval.
McLimans and Barnes (1975) also argued for warmer temperatures (up to 220°C) for the deposits; most other workers suggest 150°C is a maximum. The high temperature seems to be supported by Rowan and Goldhaber (1996) and Zimmerman (1986), but their interpretations differ.
Rowan and Goldhaber argued for a relatively thin Paleozoic cover (less than 3,000 ft) and higher
heat flow; Zimmerman argued for normal geothermal gradients, but deeper burial (up to 9,000
ft). Outside of ore deposits, regional maximum temperatures were quite low (50 to 90°C,
Blabaum, 1995). I interpret these data to suggest that the region was not deeply buried, but that
high temperature mineral solutions were restricted to faults and fracture channels, and hence ore
deposits were hotter than country rock.
Extensive lead isotope data clearly identify disconformable lead that varies regionally;
lead isotope ratios are lowest to the west and south. It is generally thought that mineralization of
the district occurred during the Permian–Pennsylvanian by long-distance transport of metalbearing brine from the adjacent Illinois basin.
FIELD TRIP
The field trip (fig. 4) will visit the Platteville Mining Museum and Bevan Mine (Stop 1), examine Ordovician geologic exposures at Potosi Hill (Stop 2), an historic unreclaimed area of 1830
lead digs near New Diggings (Stop 3), modern metallic mine reclamation at the former
Shullsburg zinc–lead mine/mill site (Stop 4), and the Pendarvis State Historical Site (Stop 5).

1 Platteville Museum

2 Potosi Hill
3 New Diggings
4 Shullsburg Reclamation
5 Pendarvis

Miles

Figure 4. Map showing field trip stops.

29

�Stop 1: Platteville Mining Museum and Rollo Jamison Museum
Location: SW¼NE¼ sec. 15, T3N, R1W, Grant County, Wisconsin (Platteville 7.5-minute
topographic quadrangle, 1952).
Authors: Modified from &lt;http://platteville.wi.us/visitors/mining.html&gt;.
Description: The Platteville Mining Museum traces the development of lead and zinc mining in
the Upper Mississippi Valley through models, dioramas, artifacts, and photographs. The surface
part of the museum includes dioramas of mining and a mosaic of maps showing at 1:24,000scale the geology and structure of the district. The underground part of the Museum, the Bevan
Lead Mine, is an 1845 lead mine which produced over two millions pounds of lead ore in one
year and is accessed via a walk down decline. The diorama in the mine shows how mining was
accomplished in the 1840s (crevice deposits of lead), and in the 1930s (pneumatic jackleg drill
and mine carts). Ceiling bolting is extensive in the underground mine; this was a demonstration
area in the the past on how to install mine bolts. A small, reconstructed headframe and hoist and
a track with a 1931 locomotive and ore cars complement the underground mine.
For more information contact: City of Platteville Museum Department, 405 East Main
Street, P.O. Box 780, Platteville, Wisconsin 53818; telephone (608) 348-3301.
Stop 2: Potosi Hill—Ordovician Sinnipee Group
Location: Roadcut at east side of U.S. Highway 61 in the SW¼NW¼ sec. 7, T2N, R2W, Grant
County (Potosi 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle, 1972; fig. 5).
Author: M.G. Mudrey, Jr. (modified from Ostrom, 1987).
Description: This is an excellent and easily accessible exposure of the upper part of the Ancell
Group (St. Peter and Glenwood Formations), and the Sinnipee Group (Platteville, Decorah, and
Galena Formations). The exposure consists of a lengthy roadcut on the north side of U.S. Highway 61 (Whitlow and West, 1966). At least two east–west faults are recognized in the outcrop,
the most significant (about 10 ft of throw) is in the valley between the upper and lower exposures. On the southeast wall of the quarry at the north end of the roadcut can be seen an example
of the pitch and flat structure that hosts the zinc–lead mineralization in the district.
The Sinnipee Group is the principal host of zinc and lead mineralization in the Upper
Mississippi Valley Base-Metal District. This locality has been well studied over the past 50
years. The lithologic description given is that of Agnew (1956) with modifications by Ostrom
(1978, 1987), and Mudrey (field reviews from 1976 to 2001). Agnew’s descriptions are the most
comprehensive; however, slumping and outcrop deterioration and road construction have
changed the ease with which individual parts of the exposure may be examined. The description
given here is a composite of Agnew, Ostrom, and Mudrey.
Figure 6 shows the geologic section exposed at the Potosi Hill roadcut. The base of the
section consists of Ordovician sandstone of the St. Peter Formation, Ancell Group. The Tonti
Member is the thickest of the three members in the formation, and consists dominantly of friable
fine- to coarse-grained sandstone. Thickness can vary considerably, from absent to over 100 m
thick. This variation is attributed to deposition on an erosional surface; deep channels are recognized elsewhere, particularly in La Crosse County. The basal unit of the St. Peter is the clay-rich
Readstown Member, which may be a reworked residual regolith. The upper unit of the St. Peter
seen in this exposure is a bluish-gray silt to shale, which can be locally absent in the region.
Bioturbation in this unit is common. The St. Peter appears to be a near-shore deposit (Dott and
others, 1986). In the area of the type locality, St. Paul, Minnesota, it appears to be entirely ma30

�rine; in the Madison and
southern Wisconsin area,
it is entirely nonmarine
(Winfree and Dott,
1983).
Locally the St. Peter
is well cemented, ranging from silica to hematite. Habermann (1978)
interpreted most of the
cementation as the result
of duricrust development
during the Ordovician;
however, in places,
notably in area of known
zinc-lead sulfide mineralization, some of the
hematite cementation
appears to be the result
of weathering of minor
sulfide ore bodies.
The overlying Ordovician Sinnipee Group
consists of a basal
Figure 5. Topographic map showing location of field trip stop 2.
Platteville Formation of
several dolomitic limestone to dolomite members; the Decorah Formation, a shaly dolomite; and the uppermost Galena
Formation, a vuggy weathering cherty dolomite.
The lowermost member of the Platteville Formation, the Pecatonica Member, was formerly quarried in the district for building stone. The Quimbeys Mill Member, the uppermost
member of the Platteville, is a sublithographic dolomite. This less than 1-m thick bed is very
distinctive and is used through the district as a marker to the base of the mining horizon (termed
glass rock because of the conchoidal fracture).
The overlying Decorah Formation has been defined in many ways over the years, but is
generally mapped as the shaly, dolomite part of the Sinnipee Group. Members in the Decorah are
easily recognized. The basal Spechts Ferry Member is overlain by the Guttenberg (pronounced
GUT-ten-berg), which contains brown petroliferous shale partings. This unit recognized in the
mining district as “oil rock” and is a source bed for petroleum in Iowa and Michigan, where it is
deeply buried. The Ion Member overlies the Guttenberg and consists of a blue unit and a gray
unit, both very shaly dolomite with minimal structural strength. Most of the zinc–lead mineralization in the area is hosted by the Ion.
Thickly bedded Galena Dolomite overlies the Decorah Formation. In the absence of
fossils, field mapping has relied on the abundance of chert to divide the unit into a lower cherty
unit and an upper relatively non-cherty unit that is less dolomitized. Weathering of the unit
results in a mosaic outcrop pattern (locally termed honey-comb), where the less dolomitic parts
of the rock are dissolved in preference to the harder, more indurated well-dolomitzed parts.
Receptaculites is abundant in the upper, non-cherty part of the section.

31

�120GALENA FORMATION

110-

Potosi Hill Section
SE ¼NW ¼ sec, 7, T2N, R2W
Grant County, Wisconsin

100OECORAH FORMATION
Ion Member

90-

80Guttenberg Member

70

60-

50McGregor Member

40-

30-

20Pecotonice Member

10-

0-

Figure 6. Potosi Hill section; explanation on following pages. (Modified from
Ostrom, 1987.)

32

�Thickness
(ft)

Unit

Member
thickness (ft)

Sinnipee Group
Galena Dolomite Formation
Prosser Member
(upper cherty)
Dolomite, olive drab to light brown, thick- to thin-bedded; medium to
coarse grained, vuggy, abundant white chert; Receptaculties near top

4.0

44+

(lower Receptacultities Zone)
Lower Receptaculities Zone; dolomite, olive drab to light brown, thickbedded, medium-to-coarse-grained, abundant chert, abundant
Receptaculities

16.0

(lower cherty)
Lower Cherty Zone; dolomite, olive drab to light brown, thick- to mediumbedded, medium to coarse grained, bands of chert nodules

14.5

(buff)
Lower Buff Zone; dolomite, light brown, slight green mottling; thickbedded

9.5

Decorah Formation
Ion Dolomite Member
(Gray Unit)
Dolomite, olive to gray, medium- to thick-bedded, vuggy, green shale
partings throughout, sparry calcite present

13.5

(Blue Unit)
Blue unit; dolomite, purplish gray, medium grained, slightly fossiliferous.
Green shale present as partings, and as 0.5-ft bed, 0.8 ft below the top of the
Interval, calcite present

5.1

Shale, green dolomitic shale in middle of interval

0.9

33

19.5

�Guttenberg Limestone Member (Oil Rock)
Limestone, pinkish to purplish brown, fine grained to sublithographic,
fossiliferous, upper 1 ft fine- to medium-grained, red-brown shale present as
parting, calcite and limonite and iron sulfide present in small amounts

4.6

Shale metabentonite, brownish orange, crumbly, sticky when wet

0.1

Limestone, purplish brown, sublithographic, thin wavy bedding,
fossiliferous, brown carbonaceous shale present as thin beds and partings,
calcite and limonite present. Thin metabentonite bed at base

9.6

Limestone, brown gray, fine grained, thick-bedded

1.0

15.3

Spechts Ferry Shale Member (Clay Bed)
Shale, orange gray, calcareous, and limestone, tan gray, fine grained,
limestone 0.4 to 0.7 ft from base of unit

0.8

Limestone, gray, fine-grained, thin bedded

0.6

Shale, gray, green, brown, fissile, some beds fossiliferous, limestone
present as thin lenses near middle of the interval

3.2

Limestone, tan with iron oxide mottling, fine grained, thin bedded

0.8

Shale, gray-green-brown. Fissle with thin lenses of gray fine-grained
limestone

1.7

Limestone, dark to light gray, thin-bedded fossiliferous

0.7

Shale, brown-green-orange-gray, brown carbonaceous shale parting at top

0.5

Limestone, purplish brown, fine grained, thin-bedded, very fossiliferous,
fucoids at base

0.5

Metabentonite, orange, sticky when wet, with brown shale partings

0.2

8.8

Platteville Formation
Quimbys Mill Member (Glass Rock)
Limestone, dark purplish gray, sublithographic, thick-bedded, conchoidal
fracture, irregular upper surface, shale at base

0.8

0.8

14.5

29.5

MacGregor Member (Magnolia)
Limestone, light grayish tan, fine grained, dense, partings of yellowish
platy shale, very fossiliferous, thin 2 in. to 10 in. beds, upper 5 ft generally
thicker bedded

34

�Mifflin Sub-member
Limestone, light grayish brown, fine-grained, dense, medium-to thickbedded, discontinuous partings of bluish-green shale, fossiliferous

15.0

Pecatonica Member (Quarry Beds)
Dolomite, brownish gray, fine to medium crystalline, sugary texture, thinto medium-bedded, even-bedded, beds 0.1 to 18 in. thick. Weathered
surface shows distinct but discontinuous thinner beds

3.0

Dolomite, bluish, medium-grained, granular, sugary textured, argillite

1.0

Dolomite, brownish gray, fine to medium grained, crystalline, sugary
texture, thin- to medium-bedded, even-bedded, beds about 1in. thick

8.0

Dolomite, bluish, medium grained, granular, sugary textured, argillite

1.0

Dolomite, brownish gray, fine to medium grained, crystalline, sugary
texture, medium-bedded, even-bedded, beds thicker than 1 ft

6.0

Dolomite, brownish gray, fine to medium grained crystalline, sugary
texture, medium-bedded, even-bedded, beds about 1 ft thick

4.6

23.6

Ancell Group
Glenwood Formation
Hennepin Member (Shale)
Very silty, sandy dolomite, yellowish brown, abundant phosphatic pellets
up to 2 mm in diameter, scattered round medium quartz sand grains, poorly
sorted, iron-oxide cemented

0.5

0.5

1.5

1.5

Harmony Hill Member
Silty shale, brown and bluish green grading downward to bluish green with
some redish brown, little rounded medium grained quartz sand, abundant
pale green clay in matrix, reworked/bioturbated texture

St. Peter Formation
Tonti Member (Sandrock)
Sandstone, light yellowish gray, very fine to medium grained,
Some light brown stains cross-bedded
Base of exposure in drainage ditch

35

�Stop 3: New Diggings Lead Digs
Location: Intersection of County Highways J and W, NW¼NW¼SW¼ sec. 22, T1N, R1E,
Lafayette County, Wisconsin (New Diggings, 7.5- minute quadrangle, 1952).
Author: M.G. Mudrey, Jr. (2001).
Description: The area south of the intersection was extensively mined for residual lead in the
early part of the nineteenth century. Miners would dig down over surface occurrences of galena,
collecting residual galena in the soil. At some depth, depending principally on the competency of
the soil profile, the dig was abandoned, and another started adjacent to the first dig. Once the area
had been mined, miners would move on to another area. There was no attempt at active reclamation or deeper mining at that time.
The area north of the intersection was also heavily mined; however, leveling of the
surface in the 1950 for agriculture effectively removed the topographic evidence of mining. The
high alkalinity of the soil derived from the Sinnipee Group dolomite neutralizes any acid mine
drainage from oxidation of sulfide minerals and allows native plant communities to rapidly
recover.
Stop 4: Shullsburg Mine Site—Metallic Mine Reclamation
Location: East side of Lafayette County O, 2 miles south of Shullsburg, sec. 22, T1N, R1E,
Lafayette County (Shullsburg 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle, 1972; fig. 7).
Authors: T.C. Hunt (University of Wisconsin–Platteville) and M.G. Mudrey, Jr., 2001.

Figure 7. Topographic map showing location of field
trip stop 4.

36

Description: The Shullsburg/Blackstone
mining unit, known as the Calumet and
Hecla Mine, was discovered by Calumet
and Hecla Consolidated Copper Company about 1947 in a systematic exploration drilling program. In 1949 a 360-ft
shaft was sunk on the property. Typically in the Upper Mississippi Valley
Base Metal District, small ore bodies
were identified from surface drilling
exploration, and cross-cuts and drifts
were driven from existing areas of
mining to the newly discovered ore.
Mining was by room and pillar methods.
Within the mine, many of the drifts
converged to make this complex one of
the largest producers in the district.
Galena and sphalerite were the principal
ores mined. The most abundant minerals
associated with the ore minerals were
calcite, pyrite, marcasite, barite, and
more rarely, chalcopyrite. Some individual intersections of ore over a 10-ft
vertical interval assayed at more than 14
percent zinc. The ore was processed by

�an on-site 1,000 ton per day flotation mill. The mill feed ranged between 4 to 6 percent zinc
(Heyl and others, 1959; Heyl and others, 1970). The ore was hosted in the Decorah Formation,
about 280 ft below the pre-mine groundwater surface. Groundwater pumping to dewater the mine
ranged from 4 to 17 million gallons per day, and the cone of depression extended over 12 square
miles (Evans and Cieslik, 1985).
Eagle Picher Company (EP) acquired the properties in 1954. EP operated this site continuously from 1954 until 1979. The zinc and lead ore body was accessed via a decline that was
built to replace the shaft that had succumbed to fire. EP extracted about 1,000 tons per day using
a modified room and pillar mining method and processed about 1,500 tons of ore per day in the
flotation mill on-site. Ore was also received from the nearby Bear Hole mine (Reinke, 1977).
In the 1970s Wisconsin changed its mining laws to require a reclamation plan and financial bonding in conjunction with a mining permit. On April 18, 1978, Eagle-Picher received a
permit from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to mine zinc and lead at the site.
The permit to mine was secured with only an approved reclamation plan; no bond was required
because the operation was permitted as a nonconforming project site (Wisconsin Department of
Natural Resources, April 18, 1978). The permitted mining site covered 72 acres at the Shullsburg
mine and mill and an additional acre at the Blackstone pump site.
In 1981, Inspiration Development Company gained ownership of four nonconforming
mining units in southwestern Wisconsin that were under permit with the Wisconsin Department
of Natural Resources; the Shullsburg site was among them. Most of these sites had been developed decades earlier, but were not permitted until mid to late 1970s. Only the Bear Hole (a
nearby ore deposit) and Shullsburg units produced ore after they were permitted. The mining
units in southwestern Wisconsin were shut down permanently during the period of 1978 and
1979.
IDC never produced ore after its purchase, but IDC assumed responsibility for the reclamation of the site which is currently in different phases of reclamation. The primary environmental concerns were groundwater and surface water pollution, dusting from waste piles, stockpiles,
and roads, aesthetics, and safety concerns.
Following the closure of the Shullsburg Mine water quality in some nearby private watersupply wells deteriorated. Affected wells were located within the cone of depression created by
pumping to keep the underground mine dewatered (fig. 8). Following mine closure, groundwater
from these wells showed increased levels of sulfate, iron, calcium, magnesium, and total dissolved solids. The mechanism of contamination was postulated to be the following sequence: (1)
oxidation of sulfide minerals, (2) formation of soluble sulfate mineral phases, (3) breakdown of
carbonate host rock by acid produced during sulfide oxidation, and (4) dissolution of soluble
materials by groundwater with rock strata that was previously dewatered during active mining
(Evans and others, 1983; Evans and Cieslik, 1985). The impacted wells were reconstructed or
abandoned and new wells constructed into the underlying sandstone aquifer.
Numerous relic mine waste piles exist nearby this site including flotation tailings, jig
tailings, waste-rock piles, and junk piles. Waste materials were trucked off-site as merchantable
by-product for purposes of construction or agriculture. The decline portal has been backfilled,
graded, top dressed, and stabilized with vegetation. Surface drainage has been restored so that
runoff water is discharged from the sites without significant erosion. Observable subsidence or
caving has not occurred at this site.
This site predates topsoil salvage requirements. Generally, no topsoil remained for redistribution during reclamation activities, but where it was available in the form of dikes and berms,
it was used to topdress the site. IDC has routinely used cow manure as a substitute for topsoil to

37

�Figure 8. Areal extent
of cone of depression
developed around the
Bear Hole and
Shullsburg Mines,
Lafayette County,
Wisconsin (from Evans
and others, 1983).

\-

38

�effect the establishment of vegetation. Most of the site is reasonably well stabilized with vegetation. Introduced pasture grasses and legumes were approved by the Wisconsin Department of
Natural Resources for the last phase of final reclamation at this site. During the first phase of
final revegetation in the mid-1980s, native trees, grasses, and shrubs were installed (Hunt, 1989).
The area is not sited in wetland habitat. Proximity to a perennial stream may have impacted the riparian area, but baseline data are scarce. Presently, the impacts appear minimal. The
existence of on-site settling ponds have created wetland habitat, albeit small and of marginal
value.
The designated post-mining land use for the nonconforming Shullsburg mining unit is a
designated wildlife area, which is compatible with the adjacent land-use pattern. The current
management level of this site is low, but there are plans to conduct a prescribed fire to help
revitalize the native vegetation. The topography of this site is modified by waste piles, steepsided settling ponds, and relic mine openings and artifacts. The existing vegetation is a mixture
of introduced agronomic pasture grasses and native vegetation. The existing oak groves present
on these sites represent pre-settlement vegetation.
Stop 5: Pendarvis State Historical Site (Mineral Point)
Location: NE¼SE¼ sec. 31, T4N., R3E., Iowa County, Wisconsin (Mineral Point 7.5-minute
topographic quadrangle, 1980).
Author: Modified from &lt;http://www.shsw.wisc.edu/sites/pend/&gt;.
Description: The museum consists of a series of stone buildings salvaged in the 1930s by Robert
Neal and Edgar Hellum, who formed a partnership to acquire, restore and rebuild the few remaining cottages built by Cornish miners in the early 19th century. Their venture, called Pendarvis
after an estate in Cornwall, preserves the regional cultural legacy of the early history of mining in
southwest Wisconsin. Early miners extended their search for lead from northwestern Illinois into
Wisconsin around 1820. Much of this early mining was seasonal, with the miners returning south
to Illinois in the winter. With the arrival of Cornish miners and their families in the late 1830s,
small villages were developed in proximity to the lead mines. In the hill south of Pendaris is the
Merry Christmas Mine. Originally lead was mined by recovering residual galena from the soil
(the hill side is extensively pockmarked with lead digs). Once the residual lead was recovered,
the early miners sunk shallow shafts (above the water table) to recover galena from bedrock.
For more information: Pendarvis State Historical Site, 114 Shake Rag Street, Mineral
Point, Wisconsin 53565; telephone (608) 987-2122.

REFERENCES
Agnew, A.F., 1956, in Agnew, A.F. and Sloan, R.E., The Ordovician Rocks of Southwestern
Wisconsin and Northeastern Iowa: Second Day, October 29, 1956: in G.M. Schwartz, ed.,
Guidebook for Field Trips, Minneapolis Meeting, 1956, Geological Society of America,
p. 86.
Blabaum, J.M., 1995, Origin and maturation of the organic matter in the Middle Ordovician
Guttenberg Member of the Decorah Formation of southwestern Wisconsin: Geoscience
Wisconsin, v. 15, p. 71–76.

39

�Broughton, W.A., 1991, Zinc and lead reserves of southwest Wisconsin: The undrilled lead digs
of southwest Wisconsin: Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey Open-File
Report 1991-5, 11 p.
Dott, R.H., Jr., Byers, C.W., Fielder, G.W., Stenzel, S.R., Winfree, K.E., 1986, Aeolian to
marine transition in Cambro-Ordovician cratonic sheet sandstones of the northern Mississippi Valley, USA: Sedimentology, v. 33, no. 3, p. 345–367.
Evans, T. J., and Cieslik, M.J., 1985, Impact of groundwater from closure of an underground
zinc–lead mine in southwest Wisconsin: Wisconsin Geological and Natural History
Survey Miscellaneous Paper 81-01, 16 p.
Evans, T.J., Cieslik, M.J., and Hennings, R.G., 1983, Investigation of the effects of recent mine
closings on ground-water quality and quantity in the Shullsburg area: Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey Open-File Report 1983-1, 36 p.
Habermann, G.M., 1978, Mineralogic and textural variations of the duricrust in southwestern
Wisconsin: Ph.D. thesis, University of Wisconsin–Madison, 153 p.
Heyl, A.V., Jr., Agnew, A.F., Lyons, E.J., Behre, C.H., Jr., and Flint, A.E., 1959, The Geology of
the Upper Mississippi Valley Zinc-Lead District: U.S. Geological Survey Professional
Paper 309, 310 p.
Heyl, A.V. (and Broughton, W.A.), 1980, A very brief history of the Wisconsin mineral development atlas; general information and procedures concerning zinc-lead atlas: Wisconsin
Geological and Natural History Survey Open-File Report 1980-4, 6 p.
Heyl, A.V., Broughton, W.A., and West, W.S., 1970 (revised 1978), Geology of the Upper
Mississippi Valley Base-Metal District: Wisconsin Geological and Natural History
Survey Information Circular 16, 45 p.
Hunt, T.C. 1989. Mined land reclamation in Wisconsin since 1973: Ph.D. Thesis. University of
Wisconsin–Madison. 194 p.
McLimans, R.K. and Barnes, H.L., 1975, Sphalerite stratigraphy in the upper Mississippi Valley
Pb-Zn deposits: Economic Geology, v. 70, no. 7, p. 1324–1325.
Ostrom, M.E., 1978, Potosi Hill Exposure, in Geology of Wisconsin: Outcrop descriptions:
Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey, Gr-7/2N2W, 4 p.
Ostrom, M.E., 1987, Middle Ordovician rocks at Potosi Hill, Wisconsin: in Geological Society
of America Centennial Field Guide–North-Central Section, 1987, p. 201–204.
Reinke, G. H., December 2, 1977, Eagle-Picher Industries, Shullsburg Mine and Mill Unit
Environmental Impact Assessment Worksheet, Bureau of Solid Waste Management:
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

40

�Rowan, E.L. and Goldhaber, M.B., 1996, Fluid inclusions and biomarkers in the Upper Mississippi Valley zinc-lead district; implications for the fluid-flow and thermal history of the
Illinois: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin B 2094-F, 34 p.
Whitlow, J.W., and West, W.S., 1966, Geology of the Potosi Quadrangle, Grant County Wisconsin, and Dubuque Country, Iowa: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 1123-I, p. 533–571.
Winfree, Keith, and Dott, R.H., Jr., Progress on the St. Peter Sandstone of the Upper Midwest, in
M.G. Mudrey, Jr., Field Trip chairman, Sedimentology of Ordovician Carbonates and
Sandstones in Southwestern Wisconsin: Field Trip Guide Book, 17th Annual Meeting,
North-Central Section, Geological Society of America, 1983, p. 4–13.
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. April 18, 1978, Order Number EX-78-32B. Eagle
Picher Industries, Shullsburg Mine and Mill Unit Permit to Mine: Wisconsin Department
of Natural Resources, 3 p.
Zimmerman, R.A., 1986, Fission-track dating of samples of the Illinois drill-hole core: U.S.
Geological Survey Bulletin 1622-J, p. 99–108.

41

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�Field Trip 3

Economic Geology of the Baraboo
and Waterloo Quartzites of Southern Wisconsin
Bruce A. Brown
Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey
3817 Mineral Point Road
Madison, Wisconsin 53705-5100
Frank R. Luther
Department of Geology
University of Wisconsin–Whitewater
Whitewater, Wisconsin 53190

James W. Schmitt
D.L. Gasser Construction
Box 441
Baraboo, Wisconsin 53913

Susan M. Courter
Michels Materials
Box 128
Brownsville, Wisconsin 53006

Jennifer Lien
The Kraemer Company
Box 235
Plain, Wisconsin 53577

Stockpiles of Baraboo quartzite aggregate, LaRue Quarry.

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�INTRODUCTION
The Proterozoic quartzites of the Baraboo Range and the Waterloo area of south-central
Wisconsin have been quarried for a variety of industrial mineral products since the late
nineteenth century. The extreme hardness and refractory properties of the quartzite were
recognized early, and both areas were important producers of refractory blocks, mill liners,
grinding pebbles, and several types of abrasives. Grinding pebbles were used in place of steel
balls in mills that ground clay and feldspar for the ceramic industry, talc and other materials for
the cosmetic industry, and in grinding some types of metallic ores. The most commonly used
pebbles were flint beach pebbles, of 3 to 4 inch size, hand picked from beaches in northern
Europe. Wisconsin State Geologist William O. Hotchkiss was instrumental in promoting
Wisconsin quartzite for this use when European sources were cut off during World War I. The
early operations used pebbles from gravels derived from the Paleozoic conglomerates formed
adjacent to the quartzite, such as we will see at Stop 2. Later, grinding balls were manufactured
by crushing quartzite, sorting for size and shape, and tumbling to achieve rounding. The last
grinding ball producer, the Baraboo Quartzite Co., ceased operations in the 1980s.
Today the primary uses for southern Wisconsin quartzite are crushed stone aggregates,
riprap, and breakwater stone. For many years, the hard, abrasive nature of the quartzites, which
average 98 percent silica, made crushed quartzite aggregates prohibitively expensive due to
excessive wear on crushing and screening equipment. Crusher jaws quickly wore out, and steel
wire screens commonly had to be replaced daily to maintain tight gradation specifications.
Modern alloys, combined with the use of plastic and rubber-faced screens, have increased
efficiency and reduced the cost of producing railroad ballast and a variety of quartzite aggregates.
This guide is intended to provide the locations of stops and a brief outline of the geology
and industrial process and products at each site that we intend to visit. Additional handouts
relating to products, testing, specifications, and history will be provided on the day of the trip.
We have not provided lengthy detailed descriptions of each stop because the geologic features we
will see will likely change with the next round of production blasting. Wherever possible, we
have tried to cite appropriate published field guides that explain the geology of nearby or
relevant exposures regularly accessible to the public.
We will visit six active quarrying operations on Trip 3. Company personnel will be
available to describe the geology, mining, and processing methods, and the products made at
each site. Because these are active operations, we will need to sign releases and MSHA Part 46
site-specific hazard training forms. Please remember to observe all safety rules and use
common sense at all times. Especially stay away from highwalls and unstable slopes.
GEOLOGY OF THE QUARTZITES
Because the primary focus of this trip is on economic geology, only a brief discussion of the
geologic history of the Baraboo Interval rocks of southern Wisconsin is included. The reader is
referred to general discussions of tectonic setting (Greenberg and Brown, 1984) and previous
guides to the Waterloo area (Luther, 1992, 1997), and the Baraboo area, (Dalziel and Dott, 1970;
Malone and others, 1997; Medaris and Dott, 2001).
The Baraboo and Waterloo quartzites belong to a group of sedimentary rocks that include
the McCaslin, Rib Mountain, Necedah, Hamilton Mound, Flambeau, Barron quartzites of
Wisconsin and probably the Sioux Quartzite of Minnesota that were deposited on continental
crust formed during the 1850 Ma Penokean Orogeny (Greenberg and Brown, 1984). For many
years the exact age of the quartzites and the timing of deformation and metamorphism were hotly
debated. Recent work summarized by Medaris and Dott (2001) suggested that the Baraboo
quartzite was deposited on a basement of 1,760 Ma. Granite and rhyolite, and that most of the
45

�metamorphism and alteration at Baraboo resulted from hydrothermal activity accompanying
emplacement of the Wolf River Batholith at around 1,460 Ma. The Waterloo quartzite is intruded
by pegmatite of Wolf river age, suggesting that recrystallization and metamorphism may also be
related to this regional thermal event. Both the Baraboo and Waterloo quartzites have been
deformed. The Baraboo Range is an isolated doubly plunging syncline, slightly overturned to the
south. The Waterloo outcrop area is in the nose of a broad eastward-plunging synclinal structure.
Several possible models for deposition and subsequent deformation of the quartzites have been
proposed (Greenberg and Brown, 1984), but the timing of deformation is still debated, possibly
related to a regional 1,630 Ma thermal event, but certainly after about 1,720 Ma and prior to the
1,460 hydrothermal event. Quartzite, presumably equivalent to the Baraboo and Waterloo
quartzites, is the most common basement lithology found in deep wells throughout southeastern
Wisconsin.
The stratigraphic sequence at Baraboo consists of 1,500 m of red to purple quartzite,
overlain by 100 m of Seeley slate, 300 m of Freedom Formation (dolomite and carbonate iron
formation), 65 m of pebbly Dake quartzite and 45m of Rowley Creek slate (Dalziel and Dott,
1970). The quartzite is well exposed, but the overlying formations, except for the Dake, are
known from drill core. All of the operations that we will visit are located in or adjacent to the
lower quartzite sequence. The upper formations are rarely exposed, being covered by Paleozoic
sandstone and Quarternary glacial deposits in the interior of the syncline. At Stop 5 we will be
near the site of two of the three historic iron mines that, before closing in the early 1920s, briefly
mined the iron-rich carbonates of the Freedom Formation. The stratigraphic sequence at
Waterloo is poorly known because of very limited exposure. Most of the known outcrop is in the
area of the Michels Quarry, and consists of gray pebbly quartzite interbedded with argillite beds
that have been metamorphosed to andalusite schist (Luther, 1992, 1997). Outlying exposures that
show less evidence of metamorphism tend to have the more typical reddish-purple color and
hydrothermal quartz veins and breccias seen in other Baraboo Interval quartzites.
Stop 1: Michels Materials Waterloo Quarry
Location: NE¼ sec. 33 and NW¼ sec. 34, T 9N, R13E, 1.5 miles east of Portland, Wisconsin, on
Highway 19 (Waterloo 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle, 1976; fig. 1).
Leaders: Frank Luther, Sue Courter, and Bruce A. Brown.
Description: The Michels Waterloo Quarry was opened in 1988 by the Edward E. Gillen Co., a
Milwaukee marine contractor involved in harbor and breakwater construction on the Great
Lakes. Exploratory core drilling indicated massive bedding up to 2 to 3 m thick that would allow
for quarrying of individual blocks up to 20 tons in size. The rock was tested and proved to
exceed all Corps of Engineers specifications for breakwater stone, particularly resistant to freezethaw. The quarry site is also conveniently located for transport of blocks to Milwaukee by rail or
truck. The Gillen Co. soon began to accumulate a large pile of waste blocks too small for
breakwater stone and brought in crushing equipment to convert this material into railroad ballast
and other aggregate. A rail loading facility was built 1 mile south of the quarry and ballast is
moved to the site by truck.
The rock is gray to reddish gray in color and consists of thoroughly recrystallized sandsized quartz grains, with interlayered pebbly beds containing pebbles of quartz, chert, jasper, and
iron formation up to 1.5 cm. The massive beds of quartzite are separated by 10 to 20 cm argillite
beds that are metamorphosed to andalusite schist. The thick east-dipping beds facilitate quarrying
of large blocks, but make maintaining a flat quarry floor difficult. Glacial till overburden
thickens to the east, and contains abundant quartzite boulders. Paleozoic sandstone conglomerate
similar to the Parfreys Glen Formation of the Baraboo area locally occurs above the quartzite.
46

�-

_S

- 55 ±

-_S—
—

_

44' S

-.

-S

—
__-44-44.'44— 44—7895

.- -

-44- -44-44-

z

7

Figure 1. Topographic map showing location of Stop 1.

We will examine the quarry geology, mining and crushing methods, and products. From
Waterloo we will proceed northwestward across the glaciated terrane of eastern Dane County to
Stop 2, located at the east end of the Baraboo Range. On the way we will have the opportunity to
see some classic examples of drumlins and other glacial landforms.
Stop 2: The Kraemer Co. Williams Quarry
Location: SE¼, NE¼ sec. 19, T 12 N, R 8,E, Columbia County, south side of Highway 33, about
3 miles west of I-90-94 (Pine Island 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle, 1975; fig. 2).
Leaders: Jennifer Lien, Phil Fauble, and Bruce A. Brown.
Description: The Williams Quarry and another operation 0.5 mile to the west were opened in the
Parfreys Glen Formation (Clayton and Attig, 1990), a time-transgressive, proximal conglomeratic facies formed by wave and storm action around the Baraboo Range as it was slowly buried
by advancing seas during Cambrian and Ordovician time. The face at Williams has now
advanced far enough into the hillside to expose three distinct lithologic units. At the base of the
highwall, steeply dipping quartzite of the Baraboo north range is exposed. The quartzite is cut by
numerous white quartz veins, and is locally brecciated and recemented by white hydrothermal
quartz. Vugs and cavities in the breccia zone are filled with white clay and lined with quartz
crystals up to 20 cm in length.
Overlying the quartzite is a poorly sorted deposit consisting of clasts ranging from sand
sized up to rocks 2 to 3 m in diameter (fig. 3). Fauble and Lien (2001) suggested that this unit
may have originated as a debris flow because of the lack of sorting and evidence of reworking by
wave action. Overlying and lapping onto the debris flow are beds of pebble conglomerate and
sandstone typical of the Parfreys Glen Formation. These beds contain sedimentary structures and
trace fossils typical of near-shore marine deposits. Abundant glauconite suggests equivalence to
47

�Figure 2. Topographic map showing location of Stop 2.

Figure 3. South face at Williams Quarry showing Parfreys Glen conglomerate over coarse debris
flow deposit overlying quartzite with white veins and clay pockets.

the Tunnel City Group away from the Baraboo Range.
The Williams Quarry produces base course and a small amount of riprap. Crushing and
screening are done intermittently as needed, using portable equipment, typical of smaller quarry
operations throughout rural Wisconsin.
48

�Stop 3: 1,760 Ma Rhyolite
Location: SW¼ NE¼ sec. 33, T12N, R7E, south side of Highway 33, 0.3 mile east of the Lower
Narrows of the Baraboo River (Lewiston 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle, 1975; fig. 4).
Leader: Bruce A. Brown.
Description: We will stop at this old road cut to examine the rhyolite that underlies the Baraboo
quartzite. This rock is typical of the 1,760 Ma metarhyolites exposed along the northern and
southern edges of the Baraboo syncline and to the northeast in the Fox Valley (Smith, 1978). The
rock is a dark reddish brown color, and contains quartz and feldspar phenocrysts in a fine-grained
matrix. A tuffaceous texture is visible in thin section and hand specimen. Flattened shards and
pumice fragments can commonly be seen on weathered outcrop surfaces. The rhyolites have
never been commercially quarried in the Baraboo area, but were extensively quarried for paving
blocks in the Fox Valley at Berlin and Utley (Buckley, 1898).
As you return to the van, notice the shoulder stone along Highway 33, and the aggregate
used in the asphalt pavement. The shoulder stone was likely from the Williams Quarry. The
asphalt contains a high percentage of quartzite aggregate. Wisconsin Department of
Transportation has been slow to embrace quartzite as an aggregate for asphalt mixes because the
dense quartzite does not absorb asphalt readily. This pavement seems to be performing well with
no sign of deterioration after several years of use. Quartzite has performed well as a concrete
aggregate in Wisconsin, outlasting the cement and fine aggregate matrix in many older
pavements and sidewalks. In the city of Madison, examples of concrete with quartzite aggregate
poured in the 1920s are still in use.
We will drive through the Lower Narrows, where the Baraboo River cuts through the
North Range on our way to the next stop. The quarry at the southwest end of the narrows was
formerly operated by the Baraboo Quartzite Co., a producer of mill linings and grinding balls for
many years. This was the last active producer of grinding media in the district, closing in the
early 1980s.

15

Figure 4. Topographic map showing location of Stop 3.

49

�Figure 5. Topographic map showing location of Stop 4.

Stop 4: Milestone Materials Jesse Pit and Quarry
Location: NW¼SW¼ sec. 15, T11N, R7E, 2 miles east of Highway 113 on south side of Tower
Road, Sauk County (Baraboo 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle, 1994; fig. 5).
Leader: Jim Schmitt.
Description: The Jesse Pit began as a sand and gravel operation along the terminal glacial
moraine. As the pit was deepened, quartzite was exposed and quarrying began (fig. 6). We are
now on the south limb of the Baraboo syncline, and the exposed quartzite dips to the north at a
low angle. The dip surface is a bedding plane, and in many areas excellent examples of ripple
marks can be seen.
The Jesse Pit is an example of a growing number of sand and gravel operations that have
encountered bedrock and begun to produce crushed stone as well. Gravel is in demand for
concrete aggregate, but many gravel deposits lack sufficient coarse crushing material needed to
achieve the percentage of fractured surfaces required to meet modern asphalt mix design
standards. Operations such as Jesse Pit have the advantage of being able to furnish concrete and
asphalt aggregate plus a variety of other products ranging from sand to landscape boulders.
We will examine the quartzite exposures and look at some of the glacial material as well
as discuss some of the reclamation activities currently in progress at this site.
Stop 5: Milestone Materials Fox Ridge Asphalt Plant and Sales Yard
Location: SE¼ sec. 22, T12N, R6E, 2 miles north of Baraboo on Fox Hill Road.
Leader: Jim Schmitt.
Description: At this stop we will examine some of the 27 products produced at or marketed from
the Fox Ridge Pit. The list includes seven quartzite products ranging from base course to washed
sand and seal coat chips. The quartzite is hauled in to this site from quarries such as Jesse and
Rock Springs. We will discuss the uses of quartzite for asphalt aggregate as well as a variety of
construction uses.

50

�Figure 6. View of Jesse Pit looking north. Working face in quartzite in foreground; sand and
gravel face behind. Slope in background near tree line is reclaimed pit area ready to be seeded.

Stop 6: Martin Marietta Aggregates Rock Springs Quarry
Location: SW¼ sec. 28, T11N, R5E, 0.5 miles north of Rock Springs (Rock Springs 7.5-minute
topographic quadrangle, 1975; fig. 7).
Leader: Bruce A. Brown (Joe Michels).
Description: This large quarry was opened in 1958 by the C&amp;NW Railroad and operated
exclusively as a source of railroad track ballast for many years. At the time it was opened, the
large-scale production of quartzite ballast was not considered cost effective because of the hard
abrasive nature of the rock and the resulting equipment maintenance costs. The C&amp;NW
ultimately proved that the superior performance of quartzite under heavy, high-speed train traffic
was worth the cost in the long run. The angular quartzite interlocked to form a stable, welldrained track base, and did not break down under heavy traffic, as did limestone.
Today the quarry is operated by Martin Marietta and it remains one of the largest ballast
producers in Wisconsin. We are directly across the Upper Narrows of the Baraboo River from
Van Hise rock, and several historic quarries. The old quarries are now part of a Wisconsin
Department of Natural Resources Natural Area; originally they were operated for refractory and
grinding media, with some early limited production of crushed stone. The bedding in this area is
nearly vertical as at Williams Quarry (Stop 2). Hydrothermal breccias cemented with white
quartz are also common in this area. The geology of the Narrows area is described in detail by
Medaris and Dott (2001) as Locality 4 of Field Trip 1 for this meeting.
We will tour the quarry and examine the large modern crushing and screening plant. As
we drove up the hill to the quarry office, we passed a large pile of fines created by years of
ballast production. This material at one time was eroding and washing into the Baraboo River

51

�below. It has since been
stabilized and vegetation is
beginning to take hold. Does
anyone have any good ideas
for marketing this stuff?
Stop 7: Kraemer Company
LaRue Quarry
Location: NW¼ sec. 22,
T11N, R5E (Rock Springs
7.5-minute topographic
quadrangle, 1975; fig. 8).
Leaders: Jennifer Lien and
Bruce A. Brown.
Description: The LaRue
Quarry is a historic operation
Figure 7. Topographic map showing location of Stop 6.
in the Baraboo region. At
one time this quarry
produced ballast and was connected to the C&amp;NW at North Freedom by the track now used by
the Midcontinent Railway Museum. We may be in time to see the steam train pull into the quarry
on one of its runs. Foundations of the old permanent crushing and screening plant and a few
ruined buildings remain from the earlier operation. As we drive into LaRue Quarry, the leaders
will point out the sites of two historic iron mines also served by this branch line from 1900 to
around 1922. The quarry is now operated on an as-needed basis with portable crushing and
screening equipment. The principal product is construction aggregate, primarily base course.

Rue

Figure 8. Topographic map showing location of Stop 7.

52

�Figure 9. East face of LaRue Quarry, showing unconformity of Paleozoic sandstones
overlying Baraboo quartzite.

LaRue is on the south range and, as at Jesse Pit, beds dip at a low angle to the north. Thin
argillite beds are present and cross-bedding can be seen on joint surfaces. Ripple marks are
common on bedding surfaces. LaRue provides some excellent views of the unconformity
between the quartzite and the onlapping Cambrian-Ordovician sandstones (fig. 9). Alteration
along joint surfaces has produced a weathering pattern similar to spheroidal weathering in
granite. Rounded boulders can be found in which the interior is fresh purple quartzite surrounded
by a rind of bleached sandstone resembling the overlying sediments.

REFERENCES
Buckley, E.R., 1898, On the Building and Ornamental Stones of Wisconsin: Wisconsin
Geological and Natural History Survey Bulletin 4, 544 p.
Clayton, L., and Attig, J.W., 1990, Geology of Sauk County, Wisconsin: Wisconsin Geological
and Natural History Survey Information Circular 67, 68 p.
Dalziel, I.W.D., and Dott, R.H., Jr., 1970, Geology of the Baraboo District, Wisconsin:
Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey Information Circular 14, 164 p.
Fauble, Philip, and Lien, Jennifer, 2001, Some Observations from the Williams Quarry
Exposure: Evidence of Debris Flow Deposits in the Parfreys Glen Formation: Abstracts,
47th Annual Institute on Lake Superior Geology, Madison, Wisconsin, p. 26–27.

53

�Greenberg, J.K., and Brown, B.A., 1984, Cratonic sedimentation during the Proterozoic: An
anorogenic connection in Wisconsin and the upper Midwest: Journal of Geology, v. 92, p.
159–171.
Luther, F., 1992, The Waterloo Quartzite at the old Portland Quarry, in Travis, J., ed., the 56th
Annual Tri-State Geology Field Conference, Whitewater, Wisconsin, p. 51–61.
Luther, F., 1997, The Precambrian Waterloo Quartzite, Dodge and Jefferson Counties,
Wisconsin—Petrology, Structure, and Industrial Use: Field Trip 5, in Guide to Field trips
in Wisconsin and Adjacent Areas of Minnesota: Wisconsin Geological and Natural
History Survey, Madison, Wisconsin, p. 31–35.
Malone, D.H., Van Wyck, N., and Nelson, R., 1997, Field guide for field trip leaders to the
Baraboo district, Wisconsin: Field Trip 3 in Guide to Field Trips in Wisconsin and
Adjacent Areas of Minnesota: Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey,
Madison, Wisconsin, p.13–22.
Medaris, L.G. Jr., and Dott, R.H., Jr., 2001, Field Trip 1:Sedimentologic, Tectonic, and
Metamorphic History of the Baraboo Interval: New Evidence from investigations in the
Baraboo range, Wisconsin: 47th Annual Institute on Lake Superior Geology, Madison,
Wisconsin, p. 1–21 (this volume).
Smith, E.I., 1978, Introduction to Precambrian rocks of south-central Wisconsin: Geoscience
Wisconsin, v. 2, p. 1–15.

54

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                    <text>INSTITUTE ON LAKE SUPERIOR GEOLOGY
48TH ANNUAL MEETING
PROCEEDINGS VOLUME 48
PART 1 –PROGRAM AND ABSTRACTS

Kenora, Ontario – May 12-16, 2002

�INSTITUTE ON LAKE SUPERIOR
GEOLOGY
48TH ANNUAL MEETING

PROCEEDINGS
VOLUME 48
PART 1 –PROGRAM AND ABSTRACTS

�CONTENTS
Proceedings Volume 48
Part 1—Program and Abstracts
Editors: K. O’Flaherty, C. Storey

Institutes on Lake Superior Geology, 1955-2002.............................................................. iii
Constitution of the Institute on Lake Superior Geology......................................................v
By-Laws of the Institute on Lake Superior Geology........................................................ vii
Membership Criteria for the Institute on Lake Superior Geology................................... viii
Goldich Medal Guidelines ................................................................................................. ix
Past Goldich Medalists ...................................................................................................... xi
Goldich Medal Committee................................................................................................. xi
Citation for 2002 Goldich Medal Recipient ..................................................................... xii

Eisenbrey Student Travel Awards .....................................................................................xv
Student Travel Award Application Form ........................................................................ xvi
Student Paper Awards..................................................................................................... xvii
Student Paper Awards Committee .................................................................................. xvii
Board of Directors ......................................................................................................... xviii
Local Committees .......................................................................................................... xviii
Session Chairs.................................................................................................................. xix
Banquet Speaker ................................................................................................................xx
Report of the Chair of the 47th Annual Institute Meeting.................................................xx
Program............................................................................................................................xxv
Abstracts ..............................................................................................................................1
Cover Photo: Regina Mine, 1918. The Regina Mine produced intermittently from 1895 to 1943,
yielding over 8,000 ounces gold and 1,460 ounces silver. The Regina was the first mine in North
America to use cyanide for gold recovery.

ii

�INSTITUTES ON LAKE SUPERIOR GEOLOGY, 1955-2002
#
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42

DATE
1955
1956
1957
1958
1959
1960
1961
1962
1963
1964
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1972
1973
1974
1975
1976
1977
1978
1979
1980
1981
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996

PLACE
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Houghton, Michigan
East Lansing, Michigan
Duluth, Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Madison, Wisconsin
Port Arthur, Ontario
Houghton, Michigan
Duluth, Minnesota
Ishpeming, Michigan
St. Paul, Minnesota
Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan
East Lansing, Michigan
Superior, Wisconsin
Oshkosh, Wisconsin
Thunder Bay, Ontario
Duluth, Minnesota
Houghton, Michigan
Madison, Wisconsin
Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
Marquette, Michigan
St. Paul, Minnesota
Thunder Bay, Ontario
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Duluth, Minnesota
Eau Claire, Wisconsin
East Lansing, Michigan
International Falls, Minnesota
Houghton, Michigan
Wausau, Wisconsin
Kenora, Ontario
Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin
Wawa, Ontario
Marquette, Michigan
Duluth, Minnesota
Thunder Bay, Ontario
Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Hurley, Wisconsin
Eveleth, Minnesota
Houghton, Michigan
Marathon, Ontario
Cable, Wisconsin

CHAIRS
C.E. Dutton
A.K. Snelgrove
B.T. Sandefur
R.W. Marsden
G.M. Schwartz &amp; C. Craddock
E.N. Cameron
E.G. Pye
A.K. Snelgrove
H. Lepp
A.T. Broderick
P.K. Sims &amp; R.K. Hogberg
R.W. White
W.J. Hinze
A.B. Dickas
G.L. LaBerge
M.W. Bartley &amp; E. Mercy
D.M. Davidson
J. Kalliokoski
M.E. Ostrom
P.E. Giblin
J.D. Hughes
M. Walton
M.M. Kehlenbeck
G. Mursky
D.M. Davidson
P.E. Myers
W.C. Cambray
D.L. Southwick
T.J. Bornhorst
G.L. LaBerge
C.E. Blackburn
J.K. Greenberg
E.D. Frey &amp; R.P. Sage
J. S. Klasner
J.C. Green
M.M. Kehlenbeck
P.E. Myers
A.B. Dickas
D.L. Southwick
T.J. Bornhorst
M.C. Smyk
L.G. Woodruff

iii

�43
44
45
46
47
48

1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002

Sudbury, Ontario
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Marquette, Michigan
Thunder Bay, Ontario
Madison, Wisconsin
Kenora, Ontario

R.P. Sage, W. Meyer
J.D. Miller, M.A. Jirsa
T.J. Bornhorst, R.S. Regis
S.A. Kissin, P. Fralick
M.G. Mudrey, Jr., B.A. Brown
P. Hinz, R.C. Beard

iv

�CONSTITUTION
OF THE INSTITUTE ON LAKE SUPERIOR GEOLOGY
(Last amended by the Board—May 8, 1997)
Article I

Name
The name of the organization shall be the "Institute on Lake
Superior Geology".

Article II

Objectives
The objectives of this organization are:
A. To provide a means whereby geologists in the Great Lakes region may
exchange ideas and scientific data.
B. To promote better understanding of the geology of the Lake Superior region.
C. To plan and conduct geological field trips.

Article III

Status
No part of the income of the organization shall insure to the benefit of any
member or individual. In the event of dissolution, the assets of the organization
shall be distributed to _________ (some tax free organization).
(To avoid Federal and State income taxes, the organization should be not only
"scientific" or "educational, but also "non-profit")
Minn. Stat. Anno. 290.01, subd. 4
Minn. Stat. Anno. 290.05(9)
1954 Internal Revenue Code s.501(c)(3)

Article IV

Membership
The membership of the organization shall consist of persons who have registered
for an annual meeting within the past three years, and those who indicate interest
in being a member according to guidelines approved by the Board of Directors.

Article V

Meetings
The organization shall meet once a year. The place and exact date of each
meeting will be designated by the Board of Directors.

Article VI

Directors
The Board of Directors shall consist of the Chair, Secretary-Treasurer, and the last
three past Chairs; but if the board should at any time consist of fewer than five
persons, by reason of unwillingness or inability of any of the above persons to
serve as directors, the vacancies on the board may be filled by the Chair so as to
bring the membership of the board to five members.

Article VII

Officers

v

�The officers of this organization shall be a Chair and Secretary-Treasurer.
A. The Chair shall be elected each year by the Board of Directors, who shall give
due consideration to the wishes of any group that may be promoting the next
annual meeting. His/her term of office as Chair will terminate at the close of the
annual meeting over which he/she presides, or when his/her successor shall have
been appointed. He/she will then serve for a period of three years as a member of
the Board of Directors.
B. The Secretary-Treasurer shall be elected at the annual meeting. His/her term
of office shall be four years, or until his/her successor shall have been appointed.
Article VIII

Amendments
This constitution may be amended by a majority vote (majority of those voting) of
the membership of the organization.

vi

�BY-LAWS
OF THE INSTITUTE ON LAKE SUPERIOR GEOLOGY
I. Duties of the Officers and Directors
A. It shall be the duty of the Annual Chairman to:
1. Preside at the annual meeting.
2. Appoint all committees needed for the organization of the annual meeting.
3. Assume complete responsibility for the organization and financing of the annual
meeting over which he/she presides.
B. It shall be the duty of the Secretary-Treasurer to:
1. Keep accurate attendance records of all annual meetings.
2. Keep accurate records of all meetings of, and correspondence between, the Board
of Directors.
3. Hold all funds that may accrue as profits from annual meetings or field trips and to
make these funds available for the organization and operation of future meetings
as required.
C. It shall be the duty of the Board of Directors to plan locations of annual meetings and
to advise on the organization and financing of all meetings.
II. Duties and Expenses
A. Regular membership dues of $5.00 or less on an annual basis shall be assessed each
member as determined by the Board of Directors..
B. Registration fees for the annual meetings shall be determined by the Chair in
consultation with the Board of Directors. The registration fees can include expenses
to cover operations outside of the annual meeting as determined by the Board of
Directors. It is strongly recommended that registration fees be kept at a minimum to
encourage attendance of students.
III. Rules of Order
The rules contained in Robert's Rules of Order shall govern this organization in all cases
to which they are applicable.
IV. Amendments
These by-laws may be amended by a majority vote (majority of those voting) of the
membership of the organization; provided that such modifications shall not conflict with
the constitution as presently adopted or subsequently amended.

vii

�MEMBERSHIP CRITERIA
FOR THE INSTITUTE ON LAKE SUPERIOR GEOLOGY
Approved May 8, 1997
A. Membership in the Institute on Lake Superior Geology requires either participation in
Institute activities, or an indication on a regular basis of interest in the Institute. Those
individuals registering for an annual meeting will remain as members for 4 years unless: 1) they
indicate no further interest in the Institute by responding negatively to the statement on meeting
circulars "Remove my name from the mailing list"; or 2) two successive mailings in different
years are returned by the postal service as address unknown.
B. Those individuals who have not registered for an annual meeting in the past 4 years must
indicate an interest in the Institute by postal, electronic , or verbal correspondence with the
Secretary-Treasurer at least once every two years. Such individuals will be removed from the
membership if they indicate no further interest in the Institute or two successive mailing in
different years are returned by the postal service as address unknown.
C. The Secretary-Treasurer will maintain a list of current members. The list will include the
date of the beginning of continuous membership, dates of returned mail, dates of last contact
(expression of interest), and the date membership expires, barring a change of status initiated by
the member. Those individuals who have become members of ILSG by Section B will have an
expiration date listed at 2 years from the upcoming meeting. For example, a member who
expresses interest in September of 1997 (the next annual meeting is May, 1998) will have an
expiration date of May, 2000, unless the member contacts the Secretary-Treasurer or attends an
annual meeting.
D. "Member for Life" status is granted to individuals who have been (nearly) continuous
participants of the ILSG meetings for 15 years, Goldich Medal recipients, or those who have
served as meeting chairs. This status will be further maintained unless the individuals indicate
no further interest in the Institute, or 4 mailings in different years are returned by the postal
service as address unknown, or they are deceased.
E. All members will be mailed the First Circular for the Annual Meeting and the ILSG
Newsletter. The Chair of the annual meeting may opt to send the first circular to additional
individuals. All returned mail should be reported to the Secretary-Treasurer.
F. The Secretary-Treasurer can designate any individual who is on the ILSG membership list
(mailing list) as of January 1, 1997 as a member for life based on participation in ILSG
activities.
G. Members are strongly encourage to send address corrections to the Secretary-Treasurer to
avoid unintentional lapse of membership.

viii

�GOLDICH MEDAL GUIDELINES
(Adopted by the Board of Directors, 1981; amended 1999)
Preamble
The Institute on Lake Superior Geology was born in 1955, as documented by the fact that the
27th annual meeting was held in 1981. The Institute's continuing objectives are to deal with
those aspects of geology that are related geographically to Lake Superior; to encourage the
discussion of subjects and sponsoring field trips that will bring together geologists from
academia, government surveys, and industry; and to maintain an informal but highly effective
mode of operation.
During the course of its existence, the membership of the Institute (that is, those geologists who
indicate an interest in the objectives of the ILSG by attending) has become aware of the fact that
certain of their colleagues have made particularly noteworthy and meritorious contributions to
the understanding of Lake Superior geology and mineral deposits.
The first award was made by ILSG to Sam Goldich in 1979 for his many contributions to the
geology of the region extending over about 50 years. Subsequent medalists and this year's
recipient are listed in the table below.
Award Guidelines
1) The medal shall be awarded annually by the ILSG Board of Directors to a geologist whose
name is associated with a substantial interest in, and contribution to, the geology of the Lake
Superior region.
2) The Board of Directors shall appoint the Goldich Medal Committee. The initial appointment
will be of three members, one to serve for three years, one for two years, and one for one year.
The member with the briefest incumbency shall be chair of the Nominating Committee. After
the first year, the Board of Directors shall appoint at each spring meeting one new member who
will serve for three years. In his/her third year this member shall be the chair. The Committee
membership should reflect the main fields of interest and geographic distribution of ILSG
membership. The out-going, senior member of the Board of Directors shall act as liaison
between the Board and the Committee for a period of one year.
3) By the end of November, the Goldich Medal Committee shall make its recommendation to
the Chair of the Board of Directors, who will then inform the Board of the nominee.
4) The Board of Directors normally will accept the nominee of the Committee, inform the
medalist, and have one medal engraved appropriately for presentation at the next meeting of the
Institute.
5) It is recommended that the Institute set aside annually from whatever sources, such funds as
will be required to support the continuing costs of this award.

ix

�Nominating Procedures
1) The deadline for nominations is November 1. Nominations shall be taken at any time by the
Goldich Medal Committee. Committee members may themselves nominate candidates;
however, Board members may not solicit for or support individual nominees.
2) Nominations must be in writing and supported by appropriate documentation such as letters
of recommendation, lists of publications, curriculum vita's, and evidence of contributions to
Lake Superior geology and to the Institute.
3) Nominations are not restricted to Institute attendees, but are open to anyone who has worked
on and contributed to the understanding of Lake Superior geology.
Selection Guidelines
1) Nominees are to be evaluated on the basis of their contributions to Lake Superior geology
(sensu lato) including:
a) importance of relevant publications;
b) promotion of discovery and utilization of natural resources;
c) contributions to understanding of the natural history and environment of the region;
d) generation of new ideas and concepts; and
e) contributions to the training and education of geoscientists and the public.
2) Nominees are to be evaluated on their contributions to the Institute as demonstrated by
attendance at Institute meetings, presentation of talks and posters, and service on Institute
boards, committees, and field trips.
3) The relative weights given to each of the foregoing criteria must remain flexible and at the
discretion of the Committee members.
4) There are several points to be considered by the Goldich Medal Committee:
a) An attempt should be made to maintain a balance of medal recipients from each of the
three estates—industry, academia, and government.
b) It must be noted that industry geoscientists are at a disadvantage in that much of their
work in not published.
5) Lake Superior has two sides, one the U.S., and the other Canada. This is undoubtedly one of
the Institute's great strengths and should be nurtured by equitable recognition of excellence in
both countries.

x

�PAST GOLDICH MEDALISTS
1979 Samuel S. Goldich

1991 William Hinze

1980 not awarded

1992 William F. Cannon

1981 Carl E. Dutton, Jr.

1993 Donald W. Davis

1982 Ralph W. Marsden

1994 Cedric Iverson

1983 Burton Boyum

1995 Gene LaBerge

1984 Richard W. Ojakangas

1996 David L. Southwick

1985 Paul K. Sims

1997 Ronald P. Sage

1986 G.B. Morey

1998 Zell Peterman

1987 Henry H. Halls

1999 Tsu-Ming Han

1988 Walter S. White

2000 John C. Green

1989 Jorma Kalliokoski

2001 John S. Klasner

1990 Kenneth C. Card

2002 Ernest K. Lehmann

GOLDICH MEDAL COMMITTEE
Ron Sage (2002) Ontario Geological Survey, Thunder Bay
Rod Johnson (2002) Rod Johnson and Associates, Negaunee, Michigan
Frank Luther (2003) University of Wisconsin, Whitewater
James D. Miller, Jr., as out-going senior member of Institute Board of Directors, is liaison
between Goldich Medal Committee and the Board through 2001 meeting.

xi

�Citation
Ernest K. Lehmann
2002 Goldich Medal Recipient
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Thank you for being here tonight for this presentation of the 2002 Sam Goldich Medal
Award.
I don’t know if any of you remember the late Ben Dickerson. He was one of the premier
exploration geologists of his time and wrote a column in Skillings Magazine. The column was
called “ News and Rumor” from the Bush”. It described current exploration activity particularly
in the U.S. during those golden years of the 70’s and 80’s. At that time the exploration
community was quite small and Ben seemed to know everyone. His column was cryptic in that
he would commonly refer to people in coded names. For example there was the “Great Buawa”
and the “Shallow”. Ernie was referred to as the “Bearded Sphinx of the North”. I’m not sure
where that came from, but know the “Sphinx” was “good copy” because he was so active in
minerals exploration particularly in the Great Lakes region in those days as he certainly is today.
I had the good fortune and privilege of working with Ernie for nearly two decades.
Over the years, his list of accomplishments in the field of economic geology and mineral
exploration are many. It would take hours to go through them all. So I will focus on those related
to the Lake Superior area. First some background.
Ernie was born in 1929 in Heidelberg, Germany. He was educated in the public schools of
New Rochelle, N.Y., attended Williams College, in Williamstown, Massachusetts, where he
graduated cum laude in geology in 1951. He attended graduate school in geology at Brown
University, Providence, Rhode Island, and completed the Owners and Presidents Management
Program of the Harvard Business School in 1984. He is married to Sally Willius Lehmann (his
better half) and resides in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Prior to founding Ernest K. Lehmann &amp; Associates, Inc. in 1967, Ernie was an independent
consultant and partner in a Minneapolis based geological consulting firm from 1958 to 1967. In
1950, he began his career by working first as a miner and then as geologist for the Signal Mining
Company at Bannack, Montana. From 1951 to 1958, Ernie worked for Kennecott Copper
Corporation and its exploration arm, Bear Creek Mining Company. Ernie served on active duty
as a Terrain Intelligence Analyst in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from 1953 to 1955 and
was awarded the Commendation Ribbon for his service.
As many of you know, Ernie is the founder and CEO of North Central Mineral Ventures Inc.
and of Ernest K. Lehmann &amp; Associates, Inc. Under his leadership, the firms have engaged in
the planning, management and execution of mineral exploration programs, mineral deposit
development, mine appraisal and mineral economic studies particularly in the Great Lakes
region. These activities have spanned most important hard mineral commodities including
ferrous, non-ferrous, precious and strategic metals, industrial minerals and fertilizer raw
materials. In the course of their activities, he and his firms have been active in staffing and
managing exploration and mine development projects and acquiring private and public mineral

xii

�lands in both the U.S. and abroad. The latter activities have included claim staking, mineral
leasing of private, state and federal lands, and the creation and management of mineral joint
ventures. In addition to extensive work in the US and Canada, he has conducted and managed
exploration and consulted on mine development and evaluation Central and South America,
Africa and Europe.
In the course of his activities, Ernie has specialized in exploration management and in mineral
deposit appraisal evaluation. He has appeared extensively as an expert witness on mineral
property appraisal and taxation and on mining claim related issues. He has served on advisory
committees to the Office of Technology Assessment of the U.S. Congress on strategic and
critical minerals and to the state of Minnesota on direct reduction of iron ores. On behalf of the
American Institute of Professional Geologists, he has testified before Congress on strategic
minerals issues and on the 1872 mining law. He has also testified before Congress on issues
related to the Federal Land Management Policy Act. Before state legislative committees, he has
testified on mineral property appraisal, mineral taxation, mineral leasing and mine permitting.
In 1985, he became president of the American Institute of Professional Geologists, also
serving the Institute in various other capacities on a state and national level. In 1987, he was
awarded the Ben H. Parker Medal, the Institute’s highest award for service to the geological
profession, and has been awarded Honorary Membership in the Institute in 1997. He currently
serves as Chairman of the AIPG Foundation and is a member of numerous other technical and
professional bodies including the Society of Economic Geologists, The Mining and
Metallurgical Society of America, the Society of Mining Engineers, the Society for Geology
Applied to Mineral Deposits, and the Northwest Mining Association. He is a registered
geologist in Minnesota, California, Georgia, Delaware and Alaska and is accredited by the
European Federation of Geologists. He is currently a director and president of the Minnesota
Exploration Association and serves on various committees in Minnesota in this capacity,
including the Blue Ribbon Committee on Minnesota Minerals, the advisory board to the Natural
Resources Research Institute and the State Mapping Advisory Committee.
Ernie has also been actively involved in mining related environmental issues again
particularly in the Great Lakes area. He was instrumental in initiating and executing the
Minnesota Mining Permit Simulation Project, a joint state agency, environmental community
and industry effort to examine the mine permitting process and problems for non-ferrous metal
mining. He helped organize a workshop on financial assurance in the mining industry in
cooperation with the Minnesota DNR, MPCA, and the Audubon Society. Ernie and the firm
were consultants to the state of Maine charged with developing metal mining regulations,
spanning activities from exploration through operation and closure. The firms were also
involved in mine permitting activities in Wisconsin.
To this I would like to mention some of the major projects Ernie has initiated in the Great Lakes
area. These include:
1) Exploration programs for Bear Creek in 1952, 1956 through 1957 for copper and copper
nickel in the Duluth and Mellon Gabbro Complexes and Nonesuch Shale.

xiii

�2) Copper and copper-nickel exploration projects carried out for Cerro Corp. from 1967-1969 in
Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan and Ontario. He was one of the first explorationists to
recognize the Wisconsin greenstone belts as an important VMS target .
3) VMS exploration joint ventures in Wisconsin that spanned from 1975 through 1993. Such
notables as Getty, Chevron, Denison Mines and Asarco were involved with these projects. Under
the supervision of the late Ned Eisenbrey, these programs resulted in three discoveries. Of these
one, the Bend copper-gold deposit, is and remains potentially economic. The huge amount of
geologic and geophysical data generated from these exploration projects also resulted in
establishing a more detailed “geologic framework” that was previously lacking for the
Wisconsin greenstone belts. This work culminated in several papers published in “Economic
Geology” in 1990 and 1994.
4) At the same time Ernie was managing a major VMS program in Archean of northern
Minnesota from 1979 through 1985 for Getty and Billiton.
5) From 1980 to 1982, Ernie was one of the first to seriously begin exploring the interior of the
Duluth Complex for copper-nickel and PGMs through a joint venture with Billiton. His
exploration efforts continue today with a focus on the Birch Lake PGM project that involves
Impala.
I believe Ernie’s past and present exploration and political efforts in Minnesota today has
resulted in the current brisk activity within the Duluth Complex and transformed the state to an
attractive part of the world to conduct environmentally responsible mining projects.
Finally, with deep gratitude and respect, I would like to present this year’s Sam Goldich medal
recipient, my mentor and friend, Ernest K. Lehmann.

Theodore A. DeMatties

xiv

�EISENBREY STUDENT TRAVEL AWARDS
The 1986 Board of Directors established the ILSG Student Travel Awards to support student
participation at the annual meeting of the Institute. The name "Eisenbrey" was added to the
award in 1998 to honor Edward H. Eisenbrey (1926-1985) and utilize substantial contributions
made to the 1996 Institute meeting in his name. "Ned" Eisenbrey is credited with discovery of
significant volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits in Wisconsin, but his scope was much
broader—he has been described as having unique talents as an ore finder, geologist, and teacher.
These awards are intended to help defray some of the direct travel costs of attending Institute
meetings, and include a waiver of registration fees, but exclude expenses for meals, lodging, and
field trip registration. The number of awards and value are determined by the annual Chair in
consultation with the Secretary-Treasurer. Recipients will be announced at the annual banquet.
The following general criteria will be considered by the annual Chair, who is responsible for the
selection:
1) The applicants must have active resident (undergraduate or graduate) student status at the
time of the annual meeting of the Institute, certified by the department head.
2) Students who are the senior author on either an oral or poster paper will be given favored
consideration.
3) It is desirable for two or more students to jointly request travel assistance.
4) In general, priority will be given to those in the Institute region who are farthest away from
the meeting location.
5) Each travel award request shall be made in writing to the annual Chair, and should explain
need, student and author status, and other significant details. The form below is optional.
Successful applicants will receive their awards during the meeting.

xv

�INSTITUTE ON LAKE SUPERIOR GEOLOGY

Eisenbrey Student Travel Award Application
Student Name:

Date:

Address:
email:
Department Head-Typed
Department Head-Signature

Educational Status:
Are you the senior author of an oral or poster paper? YES
Will any other students be traveling with you?

NO
Who?

Statement of need (use additional page if necessary)

Please return to:

xvi

�STUDENT PAPER AWARDS
Each year, the Institute selects the best of the student presentations and honors presenters with a
monetary award. Funding for the award is generated from registrations of the annual meeting.
The Student Paper Committee is appointed by the annual meeting Chair in such a manner as to
represent a broad range of professional and geologic expertise. Criteria for best student paper—
last modified by the Board in 1997—follow:
1) The contribution must be demonstrably the work of the student.
2) The student must present the contribution in-person.
3) The Student Paper Committee shall decide how many awards to grant, and whether or not to
give separate awards for poster vs. oral presentations.
4) In cases of multiple student authors, the award will be made to the senior author, or the award
will be shared equally by all authors of the contribution.
5) The total amount of the awards is left to the discretion of the meeting Chair and SecretaryTreasurer, but typically is in the amount of about $300 US.
6) The Secretary-Treasurer maintains, and will supply to the Committee, a form for the
numerical ranking of presentations. This form was created and modified by Student Paper
Committees over several years in an effort to reduce the difficulties that may arise from selection
by raters of diverse background. The use of the form is not required, but is left to the discretion
of the Committee.
7) The names of award recipients shall be included as part of the annual Chair's report that
appears in the next volume of the Institute.
Student papers will be noted on the Program.
STUDENT PAPER AWARDS COMMITTEE
Peter Hollings Lakehead University, Thunder Bay
Neil Pettigrew Avalon Ventures Ltd., Thunder Bay
Connie Dickens

U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia

xvii

�BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Mike Mudrey, Chair Wisconsin Geological and National History Survey, Madison, Wisconsin
2000-2003
Steve Kissin, Department of Geology, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, Ontario
1999-2002
Ted Bornhorst, Department of Geological Engineering and Sciences, Michigan Tech
UniversityHoughton, Michigan
1998-2001
Jim Miller, Minnesota Geological Survey, St. Paul, Minnesota

Secretary-Treasurer
Mark A. Jirsa, Minnesota Geological Survey St. Paul, Minnesota

LOCAL COMMITTEE
Peter Hinz,
Ontario Geological Survey, Resident Geologist Program, Kenora, ON
Richard C. Beard,
Northwest Mineral Development Services, Kenora, ON
Charles E. Blackburn,
Blackburn Geological Services, Kenora, ON
Christine Blackburn,
Blackburn Geological Services, Kenora, ON
Kevin O’Flaherty,
Kenora, ON
Carmen Storey,
Ontario Geological Survey, Resident Geologist Program, Red Lake, ON
Kathleen McGowan-Hinz,
Kenora, ON
SESSION CHAIRS

xviii

�Alasdair Mowat Emerald Fields Resource Corp., Kenora
Philip Fralick Lakehead University, Thunder Bay
Mark Smyk Ontario Geological Survey, Thunder Bay

2002 BANQUET SPEAKER
L. Harvey Thorleifson
Geological Survey of Canada
Ottawa, Ontario

The Search for Diamonds in Canada

xix

�REPORT OF THE CHAIR OF THE 47TH ANNUAL MEETING
Michael G. Mudrey, Jr.
Chair ILSG 2001
The 47th Annual Institute on Lake Superior Geology was jointly hosted by the University of
Wisconsin-Extension Geological and Natural History Survey and the University of WisconsinMadison, Department of Geology and Geophysics , in Madison, Wisconsin on May 9-12, 2001.
Principal local committee members were M.G. Mudrey, Jr . and B.A. Brown, co-chairs, Robert
H. Dott, Jr, and L.Gordon Medaris, Jr., Program-cochairs, and Kathleen M. Zwettler, Meeting
Coordinator. Other principal individuals are listed in the Proceedings Volume.
Attendance at ILSG 2001
A total of 172 professionals and student professionals attended the meeting, 82 of whom preregistered by the April 2, 2001 deadline. A total of 26 students were registered, ten of whom
requested and received travel assistance and had registration fees for the meeting waived.
Eisenbrey Student Travel Awards 2001
Ten students requested and received travel assistance form the Eisenbrey Student Travel Award
Fund established to support student participation at the Annual Institute. Details, including
criteria and application forms are available at the Eisenbrey website.
Justin Johnson-

Lakehead University-Thunder Bay, Ontario - Fluid Inclusion
Evidence for a Role for Hydrothermal Activity in the Roby
Zone, Lac Des Iles Mine, Northwestern Ontario;
Becky RogalaLakehead University-Thunder Bay, Ontario - A
Metamorphosed Evaporite Sequence from the Sibley Basin ;
Dan BihariLakehead University-Thunder Bay, Ontario - Alteration and
Pge-au Mineralization in the North Roby Zone, Lac Des Iles
Mine, Northwestern Ontario;
Phillip LarsonUniversity of Minnesota-Duluth - Potential for Copper
Mineralization in the Animikie Group, Minnesota;
Michael NemitzUniversity of Minnesota-Duluth - Mineralogical Variations in
Iron-formation in the Thermal Metamorphic Aureole of a
Diabase Dike;
Lisa LarsonUniversity of Minnesota-Duluth - ;
Muhammad Asif Soofi- Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana - Post-rift
Evolution of the Midcontinent Rift System: Some Numerical
Experiments;
Jason OdetteUniversity of Wisconsin-Oskosh - Preliminary Evaluation of
Hydrothermal Alteration Mineral Assemblages and Their
Relationship to VMS-style Mineralization in the Five Mile
Lake Area of the Archean Vermilion Greenstone Belt,
Northeastern Minnesota ;

xx

�Trent Newkirk-

Dan Schweitzer-

University of Wisconsin-Oskosh - Preliminary Lava Flow
Morphology Studies at the Five Mile Lake Vms Prospect,
Archean Vermilion District, Ne Minnesota: Implications for
Volcanic Processes, Volcanic Paleoenvironments, and VMS
Exploration ; and
Kent State University-Kent Ohio - Results of Igneous
Thermometry and Barometry on the East-central Minnesota
Batholith: Evidence for Post-emplacement Exhumation and
Cooling .

Meeting Summary
The 47th Annual Institute on Lake Superior Geology Annual Meeting was held at the Sheraton
Madison Hotel, the same location as the 1973 meeting. The 2001 meeting focused on
hydrogeologic aspects of arsenic in groundwater, completion of acquisition of detailed regional
geophysical data; the evolution of the post-Penokean--pre-Keweenawan crystal terrane of North
American in 36 poster displays and 32 oral presentations . The two days of technical sessions
were preceded by Field Trip 1 - Sedimentologic, Tectonic and Metamorphic History of the
Baraboo Interval led by L. Gordon Medaris, Jr. , and Robert H. Dott, Jr. (University of
Wisconsin-Madison) , and followed by Field Trip 2 - Upper Mississippi Valley Zinc-Lead
District led by M.G. Mudrey, Jr. (Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey) and
Thomas C. Hunt (University of Wisconsin-Platteville) and Field Trip 3- Industrial Mineral and
Aggregate Resources of the Baraboo Interval Quartzites lead by Bruce A. Brown (Wisconsin
Geological and Natural History Survey), Frank R. Luther (University of Wisconsin Whitewater), James W. Schmitt (D.L. Gasser Construction), Susan M. Courter (Michels
Materials) and Jennifer Lien (The Kraemer Company)
The meeting began with regional geologic summaries of the Pleistocene of Southern Wisconsin
by D.M. Mickelson (University of Wisconsin-Madison) and Lee Clayton (Wisconsin Geological
and Natural History Survey), Sequence Stratigraphic Analysis of the Paleozoic by Charles E.
Byers (University of Wisconsin-Madison), and Stratigraphic Metamorphic Analysis of the
Baraboo Supracrustal Rocks of the Midcontinent by L. Gordon Medaris, Jr. , (University of
Wisconsin-Madison). A series of invited presentations completed the morning of the first
technical sessions three presentations on Aeromagnetic Investigations in the Midwest.
An invited presentation on an Overview of Arsenic Occurrences and Processes Controlling
Arsenic Moblity in Ground Water by D. Kirk Nordstrom (U.S. Geological Survey) kicked off a
special session of four papers on the Hydrogeologic Setting of Elevated Arsenic and Heavy
Metals in Public and Private Water Supplies. General geologic topics completed the first day.
Three papers on the Midcontinent Rift started Friday morning, followed an invited symposium
of eight papers on the Thermo-Thermo-Tectonic History of 1800 to 1200 Ma post-Penokean to
pre-Keweenawan. The remaining significant presentations dealt with Archean and platinumgroup element geology. The technical program was completed by 3:30 p.m. Proceeding
including Pat 1 (Programs and Abstracts) and Part 2 (Field Trip Guidebook) are available from
the Institute .

xxi

�Best Student Paper Awards for 2001 were presented to Alissa Naymark-University of
Wisconsin-Madison (oral) Cash award plus chrome-plated drill bit donated by Layne Northwest
Travis Sandland-Macalester College (poster) and Erin H. Phillips-Macalester College (poster)
Jason D. Odette-University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh (poster) Trent T. Newkirk-University of
Wisconsin-Oshkosh (poster)
After the break, Mike Mudrey and Bruce Brown regaled the remaining participants with
previews of their field trips (Field Trip 3 was eventful in that a flat tire delayed the trip ( How
many ILSGers does it take to change a tire? Three! Frank Luther, Mark Jirsa and Bob Reszka),
and Brad Singer and John Valley lead the group on an impressive tour of the isotope laboratories
in the Department of Geology and Geophysics. The entire group of ILSG participants remaining
in Madison joined the Department of Geology and Geophysics Geology Club for the annual
Departmental Picnic courtesy of contributions from Steve Kircher, Crandon Mine Development,
Nicolet Minerals, and William J. Cronk, Layne Northwest, directly to the Institute.
Annual Banquet and Goldich Award
At the Annual Banquet Bruce R. Doe prepared, and Michael G. Mudrey, Jr. delivered a
biographic history of Samuel S. Goldich who passed away on 20 December 2000 in Applewood,
Colorado. After the introduction of 6 of the surviving Goldich recipients, an upbeat Gene
LaBerge presented John S. Klasner with the Goldich Medal for 2001 for his contributions to the
Institute and Lake Superior Geology. Tom Hunt illustrated the successful reclamation of the
Ladysmith Mine of Kennecott Mining for the after dinner address, and Peter Hinz of the Ontario
Geological Survey invited participants to the 48 th Annual Meeting in Kenora .
Best Student Paper Awards for 2001
Alissa Naymark-University of Wisconsin-Madison (oral) Cash award plus chrome-plated
drill bit donated by Layne Northwest
Travis Sandland-Macalester College (poster)
Erin H. Phillips-Macalester College (poster)
Jason D. Odette-University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh (poster)
Trent T. Newkirk-University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh (poster)
Details of presentations are found in the Proceedings and Abstracts for the 47 th Annual Meeting
.
After the break, Mike Mudrey and Bruce Brown regaled the remaining participants with
previews of their field trips (Field Trip 3 was eventful in that a flat tire delayed the trip ( How
many ILSGers does it take to change a tire? Three! Frank Luther, Mark Jirsa and Bob Reszka),
and Brad Singer and John Valley lead the group on an impressive tour of the isotope laboratories
in the Department of Geology and Geophysics. The entire group of ILSG participants remaining
in Madison joined the Department of Geology and Geophysics Geology Club for the annual
Departmental Picnic courtesy of contributions from Steve Kircher, Crandon Mine Development,
Nicolet Minerals, and William J. Cronk, Layne Northwest, directly to the Institute.

xxii

�Proceedings including Part 1 (Programs and Abstracts) and Part 2 (Field Trip Guidebook) are
available from the Institute .
Institute on Lake Superior Geology
c/o Mark Jirsa, Executive Secretary 2642 University Avenue
St. Paul MN 55114-1057
Phone: (612)-627-4539
Fax: 612-627-4778
e-mail: jirsa001@maroon.tc.umn.edu

xxiii

�48th ANNUAL MEETING
INSTITUTE ON LAKE SUPERIOR GEOLOGY

Program

xxiv

�Program of Events
Sunday, May 12
06:00 - 18:00 Field Trip 1: Tanco Rare-Element Pegmatite, Southeastern Manitoba

Monday, May 13
08:00 - 18:00 Field Trip 2: Quaternary Geology of Southeastern Manitoba
08:00 - 16:00 Field Trip 3: Structure and Sedimentology of the Seine Conglomerate, Mine
Centre Area, Ontario
17:00 – 20:00 Registration – Best Western Lakeside Inn, Kenora, Ontario
19:00 – 21:00 Ice-Breaker Social and cash bar in Best Western Lakeside Inn
(Authors at poster from 19:30 to 21:00)

xxv

�TUESDAY MAY 14
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. REGISTRATION
9:00 a.m.

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS
P. Hinz Co-Chairman, Ontario Geological Survey, Kenora, ON

TECHNICAL SESSION I:
Session Chair: Mark Smyk, District Geologist, Ontario Geological Survey,
Thunder Bay, ON
9:15 a.m.

K. O’Flaherty, (Consulting Geologist, Kenora, ON)
A Brief History of Mining in Northwestern Ontario

9:40 a.m.

M. Sanborn-Barrie*, T. Skulski, N. Rayner, (Geological Survey of Canada,
Continental Geoscience Division, Ottawa, ON) and J.R. Parker (Ontario Geological
Survey, Precambrian Section, Sudbury, ON)
300 my evolution of the Red Lake greenstone belt, western Superior
Province, Ontario: A synthesis of current constraints on volcanism,
sedimentation, deformation, metamorphism and gold mineralization

10:05 a.m.

COFFEE BREAK AND POSTER SESSION

10:30 a.m.

B. Nitescu*, A. R. Cruden, A. R. Bailey, (University of Toronto, Toronto, ON)
Crustal Models of the Western Superior Province from gravity and
Lithoprobe seismic data.

10:55 a.m.

P. Fralick* and King, (Department of Geology, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay
ON)

Mesoarchean evolution of Western Superior Province: evidence from
metasedimentary sequences near Atikokan
11:20 a.m.

M.A. Jirsa, (Secretary-Treasurer, ILSG, St. Paul, MN)
A Report on the Secretary-Treasurer's Position
LUNCH BREAK
ILSG BOARD MEETING (by invitation)
POSTERS

xxvi

�TECHNICAL SESSION II:
Session Chair: Alasdair Mowat, Emerald Fields Resource Corp., Kenora, ON
1:30 p.m.

D. Peterson, (Natural Resources Research Institute, University of Minnesota-Duluth,
Duluth, MN)

Cu-Ni-PGE Mineralization in the South Kawishiwi intrusion; North Western
Minnesota. Variation due to magmatic processes.
1:55 p.m.

B. Rogala*, P.W. Fralick, and G. Borradaile, (Department of Geology, Lakehead
University, Thunder Bay, Ontario)

New Information from the Sibley Group
2:20 p.m.

M.A. Jirsa, (Minnesota Geological Survey, St. Paul, MN)
Archean and Paleoproterozoic mafic intrusions in Minnesota

2:45 p.m.

COFFEE BREAK AND POSTER SESSION

3:15 p.m.

C. Sturm, (Geology Department, Oberlin College, Oberlin, OH)
Petrographic study of the Otter Tail Pluton, Superior Province,
Northwestern Ontario

3:40 p.m.

G. Ferguson* and A. Woodbury, (Department of Civil Engineering, University of
Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB)

Ground water and heat flow in an interlobate moraine in southwestern
Manitoba.
6:00 p.m.

SOCIAL - Cash Bar

7:00 p.m.

Annual Banquet and Award Presentation

•

Announcement of 49th Annual Meeting Location

•

2002 Goldich Award Presentation to Mr. Ernie Lehmann,
Citation by Ted Dematties

•

Banquet Speaker: Dr. L. Harvey Thorleifson, Geological Survey of Canada
The Search for Diamonds in Canada

xxvii

�WEDNESDAY MAY 15
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. REGISTRATION
9:00 a.m.

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS
R.C. Beard Co-Chairman, Northwest Mineral Development Services, Kenora, ON

TECHNICAL SESSION III:
Session Chair: Philip Fralick, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, ON
9:15 a.m.

H.H. Woodard, (Department of Geology, Beloit College, Beloit, WI)
Internal structures within crustal structural slabs, Quetico-Wawa
subprovince junction, Quetico Provincial Park, Ontario

9:40 a.m.

R. Bernatchez, (Atikokan Resources Ltd., Atikokan, ON)
Mesoarchean Base Metal Systems in the Atikokan Area, NW Ontario,
Canada

10:05 a.m.

COFFEEBREAK AND POSTER SESSION

10:30 a.m.

L.G. Medaris*, B.S. Singer, P.E. Brown, B.R. Jiccha, M.E. Smith, (University
of Minnesota-Duluth, Duluth, MN)

Wolf River age brecciation in the Baraboo quartzite, Wisconsin: implications
for Proterozoic tectonics in the Lake Superior Region.
10:55 a.m.

D.L. Southwick, (Minnesota Geological Survey Ret’d, Pacitas, NM)
Inferences from the Hattemberger deep drill hole, Carlton County,
Minnesota, pertinent to regional stratigraphy and mineral potential of the
western segment of the Penokean Orogen

11:20 a.m.

J.C. Pedersen* and D. Bubar, (Avalon Ventures Ltd., Toronto, ON)
Mineralogy and zonation of the Big Whopper Pegmatite, Separation Rapids,
Kenora area, Ontario

11:45 a.m.

M.A. Jirsa (Secretary-Treasurer, ILSG, St. Paul, MN)
Discussion on the Secretary-Treasurer’s Position

12:00

Presentation of Student Paper Awards
LUNCH BREAK

3:00 p.m.

FIELD TRIP 6: Departs for Red Lake.

xxviii

�Thursday, May 16
08:00 - 18:00 Field Trip 4: Industrial Minerals and Paleozoic Geology of Southeastern Manitoba
08:00 - 16:00 Field Trip 5: Separation Rapids Rare-Element Pegmatite Field, Ontario
08:00 - 18:00 Field Trip 6: Geology of the Red Lake Camp, Ontario

xxix

�POSTER PRESENTATIONS
Boerboom, T. (Minnesota Geological Survey, St. Paul, MN)
The influence of Archean crustal structures on the margin of the Penokean orogen near
Pope County, west central Minnesota.
Buchholz, T.W. (Wisconsin Rapids, WI); Falster, A.U. and Simmons, Wm. B.
(University of New Orleans, New Orleans, LO).
Heterogeneity in the nine mile pluton, wausau complex, in terms of high field strength
element (hfse) and rare earth element (ree) bearing minerals
Cannon, W.F., (USGS, Reston, VA), Laberge, G.L. (Oshkosh, WI), Klasner, J. S.,
(Macomb, IL), Dicken, C., (USGS, Reston, VA)
Geology of the western Gogebic Iron Range, northwest Wisconsin—a record of
sedimentation and deformation across the northern margin of the Penokean orogen
Fein, E., (Oberlin College, Oberlin, OH)
Anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility in the Otter Tail Pluton, Northwestern Ontario
Hubin, J. and Cordua, Wm. (University of Wisconsin, River Falls, WI)
SEM imaging of fossil nannobacteria from the supergene zone, Flambeau copper mine,
Ladysmith Wisconsin.
Johnson, J.R., Kissin, S.A. and Hollings, P. (Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, ON)
VHMS mineralization and alteration within the Lumby Lake Greenstone Belt,
Northwestern Ontario
Kelso, I.S. and Kissin, S.A. (Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, ON)
Geology and fluid inclusion studies of the Thunder Bay Agate Mine, Northwestern
Ontario
Miller, J.D. Jr.1, Green2, J.C., Severson3, M.J., Chandler1, V.W., Peterson3, D.M.,
Hauck3, S.A., and Wahl1 T.E, (1Minnesota Geological Survey, St. Paul, MN, 2University of
Minnesota–Duluth, Duluth, MN, 3Natural Resources Research Institute, Duluth, MN)

New geologic map and report of the Duluth Complex and related rocks, Northeastern
Minnesota.
R.L. Patelke, (Natural Resources Research Institute, University of Minnesota-Duluth, Duluth,
MN)

Digital Drill Logs for the Duluth Complex - Lithology and Assays

Peterson, D.M. (Natural Resources Research Institute, University of Minnesota-Duluth,
Duluth, MN)

xxx

�3-Dimensional View Through a Mineralized System: the South Kawishiwi Intrusion,
Duluth Complex
Severson, M.J. (Natural Resources Research Institute, University of Minnesota-Duluth, Duluth,
MN)

The Mine Permitting Process in Minnesota - Who, What, Where, and When.
Sikkila, K. (Wisconsin Department of Transportation, Superior, WI)
Description of a pegmatite occurrence on the eastern margin of the Mellen Granite, State
Highway 13, Ashland County, Wisconsin
Woodruff, L.G. (U.S. Geological Survey, Mounds View, MN), W. F. Cannon, and C.
Dicken, (U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA)
Impact of fire on the forest floor and mineral soils, Snowbank Lake, Minnesota

COMPANY POSTERS
Avalon Ventures Ltd., 111 Richmond Street West, Suite 1116 Toronto, ON M5H 2G4
Emerald Fields Resource Corp., 1546 Pine Portage Road Kenora, ON P9N 2K2
Goldcorp Inc., Balmertown, ON P0V 1C0
Nuinsco Resources Ltd., 940 The East Mall, Suite 110 Toronto, ON M9B 6J7

xxxi

�48th ANNUAL MEETING
INSTITUTE ON LAKE SUPERIOR GEOLOGY

Abstracts

��Mesoarchean Base Metal Systems in the Atikokan Area, NW Ontario, Canada
Bernatchez, R. (Atikokan Resources Ltd., Atikokan, ON)
A high grade silver-lead-zinc showing was discovered in the Lumby Lake Metavolcanic Belt in
1995 between Lumby and Herontrack Lake 100 meters north of the creek. Three grab samples
taken from this showing returned an impressive 109, 189 and 416 oz Ag/ton with other samples
assaying up to 25% lead and 8% zinc.
Since 1995, Atikokan Resources has carried out an extensive exploration program consisting of
detailed geological mapping, a 2292 sample soil survey, a 150 whole rock geochemical survey,
ground geophysical magnetic, electromagnetic and IP surveys (
dipole-dipole and Gradient array) and seven diamond drill holes over a grided area 6.6 km E-W
x 2 km N-S from the west end of Lumby Lake to Hutt Lake. All but one diamond drill hole was
drilled on the main high grade silver discovery area located between Lumby and Herontrack
Lake.
This work has been successful in defining a world class size VMS system. This VMS system is
located near the base of the southern limb of the Lumby Lake Mesoarchean Syncline. The
detailed geological mapping has identified at least three major eruptive cycles of predominantly
intermediate to felsic pyroclastic and tuffaceous rocks. Each eruptive cycle has been terminated
with the deposition of exhalative chert and sulphides. These three horizons have been identified
as the Lumby-Spoon Lake (southern), Delos Lake and Pond Lake (northern) Horizon. Most of
the mechanical stripping has been focused on the Lumby-Spoon Lake Horizon. The rocks along
the top portion of the Delos and Pond Lake Horizon are poorly exposed. Limited portions of
these two horizons were exposed by mechanical stripping near the west end of each lake.
The main high grade silver-lead-zinc discovery is located at the top of the Lumby-Spoon Lake
Horizon. This horizon has now been traced from outcrop exposure and drilling for a distance of
about 3 kilometers. This east-west striking horizon consists of four or more repeated sub-cycles
of quartz-phyric rich tuff, lapilli tuffs (coarse and fine) and chert mineralized with sulphides. The
mineralization is contained within the chert, tuff, lapilli tuff in the form of dissemination,
stringers and semi-massive sulphide beds. The sulphide mineralization consists of sphalerite,
galena, native silver, acanthite, pyrite, chalcopyrite and pyrrhotite. Each felsic cycle vary in
thickness from a few meters up to 20-25 meters. The upper cherty portion of each cycle contains
is usually mineralized with sphalerite, galena and acanthite and/or native silver. The tuff lapilli
tuff section generally contains stringer mineralization of chalcopyrite, pyrite with minor
sphalerite, galena acanthite and pyrrhotite. The main high-grade silver showing within the
Lumby-Spoon Lake has been drill-tested with six diamond drill holes along an east-west strike
length of 450 meters and down to a depth of about 400 meters. Mineralization has been
intersected in drill holes over core length from 13 metres and up to 82 metres. Native silver was
observed in all six holes drilled on the Lumby-Spoon Lake Horizon. The zone is still open at
depth and on strike east and west. In total, the four or five sub-cycles forms a mineralized
horizon measuring over 200 meters wide in the main showing area.
1

�The geology, mineralogy and alteration of the mapped area have shown strong similarity with
other VMS deposits found in the Archean, Properozoic, and Mesozoic Eras. The drilling and
litho geochemical rock sampling have shown the classic footwall chloritic and/or talc alteration,
sericitic hanging wall alteration, zinc-lead-silver capping and footwall stringer mineralization.
The litho geochemical rock sampling has shown areas of sodium depletion and potassium
enrichment within the felsic rocks and magnesium enrichment within the footwall. This
alteration appears to be parallel to sub-parallel to the stratigraphy. The felsic volcaniclastic rocks
appear to have been derived from a highly fractionated sub-volcanic magma and have been
classified as F2 and F3a type rhyolites.
A new exploration program of detailed geological mapping, litho geochemical sampling and
ground geophysical magnetic and electromagnetic surveys carried out in the Richardson Lake
area, 12 km east and on strike with the main high grade silver-lead-zinc showing, has identified
similar thick felsic bi-modal volcaniclastic rock sequence. It appears to be the easterly extension
of the island arc at Lumby Lake. Several new base metal occurrences have been discovered and
are contained within similar quartz- spheric felsic volcaniclastic rocks similar to those found in
the Lumby Lake felsic rocks.
K. Tomlinson of the GSC (2000) has identified island arc volcanism in both the southern and
northern limb and at the base of the Lumby Lake Meta-volcanic Belt. The work carried out to
date by ARI has shown that at least two island arc systems may exist within the lower portion of
the southern limb of the Lumby Lake Meta-volcanic Belt. It is however, conceivable, that more
that two island arc systems exist in this part of the belt.
Recent work by ARI in the upper portion of the belt, north of the synclinal fold axis in the
northern limb, has identified a different style of mineralization contained within sulphide facies
IF. It is unknown at this time if thses two styles of mineralization are related to the same volcanic
event of island arc building.
It is possible that the Lumby Lake Meta-volcanic Belt may contain world class size VMS
deposits yet undiscovered. The results obtained to date by Atikokan Resources Inc. shows that
potential. ARI continues to explore and find previously identified and unidentified VMS base
metal style mineralization in the Lumby and Finlayson Lake Meta-volcanic Belts.

2

�The influence of Archean crustal structures on the margin of the Penokean Orogen near
Pope County, West-central Minnesota
Boerboom, T. J., (Minnesota Geological Survey, St. Paul, MN (boerb001@umn.edu))
The western margin of the Paleoproterozoic Penokean Orogen in Minnesota is marked by a series of
northwest-trending, sawtooth-like fault offsets, or tear faults, that correspond in space but not in
orientation to major northeast-oriented block-bounding shear zones within the adjacent Archean
Minnesota River Valley subprovince (Figs. 1A and 1B). The origin of these tear faults, whether
reactivated Archean structures or structures formed strictly during the Penokean orogenic cycle is not
clear, but they may be the result of scissors faulting focused on preexisting weaknesses in the crust
during pre-orogenic extension.
Pope County was mapped as part of the Minnesota Geological Survey County Atlas geologic
mapping program, supported by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Division of
Waters. The bedrock there is deeply buried beneath glacial drift, and there are only six drill cores
available for the 720 square mile (1900 square kilometer) county. Considering this, it is obvious that
any geological interpretation of the bedrock geology is more accurately described as an interpretation
of geophysical characteristics; nevertheless, several prominent structural features can be recognized
from the geophysical data.
The Minnesota River Valley subprovince has been subdivided into four blocks⎯the Benson,
Montevideo, Morton, and Jeffers blocks, from north to south (Fig. 1B). Each of these crustal blocks
is separated by straight and narrow east-northeast-trending geophysical lineaments that have been
shown to be north-dipping shear zones (Southwick and Chandler, 1996; Southwick, 2002).
In Minnesota, the western margin of the Paleoproterozoic Penokean Orogen changes from a
northeast orientation that is roughly parallel to the Wawa-Minnesota River Valley subprovince
boundary, to a north-south orientation that is perpendicular to the regional fabric of the adjacent
Minnesota River Valley subprovince (Figs. 1A and 1B). The major sawtooth-notched offsets, or tear
faults, are most prominent in the north-south stretch, where they coincide spatially with the major
block-bounding faults in the adjacent Minnesota River Valley subprovince.
The most prominent of these tear faults, which crosses southern Pope County, separates the Archean
Montevideo block from Paleoproterozoic rocks on the east, but to the west is contained wholly
within the Archean Benson block (Fig. 1B). The eastern extent of this fault is occupied by a
continuous string of late- to post-tectonic, mafic to felsic intrusions (Fig. 1B) that have been verified
by drilling to consist of intrusive rocks similar to those exposed in outcrops to the northeast, near St.
Cloud. The concentration of these late, ovoid intrusions along the fault plane implies that the fault
extends to deep crustal depths.
The tear faults may have formed strictly during Paleoproterozoic time, or they may be reactivated
Archean structures that were oriented parallel to the direction of maximum extension and shortening
of the Penokean deformational belt. In either case, the coincidence of the orogen-bounding tear
faults with major northeast-trending shear zones in the adjacent Minnesota River Valley subprovince
3

�implies that preexisting structures in the Archean crust provided zones of weakness which ultimately
controlled the location of the tear faults.
Boerboom, T.J., in prep., Bedrock geology of Pope County, Minnesota, plate 2 of Harris, K.L., project manager,
Geologic atlas of Pope County, Minnesota: Minnesota Geological Survey County Atlas C-15, Part A, scale
1:200,000.
Southwick, D.L., 2002, Geologic map of pre-Cretaceous bedrock in southwest Minnesota: Minnesota Geological
Survey Miscellaneous Map M-121, scale 1:250,000.
Southwick, D.L., and Chandler, V.W., 1996, Block and shear-zone architecture of the Minnesota River Valley
subprovinces: Implications for late Archean accretionary tectonics: Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, v.
33, no. 6, p. 831–847.

4

�Heterogeneity in the Nine Mile Pluton, Wausau Complex, in terms of high field strength
element (hfse) and rare earth element (ree) bearing minerals.
Buchholz, T.W., (1140 12th Street North, Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin 54494); Falster, A. U., and
Simmons, Wm. B., (Department of Geology and Geophysics, University of New Orleans, New Orleans,
Louisiana 70148).

The Nine Mile pluton is the youngest and most silica-rich of the four intrusive centers of the
Wausau complex which is exposed in Marathon County, Wisconsin. The complex is
approximately 1.5 Ga in age and locally abounds in pegmatitic veins, aplites, and miarolitic
granite. Mineralization in these environments is commonly varied and complex, though in many
cases restricted to small localized environments. Notable variation exists in minerals of HFSE
(high-field strength elements such as Nb, Ta, Zr, Th, etc) and to a lesser extent in REE (rare earth
elements). The type and size of these mineral-rich bodies varies throughout the pluton. In the
northern portion of the pluton, large and well-defined pegmatitic bodies with sizeable miarolitic
cavities containing a wealth of accessory phases are abundant. The size of pegmatitic veins and
the size of miarolitic cavities are smaller in the central and southern parts of the pluton. Small
miarolitic cavities in dikes and in granite typically host the accessory minerals in the northern
area of the pluton. Significant variation also exists with respect to Nb, Ta, Ti and REE+Y
mineralization. In the northern part of the pluton, titanium oxides such as anatase, brookite, and
rutile are widespread but they are rare in the central and southern portions. Columbite-tantalite
group minerals are most abundant in the central part of the pluton, but less abundant in the south
and rare in the northern part. Conversely, Nb-dominant euxenite-group minerals which are rare
to absent in the central portion of the pluton are more abundant in the southern and western parts.
REE+Y mineralization appears to be more evenly distributed but may be slightly more abundant
in the central part.
Zircons are widespread in small amounts throughout the pluton and show Hf-enrichment,
particularly in close proximity with fluorite. This enrichment occurs mainly in the central
portion of the pluton, although isolated instances have been noted in the south and west.
Cassiterite is exceedingly rare but has been noted in the central, western, and northern parts of
the pluton.
Fluorite is most abundant in the central portions of the pluton where it is commonly intimately
associated with the Nb-Ta-oxide minerals microlite, manganotantalite and tapiolite. The link of
high fluorine activity and more highly evolved geochemical fractionation of Nb-Ta oxides is
obvious. Such highly fractionated oxides generally do not occur in NYF-type (NYF = Nb-Y-F
enriched pegmatites typical of anorogenic origin) pegmatitic environments. The localized niches
of high F activity are where these uncommon HFSE and REE phases occur. In all cases of
exotic mineralogy, the central portion of the Nine Mile pluton differs from the rest of the pluton;
it is also only here that several high-Sc phases have been found. These observations may
indicate that the central portion of the Nine Mile pluton may actually be a fifth intrusive center.
Buchholz, T. W., Falster, A. U. &amp; Simmons, Wm. B. 1999. Ta, Nb, U, Y, and REE Minerals of
the Koss Quarry, Marathon County, Wisconsin: The 26th Rochester Mineralogical Symposium, Abstracts
of Contributed Papers. p. 6.
5

�Buchholz, T. W., Falster, A. U. &amp; Simmons, Wm. B. 2000. Additional Mineralogy of the Koss
Quarry, Marathon County, Wisconsin: The 27th Rochester Mineralogical Symposium, Abstracts of
Contributed Papers. p. 5.
Buchholz, T. W., Falster, A. U. &amp; Simmons, Wm. B. 2001. Minerals of the Ladick East Quarry,
Marathon County, WI: The 28th Rochester Mineralogical Symposium, Abstracts of Contributed Papers. p.
7.
Falster, A. U., Simmons, Wm. B., Webber, K. L., &amp; Buchholz, T.W. 2000. Pegmatites and
Pegmatite Minerals of the Wausau Complex, Marathon C., Wisconsin: Memorie della Societa Naturali e
del Museo di Storia Naturale di Milano, V. 30, p. 13-28.
Hanson, S.L., Falster, A.U., Simmons, W.B., Webber, K.L., Buchholz, T. 1998. Rare-EarthElement (REE) Mineralization of Pegmatites in the Wausau Complex, Marathon County, Wisconsin: The
25th Rochester Mineralogical Symposium, Abstracts of Contributed Papers. p. 12.
Keppler, Hans. 1993. Influence of fluorine on the enrichment of high field strength trace
elements in granitic rocks: Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, V. 114, p. 479-488.
Myers, P.E., Sood, M.H., Berlin, L.A. &amp; Falster, A.U. 1984. The Wausau Syenite Complex, Central Wisconsin:
Thirtieth Annual Institute On Lake Superior Geology, Field Trip Guidebook 3.

6

�Geology of the western Gogebic Iron Range, northwest Wisconsin—a record of
sedimentation and deformation across the northern margin of the Penokean orogen
Cannon, W. F., (USGS, Reston, VA), Laberge, G. L. (Oshkosh, WI), Klasner, J. S., (Macomb, IL),
Dicken, C., (USGS, Reston, VA)
Between 1991 and 1994 we examined most bedrock exposures of the iron-bearing strata and
adjacent units of the western Gogebic Iron Range. We also compiled previously mapped
features from both published and unpublished sources, including very detailed but unpublished
mapping performed by iron mining companies in the 1950’s.
The Gogebic Iron Range is a steeply north-dipping monocline of Early Proterozoic strata.
The monocline formed at about 1.1 Ga (Cannon and others, 1993) by crustal-scale thrusting on
faults such as the Atkins Lake-Marenisco fault that tilted gently south-dipping rocks formed
during the Penokean orogenic cycle at approximately 1.9-1.8 Ga. The map pattern therefore is a
cross section of the Penokean features that passes from a weakly deformed depositional and
deformational foreland in the east to parts of the Penokean orogen toward the west that were
more tectonically active both during deposition and deformation.

Early Proterozoic strata lie unconformably on Late Archean granitic and metavolcanic rocks.
The Bad River Dolomite, the oldest of the Early Proterozoic strata, is thin and discontinuous in
the east but forms a continuous unit several hundred meters thick in the Grandview area in the
west. Eastward from the Mt. Whittlesey area the basal unit of the Palms Formation commonly is
a chert breccia composed of a residuum of chert fragments formed by dissolution of the cherty
dolomite of the Bad River. Elsewhere, basal argillite beds of the Palms lie directly on the Bad
River or Archean basement. The Palms Formation maintains uniform character and thickness
7

�across the mapped area. It consists of thin-bedded argillite and argillaceous quartzite in the lower
part and thick-bedded quartzite in the upper part.
The Ironwood Iron-formation lies conformably on the Palms. Near Upson and eastward
the Ironwood displays a five-fold internal stratigraphy (Huber, 1959) of wavy-bedded jaspillitic
iron-formation interlayered with even-bedded carbonate and silicate iron-formation. This
stratigraphy cannot be traced far west from Upson. Jaspillitic and hematitic units are rare from
Mt. Whittlesey to the west where the iron-formation has more reduced mineral assemblages and
scarcer cherty units. The westernmost exposures in the Grandview area are banded gruneritemagnetite iron-formation, which becomes progressively leaner and more argillaceous to the
west. The iron-formation in the Grandview area is roughly 2,000 feet thick as opposed to 5001000 feet farther east. In the westernmost part of the Grandview area drill holes show that the
iron-formation becomes interbedded with black shale. The Tyler Formation overlies the
Ironwood, probably with low angle unconformity, and is predominantly a thick sequence of
graded-bedded turbidites. Most Early Proterozoic rocks were variably metamorphosed at about
1.1 Ga in the broad contact aureole of the Mellen intrusive complex.
The Early Proterozoic stratigraphic section records deposition in a relatively shallow
stable basin through the time of deposition of the Palms Formation. Beginning with deposition
of the Ironwood, there are indications of tectonic instability and variations of depositional setting
across the area. In the east iron-formation appears to have accumulated under tectonically
quiescent conditions allowing widespread deposition of similar lithologies and thicknesses. To
the west, deposition appears to have been in progressively deeper water and to have had a greater
input of fine-grained clastic material. Also, in the Grandview area, sills of diabase as much as
1,000 feet thick occur in the iron-formation and enigmatic beds of breccia, possibly of volcanic
derivation, suggest a proximity to tectonically and volcanically active parts of the Penokean
orogen. The situation may be similar to the eastern end of the Gogebic Range where sills and
volcanic rocks interfinger with the Ironwood. Finally, deposition of the turbidites of the Tyler
Formation marks the transgression of a deep-water foreland basin in advance of accreting
volcanic arcs of the Wisconsin magmatic terranes to the south.
Penokean structures are much more intensely developed in the west than the east. Near
Upson, structures are limited to rare outcrop-scale folds in the iron-formation and to moderately
to weakly developed cleavage in more argillaceous units of the Tyler Formation. From near Mt.
Whittlesey to the Mineral Lake area folding and faulting are much more intense. Folds with
wavelengths of hundreds of meters are discernable in the iron-formation. Bedding plane faults
and other originally low angle faults are also common including a basal decollement that
separates the Early Proterozoic strata from Archean basement. Folds appear to have been mostly
assymetrical to recumbent and north-verging, but Middle Proterozoic tilting has rotated these so
that they are now mostly overturned structures. Likewise, original low angle thrusts are now
tilted toward the north and have the appearance of down-to-the-north normal faults.
Cannon, W.F., Peterman, Z.E., and Sims. P.K., 1993, Crustal-scale thrusting and origin of the Montreal River
monocline—a 35-km-thick cross section of the Midcontinent rift in northern Michigan and Wisconsin:
Tectonics, v.12, p. 728-744.
Huber, N.K., 1959, Some aspects of the origin of the Ironwood Iron-formation of
Michigan and Wisconsin: Econ. Geology, v. 54, p. 82-118.

8

�Anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility in the Ottertail pluton, Northern Ontario.
Fein, E. M., Sturm, C. L., and Czeck, D. M., (Department of Geology, Oberlin College, Oberlin
OH, 44074, Elizabeth.Fein@oberlin.edu.)

INTRODUCTION
In this project, we studied the structural and magnetic fabrics of the Ottertail Pluton, a small,
granitic body within the Superior Province of Northern Ontario. The Ottertail, part of the
Algoman suite of quartz monzonites and granodiorites, intruded surrounding rocks along the
Wabigoon- Quetico subprovince boundary around 2.7 Ga (Davis et. al, 1989). From field
observation, the emplacement of the Ottertail Pluton has been considered to be postdeformational due to the lack of obvious deformation fabrics evident in other types of rocks at
the subprovince boundary (e. g. Davis et. al, 1989; Poulsen, 2000) . This interpretation has been
used to constrain the timing of final deformation along the Wabigoon- Quetico boundary
associated with microplate collision.
PROBLEM
On a much smaller scale, within deformed conglomerates, such as the nearby Seine River
conglomerates, rigid clasts often display evidence of much less deformation than do more
yielding clasts. Could a similar situation have occurred on a much larger scale in the case of the
Ottertail Pluton? The relatively rigid granite body could appear to be relatively undeformed in
the field, even if the timing of its emplacement was pre- or syn- tectonic. This situation, where a
pluton appears undeformed despite being present during deformation, has been shown to occur in
some modern tectonic regimes (e. g. Paterson &amp; Tobisch, 1988). A more detailed study of
plutonic fabrics and relationships is needed to conclusively determine whether a pluton is truly
“post deformational.”
METHOD
In August of last year, we sampled an E-W (and a shorter N-S) transect across the Ottertail
Pluton traveling along Highway 11, west of Mine Centre, Ontario. Thirty-one sites were
sampled resulting in a total of 218 oriented cores. The anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility
(AMS) of these granitic cores was measured to learn about the history of pluton emplacement.
The measurements were conducted at the Institute of Rock Magnetism at the University of
Minnesota in Minneapolis in January of this year. In general, the samples have a significant
AMS signal contributed by multi-domain magnetite. The AMS data has been complied to
describe the attitude of the variations in magnetic fabric within the Ottertail Pluton. To
determine the relative timing of pluton emplacement with respect to the deformation, we need to
show whether the magnetic fabric is concordant with preserved, regional patterns of strain. The
AMS study will be combined with our field observations and a detailed petrographic study.

9

�RESULTS
Regional deformation fabrics have already been well documented in the literature (e. g. Poulsen,
1986; Poulsen, 2000; Czeck, 2001). Preliminary results of our study suggest that the magnetic
fabrics preserved in the Ottertail are related to the pattern of regional strain fabrics in the
surrounding rocks. Further work will be conducted to analyze the magnetic fabrics to determine
if, indeed, the Ottertail Pluton is pre- or syn- tectonic. If it can be shown to be pre- or syntectonic, this will have major implications for the relative timing of larger, regional, tectonic
events. In particular, if the Ottertail is representative of other Algoman plutons and the
deformation is truly regional, it may not be possible to constrain the end of regional deformation
using the date of the intrusion of Algoman granites.
Czeck, D. M., 2001. Strain analysis, rheological constraints, and tectonic model for an
Archean polymictic conglomerate: Superior province, Ontario, Canada. Unpublished Ph. D. Thesis,
University of Minnesota, 245 p.
Davis, D. W., Poulsen, K. H., Kamo, S. L., 1989. New insights into Archean crustal development from
geochronology in the Rainy Lake area, Superior Province, Canada. Journal of Geology 97, 379-398.
Paterson, S. R., Tobisch, O. T., 1988. Using pluton ages to date regional deformations: problems with commonly
used criteria. Geology 16, 1108-1111.
Poulsen, K. H., 1986. Rainy Lake Wrench Zone: An example of an Archean Subprovince boundary in Northwestern
Ontario. In: de Wit, M. J., Ashwal, L. D. (Eds.), Tectonic evolution of greenstone belts Technical Report
86-10, pp. 177-179.
Poulsen, K. H., 2000. Archean metallogeny of the Mine Centre - Fort Frances area. Ontario Geological Survey
Report 266, 121.

10

�Groundwater and Heat Flow in an Interlobate Moraine in Southeastern Manitoba.
Ferguson, G. A. G. and Woodbury, A. D., (Department of Civil Engineering, University of
Manitoba)

Significant deviations from conductive heat flow occur in the Sandilands area of southeastern
Manitoba as a result of groundwater flow. The main geological feature of this area is an
interlobate moraine that coincides with the subcrop belt of the Ordovician Winnipeg Formation,
which is composed primarily of sandstone and shale. The sandstone of the Winnipeg Formation
acts as a regional aquifer and regional hydraulic head distribution and hydrogeochemistry
suggest that the Sandilands area is an important source of recharge to this aquifer. The sandstone
aquifer of the Winnipeg Formation is hydraulically separated from overlying hydrostratigraphic
units west of the subcrop belt by a layer of low permeability shale that is thought to be
continuous [Betcher, Third Canadian Hydrogeological Conference (1986)]. Overlying the
Winnipeg Formation is the Ordovician Red River Formation, consisting of dolomitic limestone
in the study area. The Red River Formation contains an aquifer in its upper extent, and previous
studies have suggested that the Sandilands is an important recharge area for this aquifer as well.
However, Sandilands recharge is likely less important as this carbonate aquifer is also recharged
through the tills between the moraine and the Red River [Render, Cdn. Geotech. Journal, v.7,
243-274 (1970)]. Till is also present at the base of the moraine and acts as a semi-confining
layer.
Deviations from conductive heat flow provide a means of determining the direction and
magnitude of groundwater flow, and are an efficient method of investigating the interaction
between the groundwater in the surficial glaciofluvial sediments and the underlying bedrock
aquifers. The geothermal gradient in the Superior Province of southeastern Manitoba is
approximately 0.01 OC/m, which corresponds to a heat flow of approximately 40 w/m2.
Temperature profiles through the moraine in the Sandilands area show geothermal gradient as
low as 0.006 OC/m below the depth of penetration for seasonal variations. One-dimensional
analytical models indicate that downward flow of groundwater must be occurring at a rate of
approximately 10-8 m/s to produce the observed curvature seen in the temperature profiles.
Analysis of temperature profiles in areas adjacent to the moraine has also aided in interpreting
the hydrostratigraphy of the area. Temperature profiles through the upper shale unit of the
Winnipeg Formation are linear, indicating that this layer is does act as an effective confining
layer for the underlying sandstone aquifer. Discharge areas and areas of predominantly
horizontal flow are present in the area surrounding the moraine, suggesting that not all of the
water infiltrating into the moraine reaches the underlying bedrock aquifers.

11

�Mesoarchean Evolution of Western Superior Province: Evidence from Metasedimentary
Sequences near Atikokan
P. Fralick and D. King, (Department of Geology, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, Ontario, P7B
5E1. (pfralick@mercury.lakeheadu.ca))
Paleogeographic reconstructions based on data supplied by metasedimentary sequences provide a basis
for understanding plate movements which create sedimentary basins. This combined with geochronology
allows sequential developmental stages of a craton to be deciphered. Thus, by interpreting environment of
deposition from outcrop data, inferring provenance from composition of the metasedimentary units, and
determining the age of detrital zircons and zircons in interstratified or intrusive igneous rocks insight will
be gained on the plate movements which caused a basin to subside.
The above was applied to a Mesoarchean sequence of metasedimentary and metavolcanic rocks to
evaluate the degree basin subsidence could be explained by lateral plate motions similar to those of today.
The succession is on the southern margin of Wabigoon Subprovince in the Atikokan area. It consists of,
along an eighty kilometre belt from southwest to northeast,: 1) the Steep Rock Group, 2) the Little Falls
assemblage, 3) the Finlayson Lake greenstone belt, and 4) the Lumby Lake greenstone belt. The oldest
rocks exposed in the sequence are pre 3014 Ma tholeiitic basalts (Figure 1), the dominant rock type in the
entire assemblage. The lowermost sedimentary units at Little Falls and Finlayson consist of felsic
agglomerates and tuffs laterally transitional into resedimented sandstones and conglomerates. Transport
was via high density mass flows, though some beds are possibly traction current deposits. Mafic ash
layers are present throughout. Age determinations of the resedimented, pyroclastic zircon population gave
2996.9+-0.8 Ma, almost identical to the compositionally similar (Stone et al, 1992) Marmion Batholith
which intrudes the area. Felsic volcanism also occurs in the Lumby Lake belt at this time. Plume derived
(Hollings et al, 1999; Hollings and Wyman, 1999; Tomlinson et al, 1999) mafic and ultramafic volcanism
continued in these belts until some time after 2828 Ma (age determination of Tomlinson et al, 2001) when
eruptions ceased and a coarsening upward sedimentary sequence of iron formation, DE turbidites, classic
turbidites, wave reworked coarse sandstones, and conglomerates was deposited at Finlayson The
geochemistry and detrital zircon population (2997 to 3002 Ma) of the Finlayson sandstones is similar to
Wagita Formation sandstones, a fluvial unit deposited in incised paleovalleys at the base of the Steep
Rock Group (Wilks and Nisbet, 1988). Eroded basalt and tonalite detritus moved through Steep Rock
paleochannels building out the shoreline in the Finlayson area. The sequence at Lumby consists of classic
turbidites interbedded with lenses of mass flow conglomerates near the top, overlain by carbonate and
finally iron formation. Although sedimentation was probably sinchronous in the Lumby area,
geochemistry indicates komatiites were important source material here. Clastic sedimentation in the entire
area was ended by transgression causing backfilling of Wagita fluvial channels followed by rapid
drowning of the entire source area. Stromatolitic carbonates were deposited in the shallow ocean, but as
subsidence continued the carbonate was replaced by iron formation. At 2780 Ma (Tomlinson et al, in
press) the next volcanic cycle began with eruption of the komatiitic Ashrock Formation.

12

�The mafic and ultramafic volcanic units which dominate the sequence have been ascribed
to plume generated melts erupting in an ocean plateau environment (Tomlinson et al,
1999; Hollings and Wyman, 1999; Hollings et al, 1999); the presence of the tonalites
being ascribed to slab melting in a proximal subduction zone (Hollings et al, 1999).
Though this model is elegant the new age determinations render it unworkable.
Generation of felsic melts by plume induced heating at the base of the overthickened
basaltic plateau is compatible with tonalite geochemistry (Smithies, 2000). The
sedimentary sequence is consistent with an ocean plateau environment, but definitely not
representative of a continental rift or cover sequence as previously suggested (Thurston
and Chivers, 1990). Partial melts generated in the lower basaltic crust formed magma
chambers 2 to 4 km below surface. This magma fed felsic eruptions which, in turn,
supplied most of the material for clastic layers lower in the volcanic pile. Eruption of the
enclosing basalts was probably sporadic, as the area was effected by pulses of plume
activity (Tomlinson et al, 1999). These events lasted for over 185 Ma, into the
Neoarchean, until finally terminated by a hiatus in volcanic activity. With the end of
plume driven crustal heating, thermal decay induced subsidence lead to subareal to
shallow water clastic sedimentation and shallow to deep water chemical sedimentation.
The existence of an ocean plateau for over 185 Ma, and possibly over 235 Ma, calls into
question the operation of plate tectonics in the Mesoarchean, and especially fast
spreading, multiple ridge-subduction zone configurations proposed for this time period. If
the plateau was undergoing lateral plate motion subduction zones must have been well
spaced and movement slow to allow for its activity over such a long time period. This is
difficult to reconcile with a hotter earth requiring greater heat dissipation capacity than
today. The other alternative: conventional plate tectonics did not operate in the
Mesoarchean, but rather heat loss was achieved through vigorous plume activity, possibly
similar to the early history of Mars, needs to be explored further.
Hollings, P. and Wyman, D., 1999. Lithos, 46, 189-213.
Hollings, P., Wyman, D. and Kerrich, R., 1999. Lithos, 46, 137-161.
Smithies, R.H., 2000. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 182, 115-125.
Stone, D., Kamineni, D.C. and Jackson, M.C., 1992. Geological Survey of Canada, Bulletin 405.
Thurston, P.C. and Chivers, K.M., 1990. Precambrian Research, 46, 21-58.
Tomlinson, K., Davis, D.W., Hughes, D.J. and Thurston, P.C., 1998. Lithoprobe Report 65, 35-47.
Tomlinson, K., Hughes, D.J., Thurston, P.C. and Hall, R.P., 1999. Lithos, 46, 103-136.
Tomlinson, K., Davis, D.W., Stone, D. and Hart, T., 2001. Lithoprobe Report, Western Superior.
Tomlinson, K., Davis, D.W., Stone, D. and Hart, T., in press, Precambrian Geology.
Wilks, M.E. and Nisbet, E.G., 1988. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, 25, 370-391.

13

�EEl

Felsic Volcanic

Rocks

LUMBY
SOUTH

Mafic Volcanic

______________
2997

Ages in
Million years

2828

WALLACE
I AVP
Grarntic Rocks

—e

.—
—C

U—
—U
U—

FINLAYSON

LITTLE
PAT T c

Fig. 1. Stratigraphic sections of Mesoarchean rocks in the Atikokan area, and Wallace Lake in the
Uchi Belt for comparison. Geochronology mainly from Tomlinson et al and Stone et al.

14

�SEM Imaging of fossil nannobacteria from the supergene zone, Flambeau Copper
Mine, Ladysmith, Wisconsin
Hubin, J. and Cordua, Wm., (Department of Planet and Earth Science, Univeristy of
Wisconsin-River Falls, 410 South Third Street, River Falls, WI 54022
william.s.cordua@uwrf.edu)
The discovery of nannobacteria fossils in Eocene supergene zones in Chilean copper deposits (Sillitoe et.
al. 1996) suggested that similar, but older, nannobacteria may be found in the Cambrian to Precambrian
supergene zone of the Flambeau Copper Mine in Rusk County, Wisconsin. A scanning electron
microscope study of samples from the Flambeau Mine focused on the interface between pyrite and
replacing chalcocite. Images revealed several sites where spherical clusters 0.1 to 0.3 microns in diameter
are present (fig. 1). Through visual comparison with existing studies and elimination of other possible
explanations, these clusters are interpreted as being nannobacteria. The age of supergene mineralization at
the Flambeau Mine predates the 525 million year old Mt. Simons sandstone (May and Dinkowitz, 1996),
and may pre-date the deposition of the Barron quartzite (1750 - 1650 m.y.) (Medaris, 2000). If these are
fossil nannobacteria rather than recent contaminants, it suggests that the involvement of nannobacteria in
the supergene enrichment processes spans a considerable proportion of geologic time. Acknowledgements:
We are indebted to Jeff Thole and his assistants for their help in using the SEM facilities at Macalester
College for this study.
REFERENCES:
May, E.R., and Dinkowitz, S., 1996. An overview of the Flambeau supergene enriched massive sulphide
deposit: geology and mineralogy, Rusk County, Wisconsin, in LaBerge, G., edited, Volcanic
massive sulphide deposits of northern Wisconsin: A commemorative volume: Insitute on Lake
Superior Geology Proceedings, 42nd Annual Meeting, Cable, WI, v.42, part 2, p. 67-93

Medaris, G. 2000, The Barron saprolite: confirmation of mature chemical weathering in
the source for Paleoproterozoic quartz arenites in the Lake Superior region
[abstract] Institute on Lake Superior Geology Proceedings, 46th Annual Meeting.
Thunder Bay, ON, 2000, Part 1, p.37-38.
Sillitoe, R.H., Folk, R.L. and Saric, N. 1996, Bacteria as mediators of copper sulphide
enrichment during weathering, Science, vol. 272, p. 1153-1155.

15

�Figure 1. Suspected nannobacteria (arrows) at pyrite-chalcocite interfaces, Flambeau Mine, Ladysmith,
Rusk County, Wisconsin. 20,000x. White bar = 5 microns.

16

�Archean and paleoproterozoic mafic intrusions in Minnesota
Jirsa, M. A., (Minnesota Geological Survey, St. Paul, MN (jirsa001@umn.edu))
Exploration for platinum group elements (PGEs) in Minnesota has been restricted largely
to mafic intrusions of the Mesoproterozoic Duluth Complex for obvious reasons—the
complex contains known PGE occurrences associated with previously outlined coppernickel deposits. A new study by the Minnesota Geological Survey and the Natural
Resources Research Institute is looking beyond the Duluth Complex to describe and
analyze the varied mafic, ultramafic, and alkalic intrusions in the northern, western, and
east-central parts of the state. Although geochronologic data are sparse, field and
geophysical evidence implies that most of these intrusions are Archean and
Paleoproterozoic in age. Figure 1 shows some of the major mafic intrusions and intrusive
complexes for which some “ground truth” (drill core or outcrop) exists. They have been
identified by surface and geophysical mapping and drilling; however, few have been
thoroughly described and analyzed, and almost none have been analyzed for PGE
content. Some of the intrusions are lithologically similar to the so-called “Quetico” and
“Atikokan” intrusions that are the targets of exploration in Canada. The geologic settings
of significant PGE deposits worldwide include mafic to ultramafic plutons associated
with volcanic arc terranes in linear orogenic belts (Ural-type), differentiated sill
complexes, ophiolitic complexes, syn- to late-orogenic layered complexes (Bushveld and
Stillwater), and alkalic to subalkalic composite plutons. This study is designed to
characterize the various types of mafic intrusions in Minnesota and perhaps broaden the
exploration horizon to similarly diverse terranes throughout the state.
At present, an inventory containing the pertinent facts from more than 150 individual
intrusions and thousands of diabasic dikes has been compiled and sampling work has
begun. As an initial classification, the known intrusions are grouped below first
according to the age of host rocks into which they were emplaced, and secondly on the
basis of perceived temporal, mineralogic, and geometric attributes.
ARCHEAN HOST ROCKS
Layered mafic-ultramafic complexes—Pre-tectonic with respect to the main metamorphic
and foliation-forming deformation event. The rocks are variably metamorphosed and
have tholeiitic to komatiitic compositions. The presence of layering and cumulate
textures indicates differentiation. Rock types include peridotite, pyroxenite, gabbro,
anorthositic gabbro, and diorite. Examples: Deer Lake Complex and Newton Lake
Formation.
Subvolcanic mafic sills—Pre-tectonic, variably metamorphosed, presumably hypabyssal
intrusions associated with greenstone sequences. They typically are tholeiitic in
composition. Rock types include gabbro, pyroxenite, and diorite. Example:
Thistledew Lake sequence.
Amphibolitic sills and dikes—Typically schistose, metamorphosed, and folded, narrow
sills emplaced into schists and granitic intrusions of the Quetico subprovince.
Example: Ash River amphibolite.

17

�Grygla p/Won

(

Ash River
amphibo/ite
N

-

I

Dever
P'U(UT'

*,'/

N.anLn.

Thistledow Lake,

Duluth Complex
and related rocks

sills

1• r, p
EXPLANATION

anomaly
/ Aeromagnetic
interred lobe diaba&amp;c dike
iiiiuuiij,ipuui
or containing, matic phases

'\\\- &amp;Y

Drill hole

Figure 1. Generalized map of Minnesota showing the distribution of mafic intrusions and drill holes that
intersect mafic intrusive rocks. Many of the drill holes encountered intrusions too small to be depicted.
Intrusions discussed in the text are labeled.

18

�Lamprophyric, pyroxenitic, peridotitic, and hornblendic intrusions—Syn- to post-tectonic
dikes and small, irregular bodies. They typically are coarse-grained, oxide-rich, and
strongly magnetic. Example: Dead River pluton.
Sanukitoid composite stocks—Discrete, post-tectonic intrusions of the dioritemonzodiorite-monzonite-syenite suite. They typically are quartz-poor to quartzabsent. Most contain intrusive phases and enclaves of amphibole-pyroxene-micabearing diorite, locally of lamprophyric affinity. Example: Gheen pluton.
Tonalite-diorite intrusions—Discrete, probably post-tectonic intrusions that contain
magmatic phases varying from tonalite to diorite and gabbro. Example: Grygla pluton
and associated intrusions.
PALEOPROTEROZOIC AND ARCHEAN HOST ROCKS
Gabbroic intrusions—Discrete, typically semicircular intrusions containing gabbro,
troctolite, anorthositic gabbro, and pyroxenite. Typically show as magnetic and
gravity highs. Example: Lake Washington intrusion.
Pyroxenite and peridotite plugs and stocks—Small, circular to irregularly shaped bodies
having strong magnetic signatures. Commonly occur along linear geophysical
discontinuities. Examples include many of the small intrusions in central Minnesota
shown on Figure 1 by drill hole locations. Age is uncertain, but one is known to
intrude ~1780 Ma granite.
Diabasic to gabbroic dikes—Northwest-trending dikes are part of the Kenora–
Kabetogama swarm of Paleoproterozoic age, other dike orientations are both
Paleoproterozoic and Mesoproterozoic in age. Outcrop mapping indicates dike
widths between 30 and 100 meters. Larger dikes commonly are composite and have
central zones composed of granodiorite and leucogabbro.
This classification will undoubtedly be modified with the addition of new petrographic
and geochemical data.
This study is funded by the Minnesota Legislature on recommendation of the
Minnesota Minerals Coordinating Committee.

19

�VHMS mineralization and alteration within the Lumby Lake Greenstone Belt,
Northwestern Ontario
Johnson, J.R., Kissin, S.A. and Hollings, P., (Department of Geology, Lakehead
University, Thunder Bay, ON, P7B 5E1, jrjohnsonca@yahoo.ca)

The Lumby Lake greenstone belt, located approximately 40 km northeast of Atikokan,
Ontario or 165 km northwest of Thunder Bay, Ontario, has been a focus of exploration
activity for the past one hundred years. The belt is located within the Wabigoon
Subprovince of the Superior Province. The Wabigoon Subprovince is interpreted as a
collage of 3 – 2.7 Ga plutonic and volcanic terranes (Blackburn et al, 1991), where as
Tomlinson et al. (1999) have shown that the Lumby Lake belt ranges in age from 28983001 Ma.
Mapping done by Jackson (1985a, b) showed the belt to be dominated by mafic
metavolcanic units that occur as massive to pillowed flows. Thin felsic volcanics and
clastic sedimentary units were found throughout the belt along with less common
ultramafic flows, located only towards the top of the stratigraphic sequence. The
Marmion Lake Batholith intrudes the southern portion of the belt. In the past the belt has
been discounted as a possible base metal camp due to the relative absence of felsic
material.
Hollings and Wyman (1999) documented that the mafic volcanic rocks of the belt are
similar to those of modern ocean plateau tholeiites (associated with plume related
volcanism), consistent with the presence of komatiites. These authors invoked a complex
model of plume arc interaction to account for the presence of arc related felsic volcanics
within the plateau related mafic pile.
Hollings and Wyman (1999) reported the presence of two distinct types of felsic volcanic
rock, and comparable plutonic phases, within the Lumby Lake belt. One suite
characterized by fractionated heavy rare earth elements (HREE) are comparable to the
nonprospective F1 of Lesher et al (1996), the second suite with unfractionated HREE are
similar to the variably prospective F2 of Lesher. The F2 felsic horizons are found within
the Lumby Lake-Spoon Lake area and further to the south within the Marmion Lake
Batholith. Tomlinson et al. (1999) found that the felsic volcanics of belt, in general, give
the oldest ages, ~3 Ga.
Additional exploration, by Atikokan Resources Inc. (ARI) in the last decade, and
mapping done, in conjunction with ARI, in the last year has identified the presence of
additional extensive felsic flows, tuffs and breccias, predominately in the southern
portion of the belt. Areas of base metal mineralization, such as the stratabound pyrite,
sphalerite, galena, chalcopyrite, native silver and silver sulphides found in the Lumby
Lake-Spoon Lake area (0.2 to 9.2% Zn, #0.25% Cu, 1.0% Zn and 37 – 60 g Ag/t) and the
pyrite, sphalerite, galena, pyrrhotite and chalcopyrite located near Richardson Lake, have
been revealed. It should be noted that there is a scarcity of volcanic hosted massive
sulphide deposits of 3 Ga or older
20

�Examination of the area near Richardson Lake indicates that silicification and
chloritization of the rocks is common with sericite alteration less prominent. This
alteration is consistent with that found in the footwalls of volcanogenic massive sulphide
deposits (Franklin, 1993). Additional mapping and geochemical work, involving the
classification of newly located felsic horizons and the relative enrichment and depletion
of elements, will lead to further defining these zones of alteration and enable the location
of additional base metal targets. In addition geochemical analyses will be utilized to
further define the tectonic setting of the Lumby Lake belt.
Blackburn, C. E., Johns, G. W., Ayer, J. A., Davis, D. W., 1991, Wabigoon Subprovince,
Geology of Ontario. Ontario Geological Survey, p. 303-382.
Davis, D. W., and Jackson, M. C., 1988, Geochronology of the Lumby Lake greenstone
belt: A 3 Ga complex within the Wabigoon Suprovince northwestern Ontario:
Geological Society of America Bulletin, v. 100, p. 818-824.
Franklin, J. M., 1993, Volcanic-associated massive sulphide deposits, in Kirkham, R. C., Sinclair, W. D.,
Thorpe, R. I. And Duke, J. M., eds, Mineral Deposit Modeling: Geological Association of Canada,
Special Paper 40, p. 315-334.
Hollings, P. and Wyman, D., 1999, Trace element and Sm-Nd systematics of volcanic
and intrusive rocks from the 3 Ga Lumby Lake Greenstone belt, Superior Province: evidence for
Archean plume-arc interaction. Lithos, v. 46, p. 189-213.
Jackson, M. C., 1985a, Geology of the Lumby Lake area, eastern part, districts of Kenora and Rainy River:
Ontario Geological Survey Open-File Report 5535, 122 p.
Jackson, M. C., 1985b, Geology of the Lumby Lake area, western part, districts of Kenora and Rainy
River: Ontario Geological Survey Open-File Report 5534, 151 p.
Lesher, C. M., Goodwin, A. M., Campbell, I. H. and Gorton, M. P., 1986, Trace-element geochemistry of
ore associated and barren, felsic metavolcanic rocks in the Superior Province, Canada; Canadian
Journal of Earth Sciences, v. 23, p. 222-237.
Tomlinson, K. Y., Davis, D. W., Thurston, P. C., Hughes, D. J., and Sassevile, C., 1999, Geochemistry, Nd
isotopes and geochronology from the Central Wabigoon Subprovince and North Caribou Terrane:
regional correlations leading towards a Mesoarchean reconstruction. Lithoprobe Report #70, p.
136-152.

21

�Geology and fluid inclusion studies of the Thunder Bay Agate Mine, Northwestern
Ontario
Kelso, I.S. and Kissin, S.A., (Department of Geology, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay,
ON, P7B 5E1 stephen.kissin@lakeheadu.ca.)
The Thunder Bay Agate deposit, located northeast of Thunder Bay at the junction of
Highway 11/17 and Highway 527, was discovered in 1989 and developed into the
presently operating Thunder Bay Agate Mine in 1996. The deposit is hosted by
carbonate units of the Gunflint Formation and is 50m NE of the contact with olivine
diabase of a Logan sill. The deposit has a surface exposure of approximately 160 x
200m. Throughout the area of the deposit, intermittent open spaces within the host-rock
are filled by agate. Where the agate-filled spaces are larger than ~50cm high and 1m
wide, there is evidence of collapse brecciation of the host-rock. The largest agate-filled
space observable is 2m wide and 0.8m high.
Thunder Bay agate consists of three mineral phases: chalcedony, quartz, and graphitic
carbon. The chalcedony can be subdivided into three varieties: dark amorphous silica
(opal-A?), light amorphous silica (opal-CT?), and translucent chalcedony. A consistent
sequence of mineralization is observed throughout the deposit. From nucleation against
the host-rock, the sequence is rhythmic bands of dark amorphous silica, light amorphous
silica, translucent chalcedony, and quartz-encased, carbon-filled vugs. As mineralization
radiates from several points of nucleation, interference patterns generate complex,
sinuous structures in the sequence. Although graphitic carbon is not always present,
where it does occur it is never observed to be in direct contact with the host-rock or
chalcedony. Quartz is often the final stage of mineralization and is rarely observed to be
in direct contact with the host-rock. The rhythmic bands of each stage vary from &lt;1mm
to &gt;1cm in width.
Three types of fluid inclusions, according to the terminology of Roeder (1984), were
found:
Type I: Single-phase inclusions containing liquid or vapour only. A number of Type I
inclusions in quartz were examined; however, no change on freezing was observed.
Type II: Two-phase liquid + vapour inclusions. These are the most common type of
inclusion in quartz. Eutectic, final melting and homogenization temperatures were
obtained.
Type III: Three-phase liquid + vapour + solid(s) inclusion. Not observed in this study.
Type IV: CO2-rich inclusions. These homogenized at &lt;31°C and decrepitated when
heated above homogenization.
Type II Two-phase inclusions (liquid and vapour) are the most numerous type of primary
inclusion within the quartz. These inclusions range in size from 4 to 50µm along their
greater axis and have a vapour content of 2% to 7% by volume. All Type II inclusions in
the quartz homogenized to liquid in the range of 70 - 190°C with the majority
homogenizing within the range of 100-130°C. The eutectic and final melt temperatures
of the inclusions clustered around two ranges. Inclusions with eutectic temperatures of

22

�approximately -52°C exhibited final melt temperatures of -34 to -27°C; inclusions with
eutectic temperatures of approximately -25°C exhibited final melt temperatures of -7 to 2°C. The higher temperature cluster corresponds to the NaCl-H2O eutectic temperature
of -22°C. The lower temperature cluster of inclusions likely contain minor amounts of
CaCl in solution with NaCl. The chalcedony is almost exclusively devoid of inclusions;
however, one cluster of about 10 Type IV inclusions containing liquid CO2 were
observed in translucent chalcedony. In these inclusions the frozen CO2 displays visible
melting at -45°C and homogenized at 30.2°C.
Fluid inclusion studies indicate the quartz was emplaced in a low-temperature, lowpressure hydrothermal environment. The timing of deposition is delimited between the
age of the Gunflint Formation (1878 ma; Fralick et al., in press) and the Logan sills (1109
ma, Davis and Sutcliffe, 1985) which have been seen to contain xenoliths of typical agate
(J. Scott, pers. com., 2001).
The deposition of agate appears to be related pervasive, early silicification of the Gunflint
and other Lake Superior-type iron formations, as summarized by Simonson (1987). He
proposed that silicification most likely could be attributed to siliceous thermal springs
located nearer the axis of the depositional basin. Compaction could expel the siliceous
solutions to the margins of the basin.
Rimstidt and Barnes (1980) showed that silica precipitation in response to declining is
most effective in a decrease from 300 to 100°C, the approximate mean homogenization
temperature observed in quartz-hosted inclusions. Silica solubility also decreases sharply
with a drop in pH. Organic matter producing CO2 at the site of agate deposition would
both cause silica precipitation and dissolution of carbonate host rocks through lowering
of pH. Evidence of such CO2 production is seen in the presence of Type IV CO2-rich
inclusions. Organic matter also is believed to provide a favourable nucleation site for
silica (Knoll, 1985). Thus, the occurrence of the agate deposit in carbon-rich carbonate
rocks can be explained.
Fralick, P., Davis, D.W., and Kissin, S.A. in press. The Age of the Gunflint Formation, Ontario, Canada:
Single zircon U-Pb age determinations from reworked volcanic ash. Canadian Journal of Earth
Science.
Davis, D.W., and Sutcliffe, R.H. 1985. U-Pb ages from the Nipigon Plate and northern Lake Superior.
Geological Society of America Bulletin 96: 1572-1579.
Knoll, A.H. 1985. Exceptional preservation of photosynthetic organisms in silicified carbonates and
silicified peats. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London B311: 111-122.
Rimstidt, J.D., and Barnes, H.L. 1980. The kinetics of silica-water reactions. Geochimica of
Cosmochimica Acta 44: 1683-1699.
Roedder, E. 1984. Fluid Inclusions. Mineralogical Society of America, Reviews in Mineralogy 12.
Simonson, B.M. 1987. Early silica cementation and subsequent diagenesis in arenites from four Early
Proterozoic iron formations of North America. Journal of Sedimentary Petrology 57: 499-511.

23

�WOLF RIVER-AGE BRECCIATION IN THE BARABOO QUARTZITE,
WISCONSIN: IMPLICATIONS FOR PROTEROZOIC TECTONICS IN THE
LAKE SUPERIOR REGION
Medaris, L.G., Jr., Singer, B.S., Brown, P.E., Jicha, B.R., and Smith, M.E., (Dept. of
Geology and Geophysics, Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison, 1215 W. Dayton St., Madison, WI, 53706;
medaris@geology.wisc.edu)

Breccia zones in Baraboo Quartzite, consisting of angular red quartzite fragments
cemented by a stockwork of white quartz veins (Fig. 1), are distributed sporadically
throughout much of the Baraboo Range. Larger breccia zones tend to be parallel with
associated bedding, although thin quartz veins with incipient breccia features are
commonly crosscutting. The most prominent breccia zone, which is well exposed in
Ableman's Gorge, is ~100 meters thick and can be traced for ~20 kilometers along the
north limb of the Baraboo syncline.

Figure 1. Quartzite breccia, Martin-Marietta
Quarry, north limb, Baraboo syncline

Figure 2. Back-scattered electron image of muscovite
(light gray), kaolinite (dark gray), and quartz
(medium gray) in breccia cement

The breccia cement is composed predominantly of massive vein quartz, which is
occasionally accompanied by small amounts of specular hematite. Locally, euhedral
quartz crystals occur in vugs, some of which are partly to completely filled by kaolinite.
Muscovite is rare in the breccia cement, but muscovite was recently discovered by Phil
Fauble in an outcrop of breccia in the bluffs east of Devil's Lake on the south limb of the
syncline. At this locality, prominent flakes of muscovite appear to be in textural
equilibrium with kaolinite and quartz (Fig. 2).

24

�The stable coexistence of quartz, kaolinite, and muscovite is limited to temperatures
below ~300oC by the reaction, kaolinite + quartz = pyrophyllite + H2O (Fig. 3). Quartz
in the muscovite bearing sample contains abundant H2O-rich fluid inclusions, which yield
homogenization temperatures from 160 to 186oC and freezing point depressions from 1.2 to -6oC, corresponding to maximum salt contents of ~6.8 wt%. The fluid inclusion
isochores, combined with phase equilibrium constraints, indicate that brecciation
occurred in the range, 200 to 280oC and 500 to 2000 bars (depths of 2 to 8 kms). Such a
temperature range is lower than that for the predominant quartz + pyrophyllite
assemblage in the Baraboo Quartzite, which is stable between about 300 and 375oC at
2000 bars.

Step-heating, using a defocused CO2 laser, of a single muscovite grain (ca. 0.01 mg) from
the breccia cement yielded a discordant 40Ar/39Ar age spectrum with a well-defined
plateau at 1,459  3 Ma (Fig. 4), representing ~75% of the gas released during the heating
experiment. This result is concordant with 40Ar/39Ar plateau ages of 1,456  11 and 1,467 
11 Ma for muscovite from metasaprolite and muscovite-pyrophyllite-diaspore
hydrothermal veins in the Baraboo Quartzite (Naymark et al., 2001).
Results of this investigation provide additional evidence for post-1,630 Ma hydrothermal
activity in the Baraboo Range, which was first recognized by Naymark et al. (2001) and
attributed to the influence of 1,465 Ma Wolf River magmatism (Medaris, 2001). We
suggest that emplacement of the 1.5-1.4 Ga transcontinental belt of A-type granites, of
which the Wolf River batholith is part, provided the heat flux necessary for promoting
regionally extensive fluid flow and accompanying hydrothermal alteration along
permeable channels. It now appears that such hydrothermal activity extended far beyond
the Baraboo Range, including the Sioux Quartzite in Minnesota (Naymark, et al., 2001)
and the Athabasca Basin in northern Canada (Kotzer, et al., 1992). Further research may
reveal that much of the Paleo- and Mesoproterozoic crust of the Lake Superior region
was affected by areally extensive, but stratigraphically restricted, hydro- thermal
alteration at 1.5-1.4 Ga.
REFERENCES
Kotzer, T.G., et al. (1992) Can. Jour. Earth Sci., v. 29, p. 1474-1491; Medaris, L.G., Jr. (2001) 47th Inst.
Lake Superior Geol., p. 51-52; Naymark, A., et al. (2001) 47th Inst. Lake Superior Geol., p. 66-67.

25

�New geologic map and report of the Duluth Complex and related rocks,
Northeastern Minnesota.
Miller, J. D. Jr.1, Green2, J. C., Severson3, M. J., Chandler1, V. W., Peterson3, D.
M., Hauck3, S. A., and Wahl1 T. E, (1Minnesota Geological Survey, 2642 University Avenue,
St. Paul, MN 55114, 2Department of Geological Sciences, University of Minnesota–Duluth,
Duluth, MN 55812, 3Natural Resources Research Institute, 5013 Miller Trunk Hwy., Duluth, MN
55811)

The Minnesota Geological Survey (MGS), in collaboration with the Natural Resources
Research Institute, recently published a 1:200,000-scale map of the Duluth Complex and
related rocks of northeastern Minnesota (Miller and others, 2001). A companion report
(Miller and others, 2002) describes the geology and mineral potential of the map area; a
CD-ROM included in the report contains the digital map and related field data. This
ambitious project was funded by a grant from the Minnesota State Legislature on the
recommendation of the Minerals Coordinating Committee. The two products constitute
the largest and most complete summary of the Duluth Complex ever produced and,
undoubtedly, will serve as a benchmark for future exploration and research.
Several developments in the last 20 years led to the regional compilation. Gravity and
high-resolution aeromagnetic data were used in conjunction with test drilling to map the
vast, poorly exposed central part of the Duluth Complex. Detailed mapping in the better
exposed part of the complex, as well as core logging along the its base, led to a greater
understanding of the petrologic, structural, and stratigraphic relationships in the intrusive
sequence. High-resolution radiometric dating aided the unraveling of the intrusive
history of the complex, and advances in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) greatly
enhanced our ability to produce complicated geologic maps. Finally, and perhaps most
importantly, the sharp upturn in PGE exploration in the Duluth Complex created an
urgent need for an improved geologic framework.
The new geologic map (Miller and others, 2001) has two major components: a
1:200,000-scale geologic map that delineates over 270 rock units, and a more generalized
1:500,000-scale geologic map that classifies the rock units into 72 time–stratigraphic
entities. Additional information on the two sheets include (1) a map that shows the
relative density of outcrops and drill-out locations; (2) a 1:500,000 gray-scale image of
the first vertical derivative of the aeromagnetic data; (3) an index to 64 published and
unpublished mapping projects used in the present compilation; (4) a correlation diagram
for the 72 generalized time–stratigraphic units; (5) brief descriptions of rock units; and
(6) a list of references. Because of the importance of gravity and magnetic data to this
compilation, a related map that presents the second vertical derivative of gravity data
(color) superimposed on reduced-to-pole, first vertical derivative of magnetic data (black
and white) is available at a scale of 1:200,000 (Chandler, 2001). The maps can be
purchased from the Minnesota Geological Survey in paper form; they are also available

26

�as PDF files from the Minnesota Geological Survey web site
(http://www.geo.umn.edu/mgs).
The new 1:200,000-scale geologic map is a greatly improved representation of the Duluth
Complex and related rocks; for example, the southern and northwestern parts of the
complex are depicted as a composite of several intrusions consisting of troctolitic and
gabbroic cumulates. Much of the PGE exploration has focused along the base of the
complex in two cumulate bodies, the South Kawishiwi and Partridge River intrusions, but
several similar bodies defined by the new map may become exploration targets. The map
refines our understanding of the geology of the upper part of the complex, which consists
of a partially disrupted cap of anorthositic rocks and several felsic intrusions.
Improvements have also been made in mapping the Beaver Bay Complex and other
hypabyssal intrusions in the volcanic roof of the complex. One of the bodies, the Sonju
Lake intrusion, is being explored for PGE potential, and the new map identifies other
mafic cumulate and gabbroic bodies in the roof zone that may be worthy exploration
targets. Finally, the North Shore Volcanic Group, which forms the roof (and locally the
footwall) of the complex, has for the first time has been subdivided into informal
formational entities on a geologic map.
The companion report (Miller and others, 2002) provides a general description of the
Duluth Complex and related rocks as portrayed on the map and assesses the potential for
nonferrous mineral deposits. The following is a summary of each of the 8 chapters and
appendix: 1, Formal definition of nomenclature and stratigraphic and rock-type
classifications used to describe the Mesoproterozoic (Keweenawan) rocks of northeastern
Minnesota; 2, History of geologic mapping and mineral exploration of the complex; 3,
Geophysical attributes of the complex and related rocks; discussion of how data aid
interpretation of the buried bedrock geology and deeper geologic structure of
northeastern Minnesota; 4, Geology and structure of the Archean and Paleoproterozoic
rocks that form the footwall of the complex; 5, Volcanic stratigraphy and structure of the
comagmatic North Shore Volcanic Group, into which the Duluth Complex and related
intrusions were emplaced; 6, Geologic, structural, and stratigraphic relationships of
various intrusions of the complex; 7, Geology of the Beaver Bay Complex and related
hypabyssal intrusions; 8, Types of mineralization that are known to occur or may occur in
the complex and related Keweenawan rocks; identification of new exploration target
areas; and Appendix, Description of digital image and data layers included in the CDROM (back pocket) and an explanation of how to access the GIS layers within the
ArcView program.
The CD-ROM accompanying the report contains ArcView -based digital compilations of
the geologic map and related field data, as well as base maps and geophysical images.
Attribute tables identify the source and character of data that accompany the geology
layers (map units, geologic faults, and contacts) and the related field data layers
(outcrops, structure measurements, drill holes, and field samples). An MGS-created
27

�extension, GeMS (Geologic Mapping System) allows the abbreviated attribute data to be
decoded. Compilation of all pertinent field data was not possible under the time
constraints of the two-year project. Priority was given to data from explorable areas of
the Keweenawan in northeastern Minnesota. Updated versions of this digital compilation
will be produced as warranted by new mapping and additional archiving of older field
data.
Chandler, V.W., 2001, Superimposed magnetic on gravity anomaly map of the central Duluth Complex and
western part of the Beaver Bay Complex, Lake and St. Louis Counties, Minnesota: Minnesota
Geological Survey Miscellaneous Map Series M-120, scale 1:200,000.
Miller, J.D., Jr., Green J.C., Severson, M.J., Chandler, V.W., Hauck, S.A., Peterson, D.M., and Wahl, T.E.,
2002, Geology and mineral potential of the Duluth Complex and related rocks of northeastern
Minnesota: Minnesota Geological Survey Report of Investigations 58, 207 p. + compact disc in
back pocket. Available by the end of March 2002.
Miller, J.D., Jr., Green J.C., Severson, M.J., Chandler, V.W., and Peterson, D.M., 2001, Geologic map of
the Duluth Complex and related rocks, northeastern Minnesota: Minnesota Geological Survey
Miscellaneous Map Series M-119, 2 sheets, scales 1:500,000 and 1:200,000.

28

�Crustal models of the Western Superior Province from gravity and Lithoprobe
seismic data
Nitescu, B., Cruden, A.R., Bailey, R.C., (Department of Geology, University of Toronto,
Toronto, ON M5S 3B1, bnitescu@geology.utoronto.ca)
The western part of the Superior Province (WS) is characterised by a regional pattern of
linear, EW-trending, fault-bounded belts containing distinctive rock types, structures,
ages, metamorphic conditions, and geophysical attributes. Detailed geological,
geochemical and geochronological studies in the past two decades have led to the
formulation of the “accretion hypothesis” in which the WS is interpreted to have
assembled progressively from north to south by collisions with various arc, oceanic and
continental fragments. To test this hypothesis at depth a Lithoprobe transect was
established in the WS, and acquisition of seismic refraction and reflection data, as well as
detailed gravity observations were made along several profiles crossing the WS
subprovinces. The refraction/wide-angle reflection data indicate a crustal thickness of 4043 km and relatively high average crustal velocities of 6.6-6.7 km/s (White et al. 1997).
A high velocity basal crustal layer (7.5-7.7 km/s) was imaged west of Lake Nipigon in
the southern WS beneath the Wawa, Quetico and central Wabigoon subprovinces (White
et al. 2001). In general, on the seismic reflection sections the lower crust is
homogeneously reflective, the middle crust is heterogeneous and strongly reflective, and
the upper crust is heterogeneous and often weakly reflective. The Moho is well imaged
and shows a flat or slightly dipping geometry below the Berens River Subprovince, a
crustal root below the Uchi Subprovince and an upwarp beneath the metasedimentary
English River Subprovince (ERS) and its along strike continuation in the Wabigoon
indentor. The Bouguer gravity data in the WS show variations between -10 and -90 mgal,
gravity highs occurring over the metavolcanic belts, and gravity lows in most of the areas
underlain by felsic intrusions. An exception is represented by the metaplutonic Berens
River Subprovince, which is characterised by a regional gravity high. The most
outstanding gravity feature observed in the WS is a prominent Bouguer gravity high (&gt;20
mgal) coincident with the length of the metasedimentary ERS. The lack of detailed
correspondence between this anomaly and the surface distribution of the metasediments
suggests a deep linear source (Nitescu and Cruden 2001). A significant positive anomaly
also occurs in the Winnipeg River Subprovince east of Kenora, and broadly parallels the
surface distribution of the Lount Lake batholith. It is not clear whether this anomaly is
related to the ERS gravity anomaly, or some other deep-crustal feature.
The aim of the present study is to investigate the crustal structure of the WS based on
gravity models constrained by seismic information and to infer the processes responsible
for its present-day configuration. We present results obtained from a gravity inversion
algorithm (Pilkington and Crossley 1986) employed for the determination of the Moho
topography in the WS, and 2.5-D gravity forward models of the WS crust obtained along
N-S seismic lines 1 and 2b.
The inversion model of the Moho topography reveals the existence of EW-trending
crustal roots below the Uchi and Wabigoon subprovinces (Moho depths of 43-44 km)
separated by a parallel rise of the Moho to depths of 37-39 km below the ERS. In the
29

�region underlain by the high velocity basal slab the Moho deepens from 41 km below
central Wabigoon Subprovince to 47 km below the northern Quetico Subprovince. These
results generally agree with the Moho geometry observed along the seismic profiles,
although in detail there are differences. For instance, the N-S extent of the Moho upwarp
below the ERS is overestimated in the inversion model, which clearly demonstrates that
the ERS gravity anomaly cannot be accounted for only by the Moho rise as observed on
the reflection sections.
The 2.5D gravity forward model along reflection line 2b extends from the Winnipeg
River Subprovince to the Berens Subprovince along the Red Lake road. The model
indicates that north of the ERS the observed Bouguer gravity field combines the effects
of the Moho topography and upper crustal structures (greenstone belts and various
intrusive bodies), with no major density variations occurring at the mid- and lower crustal
levels in this segment of the crust. Due to poor reflectivity below the ERS, the seismic
data does not constrain well the location at depth of the ERS anomaly source, which may
correspond to a transparent region observed between 2-4 s TWT, above a zone of weak
mid-crustal reflectivity. The lower density of the rocks exposed at surface in the region of
the Winnipeg River Subprovince anomaly indicates that its source is also buried. This
anomaly could be caused either by a dense body, which may be related to the source of
the ERS anomaly, or by uplifted mid-crustal rocks as suggested by the seismic fabric at
the southern end of line 2b. In the latter case the modelling results show that the uplifted
Winnipeg River Subprovince mid-crustal rocks should extend to the south below the
northern Wabigoon Subprovince.
The 2.5D forward gravity model of the WS crust along reflection corridor 1 extends for
500 km from the northern Wawa Subprovince to the Sachigo Subprovince. In the model,
Moho topography and the interface relief between major crustal layers (as revealed by the
refraction data) cause long wavelength gravity anomalies. Short wavelength anomalies
are generated by upper crustal metavolcanics and granitoids. The high-density (3.1-3.2
g/cc), high-velocity basal slab imaged in the southern half of the corridor is not reflected
in the long wavelength gravity field as a maximum, since the effect of the positive
density contrast created in the lower crust is cancelled by the combined effects of the
southward deepening of the Moho and the downward depression of the intra-crustal
interfaces above the slab.
The present study shows that the gravity field in the WS can be successfully modelled in
accord with seismic reflection/refraction data by upper crustal density variations and
undulations of the Moho and the interfaces between major crustal layers. The structural
grain of the subprovincial configuration is not paralleled by density variations in the
middle and lower crust, but is reflected in the Moho undulations. The cause of the crustal
roots beneath the granite-greenstone subprovinces is not clear. They may be related to
greenstone belt loading, but this depends on whether the lower crust was strong enough
after the formation of the greenstone belts to prevent the relaxation of the initial Moho
depressions through flow. The Moho upwarp below the ERS may be preserved from a ca.
2710-Ma-old extensional episode in the WS which led to the uplift of the Winnipeg River
Subprovince and the formation of sedimentary basins on its flanks (Nitescu and Cruden

30

�2001). The deepening trend of the Moho towards the Quetico and Wawa subprovinces is
probably related to the load imposed at the lower crustal level by the observed highvelocity/high density basal slab. This slab was previously interpreted as a remnant of a
subducted Archean oceanic plate (White et al. 2001), but it could alternatively represent a
Proterozoic igneous underplating episode related to Mid-continental rift magmatism. It is
likely that the crustal structure of the WS contains not only elements preserved from
Kenoran tectonism, but also younger post-orogenic effects. Therefore caution should be
used when interpreting the features revealed by the seismic data solely in terms of
processes responsible for the accretionary stage of the Superior Province.
Nitescu, B., and Cruden, A.R. 2001. Gravity models of the English River Subprovince: implications for
its deep structure and tectonic origin. In 2001 Western Superior Transect Seventh Annual
Workshop, University of British Columbia (in press).
Pilkington, M., and Crossley, D.J. 1986. Determination of crustal interface topography from potential
fields. Geophysics, 51, p.1277-1284.
White, D., Asudeh, I., Kay, I., Forsyth, D., and Roberts, B. 1997. Preliminary results of the 1996
Lithoprobe Western Superior seismic refraction survey. In 1997 Western Superior Transect Third
Annual Workshop, University of British Columbia, Lithoprobe Report #63, p.106.
White, D., Musacchio, G., Helmstaedt, H.H., Harrap, R., Thomson, C., Sol, S. 2001. Remnants of
Archean subduction in the Western Superior Province: Results from combined Lithoprobe deep
seismic studies. In 2001 Western Superior Transect Seventh Annual Workshop, University of
British Columbia (in press).

31

�Digital Drill Logs for the Duluth Complex - Lithology and Assays
Patelke, R. L., (Natural Resources Research Institute, University of Minnesota Duluth, 5013
Miller Trunk Highway, Duluth, MN 55811-1442)

Since 1988 the Natural Resources Research Institute (NRRI) staff has logged 950 Duluth
Complex drill holes of the about 1,500 holes with core available (of the approximately
2,200 holes recorded as penetrating the Complex).
This project involves transcribing all of the NRRI logs, plus our interpretation of
company logs for drill holes with no core remaining, into a consistent digital format. This
downhole “from-to” interval format includes logged rock type, map unit (reconciled from
cross-sections and geologic maps where available), and the interval distance up from
footwall. This is combined with other data tables, being consolidated from older reporting
and projects, which will include: all drill hole specific information (location, company,
year drilled, etc.); down hole survey data; all original assays (usually copper-nickel +/sulfur); secondary assays on selected intervals; all available PGE plus gold assays; and
eventually all whole rock geochemistry and microprobe data. The format will allow this
data to be sorted and filtered geographically, by deposit, by company, by depth or
distance from footwall, or other criteria.
This data format is intended primarily for use in 3-D mining software and is available on
CD-ROM as Excel spreadsheet files, ASCII text files, and as a Gemcom for Windows
(Microsoft Access) database. NRRI staff will also format this database to the users needs
if practical. The database will also be posted on the NRRI Economic Geology Group
website at: http://www.nrri.umn.edu/egg/.
The ultimate purpose of this work is to improve the ability to do statistical and spatial
analysis of Duluth Complex geology by rapidly combining lithological and assay data for
both scientific study and deposit evaluation. This analysis breaks down into two broad
categories. Simple 2-D comparisons, such as: comparisons between intrusions or deposit
areas; rock type versus grade; ratio of a particular rock type which is mineralized versus
part not mineralized; assay grade of a particular unit; or grade as a function of distance
from footwall (see Table 1 for examples from Babbitt and Serpentine deposits). More
complex 3-D analysis can also be done by using this data to create lithological and grade
surfaces, solids, or block models, then intersecting these models; compositing grade by
rock type, map unit, level, or distance from a particular point or surface; assessing linear
and 3-D variography; contouring by level or distance from a point; and other
manipulations of the raw data.
Most mining software is very flexible, and the overall data layout will allow NRRI or
others to add distance or point data (distance from collar, such as a thin section location)
or from-to interval data (such as alteration, grain size, or other assayed elements) as
separate tables that can then be compared to the existing data set. The utility in this is the
time savings in answering the numerous small questions that arise as well as easing
modeling efforts on the Duluth Complex Cu-Ni sulfide and Fe-Ti oxide deposits

32

�Table 1: Consolidated Rock type versus Copper, Nickel, Sulfur, and Copper:Nickel ratio, for Babbit and Serpentine Deposits, St Louis County Minnesota. Surface drill holes only.
“Consolidated Rocktypes” are condensed from over 1,000 individual rock types over about 25,000 lithological intervals. “Percent Mineralized” assumes that company sampled all
mineralized zones. This is essentially true at Babbitt-Serpentine, but not always true for other deposit areas. Grades are only for the mineralized portions, no unsampled footage (zero value?)
was included in the average.
"Consolidated Rocktype"
Overburden (glacial drift)
OUI (Oxide Ultramafic
Intrusions)
Anorthositic rocks
Augite Troctolites
Contaminated Rocks

Total footage
of rock type

Percent of rock
type in deposit

Total mineralized
footage of rock type

Total unmineralized
footage of rock type

Percent mineralized of
rock type

Average copper
grade of rock type

Average nickel grade Average sulfur grade Average Cu:Ni
of rock type
of rock type
ratio

10,122
2,824

1.8
0.5

447

2,377

0
16

0.31

0.10

1.92

3.29

63,510
63,210
30,792

11.3
11.2
5.5

18,151
28,443
18,248

45,359
34,767
12,544

29
45
59

0.31
0.42
0.44

0.09
0.10
0.11

0.66
1.14
2.25

3.32
4.02
4.06

Gabbroic Rocks
Mixed Duluth Complex (not
logged)
Pegmatitic Rocks
Ultramafic Rocks
Troctolitic Rocks
Dikes, Basaltic
Veins, Granitic
Massive Sulfides
Semi-Massive Sulfides
Virginia Formation

3,022
166,344

0.5
29.5

1,348
70,695

1,674
95,649

45
42

0.33
0.39

0.08
0.10

0.85
1.03

4.32
3.74

710
24,473
143,059
698
2,428
415
343
24,760

0.1
4.3
25.4
0.1
0.4
0.1
0.1
4.4

139
7,732
63,929
181
870
413
341
6,279

571
16,741
79,130
517
1,558
2
2
18,481

20
32
45
26
36
100
99
25

0.36
0.36
0.38
0.08
0.29
2.02
1.45
0.38

0.10
0.11
0.10
0.02
0.08
0.57
0.43
0.10

0.71
0.74
0.90
0.35
1.04
12.68
9.69
2.43

3.53
3.17
3.62
2.58
3.51
3.86
4.17
3.04

Bedded Pyrrhotite Unit
Virginia Sill
MG Sill
Sill in Biwabik Iron Formation
Biwabik Iron Formation
Pokegama Quartzite
Giants Range Granites
Basalts
Massive Chlorite
Faults
Massive Graphites
Hybrids (Hornblendite, etc.)
Orthopyroxenites
Massive Oxides (not in OIUs)
Serpentinites
deposit total:
deposit averages:

3,834
1,686
9,537
284
6,976
20
420
2,951
12
630
10
505
111
49
76
563,811

0.7
0.3
1.7
0.1
1.2
0.0
0.1
0.5
0.0
0.1
0.0
0.1
0.0
0.0
0.0
100

2,928
311
1,129
4
507

906
1,375
8,408
281
6,469
20
301
2,404
4
443
5
412
20
23
57
330,500

76
18
12
1
7
0
28
19
67
30
60
18
82
55
25
40

0.13
0.09
0.10
0.03
0.11
0
0.14
0.20
0.19
0.36
0.41
0.31
0.44
0.52
0.47

0.04
0.05
0.03
0.01
0.03
0
0.05
0.08
0.06
0.10
0.08
0.12
0.14
0.13
0.11

4.25
0.35
0.49
0.14
0.44
0
0.29
0.85
0.34
1.15
1.31
1.67
2.29
0.56
1.62

2.50
1.58
2.45
2.67
3.05
0
2.34
2.65
2.75
3.66
4.58
2.86
3.79
4.40
4.72

0.39

0.10

1.29

3.66

24.40
34,742
25,445
60,187

5.20
34,314
25,873
60,187

37.10
34,532
25,655
60,187

47.00
34,414
25,773
60,187

119
547
8
187
6
93
91
27
19
223,192

maximums:
number of assayed intervals:
number of unassayed intervals:
total number of intervals:

33

�Mineralogy and Zonation of the Big Whopper Pegmatite, Separation Rapids area, Kenora,
Ontario
Pedersen, J. C. P.Geo., (Consulting Geologist, Avalon Ventures Ltd.) and Bubar, D. S. (President
and CEO, Avalon Ventures Ltd.)
The Big Whopper pegmatite is the largest in a field of rare metal pegmatites occurring in the
Separation Lake metavolcanic belt, situated approximately 60 km north of Kenora, Ontario. This
greenstone belt occurs at the boundary of the English River and Winnipeg River sub-provinces
of the Superior structural province. It is interpreted to be the eastern continuation of the Bird
River Greenstone belt in Manitoba, which hosts the Cat Lake rare metal pegmatite field and the
famous Tanco pegmatite. The Big Whopper pegmatite is 100% owned by Avalon Ventures Ltd.
Exploration work to date has defined indicated and inferred resources totalling 11.6 million
tonnes grading 1.34% Li2O, 0.30% Rb2O and 0.007% Ta2O5. The deposit is now at the
feasibility study stage as a potential producer of lithium-rich feldspars, tantalum and mica.
The Big Whopper is a vertically-oriented pegmatite dyke hosted by deformed metavolcanic
rocks of lower to middle amphibolite facies metamorphism (amphibolite). A north-directed
compressional tectonic event produced flattening and a strong vertically oriented regional
schistosity striking WNW at the Big Whopper. This schistosity is folded about a sub-vertical
axis. The Big Whopper itself exhibits high-strain features and a tight S-fold geometry, with the
thickened central portion of the pegmatite coinciding with the hinge zone, and attenuated limbs
extending to the east and west. The pegmatite has been traced over a strikelength of 1.5 km and
ranges from 10 to 80 m in width.
The dominant economic minerals in the deposit are petalite and columbite-tantalite, the principal
ore mineral of tantalum. Petalite is a rare lithium aluminosilicate mineral used in certain
specialty glass and ceramics applications, such as thermal shock resistant cookware. Tantalum
finds its major use (approximately 60%) in the manufacture of miniature tantalum capacitors,
which are currently in high demand for use in popular electronics products such as computers
and cell phones. The deposit also contains significant quantities of rubidium potash (Rb-K)
feldspar and albite, (both used in the glass and ceramic industries); lepidolite, an important
source of rubidium in the chemicals industry, as well as the tin mineral cassiterite. Other
potentially valuable industrial minerals include muscovite mica (some with elevated lithium)
which may comprise up to 15% of the ore, spodumene averaging 3-5% occurring as SQUI
(spodumene-quartz intergrowth) replacement rims on petalite, cassiterite, pale pink spessartine
garnet and high-purity quartz. Minor accessory minerals include apatite, zircon, gahnite,
monazite, xenotime, rare sulphides, sulphosalts, and thorite.
Mineralogical zoning observed in the Big Whopper is characteristic of highly evolved rare metal
pegmatites, with well-developed wall zones and internal intermediate zones classified according
to their dominant constituent minerals (Figure 1). The mineralogical zones of the Big Whopper
identified to date are Wall Zone (predominantly albitite), Megacrystic Feldspar and Quartz-Mica
marginal Zones and Petalite (intermediate) Zone. The Petalite Zone is the largest zone defined to
date, comprising approximately 80% of the volume of the Big Whopper. Its essential
mineralogy consists of petalite, Rb-K-feldspar, albite, quartz and mica. Sub-zones are defined
based on subtle textural and mineralogical variations such as the presence of lepidolite mica.
34

�Lepidolite-rich zones tend to occur on the periphery of the deposit and are typically enriched in
tantalum.
THE BIG W-IOPPER PEGMATITE
Detailed Geology

lro
700W

N

I
600W

300W

(

EngIMi
River

.— IiaseIine—*

PETALITE ZONE Ato D:
A - petalte (white) k-feldspar quartz a lb te

B - petalte (pink) k-feldspar albite
I

C-

petalite (blue-grey and pink) albite mica

0 - peta lite lepido lite a lb te (ta ntalum-rich zone &gt;0.01 % Ta 0)
I:.:

I

interdigitated PSLL ZONE (albitite) and FE LDSFR, QUARtZ-MICA ZON ES
100

amphibolite host rocks

metre

stripped outcrop

Fie I: BiWhcwer Geology

35

/

�Cu-Ni-PGE Mineralization in the South Kawishiwi Intrusion, Northeastern Minnesota
Variation due to Magmatic Processes
Peterson, D. M., (Economic Geology Group, Natural Resources Research Institute, University of
Minnesota, Duluth email: dpeters1@nrri.umn.edu)
INTRODUCTION
The Mesoproterozoic South Kawishiwi intrusion (SKI), which is exposed in a 32 x 8-kilometer
arcuate band along the northwestern margin of the Duluth Complex, is composed dominantly of
troctolitic cumulates. Footwall rocks to the intrusion include, from north to south, the
Paleoproterozoic Virginia and Biwabik Iron Formations, and the Late Archean Giants Range
batholith. Regional crosscutting features and remnant pillars and xenoliths indicate that the SKI
intruded along the boundary between Mesoproterozoic volcanic and Anorthositic Series rocks
and the older footwall strata. The SKI abuts the troctolitic Partridge River intrusion on the
southwest, is inferred to be semi-conformable to the later Bald Eagle intrusion to the east, and
abuts and cuts older Anorthositic Series rocks to the northeast. The basal mineralization within
the SKI occurs dominantly in heterogeneous zones of troctolitic, gabbroic, noritic, and ultramafic
rocks. This heterogeneity is a function of many factors, including footwall assimilation,
dehydration and volatile fluxing from the footwall strata into the overlying magmas, chilling, and
repeated magma injection.
Miller and Severson (2002) subdivide the intrusion into five major map units from the base
upwards: 1) a heterogeneous basal contact zone of sulfide-bearing troctolitic, gabbroic, and
noritic rocks; 2) ophitic augite-troctolite; 3) poikilitic leucotroctolite; 4) ophitic troctolite; and 5)
homogeneous troctolite. Severson (1994) and Zanko et al. (1994) have further subdivided the
marginal zone of the intrusion into 17 different units, with sulfide mineralization dominantly
confined to four units: the Basal Augite-Norite (BAN), Basal Heterogeneous (BH), Updip
Wedge (UW), and Ultramafic 3 (U3) units. Minor mineralization higher up in the igneous
stratigraphy of the intrusion occurs locally in the Ultramafic 1 (U1) and Ultramafic 2 (U2) units.
Recent research has identified two dominant styles of mineralization (“Open” and “Confined”)
within the intrusion that have distinctive differences in their igneous stratigraphy, metal contents,
timing, and mode of origin. Simplified regional geologic and mineralization style maps for the
SKI are presented in Figure 1.

36

�Figure 1.
Simplified regional geologic (left) and basal mineralization style (right) maps of the
South Kawishiwi intrusion.

Disseminated basal mineralization within the SKI has traditionally been divided into five distinct
deposits: 1) Serpentine, 2) Dunka Pit, 3) Birch Lake, 4) Maturi, and 5) Spruce Road. The
disseminated sulfides occur as interstitial grains that average about 1-5% (visual estimation) and
range from trace amounts to 10%, with local zones of massive sulfide at the basal contact. Major
sulfides are pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite, cubanite, and pentlandite. Pyrrhotite is generally the
dominant sulfide, especially closer to the basal contact. Recent work by Wallbridge Mining
Company and the author have defined a potential additional deposit area east of the Maturi
deposit, informally named the Maturi Extension deposit. Although the style of mineralization in
all of the deposits is dominated by disseminated Cu-Ni sulfides, differences occur between the
deposits in igneous stratigraphy, Cu-Ni and PGE grade, mineralization thickness, and contained
tonnes. Regional analysis of the drill hole assay data for all of the deposits of the South
Kawishiwi intrusion has led to the identification of two main styles of mineralization associated
with the base of the intrusion (Fig.1). These mineralization types include:
1. “Open” – vertically extensive (&gt; 450 meters) mineralization with low - moderate Cu-Ni
grade and low Au+PGE grades. Cu-Ni grades typically increase towards the basal contact
although the mineralized zones are typically erratic in their spatial extent and grade and
commonly interfinger in a random pattern with zones that are barren of sulfides. Restricted
zones of massive sulfide occur locally at the basal contact. This erratic pattern of
mineralization, in part, mirrors the lithologic heterogeneity of the basal units. Examples of
this open style include the Spruce Road, Serpentine, and Dunka Pit deposits.
2. “Confined” – vertically restricted (&lt; 150 meters) mineralization with moderate - high Cu-Ni
grades and moderate to very high (locally) Au+PGE grades. Cu-Ni grades typically are the
highest near the top of the mineralized zone (units U3 and BH) and gradually decrease with
37

�depth toward the basal contact, and no zones of massive sulfide at the basal contact have
been identified. For example, the upper portion of the mineralized zone within the Maturi
deposit consistently exhibits copper values in excess of 1.0% that decrease to ~0.25% at the
basal contact. Examples of the confined style include the Maturi, Maturi Extension, and the
Birch Lake deposits.
The differences between the styles of mineralization reflect the different histories for the
rocks hosting the mineralization. It is hypothesized that the early Open-style of
mineralization reflects repeated small injections of sulfur-saturated, highly contaminated
magma. In contrast, the Confined-style of mineralization reflects much larger batches of
more primitive magma that may have incorporated much of its sulfur by assimilation of
Open-style mineralized rocks (or remnant magma).
Miller, J.D., Green, J.C., Severson, M.J., Chandler, V.W., Hauck, S.A., Peterson, D.M., and Wahl, T.E., 2002,
Geology and mineral potential of the Duluth Complex and related rocks of northeastern Minnesota:
Minnesota Geologic Survey, Report of Investigations 58, 200 p.
Miller, J.D., Jr., Green, J.C., Severson, M.J., Chandler, V.W., and Peterson, D.M., 2001, Geologic map of the
Duluth Complex and related rocks, northeastern Minnesota: Minnesota Geological Survey Miscellaneous
Map Series M-119, nominal scale 1:200,000.
Peterson, D.M., 2002, Copper-Nickel grade maps for the Spruce Road deposit, South Kawishiwi Intrusion, Duluth
Complex: Natural Resources Research Institute, University of Minnesota, Duluth, Report of Investigations,
NRRI/RI-2002/03, 99 p.
Severson, M.J., 1994, Igneous stratigraphy of the South Kawishiwi intrusion, Duluth Complex, northeastern
Minnesota: Natural Resources Research Institute, University of Minnesota, Duluth, Technical Report
NRRI/TR 93/34, 210 p. (with plates)
Zanko, L.M., Severson, M.J., and Ripley, E.M., 1994, Geology and mineralization of the Serpentine copper-nickel
deposit, Duluth Complex, Minnesota. Natural Resources Research Institute, University of Minnesota,
Duluth, Technical Report, NRRI/GMIN-TR-93-52, 90p.

38

�3-Dimensional View Through a Mineralized System: the South Kawishiwi Intrusion,
Duluth Complex
Peterson D. M., (Economic Geology Group, Natural Resources Research Institute, University of
Minnesota, Duluth email: dpeters1@nrri.umn.edu)
A 35x8x2 km three-dimensional AutoCAD™ model of the basal contact surface of the South Kawishiwi
intrusion (SKI) has recently been completed. The model is based on the location of ~ 800 drill hole
piercing points into footwall strata and geophysical data (Figure 1). Integration of regional geological,
geophysical, and geochemical features with the 3-D model has led to new ideas on possible feeder
channels for magmas of the northern SKI. The interpreted master magmatic feeder channel of the
northern SKI is fed from the central Mid Continent Rift through the Bald Eagle Intrusion gravity high,
into a dike-like body of troctolitic rocks (herein termed the BEI Trough) cutting older Anorthositic Series
rocks (Fig. 1).

The 3-D model has been instrumental in the development of new ideas on the location and origin
of the Cu-Ni-PGE mineralization within the SKI. Integration of the magmatic feeder channel
concept with lineament analysis and recent PGE assays has led to the development of conceptual
models for the formation of the
Spruce Road (Peterson, 2002)
and Maturi (Peterson, 2001)
deposit areas. Early,
contaminated magmas that
formed the Spruce Road deposit
were deflected to the north by a
pillar of older Anorthositic Series
rocks (Fig. 1) that is located at
depth within the northern portion
of the SKI (Fig. 2). Moreover,
PGE-enriched Cu-Ni
mineralization of the Maturi
Extension deposit is located
beneath the pillar, and a
conceptual model for the
formation of this deposit area is
given in Figure 3.

Figure 1. Regional shaded relief 3-D
model of the SKI

39

�.

Figure 2. Conceptual magma flow model for the
Spruce Road area.

Figure 5. Conceptual model for the formation of the Cu-Ni deposits of the northern SKI. Sheet-like
mineralization of Maturi located to the left of the diagram, and the PGE-enriched Maturi Extension located
under the Anorthositic Series block.
Peterson, D.M., 2001, Development of a conceptual model of Cu-Ni-PGE mineralization in a portion of the South
Kawishiwi Intrusion, Duluth Complex, Minnesota: Laurentian University – Society of Economic
Geologists, Second Annual PGE Workshop, Sudbury, Ontario.
Peterson, D.M., 2002, Copper-Nickel grade maps for the Spruce Road deposit, South Kawishiwi Intrusion, Duluth
Complex: Natural Resources Research Institute, University of Minnesota, Duluth, Report of Investigations,
NRRI/RI-2002/03, 99 p.
40

�New Information from the Sibley Group
Rogala, B., Fralick, P.W., and Borradaile, G. (Department of Geology, Lakehead University,
Thunder Bay, Ontario)

The Sibley Group sediments were deposited in a subsiding intracratonic basin (Fralick and
Kissin, 1995) between 1537 +10-2 Ma (Davis and Sutcliffe, 1984) and 1339 ± 33 Ma (Franklin
et al., 1980). It is presently thought that these sediments were deposited closer to 1537 Ma. The
Group was previously divided into three main Formations: Pass Lake, Rossport, and Kama Hill.
The Pass Lake Formation consists of the conglomeratic Fork Bay Member and the sheeted
sandstones of the Loon Lake Member, representing a braided fluvial environment (Cheadle,
1986). The Rossport Formation is separated into the Channel Island, Middlebrun Bay, and Fire
Hill Members. The Channel Island Member is a cyclic dolomite-shale unit interpreted to be
playa lake sediments (Cheadle, 1986). The Middlebrun Bay Member is a stromatolitic unit,
considered a marker bed for the Sibley Group. It represents a period of relatively stable water
and salinity levels. The Fire Hill Member consists of mudcracked red silt with mudchip
conglomerates and sand sheet incursions. It signifies a time of tectonic tilting of the basin. The
Kama Hill Formation is not subdivided, and is composed of purple shales and siltstones
interpreted as mud flat deposits (Cheadle, 1986).
The Nipigon Bay Formation is a new addition to the Sibley Group, overlying the Kama Hill
Formation. The exposure of this unit is quite limited. It has only been found to crop out on
some of the islands in Nipigon Bay, in particular Quarry Island and Vert Island. The Nipigon
Bay Formation has also been found in several holes drilled by Falconbridge Limited in 1997.
These holes intersected approximately 500 m of well-sorted medium sandstone. The colour of
the sandstone can be buff, red, orange, or purple. The sandstone has cross-stratification, which
varies from low- to high-angle. The thickness of cross-stratification sets is also variable, ranging
from 20 cm to 300 cm, with an average thickness of 100 cm.
Figure 1 SiO2 content varies through the Sibley stratigraphy. The upper 500 m is the Nipigon
Bay Formation.
Si O 2 C o n t e n t
50. 00

55. 00

60. 00

65. 00

70. 00

75. 00

80. 00

85. 00

90. 00

95. 00

1 00. 00

0

1 00

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

1 000

Extensive geochemistry was conducted on the sandstones throughout the Sibley stratigraphy,
from the Pass Lake Formation to the Nipigon Bay Formation. The geochemistry shows an
41

�interesting series of element peaks within the Pass Lake Formation, indicating sharp, contrasting
influxes of source material. However, source-rock modeling has not proven conclusive at this
point. The geochemistry indicates an abrupt change at the base of the Nipigon Bay Formation.
This Formation is much less variable and shows a different source-rock character than that of the
Pass Lake Formation. This is portrayed in Figure 1, using SiO2 content, although the same
pattern is repeated in all of the elements that were used for this analysis.
The Channel Island Member of the Rossport Formation has also produced some interesting
information. Paleomagnetic analysis was conducted on a 50 cm section of core from Noranda’s
NI-92-7 drill hole. The inclinations were calculated and graphed to show the variations. The
result was the chart in Figure 2 (left), which defines a curve that is believed to represent secular
variation. This work will be followed up with isotope geochemistry and scanning electron
microscopy for further interpretations.
Figure 2 Paleomagnetic inclinations measured at 1 cm intervals along a 50 cm length of core.
Inclination (degrees)
-50

-40

-30

-20

-10

0

10

20

30

40

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

References
Cheadle, B.A. 1986. Alluvial-playa sedimentation in the lower Keweenawan Sibley Group, Thunder Bay District,
Ontario. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, 23, 527-542.
Davis, D.W. and Sutcliffe, R.H. 1984. U-Pb ages from the Nipigon Plate and Northern Lake Superior. Geological
Society of America Bulletin, 96, 1572-1579.
Fralick, P. and Kissin, S. 1995. Mesoproterozoic basin development in central North America: implications of
Sibley Group volcanism and sedimentation at Redstone Point. in: Petrology and metallogeny if volcanic
and intrusive rocks of the mid-continent rift system, Proceedings of the International Geological
Correlation Program, Project 336.
Franklin, J.M., McIlwaine, W.H., Poulsen, K.H. and Wanless, R.K. 1980. Stratigraphy and depositional setting of
the Sibley Group, Thunder Bay District, Ontario, Canada. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, 17, 633651.

42

�300 my evolution of the Red Lake greenstone belt, western Superior Province, Ontario: A
synthesis of current constraints on volcanism, sedimentation, deformation, metamorphism
and gold mineralization.
Sanborn-Barrie, M.1, Skulski, T.1, Rayner, N.1 and Parker, J.R.2 (1Geological Survey of
Canada, Continental Geoscience Division, 601 Booth Street, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0E8; 2Ontario
Geological Survey, Willet Green Miller Centre, Sudbury, ON, P3E 6B5) msanborn@NRCan.gc.ca

The Red Lake gold camp preserves an extensive record of magmatic and sedimentary activity
from 3.0-2.7 Ga, and evidence of multiple episodes of deformation, hydrothermal alteration and
metamorphism. The oldest volcanic rocks, which host its major lode gold deposits, are komatiite
and tholeiitic basalt of the Balmer assemblage which includes minor 2.99-2.96 Ga intermediate
to felsic volcanics and chemical metasedimentary rocks. Some of these basaltic rocks have trace
element compositions (Th/Nb) reflecting local interaction with a differentiated crust, however,
continental basement has not yet been observed in the belt. A thick sequence of 2.94-2.91 Ga
intermediate to felsic calc-alkaline flows and pyroclastic rocks, interbedded with basalt,
komatiite and stromatolitic carbonate comprise the overlying Ball assemblage. Ball volcanic
rocks show trace element variations (e.g. Th/Nb) in mafic to felsic volcanic rocks that are also
consistent with contamination by differentiated crust. Relatively juvenile εNd values of +0.8 to
+1 in these felsic rocks suggest that the contaminant was relatively young (~3 Ga) crust. Ball
ultramafic rocks have depleted εNd values of +2.2 and may reflect intra-arc extension and
upwelling of depleted mantle-derived magma. Quartz-rich fuchsite-bearing clastic rocks of the
c. 2.9 Ga Slate Bay assemblage have detrital zircon profiles (GSC SHRIMP, n=140 grains; and
Corfu et al., 1998) that indicate derivation from predominantly Ball (with lesser Balmer) sources.
This clastic sequence, which extends the length of the belt, overlaps the Ball/Balmer contact,
however, north of Red Lake (McInnes Lake), Ball-age volcanic rocks and iron formation are in
depositional contact with the Balmer assemblage (Corfu et al. 1998).
Ball volcanism was followed by the deposition on Balmer substrate of the 2.894 Ga Bruce
Channel assemblage comprising calc-alkaline intermediate pyroclastic rocks overlain by an
upward-fining sequence of clastic sediments and chert-magnetite iron formation. Felsic tuff has
depleted εNd values of +2 (Henry et al. 1999), reflecting a change between 2.99 and 2.89 Ga
toward isotopically depleted magmatism that may reflect crustal growth at a juvenile continental
margin (cf. Henry et al. 2000). The overlying Trout Bay assemblage comprises a lower sequence
of basalt, 2.85 Ga intermediate pyroclastic and epiclastic rocks, iron formation and an upper
sequence of pillowed tholeiitic basalt. The upper basalt sequence has depleted, MORB-like trace
element profiles reflected in positive εNd values of +2, similar to model Archean depleted mantle.
The Trout Bay and Ball assemblages face toward each other across an interpreted tectonic
contact that may reflect telescoping across the continental-oceanic interface.
Following a hiatus of some 100 my, the onset of extensive calc-alkaline volcanism is recorded by
the Confederation assemblage with c. 2.75-2.74 Ga shallow marine to subaerial calc-alkaline
mafic to felsic volcanic rocks of the McNeely sequence, overlain and interstratified by c. 2.74 Ga
submarine, mixed calc-alkaline and tholeiitic basalts and FIII-type rhyolite of the Heyson
assemblage. McNeely volcanic rocks have an εNd value of +1 to +0.8, whereas Heyson volcanic
rocks have depleted εNd values of +2.9. These geochemical and isotopic data are consistent with
establishment of a Neoarchean shallow marine arc (McNeely) on the existing Mesoarchean
43

�continental margin sequence, with local intra-arc extension and eruption of high temperature F3
rhyolite and submarine tholeiitic basalt (Heyson). A depositional relationship between the
Confederation and Mesoarchean assemblages is supported by a c. 2.75 Ga felsic dyke that cuts
the Balmer assemblage, and by Mesoarchean inheritance in c. 2.74 Ga volcanic rocks (Corfu et
al., 1998). An angular unconformity is indicated by opposing facing of Balmer and
Confederation strata in the Madsen area, consistent with overturning of the Balmer (D0) prior to
Confederation volcanism. Local occurrences of coarse clastic rocks, such as ironstone-derived
conglomerate on Wolfe Bay, may represent basal conglomerate marking this unconformity.
Typically, however, the interface between Neoarchean and Mesoarchean volcanic rocks is
covered by a c. 2.735 Ga clastic sequence, the Huston assemblage. Detrital zircon populations
from conglomerate samples of the Huston assemblage from the Balmertown and Madsen areas
show single, prominent (50-60 grains), c. 2.74 Ga detrital age peaks that indicate derivation from
the Confederation assemblage. Undated conglomeratic rocks that underlie the youngest volcanic
assemblage in the belt (c. 2.733 Ga Graves) are correlated with the Huston assemblage, as are
argillaceous to turbiditic rocks that conformably overlie c. 2.744 Ga McNeely volcanic rocks in
central Red Lake. Shallow marine to subaerial, 2.73 Ga calc-alkaline, intermediate to felsic
volcanic rocks and synvolcanic plutons of the Graves assemblage reflect Andean-style arc
magmatism that culminated in the c. 2.72-2.70 Ga Kenoran orogeny.
The youngest supracrustal rock in the belt is a pebble conglomerate, once thought to correlate
with the “Austin tuff” ore horizon. This garnetiferous metasedimentary rock yielded a diverse
detrital zircon population profile (n=56 grains), with ages that correspond to the Balmer, Ball,
Trout Bay and Confederation assemblages, and younger. The maximum depositional age of this
sample is 2700 ±6 Ma, the upper intercept of a 5-spot regression for the youngest detrital zircon
analysed. This young supracrustal sequence provides a new maximum age for penetrative
deformation and amphibolite-facies metamorphism in the Red Lake area. Its relationship to gold
mineralization is no longer certain.
The Red Lake greenstone belt displays evidence of several episodes of deformation, interpreted
to be closely linked with extensive hydrothermal activity and gold mineralization.
Nonpenetrative deformation (D0) appears to have involved overturning of the c. 2.99 Ga Balmer
assemblage, possibly related to recumbent folding, prior to Neoarchean volcanism. The main
stages of penetrative deformation were imposed after ca. 2.74 Ga volcanism. These resulted in
northerly trending, south-plunging F1 folds and associated S1/L1 fabrics, superimposed by eastto northeast-trending D2 structures (F2/S2/L2) in western and central Red Lake, and by southeasttrending folds and fabrics (the “mine trend”) in eastern Red Lake. D1 may be bracketed between
2.744 Ga, the age of Confederation volcanic rocks in central Red Lake that contain F1 structures,
and c. 2.733 Ga, the age of the Graves volcanic sequence that does not appear to have been
affected by D1. It seems probable that deposition of the Huston assemblage took place
synchronous with, and as a response to deformation (D1) and that D1 is linked to a change in
plate dynamics that took place between Confederation and Graves volcanism. An important
constraint on the timing of D2 is provided by the relationship of regionally extensive D2 fabrics
to the 2718 ±1 Ma Dome Stock. Supracrustal rocks adjacent to the stock, and occurring as
xenoliths within the stock, contain a penetrative S2 fabric. The stock itself contains a weak
throughgoing NE-striking foliation coplanar to S2 observed elsewhere. These fabric
relationships suggest that the main cleavage-forming stage of D2 predated intrusion of the Dome
stock at 2718 Ma, but that shortening was sustained beyond its emplacement. Penetrative strain
44

�appears to have outlasted c. 2700 ±6 Ma, the maximum age of young unconformably overlying
conglomeratic rocks that display a penetrative tectonic foliation coplanar to D2 fabrics
throughout central Red Lake. Metamorphic mineral assemblages within this sample and
surrounding rocks include staurolite-cordierite-garnet-bioite from pelitic compositions and
orthoamphibole-garnet from mafic compositions, indicating that amphibolite facies
metamorphism also outlasted ca. 2700 ±6 Ma.
We interpret tectonometamorphism of the Red Lake belt between c. 2.718 and 2.7 Ga to be the
result of orogenic activity related to collision between the c. 3 Ga North Caribou terrane and the
c. 3.6-3.0 Ga Winnipeg River terrane, to the north and south of the Red Lake belt, respectively.
If the dated “Austin tuff” sample represents an intact relict of the gold ore horizon mined from
the Madson area, these new data would suggest gold mineralization of young, unconformably
overlying clastic rocks after ca. 2.7 Ga. However, this is in contrast to the timing of gold
mineralization in the Balmertown area, which has been shown to predate 2714 ±4 Ma, the age of
a post-ore porphyritic dyke from the New Red Lake (formerly A.W. White) mine (Corfu and
Andrews, 1987).
Corfu, F. and Andrews, A.J., 1987. Geochronological constraints on the timing of magmatism, deformation
and gold mineralization in the Red Lake greenstone belt, northwestern Ontario. Can. J. Earth Sci. 24, 13021320.
Corfu, F., Davis, D. W., Stone, D. and Moore, M., 1998. Chronostratigraphic constraints on the genesis of
Archean greenstone belts, northwestern Superior Province, Ontario, Canada. Precam. Res. 92, 277-295.
Henry, P., Stevenson, R.K., Larbi, Y. and Gariepy, C., 2000. Nd isotopic evidence for Early to Late
Archean (3.4-2.7 Ga) crustal growth in the western Superior Province (Ontario, Canada). Tectonophysics,
v.322, p.135-151.

45

�The Mine Permitting Process in Minnesota - Who, What, Where, and When.
Severson, M. J., (Natural Resources Research Institute, University of Minnesota Duluth,
5013 Miller Trunk Highway, Duluth, MN 55811-1442 e-mail: mseverso@nrri.umn.edu)
Interest in the Cu-Ni-PGE deposits of the Duluth Complex has been recently renewed due to
advances in hyrometallurgical processes and increased PGE metal prices. Economic evaluations
are currently being conducted for several of the deposits, and in some cases, initial steps have
also been taken in order to obtain the various permits to mine. In Minnesota, the permitting
process for a non-ferrous, metallic mine is complicated; involves dealing with numerous
different federal, state, and local agencies; and as yet, has not been carried through to completion
for establishment of either an open pit or underground mine. This project outlines each of the
necessary permitting steps that are needed to develop a metallic mine, and provides time lines, or
length of the various determination processes, for each type of permit that would be required.
Also included are lists of agencies, contact persons, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses. All of
the data generated in this project will be used to produce a report, and supplemental pamphlet,
that fully describes what each permit entails.
At the forefront of the mine permitting process in Minnesota is an environmental review process
consisting of preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), and because an EIS is
mandatory, it must be preceded by preparation of a scoping Environmental Assessment
Worksheet (EAW). Many of the permits that are mining-related require this process to be
completed (Table 1). The scoping EAW is designed to identify potentially significant issues
(including possible environmental, sociological, economic, and health risk impacts) that will be
associated with a proposed mine and will need further study in the EIS. Thus, the EAW is a
“blueprint” for the EIS because it sets limits on what will be discussed further and at what level
of detail. It is a standardized six-page questionnaire (31 questions), accompanied by numerous
supplemental pages to fully answer the questions, and “typically” takes 90-120 days to complete.
The EIS, which typically takes 280 days to complete (legally mandated time), is a thorough
study of the issues defined in the EAW and provides information regarding environmental
impacts and how they can be avoided/minimized. It considers and sets forth a series of
“reasonable” alternatives (including the “no-build” alternative), possible permit conditions, and
possible mitigation measures. The EIS does not approve or disapprove of a project; rather, it
provides information and alternatives. A determination on the adequacy of the information
provided in the EIS must be made before it can be used in determining whether to grant or deny
any mine-related permit applications.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is the Responsible Government Unit
(RGU) for both the scoping EAW and EIS. The EAW/EIS process should begin as soon as
possible because the entire process could take around 1.5 years before a final adequacy decision
can be made. Furthermore, no decisions on most mine-related permits can be made until after
the EIS process has been completed (actually 25-90 days after the adequacy decision). It is
extremely important to make early contact with all of the agencies that are responsible for
granting permits for several reasons that include: 1. to insure that all issues relating to the various
permits are included for study in the EIS; 2. to begin preparation on some of the permits so they
can be issued as quickly as possible after the EIS is complete (some permits can take up to 1.5
years (or more) before decisions to grant or deny can be made); 3. to avoid duplication of efforts
46

�for the various permits and establish cooperation between the agencies; and 4. to get the public
informed and involved to hopefully minimize later delays in the permitting process.
Table 1: List of potential permits required to establish a non-ferrous, metallic mine in Minnesota.

Permit

Agency

Approximate
Application
determination time*

Permit to Mine**

DNR Minerals

7-8 months

WCA-Wetlands Replacement Plan**

DNR Minerals

4-6 months

Water Appropriation Permit**

DNR Waters

&lt; 2 months

Public Waters Work Permit**

DNR Waters

&lt; 2 months

Dam Safety Permit**

DNR Waters

&lt; 2 months

Part 70 - Air Quality Permit**

MPCA

1.5 years

NPDES/SDS Stormwater Permits (two - for
Construction and Industrial Activity)
NPDES/SDS Wastewater Permits** ( two - for
industrial process wastewater and sewage)
Hazardous Waste Permit**

MPCA

&lt; 2 months?

MPCA

1.5 years

MPCA

1-3 years

Section 404 Permit (discharges to wetlands)**

ACOE

Section 10 Permit ? (Affects to “navigable” waters
of the US)
Section 401 Certification (wetland certification
needed before 404 permit can be issued)
Water Treatment Plant Permits

ACOE

120 days (unless Fed.
EIS required?)
?

MPCA

60-120 days ?

MPCA

?

Local Permits - zoning, construction, bonding, etc

varies

“short” period

* = Minimum time to complete (assuming optimal conditions) after all data that are required to
be submitted for the permit are complete
** = Permit that by itself may require a mandatory EAW and/or EIS.
Abbreviations: DNR = Department of Natural Resources; MPCA = Minnesota Pollution Control
Agency; ACOE = Army Corps of Engineers; NPDES = National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System; SDS = State Disposal System; WCA = Wetland Conservation Act.

47

�Description of a pegmatite occurrence on the eastern margin of the Mellen Granite, State
Highway 13, Ashland County, Wisconsin.
Sikkila, K., (Wisconsin Department of Transportation, District 8, Superior, Wisconsin)
A highway construction project supervised by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation,
District 8 office took place during the 2001 field season on State Highway 13 immediately north
of the City of Mellen in central Ashland County. Construction activity began at the intersection
with State Highway 169, extending northward for 3480 meters. The project consisted of a
realignment within the existing right-of-way and necessitated the blasting, excavation and
removal of approximately 33000 cubic meters of rock.
Bedrock geology in the project area consists of intrusive rocks of the Lower Keweenawan
(approximately 1.1 Ga) Mellen Complex. The highway right-of-way is positioned over the
contact between two discrete rock bodies within the Complex: the gabbroic rocks of the Potato
River Intrusion (to the east); and the younger Mellen Granite (to the west). A previously existing
roadcut along the right-of-way indicated the presence of an intrusive breccia at this intrusive
contact. The primary lithology of the breccia matrix in this previously existing roadcut appears
to be granodiorite, with xenoliths of gabbro, lesser amounts of mafic volcanic rocks, and minor
amounts of metasediments of probable Lower Proterozoic age.
New exposures resulting from construction activity indicate an additional complexity to this
brecciated contact margin, culminating in the presence of a small pegmatite body approximately
520 meters to the north of the original intrusive breccia exposure. The petrography of the
pegmatite itself appears to consist primarily of coarse-grained potassium feldspar (perthite),
quartz and biotite, with accessory epidote, apatite and other currently unidentified minerals. An
irregular central “core” contains abundant quantities of myrmekite, various unidentified
phosphates(?), and an unidentified pale lilac-colored mineral. Analyses will be performed on
these minerals in the near future. The intrusive breccia in the areas proximal to the pegmatite
displays moderate to strong potassium metasomatism, with plagioclase altered to potassium
feldspar/perthite/myrmekite and the generation of epidote as a residual by-product, the alteration
of mafic minerals in gabbroic xenoliths to biotite and/or phlogopite and hornblende, etc.
Anastomosing swarms of small irregular felsite (aplite?) dikes also occur in this zone. Evidence
for later-stage cataclasis and a retrograde chlorite event is represented by occurrences of
chloritized mafic fault gouge and the presence of books of chlorite replacing biotite phenocrysts
in areas proximal to these gouge zones. Irregular localized bodies of intrusive rocks of
intermediate composition (syenite, monzonite, monzonite porphyry, monzogabbro, quartz
diorite, etc.) also occur along the perimeter of this breccia/pegmatite zone. Widely disseminated
sulfides (pyrite/chalcopyrite) are also noted.

48

�Inferences from the Hattenberger deep drill hole, Carlton County, Minnesota, pertinent to
regional stratigraphy and mineral potential of the western segment of the Penokean
Orogen
Southwick, D.L., (Minnesota Geological Survey (retired); davidsouthwick@earthlink.net)
The Hattenberger core hole, drilled vertically to a depth of 7,440 feet (2,268,3 meters) near
Kettle River in Carlton County, Minnesota, penetrates a sequence of metamorphosed and
deformed sedimentary and volcanic strata of Paleoproterozoic age within the fold and thrust belt
of the Penokean orogen. Continuous core recovered from the depth interval 803 to 7,440 feet
(244.8 to 2,268.3 meters) provides a rare depth-dimensional view of the lithostratigraphy and
structures in rocks that are not well exposed at the surface.
The cored interval below depth 4,780 feet (1,457.3 meters) consists predominantly of quartz-rich
mica schist, calcareous mica schist, and dolomitic marble that are interstratified on coarse to fine
scales. Relatively minor amounts of mafic volcanic rock (both flows and fragmental types) and
recrystallized cherty iron-formation are interstratified with the dominant quartzose, micaceous,
and calcareous metasedimentary rocks in the upper part of this lowermost major division of the
core. In the upper major division of the core, above depth 4,780 feet, the predominant rock types
are (1) dark-colored, thinly bedded graphitic mica schist and phyllite; (2) non-magnetic,
graphitic, silicate-carbonate-sulfide iron-formation, parts of which are characterized by
prominent porphyroblasts of Fe-rich garnet and amphibole; and (3) an assortment of mafic
volcanic rock types that in general form thin stratigraphic units interbedded with the
metasedimentary components. Sills of metadiabase chemically identical to the volcanic rocks
occur throughout the whole core, in both the lower sequence of quartzose and calcareous schists
and the upper sequence of graphitic and iron-rich rocks. Altogether, the sills and allied
metavolcanic rocks amount to about half of the total footage drilled, with the greater part being
sills.
The lithologic and structural attributes of the lower sequence of rocks in the Hattenberger core
match well with those of the Denham Formation at its type locality (Morey, 1978; Boerboom and
Jirsa, 2001). Likewise, the attributes of the upper sequence match well with those of the Glen
Township Formation, the type section for which is contained in several cores drilled about 23
miles (37 kilometers) along regional strike to the west of the Hattenberger locality (Morey,
1978). The assumed Denham–Glen Township contact in the Hattenberger core is occupied by a
thick sill of metadiabase, the margins of which are strongly sheared. This leaves the nature of
the formational contact open to question. It could be a conformable contact invaded by the sill,
with the shearing at sill margins due to mechanical contrasts during complex, multi-stage
regional deformation, or it could be a tectonic contact invaded by the sill that was later
reactivated.

49

�Highly deformed, variably metamorphosed stratotectonic complexes of calcareous
metasedimentary rocks, carbonate-silicate-sulfide iron-formation, and mafic metavolcanic
rocks are the regional hosts for economic mineral deposits in several important mining camps,
including the Homestake district in South Dakota (Caddey and others, 1991) and the Broken Hill
and Mount Isa districts in Australia (Ashley and others, 1998; Painter and others, 1999). The
mechanical contrasts among the various rock types in these complexes, together with the
geochemical reactivity of the calcareous and iron-rich strata, provide fertile ground for mineral
deposition from spatially associated hydrothermal systems. Clearly, the geological attributes
revealed in the Hattenberger core are not of themselves meaningful indicators of mineral-deposit
probability. However, those attributes taken in conjunction with mineralogical evidence of
hydrothermal activity in the Cuyuna mining district (McSwiggen and others, 1995; Melcher and
others, 1996) and the presence of barren massive sulfide deposits in the Glen Township area
(Han, 1968) suggest that broad areas of east-central Minnesota are intrinsically prospective for a
variety of ore-deposit types.
Ashley, P.M., Lottermoser, B.G., and Westaway, J.M., 1998, Iron-formations and epigenetic ironstones in the
Palaeoproterozoic Willyama Supergroup, Olary domain, South Australia: Mineralogy and Petrology, v. 64,
p. 187-218.
Boerboom, T.J., and Jirsa, M.A., 2001, Stratigraphy of the Paleoproterozoic Denham Formation—a continental
margin assemblage of basalt, arkose, and dolomite [abs.]: Institute on Lake Superior Geology, 47th Annual
Meeting, Proceedings, v. 47, Program and Abstracts, pt. 1, p. 6-7.
Caddey, S.W., Bachman, R.L., Campbell, T.J., Reid, R.R., and Otto, R.P., 1991, The Homestake gold mine, an
Early Proterozoic iron-formation-hosted gold deposit, Lawrence County, South Dakota: U.S. Geological
Survey Bulletin 1857-J, p. J1-J67.
Han, T.M., 1968, Ore mineral relations in the Cuyuna sulfide deposit, Minnesota: Mineralium Deposita, v. 3, no. 2,
p. 109-134.
McSwiggen, P.L., Morey, G.B., and Cleland, J.M., 1995, Iron-formation protolith and genesis, Cuyuna range,
Minnesota: Minnesota Geological Survey Report of Investigations 45, 54 p.
Melcher, F., Morey, G.B., McSwiggen, P.L., Cleland, J.M., and Brink, S.E., 1996, Hydrothermal systems in
manganese-rich iron-formation of the Cuyuna North range, Minnesota: Geochemical and mineralogical
study of the Gloria drill core: Minnesota Geological Survey Report of Investigations 46, 59 p.
Morey, G.B., 1978, Lower and Middle Precambrian stratigraphic nomenclature for east-central Minnesota:
Minnesota Geological Survey Report of Investigations 21, 52 p.
Painter, M.G.M., Golding, S.D., Hannan, K.W., and Neudert, M.K., 1999, Sedimentologic, petrographic, and sulfur
isotope constraints on fine-grained pyrite formation at Mount Isa Mine and environs, northwest
Queensland, Australia: Economic Geology, v. 94, no. 6, p. 883-912.

50

�Petrographic Study of the Ottertail Pluton, Superior Province, Northwestern Ontario
Sturm, C. L., Czeck, D. M and Fein, E., (Oberlin College Geology Department, Oberlin Ohio
44074. Claire.sturm@oberlin.edu)

INTRODUCTION
This study concentrates on the Ottertail Pluton at the Wabigoon-Quetico subprovince boundary
in the western Superior Province near Mine Centre, Ontario. The Ottertail is one of the Algoman
plutons dated at 2686 Ma (Davis et. al, 1989), which have been used to constrain the termination
of deformation at the subprovince boundary (e. g. Davis et. al, 1989; Poulsen, 2000). Our goal is
to study the mineralogy and microstructures of the pluton in thin section. At the macroscopic
level the pluton seems largely undeformed because of the general lack of macroscopic
deformation fabrics. This has led many researchers to interpret the Ottertail Pluton to be posttectonic. However, it has been shown that determining the relationship between pluton
emplacement and deformation requires more detailed analysis (Paterson and Tobisch 1988). We
are using petrographic analysis combined with a magnetic fabric study to better determine the
relationship between the pluton emplacement and deformation at the Wabigoon-Quetico
boundary.
ANALYSIS
Using optical petrography and a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), we determined the
mineralogy and magnetic mineralogy of the pluton. In general, the pluton ranges from quartz
monzonite to granite to granodiorite. Mineralogy consists of: quartz, plagioclase, microcline,
microcline perthite, hornblende, myrmekite, and some zircon. There are also minor amounts of
sericite, clinozoisite, magnetite (and other opaque minerals) in some portions of the pluton. The
grain sizes vary. Many quartz crystals have undulose extinction and some have subgrains, which
suggest slight deformation by dislocation processes. Minor metamorphism is indicated by
sericite in plagioclase crystals, and microcline perthite.
At the macroscopic level, the pluton seems largely undeformed, but our study of anisotropy of
magnetic susceptibility (AMS) and microstructures show that there is some evidence for
deformation.
Davis, D. W., Poulsen, K. H., Kamo, S. L., 1989. New insights into Archean crustal development from
geochronology in the Rainy Lake area, Superior Province, Canada. Journal of Geology 97, 379-398.
Paterson, S. R., Tobisch, O. T., 1988. Using pluton ages to date regional deformations: problems with commonly
used criteria. Geology 16, 1108-1111.
Poulsen, K. H., 2000. Archean metallogeny of the Mine Centre - Fort Frances area. Ontario Geological Survey
Report 266, 121.

51

�Internal structures within crustal structural slabs, Quetico-Wawa subprovince junction,
Quetico Provincial Park, Ontario
Woodard, H.H. (Department of Geology, Beloit College, Beloit, Wisconsin 53511)
The rocks of the Wawa subprovince, adjacent to the Quetico-Wawa subprovince junction, in the
region between Agnes Lake and McKenzie Lake in Quetico Provincial Park, Ontario can be
grouped into two discrete structural slabs. Detailed mapping of the ductile borders of these slabs
indicates that the slabs are approximately 2 km thick and probably form the limbs of major
recumbent folds. The base of each slab is defined by a ductile structural discontinuity, possibly
representing the lower limb of a nappe or thrust surface. The northeastern McKenzie Lake slab
rests upon the underlying Agnes Lake slab. The rocks which make up these structural slabs are
amphibolite-grade, migmatitic, mica-quartz-feldspar-garnet schists, amphibolite, and tonalitegranodiorite.
All of these rocks contain major deformational structures which were formed before, during and
after the emplacement of the enclosing crustal slabs. The earliest recognizable structures are
found only in the tonalite-granodiorites. These structures are layers of centimeter-scale
thickness, and most are only recognized on outcrop surfaces where the layers are accentuated by
superficial weathering. These layers are probably caused by centimeter-scale shearing within the
tonalites. Both field measurements and aerial photo interpretation demonstrate that these
centermeter-scale layers occur in “structural packages” which often have thicknesses on a scale
of hundreds of meters. Hundreds of strike and dip measurements made on these layers, in
conjunction with interpretation of large-scale, detailed, aerial photographs, demonstrate that the
layers are deformed into a complex series of folds with typical wave lengths ranging from one to
two kilometers. Many of the folds appear overturned, but some are upright, and most plunge
northeastward, with occasional reversal of plunge. Interlayered and infolded with the tonalites
are schists and amphibolites, and primary structures in these meta-sedimentary and metavolcanic rocks sometimes allow determination of stratigraphic top. All of the internal layers and
folds are cut and smeared by the last recognizable ductile deformation along the subprovince
junction.
The internally folded rocks are later broken into individual kilometer-scale structural blocks
which are bounded by steeply dipping faults. These faults are rarely exposed in outcrop, but
some cut and offset the Quetico-Wawa subprovince ductile junction. Thus, a brittle phase of
deformation followed the last ductile deformation at the subprovince junction and the
emplacement of the crustal slabs. These faults, which cut the internal folds of the McKenzie
Lake crustal slab, appear unrelated to the Burntside Lake brittle fault zone. This fault has been
traced in outcrop about 100 km northeastward from its type locality on Burntside Lake,
Minnesota and is mapped as terminating against the Quetico-Wawa junction in the vicinity of
McKenzie Lake. The internal faults typically lack the intense centimeter-scale brecciation and
the intense hydrothermal oxidation so characteristic of the Burntside Lake fault zone. Further,
the strike orientation of seventy-five mapped internal faults appear geometrically related to the
ductile folding of the Quetico-Wawa junction (and crustal slab development) rather than to the
northeast-striking Burntside Lake fault.

52

�Thus, the internal structures within the McKenzie Lake crustal slab initially appear to record
intense centimeter-scale shearing within all the rocks. This shearing is followed by ductile
folding and complete recrystallization and then by recumbent overfolding of the sheared and
folded sequence to produce the crustal slab. Following slab emplacement, the rocks are broken
into kilometer-scale fault blocks, the strikes of which suggest a relationship to a later stage of
compression across the subprovince junction. The latest ductile deformation along the QueticoWawa subprovince junction cuts the crustal slabs, and all their rocks and internal structures.
The Agnes Lake structural slab, which underlies the McKenzie Lake slab, contains a similar
suite of rocks and has similar internal structures to the above-described McKenzie Lake slab.
However, within the Agnes Lake slab the internal structures are dominated by a series of
northeast-striking, gently northwest-dipping, ductile shear zones chiefly at the contacts with
tonalite and schistose rock units. These ductile shears are themselves recumbently folded and
overturned toward the southeast. Although fieldwork continues on the Agnes Lake slab, the
current interpretation of these internal ductile shears is that they represent folded sections of an
earlier Quetico-Wawa subprovince junction, which have been sheared and folded into the Agnes
Lake slab.

53

�Impact of fire on the forest floor and mineral soils, Snowbank Lake, Minnesota

Woodruff, L.G., (U.S. Geological Survey, Mounds View, MN, 55112 (woodruff@usgs.gov)), Cannon,
W.F., and Dicken, C., (U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA 20192)
We are investigating the geochemical effects of fire on the forest floor and mineral soils in an
area of the Superior National Forest near Snowbank Lake that was burned in a fuel reduction
prescribed fire by the USDA Forest Service on October 11, 2000. The forest around Snowbank
Lake, in northern Minnesota, is a mixed stand of older-aged balsam fir, spruce, aspen, red pine
and jack pine. Many trees, particularly mature balsam and spruce, were blown down by a severe
storm in July 1999. The scheduled Snowbank Lake fire gave us the opportunity to establish 10
study sites in the proposed burn area. At each site we described and collected soils prior to the
fire, immediately after the fire, and seven months after the fire to quantify physical and chemical
changes in the forest floor as a result of the burning. Initial sampling was in July 2000. At each
site, forest floor material (living moss, forest litter, and/or humic layers) and mineral soil
horizons (A-, E-, B- and C-horizons as available) were collected for analysis. The thickness of
each layer was measured, and representative samples were collected for density calculations.
The fire burned much of the fine fuel at the surface and affected 8 of the 10 sample sites. On
October 12, prior to any post-fire rainfall, we resampled the sites. Burn severity (a qualitative
assessment of the heat pulse directed towards the ground during a fire) was estimated and where
possible samples comparable to pre-burn samples were collected. The sites were resampled
seven months later in May 2001, following a winter of moderate snow cover. The fuel load at the
surface and the moisture content of the forest surface controlled the major impact of the fire on
the forest floor. Fire severity was high (100% of organic forest floor material consumed, mineral
soil exposed) at 4 sites, moderate at 1 site (some forest floor material burned, mineral soil not
exposed), and light at 3 sites (surface material charred with minimal loss at the forest floor). Two
sites were untouched by fire.
One of the elements of interest in this study was mercury. Gaseous elemental mercury in the
atmosphere is transferred into a forest environment by wet and dry deposition onto the forest
floor, creating a repository of mercury that is bound to organic carbon compounds. Recent
studies show that smoke plumes from forest fires carry substantial mercury, but the origin of that
mercury was in question (Friedli et al., 2001). Our preburn sampling shows that much of the
mercury at the forest surface is bound to organic material on the forest floor and in organic
mineral soils. Severe fire can vaporize much of this mercury as the organic compounds are
combusted. Based on pre-burn analyses and measured thickness and density of organic material
and assuming that all mercury in the organic layer is emitted during high severity burns when the
forest floor is burned down to the mineral soil, average mercury emissions from the Snowbank
Lake burn were about 2 mg/m2 of burned surface. This estimate only takes into account mercury
bound to organic material on the forest floor and does not include burned foliage or woody fuels.
Mercury bound to organic material in A-horizon mineral soils was not lost, even at sites of high
burn severity, indicating that the fire’s thermal pulse did not heat soils above the 357oC
vaporization temperature of mercury.
Because the footprint of an historic fire was apparent in our study of soil geochemistry in Isle
Royale National Park (Woodruff and Cannon, 2001) we anticipated that exposure of mineral
54

�soils by fire would lead to loss of both mercury and carbon over time. Loss of organic matter
should be accelerated by solar heating of previously shaded soils and by lower input rates of
organic matter because of loss of forest canopy. Interestingly, analyses of A-horizon soils
collected at Snowbank Lake in May 2001 show no carbon loss and marked increases in mercury
rather than decreases (Figure 1A). The reasons for this increase are unknown, although we
speculate that it may be the result of leaching of mercury from the overlying ash layer or
possibly from enhanced sorption of mercury by exposed organic material in mineral soils. The
fact that carbon does not increase concomitant with mercury suggests that physical incorporation
of ash and adsorbed mercury is not the cause of higher mercury concentrations.
Lead, which much like mercury has an atmospheric source and is enriched in the forest floor and
organic mineral soils, is enriched in the uppermost mineral soil samples collected in October
after the fire compared to preburn values (Figure 1B), but comparable soil samples collected the
following May show a slight decrease in lead, although most values are still higher than July
2000 levels. The increase of lead in soils immediately following the fire may be the result of the
concentration of residual lead remaining after the burning of forest vegetation. Lead sorbed onto
organic material may not volatilize in the fire, but could collect on surface soils.
Additional sampling is planned for May 2002 to monitor the evolving geochemistry of the forest
surface. This research shows that there are both immediate and long-term impact from fire,
including loss of volatile elements and profound element movement at the forest surface.
Figure 1. Mercury and lead versus carbon in A-horizon soil samples from the area of the Snowbank Lake prescribed
fire.

Friedli, H., L. Radke and J. Lu, 2001, Mercury in smoke from biomass fires: Geophysical
Research Letters, v. 28, p. 3223-3226.
Woodruff, L.G. and Cannon, W.F., 2001, The effect of fire on mercury and carbon in forest soils: results from
northern Michigan and Minnesota: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v.33, p. A186.

55

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                    <text>INSTITUTE ON LAKE SUPERIOR GEOLOGY
48th Annual Meeting
Proceedings Volume 48
Part 2 - Field Trip Guidebook

Kenora, Ontario – May 12-16, 2002

�INSTITUTE ON LAKE SUPERIOR GEOLOGY
48th Annual Meeting
May 12-16, 2002
Kenora, Ontario
Hosted by:
Peter Hinz and Richard C. Beard
Co-Chairs
Sponsored by the
Ontario Geological Survey

Proceedings
Volume 48

Part 2 - Field Trip Guidebook
(Compiled by Blackburn Geological Services)

�48th Annual Meeting
Institute on Lake Superior Geology
Volume 48 contains the following parts:
Part 1: Program and Abstracts
Part 2: Field Trip Guidebook
1 - Tanco Rare-Element Pegmatite, Southeastern Manitoba
2 - Quaternary Geology of Southeastern Manitoba
3 - Structure and Sedimentology of the Seine Conglomerate, Mine Centre Area,
Ontario
4 - Industrial Minerals and Paleozoic Geology of Southeastern Manitoba
5 - Separation Rapids Rare-Element Pegmatite Field, Ontario
6 - Geology of the Red Lake Camp, Ontario
Reference to the material in this volume should follow the example below:
Lichtblau, A. and Storey, C.C. 2002. Geology of the Red Lake Camp, Ontario:
Institute on Lake Superior Geology Proceedings, 48th Annual Meeting, Kenora,
Ontario, 2002, v. 48, Part 2, p. 121-138.
Volume 48 is published by the Institute on Lake Superior Geology and distributed by the
Institute Secretary-Treasurer:
Mark Jirsa
Minnesota Geological Survey
2642 University Avenue
St. Paul, MN USA 55114-1057
(612) 627-4780
email: jirsa001@tc.umn.edu
ILSG webstite http://www.ilsgeology.org/
ISSN 1042-9964
Cover Illustration:
Geologists examining a dump at the Gold Hill mine, Kirkup Township, 13 km southeast
of Kenora, in 1914. Between 1886 and 1893 this mine produced 1090 ounces of gold from 220
tons milled. Four shallow shafts were sunk to a combined depth of 258 feet: the headframe for
one of them is seen in the picture. The winning of gold from narrow discontinuous quartz veins
was typical of the numerous small-scale mines of the Kenora goldfields in the latter part of the
19th and the early 20th century.

ii

�CONTENTS
Proceedings Volume 48
Part 2 – Field Trips
Trip1: The Tanco Rare-Element Pegmatite, Southeastern Manitoba ....................................1
Leaders:
Staff, Tantalum Mining Corporation of Canada, Ltd.
Trip 2: Quaternary Geology of Southeastern Manitoba..........................................................23
Stop 1: Striated outcrop, West Hawk Lake ................................................................26
Stop 2: West Hawk Lake, Till Section .......................................................................27
Stop 3: West Hawk Lake, Meteorite Impact Structure ..............................................28
Stop 4: Sapping Channels (Upper Cambell Beach) ...................................................30
Stop 5: Upper Campbell Beach of Lake Agassiz .......................................................31
Stop 6: Interglacial Site at Grunthal...........................................................................32
Leaders:
E. Nielsen, Manitoba Geological Survey
G. Matile, Manitoba Geological Survey

Trip 3: Structure and Sedimentology of the Seine Conglomerate, Mine Centre Area,
Ontario ........................................................................................................................37
Stop 1: Basal facies, low deformation, Shoal Lake road............................................60
Stop 2: 2D view, sandy lenses, dextral shear, Forest Tour road ................................61
Stop 3: 3D view, moderate deformation, Horsecollar Junction, Hwy 11 ..................61
Stop 4: Ultra deformed conglomerate, Hwy 11 .........................................................61
Stop 5: Small fold, Seine River bridge, Hwy 11 ........................................................62
Leaders:
D. Czeck, Oberlin College
P. Fralick, Lakehead University

Trip 4: Industrial Minerals and Paleozoic Geology of Southeastern Manitoba ....................69
Stop 1: Sungro horticultural shagnum peat bog and plant .........................................90
Stop 2: Cold Spring Granite dimension stone quarry and plant.................................90
Stop 3: Gillis Tyndall Stone quarry and plant............................................................91
Leaders:
J. Bamburak, Manitoba Geological Survey
R. Bezys, Manitoba Geological Survey

iii

�Trip 5: Separation Rapids Rare-Element Pegmatite Field, Ontario ......................................95
Stop 1: Big Mack pegmatite.....................................................................................107
Stop 2: Separation Rapids pluton .............................................................................109
Stop 3: Big Whopper pegmatite ...............................................................................110
Stop 4: Marko's pegmatite........................................................................................115
Stop 5: James' pegmatite ..........................................................................................116
Leaders:
C. Blackburn, Blackburn Geological Services
D. Bubar, C. Pedersen, K. Rees, Avalon Ventures Ltd.
C. Galeschuk, Tantalum Mining Corporation of Canada, Ltd.
A. Mowatt, Emerald Fields Resource Corp.
T. Pryslak, A..P. Pryslak Geological Services
Trip 6: Geology of the Red Lake Camp, Ontario ...................................................................121
Stop 1: Meso-neoarchean contact, Woodland Cemetery road .................................130
Stop 2: Calcite carbonatized pillowed flows, Sandy Bay road ................................130
Stop 3: Cofederation/Balmer assemblages contact, Suffel Lake road .....................130
Stop 4: Madsen deposit, power line outcrops ..........................................................131
Stop 5: Buffalo deposit.............................................................................................133
Stop 6: Howey mine .................................................................................................134
Stop 7: Howey Bay-Flat Lake deformation zone.....................................................134
Stop 8: Redcon carbonate zone, Nungesser road .....................................................135
Leaders:
A. Lichtblau, Ontario Geological Survey
C. Storey, Ontario Geological Survey
Staff, Goldcorp Inc. - Red Lake Mine
Staff, Placer Dome North America - Campbell Mine

iv

�Field Trip 1
The Tanco Rare-Element Pegmatite, Southeastern Manitoba
Peter Vanstone
Chief Geologist
Steven Young
Mill Superintendent

Roland Simard
Mine Superintendent

Carey Galeschuk
Project Geologist

Alistair Gibb
Chemical Plant Superintendent

Tantalum Mining Corporation of Canada Limited
P.O. Box 2000
Lac du Bonnet, Manitoba R0E 1A0

"Giraffe" underground at the Tanco mine.

�INTRODUCTION
Pegmatites throughout the world range in age from late Archean (2,500-2,800 million years) to
Miocene (5-23 million years) (Cerny 1989a). Within Canada, there are noticeable concentrations
of rare-element pegmatites associated with the following orogenic events:
1. the Kenoran Orogeny (2,750-2,550 million years) in the Archean Superior Province;
2. the Hudsonian Orogeny (1,800 – 1,600 million years) in the Churchill Province; and,
3. the Grenville Orogeny (1,200 – 900 million years) in the Grenville Province.
The pegmatite being commercially exploited by Tantalum Mining Corporation of Canada
Limited (Tanco) is an example of an extremely fractionated, pollucite-bearing pegmatite which
was emplaced during the Kenoran Orogeny.
The Tanco pegmatite is located at Bernic Lake in the Canadian Shield of southeastern Manitoba,
approximately 180 kilometres by paved and all-weather gravel road northeast of Winnipeg
(Figure 1). The nearest communities, Lac du Bonnet and Pinawa, are located approximately 60
kilometres and 75 kilometres, respectively, from the minesite.
Tanco has been a significant producer of tantalum concentrates, ceramic-grade spodumene
concentrates, pollucite and other materials since the late 1960’s. More recently cesium

N

(icY
ii
Winnipeg

IdIlUVI
du Bois

Lac

PiIqIM

if

I

Seauj

ic

o

20

———
10

Figure 1. Location of Tanco

2

20

30

40

40

30

50

�chemicals have been produced at the minesite. During this time, the pegmatite has been the
subject of numerous studies because of its very limited low temperature alteration, lack of postemplacement, structural deformation and its absence of weathering effects. The geographic
location of the pegmatite and the willingness of Tanco to allow access to its extensive diamond
drill core library, as well as, the underground workings have also been contributing factors.
For more information on the Tanco pegmatite and pegmatites in general, the reader is referred to
the Canadian Mineralogist issues by Berry (1972), Cerny (1982), Martin and Cerny (1992), and
Anderson et al (1998). Also, Brown and Ewing (1986) edited an issue of the American
Mineralogist focused on pegmatites and granitic rocks, and Moller et al (1989) edited the
proceedings of a workshop on the lanthanides, tantalum and niobium. Brisbin (1986) discusses
pegmatite intrusion mechanisms and Ercit (1986) discusses tantalum mineralogy. An overview
of the Tanco pegmatite and the mining/milling operations was published by Crouse, et al (1979)
and Thomas (1984) completed a fluid inclusion study of the Tanco pegmatite.
Tanco is 100% owned by Cabot Corporation of Boston, Massachusetts and is operated by the
Cabot Specialty Fluids division headquartered in Houston, Texas.
TANCO HISTORY
In 1928, Jack Nutt Mines staked and explored the Bernic Lake area pegmatites for tin. During
the following two years, shaft sinking began and a small tin concentrator was established on
what is now the Tanco minesite. Feed for this mill came from the nearby exposed pegmatites.
At this same time, a four hole drill program was underway to explore the pegmatites at depth. It
was during this program that the Tanco pegmatite was intersected in Hole #3. Work on the
property continued through 1930, but poor economic conditions forced the company to abandon
the property. The claims subsequently reverted back to the Crown.
In 1955, Montgary Petroleum Corporation Limited acquired the property and completed an
extensive surface drill program. Over the next couple of years, a power transmission line from
Pointe du Bois and a mine access road were constructed. Also, the sinking of a threecompartment shaft began and some surface facilities were built. In 1957, American Metals
Company, Limited optioned the property from Montgary and completed a surface drill program.
It was during this work that the internal zonation of the pegmatite was recognized and
documented (Hutchinson 1959), and pollucite was identified.
During 1959 and 1960, Chemalloy Minerals Limited (formerly Montgary) completed both
surface and underground drill programs, and extracted small quantities of pollucite and quartz.
In 1961, the mine was placed on care and maintenance and then allowed to flood in 1962.
In 1966, Chemalloy started to evaluate the tantalum potential of the pegmatite. Extensive
diamond drilling was carried out from surface and underground over the subsequent three years.
The initial result of this activity was the formation in 1967, of Tantalum Mining Corporation of
Canada Limited (Tanco), a joint venture between Chemalloy and Northern Goldfield Limited. In
1969, construction of a 500 ton per day tantalum gravity concentrator was completed and Tanco
began commercial production.
Production of ceramic grade spodumene concentrates began on a pilot scale in 1984, and went
commercial in 1986 when the new spodumene concentrator was completed. Although the
lithium potential of the pegmatite had been investigated over the years for the production of

3

�ceramic grade spodumene concentrates and lithium carbonate, none of these investigations
proceeded beyond the feasibility stage.
The Tanco joint venture remained in place until 1993 when Cabot Corporation acquired 100% of
the operation. Up to 1993, different companies, in addition to the original two companies, were
involved in the joint venture. These include: Manitoba Development Corporation (1972-1993),
Kawecki Berylco Industries/Cabot (1974-1993) and Hudson Bay Mining and Smelting Co. Ltd.
(1978-1993).
In 1996, Cabot formed the Cabot Specialty Fluids division and started construction of the cesium
brine plant. In 2001, the plant was expanded to allow for the manufacture of conventional
cesium chemicals.
RARE-ELEMENT PEGMATITE FORMATION
Rare-element pegmatites, like the Tanco pegmatite, occur in synclinoria of metavolcanicmetasedimentary sequences that separate granitoid batholiths from gneissic tonalities. The
pegmatites evolve from late orogenic, peraluminous (A/[C+N+K]&gt;1), S-type granites. The
resultant pegmatite fields are situated on the lower portions of relatively steep geothermal
gradients (±40°-50°C/km.). The complex type pegmatites are commonly emplaced in low
pressure/high temperature facies (upper greenschist to lower amphibolite) metamorphic terrains
with emplacement generally at a depth of four to six kilometers (Cerny 1989a).
The parental, fertile granite is late- to post-tectonic and post-dates the peak of regional
metamorphism. These granites are leucocratic and although commonly equigranular, may be
porphyritic. At depth, they are biotite bearing and grade upward or laterally into a two-mica
granite or a muscovite granite which is capped by a coarse grained to pegmatitic, megacrystic Kfeldspar, graphic leucogranite (Cerny and Meintzer 1988). This pegmatitic granite stage is an
integral step in the formation of rare-element pegmatites.
The pegmatitic melt forms within the parental, fertile granite through the process of magmatic
differentiation. This melt collects in the upper portion of the fertile granite pluton, with the
volatiles and other liquidus-depressing constituents such as H2O, F, Li, B and P increasing
outward from the parental granite. These constituents, plus even small amounts of exsolved
supercritical fluid, reduce the viscosity of the melt. The lower the liquidus temperature and the
less viscous the melt, the more mobile the melt becomes and the further out it will migrate.
Melt migration occurs when there is sufficient internal pressure and the magma reservoir is
tapped by a tectonic disturbance of the outermost solidified shell of the pegmatitic granite.
Pegmatite groups form a regional zonation around the parental granite with the complexity of the
pegmatites increasing away from the parental granite (Cerny 1991b) (Figure 2).
Rare-Element Pegmatite Classification
Pegmatites can be divided into two types, the lithium-cesium-tantalum (LCT) type and the
niobium-yttrium-fluorine (NYF) type. Over the years, the LCT type pegmatites have been well
studied because of their economic significance. These pegmatites have been an economic source
of lithium, tantalum, tin, cesium and rubidium minerals with mica, quartz and feldspathic sand
by-products. The LCT type of pegmatites can be subdivided into classes based on
mineralogy/chemistry and complexity (Table 1).

4

�I
I
I
I

/
/
/

/
/
/

/
/
/

1
/
/

'

Li,Be,Ta,Sn
(Rb,Cs)

I
\

.
Figure 2. Schematic section of a zoned fertile granite-pegmatite system.
1. fertile granite; 2. pegmatitic granite; 3. barren to beryl bearing pegmatites; 4. beryl-type,
columbite- to phosphate-bearing pegmatites; 5. complex spodumene (or petalite) bearing pegmatites
with Sn, Ta, ±Cs; 6. faults. (modified from Cerny 1989b)

LCT type pegmatites have a number of chemical characteristics that distinguish them from the
NYF type pegmatites. Some of these features include the following:
• the tantalum content exceeds the niobium content;
• the tin content can equal tantalum content;
• they contain low levels of the light and heavy rare earths;
• the pegmatites are enriched in boron and alkali elements; and,
• they have low levels of uranium and thorium.
Mineralogical characteristics can also be used to distinguish between LCT type and NYF type
pegmatites. Some of the characteristics of the LCT type pegmatites include:
• a general absence of fluorite (fluorine is tied up in minerals such as topaz, lepidolite,
amblygonite);
• a common occurrence of lithium and phosphate minerals;
• the presence of tourmaline;

5

�•
•

simpler oxides of tantalum and niobium ±tin with essentially no rare earth element (REE)
content; and,
beryl can be present.

The Tanco pegmatite is a good example of the complex type-petalite subtype of LCT pegmatite
and is probably the most studied pegmatite of its type.
Pegmatite
Types

Subtypes

Characteristics

Examples

Beryl

(i)
(ii)

beryl-columbite
beryl-columbite-phosphate

•

relatively simple

Greer Lake, MB
PEG Group, NWT

Complex

(iii)

spodumene

petalite

complex internal zonation
lithium rich
diverse mineralogy
primary crystallization is
greater than secondary
replacement bodies

Hugo, SD; Harding, NM

(iv)

•
•
•
•

Complex

(v)
amblygonite
Lepidolite

AlbiteSpodumene
Albite

•

high fluorine activity

Tanco, MB; Bikita, ZM,

Peerless, SD
Brown Derby #1, CO
Kings Mountain, NC

•

least common

•

generally small

Hengshan Field, P.R.C.

Table 1. Classification of LCT type pegmatites. (modified from Cerny 1991a)
GEOLOGIC SETTING
The Bernic Lake pegmatite group, of which the Tanco pegmatite is a member, is one of a
number of such groups comprising the Winnipeg River Pegmatite Field located in the Archean
Bird River Greenstone Belt of the western Superior Province in the Canadian Shield (Figure 3).
The Bird River Greenstone Belt is bounded on the north by the English River Subprovince, a belt
of highly metamorphosed metasediments and metavolcanics rocks, and mafic to felsic batholiths
and plutons (Beakhouse 1991a). To the south, this belt is bounded by the pluton-dominant
Winnipeg River Subprovince (Beakhouse 1991b).
The Bird River Greenstone Belt is comprised of six formations of the Rice Lake Group. In
general terms, the belt consists of mafic to felsic metavolcanic and derived metasedimentary
rocks all of which have been intruded by synvolcanic to late tectonic mafic to felsic intrusives.
Of these formations, the Eaglenest Formation is the oldest and the Booster Lake Formation is the
youngest (Trueman 1980). The six formations are listed below in chronological order.
1) Booster Lake Formation:
metapelite and metagreywacke
- unconformity 2) Flanders Lake Formation:
lithic meta-arenites and metaconglomerate
- unconformity 3) Bernic Lake Formation:
felsic to mafic metavolcanic and metasedimentary
units, felsic and mafic intrusive with porphyry units
6

�- unconformity4) Peterson Creek Formation:
metarhyolites and clastic components
5) Lamprey Falls Formation:
metabasalts, Bird River Sill, metagabbro
6) Eaglenest Lake Formation:
metamorphosed volcanic wacke

IVIdflROUd

/

/

/

JIILdFIU

Sachigo Subprovince

Bird River
greenstclne belt

Berens River SubDrovince

---

250 kflometres

_________ Superior Province

Southern Province and Nipigon Plate
Phanerozoic basin sequence

.___— Subprovince boundary

Figure 3. Regional geological setting of the Tanco pegmatite (modified from Beakhouse 1991b).

7

�Trueman (1980) defined four major structural events in the area. The first two events were
episodes of east-west folding, the second event being associated with the emplacement of large
regional batholiths. These events led to associated prograde, low pressure/high temperature
metamorphism (Abukuma type) in the Bernic Lake Formation. The third event was major eastwest faulting, with associated retrograde metamorphism. The last major event was a second
faulting episode that propagated a series of northwest trending faults. With this event there was
localized retrograde metamorphism. Overall the metamorphic grade throughout the Bernic Lake
Formation is upper greenschist to lower amphibolite facies (Cerny, et al 1981).
Numerous synvolcanic intrusive units intrude the Bird River Greenstone Belt. They range in
size from a kilometre up to about 25 kilometres and generally display an elongated east-west
shape. The compositions of these intrusives vary from body to body and even within an
individual intrusive, and include gabbro, anorthositic gabbro, diorite, quartz monzonite,
granodiorite and granite. Quartz and quartz-feldspar porphyries are also found throughout the
belt.
The Bernic Lake Formation, which is in fault contact with the Booster Lake Formation to the
north and the Peterson Creek Formation to the south, consists of a complex array of layers of
metamorphosed basalt, andesite, dacite, rhyolite, iron formation, conglomerates, volcanic wackes
and sandstone. Lateral continuity is not common among most of the rock types and is only
persistent in the mafic to intermediate metavolcanics and, in part, the iron formations. Other
volcanic units in the area seem to be composed of flows of limited lateral extent.
Syn- to post-tectonic emplacement of granite and pegmatitic granite stocks throughout the Bird
River Greenstone Belt provided the source for a number of rare-element pegmatite groups found
within the belt. Of all the pegmatites identified in the area, the largest and most economically
significant ones occur within the Bernic Lake pegmatite group situated within the Bernic Lake
Formation. The major pegmatites of this group include the Tanco, Dibs, Buck, Coe, and Pegli.
All of these pegmatites have an east-west elongation, are horizontal to sub-horizontal in
orientation and are hosted by either mafic intrusives or associated mafic metavolcanic units.
TANCO PEGMATITE GEOLOGY
The Tanco pegmatite, situated at the western end of Bernic Lake, is an extremely fractionated,
rare-metal, complex type-petalite subtype, LCT pegmatite and is hosted by a late-stage,
subvolcanic, metagrabbro (Tanco amphibolite) intrusive. The age of the Tanco pegmatite is
2,650 – 2,550 million years (Cerny 1989a).
The pegmatite is completely blind or buried, and only sub-crops in a limited area in the bottom
of Bernic Lake. Based on hundreds of diamond drill hole intercepts, the pegmatite has a
maximum length of approximately 1,990 metres and a maximum width of 1,060 metres (Figure
4), and is up to 100 metres thick. The total tonnage of the pegmatite has been calculated to be
approximately 25 million tonnes (Stilling, 1998).
Emplacement is hypothesized to be within the pressure shadow of an easterly trending, dual
plunging, anticlinal axis (Cerny, et al 1981). More recent data has given rise to the possibility
that dilation may have been aided by a number of pre-existing faults that could have freed up the
overlying block of metagabbro, thus allowing the intruding pegmatitic fluid to “hydraulically”
lift the overlying host rock. Initial intrusion of this fluid appears to be into a sub-horizontal joint

8

�set that is ubiquitous throughout the Bernic Lake area. The bi-lobate shape of the pegmatite may
also be influenced by a possible sinistral offset of the host anticline.

OS

1.0

0.6

Tanco Mineral

OS

1.0

NI

kIIon,41n

LI

I cd7a-'----T—--—7

I

-

C' -'

7)-i 0 LI '—-'

L7

f

Lake

Figure 4. Plan view of the Tanco Pegmatite
Pegmatite Zonation
Internally, the pegmatite is composed of nine discrete mineralogical zones with the different ores
of economic interest – those of tantalum, spodumene, cesium and rubidium – each essentially
occurring in different zones. Characteristic textures and mineralogical assemblages distinguish
each zone. The pegmatite is the host to approximately 100 different minerals (Cerny, et al
1998).
A coloured longitudinal section of the Tanco pegmatite is appended and a brief description of
each of the internal zones is given below. A more complete description of the pegmatite
zonation and mineralogy can be found in Cerny, et al (1998).
Of the nine zones comprising the pegmatite, only the Border and Wall Zones occur as concentric
shells enveloping the entire pegmatite. When combined, however, the Lower and Upper
Intermediate Zones also form a concentric shell within the pegmatite. The Central Intermediate
and Lepidolite Zones have both been subjected to late stage micaceous alteration. Unlike the
stereotypical zoned pegmatite, the location of the Quartz Zone or core is in the upper portion of
the dike for most of the mine and in its more traditional, central location only in the western
portion.
Border Zone (Zone 10)
This is a very thin zone (a few to 30 centimetres) that envelops the pegmatite and is composed of
fine-grained, saccharoidal assemblage of albite and quartz with lesser to rare tourmaline, apatite,
biotite, beryl and triphylite. In places it may have a layered appearance.

9

�Wall Zone (Zone 20)
The Wall Zone consists of very coarse grained, brick-red perthite, quartz, fine to coarse-grained
tourmaline, albite, brown to greenish muscovite books and accessory white beryl. In general, the
hanging-wall Wall Zone is thinner and coarser grained than the footwall Wall Zone. Increased
albite (cleavelandite) content and bands of “footwall” aplite characterize this latter Wall Zone.
The tin content of the zone generally exceeds the tantalum content.
Aplitic Albite Zone (Zone 30)
This zone is one of the main tantalum ore zones and is most prominent in the eastern portion of
the pegmatite. The dominant mineral is a pale blue to white, fine-grained, saccharoidal albite.
Quartz is a common constituent with subordinate to rare minerals including muscovite, Taoxides (predominantly wodginite), beryl and apatite. Texturally, undulating layers of the
saccharoidal albite distinguish the zone.
Where the Aplitic Albite Zone is in contact with the Quartz Zone, the contact is generally
characterized by increased tantalum along the contact and within the albite in very close
proximity to the contact (“nugget effect”). In some places, white beryl crystals that have grown
off the albite into the quartz mark this contact.
Lower Intermediate Zone (Zone 40)
The locally known Mixed Zone is characterized by both its diversity of minerals and grain size.
The mineral assemblage that distinguishes this zone is comprised of coarser grained microclineperthite and SQUI pseudomorphs (Spodumene-QUartz Intergrowth after primary petalite) in a
finer grained matrix of albite, quartz and micas. Assemblages consisting of quartz pods
containing amblygonite and/or spodumene, and radial rims of cleavelandite and lithianmuscovite around feldspar rich assemblages are less common. Common subordinate to rare
minerals include lithian-muscovite, lithiophilite, lepidolite, petalite and Ta-oxides. The generally
gradational contacts with the tantalum and spodumene zones allow for the selective mining of
this zone for both tantalum and spodumene, but only under strict grade control.
Upper Intermediate Zone (Zone 50)
The Spodumene Zone as it is referred to, has evolved from the Lower Intermediate Zone and is
comprised of very coarse-grained microcline-perthite and SQUI with lesser spodumene blades,
quartz and amblygonite. Subordinate to rare mineralogy consists of pollucite, lithiophilite,
albite, lithian-muscovite, petalite, eucryptite and Ta-oxides (predominantly tantalite).
The SQUI, which is an oriented intergrowth of cogenetic spodumene and quartz, has resulted
from the isochemical breakdown of the primary petalite. This process occurs under decreasing
pressure conditions during the cooling of the intrusion (London (1986). This zone displays the
largest crystals in the pegmatite with the petalite pseudomorphs (SQUI) attaining lengths up to
approximately seven metres and the microcline-perthite reaching up to ten metres in length.
Central Intermediate Zone (Zone 60):
The MQM (Muscovite and Quartz after Microcline) Zone is another of the main tantalum ore
zones. The zone is comprised of microcline-perthite, quartz, albite and muscovite with

10

�subordinate to rare beryl, Ta-oxides (predominantly wodginite), spodumene, sulphides, and
apatite. The minerals are medium to coarse grained.
Quartz Zone (Zone 70)
This is a massive, monomineralic zone with accessory spodumene (SQUI) and amblygonite.
When in contact with the tantalum zones, the contact is commonly characterized by increased
tantalum concentration (“nugget effect”)
Pollucite Zone (Zone 80)
The Pollucite Zone is a sub-zone of the Upper Intermediate Zone with a gradational contact
occurring between the two, and consists of a monomineralic core of pollucite enveloped by an
assemblage of SQUI, microcline-perthite, amblygonite, petalite and interstitial pollucite.
Polygonal fracturing with lithian-muscovite and/or quartz filling is not uncommon within the
core. Accessory minerals include apatite and albite. This is the zone from which the cesium ore
is mined.
Lepidolite Zone (Zone 90)
This zone forms two flat lying, east-west elongated sheets within, (at least in part) the Central
Intermediate Zone and in contact with the Upper Intermediate Zone. The mineral assemblage
consists of fine-grained, purple lithian-muscovite and lepidolite with lesser microcline-perthite,
and subordinate to accessory albite, quartz, beryl and Ta-oxides (predominantly microlite). The
zone is mined for tantalum and has been mined, on a limited scale, for rubidium.
MINING
The heart of the Tanco pegmatite is situated some 60 metres (~200 feet) below Bernic Lake, and
is accessible from surface either via a shaft or via a 400 metre (~1,300 foot), 20 percent decline.
Mining is carried out using the “room and pillar” method. The mine’s shallow depth contributes
to lower inherent ground stresses and generally stable ground conditions. After weighing these
factors, and considering the diverse mineralogy encountered at Tanco, it was decided that the
Room and Pillar mining method would provide the optimum approach for economic extraction at
Tanco.
The first pillar design saw pillars 16 metres square (50 ft. x 50 ft.), with mining rooms also at 16
metres wide. As mining progressed over the years, ongoing rock mechanics studies showed that
the rooms could be increased to 22 metres or 72 feet, without excessively loading the pillars.
Pillar reduction has now been done successfully throughout the mine and continues as an integral
part of the mining plan.
Two-boom hydraulic jumbos perform all drilling for drifts, slashes, benches and arches. During
the initial top slice development, the roof is carefully arched, utilizing smooth blasting
techniques. The roof arches allow residual ground stresses to be redirected to the post pillars.
Ground stress in the Tanco mine is considered low, relative to other hard rock mines, and as
such, rock bolting is rarely required.
At Tanco, the roof of mature mine workings may often average 20 metres (~65 feet) above the
working levels below, and in places, may reach 30 metres (~95 feet). These high backs are

11

�carefully monitored throughout mining operations, utilizing custom designed aerial lift devices
(referred to as Giraffes). Where suited, mining is carried out, utilizing a single boom Simba longhole drill. In particular, the longhole method has been the primary approach to pillar reduction.
The broken ore is transported utilizing 5 yd3, 6 yd3 and 7 yd3, load-haul-dumps (LHD’s) –
mobile, front-end loader units - and a 20 ton truck to various ore-passes, which are located
throughout the mine. The ore is broken on grizzlies (metal grates at the top of the ore pass),
utilizing either mobile or stationary hydraulic rock breakers. The ore is then passed to an
underlying tramming level where it is transported to the shaft by a train of 4 ton, Granby style,
side dump ore cars, and hoisted to surface coarse ore bins via 4 ton Kimberly style skips.
Tantalum and spodumene ores are stored in one of two loading pockets and skipped on a daily
basis up the two-compartment shaft, into dedicated surface coarse ore bins. The mine however,
must produce and provide three distinct ores to the mill. To overcome the limitation of the
system, one loading pocket and associated coarse ore bin is emptied weekly and an appropriate
tonnage of pollucite ore is batched through.
Mine ventilation air is downcast from surface through one of two vent raises, one being, in part,
the Jack Nutt shaft from 1929/30 and the other, a 1.8-m (6 foot) diameter bore-hole raise. The
exhaust mine air up-casts through the access decline. Total fresh air volume exceeds 5300 m3 per
minute (190,000 ft3 per minute) and is appropriate for the operation of Tanco’s fleet of diesel
mining equipment.
A fleet of personnel carriers and service trucks supports mining operations. Tanco maintains all
of its mine equipment at its own on-site facilities.
MINERAL PROCESSING
Due to land constraints, the concentrator is constructed on a peninsula formed by two bays on
Bernic Lake. The building is multi-floored, with equipment on a total of six levels. The major
items of concentration equipment are on two levels, with feed preparation equipment, filters and
driers, on the upper levels, with pumps on the lower levels.
The first stage of processing, common to all four mineral products, is crushing, where the coarse
ore from underground (-300 mm in size) is broken down to –12 mm. in size. The tantalum,
spodumene and pollucite ores are crushed into separate fine-ore, storage bins. The new dry
grinding plant supplies ground pollucite for the cesium formate plant.
Different processes concentrate each ore. Tantalum is processed by gravity concentration, a
process that makes use of the fact that tantalum minerals are much heavier than the waste
minerals. Spodumene, on the other hand, is primarily processed by flotation, which makes use
of the different physical and chemical characteristics of the surfaces of the various minerals.
Pollucite is ground and then subjected to acid leaching and other chemical processing to produce
cesium chemicals.
Tantalum Processing (Figure 5.)
There are three main elements in the gravity concentration of Tanco’s minerals: liberation of the
values from the gangue or waste rock; feed preparation of the ground product into different size
fractions; and concentration of the different fractions. At Tanco, the plant is split effectively into
four fractions – grinding/spiral circuit, coarse sand circuit, fine sand circuit and slime circuit.
12

�Fine ore is first ground to pass 2 mm. The –2 mm. product passes to the spirals, which recover
the coarse, free, tantalum minerals, which may otherwise have been ground too fine for effective
recovery. The spiral tailing is sized at 0.30 mm. by a Linatex hydrosizer with the underflow
recirculating to the main grinding mill.

Figure 5. Tanco’s tantalum gravity separation flowsheet.
Effective feed preparation is essential for satisfactory separation on shaking tables, and this is
carried out with cyclones, followed by Bartles-Stokes hydrosizers. The hydrosizers contain four
spigots and an overflow. The spigot products, or sand fractions, are distributed to further banks
of spirals. These spirals each produce a low-grade concentrate, a recirculated middling, and a
13

�tailings product. Falcon concentrators scavenge the fine sand tailings products. This centrifugal
separator is one of the newest concentration devices, confirming Tanco’s commitment to
“leading edge technology” in the pursuit of performance.
Rougher concentrates from all sections are collected in a storage tank from which the cleaner
section is fed at constant flowrate and density. Classification in cyclones and a hydrosizer sizes
feed to four cleaner tables, which produce a fine, 35% Ta2O5 concentrate, a recirculated
middling, and a tailing.
Overflows from the various cylcones along with the Stokes hydrosizer overflow constitute the
feed to the ultrafines circuit. These are thickened in another bank of cyclones and treated on a
Mozley MultiGravity Separator (MGS). The MGS produces a rougher concentrate, upgraded on
Bartles CrossBelts.
Overall recovery of tantalum ranges from 69-72%.
During the summer months accumulated tailings can
be processed along with the ore; the same flowsheet
being used. Recovery from the tailing portion of the
feed is of the order of 30%, upgrading the feed from
0.05% to 30% Ta2O5.
The specifications of a typical tantalum concentrate
produced at Tanco is given in Table 2.

Element

Typical Concentrate
(wt. %)

Ta2O5

35% - 38%

SnO2

14% - 18%

Nb2O5

5% - 8%

TiO2

2% - 4%

Table 2. Typical tantalum concentrate

Tantalum Markets
Tanco’s tantalum concentrates are shipped to the Cabot Performance Materials facility in
Boyertown, Pennsylvania for conversion to the metal or tantalum compounds.
The major uses for tantalum are in the electronics industry and for cutting tools. High quality
capacitors are the major single use for tantalum. Europe is the major consumer of tantalum
carbide used in production of hardmetal alloys for cutting tools. Other tantalum alloys are
important constituents of aero engines, and for acid resistant pipes and tanks used in the chemical
industry. One minor but important use of tantalum is in the medical industry, for “spare-part”
surgery – tantalum “pins” are used for such areas as hip-joint replacements, as it is the only metal
that is not rejected by body fluids.
Spodumene Processing (Figure 6)
After crushing to –12 mm., the heavy medium Triflo circuit rejects the feldspar from the –12
mm. +0.5 mm. range. Ferrosilicon and magnetite as a 70:30 mixture are used with a feed density
of 2.74 kg/l. and effective density of separation of 2.65 kg/l. The –0.5 mm. fraction continues to
the grinding circuit.
The sink product and the –0.5 mm. fraction are ground in closed circuit with a 2 mm. primary
screen and a Linatex hydrosizer with an approximate cut point of 150 micron. Rougher and
cleaner spirals recover coarse free tantalum within the grinding circuit. A 5 foot, low intensity
drum magnet removes ground steel produced during the grinding process.
The grinding circuit product is scavenged for tantalum by two Falcon concentrators. Tantalum
from the Falcon concentrators is upgraded on a Double Deck Holman Table with the tailings and
middlings returning to the grinding circuit. Coarse tantalum from the cleaner spiral is also
14

�upgraded on a single Holman Table. The tantalum recovered from the spodumene circuit is a
valuable by-product.

Figure 6. Schematic flowsheet of the spodumene circuit
Prior to the amblygonite flotation stage, in order to control phosphate levels, the pulp is deslimed
by single stage cycloning. Due to the nugget-like appearance of the amblygonite, close control
of this flotation stage must be maintained. Starvation quantities of collector are used based on
15

�feed tonnage and previous tails assays. Starch is used as a depressant for spodumene at pH 9.2.
A spodumene-phosphate by-product called Montebrasite is produced to meet market
requirements. This concentrate is subjected to wet high intensity magnetic separation to remove
weakly magnetic iron materials. This concentrate is pumped to a belt filter and propane fired
rotary drier. The dried concentrate goes to a storage bin prior to bagging or bulk shipping to
meet the customers’ requirements.
Mica is then removed with a single flotation stage. This step assists in the removal of K2O from
the final concentrate product. The mica flotation tailings are two stage cycloned to remove
starch. Two conditioning stages for automatic pH control and collector addition are carried out
prior to rougher flotation. The rougher concentrate goes on to two or three stages of cleaning to
The Wet High Intensity Magnetic Separator (WHIMS) non-magnetic fraction is thickened by
two stages of cycloning and stored in a holding tank prior to tonnage controlled feeding to the
belt filter and propane fired rotary drier.
Final product handling is carried out utilizing air slides and dense phase pneumatic pumping to
storage bins. The final product can be shipped to the customer in 25 kg, 1,000-kg bags, or bulk,
via road or rail. The concentrate is sold to markets worldwide.
Water used within the circuits is either fresh (from Bernic Lake) or re-cycled pond overflow
depending on the section of the plant.
Spodumene Product Specifications
Clients can accept different levels of impurities, depending on their specific use of the material.
Specifications of Tanco’s 7.25%, -200 Mesh, 6.8%, and Spodulite grade concentrates are shown
in Table 3.
Spodumene Markets
Customers specify tight impurity levels for the use of spodumene concentrates in the glass and
ceramics industries, and the process for the production of these concentrates is based on removal
of contaminant minerals.
Spodumene can be used either as a feedstock for the production of lithium carbonate and metal,
or directly, in its mineral form, in the glass and ceramics industries. Since the development of
the “salars” in the USA and Chile, most lithium carbonate is recovered from these sources, and
little spodumene is now used for chemical production.
Lithia is a very powerful flux, especially when used in conjunction with potash and soda
feldspars. In ceramics, lithium lowers thermal expansion and decreases the firing temperature.
Glasses containing lithia are much more fluid in the molten state than those containing
proportionate amounts of sodium or potassium. Lower viscosity and faster melting can be
utilized to improve glass quality in terms of fewer defects such an unmelted or partially melted
raw material grains, and more rapid removal of small bubbles. Lower viscosity can permit the
glassmaker to run a forming machinery at a higher rate, or create more elaborate products such
as some perfume bottles. In frits and glazes, lithia is used to reduce the viscosity and thereby
increase the fluidity of the coatings. This reduces maturing times and lowers firing temperatures.
Small amounts of lithia also increase gloss.

16

�Element/Sizing

7.25% Grade

-200 Mesh

6.8% Mesh

Spodulite

Li2O

7.25 ± -0.1%

7.10% ± -0.2%

6.80% min.

5.00% min.

0.15% max.

0.08% max.

0.10% max.

0.06% ± -0.01%

Fe2O3
Na2O

0.35% max.

0.30% max.

0.45% max.

0.75% max.

K2O

0.30% max.

0.60% max.

0.40% max.

0.75% max.

P2O5

0.27% max.

0.40%

0.27% max.

0.20% max.

MnO2

0.04% max.

0.06% max.

0.04% max.

0.05% max.

Al2O3

24.0% min.

25.0% min.

23.0% min.

20.0% typ.

Tyler 20 Mesh

0.0% max.

Tyler 28 Mesh

Trace max.

Tyler 48 Mesh

1.0% max.

Tyler 200 Mesh

50.0% min.

10.0% max.

55.0% min.

80.0% typ.

Table 3. Tanco’s spodumene products specifications.
CESIUM FORMATE
Cesium formate is a clear, water soluble fluid with a specific gravity of 2.3 g/cm3 (i.e. it is two
and one third times heavier than water) and a viscosity similar to water. It is used in the oil
drilling industry as a drilling fluid, where the properties of low viscosity, high specific gravity
and complete solution confer significant benefits over traditional mud (bentonite) based drilling
fluids in deep wells greater than 4,575 metres (15,000 ft.).
Use of cesium formate eliminates formation damage, particularly skin formation while drilling
through the reservoir (oil bearing) rock. This results in improved hydrocarbon flows to the well
giving better daily production from the well, in addition to enhanced recoveries from the
reservoir in the long term - that is more hydrocarbons may be extracted from the well before well
stimulation techniques become necessary.
From an occupational health and safety perspective, there are considerable benefits to the use of
cesium formate. The pH is between 10 - 11, and skin contact, although undesirable, has no
immediate consequences. Low mammalian toxicity is an added benefit.
The low environmental toxicity of cesium formate makes it the fluid of choice in areas where
environmental sensitivities are particularly acute.
Cesium Formate Plant
The cesium formate pilot plant was designed, built and commissioned in 1996/97 in response to
a potential market for formate brines. The focus of plant production was aimed at the oil and gas
industries’ demand for a high-density, solids free drilling fluids. The plant was designed to
17

�readily incorporate process changes and modifications enabling it to produce a wide variety of
cesium-based products, thus allowing Tanco and Cabot to rapidly respond to these future
markets. The original plant was designed to produce 500 barrels/month of 2.3 g/cm3 specific
gravity cesium formate. In 1999, expansion of the plant allowed for the production of 700
bbl/month. In 2001, the plant underwent a further expansion in order to accommodate the
manufacturing of conventional cesium chemicals.
Since Bernic Lake is a headwater lake and therefore very susceptible to environmental damage,
the plant design minimizes environmental impacts on the surrounding area. All areas of the plant
are contained to capture any spilled material, and wastes are stored in a lined disposal cell, which
eliminates the discharges to the lake.
Cesium Formate Manufacture
Pollucite ore is mined from the Tanco mine along with the spodumene and tantalum ores. The
mine contains approximately 75% of the worlds proven reserves of pollucite. The ore is crushed
to –12 mm., and then dry ground in a ball mill to a powder form. Utilizing a series of acid/base
reactions, the cesium is extracted from the pollucite ore and converted to a high-density, cesium
formate solution.
The final product is shipped by container to Aberdeen, Scotland and Bergen, Norway for use by
the drilling industry in the North Sea, and to Houston, Texas for use in the Gulf of Mexico.
Markets
Cesium chemicals are currently used primarily in catalyst and chemical synthesis applications.
While current worldwide demand for fine cesium chemicals is approximately 700,000 pounds a
year, it is expected that new applications in the oil, gas and chemical industries for these products
will increase in demand by more than ten-fold.
TANCO UNDERGROUND TOUR STOPS
Due to the constant changes underground as a result of on-going mining activities, the stops for
the tour will not be determined until closer to the date of the tour. The tour participants will
receive a tour stop handout upon arrival at the minesite.

18

�REFERENCES
Anderson, A.J., Groat, L.A. and Simmons, W.B.Jr. (eds.) (1998): Granitic Pegmatites: The
Cerny – Foord Volume. The Canadian Mineralogist, vol. 36, pt. 2.
Beakhouse, G.P. (1991a): Winnipeg River Subprovince, in Thurston, P.C., Williams, H.R.,
Sutcliff, R.H. and Stott, G.M., (eds.), Geology of Ontario: Ministry of Northern Development
and Mines, Special Volume 4, Part 1, pp.239-278.
Beakhouse, G.P. (1991b): Winnipeg River Subprovince, in Thurston, P.C., Williams, H.R.,
Sutcliff, R.H. and Stott, G.M., (eds.), Geology of Ontario: Ministry of Northern Development
and Mines, Special Volume 4, Part 1, pp.279-302.
Berry, L.G. (ed.) (1972): The Tanco Pegmatite at Bernic Lake, Manitoba. The Canadian
Mineralogist, vol. 11, pt. 3.
Brisbin, W.C. (1986): Mechanics of pegmatite intrusion. The American Mineralogist, vol. 71.
N°s. 3 and 4, pp. 644-651.
Brown, G.E., Jr., and Ewing, R.C. (eds.) (1986): R. H. Jahns Memorial Issue: The mineralogy,
petrology, and geochemistry of granitic pegmatites and related granitic rocks. The American
Mineralogist, vol. 71, N°.’s 3 and 4.
Cerny, P. (ed.) (1982): Granitic Pegmatites in Science and Industry. Mineralogical Association
of Canada Short Course Handbook 8.
Cerny, P. (1989a): Characteristics of pegmatite deposits of tantalum, in Moller, P., Cerny, P. and
Saupe, F., (eds.), Lanthanides, Tantalum and Niobium: Society for Geology Applied to Mineral
Deposits, Special Publication 7, Springer-Verlag, pp.195-239.
Cerny, P. (1989b): Exploration strategy and methods for pegmatite deposits of tantalum, in
Moller, P., Cerny, P. and Saupe, F., (eds.), Lanthanides, Tantalum and Niobium: Society for
Geology Applied to Mineral Deposits, Special Publication 7, Springer-Verlag, pp.274-302.
Cerny, P. (1991a): Rare-element Granitic Pegmatites. Part II: Regional to Global Environments
and Petrogenesis. Geoscience Canada, vol. 18, pp. 49-67.
Cerny, P. (1991b): Rare-element Granitic Pegmatites. Part 1: Anatomy and Internal Evolution of
Pegmatite Deposits. Geoscience Canada, vol. 18, pp.68-81.
Cerny, P., Ercit, T.S. and Vanstone, P.J. (1998): Mineralogy and Petrology of the Tanco Rareelement Pegmatite Deposit, Southeastern Manitoba. International Mineralogical Association,
Field Trip Guidebook B6, 17th General Meeting, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Cerny, P. and Meintzer, R.E. (1988): Fertile granites in the Archean and Proterozoic fields of
rare-element pegmatites: crustal environment, geochemistry, and petrogenetic relationships, in
Taylor, R.P. and Strong, D.F. (eds.), Recent advances in the geology of granite related mineral
deposits: Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, Special Volume 39, pp. 170-207.
Cerny, P., Trueman, D.L., Ziehlke, D.V., Goad, B.E., and Paul, B.J. (1981): The Cat LakeWinnipeg River and Wekusko Lake Pegmatite Fields, Manitoba. Manitoba Department of
Energy and Mines, Mineral Resources Division, Economic Geology Report ER80-1.
Crouse, R.A., Cerny, P., Trueman, D.L. and Burt, R.O. (1979): The Tanco Pegmatite,
Southeastern Manitoba. The Canadian Mining and Metallurgy Bulletin, Feb. 1979, pp.142-151.
19

�Ercit, T.S. (1986): The simpsonite paragenesis: the crystal chemistry and geochemistry of
extreme Ta fractionation. Ph.D. thesis, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
Hutchinson, R.W. (1959): Geology of the Montgary Pegmatite. Economic Geology, vol. 54, pp.
1525-1542..
London, David (1984): Experimental phase equilibria in the system LiAlSiO4-SiO2-H2O: a
petrogenetic grid for lithium rich pegmatites. American Mineralogist, vol. 69, pp. 995-1004.
Martin, R.F. and Cerny, P. (eds.) (1992): Granitic Pegmatites. The Canadian Mineralogist, vol.
30, part 3.
Moller, P., Cerny, P. and Saupe, F. (eds.) (1989): Lanthanides, Tantalum and Niobium. Society
for Geology Applied to Mineral Deposits, Special Publication N°. 7, Springer-Verlag, New
York, NY.
Stilling, A. (1998): Bulk composition of the Tanco Pegmatite at Bernic Lake, Manitoba, Canada.
M.Sc. thesis, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
Thomas, A.V. (1984): A petrological and fluid inclusion study of the Tanco pegmatite, S.E.
Manitoba. M.Sc. thesis, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Trueman, D.L. (1980): Stratigraphy, structure, and metamorphic petrology of the Archean
greenstone belt at Bird River, Manitoba. Ph.D. thesis, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg,
Manitoba, Canada.

20

�21

�22

�Field Trip 2
Quaternary Geology of Southeastern Manitoba
Erik Nielsen and Gaywood Matile
Quaternary Geologists
Manitoba Geological Survey
Industry, Trade and Mines
360-1395 Ellice Avenue
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3G 3P2
Canada

Extensive wetlands that started to form in response to mid-Holocene climate change, are a
common feature of the southeastern Manitoba landscape. The photo was taken approximately 25
km east of Sandilands.

�INTRODUCTION
The climatic, geomorphic and ecological changes that have occurred in northwestern Ontario,
southeastern Manitoba and Canada in general, over the last 100 000 years have been nothing
short of spectacular. The Sangamonian Interglacial, which was not unlike the present
interglacial, lasted from approximately 125 000 to 75 000 years ago, and ended with the advance
of the Laurentide Ice Sheet in what was the greatest ecological catastrophe to befall Canada in
recent geological time. The Laurentide Ice Sheet flowed southward out of Quebec and Nunavut
and covered most of Canada and the northern parts of the United States as far south as New York
City and De Moines, Iowa. The southern ice margin fluctuated periodically throughout the
Wisconsinan, but northwestern Ontario and southeastern Manitoba and most of the rest of
Canada were locked in the icy grip of the continental ice sheet until almost 10 000 years ago. For
an estimated 65 000 years, northwestern Ontario and southeastern Manitoba lay devoid of trees,
grasses and all living things, under a one kilometre thick ice mass! Ameliorating climate in the
late Pleistocene saw the rapid northward and northeastward retreat of the ice margin and the
establishment of glacial Lake Agassiz between the retreating ice margin and the high ground to
the south, east and west. Lake Agassiz, at times over 200 m deep persisted for about 4 000 years
from approximately 11 700 to 7 700 years BP and occupied all of Manitoba below the
Cretaceous Escarpment, as well as much of northwestern Ontario. The flat fertile plains of the
Red River valley and parts of northwestern Ontario, such as the Fort Francis area, resulted from
the deposition of thick deposits of deepwater glaciolacustrine sediments. The numerous beach
deposits in northwestern Ontario, southeastern Manitoba and elsewhere, record successive lake
levels. Water levels recorded by the beaches relate to differential isostatic rebound and stepwise
drainage of Lake Agassiz into the Gulf of Mexico, the Great Lakes and the Arctic Ocean before
the lake finally drained into Hudson Bay.

POSTGLACIAL VEGETATION AND CLIMATE
Little is know of the postglacial vegetation of southeastern Manitoba despite the extensive and
detailed work in the region by the Geological Survey of Canada and the Manitoba Geological
Survey over the last fifteen years. Information on the postglacial climate and vegetational history
of the region is inferred form a single pollen diagram from Hayes Lake near Kenora
(McAndrews, 1982). The vegetational history of Hayes Lake suggests that the area was invaded
by spruce forest immediately upon deglaciation and regression of Lake Agassiz. The early spruce
forest changed to pine, birch, poplar and alder forest after 10 000 years BP. Based on the
available data from Hayes Lake, open, mixed woodland existed in the northwestern Ontario and
southeastern Manitoba during the early to mid-Holocene. Spruce and fir increased at the expense
of alder after about 3 600 years BP, in response to a cooling climate. The present vegetation has
remained relatively stable for the past 3 600 years.

QUATERNARY GEOLOGY OF SOUTHEASTERN MANITOBA
Twelve thousand years ago all of Manitoba, except possibly isolated areas above the Manitoba
Escarpment, was completely covered by glacial ice, which at it's maximum extended as far south

24

�as Des Moine, Iowa. Rapid glacial retreat, caused by the rapid amelioration of climate, was
enhanced by a proglacial lake environment, which promoted accelerated ice beak-up by means of
iceberg calving along the glacier margin. By ten thousand years ago the ice margin was at the
south end of Lake Winnipeg, and southeastern Manitoba was ice-free.
As ice retreated into southeastern Manitoba it divided into two glacial lobes, the Rainy Lobe
which advanced from the northeast and the Red River Lobe which advanced from the northwest.
Sediments deposited by the Rainy Lobe typically have a sand-rich matrix and Precambrian-rich
clast lithology, whereas sediments carried by the Red River Lobe are typically silt-rich and
predominantly Paleozoic carbonate clasts, reflecting the lithologies of the bedrock that the
glacier was advancing over. The interlobate position between these two ice-lobes is defined by
large, sorted sand deposits in the south, the Sandilands Moraine, and sand and gravel deposits
further north (Figure 1). Retreat was rapid, commonly followed by minor glacial readvances that
eroded or destroyed previously deposited recessional moraines.

Figure 1. Field trip stops plotted on a Digital Elevation Model of a portion of southeastern
Manitoba
Glaciation in Manitoba blocks the natural northward drainage and consequently a proglacial
lake, glacial Lake Agassiz, formed as the ice front retreated north of the continental divide in
South Dakota. Lake Agassiz existed for about four thousand years, from about 11 700 years
before present (BP) until about 7 700 years BP when it finally drained into Hudson Bay
(Thorleifson, 1996). Paleostrandlines and associated radiocarbon dates from southeastern

25

�Manitoba document much of Lake Agassiz history (Figure 1). The initial phase of Lake Agassiz,
the Lockhart Phase, during which time the lake drained southward into the Gulf of Mexico, and
encompasses the highest levels of the lake lasted until about 11 000 years BP. The Lockhart
Phase in southeastern Manitoba is represented by numerous, but poorly defined strandlines along
the higher parts of Sandilands Moraine and by most of the clay deposited in the Red River valley
to the west. The Lockhart Phase was followed by the Moorhead Phase which ended about 9 900
years BP. The Moorhead Phase is characterized by relatively low water levels, due to glacial
retreat in the Lake Nipigon area of northwestern Ontario, which allowed drainage through lower
outlets to Lake Superior and the Atlantic Ocean. Several, well-developed beaches and wave-cut
escarpments and at least one in-filled abandoned river channel represent the Moorhead Phase
north and west of the Sandilands Moraine. The following Emerson Phase, spanned the interval
from about 9 900 to 9 300 years BP. A glacial readvance in northern Ontario blocked the eastern
outlets. This caused the level of Lake Agassiz to rise to approximately the level it was at the end
of the Lockhart Phase. The elevation difference was the result of about 1 000 years of isostatic
rebound. Lake Agassiz again drained south into the Gulf of Mexico via the Mississippi River.
Four prominent lake levels formed during the Emerson Phase, the Norcross, Tintah, Upper
Campbell and the Lower Campbell. The Upper and Lower Campbell levels are the bestdeveloped strandlines in Lake Agassiz and can be traced in this region around the Sandilands
Moraine and eastward almost to the Ontario border. A great deal of erosion occurred along the
Sandilands Moraine at this time as a result of the prevailing winds coming from the northwest,
across the open expanse of the lake. The final phase of Lake Agassiz, the Morris Phase, is
represented by a series of regularly spaced, moderately well developed strandlines (Figure 1).
The final drainage of the lake, occurred as successively lower eastern outlets opened, first
draining through Lake Superior and then through more northerly outlets to the north Atlantic,
until the final drainage into Hudson Bay about 7 700 years BP.
During the rise and fall of Lake Agassiz water levels, the Sandiland Moraine, a large generally
unconfined sand aquifer, rapidly became saturated and de-watered. The rapid de-watering caused
the formation of sapping channels throughout the moraine, one of which is truncated by the
Upper Campbell, and is therefore clearly related to the final drainage of Lake Agassiz from the
area.

FIELD TRIP STOPS

STOP 1 - STRIATED OUTCROP, WEST HAWK LAKE
Northwestern Ontario and the adjacent parts of southeastern Manitoba have been glaciated
numerous times throughout the Pleistocene. Each successive glaciation in large part removes the
evidence of previous glaciation. Previously deposited sediments are stripped away and bedrock
outcrops are molded and striated such that they record only the most recent events.
Consequently, the terrestrial glacial record is largely incomplete.
The outcrop of pillow basalt at this stop was striated and polished by the last ice flow to affect
this area (Figure 2). The striations, orientated towards 230º, are common throughout the area and

26

�record glacier movement out of Hudson Bay towards the southwest. Striations are typically fine
scratches on the gentle stoss sides of this outcrop. The plucking and steep sides at the down
glacier side of the outcrop, indicates that the ice flow was towards the southwest and not the
northeast. Minor variations in striation direction across the outcrop is due to topographic
deflection at the glacier sole and is not related to different glacial events. In addition to striations,
numerous p-forms, areas that have been eroded by subglacial meltwater under hydraulic head
imposed by the glacier, are found on the outcrop.

Figure 2. Striated outcrop at West Hawk Lake showing ice flow towards 230º.
Striations are best preserved under till or glaciolacustrine sediments. Once glacial polish and
striations have been exposed to weathering they don’t usually last very long.

STOP 2 – WEST HAWK LAKE, TILL SECTION
Till is the material that is directly deposited by the action of glacier ice although there may be
considerable influence of subglacial meltwater. It consists of a wide variety of grain sizes from
clay to boulders and may be considered as being generally unsorted (Figure 3). Till is generally
derived primarily by the comminution of the immediately underlying bedrock with only very
small components originating from various up glacial sources. This is the case with the till in the
West Hawk Lake area, which is sandy in texture and was derived primarily by the comminution
of the underlying volcanic rocks. A small proportion of the till was derived from granitic rocks
that outcrop approximately 5 km to the northeast. The till is generally not calcareous, but in
places Paleozoic carbonate erratics derived from the Hudson Bay Lowland, 650 kilometres to the
27

�northeast, can be found testifying to long distance glacial transport. Carbonate erratics are
however rare, both because of the long glacial transport and the low survival rate of these soft
lithologies, but also because of dissolution by near surface weathering in the time since the area
was deglaciated. Carbonate erratics, which may be found in the scree were probably ice rafted
and subsequently deposited in the glaciolacustrine sediments, which are common in the area.
Carbonate erratics are probably not derived from the till at this site.

Figure 3. Section at West Hawk Lake exposing sandy till of northeast provenance.
STOP 3 - WEST HAWK LAKE, METEORITE IMPACT STRUCTURE
West Hawk Lake is almost 4 km wide and nearly circular in shape. It was drilled in the 1960s by
the Dominion Observatory and found to be approximately 100 m deep and contain
approximately 100 m of sediment overlying the Precambrian basement. The circular shape and
great depth of the lake, as well as the presence of shock-metamorphosed quartz and other
features indicates the lake was formed by a meteor impact. The oldest sediments in the crater are
of Cretaceous age indicating the impact occurred prior to that time, possibly in the Paleozoic.
Because the lake is so deep compared to its diameter, it has been believed for many years that
sediment deposited in the lake would be protected from erosion during glaciation. Glacier ice
moving over the lake would shear over the top of the lake and not penetrate to the bottom.
Previously deposited sediment would therefore be unaffected by glaciation. In addition, the great
depth and the fact that there are no major rivers draining the lake means that sediments entering
the lake would not be eroded or flushed through the lake. Consequently, the possibility exists
that a complete Holocene, glacial and pre-glacial record spanning perhaps millions of years

28

�might be preserved in the sediment in-fill at the bottom of the lake. Jim Teller from the
Department of Geology, University of Manitoba, has undertaken coring of the upper 15 m of the
sediment in-fill and is planning to core the remaining 75-85 m to elucidate the glacial history, the
history of glacial Lake Agassiz and climate variability of the mid continent over possibly the last
million years or more.
En route to Stop 4 we drive west on the Trans Canada Highway. Approximately 12 km west of
Falcon Lake we leave the area affected by glaciation from Hudson Bay and northwestern
Ontario. The ice flow direction changes to southeasterly (145º) and the associated till becomes
fine textured and highly calcareous, having been derived by the comminution of Paleozoic
carbonate bedrock in the Manitoba Interlake, northwest of Winnipeg. We will have an
opportunity to observe diamicton, similar to this till, in the Grunthal pit at Stop 6.
Point of Interest
In some sections of the low boreal forest, the construction of the Trans-Canada Highway had a
considerable effect on drainage and the height of the water table. Where the Trans-Canada
Highway becomes divided, just west of Falcon Lake, a small stand of eastern white cedars
(Thuja occidentalis) in the median illustrates the impact of hydrological change on the local
vegetation. The growth of these trees began to be affected following highway construction in
1981. Although most of these trees had been growing since the early 1800s, the elevated water
table caused their ringwidth and wood density to decline by 50 percent within two to three years.
While some cedars were able to survive under the raised water table for several years, the last
tree had succumbed to flooding by 1993. Although most are still standing upright, these trees
have been dead for 10 to 20 years.

Figure 4. Composite tree-ring density curves for eastern white cedar (Thuja occidentalis) from
Falcon Lake and East Braintree.

29

�In other areas of southeastern Manitoba, which marks the western limit of cedars, trees growing
around undisturbed wetlands can live up to 350 years and possibly longer as is the case around
East Braintree. These long-lived cedar trees can potentially provide records of changes in
environmental conditions since the mid-17th century and may greatly improve our understanding
of the natural variability of climate, forest fire frequency and insect infestations in this region
(Figure 4).
STOP 4 - SAPPING CHANNELS (UPPER CAMPBELL BEACH)
The Upper Campbell beach is Lake Agassiz's most prominent strandline and defines the
Sandilands Moraine as an island about 9 500 years BP (Figure 1). This phase of Lake Agassiz
relates to the final drainage of the lake as progressively lower eastern outlet were opened by
glacial retreat until the lake finally completely drained into Hudson Bay. The lunch spot is
located on the back or landward side of the Upper Campbell beach, on the shore of a small lake.
This small lake is located at the down slope end of what is believed to be a sapping channel. The
head of this channel is 5 km to the southeast (Figure 5). This site clearly indicates that the
sapping channel is truncated by the Upper Campbell beach, making it older than the beach.

k

Peat

r%%Upper Cajnpbell

WavecuffScarp

'I

C
SaLing
els

'1

ciofluvial
Norcross

Sand

.

Navecut $carp
5km

Figure 5. Surficial geological map draped on a Digital Elevation Model of a portion of
southeastern Manitoba. Stop 4 is located at the lower end of the sapping channels. The sapping
channels are typically infilled with peat. Conical depressions are found above and below the
Norcross wavecut scarp.
Sapping channels have only been recognized in the Sandilands area, and are only found above
the Upper Campbell beach, in areas where silty sands and fine sands are the predominant

30

�sediments. During times of high lake levels in Lake Agassiz, prior to the formation of the Upper
Campbell beach, a high water table would have existed in the Sandilands. With the drop in lake
level to the Upper Campbell beach, the water table would have dropped accordingly. This reequilibration of the water table would have taken place rapidly, perhaps in a decade or less,
resulting in high gradients in the local hydrogeologic system. These high gradients made it
possible to mobilize silt and transport it from the hydrogeologic system. The surficial
expressions of this transport are the sapping channels, created where groundwater discharge
occurred.
Numerous conical depressions occur in the Sandilands that are also likely the result of
groundwater movement and are believed to be contemporaneous with the sapping channels.
These conical depressions occur almost exclusively in silty sands, above and below the Norcross
escarpment, 5 km to the southeast. Although the term piping is commonly used to refer to
flushing of sediment from beneath a dam in civil engineering terms, piping can occur in natural
settings when there is upward movement of groundwater under high gradients in silts and silty
sands (Higgins, 1982). The high gradients enable silt to be removed from the sediment matrix
and depressions were formed as the remaining sediment collapses under the influence of gravity.
Following a drop in the level of Lake Agassiz, groundwater flowing from higher elevations to
lower elevations may have become semi-confined as overlying sediments became finer. The
resulting upward gradient combined with presence of overlying silty sands suggests that piping is
a viable mechanism for forming these conical depressions.

STOP 5 - UPPER CAMPBELL BEACH OF LAKE AGASSIZ
During the Emerson phase of Lake Agassiz the Sandilands Moraine was subjected to a
tremendous amount of shoreline erosion. The prevailing winds were from the northwest and
Sandilands was an island in the southeast part of the Lake Agassiz basin. As a consequence, the
Sandilands Moraine was subjected to waves with a fetch in access of 300 km. Evidence of this
erosion are two 20 m high wave-cut scarps, the Upper Campbell and Norcross scarps, on the
northwest flank of the moraine. Large well-developed spits are situated on both ends of these
scarps. The largest of these spits is found south of the lower of the two scarps, the Upper
Campbell scarp.

Figure 6. Ground penetrating radar profile across the Upper Campbell spit. This west to east
profile is 150 metres wide with 30 metre thick foreset beds and several metre thick topsets. There
is fine-grained glaciolacustrine sediment at the base of the foresets.

31

�This stop is located on the crest of the southern spit. The spit is approximately 15 k long, 8 k
wide and 30 m thick and composed predominantly of sand with minor amounts of gravel.
Ground penetrating radar surveys carried out by the Geological Survey of Canada and the
Manitoba Geological Survey show the structure of the spit to be large foreset beds which
prograde southward in the core and westward on the west flank (Figure 6). Topset beds are
several metres thick.

STOP 6 - INTERGLACIAL SITE AT GRUNTHAL
Although the exposure at the Grunthal pit is poor, it is interesting because musk ox (Ovibos
moschatus), extinct bison, (possibly Bison antiquus) and wooly mammoth (Mammuthus
primigenius) (Figure 7) bones have been dredged from below the water table. Wood and a
variety of organic-rich, fine-textured silt and silty-clay sediments have also been recovered
during gravel extraction, but the stratigraphy of the site is speculative.

Figure 7. Lower M1 molar of Mammuthus primigenius (V2554) from the Grunthal pit. (A)
Lateral aspect. (B) Occlusal aspect.
The sediment above the water table and the sand and gravel extracted by the dredge is interpreted
to be late Wisconsinan, ice-proximal, glaciofluvial sediment deposited 11-12 000 years ago,
when the last glacier ice to affect the area was waning. These sand and gravel deposits are in part
capped by diamicton that may have been deposited as debris flows in a proximal glaciofluvial
environment.

32

�Little is known about the sediments underlying the late Pleistocene sediments below the water
table. The various bones, wood and the organic-rich sediments dredged from the bottom of the
pit suggest the underlying deposits are of mid-Wisconsinan interstadial or possibly Sangamonian
Interglacial age. Radiocarbon dating of a wood sample gave a finite age of 44 020 ± 1 030 years
BP (GX-27643) suggesting an interstadial age, although dates in this range are close to the limit
of the radiocarbon technique and must be accepted with some trepidation. The presence of bones
of Mammuthus primigenius and Bison antiquus strongly suggest an interglacial age. In addition,
a lophar index of 9 (number of lophs per 100 mm of mesiodistal crown length) of an M1
mammoth molar from the deposit (Graham Young and Ed Dobrzanski, per com 2002) is similar
to an M1 or M2 molar of Sangamonian age from Bird, Manitoba, (Nielsen et al. 1988) further
suggesting an interglacial age for the deposit.
Two samples of organic-rich mud, dredged from below the water table, were submitted to
Paleotec Services in Ottawa for macrofossil analysis. The plant macrofossil evidence suggests a
forested environment dominated by spruce trees and the presence of sedges, buckbean and
mosses further indicates the area was poorly drained. The presence of bark beetles (Scolytidae)
agrees with the plant fossil evidence of a forested environment. The insect fossils, specifically
rove beetles are in agreement with the plant macrofossil data suggesting a stream or slowly
moving water in a poorly drained area possibly a pond or wet depression. The absence of aquatic
submergent plants and other typical aquatic faunal elements suggest the pond was temporary
rather than permanent. The water-worn bones in association with finer textured organic-rich silt
and silty clay suggest the deposit may be in part a point bar. Alternatively, the bones became
abraded when they were incorporated into the overlying glaciofluvial sediments.
Interpretation of the floral and faunal macrofossil assemblage indicates the climate at the time of
deposition was probably warm. This conclusion is based on the abundant macrofossil remains of
spruce along with bark beetles suggesting the climate was at least warm enough for the growth of
boreal forest. However, the absence of fossil evidence of other boreal taxa, specifically pine and
deciduous trees such as birches and alders is puzzling. The forest, being composed of only
spruce, resembles the boreal forests in northern regions. This, along with the presence of fossil
rove beetles (Eucnecosum) which have distributions restricted to northern boreal, arctic, or alpine
areas suggests the climate may have been cooler than today. The macrofossil evidence and the
presence of M. primigenius, Bison antiquus and Ovibos moschatus at the site are taken to
indicate a northern or boreal steppe or steppe-tundra environment.
All the taxa from the site except the Pleistocene megafauna can be found living in southern
Manitoba today, with the rove beetle being at its southern limit. It is therefore concluded from
the macrofossil evidence that the deposit at Grunthal is probably of interglacial age, and it is
tentatively assigned to the Sangamonian.
Point of interest
If time permits a small detour will be made to the Dawson Trail, which was the first ‘road’
linking Fort Garry to eastern Canada.

33

�Simon James Dawson, an engineer and land surveyor, was given the task in 1857 of surveying
the country between Lake Superior and the Red River valley in Manitoba. Dawson subsequently
proposed a route from Port Arthur’s Landing, which later became Port Arthur and then Thunder
Bay, that would use waterways and roads, to prepare the way for the railroad and thereby
forestall northward expansion by aggressive American interests.

Figure 8. Map showing the Dawson Trail between Port Arthur’s Landing (Thunder Bay) and
Fort Garry (Winnipeg).
Construction of the Dawson Trail in Manitoba was started in 1868 under the direction of John
Allan Snow, as a make-work project after several years of repeated crop failure in the Red River
valley, but was then hastened because of potential trouble with the métis. The 1200 man army of
Colonel Garnet Joseph Wolseley, which was sent west from Upper Canada in 1870 to quell the
métis uprising led by Louis Riel, was in part employed to help finish the construction of the
Dawson Trail (Figure 8). The army worked on the road to the point where it was passable and
arrived in the Red River settlement in August of 1870. Interestingly the army traveled from Fort
Francis to Fort Garry via Lake of the Woods and the Winnipeg River and did not use the Dawson
Trail from the Northwest Angle, and across Sandilands. The trip from Port Arthur’s Landing to

34

�Fort Garry lasted approximately one month and was made by approximately 1600 travelers in
1873.
With the completion of the Canadian pacific Railroad in 1885, the Dawson Trail was quickly
forgotten after having being used for only a few years and never really being finished as Dawson
originally envisioned it. However, much of the trail is still in use either as bush roads or
snowmobile trails. Parts of the Trans-Canada Highway between Richer and Winnipeg also
follow the original road. The road is especially well preserved in sections of Sandilands where
in some boggy areas the original corduroy can still be found.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We would like to thank Graham Young and Ed Dobrzanski of the Manitoba Museum of Man and
Nature for their analysis of the vertebrate bones from the Grunthal pit and their help in making
the Sangamonian age assignment of the deposit. We would also like to thank David Riddle of
Manitoba Historic Resources Branch for supplying the Dawson Trail map. Grant Ferguson of the
Department of Engineering, University of Manitoba wrote the very eloquent description of the
formation of the sapping channels for us.

REFERENCES
Higgins, Charles G. 1982. Piping and sapping: development of landforms by groundwater
outflow. pp. 18-59. In: Groundwater as a Geomorphic Agent. R.G. LaFleur (ed.) 1982. Allen
and Unwin, Inc. London, U.K.
Kerr, D.G.G. 1975. Historical Atlas of Canada. Third revised edition. Thomas Nelson &amp; Sons
(Canada) Ltd.
McAndrews, J.H. 1982. Holocene environment of a fossil bison from Kenora, Ontario. Ontario
Archaeology, vol. 37, pp.41-51.
Nielsen E., Churcher, C.S., and Lammers, G.E. 1988. A wolly mammoth (Proboscidea,
Mammuthus primigenius) molar from the Hudson Bay Lowland of Manitoba. Canadian Journal
of Earth Sciences, vol. 25, pp. 933-938.
Thorleifson H. 1996. Review of Lake Agassiz History. In, Teller, J.T., Thorleifson, L.H., Matile,
G. and Brisbin, W.C. eds. Sedimentology, geomorphology and history of the central Lake
Agassiz basin. Geological Association of Canada Field Trip B2, 101p.

35

�36

�Field Trip 3
Structure and Sedimentology of the Seine Conglomerate, Mine
Centre Area, Ontario
Dyanna Czeck
Department of Geology
Oberlin College
52 W. Lorain Street
Oberlin, OH 44074

Philip Fralick
Department of Geology
Lakehead University
Thunder Bay, ON P7B 5E1

Moderately deformed Seine conglomerate containing metavolcanic and granitoid
clasts, with clast tiling due to dextral deformation. Hwy 11, 1 km east of
Horsecollar Junction.

�FOREWORD
This trip will examine sites related to the development and deformational history of a
synorogenic sedimentary unit, the Seine Conglomerate. The unit extends across the Canada/
United States border in the Rainy Lake region, an area that has sparked interest and controversy
for American and Canadian geologists for over a century. The Seine is of significant interest
because it preserves important structural and sedimentological clues that may lead us to a better
understanding of the tectonic history of the Archean Wabigoon-Quetico subprovincial boundary.
REGIONAL SETTING
Introduction and Tectonic Setting
The central portion of the Superior province is characterized by alternating subprovinces of
metavolcanic-plutonic and metasedimentary natures (Fig. 1).

Figure 1. The Superior Province. From Card and Ciesielski (1986).
One popular tectonic interpretation for the central portion of the Superior Province is of repeated
island arc, microcontinent collisions. The collisions are evidenced by rocks that can be
interpreted as arc sequence subprovinces (metavolcanics) and their corresponding accretionary
prism subprovinces (metasediments) (Langford and Morin, 1976; Hoffman, 1989; Percival and

38

�39

Figure 2. Simplified Geologic Map of Mine Centre area showing the extent of the Seine. Geology compiled from
Wood, 1980a &amp; b, Stone, 1998a &amp; b, and Czeck, 2001.

�Williams, 1989; Card, 1990; Hoffman, 1990). In general, the ages in the greenstone belts are
similar along strike, but differ systematically across strike (Hoffman, 1989). This is consistent
with the island-arc accretion model. A history of southward accretion has been proposed to
explain the juxtaposition of Superior Province terranes (Langford and Morin, 1976; Percival and
Williams, 1989; Card, 1990).
The Seine Conglomerate, located in the Rainy Lake region of the western Superior Province, was
deposited along the boundary between the Wabigoon metavolcanic/plutonic subprovince and the
Quetico metasedimentary subprovince (Fig. 2). The structural observations along the
Wabigoon–Quetico boundary are consistent with an oblique island-arc microplate collision circa
2.7 Ga. In this part of the Superior Province, it seems likely that first the Quetico acted as a
subduction prism during accretion of the Wawa to Wabigoon. Then, it was effectively shifted
from the subduction prism setting to a back-arc setting, as subduction shifted (Percival and
Williams, 1989).
In the Rainy Lake region, a series of lithostratigraphic terranes were assembled together along
structurally controlled, stratigraphically discordant boundaries during the collisions. The
boundary between the Wabigoon and Quetico Subprovinces in this region is divided into three
primary blocks by dextral wrench faults (Poulsen, 1986). Each of the small terranes and subterranes may have undergone a somewhat unique history of formation and deformation.
The Quetico Fault forms the northern boundary, separating the granite-greenstone terrain of
Wabigoon Subprovince from the Coutchiching Group argillites and the Seine Conglomerate.
The Seine River-Rainy Lake Fault forms the southern boundary of these sedimentary sequences
with the Quetico turbiditic metasediments to the south. The wedge-shaped area lying between
the two major fault systems is itself dissected by splays off the major east-west faults, which
isolate the lithic units, destroying stratigraphic integrity. This problem has resulted in historical
speculation on the lateral equivalency of the Seine and Coutchiching sediments (Merritt, 1934)
and the Coutchiching and Quetico (Lawson, 1913).

Geochronology
Davis et al (1989) used U-Pb, single zircon geochronology to bracket the ages of the
Coutchiching and Seine between 2704+-3 to 2692+-2 and 2696+5-3 to 2686+2-1 respectively.
Even though an overlap in age existed, Davis et al (1989) believed that structural considerations
indicated that the Coutchiching is slightly older than the Seine.
Further detrital zircon geochronology of the Seine was conducted by Davis and reported in
Fralick and Davis (1999). Of the two samples analysed one was from the sandstone dominated
lithofacies (collected near the Seine River bridge) and the other was from the conglomerate
dominated lithofacies (collected near Horsecollar Junction on Highway 17). The detrital zircons
in both samples give very consistent ages with the sandstone lithofacies clustering at 2693+-1
(Fig. 3) and the conglomerate lithofacies clustering at 2692+-1 (Fig. 4). These detrital zircon
ages are similar to the Bear Pass pluton, a granitic mass which outcrops near the Seine

40

�Conglomerate (Fralick and Davis, 1999). Metamorphic titanite from the pluton gave an age of
2684+-5.

Figure 3. Isochron showing U-Pb detrital zircon ages from the upper Seine Group (supplied by
D. Davis).

Figure 4. Isochron showing U-Pb detrital zircon ages from the lower Seine Group (supplied by
D. Davis).
Detrital zircons from the nearby Quetico and Coutchiching metasediments have an age
distribution that is very different than that from the Seine Conglomerate. Their youngest ages
are 2699+-1 for the Quetico and 2704+-3 for the Coutchiching with the population in both rock
units extending back past 3000Ma. This is in sharp contrast to the Seine zircons which indicate

41

�dominance of a single source. This source may have evolved slightly through time as the age for
the upper sandstone is slightly older than the lower conglomerate, though within error. This
inverse age stratigraphy may reflect erosive unroofing of slightly older segments of the source
igneous body. In any case, the Seine must be 2692 Ma, or younger, and its detritus was derived
from a different source than the Quetico and Coutchiching (Fralick and Davis, 1999). The Bear
Pass pluton is a good candidate for the source of the sediment except its zircons have lower Th/U
ratios than the Seine. The Seine’s Th/U ratios of 0.74 to 1.07 are more typical of alkaline igneous
rocks (Fralick and Davis, 1999). Alkaline igneous rocks 2692 Ma in age are present to the east of
the area in the Shebandowan region.
Metamorphic titanite in the Rice Bay Dome has given an age of 2693-+3 Ma , coeval with or
predating the Seine (Davis et al,1989). The Bear Pass intrusion also predates the Seine and is
late-tectonic, probably emplaced into the Rice Bay Dome after the Coutchiching turbidites had
been overturned (Fralick and Davis, 1999). Thus, the Seine was deposited after an early period of
folding and metamorphism.
What can we learn from the Seine?
The Rainy Lake region has been metamorphosed, generally to greenschist grade, and deformed
in response to the Archean microplate collisions. Most of the preserved deformation is of a
ductile nature, and thus occurred at significant depth. The Seine itself is metamorphosed and
significantly deformed. From the geochronology and sedimentological evidence (to be described
below), we know that the Seine was deposited in a dynamic convergent plate setting. From the
significant flattening fabrics and structural evidence, we know that the Seine was subsequently
buried and deformed at mid-crustal levels. Therefore, the Seine preserves a record of a
conglomerate’s journey through the crust within a dynamic convergent zone. We can hope to
interpret from the Seine a relatively late stage record of the microplate collision history at the
Wabigoon- Quetico tectonic boundary through a history of syn-deformational deposition, burial,
and deformation. Through analysis of the sedimentology, early structures, and late structures,
we can hope to interpret various portions of the conglomerate’s path through the crust.
SEDIMENTOLOGY OF THE SEINE
The Seine Conglomerate was interpreted to have been deposited in a fluvial system by Wood
(1980). This system undergoes a gradual transition from conglomerate dominated near its base to
sandstone dominated near its top. Channels in the lower portion of the section are Scott type
(Miall, 1978), with gravel and cobbles forming both longitudinal bars and interbar channels.
Through cross-stratified, medium-grained sandstones, representing chute channels, commonly
form small lenses in these sequences. The coarse-grained lithofacies association is transitional
upwards into successions which contain thicker layers of trough cross-stratified sandstone. This
represents a transition from gravelly main channels to channels dominated by the migration of
sand dunes. With further fining upwards, the Formation becomes sandstone dominated. The
sandstones are organized into stacked, trough cross-stratified lenses, with rarer large-scale,
planar cross-stratified layers and conglomeratic horizons. This reflects development of a South
Saskatchewan type braided river (Miall, 1978) with dune migration prevalent in the channels and
only minor development of sandy transverse and gravelly longitudinal bars. To further clarify the

42

�relationship between the lithofacies present in the rocks and the environments in which the
sediment was deposited, the remainder of this section will discuss the types of sediment
deposited in the differing sub-environments of gravelly to sandy braided streams.
Braided rivers are multichannel streams with large width to depth ratios that commonly develop
in high slope areas, such as alluvial fans and proglacial outwash plains. This type of channel
pattern is generally caused by a combination of factors which include: large diurnal and seasonal
fluctuations in discharge; high slope, or a rapid increase in slope; high discharge velocities; the
dominance of bedload sediment (sand and gravel) in transport; and, meagre vegetation on the
floodplain. These factors result in the stream being easily able to erode its banks, spread out
laterally and choke its channel with coarse sediment building midchannel islands. The channel
morphology of braided rivers is characterised by a series of channels and bars which are
occupied at various levels of discharge (Williams and Rust, 1969). During most of the year, with
normal to low discharge, one, two or more channels will snake through the assemblage of bars.
However, during peak discharge all the previously dry bars and minor channels will be
overtopped and the river will develop only one large channel. Flood events, such as this, are the
intervals when the coarsest sediment, generally composing the bars, but also flooring the
channels in high energy systems, will move. Hammer and Smith (1983) found that bedload
sediment transport increases at an exponential rate with river discharge.
As the majority of coarse sediments are transported in bedload during high discharge events,
with reduction in discharge the ability of the river to continue transporting this material down
gradient is also reduced (Burton, 1989). At this point the largest material in transport stops
moving. This produces a low velocity shadow downstream from the sedimented material where
more detritus accumulates. This process leads to the formation of gravel bars, termed
longitudinal bars, within the river channel. If the channel is in a relatively high slope area, the
sand and finer material in transport will only be deposited if it is trapped or carried into the pores
between the gravel and sedimented as matrix. Here, the main channel is pebble, cobble or
boulder dominated with this detritus arranged into a stacked sequence of commonly irregular
lenses. These lenses represent areas of scour and deposition on the bottom of a larger channel.
Some gravel lenses may be formed by either migration of coarse-grained dunes or lateral fill into
scour pits producing cross-stratification. In less energetic systems trough cross-stratified sand
lenses will interbed with the gravel. This represents sand in bedload tractive transport as dunes
being deposited and not re-eroded. Further reduction in energy levels of the system will
eventually cause the main channel deposits to become a series of stacked, trough cross-stratified
sandstone lenses.
In braided streams carrying gravel, longitudinal bars will develop, splitting the flow at low stage
(Figs. 5 &amp; 6). These bars are lozenge-shaped mounds of pebbles, cobbles or boulders in clast
support with a coarse-grained matrix. They are usually internally massive and nongraded, though
occasionally parallel lamination is present. While the bars are submerged during maximum
discharge events they are subjected to extremely turbulent flow, during which time they are
modified by both erosion and deposition. Such processes result in the head of the bar being
continually reworked producing a well sorted and coarser grained deposit (Burton, 1989). A
significant decrease in velocity over the length of the bar results in a corresponding decrease in
the size of material being deposited.

43

�Figure 5. Photograph of the North Saskatchewan River in Alberta. The main channel (A) is
cutting around a longitudinal bar which grades from a coarse head (B) to a finer pebble tail with
a veneer of darker coloured sand (C). The bar tail in the foreground also has darker sandy areas
mantling it (C) and is cut by chute channels (D); one of which is building a chute delta (E). If
main channel erosion was not occurring at F this would be the site of a bar edge sand wedge
supplied by the nonconfined overbar flow.
During waning flow, the bar tail will be shielded from the main current in the river as the bar top,
in the center of the bar, begins to become emergent. This may cause a thin sand sheet, or patches
of sand in lower areas, to be deposited over the bar tail. As the flow stage continues to drop small
channels will sporadically develop cutting across the upper surface of the bar, from a main
channel upstream to another main channel downstream. These are chute channels which
commonly fill with trough cross-stratified sand produced by dunes migrating down the channels.
They form sand lenses in the gravelly longitudinal bar. Where chute channels rejoin the main
channel sediment may accumulate as a large avalanche face building out into the deeper main
channel (chute delta). This produces a large-scale, planar cross-stratified sand or gravel deposit
banked up against the side of the longitudinal bar. Similar, but laterally extensive, deposits can
also be formed by unconfined sheet flow over the only slightly submerged surface of the bar.
Again, where this flow enters the deeper main channel a large-scale, planar cross-stratified
wedge of sediment will be banked up against the bar. This is called a bar edge sand wedge (Figs.
5 &amp; 6).
All of the above may be present in sand dominated braided systems, but the longitudinal bars
will be subordinate and may be absent. The main bar forms in these systems are transverse bars.
These are large sand waves, features similar to continuous crested, long wavelength dunes.

44

�Figure 6. Block diagram of a coarse-grained braided stream schematically showing: coarse bar
head (A); finer bar trail with thin sand patches which accumulate in areas shielded from the
current during waning flow (B); chute channel with dunes (C); chute delta (D); bar edge sand
wedge (E); and main channel with dunes (F). Gravelly braided stream deposits similar to these
dominate the lower Seine Conglomerate.

Figure 7. Block diagram of a sand dominated braided stream schematically showing: the main
channel with dune migration producing trough cross-stratification (A); transverse bar migration
and stacking producing sandflats which are internally planar cross-stratified (B); minor (to no)
development of gravelly longitudinal bars (C). Sandy braided stream deposits, and especially the
main channel facies, dominate the upper Seine Conglomerate.
Where they are abundant they will pile up next to one another clogging the channel with sand
and producing large areas of sand flats (Smith, 1970; Miall, 1985) (Fig. 7). Internally, they are
composed of large-scale (commonly&gt;1m thick sets), planar cross-stratification. Transverse bars
are quite laterally continuous and are interbedded with other large-scale, planar cross-stratified
sand units, in sand flats (downstream accretion macroforms of Miall, 1988), or successions of
smaller lenses of trough cross-stratified sand, representing dune migration on the channel floor

45

�(Fig. 7). The transverse bars are mostly active during higher discharge. During low discharge,
their tops may become emergent and eroded, and dunes mantle their surface. The next flood
event will often result in the bar building in a somewhat different direction. This will result in an
apparent change in the angle of the cross-stratification (a reactivation surface). This sloping
surface may also show evidence of erosion and contain small lenses of trough crossstratification.
This completes the general overview of sediment deposits associated with channel sequences in
braided streams. Floodplain lithofacies are usually minor to nonexistent in these successions as
the fine grained deposits have little preservation potential. Braided streams commonly avulse,
changing the position of their channel and combing the floodplain, eroding the fine-grained
deposits and forming stacked channel sequences.
The Seine Conglomerate contains lithofacies corresponding to all of the channel subenvironments discussed above. Conglomerate dominated longitudinal bar-channel sequences are
the most common in outcrop. However, sandier channel sequences are not rare and gain
importance higher in the Formation.
STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY
Deformed primary fabrics
Bedding is often difficult to discern in the Seine. Where it can be identified, it is displayed by
variations in grain sizes, often indicated by fine-grained layers interbedded with pebble
conglomerates. In some cases, cross bedding can be seen within larger sandy layers. In general,
bedding strikes approximately east – west, and is subvertical (Fig. 8). This orientation is similar
to bedding attitudes measured throughout much of the Superior Province (Poulsen, 1986;
Hudleston et al., 1988; Bauer and Bidwell, 1990; Tabor and Hudleston, 1991; Bauer et al., 1992;
Jirsa et al., 1992; Bauer and Hudleston, 1995; Hudleston and Bauer, 1995). Bedding is generally
subvertical and subparallel regardless of lithology. However, this fact does not necessarily
indicate deformation of a continuous stratigraphic sequence. Based on opposing stratigraphic
facing in adjacent rocks, an unconformity between the volcanic units and the base of the Seine
conglomerate can be identified (Stop 1) (Lawson, 1913; Poulsen et al., 1980; Poulsen, 2000).
There are some exceptions to the general EW, vertical bedding orientation. In the area along
Shoal Lake (Stop 1), the bedding strikes more NE/ SW with a shallower (~65°) southeasterly
dip. The orientations of the bedding within the Shoal Lake area and adjacent rocks to the north
and south combine to create a large, gentle S structure, with shallower dips on the middle section
of the S.
Several folds on the scale of hundreds of meters have been identified within the Seine
metasediments based on stratigraphic facing (scour beds and cross-beds) and lithologic similarity
(Hsu, 1971; Wood et al., 1980a; Wood et al., 1980b; Poulsen, 2000). These folds have vertical
limbs and are typically upright and isoclinal. The trends of the hinges are roughly parallel to the
foliation (EW). The plunges of the hinges are unknown, and cannot be constructed due to the
subparallelism of the limbs. In a few locations (see Stop 5), one can see small scale folds that
may display horizontal bedding at the hinges.

46

�Figure 8. Equal area stereonets showing structural fabric data near Mine Centre, Ontario. A)
Poles to bedding. 46 measurements. B) Poles to foliation. 142 measurements. C) Mineral
lineations. 123 measurements. D) Intersections between foliation (cleavage) and bedding. 44
measurements. From Czeck (2001).
Ductile deformation
Ductile deformation (as evidenced by rocks with pronounced foliations and mineral lineations) is
pervasive throughout the entire Wabigoon–Quetico boundary zone. The overall dominance of
the foliation over the lineation creates an S-L type fabric. However, strain is also localized into
an anastomosing network of more discrete shear zones, including two main zones of localized
shear and displacement. These are the Seine River - Rainy Lake Fault and the Quetico Fault,
which diverge to the west and merge to the east (Fig. 2). An anastomosing pattern of smaller
shear zones links the major shear zones shown in anastomosing, gentle S-like shapes (Fig. 9).
The locations of these smaller shear zones have been determined by linear features observed on
electromagnetic anomaly maps or are identified as the discordant boundaries of apparently
independent lithostratigraphic terranes (Poulsen, 1986; Poulsen, 2000). Direct observation of
these smaller shear zones is difficult because they are typically under water or buried beneath
recent sedimentary deposits and not exposed, presumably because they are highly erodable. The
presence of discrete shear zones implies some strain partitioning between shortening and wrench
components of ductile deformation along the Wabigoon–Quetico boundary. It is probable that
the discrete shear zones are zones with relatively high wrench influence. Conversely, it is
probable that the wide zones of deformation between the shear zones have undergone
deformation with a stronger shortening influence. In some instances, small (on the order of a
few meters), secondary shear zones may be seen.

47

�Figure 9. Schematic diagram illustrating structural features of Rainy Lake Wrench Zone. Short
solid arrows identify downward facing units. From Poulsen (1986).
Foliation is moderately to well developed in all rocks of the region, with the exception of some
late stage plutons. It is especially well developed along the major shear zones and the Seine
River – Rainy Lake and Quetico Faults. The foliations are largely subvertical and at a low angle
both to bedding (except in the hinge of folds) and to the subprovince boundary (Fig. 8). An
exception to the subvertical foliation is in the area along Shoal Lake (Stop 1). Here, like the
bedding, the foliation strikes more NE/ SW with a shallower dip (~65°). Like the bedding, the
combined orientations of the foliations within this Shoal Lake area and adjacent rocks to the
north and south create a large, gentle S structure, with shallower dips on the middle section of
the S. Unlike the bedding, the cleavage is not folded by the major upright folds. It is, however,
affected locally by crenulations.
In general, there is no consistently oriented intersection lineation between bedding and foliation
throughout the Seine. Instead, this lineation defines a great circle corresponding roughly to the
planes of foliation and bedding. This is to be expected in the situation in which bedding and
foliation are subparallel because slight variations in orientation of the two planar features will
have a significant effect on the orientation of the intersection lineation.
Typically, chlorite or amphibole forms a mineral lineation, which varies in intensity from weak
to strong depending on location. The lineation plunge is highly variable across the Wabigoon–
Quetico boundary without any clear systematic change from east to west or from north to south,
although there are local domains of similar lineation plunge (Czeck, 2001). The highest
concentrations of lineation orientations plunge steeply to the east, and their mean orientation is
66°/076. However, there are also significant numbers of westward and shallowly plunging
lineations. The range of lineation orientations is great enough that the “average lineation” may
have little geologic meaning.

48

�The lineation referred to thus far is the mineral lineation, a lineation due to the preferred
alignment of mineral grains or clusters of grains. This lineation is present in most rock types
along the Wabigoon–Quetico boundary. Within the Seine conglomerate, there are, in fact, two
distinct linear elements that can be measured independently: the mineral lineation and that
defined by the long axes of the conglomerate clasts. Both can be considered penetrative features
of the rock fabric. The long axes of clasts within the conglomerate are generally coincident with
the mineral lineation as would be expected if the conglomerate clasts were an accurate recorder
of strain and the mineral lineation reflects the stretching direction
Relatively late-stage sinistral and dextral crenulations locally affect the cleavage. These
crenulations are fairly small (usually cm scale). They are most abundant in the most highly
sheared rocks. This correlation and the relative timing of the crenulations makes it seem likely
that they formed during the latest stage of a continuing saga of transpression.
Features of deformed conglomerates
The Seine Group provides an excellent opportunity to observe the effects of competency
contrasts on deformation. These natural competency contrasts allow us to obtain structural
information that is unavailable in more homogeneous rocks, making the conglomerates are
excellent tools for structural analysis and tectonic interpretations.
Within the conglomerates, asymmetric shear sense indicators are prevalent. In general, these are
either in the form of asymmetric pressure shadows at the ends of clasts, wrapped foliation
indicating rotation of the most rigid clasts, and clast tiling. All of these shear-sense indicators
are most evident on the subhorizontal plane, regardless of lineation orientation. They indicate
dextral sense of shear.
In general, the conglomerate clasts have been strongly flattened, although the degree of
flattening is strongly dependent on lithology. The intensity of flattening strain varies greatly
through the field area. We will be viewing several degrees of deformation on the various stops
of the fieldtrip.
TECTONIC STORY OF THE SEINE METASEDIMENTARY SEQUENCE AND
SURROUNDING ROCKS
Plate Collisions and Sediment Deposition
Comparing the zircon populations of sedimentary units in the Rainy River area with other rock
groups in the region generates some interesting trends. The zircon populations of turbidites and
conglomerates on the northern margin of Wabigoon Subprovince ( Savant Group and Ament Bay
Formation) exhibit similarities with the Coutchiching metasediments (Davis, 1997). The
conglomeratic units near the northern margin of Wabigoon Subprovince represent braided fluvial
systems (Turner and Walker, 1973; Devaney, 1999). The sediments they were transporting were
deposited in the same time bracket (Davis et al, 1988) as some of the sedimentary units near
Rainy Lake. If the sedimentary units in the Rainy Lake area represent detritus shed off of
upraised blocks during collision-orogeny, as appears to be the case (Davis et al, 1989),

49

�Figure 10. Interpretive sketches showing subduction and plate convergence along the southern
margin of Wabigoon Subprovince. The accretionary prism built at 2700 Ma of trench turbidites
is represented by the Quetico. Northward subduction in the Schreiber and Shebandowan areas
ceased at approximately 2720 Ma, but restarted in the Shebandowan area at 2692 as immanent
collision ceased subduction in the Quetico trench. After collision of the Wawa-Abitibi terrain
with the Quetico-Wabigoon assemblage, orogenic uplift affected the area. During this interval
small basins opened on both sides of the suture zone and accumulated coarse fluvial deposits
including the Seine Conglomerate.
understanding the sequencing of sedimentary pulses is key to deciphering the tectonic forces
which formed the Seine Basin and uplifted its source area. To understand this sequencing, it is
necessary to outline the tectonic history of the region, and the sedimentary response to tectonism,
from 2720 Ma to 2685 Ma.
Sedimentary sequences deposited between 2720 and 2685 Ma in, and adjacent to, Wabigoon
Subprovince record the final phases of subduction and collision of this area with landmasses to
the north and south. Examined basin fill sequences are divisible into three depositional systems
tracts. Sediments in the Beardmore-Geraldton area record progradation of braided streams and
fan/braid delta complexes from a volcanically active area to the north (Devaney and Fralick,
1985; Devaney, 1987; Devaney and Williams, 1989). The outbuilding sequence fed detritus to a
poorly structured, turbidite ramp/fan assemblage in the forearc basin (Barrett and Fralick, 1989),
from which it was rerouted into the Quetico trench, via multiple channel systems (Fralick et al.,
1992) (Fig. 10). Sediment geochemistry confirms that the calc-alkaline volcanic rocks present in
the Onaman-Tashota area, to the immediate north of the forearc basin, were the source of the
sediment (Fralick and Kronberg, 1997). Lower Zr and Y values in sandstones from this area
compared to analyses of rocks from the western trench (data from Sawyer, 1986) indicate less
involvement of older felsic crust as a sediment source. Zircon geochronology (data from D.
Davis) demonstrates that the northern Quetico trench received sediment between approximately

50

�2705-2699 Ma, whereas the forearc basic continued to accumulate sediment until at least 2696
Ma. No zircons older that 2828 were found in these sequences. In contrast the zircon population
of samples from the western Quetico (Davis et al., 1990) (Fig. 10) contains both 2900 and 3000
Ma zircons, indicating the erosion of older tonalites in this area.
A sedimentary assemblage present to the east of Terrace Bay, in Wawa Subprovince, contains a
poorly structured turbidite succession which correlates as the distal equivalent of the Quetico
trench deposits (Purdon, 1995) (Fig. 10). The geochemistry of these rocks is very similar to the
trench and forearc assemblages to their north, with lower Zr and Y than the trench sandstones to
the west. Their geochemistry does not match local sources in the Hemlo and Winston Lake
areas. Detrital zircon geochronology matches the Quetico trench sediments to the north, with the
exceptions that the main zircon population, which probably reflects age of deposition, is 3 Ma
younger, and the sandstones contain a 2900 Ma population. Similar turbidites are present in two
other areas of the northern Wawa Subprovince; Shebandowan and Manitouwadge. At the former
they are younger than 2700 Ma (F. Corfu, pers. comm.), and at the latter they are younger than
2692 Ma (E. Zaleski, pers. comm.). In the Shebandowan belt, the turbidites are succeeded by a
2692 Ma (Corfu and Stott, 1986), high-Na volcanic assemblage interlayered with near-shore,
moderate-to high-slope marine deposits. These are in turn succeeded by &lt;2686 Ma (Corfu and
Stott, 1998) braided stream conglomerates eroding crystalline basement.
This depositional system tract records 2709-2693 calc-alkaline arc volcanism on the southern
margin of Wabigoon Subprovince and its erosion and transport to the Beardmore-Geraldton
forearc basin and Quetico trench at approximately 2700 Ma. A trench-full state developed at
approximately 2696 Ma and the sediment apron expanded to the south covering tholeiitic basalts
and a starved clastic-chemical sequence in the area east of Terrace Bay. Similar sequences in
Shebandowan and Manitouwadge probably represent overflow in these areas as well.
Diachronous overflow younging to the east suggests oblique closure of the arcs comprising
northern Wawa Subprovince with the Quetico trench. Deep-marine sediments and volcanic
assemblages in the Shebandowan area were upraised at 2692 Ma to surface levels, while deepmarine sedimentation continued in the Manitouwadge area, further indicating west-side-first
scissor closure.
The second tract encompasses the English River Subprovince and Warclub Group, on the
northern margin of Wabigoon Subprovince. The depositional systems which formed these two
units were very similar. They are both primarily composed of unstructured medial to distal
turbidite assemblages. The Warclub Group thickens and coarsens upward from a 10m thick
basal zone composed of a starved slate-chert assemblage that overlies mafic volcanics. Near its
top, minor interbedding with ashes of the Berry River Volcanics occurs. It is sharply overlain by
the volcanic unit, which is mostly composed of grainflows of felsic volcanic detritus. The
Warclub Group is laterally continuous to the east of Dryden, but does not lithically correlate with
sediments in the Minnitaki Lake area. Zircon geochronological patterns (Davis, 1995) for the
Warclub Group and English River sediments exhibit a variety of ages. This is in contrast to
patterns for sediments on the southern margin of Wabigoon Subprovince, which show a
clustering of young ages, and indicates that syndepositional volcanism was not an important
sediment source. The youngest detrital zircon age determination for the Warclub Group is 2716
Ma (Davis, 1995), which is in agreement with its stratigraphic position below the 2712 Ma Berry

51

�River Volcanics (Davis, 1995). Volcanics interbedded with the Warclub Group near Vermilion
Bay give an age of 2716 Ma (Davis, 1995). The youngest detrital zircon present in the English
River assemblage is 2705 Ma (Davis, 1995).
Turbidites of the English River Subprovince and the Warclub Group accumulated in a deep
water setting; in the case of the latter, accumulation occurred directly on a mafic assemblage.
The turbidites fed from the erosion of local rocks which were upraised, probably tectonically.
Deposition of the Warclub Group ceased at 2712 Ma when a felsic volcanic episode effected its
basin. English River sediments continued to accumulate until at least 2705 Ma (Davis, 1995).
The Warclub Group was most likely deposited in a remnant ocean basin between the Wabigoon
and Winnipeg River landmasses. The English River sediments may represent either a remnant
ocean basin or a classical trench.
The third depositional systems tract includes the Abram, Minnitaki, Savant, Sturgeon and
Conglomerate Lake Groups, and possibly the Crowduck and White Partridge Bay Groups.
These sedimentary sequences represent high-slope, fan delta deposits fed into an east-west linear
trough which developed south of the north margin of Wabigoon Subprovince. Basal units are
dominated by erosion products from the immediately adjacent, underlying lithologies. There is a
rapid upward increase in the amount of felsic volcanic detritus, with some sequences almost
entirely composed of this material. Reworked sedimentary clasts, representing all fan delta
lithofacies, are important constituents of some sequences. Ages of youngest zircons are variable,
ranging from post 2707 Ma (Stott and Davis, 1999) for Conglomerate Lake (probably
depositional age) to 2699 Ma for Crowduck Lake (D. Davis, pers. comm.). Zircon populations
are varied, indicating erosion of older units rather than penecontemporaneous volcanism. The
basin system represents proximal foreland basin deposits which were overridden by thrust sheets.
Multiple periods of thrusting are indicated by cannibalism, and variation in youngest zircon ages.
The Conglomerate Lake assemblage was deposited between 2703 and 2709 Ma; the basal Savant
Group at 2704 Ma (Davis, 1995). These ages are similar to ages for cessation of sedimentation
in the English River assemblage, and indicate foreland thrusting may be linked to closure of the
English River oceanic system.
The three depositional systems tracts are interrelated due to the controlling tectonic processes.
Closure of the Warclub remnant ocean initiated development of a foreland thrust belt on the
northern margin of Wabigoon Subprovince. During the same period, extensive calc-alkaline
volcanism commenced on the southern margin of the subprovince, with commencement of north
directed subduction, and fed a systems tract which delivered sediment to two other subprovinces.
Probably oblique closure of Wawa arc systems terminated the southern depositional system at
2692 Ma in the west, and resulted in upraising of deep-water environments to shallow depths.
By 2686 Ma oceanic deposits, which had formed only 14Ma previously, were being eroded by
streams draining the Wawa-Quetico-Wabigoon collision zone.
The depositional environment of the Coutchiching turbidites is consistent with a source-distal,
off fan or braid delta setting. Its sedimentology is also consistent with a distal Quetico ramp
setting but its position on the northern, source-proximal basin margin makes this scenario
unlikely. The Coutchiching most likely was deposited as a submarine apron to the south of fandeltas fed by thrust-faulting on the northern margin of the Wabigoon subprovince. The age

52

�distribution of zircons from the Coutchiching Group (Davis et al., 1989) is similar to that of
coarse-grained metasedimentary sequences present on the northern boundary of the Wabigoon
subprovince, all of which have youngest detrital zircons of 2704 Ma, a few m.y. earlier than the
Quetico (Davis 1995, Davis 1990). None of these metasediments show the concentration of ages
less than 2710 Ma that is characteristic of the Quetico metasediments, suggesting that they are
slightly earlier.
The Seine Conglomerate represents the youngest pulse of sedimentation in the evolving collision
zone between the Wawa-Abitibi oceanic volcanics, the Quetico trench sediments and the
Wabigoon craton. The west side first, scissor closure of the Wawa-Abitibi terrain with the
Wabigoon resulted in compression and metamorphism in the Rainy Lake area at 2692 Ma while
the Shebandowan area 200 km to the east was just starting to be uplifted and the Manitouwadge
area 500km to the east still had an active trench system and subducting ocean floor. Scissor
closures such as this denote oblique collision or collision of a promontory. In either
circumstance, transpression, or partitioning of oblique deformation into boundary-parallel
(wrench) and boundary-perpendicular components (folding or thrust faulting) is likely to result
(e. g. Harland, 1971). As blocks slide past one another in wrench settings, strike-slip basins can
form as dilation zones open at fault curves, terminations with stepovers, or extensional duplexes.
Small rifts can also open due to lateral terrain escape from the compression zone.
There are several late-stage conglomerates similar to the Seine in the Superior Province, many
bearing a striking resemblance to one another. They are known as Timiskaming type
conglomerates (e. g. Pettijohn, 1943). Based on sedimentological evidence, including the large
clast size, relative rarity of cross-bedding in quartzites, and the predominance of relatively
immature graywackes interbedded with the conglomerates, Timiskaming type conglomerates
have long been recognized as forming in a dynamic, tectonic environment (Pettijohn, 1943).
Specifically, researchers have concluded that the conglomerates may have formed
synkinematically, possibly in wrench related basins (Poulsen, 1986; Poulsen, 2000). This
conclusion is based on the fact that, like the Seine Group conglomerates, other Timiskaming type
conglomerates are often found along major wrench zones within the Superior Province. Detailed
provenance studies of Timiskaming-type conglomerates have supported the wrench basin
interpretation, in that source areas have been located both north and south of the deposition area
(Legault and Hattori, 1994). Thus, due to the scissor-closure interpreted from the Seine clasts’
provenance and the association of the Seine and other Timiskaming type conglomerates with
major wrench zones, it may be appropriate to compare the early structures and stratigraphy in the
Seine group to those of more modern strike-slip basins. The aerially limited basin into which the
Seine was deposited most likely opened due to some wrench-related process, while the general
compression in the area upthrust a possibly yoked source terrain.

Plate collisions and Deformation
In general, the rocks at this boundary show a history of upper crustal stacking and wrenching
followed by ductile transpression. The stacking is evidenced by significant amounts of upright
bedding and early folds. As deformation continued and rock units became buried, ductile
deformation became dominant. This part of the deformation sequence created the dominant S-L

53

�fabrics and was responsible for most of the strain in the rocks. Continued ductile transpression
resulted in late-stage crenulations and kinks in the foliation fabric. There is some evidence for
minor, brittle structures that formed during the waning moments of deformation.
Along the Wabigoon- Quetico boundary, there are two general deformational phases of collision
evidenced by the structural field observations. Note that the distinction of two deformational
phases is NOT meant to imply that there were two stages of collision, but only that the structural
style evolved during the collisional history. The first phase can be interpreted to have included
shortening or stacking of strata, frequently coinciding with boundary-parallel motion, in the
upper crust. After the first phase and corresponding crustal thickening, the second phase of
deformation that created the dominant structural fabric is interpreted to have involved deeper,
ductile transpression. The structures preserved in the Seine and surrounding rocks are a result of
both their upper-crustal and deeper level deformation.
Structural Evidence of the Tectonic Nature of the Seine Basin
The sedimentological evidence supports the interpretation that the Seine Group was deposited in
a dynamic, tectonic environment. The structural evidence supports this conclusion as well. The
Seine is the latest of supracrustal rocks to have been deposited at the Wabigoon–Quetico
boundary (Poulsen et al., 1980; Davis et al., 1989; Fralick and Davis, 1999). Despite not
containing as many folds as its neighboring rock units, the Seine has also undergone deformation
that caused the bedding to become vertical. Even though both the Seine and its neighboring rock
units are vertically oriented, the reversal in stratigraphic facing between the base of the Seine and
the directly adjacent volcanic units (Lawson, 1913; Poulsen et al., 1980; Poulsen, 2000) implies
that the earlier strata were tilted, at least in part, prior to Seine group deposition. Therefore, it
can be interpreted that the early stacking deformation began before and endured during
deposition of the Seine. Thus the Seine group was deposited in a dynamic, tectonic environment,
most likely in a basin formed through strike-slip faulting processes that would be expected at an
obliquely convergent margin.
The specific type of strike-slip basin (pull-apart, duplex related, fault splay, …) in which the
Seine was deposited remains unclear. However, the geometries of the structures within the Seine
Group may provide clues as to the nature of this basin. The dominant vertical nature of the
bedding implies that the bedding was probably tilted during the first, upper-crustal stage of
deformation by some means (folding, faulting, or both). The few relict folds within the Seine
suggest that at least part of the basin was undergoing shortening during basin evolution. This
observation leads to the conclusion that the basin was most likely not a simple extensional pullapart basin (Poulsen, 1986), but rather some other type of wrench-related basin that contained
significant areas undergoing shortening during its formation.
If we assume that shear zones form in relatively weaker zones of rocks, the present–day location
and orientations of the bounding ductile shear zones may be indicative of the earlier brittle faults.
If we follow this logic, the gentle S-shapes of the bounding faults suggest a restraining bend
rather than a releasing bend in a dextral strike-slip regime (Fig. 11). This type of restraining
bend would likely be associated with thrusting, overturned folding, and localized areas of
subsidence and sediment accumulation (Christie-Blick and Biddle, 1985). This scenario seems

54

�Figure 11. A) Bends in dextral strike-slip fault resulting in either a restraining bend and
corresponding thrust faults, overturned folds, and sediment accumulation or a releasing bend and
the corresponding normal faulting and pull apart basin. Based on Christie-Blick and Biddle,
1985. B) Possible basin that may have formed if Quetico Fault to the north had relatively more
displacement than the Seine River - Rainy Lake Fault to the south.
likely for the Seine basin. Alternatively, one could imagine that both the southern Seine RiverRainy Lake Fault and the northern Quetico Fault were active master-faults and the secondary
features (now seen as secondary shear zones) were insignificant in the early history (Fig. 11b).
In this scenario, one might expect a basin to form at the fault intersection if the displacement on
the Quetico Fault was significantly more than the displacement along the Seine River-Rainy
Lake Fault. Alternatively, it is possible, given the scarcity of folds within the Seine, that the
Seine could have been deposited in a pull-apart basin; however, this would require that the sense
of motion along the faults was sinistral rather than dextral during this early history. There is no
evidence for such a change in sense of fault motion, but a switch in motion sense would be
possible given that such evidence would likely have been later obliterated by the dominant
ductile fabrics. A change in fault sense would require a change in plate motion or the geometry
of the boundary. Given the above three scenarios, it may not be possible to prove any one of
them, but it seems that the first scenario, that of a basin forming at a restraining bend, is most
likely. The original nappe-like nature of the folds and the likelihood of thrusting (see below)
support this scenario.
Evidence of Upper Crustal (Brittle) Deformation: Upright bedding as a result of “Stacking”
The major piece of evidence for the first phase of deformation is the ubiquitous steep bedding.
One might consider two structural end-members, folding and faulting, that could cause the
subvertical tilting of strata. After folding, one would expect to see repetition of stratigraphy and
opposing stratigraphic facing directions in adjacent strata. Even in areas with upright, isoclinal
folds, one might also expect to see some areas with horizontal bedding corresponding to the fold
hinges. After faulting, one would also expect to see repetition of stratigraphy, but not necessarily
reversals in stratigraphic facing directions. Within the Seine and surrounding regions, it seems
likely that the tilting of bedding was achieved, to some degree, through both faulting and folding,
a combination referred to here as “stacking” (Czeck, 2001).

55

�There is significant evidence for folding throughout the Superior Province in general and the
Wabigoon–Quetico boundary in particular. Evidence for folding includes visible hinges of some
folds and opposing directions of stratigraphic facing (Hooper and Ojakangas, 1971; Bauer, 1985;
Poulsen, 1986; Hudleston et al., 1988; Bauer and Bidwell, 1990; Tabor and Hudleston, 1991;
Bauer et al., 1992; Jirsa et al., 1992; Bauer and Hudleston, 1995; Hudleston and Bauer, 1995).
Several large, upright and isoclinal folds have been identified within the Seine metasediments
based on stratigraphic facing (scour beds and cross-beds) and lithologic similarity (Hsu, 1971;
Wood et al., 1980a; Wood et al., 1980b; Poulsen, 2000). The present–day upright orientation of
folds is consistent with either originally nappe-like or more upright folds. In either case, the
second phase of deformation, bulk ductile transpression, would have the effect of rotating the
fold limbs from steep to subvertical orientations. However, the combination of several
observations including the present-day juxtaposition of adjacent right-way-up and overturned
folds (Poulsen et al., 1980; Borradaile, 1982; Poulsen, 2000), suggest that the original
orientations of many of the folds were nappe-like.
There is less direct evidence for thrusting, due to a general lack of sedimentary markers that
would enable one to recognize duplicated sequences of rock. Instead, the most convincing
pieces of evidence for the existence of faults are observations that suggest that all of the vertical
bedding could not be a consequence of folding alone. First, within the Seine metasedimentary
sequence, folds are much less evident than those reported in other areas, but the dominance of
vertical bedding is still the rule. Second, unlike in rocks faulted by brittle mechanisms, folded
rocks often leave a record of strain. It has been shown in some areas within the Superior
Province that after “unstraining” the folded component of the preserved strain, the strata are still
dipping vertically (Schultz-Ela, 1988). Thus, folding alone is insufficient to account for the
vertical bedding.
The lack of evidence for faults may indicate that stacking occurred entirely by folding.
However, it is also true that if thrust faults were originally present, one would not expect to see
evidence of them, other than tilted bedding, after the major fabric-forming deformation (phase 2)
took place. Thus, it may be impossible to conclusively determine to what degree the initial
stacking event consisted of folds or thrusts. If modern arcs are a suitable analogy to describe the
tectonics of the Wabigoon–Quetico boundary, we may consider that while both folding and
faulting play a role, faulting appears to be the dominant process at modern arcs (Karig et al.,
1979; Karig et al., 1980). Thus, in all likelihood, both thrusts and folds were operational during
the stacking phase of deformation at the Wabigoon–Quetico boundary, and it is possible that
faulting, although not directly evident, was the dominant process. The relative contributions of
faulting and folding to the overall structure may not be equivalent across granite-greenstone
terranes, nor even across different portions of the same boundary, such as the Wabigoon–Quetico
subprovince boundary. Lack of key exposures and a detailed stratigraphic framework, allied
with obfuscation caused by overprinting fabrics from the second phase of deformation, may
make it difficult to ascertain the relative contributions of folding and faulting.
The term “transpression” was first introduced by Harland (1971) to describe obliquely
convergent motion between two crustal blocks, or motion partitioned into convergent and strikeslip components. Harland, in his original analogue experiments, demonstrated this type of
partitioning by generating folds within a deforming medium bounded by two rigid obliquely

56

�convergent plates. In an analogous region of deforming rocks, oblique plate collision may
partition motion into strike-slip zones parallel to the boundary and folds and thrusts whose
strikes rotate during deformation. The probable contemporaneous history of convergence and
strike-slip motions along the Wabigoon–Quetico boundary, as manifested by both
faulting/folding (stacking) and wrenching, suggests that Harland-type transpression may have
been occurring during the stacking phase of deformation. At least this is likely during the
stacking phase that occurred contemporaneously with Seine Group deposition.
It should be noted that the “stacking” in the Seine may or may not be contemporaneous with any
of the “stacking” record within adjacent lithologic domains, even within the Quetico and Seine
River - Rainy Lake fault-bounded wedge. In fact, the opposite facing directions found between
the Seine and a directly adjacent volcanic unit within the wedge reinforces the idea that at least
some of the stacking in adjacent units occurred prior to Seine deposition.
Deeper Ductile deformation: Homogeneous Transpression with Variable Extrusion
The second phase of deformation formed the dominant structural fabric in the Seine. It formed
the penetrative foliation and lineation fabrics, as well as most of the recorded strain.

Figure 12. Idealized transpression model according to Sanderson and Marchini (1984)
In general, the foliation is subvertical, and the individual clasts within the Seine conglomerates
display a flattening fabric with a subvertical plane of flattening. On subhorizontal planes, the
clasts commonly form dextral shear sense indicators, regardless of lineation orientation. Most of
these fabric features along the boundary are consistent with a type of ductile transpression first
described by Sanderson and Marchini (1984). Sanderson and Marchini (1984) provided a
mathematical description of a specialized case of transpression: homogeneous deformation
consisting of orthogonal simple shear and pure shear components (Fig. 12). In addition to these
two components, their model involves constant volume and confines deformation to a vertically
bounded zone. Such an idealized scenario is, perhaps, most likely to correspond to strain in
deep, vertical ductile shear zones during oblique convergence. The structural fabrics for this
model were predicted by Fossen and Tikoff (1993) and are summarized in Fig. 13. The
consistencies of fabrics observed along the Wabigoon–Quetico boundary with the homogeneous
transpression model suggest that at least the Wabigoon–Quetico boundary as a whole has
undergone quasi homogeneous transpression.

57

�Fig. 13. Generalized transpression. Strain (simple shear and pure shear components) and fabrics
(foliation, lineation, conglomerate clast asymmetry) based on Sanderson and Marchini (1984)
and Fossen and Tikoff (1993). The front and back sides of the boxes are parallel to the
deformation zone boundaries. The mineral fabrics are shown in the general case with fabric
oblique to the deformation zone boundaries. As strain accumulates, the foliation becomes
progressively closer to subparallel with the deformation zone boundaries. Ellipses (some with
“tails”) represent schematic clast traces on each plane. Based on Czeck (2001).
Significantly, the mineral lineations along the Wabigoon–Quetico boundary are neither vertical
nor horizontal, as predicted by the Sanderson and Marchini (1984) transpression model; they
plunge between 0-90° in both east and west directions (Fig. 8). The most likely way to create
variable obliquely plunging lineations of this type is through a combination of Sanderson and
Marchini style transpression with nonvertical extrusion (Fig. 14) (Czeck, 2001). In the original

Fig. 14. Schematic view of strain and deformation fabrics for monoclinic transpression with
nonvertical extrusion. Light colored ellipses represent schematic clast traces on each plane. (a)
Simple view of transpression with nonvertical extrusion. (b) Schematic view of transpression
with overall bulk vertical extrusion and localized zones of nonvertical extrusion. Dark colored
ellipses represent schematic "hard" zones that influence local extrusion directions. The relative
location of Fig. 8a is indicated. Based on Czeck (2001).

58

�Sanderson and Marchini style transpression and subsequent models (Sanderson and Marchini,
1984; Fossen and Tikoff, 1993; Robin and Cruden, 1994; Dutton, 1997; Jones and Holdsworth,
1998; Lin et al., 1998), extrusion of material was assumed to be vertically upwards. This
assumption is logical because, in general, one would expect the direction towards the earth’s
surface to provide the least resistance for material movement. However, rocks at depth may
have other boundary conditions that cause local pressure gradients to deviate from this first-order
assumption. For many reasons, such as the anastomosing of shear zones and influences of large
lithologically diverse bodies, the local pressure gradients at depth may cause rocks to extrude in
nonvertical directions. Given this model, the large range of lineation orientations in the Seine is
not surprising considering the lithologically diverse nature of the subprovince boundary and the
intricately anastomosing shear zones.
As noted by some authors (e. g. Bauer et al., 1992), there may be a final stage of deformation
involving amplification of strike-slip motion along wrench zones. This late stage of deformation
has often been described as brittle in nature, and thus represents rock exhumation. The presence
of brittle faulting of dextral strike-slip motion without contemporaneous thrusting (Kennedy,
1984), may suggest that the latest stage of deformation was almost entirely strike-slip. However,
some late-stage brittle faults associated with N-S shortening have been observed (Tabor and
Hudleston, 1991). There may also have been an amplification of shortening between the major
strike-slip faults, thus creating a more discretely partitioned deformation toward the end of the
tectonic history (Tabor and Hudleston, 1991).
Evolution of tectonic styles
The stacking and the homogeneous transpression most likely developed as an evolution of
structural styles during different stages of the same oblique collisional event. The presently
exposed rocks undoubtedly underwent a voyage through different zones in the crust as evidenced
by their deposition at the surface and ductile deformation at some depth. This gradual change in
position within the crust is probably responsible for the observed evolution in deformation styles.
It is important to note that the two phases of deformation described here are similar to the
commonly discussed “D1” and “D2” described throughout the Superior Province. While
specific structural details are different, the general trend of folds overprinted by intense ductile
flattening fabrics is common (Poulsen, 1986; Hudleston et al., 1988; Bauer and Bidwell, 1990;
Tabor and Hudleston, 1991; Bauer et al., 1992; Jirsa et al., 1992; Bauer and Hudleston, 1995;
Hudleston and Bauer, 1995). Locally, rocks at all the Superior Province microplate boundaries
may have undergone the same general story of tectonic stacking and wrenching in the upper
crust followed by crustal thickening and ductile transpressive flattening as the rocks were
deformed at deeper levels. While this general story may be similar, it is important to consider
that the regional or even local correlation of these “D1” and “D2” events is probably
inappropriate. While the Seine metasedimentary group was forming in a wrench-related basin
and surrounding rocks were being stacked, other rocks- even those located along the same
microplate boundary or even within the same fault-bounded wedge- may have already reached a
deeper level of the crust and began a more ductile, homogeneous phase of transpression. Thus, it
is dangerous to correlate exact styles of deformation (e.g. folds) in the Seine with those in either
of the adjacent Wabigoon or Quetico subprovinces.

59

�FIELD TRIP STOPS
(Stops are located by UTM co-ordinates based on NAD 83, UTM Zone 15)
Drive to outcrops located on the west side of Shoal Lake Road, south of Mine Centre. (0526600E
5394850N)
STOP 1 - BASAL FACIES OF THE SEINE CONGLOMERATE, EXAMPLE OF LOW
DEFORMATION
At this location, we are near the basal contact of the Seine. Based on opposing stratigraphic
facing in adjacent rocks, an unconformity between the volcanic units and the base of the Seine
conglomerate can be identified (Lawson, 1913; Poulsen et al., 1980; Poulsen, 2000). The clasts
within the Seine include more tonalite than is typical further up in the section. A possible
saprolite may be observed between the volcanics and the Seine (C. Hemstad, pers. comm.).
Strain at this location is unusually low. Foliation and bedding attitudes are atypical, subparallel
with a more NE/SW strike and shallower (~65°) southeasterly dip than is typical for the rest of
the Seine’s area. In addition, the clasts appear to be much more angular and irregularly shaped
than the rest of the Seine.
This is a highly unusual outcrop of Seine that poses several interesting questions that are open
for discussion. We pose some here with the hope of encouraging some reflection and discussion
at the outcrop.
The orientations of the bedding and foliation within the Shoal Lake area and adjacent rocks to
the north and south combine to create a large, gentle S structure, with shallower dips here on the
middle section of the S. There are several different ways to interpret this sigmoidal map pattern.
The various interpretations have bearing on the timing of the geometrical arrangement of
structures with respect to the phases of deformation, and therefore will also influence our
interpretations of the nature of the Seine basin. Five interpretations are suggested here: 1) The
variation in orientation of foliation around the Shoal Lake area may be due to a late stage, gentle
folding event. This is suggested by the similar changes in strike and dip of both foliation and
bedding. The fold axis of this structure is approximately 55°/077. 2) As suggested by Poulsen
(2000), the faults and small-scale shear zones could be equivalent to those created in fault
models of strike-slip systems such as those of Tchalenko (1970), Lowell (1972), and Wilcox et
al. (1973). If this were the case, since these models involve Mohr-Coulomb failure, the
orientations of the faults would have been determined relatively early in the deformation history,
during Harland-type transpression, when the rock would have behaved in Mohr-Coulomb
fashion. In this scenario, the Rainy Lake – Seine River fault was the “master fault,” and the
Quetico and smaller shear zones formed later as second order conjugate shears. Since there is
significant, deeper level, ductile deformation recorded along these same faults, they must have
been reactivated during ductile deformation because they were zones of weakness. 3)
Alternatively, the orientation of the faults may have been determined during the later ductile
transpressive stage of deformation. In this case, the orientation of the major faults and the minor

60

�shear zones would constitute a mega-scale S-C feature creating the sigmoidal pattern seen on the
map (Fig. 9). 4) It is also possible that the largest faults were formed by brittle processes, buried
and then reactivated as ductile shear zones, with the smaller shear zones being formed later
purely by ductile means. 5) Yet another interpretation is possible. It could be that the sigmoidal
shape of the foliation is related to lithological contrasts, with foliation wrapping around more
rigid bodies. In such a scenario, the rocks to the east of the Bad Vermilion intrusive complex
(the large plutonic unit in the west-central portion of Fig. 2) were caught in a large strain shadow
region (Borradaile and Dehls, 1993). This hypothesis is consistent with the lower strain found in
this area. The apparent “wrapping” of the fabrics around this intrusion seems analogous to the
“wrapping” of foliations and lineations around relatively rigid conglomerate clasts at a smaller
scale. Not surprisingly, there exists a similar asymmetry in shape between the rigid
conglomerate clasts and large rigid units such as the Bad Vermilion intrusive complex.
In addition, the shapes of the clasts here are much more angular than the rest of the Seine clasts.
If one were to consider studies that model nonspherical clasts in deformation, we would expect
more deformed outcrops of Seine to have barrel or bone shaped deformed clasts (Treagus et. al,
1996; Treagus and Lan, 2000). As we will see at the next outcrops, this is not the case. Why?
Drive East along Hwy 11, right onto Forest Tour Road. (0536650E 5398850N)
STOP 2 - TWO-DIMENSIONAL HORIZONTAL VIEW OF SEINE CONGLOMERATE,
SANDY LENS AND DEXTRAL SHEAR INDICATORS
This outcrop allows us to see a large 2D view of the Seine. The deformation here is typical of
much of the field area, the granitoid clasts being fairly undeformed while the volcanic clasts
reflect significant flattening. Minor amounts of quartzite, BIFs, and other lithologic clast types
are also observable. Dextral shear sense indicators are prominent including asymmetric pressure
shadows and clast tilings.
Many sandy beds and channels, often with graded bedding, can be located within this outcrop. Is
it possible to determine stratigraphic facing here?
Drive East along Hwy 11 to Horsecollar Junction. (0542150E 5398500N)
STOP 3 - THREE-DIMENSIONAL VIEW OF MODERATELY DEFORMED SEINE
CONGLOMERATE
This outcrop allows us to see a 3D view of the Seine. The deformation here, as at the last stop, is
typical of much of the field area with average strain and dominant flattening fabrics. Here we
can observe the subparallel, undulatory nature of bedding and foliation. The lineation plunge
here is relatively steep (~78°E). The dextral asymmetric indicators are most prominent on the
subhorizontal plane.

61

�Drive East along Hwy 11. (0559500E 5398900N)
STOP 4 - ULTRA DEFORMED SEINE CONGLOMERATE WITH ALTERATION
The conglomerates here are extremely deformed. Both volcanic and plutonic clast types are
extremely flattened. Many clasts are flattened beyond recognition, giving the rock a striped
appearance. Is it possible to estimate strain in a rock that is this deformed?
The lineation plunge here is typical of the field area (~44°E). While this lineation is “average”
stretching lineation for the Seine, it is in no ways representative of the typical deformation due to
the wide variance in lineation orientation. The lineation orientation does not vary systematically
across the field area and is not directly related to the amount of strain (Czeck, 2001). Again, the
dextral asymmetric indicators are most prominent on the subhorizontal plane. This is the case
throughout the field area, regardless of lineation orientation, a result that one would not expect in
either an ideal strike-slip shear zone or homogeneous transpression. The combination of
subhorizontal asymmetric shear indicators and variable lineation orientations makes a
deformation model of quasi homogeneous transpression with a variable extrusion direction most
likely (Czeck, 2001).
The extensive carbonate alteration in this rock suggests that fluid flow was an important factor
during deformation. This implies the possibility of volume loss in these ultra deformed rocks.
There was probably a symbiotic relationship between fluid localization and enhanced
deformation.
Drive back West along Hwy 11, stop just east of Seine River bridge. (0551850E 5398700N)
STOP 5 - SMALL FOLD IN SEINE
At this stop, we can observe the sandier facies more typical of the upper part of the Seine
sequence. Cross beds and localized deposits of gravel can be observed. The cross beds allow us
to recognize stratigraphic facing.
The cross beds are deformed, and a good example of a meter-scale fold evident. This fold is
asymmetric and upright with its axis oriented 6°/S83W. This subhorizontal fold axis orientation
is similar to fold axes orientations described in the Quetico Subprovince and contrasts with the
subvertical fold axes described in the Wabigoon subprovince (Borradaile, 1982). Localized
prolate strain, atypical of the field area, is evident in the fold hinge. Down the road, just east of
this outcrop, another small fold can be observed in the sandy facies. Does this fold have the
same subhorizontal fold axis? Is this shallow fold axis typical of larger folds within the Seine
where the hinges may not be directly observed?

62

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�68

�Field Trip 4
Industrial Minerals and Paleozoic Geology of Southeastern
Manitoba
James D. Bamburak and Ruth K. Bezys
Manitoba Geological Survey
360-1395 Ellice Avenue
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3G 3P2

Interior of the Manitoba Legislative Building, Winnipeg, built in the early 1900s.
Decorative dolomitic limestone, the world famous "tapestry stone" with its unique
mottled appearance, is still being quarried from the Selkirk Member, Red River
Formation in the Garson area.

�FOREWORD
Currently, the Province of Manitoba has 18 industrial mineral processing plants and
quarries, excluding the production of aggregate (Fig. 1 and Table 1). The 2001 estimated
value of industrial mineral production in the province is $78.1 million, including
aggregate production that forms slightly less than half of the total. The $78.1 million
represents 7% of the province’s mineral production. Fourteen of Manitoba’s industrial
mineral processing plants and quarries are situated in southeastern portion of the
province.

Figure 1. Industrial mineral producing plants and quarries in southern Manitoba
Industrial minerals produced in southeastern Manitoba include lithium, cesium, tantalum,
sand, aggregate, dimension stone and peat. Peat is considered as a quarry mineral under
the Manitoba Mines and Minerals Act. Lithium, cesium, and tantalum are produced for
export from the Tanco mine in the Bernic Lake pegmatite (Field Trip No. 1, this
volume). Sand and aggregate are quarried for use in local construction. Dimension stone
and peat are quarried for local consumption and export. Two companies, Sun Gro
Horticulture Canada Ltd., and Premier Horticulture Ltd. extract horticultural quality
sphagnum peat. The locations of the peat operations are shown on Figure 1 and listed in
Table 1. Five companies, Cold Spring Granite (Canada) Ltd., Gillis Quarries Limited,
Carrieres Polycor Inc., Manex Granit Ltd. and Canital Granite Ltd. quarry dimension

70

�Table 1
INDUSTRIAL MINERAL PROCESSING PLANTS AND QUARRIES
2002*
No.
1
2

Location
Elma (P&amp;Q)
Whitemouth (Q)

Company
Sun Gro Horticulture Canada Ltd.
Carrieres Polycor Inc.

3

Bernic Lake (P&amp;Q)

Tantalum Mining Corporation of Canada Ltd.

4

Winnipeg (P)

Westroc Inc.

5
6

Brandon
Winnipeg (P)

Nexen Inc.
Canital Granite Ltd.

7
Moss Spur (Q)
8
Lac du Bonnet (P&amp;Q)
dimension stone
9
Garson (P&amp;Q)
10
Medika (Q)

Sun Gro Horticulture Canada Ltd.
Cold Spring Granite (Canada) Ltd.
Gillis Quarries Limited
Manex Granit Ltd.

11

Meditation Lake (Q)

Manex Granit Ltd.

12

PR 307&amp;309 (Q)

Manex Granit Ltd.

13
14
15
16
17
18

Julius North (P&amp;Q)
Caribou Cluster (Q)
Giroux (P&amp;Q)
Harcus (Q)
Faulkner (P&amp;Q)
Flin Flon (P)

Sun Gro Horticulture Canada Ltd.
Premier Horticulture Ltd.
PremierHorticulture Ltd.
Westroc Inc.
Graymont Western Canada Ltd.
Hudson Bay Mining and Smelting Co., Limited

Product
Peat moss
Granite,
dimension stone
Tantalum oxide,
spodumene and
amblygonite
concentrates,
cesium and
rubidium ores
and cesium
formate
Gypsum
wallboard
Sodium Chlorate
Granite,
dimension stone
Peat moss
Granite,
Tyndall stone
Granite,
dimension stone
Granite,
dimension stone
Granite,
dimension stone
Peat moss
Peat moss
Peat moss
Gypsum
Lime, limestone
Sulphur

(P) Plant (Q) Quarry
* excludes aggregate producers

stone. Gillis quarries a dolomitic limestone, the renowned "Tyndall Stone", and the other
companies quarry granite. Locations of the stone quarries are shown on Figure 2.
INTRODUCTION
This one day field trip is designed to visit three industrial mineral sites, including one
Lower Paleozoic site. The sites that will be visited include:

• the sphagnum peat bog harvesting operation and plant of SunGro Horticulture
Canada Ltd. near Elma (Stop 1);

71

�•

the granite dimension stone quarry and plant of Cold Spring Granite (Canada) Ltd.
near Lac du Bonnet (Stop 2); and,

•

the Ordovician Tyndall Stone quarry and plant of Gillis Quarries Limited at Garson
(Stop 3).

Figure 2. Granitic dimension stone quarries in southeastern Manitoba.
Sphagnum Peat
Canada holds more than a third of the world’s peat resources with 1 223 834 km2 of
peatlands, or 12 percent of the total land mass (Tarnocai et al., 1995). Approximately
40% of Manitoba's surface is covered with peat deposits, many of which are inaccessible
and/or of uneconomic thickness and quality to be harvested (Dixon and Stewart, 1988).
Nevertheless, Manitoba holds vast reserves of peat suitable for horticultural or energy
peat production. Two companies, Sun Gro Horticulture Canada Inc. (Stop 1) and Premier
Horticulture Inc. harvest 6 bogs in southeastern Manitoba (Fig. 1) for horticultural quality
peat. An aerial view of a typical peat extraction area is shown in Figure 3. Peat
companies hold almost 4000 hectares of leases in good standing, and 5500 hectares of
pending leases in the Interlake and southeastern Manitoba. Peat production in Manitoba

72

�in 2001 was estimated to be worth over $25 million, and this figure is sure to increase as
new companies bring their bogs into production.

Figure 3. Caribou cluster peat extraction area of Premier Horticulture Inc.
Horticultural quality sphagnum is the preserved, but undecomposed, remains of
sphagnum moss plants. Sphagnum deposits accumulate in areas of poor drainage where
the rate of atmospheric precipitation exceeds the rate of evapotranspiration, i.e. the low
boreal forest climatic zone. The accumulation of sphagnum occurs within an acidic,
nutrient poor environment, above the level of the local water table. The characteristics of
sphagnum that allow it to survive in this environment are the same characteristics that
make it valuable to the horticultural industry as a growing medium and soil conditioner
(Schmidtke and Bamburak, 1996). These characteristics are:
1. the ability to absorb approximately 20 times its weight in water;
2. a high capacity for cation exchange;
3. a fibrous structure that introduces volume and pore space to a soil mix;
4. compressibility; and,
5. the ability to resume its precompression volume after compression is released.
Sphagnum moss is composed largely of rigid walled hyaline cells. The function of these
cells is to absorb and hold water. Since the sphagnum must get all its nutrients from the

73

�nutrient poor atmospheric precipitation, it is able to absorb approximately 20 times its
weight in water and has a high cation exchange capacity. These properties make it a
valuable growing medium in places like Texas where the native soil is fine and does not
retain moisture. The hyaline cells are compressible and will resume their shape even
after being compressed to a 10:1 ratio. The sphagnum moss can be compressed into bales
for efficient transport.
These properties are retained after the plant has died and even when it is slightly
humified. Since the sphagnum accumulation takes place in an acidic, oxygen poor
environment, it is possible for several metres of relatively undecomposed sphagnum to
develop. The high quality bogs in southeastern Manitoba accumulated sphagnum to a
maximum depth of approximately 2.5 m over a period of 4000 years.
A bog must be prepared before peat extraction occurs. First the trees and roots are
removed, ditches are dug, and the bog is drained. It may take two years to prepare a bog
for harvesting. Sun dries the surface of the bog, which is then raked using a harrower (or
cultivator) to loosen the surface peat. This loose, dry sphagnum peat is lifted from the
surface with vacuum harvesters (Fig. 4). The harvesters empty the peat into stock piles,
or winrows. The stock piled peat is either moved into the plant for processing or is stored
in plastic "silage" tubes for future processing when unfavourable weather prohibits
harvesting. (Peat can't be extracted if the weather is too wet or too dry, because
quarrying equipment can't operate on a bog that has been saturated by rain or melt water
and sparks from equipment can ignite peat dust in hot, dry weather).

Figure 4. Conga line of peat vacuum harvesters on Elma bog of Sun Gro
Horticulture Canada Inc.
Once in the plant, the peat is dried (if necessary). Popped perlite is added as a volumizer.
The peat is treated with surfactants, which increase absorptive capacity, and fertilizers.

74

�The type and quantity of the chemicals added to the peat are dependent on the intended
end use. Specialized mixes are available for several applications, i.e. soil mix for violet
plants. The peat is baled, shrink-wrapped on pallets and stored in the warehouse before
being loaded onto semi trailers.
Some of the peat is sold in local markets, but most goes to nurseries and greenhouses in
the southern United States. The peat companies take advantage of backhaul rates by
shipping the peat south in trucks that bring produce to Manitoba from the southern United
States. Ninety percent of the peat from Sun Gro's Manitoba quarries is exported to
Texas. If the Sun Gro operations in Alberta or New Brunswick are unable to produce
because of bad weather or labour problems, Manitoba peat is diverted to markets west or
east of Texas to cover the shortfall. Both Sun Gro Horticulture and Premier Horticulture
operate harvesting operations and plants across Canada (Schmidktke and Bamburak,
1996).
Granitic Dimension Stone
Four companies quarry Precambrian granitic dimension stone at 5 sites in southeastern
Manitoba (Fig. 2). They include: Cold Spring Granite (Canada) Ltd., Carrieres Polycor
Inc., Manex Granit Ltd. and Canital Granite Ltd. At all sites, the granitic outcrops
possess unique physical features that permit the quarrying of large blocks of stone
Schmidtke (1993). They include:
1. widely spaced, preferably orthogonal fractures that will allow removal of blocks with
a minimum trimmed size of 2.0 m by 1.25 m by 1.25 m;
2. widely spaced, or preferably the absence of, veining;
3. homogeneous, attractive and fashionable colours and textures;
4. the absence of minerals that pluck when polished, or oxidize and cause unsightly rust
spots when exposed to the elements;
5. road access;
6. proximity to transportation routes, finishing facilities and markets; and,
7. acceptable strength values that meet ASTM standards (as per Annual Book of ASTM
Standards).
Two of the granitic dimension stone cutting and polishing plants are located in
southeastern Manitoba (Fig. 1 and Table 1). One plant (Stop 2) is adjacent to the quarry
near Lac du Bonnet (Cold Spring Granite), and the other plant is situated in Transcona,
on the east side of Winnipeg (Canital Granite).
Tyndall Stone

75

�At Garson, Tyndall Stone is quarried by Gillis Quarrries Ltd. (Fig. 1 and Table 1), east of
the plant. This famous dimension stone, sometimes called “tapestry stone”, occurs in the
lower half of the 43 m thick Selkirk Member of the Ordovician Red River Formation. Its
unique appearance comes from a matrix of light-coloured limestone, with mottled areas
of dark dolomitic limestone distributed uniformly throughout. The horizontal beds are
approximately 60 to 100 cm thick, beneath 1 to 6 m of overburden consisting of soil, lake
clays and stony glacial till. The upper four beds in the quarry (total thickness 2 to 4 m)
have either a buff and golden-brown buff matrix. The fifth layer down has a matrix,
which is transitional into the underlying beds that have a steel-gray matrix (Wilkins,
1986; Coniglio, 1999).
After the overburden is stripped, the stone is extracted using two 2.5 m diameter circular
saws, drilling and wedging. The 6 to 8 tonne stone blocks are taken into the plant where
they are cut and finished using diamond tipped saws or are ground, sheared or split into a
variety of products. Finishes available are rubbed (machine smoothed), bushhammered,
pointed face, rough cut, sandblasted, split and rustic. Stone is usually marketed as
dimension stone, which is cut and shaped to specification or as random ashlar, which are
pre-cut into standard or random shapes to be set into mortar (Wilkins, 1986; Coniglio,
1999).

76

�REGIONAL GEOLOGICAL SETTING
The Province of Manitoba is completely underlain by 3.0 to 1.7 billion year old
Precambrian rock, which is overlain in the southwest and northeast by younger (less than
570 million years old) Phanerozoic sedimentary rocks (Fig. 5). Pleistocene and Holocene
deposits, younger than 2 million years in age cover most of these earlier rocks. Industrial
minerals in Manitoba range, in age and form, from Precambrian dimension stone to
Holocene peat deposits.

Figure 5. Principal geological domains of Manitoba
Within southeastern Manitoba, the Precambrian surface is exposed in the east half of the
area and is known as the Precambrian Shield. The surface dips to the west (Fig. 6),
where it is covered by an increasing thickness of Lower Paleozoic strata which also dip
gently to the southwest at approximately 2.8 m per km (Fig. 7). The eastern edge of the
Paleozoic outcrop belt represents the Manitoba Lowland or First Prairie Level, which is

77

�bounded on the east by the Precambrian Shield, and on the west by the Manitoba
Escarpment.

Figure 6. Precambrian structure contour map.
The Manitoba Escarpment forms the eastern edge of the Second Prairie Level, which is
underlain by Cretaceous strata dipping gently to the southwest at 1.5 to 1.9 m per km.
The actual Escarpment is composed of soft, easily eroded sands and shales in the lower
part of the Cretaceous, underlying a resistant shale cap (Odanah Member of the Pierre
Shale).
In southeastern Manitoba, industrial minerals are mined from Precambrian, Lower
Paleozoic and Holocene localities. Granite quarries (Fig. 2) are situated within late
tectonic granitic batholiths and plutons on the western edge of the Archean Superior
Province. The Ordovician Tyndall Stone quarry (Gillis Quarry, Fig. 1) occurs within the
eastern edge of the Paleozoic outcrop belt. The harvested spahagnum peat bogs (Fig.1)
78

�are located in areas of thick glacio-lacustrine sediments that overlie Archean terrane or
Ordovician strata.

Figure 7. Structure cross section, southern Manitoba.
Precambrian Basement
The Precambrian of southeastern Manitoba is comprised of younger Archean granitic
batholiths or plutons that have intruded the older greenstone, sedimentary and gneissic
formations of the Wabigoon, Winnipeg River, Bird River and English River domains of
the Superior Province (Fig. 5). The structure contours on the buried Precambrian surface
are shown in Figure 6.
All granitic dimension stone production to date has been derived from the Winnipeg
River and Bird River domains. The Medika and Betula Lake plutons are situated within
the Winnipeg River Domain. The Lac du Bonnet Batholith (LDBB), located to the
northwest, lies within the Bird River Domain. For the purpose of the visit to Cold
Spring’s Lac du Bonnet Quarry (Stop 1), the following will focus on the latter.
The LDBB (outlined on Fig. 2) is the youngest intrusion in the Winnipeg River area
(Tammemagi et al., 1980). The batholith is a predominantly pink granite that extends
over approximately 1000 km2 from Pointe du Bois southwestward beneath Paleozoic
cover. The largest exposures of the batholith occur east of the town of Lac du Bonnet,
but isolated outcrops are found as far west as the farmlands directly north of Beausejour.
Many of the outcrops of Lac du Bonnet granite have widely spaced fractures, which
makes them potential sources of dimension stone (Schmidtke, 1993).

79

�The geology of the Lac du Bonnet Batholith (LDBB) has been the subject of intensive
study by Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. (AECL) as a research site for geological,
geotechnical and hydrogeological studies to determine the potential for storing nuclear
waste at depth in granite. The regional geology has been described, in detail, by
Tammemagi et al. (1980) and McCrank (1985).
Lower Paleozoic Stratigraphy
The Lower Paleozoic beds (Table. 2) exposed in southeastern Manitoba form part of the
Manitoba outcrop belt that is located on the northeastern edge of the Western
CanadaSedimentary Basin (WCSB). The WCSB is a composite feature which includes
both the Elk Point Basin (Fig. 8), centered in south-central Saskatchewan (which
controlled Devonian deposition), and the Williston Basin, centered in northwestern North
Dakota (which controlled the depositional patterns throughout the remainder of postCambrian time). Since the Manitoba outcrop belt appears to be situated on the
northeastern edge of the sedimentary basin, and roughly parallels the regional structure
contours, one might surmise that the strata comprising the outcrop belt would be
relatively uniform in lithology. The outcrop would also represent marginal shelf-type
deposits relative to the thicker, more basinal sedimentary sequence found to the
southwest in the subsurface. However, this is not the case for most Paleozoic formation
in southwest Manitoba. The outcrop belts, particularly the Ordovician and Devonian,
show marked changes in both thickness and lithology, indicating a complex and varied
tectonic and depositional framework (Bezys and McCabe, 1996).
The outcrop succession is not marginal to the depositional basin, but rather exposes a
series of dip sections of the basin, which show the maximum possible isopach and
lithofacies variation. As well, the directions of the dip sections are opposite: basinal
Ordovician outcrops occur at the southern end of the outcrop belt, whereas basinal
Devonian outcrops occur at the northern (or northwestern) end of the outcrop belt.
Regional strike of the Paleozoic strata is approximately north-south, and regional dip
increases gradually and uniformly from about 2.6 m/km in the eastern part of
southeastern Manitoba to 4.2 m/km in the western part. Despite the regional structural
dip to the southwest, isopachs of the Winnipeg and Red River formations all trend eastwest and thicken to the south at up to 0.3 m/km (Fig. 9B and 10B, respectively). This
indicates a major change in tectonic framework subsequent to early Paleozoic time, as
mentioned previously. The present north-south structural trend probably developed
during late Paleozoic to early Mesozoic, due to uplift with associated erosion and
eventual exposure of Precambrian bedrock in southeastern Manitoba.
A detailed discussion outlining: the evolution of the complex pattern of structural trends
in the Lower Paleozoic; a regional tectonic control for apparent anomalies in facies
trends; and other related structural and stratigraphic anomalies are described in Bezys and
McCabe (1996).

80

�Table 2. Geological formations in Manitoba.

81

�Figure 8. Major structural features of the Elk Point and Williston basins.
Ordovician
Winnipeg Formation
The Winnipeg Formation, a quartzose sandstone interbedded by green, waxy shale with
sand and silt interbeds, is exposed in outcrop east at the northeast end of the southeastern
Manitoba area, on Black Island and near Seymourville. Structure contours and isopachs

82

�Figure 9A. Winnipeg Formation structure contour map.

83

�Figure 9B. Winnipeg Formation isopach map.

84

�Figure 10A. Red River Formation structure contour map.

85

�I

*

I

•1

Red River Formation
IsopachMap

-

Sm

—— Churchill Superior

:----

BoundaryZone
Outcrop belt
suborop

I

LTt1,1OJW

zk

Figure 10B. Red River Formation isopach map.

86

I

N

_______
kilonwtres

�for the Winnipeg Formation are shown in Figures 9A and B, respectively. The formation
was described, in detail, by McCabe (1978).
Red River Formation
The Red River Formation consists of two principal subunits, the lower Red River and
upper Red River strata (Table 2). In the vicinity of the south basin of Lake Winnipeg, the
lower Red River (Baillie, 1952) can be subdivided into three mappable members: a lower
Dog Head Member, a medial Cat Head Member, and an upper Selkirk Member (=Tyndall
Stone). Lower Red River strata consist of light grey to yellowish- and brownish-buff,
prominently mottled, fossiliferous, commonly cherty, dolomitic limestones. The upper
Red River strata consist of dolomite and argillaceous cherty dolomite, designated as the
Fort Garry Member. A thin, high calcium limestone bed occurs locally at the top of the
Fort Garry Member.
Stucture contours and isopachs for the Red River Formation are shown in Figures 10A
and B, respectively.
At Garson, Gillis Quarries Limited (Stop 3) is actively quarrying the Red River
Formation (Selkirk Member) for its dimension stone (Tyndall Stone).
Stony Mountain Formation
The Stony Mountain Formation is subdivided into three members, in ascending order: the
Gunn, Penitentiary, and Gunton (Table 2). The Williams Member was once included
within the Stony Mountain Formation; however, standardized correlations established for
the new Atlas of the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin (Norford et al., 1994) have
placed the Williams into the overlying Stonewall Formation (Bezys and McCabe, 1996).
The Gunn Member consists of greyish-red to purplish-grey, fossiliferous, calcareous
shale with interbeds of relatively clean, fossiliferous limestone. The Penitentiary
Member consists of yellowish- to reddish-grey, fossiliferous, argillaceous dolomite.
These two members together comprise the lower Stony Mountain. The upper Stony
Mountain (Gunton Member) consists of a buff, finely crystalline, sparsely fossiliferous,
nodular-bedded dolomite that is relatively uniform in thickness and lithology.
All three members are exposed in the Mariash Quarry and abandoned City of Winnipeg
quarries at Stony Mountain, an erosional outlier of the Stony Mountain Formation,
located 7 km southwest of the Town of Stonewall, near the western edge of the
southeastern Manitoba area. The Gunton Member acts as a cap rock for a shallowly
buried, east-facing, north-trending escarpment (Gunton Escarpment), 4 km east of the
Town of Stonewall.
The Gunton Member is extensively used for crushed stone, extracted from quarries in the
Stony Mountain and Stonewall areas. The stone has also been used to construct buildings
in Winnipeg, Stony Mountain (including the Federal Penitentiary) and in Stonewall.

87

�Ordovician/Silurian
Stonewall Formation
The Williams Member, is the basal unit of the Stonewall Formation (Bezys and McCabe,
1996). It represents the oldest of a series of so-called “para-time-stratigraphic” markers;
thin sandy and/or argillaceous beds that can be traced for many hundreds of kilometres
throughout most of the Williston Basin (Table 2, Fig. 8). These marker beds provide the
primary means for stratigraphic subdivison of Upper Ordovician and Silurian strata and
probably represent deposits related to brief periods of shoaling or even slight uplift and
erosion (i.e. non-sequences) (Porter and Fuller, 1959). The Williams Member consists of
buff to grey to red, sublithographic dolomudstone.
The lower Stonewall beds, above the Williams Member, consist of pale yellowish-grey to
yellowish-brown, faintly mottled, medium- to thin-bedded, finely crystalline dolomite
with sparse, poorly preserved fossils. A sandy argillaceous marker bed, the “t-marker” or
“t-zone”, separates the lower Stonewall Formation from the upper Stonewall Formation.
The upper Stonewall Formation consists of light brown to grey, laminated to thin-bedded,
sparsely fossiliferous microcrystalline dolomite, which is capped by a grey to buff
dolomudstone marker bed, the Upper Stonewall Marker. According to Bezys and
McCabe (1996), the t-marker within the upper part of the Stonewall Formation, also
marks the position of the Ordovician-Silurian boundary in the Williston Basin. This was
confirmed in biostratigraphic studies, based upon outcrop and subsurface investigations.
The formation was previously quarried in the Town of Stonewall for lime and aggregate
production.
Silurian
Interlake Group
The Interlake Group, consisting of the Fisher Branch, Moose Lake, Atikameg, East Arm
and Cedar Lake formations (in ascending stratigraphic sequence), is exposed near the
western margin of southeastern Manitoba area. In the subsurface, the group consists of
yellow-orange to grey, fossiliferous, oolitic, stromatolitic dolomite, interrupted by sandy,
argillaceous marker beds.
Jurassic and Cretaceous
South of the City of Winnipeg, within the Manitoba Lowland, a large area of Jurassic
sediment infills a major pre-Mesozoic channel in the Paleozoic erosion surface. Also,
many small Cretaceous outliers have been noted in karst features penetrated by water
wells (Bannatyne, 1988).
Recent
Six peat quarries (Fig.1) are located in areas of thick glacio-lacustrine sediments that
overlie Archean terrane or Ordovician strata. Over the past 4000 years, sphagnum plants
have contributed organic matter that has accumulated to a maximum depth of
approximately 2.5 m.

88

�Near Elma, Sun Gro Horticulture Ltd. (Stop 1) harvests sphagnum peat from spring to
fall from a drained bog. Sphagnum peat is also produced on a seasonal basis at 5 other
sites, on a seasonal basis, by Sun Gro Horticulture Canada Inc. and Premier Horticulture
Inc.

89

�FIELD TRIP STOPS
Leave Kenora, on Trans Canada Hwy, travel west for 110 km to Prawda, at junction of
Trans Canada Hwy and PR 506. Continue on Trans Canada Hwy (west) to Hwy 11
(11 km), turn right (north) to Sun Gro Horticulture entrance road (12 km), turn left
(west), park in visitor’s parking area.
STOP 1 – SUNGRO HORTICULTURE SPHAGNUM PEAT BOG AND PLANT
The Elma bog (Fig. 1 and Table 1), quarried by Sun Gro Horticulture Canada Ltd., is
approximately 3000 acres (12.14 km2) in area and has been in production since 1969.
The on site plant was completed in 1972. Peat is quarried using the vacuum harvesting
method described above. The bales are loaded at the plant into semitrailers and shipped
to the southern United States. A small percentage of the peat is sold for local
consumption at retail stores in Manitoba. Reserve estimates have not been published by
the company.
Leave Sun Gro parking area, travel east on exit road back to Hwy 11, turn left (north)
for 50 km to Cold Spring Granite entrance road, turn left (west), park in visitor’s
parking area.
STOP 2 – COLD SPRING GRANITE DIMENSION STONE QUARRY AND
PLANT
The quarry and plant of Cold Spring Granite (Canada) Ltd. (Fig. 2) are located in the
south central area of the LDBB on a 1220 m long 6 to 8 m high ridge approximately 10
km south of the Town of Lac du Bonnet (Fig. 2). The quarry is accessed via Highway
11.
The Precambrian monadnock (Bezys et al., 2001) was first quarried from 1933 to 1949
by a local, Ivor Peterson, for tombstones. An American company, Cold Spring Granite
Ltd., reopened the quarry in 1959 and has produced stone from the ridge to the present
time.
The product is a fine grained pale rose granite sold under a variety of trade names
including Lac du Bonnet, Canyon Rose, Colonial Rose and Canadian Mist. Even grained
rock is used for monuments and building stone, textured or variegated rock is used for
tiles and countertops. The plant at Lac du Bonnet is equipped to make grave markers,
countertops, paving and landscaping material and structural panels. Blocks are shipped
to the Minnesota plant for finishing into headstones, mausoleums, monuments,
columbariums, structural panels, tiles, custom design industrial work, paving and
landscaping material. Fine grained, even textured Lac du Bonnet granite is prized for
grave markers, monuments and headstones, because sandblasted letters and designs stand
out well. It is also a preferred rock for precision industrial applications because it takes a
very tight smooth polish, i.e. precision milling surfaces. Rock is sold locally from the
Lac du Bonnet quarry, and internationally through Cold Spring Granite's office in Cold
Spring, Minnesota.

90

�Figure 11. Granite dimension stone blocks being removed from Cold Spring
Quarry in 1982.
Prior to 1987, rock was removed from the quarry with wire saws and moved into the
plant using hoists (Fig. 11). Since 1987, blocks have been removed by drilling and
blasting. Sections of the outcrop are drilled off with portable, track-mounted, hydraulic
drills. The drilled sections are then separated from the outcrop by blasting. The blast
must move the section of rock without shattering it or inducing microfractures. The
sections of rock are then drilled and wedged into smaller blocks that are moved to the
plant with a 988 Cat loader. The plant has a 10 wire slab saw, a Salvatore 16 head
polishing machine, a JB 110 granite milling machine, a 24" diamond saw and 6', 2', and 1'
hydraulic splitters. Blocks are cut into slabs with the wire saw. The slabs are cut and
polished with the diamond saw and the polishing machine for use as structural stone.
Polished slabs are also manufactured into paving stone and grave markers with the
hydraulic splitters and into countertops and furniture with the milling machine. Raw
blocks are shipped to plants in Montreal for manufacture into granite tile and to the plant
in Cold Spring, Minnesota to be processed for all other applications.
Leave Cold Spring parking area, travel east on exit road back to Hwy 11, turn right
(south) to PTH 44, turn right (west) to Garson (total 55 km) arrive Gillis Quarries,
park in visitor’s parking area.
STOP 3 – GILLIS TYNDALL STONE QUARRY AND PLANT
Gillis Quarries Limited quarries an 8 m thick section of pale yellowish brown, dolomite
mottled, burrowed, fossiliferous micrite of the Selkirk Member of the Ordovician Red
River Formation at Garson (Fig. 1 and Table 1). In the quarry, the well known “Tyndall
Stone”, is extracted using two 2.5 m diameter tungsten carbide-toothed circular saws,

91

�(Fig. 12), followed by wedging of the blocks along the bedding planes. The stone is
finished in the plant, as described earlier. Three colours of stone are produced from
various parts of the quarry – buff (a light creamy beige with pastel brown mottles) and
golden buff (possibly due to ground water) from the upper beds. And, gray (a pale bluish
grey with gray-brown mottles) from the lower beds (Wilkins, 1986; Coniglio, 1999).

Figure 12. Carbide toothed circular saw in Gillis Tyndall Stone Quarry.
The quarry is noted for its well-preserved fauna of large cephalopods, gastropods, corals,
stromatoporoids, bryozoans, crinoids, trilobites, brachiopods, bivalves and calcareous
algae, etc. A waste pile is available to hunt for fossils.
Gillis Quarries Limited has been a family-owned business since 1915 when August Gillis
and his son, Charles, acquired a quarry property in Garson. The stone was finished in
Winnipeg, until 1968 when the Garson plant was built. Gillis Quarries has owned all the
quarry property in Garson since 1973. The company estimated that based on the 1986
production rate, it had at least 100 to 125 years of stone in reserve (Garson and District
History Book Committee, 1990).
References: Corehole M-3-69 (internal government core logs) (Garson Quarry, 15-3-136EPM).
Go east on Hwy 44, 7 km to Hwy 12, turn right (south) and continue 38 km to the
Trans Canada Hwy. Turn left (east) and continue to Kenora (175 km).

92

�REFERENCES
Baillie, A. D. 1952. Ordovician geology of Lake Winnipeg and adjacent areas, Manitoba.
Manitoba Mines Branch Publication 51-6, 64 p.
Bannatyne, B.B., 1980. Sphagnum bogs in southern Manitoba and their identification by
remote sensing; Manitoba Energy and Mines, Economic Geology Report ER79-7,
103p.
Bannatyne, B.B., 1988. Dolomite resources of southern Manitoba; Manitoba Energy and
Mines, Economic Geology Report ER85-1, 4 maps, 39p.
Betcher, R. N., McCabe, H. R., and Render, F. W. 1993. The Fort Garry aquifer in
Manitoba. Manitoba Energy and Mines, Geological Report GR93-1, 15 p.
Bezys, R.K. and McCabe, H.R. 1996. Lower to Middle Paleozoic stratigraphy of
southwestern Manitoba – Field Trip Guidebook B4: Geological Association of
Canada/Mineralogical Association of Canada Annual Meeting, Winnipeg,
Manitoba, May 27-29, 1996.
Bezys, R.K., Matile, G.L.D. and Keller, G.R. 2001. Investigation of Precambrian
monadnocks (NTS 62I/1 and 62/8); in Report of Activities 2001, Manitoba
Industry, Trade and Mines, Manitoba Geological Survey, p. 133-137.
Coniglio, M. 1999. Manitoba’s Tyndall Stone; in Wat on Earth; University of Waterloo,
Department of Earth Sciences, Spring 1999, pp. 15-18.
Dixon R.J. and Stewart, J., 1988. Peatland inventory of Manitoba: III- Interlake region
using LANDSAT thematic mapper; Manitoba Department of Mines and Natural
Resources, Surveys and Mapping Branch, 21p.
Garson and District History Book Committee 1990. Garson, then and now 1890-1990;
Derksen Printers Ltd., pp. 14-26.
McCabe, H.R., 1978. Reservoir potential of the Deadwood and Winnipeg Formations,
southwestern Manitoba, Manitoba Energy and Mines, Geological Paper GP 78-3,
54p.
McCrank, G.F.D., 1985. A geological survey of the Lac du Bonnet Batholith, Manitoba;
Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, Report AECL-7816, 63p.
Norford, B.S., Haidl, F.M., Bezys, R.K., Cecile, M.P., McCabe, H.R., and Paterson, D.F.
1994. Middle Ordovician to Lower Devonian strata of the Western Canada
Sedimentary Basin, in Geological Atlas of the Western Canada Sedimentary
Basin, G.D. Mossop and I. Shetson (compilers), Calgary, Canadian Society of
Petroleum Geologists and Alberta Research Council, p. 109-127.
Porter, J.W. and Fuller, J.G.C.M. 1959. Lower Paleozoic rocks of the northern Williston
Basin and adjacent areas. American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin,
Vol. 43, No. 1, pp. 124-189.
Schmidtke, B.E., 1993. Granitic dimension stone potential of southeast Manitoba;
Manitoba Energy and Mines Economic Geology Report ER93-1, 52p.

93

�Schmidtke, B.E. and Bamburak, J.D., 1996. Industrial minerals of southeast Manitoba –
Field Trip Guidebook B7, Geological Association of Canada/Mineralogical
Association of Canada Annual Meeting, Winnipeg, Manitoba, May 27-29. 1996.
Tammemagi, H.Y., Kerford, P.S., Requeima, J. and Temple, C.A., 1980. A geological
reconnaissance of the Lac du Bonnet Batholith; Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited, Report 6439, 68p.
Tarnocai, C., Kettles, I.M., Ballard, M., 1995. Peatlands of Canada; Geological Survey of
Canada, Open File 3152. 1:6 000 000 map with marginal notes.
Wilkins, C., 1986. Manitoba’s magnificent limestone graces Canada’s finest buildings;
Canadian Geographic, v. 106, no. 1, pp. 28-37.

94

�Field Trip 5
Separation Rapids Rare-Element Pegmatite Field, Ontario
Charles Blackburn
Blackburn Geological Services
Site 130, Comp. 21
Kenora, Ontario P9N 3W
Don Bubar
President and CEO
Avalon Ventures Ltd.
1116-1111 Richmond Street West
Toronto, Ontario M5H 2G4
Carey Galeschuck
Project Geologist
Tantalum Mining Corporation
of Canada Limited
Box 2000
Lac du Bonnet, Manitoba R0E 1A0

Alasdair Mowatt
President
Emerald Fields Resources Corporation
1546 Pine Portage Road
Kenora, Ontario P9N 2K2
Chris Pederson
Consulting Geologist
Karen Rees
General Manager
Avalon Ventures Ltd.
777 Red River Road
Thunder Bay, Ontario P7B 1J9
Tony Pryslak
A.P. Pryslak Geological Services
15 Hunterspoint Rd.
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3R 3B6

Aerial view of the Big Whopper pegmatite, from the southeast

�FOREWORD
Separation Lake and surrounding area has in recent years emerged as, if not the most,
certainly among the most, important host to rare-element pegmatites in Ontario. The
Separation Rapids pegmatite field (Figure 1), located where the English River forest
access road crosses the English River near Separation Rapids, was first discovered in the
1993 field season by Fred Breaks of the Ontario Geological Survey (OGS).
However, the presence of beryl-bearing pegmatites had been known long before roads
were pushed into this region, since at least the 1930s, when a Geological Survey of
Canada field crew working its way along the lakes and waterways of the English River
noted beryl "in a large pegmatite dyke cutting volcanics on the east shore of English
River 2 miles northwest of Separation rapids" (Stockwell 1932). Access in those days
was difficult, and so possibilities of exploitation lay dormant for 50 years. Separation
Lake and the surrounding area was included in a 37 000 km² reconnaissance survey of the
present English River and Winnipeg River subprovinces in the 1970s (Breaks and Bond
1993), and although other previously known rare-metal pegmatites were examined in
some detail, little attention was paid to the pegmatites at Separation Lake. Then, in the
1980s, Carmen Storey of the OGS, as part of a broad evaluation of the industrial mineral
potential of a large part of northwest Ontario, sampled what was possibly the same dike
as Stockwell had examined and noted accessory red garnet and apatite. He also found
lithium and berylium assay values in other pegmatites recently exposed along the newly
opened right-of-way for the English River road (Storey 1990).
It was not until late in the field season of 1993, when Fred Breaks, following a long
summer of investigation of the Raleigh lake pegmatites, and taking the opportunity to
visit the OGS field camp of Charlie Blackburn at Separation Rapids, knowing of the
beryl mineralization and suspecting that the pegmatites there might show some further
characteristics of the prized rare-element group, that the real potential began to emerge
(Breaks 1993). Blackburn was completing the second year of a broad geological survey
of the never-before-mapped Separation Lake greenstone belt. He and Jeff Young
(Blackburn and Young 1993) had become involved in the possibilities of base metal
potential in the belt, at that time being explored by Champion Bear Resources Ltd., and
had not realised that other more exciting and exotic metals lay beneath their feet. Tony
Pryslak, working for Champion Bear, had also encountered beryl-bearing pegmatites in
their base metal exploration program.
A half-day of fieldwork convinced Breaks that he was on to something, and in the next
few days he laid the foundation for what was to eventually develop over the next 5 field
seasons into the discovery of the Big Whopper and Big Mac pegmatites and numerous
other bodies. Breaks (1993) was quick to realise that the Separation Rapids pluton,
exposed on islands and along the shoreline of the English River, bears striking similarity
in size, constituent granitic units and mineral content to the peraluminous Greer Lake
pluton of the Winnipeg River Pegmatite District in Manitoba, the location of the Tanco
Mine. He related the pegmatites, that had up to that time only been discovered on the

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Figure 1. General geology and distribution of rare-element groups in the Bird River-Separation Lake
metasedimentary-metavolcanic belt, southeast Manitoba and northwest Ontario. Orthopyroxene-in isograd
outlines the Umfreville-Conifer lakes granulite zone. Figure taken from Figure 1 in Breaks and Tindle (2002).

�east side of the river, to the pluton, and called the complete package the Separation
Rapids Pegmatite Field.
In the following field season Breaks began what was to become a detailed investigation
of the area around Separation Rapids, in partnership with colleagues Andy Tindle
(Breaks and Tindle 1994) and Yuanming Pan (Breaks and Pan 1995). Thanks to
painstaking work, discovery of the Big Whopper pegmatite was made by Breaks and
Tindle in 1996 on the west side of the English River (Breaks and Tindle 1996, 1997).
Following announcement in 1996 of the discovery, the Big Whopper was staked by local
prospectors Bob Fairservice and Jim Willis. Further expansion of the Separation Rapids
pegmatite field was made to the west. Discovery of the Big Mack was made in 1998 by
two other local prospectors, Al Mowatt and Phil Thorgrimson. Meanwhile, Tantalum
Mining Corporation of Canada Ltd. (Tanco) geologists Carey Galeschuk and Peter
Vanstone were further exploring the numerous pegmatites on ground earlier investigated
by Champion Bear to the east of the river. Tanco continues to explore under a joint
venture agreement with Gossan Resources Ltd. Other companies that became major
stakeholders included Avalon Ventures Ltd. (Big Whopper), Emerald Fields Resources
Corp. (Big Mack) and Champion Bear Resources Ltd. (Marko's Pegmatite). Most
recently Tony Pryslak and Seymour Sears, working for Champion Bear Resources,
enabled further expansion of the field to a minimum 6.5 km strike length, with their
discovery of a number of rare metal pegmatites (e.g. the Glitter Zone) further to the west.
INTRODUCTION
Breaks and Tindle (1997) have pointed out that:
"Rare-metal class pegmatites of the complex-type and petalite-subtype represent the most
desirable target for tantalum, cesium, rubidium and ceramic quality petalite in Archean
terrain settings......Current economic interest is focussed upon the petalite
potential.......The widest part of the Big Whopper Pegmatite averages 37% petalite over
60 m which is comparable to the world's premiere petalite deposit at the Bikita Pegmatite
of southern Zimbabwe. The tantalum potential is also considerd significant as wodginite,
the chief ore mineral for Ta at the Tanco Mine of southeastern Manitoba, is not only
widespread in the Separation Lake area, but also exhibits compositional variation unlike
any other pegmatite group on a global scale. Cesium.....also has high exploration
potential as pollucite, the only ore mineral for the metal, has ...been verified in the area."
So-called "fertile" granite/pegmatite systems are typically peraluminous and of an S-type
heritage (Breaks and Tindle 1997). The 4 km² Separation Rapids pluton represents a
classic example of a fertile granite. It has generated a rare-element pegmatite field with a
minimum presently known east-west dimension of 12 km that is 3 km at its widest. The
pluton compares in size and constituent granitic units with the Greer Lake pluton (Cerny
et al 1981) 55 km to the northwest in the Winnipeg River Pegmatite District of southeast
Manitoba (Figure 1). Similarities include presence of cordierite, beryl, cassiterite and the
common presence of primary layering between pegmatitic leucogranite, sodic aplite,

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Figure 2. Distribution of rare-element pegmatite mineralization in the Separation Rapids pegmatite
group, and location of field trip stops 1 through 5. Modified from Figure 3 in Breaks and Tindle (2002).

�potassic pegmatite and coarse grained granite. Beryl has been found at numerous places
that constitute a zone in the southern portion of the pluton, either as a primary phase, or
secondary with garnet, muscovite and biotite after cordierite.
The pegmatites have recently (Breaks and Tindle 2002) been grouped into an eastern and
a western subgroup, based on their position relative to the Separation Rapids pluton.
However, both subgroups exhibit a beryl zone and a complex, petalite-bearing zone. The
Big Whopper, Big Mack and Glitter Zone pegmatites are located within the petalite
subzone in the western subgroup, and the Marko's and James' pegmatites are in the
complementary subzone in the eastern subgroup. Audrey's pegmatite lies within the
beryl zone, just outside the petalite zone.

REGIONAL GEOLOGICAL SETTING
The Separation Rapids pegmatite field is set in the heart of the Separation Lake
greenstone belt (Figures 1 and 2). Metavolcanic and subordinate
metasedimentary rocks occur discontinuously along the English River-Winnipeg
River subprovincial boundary from the Ontario-Manitoba border in the west to
western Lac Seul in the east, a distance of about 100 km. They represent the
eastern extension of the Bird River greenstone belt in Manitoba (Cerny et al.
1981) (Figure 1).
The Separation Lake greenstone belt (Figure 1 and 2; Blackburn and Young
2000; Blackburn et al 1994a,b) is the largest segment, extending from the east
shore of Umfreville Lake to Helder Lake, a distance of 45 km, and with a
maximum width of 5 km. It consists predominantly of a lower sequence of
mafic metavolcanic rocks, with intercalated magnetite-bearing iron formations, a
single discontinuous clastic metasedimentary unit, and overlying subordinate
felsic metavolcanic rocks. Gabbro sills intrude the mafic metavolcanic
sequence. A thin unit of polymictic conglomerate and sandstone lies along the
northern margin of the belt. Along the length of the belt the volcanosedimentary assemblage faces predominantly to the north. However, the lower
sequence is folded about the westerly plunging Separation Narrows anticline,
while in the west folding has been about the easterly plunging Paterson Lake
antiform. Metamorphic grade is amphibolite throughout the belt. Breaks and
Tindle (2002) suggest on the basis of geochronology done in the Bird River
portion in Manitoba that the belt has an age range of &gt;2844 Ma to 2740 Ma,
while the Separation Rapids pluton has been dated at 2646 +/- 2 Ma (Larbi et al
1999).
The English River Subprovince, extending north from the Separation Lake belt
to the Uchi Subprovince, is comprised of metasedimentary migmatites (50%),
and felsic to intermediate plutonic rocks comprised of a tonalitic suite in the
west and a granodiorite to granite suite in the east (Breaks 1991). Metamorphic
grade varies from amphibolite to granulite, and has affected all rocks except

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�those of a peraluminous suite (Breaks 1991).
The Winnipeg River Subprovince, south of the Separation Lake belt, is
comprised of felsic to intermediate plutonic rocks ascribed to two suites, an
early tonalitic suite in the north and a later granitic suite in the south by
Beakhouse (1991). Rocks of the tonalitic suite in the subprovince are
metamorphosed to medium to high grade, while granitic suite rocks were either
synchronous with or postdated regional metamorphism (Beakhouse 1991).
GEOLOGY OF THE PEGMATITE FIELD
The Separation Rapids pluton and the Separation Rapids rare-element pegmatite field lie
entirely within the greenstone belt (Figure 2). There appears to be little direct
relationship between the pegmatite field and the stratigraphy of the greenstone belt.
However, deformation events could have provided convenient structural traps into which
the pluton and the pegmatites were emplaced.
A major folding event, represented by folding about the Separation Narrows anticline,
preceded emplacement of the cross cutting Separation narrows pluton, dated at 2646 +/- 2
Ma, as noted above. De la Fuente (1998), in a study done for Tanco, interpreted three
deformation phases, such that D1 and D2 predated emplacement of the Separation
Narrows pluton. He interprets the pluton to therefore be parent to pegmatites that are only
weakly deformed, such as the Marko's pegmatite. In his interpretation, the Separation
Narrows pluton cannot be parental to the Big Whopper and Big Mack pegmatites, both of
which are complexly folded. He suggests that the source of the Separation Narrows
pluton may be at depth either within the greenstone belt or "within the mainly
undeformed Winnipeg River subprovincelate granites outcropping to the south" (de la
Fuente 1998). His analysis that the Treelined Lake granite was involved in D2 and D3
deformation is consistent with this granite being a possible source of the Big Whopper,
Big Mack, James and other complexly deformed pegmatites.
These structurally based interpretations of relative timing of emplacement of various
pegmatites and granitic bodies differ from the interpretation of Fred Breaks and
colleagues (eg. Breaks and Pan 1995; Tindle and Breaks 2000: Breaks and Tindle 2002),
made on mineralogical and geochemical arguments, that there is a consistent evolutionary
trend from the Treelined Lake granite complex through the Separation Narrows pluton, to
the various pegmatite groups.
Detailed discussion of all other aspects of the Precambrian geology of the Separation
Lake area, such as lithology, stratigraphy, metamorphism and mineral deposits, other
than those associated with the rare metal pegmatites, has been made by Blackburn and
Young (2000).
Breaks and Tindle (2002) have recently presented a detailed account of the Separation
Narrows pegmatite field, from which much of the rest of this section is paraphrased or
quoted in parentheses.

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�Treelined Lake Granite Complex
The Treelined Lake granite complex is a "peraluminous granite mass situated in the
adjacent English River subprovince. This granite mass is an irregular-shaped, 3 to 23 by
63 kilometer mass situated mostly in the core of the Umfreville-Conifer lakes granulite
centre." (Figure 1). There is an abrupt regional metamorphic discontinuity at the
boundary between the English River subprovince and the Separation Lake greenstone
belt, jumping from upper amphibolite in the greenstones to granulite in the migmatized
clastic metasedimentary rocks to the north. Although not a field trip stop in the present
guide, the boundary is described in detail as Stop 1-6 in the Western Superior Province
Fieldtrip Guidebook for Precambrian '95 (Beakhouse et al 1995). Rocks of the Treelined
Lake granite complex characteristically contain the metamorphic minerals garnet,
orthopyroxene, cordierite, while the "southwestern apophysis consists mainly of garnetbiotite and muscovite-biotite granite with local, in situ pegmatite zones that contain rareelement-enriched mineralogy." Breaks and Tindle (2002) discuss such a pegmatite that
occurs very close to the boundary adjacent to the Umfreville Road that contains
"tourmaline, topaz, cassiterite, gahnite, fluorapatite,....microlite, manganocolumbite and
manganotantalite."
Separation Rapids Pluton
The Separation Rapids pluton (Figures 2) has a "core of coarse-grained, potassiumfeldspar-porphyritic, garnet-biotite-muscovute granite that is enveloped by a larger area
composed of various pegmatitic granite units." Variable textural and mineralogical
features include: wide range in grain size, from aplite to potassic pegmatite and
pegmatitic leucogranite (with potassic megacrysts up to one meter in diameter); graphic,
plumose, radial, and unidirectional solidification textures; layering among units; a
peraluminous mineralogy of cordierite, primary muscovite, biotite, garnet and schorl
tourmaline; and metasomatic rare-element-rich biotite and muscovite along contacts with
mafic metavolcanic host-rocks and enclaves. "Rare-element minerals.....are largely
confined to...the southeastern part of the pluton. These comprise occurrences of green
and white beryl, columbite-tantalite group minerals and cassiterite in potassic pegmatite,
various sodium-rare-element-enriched pods and layers (albitite, albite trondhjemite and
muscovite-quartz-cleavelandite pods) and more rarely in fine-grained leucogranite."
Rocks of the pluton are conveniently exposed on the shore-lines and islands of the
English River.
Eastern Subgroup Pegmatites
The eastern subgroup of pegmatites (Figure 2) covers a 7.5 km² area to the east of the
English River. It "comprises a narrow, 0.5 by 5 kilometre, central axis of 11 complex
type, petalite subtype pegmatites that is almost completely enveloped by zones of beryltype pegmatites." "The beryl zone contains dikes of pegmatitic leucogranite, potassic
pegmatite and minor sodic aplite.....Green and white beryl....is the most widespread rareelement mineral. Cassiterite, ferrocolumbite and gahnite represent widespread accessory

102

�minerals. (In the beryl zone) Wodginite.....has only been documented in Audrey's
pegmatite." Topaz has been found in four dikes in the beryl zone.
The petalite zone pegmatites characteristically, in addition to petalite, contain a diverse
population of oxide minerals, in particular wodginite. The 8 by 130 metre Marko's
pegmatite in particular contains a diversity of wodginite species (viz. titanowodginite,
ferrowodginite, ferrotitanowodginite, and tungsten-rich wodginite). Marko's pegmatite is
notable also for its zonation, containing four primary zones and two replacement units.
Features of the primary zones are dominated by megacrysts of petalite and of potassium
feldspar. In the replacement zones: spodumene-quartz intergrowths (the SQUI so
common at Tanco) occur within petalite megacrysts; lepidolite replaces muscovite; and
oxide minerals are especially conspicuous.
Southwestern Subgroup Pegmatites
The southwestern pegmatite subgroup of pegmatites (Figure 2) occupies a 0.3 to 0.8 by
6.5 kilometre area to the west of the English River. It is divisible into two zones, a beryl
type and a petalite subtype zone. The beryl zone contains numerous small and large
pegmatites with major mineralogy similar to those of the eastern subgroup.
The petalite zone contains nine relatively larger, deformed pegmatite lenses, the largest of
which in surface outcrop are the 56 by 650 metre Big Whopper and the 30 by 100 metre
Big Mack. "The initial resource estimate of Avalon Ventures Limited....revealed the Big
Whopper pegmatite to contain 7.1 million tonnes with an average of 1.285% Li2O,
0.346%Rb2O and 0.007% Ta2O5 over a strike-length of 600 metres and to a depth of
200 metres." At the Big Mack, "a preliminary estimate of 300 000 tonnes averaging
30.5% petalite to a 65 metre depth has been indicated by the initial diamond drilling
program." "Petalite content of the core of the Big Whopper and Big Mack pegmatites
ranges from 30 - 60%.....Petalite is of optimum quality for use as a direct feedstock in the
lithium glass and ceramic industry." Extremely low iron contents, a deleterious metal in
the glass-making industry, are indicated in samples taken by Breaks and Tindle that
analyzed at &lt;5 to 123 ppm Fe. "Furthermore, Li2O contents (4.6 - 4.7 %) are somewhat
higher than the 4.3% average of six Li2O analyses compiled from the literature."
"Other phases in the petalite zone pegmatites include garnet...., cordierite, lepidolite,
cookeite, spodumene, eucryptite, bikitaite, holmquistite, topaz and chrysoberyl. Oxide
phases include cassiterite, gahnite, ferrowadginite, ferrotapiolite, ferrocolumbite,
manganocolumbite, ferrotantalite, struverite, and yttro- and yttrian pyrochlore (Tindle
and Breaks 2000).
Potassium and sodium feldspar minerals, of high purity, represent potential valuable byproducts of the exploitation of petalite pegmatites in the area. Potassium feldspar from
the southwestern subgroup also reveals a significant variation in Rb content.....(Those)
from the Big Whopper pegmatite indicate a rubidium content mainly in the 1.5 to 2.0 wt.
% range with a maximum value of 3.0 wt %."

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�FRACTIONATION TRENDS IN RARE ELEMENT PEGMATITES
Oxide "minerals of the columbite-tantalite group are the most common Nb-Ta species in
rare element pegmatites" (Tindle and Breaks 2000). Following Cerny and Ercit (1985),
Tindle and Breaks (2000) have used the columbite-tantalite quadrilateral (Fig. 3) to

Figure 3. Columbite-tantalite quadrilateral. Vectors describe variation trends in beryltype and complex-type pegmatites. From Fig. 9, Tindle and Breaks (2000).
analyse fractionation trends in both beryl-type and complex-type pegmatites of the
Separation Narrows rare element pegmatite field. Fractionation trend may be strongly
influenced by the activity of fluorine, as indicated in the evolution paths shown in the
quadrilateral (Fig. 3). Changes in bulk chemistry, increase in temperature and decrease in
pressure result in the formation of petalite, lepidolite and amblygonite subtype
pegmatites, all noted for their high fluorine activity.
Tindle and Breaks (2000) have subdivided the Separation Rapids pegmatites into Fesuites and Mn-suites on the basis of columbite-tantalite (oxide mineral) compositions.
Figures 4, 5,and 6 demonstrate the use of this classification for the four pegmatites to be
visited on the field trip. Data for those of the southwest sub-group complex-type
pegmatites are shown on Fig. 4, and for the eastern sub-group complex-type pegmatites
on Figs. 5 and 6. Data for a number of other pegmatites are also included on the
diagrams, taken from Tindle and Breaks (2000). For clarity, envelopes have been added
around the data for the Big Mack, Big Whopper and lepidolite unit of the Big Whopper
(Fig. 4), Marko's pegmatite petalite core and outer layer (Fig. 5) and James' pegmatite
(Fig. 6).

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�Figure 4. Columbite-tantalite quadrilateral: major SW subgroup petalite pegmatites.
Modified from Fig. 13a, Tindle and Breaks (2000).
In Fig. 4, the Big Mack pegmatite data clearly fall in the Fe-suite, as do most of the
pegmatites of the southwest sub-group. However, data for the Big Whopper pegmatite
are spread over a large area of the quadrilateral, while data for the lepidolite unit show
extreme fractionation along the high Mn side of the quadrilateral. It is suggested that the
apparent randomness of Big Whopper data reflect the complex folding this pegmatite has
undergone.
The Marko's pegmatite (Fig. 5) is the only Mn-suite petalite-subtype in the eastern
subgroup. According to Tindle and Breaks (2000), the fractionation trend is from the
outer, earlier crystallizing, layered pegmatite-aplite unit toward the late crystallizing
petalite rich core.
In Fig. 6, the James' pegmatite data fall in the Fe-suite. The differentiation trend is
subvertical in the diagram, indicating fluorine-poor conditions. However, the pegmatite
is more evolved than the primitive dikes #9 and #10 (same diagram) and equivalent to
approximately 50% of the samples from the Big Whopper (Fig. 4).

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�Figure 5. Columbite-tantalite quadrilateral: eastern subgroup, manganese suite petalite
pegmatite. Modified from Fig. 12b, Tindle and Breaks (2000).

Figure 6. Columbite-tantalite quadrilateral: eastern subgroup Fe suite petalite
pegmatites. Modified from Fig. 12a, Tindle and Breaks (2000).

106

�THE FIELD TRIP
The trip commences in Kenora. Proceed north on Highway 659 to the turn-off on to
English River Road, just south of Redditt. Take the English River Road to the turn-off on
to the Sand Lake Road, about 7 km south of the Separation Narrows bridge. Proceed
along the Sand Lake Road to the Emerald Fields Resources access road, to the Big Mack
pegmatite (Fig. 2).

STOP 1 - BIG MACK PEGMATITE
The Big Mack pegmatite (Fig. 7) is complexly folded and compressed into a 35 m x 100
m lens with several prominent apophyses tapering to the south, southeast and west.
These apophyses consist of non-petalite bearing sodic aplites, blocky potassic pegmatite
and holmquistite bearing granitic units.
Several units will be observed within the Big Mack:
A) Wall zone of medium blocky quartz+plagioclase+muscovite+garnet+biotite.
Cordierite is common in this unit and in the apohyses. It is generally altered to
garnet+mica+holmquistite rich simplectites that give the unit and several metres of the
interior petalite zone a spotted appearance.
B) Petalite rich, medium to coarse blocky phase of quartz+plagioclase+Kspar+muscovite+petalite. The petalite varies up to 60% in this unit and is identified by
light brown weathering.
C) Chrysoberyl bearing petalite pegmatite. This unit is restricted to a lens at the south
end of the trench. It is grey due to the dominance of biotite over muscovite. Petalite
content is generally lower than in unit B (15-20%), and it is generally finer grained but
still blocky in nature and contains sporadic lime green 1-15 m chrysoberyl crystals.
D) Primary aplite layered with petalite pegmatite. Folds are defined by this unit.
E) Replacement albitic unit seen as white weathering layers and pods of
muscovite+garnet+albite+quartz+K-spar. This unit is best observed enveloping the mafic
metavolcanic screens.
F) Post deformation, fracture controlled to vein like features include bikitaite,
holmquistite and eucryptite. The eucryptite can be recognized by its grey, recessive
weathering, capped by a lacy network of quartz veining.
Massive to pillowed mafic flows can be observed on the hill north of the parking area.

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�108
Figure 7. The Big Mack pegmatite, showing location of units discussed in the text.

�Return to the Sand Lake Road, and then to the Separation Narrows bridge. Board boats
and travel down stream, passing through Separation Rapids, to Heart Island on the
Separation River (Fig. 2).
STOP 2 - SEPARATION RAPIDS PLUTON
The Separation Rapids Pluton is interpreted by Tanco geologists to be a flat lying, sheetlike, layered, very fractionated pegmatitic granite. The interpretation of the pluton being a
sheet rather than a stock-like body is based on an aeromagnetic survey flown for Tanco
(Assessment Files, Ministry of Northern Development and Mines, Kenora) that shows a
magnetic pattern of similar continuity, amplitude and intensity as in the surrounding
volcanic rocks extending beneath the Separation Rapids Pluton.

Figure 8. Location of Heart Island in the Separation Rapids pluton.
Heart Island (Fig. 8) displays classic pegmatitic granite features such as “bird’s-foot
mica”, megacrystic potash feldspars, pegmatitic vugs, and aplite banding.
If time permits, Red Handed Island, the larger island to the west of Heart island, will be
visited. This island features a flat lying lepidolite-bearing pegmatitic granite that
postdates D1 and D2 deformation phases. It is affected by D3 phase open folds with E-W

109

�axes gently plunging to the west. It may represent an external facies of the Separation
Rapids pluton.
Proceed by boat from Heart Island to Avalon Ventures Ltd.'s boat landing on the west
shore of the river. A short walk inland leads to the Big Whopper pegmatite (Fig. 2).
STOP 3 - BIG WHOPPER PEGMATITE
Introduction
Following staking of ground over the Big Whopper by local prospectors Bob Fairservice
and James Willis in 1996, the 560 acre property (since expanded to 4480 acres) was
optioned to Avalon Ventures Ltd. which has earned a 100% interest, subject to a 2% NSR
royalty interest retained by the vendors.

Figure 9. Big Whopper pegmatite. Areas 1 and 2 of the field trip stop are indicated.
In 1997 and 1998, Avalon Ventures Ltd. began exploring the property by conducting
linecutting, ground magnetic, geological and geochemical surveys, overburden stripping,
trenching, mineralogical studies and diamond drilling totalling 8,751 metres in 57 holes.
This work delineated the Big Whopper (Fig. 9) over a strike length of 1.5 km with widths

110

�ranging from 10 m to 80 m and to a vertical depth of 250 metres where it remains open.
Total indicated and inferred petalite resources are estimated at 11.6 million tonnes
grading 1.34% Li2O, 0.30% Rb2O and 0.007% Ta2O5. In 1999, a pre-feasibility study
was completed on the deposit by Micon International Ltd. which concluded that
development of the deposit as a producer of petalite plus feldspars, mica and tantalum,
was economically viable and recommended proceeding with a bulk sampling program
and full feasibility study. This work has not yet begun. In 2001, in response to higher
tantalum prices, Avalon conducted a program of 1,401 metres of diamond drilling in 12
holes, channel sampling, mineralogical and metallurgical studies to better define tantalum
distribution within the Big Whopper pegmatite system.
The dominant economic minerals in the deposit are petalite and columbite-tantalite, the
ore mineral of tantalum. The deposit also contains significant quantities of rubidiumpotash feldspar, albite, lepidolite, and cassiterite.
At the Big Whopper, which is hosted entirely within amphibolites, a north-directed
compressional tectonic event produced flattening and a strong vertically oriented regional
schistosity striking west-northwest. This schistosity is folded about a sub-vertical axis,
with minor folds commonly observed both in the pegmatite and the amphibolite host
rocks. The Big Whopper itself exhibits tight s-fold geometry, with the thickened central
portion of the pegmatite coinciding with the hinge zone, and attenuated limbs extending
to the east and west. Fold axes exhibit vertical to sub-vertical orientations. Parallel
mineral lineations indicate a strong vertical stretching component, with aspect ratios in
the order of 5:1 to 10:1. Small pegmatites flanking the Big Whopper commonly exhibit
boudinage structures indicative of a high-strain environment.
Mineralogy and Zonation
Mineralogical zoning observed in the Big Whopper is characteristic of highly evolved
rare metal pegmatites, with well-developed wall zones and internal intermediate zones
classified according to their dominant constituent minerals (Figure X). Metallogenic
zoning is closely related to mineralogic zoning. The predominant mineralogical zones of
the Big Whopper are as follows:
1.
Wall Zone (predominantly albitite)
2.
Megacrystic Feldspar and Quartz-Mica marginal Zones
3.
Petalite (intermediate) Zone
1. The Wall Zone is a narrow 1 to 10 metre wide endocontact zone of albitite consisting
essentially of saccharoidal to aplitic albite with accessory K-feldspar, muscovite, quartz,
and Mn-rich garnet (spessartine). Proximal dykes and stringers exhibit the same
mineralogy as the Wall Zone albitite. Cassiterite and tantalum oxides are commonly
associated with the albitite, along with rare gahnite (a zinc spinel). Albitite characteristic
of the Wall Zone commonly occurs in intimate association with the Megacrystic Feldspar
Zone and these zones together with the Quartz Mica Zone, likely reflect early, more
primary phases of pegmatite development.

111

�2. The Megacrystic Feldspar Zone is confined to the eastern and western internal
margins of the Big Whopper pegmatite and resembles pegmatitic granite. It consists
predominantly of orange-pink to grey-white, coarse to megacrystic K-feldspar and coarse
silvery mica aggregates in an albitic matrix. Highly elevated whole rock rubidium values
averaging in excess of 0.3% Rb2O are attributed to Rb-K-feldspar as an essential mineral
in the pegmatite. The Quartz Mica Zone occurs in intimate association with the
Megacrystic Feldspar Zone, and is generally enveloped by or interdigitated with it. It
contains 50% quartz, 30% muscovite, and 20% K-feldspar. Elevated whole rock lithium
values in this zone (up to 0.5% Li2O) are attributed to the presence of micas of the lithian
muscovite to lepidolite series.
3. The Petalite Zone is an intermediate zone of the Big Whopper pegmatite and is the
largest defined to date, comprising approximately 80% of its volume. The essential
mineralogy consists of petalite, Rb-K-feldspar, albite, quartz and mica. A crude but
distinct petalite zoning can be identified within the Big Whopper pegmatite as tightly
folded layers with progressive fractionation increasing eastward. Ribbon-like, white
petalite displaying schlieren-like habit (Type A) grades to coarse pink and pink-white
petalite (Type B), and to blue-grey to pink-grey petalite (Type C). A fourth sub-zone
(Type D) is recognized based on the presence of the purple mica lepidolite and occurs
peripheral to Types A-C, mainly to the south and east. This zone is enriched in tantalum,
typically assaying greater than 0.01% Ta2O5. Type C is a very fine-grained, equivalent
of Types B and A, which is very highly foliated, mica-rich unit and commonly occurs
interlayered as coarse-grained bands and lenses within Types B and A. Petalite in this
unit tends to be partially altered to spodumene-quartz intergrowth (“SQUI”) exhibiting a
net texture.
Mineralization
The main economic minerals of the Big Whopper deposit are petalite, Rb-K-feldspar,
albite, lepidolite and columbite-tantalite. The Big Whopper pegmatite system is
characterized by unusually high purity end-member compositions of the constituent
minerals, a feature reflecting the highly evolved chemistry of the system.
Petalite (LiAlSi4O10) is almost stoichiometrically pure, averaging close to the theoretical
maximum lithium content of 4.8% Li2O, with only traces of soda, potash, and iron. It
averages about 25% of the ore, and varies from white to pale pink in colour.
Albite averages 11% soda, 0.10% potash, 0.35% lime, 0.01% iron oxide (Fe2O3). It
makes up 40% of the ore, and on average ranges from white to bluish-white in colour.
Rb-K-feldspar constitutes 10 to 15% of the ore. Although known in other pegmatites
where it generally exhibits perthitic intergrowth, the Big Whopper variety carries only
0.3-0.4% Na2O along with 2.8% Rb2O, 15-16% K2O and. It is generally grey-white in
colour and typically occurs as large megacrysts in the petalite ore.
Lepidolite (K Rb(Li,Al)2-3(AlSi3O10)(O,OH,F)2) is a distinct purple-coloured mica that
occurs in marginal zones of the Big Whopper and in separate flanking dykes. The
mineral is an ore of rubidium, containing up to 4% Rb2O, and can comprise up to 15% of
the ore.
112

�Columbite-tantalite (Mn,Fe)(Nb,Ta)O6 Manganocolumbite and manganotantalite
predominate with rare microlite and ferrocolumbite, all occurring as fine-grained dark
brown opaques. Tantalum is well distributed through the deposit but is typically enriched
to levels exceeding 0.01% Ta2O5 in marginal lepidolite-rich petalite zones and albitite
dykes.
Other potentially valuable industrial minerals include muscovite mica (some with
elevated lithia) which may comprise up to 15% of the ore, spodumene averaging 3-5%
occurring as SQUI replacement rims on petalite, cassiterite, pale pink spessartine garnet
and high-purity quartz.
Minor accessory minerals include apatite, zircon, gahnite, monazite, xenotime, rare
sulphides, sulphosalts, and thorite.
Field Stop Descriptions
Area #1: Big Whopper Petalite Deposit Main Mass
The large stripped exposure of the Big Whopper main mass reveals all of its
major mineralogical zones and sub-zones. The Wall Zone and feldspathic zones
are exposed on the northwest side of the outcrop. The coarse white and pink
petalite zone (Type B) is well exposed in the trench in the central part of the
outcrop. It is flanked by Type A and C petalite mineralization with Type D
(lepidolite rich) occurring on the south side and in a separate exposure to the
east. The surface trench along the top of the Whopper averages 1.58% Li2O,
0.33% Rb2O and 0.007% Ta2O5 across 58.90 metres.
Amphibolite screens occur within and at the margins of the Big Whopper. These screens
are commonly disjointed with mullioned terminations, but are continuous to depth.
Narrow 2 to 5 cm wide albitic haloes characteristically rim most of these screens, and
show remarkably little variation in width regardless of the size of the amphibolite screen.
These rims are interpreted as reaction fronts or depletion haloes, in which are
concentrated lithophile elements (specifically Li, Rb, and Cs) forming mica-rich
(glimmerite) selvedges to the amphibolite screens. The white albitic rims are depleted in
these elements, but commonly exhibit elevated tantalum values of up to 0.049% Ta2O5.
Area #2: Lepidolite Dike
Lepidolite-rich petalite pegmatite dikes occur flanking the Main Mass of the Big
Whopper pegmatite system mainly to the east. These dikes tend to be enriched in
tantalum relative to the Main Mass of the Big Whopper reflecting the greater abundance
of more high-evolved tantalum minerals such as microlite and wodginite in the Lepidolite
Dyke. Channel sampling of this outcrop has produced an average of 0.023% Ta2O5 over
3.15 metres, with individual assays up to 0.031% Ta2O5. Dark blue fluor-apatite is a
common accessory mineral
Return to Avalon's landing on the Winnipeg River, and by boat to the Separation
Narrows bridge. Proceed north on the English River Road about 3 km to the Umfreville
113

�114
Figure 10. Marko's pegmatite, showing location of zones discussed in the text.

�Road turn off. A skidder trail leads from the Umfreville Road to Marko's pegmatite (Fig.
2).
STOP 4 - MARKO'S PEGMATITE
Marko's pegmatite (Fig. 10) extends along strike for a distance of 190 m in an east-west
direction. It has a shallow dip to the south and is discordant to the near vertical dip of the
iron formation that is its host rock. The pegmatite has a maximum thickness of 15 m and
a maximum down dip extension of 30 m. Drill intersections indicate in cross section that
Marko's pegmatite occupies a tension fracture that extends from the gabbro/iron
formation contact at surface and progresses south across the iron formation at a relatively
shallow angle but near normal to the primary layering in the iron formation. In
longitudinal section Marko's pegmatite plunges 5-10º to the west.
A second pegmatite, the North Marko's pegmatite, lies along the gabbro/mafic
metavolcanic contact at surface, 20 m to the north of marko's pegmatite. Diamond
drilling shows that the pegmatite extends to a depth of 40 m as a single, near vertically
dipping sheet and then splits into north and south dipping sections. The south limb
increases in size and degree of differentiation in the down dip and easterly directions.
The North Marko's pegmatite is essentially barren at surface, but drill results show that
mineralogy and geochemistry changes abruptly with depth and association with either a
roll or flattening of the dike. This is likely due to the entrapment of fluorine rich fluids
along these structural features.
Both pegmatites are pristine and undeformed by the folding events that affected the Big
Mack and Big Whopper pegmatites. Marko's pegmatite is exposed as two lenses at
surface (Fig. 10). This is due to a sigmoidal roll in the moderate dip of the intrusion to
the south. The internal zones can be readily traced and differentiation trends established
with confidence along the surface exposures and in drill core.
Zones of Marko's pegmatite to be examined are as follows:
A) Wall zone comprised of quartz+albite+muscovite+beryl. Accessory minerals include
black oxides (cassiterite, wodginite), green tourmaline and apatite.
B) Petalite rich core zone, containing up to 95% petalite. The amount of petalite is
locally variable, as seen in the westernmost part of the outcrop which consists essentially
of coarse blocks of K-spar up to 2 m across, with interstitial petalite. This represents the
crest of the pegmatite.
C) Layered pegmatite-aplite. Quartz+garnet+biotite aplite is interlayered with a coarser
muscovite+beryl granite. Fine grained black oxide minerals are common in the albite
rich unit. A 1.6 m channel sample assayed 0.165% Ta2O5 and 0.10% Sn.
D) Grey, fine grained granite withj minor muscovite and fine grained black oxides.

115

�E) Muscovite replacement unit of K-spar.
F) Albitization of the petalite core.
North Marko's pegmatite will also be examined. It has a simple assemblage at surface of
quartz+K-spar+albite+mica with minor bands of aplite.
Return to the Umfreville Road/English River Road intersection. Proceed north on the
English River Road to a 75 m trail on the left leading to James' pegmatite (Fig. 2).
STOP 5 - JAMES' PEGMATITE
This highly fractionated pegmatite (Fig. 11), intruded into mafic metavolcanics, is
strongly deformed and folded. De la Fuente (1998) has described it as an example of pre
D2 deformation phase pegmatite. The Treelined Lake Granite, which shows the same
deformation, is suggested (de la Fuente 1998) to be source granite for pre D2 pegmatites
and pegmatitic granites

Figure 11. Location of James' pegmatite
In addition to quartz and feldspars, minerals present include green beryl, lithiophilite,
petalite, spodumene blades, abundant black tourmaline, curviplanar mica (“ballpeen

116

�mica”), which is assumed to be lithium rich, and possibly zinnwaldite. Ferrowodginite
has been identified in this pegmatite (Fred Breaks, personal communication).
This zoned pegmatite is approximately 30 metres by 2 metres. The joint venture of Tanco
and Gossan Resources Ltd. drilled the dike in 1996. The best Ta205 grades obtained were
0.035% in drill core and 0.026% at surface. The pegmatite dips to the southwest at about
60° and appears to widen at depth.
End of field trip stops.

117

�REFERENCES
Beakhouse, G.P. 1991. Winnipeg River Subprovince; in Geology of Ontario, Ontario
Geological Survey, Special Volume 4, Part 1, p.279-301.
Beakhouse, G.P., Blackburn, C.E., Breaks, F.W., Ayer, J., Stone, D. and Stott, G.M.
1995. Western Superior Province Fieldtrip Guidebook, Precambrian '95; Ontario
Geological Survey, Open File Report 5924, XXp.
Blackburn, C.E. and Young, J.B. 1993. Geology of the Separation Lake greenstone belt;
in Summary of Field Work and Other Activities 1993, Ontario Geological Survey,
Miscellaneous Paper 162, p.68-73.
Blackburn, C.E. and Young, J.B. 2000. Precambrian geology of the Separation Lake area,
northwestern Ontario; Ontario Geological Survey, Open File Report 6001, 94 p.
Blackburn, C.E., Young, J.B., Searcy, T.O. and Donohue, K. 1994a.
Precambrian geology of the Separation Lake greenstone belt, west part;
Ontario Geological Survey, Open File Map 241, scale 1:20 000.
Blackburn, C.E., Young, J.B., Searcy, T.O. and Donohue, K. 1994b. Precambrian
geology of the Separation Lake greenstone belt, east part; Ontario Geological
Survey, Open File Map 242, scale 1:20 000.
Breaks, F.W. 1991. English River Subprovince; in Geology of Ontario, Ontario
Geological Survey, Special Volume 4, Part 1, p.239-277.
Breaks, F.W. 1993. Granite-related mineralization in northwestern Ontario: I. Raleigh
Lake and Separation Rapids (English River) rare-element pegmatite fields; in
Summary of Field Work and Other Activities 1993, Ontario Geological Survey,
Miscellaneous Paper 162, p.104-110.
Breaks, F.W. and Bond, W.D. 1993. The English River Subprovince – an
Archean gneiss belt: geology, geochemistry and associated mineralization;
Ontario Geological Survey, Open File Report 5846, v. 1 and 2, 884 p.
Breaks, F.W. and Pan, Y. 1995. Granite-related mineralization in northwestern
Ontario: III. Relationship of granulite metamorphism to rare-element
mineralization in the Separation Lake area of the English River
Subprovince in Summary of Field Work and Other Activities 1995, Ontario
Geological Survey, Miscellaneous Paper 164, p. 79-81.
Breaks, F.W. and Tindle, A.G. 1994. Granite-related mineralization in
northwestern Ontario: II. Detailed examination of the Separation Narrows
(English River) rare-element group in Summary of Field Work and Other

118

�Activities 1994, Ontario Geological Survey, Miscellaneous Paper 163, p.
109-112.
Breaks, F.W, and Tindle, A.G. 1996. New discovery of rare-element pegmatite
mineralization, Separation Lake area, northwestern Ontario; Ontario Geological
Survey, Open File Report 5946, 9p.
Breaks, F.W. and Tindle, A.G. 1997. Rare-metal exploration potential of the Separation
Lake area: an emerging target for Bikita-type mineralization in the Superior
Province of NW Ontario; Ontario Geological Survey, Open File Report 5966, 27p.
Breaks, F.W. and Tindle, A.G. 2002. Rare-metal mineralization of the Separation Lake
area, northwest Ontario: characteristics of a new discovery of complex-type, petalitesubtype, Li-Rb-Cs-Ta pegmatite in Industrial Minerals in Canada, CIM Special
Volume 53, p. 159-178.
Cerny, P. and Ercit, T.S. 1985. Some recent advances in the mineralogy and
geochemistry of Nb and Ta in rare-element granitic pegmatites; Bulletin
Mineralogie, v. 108, p. 499-532.
Cerny, P., Trueman, D.L., Ziehlke, D.V., Goad, B.E. and Paul, B.J. 1981. The Cat
Lake-Winnipeg River and the Wekusko Lake pegmatite fields, Manitoba; Manitoba
Department of Energy and Mines, Economic Geology Report ER80-1, 216p.
de la Fuente, F. 1998. Structural analysis of the Tanco's Separation Lake property,
western Ontario, Canada; report for Tantalum Mining Corporation of Canada
Limited, 29 p.
Larbi, Y., Stevenson, R., Breaks, F.W., Machado, N. and Gariepy, C. 1999. Age and
isotopic composition of Late Archean leucogranites: implications for continental
collision in the western Superior Province; Canadian Journal of earth Sciences, Vol.
36, p. 495-510.
Stockwell, C.H. 1932. Beryllium deposits; p.126 in Geology and mineral deposits of a
part of southeastern Manitoba, by J.F. Wright; Geological Survey of Canada.
Memoir 169, 150p.
Storey, C.C. 1990. An evaluation of the industrial mineral potential of parts of
the districts of Kenora and Rainy River; Ontario Geological Survey, Open
File Report 5718, 259p.
Tindle, A.G. and Breaks, F.W. 2000. Tantalum mineralogy of rare-element granitic
pegmatites from the Separation Lake area, northwestern Ontario; Ontario Geological
Survey, Open File Report 6022, 387p.

119

�120

�Field Trip 6
Geology of the Red Lake Camp, Ontario
Andreas Lichtblau and Carmen Storey
Ontario Geological Survey
Ministry of Northern Development and Mines
227 Howey Street, Box 324
Red Lake, Ontario
P0V 2M0

Example of late gold vein stockwork forming part of the High Grade Zone, 32 Level, Red
Lake Mine. Estimated contained gold in sample: 298 ounces (at 7,284 ounces gold per
ton). Photo courtesy of Goldcorp Inc.

�REGIONAL GEOLOGY
The Red Lake District (Fig. 1) is underlain by Archean rocks of the Superior Province of
the Canadian Shield. Rocks of four subprovinces are found in the Red Lake District:
1. Uchi Subprovince rocks in the Red Lake District comprise the Red Lake and BirchConfederation Lake greenstone belts in which the bulk of exploration and mining
activity has taken place. The supracrustal rocks of the Red Lake greenstone belt can
be subdivided into several assemblages with ages ranging from ca. 2990 Ma to ca.
2700 Ma (Table 1). Major granitoid intrusions show a range from ca. 2734 Ma to
2699 Ma (Table 2).
2. English River Subprovince rocks, south of the Uchi Subprovince, are predominantly
metasedimentary and host minor intrusive rocks similar to those in the Quetico
Subprovince.
3. To the north, the Berens River Subprovince formed the core of a microcontinent.
This area is underlain by ca. 2750-2690 Ma felsic plutonic rocks interpreted as a
magmatic arc formed at an Andean-style margin that culminated in the Kenoran
orogeny. These plutonic rocks intruded an older subtratum (North Caribou terrane)
on which Mesoarchean volcanic rocks of the Red Lake belt are also interpreted to
have formed.
4. The Sachigo Subprovince comprises crustal blocks ranging from Paleoarchean (&gt;3.4
Ga) to Neoarchean (ca. 2.7 Ga) in age.

Figure 1. Western Uchi Subprovince
(modified from Percival et al. 2000)

122

�123
Figure 2. General geology of the Red Lake greenstone belt (after Parker 2000). Tour stops as indicated.

�GEOLOGY OF THE RED LAKE BELT (adapted from Sanborn-Barrie et al. 2001)
The Red Lake greenstone belt (Fig. 2) is dominated by the (ca. 2990 Ma) maficultramafic Balmer assemblage, an oceanic plain sequence; minor calc-alkalic volcanic
rocks of arc-like affinity terminate the assemblage. The majority of lode gold deposits in
the camp are hosted by the basal mafic-ultramafic sequence. A later diverse lithologic
association, the Ball assemblage, appears to represent a shallow marine, volcanic edifice
built upon the Balmer substrate.
Table 1. Summary of supracrustal lithologies and radiometric ages in the Red Lake greenstone belt
(modified from Parker 2000; with new ages from Sanborn-Barrie et al. 2001 and Skulski et al. 2001; final
error estimates are not cited for the new unpublished ages of T. Skulski).
Supracrustal
assemblage
English River ?

U-Pb Age
(Ma)
&lt;2700±6

Rock types and descriptions

References

Polymictic pebble conglomerate. Thought to
correlate with the Austin tuff, host to the
Madsen gold deposit.
Strongly calc-akaline rocks. Andesitic to
dacitic pyroclastic rocks

SanbornBarrie et al.
2001
Corfu and
Andrews 1987

ConfederationGraves (north
Red Lake)

2733±1.5

Huston
(Cemetery)
ConfederationHeyson
(southeast Red
Lake)

≤2743

Well-bedded argillite and turbiditic wacke;
polymictic conglomerate.
Basal sequence is commonly tholeiitic to calcalkaline with lobe-hyaloclastite rhyolite flows;
intermediate pyroclastic rocks; basalt; and
feldspar-phyric andesite. Calc-alkaline rocks
are more abundant at higher stratigraphic
levels.

Skulski et al.
2001
Corfu and
Wallace 1986

ConfederationMcNeely
(central and SE
Red Lake)
Trout Bay

2742;
2748+10/-5

Dominated by calc-alkaline, intermediate
lapilli-tuff breccia and lapilli tuff

SanbornBarrie et al.
2001

2853

Lower tholeiitic basalt sequence with
associated gabbroic rocks overlain by finegrained clastic metasedimentary rocks (wacke,
argillite) interlayered with subordinate
intermediate pyroclastic rocks and chertmagnetite iron formation. Overlain by
tholeiitic, pillowed basalts.
Strongly calc-alkaline intermediate pyroclastic
rocks overlain by pebble conglomerate, thinly
bedded wacke and capped by chert-magnetite
iron formation
Interlayered, feldspathic wacke, lithic wacke
and argillite; lenses of pebble and cobble
conglomerates and quartz-rich pebble
conglomerate and quartz arenite.
Typically calc-alkaline intermediate pyroclastic
rocks and rhyolite flows; komatiitic to tholeiitic

SanbornBarrie et al.
2001

2748+10/-5 to
2739±3

Bruce Channel

2894±1.5;
2894±2

Slate Bay

≤2916

Ball

2940±2;
2925±3

124

Corfu and
Wallace 1986;
Corfu and
Andrews 1987
Corfu et al.
1998

Corfu and
Wallace 1986

�Balmer

2992+20/-9;
2989±3;
2964+5/-1

basalt; overlain by chert-magnetite iron
formation and dolomitic marble which contains
stromatolites.
Tholeiitic basalt, basaltic komatiite and
komatiite interlayered with subordinate chertmagnetite iron formation; minor clastic
metasedimentary rocks; minor intermediate to
felsic pyroclastic rocks; and rhyolite.

Corfu and
Andrews 1987

Table 2. Summary of lithologies and radiometric ages for major granitoid intrusions in the Red Lake
greenstone belt (modified from Parker 2000; new ages cited in Sanborn-Barrie et al. 2001 and elsewhere do
not have final error estimates assigned, as this U-Pb data is not yet published).
Granitoid
intrusion
Cat Island pluton

U-Pb Age
(Ma)
2699

Rock types and descriptions

References

Potassium feldspar granodiorite

SanbornBarrie et al.
2001
Noble 1989

Walsh Lake
pluton

2699

Killala-Baird
batholith

2704±1.5

Hammel Lake
batholith
Dome stock

2717±2
2718±1

McKenzie stock

2720±2

Red Crest stock

2729±1.5

Potassium feldspar- and quartz-phyric
monzogranite; xenolith-rich, diorite or
granodiorite; possible oxidized phase at Ranger
Lake with broad magnetic anomaly
Potassium feldspar- and quartz-phyric
monzogranite; xenolith-rich, diorite or
granodiorite, diorite or granodiorite; oxidized,
magnetite-bearing marginal phase.
Potassium feldspar and quartz porphyritic
monzogranite; associated anorthositic intrusion.
Granodiorite and augite porphyritic
diorite/gabbro.
Augite porphyritic diorite-gabbro; some
ultramafic rocks; granodiorite
Augite porphyritic diorite-gabbro

Little Vermilion
batholith
Douglas Lake
pluton

2731±3

Hornblende tonalite-granodiorite

2734±2

Biotite tonalite

Corfu and
Andrews 1987

McMaster
1987
Corfu and
Andrews 1987
Corfu and
Andrews 1987
Corfu and
Andrews 1987
Corfu and
Andrews 1987
Corfu and
Stone 1998

Widespread ca. 2894 Ma calc-alkaline volcanism is represented in Red Lake by the Bruce
Channel assemblage. Overlying this is the ca. 2850 Ma Trout Bay assemblage which
includes substantial basaltic and gabbroic rocks in western Red Lake which are
prospective for PGE mineralization, and which includes minor intermediate pyroclastic
rocks throughout central Red Lake. The Trout Bay assemblage may correlate with
Woman assemblage rocks of the Confederation Lake belt.
A regional angular unconformity is interpreted to separate the Mesoarchean assemblages
from the Neoarchean Confederation assemblages. Volcanogenic massive sulphide
mineralization is associated with the younger sequence. A significant number of felsic

125

�units are classed as FII and FIII type rhyolites, considered highly prospective for large
(Kidd Creek/Noranda type) massive sulphide deposits (Parker 1999).
A newly recognized component of the Neoarchean supracrustal package is the Huston
sedimentary assemblage that includes polymictic cobble- to pebble-conglomerate and
argillite; clasts include jasperoidal chert iron formation, massive sulfide pebbles, and
mafic flow (?) rocks, as well as well-bedded, graded turbiditic wacke and argillite. The
U-Pb age of detrital zircons give single age peaks of 2743 and 2746 Ma at the cemetery
and Madsen sites respectively (Skulski et al. 2001), indicating erosion of pre-existing
Confederation age rocks, and deposition after ca. 2743 Ma.
Recent age dating (Skulski et al. 2001) has also yielded multiple ages of detrital zircons
from a fragmental unit thought to correlate with the Austin "tuff" ore zone at the former
Madsen mine. Most of the Meso- and Neoarchean assemblages exposed in Red Lake are
represented in this unit. Maximum age of deposition is consequently ≤2700±6 Ma.
DEFORMATION (adapted from Sanborn-Barrie et al. 2001)
The Red Lake greenstone belt has undergone at least three phases of deformation:
1) D0, a non-penetrative, early (pre-2748 Ma) event involving overturning of the Balmer
assemblage;
2) D1, (bracketed between 2733-2742 Ma) resulted in a north trending foliation that is
axial planar to F1 folds and involved east-west shortening; and
3) D2, (ca. 2720-2700 Ma) resulted in a dominantly east- to northeast-striking foliation
that refolds F1 folds. A local 'deflection' of S2 around the McKenzie stock created an
east-southeast striking corridor of heterogenous strain forming the "Mine Trend",
from Cochenour through the Balmertown area, hosting the major gold deposits of the
camp.
HYDROTHERMAL ALTERATION (adapted from Parker 2000)
The Red Lake greenstone belt has been affected by a large-scale (10's of kilometres)
hydrothermal alteration system, resulting in approximately contemporaneous a) strong to
intense, distal calcite carbonatization that affects rocks of all ages; and b) less extensive
(kilometres), proximal, strong to intense ferroan-dolomite and potassic alteration, found
in almost all areas hosting gold mineralization. Carbonate alteration affects both the
Dome (2718±1 Ma) and McKenzie (2720±2 Ma) stocks and is overprinted by calcsilicate, skarn-like alteration formed during the intrusion of the Killala–Baird batholith
(2704±1.5 Ma) and the Walsh Lake pluton (2699 Ma). The significant carbonate
alteration event is therefore bracketed between 2718 and 2704 Ma, during D2.
The main macroscopic features of carbonate alteration are pervasive replacement of rock
matrix, open-space filling/replacement of primary porosity (vesicles, pillow selvages,
hyaloclastite matrix), filling of extension veins with massive, colloform, crustiform and
cockade breccia textures, networks of variably oriented veins and "jigsaw puzzle" breccia
veins.

126

�Multiple stages of carbonate alteration and veining have been recognized, indicating
continuous carbonatization during D2 deformation.
Potassic metasomatism takes the form of sericite/muscovite alteration in greenschistfacies rocks; in ferroan-dolomite altered ultramafic rocks fuchsite occurs instead of
sericite. Potassic alteration in amphibolite-facies mafic and ultramafic rocks takes the
form of pervasive biotite ± muscovite. Centimetre- to metre-wide, strong to intense,
biotite ± calcite ± ferroan-dolomite ± disseminated pyrite alteration halos often enclose
ferroan-dolomite veins in amphibolite-facies mafic rocks.
Biotite altered zones in amphibolite-facies rocks are characterized by a diverse
assemblage of aluminosilicate minerals such as andalusite, staurolite and cordierite, with
garnet, chloritoid, cummingtonite and anthophylite.
Barren, pervasive silicification within proximal alteration zones may be due to release
and remobilization of silica during periods of pervasive carbonatization. The majority of
gold deposits in the Red Lake belt are quartz and arsenopyrite rich selective replacement
zones of colloform-crustiform ferroan-dolomite veins and breccia.
GEOLOGY OF THE CAMPBELL-RED LAKE GOLD DEPOSIT (adapted from
Dubé et al. 2002)
Gold has been continuously produced from the Campbell-Red Lake (formerly known as
the Campbell-Dickenson) deposit since 1948: current production levels and reserves are
given in Table 3. Historical production figures for the Red Lake greenstone belt are
shown in Table 4.
Table 3. Current gold production and reserves, Red Lake greenstone belt
Mine

Production to end of 2000

Production in 2001

Tonnage
Grade

Tonnage @ Grade

@

Total
Commodity

Reserves at end of 2001
Total
Commodity

Tonnage

Grade

Goldcorp Inc.
Red Lake Mine

74 148 tons @
1.57 ounces per
ton

85 115
ounces Au

246 618 tons @
2.26 opt Au
(223 728 tonnes
@77.50 g/t)

503 385
ounces Au

3 208 000 tons
(2 910 000
tonnes) (1)

1.34 opt Au
(46.04 g/t )

Placer Dome
(CLA) Ltd.
Campbell Mine

473 000 tonnes
@ 15.7 g/t Au

229 408
ounces Au

438 000 tonnes
@13.3 g/t

178 139
ounces Au

1 941 000 tonnes
(2 139 600 tons)
(2)

16.7 g/t Au

(482 800 tons @
0.388 opt Au)

(1) News release, Goldcorp Inc. February 7, 2002
(2) News release, Placer Dome (CLA) Ltd. February 14, 2002

127

(0.487 opt
Au)

�Table 4. Historical gold production, Red Lake greenstone belt

GOLD PRODUCTION IN THE RED LAKE GREENSTONE BELT
to December 31, 2001
MINE

YEARS
PRODUCTION

OF

CAMPBELL RED LAKE
GOLDCORP (DICKENSON)
MADSEN
COCHENOUR-WILLANS
MCKENZIE RED LAKE
HOWEY
HASAGA
STARRATT OLSEN
H.G. YOUNG
MCMARMAC
GOLD EAGLE
RED LAKE GOLD SHORE
BUFFALO
ABINO
LAKE ROWAN
RED SUMMIT
MOUNT JAMIE

1949 - PRESENT(1)
1948 - PRESENT(1,2)
1938 - 1976, 1997(4) - 1999
1939 - 1971
1935 - 1966
1930 - 1941, 1957(7)
1938 - 1952
1948 - 1956
1960 - 1963
1940 - 1948
1937 - 1941
1936 - 1938
1981 - 1982
1985 - 1986
1986 - 1988
1935 - 1936
1976

TOTAL

ORE
MILLED
(SHORT
TONS)

GOLD PRODUCED
TROY
OUNCES

OUNCES
PER TON

17,979,851
8,619,008
8,678,143
2,311,165
2,353,833
4,630,779
1,515,282
907,813
288,179
152,978
180,095
86,333
31,986
2,733
13,023
591
552

10,335,248
3,736,704
2,452,388
1,244,279
651,156
421,592
218,213
163,990
55,244
45,246
40,204
21,100
1,656
1,397
1,298
277
265

0.575
0.434(3)
0.283(5)
0.538(6)
0.277
0.091(8)
0.144
0.181
0.192
0.296
0.223
0.244
0.052
0.511
0.100
0.469
0.480

47,752,344

19,390,257

0.406

NOTES: (1) Includes final production figures for 2001.
(2) For 1997, 1998 and 1999 no production due to strike by unionised employees.
(3) From 1970, includes production from Robin Red Lake.
(4) Includes clean up ore and materials from the mine site.
(5) Historic grade, actual grade for 1999 was 0.14 ounce per ton gold.
(6) Includes production from Annco and Wilmar properties.
(7) Continuous production 1930 to 1941; includes 268 ounces recovered from clean up in 1957.
(8) The ore mined at Howey, before sorting totalled 5,158,376 tons.
The average production from run-of-mine ore was therefore 0.0817 ounce per ton gold.

Alteration facies in the High Grade Zone at Goldcorp Inc.'s Red Lake Mine have been
described by Dubé et al. 2002:
1.

an outer, metre-wide, garnet-chlorite-magnetite alteration with chlorite-amphibole-andalusite
and locally associated centimetre- to metre-wide 'bleached zone' containing andalusitemuscovite-quartz-ilmenite ...;
2. a proximal, centimetre- to metre-wide, massive to laminated, reddish-brown, biotite-carbonate
alteration with disseminated pyrite (3-5%) and carbonate veinlets in well foliated basalt; and
3. a gold-rich, strongly foliated, silicified zone with abundant fine-grained arsenopyrite, sericite,
and rutile, and lesser amounts of pyrite, pyrrhotite, magnetite, and stibnite (≤15%).
This third alteration facies is adjacent to the silicified auriferous carbonate veins and replaces the
biotite-carbonate-rich alteration.

128

�The chronology of gold-rich replacement textures suggests a syn-D2 mineralizing event,
dominated by silicification of carbonate veins, contemporaneous with boudinage of the
veins. The silicified carbonate veins are hosted mainly by basalt; areas of high-grade gold
mineralization are controlled by F2 fold hinges deforming the basalt-ultramafic contact.
Multiple periods of silicification and gold deposition overprint and replace the
carbonatization in these lower pressure hinge zones.
The extremely high grade ore (&gt;2.0 oz/t Au) currently mined at Goldcorp Inc.'s Red Lake
Mine, is possibly due to a combination of factors, including the presence of a lowpermeability ultramafic cap, allowing the build-up of very high fluid pressure in the
footwall basalt; the high iron content of the tholeiitic basalt, creating a chemical, as well
as structural, trap for the auriferous fluids; multiple D2 strain events; repeated episodes of
gold deposition and remobilization into a low pressure F2 fold hinge hosting the High
Grade Zone.

SUMMARY OF STOPS, SURFACE FIELD TRIP, RED LAKE BELT
The first outcrops after the underground tours will traverse both the proximal-distal
alteration facies and the Neo–Mesoarchean boundary.
¾ The tour then continues to the south-central portion of the Red Lake greenstone belt,
within the metamorphic aureole of the Killala-Baird batholith.
¾ Outcrops at the interface of Meso- and Neoarchean assemblages expose rock units
similar to those mined at the past producing Madsen mine, a high temperature,
disseminated, stratabound gold deposit, quite dissimilar to deposits in the 'Mine
Trend';
¾ this is followed by a visit to the Dome stock, a mineralized granodiorite intruded into
the volcanics in the central portion of the belt;
¾ followed by stops in the town of Red Lake to view the site of the Howey mine, and to
examine intensely deformed rocks within the purported Howey Bay – Flat Lake
deformation zone;
¾ the last stops will be within strongly altered and veined Balmer rocks in the northeast
portion of the belt.

129

�STOP 1 - MESO-NEOARCHEAN CONTACT
Woodland Cemetery Road and Hwy. 125 (Fig. 2)
These outcrops show altered relatively low-strain pillowed basaltic komatiite flows of the
Balmer Assemblage unconformably overlain by polymictic conglomerate of the Huston
assemblage. The exposures are in the transition from calcite carbonatization (distal
alteration) to ferroan-dolomite (proximal) alteration.
The pillowed and minor massive flows show extensive iron carbonate alteration as well
as iron carbonate and quartz veins. Fuchsite is present in the central part of the outcrops
on the west side of the highway (cemetery side). The Campbell Mine is approximately
1.5 km to the north
While the mafic flows have not been directly dated at this locality, they are typically
variolitic, and show a geochemical similarity with known Balmer age rocks elsewhere;
the massive and pillowed flows here can be traced to Balmertown, where an intercalated
rhyolite at the Campbell mine was dated at 2989 ± 3 (Corfu and Andrews 1987).
Variolitic flows occur in the northern part of the outcrops on the east side of the highway.
However, they are unconformably overlain by Huston polymictic conglomerate further
south along the outcrop. The conglomerate contains a large proportion of rounded
cherty, jasperoidal and pyritic fragments. It represents an apron of Confederation
assemblage (McNeely age-2743 Ma) detritus deposited at the break in the paleoslope
between the Confederation volcanic centre and its Balmer age substrate.

STOP 2 - CALCITE CARBONATIZED PILLOWED FLOWS: DISTAL
CARBONATE ALTERATION FACIES
Outcrops on west side of Hwy. 125 and Sandy Bay Road (Fig. 2)
Slightly deformed pillows of the Balmer assemblage show pervasive calcite
carbonatization, calcite veins and pods. Amygdules are also filled (replaced?) with
calcite. Jig-saw puzzle breccias (created by fluid overpressure at depth) are cemented by
calcite. This represents the distal, outer halo of carbonate alteration.

STOP 3 - CONTACT BETWEEN CONFEDERATION AND BALMER
ASSEMBLAGES
Suffel Lake Road and Hwy. 618 (Figs. 2 and 3)
Exposures on the south side of the highway are part of the lowermost units of the
Neoarchean Confederation assemblage. The outcrops here are amphibolite-facies

130

�tholeiitic, quartz-feldspar-porphyritic lapilli-crystal tuff, with thin, dark grey, collapsed
pumice fragments; occasional lapilli sized lithic clasts are also observed. Strike of the
rocks is generally northeast, facing and dipping steeply southeast. A sample from this
unit, 800 m northeast of the intersection, gave an age of 2744 ± 1 Ma (Corfu and
Andrews 1987).
The north side of the road exposes highly altered tholeiitic, mafic volcaniclastic rocks of
the Balmer assemblage. Abundant garnet and biotite rims clasts; minor andalusite is
present. This outcrop, barren at this locality, forms part of the Austin "tuff" ore zone,
described further below.
STOP 4 - MADSEN DEPOSIT, POWER LINE OUTCROPS (Figs. 2 and 3)
Time limitations of the tour do not permit a complete visit of the Madsen deposit; a brief
description of the deposit follows:
Geology of the Madsen Deposit (adapted from Dubé et al. 2000)
Madsen is a stratabound, replacement-style, disseminated gold deposit, exhibiting
two alteration facies, the mineralogy of which is now represented by two
amphibolite-facies zones:
1) a pervasive aluminous, metre- to tens-of-metres-wide, low-strain, outer zone,
containing andalusite-garnet-biotite-staurolite-amphibole; metre-wide stockwork
amphibole veins and veinlets alternate with the pervasive alteration. Timing of
this alteration is pre- to syn-D1, but its relationship to gold mineralization is not
yet known; indeed, it could be classified as the amphibolite-facies equivalent of
volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) type alteration, related to a Confederation
age syn-volcanic hydrothermal alteration system;
2) an inner zone comprising a banded-laminated texture, characterized by bands
of actinolite-hornblende-microcline-calcite-tourmaline, alternating with biotiterich bands. The amphibole is commonly randomly oriented. Diopside locally
forms disseminated crystals up to 7-8 cm long, or veinlets.
Ore zones occur within the inner alteration zone, and comprise finely layered,
sulfide-rich lenses up to a few metres wide. Sulfides (8-10%) comprise pyrrhotite,
pyrite and/or arsenopyrite with trace chalcopyrite, and are found as
disseminations or veinlets parallel to lamination/foliation. Gold occurs in the
native state as inclusions in silicate minerals and locally as coatings on sulfide
minerals. Highest grade is found in areas of most intense alteration, represented
by quartz-biotite-muscovite-microcline assemblage in mm-cm bands or layers.
Crenulation of alteration bands, sulfides and calcite veinlets by S2 as well as the
large-scale deformation and folding of Austin ore lenses by F2 folds are consistent
with pre- to early D2 timing of gold mineralization. A minimum age on the
deposit is 2699 ± 4 Ma (Corfu and Andrews 1987), the age of a cross-cutting
post-ore granodiorite dyke.

131

�1/

I

400m

/
//
J

//

////
d////
oO// /

Figure 3. Geology of the Madsen mine area (modified from Dubé et al. 2000)

132

�Proximal alteration and style of mineralization may indicate the Madsen deposit
to be related to higher temperature (400º-600ºC) gold deposits and gold-skarn
deposits hosted by mafic volcanics (Parker 2000).

South Austin Zone – Powerline Section
The base of this series of poorly exposed outcrops is a well banded/layered example of
Austin "tuff", from which the bulk of the 2.5 million ounces gold of the Madsen deposit
were mined between 1938-1976 (Table 4). At this locality the Austin is a strongly altered
(biotite, amphibole, garnet) mafic volcaniclastic/epiclastic rock, with wacke and
conglomerate clasts, occupying the position of the unconformity between Balmer and
Confederation assemblages.
Further up the hill the Confederation age quartz-feldspar porphyritic lapilli tuff unit from
Stop 1 forms the structural and stratigraphic hangingwall of the deposit and marks the
beginning of Confederation time. Overlying this unit is an altered (biotite, garnet)
polymictic conglomerate outcrop, part of the Huston assemblage, that yielded a single
peak in detrital U-Pb zircon ages of ≤ 2746 Ma (Sanborn et al. 2001a). At the top of the
hill, feldspar phyric tuff of the Confederation assemblage is exposed.

STOP 5 - BUFFALO DEPOSIT - DOME STOCK MINERALIZATION (Fig. 2)
The approximately 7 km diameter hornblende-biotite granodiorite stock (Table 2) has
been dated at 2718 ± 1 Ma (Corfu and Andrews 1987) and is interpreted to have been
emplaced during D2 (Sanborn-Barrie et al. 2001). The stock is variably iron-carbonate,
sericite, and chlorite altered and deformed. Exposures to be visited (Figure 4) are at its
southern contact; here it intrudes, and contains xenoliths of, foliated Balmer assemblage
mafic volcanic rocks (Figure 4).
The stock hosts several gold occurrences and two past-producing mines: the Red Lake
Gold Shore produced 21,100 ounces gold, and the Buffalo Mine produced 1656 ounces
gold. The Buffalo prospect was discovered in 1925 and explored several times since then.
Note the adit reopened by Claude Resources Ltd. in October 1998 to further explore the
Buffalo deposit.
Gold is hosted within two sets of quartz-tourmaline-pyrite-calcite veins in conjugate
orientation (centimetre-wide NE veins: 239°/73° N, and decimetre-wide NW veins:
119°/76° S; Pettigrew 1999). Their orientation may be as a result of the intersection of
two previously interpreted (Durocher and Hugon 1983) deformation zones (St. Paul BayMartin Bay and Flat Lake-Howey Bay Deformation Zones). The dominant vein set
strikes NW; primary quartz vein fill was replaced by tourmaline, concomitant with
bleached pink metasomatic halos developing around tourmaline-rich portions of the
veins. Gold is concentrated in the calcite-albite-sulfide halos, in particular at its outer
fringe, where chalcopyrite and tellurides were deposited. A second stage of gold

133

�mineralization is associated with Bi-tellurides in fractures and cavity fillings in quartz
and late fracture-filling pyrite, hosted within the qtz-tourmaline-pyrite-calcite veins.

mafic volcanics

granodiorite

'---1
vein

/

shear

Figure 4. Detailed geology of south side of Buffalo Pit (from Lavigne et al. 1986)

STOP 6 - HOWEY MINE (Fenced in pit - drive by: Fig. 2)
On the north side of Hammell Road a cement foundation marks the site the former
Howey mine. Behind the fenced off area is the site of the crown pillar mined out in the
final stages of the mine. The Howey Mine was the first producer (1930-1941) in the Red
Lake camp and remains the lowest grade profitable gold mine in Canadian mining history
(final average grade 0.08 opt Au, having produced 422 000 ounces gold). The Howey
(and adjacent Hasaga) ore bodies occur in a boudinaged, variably sericitized and silicified
quartz-feldspar porphyry dyke trending approximately 065°/80°S. Centimetre-wide,
auriferous quartz veinlets trend 080°, making an angle of 15° with the contacts of the
dyke and dip 80°S. Gold-bearing quartz veinlets formed as the last of three episodes of
quartz veining. Gold is associated with pyrite-sphalerite-galena-tourmaline ± tellurides.
Small flat outcrops between the highway and the fence are highly deformed intermediate
rocks of the Howey Mine hanging wall. This site lies within the northeast trending
Howey Bay – Flat Lake deformation zone and comprises Confederation age rocks.

STOP 7 - HOWEY BAY-FLAT LAKE DEFORMATION ZONE (Fig. 2)
The Howey Bay – Flat Lake deformation zone was defined by Durocher and Hugon
(1983), and was interpreted to be part of a belt-wide system of transcurrent shear zones
hosting most of the major gold deposits. Recent detailed work has led to a reevaluation
of this concept (Sanborn-Barrie et al. 2000).

134

�This stop is approximately 750 m southwest of the Howey mine. Intense deformation at
this stop has destroyed most primary textures that might be used to identify the rocks.
The dominant rock type is mylonitized intermediate tuff. Pink felsic dikes that cut the
intermediate rock are also mylonitized. Iron-carbonate veins are boudinaged and
transposed into the shear direction. The far western extremity of the outcrops exposes
deformed quartz-feldspar dyke (similar in appearance to the Dome stock) containing
mafic xenoliths and quartz-tourmaline veinlets.

STOP 8 - REDCON CARBONATE ZONE: Proximal ferroan-carbonate alteration;
carbonate veining
West and east sides of Nungessor Road (Fig. 2)
This area is approximately 4 km north of the Campbell–Red Lake deposit, still within the
proximal, ferroan-carbonate alteration facies. The outcrops are weakly foliated (145°),
dominantly massive to pillowed Balmer assemblage basalts, occurring within the
amphibolite-facies metamorphic aureole of the Walsh Lake pluton.
The stripped area on the east side of the Nungesser road was mapped in detail (Figure 5)
by Redcon Gold Mines in 1981 (assessment files) and now forms part of Goldcorp Inc.'s
holdings. Here, a 1-2 m wide carbonate vein is exposed near its southeastern
termination. The vein can be traced in outcrop and drilling for approximately 750 m to
the west-northwest and will be seen at the next stop on the west side of the road. Gold
occurs in north-northwest trending, irregular, centimetre-thick quartz-actinolite stringers
within the carbonate vein.
After an initial, pervasive biotite alteration event, cross-cutting relationships suggest the
following sequence of formation (from Lavigne et al. 1986):
1. amphibole-quartz-calcite cross-fractures
2. quartz-calcite veins
3. ferroan-dolomite veins
4. mafic dyke
5. auriferous quartz veins
Silicification evident in the pillowed flow on the northern half of the outcrop is barren
and apparently not related to the gold-rich silicification event, rather, it may be due to
local silica dumping following pervasive carbonate metasomatism.
A "black line" fault occurs in the northern wall rocks of the main carbonate vein. A
mafic (or lamprophyre) dyke (unit 4, above) cuts the vein, but is itself cut by late quartzactinolite-gold stringers.

135

�TYPE A VEINS

TYPE C VEINS

I \\\\\\\ss\\1

hb+q+pI+blo

1i2:J Pillow basalt
Type A veins

re aorom,e (type ci veine

EI Matic dike (D)
II Quartz ±Au (tvoe E) veina

Fault

Prominent Joints

Figure 5. Detailed geology of the Redcon prospect (modified from Lavigne et al. 1986)
The western outcrops are approximately 300 m west-northwest of the previous exposures.
Things to note on the western series of outcrops:
• differing colours of cross-cutting carbonate veins
• colloform/crustiform textures in carbonate veins
• andalusite-garnet-biotite alteration of pillows cut by calc-silicate veins (diopside ±
calcite, quartz, tourmaline; retrograding to epidote, tremolite,
actinolite/hornblende, magnetite)
• calc-silicate veins cross-cut by carbonate veins
• folding of carbonate veins by the "Mine trend" S2

136

�REFERENCES AND BIBLIOGRAPHY OF RECENT RESEARCH

Chi, G., Dubé, B. and Williamson, K. 2002. Preliminary fluid-inclusion
microthermometry study of fluid evolution and temperature-pressure conditions in
the Goldcorp High-Grade zone, Red Lake mine, Ontario, in Current Research 2002C27, geological Survey of Canada, 14p.
Dubé, B., Balmer, W., Sanborn-Barrie, M., Skulski, T. and Parker, J. 2000. A
preliminary report on amphibolite-facies, disseminated-replacement-style
mineralization at the Madsen gold mine, Red Lake, Ontario; in Current Research
2000-C17, Geological Survey of Canada, 12p.
Dubé, B., Williamson, K., and Malo, M. 2001. Preliminary Report on the Geology and
Controlling Parameters of the Goldcorp Inc. High Grade Zone, Red Lake Mine,
Ontario; Geological Survey of Canada, Current Research 2001-C18, 13 p.
Dubé, B., Williamson, K., and Malo, M. 2002. Geology of the Goldcorp Inc. High Grade
zone, Red Lake mine, Ontario: an update, in Current Research 2002-C26, Geological
Survey of Canada, 15p.
Durocher, M.E. and Hugon, H., 1983. Structural geology and hydrothermal alteration in
the Flat Lake-Howey Bay deformation zone, Red Lake area, in Summary of Field
Work, 1983, Ontario Geological Survey, Miscellaneous Paper 116, p. 216 to p. 219.
Gulson, B.L., Mizon, K.J. and Atkinson, B.T. 1993. Source and timing of gold and other
mineralization in the Red Lake area, northwestern Ontario, based on lead-isotope
investigations, Canadian Journal of Earth Science v. 30, pp. 2366-2379.
Horwood, H.C., 1940. Geology and mineral deposits of the Red Lake area, in Fortyninth Annual Report of the Ontario Dept. of Mines, vol. XLIX, Pt. II, 231p.
Lavigne Jr., M.J., Hugon, H., Andrews, A.J. and Durocher, M.E. 1986. Gold deposits of
the Red Lake District, Relationships of gold mineralization to regional deformation
and alteration in the Red Lake greenstone belt, Ontario, in Gold '86, Excursion
Guidebook, ed. Pirie, J. and Downes, M.J., p.167 to p.211.
Parker, J.R. 1999. Exploration potential for volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS)
mineralization in the Red Lake greenstone belt; in Summary of Field Work and
Other Activities 1999, Ontario Geological Survey, Open File Report 6000, p.19-1 to
22-26.
Parker, J.R. 2000. Gold mineralization and wall rock alteration in the Red Lake
greenstone belt: a regional perspective; in Summary of Field Work and Other
Activities 2000, Ontario Geological Survey, Open File Report 6032, p.22-1 to 22-27.

137

�Parker, J.R. 2001. Intermediate to Felsic Plutons in the Red Lake Greenstone Belt:
Relationship to Deformation and Gold Mineralization; in Summary of Field Work
and Other Activities 2001, Ontario Geological Survey, Open File Report 6070, p. 191 to 19-10.
Penczak, R.S., and Mason, R. 1999. Characteristics and origin of Archean
premetamorphic hydrothermal alteration at the Campbell Gold Mine, Northwestern
Ontario, Canada, Economic Geology, v. 94. pp. 507-528.
Penczak, R.S., and Mason, R. 1997. Metamorphosed Archean epithermal Au-As-Sb-Zn(Hg) vein mineralization at the Campbell Mine, Northwestern Ontario, Economic
Geology, v.92, pp 696-719.
Percival, J.A., Bailes, A.H., Corkery, M.T., Dubé, B., Harris, J.R., McNicoll, V.,
Panagapko, D., Parker, J.R., Rogers, N., Sanborn-Barrie, M., Skulski, T., Stone, D.,
Stott, G.M., Thurston, P.C., Tomlinson, K.Y., Whalen, J.B., and Young, M.D. 2000.
An integrated view of Western Superior crustal evolution: highlights of 2000
NATMAP studies, in Summary of Field Work and Other Activities 2000, Ontario
Geological Survey, Open File Report 6032, p.13-1 to p.13-17.
Pettigrew, N., 1999. Structural and alteration history of the Buffalo Gold Deposit, Red
Lake, Ontario; B.Sc. Thesis, University of New Brunswick, 154p.
Pirie, J. and Downes, M.J., eds., 1986. Gold '86 Excursion Guidebook.
Sanborn-Barrie, M., Skulski, T., and Parker, J. 2001. Three hundred million years of
tectonic history recorded by the Red Lake greenstone belt, Ontario, in Current
Research 2001-C19, Geological Survey of Canada, 32p.
Sanborn-Barrie, M., Skulski, T., Parker, J. and Dubé, B., 2000. Integrated regional
analysis of the Red Lake greenstone belt and its mineral deposits, western Superior
Province, Ontario, in Current Research 2000-C18, Geological Survey of Canada,
16p.
Skulski, T., Sanborn-Barrie, M. and Sanborn, N., 2001. New U-Pb geochronology in the
Red Lake greenstone belt, Western Superior NATMAP, unpublished poster.
Stone, D. and Hallé, J. 2000. Geology of the Blackbear, Yelling and Stull Lake areas,
Northern Superior Province, Ontario, in Summary of Field Work and Other
Activities 2000, Ontario Geological Survey, Open File Report 6032, p. 15-1 to 15-9.

138

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                    <text>49TH

ANNUAL

INSTITUTE ON LAKE SUPERIOR
GEOLOGY
IRON MOUNTAIN, MICHIGAN MAY 7 — 11, 2003

Proceedings
49- a- Volume
- ------PART
-PROGRAMS
PROGRAMS
AND ABSTRACTS
ABSTRACTS
PART
11—
AND

�INSTITUTE
INSTITUTE ON
ON LAKE
LAKESUPERIOR
SUPERIOR GEOLOGY
GEOLOGY
49TH

ANNUAL MEETING

MAY 7-11, 2003
IRON MOUNTAIN, MICHIGAN

HOSTED
HOSTEDBY:
BY:
LAUREL
G.
LAUREL
G.WOODRUFF
WOODRUFFAND
AND WILLIAM
WILLIAMF.
F.CANNON
CANNON

Co-Chairs
Co-Chairs
U.S.GEOLOGICAL
GEOLOGICAL
SURVEY
U.S.
SURVEY

With
With assistance
assistance from
from Michigan
MichiganTechnological
TechnologicalUniversity
University
and
and

John
JohnGartner,
Gartner,Coleman
ColemanEngineering
EngineeringCompany
Company

Volume
Volume 49
49

Part
Proceedings and Abstracts
Abstracts
Part 11 —
- Proceedings
Compiled
Compiledand
and edited
edited by
byLaurel
LaurelWoodruff,
Woodruff,U.S.
U.S. Geological
GeologicalSurvey
Surveyand
and
Theodore
Theodore Bornhorst,
Bornhorst, Michigan
Michigan Technological University
University
Cover
CoverPhoto:
Photo:Berkshire
BerkshireShaft,
Shaft,Menominee
MenomineeRange,
Range,Michigan.
Michigan.Photo
Photofrom
fromthe
theMichigan
Michigan
Technological
University
Mining
Engineering
Department
Collection.
Technological University Mining Engineering Department Collection.

�49TH

4gTHINSTITUTE
INSTITUTE ON LAKE
LAKE SUPERIOR
SUPERIOR GEOLOGY
GEOLOGY

VOLUME
VOLUME 49
49CONSISTS
CONSISTSOF:
OF:

PART
PART1:
1:PROGRAM
PROGRAMAND
ANDABSTRACTS
ABSTRACTS

PART2:
2: FIELD
FIELDTRIP
TRIPGUIDEBOOK
GUIDEBOOK
PART
OVERVIEW:
OVERVIEW: PALEOZOIC
PALEOZOICSTRATIGRAPHY
STRATIGRAPHYAND
ANDTECTONICS
TECTONICSALONG
ALONG
THE
THE NIAGRA
NIAGRA SUTURE
SUTURE ZONE, MICHIGAN
MICHIGANAND
AND WISCONSIN
WISCONSIN

TRIP
MAGMATIC
1:PEMBINE-WAUSAU
PEMBINE-WAUSAU
MAGMATICTERRANE
TERRANE
TRIP 1:

TRIP
2: MENOMINEE
MENOMINEEIRON
IRONDISTRICT
DISTRICT
TRIP 2:
TRIP
3:STRATRIGRAPHY
STRATRIGRAPHYAND
ANDSTRUCTURE
STRUCTUREOF
OFTHE
THEIRON
IRONRIVER
RIVER—TRIP3:
CRYSTAL
CRYSTALFALLS
FALLSBASIN
BASIN

TRIP
- THE
THE REPUBLIC
REPUBLICMINE
MINE
TRIP4:
4: LIFE
LIFECYCLE
CYCLEOF
OFAN
ANIRON
IRONDEPOST
DEPORT—
FROM
FROM ORE
ORE GENESIS
GENESIS TO
TO MINE
MINERESTORATION
RESTORATION

Reference to
to material in Part 1
1 should
should follow the
t h e example below:
Rogala,
Rogala, B.,
B., Fralick,
Fralick,P.,
P., and
and Borradaile,
Borradaile,G.,
G., 2003,
2003, AA magnetostratigraphic
magnetostratigraphicand
andsecular
secularvariation
vari$ion
4gth
study
study of
of the
the Sibley
Sibley Group
Group [abstract];
[abstract];Institute
Instituteon
onLake
LakeSuperior
SuperiorGeology
GeologyProceedings,
Proceedings, 49
Annual
Ml, v.
v.49,
Annual Meeting,
Meeting, Iron
Iron Mountain, MI,
49, part
part 1,
1,p.65-66.
p. 65-66.

and
distributed by
Publishedby
bythe
the 49th
4gth Institute
Instituteon
on Lake
Lake Superior Geology
Geology a
n d distributed
bythe
the
Published
ILSG Secretary-Treasurer:
ILSG
MarkJirsa
Jirsa(through
(through2003)
2003)
Mark
Minnesota
Minnesota Geological
GeologicalSurvey
Survey
2642 University
UniversityAvenue
Avenue
2642
Paul, MN
MN55114-1
55114-1057
St. Paul,
057

In
In 2004
2004 contact:
contact:

USA
USA
JirsaOOl @tc.urnn.edu
@tc.umn.edu
JirsaOOl

Peter
Peter Hollings
Hollings
Lakehead
Lakehead University
University
Department of
of Geology
Geology
Department
Thunder
Thunder Bay,
Bay, ON
ON P7B
P7B5E1
5E1
CANADA
CANADA
peter.hollinas@lakeheadu.ca
Deter.hollinps@lakeheadu.ca

ILSG website: http://www.ilscieolopy.orp
htt~://www.ilsaeoloav.org
ILSG

ISSN 1042-9964

�CONTENTS
CONTENTS
PROCEEDINGS
PROCEEDINGS VOLUME
VOLUME 49
49
PART
PART1—PROGRAM
1-PROGRAM AND
AND ABSTRACTS
ABSTRACTS
Institutes
Instituteson
on Lake
LakeSuperior
SuperiorGeology,
Geology,1955-2003
1955-2003............................................................ iviv
Constitution
Constitutionof
of the
the Institute
Instituteon
onLake
LakeSuperior
Superior Geology
Geology ................................................... vivi

vii
By-Laws of
of the
the Institute
Instituteon
onLake
LakeSuperior
Superior Geology
Geology ....................................................... vii
By-Laws

...

MembershipCriteria
Criteria ......................................................................................................
Membership

viH
VIII

GoldichMedal
MedalGuidelines
Guidelines...............................................................................................
Goldich

ix
ix

Goldich
GoldichMedal
MedalCommittee
Committee ............................................................................................... xx

Past Goldich
GoldichMedallists
Medallists ..................................................................................................xi
Past

xi

Citation
Citation for
for 2003
2003Goldich
GoldichMedal
MedalRecipient
Recipient..................................................................... xD
xii
Eisenbrey
EisenbreyStudent
StudentTravel
TravelAwards
Awards.................................................................................

xiv
xiv

xiiv
Student Travel
Travel Award
Award Application
ApplicationForm
Form ....................................................................... xHv
Student
Student
Student Paper
PaperAwards
Awards...................................................................................................

xv
xv

Student Paper
Paper Awards
Awards Committee
Committee ................................................................................ xv
xv
Student
SessionChairs
Chairs ..............................................................................................................
Session

xv
xv

Board of
of Directors
Directors ........................................................................................................
Board

xvi
xvi

Local Committees
Committees.........................................................................................................
Local

xvi
xvi

BanquetSpeaker
Speaker..........................................................................................................
Banquet

xvi
xvi

xvii
Report of the
the Chair
Chair of
of the
the 48th
48thAnnual
AnnualMeeting
Meeting............................................................ xvii
Report
Program .......................................................................................................................
Program

)O(i

List of
of Contributors
Contributors .......................................................................................................
List

X)(iI
xxii

Abstracts ...................................................................................................................
Abstracts

iii

III

xxi

...

)O(VItI
xxvm

�INSTITUTES
LAKE SUPERIOR
INSTITUTESON LAKE
SUPERIOR GEOLOGY
GEOLOGY

#

YEAR
YEAR

CHAIRS
CHAIRS

PLACE
PLACE

1

1955

Minneapolis,
Minneapolis,Minnesota
Minnesota

C.E.
Dutton
C.E. Dufton

2

1956

Houghton,
Houghton,Michigan
Michigan

A.K.
A.K. Snelgrove
Snelgrove

3

1957

East
EastLansing,
Lansing,Michigan
Michigan

B.T.
B.T. Sandefur
Sandefur

4

1958

Duluth,
Duluth,Minnesota
Minnesota

R.W.
Marsden
R.W.Marsden

5

1959

Minneapolis,
Minneapolis,Minnesota
Minnesota

G.M.
G.M. Schwartz
Schwartz &amp;&amp; C.
C. Craddock
Craddock

6

1960

Madison,
Madison,Wisconsin
Wisconsin

Eli.
E.N.Cameron
Cameron

7

1961

Port
Port Arthur,
Arthur, Ontario
Ontario

E.G.
E.G. Pye
Pye

8

1962

Houghton,
Houghton,Michigan
Michigan

A.K.
A.K. Snelgrove
Snelgrove

9

1963

Duluth,
Duluth, Minnesota
Minnesota

H.
H.Lepp
Lepp

10

1964

lshpeming,
Ishpeming,Michigan
Michigan

A.T.
A.T. Broderick
Broderick

11

1965

St.
St. Paul,
Paul,Minnesota
Minnesota

P.K.
P.K. Sims
Sims &amp;&amp; R.K.
R.K. Hogberg
Hogberg

12

1966

Sault
SaultSte.
Ste.Marie,
Marie,Michigan
Michigan

R.W.
R.W. White
White

13

1967

East
EastLansing,
Lansing,Michigan
Michigan

W.J.
W.J.Hinze
Hinze

14

1968

Superior,
Superior,Wisconsin
Wisconsin

A.B.
A.B. Dickas
Dickas

15

1969

Oshkosh,
Oshkosh,Wisconsin
Wisconsin

G.L.
G.L. LaBerge
LaBerge

16

1970

Thunder
ThunderBay,
Bay,Ontario
Ontario

M.W.
E.Mercy
Mercy
M.W. Bartley&amp;
Bartley &amp;E.

17

1971

Duluth,
Duluth,Minnesota
Minnesota

D.M.
D.M. Davidson
Davidson

18

1972

Houghton,
Houghton,Michigan
Michigan

J.
J. Kalliokoski
Kalliokoski

19

1973

Madison,
Madison,Wisconsin
Wisconsin

M.E.
M.E. Ostrom
Ostrom

20

1974

Sault
SaultSte.
Ste.Marie,
Marie,Ontario
Ontario

P.E.
P.E.Giblin
Giblin

21

1975

Marquette,
Marquette,Michigan
Michigan

J.D.
J.D. Hughes
Hughes

22

1976

St.
St.Paul,
Paul,Minnesota
Minnesota

M.
M.Walton
Walton

23

1977

Thunder
ThunderBay,
Bay,Ontario
Ontario

M.M.
M.M.Kehlenbeck
Kehlenbeck

24

1978

Milwaukee,
Milwaukee,Wisconsin
Wisconsin

G.
G.Mursky
Mursky

25

1979

Duluth,
Duluth,Minnesota
Minnesota

D.M.
D.M.Davidson
Davidson

26

1980

Eau
EauClaire,
Claire,Wisconsin
Wisconsin

P.E.
P.E.Myers
Myers

27

1981

East
EastLansing,
Lansing,Michigan
Michigan

W.C.
W.C.Cambray
Cambray

28

1982

International
InternationalFalls,
Falls,Minnesota
Minnesota

D.L.
D.L.Southwick
Southwick

29

1983

Houghton,
Houghton,Michigan
Michigan

T.J.
T.J.Bornhorst
Bornhorst
iv

�30

1984

Wausau, Wisconsin
Wisconsin

G.L. LaBerge
G.L.
LaBerge

31

1 985

Kenora, Ontario
Ontario

C.E.
C.E. Blackburn
Blackburn

32

1986

Wisconsin Rapids,
Wisconsin
Rapids, Wisconsin
Wisconsin

J.K. Greenberg
Greenberg

33

1987 Wawa,
Wawa,Ontario
Ontario

34

1988

Marquette, Michigan
Michigan

J. S. Klasner
Klasner

35

1989

Duluth, Minnesota
Minnesota

J.C.
J.C. Green
Green

36

1990

Thunder Bay,
Bay, Ontario
Ontario

M.M. Kehlenbeck
M.M.

37

1991

Eau Claire, Wisconsin

P.E. Myers
Myers

38

1992

Wisconsin
Hurley, Wisconsin

A.B.
A.B. Dickas
Dickas

39

1993

Eveleth, Minnesota
Minnesota

D.L. Southwick

40

1994

Houghton, Michigan
Michigan

T.J. Bornhorst
Bornhorst

41

1995

Marathon, Ontario
Ontario

M.C. Smyk
M.C.
Smyk

42

1996

Cable, Wisconsin
Wisconsin

L.G. Woodruff

43

1997

Sudbury, Ontario
Ontario

Meyer
R.P. Sage &amp; W. Meyer

44

1998

Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minnesota

J.D. Miller &amp; M.A.
J.D.
M.A. Jirsa
Jirsa

45

1999

Marquette, Michigan
Michigan

Regis
T.J. Bornhorst
Bornhorst &amp; R.S. Regis

46

2000

Thunder Bay, Ontario
Ontario

S.A. Kissin &amp; P. Fralick
S.A.
Fralick

47

2001

Madison, Wisconsin
Wisconsin

M.G. Mudrey, Jr. &amp;
&amp; B.A.
B.A. Brown
Brown

48

2002

Kenora, Ontario
Ontario

P. Hinz
Beard
Hinz &amp; R.C. Beard

49

2003

Iron Mountain, Michigan
Michigan

L.G.
L.G. Woodruff &amp; W.F. Cannon
Cannon

E.D. Frey &amp; R.P. Sage
Sage
E.D.

V

�__________(some

CONSTITUTION OF THE INSTITUTE ON LAKE SUPERIOR GEOLOGY

(Lastamended
amendedby
bythe
theBoard—May
Board-May 8,8,1997)
(Last
1997)
ArticleII
Article

Name
The
The name
nameof
of the
the organization
organizationshall
shall be
bethe
the "Institute
"Instituteon
onLake
Lake
SuperiorGeology".
Geology".
Superior

ArticleIII1
Article

Obiectives
Obiectives
Theobjectives
objectivesof
of this
thisorganization
organizationare:
are:
The
A.
A. To
Toprovide
provideaameans
meanswhereby
wherebygeologists
geologistsininthe
theGreat
GreatLakes
Lakesregion
regionmay
may
exchangeideas
ideasand
andscientific
scientificdata.
data.
exchange
B.
B. To
Topromote
promotebetter
betterunderstanding
understandingofofthe
thegeology
geologyofofthe
theLake
LakeSuperior
Superiorregion.
region.
C.
field
C. To
Toplan
planand
andconduct
conductgeological
geological
fieldtrips.
trips.
.
Status
No
No part
part of
of the
the income
income of
of the
the organization
organizationshall
shallinsure
insureto
to the
the benefit
benefitof
ofany
any
member
memberor
or individual.
individual.In
Inthe
the event
eventof
of dissolution,
dissolution,the
theassets
assetsof
ofthe
theorganization
organization
(sometax
tax free
freeorganization).
organization).
shall
shallbe
bedistributed
distributedto
to

Article IllIll
Article

a

(To
(To avoid
avoid Federal
Federal and
and State
State income
incometaxes,
taxes, the
the organization
organizationshould
shouldbe
benot
notonly
only
"scientific"
"scientific"or
or "educational,
"educational, but
but also
also "non-profit")
"non-profit")

ArticleIV
IV
Article

Article VV
Article
ArticleVI
Vl
Article

Article VII
Vll
Article

ArticleVIII
Vlll
Article

Minn.
Minn. Stat.
Stat. Anno.
Anno. 290.01,
290.01, subd.
subd.44
Minn.
Minn. Stat.
Stat. Anno.
Anno. 290.05(9)
290.05(9)
1954
1954 Internal
InternalRevenue
RevenueCode
Codes.501
s.501(c)(3)
(c)(3)
Membership
Membership
The
The membership
membership of
of the
the organization
organizationshall
shall consist
consist of
of persons
persons who
who have
have
registered
registeredfor
for an
an annual
annualmeeting
meetingwithin
withinthe
thepast
pastthree
threeyears,
years, and
andthose
thosewho
who
indicate
a
member
according
to
guidelines
approved
by
the
indicate interest
interestin
in being
being
a
member
according
to
guidelines
approved
by
the
Board
Board of
of Directors.
Directors.
Meetinas
Meetings
The
The organization
organization shall meet once a year. The
Theplace
placeand
and exact
exact date
date of
of each
each
meeting
meeting will
will be
be designated
designated by
by the
the Board
Boardof
of Directors.
Directors.
Directors
Directors
The
The Board
Boardof
of Directors
Directorsshall
shall consist
consist of
of the
the Chair,
Chair, Secretary-Treasurer,
Secretary-Treasurer,and
andthe
the
last
last three
three past
past Chairs;
Chairs; but if the
the board
board should
should at
at any
any time
time consist
consist of
of fewer
fewer than
than
five
five persons,
persons, by
by reason
reasonof
of unwillingness
unwillingnessor
or inability
inabilityof
of any
any of
of the
the above
above persons
persons
to
to serve
serve as
as directors,
directors, the
the vacancies
vacancieson
on the
the board
boardmay
may be
be filled
filled by
by the
the Chair
Chairso
so as
as
to
members hi^ of
of the
the board
boardto
to five
five members.
members.
to bring
brina the
the membership
0fficeA
Officers
The officers
officers of this organization
organization shall
shall be
be aa Chair
Chair and
and Secretary-Treasurer.
Secretary-Treasurer.
A. The
TheChair
Chairshall
shallbe
beelected
electedeach
each year
year by
by the
the Board
Board of
of Directors,
Directors, who
who shall
shall
give
give due consideration
consideration to the wishes of any group
group that may
may be
be promoting
promoting the
the
next
next annual meeting. His/her
Hislherterm
term of
of office
officeas
asChair
Chairwill
will terminate
terminate at
at the
the close
close of
of
the
the annual
annual meeting
meeting over which
which he/she
helshe presides,
presides, or when his/her
hislher successor
successor shall
shall
have been appointed. He/she
Helshe will
will then serve
serve for aa period
period of three years as a
member
member of the Board
Board of Directors.
Directors.
B. The
meeting. His/her
TheSecretary-Treasurer
Secretary-Treasurershall be
be elected at the annual meeting.
Hislher
term
of
office
shall
be
four
years,
or
until
his/her
successor
shall
have
term of office shall be four years, or until hislher successor shall havebeen
been
appointed.
appointed.
~mendments
Amendments
This
This constitution
constitution may
may be
be amended
amended by
by aa majority
majorityvote
vote (majority
(majorityof
of those
thosevoting)
voting) of
of
the
the membership
membership of
of the
the organization.
organization.

vi

�BY-LAWS OF
BY-LAWS
OFTHE
THE INSTITUTE
INSTITUTE ON LAKE
LAKE SUPERIOR
SUPERIOR GEOLOGY
GEOLOGY
I. Duties of the Officers and Directors
I.
Directors

A. It shall be the duty of the Annual
Annual Chairman
Chairman to:
to:
I1.. Preside
Presideat
at the
the annual
annualmeeting.
meeting.
2. Appoint
Appointall
allcommittees
committeesneeded
neededfor
for the
theorganization
organizationof
of the
theannual
annualmeeting.
meeting.
3. Assume
Assume complete
completeresponsibility
responsibility for
for the
the organization
organization and
and financing
financing of
of the
the
meeting over which
annual meeting
which he/she
hershe presides.
presides.
B. It shall be the duty of the Secretary-Treasurer
B.
Secretary-Treasurer to:
1. Keep
I.
Keepaccurate
accurateattendance
attendance records
recordsof
of all
all annual
annual meetings.
meetings.
2. Keep
Keepaccurate
accurate records
recordsof
of all
all meetings
meetings of,
of, and
and correspondence
correspondence between, the
Board of Directors.
Directors.
3. Hold
all
funds
Hold all funds that
that may
may accrue
accrue as
as profits
profits from
from annual
annual meetings
meetings or field trips
for the organization and operation of
of
and to make these funds available for
future
future meetings
meetings as
as required.
required.

of the
the Board of Directors to plan locations of annual
C. It shall be the duty of
C.
organization and
meetings and to advise on the organization
and financing
financing of
of all
all meetings.
meetings.

II. Duties
11.
Dutiesand
and Expenses
Expenses
$5.00 or
or less
less on
on an
an annual basis shall be
A. Regular
Regularmembership
membershipdues
dues of
of $5.00
assessed each member as determined by the Board of Directors..

B. Registration
Registrationfees
fees for
for the
the annual
annual meetings
meetings shall
shall be
be determined
determined by
by the Chair in
the Board
Board of
of Directors.
Directors. The
consultation with the
The registration
registration fees
fees can
can include
include
expenses to cover operations outside of the annual meeting as determined
determined by
recommended that registration
the Board
Board of Directors.
Directors. It is strongly recommended
registration fees be
be
attendance of students.
kept at a minimum to encourage attendance

Ill. Rules
Ill.
Rules of
of Order
Order
The rules contained in Robert's Rules of Order shall govern this organization
organization in
in all
cases
cases to which
which they
they are
are applicable.
applicable.

IV.
IV. Amendments
Amendments
These by-laws
by-laws may be amended by a majority
majority vote (majority
(majority of those
those voting)
voting) of
of the
the
membership of the organization; provided that such modifications
modifications shall
shall not conflict
conflict
with the constitution
constitution as presently
presently adopted
adopted or subsequently
subsequently amended.
amended.

-

Last
996
May, 11996
Last Amended
Amended— May,

vii
vii

�MEMBERSHIP
MEMBERSHIPCRITERIA
CRITERIA FOR
FOR THE
THE
INSTITUTE
ON LAKE
LAKE SUPERIOR
INSTITUTE
SUPERIOR GEOLOGY
GEOLOGY

Approved May 8,
1997
8,1997

A. Membership
Membershipin
inthe
theInstitute
lnstituteon
onLake
LakeSuperior
Superior Geology
Geology requires
requires either
either participation
participationin
in
Institute activities,
activities, or an indication on aa regular basis of
of interest
interest in
in the
the lnstitute,
Institute. Those
Those
individuals registering for an annual
annual meeting
meeting will remain
remain as members
members for
for 44 years
years unless:
unless:
1) they indicate no further interest
interest in
in the Institute
Institute by
by responding
respondingnegatively
negatively to
to the
the
statement on meeting
meeting circulars
circulars "Remove
"Remove my
my name
name from
from the
the mailing
mailinglist";
list";or
or 2)
2)two
two
different years are
successive mailings in different
are returned
returned by
by the
the postal
postal service
service as
as address
address
unknown.
unknown.

B. Those individuals
individuals who have
have not
not registered
registered for an
an annual
annual meeting
meeting in
in the
thepast
past44years
years
must indicate
indicate an interest
interest in the Institute
by
postal,
electronic,
or
verbal
correspondence
lnstitute by
or verbal correspondence
with the Secretary-Treasurer
Secretary-Treasurer at least once every two
two years.
years. Such
Suchindividuals
individualswill
will be
be
removed from the membership
membership if they indicate
indicate no
no further
further interest
interestin
in the
the Institute
lnstituteor
ortwo
two
different years are
successive mailing in different
are returned
returned by
by the postal
postal service
service as
as address
address
unknown,
unknown.

C. The
The Secretary-Treasurer
Secretary-Treasurer will maintain a list of current members. The
The list
listwill
will include
include
the date of the beginning
beginning of continuous
continuous membership,
membership, dates of returned
returned mail, dates
dates of last
contact (expression of interest), and the date membership expires, barring a change of
status initiated by
by the
the member.
member. Those
Those individuals
individuals who have
have become
become members
membersof
of ILSG
ILSG by
by
Section B will
will have
have an
an expiration
expiration date
date listed
listed at
at 22 years
years from
from the
the upcoming
upcoming meeting. For
For
example, a member who expresses interest
interest in
in September of 1997
1997 (the
(the next
nextannual
annual
2000, unless
meeting is May, 1998) will have an expiration date of May, 2000,
unless the
the member
member
contacts
contacts the Secretary-Treasurer
Secretary-Treasureror
or attends
attends an
an annual
annual meeting.
meeting.
0. "Member
D.
"Memberfor
forLife"
Life"status
statusisisgranted
grantedto
to individuals
individualswho
who have
have been
been (nearly)
(nearly) continuous
participants of the ILSG meetings
meetings for 15 years, Goldich Medal recipients, or those who
have sewed
served as
as meeting
meeting chairs.
chairs. This
maintained unless the
This status will be further maintained
individuals indicate no further
further interest in the
the lnstitute,
Institute, or 4 mailings in different years are
returned by the postal service as address unknown, or they are
are deceased.
deceased.
E. All
All members
memberswill
will be
be mailed
mailedthe
the First
FirstCircular
Circularfor
for the
the Annual
Annual Meeting
Meetingand
andthe
theILSO
ILSG
Newsletter. The Chair of the annual meeting may opt to
to send the
the first
first circular to
Newsletter.
additional individuals. All
All returned
returnedmail
mail should
shouldbe
be reported
reported to
to the
the Secretary-Treasurer.
Secretary-Treasurer.
F. The
TheSecretary-Treasurer
Secretary-Treasurercan
candesignate
designateany
any individual
individualwho
who is
is on
on the
the ILSG
ILSGmembership
membership
list (mailing list) as of January 1, 1997 as a member for life based on participation
participation in
in ILSG
ILSG
activities.
activities.

corrections to the SecretaryG. Members
Membersare
are strongly
strongly encouraged
encouraged to send address corrections
Secretay
Treasurer to avoid unintentional
unintentional lapse
lapse of membership.
membership.

viii
viii

�GOLDICH
GOLDICHMEDAL
MEDALGUIDELINES
GUIDELINES
(Adopted by the
the Board
Board of Directors,
(Adopted
Directors, 1981;
1981; amended
amended1999)
1999)

Preamble
Preamble
documented by the fact that the 27th
The Institute
lnstitute on Lake
Lake Superior
Superior Geology
Geology was born in 1955, as documented
meeting was held in 1981. The
annual meetino
TheInstitute's
Institute'scontinuing
continuina objectives
obiectivesare
are to
to deal
dealwith
with those
those
aspects of geiogy
geology that are related geographically to
to Lake
Lake .&amp;p&amp;ior;
Superior; to
to encourage
encourage the
the discussion
discussion of
of
ispects
subjects and
geologists from
and sponsoring
sponsoring field trips that will bring
bring together geologists
from academia,
academia, government
government
surveys, and industry;
maintain an informal
industty; and to maintain
informal but highly effective mode of operation.
the course of its existence, the membership
membership of the Institute
During the
lnstitute (that
(that is, those geologists who
indicate an interest in the
the objectives of the ILSG
ILSO by attending)
attending) has
has become aware of the fact
fact that
certain of their colleagues
meritorious contributions to the
colleagues have
have made
made particularly
parlicularly noteworthy and meritorious
understanding of Lake
understanding
Lake Superior
Superior geology
geology and
and mineral
mineraldeposits.
deposits.
The first award
award was made
made by
by ILSO
ILSG to Sam Goldich
Goldich in
in 1979
1979 for his
his many
many contributions
contributions to
to the
the geology
of the region
region extending over about 50 years. Subsequent
Subsequentmedallists
medallistsand
andthis
thisyear's
year'srecipient
recipientare
are
table below.
listed in the table
below.

Award Guidelines
1) The
Themedal
medalshall
shallbe
beawarded
awardedannually
annuallyby
bythe
the ILSG
ILSGBoard
Boardof
of Directors
Directorsto
toaageologist
geologistwhose
whosename
name
is associated with a substantial interest in, and contribution
contribution to,
to, the
the geology
geologyof
of the
the Lake
LakeSuperior
Superior
region.
region.
2) The
TheBoard
Boardof
of Directors
Directorsshall
shall appoint
appoint the
the Goldich
Goldich Medal
Medal Committee. The
Theinitial
initialappointment
appointmentwill
will
of three
three members, one
one to
to serve
serve for
for three
three years,
years, one
onefor
fortwo
twoyears,
years,and
andone
onefor
forone
oneyear.
year. The
The
be of
member with the
the briefest incumbency
incumbency shall
shall be
be chair
chair of
ofthe
the Nominating
Nominating Committee.
Committee. After the first
the Board of
of Directors shall appoint at each spring meeting
meeting one new member
year, the
member who will serve
for three years. In
the chair.
chair. The Committee
In his/her
hisher third year this member shall be the
Committee membership
the main
main fields
fields of
of interest
interest and
and geographic
geographic distribution
distributionof
of ILSG
ILSG membership.
membership. The outshould reflect the
going, senior
senior member of the Board of Directors
going,
Directors shall act as liaison
liaison between
between the
the Board
Board and
and the
Committee for aa period
Committee
period of
of one
one year.
year.
3) By
Bythe
the end
end of
of November,
November, the Goldich
Goldich Medal
Medal Committee
Committee shall make
make its
its recommendation
recommendation to the
of the Board of
of Directors, who will then inform the Board of the nominee.
Chair of

4) The
The Board
Boardof
of Directors
Directors normally
normallywill
will accept the nominee
nominee of the Committee,
Committee, inform
inform the medallist,
and have one medal
engraved appropriately
appropriately for presentation
medal engraved
presentation at the next
next meeting
meetingof
of the
the Institute.
lnstitute.

5)
recommended that the Institute
lnstitute set
set aside
aside annually
annually from
from whatever
whatever sources,
sources, such
such funds
funds as
as will
will
5) It is recommended
support the continuing
continuing costs
be required to supporl
costs of
of this
this award.
award.

Nominating Procedures
Nominatina
Procedures
shall take
1) The
The deadline
deadline for nominations is November 1. The
The Goldich
Goldich Medal
Medal Committee shail
at any
anytime.
nominations at
time. Committee
Committeemembers
membersmay
maythemselves
themselves nominate
nominate candidates; however,
for or supporl
support individual
Board members may not solicit for
individual nominees.
nominees.
2) Nominations
Nominationsmust
mustbe
bein
inwriting
writingand
andsupported
supportedby
by appropriate
appropriatedocumentation
documentationsuch
such as
as letters
letters of
recommendation,
publications, curriculum
curriculum vita's, and
recommendation. lists of ~ublications.
and evidence
evidenceof
of contributions
contributionsto
to Lake
Lake
Superior geologiand
geology and to the Institute.
superior
lnstitute.

3) Nominations
Nominationsare
are not
not restricted
restricted to Institute
lnstitute attendees, but
but are
are open
open to anyone who has worked on
contributed to
to the
the understanding of Lake Superior geology.
and contributed

ix

�Selection Guidelines
Guidelines
Selection
1) Nominees
Nomineesare
aretotobe
beevaluated
evaluatedon
onthe
thebasis
basisofoftheir
theircontributions
contributionsto
toLake
LakeSuperior
Superiorgeology
geology
1)
(sensulato)
lato)including:
including:
(sensu
a) importance
importanceofofrelevant
relevantpublications;
publications;
a)
b)promotion
promotionofofdiscovery
discoveryand
andutilization
utilizationofofnatural
naturalresources;
resources;
b)
c)
c) contributions
contributionstotounderstanding
understandingofofthe
thenatural
naturalhistory
historyand
andenvironment
environmentof
ofthe
theregion;
region;
d') generation
generat'onofofnew
newideas
ideasand
andconcepts;
concepts;and
and
d)
e)
and
e) contributions
contributionstotothe
thetraining
tra~ning
andeducation
educationof
ofgeoscientists
geoscientistsand
andthe
thepublic.
public,
2)
2) Nominees
Nomineesare
aretotobe
beevaluated
evaluatedon
ontheir
theircontributions
contributionsto
tothe
theInstitute
lnstituteas
asdemonstrated
demonstratedby
by
attendance
attendanceat
at Institute
lnstitutemeetings,
meetings,presentation
presentationof
oftalks
talksand
andposters,
posters,and
andservice
sewiceon
onInstitute
lnstituteboards,
boards,
committees,
committees,and
andfield
fieldtrips.
trips.
3)
3) The
Therelative
relativeweights
weightsgiven
giventotoeach
eachofofthe
theforegoing
foregoingcriteria
criteriamust
mustremain
remainflexible
flexibleand
andatatthe
the
discretionof
of the
the Committee
Committeemembers.
members.
discretion

4) There
Thereare
areseveral
severalpoints
pointstotobe
beconsidered
consideredby
bythe
theGoldich
GoldichMedal
MedalCommittee:
Committee:
4)
a)
a)' An
Anattempt
attemptshould
shouldbe
bemade
madetotomaintain
maintainaabalance
balanceofofmedal
medalrecipients
recipientsfrom
fromeach
eachofofthe
the
three
threeestates—industry,
eslales-inoustry, academia,
academia,and
andgovernment.
government.
b) ItIt must
mustbe
benoted
notedthat
that industry
industrygeoscientists
geoscientislsare
are at
ataadisadvantage
disadvantageininthat
thatmuch
muchofoftheir
the.r
b)
work
work ininnot
notpublished.
published.
5)
5) Lake
LakeSuperior
Superiorhas
hastwo
twosides,
sides,one
onethe
the U.S.,
U.S.,and
and the
the other
other Canada.
Canada. This
Thisisisundoubtedly
undoubtedlyone
oneof
of
the
the Institute's
Institute'sgreat
greatstrengths
strengthsand
andshould
shouldbe
benurtured
nurturedby
byequitable
equitablerecognition
recognitionofofexcellence
excellenceininboth
both
countries.
countries.

GOLDICH
GOLDICH MEDAL
MEDALCOMMITTEE
COMMITTEE

Serving
Sewing through
through the
the meeting
meeting year
year shown
shown in
inparentheses
parentheses
Frank
Frank Luther
Luther(2003)
(2003)
University
University of Wisconsin, Whitewater
Ron Sage
Sage(2004)
(2004)
Ron
Ontario
Ontario Geological
Geological Survey
Survey (retired)
(retired)
David
DavidMeineke
Meineke(2005)
(2005)
Meriden
Meriden Engineering,
Engineering, Hibbing,
Hibbing, Minnesota
Minnesota

Steve
Kissin,as
asout-going
out-goingsenior
seniormember
memberof
ofInstitute
lnstituteBoard
Boardof
ofDirectors,
Directors,isisliaison
liaison
Steve Kissin,
between
Goldich
Medal
Committee
and
the
Board
through
the
2004
meeting
between
meeting

x

�2003
2003GOLDICH
GOLDICHMEDAL
MEDALRECIPIENT
RECIPIENT

Klaus
Klaus J. Schulz
Schuiz
U.S. Geological
Geological Survey
Survey
Reston,
Virginia
Reston, Virginia

GOLDICH
GOLDICHMEDALISTS
MEDALISTS

1979
1979 Samuel
SamuelS.
S. Goldich
Goldich

1991 William
WilliamHinze
Hinze
1991

1980
1980 not
notawarded
awarded

1992 William
WilliamF.F.Cannon
Cannon

1981
1981 Carl
Carl E.
E. Dutton,
Dutton, Jr.
Jr.

1993 Donald
DonaldW.
W. Davis
Davis

1982
1982 Ralph
RalphW.
W.Marsden
Marsden

1994 Cedric
CedricIverson
Iverson

1983
I983 Burton
BurtonBoyum
Boyurn

1995 Gene
GeneLaBerge
LaBerge

1984
1984 Richard
RichardW.
W.Ojakangas
Ojakangas

1996
I996 David
DavidL.L.Southwick
Southwick

1985
1985 Paul
PaulK.
K.Sims
Sims

1997
1997 Ronald
RonaldP.
P.Sage
Sage

1986
1986 G.B.
G.B.Morey
Morey

1998 Zell
ZellPeterman
Peterman
1998

1987
I987 Henry
HenryH.
H.HaIls
Halls

1999
1999 Tsu-Ming
Tsu-MingHan
Han

1988
1988 Walter
WalterS.
S.White
White

2000
2000 John
JohnC.
C.Green
Green

1989
1989 Jorma
JormaKalliokoski
Kalliokoski

2001
2001 John
John S.
S. Klasner
Klasner

1990
1990 Kenneth
KennethC.
C.Card
Card

2002
2002 Ernest
Ernest K.
K. Lehmann
Lehmann

xi

�CITATION

KlausJ.
J. Schulz
Schulz
Klaus
2003 Goldich
Goldich Medal
Medal Recipient
Recipient
2003
Klaus
Klaus Schulz
Schulz has
has had
had aa long
long and
and productive
productivecareer
career spanning
spanning more
morethan
than30
30years
years
as
asaa geologist
geologistininthe
theLake
LakeSuperior
Superiorregion.
region.He
Hewas
wasintroduced
introducedto
tothe
thegeology
geologythrough
throughhis
his

educationin
inthe
thearea,
area,he
hecompleted
completedgraduate
graduatestudies
studiesininthe
theregion,
region,performed
performedseveral
several
education
summers
summers of
of field
field work
work for
for mining
miningcompanies
companies in
in aa number
number of different
different areas,
areas, and
and has
has
conducted
conductedextensive
extensiveresearch
researchas
as aa scientist
scientistwith
withthe
theU.S.
US. Geological
GeologicalSurvey.
Survey.This
This
extensive
extensiveand
anddiverse
diverse experience
experiencehas
hasmade
madehim
himaa real
realauthority
authorityon
onthe
thegeology
geologyof
ofthe
the

Lake Superior
Superiorregion.
region.
Lake
Klaus
Klaus received
receivedhis
his B.S.
B.S. degree
degree in
in geology
geology from
from the
the University
Universityof
of WisconsinWisconsinOshkosh
Oshkoshinin1971.
1971.He
Hecompleted
completedhis
hisMasters
Mastersdegree
degreeatatthe
theUniversity
UniversityofofMinnesotaMinnesotaDuluth
Duluthin
in 1974,
1974,with
with aa thesis
thesis project
project in
in the
the Vermilion
Vermilion district
districtof
of northern
northernMinnesota.
Minnesota.He
He
received
receivedhis
his Ph.D.
Ph.D. from
from the
the University
Universityof
of Minnesota
Minnesotain
in1977
1977with
withaadissertation
dissertationon
onthe
the

petrology
petrology of volcanic rocks
rocks in the Vermilion district. Klaus spent the next two years as a
National
NationalResearch
Research Council
Council Research
ResearchAssociate
Associate with
with NASA
NASA at
at the
the Johnson
JohnsonSpace
SpaceCenter
Center

in
in Houston,
Houston, where he
he studied Archean basaltic and ultramafic magma types as analogs
analogs of
early
early planetary
planetary crust. In
In 1982,
1982, after three years as a faculty member
member at Washington
Washington
University
University in
in St.
St. Louis,
Louis, Klaus
Klaus resigned
resigned his
his teaching
teachingposition
positionand
andjoined
joinedthe
theU.S.
U.S.Geological
Geological

Survey
Survey in
in Reston,
Reston, VA, fulfilling a long-standing
long-standing dream
dream of his.
his. During
During the next
next twenty
twenty years
with
with the
the USGS
USGSKlaus
Klaus was
was aa research
research scientist
scientist and
and administrator
administrator with
with a strong
strong interest
interestin
in
the
the geology
geologyof
of the
theLake
LakeSuperior
Superiorregion.
region.

The
The traits
traits that
that have
have made
made Klaus
Klaus a success
success were evident early
early in his
his career. In
In his
his
undergraduate
undergraduate days
days at Oshkosh,
Oshkosh, Klaus
Klaus distinguished
distinguished himself as
as an
an avid
avid reader
reader of the
the
geological
geological literature.
literature. As a junior in 1970,
1970, he wrote an outstanding
outstanding research
research paper
paper
discussing
greenstone belts and modern
modern island
island arcs. He
He
discussing the similarities
similarities between Archean greenstone
worked
worked several summers doing fieldwork for Bear Creek Mining
Mining Company
Company in
in central
central
Wisconsin
Wisconsin and
and northern
northern Michigan,
Michigan, and for U.S. Steel
Steel Corp.
Corp. in
in the
the Vermilion
Vermilion district
district of
of
northern
northern Minnesota.
Minnesota. This combination of field work and
and a thorough
thorough knowledge
knowledge of
of the
the
literature
literature has
has continued
continued to be a hallmark
hallmark of his
his professional
professional career,
career, and
and has
has led
led to
to aa
number
number of
of significant
significant contributions
contributions to the geology
geology of
of the
the Lake
LakeSuperior
Superior region.
region.
In
William Spence
In the summer of 1971, Klaus and William
Spence discovered
discovered the Lake
Lake Ellen
Ellen
kimberlite
working as exploration geologists in the
kimberlite near Crystal Falls, Michigan, while working
area.
area. Klaus
Klaus was very much involved
involved in the recognition
recognition of the rock
rock as
as aa kimberlite.
kimberlite. This
This

the first
first kimberlite
kimberlitediscovered
discovered in
in the
the Lake
LakeSuperior
Superiorregion.
region.
was the
xii
xv

�His Masters thesis involved considerable mapping in the Ely greenstone
greenstonebelt
belt in
in
Minnesota, and
and geochemical
geochemical studies
studies for his
his Ph.D.
Ph.D. dissertation
dissertationshowed
showedthat
thatthe
theNewton
Newton

Lake
to komatiites.
komatfltes. This was the first
Lake Formation
Formation was a high-magnesium
high-magnesium basalt, similar to
documented occurrence
rocks in
in the
the Lake Superior region.
documented
occurrence of komatHtic
komatiitic rocks

1980's, his field mapping and
and geochemistry
geochemistry of
of rocks in the Pembine
Pembine
In the early 1980's,

area of the Wisconsin
Wisconsin magmatic
magmatic terranes demonstrated
demonstrated the presence
presence of ophiolitic
ophiolitic rocks.
rocks.
the Lake Superior region,
Again, this was the first documented ophiolite in the
region, and
and showed
that the Wisconsin magmatic
magmatic terranes were, at least in part, an oceanic
oceanic island
island arc.
arc. His
His

subsequent model
model for the evolution of the Marquette Range
Range Supergoup
Supergoup on
on the
the continental
continental
margin during
familiarity with the rocks
during the Penokean
Penokean orogeny is an extension of his familiarity
rocks in
in the
region
of the
the geologic literature
region combined
combined with his encyclopedic knowledge of
literature on the

evolution of continental
continental margins.
margins.
the GLIMPCE program,
program, which
which ultimately provided
provided
Klaus also contributed to the
significant insight
insight into the structure and origin of the Mid-continent
Mid-continent rift,
rift, and
and into
into its
its

magmatic origin
origin and metallogeny.
metallogeny.
He has authored and co-authored more than
than 120 publications, maps,
maps, abstracts
abstracts
and field guides, including
1992,
including field guides for the 1984,
1984, -1
992, and
and 2003
2003 Institute
Institutemeetings.
meetings.
Klaus' contributions have provided aa better
better understanding
understanding of the Archean, the
the
the Middle Proterozoic, and
and the
the Phanerozoic history of the Lake
Early Proterozoic, the
Lake
Superior region. And he continues to be an active contributor on a global
global stage,
stage, taking
takingthe
the
knowledge
knowledge and experience
experience that he has gained in the Lake
Lake Superior region
region and
and applying
applying itit

to international
international projects.
projects.
Therefore, itit is
Schulzas
as
is my
my distinct pleasure
pleasure and honor
honor to present
present Klaus
KlausJuergen
JuergenSchulz
the 2003 recipient
recipient of the Goldich Medal
Medal "For Outstanding
Outstanding Contributions
ContributionsTo
To The
The Lake
Lake
Superior
Superior Region".
Region".

Submitted by
Submitted
by Gene
Gene L.
L. LaBerge
LaBerge

xui
xiii

�__________________________________________
__________________________

EISENBREY STUDENT TRAVEL AWARDS

The
The 1986
1986Board
BoardofofDirectors
Directorsestablished
establishedthe
theILSO
ILSGStudent
StudentTravel
TravelAwards
Awardstotosupport
supportstudent
student
participation
of the
the Institute.
Institute. The
participation at the annual meeting of
The name
name Eisenbrey"
"Eisenbrey"was
was added
added to
to the
the
awardin
in1998
1998totohonor
honorEdward
EdwardH.H.Eisenbrey
award
Eisenbrey(1(1926-1985)
926-1 985) and
and utilize
utilize substantial
substantialcontributions
contributions
made
madeto
to the
the 1996
1996Institute
Institutemeeting
meetingin
in his
his name.
name. "Ned"
"Ned"Eisenbrey
Eisenbreyisiscredited
creditedwith
withdiscovery
discoveryofof
significant
massive sulfide
sulfide deposits
deposits in
in Wisconsin,
significant volcanogenic
volcanogenic massive
Wisconsin, but his
his scope
scope was
was much
much
broader—he
broader-he has
has been
been described
described as
as having
having unique
unique talents
talents as
as an
anore
orefinder,
finder,geologist,
geologist,and
and
These
awards
are
intended
help
defray
some
of
the
direct
travel
costs
ofof
teacher.
These
awards
intended
to
help
defray
some
of
the
direct
travel
costs
teacher.
attending
Institute
meetings,
and
include
a
waiver
of
registration
fees,
but
exclude
expenses
attending Institute meetings, and include a waiver of registration fees, but exclude expenses
for meals,
meals, lodging,
lodging, and
andfield
fieldtrip
tripregistration.
registration. The
The annual
annual Chair
Chair ininconsultation
consultation with
with the
the
for
Recipients
Secretary-Treasurer
determinesthe
the number
number of
of awards
be
Secretary-Treasurer determines
awards and
andvalue.
value. Recipients will be
announcedat
at the
the annual
annualbanquet.
banquet.
announced

The
The annual
annual Chair,
Chair, who
who isisresponsible
responsible for
for the
theselection,
selection, will
will consider
consider the
thefollowing
followinggeneral
general
criteria:
criteria:
1)
1) The
Theapplicants
applicantsmust
musthave
haveactive
activeresident
resident(undergraduate
(undergraduateor
or graduate)
graduate)student
studentstatus
statusat
at
the
the time
time of
of the
the annual
annual meeting
meeting of
of the
the Institute,
Institute, certified
certified by
by the department
departmenthead.
head.
2)
2) Students
Studentswho
whoare
arethe
thesenior
seniorauthor
authoron
oneither
eitheran
anoral
oralor
orposter
posterpaper
paperwill
willbe
begiven
givenfavored
favored
consideration.
consideration.
3) ItIt is
is desirable
desirablefor
for two
two or
or more
morestudents
studentsto
to jointly
jointly request
requesttravel
travelassistance.
assistance.
3)
4)
4) InIngeneral,
general,priority
prioritywill
willbe
begiven
giventotothose
thoseininthe
theInstitute
Instituteregion
regionwho
whoare
arefarthest
farthestaway
awayfrom
from
the
the meeting
meetinglocation.
location.
5)
5) Each
Eachtravel
travelaward
awardrequest
requestshall
shallbe
bemade
madeininwriting
writingto
to the
the annual
annualChair,
Chair,and
andshould
shouldexplain
explain
need,
need, student and author status, and other significant details. The
Theform
formbelow
belowisisoptional.
optional.
Successful
Successful applicants
applicants will
will receive
receive their
their awards
awards during
during the
the meeting.
meeting.

-

NSTITUTE ONLAKUPERIORGEOLOGY
ONLAKESUPERIORGEOLOGY
INSTITUTE

EisenbreyStudent
Student Travel
Travel Award Application
Application
Date:
Date:

StudentName:
Name:
student
Address:
Address:
email:

Department Head-Typed

Department
DepartmentHead-Signature
Head-Signature
Educationalstatus:
Status:
Educational
Are you
author
of anoforal
poster
paper? paper?
YESNO-NO_
Are
youthe
thesenior
senior
author
anororal
or poster
YES_

who?
Who?

Willany
anyother
other students
studentsbe
betraveling
travelingwith
withyou?
you?
Will
statement
Statementofofneed
need(use
(useadditional
additionalpage
pageififnecessary)
necessary)

Please
Pleasereturn
returnto:
to:

xiv

�STUDENTPAPER
PAPERAWARDS
AWARDS
STUDENT
Each year,
year, the
the Institute
Instituteselects
selects the
the best
best of
of the
the student
student presentations
presentations and
and honors
honors
Each
presenterswith
with aa monetary
monetary award. Funding
Fundingfor
for the
theaward
awardisis generated
generated from
from registrations
registrations
presenters
of the
theannual
annualmeeting.
meeting.The
TheStudent
StudentPaper
PaperCommittee
Committeeisisappointed
appointedby
bythe
theannual
annualmeeting
meeting
of
Chairin
insuch
suchaamanner
manneras
asto
to represent
representaabroad
broadrange
rangeof
of professional
professionaland
andgeologic
geologic
Chair
expertise. Criteria
Criteriafor
forbest
beststudent
studentpaper—last
paper-last modified
modifiedby
bythe
theBoard
Boardinin2001—follow;
2001-follow:
expertise.
1) The
Thecontribution
contributionmust
mustbe
bedemonstrably
demonstrablythe
thework
workofofthe
thestudent.
student.
1)
2)
2) The
Thestudent
studentmust
mustpresent
presentthe
thecontribution
contributionin-person.
in-person.
3) The
TheStudent
StudentPaper
PaperCommittee
Committeeshall
shalldecide
decidehow
howmany
many awards
awards to
to grant,
grant, and
and whether
whether or
or
3)
not to
to give
give separate
separate awards
awards for
for poster
postervs.
vs.oral
oralpresentations.
presentations.
not
4)
4) InIncases
casesofofmultiple
multiplestudent
studentauthors,
authors,the
theaward
awardwill
willbe
bemade
made to
to the
the senior
senior author,
author, or
or
the award
awardwill
willbe
beshared
sharedequally
equallyby
byall
allauthors
authorsof
ofthe
thecontribution.
contribution.
the
5) The
Thetotal
totalamount
amountofofthe
theawards
awardsisisleft
leftto
tothe
thediscretion
discretionof
of the
themeeting
meetingChair
Chairand
and
5)
Secretary-Treasurer,
but
typically
is
in
the
amount
of
about
$500
US
(increase
approved
Secretary-Treasurer, but typically is in the amount of about $500 US (increase approved
by Board,
Board,10/01).
10101).
by
6)
6 )The
TheSecretary-Treasurer
Secretary-Treasurermaintains,
maintains,and
andwill
willsupply
supplyto
to the
the Committee,
Committee, aa form
form for
for the
the
numerical
numerical ranking
ranking of presentations. This
Thisform
form was
was created
createdand
and modified
modifiedby
by Student
Student
Paper
Paper Committees
Committees over
over several
several years
years in
in an
an effort to
to reduce
reduce the
the difficulties
difficultiesthat
that may
mayarise
arise
from
from selection
selectionby
by raters
raters of diverse background. The
Theuse
useof
of the
theform
formisisnot
notrequired,
required,but
butisis
left to
to the
the discretion
discretionof
of the
the Committee.
Committee.
left
7) The
Thenames
namesofofaward
awardrecipients
recipientsshall
shallbe
beincluded
includedas
as part
partof
of the
the annual
annualChair's
Chair'sreport
report
7)
that
that appears
appearsininthe
thenext
nextvolume
volumeof
ofthe
theInstitute.
Institute.
Student
Student papers
papers will
will be
be noted
noted on
on the
the Program.
Program.

2003STUDENT
STUDENTPAPER
PAPERAWARDS
AWARDSCOMMITTEE
COMMITTEE
2003
Theodore
- Michigan
TheodoreBornhorst
Bornhorst
- MichiganTechnological
TechnologicalUniversity,
University,Houghton,
Houghton, Ml
MI --- Chair
Chair
Kevin
KevinSikkila
Sikkila—-Wisconsin
Wisconsin Department
Department of
of Transportation,
Transportation,Superior,
Superior,WI
Wl
Anne
Purdue University
University Fort
Fort Wayne,
Wayne, Fort Wayne, IN
AnneArgast
Argast—-Indiana
IndianaUniversity
University —
- Purdue
IN
Tim
St. Norbert
TimFlood
Flood—
-St.
Norbert College,
College, De
De Pere,
Pere,WI
Wl
2003
2003SESSION
SESSIONCHAIRS
CHAIRS

Peter
Geological Survey, Kenora,
PeterHinz
Hinz—
- Ontario Geological
Kenora,ON
ON
Eric
Jerde
Morehead
State
University,
Morehead,
Eric Jerde - Morehead State University, Morehead, KY
KY
James Miller
Miller -- Minnesota
Minnesota Geological
GeologicalSurvey,
Survey, Duluth,
Duluth, MN
MN
James
Mike
MikeMudrey,
Mudrey,Jr.
Jr.—
- Wisconsin Geological
Geological and
and Natural
Natural History
History Survey,
Survey, Madison,
Madison,WI
Wl

xv

�2003BOARD
BOARDOF
OFDIRECTORS
DIRECTORS
2003
Board
Boardappointment
appointmentcontinues
continuesthrough
throughthe
theclose
closeofofthe
themeeting
meetingyear
yearshown
shownininparentheses,
parentheses,ororuntil
untilaa
successor
successorisisselected
selected
Laurel
Laurel Woodruff
Woodruff Co-Chair
Co-Chair2003
2003meeting
meeting(2006)
(2006)
U.S.
U.S. Geological
GeologicalSurvey,
Survey,St.
St.Paul,
Paul,MN
MN
Peter Hinz
Hinz(2005)
(2005)
Peter
Ontario
OntarioGeological
GeologicalSurvey,
Survey,Kenora,
Kenora,ON
ON
Jr. (2004)
(2004)
Michael C.
G. Mudrey,
Mudrey,Jr.
Michael
Wisconsin
WisconsinGeological
Geologicaland
andNatural
NaturalHistory
HistorySurvey,
Survey,Madison,
Madison,WI
Wl
Stephen
A. Kissin
Kissin(2003)
(2003)
Stephen A.
Lakehead
LakeheadUniversity,
University,Thunder
ThunderBay,
Bay,ON
ON
Hollings-Secretary-Treasurer(2006)
(2006)
Peter Hollings-Secretary-Treasurer
Peter
Lakehead
LakeheadUniversity,
University,Thunder
ThunderBay,
Bay,ON
ON
Mark A.
A. Jirsa-Secretary-Treasurer-"emeritus"
Mark
Jirsa-Secretary-Treasurer-"emeritus" (in transition)
transition)
Minnesota
MinnesotaGeological
GeologicalSurvey,
Survey,St.
St.Paul,
Paul,MN
MN

2003LOCAL
LOCALCOMMITTEES
COMMITTEES
2003
General
General Co-Chairs
Co-Chairs
Laurel
LaurelC.
G. Woodruff
Woodruff—-U.S.
U.S.Geological
GeologicalSurvey,
Survey,St.
St. Paul,
Paul, MN
MN
WilliamF.F.Cannon
Cannon—-U.S.
U.S. Geological
GeologicalSurvey,
Survey,Reston,
Reston,VA
VA
William

Program
Program and Abstracts
Abstracts Editors
Editors
Laurel
U.S.
LaurelG.
G. Woodruff
Woodruff-- -US.Geological
GeologicalSurvey,
Survey,St.
St.Paul,
Paul,MN
MN
Theodore
J.
Bornhorst
—
Michigan
Technological
University,
Houghton,MI
MI
Theodore J. Bornhorst - Michigan Technological University,Houghton,
Field
Field Trip
Trip Guidebook
Guidebook Editor
Editor
WilliamF.F.Cannon
Cannon— U.S.
U.S.Geological
GeologicalSurvey,
Survey,Reston,
Reston,VA
VA
William

-

Acting
Acting Local
LocalCommittee,
Committee, Iron
IronMountain
Mountain
John
Coleman Engineering,
Engineering, Iron
IronMountain,
Mountain, Ml
MI
JohnGartner
Gartner—- Coleman
Connie
ConnieDicken
Dicken—
- U.S.
U.S. Geological
GeologicalSurvey,
Survey, Reston,
Reston, VA
VA
Sally
- Oshkosh, WI
Wl
SallyLaBerge
LaBerge—

2003 BANQUET SPEAKER

Susan
Susan Martin
Martin
Department
Department of
of Social
Social Sciences
Sciences
Michigan
Michigan Technological
Technological University
University
Houghton,
Houghton, Michigan
Michigan

The indigenous
indigenous people of the Lake Superior
Superior Basin:
Basin: Understanding
Understandingthe
the links
links
among
among environment, geology and religious belief
belief

xvi
xvi

�48TH
Report
Reportof
of the
theChair
Chair of
of the
the 48'" Annual
Annual Meeting
Meeting

2002
Peter Hinz,
Hinz, Co-Chair
Co-ChairILSG
ILSG2002
Peter
The 48thAnnual
AnnualInstitute
Instituteon
onLake
LakeSuperior
SuperiorGeology
Geologywas
was hosted
hostedby
by the
the Ontario
Ontario Geological
Geological
The
Survey
2001. Principal
Surveyon
on May
May9-12,
9-12,2001.
Principallocal
localcommittee
committeemembers
memberswere
werePeter
PeterHinz
Hinzand
and
Richard C.
C. Beard,
Beard, co-chairs,
co-chairs,Carmen
CarmenC.
C.Storey,
Storey, and
andKevin
KevinO'Flaherty
O'FlahertyProgram
Programco-chairs,
co-chairs,
Richard
CharlesE.
E. Blackburn,
Blackburn,Field
FieldTrip
TripCo-ordinator,
Co-ordinator,M.
M.Kathleen
KathleenMcGowan-Hinz,
McGowan-Hinz,Treasurer,
Treasurer,
Charles
and Christine
ChristineC.
C. Blackburn,
Blackburn,Secretary.
Secretary.Other
Other principal
principalindividuals
individuals are
are listed
listed in
in the
the
and
Proceedings
ProceedingsVolume.
Volume.
2001
AttendanceatatILSG
ILSG2001
Attendance
A
A total
total of
of 97
97 professionals
professionalsand
andstudent
student professionals
professionalsattended
attendedthe
the meeting,
meeting, 39
39 of
of whom
whom
pre-registered
pre-registeredby
by the
the April
April 2,
2, 2001
2001 deadline.
deadline. A
A total
total of
of 88 students
studentswere
were registered,
registered, 77of
of
whom
whom requested
requestedand
andreceived
receivedtravel
travelassistance.
assistance.

Eisenbrey Student
StudentTravel
TravelAwards
Awards2001
2001
Eisenbrey
Seven
Seven students
students requested
requested and
and received
received travel assistance
assistance from the Eisenbrey
Eisenbrey Student
Student
Travel
Travel Award
Award Fund
Fundestablished
establishedto
to support
support student
student participation
participationat
at the
the Annual
Annual Institute.
Institute.
Details,
website.
Details, including
includingcriteria
criteria and
andapplication
applicationforms,
forms, are
areavailable
availableat
atthe
theILSG
ILSGwebsite.
BogdanNitescu
Nitescu
Bogdan
Claire Sturm
Sturm
Claire
ElizabethFein
Fein
Elizabeth
Justin Johnson
Johnson
Justin
Becky Rogala
Rogala
Becky
WilliamJahn
Jahn
William
DanielaVallini
Vallini
Daniela

University of Toronto,
Toronto, Toronto,
Toronto, ON
ON
University
Oberlin
OberlinCollege,
College, Oberlin,
Oberlin,OH
OH
Oberlin
Oberlin College,
College, Oberlin,
Oberlin,OH
OH
Lakehead University,
University, Thunder
Thunder Bay,
Bay, ON
ON
Lakehead
Lakehead
Lakehead University,
University, Thunder
Thunder Bay,
Bay, ON
ON
University
University of Minnesota
Minnesota-- Duluth,
Duluth, Duluth,
Duluth, MN
MN
University
University of Western
Western Australia, Nedlands,
Nedlands, WA
WA

MeetingSummary
Summary
Meetin
The 48 Annual
AnnualInstitute
Instituteon
onLake
LakeSuperior
SuperiorGeology
GeologyAnnual
AnnualMeeting
Meetingwas
washeld
heldat
atthe
theBest
Best
Western
Western Lakeside
Lakeside Inn
Inn and
and Convention
Convention Centre,
Centre, the
the same
same location
locationas
as the
the 1985
1985meeting.
meeting.
The
The one-and-a-half
one-and-a-halfdays
days of
of technical
technicalsessions
sessionswere
werepreceded
precededby:
by:Field
FieldTrip
Trip11—
- Tanco
Rare-Element
Rare-Element Pegmatite,
Peamatite. Southeastern
Southeastern Manitoba
Manitoba led
led by
bv staff of the
the Tantalum
Tantalum Mining
Mining
Corporation
by
Quaternary Geology
corporation of
of Canada
~ a n a dLtd.;
a~ t d .followed
followed
;
byField
FieldTrip
Trip22—-Quaternary
Geologyofof
Southeastern
Southeastern Manitoba
Manitoba led
ledby
by E.
E. Nielsen
Nielsenand
and Gaywood
GaywoodMatile
Matile(Manitoba
(ManitobaGeological
Geological
Survey);
Survey); and
and Field
Field Trip 33- Structure
structure and
and Sedimentology
Sedimentologyof the
the Seine
Seine Conglomerate,
Conglomerate, Mine
Mine
Centre
Centre Area, Ontario
Ontario lead
lead by
by Dyanna
Dyanna Czeck (Department
(Department of Geology,
Geology, Oberlin
Oberlin College)
College)
and Philip Fralick (Department
(Department of Geology,
Geology, Lakehead
Lakehead University)
University)
Due
Due to the small number
number of talks
talks submitted,
submitted, the
the Technical
Technical Session
Session Chairs
Chairs were
were unable
unableto
to
group
group talks into
into session
session themes. The
The meeting
meeting began
began with
with an
an anecdotal
anecdotal history
historyof
of mining
mininginin
northwestern
northwestern Ontario
Ontario presented
presented by
by Kevin
Kevin O'Flaherty, followed
followed by
by regional
regional scale
scale talks
talks on
on
the Western Superior
Province. The
~uperior~rovince.
Theremainder
remainderof
of the
the technical
technicalsessions
sessionsincluded
includedaa broad
broad
range
range of talks
talks focusing
focusing on
on ground
ground water,
water, petrography,
petrography, sedimentology,
sedimentology, mineralogy
mineralogyand
and
structural
structural topics. The
The final
final session
session ended
ended at noon,
noon, allowing
allowing for
for an
an early
early departure
departureof
of Field
Field
Trip 66 to Red
Red Lake.
Lake. Post
Post meeting
meeting trips
trips included:
included: Field
Field Trip
Trip 4—
4 - Industrial
Industrial Minerals and
and
Paleozoic
Separation Rapids
Paleozoic Geology
Geology of
of Southeastern
SoutheasternManitoba;
Manitoba;Field
FieldTrip
Trip55—
-Separation
RapidsRareRareElement Pegmatite
Geology of
of the
the Red Lake Camp. All
Pegmatite Field, Ontario; and Field
Field Trip 6—
6 - Geology
field
field trips ran
ran smoothly
smoothly considering
considering the
the frigid
frigid conditions
conditions of
of early
early May
May in
in northwestern
northwestern
Ontario.
ILSG
Secretary
-Treasurer,
Mark
Jirsa
was
the
lone
participant
Ontario. 1LSG Secretary -Treasurer, Mark Jirsa was the lone participantof
of Field
FieldTrip
Trip66
successful
in
obtaining
samples
from
Goldcorp's
Red
Lake
Mine
in
Red
Lake.
He
successful in obtaining samples from Goldcorp's Red Lake Mine in Red Lake. Hewas
was
able to do this by cunningly
cunningly embedding
embedding the samples
samples in
in the
the back
back of
of his
his neck.
neck. Upon
Upon
returning to Kenora the samples were proudly displayed in a baggy kindly supplied
supplied by
by the
staff of Red
Red Lake's
Lake's Margaret
MargaretCochenour
Cochenour Memorial
MemorialHospital
Hospitalemergency
emergencyroom.
room.
- - -

~

xvii

�Annual Banquet and Goldich
Goldich Award
At the Annual
Annual Banquet
Banquet Ted
Ted DeMatties
DeMatties presented
presented the
the citation
citation for Ernest
Ernest K.
K. Lehmann,
Lehmann,
recipient
recipient of the
the Goldich
Goldich Medal
Medal for 2002
2002 for
for his
his contributions
contributionsto
to the
the Institute
Instituteand
andLake
Lake
Superior
Superior Geology.
Geology. L.
L. Harvey
Harvey Thorliefson,
Thorliefson, Geological
GeologicalSurvey
Survey of Canada,
Canada, provided
provided aa
scintillating
scintillating discussion
discussion on The Search
Search for Diamonds
Diamondsin
in Canada
Canada for the
the after
after dinner
dinner
address. Laurel
Laurel Woodruff
Woodruff and
and Bill
Bill Cannon
Cannon of
of the
the U.S.
U.S. Geological
GeologicalSurvey
Survey invited
invited
49th
Annual
in
participants
participants to the
the 49Ih~
n n u aMeeting
Meeting
l
in Iron
Iron Mountain,
Mountain, Michigan.
Michigan.
2002 Best Student Paper Awards
1) Becky
BeckyRogala
Rogala--Lakehead
LakeheadUniversity,Thunder
University,ThunderBay,
Bay, Ontario
Ontario ($400,
($400, oral
oral presentation)
presentation)
New in
formation from
from the Sibley
New
information
Sibley Group
Group
OberlinCollege,
College, Oberlin,
Oberlin, Ohio
Ohio ($50,
($50, poster;
poster; Co-authors
Co-authorsC.L.
C.L. Sturm
Sturm
2) Elizabeth
ElizabethFein
Fein--Oberlin
Anisotropy of magnetic
magnetic susceptibility
susceptibility in
in the
the Ottertail
Ottertailpiuton,
and D.M. Czeck) Anisotropy
pluton,
Northern
NorthernOntario
Ontario
3) Claire
ClaireSturm
Sturm--Oberlin
OberlinCollege,
College,Ohio
Ohio($50,
($50, oral;
oral; Co-authors
Co-authors D.M.
D.M. Czeck
Czeck and
and E.
E. Fein)
Fein)
Petro
graphicstudy
studyof
of the
the Offertail
Ottertailpluton,
pluton, Superior
Superior Province,
Province, Northwestern
Northwestern Ontario
Petrographic

2002 Eisenbrey Student
Student Travel Awards
Awards
University of
of Toronto,
Toronto, Toronto,
Toronto, ON
ON ($250)
($250)
1) Bogdan
BogdanNitescu
Nitescu-- University
2) Claire
ClaireSturm
Sturm--Oberlin
Oberlin College,
College, Oberlin,
Oberlin, Ohio
Ohio ($200)
3) Elizabeth
ElizabethFein
Fein-- Oberlin
OberlinCollege,
College,Oberlin,
Oberlin, Ohio
Ohio($200)
($200)
4) Justin
JustinJohnson
Johnson--Lakehead
LakeheadUniversity,
University,Thunder
Thunder Bay,
Bay, ON
ON($150)
($150)
LakeheadUniversity,
University,Thunder
Thunder Bay,
Bay, ON
ON ($150)
($150)
5) Becky
BeckyRogala
Rogala--Lakehead
6) William
WilliamJahn
Jahn--University
Universityof
of Minnesota,
Minnesota, Duluth,
Duluth,MN
MN($150)
($150)
7) Daniela
DanielaVallini
Vallini -- University
University of Western
Western Australia, Nedlands, WA ($400)
2002 Goldich
Goldich Medal Recipient
2002
Recipient
Lehmann
Ernest K. Lehmann

MTII
MTU Archives Donation
Donation
A check for $100
Technological University Archives, as required
$100 was sent to Michigan Technological
required by
Board agreement ($1 per participant per meeting), for maintenance of ILSG proceedings
proceedings
archives.
Proceedings including Part 1 (Programs and Abstracts)
Abstracts) and Part 2 (Field Trip Guidebook)
Guidebook)
are available from the Institute:
Institute:

Institute on Lake Superior Geology
do
c/oMark
MarkJirsa,
Jirsa, Secretary
Secretary -- Treasurer
Treasurer
Minnesota Geological Survey
Survey
2642 University
2642
University Avenue
St. Paul MN 55114-1057
551 14-1057
Phone: 612.627.4539
612.627.4539 Fax:
Fax: 612.627.4778
612.627.4778
jirsaool @tc.umn.edu
e-mail: jirsa001
@tc.umn.edu

xvhi
xviii

�4&amp;h1
ANNUAL INSTITUTE
LAKE SUPERIOR GEOLOGY BOARD
4dhANNUAL
INSTITUTE ON LAKE
BOARD OF DIRECTOR'S
DIRECTOR'S

MEETING
MEETING

Board of Directors
Directors
Peter Hinz (2002
(2002General
GeneralChair)
Chair)
Michael Mudrey
Mudrey (2001
(2001 Co-chair)
Co-chair)
Steve Kissin
Kissin (2000
(2000 Co-chair)
Co-chair)
Laurel Woodruff: Proxy
Proxy for Ted
Ted Bornhorst
Bornhorst (1999
(1999 Co-chair
Co-chair and
and liaison
liaison with Goldich
Goldich
committee)
committee)
Mark Jirsa (Institute
(InstituteSecretary-Treasurer)
Secretary-Treasurer)
Guests
Guests
Phil Fralick
Fralick (2000
(2000 Co-chair)
Co-chair)
Carmen Storey
storey (2003 Program
program Chair)
Kevin O'Flaherty (2003
(2003 Program
Program Chair)
Chair)
Bill Cannon
Cannon (proposed
(proposed 2003
2003 Co-chairs)
Co-chairs)
Rod
Johnson (Goldich
Rod Johnson
(Goldich Committee)
Committee)
Frank Luther
Luther (Goldich
(Goldich Committee)
Committee)
based on the secretaries' notes and recollection;
recollection; any omissions or
The following is based
misstatements
unintentionaL Motions
by the
the Board
Boardof
of Directors
Directors are generally
generally
misstatements are unintentional.
Motions by
paraphrased—"approved"
paraphrasedÃ‘'approve or
or "accepted"
"accepted implying
implyingthat
that aa motion
motionwas
was made,
made,
seconded, and
passed unanimously. The
and passed
The expression
expression "generally
"generally agreed" carries
carries less
formality,
be pursued.
pursued. Some
formality, but
but indicates
indicates a directive that will be
Some issues
issues that
that were
were
resolved
resolved after
after the Board
Boardmeeting, but
but during
during the conference
conference are
are included
includedhere
here for
for
closure.
closure.
MINUTES
MINUTES
1. Accepted
Acceptedreport
reportof
of the
the Chairs
Chairs for
for the
the 47th
47th ILSG,
ILSG, Madison,
Madison, Wisconsin;
Wisconsin; as
as printed
printed in
in the
the
Proceeding
Proceeding Volume (Mudrey), and minutes of last Board meeting,
meeting. May 10, 2001 (Jirsa)
(Jirsa)
2.
2, Received,
Received,discussed,
discussed, and
andaccepted
accepted2001-2002
2001-2002 ILSG
ILSG Financial
FinancialSummary
Summary (Jirsa).
(Jirsa).
(4gth
3. Discussed
location—Iron Mountain,
Discussedand
andapproved
approved2003
2003 ( 4 9 annual) meeting location-Iron
Mountain,
Michigan, and tentative co-chairs Laurel Woodruff and Bill Cannon,
Cannon, USGS. As currently
currently
envisioned,
envisioned, Ted Bornhorst
Bornhorst will handle
handle logistics
logistics of field trips.
4. Approved
ApprovedPeter
PeterHinz
Hinzas
as on-going
on-goingILSG
ILSG Board
Boardmember.
member.
5. Discussed
Discussedreplacing
replacingRod
RodJohnson
Johnson as
as the
the "member
"member from
from industry"
industry" on
on Goldich
Goldich
Committee
Committee (end
(end of term
term 2002)
2002) with several
several candidates
candidates including
including Dave
Dave Meineke
Meineke of
of Meriden
Meriden
Engineering, Hibbing, Minnesota. Dave later accepted the position and was welcomed,
and Rod was thanked for
for his service to
to the
the Institute, during
during the
the annual
annual banquet.
banquet. Dave's
Dave's
term will end after Goldich
Goldich selection for the
the meeting
meeting of
of 2005.
6. Discussed
Discussedreplacement
replacementof
of Mark
MarkJirsa
Jirsa as
as ILSG
ILSGSecretary-Treasurer
Secretary-Treasurer(end
(endof
of 4-year
4-year term
term
2002). A new member to the Institute,
Peter
Hoflings,
Lakehead
University
in
Thunder
Institute, Peter Hollings, Lakehead University in Thunder
Bay, was installed
installed as "Secretary-Treasurer in-training," pending
pending a vote
vote by
by the
the general
general
membership
membership (as required
required in
in By-Laws).
By-Laws). Because
Because of his
his newness
newness to the
the Institute,
Institute,the
the board
board
generally agreed that Peter
Peter would serve
serve 2 years of the
the 4-year
4-year term
term concurrently
concurrentlywith
with Mark
Mark
in a period of transition. At the end
end of the
the 22 years
years (following
(following the
the 2004
2004 meeting),
meeting),the
the
finances and records
finances
records of the institute,
institute, and
and responsibilities
responsibilities of the
the position
positionwould
would fall
fall to
to Peter.
Peter.

This was presented to
to the membership after
after the
the Board meeting, and
and was
was generally
accepted.
accepted.
7. Other
Otherbusiness:
business:
a) Discussed
Discussed the offer by
by Mike
Mike Mudrey
Mudrey to take
take over
over as
as ILSG
ILSG webmaster—It
webmaster-lt was
was
generally agreed that Mike
Mike could
could do that, assuming
assuming Ted
Ted was
was busy
busy with
with other
other
obligations and probably
probably would not mind the relief.
relief. Subsequent
Subsequent discussions
discussionsindicate
indicate
xix

�that Ted
Ted would like
like to
to continue
continue in
in this
this endeavor,
endeavor, and
and has
has already
already paid
paid in
in advance
advance for
for
5 years of web service
service to
to continue.
continue. ItIt remains
remains in
in Ted's
Ted's hands.
hands.
b) Discussed efforts by Graham Wilson to list ILSG publications as part of his
—Steve Kissin
MINLIB project and website (www.turnstone.ca)
(www.turnstone.ca)Ã‘Stev
Kissin volunteered
volunteered to
contact Graham and see if there is anything that the ILSG can and should do to
assist,
assist.
c) Discussed
Discussed the prospect
prospect of extending
extending aa "free
"free ride"
ride" to
to annual
annualGoldich
GoldichMedal
Medal
recipients. It was generally
generally agreed
agreed that registration
registration costs
costs should
should be
be paid
paid by
by the
the
annual meeting
annual
meeting committee, and
and that
that lodging,
lodging, meals,
meals, and
and travel
travel costs
costscould
couldbe
bepaid,
paid,
at the discretion
discretion of the
the annual
annual meeting
meeting chairs.
chairs.
d) Discussed
Discussed the
the ILSG
ILSG Newsletter—Peter
NewsletterÃ‘Pete Hinz
Hinz has
has offered
offered to
to write
write itit beginning
beginningin
in
that transition. The topic of
of
2004 or so. He can coordinate with Ted Bornhorst about that
whether the Newsletter
Newsletter should
should remain
remain paper, or be
be changed
changedto
to aa wholly
wholly electronic
electronic
format was discussed
discussed and
and tabled.
tabled. Most
Most seemed
seemed to
to think
think we
we should
shouldeventually
eventuallyswitch
switch
with email notification. This
This raised a further
further
to a web-based newsletter, perhaps with
issue
issue that members must be encouraged to notify the secretary-treasurer of
changes in email
email address
address or
or other
other status.
status.
sampling—An issue was raised that
that at
at least one group of regular
e) Questionable sampling-An
meeting
meeting participants
participantshas
has a tradition
tradition of using
using guidebooks
guidebooksto
to locate
locateplaces
placesfor
formassive
massive
sampling programs. In this one case, samples are sold to Wards or other rock
rock and
mineral
mineral specimen
specimen dealers. The
The problems
problems are
are 1)
1) some
some of
of the
the localities
localitiesdiscussed
discussedinin
guidebooks
guidebooks are on private land (and therefore trespassing is likely), and 2) taking
large amounts of sample from some localities limits the use of these sites
sites to future
generations. It was generally agreed that ILSG would print in their guidebooks a
Policy Statement that warns of this "questionable
"questionable sampling
sampling practice."
practice." Mark
Mark Jirsa
Jirsa will
will
create such language
create
language for inclusion
inclusion in
in future
future guidebooks.
guidebooks.
abstracts—Peter
f) Discussed
Discussed digital submission of a
b s t r a c t e e t e r Hinz warns from experience that
for preparers, particularly
this practice can easily turn into a nightmare for
particularly if the
submitters don't follow (or the host organization doesn't specify) rigid
rigid guidelines
guidelines for
submission
formats.
This
includes
both
text
and
illustration
formats.
Adjournment
submission formats.
both text and illustration formats. Adjournment
Respectfully
Respectfully submitted on January 27, 2003 to Peter
Peter Hinz,
Hinz, Chair
Chair of
of the
the 48th
48thannual
annual
meeting, for incorporation into the Report of the Chair to appear in Proceedings
Proceedings Volume

49.
Mark Jirsa, Secretary-Treasurer, Institute on Lake Superior Geology

xx

�PROGRAM

xxi

�49th

The following companies made
made generous
generous contributions
contributions to
to the
the 49"' Annual
Annual
Meeting.
Meeting. We thank them and
and John
John Gartner
Gartner of the
the Local
Local Committee
Committee for
their commitment to the
the Institute
Institute on
on Lake
Lake Superior
Superior Geology.
Geology. For
For almost
almost
50 years this
this organization
organization has
has thrived
thrived through
through the
the sustained
sustained interests
interests of
of
individuals,
and government
agencies in the
individuals, corporations,
corporations, universities,
universities, and
government agencies
the
international
geologic community.
community.This
Thisdedication
dedicationtoto an
an exchange
of
international geologic
exchange of
scientific ideas and aa passion
passion for
for field
field trips
trips (even
(even in
in driving
driving rain
rain or
or snow)
snow)
has enabled
enabled the ILSG
ILSG to
to fulfill
fulfill one
one of
of its
its primary
primary objectives:
objectives: to
to promote
promote
better
better understanding
understandingof
of the
thegeology
geology in
in the
the Lake
Lake Superior
Superiorregion.
region.

Kleiman
Well Drilling,
Kleiman Pump
Pump &amp;&amp;Well
Drilling,Inc.
Inc.
P.O.
704
P.O. Box 704
Iron Mountain, Michigan 49801-0704
49801-0704
Prime
Prime Meridian
Meridian Resources
ResourcesLtd.
Ltd.
N7478
N7478 Niagara
Niagara Lane
Lane
Lac, WI
Wl 54935
54935
Fond du Lac,

Coleman
Coleman Engineering
Engineering Company
Company
Circle Drive
Drive
635 Circle
Iron Mountain, MI
Ml 49801
49801

xxii

�WEDNESDAY MAY 7,2003
WEDNESDAY
7, 2003
8:00
TRIP
1: 1:
WISCONSIN
MAGMATIC
TERRANE
8:00a.m.
a.m.FIELD
FIELD
TRIP
WISCONSIN
MAGMATIC
TERRANE(#1
(#1ININGUIDEBOOK)
GUIDEBOOK)
Klaus
Klaus Schulz,
Schulz, U.S.
U.S. Geological
GeologicalSurvey
Survey
Gene
Oshkosh,emeritus
emeritus
GeneLaBerge,
LaBerge,University
UniversityofofWisconsin
Wisconsin—- Oshkosh,

-

OF
FIELD TRIP
TRIP 2:
2:THE
THEREPUBLIC
REPUBLICMINE
MINE— LIFE
LIFECYCLE
CYCLE
OFAN
ANIRON
IRONORE
ORE
8:00 a.m.
a.m. FIELD
8:00
DEPOSIT
(#4 IN
INGUIDEBOOK)
GUIDEBOOK)
DEPOSIT FROM
FROMGENESIS
GENESIS TO RECLAMATION
RECLAMATION(#4
William
WilliamCannon,
Cannon,U.S.
U.S.Geological
GeologicalSurvey
Survey
John
John Meler,
Meier,Cleveland
ClevelandCliffs
Cliffs Iron
Iron Company
Company

6:00
Return of
6:00 p.m. Return
of Trips
Trips11 and
and22
4:00 p.m.
p.m. - 8:00
Registration
4:00
8:00 p.m.
p.m. Registration
7:00 p.m.
p.m. -- 9:00
and Poster
Poster Setup
Setup
7:00
9:00 p.m.
p.m. Ice Breaker Social and

THURSDAYMAY 8,2003
THURSDAY
8, 2003

-

8:00
8:00 a.m.
a.m.- 9:00
9:00a.m.
a.m.REGISTRATION
REGISTRATION

Note:
Note: Technical
TechnicalSessions
Sessionsare
arein
inWhite
White spruce,
Spruce,Pine
PineMountain
MountainResort
Resort
4•
*: Denotes
Denotes Student
Student Presentation
Presentation

8:15 a.m.
a.m.INTRODUCTORY
INTRODUCTORYREMARKS
REMARKS
8:15
Laurel G.
G. Woodruff and
and William
WilliamF.
F. Cannon,
Cannon,Co-Chairs
Co-Chairs
TECHNICAL
TECHNICALSESSION
SESSIONII

Session
Session Chair:
Chair: Jim
Jim Miller,
Miller, Minnesota
Minnesota Geological
Geological Survey,
Survey,Duluth,
Duluth,MN
MN

-

8:30
- Menominee
Range
8:30 a.m.
a.m. Harold
HaroldBernhardt
Bernhardt
Menominee
RangeHistorical
HistoricalFoundation
FoundationMuseum
Museum
A
A brief
brief history
historyof
of iron
ironmining
mining on
on the
theUpper
UpperPeninsula's
Peninsula'sMenominee
MenomineeIron
IronRange
Range

9:00
9:00 a.m. Cannon, W.F.,
W.F., LaBerge, G.L.
G.L. and Klasner,
Klasner, J.S.
J.S.
Niagara
Niagara suture
suture zone, northern Michigan
Michigan and
and Wisconsin—tectonics
Wisconsin-tectonics in
in the
the 1.85
1.85
Ma
Ma arc-continent
arc-continent collisional
collisional boundary
boundary

K.
9:30 a.m. Schulz, K.
A
A Paleoproterozoic
Paleoproterozoic suprasubduction
suprasubductionzone ophiolite-island
ophiolite-island arc complex
complex in
northeastern
northeasternWisconsin
Wisconsin
10:00
10:OO a.m.
a.m.COFFEE
COFFEEBREAK
BREAKAND
ANDPOSTER
POSTER SESSION
SESSION

10:40 a.m.
am. Schneider, D.A.,
HoIm, D.K.,
D.K., O'Boyle,
O'Boyle, C.
C.,
Hamilton, M. and Jercinovic,
Jercinovic, M.
D.A., Holm,
, Hamilton,
M.
Paleoproterozoic
development
of
a
gneiss
dome
corridor
in
the
southern
Lake
Paleoproterozoic development
gneiss dome corridor in the southern Lake
Superior
Superior region,
region,USA
USA
11:00
a.m. Holm,
HoIm, D.K.,
D.K., Van
Van Schmus,
Schmus, W.R.,
W.R., MacNeill,
MacNeill, L.C.,
L.C., Boerboom,
Boerboom, T.J.,
11:OO a.m.
T.J.,
Schweitzer,
D.
and
Schneider,
D.A.
Schweitzer, D. and Schneider, D.A.
Late Paleoproterozoic
Paleoproterozoic (1900-1600
(1900-1600 Ma)
Ma) tectonic
tectonic history
history of
of the
the northern
northernmidmidcontinent,
continent, U.S.A.: Implications
Implicationsfor
for crustal
crustalstabilization
stabilization

11:20a.m.
11:20 a.m. Medaris, L.G.,
L.G., Jr. and
and Dofl,
Dott,R.H.,
R.H., Jr.
Jr.
The
sedimentology, metamorphism,
The Sioux
Sioux Quartzite
Quartzite revisited: sedimentology,
metamorphism,geochemistry
geochemistryand
and
the
the origin
origin of
of pipestone
pipestone
11:40p.m.
11:40 p.m. Smyk,
Smyk, M.C.
M.C.
The
planned activities
activities and objectives
objectives
The Lake
Lake Nipigon
Nipigon Geoscience
Geoscience Initiative
Initiative—
- planned
xxiii

�12:00
Meeting
(by
invitation)
12:OO p.m.
p.m. Lunch
LunchBreak—
Break -Poster
PosterSession
Sessionand
andILSG
ILSGBoard
Board
Meeting
(by
invitation)
TECHNICAL
TECHNICALSESSION
SESSIONIIII
Session
SessionChair:
Chair:Mike
MikeMudrey,
Mudrey,Jr.,
Jr.,Wisconsin
WisconsinGeological
GeologicalSurvey,
Survey,Madison,
Madison,WI
Wl

1:30
1:30 p.m.4
p.m. +Heggie,
Heggie,C.
G. and
and Hollings,
Hollings,P.
P.
Geochemistry
Geochemistry.and
and mineralization
mineralizationof
of the
the Seagull
Seagull Intrusion,
Intrusion, Northern
Northern Ontario
Ontario

+:.

1:50
Johnson, J.R.,
1:50 p.m.
p.m. + Johnson,
J.R., Hollings,
Hollings,P.
P.and
andKissin,
Kissin,S.A.
S.A.
Mineralization
Mineralizationof
of the
theNorton
NortonLake
LakeCu-Ni-POE
Cu-Ni-PGEdeposit
deposit
2:10
2 3 0 p.m.
p.m. Miller,
Miller,J.J.D.,
D., Jr.
Jr.
Petrology
Petrologyand
and POE
PGE potential
potential of
of the
theGreenwood
GreenwoodLake
Lake Intrusion,
Intrusion,central
centralDuluth
Duluth
Complex,
Complex,Lake
LakeCounty,
County,Minnesota
Minnesota

2:30
2:30 p.m.
p.m. +
+ Joslin,
Joslin,G.D.,
G.D., Miller,
Miller,J.D.,
J.D., Jr.
Jr. and
andRowell,
Rowell,W.F.
W.F.
Stratiform
StratiformPd-Pt-Au
Pd-Pt-Aumineralization
mineralizationininthe
theSonju
SonjuLake
LakeIntrusion,
Intrusion,Lake
LakeCounty,
County,
Minnesota
Minnesota
2:50
2:50 p.m.
p.m. +
+ Marma,
Marma, J., Brown,
Brown,P.
P.and
andHauch,
Hauch,S.
S.
Magmatic
Magmaticand
and hydrothermal
hydrothermalPOE
PGE mineralization
mineralizationof
of the
the Birch
Birch Lake
LakeCu-Ni-POE
Cu-Ni-PGE
Deposit
Depositin
in the
theSouth
South Kawishiwi,
Kawishiwi,Duluth
Duluth Complex,
Complex, northeast
northeast Minnesota
Minnesota
3:10
3:10p.m.
p.m.COFFEE
COFFEEBREAK
BREAKAND
ANDPOSTER
POSTERSESSION
SESSION

3:30
3:30 p.m.
p.m. Waggoner,
Waggoner,1.
T.
AAhydrothermal
hydrothermalcomponent
componentofofIron
IronFormations
Formations—A
-A Marquette
Marquette Range
Rangeperspective
perspective
3:50
3:50 p.m.
p.m. Tsu-Ming
Tsu-MingHan
Han
Mode
of
occurrence
Mode of occurrence of
of trona
trona and
and thermonatrite
thermonatriteand
andtheir
theirpossible
possibleorigin
originininthe
the
Negaunee
Iron-Formation
of
the
Marquette
Range,
Lake
Superior
District,
Negaunee Iron-Formation of the Marquette Range, Lake Superior District,USA
USA
4:10
4:10 p.m.
p.m. Blaske,
Blaske,A.R.
A.R.
Geology
of
Valley type mineralization
mineralization at Bellevue,
Geology of the
the MississippiMississippi-Valley
Bellevue, Michigan
Michigan

4:20
4:20 p.m.
p.m. +Ã§ Larson,
Larson,P.
P.
Mean
Mean transport
transport length
length in
in tills
tills of
of the
the southern
southernportion
portion of
of the
theLaurentide
Laurentideice
icesheet:
sheet:
implications
implications for
for drift
drift exploration
explorationin
in the
the Lake
LakeSuperior
Superiorregion
region

.:.

4:50
4:50 p.m.
p.m. + Marlow,
Marlow, L.,
L., Mooers,
Mooers,H.
H. and
andLarson,
Larson,P.
P.
Glacial
Glacial Lakes Aitkin and Upham:
Upham: their
their origin
origin and
and environmental
environmentalhistory
history
5:10
530 p.m.
p.m. Trow,
Trow,J.
J.
Five
wan copper
copper sulfides
sulfides in
in Ontario and
Five gold
gold possibilities in some Keweena
Keweenawan
Michigan
Michigan

xxiv

�-

-

ICEBREAKER
BREAKER— MIXER
MIXER— CASH
BAR
CASH BAR
6:00 p.m.
p.m. ICE
6:00
BANQUET
7:00 p.m.
p.m. ANNUAL
ANNUAL
BANQUETAND
ANDAWARD
AWARDPRESENTATION
PRESENTATION
7:00
Announcement of
of 50th
50"'Annual
Annual Meeting
Meeting Location
Location
•
Announcement
Presentationto Klaus
Klaus Schulz
Schulz
2003 Goldich Award Presentation
•
Banquet Address
Address
•
2003 Banquet
Dr.
Technological University
Dr. Susan Martin, Michigan Technological
University
The indigenous
indigenous people
people of
of the
the Lake
Lake Superior
Superior Basin:
Understanding
links among
geology
Understanding the links
among environment, geology
and
and religious
religious belief
belief

.

Ing participants
Meeting
participantswho
who are
arenot
notregistered
registeredfor
forthe
thebanquet
banquetare
arewelcome
welcometo
tothe
thebanquet
banquetaddress
address
Meet

FRIDAY
9, 2003
FRIDAY MAY 9,2003
TECHNICAL
TECHNICAL SESSION
SESSION Ill
Ill
Session Chair:
Chair: Eric Jerde,
Jerde, Morehead State
State University,
University,Morehead,
Morehead, Kentucky
Kentucky

8:20
8:20 a.m.
a.m. INTRODUCTORY
INTRODUCTORYREMARKS
REMARKS

Laurel 0.
G.Woodruff
Woodruffand
andWilliam
WilliamF.
F.Cannon,
Cannon,Co-chairs
Co-chairs

8:30 a.m.
a.m. Hollings,
Hollings, P.,
P., Fralick,
Fralick, P.
P. and
and Kissin,
Kissin, S.
S.
Geochemista'y
andgeodynamic
geodynamic implications
implications of
of the
the 1537
1537 Ma Redstone
Redstone Point
Geochemistry and
Point
anorogenic
anorogenic granite,
granite, Ontario,
Ontario, Canada
Canada
8:50 a.m.
a.m.
8:50

Buttram, R.M.
P.M. and Bjornerud,
Bjornerud, M.
M.
Textural
constraints
on
holith
Textural constraints on the
the origin of rapakivi
rapakivi textures
textures in
in the
theWolf
WolfRiver
RiverBat
Batholith

930 a.m.
9:10
am.

-:Sequence
.Sandin, NA.
N.A. and
and Bornhorst,
Bornhorst, T.J.
T.J.
Marquette County,
Sequence of Precambrian
Precambrian mafic dikes in Marquelte
County, Michigan, with

+: -

emphasis
emphasis on
on the
the Sugarloaf
Sugarloaf Mountain
Mountain and
and Republic
Republic areas
areas

9:30 a.m.
a.m. Jerde,
Jerde, E.A.
E.A.
Gabbro/granophyre relations
relations of
of the
the Crocodile
CrocodileLake
Lake Intrusion:
Intrusion: a possible vent
for the Hovland
Hovland Lavas?
Lavas?
9:50 a.m. &lt;Â
+ Vislova, T.
T.
Evaluation of initial magma compositions for the Bald Eagle Intrusion
Intrusion and
associated rocks
associated
rocks
10:10
COFFEEBREAK
BREAKAND
AND POSTER
POSTER SESSION
SESSION
10:lOa.m.
a.m.COFFEE

10:30a.m..:•
Charkoudian, K.,
10:30 a.m. +:Â Charkoudian,
K., Tikoff, B.
6. and
and Bauer,
Bauer, R.
R.
Stike
-slipseparation
separation of
of the
the Burntside
Burntside trondhjemite
trondhjemite and
and the Wakemup
Stike-slip
WakemupBay
Bay
tonatlite,
tonatlite, Northern
Northern Minnesota
Minnesota

-:.

10:50 a.m.
a.m. + Garbowicz,
Garbowicz, A.
A. and Bjornerud,
Bjornerud,M.
M.
Paleostress
eastern part of the
Paleostress inferences from slip vectors in the eastern
the Wisconsin
Wisconsin
segment of the
the Midcontinent rift
rift

11:10
am.. :+e Potter, E.G.
and Mitchell, Ri-I.
1 1 :10 a.m.
E.G. and
R.H.
The rare and exotic mineralogy
mineralogy of
of the Western Subcomplex of the Deadhorse
Deadhorse
Creek Diatreme, Northwestern
Northwestern Ontario
Ontario

xxv

�11:30 a.m.
a.m. Brown,
Brown, B.A.,
Jr., Czechanski, M.L.,
11:30
B.A., Mudrey, M.G.,
M.G., Jr.,
M.L., Reid,
Reid, D.D.
D.D. and
and Hunt,
Hunt, T.C.
T.C.
Highway construction,
construction, mine reclamation, and land-use planning challenges in
the
the historic
historic Upper
Upper Mississippi
Mississippi Valley
Valley lead-zinc
lead-zinc district
district of
of southwest
southwestWisconsin
Wisconsin

11:50a.m.
1
1:50 a.m. Wattrus, N.
N.
High-resolution
High-resolution multibeam bathymetry in Lake Superior
12:10 p.m.
p.m. LUNCH
LUNCHBREAK—
BREAK -POSTERS
POSTERSREMOVED
REMOVED AFTER LUNCH
LUNCH
TECHNICAL
TECHNICAL SESSION
SESSIONIV

Chair: Peter
Session Chair:
Peter Hinz,
Hinz,Ontario
OntarioGeologicai
GeologicalSurvey,
Survey,Kenora,
Kenora,ON
ON

1:40 a.m.
a.m.
1:40

Vatlini, D.A.,
N.J., Rasmussen,
Rasmussen, B.,
B., Fletcher, I.
+ Vallini,
D.A., McNaughton, N.J.,
I. and Griffin,
B.J.
B.J.
xenotime U-Pb geochronology
geochronology to
to unravel
unravel the
the history
history of
of Proterozoic
Using xenotime
sedimentary basins: aa study
study in
in Western
WesternAustralia
Australia and
and the
the Lake
Lake Superior
Superior region

2:00 p.m.
p.m. Kissin,
Kissin, S.A.,
S.A., Vallini,
Vallini, D.A.,
Addison, W.D.
W.D. and
and Brumpton,
Brumpton, G.R.
2:00
D.A., Addison,
G.R.
zircon ages from the
flint and
and Rove
Rove Formations,
Formations, northwestern
northwestern Ontario
New zircon
the Gun
Gunflint
Ontario

2:20 p.m.
p.m. +Richardson,
• Richardson, A.,
2:20
A., Fralick, P. and Hollings, P.
Sibley
zircon and whole rock geochemical
Sibley Basin sediment provenance using zircon
methods: Possible
Possiblesource
source areas
areas of
of the
the Pass
Pass Lake
Lake Formation
Formation

+

2:40 p.m.
p.m. + Rogala,
Rogala, B.,
B., Fralick,
Fralick, P.
P. and
and Borradaile, G.
2:40
magnetostratigraphic and secular variation study of the
A magnetostratigraphic
the Sibley
Sibley Group
Group
3:00 p.m. COFFEE
COFFEE BREAK
BREAK

p.m. Argast,
Argast, A.
3:20 p.m.
What does sediment chemistry tell us about rocks like those
those from the
the Fern
Fern
Creek Formation?

3:40 p.m.
p.m. Bartnik,
Bartnik, P. J. and
3:40
and Evans, B. W.
Geology and hydro
geology in
in the
the Kingsford, Michigan
Geology
hydrogeology
Michigan area
area

4:00 p.m.
p.m. Presentation
Presentation of Student
Student Paper
Paper Awards
Ted Bornhorst, Michigan Technological University:
University: Student
Student Paper
Paper Committee
Committee
SATURDAYMAY
MAY10,2003
10, 2003
SATURDAY
(#2 IN
8:00 a.m.
a.m.FIELD
FIELDTRIP
TRIP 3:
3: MENOMINEE
MENOMINEE IRON
IRON RANGE (#2
IN GUIDEBOOK)
Gene
Oshkosh, emeritus
Gene LaBerge,
LaBerge, University
University of
of Wisconsin
Wisconsin—
- Oshkosh,
John Kiasner,
Klasner, University
University of Western
Western Illinois,
Illinois, emeritus
emeritus
William Cannon,
William
Cannon, U.S.
US. Geological
GeologicalSurvey
Survey

6:00 p.m.
p.m. Return
Return of Trip
Trip 3
6:00
SUNDAYMAY
MAY11,
2003
SUNDAY
11,2003
8:00 a.m. FIELD
TRIP4:4:Iron
Iron River
River —Crystal
Crystal Falls
Falls Iron
Iron District
8:00
FIELD TRIP
District(#3
(#3ININGUIDEBOOK)
GUIDEBOOK)
LaBerge, University
Oshkosh, emeritus
emeritus
Gene LaBerge,
University of Wisconsin
Wisconsin—
- Oshkosh,
John Klasner,
Klasner, University of Western
Western llllnois,
Illinois, emeritus
emeritus
William Cannon,
William
Cannon, U.S.
U.S. Geological
Geological Survey
Survey

6:00 p.m.
p.m. Return
Return of Trip
Trip 4
6:00

EM

�POSTER PRESENTATIONS
PRESENTATIONS

Brown, B.A.,
Brown,
B.A., Czechanski,
Czechanski, M.L.,
M.L., Mudrey,
Mudrey,M.G.,
M.G., Jr.
Jr. and
and Reid,
Reid,D.D.
D.D.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin mineral resource
resource GIS
GIs and
and related
related digital
digital map
map and
anddatabase
databaseproducts
products—
-a
progress report
Boerboom, T.
Boerboom,
Bedrock
geologic maps of Keweenawan
Bedrock geologic
Keweenawan volcanic
volcanic and intrusive
intrusive rocks
rocks in
in the
the
Lake wood, French
French River,
River, and
and Knife
Knife River 7.5'
quadrangles, North
Lakewood,
7.5'quadrangles,
North Shore
Shore of
of Lake
Lake
Superior,
Superior, Minnesota
Minnesota
Easton, P.M.
Easton,
P.M.
Geology and mineral potential of Proterozoic
intrusions in the
Geology
Proterozoic mafic intrusions
the northern
northern
Grenville Province of Ontario
Grenville
Ontario
Hart, T.R.
Hart,
rocks of
of the Lake Nipigon
and Crystal
Keweena wan mafic and ultramafic intrusive rocks
Keweenawan
and
. northwestern Ontario
Lake areas, northwestern
Ontario

S.A., Oreskovich,
Oreskovich, J.A. and
Hauch, S.A.,
and Severson,
Severson, M.J.
M.J.
Geology, drill holes, mineral leases, and
geophysics in the
andgeophysics
the Duluth
Duluth and
and Beaver
Beaver Bay
Bay
Compexes, northeastern Minnesota: Integration
Integration of
of various
various GIS
G I sdatabases
databasesto
totell
tellaa
story of the history of past and current
current Cu-Ni-PGE
Cu-Ni-PGE mineral
mineral exploration
exploration

• Heiling,
4Heiling,C.D.
C.D.
Oaf vertLake
Lake Volcanic
VolcanicComplex,
Complex,St.
St Louis
Louis County, Minnesota
Peperites of the Gafvert

•4. Hooker,
Hocker,S.M.,
S.M., Hudak,
Hudak, G.J.,
G.J., Odette,
Odette,J.D.
J.D. and
andNewkirk,
Newkirk,T.T.
T.T.
Chemistry of alteration mineral phases
phases at
at the Five
Five Mile
Mile Lake
Lake volcanic-hosted
prospect, NE Minnesota
massive sulfide prospect,
Minnesota
Jirsa, M.
.+:.Keatts,
Keatts, M.J., Jirsa,
M. and
and Hoim,
Holm,D.
D.
40ArPArsingle-grain
single-grainanalyses
analyses of
of Precambrian
Precambrian mafic intrusions
intrusions in
Results of 4oArf'Ar
in northern
northern
north-central Minnesota
and north-central
Minnesota

• McKenzie,
Â¥:
McKenzie, M.A.,
M.A.,

Hoim, D.K.,
D.A. and
and Jercinovic,
Jercinovic, M.
Holm,
D.K., Schneider, D.A.
I
.
of EMP monazite
monazite geochronology
geochronology in
in E-C
E-C Minnesota:
Minnesota: Evidence
Results of
Evidence for
for largelargescale geon 17
post-tectonic plutonism
17 metamorphism associated with post-tectonic

•:-Metsaranta,
Metsaranta,R.,
R.,Fralich,
Fralich, P.
P.and
and Hollings,
Hollings, P.
P.
investigation of Mesoarchean
volcanic and
and rnetasedimentary
metasedimentary
A geochemical investigation
Mesoarchean meta
metavolcanic
Uchigreenstone
greenstone belt
belt
rocks from the
the Birch
Birch —
- Uchi

. :+

Nicholson,
and Cannon,
Nicholson,S.
S. W.
W. and
Cannon, W.F.
W.F.
and structure
structure of Keweenawan
Keweena wan rocks
rocks of
of the
the St.
St. Croix horst, northwestern
northwestern
Stratigraphy and
Wisconsin
Wisconsin

W.,Parker,
Parker,J.R.,
JR.,Straub,
Straub, K.J.
K.J. and
and Tomllnson,
Y.
Stott, G.M.,
G.M., Davis, 13.
D. W.,
Tomlinson, K.
K.Y.
goon Subprovince,
Archean tectonostratigraphic
tectonostratigraphicassemblages
assemblages of
of eastern
eastern Waba
Wabagoon
Subprovince,
northwestern
north
western Ontario
Ontario

xxvii

�ABSTRACTS

Xxviii

�WHAT DOES SEDIMENT
SEDIMENT CHEMISTRY TELL US ABOUT ROCKS
FORMATION?
LIKE THOSE FROM THE FERN CREEK FORMATION?
Argast, Anne, Department of Geosciences,
Geosciences, Indiana
Indiana University Purdue
Purdue University
University Fort
Wayne, Fort Wayne, IN 46805-1499,
46805-1499, Argast@ipfw.edu
Argast@ipfw.edu
Bulk chemical analyses are accepted and powerful tools for the
the study of
of metamorphic and
igneous rocks. Bulk chemical
chemical analyses
analyses are
are less accepted
accepted and
and less
less widely
widely used
used for
for the
the study
studyof
of
sedimentary rocks. This is at least partly the result
of
a
widely-held
view
that
chemical
data
result a widely-held view that chemical dataare
are
unreliable
unreliable indicators
indicators of sedimentary
sedimentary events
events due
due to
to the
the post-burial
post-burial diagenetic
diageneticalteration
alterationof
of the
the
sediment.
sediment. In recent years, this view has been reinforced
reinforced with
with studies
studies indicating
indicatingthe
thepotential
potential for
for
extreme diagenetic
diagenetic alteration
alteration of sediments,
sediments, with
with km-scale
km-scale transport
transportproposed
proposedin
insome
somesystems
systems
(e.g., Wintsch and
and Kvale,
Kvale, 1994).
1994).

Potassium is often singled-out as an especially mobile component in diagenetic systems. For
example, Awwiller (1993), working in the Gulf Coast Tertiary, postulates an increase from 2.0 to
3.8 wt. percent K20 in mudrocks, due significantly to
to the
the transport
transport of
of K
K as
aspart
part of
of 1UJ0 pore
volumes of fluid passing through the system in the depth range from 1500 to 4000 m below the
surface.
surface.
Donnelly, 1987) maintains
maintains KzO
K20 is a generally conservative
An alternate view (Argast and Donnelly,
that observed variations in KzO
K20 content preserve
element in diagenetic settings, and that
preserve
compositional characteristics present at and before accumulation. Depending on your point-ofdiagenetically and metamorphically
metamorphicaily altered
view, the chemistry of diagenetically
altered sedimentary
sedimentaryrocks
rocks may
may (or
(or
not) provide
provide useful information
information about
about provenance,
provenance, weathering and other qualities of the
may not)
sedimentary system.
system.
Unconsolidated
Unconsolidated sediments,
sediments, delivered as turbiditic pulses of siliciclastic
siliciclastic debris
debris eroded
eroded from
from the
the
Himalaya Mountains, accumulated on the Bengal Pan
Fan (DSDP 218) and now at subbottom
subbottom depths
from 12
12 to 729 m, produce chemical trends very similar to those previously noted in lithified
lithified
sedimentary rocks.
rocks. The
The similarity
similarity in
in chemical
chemical trends
trends across this broad
(and metamorphosed) sedimentary
range of conditions and environments suggests sedimentary chemical trends arise from
fundamental conditions imposed upon the system before burial, and are
are not necessarily
necessarily the
the result
of extensive
extensive diagenetic alteration
alteration at depth.
depth.
Proterozoic, Lower Chocolay Group) is well exposed along the
The Fern Creek Formation (Early Proterozoic,
Sturgeon River near the dam northeast of Loretto, Michigan. These rocks have been interpreted
interpreted
as glaciogenic in origin, and the diamictites they contain used as evidence for glacially-derived
dropstone units. Others have interpreted the Fern Creek Formation as nonglaciogenic
nonglaciogenic in
in origin
origin
lagoonal or
or
with the sediments accumulated in fluviatile environments grading upward into
into lagoonal
estuarine environments. Field and textural qualities (to be discussed
discussed as
as part
part of
of aa post-meeting
post-meeting
hon Range)
fieldtrip in the Menominee Iron
Range) support
support aa glaciogenic
glaciogenicorigin.
origin.

1

�Bulk rock chemistry
chemistry also
also supports
supports aa glaciogenic origin (Argast,
(Argast, 2002) . The
The chemical
chemical data,
data,
including
sediments from
including the
the absence
absenceof
of aacorrelation
correlationbetween
between K20
K2Oand
andA1203,
A1203show sediments
from the Fern
Creek Formation
Formation were
were deposited
deposited without
without extensive
extensivesorting
sorting or
or demixing
demixing of
of hydraulically
hydraulically coarsercoarserNa20/K20 and
atomic
+ K)/Al
K)/A1 atomic
and (2Ca
(2Ca ++ Na +
and finer-grained fractions. Other data, including the NazO/K^O
ratio
ratio suggest
suggest sediment
sediment accumulated
accumulated with
with abundant
abundant original
original feldspar.
feldspar. The
The chemical
chemical index
index of
of
alteration (CIA)
Gowganda diamictite
diamictite
(CIA) ranges
ranges from
from 50
50 to 61,
61, similar
similar to the average
average CIA of 57 in Gowganda
matrices. The accessory
accessory suite
suite is complex
complex and includes
includes poorly rounded zircons.
zircons. These
These attributes
attributes
are consistent
consistent with an
an origin
origin as
as aa glacial
glacial till.
till.
.

and/or thorium were identified
identified in the
Several minerals enriched in rare earth elements (REE) andlor
Fern Creek
Creek Formation.
Formation.These
Theseinclude
includemonazite,
monazite,huttonite
huttonite(monoclinic
(monoclinicThS1O4)
ThSi04) and a fluorfluorhydroxy-REE mineral. Th concentrations
concentrations as high as 53
53 ppm were noted in one
one bulk
bulk analysis.
analysis.
Efforts to obtain
obtain aa chemical
chemical date
date on these minerals
minerals have so
so far
far been unsuccessful.
unsuccessful.
The Camey
Carney Lake
Lake Gneiss
Gneiss is
is aa chemically-compatible
chemically-compatiblepossible
possible source
source for
for the
the Fern
Fern Creek
Creek
Formation.
Formation.

REFERENCES
REFERENCES
Argast, A.,
A,, 2002,
2002, The
The lower
lower Proterozoic
Proterozoic Fern Creek
Creek Formation,
Formation,northern
northern Michigan:
Michigan:mineral
mineral and
and
J. Earth
Earth Sci.,
Sci., v.
v. 39,
39,p.
p. 481481bulk geochemical
geochemical evidence
evidence for
for its glaciogenic
glaciogenic origin:
origin: Can.
Can. J.
492.
492.
Argast, S. and Donnelly,
Donnelly, T.W.,
T.W., 1987,
1987, The chemical
chemical discrimination
discrimination of
of clastic
clastic sedimentary
sedimentary
components:
components: J.
J. Sed.
Sed. Pet.,
Pet., v.
v. 57,
57, p.
p. 813-823.
813-823.
Awwiller, D.N., 1993,
1993, Illite/smectite
Illitelsmectite formation
formation and
and potassium
potassium mass
mass transfer
transfer during
duringburial
burial
diagenesis
of
mudrocks:
a
study
from
the
Texas
Gulf
Coast
Paleocene-Eocene:
Sed,
diagenesis mudrocks: study
Texas
Coast Paleocene-Eocene:J.J. Sed.
501-512.
Pet., v. 63,
63, p. 501-512.

of
Wintsch, R. P. and Kvale, C. M., 1994,
1994, Differential mobility of elements in burial diagenesis of
siliciclastic
J. Sed.
Sed. Res.,
Res., v.
v. 64A,
64A, p.
p. 349-361.
349-361.
siliciclasticrocks:
rocks: 3.

2

�GEOLOGY AND HYDROGEOLOGY IN THE KINGSFORD, MICHIGAN
MICHIGAN AREA
BARTNTK, PATRICK
PATRICK J.,
J., pbartnik0arcadis-us.com,
pbartnik@)arcadis-us.com, ARCADIS
ARCADIS G&amp;M,
(I&amp;M, Inc.,
BARTNIK,
Inc., Kingsford,
Kingsford,
Michigan, 49802; and
bevans@arcadis-us.com, ARCADIS
EVANS, BRUCE W., bevans@arcadis-u.s.com,
ARCADIS G&amp;M,
G&amp;M, Inc.,
Inc., Milwaukee,
Milwaukee,
Wisconsin,
53202
Wisconsin, 53202
Investigations have been undertaken in a portion of the City
Investigations
City of Kingsford,
Kingsford, Michigan
Michiganand
and
Michigan (the
Breitung Township, Michigan
(the study
study area)
area) to determine
determine the
the geologic
geologic and
and
hydrogeologic
of glacial sediments and
and bedrock.
bedrock. The
hydroeeologic characteristics of
The study
study area
area is
is located
located
Dickinson
in ~
i c k i n s oCounty
County
i
in the south-central
south-central Upper
Upper Peninsula
Peninsula of
of Michigan.
Michigan. 1EPA)t ffpT

I

7

.'

'.

I

.

.

/

IUNGSEOkD

..

,*-. 4

C&amp;y

md

L

v".

]

"""

l—%

Cit;ofKingsford

1.

f.I
if,

P'1 \

— — Study Area

*

ty 1ownship

Kinysford City Supply Well

The ARCADIS investigations were largely completed between April 1997
1997 and January
January
2001, but are continuing. During
During the
the investigations,
investigations, over 300
300 soil borings were
were
completed, along with
with 47
47 test
test pits
pits and
and 9.5
9.5 miles
miles of
of geophysical
geophysical study.
study. The topography is
by three
three distinct
distinct landform terraces (Upper, Lower, and Riverside), which
characterized by
range in elevation from approximately 1,120 feet above mean sea level (ft msl) to
1,045ftftmsl.
msl. The Upper Terrace contains several isolated glacial kettles.
approximately 1,045
elevation of
of the
the Menominee
Menominee River
River is
is approximately
approximately 1,037
1,037 ftft msl.
msl. The
The geology
geology is
The elevation

3

�comprised of unconsolidated glaciofluvial and glaciolacustrine deposits of clay, silt, sand,
that exhibit complex horizontal
horizontal and
and vertical
vertical spatial
spatialvariability.
variability. These
and gravel that
Michigamme Slate and the Lower
sediments overlie the Middle Precambrian Michigarnme
Formation. Depth to groundwater in the
Precambrian metavolcanic Quinnesec Formation.
unconsolidated deposits ranges from about 10 feet below land surface (bis) near the
to more
more than
than 50 feet
feet bls
bis in
in the
theUpper
UpperTerrace.
Terrace. Groundwater flow
Menominee River to
follows irregular pathways toward the Menominee River, but generally flows from
northeast to southwest. Vertical
Vertical hydraulic
hydraulic gradients range from +0.863 ft/ft in upland
—0.012ft/ft
ftlftnear
nearthe
theMenominee
MenomineeRiver.
River. Hydraulic
Hydraulic conductivities
conductivities range from iO3
areas to -0.012
10'~
per second (cdsec)
(cm/see) to
to 10"
10' cm/sec
material to
to 1.03 xx 1i03
centimeters per
c d s e c for coarser-grain material
0'~
i05
0 "cm/sec
c d s e c for
for the
the very
very fine-grain sand and sandy silt. The
Thebedrock
bedrockisis
ccm/sec
d s e c to 3.94 x 1
considered impermeable.
impermeable. Groundwater
generally considered
Groundwater flow velocities range from
approximately 3 ft/day to 280 ft/day in coarser-grain units,
units, and
and from
from approximately
approximately0.1
0.1
fine-grain sand and sandy silt.
ft/day to 3 ft/day in the very fine-grain
To aid in the understanding of the complex
complex geology within the study
study area,
area, threethreetopographic surface,
dimentional modeling of the geology was undertaken using the topographic
surface,
and glacial
glacial sediments.
sediments. Thirteen geologic units identified from the
bedrock surface, and
borehole data were categorized in to 3 units, based on permeability and anticipated
anticipated
effects on groundwater flow.
flow. The
modeling
and
visualization
of
the
geology
were
The
Geostatistical Software Library (GSUB),
(GSLIB), developed at Stanford
completed using a Geostatistical
FORTRAN programs, and Environmental Visualization System
University, FORTRAN
System (EVS)
Development Corporation.
Corporation.
software developed by the C Tech Development

4

�GEOLOGY
GEOLOGY OF
OF THE
THE MISSISSIPPI-VALLEY
MISSISSIPPI-VALLEYTYPE
TYPE MINERALIZATION
MINERALIZATIONAT
MICHIGAN
BELLEVUE, MICHIGAN
BLASKE,
Allan
R.,
Blaske
Geoscience,
BLASKE, Allan R., Blaske Geoscience, 8313
8313 Hartel,
Hartel, Grand
Grand Ledge,
Ledge, Ml
MI48837
48837
The Bayport
Bayport Limestone is exposed
exposed in
in quarrying
quarrying operations
operations at
at Bellevue,
Bellevue, in
in southwestern
southwestern Eaton
Baton
County, Michigan.
Mining has
active around
around Bellevue
County,
Michigan.
Mining
has been
been active
Bellevue since
since the mid-1800's.
Approximately 25
25 feet of the Bayport is exposed in the quarrying
Approximately
quarrying operations, and consists of a
buff colored thin-bedded limestone.
gray to buff
limestone.

The Bayport
Bayport limestone
limestone is
is late Mississippian
in age,
age, and comprises the upper portions of the
The
Mississippian in
the
Grand Rapids Group.
Grand
Group. It is underlain
underlain by the
the Michigan
Michigan Formation,
Formation, also of
of the
the Grand
Grand Rapids
Rapids
below the Grand
Group. The
The early
earlyMississippian
Mississippian Marshall
Marshall Sandstone and Coldwater Shale lie below
Rapids Group. The
TheBayport
Bayportisisoverlain
overlainby
bythe
theearly
earlyPennsylvanian
PennsylvanianSaginaw
SaginawFormation
Formation(within
(within
the Michigan Basin), but covered only by glacial sand and gravel
at
the
quarry
site.
gravel at the quarry site.
Mineralogy
of the deposit is simple,
Mineralogy of
simple, consisting
consisting predominantly of pyrite, marcasite, and calcite.
Pyrite is most commonly found as encrustations of cubic crystals, formed directly on limestone.
limestone.
Mamasite
Marcasite is generally
generally lighter in color than the pyrite, and often in iridescent,
iridescent, platy crystal groups.
Marcasite
is by
by far the dominant
iron sulfide.
sulfide. Two
observed. Early
Marcasite is
dominant iron
Two generations
generations of calcite are observed.
Early
calcite is found as
calcite
as small
small crystals
crystals lining
lining cavities
cavities as
as drusy
drusycoatings.
coatings. The second generation of
calcite is found in large,
large, euhedral
euhedral crystals and cleavable masses. Trace
Traceamounts
amountsof
ofsphalerite,
sphalerite,
barite, and fluorite are present. Fluorite
Fluorite was
was the
the earliest
earliest to
to form,
form, as
as small
small brown
brown crystals
crystals directly
directly
on the
Pyrite was
was formed
on
the limestone.
limestone. Pyrite
formed in association
association with the
the early
early calcite.
calcite. Marcasite and
and
sphalerite
pyrite. Second
sphalerite are later than the early calcite and pyrite.
Second generation
generationcalcite
calcitebegan
began slightly
slightlyafter
after
the marcasite. Tiny
Tiny crystals
crystals of
of marcasite
marcasite can also
also be
be found
found on
on the
the large
large calcite,
calcite, indicating
indicating that
that
formation of
of marcasite
continued to
to the end of
formation
marcasite continued
of mineralization.
mineralization. Barite
Barite appears
appears later than the
sulfides,
but
before
the
end
of
the
calcite
formation.
sulfides,
calcite formation.

Mineralizationisis present
present predominantly
predominantlyinin brecciated
brecciated zones
zones and
and vein structures
Mineralization
structures within
within the
the
The most
Bayport Limestone.
Limestone. The
most common
common type
type of breccia
breccia consists
consists of
of small,
small, angular
angular clasts
clasts
surrounded by
by open-space
open-spacefilling
fillingofofsulfides
sulfidesand
andcalcite.
calcite. A second type
of breccia consists
consists of
of
surrounded
type of
larger, rounded
rounded clasts,
clasts, with
with the
the interstitial
larger,
interstitial spaces
spaces filled
filled with aa muddy
muddy limestone
limestone and
and pyrite.
pyrite.
Orientation and
and size
size of
of the mineralized
mineralized zones
zones within
within the
the limestone
limestone is
is not
not known, due to lack of
Orientation
within the
the quarry
quarry and
and insufficient
insufficienthistorical
historicalmapping.
mapping. Fine-grained iron sulfide is also
exposure within
observed as replacement structures, along apparent solution fronts within the massive
massive limestone.
limestone.
The geochemistry
of the
the sulfides indicates
indicates the
the simplicity
simplicity of
of the
the mineralization.
mineralization. 36-element ICP
geochemistry of
analysis of
of pyrite
pyrite and
and marcasite
marcasite separates,
separates, as
as well
well as a composite breccia sample, indicate very
analysis
concentrations of
of trace
trace elements.
elements. Copper, lead and
low concentrations
and zinc
zinc are
are found
found at
at concentrations
concentrations of
of less
less
than 60 ppm;
ppm; nickel
nickel is
is less
less than
than 30
30 ppm;
ppm; and
and cadmium
cadmium and
and cobalt
cobalt less
lessthan
than 55ppm.
ppm. Barium is
generally less
less than
than 20
20 ppm.
ppm. Manganese is high in the
also low, generally
the breccia
breccia (385
(385 ppm),
ppm), and
and lower
lower in
the sulfide separates (64 to 109 ppm), while chromium is high in the sulfides (150 ppm) and low

5

�ppm). Arsenic
in the breccia (31 ppm).
Arsenic isis present
present in
in the
the breccia
breccia (7
(7 ppm),
ppm), but
but low
low in
in the
the iron
iron sulfides
sulfides at
at
less than 5 ppm.
ppm.

Sulfur isotopic
were analyzed
analyzed on
on separated samples of
Sulfur
isotopic compositions
compositions were
of pyrite,
pyrite, marcasite,
marcasite, and
and
sphalerite. Sulfur
(6S) ofofthe
Sulfur isotopic compositions (S^S)
thesulfide
sulfidephases
phasesfrom
fromthe
theBayport
BayportLimestone
Limestone
are
for
These
are 14.5°/
14S0Ioofor
forthe
the pyrite,
pyrite, 12.8°/
12.8Â°/o
forthe
themarcasite,
marcasite, and
and 19.8°/
19.8'loofor
forthe
thesphalerite.
sphalerite. These
compositionsindicate
indicatethat
that the
the mineralizing
mineralizingfluids
fluids were
were basinal
basinal brines
brines from
from within
compositions
within the
the
Unpublished data obtained from the
surrounding Mississippian and Pennsylvanian
Pennsylvanian formations.
formations. Unpublished
USGS (Westjohn,
I). B., pets.
pers. comm.)
comm.) as part
part of the
the RASA
RASA program
program indicate
indicate aa large
large range
range of
of
(Westjohn, D.
34 .
8SSSininsamples
samplescollected
collectedfrom
fromthe
theunderlying
underlyingMarshal!
MarshallSandstone
Sandstone and
and Michigan
Michigan Formation,
Formation, as
well as the overlying
Saginaw Formation
Formationand
andthe
theJurassic
Jurassic Red
Red Beds.
Beds. Pore
well
overlying Saginaw
Pore water,
water, whole-rock,
whole-rock,
sulfide, and sulfate sulfur isotope
isotope compositions
compositions for the
the underlying
underlying formations
formations exhibit
exhibitaverage
average
o/
20°/c,, while the average 634S
withinthe
the overlying
overlying formations
formations is near 17
S^S within
17 'loo.
S^S near 20Â°/oo
Temperature
Temperature of the mineralization has been determined using fluid inclusions in calcite (Panter,
(Panter,

K. 5.,
S., 2001).
2001). Calcite afforded
afforded the only mineral phase with
with inclusions
inclusions for
formicrothermometric
microthermometric
study. Temperatures
Temperaturesof
of homogenization
homogenization indicate a bimodal distribution, with aa low
low temperature
temperature
mean of approximately 5gÂ°C
58°C, and
and a high
high temperature mean
mean of
of approximately 138OC.
138°C. The
The mean
mean
temperature
of all inclusions
These temperatures
are similar to those
temperature of
inclusions analyzed
analyzed was
was 107°C.
107OC. These
temperatures are
those
compositions
in
authigenic
minerals
the
Mississippian
observed
observed using
using isotopic
isotopic compositions
authigenic minerals in
Mississippian and
and
Pennsylvanian
sandstones (Westjohn,
(Westjohn, D. B., 1994).
1994). Fluid salinities
salinities based
based on
on freezing
freezing point
point
Pennsylvanian sandstones
equivalent weight percent
depression range from 2.6 to 9.5 equivalent
percent NaCI.
NaCl.

The quarries
quarries at
at Bellevue
Bellevue are
are located
located within
within55 to
to 66 miles
miles to the north
The
north and
and west
west of
of the
the known
known
northwest end of the
northwest
the Albion-Scipio
Albion-Scipio Oil
Oil Field
Field Trend.
Trend. This oil
oil field
field (dolomitized
(dolomitized fracture
fracture and
and
solution cavities) structure is located within the Trenton-Black River (Middle
(Middle Ordovician)
Ordovician)rocks,
rocks,
4,000 feet
feet deeper
deeper than
than the
the Bayport
Bayport Limestone.
Limestone. The structure
structure is related
related to
to faulting
faulting within
within
some 4,000
basement rocks.
rocks. Evidence
the basement
Evidence of
of the
the structure,
structure, however,
however, is
is present
present in
in the
the lower
lowerMississippian
Mississippian
Sunbury Shale
Shale Formation,
Formation, (approximately
(approximately 3,000
3,000 feet
feet higher
higher than
than the Middle Ordovician rocks),
the Coldwater
the Sunbury),
and the
the
Coldwater Shale
Shale (overlying
(overlying the
Sunbury), and
the Marshall
Marshall Sandstone
Sandstone (overlying
(overlying the
If
movements
associated
with
this
are evident
Coidwater).
Coldwater). If movements associated with this structure
structure are
evident in
in the
theformations
formations
immediately below the Bayport Limestone, it seems likely that the Bayport
Bayport Formation
Formation would
would also
also
be affected by faulting associated with
with the structure. Faulting
Faulting associated
associatedwith
with the
theTrend
Trendisislikely
likely
responsible
for small
in the
Bayport, allowing
allowing for
for brecciation,
brecciation, subsequent
subsequent fluid
fluid
responsible for
small structures
structures in
the Bayport,
precipitation of the mineralization.
migration, and precipitation
mineralization.
REFERENCES
REFERENCES
Panter, K. 5.,
S., 2001.
2001. A Preliminary
Preliminary Microtermometric Study of Fluid Inclusions in Calcite
Calcite from
data, Bowling
Bowling Green
Green State University, OH
Bellevue, Michigan, unpublished data,

of
Westjohn, D. B., 1994, Michigan Basin RASA Solid-Phase Investigation, in Geohydogeology of
Carboniferous
Aquifers
of
the
Michigan
Basin,
Great
Lakes
Section-SEPM,
1994
Fall
Carboniferous Aquifers of the Michigan
Section-SEPM, 1994 Fall
Field Conference, September 23-24, 1994,
1994, Lansing, MI

6

�GEOLOGIC MAPS
MAPS OF
OFKEWEENAWAN
KEWEENAWAN VOLCANIC AND INTRUSIVE ROCKS
BEDROCK GEOLOGIC
IN THE LAKEWOOD, FRENCH
FRENCH RIVER,
RIVER, AND KNIFE RIVER 7.5' QUADRANGLES, NORTH
SHORE OF
OF LAKE
LAKE SUPERIOR,
SUPERIOR,MINNESOTA
MINNESOTA
f., Minnesota Geological Survey, St. Paul,
Paul, MN,
MN, boerbOOI@umn.edu
boerb001@umn.edu
BOERBOOM, Terrence J.,

Geological Survey,
Survey, with
with partial
partial funding
funding by
by the U.S.
The Minnesota
Minnesota Geological
U.S. Geological
Geological Survey
Survey STATEMAP
STATEMAP
geologic mapping program, has recently published detailed bedrock geologic
geologic maps
maps of
of three
threequadrangles
quadrangles
located along the North
North Shore of Lake Superior northeast of Duluth, Minnesota
Minnesota (Fig. 1;
located
1; Boerboom and
others, 2002a, b). Field
Field mapping
mapping was
was completed
completedatat aa scale of 1:12,000,
others,
1:12,000, and compiled
compiled at a scale
scale of
of
has shown
that some
some flow
flow sequences
sequences can
can he
be traced
traced inland
inland as
as far as 10
1:24,000. This mapping
10 to 12
12
1:24,000.
mapping has
shown that
of individual
individual flows
flows within
within the
thelarger
larger flow
flow units.
units. Several
kilometers, and has identified hundreds of
Several mafic to
felsic, subcordant to discordant
discordant sills
sills and
and intrusions
intrusions have
have also
also been
been mapped.
mapped.
Prior to this mapping,
bedrock geologic
geologic maps
maps for
for this
this area were at aa scale
mapping, the only
only published
published bedrock
scale of
of
(for example
example Miller
Miller and others, 2001).
2001), and other work was concentrated
concentrated along the shoreline
1:200,000 (for
shoreline of
Lake Superior.
Superior. Brannon
Brannon(1984)
(1984)sampled
sampled160
160successive
successivevolcanic
volcanic flows,
flows, starting
startingabove
abovethe
theLester
LesterRiver
River
geochemical study.
study. Green
sill and ending in Two Harbors, as part of an exhaustive geochemical
Green and
and others
others (1977)
(1977)
included this
this area
area as part of aa more
included
more broad
broad coastal
coastal zone
zone management
management study.
study. Schwartz and Sandberg
Sandberg
published a paper on the diabase sills near Duluth that included some of the
(1940) published
the sills
sills mapped
mapped during
during
this study. Sandberg
Sandberg(1938)
(1938) mapped
mapped the
the stratigraphy
stratigraphy of the flows exposed
exposed at the
the shoreline
shorelinefrom
from Duluth
Duluth to
to
Two Harbors, identifying some 180
180 lava
lava flows.
flows. Although all of these
these studies
studies made
made some
someincursions
incursions
inland from the shore, none of them provided systematic mapping away from the shoreline
shoreline proper.
Bedrock exposure in the map area varies greatly, from nearly continuous outcrop along the shoreline
shoreline
and many of the short
short streams
streams along
along the
the slope
slope into
into Lake
Lake Superior,
Superior, to
to variably
variablyabundant
abundant outcrop
outcropin
in the
the
hills inland from the lakeshore. Throughout
Throughout the
the map
map area,
area, there
there are
are many
many closely
closelyspaced
spacedstreams
streams that
that
bedrock perpendicular
perpendicular to
to the
the strike
strike of
of the
the volcanic
volcanic stratigraphy.
stratigraphy. Hence,
have eroded into the bedrock
Hence, many of the
individual
flows could
could be
be traced
traced for
for a great
individual flows
great distance
distance along
along strike
strike by tying
tying them
them together
together from
from one
one
streamcut to the next, in combination
combination with
with the
the shoreline outcrops.
outcrops. In
In contrast,
contrast,the
the more
more resistant
resistantintrusive
intrusive
typically exposed
exposedon
onthe
thetops
topsand
andslopes
slopesofofhigh
highhills.
hills. The northeast
northeast part
part of
of the map area is
rocks are typically
aeromagnetic
poorly exposed and thus much of the bedrock geology in that area is constrained
constrainedlargely
largelyby
by aeromagnetic
data.
data.
Green (2002) has proposed a subdivision of the North Shore Volcanic Group into a series
series of informal
informal
sequences
and formations
formations that
that are
are separated
by major lithological
breaks or by
sequences and
separated by
lithological and
and geochemical
geochemical breaks
by
Within the
the area of the maps shown here, these include the Larsmont basalts, Sucker River
intrusions. Within
intrusions.
Lakewood lavas,
lavas, and
and the
the Lakeside
Lakeside lavas
lavas (Fig.
(Fig. 2).
2). The detailed
detailed bedrock geologic
geologic maps
maps shown
basalts, the Lakewood
here subdivide
these informal
informal formations
formationsinto
into multiple
multiple layers
layers comprised
comprisedof
of lava
lava flows of
here
subdivide these
of similar
similar
documented.
composition and texture in which multiple flow contacts have been documented.
REFERENCES
Boerboom, T.J.,
T.J., Green, J.C.,
J.C., and Jirsa,
Jirsa, M.A.,
M.A., 2002a,
2002a, Bedrock
Bedrock geology
geology of
of the French
French River and Lakewood
quadrangles,
St.
Louis
County,
Minnesota:
Minnesota
Geological
Survey
quadrangles, St. Louis County, Minnesota: Minnesota Geological Survey Miscellaneous
Miscellaneous Map M128, scale 1:24,000.
1:24,000.
Bedrock geology
geology of
of the Knife River quadrangle, St. Louis and Lake Counties,
-2002b, 2002b, Bedrock
Counties, Minnesota:
Survey Miscellaneous
Miscellaneous Map
Map M-129, scale 1:24,000.
Minnesota Geological Survey
Brannon, J.C.
J.C. 1984, Geochemistry
Geochemistry of
of successive
successive lava
lava flows
flows of
of the Keweenawan North Shore Volcanic
Group: St.
dissertation,312
312p.
p.
Group:
St. Louis,
Louis, Washington
Washington University,
University, Ph.D. dissertation,

7

�Green,
Green, J.C.,
J.C., 2002,
2002,Volcanic
Volcanicand
andsedimentary
sedimentary rocks
rocksofofthe
theKeweenawan
KeweenawanSupergroup
Supergroupininnortheastern
northeastern
Minnesota,
Minnesota,Chapter
Chapter55of
of Miller,
Miller,J.D.,
J.D., Jr.,
Jr., Green,
Green,J.C.,
J.C.,Severson,
Severson,M.J.,
M.J., Chandler,
Chandler,V.W.,
V.W.,Hauck,
Hauck,S.A.,
S.A.,
Peterson,
T.E.,Geology
Geologyand
and mineral
mineralpotential
potentialof
ofthe
theDuluth
DuluthComplex
Complexand
andrelated
related
Peterson,D.M.,
D.M., and
andWahl,
Wahl,T.E.,
rocks
rocksof
of northeastern
northeasternMinnesota:
Minnesota: Minnesota
MinnesotaGeological
GeologicalSurvey
Survey Report
Report of
of Investigations
Investigations 58,
58, p.
p. 9494105.
105.
Green,
Green, J.C.,
J.C., Jirsa,
Jirsa, MA.,
M.A.,and
andMoss,
Moss,C.M.,
C.M., 1977,
1977,Environmental
Environmental geology of the North
North Shore
Shore of
of Lake
Lake
Superior:Minnesota
MinnesotaGeological
GeologicalSurvey,
Survey,99
99p.p.
Superior:
Miller,
J.C.,Severson,
Severson,M.J.,
M.J., Chandler,
Chandler,V.W.,
V.W., and
andPeterson,
Peterson,D.M.,
D.M., 2001,
2001,Geologic
Geologicmap
map
Miller, J.D.,
J.D., Jr.,
Jr.,Green,
Green,J.C.,
of
of the
the Duluth
Duluth Complex
Complex and
and related
related rocks, northeastern Minnesota: Minnesota
Minnesota Geological
Geological Survey
Survey
MiscellaneousMap
MapM-119,
M-119,scale
scale1:200,000.
1:200,000.
Miscellaneous
Sandberg,
Sandberg, A.E., 1938,
1938, Section
Section across
across Keweenawan
Keweenawan lava
lava flows
flowsatatDuluth,
Duluth,Minnesota:
Minnesota: Geological
Geological
Society of
of America
America Bulletin,
Bulletin,v.
v. 49,
49, p.
p. 795-830.
795-830.
Society
Schwartz,
Schwartz, G.M.,
G.M., and
and Sandberg,
Sandberg, A.E.,
A.E., 1940,
1940, Rock series
series in
in diabase
diabase sills
sillsatatDuluth,
Duluth,Minnesota:
Minnesota:
Geological Society of America
Bulletin, v.51,
v. 51,p.
p. 1135-1172.
1135-1172.
Geological
AmericaBulletin,
92'

47
47'

map showing
showing location
location of
of
Figure 1.1. Index map
Figure
mapped quadrangles.
quadrangles. Work
Work is
is currently
currently in
in
progress on the
the Two
Two Harbors
Harbors and
and Castle
Castle
progress
Dangerquadrangles.
quadrangles.
Danger

Index map
map showing
showing the
the
Figure 2.2. Index
relative positions
positions of the
the informal
informal
volcanic
units
of
Green
(2002).
volcanic
Green (2002).

Intrusive rocks
Volcanic rocks

Boundary of informal
volcanic units
units
volcanic

88

�MINERAL RESOURCE
WISCONSIN MINERAL
RESOURCEGIS
CISAND
AND
RELATED
RELATED DIGITAL
DIGITALMAP
MAP AND
AND DATABASE PRODUCTS -A PROGRESS REPORT
REPORT
B:A.1,CZECHANSKI,
CZECHANSKI,M.L.',
Mi.', MUDREY,
BROWN, B.A.',
MUDREY,M.G.,
M.G., Jr.',
~ r . and
' ,andREID,
REID,Daniel
DanielD.2
D.' (1)
(1)
Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey,
Univ.
of
Wisconsin-Extension,
3817
Survey,
Wisconsin-Extension, 3817Mineral
Mineral
Point Road, Madison,
Madison, WI 53705,
53705, babrownl@facstaff.wisc.edu,
babrownl @facstaff.wisc.edu, (2)
(2) Wisconsin Dept of
Transportation, 3502
Transportation,
3502 Kinsman Blvd, Madison,
Madison, WI
WI 53704-2507
53704-2507
information on 1,302
A new Mines, Pits and Quarries (MPQ) database containing information
throughout Wisconsin
Wisconsin has
has been
been completed by the Wisconsin
significant nonmetallic mining sites throughout
Geological and Natural History Survey (WGNHS) in cooperation
cooperation with the
the U.S
U.S Geological
Geological
Survey (USGS). Locations were digitized from county-based digital orthophotography
orthophotographywherever
wherever
(MASIMIIILS
available and by site
site visits.
visits. Data
Datatables
tableswere
werelinked
linkedtotoexisting
existingUSGS
USGSdatabases
databases
(MAS/MILS
and MRDS) and to Wisconsin Department of
of Transportation
Transportation (WDOT)
(WDOT) aggregate test data; this
linkage of all previous digital and analog
analog databases is the first updated
updated inventory
inventory since
since1980.
1980.
Future versions will be augmented with current site information, collected under the nonmetallic
nonmetallic
reclamation program of Wisconsin Department of Natural
Natural Resources, and additional historic sets
such as the Road Material Survey
WGNHSIWDOT.
Survey sites
sites of
of the
the WGNHSIWDOT.
orthophotography, soil,
Georeferenced maps layered with digital geology, topography, orthophotography,
soil,
and so forth provide a valuable land-use planning resource. Concern
Concernfor
forsafety
safetyand
andconstruction
construction
reconstruction of U.S. Highway 151 through the historic Upper Mississippi
problems in the reconstmction
District, southwest Wisconsin,
Wisconsin, made possible the scanning and
Valley Base-Metal Mining District,
georeferencihg
of the
the Wisconsin
Wisconsin Mineral
MineralDevelopment
DevelopmentAtlas.
Atlas. The Mineral Development Atlas
georeferencing of
is a detailed set of
of 1,450 section-scale maps (1
(I inch
equal
inch equal 200
200 feet)
feet) of
of mine
mine workings,
workings, drill-hole
drill-hole
dating from 1900 until
until mining ceased
ceased in 1979. These maps were
location and ancillary data dating
maintained by the WONTIS
and the
the University
University of Wisconsin-Platteville
Wisconsin-Platteville and
WGNHS and
and were
were scanned
scannedby
by the
the
WDOT.
WDOT.

All Wisconsin water well construction reports for 1936-1988 are now available
available on CDRom. They provide an extensive data set for geologic mapping as well as environmental
environmental and
and
water resource analysis. New WGNHS map products are being produced in digital
digital form and a
variety of analog maps including the 1:24,000
1:24,000 USGS geologic quadrangle maps of the lead-zinc
lead-zinc
district are being converted to digital
as
resources
allow.
digital as resources allow.
This presentation will provide an interactive demonstration
demonstration of these
these data
data sets
sets and
and GIS
GIs
layers, a review of available map data such as regional geophysics, and an update on the status of
geologic
geologic mapping
mapping at
at the
the WGNHS.
WGNHS.

9

�HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION,
CONSTRUCTION,MINE
MINERECLAMATION,
RECLAMATION,AND
AND LAND-USE
LAND-USEPLANNING
PLANNING
CHALLENGES
CHALLENGES IN THE
THE HISTORIC
HISTORICUPPER
UPPER MISSISSIPPI
MISSISSIPPI VALLEY
VALLEY LEAD-ZINC
LEAD-ZINC
DISTRICT OF
OF SOUTHWEST
SOUTHWEST WISCONSIN
BROWN, B.A.1,
M.L.', REID,
B.A.', MUDREY, M.G., Jr.1,
~ r . ' CZECHANSKI,
,
M.L.',
REID, Daniel
Daniel D.2,
D.', and HUNT,
T.C.3,
Wisconsin Geological
Geological and
T.c.~,(1) Wisconsin
and Natural History Survey, Univ. of Wisconsin-Extension,
Wisconsin-Extension,
babrown1@facstaff.wisc.edu,
3817 Mineral Point Road, Madison, WI 53705, babrownl@facstaff.wisc.edu,
mgmudrey@wisc.edu, (2) Wisconsin Dept. of
of Transportation, 3502 Kinsman Blvd, Madison, WI
mgmudrey@wisc.edu,
53704-2507, (3) Reclamation Program, Univ. of Wisconsin-Platteville, 712 Pioneer Tower,
Platteville,
Platteville, WI
WI 53818
53818

The Upper Mississippi Valley
Valley Lead-Zinc District of Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, and Minnesota
produced nearly 10
10 million tons of lead-zinc ore from the 1820s
1820s until the last
last mine
mine closed
closed in
1978. The district will probably never be mined again, but
but problems
problems related to mineralization and
past mining activity pose significant problems for highway construction and post-mining land
use. Specific hazards and engineering problems
problems include
include (1) Highly altered and unstable rock and
construction, (2) leachate from
shallow abandoned mine workings encountered during highway construction,
roaster-pile waste and (3) locally degraded
degraded groundwater
groundwaterfrom
fromlead-zinc
lead-zincsulfide
sulfidemines.
mines. As rural
residential development increases,
increases, the abandoned workings, particularly poorly sealed
sealed shafts, can
be a hazard. Most low-sulfide
low-sulfide waste rock has been recycled as aggregate, and carbonate-rich
tailings overgrown with vegetation
vegetation make it difficult to find any surface evidence of small,
small, older
mine sites
sites that may cause
cause problems.
problems.
High sulfate in groundwater samples was noted in 1978
following closure
1978 following
closure and
and flooding
flooding in an
an
area where large mines had operated for more than 50 years and a drawdown cone had
bad developed
developed
over a 20-square mile area. A well-replacement program near Shullsburg
Shullsburg restored potable water
supplies. Onsite reclamation consisted
consisted of establishing
establishing vegetation
vegetation on the tailings
tailings and
and crushing
crushing the
the
coarse waste rock for aggregate. Leachate from zinc roaster waste piles produced over 100
100 years
Mineral Point. The roaster piles were
resulted in highly acidic and metal-rich surface water near Mineral
successfully reclaimed by surface grading and contouring
contouring along
along with neutralization and
fertilization to allow vegetation to establish. This was accomplished
accomplished at aa fraction
fraction of
of the
the cost
cost of
of
removal of the roaster waste
waste piles.
piles.
Previously undiscovered sulfide
sulfide mineralization
mineralization and
and associated
associated rock
rock alteration
alterationexposed
exposedduring
during
construction along U.S. Highway 151 near Mineral
Mineral Point
Point resulted in the unanticipated
highway construction
unanticipated
structures. The need to identify
identify areas
areas of
need for engineering redesign of major roadcuts and structures.
potentially unstable slopes led to scanning of the Wisconsin Mineral Development
Development Atlas,
Atlas, which
which
has proven to be invaluable in identifying areas of mineralization, alteration,
alteration, and
and abandoned
abandoned
workings in the path of construction. These detailed maps (1 inch to 200
200 feet)
feet) of
of mine
mine workings
workings
and exploration drillhole locations are now being used by county and regional planners
planners and
and
zoning authorities to identify and incorporate potential mining related hazards
hazards into
into land-use
land-use
planning.
planning.

10

�TEXTURAL
CONSTRAINTS
TEXTURES IN
IN THE
THE WOLF
WOLF RIVER
TEXTURAL
CONSTRAINTSON
ON THE
THE ORIGIN
ORIGIN OF RAPAKIVI TEXTURES
RIVER
BATHOLITH
BATHOLITH

R. Michele Buttram
Buttrarn and
and Marcia
Marcia Bjornerud
Bjomemd
Geology Department,
Department, Lawrence University, Appleton, WI 54912

The Wolf River Batholith of north-central Wisconsin, a 1.47 Ga composite anorogenic
pluton, includes some of the world's finest examples of 'rapakivi' granite,
granite,in
in which
which large
large
plagioclase. Although
potassium feldspar crystals are mantled by plagioclase.
Although rapakivi
rapakivi granites
graniteshave
have
origin of
of this
this distinctive
distinctive texture,
texture, both
both in the
been described for more than a century, the origin
elsewhere, remains
remains controversial.
controversial. Some workers argue that
Wolf River complex and elsewhere,
point under equilibrium
rapakivi mantles are coronae formed at a peritectic or eutectic point
crystallization conditions. Others
Others maintain that rapakivi
rapaldvi textures record disequilibrium
associated with magma mixing
mixing and
and or
or sudden
sudden changes
changes in
in pressure.
pressure.
While most previous investigations
investigations have focused on the chemistry of rapakivi granites,
this study
study examined
examinedthe
thephysical
physicalcharacter
characterofofthe
theWolf
WolfRiver
Riverrocks
rocks—- specifically,
specifically, the
size, shape, orientation and distribution
rapakivi-type feldspar crystals. Among
distribution of the rapahvi-type
Amongthe
the
most striking characteristics of these rocks is the large size of the feldspars (up to 7 cm in
length). Statistical
Statisticalanalyses
analyses show
show that there is no significant
significant difference in size or aspect
with and
and without
without the
therapakivi
rapakivimantle.
mantle. However, the K-feldspar
ratio between crystals with
tend to be
be rounder
rounder (less euhedral)
euhedral) than
than non-rapakivi
non-rapakivi
cores of the rapakivi-type crystals tend
grains, suggesting
prior to
to the growth of the
suggesting that they experienced significant resorption prior
plagioclase mantle. A
Aweak
weak grain
grain shape
shape fabric
fabric and
and random
random juxtaposition of rapakivi
rapaldvi and
non-rapakivi grains
must
also
be
explained
by
any
viable
model
for
the
origin
of the
grains
also explained
texture. Our
Our data
data appear
appearto
to be
be most
most consistent
consistent with the magma mixing model, which is
compatible
with
earlier
geochemical
studies of the Wolf River complex.
compatible
complex.

11

�Niagara suture
suture zone,
zone, northern
northernMichigan
Michiganand
andWisconsin—tectonics
Wisconsin-tectonics in
Ma arc-continent
arc-continent collisional boundary
the 1.85 Ma
W.F.
G.L. LaBerge,
W.F. Cannon,
Cannon,(U.S.
(U.S.Geological
GeologicalSurvey,
Survey,Reston,
Reston,VA
VA20192,
20192, wcannon@usgs.Rov)
wcannon(Susss.sov) G.L.
LaBerge,
(University of
of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
Wisconsin- Oshkosh(retired)
(retired)and
andU.S.
U.S.Geological
GeologicalSurvey),
Survey),John
JohnS.S.Klasner
Kiasner
(Western Illinois University (retired)
(retired)and
and U.S.
U.S.Geological
Geological Survey)
Survey)
The Niagara suture
suture zone,
zone, as
as used
used here,
here, is
is aa belt
belt varying
varying in
in width
width from
fromabout
about66 km
krnto
to40
40km
kmlying
lying
north of the Niagara fault. It separates the accreted
accreted volcanic
volcanic arcs
arcs of the
the Wisconsin
Wisconsinmagmatic
magmatic
terranes (WMT) on the south from the autocthonous and parautochtonous continental margin
metavolcanic rocks
rocks of
of
rocks on the north. ItIt consists
consists of
of Paleoproterozoic
Paleoproterozoic metasedimentary and metavolcanic
upon which they
they were
the epicratonic Marquette Range Supergroup
Supergroup and Archean basement rocks upon
deposited. The
TheArchean
Archean rocks
rocks constitiute
constitiute the
the southern
southern margin of the Superior craton, which was
rifted and eventually
separated
during
extensional
eventually separated during extensional phases of the Penokean orogenic
orogenic cycle, and
then thrust northward
northward during Penokean convergence. The suture zone is marked by very high
strain and widespread multiple steeply to vertically plunging folds.
folds. The suture zone is one of
whose hierarchy
hierarchy of
of component
component parts
parts is
is shown
numerous subdivisions of the Penokean orogen whose
below.
Michigamme subterrane
subterrane
Michigamme
Foreland fold
Foreland
fold and thrust
"Niagara
\
Niagarasuture
suture zone
Park Falls panel

/,

I

Watersmeet
Watersmeet panel
Beechwood
Beechwood panel
Iron River
River panel
Menominee panel
cianel

/1

north
north
PENOKEAN
OROGEN\ —
- Niagara
Niagara fault
--PENOKEAN OROGEN
--ioihh —
—
\\
south\ Pembine-Wausau
(northern
~ e m b i n e - ~ a u s terrane
aterrane
u
(northernpart
part of
ofWMT)
WMT)

-

---

Mars
hfleld terrane (southern
(southern part
Marshfield
part of
ofWMT)
WMT)
The
The map pattern shown here was derived from published detailed maps in the east
east (Bayley and
and

others, 1966; Dutton, 1971;
others, 1961)
others.
1971: James and others 1968; and James and others.
1961) and from our
recent
work
in
the
west,
where
outcrops
are
scarce
but
access
to
recent
exploration
recentwork
exploration drill
electromagnetic data have aided in
information as well as proprietary detailed aeromagnetic and electromametic
clarifying the geologic&gt;el~tionships
geologic relationships (Cannon
clarifying
(Cannon and
and others,
others,1998).
1998).
Each of the five fault panels of the Niagara suture
suture zone has a unique
unique set
set of characteristics.
characteristics.
Watersmeet panel- Paleoproterozoic
Paleoproterozoic strata are mostly pelitic schists
schists and
and gneisses
gneisses containing
containing
ferruginous
near the
the base.
base. They
ferruginous strata and locally dolomite near
They were
were deposited
deposited on
on aa basement
basement of
Archean gneiss.
gneiss. Both basement and cover were deformed
deformed into
into gneiss
gneiss domes.
domes. High-pressure
metamorphism
metamorphism produced kyanite-bearing assemblages.
assemblages.
Park Falls panel- Generally similar to Watersmeet panel except that metamorphism
metamorphismwas lower
lower
pressure and sillimanite-bearing
sillimanite-bearing assemblages
assemblagesare
arepredominant.
predominant.
Beechwood panel- Consists of Paleoproterozoic
Paleoproterozoic graywacke
graywacke and shale and mafic volcanic rocks
rocks in
in
equal parts.
parts. Archean basement is not exposed.
exposed. Folds are
roughly equal
are ENE-trending and have
subhorizontal axes. Rocks are
are in greenschist
greenschistfacies.
facies.
hon
Iron River
River panel- Rocks are the Paint River Group, including the Badwater Greenstone. Archean
basement is not exposed. Strata are multiply folded creating a complex
complex fold
fold interference
interference map
map
pattern. Most
Most fold
fold plunge steeply. Metamorphosed
Metamorphosedto
to greenschist
greenschist or
or sub-greenschist
sub-greenschist facies.
12

�_____________________________

89'

90'

88'

t 4,

'4—

46'-

3i •"'$
— .,

S,

1' nt titer-i'

V

'7 A•S
50

0
I

I

I

7 AL-) L

nt nit n-i' rlLp,1reflorniflee
A

7

7 ,a 7

50

L'/AtvAkva
7 AS 7
A•3 7
, CL,
L
LVA tY' tvA tvA C.
7

7

L

KM

-

7,,.
7

7

89'
88'
Maoshowing
showingthe
thefive
fivestructural
structuralpanels
panels(Park
(ParkFalls,
Falls.Watersmeet,
Watersmeet,
Beechwood.
IronRiver,
River.
Map
Beech
wood, Iron
and
that
the Niagara
andMenominee)
~enominee)
thatconstitute
constitutethe
~ i a ~ asuture
suture
r a zone.
zone.Faults
Faultsthat
thatbound
boundthe
thepanels
panelsare
are
Flambeau
FlambeauFlowage
Flowagefault
fault(FFF),
(FFF),Powell
Powellfault
fault(PF),
(PF),Elmwood
Elmwoodfault
fault(EF),
(EF),Paint
PaintRiver
Riverfault
faull(PRF),
(PRF),
Badwater
Badwaterfault
fault(SF),
(BF),North
NorthRange
Rangefault
fault(NRF),
(NRF),and
andSouth
SouthRange
Rangefault
fault(SRF).
(SRF).

9'l'

Menomineejanelpanel-Rocks
Rocksare
areentirely
entirelyof
ofPaleoproterozoic
Paleoproterozoic age.
age.No
NoArchean
Archeanbasement
basementisisexposed.
exposed.
Menominee

Strain
Strainwas
wasextreme.
extreme. Commonly
Commonlyallallstructural
structuralelements,
elements,including
includingfold
foldaxes,
axes,are
aresubvertical.
subvertical.
Metamorphism
Metamorphismisislower
lowertotoupper
uppergreenschist
greenschistfacies
faciesand
andlargely
largelypost-tectonic.
post-tectonic.
These
Thesepanels,
panels,and
andthe
theNiagara
Niagarasuture
suturezone
zone that
that they
they constitute,
constitute,differ
differfrom
fromthe
theMichigamme
Michigamme
subterrane
subterraneto
tothe
thenorth.
north.There
Therewas
waslittle
littlepenetrative
penetrativedeformation
deformationofofArchean
Archeanbasement
basementisisininthe
the
Michigamme
Michigamme subterrane.
subterrane. Paleoproterozoic
Paleoproterozoicstrata
stratawere
weremoderately
moderately to
toweakly
weakly deformed.
deformed. Folds,
Folds,
for
postforthe
themost
mostpart,
part,are
aresimple
simpleand
andgently
gentlyplunging.
plunging.Metamorphic
Metamorphicgrade
gradeisisvariable
variableand
andmostly
mostlyposttectonic.
Thus,
the
Niagara
suture
zone
documents
a
range
of
tectonic
styles
unique
to
the
very
tectonic. Thus, the Niagara suture zone documents a range of tectonic styles unique to the very
high strains
strainsin
inaabelt
beltno
nomore
morethan
than aa few
few tens
tens of
of kilometers
kilometerswide,
wide, along
alongwhich
which differential
differential
high
movement
craton margin
margin on
on the
the north
north was
was
movement between
between the
the accreting
accreting arcs
arcs on
on the
the south
south and
and the
the craton
concentrated.
concentrated.
References
References
Bayley,
Bayley,R.W.,
R.W.,Dutton,
Dutton,CE.,
C.E.,and
andLamey,
Lamey,C.A.,
C.A.,1966,
1966,Geology
Geologyofofthe
theMenominee
Menomineeiron-bearing
iron-bearingdistrict,
district,
Dickinson
DickinsonCounty,
County,Michigan
Michiganand
and florence
Florenceand
andMarinette
MarinetteCounty,
County,Wisconsin:
Wisconsin:U.S.
U.S.Geological
GeologicalSurvey
Survey
Professional
96p.
ProfessionalPaper
Paper513,
513.96~.

Cannon,
Cannon,WE.,
W.F.,LaBerge,
LaBerge,G.L.
G.L.Kiasner,
Klasner,J.S.,
J.S.,and
andSchulz,
Schulz,K.J.,
K.J.,1998,
1998,Reinterpretation
Reinterpretationof
of the
the Penokean
Penokean
44th
continental
part of
ofnorthern
northern Wisconsin
Wisconsin and Michigan
Michigan (abs.):
(abs.):Proceedings
Proceedingsof
of 44' Annual
AnnualInstitute
Institute
continentalmargin
margin in
in part
on
onLake
LakeSuperior
SuperiorGeology,
Geology,v.v.44,
44,p.p.52-53.
52-53.
Dutton.
Dutton,CE.,
C.E.,1971,
1971,Geology
Geologyofofthe
theFlorence
Florencearea,
area,Wisconsin
Wisconsinand
andMichigan:
Michigan:U.S.
US. Geological
GeologicalSurvey
Survey
Professional
54 p.p.
ProfessionalPaper
Paper633,
633,54
James,
James,H.L.,
H.L.,Clark,
Clark,L.D.,
L.D.,Lamey.
Lamey,C.A.,
C.A.,and
andPettijohn,
Pettijohn,EU.,
F.J.,1961,
1961,Geology
GeologyofofCentral
CentralDickinson
DickinsonCounty,
County,
Michigan:
Michigan:U.S.
US. geological
geological Survey
Survey Professional
ProfessionalPaper
Paper 310,
310,176
176p.p.

James,
James, H.L.,
H.L., Dutton,
Dutton, CE.,
C.E.,Pettijohn,
Pettijohn,F.J.,
F.J., and
and Weir,
Weir,K.L.,
K.L.,1968,
1968,Geology
Geologyand
andore
oredeposits
depositsof
ofthe
theIron
IronRiver
River
US. Geological
Crystal Falls
Falls district,
district,Iron
Iron County,
County, Michigan: US.
GeologicalSurvey
SurveyProfessional
Professional Paper
Paper 570,
570,134
134p.
p.
-- Crystal

13

�Strike-slip separation
Strike-slip
separation of the Burntside
Burntside trondhjemite and
and the
the Wakemup
Wakemup Bay
Bay tonalite,
Northern Minnesota
Karoun Charkoudian, Basil Tikoff
Department of Geology and Geophysics,
Wisconsin. Madison WI,
WI, 53706
53706
Geophysics, University of Wisconsin,
Robert Bauer
Department of Geological
GeologicalSciences,
Sciences,University
University of
of Missouri,
Missouri,Columbia,
Columbia,MO,
MO, 65211
65211

INTRODUCTION The
INTRODUCTION
TheVermilion
Vermilionfault
faultisisaalocal
localtectonic
tectonicboundary
boundary in
in the
the southern
southern Canadian
Canadian
Shield juxtaposing the Quetico
subprovince
(granites
and
schists)
with
the
Wawa
greenstones.
Quetico subprovince
greenstones.
Burntside trondhjeniite
The Bumtside
trondhjemite and the Wakemup Bay tonalite are small, elliptical, Archean granites
granites
separated by 35 k
km
of right
right lateral offset
offset on
on the
the Vermilion
Vermilionfault
faultin
innorthern
northernMinnesota.
Minnesota. The
m of
Vermilion fault is interpreted
interpreted as initially
initially active as a normal fault, juxtaposing the shallow
shallow Wawa
the north (figure 1,
greenstone to the south with the deeper granites and migmatized schists to the
1,
reactivated as a strike-slip
trondhjemite from
stage
stage 1).
1). It was later reactivated
strike-slip fault, separating the Burntside trondhjemite
from
the Wakemun
Wakemup
Bay
tonalite
(figure
1,
stage
2).
Although
the
Vermilion
fault
is
the
regional
Although the Vermilion fault is the regional
1.
. Bav,
. boundary between
between the
the Quetico
Quetico and Wawa
Wawa subprovinces, the Haley fault lies to the south
south of
of the
the
Vermilion fault and contains
contains Quetico schists
schists that belong- [ Stage
N
s t a x II
Queticp
gnttanaschsts
on the north side
side of
of the Vermilion
vermilion fault
fault (figure 1)
1).
The purpose of this study is to compare
pluton
setting fabrics,
fabrics composition,
of
emplacement setting,
composition, and shape of
the two plutons to
to determine
determine if they constitute
constitute a piercing
point on the Vermilion fault. In
In addition,
addition, we have
20km
determined
din on
on the
the Vermilion
Vermilion fault,
fault. constrained
constrained
..---~ the dip
I
emplacement history of the Wakemup tonalite.
tonalite, and
the emplacement
the
determined
determined a potential
potential cause
cause for the
the isolated
isolated fault
fault block
block
Queticp
Sge 2 granites
and schists
that now contains
contains the
the Wakemup
WakemupBay
Bay pluton
pluton (figure
(figure11,
44
Bumtslde
stage 2).
stage
Wakenup
110
The Burntside
Bumtside trondhjeimte
trondhjemite is
is aa small
small lenticular
lenticular
s
pluton that intruded
intruded the schist
schist that lies
lies to
to the
the north
north of
of the
the
ShaawaLake
Bumtside
continuation of the Vermilion
Burntside Lake fault, a continuation
fault at its eastern end. The
TheWakemup
Wakemup Bay
Bay pluton
pluton is
is aa
biotite-bearing tonalite that intruded
biotite-bearing
intruded the schist
schist that lies
lies
Figure
Figure 11
just to
to the
the north
north of
of the
the Haley
Haley fault.
fault.

-

-

-çffr

~

~

tr

~

n'"

The Anisotropy of Magnetic Susceptibility (AMS) is a rapid, nonAMS ANALYSIS
ANALYSIS
used in
in granitic
granitic studies
studies to
to obtain
obtain magnetic
magnetic fabrics.
fabrics. Principle
destructive technique, commonly used
Principle
magneticfoliation
foliationisisdefined
definedasas
k-k1
kmx-k,,,,
AMS ellipsoid axes are defined as km&gt;kht&gt;k,nin. The magnetic
thethe
is defined
defined as
as the
the orientation
orientation of
of km,.
plane, and the magnetic lineation is
Wakemup Bay
Bay tonalite
tonalite (500-8500pSI)
(500-8500pSI)
The bulk susceptibility varies widely in both the Wakemup
Burntside trondhjemite (SOO-3500pSI).
This range
range of
of susceptibility
susceptibility is attributed to the
and the Bumtside
(500-3500pSI). This
content throughout
throughout these
these bodies.
bodies. The
large variation in magnetite content
The AMS foliations
foliations parallel
parallel the
the
in both
both plutons.
plutons. Lineations
measured field foliation in
Lineations in
in the
the Wakemup
Wakemup Bay tonalite
tonalite dip
dip shallowly
shallowly
to the E and W, and lineations
lineations in the Burntside
Bumtside trondhjemite
trondhjemite dip
dip shallowly
shallowlyto
to the
the ENE
ENEand
andWSW.
WSW.
consistently parallel
Magnetic lineations consistently
parallel the long
long axis
axis of
of the
the plutons.
plutons.

The Bumtside and Wakemup plutons were selected
selected for a gravity
gravity study
study
GRAVITY STUDY
lithology (biotite
(biotite schist) with
with a significant and
because they both contain aa single surrounding lithology
gicc). In
consistent density contrast (Adensity
(Adensity == -0.08
-0.08 to -0.1 glcc).
In addition,
addition, the gravity
gravity data allows
allows us
to model the dip of the Vermilion
Vermilion fault.
fault.

14

�Lacoste and Romberg
Romberg gravity
gravity meter
meter model
modelGGwas
wasused
usedfor
forboth
bothareas.
areas. After
A Lacoste
Burntside pluton and
corrections, a forward model approach was used to interpret the depth of the Bumtside
Vermilion fault geometry using WinGLink,
WinGLink, a geophysical
geophysical interpretation
interpretation software
software program.
program. The
Burntside pluton
pluton is a thick body
body between
between 2-3
2-3 km
km in
inthickness.
thickness. The Vermilion fault is a steeplyBumtside
dipping to
to vertically
vertically oriented
orientedfeature.
feature. Using a gravimetric
gravimetric three-dimensional
thee-dimensional iterative
north dipping
technique on
on the
the Wakemup
Wakemup Bay
Bay pluton
pluton resulted
resulted in
in aa good
goodfirst-order
first-orderpicture
pictureof
ofthe
thepluton.
pluton. Most
technique
thin, less
less than
than 0.5km
0.5km thick.
thick. There are two root zones of up to 4 km
krn depth,
of the pluton is very thin,
both of which lie on the southern portion of the Wakemup pluton, furthest away
away from
from the
the
Vermilion fault.
fault.
INTERPRETATION We interpret the Burntside
Bumtside and Wakemup plutons as
as part
part of
of the
the same
same
granitic complex
complex prior
prior to
to strike-slip
strike-slip faulting
faulting on
on the
theVermilion
Vermilionfault.
fault. These igneous bodies are
granitic
composition and both
both have undergone solid-state deformation.
deformation. The
The plutons have similar
similar in composition
settings. The
structural settings.
The Wakemup
Wakemup Bay pluton intrudes an F3 fold hinge and the Burntside pluton
has refolded F2 folds at its southern end. Given
Given the
the separation,
separation, the
the folding
folding episodes
episodes may
may or
or may
may
not correlate
correlate exactly.
exactly.
The gravity inversion and AMS study on the Wakemup pluton provide constraints
constraints on
on
pluton emplacement. The
The pluton
pluton has
has an
an average
average thickness
thickness of
of 0.5 km. Because the pluton
reflects the true thickness
thickness of the pluton.
pluton. The
TheAMS
AMS
contains a roof of wallrock, this estimate reflects
F3fold.
fold.
foliation and lineation parallel the
the fold
fold limbs
limbs and
and fold
fold hinge,
hinge, respectively,
respectively, of
of aa km-scale
km-scale F3
Therefore we interpret the Wakemup
F3 fold
fold hinge.
hinge.
Wakemup as syntectonically intruding
intruding an
an F3
We use a forward gravity model to estimate the dip on the Vermilion fault, which dips
70° N
N and
and vertical.
vertical. This interpretation requires that the section of the Vermilion fault
between 70'
Bumtside pluton was not active as a south-side down normal fault.
south of the Burntside
We propose the following tectonic
tectonic model
model (figure
(figure 1). The Burntside
Bumtside pluton and the
Bay pluton
pluton were
were initially
initially part
part of
of the
the same
same granitic
granitic complex.
complex. The
Wakemup Bay
The Vermilion
Vermilion fault
fault was
was
1, stage 1),
l), which
which juxtaposed the
the aznphibolite
amphibolite facies
facies Quetico
Quetico
initiated as a normal fault (figure 1,
sub-province with
with the
the greenschist
greenschist facies
facies Wawa
Wawa belt.
belt. The
The Wakemup
Wakemup tonalite,
tonalite, with
with aa thick
thick root
root on
on
promontory in the
the fault system. The
its south side, acted as a promontory
The Vermilion
Vermilion fault
fault was
was then
then
reactivated as a strike-slip fault (figure 1, stage 2), cutting through the thinnest (NW) section of
the Wakemup Bay pluton. This
This created
created the
the fault-bounded
fault-bounded block
block that
that contains
containsthe
theWakemup
WakemupBay
Bay
pluton. Therefore,
Therefore, itit isis evident
evident that
that the
the pluton
pluton shape
shape has played a crucial role in controlling
Vermilion fault orientation, both for the early normal faulting and later strike-slip faulting.

REFERENCES
REFERENCES
Bauer, R.L., 1985.
1985, Norwegian Bay Quadrangle, St. Louis County, Minnesota. Minnesota
MinnesotaGeological
Geological
Survey,
Miscellaneous Map series.
1:24,000.
Survey, Miscellaneous
series, Map
Map M-59,
M-59, 1:24,000.
Bauer, R.L., 1986,
1986, Multiple folding and pluton emplacement in Archean migmatites of the southern
Vermilion granitic complex,
complex,northeastern
northeasternMinnesota.
Minnesota.Can.
Can.1.
J.Earth
EarthSci.,
Sci.,v.v.23,
23, p. 1753-1764.
1753-1764.
R.L., and Bidwell,
Bidwell, M.E.,
ME., 1990,
Bauer, R.L.,
1990,Contrasts
Contrasts in the response to dextral transpression across the Queticoboundary in
innortheastern
northeasternMinnesota.
Minnesota. Can. J. Earth Sci., v.
v.27,
Wawa subprovince boundary
27, p.
p. 1521-1535.
1521-1535.
Sims,
MG., 1972,
Sims, P.K., and Mudrey, M.G.,
1972,Burntside
Burntsidegranite
granitegneiss,
gneiss,Vermilion
Vermiliondistrict,
district,ininSims,
Sims,P.K.,
P.K.,etetal.,
al.,eds.,
eds.,
Geology of Minnesota: A Centennial
Centennial Volume:
Volume: St. Paul, Minnesota
Minnesota Geological Survey, p. 98-101.
Vigneresse,
emplacement by regional deformation: Tectonophyiscs,
Tectonophyiscs, v. 249, p.
1995, Control of granite emplacement
Vigneresse, J.L., 1995,
17
3-186.
173-186.

15

�MINERAL POTENTIAL
POTENTIAL OF PROTEROZOIC
PROTEROZOIC MAFIC
GEOLOGY AND MINERAL
MAFICINTRUSIONS
INTRUSIONS
IN THE
THE NORTHERN
PROVINCE OF ONTARIO
NORTHERN GRENVILLE
GRENVILLE PROVINCE
ONTARIO
R.M. EASTON,
EASTON, Ontario
OntarioGeological
GeologicalSurvey,
Survey,933
933 Ramsey
Ramsey Lake
Lake Road,
Road, Sudbury,
Sudbury,Ontario
OntarioP3E
P3E6B5,
6B5,
mjke.easton@ndm.gov.on.ca
imke.easton@ndm.eov.on.ca

Since 1998,
1998, mafic intrusions near the Grenville Front in Ontario have been prime
exploration targets
targets for
for Cu-Ni-PGE
Cu-Ni-PGE mineralization.
mineralization. To
To assist
assist in this
this effort,
effort, the
the Ontario
Ontario Geological
Geological
has conducted detailed mapping in
in high
high potential areas of
of the Grenville Province between
between
Survey has
and 2002. This poster summarizes
1999 and
summarizes the results
results of these
these mapping
mapping efforts.
efforts.

East Bull Lake
East
Lake intrusive
intrusivesuite,
suite,including
includingthe
theRiver
RiverValley
Valleyintrusion:
intrusion:Country
Countryrocks
rocksto
to East
Bull Lake intrusive
intrusive (EBU)
(EBU)suite
suiterocks
rocks in
in the
thearea
area are
areinferred
inferredto
to be
be mainly
mainlyArchean
Archean in
in age,
age, and
and
are grouped into 4 gneiss associations.
Metamorphic grade is upper amphibolite
associations. Metamorphic
amphibolite facies;
facies; country
country
rocks to the mafic
mafic intrusions
intrusions are
are commonly
commonlymigmatitic.
migmatitic.
The Paleoproterozoic
Paleoproterozoic EBLI
intrusions emplaced
EBU suite consists of several mafic layered intrusions
emplaced
between 2490 and
kin, roughly
and 2468
2468 Ma
Ma (James
(Jameset
et al.
al. 2002)
2002)that
that occur
occurover
overaadistance
distanceofof—250
-250 km,
centered on the present site
site of Sudbury.
Sudbury. The largest of these bodies in the Grenville
Grenville is the River
Valley intrusion,
intrusion, which underlies
underlies roughly
roughly 100
100kin2
km2 of Dana and Crerar
Crerar townships.
townships. Previous
Previousmaps
maps
correlated
correlated mafic rocks west of Crerar Township with the River Valley intrusion.
intrusion. This
This study
indicates that at least 3 separate
separate intrusions are present, each emplaced
emplaced into
into different
different country
country
rocks, and with different
different stratigraphy
stratigraphyand
and mineral
mineral potential.
potential.

EBU
EBU suite
suiterock
rock types
types range
range in composition
composition from anorthosite
anorthosite to melanorite, troctolite and
rarely peridotite; leucogabbronorite
leucogabbronorite and gabbronorite dominante. The crystallization
crystallization order
order of
primocryst
phases
is
most
commonly
plagioclase
(An80.62),
olivine
(Fo7659),
orthopyroxene
primocryst phases is most commonly plagioclase (An80.62), olivine (Fo76-59), orthopyroxene
(En7558),
titanomagnetite,and
and clinopyroxene.
clinopyroxene. In
In Dana
Dana Township,
Township, the
(En75.58),titanomagnetite,
the River
River Valley
Valley intrusion
intrusion
locally exhibits primary mineralogy and well preserved igneous textures.
textures. Phase
Phase layering varies
from cm- to m-scale, which is discernable
discemable in outcrop,
outcrop, and dm or
or larger,
larger, which
which is
is identified
identified by
by
detailed mapping. Isomodal layering is most common; mineral and size graded
graded layers are less
common. Cryptic layering is well documented for the River Valley intrusion. Pearce-element
Pearce-element
chondrite-normalized REE diagrams illustrate
illustrate that each
ratio and chondrite-normalized
each body formed
formed from
from one
one or
or more
more
cogenetic magmas (James et al. 2002). A high-Al, low-Ti tholeiite
tholeiite composition
composition can
can explain
explain the
the
dominant leucocratic rock compositions in
in the
the EBU
EBU suite
suite (James
(James et
et al.
al. 2002).
2002).
EBLI suite, contact-type Cu-Pd-Pt mineralization (1
Within the EBU
(1 to 10
10g/t
g/t Pd+Pt+Au)
Pd+Pt+Au)
occurs in the matrix of an inclusion and/or
fragment-bearing
gabbronorite
to
leucogabbronorite
andlor fragment-bearing gabbronorite to leucogabbronoriteat
at
the base or side of the intrusions where the primary igneous contact
contact is preserved.
preserved. A
A second,
second,
similar, zone of mineralization may occur 100-200
100-200 m above
above the contact.
contact. Examples
Examples occur
occur
throughout the EBLI
EBU suite,
suite, however, the most consistent grades
grades have been reported from the
River Valley intrusion in Dana Township. Chalcopyrite and lesser
lesser pyrrhotite
pyrrhotite form
form 1-3
1-3 %
% sulfide,
sulfide,
either finely disseminated or as local cm-sized patches. PGE mineralization
mineralization is
is commonly
commonly
associated with suiphide.
sulphide. Study of the East Bull Lake intrusion indicates
indicates that
that mineralization
mineralization
originates from the intrusion and subsequent
subsequent dynamic
dynamic mixing of S-saturated,
S-saturated, inclusion-bearing,
inclusion-bearing,
second-stage
second-stage (PGE enriched, i.e. 20-100 ppb PGE) magmas
magmas that
that entered
enteredthe
the magma
magma chamber
chamber
carrying liquid sulfide droplets (James et al. 2002). Reef-style mineralization
mineralization has
has yet
yet to
to be
be
documented within the EBLI suite.
suite.

16

�GeologicaJ history
history between Sudbury
Geological
Sudburyand
andRiver
RiverValley:
Valley:Archean
Archeanrocks
rocksininthis
thisarea
arearecord
record aa
sequence of events similar to that observed
observed in the Levack Gneiss complex
complex and
and high-grade
high-grade
portions of the Quetico subprovince,
subprovince, but unlike the Pontiac subprovince. The following
geological history is inferred. After deposition of greywackes south of the Temagami
Temagami greenstone
greenstone
belt, invasion by tonalitic to granodioritic plutons, probably accompanied
accompanied by burial,
burial, formed
formed the
the
migmatitic
migmatitic gneisses
gneisses now represented
represented by the Pardo
Pardo and Red Cedar
Cedar Lake
Lake gneiss
gneiss associations,
associations,likely
likely
between 2685 and 2675
2675 Ma. This
This was
was followed
followed by
by a second
second period
period of
of tonalitic
tonaliticto
togranodioritic
granodioritic
magmatism, deformation
deformation and metamorphism
metamorphism at
at mid-crustal
mid-crustal levels
levels between
between 2670
2670and
and2660
2660Ma.
Ma.
products of
of this
this latter activity.
activity. Subsequent felsic
The Crerar gneiss association represents the products
magmatism at roughly 2640 Ma was accompanied
accompanied by emplacement
emplacement of pegmatite
pegmatiteveins.
veins.

A logical extension of this work is to interpret the gneiss associations as a southwarddeepening
deepening section of the crust. As interpreted,
interpreted, Archean metawackes
metawackes exposed
exposed immediately
immediatelynorth
north
of the Grenville Front
Front represent high-levels
high-levels of
of the
the crust.
crust. The
The Pardo
Pardo gneiss,
gneiss, immediately
immediately south of
of
the Grenville
represents the middle part of aa 10-15
Grenville Front, represents
10-15 km
km thick
thick upper
upper crustal
crustallayer
layerdominated
dominated
by supracrustal and intrusive rocks. The Red Cedar
Cedar Lake gneiss and the
the Street
Street gneiss
gneissassociation
association
represent the basal portion of this upper crustal layer, with
with the
the former
former derived
derived from
from a
sequence and the latter
metasedimentary rock sequence
latter from a greenstone
greenstone sequence.
sequence.Intrusive
Intrusiverocks
rocks of
of the
the
Crerar gneiss association are part of aa 10-15
km thick
thick middle
middle crustal
crustallayer.
layer.This
Thiscrustal
crustalsection
sectionisis
10-15 km
roughly equivalent to that observed across the Wawa gneiss
gneiss domain.
domain. Emplacement
Emplacementof
ofEBLI
EBLIsuite
suite
bodies occurs at several levels within this
this crustal
crustal section.
section.

Flett Township
Townshipmafie
maficIntrusions:
Intrusions:Evidence
Evidencefor
foraamafic
maficand
andA-type
A-typegranite
granite magmatic
magmatic province
in the northern Grenville Province was discovered while examining mafic intrusions near
Temagami that
that occur in
in Tomiko
Tomiko domain, near
near its contact with
with the Grenville Front tectonic zone.
rocks consist
consist of
of gneissic
gneissic granite,
granite, with
with minor
minor mafic
mafic and quarztose gneiss and
Proterozoic country rocks
The Fall
Fall Lake
Lake intrusion
intrusion consists
consists of
of little
little metamorphosed
metamorphosed gabbro and
metaconglomerate. The
Fanny Lake
Lake intrusion
intrusion consists
consists of
of olivinite
olivinite and
and troctolite.
troctolite. Igneous texture is
leucotroctolite. The Fanny
well preserved, but metamorphic coronas occur
occur around
around primary olivine
olivine and
and clinopyroxene.
clinopyroxene.
indicates that
that both
both bodies
bodies are
are slightly
slightly alkalic,
alkalic, compositionally
compositionally similar to the
Geochemistry indicates
diabase dike
dike swarm
swarm dated
dated at
at 1238 Â
± 44 Ma,
Ma, and
and have
have affinities
affinities to
to within-plate
within-plate basalts.
Sudbury diabase
intrusion yielded pristine baddeleyite, with
with 3 concordant or just
just slightly
The Fall Lake intrusion
slightly
discordant
1235Â±22Ma.
Ma.The
TheFanny
Fanny Lake
Lake sample
discordant grains
grains giving
givingan
an average
average207Pb/206Pb
2 0 7 ~ b / 2 0age
6age
~ bofof1235
yielded baddeleyite,
baddeleyite, with
with some
some grains
grains having thin
thin zircon
zircon overgrowths, consistent with the
presence of corona textures in the body. Two concordant grains without overgrowths
overgrowths gave an
1238 Â
± 2 Ma.
Ma.
average
average 2207Pb/2°6Pb
0 7 ~ b / 2 fage
fage
i ~ of
bof1238

Both intrusions are spatially associated with the A-type Mulock granite,
granite, dated previously
at 12444L3
Ma. Intrusions
Intrusions of
of similar
similar age include
include the
the Sudbury dike
dike swarm, Mercer anorthosite,
1244+4/.3Ma.
the West
West Bay
Bay and
and Powassan
Powassan granitoid
granitoid plutons.
plutons. The
The new
new age
age data
data provides
provides further evidence
and the
of aa bimodal
bimodal magmatic province active from 1270-1235
for the presence of
1270-1235 Ma in the Laurentian
margin of the Grenville Province.
Province. The
The tectonic setting is interpreted as an extensional
extensional rift that
of a continental
continental arc active on
on the southern margin of North America
formed inboard of
America between
1450-1300 Ma.
Ma. This
This setting
setting resembles
resembles that
that of
of the
the Cenozoic
Cenozoic Columbia River Basalt Group.
Group.
R.S., Easton,
Easton, R.M.,
R.M., Peck,
Peck. D.C.
D.C. and Hrominchuk,
Hrominchuk, J.L.
J.L. 2002.
2002. The East Bull Lake intrusive
James, R.S.,
intrusive suite:
suite: remnants of a
—2.48Ga
Galarge
largeigneous
igneousand
andmetallogenic
metallogenicprovince
provinceininthe
theSudbury
Sudburyarea
areaof
of the
the Canadian
Canadian Shield; Economic
-2.48
v.97, p.1577-1606.
Geology, v.97,

17

�PAIEOSmES5
INFERENCES
FROM
FAULT
PALEOSTRESS
INFERENCES
FROM
FAULTSLIP
SLIPVECTORS
VECTORSIN
INTHE
THEEASTERN
EASTERNPART
PARTOF
OFTHE
THE
WIscoNSIN
SEGMENT
MIDCONTINENT Rwr
WISCONSIN
SEGMENTOF
OF THE MIDCONTINENT

Amy Garbowicz, Marcia
Marcia Bjomerud,
Bjomerud,
54912
Geology Department, Lawrence
Lawrence University, Appleton, WI 54912

Building
accurate models
models for
for both
Building accurate
both the opening
opening and closing of
of the
the Midcontinent
Midcontinent Rift
Rift
requires
an understanding
of the
the evolution
of regional
stresses over
over time. This study
requires an
understanding of
evolution of
regional stresses
study
paleostress indicators
indicators in
in the
the portion
portion of
of the Rift exposed near
focused on slickenfibers as paleostress
northeasternmost Wisconsin.
Wisconsin. The
the southern shore of Lake Superior in northeastemmost
The orientations
orientations of
slickenfibers were
were used
used to determine
slickenfibers
determine slip vectors
vectors on outcrop-scale
outcrop-scale faults
faults within
within riftriftrelated
igneous
and
sedimentary
rocks.
Rocks
sampled
span
the
entire
range
of
related
and sedimentary rocks. Rocks sampled span the
range the
the
Keweenawan Supergroup, from the Tyler Formation to the Freda Sandstone, with most of
the sampling in the Porcupine Volcanics, the Kallander Creek Volcanics, and the Mellen
Gabbro.
for their
their age,
age,
Gabbro. . The mineral composition of the slickenfibers was used as a proxy for
based on the
based
the known
known regional
regional sequence
sequence of
of secondary
secondary mineralization
mineralization within
within the
the Rfit.
Rfit.
Chlorite and epidote slickenfibers
slickenfibers were grouped together and considered
considered older
older since
since these
these
were among
were
among the first
first minerals
minerals precipitated
precipitated by
by hydrothermal
hydrothermal fluids following
following the
the main
main
of calcite and zeolite were considered to be
magmatic interval.
interval. Slickenfibers of
be younger.
younger.
Some individual faults were observed to have multiple generations of slickenfibers
slickenfibers with
reactivation or
or continuous
continuous slip over aa protracted
protracted
different compositions, indicating either reactivation
Data from the
period of time.
period
time. Data
the field
field were
were analyzed
analyzed using
using Fault
Fault Kinematics
Kinematics (by
(by R.
R.
Allmendinger,
Cornell
Unviersity),
a
program
that
calculates
best-fit
paleostress
tensors
Allmendinger, Cornell Unviersity), a program that
from fault slip
slip information.
information. The calculated tensors all indicate
indicate normal
normal stress
stress regimes
regimes
(maximum
principal stress subvertical), even
even for the latest
(maximum principal
latest generations
generations of
of slickenfibers.
slickenfibers.
This contrasts
with the
the results
This
contrasts with
results of studies
studies on
on the
the Keweenaw
Keweenaw Peninsula,
Peninsula, which
which have
have
documented
two distinct stress
documented two
stress regimes.
regimes. There,
There, early
early normal
normal faulting
faulting gives way to
to
far-field stresses associated with the Grenville
reverse faulting, possibly as a response to far-field
Orogeny.
Orogeny. The
The absence
absence of
of reverse-slip
reverse-slip vectors
vectors in
in the
the northeastern
northeastern Wisconsin
Wisconsin segment
segment of
of
the Midcontinent Rift may reflect the misorientation of this part of
of the
the rift
rift with
withrespect
respectto
to
those far-field stresses.
stresses.
.

18

�Mode of Occurrence
their Possible
Possible Origin in
in the
the Negaunee
Occurrence of Trona and Thermonatrite and their
Iron-Formation of the Marquette Range,
Range, Lake Superior District, USA

Tsu-Ming Han (Retired)
(Retired)
Research
Research Laboratory, Cleveland-Cliffs
Cleveland-CliffsInc.
Inc.

A white colored substance
Negaunee Ironsubstance is often seen on the surface of the silicate-bearing Negaunee
Formation of low metamorphic grade on the Marquette Range, Michigan. This substance is
mostly of a mixture containing hydrous
hydrous sodium
sodium carbonates
carbonates(trona
(tronaand
andthermonatrite)
thermonatrite) It occurs as
thin coatings
coatings
coatings along bedding (Figure 1-A), and in fractures cutting across the bedding; as coatings
and colloform
colloform clusters on bedding planes (Figure 1-B); and as contour patterns distributed
between the fractures
fractures of bedding surfaces. Furthermore, nearly pure trona was developed quickly
as
as dendrites
dendrites and minute
minute dots
dots on
on the
the cut
cut surfaces
surfaces of
of some
somehand
hand specimens
specimensin
instorage
storage(Figure
(FigureC).
C).
To
To the writer's
writer's knowledge,
knowledge, these
these minerals
minerals have
have not
not been
been previously
previously reported
reportedfrom
from Precambrian
Precambrian
BIF
BIF of
of the
the equivalent
equivalentmetamorphic
metamorphicgrade
gradein
in other
otherdistricts.
districts.

4' 4fr.!
Figures
Mode of
of occurrence
occurrence of
of trona
trona and
and thermonatrite.
thermonatrite.
Figures1 1—- Mode

A-As white
B-As colloform
bedding plane.
plane
A—As
whitecoatings
coatings along
along bedding.
bedding. B—As
colloform clusters
clusters on a bedding
C- As
specimenin
in storage.
storage.
C—
Asdendrites
dendriteson
onthe
the cut
cut surface
surface of a hand specimen
The iron-formation is composed of magnetite, siderite,
siderite, ankerite,
ankerite, and stilpnomelane..
stilpnomelane..
The
Minnesotaite
more than Na in
in these
these minerals
minerals
Minnesotaite is also locally present in noticeable quantities.
quantities. K is more
as is the case in nearly all of the
As aa
as
the Precambrian iron-formations
iron-formations of
of low
low metamorphic
metamorphic grade.
grade. As

19

�_____________________

general
general rule,
rule, stilpnomelane
stilpnomelanecontains
containsmore
moreKK and
and Na
Na than
than the
theminnesotaite.
minnesotaite. However,
However, the
the
K20:Na20
ratio
these
minerals
and
K20:Na20
ratioinin
these
minerals
andin..the
in theiron
ironformation&amp;
formationsmay
may vary
vary substantially..
substantially. .
Based
Basedon
onthe
theresults
resultsfrom
fromthe
thehighly
highlypurified
purifiedwater
waterleaching
leachingtests
testson
onmore
morethan
thantwenty
twentydifferent
different
samples,
practicallyinsoluble
insoluble
samples, the
theNa
Nain
inthe
theiron-formation
iron-formationisiswater-soluble
water-solublewhereas
whereasthe
theKKisispractically
(Figures
2A and
and B).
B).The
TheXRD
XRDand
and analytical
analyticaldata
datashow
showaagood
goodcorrelation
correlationbetween
between the
theamount
amount
(Figures2A
of
Na20, K20
and the
the amounts
amounts of
ofNa20,
K 2 0and
andA1203
A1203(Figures
(Figures3A
3Ato
to C).
C).
of stilpnomelane
stilpnornelaneand
1L40

0.35

0.30

0.25

0.20

0.15

0.34

p.06

0.04

0.30

y25.66x+2.1167
= 0.7495

25,

0.9
20.
15

0.7

ar.

I

In

.BTst':T

5

0
0

0.05

0

0.10

0.15

0.1

0.2

0.3

20
0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.20

-

Figure
Figure 22-AAand
andBB Solubility
Solubilityof
ofK20
K 2 0and
and Na20
Na20
in the
the silicate-bearing
silicate-bearingiron-formation
iron-formationwith
with high
high
in
and low K20:Na20
K20:Na20ratios.
ratios.
and

-

0.9

Figure33- A
A to
to CC Relationship
Relationshipofofstilpnomelane
stilpnomelane
Figure
to K20,
K20,Na20
Na20and
andA1203.
A1203.
to

5 .

5

0.
0.

c/
00

% #4203

Y
m A1203

0.5
0.5

1.0
1.0

1.5
1.5

2.0
2.0

2.5
2.5

It
It may be logically concluded
concluded that most of the sodium was
was derived
derived from
from the stilpnomelane,
stilpnomelane,
which
which was leached
leached out by meteoric water. The mixture
mixture of
of the
the hydrous sodium
sodium carbonates
carbonates was
then developed
through
evaporation
under
the
atmospheric
conditions.
developed through evaporation under the atmospheric conditions.

20

I1

3.0
3.0

�and Ultramafic
Ultrainafic Intrusive
Intrusive Rocks of the Lake Nipigon and
Keweenawan Mafic and
Ontario
Crystal Lake areas, northwestern Ontario
933Ramsey
RamseyLake
LakeRoad,
Road, Sudbury,
Sudbury,Ontario
Ontario P3E
R.,Ontario
OntarioGeological
GeologicalSurvey,
Survey,933
Hart,Thomas
ThomasR.,
Hart,
6B5; tom.hart@ndm.gov.on.ca
tom.hart@ndm.gov.on.ca
6B5;

The Keweenawan diabase sills in the
the Lake
Lake Nipigon and
and Crystal
Crystal Lake
Lake areas,
areas,
northwest of Lake
Lake Superior,
Superior, consist of two
two distinct
distinct geochemical
geochemical and
and geographical
geographicalgroups
groups
with each area also hosting a number of unique intrusions
intrusions that suggest
suggest different
different tectonic
tectonic
processes. Mapping by Smith and Sutcliffe (1987) in
in the
the Crystal
Crystal Lake
Lake area
area identified
identified a
processes.
series of 6 Logan diabase sills &gt;5 m thick that gently dip
dip to
to the
the southwest, and intrude
into the early Proterozoic Rove Formation.
Formation. Northeast
Northeast trending dykes of
of the
the Pigeon
Pigeon River
swarm range from olivine to quartz diabase in composition, and include dykes that
crosscut the Logan sills and dykes that appear to merge with the sills.
crosscut
sills. The
The layered
layered gabbro
gabbro
— anorthosite
anorthosite -- troctolite Crystal Lake Gabbro crosscuts and contains inclusions of Pigeon
of the Logan sills can
can be
be subdivided into
into a low Ti02
Ti02 -Th/Yb - ZrN
Zr/Y
River dykes. Samples of
group and
group (OGS
(OGS2002).
2002).
The
high
Ti02
group
group
and aa high
high Ti02
Ti02-ThJYb
-Th/Yb - ZrIY group
The
high
Ti02
group
waswas
asbeing
beingquartz
quartz
normative,
comparable
theLogan
type sills
Logan
by Sutcliffe
identified as
normative,
andand
comparable
to the to
type
by sills
Sutcliffe
(1991).
Samples
identified
as Pigeon
River
dykes
exhibit
high degree
of variability
(1991). Samples
identified
as Pigeon
River
dykes
exhibit
a highadegree
of variability
suggestingthat
thatthey
they
represent
at least
unrelated
intrusions.
Oneofsubset
suggesting
represent
at least
three three
unrelated
intrusions.
One subset
the of the
Pigeon
TiOz group of Logan sills, and
and another
another
Pigeon River
River dykes
dykes is
is comparable
comparable to the
the low
low TiO2
subset is comparable to the Crystal Lake
Lake Gabbro.
Gabbro. Most
Most of
of aa third
third subset
subset of
of dyke
dykesamples
samples
are located along Highway 61
61 close
close to
to the
the Pigeon
Pigeon River,
River, and
and contain
contain lower
lower trace element
than the
the other
other intrusions
intrusions in the area. Gabbro samples from the
abundances and ratios than
Crystal Lake Gabbro intrusion display some overlap with the low Ti02
hO2 group
groupof
of Logan
Logan
Zr/Y, Th/Yb, and Th/Ta
ThITa ratios.
ratios. The Logan
sills but also includes samples with higher ZrIY,
diabase
diabase sills
sills are confined to the area to the south of Thunder Bay, with the Nipigon
diabase
diabase sills
sills located
locatedto
to the
the north.
north.

intrusive event in the
the Lake Nipigon
Nipigon area is probably
The initial Keweenawan intrusive
flat lying
lying to
to shallowly
shallowly dipping
dipping peridotites
peridotites located
located in the
represented by the relatively flat
Disraeli, Leckie
Seagull -- Fox
Leckie—
- Seagull
Fox Mountain,
Mountain, Hele, and Kitto areas that form intrusions a
Disraeli,
few kilometres in diameter. The peridotites are composed of orthocumulate
orthocumulate to
mesocumulate
mesocumulate textured wehrlite to lherzolite, containing
containing 11 to 2% reddish brown mica
mica and
and
commonly a discontinuous olivine gabbro border phase (e.g. Sutcliffe 1987;
1987; Hart et al.
2002). The Disraeli, Seagull and Hele
Hele peridotites are characterized
characterized by higher MgO and
Zr/Y
ThiTa ratios than the Nipigon diabase
series of
of
ZrIY and Th/Yb values but lower Th/Ta
diabase sills.
sills. A series
stratigraphically below the Nipigon sills, as exposed
0.5 to 3.0
3.0 m thick sills are located stratigraphically
exposed
along Highway 17 at Kama
Kama Hill.
Hill. These
These sills have MgO, Th/Yb
ThIYb and Th/Ta
Itt/Ta values
values
intermediate
intermediate between the peridotites and Nipigon sills, and subdivided
subdivided into
into higher
higher Th/Ta
Th/Ta
and lower ThITa
may be
be possible
possible with
with additional sampling. These sills have
Th/Ta subgroups may
ThITa and LdYb
La/Yb ratios comparable to the high TiO2
Th/Ta
Ti02 group of Logan sills, but generally
generally
have lower trace element abundances. The
The Kitto peridotite also has Th/Yb, Th/Ta and
and
Zr/Y
ratios
that
overlap
with
these
sills
rather
than
the
other
peridotites.
The
olivine
ZrIY
these
peridotites. The olivine
tholelite
m thick,
thick, and are chilled against the peridotite
peridotite
tholeiite Nipigon diabase sills are up to 200
200 in
work indicates
indicatesthat
that some
some sills
sills were
were formed
formed by
bymultiple
multiple pulses
pulses of
of
intrusions. Previous work
Hart et
et al.
al. 2002), but the chemistry of the sills over the
magma (e.g. Sutcliffe, 1987; Hart
21

�entire Lake Nipigon area
area displays
displays little
little variation. Geochemical
Geochemical differences
differencesbetween
between the
the
peridotites and Nipigon diabase sills
the variations observed in the
sills are comparable to the
Osler
Ti02 values
Osier Group volcanic rocks (e.g. Sutcliffe,
Sutcliffe, 1991). The Nipigon sills have Ti02
values
comparable
but higher ThTa
ThiTa and lower LaNb
La/Yb
Ti02 group of Logan sills but
comparable to the low Ti02
ratios. The differences
differences in the
the geochemistry
geochemistry of the diabase
diabase sills
sills between
between the
the Lake
LakeNipigon
Nipigon
and Crystal Lake areas is similar to the differences observed
observed in
in the
the volcanic
volcanic rocks of
of a
number of flood basalt provinces (e.g., Mantovani et al. 1985). The regional extent of the
geochemical groups within the Keweenawan
Keweenawan intrusions
intrusionsisisnot
notknown.
known. An initial
examination
Complex (Ripley
examination of troctolites
troctolites from
from the Babbit deposit of the Duluth Complex
(Ripley et al.
ThITa, ThlYb,
ThIYb, and ZrN
Zr/Y ratios comparable
comparable to
to the Nipigon peridotites
1999) indicates Th/Ta,
peridotites
rather than the intrusions
intrusions of the
the Crystal
Crystal Lake area.
area.

References
Hart, T.R., terMeer, M., and Jolette, C.
C. 2002.
2002. Precambrian
Precambrian geology of Kitto, Eva, Summers,
Summers, Dorothea
Dorothea and
andSandra
Sandra
Townships,
206
Townships, Beardmore
Beardmore area,
area, northwestern
northwesternOntario;
Ontario; Ontario
Ontario Geological
Geological Survey,
Survey, Open
OpenFile
FileReport
Report6095,
6095,206
p.
P.
L.S., de Sousa, M.A.,
MA., Civetta,
Innocenti, F., 1985.
Mantovani, M.S.M., Marques, L.S.,
Civetta, L.,
L.,Atalla, L., and Innocenti,
1985.Trace
Trace element and
strontium isotopic constraints
constraints on the origin and evolution
evolution of
of Parana
Paranacontinental
continental flood
flood basalts
basalts of
of Santa
Santa
strontium
Catarina State (southern Brazil); Journal of
of Petrology.
Petrology, v.v.26,
26, p. 187-209.
187-209.
Ontario Geological Survey.
Survey, 2002
2002. Proterozoic Volcanic
volcanic and Intrusive
Data associated
associated wilh
with
Oniano
fntrusive Whole Rock Geochemical Daia
the Keweenawan
Kewcenawan Midcontinent
Midconunent Rift,
Rift.Lake
Lake Superior
Suoenor Area,
Area. Ontario;
Onlano. Ontario
Onlano Geological
Geological
SurveyMiscellaneous
Miscellaneous
. Survey
Release—Data 114.
Release-Data
114.
Ripley,
EM.,
Sm-Nd, and Pb isotonic
isotopic consl~aints
constraints on mantle
Rinlev.
Larnbert. D.D.,
D.D.. and
and Frick,
Frick. L.R.,
L.R.. 1999.
1999. Re-Os,
Re-0s. Sm-Nd.
mantle and crustal
..r..,
, E.M..
- ,Lambert,
contributions to magmatic
contributions
magmatic sulfide
sulfide mineralization in the Duluth Complex;
complex; Geochimica
Geochimica et
et Cosmochimica
Cosmochimica Acta,
Acta,
v. 62, p.3349-3365.
p.3349-3365.
v.
Smith,
AR. and
7987.
andSutcliffe,
Sutcliffe.RH.
R.H.
1987.lCeweenawan
Keweenawanintrusive
intrusive rocks of the Thunder
TTiunder Bay area; in Summary
Summary of Field
Smith. A.R.
Work and Other
137, p.
Other Activities,
Activities. Ontario
Ontano Geological
Geological Survey Miscellaneous Paper
paper-137.
p.248-255.
248-255.
Sutcliffe,
LakeNipigon,
Nioigon.
Canada;Contributions
Conmbuiions
Sutclifie. R.H.,
R.H.. 1987.
1987.Petrology
Pctrolow
Middle Proterozoic
Proterozoic diabase
diabase and
and picrites
niintes from
from Lake
-.ofof Middle
. - Canada;
to Mineralogy
p.201-211.
Mineralogy and Petrology, v.96, p.
201-211.
Sutcliffe, R.H.,
RH., 1991.
1991.Proterozoic
Proterozoicgeology
geologyof
of the
theLake
Lake Superior
Superior area;
area; in Geology of Ontario,
Ontario, Ontario
Ontario Geological
Geological Survey
Special Volume
Volume4,
4,Part
Part!,
1,p.627-658.
p. 627-658.

22

�DRILL HOLES,
HOLES, MINERAL
MJNERALLEASES,
LEASES,AND
ANDGEOPHYSICS
GEOPHYSICSIN
GEOLOGY, DRILL
NTHE DULUTH
AND BEAVER BAY COMPLEXES, NORTHEASTERN
NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA:
MINNESOTA: INTEGRATION
INTEGRATION OF
GIS DATABASES
DATABASES TO TELL A STORY OF THE HISTORY OF PAST AND
VARIOUS GIs
CURRENT
CU-NT-PGE
MINERAL EXPLORATION
CURRENT CU-NI-PGE MINERAL
EXPLORATION
Steven
Hauck, Julie
Julie A.
A. Oreskovich,
Oreskovich, and
and Mark J.
J. Severson,
Severson,Economic
EconomicGeology
GeologyGroup,
Group,
Steven A. Hauck,
Natural Resources
Resources Research
Research Institute
Institute (NRRI),
(NRRI), University
University of Minnesota,
Minnesota, Duluth,
Duluth, 5013
5013
shauck@nni.umn.edu
Miller Trunk Highway, Duluth, MN 55811-1442, shauck@nrri.umn.edu
Mineral exploration in the Duluth Complex began in 1948 on Spruce Road when two prospectors
found sulfide mineralization.
mineralization. Subsequent
Subsequentcore
coredrilling,
drilling,geological
geologicalmapping,
mapping,and
and airborne
airborneand
and
ground geophysics by more than 28 exploration companies (including
(including the NRRI, MGS
MGS Dept. of Natural Resources,
Minnesota Geological Survey,
Minnesota
Survey, and the DNR - Dept.
Resources, Division
Division of Lands
Lands and
Minerals), over the next 52
copper-nickeltplatinum-groupelement
element
52 years
years led
led to
to the
the discovery
discovery of copper-nickel±platinum-group
mineralization along the basal contact of
of the
the Duluth
Duluth Complex
Complex (Fig. 1). Ten
(PGE) mineralization
Ten Cu-Ni-PGE
Cu-Ni-PGE
orPGE-Cu-Ni
years. Over
or PGE-Cu-Ni deposits
depositswere
were defined
defined by
by drilling
drilling during these years.
Over 2,142
2,142 drill
drill holes
holes have
have
with 1,666 of
of these holes being drilled
been drilled into the Duluth and Beaver Bay complexes with
the basal
basal contact. Over
along the
Over 954,000
954,000 ft.
ft. of
of drill
drill core from the
the basal
basal contact
contact has
has been relogged
by NRRI, and their results are discussed in many publications.
publications. Geophysical
Geophysical exploration
exploration began
began as
as
early as 1956, by Bear
Bear Creek
Creek Mining
Mining Company, and
and continues
continues today.
today. The State
of
Minnesota
State Minnesota
(MGS), with funding from the Legislative Commission on Minnesota
Minnesota Resources,
Resources, flew
flew high
high
this area
area as
as well
well as
asthe
therest
restof
ofthe
thestate.
state. The MGS has also
resolution aeromagnetics over this
collected and produced a gravity map covering both
both complexes.
complexes. Peak
Peak exploration
exploration(1966-1978)
(1966-1978)
began with the
the leasing
leasing of
of State
State of
of Minnesota
Minnesotamineral
mineralrights
rightsinin 1966
1966(Fig.
(Fig. 1).
1). Exploration and
began
resource calculations) continued through
development (drilling, bulk sampling, shaft sinking, resource
In 1998,
1998, State
State and
and Federal
Federal mineral
mineral leasing and exploration
exploration drilling
drilling began to
to increase
increase with
with
1978. In
rise in price
price of PGEs;
PGEs; 2) possible use of new
new hydrometallurgical
hydrometallurgical techniques to more
the: 1) rise
recover copper
copper and nickel;
nickel; and
and 3)
3) introduction
introduction of
of new
new PGE
PGE exploration
exploration models
efficiently recover
(sulfide saturation; Miller et al., 2002) for intrusions in
in the Beaver Bay Complex, i.e., at Sonju
and the
the Duluth
Duluth Complex, i.e., Greenwood Lake
Lake and
and Layered
Layered Series
Series at
at Duluth).
Duluth). The
Lake, and
The maps
maps
poster illustrate the relationship between geology, geophysics,
geophysics, drilling,
drilling, and
and mineral
in this poster
were produced
produced in ArcView (GIs).
(GIS). The
The maps were
were also
also compiled
compiled by
by using
using
leasing and were
the DNR's online
information from: 1) the
online (minarchive.dnr.state.mn.us)
(minarchive.dnr.state.rnn.us)attributeattribute- and
and GIS-based
GIs-based
database of non-ferrous minerals' information
information and
and State
State mineral
mineral rights
rights holdings;
holdings; 2)
2)U.S.
U.S.Forest
Forest
leases, permits,
permits, and applications database;
database; and
and 3)
3) NRRI
NRRI in-house GIS data on the history
Service leases,
of Cu-Ni-PGE
Cu-Ni-PGE mineralization.
mineralization. Using the resulting GIs
GIS database, the spatial relationships in the
of
in drilling, leasing,
leasing, etc. with
with time and place
place were
were then
then combined
combined with geological
changes in
information from Miller et al. (2002) to better understand the past and present exploration
exploration areas
areas
to assist in
in defining new
new areas in
in which to
to explore
explore for
for non-ferrous
non-ferrous minerals.
and to
References
References

Miller, J. D., Jr., Green, J.C., Severson,
Severson, M.J., Chandler, V.W.,
V.W., Hauck,
Hauck, S.A.,
S.A., Peterson,
Peterson, D.M.,
D.M., and
and
Wahl, T.E.,
T.E., 2002, Geology and mineral potential of
of the Duluth Complex and related rocks
rocks of
of
207 p.
northeastern Minnesota: Minnesota Geological Survey Report of Investigations 58,
58,207

23

�s-ale

so

Deposit/Area

as

as

as

as

as

as

N1i

•ChiIL,LSSdJOeSideLHGLOi
•1u0b14/HGs

SPRUCE RD

INCO

&amp;

t

'0

0

0

CU

0

as

as

t

as

50

as

as

!essk;L

Ij_
Rod &amp; Mstsse-i
R

Spiace

-

Ieoo

MATURI

CU

as

Leek - Spease Rood

—1— —f-—I—
Il—eorCoeekHII

BABBITT
(M in no ma x)

o(E9e!

III
AMAX

(Mesabo)
USS

DUNKA ROAD

I oeeoo

(NorthMel)

PolyNeti I I

-—

Ceeeo

WYMAN CREEK

USSIITa

.1.1 11111

Ii:

DUNKA PIT

;

Begs

yi,—os—foeesotios dells og

11

ErIch

WETLEGS

&lt;ii

AMAX

* Duval
Duval

—

fl"II

WATER HEN(OUI)

• Bear
B e a rCreek
Creek

i_-

-

SOFILSONCRECK
WESTERN MARGIN

II

It •

: Exxon
Exxon

heIst Dodge! I I I

•

t/Des o,-e/Aoeecoe Seed

• Other
O t h e r Companies
Companies

I

—— —
LOCCOOS

BIRCH LAKE

11

II

hee,icoo She d/N(COR

LONCNOSE (Out)

-ii

INCO•.
SCATTERED

Reosceek..

BeoCeeek••I

OR

I

-

•

Neeost

RECONNAISSANCE

Ducol

DRILLING

SCATTERED DRILLING

I

USS toXXp

•

•Ul

—

/

Si

*

so
OS

0
5

Beg, Cooed

o
sO

Si
so

I

o

!

'0
so

C

-

Stereos S Ctsfffft

!

GUNFLINT
TRAIL

= CONCENTRATED DRILLING

St

SI-il

0

320koJg-WhItesIde
JJjOekJoyfl
as

0
fl
I-os--s-so
Si

LEGEND
LEGEND
• INCO
INCO
uss
uss

0
0

Si

0

0

'0

0

0
0

0
0'

0
Ot

5

as

2

Figure 1. History
Historyof
of Cu-Ni-PGE
Cu-Ni-PGEexploration
explorationin
in the
the Duluth
DuluthComplex
Complex (after
(afterMiller
Milleret
etal.,
al., 2002).
2002).

as

0

-

as

Si

�Geochemistry and Mineralization of the Seagull
Intrusion, Northern Ontario
Heggie, G.,
P., P.,
(Depanment
of Geology,
Lakehead
Heggie,
G.,and
andHollings,
Hollings,
(Department
of Geology,
LakeheadUniversity,
University,955
955Oliver
Oliver
Road, Thunder Bay, On, P7B 5E1, gheggie@mail.lakeheadu.ca)
gheggie@mail.lakeheadu.ca)
Platinum Group
Group Elements
Elements (POE-Platinum,
(PGE-Platinum,
Palladium, Osmium
Osmium and
and Iridium)
Indium) have
have seen
seen
substantial increases in demand over the last
30 years, as industrial and
and commercial
commercial users
users
have increased their consumption.
consumption. Canadian
Canadian
production of these metals has until
until recently
recently
been limited to by-products from
from nickel
Sudbury). Opening
Opening of
of the
the
copper mines (e.g., Sudbury).
lies mine in Ontario
Ontario demonstrated
demonstrated the
the
Lac des fles
economic PGE deposits
potential for economic
deposits in
in
Canada. Further work on deposit
deposit and
and
exploration models is essential
essential to
to identifying
identifying
new targets and prospective
prospective host rocks.
rocks.

4 Lake
N(pfgono

1'&gt; •z
SeaguU

I Quetico
Subprovrnce
I

Lake Superhr

•
•
bIeyGro

The Seagull Lake intrusion is found
found within the
n's
Osler Grp
Nipigon Embayment, approximately 70km
1).
north east
east of Thunder
ThunderBay,
Bay,Ontario
Ontario(Fig.
(Fig.1).
Relative age dating places the age of the
intrusion to be younger
Seagull Lake intrusion
younger than
than
Figure 1. Map
Map showing location of Seagull Intrusion
Intrusion
Figure
the Sibley Group sedimentary
sedimentary sequence,
sequence,
(1339±33
(1339Â±3Ma) (Franklin et
et al.,
al., 1980),
1980),
and regional
regionalgeology.
geology.
as part of the intrusion has been seen to cross cut Sibley
Sibley stratigraphy.
stratigraphy.A
A chilled
chilledmargin
margin has
has been
been
Intrusion and
and the
the younger
younger Nipigon
Nipigon Sills defining
defining an upper age of
of
observed between the Seagull Intrusion
approximately 1.1 Ga (Davis
(Davis and
and Sutcliffe,
Sutcliffe,1985).
1985).This
This falls
falls within
within the
the time
time of
of mid-continental
mid-continental
region. Volcanic
Volcanic activity
activity was
was responsible
responsible for
for production
production of
of thick
thick
rifting in the Lake Superior region.
al., 1989) beneath
beneath and around the shores of Lake Superior and the
basaltic sequences (Cannon et al.,
mafic to ultramafic complexes
complexes (e.g., Duluth complex).
emplacement of numerous mafic
C

The Seagull Intrusion
Intrusion is
is currently
currently under
under exploration
exploration by
by East
East West
West Resource
Resource Corporation, It is a
ultramafic intrusion
intrusion consisting
consisting of
of cumulate
cumulate olivine,
olivine, and oxide minerals with pyroxene
layered ultramafic
oikocrysts and interstitial feldspar.
feldspar. Lithological
Lithological phases
phases include
include dunites, lherzolites, olivine
gabbronorites, gabbros, and
and pryoxenites.
pryoxenites. A
A distinctive
distinctive olivine gabbronorite is found within the
but this exhibits chilled margins and is thought to post date the formation of the rest of
intrusion but
intrusion.
the intrusion.

25

�Ni (ppm)
Interval (m) Cu (ppm)
1160
269
4.0
375.0
WMOO-01
1413
501
408.0
4.5
1565
12.0
779
572.0
987
6.0
1180
546.0
WM98-02
1647
112
379.0
8.0
WM98-05
1841
1843
569.0
6.0
1455
1220
6.0
579.0
Figure2.2.Table
Tableofofmetal
metalcontents
contentsfrom
fromassay
assay(Caven,
(Caven,It,R.,2000)
2000)
Figure

DDH

Depth (m)

Pt (ppb)

307
336
363
535
336
693
458

Pd (ppb)

383
418
438
566
393
847
537

Mineralization
Mineralizationoccurs
occursininthe
theform
formofofPGE
PGEminerals
mineralsassociated
associatedwith
withdisseminated
disseminatedFeNi
FeNisulfides
sulfides
(pentlandite).Pentlandite
Pentlanditeisisfound
foundininhigher
higherabundances
abundancesatatdiscrete
discreteintervals
intervalsthroughout
throughoutthe
the
(pentlandite).
intrusion,with
witha ageneral
generalincrease
increasetowards
towardsthe
thebase
baseofofthe
theintrusion.
intrusion.
intrusion,
Work
Workisiscurrently
currentlybeing
beingundertaken
undertakentotounderstand
understandthe
thestratigraphy
stratigraphyofofthe
theintrusion,
intrusion,the
thenature
natureofof
the
theplatinum
platinumgroup
groupmineralization,
mineralization,and
andformational
formationalcontrols
controlsononthe
themineralized
mineralizedzones,
zones,which
whichare
are
present
presentininthe
theintrusion
intrusionininorder
ordertotoaid
aidininthe
thedevelopment
developmentand
andrefinement
refinementofofexploration
exploration
techniques,and
anddeposit
depositmodels.
models.
techniques,
Cannon,
J.C.,
Cannon,W.F.,
W.F.,Green,
Green,A.G.,
A.G.,Hutchinson,
Hutchinson,D.R.,
D.R.,Lee,
Lee,M.,
M..Milkereit,
Milkereit,B.,
B.,Behrendt,
Behrendt,J.C.,
J.C.,Halls,
Halls,H.C.,
H.C.,Green,
Green, J.C.,
Dickas,
Dickas,A.B.,
A.B.,Morey,
Morey,GB.,
G.B.,Sutcliffe,
Sutcliffe,R.,
R.,and
andSpencer,
Spencer,C.,
C.,1989,
1989,The
TheNorth
NorthAmerican
AmericanMidcontinent
Midcontinentrift
rift
beneath
beneathLake
LakeSuperior
Superiorfrom
fromGLIMPCE
GLIMPCESeismic
SeismicReflection
Reflectionprofiling.
profiling.Tectonics,
Tectonics,v.v.8,8,p.p.305-332.
305-332.

Caven, R.J.,
R.J., 2000,
2000,Progress
ProgressReport
Reporton
onthe
theWolf
WolfMountain
Mountainand
andDisraeli
DisraeliProperties
Propertiesfor
forEast
EastWest
WestResource
Resource
Caven,
Corporation,
Ltd.
Corporation,Canadian
CanadianGolden
GoldenDragon
DragonResources
ResourcesLtd.
Ltd.and
andAvalon
AvalonVentures
VenturesLtd.

Davis,
Davis, D.W.,
D.W., and
and Sutcliffe,
Sutcliffe, R.H.,
R.H., 1985,
1985, U-Pb
U-Pb ages
agesfrom
fromthe
theNipigon
Nipigonplate
plateand
andNorthern
NorthernLake
LakeSuperior.
Superior.
GeologicalSociety
SocietyofofAmerican
AmericanBulletin,
Bulletin,v.96,
v.96,p.p.1572-1579.
1572-1579.
Geological
Franklin,
Franklin,J.M,
J.M.McJlwaine,
Mcllwaine,WIT.,
W.H., Poulsen,
Poulsen,K.H.,
K.H., and
and Wanless,
Wanless,R.K.,
R.K., 1980,
1980,Stratigraphy
Stratigraphyand
anddepositional
depositionalsetting
settingofof
the
theSibley
SibleyGroup,
Group,Thunder
ThunderBay
Baydistrict,
district,Ontario,
Ontario,Canada.
Canada.Canadian
CanadianJournal
JournalofofEarth
Earth Sciences,
Sciences,v.17,
v.17,p.p.
633-65
1.
633-651.

26

�PEPERITES OF
PEPERITES
OF THE
THE GAFVERT
GAFVERTLAKE
LAKE VOLCANIC
VOLCANIC COMPLEX,
COMPLEX, ST. LOUIS
MINNESOTA
COUNTY, MINNESOTA
Heiling, Carrie
Came D., Department
Geological Sciences,
Sciences, University of Minnesota
Minnesota Duluth,
Duluth,
Department of Geological
1114 Kirby Drive,
Drive, Duluth,
Duluth, MN, 55812; cheiling@d.umn.edu
cheiling@d.umn.edu
The Gafvert Lake area, located within the Upper Ely member of the Ely Greenstone
Greenstone of
forms part of
of aa
the Vermilion District in Northeastern Minnesota (Figure 1) (Card, 1990), forms
Morton (personal
(personal communication)
communication)has
has
large, Archean, felsic volcanic complex. Morton
late stage caldera
interpreted the complex to be a composite volcano that underwent late
collapse. This
Thisstudy
studyhas
has focused
focused on
on aa two
two square
square mile area in the central part of the
complex. Here
Herethe
the complex,
complex,from
from the
the oldest
oldest to
to the
the youngest rocks, is composed of a)
coarse, heterolithic breccias (interpreted
(interpreted to represent meso-and mega breccias)
breccias) (Morton,
(Morton,
personal communication),
b)
more
than
3000
feet
of
massive
to
bedded
pumice-rich
communication),
and beds
beds of
of chert
chert and
and massive to
lapilli tuff, c) dacitic lavas and domes, and d) lenses and
pyrite (Figure 2). The
The breccias
breccias and
and lapilli
lapilli tuffs
tuffs have
have been
been intruded
intruded by
by aa
semi-massive pynte
swarm of feldspar porphyry dacite dikes that represent feeders to the domes
domes and/or
andlor flows.
flows.
Peperites are rocks formed by the in situ disintegration of magma intruding and mixing
unconsolidated sediment
sediment or
or ash
ash (Skilling
(Skillingetetal.,
al., 2002).
2002). At Gafvert Lake the
with wet unconsolidated
dikes intruded and
peperites formed near the top of the complex where dacite porphyry dikes
mixed with wet, unconsolidated pumice-rich
pumice-rich lapilli
lapilli tuff.
tuff. This mixing led to quenching
quenching
of the
the dacitic magma
magma and disruption
disruption and
and vesiculation
vesiculation of the lapilli
and fragmentation of
tuffs. The
Thepeperites
peperites occur
occur within
within 100
100 feet
feet of dike contacts though they form much more
extensive areas where
where several
several dikes
dikes occur
occur close
close together.
together. Angular and finger-like blocks
of dike material occur within the peperite,
peperite, locally
locally these
these are
are connected
connectedto
toaanearby
nearbydike.
dike.

Macrotextures in outcrop and microtextures in thin section helped identify and classify
classify
the following fragment types and internal structures within the peperites: a) blocky
juvenile
juvenile fragments
fragments with chilled
chilled rims
rims and
and occasional
occasional jig-saw fit
fit textures,
textures, b)
b) platy
platyto
to ragged
ragged
juvenile
juvenile fragments
fragments with curviplanar
curviplanar surfaces
surfaces and
and broken gas
gas bubbles,
bubbles, c)
c) ameboid
ameboidto
to
juvenile fragments,
fragments, d) abundant pumice which exhibits variable vesicularity.
vesicularity.
globular juvenile
Most of this pumice is juvenile to the lapilli
lapilli tuffs
tuffs but a small
small percentage
percentage contains
contains feldspar
feldspar
to those
those found
found in
in the
the dikes possibly indicating local, rapid vesiculation
crystals identical to
of dike material. Close
Close to
to dike
dike margins
margins feldspar
feldspar crystals are broken and internally
with fractures
fracturesfilled
filledby
bylapilli
lapillituff.
tuft Pumice,
fractured with
Pumice, close
close to
to dike
dike contacts, may be
broken or disaggregated into
into several
several small
small jigsaw-fit
jigsaw-fitpieces.
pieces. Locally the ash matrix to
radiating away from
from dike margins.
the lapilli tuffs is amygdaloidal with amygdules radiating
References
References
K.D., 1990, A
A review
review of
of the
the Superior
Superior Province
Province of
of the
the Canadian
Canadian Shield, a product of
Card, K.D.,
Archean accretion: Precambrian
Precambrian Research,
Research,v.v. 48,
48,pp.
pp. 99-156.
99-156.
Ely, Minnesota, 2003, Mapquest,
www.mapquest.com.
Mapquest, www.mapquest.com.
Morton, R.L.,
communication, University of Minnesota-Duluth.
R.L.,2003, personal communication,
White, J.,
J., McPhie,
McPhie, J.,
J., 2002,
2002, Peperite:
Peperite: a review of magma-sediment mingling, Journal
Skilling, I., White,
of Volcanology
Volcanology and Geothermal
GeothermalResearch,
Research,xc
v. 114,
114,pp
pp 1-17.
1-17.

27

�___

\

01

crane Lake

Agnes Lake

St. Lóujc
Buyck--.
0%

-

!L h__c1tQ/iF

6urrit'i'1 :

-

For.

.

it

Trout Lake

I

RObIF1SOr''
Forestcenter0

lear island st,L120K

-—22

.••'

--

,Babbitt

—

—

;Emlrarrass

Erit

:-°_V

S

Virgirii&amp;.J_c.Auroja
11001
9

1

L4SAbCIIA

—

.

r

Murphy Cit

HoYt Lakes

IToirñi

.

.0Yihyte

Fifllaç_fl
—

(Mapqucst, 2003).
Location of Gafvert Lake complex
1: Location
Figure
Figure 1:
complex (Mapquest,
2003).

Exp I a n at io fl
Explanation

- -?
'

Tuft

II

-

•

Peperite samples
samples
Fault Zone
'" ''Contacts
Contacts
/
\"
/\/
Railroad
' R a i l r o a dgrade
grade
Mud
Road
4,
"Mud
Creek
Road
/
-Â¥

7

)
-

p

'*__ -ç.

\ .'f

-,Qg

__DE"

I

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,'

,

"- "

N

UI

Tuff

Qac

/

/A/
.

Diab

" Zrtc
c'_

Bx

N

,. - - -

-.

I

Mbas -- Metabasalt
Metabasalt
Q
Qfp-QtzfeldPorphyry
- Qtzfeld Porphyry
Cht - Black Chert
Cht
Diab -- Diabase
Diabase Dikes
Dikes
Dior -- Diorite
Dior
Diorite
Dac -- Dacite
Dac
Dacite Dikes
Dikes
luff
Tuft
Tuff - Lapilli
Lapilli Tuff
Bx -- Breccia
Breccia
Bx
-- Siltstone &amp;&amp;Iron
IronFm
Fm
81st
SIst

-

-

I

01p

,

Sisi

It

METERS

Wa
to
O
0
of Gafvert Lake
Lake volcanic complex.
Figure 2: Generalized map of a portion of

28
28

�CHEMISTRY
CHEMISTRY OF
OF ALTERATION
ALTERATION MINERAL
MINERAL PHASES
PHASES AT THE FIVE MILE
MILE LAKE
LAKE
VOLCANIC-HOSTED MASSIVE SULFIDE PROSPECT, NE MINNESOTA
VOLCANIC-HOSTED
MINNESOTA

Hocker,
J., Odette,
Odette, J.J. D.,
D.,and
andNewkirk,
Newkirk, T.
T.T.,
T.,Department
DepartmentofofGeology,
Geology,
Hocker, S. M., Hudak,
Hudak, G. J.,
University of Wisconsin
Blvd., Oshkosh, WI 54901, hudak@uwosh.edu
Wisconsin Oshkosh,
Oshkosh, 800
800 Algoma Blvd.,

Alteration
mineral assemblage
assemblage mapping
mapping at
at the Five Mile Lake
Alteration mineral
Lake Prospect
Prospect in
in the
the Vermilion
Vermilion
District of northeastern Minnesota has identified two distinct types of alteration
alteration zones
zones within
within 2.7
2.7
billion year-old
billion
year-old volcanic
volcanic and
and volcaniclastic
volcaniclastic rocks
rocks associated
associated with
withvolcanic-hosted
volcanic-hosted massive
massive
sulfide (VHMS)
(VHMS) mineralization
mineralization (Hudak
(Hudak etet al.,
al., in press;
al., 2001a,
2001a, 2001b;
2001b; Peterson,
Peterson,
press; Odette et al.,
alterationzones
zones are
are composed
composed of
of various
2001).
2001). Regional
Regional semi-conformable
semi-conformable alteration
various proportions of
± amphibole
± chlorite
+ epidote
quartz
epidote 5
amphibole 5
chlorite ±
quartz +
i plagioclase
plagioclase feldspar.
feldspar.
These regional,
semiconformable alteration
alteration zones
zones are locally cross-cut by several relatively narrow, northeastsemiconformable
northeasttrending disconformable alteration
alteration zones composed
composed of fine-grained
fine-grained chlorite and/or sericite that
are closely associated with synvolcanic
synvolcanic fault
fault zones.
zones.
Electron microprobe
microprobe analyses
analyses of
of the various
Electron
various alteration
alteration mineral
mineral phases
phases (epidote
(epidote group
group
minerals, chlorite,
chlorite, amphibole,
amphibole, white
white mica,
mica, and
and feldspar)
feldspar) have
have been
been conducted
conducted in an effort
minerals,
effort to
to
associated with the
better understand hydrothermal processes
processes associated
the development
development of the
the
semiconformableand
and disconformable
disconformablealteration
alterationzones
zonesatat the
the Five
Five Mile Lake prospect.
semiconformable
prospect. These
These
that: a) epidote group minerals range in composition from zoisite/clinozoisite
zoisite/clinozoisite to
analyses indicate that:
pistacite;
pistacite; b) chlorite
chlorite is dominantly
dominantly ripidolite;
ripidolite; c) amphibole
amphibole is
is primarily
primarily actinolite
actinolite and
and ferroferroactinolite,
with magnesio-homblende
and ferro-hornblende
ferro-hornblendealso
alsopresent;
present;d)d) sericite
sericite is fineactinolite, with
magnesia-hornblende and
finegrained muscovite; and e)
e) plagioclase
plagioclase feldspar
feldsparisisdominantly
dominantlyalbite.
albite.
Alteration
mineral chemistry
chemistry at
at the
the Five Mile Lake
Alteration mineral
Lake Prospect
Prospect is remarkably
remarkably similar
similar to
to that
that
from the
the Noranda
Noranda VHMS
VHMS mining
mining camp
camp of
of Canada,
Canada, as
as well
well as
as other
other VHMS
VHMS mining
mining camps around
the world.
world. This alteration mineral chemistry
chemistry suggests the presence of
of aa complex,
complex,long-lived
long-lived
hydrothermal
system that
that evolved
(hundreds of
of meters)
hydrothermal system
evolved from seafloor-proximal
seafloor-proximal (hundreds
meters) to
to deeper
deeper
subseafloor
environments (-1-3
(—4-3kilometers)
kilometers)asasthe
the volcanic
volcanic rocks
rocks were buried
subseafloor environments
buried by
by apparently
apparently
mafic to intermediate volcanism and associated sedimentation. This
rapid, dominantly effusive mafic
suggests that in addition to the Five Mile
Mile Lake
Lake Prospect,
Prospect, the
the uppermost
uppermost several
several hundred
hundred meters
meters
of the Lower Member of the Ely Greenstone also has excellent exploration potential for VHMS
mineral deposits.
deposits.
References
References

Galley, A,,
A., Bailes,
A., Hannington,
M., Hollc,
G., Katsube,
1, Paquette,
S.,
Bailes, A.,
Hannington, M.,
Holk, G.,
Katsube, J.,
Paquette, F.,
F., Paradis,
Paradis, S.,
Galley,
Santaguida, F.,
Database for
Santaguida,
F., and Taylor,
Taylor, B., 2002, Database
for CAMIRO
CAMIRO Project
Project 94E07:
94E07:
Interrelationships
between subvolcanic
subvolcanic intrusions,
intrusions, large-scale
large-scale alteration
alteration zones,
zones, and VMS
Interrelationships between
VMS
of Canada Open File Report 4431 (CD-ROM).
deposits: Geological Survey of
Hudak, G. J., Heine, J.,
J., Newkirk,
Newkirk, T.,
T., Odette,
Odette, J.,
J., and Hauck, S.,
S., in press.
press. Comparative
Comparativegeology,
geology,
stratigraphy,
and lithogeochemistry
lithogeochemistryof
of the
the Five
Five Mile
Mile Lake,
Lake, Quartz Hill, and Skeleton
stratigraphy, and
Skeleton Lake
Lake
Vermilion District,
District,NE
NE Minnesota:
Minnesota: A report to the Minerals Coordinating
VMS occurrences, Vermilion
Coordinating
Committee, DNR Minerals Division, State
State of Minnesota.

29

�Kranidiotis,
Kranidiotis,P.
P.and
andMacLean,
MacLean,W.
W.H.,
H.,1987,
1987,Systematics
Systematicsofofchlorite
chloritealteration
alterationatatthe
thePhelps
PhelpsDodge
Dodge
Massive
MassiveSulfide
SulfideDeposit,
Deposit,Matagami,
Matagami,Quebec:
Quebec:Economic
EconomicGeology,
Geology,v.v.82,
82,p.p.1898-1911.
1898-1911.
Odette,
Odette, J. D.,
D., Hudak,
Hudak, G.
G. J.,
J., Suszek,
Suszek, T.,
T.,and
andHauck,
Hauck, S.
S.A.,
A,,2001a,
2001a,Preliminary
Preliminary evaluation
evaluation of
hydrothermal alteration
alteration mineral
mineral assemblages
assemblages and
and their
their relationship
relationship to
to VMS-style
VMS-style
hydrothermal
mineralization
mineralization in the Five Mile
Mile Lake
Lake area
areaof
ofthe
theArchean
ArcheanVermilion
VermilionGreenstone
GreenstoneBelt,
Belt, NE
NE
47th
Minnesota: Institute
Institute on
on Lake
Lake Superior
SuperiorGeology,
Geology, 47thAnnual
Annual Meeting,
Meeting, Proceedings
ProceedingsVolume
Volume
Minnesota:
47, Part
Part 1-Program
1-Programand
and Abstracts,
Abstracts,p.
p. 75-76.
75-76.
47,
Odette,
Odette, J. D.,
D., Hudak,
Hudak, G.
G. J.,
J., Suszek,
Suszek,T.,
T.,and
andHauck,
Hauck,S.S.A.,
A.,2001b,
2001b,Preliminary
Preliminaryevaluation
evaluation of
of
hydrothermal alteration
alteration mineral
mineral assemblages
assemblages and
and their
their relationship
relationship to
to VMS-style
VMS-style
hydrothermal
Archean Vennilion
Vermilion Greenstone
Greenstone Belt,
Belt, NE
NE
mineralization in the Five Mile Lake
Lake area
area of
of the
the Archean
mineralization
Minnesota:
Minnesota: Geological Society
Society of
of America
America Abstracts
Abstracts and
and Programs
Programs Volume
Volume 33,
33, No.
No. 6,
6,p.
p. AA420.
420.
Peterson,
Peterson, D. M.,
M., 2001,
2001, Development
Development of
of Archean
Archean lode-gold
lode-gold and
and massive
massive sulfide
sulfidedeposit
deposit
exploration
exploration models using geographic
geographic information
information system
system applications:
applications: targeting
targeting mineral
mineral
exploration
exploration in northeastern
northeastern Minnesota from analysis
analysis of
of analog
analogCanadian
Canadianmining
miningcamps:
camps:
unpublished
unpublished Ph.
Ph. D.
D. dissertation,
dissertation,University
Universityof
of Minnesota,
Minnesota,Duluth,
Duluth, Minnesota,
Minnesota,503
503p.p.
18-cm
16
14

H
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analyses for
for epidote-group
epidote-group minerals
minerals (A),
(A),chlorites
chlorites
Figure 1.1. Summary of electron microprobe analyses
Figure
(B), amphiboles (C), and white
white micas (D) from the Five Mile
Mile Lake
Lake Prospect
Prospect and
andselected
selectedVHMS
VHMS
mines. Compositional fields for Noranda minerals determined from Galley et al. (2002).
(2002).

30

�GEOCHEMISTRYAND
AND GEODYNAMIC
GEODYNAMICIMPLICATIONS
IMPLICATIONS
THE 1537
1537 MA
GEOCHEMISTRY
OFOFTHE
MA
POINT ANOROGENIC
REDSTONE POINT
ANOROGENICGRANITE,
GRANITE,ONTARIO,
ONTARIO,CANADA
CANADA
Hollings,
Fralick, P.P.and
andKissin,
Kissin,S.S.(Department
(DepartmentofofGeology,
Geology,Lakehead
LakeheadUniversity,
University, 955
955
Hollings, P.,
P., Fralick,
Rd., Thunder
Thunder Bay,
Bay, Ontario, P7B 5E1,
5E1, Canada;
Canada; Peter.HollinRs@lakeheadu.ca)
Oliver Rd.,
Peter.Hollings@lakeheadu.ca)
The
The Redstone
Redstone Point granite
granite is
is a
Mesoproterozoic
felsic
igneous
Mesoproterozoic
felsic
igneous
complex (1537+101-2
Ma; Davis
Davis and
complex
(1537+10/-2 Ma;
Sutcliffe, 1984) located in the
the northern
northern
portion of the Sibley
Sibley Basin on the west
shore of Lake
1). It
It is
is
shore
Lake Nipigon
Nipigon (Fig.
(Fig. 1).
unconformably overlain
overlain by
by arenites of
unconfonnably
the Pass Lake
Sibley
Lake Formation
Formation of
of the
the Sibley
Group.
These sediments
are in turn
Group. These
sediments are
turn
intruded and overlain
overlain by
by an
an extensively
extensively
developed
sills
developed Sequence
sequence of diabase
diabase sills
related
to an early
related to
early stage
stage of
of the
the MidMidevent. The
Continent Rifting event.
The entire
entire
sequence has been gently folded into aa
shallowly, easterly plunging
plunging succession
succession
of
open
synclines
and
anticlines,
open synclines and anticlines, with
with
Figure 1. Map
Map showing
Figure
showing the
the location
location of the
the Redstone
Redstone Point
Point
dips not usually
usually exceeding
exceeding 15°.
15". Outcrop
Outcrop
granite in relation
relation to Proterozoic
granite
Proterozoic anorogenic
anorogenic granite
granite
complexes of
ofNorth
North America.
America. Modified after
after Anderson
complexes
Anderson (1983)
(1983) density
density of
of igneous
igneous units
units is very
very good
good
along the shoreline of Lake Nipigon, in contrast
contrast to
to sedimentary
sedimentary sequences,
sequences,which
which only
only provide
provide
small, scattered
scattered outcrops.
outcrops.

The igneous rocks of Redstone Point have been briefly described by Davis and
and Sutcliffe
Sutcliffe (1985),
(1985),
wherein
they emphasised
that the rocks are
wherein they
emphasised that
are anorogenic
anorogenic granites
granites gradational
gradational to rhyolites
rhyolites and
and
fragmental
rhyolites and
and dacites. In fact,
fragmental rhyolites
fact, presently
presently accessible
accessible outcrop
outcrop indicates
indicates that
that extrusive
extrusive
members
dominate the
the magmatic
magmatic rocks
rocks of
of the area. Porphyritic texture with
members dominate
with volcanic
volcanic features
features
including
vesicles, flow
flow structures,
agglomeratic units,
units, rubbly
rubbly flow
flow tops
including vesicles,
structures, agglomeratic
tops and
and segregation
segregation
cylinders
differentiate extrusive
extrusiverocks
rocks from
from more
more limited
cylinders differentiate
limited exposures
exposures of
of uniformly
uniformly textured
textured
intrusive rocks. As
As contacts between
between units
units are
are generally unexposed
unexposed and the base
base of
of the section is
nowhere
exposed, thicknesses
thicknesses of
of units
units and
and of the
nowhere exposed,
the entire
entire succession
succession are
areunknown;
unknown;however,
however,
continuous outcrop
outcrop in
in cliff-forming
cliff-formingunits
unitsindicates
indicatesthat
that aa minimum
of lOOm
continuous
minimum thickness
thickness of
100m of
volcanic rock is present in
in the
the area.
area.

The igneous
rocks are distinctively
brick red,
red, suggesting
suggesting the
the dominace
dominace of
of ferric
ferric iron
iron in the
The
igneous rocks
distinctively brick
the
various mineral hosts but especially in trace amounts in feldspars.
feldspars. The
The intrusive
intrusivemember
memberdisplays
displays
equigranular
phaneritictexture
texturewith
withmost
mostmineral
mineralgrains
grains11 to
to 5 mm in diameter.
equigranular phaneritic
diameter. The volcanic
rocks are true porphyries with phaneritic phenocrysts of alkali feldspar, quartz and hornblende
hornblende in
an aphanitic
matrix of
of the
the same minerals.
minerals. Quartz
Quartz phenocrysts
phenocrystsare
areeuhedral
euhedraland
and 11 to
to 33 mm in
aphanitic matrix
diameter associated with alkali feldspar phenocrysts occasionally exhibiting
exhibiting synneusis
synneusis twinning
twinning
of microcline.
Homblende and magnetite are less
as well as
as albite-pericline
albite-pencline twins indicative
indicative of
microcline. Hornblende
less

31

�_________________________________________________

abundant and finer grained than in the intrusive rocks. Near flow tops the porphyries grade into
textured aphanitic
uniformly textured
aphanitic rhyolites with sparse phenocrysts.

The samples
samples from the
the Redstone
Redstone Point
Point intrusive
intrusive complex
complex are all
all characterised
characterised by high
high Si02
SiO,
contents (73-83
(73-83 wt%)
wt%) and
and elevated
elevatedK,0
1(20and
andNN;0
contents
q 0 abundances
abundances (2-7
(2-7 wt%
wt% and
and 0.2-3.5
0.2-3.5 wt%
wt%
respectively).
respectively). They
They are
are typically
typically
LREE
relatively
LREE enriched
enriched with
with relatively
unfractionated HREE
HREE (La/Sm,
(La/Smn =
=
unfractionated
2.8-5.1; Gd/Yb,,
GdIYb == 1.1-1.6;
1.1-1.6; Fig. 2)
characterised by elevated
elevated
and are characterised
and Nb
Nb contents.
contents. Samples
Samples
Zr, Y and
from the Redstone
Redstone Point
Point igneous
igneous
02.13
complex fulfil
fulfil the detailed
complex
detailed trace
trace
02-H
element
criteria of
of Whelan
element criteria
Whelan et al.
al.
y
(1987)
(1987) for anorogenic
anorogenic granites.
granites.
o

.

I

1

.

.

.

.

Rb
Tli
Rb Ra
BaTh

Pr S
SrNd
U HISmEu,
fl GdThOy
Er YbLu
U NbLa
Nb La Cc
Cc Fr
t hid Zr
Hf Sin Eu ll
Gd 7% D! Tile
Y ifc Er
Yb Lu Al
A1
U

V
V

Sc
SP

Figure
Representative primitive mantle normalised diagram
diagram for
Figure 2. Representative
for
samples from
from the
the Redstone
RedstonePoint
Pointigneous
igneous complex

Similarities
Similarities between
between Proterozoic
Proterozoic
basin sequences
basin
sequences (e.g.,
(e.g., Athabaska,
Athabaska,
Thelon, Hornby Bay and Sibley basin fill sequences) imply that basin genesis and developmental
developmental
controls were similar. The setting,
setting, architecture, depositional systems and deformational
deforrnational histories
of all four basins strongly infer that they are intracratonic, forming as a result of heating cratonic
lithosphere. The heating event is represented
represented in
in northern
northern Canada by
by numerous 1790 to 1730 Ma
anorogenic, syenogranite
batholiths and
and comagmatic ash-flow tuffs occurring
syenogranite batholiths
occurring west of
of Hudson
Hudson
Bay. In the western
Great
Lakes
region
a
heating
event
produced
the
1537
Ma
Redstone
western Great
the 1537 Ma Redstone Point
Point
assemblage and
and other 1500
records a
assemblage
1500 Ma
Ma anorogenic
anorogenic batholiths. The southern
southern mid-continent
mid-continent records
lithospheric heating event with anorogenic granite production
production from
from approximately
approximately 1480
1480to
to 1320
1320
Ma (Fig. 1).
1). These
These events
events outline
outline aa progressive
progressive southward
southward displacement
displacement of lithospheric heating
from a maximum age of approximately 1750 ma in northern Canada to aa minimum
minimum age
age of
of 1310
1310
Ma in the
As heat transfer
Ma
the southwestern
southwestern United
United States.
States. As
transfer from
from the
the asthenosphere
asthenosphere is the
the only
only
heating, drift of North America over hotter than
mechanism for producing extensive lithospheric heating,
regional ages of
of heating, drift rates of approximately 1.1
average asthenosphere is implied. Using regional
1.1
cm/year are necessary, and agree in magnitude with present
to 1.4 cmlyear
present rates.
rates.

REFERENCES
Anderson, J.,
J., 1983. Proterozoic anorogenic
anorogenic granite
granite plutonism
plutonism of
of North
North America. In: Medaris et
Anderson,
al., (Eds), Proterozoic
Proterozoic geology. Geological Society
Society of America
America Memoir
Memoir 161,
161,133-154.
133-154.
Davis, D.,
D., and
Davis,
and Sutcliffe,
Sutcliffe, R.,
R., 1985.
1985. U-Pb ages
ages from
from the
the Nipigon
Nipigon Plate
Plate and
and Northern
Northern Lake
Lake
Superior.
Bulletin, 96,
Superior. Geological
Geological Society of America Bulletin,
96, 1572-1579.
1572-1579.
Whelan, J., Currie,
Currie, K.,
K., and
andChappeli,
Chappell, B.,
B.,1987.
1987.A-type
A-typegranites:
granites:geochemical
geochemicalcharacteristics,
characteristics,
discrimination
Contributions to
407-419.
discrimination and petrogenesis. Contributions
to Mineralogy
Mineralogy and
and Petrology,
Petrology, 95,
95,407-419.

32

�PALEOPROTEROZOIC (1900-1600 Ma) TECTONIC HISTORY OF
LATE PALEOPROTEROZOIC
OF THE
THE NORTHERN
NORTHERN
FOR CRUSTAL STABILIZATION
STABIUZATION
MID-CONTINENT, U.S.A: IMPLICATIONS FOR
HOLM, D.K., Dept. of Geology,
Geology, Kent
Kent State
StateUniversity,
University, Kent,
Kent, OH
OH44242;
44242;VAN
VANSCHMIUS,
SCHMUS,
MacNEILL, L.C., Dept. of Geology, University of
of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045;
W.R., and MacNELL,
Minnesota Geological
BOERBOOM, T.J., Minnesota
Geological Survey, 2642 University Avenue, St.
St. Paul,
Paul, MN
MN
SCHWEiTZER, D., Dept. of Geology,
55114; SCHWEITZER,
Geology, Kent State
State University,
University, Kent, OH
OH 44242;
44242;
SCHNEIDER, D.A., Dept. of Geological
Geological Sciences,
University, Athens,
SCHNEJDER,
Sciences, Ohio University,
Athens, OH
OH 45701
45701

We propose that the
the late
late Paleoproterozoic
Paleoproterozoic igneous and
and deformational
deformational history
history preserved
preserved in
in the
the
southern Lake
Lake Superior
region is the
southern
Superior region
the result
resultofofnorthwest-directed
northwest-directed convergence
convergence during
during and
and
New U-Pb zircon ages indicate
indicate that
that late to post-Penokean
following geon 18 Penokean accretion. New
magmatism began ca. 1800
1800 Ma and
and generally
generally migrated
migrated southeastward
southeastward across
across the
thenewly
newlyaccreted
accreted
terrane. Magmatic
Magmaticpulses
pulses atatca.
ca.1800,
1800,1775,
1775,and
and1750
1750Ma
Mamay
maycorrelate
correlatewith
withnorthwest-directed
northwest-directed
growth of
of the North
North American mid-continent. We suggest
subduction associated with southward growth
suggest
that geon 17 Yavapai-age slab rollback caused continental arc magmatism to step
step southeastward
southeastward
between 1800 and 1750 Ma (Fig.
(Fig. 1A). As
As the
the slab
slab steepened,
steepened, the reduced compressional
compressional stresses
thermal input allowed for collapse of the overthickened
and increased thermal
overthickened portions of
of the
thePenokean
Penokean
In northern
collapse involved
involved the
the formation
formation of
of gneiss
crust.
cmst. In
northern Wisconsin,
Wisconsin, collapse
gneiss domes
domes and
and their
their
exhumation
panels brought
brought up
up from depth via
exhumation within discrete fault-bounded panels
via tectonic
tectonic extrusion
extmsion
(Schneider
(Schneider et al.,
al., ILSG,
ILSG, 2003).
2003). Collapse of the
thePenokean
Penokeanorogen
orogen—- and possibly temporary
temporary
cessation of
crustal stabilization and deposition of Baraboo Interval
cessation
of slab
slabsubduction
subduction—- resulted in cmstal
quartzites between
between 1750 and 1650
in aa long-lived
quartzites
1650 Ma.
Ma. However,
However, in
long-lived orogen
orogen model,
model,renewed
renewed
tectonism
to the
the south
south resulted
resulted in
in the
the eventual
accretionofof aa Mazatzal
Mazatzal arc
arc (Fig.
tectonism to
eventual accretion
(Fig. IB)
1B) with
with
widespread deformation
deformationand
andmild
mild reheating
reheatingof
of Penokean
Penokean crust
crust to
to the north. The age of
of this
this
widespread
Ar/Ar step-heating studies on basement rock
deformation is inferred from conventional ArIAr
rock beneath
beneath
undeformed Baraboo
BarabooInterval
Intervalquartzites.
quartzites. The 1900 to 1600
deformed and undeformed
1600 Ma tectonic history of
the north-central
United States,
States, not
not surprisingly,
records the
the southward growth and
the
north-central United
surprisingly, records
and tectonic
tectonic
development of the southern Laurentian margin.
New and published 40Arf39Ar
mineral
agesdelineate
delineatethe
thenorthern
northern and
and western
western extent of geon
New
4 0 ~ r / 3 9mineral
~r
ages
geon
crustal deformation.
deformation. Interestingly,
16 crustal
Interestingly, only lower-grade crust intruded by the
the shallower-level
shallower-level ca.
1750 Ma
Ma plutons (and associated
associated rhyolites)
rhyolites) were
weredeformed
deformedsignificantly
significantlyduring
duringgeon
geon 16.
16. Deeper
level
collapsed
crust
and
crust
pervasively
invaded
by
the
older
magmatic
pulses
are
level collapsed cmst and cmst pervasively invaded by
magmatic pulses arelargely
largely
unaffected by Mazatzal deformation
deformation and
and reheating.
reheating. We suggest
suggest that post-orogenic
post-orogenic intrusions
intrusions and
and
crustal thinning was an important step in strengthening
strengthening and stabilizing the
the crust
crust in
inthe
thesouthern
southern
Lake Superior
Superior region.
region.

O'Boyle, Hamilton, and Jercinovic, 2003,
2003, Paleoproterozoic
Paleoproterozoic development of
of a
Schneider, Holm, O'Boyle,
gneiss dome corridor
corridor in
in the
the southern
southern Lake
LakeSuperior
Superiorregion,
region,USA:
USA: Institute on Lake Superior
Geology Abstracts (this
(this volume).
volume).

33

�avapai subduction (ca. 1750 Ma)
w

-southward propagation of magmatism
from 1775 Ma ECMB to 1750 Ma granites and rhyolites in Wl

Mazatzal orogeny (1650-1630 Ma)
deformation of
during

ost-Penokean" quartzites
8azatzal
accretion
"

age
Figure 11:: A)
A) Subduction
Subduction rollback model
model proposed to explain magmatic
magmatic age
progression
the Penokean
convergence, preprogressionacross
across the
Penokean orogen,
orogen, ca.Yavapai convergence,
accretion.
Mazatzal
ECMB
East-centralMinnesota
Minnesota batholith.
batholith. B)
Mazatzal
ECMB ==East-central
B) Mazatzal
Mazatzal
accretion
model (modified
aL,2000) to
to explain
explain deformation
deformation
accretion model
(modifiedafter
after Romano
Romano et al.,2000)
of Baraboo Interval
Interval quartzites
quartzites and
and southward
southward growth
growth of
of Laurentia.
Laurentia.

34

�GABBRO/GRANOPHYRE
OF THE
THE CROCODILE
CROCODILELAKE
LAKEINTRUSION:
INTRUSION: A
GABBROIGRANOPHYRERELATIONS OF
POSSIBLE VENT FOR THE HOVLAND LAVAS?
(e.jerde@morehead-st.edu), Department of Physical Sciences, Morehead State
JERDE, Eric A. (e.jerde@morehead-st.edu).
State
University, Morehead, KY 40351
40351
One of the notable
notable characteristics
characteristics of the Midcontinent
Midcontinent Rift
Rift is the presence of large
large amounts
amounts of
of felsic
felsicmaterial.
material.
Indeed, the nature and origins of this abundant
abundant silicious
silicious material
material has been the source
source of numerous
numerous studies
studies(e.g.,
(e.g.,
Nelson, 1991; Green and
and Fitz,
Fitz, 1993;
1993; Vervoort
Vervoort and
andGreen,
Green, 1997;
1997;Kennedy
Kennedyeteta!.,
2000;Sandland
Sandlandetetal.,
al.,2001).
2001). To the
Nelson.
al., 2000,
Series is a pronounced ridge
south of the Early Gabbro Series
ridge composed
composed of
of this
this felsic
felsic material,
material, properly
properlytermed
termedaa
Series layers are
granophyre. The Early Gabbro Series
are inc!ined
inclined to the south,
south, thus are below the granophyre
granophyre
stratigraphically. This
This felsic
felsic rock
rock was
was noted and
and described
described by Nathan (1969)
(1969) as a very late-stage material, and has
presumed to
to have
have formed
formed significantly
significantlyafter
afterthe
the gabbros
gabbrosin
inthe
theregion.
region. However, several
severa!
generally been presumed
observations
!ater than
than the
the granophyres.
granophyres. These
observationsindicate
indicate that the gabbro was emplaced later
These include
include gradational
gradational contacts,
contacts,
with some chilling of the gabbro. Another
described as
Another observation
observation is
is the
the abundance
abundance of material described
as "intermediate
"intermediate
rock" by various investigators
aL, 1959). This
This materia!
material is always found between the
investigators in the past (e.g., Grout et al.,
gabbro
gabbro and granophyre,
granophyre,and is
is presumably
presumably the
the result of
of assimilation
assimilationof
of granophyre
granophyreby
by an
an intruding,
intruding,hot
hotgabbro.
gabbro.
Investigations
Investigations into
into possible origins of the
the granophyres
granophyres(Sandland
(Sandlandet
et al.,
al., 2001;
2001; Karl
Karl Wirth,
Wirth,pers.
pers.comm.)
comm.)
included
included radiometric
radiometric age
age determinations,
determinations, and
and revealed
revealed that
that the
the granophyres
granophyresadjacent
adjacentto
to the
theEarly
EarlyCiabbro
Gabbro Series
Seriesare,
are,
like the gabbros,
Ga),and
andessentially
essentiallycontemporaneous.
contemporaneous. Because
gabbros, among
among the earliest
earliest rocks of the
the rift
rift (—1107
(-1 107 Ga),
Because
silicious
silicious materia!
material generally is a late-stage product of magma evolution,
evolution, the surprising antiquity of the
the granophyres
granophyres
adds to questions
thheir origin.
questionssurrounding their
The early age for the grar
granophyres
however, suggest
suggest an
an origin
origin fifor
the layered
layered nature
nature of
of the
the Early
Early Gabbro
Gabbro
3r the
1013hyres does, however,
Series
stratigraphically.
Senes located below them stri
:ti;graphically. Due
granophyric material would have created
created aa
Due to
to their
their low
low density,
density, the granophyric
. that
.. . reiaraea
. ~ ~ &gt; - &gt; . . . - -.
~
~.~material
. . coming
~~. up
"from below.
barrier
retarded
the
buoyant. gamroic
gabbroic
up rrom
below. These
harrier
mat
me rise of
buuyani
These rising
rising !iquids
liquids would
would have
have
beeni forced to spread !aterally,
resulting in the
the ;aP
apparent
layering that isis obserl
observed,
andproviding
providing aa cap,
cap, blocking
blocking any
any
laterally, resultingin
bee]
red, and
parent layeringthat
further
ler rise of gabbroic
gabbroic material.
material.
furti
east of
of the
the layered
layered Earl:
EarlyY (Gabbro
Series of
of Nathan
Nathan (19
(1969)
is another
another occurrence
occurrence of
Immediately to the east
69) is
Jabbro Series
~ . ~ ~ &gt; &amp; - L .
c.
. . , (i.e.,
. —1107
&lt;
granophyre, also determined
Ga;Karl
Kar!Wirth,
Wirth,pers.
pers. comm.).
comm.). This
01 an early
early origin
origin
n.e.,
-1 I U I Ga;
This
granopnyre,
aeiermmea
to be
ne among
among those
mose of
termed the
the Crocodile
Crocodile Lake
Lake Intrusion by
by Miller
Miller et
et al.
al. (2001).
(2001), and
and the rocks are interpreted to be
rock group has been termed
geophysica! evidence,
evidence, and
and aa few
few sample
sample examinations
examinations(Babcock,
(Babcock, 1959).
1959). Work
gabbroic based on geophysical
Work done
done between
between
1913
edges of
of this
this intrusion,
intrusion, and
and indicates
indicates that
that they
they are
are basalt
basalt lavas
lavas and gabbroic
1913 and 1948
1948 included the very edges
intrusions, along with "red
"red rock" (Grout et al., 1959)
1959) that is now known to refer to granophyre.
(1969), there is a body of gabbroic material stratigraphically
stratigraphica!ly below
below the
Like the series mapped by Nathan (1969).
granophyre.
granophyre.
During the past year, a reconnaissance
reconnaissance was
was made
made into
into the
the Crocodile
Crocodile Lake
Lake Intrusion
Intrusion to
to examine
examine some of the rock
rock
re!ations (Fig. 1). Traverses
by forest
forest blowdown,
blowdown,but
butthe
theoutcrops
outcropsare
arenumerous.
numerous. Several
relations
Traverses were greatly hampered by
gabbro units are present, as well
we!l as
as aa band
band of
of "intermediate
"intermediate material"
materiaP' at
at the
the very
very top
top of
of the
the gabbro, below the
granophyre. Within
Withinthe
thegranophyre
granophyreitself,
itself, several
several bodies
bodies of
of gabbro
gabbrowere
were found
found to
to have
have actually
actuallyintruded
intrudedthe
the
granophyre. In
Inthe
thecoarse-grained
coarse-grainedinteriors
interiors of
of these
these bodies,
bodies,the
thegabbro
gabbroisisindistinguishable
indistinguishablefrom
fromthe
thegabbros
gabbros
(i.e., below the granophyre
granophyre stratigraphically).
stratigraphically).
observed further
further north (i.e.,
south of
of the
the granophyre
granophyre are
are prominent
prominent knobs
knobs and
and ridges
ridges that
that are
are composed
composed of basalt. These
Immediately to the south
These
part of the Hovland Lavas, which are
are reversely
reversely polarized,
polarized, and were extruded
extruded during the earliest
earliest
are mapped as pan
discontinuous bodies (and other stringers
stringers and local dikes)
period of the
the rifting.
rifting. It is perhaps possible that the discontinuous
dikes) within
within
feeder conduits for the eruptive
eruptive basalts
basa!ts immediately
immediately to
to the
the south
south (shown
(shown schematically
schematically
the granophyre represent the feeder
are basaltic
basaltic stringers
stringers and
and small
small dikes.
dikes. Surrounding
in Fig. 2). In
In several
several other
other places within the granophyre, there are
Surrounding
!arger gabbroic bodies
bodiesare
areobvious
obviousreaction
reactionzones
zoneswhere
wheregranophyre
granophyrehas
hasbeen
beenassimilated
assimilatedinto
intothe
thegabbro.
gabbro. In
In
the larger
to the
the south,
south,numerous
numerous inclusions
inclusions are
arepresent
present that
that are
are pinkish
pinkish in
in color,
color. along with
with
one of the flows immediately to
felsic stringers
stringers and irregular masses of felsic
felsic material.
to assess
assess the
the relation
relation between
between the
the gabbros
gabbros within
within the
the granophyre
granophyre and the lavas to the
Further work is planned to
south. IfIf this
thisisisindeed
indeed aa feeder
feeder system,
system, itit might provide
provide insight
insight into
into the
the mechanism
mechanism of magma
magma emplacement
emplacement and
and the
the
eventual "breakthrough"
"breakthrough" to the surface, during
during the
the onset
onset of
of rifling.
rifting.

h he earl^

~

.~~~ . ~ .

~

~

~ . ~ . ~.
~~~

~

~

~~

~~

. . ~ .~ ~ ~ .

35

P-.

�ReferencesCited:
Cited:
References
(1959)MS.
M.S.thesis,
thesis.University
UniversityofofWisconsin,
Wisconsin.Madison,
Madison,4747p.p.
Babcock,R.C.,
R.C..Jr.
Jr.(1959)
Babcock,
Geothermal
Research,
Journal
of
Volcanological
and
Green.
J.C.
and
Fitz.
T.J.,
1993.
Journal
of
Volcanological
and
Geothermal
Research,54,
54,177-196.
177.196.
Green, J.C. and Fitz, T.J., 1993,
Bulletin
39,
163p.
G.M.
1959
Minnesota
Geologica
Survey
Grout,
F.F.,
Sharp,
R.P.,
and
Schwm,
G.M.
1959
Minnesota
Geologica
Survey
Bulletin
39,
163p.
Grout, F.F., Sharp, R.P., and Schwartz,
Union
Jerde,BA.
E.A.and
andKennedy,
Kennedy.B.C.,
B.C.,2000,
2000.American
AmericanGeophysical
Geophysical
Union2000
2000Fall
FallMeeting,
Meeting,San
SanFrancisco.
Francisco.
Jerde,
and
Wirth,
KR.
2001,
ILSG
47,
36-37.
Jerde,
E.A.,
Salvato.
D.J.
Thole.
J.,
and
Wirth,
K.R.
2001.
ILSG
47.36-37.
Jerde, BA., Salvato, D.J, Thole, S.,
29-30.
Kennedy,B.C.,
B.C.,Wirth,
Wirth,K.R.,
K.R.,and
andVervoort,
Vervoort,J.D.,
J.D.,2000,
2000,ILSG
ILSG46,
46.29-30.
Kennedy,
M.J.,
Chandler,
V.W.,
and
Miller,J.D.,
J.D..Jr.,
Jr.,Green,
Green,J.C.,
J.C.,Severson,
Severson, M.J., Chandler, V.W., andPeterson,
Peterson,D.M.,
D.M.,2001,
2001,Minnesota
MinnesotaGeological
Geological
Miller,
M119.
SurveyMiscellaneous
MiscellaneousMap
MapSeries
Series
M-119.
Survey
198p.
University
Nathan.HI).,
H.D..1969,
1969.
Ph.D.dissertation,
dissertation.
UniversityofofMinnesota,
Minnesota.Minneapolis,
Minneapolis,
198p.
Nathan,
Ph.D.
University
of
Minnesota.
Duluth.
Nelson.
N.
1991.
M
S
.
Thesis.
University
of
Minnesota.
Duluth.
Nelson, N. 1991, MS. Thesis,
K.S. 2001, LSG 47, 85-86.
Gehrels,
G.E.,
Kennedy,
B.C.,
Sandland,TO.,
T.O.,Wirth,
Wirth,KR.,
K.R.,Vervoort,
Vervoort,J.D.,
J.D.,
Gehiels,
G.E.,
Kennedy,
B.C.,and
andHarpp,
H q p , K.S. 2001, ILSG 47,8546.
Sandland,
Vervoort,3D.
J.D.and
andGreen,
Green.J.C.,
J.C.,1997,
1997.Canadian
CanadianJournal
JournalofofEarth
EarthSciences,
Sciences,34,521-535.
34.521-535.
Vervoort,

Lake, showing location of
Fig.i.1.
Reconnaissancegeologic
geologicmap
mapofofthe
theregion
regionjust
justsouth
southofofCrocodile
Crocodile
Lake, showing location of
Fig.
Reconnaissance
Lake Intrusion gabbros
sabhrobodies
bodiesininthe
thegranophyre
granophyre
thatforms
formsthe
thecap
capabove
abovethe
theCrocodile
Crocodile Lake Intrusion gabbros
gabbro
that
andintermediate
intermediaterocks.
rocks.
and
'4

possible feeder for the Hoviand Lavas.
Schematic
N-Scross
crosssection
sectionofofFig.
Fig.1 1showing
showingthe
the possible feeder for the Hovland Lavas.
Fig.2.2.Schematic
Fig.
N-S

36

�East West Resource
ResourceCorporation
Corporation(EWR)
(EWR) has
has undertaken
undertakenaa detailed
detailedexploration
explorationprogram
program
in the vicinity of Norton Lake, including an extensive drilling program. Detailed
Detailed examination
examination of
of
being paid
paid to
to the
the mineralized
mineralized 'main' zone
drill core has been undertaken with special attention being
zone to
to
determine the exact nature of the mineralization. Preliminary
Preliminaryresults
results indicate
indicate the
the deposit
denosit consists
consists
of massive pyrrhotite with pentlandite, magnetite, chalcopyrite and pyrite.
pyrite. The
The platinum group
element's
element's (PGE's)
(PGE's)are
arefound
foundforming
formingdiscrete
discreteplatinum
platinumgroup
groupminerals
mineralsand
andare
arealso
alsobelieved
believedto
to
form a solid solution with the sulphides.
sulphides. Results
~ e s u i tshow
sshowthat
that in
inaddition
additionto
toprimary
primarymineralization
mineralization
a secondary, hydrothermal, enrichment
enrichment of PGE's
PGE's has
has taken
takenplace.
place.

Mineral
Mineral
Pyrrhotite
Pyrrhotite
Pentlandite
Pentlandite
Pyrite
Chalcopyrite
Chalcopyrite
Manganoan
fllmenite
Illmenite

1

Magnetite
Michenerite
Hessite
Hessite

Formula
Fe,.$
Fei.S
(Fe,Ni)9S8
(Fe,NihSs
FeS2
CuFeS2
CuFeSi
(Fe,Mn)Ti03
(Fe,Mn)Ti03
Fe304
1 Fe304

1 PdBiTe
Ag2Te
1 Ag2Te

Elements
Minor Elements
Ni
Co
Co
Co
Co
Ni

Notes
Notes
Main mineral
mineral
Secondary
Secondary
Trace
Trace, also
also veins
More common
common than magnetite,
magnetite,
easily mistaken for magnetite in
polished section
section

1 Sb, Pt

Table 1:
Table
1:Summary
Summaryof
of the mineralogy
mineralogy of Norton Lake
Lake deposit.
deposit.

Corfu F. and Stott G.M. 1996.
1996. Hf isotopic composition and age constraints
constraints on
on the evolution
evolution of
of
the Archean Central Uchi Subprovince, Ontario, Canada. Precambrian Research, v. 78, p 53-63
East West Resources
Resources Corporation,
Corporation, 2001.
2001. Annual
Annual Report.
Report.
PGM Ventures,
Ventures, 2003.
2003. www.pgm-ventures.com

Stott 0.
G.M.
M.and
andCorfu
Corfu F.
F. 1991,
1991,Uchi
Uchi Subprovince,
Subprovince, in Geology of Ontario,
Ontario, Ontario Geological
Survey
Survey Special
Special Volume
Volume 4,
4, Part
Part1.1.

38

�STRATIFORM
STRATIFORM Pd-Pt-Au
Pd-Pt-AUMINERALIZATION
MINERALIZATION IN
IN THE
THE SONJU
SONJU LAKE
LAKE INTRUSION,
INTRUSION,
LAKE COUNTY, MINNESOTA
JOSLIN,
1114
Kirby
JOSLIN,Gregory
GregoryD.
D.Department
Departmentof
ofGeological
Geological Sciences,
Sciences, University of Minnesota-Duluth, 11
14 Kirby
Drive,
MILLER, James D., Jr.,
Drive, Duluth,
Duluth, MN
MN 55812,
55812,email:
email:ioslOOl3@d.umn.edu;
josl0013@d.urnn.edu;MILLER,
Jr., Minnesota
Minnesota
do NRRI, 5013 Miller Trunk
TrunkHwy,
Hwy,Duluth,
Duluth,MN
MN 5581
55811;
and ROWELL,
ROWELL,
Geological Survey, c/o
1; and
6th
William,
St., Minneapolis, MN 55402.
55402.
William, F., Franconia Minerals
MineralsCorp.,
Corp.,12
12S.
S. 6 St.,

The Sonju Lake intrusion
intrusion (SLI) is a 1200
1200 m thick, closed-system, well-differentiated, tholeiitic,
layered intrusion located within the Mesoproterozoic Midcontinent Rift-related Beaver Bay
Complex of northeastern Minnesota (Miller and
and Chandler,
Chandler, 1997).
1997). In the late 1990's,
1990's. outcrop
outcrop
sampling by Miller (1999) indicated
indicated the presence of meter-scale stratiform Pd-Pt-Au mineralized
POE reef) within the oxide gabbro
interval (or PGE
gabbro unit of the SLI, located about 2/3 of the way up
intrusion. In
from the basal contact of the intrusion.
In June of 2002 Franconia Minerals Corp. conducted
exploratory drilling
exploratory
drilling through
through the
the Pd-Pt-Au
Pd-Pt-An enriched
enriched zone.
zone.
In hand sample, the mineralized interval appears as a homogeneous oxide gabbro, with no
enrichment. However, geochemically the location of the
visible indication of precious metals enrichment.
mineralization is distinct. Three
Three drill
drill cores,
cores, spanning
spanning aa strike
strike length of approximately 800 m,
define
define and are
are correlated
correlated on the
the basis
basis of
of aa distinctive
distinctive Cu-Au
Cu-Au break datum (Fig. 1).
1). With the
exception
exception of localized Pt enrichment
enrichment associated with an interval
interval enriched in olivine
olivine about
about 110
110m
m
below the Cu-Au horizon, all Pd-Pt-Au enrichment occurs over an interval of 0 to 90 m below the
defined datum (Fig. 2). In
In general
general precious
precious metals
metals peaks are stratigraphically
stratigraphically offset from one
another, progressing upward
upward in
in the
the succession
successionPd-&gt;Pt-&gt;Au.
Pd-*Pt-)Au. Maximum
Maximumgrades
gradesin
in 0.3m
0.3m long
long core
core
samples are 410 ppb Pd, 275 ppb Pt, and 1080 ppb
ppb Au.
Au. Above the Cu-Au break, all precious
metals are very strongly depleted. Strong
Strong correlation
correlation between Fe.
Fe, Al
A1 and modal olivine with
precious metals peaks indicates
indicates a possible
possible connection
connection between subtle
subtle modal layering
layering of
of
plagioclase,
plagioclase, oxide,
oxide, and
and olivine
olivine with
withmineralization.
mineralization.
The oxide
oxide gabbro-hosted POE
PGE reef in the Sonju
Sonju Lake intrusion
intrusion shows
shows marked similarities,
similarities,
with some differences,
Skaergaard intrusion
intrusion of
of East
East
differences, to stratiform
stratiform POE
PGE mineralization in the Skaergaard
Greenland (Andersen et al., 1998),
1998). the Rincon del Tigre Complex of Bolivia (Prendergast,
(Prendergast, 2000),
2000).
intrusions throughout
throughoutthe
the world.
world. Whole rock
and many other tholeiitic mafic layered intrusions
geochemistry, clinopyroxene
clinopyroxene and olivine compositions,
compositions, and petrographic data are
are consistent
consistent with
with
an orthomagmatic origin for the mineralization related to the fractional
fractional segregation
segregation of
of sulfide
sulfide
magma. The
melt from silicate magma.
The homogeneity
homogeneity of the host rock, the thickness of the mineralized
interval, and the offset of metal concentrations
concentrations imply that sulfide
sulfide saturation
saturation was
was passively
passively
thggered by fractional crystallization of the Sonju magma. Mungall
(2002) recently
triggered
Mungall(2002)
recently argued
argued that
that
stratigraphic
POE reefs can be satisfactorily
stratigraphic offsets of Pd, Pt, Au and Cu peaks common to many PGE
satisfactorily
model of
of sulfide liquation
liquation and
and settling.
settling. The model shows
explained by a kinetic model
shows that
that the
the degree
degree
will be
be controlled
controlled by
by kinetic
kinetic factors,
factors, such
such as
as the
the diffusivity
diffusivity of
of
of offset and metal enrichment will
of sulfide supersaturation, sulfide
sulfide droplet
droplet size, and its
its settling
chalcophile elements, the degree of
result in
in variability of
of the apparent
apparent silicate/sulfide
silicate/sulfide melt
melt ratio
ratio (R
(R factor).
factor). The
velocity, which result
The
correlation
correlation of multiple
multiple peaks
peaks of POE
PGE with
with subtle,
subtle, broad
broad modal
modal variations
variations may
may be
be related
related to
to
repeated convective overturn caused by the crystallization of
of magnetite
magnetite in
in an environment
environment of
of
sulfide over-saturation,
over-saturation, as suggested by Prendergast (2000)
(2000) to explain a similar
similar correlation
correlation in
in the
the
Rincon del Tigre Complex. Some
Some evidence
evidence of late-stage sulfide dissolution and remobilization
remobilization
exists, but it appears to have little to no effect
effect upon
upon the
the distribution
distribution of
of precious
precious metals.
metals.

39

�SLO2-3

SLO2-2

5L02-1

mno,3 ibo,e
Co'Aob,,ak

rlTrm,T

+70.0

— +70.0

+80.0

— +600

—+000
4105

— +40.0

+300

— +35.0

+10.0

— +20.0
.300,0

+30,0
—

lddk!4-

Fig.
Fig.1:1:Correlation
Correlationofofdrill
drill
cores
1, 5L02-2,
coresSLO2SL02-1,
SL02-2,and
and
SLO2-3
SL02-3showing
showingdistinctive
distinctive

00

1=11— .10.0

— ''0.0

-10.0

— '20.0

— 30,0

WWIII—

— .40.3

-40.0

Cu-Au
Cu-Aubreak.
break.The
TheCu-Au
Cu-Au
break
breakisisused
usedtotoprovide
provideaa
datum
datumtotowhich
whichall
all
stratigraphic
stratigraphicplots
plotsare
are
correlated,
correlated,and
andposition
positioninin
stratigraphy
stratigraphyisismeasured
measuredasas
meters
metersabove
aboveororbelow
belowCu-Au
Cu-Au
break.
break.

'50.0

-10,0

— '00.0

11214-

— '70.0

-700

— '00+

11414-

Will-

— '90,0

._,I000

—-lion

-100.0

112111— -110.0

—'120.0

-l 00.0

— -000,0

[It'i—'

Cu'Au
break

8

• Au(ppb)
Cu ppm)
mete's above
Cu-Au break

5L02-3

SLO2-2

SL02-1

— +700

— +700

— +700

t00.0

— +600

— -+600

+50,0

—*500

—+50,0

+400

— 5400

— +400

300

— +30.0

— +30.0

200

— +20.0

— 420.0

— +100

— +10.0

+10.0

— -10.0

— -100

— -20,0

—

- 00i

20,0

— -500

— -30,0

— 420

— '400

— .000

— -50.0

'600

— -00.0

-700

— -700

— .70.2

000

— .800

— -00.0

— 900

— -00.0

— -00.0

1000

__..,1000

—100.0

7100

—110.0

—-110.0

—-1200

—010.0

—'120.0

300

— '132.5

— -130.0

—00 -400

888

Fig.
Fig.2:
2:Correlation
Correlationof
of Pd
Pd
and
Pt
in
drill
holes
SLO2and Pt in drill holes SL021,1,SLO2-2,
SL02-2,and
andSLO2-3.
SL02-3.
Notice
Noticemultiplicity
multiplicityof
of
spikes
spikesand
andoffset
offsetbetween
between
Pt
Ptand
andPd
Pdpeaks.
peaks.

I

2

§

§

U Pd)ppb)
W Po(ppb)

References:
References:
Andersen,
Rasmussen,
Andersen. J.J. C.
C. 0.,
O.,
Rasmussen,H.,
H.,Nielsen,
Nielsen,T.
T. F.
F.D.,
D., Ronsbo,
Ronsbo,J.J. G.,
G., 1998,
1998,The
The Triple
TripleGroup
Groupand
andthe
the
Platinova
PlatinovaGold
Goldand
andPalladium
PalladiumReefs
Reefsininthe
theSkaergaard
SkaergaardIntrusion:
Intrusion:Stratigraphic
Stratigraphicand
andPetrographic
Petrographic
Relations.
488-509.
Relations.Economic
EconomicGeology.
Geology.Vol.
Vol.93,
93,pp.
pp.488-509.
Miller,
Miller,J.J. D.
D. Jr.,
Jr.,1999,
1999,Geochemical
GeochemicalEvaluation
Evaluationof
ofPlatinum
PlatinumGroup
GroupElement
Element(PGE)
(PGE)Mineralization
Mineralizationininthe
the
Sonju
44,31
3 1p.
p.
SonjuLake
Lake Intrusion,
Intrusion, Finland,
Finland,Minnesota:
Minnesota: Minnesota
Minnesota Geological
Geological Surv.
SUN.Information
InformationCircular
Circular44,
of
the
Beaver
Miller,
J.
D.,
Jr.,
and
Chandler,
V.
W.,
1997,
Geology,
petrology,
and
tectonic
significance
Miller, J. D.. Jr., and Chandler, V. W.. 1997, Geology, petrology. and tectonic significance of the Beaver
Bay
Bay Complex,
Complex,northeastern
northeasternMinnesota,
Minnesota,inin Ojakangas,
Ojakangas,R.
R.W.,
W., Dickas,
Dickas,A.
A.B.,
B., Green,
Green,J.J.C.,
C.,eds.,
eds.,Middle
Middle
Proterozoic
Proterozoicto
toCambrian
CambrianRifting,
Rifting, Central
CentralNorth
North America:
America:Geological
GeologicalSociety
Societyof
of America
AmericaSpecial
SpecialPaper
Paper
312,
p.
73-96.
312, p.73-96.
Mungall,
E.,2002,
2002,Kinetic
KineticControls
Controlson
onthe
thePartitioning
Partitioningof
ofTrace
TraceElements
ElementsBetween
BetweenSilicate
Silicateand
andSulfide
Sulfide
Mungall,J.J. E..
Liquids.
Liquids. Journal
Journal of
of Petrology.
Petrology. Vol.43,
Vol. 43, pp.749-768
pp. 749-768
Prendergast,
Tire Complex,
D., 2000,Layering
2000,Layering and Precious Metals Mineralization in the Rincon del Tigre
Complex,
Prendergast, M.
M. D..
Eastern
Bolivia.
Economic
Geology.
Vol.
95,
pp.
113-130.
Eastern Bolivia. Economic Geology. Vol. 95, pp. 113-130.

40

�RESULTS OF
SINGLE-GRAINANALYSES
ANALYSESOF
OFPRECAMBRIAN
PRECAMBRIAN MAFIC
MAFIC
RESULTS
OF40Ar/39Ar
'")~r/^'&gt;~r
SINGLE-GRAIN
INTRUSIONS IN
IN NORTHERN
NORTHERN ANI)
AND EAST-CENTRAL
EAST-CENTRALMINNESOTA
MINNESOTA
INTRUSIONS
KEA'ITS, M.J.,
Kent, OH
OH44242;
44242;JIRSA,
uRSA, M.,
KEATTS,
MJ., Dept. of Geology, Kent State University, Kent,
St. Paul, MN 551
14-1057;
Minnesota Geological
Geological Survey,
Survey, 2642 University
University Avenue West, St.
Minnesota
55114-1057;
HOLM,
HOLM, D., Dept.
Dept. of
of Geology,
Geology, Kent
Kent State
StateUniversity,
University, Kent,
Kent,OH
OH44242
44242

Age information
from mafic
mafic intrusive
intrusive suites
suites is critical
Age
information from
critical for
for proper
proper interpretation
interpretation of the
the
geologic history and for mineral deposit models in the Lake Superior region.
region. As
As part of an effort
to evaluate
evaluate PGE potential
potential in mafic
mafic intrusions
intrusions in Minnesota,
Minnesota, several
several plutons
plutons have been dated
dated
using the CO2
Ar/Ar incremental heating technique at the University of
of Wisconsin-Madison
Wisconsin-Madison
COi laser ArIAr
Rare
Rare Gas
Gas Geochronology
Geochronology Laboratory.
Laboratory. For late-stage
late-stage shallow
shallow plutons
plutons containing
containing primary
primary
magmatic
homblende, Ar/Ar
ArIAr mineral
mineral ages are likely
likely to
to closely
closely approximate
approximate the crystallization
crystallization
magmatic hornblende,
age. In regions
regions with
with aamore
moreprotracted
protractedthermal
thermalhistory
history(i.e.,
(i.e.,low-grade
low-grademetamorphism,
metamorphism, slowslowcooling, etc.), the Ar/Ar
intrusions from
ArIAr data provide minimum ages for the mafic plutons. Mafic intmsions
Minnesota selected for
for this study
study represent aa broad range
range of
of geologic
geologic settings,
settings, including
including1)
1)small
small
mafic
supracrustal and
and intrusive
intrusive rocks
rocks within
mafic plutons
plutons emplaced
emplaced into Paleoproterozoic
Paleoproterozoic supracrustal
within the
Penokean orogen (samples 264, R17); and 2) varied,
varied, primarily latelate- to post-tectonic
post-tectonic intrusions
intrusions in
in
supracrustal rocks of the Archean
Archean Wabigoon
Wabigoon (samples Al,
Al, B21, UBD) and Wawa (samples K15,
LP, ANA) subprovinces
of Superior
Province. We
We report
report here
here the initial results from
LP,
subprovinces of
Superior Province.
from eight
eight
separate
intrusions
(Fig.
1).
separate intrusions (Pig. 1).
A homblende
East-central Minnesota.
(R17) from
East-central
Minnesota. A
hornblende grain
grain (R17)
from aa sample
sampleofofmedium-grained
medium-grained
hornblendite from the Tibbett's Brook intrusion cutting the
homblendite
the East-central
East-central Minnesota
Minnesota batholith
batholith in
in
Morrison
Co. yields
yields aa plateau
date of
0.006 Ga from
contiguous increments
from 44 contiguous
increments
Momson Co.
plateau date
of 1.770
1.770 ±Â 0.006
constituting
74% of
of the gas released.
constituting 74%
released. AAbiotite
biotitegrain
grain(264)
(264)from
fromaasample
sampleofofcoarse-grained
coarse-grained
biotitic olivine gabbronorite
gabbronorite cutting the Little Falls Formation in Morrison
Momson Co. yields
yields aa plateau
plateau
constituting 68% of the gas released.
date of 1.791 ±
Â0.008
0.008 Ga from 5 contiguous increments constituting
Wawa Subprovince. A hornblende grain (ANA) from a sample
sample of
of prismatic
prismatic homblende
hornblendediorite
diorite
collected near Red Lake in Beltrami Co. yields a near-plateau date of 2.587 ±0.012
a . 0 1 2 Ga
Ga in
in 55 nonnoncontiguous
incrementsconstituting
constituting50%
50%ofofthe
thegas.
gas. A
A biotite
biotite grain
grain (K15)
(K15) from
from a sample
contiguous increments
sample of
biotite granodiorite porphyry collected in Norman Co. yields aa plateau date
date of 2.639
2.639±Â 0.007
Ga
0.007 Ga
from 6 contiguous increments constituting 79%
79% of
of the gas released. A biotite grain (LP) from a
sample of porphyritic syenite collected at the
the Wawa-Quetico
Wawa-Quetico subprovince
subprovinceboundary
boundary in
in St.
St.Louis
Louis
Co.,
0.006 Ga from
from 77contiguous
contiguous
Co., in the
the Linden
Linden Pluton,
Pluton, yields
yields aa plateau
plateau date
date of 2.666
2.666 ±Â 0.006
increments constituting
constituting 88% of the gas released.
grain (Â£321
(B21) from the Oaks intrusion leucodiorite sampled
Wabigoon Subprovince. A hornblende grain
near
Fault in
in Roseau
1 ±Â 0.008
0.008 Ga from 88
near the Vermilion
Vermilion Fault
Roseau Co. yields
yields aa plateau
plateau date
date of
of 2.67
2.671
contiguous increments
increments constituting
constituting75%
75%ofofthe
thetotal
totalgas
gasreleased.
released. A
A hornblende
homblende grain
grain (Al)
(Al) from
the Black River gabbro, collected in Roseau Co., yields a plateau date of 2.685
±
0.011 Ga from
from
2.685 Â 0.011
11 contiguous increments
increments constituting
constituting90%
90%of
of the
the total
total gas
gas released.
released. A hornblende
hornblende (UBD)
(UBD) from
a sample
collected in Koochiching Co. north of the
sample of homblende-biotite
hornblende-biotite gabbro collected
the Rainy
Rainy LakeLakeSeine
River Fault
Fault yields
yields aa plateau
plateau date
date of
of 2.695
Seine River
2.695 ±
Â 0.007
0.007 Ga from 66 contiguous
contiguous increments
increments
constituting 49% of the gas released.
released.

41

�_____________

__________________________
___

The mineral age data
data from mafic
mafic plutons
plutons from
from the
the Wabigoon
Wabigoon subprovince
subprovince are
are synchronous
synchronous
Mafic plutons
plutons from
from the
the
with the last deformation event (D2) dated in the range 2.685-2.674 Ga.
Ga. Mafic
Wawa subprovince give an 80 m.y.
Interestingly, the Linden
m.y. age
age range
range from
from 2.58
2.58 to
to 2.66
2.66 Ga.
Ga. Interestingly,
Linden
Pluton gives a biotite
Pluton
biotite date
date concordant
concordant (within
(within error) with the youngest
youngest mafic pluton from the
Wabigoon subprovince.
subprovince.The
Theyounger
youngerspread
spreadofof ages
ages from
from the Wawa
Wabigoon
Wawa are
are consistent
consistent with
with
southward growth of the Superior Province
Province during the
the latest
latest Archean.
Archean. Mafic plugs
plugs evident
evident from
aeromagnetic
maps in
in east-central
Minnesota are comagmatic
with the circa 1.775
aeromagnetic maps
east-central Minnesota
comagmatic with
1.775 Ga
Ga EastEastcentral Minnesota batholith.
batholith. Further constraining the temporal framework of mafic
mafic intrusions
intrusions
may contribute
to mineral
deposit models
models for
for PGE
may
contribute to
mineral deposit
PGE in these
these intrusions
intrusions and
and their
their analogs
analogs in
in
adjacent states
states and
and provinces.
provinces.
Fig.1
°Ar/"Ar age
Fig.l "ArPAr
age spectra:
spectra: t, = plateau age,
age, çt, == total
total gas
gas age.
age.
2.0

2.0
2.0

R17

I

264

1.5
o

t_.._1

:.

e

1.8

1.0

0.5
3.0

Btite MSWD
Biotite
MSWD2.57
2.57

Amphibole MSWD 1.78
1.770±0.006
t, = 1.770
Â 0.006 Ga
Ga
t9 = 1.653
1.653 Â
± 0.005
0.005 Ga
p
Ga

[.1

t==1.791
t,
1.791±0.008
t 0.008 Ga
Ga
1.782 Â
± 0.007 Ga
t,t9 == 1.782
1.5

3°

ANA

..

o

H- —

2

25

Amphibole MSWD
MSWD 0.30
= 2.671 ± 0.008 Ga
t9 = 2.705 ± 0.013 Ga

Amphibole MSWD
Amphibole
MSWD 0.71
0.71
= 2.587 ± 0.012 Ga
= 2.550 ± 0.009 Ga
2.0
3.0

2.0
3.0

K15

—

t:
2.5

TTL..c.H

2.5

.

2

Amphibole
Amphibole MSWD
MSWD1.81
1.El

Biotite MSWD
MSWD 2.48
2.46

t, = 2.639 ±Â 0.007 Ga
Ga

2.685 ±
t, = 2.685
Â0.011
0.011 Ga
Ga

= 2.640 ± 0.007 Ga

t = 2.700 ± 0.010 Ga

2.0

—

LP

%

Ir11

—

m

—LI
2.5

2.5

2

Amphibole MSWD
MSWD 1.03
1.03
± 0.007 Ga
t, = 2.695 Â
= 2.730 ± 0.006 Ga

Biotite MSWD 1.11
= 2.666 ± 0.006 Ga
= 2.657 ± 0.006
2.0

-

0
0

2.0
100
0
$00
0

—.

.

100
$

20
20

30
30

40

50
SO

60
60

700
7

80

Cumulative "Ar
"Ar released (%)

90
SO

42

10
10

20
20

30

40

S
O
50

60
60

7
700

80

"Ar released
Cumulative "Ar
released (%)

90
90

300
100

�Ontario
New zircon ages from
from the
the Gunflint and Rove Formations,
Formations, northwestern
northwestern Ontario
Kissin,
Kissin, S.A., Department
Departmentof
of Geology,
Geology,Lakehead
Lakehead University,
University,Thunder
ThunderBay,
Bay,ON,
ON,P7B
P7B5E1
5E1Canada,
Canada,
stephen.kissin@lakeheadu.ca
stephen.kissin@lakeheadu.ca ;;Vallini,
Vallini, D.A.,
D.A., University
University of Western Australia,
Australia, 35
35 Stirling
Stirling Hwy,
Crawley, 6009, W.A.,
iWO, Canada;
W.A., Australia;
Australia; Addison,
Addison, W.D., RR 2, Kakabeka
Kakabeka Falls,
Falls, ON,
ON, POT 1W0,
Canada;
Brumpton,
Brumpton, G.R.., 211
21 1 Henry
Henry St,
St, Thunder
Thunder Bay, ON, P7E 4Y7, Canada.
Canada.

Previous work based on U-Pb
U-Pb geochronology
geochronology from presumed volcanogenic
volcanogenic zircons
zircons obtained
obtained
from a tuff layer at the lower/upper
± 2Ma,
lowerlupper Gunflint Formation boundary yielded an age of 1878
1878 Â
2Ma,
believed to approximate the age of deposition of
of the
the unit
unit (Fralick et
et al.,
al., 2002). This
This age
age
corresponds
closely with the age of the correlative Hemlock Formation of Michigan (1874 ±
Â
corresponds closely
Schneider et al.,
9Ma; Schneider
a]., 2002).
2002).
9Ma;
We report here preliminary age determinations
determinations based on SHRIMP
SHRIMP analyses of zircons
extracted from three volcanic ash layers; one lying in the Gunflint
Gunflint Formation,
Formation, and
and two within the
overlying Rove Formation. The
The Gunflint-Rove
Gunflint-Rovecontact
contact is an
an important
important reference
reference point. Pufahl
and Fralick (2000) placed it at the top of a sequence
sequence of chert-carbonate
chert-carbonate grainstones
grainstones which
which is
overlain by carbonaceous shales of
of the
the Rove
Rove Formation.
Formation. The Gunflint
Gunflint exposure
exposure outcrops at
Little Falls, on
lOm (topographically)
(topographically) below the
-10m
Little
on the
the south
southside
sideof
of the
theKakabeka
KakabekaFalls
FallsGorge,
Gorge,—
Gunflint lapilli tuff dated by Fralick et al. (2002). A Rove volcanic ash
ash exposure
exposure at
at Oliver
Oliver Creek
Creek
is estimated
(stratigraphically)above
abovethe
theGunflint-Rove
Gunflint-Rove contact.
contact. Zircons were also
estimated to be —70m
-70m (stratigraphically)
extracted from an ash layer within Falconbridge Pine River (PR98-1)
(PR98-1) drilicore
drillcore (688.24m
(688.24m down
down
contact.
hole), located -Am
-4m above the Rove-Gunflint contact.
The Oliver
a mean
207Pb/206Pb
age of
of 1821
1821 ±
""~b/^Pbage
Â 16
single
The
OliverCreek
Creekzircons
zirconsrecorded
recorded
a mean
16 Ma while a single
age of 1840Ma
1840Ma was obtained from the drillcore PR98-1 sample.
sample. The
The errors
errors cited
cited are
are at
at the
the one
one
standard deviation (10)
( l a ) and
and 95%
95% confidence
confidence level
level and
and the
the analyses
analysesare
are less
lessthan
than5%
5%discordant.
discordant.
There
recordedfrom
from each
each locality
locality which are assumed to
There are
are also
also two
two younger
younger ages
ages of
of —1786Ma
-1786Ma recorded
outliers.
be outliers.

The Little Falls zircons,
zircons, which are
are somewhat
somewhat rounded
rounded and
and fractured,
fractured,yielded
yielded various
various
than 2000Ma.
2000Ma. Most
Most of
of the
the ages
ages are more
more than 10%
10% discordant,
discordant,and
and these
these samples
samples
ages, all older than
may have suffered lead loss. As
As well,
well, there
there are
are some
some indications
indicationsof
of admixture
admixtureof
of shalely
shalelymaterial
material
in the ash layer at this locality. Older
Older zircons
zircons from
from the
the lapilli
lapilli tuff
tuff layer
layer at
at the
the lower/upper
lowerlupper
Gunflint
Gunflint contact (Fralick
(Fralick et al.,
a]., 2002)
2002) were also found
found to be admixed
admixedwith
with Paleoproterozoic
Paleoproterozoic
zircons.
zircons.

Using the stratigraphic column of
of Pufahl and Fralick (2000), we estimate that the
drillhole (PR9S-i)
Gunflint lapilli
(PR98-1)samples
samplesare—i
are -1 lOm
10m above the Gunflint
lapilli tuff
tuff layer
layer containing
containingthe
the zircons
zircons
dated
dated by Fralick et al. (2002),
(2002),while
while we
we estimate
estimatethe
theOliver
OliverCreek
Creeksamples
samplestotobebe—iSOm
-150m above
this same layer. The ages reported here indicate that a slow sedimentation
sedimentationrate
ratemust
must have
havebeen
been
required in order to account for the age difference
difference between
between the
the lapilli
lapilli tuff
tuff of Pufahl and Fralick
Fralick
and the two sets of Rove dates reported here.
here. This
This slow Rove
Rove sedimentation
sedimentation rate is comparable
that reported in banded iron formations
formations of the early
early Proterozoic
Proterozoic Campbell
CampbellGroup,
Group,Griqualand,
Griqualand,
West Sequence,
Sequence, South Africa (Barton et al., 1994).
1994).
43

�Oliver Creek
reasonable agreement
The Oliver
Creek ages
ages reported here are
are in reasonable
agreement with the
the 1833
1833±Â 6Ma
age reported by Schneider
Schneider et a!.
al. (2002) for the Tobin Lake Pluton, which is undeforined
undeformed by
Penokean deformation and intrudes presumed Hemlock Volcanic equivalents. However,
However,the
the
with the
the Penokean
Penokean
zircons from the Rove Formation suggest that volcanic activity associated with
continued for
for at
at least
least 40
40 m.y.
m.y. Further
Orogeny continued
Furtherstudies
studiesare
are underway
underway to clarify some of the
questions raised by our results.
results.

Barton, E.S., Altermann,
Smith, C.B. 1994. U-Pb
Altermann, W., William, 1.5.,
I.S., amd Smith,
U-Pb zircon
zirconage
agefor
foraatuff
tuff in
in
the Campbell Group, Griqualand West Sequence, South Africa: Implications for Early
Proterozoic
Proterozoic rock
rock accumulation
accumulation rates.
rates. Geology
Geology 22:
22:343-346.
343-346.
Fralick, P., Davis, D.W., and Kissin, S.A. 2002.
2002. The
Ontario,
The age
age of the Gunflint Formation, Ontario,
reworked volcanic ash. Canadian
Canada: single zircon U-Pb age determinations from reworked
Journal of Earth
Earth Science
Science39:
39:1089-1091.
1089-1091.
Pufahl, P. and Fralick, P. 2000. Fieldtrip 4: Depositional environments
environments of the Paleoproterozoic
Paleoproterozoic
Gunflint Formation. Proceedings of the Institute
Institute on
on Lake
Lake Superior
SuperiorGeology,
Geology, 46,
46, pt.2.
D.A., Bickford,
Bickford, M.E.,
M.E., Cannon,
Cannon, W.F.,
W.F.,Schulz,
Schulz,K.J.,
K.J.,and
andHamilton,
Hamilton,M.A.
M.A.2002.
2002. Age of
of
Schneider, D.A.,
formations, Marquette
volcanic rocks and syndepositional iron formations,
Marquette Range
Range Supergroup:
Supergroup:
implications
Paleoproterozoic iron formations
implications for
for the tectonic
tectonic setting
setting of Paleoproterozoic
formations of the Lake
Lake
Superior
Superior Region. Canadian
Canadian Journal
Journal of
of Earth Science
Science 39:
39:999-1012.
999-1012.

44

�OF THE
THE SOUTHERN
SOUTHERN PORTION OF
O FTHE
THELAURENTIDE
LAURENTIDE ICE
ICE
MEAN TRANSPORT
TRANSPORT LENGTH
LENGTH IN TILLS OF
SHEET: IMPLICATIONS FOR DRIFT EXPLORATION
EXPLORATION IN THE
THE LAKE
LAKE SUPERIOR
SUPERIOR REGION
REGION
LARSON, Phillip
Phillip C.,
C., Department
of Minnesota,
MN 55812,
55812,
LARSON,
Department of Geological
Geological Sciences, University
University of
Minnesota, Duluth,
Duluth, MN
plarson2@'d.umn.edu
plarson2@d.umn.edu
Introduction
Bedrock
- till,
till,
Bedrock in the
the Lake
is typically
typically covered
covered by
by aamantle
mantleofofglacigenic
glacigenicsediments
sediments—
Lake Superior region is
outwash,
that presents
significant challenge
challenge to successful
successful application
application of
of surficial
surficial
outwash, and lacustrine
lacustrinesediments
sediments—- that
presents a significant
geochemical techniques
techniques widely
widely used
used to help
targets. The glacial
glacial environment
environment is
is very
very complex,
complex,
geochemical
help generate
generate drilling
drillingtargets.
with
sediments produced
produced by
by a range of processes.
with sediments
processes. Till represents the ideal sampling
sampling media
media in
in these
theseenvironments,
environments,
direction) is attached to
since a vector (ice flow direction)
to the
the composition
composition at any location
location indicating
indicatingthe
thedirection
directiontotothe
thesource
source
of any defined anomaly.
anomaly. However, recent work has led to recognition that both the
the magnitude
magnitude of
of aa till
till geochemical
geochemical
anomaly
andthe
the potential
potential transport
transportdistance
distancetotoits
itssource
sourcemay
mayhave
haveaawide
widerange
rangeofofvalues.
values. This is a reflection of
anomaly and
transport distance of till-forming material,
material, and is related
the mean transport
related to the
the fundamental
fundamental sediment
sediment transport
transport process
process
responsible for forming
forming the till.
responsible
till.
Theory
The concentration
concentration of an indicator (a distinct
distinct lithologic or geochemical component derived from a discreet
in till
till is the direct product of the physical processes
processes of
of glacial
glacial erosion,
erosion, transport,
transport, and
and deposition. Indicator
source) in
Indicator
concentrationisis controlled
controlledby
by aa number
number of
of variables,
including substrate
substrate hardness
hardness and
and the
the efficacy of the glacial
concentration
variables, including
erosional regime.
ice flow
indicator mass
regime. Under
Under steady
steady state
state ice
flow conditions
conditions and
and uniform
uniform bed
bed erosion
erosion rates,
rates, indicator
mass
concentration
c in
(1) down-ice
down-ice of
of an
an indicator
indicator source
sourceof
of finite
finiteflow-line
flow-linelength
lengthLL(1)
(1) is:
is:
concentration ci
intill
till atatany
anytransport
transportlength
lengthTT(1)
—

L

(1)

where X
X isis the
the erosion
erosion length
length scale
scale (I).
(1).For
Fortills
tills down-ice
down-ice of
of the
the indicator
indicator source, under steady state
state conditions,
conditions, the
decrease
&amp;/ST assumes
assumes aa quasi-exponential
quasi-exponential form.
form.
decrease in indicator
indicator concentration
concentration with
with increasing
increasing transport
transport length
length bc/8T
Erosion length
length scale,
scale, \X,isisrelated
relatedto
to the
the spatial
spatial bed
bed erosion
erosion rate
rate E
E ((mL3)
and the thickness of the debris layer in
Erosion
m r ) and
(m-1.):
transport md
1d (mV2):
(2)

increases, so
so does the mean transport
XXis
is closely related to the mean transport distance
distance of till-forming material; as X
X increases,
distance.
distance.

vs. Long-Distance
Long-Distance Transport:
Transport: Examples
Short- vs.
Tills in the Lake Superior
Superior region can be broadly
broadly grouped
grouped into two
two categories
categories based
based on
onthe
themean
meantransport
transport
length of the till forming material.
mean transport length
Tills characterized
characterized by short-distance
short-distance mean
length are commonly
commonly composed
composed of
of coarse-grained
coarse-grained
material
containing abundant
abundant angular
angular clasts,
clasts, and
and display rapid
rapid decrease in indicator
material containing
indicator concentration
concentration with
with transport
transport
length. This
This isis exemplified
exemplified by
by tills
tills overlying
overlying the
the Vermilion
Vermilion greenstone
greenstone belt of
of northern
northern Minnesota,
Minnesota, which
which displays
displays
rapid decrease
decrease in
in concentration
concentrationofofnumerous
numerousindicator
indicatorlithologies;
lithologies;
X for
range
from
2.Oi0m.
m. A
?for
.
thisthis
tilltill
range
from
1.01.0
to to
2.0-103
rapid
dispersal
train composed
composedofof clasts
clasts of
of Nipigon
Nipigon diahase
diabase in
in till east
dispersal train
east of
of Lake
Lake Nipigon.
Nipigon, Ontario
Ontario displays
displays similar
similar
characteristics. Dispersal
in indicator
indicatorconcentration;
concentration;calculated
calculated?\for
forthis
this
Dispersal isis characterized
characterizedby
by aa similar
similar rapid
rapid decrease
decrease in
till range
102 m over relatively
relatively soft greenstone
greenstone to
to 2.4-lo4
2.4 i04 m
m over
over hard
hard diabase.
diabase. Both
range from
from5.5
5.5-10'
Both tills
tills are
are interpreted
interpreted to
to
have formed by
by erosion of
of hard
hard bed
bed by quarrying and abrasion, and englacial transport.
transport.
Tills characterized
by long-distance
Tills
characterized by
long-distance mean
mean transport
transport length are
are commonly
commonly composed
composed ofoffine-grained
fine-grained
material
with aa relatively
low abundance
of rounded
material with
relatively low
abundance of
rounded clasts, and display
display little
little apparent
apparent decrease
decrease in
inindicator
indicator
with transport
transport length.
length. Cretaceous shale grains in Des Moines Lobe tills of the Minnesota
concentration with
Minnesota River valley
show relatively
relatively little
little decrease
decrease in
in concentration
concentration along
along the
the flow
flow axis
axis extending
extending down
down the
the valley
valley (Matsch, 1972); the
calculated X
Xfor
for this
this till
till is
is 5.0-lo5
5.01 5 m.
m. Carbonate-bearing
Carbonate-bearing tills overlying the Canadian Shield north of Lake
Lake Superior
Superior
(Thorleifson and
and Kristjansson,
Kristjansson, 1993) show similar long-distance transport of Paleozoic
Paleozoic carbonate
carbonateand
andProterozoic
Proterozoic
greywacke
clastswith
withlittle
little decrease
decrease in
in concentration;
concentration;the
thecalculated
calculated1.Xfor
forthis
thistill
till is
is o.oio5
6.0-10m.
m. Both tills are
are
greywacke clasts
have deposited
deposited from deforming subglacial sediment layers (deformation
(deformation tills).
interpreted to have

45

�Discussion
Discussion
tills are
are characterized
characterizedby
by1).that
that are 10 to
to 100 times
The data indicate deformation tills
times higher than those of
of thin,
thin,
coarse-grained tills. Tills characterized by intermediate
intermediate values of the erosion
erosion length
length scale
scale X
1. have not as
as yet
yet been
been
recognized in the Lake Superior region, and perhaps
perhaps do
do not
not exist. This
Thisgap
gapininrecognized
recognized values
values suggest
suggest there
there are
are
two main processes by which
which bed
bed material
material is
is eroded
eroded and
and entrained,
entrained,transported,
transported, and
anddeposited
deposited—
- entrainment
entrainment and
and
transport by a deforming subglacial
subglacial layer, and erosion by quarrying and abrasion and transport
transport as
as an
an englacial
englacial debris
debris
load with deposition
deposition by lodgement or meltout.
Deformation tills form with
with little
little accompanying
accompanying erosion of underlying
underlying hard
hard bedrock.
bedrock. Their formation is
is
consistent with
with redistribution
of unconsolidated
regolithoror sediment
derived from
consistent
redistribution of
unconsolidated regolith
sediment derived
from aa preglacial
preglacial reservoir.
reservoir.
Consequently,till
till composition
composition reflects
reflectsthat
that of
of distant
distant (&gt;100
Consequently,
(&gt;lo0 km)
km)bedrock.
bedrock. Tills characterized
characterized by short
short mean
mean
restricted erosion
erosion and
and entrainment and
and transport of hard bedrock.
transport length indicate spatially and temporally restricted
Their formation is consistent
consistent with erosion
erosion by quarrying
quarrying and abrasion
abrasion of
of hard
hard bedrock
bedrockwith
withsubsequent
subsequentextensive
extensive
textural
Till composition
km) bedrock.
bedrock.
textural modification during
during transport.
transport. Till
composition closely reflects
reflects that
thatofofnearby
nearby(—10
(-10 1cm)
Consequently, these tills have enormous potential value as geochemical sampling
sampling media.
Recognition of the process
process responsible
responsible for till
till formation
formation in
in aa given
given area
areaisiscritical
criticalfor
forsuccessful
successfulapplication
application
of surficial geochemical and boulder tracing exploration techniques
techniques in the Lake
Lake Superior
Superior region.
region. Limited scope
scope
orientation surveys
surveys aimed
aimed at
at characterizing
characterizingthe
theerosion
erosionlength
lengthscale
scale 1?. provide
provide a means
orientation
means of
of quickly
quickly assessing
assessing the
potential for successful application of drift exploration techniques on both
both regional and property scales.

46

�Glacial
Glacial Lakes
Lakes Aitkin and Upham: their origin
origin and
and environmental
environmental history
history
PhillipLarson
Larson
LisaMarlow,
Marlow,Howard
HowardMooers,
Mooers,&amp;&amp;Phillip
Lisa
Department
Departmentof
ofGeological
GeologicalSciences,
Sciences,University
Universityof
of Minnesota,
Minnesota, Duluth,
Duluth, Minnesota
Minnesota55812
55812
Glacial
Minnesota bounded
Glacial Lakes
Lakes Aitkin
Aitkin and
and Upham
Upham occupied a basin in north-central Minnesota
bounded on
on the
the
north
northby
by the
the Giants
GiantsRange
Range and
and to
to the
the east,
east, south,
south,and
and west
west by
by hummocky
hummocky moraines
moraines of
of the
the Rainy
Rainy
lobe,
lobe, Superior
Superior lobe,
lobe, and St. Louis sublobe. The
The lakes
lakescaine
came into
into existence
existence with the
the retreat
retreat of
of the
the
Rainy
Rainy lobe
lobefrom
fromthe
theSt.
St.Croix
Croix phase
phase sometime
sometimeafter
after15,000
15,000yr
yr BP
BP (Clayton
(Clayton and
and Moran,
Moran,1982;
1982;
Mooers
Mooersand
andLehr,
Lehr, 1997).
1997).The
Thebasin
basinwas
waslater
lateroveridden
overiddenby
by the
the St.
St. Louis
Louis sublobe
sublobe from
from the
the
northwest.
northwest.With
Withthe
thewastage
wastageofofthe
theice
iceof
ofthe
theSt.
St.Louis
Louissublobe,
sublobe,the
the basin
basin was
was again
againoccupied
occupiedby
by
lakes;
as Lake
Lake
AitkinAJpham I and the later phase as
lakes; the
the earlier
earlierphase
phase is
is referred
referred to as
as Lake AitkinlUpham
Aitkin/Upham
II.Sediment
Sedimentof
ofthe
theearly
earlylake
lakephase
phaseisispreserved
preserved at
at aa few localities.
localities. One
Onesuch
such
AitkinAJphamII.
locality
locality preserves
preserves aa sequence
sequence that helps redefine the glacial
glacial chronology. AAsedimentary
sedimentarysequence
sequence
located
locatedin
in the
thenortheast
northeastcorner
comerof
of the
the Upham
Upham basin
basin reveals
reveals sub-aqueously
sub-aqueously deposited
depositedRainy
RainyLobe
Lobe
outwash
outwashbeneath
beneathglaciotectonically
glaciotectonically deformed
deformedfine-grained
fine-grained lake
lake sediments
sediments deposited
depositedby
by the
theSt.
St.
Louis
Louis sublobe.
sublobe. This,
This,along
alongwith
withother
othergeomorphic
geomorphicrelationships
relationships(P.C.
(P.C.Larson,
Larson,unpublished
unpublisheddata)
data)
indicates
indicatesthat
thatthe
theRainy
RainyLobe
Lobe ice
ice margin
margin was
was coincident
coincidentwith
with the
the Giants
Giants Range
Range when
when the
theSt.
St.
Louis
Louissublobe
sublobeadvanced
advancedacross
acrossthe
thelake
lakebasin.
basin.
Using
@EM) the
the elevation
elevationof
of lake
lakebasin
basin was
was adjusted
adjustedfor
forisostatic
isostatic
Using aa Digital
DigitalElevation
Elevation Model
Model (DEM)
rebound
based
on
the
highest
lake
level,
then
tilted
incrementally
through
several
stages
rebound based on the highest lake level, then tilted incrementally through several stagesto
toassess
assess
beaches,
beaches, inlets,
inlets, and
and outlets
outlets over time. AAseries
seriesof
ofsuccessively
successivelylower
lower outlets
outletsdraining
drainingto
tothe
theSt.
St.
Louis
Louis River
Riverserved
servedas
as outlets
outlets for
for Glacial
Glacial Lakes
Lakes Aitkin
Aitkin and
and Upham
Upham (Hobbs,
(Hobbs,1983;
1983;Farnum,
Farnum,1964;
1964;
Wright,
Norwood through
through the
the Embarrass
Embarrass
Wright, 1972).
1972).Meltwater
Meltwaterentered
enteredthe
thelakes
lakesfrom
fromGlacial
GlacialLake
LakeNorwood
gap,
gap,and
and later
laterfrom
fromGlacial
GlacialLake
LakeKoochiching
Koochichingalong
alongthe
thePrairie
PrairieRiver.
River. During
During this
this time
time Aitkin
Aitkin
and
and Upham
Upham were
were confluent,
confluent,and
and the
the outlet
outlet was
was established
establisheddown
down the
the modern
modem St.
St.Louis
LouisRiver.
River.
The
The lakes
lakes were
were separated
separated by
by aa sill
sill ca
ca 11,500-10,100
11,500-10,100yr
yr BP,
BP, after
after inflow
inflow from
from Koochiching
Koochichingwas
was
divertedto
to Glacial
GlacialLake
LakeAgassiz.
Agassiz.
diverted

Extensive
Extensive dune
dune fields
fields formed following initiation
initiation of drainage
drainage of the lakes. Granulometry
Granulometry
indicates
throughout the
thebasin.
basin. Maximum
indicates a 4p
4(pgrain
grain size
size signature characterizes dunes throughout
Maximum dune
dune
amplitude
metersand
anddune
dunemorphologies
morphologiesrecord
recordprominent
prominentnorthwesterly
northwesterlywinds.
winds. Dunes
amplitude is
is —3
-3 meters
overly
overly source
source areas,
areas, which include
include an underfiow
underflow fan
fan deposited
deposited by
by the
the Prairie
Prairie River
Riverinlet
inletand
andthe
the
western margin
marginof
of Lake
Lake Upham.
Upham.
western
A sediment
sediment core
core collected
collected from Hay Lake (93°W,
(93'W, 52°N),
52ON), located
located within aa dunefield
dunefieldat
atthe
theedge
edge
of Glacial
Glacial Lake
Lake Upham, records three prominent peaks in whole-core
whole-core magnetic
magnetic susceptibility
susceptibility
between
No clastic
clasticinput
inputisisevident
evidentafter
after6,600
6,600yr
yrB.P.,
B.P.,suggesting
suggestingdune
dune
between 10,100
10,100and
and 6,600
6,600 yr BP. No
stability. The timing of dunes within the basin has important implications for other dunes
throughout Minnesota. Eolian
Eolianevents
eventsrecorded
recordedin
in the
the core
coreare
areinterpreted
interpreted as
as the
the result
resultof
of lake
lake
drainage
drainage and exposure
exposure of abundant
abundant source material
material during
during Late
Late Glacial
Glacial and
and Early
Early Holocene
Holocene
rather
rather than
than landscape
landscape destabilization
destabilization because of mid-Holocene aridity (Keen et al., 1990;
1990; Grigal
Grigal
et
et al.,
al., 1976;
1976;Dean
Dean et
et al., 1996;
1996; Dean, 1997).
1997). Additionally,
Additionally,this
thissediment
sedimentcore
core places
places aa minimum
minimum
age on the drainage of
of Glacial Lakes
Lakes Aitkin
Aitkin and
and Upham
Upham II.
II. Lake Upham must have drained
drained after

47

�age on the drainage of Glacial Lakes Aitkin and Upham IiT.
I. Lake Upham must have drained
drained after
11,500
B.P. and Lake Aitkin may have persisted until ca. 7,000
10,100 yr B.P.
7,000 yr
11,500 yr BP and before 10,100
BR
BP.

Clayton, L. and Moran, S.R. 1982,
1982, Chronology
Chronology of late Wisconsinan glaciation
glaciation in
in middle
middle North
North
America. Quaternary
Quaternary Science
ScienceReviews
Reviews11(1),
(I),55-82.
55-82.
Ahlbrandt, T.S.,
Dean, W.E., Ahlbrandt,
T.S., Anderson,
Anderson, R.Y.,
R.Y., Bradbury,
Bradbury, J.P., 1996.
1996.Regional
Regional aridity
aridityin
in North
North
America during the middle Holocene.
Holocene. The
The Holocene
Holocene 6 (2), 145-155.
145-155.

Dean, W.E., 1997.
1997. Rates,
Rates, timing,
timing, and
and cyclity
cyclity of Holocene eolian activity
activity in
in north-central United
United
States:
1-334.
States: Evidence
Evidence from
from varved
varvedlake
lakesediments.
sediments.Geology
Geology25
25(4),
(4),33
331-334.
H.E., Jr.
Jr. 1964. A Late-Wisconsin
Late-Wisconsin buried soil near
Farnham, R.S., McAndrews, J.H., and Wright, H.E.,
Minnesota, and its paleobotanical setting.
393-412.
Aitkin, Minnesota,
setting. American
American Journal
Journal of
of Science
Science262,
262,393-412.
Drexier, 1985.
1985. Late-Wisconsinan and Holocene
Holocene History
History of
of the
the Lake
Lake Superior
Superior
Farrand, W.R. &amp; Drexler,
In Karrow,
Karrow,Quaternary
Quaternary evolution
evolution of
of the
the Great
Great Lakes,
Lakes, Geological
Geological Association
Association of
of Canada
Canada
Basin. In
Special Paper 30,
30, 17-32.
17-32.

D.F., Severson, R.C.,
R.C., Golz, G.E., 1976. Evidence
Evidence of
of eolian
eolian activity
activity in north-central
Grigal, D.F.,
Geological Society
Society of America
America Bulletin
Bulletin 87,
87, 1251-1254.
1251-1254.
Minnesota 8,000 to 5,000 yr. ago. Geological
Aitkin, Upham, and early Lake
Hobbs, H.C. 1982,
1982, Drainage relationships of Glacial Lakes Aitkin,
Agassiz in northeastern Minnesota. In
In Teller,
Teller,J.T.,
J.T., and
and Clayton,
Clayton,Lee,
Lee,eds.,
eds.,Glacial
GlacialLake
LakeAgassiz:
Agassiz:
Geological Association of Canada
Special
Paper
26,
245-259.
Canada Special Paper 26,245-259.
K.L., Shane, L.C.K,
L.C.K, 1990. A continuous record
record of
of Holocene
Holocene eolian
eolian activity and
Keen, K.L.,
Lake Ann, east-central
east-central Minnesota.
Minnesota. Geological
vegetation change at Lake
Geological Society
Societyof
of America
America Bulletin
Bulletin
102, 1646-1657.
102,1646-1657.
Mooers,
Mooers, H.D.,
H.D., Lehr, J.D., 1997.
1997. Terrestrial record of Laurentide ice sheet reorganization
reorganization during
Heinrich events.
events. Geology
Geology 25
25 (11),
(ll), 987-990.
987-990.

H.E. 1972, Quaternary
Quaternary history
historyof
ofMinnesota.
Minnesota In
In Sims, P.K., and Morey, G.B.,
GB., eds.,
Wright, H.E.
eds.,
Geology of
of Minnesota: A
15-578.
A Centennial
Centennial Volume:
Volume: Minnesota
MinnesotaGeological
GeologicalSurvey,
Survey,5515-578.

48

�and Hydrothermal
HydrothermalPGE
PGEMineralization
Mineralizationof
ofthe
theBirch
BirchLake
LakeCu-Ni-PGE
Cu-Ni-PGEDeposit
Deposit
Magmatic and
in the South
northeast Minnesota
South Kawishiwi Intrusion, Duluth Complex, northeast
Minnesota
John Marma,
Mama, Phil Brown and Steve
Steve Hauck*
Hauck*
University of
of Wisconsin,
Wisconsin, Madison,
Madison, Wisconsin
Wisconsin 53706, USA
Department of Geology
Geology and Geophysics, University
*Natat Resources
Research
*Natural
Resources
ResearchInstitute,
Institute,University
Universityof
ofMinnesota,
Minnesota, Duluth,
Duluth, Minnesota 55811,
55811, USA
USA

The
The Birch
Birch Lake
Lake Cu-Ni-POE
Cu-Ni-PGE Deposit is located 12
12 miles south
south of Ely, MN in the
the South
South
Kawishiwi Intrusion (SM)
(SKI) of
of the
the Duluth
Duluth Complex (DC). The
TheSKI
SKIisisone
oneof
of two
twolayered
layered mafic
mafic
intrusions
intrusions along
along the
the basal contact
contact of the
the DC to host sub-economic Cu-Ni-POE
Cu-Ni-PGE deposits.
deposits.
Mineralization is
is dominantly
dominantly hosted by the U3 layer, the lower-most of three ultramaficultramafictroctolite packages characterized
characterized as a zone of alternating ultramafic (picrite-peridotite)
(picrite-peridotite) and
troctolite
troctolite horizons
horizons with
with lenses
lenses and
and pods of oxide-bearing
oxide-bearing (&gt;5%)
(&gt;5%) ultramafic
ultramafic and/or
and/or massive
massive oxide.
oxide.
The purpose of this study
study was to locate, describe,
describe, and characterize the textural relationships
relationships
among platinum group
group minerals
minerals (POM),
(PGM), sulfides,
sulfides, and silicate
silicate phases to help
help delineate
delineate the
the
relative significance
significanceof primary and remobilized platinum group
group element
element (POE)
(PGE) concentrations.
concentrations.
Samples
Samples from
from 4 drill
drill holes transecting the Birch Lake Deposit were obtained
obtained from
from the
the
(NRRI) located
located in
in Duluth,
Duluth, MN.
MN. EMPA and
Natural Resource Research Institute (NRRI)
and detailed
detailed
c15.tm in
petrography were used to locate POE
PGE bearing minerals, averaging &lt;l5yan
in diameter,
diameter,and
andto
to
geochemistry. Identifying
POM textural relationships with
characterize the host mineral geochemistry.
Identifying the PGM
other phases is critical to understanding the mechanism
mechanism by
by which
which PGMs
POMs were
were deposited.
deposited. Data
from this study
study will aid exploration
exploration in locating other
other deposits
deposits and
and guide
guide metallurgists
metallurgists in
in
improving recovery
recovery techniques.
techniques.
POEs occur most often as various Pd minerals with associated
PGEs
associated Pt,
Pt, Os,
Os, Ir,
Ir, Ru,
Ru, Au,
Au, Ag,
Ag, Te,
Te,
Bi minerals
categories of silicate-sulfide-PGM
silicate-sulfide-PGMtextural
textural
minerals and
and were
were grouped
grouped into
into the following
following 4 categories
relations:
PGMs that occur in "halos"
"halos" residing most commonly
commonly in anorthite-enriched
anorthite-enriched zones
zones in•
in
relations: 1) PGMs
primary plagioclase around either interstitial sulfide
sulfide (dominantly
(dominantly chalcopyrite),
chalcopyrite), interstitial
interstitial sulfide
sulfide
and silicate
silicate (dominantly
(dominantly chalcopyrite,
chalcopyrite, clinopyroxene,
clinopyroxene, and hydrous silicates
silicates (amphibole
(amphibole and
and
biotite)), or silicate
or hydrous
hydrous silicate)
silicate) (Figure
(Figure 1). This
This style
style of
silicate (dominantly clinopyroxene or
POMs identified. 2)
2) Remobilized
RemobilizedPOMs
PGMsthat
thatoccur
occurin
in
mineralization hosted 58% of the total PGMs
chlorite, serpentine, or secondary magnetite.
magnetite. This
chlorite,
This style
style of
of mineralization
mineralization hosted
hosted 21%
21% of
of the
the total
total
PGMs identified. 3)
3)Random
RandomPOMs
PGMsthat
that occur
occur in
in poikilitic
poikilitic anorthite-rich
anorthite-richplagioclase
plagioclase(An
(An75-An
75-An
POEs sometimes residing in disseminated
95) and clinopyroxene (Wo 30-Wo 50) with PGEs
chalccipyriteor
orhydrous
hydroussilicate
silicate pockets,
pockets,but
butno
no association
association with
with "halos".
"halos". This style of
chalcopyrite
POMs identified. 4)
4)In
In interstitial
interstitialsulfides
sulfidesor
orsilicates
silicatesthat
that
mineralization hosted 11%
11% of the total PGMs
include
(?) textures, or
include hydrous silicates,
silicates, chalcopyrite,
chalcopyrite, clinopyroxene,
clinopyroxene, sulfides
sulfides with symplectite
symplectite ('1)
calcite. This style
calcite.
style of mineralization
mineralization hosted 10%
10% of the total
total POMs
PGMs identified.
identified.
POM concentrations in
The following
following is a summarized
summarized model for the formation of high PGM
the Birch Lake deposit. The
SKI
begins
as
a
magma
body
that
is
replenished
The SKI begins as a magma
that is replenished with
with multiple
multiple
saturated. The
injections of magma, which becomes sulfur saturated.
The magma
magma body
body is
is relatively
relatively POE
PGE poor,
poor,
the conduits with a PGE
POE enriched
due to partial loss of sulfides during emplacement leaving the
segregation of the total sulfide. The
The sulfides
sulfides in
in the
the magma
magma body
body scavenge
scavenge available
availablePOEs
PGEs and
and
grains. Primary
crystallize as disseminated, interstitial sulfide grains.
Primary hydrous
hydrous phases
phases form
form at
at this
this time
time

49

�from a fluorine-rich, deuteric fluid.
fluid. A
Cu-, PGE-rich, sulfide-poor fluid
A Cl-, Cu-,
fluid enters
enters the
the magma
magma
chamber at its base via the original magma conduit(s) and/or faults.
faults. The
The fluid
fluidmigrates
migrates along
along
grain boundaries, and interacts with the larger interstitial sulfides. A
A dynamic
dynamicenvironment
environmentisis
created
created in which the fluid,
fluid, containing
containing aa significant
significantconcentration
concentration of
of dissolved
dissolvedmetals,
metals,begins
beginsto
to
consume and use sulfur from the larger grains to produce more
more sulfides. At
At the
the same
sametime,
time, the
the
fluid is reacting with neighboring
neighboring grains,
grains, specifically
specifically plagioclase,
plagioclase, and
and through
through aa cation
cation exchange
exchange
reaction, alters the plagioclase rims, enriching them in calcium. This
This reaction
reaction causes
causesaa volume
volume
loss that is filled with precipitated
(±chlorite) producing the disseminated
precipitated sulfides and POMs
PGMs (Â±chlorite
"halos"
Finally, another
anotherfluid
fluid migrated
migrated through
through
"halos" around the larger interstitial grains (Figure 1). Finally,
the intrusion
that
remobilized
POMs
on
a
small
scale.
intrusion
remobilized PGMs on a small scale.
Based on evidence
evidence solely from the Birch Lake deposit,
deposit, POM
PGM mineralization
mineralizationappears
appears
"compartmentalized". This
concentrated or "compartmentalized.
This could
could be the result of two possible mechanisms: 1)
Areas of high PGM
POM concentrations are dependent on
on their proximal
proximal distance to "feeder"
"feeder" zones
(i.e. conduits or faults) where fluids can be introduced;
introduced; and/or 2) High POM
PGM concentrations
concentrationsare
are
that localize fluid movement.
due to structural controls within these heterogeneous rocks that
of primary
primary vs.
vs. remobilized
remobilized
This study contributes to the current debate on the roles of
(deuteric?) PGE
PGE mineralization
mineralization in
in layered mafic
mafic intrusions.
intrusions. For the Birch
fdeuteric?)
Birch Lake
Lake deposit,
deposit, the
the data
data
suggest both mechanisms played important roles in the origin of the ore minerals.

Figure
Figure 11
a.) Photomicrograph
Photomicrograph in
in plane-polarized
plane-polarizedlight
lightof
ofthin
thinsection
sectionBL
BL89-2
89-22516.4
2516.4—- locations
locations A-L.
chalcopyrite and
and pyroxene
pyroxene cross-cut
cross-cut by
by vertical
verticalchlorite
chlorite veins,
veins, all
all of
of which
which are
Large interstitial chalcopyrite
by a disseminated, dominantly
dominantly chalcopyrite
chalcopyrite halo
halo that
that is
is in
in An-enriched
An-enriched plagioclase
surrounded by
rims. Notice
Notice all
all PGMs,
PGMs, except
except one, either occur in the halo; in chlorite veins; in interstitial
biotite; or in clinopyroxene. The
The altered
altered plagioclase
plagioclase and altered pyroxene on the left side of the
occurrences -this
—thisincludes
includesareas
areaswithin
withinthe
theoriginal
originalhalo.
halo. This
image are devoid of any PGM occurrences
fluid event that
that removed PGMs and altered the minerals, which it
suggests a second alteration fluid
passed through. Dashed line represents the extent of halo and An-enrichment in the adjacent
plagioclase grains.
grains. White stars represent PGM
POM occurrences.
occurrences. Cpx=Clinopyroxene,
plagioclase
Opx=Orthopyroxene, Bi=Biotite,
Bi=Biotite, Chl=Chlorite,
Chl=Chlorite, Cpy=Chalcopyrite, Plag=Plagioclase
Plag=Plagioclase

50

�EMP MONAZITE
RESULTS OF EMP
MONAZITEGEOCHRONOLOGY
GEOCHRONOLOGYIN
IN B-C
E-C MINNESOTA:
MINNESOTA: EVIDENCE
EVIDENCE
FOR LARGE-SCALE GEON 17
17 METAMORPHISM ASSOCIATED WITH POSTPLUTONISM
TECTONIC PLUTOMSM

MCKENZIE, M.A., and HOLM, D.K., both at Dept. of Geology, Kent State University, Kent,
OH;
SCHNEIDER, D.A., Dept. of Geological Sciences, Ohio University, Athens, OH;
OH, SCHNEIDER,
JERCII4OVIC, M.,
M., Dept. of Geosciences,
Geosciences, University of Massachusetts,
Massachusetts, Amherst,
JERCINOVIC,
Amherst, MA
MA
Determination of the
Determination
the timing
timing and
and extent
extent of
of poly-phase metamorphism
metamorphism is
is essential
essential in
in
unraveling the
the tectonic
tectonic history
history of
of a region.
region. The
The pattern and degree of metamorphism preserved
across the Penokean orogenic belt in the southern Lake Superior region is highly variable.
dates
fromeast-central
east-centralMinnesota
Minnesotaindicate
indicatewidespread
widespread cooling
cooling at -1760
0~r/3Q
dates
~ r from
Abundant 440Ar/39Ar
1760 Ma
shortly after the emplacement
emplacementof
ofthe
theeast-central
east-centralMinnesota
Minnesotabatholith
batholith(ECMIB)
(ECMB)atat—1775
-1775 Ma
Ma
(Hoim
(Holm et al., 1998; in review). Yet
YetU-Pb
U-PbSHRIIvIP
SHRIMP monazite ages from three localities
localities across the
northern MI,
region (e-c MN, northern
MI,and
andnorthern
northernWI)
WI)record
recordonly
onlyaauniform
uniform—1830
-1830 Ma metamorphic
metamorphic
episode and
episode
and aa secondary
secondaryyounger
younger—1800
-1800 Ma thermal pulse linked
linkedto
toaarecently
recentlyidentified
identified—1800
-1800
Ma magmatic event
event (Schneider et al., in
in review).
review). This study utilizes the total Pb electron
(EMP) monazite age dating technique to better constrain the extent of thermal
thermal
microprobe (EMP)
overprinting
surrounding
the
batholith.
overprinting surrounding
batholith.
in situ
situ metamorphic
metamorphic monazite
monazite ages
ages from
from three
three
For this study we obtained
obtained in
Paleoproterozoic metasedimentary garnet-staurolite schist samples and one garnet-cordierite
garnet-cordierite
from the
the plutonic
plutonic zone of
of east-central
east-centralMinnesota
Minnesota (Figure
(Figure 1).
1). Schist
gneiss sample from
Schist sample
sample AMpredominantly elongate monazite grains displaying a mottled chemical variation in
016 contains predominantly
Th content.
content. This
± 33 Ma from 79
79 spots
spots on
on seven
seven
Y and Th
This sample
sample yielded
yielded aa mean age of 1746
1746 Â
Maand
and 1760
1760Ma.
Ma. A third
grains. Two
Two age
age domains
domainswere
were recognized
recognizedatat—1738
-1738 Ma
third less
less prominent
—1780Ma
Maage
agedomain
domainwas
wasobtained
obtainedon
onsome
somehigh
highYYregions.
regions. Schist
Schist sample
-1780
sample MN-29
MN-29 contains
contains
sub-euhedral monazite
monazite displaying prominent
prominent regions
regions of
of high
highTh
Th content.
content. This
This sample
sample yielded a
10 Ma from 92 spots
1764±Â 10
spots on five grains. A
A single
singleprominent
prominent age
agedomain
domain was
was
mean age of 1764
recognized atat— 1772
1772 Ma. Schist
Schistsample
sampleP-16
P-16contains
containsmonazite
monazitewith
with very
very irregular
irregular grain
grain
recognized
numerous inclusions,
inclusions, and variable Th
Th content.
content. This sample
sample yielded
yielded aa mean age
age of
boundaries, numerous
grains. Two
1772
1772±Â 33 Ma from 92 spots on seven grains.
Two age domains are identified: aaprominent
prominent age
age
domain at —1770
Maand
andaasmaller
smaller population
population age domain at —1800
Ma. Lastly, the Sartell
-1770 Ma
-1800 Ma.
Sartell
euhedral monazite
gneiss, sample S-2, contains euhedral
monazite grains displaying
displaying distinctive
distinctive core/rim
corelrim textures.
textures.
Â 3 Ma from 102 spots on seven grains. Three
Three age
age
This sample yielded a mean age of 1756
1756 ±
domains are identified: two
1750 Ma and 1770
1770Ma
Ma and
and aa third
third less
less
twoprominent
prominentdomains
domainsatat— 1750
Ma on high U cores.
cores.
prominent domain
domain at
at —1800
-1800 Ma
Mathermal
thermalimprint
imprint associated
associated with intrusion
reveal aa profound
profound —1770
-1770 Ma
Our EMP results reveal
of the 1775 Ma
Ma ECMB.
ECMB. The
The considerable
considerable distance
distance of
of some
some of these
these samples
samplesfrom
from the
the western
western
edge of
of the exposed
exposed batholith (30-40 km) and the absence
of
Penokean
metamorphic
ages
absence
metamorphic ages
suggests that
that the
the thermal
thermal pulse
pulse must have been
been dramatic.
dramatic. However,
KHowever, the
the garnet-schist
garnet-schist sample
sample KR (east of Mille Lacs) that records only geon 18
18 SHRIMP ages lies north of the
the region of
of thermal
thermal
of the
the batholith.
batholith. We
influence of
We note
note that
that sample
sample K-R
K-R is
is located
located just north
north of
of the
the Malmo
MaimoStructural
Structural
Discontinuity (MSD)
(MSD) and
and sample
sample AM-016 is
is located
located south
south of
of it.
it. Our
Discontinuity
Our data
data reveal
reveal that
that the
the MSD
MSD
juxtaposes rocks of different metamorphic
metamorphic age (geon 18
18 metamorphism to the north from
from geon

-

-

51

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C)

CD

.

'° &lt;o

,__._
toaaa

C')

Epp

CD

.-,. 0

•L
rQ5o
o

ECDCD

-t

r&gt;

to u —

—

"

Un
J•fl1 tr4
0
t

nfl
ni

C)g
&lt;'o—
rM -t.

flH
hU

&gt;E;•&lt;'z

g

:h

UH

17 metamorphism to the south). We propose, therefore, that the MSD is a geon 17 structure that
exhumed the plutonic terrane of east-central Minnesota. West of Mille Lacs, a significant
portion of the MSD juxtaposes post-Penokean plutons to the south against older metamorphic
rocks to the north. This clearly supports our interpretation that this structure was active well
after Penokean orogenesis.

z

__c_
C
C

S

S

a

a

I

Frequncy

P-16 Composite

-

AllSamples All Ages Histogram

F)

01

52

CD

0

0,

'C

to

0

I

Figure 1: Histograms of BMP Th-U-total Pb in situ monazite spot ages.

.
¶.

a
0

)

.:po

S.

H

0

a

Frequency

5
5

Frequency

a

——

I,

•1

0

C

0,

a

C,

0
3

&lt;'c C,

..

C)

MN-29 Conposte

AM-016 Composite

t

o

C,,

pp

——

Holm, D.K., Dan-ah, K., andLux, D., 1998, American Journal of Science, 298,60-81.
Holm. D.K., Van Schmus, W.R., MacNeill, L., Boerboom, T., Schweitzer, D., and Schneider,
D.A., in review, Geological Society of America Bulletin.
Schneider, D.A., Holm, D.K., O'Boyle, C.,Hamilton, M., Jercinovic, M., in review, Geological
Society of America Special Volume "Gneiss Domes and Orogeny."

�THE SIOUX QUARTZITE REVISITED: SEDIMENTOLOGY, METAMORPHISM,
GEOCHEMISTRY AND THE ORIGIN OF PIPESTONE
GEOCHEMISTRY
MEDARIS, L.G.,
L.G., Jr.,
Jr., and DOTT, R.H., Jr., Dept. of Geology &amp; Geophysics, University
University of
Wisconsin-Madison, Madison,
medaris@geology.wisc.edu;
Wisconsin-Madison,
Madison,WI,
WI,53706;
53706;
medarisgeology.wisc.edu;rdott@geology.wisc.edu
rdottgeoIogy.wisc.edu
Red, supermature
supermature quartzites of the Baraboo Interval were deposited after 1.75
1.75 Ga on a stable craton
craton in
in the
presence of free atmospheric
oxygen under
under conditions
conditions of
of intense
intense chemical
chemical weathering.
weathering. Some
atmospheric oxygen
Some quartzites
quartzites
(Baraboo and
and Flambeau)
Flambeau) were
were folded
folded and
and recrystallized
recrystallizedatat 1.63
1.63 Ga
Ga (HoIm
ci aT,
al., 1998),
1998), and
and many
many
(Baraboo
(Holm et
quartzites
were hydrothemally
hydrothermallyaltered
alteredatat1.46
1.46 Ga
Ga (Medaris
(Medaris etci al., 2002,
quartzites were
2002, in
in press),
press), presumably
presumably in
in
response
promoted by
by continental
continental scale
scale A-type
A-type magmatism.
magmatism. These discoveries
response to brine migration
migration promoted
discoveries have
prompted us to reevaluate the sedimentology, metamorphism, and geochemistry of the Sioux Quartzite.
Sedimentolozy The
Sedimentolo.eg
TheSioux
SiouxQuartzite,
Quartzite, which
which isisseveral
several hundred
hundred meters
meters thick,
thick, is
is composed
composed mostly
mostly
of quartz sandstone with interstratified
ci al., 1986).
1986). Heterogeneous
Heterogeneous
interstratified lenses of red mudstone (Southwick et
cobble conglomerate occurs at the base and finer pebbly layers are scattered throughout the lower half
half or
so, whereas mudstones
Sedimentary structures in the sandstones
mudstones occur chiefly
chiefly within the upper
upper half.
half. Sedimentary
sandstones
include predominant
- 15
15 cm in
in thickness,
thickness, rare
rare
predominant festoon-style,
festoon-style, nested trough cross
cross beds
beds averaging
averaging 10
10—
zones
sets, a few examples
zones of planar-tabular
planar-tabular sets,
examples of herring
herring bone
bone cross
cross bedding,
bedding, and
and both
both asymmetric
asymmetric and
and
symmetric ripple marks. The mudstones are mostly massive,
massive, but
but parallelparallel- laminated
laminated and
andripple-laminated
ripple-laminated
varieties
are also
also present.
present. In
In most
most cases,
cases, quartz
quartz silt
silt and
and fine
fine sand
in a finer
varieties are
sand grains
grains are disseminated
disseminated in
rare graded
graded laminations
laminations are
arealso
alsopresent.
present. Some mudstones
mudstones show polygonal
polygonal 'mud'
'mud' cracks,
matrix, but rare
cracks, and
and
the overlying sandstones commonly contain intraclasts ripped up from such cracked beds
Interpretations of the Sioux depositional environment include shallow marine and braided fluvial
Interpretations
(Doff, 1983;
1986). In
In the
the latter scenario, the cross bedded
et a!.,
a!., 1986).
bedded sandstones
sandstones represent
represent river
river
(Dott,
1983; Southwick
Southwick ci'
channel
deposits, and the mudstones,
channel deposits,
mudstones, slack water deposits in
in ponds
ponds between
between active
active channels.
channels. However,
However,
this interpretation is inconsistent
with the
the rarity of scoured channel bases
bases and
and tabular sets of planar cross
inconsistent with
laminations,
which would
would have
have formed
formed by
by laterally
laterally migrating
migrating bars,
bars, and
and the existence of wave
laminations, which
wave ripples,
ripples,
which
expected in
in the
the sands
sands of
of aa braid
braid plain.
plain. Ojakangas
(1984) suggested
which are not expected
Ojakangas and Weber (1984)
suggested that
that the
the
one-third of the Sioux formation
formation was
was deposited
deposited in a shoreline marine setting with tidal influences,
upper one-third
accounting for the
polygonal desiccation
desiccation cracks,
cracks, and
the herringbone
herringbone cross bedding, wave ripples, polygonal
and thickness
and extent of certain
certain mudstone
mudstone layers
layers (now
(now pipestone).
pipestone). Interpretation
Interpretation of
of the
the Sioux
Sioux as
asaa fluvial-to-marine
fluvial-to-marine
transgressive succession
successionwould
wouldconform
conformtoto the present
transgressive
present interpretation
interpretation of
of the
thecorrelative
correlativeBaraboo
Baraboo
Quartzite, which has wave ripples
ripples and
and reactivation
reactivation surfaces
surfaces in
in its upper
upper half
half (Medaris
(Medaris et
et al.,
al., in press).
Metamorphism
Metamorvhism Mineral
Mineralassemblages
assemblages in
in finefine5
grained
grained Sioux sedimentary rocks can be 5
expressed
in the
expressed in
the system,
system, KASH,
KASH, as
as portrayed
portrayed in
in a:4
0:4
Figure 1, where rock compositions
are
projected
compositions
projected
onto the anhydrous
onto
anhydrous plane,
plane, K-Al-Si,
K-Al-Si, and
and two
two
3
critical dehydration reactions
reactions are plotted.
Additional phases include abundant hematite and
Additional
22
a Ti02
TiO; phase,
phase, either
either anatase
anatase in
in the
theCottonwood
Cottonwood
1989), or rutile in
Basin (CB)
Basin
(CB) (Stelz,
(Stelz, 1989),
in the
Pipestone Basin (PB).
The stable
of
11
Pipestone
(PB). The
stable existence
existence of
the CB
kaolinite in the
CB (Stelz,
(Stelz, 1989)
1989) requires
temperatures below -300Â°C
-100°C, whereas
temoeratures
whereas pyronvro250
350 T,
300
phyllite in
in the
the PB
PB is
is stable
stable above
above-300Â°C
-100°C. The
T, 0C
OC
phyilite
250
300

53

�quartz-pyrophyllite
assemblageininthe
the PB
PB (0,
(0, Fig.
quartz-pyrophyllite assemblage
Fig. 1),
I), ininwhich
which
vermicular
vermicular kaolinite
kaolinite has
has been
been replaced
replacedby
bypyrophyllite
pyrophyllite(Fig.
(Fig.2A),
2A),
most likely
likely represents
represents higher
highertemperature,
temperature, largely
largelyisochemical
isochemical
most
recrystallization of
ofaaquartz-kaolinite
quartz-kaolinite protolith,
protolith, like
likethat
thatininthe
theCB
CB
recrystallization
The occurrence
occurrence of muscovite
muscovite in both
both basins
basins isis
(0, Fig.
Fig. 1).
1). The
(C&gt;,
attributed to
to K-metasomatism
K-metasomatism related
related to
to 1.46
1.46Ga
Gahydrothermal
hydrothermal
attributed
(+,Fig.
Fig.1)1)isisaametasomatic
metasomaticrock
rock composed
composed of
of
activity. Pipestone
Pipestone(+,
activity.
pyrophyllite, muscovite, diaspore,
diaspore, hematite,
hematite, and
and rutile,
rutile, ininwhich
which
pyrophyllite,
former quartz
quartz grains
grains have
have been
been completely
completely replaced
replaced by
bydiaspore,
diaspore,
former
Because
the
Sioux
2B).
Because
the
Sioux
pyrophyllite,
and
muscovite
(Fig.
pyrophyllite,
muscovite (Fig. 2B).
Quartzite
Quartzite is
is largely
largely undeformed
undeformed and
and lies
lies north
north of
of the
the extrapolated
extrapolated
trend
et al.,
al.,1998),
1998),
trend of
of the
the 1.63
1.63 Ga
GaMazatzal
Mazatzal tectonic
tectonic front
front (HoIm
(Holm et
we
we suggest
suggest that
that all
all metamorphic
metamorphic features
features of
of the
theSioux
SiouxQuartzite
Quartzite
are
are due
due to
to 1.46
1.46Ga
Gahydrothermal
hydrothermal activity,
activity, rather
rather than
than aaMazatzal
Mazatzal
event.
event.
Geochemistry
Geochemistq Where
Whereunmodified
unmodifiedby
byK-metasomatism,
K-metasomatism, finefinegrained
grained sedimentary
sedimentary rocks
rocks of
of the
theBaraboo
BarabooInterval
Intewalare
areremarkably
remarkably
mature,
mature, being
being practically devoid
devoid of
of K,
K, Na,
Na, Ca,
Ca, Mg,
Mg, and
and Mn
Mn (Fig.
(Fig.
3),
values of 97 to 99.
31, and
and having Critical Index of Alteration
Alteration values
99.InIn
such
3) and
and
such rocks
rocks the
the wide
wide range
range ininproportion
proportion of
of Si
Si to
to Al
A1(Fig.
(Fig. 3)
of quartz
quartz to
to kaolinite
kaolinite in
inthe
the
I), reflects the original
original proportion
proportion of
quartz to
to kaolinite,
kaolinite, or
orpyrophyllite
pyrophyllite(Fig.
(Fig. 1),
quartz
protolith
sediments.
protolith sediments.
has stabilized
stabilized
K-metasomatism has
muscovite
muscovite in both the CB and
and PB,
PB, but
but
the muscovite-bearing
muscovite-bearing rocks in the
the CB
CB
0
150
2
record aa lower
lower temperature
temperature and
and higher
higher
record
C
ratio
ratio of
of Si/Al
SiIAl compared
compared to
to pipestone
pipestone in
in
1uJ
(Fig. 1).
1). The
Theclassic
classicpipestone,
pipestone,
the PB (Fig.
o
in addition
addition to
to substantial
substantial KK contents,
contents,
in
contains
contains lower
lower Si and
and higher
higher Al
A1than
than
pyrophyllite
in associated
associated quartz
quartz ++pyrophyllite
that in
samples (Figs.
(Figs. 1 &amp; 3). Assuming
Assuming Zr
Zr to
to
samples
be an
an immobile
immobile element,
element, isocon
isocon
be
calculations indicate
indicate that
that the
the mean
mean
calculations
-50
pipestone
pipestone composition
composition was produced by
by
65% Si02,
S O 2 ,45
45 to
to 55%
55%
removal of 20 to 65%
-100
Al
Si
Mn
Fe
11
K
Na
Ca
Mg
Ti02,
Ti02,35
35 to
to 65%
65% Fe203,
Fe203, and addition of
15 to 45%
45% Al203
A1203and
and—800%
-800% K20,
K20,
15
pyrophyllite samples.
samples.
compared to the average
average compositions
compositions of
of the two Si-rich
Si-rich and
and two
two Al-rich
Al-rich quartz
quartz ++pyrophyllite
compared
The
composition of
of one
one pipestone
pipestone sample
sample(*,
(*, Fig.
Fig. 1)
1) requires
requires removal
removal of
of 68%
68% Si02
Si02 and
and
The reconstructed
reconstructed composition
addition
addition of
of50%
50%A1203
A1203during
during metasomatism.
metasomatism.
Further investigation
investigation is underway to provide a more
more detailed
detailed evaluation
evaluation of
of brine
brinecompositions
compositions and
and
metasomatic
processes
involved
in
this
important,
regional
scale,
1.46
Ga
hydrothermal
event.
metasomatic
1.46 Ga hydrothemal event.
References
Geol.
Amer.
References Dott,
Dott,RH.
R.H.Jr.Jr.(1983)
(1983)
Geol.Soc.
SOC.
h e r .Memoir
Memoir160,
160,129-141;
129-141;HoIm,
Holm,U.
D. etetatal.(1998)
(1998)Geology,
Geology,v.v.26,
26,
907-910;
Medaris,
L.G.,
Jr.
et
at
(2002)
48th
Inst.
Lake
Superior
Geol.,
24-25;
Medaris.
L.G.,
Jr.
eta!.
L.G., Jr. et 01.(in
(inpress)
press)
907-910; Medaris, L.G., Jr. et aL (2002) 48th Inst. Lake Superior Geol.,
Jour.
Ojakangas, R.W.
Geol.
Jour. Geol.; Ojakangas,
RW. &amp;
&amp; Weber,
Weber,R.W.
R.W.(1984)
(1984)Minn.
Mi.
Geol. Sun'.,
S w . ,Rept.
Rept.mv.
Inv.32,
32,1-15;
1-15;Soutkwick,
Southwick,D.L.
D.L. etet
at
Amer.
al.(1986)
(1986)Geol.
Geol,Soc.
SOC.
Amer.Bull.,
Bull.,v.v.97,
97,1432-1441;
1432-1441;Stelz,
Stelz,D.E.
D.E.(1989)
(1989)M.S.
MS.Thesis,
Thesis,Wichita
WichitaState
StateUniv.,
Univ.,140
I40pp.
pp.

850

54

�_____________

A geochemical investigation
investigation of
of Mesoarchean
Mesoarchean metavoIcanic
metavolcanic and
and metasedirnentary
metasedimentary
rocks from
from the
the Rirch-Uchi
Birch-Uchi greenstone
greenstone belt
Metsaranta, R.,
Hollings,
P.P(Department
of of
Geology,
Lakehead
Metsaranta,
R.,Fralick,
Fralick,P.P.and
and
Hollings,
. (Department
Geology,
LakeheadUniversity,
Universio,Thunder
ThunderBay
Bay
ON CAN,
CAN, P7B 5
SE))
EI)

Most Mesoarchean
greenstonebelts
belts in
in the Western
Most
Mesoarchean grtGlfibL"fifie
Western Superior Province are comprised
comprised
primarily of komatiite-tholeiite
komatiite-tholeiite sequences and associated
associated sedimentary
sedimentary rocks (Thurston
(Thurston
and Chivers 1990).
1990). These
These—2.9-3.0
-2.9-3.0 Ga
Ga assemblages
assemblages have
have been
been interpreted
interpretedto
to represent
represent
plume generated volcanism in oceanic plateau settings (for example, Hollings et al.
al. 1999,
1999,
Tomlinson et aL1999).
a1.1999). This study is aa preliminary
preliminary investigation
investigation of metavolcanic
metavolcanic and
metasedimentary strata
strata from
from the Mesoarchean
metasedimentary
Mesoarchean Balmer assemblage
assemblage of the
the Birch-Uchi
Birch-Uchi
Rogers et
et al.
greenstone belt.
belt. Rogers
al. (2000)
(2000) have
have suggested
suggested that,
that, given
given their
theirgeochemical
geochemical
affinities and Nd isotopic evidence for contamination by older crust, volcanic rocks of the
may represent
represent aa continental
continentalarc
arcsetting.
setting. This implies that the Balmer
Balmer assemblage may
Assemblage
may
represent
a
distinct
tectonic
setting
from those proposed
Assemblage may represent a distinct tectonic setting from
proposed for other
other
B
Mesoarchean rocks in the
the Superior
Superior
Province.
F'rovince. Sediment geochemistry
geochemistry and
and
depositional
depositional environment studies
studies along
along
¶C —
/
:t ...,/
with igneous
igneous geochemistry will
will be
..-:?;_
applied to provide further
further constraint
constraint on
on
applied
/
-, - —
the
possible
tectonic
setting
of
these
the
possible
tectonic
setting
these
—
rocks.
rocks.
—
r*
'—
•M ç'
The
The Birch-Uchi
Birch-Uchi greenstone
greenstone belt is
located
in the central
located in
central portion
portion of
of the
the
W
It is
Uchi
(Fig.1).
is
Uchi Subprovince
Subprovince (Fig.!).
comprised
comprised of three
three volcanic units
termed
termed the Balmer,
Balmer, Nanow
Narrow Lake
Lake and
and
spanning
Woman
assemblages,
Woman
assemblages,
spanning
approximately
approximately 250 Ma.
Ma. The Balmer
Balmer
assemblage is the
assemblage
the oldest
oldest of these
these
volcanic
units and
volcanic units
and has
has U-Pb
U-Pb zircon
zircon
ages from felsic volcanic horizons that
suggest an
an age of ca.
suggest
ca. 2975-2989
2975-2989 Ma
Ma
(Rogers
et
al.,
2000).
The
stratigraphy
(Rogers et al.,
The stratigraphy
of the
the Balmer
Balmer assemblage
assemblage is
is divided
divided
into four
four suites:
suites: aalower
lowersedimentary
sedimentary
sequence, aa mafic
sequence,
mafic volcanic
volcanic suite and
and
petrographically distinct
distinct felsic
two petrographically
felsic
volcanic suites
suites (Rogers
volcanic
(Rogers et
et a1.
al. 2000).
2000).
Samples
collected for
for this study
Samples collected
study are
are
located in the
the southern
southern portion
portion of
of the
the
located
1- Location
Location and generalized
generalized geology
geology of
of study
study
Figure 1area and Birch-Uchi Greenstone belt (modified from
from
assemblage in the Woman
Woman
Balmer assemblage
Stott and Corfu
stott
Cofi 1991)
1991)
River/Bear
RiverBear Lake area. These
These comprise
comprise
16 samples from the lower sedimentary sequence and 34 samples of the mafic
mafic volcanic
volcanic
suite
(2000).
suite of Rogers
Rogersetetal.
a1.(2000).

,

J:

-

-

——

L

144)t,Iun,

Lake

55

�Field observations suggest that the
the Balmer
Balmer assemblage
assemblage sedimentary rocks are turbiditic.
turbiditic.
Sediment geochemistry
geochemistrywill
will be
be applied to constrain
the source rocks compositions for
Sediment
constrain the
these sediments. As
As no
no contact
contact with
with underlying
underlying older rocks has been identified this might
provide valuable
about the preexisting
provide
valuable information
information about
preexisting older
older crust.
crust. Alternatively, the
the
may be
be derived
derived from the Balmer assemblage volcanics
volcanics and
and this
this could support a
sediments may
hypothesis that
that the
the Balmer assemblage
represents aa continental
continental arc
arc setting with
hypothesis
assemblage represents
with the
the
sediments deposited in a fore-arc trench.
trench.

Volcanic
rock samples
samples appear
The first
first is aa
Volcanic rock
appear to fall
fall into
intotwo
twocompositional
compositional trends.
trends. The
tholeiitic trend
trend comprised
comprised of
of primarily
primarily tholeiitic
tholeiiticbasalts
basaltsand
andandesites.
andesites. The second
tholeiitic
second is
is aa
calc-alkaline trend
trend of
of andesitic to rhyodacitic
The geochemistry
of these
calc-alkaline
rhyodacitic compostion.
compostion. The
geochemistry of
samples
will be
be applied
setting for
for these rocks
samples will
applied to suggest
suggest a possible
possible tectonic
tectonic setting
rocks and
and
implications of this in relation to
to other
other Mesoarchean
Mesoarchean terranes.
terranes.
400

C
=
C
C

*

300

Rhyolite
Tr ac
0.1

N
C

Rhyodacite/

a

&gt;. 200

rachyA
Andesite
0.01

N

•

I
SIIJNP1

AndeslQ asa

..I

100

AIk.Bas
SubAlkaline Basa t
.001
.01

0.1

1

10

0

200

100

300

Zr
ZT

Nb/Y
N
bN

Lithology
Figure 3- Lithology
Discrimination diagram for
Assemblage
Balmer Assemblage
volcanics. Circles
volcanics.
Circles are
q w e s are
Tholeiitic trend ssquares
caic-alkaline
trend.
calc-alkaline

Figure 3-A plot of V vs Zr
showing compostional
compostional groups
groups in
Balmer Assemblage
Assemblage volcanics.
volca~cs.
Circles are Tholeiitic trend
squares are calc-alkaline
calc-alkaline trend.
trend.

References:
References:
Hollings,
P., Wyman,
Wyman, D.
D. and
and Kerrich,
Kerrich, R.
R. 1999. Komathte-basalt-rhyolite
Hollings. P,,
Komatiite-basalt-rhyolite
associations northern Superior Province greenstone belts:
belts: significance of plume-arc
volcanic associations
interaction
in the
the generation
generationof
ofthe
theproto
protocontinental
continentalSuperior
SuperiorProvince.
Province.Lithos
Lithos 46: 137-162.
interaction in
137-162.
Rogers, N., McNicoll, V.,
V., van
van Stall, C.R.,
C.R., and
and Todinson,
Tomlinson, K.Y.
K.Y.2000.
2000. Lithogeochemical
Lithogeochemical
in the
the Uchi-Confederation
lJchi-Confederation greenstone
greenstone belt, northwestern O
Ontario:
implications for
studies in
n h o : implications
for Archean
Archean
Tectonics. Geological
16: 1lip.
lp.
GeologicalSurvey
Surveyof
of Canada,
Canada,Current
Current Research 2000-C
2000-C16:
G.M., and
andCorfu,
Corfu,F.
F. 1991.
1991. Uchi Subprovince. Tn:
of Ontario,
Ontario, special
Stott, G.M.,
In: Geology of
volume 4,
4, part
part 1. Ontario
OntarioGeological
GeologicalSurvey,
Sumey,pp
pp 145-238.
145-238.
P.C. and
and Chivers,
Chivers,K.M.
K.M. 1990.
1990. Secular
Thurston, P.C.
Secular variations in greenstone sequence development
emphasizing Superior
Superior Province,
Province,Canada.
Canada. Precambrian Research. 46: 21-58
emphasizing
Tomlinson, K.Y.,
K.Y.,Hughes,
Hughes,D.J.,
D.J., Thurston,
Thurston,PP.C.,
andHall,
Hall,R.P.
R.P. 1999.
1999. Plume
Todinson,
C , and
magmatism and
and cmstal
crustal growth at 2.9
2.9 to 3.0 Gain
Ga in the Steeprock and Lumby Lake
Lake area,
area, Western
Western
Superior Province.
Province. Lithos 46:
Superior
46: 103-136.
103-136,

56

�PETROLOGYAN1I
ANJl PGE POTENTIAL
GREENWOODLAKE
LA= INTRUSION,
INTRUSION,
PETROLOGY
POTENTIAL OF THE
THE GREENWOOD
CENTRAL
CENTFULDULUTH
DULUTH COMPLEX,
COMPLEX,LAKE
LAKECOUNTY,
COUNTY,MINNESOTA
MINNFSOTA
MILLER,
MILLER,James,
James,D.,
D., Jr.,
Jr., Minnesota
MinnesotaGeological
GeologicalSurvey,
Survey,mille066@tc.umn.edu
milleO66@tc.umn.edu

This
This report
report summarizes
summarizes the results
results of
of aa petrologic
petrologic and
and metallogenic
metallogenic study
study of
of drill
drill core
coreand
and
outcrop
outcrop samples
samples that
that profile
profile the
the Greenwood
Greenwood Lake
Lake intrusion
intrusion (GLI)
(GLI) of
of the
the central
centralDuluth
Duluth Complex
Complex
(Fig.
1). The
Thelittle
littlethat
thatwas
wasknown
knownabout
aboutthis
thisvery
very poorly
poorly exposed
exposedlayered
layeredmafic
maficintrusion
intrusionprior
priorto
to
(Fig. 1).
this
this study
study came
came from
from interpretation
interpretation of
of its
itsaeromagnetic
aeromagneticsignature,
signature,seven
sevendrill
drillcores,
cores,and
andsparse,
sparse,
localized
localized outcrop.
outcrop. The
Thepurpose
purposeofofthis
thisstudy
studywas
wastotoestablish
establishthe
theigneous
igneousstratigraphy
stratigraphyofofthe
theGLI
GLI
and
and to
to evaluate
evaluate its
itspotential
potentialfor
forPGE
PGEreef
reefmineralization.
mineralization. The
The GLI
GLI isis an
anapproximately
approximately two
two
kilometer-thick,
kilometer-thick, sheet-like
sheet-like intrusion
intrusion that
that dips
dips gently (approximately
(approximately10°)
10")to
to the east
east and covers an
area of about
in length)
about 300 square
square kilometers. For
For this
this study,
study, 19
19bedrock
bedrock drill
drill cores
cores (20
(20 to
to 80'
8O'in
length)
were
were acquired
acquired in
inearly
early2002
2002along
alongthe
thewest—northwest-trending
west-northwest-trending Erie/LTV
ErieLTV railroad
railroad and
andpowerline
powerline
west
west of
of Lake
Lake County
County Highway
Highway 22(Fig.
(Fig. 1).
I). Samples from these
these cores
cores and
andfrom
fromintermittent
intermittent
outcrops
outcrops along the eastern
eastern extent
extent of
of the
the railroad
railroad grade
grade were
weresubjected
subjectedtotopetrographic
petrographicstudy
studyinin
transmitted
transmitted and reflected light,
light, microprobe
microprobe analyses of olivine
olivine and
and pyroxene
pyroxene composition,
composition, and
and
whole
whole rock
rock analyses
analyses of
of their
theirlithogeochemistry,
lithogeochemistry, including
including platinum,
platinum, palladium,
palladium, and
and gold
gold
concentrations.
concentrations.
The
The results
results of
of the
the drilling
drilling and
and petrographic
petrographic study
study show
show that
that the
the igneous
igneousstratigraphy
stratigraphy of
of the
the
GLI
GLI can
can be
be grossly
grossly subdivided
subdivided into
into aa lower
lower troctolitic
troctolitic zone
zone(GLtr,
(GLtr,0-650
0-650meters),
meters),composed
composed
mostly
mostly of
of leucotroctolitic
leucotroctoliticcumulates,
cumulates,aa medial
medial gabbroic
gabbroiczone
zone(GLog,
(GLog,650-1800
650-1800meters),
meters),composed
composed
of
(GLfg,1800-2130
1800-2130meters),
meters),
of olivine
olivine oxide
oxide gabbro
gabbro cumulates,
cumulates,and
and an
an upper
upper ferrogabbroic
ferrogabbroiczone
zone(GLfg,
composed largely of magnetite
magnetite gabbro
gabbro (Fig.
(Fig. 2).
2). The troctolitic
troctolitic zone
zone contains
contains abundant,
abundant, large
large
anorthositic and oxide gabbroic
gabbroic inclusions,
inclusions, presumably derived
derived from
from anorthositic
anorthositic series
seriescountry
country
rock. Although
Althoughthe
theGLI
GLIisisaawell-differentiated
well-differentiated intrusion
intmsion that
that formed
formedas
asan
anopen
openmagma
magma system,
system,
microprobe data show that cryptic layering trends (such as Fo in
in olivine,
olivine,Fig.
Fig. 2)
2) are
are inconsistent
inconsistent
with formation by in situ crystallization
crystallization differentiation.
differentiation. This
This and
and other
other evidence
evidence (such
(such as abrupt
abmpt
changes in lithology,
lithology, leucocratic
leucocratic compositions of troctolitic
troctolitic rocks,
rocks, and
and suspect
suspectcumulus
cumulustextures
textures
of troctolitic
troctolitic rocks) suggest
suggest that
that the
the differentiated
differentiated character
character of
of the
theGLI
GLIwas
wasprobably
probablyinherited
inherited
from
from aa deeper
deeper crustal
crustal magma chamber,
chamber, which
which was itself
itself undergoing
undergoingopen
opensystem
systemdifferentiation.
differentiation.
The chemostratigraphy
chemostratigraphy of chalcophile
chalcopbile elements
elements through
through the
the GLI
GLI are
are difficult
difficultto
tointerpret
interpretinin
such
such a complex open magma system, but suggest that some potential for PGE reef mineralization
may occur in the lower part of the gabbroic zone (Fig. 2). Below
Belowthis
thislevel,
level,recharging
rechargingmagmas
magmas
appear to have been undersaturated in sulfide, and copper
copper and
and sulfur
sulfurconcentrations
concentrationshigher
higherin
inthe
the
pabbroic zone (above 800 meters) indicate
An unexpected
unexpected result of this
gabbroic
indicate intermittent
intermittent saturation.
saturation. An
study was the discovery of aa large,
large, sulfide-bearing
sulfide-bearing oxide
oxide gabbro
gabbroinclusion
inclusionwithin
withinthe
thetroctolitic
troctolitic
zone. Aeromagnetic
Aeromagnetic data
data suggest
suggest that this inclusion is aa conformable
conformable tabular mass with a strike
length of about 8 kilometers. The
magnetic
data
further
suggest
The magnetic
further suggest that
that similar
similar rock
rock types
types form
form part
of the footwall to the GLI,
GLI. The
The possibility
possibility of
of sulfur
sulfur contamination
contamination in
in the
the contact
contact aureole
aureole around
this inclusion and along the base of the intrusion
intmsion warrants further exploration of these areas for
contact-type
contact-typeCu-Ni-PGE
Cu-Ni-PGE sulfide
sulfidemineralization.
mineralization.

.,

Funding for this project was provided to the Minnesota Geological
Geological Survey
Survey by aa grant
grant from
from
the Minnesota State Legislature
Legislature on the recommendation of the Minerals
Minerals Coordinating
CoordinatingCommittee.
Committee.

57

�Generalized
Generalized geology
geology of
of the
the
Greenwood
GreenwoodLake
Lake intrusion
intrusionand
and the
the central
ceneal Duluth
Duluth
Complex. Small
Small dots denote
denote drill
d i l l hole
hole and
and
Complex.
diamonds denote
denote outcrop
outcrop locations
locations along
along
diamonds
ErieLTV railroad
railroad tracks.
tracks. Long
Long dashed
dashed lines
lines
Erie/LTV
denote
denote faults.
faults.Intrusive
Intrusiveunits
unitsare:
are:

Figure 1.
1.
Figure

GLtr—-GLI
GLtr-GLl troctolitic
troctoliticzone
zone

GIog-GLIgabbroic
gabbroiczone
zone
GIog—GLI
GLtg—GLI
GLfpGLlferrogabbroie
ferrogabbroiczone
zone
MW—Mt.
MW-Mt. Weber
Weber granophyre
granophyre
CLLS—Cloquet
CLLS-Cloquet Lake
Lakelayered
layeredseries
series
BEI-Bald Eagle
Eagle intrusion
intrusion
BEI—Bald
SKI—South
SKI-South Kawishiwi
Kawishiwi intrusion
intrusion
PAl—Partridge
PRI-Partridge River
Riverintrusion
intrusion
WMI—Western
WMI-Western Margin
Margin intrusion
intrusion
sew

Layered Series
Ferrogabbroic
Femgatbr&amp;
Gabbroic
Gabbmic

S

T-IIrc
L____J Trociolluc
Fetsc Series

ri Morihositic
l___J Series

Norih Shore

a

Group

Virginia Forniston
Biwabik ranFormation
Giants Range

I,-: Granite

o0

10
10

20
20 Kilometers
Kilometers

Sample
locationo

I

I

Au concentrations
of Fo
Foin
in olivine
olivine and
and of
of Cu,
Cu, Pt +
Figure 2.
2. Chemostratigraphy
Chemostratigraphy of
+ Pd,
Pd, and
and Au
wncentrations through
thmugh the
the
Figure
locations of
of drill
drill core
Lake intrusion.
intmsion. Stratigraphic
Stratigraphic locations
core (boxes)
(boxes) and
and outcrop
outcrop (diamonds)
(diamonds)
Greenwood Lake
samples and general
are shown
shown in
in the left columns.
g e n e d lithostratigraphy
lithostratigraphy are
columns. Large
Largeinclusions
inclusionsofofanorthositic
anorthositic
(ox gb)
gb) are denoted. Abrupt
series rocks (AS) and oxide gabbro (ox
Abmpt increases
increasesin
inCu/Pd
CuPd(arrows)
(mows)may
maymark
mark
sulfide saturation events. The
The zone found most favorable
favorable to
to host
host PGE
PGE reef
reef mineralization
mineralizationis
is identified.
identified.

58

�Stratigraphy and
the St.
St. Croix
Croix horst,
horst, northwestern
northwestern
Stratigraphy
andstructure
structureof
ofKeweenawan
Keweenawan rocks of the
Wisconsin
U.S.Geological Survey,
Sun'ey, Reston, VA
S.W. Nicholson, and W.F.Cannon, U.S.Geologica1
The St.
St. Croix
Croix horst
horst is
is the
the partially inverted
inverted central graben
graben of the
the Midcontinent Rift System
System
(MIRS)that
thatextends
extendssouthwestward
southwestwardfrom
from western
westernLake
Lake Superior.
Superior. It
It is
is bounded by the
(MRS)
Douglas fault on the
the northwest
northwest and
and the Atkins Lake fault on the
the southeast.
southeast. Both
Both are
arenow
now
reverse faults, but may have been graben-bounding normal faults during rifting and
and
northern limit of
of the
the horst
horst is
is White's
White's Ridge, a subsurface basement high
volcanism. The northern
evident in both seismic
seismic and
and gravity
gravity data,
data, which did not subside
subside substantially
substantiallyduring
duringrifting
rifting
and against which rift volcanic and sedimentary rocks pinch out or become much
much thinner.
thinner.
Lake Superior from the St. Croix
White's Ridge
Ridge effectively
effectively separates
separates the MRS in western Lake
horst and the volcanic, sedimentary,
sedimentary, and structural history of the two rift segments
segments differ
differ in
several aspects. High-resolution aeromagnetic, gravity, and seismic data permit the
the tracing of
flow sequences for long distances and to great depth. This geometry
geometry combined
combined with
with the
the
chemistry of the volcanic rocks allows us
us to
to decipher
decipher aa volcanic
volcanic stratigraphy
stratigraphy in
in spite
spite of
of
widespread cover by glacial deposits and Paleozoic sedimentary rocks (Cannon
(Cannon et
et al.,
al., 2001).
interpretations (Chandler
Our interpretation, aided by previous gravity and seismic interpretations
(Chandleret
et al.,
al.,
is that
that the original structure of
of the St. Croix horst was an asymmetric graben, or
1989), is
possibly a half graben, like those of the Lake Superior portion of the MRS.
MRS. The
The Lake
Lake Owen
Owen
fault was a major growth fault
fault on the southeast
southeast side
side of the
the graben
graben and
and the
the volcanic
volcanicfill
fill
fault, The Douglas fault on the
thickened toward and terminated against the fault.
the northwest
northwest side
side of
of
the horst is not clearly a growth feature and may be simply a thrust formed
formed during
during rift
rift
inversion. Thrust displacement on the Douglas
Douglas fault
fault must
must be
be 20 km or more because it
juxtaposes of the base of a thick volcanic sequence
sequence over the younger
younger Bayfield
Bayfield Group.
Group.
Cannon et al. (2001)
(2001) and Nicholson et al. (2001) used chemical
chemical and
and aeromagnetic
aeromagneticdata
datato
to
define the Minong Volcanics, the underlying Clam
Clam Falls
Falls Volcanics, and the Chengwatana
Volcanics as three formations making up the graben-filling
graben-filling volcanic
volcanic sequence.
sequence.The
Thethree
three
have similar chemistry,
chemistry, but were defined
defined by structure
structure and
and geochronology.
geochronology.The
Thethree-part
three-part
division no longer seems justified
justified and the Chengwatana and Clam Falls Volcanics are
Volcanics, as earlier
earlier defined, were restricted
restricted
combined into a single unit. The Chengwatana Volcanics,
to a fault-bounded belt
belt between
between the
theDouglas
Douglasand
andPine
Pinefaults
faultsand
andtheir
theirstratigra'phic
stratigrahic
not known
known directly.
directly. We now believe, based on seismic
relationships to other volcanics were not
data, that the Pine fault does not extend into the
the northern
northern part of
of the horst, where the
previously defined Chengwatana and Clam Falls units
units appear to be a continuous depositional
sequence of compositionally indistinguishable flows that we propose be called entirely
Chengwatana.
basalts about
Chengwatana. The Minong Volcanics, a sequence
sequence of low-Ti02
low-TiOibasalts
about 33km
kmthick,
thick,
overlie the Chengwatana,
Chengwatana, along an apparent low angle
angle disconformity
disconforrnitybased
based on
onaeromagnetic
aeromagnetic
form lines. These form lines also show a disconfonnity
disconformity within the Minong volcanics on the
of the
the Ashland
Ashland syncline.
syncline. A
A lower
lower unit,
unit, not
not present
present on the northwest
northwest limb, is
southeast limb of
mostly high-Ti02
high-Ti02 basalt.
basalt. Based
Based on
on the
the presence
presence of
of abundant
abundanthigh-TiO2
high-Ti02 basalts
basaltsand
andmore
more
magmatic center
center was
was active in this area sometime
evolved rocks, we infer that a localized magmatic
flow in
in the
the upper
upper part of
of this sequence. A second, but
before 1095
1095 Ma, the age of a rhyolite flow
may have
have existed
existed on
on the western margin of the graben near
apparently older, volcanic center may

59

�_____

the Amnicon
Amnicon Complex
Complex where the Chengwatana Volcanics are mostly high-Ti02
high-Ti02basalts,
basalts,
andesites and rhyolites.
rhyolites.
Clastic sedimentary
sedimentary rocks of the Oronto Group overlie the volcanic rocks. Only the basal
unit, the Copper
Copper Harbor Conglomerate,
Conglomerate, is preserved in most of the St.
St. Croix horst where as
as
much as 2 km
of
sandstone
and
conglomerate
lie
along
the
axis
of
the
Ashland
syncline.
The
krn sandstone
conglomerate
Ashland syncline.
Copper Harbor thins to only a few tens of meters toward the northern end of the horst in the
same areas where the volcanic section also shows substantial thinning. Apparently the area
now comprising
comprising the northern part of the St. Croix horst did not subside nearly as deeply
deeply as
parts farther to the southwest.
southwest. This relatively positive relief persisted throughout
throughout volcanic
volcanic
activity and deposition
deposition of the Copper Harbor Conglomerate.
Conglomerate. The overlying
overlying Nonesuch Shale
Shale
maintains a relatively
relatively uniform thickness around the northern part of the Ashland syncline,
syncline,
suggesting
suggesting that
that the
the topographic
topographic high
high was
was buried
buried by
by that
that time.
time.
91'00'

EXPLANATION
EXPLANATION

4V00'

Bayfield
and
BayfieldGroup
Group and
equivalent sandstones
Freda Sandstone

Nonesuch Shale

copper Harbor Conglomerate
Gabbro and granophyre
Minong Volcanicslow-Ti basalts

Minong volcanicshigh-Ti basalts
Chengwatana volcanics
Kallander Creek
Kallander
CreekVolcanics
Volcanicl

Siemens Creek Volcanics
volcanics
Siemens
Archean and Paleoproterozoic
Paleopmterozoic

46'OO,i__

46'O
92'OO'
92W
0

rocks

91Â°00
90

30

KM

WY., Daniels,
Cannon,
Cannon, W.F.,
Daniels, D.L.,
D.L., Nicholson,
Nicholson, S.W., Phillips, J., Woodruff,
Woodruff, L.G., Chandler,
Chandler, V.W.,
V.W., Morey,
Morey, G.B.,
G.B.,
Boerboom, T., Wirth, K.R., and Mudrey, M.G.,
MG., Jr.,
Boerboom.
Jr., 2001,
2001,New
New map
mapreveals
revealsorigin
originand
andgeology
geologyof
ofNorth
North
American
v. 82.
82, no.
no. 8,
8, pp.
pp. 97-101
97-101
American Midcontinent
Midcontinent rift:
rift: EOS,
EOS, v.

V.W., McSwiggen, P.L.,
P.L., Morey,
Morey, G.B.,
GB., Hinze, W.J.,
W.J., and Anderson, R.R.,
R.R., 1989, Interpretation of
Chandler, V.W.,
seismic
seismic reflection, gravity, and magnetic data across Middle Proterozoic Mid-continent Rift system,
northwestern Wisconsin, eastern Minnesota, and central Iowa: American Association of Petroleum
Petroleum Geologists
Geologists
v. 73,
73, p.
p. 261-275.
261-275.
Bulletin, v.
SW., Boerboom,
W.F., Wirth, K. and Isachsen, C.E.,
C.E., 2001, A new look at the
the 1.1 Ga
Ga
Nicholson, S.W.,
Boerboom, T., Cannon, W.F.,
Chengwatana
horst, Minnesota
Minnesota and Wisconsin, Institute
Institute on Lake Superior
Superior Geology,
Chengwatana Volcanics in the St. Croix horst,
1,p. 71-72.
71-72.
v. 47, part 1,

60

�TheRare
Rareand
andExotic
ExoticMineralogy
Mineralogyof
of the
theWestern
WesternSubcomplex
Subcomplexof
of the
the Deadhorse
DeadhorseCreek
Creek
The
Diatreme,Northwestern
NorthwesternOntario.
Ontario.
Diatreme,
G. Potter
Potterand
andRoger
RogerH.
H. Mitchell
Mitchell
EricG.
Eric
egpotter@mail.lakeheadu.ca
egpotter@mail.lakeheadu.ca
Dept.
Dept.of
of Geology,
Geology,Lakehead
LakeheadUniversity,
University,955
955Oliver
OliverRoad,
Road,Thunder
ThunderBay,
Bay,ON.
ON.P7B
P7B5E1
5El

The
Themain
main mineralized
mineralizedzone
zoneof
ofthe
thewestern
westernsubcomplex
subcomplexof
ofthe
theDeadhorse
DeadhorseCreek
Creekdiatreme
diatreme
exhibits complex
complexmineralization
mineralizationinvolving:
involving: first
first and
and second
second order
ordertransition
transitionmetals
metals
exhibits
(specifically
PEE; Be; Th; and U. The
(specifically Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Zr and Nb); REE;
Themineralization
mineralization
is
Nbis manifested
manifested by
by the
the presence
presence of
of the
the following
followingminerals:
minerals: thortveitiite,
thortveitiite,Sc-V-aegirine,
Sc-V-aegirine, NbV-rutile,
V-mtile, V-crichtonite,
V-crichtonite, Ba-Mn-hollandite,
Ba-Mn-hollandite, zircon,
zircon, monazite-Ce,
monazite-Ce, xenotime-Y,
xenotime-Y, uraninite,
uraninite,
thorite, thorogummite,
thorogurnmite, barite,
barite, barylite,
barylite, tyuyamunite,
tyuyamunite, phenacite,
phenacite, pyrite,
pyrite, hematite,
hematite,
thorite,
magnetite
magnetite and
and several
several as
as of
of yet
yet unnamed
unnamed mineral
mineral species
species (Platt and Mitchell,
Mitchell, 1996;
1996;Smyk
Smyk
et
al.,
1993;
this
study).
Of
interest
in
this
presentation
are:
Nb-V-rutile,
crichtonite
et al., 1993; this study). Of interest in this presentation are: Nb-V-mtile, crichtoniteand
and
Sc-V-aegirine.
Sc-V-aegirine.
The
The Nb-V-rutile
Nb-V-mtile isis enriched
enriched in
in
Cr2O3,
with concentrations
concentrations reaching
Cr203, with
reaching
30
6.49
6.49 wt.%.
wt.%. The enrichment
enrichment of
of
- Cr2O3
and
Nb205
is
similar
to
that
Cr203 and Nb2O5 similar to that
of
of rutile
mtile reported
reported in
in alkaline
alkalineigneous
igneous
:1 20
rocks,
as
illustrated
in
an
atomic
rocks, as illustrated in an atomic
- percent
plotofof~Cr
percent plot
+
r 3 4++' Nb5
Nb5+++ Ta5
~ a ^
1991).
vs.
Ti4
(Haggerty,
vs.
~ i ^ (Haggerty,
1991).
z 10
+
However,
Nb205 contents
contents are
are
However, the
the Nb2O5
- unusually
unusually high
high compared
comparedto
toalkaline
alkaline
M
~ Ã‘T
~
~
~igneous
&amp;
~
rocks
igneous
rocks in
in general,
general, with
with
"
00
29.32
concentrations
reaching
95
100
80
85
90
50 55
55
60
65
70 75
75
80
85
90
95 100 concentrations
reaching
60
65
70
50
Ti4
(Atomic%)
Ti4*
( A ~ O ~%)C
wt.%. Such
such Nb2O5
Nb205 contents
contents&amp;re
re
wt.%.
I
similar
similar to those
those reported in
in ilmenorutile,
ilmenorutile, whiph
which is historically found in pegmatites.
pegrnatites. Also
Also
unique to the
rutile is the distinct
the Deadhorse
Deadhorse Creek:
Creek futile
distinct enrichment
enrichment of V2O3
V203 (up to 10.52
10.52
wt.%) and
and the
the lack
lack of
of tantalum.
tantalum....'
wt.%)

:

The Sc-V-aegirines
Sc-V-aegirines present
present at
at Deadhorse
Deadhorse Creek
Creek contain
contain the
the highest
highest reported
reported
The
concentrations of Sc2O3 and
and V203
V2O3(16.46
(16.46and
and11.99
11.99wt.%,
wt.%,respectively).
respectively). The only
only other
other
have been
occurrences of
of VV- and
andSc-enriched
Sc-enriched aegirine
aegirine have
been reported
reported from
from alkaline
alkaline
occurrences
metasomatites
metasomatites associated with iron-ore deposits in Ukraine (Valter et al., 1994;
1994;Pavlishin
Pavlishin
et al.,
presence
thortveitiite
and
al., 2000).
2000). OfOfnote
noteisisthethe
presenceofofboth
both
thortveitiite(Sc2Si2Oi)
(Sc2Si2O7)
andSc-enriched
Sc-enriched
aegirine within the main mineralized zone.
zone. Although
Although the
the source
source of the
the Sc
Scin
inthe
theaegirine
aegirine
remains
conjectural,itit appears
appears that
that the
the Sc, V and Na
remains somewhat
somewhat conjectural,
Na was
was scavenged
scavengedfrom
from
alteration of the main mineralized
mineralized zone
zone by Fe-rich fluids.
fluids.
The V-rich
V-rich crichtonites
crichtonites are best termed
termed vanadium-rich
vanadium-rich analogues of crichtonite-(Sr)
crichtonite-(Sr) and
and
senaite-(Pb). The
in the
the crichtonites
crichtonites isis peculiar,
peculiar, as
as the
the presence of
of
Nb205in
The enrichment
enrichment in Nb2O5
Nb has
has been
been aa distinguishing
distinguishing feature
feature of
of the
the mantle-derived
mantle-derivedend
end members
memberslindsleyite-(Ba)
lindsleyite-(Ba)

61

�the crichtonites plot ininthe
Interestingly, the
theupper-mantle
upper-mantle
and mathiasite-(K)
mathiasite-(K) (LIMA).
(LIMA). Interestingly,
and
LIMA
quadrant
of
FeO
+
Fe203
+
MgO
vs.
Ti02
(Haggerty,
1991),
near
+ F e B 3 + MgO vs. Ti02 (Haggerty, 1991), near the
the LIMA
LIMA
LIMA quadrant of
compositions
compositionsdue
dueto
tothe
thereplacement
replacementof
of iron
ironby
by vanadium.
vanadium.
The
mtiles and
and
The Nb-enriched
Nb-enriched rutiles
have
believed
to
crichtonite
are
crichtonite
are
believed
to
have
formed
fonned relatively
relatively early
early in
in aa
30
30 crichtrmite (s$
Crichtnnite(Sr)
multistage-alteration
Armalcolite Ooadrant
•
(?EE)
multistage-alteration sequence
sequence of
of the
the
diatreme
—
Deadhorse
Creek
&amp;n,irc
am,(Pb)
w).
Deadhorse Creek diatreme by
by
O 25 reaction
reaction of
of stoichiometric
stoichiometricrutile
mtilewith
with
Lovamgitc (Ca)
+
hydrous
hydrous alkaline
alkaline solutions
solutions ennched
enriched
20
in Nb
Nb and
and V.
V. These
These hydrous
hydrous
alkaline
alkaline solutions
solutions likely
likely also
alsoaltered
altered
Armalcolite Ouandrant DHC Crichinnite
15
zircon
zircon to
to an
an unnamed
unnamed hydrated
hydrated
awhich
is
zirconosilicate,
calcium
zirconosilicate,
which
is
—
calcium
LIMACrptonites—
with
the
found
found in
in association
association with the
10
72
64
68
56
60
52
52
56
60
64
68
crichtonite
and
rutile.
crichtonite
and
mtile. Textural
Textural and
and
TtO2çVt.
/o)
TiO, (Wt.%)
suggest
that
compositional
data
compositional data suggest that
subsequent alteration
alteration formed
fonned the
the Sc-V-aegirines
Sc-V-aegirines and
and imparted
imparted the
the pervasive
pervasive
subsequent
hematitization
hematitization to
to the
the main
main mineralized
mineralizedzone.
zone.
I

I

I

I

I

I

n - ~ i ~ b Crichtonite
~Crichtooite
~ ~ i t i ~
Non-Kimberlitic

-

-

-

p

•

-

—

I

I

I

I

I

'

References
References

of the upper
Oxide Minerals:
Minerals:
mineralogy of
upper mantle.
mantle. In:
In: Oxide
Haggerty, S.E.
S.E. (1991):
(1991): Oxide mineralogy
petrologic and
and magnetic
magnetic significance.
significance. Reviews
Reviews in
in Mineralogy,
Mineralogy, 25,
25,Mineral.
Mineral. Soc.
Soc.
Amer.,
335-416.
Amer., 335-416.
Platt,
Platt, R.G.
R.G. and
and Mitchell,
Mitchell, R.H.
R.H. (1996):
(1996): Transition
Transition metal
metal rutiles
mtiles and
andtitanates
titanatesfrom
fromthe
the
Miner.
Miner.
Deadhorse
Creek
Diatreme
complex,
northwestern
Ontario,
Canada.
Deadhorse Creek Diatreme complex, northwestern Ontario, Canada.
Mag.,
403-413.
60,403-413.
Mag., 60,

Pavlishin,
Baldan, F.G.,
F.G., Bugaenko,
V.M., Voznyak,
Voznyak, D.K.,
D.K., Galaburda,
Pavlishin, V.1.,
V.I., Baklan,
Bugaenko, V.M.,
Galaburda, Yu, A.,
A.,
G.O.,
Mel'nikov,
Kulchic'ka,
Dekhtulins'ky, E.S., Donskey,
O.M.,
Krivdik,
S.G.,
Krivdik,
G.O., Mel'nikov,
Donskey,
V.S., Radzivill, A, Ya.
Ya. And
And Zimbal,
Zimbal, S.M.
S.M. (2000):
(2000): Science-based
Science-based perspectives
perspectives of
of
improvement
of mineral
mineral resources
resourcesor
orrare
raremetals
metalsinin Ukraine.
Ukraine. Mineral., Journal,
improvement of
22, no.1,
no.l,5-20.
(in Russian)
Russian)
22,
5-20. (in

Smyk,
M.C., Taylor,
R.P., Jones,
Smyk, M.C.,
Taylor, R.P.,
Jones, P.C.
P C . and
and Kingston,
Kingston, D.M.
D.M. (1993):
(1993): Geology
Geology and
and
geochemistry
geochemistry of the West Dead Horse
Horse Creek
Creek rare-metal
rare-metal occurrence,
occurrence,northwestern
northwestern
Ontario.
Explor.
Mining.
Geol.,
2,
no.
3,
245-25
1.
Ontario. Explor. Mining. Geol., 2, no. 3,245-251.

Valter,
V.M., Sharkin, O.P.
O.P. and Yakolev,
Valter, A.A., Khomenko, V.M.,
Yakolev, V.M.
V.M. (1994):
(1994): AA vanadian
vanadian
aegirine in alkaline metasomatites from Zheltye Vody.
Vody. Doklady
Doklady Akademii
Akademii Nauk
Nauk
Ukrainy,
Ukrainy, No. 3,
3, 110-116.
110-116.(in
(in Russian)
Russian)

62

�Sibley
Sibley Basin
Basin sediment
sediment provenance
provenanceusing
using zircon
zircon and
andwhole
whole rock
rockgeochemical
geochemical methods:
methods: Possible
Possible
source
sourceareas
areasof
of the
thePass
PassLake
LakeFormation
Formation
Richardson,
Hollings,
P.P.
(Department
Geology,
A.,Fralick,
Fralick,P.,P.,and
and
Hollings,
(Departmentofof
Geology,Lakehead
LakeheadUniversity,
University,955
955
Richardson,A.,
Oliver
OliverRd.,
Rd., Thunder
ThunderBay,
Bay,Ontario,
Ontario,P7B
P7B5E1,
5E1,Canada;
Canada,ajrichar@mail.lakeheadu.ca)
airichar@mail.lakeheadu.ca)
The
TheSibley
SibleyGroup
Groupconsists
consistsof
of Proterozoic
Proterozoicsediments
sedimentsthat
that
outcrop
outcropdiscontinuously
discontinuouslyover
overaa 15000
15000sq.
sq. km
km region
region in
in the
the area
area
surrounding
surrounding central
central and
and southern
southern Lake
Lake Nipigon.
Nipigon. Its
Its age
age is
is
bracketed
Redstone Point
Point Complex
Complex(1537
(1537
bracketedby
by the
theunderlying
underlyingRedstone
++lo/-2
101-2 Ma;
+I-33
33Ma
Ma
Ma;Davis
Davisand
andSutcliffe,
Sutcliffe.1985)
1985)and
anda a1339
1339+1Rb-Sr
Rb-Srage
ageon
ondiagenetically
diageneticallyaltered
alteredSibley
Sibleysediments
sediments(Franklin,
(Franklin,
1978).
SibleyGroup
Groupwas
was divided
divided into
into three
three formations:
formations:the
the
1978).The
The Sibley
Kama
Kama Hill
Hill Formation
Formation(top),
(top),the
theRossport
RossportFormation,
Formation,and
and the
the
Pass
PassLake
LakeFormation
Formation(bottom),
(bottom),by
by Franklin,
Franklin, et
et al.
al. (1980).
(1980).The
The
Kama
Kama Hill
Hill Formation
Formationconsists
consistsof
of aalaminated
laminatedshale
shalefacies,
facies,the
the
Rossport
Rossportof
of mudstone
mudstoneand
and stromatolitic
stromatoliticfacies,
facies,and
and the
the Pass
Pass
Lake
Lakeof
of aaconglomeratic
conglomeraticfacies
faciesand
andaaplane-bedded
plane-beddedor
orcrosscrossbedded
bedded sandstone
sandstonefacies
facies(Cheadle,
(Cheadle,1986).
1986).This
Thisstudy
study
investigates
investigatesthe
thesources
sourcesthat
thatfed
fedsediment
sedimentto
tothe
thePass
PassLake
Lake
Formation
Formationin
in the
thesouthern
southernportion
portion of
of the
the basin.
basin.

30km
LEGEND

Proterozoic
1097 Ma

rn
Li_J Oslar Group
1110 Ma
DI. base

:I.

,1339Ma

Regional
Regional granitic
granitic sources
sourcesmay
may include:
include: the
the
Mesoproterozoic
Mesoproterozoic Redstone
Redstone Point
Point anorogenic
anorogenic intrusion,
intrusion,
Sample Locations
Neoarchean
Neoarchean peraluminous
peraluminous Quetico
Queticogranites,
granites, and
and
Granite
•,, Redstone Point
Point Granite McKenzie
McKenzie granites.
granites. Of
Ofthese,
these,the
the Redstone
Redstone Point
Point isis more
more
Artisan
highly
evolved
than
the
others
and
contains
abundant
highly
evolved
than
the
others
and
contains
abundant
• Regional
Granites
~
~ it^^~
l
~
~
~
l
Granitic Rocks
Metasedimentaty
zircon
zircon and
and aa distinct
distinctgeochemical
geochemical signature
signaturewith
withvery
very
elevated
PassLakeFm.
elevated values
values for
forthe
thehigh
highfield
field strength
strengthelements
elements
Rocks
(HFSE).
(HFSE).
Samples
Sampleswere
were collected
collectedfrom
fromsurface
surfaceexposures
exposuresatatseveral
several
Figure 1.
1. Regional
Regional geologic
geologic map
map with
with sample
sample
Figure
locations
(Fig.
1).
Representative
samples
of
the
Pass
Lake
locations
(Fig.
1).
Representative
samples
of
the
Pass
Lake
locations.
locations.
Formation
Formation of
of the
the Sibley
SiblevGroup
Grouowere
were taken
taken from
from aa cliff
cliff section
section
directly
directlyacross
acrossfrom
fromPass
PassLake
Lakeon
on Hwy.
Hwy. 587.
587. Individual
Individualbeds
beds
were
were grouped
grouped into
into assemblages
assemblages consisting of up to 16
16 beds. Bed
Bedthickness
thicknessbecame
became finer
finer and
and thinner up section. AAtotal
totalof
of
26
grained sandstone.
sandstone. Two
26hand
hand samples
sampleswere
were obtained from the Pass Lake cliff and consisted of fine to medium grained
Two
additional Pass Lake Formation samples were obtained from road cuts
cuts further
furtherup-section
up-section that
that consisted
consistedof
of medium
medium grained
grained
sandstone.
sandstone.
Additional granitic samples were
were obtained from road cuts along Hwy 11/17
11/17
and
each location. Samples
and Hwy. 527 (Fig. 1). One
One sample
sample was
was taken
taken from
fromeach
Samples
of
of Redstone Point sandstones, and
and granite
granite samples
samples were
were previously obtained
by
by P.
P. Fralick from
from the
the English
English Bay
Bay region
region of
of Lake
Lake Nipigon
Nipigon (Fig.
(Fig. 1).
1).
S

Sibley Graup
1537 Ma
Granite and Rhyolite
1900 Ma
AnImikle Group

•

1
I
-

Figure
x-Ray
Figure 2.
2. Backscatter X-Ray
SEM-EDS
SEM-EDSimage
image of
of aa zircon
zircon
AR-01.
fromsample
sampleAR-Ol.
from

ICP-AES
Plasma -- Atomic Emission
ICP-AES (Inductively Coupled Plasma
Emission Spectroscopy)
Spectroscopy)
Samples were cut into approximately 4 x 3 x 0.5 cm sections and crushed
to
included
to aa fine
fine powder
nowder of &lt;30 microns. Chemical
Chemicalpreparation
preparation
included
- hydrofluoric
hydrofluoric acid
acid digestion
digestion to
to remove
remove all
all silica
silica and
and allow
allow complete
complete solution
solutionof
of
samples. Prepared
samples
were
analysed
at
the
Lakehead
University
Prepared samples were analysed at the
Instrument Laboratory.
Laboratory.

63

�A

SEM-EDS
SEM-EDS (Scanning
(Scanning Electron
ElectronMicroscope
Microscope- - Energy
EnergyDispersive
Dispersive X-Ray
X-Ray Microanalysis)
Microanalysis)
Samples
Samples were
were ground
ground to
to 30
30micron
micron thin
thinsections
sectionsand
andcut
cutinto
into
discs
discs suitable
suitable for
for the
the SEM
SEM stage.
stage. Before
Beforeanalysis,
analysis,samples
samples
were carbon coated to prevent charge build- up while being
analysed.
Samples
analysed
for
with
were
analysed.
carbon
Samples
coatedwere
were
to prevent
analysed
charge
for50
build50seconds
seconds
up while
withan
being
an
accelerating
voltage
of
20
KeV,
and
a
beam
current
0.475
accelerating
voltage
of
20
KeV,
and
a
beam
current
ofof0.475
t, ..'$?Â¥:
. .:.
pA using
using aa JEOL
JEOL 5900
5900 SEM
SEMwith
withaasystem
systemresolution
resolutionof
of139
139
pA
. - ..
eV, at
at Lakehead
Lakehead University Instrument
Instrument Laboratory.
Laboratory. Images
Images
eV,
. .A*
.:.. . .
were
taken
using
a
backscatter-electron
detector.
Zircons
were
were
taken
using
a
detector.
Zircons
were
..
analysed
Zr,Y,
Y,Th,
Th,U,
U,and
andHf.
Hf.
analysed for
for five
five elements:
elements: Zr,
The
The use
use of
of zircons
zirconsin
insediment
sedimentprovenance
provenancestudies
studieshas
hasbeen
been
10Y+TKU
IO-Y+T~+U
WIO
Hrlo
limited to
to work
work done
done by
by Owen
Owen(1987)
(1987)which
whichinvolved
involved
limited
employing
employing hafnium
hafnium content of
of detrital
detritalzircons
zirconsin
indetermining
determining
zirconsfrom
from
Figure
Figure3.3. SEM-EDS analyses of zircons
the
upper Jackfork
the source
source of
of the
hupper
JackforkSandstone
Sandstoneand
andthe
theParkwood
Parkwood
Pass
PassLake
LakeFm
Fm sandstones
sandstones(points),
(points)'Redstone
Formation. He
Hecame
cameto
tothe
theconclusion
conclusionthat
thathafnium
hafniumcontent
content
Formation.
Point
Pointsandstones
sandstones(squares),
(squares),Redstone
RedstonePoint
Point
of
of these
these zircons
zircons agreed
agreed with
with optical
opticaland
andcathodoluminescence
cathodoluminescence
(+),and
andregional
regionalArchean
Archeanand
and
Granites(+),
Granites
modal
modal analyses,
analyses, and
and is
is aa viable
viable method
methodfor
forprovenance
provenance
Neoarchean
Neoarcheangranites
granites(triangles),
(triangles).
determination.
determination.
This
This study
study is
is the
the first
first to
touse
useSEM-EDS
SEM-EDSmethods
methodsasaswell
wellas
as
analyses
for
Y,
Th,
and
U.
Fig.
3
shows
zircon
analysis
results.
The
majority
of
zircons
plot
at
Zr/Hf
ratio
analyses for
Fig. 3 shows zircon analysis
The majority of zircons plot at Zr/Hf ratio of
of
approximately
Y, Th,
Th,and
and U,
U, but
but aa significant
significantpopulation
populationshow
showaaY,
Y,Th,
Th,UU
approximately 40
40 with
with relatively
relatively low
low amounts
amounts of
of Y,
enrichment trend. The
Thegeochemical
geochemical signature
signature of
zircons from
from both sandstones
sandstones and
and granites
granites show
show
similarity,
similarity, and
and indicates
indicates local
local sourcing
sourcingof
of sediment
sediment
•
£
with
Archeanand
and
with aa possible
possible influence
influence of
of regional
regionalArchean
Proterozoic
Proterozoic felsic
felsic igneous
igneous intrusives.
intmsives.
2000
Whole
Whole rock
rock interpretation
interpretation of
ofICP-AES
ICP-AES
ppmZr/%T02
ppm
Zr/%T102
geochemistry
geochemistry (Fig.
(Fig. 4)
4) trends
trends agree
agree with
with SEM
SEM
1000
loGo
distribution
within
samples.
Immobile
elemental distribution within samples. Immobile
elemental
element
element ratios
ratios of
of the
the Pass
Pass Lake
Lake sandstones
sandstonestend
tendto
to
- A
fall on
on aa mixing trend between
between enriched
enrichedand
and nonnonfall
I
125
75100
25
50
enriched
0
25
wm
75 Nb/%Ti02
' 150
enriched sources. This
Thisstudy
studyhighlights
highlights the
the possible
possible
usefulness
of
using
SEM-EDS
generated
data
usefulness of using SEM-EDS generated datain
in
concert
concert with
with more
more traditional
traditionalchemical
chemicalanalyses
analysesin
in
Figure
Figure4.
4. Immobile
Immobileelement
elementplot
plotofofICP-AES
ICP-AESanalyses.
analyses.
provenance
provenancestudies.
studies,
Pass
PassLake
Lakesandstones
sandstones(points)
(points)plot
plotininsimilar
similarfield
fieldtoto
sandstones
derived
from,
and
overlying
Redstone
Point
sandstones derived from, and overlying RedstonePoint
granite
granite (squares).
(squares). Redstone
(+), and
and other
other
Redstonepoint
point granite
granite (+),
granites
granites (triangles)
(triangles)are
arealso
alsoshown.
shown.
.

I

I

I

,

1

.

A

I

I

I

1

References
References
Cheadle,
Alluvial-playasedimentation
sedimentationininthe
thelower
lowerKeweenawan
KeweenawanSibley
SibleyGroup,
Group,Thunder
ThunderBay
BayDistrict,
District,
Cheadle, BA.
B.A.(1986)
(1986)Alluvial-playa
Ontario;
Journal of
of Earth
EarthSciences,
Sciences,v.v.23,
p.527-542.
Ontario; Canadian Journal
23, p.
527-542.
Davis,
Davis, D., and Sutcliffe,
Sutcliffe,R., (1985)
(1985) U-Pb
U-Pb ages
ages from
from the Nipigon Plate
Plate and Northern Lake
Lake Superior.
Superior.Geological
GeologicalSociety
Society of
of
America
1572-1579.
America Bulletin,
Bulletin, 96,
96, 1572-1579.
Franklin,
in Rubidium-strontium
Rubidium-strontiumisochron
isochron age
age studies,
studies. Report
Report2,2, geological
geological
Franklin, J.M., (1978)
(1978)The
The Sibley
Sibley Group,
Group, Ontario;
Ontario; in
Survey of Canada,
Canada, Paper
Paper77-14,
77-14,p.p. 31-34.
31-34.
Survey
Franklin,
McIlwaine, W.H.,
W.H., Poulsen,
Poulsen, K.H.
K.H. and
and Wanless,
Wanless. R.K.
R.K. (1980)
(1980)Stratigraphy
Stratigraphyand
anddepositional
depositionalsetting
settingofofthe
the
Franklin, J.M., Mcllwaine,
Sibley
17,p.633-651.
p.633-651.
Sihley Group,
Group, Thunder
Thunder bay District
District Ontario,
Ontario, Canada;
Canada; Canadian
Canadian Journal
Journal of
of Earth
Earth Sciences,
Sciences,v.v. 17,
Owen,
Sedimentary Petrology, Vol
57, No.5.,
NO.^., 1987.,
1987..p.p.831-838.
831-838.
Owen, M. (1987)
(1987) Hafnium in Detrital Zircons: Journal of Sedimentary
Vol57,

64

�Magnetostratigraphic and
Group
A Magnetostratigraphic
and Secular
SecularVariation
Variation Study
Study of the
the Sibley Group
Rogala,
P. and
Borradaile,
G. (Department
of Geology.
Lakehead
University,
Thunder
Rogala,B.,
B.,Fralick,
Fralick,
P. and
Borradaile,
G. (Department
of Geology,
Lakehead
University,
ThunderBay,
Bay,
Ontario, P711
SEI, brogala@lakeheadu.ca)
brogala@lakeheadu.ca)
P7B 5E1,

The Sibley
Sibley Group
Group is
is aa red
red bed
bed sequence
sequence that
that was
was deposited
deposited in
in aasubsiding
subsidingintracratonic
intracratonic
basin (Fralick and Kissin, 1995)
1995) overlying, in part, a 1537+10-2
1537+10-2 Ma (Davis
(Davis and
and Sutcliffe,
Sutcliffe, 1984)
1984)
anorogenic
granite-rhyolite
complex.
The
Group
was
previously
divided
into
three
main
anorogenic granite-rhyolite complex. The Group
previously divided
three main
Rossport, and
and Kama
Kama Hill.
Hill. An unnamed
Formations: Pass Lake, Rossport,
unnamed Formation and the Nipigon Bay
Formation have
have recently
recently been
been added.
added. The
Formation
The Pass
Pass Lake
Lake Formation
Formation consists
consists of
of the
the conglomeratic
conglomeratic
Loon Lake
Lake Member
of the
Loon
Member and the
the sheet-like
sheet-like sandstones
sandstones of
the Fork
Fork Bay
Bay Member,
Member, representing
representing aa
braided fluvial environment
environment (Cheadle,
(Cheadle, 1986).
1986). The Rossport Formation
Formation is separated
separated into the
the
braided
Channel Island,
Island, Middlebrun
MiddlebrunBay,
Bay,and
andFire
FireHill
HillMembers.
Members. The Channel
Member is
is a
Channel
Channel Jsland
Island Member
cyclic dolomite-shale
dolomite-shale unit
unit interpreted
interpretedtoto be
be playa
cyclic
playa lake
lake sediments
sediments (Cheadle,
(Cheadle, 1986).
1986). The
Middlebrun Bay
Bay Member, considered a marker
marker bed
bed for
for the Sibley Group, is aa stromatolitic
Middlebrun
stromatolitic unit
unit
that represents a migrating strandline. The
The Fire
Fire Hill
Hill Member
Member consists
consistsof
of mudcracked
mudcrackedred
red silt
siltwith
with
mudchip conglomerates and sand
sand sheet
sheet incursions.
incursions. It signifies a time of
of tectonic
tectonic tilting
tilting of the
the
basin. The Kama
basin.
Kama Hill
Hill Formation
Formation is not
not subdivided,
subdivided, and is
is composed
composed of
of purple
purple shales
shales and
and
siltstones interpreted as mud flat
flat deposits
deposits (Cheadle,
(Cheadle, 1986).
1986). The
The unnamed Formation is divided
divided
two unnamed
unnamed Members.
Members. These
into two
These represent
represent a deltaic
deltaic and fluvial
fluvial environment.
environment. The
The Nipigon
Nipigon
Bay Formation
Formation consists of
of cross-stratified
sandstonebeds,
beds, and
and is
is thought to denote
Bay
cross-stratified sandstone
denote an
an acolian
aeolian
environment.
environment.
Samples were
were taken
taken from
Samples
from the Pass
Pass Lake,
Lake, Rossport,
Rossport, Kama
Kama Hill,
Hill, and
and Nipigon
Nipigon Bay
Bay
Formations for a paleomagnetic study.
study. The unnamed Formation was not sampled due to the lack
of exposure.
of
exposure. The
ThePass
PassLake,
Lake,Kama
Kama Hill,
Hill, and
and Nipigon
Nipigon Bay
Bay Formation
Formation were
were used to
to conduct
conduct a
preliminary
of the
the Sibley
Sibley Group.
Group. The
TheRossport
RossportFormation
Formation was
was
preliminary study of the magnetostratigraphy of
sampled from unoriented drill core,
core, thus could only be used to study
study secular
secular variation.
variation.
The paleopoles calculated from the Pass Lake,
Lake, Kama
Kama Hill,
Hill, and
andNipigon
NipigonBay
BayFormations
Formations
have been
been plotted along an apparent
apparent polar wander path (APWP) defined
defined by Elston
Elston et
et at.
al.(2002)
(2002)
(Figure 1).
1). The samples
samples from
from the Pass
Pass Lake
Lake Formation
Formation have been divided into
into sample
sample groups
groups
corresponding to Quarry Island, Transitional to
to the Rossport Formation, and
and an
an outcrop
outcrop atat Pass
Pass
The paleopole
of the
with a diagenetic
Lake.
Lake. The
paleopole of
the Quarry
Quarry Island
Island Group
Group corresponds
corresponds with
diagenetic event at
at
1978), and
and the
approximately
approximately 1339±33
1339Â±3 Ma
Ma (Franklin,
(Franklin, 1978),
the latter
latter two
two groups
groups have
havepaleopoles
paleopoles
associated
with an
The Kama
has an older
associated with
an early
earlyKeweenawan
Keweenawan overprint.
overprint. The
Kama Hill Formation
Formation has
older
discordant
paleopole and
and a younger
younger paleopole
paleopole that
that isis located
located within
within the 1500 Ma section of the
discordant paleopole
that the
the Sibley
Sibley Basin
Basin formed
formed prior
prior to
to this, as is
apparent polar
polar wander path.
is
apparent
path. This
This suggests
suggests that
supported by
by the recent discovery of sedimentary xenoliths within the 1537
supported
1537 Ma
Ma Redstone
Redstone Point
Point
granite.
that lie on the APWP
granite. The
The Nipigon
Nipigon Bay
Bay Formation
Formation has paleopoles
paleopoles that
APWP near
near 1400
1400 Ma
Ma and
and
1100 Ma.
Ma. The
The first
first paleopole
paleopole may
may be primary or related to the diagenetic
diagenetic event that affected the
Pass Lake samples at 1339
1339 Ma. The
Thelatter
latter paleopole
paleopole correlates
correlateswith
with the
the Osler
OsierVolcanics.
Volcanics.
Formation revealed a
The paleomagnetic study on a 90 cm core section from the Rossport Formation
When this
this curve was compared
secular variation curve.
curve. When
compared to typical
typical secular
secular variation
variation curves
curves
(Butler, 1998; Tauxe,
Tauxe, 1998), the
the time-span
time-spanfor
for Sibley
Sibleydeposition
depositioncan
canbe
beestimated.
estimated. The 90 cm
section was estimated to
to represent
represent 2500
2500 to
to 3000
3000 years.
years. This can
can be
be extrapolated
extrapolated to
to estimate
estimate that
that
the Rossport Formation could potentially
potentially represent
represent 75
75 000
000 years
years of
of deposition.
deposition.

65

�210'S —

240'S

Figure 4.12
Paths (APWP) is plotted
Figure
4.12 AAwell-defined
well-defined Proterozoic
Proterozoic Apparent
Apparent Polar
Polar Wander Paths
al., 2002). The
components are
ThePass
PassLake
LakePCA
PCAcomponents
are designate
designatewith
withQI,
QI,T,
T,
(after Elston et at.,
and 0
0 to
the Quany
to indicate
indicatethe
Quarry Island,
Island, Transitiona',
Transitional, and
and Outcrop Groups. The
The Kama
Kama Hill
Hill
KH and
and the
the Nipigon
Nipigon Bay
Bay Formation
Formation isisNB.
NB. The PCA, PCB, and
Formation is designate KH
PCC components are denoted respectively by A, B or C after the Formation short form.
form.
Note that NB-C is a reversed
reversed pole
pole on
on the
the back
back side of
of the
the globe.
globe. Elston
Blston et al.
al. (2002) has
provided a lower (Sl)
(Si) and
provided
and upper
upper (S2)
(S2) Sibley
Sibley Group pole based on data from Robertson
well as
as aa pole
pole for
for the
the Keweenawan
Keweenawan Osier
Osler Group
Group (Kl)
(Ki) and lower Powder Mill
(1973), as well
Volcanics (K2).
(K2).

1998. Paleomagnetism:
magneticdomains
domains to
to geological
Butler, R.F.
R.F. 1998.
Paleornagnetism: magnetic
geological terranes,
terranes, Department
Department of
of Geosciences
Geosciences
University of Arizona,
(originallypublished
published by
by Blackwell
University
Arizona, http://www.geo.arizona.edu/Paleomag/bookl
http://www.eeo.arizona.edu/Paleomag/book/ (originally
Blackwell
Scientific Publications
Publications in 1992)
1992)
Cheadle, B.A.
BA. 1986.
Alluvial-playasedimentation
sedimentationininthe
thelower
lowerKeweenawan
KeweenawanSibley
SibleyGroup,
Group,Thunder
ThunderBay
Bay District,
District,
1986.Alluvial-playa
527-542.
CanadianJournal
Journalof
ofEarth
EarthSciences,
Sciences, 23,
23,527-542.
Ontario. Canadian
Davis, D.W. and Sutcliffe,
Suteliffe,R.H.
RH. 1984.
1984.U-Pb
U-Phages
agesfrom
fromthe
theNipigon
NipigonPlate
Plateand
and Northern
Northern Lake Superior. Geological
Geological
Society of
of America
America Bulletin,
Bulletin, 96, 1572-1579.
1572.1579.
D.P., Enldn,
Enkin, R.J.,
R.J., Baker,
Baker, J.
J. and Kisilevsky,
Kisilevsky, D.K.
D.K. (2002).
Elston, D.P.,
(2002). Tightening
Tighteningthe
theBelt:
Belt:paleomagnetic-stratigraphic
paleomagnetic-stratigraphic
constraints on deposition, correlation, and
and deformation of
of the Middle Proterozoic (ca. 1.4
1.4 Ga)
Ga) Belt-Purcell
Belt-Purcell
United States
States and
andCanada.
Canada. Geological Society ofAmerica Bulletin, 114,
Supergroup, United
114, 619-638.
619-638.
basin development
development in
in central
central North
North America:
of
America: implications of
Fralick, P. and
and Kissin,
Kissin, S.
S. 1995.
1995. Mesoproterozoic basin
Sibley Group volcanism
volcanism and sedimentation at Redstone Point. In: Petrology and metallogeny
metallogeny of volcanic
volcanic
and intrusive
system, Proceedings
Proceedings of
of the International
International Geological
Geological
and
intrusive rocks
rocks of
of the
themid-continent
mid-continent rift system.
Correlation Program, Project 336.
336.
in: Wanless,
Wanless, R.K.
R.K. and
andLoveridge,
Loveridge, W.D.,
W.D., Rubidium-strontium
Rubidium-strontium
1978. The Sibley Group,
Group, Ontario,
Ontario, in:
Franklin, J.M.
J.M. 1978.
report 2.
2. Geological
3 1-34.
isotopic age studies, report
Geological Survey
Survey of Canada
Canada Paper
Paper77-14,
77-14.31-34.
Robertson, W.A.
WA. (1973a).
Robertson,
(1973a). Pole position
position from thermally
thermally cleaned
cleaned Sibley Group sediments
sediments and its
its relevance
relevance to
to
Proterozoic magnetic
magneticstratigraphy.
stratigraphy. Canadian
Canadian Journal
Journal of Earth
Eon/i Sciences,
Sciences 10,
10, 180-193.
180-193.
Tauxe, L. 1998.
1998.Paleomagnetic
Paleomagneticprinciples
principlesand
andpractice,
practice,Kiuwer
KluwerAcademic
Academic Publishers,
Publishers, Netherlands,
Netherlands,299
299p.p.

66

�Mafic Dikes in Marquette County,
County, Michigan with
with
Sequence of Precambrian
Precambrian Mafic
emphasis on the Sugar/oaf
Sugarloaf Mountain and
and Republic
Republic Areas
N.A. Sandin and T.J. Bornhorst
Engineering and
Bomhorst (Department
(Department of Geological and Mining Engineering
and
Sciences, Michigan Technological University,
Sciences,
University, Houghton,
Houghton, MI 49931)
4993 1)
Precambrian mafic dikes are very common throughout Marquette County, Michigan.
Michigan. These
dikes
Ga). Past
Past studies
studies by Kantor
dikes have
have ages
agesfrom
fromArchean
Archean(—2.7
(-2.7 Ga) to middle Proterozoic
Proterozoic (—1.1
(-1.1 Ga).
Kantor
(1968), Gair (1969), Cannon (1974), and Baxter and Bomhorst
Bornhorst (1988) have suggested
up
to
six
suggested
different mafic dike events in Marquette County. These events were interpreted to consist of
(from old to young): 1) Archean mafic dikes post-Archean
post-Archean volcanism
volcanism and before Archean
granitoid intrusions
intrusions which cut the Archean volcanic rocks; 2) Archean mafic dikes that cut
Archean granitoid intrusions, but are subjected to Archean deformation; 3) Archean mafic dikes
sedimentary rocks of the
that cut Archean basement rocks, but do not cut Early Proterozoic sedimentary
dikes that cut Marquette Range
Marquette Range Supergroup; 4) Early Proterozoic mafic dikes
Supergroup sedimentary rocks
rocks prior to Penokean metamorphism and deformation; 5-6)
Supergroup
5-6) N-S and
E-W Keweenawan mafic dikes. This study has confirmed much of Baxter and
and Bornhorst
Bomhorst (1988),
(1988),
however, new data indicate significant
significant modifications.
modifications.
This study focused on the Sugarloaf
Sugarloaf Mountain area near Marquette, Ml
MI because
because of
of the
the
excellent exposures
on
shore
and
adjacent
to
Lake
Superior,
and
previous
work
by
Kantor
exposures
adjacent
previous work by Kantor
(1968), who identified mafic dikes of multiple ages. In the Sugarloaf Mountain area over
over 300
mafic dikes intruding Archean tonalitic basement were identified and mapped using
using aa GPS
GPS
and pace
pace method.
method. Dikes
receiver and the compass and
Dikes identified
identified as
as critically
critically important
important to
to
understanding the sequence of events were sampled for microscopic and chemical
chemical study.
study.
Bornhorst (1988) interpreted
interpreted thin,
thin, discontinuous,
discontinuous, tabular
tabular mafic
mafic bodies
bodies at
Baxter and Bomhorst
in the
the Sugarloaf
Sugarloaf Mt.
Mt. area as
as being
being Archean
Archeanpost-plutoniclpre-deformation
post-plutonic/pre-defonnation
Wetmore Landing in
above). While
While this
this interpretation
interpretation is
is still
still possible,
possible, the
the favored
favored
mafic dikes (number 22 above).
interpretation here is that these mafic bodies are xenoliths that were deformed
deformed during
during the
the
Archean along with the host plutonic
rocks.
plutonic rocks.
In Marquette
Marquette County, Baxter and Bornhorst
Bomhorst (1988)
(1988) as well as
as previous
previous workers
workersrecognized
recognized
the numerous mafic intrusives
intrusives that cut Marquette
Marquette Range Supergroup
Supergroupsedimentary
sedimentaryrocks
rocksprior
prior to
to
Penokean metamorphism and deformation.
deformation. These
These were
were presumed
presumed to
to be
be of
of generally
generallythe
the same
same
that in the Sugarloaf Mt. area, three age separate mafic intrusive
age. This study indicates that
intrusive events
events
of this age are present. Based on cross-cutting
cross-cutting relationships, the sequence
sequenceconsists
consistsof
of diabase
diabase
dikes trending N20Â¡E
N20°E, diabase
diabase dikes
dikes trending
trending N60Â¡E
N60°E, and
anddiabase
diabase dikes
dikes trending
trending east-west.
east-west. In
In
discriminated from
addition to cross-cutting relationships, these groups can be discriminated
from each
each other
otherby
by
trace
trace elements.
elements.
N20°E diabase
diabasedikes
dikesare
arethe
theoldest
oldest of
ofthe
theEarly
EarlyProterozoic
Proterozoicdikes.
dikes. In the Sugarloaf Mt.
The N2093
area, these dikes
N20°E and range in width from
NO593 to N20%
from one
one to
to 25
dikes vary in trend from
from N05°E
25 feet.
feet.
Mafic dikes of this age are
are the
the most
most common
common of
of the Early
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic dikes
dikes in the Sugarloaf
Mountain area. These
These dikes
dikes exhibit
exhibit aa varying
varying texture
texture from
from porphyritic
porphyritic to
to phaneritie
phaneritic from
fromthe
the
dike interiors
interiors to the margins. They consist of hornblende, pyroxenes,
pyroxenes, chlorite,
chlorite, plagioclase,
plagioclase,
epidote, and sericite. The
The REE
REE patterns
patterns are
are enriched
enriched in
in light-REE
light-REEwith
with aa moderate
moderateslope.
slope.
Compared to the REE patterns of the sills
sills from
from the
the Marquette
Marquette Range
Range Supergroup,
Supergroup,the
theN20°E
N2093
concentration of
of light-REE,
light-REE, is
is less
less depleted
depleted in
in heavy-REE,
heavy-REE, and has a
series has a higher concentration
shallower slope. Thus,
Thus, our
our initial
initial interpretation
interpretationis
is that
that these
these dikes
dikes are
are not
not related
relatedto
tothe
thesills.
sills.

67

�The
TheN60°E
N60"Emafic
maficdikes
dikesare
areintermediate
intermediateEarly
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic age.
age. They
Theyvary
varyinintrend
trendfrom
from
N45°E
and
N45% to N60t
N60"E
andrange
rangeininwidth
widthfrom
fromone
onetoto6060feet.
feet.These
Theseare
arethe
theleast
leastcommon
commonof
ofthe
theEarly
Early
Proterozoic
Proterozoicdikes
dikesininthe
theSugarloaf
SugarloafMountain
Mountainarea.
area.They
Theygenerally
generallyhave
havethinly
thinlyfoliated
foliatedmargins
margins
with
with aa massive,
massive,fine-grained
fine-grainedinteriors.
interiors. These
Thesedikes
dikeshave
haveaaphaneritic
phaneritic texture
textureand
and consist
consist of
of
hornblende,
hornblende,pyroxenes,
pyroxenes,chlorite,
chlorite,plagioclase,
plagioclase,epidote,
epidote,sericite,
sericite,and
andminor
minoramounts
amountsofofcarbonate.
carbonate.
These
Thesedikes
dikescross-cut
cross-cutthe
theN20°E
N20TE diabase
diabase dikes. REE
REEpatterns
patternsare
areenriched
enrichedininlight-REE
light-REEand
andhave
have
aasteep
steepslope.
slope.Compared
Comparedtotothe
theN20°E
N20%series
seriesand
andthe
thesills
sillsof
ofthe
theMarquette
MarquetteRange
RangeSupergroup,
Supergroup,
the
theN60°E
N60"E dikes
dikes are
are more
more enriched
enriched in light-REE
light-REE with a steeper slope.
slope. The
TheN60°E
N60"Edikes
dikes are
are more
more
depleted
depletedin
inheavy-REE
heavy-REEthan
thanthe
theN20°E
N20"Eseries.
series.Our
Our initial
initialinterpretation
interpretationisisthat
thatthese
thesedikes
dikesare
areaa
distinct
distinctmagmatic
magmaticevent
eventwith
withrespect
respecttotothe
theearlier
earlierN20°E
N20%dikes
dikesand
andthe
themafic
maficsills.
sills.
The
Theeast-east
east-eastdiabase
diabasedikes
dikesare
arethe
theyoungest
youngest series
seriesof
of the
the Early
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoicdikes.
dikes. They
Theyvary
vary
in
inwidth
widthfrom
fromfive
fivetoto75
75feet
feetwide.
wide.These
Thesedikes
dikesgenerally
generallyhave
have thinly
thinlyfoliated
foliatedmargins
margins with
with aa
massive,
massive,fine-grained
fine-grainedinterior,
interior,although
althoughtwo
two dikes
dikeshad
had porphyritic
porphyritic interiors.
interiors. They
They have
have aa
phaneritic
phaneritictexture
textureand
andconsist
consistof
of homblende,
hornblende,pyroxenes,
pyroxenes,chlorite,
chlorite,plagioclase,
plagioclase,epidote,
epidote,and
and
sericite.
sericite.These
Thesedikes
dikescross-cut
cross-cutthe
theN20°E
N20"Ediabase
diabasedikes
dikesand
andthe
theN60°E
N60"Ediabase
diabasedikes.
dikes. Compared
Compared
to
tothe
theREE
REEpatterns
patternsof
ofthe
thesills
sillsfrom
fromthe
theMarquette
MarquetteRange
RangeSupergroup,
Supergroup,the
theeast-west
east-west dikes
dikeshave
haveaa
higher
concentration
of
light-REE
and
a
steeper
slope.
The
east-west
dikes
are
depleted
in
the
higher concentration of light-REE and a steeper slope. The east-west dikes are depleted in the
heavy-REE
heavy-REEcompared
comparedtotothe
theN20°E
N20%dikes.
dikes. They
They are
are lower
lowerin
in light-REE
light-REEand
andhave
haveaashallower
shallower
slope
than
the
N60°E
series.
Our
initial
interpretation
is
that
these
dikes
are
a
distinct
slope than the N60% series. Our initial interpretation is that these dikes are a distinctmagmatic
magmatic
event
eventfrom
fromthe
theearlier
earlierdikes
dikesand
andthe
themafic
maficsills.
sills.
There
Thereare
arethree
threedistinct
distinctmafic
maficdike
dikeevents
eventsin
in the
theSugarloaf
SugarloafMt.
Mt.Area.
Area.We
Wepropose
proposethat
thatthese
these
dikes
dikesare
are not
not related
related to
tothe
themafic
maficsills
sillsthat
that cut
cut the
theMarquette
MarquetteRange
RangeSupergroup.
Supergroup.IfIf true,
true, then
then
there
theremust
must be
be atatleast
least4,
4,and
andlikely
likelymore,
more, Early
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoicmafic
mafic magmatic
magmaticpulses
pulses in
in the
the
Marquettearea.
area.
Marquette
Two
Twogroups
groupsof
of unmetamorphosed
unmetamorphoseddiabase
diabasedikes
dikeswere
were identified
identifiedin
inthe
theSugarloaf
SugarloafMt.
Mt.area,
area,
consistent
consistent with
with Baxter
Baxter and
and Bornhorst
Bomhorst (1988).
(1988). These
Thesedikes
dikesare
areKeweenawan
Keweenawanin
inage
ageand
and consist
consist of
of
north-southtrending
trendingseries
seriesand
andan
aneast-west
east-westtrending
trendingseries.
series. Both
Both dikes
dikeshave
haveaadiabasic
diabasictexture
texture
aanorth-south
andvary
vary from
from10
10toto75
75 feet
feet wide.
wide.
and
In
In the
the Republic
Republicarea,
area,Baxter
Baxterand
and Bornhorst
Bornhorst (1988)
(1988) suggested
suggestedthat
thatsome
somemetamorphosed
metamorphosed
mafic
maficdikes
dikes with
with distinct
distinctplagioclase
plagioclase phenocrysts
phenocrysts are
are older
older than
than the
themetamorphosed
metamorphosedProterozoic
Proterozoic
dikes
dikesin
in the
the Sugarloaf
Sugarloaf area.
area.They
They proposed
proposed that
that these
these dikes
dikes might
might correlate
correlatewith
withthe
theMatechewan
Matechewan
dike
dikeswarm
swarmnorth
north of
of Lake
Lake Superior
Superiorin
in Canada.
Canada. We
We tested
tested this
this hypothesis
hypothesisby
bydoing
doingchemical
chemical
analysis
analysis of these
these dikes.
dikes. The
The REE
REE data
data for
for these dikes
dikes are
are similar
similar to
to Matechewan
Matechewandikes
dikesfrom
from
elsewhere
elsewhereand
and support
supportthe
the hypothesis
hypothesisproposed
proposed by
by Baxter
Baxter and
and Bornhorst
Bornhorst(1988).
(1988).

References
References
Baxter,
Baxter,D.A.
D.A. and
and Bornhorst,
Bornhorst,TI.,
T.J.,1988,
1988,Multiple
MultipleDiscrete
DiscreteMafic
MaficIntrusions
IntrusionsofofArchean
ArcheantotoKeweenawan
KeweenawanAge,
Age,
western
2 pp.
western Upper
Upper Peninsula,
Peninsula,Michigan:
Michigan:Institute
Institute on Lake
Lake Superior
Superior Geology
Geology Proceedings
Proceedingsand
andAbstracts,
Abstracts,v.
v. 34,
34.2
pp.
Cannon,
Cannon, W.F.,
W.F.,1975,
1975,Bedrock
Bedrock Geological
Geological Map
Mapof
of the
the Republic
Republic Quadrangle,
Quadrangle,Marquette
MarquetteCounty,
County,MI:
MI:U.S.
U S .Geological
Geological
Survey,
Survey, Miscellaneous
MiscellaneousInvestigations
InvestigationsSeries
SeriesMap,
Map,1-862.
1-862.
Gair,
MI: U.S.
US.
Gair, J.E.
J.E. and
and Thaden,
Thaden, RE.,
R.E.,1968,
1968,Geology
Geologyof
ofthe
the Marquette
Marquetteand
andSands
SandsQuadrangles,
Quadrangles,Marquette
MarquetteCounty,
County, MI:
Geological
77 pp.
Geological Survey
SurveyProfessional
ProfessionalPaper
Paper397,
397,77
pp.
Halls,
Halls, ll.C.
H.C.and
andPhinney,
Phinney,W.C.,
W.C.,2001,
2001,Petrogenesis
Petrogenesisof
ofthe
theEarly
EarlyProterozoic
ProterozoicMatachewan
MatachewanDyke
DykeSwarm,
Swarm,Canada,
Canada,and
and
Implications
22
Implications for
for Magma
Magma Emplacement
Emplacementand Subsequent
Subsequent Deformation:
Deformation: Canadian
CanadianJournal
Journal of
of Earth
Earth Sciences
Sciences 38,
38,22
pp.
PP.
Kantor,
Swarms in
in the
the Sugarloaf
Sugarloaf Mountain
Mountain Area,
Area, Marquette
Marquette County,
County,MI:
MI:M.S
MS.
Kantor, J.A.,
J.A., 1969,
1969, Assimilation
Assimilation and Dike Swarms
Thesis,
Thesis, Michigan
Michigan Technological
Technological University,
University, Houghton,
Houghton, MI,
MI, 83
83 pp.
pp.

68

�PALEOPROTEROZOIC
DOME CORRIDOR
CORRIDOR IN THE
THE
PALEOPROTEROZOIC DEVELOPMENT OF A GNEISS DOME
SOUTHERN
SOUTHERN LAKE
LAKE SUPERIOR
SUPERIOR REGION,
REGION, USA
USA
SCHNEIDER,
SCHNEIDER, D.A., Dept. of Geological
Geological Sciences,
Sciences,Ohio
Ohio University,
University, Athens,
Athens, OH
OH 45701;
45701;
HOLM, D.K., and O'BOYLE, C.,
C., Dept.
Dept. of
of Geology,
Geology, Kent State
State University, Kent, OH 44242;
HAMILTON,
HAMILTON, M.,
M., Continental
Continental Geoscience
Geoscience Division,
Division, Geological
Geological Survey
Survey of
of Canada,
Canada, Ottawa,
Ottawa,ON
ON
Canada; and JERCINOVIC,
MA 01003
01003
JERCINOVIC, M., Dept. of Geosciences,
Geosciences, U-Mass, Amherst,
Arnherst, MA
Paleo-reconstruction of the Penokean orogen at Ca.
Ma reveals
reveals the presence of
of a
Paleo-reconstruction
ca. 1750-1700 Ma
narrow corridor
corridor of Archean cored Paleoproterozoic
gneiss
domes
just
north
of
and
parallel
Paleoproterozoic gneiss domes
of and parallel to
to the
the
main suture
Wisconsin, and
and northern
northern Michigan.
Michigan. Penokean
suture zone
zone in Jvlinnesota,
Minnesota, Wisconsin,
Penokean (ca.
(ca. 1850
1850Ma)
Ma)
metasedimentary rocks infolded within the domes
metasedimentary
domes give
give predominantly 1750-1700
1750-1700Ma
Ma cooling
cooling
ages and are overlain depositionally
depositionally by ca. 1700
1700 Ma Baraboo
Baraboo interval
interval quartzites.
quartzites. We
We conducted
conducted
SHRIMP and total-Pb EMP geochronometry to obtain metamorphic timing constraints on
U-Pb SHRIMP
distinct monazite
monazite mineral domains
domains from
from amphibolite
amphibolite grade
grade rocks
rocks sampled
sampledacross
acrossthe
the entire
entirelength
length
of the gneiss dome corridor. Based
Based on
on metamorphic
metamorphicmonazite
monazite crystallization
crystallization ages,
ages, midcrustal
midcrustal
amphibolite facies metamorphism (Ml)
(Ml) peaked
peaked around
around 1830
1830Ma
Ma and
and was
was concurrent
concurrent with
with late
late
reliably recorded
recorded at
at ca.
ca. 1800 Ma
Ma (M2) and
and
Penokean plutonism; subsequent thermal pulses are reliably
again at ca. 1765
1765 Ma (M3),
(M3), both also
also coeval
coeval with magmatic
magmatic activity.
activity.
The youngest monazite
monazite ages overlap
overlap with abundant
abundant Ar-Ar mineral
mineral age
age data,
data, which
which indicate
indicate
widespread cooling of
of the gneiss dome comdor
corridor immediately
immediately following M3.
M3. We
We propose
propose that
that the
the
lime during structural modification of
of the
the tectonically
tectonically buried
buried
gneiss domes formed at this time
continental margin rocks. In
In our
ourconceptual
conceptual model
model (Fig.
(Fig. 1),
l), northward
northward vertical
vertical extrusion
extrusion of
of aa
decoupled midcrustal block containing the gneiss dome corridor accommodated gravitational
collapse of overthickened crust. Elevated
Elevatedcountry
countryrock
rock temperatures
temperaturesaccompanied
accompaniedwith
with profuse
profuse
melting (i.e., intrusion of the East-central Minnesota batholith) promoted doming of the lower
density Archean basement into the more dense overlying Paleoproterozoic metasedimentary
rocks, ultimately enabling its complete decoupling from the remaining lower crust. This
Thisprocess,
process,
primarily driven by buoyancy forces, allows for the redistribution of crustal mass from thick to
horizontal crustal
crustal extension.
extension. Tectonic extrusion and crustal
thin regions without significant horizontal
thinning at this stage may have been facilitated by a decrease in horizontal compressive
compressive stresses
acting on the region from the south (i.e., Yavapai slab rollback as proposed by Holm
HoIm et al.,
ILSG, 2003).
2003). In
Inour
ourmodel
model(Fig.
(Fig.1),
l),the
thefaults
faultsbounding
boundingthe
thegneiss
gneissdome
domecorridor
comdorare
areca.
ca.1765
1765
structures, although some, like the Niagara Fault zone, are
am reactivated Penokean structures.
Ma structures,
We note that in east-central Minnesota, a significant portion of the Malmo Structural
Structural
discontinuity juxtaposes post-Penokean plutons to the south
south against older
older metamorphic
metamorphic rocks to
the north (west of Mille Lacs). This
This clearly
clearly supports
supports our
our interpretation that this structure
structure (and
the Flambeau Flowage fault equivalent in northern Wisconsin)
Wisconsin) was active
active well after Penokean
orogenesis.
orogenesis.

D.K., Van Schmus, W.R.,
W.R., MacNeill, L.C., Boerboom,
Boerboom, T.J., Schweitzer,
Holm, D.K.,
Schweitzer, D., and
and
Schneider, D.A., 2003, Late Paleoproterozoic (1900-1600 Ma) tectonic history of the northern
U.S.A.: Implications for
for crustal
crustal stabilization:
stabilization: Institute
mid-continent, U.S.A.:
Institute on Lake Superior
Superior Geology
abstracts
abstracts (this
(this volume).
volume).

69

�Penokean
Penokean orogen,
orogen, Ml:
MI: 1830
2830 Ma
Ma to
to M2:
M2:1800
1800Ma
Ma
$S

NN

warm,
warm,

Penokean
Penokean orogen,
orogen, M3:
M3: 1765
1765 Ma
Ma

N
N

SS

GNEISS DOME
DOMECORRIDOR
COftRlDOR
GNEISS

ARCHEAN GRANITE-GREENSTONE

V.1SONSIN MAGMA11C TERRANE
Quvenile island alt)

ARCHEAN GNEISS

PALEOPROTEROZOC ROCKS
(supracwstal}

F ~ g ~1.
1.
x eSchematic
SchemaucN-S
N-Scross-sections
cross-secttonsat
at1830-1800
1830-1800Ma
Ma(A)
(A)and
and
Figure
11765
765 Ma
Ma (6)
(B) dep~cling
depicting the
[he proposed
proposed evolution
evoluttonot
of the
thegneiss
gnelssdome
6ome
corridor
corndor in
In northern
northern Wisconsin.
Wtsconsin. Note
Noterelative
relativelocations
locattons ol
of gray
gray circles
clrcies
that
represent
depth
of
crustal
blocks.
that represent depth of crustal blocks.

70

�A Paleoproterozoic suprasubduction
suprasubduction zone
arc complex
zone ophiolite-island
ophiolite-island arc
in northeastern
northeastern Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Schulz, Klaus
Schulz,
Klaus J.,
J., (U.S.
(U.S.Geological
GeologicalSurvey,
Survey,Reston,
Reston,VA
VA 20192,
20192, kschulz@usgs.gov)
kschulz@us~s.~ov)

The Paleoproterozoic
Paleoproterozoic volcanic
volcanic and
and associated
associated intrusive
intmsive rocks
rocks exposed
exposed in
in northeastern
northeastern
Wisconsin
Wisconsin are
are the
the easternmost
easternmost exposures
exposures of
of the
the Pembine-Wausau
Pembine-Wausau terrane,
terrane, the
the
northernmost
northernmost of
of the
the two
two Wisconsin
Wisconsin magmatic
magmatic terranes
terranes that
that were
were accreated
accreated to
to the
the southern
southern
margin of the Archean
Atchean Superior
SuperiorCraton during
during the
the Penokean Orogeny
Orogeny (Sims
(Sims and
and others,
others,
1989). The
The rocks
rocks of
of the
the Pembine-Wausau
Pembine-Wausau terrane
terrane are
are separated
separated from the epicratonic
sedimentary rocks of the Marquette Range Supergroup to the north in Michigan by the
Niagara fault
fault zone.
zone.

The volcanic rocks of the
the Pembine-Wausau terrane
terrane exposed
exposed northeastern
northeastern Wisconsin,
Wisconsin,
formed at about 1,870
1,870Ma
Ma and
and are
are cut
cut by a variety
variety of intrusive
intrusive rocks ranging
ranging from
from synsynvolcanic gabbros, diorites, and tonalities to syn-and post-tectonic granitoids (i.e., Dunbar
Dunbar
Oneiss
Gneiss and related rocks). The
Thevolcanic
volcanicrocks
rocks are
are divided
divided into
into four
four fault-bounded
fault-bounded units,
units,
McAllister, Beecher, and Pemene formations. These
the Quinnesec, McAllister,
Theseunits
units are
are interpreted
interpreted
to record the evolution
evolution of
of aa Paleoproterozoic
Paleoproterozoic suprasubduction
suprasubductionzone
zoneophiolite-island
ophiolite-islandarc
arc
complex, the Pembine
Pembine ophiolite-arc
ophiolite-arc complex.
complex.
of
The Quinnesec Formation is the oldest volcanic unit and consists predominantly of
lava flows
pillowed basalt flows and massive diabase, but includes andesite and rhyolite lava
and fragmental rocks locally. Several
Several large
large gabbro
gabbro sills
sills are
are present,
present, particularly
particularly near the
Niagara fault zone, some with peridotite and pyroxenite layers. In
In addition,
addition, aa large
large
serpentinized peridotite-gabbro
pendotite-gabbro body that produces a large
large positive
positive magnetic
magnetic anomaly
anomaly is
is
exposed
exposed south
south of Timms
Timms Lake
Lake (Morgan
(Morgan County
County Park)
Park) east
east of
of Pembine,
Pembine,Wisconsin.
Wisconsin.
is locally
Serpentinized peridotite is dominant in the western part of this body where it is
cut by coarse-grained (1-5 cm) dikes of
of pyroxenite. Layered
Layered and
and massive
massive gabbro
gabbro and
and
masses of strongly foliated-lineated gabbro are dominant in the eastern part of the body
where they are cut by numerous mafic dikes with cliabasic
microdioritic textures; some
diabasic to microdioritic
some
of the dikes
dikes appear
appear to
to be
be sheeted.
sheeted.

The rocks of the Quinnesec Formation appear to record the birth and youth stages of a
suprasubduction zone ophiolite (Shervais, 2001).
2001). Rocks
Rocks formed
formed during
during the initial phase
of ophiolite evolution
evolution typically include
include layered
layered and
and isotropic
isotropic plutonic
plutonic gabbros,
gabbros,sheeted
sheeted
dikes, and a "lower"
"lowe?' volcanic
volcanic section consisting
consisting of low-K tholeiitic basalt and basaltic
andesite with MORB
MORE and primitive arc tholeiite
tholeiite affinities. Gabbros
Gabbros formed
formed during
during this
stage are often ductilely deformed
deformed (foliated
(foliated or
or boudinaged)
boudinaged) in
in response
response to
to syn-magmatic
syn-magmatic
extension. Rocks
Rocks formed
formed during
during the
the second
second or
or youth stage of ophiolite formation include
intrusive mafic-ultramafic sills and diabase dikes, and an "upper" volcanic unit
unit
characterized by basalt and andesite with
with highly depleted incompatible trace element
compositions (i.e., low-Ti basalt, high-Mg andesite and boninite) (Shervais,
(shemais, 2001).
basalts and gabbros are tholeiitic, with generally low
Compositionally, the Quinnesec basalts
Ti02
and
other
high
field
strength
element abundances,
Ti02
other
abundances, and
and flat to extremely
extremely light REE
REE

71

�some of
of the
the basalts,
basalts, gabbros, and
and
depleted patterns (Sims and others, 1989). Tn
In addition, some
Ti02 and REE
REF abundances,
abundances, but relatively high Cr and Ni
andesites have very low Ti02
contents. The
Thetrace
traceelement
element characteristics
characteristicsof
of the
the mafic
mafic rocks
rocks overlap
overlap those
those of
of mid-ocean
mid-ocean
ridge basalts and primitive island-arc tholeiite suites whereas the andesites show
with fore-arc-related
fore-arc-relatedboninites.
boninites. The presence in
in the upper
upper part
part of
of
compositional affinities with
the Quinnesec
Quinnesec Formation
Formation of mafic
mafic rocks
rocks derived
derivedfrom
from highly
highlyrefractory
refractorymantle
mantle isis
particularly diagnostic of a relationship to the early stages of
of intraoceanic subduction and
formation
(Shervais, 2001).
2001). This
fomation in a forearc setting (Shemais,
This also implies that the Quinnesec
Formation and associated rocks did not form in a back-arc basin near or on the margin of
the Superior
Johnson, 1997),
Superior Craton, as has recently been proposed (Van Wyck and Johnson,
1997), but
rather formed as an intraoceanic ophiolite-arc system above a southward dipping (in
present coordinates)
coordinates) subduction
subduction zone.
zone.
The McAllister, Beecher and Pemene formations consist of volcanic and volcaniclastic
calc-alkaline
rocks ranging from andesite (McAllister) to rhyolite (Pemene), all with calc-alkaline
compositions characteristic of
of mature
mature oceanic
oceanic arcs,
arcs. These volcanic rocks and associated
intrusives, such as the Newingham Tonalite and Twelve Foot Falls Quartz Diorite, appear
appear
compatible with the third or maturity stage of suprasubduction
ophiolite evolution
compatible
suprasubduction zone ophiolite
evolution
(Shervais, 2001). Characteristic
(Shemais,
Characteristic of this stage are intrusive rocks, such as hornblende
diorite, quartz diorite, and tonalite, as well as volcanic rocks ranging from basalt to
diorite,
to calc-alkaline
caic-alkaline compositions.
compositions. Volcanism typically becomes
rhyolite, all with transitional to
in these sequences.
sequences. In many cases, rocks of this stage have not
more silicic with time in
of the subjacent ophiolite,
ophiolite, but rather have been attributed
attributed to postbeen considered part of
ophiolite arc volcanism (Shervais,
ophiolite
(Shervais, 2001).
2001).
It appears
appears likely that growth of the Pembine ophiolite-arc complex was terminated
terminated by its
its
collision with and obduction onto the passive
passive southern
southern margin
margin of the
the Superior
SuperiorCraton.
Craton.
Because subduction appears to be largely driven by slab pull, the southward
southward subduction
subduction
of oceanic lithosphere
lithosphere attached to the Superior
Superior continental
continental margin would
would have
have pulled
pulled the
the
continental lithosphere
lithosphere along with it as it descended
descended into
into the
the subduction
subduction zone
zone below
below the
the
ophiolite-arc system. With
With detachment
detachment of
of the
the subducting
subducting oceanic
oceanic lithosphere,
lithosphere, the
the
buoyancy of the continental lithosphere
lithosphere would have led to its rapid uplift along
along with
with the
the
leading edge of the
the ophiolite-arc
ophiolite-arc complex
complex ((Shervais,
2001).
This
S h e ~ a i s2001).
,
This stage
stage is
is recorded
recorded by
by the
deformation
sequence and by the intrusion of the synSF- to post-tectonic
post-tectonic
deformation of the ophiolite-arc sequence
units of the
the Dunbar
Dunbar dome.
dome.
Shervais, J.W., 2001, Birth, death, and resurrection: the life
life cycle
cycle of suprasubduction
suprasubduction zone
zone ophiolites:
ophiolites:
Geochemistry Geophysics Geosystems,
Geosystems, v01.2,
vol.2, Paper
Paper number 2000GC0~080.
2000GC000080. On-line publication
publication at
at
htto://g-cubed.org.
hm:I/g-cubed.org.
Sims,
W.R., Schulz,
Schulz,K.J.,
K.J., and
and Petennan,
Peterman, Z.E.,
Z.E., 1989,
1989, Tectono-stratigaphic
Tectono-stratigraphic evolution
evolution of
of
Sims, P.K., Van Schmus, W.R.,
Proterozoic Wisconsin magmatic terranes of the Penokean Orogen: Canadian
Canadian Journal
the Early F'roterozoic
Journal of
of Earth
Earth
Sciences, v.
v. 26,
26,p.p.2145-2'58.
2145-2158.

Van Wyck, N.,
N., and Johnson, C.M.,
C.M., 1997, Common lead, Sm-Nd, and U-Pb constraints
constraints on
on petrogenesis,
petrogenesis,
crustal architecture, and tectonic setting of the Penokean orogeny (Paleoproterozoic)
cmstal
(Paleoproterozoic)in
in Wisconsin:
Wisconsin:
Geological Society of America Bulletin,
Bulletin, v,
v. 109, p,
p. 799-808.

72

�- PLANNW
PLANNED ACTIVITIES
ACTIVITIES AND
THE LAKE
LAKB NIPIGON GEOSCIENCE INITIATIVE OBJECTIVES
SMYK, Mark C., Ontario Geological Survey, Ministry
SMYK,
Ministry of Northern Development
Development and Mines,
Suite
8002, 435 James
Suite B002,43S
JamesSt.
St.South,
South,Thunder
ThunderBay,
Bay,ON
ONP7E
P7E6S7,
6S7,and
andmembers
membersof
ofthe
theScientific
Scientificand
and
Implementation Committees.
Committees, Lake
Lake Nipigon
NipigonGeoscience
GeoscienceInitiative,
Initiative,c/o
do Ontario Prospectors
Association, 1000
1000 Alloy Drive,
Drive, Thunder Bay, ON P7B 6A5

The Lake Nipigon Geoscience Initiative
Initiative (LNGI)
(LNGI) was created in 2002 as a $7.0 M Cdn.
Cdn. project
projectaimed
aimed at
at
attracting mineral investment to the area around Lake Nipigon. The O
Ontario
Prospectors
Association's
attracting
n t ~ Prospectors
o
Association's
(OPA) portion of the project is funded
funded through
through an agreement
agreement with the Northern Ontario
Onmio Heritage
Heritage Fund. The
partnering with the Ontario Geological Survey (OGS), the Ministry of Northern Development and
OPA is partnering
Canadian Mining Industry Research Organization (CAMRO),
(CAMIRO), Lakehead University,
Mines (MNDM), the Canadian
partners and communities in the L&amp;e
Lake Nipigon area. It will focus
focus on four key
as well as with private sector pmners
objectives:
Lake Nipigon
Nipigon region
region through collection
collection of high
Maintain and then increase mineral investment in the Lake
1.
1.

quality geological data and provision of interpretations that meet the needs and priorities
priorities of
of the
the mineral
mineral
industry and that maintain
maintain or attract
attractmineral
mineral investment
investmentto
to Ontario;
Ontario;
exploration discovery
discovery rate by addressing "masking and deep search
search challenges
challenges
2. Increase the mineral exploration
and skill gap" in the area;
area;
recently recognized
3. Respond to, and evaluate, new and exciting mineral deposit models recently
3.
recognized for
for nickelnickelcopper, palladium-platinum, and gold-copper mineralization in the region;
4.

Reinforce and demonstrate an innovative economic development model based on local
local community,
community$
partnerships in geoscience that result in mineral resource economic
industry, and government partnerships
economic
development in the local communities,
communities, the
the region,
region, and
and Ontario.
Ontario.

The LNGI
predominantly of
Emhayment, which consists predominantly
LNGI is focused on the Nipigon Basin
Basin I1 Embayment,
Mesoproterozoic, Midcontinent
Midcontinent Rift-related,
RiR-related, ultramafic
ultramaficto mafic
mafic intrusions
intrusions that
that have
have intruded
intruded
Mesoproterozoic Sibley
Sibley Group sedimentary
sedimentary rocks and Archean
Archean basement
basement rocks
rocks of
of the
the Quetico
Queticoand
and
Wabigoon
Wabigmn subprovinces.
snbprovinces.

comprehensive geoscience
geoscience database
database that
that will
will assist
assist in
in mineral
mineral exploration.
exploration. The
The project will develop a comprehensive
consultations that helped
LNGI evolved through a series of community and industry consultations
helped define
define the
the project
project
parameters. AAthorough
thorough compilation
compilationof
of previous
previous exploration
exploratiou and
and geological data
data provided
provided aa baseline
baseline for
for
the project and identify potential
potential gaps in the
the geoscience database.
database. The
The main
main components
componentsof
of the
the initiative
initiative
include:

•
•
•
•
•

•
•
•

Precambrian Section,
Detailed geological mapping, undertaken by Precambrian
Section, OGS
OGS
Airborne
Airborne magnetic survey
survey
Gravity
Gravity survey
survey
Quaternary (surficial)
(surticial) case studies,
studies, undertaken
undertaken by Sedimentary
SedimentaryGeoscience
GeoscienceSection,
Section,OC)S
OGS
Geochronology
Geochronology
Physical property studies
studies
Geographic Information Systems (GIs)
(GIS) compilation
Complementary
Complementary research at Lakehead University
•
Sibley
Fralick)
Sibley Group studies (P. Fmlick)
intrusion studies (P. Hollings; G. Borradaile)
•
Nipigon mafic intmsion
Bomadaile)
•
Sulphide mineralization
mineralization studies
studies(S.
(S. Kissin)
Kissin)

.

73

�The
TheOntario
OntarioGeological
GeologicalSurvey
Surveywill
willhelp
helpacquire
acquireand
and publish
publish the
the results
results of
of the
the geoscience
geosciencestudies
studies as
as maps,
maps,
reports,and
and digital
digitaldata
datasets.
sets.The
Theinformation
informationwill
willthen
then be
be available
available over
over the
the Internet
Internet through
though the
tbe MNDM's
MiWM's
reports,
ERMES
ERMESand
andCLAIMap
CLAIMapsystems.
systems.This
Thisvaluable
valuableinformation
informationwill be
be used to
to globally
globally market
market the
tbe resource
resoutce
potentialand
andinvestment
investmentappeal
appealofofthe
theLake
LakeNipigon
Nipigonregion.
region.
potential

74

�TECTONOSTRATIGRAPHIC ASSEMBLAGES OF EASTERN
ARCHEAN TECTONOSTRATIGRAPHIC
WABIGOON SUBPROVINCE, NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO
ONTARIO
STOTT Greg
STOTT
GregM.,
M., Ontario
OntarioGeological
GeologicalSurvey,
Survey,Sudbury,
Sudbury, ON,
ON, P3E
P3E 6B5
6B5
(greg.stott@ndm.gov.on.ca),
DAVIS,
Don.
W.,
Department
of
Geology,
University of
of
(greg.stott@ndm.gov.on.ca), DAVIS,
of
ON, PARKER,
PARKER, Jack
Jack R.,
R., Ontario
Ontario Geological
Geological Survey,
Survey, Sudbury, ON,
Toronto, Toronto, ON,
STRAUB, Kristan
J., Laurentian University,
University,Sudbury,
Sudbury,ON
ONand
andTOMLINSON,
TOMLINSON, Kirsty
STRAUB,
Knstan J.,
Y., Geological Survey of Canada,
Y.,
Canada, Ottawa,
Ottawa, ON
ON
The Archean Wabigoon Subprovince
Subprovince is a complex of volcanic and sedimentary
sedimentary
of Mesoarchean to Neoarchean age. The
supracrustal assemblages and granitoid suites of
of this subprovince, which includes the Onaman-Tashota greenstone
easternmost part of
greenstone belt
east of Lake Nipigon, preserves a history of over 250 million years of volcanism. This
area has recently
recently been
been treated
treated to
to aa regional
regional mapping,
mapping, geochemical
geochemical and
and geochronological
part of
of the
the Western
Western Superior NATMAP project. A 1:250 000 compilation
synthesis as part
map (Stott et al. 2002) arising from this project illustrates the subdivision
subdivision of
of the
the OnamanOnamanTashota (0-T)
(O-T) greenstone belt
belt into
into tectonostratigraphic
tectonostratigraphic assemblages
assemblages (Figure
(Figure 1),
I), based on
stratigraphic
geochronological and geochemical similarities
similarities and
stratigraphic correlations, geochronological
and contact
contact
component of
of this
this map,
map, summarized
summarized in
in Figure
Figure 2,
2, is
is the
the
relationships. A more interpretive component
delineation
delineation of the assemblages in terms of the environment
environment of crystallization of
of volcanic
volcanic
and plutonic rocks and deposition of sedimentary
sedimentary rocks. This is based on
on lithologic
lithologic and
and
geophysical characteristics, whole-rock geochemical classification, and where available,
available,
Nd isotopic
isotopic signatures.
signatures.
Onaman-Tashota greenstone belt straddles the width of the eastern
The Onaman-Tashota
eastern Wabigoon
Wabigoon
Subprovince
between
the
English
River
and
Quetico
metasedimentary
subprovinces.
Subprovince
metasedimentary subprovinces. ItIt isis
mainly composed
composed of Neoarchean
Neoarchean(dominantly
(dominantly2.74
2.74—
- 2.72
2.72 Ga) basaltic and dacitic
dacitic flows,
flows,
volcanic rocks occur
autobreccia and pyroclastic rocks. Mesoarchean (3.05
(3.05 —2.92
- 2.92 Ga) volcanic
occur in
in
the northwest and along the western margin of the belt. Widespread Nd isotopic
isotopic evidence
evidence
in the northern part of the Onaman-Tashota belt suggests that Neoarchean volcanism
volcanism
erupted thmugh
half of the belt
through Mesoarchean basement. Basement in the northern half
contains an older component
component than
than that
that south of
of the Humboldt
Humboldt Bay High
High Strain Zone. The
2.74 Ga Willet assemblage tholeiitic basalts of ocean floor affinity dominate
2.74
dominate the
the northern
northern
half of the 0-T
O-T belt.
belt. This
This assemblage is flanked to the
the north
north and
and south by calc-alkalic
of continental
continental margin arc affinity that border metasedimentary subprovinces
assemblages of
subprovinces
composed of
of flysch-like wacke
wacke derived
derived from
from the
the erosion
erosion of
of the
the 0O-T
belt and plutons
plutons
- T belt
during orogenesis at
at circa
circa 2.7
2.7 Ga.
Ga. Most
Most sedimentary units
units within
within the
the 0-T
O-T belt form the
supracrustal assemblages,
assemblages, reflecting
reflecting erosion of the underlying volcanic and
youngest supracrustal
and
plutonic rocks towards the English
English River
River and Quetico basins
basins to the north and south.
Reference
Reference
Stott, G.M., Davis, D.W.,
D.W., Parker,
Parker, J.R.,
J.R., Straub,
Straub, K.J.
ILI. and Tomlinson, K.Y.
K.Y. 2002. Geology and
Assemblages, eastern
eastern Wabigoon
Wabigoon Subprovince,
Subprovince, Ontario;
Ontario; Ontario
Ontario Geological
Geological Survey,
Tectonostratigraphic Assemblages,
Preliminary Map P.3449, scale 1:250
1:250 000.
KY., Stott,
Tomlinson,
G.M.and
and Davis, D.W. 2000. Nd isotopes in the eastern Wabigoon subprovince:
Tomlinson, K.Y.,
Stott, G.M.
for crustal
crustalrecycling
recyclingand
andcorrelations
correlationswith
withthe
thecentral
centralWabigoon;
Wabigoon;in
inHarrap,
Harrap, R.M.
R.M. and
and
implications for
I-Ielmstaedt,H.H.
H.H.(eds.),
(eds.),2000,
2000,Western
WesternSuperior
SuperiorTransect
Transect Sixth
Sixth Annual
Annual Workshop,
Workshop, Lithoprobe Report
Report #77,
#77,
Helmstaedt,
Lithoprobe
Lithoprobe Secretariat,
Secretariat, University
University of British
British Columbia,
Columbia, p.119-126.
p.119-126.

75

�__________

Figure1.1.
Figure
Tectonostratigraphic
Tectonostratigaphic
assemblagesof
of the
the
assemblages
Onaman-Tashota
Onaman-Tashota
greenstone
greenstonebelt
beltand
and
Proterozoic
Proterozoicdiabase
diabasedike
dike
swarms,
swarms,Eastern
Eastern
Wabigoon
WabigoonSubprovince.
Subprovince.

i o__o 1e

o

Kilameires
Presreetlo

= 0'

Moos Is mlanreediala nwIarasw ass.eblagos

jmeppsdi&amp;, Is
aMOOsodeaso asseaamagas

Niri5000labauseilIl

Ares..,

Uas1jsdtstad plusast

—

CSaO,c rn,100asbnaSaW assamb)aga,

C—
m
1T!2J EnlolsIlar

—

Heml
MalmUp-Veaus

unsabdisidad Nipiger iKasreeasaasl
slabs. didps (0100 Ma) and Marathon
diahaaa dId. errors 12101 and 2120 Ma)

*4,-p
.__+
+

'-•l-

+

-_.

to. Is-a as eJ it)

Wtle thdahth)
Oreanar leelsilda)

Zi' lhrsaloaandlh.bee
Isslaidle)
canasru East )thseasr

Marshall
Shear elena

Albad-OlSdhll

4

Z222 ElethasSRlcMly

(saJbaOnaas)

fl

staladnewas dials,,
sib, salem
)244E hI 247.1 Ma)

arId kasadasi
tIlt ftaashlisn

Uscsrredlled dbMs so andatasal age.
possibly ralal,dIo Biac0005Il,a 2170 Ma)
UI Malaffoeer (2101 and 2121 Ma) dika swaass

Figure2.
2. Tectonic
Tectonic
Figure
affinities
affinitiesassigned
assignedtoto
volcanicand
and
volcanic
sedimentary
sedimentary
assemblages
assemblagesand
and
plutonic
plutonicsuites.
suites.

+

+

1- +.+,+.+
0Nakina

4

)a

rss--'a------C-a't

+
-a-/
p

Lake Nopigon1.,
Is°—.1 +

•4 +

+
+

+
+

+
+

+

-p

4Th—---rI-n-

—

+

+

+

+
+

+

+

+
+

+
+

+

+
-p

4

•-0-

Proterozoic
i

continental plume related

a'nyMyM Ocean floor
Oceanic unsubdivided

Archean
4 Orogenic plutons

I } continental arc
conbnental margin arc

+

4.4—cc

+

::-:;1 Orogenic sediments
1 Unknown tectonic affinity

20

0

Kilomalyas

Meaoarcliean

continental unsubdivided

76

�FIVE GOLD
GOLD POSSIBILITIES
SOME KEWEENAWi4N
KEWEENAWAN COPPER SULFIDES
FIVE
POSSIBILITIES IN
IN SOME
SULFIDES IN
IN
ONTARIO AND
AND MICHIGAN
MICHIG?d
Prow,
Trow, Jim,
Jim, Geological
Geological Sciences,
Sciences, Michigan
Michigan State
State University,
University,
emeritus,
540
Lake
Avenue
*2,
HanCock,
emeritus, 540
#2, HancoCk, Michigan 49930
49930
Most fire—assayed
fire-assayed "invisible"
"invisible"gold,
gold, from
from .12
-12to
to 2.50
2.50 oz
oz Au/st,
Au/st,
occurs in "blue
"blue chalcocite"
chalcocite" (with
(with minor covellite)
covellite) but not in
black
black chalcocite
chalcocite (with
(with no covellite)
covellite) on
on the
the adit,
adit, 1st,
lst, 2nd,
2nd, and
and
3rd levels
Mamainse Point,
Point, Ontario.
Ontario.
levels of
of the
the Coppercorp
Coppercorp mine
mine at
at Mamainse
Both
Both occur
occur with
with specular
specular hematite.
hematite. Copper
Copper mineral
mineral zoning
zoning exextending from
from carbonates and oxides through
through native
native copper,
copper, black
chaldocite and specularite,
chalcocite
specularite, "blue
"blue chalcocite"
chalcocite" and specularite,
specularite, to
to
bornite and chalcopyrite is related to
to nearness
nearness to the
the Keweenaw
Keweenaw
and related faults
faults apparently down which circulated oxidizing
solutions
The
solutions during
during an
an upward-migrating
upward-migrating hydrothermal
hydrothermal episode.
episode. The
former faults
electrical anomalies,
whereas
former
faults display positive SP electrical
anomalies, whereas
nearly perpendicular
perpendicular cross faults
faults with commercial
commercial ores display
display
negative SP
SP anomalies
anomalies of this convective
convective hydrothermal
hydrothermal cell
cell (Trow).
(Trow).
Such progressive
hydrothermal fluids
Such
progressive oxidation of hydrothermal
fluids is
is suggested
suggested for
for
the Keweenawan of Michigan by the USGS1s
USGS's Woodruff,
Woodruff, Cannon,
Cannon, and
and Back.
Back.
Ontario, Trow
For Ontario,
Trow deduces thermochemical
thermochemical calculations
calculations with
with standard
standard
free
free energies
energies and typical activities
activities for
for constituents
constituents (except
(except for
for
oxygen,
oxygen, whose
whose activities
activities are
are the
the unknowns).
unknowns). These are arrayed on
on
a logarithmic
logarithmic scale
scale which mimics the
the observed
observed copper
copper mineral
mineral zones,
zones,
and in that sequence
sequence AAuS
U S -first
~firstoxidized
oxidized to
to deposit
deposit gold
gold at
at the
the
which chalcopyrite
chalcopyrite first
same oxygen activity at which
first oxidized to
to
covellite
covellite and
and specularite.
specularite. At the
the present
present it
it is
is uncertain
uncertain if
if the
the
"blue chalcocite"
chalcocite" exsolved
exsolved ivto
into chalcocite
chalcodite and covellite from
from
llblue
at low
low temperatures,
of original
covellite
digenite at
temperatures, or if most of
original covellite
was
was replaced
replaced by
by late
late chalcocite
chalcocite at
at roughly
roughly 2,500
2,500 times
times the
the oxygen
oxygen
activity
activity at
at which
which covellite
covellite originally
originally formed.
formed.
Essentials
Essentials for
for gold at Coppercorp include
include 1)
1) Keweenawan
Keweenawan permeable
permeable
basaltic vesicular beds and conglomerates,
conglomerates, 2)
2) felsite
felsite intrusives
intrusives
with
with permeable
permeable border
border breccias as
as conduits
conduits for
for rising
rising hydrohydrothermal solutions,
solutions, 3)
3) nearness to the
the Keweenaw
Keweenaw and
and related
related faults
faults
with
with positive
positive SP
SP anomalies,
anomalies, 4)
4) mineralized
mineralized cross
cross faults
faults with
with ores
ores
yielding negative
negative SP anomalies,
anomalies, and 5)
5) "blue
''blue chalcocite".
chalcocite".
In Michigan,
Michigan, field examination
examination of ore
ore deposits
deposits and
and structures
structures
mapped by the
the USGS
USGS shows
shows that
that the
the major
major lodes
lodes (Baltic,
(Baltic, Ashbed,
Ashbed,
Isle
Royale, Pewabic,
Osceola, Calumet
Isle Royale,
Pewabic, Osceola,
Calumet conglomerate,
conglomerate, and
and Kearsarge)
Kearsarge)
and the Cliff,
Cliff, Central,
Central, and
and Delaware
Delaware fissure
fissure deposits
deposits all
all displayS
display
negative
SP anomalies.
anomalies. The Keweenaw,
Keweenaw, Hancock,
Hancock, Mayflower,
Mayflower, and
and
negative SF
Gratiot—Suffolk
5? anomalies,
anomalies, approapproGratiot-Suffolk faults
faults all display positive SP
priate for downward oxidative
oxidative contamination
contamination of
of rising
rising hypogene
hypogene
(not supergene)
supergene) mineralization.
(not
mineralization.
the best
best matches to Canadian
Canadian gold
gold in
From southwest to northeast the
Michigan
Michigan , so
so far examined,
examined, occur 1)
1) from
from Mass
Mass City
City to
to the
the Indiana
Indiana
mine adjacent
intrusives and the Keweenaw fault
fault in
adjacent to felsite intrusives
in
Houghton and
and Keweenaw Counties the Allouez
Ontonagon County, 2) In Houghton
Gap
Gap fault
fault between Copper City and New Allouez is
is near the Copper
,

77

�2

City felsite
felsite and
and the
the Keweenaw
Keweenaw fault.
fault. According to
to Bornhorst,
Bornhorst,
page 132,
132, Randy Weege of C &amp; H
H thought
thought that
that this
this fault
fault perhaps
perhaps
was
was aa fluid
fluid pathway
pathway for
for 60%
60% of
of the
the district's
district's copper
copper production.
production.
Further,
Further, it
it replicates
replicates and
and improves
improves upon
upon the
the best
best geophysical
geophysical
signature
signature at Coppercorp,
Coppercorp, the
the persistent
persistent SB
SB zone,
zone, with
with flanking
flanking
negative SP anomalies
negative
anomalies in
in the
the midst
midst of
of which
which is
is aa positive
positive SP
SP
anomaly.
anomaly. In Michigan, the positive "core"
"core" anomaly splinters
splinters
the northern
northern end
end of
of the
the negative
negative anomalies
anomalies in the
westward of
offf the
vicinity of
vicinity
of Abmeek.
Ahmeek. This
This part of the
the district
district contains
contains arsenic,
arsenic,
which accompanies
accompanies gold in
in many western
western mining
mining camps.
camps. 3)
3 ) In
In 1999
1999
million tonnes
tonnes of chalcocite
Maki and
and Bornhorst
Bornhorst reported
reported on
on the
the 4½
4% million
chalcocite
amygduloids of the
in drilled amygduloids
the Gratiot
Gratiot deposit
deposit in
in Keweenaw
Keweenaw County,
County,
This lode
where these
these beds
beds are
are intruded
intruded by
by dacite
dacite (felsite).
(felsite). This
lode
appears
appears at
at the
the intersection
intersection with
with the
the southward
southward extension
extension of
of Trow's
Trow's
negative
negative SF
SP anomaly
anomaly as
as observed
observed at
at the
the Central
Central mine
mine and
and 2¼
2% miles
miles
4) In Keweenaw County,
County, the
the USGS's
USGS's Hank
Hank Cornwall
Cornwall on
on
the SSE.
SSE. 4)
to the
pages 166—167
166-167 describes
describes minor
minor traces
traces of
of gold
gold with
with mainly
mainly chalco—
chalcocite and specularite
specularite and some
some covellite
covellite and
and chalcopyrite
chalcopyrite in
in an
an
amygduloid near
near the
the top
top of
of the
the Greenstone
Greenstone flow.
flow. This
This is
is not
not near
near
the Keweenaw fault,
N.4°E. vertical fault
fault, but it is
is cut by a N.4OE.
fault with
a negative SF
SP anomaly,
anomaly, which must be intersected at depth by a
a
N.4°E.,
SF anomaly,
anomaly, where it
N.40~., 35°—45°NW.
350-45oNW. fault
fault with a positive SP
it is
is
exposed
exposed to
to the
the east
east of
of the
the vertical
vertical fault.
fault. There exists
exists aa possipossibility for
for aa horizontal
horizontal ore
ore shoot
shoot at
at these
these faults'
faults' intersection.
intersection.
These
geologic map
These four
four possibilities
possibilities are plotted on the latest geologic
of the
the Keweenaw
Keweenaw peninsula,
Peninsula, by
by Cannon
Cannon and
and Nicholson.
Nicholson. Not yet
yet
reconnoitered
reconnoitered possililities
possililities may
may occur
occur to
to the
the northeast
northeast of
of these.
these.
Remember,
Remember, from
from 1849
1849 to 1961
1961 the
the old timers all missed the
the Carlin
Carlin
"invisible" gold.
ttinvisible"
gold. Nevada is
is now
now the
the biggest gold producing
producing state
state
because of the observations,
observations, thinking,
thinking, and
and Perseverance
perseverance of
of the
the
USGS's
USGSss Ralph
Ralph Roberts
Roberts and
and Newmont's
NewmontlsJohn
John Livermore.
Livermore.
REFERENCES
REFERENCES CITED
Bornhorst, T.
P. J.,
3., 1997,
Tectonic context of native copper
Bornhorst,
1997, Tectonic
copper deposits
deposits
Midcontinent Rift System,
System, in
Geological
of the North American Midcontinent
in Geological
127-136.
Society of America Special
Special Paper
Paper 312,
312, p.
p. 127—136.
Cannon,
Nicholson, S. W., 2001,
Geologic map of
Cannon, W. F. and Nicholson,
2001, Geologic
of the
the
Michigan, USGS
USGS Geological
Keweenaw Peninsula and adjacent area,
area, Michigan,
Geological
Investigations
Investigations Series
Series Map
Map 1—2696.
1-2696.
Cornwall,
Differentiation in lavas of the
Cornwall, H. R., 1951,
1951, Differentiation
the Keweenawan
Keweenawan
series
Michigan,
series and the origin of the copper deposits of Michigan,
Geological Society
no.2, p.
p. 159—201.
159-201.
v. 62,
62, no.2,
Geological
Society of
of America
America Bull.
Bull. v.
Maki, 3.
Gratiot chalcocite
Maki,
J. C., 1999,
1999, The Gratiot
chalcocite deposit,
deposit, Keweenaw
Keweenaw
Peninsula, Michigan, Michigan Technological
University, M.S.
Peninsula,
Technological University,
M.S.
Thesis, 71
Thesis,
71 p.
p.
Trow,
Trow, 3.,
J., 1992,
1992, Inductive
Inductive electrostatic
electrostakic gradiometry
gradiometry (IESG)
(IESG)
deciphers
deciphers Keweenawan copper plumbing system,
system, Soc.
SOC. Mining,
Mining,
Metall. and
and Expl. Phoenix
Phoenix Meeting,
Meeting, Preprint
Preprint 92—32,
92-32, 22
22 p.
p.
Woodruff, L. G., Cannon,
Cannon, W.
W. F., and Back,
3. M.,
M., 1994,
Woodruff,
Back, J.
1994, Chalcocite
Chalcocite
Portage Lake volcanics,
volcanics, Keweenaw
mineralization in the Portage
Keweenaw Peninsula,
Peninsula,
Michigan,
Michigan, 40th
40th Ann. Inst.
Inst. on
on Lake
Lake Superior
Superior Geology,
Geology, Houghton,
Houghton,
Abstracts,
p - 77—78.
77-70.
Abstracts, p.

78

�Using xenotime U-Pb
geochronology tto
unravel the
the history of Proterozoic
U-Pb geochronology
o unravel
Proterozoic sedimentary
sedimentary
basins: a study
study in
inWestern
Western Australia
Australia and
and the
the Lake Superior Region
N.J., Rasmussen, B., Fletcher,
dvallini@aeol.uwa.edu.au, McNaughton, N.J.,
Fletcher,I.,
I., Griffin,
Griffin, B.J.,
B.J.,
Vallini, D.A.,
D.A., dvallini@cieol.uwa.edu.au,
University of Western
Western Australia, 35
University
35 Stirling
StirlingHwy,
Hwy,Crawley,
Crawley, 6009, Australia
Diagenetic xenotime ('(P04)
(YPOJ is
is aa trace
trace constituent
constituent in
in aa wide
wide variety
variety of
of siliciclastic
siliciclasticsedimentary
sedimentaryrocks.
rocks,
It typically forms pyramidal crystals of only a few microns in size, rarely exceeding
exceeding 10
10 pm,
pm, growing on
(isostructural]
detrital zircons. A recent study by Vallini et al. (2002)
[isostructural] detrital
(2002) showed
showed convincing
convincingpetrographic
petrographic
and age relationships that demonstrate this U-bearing phosphate
phosphate could
could begin
begin forming
forming in sediments at
or just below the sediment-water
sediment-waterinterface,
interface, shortly
shortly after burial.
burial. A few years
years ago
ago itit was
was discovered
discoveredthat
that itit
is possible
0 pm
possible to date xenotime crystals 1210
pmininsize,
size,using
usingthe
theSHRIMP
SHRIMP (Sensitive
(SensitiveHigh
HighResolution
ResolutionIon
Ion
Microprobe),
providing a robust
Microprobe), providing
robust isotopic
isotopic age
age for its
its formation,
formation, hence an age for
for early
early diagenesis
diagenesisand
andaa
close proxy for sediment deposition. Xenotime is especially useful in that it has
has very high
high U
U contents
contents
and remains
remains closed to
to radiogenic
radiogenic parent-daughter
parent-daughter mobility, unlike most
most other
other dateable
dateablediagenetic
diagenetic
mineral. Diagenetic
Diageneticxenotime
xenotimeU-Pb
U-Pbgeochronology
geochronology has
has the
the potential
potential to unravel
unravel the
the chrono-stratigraphy
chrono-stratigraphy
of unfossiliferous
unfossiliferous sedimentary
sedimentary basins, especially
especially those sequences
sequences devoid
devoid of
of dateable
dateableinterlayered
interlayered
volcanic rocks.
basins where
where aa lack of aareliable
main application
application is in Precambrian
Precambrian basins
reliabletemporal
temporal
volcanic
rocks. Its main
framework hinders
evolution and
framework
hinders an
an understanding
understanding of basin
basin evolution
and maturation,
maturation, tectonic
tectonic affiliations,
metallogeny
metallogeny and
and value
value as
as exploration
explorationtargets.
targets.
Xenotime also forms during post-diagenetic fluid flow events, such as alteration, mineralisation
mineralisation and
and
metamorphism,
as well as being
metamorphism, as
being aa magmatic
magmatic mineral
mineral and
and aadetrital
detritalheavy
heavymineral.
mineral.The
Theexceptional
exceptional
its excellent
range
excellent properties
in situ
range of
of formation
formation conditions
conditions of xenotime,
xenotime, coupled
coupled with
with its
properties for in
situ
geochronology,
provide many
many new
new opportunities
opportunities in
in establishing
establishing the
the timeframe
timeframe of events
geochronology, provide
events in
inmany
many
hitherto
hitherto poorly
poorly understood
understoodsedimentary
sedimentarybasins.
basins.
Unusually
coarse (up to 200
Unusually coarse
200 microns)
microns) and
and abundant
abundant diagenetic
diagenetic xenotime
xenotime crystals
c!ystals in
inthe
themetametasandstones of the greenschist
greenschist facies Mount
Mount Barren
Barren Group,
Group, southwestern
southwestern Australia,
Australia, allow
allowthe
thedetailed
detailed
study of xenotime
within a phosphatic
phosphatic sandstone interval and
and is
study
xenotime and its host rock.
rock. Xenotime occurs within
present in multiple
different styles
styles - as cement
present
multiple morphologically
morphologically different
cement overgrowths
overgrowths on zircons,
zircons, pyramidal
pyramidal
overgrowths on
on zircons,
zircons, cement (no zircon) in shale laminations, replacement of shale (?)
(7) intraclasts
intraclasts
overgrowths
and as
fluid events
events from
from early diagenetic
to low
and
as xenotime
xenotime crystals
crystals within
within intraclasts.
intraclasts, Multiple
Multiple fluid
diagenetic to
low
temperature/early
temperaturelearly hydrothermal,
hydrothermal, prior
prior to metamorphism,
metamorphism, were recorded
recorded within
within single
singlexenotime
xenotimecrystals.
crystals.
U/Pb geochronology, accompanied by Ob~eNati0nS
observations of
of petrographic relationships
relationships between
SHRIMP UlPb
of xenotime
and other diagenetic
the various
various generations
generations of
xenotime and between
between xenotime
xenotime and
diagenetic minerals
minerafs and
pyrobitumen,allowed
allowedfor
for the
the construction
construction of
of a temporal
for the diagenetic
pyrobitumen,
temporal framework
framework for
diagenetic and
and early
early
hydrothermal events that
that occurred within these rocks; (1) ca 1700
1700 Ma: deposition
deposition of
of partly
partlyre-worked
re-worked
phosphatic
siliciclasticsediments
sedimentson
on the
the seafloor
seafloor was
was followed
followed by
by in-situ
of the
in-situ phosphatisation
phosphatisation of
the
phosphatic siliciclastic
sediments
formation (mean
(mean age
age of
of 1697i
1697± 77 Ma), (2) With burial,
sediments and an initial period of xenotime formation
burial, an
an
early pore-filling
pore-filling carbonate cement was introduced into parts of the interval,
i n t e ~ a las
, well
well as
as early
early diagenetic
diagenetic
cuboid pyrite growth, (3) ca 1650
1650Ma:
Ma: during
during burial
burial diageriesis,
diagenesis, aa fluidfluid- movement
movementevent
eventcaused
causedthe
the
dissolution of
of primary pore
pore space
space and formation of
of xenotime
xenotime (mean age of 1646
Ma),with
with
partial dissolution
1646 ±t 88 Ma),
accompanying phosphate remobilisation, (4) Oil migration event, (5) Several
accompanying
Several silica
silica cement
cementgenerations
generations
introduced around this time, (6) ca
ca 1560
1560Ma:
Ma: minor
minor addition
addition of
of xenotime
xenotime rims
rimsto
toexisting
existingovergrowths,
overgrowths,
(7) ca
ca 1480
1480 Ma:
Ma: addition
addition of
of xenotime
xenotime cement
cement (no
(no zircon)
zircon) in
in shale
shale interlaminations,
interlaminations, (8)
(8) ca
ca1200
1200Ma:
Ma:
peak
peak of metamorphism.
metamorphism.
Wavelength Dispersive Spectrometer (WDS) microprobe analysis of each type
type of
of xenotime
xenotime showed
showed
a gradual
from LREE enrichment
enrichment to
to MREE
MREE enrichment,
enrichment,with
withtime.
time. Due
Due to
to this
this radational
gradual change
change from
gradational
nature, discrete boundaries between generations, based
based on
on chemistry,
chemistry, could
could not
not be established,
established.
This study of diagenetic to hydrothermal
hydrothermal xenotime dramatically
dramatically improved
improved the
the estimated
estimatedage
agerange
rangeof
of
the Mount
Mount Barren Group, which was
was previously
previously constrained
constrained to 1200
1200 Ma
Ma(peak
(peakmetamorphism)
metamorphism)and
and
1790 Ma
Ma (youngest
(youngest detrital
detrital zircon
zircon population),
population), and
and discounted
discounted some
some previous
previous tectonic
tectonic models
models
concerning the
the timing of collision between
between major
major cratons
cratons within western Australia
Australia and
andthese
these cratons
cratons
with East
East Antarctica.
Antarctica.
Using the information gleaned
gleaned from the study of xenotime in the Mount
Mount Barren
Barren Group,
Group, aa similar
similar study
study
basin in
in the
the Lake
is currently underway on another Proterozoic sediment-dominated basin
Lake Superior
Superior Region
Region
containing the
the Marquette
Range Supergroup
Supergroup and
and its
its equivalents,
equivalents, the
the North Range, Mille
Marquetle Range
Mille Lacs
Lacs and
and
containing
The early Proterozoic strata consist of
of three unconformity-bounded
unconformity-bounded lithostratigraphic
Animikie Groups. The
lithostratigraphic
groups consisting of glaciogenics, quartzites, dolomite, iron
iron formation, greywacke
greywacke and
andshale
shaleand
andminor
minor
intercalated
volcanics. Sedimentation
Sedimentation is
is thought
thought to
to have begun
Ma (correlation of Chocolay
intercalated volcanics.
begun —2240
-2240 Ma
Chocolay

79

�Group with
with Gowganda
Gowganda Fm,
Fm, upper
upper Huronian
Huronian Supergroup, Ontario) (Fairbain
(Fairbain et al., 1969)
1969) and
and ceased
ceased by
by
Group
—1850Ma
Ma(coinciding
(coincidingwith
with orogen-normal
orogen-normalarc
arc collision
collision along
along the
the Niagara Fault zone and the Malmo
-1850
Malmo
Discontinuity, during
during the
the Penoken
Penoken Orogeny)
Orogeny)(Sims
(Simsetetal.,
al., 1993).
1993).Part
Partof
of the
the study
study is
is to
to determine
Discontinuity,
determine if
xenotime-rich
horizons, such
such as
as that in the Mount
xenotime-rich horizons,
Mount Barren
Barren Group, can be located
located in
in this
this stratigraphy
stratigraphy
and to
to document
document the
thesedimentological,
sedimentological,structural
structuralor
orstratigraphical
stratigraphicalfeatures
featuresthat
thatthey
theyhave
haveinincommon.
common.
Ceflain rock units
units from
from the
the different
different sequences
sequences over
over the whole
whole region
region were
were targeted
targeted for
for xenotime
xenotime
Certain
analysis using proposed
proposed sedimentological
sedimentoiogical controls for xenotime formation that were determined from
the Mount
Mount Barren
BarrenGroup
Groupstudy.
study.
One sedimentary feature favourable to xenotime formation may be the presence of large quantities
of sedimentary
sedimentary apatite
apatite within
within the
the host
host rock
rock or
or adjoining
adjoining rocks.
rocks. A
A field
fieid sample
sample of
of low
low greenschist
greenschist facies
facies
phosphatic
chert-conglomerate,atat the
the base
base of the Baraga
phosphatic chert-conglomerate,
Baraga Group,
Group, from
from aa documented
documented phosphorite
phosphorite
locality
locality in
in the Dead
Dead River
River Basin,
Basin, northern
norlhern Michigan, contains large quantities of xenotime ranging from
&lt;30
&lt;30 pm
pm pitted
pittedovergrowths
overgrowthson
on detrital
detritalzircons,
zircons,to
to&gt;100
&gt;I00micron
micronxenotime
xenotimecements.
cements.
Other rock units
units that
that contain
contain xenotime
xenotime overgrowths
overgrowths and cements of appreciable
appreciable size and quantity,
were;
were; (i)
(i) quartzite
quartzite beds
beds ininseveral
several drillholes
drillholesthrough
through the
the Mahnomen
Mahnomen Formation,
Formation, Mille
Mille Laos
Lacs Group,
Group,
Cuyuna Range,
Range, contain up
up to
to 50
50 xenotime
xenotime crystals
crystals per
per thin
thin section,
section, some
someofofthese
theseup
uptoto—60
-60 pm
pmin
in
size, (ii)
(ii) aa sandstone
sandstone bed
bed within drillcore from the base of the Baraga Group in Dead River Basin- its
largest
was 60
o b s e ~ e dwas
60 pm
pm(Di)
(iii) aagrit-pebble
grit-pebbleconglomerate
conglomerate and
and very
very coarse-grained
coarse-grained
largest xenotime
xenotime observed
sandstone
sandstone outcrop
outcrop at Slate
Slate River
River Kill
Hill locality,
locality, Baraga
Baraga Basin,
Basin, which is
is assumed
assumed to
to lie
lie at
at the
the base
base of
of the
the
xenotime grains
grains per
per thin
thin section which are
pm in
in size, and (iv)
Baraga Group, averaged
averaged —15
-15 xenotime
are up
up to
to —60
-60 prn
conglomerate at Big Eric's Crossing locality, Baraga Basin, contains
the basal
basal Baraga
Baraga Group hematitic conglomerate
up to 55 xenotime
xenotime grains
grains per
per thin
thin section,
section, some
some of
of these
these are
are up
uptoto—100
-100 pm
pm in
insize.
size. Pokegema
Pokegema
Quartzite
Quartzite samples,
samples, West
West Mesabi
Mesabi Range,
Range, showed
showed minor &lt;30 pm
prn xenotime
xenotime overgrowths
overgrowths on
on zircons.
zircons.
All of
of the
therock
rocksamples
samplesdescribed
describedabove
aboveare
arevery
verycoarse-grained
coarse-grainedsandstone/conglomerate
sandstone/conglomerate beds
beds
which are either
which
either located
located near
near aastratigraphic
stratigraphic boundary
boundary and/or
andlor are
are interbedded
interbedded with
with shale
shalebeds.
beds.
Xenotime
Xenotirne from these localities were analysed on the SHRIMP
SHRIMP and
and revealed
revealed several
several age
age groups;
groups; (i)
(i)
xenotime
xenotime in
in the
the Mahnomen
MahnomenFormation
Formationdrillcore
drillcorerevealed
revealedages
agesofof—1870
-1870 Ma
Maand
and—1770
-1770 Ma (1760-1790
(1760-1790
Ma), (U)
One large xenotime overgrowth from the Dead
drillcore,gave
gavean
anage
ageofof—2600
-2600
(ii) One
Dead River
RiverBasin
Basindtilfcore,
Ma, (Di)
xenotime contained
contained within
within the
the Slate River Hill outcrop
(iii) xenotime
outcrop yielded
yielded ages
ages of
of —2500
-2500 Ma,
Ma, (iv) the
samples from
Ma. The
The
samples
from Big
Big Eric's
Eric's Crossing
Crossingcontained
containedxenotime
xenotimeshowing
showingages
agesofof—2550
-2550 Ma
Ma and
and —1750
-1750 Ma.
Ouartzite in
in the
the West
West Mesabi Range,
Range, contained
contained xenotime
xenotime with
with an
an age
age of
of
Pokegem Quartzite
sample from the Pokegema
-2300
-2300 Ma
Maand
and—1770
-1770 Ma.
Ma.
Xenotime yielding
yielding ages
ages of
of ca 2500 Ma
Xenotime
Ma or
or older
older may
may be
befrom
fromrecycled
recycleddetrital
detrital(magmatic)
(magmatic) grains.
grains.
The younger
Ma (1760-1790
(1760-1790 Ma),
Ma), occurs
occurs in
in xenotime from widespread localities
younger age
age of
of —1770
-1770 Ma
localities across
across
the Lake
Lake Superior
Superior Region
Region and may
may reflect
reflect an
an epigenetic
epigenetic thermal
thermal event
event across
across the
the region.
region. The
The age
age
Maof
of anorogenic
anorogenic magmatism,
magmatism, pluton
pluton emplacement
emplacement and
and
appears to correlate
correlate with an
an episode
episode at
at —1760
-1760 Ma
gneissic doming
gneissic
doming recorded
recorded throughout
throughout Wisconsin,
Wisconsin, northern
northern Michigan
Michigan and
and central
centralMinnesota.
Minnesota. ItIt
partial melting of crustal rocks
postdates the Penoken Orogeny and involved paflial
rocks as
as aa result
result of
of continentcontinentcontinent or continent-arc collision to the south
south of the
the region
region (Sims,
(Sims, 1996).
1996). This
This event
event is
is approximately
approximately
coeval with the development of the Central Plains
Plains Orogen (1800-1630 Ma) to the south and may be a
consequence
consequence of the
the accretion
accretion of this
this terrane
terrane to
to the
the North
North American
American continent
continent(Sims,
(Sims, 1996).
1996).
This study highlights
highlights the sensitivity of in-situ xenotime geochronology to identifying
identifying cryptic fluid flow
events within
within basins.
basins. This
This study
study will be
be ongoing
ongoing in
in 2003-2004.
2003-2004.
Fairbafrn
H.W., Hurley, P.M.,
P.M., Card, K.D.
K.D. and
and Knight, C.J.,
C.J., 1969, Correlation and radiometric ages of
Fairbaim H.W.,
Nipissing
metasediments with Proterozoic
Canadian Journal
Journal of
Nipissing Diabase
Diabase and Huronion
Huronlon metasedlments
Proterozoic events in Ontario: Canadian
Earth Sciences, v. 6, p.
D. 489-497.
Sims, P.K.,
Proterozoic Penokean
eds., Archean and
P.K., 1996,
1996,Early
Ear1y'~roterozoic
PenokeanOrogeny,
Orogeny,ininSims
SlmsP.K.
P.K.and
andCarter,
Cafier, L.M.I-1.,
L.M.H., eds.,
and
Late
Survey
Late Proterozoic
Proterozoic Geology
Geoloav
of the Lake
Lake Superior
Suoerior Region,
Realon.
U.S.A.. 1993:
1993:U.S.
US.Geological
Geoloaical
S u ~ eProfessional
vProtessional
-, of
- . U.S.A.,
u
Paper 1556,
p.28-60.
1556, p.
28-60.
Sims,
al., 1993,
Region and Trans-Hudson
Trans-Hudson Orogen, in
J.C., Jr.,
Jr., and
Slms, P.K.,
P.K., et al.,
1993, The Lake Superior Region
in Reed,
Reed, J.C.,
and
others, eds.,
eds., Precambrian:Conterminous
Society of
of America.
America, the
the
Precambrian:Conterminous U.S.:
US.: Boulder, Colorado, Geological
- Souetv
Geology of ~
North
v. C-2, p.
o r l America,
hAmerica, v.
p. 11-120.
11-120.
Vallini,
B.,. Kranez.
Krapez,
B.,. Fletcher.
Fletcher, l.R.,
Vallini.. D.,
D...Rasmussen,
Rasmussen. 5..
1.R.. and
and McNaughton,
McNauahton.
N.J.. 2002,
2002.. Obtaining
Obtainina diagenetic
diaoenetlc
, . B..
- . N.J.,
ages from metamorphosed
sedimentary rocks: U-Pb
of unusually
metamorphosed sedimentary
U - ~ dating
dating
b
unusually coarse
coarse xenotime
xenotirne cement
cement in
In
phosphatic
v.30,
phosphatic sandstone: Geology, v.
30,p.
p.1083-1086.
1083-1086.
~

~~

80

.

~-~
~

�EVALUATION OF INITIAL MAGMA COMPOSITIONS
COMPOSITIONS
FOR
FOR THE
THE BALD
BALD EAGLE
EAGLE INTRUSION
INTRUSION AND ASSOCIATED ROCKS
VISLOVA, Tatiana,
Tatiana, Department
Department of
of Geology
Geology and
and Geophysics,
Geophysics, University
University of
of Minnesota
Minnesota
VISLOVA,
funnel-shaped concentrically-zoned
concentrically-zoned Bald
the Duluth
Duluth
The funnel-shaped
BaldEagle
Eagle Intrusion
Intrusion in
in the
Complex is characterized
characterized by very
very restricted mineral compositions, and consists
consists of
of only
only
two units:
units: ananolivine—plagioclase
olivine-plagioclase cumulate
cumulateand
andananolivine—plagioclase-clinopyroxene
olivine-plagioclase-clinopyroxene
cumulate (Weiblen,
1980). In terms
terms of
of differentiated
differentiated units
units
(Weiblen, 1965; Weiblen
Weiblen and Morey, 1980).
expected in
the Bald
to be
expected
in a typical
typical layered
layered intrusion,
intrusion, the
Bald Eagle
Eagle Intrusion
Intrusion appears
appears to
be
petrologically
petrologically incomplete.
incomplete. This
This has
has raised
raised the question
question whether the four-phase (olivineplagioclase-clinopyroxene-oxide)cumulates,
cumulates, assigned
assignedto
to the
the Greenwood Lake Intrusion
plagioclase-clinopyroxene-oxide)
found to
to the south of the Bald Eagle
(Miller et al., 2002), and granophyre
granophyre found
Eagle Intrusion
Intrusion are
genetically related to the Bald Eagle Intrusion
Intrusion (Weiblen
(Weiblen and
and Morey,
Morey, 1980).
1980).
New petrographic
studies and
and microprobe
analyses (Vislova,
(Vislova, 2003)
2003) make
make it
New
petrographic studies
microprobe analyses
possible to evaluate
for the Bald
possible
evaluate parent
parent magma
magma compositions
compositions for
Bald Eagle
Eagle Intrusion,
Intrusion, and
and
quantitatively assess possible petrogenetic relationships between the Bald
Bald Eagle
Eagle Intrusion
Intrusion
and spatially associated rocks. Computer programs
programs (MELTS, Ghiorso and Sack,
Sack, 1995;
1995;
Ariskin et
et al.,
al., 1993) were used to investigate
and COMAGMAT,
COMAGMAT, Ariskin
investigate these questions.
questions. A
A
primitive North
North Shore Volcanic Group olivine tholeiite
tholeiite (P-melt)
(P-melt) was used as
as an
an initial
initial
composition (Miller
magma composition
(Miller and
and Ripley,
Ripley, 1996).
1996).
Equilibrium
crystallizationofof P-melt,
P-melt, calculated
calculated by
by MELTS
Equilibrium crystallization
MELTS at
at I1 atm total
total
pressure and oxygen
quartz-fayalite-magnetite
pressure
oxygen fugacity
fugacity near
near ororbelow
belowthethe
quartz-fayalite-magnetite buffer,
buffer,
reproduces the crystallization order and mineral assemblages observed in the Bald Eagle
Intrusion. The
The calculated
calculated composition
compositionof
ofthe
thefirst
firstclinopyroxene
clinopyroxene(mg
(mg— 81)
81) equals the one
of the first plagioclase and olivine
observed, however calculated compositions of
olivine are
are much
much
higher
than those
This could be ascribed
higher
those observed.
observed. This
ascribed to
to the
the dynamics
dynamics of
ofcrystal-melt
crvstal-melt
- than
segregation in
in a flowing
segregation
flowing magma system. Until the crystals
crystals suspended
suspended in magma
magma grow
grow
large enough they might be carried away, erupted, and found as phenocrysts in lavas.
lavas.
At -—7
At
7 % melt
melt remaining
remaining MELTS
MELTS reproduces
reproduces the most
most evolved
evolved mineral
mineral
compositions in
in the Bald Eagle
This suggests
that the Bald
compositions
Eagle Intrusion
Intrusion (Fig.
(Fig. 1). This
suggests that
Bald Eagle
Eagle
Intrusion might
might be
be a complete
sequence with
with a few
Intrusion
complete crystallization
crystallization sequence
few percent
percent remaining
remaining
melt.
the question
melt. It leaves
leaves unanswered
unanswered the
question of
of the
the origin
origin of
of four-phase
four-phase cumulate
cumulate and
and
granophyre.
Modelingshows
showsthat
that aa more
more evolved
evolved high
high Ti
Ti and
and high
high Fe melt
Modeling
melt (D-melt)
(D-melt) is
required for crystallization of the evolved
evolved units
units in
in the
the Greenwood
GreenwoodLake
Lake Intrusion
Intrusion (Fig.
(Fig.1).
1).
This melt
of P-melt in an
melt can
can be
be produced
produced by
by fractional
fractional crystallization
crystallization of
an intermediate
intermediate
magma chamber at 2-3 kbar total
total pressure.
Equilibrium
crystallization of
of D-melt
D-melt at 1 atm
Equilibrium crystallization
atm reproduces
reproduces the
the crystallization
crystallization
order, the
the appearance
of Fe-Ti
Fe-Ti oxides,
oxides, and
and the
the compositions
most of
order,
appearance of
compositions ofof most
of the
the units
units
associated with the Bald Eagle Intrusion (Fig. I).
1). However,
However, the
the most
most evolved
evolvedrocks
rocks in
in the
the
Greenwood
LakeIntrusion
Intrusion(ferrogabbro
(ferrogabbrowith
withFoFo&lt;c 50)
50) and
Greenwood Lake
and granophyre
granophyre were
were not
not
reproduced
crystallization. These units might require
fractional
reproduced by equilibrium
equilibrium crystallization.
require fractional
crystallization or assimilation.
assimilation.

-

81

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55

1

&lt;&gt;Bald
EagleIntrusion
Intrusion
oBald Eagle
tGreenwood
AGreenwoodLake
LakeIntrusion
Intrusion

+Calculated
from P-melt
P-melt
• Calculated from
sCalculated
A Calculatedfrom
from D-melt
D-melt
I

30
30

40
40

50
60
50
60
Mg/ (Mg+Fe)
(Mg+Fe)in
in olivine
olivine
Atom %
% Mgf

70
70

60
80

MgI(Mg+Fe) variations
variations in
in coexisting olivine and
Fig. 1. Mg/(Mg+Fe)
and clinopyroxene.
clinopyroxene.

References:
References:
Ariskin, A.A., Frenkel, M.Y.,
MY., Barmina,
Barmina,G.
G. S.,
S., and
and Nielsen,
Nielsen,R.
R. L.,
L.,1993,
1993,COMAGMAT;
COMAGMAT;aa
differentiation processes.
processes, Computers &amp; Geosciences, 19
FORTRAN program to model magma differentiation
(8), p. 1155-1170.
1155-1170.
Ghiorso,
mass transfer
transfer in magmatic processes; IV, A
Ghiorso, M. S., and Sack,
Sack, R.O., 1995,
1995, Chemical mass
revised and internally
consistent
thermodynamic
model
for the interpolation
interpolation and
internally consistent
and extrapolation
extrapolation
elevated temperatures and pressures,
of liquid-solid equilibria in magmatic systems at elevated
Contributions to
Contributions
to Mineralogy
Mineralogvand
and Petrology,
Petrolopy, 119
119(2-3),
(2-3),p.
p. 197-212.
197-212.
Hauck, S.A., Peterson,
Peterson, D.M.,
D.M., and
Miller, J.D., Jr., Green J.C., Severson,
Severson, M.J., Chandler, V.W., Hauck,
Wahl, T.E., 2001, Geology and mineral potential of the Duluth Complex
Complex and related
related rocks
rocks of
Geological Survey
SurveyReport
Report of
of Investigations
Investigations 58,207
58, 207pp.
pp. +
+
northeastern Minnesota: Minnesota Geological
disc
in
back
pocket,
2002.
compact
compact
pocket, 2002.
Miller J.D., Jr. and
and EM.
E.M.Ripley,
Ripley,1996,
1996,Layered
Layeredintrusions
intrusionsofofthe
theDuluth
DuluthComplex,
Complex,Minnesota,
Minnesota,
USA. In:
In: Cawthorn
Cawthom R.G. (ed.)
(ed.)Layered
Lavered Intrusions,
Intrusions, 531 pp.
Vislova, T., 2003, Petrology of the Bald Eagle Intrusion and associated rocks
rocks and its
its relevance
relevance to
to
crystallization in dynamic magma chambers in
in the
the Midcontinent
Midcontinent Rift, Ph.D. Dissertation,
crystallization
Dissertation,
University of Minnesota,
Minnesota, 226
226 pp.
pp.
Weiblen, P.W. and Morey, Ci.
B.,
1980,AAsummary
summaryof
ofthe
thestratigraphy,
stratigraphy, petrology,
petrology, and
and structure
structure
G. B., 1980,
of the Duluth Complex. In:
In: Irving,
Irving, A. J., and Dungan, M. A.
A. (ed.),
(ed.),1980,
1980,The
TheJackson
Jacksonvolume,
volume,
p. 88-133.
88-133.
American Journal of Science,
Science,Vol.
Vol. 280-A,
280-A, Part
Part 1,1,p.
funnel-shaped, gabbro-troctolite
gabbro-troctolite intrusion in the
Weiblen, P.W., 1965,
1965, A funnel-shaped,
the Duluth
Duluth Complex,
Complex, Lake
Lake
Ph.D. Dissertation,
Dissertation, University
County, Minnesota, Ph.D.
University of Minnesota, 161
161pp.
pp.

82

�A Hydrothermal Component
A
Component of Iron Formations-A Marquette Range Perspective

T.D., 141
141 Chippewa,
Chippewa, Negaunee, MI
MI 49866
49866
Waggoner, T.D.,
The origin of
of Lake
Lake Superior
Superior banded
banded iron
iron formations
formations (BIF)
(BIF) has
has been
been aa contentious
contentious issue
issue
for at least aa century
century and
and aa half.
half. Concepts of origin include
include weathering,
weathering, volcanic and
organic activity
activity whereby
ions are carried
Clear
organic
whereby ions
carried in
in and
andprecipitated
precipitated from
from solution.
solution. Clear
definition of
of the
definition
the source,
source, mode
mode of
of transport
transport orordepositional
depositionalmechanisms
mechanisms isis generally
generally
lacking. This
Thispaper
paperwill
willaddress
addressthe
the strong
strongevidence
evidence for
for aa hydrothermal
hydrothermal source for "hard
ores" found in the upper parts of
ores"
of the
the Negaunee
Negaunee Iron Formation (NIP)
(NIP)and by extension a
possible source
BIP portion. The
source for
for the precursor hematite in the BIF
TheRange
Range was
was formed
formedin
in aa
tectonically active
area
believed
to
be
an
extensional
rifting
environment
not
unlike
those
active
an extensional rifting environment
unlike those
found in Fe-Oxide (Cu, U,
U,Au, REE) and some VIIMS
VHMS deposits
deposits
The Marquette Range portion of the
the Lake
Lake Superior
SuperiorIron
Iron District
District displays
displays many
many features
features
similar to other large Lake Superior BIFs found around the world and, thus, making it an
excellent
study subject
subject for
for the source
excellent study
source and
and role
role played
played by
by igneous
igneous and
andsedimentary
sedimentary
processes. The
TheNegaunee
Negauneeand
andbasal
basalGoodrich
Goodrichunits
unitsexhibit
exhibitBlIP,
BIF, soft
soft supergene
supergeneenriched
enriched
concentrationsand
and "hard
"hard ores"
ores" as massive
concentrations
massive bodies,
bodies, banded
banded jaspilites
jaspilites and
and detrital
detrital
"Hard ores"
conglomerates. "Hard
conglomerates.
ores" are generally
generally dense silver gray to black
black massive
massive metallic
metallic
magnetite or schistose metallic hematite associated with jaspilite
jaspilite and contain in excess of
of
of the
the origin of the
60% iron.
iron. Discussion
Discussion of
the "hard
"hard Ores"
Ores" on
on the
theMarquette
Marquette Range
Range has
has
metamorphism or
revolved
revolved around
around supergene
supergene enrichment
enrichment prior to metamorphism
or hydrothermal
hydrothermal
enrichment associated
associated with the Penokian Orogeny.
Orogeny.
of the field
field geology
geology do
donot
not support
support with
with either
eitherof
ofthese
thesepositions.
positions. First, the
Many features of
cobble and pebbles of jasper hematite in the
the basal
basal Goodrich
Goodrich conglomerate
conglomerate show
show random
random
orientation of
of the 'schistose'
orientation
'schistose' hematite
hematite indicating
indicating the
the schistose
schistose nature
nature of
of the
the hematite
hematite
not a result of metamorphism. In
existed prior to emplacement and not
In addition
addition many
many of
of the
the
with the "hard
rocks associated
associated with
"hard ores"
ores" exhibit
exhibit hydrothermal
hydrothermal minerals
minerals including
including sericite,
sericite,
tourmaline,
chlorite, chloritoid, high aluminous silicates, garnet, hematite, magnetite and tourmaline.

The lower
and Menominee
below the
the NIP
lower Proterozoic
Proterozoic Chocolay
Chocolay and
Menominee sediments
sediments below
NIF exhibit
exhibit
Specular,
multiple examples
examples of
of high-grade
hematite that
that can be interpreted
multiple
high-grade hematite
interpreted as
as vents.
vents. Specular,
microplaty and
and bytroidal
bytroidalhematite
hematiteare
arefairly
fairlycommon
commonininmany
manyoutcrop
outcropareas.
areas. Some
Some of
of
microplaty
All
the
sites
these have been described previously
in
literature
while
others
have
not.
previously
others have not. All
sites
were subject to exploration
for iron ore during
century and most exhibit
exhibit
were
exploration for
during the
the late
late 119th9 century
shallow shafts. The
The major
major components
components are
are chert,
chert, jasper and
and vein quartz along
along with coarse
specular, microplaty
microplaty and
and bytrioidal
bytrioidal hematite
hematite contained
contained in
in breccia
breccia zones
zones that exhibit
specular,
exhibit
episodic reworking.
reworking. There
episodic
There are
are alterations
alterations to the host
host rock
rock as
as some
some occurrences
occurrences exhibit
exhibit
chlorite, silica,
silica, k-spar and aluminous
alurninous silicates.
silicates.
A large area in sections
sections 21, 22, and
and 23,
23, 47-26
47-26 contain
contain multiple
multiple enriched
enriched hematite
hematite sites
breccia zones adjacent to northwesterly trending faults.
that form two northwest trending breccia
In addition
there is aa
In
addition to the
the silica
silica flooding,
flooding, brecciation
brecciation and
and hematite
hematite concentration
concentration there
significant area
area of
of andalusite
cordierite and
and chloritoid
chloritoid adjacent
adjacent to
to the eastern
significant
andalusite cordierite
eastern linear
linear

83

�breccia zone in section
23. These
section 23.
Theseminerals
minerals are
are present
present in aa much
much broader lower regional
chlorite zone of metamorphism
metamorphism and most likely are a result of the hydrothermal event that
impacted the three square
square miles
miles referenced
referenced above.
above.
A conglomerate in Sec. 22 and 23,
47-26 has been previously described as "unusual" and
23,47-26
is sandwiched
sandwiched between
between lower Chocolay
Chocolay argillite
argillite units.
units. Clasts causing dimpling in the
underlying argillite were described as rafted elasts
clasts from a glacial interlude.
interlude. It is unlikely
reef growth
growth during
during the
the same period of
of
that a glacial event coincided with significant algal reef
time. The "unusual"
is extremely
coarse, tightly
tightly packed
packed and
and shows no
time.
"unusual" conglomerate
conglomerate is
extremely coarse,
sedimentary features,
sedimentary
features. In addition significant rinds of k-spar have formed on the
the granite
granite
gneiss cobbles. The
The cobbles
cobbles and
and matrix
matrix contain
contain euhedral
euhedral magnetite, martite and specular
hematite suggesting
suggesting this
this area was tectonically active and may well have been
been an
an active
active
vent area over a period
vent
period starting
starting at the
the earliest
earliest extensional
extensional period
period and continued
continued to be
active beyond
resembles some
some of
of the breccias
beyond the Ajibik
Ajibik time.
time. The conglomerate
conglomerate resembles
breccias at
Olympic Dam and could well be a hydrothermal breccia.

REE chondrite normalized analysis of
of the hematite vents match quite closely
closely with
with both
both
the
hematite, mametite
magnetite and combination
the hematite.
combinationhematite/magnetite
hematitelmasnetite "hard ores" found
found
throughout the
the Range.
Range. Recent
hematite confirms
throughout
Recent work
work on
on the
the Brockman
Brockman microplaty
microplaty hematite
confirms a
hydrothermal
hydrothennal origin due to the recognition of surrounding alteration to the host.

-

-

Initially the
the vent
vent areas
areas were
were studied
studied in
in relation
relation to
to the "hard
"hard Ores"
Ores" but the fact
fact that
that the
the
vents are all hematite
suggests
they
could
be
the
source
for
the
precursor
hematite
seed
hematite
the source for the precursor hematite seed
cores that Han
Han identified
identified in low
low metamorphic
metamorphic grade
grade BIF
BIF units.
units. These seed cores
cores have
have
been
been identified
identified in
in the
theNegaunee,
Negaunee, Biwabik,
Biwabik, Brockman,
Brockman, Solcoman,
Sokoman, Temiscamie
Temiscamie and
and
Kuruman Iron
hon Formations.
Formations.
that the extensional phase of rifting ceased
ceased near
near the
the end of
NIP time
It is quite plausible that
ofNIF
and
and aa reverse
reverse compressional
compressional event
event started
started causing
causing faulting
faulting that
that produced
producederosional
erosional
material for the basal Goodrich conglomerate.
conglomerate.

Reference:
Reference:

Origin of
of Magnetite
hon Formations
Han,
T.H., 1988,
1988, Origin
Magnetite in Precambrian
Precambrian Iron
Formations of Low
Low
Han, T.H.,
Metamorphic Grade,
Grade, Proceedings
Proceedings of
of the Seventh
Metamorphic
Seventh Quadrennial
Quadrennial IAGOD Symposium,
Symposium, p.
641-656.
641-656.

84

�nigh-Resolution
High-ResolutionMultibeam
Multibeam Bathymetry
Bathymetry in
in Lake
Lake Superior.
Superior.
N. J.
N.
J. Wattrus

Large
Large Lakes
Lakes Obsewatory,
Obseruotory,University
Universityof
of Minnesota,
Minnesota, Duluth,
Duluth,MN
MN 55812
55812

Like all large
large lakes,
lakes, the
the composition
composition and
and shape
shapeof
ofthe
thelake
lakefloor
floorof
of Lake
Lake Superior
Superior
reflects the processes that
well as
as in
in the past.
that shape
shape its
its formation
formation today as well
Maps of
of the
the lake floor
floor made
made with
withtraditional
traditional echosounders
echosounders lack the resolution
resolution to
these processes preserved
preserved in
in
permit scientists to read the subtle
subtle "fingerprint'
"fingerprint" of
of these
the lake-floor.
advent of
of modem,
modem, high-resolution
high-resolution multibeam
multibeam sonar has
has
lake-floor. The advent
revolutionized the
the mapping
mappingof
of the
the sea-floor.
sea-floor.

In a traditional echosounder,
echosounder, the
depth
depth to
to the
thelake-floor
lake-floor below the ship
ship
is measured
measured by
by timing
timing how
how long
long It
it
takes for an
an acoustic
acousticping
ping to
to travel
travel to
to
and back to the ship.
the lake-floor and
ship.
the delay, the deeper
The longer the
deeper the
the
lake
This type of surveying
lake floor
floor is. This
surveying
provides high-resolution bathymetric
information along the trackline
trackline
followed
by the
the survey
survey boat.
is
followed by
boat. Nothing
Nothing is
about the
known about
the lake
lake floor
floor either
either side.
side.
High-resolution multibeams use a fan
of acoustic
acoustic beams
beams (over
(over100)
100)to
measure
the
shape
of
the
measure the shape of the lake
lake floor
floor
along a "swath'.
"swath".By sailing a series of
overlapping swaths, It
it is possible to
achieve complete
complete coverage
coverage of the lake
lake
floor at high resolution.
resolution.
Backscatter
Backscatter information
informationcollected
collected with
with
the bathymetric data can
can be used to
to
create
psuedo-sidescan
images
of
the
create psuedo-sidescan images
These can
can be used to map
lakefloor. These
map
spatial variations
variations in the
spatial
the composition
composition of
the
the lake
lakefloor.
floor.

from the
the catalog
catalog of
ofmultibeam
multibeam surveys
surveys conducted
conducted by the
Examples, drawn from
Large Lakes
LakesObservatory,
Observatory,are
arepresented.
presented.These
Theseillustrate
ifiustrate the
the potential
potential of
of this
this
Large
formapping
mapping the
the subtle
subtle signal
processes
technology for
signal of past geologic processes
superimposed on
superimposed
on the
the lake
lakefloor.
floor.

85

�</text>
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                    <text>INSTITUTE ON
ON LAKE
LAKE SUPERIOR
SUPERIOR GEOLOGY
GEOLOGY
INSTITUTE
49t
4 9 'Annual
~ n n u aMeeting
Meeting
l
Proceedings Volume 49
Part 2- Field Trip Guidebook

QuinnesecMine,
Mine.Menominee
MenomineeIron
IronDistrict
District
Quinnesec

Wausecapyritic
pyriticslate
slate
Wauseca

A'

Refoldedfold
foldstyle
styleof
ofIron
IronRiver-Crystal
River-CrystalFalls
Fallsallochthon
allochthon
Refolded

Iron Mountain,
Mountain, Michigan
Michigan
Iron
May 7-11,
7- 11,2003
May
2003

�INSTITUTE ON LAKE SUPERIOR GEOLOGY

49TH

ANNUAL MEETING

MAY 7-12, 2003
IRON MOUNTAIN, MICHIGAN

HOSTED BY:
HOSTED

Laurel
Laurel G. Woodruff and William
William F.
F. Cannon
Co-chairs
Co-chairs
U.S. Geological
Geological Survey
Survey
With assistance from Michigan Technological University
University
and
and

John Gartner,
John
Gartner, Coleman Engineering
Engineering Company
Company
Local committee
committee representative
representative

Proceedings
Proceedings
Volume
Volume 49
49
Part 2
2—
Field Trip
Trip Guidebook
Guidebook
- Field
Compiled
Compiled and
and edited
editedby
byWilliam
WilliamF.
F.Cannon,
Cannon,USGS
USGS

Illustrations prepared
Dickenand
andStacy
StacySaari,
Saari,USGS
USGS
Illustrations
preparedby
byConnie
ConnieL.L.Dicken

�CONTENTS

Proceedings Volume
Volume 49
49
Proceedings
Part 2—
2 - Field Trips
Part
Trips
Overview—Paleoproterozoic
stratigraphy and
Overview-Paleoproterozoic stratigraphy
and tectonics
tectonics along
along
1
the
the Niagara
Niagara suture
suture zone, Michigan
Michigan and Wisconsin
Wisconsin. ....... .1
Trip
Trip 1.
1. Pembine-Wausau
Pembine-Wausau magmatic
magmatic terrane

Trip
Trip 2. Menominee
Menominee Iron
Iron District
District.

................. . 3333

.......................... . 47
47

Trip
Trip 3. Stratigraphy
Stratigraphyand
and structure
structureof
of the
the Iron
Iron RiverRiver644
Crystal
Crystal Falls
Falls basin
basin. ................................ . 6
Trip
Trip 4. Life
Lifecycle
cycleof
ofan
aniron
irondeposit—the
deposit-the Republic
RepublicMine
Mine
877
from
from ore
ore genesis
genesis to mine
mine restoration
restoration ................ . 8

Cover illustrations:
illustrations:
Wauseca
Wauseca Pyritic
Pyritic Member
Member of Dunn
Dunn Creek
Creek Slate. AAsulfide
sulfidefacies
faciesiron-formation
iron-formationfrom
fromthe
the
Iron
Iron River-Crystal
River-Crystal Falls district, Michigan. Original
Original photograph
photograph appears
appears in
USGS
in USGS
Professional
ProfessionalPaper
Paper 570.
570.
Schematic illustration
illustration of cross-folding
cross-folding in
in the
the Iron
Iron River-Crystal
River-CrystalFalls
Falls district
district as
as depicted
depicted
USGS Professional
ProfessionalPaper
Paper 570.
570.
in USGS

Quinessec Mine in the Menominee Iron District at
at Quinnesec,
Quinnesec, Michigan.
Michigan. Photograph
by
Photograph by
Elizabeth Heinen.
Heinen.
Elizabeth

�PALEOPROTEROZOIC
STRATIGRAPHY AND TECTONICS ALONG THE
PALEOPROTEROZOIC STRATIGRAPHY
NIAGARA
NIAGARA SUTURE ZONE, MICHIGAN AND WISCONSIN
G.L. LaBerge1,
~ a ~ e r g eW.F.
' , cannon2,
J.S.Klasne,3,
~lasne?,
W,Ojakangas4
0jakangas4
Cannon2, K.J.
K.J. Schulz2,
Schuli, J.S.
R.R.W.
U.S.
University
Wisconsin-Oshkosh(retired)
(retired)and
and U.S.
U.S. Geological
GeologicalSurvey,
Survey,2* U.S.
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
Geological Survey,
Geological
Survey, Western Illinois University
(retired) and U.S.
U.S. Geological
GeologicalSurvey,
Survey,
University (retired)
4
University of Minnesota
Minnesota Duluth
Duluth (retired)
(retired)
INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION

The Niagara
Niagara suture zone formed during the Penokean
Penokean orogeny at about 1875
1875 Ma
by collision of island
island arcs of the Wisconsin magmatic
magmatic terranes with the southern
margin of the Superior craton and its epicratonic cover of the Marquette
Marquette Range
Supergroup. The Niagara
Niagara fault,
fault, generally
generally considered
considered the
the principal
principalsuture
suture
Supergroup.
boundary, has an arcuate trace across northern Wisconsin defined
defined primarily from
geophysical data, sparse
sparse outcrops,
outcrops, and
and widely
widely spaced
spaced drill
drill core
core data
data(fig.
(fig.1).
1).In
In
geophysical
more detail, the Niagara fault is but one of a family of subparallel anastamosing
anastamosing
faults that bound
bound structural panels of Paleoproterozoic
Paleoproterozoic rocks, which together
comprise the Niagara suture zone (fig. 2). The rocks within these panels have a
distinctive structural style marked
marked by
by tight
tight folds
folds with
with widely
widely varying
varying but
but commonly
commonly
steeply plunging axes. These probably formed by refolding of simpler, gently
plunging folds, which are widely recorded
recorded in
in correlative
correlative strata
strata north
north of
of the
the suture
suture
zone. A blanket of glacial material
material over most of the region, the on-lap of
Paleozoic
thick cover
cover of
of Keweenawan
Keweenawanrocks
rocksof
of
Paleozoic rocks
rocks in northern
northern Michigan
Michigan and
and aa thick
the Midcontinent rift system in northwestern Wisconsin and eastern Minnesota
Minnesota
have obscured the suture zone over most of its length in the southern Lake
Superior region.
region. The area
area described
described in
in this
this guide
guide is
is the
the only
only area
areawhere
where
extensive exposures allow direct observations
observations of stratigraphic
stratigraphic and
and structural
structural
features along
features
along the collision
collision zone.
The purpose of these field trips is to examine exposures along and on both sides
of the Niagara suture zone. Stops were chosen to illustrate: 1) the
Paleoproterozoic
Paleoproterozoic sedimentary
sedimentary sequence
sequence developed
developed on
on the
the continent
continent margin;
margin;2)
2)
magmatic terranes; and 3)
igneous rocks that constitute parts of the Wisconsin magmatic
some of the structural
collision of the island
island
structural features produced as a result of the collision
arcs with the continent margin, and their influence
influence on interpretations
interpretationsof the
stratigraphy.
stratigraphy.

1

�92'

84'

88'

EXPLANATION
46'

Pajeozoic strata- limestone, dolomite, sandstone

shale
Grenville Province- Middle Proterozoic gneiss and

Ed'dáiplutonic rocks

fiIi.±

Midcontinent Rjft- Middle Proterozoic flood basalt,
rhyolite, sandstone, and gabbroic intrusive rocks
Anorogenic pluton- Middle Proterozoic granite,

" anorthosite
Marquette Range Supergroup andAnimikie GroupEarly Proterozoic metasedimentary and
meta vol conic rocks. Iron ranges in black
Wisconsin Maginatic Terranes- Early Proterozoic
metavolcanic, metasedimentary rocks, andplutons
Huronian Supergroup- Early Prolerozoic
sedimentary rocks, gabbroic intrusions
Superior Province- Archean granilic and
- ' metavolcanic rocks
— — — Gravity gradient, southern edge ofArchean craton

MAJOR JR ON RANGES
A

Gogebic

B

i'il'arquette

(

I

\•

C Menominee
42'

D Iron River Crystal Falls
E Cuyuna
F Mesabi

2

TGGUnfltit
92'

Figure
Figure1.
1.Generalized
Generalizedgeologic
geologicmap
mapof
ofthe
theLake
LakeSuperior
Superiorregion
regionshowing
showingthe
themajor
majoriron
iron
ranges.
ranges.
The
Thesouthern
southernpart
partof
ofthe
theupper
upperpeninsula
peninsulaofofMichigan
Michiganand
andadjacent
adjacentparts
partsofofnortheastern
northeastern
Wisconsin
Wisconsincontain
containexposures
exposuresofofArchean
Archeanrocks
rockswith
withoverlying
overlyingPaleoproterozoic
Paleoproterozoic
metasedimentary
metasedimentaryand
and metavolcanic
metavolcanicrocks
rocksof
of the
theMarquette
MarquetteRange
RangeSupergroup,
Supergroup,as
aswell
well
as
as aa wide
wide variety
varietyof
of volcanic,
volcanic, sedimentary,
sedimentary,and
andintrusive
intrusiverocks
rocksof
ofthe
theWisconsin
Wisconsin
magmatic
magmaticterranes.
terranes. The
The modern
moderngeologic
geologicframework
frameworkofofthe
thearea
areahas
hasbeen
beenestablished
established
largely
1940'sthrough
through
largely by
by mapping
mappingby
by the
the U.S.
U.S. Geological
GeologicalSurvey
Surveyconducted
conductedfrom
fromthe
the1940's
the
Jamesand
andothers,
others,1968;
1968;Sims,
Sims,
the1980's
1980's(Bayley,
(Bayley,and
andothers,
others,1966;
1966;Dutton,
Dutton,1971;
1971;James
1990;
1990; Sims
Sims and
and Schulz,
Schulz, 1993).
1993). Beginning
Beginningininthe
thelate
late1970's,
1970's,the
theimportance
importanceof
ofthe
the
Niagara
Niagarafault
fault zone
zone as
as aa suture
suturebetween
betweenoceanic
oceanicterranes
terraneson
onthe
thesouth
southand
andaacontinental
continental
assemblage
assemblageon
onthe
thenorth
northwas
wasdocumented
documented(Cambray,
(Cambray,1978;
1978;Greenberg
Greenbergand
andBrown,
Brown,
1983;
Larue
and
Sloss,
1980;
Larue,
1983).
This
led
to
a
period
of
study
of
the
1983; Larue and Sloss, 1980; Larue, 1983). This led to a period of study of thestructural
structural
geology
geology of
of the
the region
regionin
inorder
order to
todecipher
decipherthe
thestructural
structuralevents
eventsconsequent
consequentto
tosuturing
suturing
(Larue
(Larue and
and Ueng,
Ueng, 1985;
1985;Sedlock
Sedlockand
andLarue,
Larue,1985;
1985;Ueng
Uengand
andLarue,
Larue,1987).
1987).This
This
guidebook
guidebook draws
draws heavily
heavily on
on these
these previous
previousstudies,
studies,supplemented
supplementedin
inplaces
placesby
byour
our own
own
observations.
observations.

2

�8900

8800

-

8800'

-

Diabasedike
dike
Diabase
(Middle
(MiddleProterozoic)
Proterozoic)

of the
the Niagara
of
Niagara fault
/\/ Faults
set
set
/Av
A/Faults
Faults

Cambrian
Cambrian

El

Munising
MunisingSandstone
Sandstone

Paleoproterozoic
46 00,
0Â°
Metagabbro
Metagabbro
Paint
Grroup,
Paint River Grroup,
iron-formation
iron-formationin
inblack
black
Baraga Group
Group

Menominee
MenomineeGroup,
iron-formation
iron-formation in
in black
black
Chocolay
Chocolay Group
Group
Wisconsin MagmaticTerranes
MagmaticTerranes

Archea
n
Archean
Granite
Granite and
and gneiss
gneiss

BF
BLF
CT
FT
NF
NRF
-4530
45Â¡30PRF
PRF
SRF
30

0

30

60

Badwater fault
fault
Badwator
Bush Lake
Lake fault
fault
Bush
Calumet trough
Calumet
trough
Felch
Felchtrough
trough
Niagara
Niagara fault
fault
North
North Range
Range fault
fault
Paint
Paint River
River fault
fault
South
South Range
Range fault
fault

90 Kilometers
Kilometers

Figure 2. Geologic
Geologic map
map of the Niagara
Niagara suture
suture zone and surrounding
surrounding terranes
terranes showing the location of named
named features referred to in the text.
Figure

�CONTINENT
CONTINENT MARGIN
MARGIN SEQUENCE
SEQUENCE

A thick succession of dominantly
dominantly sedimentary rocks that were deposited
deposited on Archean
basement is widely distributed in northern Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota, and, to a
lesser extent, in northern
northern Ontario. The succession records a wide variety of geologic
iron-formations in
environments and includes the extensive and economically important iron-formations
the Lake Superior
Superior region.
region.
STRATIGRAPHY

Archean
Archean
Carney Lake Gneiss: The
Carnev
Theonly
onlyextensively
extensivelyexposed
exposedArchean
Archean unit
unit in
in the
the field
field trip
trip area
areais
is
the Carney
2). The
The Carney
Carney Lake,
Lake, like
like other
other Archean
Archean rocks
rocks farther
farther
Carney Lake
Lake Gneiss
Gneiss (fig.
(fig. 2).
north, is exposed in the core of a Penokean
bounds the Menominee
Penokean structural uplift. It bounds
Menominee
Range on the north
north and
and is
is the
the basement
basement on
on which
which the
the Paleoproterozoic
Paleoproterozoiciron-bearing
iron-bearing
sequence
sequence of the Menominee
Menominee Range
Range was deposited. The Carney Lake
Lake Gneiss is seen at
stops 2-2 and 2-3, where it is exposed beneath the unconformity
unconformity at the base of the
Paleoproterozoic Fern Creek Formation. According to Treves (1
(1966)
966) granitic gneiss
forms
forms about 85
85 percent
percent of the
the unit.
unit. Inclusions
Inclusionsof
of amphibolite,
amphibolite, biotite
biotite schist
schist and
and some
some
quartzite
quartzite constitute
constitute about
about 10
10 percent, the
the remainder
remainder being
being granodiorite
granodiorite and
and syenite
syenite
dikes. AmphiboUte
inclusions are
are more abundant in the northern
Amphibolite inclusions
northern part
part of the
the complex,
complex,
whereas biotite
biotite schist is
is more
more common
common in
in the southern part.
part. According to Davis
Davis and
and
others
others (1960)
(1960) the Carney
Carney Lake
Lake Gneiss
Gneiss is
is about 2,700 million
million years old. Foliation
Foliation and
tabular inclusions
inclusions define a complex internal
internal folding pattern
pattern in the gneiss, which is mostly
mostly
a result of Archean
Archean deformation.
deformation.

Paleoproterozoic
Paleoproterozoic
The Paleoproterozoic continent
continent margin
margin sequence is
is comprised
comprised of sedimentary and
volcanic rocks
rocks at
at least
least several
severalkilometers
kilometersthick
thickininthe
theMenominee
Menomineeand
andIron
IronRiver
River--Crystal
Crystal
Falls districts and probably much thicker in much of the area. The stratigraphic
relationships are shown in figure 3, which compares the stratigraphy in the field trip area
relationships
with that in other well-studied
well-studied areas to the north
north and east. Originally
Originally referred
referred to as
"Huronian" by
(1911), and
andlater
lateras
as"Animikie
"AnimikieSeries"
Series"by
byJames
James
by Van Hise
Hise and
and Leith
Leith (1911),
(1958),
(1
958), the sequence was renamed
renamed the Marquette Range Supergroup, comprised of the
Chocolay, Menominee,
Menominee, Baraga
Baragaand
and Paint
PaintRiver
RiverGroups,
Groups,by
byCannon
Cannonand
andGair
Gair(1970).
(1970).
The stratigraphic
stratigraphic succession
succession of the
the first three
three groups
groups is
is well
well established.
established. However,
However, the
stratigraphic
stratigraphic position
position of the Paint
Paint River
River Group,
Group, along
along with the Badwater
Badwater Greenstone, is
is
of four
less certain. The Paint River Group was originally considered the youngest of
stratigraphically
stratigraphically superposed
superposed groups
groups by
by James
James (1958),
(1958), but
but more
more recent
recent interpretations
interpretations
generally
emplaced over the Baraga Group.
generally consider
consider it to be
be an allochthon
allochthon structurally
structurally emplaced
The Paint
Paint River Group
Group may
may be
be a distal, deeper water equivalent of the Menominee
Menominee and
Baraga Groups, which has been thrust onto the continental margin during Penokean
compressive
compressive deformation.
deformation.

4

�Areas
north and east of
Areas north

Menominee
MenornineeRange
Range

Iron River-Crystal
River-CrystalFalls
Falls
Iron

field trip
trip

NortheasternWisconsin
Wisconsin
Northeastern

1 ,

allochthon
allochthon

Amberg Granite

I

1833 Ma

Diabase and gabbro

]

11

1

Goodrich Quartzite

Ne

0.1

unconformity
unconfmitY Amasa
AmasaIron
Iron
- formation

1-

—

Negaunee
ic
lrontormation5

aj

--

unconformity

—

I

Piblk
AjibikQuartzite
Quartzite

-

'

-I860
Ma
—1860
...Ma

1

Volcanic
Volcanic and
and mafic
mafic
intrusive
intrusiverocks
rocks
—1870
-1870 Ma
Ma

Ophiolite
Dunn Creek Slate

I

Feich
FelchFormation
Formation

Badwater Greenstone

uhconfomiity

unconformity
Kona
KonaDolomite
Dolomite

Randviile Dolomite
Dolomite
Randville

Mesnard Quartzite

Sturgeon
SturgeonQuartzite
Quartzite

Enchantment Lake Formation

Fern
Fern Creek
Creek Formation
Formation
giaciogenic
gladogenicsediments
sediments
unconformity
--

unconformity
Granite
Graniteand
and gnelss
gneiss

n

I
unconformity

0n

1

Qieciogenlc sediments

Archean
Archean

1

Granite
Graniteand
and gneiss
gneiss

. Riverton
Iron-Formation
Riverton
Iron-Formation

1874 Ma

ISiamo
Siamo Slate
Slate

1 21

2 Hiawatha Graywcke
CD

z
.

Vulcan
Vulcan Iron-formation
iron-formation

Volcanics

FortuneLake
LakeSlate
Slate
Fortune

I 0. I Stambaugh
Stambauah Formation
Formation

Michigamme
Michigamme Formation
Formation

(0

1835 Ma

u

Diabase and gabbro

2 Michigamme Formation

0

Spikehom Creek Granite

I

'Tobin Lake Granite

Diabase and gabbro

1752 Ma

1

detachment
detachment surface
surface

Camey Lake Gneiss
—2700 Ma
Camey!-$;p

I

Metasedimentary
ro
Metasedimentaryrocks

Note: The
Thestratigraphic
stratigraphicrevisions
revisions shown
shown in
in
Note:
diagram
diagram are
are not
not official
official USGS
USGS revisions
revisions to
to
stratigraphic
stratigraphic usage
usageas
as of
of2003.
2003.

Figure 3. Correlation
Correlation chart
chart of Paleoproterozoic
Paleoproterozoic strata
strata in
in Menominee
Menominee and
and Iron
IronRiverRiverFigure
Crystal
Crystal Falls
Falls and
and surrounding
surrounding terranes.
terranes. Includes
Includeschanges
changesto
to previous
previoususage
usagenot
notyet
yet
officially
officiallyadopted
adoptedby
bythe
the USGS.
USGS.

Chocolay
Chocolay Group
Group
Fern Creek
Creek Formation:
Formation: Francis
FrancisJ.J.Pettijohn
Pettijohn(1943)
(1943) described
describedand
andnamed
namedthe
the
Fern
Paleoproterozoic Fern
Fern Creek
Creek Formation,
Formation,verified
verified itit as
as aa basal
basal sedimentary
sedimentaryunit
unit resting
resting
Paleoproterozoic
unconformablyupon
upon Archean
Archean granitic
granitic basement
basement of
of the
the Carney
Carney Lake
LakeGneiss,
Gneiss,and
and
unconformably
suggested aa glacial
glacial origin.
origin. Additional
Additional descriptions
descriptionswere
were made
made by
by Trow
Trow (1948),
(1948), by
by
suggested
Freedman and
and others
others (1961)
(1961) and
and by
by Bayley
Bayley and
and others
others (1966).
(1966). Prior
Prior to
to Pettijohn's
Pettijohn'swork,
work,
Freedman
the relationships
relationships of these
these sedimentary
sedimentary rocks
rocks to the granitic rocks of the region
region were
the
debated
debated by
by Bayley
Bayley (1904),
(1904), Lamey
Lamey (1937),
(1937), and
and Dickey
Dickey (1936).
(1936).
Two other
other basal
basal Paleoproterozoic
Paleoproterozoicformations
formationsin
in the
the region,
region,the
theEnchantment
EnchantmentLake
Lake
Two
Formation
Formation and
and the
the Reany
Reany Creek
Creek Formation,
Formation, are
are present
present in
in the
the Marquette
MarquetteTrough,
Trough,50-55
50-55
miles
miles north
north of the
the Fern
Fern Creek
Creek exposures.
exposures. ItIt has
has been
beensuggested
suggestedby
byseveral
severalworkers
workersthat
that
these rock
rock units
unitsare
arealso
alsoglaciogenic
glaciogenicand
andcorrelative
correlativewith
with the
the Fern
FernCreek
CreekFormation
Formation
these
(e.g., Gair and
and Thaden, 1968;
1968; Puffett,
Puffett, 1969;
1969; Gair, 1981;
1981; Ojakangas, 1984). The two
exposures of the
Fern
Creek
Formation
seen
on
these
the Fern Creek Formation seen on these field
field trips
trips (stops
(stops2-2
2-2and
and2-3)
2-3)are
are
of more
morethan
than local
localsignificance.
significance.Correlation
Correlationwith
with the
the Gowganda
GowgandaFormation
Formationininthe
the
of
Huronian
Huronian Supergroup
Supergroup ca
ca 120
120 miles
miles to
to the
the east
east in
in Ontario
Ontario and
and with
with the
the Snowy
Snowy Pass
Pass
Supergroup 900
900 miles
miles to the
the WSW in
in Wyoming
Wyoming has
has been
been proposed
proposed by
by various
various workers
Supergroup
(e.g.,
(e.g., Puffett,
Puffett, 1969;
1969; Young,
Young, 1970,
1970, 1973,
1973, 1983;
1983; Ojakangas,
Ojakangas, 1984,
1984, 1985,
1985, 1988;
1988; Roscoe
Roscoe
and Card,
Card, 1993).
1993). Young
Young (1970)
(1970) suggested
suggestedthat
that all
allof
of these
theseunits,
units,and
andothers
othersininQuebec
Quebec
and

5

�and the NW Territories,
Territories, are
are remnants
remnants of
of aa continental-scale
continental-scaleglaciation.
glaciation. Furthermore,
Furthermore,
correlation
correlation with glaciogenic
glaciogenic units
units on the Fennoscandian
Fennoscandian Shield in Finland
Finland and adjacent
Karelia, Russia, has also been proposed (Marmo and Ojakangas, 1984; Ojakangas,
Ojakangas and others, 2001).
1985, 1988; Ojakangas and others, 1991;
1991; Ojakangas
strengthened by the presence of
It must be emphasized that the correlations are greatly strengthened
similar stratigraphic
stratigraphic sequences
sequences in
in all of the above-named
above-named areas and regions. This is
is as
follows, moving stratigraphically
stratigraphically upward: glaciogenic rocks, paleosols
paleosols (or remnants
thereof), orthoquartzites,
orthoquartzites, and
and carbonates
carbonates (Ojakangas,
(Ojakangas,1997;
1997; Ojakangas
Ojakangas and
and others,
others,
2001). Mafic
2.15
Ga cut
cut all
all the
the aforementioned
aforementioned sedimentary
- 2.1
5 Ga
Mafic dike
dike swarms
swarms dated
dated at
at 2.2
2.2 —
sequences. It is possible
possible that the glaciogenic
glaciogenic units
units of North
North America and
and the Baltic
Baltic
region (Marmo and Ojakangas, 1984) were formed on a single supercontinent,
Kenorland, at about 2,300 Ma
Ma (Ojakangas,
(Ojakangas, 1988).
1988). The breakup
breakup of Kenorland
Kenorland occurred
occurred at
2.2 —
2.1Ga
Gawith
withthe
theemplacement
emplacementof
of the
the Nipissing
Nipissing mafic
mafic sills
sills and
and dike
dike swarms of
of the
- 2.1
Canadian
Canadian Shield and the Jatulian mafic rocks
rocks of the Fennoscandian
Fennoscandian Shield.

The Fern
Fern Creek Formation
Formation is exposed in only a few small areas adjacent to the Archean
Carney Lake Gneiss
Gneiss (figs. 2, 4). These
These exposures
exposures likely
likely represent
represent erosional
erosional remnants
remnants of
more
more widespread
widespread glaciogenic
glaciogenic deposits
depositspreserved
preservedin
intopographic
topographic lows
lowson
onthe
theArchean
Archean
bedrock
bedrock surface. Post-glacial
Post-glacial weathering, erosion, and sorting
sorting by wind and water
resulted
stratigraphic sequence of glaciogenic deposits, paleosol
resulted in the stratigraphic
paleosol (sericitic
(sericitic schist),
and quartz sand (now the Sturgeon
Sturgeon Quartzite)
Quartzite) that will be seen at stop 2-2 (Fern Creek
locality)
Black Creek
Creek (sec.
(sec.
locality) and
and stop
stop 2-3
2-3 (Sturgeon
(SturgeonRiver
Riverlocality).
locality).Two
Twoother
otherlocalities
localities—- Black
6, T. 39 N., R. 28 W.), and Pine Creek (sec. 32, T. 41 N.,
N., R. 29 W.)
W.) (Freedman
(Freedman and
and
others 1961)
are relatively
relatively inaccessible
inaccessible and
and not as well exposed. These
others
1961) —
- are
These four
four small
small
areas of exposure
are
located
along
a
17-mile
portion
of
the
northwest-trending
exposure
located
17-mile portion
northwest-trendingcontact
between the Carney Lake Gneiss and these basal Paleoproterozoic units (fig. 4). The
two field stops are within 5 miles of each other.
Sturcieon
Quartzite: At
thick, light
light colored,
colored,
Sturaeon Quartzite:
At most
most places
places in
in the
the Menominee
Menominee district
district aa thick,
vitreous quartzite forms the basal
basal Paleoproterozoic unit on the Carney Lake Gneiss
(Bayley and others, 1966).
1966). The type exposures
exposures of the Sturgeon
Sturgeon Quartzite
Quartzite are along the
Sturgeon
Sturgeon River in the Felch
Felch district, about six mites
miles north of the Menominee district (see
fig 2). In
In the Menominee
Menominee district the quartzite
quartzite forms a continuous
continuous belt
belt along
along the
southwest margin of the Carney Lake Gneiss. ItIt is well exposed at stops 2-2 and 2-3.

The Sturgeon
Sturgeon Quartzite
Quartzite ranges
ranges from 1,000
1,000 to 2,000 feet thick,
thick, is
is composed
composed primarily
primarily of
white, gray, green or pink vitreous
vitreous quartzite,
quartzite, commonly showing ripple marks and crossbedding. It is composed
composed almost entirely of quartz.
quartz. Trow (1948)
(1948) showed that the crossbedding
bedding data suggest that the quartz
quartz sand
sand of the Sturgeon
Sturgeon was derived
derived from the
northwest, and Pettijohn
Pettijohn (1957)
(1957) showed that many of the Paleoproterozoic quartzites of
the Lake Superior
Superior region
region had
had a source
source area
area to the west or northwest. The Sturgeon
Sturgeon
Quartzite is considered
considered to have formed during a marine
marine transgression
transgression onto the Archean
craton, possibly to the northwest. Bayley and others (1966)
interpreted the quartzite to
(1966) interpreted
be conformable
conformable and gradational
gradational with the Fern
Fern Creek Formation, and to be conformable
conformable
with the overlying
overlying Randville
Randville Dolomite.
Dolomite.
Randville Dolomite: The
TheRandville
RandvilleDolomite
Dolomiteoverlies
overliesthe
the Sturgeon
SturgeonQuartzite
Quartzitein
in the
the
Menominee and Felch districts. It takes its name from exposures near Randville, north of
of
southeast-trending belts
belts in the Menominee
Menominee
Iron Mountain. The dolomite occurs in three southeast-trending

6

�district because
because of repetition
repetition by
by faulting
faulting (Bayley
(Bayley and others, 1966).
1966). ItIt is estimated to be
be
thick. Classic
Classic exposures
exposures of deformed
deformed stromatolitic dolomite
dolomite are
are present
present
about 2,000 feet thick.
at stop
stop 2-6.

The Randville
Randville is composed mainly of massive
massive clastic dolomite with thick- and thinbedded sandy dolomite, dolomitic and quartzose slate, and pebbly dolomite
3-12
conglomerate (Bayley
(Bayley and others, 1966).
1966). Domal stromatolites 1-3
1-3 inches high and 3-1
2
common and widespread in the formation. They form reefs
reefs as
inches in diameter are common
much
much as 50 feet thick and
and are
are of great
great aerial
aerial extent.
extent. The
The stromatolites
stromatolites are usually in thinbedded sandy dolomite and conglomeratic dolomite of shallow water origin. The clastic
dolomite consists mainly of rounded
rounded carbonate fragments that range
range in size from sand to
cobbles. Internally the fragments consist of fine-grained
fine-grained dolomite.
dolomite. Bayley and others
(1966)
(1966) stated
stated that the
the presence
presence of
of stromatolites,
stromatolites, oscillation
oscillationripple
ripplemarks,
marks,mud
mudcracks
cracksand
and
(1981)
clastic beds indicates deposition in very shallow water. Larue (1
981) reported that
remnants of anhydrite and gypsum
gypsum crystals, along with the bedding features, suggest
deposition of the Randville
Randville Dolomite in a paleo-sabkha environment. Thus, the Chocolay
Group may record continuous deposition from a glacial environment (the Fern Creek
Formation)
Formation) to an
an arid
arid sub-tropical
sub-tropical environment
environment(the
(theRandville
RandvilleDolomite).
Dolomite).

Menominee Group
Menominee
Feich
Felch Formation: The
TheFelch
FelchFormation
Formationisisaasericitic
sericiticslate
slateand
andquartzite
quartzitethat
thatoverlies
overliesthe
the
Randville
Randville Dolomite.
Dolomite. ItIt consists
consists of thin-bedded
thin-beddedsericitic
sericitic slate
slateand
andphyllite
phylliteand
andintercalated
intercalated
thin-bedded
thin-bedded quartzite, with the quartzite
quartzite layers
layers more
more prevalent
prevalent near
near the top of the
(Bayley and
and others,
others, 1966).
1966). ItIt is
is about
about 100
100 feet
feet thick
thick in
in the
the Menominee
Menominee district,
district,
formation (Bayley
formation
but thickens to about 500 feet in
in the Feich
Felch district
district to the north. Bayley and others (1966)
considered the Felch Formation
Formation to be correlative with the Ajibik Quartzite and Siamo
Slate of the Marquette district and the Palms
Palms Formation
Formation of the Gogebic district. They
state that although the Felch
Felch Formation
Formation is structurally concordant on the Randville
Dolomite, both local and regional relationships suggest that the Felch Formation is
unconformable on the Randville Dolomite. However, the Felch Formation is conformable
and gradational
gradational with the overlying
overlying Vulcan
Vulcan Iron-formation.
Iron-formation.

Iron-formation: The
Vulcan Iron-formation:
The Vulcan
Vulcan Iron-formation
Iron-formationis
is the
the major
major iron-bearing
iron-bearing unit of the
iron-formation is divided
divided into four units, two composed mainly of
of
Menominee district. The iron-formation
granular iron-formation
and
two
composed
of
slate
and
slaty
iron-formation.
In
iron-formation
composed
In
succeeding order the units are the Traders Iron-bearing
Iron-bearingMember, the Brier Slate, the
Iron-bearing Member, and the Loretto
Curry Iron-bearing
Loretto Slate. The Traders and Curry Members
layers of granular
granular jasper alternating
alternating with layers
layers of magnetite
magnetite and
and hematite.
hematite. The
The
contain layers
Brier and Loretto
Members are mainly laminated siliceous iron-rich slate, which locally
Loretto Members
contains laminae of detrital quartz, feldspar, micas,
micas, zircon and tourmaline. According to
(1958),
958), the iron-formation
iron-formation is about 1,000 feet thick, of which about 730 feet is
is
Dutton (1
ferruginous
330 feet, Loretto
LorettoSlate
Slate == 400
400 feet)
feet) and
and 270
270 feet
feet is
is
ferruginous slate
slate (Brier
(Brier Slate
Slate == 330
iron-formation (Traders
granular iron-formation
(Traders = 100
100 feet, Curry
Curry =
= 170
170 feet). The
The Vulcan is
is seen
seen at
2-4 and
stops 2-4
and 2-5.

7

�Group
Baraga Group
In the area of the field trips, rocks
rocks of the Baraga
Baraga Group
Group are
are mostly
mostly in
in the
the Menominee
Menominee
Range, where they consist of a variety of rock types generally combined
combined into
into the
Michigamme Formation. The belts underlain by the Michigamme
Michigamme Formation are very
poorly exposed,
exposed, which accounts, at least in part, for
for the lack
lack of
of detailed
detailed mapping
mapping of
of what
what
may well be otherwise discernible map units. According to Bayley and others (1966)
(1966) the
Michigamme Formation consists chiefly of slate, especially quartzose, micaceous, and
Michigamme
graphitic varieties, subgraywacke,
subgraywacke, quartzite,
quartzite, conglomerate,
conglomerate, dolomite,
dolomite, dolomitic
dolomitic quartzite,
quartzite,
iron-formation.More
More recent
recent exploration
exploration drilling
drilling also has
has identified
identified units
units of
and some iron-formation.
rocks. An unconformity
unconformity between
between the Michigamme
Michigamme and
and underlying
underlying Vulcan
mafic volcanic rocks.
Iron-formation is indicated
indicated by the presence of widespread basal conglomerate,
Iron-formation
clasts of iron-formation
iron-formationand
and other
other Menominee
Menominee and
and Chocolay
Chocolay Group
Group
containing clasts
lithologies, and by regional truncation
truncation of pre-Baraga
pre-BaragaGroup
Group units
units beneath
beneath the
the basal
basal
lithologies,
Michigamme units. The Michigamme
Michigamme Formation
Formation is
is the youngest
youngest Paleoproterozoic
Paleoproterozoic unit
Michigamme
preserved
preserved in
in the
the Menominee
MenomineeRange.
Range.
The Michigamme
Michigamme Formation
Formation extends
extends westward
westward and is present widely, although poorly
exposed, in fault panels
panels lying
lying between
between the Wisconsin magmatic
magmatic terranes
terranes and
and the
the Iron
Iron
River-Crystal Falls allochthon.
has provided
providedaa detailed
detaileddescription
description of
of these
these
River-Crystal
allochthon. Dutton
Dutton (1971)
(1971) has
lithologically as their equivalents in the Menominee
rocks, which are equally as varied lithologically
Range. Farther north, the Michigamme
Michigamme Formation is structurally beneath the Iron
Iron RiverCrystal Falls allochthon and is widely exposed north and east of the allochthon. This
area also has
has considerable lithologic diversity, but graded-bedded
graded-bedded graywackes,
graywackes, pelitic
politic
schist and slate, and
and impure
impure quartzite become
become more
more dominant
dominant toward
toward the north
north and
and
interlayered
interlayered mafic volcanic rocks
rocks and iron-formation
iron-formationbecome
become volumetrically
volumetrically minor.
minor.
Total thickness of the Michigamme
Michigamme Formation
Formation is
is not
not known,
known, but
but itit is
is probably
probably several
several
thousand feet or more. Dutton
Dutton (1971)
(1971) stated
stated that
that the
the Michigamme
Michigamme might
might be
be as
as much
muchas
as
20,000 feet thick in
in the Florence,
Florence, Wisconsin
Wisconsin area.
area. Barovich
Barovich and
and others
others (1989)
(1989) used
used Nd
Nd
isotope data to show that the Michigamme
Michigamme Formation
Formation in
in the field trip area
area was derived
derived
from a Paleoproterozoic
Paleoproterozoic source. Sims and others (1993)
(1993) suggest that the source was the
Wisconsin
Wisconsin magmatic
magmatic terranes
terranes to
to the
the south,
south, with
with deposition
deposition in
in aa foredeep
foredeep environment
environment
during docking
docking of the
the Wisconsin
Wisconsinmagmatic
magmatic terranes
terranes with
with the
the continent
continent margin.
margin.

Paint River Group
Group
Rocks assigned to the Paint River Group consist of about 6,500 feet of sedimentary
sedimentary
strata, which overlie as much
much as 15,000
volcanic rocks.
rocks. They
form the
of
15,000 feet of volcanic
They form
the bedrock
bedrock of
the Iron
Iron River-Crystal
River-Crystal Falls
Falls district
district (James
(James and
and others, 1968).
1968). Five
Five formations
formations were
were
assigned
assigned originally to the Paint
Paint River
River Group. Here,
Here, we add
add a sixth
sixth formation, the
the
Badwater Greenstone, as discussed in more detail below. The stratigraphic position
position of
the Paint
Paint River
River Group
Group has
has been
been problematical
problematical for more
more than
than half
half aa century.
century. The
The group
group
was interpreted
(e.g. Leith
Leith and
and
interpreted to be
be part
part of the
the Michigamme
MichigammeFormation
Formation in
in older
older reports
reports (e.g.
others, 1935),
1935), but
but was interpreted
interpreted to
to be
be aa separate
separate group
group (younger
(younger than
than the
the
Michigamme) by James and others (1968)
Michigamme)
(1968) and Cannon and Gair (1970).
(1970). However, as
discussed
discussed below,
below, more recent
recent studies
studies have
have suggested
suggested that the
the Paint
Paint River
River Group
Group may
may
be a fault-repeated
fault-repeated sequence
sequence correlative
correlative with the Baraga
Baraga and/or
and/or Menominee
Menominee Groups
Groups (cf.
(cf.
Sims
Sims and
1993). Below,
Below, we provide
provide evidence
evidence that the Paint
Paint River Group
Group is
an
and others,
others, 1993).
is an

8

�structurally emplaced
emplaced over the Michigamme
Michigamme Formation
Formation and consists of deepallochthon structurally
water distal
distal equivalents
equivalents of the Menominee
Menominee and Baraga
Baraga Groups.
Groups.
The 6,500 feet of Paint
Paint River
River Group
Group sedimentary
sedimentary strata
strata have
have some
some special
special
Larue and
and Sloss
Sloss (1980)
(1980) point
point out that presence
presence of turbidites indicates
indicates
characterisitics. Larue
that they were deposited in a subsiding basin. Likewise,
986) noted
Likewise, Cannon
Cannon (1
(1986)
noted "the
group consists of a very unusual
unusual sequence
sequence of extremely
extremely ferruginous
ferruginous slate, greywacke,
and carbonate
carbonate iron-formation.
iron-formation.The
The abundance
abundance of pyritic
pyritic and
and graphitic
graphitic slate,
slate, the absence
absence
of more
more oxidized
oxidized facies
facies of iron-formation,
iron-formation, and
and the
the drastic
drastic lateral
lateral facies
facies changes
changes of
of some
some
units suggest that the group was deposited in deep, anaerobic water in a tectonically
environment."
unstable environment."

Badwater Greenstone: The
The Badwater
Badwater Greenstone
Greenstone is
is aa thick sequence of massive
massive and
units (agglomerates)
(agglomerates) along with minor
pillowed basalt, with the pillows and fragmental units
interbedded slate and iron-formation
iron-formation(James
(James and
and others, 1968).
1968). ItIt is
is seen
seen at stop
stop 3-7.
3-7.
interbedded
The Badwater
Badwater is estimated
estimated to be
be 3,000
3,000 to 8,000 feet
feet thick, but
but may
may be
be up
up to
to 15,000
15,000 feet
thick in the Iron
relative age of the Badwater
Iron River area (James and others, 1968). The
The relative
Greenstone
Greenstone has
has been
been uncertain
uncertain for many
many years, but
but most
most recent
recent interpretations
interpretations(e.g.,
1993) consider
consider it to be
be correlative
correlative with the lithologically and chemically
Sims and others, 1993)
Hemlock Formation.
Formation. As such, itit would be
be equivalent to part of the Menominee
similar Hemlock
Group
Group deposited
deposited about 1875
1875 Ma. We here
here suggest
suggest that
that the
the Badwater
Badwater be
be placed
placed within
the Paint
Paint River
River Group in contrast
contrast to its
its previous
previous assignment
assignment to the Menominee
Menominee or
Baraga
Baraga Groups
Groups for reasons
reasons discussed
discussed more
more fully
fully below.
Dunn Creek Slate: The
TheDunn
DunnCreek
Creek Slate
Slate is
is composed
composed of 400
400 to 1,500
1,500 feet of strata
strata
between the Badwater
Badwater Greenstone and the Riverton
Riverton Iron-formation
Iron-formation(James
(James and others,
1968). It is seen at stop
stop 3-5.
3-5. The
The Dunn
Dunn Creek
Creek is
is aa lithologically
lithologically varied
varied unit
unit comprised
comprised of
of aa
sequence
sequence of well-bedded
well-bedded to laminated
laminated argillite
argillite and cherty argillite,
argillite, with units
units of
somewhat coarser impure
impure quartzite, and
and thin cherty iron-formations.
iron-formations. The term "slate" is a
misnomer
misnomer in that most
most of the rock
rock has,
has, at
at best,
best, aa moderately
moderately developed
developed cleavage,
cleavage, and
true slates are rare.
rare. The upper
upper part
part of the
the formation
formation is
is aa distinctive
distinctive highly
highly graphitic
graphitic
argillite and argillite breccia unit, the
the Wauseca
Wauseca Pyritic Member (stop
(stop 3-3),
3-3), which is
present throughout the Iron
Iron River-Crystal
River-Crystal Falls
Falls district
district and
and forms the footwall of the
Iron-formation (James and others, 1968). The Wauseca is an example of
Riverton Iron-formation
sulfide facies iron-formation
sulfide
iron-formationas
as defined
defined by
by James
James (1954).
(1954). ItIt contains
contains from
from 15
15 to
to 25%
25% Fe
Fe
from 10
and from
10 to 30%
30% S. In
In the
the Iron
Iron River
River area
area parts
parts of the
the Wauseca
Wauseca Member
Member contain
contain
carbon that has
has not been
been altered
altered to graphite,
graphite, suggesting
suggesting that
that the
the rocks
rocks have
have undergone
undergone
little, if any metamorphism.
metamorphism. Tyler and
and others
others (1957)
(1957) showed that some of the
carbonaceous
carbonaceous material
material in the Iron
Iron River
River area
area is, in
in fact, coal,
coal, and
and as such, this is
is one
one of
the oldest known
occurrences
of
coal
in
the
world.
The
lower
part
of
the
Dunn
Creek
known occurrences coal in
The
part
Dunn
Slate
Slate is
is poorly
poorly exposed, but
but evidently
evidently varies
varies considerably
considerablyin
incharacter
characterwithin
withinthe
thedistrict
district
(James
Badwater
(James and others, 1968).
1968). The basal
basal contact
contact of the
the Dunn
Dunn Creek
Creek with the Badwater
Greenstone
Greenstone is poorly
poorly known, but probably
probably conformable.
conformable. The great lateral
lateral changes
changes in
thickness of the Dunn
thickness
Dunn Creek suggest
suggest that
that itit was
was deposited
deposited over aa surface
surface with
considerable relief and that the relief was buried
buried before
before the later
later phases
phases of deposition
deposition so
that thin units
units of the Wauseca
Wauseca Member
Member are
are continuous
continuous over
over the
the entire
entire district. The
The Dunn
Dunn
Creek is conformable
conformable with and
and locally
locally gradational with the basal
basal units of the Riverton
Riverton
Iron-formation.
Iron-formation.This contact
contact is
is seen
seen at
at stop
stop 3-3.
3-3. The
The Riverton
Riverton is
is also
also seen
seen at stops
stops 3-3
3-3
and 3-4.
3-4.

9

�The 10
10to
to 800-foot-thick
800-foot-thickRiverton
Riverton Iron-formation
Iron-formationis
is conformable
Riverton Iron-formation: The
and gradational with the underlying Dunn Creek Slate, and is the main iron-bearing unit
in the Iron River-Crystal Falls district. It is described in detail by James and others
(1
968). Where it is
is oxidized
oxidized it consists
consists primarily of thin-bedded chert and iron-rich
iron-rich
(1968).
carbonate, layers of stilpnomelane and disseminated graphite. However, in most areas
iron-formationis
is altered,
altered, with
with the
the iron
iron oxidized
oxidized to limonite
limonite and
and goethite,
goethite, and
and the
the chert
chert
the iron-formation
being variably leached (James and others, 1968). The best natural
natural exposure of the
unoxidized phase of the Riverton is on the apron of the dam on the Paint River in Crystal
Falls, Michigan
Michigan (stop
(stop 3-6).
3-6).
The Hiawatha
Hiawatha Graywacke
Graywacke ranges in thickness from 0 -- 500 feet
Hiawatha Grawacke:
Graywacke: The
and disconformably overlies the Riverton Iron-formation.
Iron-formation.The basal part of the formation
formation
breccia of chert fragments in
is a breccia
in a graywacke
graywacke matrix,
matrix, which is well exposed along the
Paint River in Crystal Falls (James and others, 1968). The chert fragments are
commonly
commonly an inch
inch or more
more in
in size, but
but locally
locally range
range up
up to as much
much as 2 feet in
in length.
length.
Above the basal
basal breccia
breccia unit,
unit, most
most of the
the Hiawatha
Hiawatha Graywacke
Graywacke is
is a dark gray
gray massive
massive
medium grained greywacke in which clastic grains are readily visible. In the western part
Iron River
River area
area the graywacke
graywacke is
is particularly
particularlycoarse
coarse and
and contains
contains aa large
large amount
amount
of the Iron
of clastic feldspar (James
(James and
and others,
others, 1968).
1968). They
They suggested
suggested that
that the
the change
change from
from
chemical
ironchemical to clastic deposition
deposition was the result
result of structural
structural disturbance
disturbance that halted
halted ironformation
formation deposition.
deposition.
Stambaugh Formation: The
Stambauoh
The Stambaugh
Stambaugh Formation
Formation is
is about 100
100 feet thick and is
composed
composed of a lower
lower laminated
laminated cherty unit overlain by massive
massive chloritic slate and some
graywacke (James and others, 1968).
1968). Much of the unit is moderately
moderately to strongly
magnetic, a feature that was very helpful
in
resolving
the
structure
in the district.
helpful

Fortune Lakes Slate: The
The Fortune
Fortune Lakes
Lakes Slate
Slate is
is the uppermost
uppermost formation of the Paint
River Group and the youngest Precambrian
Precambrian unit in the district (James and others, 1968).
1968).
It also underlies
underlies the largest area and, because of poor exposure, is the least known
known
formation. ItIt is
is at
at least
least 4,000 feet
feet thick
thick and
and is
is composed
composed dominantly
dominantly of
of slates
slates with
with
interbedded graywacke and minor iron-formation. Graded-bedded
graywacke
composes
Graded-bedded
about 25 percent of the formation. Graded
Graded units
units range
range in
in thickness from 1-30
1-30feet
(James and others, 1968).
1968).

Stratigraphic Synthesis
Stratigraphic
Synthesisof
of the
the Marquette
MarquetteRange
Range Supergroup
Supergroup
The foundation
foundation for modern
modern stratigraphic
stratigraphic terminology
terminology of
of the
the Paleoproterozoic
Paleoproterozoicstrata
strata of
of the
the
southern
southern Lake
Lake Superior
Superior region
region was established
established by James
James (1958),
(1958), who defined the fourfourfold group
group designation
designation still
still in
in use
use and
and introduced
introduced the term
term Animikie
Animikie Series
Series for the
the
stratigraphically superposed sequence of Chocolay, Menominee, Baraga,
presumably stratigraphically
and
and Paint
Paint River
River Groups.
Groups. The term
term "Marquette
"Marquette Range
Range Supergroup"
Supergroup" was introduced
introduced by
Cannon and Gair (1970)
(1970) to
to replace
replace "Animikie
"Animikie Series"
Series"in
in compliance
compliancewith
with the
the North
North
American Stratigraphic
Stratigraphic Code; an
an assemblage
assemblage of groups
groups is
is aa supergroup,
supergroup, not
not aa series,
series,
and the name
name "Animikie"
"Animikie" was already
already aa well established
established group
group name
namein
inMinnesota
Minnesotaand
and
Ontario. In more recent years, two principal
principal changes have been proposed. First is the
recognition that the Menominee Group contains thick volcanic formations that are
temporal equivalents of the major
major iron-formations.
iron-formations.This
This relationship
relationship is
is best
best documented
documented
in the eastern Gogebic range where the Emperor
Volcanic
Complex
(Trent,
1976)
Emperor
1976)
interfingers with the Ironwood
interfingers
Ironwood Iron-formation
Iron-formation and is unequivocally
unequivocally part of the Menominee

10

�(Klasner and
and others, 1998).
1998). Likewise,
Likewise, the Hemlock
Hemlock Formation,
Formation, aa thick
thick
Group succession (Klasner
rocks long
long considered
considered aa part
part of the
the Baraga
Baraga Group,
Group, was
was
succession of volcanic rocks
reassigned
reassigned to the Menominee
Menominee Group
Group (Cannon, 1986).
1986). Although
Although relationships
relationships are not
not as
definitive as in the Gogebic
definitive
Gogebic Range
Range because
because of structural
structural complications
complications and
and poor
poor
exposures, the correlation
correlation is supported
supported by interbedded
interbedded iron-formations
iron-formationswithin the
Hemlock and an extensive iron-formation
(AmasaIFence River)
River) overlying the Hemlock,
Hemlock,
iron-formation (Amasa/Fence
which are believed to be the westward continuation
continuation of the Negaunee
Negaunee Iron-formation
Iron-formationfrom
the Marquette
Marquette Range. Also, the Amasa Formation
Formation is
is unconformably
unconformably overlain
overlain by
by a
conglomerate lithologically
lithologically indistinguishable from basal
basal conglomerate
conglomerate of the Goodrich
Goodrich
Quartzite of the Marquette
Marquette Range.
Range. Taken
Taken together,
together, the
the weight
weight of
of evidence
evidence suggests
suggests that
that
Emperor and Hemlock
Hemlock volcanic rocks
rocks were erupted
erupted simultaneously
simultaneously with ironboth the Emperor
formation deposition and interfinger
interfinger with the Ironwood
Ironwood and Negaunee
Negaunee Iron-formations.
Iron-formations.
EmperorIIronwood assemblage
assemblage and
and the Hemlock/Amasa
Hemlock/Amasa assemblage
assemblage are
are
Both the Emperor/Ironwood
unconformably overlain by a conglomerate marking
marking the base
base of the Baraga
Baraga Group
Group and
and
unconformably
thus
thus seem
seem properly
properly assigned
assigned to
to the
the Menominee
Menominee Group.
Group.
second principal
principal change
change to
to stratigraphic
stratigraphiccorrelation
correlation is
is the
the recognition
recognition that
that the
the Paint
Paint
A second
River Group is likely an allochthon
allochthon structurally emplaced over the Baraga Group and is
therefore not necessarily
therefore
necessarily a younger sequence.
sequence. As we propose
propose here, certain lithologic
similarities between Paint River units and Menominee and Baraga Group units suggest
similarities
that the Paint
Paint River
River is equivalent to both
both the Menominee
Menominee and Baraga
Baraga Groups. The five
formations originally assigned
formations
assigned to the Paint
Paint River
River Group
Group lie in their entirety within the Iron
Iron
River-Crystal
River-Crystal Falls basin (referred
(referred to as the Iron
Iron River-Crystal
River-Crystal Falls district by James and
others, 1968).
1968). Over the years there have
have been
been differences
differences in
in opinion
opinion concerning
concerning the
relative ages of the strata
strata within the Iron
Iron River-Crystal
River-Crystal Falls
Falls basin, the underlying
underlying
Badwater Greenstone, and nearby
nearby Baraga
Baraga and Menominee Group strata. Leith
Leith and
others (1935)
(1935) interpreted
interpreted the sedimentary
sedimentary rocks
rocks of the district to
to be
be roughly
roughly equivalent
equivalent to
the Michigamme
Michigamme Formation,
Formation, but
but they
they were
were uncertain
uncertain about
about the
the stratigraphic
stratigraphic position
position of
of
what they called
Pentoga belts
belts of greenstone
greenstone (Badwater
(Badwater Greenstone
Greenstone
called the Paint
Paint River
River and
and Pentoga
of current
usage). James
James (1958),
(1958), however,
however, proposed
strata of
the Iron
Rivercurrent usage).
proposed that the
the strata
of the
Iron RiverCrystal
Falls
district
comprised
the
uppermost
the
Paint
River
Group
of
four
Paint
River
Group
Crystal
uppermost
stratigraphic groups that make
stratigraphic
make up
up the
the Marquette
Marquette Range
Range Supergroup.
Supergroup. The
The Badwater
Badwater
Greenstone
Greenstone was considered to be part of the Baraga
Baraga Group. Larue
Larue and
and Sloss
Sloss (1980)
(1980)
discussed sedimentation of the Marquette
Marquette Range
Range Supergroup
Supergroup and
and accepted
accepted James'
James'
interpretation,
interpretation, whereas others questioned
questioned the stratigraphic
stratigraphic position
position of the Paint
Paint River
River
Group. For example, Cambray
Cambray (1978)
(1978) suggested
suggested that the Paint
Paint River
River Group
Group is
is
stratigraphically equivalent to the Menominee
1992),
stratigraphically
Menominee Group. More
More recently, Sims (1990,
(1990, 1992),
and Sims and Schulz (1993)
(1993) proposed
proposed that the Paint
Paint River Group
Group is the stratigraphic
equivalent of the Baraga
Baraga Group
Group and
and they correlated
correlated the Badwater
Badwater Greenstone
Greenstone with the
Hemlock
Hemlock Formation
Formation in
in the
the Menominee
MenomineeGroup.
Group.
is some
some lithologic
lithologic similarity between
between units
units of the Paint
Paint River
River
As shown in figure 3, there is
Group and other nearby
nearby successions,
successions, the most
most obvious
obvious being
being a thick and
and extensive
extensive
banded iron-formation
iron-formation overlain disconformably
disconformably by clastic rocks
rocks including
including ferruginous
conglomerate. In
In this
this regard,
regard, the
the Riverton
Riverton Iron-formation/Hiawatha
Iron-formation1HiawathaGraywacke
Graywacke
VulcanlMichigamme succession
succession of
succession of the Paint
Paint River
River Group
Group is
is similar to the Vulcan/Michigamme
the Menominee
Menominee Range
Range and
and the
the Negaunee/Goodrich
NegauneelGoodrichsuccession
successionof
of the
theMarquette
MarquetteRange.
Range.
We suggest
suggest that
that the
the Riverton/Hiawatha
RivertonIHiawathadisconformity
disconformity is
is equivalent
equivalent to
to the
the
Menominee/Baraga
formations
MenomineelBaraga unconformity
unconformity elsewhere
elsewhere and that the Riverton
Riverton and older formations
of the Paint
Paint River Group
Group are
are equivalent
equivalent to Menominee
Menominee Group
Group units, whereas the
Hiawatha and younger parts
parts are equivalent to the Baraga
Baraga Group.
Group. Thus, the thick clastic,
11

�units of the upper
upper part
part of the
the Paint
Paint River
River Group
Group are
are correlatives
correlativesof rocks
rocks
in part turbiditic, units
of similar depositional setting
setting in the Baraga
Baraga Group. The Badwater
Badwater Greenstone
Greenstone may
may be
be
the equivalent of the Hemlock
Hemlock Formation
Formation in the Menominee
Menominee Group. We here
here suggest
suggest
Badwater Greenstone should be placed
placed in the Paint River Group rather than the
that the Badwater
Structural evidence presented
Menominee Group. Structural
presented below indicates that the Badwater is
sequence, as indicated
indicated by the widespread occurrence of
part of the allochthonous sequence,
steeply plunging
integral part
part of the Paint
Paint
plunging folds characteristic
characteristic of the allochthon, and is an integral
being the
the volcanic
volcanic base
base on
on which
which younger
younger units
unitswere
were deposited
depositedwith
with
River succession,
succession, being
is more
more aptly included
included with the Paint
Paint River Group rather than
apparent conformity. ItIt thus is
separated and thus has unknown
unknown
in other groups from which it is structurally separated
stratigraphic relations.
stratigraphic
relations.

Structure
Structure
The area of the field trips spans the Paleoproterozoic
Paleoproterozoic suture separating the Archean
Superior craton and Paleoproterozoic
Paleoproterozoic epicratonic rocks on the north from
Paleoproterozoic
Paleoproterozoic oceanic and island arc rocks of the Wisconsin magmatic
magmatic terranes on
the south. The most commonly
commonly accepted model
model for accretion is
is northward
northward emplacement
emplacement
south-directed subducting slab, eventually leading to the
of volcanic arcs over a south-directed
of Penokean
culmination of
Penokeandeformation
deformation as
as the
the arcs
arcs collided
collided with the southern edge of the
Superior
Superior craton.
craton.
The Niagara fault zone, a zone of intense
intense shearing as much
much as several kilometers
kilometers wide
in some areas, is the feature which most completely separates volcanic rocks on the
south from epicratonic sedimentary rocks on the north
north and is generally considered to be
the surface
surface trace
trace of the
the suture.
suture. However,
However, itit is
is but
but one
one of
of aa series
series of
of anastamosing
anastamosingfaults
faults
structural panels in which volcanic and sedimentary rocks are intermixed.
that bound structural
Niagara
These panels compose a belt as much
much as 25 km wide, which we refer to as the Niagara
northward
suture zone. Available structural data indicates that these panels were thrust northward
during collision and are allochthonous with regard
regard to Archean basement rocks and, in
some cases with regard
regard to lower parts
parts of the sedimentary
sedimentary succession.
succession. The allochthons
are characterized by a complex structural
structural history in which refolding
refolding of early folds has
resulted
resulted in diversely
diversely and
and commonly
commonly steeply
steeply plunging
plunging folds.
folds.

Terminology
Terminology
Because
Because various names have been applied over the years to structural elements
composing what we now refer to as the Niagara
Niagara suture zone, the following discussion
(1966)
correlates the terms used
used here with previous terminology. Both Bayley and others (1
966)
and Dutton
Dutton (1971)
(1971) defined
defined the structural
structural panels
panels of the region
region and
and the map
map geometry
geometry has
has
remained
remained essentially unchanged
unchanged since their work. They, however, did not use the term
"Niagara fault", although they did recognize and map the fault as a major boundary
boundary
between
between the dominantly volcanic rocks to the south and dominantly sedimentary rocks to
the north. They did name
name other faults and
and also
also applied
applied names
names to various structural
structural
blocks. We have
have retained
retained their names
names throughout
throughout most
most of this
this report.
report. With
With recognition
recognitionof
of
and Ueng
Ueng (1985)
(1985) introduced
introducedthe
the significance of the Niagara
Niagara fault
as aa suture,
suture, Larue
Larue and
the
fault as
term "Florence-Niagara
"Florence-Niagara terrane" to encompass
encompass the eight structural
structural panels
panels defined
defined by
Bayley and others (1966)
roughly ten-kilometer-wide zone of
(1966) and Dutton (1971)
(1971) as a roughly
rocks exhibiting
internal deformation unique
suture
exhibiting very intense internal
unique to the tectonics of the suture
zone. An additional terrane, the Crystal Falls terrane, was proposed by Ueng
Ueng and Larue
Larue

12

�(1987)
(1
987) and considered to be part of the terrane-boundary tectonic assemblage because
its complex, although
although less
less intense
intense deformational
deformational history.
history. In
In this report
report we have
have used
used
of its
the term "Niagara
terrane and
"Niagara suture zone" to encompass
encompass both
both the Florence-Niagara
Florence-Niagara terrane
Crystal Falls
Falls terrane. The suture
suture zone is
is bounded
bounded on the south by the Niagara
Niagara fault
zone. The rocks
rocks of the suture
suture zone
zone all
all show
show a complexity
complexity and intensity of folding much
much
exhibited by correlative strata
strata farther north.
north. The northern
northern boundary
boundary of the
greater than exhibited
suture zone is the Badwater
Badwater fault and
and Paint
Paint River
River fault, both
both probably
probably originally thrusts,
which transported
transported Paleoproterozoic
RiverPaleoproterozoic strata
strata northward.
northward. We use
use the term
term "Iron
"Iron RiverFalls allochthon"
allochthon" as
as an
an equivalent
equivalent to
to the
the "Crystal
"CrystalFalls
Fallsterrane"
terrane"of
of Ueng
Uengand
and
Crystal Falls
Larue
Larue (1987)
(1987) and
and "Iron
"Iron River-Crystal
River-CrystalFalls
Fallsbasin"
basin"of
of many
manyolder
older reports.
reports.

Niagara
Niagara Fault
Fault Zone
Zone
The Niagara
Niagara fault zone is
is a zone of highly
highly strained
strained rock most
most commonly
commonly up to a few
hundred
hundred meters
meters wide
wide although
although there
there are
arefew
few places
placeswhere
where ititisisexposed
exposedand
andits
itswidth
width
can be estimated. Its
Its location
location (see
(see fig. 1)
1) is
is relatively
relatively well defined in the regions
regions covered
by this field guide, but lack of outcrops
outcrops to the west make
make its
its location
location somewhat
problematic. In
In those regions
regions its
its location
location is
is based
based largely on interpretation of
aeromagnetic maps
maps on which the fault is
is expressed
expressed as a discontinuity of structural
structural
patterns. On geologic maps
maps itit is
is generally
generally portrayed
portrayed as a single line
line separating mostly
mostly
metasedimentary
metasedimentary rocks
rocks on the north
north from metavolcanic
metavolcanic rocks
rocks on the south, but
but itit is
is likely
likely
to have numerous
numerous splays extending southward into the volcanic terranes, only some of
which have
have been
been seen
seen in
in outcrop.
outcrop.
On the field trips we will examine two of the best-exposed
best-exposed areas of the fault zone. Highly
sheared rocks of the fault zone are
are well exposed
exposed in
in Piers
Piers Gorge
Gorge (stop
(stop 2-1). Although this
locality
locality is about a kilometer south of the mapped
mapped fault, there is
is little
little doubt that shearing
shearing
seen here is a splay of the Niagara
Niagara fault. Rocks
Rocks within the fault zone are severely
flattened and stretched
stretched and
and foliation
foliation strikes
strikes generally
generally WNW and
and dips
dips steeply
steeply south. High
High
strain has
has resulted
resulted in
in rotation
rotation of fold axes
axes to parallelism
parallelism with the direction of maximum
maximum
Larue, 1985).
1985).Based
Basedon
onstretch
stretchlineations,
lineations,which
whichplunge
plunge600
60'
elongation (Sedlock
(Sedlock and
and Larue,
SW, Sims
Sims and
and Schulz (1993)
(1993) suggest
suggest that tectonic
tectonic transport
transport was northeastward,
northeastward,
perpendicular to the trace of the fault, and
and onto
onto the exposed
exposed part
part of the continental
continental
margin
margin to the north.
north. They
They infer
inferthat
that the
thefault
faultzone
zonedips
dipsabout
about700
70' to
to the
the south.
south. The
The fault
fault
zone is also seen at stop 3-1
3-1 at the Pine
Pine River dam. There, very highly strained rocks
rocks of
the Michigamme
Michigamme Formation
Formationare
are well
well exposed.
exposed.

Although the Niagara
Niagara fault has
has been
been widely accepted as a paleosuture, gravity studies
by Attoh and
and Klasner
Klasner (1989)
(1989) suggest
suggest that
that the
the Archean
Archean cratonic
cratonicrocks
rockscontinue
continuesouthward
southward
at depth to a steep gravity gradient that trends northeastward
northeastward across north-central
north-central
Wisconsin (fig.
Wisconsin
(fig. 1).
1). By
By that
that interpretation
interpretationthe
the Niagara
Niagara fault
fault is
is aa major
major thrust,
thrust, which
which has
has
transported arc rocks
transported
rocks for aa least
least aa few
few tens
tens of
of kilometers
kilometersnorthward
northward over
over the
the southern
southern
edge of the Superior
Superior craton. Based
Based on
on gravity
gravity model
model studies,
studies, Klasner
Klasner and Osterfeld
Osterfeld
(1984)
suggested that magmatic
(1984) had
had previously suggested
magmatic domes, such
such as the Dunbar
Dunbar Dome,
Dome, are
allochthonous, detached at depth and thrust northward
northward in the hanging
hanging wall of the
Niagara
Niagara fault, which flattens
flattens at depth
depth toward
toward the south.

13

�Niagara
Niagara suture
suturezone
zone
Both
Both the
the Menominee
Menominee and
and Iron
Iron River-Crystal
River-Crystal Falls
Falls districts
districts lie
lie near
near the
the southern
southern edge
edge of
of
the
exposed
continental
margin
of
the
Penokean
orogen
and
both
lie
within
the
Niagara
the exposed continental margin of the Penokean orogen and both lie within the Niagara
suture
suture zone
zone as
aswe
we define
defineitithere.
here.The
Thecontinental
continentalrocks
rocksnorth
northof
ofthe
theNiagara
Niagarafault
faultare
are
highly
highly faulted
faulted and
and divided
divided into
into aa series
series of
of structural
structuralblocks.
blocks. Sedlock
Sedlock and
and Larue
Larue(1985)
(1985)
refer
refer to
to these
these blocks
blocksas
as "fault
"faultbounded
boundedtectonostratigraphic
tectonostratigraphicterranes",
terranes", but
butwe
we prefer
preferto
to
use
use the
the term
term "structural
"structuralpanels"
panels" because
becausethey
they do
do not
not fit
fit the
the strict
strictdefinition
definitionof
of aa
tectonostratigraphic
tectonostratigraphic unit,
unit,which
whichisisdefined
definedin
inthe
the Glossary
Glossaryof
of Geology
Geologyas
asaa"mixture
"mixtureof
of
rock
faultrock stratigraphic
stratigraphicunits
unitsresulting
resultingfrom
from tectonic
tectonic deformation."
deformation."Rather
Ratherthese
theseare
arefaultbounded
boundedslices
slices of
of rocks
rocksor
orrock-stratigraphic
rock-stratigraphicsequences
sequencesthat
thathave
haveaaunique
uniquestructural
structural
signature.
signature. Although
Althoughboth
bothdistricts
districtsare
arepart
partof
ofthe
theNiagara
Niagarasuture
suturezone,
zone,they
theyare
aredistinctly
distinctly
different
differentfrom
fromeach
eachother
otherstructurally.
structurally.Thus
Thusthey
theywill
willbe
bediscussed
discussedindividually
individuallybelow.
below.

Menominee
Menominee District
District
The
The Menominee
Menomineedistrict
districtlies
lieswithin
within the
the Niagara
Niagarasuture
suture zone
zone at
at the
the southern
southern edge
edge of
of aa
series
series of
of uplifted
upliftedblocks
blocksof
of Archean
Archeanbasement
basement(figs.
(figs.1,1,2).
2).Those
Thoserocks
rocksnorth
northofofthe
the
Menominee
Menomineerange
rangecontain
contain fault-bounded
fault-boundedtroughs
troughsof
of tightly
tightlyappressed
appressedPaleoproterozoic
Paleoproterozoic
strata—the
Felch and
and Calumet
Calumet troughs
troughs (fig. 2)-2 ) - down-faulted
down-faulted between
between blocks
blocks of
of Archean
Archean
strata-the Felch
rocks.
rocks.Studies
Studiesby
byKlasner
Klasnerand
andothers
others(1989)
(1989)and
andKlasner
Klasnerand
andSims
Sims(1993)
(1993) suggest
suggestthat
that
these
Archean
blocks
were
uplifted
and
thrust
northward
along
Bush
Lake
fault,
a
these Archean blocks were uplifted and thrust northward along Bush Lake fault, a
master
masterfault
fault that,
that, they
theysuggest,
suggest,carried
carriednow
noweroded
erodedPaleoroterozoic
Paleoroterozoicand
andArchean
Archean rocks
rocks
onto
onto the
the continental
continentalhinterland
hinterlandto
tothe
thenorth.
north.AAseries
seriesof
of south-verging
south-vergingthrusts
thrustsoccurs
occursinin
the
the Felch
Felchand
andCalumet
Calumettrough
troughareas.
areas. These
Thesemay
mayhave
havedeveloped
developedas
as back-thrusts
back-thrustsduring
during
the
thenorthward
northwardthrusting
thrustingevent,
event,or
orthey
theymay
mayhave
havedeveloped
developedlater
laterduring
duringthe
theMazatzal
Mazatzal
orogeny
orogeny (HoIm
(Holm and
and others,
others, 1999;
1999;Romano
Romanoand
and others,
others, 2000).
2000).
The
The general
generalstructure
structureof
of the
theMenominee
Menomineeiron
irondistrict
district(fig.
(fig.4)
4)isisaasouth-facing
south-facinghomocline
homocline
of
of Paleoproterozoic
stratain
which stratigraphic
arecreated
createdby
Paleoproterozoicstrata
inwhich
stratigraphicrepetitions
repetitionsare
bythree
three major
major
faults
(Bayleyand
andothers,
others,1966).
1966).The
Thefaults
faultscut
cutthe
the
faultsand
andby
byfolding
foldinginternal
internalto
tofault
faultslices
slices(Bayley
folds
foldslongitudinally,
longitudinally,approximately
approximatelyalong
alongthe
thefold
foldaxes,
axes,repeating
repeatingthe
thePaleoproterozoic
Paleoproterozoic
sequence
sequencethree
three times
timesand
andforming
formingthree
three"ranges".
"ranges".Farthest
Farthestnorth,
north,the
theCarney
CarneyLake
Lake
Gneiss
forms
the
core
of
a
broad
anticlinal
structure.
The
Paleoproterozoic
Gneiss forms the core of a broad anticlinal structure. The Paleoproterozoicstrata
stratalie
lie
unconformably
unconformablyon
on the
the gneiss
gneissand
anddip
dipsteeply
steeplyto
to the
the south
southor
orare
areoverturned
overturned(as
(asat
atstop
stop
2-3)
2-3)and
anddip
dipsteeply
steeplynorth
northand
andface
facesouth.
south.Farther
Farthersouth,
south,the
thePaleoproterozoic
Paleoproterozoicstrata
strataare
are
repeated
repeatedtwice
twice by
bymajor
majorfaults
faultsto
toform
formthe
thetwo
tworanges
rangesof
ofthe
thedistrict.
district.These
Thesefaults
faultswere
were
named
4).
namedthe
theNorth
NorthRange
Rangefault
faultand
andSouth
SouthRange
Rangefault
faultby
byBayley
Bayleyand
andothers
others(1966)
(1966)(fig.
(fig.4).
The
Thefaults
faultshave
havesteep
steepdips
dipsatatthe
thepresent
presentlevel
levelofofexposure
exposureand
andconsistently
consistentlyshow
showsouthsouthside-up
side-updisplacement.
displacement.Most
Mostrecent
recentinterpretations
interpretations(e.g.,
(e.g.,Sims
Simsand
andSchulz,
Schulz,1993)
1993)
consider
them
to
have
been
thrust
faults,
which
were
steepened
by
continued
consider them to have been thrust faults, which were steepened by continuedshortening
shortening
of
of the
thethrust
thrustpanels.
panels.The
Therocks
rocksininthe
thehanging
hangingwall
wall(south
(southside)
side)ofofthese
thesefaults
faultshave
haveno
no
indications
indicationsof
of Archean
Archeanbasement
basementrocks,
rocks,inincontrast
contrastto
tothe
thearea
areaimmediately
immediatelyto
tothe
thenorth
north
where
wherethe
theCarney
CarneyLake
LakeGneiss
Gneissisisan
anintegral
integralpart
partofofthe
thestructure.
structure.The
Thenorth
northrange
rangeand
and
south
southrange
rangepanels
panelsmay
maybe
beallochthons
allochthonsdetached
detachedfrom
frombasement
basementand
andthrust
thrustnorthward
northward
over
overthe
themore
moreautochthonous
autochthonoussequence
sequenceofofthe
thenorthern
northernpart
partofofthe
thedistrict.
district.The
The
Menominee
range
is
bounded
on
the
south
by
the
Niagara
fault
(stop
2-1),
along
Menominee range is bounded on the south by the Niagara fault (stop 2-I), alongwhich
which itit
isisinincontact
contactwith
withvolcanic
volcanicrocks
rocksof
ofthe
theWisconsin
Wisconsinmagmatic
magmaticterranes.
terranes.

14

�87 4630'
•r •( •( •(

•

.

.

a

,

4552'3O —

I

•

•

'2
—Ferr Cre,!Ic Fm

Fern Cr,ck rm

88 730"

87 5700

2
I

90

55

2

4

87 4630

I

00

5

10
ip

8

6

I

I
1'O
10

12
12
I

15
15

Miles
Miles

Kilometers
Kilometers

EXPLANATION
EXPLANATION

Cambrian
Cambrian

MunisingSandstone
Sandstone
Munising
North
NorthofofNiagara
Niagarafault
fault
Paleoproterozoic
Paleoproterozoic

SouthofofNiagara
Niagarafault
fault
South
Paleoproterozoic
Paleoproterozoic

Metadiabase
Metadiabase

E Michigamme
Formation
Michigamme
Formation -graywacke
graywacke
LI. Badwater
Greenstone
Badwater
Greenstone
Vulcan
VulcanIron-formation
Iron-formation

L

HoskinsLake
LakeGranite
Granite
Hoskins

MarinetteQuartz
QuartzDiorite
Diorite
........ Marinette
Metagabbro
Metagabbro
QuinnesecFormation
Formation
Quinnesec

Randville
RandvilleDolomite
Dolomite
Sturgeon
SturgeonQuartzite
Quartzite
Fern
FernCreek
CreekFormation
Formation

-

— fault
fault

Archean
Archean
Granitic
Graniticrocks
rocksand
andgneiss
gneiss

0

L:.' Carney
Lake
Gneiss
Carney
Lake
Gneiss

Figure
Figure4.
4. Geologic
Geologicmap
mapof
ofpart
partofofthe
theMenominee
MenomineeIron
IronRange
Rangeshowing
showingthe
thelocation
locationofof
field
trip
stops.
Geology
is
from
Bayley
and
others
(1966).
field trip stops. Geology is from Bayley and others (1966).

Thesefaults
faultscontinue
continuetotothe
thenorthwest
northwestinto
intothe
theFlorence,
Florence,Wisconsin
Wisconsinarea
areaand
andalong
alongthe
the
These
southside
sideof
ofthe
theIron
IronRiver-Crystal
River-CrystalFalls
Fallsdistrict,
district,where
whereDutton
Dutton(1971)
(1971)mapped
mappedfour
fourfaultfaultsouth
boundedstructural
structural"blocks".
"blocks".He
Henamed
namedthe
theblocks,
fromnorth
northtotosouth,
south,the
BruleRiver
blocks,from
theBrule
River
bounded
block,the
theKeyes
KeyesLake
Lakeblock,
block,the
thePine
PineRiver
Riverblock,
block,and
andthe
thePopple
PoppleRiver
Riverblock.
block.The
The
block,

15

�Menominee
Menominee Range
Range and contains, in
in its
its western portions,
portions, an
an extensive
extensive dolomite
dolomite
(Saunders Formation)
Formation) generally
generally accepted
accepted as the equivalent
equivalent of the
the Randville
Randville Dolomite
Dolomite of
(Saunders
Menominee Range.
Range. The
The occurrence
occurrence of
of these
these shelf-deposited
shelf-depositedrocks
rocksin
inthe
the
the Menominee
southernmost and
and structurally
structurally highest
highest thrust
thrust panel
panelof
of the
the continental
continentalforeland
forelandindicates
indicates
southernmost
the continental
continental shelf
shelf originally
originally extended
extended substantially
substantiallysouth
south of
of the
the present
presentNiagara
Niagara
that the
fault.
fault.

-

Iron
District
Iron River - Crystal Falls District
88 1800"

EXPLANATION
EXPLANATION

North
North of
o f Niagara
Niagara fault
Tobin
TobinLake
LakeGranite
Granite

Metagabbro
Metagabbro

-

Paint
Group - undivided
Paint River
River Group
undivided
Fortune
FortuneLake
LakeSlate
Slate

Riverton
Riverton Iron-formation
Iron-formation
Dunn
DunnCreek
CreekSlate
Slate

463'00"

Badwater
BadwaterGreenstone
Greenstone

a

Michigamme
MichigammeFormation,
Formation,
graywacke
graywackeand
andvolcanic
volcanicrocks
rocks
Michigamme
MichigammeFormation
Formation
--quartzite
quartzite
Michigamme
MichigammeFormation
Formation
--graywacke
graywacke
Amasa Iron-formation
Hemlock
Volcanics undivided
undivided
HemlockVolcanics

Randville
Dolomite
Randville Dolomite

:k.j_

Saunders
SaundersFormation
Formation

Dickinson
DickinsonGroup
Groupundivided
undivided

,n

South
South of
of Niagara
Niagara fault

4552'30"

,-,!;..:+

Bush Lake
Lake granite
Bush
granite

Granite
and tonalite
Graniteand
tonalite

Quinnesec Formation
Formation
Quinnesec

EI]

Metasedimentary
Metasedimentaryrocks
rocks

-

— faults
faults

•

field
fieldtrip
tripstops
stops

88 1800"
22

I
I

55

22

00
I

I

I

I

00

I

44

66

I

I

I

F

55

Miles
Miles

88
F

I

I

I

10
10 Kilometers
Kilometers

NF-Niagara
fault
NF-Niagarafault
SRF- South
South Range
Range fault
fault
NRF-North Range fault
NRF-North Range fault
BF-Badwater
fault
BF-Badwaterfault
PRF-Paint River
PRF-Palnt
River fault
fault
CS-Commonwealthsyncline
svncline
CS-Commonwealth
MA-Mastodon
MA-Mastodonanticline
anticline
TBS-Tim
TBS-TimBowers
Bowerssyncline
syncline

Figure 5.
5. Geologic
Geologicmap
mapof
of the
theFlorence
Florencearea
areaand
andeastern
easternpart
partof
ofthe
theIron
IronRiver-Crystal
River-Crystal
Figure
(1971)and
and
Falls district
district showing
showing the
the location
locationof
of field
fieldtrip
trip stops.
stops. Geology
Geologyisisfrom
fromDutton
Dutton(1971)
Falls
James
James and
and others
others (1968).
(1968).

16

�The Iron
Iron River-Crystal
River-Crystal Falls District (fig. 1, 2, 5) is a triangular-shaped
basin of tightly
tightly
triangular-shaped basin
folded strata of the Paint
Paint River Group. Structural studies by James and others (1968)
(1968)
showed that sedimentary strata of the Iron
Iron River-Crystal
River-Crystal Falls basin are tightly and
multiply folded. Dips of less than 60 degrees are rare. For the most part the trends of the
parallel or sub-parallel
sub-parallel to the principal
principal axis of the triangular
triangular district.
fold axes are parallel
Stratigraphically overturned beds are common. There are a dozen or more faults having
displacements measured in thousands of feet. In
In addition, James and others (1968,
(1968,
page 87) noted "It is the opinion of one of the authors (FJP) that the folds in
in the
Michigamme
Michigamme Slate are unrelated to those in the Badwater Greenstone and Dunn Creek
suggestingthat
thatthat
thatthe
theMichigamme
Michigammehas
hasaa different
different structural
structuralsignature
signature than
than
slate...", suggesting
Francis J. Peftijohn
Pettijohn (FJP)
the Badwater Greenstone and overlying Dunn
Dunn Creek
Creek Slate.
Slate. Francis
suggested that aa north-trending
north-trendingfault
fault separates
separates the
the Michigamme
Michigamme from
from the
the
futher suggested
Badwater and Paint River Group strata along the eastern edge of the district. More
recent structural studies (Ueng and Larue, 1987) identified
identified four phases of deformation,
including two major folding events that resulted in the extremely complex fold
interference pattern characteristic of the district. This refolded
interference
refolded fold geometry
geometry is
exceptionally well displayed
displayed at stop
stop 3-6.
3-6.
exceptionally
Uncertainty concerning the stratigraphic position of the Paint River Group and Badwater
(1990)
(1993)
to
Greenstone, as discussed above, led Sims (1
990) and Sims and Schulz (1
993) to
propose that a thrust (detachment) fault (the Badwater thrust fault) lies at the base of the
Badwater Greenstone
Greenstone and that the Badwater
Badwater and
and overlying
overlying Paint
Paint River
River Group
Groupstrata
strataare
are
allochthonous,
allochthonous, tectonically emplaced above Baraga Group strata of the continental
margin. Although the Badwater thrust fault was not directly observed, they based their
interpretation on unpublished geochemical data by K. J. Schulz, and
and the
the presence of
of
interpretation
"extensive thrust faulting"
faulting" of continental
'extensive
continental margin
margin strata.
strata.
To test this
this interpretation,
interpretation, Klasner
Klasner and
and others (1999)
(1999) compared
compared the structural
structural signature
signature
(primarily orientation of fold axes) in the Paint River Group strata and Badwater
Greenstone with the structural signature in underlying Baraga Group strata. Based on
measurement of 123
measurement
123 fold axes throughout the Iron
Iron River-Crystal
River-Crystal Falls basin, they found
that most
most fold
fold axes
axes plunge
plunge steeply
steeply (approximately
(approximately 85 degrees) north (fig. 6A). There
There are
are
at least
least three other trends in
in the plot
plot of the
the fold
fold axes, indicating
indicating that the rocks
rocks in
in the
the
Paint River Group are multiply deformed. In contrast, fold axes in the area north and
east of the Iron
Iron River-Crystal
River-Crystal FaIls
Falls basin plunge at low angles to the west-northwest or
east-southeast
east-southeast (see
(see fig. 6B).
6B). These
These measurements
measurementswere
were made
made mainly
mainly in
in Michigamme
Michigamme
Formation strata of the Baraga
Baraga Group. The striking
striking difference in
in structural
structural history
history of
these two regions
separates
regions supports the proposal
proposal of Sims
Sims (1990)
(1990) that aa thrust fault separates
these two regions.
regions. Thus, the Paint
Paint River
including the Badwater Greenstone,
Greenstone,
River Group, including
appears
appears to be allochthonous,
allochthonous, having
having been thrust onto the autochthonous
autochthonous Baraga
Baraga Group
Group
strata.
strata.
The metamorphic
metamorphic grade
grade of rocks
rocks surrounding
surrounding the
the Paint
Paint River
River Group
Group ranges
ranges from
from
greenschistto
greenschist
toamphibolite
amphibolite(James
(Jamesand
andothers,
others,1968;
1968;Bayley
Bayleyand
andothers,
others, 1966;
1966;Dutton,
Dutton,
1971), but Paint River Group rocks of the Iron
Iron River-Crystal Falls district reach only
greenschist or lower metamorphic
metamorphic grade. This feature, too, suggests
suggests that
that there
there is
is aa fault
fault
with considerable
displacement
separating
the
Paint
River
Group
from
surrounding
considerable displacement
Paint
surrounding
rocks.
rocks.

17

�A
0

0

•0
0

0

4

123
fold axes
123 fold
axes in
in rocks
rocks of
of
the
theIron
IronRiver-Crystal
River-CrystalFalls
Falls

0

allochthon
allochthon
0

.00

.0

0

f

36
Michigamme
36 fold
fold axes
axes in Michigamme
Formation in footwall of
allochthon.
allochthon.Black
Blackdot
dotisis beddingbeddingcleavage
cleavage intersection
intersection at
at stop
stop
3-8.
3-8.

Figure
Figure 6. Stereoplots
Stereoplots (lower
(lower hemisphere
hemisphere equal
equal area
area projections)
projections) showing
showing the
the orientation
orientation
of fold
fold axes
axes within
within the
the Iron
IronRiver-Crystal
River-CrystalFalls
Falls allochthon
allochthon(A)
(A)and
and in
in the
the Michigamme
Michigamme
Formation
Formation north
north and
and east of the
the allochthon
allochthon (B).
(B).

north-northeasterly-orientedcross
cross section
sectionconstructed
constructedfrom
fromunderground
undergroundmapping
mappinginin
A north-northeasterly-oriented
mine
mine workings
workings (James
(James and
and others,
others, 1968)
1968)in
inthe
the Iron
IronRiver
Riverarea
areaprovides
providesan
anexample
exampleof
of
the complexity
complexity of folding
folding typical
typical of
of this
this district.
district. The
The structure
structureseen
seenhere
heresuggests
suggeststhat
thatthe
the
initial folding
folding in
in the
the Iron
Iron River-Crystal
River-CrystalFalls
Fallsbasin
basin may
may have
have been
beenrecumbent
recumbent (fig.
(fig. 7A).
7A).
initial
synclinein
in Hiawatha
Hiawatha Graywacke
Graywackeand
and overlying
overlying
The cross
cross section
section shows
shows aa recumbent
recumbent syncline
The
Riverton Iron-formation.
Iron-formation.In
Inthe
the third
thirddimension
dimensionthis
this fold
foldplunges
plungessteeply
steeplyinto
intothe
thesection
section
Riverton
NW). ItItisisstrongly
stronglyoverprinted
overprintedby
byother
otherfolds
foldsof
of diverse
diverseorientations.
orientations.The
Thesyncline
syncline
(to the
the NW).
(to
closes
toward
the
southwest
and
the
overturned
upper
limb
in
which
the
stratigraphically
closes toward the southwest and the overturned upper limb in which the stratigraphically
older Riverton
Riverton Iron-formation
Iron-formationlies
liesabove
above Hiawatha
HiawathaGraywacke
Graywacke suggests
suggestsaa northward
northward
structural
structural vergence.
vergence. The
The orientation
orientationof
of fold
foldaxes
axesmeasured
measuredin
inoutcrops
outcropsnear
nearthe
themine
mineare
are
shown
shown in
in figures
figures 7B
7B and
and 7C.
7C.

18

�___

____

___

NE

A
1500"

1500'

1000'
1000'

1000

1

EXPLANATION
deposits

500
500'

500

Metodiabose dike
HioessthssGoywoeke

Riverton Iron-Formation
Dunn Creek Slate

Mined ore bodies

LEVE
SEA
LEVEL

LEVEL

200

0

200

400

600feet

Figure
Figure7.
7.AA-Geologic
Geologiccross
crosssection
sectionthrough
throughthe
theBuck
BuckMine
MineininIron
IronRiver,
River,Michigan,
Michigan,about
about
12
12miles
mileswest
westof
ofCrystal
CrystalFalls.
Falls.Cross
Crosssection
sectionisisininsec.
sec.1,1,T.T.42
42N.,
N.,R.R.35
35W.,
W.,and
andsec.
sec.6,6,
T.
T.42
42N.,
N.,R.R.34
34W.
W.Reproduced
Reproducedfrom
fromJames
Jamesand
andothers
others(1968)
(1968)totoshow
showlarge
largerefolded
refolded
recumbent
recumbentsyncline,
syncline,the
thevery
verytight
tightfolding,
folding,and
andwide
widediversity
diversityofofaxial
axialsurfaces
surfacesofoffolds.
folds.
Lower
Lowerhemisphere
hemisphereequal
equalarea
areastereograms
stereogramsofoffold
foldaxes
axesininoutcrops
outcropsofofRiverton
RivertonIronIronformation
formation(B)
(B)and
andHiawatha
HiawathaGraywacke
Graywacke(C)
(C)near
nearthe
themine.
mine.

19

�History of Iron
History
Iron Mining
Mining
the Menominee district
district in 1848 by
by two
two explorers,
explorers, J.W.
J.W. Foster
Iron ore was discovered in the
and S.W. Hill,
Hill, according
according to Winchell
Winchell (1895).
(1895). However,
However, iron
iron mining
mining did
did not
not begin
begin until
until
1870, when
when N.P.
N.P. Saxton started digging pits and trenches on the site of
of the Breene
the first
first ore being shipped in 1873 (Bayley and
and others,
others, 1966). All
All the
the major
Mine, with the
mines had been located
located by 1878.
1878. Production
Productioncontinued
continued until
until 1958,
1958, with
with aa total
total
production
production from the district of approximately 85,000,000 tons (Bayley and others, 1966).
1966).
Seven mines produced
produced nearly 77,000,000 tons of ore, with a majority of the production
production
from the district coming
coming from three
three mines,
mines, the
the Chapin
Chapin (27,500,000 tons), the
the Penn
Penn
(21,700,000 tons) and the Aragon (11,200,000
(11,200,000 tons) (Dutton, 1958).
1958). Production
Production from the
Chapin Mine ended in 1934
1934 with a major collapse of the workings. The subsidence from
Chapin
this collapse
collapse formed the lake
lake on the north
north side of Iron
Iron Mountain.
Mountain. A causeway across the
district was
Highways U.S.-2 and U.S.-141. Ore from the district
lake now carries the traffic on Highways
hauled
hauled by rail to Escanaba, Ml,
MI, from where it was carried
carried by boat to steel mills
mills on the
lower Great Lakes. All of the ore shipped
shipped from the district was high-grade
high-grade natural
natural iron
iron
ore. Although the iron-formation
iron-formation in the Menominee
Menominee district was studied as a possible
source of beneficiating
beneficiating ore (a "taconite
"taconite ore"),
ore"), no
no commercial
commercial operation
operation has
has been
been
undertaken.
undertaken.

Harvey Mellen, a United States land surveyor, first discovered
discovered iron
iron ore
ore in
in the
the Iron
IronRiverRiverCrystal Falls district in 1851
commenced in 1881
1851 (James
(James and others, 1968). Mining commenced
I881 and
the first ore
ore was shipped
shipped in
in 1882.
1882. Except
Except for
for the
the early
early years
years of
of mining,
mining, when
when many
manymines
mines
recovered by underground
underground
were operated as small open pits, nearly all of the ore was recovered
mining
mining (James
(James and others, 1968).
1968). Mine exposures and maps of the numerous mines
greatly helped
helped resolve the complex structure of the district. A major
major hazard
hazard to mining
mining
was caused by the pyritic slate of the Wauseca Pyritic Member of the Dunn Creek Slate,
to air in the
the mines. During the
the 92-year
which would burn spontaneously when exposed to
period
974, approximately
approximately 205,000,000
205,000,000 tons
tons of iron ore were shipped from
period from 1882-1
1882-1974,
the district.
district. Although there
there were
were 121
121 mines
mines in
in the
the district,
district, aa majority
majorityof
of the
the ore
ore came
came from
from
about
a
dozen
mines.
about a dozen mines.
In the Florence district, iron
iron ore
ore was recovered
recoveredfrom
from six
six relatively
relativelysmall
small mines
minesbetween
between
1980. Only about
about 8,000,000
8,000,000 tons
tons of
of predominantly soft
soft hematite and limonite
1880 and 1960.
ore with a high phosphorous
produced (Dutton, 1971). The Florence
phosphorous content was produced
Florence mine
was the most productive
productive mine in the district with 3,680,000 tons shipped between 1880
and 1931. Nearly
Nearly all of the production
production from the district
district was from the Riverton
Riverton IronIronformation (Dutton,
formation
(Dutton, 1971).
1971).

PEMBINE-WAUSAU MAGMATIC
PEMBINE-WAUSAU
MAGMATIC TERRANE

Introduction
Introduction
northeastern Wisconsin
The volcanic and plutonic
plutonic rocks
rocks that are widely distributed in northeastern
south of the Menominee
Menominee and Iron
Iron River-Crystal
River-Crystal Falls iron-bearing
iron-bearing districts in Michigan
are the easternmost
easternmost exposures of a major
major east-trending
east-trending belt
belt of volcanic and plutonic
plutonic

20

�Pembine-Wausau terrane, the northernmost of the two Wisconsin
Wisconsin
rocks known as the Pembine-Wausau
magmatic terranes (Sims and others, 1989).
1989). The occurrences in Marinette and Florence
represent the best-exposed
best-exposed portion of this suite of rocks in the Lake
Counties, Wisconsin represent
Superior region
region and include a dismembered
dismembered ophiolite sequence (Schulz, 1987). The
magmatic terranes represent
represent complex magmatic
magmatic arcs accreted
accreted to
to the
Wisconsin magmatic
southern margin
Paleoproterozoic Penokean
Penokean
margin of the Archean Superior Craton during the Paleoproterozoic
orogeny
orogeny (Sims
(Sims and
and others,
others, 1989).
1989).
The Pembine-Wausau
Pembine-Wausau terrane is
is mainly composed
composed of tholeiitic and calc-alkaline volcanic
and others,
others, 1989). A
A more
rocks that formed between 1860 and 1889 Ma (Sims and
restricted calc-alkaline volcanic succession
restricted
succession was deposited
deposited between
between 1835
1835 and
and 1845
1845Ma
Ma
on the older rocks
rocks along
along the southern margin
margin of the terrane
terrane in
in Marathon
Marathon County.
Granitoid rocks constitute nearly half of the exposed rocks in the terrane and range in
age from about 1870
1870 to 1760
1760 Ma. These intrusive rocks are mainly
mainly granodiorite and
tonalite but include gabbro, diorite and granite (Sims and others, 1993).
1993). An older suite of
granitoids ranging
ranging in age from about 1870
1870 to 1840
1840 Ma is broadly syn-orogenic whereas
post-collsional alkali-feldspar
younger post-colisional
alkali-feldspar granite suites were emplaced at about 1835 Ma
and 1760
1760 Ma. The magmatic
magmatic rocks
rocks of the Pembine-Wausau
Pembine-Wausau terrane
terrane are
are separated
separated from
from
epicratonic rocks of the Marquette
Marquette Range
Range Supergroup
Supergroup to the north
north by the Niagara
Niagara fault
zone (see Bayley and others, 1966, and Dutton, 1971) and from the Marshfield
magmatic terrane to the south along the Eau
Eau Plaine
Plaine shear zone (Sims
(Sims and
and others,
others, 1989).
1989).

General Geology
Geology
Volcanic rocks are relatively well exposed in the
the northern and eastern part of Marinette
County and eastern Florence
Florence County in northeastern Wisconsin, where they form an
arcuate belt around the large Dunbar gneiss-granitoid dome (fig. 8) (Sims
(Sims and Schulz
the Quinnesec Formation by James
1993). The supracrustal rocks, formally named the
(1958),
(1958), consist of metamorphosed
metamorphosed basalt, andesite, dacite, and rhyolite lava flows and
volcaniclastic rocks, and locally, sedimentary rocks including greywacke, graphitic
slates, and iron-formation.
iron-formation.Pyritic to pyrrhotitic
pyrrhotitic massive sulfide bodies are also present
Cummings, 1982;
1983). Gabbro
Gabbro sills
sills are
are common,
common,
locally (Hollister and Cummings,
1982; LaBerge, 1983).
particularly in the northern part of the sequence (Bayley and others, 1966). Serpentinite
bodies,
bodies, commonly with some
some associated
associated gabbros,
gabbros, are
are also
also present
presentlocally.
locally.

Jenkins (1973)
(1973) noted
noted that at least four lithologically distinct volcanic units could be
defined in northeastern
northeastern Wisconsin with three of the units
units sufficiently
sufficiently different
different from the
the
lithologies
(Prinz,1958;
1958;Bayley
Bayleyand
andothers,
others,
lithologies of the
the type
type area
area of
of the
the Quinnesec
Quinnesec Formation
Formation(Prinz,
1966) to warrant their
their separate designation.
designation. He proposed
proposed the
the informal names McAllister
formation, Beecher formation, and Pemene
Pemene formation, listed
listed in the order of progressively
progressively
(1973)
that this
this also represents the order of
more silicic units, and Jenkins (1
973) suggested that
decreasing age. More recently, DePangher (1982)
(1982) proposed that the Quinnesec
the Quinnesec Group consisting
consisting of
of five
five lithostratigraphic
lithostratigraphic units
Formation be designated the
having formational status. For the purposes of this field guide, the informal nomenclature
proposed by
by Jenkins
Jenkins (1973)
(1973) will
will be
be used
used for
for the
the volcanic
volcanic rocks
rocksin
inthe
the area.
area.
proposed

21

�88" 0845"

87" 5830"

87° 4815"

45" 4100"-

45° 4100"

I

88" 0845"
22

I

I

87° 4815"

87° 58' 30"
00

' I '

22
I

88

,

I

00

55

66

44

'

10
10

55

10
10

'I
I

I

I

15
15

12Miles
12
Miles
I

Kilometers
Kilometers

EXPLANATION
EXPLANATION
Munising
MunisingSandstone
Sandstone(Cambrian)
(Cambrian)

Paleoproterozoic rocks
rocks north
northof
of Niagara
Niagara fault
fault
Paleoproterozoic
Michigamme
MichigammeFormation
Formation -graywacke
graywacke
Vulcan
VulcanIron-formation
Iron-formation
Randville
RandvilleDolomite
Dolomite

Paleoproterozoicrocks
rocksof
ofWisconsin
Wisconsin Magmatic
MagmaticTerranes
Paleoproterozoic
Terranes
Intrusive
trusiverocks
rocks

Volcanicrocks
rocks
Volcanic

.

Spikehorn
SpikehornCreek
CreekGranite
Granite

formation'
. . . Rhyolite
Rhyoliteand
and dacite
dacite"Pemene
"Pernene formation"

Bush
BushLake
LakeGranite
Granite

Basaltic
andesitic breccia "McAllister
"McAllister formation"
formation"
Basaltic and andesitic

r"J

Hoskins
HoskinsLake
LakeGranite
Granite

,

,,=.*:

Rhyolite
Beecher formation
Rhyolite,felsic
felsictuff
tuff,graywacke
graywackenBeecher
formation"

TwelveFoot
FootFalls
FallsQuartz
QuartzDiorite
Diorite
Twelve

Marinette
MarinetteQuartz
QuartzDiorite
Diorite

Serpentiniteand
andgabbro,
gabbro, base
base of
of ophiolite
ophiolitecomplex
complex
Serpentinite

NewinghamTonalite
NewinghamTonalite

QuinnesecFormation
Formation
Quinnesec

' NewinghamTonalite,
NewinghamTonalite,

.

,

Athelstane
AthelstaneQuartz
QuartzMonzonite
Monzonite

megacrystic
megacrysticfacies
facies

.. . DunbarGneiss
Dunbar Gneiss
Metagabbro
Metagabbro

Volcanic
Volcanicand
andgranitic
graniticrocks
rocksundivided
undivided

-

— faults
faults

•0

field
fieldtrip
tripstops
stops

Figure 8.
8. Generalized
Generalizedgeologic
geologic map
map of
of part
partof
of northeastern
northeasternWisconsin
Wisconsinshowing
showingthe
the
Figure
location
locationof
fieldtrip
stops.
of field
tripstops.
The units
unitsof
of the
theDunbar
Dunbargneiss-granitoid
gneiss-granitoiddome
domeintrude
intrudethe
thevolcanic
volcanicrocks
rocksininnorthern
northern
The
MarinetteCounty,
County, and
andthe
the Athelstane
AthelstaneQuartz
QuartzMonzonite
Monzoniteintrudes
intrudesthem
themininthe
thesouth.
south.
Marinette

22

�Small
Small intrusive
intrusive bodies
bodies ranging
ranging from hornblendite
hornblendite and gabbro to quartz
quartz diorite,
diorite, granite
granite
and
and calc-alkaline
calc-alkalinelamprophyre
lamprophyre are
are widespread,
widespread, particularly
particularly in
in the southeastern
southeastern parts
parts of
of
the
the exposed
exposedvolcanic
volcanic sequence.
sequence. To
To the
the north
north and
and northeast,
northeast, the
the volcanic
volcanic sequence
sequenceis
is
truncated
truncated by
by the
the Niagara
Niagarafault
fault (Bayley
(Bayley and
and others,
others, 1966;
1966; Dutton,
Dutton, 1971),
1971),which
which marks
marksaa
major
major discontinuity
discontinuity in
in the rocks
rocks of the
the region.
region. North
North of this
this fault,
fault, rocks
rocksof
of the
the
Michigamme
Michigamme Formation
Formation and other units
units of the Marquette
Marquette Range
Range Supergroup
Supergroup occur,
occur,
along
Archeangneissic
gneissicrocks.
rocks.
alongwith
with basement
basementuplifts
upliftsof
of Archean
The
The supracrustal
supracrustalrocks
rocks and
and associated
associatedsubvolcanic
subvolcanic intrusives
intrusives are
are variably
variably altered
altered to
to
greenschist
facies
mineral
assemblages
throughout
the
eastern
outcrop
area
but
contain
greenschist facies mineral assemblages throughout the eastern outcrop area but contain
assemblages
assemblages as
as high
high as
as amphibolite
amphibolitefacies
facies adjacent
adjacent to
to the
the Dunbar
Dunbar dome
dome and
andfurther
further to
to
the
the west.
west. The
The rocks
rocksare
areregionally
regionallyfolded
foldedon
onnorthwest-trending
northwest-trendingaxes,
axes,but
butthey
theycommonly
commonly
lack
lack aa strong
strongpenetrative
penetrativecleavage
cleavage in
in the
the east.
east. As
As aa result,
result, primary
primarytextures
textures and
and
structures
structuresare
are generally
generally well
well preserved
preservedin
in the
the eastern
eastern outcrop
outcrop area.
area. Units
Units generally
generally face
face
outward
Dunbardome
dome and
and Athelstane
Athelstane intrusion.
intrusion.
outwardfrom
from the
the margins
marginsof
of the
the Dunbar
Contacts
Contactsbetween
between the
the various
various volcanic units
units are not
not exposed, but
but are
are interpreted
interpreted to
to be
be
high-angle
high-anglefaults
faults (Jenkins,
(Jenkins, 1973;
1973; Sims
Sims and
and Schulz,
Schulz, 1993).
1993). Because
Because of
of uncertainties
uncertaintiesin
in
the
the amount
amount of
of displacement
displacement on
on these
these faults
faults and
and the
the complexity
complexity of
of folding,
folding, detailed
detailed
correlations
correlationsbetween
between units
units have
have not
not been
been possible.
possible. Present
Present geologic
geologic data
data support
support the
the
interpretationof
of the
the Quinnesec
Quinnesec Formation
Formation(as
(as used
used by
by Jenkins)
Jenkins) as
as the
the oldest
oldest volcanic
volcanic
interpretation
unit.
unit. The
The relative
relativeages
agesof
ofthe
theother
otherunits,
units,however,
however,remain
remainuncertain.
uncertain.The
Theunits
unitsmay
mayhave
have
been
beenstructurally
structurallyemplaced
emplaced and
and may
may not
not be
be in
in their
their original
original stratigraphic
stratigraphic position.
position. The
The
regional
McAllisterformation
formation may
may be
be younger
younger than
than the
the
regionalstructure
structuresuggests
suggeststhat
that the
the McAllister
Beecher
Beecher formation
formation but
but older
older than
than the
the Pemene
Pemeneformation.
formation. Further
Furtherwork
work isisrequired
requiredto
to
resolve
resolvethe
the age
ageand
andstratigraphic
stratigraphicrelationships
relationshipsof
ofthese
theseunits.
units.
Until
Until relatively
relativelyrecently
recently the age
age of the
the volcanic
volcanic rocks
rocks in
in northeastern
northeasternWisconsin
Wisconsin was
was aa
point
point of
of controversy.
controversy.Van
VanHise
Hiseand
andBayley
Bayley(1900)
(1900)and
andBayley
Bayley(1904)
(1904)originally
originally
Archeanbecause
becauseof
ofthe
thestriking
strikingsimilarity
similarityofofthese
these
interpretedthe
the"Quinnesec
"Quinnesecschists"
schists"as
asArchean
interpreted
rocks
rocksto
to Archean
Archean rocks
rockselsewhere
elsewhere in
in the
the Lake
Lake Superior
Superior region.
region. Van
Van Hise
Hiseand
and Leith
Leith
(1911)
subsequentlyassigned
assignedthe
theQuinnesec
Quinnesecto
toaapost-Michigamme
post-Michigamme(i.e.
(i.e.
(1911)subsequently
Paleoproterozoic)
Paleoproterozoic) age
age on
on the
the basis
basis of
of the
the interpretation
interpretationof
of Hotchkiss
Hotchkissand
and others
others (1915)
(1915)
that
the
Michigamme
Formation
graded
upward
into
volcanic
rocks
in
Florence
County,
that the Michigamme Formation graded upward into volcanic rocks in Florence County,
Wisconsin.Dutton
Dutton(1971)
(1971)later
laterreinterpreted
reinterpretedthe
therelationship
relationshipininthis
thisarea
areaand
andplaced
placedaa
Wisconsin.
faultbetween
betweenthe
the volcanic
volcanic units
unitsto
to the
the south
south and
andthe
the Michigamme
MichigammeFormation
Formationto
to the
the
fault
Bayleyand
andothers
others(1966)
(1966) and
andDutton
Dutton(1971),
(1971), favored
favoredan
anArchean
Archean age,
age,although
although
north.Bayley
north.
acknowledgingthat
thatdefinitive
definitivefield
fieldevidence
evidencewas
was lacking
lackingto
to establish
establishthe
the age
ageof
of the
the
acknowledging
Quinnesec
QuinnesecFormation.
Formation.
Banks
Rebello(1969)
(1969) reported
reportedaa U-Pb
U-Pbzircon
zircon age
age of
of 1,866±39
1,866Â±3Ma
Mafor
for aa felsic
felsic
Banksand
andRebello
volcanic sample
sample from
from south
south of
of the
the Dunbar
Dunbardome.
dome. This
Thisage,
age, which
which isisnot
notresolvable
resolvablefrom
from
volcanic
the
theages
agesofofthe
therocks
rocksofofthe
theDunbar
Dunbardome
dome(Sims
(Simsand
andothers,
others,1984),
1984),isisnow
nowgenerally
generally
taken
takenas
asthat
thatofofthe
thevolcanic
volcanicsequence
sequenceininnortheastern
northeasternWisconsin,
Wisconsin,although
althoughthis
thislocality
locality
isisisolated
1,870Â±5Ma
Mawas
was
isolatedfrom
fromthe
themain
mainareas
areasof
of outcrop.
outcrop. More
Morerecently,
recently,an
anage
ageof
of 1,870±56
obtained
for
the
basalts
of
the
Quinnesec
Formation
by
whole-rock
Sm-Nd
isotopic
obtained for the basalts of the Quinnesec Formation by whole-rock Sm-Nd isotopic
systematics(Beck
(Beckand
andMurthy,
Murthy,1991).
1991).Thus,
Thus,the
theage
ageof
ofthe
thevolcanic
volcanicrocks
rocksinin
systematics
Archean as
as
northeasternWisconsin
Wisconsinisisnow
nowestablished
establishedas
as Paleoproterozoic
Paleoproterozoicand
andnot
notArchean
northeastern
once
oncethought.
thought.Their
Theirage
ageisisgenerally
generallysimilar
similarto
tothat
thatobtained
obtainedfor
forthe
themassive
massivesulfide
sulfide
depositsnear
nearCrandon,
Crandon,Monico
Monicoand
andLadysmith
Ladysmithto
tothe
thewest
west (Sims,
(Sims,1976)
1976)and
andto
toages
agesof
of
deposits

23

�magmatic terrane
terrane (Sims and
other volcanic and
and plutonic
plutonic rocks
rocks of the
the Pembine—Wausau
Pembine-Wausau magmatic
others, 1989).
1989).

Volcanic Units
Units
The four volcanic units that comprise the supracrustal sequence in Marinette and
Florence Counties, as well as some of the granitoid bodies that intrude them, are briefly
(1989),
described below. Further information can be found in Sims and others (1
989), Sims and
(1993).
993). Although the rocks are mostly
others (1992),
(1992), and Sims and Schulz (1
metamorphosed
fades, the
metamorphosed at greenschist facies,
the prefix
prefix "meta"
"meta"is
is generally
generally omitted
omitted below
belowfor
for
simplicity.
simplicity.
Quinnesec Formation: The Quinnesec Formation is the dominant volcanic unit exposed
in northeastern Wisconsin. Its
Its stratigraphic thickness is not known
known because
because of
uncertainties in the degree of folding and faulting but is probably on the order of several
thousand meters. The Quinnesec Formation consists predominantly of basalt lava flows
fragmental andesite
and diabase in the north, but includes
includes pillowed
pillowed and fragmental
andesite in
in the
the south.
south. The
The
basalt is commonly
pillowed,
with
the
pillows
locally
variolitic.
The
pillowed
flows
are
in
commonly pillowed,
pillows locally
The pillowed flows are in
some areas overlain by thick (tens of meters) sections of pillow breccia and hyaloclastite
breccia (N. V2,
½, sec. 11, T. 37 N., A.
R. 21 E.,
E., Faithorn
Faithorn 7.5 minute
minute quadrangle).
quadrangle). Andesite
Andesite
breccia
increases
increases in abundance
abundance southward
southward in
in the formation,
formation, and
and is
is generally
generally plagioclase
plagioclaseand
and
clinopyroxene-phyric
clinopyroxene-phyric and amygdaloidal.
amygdaloidal. Fresh,
Fresh, glacially
glacially polished
polished outcrops
outcrops around
aroundthe
the
new location
location of the Kremlin mine pit east of Pembine (S. V2,
½, sec. 26, T. 37 N., R. 21 E.,
Faithorn
Faithorn 7.5 minute
minute quadrangle)
quadrangle) provide
provide excellent
excellent exposures
exposures of
of andesite
andesitebreccia.
breccia.Felsic
Felsic
tuff and breccia
breccia are also present locally in the Quinnesec, particularly in the northern
Menominee River. Felsic
Felsic fragmental
fragmental units
unitsare
are also
also present
presentin
inthe
the
portion near the Menominee
LaSalle
LaSalle Falls
Falls area along
along the Pine
Pine River
River in
in Florence
Florence County
County (Bayley
(Bayley and
and others,
others, 1966;
1966;
Dutton,
Dutton, 1971).
1971).
tholeiitic, with
with generally
generally low
low Ti02
Ti02 and
and other
other
Compositionally, the Quinnesec basalts are tholeiitic,
high-field-strength
element
abundances,
and
flat
to
extremely
light
rare-earth
element
high-field-strength
rare-earth
(REE) depleted patterns (Sims and others, 1989). In addition, some of the basalts
basalts and
andesites have
have very
very low
low Ti02
Ti02and
and REE
REEabundances,
abundances, but
butrelatively
relativelyhigh
highCr
Crand
andNi
Ni
the andesites
contents. The trace element characteristics of the mafic volcanic rocks overlap those of
mid-ocean ridge basalt
mid-ocean
basalt (MORB)
(MORB) and
and primitive
primitive island-arc
island-arc tholelite
tholeiite suites
suites whereas
whereasthe
the
with boninites (fig. 9), although none of the
andesites show compositional affinities with
andesites are as high in MgO as true boninites. The felsic volcanic rocks have low
potassium compositions with relatively low REE
flEE abundances
abundances and flat REE
REE patterns.
patterns.
They are
are similar in
in composition
composition to tholeiitic plagiogranite/rhyolite
plagiogranitelrhyolite (Schulz, 1987; Sims
and others, 1989).
1989). The compositional data suggest that the original basaltic magmas
that gave rise
incompatiblerise to the Quinnesec rocks
rocks were derived from a variably incompatiblevalue
element-depleted mantle source. This is supported by a large positive epsilon Nd value
1991), indicative
indicative of
of derivation
derivation from
from aa mantle
mantlewith
with
of 4.2 for the basalts
basalts (Beck
(Beck and
and Murthy,
Murthy, 1991),
long-term depletion in light rare-earth
rare-earthelements.
elements.

24

�2.0
'

I

-L

1.6

1.2

-

Beecher
Beecher
andesites
andesites

A

A

Phanerozoic
Phanerozoic
boninites

0.8

Pemene
Pemene

-

rhyol ites

0.4

0.0
40

50

60

70

80

S102 (wt. %)
2.0

I

I

I

a

I

I

I

I

1.6

0

1.2

Beecher
andesites
0.8

Pemene
rhyolites

Phanerozoic
boninites

0.4

.1
L

0.0
0

50

100

150

200

Zr (ppm)
Figure
9.Plots
Plotsof
of Ti02
TiOaversus
versusSi02
SiOg(upper)
(upper)and
andZr
Zr (lower)
(lower)for
forvolcanic
volcanicrocks
rocks(triangles)
(triangles)
Figure9.
andrelated
relatedgabbros
gabbrosand
anddiabase
diabase(circles)
(circles)from
fromthe
theQuinnesec
QuinnesecFormation,
Formation,northeastern
northeastern
and
Wisconsin.Note
Notethat
thatseveral
severalofofthe
thesamples
samplesplot
plotininthe
thefield
fieldofofPhanerozoic
Phanerozoicboninites.
boninites.
Wisconsin.
Fields
Fieldsalso
also are
areshown
shownfor
for Beecher
Beecherandesites
andesitesand
andPemene
Pemenerhyolites.
rhyolites.

Sedimentaryrocks
rocksappear
appeartotobe
berare
rarewithin
withinthe
theQuinnesec
QuinnesecFormation.
Formation.Where
Wherepresent,
present,
Sedimentary
they
theyconsist
consistmostly
mostlyofofchert,
chert,graywacke,
graywacke,slate
slateand
andiron-formation.
iron-formation.Iron-formation
Iron-formationoccurs
occurs
asthin
thinunits
unitsinterlayered
interlayeredwith
withvolcaniclastic
volcaniclasticsedimentary
sedimentaryrocks
rocksand
andtuffs,
tuffs,and
andconsists
consistsofof
as
25

�interlayered
interlayered chert and siderite (Cummings, 1978).
1978). A small massive
massive sulfide deposit,
containing
containing pyrrhotite
pyrrhotiteand
and chalcopyrite,
chalcopyrite, in
in a felsic tuff, and
and in
in aa fine-grained
fine-grainedblack
black slate
slate
that
that occurs
occurs between
between the
the felsic
felsic tuff
tuff and
and aa mafic
mafic unit
unit is
is exposed
exposed at
at Pine
Pine Rapids
Rapids (locally
(locally
known
"LaSalle Falls")
Falls") on
on the
the Pine
Pine River
River (LaBerge,
(LaBerge,1983).
1983).
known as "LaSalle
In
In addition to volcanic rocks, the Quinnesec Formation
Formation also contains a number of
gabbroic
gabbroic and
and ultramafic
ultramafic rocks
rocks (Sims
(Sims and
and Schulz,
Schulz, 1993).
1993). Numerous
Numerous large
large gabbro
gabbro bodies
bodies
are
are present,
present, particularly
particularly near
near the Niagara
Niagara fault zone. These
These bodies
bodies are
are more
more or
or less
less
conformable
conformable with
with the
the basaltic
basalticflows
flows and
andprobably
probablyrepresent
representsynvolcanic
synvolcanicsills,
sills,although
although
Bayley
Bayley and
and others
others (1966)
(1966) considered
considered the gabbroic
gabbroic sills to be
be "post-Animikie"
"post-Animikie"in
in age.
age.
Gabbro
Gabbro and
and anorthositic
anorthositic gabbro
gabbro comprise
comprise the
the bulk
bulk of the
the sills.
sills. Some
Some sills
sills also
also contain
contain
peridotite
peridotite(serpentinite)
(serpentinite) and
and pyroxenite
pyroxenite layers
layers and magnetite-rich
magnetite-richgabbro.
gabbro. Trace
Trace element
element
and
and isotopic
isotopic data
data for
for the
the gabbros
gabbros show
show they are
are comagmatic
comagmatic with
with the
the basalts
basalts of
of the
the
Quinnesec
Quinnesec Formation
Formation(Schulz,
(Schulz, unpublished
unpublisheddata).
data).
Several
Several serpentinized
serpentinized peridotite
peridotite bodies
bodiesof
of varying
varyingsizes
sizesoccur
occurwithin
withinthe
thevolcanic
volcanic
succession,
succession, but
but the
the largest
largest and
and best-exposed
best-exposed occurs
occurs south
south of Timms
Timms Lake
Lake (Morgan
(Morgan
County
County Park)
Park) east
east of Pembine,
Pembine, Wisconsin.
Wisconsin. The
The body
body trends
trends east
east from
from outcrops
outcropsin
in the
the
NE.
sec.19,
19,T.
T. 37
37 N.,
N., R.
R. 21
21 E., for
for a distance of about
%, sec.
about 4.5 km
kmto
to the
theNorth
NorthBranch
Branch
NE. 1/4,
Pemebonwon
%, sec. 22, T. 37
37 N.,
N., R.
R. 21
21 E.
E. The
The body
body produces
produces aa large
large
Pemebonwon River
River in
in the NE. ¼,
magnetic
magnetic anomaly.
Serpentinized peridotite
is dominant
in the western part
body
anomaly. Serpentinized
peridotite is
dominant in
part of the
the body
where
(1-5 cm) dikes of pyroxenite
pyroxenite now
now replaced
replaced by
by
where itit is
is locally
locally cut by
by coarse
coarse grained
grained (1-5
amphibole.
amphibole. The
textures, although
The serpentinite
serpentinite generally
generally shows few primary
primary textures,
although primary
primary
compositional
compositional layering
layering is
is suggested
suggested locally
locally by differential
differential weathering of bands
bands in
in some
some
outcrops.
outcrops. Veins
Veins of
of carbonate
carbonate and
and cross-fiber
cross-fiber asbestos
asbestos are
are common.
common. Layered
Layered and
and
massive
massive gabbro,
gabbro, along
along with local
local masses
masses of strongly
strongly foliated-lineated
foliated-heated gabbro,
gabbro, are
are
dominant
dominant in
in the
the eastern
eastern part
part of
of the
the body.
body. The
The gabbroic
gabbroic rocks
rocks are
are cut
cut by
by numerous
numerousmafic
mafic
dikes,
some
of
which
appear
to
be
sheeted,
with
diabasic
to
microdioritic
textures.
The
dikes, some of which appear to be sheeted,
diabasic microdioritic
The
strongly
strongly foliated-lineated
foliated-lineatedgabbro
gabbro masses
masses appear
appear as
as screens
screens between
between the
the dikes.
dikes. The
The
foliation in
in the
the gabbro
gabbro screens
screens is
is at
at aa high
high angle
angle to
to the
the contacts
contacts of
of the
the body
body with
with the
the
foliation
Quinnesec
Quinnesec basalts.
basalts. The
The strong
strong deformational
deformationalfabric
fabric of
of the
the gabbro
gabbro screens
screens is
is not
not present
present
in
in most
most of
of the
the associated
associated rocks
rocks of
of the
the body,
body, including
including the
the dikes.
dikes. This
This suggests
suggeststhat
that the
the
deformation
deformation of
of the
the gabbro
gabbro in
in the
the screens
screens occurred
occurred prior
prior to emplacement
emplacement of the dikes
dikes and
and
to
to the
the regional
regionaldeformation.
deformation.The
Thetrend
trendof
of the
the mafic
maficdikes
dikesisisabout
aboutparallel
parallelto
tothe
thetrend
trendof
of
the serpentinite-gabbro
serpentinite-gabbrobody
body(—E-W)
(-E-W) and generally at a high
high angle
angle to
to the
the foliation
foliation of
of the
the
the
gabbro
gabbro screens.
screens. The
The dikes
dikes do
do not
not appear
appear to
to extend
extend into
into the
the surrounding
surrounding pillow
pillow basalts.
basalts.
These
These features
features suggest
suggest that
that the
the serpentinite-gabbro
serpentinite-gabbro body
body may
may be
be fault-bounded
fault-bounded and
and
tectonically
emplacedwithin
within the
the Quinnesec
Quinnesec Formation.
Formation. The
The compositions
compositions of
of the
the gabbros
gabbros
tectonically emplaced
and
and diabasic
diabasic dikes
dikes within
within this
this body
bodyrange
rangefrom
fromMORB
MORBto
todepleted
depletedisland-arc
island-arctholeiite
tholeiiteand
and
high-magnesiumandesite
andesite with
with boninitic
boninitic affinities;
affinities; these
these mafic
mafic rocks
rocks are
are similar
similar in
in
high-magnesium
composition
compositionto
to the
the basalts
basaltsin
inthe
the Quinnesec
QuinnesecFormation
Formation(fig.
(fig.9).
9).

The
The lithologies
lithologiesand
andtheir
their arrangement
arrangementin
inthis
this ultramafic-gabbroic
ultramafic-gabbroicbody,
body, along
alongwith
with those
those
of
of the
the Quinnesec
QuinnesecFormation
Formationgenerally,
generally,are
are similar
similar to
to those
those that
that characterize
characterize Phanerozoic
Phanerozoic
ophiolite sequences
sequences(fig.
(fig. 10).
10).This
This includes
includes(from
(frombottom
bottomto
to top):
top): mafic-ultramafic
mafic-ultramafic
ophiolite
plutonic
plutonic rocks,
rocks, aa dike
dike(sheeted?)
(sheeted?)complex,
complex,extrusive
extrusivepillowed
pillowedand
andmassive
massivebasalt
basaltlava
lava
flows,
flows, and
and overlying
overlying arc-related
arc-relatedvolcaniclastic
volcaniclastic rocks.
rocks. Tectonized
Tectonized ultramafic
ultramafic rocks
rocks
representing suboceanic
suboceanic mantle
mantle have
have not
not been
been recognized.
recognized. Also, based
based on
on the present
present
representing
exposure,the
the ultramafic-mafic
ultramafic-maficcumulates
cumulatesand
anddike
dikecomplex,
complex,although
although present,
present,are
aremuch
much
exposure,
less
less extensive
extensive than
than in
in the ideal
ideal ophiolite sequence
sequence (fig.
(fig. 10).
10). This
This may
may be
be aa function
function of

26

�limited
limited exposures
exposures in
in the region
region and/or
and/or lack
lack of
of preservation
preservationof
of the
the lower
lowerpart
partof
of the
the
ophiolite
ophiolite sequence
sequenceduring
during later
later magmatic
magmaticand
andtectonic
tectonicevents,
events.Incomplete
Incompletesequences
sequences
are
are common
commonin
in ophiolites
ophiolitesfound
found ininmany
manyorogenic
orogenic belts
belts(Moores,
(Moores,2002).
2002).The
Thelithologic
lithologic
association
associationobserved
observedin
in the
the Quinnesec
Quinnesec and
andthe
the compositions
compositionsof
of rocks,
rocks,ranging
rangingfrom
from
MORB
MORE3 to depleted
depleted island-arc
island-arc tholeiite
tholeiite and
and high-magnesium
high-magnesiumandesite
andesiteof
of boninitic
boniniticaffinity,
affinity,
and
plagio-rhyolite,
are
similar
to
Cenozoic
suprasubduction
zone
ophiolites
like
those
and plagio-rhyolite, are similar to Cenozoic suprasubduction zone ophiolites like those of
of
the
the Coast
Coast Ranges
Rangesin
inCalifornia
California(Shervais
(Shervaisand
andKimbrough,
Kimbrough,1985;
1985;Shervais,
Shervais,2001).
2001).

J

1

1

, ^ ,

I,

Shallow-water
Shallow-water or terrestrial
terrestrial sedimentary
sedimentaryrocks
rocks
Unconformity
Unconformity

Pelagic
sediments
Pelagic sediments
sediments or
or abyssal
abyssal deep-sea fan sediments
or
or volcanic
volcanicarc
arc deposits
deposits

Mafic
pillow breccia,
Mafic pillow
pillowlava,
lava, pillow
breccia, and
and massive
massive flows

Mafic
Mafic sheeted
sheeted dike
dike complex
complex

\(

1/

Massive
plagiogranite
Massive gabbro, diorite, and plagiogranite

Cumulate
Cumulatesection:
section: ultramafic-mafic
ultramafic-maficcumulates
cumulatesatatbase,
base,
more
toward top.
more felsic toward
top. Commonly
Commonlycyclic,
cyclic,common
common
contorted
contortedlayering
layeringand
and other
other evidence
evidence for deformation
deformation

Petrologic Moho

Ultramafic
peridotite with
Ultramafic tectonite; peridotite
with discontinuous
discontinuous
layers of
of dunite
dunite (D) and
and concentrations
concentrations of
chromite
(Cr)
chromite(Cr)

Figure 10.
10. Schematic
Schematic cross-section
cross-section of
of aa complete
completeophiolite
ophiolite(after
(afterMoores,
Moores,2002).
2002).
Figure
The Quinnesec
Quinnesec Formation
Formationis
is intruded
intruded by
by units
units of
of the
the Dunbar
Dunbar dome
dome including
includingthe
the
Marinette
Marinette Quartz
Quartz Diorite
Diorite and
and the
the Spikehorn
Spikehorn Creek
Creek Granite,
Granite, as
as well
well as
as by
by the
the Newingham
Newingham
Tonalite
Tonalite and
and Twelve Foot
Foot Falls
Falls Quartz
Quartz Diorite
Diorite (Sims
(Sims and
and Schulz,
Schulz, 1993)
1993) and
and numerous
numerous

27

�To the
the southeast the
the Quinnesec is in
small lamprophyre dikes and plugs locally. To
apparent fault contact with the Pemene formation (Sims and Schulz, 1993).
McAllister formation: The
The McAllister
McAllisterformation
formationappears
appearsto
to be
be in
in fault
fault contact
contactwith
with the
the
the area (Jenkins, 1973). It occurs in a roughly east-west belt
adjoining volcanic units in the
between the Pemene formation to the north and the Beecher formation
formation to the south
(Sims and Schulz, 1993). It ranges in thickness from about 300 meters in the west to
W and
~.70-80'W
3,000 meters in the east with units facing north and generally striking N.70-80°
consists of
of calc-alkaline
caic-alkalirie basaltic to
to andesitic
andesitic
dipping near vertical. The McAllister consists
volcanic breccia
breccia with aa lithic
lithic tuff matrix,
matrix, and
and locally
locally pillowed
pillowedand
and massive
massivelavas.
lavas.
Fragments in the breccia
breccia are distinctive
distinctive in
in that they
they generally
generally contain
contain large
largepyroxene
pyroxene
crystals
crystals that are now replaced
replaced by hornblende. Amygdules are also common in many
gradation in fragment
fragments. Vertically, the McAllister formation shows no consistent gradation
size. However, laterally, fragment
fragment size
size increases from
from west
west to
to east
east (Jenkins, 1973). Near
the Menominee
suggesting the
Menominee River, blocks more than 15 cm in diameter are common, suggesting
source area for this dominantly fragmental
fragmental unit may be located
located to the east in Michigan.
source

formation: The
Beecher formation:
The Beecher
Beecher formation
formation extends
extends in a north-facing, east to southeasttrending belt
belt south of the McAllister formation and north
north of the Athelstane Quartz
Quartz
and Schulz,
Schulz, 1993). The
The formation
formation is at
at least 3,000
3,000 meters thick
thick with aa
Monzonite (Sims and
thicker (2,000 - 3,000 m) lower unit consists dominantly of
of
lower and upper unit. The thicker
caic-alkaline
flows and
and lesser
calc-alkaline plagioclaseplagioclase- and pyroxene-phyric andesite and dacite lava flows
interbedded felsic
volcaniclastic rocks. The thinner (up to 300 m) upper unit consists of interbedded
rounded
ash, crystal tuff, lapilli tuff, and coarser fragmental rocks, some with distinctive rounded
pink to white felsite fragments. Some units show grading whereas others are unsorted.
Black slates are also present
present locally in the upper
upper part
part of the
the formation.
formation.
The lower part of the Beecher
Beecher formation, where intruded
intruded by the Athelstane Quartz
Monzonite, faces away from the intrusion
intrusion and
and has
has aa well
well developed
developed foliation
foliation and
and steeply
steeply
plunging lineation. Dikes
plunging
Dikes of Athelstane Quartz
Quartz Monzonite
Monzonite extend
extend only
only aa short
short distance
distance
formation.
into the Beecher formation.

Pemene formation: The
The Pemene
Pemeneformation
formationisisinterpreted
interpretedto
to be
bethe
the youngest
youngest volcanic
volcanic
unit in eastern Marinette County. It occupies a broad
broad oval
oval area
area whose
whose outline
outline is
is well
well
in the
the northern part
part of
of the Miscauno Island 7.5
7.5 minute
expressed in the local topography in
2,000 meters thick and consists predominantly
predominantly of
of
quadrangle. The Pemene is at least 2,000
thick (45
300 m) calc-alkaline
calc-alkaline rhyolite lava flows typically composed of a flow-top
(45 -- 300
hyaloclastite
microspheruliticcentral
central core.
core.
hyaloclastite breccia, an underlying flow-banded
flow-banded unit, and a microspherulitic
The microspherulitic
microspherulitic core constitutes the bulk of each flow and contains plagioclase
plagioclase
phenocrysts, commonly in glomeroporphyritic clusters,
clusters, and
and locally
locally phenocrysts
phenocrystsof
of blue
blue
and lower contacts
contacts
quartz. The flow-banded unit, where present, has gradational upper and
and laminar to highly-contorted
highly-contorted banding. The
The top
top of each
each flow
flow has
has aa layer
layer of
of hyaloclastite
hyaloclastite
breccia 3 to 75 m thick that probably formed by quench fragmentation as the hot rhyolite
flows
sec. 13,
13,
flows came
came in
in contact
contactwith
with cold
coldexternal
externalwater.
water.Exposures
Exposuresininthe
theNE
NE1/4,
14, NW ¼,
14, sec.
T. 36 N., R. 21 E.,
E., (Miscuano
(Miscuano Island
Island 7.5 minute quadrangle) provide an excellent cross
sectional view of one of these rhyolite flows. Here, large open outcrops show a transition
from massive
massive microspherulitic
microspheruliticrhyolite
rhyoliteupward
upward into
into flow-banded
flow-banded rhyolite
rhyolitebreccia
brecciawith
with
clasts to about 30 cm (a "crackle
"crackle breccia"?).
breccia"?). This in turn grades
grades upward
upward into a
spectacular fine hyaloclastite
hyaloclastite consisting of black rhyolite fragments, some with fine
internal banding and white rinds
rinds (figs. 11
11 and
and 12).
12). Thin
Thin sedimentary
sedimentary units
unitswith
with graded
graded

28

�bedding are present between some rhyolite flows. The general characteristics
characteristics of the
Pemene rhyolites is similar to those of other submarine rhyolite lava flow and dome
complexes such that on the Island
Island of Ponza, Italy (Scutter and others, 1998).

Autobrecciated
Autobrecciated and
and
hyaloclastite
hyaloclastitecarapace
carapace

banded and
Flow banded
and
microspherulitic interior

Figure 11. Schematic cross-section of
of the
the upper part of
of a subaqueous rhyolite lava flow
in the Pemene
Pemene formation.
formation.

Photograph of the rhyolite hyaloclastite in the upper carapace of a
Figure 12. Photograph
subaqueous Pemene
subaqueous
Pemene rhyolite
rhyolite lava
lava flow.

29

�The Pemene
Pemene formation shows little evidence of a penetrative structural fabric. The flows
show a southward dip in the north and dip nearly vertically in the south. Jenkins (1
(1973)
973)
interpreted
the
structure
of
the
Pemene
as
an
east-trending,
asymmetric,
doubly
interpreted
of
plunging
plunging syncline.
syncline.

Major Intrusive
Intrusive Rocks
Rocks
A variety of intrusive rocks are present within the supracrustal sequence in northeastern
Wisconsin. They range
tonalite to
range from synvolcanic
synvolcanic gabbro, diabase, diorite, and tonalite
syntectonic intermediate to felsic granitoids (including those related
related to the Dunbar
dome), lamprophyric
lamprophyric dikes and plugs, and post-tectonic granites and diabase dikes.
Twelve Foot Falls Quartz Diorite: The Twelve Foot Falls Quartz Diorite comprises a
some 20
20 km
km by
by 55 km
km in size
size to
to the
the west
west of
of Beecher, Wisconsin
Wisconsin
large "sill-like" intrusion some
of gray,
gray, generally medium to
to coarse-grained
coarse-grained
(Sims and Schulz, 1993). It is composed of
quartz
quartz diorite
diorite containing
containing subhedral
subhedral crystals
crystals of
of sodic
sodic andesine,
andesine,subhedral
subhedralhornblende,
hornblende,
and anhedral bluish quartz. In composition it is similar to calc-alkaline
calc-alkaline andesites in the
McAllister and Beecher formations (Sims
(Sims and others,
others, 1992).
1992).
Atheistane
Atheistane Quartz Monzonite intrudes the Beecher
Athelstane Quartz Monzonite: The Athelstane
formation
and
extends
for
an
unknown
formation and extends for an unknown distance
distance to
to the
the south
southand
andwest
west(Sims
(Simsand
andSchulz,
Schulz,
1993). It consists dominantly of
of medium- to
to coarse-grained quartz monzonite and locally
contains
contains numerous
numerous metavolcanic
metavolcanicinclusions.
inclusions. The
The Athelstane
Athelstane Quartz
QuartzMonzonite
Monzoniteisisdated
dated
at 1,836±15
1,836Â±1Ma
Ma (Banks
(Banks and
and Cain, 1969).
1969). The
The Amberg
Amberg Granite,
Granite,which
which intrudes
intrudesthe
the
Athelstane Quartz Monzonite west and north of
of Amberg (Sims and Schulz, 1993),
1993), is
dated
1,756Â±1Ma
Ma (Van
(Van Schmus,
Schmus, 1980).
1980).
dated at 1,756±19

Dunbar
Dunbar Dome
Dome
Only a brief summary of
of the aeoloav
geology of
of the Dunbar dome is presented
presented here for the
Note. Onlv
purposes of the present trips. More
More comprehensive
comprehensive accounts
accounts are
are available
available in
in aa
guidebook
auidebook by
bv Sims
Sims and
and others
others (1984),
(19841, and
and in
in U.S.
U.S. Geological
Geoloaical Survey
Survey Professional
ProfessionalPaper
Paper
1517
by Sims and
and others
others (1992).
(1992).
1517 bv
The Dunbar dome is one of several granitoid domes in northern Wisconsin that have
have
cores of gneiss, migmatite
migmatite and granitoid rocks
rocks and are mantled
mantled by metavolcanic
metavolcanic and
Pembine-Wausau magmatic terrane (Sims and others,
metasedimentary rocks in the Pembine-Wausau
1985). Where ages have been determined, both the core of the domes and mantle or
cover rocks are of Paleoproterozoic age. The Dunbar dome is a complex antiformal
structure consisting of a central core of Dunbar Gneiss, Marinette Quartz Diorite, and
from the core composed of
Hoskin Lake Granite, and three lateral protuberances (lobes) from
the west,
west, Spikehorn Creek Granite on
on the
the east, and Newingham
Bush Lake Granite on the
Tonalite on the south (Sims and others, 1992).
structural evolution of
1992). The intrusive and structural
the dome spanned the relatively short time of about 30 Ma, from syn-tectonic
syn-tectonic events at
about 1865
1865 Ma to post-tectonic
post-tectonic at about
about 1835
1835 Ma.
Ma.

Conclusions
Conclusions
The volcanic and associated intrusive rocks in northeastern Wisconsin south of the
fault, the Pembine ophiolite, are
are interpreted to
to record the
the evolution of
of a
Niagara fault,

30

�Paleoproterozoicsuprasubduction
suprasubductionzone
zone ophiolite-island
ophiolite-islandarc
arc sequence.
sequence. Shervais
Shervais(2001)
(2001)
Paleoproterozoic
has
has shown
shown that suprasubduction
suprasubductionzone
zone ophiolites
ophiolites tend
tend to
to display
displayaa consistent
consistentsequence
sequence
of events
tectonic processes.
events during their formation
formation and evolution in response
response to similar tectonic
processes.
This
This sequence
sequence includes
includesthe
the following
following(after
(afterShervais,
Shervais,2001):
2001):
(1) Birth,
Birth, which
which entails
entails the
the initiation
initiationof ophiolite
ophiolite formation
formation during
during extension
extension above
above aa
(1)
reconfigured intraoceanic subduction zone. Rocks formed
newly forming or reconfigured
during
during the
the initial
initial phase
phase of ophiolite
ophiolite formation include
include layered
layered and isotropic
isotropic
plutonic
gabbros,
sheeted
dikes,
and
a
"lower"
volcanic
section
consisting
lowplutonic gabbros, sheeted dikes, and a "lower" volcanic section consistingof
oflowK
K tholeiitic
tholeiitic basalt
basalt and
and basaltic
basaltic andesite
andesite with
with MORB
MORB and
and primitive
primitive arc
arc tholeiite
tholeiite
affinities. Gabbros
Gabbros formed
formed during
during this
this stage
stage are
are often
often ductilely
ductilely deformed
deformed (foliated
(foliated
affinities.
or
or boudinaged)
boudinaged)in
in response
responseto
to syn-magmatic
syn-magmaticextension.
extension.
(2)
(2) Youth,
Youth, during
duringwhich
which continued
continuedmelting
meltingof
of previously
previouslydepleted
depletedasthenospheric
asthenospheric
mantle
mantle occurs
occurs in
in response
response to
to increased
increased fluid flux from
from the
the subducting
subducting slab. Rocks
Rocks
formed during
during the
the second
second phase
phase of ophiolite
ophiolite formation
formation include
include intrusive
intrusive maficmaficformed
ultramafic
ultramafic sills
sills and
and additional
additional dikes,
dikes, and
andan
an"upper"
"upper"volcanic
volcanicunit
unitcharacterized
characterizedby
by
basalt
and
andesite
with
highly
depleted
incompatible
trace
element
basalt and andesite with highly depleted incompatible trace element
compositions
compositions (i.e.,
(i.e., low-Ti
low-Tibasalt,
basalt, high-Mg
high-Mgandesite
andesiteand
andboninite).
boninite).
(3) Maturity,
Maturity,during
duringwhich
which the
the subduction
subductionzone
zone stabilizes
stabilizes and
and the
the rate
rate of
of crustal
crustal
(3)
spreading slows.
slows. Rocks
Rocks formed
formed during
during this
this phase
phase include
include hornblende
hornblende diorite,
spreading
quartz
quartz diorite,
diorite, tonalite, and
and volcanic
volcanic rocks
rocks ranging
ranging from
from basalt
basalt to
to rhyolite,
rhyolite, all
all with
with
transitional
transitional to
tocalc-alkaline
calc-alkalinecompositions.
compositions.Volcanism
Volcanismtypically
typicallybecomes
becomesmore
more
silicic
silicic with time. In
In many
many cases, these rocks
rocks have
have not been
been considered
considered part
part of the
subjacent
subjacent ophiolite,
ophiolite, but
but rather
rather have
have been
been attributed
attributed to post-ophiolite
post-ophiolitearc
volcanism.
volcanism.
(4) Death,
Death,which
which results
resultsfrom
from the
the demise
demiseof
of active
activespreading
spreadingand
andsubduction.
subduction.In
Inthe
the
(4)
case
case where
where death
death results
results from
from collision
collision with
with an
an active
activeocean
oceanspreading
spreadingcenter,
center,
dikes
dikes and
and lavas
lavas with
with oceanic
oceanic basalt
basalt compositions
compositionsmay
maycrosscut
crosscutand
andoverlie
overliethe
the
older
older ophiolite-arc
ophiolite-arcsection.
section.
(5) Resurrection,
Resurrection,which
which accompanies
accompaniesemplacement
emplacementby
by obduction
obduction onto
onto aa passive
passive
(5)
continental margin
marginor
or accretionary
accretionary uplift
uplift with
with renewed
renewedsubduction.
subduction. In
In the
the case
case
continental
where
where death
death is
is the
the result
result of
of collision
collision with
with aa passive
passive margin,
margin, death
death and
and
resurrection of
of the
the ophiolite
ophiolite sequence
sequencemay
mayoccur
occuressentially
essentiallysimultaneously.
simultaneously.
resurrection
The rocks
rocks of
of the
the Quinnesec
Quinnesec Formation
Formationappear
appear to
to record
record the
the first
first two
two stages
stagesof
of
The
suprasubduction zone
zone ophiolite evolution. The presence
presence in the upper
upper part of the
suprasubduction
Quinnesec Formation
Formation of basalt
basalt and
and andesite
andesite lavas
lavas and dikes derived from highly
highly
Quinnesec
refractory mantle
mantle is
is particularly
particularly diagnostic
diagnostic of aa relationship
relationship to
to the
the early
early stages
stages of
refractory
intraoceanic
forearcsetting
setting(Shervais
(Shervaisand
andKimbrough,
Kimbrough,
intraoceanicsubduction
subductionand
and formation
formationin
inaaforearc
1985; Beccaluva
Beccaluvaand
and Serri,
Serri, 1988).
1988).This
This further
furtherimplies
impliesthat
that the
the Quinnesec
QuinnesecFormation
Formationand
and
1985;
associated rocks
rocks did
did not
not form
form in
in aa back-arc
back-arcbasin
basin near
near the
the margin
margin of
of the
the Superior
Superior
associated
Craton, but
but probably
probablyformed
formedas
asan
anintraoceanic
intraoceanicophiolite-arc
ophiolite-arcsystem
systemabove
aboveaasouthward
southward
Craton,
dipping
dipping(in
(inpresent
presentcoordinates)
coordinates)subduction
subductionzone.
zone.
McAllister, Beecher
Beecherand
and Pemene
Pemene formations
formationsand
and
The calc-alkaline
calc-alkalinevolcanic
volcanic rocks
rocks of
of the
the McAllister,
The
associated
associatedintrusives
intrusivessuch
such as
as the
the Newingham
Newingham Tonalite
Tonalite and
and Twelve
Twelve Foot
Foot Falls
Falls Quartz
Quartz
Diorite appear
appear compatible
compatiblewith
with the
the third
thirdstage
stage(maturity)
(maturity)of
ofsuprasubduction
suprasubductionzone
zone
Diorite
ophiolite evolution.
evolution. Shervais
Shervais (2001)
(2001) notes
notes that
that for
for aa suprasubduction
suprasubduction zone
zone ophiolite
ophiolite to
to
ophiolite
reach maturity
maturity requires
requires that
that the
the ocean
ocean basin
basin being
being subducted
subducted be
be large
large enough
enough to
to
reach
complete
completethe
the first
first two
two stages
stageswithout
without disappearing.
disappearing.This
This suggests
suggests that
that the
the

31

�Paleoproterozoic
significant in size (at
Paleoproterozoic ocean basin that was subducted was probably significant
least many
many hundreds
hundreds of kilometers).
kilometers).
It appears likely that growth of the Pembine
Pembine ophiolite-arc system
system was terminated
terminated by
by its
its
collision
obduction onto
onto the passive
passive margin
margin of the
the Superior
Superior craton.
craton. Since
Since
collision with
with and
and obduction
subduction
subduction appears
appears to
to be
be largely
largely driven
driven by
by slab
slab pull,
pull, the
the southward
southward subduction
subduction of
of
oceanic
oceanic lithosphere
lithosphere attached
attached to
to the
the Superior
Superior continental
continental margin
marginwould
would have
have pulled
pulled the
the
continental
lithosphere
along
with
it
as
it
descended
into
the
subduction
zone
below
continental lithosphere along with it as it descended into the subduction zone below the
the
ophiolite-arc
ophiolite-arcsystem.
system. With
With detachment
detachment of
of the
the subducting
subductingoceanic
oceanic lithosphere,
lithosphere,the
the
buoyancy
buoyancy of the
the continental
continental lithosphere
lithosphere would have
have led
led to its
its rapid
rapid uplift
uplift along
along with
with the
the
leading
leading edge
edge of
of the
the ophiolite-arc
ophiolite-arc system
system (Shervais,
(Shervais, 2001).
2001). This
This interpretation
interpretationsuggests
suggests
that the
the volcanic
volcanic and
and associated
associated rocks
rocks of
of northeastern
northeastern Wisconsin
Wisconsinare
are allochthonous,
allochthonous,as
as
is
is also
also suggested
suggested by
by gravity
gravity and
and magnetic
magnetic data
data for
for the
the region
region (Klasner
(Klasner and
and others,
others, 1985;
1985;
Attoh
Attoh and
and Klasner,
Klasner, 1989).
1989). This
This stage
stage is
is recorded
recorded by
by the
the deformation
deformationof
of the
the ophiolite-arc
ophiolite-arc
sequence
Dunbardome.
dome. ItItisis
sequence and
and by
by the
the intrusion
intrusionof the
the syn-tectonic
syn-tectonic units
units of
of the
the Dunbar
possible
possible that the shallow-water
shallow-water sedimentary
sedimentary rocks
rocks (carbonates)
(carbonates) along
along the
the west
west margin
margin of
of
the Dunbar
Dunbar dome
dome (Sims
(Sims and
and Schulz,
Schulz, 1993)
1993) represent
represent Chocolay
Chocolay Group
Group rocks
rocks of
of the
the
Marquette
Marquette Range
Range Supergroup
Supergroup that
that were
were uplifted
upliftedfrom
from the
the continental
continentalmargin
marginbasement
basement
below
below during
during formation
formation of
of the
the Dunbar
Dunbardome.
dome.

32

�FIELD
FIELDTRIP
TRIP1I
PEMBINE-WAUSAU
PEMBINE-WAUSAU MAGMATIC
MAGMATICTERRANE
TERRANE
Klaus
Klaus J.
J. Schulz, USGS, Reston, VA
VA and
and Gene
Gene L. LaBerge, University
University of
of
Wisconsin-Oshkosh
Wisconsin-Oshkosh (retired),
(retired), Oshkosh, WI
Wl and
andUSGS
USGS

Pillowed flows of high-Mg
high-Mg andesite of the Quinnesec
Quinnesec Formation,
Formation, part
part of the
Pillowed
Pembine
Pembine ophiolite
ophiolite complex,
complex, Quiver
Quiver Falls,
Falls, Wisconsin
Wisconsin

�FIELD
FIELDTRIP
TRIP1I
PEMBINE-WAUSAU MAGMATIC
MAGMATIC TERRANE
TERRANE
PEMBINE-WAUSAU
Klaus J. Schulz,
Schulz, USGS, Reston, VA and Gene L. LaBerge, University
University of WisconsinWisconsinOshkosh
Oshkosh (retired),
(retired),Oshkosh,
Oshkosh,WI
Wland
andUSGS
USGS

The Paleoproterozoic
Paleoproterozoicvolcanic
volcanic and
andassociated
associatedintrusive
intrusiverocks
rocksexposed
exposedininthe
theeastern
eastern
The
part of
of Marinette
MarinetteCounty
County in
in northeastern
northeastern Wisconsin
Wisconsin are
are the
the easternmost
easternmost exposures
exposures of
of
part
the Pembine-Wausau
Pembine-Wausauterrane,
terrane, the northernmost
northernmost of the two Wisconsin magmatic
magmatic terranes
the
(Sims
(Sims and others 1989).
1989). The volcanic rocks are composed
composed of tholeiitic
tholeiitic and calc-alkaline
volcanic and
and volcaniclastic
volcaniclastic rocks
rocks that formed at about 1870
1870 Ma
Ma (Sims
(Sims and
and others,
others, 1989).
1989).
volcanic
They
They are
are cut
cut by
by aa variety
variety of intrusive
intrusive rocks
rocks ranging
ranging from
from syn-volcanic
syn-volcanic gabbros,
gabbros, diorites,
diorites,
and tonalities
tonalities to
to syn-and
syn-andpost-tectonic
post-tectonicgranitoids
granitoids(i.e.,
(i.e., Dunbar
DunbarGneiss
Gneissand
andrelated
relatedrocks).
rocks).
and
The
The magmatic
magmatic rocks
rocks of
of the
the Pembine-Wausau
Pembine-Wausauterrane
terrane are
are separated
separated from
from the
the epicratonic
epicratonic
sedimentary
sedimentary rocks
rocks of
of the
the Marquette
Marquette Range
Range Supergroup
Supergroup in
in Michigan
Michigan by
by the Niagara
Niagara fault
fault
zone. The
The lithologic
lithologic units
units present
present in
in eastern
eastern Marinette
Marinette County
County and
and their chemistry
chemistry
zone.
strongly
strongly suggest
suggest that
that these
these rocks
rocks represent
represent aa Paleoproterozoic
Paleoproterozoicsuprasubduction
suprasubduction zone
zone
ophiolite, the
the Pembine
Pembine ophiolite
ophiolite (Schulz, 1987;
1987; Sims
Sims and others, 1989).
1989). The ophiolite
ophiolite,
and
and associated
associated island-arc
island-arcrocks
rocks were accreted
accreted to the southern
southern margin
margin of the
the Archean
Archean
Superior
Superior Craton
Craton during
during the
the Penokean
PenokeanOrogeny.
Orogeny.
On
On this
this field
field trip
trip we will examine
examine the major
major lithologies
lithologies that comprise
comprise the Pembine
Pembine
ophiolite.
This
includes
examples
of
ultramafic
rocks
(serpentinite),
layered
ophiolite. This includes
ultramafic rocks (serpentinite), layered and
and massive
massive
gabbros cut
cut by
by mafic
mafic dikes,
dikes, pillow
pillow basalts
basalts and
and andesites,
andesites, and
and several overlying calcgabbros
alkaline
alkaline arc-related
arc-relatedvolcanic
volcanic and
andvolcaniclastic
volcaniclasticrocks
rocks(fig.
(fig.1-1).
1-1).

34

�88 0845'

8T 5830"

88°08'45"

8758'30"

87 4815"

45 41 00

22

t
I

0
0
'

5

'

2
I

0
0

55

6
6

4
'II
5
5

'

8748'15"
88

,

II

10
10

10
10

•II
15
15

12 Miles
Miles
12
II

Kilometers
Kilometers

EXPLANATION
EXPLANATION
Munising Sandstone
Munising
Sandstone(Cambrian)
(Cambrian)

Paleoproterozoic
north of
Paleoproterozoic rocks north
o f Niagara fault
Formation-graywacke
Michigamme Formation
graywacke
Iron-formation
Vulcan lron-formation
Dolomite
Randville Dolomite

Paleoproterozoic rocks of
Terranes
Paleoproterozoic
of Wisconsin Magmatic
MagmaticTerranes
Intrusive
trusive rocks
rocks

Volcanic rocks

.

E Spikehorn
Creek
Spikehorn
CreekGranite
Granite

and dacite
dacite "Pemene formation"
formation"
. . ...., Rhyolite
Rhyoliteand

Granite
Bush Lake Granite

Basaltic and
andandesitic
andesitic breccia
breccia"McAllister
"McAllisterformation"
formation

Hoskuns Lake
Lake Granite
Granite
Hoskins

Rhyolute
tuff graywacke Beecher formation"
formation
Rhyolite, felsuc
felsic tuff,graywackel'Beecher

Athelstane
Athelstane Quartz Monzonite
Monzonite

Twelve Foot FallsQuartz
Quartz Diorite
Diorite
Twelve

Marinette Quartz Diorite
Diorite
Marinette

Serpentinite
of ophiolite
ophiolite complex
complex
Serpentinite and
and gabbro, base of

NewinghamTonalite
jJ NewinghamTonalite

Quinnesec Formation

Quinnesec Formation

NewinghamTonalite,
NewinghamTonalite,
megacrystic facies
megacrystic

.. .

Metagabbro
Metagabbro

Volcanic and
rocks undivided
undivided
and granituc
granitic rocks

— faults
-

faults

•

field
field trip
trip stops
stops

Figure 1-1. Generalized geologic map of part of northeastern
northeastern Wisconsin
Wisconsin showing
showing the
the
location of field trip stops
stops 1-1
1-1 through
through 11-8.
See figure
figure 3-2
3-2(p.
(p. 67)
67) for
for location
locationof
of stops
stops1-9
1-9
location
-8. See
and 1-10.
1-10.

35

�____
_______

__
____________
____

_______

°

'6

/ 1'

+

ET.

-r1I k

N

32

'

-

'

aveH
Pt

-f

•.

-

---

I

&amp;&amp;

• ./
— c(

-

-

.

./

;.

L 9Xt

I

-

—
-

N

'

.

.

.

\

.

/
-

—

*

.

..

)

-

•

2Y

--

I

.

(

T.

\

-

—

Approximatel 10 miles to Dunbar

-

26O
.

.

k.

.

•••

-'

-

n
—

.

'-

iaN

.

-

.

.—
.

-

l

.

IZ

I

K"

w
3

I)

5000

0

— ,_ —
0

10000 METERS

I

I

10000

20000

30000

— -=

400CR FEET

Figure
Figure1-2.
1-2.Part
Partofofthe
theEscanaba
Escanaba1:100,000-scale
1:I
00,000-scaletopographic
topographicmap
mapshowing
showingthe
thelocation
location
of
of field
fieldtrip
tripstops
stops1-1
1-1through
through1-7
1-7and
andsupplemental
supplementalstops
stops1-8
1-8and
and1-11.
1-11.

Stop
side
U.S.
141,
SW
NE
Stop1-1.
1-1.Spikehorn
SpikehornCreek
CreekGranite
Granite(west
(west
side
U.S.Highway
Highway
141,
SW¼,?h,
NE1/4
'%sec.
Isec.
,
36,
36,T.
T.38
38N.,
N.,R.
R.20
20E.).
E.).
The
Theoutcrop
outcropon
onthe
thewest
westside
sideofofU.S.
U.S.Highway
Highway141
141(fig.
(fig.1-2)
1-2)isisrepresentative
representativeofofthe
the
Spikehorn
SpikehornCreek
CreekGranite,
Granite,aagray
graytotopinkish
pinkishgray,
gray,finefine-totomedium-grained
medium-grainedmassive
massive
granite
granitewith
withscattered
scatteredpotassium
potassiumfeldspar
feldspargrains
grainsas
asmuch
muchas
as22cm
cminindiameter.
diameter.The
The
granite
graniteisiscomposed
composedofofplagioclase
plagioclase(sodic
(sodicoligoclase)
oligoclase)with
withweak
weaknormal
normalzoning,
zoning,

36

�microclinemicroperthite,
microperthite,quartz,
quartz,biotite,
biotite,sphene,
sphene,and
andopaque
opaqueoxides.
oxides.Accessory
Accessoryminerals
minerals
microcline
include
zircon,
allanite,
apatite
(rare),
and
fluorite
(rare).
The
granite
has
sharp
intrusive
include zircon, allanite, apatite (rare), and fluorite (rare). The granite has sharp intrusive
contacts
contactswith
with the
the Quinnesec
Quinnesecvolcanic
volcanicrocks
rocksand
andthe
theMarinette
MarinetteQuartz
QuartzDiorite.
Diorite.
The
The Spikehorn
SpikehornCreek
Creek Granite
Granite isis aa post-tectonic
post-tectonicdiapiric
diapiric intrusion
intrusion on
on the
the northeast
northeast side
side of
of
the
the Dunbar
Dunbar dome
dome with
with an
an age
age of
of 1,835±6
1,835*6 Ma
Ma (Sims
(Sims and
and others,
others, 1992).
1992). ItIt is
is similar
similar in
in
composition
LittleTobin Lake
Lake Granite,
Granite, which
which intrudes
intrudes the
the Badwater
Badwater
composition and
and age
age to
to the
the LittleTobin
Greenstone
Greenstonenorth
north of
of the
the Niagara
NiagaraFault
Faultzone
zone (Schneider
(Schneiderand
and others,
others, 2002;
2002; see
see also
also field
field
trip
trip 3,
3, stop
stop 3-9).
3-9). Both
Both the
the Spikehorn
Spikehornand
and Little
LittleTobin
Tobin Lake
Lakegranites
granites represent
represent"stitching"
"stitching"
plutons,
plutons, emplaced
emplaced after
after collision
collision of
of the
the Pembine-Wausau
Pembine-Wausaumagmatic
magmaticterrane
terranewith
with the
the
passive
passive margin
margin of
of the
the Superior
Superior Craton.
Craton. As
As such,
such, the
the age
age of
of these
these granites
granites provides
providesaa
minimum
minimumage
agefor
for the
thePenokean
PenokeanOrogeny.
Orogeny.

Stop
Stop 1-2.
1-2. Exposures
Exposuresof
of Serpentinite,
Serpentinite,Gabbro.
Gabbro,and
and Mafic
Mafic Dikes
Dikes(i.e.,
0.e.. Ophiolite)
Ophiolite)East
East
of
(NW1/4,
%, NW ¼, sec.
sec. 22,
22ÂT.
T. 37
37N.,
N.?R.
R. 21
21E.)
Em)
ofPembine
Pembine(NW
%Â

Follow
Follow the
the red
red flags
flags and
and trail
trail north
north to
to outcrops
outcrops of
of serpentinite
serpentinite on
on the
the south
south side
side of
of the
the
North
NorthBranch
BranchPemebonwon
PemebonwonRiver.
River.The
Theserpentinite
serpentiniteininthe
thesurrounding
surroundingoutcrops
outcropsshows
shows
variable
variable features
features including
includinglayering
layering(fig.
(fig. 1-3),
1-3),brecciation,
brecciation,and
andcarbonate
carbonateand
andserpentine
serpentine
veining.
veining. Chromite
Chromiteisisclearly
clearly evident
evident in
insome
some samples.
samples. Some
Some serpentinite
serpentinite is
is highly
highly
magnetic
magnetic whereas
whereas other
other samples
samples are
are not;
not; this
this may
may reflect
reflectoriginal
original variations
variations in
in the
the
proportion
proportionof
of olivine
olivineand
andpyroxene
pyroxenein
in the
the ultramafic
ultramafic rocks.
rocks.Locally,
Locally,dikes
dikes of
of pyroxenite
pyroxenite
(now
(now altered
alteredto
to talc-serpentine)
talc-serpentine)have
havebeen
beenobserved
observedcutting
cuttingthe
theserpentinite.
serpentinite.

Figure
Figure1-3.
1-3.Photograph
Photographof
ofnearly
nearlyvertical
verticallayering
layeringininultramafic
ultramafic(serpentinite)
(serpentinite)rocks
rocksat
at
stop
1-2.
stop1-2.

37

�As we walk south we will first
first see further exposures of serpentinite followed after a few
hundred
hundred meters
meters by
by a series
series of
of outcrops
outcrops with
with variable
variable proportions
proportionsof
of layered
layeredgabbro,
gabbro,
foliated-lineated gabbro, massive diabase and quartz diabase (dikes?), all cut by
foliated-lineated
reddish-brown-weathering
reddish-brown-weathering mafic dikes (figs. 1-4
1-4 and 1-5). The foliation in the foliated
gabbro is variable in strike between N.15 W. to N.15 E. and dips steeply either E or W.
The mafic dikes generally strike about E-W parallel
parallel to the overall trend of the
serpentinite-gabbro body and dip steeply. The dikes do not appear to extend outside the
body into the surrounding pillow basalts. The serpentinite-gabbro body appears to be
fault-bounded and
and tectonically
tectonically emplaced
emplaced within
within the
the Quinnesec
Quinnesec Formation.
Formation.

Figure
Figure 1-4. Photograph
Photograph of rusty weathering mafic dikes with gabbro screens at stop 1-2
1-2
(Note, dike
dike margins
margins are
are highlighted).
highlighted).

The lithologies
lithologies and their arrangement in this ultramafic-gabbroic
ultramafic-gabbroic body along with those
of the Quinnesec
Quinnesec Formation
Formation generally are similar to those that characterize recent
ophiolite sequences (Moores, 2002). This includes (from bottom to top): mafic-ultramafic
mafic-ultramafic
plutonic rocks,
rocks, aa dike
dike (sheeted?)
(sheeted?) complex,
complex, extrusive
extrusivepillowed
pillowedand
andmassive
massivebasalt
basaltlava
lava
flows, and overlying volcaniclastic sedimentary rocks. The compositions of the gabbros
and mafic
island-arc tholeiite and
MORB to depleted island-arc
mafic dikes within this body range from MORB
high-magnesium
high-magnesium andesite with boninitic affinities; the mafic rocks
rocks are similar in
composition to the gabbros and basalts
basalts in the Quinnesec Formation
Formation (Sims and others,
1989; Schulz, 1987
1987 and unpublished
unpublished data). The
The lithologic
lithologic association
association and
and chemistry
chemistry are
are
similar to recent suprasubduction zone ophiolites like those of the Coast Ranges in
California
California (Shervais and Kimbrough, 1985; Shervais, 2001). These data, along with the
presence of overlying
overlying calc-alkaline
caic-alkaline island-arc
island-arc volcanic and volcaniclastic rocks, suggest
formation of the Quinnesec
Quinnesec as
as a suprasubduction
suprasubduction zone ophiolite associated with forearc
extension during the early stages of subduction
subduction and island arc formation.

38

�Figure
Figure 1-5.
1-5. Close-up
Close-up photo
photo of
of rusty
rusty weathering
weathering mafic
mafic dike
dike cutting
cuttingfoliated
foliated gabbro
gabbro at
at stop
stop
1-2.
1-2. Note
Note cleavage
cleavage development
development along
along the
the upper
upper margin
margin of
of dike
dike (dike
(dike contacts
contactsare
are
hightlighted).
hightlighted).

Stopl-3.
Stop1-3.Pillow
Pillowbasalt
basaltofofthe
theQuinnesec
QuinnesecFormation.
Formation,Quiver
QuiverFalls
Fallson
onthe
theMenominee
Menominee
River
sec. 24, T. 37
River(NE
(NE1/4,
%, SW
SW 1/4,
%, sec.
37 N.,
N., R.
R.21
21E.)
E.)

-

Basalt
Basaltand
andandesite
andesitepillow
pillow lavas
lavasand
and pillow
pillow breccias
brecciasare
are common
common in
in the
the Quinnesec
Quinnesec
Formation.
three-dimensionalview
viewofofpillows
pillowscan
canbe
beseen
seenininthis
thisexposure
exposurealong
alongthe
the
Formation.AA three-dimensional
banks
banksof
of the
theMenominee
MenomineeRiver
Riverat
at Quiver
QuiverFalls
Falls(fig.1-6).
(fig.l-6). Here,
Here,south-facing
south-facingelongate
elongate
closely
closely packed
packedbasalt
basaltpillows
pillowscan
can be
be seen
seen with
with excellent
excellent preservation
preservation of
of features
features due
due to
to
the
thelow
lowdegree
degreeof
ofdeformation.
deformation.Locally,
Locally,the
thebasalt
basalthere
hereisisalso
alsohighly
highlyvariolitic
variolitic(fig.
(fig.1-7)
1-7)
with
with large
large(1-2
(1-2cm)
cm)round
roundpinkish
pinkishsiliceous-appearing
siliceous-appearingvarioles.
varioles. Chemically
Chemicallythe
the basalt
basalt isis
characterized
(9.8 wt.%),
wt.%), and
andvery
very low
low Ti02
Ti02(0.35
(0.35 wt.%),
wt.%), Zr
Zr (35
(35
characterizedby
byrelatively
relativelyhigh
highMgO
MgO(9.8
ppm),
ppm),and
andREE
REE(flat
(flatpattern
patternatat—6
-6 xx chondrites)
chondrites) contents.
contents. ItIt is
is similar
similar in
in composition
composition to
to
some
someof
of the
themassive
massivediabasic
diabasicgabbro
gabbroseen
seenat
atstop
stop1-2.
1-2.

39

�Fig1-ire 1-6.
Figure
1-6. Photograph
Photograph of
of pillow
pillow basalt
basalt in
in the
the Quinnesec
Quinnesec Formation
Formation at
at Quiver
Quiver Falls
Falls on
oi
the
the Menominee
MenomineeRiver
River(stop
(stop1-3).
1-3).

FigiJre 1-7.
1-7.Photograph
Photographof
of variolitic
variolitic basalt
basalt at
at Quiver
Quiver Falls
Falls on
on the
the Menominee
Menominee River
River (stop
(s1
Figure
1-3).
1-3)I.

40

�Stop 1-4.
1-4. Andesite
Andesite Breccia
Brecciaat
atthe
theNew
NewKremlin
KremlinMine
MinePit
Pit(5(S½,
Vs,sec.
sec.26,
26,T.T.37
37N.,
N.,R.
R.
Stop
21
21 E.)
E.)

The fresh
fresh glacially
glacially polished
polished outcrops
outcrops around
around the
the new
new Kremlin
Kremlin mine
mine pit
pit at
at this
this stop
stop
The
provide excellent exposures of andesite breccia
breccia in the upper
upper part
part of the Quinnesec
Quinnesec
provide
Formation. The Kremlin
Kremlin mine
mine processes
processes the Quinnesec rocks
rocks for roofing
roofing granules.
granules. The
The
Formation.
andesite breccia
breccia consists
consists of
of angular
angular to
to sub-rounded
sub-roundedvolcanic
volcanic fragments
fragments ranging
rangingfrom
from
andesite
about 55 cm
cm to
to at
at least
least 40
40 cm
cm across
across in
in aa matrix
matrixof
of 0.5
0.5 to
to 2.0
2.0 cm
cmhyaloclastite
hyaloclastitefragments.
fragments.
about
The sub-rounded
sub-roundedfragments
fragments and
and hyaloclastite
hyaloclastitematrix
matrix suggest
suggest that
that the
the unit
unit may
mayrepresent
represent
The
andlor subaqueous
subaqueous debris
debris flows.
flows. Note
Note the
the black
black pyroxene
pyroxene phenocrysts
phenocrysts in
in
pillow breccias
brecciasand/or
pillow
some of
of the
the andesites
andesites clasts.
clasts. Locally
Locallyto
to the
the west,
west, similar
similar rocks
rocksare
are interlayered
interlayeredwith
with
some
rhyolite
rhyolite flows
flows and
and tuffs.
tuffs.
Stop1-5.
1-5.McAllister
McAllister
Formation
Marek
Road
%,sec.
sec.22,
22,T.T.36
36N.,
N.,R.R.21
21
Stop
Formation
onon
Marek
Road
(NE(NE
1/4,%,
NENE
1/4,
E.)

The McAllister
McAllister formation
formation consists
consists of
of caic-alkaline
calc-alkaline basaltic
basalticto
to andesitic
andesitic volcanic
volcanic breccia
breccia
The
with aa crystal
crystal lithic
lithic tuff
tuff matrix,
matrix, and
and locally
locally pillowed
pillowedand
and massive
massive lavas.
lavas. This outcrop
outcrop is
is
with
typical of
of the
the McAllister
McAllister volcanic
volcanic breccia.
breccia. Fragments
Fragments in
in the
the breccia
brecciaare
are distinctive
distinctive
typical
because they
they generally
generally contain
contain large
large pyroxene
pyroxene crystals
crystals that
that are
are now
now replaced
replaced by
by
because
hornblende. Amygdules
Amygdules are
are also
also common
common in
in many
many fragments.
fragments. The
The size
size of
of fragments
fragments in
in
hornblende.
the McAllister
McAllister formation
formation increases
increases from
from west
west to
to east.
east. Near
Near the
the Menominee
Menominee River,
River, blocks
blocks
the
over 15
15 cm
cm in
in diameter
diameter are
are common
common suggesting
suggestingthe
the source
source area
areafor
for this
this dominantly
dominantly
over
fragmental
fragmental unit
unit may
may be
be located
locatedto
to the
the east
east in
in Michigan.
Michigan.
Stop
onon
Marek
Road
(NW
1/4,%,NW
Stop1-6.
1-6.Beecher
BeecherFormation
Formation
Marek
Road
(NW
NW1/4,
%, sec.
sec. 26,
26,T.
T. 36
36N.,
N.,R.
R.21
21
E.)
E.1

The Beecher
Beecherformation
formationconsists
consistsof
oftwo
twounits:
units:aathick
thick(—2,000-3,000
(-2,000-3,000 m)
m) lower
lower unit
unit
The
consisting
consisting dominantly
dominantly of
of calc-alkaline
calc-alkaline plagioclaseplagioclase- and
and pyroxene-phyric
pyroxene-phyric andesite
andesite and
and
dacite lava
lavaflows
flows and
andlesser
lesserpyroclastic
pyroclasticrocks,
rocks,and
andaathinner
thinner(—300
(-300 m) upper
upper unit, which
which
dacite
consists
consists of
of interbedded
interbedded felsic
felsic ash,
ash, tuff
tuff and
andcoarser
coarser fragmental
fragmental rocks.
rocks.The
Theexposures
exposuresat
at
this
lapillituff,
tuff, and
and
this stop
stop are
are in
in the
the upper
upper unit
unit and
and show
show bedded
bedded crystal
crystal tuff
tuff (fig.
(fig. 1-8),
1-8),lapilli
coarser
coarser units,
units, some
some with
with distinctive
distinctive rounded
rounded pink
pink to
to white
white felsite
felsite fragments
fragments (fig.
(fig. 1-9).
1-9).
Some
Some units
units are
are graded
graded whereas
whereas others
others are
are unsorted.
unsorted. Graded
Graded bedding
bedding in
in some
some layers
layers
indicates tops
tops to
to the
the northeast.
northeast. Jenkins
Jenkins(1973)
(1973) suggested
suggestedthat
that at
at least
leastsome
someof
of the
the rocks
rocks
indicates
of
of the
the Beecher
Beecherformation
formationwere
weredeposited
depositedsubaerially.
subaerially.

41

�4L

-

-.

—

—.

-

4 —? S

—

-;..

—-—

:;-— :-—

:t_

—.

;:;b
--

- ,-

—-

,-

-.

__4

---

.

__(

.

:

Figure 1-8.
1-8. Photograph
Photograph of bedded
bedded crystal
crystal tuff in
in the
the upper
upper unit
unit of
of the
the Beecher
Beecherformation,
formation,
Figure
stop
stop1-6.
1-6.

Figure 1-9.
1-9.Photograph
Photographof
of aa distinctive
distinctive fragmental
fragmental unit
unitwith
with rounded
roundedpink
pinkto
to white
white felsite
felsite
Figure
1-6.
fragmentsininthe
theupper
upperpart
partof
ofthe
theBeecher
Beecherformation,
formation,stop
stop1-6.
fragments
42
42

�Stop 1-8.
1-8. Pemene
Pemene Formation
Formationat
at Pemene
Pemene Falls
Fallson
onthe
theMenominee
MenomineeRiver
River(NW
(NW corner,
corner,
Stop
Sec.
sec. 23, T. 37
37 N.,
N., R.
R. 25
25 W.)
W.)
Exposed along
along the bank
bank of the
the Menominee
Menominee River
River at Pemene
Pemene Falls
Falls is
is rhyolite
rhyolite of the
Exposed
Pemene Formation.
Formation. The
The rocks
rocks are
are dark
dark gray
gray to
to reddish
reddish gray,
gray, contain
contain few
few feldspar
feldspar
Pemene
phenocrysts,
and
are
generally
microspherulitic.
Phenocrysts,
many
of
which
are
phenocrysts, and are generally microspherulitic. Phenocrysts, many
glomeroporphyritic, consist
consist mainly
mainly of euhedral
euhedral to subhedral
subhedral albite; however, phenocrysts
phenocrysts
glomeroporphyritic,
blue quartz
quartz are
are present
present locally.
locally. The
The microspherules
microspherules consist
consist of radial
radial intergrowths
intergrowths of
of blue
quartz
quartz and
and albite. This phase
phase of the
the Pemene
Pemene probably
probably represents
represents the devitrified
devitrified interior
interior
portion
portion of
of aa rhyolite
rhyoliteflow.
flow.
In
In areas
areas to
to the
the west, Pemene
Pemene rhyolite
rhyolite lava
lava flows show internal
internal gradations
gradations from massive
massive
microspherultic rhyolite
rhyolite at their
their centers
centers to flow-banded
flow-banded rhyolite
rhyolite and
and finally autobreccia
autobreccia
microspherultic
and hyaloclastite
hyaloclastite carapaces.
carapaces. This suggests
suggests the Pemene
Pemene rhyolite
rhyolite flows were deposited
deposited
and
subaqueously. Locally,
Locally, felsic dikes
dikes are found
found cutting
cutting the rhyolite.
rhyolite.
subaqueously.

SupplementalStop
Stop 1-8.
1-8. Dunbar Gneiss
Dunbar, Wisconsin
Supplemental
Gneiss West and North of Dunbar,
Wisconsin
Stop 1-8a.
1-8a. Dunbar Gneiss on the West Side of
of County
CountyRoad
Road U
U
Stop
of the
the Intersection
Intersection of
Y4, SW
SW ¼,
Y4, sec.
sec.26,
26,T.
T.37
37N.,
N.,R.
R.18
18E.).
E.).
withU.S.
U.S.Highway
Highway8 8(SW
(SW1/4,
with
The low
low outcrops
outcrops here
here are
are composed
composedmainly
mainly of
of megacrystic
megacrysticgranite
granite gneiss
gneiss that
that contains
contains
The
rafts of layered
layered amphibolite
amphibolite (fig.
(fig. 1-10).
1-10). This
This lithology
lithology is
is similar
similar to
to that
that dated
dated from
from an
an
rafts
outcrop to
to the
the north
northwith
with aa U-Pb
U-Pbzircon
zircon concordia
concordia upper
upper intercept
intercept age
age of
of 1,862±5
1,862~5
Ma
outcrop
Ma
N.
(Sims and
and others,
others, 1992).
1992).Lineation
Lineationin
inthe
theamphibolite
amphiboliteplunges
plungesgenerally
generallyabout
about20-25°
20-25' N.
(Sims
85-90' E.
E.Locally,
Locally, the
the amphibolite
amphiboliteisisrefolded
refoldedby
byfolds
foldshaving
havingN.
N.50°
50' W.
W.steep
steepaxial
axial
85-90°
N. 70°
70' W. foliation.
foliation. The
The granite
granitegneiss
gneiss
surfaces. The
The granite
granite gneiss
gneiss has
pervasiveN.
hasaa pervasive
surfaces.
composition, and
is interpreted
plutonic protolith
protolith
(Dunbar Gneiss)
tonalitic in
Gneiss) is
is tonalitic
in composition,
and is
interpreted as a plutonic
(Dunbar
(Sims
(Sims and
and others,
others, 1992).
1992).

Stop1-8b.
1-8b.Migmatitic
MigmatiticDunbar
DunbarGneiss
Gneiss
(Center
sec.15,
15,T.T.3737N.,
N.,R.R.18
18E.).
E.).
Stop
(Center
sec.
The exposures
exposures on
on the
the east
east side
side of
of the
the road
roadare
are of
of migmatitic
migmatiticDunbar
DunbarGneiss.
Gneiss.The
Thegneiss
gneiss
The
here
here consists
consistsmainly
mainly of
of compositionally
compositionally layered
layered rocks,
rocks, biotite
biotite gneiss,
gneiss, and
and lesser
lesser
amphibolite, intruded
intrudedby
by megacrystic
megacrystic biotite
biotitegneiss,
gneiss, granite
granitepegmatite,
pegmatite, and
and aplite.
aplite. All
All
amphibolite,
N. 50-55°
50-55' W. at
at 90°.
90'. The
The foliation
foliation is
is defined
defined by
by
rocks are
are deformed
deformed with
with foliation
foliation striking
striking N.
rocks
biotiteand
andhornblende
hornblendealignment
alignmentand
andisisgenerally
generallyparallel
paralleltotocompositional
compositionallayering.
layering.
biotite

43

�_

—

..—

a.—

*

it,r

*

--

qr

*

- ..._

-

..-

'

-.
,—.
-

•*
-

-

I

.

-.

—

.4

T

Figure 1-10.
1-10. Photograph
Photograph of an
an outcrop
outcrop of
of megacrystic
megacrystic Dunbar
Dunbar Gneiss
Gneiss with
with folded
folded
Figure
amphibolite
amphiboliterafts
raftsat
atstop
stop1-8a.
1-8a.
SupplementalStop
Stop1-9.
1-9. Sulfide
Sulfide deposit
depositat
at"LaSalle
"LaSalleFalls"
Falls"on
onthe
thePine
PineRiver.
River.(NW
(NW
Supplemental
%, SE
1/4,
SE%,
¼,sec.
sec.30,
30,T.39
T.39N.,
N.,R.18
R.18E.E.See
Seefigure
figure3-1
3-1and
and3-2
3-2for
for location.)
location.)
The Pembine-Wausau
Pembine-Wausauterrane
terraneisishost
hostto
to aanumber
numberof
of volcanogenic
volcanogenicmassive
massivesulfide
sulfide
The
deposits,
deposits, two
two of
of which
whichare
areknown
knownin
innortheastern
northeasternWisconsin
Wisconsin(Cummings,
(Cummings,1978;
1978;LaBerge,
LaBerge,
1983).
1983). The
The deposit
deposit on
on the
the Pine
PineRiver
Riverisisthe
theonly
onlyknown
knownnaturally
naturallyexposed
exposedmassive
massive
sulfide
sulfidedeposit
depositin
inWisconsin.
Wisconsin.
LaSalle Falls)
Falls) on
on the
the Pine
Pine River
River occurs
occurs in
in
The deposit
deposit at
at Pine
Pine Rapids
Rapids(locally
(locally known
known as
as LaSalle
The
3-2).
the Quinnesec
Quinnesec Formation
Formationabout
about one
one mile
mile south
south of
of the
the Niagara
NiagaraFault
Faultzone
zone (fig.
(fig. 3-2).
the
LaSalleFalls
Fallsis
is formed
formed where
where the
the Pine
Pine River
River flows
flows over
over aa resistant
resistant unit
unit of
of rhyolite
rhyolite
LaSalle
breccia
brecciaonto
onto an
an easily
easily eroded
eroded unit
unit of
of sulfide-bearing
sulfide-bearing schist
schist that
that occurs
occurs between
betweenthe
the
rhyolite
rhyolite and
and aa unit
unit of
of mafic
maficvolcanic
volcanic rocks.
rocks.Removal
Removalof
of the
the easily
easily eroded
eroded schist
schist has
has
formedaa narrow
narrowgorge
gorge on
on the
the Pine
PineRiver
Riverfor
for several
severalhundred
hundredfeet
feet below
belowthe
the falls.
falls. The
The
formed
withaaprominent
prominentlineation
lineationthat
thatplunges
plunges
rocksstrike
strikenearly
nearlyeast-west
east-westand
anddip
dip60-70°
60-70' SSwith
rocks
50-60°,
50-60, SS40°
40' W.
W.
The deposit
deposit was
was discovered
discovered during
during an
an airborne
airborne geophysical
geophysical survey
survey in
in the
the 1970's,
1970's, and
and
The
has
has been
beendrilled.
drilled. The
Themain
mainpart
partof
ofthe
thegeophysical
geophysicalanomaly
anomalyextends
extendsdownstream
downstreamwithin
within
theriver
riverchannel
channelbetween
betweenexposures
exposuresof
of rhyolite
rhyoliteon
onthe
the north
northand
andbasaltic
basalticrocks
rockson
onthe
the
the
south. Drill
Drillcores
cores show
show that
that the
the rhyolite
rhyolite consists
consists of
of coarse
coarse fragments
fragmentsin
inaa relatively
relatively
south.
sulfide-richmatrix,
matrix, aa typical
typical "stringer
"stringer ore".
ore". Rhyolite
Rhyoliteexposed
exposed at
at the
the falls
falls is
is very
very pitted,
pitted,
sulfide-rich
due
due to
to breakdown
breakdownof
of the
the sulfide-rich
sulfide-rich(pyrrhotite-chalcopyrite)
(pyrrhotite-chalcopyrite)matrix
matrix material.
material. Exposures
Exposures

44

�immediately below
below the falls, at the stratigraphic
stratigraphic level
level of the
the main
main EM
EM anomaly, consist
consist of
immediately
approximately
approximately18
18m
m of
of sulfide-bearing
sulfide-bearingschist
schist and
and cherty
cherty units.
units. The
Thesedimentary
sedimentaryunit
unit isis
mainly laminated
laminated chloritic
chloritic and
and sericitic
sericitic schist with pyritic lenses
lenses up to 3 mm
mm thick.
mainly
Garnets
Garnets are
are common
commonin
insome
some layers.
layers. Sprays
Sprays of
of black
black tourmaline
tourmaline are
are present
present in
in the
the mafic
mafic
volcanic
volcanic rocks
rocks on
on the
the south
south side
side of
of the
the river.
river.
The
The structure
structure in
inthe
the area
areaisissomewhat
somewhat puzzling.
puzzling.Based
Basedon
on regional
regional geology,
geology, Dutton
Dutton
(1971)
Bayley and
and others
others (1966)
(1966) concluded
concluded that
that the
the Quinnesec
Quinnesec Formation
Formationfaces
faces
(1971) and
and Bayley
north
northnear
near the
the Niagara
NiagaraFault.
Fault. Sims
Simsand
andothers
others(1984)
(1984) also
also reported
reportedthat
that the
the Quinnesec
Quinnesec
faces
DunbarDome,
Dome, which
which lies
lies south
south of
of "LaSalle
"LaSalleFalls".
Falls". In
In
faces northward
northwardaway
away from
from the
the Dunbar
addition, although
although deformation
deformationhas
hasobscured
obscuredfacing
facingdirection
directionindicators,
indicators,such
suchas
as pillows,
pillows,
addition,
%, NE
NE ¼,
%, sec.
sec. 26,
26, T.
T. 34
34N.,
N., A.
R.
in most
mostareas,
areas,north-facing
north-facingpillows
pillowsare
areexposed
exposedininthe
theSW
SW1%,
in
17
E., about
abouttwo
two miles
mileswest
westof
of"LaSalle
"LaSalleFalls".
Falls".However,
However,the
thelithologic
lithologicsequence
sequenceand
and
17E.,
pattern
patternof
of mineralization
mineralizationat
at "LaSalle
"LaSalleFalls"
Falls"suggests
suggests that
that the
the rocks
rockshosting
hostingthe
the
mineralization
mineralization face
face southward.
southward. The
The zone
zone of
of "stringer
"stringerore"
ore" isisnorth
northof
of the
the main
mainsulfide
sulfide
zone,
zone, and
and the
the sequence
sequence is
is "overlain"(?)
"overlain1'(?)by
by mafic
mafic volcanic
volcanic rocks
rocksto
to the
the south.
south.

SupplementalStop
Stop1-10.
1-10.Pine
PineRiver
RiverPegmatite
Peqmatite
bodies.
(NW
NE
V*.sec.
sec.22,
22, TT .39
.39
Supplemental
bodies.
(NW
¼,%,NE
1/4,
N.,
figures 3-1 and 3-2 for
for location.)
location.)
N., R.17
R.17 E.) See figures

-

(WARNING:
(WARNING: - Because
Because this
thisexposure
exposureisisnear
nearthe
thePine
PineRiver
RiverWILD
WILDRIVERS
RIVERSAREA.
AREA,
no
no collecting
collectinuis
ispermitted
permittedat
at this
this locality.)
locality.)
Dutton
Dutton (1971)
(1971) reported
reportedthe
the occurrence
occurrenceof
of pink
pinktourmaline
tourmalinein
inaa pegmatite
pegmatitedike
dikefrom
fromthis
this
area.
area. The
Thepegmatites
pegmatitesare
arelocated
locatedapproximately
approximately150
150feet
feetwest
westof
ofthe
thePine
PineRiver
Riverand
and
approximately
approximately300
300feet
feetsouth
southof
of Highway
Highway101
101in
inFlorence
FlorenceCounty
County(fig.
(fig.3-1).
3-1).The
Thelocation
location
is
is about
about aa mile
milesouth
southof
of the
theNiagara
NiagaraFault.
Fault.
The
Thepegmatite
pegmatitebodies
bodiesare
areup
upto
toaafew
fewmeters
meterswide
wideand
andcut
cutfelsic
felsicvolcanic
volcanicrocks
rocksof
ofthe
the
Quinnesec
QuinnesecFormation.
Formation.The
Thepegmatites
pegmatitesare
aresub-parallel
sub-parallelto
tothe
thefoliation
foliationininthe
thevolcanic
volcanic
rocks,
rocks,strike
strikenearly
nearlynorth-south,
north-south,and
anddip
dipabout
about50
50degrees
degreeswest.
west. AA number
numberof
of small
small
lithium-rich
lithium-richpegmatite
pegmatitebodies
bodiesininthe
thearea
areacontain
containspodumene,
spodumene,lepidolite,
lepidolite,and
andelbaite
elbaite
tourmaline
tourmalineas
aswell
wellas
asquartz,
quartz,albite
albiteand
andmicrocline.
microcline.Some
Somepegmatites
pegmatitescontain
containabundant
abundant
pink
tourmaline
crystals
0.5
1.0
cm
wide
and
2.5
5.0
cm
long,
commonly
oriented
pink tourmaline crystals 0.5 - 1.0 cm wide and 2.5 - 5.0 cm long, commonly oriented
roughly
roughlyperpendicular
perpendicularto
to the
theupper
uppercontact
contactof
of the
thepegmatite.
pegmatite.Some
Sometourmalines
tourmalinesare
arecolor
color
zoned,
zoned, with
withaapink
pinkcore
coreand
andblue-green
blue-greenrind.
rind.The
Thepegmatites
pegmatitesare
arecomposed
composeddominantly
dominantly
of
of aplitic
apliticquartz-feldspar
quartz-feldsparwith
withsome
somelepidolite.
lepidolite.The
Thepegmatites
pegmatitesrepresent
representhighly
highlyevolved
evolved
granitic
graniticmelts
meltsrelated
relatedto
tothe
thenearby
nearbyBush
BushLake
LakeGranite
Graniteassociated
associatedwith
withthe
theDunbar
Dunbar
gneiss-granitoid
gneiss-granitoiddome
dome(Sims
(Simsand
andothers,
others,1992).
1992).

Supplemental
SupplementalStop
Stop1-11.
1-11. Metasedimentary
MetasedimentarvRocks
Rockson
on the
the Northwest
NorthwestSide
Sideof
ofthe
the
Dunbar
DunbarDome
Dome(SW
(SW1/4
%, SE
SE¼,
VA, sec.
sec.7,7,T.T.37
37N.,
N.,R.R.18
18E.)
E.)
Metasedimentary
Metasedimentaryrocks
rocksare
areexposed
exposedintermittently
intermittentlyon
onthe
thewest
westside
sideof
of the
theDunbar
Dunbardome
dome
and
andadjacent
adjacentto
toand
andnorthwest
northwestof
ofthe
theBush
BushLake
Lakelobe
lobe(Sims
(Simsand
andSchulz,
Schulz,1993).
1993).Although
Although
included
includedby
byDutton
Dutton(1971)
(1971)ininthe
theQuinnesec
QuinnesecFormation,
Formation,subsequent
subsequentmapping,
mapping,
geophysical
geophysicaldata,
data, and
andcore
coredrilling
drillingby
byaaprivate
privatecompany
companyshow
showthat
that these
these strata
strataunderlie
underlie
the
theQuinnesec.
Quinnesec.The
Theexposed
exposedmetasedimentary
metasedimentaryrocks
rocksare
aremetamorphosed
metamorphosedatatamphibolite
amphibolite
grade
gradeand
andare
aremainly
mainlyquartz-rich
quartz-richschist,
schist,impure
impuremarble,
marble,calc-silicate
calc-silicaterocks,
rocks,and
andbiotite
biotite
schist.
schist.Drilling
Drillingand
andelectromagnetic
electromagneticdata
dataindicate
indicatethat
thataagraphitic
graphiticschist
schistlies
liesalong
alongthe
the

45

�west
west side
side of
of the
the Bush
Bush Lake
Lake lobe
lobe stratigraphically
stratigraphically below
below the
the exposed
exposed metasedimentary
metasedimentary
rocks.
rocks.
The
The large
large exposure
exposure at
at this
this stop
stop on
on the
the south
south side
side of
of Macintire
MacintireCreek
Creek consists
consistsof
of
interbedded
interbeddedcaic-silicate
calc-silicaterocks
rocks and
and biotite
biotite schist
schist that
that are
are cut
cut by
by granite
granite pegmatite
pegmatite and
and
apilite
apilite dikes,
dikes, identical
identical to
to those
those exposed
exposed within
within the
the western
western part
part of the
the Dunbar
Dunbar dome.
dome. At
At
another
SW %,
A, sec.
VA, SW
sec. 11,
11, T.
T. 38
38 N.,
N., R.
R.17
17E.),
E.), aa
another outcrop
outcrop area
areato
tothe
thenorth
north(NW
(NW1/4,
succession
100m
mthick
thick of
of marble,
marble,calc-silicate
calc-silicaterocks,
rocks,and
andthin
thininterbeds
interbedsofofbiotite
biotite
succession at
at least
least 100
schist
schist and
and ferruginous
ferruginous quartzite
quartzite is
is exposed.
exposed. The
The marble
marble at
at this
this location
locationhas
has structures
structures
suggestive
suggestive of
of stromatolites.
stromatolites.
In
In many
many respects
respects the
the metasedimentary
metasedimentaryrocks
rocks exposed
exposed on
on the
the west
west side
side of
of the
the Dunbar
Dunbar
dome
dome resemble
resemble those
those of
of the
the Chocalay
ChocalayGroup
Group of
of the
the Marquette
MarquetteRange
Range Supergroup,
Supergroup,as
as
exposed
exposed in
in the
the Menominee
Menominee iron
iron range
range to
to the
the north
north (Bayley
(Bayley and
and others,
others, 1966).
1966). These
These
metasedimentary
metasedimentaryrocks
rocks may
may compose
compose aa tectonic
tectonic slice
slice of
of continental-margin
continental-margin rocks
rocks that
that is
is
interleaved
Dunbar dome
dome and
and volcanic
volcanic rocks
rocks of the Quinnesec
interleaved with
with granitoid
granitoid rocks
rocks of
of the
the Dunbar
Formation.
Formation. Alternatively,
Alternatively, they
they may
may have
have been
been uplifted
uplifted from
from beneath
beneath the
the over-thrust
over-thrust
Quinnesec
Formation
during
the
formation
of
the
Dunbar
dome.
Quinnesec Formation during the formation of the Dunbar dome.

46

�FIELD
FIELD TRIP
TRIP 22
MENOMINEE
MENOMINEE IRON
IRON DISTRICT
DISTRICT
Gene
Gene L.
L. LaBerge,
LaBerge, University
Universityof
of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
Wisconsin-Oshkosh(retired)
(retired)and
andUSGS;
USGS;John
JohnS.
S.
Kiasner,
Klasner, Western
WesternIllinois
IllinoisUniversity
University(retired)
(retired)and
andUSGS;
USGS;William
WilliamF.
F.Cannon,
Cannon,
USGS;
gas, University
USGS; Richard
Richard W.
W.Ojakan
Ojakangas,
University of Minnesota
Minnesota Duluth
Duluth (retired)
(retired)

The Quinnesec
Quinnesec Mine
Mine near
near Quinnesec,
Quinnesec, Michigan
Michigan produced
produced about 500,000 tons of
siliceous
siliceous iron
iron ore between
between 1887
1887 and 1935
1935 from open pits
pits and stopes in the Vulcan IronIronformation. The
Theworkings
workingsseen
seenhere
hereare
areon
onthe
the overturned
overturnednorthern
northern limb
limb of a syncline.
The
The locality
locality is
is also
also noted
notedfor
for the
the excellent
excellentexposures
exposuresof
of the
thebasal
basalCambrian
Cambrian
unconformity. The
The roof
roof of
of the
the working
working in
in the
the upper
upper right
right is
is the base
base of the Munising
Sandstone,
Sandstone, which
which lies
lies with
with an
an angular
angular unconformity
unconformityon
onthe
theoverturned
overturnedVulcan
VulcanIronIronPhotographby
byElizabeth
ElizabethHeinen.
Heinen.
formation. Photograph

�FIELD TRIP
TRIP 22
FIELD
MENOMINEE
MENOMINEE IRON
IRONDISTRICT
DISTRICT

Gene L. LaBerge, University
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
Wisconsin-Oshkosh(retired)
(retired)and
and USGS;
USGS;John
John S.
S.
Gene
F. Cannon,
Cannon,USGS;
USGS;
Klasner, Western
WesternIllinois
IllinoisUniversity
University(retired)
(retired)and
and USGS;
USGS;William
WilliamF.
Kiasner,
Richard
W. Ojakangas,
Ojakangas, University
University of
of Minnesota
MinnesotaDuluth
Duluth(retired)
(retired)
Richard W.
88" 730

87 5700

87 46 30"

11

Fern Creek Fe,

'reek Fm

88 730
22

0
I

55

22

44

I

00

66

88

12
12

10
10

I

I

55

I

10
10

15
15

Miles
Miles

Kilometers
Kilometers

EXPLANATION
EXPLANATION

Cambrian
Cambrian

MunisingSandstone
Sandstone
Munising
North
Northof
ofNiagara
Niagarafault
fault
Paleoproterozoic
Paleoproterozoic

.

South
South of
of Niagara
Niagara fault
fault
Paleoproterozoic
Paleoproterozoic

Metadiabase
Metadiabase

Hoskins
HoskinsLake
LakeGranite
Granite

MichigammeFormation
Formation.graywacke
Michigamme
graywacke

Marinette
MarinetteQuartz
QuartzDionte
Diorite

Badwater
Badwater Greenstone
Greenstone

Metagabbro
Metagabbro

Vulcan
Vulcan Iron-formation
Iron-formation

Quinnesec
QuinnesecFormation
Formation

Randville
Randville Dolomite
Dolomite
llh1llJ

Sturgeon
Sturgeon Quartzite
Quartzite
Fern
Fern Creek Formation
Formation

-

— fault
fault

Archean
Archean
Granitic
Graniticrocks
rocksand
andgneiss
gneiss
Carney
CarneyLake
LakeGneiss
Gneiss

Figure 2-1. Geologic
Geologic map
map of
of part
part of
of the
the Menominee
MenomineeIron-district
Iron-districtshowing
showingthe
thelocation
locationof
of
Figure
field trip
trip stops.
stops. Geology
Geologysimplified
simplifiedfrom
fromBayley
Bayleyand
andothers
others(1966)
(1966)and
andSims
Simsand
andSchulz
Schulz
field
(1993).
(1993).

48

�0

5000

I

I

1

217

10000

t

IUt

Kmbeyç

5000
I

1

/

20000

—

-

M ion

2-4rway

I

I

30000

I

/

I

10000

T

I

0

I

40000

ciP etQp

'L
15 000

I

Stfl

—=--

NNii

5J

L-

r
I
n

ci'

(

I

I

I

,—

I

70000 FEET

20 000 METERS

288k

_— _-

_—''2

g3j I

'
c—_?

—

Figure 2-2. Part of the Escanaba 1:100,000-scale topographic map showing the location of field trip stops 2-1 through 2-5.
See figure 3-2 for the location of stop 2-6.

0

——

1000

700

57

-

J"

�This
This trip
trip examines
examines rocks
rocks of
of the
the Menominee
Menomineeiron-bearing
iron-bearingdistrict,
district, with
with emphasis
emphasis on
on units
units
of the
the Paleoproterozoic
PaleoproterozoicMarquette
Marquette Range
Range Supergroup.
Supergroup.Archean
Archean rocks
rocks of
of the
the Carney
Carney
of
Lake
Lake Gneiss
Gneiss are
are seen
seen at
at two
two stops
stops and
and volcanic
volcanic rocks
rocks of
of the
the Wisconsin
Wisconsinmagmatic
magmatic
terranes, intensely
intensely deformed
deformed in
in the
the Niagara
Niagara fault
fault zone,
zone, are
are also
also seen.
seen. The
The geologic
geologic map
map
terranes,
of the
the field
field trip
trip area
area isis shown
shown in
in figure
figure 2-1
2-1and
and aa road
roadmap
mapof
of the
the field
fieldtrip
tripstops
stopsisisinin
of
figure
figure2-2.
2-2.

Stop
River.
(SE
1/4,
NE
1/4,
Stop2-1.
2-1. Piers
PiersGorge
Gorgeon
onthe
theMenominee
Menominee
River.
(SE
114,
NE
%, sec.
sec.24,
24,1.
T.39
39N.,
N.,R.
R.
30
30W.)
W.)
Rocks
Rocksexposed
exposedalong
alongthe
the Menominee
MenomineeRiver
Riverat
atPiers
PiersGorge
Gorgeare
arealmost
almostcertainly
certainlyaabranch
branch
of
of the
theNiagara
Niagarafault
faultzone
zoneand
andrepresent
representone
oneof
of the
thefew
fewexposures
exposuresof
ofthe
thefault
faultzone.
zone.This
This
location
location is
is about
about one
one kilometer
kilometer south
south of
of the
the mapped
mappedtrace
trace of
of the
the Niagara
Niagarafault.
fault. The
Thehill
hill
lying
lying north
north of
of the
the gorge,
gorge, but
but still
still south
south of
of the
the mapped
mappedfault,
fault, isisunderlain
underlainby
bymetagabbro
metagabbro
that
that isismuch
muchless
lessdeformed
deformedthan
thanthe
therocks
rocksininthe
thegorge.
gorge.These
Theserelationships
relationshipsindicate
indicatethat
that
strain
strain along
alongthe
the fault
fault was
was distributed
distributedvery
very heterogeneously
heterogeneouslyand
andconcentrated
concentratedin
indiscrete
discrete
zones
zones of
of very
very high
highstrain
strainsurrounding
surroundingislands
islandsof
of weakly
weakly deformed
deformedrocks.
rocks.The
Therocks
rocksininthe
the
gorge
gorgeare
arehighly
highlyfoliated
foliatedand
andlineated
lineatedquartz-sericite
quartz-sericiteschists
schistsand
andchloritic
chloriticschists,
schists,
probably
probablydeveloped
developedfrom
from felsic
felsic and
andmafic
maficvolcanic
volcanicrocks.
rocks.Felsic
Felsicand
andmafic
maficvolcanic
volcanicrocks
rocks
with
with only
only weak
weak foliation,
foliation, along
along with
with mafic
maficsills
sills with
with little
little internal
internaldeformation,
deformation, are
are exposed
exposed
on
onboth
bothsides
sides of
of this
this strongly
stronglyfoliated
foliatedzone.
zone. Metagraywacke
Metagraywackeof
of the
the Marquette
MarquetteRange
Range
Supergroup
Supergroupisisexposed
exposedin
inNorway,
Norway,about
about 22miles
milesnorth
northofofthis
thislocality,
locality,and
andvolcanic
volcanicand
and
plutonic
plutonicrocks
rocksof
of the
the Wisconsin
Wisconsinmagmatic
magmaticterranes
terranesare
areexposed
exposedalong
alongthe
theMenominee
Menominee
River
Riverininthis
thisarea.
area.

The
80'-85' W
W and
anddips
dips 800850
80'-85' N.
N. and
and has
has aa stretch
stretch lineation
lineation
Thefoliation
foliationhere
herestrikes
strikesNN800850
that
plunges
600650,
N
85°
W.
that plunges 60'-65', N 85' W.
As
As the
the recognized
recognizedboundary
boundarybetween
between the
the dominantly
dominantly sedimentary
sedimentary rocks
rocks of the
the Marquette
Marquette
Range
RangeSupergroup
Supergroupto
tothe
thenorth
northand
andthe
theWisconsin
Wisconsinmagmatic
magmaticterranes
terranesto
tothe
thesouth,
south,the
the
Niagara
Niagarafault
faultzone
zoneisiscommonly
commonlyreferred
referredto
toas
asaasuture.
suture.However,
However,ititlacks
lackssome
somefeatures
features
(such
(suchas
asaamélange)
melange)that
thatare
aretypical
typicalof
of suture
suturezones.
zones.Geophysical
Geophysicalevidence
evidence(Attoh
(Attohand
and
Klasner,
LaBergeand
andKlasner,
Klasner,2001)
2001) suggests
suggeststhat
thatthinned
thinnedcontinental
continentalcrust
crust
Klasner,1989;
1989;and
andLaBerge
of
of the
theSuperior
Superiorcraton
cratonhas
hasbeen
beenoverridden
overriddenby
bythe
theWisconsin
Wisconsinmagmatic
magmaticterranes,
terranes,and
and
extends
extendsin
inthe
the subsurface
subsurfacefor
for 10-50
10-50miles
milessouth
southof
of the
theNiagara
Niagarafault
faultzone.
zone.IfIfthis
thisisisthe
the
case,
case, the
the Niagara
Niagarafault
faultzone
zonemay
maybe
bethe
the frontal
frontalthrust
thruston
onwhich
whichoceanic
oceanicrocks
rocksof
of the
the
Wisconsin
Wisconsinmagmatic
magmaticterranes
terranesoverrode
overrodethe
thecontinent
continentmargin
marginassemblage
assemblageof
ofthe
the
Marquette
MarquetteRange
RangeSupergroup.
Supergroup.Continued
Continuedcompression
compressionof
of the
thesuture
suturezone
zoneresulted
resultedin
inthe
the
steepening
of
the
thrust
surfaces
into
their
present,
nearly
vertical
orientation.
steepening of the thrust surfaces into their present, nearly vertical orientation.

Stop
Stop2:
2: Fern
FernCreek
Creeklocality
locality—-Archean
Archean basement.
basement.Fern
FernCreek
Creek Formation,
Formation,and
and
Sturgeon
SturqeonQuartzite.
Quartzite.(N(N½,
Vi,sec.
sec.34,
34,T.T.40
40N.,
N.,R.
R.29
29W.).
W.).
Take
TakeCounty
CountyRoad
Road573
573to
tothe
thenortheast
northeastoff
offofofU.S.
U.S.2,2,about
about11mile
milenorthwest
northwestofofthe
thetown
town
of
ofNorway.
Proceedabout
about22miles
milesand
andturn
justbeyond
beyondthe
thebridge
overPine
Pine
Norway.Proceed
turnnorth
north(left)
(left)just
bridgeover
Creek,
milesto
toFern
FernCreek,
Creek,which
whichcrosses
crosses
Creek, onto
ontoaasecondary
secondaryroad.
road.Proceed
Proceedabout
about1½
1Vz miles
the
about
1%
thesecondary
secondaryroad
roadatataasharp
sharpbend
bendininthe
theroad.
road.Proceed
Proceed
about
34 mile
milefarther
farthertotoaasmall
small
intermittent
intermittentcreek
creekthat
thatalso
alsocrosses
crossesthe
theroad.
road.Park
Parknear
nearhere.
here.See
Seefigure
figure2-3
2-3for
foraa
detailed
2-4for
foraageneralized
generalizedrock
rockcolumn.
column.
detailedmap,
map,and
andFigure
Figure2-4

50

�r

OuTCffOP M A P

Figure2-3. Location
Location map
map of
of stop
stop 2-2.
2-2. (from
(fromPettijohn,
Pettijohn,1943.)
1943.)
Figure2-3.

FERN
FERN CREEK FM
FM

M

(FERN
LOCALITY)
(FERN CREEK LOCALITY)

150

100

50

-°.o: •

DIAMICTITE
DIAMICTITE
ARGILLITE
ARGILLITE
DROPSTONES
DROPSTONES

0

CONGLOMERATE
CONGLOMERATE

Figure2-4.
2-4. Generalized
Generalizedstratigraphic
stratigraphiccolumn
columnat
at Fern
FernCreek
Creeklocality.
locality.SQ
SQat
atthe
thetop
topof
ofthe
the
Figure
column
column designates
designates the
the Sturgeon
SturgeonQuartzite.
Quartzite.

51

�situated in a NW-trending
NW-trendingvalley about 175
175 m
m wide, between
between two
Note that the road is situated
prominent topographic highs. The Carney Lake
Lake Gneiss
Gneiss forms the prominent
prominent bluff
bluff and
and
prominent
Sturgeon Quartzite
Quartzite forms aa prominent
prominent
upland on the northeast side of the road, and the Sturgeon
Fern Creek
ridge on the southwest side of the road. The valley is situated on the Fern
Formation,
Formation, of which the
the lowest
lowest 60
60 to
to 70
70 m
mare
are somewhat
somewhatexposed.
exposed.
Archean-Paleoproterozoic contact, a major unconformity
unconformity representing
representing a few
The Archean-Paleoproterozoic
hundred million years of erosion, is now subvertical, as are the Fern Creek Formation
Formation
substop is
is at this
this unconformity,
unconformity, and
and then we will
and the Sturgeon Quartzite. Our first substop
move up-section
up-section through the subunits of the Fern
Fern Creek Formation
Formation and end in the
Sturgeon
Sturgeon Quartzite.
Quartzite.
Substop
subs
to^ 1. From the road, move about 100
100 m up the small creek bed
bed to the subvertical
unconformity,
unconformity, where we can
can observe
observe both
both the
the Carney
CarneyLake
LakeGneiss
Gneissand
andthe
theoverlying
overlying
basal gneiss-fragment (i.e., arkosic) conglomerate
conglomerate of the Fern
Fern Creek
Creek Formation.
Formation. Note
Note
basal
the angular to subangular nature
nature of the clasts, obviously locally derived. Minor beds of
red arkosic sandstone are also present. The entire
entire sequence has stratigraphic tops
toward the south.
Interpretation: High-velocity
High-velocityfluvial
fluvialand
andin-situ
in-siturubble/debris
rubbleldebrisflow
flow deposits.
deposits.

Substop 2. Reverse
Reverse direction and head back toward the road, moving up the
stratigraphic section. This poorly exposed subunit, 60-75 feet thick, is a laminated
laminated finescattered larger stones. Many of these stones show clear evidence
grained argillite with scattered
fine-grained sediment from above, causing a bowing
of having been "dropped" into the fine-grained
penetration of the underlying laminae. Others do not show these
downward and/or a penetration
relationships
relationships and are therefore
therefore called
called "lonestones"
"lonestones"rather
rather than
than "dropstones"
"dropstones"(fig.
(fig.2-6).
2-6).
Note the E-W
E-W slatey
slatey cleavage
cleavage that
that crosses
crossesthe
thebedding,
bedding,which
whichstrikes
strikesabout
aboutNN500
50' W.
W.
S

that the stone has
Figure 2-5. Thin-bedded argillite and siltstone with dropstone. Note that
both
both pierced
pierced and
and bowed
bowed down
down the
the underlying
underlying laminae.
laminae.

52

�Figure
Figure 2-6.
2-6. Large
Large (35
(35 cm)
cm) lonestone
lonestone (beneath
(beneath hammer)
hammer) in
in vertical
vertical laminated
laminated
siltstone/sandstone
siltstone/sandstone beds.
beds. Some
Some smaller
smaller lonestones
lonestones are
are also
also present.
present.

Interpretation: Deposition
Depositionof
of fine-grained
fine-grainedsediment
sedimentin
in aa body
body of
of water
water (marine?)
(marine?)
near
near a melting
melting glacier,
glacier, with
with the
the larger
larger clasts
clasts dropped
dropped in
in from
from icebergs
icebergs and/or
and/or aa floating
floating
ice
ice shelf.
shelf.
Substop
Substop 3. The next
next subunit
subunit is
is a diamictite,
diamictite, aa matrix-supported
matrix-supported conglomerate
conglomerate with
with rather
rather
sparse clasts
clasts set in
in a massive
massive graywacke
graywacke matrix
matrix (fig.
(fig. 2-7).
2-7). Note
Note the
the total
total lack
lack of
of bedding
bedding
sparse
and
and the presence
presence of aa crude
crude schistosity
schistosity that causes
causes the
the rock
rock to
to break
break into
into thick
thick slabs.
slabs.
Interpretation:
(i.e.tillite)
tillite)or
orby
bythe
the"raining
"rainingout"
out"
Interpretation: Deposition
Depositiondirectly
directlyby
byglacial
glacialice
ice(i.e.
of detritus
detritus from
from icebergs
icebergsor
or aa floating
floating glacier
glacier onto
onto aa basin
basin floor
floor lacking
lackingcurrents
currentsto
to
generate
(i.e., "rainout
"rainouttill").
till").
generate lamination
lamination (i.e.,
Substop
Cross the road,
road, following
following the marked
marked trail
trail about
about 100
100m
m across
across aa low-lying
low-lying
Substop 4. Cross
area
area without outcrops,
base of the
the ridge
ridge that
that lies
southwest of
the road.
The first
outcrops, to the
the base
lies southwest
of the
road. The
first
low-lying
low-lying exposure at the base
base of the ridge
ridge is
is poorly
poorly exposed
exposed and
and is
is composed
composed of
argillite/sericite
m thick.
thick. The
The low-lying
low-lyingarea
areamay
maybe
be
argillite/sericiteschist
schist and
and sericitic
sericiticquartzite,
quartzite, about
about 55 m
totally
totally or
in part
underlain by
by this
rock, which
is softer
softer than
than the
rocksof
substops
or in
part underlain
this sericitic
sericitic rock,
which is
the rocks
of substops
1-3
1-3 and
and the overlying
overlying vitreous quartzite. The
The prominent
prominent ridge
ridge is
is composed
composed of the
the
Sturgeon
Sturgeon Quartzite
Quartzite (fig.
(fig. 2-8).
2-8). ItIt is
is well
well cemented
cemented with
with silica
silica and
and is
is totally
totally recrystallized,
recrystallized,
making
making itit aa very resistant
resistant rock
rock unit.
unit. ItIt is
is composed
composed almost
almost totally
totally of
of well-sorted,
well-sorted, finefine- to
to

53

�medium-grained quartz sand; few grains are coarser than 1 mm. Original
Original grain
boundaries are easily seen
boundaries
seen only
only in
in the
the sericitic
sericitic quartzite.
quartzite.

Diamictite with scattered
scattered stones
stones and
and crude
crude schistosity.
schistosity.
Figure 2-7. Diamictite
Interpretation: The
The sericite
sericite schist
schist is
is a paleosol and the sericitic quartzite is aa
reworked paleosol that
that was developed upon the
the Fern Creek
Creek Formation during
during aa long
period of extensive weathering in a subtropical or tropical climate. The overlying
period
Sturgeon Quartzite is
is the product
product of the reworking
reworking and
and sorting
sorting of the
the weathered
weathered detritus
detritus
Sturgeon
by wind and water. The quartzite here is about 325 m thick, and elsewhere in the region
region
it has a maximum thickness of 600 m (Freedman and others, 1961). It obviously
represents the transported resistant quartz sand fraction of a very broad, deeply
chemically weathered surface that was largely developed upon granitic rock over a long
period
period of time. There is
is no
no diagnostic
diagnostic evidence
evidence within the quartzite itself of a terrestrial
terrestrial
(fluvial) versus a marine environment
environment of deposition.
deposition. However,
However, an
an apparently
apparently conformable
conformable
relationship with the overlying thick Randville
Randville Dolomite
Dolomite (300-430
(300-430m),
m), which
which is
is
stromatolitic and contains detrital
detrital quartz grains and thin interbeds
interbeds of quartzite, is strongly
marine environment
environment for the Sturgeon
Sturgeon Quartzite. In
In addition,
suggestive of a shallow marine
high in the formation suggests
suggests a gradational
gradational contact
contact with the
diopside-rich quartzite high
and others,
others, 1961). Detrital quartz grains in the
the sericitic
Randville Dolomite (Freedman and
schist show a marked
1966), indicative of
marked elongation and alignment (Bayley and others, 1966),
shearing
shearing along
along this
this softer
softer zone
zone beneath
beneaththe
the quartzite.
quartzite.

54

�Figure
Figure 2-8.
2-8. Ripples
Ripplesin
inSturgeon
SturgeonQuartzite
Quartzite

Stop
Stop2-3:
2-3: Sturgeon
SturqeonRiver
RiverDam
Damlocality.
locality.Archean
Archeanbasement,
basement,Fern
FernCreek
CreekFormation,
Formation,
and
andSturgeon
SturgeonQuartzite.
Quartzite.(E(E½,95sec.
,sec.8,8,T.T.3939N.,
N.,R.R.29
29W.).
W.).
From Stop
Stop 2,
2, backtrack
backtrack about
about 1½
1V2 miles
milesto
to County
CountyRoad
Road573.
573. Turn
Turn left
left (east)
(east) and
and
From
proceed
proceedabout
about3½
3%miles.
miles.Turn
Turnleft
left(east)
(east)on
onSwede
SwedeSettlement
SettlementRoad,
Road,which
whichleads
leadstoward
toward
the
mile.Turn
Turnleft
left(north)
(north)on
onaasmaller
smallerroad
road
thepower
powerstation/dam
stationldamand
andproceed
proceedfor
for about
about1½
1V2 mile.
that
V2 mile
mileto
tolocked
lockedgate.
gate.Park
Parkhere.
here.IfIf
thatleads
leadsto
to the
thepower
powerstation/dam.
stationldam. Proceed
Proceedabout
about½
approaching
approachingthis
stopfrom
fromthe
thevillage
villageof
Loretto,take
takeCounty
CountyRoad
Road573
573north
outof
thisstop
of Loretto,
northout
of
Loretto
V2 mile.
mile.Then
Thenturn
turnright
right(east)
(east)on
onSwede
SwedeSettlement
SettlementRoad,
Road,which
whichleads
leads
Lorettofor
forabout
about½
miles.Turn
Turnleft
left(north)
(north)on
onaa
towardthe
the power
powerstation/dam,
stationldam,and
andproceed
proceedfor
for about
about1½
1V2 miles.
toward
smaller
smallerroad
roadthat
that leads
leadsto
to the
the power
powerstation/dam.
stationldam. Proceed
Proceedabout
about½
V2 mile
mileto
to locked
lockedgate.
gate.
Park
Parkhere.
here.As
As of
of this
thiswriting
writinginin2003,
2003, the
thedam
damisisslated
slatedfor
forremoval
removalininthe
therelatively
relativelynear
near
future.
future.
Here
Herethe
theSturgeon
SturgeonRiver
Riverhas
hascut
cutaadeep
deepgorge
gorgethrough
throughthe
theSturgeon
SturgeonQuartzite;
Quartzite;the
the
formation
formationwas
wasnamed
namedfor
forthis
thislocality.
locality.This
Thissmall
smallarea
areahas
hasbeen
beenwell
wellstudied,
studied,especially
especially
because
Archean-Paleoproterozoiccontact
contactat
at the
thedam.
dam.The
Thearea
area
becauseof
of the
thepresence
presenceof
of the
theArchean-Paleoproterozoic
has
hasbeen
beendescribed
describedby
byCredner
Credner(1869),
(1869),Brooks
Brooks(1873),
(1873),Rominger
Rominger(1881),
(188l), Irving
Irving(1890),
(1890),
Bayley
Bayley(1904),
(1904),Lamey
Lamey(1937),
(1937),Pettijohn
Pettijohn(1943),
(1943),and
andTrow
Trow(1948).
(1948).
SubstoD
subs to^ 1.
1. Walk
Walk past
past the
the gate
gate to
to the
the end
end of
of the
the road
roadat
at the
the powerhouse
powerhouseand
and dam.
dam. We
We
will
willtraverse
traverseback
theroad
roadto
vehicles,thus
thusobserving
observingthe
therock
unitsinin
backup
upthe
tothe
thevehicles,
rockunits
stratigraphic
stratigraphicsequence.
sequence.The
Thedam
damwas
wasconstructed
constructedon
onSturgeon
SturgeonRiver
RiverFalls,
Falls,which
whichwas
was
held
heldup
upby
byaa thick
thick mafic
maficdike
dikethat
thatcan
canbe
beseen
seenininthe
thewoods
woodsoff
offthe
theeast
eastend
endof
ofthe
thedam.
dam.
The
ArcheanCarney
CarneyLake
LakeGneiss
Gneissand
andthe
thePaleoproterozoic
Paleoproterozoic
Theunconformity
unconformitybetween
betweenthe
theArchean
Fern
FernCreek
CreekFormation
Formationcan
canbe
beseen
seenininaasmall
smallground-level
ground-levelexposure
exposureadjacent
adjacenttotothe
thedam
dam

55

�(fig. 2-9). The lowest
lowest bed
bed in
in the
the Fern
Fern Creek
Creek is
is aa diamictite
diamictite at
at this
this spot,
spot, whereas
whereas aa short
short
distance to the west on the river bottom
bottom by
by the power
power station,
station, the
the lowest
lowest unit
unit is
is arkosic
arkosic
sandstone with rare oversized
oversized stones.

Figure
Figure 2-9. Unconformity
Unconformity at Sturgeon
Sturgeon River
River dam.
dam. Hammer
Hammer head
head rests
rests on
on Archean
Archean
Carney Lake
Lake Gneiss
Gneiss and
and hammer
hammer handle
handle is
is on
on basal
basal diamictite
diamictite of the
the Fern
Fern Creek
Creek
Formation.
Formation. Nearby
Nearby in river bottom,
bottom, the
the basal
basal unit
unit is
is arkosic
arkosic sandstone
sandstone with
with rare
rare
dropstones, illustrated
1.
dropstones,
illustratedininfigure
figure2-1
2-11.
FERN
FERN CREEK FM
FM
(STURGEON
LOCALITY)
(STURGEONRIVER
RIVER LOCALITY)
M

-

75

SANDSTONE
ARGILLITE

50

ARKOSE
•

25

/
25

M

20

CONGLOMERA

GcK'

SANDSTONE
SANDSTONE

SANDSTONE
SANDSTONE
DROPSTONES
L
2Fm5nw

DIAMITITE
DIAMICTITE
DIAMICTITE
DIAMICTITE
DIAMICTITE
DIAMICTITE
SANDSTONE
SANDSTONE
ARGILLITE
ARGILLITE

10

CONGLOMERATE
GRAYWACKE
ARGILLITE

DIAMICTITE
DIAMICTITE
SANDSTONE
SANDSTONE
DROPSTONES
DROPSTONES

ONFSTONFS

DIAMICTITE
DIAMICTITE
SANDSTONE
SANDSTONE
DROPSTONES
DROPSTONES

2-10.
Figure 2-1
0. Stratigraphic column at Sturgeon
Sturgeon River
River locality. SQ at the
the top of the
the column
column
designates the Sturgeon
designates
Sturgeon Quartzite.
Quartzite.

56

�2-10
Figure 2-1
0 is a measured
measured column
column of
of the
the Fern
FernCreek
Creek Formation.
Formation.The
Thelower
lower25
25m
mare
arewell
well
exposed when there is no water in the channel. Note that this portion of the formation
consists of five beds of diamictite (matrix-supported
(matrix-supportedconglomerate) as thick as 2.5 m,
arkosic sandstone
sandstone beds
beds as
as thick as
as 2.6 m
m with rare
rare oversized
oversized stones,
stones, stacked
stacked
three arkosic
sandstone beds
beds with minor intercalated
intercalated siltstone and argillite
argillite laminae,
laminae, an argillite
argillite
arkosic sandstone
15 cmconglomerate.
conglomerate.Because
Becausethe
thewater
waterlevel
levelisiscommonly
commonlyhigh,
high,
bed 4.5 cm thick, and a 15cm
figures 2-11
2-11 and
and 2-12
2-12 are
are included
included here
here to illustrate
illustrate some important
important features.
figures

2-11.
stratigraphic column. Note
Figure 2-1
1. Granitic dropstone in lowest sandstone of the stratigraphic
that the stone
has
pierced
and
bowed
down
the
underlying
laminations.
stone has pierced and bowed down the underlying laminations.
the river bottom is not found
found on the west
Interestingly, the well-exposed section seen in the
bank
mof
of conglomeratic
conglomeratic rock is present
present there.
1%m
there. Apparently
Apparently the
the more
more
bank of the
the river;
river;only
only11/2
complete section is preserved
preserved in a topographic low on the Archean surface. However,
faulting may
may be a factor
factor as
as well, for weathered
weathered pyrite
pyrite is present along a fault between the
Archean basement
basement and the Fern
Fern Creek west of the powerhouse.
The middle
middle 25 m
m of the Fern
Fern Creek
Creek Formation
Formation is
is relatively
relatively poorly
poorly exposed; figure 2-10
2-10
shows this portion
portion consisting of conglomerate,
conglomerate, graywacke
graywacke sandstone
sandstone with oversized
stones,
stones, and
and arkosic
arkosic sandstone
sandstonewith
with oversized
oversizedstones.
stones.

57

�beds of stratigraphic
stratigraphic column
column of Figure
Figure 2-10. View
Figure 2-12. Second, third, and fourth beds
is to west. Beds 2 and 4 are diamictites below and above arkosic sandstone with rare
dropstones.
dropstones.
Interpretation: This
This isisaa glaciogenic
glaciogenic sequence.
sequence. The
The diamictites may be thin tills
suggested by
deposited beneath glacial ice, but more likely are debris flow deposits as suggested
one diamictite bed that grades upward
upward into sandstone. Some of the conglomeratic beds
beds
are difficult to clearly classify
classify as either matrix-supported
matrix-supported or clast-supported. One 20 cm
bed at the 15
15 m level
level in the section is graded from medium
medium sand to clay, suggestive of a
turbidity current mechanism. Several of the oversized stones in the sandstone and
greywacke beds show either a bowing down of the underlying laminae or an actual
penetration, indicating
indicating that the stones were dropped into the basin from above and are
indeed dropstones. Other lonestones
lonestones may be dropstones, too, but clear evidence is
lacking. The likely
likely mechanism
mechanism for deposition
deposition of dropstones
dropstones is release from melting
melting
icebergs
icebergs or from
from aa floating
floatingglacier.
glacier.
Substop 2: The
50 and
and 75
75 m
m on Figure
Figure 2-9 is intermittently
intermittently
The25
25m
msection
section between
between 50
exposed on the west bank of the river, but this area is usually inaccessible because of
high water. It includes beds of sericitic
sericitic quartzite interbedded
interbedded with sericite schist.
The sericitic
nature
of
this
interval
is
illustrated
by
sericitic nature of this interval is illustrated by aa small
small road-level
road-leveloutcrop
outcropbetween
betweenthe
the
the river just
just north of the quartzite ridge. This is a sericitic quartz pebble
road and the
conglomerate with sericite clay chips, some reddish rather than yellow-green in color.
Interpretation: This
Thissericitic
sericitic portion
portion of
of the
the column
column is
is interpreted
interpreted as a reworked
reworked
paleosol that formed on the Fern
Fern Creek Formation
Formation during a warm climatic period
period that
followed glaciation. Trow (1948) first suggested
suggested that this might
might be
be a paleosol.
paleosol.
Substop 3: Sturgeon
SturgeonQuartzite
Quartzite ridge.
ridge. Note
Note that
that the
the bedding
bedding is
is slightly overturned
towards the south, and that cross-bedding
cross-bedding indicates that stratigraphic tops are to the

58

�Cross-bedding is
is of both
both trough
trough and
and planar
planar types.
types. According
According to
to Trow
Trow (1948),
(1948), the
the
south. Cross-bedding
general cross-bedding
cross-bedding indicates
indicates aa paleocurrent
paleocurrent trend
trend from
from the
the northwest
northwest toward
toward the
the
general
southeast.
southeast.
Interpretation: Abundant
Abundantasymmetrical
asymmetricalripple
ripplemarks
markshave
havelow
lowripple
rippleindices
indices
Interpretation:
lengthlripple height)
height) indicative
indicative of deposition
deposition by water rather
rather than by wind. The
(wave length/ripple
beds are generally
generally of even thickness, indicative
indicative of aa shallow
shallow marine
marine rather
rather than
than aa fluvial
fluvial
beds
environment of
of deposition.
deposition. See
See text
text for
for substop
substop 44 of
of stop
stop 2-2
2-2for
for additional
additionalinterpretation
interpretation
environment
of the
the genesis
genesis of
of the
the Sturgeon
SturgeonQuartzite.
Quartzite.The
TheSturgeon
Sturgeonhas
haslong
longbeen
beencorrelated
correlatedwith
with
of
the
the Mesnard
Mesnard Quartzite
Quartzite of
of the
the Marquette
MarquetteTrough.
Trough.

Stop 2-4. Brier
Brier Slate Member of the Vulcan Iron-formation
inNorway,
Norway,MI.
MI. (Modified
(Modified
Stop
Iron-formation in
fromDutton,
Dutton,1958).
1958).(E(E1/2,
Vz, SE
SE ¼,
Vn, sec.
sec. 5,
5, T.
T. 39
39N.,
N., R.
R. 18
18W.)
W.)
from
Three iron
iron mines,
mines, the
the Aragon,
Aragon, Cyclops,
Cyclops, and
and Norway
Norway mines
mines were
were developed
developed in
in the
the
Three
northern part
part of
of the
the city
city of
of Norway,
Norway, MI,
MI, and
and subsidence
subsidence of
of these
these abandoned
abandonedmines
mines has
has
northern
limited development
development in
in this
this part
part of
of the
the city.
city. The
The Aragon
Aragon mine
mine was
was the
the third
third largest
largest
limited
producer of
of iron
iron ore
ore in
in the
the Menominee
Menominee district
district (Dutton,
(Dutton, 1958),
1958), and
and the
the head
headframe
frame of
of the
the
producer
mine still
still stands
stands about
about 55 blocks
blockseast
east of
of this
this stop.
stop. Figure
Figure2-13
2-13 shows
shows the
the location
locationof
of
mine
several interesting
interestinggeological
geological features,
features, but
but the
the trip
trip will
will visit
visit only
only the
the Brier
Brier Slate
Slate Member
Member
several
type
type locality.
locality.
According to
to Dutton
Dutton (1958),
(1958), outcrops
outcrops along
along the
the ridge
ridgenorth
northof
of Norway
Norwayare
are Randville
Randville
According
Dolomite with
with aa rather
rather extensive,
extensive, but
but incomplete,
incomplete, cover
cover of breccia
breccia composed
composed of
of dolomite
dolomite
Dolomite
fragments that
that are
are slightly
slightly to
to thoroughly
thoroughly silicified.
silicified. (This
(This breccia
breccia is
is similar to that at the top
fragments
of the
the correlative
correlative Bad
Bad River
River Dolomite
Dolomite in
in the
the Gogebic
Gogebic district,
district, some
some 120
120miles
miles westwestof
northwest of here.)
here.) The
Thesilicification
silicificationisisbelieved
believedto
to be
bethe
the result
result of
of surficial
surficial weathering
weathering in
in
northwest
pre-iron-formationtime.
time. The
The dolomite
dolomite dips
dips about
about 60
60 degrees
degrees southward,
southward,
post-Randville -- pre-iron-formation
post-Randville
and the
the convexity
convexity of stromatolites
stromatolites in
the dolomite
face
in the
dolomite indicate
indicate that
that the
the beds
beds also
also face
and
southward. Small
Small outliers
outliers of
of Cambrian
Cambrian sandstone
sandstone overlying
overlying the
the Randville
Randville Dolomite
Dolomite are
are
southward.
also
(e.g., at
at Rochon
RochonSt.
St. and
and Curry
Curry Lane
Lane along
along the
the ridge).
ridge).
also present
present (e.g.,
The
TheRandville
Randvilleisisoverlain
overlain by
by the
the Felch
FelchFormation,
Formation,the
the basal
basalunit
unit of
of the
the Menominee
Menominee
Group.
Group. One
One of
of the
the few
few exposures
exposures of
of the
the Felch
FelchFormation
Formationis
is at
at this
this locality
locality in
in Norway
Norway
(Dutton, 1958).
1958). The
The Felch
FelchFormation
Formationconsists
consists of
of sericitic
sericitic slate
slate and
and thin
thin layers
layers of
of
(Dutton,
quartzite.
quartzite. The
The uppermost
uppermostpart
part of
of the
the formation
formation isisaa ferruginous
ferruginous quartzite
quartzitethat
that isisaamarker
marker
bed
bed throughout
throughout the
the district.
district. The
The quartzite
quartziteis
is aa transitional
transitional unit
unit between
betweenthe
the dominantly
dominantly
clastic,
clastic, non-ferruginous
non-ferruginousstrata
strataof
of the
theFelch
FelchFormation
Formationand
andthe
theiron-rich
iron-richchemical
chemical
sediments
of
the
Vulcan
Iron-formation
(Dutton,
1958).
sediments of the Vulcan Iron-formation (Dutton, 1958).
Three
Threemembers
membersof
of the
theVulcan
VulcanIron-formation
Iron-formationwere
wereexposed
exposedininNorway
Norwayin
in1958,
1958,
accordingto
to Dutton
Dutton(1958).
(1958).Exposures
Exposuresof
of the
thebasal,
basal,thin-bedded
thin-beddedoxide
oxidefacies
faciesTraders
Traders
according
Member are
are present
present at
at the
the northeastern
northeastern end
end of
of aa southwesterly
southwesterly trending
trending area
area of
of
Member
outcrops.The
TheTraders
Tradersisispresently
presentlyexposed
exposednorth
northof
of Sixteenth
SixteenthAve.
Ave. and
andMain
MainSt.,
St., in
inthe
the
outcrops.
oldCyclops
Cyclopsmine
mineworkings,
workings, which
which isisbeing
beingused
usedas
as aa landfill
landfillby
by the
the city
city of
of Norway.
Norway. The
The
old
Brier
Brier Slate
Slate Member
Member (this
(this stop)
stop) is
is exposed
exposed on
on an
an outcrop
outcrop knob
knob at
at Eleventh
Eleventh Ave. and
and the
the
Aragonlocation,
location,southwest
southwestof
of the
theTraders
TradersMember
Memberlocation.
location.In
Infact,
fact, the
theBrier
BrierSlate
Slatewas
was
Aragon
named
namedfor
for exposures
exposureshere.
here. Several
Several small-scale
small-scale folds
folds that
that plunge
plunge about
about 45
45 degrees
degrees
easterlyare
areexposed
exposedalong
alongthe
the old
oldrailroad
railroadcut
cut on
onthe
the north
northside
sideof
of the
theoutcrop.
outcrop.
easterly
According
theoxide
oxidefacies,
facies,oolitic
ooliticand
andgranular
granulariron-formation
iron-formationof
ofthe
the
Accordingto
to Dutton
Dutton(1958),
(1958),the

59

�Curry member
member of
of the
theVulcan
Vulcan Iron-formation
Iron-formationwas
wasexposed
exposedat
atthe
thesouthwest
southwestend
endof
ofthe
the
Curry
outcroparea.
area.
outcrop
The Michigamme
MichigammeFormation
Formationunconformably
unconformablyoverlies
overlies the
the iron-formation
iron-formationand
andisisexposed
exposedin
in
The
several low
low roadcuts
roadcutsalong
alongU.S.
U.S. Hwy-8
Hwy-8on
on the
the southern
southernoutskirts
outskirtsof
of Norway.
Norway.
several

00

I

1I2
112

I

I

1
1

1

i

Miles
Miles

Figure 2-13.
2-13. Part
Partofofthe
theNorway
Norway7½'
7 %quadrangle
quadrangleshowing
showingthe
thelocation
locationof
of stop
stop2-4
2-4and
and
Figure
some
other
features
of
geologic
interest.
some other features of geologic interest.
Stop 2-5.
2-5. Quinnesec
Quinnesec mine,
mine, just
just northwest
northwestof
of Quinnesec,
Quinnesec,Ml,
MI, (Modified
(Modifiedfrom
fromDutton,
Dutton,
Stop
T. 39
39 N.,
N., R.
R. 30
30W.)
W.)
1958)(SW
(SW1/4
Y4, SE
SE 1/4
34, sec.
34, T.
1958)
sec. 34,

(NOTE: For
this property.
property. For
For
(NOTE;
For safety
safety reasons
reasons aa security
security fence
fence surrounds
surrounds this
MI,
Ph
(906-774-4471).
permission
to
enter
contact
Joe
Massie,
Quinnesec,
permission to enter contact Joe Massie, Quinnesec, MI, Ph (906-774-4471).
The abandoned
abandonedworkings
workingsof
of the
theQuinnesec
Quinnesecmine
mineare
aremainly
mainlyininthe
theTraders
Tradersiron-bearing
iron-bearing
The
member
of
the
Vulcan
Iron-formation.
The
mine
lies
on
the
overturned
north,
limbofof aa
member of the Vulcan Iron-formation. The mine lies on the overturned north, limb
60
second
order
syncline
(fig.
2-1
4).
The
Precambrian
strata
at
the
mine
dip
about
second order syncline (fig. 2-14). The Precambrian strata at the mine dip about 60
degreeshorth,
north,but
butface
facesouthward,
southward,inasmuch
inasmuchas
asthe
theBrier
Brierslate
slatemember
memberofofthe
theVulcan
Vulcanisis
degrees

60

�along the south side
side of the
the excavated
excavated approach
approach to
to the
the mine,
mine, and
and the
the Felch
FelchFormation
Formationisis
along the north
north wall of the
the workings.

Note the Cambrian sandstone
north side
side of the
the
sandstone overlying the mine workings along the north
hill, providing an unusual view of an unconformity
unconformity (fig. 2-15).
2-15). The basal
basal portion
portion of the
the
sandstone contains
contains numerous
numerous angular
angular slabs
slabs of
of oxidized
oxidized iron-formation,
iron-formation,iron
iron ore,
ore, and
and
sandstone
slate in a sandy matrix.
matrix. Clearly, this area
area was a small island
island as the Cambrian
Cambrian sea
sea
advanced over the area. The clasts
clasts of iron
iron ore
ore in
in the
the basal
basal conglomerate
conalomeratealso
also indicate
indicate
the area.
that the ore here
here was formed
formed before
before the
the Cambrian
Cambrian sea
sea covered
coveredthe
area.
R.
30W.
R. 30
W.

I

I

1000 feet

0

&lt;")

1

1

I xmj
Xm Michigamme
MichigammeFormation
Formation
Vulcan Iron-formation
Iron-formation
[&amp;c
Curry
Curry Member
Member Iron-bearing
Iron-bearing Member
Member
Xvb
Brier Slate Member
Xvt
Traders Iron-bearing
Iron-bearing Member

:1;X 1
1 xfXf 1
1IXrI
Xr 1

Open pit

..&gt;.Exposed
Exposedbedrock
bedrock
J&lt;^_)

Small
Small area of
exposed
exposed bedrock
bedrock
$j Strikeanddipof
Strike and dip ofbeds
beds
X

50 Strike
Strikeand
and dip
dip of
overturned
overturned beds
beds
Beds dip 70°-80°
70'-80' except

Felch Formation
Formation

--*-

Randville Dolomite
Randville
Dolomite

as noted

2-14.
Figure 2-1
4. Map
Map of
of the
the Quinnesec
Quinnesec mine
mine and
and vicinity
vicinity at stop
stop 2-5 showing that the
workings were developed
developed in the overturned
overturned northern
northern limb
limb of aa small
small syncline.
syncline. Map
Map from
from
Bayley
Bayley (1957).
(1957).

61

�5. Abandoned workings at Quinnesec mine. Ore bodies were mined from the
Figure 2-1
2-15.
Iron-bearingmember
member of Vulcan Iron-formation.
Iron-formation.View
View looking
looking west
west shows
shows beds
beds
Traders Iron-bearing
but facing
facing south. Roof
Roof of workings
workings is
is base
base of
of the
the Munising
Munising Sandstone
Sandstone of
of
dipping north, but
of the
the basal Cambrian unconformity.
Cambrian age and provides an excellent view of
Photo
Photo by Elizabeth
Elizabeth Heinen.
Heinen.
Stop 2-6.
Marqaret St. on Lake Antoine in
Iron Mountain.
Mountain,
2-6. Randville
Randville Dolomite
Dolomite alonq
along Margaret
in Iron
(Modified from
1958)
(SE
1/4,
MI. (Modified
fromDutton,
Dutton,
1958)
(SE
%,NE
NE1/4,
%, sec. 29,
29, T.
T. 39
39 N.,
N., RR30
30 W.)
W.)

-

This exposure
exposure of the Randville
Randville Dolomite
Dolomite on the south shore of Lake
Lake Antoine
Antoine was
formerly the site of a small
small quarry
quarry for the
the production
production of
of road
road material.
material. Operation
Operation of
of the
the
quarry was halted during the late 1930's through the influence of geologists and other
interested people who wanted the
the site preserved for
for future geologic examination
interested
(Dutton, 1958).
1958).
The glacially scoured
scoured outcrop shows a variety of sedimentary
sedimentary and structural
structural features.
The rocks
rocks are
are dipping
dipping nearly
nearly vertically, and face southward.
southward. Sedimentary
Sedimentary features
features
preserved
here
include
abundant
stromatolites
(fig.
2-15),
typically
3-4
inches
high and
preserved
2-15),
4-8 inches
inches in diameter. The old
old quarry
quarry face provided
provided a vertical
vertical view of the stromatolites now largely obscured by graffiti. Thin layers of quartz sand are interbedded
interbedded with the
dolomite, and
and ripple
ripple marks
marks and
and mud
mud cracks
cracks are
are present
present in
in places.
places. These
These features
features
suggest a very shallow water environment of deposition, and several authors (e.g.
Larue, 1981) have suggested that the Randville Dolomite may have been deposited in a
paleo
paleo sabkha
sabkha environment.
environment.

-

62

�Structural
Structural features
features exposed
exposed here
here include
include deformed
deformed stromatolites.
stromatolites. Several
Several layers
layers of
stromatolites that are
are strongly
strongly skewed
skewed in
in a right-lateral
right-lateraldirection
direction are
are present.
present. The
The
dolomite
dolomite evidently
evidently recrystallized
recrystallized readily,
readily, allowing
allowing ductile
ductile deformation
deformationof
of the
the stromatolites.
stromatolites.
Possible fracture
is nearly
nearly "axial planar" to the deformed
deformed
Possible
fracture cleavage is oriented so that it is
stromatolites, and
and is
is roughly
roughly parallel
parallel with the regional
regional structure.

Figure
interbedded
Randville Dolomite at stop 2-6. Laminated
Laminated dolomitic layers
layers are interbedded
Figure 2-16.
2-16. Randville
with
with stromatolitic
stromatolitic dolomite.
dolomite. Stromatolite
Stromatolite mounds
mounds are
are deformed
deformed and
and show
show an
an asymmetry
asymmetry
indicating
right lateral
lateral sense of shear. View is looking
looking down at a horizontal surface and
indicating a right
beds
bedsdip
dip vertically.
vertically.

63

�FIELD TRIP 3
STRATIGRAPHY AND STRUCTURE OF THE IRON RIVERCRYSTAL FALLS BASIN
BASIN
William F. Cannon, USGS,
USGS, Reston, VA;
VA; John
John S.
S, Kiasner,
Klasner, Western
WesternIllinois
Illinois
(retired) and USGS;
University (retired)
USGS; Gene
Gene L. LaBerge,
LaBerge, University
Universityof
of WisconsinWisconsinOshkosh
Oshkosh (retired)
(retired) and
and USGS
USGS

Tightly folded Riverton Iron-formation
Michigan. Tight
Iron-formation near Stager Lake, Michigan.
complex folds such as these are typical of the structural style of the Iron RiverCrystal Falls
Crystal
Falls allochthon.
allochthon.

�FIELD TRIP 3
FIELD
BASIN
STRATIGRAPHY AND STRUCTURE OF THE IRON RIVER-CRYSTAL FALLS
FALLS BASIN
William F. Cannon, USGS, Reston, VA; John
John S. Klasner,
Kiasner, Western Illinois University
(retired) and USGS; Gene L. LaBerge, University
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
Wisconsin-Oshkosh (retired)
(retired) and
(retired)
USGS
USGS
The Iron
Iron River-Crystal
River-Crystal Falls iron district was mined extensively for high-grade
high-grade "soft" iron
1882 until the early 1970's
1970's producing
producing more
more than
than 200
200 million
million tons of ore.
ores from 1882
Because of
of the high economic interest in the region, the availability of many
underground mine workings,
workings, and extensive diamond drilling,
drilling, a detailed
detailed stratigraphy
stratigraphy and
and
deciphered in
in what
what otherwise
otherwise would
would have
havebeen
beenaa largely
largelyunknown
unknownterrane,
terrane,
structure was deciphered
mostly concealed by the nearly continuous cover of glacial deposits. The most detailed
region was conducted by a large group of USGS
USGS and affiliated
affiliated geologists
geologists
study of the region
1943 and continuing
10 years. Surface exposures
exposures were mapped
mapped
beginning in 1943
continuing for about 10
in detail, as were most underground
underground mine workings. Ground magnetic surveys helped
delineate the surface
surface trace
trace of
of certain
certain units
unitsand
and the
the extensive
extensivecollection
collectionof
of exploration
explorationdrill
drill
core was examined. One of the earliest aeromagnetic surveys was conducted here
II.The
The work of the
the USGS
USGS
when the technique was still classified shortly after World War II.
was aided immeasurably
immeasurably by the cooperation of the numerous mining companies active
The results
results of that
that painstaking
painstakingwork
work were
weresummarized
summarizedininUSGS
USGSProfessional
Professional
in the area. The
Paper 570 (James and others, 1968), which remains the
the only comprehensive
comprehensive account
account of
of
the geology
geology of the region. Much
Much of the
the descriptive
descriptive material
material in
in this
this guide
guide is
is taken
taken from
from that
that
work. Additional detailed studies of the Florence area, Wisconsin were done by Dutton
1971) and also were instrumental
(Dutton, 1971)
instrumental in determining the geological relationships
Iron River-Crystal
River-Crystal Falls basin, including areas visited in
along the southern extent of the Iron
the first three stops of this
this trip (figs.
(figs. 3-1
3-1 and
and 3-2).
3-2).
The Iron
Iron River-Crystal
River-Crystal Falls basin is a triangular structure, with an area of about 300
square miles, underlain
underlain by strata of the Paint
Paint River Group. It is surrounded, except on
part of the eastern side, by volcanic rocks of the Badwater Greenstone.
Greenstone. Our current
current
interpretation of the area is that the Paint
Paint River Group, as originally defined, and the
Badwater
northward during the
Badwater Greenstone, are an allochthon, and were thrust northward
driven by arc
arc collision
collision south
south of
of the
the Niagara fault.
fault. This trip
trip traverses
traverses
Penokean orogeny, driven
from the Niagara
fault,
as
seen
at
Pine
River
Flowage
in
northern
Wisconsin,
northward
Niagara
Pine River Flowage
northward
across the complexly deformed
deformed fault panels of the Niagara
Niagara suture zone, and onto the
structurally simpler rocks
rocks north of the Iron
Iron River-Crystal
River-Crystal Falls
Falls allochthon. Most stops
examine the lithology and structure of rocks of the Paint
Paint River
River Group. Principal
Principal
observations are the preponderance
preponderance of steeply plunging folds in all panels of the suture
particularly in the Iron Riverzone rocks, the extraordinarily complex fold patterns, particularly
Crystal
Crystal Falls
Falls allochthon, and the contrast with the simpler, gently plunging folds north of
the suture
suture zone.
zone.

65

�EXPLANATION
EXPLANATION

North
North of
o f Niagara
Niagara fault
Tobin
Tobin Lake
Lake Granite
Granite

Metagabbro
Metagabbro

El

Paint
undivided
Paint River Group - undivided
Fortune
FortuneLake
LakeSlate
Slate

Riverton
Riverton Iron-formation
Iron-formation
Dunn
DunnCreek
CreekSlate
Slate

X

.

"

El

El

Badwater
Badwater Greenstone
Greenstone

Michigamme
MichigammeFormation.
Formation,
graywacke and
graywacke
and volcanic
volcanicrocks
rocks
Michigamme
MichigammeFormation
Formation
--quartzite
quartzite
Michigamme
MichigammeFormation
Formation
-- graywacke
graywacke
Iron-formation
Amasa Iron-formation
Hemlock
Volcanics undivided
undivided
HemlockVolcanics
Randville
Dolomite
Randville Dolomite
Saunders Formation
Formation
Saunders

Dickinson
undivided
Dickinson Group undivided

South o
off Niagara fault
fault
Bush Lakegranite

Granite and tonalite
Quinnesec Formation
Formation
Qulnnesec

El

Metasedimentary rocks
Metasedimentary
rocks

— faults
-

faults

2

I

field
field trip
tripstops
stops

NE-Niagara fault
fault
NF-Niagara
SRF-South
South Range
Range fault
fault
SRF-

0

I

5
5

•

I

I

2

4

I

I

8

6
I

I

I

I

0
0

Miles

5
5

10
10

Kilometers

NRF-North Range fault
NRF-North
Range fault
BF-Badwater fault
fault
BF-Badwater
Riverfault
fault
PRF-Paint River
CS-Commonwealth syncline
MA-Mastodon anticline
anticline
MA-Mastodon
Bowers syncline
syncline
TBS-Tim Bowers

Figure 3-1. Geologic map of the eastern
eastern part
part of
of the
the Iron
Iron River-Crystal
River-CrystalFalls
Falls basin
basin
showing the location
location of stops
stops for
for field
field trip
trip 3.
3.

66

�Figure
Figure3-2.
3-2. Part
Partof
of the
theIron
IronMountain
Mountain1:100,000-scale
1:100,000-scaletopographic
topographicmap
mapshowing
showingthe
the
location
locationof
of field
fieldtrip
tripstops
stops3-1
3-1through
through3-4
3-4and
and1-9,
1-9,1-10.
1-10.

Stop3-1.
3-1. Michiqamme
MichiciammeFormation
FormationatatPine
PineRiver
RiverFlowage
Flowaue(NE
(NE1/4,
114,SW
SW1/4,
114,sec.
sec.28,
28,T.
T.
Stop
39
39N.
N.R.
R.18
18E.)
E.)
This
Thisoutcrop
outcroplies
lieswithin
withinthe
thePine
PineRiver
Riverstructural
structuralblock
blockas
asdefined
definedby
byDutton
Dutton(1971).
(1971).
Large
Largeexposures
exposuresare
arealong
alongthe
thegorge
gorgeof
ofthe
thePine
PineRiver
Riverjust
justdownstream
downstreamfrom
fromthe
thePine
Pine
River
River dam.
dam. The
The Pine
PineRiver
Riverblock
blockisiscomposed
composedalmost
almostentirely
entirelyof
ofthe
theMichigamme
Michigamme
Formation
Formationconsisting
consistingmostly
mostlyof
ofgraywacke
graywackeand
andlesser
lesserquartzite
quartziteand
andconglomerate
conglomerate(stop
(stop
3-2).
3-2).Although
Althoughpenetrative
penetrativedeformation
deformationisisintense
intenseand
andthere
thereare
aremany
manysmall-scale
small-scalefolds
folds
well
wellexposed
exposedat
atthis
thisstop,
stop,the
theoverall
overallstructure
structureofofthe
theblock
blockseems
seemstotobe
beaauniformly
uniformly
south-facing
south-facingsuccession
successionas
asindicated
indicatedby
bycross
crossbeds
bedsand
andgraded
gradedbeds.
beds.
The
Theoutcrops
outcropsseen
seenhere
hereare
arevery
veryclose
closetotothe
theNiagara
Niagarafault
faultwhose
whoselocation
locationhere
hereisiswell
well
constrained
constrainedby
byrather
ratherabundant
abundantoutcrops
outcrops(see
(seefig.
fig.3-3).
3-3).The
Therocks
rocksexposed
exposedbelow
belowthe
the
dam
damare
areno
nomore
morethan
than500
500feet
feetnortheast
northeastof
of the
thevolcanic
volcanic rocks
rocksof
of the
theQuinnesec
Quinnesec
Formation,
Formation,part
partof
of the
theWisconsin
WisconsinMagmatic
MagmaticTerranes.
Terranes.The
TheMichigamme
MichigammeFormation
Formationininthis
this
vicinity
vicinitywas
waswell
welldescribed
describedby
byDutton
Dutton(1971)
(1971)and
andthe
thefollowing
followingisisextracted
extractedfrom
fromhis
his
report.
report."The
"Therock
rockisisgray
grayand
andwell-bedded
well-beddedininlayers
layersone-fourth
one-fourthtotoone-half
one-halfinch
inchthick.
thick.The
The
percentage
percentageofofminerals
mineralsininthe
therocks
rocksisisapproximated
approximatedas
asquartz
quartzfrom
from20
20toto50;
50;sericite
sericiteand
and
muscovite
to 40.
40. Dark
Dark
muscovitefrom
from20
20to
to70;
70;biotite
biotitefrom
from10
10to
to25;
25; and
andchlorite,
chlorite,ifif present,
present,from
from55 to
red
redgarnets
garnetsare
areabundant
abundantininthe
theschist
schistnear
nearthe
thequartzite;
quartzite;they
theylocally
locallyare
areconcentrated
concentratedinin
layers
layersand
andlenses,
lenses,but
butthey
theymay
maybe
beminor
minorororabsent.
absent.Some
Somegarnets
garnetshave
havebeen
beenrotated
rotated

67

�formation as
as much
much as
as 25
25 degrees,
degrees,as
as shown
shownby
bythe
the angular
angulardiscordance
discordancebetween
between
after formation
general foliation
foliation and
and the
the layers
layers of
of very
very fine
fine opaque
opaque grains
grainswithin
within the
the garnets.
garnets. Deflected
Deflected
general
foliation at
at the
the boundary
boundarysurfaces
surfacesof
of the
thegarnets
garnetsalso
alsoindicates
indicatesdirection
directionbut
butnot
notamount
amount
foliation
of
of rotation."
rotation."

'so

O

EXPLANATION

1T
S

.

n

Michigamnie Slate
qu.rte slate. Locally includes,nleor
conglomerate (cQi)
055. agglomerate and tremoiite orhist

nsl
qC

QUuttottlc cungluma,ate. Locally In.
g:un,ritic (at) or magnetuLic

cludea
(m..t

Iron-formation

a. oes.tnblage of this units. Locally includes graphitic slat. (gal), guotte.

mice slate (Cl). quarts grsywaclte (gw),
grunerittc achiot (Qru). and amphi bout.
(am)

If
1000 FEET
A

L

0
Outcrop
Outcrop or
orgroup
group of
of small
smalloutcrops
outcrops

Metaf,lsic
cod
q5arcz.
Uetafelalczocks.toetazhyoiite?
rocks-metarhyolll~?
andquartzmuscovite
m u s c o v i f achier;
schist: locally
locsltyincludes
tncludos in.
intertoiiated
fsch)
t e r t o f l Ã § tactual
~schlat(schi

Strikeand
and dip
dipof
ofbode
beds
Strike
Direction uf
of top
tv@ detennined
detÃ§waineby
bygraded
Ã§rÃ§d
Direction
bedding
bedding

z
Contact
L.ong daubed wfl eta .pprox4mately 1*.

hott dashed where Inferred;
fl rated:
dotted where concealed; queried Øzare

Strike and dip of beds
beddlu

Dlrectinh of top detenulned by cross

doubtful

0

Iii
UJ

0

Probable
Probablefault
fault

aDotted
i?otted wh,re
whewcOncealed
conceiled
II..

U. upthcown
tiptftrown
U.
Q. slde;D.
d d Ã §0 downthrawnalde;querlatd
downtbtowniildfquer~~d
wftwe
where
doubtful
do~bttui

d5
Quinnesec Portnation

......
T s

-

Vertical
Inclined
Inclined
Vertical
Strikeand
anddip
dipof
ofbeds
beds
Strike

Strikeand
anddip
dipof
of foliation
foliation
Strike
*t_

Strike and
anddip
di ofofbed
bedand
andplunge
plunge
Strike
o&amp;eatiou
of
lineation
SB

Abandonedshaft
shaft
Abandoned
x

Test
Testpit
pit

Figure3-3.
3-3. Geologic
Geologicmap
mapof
of part
partof
of the
theFlorence
Florencearea,
area,Wisconsin
Wisconsinshowing
showingthe
thelocation
locationof
of
Figure
3-2.Map
Maporiginally
originallypublished
publishedby
byDutton
Dutton(1971,
(1971,figure
figure3).
3).
fieldtrip
tripstops
stops3-1
3-1and
and3-2.
field

68

�A
STOP 3-1

flU

dots- stretched concretions
diamonds- mineral mi
squares- fold axes

Figure 3-4.
3-4. Lower
Lower hemisphere
hemisphereequal
equalarea
areastereoplots
stereoplotsshowing
showingorientation
orientationof
of fold
foldaxes
axes
Figure
and
andrelated
relatedstructures
structuresat
atvarious
variousstops
stopsfor
forfield
fieldtrip
trip3.3.

69

�The rocks
rocks near
near the dam
dam are
are aa strongly
strongly foliated
foliated and
and lineated
lineated chlorite-garnet
chlorite-garnetschist.
Primary
Primary layering is well preserved
preserved but
but has
has been
been transposed
transposed parallel
parallelto
to S1
8, foliation.
Dextral drag folds in the transposed layering have steeply plunging axes (see fig.
fig. 3-4,A)
that are parallel
parallel to mineral
mineral lineations
lineations on foliation
foliation surfaces. Axes of maximum
maximum elongation
in deformed clasts and
andconcretions
concretionsplunge
plunge60
60 degrees
degrees toward
toward the south, parallel
parallel to the
in
mineral
mineral lineation.
lineation. These
These highly
highly strained
strainedrocks
rockshave
havean
anS1
S1foliation
foliation that
that dips
dips steeply
steeply south
south
as do the elongation
elongation (stretching)
(stretching) axes. These
These steep,
steep, south
south plunging
plunging structures
structures seem
seem to
be
be characteristic
characteristic of the
the Niagara
Niagara fault
fault zone. Similarly
Similarly oriented, steeply south plunging
plunging
structures
structures occur south
south of the
the Niagara
Niagara Fault
Fault zone, probably
probably in
in splays of the Niagara
Niagara fault
in
in volcanic rocks
rocks of the Wisconsin
Wisconsin magmatic
magmatic terrane
terrane that
that crop
crop out
out aa few
few miles
miles south
south of
of
Pine River
River Dam (Sims
(Sims and others, 1985).
1985). The structural
structural fabric in
in this region
region reflects
reflects
the Pine
overthrusting--with
overthrusting-with a right
right -lateral
-lateral component--of
component--of the Wisconsin
Wisconsin magmatic
magmatic terrane
terrane from
from
the south onto the continental margin
margin and
and later steepening
steepening of the thrusts
thrusts to their
their present
present
orientation.
orientation.

Stop3-2.
Conglomerate of the Michigamme
Stops-2. Quartzite and Conqlomerate
Michiqamme Formation
Formationnear
near Pine
Pine
River
sec. 28, T. 39
(NE1/4,
%, NW 1/4
%, sec.
39 N.,
N., R.
I?.18
18E.)
E.)
RiverDam.
Dam.(NE
The quartzite conglomerate
conglomerate exposed
exposed here (fig.
(fig. 3-3)
3-3) is
is the most
most prominent
prominent and
and bestbestexposed
andothers
(1935)considered
considered
exposed unit in the Pine River Block (Dutton,
1971).Leith
Leithand
others(1935)
(Dutton,1971).
it to be
be a separate
separate formation (the
(the "Breakwater
"Breakwater Quartzite").
Quartzite1').However,
However, according to Dutton
Dutton
(1971),
(1971), it appears
appears to be
be a lens
lens within the Michigamme Formation
Formation and he did not give it a
separate
separate stratigraphic
stratigraphic name.
name.

Figure
Figure 3-5.
3-5. Conglomerate
ConglomerateininMichigamme
MichigammeFormation
Formationatatstop
stop3-2
3-2showing
showingstrongly
strongly
stretched
figure 5.
5.
stretched and
and aligned
aligned pebbles.
pebbles. Photograph
Photograph from
from Dutton
Dutton (1971),
(1971), figure

70
70

�The quartzite conglomerate
conglomerate is about 700 feet thick and extends northwestward
northwestward about 3
near the center of sec. 28, T. 39
39 N.,
N., R.
R. 18
18 E.,
E., to
to the
the NE
NE corner,
corner, sec.
sec. 24,
24, T.
T. 39
39
miles from near
R. 17
17 E.,
E., (Dutton,
(Dutton, 1971).
1971). Cross-bedding
Cross-bedding indicates
indicates that statigraphic
statigraphic tops
tops are
are toward
toward
N., A.
the southwest. Layers and lenses of quartzite with flat (or flattened and stretched)
pebbles and cobbles (fig. 3-5) of recrystallized
recrystallized chert and iron-formation
iron-formation are the dominant
lithology. (Note: This locality is
is only
only about
about one
one half
half mile
mile north
northof
ofthe
theNiagara
Niagarafault.)
fault.) The
matrix within the pebbly units is composed of quartz, fine-grained
fine-grained hematite or magnetite,
965), who showed that
or both. The unit was studied
studied in detail by Nilsen (1
(1965),
that it consists of
of
two conglomeratic subunits separated by a quartzite and pebbly quartzite subunit. His
paleocurrent analysis indicates a predominant current flow toward the southeast in a
shallow, near-shore
near-shore basin.
basin.
Structurally, there appears
appears to
to be
be aa cleavage-parting
cleavage-partingparallel
parallelwith
with bedding.
bedding.Bedding
Bedding
65' SW. Stretched
Stretched
N55OW, parallel
parallel to the strike of the Niagara
Niagara fault, and
and dips 65°
strikes N55°W,
pebbles
pebbles plunge
plunge steeply
steeply southwest.
southwest.

Iron-formation and
Stop 3-3. Riverton Iron-formation
and Wauseca
Wauseca Pyritic
Pvritic Member
Member of Dunn
Dunn Creek
Slate (SW
%, SW
SW¼,
%, sec.
sec.34,
34,T.
T. 40
40N.,
N.,R.
R. 18
18 E.)
E.)
Slate
(SW¼,

-

named by Dutton (1971) and
This stop is a'ong
along the axis of the Commonwealth
Commonwealth syncline named
is within Dutton's
Dutton's Brule
Brule River
River block,
block, now
now included
includedas
as the
the southeastern
southeasternextension
extensionof
of the
the
River-Crystal Falls allochthon. Roadcuts
Iron River-Crystal
Roadcuts on Highway
Highway N
N about
about 2 miles
miles southeast
southeast of
of
Florence, Wisconsin were made
made after Dutton's
Dutton's mapping
mapping of the area, but
but reveal
reveal geology
geology
very much as inferred
inferred on his maps. The roadcuts consist of alternating units of black,
pyritic slate of the Wauseca Pyritic Member, the uppermost
uppermost member of the Dunn Creek
iron-formation of the overlying Riverton IronSlate, and cherty carbonate and silicate iron-formation
formation. Individual
Individual lithologic units of slate and iron-formation
iron-formation are generally a few tens
of feet thick and
and the contact between
between them is well exposed in many places along the
roadcut.
roadcut. The interleaving
interleaving of the
the two
two units
units is
is probably
probably aa result
result of
of repetition
repetitionby
by tight
tight folding,
folding,
contacts cannot be traced around fold hinges within the limits of the roadcut.
although contacts
The lithologies
lithologies could
could be
be stratigraphically
stratigraphically interlayered,
interlayered, but
but such
such broad-scale
broad-scaleinter-bedding
inter-bedding
is not known elsewhere in the district where a few feet,
feet, at most, of transitional beds
occur between
workings. We think it more
between the two units where exposed in many mine workings.
likely that folds with amplitudes greater than the height of the roadcut
roadcut cause the
repetitions with a geometry like those displayed in parts of figure 7 (p. 19) at the Buck
mine in which fold amplitudes are many times greater then fold wave-lengths. Smallscale tight folds showing this type of geometry are common within individual lithologic
units in this roadcut. The Wauseca consists
consists of multiply
multiply deformed, black, ferriginous, and
and
highly pyritic slate with thin - up to a few inches thick - beds of chert. The Wauseca
Wauseca was
classified as a sulfide
fades iron-formation
classified
sulfide facies
iron-formationby
(1954) and
and was
his principal
byJames
James (1954)
was his
principal
example for defining
defining this facies. Foliation
is
generally
parallel
to
the
bedding
and axial
Foliation
planar folds in
N55OW,85°NE,
85ONE, and
and is
is parallel
parallelto
to the
the trend
trend
in bedding.
bedding. ItIt is
is roughly
roughly oriented
oriented N55°W,
of the Brule
Brule River
River block.
block. The
The rock
rock is
is folded
foldedisodlinally
isoclinally with
with axes
axes that
that plunge
plungevariably
variablybut
but
most plunge steeply northwest (see stereoplot on fig. 3-4,B). These small folds are most
likely
likely parasitic to the Commonwealth
Commonwealthsyncline.
syncline.

The Wauseca
Wauseca Pyritic
Pyritic Member
Member has
has some anomalous
anomalous chemical characteristics. Ongoing
studies by the USGS of the geochemistry
geochemistry of black slates in the region found that a
roadcut contained
contained 1230
1230 parts
parts per million
composite of 30 feet of black
black slate in
in this roadcut
arsenic and 14
14 parts per million selenium, both values being the highest that we have

71

�detected in northern
northern Wisconsin
Wisconsin and the upper peninsula
detected
peninsula of Michigan.
Michigan. Studies are
continuing
Wauseca might
might contribute
contribute to aa regional
regional
continuing to determine to what degree the Wauseca
arsenic anomaly
icial materials.
surficial
materials.
arsenic
anomaly in
insurf

3-4. Riverton
Riverton Iron-formation
Iron-formation along
Stop 3-4.
alonq eastern limb
limb of
of Iron
Iron River-Crystal
River-CrystalFalls
Falls
basin (NW
basin
(NW¼,
?A,sec.
sec.31,
31,T.T.42
42N.,
N., R.
R. 32
32 W.).
W.).
Typical Riverton
Riverton Iron-formation
Iron-formationis
is exposed
exposed in
in cuts
cuts along
along two sub-parallel
sub-parallel abandoned
abandoned
railroad
single-track road. The exposures
railroad spurs, the northern of which is drivable as a single-track
are approximately in the middle of the Riverton, which in this area strikes NNE and dips
of the area are
steeply to the west into the Iron
Iron River-Crystal Falls basin. Detailed maps of
Professional Paper 570 by James and others (1
(1968)
968) and detailed
included in USGS Professional
lithologic descriptions of the Riverton are in the same publication. In general, the
Riverton, where unaffected
unaffectedby
by secondary
secondary oxidation,
oxidation, which
which is
is widespread
widespreadin
inthe
the district,
district,isis
thin-bedded
and
consists
mostly
of
interbedded
chert
and
siderite.
Iron
silicate
minerals,
thin-bedded and consists mostly interbedded
and
Iron silicate minerals,
mostly stilpnomelane, are only locally important. Thin partings of argillaceous and
carbonaceous
carbonaceous material
material are common
common and
and some pyritic
pyritic layers
layers are also widespread.

Iron-formation at stop 3-4.
Figure 3-6. Tight folds in the Riverton Iron-formation
The rock seen here
here is
is generally only weakly oxidized so preserves many of the original
sedimentary minerals and structures. Like
Like all of the Iron
Iron River-Crystal
River-Crystal Falls allochthon,

72

I..,—

�___

metamorphic
metamorphicgrade
gradeisisextremely
extremelylow
lowand
andno
nometamorphic
metamorphiceffects
effectsare
aredetectable
detectableininhand
hand
specimens.
specimens.Small-scale
Small-scalefolds
foldsare
arevery
verywell
welldeveloped.
developed.Most
Mostplunge
plungegently
gentlyto
tomoderately
moderately
toward
towardthe
thenorth
northor
orsouth
south(fig.
(fig.3-4,C).
3-4,C).

-N )
'

V

—

7

Xr (J'-',p
/

-

-

-

()

v4

/
-

-

La

M
—

u3':
1UO1S

-

-

1650

iom

5000

reek

.,

' I

\

4

-—

-

-

632W

4Q

1DJO METERS

5000

0

I

0

10000

4O FEET

20000

Figure
Figure3-7.
3-7.Part
Partofofthe
theIron
IronRiver
River1:100,000-scale
1:100,000-scaletopographic
topographicmap
mapshowing
showingthe
thelocation
location
ofoffield
trip
stops
3-5
through
3-9.
field trip stops 3-5 through 3-9.

73

�Stop 3-5.
3-5. Dunn
DunnCreek
CreekSlate
Slatenear
nearAlpha,
Alpha,MI
MI(NW
(NW
SE1/4,
%, sec.
sec. 7,
7,T.
T. 42
42 N.,
N., R.
R. 32
32 W).
Stop
¼,%,SE
The Dunn Creek Slate is the lowermost
lowermost unit of the Paint River Group as defined by
James (1958).
(1958). It lies, probably conformably, on the Badwater Greenstone
Greenstone and has a
gradational upper contact with the Riverton Iron-formation.
Iron-formation. It is a unit of greatly varied
Iron River-Crystal
River-Crystal Falls basin, and is
lithology and thickness considering the entire Iron
defined more as a stratigraphic interval
interval than by a distinctive lithology. James and others
(1968) described the variations in lithology and thickness. The area near the village of
(1968)
Alpha contains the best exposures and probably the greatest stratigraphic thickness of
Dunn Creek. The
The detailed
detailed mapping
mapping of the
the area
area by
by the
the USGS
USGS as
as part
part of the
the Iron
Iron
the Dunn
968) also produced a series
River-Crystal Falls study presented
presented in James and others (1
(1968)
of more detailed reports published by the Geological Survey of Michigan. The report on
area (Pettijohn
(Pettijohn and
and others, 1969)
1969) subdivided
subdivided the Dunn
Dunn Creek into
into three
the Alpha area
mappable units based on a unit of distinctive laminated slate that forms the middle part
of the formation and separates upper and lower units of gray to black, cherty, in part
part
sideritic, slate. The mapping of these units
units was very useful in tracing the northward
northward
extension of the Mastodon
Mastodon anticline, but for reasons not known to us these internal
internal units
on maps in
in Professional
Professional Paper
Paper 570.
570. According to Pettijohn and others
were not shown on
(1969)
(1969) the exposures seen at this stop are in the lower unit of the Dunn Creek Slate and
lie about 1500 feet west of the trace of the axial plane of the Mastodon
Mastodon anticline. This
MI (fig.
outcrop is located on the north side of Highway N about one mile east of Alpha, Ml
3-7). The outcrop consists of black ferruginous slate with more massive,
massive, openly folded,
cherty layers. There is a slatey foliation parallel to bedding in places. Elsewhere foliation
N40Â°W
is axial planar to the open
open folds
folds in
in the
the massive
massivelayers
layers and
and is
is generally
generallyoriented
orientedN40°W,
75ONE.
75°NE. A stereoplot of
of fold
fold axes from the broader region in this area (fig.3-4,D) shows
that the folds plunge
plunge steeply
steeply to gently
gently north-northwest.
north-northwest. Fold
Fold axes
axes reported
reported by Pettijohn
Pettijohn
plunged from 40-80 degrees northwest.
and others (1969)
(1969) also plunged
northwest. It is clear from the
relationships mapped in this area that even regional folds like the Mastodon anticline
have steep plunges
plunges within the allochthon.
allochthon.

Iron-formation at
Stop 3-6. Riverton Iron-formation
at the
the Paint
Paint River
River Dam
Dam in
in Crystal
Crystal Falls.
Falls. Mt.
MI.
(Center, sec.
(Center,
sec. 20,
20, T.
T. 43
43 N.,
N., R.
R. 32 W.)
500-800 feet thick in the Crystal Falls area and is mostly
The Riverton Iron-formation
Iron-formation is 500-800
inter-laminated
siderite Exposures
inter-laminatedchert and siderite;
Exposuresjust
just below
belowPaint
PaintRiver
RiverDam
Damprovide
providethe
the
of the
the Riverton and of
of the
best example in the district both of the primary Iithology
lithology of
characteristic of the Iron
extraordinary structural complexity of the deformation characteristic
Iron RiverCrystal Falls allochthon. A sketch map of the outcrop, published by James and others
(1968),
(1968), is reproduced
reproduced here to provide a view of the entire outcrop, some of which is
flooded periodically, depending on the rate of flow of the Paint River. The exposure
chert-siderite lithology, which comprises the bulk of
of the Riverton IronIronshows the typical chert-siderite
formation throughout the district.
district. There are
are also good
good examples
examples of a silicate
silicate ironironformation, a lithologic type unique to the Crystal Falls area. These were described by
"......at
at the
the apron
apron of
of the
the Paint
PaintRiver
River dam
dam in
in Crystal
Crystal
James and others (1968)
(1968) as follows: "..
Falls the chert-siderite
chert-siderite iron-formation
iron-formation contains layers that consist dominantly of
stilpnomelane. These layers, which are from a fraction of an inch
inch to several inches thick,
distinguished in the outcrop from the chert and siderite by their inferior
are readily distinguished
inferior
hardness
hardness and by
by their
their peculiar
peculiar closely
closely spaced
spaced cross
cross fracture
fracture that
that resembles
resemblesthat
that of
ofsome
some
coal." Some
Somebeds
bedsare
arealso
alsorelatively
relativelyrich
richin
inpyrite.
pyrite.

74

�Inclined

Vertical

Overturned

Strike and dip of bedding

.

......... ... .......... .... .

Bedding plane

Trace of selected bedding plane

Traced o r r o ~ nm

Daubed w h e w u.vproxiwzlely locnted

-....

.

t k oulcw~

Fault,showing relative movement
Dotted where concealed

1010
I

L

00

,

,

I

l

1010
I

I

20
20
I

I

30
30FOCI
FEET
I

SurveyedbybyH.HL. L.
Jamesand
and
Srveyod
James
W
W 5,
S Why,,
White 948
1948

I

Figure3-8.
3-8.Sketch
Sketchmap
mapofofRiverton
RivertonIron-formation
Iron-formationatatPaint
PaintRiver
RiverDam,
Dam,Crystal
CrystalFalls,
Falls,
Figure
Michigan.
Michigan.(James
(Jamesand
andothers,
others,1968,
1968,fig
fig21)
21)
showsthat
thatmost
mostfolds
foldsplunge
plungesteeply
steeplyto
tothe
thewest
west(note
(notethat
thatnorth
northisistoward
toward
Figure3-4,
3-4,EEshows
Figure
55degrees
degreestotovertical.
vertical.But,
But,
theupper
upperright
rightininfigure
figure3-8).
3-8).Plunges
Plungesare
aresteep,
steep,varying
varyingfrom
from55
the
onthe
themost
mostnortheasterly
northeasterlypart
partofofthe
theoutcrop
outcropfolds
foldsplunge
plungetoward
towardthe
thenorth
northatatabout
aboutright
right
on
angles
anglesto
tothe
theother
otherfolds.
folds.These
Theseabrupt
abruptvariations
variationsininfold
foldgeometry
geometryare
arecharacteristic
characteristicofof
the
thedistrict
districtas
asrevealed
revealedininthe
themany
manyunderground
undergroundmines
minesthat
thatwere
weremapped
mappedduring
duringthe
the
periodof
ofmining
miningininthe
theearly
earlytotomid-i
mid-1900's.
additiontotothe
thefold
foldaxes
axesthat
thatwe
wehave
have
period
900's. InInaddition
Larue(1987),
(1987),who
who
measured,this
thisexposure
exposurewas
wasstudied
studiedinindetail
detailby
byUeng
Uengand
andLarue
measured,
recognized44 phases
phasesof
of deformation
deformationand
andprovide
provideaadetailed
detaileddiscussion
discussionof
ofthe
thestructural
structural
recognized
history.To
Togeneralize
generalizetheir
theirconclusions,
conclusions,the
thefolds
foldsthat
thatplunge
plungesteeply
steeplytotothe
thewest
westformed
formed
history.
ininan
second
aninitial
initialmajor
majorfolding
foldingphase
phaseand
andthose
thosethat
thatplunge
plungesteeply
steeplytotothe
thenorth
northare
areaasecond
phase.
phase.

75

�Stop 3-7. Badwater
Greenstone north
northof
ofCrystal
CrystalFalls
Falls(sec.
(sec.18,
18,T.T.43
43N.,
N.,RR32
32 W.)
W.)
Badwater Greenstone
Alloutcrops
outcropsininthis
thisarea
areaare
areon
onprivate
privateland
landand
andshould
shouldnot
notbe
bevisited
visitedwithout
without
NOTE: All
prior permission
permission of property
property owners.
owners.
The Badwater Greenstone is a thick succession of submarine mafic volcanic rocks that
underlies the Dunn Creek Slate, probably conformably, although evidence is scant. As
the Paint River Group because
discussed above, we propose to include the Badwater in the
structural evidence indicates that it is part of the Iron
Thus
structural
Iron River-Crystal Falls allochthon. Thus
it has definable stratigraphic
stratigraphic relationships
relationships to
to the
the overlying
overlying Paint
Paint River
River strata
stratabut
but isisin
in fault
fault
contact with all other surrounding units. James and others (1968)
(1968) described rocks of the
Badwater as
.somewhat varied in detail, but in
in general
general they
they are
are massive
massivefine-grained
fine-grained
Badwater
as ". ...somewhat
dark-greenish-gray
rocks
that
consist
chiefly
of
chlorite,
actinolite,
hornblende,
dark-greenish-gray rocks
consist chiefly of chlorite, actinolite, hornblende, albite,
albite,
clinozoisite-epidote, and carbonate.
carbonate. Ellipsoidal
Ellipsoidal and
and agglomeratic
agglomeratic structures
structuresare
are common.
common.
fragmental volcanics
. The rocks
rocksalmost
almostcertainly
certainly originated
originatedas
as sub-marine
sub-marine flows and fragmental
entirely, of
of primary
primary basaltic
basaltic composition."
composition." The formation
and are dominantly, ifif not entirely,
carbonate-rich slate and thin ironcontains minor sedimentary rocks consisting of carbonate-rich
formation. James
James estimated
estimated that the
the Badwater
Badwater is
is as
as much
much as
as 15,000
15,000 feet thick
thick in
in places,
places,
but its thickness varies
varies greatly
greatly within
within the
the district.
district.
I'. . .

At this stop the Badwater Greenstone is a strongly deformed pillow basalt and pillow
stretched volcanic clasts and
breccia. The basalt is weakly to strongly foliated, and has stretched
N80Â°W85°NE.
85ONE. Stretched
Stretched clasts
clasts and
and pillows
pillows
pillows. Foliation is generally oriented
oriented N80°W,
plunge steeply northwest as shown in figure 3-4, F. These steeply plunging structures,
similar to those inherently part of the Niagara suture zone rocks from here southward to
the Niagara
Niagara fault, are
are the
the principal
principal evidence
evidence that the Badwater Greenstone
Greenstone is
is part
part of the
Iron
Iron River-Crystal
River-Crystal Falls
Falls allochthon
allochthon and
and is
is structurally
structurally detached
detachedfrom
from more
moresimply
simply
deformed rocks to the north that will be seen at stop 3-8.

Stop 3-8.
3-8. Michiciamme
Michiqamme Formation
Formation north
northof
of Crystal
CrystalFalls,
Falls,MI
MI(SW
(SW¼,
%, NE
NE ¼,
%, sec. 12,
T.43N.,
T.
43 N., R.33W.)
R. 33 W.)
The Michigamme Formation, a thick sequence of clastic rocks, dominantly graded
and
bedded graywackes and thinner-bedded siltstones, underlies a very large area north and
east of the Iron
River-Crystal
Falls
allochthon.
Broad,
open
folds
with
steeply
dipping,
Iron River-Crystal Falls
more or less
less east-west
east-west trending,
trending, axial
axial planes
planes and
and shallowly-plunging
shallowly-plungingfold
foldaxes
axes
scattered outcrops of varicolored slate are
characterize deformation. At this locality scattered
located on the north side of the Paint River, about six-tenths
six-tenths of a mile west from the
Highway-141
this characteristic fold
fold geometry. Prominent slatey
Highway-141 bridge and display well this
cleavage
cleavage is oriented
oriented N75°W,
N75Â¡W80°NE,
80Â°NEand
and intersections
intersections of
of bedding
beddingand
andcleavage
cleavageindicate
indicate
that fold axes plunge 15
15 degrees west. Outcrop-scale
Outcrop-scale folds with this orientation are also
present here. This nearly horizontal, westerly plunge of the fold axes is characteristic
characteristic of
fold axes found in the Michigamme Formation
Formation along the north and east sides of the Iron
Iron
River-Crystal Falls district, and contrasts
contrasts sharply with the steeply plunging orientation of
Greenstone and overlying Paint
fold axes and stretch
stretch lineations
lineations found in the Badwater Greenstone
the rocks here and those at
River Group strata. This contrast in structural style between the
all other stops seen to this point indicate that there is a fundamental structural
structural boundary
boundary
between the Badwater Greenstone and other rocks of the allochthon and the
Michigamme
Michigamme Formation. The outcrops visible south of the River are Badwater
Greenstone,
Greenstone, indicating
indicating that the boundary
boundary lies immediately
immediately south of these Michigamme
Michigamme

76

�probably beneath
beneath the river. We have
have proposed
proposed the name
name Paint
Paint River
River fault for
outcrops, probably
structure and interpret
interpret itit to be
be the basal
basal detachment of the allochthon.
this structure

Stop 3-9. Little
Tobin Lake
Lake Granite
Granite (NE
(NE 1/4,
%, see.
Stop
Little Tobin
sec.21,
21,T.
T. 42
42 N., R. 32
32 W.)
A dike-like
dike-like body of granite, called
called the little Tobin Lake
Lake dike
dike by James and others
others (1968),
intrudes the Badwater
intrudes
Badwater Greenstone
Greenstone and forms a body about 2 miles long
long and a quarter
quarter of
a mile wide (fig. 3-1). The
The rocks
rocksare
are gray
gray to
to reddish
reddish gray
gray and
and finefine- to
to medium-grained
medium-grained
and are composed dominantly of microcline
microcline microperthite,
microperthite, albite, and mica. In
In this area
the Badwater
Badwater is intensely
intensely folded on the Mastodon anticline and the adjacent Tim Bowers
syncline,
syncline, both
both of which
which are
are traversed
traversed by
by the
the dike,
dike, which
which maintains
maintainsaa nearly
nearlystraight
straighttrace.
trace.
emplaced after the major
major folding of the Paint
Paint River
River Group.
Group.
The dike clearly seems to be emplaced
It yielded a U-Pb zircon date of 1833+/-6 Ma (Schneider and others, 2002), which places
emplacement of the Iron
Iron River-Crystal
River-CrystalFalls
Falls allochthon.
a younger limit on the age of emplacement
bodies of granite
granite lie between here and Crystal Falls, about 5 miles
Several other smaller bodies
to the north.
north. These, too, are apparently
apparently post-tectonic
post-tectonic and
and occur both
both within the
allochthon and in the structurally lower Michigamme Formation. James and others
(1968)
(1
968) states "The granitic
granitic bodies
bodies all
all have
have been
been sheared
sheared to
to some
some extent,
extent, and
andall
allhave
have
been
metamorphosed".
Perhaps
these
granites
record
a
younger,
circa
1650
Ma
been
record
circa 1650
deformation as has been
been proposed
proposed for this area by Romano
Romano and others (2000).
(2000).
deformation

77

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S.B., 1966, The Carney Lake Gneiss, in Bayley,
Treves, S.B.,
Bayley, R.W.,
R.W., Dutton,
Dutton, C.E.,
C.E., and
and
Lamey, C.A.,
C.A., Geology
Geology of the Menominee
Menominee Iron
Iron Bearing
Bearing District,
District, Dickinson
Dickinson County,
County,
Michigan and Florence and Marinette Counties,
Counties, Wisconsin:
Wisconsin: US.
US. Geological
Geological Survey
Professional
Paper
513,
p.20-30.
Professional Paper 513, p.20-30.

Trow, J.W., 1948,
1948, The
The Sturgeon
Sturgeon Quartzite
Quartzite of
of the
the Menominee
Menomineedistrict,
district, Michigan:
Michigan:
unpublished
dissertation, University
unpublished Ph.D. dissertation,
University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois,
Illinois, 60 p.
Tyler, S.A., Barghoorn,
Barghoorn, E.S.,
E.S., and
and Barrett,
Barrett, L.P.,
L.P., 1957,
1957, Anthracitic
Anthracitic coal
coal from
from the
the
Precambrian
Precambrian upper Huronian
Huronian black shale
shale of the
the Iron
Iron River
River district,
district, northern
northern Michigan:
Michigan:
Geological Society
Geological
Society of America
America Bulletin,
Bulletin,v.
v. 68,
68, p.
p.1293-1
1293-1304.
Ueng, W.L., and
Larue, D.K.,
D.K., 1987,
1987, The
The early
early Proterozoic
Proterozoic structural
structural and
and tectonic
tectonic history
history
and Larue,
of the south central Lake
Lake Superior
Superior region:
region: Tectonics,
Tectonics, v.
v. 6,
6, p. 369-388.
369-388.

Van Hise, C.R., and
and Bayley, W.S., 1900,
1900, Description
Descriptionof
of the
the Menominee
Menominee special
special
quadrangle, Michigan: U.S. Geological
quadrangle,
Geological Survey
Survey Geologic
Geologic Atlas, Folio
Folio 62,
62, 13
13 p.,
p., 33 maps.
maps.
Van Hise, C.R.,
C.R., and Leith,
Leith, C.K., 1911,
1911, Geology
Geology of the
the Lake
Lake Superior
Superior region:
region: U.S.
U.S.
Geological Survey Monograph
Monograph 52, 641p.
641p.
Van Schmus, W.R., 1976,
1976, Early
Early and
and middle
middle Proterozoic
Proterozoic history
history of
of the
the Great
Great Lakes
Lakesarea,
area,
Royal Society
Society of London
London Philosophical
PhilosophicalTransactions,
Transactions, Ser. A280, no.
no.
North America: Royal
1298, p. 605-628.
W.R.,
Van Schmus, W
.R., 1980,
1980, Chronology
Chronology of
of igneous
igneous rocks
rocksassociated
associatedwith
with the
the Penokean
Penokean
orogeny in
Wisconsin:
Geological
Society
of
America
Special
Paper,
182,
p.159-168.
in Wisconsin: Geological Society of America Special Paper, 182, p.159-168.

Winchell, H.V., 1895,
1895, Historical
Historical sketch
sketch of
of the
the discovery
discovery of
of mineral
mineraldeposits
depositsin
in the
the Lake
Lake
Superior region: Minnesota
Minnesota Geological
Geological and
and Natural
Natural History
History Survey,
Survey, 23rd
23rdAnnual
Annual Report,
Report,
1984, p. 116-155.
116-155.

84

�Young, G.M., 1970,
1970, An
An extensive
extensive Early
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic glaciation
glaciation in
in North
North America?:
America?:
Paleooceanography, Paleoclimatology,
Paleoclimatology,Paleoecology,
Paleoecology, v. 7,
7, p.
p. 85-101.
85-101.
Paleooceanography,

Young, G.M.,
G.M., 1973,
1973,Tillites
Tillitesand
andaluminous
aluminous quartzites
quartzitesas
as possible
possibletime
time markers
markersfor
for middle
middle
Young,
inYoung,
Young, G.M.,
G.M., ed.,
ed., Huronian
Huronian
Precambrian (Aphebian)
(Aphebian) rocks
rocks of
of North
NorthAmerica,
America, in
Precambrian
Stratigraphy and
and Sedimentation:
Sedimentation: Geological
Geological Association
Association of
of Canada
Canada Special
Special Paper
Paper 12,
12, p.
p.
Stratigraphy
97-127.
97-127.
Young, G.M.,
G.M., 1983,
1983,Tectono-sedimentary
Tectono-sedimentaryhistory
historyof
of early
earlyProterozoic
Proterozoicrocks
rocksof
ofthe
the
Young,
northern Great
Great Lakes
Lakes region,
region,in
inMedaris
Medaris Jr.,
Jr., L.G.
L.G. ed.,
ed., Early
EarlyProterozoic
Proterozoicgeology
geology of
of the
the
northern
Great Lakes
Lakes region:
region: Geological
GeologicalSociety
Societyof
of America
America Memoir
Memoir160,
160, p.15-32.
p.15-32.
Great

85

�FIELD
FIELD TRIP
TRIP 44
LIFE
LIFE CYCLE
CYCLE OF
OF AN
AN IRON
IRON DEPOSIT—THE
DEPOSIT-THE REPUBLIC
REPUBLIC MINE
MINE
FROM ORE GENESIS
GENESIS TO MINE
MINE RESTORATION
RESTORATION
William F. Cannon, USGS, Reston, VA;
VA; John G.
G. Meier, Cleveland
Cleveland Cliffs
Cliffs Iron
Iron Co.,
Ishpeming,
Ishpeming, MI; Thomas
Thomas Waggoner,
Waggoner,Geologic
Geologic Consultant,
Consultant, Negaunee,
Negaunee, MI
MI

Republic pit
pit in
in 1973,
1973, approximately
approximatelyat
at mid-point
mid-pointof
of production.
production.
The Republic

The
The Republic
RepublicWetlands
Wetlands Preserve
Preserveinin2002,
2002, constructed
constructedon
onthe
theformer
formertailings
tailings
basin
basin of
of the
the Republic
Republicmine.
mine.

�FIELD
FIELDTRIP
TRIP 44
LIFE
LIFE CYCLE
CYCLE OF
OF AN
AN IRON
IRONDEPOSIT—THE
DEPOSIT-THE REPUBLIC
REPUBLICMINE
MINEFROM
FROMORE
OREGENESIS
GENESIS
TO
TO MINE
MINERESTORATION
RESTORATION

William
William F. Cannon,
Cannon, USGS,
USGS, Reston,
Reston, VA;
VA;John
John G.
G.Meier,
Meier, Cleveland
ClevelandCliffs
CliffsIron
IronCo.,
Co.,
lshpeming,
Ishpeming, MI;
MI; Thomas
ThomasWaggoner,
Waggoner,Geologic
GeologicConsultant,
Consultant,Negaunee,
Negaunee, MI
MI

Brief
Brief history
historyof
of mining
miningand
andgeologic
geologicstudies
studies
Mmmci:
M i n i : The
The Republic
RepublicMine
Minein
inwestern
westernMarquette
MarquetteCounty,
County,Michigan
Michiganproduced
produced
more
more than
than 75
75million
milliontons
tonsof
ofiron
ironore
oreduring
duringtwo
twogenerations
generationsofofmining.
mining.The
TheRepublic
RepublicIron
Iron
Company was
was organized
organized in
in Marquette,
Marquette, Michigan
Michigan in
in October
October 1870
1870 and
and mining
mining at
at what is
is
Company
now
now the
the site
site of
of the
theclosed
closedRepublic
RepublicMine
Minebegan
beganinin1871.
1871.Operated
Operatedby
bythe
theRepublic
RepublicIron
Iron
Company,
Company, the
the mine
mine was
was producing
producing 235,000
235,000 tons
tons of
of hard,
hard, specular
specular hematite
hematite by
by 1880.
1880.
Mining
Mining operations
operations were
were conducted
conducted in
in open
open pits
pits and
and 14
14 shafts.
shafts. The
The greatest
greatest shaft
shaft depth
depth
was
was 2,910
2,910 feet.
feet. The
TheCleveland-Cliffs
Cleveland-CliffsIron
IronCompany
Companyacquired
acquiredthe
the mine
minein
in1914
1914and
and
operated
operateditituntil
until1926
1926when
whenititclosed.
closed.Shipments
Shipmentsfrom
from the
the stockpile
stockpilecontinued
continueduntil
until1937.
1937.
The
937 was
Thetotal
totalore
oreshipped
shippedfrom
from1872-1
1872-1937
was more
morethan
than 8.5
8.5 million
milliontons.
tons.After
Afterthat,
that,the
the
mine
950s.
minesat
satidle
idleuntil
untilthe
theearly
early11950s.

In
In 1952,
1952, construction
construction of
of the
the modern-day
modern-dayfacilities
facilities began
began and
and the
the open
open pit
pit mine
mine was
was in
in
production
productionby
by1956,
1956,mining
mininglow-grade
low-gradeiron
ironore
ore that
that was
was concentrated
concentratedat
at the
the mine's
mine'splant
plant
and
andpelletized
pelletizedat
at the
the former
formerEagle
EagleMills
Millspellet
pelletplant
plantin
inNegaunee
NegauneeTownship.
Township. In
Inthe
the early
early
1960's
1960'san
anexpansion
expansionof
of the
themine,
mine,including
includingpelletizing
pelletizingand
andadditional
additionalconcentrating
concentrating
equipment,
equipment, took
tookplace.
place.This
Thisexpansion
expansionwas
was completed
completedin
in1964,
1964,at
at which
which time
time Republic
Republic
was
was producing
producingmore
morethan
than22 million
milliontons
tons of
of iron
ironore
orepellets
pelletsannually.
annually. AA unique
uniquepart
partof
of the
the
mining
miningoperation
operationat
at Republic
Republicwas
was the
the in-pit
in-pitcrushing
crushing system,
system, which
which performed
performedcoarse
coarse
crushing
crushingnear
nearthe
the floor
floor of
of the
thepit
pitand
andtransported
transportedthe
thecrushed
crushedore
orefrom
fromthe
thepit
pitto
tothe
the
plant,
plant,aavertical
verticallift
liftof
of 647
647feet,
feet,via
viaaa2,814-foot
2,814-footconveyor
conveyorininan
aninclined
inclinedtunnel
tunnelin
inthe
the
footwall
footwallof
of the
theore
orebody.
body.
In
In1981,
1981,with
with the
the iron
ironore
oreand
andsteel
steelindustry
industryin
inaa deep
deep recession,
recession,operations
operationsat
at Republic
Republic
were
were suspended.
suspended. When
Whenhope
hopefaded
fadedthat
thatmarket
marketconditions
conditionswould
wouldimprove
improveto
to allow
allowpellet
pellet
production
productionto
to resume,
resume,Republic
Republicwas
was permanently
permanentlyclosed
closed in
in early
early 1996.
1996. More
More than
than 45
45
million
milliontons
tonsof
of pellets
pelletswere
wereproduced
producedatatthe
theRepublic
Republicplant
plantbetween
between1964
1964and
and1981.
1981.
Including
Includingpellets
pelletsproduced
producedat
at the
theEagle
EagleMills
Millsplant
plantand
andsome
someproduced
producedat
at the
the Humboldt
Humboldt
plant
plantwith
withRepublic
Republicore,
ore,Republic
Republicaccounted
accountedfor
formore
morethan
than63
63million
milliontons
tonsofofpellets
pelletssince
since
1956.
1956.When
Whenthe
themine
mineclosed
closedinin1981,
1981,Republic
Republicemployed
employedmore
morethan
than700
700people.
people.
In
Inaddition
additionto
to being
beingaamajor
majoriron-producing
iron-producingarea
areafor
for more
morethan
thanaacentury,
century,the
thegeologic
geologic
relationships
relationshipsshown
shownininthe
themine
minearea
areaand
andother
othernearby
nearbyexposures
exposureshave
haveplayed
playedan
an
important
importantrole
rolein
indeveloping
developingconcepts
conceptsof
of the
theorigin
originof
of iron-formations
iron-formationsof
ofvarious
various
sedimentary
sedimentaryfacies,
facies, their
theiralteration
alterationthrough
throughregional
regionalmetamorphism,
metamorphism,and
andaarather
rather
complex
complex history
historyof
of iron
ironconcentration
concentrationthat
that led
ledto
tothe
theformation
formationof
of the
thehigh-grade
high-gradeores
oreson
on
which
whichthe
theinitial
initialmining
miningwas
wasbased.
based.This
Thistrip
tripvisits
visitssome
someof
of these
theseexposures
exposuresand
andprovides
provides
aareview
reviewof
of the
the rich
richhistory
historyof
of studies
studiesof
of the
thegeology
geologyof
of iron
irondeposits
depositsininthis
thispart
partof
of the
the
Lake
LakeSuperior
Superiorregion.
region.

87

�Geologic
Geoloqic studies: The
Thefirst
firstrecorded
recordedgeologic
geologicobservations
observationsat
at Republic
Republic were
made by Government
Government Land Office surveyors in 1846
1846 while surveying the township and
range grid of the area. They clearly recognized
recognized the importance
importance of the ore that was
readily visible on what was then a prominent
prominent hill
hill along
along the
the Michigamme
MichigammeRiver.
River.
Five years later the area was visited by J.W. Foster
Foster and
and J.D. Whitney,
Whitney, U.S.
U.S. Government
Government
Geologists,
"The
1851): "The
Geologists, who provided
provided the
the following description
description (Foster
(Foster and
and Whitney,
Whitney, 1851):
largest mass
mass observed by us in this region occurs on the left bank of the Machi-gamig,
Machi-gamig, in
section
section 7, of township
township 46, range
range 29,
29, and
and traces
traces of
of itit are
are to
to be
be observed
observedin
in several
several of
of the
the
adjoining
adjoining sections.
sections. ItIt here
here rises
rises in
in aa nearly
nearly vertical
vertical cliff to
to the
the height
height of
of one
one hundred
hundredand
and
thirteen
thirteen feet, and
and is
is somewhat
somewhat variable
variable in
in purity.
purity. For
For the
the most
most part
part itit has
has aa slaty
slaty
cleavage,
cleavage, and, on
on close
close inspection,
inspection, is
is observed
observed to be
be composed
composed of alternating
alternatingbands
bands of
of
micaceous
micaceous specular iron and quartz, tinged red by the peroxide of iron: but there are
occasional
occasional belts
belts which display
display a granular texture, and
and apparently
apparently possess
possess a greater
greater
degree
degree of purity.
purity. These
These laminae
laminae are
are nearly
nearly vertical,
vertical, exhibiting
exhibiting few contortions,
contortions, and
and range
range
with so much
much uniformity,
uniformity, that the observer
observer would
would be
be inclined
inclined to refer
refer both
both the
the slates
slates and
and
the iron
iron to aa common
common origin.
origin. Interlaminated
Interlaminatedwith
with itit is
is aa band
band of
of rock
rock composed
composedmainly
mainly of
of
white, granular
granular quartz,
quartz, with
with traces
traces of feldspar,
feldspar, through
through which
which are
are disseminated
disseminated particles,
particles,
as
as well as rounded
rounded masses, of specular
specular iron.
iron. ItIt is
is difficult
difficult to
to pronounce
pronounce whether
whether this
this is
is aa
conglomerate
conglomerate or
or breccia."
breccia."
During the ensuing 20 years, the wave of exploration and development along the
Marquette
Marquette Range reached
reached Republic. In 1871, shortly before
before mining was initiated, the ore
was
was described
described by
by Swineford
Swineford (1871).
(1871). His
His description
description of Smith
Smith Mountain,
Mountain, as
as itit was then
then
called,
called, was "The
"The mountain
mountain rises
rises to aa height
height of nearly,
nearly, ifif not
not quite,
quite, 1,000
1,000 feet
feet above
above the
the
waters
waters of the
the Michigammi
Michigammi River,
River, which
which runs
runs near
near its
its base,
base, and
and the explorations
explorations made
made
last summer
summer reveal
reveal the
the existence
existence of an
an immense
immense body
body of ore, which can be traced over a
last
mile
mile by
by outcrops
outcrops alone. The
The writer
writer visited
visited this
this mountain
mountain last
last summer
summer and
and has
has no
no
hesitation
hesitation in
in saying
saying the he
he believes
believes itit to be
be by
by far the
the most
most valuable
valuable property
property yet
discovered.
discovered. The
The ore
ore is
is aa very pure
pure magnetic,
magnetic, similar
similar to
to that
that of
of the
the Washington
Washington and
and
Champion.
Champion. The
The elevation
elevation is
is such
such that the ore
ore can
can be
be mined
mined at aa comparatively
comparatively trifling
trifling
cost,
cost, and
and itit would
would be
be an
an easy
easy matter
matter to
to mine
mine and
and ship
ship aa hundred
hundred thousand
thousand tons
tons in
in the
the
first
first year after
after commencing
commencing operations." He
Hefurther
furtherstates
states"It
"It was
was originally
originally discovered
discovered
by
by S.C. Smith,
Smith, Esq.,
Esq., of
of Marquette,
Marquette, from
from whom
whom itit takes
takes its
its name,
name, and
and who
who threw
threw away
away an
an
immense
immense fortune
fortune in its sale at a nominal price." Apparently
Apparently Mr.
Mr. Swineford
Swineford had
had a rather
optimistic
optimistic eye, both
both in
in estimating
estimating topographic
topographic relief
relief and
and ore
ore reserves.
reserves.

In 1873,
1873, T.M. Brooks
Brooks published
published aa comprehensive
comprehensive survey
survey of the iron-bearing
iron-bearingrocks
rocks of
of the
the
In
Marquette range
range including
including both
both descriptions
descriptionsand
and an
an atlas.
atlas. At Republic
Republic he
he determined
determined the
the
Marquette
detailed
detailed internal
internal stratigraphy
stratigraphy of
of the
the iron-formation
iron-formationand
and produced
produced the
the first
first detailed
detailedmap
map of
of
the deposit.
deposit. He
He recognized
recognized the synclinal
synclinal character
character of the host
host rocks
rocks and
and described
described the
the
several
several lithologic
lithologic types of iron-formation
iron-formation and
and ores
ores exposed
exposed in
in the area. Like
Like Swineford,
Swineford,
Brooks was
was very
very impressed
impressed by
by the
the large
large ore
ore exposure
exposure and
and wrote
wrote "The
"The immense
immense mass
mass of
of
Brooks
pure
Va of
of the
the
pure specular
specular ore, which
which was
was naturally
naturally exposed
exposed near
near the center
center of the
the north
north ½
southeast
Sec.7,
7,T.
1. 46,
46, R.
R. 29,
29, could
could leave
leave no
no reasonable doubt in the mind
mind of the
southeast 1/4
% ofofSec.
experienced
experienced observer,
observer, that this
deposit of ore
ore was
one of the
the largest,
this deposit
was one
largest, ifif not
not the
the largest,
largest, in
in
the
the Marquette
Marquette region.
region. This
This outcrop,
outcrop, the
the extent
extent of
of which
which is
is shown
shown on
on the
the map
map of
of the
the
Republic Mountain,
Mountain, being
being there marked
marked "pure
"pure specular
specular ore", is,
is, so
so far
far as
as II know,
know, the
the
Republic
largest outcrop
outcrop of
of any
any equally
equally rich
rich ore,
ore, ever
ever found
found in
in the
the United
United States."
States."
largest

88

�more detailed
detailed and accurate
accurate description of the geology
geology was published
published in 1897
1897 by Henry
A more
of the classic USGS Monograph 28 by Van Hise and Bayley
Lloyd Smyth as Chapter VI of
on the geology
geology of the "Marquette
"Marquette Iron-bearing
Iron-bearingDistrict"
District" (Van
(Van Hise
Hise and Bayley,1897).
Bayley,1897). By
original mines
mines were well established and an understanding
understanding of the
that time, the original
processes of ore-formation
ore-formation was being
being developed
developed by Van Hise and Bayley. Smyth's
Republic were an important part of that research
research and are discussed in
observations at Republic
more detail below. Among Smyth's contributions were recognition of the detailed
sequence of the Early
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic strata, which has
has not been
been significantly
stratigraphic sequence
modified since, with
with the exception
exception of some
some changes
changes in
in nomenclature,
nomenclature,and
anddelineating
delineatingthe
the
modified
With regard
regard to
to the
the ore
ore deposits,
deposits, Smyth's
Smyth's maps
maps
plunging synclinal geometry of the strata. With
were the first (and
(and only) ones that showed
showed a distinct separation between
between dominantly
hard
specularite ores and dominantly magnetite ores. He correctly surmised that the hard
ores formed
formed by secondary
secondary concentrations
concentrations within the iron-formation,
iron-formation,in part
part through
leaching of original
original siliceous beds, and also recognized
recognized the detrital
detrital character of iron
iron
enrichments
Goodrich Quartzite.
Quartzite.
enrichments in the basal
basal conglomerates
conglomerates of the Goodrich
Much later, in the early 1950's,
1950's, Harold
Harold James of the USGS
USGS published
published two fundamental
papers
papers in which Republic
Republic played a major role. His work on zones of regional
metamorphism
metamorphism (James, 1955)
1955) was strongly influenced
influenced by the Republic
Republic area, which was
at the center of a zone of sillimanite grade
grade metamorphism
metamorphism of his
his Republic
Republic metamorphic
metamorphic
node.
node. The
The Republic
Republic area
area was
was the
the sole
sole locality
locality where
where several
severallithologic
lithologictypes
typesof
of ironironformation were within
within this
this high-grade
high-gradezone
zone and
and was
was the
the principal
principalexample
exampleupon
uponwhich
whichhe
he
defined the very high-grade
high-grade metamorphic
metamorphic effects
effects on iron-formation.
iron-formation. A
A fundamental
fundamental
outcome
outcome of that study was that even very intense metamorphism
metamorphism does not change
change the
majority of the iron,
iron, an
an idea
idea contrary
contrary to widely held
held concepts
original oxidation state of a majority
at that time. The relationships
relationships upon
upon which he based
based that conclusion are clearly displayed
in a glacially polished outcrop at the Kloman
Kloman Mine (fig. 4-1, stop 4-1). James's studies of
the importance
importance of sedimentary
sedimentary conditions in determining the mineralogic
mineralogic character of
iron-formations, published
published as his
his famous "Sedimentary
"Sedimentary facies of iron-formation"
iron-formation" (James,
1954), also drew heavily
heavily on relationships
relationships seen
seen in
in the
the Republic
Republicarea,
area, and
and again
again the
the
exposures
exposures at Kloman
Kloman mine
mine were
were instrumental
instrumentalin
inshowing
showingthe
therelationship
relationshipbetween
between
bedding
bedding characteristics
characteristicsand
and mineralogy
mineralogyof
of iron-bearing
iron-bearingphases.
phases.
The most
most recent
recent comprehensive
comprehensive geologic
geologic study of the Republic
Republic area
area was conducted by
Cannon
(1975) who mapped
mapped the geology of the iron-bearing
iron-bearingsequence and
and surrounding
surrounding
Cannon (1975)
the
rocks, including detailed mapping in the open-pit. Because the pit was developed in the
same stratigraphic unit
unit that contained
contained the high-grade
high-gradeores
ores mined
mined previously
previously
underground, exposures of those high grade ores and their relationships to host rocks
rocks
were abundant in the pit and were a fundamental component
of
Cannon's
study
of
the
component Cannon's
origin of hard
hard iron
iron ores of the Marquette
Marquette Range
Range (Cannon,
(Cannon, 1976).
1976). Unfortunately
Unfortunately those
those
exposures
exposures are
are now
now flooded
flooded in
in the
the abandoned
abandonedpit.
pit.

Geology of the Republic
Republic area
The Republic
Republic area
area has
has many
many similarities
similarities to the Marquette
Marquette Iron
Iron Range
Range to the north
north and
and
east and
and is
is generally
generally considered
considered to be
be an extension of it. Paleoproterozoic
Paleoproterozoic strata
strata of the
Marquette Range Supergroup are preserved in a syncline, the Republic trough, between
uplifted blocks of Archean gneisses. The stratigraphic units defined in the Marquette Iron
Range, can be applied in the Republic trough as well, and to some extent can be traced
directly into
into the Marquette
Marquette Range.
Range. The
The Paleoproterozoic
Paleoproterozoic units
units in the Republic
Republic area
area
consist of a basal
sequence of the Ajibik
Ajibik Quartzite
Quartzite and
and Siamo
Siamo Slate
Slate which were
basal clastic sequence

89

�mapped
mapped as
as aa single
single unit
unit by
by Cannon
Cannon (1975)
(1975) because
because very limited
limited exposure
exposure does
does not
not
allow
allow accurate
accurate mapping
mappingof
of aa contact
contactbetween
betweenthem.
them.These
Theseare
areoverlain
overlainby
bythe
theNegaunee
Negaunee
Iron-formation,
Iron-formation,the
the principal
principaliron-bearing
iron-bearingunit.
unit.The
TheGoodrich
GoodrichQuartzite
Quartzitelies
liesunconformably
unconformably
on
on the
the Negaunee.
Negaunee. The
The unconformity
unconformity was
was well
well exposed
exposed in
in the Republic
Republic pit
pit before
before
flooding.
flooding. The
Thebasal
basalpart
partof
of the
theGoodrich
Goodrichisisaaferruginous
ferruginousconglomerate,
conglomerate,which
whichgrades
grades
upward
into
quartzite.
The
youngest
strata
are
biotite-garnet
schist
with
beds
of
upward into quartzite. The youngest strata are biotite-garnet schist with beds of impure
impure
quartzite,
quartzite, which
which make
makeup
upthe
the Michigamme
MichigammeFormation.
Formation.The
The Michigamme
Michigammealso
also contains
contains aa
basal unit
unit of silicate-magnetite
silicate-magnetiteiron-formation.
iron-formation. Several
Several sills
sills of
of diabase
diabase were
were intruded
intrudedinto
into
basal
the
the strata,
strata, mostly
mostlyin
inthe
the iron-formation,
iron-formation,and
andhave
havebeen
beenfolded
foldedwith
with it.
it.
The
synclineof
of
The fundamental
fundamentalstructure
structure of
of the
thearea
areaisisaanarrow,
narrow,deep,
deep,northwest-plunging
northwest-plungingsyncline
Paleoproterozoic
Paleoproterozoicstrata
strata of
of the
the Marquette
MarquetteRange
Range Supergroup
Supergroupflanked
flanked by
by Archean
Archean
gneisses.
gneisses.Gravity
Gravitystudies
studiesindicate
indicatethat
that along
along Highway
Highway95,
95, where
where the
the trough
trough is
is about
about
3,000
3,000 feet
feet wide,
wide, ititisisabout
about5,000
5,000 feet
feet deep
deep(Klasner
(Klasnerand
andCannon,
Cannon,1974).
1974).Axes
Axes of
of minor
minor
folds
foldsmeasured
measuredin
inthe
the Republic
Republicpit,
pit, which
which follows
follows the
the iron-bearing
iron-bearingbeds
beds around
around the
the keel
keel
of
to the
45'to
the northwest.
northwest.The
The tight
tightcompression
compressionwithin
within the
the
of the
the trough,
trough, plunge
plungeabout
about45°
syncline
syncline has
hasproduced
producedintense
intensesmall
small scale
scale folding
folding in
in some
some units,
units, such
such as
as the
the schists
schists of
of
the
4-2(fig.
(fig.4-1).
4-1).This
Thisdeformation
deformationapparently
apparentlyalso
also
the Michigamme
MichigammeFormation
Formationseen
seenat
at stop
stop4-2
has
hascaused
causedsevere
severeattenuation
attenuationof
of the
the iron-formation
iron-formationalong
alongthe
thelimbs
limbsof
of the
thesyncline
synclineas
as
shown
shown by
by the
the drastic
drasticthinning
thinningseen
seen in
in traversing
traversingfrom
from the
the Republic
Republicpit
pitat
at the
the keel
keelof
of the
the
structure
structure along
alongstrike
strikeonto
ontothe
thenearly
nearlyvertical
verticallimbs.
limbs. The
Thecontact
contactbetween
betweenthe
the
Paleoproterozoic
Archean basement
basement gneisses
gneisses is
is interpreted
interpretedto
to be
be aa fault
fault
Paleoproterozoicstrata
strata and
and Archean
along
along both
bothlimbs
limbsof
of the
the syncline.
syncline.The
Thefault
fault on
onthe
thesouthwestern
southwesternlimb
limbwas
was well
well exposed
exposedin
in
the
thepit
pitand
andcompletely
completelytruncates
truncatesthe
the Negaunee
Negauneeand
andAjibik/Siamo
AjibikISiamostrata
strataproducing
producingthe
the
fish-hook
fish-hook shape
shapeof
of the
thetaconite
taconiteorebody.
orebody. Bedding
Beddingininthe
theiron-formation
iron-formationnear
nearthe
thefault,
fault,as
as
well
Archeanrocks
rocksalong
alongthe
thefault,
fault,generally
generallydips
dipsfrom
from75°-85°
75'-85' totothe
the
well as
asshear
shearfoliation
foliationininArchean
southwest
indicating
that
the
fault
is
a
high-angle
reverse
fault
at
the
present
exposure
southwest indicating that the fault is a high-angle reverse fault at the present exposure
level.
level.The
The fault
fault along
alongthe
the northeast
northeastlimb
limbisisnot
notas
aswell
well documented
documentedby
byexposures,
exposures,but
but
beds
bedson
on the
the northeast
northeastlimb
limbare
arecommonly
commonlyoverturned
overturnedand
anddip
dip about
about 85°
85' to
to the
the northeast
northeast
suggesting
suggestingthat
that the
thenortheast
northeastlimb
limbfault
faultisisalso
alsoaahigh
highangle
anglereverse
reversefault.
fault.Thus
Thusthe
the
Republic
Republictrough
troughhas
hasan
anunusual
unusualgeometry
geometryininbeing
beingaasyncline
synclinethat
thatwidens
widenssomewhat
somewhat
below
belowthe
thepresent
presentsurface.
surface.
The
Theintense
intensePenokean
Penokeandeformation
deformationrecorded
recordedininthe
thePaleoproterozoic
Paleoproterozoicstrata
strataof
of the
the
Republic
Archean gneisses
gneisseswhere
where intense
intense
Republictrough
troughisisnot
notpresent
presentwithin
withinthe
the surrounding
surroundingArchean
multiple
multiplefolding
foldingevents
eventsdocumented
documentedby
byTaylor
Taylor (1967),
(1967),Cannon
Cannon(1975),
(1975),and
andHoffman
Hoffman
(1987)
(1987)appear
appearto
tobe
beentirely
entirelyaaresult
resultof
of late
lateArchean
Archeantectonism.
tectonism.Cannon
Cannon(1973)
(1973)used
used
metadiabase
metadiabasedikes
dikesas
asstructural
structuralmarkers
markersto
toindicate
indicatethe
thegeneral
generalabsence
absenceof
of penetrative
penetrative
Penokean
Archeanrocks.
rocks.These
Thesedikes,
dikes,which
whichoccur
occurinin
Penokeandeformation
deformationininthe
theareas
areasof
of Archean
northeastnortheast-and
andnorthwest-trending
northwest-trendingswarms,
swarms,are
aremetamorphosed
metamorphosedby
byPenokean
Penokean
metamorphism
metamorphismof
of the
theRepublic
Republicnode
nodeand,
and,ininplaces,
places,have
havesheared
shearedmargins
marginscaused
causedby
by
Penokean
Penokeandeformation,
deformation,but
buteverywhere
everywheremaintain
maintaintheir
their vertical,
vertical, planar
planardike
dikegeometry
geometryand
and
have
haveessentially
essentiallyno
nointernal
internaltectonic
tectonicfabric.
fabric.Relict
Relictdiabasic
diabasictextures
texturesare
arecommonly
commonlywell
well
preserved
preservedeven
evenininthe
themost
mosthighly
highlymetamorphosed
metamorphoseddikes.
dikes.Thus
Thusititappears
appearsthat
thatPenokean
Penokean
deformation
Archeanbasement
basementrocks
rockswas
waslargely
largelyconfined
confinedto
tozones
zonesof
of
deformationwithin
withinareas
areasof
of Archean
shearing,
shearing,which
whichseparate
separatelarger
largerblocks
blocksof
of rock
rockthat
thatremained
remainedrigid.
rigid.The
TheRepublic
Republictrough,
trough,
therefore,
therefore,isisaagraben
grabenwith
withrespect
respecttotoArchean
Archeanrocks.
rocks.The
Thesynclinal
synclinalform
formofofthe
thetrough
troughofof
Paleoproterozoic
strata
is
a
result
of
those
strata
being
molded
around
the
structural
Paleoproterozoic strata is a result of those strata being molded around the structural
form
formcreated
createdby
bydifferential
differentialmovement
movementofofindividual
individualdiscrete
discreteblocks
blocksofofArchean
Archeanbasement
basement
rocks.
rocks.

90

�____

EXPLANATION
EXPLANATION

Mesoproterozoic
Mesoproterozoic
Diabase
Diabase

Paleoproterozoic
Paleoproterozoic
Metadia
Metadiabase
base

E

Michigamme Fm.
Fm.
--Michigamme
lower
lower slate
slate member
member
MichigammeFm.
Fm.
Michigamme

-- banded
banded silicate-magnetite
silicate-magnetite
iron-formation
iron-formation
Goodrich
GoodrichQuartzite
Quartzite

::-: Goodrich
Qua
rtzite
Goodrich
Quartzite

-- basal
conglomerate
basal conglomerate

Negaunee
NegauneeIron-Fm
Iron-Fm
hematite-richoxide
oxidefades
facies
-- hematite-rich
Negaunee
NegauneeIron-Fm
Iron-Fm
-- magnetite-rich
magnetite-richoxide
oxidefacies
facies
Negaunee
NegauneeIron-Fm
Iron-Fm
-- iron
ironsilicate
silicatefacies
facies

Siamo Slate and Ajibik
Siamo
Ajibik
Quartzite, undifferentiated
undifferentiated
Quartzite,
Archean
Archean

Granitic
Graniticgneiss
gneiss

Mafic
gneiss
Lii. Mafic
gneiss

open
open pit
pit
minedumps
dumps
EJ mine

-

— faults
faults

8800
1/2

0

,I

1
I

miles
miles

Figure 4-1. Geologic
Geologic map
map of
of the
the Republic
Republicarea,
area, Michigan
Michiganshowing
showingthe
the location
locationof
of field
field
Figure
trip
trip stops.
stops. Geology
Geologyfrom
from Cannon
Cannon(1975).
(1975).
t

91

�Economic geology
geology
The iron
iron ores produced
produced at Republic
Republic were of two different
different types: early production
production was of
high-grade
high-gradeores
ores that occur within the upper
upper part
part of the
the Negaunee
Negaunee Iron-formation
Iron-formationand
and
lower
lower part
part of the overlying
overlying Goodrich
Goodrich Quartzite.
Quartzite. These
These are
are locally
locally known
known as "hard ores"
because
because of their
their compact,
compact, coarse
coarse crystalline
crystalline nature.
nature. The
The more
more recent
recent production
productionof iron
iron
concentrate
concentrate and
and pellets
pellets was
was from
from lower-grade
lower-gradematerial
materialtypical
typical of
of upper
upperstratigraphic
stratigraphicunits
units
of the Negaunee
Iron-formation.
Negaunee Iron-formation.
Concentrating-grade
Concentratinci-aradeore (taconite):
(taconite): The
The modern
modern open
open pit
pit of the
the Republic
Republic mine
mine
was developed
developed to mine
mine the uppermost
uppermost parts
parts of the Negaunee
Negaunee Iron-formation
Iron-formationconsisting
consisting
mostly
mostly of hematitic
hematitic jasper (fig.
(fig. 4-2).
4-2). The
The ore
ore horizon
horizon varied
varied from
from 400-600
400-600 feet
feet thick in
in the
pit. The ore horizons
horizons dip approximately
approximately vertically along in the northern part of the pit,
which
which lies
lies along
along the
the northeast
northeast limb
limb of the
the Republic
Republic syncline,
syncline, but
but dips
dips flatten
flatten to
to about
about 45
45
degrees
degrees in
in the
the southern
southern part
part of
of the
the pit
pit near
near the
the synclinal
synclinal axis.
axis. Coarse-grained
Coarse-grainedspecular
specular
hematite
hematite was the most important
important ore mineral
mineral but
but some
some magnetite
magnetite was also produced
produced
from
from aa thin
thin unit
unit of
of banded
bandedchert-magnetite
chert-magnetiteiron-formation
iron-formationthat
that formed
formedaacontinuous
continuousunit
unit
no
no more
more than a few tens of feet
feet thick stratigraphically
stratigraphically below
below the hematitic
hematitic jasper. Some
Some
iron
Goodrich
iron production
production also came from highly
highly ferruginous conglomerate
conglomerate of the Goodrich
Quartzite, mostly present as a lens
lens as much
much as several hundred
hundred feet thick in
in the
southwest part
part of the pit. Essentially
Essentially all of the iron
iron was deposited as primary
sedimentary
sedimentary accumulations.
accumulations.
The iron
iron content
content of the ore
ore was no
no greater than
than typical of the Negaunee
Negaunee elsewhere in the
region.
region. The economics
economics of the deposit
deposit were controlled
controlled principally by the structural
structural
geometry
geometry of the ore
ore beds
beds and
and by
by the
the oxide
oxide mineralogy
mineralogy and
and grain
grain size. Lower
Lower units
units of the
Neguanee,
grunerite)- magnetite
magnetite iron-formation,
iron-formation,
Neguanee, never mined, consist of silicate
silicate (mostly
(mostly grunerite)which
which was
was not
not amenable
amenable to
to concentration
concentration by
by the
the techniques
techniques used
used at
at Republic.
Republic. These
These
rocks,
rocks, along
along with three diabase
diabase sills, underlie
underlie the prominent
prominent ridge
ridge along the northeast
northeast
and
and southeast flanks
flanks of the pit
pit where they dip
dip nearly
nearly vertically. The uppermost
uppermost diabase
diabase
sill
the orebody
orebody (figs.
(figs. 4-3,
4-3, 4-5).
4-5). The
The unusual
unusual strength
strength and
and stability
stability of
sill forms
forms the
the footwall of the
this
this metadiabase
metadiabaseallowed
allowed the
the development
development of
of aa high
high footwall
footwall of
of the
the pit,
pit, which
which stood
stood
several
several hundred
hundred feet high
high as a vertical
vertical to slightly overhanging
overhanging rock face. This
This situation
situation
was
was an
an important
important economic
economic factor
factor in
in that
that itit eliminated
eliminated the
the need
need for
for the
the large
large amount
amount of
of
waste
footwall
waste rock
rock removal
removal that
that would
would have
have been
been necessary
necessary to
to maintain
maintain aa more
more typical
typical footwall
pit
pit slope.
slope.
In
In addition to the occurrence
occurrence of the hematite
hematite and
and magnetite
magnetite iron-formation,
iron-formation, other
other
geologic
geologic factors
factors were critical
critical in
in enhancing
enhancing the economics
economics of the Republic
Republic mine. The
The
geometry
geometry of the syncline
syncline created
created the moderately-dipping
moderately-dipping and thick sequence
sequence of ironironformation
formation along
along the
the keel,
keel, which
which was
was required
required to
to extract
extract ore
ore with
with an
an economically
economically
permissible
permissible amount
amount of
of removal
removalof
of underlying
underlyingiron-silicate
iron-silicateand
anddiabase,
diabase,and
andoverlying
overlying
Goodrich
Goodrich Quartzite
Quartzite waste rock.
rock. Also, the
the high
high degree
degree of metamorphic
metamorphicrecrystallization
recrystallization
was
was vital
vital in
in enhancing
enhancing the
the liberation
liberationand
and concentration
concentration of
of iron
iron minerals,
minerals, in
in that
that grinding
grinding
to
to very-fine
very-finegrain
grain size
size was
was not
not required
required to
to allow
allow separation
separation of
of iron-minerals
iron-mineralsfrom
from chert
chert by
by
the
the flotation
flotationprocess
processused
usedat
atRepublic.
Republic.

92

�:f

•

•

4-

•

-

•

•
•

.1: • •
•

•;r.

•

:-•'.. :•'

-

•

•

--

-

•.••

-

-

•

.

I—

-

•
•

-•

•

•

•

-

:.
Ygure 4-2. Wavy-bedded jaspilite typical of the ore zone for the Republic open pit.
.ighter layers are specular hematite and darker layers are lenticular beds of
ietamorphosed jasper.

�Figure
Figure 4-3.
4-3. The
The Republic
Republicopen
open pit
pit in
in 1973.
1973. View
View looking
lookingSE
SE along
along the
the NE
NE limb
limb of
of the
the
Republic
Republicsyncline.
The high
wall on
the left
side of
the pit
the upper
upper contact
contact of
syncline. The
high wall
on the
left side
of the
pit is
is the
of aa
metadiabase
metadiabasesill,
sill,now
nowdipping
dippingvertically.
vertically.

Hard
Hardores:
ores: The
Thefirst
firstphase
phaseofofmining
miningatatRepublic
Republicwas
wasbased
basedon
onhigh-grade
high-grade(60-65%
(60-65%Fe)
Fe)
concentrations
concentrationsof
of specular
specularhematite
hematiteand
andmagnetite,
magnetite,which
whichwere
were referred
referredto
toas
ashard
hardore
ore
(fig.
(fig.4-4),
4-4),inincontrast
contrastto
tothe
theearthy
earthymasses
massesof
ofiron
ironoxides
oxidesand
andhydroxides,
hydroxides,the
thesoft
softores,
ores,
widely
widely mined
minedin
inthe
the eastern
easternparts
partsof
of the
theMarquette
Marquettedistrict.
district. The
Theorigin
originof
ofhard
hardores
oreshas
has
been
investigated
since
the
geologic
studies
of
Van
Hise
and
Bayley
(1897),
who
were
been investigated since the geologic studies of Van Hise and Bayley (1897), who were
the
thefirst
firstto
torecognize
recognizeaaconnection
connectionbetween
betweenthe
theNegaunee-Goodrich
Negaunee-Goodrichunconformity
unconformityand
and
occurrence
occurrenceof
of hard
hardore.
ore.They
Theyproposed
proposedthat
thatoxidation
oxidationof
of siderite
sideriteand
andleaching
leachingof
ofsilica
silica
from
fromthe
theiron-formation
iron-formationby
bygroundwater
groundwaterformed
formedhematite
hematiteconcentrations.
concentrations.They
They
envisioned
envisionedtectonism
tectonism as
as important
importantin
inproducing
producingaapermeable
permeablecrushed
crushedzone
zoneat
at the
the
unconformity
unconformityto
toaccentuate
accentuategroundwater
groundwaterflow.
flow. Later,
Later,Van
VanHise
Hiseand
andLeith
Leith(1911)
(1911)
proposed
surficialweathering
weatheringand
and
proposedthe
theclassic
classictheory
theorythat
thatthe
thehard
hardores
oresformed
formedby
bysurticial
leaching
leachingof
of the
theNegaunee
NegauneeIron-formation,
Iron-formation,during
duringthe
theuplift
upliftpreceding
precedingdepositon
depositonofofthe
the
Goodrich
Quartzite,
and
are
paleosupergene
concentrations;
this
weathered
and
Goodrich Quartzite, and are paleosupergene concentrations; this weathered and
leached
leachedmaterial
materialwas
was later
laterdeformed
deformedand
andmetamorphosed
metamorphosedto
toproduce
producethe
thepresent
presenthard
hard
ore.
ore. This
Thistheory
theorywas
was widely
widely accepted
acceptedand
andmost
mostrecently
recentlysupported
supportedby
byGair
Gair(1975)
(1975) based
based
largely
largelyon
onobservations
observationsin
inthe
the Cliffs
CliffsShaft
Shaftmine
mineininlshpeming.
Ishpeming.Others
Othershave
haveproposed
proposedthat
that
the
thehard
hardores
oresare
areat
atleast
leastpartly
partlyhydrothermal
hydrothermal(Roberts
(Robertsand
andBartley,
Bartley,1943;
1943;Crump,
Crump,1948;
1948;
Anderson,
Anderson,1968;
1968;Marsden,
Marsden,1968).
1968).
AAcomprehensive
comprehensivereexamination
reexaminationof
of the
the hard
hardores
oresof
of the
theMarquette
MarquetteRange
Rangeby
byCannon
Cannon
(1976),
(1976),including
includingcritical
criticalrelationships
relationshipsthen
thenexposed
exposedin
inthe
the Republic
Republicpit,
pit, suggested
suggestedthat
that
there
thereare
aretwo
twotypes
typesofofhard
hardore,
ore,each
eachformed
formedby
byaasubstantially
substantiallydifferent
differentset
setofof
processes.
processes.He
Herecognized
recognizedaadistinction
distinctionbetween
betweendominantly
dominantlyspecular
specularhematite
hematiteores,
ores,

94

�possessed Penokean
Penokean tectonic fabrics, and dominantly magnetite
magnetite ores,
which commonly possessed
massive and appear to post-date
which generally are massive
post-date tectonism. The hematite ores show
geologic relationships
relationships that are fully consistent with the original
original paleosupergene
paleosupergene origin
proposed by Van Hise and Leith and are still believed to record an interval
interval of oxidative
proposed
hiatus between
between the Negaunee
Negaunee IronIronweathering and leaching during the stratigraphic hiatus
Goodrich Quartzite. The geologic
geologic map
map of the Republic
Republic area
area published
published by
by
formation and Goodrich
(in Van Hise and Bayley, 1897) clearly distinguished
distinguished hematite
hematite and
and magnetite
Smyth (in
separate ore lenses.
lenses. Cannon
Cannon
types of ores, which occurr in distinct and to some extent separate
documented that a similar duality of ore types is widespread in the western Marquette
documented
range, most particularly at the Greenwood and Champion mines. The magnetite ore is
invariably post-tectonic, commonly
commonly contain
contain euhedral
euhedral quartz
quartz crystals
crystals in vugs,
vugs, and
and occurs
occurs
Cannon proposed
proposed that the magnetite
magnetite ores formed
formed from
from aa
within hematitic host rocks. Cannon
hydrothermal fluid that was reducing with respect to the hematitic host rock. He
suggested that fluids
fluids released
released by metamorphic
metamorphic devolatilization of the iron-formation,
iron-formation,
suggested
which was rich in both hydrous and carbonate minerals in its primary state, was the
origin of the hydrothermal
hydrothermal fluids. Metamorphism
Metamorphism of the Republic
Republic node
node is
is known
known to have
origin
begun
begun during the closing phases
phases of Penokean
Penokean deformation
deformation but
but to have
have outlasted
outlasted and
reached its peak after deformation. Thus, the magnetite
magnetite hard
hard ores were interpreted
interpreted to
have been deposited shortly after formation of the Republic syncline and to be
precipitates from reduced metamorphic fluids carrying ferrous iron from stratigraphically
precipitates
lower parts of the iron-formation
iron-formation to the upper parts where reaction with hematite
hematitc beds
caused
caused precipitation
precipitationof magnetite.
magnetite.

Figure 4-4. Former
in Republic
pit showing
onleft
leftand
Former exposure
exposure in
Republic pit
showing wavy-bedded
wavy-beddedjaspilite
jaspilite on
and
magnetite hard ore on right. The hard
truncates jaspilite bedding
hard ore truncates
bedding at a nearly
nearly right
angle. Within a few centimeters of the contact, much
much of the jasper is
is converted
converted to
to milky
milky
crystals have
quartz and partly removed
removed from the rock, creating vugs into
into which quartz crystals
grown. The loss of volume resulted in brecciation
brecciation of the iron-formation, which was later
healed and largely obliterated by magnetite deposition. Magnet is about 12 cm long.
95

�pit and mill
The Republic pit
mill
metallurgical
In 1947 Cleveland Cliffs Iron Co. began research on devising a viable metallurgical
concentrating scheme
scheme to upgrade
upgrade the banded
banded specular
specular chert iron-formation
iron-formationat
at Republic
Republic
to a suitable grade of concentrate.
concentrate. The crude
crude ore composition
composition was 38%
38% Fe,
Fe, 42.5% Si02,
SiOa,
0.033% P,
P, 0.90%
0.90% MgO,
MgO, 0.53%
0.53% CaO,
CaO, 0.72%
0.72%A1203,
A1203,0.03% Na20,
NaaO,and
and 0.04%
0.04% K20.
K20.AA
concentration process
process was needed
needed to produce a product with roughly 65% Fe and 5%
Si02. The Company settled on a hot anionic flotation of the specularite after the crude
Si02.
was ground to 90% passing
passing 325 mesh
mesh size. After the board
board of directors
directors approved
approved a new
new
mining operation at Republic,
Republic, the company
company teamed
teamed with
with three
three partners
partnerswho
who would
would
consume
&amp; LL Steel
Steel Corp.,
Corp., and
and
consume the pellet
pellet product (i.e. Wheeling Pittsburgh,
Pittsburgh, JJ &amp;
International Harvester
Harvester Co.). Operations
International
Operations started
started with
with site
site clearing
clearingin
in1952
1952foUowed
followed by
construction
construction of a concentrator
concentrator capable
capable of producing
producing an initial
initial 600,000 long
long tons
tons (It) of
concentrate.
concentrate. Pelletization
Pelletization (agglomeration)
(agglomeration)was
was initially
initiallyconducted
conductedat
at the
the Eagle
EagleMills
Millspellet
pellet
plant located
located southwest of the City of Marquette
Marquette starting
starting in
in 1956.
1956. In
In 1962,
1962, a pelletizing
facility located at the mine was brought on line with production increasing to 2.6 million It
of pellets
pellets per
per year.
year.
The open pit was developed by a conventional bench-berm system from surface to an
of +940 feet. A unique feature of the Republic
ultimate depth of
Republic Mine was the development
of the vertical
footwall on the northeast side of the pit that was
vertical to slightly overturned
overturned footwall
referred
required steel mesh screen
referred to as the highwall (fig. 4-5). This distinctive design required
spalled rock from falling into work areas.
held in place by rock bolts to prevent spatted
the pit crusher was relocated from
from the pit crest to an
During the middle 1970s the
aditkhamber located
located in the high
high wall on the +1130
+I130 bench (lower left of fig. 4-5). A 28002800adit/chamber
grade had
had been
been driven from surface
surface to the chamber
chamber to
to house
house
foot-long gallery at 11%
11% grade
foot-long
the conveyor used to move the ore from the crusher to the plant
plant stockpile (upper
(upper right
right of
fig. 4-5).
4-5).
Mining was conducted using conventional shovel-truck
shovel-truck equipment
equipment to
to get the
the ore to
to the
crusher. Initial
Initial haulage
haulage units
units were 34 tons Euclid
Euclid trucks. However, by the time the mine
was idled
idled in
in 1981,
1981, 80-ton
80-ton units
units were
were standard.
standard.

Republic crude was extremely hard
hard and
and initial
initial production
production drilling
drilling used
used the
the Linde
LindeJet
Jet
Piercing machine
machine in which fuel oil and
spa11the
the rock
rock
and oxygen
oxygen were combusted
combusted to
to heat
heat and
and spall
for drilling. During
970s the
the mining equipment industry developed
During the
the 11970s
developed rotary
rotary machines
machines
capable of delivering 90,000 lbs.
Ibs. of down pressure to the bit, which allowed the mine to
change
change over to conventional blast hole drilling. Blasting
Blasting required
required the use of ammonium
nitrate and fuel oil (ANFO) at a high usage exceeding one pound per ton whereas other
required results for half the powder factor.
mines could get the required
dewatering wells
wells on
on the
the pit
pit perimeter
perimeter that
that
Rock stability at the mine was enhanced by dewatering
drew down water keeping
keeping it from the pit faces and
and further stabilizing
stabilizing the pit
pit walls. This
was especially important on the northwest side of the pit where the Michigamme
Michigamme River
had been partly diverted to allow pit development.

96

�Figure 4-5. The highwall at Republic. View is looking southeast. The steep rock face is
the upper
upper contact of a metamorphosed
metamorphosed diabase
diabase sill, which was emplaced
emplaced at the base
base of
the oxide-facies ore unit. Other rock faces in upper
upper left are underlying beds of magnetitegrunerite
grunerite iron-formation,
iron-formation,which were removed
removed as waste. The units
units now
now dip vertically or
are slightly overturned so that, in
in places,
places, the highwall
highwall projects
projects slightly outward over the
pit. The two portals
portals in
in lower center are the access
access to the primary
primary crusher. Crushed
Crushed ore
ore
was moved
through an inclined
moved to stockpile (on horizon
horizon in upper right) by conveyor
conveyor through
inclined
tunnel. The highwall
highwall was about 300 feet high
high at the time
time of this
this photograph
photograph near
near the
the end
end
of pit
pit operation.
operation.
Crude
Crude ore underwent
underwent three crushing
crushing stages
stages to provide
provide a product
product less
less than
than ½-inch
%-inch size,
which was fed to the grinding
grinding section. Grinding
Grinding consisted
consisted of a conventional
conventional rod
rod mill
mill with
a steel rod
rod charge
charge to effect
effect size
size reduction.
reduction. The
The crude
crude was then
then sent
sent to
to aa ball
ball mill
mill
containing
containing small steel
steel balls
balls to complete
complete the grinding
grinding to aa size
size suitable to liberate
liberate ore
ore
minerals from gangue. The crude
crude was discharged at 90% passing
passing 325 mesh. Flotation
Flotation
using a fatty acid reagent separated the iron
iron from the gangue
gangue by
by floating
floating the iron
iron
minerals (anionic). The coarse nature of the product required
required further grinding
grinding to make
make itit
suitable for pelletizing. Concentrate
Concentrate was reground
reground in
in ball
ball mills, heated,
heated, and
and the pulp
pulp was
sent hot
hot to roughers,
roughers, cleaners
cleaners and
and scavengers.
scavengers. The
The final
final product
product was
was dewatered,
dewatered, balled,
balled,
and finally sent to the Allis Chalmers
Grate
Kiln
system
to
be
heated
to
2440°
F
to
Chalmers Grate Kiln system be heated 2440' F
produce a tough pellet capable of withstanding handling and transport to the furnace.
The product
product was carried
carried to Marquette
Marquette by
by rail
rail and
and then shipped
shipped via lake
lake cargo vessels
vessels to
steel furnaces in
in the lower
lower Great
Great Lakes.
Lakes. Scrubber
Scrubber and
and electrostatic
electrostatic precipitators
precipitators

97

�removed
removed 99%
99% of the
the particulate
particulatematter
matter from
from the
the discharge
discharge air.
air. Tailings
Tailings from
from the
the process
process
settled in
in vast settling
settling ponds
ponds located
located southeast
southeast of the
the plant
plant that
that have
have subsequently
subsequently
were settled
been
been converted
converted to
to viable
viable wetlands.
wetlands.

From 1956
1956 to 1981
1981 the mine
mine produced
produced 62
62 million
million tons
tons of pellets
pellets recovered
recovered from
from 145
145
From
million
million tons
tons of
of crude
crude ore.
ore.
Considerable resources
resources remain
remain in
in the ground
ground at currently
currently subeconomic status. The
The
Considerable
resources, as
as estimated
estimatedby
byCleveland
ClevelandCliffs
CliffsIron
IronCo.,
Co., include
includeboth
bothspecular
specularhematite
hematiteore,
ore,
resources,
the traditional
traditionalore
ore mined
minedat
at Republic,
Republic,and
and magnetite-silicate
magnetite-silicateiron-formation,
iron-formation,which
which was
was
the
not amenable
amenable to concentration
concentration by
by the
the process
process used
used at
at Republic.
Republic. The
The estimated
estimated
not
resources
in
million
of
long
tons
(MLT)
of
ore
are:
resources in million long tons (MLT) ore are:
Ore
Resource Grade
SiOsininconc.
cone.
Oretype
type
Grade Fe
Fe Recovery
Recovery Fe
Feininconcentrate
concentrate Si02
Spec.
hematite 63 MLT
ML T 38%
Fe 44%
Spec. hematite
38% Fe
44%Wt.
Wt.Rec.
Rec. 65.0%
65.0%Fe
Fe
5.00%
5.00%
Mag.
60
MLT 27%
Wt.
27%Fe
Fe 33%
33%
Wt,Rec.
Rec. 67.0%
67.0% Fe
Fe
5.80%
Mag.-Silicate
-Silicate
60 MLT
5.80%

Talc is
is common
common in
in footwall
footwall ore
ore in
in the
the area
areaof
of the
the axial
axial keel
keelof
of the
the syncline.
syncline. MgO
MgO
Talc
analyses
analyses range
range from
from 1%
1% to 4.7%. Schistose
Schistoseconglomerates
conglomeratescontain
containsericite,
sericite, chlorite,
chlorite,
epidote and
and tourmaline.
tourmaline. Most
Most ore
ore in
in the
the pit
pit contained
contained 0.20%
0.20% Ti02
TiOpbut
but the
the southwest
southwestPark
Park
epidote
City area
area had
had elevated
elevated values
values in
in the
the .50
.50 to
to 1.65%
1.65%Ti02
Ti02as
as rutile
rutile associated
associated with
with hematite
hematite
City

Mine
Mine closure
closureand
and restoration
restoration
From tailings
tailinas basin
basin to
to the
the Republic
RepublicWetlands
Wetlands Preserve:
Preserve:The
The Republic
RepublicMine
Mine in
in Marquette
Marquette
From
County, Michigan
Michiganceased
ceasedoperations
operationsinin1981,
1981,but
butwas
wasnot
notofficially
officiallyclosed
closeduntil
until1996.
1996.
County,
Planswere
were made
madeto
to reclaim
reclaimaasubstantial
substantialportion
portionofofthe
theRepublic
RepublicMine
Mineas
asaawetland
wetland
Plans
mitigationproject
projectto
to serve
serve the
the needs
needsof
of the
the nearby
nearbyEmpire
Empireand
and Tilden
Tilden mines
minesand
and other
other
mitigation
Cliffs-managedproperties.
properties. The
The Cleveland-Cliffs
Cleveland-CliffsIron
IronCompany
Companyand
and its
its partners
partnersin
in the
the
Cliffs-managed
two active
active mines
mines agreed
agreed to
to proceed
proceedwith
with what
what is
is called
called the
the Republic
Republic Wetlands
Wetlands Preserve
Preserve
two
(RWP). The
The Michigan
MichiganDepartment
Departmentof
of Environmental
EnvironmentalQuality
Quality and
and the
the U.S.
U.S. Environmental
Environmental
(RWP).
Protection
Agency
were
involved
from
the
inception
of
the
project.
Protection Agency were involved from the inception of the project.
NorthernEcological
EcologicalServices,
Services,Inc.
Inc.(NES)
(NES)and
andCliffs
CliffsMining
MiningServices
ServicesCompany
Company(CMSC)
(CMSC)
Northern
formed the
the project
project team
team involved
involvedin
in the
the planning,
planning, design,
design, construction,
construction, and
and monitoring
monitoring of
of
formed
createdlrestoredon
on iron
iron
the RWP
RWPproject.
project. Approximately
Approximately650
650 acres
acres of
of wetlands
wetlands were
were created/restored
the
tailingsand
andreuse
reusewater
water basins
basinsat
atthe
theRepublic
RepublicMine
Mine(fig.
(fig.4-6).
4-6). Another
Another 1,650
1,650acres
acresof
of
tailings
wetlands and
and uplands
uplands were
were included
included in
in the
the RWP,
RWP, bringing
bringingthe
the total
total acreage
acreage'to
2,300
wetlands
to 2,300
acres.
acres.
Water
Water levels
levelsin
in the
the tailings
tailings basins
basins were
were managed
managedto
to create
create optimal
optimal conditions
conditions for
for
wetlandvegetation,
vegetation, with
with dormant
dormantseeding
seedingand
andfertilizing
fertilizingbeing
beingdone,
done, as
aswell
well as
as aerial
aerial
wetland
application
application of
of seed
seed and
and fertilizer
fertilizer on
on less
less accessible
accessible areas.
areas. Over
Over 250,000
250,000 trees
trees were
were
planted
plantedin
inthe
the wetlands.
wetlands.

98

�Figure 4-6. Wildlife trail in a forested and emergent wetland developed on the former
tailings basin
tailings
basin at the Republic
Republic Mine,
Mine, now
now the
the Republic
RepublicWetlands
WetlandsPreserve.
Preserve.
RWP completed its fifth, and final, year of monitoring
monitoring and
and the
In 2002, phase I of the RWP
wetland plant growth and wildlife use is nothing short of spectacular. Peregrine
Peregrine falcons,
a federal endangered
endangered species, have
have been
been documented
documented on a number of occasions using
pair of bald
bald eagles
eagles nests
nests there, as
as well as
as osprey
osprey and
and common
common loons,
loons, all
the RWP. A pair
state-threatened species. There is also a great blue
blue heron
heron nesting
nesting colony, with
approximately 60 nests active each year. Over 100
100 species of birds have been
documented
documented using the site. The land has been transformed from former mined lands to a
diverse component
component of the landscape
landscape in about five years' time.
The wetland credits
credits that have not been
been used to compensate
compensate for unavoidable
unavoidable wetland
impacts at the Empire
Empire and Tilden
Tilden mines
mines are in the process
process of being
being placed
placed in
in a wetland
mitigation bank to be used for future mine-related
mitigation
mine-related projects
projects in Marquette
Marquette County. In
summary, the RWP
RWP is
is a classic
classic example
example of how
how the mining
mining industry
industry and
and government
government
a valuable natural
regulators can work together to reclaim former mine land and create 9
asset that benefits
requirements.
benefits area
area wildlife and satisfies
satisfies the mitigation
mitigation requirements.
FIELD
FIELD TRIP
TRIP STOPS
STOPS
Several
Several previous
previous ILSG
ILSG field
field trips
trips have
have visited
visitedthe
the Republic
Republicarea.
area. The
Thefollowing
following
descriptions are taken largely from guidebooks
guidebooks prepared
prepared by
by Cannon
Cannon and Klasner
Klasner (1972)
and Cannon
Cannon and
and others
others (1975).
(1975).

Stop
Iron-formation at
Stop 4-1. Negaunee Iron-formation
at Kloman
Klomanmine.
mine.
Kloman (also
(also known
known as Columbia)
Columbia) Mine was a small, early mine that produced
The Kloman
about 95,000 tons of hard
hard ore between
between 1873
1873 and 1883.
1883. The ore body lay along the

99

�Negaunee Iron-formation
Iron-formationand
and Goodrich
Goodrich Quartzite.
Quartzite. The
The pit
pit is
is visible
visible
contact with the Negaunee
inside of the fenced area but is not available for examination because of safety
concerns. The principal
principal interest
interest at this
this stop
stop is
is the
the 'arge,
large, glacially
glacially polished
polishedoutcrop
outcrop of
of the
the
concerns.
Negaunee Iron-formation
Iron-formation lying just northeast
northeast of the fenced
fenced area.
Here the Negaunee exhibits a small-scale interbedding of several different lithologic
types of iron-formation.
iron-formation.A
A detailed
detailed section
section is
is shown
shown here
here as
as originally
originally presented
presented by
by
Cannon and Klasner
Klasner (1972) and much
much of the description
description is
is likewise
likewise taken
taken from that
that
Cannon
earlier field guide. The outcrop
outcrop is
is on the northeast
northeast limb
limb of the
the Republic
Republic syncline.
syncline. Beds
Beds
earlier
N 45°W
45OW and
anddip
dip vertically.
vertically. As
As aa point
pointof
of reference
referenceto
tothe
thedetailed
detailedsection
sectionthe
the
strike about N
42 feet
feet on
on the
the section.
section. The
The
large eye-bolt set into
into the
the outcrop
outcrop corresponds
corresponds to
to the
the bed
bed at
at 42
'arge
Negaunee as seen here shows a marked lateral facies change from the Republic
Republic open
Whereas the
the ore
ore horizon
horizon in
in the
the pit
pit is
is entirely
entirely
pit only about 3,000 feet along strike. Whereas
with aa few tens
tens of
of feet
feet of
of chert-magnetite
chert-magnetiteiron-formation
iron-formationat
at the
the base,
base,the
the same
same
jaspilite, with
ironchert-magnetite and
and chert-magnetite-silicate
chert-magnetite-silicate ironhorizon here contains many units of chert-magnetite
formation interbedded
interbedded with
with the
the jaspilite.
jaspilite.
correspondence between
characteristics and mineralogy
A close correspondence
between bedding characteristics
mineralogy suggests that
the present mineralogy,
although
a
product
of
sillimanite-grade
mineralogy,
product sillimanite-grade metamorphism,
metamorphism, still
still
differences in the sediments, particularly
reflects original differences
particularly in oxidation state of the iron.
Hematite-bearing units
units are
are typically
typically wavy-bedded
wavy-beddedand
and contain
contain red
redor
ormaroon
maroonjasper,
jasper,
Hematite-bearing
much
much of which has abundant bright red
red granules, possibly
possibly originally oolites. This is in
contrast to the magnetite-rich
magnetite-richand
and silicate-bearing
silicate-bearingunits,
units, which are
are typically evenbedded. Presumably
Presumably the wavy-bedded
wavy-bedded hematitic rocks were deposited in relatively
shallow water, above wave base, where currents were sufficiently intense to produce
disturbed bedding and oolites, and the water was sufficiently
sufficiently oxygenated to result in a
disturbed
even-bedded magnetite and silicate rocks, on the
thoroughly oxidized sediment. The even-bedded
other hand, are presumed
presumed to have
have formed
formed in
in deeper
deeper water, below wave base, where a
combination of quiet bottom
bottom conditions and relatively unoxygenated
unoxygenated water allowed the
accumulation of ferrous
ferrous iron
this is
is so,
so, the rocks
rocks here
here
iron minerals
minerals in
in uniform
uniform layers.
layers. IfIf this
indicate
indicate deposition
deposition in
progressively shallower
shallowerwater
severalfluctuations
eitherinin
in progressively
water with
with several
fluctuationseither
depth of water or depth of wave action
action to produce
produce the interlayering
interlayering of lithologic types in
in
the transition
zone
between
the
dominantly
ferrous
sediments
at
the
base
of
the
section
transition
between
sediments
base
and the ferric sediments
sediments at the top of the section.
section.
The correspondence
correspondence between
between bedding
bedding characteristics
characteristics and mineralogy
mineralogy is convincing
evidence that these rocks represent
represent a primary
primary oxide facies
facies of iron-formation
iron-formationand
and that the
the
specularite and magnetite
magnetite are metamorphic
metamorphic derivatives
derivatives of primary
primary hematite
hematite and
magnetite or some precursor minerals with similar oxidation states. Some minerals that
are considered
formed by diagenetic or early metamorphic
considered primary may have formed
metamorphic changes;
changes;
however, the
the oxidation
oxidation state
state of
of each bed must reflect the composition of bottom or
interstitial
interstitial waters, for adjacent beds
beds are
are commonly
commonly of markedly
markedly different
different oxidation
oxidation states.
The relationships
relationships shown in this outcrop were instrumental
instrumental in the recognition
recognition that some
iron-formation is a primary facies of iron-formation
hematitic iron-formation
iron-formation (James, 1954).
1954).

100

�____
_______

feet

GoodrichQuartzite
Quartzite
Goodrich
meters
.
0
unconformity

EXPLANATION
EXPLANATION

massivespecularite
specularite with
with variable
Hard ore: massive
magnetite and
amounts of magnetite
and little
little or
or no
no chert.
chert.

5

:-::

yq
,---

Wavy-bedded
discontinuous beds
Wavy-bedded jaspillite: discontinuous
beds
jasper or
or jasper-mantled
jasper-mantled chert, much
much with
with
of jasper
interbedded with
with specularite
granular texture, interbedded
layers
with minor to moderate
amounts of
layers with
moderate amounts
magnetite.
to22 inches
inchesthick.
thick.
magnetite.Beds
Beds typically
typically11to

10

c
50

--H

E

Even-bedded chert-magnetite
chert-magnetite iron-formation:
iron-formation:
typically in
1/2 to
to 11 inch
inch thick.
thick. Chert
Chert is
is
typically
in beds
beds 1/2
white
or
gray
and
interbedded
magnetite
is
white
interbedded magnetite is
fine-grained and
fine-grained
andmassive.
massive.

20

—
-

—1——

--

Even-bedded chert-magnetite-silicate
chert-magnetite-silicate
iron-formation: similar
similar to
to chert-magnetite
chert-magnetite
iron-formation:
iron-formation
iron-formationbut
butwith
withaaselvage
selvage of
of grunerite
grunerite
at chert-magnetite
chert-magnetite contacts.
contacts.

25

1±TTIT

chert-silicate iron-formation:
iron-formation:
Even-bedded chert-silicate
chert and
and grunerite
grunerite with
with thin
thin
interlayered chert
of magnetite
magnetite within
within grunerite
grunerite
laminae of
layers
layers

/ —, , iron-formation: grunerite
Silicate-magnetite iron-formation:
grunerite
with
magnetite;
with laminae
laminae and
and disseminations of magnetite;
non-cherty.
non-cherty.
14,

b - - 4
-"i.kLi&gt;&lt;-!"
covered
covered

Figure 4-7. Detailed stratigraphic section
section across
across the outcrop
outcrop of Negaunee
NegauneeIron-formation
Iron-formation
at the Kloman
Kloman mine
mine (from
(from Cannon
Cannon and
and Klasner,
Klasner, 1972).
1972).
The rocks
rocks here
here were metamorphosed
metamorphosedto
to sillimanite
sillimanite grade
grade during
during the
the Penokean
Penokeanorogeny
orogeny
(James,
1955),
as
indicated
by
the
coarse
grain
size
of
chert
and
by
mineral
(James, 1955), as indicated by the coarse grain size of chert and by mineral
assemblages
assemblages in
in nearby
nearby pelitic
pelitic and
and mafic
mafic rocks.
rocks. Of particular
particular interest
interest at
at this
this outcrop
outcrop is
is the
the

101

�lack of equilibration of oxidation states between
between adjacent units
units in spite of the intense
metamorphism.
metamorphism. Dominantly
Dominantly hematitic units are in sharp contact with dominantly
magnetitic units, and although hematitic beds are nowhere in direct contact with silicatebearing beds, they are separated by only thin beds in many places. These relationships
bearing
attest to the inability of metamorphic
metamorphic fluids to induce
induce widespread oxidation or reduction
of solid phases and are a classic illustration
illustration of rocks in which the chemical potential
potential of
oxygen during metamorphism
metamorphism was buffered
buffered by the solid phases.

4-2. Michigamme
Michigamme Formation
Formation garnet-amphibole
garnet-amphibole schist.
schist.
Stop 4-2.
roadcut on the east
east side
side of Highway
Highway 95
95 shows
shows tightly
tightly folded
folded schist of the Michigamme
Michigamme
A roadcut
Formation, which here is mostly an iron-rich meta-argillite,
meta-argillite, now consisting of biotitegarnet-amphibole (grunerite)
(grunerite) schist containing a few inch-thick
inch-thick layers
layers of impure
quartzite. Although the rock is in the sillimanite zone of metamorphism,
metamorphism, sillimanite is not
present here because of the lack of appropriately aluminous compositions. Blades and
rosettes of light-colored
rosettes
light-colored iron-amphibole
iron-amphibole are common and have been mistaken for
sillimanite in field examination of this outcrop by many geologists. It is interesting
interesting to note
Harold James
James who defined
defined the Republic
Republic metamorphic
metamorphic node, and the sillimanite zone
that Harold
its core, in
in his
his classic
classic paper
paper on zones of regional
regional metamorphism
metamorphism (James,
(James, 1955)
1955) never
never
at its
observed sillimanite in outcrops. The only occurrence was in a glacial erratic boulder of
of
Michigamme-type schist, which he presumed was transported only a short distance. The
Michigamme-type
zone was defined more on the basis of assemblages in mafic rocks than on the
distribution of sillimanite. Later,
Later, detailed
detailed mapping
mapping of the region
region (Cannon
(Cannon and
and Klasner,
Klasner,
distribution
(fibrolite) in
in one
one outcrop
outcrop of
of the
the Michigamme
MichigammeFormation
Formationseveral
several
1976) did find sillimanite (fibrolite)
miles northeast of this locality. An additional sillimanite occurrence was reported in drill
core about three miles
miles northwest
northwest of
of here
here by
by Haase
Haase(1979).
(1979).
This outcrop
outcrop is
is approximately
approximately on the axis of the Republic
Republic syncline. Minor folds with
attenuated limbs are common
amplitudes much greater than wavelengths and greatly attenuated
and
and reflect
reflect the gross
gross geometry
geometry of
of the
the Republic
Republictrough,
trough, which
which along
along the
the highway
highway is
is
estimated
estimated to be
be about
about 5,000 feet
feet deep
deep by
by gravity
gravity models
models (Klasner
(Klasner and
and Cannon, 1974)
1974)
but is only about 3,000 feet wide. The folding is markedly non-cylindrical at outcrop
scale, and domains of homogeneous
homogeneous strain are very small, being measurable
measurable in a few
tens
tens of square
square feet.
feet. Although
Although most
most minor
minor folds
folds plunge
plunge northwest
northwest in
in accord
accord with
with the
the
plunge of the Republic
Republic syncline, the plunge of minor folds vary from about 15
15 to 65
degrees.
degrees. The
The non-cylindrical
non-cylindrical nature
nature of the folding
folding may
may be
be aa reflection
reflectionof an
an earlier
earlier
folding, which has
has been
been strongly overprinted
overprinted by
by the development
development of the Republic
Republic
syncline. The style of folding
roadcut
folding is
is especially
especially well shown near the north
north end of the roadcut
(fig. 4-8) where a 13-inch-thick quartzite bed
bed is
is repeated
repeated many
many times by folds. Axes
1- to 3-inch-thick
of adjacent folds, only a few inches apart, have plunges that diverge by as much as 60
degrees.
degrees.
At the next
next stop
stop (stop
(stop 4-3)
4-3) we will see a major
major contrast
contrast between
between the high
high degree
degree of
structures seen here and their near absence in nearby Archean
penetrative Penokean
Penokean structures
basement rocks.
basement
rocks.

102

�Figure 4-8. Vertical face about 1
1 meter high
high showing tight folds in Michigamme
Michigamme
biotitie-garnet
Formation at stop 4-2. Folds are shown by a thin quartzite layer (light) in biotitie-garnet
schist. Note
Note thickened
thickened hinge
hinge regions
regions and
and attenuated
attenuated limbs.
limbs. Fold
Fold at right
right is
is completely
completely
dismembered, a geometry
geometry reflecting
reflecting the
the Republic
Republic syncline
syncline itself.
itself.

4-3. Archean
Archean gneiss
gneiss and younger
younger dikes.
Stop 4-3.
This roadcut
roadcut on the west side of Highway
Highway 95 near
near the intersection
intersection with Old
Old Highway
Highway 95
shows a widespread variety of granitic gneiss, which makes
makes up part of the southern
southern
complex,
complex, the basement
basement on
on which Paleoproterozoic
Paleoproterozoic strata
strata were deposited. The most
most
abundant
abundant rock type in
in the southern
southern complex
complex is
is aa coarsely
coarsely megacrystic
megacrystic granite,
granite, named
named
the Bell
Bell Creek
Creek Gneiss
Gneiss by Cannon
Cannon and
and Simmons
Simmons (1973).
(1973). Rock
Rock typical
typical of this unit
unit is
is
exposed
roadcut. The
The rocks
rocks near
near the
the center
center
exposed in the northern
northern and
and southern
southern parts
parts of this
this roadcut.
are finer-grained
finer-grained and
and somewhat sheared
sheared granite.
granite. The
The relationships
relationships in
in the southern
southern part
part
of the outcrop
outcrop are
are sketched
sketched in
in figure
figure 4-9
4-9 and
and illustrate
illustratetwo
two major
major periods
periods of
of orogeny
orogeny that
that
affected
Archean rocks;
rocks; the
the older
older being
beingan
an intense
intense Late
Late Archean
Archean folding
folding and
and the
the
affected the Archean
younger being
being non-penetrative
non-penetrative deformation
deformation during
during the Penokean
Penokean orogeny.
orogeny. The
The oldest
oldest
rock is the granitic gneiss, which was deformed and metamorphosed
metamorphosed in the Archean
event. Northwest-trending
Northwest-trendingplanar
planar structures
structures are
are shown
shown mostly
mostly by
by preferred
preferred orientation
orientation of
large microcline megacrysts and, in places, by a subtle compositional layering
expressed
expressed as variations in
in abundance
abundance of the megacrysts.
megacrysts. A northeast-trending
northeast-trending
truncates the northwest-trending
porphyritic dike of metadiabase truncates
northwest-trending structures. The dike
trends
roadcut exaggerating
exaggerating its
its true
true thickness.
thickness. Typically,
Typically, such
such dikes
dikes
trends subparallel to the roadcut
are no
no more
more than a few tens
tens of feet
feet thick.
thick. This
This dike
dike truncates
truncatesthe
the granite
granite foliation,
foliation, but
butisis
metamorphosed to a grade typical of this part of the Republic
massive, although metamorphosed
Republic

103

�metamorphic
metamorphic node. Thus, it must
must have
have been
been emplaced
emplaced after
after the Archean deformation
deformation
but before the Penokean
Penokean metamorphism.
metamorphism. Its
Its massive
massive nature,
nature, including
including preserved
preserved
diabasic texture in thin section, and its straight trace indicates
indicates that itit was not
not deformed
deformed
during the Penokean
Penokean orogeny, even though its
its emplacement
emplacement must
must predate
predate the orogeny.
orogeny.
Such dikes are very common throughout the southern
southern complex
complex and consistently show
these same relationships of retaining
retaining planar
planar dike
dike geometry
geometry and relict diabasic textures.
Deformation,
Deformation, presumably
presumably of Penokean
Penokean age, is
is seen
seen in
in some dikes as sheared
sheared margins,
margins,
but even in those cases, the planar dike geometry
geometry is not
not altered. Good
Good examples
examples of this
can be seen in other roadcuts
roadcuts north
north of here
here heading
heading toward Humboldt.
Humboldt. The occurrence
occurrence
of such planar metadiabse
metadiabse dikes at literally
literally hundreds
hundreds of localities throughout the
southern complex is prime evidence that the complex was not penetratively deformed
basement
during the Penokean
Penokean orogeny. Rather, Penokean
Penokean deformation
deformation of the Archean basement
appears to have been
been accomplished by relative movement between discrete, rigid, faultbounded blocks. This indicates
indicates that the intense
intense deformation
deformation of Paleoproterozic
Paleoproterozic strata,
does not
not extend
extend into
into the basement. The
The fault blocks
blocks of
such as just seen at stop 4-2, does
Archean rocks
rocks appear to have
have provided a rigid
rigid form around
around which the Paleoproterozoic
Paleoproterozoic
strata were molded. In
In the case of the Republic
Republic trough, the structure with respect
respect to
Archean rocks is a deep, narrow
narrow graben
graben between
between two high-angle
high-angle reverse faults. The
syncline developed in the Paleoproterozoic rocks as a result of their compression
between the two bounding fault uplifts. Estimates
Estimates of metamorphic
metamorphic pressures
pressures by Hasse
Hasse
(1979)
(1979) and Attoh and Klasner
Klasner (1989)
(1989) indicate
indicate that the Republic
Republic area was buried
buried beneath
kilometers of strata during Penokean
roughly eight kilometers
Penokean deformation and was heated to
550' to 600Â°
metamorphic conditions,
conditions, which slightly postdated
postdated
temperatures
temperatures of 5500
600°C at peak metamorphic
the major deformation. Under
Under those conditions the Archean granitic gneisses
gneisses apparently
apparently
did not deform plastically, but rather retained
retained considerable strength
strength so that the shape
shape of
fault-bounded basement
the individual fault-bounded
basement blocks
blockscontrolled
controlledthe
the geometry
geometryof
of structures
structuresin
inthe
the
overlying
overlying strata.
strata.

roadcut is
is a Mesoproterozoic
Mesoproterozoic diabase dike related
related to the
A final feature in this roadcut
Midcontinent rift and part of the Baraga dike swarm of reversed magnetic polarity dikes
intruded
has a chilled
chilled contact against both the granitic
intruded at roughly
roughly 1.1 Ma. The dike has
gneiss and
and metadiabase
metadiabase dike
virtually unmetamorphosed.
unmetamorphosed.
dike and
and is
is virtually

104

�or

0

0

0

'0
0

ip
10 feet
feet

9O

M

Figure
Figure 4-9. Sketch
Sketch map
map of southern
southern part
part of
of roadcut
roadcut showing
showing relationships
relationshipsbetween
between
Archean
granitic
gneiss
and
diabase
dikes
of
two
different
ages.
Archean granitic gneiss and diabase dikes of two different ages.
Ref
erences
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608 p.
p.

Van Hise, C.R., and
and Leith
Leith C.K., 1911,
1911, The geology of the Lake
Lake Superior
Superior region:
region: U.S.
U.S.
Geological Survey Monograph
Geological
Monograph 52, 641 p.
p.

107

������Proceedings Volume 49
PARTI - PROGRAMS
AND ABSTRACTS

�INSTITUTE ON LAKE
LAKE SUPERIOR GEOLOGY
GEOLOGY
49TH

ANNUAL MEETING

MAY 7-11, 2003
IRON MOUNTAIN, MICHIGAN

HOSTED BY:
BY:
LAUREL G.
G. WOODRUFF
AND WILLIAM
WILLIAM F.
LAUREL
WOODRUFF
F. CANNON
CANNON
Co-Chairs
Co-Chairs
U.S. GEOLOGICAL
SURVEY
U.S.
GEOLOGICAL
SURVEY

With assistance
Technological University
assistance from Michigan
Michigan Technological
University
and

John
John Gartner,
Gartner, Coleman
Coleman Engineering
Engineering Company
Company

Volume
Volume 49
49

—Proceedings
Proceedingsand
and Abstracts
Abstracts
Part 1 edited by
Compiled and edited
by Laurel
Laurel Woodruff,
Woodruff, U.S.
U.S. Geological
Geological Survey
Survey and
and
Theodore Bornhorst,
Bornhorst, Michigan
Michigan Technological
Technological University
University
Cover Photo:
Cover
Photo:Berkshire
BerkshireShaft,
Shaft,Menominee
Menominee Range,
Range, Michigan.
Michigan. Photo from the Michigan
Technological
Technological University
University Mining
Mining Engineering
EngineeringDepartment
DepartmentCollection.
Collection.

�49TH
INSTITUTE ON LAKE SUPERIOR GEOLOGY
4gTH
GEOLOGY

VOLUME
VOLUME49
49CONSISTS
CONSISTS OF:
OF:

PART 1
1::PROGRAM
AND
PART
PROGRAM
AND ABSTRACTS
ABSTRACTS
PART 2:
2: FIELD
TRIP
PART
FIELD
TRIPGUIDEBOOK
GUIDEBOOK
OVERVIEW: PALEOZOIC
PALEOZOICSTRATIGRAPHY
STRATIGRAPHYAND
AND TECTONICS
TECTONICS ALONG
THE NIAGRA SUTURE ZONE,
ZONE, MICHIGAN AND WISCONSIN

1: PEMBINE-WAUSAU
PEMBINE-WAUSAUMAGMATIC
MAGMATICTERRANE
TERRANE
TRIP 1:
MENOMINEEIRON
IRONDISTRICT
DISTRICT
TRIP 2: MENOMINEE
TRIP
TRIP 3:
3:STRATRIGRAPHY
STRATRIGRAPHYAND
ANDSTRUCTURE
STRUCTUREOF
OFTHE
THEIRON
IRONRIVER
RIVER—CRYSTAL
CRYSTAL FALLS
FALLS BASIN
BASIN

TRIP
TRIP 4:
4: LIFE
LIFECYCLE
CYCLEOF
OFAN
ANIRON
IRONDEPOST
DEPOST—
- THE
THE REPUBLIC
REPUBLIC MINE
MINE
RESTORATION
FROM ORE GENESIS TO MINE RESTORATION

to material in Part 1 should
should follow
follow the
Reference to
the example
example below:
below:
Rogala, B., Fralick,
Fralick, P., and Borradaile, G., 2003, A magnetostratigraphic
magnetostratigraphicand
and secular
secular variation
varittion
49th
study of the Sibley
Sibley Group
Group [abstract];
[abstract]; Institute
Institute on Lake
Lake Superior Geology
Geology Proceedings,
Proceedings, 49
Annual
Annual Meeting,
Meeting, Iron
Iron Mountain,
Mountain, Ml,
MI, v.
v. 49,
49, part
part 1,
1, p.
p. 65-66.
65-66.
49th
Published by the 4gth
Institute on Lake Superior Geology and distributed
distributed by
Published
Institute
by the
Secretary-Treasurer:
ILSG Secretary-Treasurer:

Mark Jirsa (through
(through 2003)
2003)
Minnesota
Minnesota Geological
Geological Survey
2642 University
University Avenue
Avenue
St. Paul, MN 551
55114-1057
14-1057
USA
USA
@tc.umn.edu
JirsaOOl @tc.umn.edu

In 2004 contact:
contact:

Peter Hollings
Hollings
Lakehead University
University
Department
Department of Geology
Geology
Thunder Bay, ON P7B
P7B5E1
5E1
CANADA
peter.hollinas@
lakeheadu.ca
Deter.hollincl@lakeheadu.ca

I LSGwebsite:
website: httr://www.ilscjeolociy.orci
htt~://www.ilsaeoloav.org
ILSG

ISSN 1042-9964
1042-9964

�CONTENTS
CONTENTS
PROCEEDINGS VOLUME
VOLUME 49
PART 1—PROGRAM
I-PROGRAM AND
AND ABSTRACTS
ABSTRACTS
Institutes
Institutes on Lake
Lake Superior
Superior Geology, 1955-2003
1955-2003............................................................
iv
Constitution of the Institute
Constitution
Institute on
on Lake
Lake Superior
Superior Geology
Geology ...................................................vi
vi
By-Laws
vii
By-Laws of the Institute
Institute on Lake
Lake Superior Geology
Geology .......................................................

...

Membership Criteria
Criteria ......................................................................................................
VIII
viii
ix
Goldich Medal
Medal Guidelines
Guidelines...............................................................................................
ix

Goldich Medal Committee ...............................................................................................
xx
Past Goldich Medallists
Medallists ..................................................................................................
xi
Citation
xii
Citation for 2003
2003 Goldich
Goldich Medal
Medal Recipient
Recipient .....................................................................
xii
Eisenbrey Student
Eisenbrey
Student Travel
Travel Awards
Awards .................................................................................
xiv

Student
Student Travel Award Application
Application Form
Form .......................................................................
xiiv
Student
Student Paper
Paper Awards
Awards ...................................................................................................
xv

Student
xv
Student Paper
Paper Awards Committee
Committee ................................................................................
Session
Session Chairs
Chairs ..............................................................................................................
xv
Board
xvi
Board of Directors
Directors ........................................................................................................
xvi
Local
xvi
xvi
Local Committees
Committees.........................................................................................................
Banquet
xvi
Banquet Speaker
Speaker..........................................................................................................
xvi

Report
Report of the Chair of the
the 48th
48th Annual
Annual Meeting
Meeting............................................................
xvii
Program
xxi
xxi
Program .......................................................................................................................

List of Contributors
xxii
Contributors .......................................................................................................

...

Abstracts ...................................................................................................................
xxviii
Abstracts
XXVIII

III
iii

�INSTITUTES
LAKE SUPERIOR
GEOLOGY
INSTITUTES
ON LAKE
SUPERIOR
GEOLOGY

#

YEAR

PLACE
PLACE

CHAIRS
CHAIRS

1

1955

Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minnesota

C.E. Dutton
Dutton

2

1956

Houghton, Michigan
Houghton,
Michigan

A.K. Snelgrove
Snelgrove

3

1957

East Lansing, Michigan
Michigan

B.T. Sandefur

4

1958

Duluth, Minnesota
Minnesota

R.W. Marsden
Marsden

5

1959

Minneapolis, Minnesota

G.M. Schwartz &amp; C. Craddock
Craddock

6

1960

Wisconsin
Madison, Wisconsin

Cameron
E.N. Cameron

7

1961

Port Arthur, Ontario
Ontario

E.G. Pye
Pye

8

1962

Houghton, Michigan
Michigan

A.K. Snelgrove
A.K.
Snelgrove

9

1963

Duluth, Minnesota
Minnesota

H. Lepp
Lepp

10

1964

lshpeming, Michigan
Ishpeming,
Michigan

A.T. Broderick
Broderick

11

1965

St. Paul,
Paul, Minnesota
Minnesota

P.K. Sims &amp; R.K. Hogberg
Hogberg

12

1966

Sault Ste. Marie,
Marie, Michigan
Michigan

R.W. White

13

1967

Lansing, Michigan
East Lansing,
Michigan

W.J. Hinze
Hinze

14

1968

Superior,
Superior, Wisconsin
Wisconsin

A.B. Dickas
A.B.
Dickas

15

1969

Oshkosh, Wisconsin
Wisconsin

LaBerge
G.L. LaBerge

16

1970

Thunder Bay, Ontario
Ontario

M.W. Bartley
E. Mercy
Mercy
Bartley &amp; E.

17

1971

Duluth, Minnesota
Minnesota

D.M. Davidson
Davidson

18

1972

Houghton,
Houghton, Michigan
Michigan

J. Kalliokoski
Kalliokoski

19

1973

Madison, Wisconsin
Wisconsin

M.E. Ostrom
Ostrom

20

1974

Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario

P.E. Giblin
Giblin

21

1975

Marquette,
Marquette, Michigan
Michigan

J.D. Hughes
Hughes

22

1976

St. Paul, Minnesota
Minnesota

M. Walton

23

1977

Thunder Bay, Ontario
Ontario

M.M. Kehlenbeck
Kehlenbeck

24

1978

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Wisconsin

G. Mursky
Mursky

25

1979

Duluth,
Duluth, Minnesota
Minnesota

D.M. Davidson
Davidson

26

1980

Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Wisconsin

P.E. Myers
Myers

27

1981

East Lansing, Michigan
Michigan

W.C. Cambray
Cambray

28

1982

International
International Falls,
Falls, Minnesota
Minnesota

Southwick
D.L. Southwick

29

1983

Houghton,
Houghton, Michigan
Michigan

T.J. Bornhorst
Bornhorst
iv

�30

1984

Wausau,
Wausau, Wisconsin
Wisconsin

G.L. LaBerge
LaBerge

31

1985

Kenora, Ontario
Ontario

G.E.
C.E. Blackburn
Blackburn

32

1986

Wisconsin
Wisconsin Rapids,
Rapids, Wisconsin
Wisconsin

J.K. Greenberg
Greenberg

33

1987 Wawa,
Wawa,Ontario
Ontario

34

1988

Marquette, Michigan
Marquette,
Michigan

J. S. Klasner
Klasner

35

1989

Duluth, Minnesota
Minnesota

J.C. Green
Green

36

1990

Thunder Bay,
Bay, Ontario
Ontario

M.M. Kehlenbeck
Kehlenbeck

37

1991

Wisconsin
Eau Claire, Wisconsin

P.E. Myers
Myers

38

1992

Hurley, Wisconsin

A.B. Dickas
A.B.
Dickas

39

1993

Eveleth, Minnesota
Minnesota

D.L. Southwick
Southwick

40

1994

Houghton, Michigan
Michigan

T.J. Bornhorst
Bornhorst

41

1995

Marathon, Ontario
Ontario

M.C. Smyk

42

1996

Cable, Wisconsin
Wisconsin

L.G. Woodruff

43

1997

Sudbury, Ontario
Ontario

R.P. Sage &amp; W. Meyer
Meyer

44

1998

Minneapolis,
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minnesota

J.D. Miller
Miller &amp; M.A.
M.A. Jirsa
Jirsa

45

1999

Marquette,
Marquette, Michigan
Michigan

T.J. Bornhorst
R.S. Regis
Regis
Bornhorst &amp; R.S.

46

2000

Thunder Bay, Ontario
Ontario

S.A. Kissin &amp; P. Fralick
Fralick

47

2001

Madison, Wisconsin
Wisconsin

B.A. Brown
Brown
M.G. Mudrey, Jr. &amp; B.A.

48

2002

Kenora, Ontario
Ontario

P. Hinz &amp; R.C. Beard
Beard

49

2003

Iron
Iron Mountain,
Mountain, Michigan
Michigan

L.G. Woodruff &amp; W.F. Cannon
Cannon

E.D. Frey &amp; R.P. Sage
E.D.

V

�__________(some

CONSTITUTION
SUPERIOR
GEOLOGY
CONSTITUTION OF THE INSTITUTE ON
ON LAKE
LAKE SUPERIOR
GEOLOGY
(Last
1997)
(Last amended
amended by
by the
the Board—May
Board-May 8,
8,1997)

Article
Article II

Article
Article IIII

Article
Ill
Article III

Name
Name
The name
name of the
the organization
organization shall
shall be
be the
the "Institute
"Instituteon
on Lake
Lake
Superior Geology".
Geology".
Objectives
Objectives
The objectives
objectives of this
this organization
organization are:
are:
A. To
Toprovide
provideaameans
meanswhereby
wherebygeologists
geologistsin
inthe
the Great
GreatLakes
Lakesregion
regionmay
may
exchange
exchange ideas
ideas and
and scientific
scientificdata.
data.
B. To
Topromote
promotebetter
betterunderstanding
understandingof
of the
the geology
geology of
of the
the Lake
LakeSuperior
Superior region.
region.
C. To
plan
and
conduct
geological
field
trips.
To plan and conduct geological field trips.
Status
Status
No part of the income
income of the organization
organization shall insure
insure to the
the benefit
benefit of
of any
any
member or individual.
individual. In the event of dissolution,
dissolution, the assets
assets of the
the organization
organization
distributed to
shall be distributed
(some tax free
free organization).
organization).
(To avoid
avoid Federal
Federal and State
State income
income taxes, the organization
organization should
should be
be not
not only
only
"scientific"
'scientific" or "educational,
"educational, but
but also
also "non-profit")
"non-profit")

Article
Article IV
IV

Article V
Article
Article VI
Article
VI

Article VII
Article
VII

Article
Article VIII
VIII

Minn. Stat. Anno. 290.01, subd. 44
Minn. Stat. Anno. 290.05(9)
1954 Internal
1954
Internal Revenue
RevenueCode
Codes.501
s.501(c)(3)
(c)(3)
Membership
Membership
The membership
membership of the
the organization
organization shall
shall consist
consist of
of persons
personswho
who have
have
registered for an annual meeting
meeting within the past three years, and
and those
those who
who
indicate interest in being a member according to guidelines
guidelines approved
approved by
by the
Board of Directors.
Directors.
Meetings
Meetings
The organization
organization shall meet once a year. The
The place
placeand
andexact
exact date
dateof
of each
each
meeting
meeting will be designated
designated by the Board
Board of Directors.
Directors.
Directors
Directors
The Board
Board of Directors
Directors shall
shall consist
consist of the
the Chair,
Chair, Secretary-Treasurer,
Secretary-Treasurer,and
andthe
the
last three past
past Chairs;
Chairs; but
but if the
the board
board should
should at
at any
any time
time consist
consist of
of fewer
fewer than
than
five persons,
persons, by reason
reason of unwillingness
unwillingness or inability
inability of any
any of
of the
the above
above persons
persons
to serve as directors,
directors, the vacancies on the board
board may
may be
be filled
filled by
by the
the Chair
Chair so
so as
as
to bring
bring the membership
membership of the
the board
board to
to five
five members.
members.
Officers
Officers
The officers of this organization
organization shall
shall be
be aa Chair
Chair and
and Secretary-Treasurer.
Secretary-Treasurer.
A. The
TheChair
Chairshall
shallbe
beelected
electedeach
each year
year by
by the
the Board
Board of
of Directors,
Directors, who
who shall
shall
give due consideration
consideration to the wishes of any group
group that may
may be
be promoting
promoting the
the
next annual meeting. His/her
Hislher term
term of
of office
officeas
as Chair
Chair will
will terminate
terminate at
at the
the close
close of
of
helshe presides,
presides, or when his/her
hislher successor
successor shall
shall
the annual meeting
meeting over which he/she
have been appointed. He/she
Helshe will
will then
then serve
serve for aa period
period of
of three
three years
years as
as aa
member of the Board
Board of Directors.
Directors.
B. The
TheSecretary-Treasurer
Secretary-Treasurershall
shall be elected at the annual meeting. His/her
Hislher
term of office shall
shall be
be four years, or until
until his/her
hislher successor
successor shall
shall have
have been
been
appointed.
appointed.
Amendments
Amendments
This constitution may be amended
amended by a majority
majority vote (majority
(majority of
of those
those voting)
voting) of
of
the membership
membershipof
of the
the organization.
organization.

vi

�BY-LAWS
OFTHE
THE INSTITUTE
INSTITUTE ON LAKE
LAKESUPERIOR
SUPERIOR
GEOLOGY
BY-LAWS OF
GEOLOGY
I. Duties
I.
Duties of the Officers
Officers and Directors
Directors

A.
A. It shall be the duty of the Annual Chairman to:

1. Preside
Presideat
at the
theannual
annualmeeting.
meeting.
Appointall
allcommittees
committeesneeded
neededfor
for the
theorganization
organizationof
of the
theannual
annualmeeting.
meeting.
2. Appoint
3. Assume
Assumecomplete
completeresponsibility
responsibilityfor
for the
theorganization
organizationand
andfinancing
financing of
of the
the
annual
annual meeting
meeting over
over which
which he/she
helshepresides.
presides.
B. It shall be the duty of the Secretary-Treasurer
B.
Secretary-Treasurer to:
1. Keep
Keepaccurate
accurateattendance
attendancerecords
recordsof
of all
all annual
annual meetings.
meetings.
2. Keep
accurate
records
of
all
meetings
of,
and
correspondence
Keep accurate records of all meetings of, and correspondencebetween,
between,the
the
Board of Directors.
Directors.
3. Hold
Holdall
allfunds
fundsthat
thatmay
mayaccrue
accrueas
asprofits
profitsfrom
fromannual
annualmeetings
meetingsor
or field
fieldtrips
trips
and to make
make these
these funds
funds available
available for the
the organization
organization and
and operation
operationof
of
future meetings
meetings as
as required.
required.

C.
C. It shall be the duty of the Board
Board of Directors
Directors to plan
plan locations
locations of
of annual
annual

meetings
meetings and
and to advise on the organization
organization and
and financing
financing of
of all
all meetings.
meetings.

II. Duties
Duties and
and Exrenses
Expenses
A. Regular
Regularmembership
membershipdues
duesof
of $5.00
$5.00 or
or less
lesson
on an
an annual
annual basis
basis shall
shall be
be
assessed each member
member as determined
determined by
by the Board
Board of Directors..
Directors..
B. Registration
be determined
Registrationfees
feesfor
forthe
theannual
annualmeetings
meetingsshall
shallbe
determinedby
by the
the Chair
Chair in
in
of Directors. The
consultation with the Board of
The registration
registrationfees
fees can
can include
include
expenses to cover operations
operations outside of the annual
annual meeting
meeting as
as determined
determinedby
by
the Board
Board of Directors.
Directors. It is strongly recommended
recommended that registration
registration fees
fees be
be
kept at a minimum
minimum to encourage
encourage attendance
attendance of students.
students.

III.
Ill. Rules
Rules of Order
Order
The rules contained
contained in Robert's
Robert's Rules
Rules of Order
Order shall
shall govern
govern this
this organization
organizationin
in all
all
cases to which they
they are
are applicable.
applicable.

IV. Amendments
Amendments
amended by a majority
These by-laws
by-laws may be amended
majority vote (majority
(majority of those
those voting)
voting) of
of the
the
membership of the organization;
membership
organization; provided
provided that such modifications
modifications shall
shall not
not conflict
conflict
with the constitution
constitution as
as presently
presently adopted
adopted or
or subsequently
subsequentlyamended.
amended.
Last
Last Amended
Amended—
- May, 1996
1996

vii
vii

�MEMBERSHIP
CRITERIA
FOR
MEMBERSHIP
CRITERIA
FOR THE
THE
INSTITUTE
LAKE SUPERIOR
GEOLOGY
INSTITUTE
ON LAKE
SUPERIOR
GEOLOGY

Approved May
May 8,
8, 1997
1997

A. Membership
Membershipininthe
theInstitute
Instituteon
onLake
LakeSuperior
SuperiorGeology
Geologyrequires
requireseither
either participation
participationin
in
on aa regular
regular basis
basis of
of interest
interest in
in the
the Institute.
Institute. Those
Institute activities, or an indication on
Those
individuals
years unless:
unless:
individuals registering
registering for an
an annual
annual meeting
meeting will remain
remain as
as members
membersfor
for 44 years
1) they indicate no further interest in the Institute
Institute by
by responding
responding negatively
negatively to
to the
the
2) two
two
statement on meeting
meeting circulars
circulars "Remove
"Removemy
my name
name from
from the
the mailing
mailinglist";
list";or
or 2)
statement
successive mailings
mailings in different
different years are
are returned
returned by
by the
the postal
postal service
service as
as address
address
successive
unknown.
unknown.

Those individuals
individuals who have
have not
not registered
registered for
for an
an annual
annual meeting
meetingin
in the
the past
past44 years
years
B. Those
must indicate
indicate an interest
interest in
in the
the Institute
Institute by
by postal,
postal, electronic,
electronic, or
or verbal
verbal correspondence
correspondence
Secretary-Treasurer at least once every two
two years.
years. Such
with the Secretary-Treasurer
Such individuals
individuals will be
removed from the membership
membership ifif they
they indicate
indicate no
no further
further interest
interest in
in the
the Institute
Instituteor
or two
two
successive mailing
mailing in different
different years are
are returned
returned by
by the
the postal
postal service
service as
as address
address
successive
unknown.
unknown.
C. The
TheSecretary-Treasurer
Secretary-Treasurerwill
will maintain
maintain a list of current members. The
The list
list will
will include
include
of returned mail, dates of
of last
the date of the beginning of continuous membership, dates of
contact (expression
(expression of interest),
interest), and
and the
the date
date membership
membership expires,
expires, barring
barringaa change
changeof
of
status initiated by the member. Those
individuals
who
have
become
members
of
ILSO
Those individuals who have become members ILSG by
by
Section B will have an expiration date
date listed
listed at
at 22 years
years from
from the
the upcoming
upcoming meeting.
meeting. For
For
example, a member who expresses interest
interest in September of 1997
1997 (the
(the next
next annual
annual
meeting is May, 1998) will have an expiration date of May, 2000, unless
unless the member
member
contacts the Secretary-Treasurer
Secretary-Treasurer or attends
attends an
an annual
annual meeting.
meeting.
D. "Member
"Memberfor
for Life"
Life"status
statusisisgranted
grantedto
to individuals
individualswho
who have
have been
been (nearly)
(nearly) continuous
continuous
15 years,
years, Goldich
Goldich Medal
Medal recipients,
recipients, or
or those
those who
who
participants of the ILSG
ILSG meetings
meetings for 15
have served as meeting chairs. This
This status
status will
will be
be further
further maintained
maintained unless
unless the
the
mailings in
in different
different years
years are
are
individuals indicate no further interest
interest in the Institute,
Institute, or 4 mailings
returned by the postal service as address unknown,
unknown, or they are deceased.
deceased.
E. All
All members
memberswill
will be
be mailed
mailedthe
the First
First Circular
Circular for
for the
the Annual Meeting
Meeting and
and the ILSG
ILSG
Newsletter. The
The Chair
Chair of
of the
the annual
annualmeeting
meetingmay
may opt
opt to
to send
send the
the first
first circular
circular to
to
additional individuals. All
All returned
returned mail
mail should
should be
be reported
reported to the Secretary-Treasurer.
Secretary-Treasurer.
F. The
TheSecretary-Treasurer
Secretary-Treasurercan
candesignate
designateany
any individual
individual who is
is on the ILSG
ILSG membership
list (mailing list) as of January
January 1,
1, 1997
1997 as a member for life
life based
based on
on participation
participationin
in ILSG
ILSG
activities.
activities.

G. Members
Membersare
are strongly
stronglyencouraged
encouragedto
to send
send address
address corrections
corrections to
to the
the SecretarySecretaryTreasurer
Treasurer to avoid
avoid unintentional
unintentional lapse
lapse of
of membership.
membership.

VIII
viii

�GOLDICH MEDAL GUIDELINES

(Adopted by the
1981; amended 1999)
1999)
the Board of
of Directors, 1981;
Preamble
Preamble
Institute on
on Lake
Lake Superior
Superior Geology
Geology was
was born
born in
in 1955,
1955, as
as documented
documentedby
bythe
the fact
fact that
thatthe
the27th
27th
The Institute
annual meeting was held in 1981. The
TheInstitute's
Institute'scontinuing
continuingobjectives
objectives are
are to
to deal
deal with
with those
those
aspects of geology
geology that are
are related
related geographically
geographicallyto Lake
Lake Superior;
Superior; to
to encourage
encourage the
the discussion
discussionof
of
aspects
subjects and sponsoring field trips that will bring together
together geologists
geologists from
from academia,
academia, government
and industry;
industry; and
and to maintain
maintain an informal
informal but
but highly
highly effective
effective mode
modeof
of operation.
operation.
surveys, and

During the course of its existence,
existence, the membership
membership of the
the Institute
Institute (that
(that is,
is, those
thosegeologists
geologistswho
who
indicate an interest
interest in
in the objectives
objectives of the
the ILSG
ILSG by
by attending) has
has become
become aware
awareof
of the
the fact
fact that
that
indicate
colleagues have
have made
made particularly
particularly noteworthy
noteworthyand
and meritorious
meritorious contributions
contributionsto
to the
the
certain of their colleagues
understanding
understanding of Lake
Lake Superior
Superior geology
geology and
and mineral
mineral deposits.
deposits.
The first award
award was made
made by
by ILSG
ILSG to
to Sam
Sam Goldich
Goldich in
in 1979
1979for
for his
his many
manycontributions
contributionsto
tothe
thegeology
geology
of the region extending over about 50 years.
years. Subsequent
Subsequent medallists
medallists and
and this year's recipient
recipient are
listed
listed in the table
table below.
below.

Guidelines
Award Guidelines
1) The
The medal
medalshall
shall be
beawarded
awardedannually
annually by
by the ILSG Board of Directors to a geologist whose name
is associated with a substantial interest in, and contribution
contribution to, the geology of the Lake
Lake Superior
region.
region.
2) The
TheBoard
Boardof
of Directors
Directorsshall
shall appoint
appoint the Goldich Medal Committee. The
The initial
initial appointment
appointment will
for two
two years,
years, and
and one
one for
for one
one year.
year. The
be of three members, one to serve for three years, one for
The
briefest incumbency shall be chair
chair of
of the
the Nominating Committee.
Committee. After
member with the briefest
After the
the first
first
year, the Board
Board of Directors
Directors shall
shall appoint at each
each spring
spring meeting
meeting one
one new
new member
memberwho
who will
will serve
serve
years. In
the chair.
chair. The Committee
for three years.
In his/her
hislher third
third year this member shall be the
Committee membership
membership
geographic distribution
distribution of
of ILSG membership.
membership. The
should reflect the main fields of interest and geographic
The outoutgoing, senior member
member of the
the Board
Board of
of Directors
Directorsshall
shall act
act as
as liaison
liaisonbetween
betweenthe
the Board
Boardand
andthe
the
Committee for a period
Committee
period of one
one year.
3) By
Bythe
theend
endof
of November,
November,the
the Goldich
GoldichMedal
Medal Committee
Committee shall
shall make
make its
its recommendation
recommendationto
to the
the
Chair of the Board
Board of Directors,
Directors, who will then inform
inform the
the Board
Board of the
the nominee.
nominee.
4) The
TheBoard
Boardof
of Directors
Directorsnormally
normallywill
will accept
accept the
the nominee
nominee of
of the
the Committee,
Committee, inform
informthe
the medallist,
medallist,
medal engraved
and have one medal
engraved appropriately
appropriately for presentation
presentation at the next
next meeting
meetingof
of the
the Institute.
Institute.
recommended that the Institute
5) It is recommended
Institute set aside
aside annually from whatever sources,
sources, such
such funds
funds as
as will
will
required to support the continuing
be required
continuing costs of this award.
award.

Nominating Procedures
Nominatina
Procedures
1) The
The deadline
deadline for nominations
nominations is November 1. The
The Goldich
Goldich Medal
Medal Committee
Committee shall
shall take
time. Committee
nominations at any time.
Committeemembers
membersmay
maythemselves
themselves nominate
nominatecandidates;
candidates; however,
however,
Board members may
may not
not solicit for or
or support
support individual
individual nominees.
nominees.
2) Nominations
Nominationsmust
mustbe
beininwriting
writingand
andsupported
supportedby
byappropriate
appropriatedocumentation
documentationsuch
such as
as letters
letters of
of
recommendation, lists
recommendation,
lists of publications,
publications, curriculum
curriculum vita's,
vita's, and
and evidence
evidenceof
of contributions
contributionsto
to Lake
Lake
Superior geology and
and to the
the Institute.
Institute.

3) Nominations
Nominationsare
arenot
notrestricted
restrictedto
to Institute
Instituteattendees,
attendees, but
but are
are open
open to anyone
anyone who has worked on
and
and contributed
contributedto the
the understanding
understandingof
of Lake
LakeSuperior
Superiorgeology.
geology.

ix

�Selection Guidelines
Nomineesare
areto
tobe
beevaluated
evaluatedon
on the
the basis
basis of
of their
their contributions
contributionsto
to Lake
Lake Superior
Superior geology
geology
1) Nominees
(sensu
(sensu lato)
lato) including:
including:
a) importance
importanceof
of relevant
relevant publications;
publications;
b) promotion
promotionof
of discovery
discoveryand
andutilization
utilization of
of natural
natural resources;
resources;
c) contributions
contributionsto
tounderstanding
understandingof
of the
the natural
naturalhistory
history and
and environment
environment of the
the region;
region;
d) generation
generationof
of new
newideas
ideasand
and concepts;
concepts; and
and
e) contributions
contributionsto
to the
thetraining
trainingand
and education
education of
of geoscientists
geoscientists and
and the
the public.
public.
2) Nominees
Nomineesare
areto
tobe
beevaluated
evaluatedon
ontheir
their contributions
contributions to
to the
the Institute
Instituteas
as demonstrated
demonstratedby
by
attendance
attendance at
at Institute
Institutemeetings,
meetings, presentation
presentationof
of talks
talks and
andposters,
posters,and
andservice
serviceon
onInstitute
Instituteboards,
boards,
committees,
committees, and
and field
field trips.
trips.
3) The
Therelative
relativeweights
weightsgiven
givento
toeach
eachof
of the
theforegoing
foregoing criteria
criteria must
must remain
remainflexible
flexible and
andat
at the
the
discretion
discretion of the
the Committee
Committeemembers.
members.
4) There
Thereare
areseveral
severalpoints
pointsto
tobe
beconsidered
consideredby
bythe
the Goldich
Goldich Medal
Medal Committee:
Committee:
Anattempt
attemptshould
shouldbe
bemade
madeto
tomaintain
maintainaabalance
balanceof
of medal
medalrecipients
recipientsfrom
from each
eachof
of the
the
a) An
three estates—industry,
estates-industry, academia,
academia, and
and government.
government.
b) It must be noted
noted that industry
industry geoscientists are
are at aa disadvantage
disadvantage in
in that
that much
muchof
of their
their
work in
in not
not published.
published.

5) Lake
of
LakeSuperior
Superiorhas
hastwo
two sides,
sides, one
one the U.S., and the other Canada. This
This is
is undoubtedly
undoubtedly one of
the Institute's
Institute's great
great strengths
strengths and
and should
should be
be nurtured
nurturedby
by equitable
equitable recognition
recognition of
of excellence
excellenceininboth
both
countries.
countries.

GOLDICH
GOLDICH MEDAL
MEDAL COMMITTEE
COMMITTEE

Serving through the meeting year shown in parentheses
Frank
Frank Luther
Luther(2003)
(2003)
University of Wisconsin, Whitewater
Ron
R o n Sage
Sage (2004)
(2004)
Ontario Geological
Geological Survey
Survey (retired)
(retired)
David
David Meineke
Meineke (2005)
(2005)
Meriden Engineering,
Engineering, Hibbing,
Hibbing, Minnesota
Minnesota

Steve Kissin,
Kissin,as
asout-going
out-goingsenior
seniormember
member of
of Institute
Institute Board
Board of Directors,
Directors, is
is liaison
between Goldich Medal Committee and the Board through the 2004 meeting
meeting

x

�2003
2003GOLDICH
GOLDICHMEDAL
MEDALRECIPIENT
RECIPIENT

Klaus
Klaus J. Schulz
Schulz
U.S. Geological
Geological Survey
U.S.
Reston, Virginia
Virginia

GOLDICH MEDALISTS
MEDALISTS

1979 Samuel
SamuelS.
S.Goldich
Goldich

1991
Hinze
1991 William Hinze

1980 not
notawarded
a warded

1992 William
WilliamF.
F.Cannon
Cannon

1981

1993
1
993 Donald
DonaldW.
W. Davis
Davis

Carl E. Dutton,
Dutton, Jr.

1982 Ralph
RalphW.
W. Marsden
Marsden

1994 Cedric
CedricIverson
Iverson

1983 Burton
BurtonBoyum
Boyum

1995 Gene
GeneLaBerge
LaBerge

1984 Richard
RichardW.
W. Ojakangas
Ojakangas

1996 David
DavidL.
L.Southwick
Southwick

1985

1997 Ronald
RonaldP.
P. Sage
Sage

Paul K. Sims
Sims

1986 G.B.
G.B. Morey
Morey

ZelI Peterman
1998
Peterman
1998 Zell

1987 Henry
HenryH.
H. Halls
Halls

1999 Tsu-Ming
Tsu-MingHan
Han

1988 Walter
Walter S.
S. White
White

2000 John
JohnC.
C.Green
Green

1989 Jorma
JormaKalliokoski
Kalliokoski

2001
2001 John S. Klasner
Klasner

1990 Kenneth
KennethC.
C. Card
Card

2002 Ernest
ErnestK.
K.Lehmann
Lehmann

xi

�CITATION

Klaus J. Schulz
2003 Goldich Medal Recipient
Recipient
ning more
Klaus Schulz has had
had a long
long and
and productive
productivecareer
careerspan
spanning
more than
than 30
30 years
years

as a geologist
geologist in
in the
the Lake
Lake Superior
Superior region.
region. He
He was
was introduced
introducedto
to the
the geology
geologythrough
throughhis
his
education
education in the area, he
he completed
completed graduate
graduate studies
studies in
in the
the region,
region,performed
performedseveral
several

summers of field work for mining
mining companies in a number of different areas, and has

conducted extensive
extensive research
research as aa scientist
scientist with the U.S.
U.S. Geological
Geological Survey.
Survey. This
This
conducted
extensive
extensive and diverse
diverse experience
experience has
has made
made him
him a real
real authority
authority on
on the
the geology
geology of
of the
the

Lake Superior region.
Klaus
Klaus received
received his B.S. degree
degree in
in geology
geology from the
the University
Universityof
of WisconsinWisconsinOshkosh
Oshkosh in 1971.
1971. He
He completed
completed his
his Masters
Masters degree
degree at
at the
the University
Universityof
of MinnesotaMinnesotaDuluth
Duluth in 1974, with a thesis project
project in
in the
the Vermilion district
district of northern
northern Minnesota.
Minnesota. He
He
received
received his Ph.D. from the University
University of Minnesota
Minnesota in
in 1977
1977 with aa dissertation
dissertation on
on the
the
petrology
petrology of volcanic rocks
rocks in
in the Vermilion district.
district. Klaus
Klaus spent
spent the
the next
next two
two years
years as
as aa
National
National Research
Research Council
Council Research
Research Associate
Associate with NASA at the Johnson
Johnson Space
Space Center
Center
in Houston, where he studied
basaltic and ultramafic
ultramafic magma
magma types
types as
as analogs
analogs of
of
studied Archean basaltic

early planetary crust. In 1982, after three years as a faculty
faculty member at
at Washington
Washington
University
University in St. Louis,
Louis, Klaus
Klaus resigned
resigned his
his teaching
teaching position
position and
and joined the
the U.S.
U.S. Geological
Geological

Survey in Reston, VA, fulfilling a long-standing
long-standing dream
dream of
of his.
his. During
During the
the next
nexttwenty
twenty years
years
with the USGS Klaus
Klaus was a research
research scientist
scientist and administrator
administrator with a strong
strong interest
interestin
in
the geology of the Lake
Lake Superior
Superior region.
region.
The traits that have
have made
made Klaus
Klaus a success
success were evident early
early in
in his
his career.
career. In
In his
his
undergraduate days at Oshkosh,
undergraduate
Oshkosh, Klaus
Klaus distinguished
distinguished himself
himself as
as an
an avid
avid reader
reader of
of the
the

geological literature.
literature. As a junior in
in 1970,
1970, he
he wrote
wrote an
an outstanding
outstanding research
research paper
paper
discussing the similarities
similarities between
between Archean greenstone
greenstone belts
belts and
and modern
modern island
island arcs.
arcs. He
He
worked several summers doing fieldwork
fieldwork for Bear
Bear Creek
Creek Mining
Mining Company
Company in
in central
central
Wisconsin and northern Michigan, and for U.S.
U.S. Steel Corp.
Corp. in the
the Vermilion
Vermilion district
district of
of

northern Minnesota. This combination
combination of field work and
and a thorough
thorough knowledge
knowledgeof
of the
the
literature has continued
continued to be
be a hallmark
hallmark of his
his professional
professional career,
career, and
and has
has led
led to
to aa
number of significant
significant contributions
contributions to the
the geology
geology of the
the Lake
Lake Superior
Superiorregion.
region.

In the summer of 1971,
1971, Klaus
Klaus and
and William
William Spence
Spence discovered
discovered the
the Lake
LakeEllen
Ellen
kimberlite near Crystal Falls,
Falls, Michigan, while working as exploration
exploration geologists
geologists in
in the
the
area. Klaus was very much involved
involved in the recognition
recognition of the rock
rock as
as aa kimberlite.
kimberlite. This
This
was the first kimberlite
kimberlite discovered
discovered in
in the
the Lake
Lake Superior
Superior region.
region.
xl'

�Masters thesis involved
involved considerable
mapping in the Ely
Ely greenstone
greenstone belt
belt in
in
His Masters
considerable mapping
studies for his
his Ph.D.
Ph.D. dissertation
dissertation showed
showed that
that the
the Newton
Newton
Minnesota, and geochemical
geochemical studies
Lake Formation
Formation was a high-magnesium
high-magnesium basalt,
basalt, similar to komatiites.
komatiites. This
This was
was the
the first
first
documented occurrence
occurrence of
of komatiitic
komatiiticrocks
rocksin
in the
the Lake
LakeSuperior
Superiorregion.
region.
documented
In the early 1980's, his field mapping
mapping and geochemistry
geochemistry of rocks
rocks in
in the
the Pembine
Pembine
area
area of the
the Wisconsin
Wisconsin magmatic
magmaticterranes
terranesdemonstrated
demonstratedthe
thepresence
presenceof
ofophiolitic
ophioliticrocks.
rocks.
Again, this was the
the first
first documented
documentedophiolite
ophiolite in
in the
the Lake
Lake Superior
Superiorregion,
region,and
andshowed
showed

magmatic terranes were, at least in part, an oceanic island arc. His
that the Wisconsin magmatic
model for the
the evolution
evolution of
of the
the Marquette
MarquetteRange
RangeSupergoup
Supergoupon
onthe
thecontinental
continental
subsequent model
margin during
during the
the Penokean
Penokean orogeny
orogeny is
is an
an extension
extension of
of his
his familiarity
familiarity with
with the
the rocks
rocksininthe
the
margin
region combined
combined with his
his encyclopedic knowledge
knowledge of the geologic
geologic literature
literature on
on the
the
region
evolution of continental
continental margins.
margins.

Klaus also contributed
contributed to the GLIMPCE
GLIMPCE program,
program, which ultimately
ultimately provided
provided

significant insight into the structure and origin of the Mid-continent rift, and into its
magmatic
magmatic origin
origin and
and metallogeny.
metallogeny.

He has authored
authored and
and co-authored
co-authored more
more than 120
120 publications,
publications, maps,
maps, abstracts
abstracts

and field guides, including
including field
field guides
guides for the
the 1984,
1984, 1992,
1992, and
and 2003
2003 Institute
Institutemeetings.
meetings.
Klaus' contributions
contributions have provided
provided a better understanding
understanding of the
the Archean,
Archean, the
the
Early Proterozoic,
Proterozoic, the Middle Proterozoic, and the Phanerozoic history
history of the
the Lake
Lake

Superior region. And he continues
continues to be
be an active
active contributor
contributor on
on aa global
global stage,
stage, taking
taking the
the
knowledge
experience that he
knowledge and experience
he has gained
gained in the Lake
Lake Superior
Superior region
region and
and applying
applying itit
to international
international projects.
projects.

Therefore, it is my
my distinct
distinct pleasure
pleasure and
and honor
honor to present
present Klaus
Klaus Juergen
Juergen Schulz
Schulz as
as
the 2003 recipient
recipient of the Goldich Medal "For Outstanding Contributions To The Lake

Superior Region".
Region".
Submitted by Gene
Submitted
Gene L.
L. LaBerge
LaBerge

xiii

�____________________________________________
__________________________

EISENBREY STUDENT TRAVEL AWARDS

The 1986
1986 Board
Board of
of Directors
Directors established
established the
the ILSG
ILSG Student
Student Travel
Travel Awards
Awards to
to support
support student
student
participation at
at the annual meeting of
of the
the lnstitute.
Institute. The
The name
name "Eisenbrey"
"Eisenbrey" was added
added to the
award in 1998 to honor
honor Edward
Edward H. Eisenbrey
Eisenbrey (1926-1985)
(1926-1985) and utilize substantial contributions
made to the 1996
Eisenbrey
1996 Institute
lnstitute meeting
meeting in his name. "Ned"
"Nedt1
Eisenbreyisiscredited
creditedwith
withdiscovery
discoveryof
of
significant
scope was
was much
much
significant volcanogenic
volcanogenic massive
massive sulfide
sulfide deposits
deposits in
in Wisconsin,
Wisconsin, but
but his scope
broader—he
broader-he has been described as having
having unique
unique talents as an
an ore
ore finder,
finder,geologist,
geologist,and
and
teacher. These
are intended
to help defray
teacher.
These awards
awards are
intended to
defray some
some of the
the direct
direct travel
travel costs
costs of
of
attending Institute
lnstitute meetings, and include a waiver
waiver of registration fees, but
but exclude
exclude expenses
expenses
The annual Chair in
for meals,
meals, lodging,
lodging, and
and field
field trip
trip registration.
registration. The
in consultation
consultation with the
the
Secretary-Treasurerdetermines
determinesthe
the number
number of
of awards
will be
Secretary-Treasurer
awards and
and value.
value. Recipients
Recipients will
be
announced at the annual banquet.
banquet.
The annual Chair, who is
is responsible
responsible for the
the selection,
selection, will
will consider
consider the
the following
following general
general
criteria:
criteria:
1) The
Theapplicants
applicantsmust
musthave
haveactive
activeresident
resident (undergraduate
(undergraduateor
or graduate)
graduate) student
student status
status at
at
the time of the
the annual
annual meeting
meetingof
of the
the Institute,
lnstitute,certified
certifiedby
bythe
thedepartment
departmenthead.
head.
2) Students
Studentswho
who are
arethe
the senior
senior author
author on
on either
either an
an oral
oral or
or poster
poster paper
paper will
will be
be given
given favored
consideration.
consideration.
3) It is desirable for two or more
more students
students to jointly request
request travel
travel assistance.
assistance.
4) InIngeneral,
general,priority
prioritywill
willbe
begiven
givento
tothose
thoseininthe
the Institute
lnstituteregion
regionwho
who are
are farthest
farthest away
away from
from
the meeting
meeting location.
location.
5) Each
Eachtravel
travel award
award request
requestshall
shall be
be made
made in
in writing
writing to
to the
the annual
annual Chair, and
and should
should explain
other significant details.
details. The
need, student and author status, and other
The form
form below
below is
is optional.
optional.
Successful applicants will receive
receive their awards during the meeting.
meeting.

n

INSTITUTE ONLAKUPERIOAGEOLOGY

Application
Eisenbrey Student Travel Award Application

Student
Student Name:
Name:

Date:
Date:

Address:

email:

Department
Department Head-Typed
Head-Typed
Department
Educational Status:
Educational
Status:
Department Head-Signature
Head-S~gnature
Areyou
youthe
the
senior
author
anororal
or paper?
poster paper?
YES_
Are
senior
author
of anof
oral
poster
YESNO- NO_

Will any other
other students
students be
be traveling
travelingwith
with you?
you?

Who?
Who?

Statement
Statement of need
need (use
(use additional
additional page
page ifif necessary)
necessary)

Please
Please return
return to:
to:

xiv

�STUDENT PAPER AWARDS

Each year, the lnstitute
student presentations
presentations and
and honors
honors
Institute selects the best of the student
Funding for
for the
the award
award is
is generated
generated from
from registrations
registrations
presenters with a monetary award. Funding
of the annual meeting. The
TheStudent
StudentPaper
PaperCommittee
Committeeisis appointed
appointedby
by the
the annual
annual meeting
meeting
Chair in such a manner as to represent
represent aa broad
broad range
range of
of professional
professionaland
andgeologic
geologic
expertise. Criteria
Criteriafor
for best
beststudent
student paper—last
paper-last modified
modifiedby
by the
the Board
Board in
in 2001—follow:
2001-follow:
Thecontribution
contributionmust
mustbe
bedemonstrably
demonstrably the
the work
work of
of the
the student.
student.
1) The
2) The
student
must
present
the
contribution
in-person.
The student must present the contribution in-person.
TheStudent
StudentPaper
PaperCommittee
Committeeshall
shalldecide
decidehow
how many
manyawards
awards to
to grant,
grant, and
and whether
whether or
or
3) The
not to give separate awards for poster
poster vs. oral presentations.
presentations.
casesofofmultiple
multiplestudent
studentauthors,
authors,the
theaward
awardwill
will be
bemade
madeto
to the
the senior
senior author,
author,or
or
4) InIncases
award will be
be shared
shared equally by
by all
all authors
authors of the
the contribution.
contribution.
the award
Thetotal
totalamount
amountof
ofthe
theawards
awardsisisleft
leftto
tothe
thediscretion
discretionof
of the
themeeting
meetingChair
Chairand
and
5) The
Secretary-Treasurer,but
but typically
typically is
is in
in the
the amount
amount of
of about
about $500
$500 US
US (increase
(increaseapproved
approved
Secretary-Treasurer,
by Board,
Board, 10/01).
10101).
TheSecretary-Treasurer
Secretary-Treasurermaintains,
maintains,and
andwill
will supply
supply to
to the
the Committee,
Committee,aa form
form for
for the
the
6) The
numerical ranking of presentations.
presentations. This
Thisform
formwas
wascreated
createdand
andmodified
modifiedby
byStudent
Student
numerical
Paper Committees over several years in an effort to reduce
reduce the difficulties
difficultiesthat
that may
may arise
arise
from selection by raters of
of diverse
diverse background.
background. The use of the form is not required, but is
left to the discretion
discretion of the
the Committee.
Committee.
Thenames
namesof
ofaward
awardrecipients
recipientsshall
shall be
beincluded
includedas
as part
part of
of the
the annual
annual Chair's
Chair's report
report
7) The
that appears
appears in the next
next volume of the
the Institute.
lnstitute.
Student papers
papers will be noted
noted on the Program.
Program.

2003 STUDENT PAPER AWARDS COMMITTEE

Theodore
TheodoreBornhorst
Bornhorst- -Michigan
MichiganTechnological
TechnologicalUniversity,
University, Houghton,
Houghton, MI
MI -- Chair
Kevin
WI
KevinSikkila
Sikkila—
- Wisconsin Department of Transportation, Superior, Wl
Anne Argast
PurdueUniversity
University Fort
FortWayne,
Wayne, Fort Wayne,
Wayne, IN
Anne
Argast—
- Indiana
Indiana University
University —
- Purdue
Tim
Tim Flood
Flood—
- St. Norbert
Norbert College, De
De Pere,
Pere, WI
Wl
2003 SESSION CHAIRS

Peter
Ontario Geological Survey,
Survey, Kenora,
Peter Hinz
Hinz—
- Ontario
Kenora, ON
ON
Eric Jerde
Eric
Jerde--Morehead
MoreheadState
StateUniversity,
University, Morehead,
Morehead, KY
KY
James
James Miller
Miller- -Minnesota
MinnesotaGeological
GeologicalSurvey,
Survey,Duluth,
Duluth, MN
MN
Mike Mudrey,
Wisconsin Geological
Mike
Mudrey,Jr.
Jr.—
-Wisconsin
Geological and
and Natural
Natural History
History Survey,
Survey, Madison,
Madison, WI
Wl

xv

�2003 BOARD
OF
2003
BOARD
OFDIRECTORS
DIRECTORS
appointment continues
continues through
through the
the close
close of
of the
the meeting
meeting year
year shown
shown in
in parentheses,
parentheses, or
oruntil
untilaa
Board appointment
successor is selected

Laurel Woodruff
Woodruff Co-Chair
Co-Chair2003
2003meeting
meeting(2006)
(2006)
U.S. Geological
Geological Survey,
Survey, St.
St. Paul,
Paul, MN
MN
Peter Hinz
Hinz (2005)
(2005)
Geological Survey, Kenora, ON
Ontario Geological
Michael G. Mudrey, Jr. (2004)
Michael
(2004)
Wisconsin
Wisconsin Geological
Geological and
and Natural
NaturalHistory
HistorySurvey,
Survey, Madison,
Madison, WI
Wl
Stephen A.
A. Kissin
Kissin(2003)
(2003)
Lakehead University,
Lakehead
University, Thunder
Thunder Bay,
Bay, ON
ON
Hollings-Secretary-Treasurer (2006)
Peter Hollings-Secretary-Treasurer
(2006)
Lakehead University, Thunder
Lakehead
Thunder Bay,
Bay, ON
ON
A. Jirsa-Secretary-Treasurer-"erneritu~~~
Jirsa-Secretary-Treasu rer-"emeritus" (in
(in transition)
transition)
Mark A.
Minnesota Geological
Geological Survey,
Minnesota
Survey, St. Paul,
Paul, MN
MN

2003
COMMITTEES
2003LOCAL
LOCAL
COMMITTEES

General
General Co-Chairs
Co-Chairs
Laurel
Laurel G.
G. Woodruff
Woodruff—-U.S.
U.S.Geological
GeologicalSurvey,
Survey, St.
St. Paul,
Paul, MN
MN
William
F.
Cannon
—
U.S.
Geological
Survey,
Reston,
VA
William F. Cannon - U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA

and Abstracts
Abstracts Editors
Program and
Laurel
Laurel G.
G. Woodruff
Woodruff----U.S.
U.S.Geological
GeologicalSurvey,
Survey,St.
St. Paul,
Paul, MN
MN
Theodore J.
Theodore
J. Bornhorst
Bornhorst—-Michigan
MichiganTechnological
TechnologicalUniversity,
University,Houghton,
Houghton,MI
MI
Field Trip Guidebook Editor
Editor
William F.
William
F.Cannon
Cannon—- U.S.
U.S. Geological
GeologicalSurvey,
Survey, Reston,
Reston, VA
VA
Acting Local
Local Committee, Iron
lron Mountain
John Gartner
John
Gartner—
- Coleman
Coleman Engineering,
Engineering, Iron
lron Mountain,
Mountain, MI
MI
Connie Dicken
Connie
Dicken—
- U.S. Geological
Geological Survey, Reston,
Reston, VA
Sally LaBerge
Sally
LaBerge—
- Oshkosh,
Oshkosh, WI
WI

2003 BANQUET SPEAKER

Susan Martin
Martin
Department of Social
Department
Social Sciences
Sciences
Michigan Technological University
University
Houghton,
Houghton,Michigan
Michigan

The indigenous
indigenous people of the Lake Superior
Superior Basin:
Basin: Understanding
Understanding the links
links
among environment, geology and religious
religious belief

xvi
xvi

�48TH

Report of the Chair of the 4aTHAnnual Meeting
Meeting
Hinz, Co-Chair
Co-Chair ILSG
ILSG 2002
2002
Peter Hinz,
48th
The 4athAnnual Institute
lnstitute on Lake
Lake Superior
Superior Geology
Geology was hosted
hosted by
by the
the Ontario
Ontario Geological
Geological
9-12,
Survey on May 9-1
2, 2001. Principal
Principal local committee members
members were Peter
Peter Hinz
Hinz and
and
Richard C. Beard, co-chairs,
co-chairs, Carmen C. Storey, and
and Kevin
Kevin O'Flaherty
OrFIahertyProgram
Programco-chairs,
co-chairs,
Richard
McGowan-Hinz,Treasurer,
Charles E. Blackburn,
Blackburn, Field
Field Trip Co-ordinator,
Co-ordinator, M. Kathleen
Kathleen McGowan-Hinz,
and Christine C. Blackburn,
Blackburn, Secretary.
Secretary. Other principal
principal individuals
individuals are listed
listed in
in the
the
Proceedings
ProceedingsVolume.
Volume.
Attendanceat
atILSG
ILSG2001
2001
Attendance
A total of 97
97 professionals
professionalsand
and student
student professionals
professionalsattended
attendedthe
the meeting,
meeting,39
39of
of whom
whom
pre-registered by the April 2, 2001 deadline. A total of 8 students
pre-registered
students were
were registered,
registered,77 of
of
whom requested
requested and
and received
received travel
travel assistance.
Eisenbrey Student
Eisenbrey
Student Travel
Travel Awards
Awards2001
2001
Seven students
students requested
requested and
and received
received travel
travel assistance
assistance from
from the
the Eisenbrey
EisenbreyStudent
Student
Travel Award Fund
Fund established
established to support student
student participation
participation at
at the
the Annual
Annual Institute.
lnstitute.
Details, including criteria and application
application forms, are available
available at the ILSG
ILSG website.
Bogdan Nitescu
Bogdan
Nitescu
Claire
Claire Sturm
Sturm
Elizabeth Fein
Elizabeth
Fein
Justin Johnson
Johnson
Becky Rogala
Rogala
William Jahn
Jahn
Daniela
Daniela Vallini
Vallini

University of Toronto,
Toronto, Toronto, ON
University
ON
Oberlin
Oberlin College,
College, Oberlin,
Oberlin, OH
OH
Oberlin
Oberlin College,
College, Oberlin,
Oberlin, OH
OH
Lakehead University, Thunder Bay,
Lakehead
Bay, ON
ON
Lakehead University, Thunder Bay,
Lakehead
Bay, ON
ON
University of Minnesota - Duluth,
Duluth, Duluth,
Duluth, MN
MN
of Western Australia, Nedlands,
University of
Nedlands, WA

Meetin
Meetin Summary
Summary
tf
The 48 Annual
AnnualInstitute
lnstituteon
onLake
LakeSuperior
SuperiorGeology
GeologyAnnual
Annual Meeting
Meeting was held
held at the Best
Western Lakeside
Lakeside Inn
Inn and
and Convention
Convention Centre,
Centre, the
the same
same location
locationas
as the
the 1985
1985meeting.
meeting.
The one-and-a-half
days
of
technical
sessions
were
preceded
by:
Field
Trip
1
—
Tanco
one-and-a-half days of technical sessions were preceded by: Field Trip 1 - Tanco
Rare-Element
Rare-Element Pegmatite,
Pegmatite, Southeastern
Southeastern Manitoba
Manitoba led
led by
by staff of
of the
the Tantalum
TantalumMining
Mining
Corporation of Canada
Quaternary Geology of
- Quaternary
Corporation
Canada Ltd.;
Ltd.; followed
followedby
byField
FieldTrip
Trip22—
Southeastern Manitoba
Nielsen and Gaywood Matile
Matile (Manitoba
(Manitoba Geological
Geological
Southeastern
Manitoba led
led by E. Nielsen
Survey); and Field
Field Trip 3- Structure
Structure and
and Sedimentology
Sedimentology of the
the Seine
Seine Conglomerate,
Conglomerate,Mine
Mine
Centre Area, Ontario
Ontario lead
lead by
by Dyanna
Dyanna Czeck (Department
(Department of Geology,
Geology, Oberlin
Oberlin College)
College)
and Philip Fralick
Fralick (Department
(Department of Geology,
Geology, Lakehead
Lakehead University)
University)
Due to the small number
number of talks
talks submitted,
submitted, the
the Technical
Technical Session
Session Chairs
Chairs were
were unable
unable to
to
group talks into
into session
session themes. The
The meeting
meeting began
began with
with an
an anecdotal
anecdotal history
historyof
of mining
miningin
in
northwestern Ontario presented
O7FIaherty,followed
followed by
by regional
regional scale
scale talks
talks on
on
northwestern
presented by
by Kevin
Kevin O'Flaherty,
the Western
Western Superior
Superior Province.
Province. The
Theremainder
remainderof
ofthe
thetechnical
technicalsessions
sessionsincluded
includedaabroad
broad
range of talks focusing
focusing on
on ground
ground water,
water, petrography,
petrography,sedimentology,
sedimentology,mineralogy
mineralogyand
and
structural topics. The final
final session
session ended
ended at noon,
noon, allowing
allowing for an
an early
early departure
departure of
of Field
Field
Trip
Trip 66 to
to Red
RedLake.
Lake. Post
Postmeeting
meetingtrips
tripsincluded:
included:Field
FieldTrip
Trip44—
- Industrial
IndustrialMinerals
Mineralsand
and
Paleozoic Geology
5 - Separation
SeparationRapids
RapidsRareRareGeology of Southeastern
SoutheasternManitoba;
Manitoba;Field
FieldTrip
Trip5—
Element Pegmatite
Geology of
of the Red Lake
- Geology
Lake Camp.
Camp. All
All
Pegmatite Field,
Field, Ontario;
Ontario;and
andField
FieldTrip
Trip66—
field
field trips
trips ran
ran smoothly
smoothly considering
considering the
the frigid
frigid conditions
conditionsof
of early
earlyMay
Mayin
innorthwestern
northwestern
Ontario. ILSG Secretary
Secretary -Treasurer,
-Treasurer, Mark
Mark Jirsa
Jirsa was the
the lone
lone participant
participant of
of Field
FieldTrip
Trip 66
successful in obtaining samples
samples from
from Goldcorp's
Goldcorp's Red
Red Lake
Lake Mine
Mine in
in Red
Red Lake.
Lake.He
Hewas
was
able to do this
this by
by cunningly
cunningly embedding
embedding the
the samples
samples in
in the
the back
back of
of his
hisneck.
neck.Upon
Upon
returning to Kenora
Kenora the samples were proudly
proudly displayed
displayed in a baggy
baggy kindly
kindly supplied
supplied by
by the
the
staff of Red
Red Lake's
Lake's Margaret
MargaretCochenour
CochenourMemorial
MemorialHospital
Hospitalemergency
emergencyroom.
room.
xvii
xvii

�Goldich Award
Annual Banquet
Banquet and Goldich
the Annual
Annual Banquet
Banquet Ted
Ted DeMatties
DeMatties presented
presentedthe
the citation
citation for
for Ernest
ErnestK.
K.Lehmann,
Lehmann,
At the
Goldich Medal
Medal for 2002 for his
his contributions
contributions to
to the
the Institute
lnstituteand
and Lake
Lake
recipient of the Goldich
Superior Geology. L. Harvey
Harvey Thorliefson,
Geological Survey of Canada,
Canada, provided
provided aa
Thorliefson, Geological
scintillating discussion on The Search
Search for Diamonds
Diamonds in
in Canada
Canada for the
the after
after dinner
dinner
address. Laurel Woodruff and
and Bill
Bill Cannon
Cannon of the
the U.S.
U.S. Geological
Geological Survey
Survey invited
invited
49th
participants
the 4gth
Meeting in
in Iron
Iron Mountain,
Mountain, Michigan.
Michigan.
participants to the
Annual Meeting
2002 Best Student
Student Paper Awards
Awards
1) Becky
Becky Rogala
Rogala-- Lakehead
LakeheadUniversity,Thunder
University,Thunder Bay,
Bay, Ontario
Ontario ($400, oral presentation)
presentation)
formation from the Sibley
New in
information
Sibley Group
Group
2) Elizabeth
ElizabethFein
Fein-- Oberlin
OberlinCollege,
College, Oberlin,
Oberlin, Ohio
Ohio ($50,
($50, poster;
poster; Co-authors
Co-authors C.L.
C.L. Sturm
Sturm
and D.M. Czeck) Anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility in the Ottertail
Ottertailpluton,
pluton,
Northern Ontario
Ontario
3) Claire
ClaireSturm
Sturm-- Oberlin
OberlinCollege,
College, Ohio
Ohio($50,
($50, oral;
oral; Co-authors
Co-authorsD.M.
D.M. Czeck
Czeck and
and E.
E. Fein)
Fein)
Petrographic study of the
Petrographic
the Ottertall
Ottertail pluton, Superior
Superior Province,
Province, Northwestern
NorthwesternOntario
Ontario
Student Travel Awards
2002 Eisenbrey Student
Awards
1) Bogdan
BogdanNitescu
Nitescu-- University
Universityof
of Toronto,
Toronto, Toronto,
Toronto, ON
ON ($250)
($250)
2) Claire
OberlinCollege,
College,Oberlin,
Oberlin,Ohio
Ohio($200)
($200)
ClaireSturm
Sturm--Oberlin
3) Elizabeth
ElizabethFein
Fein-- Oberlin
OberlinCollege,
College,Oberlin,
Oberlin, Ohio
Ohio ($200)
($200)
4) Justin
LakeheadUniversity,
University,Thunder
Thunder Bay,
Bay, ON
ON ($150)
($150)
JustinJohnson
Johnson--Lakehead
5)
Becky
Rogala
Lakehead
University,
Thunder
Bay,
ON
($150)
5 ) Becky Rogala - Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, ON ($150)
6) William
WilliamJahn
Jahn--University
Universityof
of Minnesota,
Minnesota, Duluth,
Duluth, MN
MN ($150)
($150)
7) Daniela
Universityof
of Western
WesternAustralia,
Australia,Nedlands,
Nedlands, WA
WA ($400)
($400)
DanielaVallini
Vallini--University

2002 Goldich
Goldich Medal Recipient
2002
Ernest K. Lehmann
Lehmann
Archives Donation
MTU Archives
Donation
A check
check for
for $100
$100 was
was sent
sent to
to Michigan
Michigan Technological
TechnologicalUniversity
UniversityArchives,
Archives, as
as required
requiredby
by
Board agreement ($1 per
per participant
participant per
per meeting),
meeting), for
for maintenance
maintenanceof
of ILSG
ILSGproceedings
proceedings
archives.
archives.
Proceedings
Proceedings including Part
Part 11 (Programs
(Programs and
and Abstracts) and
and Part
Part 22 (Field
(Field Trip
Trip Guidebook)
Guidebook)
are available
available from
from the
the Institute:
lnstitute:
Institute on Lake Superior Geology
lnstitute
do
c/o Mark
Mark Jirsa,
Jirsa, Secretary
Secretary -- Treasurer
Treasurer
Minnesota
Minnesota Geological
Geological Survey
2642 University
University Avenue
St. Paul
Paul MN
MN 55114-1
55114-1057
057
612.627.4539
Phone: 61
2.627.4539 Fax:
Fax: 612.627.4778
612.627.4778
e-mail: jirsaOO1
jirsaool @tc.umn.edu
@tc.umn.edu

xviiiii
xvi

�48th

ANNUAL INSTITUTE ON LAKE SUPERIOR GEOLOGY BOARD OF DIRECTOR'S
MEETING

Board of Directors
Directors
Peter Hinz (2002
(2002General
GeneralChair)
Chair)
Michael Mudrey
Mudrey (2001
(2001 Co-chair)
Co-chair)
Steve Kissin
Kissin (2000
(2000 Co-chair)
Co-chair)
Laurel Woodruff: Proxy
Proxy for Ted
Ted Bornhorst
Bornhorst (1999
(1999 Co-chair
Co-chairand
and liaison
liaisonwith
with Goldich
Goldich
committee)
committee)
Mark Jirsa (Institute
(Institute Secretary-Treasurer)
Secretary-Treasurer)
Guests
Guests
Phil Fralick
Fralick (2000
(2000 Co-chair)
Co-chair)
Carmen
Carmen Storey
Storey (2003
(2003 Program
ProgramChair)
Chair)
O'Flaherty (2003
Kevin O'Flaherty
(2003 Program
ProgramChair)
Chair)
Bill Cannon (proposed
2003
Co-chairs)
(proposed 2003 Co-chairs)
Rod Johnson (Goldich
(Goldich Committee)
Committee)
Frank Luther (Goldich
(Goldich Committee)
The
The following
following is based on the secretaries' notes
notes and
and recollection;
recollection; any
any omissions
omissions or
or
unintentionaL Motions
misstatements are unintentional.
Motions by
by the
the Board
Board of Directors
Directors are
are generally
paraphrased—"approved"
paraphrased-"approved" or
or "accepted"
"accepted"implying
implying that
that aa motion
motionwas
wasmade,
made,
seconded, and passed unanimously. The
Theexpression
expression"generally
"generallyagreed"
agreed" carries
carriesless
less
be pursued.
pursued. Some
formality, but indicates a directive that will be
Some issues
issues that
that were
were
conference are
are included
included here
here for
for
resolved after the Board meeting, but during the conference
closure.
closure.
MINUTES
MINUTES
1. Accepted
Acceptedreport
reportof
of the
the Chairs
Chairsfor
for the
the 47th
47th ILSG,
ILSG, Madison,
Madison, Wisconsin;
Wisconsin; as
as printed
printed in
in the
the
Proceeding Volume (Mudrey), and minutes of last Board
Board meeting,
meeting, May
May 10,
10, 2001 (Jirsa)
(Jirsa)
2. Received,
Received,discussed,
discussed, and
andaccepted
accepted2001-2002
2001-2002 ILSG
ILSG Financial
FinancialSummary
Summary (Jirsa).
(Jirsa).
(4gth
3. Discussed
annual) meeting
Discussedand
and approved
approved 2003
2003 (4gth
meeting location—Iron
location-Iron Mountain,
Mountain,
Michigan,
Michigan, and tentative co-chairs
co-chairs Laurel
Laurel Woodruff
Woodruff and
and Bill
Bill Cannon,
Cannon,USGS.
USGS.As
As currently
currently
envisioned, Ted Bornhorst
Bornhorst will handle
handle logistics
logistics of field
field trips.
4. Approved
ApprovedPeter
PeterHinz
Hinzas
ason-going
on-goingILSG
ILSGBoard
Boardmember.
member.
5. Discussed
Discussedreplacing
replacingRod
RodJohnson
Johnsonas
as the
the "member
"member from
from industry"
industry" on
on Goldich
Goldich
Committee
Committee (end
(end of term
term 2002)
2002) with
with several
several candidates
candidates including
including Dave
Dave Meineke
Meinekeof
of Meriden
Meriden
Engineering,
Hibbing,
Minnesota.
Dave
later
accepted
the
position
and
was
welcomed,
Engineering,
Minnesota. Dave later accepted the position and was welcomed,
and Rod was thanked for his service to the Institute, during the
the annual banquet. Dave's
Dave's
term will end after Goldich
Goldich selection
selection for the
the meeting
meeting of
of 2005.
2005.
6. Discussed
Discussedreplacement
replacementof
of Mark
MarkJirsa
Jirsaas
as ILSG
ILSGSecretary-Treasurer
Secretary-Treasurer(end
(endof
of 4-year
4-year term
term
2002). A new member
member to the
the Institute,
Institute, Peter
Peter Hollings,
Hollings,Lakehead
LakeheadUniversity
Universityin
in Thunder
Thunder
Bay, was installed
installed as "Secretary-Treasurer
"Secretary-Treasurer in-training," pending
pending a vote
vote by
by the
the general
general
membership
membership (as
(as required
required in
in By-Laws).
By-Laws). Because
Because of his
his newness
newness to
to the
the Institute,
Institute,the
the board
board
generally agreed that Peter
Peter would serve 2 years of the
the 4-year term
term concurrently
concurrentlywith
with Mark
Mark
in a period
period of transition. At the
the end
end of the
the 22 years
years (following
(followingthe
the 2004
2004 meeting),
meeting),the
the
finances and records
records of the
the institute,
institute, and
and responsibilities
responsibilitiesof the
the position
positionwould
would fall
fall to
to Peter.
Peter.

was generally
generally
This was presented to the membership after the Board meeting, and was
accepted.
accepted.
7. Other
Other business:
business:
a) Discussed
Discussed the offer by
by Mike
Mike Mudrey
Mudrey to take
take over as
as ILSG
ILSG webmaster—It
webmaster-It was
was
generally agreed that Mike
Mike could
could do that, assuming
assuming Ted
Ted was
was busy
busy with
with other
other
obligations and probably
probably would not mind
mind the relief.
relief. Subsequent
Subsequent discussions
discussions indicate
indicate
xix
xix

�that Ted
Ted would
would like
like to
to continue
continuein
in this
this endeavor,
endeavor, and
and has
has already
alreadypaid
paidin
inadvance
advancefor
for
that
55 years
years of
of web
web service
service to
to continue.
continue. ItIt remains
remains in
in Ted's
Ted's hands.
hands.
b) Discussed
Discussedefforts
effortsby
by Graham
GrahamWilson
Wilsonto
to list
listILSG
ILSGpublications
publicationsas
aspart
partofofhis
his
b)
MINLIB project and
S t e v e Kissin
Kissin volunteered
volunteered to
and website (www.turnstone.ca) -—Steve
contact Graham
Graham and
and see
see ifif there
there isis anything
anythingthat
that the
the ILSG
ILSGcan
canand
andshould
shoulddo
doto
to
contact
assist.
assist.
Discussedthe
the prospect
prospect of
of extending
extending aa "free
"free ride"
ride" to
to annual
annual Goldich
GoldichMedal
Medal
c) Discussed
recipients. ItIt was
was generally
generally agreed
agreed that
that registration
registrationcosts
costs should
shouldbe
bepaid
paidby
bythe
the
recipients.
annual meeting
meeting committee,
committee, and
and that
that lodging,
lodging, meals,
meals, and
and travel
travel costs
costscould
couldbe
bepaid,
paid,
annual
at the
the discretion
discretion of
of the
the annual
annual meeting
meetingchairs.
chairs.
Discussed the
the ILSG
ILSG Newsletter—Peter
NewsletterÃ‘Pete Hinz
Hinz has
has offered
offeredto
to write
write ititbeginning
beginninginin
d) Discussed
2004 or
or so.
so. He
Hecan
cancoordinate
coordinatewith
with Ted
TedBornhorst
Bornhorstabout
aboutthat
thattransition.
transition.The
Thetopic
topicofof
2004
whether the
the Newsletter
Newslettershould
shouldremain
remainpaper,
paper, or
or be
bechanged
changedto
toaawholly
whollyelectronic
electronic
whether
format was
was discussed
discussedand
andtabled.
tabled. Most
Mostseemed
seemedto
to think
think we
weshould
shouldeventually
eventuallyswitch
switch
format
to
to aa web-based
web-basednewsletter,
newsletter,perhaps
perhapswith
with email
emailnotification.
notification.This
Thisraised
raisedaafurther
further
issue that members
members must
must be
be encouraged
encouraged to
to notify
notify the
the secretary-treasurer
secretary-treasurerof
of
issue
changes
in
email
address
or
other
status.
changes in email address or other status.
e) Questionable
Questionablesampling—An
sampling~An
issuewas
was raised
raisedthat
that at
at least
leastone
onegroup
groupof
ofregular
regular
e)
issue
meeting
meeting participants
participants has
has aa tradition
tradition of
of using
using guidebooks
guidebooksto
to locate
locateplaces
placesfor
formassive
massive
sampling programs.
programs. In
In this
this one
one case,
case, samples
samples are sold
sold to Wards
Wards or other
other rock
rock and
and
sampling
1) some
some of
of the
the localities
localitiesdiscussed
discussedin
in
mineral specimen
specimen dealers.
dealers. The
The problems
problems are
are 1)
mineral
guidebooksare
are on
on private
privateland
land(and
(andtherefore
thereforetrespassing
trespassingisislikely),
likely),and
and2)
2)taking
taking
guidebooks
large amounts
amountsof
of sample
samplefrom
fromsome
somelocalities
localitieslimits
limitsthe
theuse
useof
ofthese
thesesites
sitestotofuture
future
large
generations.ItItwas
was generally
generallyagreed
agreedthat
that ILSG
ILSGwould
would print
printinintheir
theirguidebooks
guidebooksaa
generations.
Policy Statement
Statement that
that warns
warns of this
this "questionable
"questionablesampling
sampling practice."
practice." Mark
Mark Jirsa
Jirsa will
will
Policy
create
create such
such language
languagefor
for inclusion
inclusionin
infuture
futureguidebooks.
guidebooks.
f)f) Discussed
Hinz
abstracts~peter
Hinzwarns
warns from
fromexperience
experiencethat
that
Discusseddigital
digitalsubmission
submission of
of abstracts—Peter
this practice
practice can
can easily
easilyturn
turn into
intoaa nightmare
nightmarefor
for preparers,
preparers,particularly
particularlyififthe
the
this
submitters don't
don't follow
follow (or
(or the
the host
host organization
organization doesn't specify)
specify) rigid
rigid guidelines
guidelines for
submitters
submission
formats. Adjournment
Adjournment
submission formats. This
This includes
includes both
both text and illustration formats.
Respectfully
Respectfullysubmitted
submittedon
on January
January 27,
27, 2003
2003to
to Peter
PeterHinz,
Hinz,Chair
Chair of
of the
the48th
48thannual
annual
meeting,
meeting, for
for incorporation
incorporationinto
intothe
theReport
Reportof
of the
theChair
Chairto
toappear
appearininProceedings
ProceedingsVolume
Volume
49.
49.
Mark
Mark Jirsa,
Jirsa, Secretary-Treasurer,
Secretary-Treasurer,Institute
Instituteon
onLake
LakeSuperior
SuperiorGeology
Geology

xx

�0
0

-o

PROGRAM

&gt;&lt;

x

xxi

�49th
The following companies made generous contributions to the 4gth
Annual
Meeting.
Meeting. We thank them and
and John
John Gartner
Gartner of
of the
the Local
Local Committee
Committee for
for
their commitment
to
the
Institute
on
Lake
Superior
Geology.
For
almost
commitment
the Institute on Lake Superior Geology. For almost
50 years this
sustained interests
interests of
this organization
organization has thrived through
through the sustained
individuals,
corporations,
universities,
and
government
agencies
individuals, corporations, universities, and government agencies in the
the
international
geologic community.
community. This
This dedication
dedicationtoto an
an exchange
of
international geologic
exchange of
scientific ideas and aa passion for
for field
field trips
trips (even
(even in
in driving
driving rain
rain or
or snow)
snow)
has enabled the ILSG to
to fulfill
fulfill one
one of
of its
its primary
primary objectives:
objectives: to promote
better understanding of the geology in the Lake Superior region.

Kleiman Pump &amp;
Well Drilling,
&amp;Well
Drilling, Inc.
Inc.
P.O. Box
Box 704
704
Iron Mountain, Michigan 49801-0704
49801-0704
Prime Meridian
Meridian Resources
Resources Ltd.
Ltd.
N7478 Niagara
Niagara Lane
Lane
Fond du Lac,
Lac, WI
Wl 54935
54935

Coleman Engineering
Engineering Company
Company
635 Circle Drive
Drive
Iron Mountain, MI 49801
49801

xxii

�+

WEDNESDAY MAY 7, 2003

8:00 a.m.
TRIP
8:00
a.m.FIELD
FIELD
TRIP1:1WISCONSIN
: WISCONSINMAGMATIC
MAGMATICTERRANE
TERRANE (#1
(#I IN
IN GUIDEBOOK)
GUIDEBOOK)

Klaus Schulz, U.S. Geological
Geological Survey
Oshkosh, emeritus
Gene LaBerge,
LaBerge, University
University of
of Wisconsin
Wisconsin—
- Oshkosh,
2: THE
ORE
8:00 a.m. FIELD TRIP 2:
THEREPUBLIC
REPUBLICMINE
MINE—
- LIFE
LIFE CYCLE
CYCLEOF
OF AN IRON ORE
FROM GENESIS
GENESIS TO
TO RECLAMATION
RECLAMATION(#4
(#4 IN GUIDEBOOK)
GUIDEBOOK)
DEPOSIT FROM

William
William Cannon, U.S.
US. Geological
Geological Survey
John Meier,
Meier, Cleveland
Cleveland Cliffs
Cliffs Iron
Iron Company
Company

6:00 p.m.
p.m. Return
Return of Trips 11 and
6:00
and 2
4:00 p.m.
p.m. -- 8:00
8:00p.m.
p.m. Registration
Registration
7:00 p.m.
p.m. -- 9:00
9:00p.m.
p.m. Ice Breaker Social and Poster Setup

THURSDAY MAY 8, 2003

8:00 a.m. -- 9:00
9:00a.m.
a.m.REGISTRATION
REGISTRATION
Note: Technical
Technical Sessions
Sessionsare
are in
inWhite
White Spruce,
Spruce, Pine
Pine Mountain
Mountain Resort
Resort
+ Denotes
Denotes Student Presentation
Presentation

8:15 a.m.
8:15
a.m. INTRODUCTORY
INTRODUCTORYREMARKS
REMARKS
Laurel
Laurel G. Woodruff and
and William
William F.
F. Cannon,
Cannon, Co-Chairs
Co-Chairs
TECHNICAL
TECHNICAL SESSION
SESSION II
Session Chair: Jim Miller, Minnesota
Minnesota Geological Survey, Duluth, MN
MN

-

8:30 a.m. Harold
HaroldBernhardt
Bernhardt- Menominee
MenomineeRange
RangeHistorical
HistoricalFoundation
FoundationMuseum
Museum
A brief history
history of iron
iron mining
mining on
on the
the Upper
Upper Peninsula's
Peninsula's Menominee
MenomineeIron
Iron Range
Range

9:00 a.m.
a.m. Cannon,
Cannon, W.F.,
W.F., LaBerge,
LaBerge, G.L.
GL. and Klasner,
Klasner, J.S.
J.S.
Niagara suture
suture zone, northern
northern Michigan
Michigan and
and Wisconsin—tectonics
Wisconsin-tectonics in
in the
the 1.85
1.85
Ma arc-continent
arc-continent collisional
collisional boundary
boundary
9:30 a.m.
a.m. Schulz,
Schulz, K.
9:30
A Paleoproterozoic
Paleoproterozoic suprasubduction
suprasubduction zone ophiolite-island
ophiolite-island arc
arc complex
complex in
northeastern
northeastern Wisconsin
Wisconsin
10:00
10:OO a.m.
a.m. COFFEE
COFFEEBREAK
BREAKAND
ANDPOSTER
POSTER SESSION
SESSION

10:40 a.m.
a.m.Schneider,
Schneider, D.A.,
D.A., Holm,
HoIm, D.K.,
D.K., O'Boyle,
O'Boyle, C.,
C., Hamilton,
Hamilton, M. and Jercinovic,
Jercinovic, M.
10:40
M.
Paleoproterozoic development of a gneiss dome corridor in the
the southern
southern Lake
Lake
Superior region, USA
USA
11:00
a.m. Holm,
Hoim, D.K.,
D.K, Van
11:OO a.m.
Van Schmus,
Schmus, W.R.,
W.R., MacNeill,
MacNeill, L.C.,
L.C., Boerboom,
Boerboom, T.J.,
T.J.,
Schweitzer,
Schweitzer, D.
D. and
and Schneider,
Schneider,D.A.
D.A.
Late Paleoproterozoic (1900-1600
(1900- 1600 Ma) tectonic history of the
the northern
northern midmidU.S.A.:
Implicationsfor
for crustal
crustalstabilization
stabilization
continent, U.
S.A. :Implications
11:20
a.m. Medaris,
Medaris, L.G.,
L.G., Jr.
Jr. and Dott,
11
:20 a.m.
Dott, R.H.,
R.H., Jr.
The Sioux Quartzite
metamorphism, geochemistry
Quartzite revisited: sedimentology, metamorphism,
geochemistry and
and
the origin of pipestone
11:40
p.m. Smyk, M.C.
1
1:40 p.m.
The
planned activities
activities and
The Lake
Lake Nipigon
Nipigon Geoscience
GeoscienceInitiative
Initiative—
- planned
and objectives
objectives
xxiii
xxiii

�12:00
p.m. Lunch
Poster Session
Session and
12:OO p.m.
LunchBreak
Break—
- Poster
and ILSG
ILSG Board
BoardMeeting
Meeting(by
(byinvitation)
invitation)

TECHNICAL SESSION
SESSION IIII
TECHNICAL
Session Chair: Mike
MikeMudrey,
Mudrey, Jr.,
Jr., Wisconsin
Wisconsin Geological
Geological Survey,
Survey, Madison,
Madison, WI
Wl
1:30
p.m. •: Heggie,
Heggie, G.
G. and
and Hollings,
Hollings, P.
1
:30 p.m.
P.
Geochemistry and mineralization of the Seagull Intrusion, Northern Ontario
Geochemistry
Ontario
+:+

p.m.++:•:•Johnson,
Johnson,J.R.,
J.R.,Hollings,
Hollings, P.
P. and
and Kissin,
Kissin, S.A.
1:50 p.m.
Mineralization
Mineralization of the Norton Lake Cu-Ni-PGE
Cu-Ni-PGE deposit
2:10 p.m. Miller, J.
J. D., Jr.
2:lO
Petrology and PGE potential of the Greenwood Lake Intrusion, central
central Duluth
Complex, Lake County,
County, Minnesota
Minnesota

p.m. •: Joslin,
Joslin, G.D.,
Miller, J.D., Jr. and
2:30 p.m.
G.D., Miller,
and Rowell,
Rowell,W.F.
W.F.
Stratiform Pd-Pt-Au mineralization in the Sonju Lake Intrusion, Lake County,
Minnesota
Minnesota
+:+

2:50 p.m.
p.m. +
+ Marma, J.,
J., Brown,
Brown, P.
2:50
P. and
and Hauck,
Hauck, S.
S.
Magmatic
Magmatic and hydrothermal
hydrothermal PGE mineralization
mineralization of the Birch
Birch Lake
Lake Cu-Ni-PGE
Cu-Ni-PGE
Deposit
Deposit in the
the South
South Kawishiwi, Duluth Complex, northeast
northeast Minnesota
Minnesota
3:10 p.m.
3:lO
p.m.COFFEE
COFFEEBREAK
BREAKAND
ANDPOSTER
POSTER SESSION
SESSION

Waggoner, T.
3:30 p.m. Waggoner,
T.
Marquette Range perspective
A hydrothermal
hydrothermal component
component of
of Iron
IronFormations
Formations—A
-A Marquette

p.m. Tsu-Ming
Tsu-Ming Han
3:50 p.m.
Han
Mode of occurrence
occurrence of trona
trona and
and thermonatrite
thermonatrite and
and their
their possible
possible origin
origin in
in the
the
Iron-Formation of the Marquette
Negaunee Iron-Formation
Marquette Range, Lake Superior District,
District, USA
USA
4:10 p.m. Blaske,
Blaske, A.R.
4:lO
A.R.
Mississippi-Valley
at Bellevue, Michigan
Geology of the MississippiValley type mineralization at

4:20 p.m.
p.m. + Larson,
Larson, P.
4:20
P.
Mean transport length in tills of the southern portion of the Laurentide
Laurentide ice sheet:
implications for drift exploration
exploration in the Lake Superior region
+:+

4:50 p.m.
p.m. 63+ Marlow,
Marlow, L., Mooers, H. and Larson,
Larson, P.
4:50
P.
environmental history
Glacial Lakes Aitkin and Upham: their origin and environmental

5:10p.m.
TrowJ.
5:10
p.m. Trow,
J.
Five gold possibilities in some
wan copper
copper sulfides
sulfides in Ontario
some Keweena
Keweenawan
Ontario and
Michigan
Michigan

xxiv

�6:00 p.m.
CASH BAR
6:00
p.m. ICE BREAKER
BREAKER—
- MIXER —
- CASH
7:00 p.m.
p.m. ANNUAL
ANNUALBANQUET
BANQUETAND
ANDAWARD
AWARDPRESENTATION
PRESENTATION
50th
•
Location
Announcement of 5oth
Annual Meeting Location
•
2003
Klaus Schulz
Schulz
2003 Goldich
Goldich Award Presentation
Presentation to Klaus
•
2003 Banquet
Banquet Address
2003
Dr. Susan Martin,
Martin, Michigan
Michigan Technological
Technological University
University

The indigenous
indigenous people of the Lake Superior Basin:
Understanding
Understanding the links
links among environment,
environment, geology
geology
and religious
religious belief
Meeti ng participants
Meeting
participantswho
whoare
arenot
notregistered
registeredfor
forthe
thebanquet
banquetare
arewelcome
welcometo
tothe
thebanquet
banquetaddress
address

FRIDAY MAY 9, 2003
TECHNICAL SESSION Ill
Ill
Session
Session Chair: Eric Jerde, Morehead
Morehead State
State University, Morehead,
Morehead, Kentucky
Kentucky

8:20
8:20 a.m.
a.m. INTRODUCTORY
INTRODUCTORYREMARKS
REMARKS
Laurel G. Woodruff
Woodruff and
and William
William F.
F. Cannon,
Cannon, Co-chairs
Co-chairs
Laurel

8:30 a.m.
a.m. Hollings,
Hollings, P.,
P., Fralick,
Fralick, P.
P. and
and Kissin,
Kissin,S.
S.
Geochemistiy and
of the
the1537
1537Ma
Ma Redstone
Redstone Point
Geochemistry
and geodynamic
geodynamicimplications
implications of
Point
anorogenic
anorogenic granite, Ontario, Canada
Canada
8:50 a.m.
a.m. +*.:.
Buttram, P.M.
R.M. and
and Bjornerud, M.
: Buttram,
M.
Textural constraints
in in
thethe
Wolf
River
BatBatholith
ho 11th
Textural
constraintson
onthe
theorigin
originofofrapakivi
rapakivitextures
textures
Wolf
River
9:10 a.m.
a.m. +
.:.Sandin,
Sandin, N.A.
N.A. and
and Bornhorst,
Bornhorst, T.J.
Sequence of Precambrian
Precambrian mafic dikes in Marquette County,
County, Michigan,
Michigan, with
with
emphasis on the Sugar/oaf
Sugarloaf Mountain and Republic areas

9:30 a.m.
a.m. Jerde,
Jerde, E.A.
E.A.
Gabbro/granophyre
theCrocodile
CrocodileLake
Lake Intrusion:
Intrusion: aa possible
possible vent
vent
Gabbro/granophyre relations
relations ofofthe
for
the
Hovland
Lavas?
for the Hovland Lavas?
9:50
Vislova,
9:50 a.m.. :.:•
0
Vislova,

T.
T.
Evaluation
of initial
initial
magma compositions
compositions for
the Bald
Bald Eagle
Eagle Intrusion
and
Evaluation of
magma
for the
Intrusion and

associated rocks
rocks
associated

10:10 a.m. COFFEE
10:10
COFFEEBREAK
BREAKAND
AND POSTER
POSTER SESSION
SESSION

10:30 a.m.
a.m. +
•:•Charkoudian,
Charkoudian, K.,
K., Tikoff,
Tikoff, B. and
:+
and Bauer,
Bauer, R.
R.
Stike
-slipseparation
separationofof
Burntside
trondhjemite
Wakemup Bay
Bay
Stike-slip
thethe
Burntside
trondhjemite
andand
thethe
Wakemup
tonatilte,Northern
NorthernMinnesota
Minnesota
tonatlite,
10:50
1O:5O

a.m. &lt;+
.:.Garbowicz,
Garbowicz, A.
A. and Bjornerud,
Bjornerud, M.
M.
Wisconsin
Paleostress
inferences
from
slip
vectors
the eastern
eastern part
part of the
Paleostress inferences from slip vectors in
in the
the Wisconsin
segment
rift
segmentofofthe
theMidcontinent
Midcontinent
rift

11:10
Potter, E.G.
E.G.and
and Mitchell,
Mitchell, R.H.
11:10 a.m. +*•:•
: Potter,
R.H.
The
and exotic
exoticmineralogy
mineralogyofofthe
the
WesternSubcomplex
Subcomplex of
of the
theDeadhorse
Deadhorse
The rare
rare and
Western
Creek
Diatreme,
Northwestern
Ontario
Creek Diatreme, Northwestern Ontario

xxv
XXV

�B.A., Mudrey,
Mudrey, M.G.,
M.G., Jr.,
Jr., Czechanski,
Czechanski, M.L.,
M.L., Reid,
Reid,D.D.
D.D. and
andHunt,
Hunt,T.C.
T.C.
11:30 a.m.
a.m. Brown,
Brown, B.A.,
Highway construction,
construction, mine
mine reclamation,
reclamation, and
and land-use
land-use planning
planning challenges
challenges in
in
the historic
historic Upper
Upper Mississippi
Mississippi Valley
Valley lead-zinc district of southwest
southwest Wisconsin
Wisconsin
11:50a.m.
11:50 a.m. Wattrus,
Wattrus, N.
N.
High-resolution multibeam bathymetry in Lake
Lake Superior
Superior
High-resolution
12:10 p.m.
p.m.LUNCH
LUNCHBREAK
BREAK—-POSTERS
POSTERSREMOVED
REMOVEDAFTER
AFTER LUNCH
LUNCH
12:10
\

TECHNICAL SESSION IV
IV
TECHNICAL
Session Chair: Peter
PeterHinz,
Hinz,Ontario
OntarioGeological
GeologicalSurvey,
Survey, Kenora,
Kenora, ON
ON

1:40 a.m.
a.m. +*:•:•Vallini,
Vallini,D.A.,
D.A.,McNaughton,
McNaughton,N.J.,
N.J.,Rasmussen,
Rasmussen,B.,
B.,Fletcher,
Fletcher, I.
I. and
and Griffin,
Griffin,
B.J.
B.J.
U-Pb geochronology to unravel the history
history of Proterozoic
Proterozoic
Using xenotime U-Pb
sedimentary basins:
basins: aastudy
studyininWestern
WesternAustralia
Australia and
andthe
theLake
LakeSuperior
Superiorregion
region
sedimentary

2:00 p.m.
p.m. Kissin, S.A.,
S.A., Vallini, D.A.,
D.A., Addison, W.D.
W.D. and Brumpton,
Brumpton, G.R.
G.R.
New zircon ages from
from the
the Gun
Gunflint
Ontario
flint and
and Rove Formations, northwestern
northwestern Ontario
2:20 p.m.
p.m. +%+ Richardson,
Richardson, A.,
A., Fralick, P. and Hollings,
Hollings, P.
P.
Sibley Basin sediment provenance using zircon and whole rock geochemical
methods: Possible
Possiblesource
sourceareas
areasof
of the
thePass
Pass Lake
Lake Formation
Formation
G.
2:40 p.m.
p.m. ++:•:•Rogala,
Rogala,B.,
B.,Fralick,
Fralick, P.
P. and
and Borradaile,
Borradaile, G.
A magnetostratigraphic
magnetostratigraphic and secular variation study
study of
of the Sibley Group
3:00
3:00 p.m.
p.m. COFFEE
COFFEE BREAK
BREAK

3:20 p.m. Argast, A.
sediment chemistry tell us about rocks like those from the
What does sediment
the Fern
Fern
Creek Formation?

3:40 p.m.
p.m. Bartnik,
Bartnik, P. J. and
and Evans, B.
B. W.
ford, Michigan area
Geology and hydrogeology
hydrogeology in
in the
the Kings
Kingsford,

4:00 p.m.
p.m. Presentation
Presentation of Student
4:00
Student Paper
Paper Awards
Awards
Bornhorst, Michigan
Michigan Technological University:
University: Student Paper Committee
Ted Bornhorst,
Committee
SATURDAYMAY
MAY10,2003
10, 2003
SATURDAY
8:00 a.m.
a.m. FIELD
FIELDTRIP
TRIP3:
3:MENOMINEE
MENOMINEEIRON
IRONRANGE
RANGE (#2
(#2 IN
IN GUIDEBOOK)
GUIDEBOOK)
Gene
emeritus
Gene LaBerge,
LaBerge, University
Universityof
of Wisconsin
Wisconsin—
- Oshkosh, emeritus
John Klasner, University
University of
of Western
WesternIllinois,
Illinois,emeritus
emeritus
William Cannon, U.S.
William
U.S. Geological
Geological Survey

6:00 p.m.
p.m. Return
Return of Trip 3
6:00
3
SUNDAYMAY
MAY11,
2003
SUNDAY
11,2003
TRIP4:4:Iron
Iron River
River —
Crystal Falls
Falls Iron
ININGUIDEBOOK)
8:00 a.m. FIELD TRIP
- Crystal
IronDistrict
District(#3
(#3
GUIDEBOOK)
Gene
Oshkosh, emeritus
Gene LaBerge,
LaBerge, University
Universityof
of Wisconsin
Wisconsin—
- Oshkosh,
John Klasner,
Klasner, University
University of
of Western
WesternIllinois,
Illinois, emeritus
emeritus
William Cannon,
Cannon, U.S. Geological Survey

6:00 p.m.
p.m. Return
Return of
of Trip 4
6:00
xxvi
xxvi

�POSTER PRESENTATIONS

Brown,
Czechanski, M.L., Mudrey, MG.,
M.G., Jr.
Jr. and
andReid,
Reid, D.D.
D.D.
Brown, B.A., Czechanski,
Wisconsin mineral resource GIS
GIs and related digital map and database
database products Wisconsin
—a
a
progress report
Boerboom,
Boerboom,T.
T.
Bedrock geologic
geologic maps
maps of
of Keweena
Keweenawan
intrusive rocks
rocks in
in the
the
Bedrock
wan volcanic and intrusive
North Shore
Shoreof
of Lake
Lake
Lakewood,
Lake
wood, French
French River,
River, and
and Knife River 7.5' quadrangles,
quadrangles, North
Superior, Minnesota
Easton,
Easton, R.M.
P.M.
Geology and mineral potential of Proterozoic
Proterozoic mafic intrusions in the
the northern
northern
Grenville Province of Ontario
Grenville
Ontario
Hart,
Hart, T.R.
Keweena
wan mafic
ma f/cand
andultramafic
ultramaficintrusive
intrusive rocks
rocks of
of the Lake Nipigon
Nipigon and
Keweenawan
and Crystal
Crystal
Lake areas,
areas, northwestern Ontario
Ontario

S.A., Oreskovich,
Oreskovich, J.A. and
Hauck, S.A.,
and Severson,
Severson, M.J.
M.J.
and Beaver Bay
Geology, drill holes, mineral leases, and geophysics in the Duluth and
Integration of
of various
various GIS
GIs databases
databases to
to tell
tell a
Compexes, northeastern Minnesota: Integration
story
story of the
the history
history of
of past
past and
and current
currentCu-Ni-PGE
Cu-Ni-PGEmineral
mineral exploration
exploration

•+
Heiling,
C.D.
Heiling,
:+
C.D.
Peperites of the Gafvert
Gafvert Lake Volcanic
Volcanic Complex,
Complex, St. Louis County,
County, Minnesota
Minnesota
Hocker, S.M.,
S.M., Hudak,
Hudak, G.J.,
G.J., Odette,
Odette, J.D.
J.D. and Newkirk,
++•:.
: Hocker,
Newkirk,T.T.
T.T.
alteration mineral phases at the Five Mile Lake volcanic-hosted
Chemistry of alteration
volcanic-hosted
massive
massive sulfide
sulfide prospect, NE
NE Minnesota
Minnesota

++•: Keatts,
Keatts,M.J.,
M.J., Jirsa,
Jirsa,M.
M. and
and Hoim,
Holm, D.
D.
single-grainanalyses
analyses of
of Precambrian
Precambrian mafic intrusions
intrusions in
Results of 40ArI9Ar
^Ar^Ar single-grain
in northern
northern
and north-central
north-central Minnesota
Minnesota

Mckenzie, M.A.,
and Jercinovic,
Jercinovic, M.
++ McKenzie,
M.A., Hoim,
Holm, O.K.,
D.K., Schneider, D.A. and
M.
Evidence for largeResults of EMP monazite geochronology in
in E-C
E-C Minnesota:
Minnesota: Evidence
scale geon 17
17 metamorphism
metamorphism associated
associated with
with post-tectonic
post-tectonic plutonism
plutonism
Metsaranta,R.,
R.,Fralich,
Fralich, P.
P. and
and Hollings,
Hollings, P.
++:•:•Metsaranta,
geochemical investigation
volcanic and metasedimentary
A geochemical
investigation of
of Mesoarchean
Mesoarcheanmeta
metavolcanic
metasedimentary
rocks from
Uchi greenstone
greenstone belt
from the
theBirch
Birch—
- Uchi

Nicholson, S.
Nicholson,
S.W.
W. and Cannon,
Cannon, W.F.
W.F.
Stratigraphy
wan rocks of the St.
Stratigraphy and
and structure
structure of
of Keweena
Keweenawan
St. Croix
Croix horst,
horst, northwestern
northwestern
Wisconsin
Wisconsin

Stott, G.M.,
G.M., Davis, D. W.,
K.J. and Tomlinson,
Tomlinson,K.
K.Y.
Y.
Stott,
W.,Parker,
Parker,J.R.,
JR., Straub, 1(4.
Archean
tectonostratigraphic
assemblages
of
eastern
Waba
goon
Subprovince,
Archean tectonostratigraphicassemblages of eastern Wabagoon Subprovince,
northwestern
north
western Ontario
Ontario

xxvii

��ABSTRACTS

xxvffl

��WHAT DOES SEDIMENT CHEMISTRY TELL US ABOUT ROCKS
LIKE THOSE FROM THE FERN CREEK FORMATION?
Department of Geosciences, Indiana University
Argast, Anne, Department
University Purdue
Purdue University
University Fort
Fort
Wayne, Fort Wayne, IN 46805-1499,
46805-1499, Argast@ipfw.edu
Argast@ipfw.edu
Bulk chemical
chemical analyses
analyses are
are accepted
accepted and
and powerful
powerful tools
tools for
for the
the study
study of
of metamorphic
metamorphicand
and
igneous rocks.
rocks. Bulk
Bulk chemical
chemical analyses
analyses are
are less
less accepted
accepted and
and less
less widely
widely used
used for
for the
the study
studyof
of
sedimentary rocks. This is at least partly the result of a widely-held view that chemical
chemical data
data are
are
unreliable indicators
indicators of
of sedimentary
sedimentary events
events due
due to
to the
the post-burial
post-burial diagenetic
diageneticalteration
alterationof
of the
the
sediment. In recent years, this view has been reinforced with studies
sediment.
studies indicating
indicating the
the potential
potential for
for
extreme
extreme diagenetic
diagenetic alteration
alteration of
of sediments,
sediments,with
with km-scale
km-scale transport
transport proposed
proposedin
insome
somesystems
systems
(e.g., Wintsch and Kvale, 1994).
1994).

Potassium
Potassium is often singled-out
singled-out as an especially
especially mobile component in diagenetic systems. For
example,
example, Awwiller (1993),
(1993), working
working in
in the
the Gulf
Gulf Coast
Coast Tertiary,
Tertiary,postulates
postulatesan
an increase
increasefrom
from2.0
2.0to
to
3.8 wt. percent K20
1 0 pore
K20in mudrocks,
mudrocks, due
due significantly to the transport of K as part of i03
volumes of fluid
fluid passing through
through the
the system
system in
in the
the depth
depth range
range from
from 1500
1500to
to 4000
4000m
mbelow
below the
the
surface.
surface.
An alternate
alternate view (Argast
(Argast and
and Donnelly,
Donnelly, 1987)
1987)maintains
maintains K20
K20isis aa generally
generallyconservative
conservative
element in diagenetic settings, and that observed variations in K
K20
2 0 content preserve
compositional
compositional characteristics
characteristicspresent
present at
at and
and before
before accumulation.
accumulation.Depending
Dependingon
on your
your point-ofpoint-ofview, the chemistry
chemistry of diagenetically
diageneticallyand metamorphically
metamorphically altered
altered sedimentary
sedimentaryrocks
rocks may
may (or
(or
may not) provide useful information
information about
about provenance,
provenance, weathering
weathering and
and other
other qualities
qualitiesof
of the
the
sedimentary
sedimentary system.
system.

Unconsolidated sediments,
Unconsolidated
sediments, delivered
delivered as turbiditic pulses of siliciclastic debris eroded from the
Mountains, accumulated
Himalaya Mountains,
accumulated on the
the Bengal Fan (DSDP
(DSDP 218)
218) and
and now
now at
at subbottom
subbottomdepths
depths
from 12
noted in lithified
12 to 729 m, produce chemical trends very similar to those previously noted
(and metamorphosed) sedimentary
sedimentary rocks. The similarity in chemical trends across
across this
this broad
broad
range of conditions
conditions and
and environments
environmentssuggests
suggests sedimentary
sedimentary chemical
chemical trends
trends arise
arisefrom
from
fundamental conditions
conditions imposed
imposed upon
upon the
the system
system before
before burial,
burial, and
and are
are not
not necessarily
necessarily the
the result
result
of extensive
extensive diagenetic
diagenetic alteration
alteration at
at depth.
depth.

The Fern Creek Formation
Formation (Early
(Early Proterozoic,
Proterozoic, Lower
Lower Chocolay
Chocolay Group)
Group) is
is well
well exposed
exposedalong
along the
the
Sturgeon
Sturgeon River near the dam
dam northeast of
of Loretto,
Loretto, Michigan.
Michigan. These
These rocks
rocks have
have been
been interpreted
interpreted
as glaciogenic in origin,
origin, and
and the diamictites
diamictites they
they contain
contain used as
as evidence
evidence for
for glacially-derived
glacially-derived
dropstone
dropstone units.
units. Others
Others have
have interpreted
interpretedthe
the Fern
Fern Creek
Creek Formation
Formation as
as nonglaciogenic
nonglaciogenicin
in origin
origin
with the sediments accumulated
environments grading upward into lagoonal or
accumulated in fluviatile environments
estuarine environments.
environments. Field and textural qualities (to be discussed as part of a post-meeting
fieldtrip in the Menominee
Menominee Iron Range)
Range) support
support aa glaciogenic
glaciogenic origin.
origin.

1

�chemistry also
also supports
supports aa glaciogenic
glaciogenic origin
origin (Argast,
(Argast, 2002)
2002) . The chemical
data,
Bulk rock chemistry
chemical data,
including the absence
absenceof
of aa correlation
correlationbetween
betweenK20
K 2 0and
andA1203,
A1203,show sediments
sedimentsfrom
from the
the Fern
Fern
including
deposited without
without extensive
extensivesorting
sortingor
or demixing
demixingof
of hydraulically
hydraulicallycoarsercoarserCreek Formation
Formation were deposited
+ Na ++ K)/A1
and finer-grained
finer-grained fractions. Other data, including the Na20/K20
Na20/K20 and (2Ca +
K)/Al atomic
atomic
ratio suggest sediment accumulated with abundant original feldspar. The
The chemical index of
of
61, similar
similar to
to the average
average CIA
CIA of 57
57 in
in Gowganda
Gowganda diamictite
diamictite
alteration (CIA) ranges from 50 to 61,
matrices. The accessory suite
suite is complex and
and includes
includes poorly
poorly rounded
rounded zircons.
zircons. These
These attributes
attributes
are consistent with an origin as
as aa glacial
glacial till.
till.
.

Several minerals enriched
enriched in rare earth elements
elements (REE)
(REE) and/or
andlor thorium
thorium were
were identified
identifiedin
in the
the
Fern Creek Formation. These include
include monazite, huttonite
huttonite (monoclinic
(monoclinic ThSiO4)
ThSi04) and a fluorfluorhydroxy-REE mineral. Th concentrations
concentrations as high as 53
53 ppm were noted in one bulk analysis.
Efforts
Efforts to obtain
obtain aa chemical
chemical date
date on
on these
these minerals
minerals have
have so
sofar
far been
been unsuccessful.
unsuccessful.
The Carney Lake Gneiss
Gneiss is aa chemically-compatible
chemically-compatible possible
possible source
source for
for the
the Fern
Fern Creek
Creek
Formation.
Formation.

REFERENCES
Argast, A., 2002,
2002, The
The lower
lower Proterozoic
Proterozoic Fern
Fern Creek
Creek Formation,
Formation,northern
northern Michigan:
Michigan:mineral
mineraland
and
bulk geochemical evidence
J. Earth
Earth Sci.,
Sci.,v.
v. 39,
39,p.
p.481481evidence for
for its
its glaciogenic
glaciogenic origin:
origin: Can.
Can. J.
492.
492.

Argast, S. and Donnelly, T.W., 1987,
of clastic sedimentary
1987, The chemical discrimination of
components: J. Sed. Pet., v. 57, p. 813-823.
813-823.
components:
Awwiller, D.N., 1993,
Illite/smectite formation and potassium mass transfer during burial
1993, Illite/smectite
diagenesis
Sed.
diagenesis of mudrocks: aa study
study from
from the Texas
Texas Gulf Coast
Coast Paleocene-Eocene:
Paleocene-Eocene:J.J. Sed.
Pet., v. 63, p. 501-512.
501-512.
of
1994, Differential mobility of elements in burial diagenesis of
Wintsch, R. P. and Kvale, C. M., 1994,
siliciclastic
siliciclastic rocks: J. Sed.
Sed. Res.,
Res., v.
v. 64A,
64A, p.
p. 349-361.
349-361.

2

�GEOLOGY AND HYDROGEOLOGY IN THE KINGSFORD, MICHIGAN
MICHIGAN AREA
GEOLOGY
BARTNIK, PATRICK J., pbartnik@arcadis-us.com,
pbartnik@arcadis-us.com,ARCADIS
ARCADIS G&amp;M,
G&amp;M, Inc.,
Inc., Kingsford,
Kingsford,
Michigan, 49802; and
EVANS,
ARCADIS G&amp;M,
G&amp;M,Inc.,
Inc.,Milwaukee,
Milwaukee,
EVANS, BRUCE
BRUCE W.,
W., bevans@arcadis-us.com,
bevans @ arcadis-us.com,ARCADIS
Wisconsin,
53202
Wisconsin, 53202
Investigations have been undertaken in a portion of the City of Kingsford,
Investigations
Kingsford, Michigan
Michigan and
and
Breitung Township, Michigan (the study
study area) to determine
determine the geologic
geologic and
and
of glacial sediments
sediments and
and bedrock.
bedrock. The
hydrogeologic characteristics of
The study
study area is located
located
south-central Upper Peninsula
Peninsula of Michigan.
Michigan.
in Dickinson County in the south-central

The ARCADIS investigations
investigations were largely
largely completed between April
April 1997
1997and
and January
January
2001, but are continuing. During
Duringthe
theinvestigations,
investigations,over
over300
300soil
soil borings
borings were
were
completed, along with 47 test pits and 9.5 miles of geophysical study. The
The topography
topography is
is
characterized by three distinct
characterized
distinct landform terraces (Upper,
(Upper, Lower, and
and Riverside),
Riverside), which
which
range in elevation
elevation from
from approximately
approximately 1,120
1,120feet
feet above
above mean sea
sea level
level (ft
(ft msl)
msl) to
to
approximately
approximately 1,045
1,045 ft msl. The
The.Upper
Upper Terrace
Terrace contains
contains several
several isolated
isolated glacial
glacial kettles.
kettles.
The elevation of the Menominee River is approximately 1,037 ft msl. The
Thegeology
geology is
is

3

�comprised of unconsolidated
unconsolidated glaciofluvial and
and glaciolacustrine
glaciolacustrinedeposits
deposits of
of clay,
clay, silt,
silt,sand,
sand,
and gravel that exhibit complex horizontal and vertical spatial variability. These
These
the Lower
sediments overlie the Middle Precambrian Michigamme Slate and the
Precambrian metavolcanic Quinnesec Formation.
Formation. Depth to groundwater in the
unconsolidated
unconsolidated deposits
deposits ranges from about 10
10 feet below land surface (bls) near the
Menominee
bis in the Upper Terrace. Groundwater
Menominee River to more than 50 feet bls
Groundwaterflow
flow
follows irregular pathways toward the Menominee River, but generally flows from
northeast to southwest.
+0.863ft/ft
ft/ftin
in upland
upland
southwest. Vertical
Verticalhydraulic
hydraulicgradients
gradientsrange
range from
from +0.863
ft/ftnear
nearthe
theMenominee
Menominee River.
River. Hydraulic
areas to —0.012
-0.012 ft/ft
Hydraulicconductivities
conductivitiesrange
rangefrom
from1 O3
centimeters per second (cdsec)
(cm/sec) to
to 10.'
101ccm/sec
forcoarser-grain
coarser-grainmaterial
materialtoto1.03
1.03x x1 i0
d s e c for
0'~
cm/sec
" c~d s e cfor
forthe
thevery
veryfine-grain
fine-grainsand
sand and
and sandy
sandy silt. The
Thebedrock
bedrock is
c d s e c to 3.94 xx 1i00cm/sec
generally considered impermeable. Groundwater
Groundwaterflow
flow velocities
velocities range
range from
from
approximately 3 ft/day to 280 ft/day in coarser-grain units, and from approximately
approximately0.1
0.1
approximately
ft/day
ft/day to 33 ft/day
ftlday in
in the
the very
very fine-grain
fine-grain sand
sandand
andsandy
sandysilt.
silt.
To aid in the understanding of the complex geology within the study area, threedimentional
dimentional modeling of the geology was undertaken using the topographic surface,
bedrock surface, and glacial sediments.
sediments. Thirteen geologic units identified from the
borehole data were categorized in to 3 units, based on permeability and anticipated
effects on groundwater flow. The
The modeling
modeling and visualization of the geology were
completed
completed using aa Geostatistical
GeostatisticalSoftware
SoftwareLibrary
Library (GSLIB),
(GSLEB), developed
developed at
at Stanford
Stanford
University, FORTRAN programs, and
and Environmental
Environmental Visualization
VisualizationSystem
System(EVS)
(EVS)
software developed by the C Tech Development Corporation.
Corporation.

4

�GEOLOGY
GEOLOGY OF
OF THE
THE MISSISSIPPI-VALLEY
MISSISSIPPI-VALLEYTYPE
TYPE MINERALIZATION
MINERALIZATIONAT
BELLE VUE, MICHIGAN
MICHIGAN
BELLEVUE,
BLASKE, Allan
Allan R.,
R., Blaske
BlaskeGeoscience,
Geoscience,8313
8313Hartel,
Hartel,Grand
GrandLedge,
Ledge,ME
MI 48837
48837
BLASKE,
The Bayport Limestone is exposed in quarrying
quarrying operations at Bellevue, in southwestern
southwestern Eaton
Eaton
County,
Mining has
County, Michigan.
Michigan. Mining
has been
been active
active around
around Bellevue
Bellevue since
since the mid-1800's.
Approximately 25 feet of the Bayport is exposed in the
the quarrying
quarrying operations, and consists of a
gray to buff colored thin-bedded
thin-bedded limestone.
limestone.
Bayport limestone
Mississippian in
comprises the
upper portions
portions of
The Bayport
limestone is
is late Mississippian
in age,
age, and comprises
the upper
of the
Grand Rapids Group.
Group. It is underlain
underlain by
by the
the Michigan
Michigan Formation,
Formation, also of the
the Grand
Grand Rapids
Rapids
Group. The
Theearly
earlyMississippian
MississippianMarshall
Marshall Sandstone
Sandstone and
and Coldwater
Coldwater Shale
Shale lie
lie below
below the
the Grand
Grand
Rapids Group. The
TheBayport
Bayportisisoverlain
overlainby
bythe
theearly
earlyPennsylvanian
PennsylvanianSaginaw
SaginawFormation
Formation(within
(within
the Michigan Basin),
Basin), but
but covered
covered only
only by
by glacial
glacial sand
sand and
and gravel
gravel at
at the
the quarry
quarry site.
site.

Mineralogy of the deposit
deposit isis simple,
simple,consisting
consistingpredominantly
predominantly of
of pyrite,
pyrite, marcasite,
marcasite, and
and calcite.
calcite.
Pyrite is most commonly
commonly found as encrustations
encrustations of cubic
cubic crystals,
crystals, formed directly
directly on limestone.
limestone.
Marcasite is generally
generally lighter
lighter in
in color
color than
than the
the pyrite,
pyrite, and
and often
often in
in iridescent,
iridescent,platy
platycrystal
crystalgroups.
groups.
Marcasite
is by
by far the dominant
iron sulfide.
sulfide. Two
of calcite
calcite are
are observed.
observed. Early
Marcasite is
dominant iron
Two generations
generations of
calcite is found as small
coatings. The
small crystals
crystals lining cavities as drusy
drusy coatings.
The second
second generation
generation of
calcite is found in large,
masses. Trace
large, euhedral
euhedral crystals and cleavable masses.
Trace amounts
amountsof
of sphalerite,
sphalerite,
barite, and fluorite are present. Fluorite
was
the
earliest
to
form,
as
small
brown
crystals
Fluorite was the earliest to form, as small brown crystalsdirectly
directly
on the
Marcasite and
Pyrite was
was formed
formed in association
association with
with the
the early
early calcite.
calcite. Marcasite
and
the limestone.
limestone. Pyrite
sphalerite
sphalerite are later than the early calcite and pyrite. Second
Second generation
generation calcite
calcite began slightly
slightly after
the marcasite. Tiny
Tinycrystals
crystalsof
of marcasite
marcasite can
can also
alsobe
befound
foundon
onthe
thelarge
largecalcite,
calcite,indicating
indicatingthat
that
Barite
appears
later
than
formation
of
marcasite
continued
to
the
end
of
mineralization.
formation
the end of mineralization.
appears
than the
the
sulfides,
sulfides, but before the end
end of
of the
the calcite
calcite formation.
formation.

Mineralization
present predominantly
predominantlyinin brecciated
brecciated zones
zones and
and vein
Mineralization isis present
vein structures
structures within
within the
Bayport Limestone.
Limestone. The
The most
most common
common type
type of
of breccia
breccia consists
consists of
of small,
small,angular
angular clasts
clasts
surrounded
by open-space
open-space filling
filling of
of sulfides
sulfides and
and calcite.
calcite. A second
surrounded by
second type
type of
of breccia
breccia consists
consists of
larger,
rounded clasts,
clasts, with
with the interstitial
larger, rounded
interstitial spaces
spaces filled with aa muddy
muddy limestone
limestone and
and pyrite.
pyrite.
Orientation
Orientation and size of the mineralized zones within the limestone is not known,
known, due
due to
to lack
lack of
of
mapping. Fine-grained
exposure within the quarry and insufficient historical mapping.
Fine-grained iron
iron sulfide
sulfide is
is also
also
observed as replacement structures,
structures, along
along apparent
apparent solution
solution fronts
fronts within
within the
the massive
massivelimestone.
limestone.
36-element ICP
of the sulfides indicates the
the simplicity
simplicity of
of the
the mineralization.
mineralization. 36-element
The geochemistry
geochemistry of
analysis of pyrite and marcasite separates, as well as
as aa composite
composite breccia
breccia sample,
sample, indicate
indicate very
very
low concentrations of
of trace elements. Copper,
Copper, lead
lead and
andzinc
zinc are
arefound
foundatatconcentrations
concentrationsof
of less
less
than 60 ppm; nickel is less than 30
is
than
30 ppm;
ppm; and
and cadmium
cadmium and cobalt less than 5 ppm. Barium is
also low, generally less than 20 ppm. Manganese
is
high
in
the
breccia
(385
ppm),
and
lower
in
Manganese is high in the breccia (385 pprn), and lower in
the sulfide separates (64 to 109
109 ppm),
pprn), while chromium is high in the sulfides
sulfides (150
(150 ppm) and
and low

5

�in the breccia (31 ppm). Arsenic
Arsenic isis present
present in
in the
the breccia
breccia (7
(7 ppm),
ppm), but low in the
the iron
iron sulfides
sulfides at
less than 5 ppm.

Sulfur isotopic
were analyzed
on separated
Sulfur
isotopic compositions
compositions were
analyzed on
separated samples
samples of pyrite,
pyrite, marcasite,
marcasite, and
and
sphalerite. Sulfur
Sulfur isotopic
isotopic compositions
compositions (34S)
(S^S) of
of the
the sulfide
sulfide phases
phases from
from the Bayport Limestone
are 14.5°/
for
for
for
are
14.5Â°/o
forthe
the pyrite,
pyrite, 12.8°/
12.8Â°/o
forthe
themarcasite,
marcasite, and
and 19.8°/
19.8Â°/o
forthe
thesphalerite.
sphalerite. These
compositionsindicate
indicatethat
that the
the mineralizing
fluids were
were basinal
basinal brines
compositions
mineralizing fluids
brines from within
within the
the
surrounding Mississippian
Mississippian and
and Pennsylvanian
Pennsylvanian formations.
formations. Unpublished
surrounding
Unpublished data
data obtained
obtained from
from the
the
USGS (Westjohn, D.
D. B., pers. comm.) as part of the RASA program
indicate a large range
range of
of
program indicate
6S ininsamples
S^S
samplescollected
collectedfrom
fromthe
theunderlying
underlyingMarshall
MarshallSandstone
Sandstoneand
andMichigan
Michigan Formation,
Formation, as
well as the overlying
Formation and
and the
the Jurassic
Jurassic Red
Red Beds.
Beds. Pore
well
overlying Saginaw Formation
Porewater,
water,whole-rock,
whole-rock,
sulfide, and sulfate sulfur
sulfur isotope
isotope compositions
compositions for the
the underlying
underlying formations
formations exhibit
exhibit average
average
345
20°/, while
S^S near 20Â°/oo
whilethe
the average
average S^S within the overlying
overlying formations
formationsisisnear
near170/00.
17 Oleo.
Temperature of the mineralization has been determined
determined using fluid inclusions in
in calcite
calcite (Panter,
(Panter,
K. 5.,
S., 2001).
2001). Calcite afforded the only
only mineral
mineral phase
phase with
with inclusions
inclusionsfor
formicrothermometric
microthermometric
study. Temperatures
Temperaturesof
of homogenization
homogenization indicate
indicate aa bimodal
bimodal distribution,
distribution, with
with aa low
low temperature
temperature
mean of approximately
approximately 58°C,
5gÂ°Cand a high temperature mean of approximately
approximately 138°C.
138OC. The
Themean
mean
These temperatures
are similar to those
temperature
temperature of all
all inclusions
inclusions analyzed
analyzed was
was 107°C.
107OC. These
temperatures are
those
the
Mississippian
observed
using
isotopic
compositions
in
authigenic
minerals
in
observed using isotopic compositions
authigenic minerals
Mississippian and
and
Pennsylvanian
sandstones (Westjohn,
(Westjohn, D. B.,
Pennsylvanian sandstones
B., 1994).
1994). Fluid salinities
salinities based
based on
on freezing
freezing point
point
depression range from 2.6 to 9.5
9.5 equivalent
equivalentweight
weight percent
percent NaCI.
NaCl.

The quarries
at Bellevue
are located
located within
within55 to
to 66 miles
miles to the north and west of the
quarries at
Bellevue are
the known
known
northwest end of the
northwest
the Albion-Scipio
Albion-Scipio Oil
Oil Field
Field Trend.
Trend. This oil field
field (dolomitized
(dolomitized fracture
fracture and
and
solution cavities)
structure
is
located
within
the
Trenton-Black
River
(Middle
Ordovician)
rocks,
cavities) structure is located within the Trenton-Black River (Middle Ordovician) rocks,
some 4,000 feet deeper than the Bayport Limestone. The
The structure
structureisis related
relatedto
tofaulting
faultingwithin
within
the basement
basement rocks. Evidence
Evidenceof
ofthe
thestructure,
structure,however,
however, isispresent
present ininthe
thelower
lowerMississippian
Mississippian
Sunbury Shale Formation, (approximately 3,000 feet higher than the Middle
Middle Ordovician
Ordovician rocks),
rocks),
the Coldwater
the
Coldwater Shale (overlying
(overlying the Sunbury),
Sunbury), and
and the
the Marshall
Marshall Sandstone
Sandstone (overlying
(overlying the
the
are evident
Coldwater).
Coldwater). If movements
movements associated
associated with this
this structure
structure are
evident in
in the
theformations
formations
immediately below the Bayport Limestone,
Limestone, itit seems
seems likely
likely that
that the
the Bayport
Bayport Formation
Formationwould
would also
also
with the
the structure.
structure. Faulting associated with the Trend is likely
be affected by faulting associated with
responsible for
for small structures
responsible
structures in the
the Bayport,
Bayport, allowing
allowing for
for brecciation,
brecciation, subsequent
subsequent fluid
fluid
migration, and precipitation of the
the mineralization.
mineralization.
REFERENCES
REFERENCES
of Fluid Inclusions in Calcite from
2001. A
A Preliminary
Preliminary Microtermometric Study of
Panter, K. S., 2001.
Bellevue, Michigan, unpublished data, Bowling Green State University, OH

Westjohn, D. B., 1994,
of
1994, Michigan Basin RASA Solid-Phase
Solid-Phase Investigation, in Geohydogeology of
Carboniferous Aquifers
Aquifers of
of the Michigan Basin, Great Lakes
Carboniferous
Lakes Section-SEPM,
Section-SEPM, 1994
1994 Fall
Fall
Field
Field Conference,
Conference, September
September23-24,
23-24, 1994,
1994,Lansing,
Lansing, MI
MI

6

�WAN VOLCANIC AND INTRUSIVE ROCKS
BEDROCK GEOLOGIC
GEOLOGICMAPS
MAPSOF
OFKEWEENA
KEWEENAWAN
IN THE
THE LAKE
WOOD,
FRENCH
RIVER,
AND
KNIFE RIVER 7.5' QUADRANGLES,
QUADRANGLES, NORTH
LAKEWOOD, FRENCH
KNIFE
SHORE OF LAKE
LAKE SUPERIOR,
SUPERIOR, MINNESOTA
MINNESOTA
BOERBOOM, Terrence
Terrence J., Minnesota
Minnesota Geological
GeologicalSurvey,
Survey, St.
St. Paul,
Paul, MN,
MN, boerb001@umn.edu
boerb001 @umn.edu

The Minnesota
Minnesota Geological
Geological Survey, with
with partial
partial funding
funding by
by the
theU.S.
U.S.Geological
GeologicalSurvey
SurveySTATEMAP
STATEMAP
geologic mapping program, has recently
recently published
published detailed
detailed bedrock
bedrock geologic
geologic maps
maps of
of three
three quadrangles
quadrangles
located along the North Shore of Lake
Lake Superior
Superior northeast
northeast of
of Duluth,
Duluth, Minnesota
Minnesota (Fig.
(Fig. 1;1;Boerboom
Boerboomand
and
others, 2002a,
was completed
completed at
at a scale of 1:12,000,
at a scale
2002a, b).
b). Field mapping
mapping was
1:12,000, and compiled
compiled at
scale of
1:24,000. This mapping has shown that some flow sequences can
can be traced inland as far as
1:24,000.
as 10
10to
to 12
12
kilometers, and has identified hundreds of
of individual flows
flows within
within the
the larger
larger flow
flow units.
units. Several mafic to
felsic, subcordant
subcordant to discordant
discordant sills
sills and
and intrusions
intrusionshave
have also
also been
been mapped.
mapped.
Prior to this mapping,
bedrock geologic
geologic maps
maps for
for this
this area
area were
were at
at a scale of
mapping, the only
only published
published bedrock
1:200,000 (for example Miller and others, 2001), and other work was concentrated along the shoreline of
Lake Superior. Brannon
Brannon(1984)
(1984)sampled
sampled160
160successive
successivevolcanic
volcanic flows,
flows, starting
starting above
above the
the Lester
Lester River
River
sill and ending in Two
Two Harbors,
Harbors, as part
part of
of an
an exhaustive
exhaustive geochemical
geochemical study. Green
Greenand
andothers
others(1977)
(1977)
included
this area as part
included this
part of
of aamore
morebroad
broadcoastal
coastalzone
zonemanagement
managementstudy.
study. Schwartz and Sandberg
Sandberg
(1940) published a paper on the diabase sills near Duluth that included some of the
the sills
sills mapped
mapped during
during
this study. Sandberg
Sandberg(1938)
(1938)mapped
mapped the
the stratigraphy
stratigraphyof
of the
the flows
flows exposed
exposed at the shoreline
shoreline from Duluth to
Two Harbors, identifying some 180
180 lava
lava flows.
flows. Although all of these
these studies
studies made
made some
some incursions
incursions
inland from the shore,
shore, none
none of them
them provided systematic
systematicmapping
mapping away
away from
fromthe
the shoreline
shorelineproper.
proper.
Bedrock exposure in the map area
area varies
varies greatly,
greatly, from
from nearly
nearly continuous
continuous outcrop
outcrop along
alongthe
the shoreline
shoreline
and many of the short
short streams
streams along
along the
the slope
slope into
into Lake
Lake Superior,
Superior, to variably
variably abundant
abundant outcrop
outcrop in the
hills inland
hills
inland from the lakeshore. Throughout
Throughout the
the map
map area,
area, there
there are
are many
many closely
closely spaced
spaced streams that
have eroded into the bedrock perpendicular to the strike of the volcanic stratigraphy. Hence,
Hence,many
many of
of the
the
individual flows
flows could
could be
be traced
traced for
for a great
individual
great distance
distance along
along strike by tying
tying them
them together
together from
from one
one
the shoreline
shoreline outcrops.
outcrops. In contrast, the more resistant intrusive
streamcut to the next, in combination with the
rocks are typically
typically exposed
exposed on
on the
the tops
tops and
and slopes
slopes of
of high
high hills.
hills. The
rocks
The northeast
northeast part of the
the map
map area
area is
is
poorly exposed and thus much of the bedrock geology in that area is constrained largely by aeromagnetic
aeromagnetic
data.
data.
Green (2002) has proposed a subdivision
subdivision of
of the
the North
North Shore
Shore Volcanic
Volcanic Group
Group into
intoaa series
seriesof
of informal
informal
sequences
and formations
that are separated
sequences and
formations that
separated by major
major lithological
lithological and
and geochemical
geochemical breaks
breaks or
or by
by
intrusions. Within
intrusions.
Within the
the area
area of
of the
themaps
mapsshown
shown here,
here, these
these include
include the
the Larsmont
Larsmont basalts, Sucker River
River
basalts, the Lakewood lavas, and
and the Lakeside
Lakeside lavas
lavas (Fig.
(Fig. 2). The
Thedetailed
detailedbedrock
bedrockgeologic
geologicmaps
mapsshown
shown
here subdivide
these informal
into multiple
layers comprised
comprised of
of lava flows
here
subdivide these
informal formations
formations into
multiple layers
flows of
of similar
similar
composition and texture in which
which multiple
multiple flow
flow contacts
contacts have
have been
been documented.
documented.

REFERENCES
REFERENCES
Boerboom, T.J., Green, J.C., and Jirsa, M.A., 2002a,
2002a, Bedrock
Bedrock geology
geology of the French
French River
River and
and Lakewood
quadrangles, St. Louis County, Minnesota: Minnesota
quadrangles,
MinnesotaGeological
Geological Survey
Survey Miscellaneous
Miscellaneous Map
Map MM128, scale 1:24,000.
1:24,000.
2002b, Bedrock geology of the Knife River
River quadrangle,
quadrangle, St.
St. Louis
Louis and
and Lake
Lake Counties,
Counties, Minnesota:
Minnesota:
Minnesota
Minnesota Geological
Geological Survey
Survey Miscellaneous
MiscellaneousMap
Map M-129,
M- 129,scale
scale1:24,000.
1:24,OOO.
Brannon, J.C. 1984,
1984, Geochemistry
Geochemistry of successive
successive lava flows of the
the Keweenawan
Keweenawan North
North Shore
Shore Volcanic
Volcanic
Group: St.
St.Louis,
Louis,Washington
WashingtonUniversity,
University,Ph.D.
Ph.D. dissertation,
dissertation,312
312p.
p.

7

�Green, J.C.,
J.C., 2002,
2002, Volcanic
Volcanic and
and sedimentary
sedimentary rocks
rocks of
of the
theKeweenawan
Keweenawan Supergroup
Supergroup in
in northeastern
northeastern
Green,
Minnesota,
Minnesota, Chapter
Chapter 55 of
of Miller,
Miller, J.D.,
J.D.,Jr.,
Jr.,Green,
Green,J.C.,
J.C.,Severson,
Severson,M.J.,
M.J.,Chandler,
Chandler,V.W.,
V.W.,Hauck,
Hauck,S.A.,
S.A.,
and Wahi,
Wahl, T.E.,
T.E., Geology
Geology and
and mineral
mineral potential of
of the
the Duluth
Duluth Complex
Complex and
and related
related
Peterson, D.M., and
rocks of
of northeastern
northeastern Minnesota: Minnesota
MinnesotaGeological
GeologicalSurvey
SurveyReport
Report of
of Investigations
Investigations 58,
58, p.
p. 9494105.
105.
Green,
Green, J.C.,
J.C., Jirsa,
Jirsa, M.A.,
M.A., and
and Moss,
Moss, C.M.,
C.M., 1977,
1977,Environmental
Environmental geology
geology of
of the
the North
North Shore
Shoreof
ofLake
Lake
Superior:
Superior: Minnesota
MinnesotaGeological
GeologicalSurvey,
Survey,99
99 p.p.
Miller, J.D.,
J.D., Jr.,
Jr., Green,
Green, J.C.,
J.C., Severson,
Severson,M.J.,
M.J.,Chandler,
Chandler,V.W.,
V.W.,and
andPeterson,
Peterson,D.M.,
D.M.,2001,
2001,Geologic
Geologicmap
map
Miller,
of
of the
the Duluth
Duluth Complex
Complex and
and related
related rocks,
rocks, northeastern
northeastern Minnesota:
Minnesota: Minnesota
MinnesotaGeological
GeologicalSurvey
Survey
Miscellaneous
MiscellaneousMap
MapM-1
M- 119,
19,scale
scale1:200,000.
1:200,000.
Sandberg,
Sandberg, A.E., 1938,
1938, Section
Section across
across Keweenawan
Keweenawan lava flows
flows atatDuluth,
Duluth,Minnesota:
Minnesota: Geological
Geological
Society
Societyof
of America
AmericaBulletin,
Bulletin,v.v.49,
49, p.
p. 795-830.
795-830.
Schwartz, G.M.,
G.M., and Sandberg,
Sandberg, A.E., 1940,
1940, Rock
Rock series
series in
in diabase
diabase sills
sills atatDuluth,
Duluth,Minnesota:
Minnesota:
Schwartz,
Geological
Geological Society
Society of
of America
America Bulletin,
Bulletin, v.51,
v. 51, p.
p. 1135-1172.
1135-1172.

Figure
Figure 1.1. Index
Index map
map showing
showing location
location of
of
mapped
Work isis currently
currently inin
mapped quadrangles.
quadrangles. Work
progress
progress on
on the
the Two
Two Harbors
Harbors and
andCastle
Castle
Danger
Dangerquadrangles.
quadrangles.

diabase

Figure
Figure 2.2. Index
Index map
map showing
showing the
the
relative positions
positions of
of the
the informal
informal
relative
volcanicunits
unitsof
ofGreen
Green(2002).
(2002).
volcanic

-

LIII

Intrusiverocks
rocks
Intrusive
Volcanicrocks
rocks
Volcanic
Boundary of informal
volcanic units

8

�WISCONSIN MINERAL RESOURCE
RESOURCE GIS
GIs AND
RELATED DIGITAL
DIGITAL MAP
MAP AND DATABASE PRODUCTS
RELATED
PRODUCTS -A
REPORT
A PROGRESS REPORT
BROWN, BA.1,
B:A.', CZECHANSKI,
CZECHANSKI,M.L.',
M.L.',MUDREY,
MUDREY,M.G.,
M.G.,Jr.1,
~ r . 'and
,andREID,
REID,Daniel
DanielD.2
D .(1)
(1)
~
BROWN,
Geological and
and Natural
Natural History
History Survey,
Survey, Univ.
Univ. of
of Wisconsin-Extension,
Wisconsin-Extension,3817
3817Mineral
Mineral
Wisconsin Geological
Point Road, Madison,
Madison, WI 53705,
53705, babrowni
babrownl @facstaff.wisc.edu,
@facstaff.wisc.edu,(2) Wisconsin Dept of
Transportation,
Transportation, 3502
3502 Kinsman
Kinsman Blvd,
Blvd, Madison,
Madison,WI
WI 53704-2507
53704-2507
A new Mines,
Mines, Pits
Pits and
and Quarries
Quarries (MPQ)
(MPQ) database
database containing
containing information
information on
on 1,302
1,302
significant nonmetallic mining sites
sites throughout Wisconsin has
has been
been completed
completedby
by the
the Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Geological and Natural History
History Survey
Survey (WGNHS)
(WGNHS) in cooperation
cooperation with
with the
the U.S
U.S Geological
Geological
Survey (USGS). Locations
Locations were digitized
digitized from
from county-based
county-based digital
digital orthophotography
orthophotographywherever
wherever
available
(MASIMILS
available and by site visits. Data
Datatables
tableswere
were linked
linked to
to existing
existingUSGS
USGS databases
databases(MAS/MILS
and MRDS) and to Wisconsin
Wisconsin Department
Department of
of Transportation
Transportation(WDOT)
(WDOT)aggregate
aggregatetest
testdata;
data;this
this
linkage
linkage of all previous digital
digital and
and analog
analog databases
databases is
is the
the first
first updated
updated inventory
inventorysince
since1980.
1980.
Future versions will be augmented with current site information, collected under the nonmetallic
reclamation program of Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, and additional historic sets
such as the Road Material
WGNHSJWDOT.
Material Survey
Survey sites
sites of
of the
the WGNHS/WDOT.
Georeferenced maps layered with digital geology, topography, orthophotography,
Georeferenced
orthophotography,soil,
soil,
and so forth provide a valuable land-use planning resource. Concern
Concern for
for safety
safety and
and construction
construction
the historic
historic Upper
Upper Mississippi
problems in the reconstruction of U.S. Highway 151 through the
possible the scanning and
Valley Base-Metal Mining District, southwest Wisconsin, made possible
georeferencing of the Wisconsin Mineral Development Atlas. The
The Mineral
Mineral Development
DevelopmentAtlas
Atlas
of mine workings, drill-hole
is a detailed set of 1,450
1,450 section-scale
section-scale maps (1 inch equal 200 feet) of
location and ancillary
ancillary data dating from
from 1900
1900 until mining
mining ceased
ceased in
in 1979.
1979.These
These maps
maps were
were
maintained by the WGNHS and
and the University
University of Wisconsin-Platteville
Wisconsin-Plattevilleand
and were
were scanned
scannedby
by the
the
WDOT.
WDOT.

All Wisconsin water well construction reports for 1936-1988
1936-1988 are now available on CDmapping as well
well as environmental
environmental and
Rom. They provide an extensive data set for geologic mapping
water resource analysis.
analysis. New WGNHS map products are
are being produced
produced in
in digital
digital form
form and
andaa
variety of analog maps including
including the 1:24,000
1:24,000USGS geologic
geologic quadrangle
quadrangle maps
maps of
of the
the lead-zinc
lead-zinc
district are being converted
converted to digital as
as resources allow.
allow.
This presentation will
will provide
provide an
an interactive
interactivedemonstration
demonstrationof
of these
thesedata
datasets
setsand
andGIS
GIs
layers, a review of available
available map data such as regional geophysics, and
and an update
update on
on the
the status
status of
of
geologic mapping at the WGNHS.
WGNHS.

9

�HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION,
CONSTRUCTION,MINE
MINERECLAMATION,
RECLAMATION,AND
ANDLAND-USE
LAND-USEPLANNING
PLANNING
HIGHWAY
HISTORIC UPPER
UPPER MISSISSIPPI
MISSISSIPPIVALLEY
VALLEY LEAD-ZINC
LEAD-ZINC
CHALLENGES IN THE HISTORIC
DISTRICT
DISTRICT OF
OF SOUTHWEST
SOUTHWEST WISCONSIN
BROWN, B.A.1,
B.A.~,MUDREY,
MUDREY,M.G.,
M.G.,Jr.1,
~ r . 'CZECHANSKII,
,CZECHANSKI, M.L.1,
M.L.', REID,
REID, Daniel
DanielD.2,
D . ~and
and
, HUNT,
HUNT,
BROWN,
T.C.3,
T.c/, (1) Wisconsin
Geological and
and Natural History Survey,
Survey, Univ.
Univ. of Wisconsin-Extension,
Wisconsin-Extension,
Wisconsin Geological
3817
38
17 Mineral Point Road, Madison,
Madison, WI 53705,
53705, babrown1@facstaff.wisc.edu,
babrown 1@ facstaff.wisc.edu,
mgmudrey@wisc.edu,(2) Wisconsin Dept. of Transportation, 3502 Kinsman Blvd, Madison, WI
mgmudrey@wisc.edu,
53704-2507,
Wisconsin-Platteville,712
712 Pioneer
PioneerTower,
Tower,
53704-2507, (3) Reclamation Program, Univ. of Wisconsin-Platteville,
Platteville,
Platteville, WI 53818
538 18
of Wisconsin, Illinois,
Illinois, Iowa,
Iowa, and
and Minnesota
Minnesota
The Upper Mississippi Valley Lead-Zinc District of
produced nearly 10 million tons of lead-zinc ore from the 1820s until the last mine closed in
1978. The district will probably never be mined again, but problems related
related to
to mineralization
mineralization and
and
past mining activity pose significant
significant problems
problems for
for highway
highway construction
construction and
and post-mining
post-miningland
land
use. Specific hazards and engineering problems include (1)
(1) Highly
Highly altered
altered and
and unstable
unstable rock
rock and
and
shallow abandoned
leachate from
from
abandoned mine workings
workings encountered
encountered during
during highway
highway construction,
construction,(2)
(2) leachate
from lead-zinc
lead-zinc sulfide
sulfide mines.
mines. As
roaster-pile waste and (3) locally degraded groundwater from
As rural
rural
residential development increases,
increases, the
the abandoned
abandoned workings,
workings, particularly
particularlypoorly
poorly sealed
sealedshafts,
shafts,can
can
be a hazard. Most low-sulfide
low-sulfide waste
waste rock
rock has
has been recycled
recycled as
as aggregate,
aggregate, and
and carbonate-rich
carbonate-rich
tailings overgrown with vegetation make
make it difficult
difficult to
to find
find any
any surface
surface evidence
evidenceof
of small,
small,older
older
mine sites that may cause problems.
problems.
in an
an
High sulfate in groundwater samples was noted in 1978 following closure and flooding in
area where large mines had operated for more than 50
drawdown cone
cone had
had developed
developed
50 years and a drawdown
over a 20-square mile area.
area. A well-replacement
well-replacement program
program near Shullsburg
Shullsburg restored
restored potable
potable water
water
supplies.
supplies. Onsite
Onsite reclamation consisted
consisted of
of establishing
establishingvegetation
vegetation on
on the
the tailings
tailingsand
andcrushing
crushingthe
the
coarse waste rock for aggregate. Leachate from zinc roaster waste piles produced over
100
years
over 100 years
resulted in highly acidic and metal-rich surface
surface water near Mineral Point.
Point. The
The roaster
roaster piles
piles were
were
successfully reclaimed by surface
contouring along with neutralization
surface grading and contouring
neutralization and
and
of the cost of
of
fertilization to allow vegetation to establish. This was accomplished at a fraction of
removal of the roaster waste piles.
piles.
rock alteration exposed
exposed during
Previously undiscovered sulfide mineralization and associated rock
highway construction along U.S. Highway 151
near
Mineral
Point
resulted
in
the
151
resulted in the unanticipated
unanticipated
engineering redesign of major roadcuts
roadcuts and structures.
structures. The
The need
need to
to identify
identify areas
areas of
of
need for engineering
the Wisconsin
Wisconsin Mineral
Mineral Development
Development Atlas, which
potentially unstable slopes
slopes led to scanning
scanning Of
of the
of mineralization,
mineralization, alteration,
alteration, and
and abandoned
has proven to be invaluable in identifying areas of
workings in the path of construction.
construction. These
These detailed
detailed maps
maps (1
(1 inch
inch to
to 200
200 feet)
feet) of
of mine
mineworkings
workings
exploration drillhole
and exploration
drillhole locations
locations are
are now
now being
being used
used by
by county
county and
and regional
regional planners
planners and
and
potential mining
mining related
related hazards
hazards into
into land-use
zoning authorities to identify and incorporate potential
planning.

10

�TEXTURAL
CONSTRAINTSON
ONTHE
THEORIGIN
ORIGINOF
OF
RAPAKIVI
TETURE IN
IN THE
THEWOLF
WOLF RIVER
RiVER
TEXTURAL
CONSTRAINTS
RAPAKIVI
TEXTURES
BATHOLITH
BATHOLITH

R. Michele Buttram
Buttram and
and Marcia
Marcia Bjornerud
Bjornerud
Geology Department, Lawrence University, Appleton, WI 54912
549 12

The Wolf River Batholith of north-central Wisconsin, a 1.47 Ga composite anorogenic
pluton, includes some of the world's finest examples of 'rapakivi' granite,
granite, in
in which
which large
large
potassium feldspar crystals are mantled by plagioclase. Although
Although rapakivi
rapakivi granites
granites have
have
been described for more than a century, the origin of
of this distinctive texture, both in the
Wolf River complex and elsewhere, remains
remains controversial.
controversial. Some workers argue that
rapakivi mantles are coronae formed at a peritectic or eutectic point under equilibrium
crystallization conditions. Others
Others maintain
maintain that rapakivi textures record disequilibrium
associated with magma mixing and or sudden
sudden changes in pressure.
While most previous
previous investigations
investigations have
have focused
focused on
on the
the chemistry
chemistry of
of rapakivi
rapakivi granites,
granites,
specifically,
this study
study examined
examinedthe
thephysical
physicalcharacter
characterofofthe
theWolf
WolfRiver
Riverrocks
rocks—- specifically, the
feldspar crystals.
crystals. Among
size, shape, orientation and distribution of the rapakivi-type feldspar
Among the
most striking characteristics of these rocks is the large size
of
the
feldspars
(up
size
feldspars (up to
to 77 cm
cm in
in
length). Statistical
Statistical analyses
analysesshow
show that
that there
there is
is no
no significant
significant difference
difference in
in size
size or
or aspect
aspect
ratio between crystals with and without the rapakivi mantle. However,
However, the
the K-feldspar
K-feldspar
cores of the rapakivi-type
rapakivi-type crystals
crystals tend to be rounder (less
(less euhedral)
euhedral) than
than non-rapakivi
non-rapakivi
grains, suggesting that they experienced significant resorption prior to the growth
growth of
of the
the
plagioclase mantle. AAweak
weakgrain
grainshape
shapefabric
fabric and
and random
random juxtaposition of
of rapakivi
rapakiviand
and
non-rapakivi grains must
must also
also be
be explained
explained by
by any
any viable
viable model
model for
for the
the origin
origin of
of the
the
texture. Our
Ourdata
data appear
appearto
to be
be most
most consistent
consistent with
with the
the magma
magma mixing
mixing model,
model, which
which isis
compatible with earlier geochemical studies of the Wolf River
River complex.
complex.

11

�Niagara suture
suture zone,
zone, northern
northernMichigan
Michiganand
andWisconsin—tectonics
Wisconsin-tectonics in
Ma arc-continent
arc-continent collisional boundary
boundary
the 1.85 Ma
W.F. Cannon,
Cannon,(U.S.
(U.S. Geological
GeologicalSurvey,
Survey, Reston,
Reston, VA
VA 201
92, wcannon
@ usgs.gov) G.L.
20192,
wcannon@usgs.gov)
G.L. LaBerge,
LaBerge,
(University of
of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
Wisconsin-Oshkosh(retired)
(retired)and
andU.S.
US.Geological
GeologicalSurvey),
Survey),John
JohnS.
S.Klasner
Kiasner
illinois University (retired)
(retired) and
(Western Illinois
and U.S.
U S . Geological
Geological Survey)
Survey)
The Niagara suture
suture zone, as used here, is a belt varying
varying in width from
from about
about 6 km to 40 km lying
north of the Niagara
Niagara fault.
fault. It separates the accreted volcanic arcs of the Wisconsin magmatic
terranes (WMT) on the south
south from
from the autocthonous
autocthonous and parautochtonous
parautochtonous continental
continentalmargin
margin
rocks on the north. ItItconsists
consistsof
of Paleoproterozoic
Paleoproterozoic metasedimentary
metasedimentary and
and metavolcanic
metavolcanic rocks of
epicratonic Marquette
Marquette Range
Range Supergroup
Supergroup and
and Archean
Archean basement
basement rocks
rocks upon
upon which
which they
they were
were
the epicratonic
deposited. The
TheArchean
Archeanrocks
rocksconstitiute
constitiutethe
thesouthern
southernmargin
margin of
of the
the Superior
Superiorcraton,
craton, which
which was
was
deposited.
rifted and eventually
eventually separated
separated during
during extensional
extensional phases
phases of
of the
the Penokean
Penokean orogenic
orogeniccycle,
cycle,and
and
during Penokean
Penokean convergence.
convergence. The
The suture
suture zone
zone is
is marked
marked by
by very
very high
high
then thrust northward during
strain and widespread multiple steeply to vertically plunging folds. The suture
suture zone
zone is
is one
one of
of
subdivisions of the Penokean
Penokean orogen whose hierarchy of component
component parts
parts is
is shown
shown
numerous subdivisions
below.
below.
Michigamme subterrane
Foreland fold
fold and thrust
i Foreland
Niagara
suture
\~
i a ~ a suture
ra
zone

/,

Park Falls panel
Watersmeet
Watersmeet panel
Beechwood
Beechwood panel
Iron
Iron River
River panel
Menominee
panel
Menominee oanel

j
J

/
I
I/

PENOKEAN OROGEN
PENOKEANOROGEN,,

\\
\

north
north
- - -south
south- - Niagara fault - - - - Pembine-Wausau
(northern part
~ e m b i n e - ~ a u s aterrane
u
(northern
part of
of WMT)
WMT)
Mars
hfield terrane (southern
(southern part
Marshfield
part of
ofWMT)
WMT)

--

The map pattern shown here was derived from published detailed
detailed maps in the east
east (Bayley
(Bayley and
and
Dutton, 1971;
others, 1966;
1966; Button,
1971; James and others
others 1968;
1968; and James and others,
others, 1961)
1961)and
and from
from our
our
but access
access to
to recent
recent exploration
exploration drill
drill
recent work in the west, where outcrops are scarce but
information as well as proprietary detailed aeromagnetic
aeromagnetic and electromagnetic
electromagneticdata
data have
have aided
aided in
in
relationships (Cannon
clarifying the geologic relationships
(Cannon and others,
others, 1998).
1998).
Each of the
the five
five fault
fault panels
panels of
of the
the Niagara
Niagara suture
suture zone
zone has
has aa unique
unique set
set of
of characteristics.
characteristics.
Watersmeet panel- Paleoproterozoic
Paleoproterozoic strata
strata are
are mostly
mostly pelitic
pelitic schists
schists and
and gneisses
gneissescontaining
containing
near the
the base.
base. They
ferruginous strata and locally dolomite near
They were
were deposited
deposited on
on a basement of
deformed into
into gneiss
gneissdomes.
domes. High-pressure
Archean gneiss. Both
Both basement and cover were deformed
metamorphism produced kyanite-bearing
kyanite-bearing assemblages.
assemblages.
Park Falls panelpanel- Generally
Generally similar
similar to
to Watersmeet
Watersmeet panel
panel except
except that
that metamorphism
metamorphismwas
was lower
lower
pressure and sillimanite-bearing
sillirnanite-bearing assemblages
assemblages are
are predominant.
predominant.
Beechwood
Beechwood panelpanel- Consists
Consists of
of Paleoproterozoic
Paleoproterozoic graywacke
graywacke and shale
shale and
and mafic
mafic volcanic
volcanic rocks
rocks in
in
roughly equal parts. Archean
Archean basement
basement is not exposed. Folds
Folds are
are ENE-trending
ENE-trending and have
subhorizontal axes. Rocks are in greenschist facies.
facies.
Iron River panelvanel- Rocks are the Paint River Group,
Group, including
including the
the Badwater
Badwater Greenstone.
Greenstone.Archean
Archean
basement is not exposed.
exposed. Strata
Strata are
are multiply
multiply folded
folded creating
creating aa complex
complex fold
fold interference
interferencemap
map
pattern. Most
Mostfold
foldplunge
plunge steeply.
steeply. Metamorphosed
Metamorphosedto
togreenschist
greenschist or
or sub-greenschist
sub-greenschist facies.
facies.
12

�88'

9•1

46'
c-is tic r-,c
V A

a

V

-

A

r-ic a

r-tc

A ?AA

.A

vA

I

I

I

a

LV" I_VA
A

0

A

a

'-

A

7

a

Lv

A

A

a

Fembine— "ausau terrane ,%/AA

— -l LV i_L V IL Vi L)
50

A—

cv' 1.-V1

c-is)

.1

I_V1

v
a

LVA cv"

1

50
1KM

ai ,a , 1a i
91'
89'
88'
0•
Map showing
showing the
the five
five structural
structuralpanels
panels (Park
(ParkFalls,
Falls,Watersmeet,
Watersmeet,Beechwood,
Beechwood,Iron
IronRiver,
River,
Map
and Menominee) that
that constitute
constitute the Niagara
Niagara suture zone. Faults
Faultsthat
thatbound
boundthe
thepanels
panelsare
are
Flambeau
Flambeau Flowage
Flowage fault
fault (FFF),
(FFF), Powell
Powell fault (PF), Elmwood fault (EF), Paint River fault (PRF),
(PRF),
Badwater
Badwater fault
fault (BF),
(BF),North
NorthRange
Rangefault
fault(NRF),
(NRF),and
andSouth
SouthRange
Rangefault
fault(SRF).
(SRF).

Menominee
Menominee panel- Rocks are entirely of Paleoproterozoic age. No
No Archean
Archean basement
basement is
is exposed.
exposed.
Strain
Strain was extreme. Commonly
Commonlyall
allstructural
structuralelements,
elements,including
including fold
fold axes,
axes, are
are subvertical.
subvertical.
Metamorphism
Metamorphism is
is lower
lower to
to upper
upper greenschist
greenschist facies
faciesand
and largely
largely post-tectonic.
post-tectonic.
These
These panels,
panels, and
and the
the Niagara
Niagara suture
suturezone
zone that
that they
they constitute,
constitute,differ
differfrom
fromthe
theMichigamme
Michigamme
subterrane
Archeanbasement
basementisisin
in the
the
subterrane to the north. There
Therewas
waslittle
littlepenetrative
penetrativedeformation
deformationof
of Archean
Michigamme subterrane. Paleoproterozoic
deformed. Folds,
Paleoproterozoic strata
strata were moderately to weakly deformed.
for
for the
the most part, are
are simple
simpleand
and gently
gently plunging.
plunging. Metamorphic
Metamorphic grade
grade is
is variable
variableand
and mostly
mostly postposttectonic. Thus,
Thus,the
theNiagara
Niagarasuture
suturezone
zonedocuments
documentsaarange
range of
of tectonic
tectonic styles
styles unique
unique to
to the
the very
very
high strains
strains in
in aa belt
belt no
no more
more than
than aa few
few tens
tens of
of kilometers
kilometers wide,
wide, along
along which
which differential
differential
movement between the accreting
arcs
on
the
south
and
the
craton
margin
on
the
accreting arcs on the south and the craton margin on the north
north was
was
concentrated.
concentrated.

References
References
Bayley,
Bayley, R.W.,
R.W., Dutton,
Dutton, C.E.,
C.E.,and
and Lamey,
Lamey, C.A.,
C.A., 1966,
1966,Geology
Geologyof
of the
the Menominee
Menomineeiron-bearing
iron-bearingdistrict,
district,
Dickinson
Dickinson County,
County, Michigan
Michigan and
and Florence
Florence and
and Marinette
MarinetteCounty,
County,Wisconsin:
Wisconsin:U.S.
U.S. Geological
GeologicalSurvey
Survey
Professional
96p.
Professional Paper 513,
5 13,96p.

Cannon,
Cannon, W.F., LaBerge, G.L. Klasner, J.S., and Schulz, K.J., 1998,
1998, Reinterpretation of the Penokean
44th
continental
margin
in
part
of
northern
Wisconsin
and
Michigan
(abs.): Proceedings
Proceedings of 44thAnnual
Annual Institute
Institute
continental
on
on Lake
Lake Superior
Superior Geology,
Geology,v.
v. 44,
44, p.
p. 52-53.
52-53.
Dutton,
Dutton, C.E., 1971,
1971, Geology
Geology of the Florence area, Wisconsin and Michigan: U.S. Geological Survey
Professional Paper 633,
633,54
p.
Professional
54 p.
James,
James, H.L.,
H.L., Clark,
Clark, L.D.,
L.D., Lamey,
Lamey, C.A.,
C.A., and
and Pettijohn,
Pettijohn,F.J.,
F.J., 1961,
1961,Geology
Geologyof
ofCentral
CentralDickinson
DickinsonCounty,
County,
Michigan:
Michigan: U.S.
U.S. geological
geological Survey
SurveyProfessional
ProfessionalPaper
Paper 310,
3 10,176
176p.p.

James, H.L., Dutton, C.E.,
C.E., Pettijohn, F.J.,
F.J., and Weir, K.L., 1968,
1968, Geology and ore deposits of the Iron River
Professional Paper
Paper 570, 134 p.
-- Crystal
Crystal Falls district, Iron County, Michigan: U.S. Geological Survey Professional

13

�Strike-slip separation
separation of the Burntside trondhjemite and
and the Wakemup
Wakemup Bay tonalite,
Northern Minnesota
Northern
Minnesota
Karoun Charkoudian, Basil Tikoff
Department of Geology and Geophysics,
Geophysics, University of Wisconsin,
Wisconsin, Madison
Madison WI,
WI, 53706
53706
Robert Bauer
Department of Geological
Geological Sciences,
Sciences, University of Missouri,
Missouri, Columbia,
Columbia, MO,
MO, 65211
6521 1

INTRODUCTION The
INTRODUCTION
TheVermilion
Vermilionfault
faultisisaalocal
localtectonic
tectonicboundary
boundary in the southern Canadian
Shield juxtaposing the Quetico
Quetico subprovince
subprovince (granites
(granites and
and schists)
schists) with
with the
the Wawa
Wawa greenstones.
greenstones.
Burntside trondhjemite
The Bumtside
trondhjemite and
and the Wakemup Bay tonalite
tonalite are
are small,
small, elliptical,
elliptical, Archean
Archeangranites
granites
separated
km of right lateral offset on the Vermilion
Vermilion fault
fault in
in northern
northernMinnesota.
Minnesota. The
separated by 35
35 krn
normal fault,
fault, juxtaposing
juxtaposing the
the shallow Wawa
Wawa
Vermilion fault is interpreted as initially active as a normal
greenstone to the south with the deeper
deeper granites
granites and
and migmatized schists
schists to
to the
the north
north (figure
(figure1,1,
stage 1).
fault, separating the
the Burntside
Burntside trondhjemite
trondhjemite from
from
1). It was later reactivated as a strike-slip fault,
stage
Bay tonalite (figure 1, stage 2).
2). Although the Vermilion fault is the regional
the Wakemup Bay
boundary between
between the
the Quetico
Quetico and
and Wawa
Wawa subprovinces,
subprovinces,the
th Haley fault lies to the south of the
Vermilion fault and contains Quetico
Quetico schists
schists that belong
belong
on the north side of the Vermilion
Vermilion fault
fault (figure
(figure 1).
1).
The purpose
purpose of this
this study
study is
is to
to compare
compare
emplacement setting, fabrics, composition,
composition, and shape
shape of
the two plutons to determine if they constitute
constitute a piercing
piercing
point on the Vermilion fault. In
In addition,
addition, we have
determined the dip on the Vermilion
Vermilion fault, constrained
constrained
the emplacement
emplacement history of the
the Wakemup
Wakemup tonalite,
tonalite, and
and
determined a potential cause for the isolated fault block
that now contains
contains the
the Wakemup
Wakemup Bay pluton (figure
(figure 1,
1,
stage 2).
The Burntside trondhjemite
trondhjemite is a small lenticular
pluton that intruded the schist that lies to the north of the
Burntside
Bumtside Lake fault,
fault, a continuation
continuation of
of the
the Vermilion
Vermilion
fault at its eastern end. The
The Wakemup
Wakemup Bay pluton is a
biotite-bearing
biotite-bearing tonalite
tonalite that
that intruded
intruded the
the schist
schistthat
that lies
lies
Figure 11
just to
to the
the north
north of
of the
the Haley
Haley fault.
fault.
Figure

g'one

The Anisotropy
AMS ANALYSIS
ANALYSIS
Anisotropy of Magnetic
Magnetic Susceptibility
Susceptibility (AMS)
(AMS) is
is aa rapid,
rapid, nonnondestructive technique, commonly used in granitic studies to obtain
obtain magnetic
magnetic fabrics.
fabrics. Principle
Principle
The magnetic foliation is defined as the kmx-kint
AMS ellipsoid axes
axes are
are defined
defined as
as knBx&gt;kint&gt;kmin.
plane, and the magnetic lineation is defined as the orientation of kmx.
The bulk susceptibility
j.tSI)
susceptibilityvaries
varies widely
widelyin
inboth
boththe
theWakemup
WakemupBay
Baytonalite
tonalite(500-8500
(500-8500pS1)
and the Burntside trondhjemite (5OO-350OSI).
(500-3500pSI). This
This range of susceptibility
susceptibility is attributed
attributed to the
large variation in magnetite content throughout these bodies. The
The AMS
AMS foliations
foliations parallel
parallel the
the
measured field foliation in both plutons. Lineations
Lineationsin
inthe
the Wakemup
Wakemup Bay
Bay tonalite
tonalite dip
dip shallowly
shallowly
to the E and W, and lineations in the Burntside trondhjemite dip shallowly to the ENE and WSW.
WSW.
Magnetic lineations
lineations consistently
consistently parallel
parallel the
the long
long axis
axis of
of the
the plutons.
plutons.
The Burntside
GRAVITY
GRAVITY STUDY
STUDY
Burntside and Wakemup plutons were selected
selected for
for aa gravity
gravity study
study
because they both contain a single surrounding lithology (biotite schist) with a significant and
g/cc). In
consistent density
density contrast
contrast (Adensity
(Mensity =
-0.08 to -0.1 glcc).
= -0.08
In addition,
addition,the
the gravity
gravitydata
data allows
allowsus
us
to model the dip of the Vermilion
Vermilion fault.
fault.

14

�meter model
model G
G was
was used
usedfor
forboth
both areas.
areas. After
A Lacoste and Romberg gravity meter
corrections, a forward
forward model approach
approach was used to interpret
interpret the depth of the Burntside
Burntside pluton
pluton and
and
Vermilion fault geometry using WinGLink,
WinGLink, aa geophysical
geophysical interpretation
interpretation software
software program.
program. The
km in
in thickness.
thickness. The Vermilion
Vermilion fault is a steeplysteeplyBurntside pluton is a thick body between 2-3 km
north dipping to vertically oriented feature. Using
Using aa gravimetric
gravimetric three-dimensional
three-dimensional iterative
iterative
technique on the Wakemup Bay pluton
pluton resulted
resulted in
in aa good
good first-order
first-order picture
picture of
of the
the pluton.
pluton. Most
of the pluton is very thin, less than 0.5km thick.
There are
are two root zones
zones of up to
to 4 km depth,
thick. There
both of which lie on the southern
southern portion
portion of the
the Wakemup pluton,
pluton, furthest
furthest away
away from
from the
the
Vermilion fault.

INTERPRETATION We interpret
interpret the
the Burntside
Burntside and
and Wakemup
Wakemup plutons
plutons as
as part
part of
of the
the same
same
on the
the Vermilion
Vermilion fault.
fault. These
granitic complex prior to strike-slip faulting on
These igneous
igneous bodies
bodies are
are
similar in composition and both have undergone solid-state deformation. The plutons have similar
structural settings. The
TheWakemup
WakemupBay
Bay pluton
pluton intrudes
intrudes an
an F3
F3 fold hinge
hinge and the Burntside
Burntside pluton
Given the
the separation,
separation, the
the folding
folding episodes
episodes may
may or may
has refolded F2 folds at its southern end. Given
not correlate
correlate exactly.
exactly.
The gravity
gravity inversion
inversion and
and AMS study
study on the Wakemup
Wakemup pluton provide
provide constraints
constraints on
on
pluton emplacement. The
km. Because
The pluton
pluton has
has an average thickness of 0.5 km.
Because the pluton
contains a roof of wallrock, this estimate reflects the true thickness of the pluton. The
TheAMS
AMS
foliation
foliation and
and lineation
lineation parallel
parallel the
the fold
fold limbs
limbs and
and fold
fold hinge,
hinge, respectively,
respectively,of
of aakm-scale
km-scale F3
F3fold.
fold.
Therefore
Therefore we interpret
interpret the
the Wakemup
Wakemup as
as syntectonically
syntectonicallyintruding
intruding an
an F3
F3 fold
fold hinge.
hinge.
We use a forward
forward gravity model to estimate
estimate the dip
dip on
on the
the Vermilion
Vermilion fault,
fault, which
whichdips
dips
between 70°
70' N and vertical. This
Thisinterpretation
interpretationrequires
requiresthat
thatthe
the section
sectionof
of the
theVermilion
Vermilionfault
fault
south of the Burntside pluton was not active
active as a south-side
south-side down normal
normal fault.
fault.
We propose the following tectonic model (figure 1). The
The Burntside
Burntside pluton
pluton and
and the
the
granitic complex.
complex. The
Wakemup Bay pluton were initially part of the same granitic
The Vermilion
Vermilion fault
fault was
was
initiated as a normal fault (figure 1,
juxtaposed the amphibolite facies Quetico
1, stage 1),
I), which juxtaposed
with the
the greenschist
greenschist facies
facies Wawa
Wawa belt.
belt. The Wakemup tonalite, with a thick root on
sub-province with
its south side, acted as a promontory in the fault system. The
The Vermilion
Vermilion fault
fault was
was then
then
reactivated as a strike-slip fault (figure 1, stage 2), cutting through the
the thinnest
thinnest (NW) section of
of
the Wakemup Bay pluton. This
This created
createdthe
the fault-bounded
fault-bounded block
block that
that contains
contains the
the Wakemup
Wakemup Bay
pluton. Therefore,
Therefore,ititisisevident
evidentthat
thatthe
thepluton
plutonshape
shapehas
has played
played aa crucial
crucialrole
role in
in controlling
controlling
Vermilion
Vermilion fault orientation,
orientation, both
both for
for the
the early
early normal
normal faulting
faulting and
and later
later strike-slip
strike-slipfaulting.
faulting.

REFERENCES
REFERENCES
Minnesota. Minnesota
Bauer, R.L., 1985,
1985, Norwegian Bay Quadrangle, St. Louis County, Minnesota.
Minnesota Geological
Geological
Survey, Miscellaneous
Miscellaneous Map series,
series, Map
Map M-59,
M-59, 1:24,000.
1:24,000.
Bauer, R.L., 1986,
1986, Multiple
Multiple folding
folding and
and pluton
pluton emplacement
emplacementin
in Archean
Archeanmigmatites
migmatitesof
of the
the southern
southern
Vermilion granitic
1753-1764.
granitic complex,
complex, northeastern
northeastern Minnesota.
Minnesota. Can.
Can. J.
J. Earth
Earth Sci.,
Sci., v.
v. 23,
23, p.
p. 1753-1764.
Bauer, R.L., and Bidwell, M.E., 1990,
1990, Contrasts in the response to dextral transpression across the QueticoWawa subprovince boundary in northeastern Minnesota. Can.
Can. J.
J. Earth
Earth Sci.,
Sci., v.
v. 27,
27, p.
p. 1521-1535.
1521-1535.
Sims, P.K., and Mudrey, M.G., 1972,
district, in
in Sims, P.K.,
P.K., et
et al., eds.,
eds.,
1972, Burntside granite gneiss, Vermilion district,
Geology of Minnesota:
Centennial Volume: St.
St. Paul, Minnesota
Minnesota Geological
Geological Survey,
Survey, p.
p. 98-101.
98-101.
Minnesota: A Centennial
Vigneresse,
Vigneresse, J.L.,
J.L., 1995,
1995,Control
Control of
of granite
graniteemplacement
emplacementby
by regional
regional deformation:
deformation:Tectonophyiscs,
Tectonophyiscs,v.v.249,
249,p.p.
173-186.
173-186.

15

�GEOLOGY AND MINERAL
MINERAL POTENTIAL
POTENTIAL OF PROTEROZOIC
PROTEROZOIC MAFIC
MAFIC INTRUSIONS
IN THE NORTHERN GRENVILLE
GRENVILLE PROVINCE
PROVINCE OF ONTARIO
ONTARIO
R.M. EASTON, Ontario Geological Survey,
Survey, 933 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, Ontario P3E 6B5,
mike.easton@ndm.gov.on.ca
rnike.easton@ndm.gov.on.ca

Since 1998,
1998, mafic intrusions
intrusions near the Grenville
Grenville Front in Ontario
Ontario have
have been
been prime
prime
exploration targets for Cu-Ni-PGE
Cu-Ni-PGE mineralization.
mineralization.To
To assist
assist in
in this
this effort,
effort, the
the Ontario
OntarioGeological
Geological
Survey has conducted detailed mapping in high potential areas of the Grenville
Grenville Province
Province between
between
1999 and 2002. This poster summarizes the results of these mapping efforts.
efforts.

East Bull
Bull Lake
Lakeintrusive
intrusivesuite,
suite,including
includingthe
theRiver
RiverValley
Valleyintrusion:
intrusion:Country
Countryrocks
rockstotoEast
East
East
Bull Lake intrusive
intrusive (EBLI)
(EBLI) suite
suite rocks in the area
area are inferred to be mainly Archean
Archean in
in age,
age, and
and
are grouped into 4 gneiss associations.
associations. Metamorphic grade is upper amphibolite
amphibolite facies;
fades; country
country
rocks to the mafic intrusions
intrusions are
are commonly
commonly migmatitic.
migmatitic.
The Paleoproterozoic
PaleoproterozoicEBLI
EBLI suite
suite consists
consists of several
several mafic
mafic layered
layered intrusions
intrusions emplaced
emplaced
between 2490
krn, roughly
roughly
2490 and
and 2468
2468 Ma
Ma (James
(Jamesetetal.
al.2002)
2002)that
thatoccur
occurover
overaadistance
distanceofof—250
-250 km,
site of Sudbury.
Sudbury.The
The largest
largest of these bodies in
in the
the Grenville
Grenvilleisis the
the River
River
centered on the present site
Valley intrusion,
intrusion, which underlies roughly 100
of Dana
Dana and Crerar townships. Previous maps
100 km2
krn2 of
correlated
correlated mafic rocks west of Crerar
Crerar Township
Township with
with the
the River
River Valley
Valley intrusion.
intrusion.This
This study
study
indicates
indicates that at least
least 3 separate
separate intrusions
intrusions are
are present,
present, each
each emplaced
emplacedinto
into different
differentcountry
country
rocks, and with different
different stratigraphy
stratigraphy and mineral potential.
EBLI suite rock types range in composition from anorthosite
anorthosite to melanorite,
melanorite, troctolite
troctolite and
and
rarely peridotite; leucogabbronorite
leucogabbronorite and gabbronorite dominante.
dominante. The
The crystallization
crystallizationorder
order of
of
olivine
orthopyroxene
(An80-62),
olivine (Fo7659), orthopyroxene
primocryst phases
phases is
is most
mostcommonly
commonlyplagioclase
plagioclase(An8062),
(En7558),
titanomagnetite,and
andclinopyroxene.
clinopyroxene. In
In Dana
Dana Township,
Township, the
the River
River Valley intrusion
(En75-58),titanomagnetite,
locally exhibits primary mineralogy and well preserved igneous textures.
textures. Phase
Phase layering
layering varies
from cm- to m-scale,
m-scale, which is discernable
discernable in outcrop,
outcrop, and
and dm
dm or
or larger,
larger, which
which is
is identified
identifiedby
by
detailed mapping. Isomodal layering is most common;
common; mineral and
and size
size graded
graded layers
layers are
are less
less
common. Cryptic layering is well documented for the River Valley intrusion.
intrusion. Pearce-element
Pearce-element
ratio and chondrite-normalized
chondrite-normalizedREE
REE diagrams
diagrams illustrate
illustrate that
that each
each body formed
formed from
from one
one or
or more
more
tholeiite composition
composition can
can explain
explain the
the
cogenetic magmas (James et al. 2002). A high-Al, low-Ti tholeiite
al. 2002).
2002).
dominant leucocratic rock compositions
compositions in the
the EBLI
EBLI suite
suite (James
(James et al.
Within
g/t Pd+Pt+Au)
Pd+Pt+Au)
Within the
the EBLI
EBLI suite,
suite, contact-type
contact-type Cu-Pd-Pt
Cu-Pd-Pt mineralization
mineralization (1
(1 to
to 10
10g/t
occurs in the matrix of an inclusion
and/or
fragment-bearing
gabbronorite
to
leucogabbronorite
inclusion
fragment-bearing gabbronorite to leucogabbronoriteat
at
the base or side of the intrusions
intrusions where the primary igneous contact is preserved.
preserved. A
A second,
second,
m above the
the contact.
contact. Examples
Examples occur
occur
similar, zone of mineralization may occur 100-200 m
throughout the EBLI suite, however, the most consistent
consistent grades have been reported
reported from
from the
the
% sulfide,
sulfide,
River Valley intrusion in Dana Township.
Township. Chalcopyrite and lesser
lesser pyrrhotite
pyrrhotite form
form 1-3
1-3%
disseminated or as local cm-sized
either finely disseminated
cm-sized patches. PGE mineralization
mineralizationis
is commonly
commonly
associated with sulphide.
sulphide. Study
Study of the East Bull Lake intrusion indicates
indicates that
that mineralization
mineralization
originates from the intrusion and subsequent
subsequent dynamic
dynamic mixing of S-saturated,
S-saturated,inclusion-bearing,
inclusion-bearing,
second-stage (PGE enriched, i.e. 20-100
20-100 ppb PGE) magmas that entered
entered the
the magma
magma chamber
chamber
second-stage
carrying liquid sulfide
sulfide droplets
droplets (James
(James et
et al.
al. 2002).
2002). Reef-style
Reef-style mineralization
mineralizationhas
has yet
yet to
to be
be
documented within the
the EBLI
EBLI suite.
suite.

16

�history between
Geological history
between Sudbury
Sudburyand
andRiver
RiverValley:
Valley:Archean
Archeanrocks
rocksin
in this
this area
area record a
sequence of events similar to that observed in the Levack Gneiss
Gneiss complex
complex and
and high-grade
high-grade
portions of the Quetico subprovince,
subprovince, but unlike the Pontiac subprovince. The following
geological history is inferred.
inferred. After deposition of greywackes
greywackes south
south of the
the Temagami
Temagarni greenstone
greenstone
belt, invasion by tonalitic
tonalitic to
to granodioritic
granodioritic plutons,
plutons, probably
probably accompanied
accompaniedby
by burial,
burial, formed
formed the
the
migmatitic gneisses
gneisses now represented
represented by the Pardo
Pardo and
and Red
Red Cedar
Cedar Lake
Lake gneiss
gneiss associations,
associations,likely
likely
between 2685 and 2675
2675 Ma.
Ma. This
This was
was followed
followedby
by aa second
second period
period of
of tonalitic
tonalitic to
to granodioritic
granodioritic
magmatism, deformation
deformation and
and metamorphism
metamorphism at
at mid-crustal
mid-crustal levels
levels between
between 2670
2670and
and2660
2660Ma.
Ma.
The Crerar gneiss association
association represents
represents the
the products
products of
of this
this latter
latter activity.
activity.Subsequent
Subsequentfelsic
felsic
magmatism at roughly 2640 Ma was accompanied
accompanied by emplacement of pegmatite
pegmatite veins.
veins.
A logical extension of this work is to interpret the gneiss associations as a southwarddeepening section of the crust.
crust. As interpreted,
interpreted, Archean
Archean metawackes
metawackes exposed
exposed immediately
immediatelynorth
north
of the Grenville
Grenville Front represent high-levels of the crust.
crust. The
The Pardo
Pardo gneiss,
gneiss, immediately
immediatelysouth
south of
of
the Grenville
Grenville Front, represents
represents the middle
middle part of aa 10-15
10-15 km
km thick
thick upper
upper crustal
crustallayer
layer dominated
dominated
supracrustal and intrusive
by supracrustal
intrusive rocks.
rocks. The Red Cedar
Cedar Lake gneiss and
and the Street
Street gneiss
gneiss association
association
represent the basal portion of this upper crustal
crustal layer,
layer, with the former
former derived
derived from
from aa
metasedimentary rock sequence and the latter
latter from a greenstone sequence.
sequence. Intrusive
Intrusive rocks
rocks of
of the
the
km thick middle
middle crustal
crustal layer.
layer. This
This crustal
crustal section
section is
is
Crerar gneiss association are part of a 10-15
10-15 km
roughly equivalent to that observed
observed across the Wawa gneiss domain.
domain. Emplacement
Emplacementof
of EBLI
EBLI suite
suite
bodies occurs at several levels
levels within this
this crustal
crustal section.
section.

Flett
Evidence
forfora amafic
Flett Township
Townshipmafic
maficIntrusions:
Intrusions:
Evidence
maficand
andA-type
A-typegranite
granitemagmatic
magmaticprovince
province
in the northern Grenville
Grenville Province
Province was discovered while examining mafic intrusions near
Temagami that occur
occur in Tomiko
Tomiko domain,
domain,near
near its
its contact
contact with
with the
the Grenville
GrenvilleFront
Fronttectonic
tectoniczone.
zone.
Proterozoic
Proterozoic country
country rocks consist
consist of
of gneissic
gneissic granite,
granite, with
with minor
minor mafic
mafic and
andquarztose
quarztosegneiss
gneissand
and
metaconglomerate.
metaconglomerate. The Fall Lake intrusion consists of little metamorphosed gabbro and
leucotroctolite. The Fanny Lake intrusion consists of olivinite
leucotroctolite.
olivinite and
and troctolite.
troctolite. Igneous
Igneous texture
texture is
is
well preserved, but metamorphic coronas
coronas occur
occur around
around primary olivine
olivine and
and clinopyroxene.
clinopyroxene.
Geochemistry indicates that both bodies are slightly alkalic,
alkalic, compositionally
compositionally similar
similar to
to the
the
±44 Ma,
Ma, and
and have
have affinities
affinities to
to within-plate
within-plate basalts.
basalts.
Sudbury diabase dike swarm dated at 1238 Â
The Fall Lake intrusion
intrusion yielded
yielded pristine
pristine baddeleyite,
baddeleyite, with 33 concordant
concordantor
or just slightly
slightly
discordant grains
1235Â±22Ma.
Ma. The
The Fanny
Fanny Lake sample
2 0 7 ~ b / 2 0age
6age
~ bofof1235
sample
discordant
grainsgiving
givingan
anaverage
average207Pb/206Pb
yielded baddeleyite, with some grains having thin zircon overgrowths,
overgrowths, consistent
consistent with
with the
the
presence of corona
corona textures
textures in
in the
the body.
body. Two
Two concordant
concordant grains
grains without
without overgrowths
overgrowthsgave
gavean
an
average 207Pb/206Pb
1238 Â
± 2 Ma.
2 0 7 ~ b / 2 0age
6age
~ bofof 1238
average
Both intrusions
intrusions are
are spatially
spatially associated
associatedwith
with the
the A-type
A-type Mulock
Mulock granite,
granite,dated
dated previously
previously
at 12444L3
1 2 4 4 1 - Ma.
~ Intrusions of similar age include the Sudbury dike swarm,
swarm, Mercer
Mercer anorthosite,
anorthosite,
granitoid plutons. The new age data
data provides
provides further
further evidence
evidence
and the West Bay and Powassan granitoid
for the presence of a bimodal magmatic province active from 1270-1235
1270-1235Ma
Ma in
in the
the Laurentian
Laurentian
margin of the Grenville Province. The tectonic setting is interpreted as an extensional rift
nft that
formed
formed inboard
inboard of aa continental
continental arc
arc active
active on
on the
the southern
southern margin
margin of
of North
North America
Americabetween
between
1450-1300
1450-1300 Ma. This setting
setting resembles that of the Cenozoic
Cenozoic Columbia
ColumbiaRiver
River Basalt
BasaltGroup.
Group.
James, R.S., Easton,
Easton, R.M.,
R.M., Peck,
Peck, D.C.
D.C. and
and Hrominchuk,
Hrorninchuk, J.L.
J.L. 2002.
2002.The
TheEast
EastBull
BullLake
Lakeintrusive
intrusivesuite:
suite:remnants
remnantsof
ofaa
—2.48Ga
Galarge
largeigneous
igneousand
andmetallogenic
metallogenicprovince
province in
in the
the Sudbury
Sudbury area of the Canadian
Canadian Shield;
-2.48
Shield; Economic
Economic
p.1577-1606.
Geology, v.97, p.
1577-1606.

17

�PALEOSTRESS INFERENCES
PALEOSTRESS
INFERENCES FROM
FROMFAULT
FAULT SLIP
SLIP VECTORS
VECTORS IN
IN THE
THE EASTERN
EASTERNPART
PARTOF
OFTHE
THE
WISCONSIN SEGMENT
SEGMENTOF
OFTHE
i'H MIDCONTINENT
Rwr
WISCONSIN
MIDCONTINENT
RIFT

Amy Garbowicz,
Garbowicz, Marcia
Marcia Bjornerud,
Bjornemd,
Geology Department,
Department, Lawrence University, Appleton, WI 54912
549 12

Building accurate
accurate models
models for
for both
both the opening
Building
opening and closing
closing of the
the Midcontinent
Midcontinent Rift
Rift
requires an
an understanding
of the evolution
requires
understanding of
evolution of regional
regional stresses
stresses over
over time.
time. This
This study
study
paleostress indicators
indicators in
in the
the portion
portion of
of the Rift exposed near
focused on slickenfibers as paleostress
of Lake Superior in
in northeasternmost
northeasternmost Wisconsin.
Wisconsin. The orientations of
the southern shore of
slickenfibers were
were used
used to determine
slickenfibers
determine slip vectors
vectors on
on outcrop-scale
outcrop-scale faults within riftspan the
the entire range of the
related igneous and
related
and sedimentary
sedimentary rocks.
rocks. Rocks
Rocks sampled
sampled span
the
Keweenawan Supergroup, from the Tyler Formation to the Freda Sandstone, with most of
the sampling in the Porcupine
Porcupine Volcanics,
Volcanics, the Kallander
Kallander Creek
Creek Volcanics,
Volcanics, and
and the
the Mellen
Mellen
Gabbro. . The
The mineral composition of the slickenfibers was used as a proxy for their age,
Gabbro.
based on the
based
the known
known regional
regional sequence
sequence of
of secondary
secondary mineralization
mineralization within
within the Rfit.
Rfit.
Chlorite and epidote slickenfibers
were
grouped
together
and
considered
older
since
these
slickenfibers
were among the first
were
first minerals
minerals precipitated
precipitated by hydrothermal
hydrothermal fluids following the main
main
of calcite and zeolite were
magmatic interval.
interval. Slickenfibers of
were considered
considered to
to be
be younger.
younger.
Some individual faults were observed to have
have multiple
multiple generations
generations of
of slickenfibers
slickenfiberswith
with
different compositions, indicating
indicating either
either reactivation
reactivation or
or continuous
continuous slip
slip over a protracted
protracted
different
period
Fault Kinematics
Kinematics (by R.
period of time.
time. Data
Data from the
the field
field were
were analyzed
analyzed using
using Fault
Ailmendinger, Cornell Unviersity), a program that calculates
Allmendinger,
calculates best-fit
best-fit paleostress
paleostress tensors
tensors
from fault slip
tensors all indicate normal stress
slip information.
information. The calculated tensors
stress regimes
regimes
(maximum principal
principal stress subvertical), even for the
(maximum
the latest
latest generations
generationsof
ofslickenfibers.
slickenfibers.
This
This contrasts
contrasts with
with the results
results of
of studies
studies on
on the
theKeweenaw
Keweenaw Peninsula,
Peninsula, which
which have
have
documented two
two distinct stress
documented
stress regimes.
regimes. There,
There, early
early normal
normal faulting
faulting gives
gives way
way to
reverse faulting, possibly as a response to far-field
far-field stresses
stresses associated
associated with the
the Grenville
Grenville
Orogeny. The
Orogeny.
The absence
absenceof
of reverse-slip
reverse-slipvectors
vectors in
in the
the northeastern
northeastern Wisconsin
Wisconsin segment
segment of
of
the Midcontinent
Midcontinent Rift may reflect the misorientation of this part of the rift with respect to
those far-field
far-field stresses.
stresses.
.

18

�Possible Origin in
in the
the Negaunee
Negaunee
Mode of Occurrence of Trona and Thermonatrite and their Possible
Iron-Formation of the Marquette Range, Lake Superior District, USA
Tsu-Ming Han (Retired)
(Retired)

Research Laboratory, Cleveland-Cliffs
Cleveland-Cliffs Inc.
the silicate-bearing Negaunee
Negaunee IronIronA white colored substance
substance is often seen on the surface of the
Formation of low metamorphic
Range, Michigan. This substance is
metamorphic grade
grade on the Marquette
Marquette Range%
thermonatrite) ItIt occurs
mostly of a mixture containing hydrous sodium carbonates (trona and thermonatrite)
occurs as
as
thin coatings along bedding (Figure
(Figure 1-A),
1-A), and in fractures cutting
cutting across the bedding; as coatings
patterns distributed
distributed
and colloform clusters on bedding planes (Figure 1-B); and as contour patterns
Furthermore, nearly pure trona
trona was developed quickly
quickly
between the fractures of bedding surfaces. Furthermore&gt;
dendrites and minute dots
as dendrites
dots on the cut
cut surfaces
surfaces of
of some
some hand specimens
specimens in
in storage
storage(Figure
(FigureC).
C).
To the writer's knowledge,
knowledge, these
these minerals
minerals have not been previously reported
reported from Precambrian
Precambrian
BIF
B E of
of the
the equivalent
equivalent metamorphic
metamorphicgrade
grade in
in other
other districts.
districts.

ILl

Figures
- Mode
Mode of occurrence
occurrence of trona and thermonatrite.
thermonatrite.
Figures 11—
A—As
whitecoatings
coatingsalong
along bedding.
bedding. B-As
B—Ascolloform
colloformclusters
clusters on
on aa bedding
bedding plane.
A-As white
C—
Asdendrites
dendriteson
onthe
thecut
cut surface
surface of
of aa hand
hand specimen in storage.
C- As
storage.

The iron-formation is composed
composed of
of magnetite,
magnetite, siderite,
siderite, ankerite,
ankerite, and
and stilpnomelane..
stilpnomelane..
Minnesotaite
Minnesotaite is also locally present in noticeable quantities. K is more than Na in these minerals
as is the case in nearly
nearly all
all of
of the
the Precambrian
Precambrian iron-formations
iron-formationsof
oflow
lowmetamorphic
metamorphicgrade.
grade. As
As aa

19

.

�general
generalrule,
rule,stilpnomelane
stilpnomelanecontains
containsmore
moreKKand
andNa
Nathan
thanthe
theminnesotaite.
rninnesotaite.However,
However,the
the
K20:Na.20
K20:NaZOratio
ratioininthese
theseminerals
mineralsand
andinthe
in theiron
ironformationa
formationsmay
mayvary
varysubstantially..
substantially. .
Based
Basedon
onthe
theresults
resultsfrom
fromthe
thehighly
highlypurified
purifiedwater
waterleaching
leachingtests
testson
onmore
morethan
thantwenty
twentydifferent
different
samples,
samples,the
theNa
Naininthe
theiron-formation
iron-formationisiswater-soluble
water-solublewhereas
whereasthe
theKKisispractically
practicallyinsoluble
insoluble
(Figures
2Aand
andB).
B).The
TheXRD
XRDand
andanalytical
analyticaldata
datashow
showaagood
goodcorrelation
correlationbetween
betweenthe
theamount
amount
(Figures2A
ofofstilpnomelane
Na20, K20
ofNa.20,
K20and
andA1203
A1203(Figures
(Figures3A
3AtotoC).
C).
stdpnomelaneand
andthe
theamounts
amountsof

y = 9.9759x- 0645

0.05

0

0.10

0.15

020

-

Figure22 AAand
andBB Solubility
Solubilityof
ofK20
K 2 0and
andNa20
Na20
Figure
in
the
silicate-bearing
iron-formation
with
high
in the silicate-bearing iron-formation with high
andlow
low K20:Na20
K20:Na20ratios.
ratios.
and

-

25:

R

2O
15
15

-

Figure33- AAto
to C
C Relationship
Relationship of
of stilpnomelane
stilpnomelane
Figure
toK20,
K20,Na20
Na20and
andA1203.
Al203,
to

00

0.5
0.5

1.0
1.O

1.5
1.5

2.0
2.0

2.5
2.5

ItItmay
may be
be logically
logicallyconcluded
concludedthat
thatmost
mostof
ofthe
thesodium
sodiumwas
wasderived
derivedfrom
fromthe
the stilpnomelane,
stilpnomelane,
which
ofthe
thehydrous
hydroussodium
sodiumcarbonates
carbonateswas
was
whichwas
was leached
leachedout
outby
bymeteoric
meteoricwater.
water.The
Themixture
mixtureof
then
thendeveloped
developedthrough
throughevaporation
evaporationunder
underthe
theatmospheric
atmosphericconditions.
conditions.

20

3.0
3.0

�Keweenawan Mafic and
and Ultramafic Intrusive
Intrusive Rocks of the Lake Nipigon and
Ontario
Crystal Lake areas, northwestern Ontario
Hart,
Hart, Thomas
ThomasR.,
R.,Ontario
OntarioGeological
GeologicalSurvey,
Survey,933
933Ramsey
RamseyLake
LakeRoad,
Road, Sudbury,
Sudbury, Ontario
Ontario P3E
6B5; tom.hart@ndm.gov.on.ca
tom.hart @ndm.gov.on.ca

The Keweenawan diabase
diabase sills
sills in the Lake
Lake Nipigon and
and Crystal
Crystal Lake
Lake areas,
areas,
northwest of Lake Superior,
Superior, consist
consist of
of two distinct
distinct geochemical
geochemical and
and geographical
geographicalgroups
groups
with each area also hosting
hosting aa number
number of unique
unique intrusions
intrusions that
that suggest
suggest different
differenttectonic
tectonic
processes. Mapping
Mapping by Smith
Smith and Sutcliffe
Sutcliffe (1987)
(1987) in the Crystal
Crystal Lake
Lake area
area identified
identified aa
series of 6 Logan diabase
diabase sills
sills &gt;5
&gt;5 m thick that gently
gently dip
dip to the southwest,
southwest,and
and intrude
intrude
into the early Proterozoic
Proterozoic Rove
Rove Formation.
Formation. Northeast
Northeast trending
trending dykes
dykes of
of the
the Pigeon
Pigeon River
River
swarm range from olivine
olivine to quartz diabase
diabase in composition,
composition,and
and include
includedykes
dykes that
that
crosscut the Logan sills and dykes that appear to merge with the sills.
sills. The
The layered
layered gabbro
gabbro
— anorthosite
anorthosite -- troctolite
troctolite Crystal Lake Gabbro crosscuts and contains inclusions of Pigeon
-Tb/Yb - ZrIY
Zr/Y
River dykes. Samples of the Logan sills
sills can be subdivided
subdivided into
into aa low
low TiO2
Ti02 -TWYb
group and
-Tb/Yb - Zr/Y
(OGS2002).
2002).The
The
high
Ti02
group
ZrIY group
group (OGS
high
Ti02
group
waswas
and aa high
high TiO2
Ti02 -Th/Yb
identified as
asbeing
beingquartz
quartz
normative,
comparable
theLogan
type Logan
by Sutcliffe
normative,
andand
comparable
to thetotype
sills bysills
Sutcliffe
(1991).
Samplesidentified
identified
Pigeon
River
dykes
exhibit
high degree
of variability
(1991). Samples
as as
Pigeon
River
dykes
exhibit
a higha degree
of variability
suggesting that they represent
represent at least three
three unrelated
unrelated intrusions.
intrusions. One
One subset
subset of
of the
the
comparable to the low TiO2
of Logan
Logan sills, and another
Ti02 group of
Pigeon River dykes is comparable
Gabbro. Most
subset is comparable to the Crystal Lake Gabbro.
Most of
of aa third
third subset
subset of
of dyke
dyke samples
samples
contain lower
lower trace
trace element
element
are located along Highway 61 close to the Pigeon River, and contain
abundances and ratios than the other
other intrusions
intrusions in the area.
area. Gabbro
Gabbro samples
samplesfrom
from the
the
Crystal Lake Gabbro intrusion display some overlap with the low TiO2
group
of
Logan
Ti02
of
Tb/Ta ratios. The
Th/Yb, and TWTa
sills but also includes samples
samples with higher Zr/Y,
ZrIY, ThIYb,
The Logan
diabase sills are confined to the area to the south of Thunder
Thunder Bay, with the Nipigon
Nipigon
diabase sills located to the north.
north.
The initial
initial Keweenawan
Keweenawan intrusive
intrusive event
event in
in the
the Lake
Lake Nipigon
Nipigon area
area isis probably
probably
represented by the relatively flat lying to shallowly dipping
dipping peridotites
peridotites located
located in
in the
the
Disraeli,
Seagull - Fox Mountain, Hele, and Kitto areas that form intrusions a
- Seagull
Leckie—
Disraeli,Leckie
few kilometres in diameter. The peridotites are composed of orthocumulate to
mesocumulate textured wehrlite to lherzolite, containing 1 to 2% reddish brown mica and
commonly a discontinuous
(e.g. Sutcliffe
Sutcliffe1987;
1987;Hart
Hart et
et al.
al.
discontinuous olivine
olivine gabbro
gabbro border
border phase
phase (e.g.
2002). The Disraeli, Seagull
Seagull and Hele peridotites are characterized
characterized by higher
higher MgO and
and
Zr/Y
Tb/Yb values but lower ThITa
Th/Ta ratios than the Nipigon diabase sills. A series of
of
ZrIY and TWYb
0.5 to 3.0 m thick sills are located stratigraphically below
below the Nipigon sills, as exposed
Tb/Yb and Tb/Ta
along Highway 17 at Kama Hill. These sills have MgO, TWYb
TWTa values
values
intermediate
Tb/Ta
intermediate between the peridotites and Nipigon sills, and subdivided into higher Th/Ta
and lower Tb/Ta
subgroups
may
be
possible
with
additional
sampling.
These
sills
have
TWTa subgroups
with additional sampling. These sills have
Tb/Ta
La/Yb ratios comparable to the high Ti02 group of Logan sills, but generally
ThITa and LalYb
have lower trace element abundances. The Kitto peridotite also has ThIYb,
Th/Yb, Th/Ta
Tb/Ta and
Zr/Y ratios that overlap with these sills rather than the other peridotites. The olivine
ZrIY
tholeiite Nipigon diabase sills are up to 200 m thick, and are chilled against the peridotite
pendotite
intrusions. Previous work indicates that some sills were formed by multiple pulses of
of
magma (e.g. Sutcliffe,
Sutcliffe, 1987;
1987; Hart et al.
al. 2002),
2002), but the
the chemistry
chemistry of
of the
the sills
sills over
overthe
the

21

�entire Lake Nipigon area
area displays
displays little
little variation.
variation. Geochemical
Geochemical differences
differencesbetween
between the
the
entire
peridotites and Nipigon diabase
diabase sills are comparable
comparable to the variations observed in the
peridotites
Osier
values
Osler Group volcanic rocks (e.g. Sutcliffe, 1991). The
The Nipigon
Nipigon sills
sills have
have Ti02
Ti02 values
Ti02group
group of
of Logan sills
sills but higher
higher ThITa
Th/Ta and
and lower
lower La/Yb
LdYb
comparable to the
the low
low Ti02
comparable
differences in the
the geochemistry
geochemistry of the
the diabase
diabase sills
sills between
between the
the Lake
Lake Nipigon
Nipigon
ratios. The differences
and Crystal Lake areas is similar to the differences observed in the volcanic
volcanic rocks of aa
flood basalt provinces
provinces (e.g.,
(e.g., Mantovani
Mantovani et
et al.
al. 1985).
1985).The
The regional
regionalextent
extentof
of the
the
number of flood
An initial
initial
geochemical groups within the Keweenawan intrusions is not known. An
examination of troctolites
troctolites from
from the
the Babbit
Babbit deposit
deposit of
of the
the Duluth
Duluth Complex
Complex(Ripley
(Ripleyetetal.
al.
examination
1999)
Th/Yb, and
and Zr/Y
Zr/Y ratios
ratios comparable to the Nipigon peridotites
peridotites
ThITa, Th/Yb,
1999) indicates ThTFa,
rather than the intrusions
intrusions of the
the Crystal
Crystal Lake area.
area.
References
References
Hart, T.R., terMeer, M., and Jolette, C. 2002. Precambrian geology of Kitto, Eva, Summers, Dorothea and Sandra
Townships, Beardmore area, northwestern Ontario; Ontario Geological Survey, Open File Report 6095, 206
206
p.
PL.S., de
de Sousa,
Sousa, M.A.,
MA., Civetta, L., Atalla, L., and Innocenti,
Innocenti, F.,
F., 1985. Trace
Trace element
element and
and
Mantovani, M.S.M., Marques, L.S.,
strontium isotopic constraints on the origin and evolution of Parana continental flood basalts of
of Santa
Santa
Catarina State (southern Brazil); Journal of Petrology, v. 26, p. 187-209.
Ontario Geological Survey, 2002. Proterozoic Volcanic and Intrusive Whole Rock Geochemical Data associated with
the Keweenawan Midcontinent Rift, Lake Superior Area, Ontario; Ontario Geological Survey Miscellaneous
Release—Data 114.
Release-Data
114.
EM., Lambert,
Pb isotopic
isotopic constraints
constraints on
on mantle
mantle and
and crustal
crustal
Ripley, E.M.,
Lambert, D.D., and Frick, L.R., 1999.
1999. Re-Os, Sm-Nd, and Pb
to magmatic
magmatic sulfide mineralization in the Duluth Complex; Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta,
contributions to
v.
V. 62, p.3349-3365.
Smith, A.R. and Sutcliffe, R.H. 1987. Keweenawan intrusive rocks
rocks of
of the
the Thunder Bay area; in Summary
Sunnnary of Field
Work and Other Activities, Ontario Geological Survey Miscellaneous Paper 137,
137, p. 248-255.
1987.Petrology
Petrology of
of Middle
Middle Proterozoic
Proterozoic diabase
diabase and picrites from Lake Nipigon,
Sutcliffe, R.H.,
RH., 1987.
Nipigon, Canada;
Canada; Contributions
Contributions
to Mineralogy and Petrology, v.96, p. 201-211.
201-21 1.
Sutcliffe, R.H.,
RH., 1991.
1991.Proterozoic
Proterozoic geology
geologyof
of the
the Lake
Lake Superior
Superior area;
area; in
in Geology
Geology of
of Ontario,
Ontario, Ontario
Ontario Geological
Geological Survey
Survey
Part
Special Volume 4, P
art 1,
1, p. 627-658.

22

�GEOLOGY, DRILL HOLES, MINERAL
MINERAL LEASES, AND GEOPHYSICS
GEOPHYSICS IN THE
THE DULUTH
DULUTH
GEOLOGY,
INTEGRATIONOF
OF
AND BEAVER BAY COMPLEXES, NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA: INTEGRATION
VARIOUS GIS
GIs DATABASES
DATABASES TO
TO TELL
TELL A
A STORY
STORYOF
OFTHE
THE HISTORY
HISTORYOF
OFPAST
PASTAND
AND
VARIOUS
CURRENTCU-NI-PGE
CU-NI-PGEMINERAL
MINERALEXPLORATION
EXPLORATION
CURRENT
Steven A. Hauck,
Hauck, Julie
Julie A.
A. Oreskovich,
Oreskovich,and
and Mark
Mark J.J. Severson,
Severson,Economic
EconomicGeology
GeologyGroup,
Group,
Steven
Natural
Natural Resources
ResourcesResearch
Research Institute
Institute(NRRI),
(NRRI),University
University of
of Minnesota,
Minnesota,Duluth,
Duluth,5013
5013
MN 55811-1442,
55811-1442,shauck@nrri.umn.edu
shauck@nrri.umn.edu
Miller Trunk
Trunk Highway,
Highway, Duluth,
Duluth,MN
Miller
Mineral exploration
exploration in the Duluth
Duluth Complex
Complex began in 1948
1948 on Spruce
Spruce Road when two prospectors
found
found sulfide
sulfide mineralization.
mineralization. Subsequent
Subsequentcore
coredrilling,
drilling,geological
geologicalmapping,
mapping,and
andairborne
airborneand
and
ground
ground geophysics
geophysics by more
more than
than 28
28 exploration
explorationcompanies
companies (including
(includingthe
the NRRI,
NRRI,MGS
MGS-Minnesota
Minnesota Geological Survey,
Survey, and
and the DNR -- Dept.
Dept. of Natural Resources,
Resources,Division
Divisionof
of Lands
Lands and
and
Minerals),
over
the
next
52
years
led
to
the
discovery
of
copper-nickel±platinum-group
element
Minerals), over the next 52 years led to the discovery of copper-nickelkplatinum-group element
(PGE) mineralization
mineralization along the basal contact of the Duluth Complex (Fig. 1). Ten
Ten Cu-Ni-PGE
Cu-Ni-PGE
or
or PGE-Cu-Ni deposits
deposits were
were defined by drilling during these years. Over
Over2,142
2,142drill
drill holes
holes have
have
been drilled
drilled into
into the Duluth
Duluth and
and Beaver Bay complexes with 1,666
1,666 of these holes being drilled
along
along the basal contact.
contact. Over
Over954,000
954,000ft.
ft.of
ofdrill
drillcore
corefrom
fromthe
thebasal
basalcontact
contacthas
hasbeen
beenrelogged
relogged
by NRRJ,
publications. Geophysical
NRRI, and their results are discussed in many publications.
Geophysical exploration
exploration began
began as
as
early as 1956,
1956, by Bear Creek Mining Company, and continues today. The
The State
State of
of Minnesota
Minnesota
(MGS), with funding
funding from
from the Legislative
Legislative Commission
Commission on
on Minnesota
MinnesotaResources,
Resources,flew
flewhigh
high
resolution aeromagnetics
aeromagnetics over
over this area as well as the rest of the state. The
TheMGS
MGShas
hasalso
also
collected
collected and produced a gravity map covering both complexes. Peak
Peakexploration
exploration(1966-1978)
(1966-1978)
began with the leasing
leasing of State
State of Minnesota
Minnesota mineral rights in 1966
1966 (Fig. 1). Exploration
Explorationand
and
development
(drilling,
bulk
sampling,
shaft
sinking,
resource
calculations)
continued
through
development (drilling, bulk sampling, shaft sinking, resource calculations) continued through
1978.
1978. In
In1998,
1998,State
Stateand
andFederal
Federal mineral
mineral leasing
leasing and
and exploration
explorationdrilling
drilling began
began to
to increase
increase with
with
the: 1)
1) rise in
in price
price of
of PGEs;
PGEs; 2)
2) possible
possible use
use of
of new
new hydrometallurgical
hydrometallurgicaltechniques
techniquesto
tomore
more
efficiently
efficiently recover
recover copper
copper and
and nickel;
nickel; and
and 3)
3) introduction
introductionof
of new
new PGE
PGE exploration
explorationmodels
models
(sulfide
i.e.,atatSonju
Sonju
(sulfide saturation;
saturation;Miller
Miller et
et al.,
al., 2002)
2002) for
for intrusions
intrusionsin
in the
the Beaver
BeaverBay
BayComplex,
Complex,i.e.,
Lake, and the Duluth Complex,
Duluth). The
Complex, i.e., Greenwood Lake and Layered Series at Duluth).
The maps
maps
in this
this poster
poster illustrate
illustrate the
the relationship
relationshipbetween
between geology,
geology,geophysics,
geophysics, drilling,
drilling,and
andmineral
mineral
leasing
leasing and were produced in ArcView (GIS).
(GIs). The
Themaps
maps were
were also
alsocompiled
compiledby
by using
using
information from: 1)
(minarchive.dnr.state.mn.us)attributeattribute-and
and GIS-based
GIs-based
DNR's online
online(minarchive.dnr.state.mn.us)
1) the DNR's
database
database of non-ferrous
non-ferrous minerals'
minerals' information
information and
and State
State mineral
mineral rights
rights holdings;
holdings; 2)
2) U.S.
U.S. Forest
Forest
Service
GIs data
dataon
onthe
thehistory
history
Service leases,
leases, permits,
permits, and
and applications
applicationsdatabase;
database; and
and3)
3) NRRI
NRRI in-house
in-houseGIS
of Cu-Ni-PGE
Cu-Ni-PGE mineralization.
mineralization. Using
Usingthe
theresulting
resultingGIS
GIsdatabase,
database,the
thespatial
spatialrelationships
relationshipsin
inthe
the
changes in drilling,
drilling, leasing,
leasing, etc.
etc. with
with time
time and
and place
place were
were then
then combined
combinedwith
withgeological
geological
information
information from
from Miller
Miller et
et al.
al. (2002)
(2002)to
to better
better understand
understandthe
the past
past and
andpresent
presentexploration
explorationareas
areas
and
and to assist
assist in
in defining
definingnew
new areas
areas in
in which
which to
to explore
explorefor
fornon-ferrous
non-ferrousminerals.
minerals.

References
References
Miller,
Jr., Green,
Green, J.C.,
J.C., Severson,
Severson, M.J.,
M.J., Chandler,
Chandler, V.W.,
V.W., Hauck,
Hauck, S.A.,
S.A., Peterson,
Peterson, D.M., and
Miller, J. D., Jr.,
Wahl, T.E., 2002,
2002, Geology and mineral potential of the Duluth Complex and related rocks of
northeastern Minnesota:
207 p.
Minnesota: Minnesota
MinnesotaGeological
Geological Survey
SurveyReport
Report of
of Investigations
Investigations58,
58,207
p.

23

�-

CU

S

CU

SC

INCO

0

CD

Creeku

Beer Creek

I

=

U

(Ii

U

Ui

S

Ut

S

S

0

0

S

0

CU

USS

S

N

1

t

S

0

S

0

Dovl
Coo

Neweori

0

S

10

INCO

Beer Creek'

I

S

N

10

S

OJ

N

S

0
N

I

I

I

-

CU

=

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Theel

U
XX

CU

0

CU
CU

CU
CU

I

CU

CU
CU

a
0'

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0'

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0

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Di

10

I

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0'

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10

0

0

0'

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0'

Xl

0'

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CU

0'

-

-

0
=

= CONCENTRATED DRILLING

-

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IU

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= SCATTERED DRILL NG

Arerieer S/ic d/NICDR

CK Lehcerrr

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SSS
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Blerkerkerg—Wkiteside

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r4

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uss

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helps D ooge

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I

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I

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Figure 1. History of Cu-Ni-PGE exploration in the Duluth Complex (after Miller et at., 2002).

GUNFLINT
TRAIL

DRILLING

RECONNAISSANCE

OR

SCATTERED

LONGNOSE (Oul)

BIRCH LAKE

WATER HEN (OUI)

WESTERN MARGIN

SO. FILSON CREEK

WETLEGS

DUNKA PIT

WYMAN CREEK

(NorthMef)

DUNKA ROAD

(Minnamax)
(Mesaba)

BABBITT

MATURI

SPRUCE RD
&amp;

Deposit/Area

kin.iesolo

sow

C—Ni nvwol

INCO

• Duval
• Exxon
• Other Companies

AMAX

• Bear Creek

!I USS

•

LEGEND

�Geochemistry and Mineralization of the Seagull
Seagull
Intrusion, Northern Ontario
Heggie,
P., P.,
(Department
of Geology,
Lakehead
Heggie,G.,
G.,and
andHollings,
Hollings,
(Department
of Geology,
LakeheadUniversity,
University,955
955 Oliver
Oliver
Road, Thunder Bay, On, P7B 5E1, gheggie
gheggie@mail.lakeheadu.ca)
@ mail.1akeheadu.ca)
Platinum Group Elements
Elements (PGE-Platinum,
(PGE-Platinum,
Palladium, Osmium
Osmium and Iridium)
Indium) have seen
seen
substantial increases in demand over the last
substantial
30 years, as industrial and commercial users
have increased their consumption.
consumption. Canadian
Canadian
production of these metals has until recently
been limited to by-products from nickel
Sudbury). Opening of the
copper mines (e.g., Sudbury).
Lac des
mine in
in Ontario demonstrated
demonstrated the
des Ties
Iles mine
the
potential for economic
economic PGE
PGE deposits
deposits in
in
Canada. Further work on deposit and
exploration
exploration models is
is essential
essential to
to identifying
identifying
new targets and prospective
prospective host rocks.
rocks.
The Seagull Lake intrusion
intrusion is found
found within
within the
the
Nipigon Embayment, approximately
70km
approximately 70km
north east of Thunder
Thunder Bay, Ontario
Ontario (Fig.1).
(Fig.1).
Relative
Relative age dating
dating places the age
age of the
Seagull Lake intrusion to be younger than
Map showing location
location of Seagull Intrusion
Intrusion
Figure 1. Map
the Sibley
Sibley Group sedimentary
sedimentary sequence,
sequence,
and
(1339±33 Ma) (Franklin et al., 1980),
and regional
regionalgeology.
geology.
(1339k33
1980),
as part of the intrusion has been seen to cross cut Sibley
Sibley stratigraphy. A chilled
chilled margin has been
observed between the Seagull
Seagull Intrusion and the younger Nipigon Sills defining
defining an upper age of
approximately 1.1 Ga (Davis
(Davis and
and Sutcliffe,
Sutcliffe,1985).
1985).This
This falls
falls within
within the
the time
time of
of mid-continental
mid-continental
rifting in the Lake Superior
region.
Volcanic
activity
was
responsible
for
production
Superior region. Volcanic activity
responsible for productionof
of thick
thick
basaltic sequences
sequences (Cannon
(Cannon et
et al.,
al., 1989)
1989)beneath
beneath and
and around
around the
the shores
shoresof
of Lake
LakeSuperior
Superiorand
andthe
the
emplacement of numerous mafic to ultramafic complexes
(e.g.,
Duluth
complex).
complexes (e.g., Duluth complex).
The Seagull
Seagull Intrusion is currently
currently under exploration
exploration by East
East West
West Resource
Resource Corporation,
Corporation,ItIt isis aa
consisting of cumulate
layered ultramafic intrusion consisting
cumulate olivine,
olivine, and oxide
oxide minerals
minerals with
with pyroxene
pyroxene
oikocrysts and interstitial feldspar.
feldspar. Lithological phases include
include dunites,
dunites, iherzolites,
lherzolites, olivine
olivine
gabbronorites, gabbros, and pryoxenites. A distinctive
distinctive olivine
olivine gabbronorite
gabbronorite is
is found
found within
within the
the
gabbronorites,
intrusion but this exhibits chilled
chilled margins and is thought to post date the formation of the rest of
the intrusion.
intrusion.

25

�DDH
WMOO-01
WMOO-01

Depth (m)
(m)
Depth
375.0
375.0
408.0
572.0
546.0
379.0

Interval
Interval (m)
(m)
4.0
4.0
4.5
12.0
6.0
8.0
6.0
6.0
6.0

Cu
Cu (ppm)
(ppm)

269
269

Ni (ppm)
Ni
( P P ~
1160
1160

Pt
pt (ppb)
(PP~)

1413
1565
779
WM98-02
1180
987
WM98-05
112
1647
569.0
1843
1841
579.0
1220
1455
579.0
1220
1455
Figure
Figure 2. Table
Table of metal
metal contents
contents from
from assay
assay (Caven,
(Caven, R.,
R., 2000)
501

307
307
336
363
535
336
693
458
458

Pd (ppb)
pd
(PP~)
383
383

418
438
566
393
847
537

Mineralization occurs in the form of PGE minerals associated with disseminated FeNi sulfides
(pentlandite). Pentlandite is found in higher abundances at discrete intervals
intervals throughout
throughout the
the
intrusion, with a general increase
increase towards the base
base of
of the
the intrusion.
intrusion.
Work is currently being undertaken to understand the
the stratigraphy
stratigraphy of the
the intrusion,
intrusion, the
the nature
nature of
of
the platinum group mineralization,
mineralization, and
and formational
formational controls
controls on
on the
the mineralized
mineralized zones,
zones,which
whichare
are
present in the intrusion in order to aid in the development and refinement of exploration
techniques, and deposit models.
Cannon, W.F., Green, A.G., Hutchinson, D.R., Lee, M., Milkereit, B.,
B., Behrendt,
Behrendt, J.C.,
J.C., Halls,
Halls, H.C.,
H.C., Green, J.C.,
Dickas, A.B., Morey, G.B., Sutcliffe,
Dickas,
Sutcliffe, R., and
and Spencer,
Spencer, C.,
C., 1989,
1989,The
TheNorth
NorthAmerican
AmericanMidcontinent
Midcontinent rift
rift
Reflection profiling.
profiling. Tectonics,
Tectonics, v. 8, p. 305-332.
beneath Lake Superior from GLIMPCE Seismic Reflection

Caven,
R.J., 2000, Progress
Caven, R.J.,
Progress Report
Report on
on the
the Wolf
Wolf Mountain
Mountain and
and Disraeli
Disraeli Properties
Properties for
for East
EastWest
WestResource
Resource
Corporation,
Corporation, Canadian
Canadian Golden
Golden Dragon
Dragon Resources
Resources Ltd.
Ltd. and
and Avalon
Avalon Ventures
VenturesLtd.
Ltd.

Davis, D.W.,
D.W., and
R.H., 1985,
Davis,
and Sutcliffe,
Sutcliffe, R.H.,
1985, U-Pb
U-Pb ages
ages from
from the
the Nipigon
Nipigon plate
plate and
andNorthern
Northern Lake
LakeSuperior.
Superior.
Geological
Geological Society
Society of American
American Bulletin,
Bulletin, v.96,
v.96, p. 1572-1579.
1572-1579.
Franklin, J.M, Mcllwaine,
McIlwaine, W.H., Poulsen, K.H., and
and Wanless,
Wanless, R.K.,
R.K., 1980,
1980,Stratigraphy
Stratigraphy and
and depositional
depositional setting
setting of
of
the Sibley Group, Thunder
Thunder Bay
Bay district,
district, Ontario,
Ontario, Canada.
Canada. Canadian
Canadian Journal of
of Earth
Earth Sciences, v.17, p.
p.
633-65
633-651.
1.

26

�PEPERITES
PEPERITESOF
OF THE
THEGAFVERT
GAFVERTLAKE
LAKE VOLCANIC
VOLCANIC COMPLEX,
COMPLEX,ST.
ST. LOUIS
COUNTY, MINNESOTA
MINNESOTA
Heiling, Carrie D., Department of Geological
Geological Sciences,
Sciences, University
University of
of Minnesota
Minnesota Duluth,
Duluth,
1114
1114 Kirby Drive, Duluth, MN, 55812; cheiling@d.umn.edu
cheiling@d.umn.edu

The Gafvert Lake area, located within the Upper Ely member of the Ely Greenstone
Greenstone of
the Vermilion District in Northeastern Minnesota (Figure 1) (Card, 1990), forms part
part of
of a
large, Archean, felsic volcanic complex. Morton
Morton (personal
(personal communication)
communication) has
has
interpreted the complex to be a composite volcano that underwent late stage caldera
collapse. This
Thisstudy
studyhas
has focused
focused on
on aa two
two square
square mile
mile area
area in
in the
the central
central part
part of
of the
the
complex. Here
Herethe
thecomplex,
complex,from
fromthe
theoldest
oldestto
to the
the youngest
youngest rocks,
rocks, is
is composed
composed of
of a)
a)
coarse, heterolithic breccias (interpreted
(interpreted to represent meso-and mega breccias)
breccias) (Morton,
(Morton,
personal communication), b) more than 3000
3000 feet
feet of massive
massive to
to bedded
bedded pumice-rich
pumice-rich
lapilli tuff, c) dacitic lavas and domes, and
and d)
d) lenses
lenses and
and beds of
of chert
chert and
and massive
massive to
to
semi-massive pyrite (Figure 2). The
The breccias
breccias and
and lapilli
lapilli tuffs
tuffs have
have been intruded by a
swarm of feldspar porphyry dacite dikes that represent feeders to the domes and/or
and/or flows.
flows.
Peperites are rocks formed by the in situ disintegration of magma intruding and
and mixing
mixing
with wet unconsolidated sediment
et al.,
al., 2002). At
At Gafvert
Gafvert Lake the
sediment or
or ash (Skilling
(Skilling et
peperites formed near the top of the complex where dacite
dacite porphyry dikes intruded
intruded and
and
unconsolidated pumice-rich
pumice-rich lapilli
lapillituff.
tuff. This mixing led to quenching
mixed with wet, unconsolidated
and fragmentation of the dacitic magma and disruption and vesiculation
vesiculation of
of the
the lapilli
lapilli
tuffs. The
peperites
occur
within
100
feet
of
dike
contacts
though
they
form
much
The peperites occur within 100 feet of dike contacts though they form much more
together. Angular and
extensive areas where several dikes occur close together.
and finger-like blocks
of dike material occur within the peperite, locally these are connected to aa nearby
nearby dike.
dike.

Macrotextures in outcrop and
and microtextures
microtextures in thin
thin section
section helped
helped identify
identify and
and classify
classify
the following fragment types and internal structures within the peperites: a)
a) blocky
blocky
jig-saw fit textures, b) platy to ragged
juvenile fragments with chilled rims and occasional jig-saw
juvenile fragments with curviplanar surfaces and broken gas bubbles, c) ameboid to
globular juvenile fragments, d) abundant pumice which exhibits variable
variable vesicularity.
vesicularity.
Most of this pumice is juvenile to the lapilli tuffs but a small percentage contains feldspar
crystals identical to those found in the dikes possibly indicating local,
local, rapid
rapid vesiculation
vesiculation
of dike material. Close
Closeto
todike
dikemargins
marginsfeldspar
feldspar crystals
crystals are
are broken
broken and
and internally
internally
fractured with fractures filled by lapilli tuff. Pumice,
Pumice, close
close to
to dike
dike contacts,
contacts, may
may be
jigsaw-fit pieces.
pieces. Locally the ash matrix to
broken or disaggregated into several small jigsaw-fit
the lapilli tuffs is amygdaloidal
amygdaloidal with amygdules
amygdules radiating away from dike margins.
margins.
References
References
Card, K.D., 1990,
Province of
of the
the Canadian
Canadian Shield,
Shield, aa product
product of
of
1990, A review of the Superior Province
Archean accretion: Precambrian
Research,
v.
48,
pp.
99-156.
Precambrian Research, v. 48, pp. 99-156.
Minnesota, 2003, Mapquest,
Ely, Minnesota,
Mapquest, www.mapquest.com.
www.rnapquest.com.
communication, University
University of Minnesota-Duluth.
Minnesota-Duluth.
Morton, R.L., 2003, personal communication,
Skilling,
Skilling, I., White, J., McPhie,
McPhie, J.,
J., 2002,
2002, Peperite:
Peperite: aa review of magma-sediment
magma-sediment mingling,
mingling, Journal
Journal
of Volcanology
Volcanology and Geothermal
Geothermal Research,
Research, v. 114,
114, pp 1-17.
1-17.

27

�Figure 1:
1: Location
Location of
of Gafvert
Gafvert Lake
Lake complex
complex (Mapquest,
(Mapquest, 2003).
2003).

Explanation
Explanation
•

Peperite samples
Fault Zone
Contacts
/
'"
' Railroad grade
grade
,
"
Mud
Creek
Road
/
Mud
Road
f'
*

A/

-

Mbas - Metabasalt
Metabasalt

SIst

METERS

200

00

J0
Â¥s

410
400

600

oo
800

Figure
Figure 2: Generalized
Generalized map of a portion of Gafvert
Gafvert Lake volcanic complex.
complex.

28

Q
Qfo- Qtzfeld
- QtzfeldPorphyry
Porphyry
Black Chert
Cht -- Black
Cht
Diab -- Diabase
Diabase Dikes
Dikes
Dior
Dior -- Diorite
Diorite
Dac -- Dacite Dikes
Dikes
Dac
Tuff -- Lapilli
Lapilli Tuff
luff
Bx
Bx -- Breccia
Breccia
SIst
SIst - Siltstone &amp;&amp;Iron
Iron Fm
Fm

�CHEMISTRY OF
OF ALTERATION
ALTERATION MINERAL
MINERAL PHASES
PHASES AT THE FIVE MILE
MILE LAKE
LAKE
CHEMISTRY
VOLCANIC-HOSTED MASSIVE
MASSIVE SULFIDE
SULFIDE PROSPECT,
PROSPECT,NE
NE MINNESOTA
MINNESOTA
VOLCANIC-HOSTED

locker,
Hocker, S.
S.M.,
M.,Hudak,
Hudak, G.
G.J.,J.,Odette,
Odette,J.J.D.,
D.,and
andNewkirk,
Newkirk,T.T.T.,
T.,Department
Department of
ofGeology,
Geology,
University of Wisconsin
Wisconsin Oshkosh,
Oshkosh, 800
800 Algoma
Algoma Blvd., Oshkosh, WI 54901, hudak@uwosh.edu
hudak@uwosh.edu

Alteration mineral
Lake Prospect
Prospect in
in the
the Vermilion
Vermilion
Alteration
mineral assemblage
assemblage mapping
mapping at
at the
the Five Mile Lake
identified two distinct types of alteration zones within 2.7
District of northeastern Minnesota has identified
year-old volcanic
volcanic and
and volcaniclastic
volcaniclastic rocks
rocks associated
associated with
withvolcanic-hosted
volcanic-hosted massive
massive
billion year-old
2001a,2001b;
2001b;Peterson,
Peterson,
mineralization (Hudak et a!.,
al., in
in press;
press; Odette
Odette et
et al.,
al.,2001a,
sulfide (VHMS) mineralization
2001).
2001). Regional
Regional semi-conformable
semi-conformable alteration
alterationzones
zones are
are composed
composed of
of various
various proportions
proportions of
of
quartz
quartz ++ epidote
epidote ±Â amphibole
amphibole ± chlorite
chlorite ±Â plagioclase
plagioclase feldspar.
feldspar.
These regional,
regional,
These
are locally
locally cross-cut
cross-cut by
by several
severalrelatively
relativelynarrow,
narrow,northeastnortheastsemiconformable alteration zones are
composed of fine-grained
fine-grained chlorite
chlorite and/or
andlor sericite
sericite that
that
trending disconformable alteration zones composed
are closely
closely associated
associated with
with synvolcanic
synvolcanicfault
faultzones.
zones.
Electron microprobe
microprobe analyses
the various
various alteration
alteration mineral
mineral phases
phases (epidote
(epidote group
group
Electron
analyses of
of the
minerals, chlorite,
feldspar) have
conducted in an effort
effort to
to
minerals,
chlorite, amphibole,
amphibole, white
white mica,
mica, and
and feldspar)
have been
been conducted
better understand
understand hydrothermal
hydrothermal processes
processes associated
associated with
with the
the development
development of the
the
semiconformable and
Mile Lake
Lake prospect.
prospect. These
These
semiconformable
and disconformable
disconformable alteration
alteration zones
zones at
at the
the Five Mile
zoisite/clinozoisite to
analyses indicate that: a) epidote
epidote group
group minerals
minerals range in composition
composition from zoisite/clinozoisite
analyses
pistacite; b) chlorite
chlorite is
is dominantly
dominantly ripidolite;
ripidolite; c)
c) amphibole
amphibole is
is primarily
primarily actinolite
actinolite and
and ferroferropistacite;
actinolite, with magnesio-hornblende
magnesio-hornblende and
is fineheactinolite,
and ferro-hornblende
ferro-hornblendealso
also present;
present; d)
d) sericite is
grained
grained muscovite;
muscovite; and
and e)
e) plagioclase
plagioclasefeldspar
feldsparisisdominantly
dominantlyalbite.
albite.
chemistry at the Five
Five Mile
Mile Lake
Lake Prospect
Prospect is
is remarkably
remarkably similar
similar to that
that
Alteration mineral
mineral chemistry
VHMS mining
mining camp
camp of
of Canada,
Canada,as
as well
well as
as other
other VHMS
VHMSmining
miningcamps
campsaround
around
from the Noranda VHMS
the world.
world. This alteration
alteration mineral
mineral chemistry
chemistry suggests the presence of aa complex,
complex, long-lived
long-lived
hydrothermal system
evolved from
from seafloor-proximal
seafloor-proximal (hundreds
meters) to deeper
deeper
hydrothermal
system that
that evolved
(hundreds of
of meters)
subseafloor environments
kilometers) as
as the
the volcanic
volcanic rocks
rocks were
wereburied
buriedby
byapparently
apparently
subseafloor
environments (-1-3
(1 -3 kilometers)
dominantly effusive
effusive mafic
mafic to
to intermediate
intermediate volcanism
volcanism and
and associated
associated sedimentation.
sedimentation. This
This
rapid, dominantly
addition to the
the Five
Five Mile
Mile Lake
Lake Prospect,
Prospect, the
the uppermost
uppermost several
several hundred
hundred meters
meters
suggests that in addition
Lower Member
Member of
of the
the Ely
Ely Greenstone
Greenstonealso
also has
has excellent
excellentexploration
explorationpotential
potential for
for VHMS
VHMS
of the Lower
mineral deposits.
deposits.
References
References

F., Paradis,
Paradis, S.,
S.,
Hannington, M.,
Holk, G.,
G., Katsube,
Katsube, J.,
J., Paquette,
Paquette, F.,
Galley, A.,
Bailes, A., Hannington,
Galley,
A., Bailes,
M., Holk,
Santaguida,
Santaguida, F.,
F., and
and Taylor,
Taylor, B.,
B., 2002,
2002, Database
Database for CAMIRO
CAMIRO Project
Project 94E07:
94E07:
Interrelationships between
subvolcanic intrusions,
intrusions, large-scale
large-scale alteration zones, and
and VMS
VMS
Interrelationships
between subvolcanic
deposits:
deposits: Geological
Geological Survey
Surveyof
ofCanada
CanadaOpen
OpenFile
FileReport
Report4431
443 1(CD-ROM).
(CD-ROM).
and Hauck,
Hauck, S.,
S., in
in press.
press. Comparative
Comparativegeology,
geology,
Newkirk, T.,
T., Odette,
Odette, J., and
Heine, J.,
J., Newkirk,
Hudak, G. J., Heine,
Mile Lake,
Lake, Quartz
Quartz Hill,
Hill, and
and Skeleton
SkeletonLake
Lake
stratigraphy, and lithogeochemistry of the Five Mile
VMS
VMS occurrences,
occurrences, Vermilion
Vermilion District,
District, NE Minnesota: AAreport
reportto
tothe
theMinerals
MineralsCoordinating
Coordinating
Committee,
Minerals Division, State of Minnesota.
DNR Minerals
Minnesota.
Committee, DNIR

29

�Kranidiotis,
Kranidiotis, P.
P. and
and MacLean,
MacLean, W.
W. H.,
H., 1987,
1987,Systematics
Systematicsof
of chlorite
chlorite alteration
alteration at
at the
the Phelps
Phelps Dodge
Dodge
Massive Sulfide
Sulfide Deposit,
Deposit,Matagami,
Matagami,Quebec:
Quebec:Economic
EconomicGeology,
Geology,v.v.82,
82, p.
p. 1898-1911.
1898-1911.
Massive
Odette,
Odette, J. D., Hudak,
Hudak, G.
G. J.,
J., Suszek,
Suszek, T.,
T., and
and Hauck,
Hauck, S.
S.A.,
A.,2001a,
2001a. Preliminary
Preliminary evaluation
evaluation of
hydrothermal
hydrothermal alteration
alteration mineral
mineral assemblages
assemblages and
and their
their relationship
relationship to
to VMS-style
VMS-style
Archean Vermilion
Vermilion Greenstone
Greenstone Belt,
Belt, NE
NE
mineralization in the Five Mile
Mile Lake
Lake area
area of
of the
theArchean
mineralization
470h
Minnesota: Institute
Institute on
on Lake
LakeSuperior
SuperiorGeology,
Geology, 47thAnnual Meeting,
Meeting, Proceedings
Proceedings Volume
Volume
47,
47, Part
Part 1-Program
1-Programand
and Abstracts,
Abstracts, p.
p. 75-76.
75-76.
Odette,
D., Hudak,
Hudak, G.
G. J.,
J., Suszek,
Suszek, T.,
T.,and
andHauck,
Hauck, S.S.A.,
A.,2001b,
2001b,Preliminary
Preliminary evaluation
evaluation of
Odette, J. D.,
hydrothermal
hydrothermal alteration
alteration mineral
mineral assemblages
assemblages and
and their
their relationship
relationship to
to VMS-style
VMS-style
mineralization in the Five
Five Mile
Mile Lake
Lake area
area of
of the
theArchean
Archean Vermilion
Vermilion Greenstone
Greenstone Belt,
Belt, NE
NE
mineralization
Minnesota: Geological
Geological Society
Society of
of America
America Abstracts
Abstracts and
and Programs
Programs Volume
Volume 33,
33,No.
No. 6,6, p.
p. AAMinnesota:
420.
420.
Peterson,
Peterson, D. M.,
M., 2001,
2001, Development
Development of
of Archean
Archean lode-gold
lode-gold and
and massive
massive sulfide
sulfidedeposit
deposit
exploration models
models using
using geographic
geographic information
information system
system applications:
applications: targeting
targeting mineral
mineral
exploration
exploration in northeastern
northeastern Minnesota
Minnesota from analysis
analysis of
of analog
analog Canadian
Canadian mining
mining camps:
camps:
exploration
Duluth, Minnesota,
Minnesota, 503
503 p.
p.
unpublished Ph.
Ph. D.
D. dissertation,
dissertation, University
University of
of Minnesota,
Minnesota, Duluth,
unpublished
Fe (total)

18

0.2

0.4

0.6

16
14

12

10
0

AlzQ,

CORUNDUM
CORUNDUM

0.9
0.8

0.7
0.6
La

:' 0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1

I

6.0

6.5

Â Flm Mite Lake Amphlboto

I

7.0
7.0

7.5

8.0

ORTHOCLASE
ORTHOCLtSE
KAISiiO.

KOJSieOe

Figure
Figure 1.1. Summary
Summary of
of electron
electronmicroprobe
microprobeanalyses
analysesfor
forepidote-group
epidote-groupminerals
minerals(A),
(A),chiorites
chlorites
(B),
(B), amphiboles
amphiboles (C),
(C), and
andwhite
whitemicas
micas(D)
(D)from
fromthe
theFive
FiveMile
MileLake
LakeProspect
Prospectand
andselected
selectedVHMS
VHMS
mines.
mines.Compositional
Compositionalfields
fieldsfor
forNoranda
Norandaminerals
mineralsdetermined
determinedfrom
from Galley
Galleyetetal.
al.(2002).
(2002).

30
30

�GEOCHEMISTRY
AND GEODYNAMIC
GEODYNAMICIMPLICATIONS
IMPLICATIONSOFOFTHE
THE 1537
GEOCHEMISTRY AND
1537 MA
MA
REDSTONE
REDSTONE POINT
POINT ANOROGENIC
ANOROGENICGRANITE,
GRANITE,ONTARIO,
ONTARIO,CANADA
CANADA

Hollings,
(DepartmentofofGeology,
Geology,Lakehead
Lakehead University,
University, 955
955
Hollings, P., Fralick,
Fralick, P.P.and
andKissin,
Kissin,S.S.(Department
Oliver Rd.,
Rd., Thunder Bay,
Bay, Ontario,
Ontario, P7B
P7B 5E1,
5E1, Canada;
Canada; Peter.
Peter.Hollines@lakeheadu.ca)
Hollinss @ lakeheadu. ca)
The Redstone Point
Point granite is
is aa
felsic
igneous
Mesoproterozoic
Mesoproterozoic
felsic
igneous
complex
Ma; Davis
complex (1537+10/-2
(1537+10/-2 Ma;
Davis and
and
Sutcliffe, 1984) located in the northern
northern
portion of the Sibley
Sibley Basin on the
the west
west
shore
of
Lake
Nipigon
(Fig.
1).
shore of Lake Nipigon (Fig. 1). It is
is
unconformably
overlain by
by arenites
unconformably overlain
arenites of
of
the Pass Lake
Lake Formation
Formation of
of the
the Sibley
Sibley
are in turn
Group.
Group. These
These sediments
sediments are
turn
intruded and overlain by an
an extensively
extensively
sills
developed
developed sequence
sequence of diabase
diabase sills
related
to
an
early
stage
of
the
Midrelated to
early stage of the Midevent. The entire
Continent
Continent Rifting
Rifting event.
entire
sequence
sequence has been gently folded into aa
shallowly, easterly plunging
plunging succession
succession
of
open
synclines
and
anticlines,
with
open
synclines
and
anticlines,
with
of the
the Redstone Point
Point
Figure 1. Map showing the location of
dips
usually
exceeding
150.
Outcrop
not
usually
exceeding
15O.
Outcrop
granite in relation
relation to Proterozoic
Proterozoic anorogenic
anorogenic granite
granite
density of
of igneous
igneous units
units is very
very good
good
of North
North America.
America. Modified after
after Anderson
(1983) density
complexes of
Anderson(1983)
sedimentary sequences,
sequences, which
which only
only provide
provide
along the shoreline of Lake Nipigon, in contrast
contrast to
to sedimentary
small, scattered
scattered outcrops.
outcrops.

The igneous rocks of
Redstone Point
Point have
have been
been briefly
briefly described
describedby
by Davis
Davisand
andSutcliffe
Sutcliffe(1985),
(1985),
of Redstone
wherein they
they emphasised
emphasised that
that the
the rocks are
to rhyolites and
wherein
are anorogenic
anorogenic granites gradational
gradational to
fragmental rhyolites
rhyolites and
and dacites.
dacites. In fact, presently
fragmental
presently accessible
accessible outcrop indicates that extrusive
extrusive
members dominate
dominate the
the magmatic
magmatic rocks
rocks of the area.
members
area. Porphyritic
Porphyritic texture
texture with
with volcanic
volcanic features
features
including vesicles,
vesicles, flow
flow structures,
units, rubbly
rubbly flow tops
including
structures, agglomeratic
agglomeratic units,
tops and
andsegregation
segregation
cylinders differentiate
differentiate extrusive
extrusive rocks
rocks from
from more limited
cylinders
limited exposures
exposures of
of uniformly
uniformly textured
textured
intrusive rocks. As contacts between units are generally unexposed and the base of the section is
nowhere
exposed, thicknesses
thicknesses of
of units
units and of
nowhere exposed,
of the
the entire
entire succession
succession are
are unknown;
unknown; however,
however,
continuous
outcrop in
in cliff-forming
units indicates
indicates that
that a minimum
continuous outcrop
cliff-forming units
minimum thickness
thickness of
of lOOm
100m of
of
volcanic rock is present in the area.
area.

The igneous rocks are
the dominace
of ferric
are distinctively
distinctively brick
brick red, suggesting
suggesting the
dominace of
ferric iron
iron in
in the
the
various mineral hosts but especially in trace amounts in feldspars. The intrusive member displays
equigranular phaneritic
phaneritic texture
texture with
with most
most mineral
mineral grains
grains 11 to
to 5 mm in diameter.
equigranular
diameter. The
The volcanic
volcanic
rocks are true porphyries
porphyries with
with phaneritic
phaneritic phenocrysts
phenocrysts of
of alkali
alkali feldspar,
feldspar,quartz
quartzand
andhornblende
hornblendein
in
an aphanitic
matrix of
of the same minerals. Quartz
phenocrysts are
are euhedral
euhedraland
and 11 to
to 3 mm in
an
aphanitic matrix
Quartz phenocrysts
diameter associated with alkali feldspar phenocrysts occasionally exhibiting synneusis twinning
as well as
as albite-pencline
albite-pericline twins
twins indicative
indicative of
of microcline.
microcline. Hornblende
Hornblende and
and magnetite
magnetite are
are less
less

31

�abundant and finer grained than in the
the intrusive
intrusive rocks.
rocks. Near
Near flow
flow tops
tops the
the porphyries
porphyriesgrade
grade into
into
uniformly textured
aphanitic
rhyolites
with
sparse
phenocrysts.
textured
rhyolites with sparse phenocrysts.

The samples from the
The
the Redstone
Redstone Point
Point intrusive
intrusive complex
complex are all
all characterised
characterised by
by high
high Si02
Si02
contents (73-83
(73-83 wt%)
wt%) and elevated
contents
elevated K20
&amp;O and
and Na20
Na,0 abundances
abundances (2-7 wt%
wt% and
and 0.2-3.5
0.2-3.5 wt%
wt%
respectively). They
They are
respectively).
are typically
typically
LREE enriched
LREE
enriched with relatively
unfractionated
IIREE (La/Sm,,
unfractionated HREE
(La/Smn =
=
2.8-5.1;
Gd/Yb,, =
= 1.1-1.6;
1.1-1.6; Fig. 2)
2.8-5.1; Gd/Ybn
2)
and are
are characterised
characterised by
by elevated
elevated
Zr, Y
Y and
and Nb
Nbcontents.
contents. Samples
Samples
from the Redstone
Redstone Point
Point igneous
igneous
complex fulfil
fulfil the
complex
the detailed
detailed trace
trace
criteria of
of Whelan
element criteria
Whelan et al.
al.
(1987) for anorogenic
anorogenic granites.
granites.

.

f

_J

Rb
BaTii
Tb UU Nb
La Ce
C
&lt;b Ba
Nb La

Pr
Pr

Sr
Nd
Sr Nd

Zr
Ba T
La M
Zr Hf
llf Sn,
Sin Eli
Ti Gd
(a Tb
Tb fly
W) 7Y Ho
110 P
Fr Yb
Yb LII
41

V Sc
Sc

mantle normalised
Figure 2. Representative primitive mantle
normalised diagram
diagram for
for
samples from the
the Redstone
Redstone Point
Pointigneous
igneouscomplex
complex

Similarities
Similarities between
between Proterozoic
Proterozoic
basin sequences
sequences (e.g.,
(e.g., Athabaska,
Athabaska,
Thelon, Hornby Bay and
and Sibley
Sibley basin fill
fill sequences)
sequences) imply that basin genesis
genesis and
and developmental
developmental
controls were similar. The setting, architecture, depositional systems and deformational histories
of all four basins strongly infer that they are intracratonic, forming as a result of heating cratonic
The heating
heating event is represented
represented in
in northern
northern Canada by
by numerous 1790 to 1730 Ma
lithosphere. The
anorogenic, syenogranite
syenogranite batholiths
batholiths and comagmatic
ash-flow tuffs occurring west of
anorogenic,
comagmatic ash-flow
of Hudson
Hudson
Bay. In the
the western
western Great
Great Lakes
Lakes region
region aa heating
heating event
event produced
produced the
the 1537
1537Ma
Ma Redstone
Redstone Point
Point
assemblage and
and other 1500
records a
assemblage
1500 Ma anorogenic
anorogenic batholiths. The southern
southern mid-continent
mid-continent records
heating event with anorogenic granite
granite production
production from
from approximately 1480 to
to 1320
lithospheric heating
Ma (Fig. 1).
These
events
outline
a
progressive
southward
displacement
of
lithospheric
heating
1).
events outline a progressive southward
from a maximum age of approximately 1750
1750 ma in northern Canada to aa minimum
minimum age
age of
of 1310
1310
Ma in the
Ma
the southwestern
southwestern United States.
States. As heat
heat transfer
transfer from
from the
the asthenosphere
asthenosphere is the
the only
only
mechanism for producing extensive lithospheric heating, drift of North America over hotter than
average asthenosphere is implied. Using regional ages of heating, drift rates of approximately 1.1
1.1
cm/year are necessary, and agree in magnitude
magnitude with present rates.
rates.
to 1.4
1.4 cmlyear
REFERENCES
REFERENCES
Anderson, J., 1983. Proterozoic anorogenic granite
granite plutonism
plutonism of
of North
North America.
America. In:
In: Medaris
Medaris et
Anderson,
al., (Eds), Proterozoic
Proterozoic geology.
geology. Geological Society of America Memoir
Memoir 161,
161,133-154.
133-154.

Davis,
and Sutcliffe,
Sutcliffe, R., 1985.
1985. U-Pb
U-Pb ages
ages from
from the
the Nipigon
Nipigon Plate
Plate and
and Northern
Northern Lake
Lake
Davis, D., and
Superior.
Superior. Geological
Geological Society
Society of America Bulletin,
Bulletin, 96,
96, 1572-1579.
1572-1579.
Whelan, J., Currie,
Currie, K.,
K., and
andChappell,
Chappell,B.,
B.,1987.
1987.A-type
A-typegranites:
granites:geochemical
geochemicalcharacteristics,
characteristics,
Whelan,
discrimination
and
petrogenesis.
Contributions
to
Mineralogy
and
Petrology,
95,
407-419.
discrimination and petrogenesis. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, 95,407-419.

32

�PALEOPROTEROZOIC (1900-1600
(1900-1600 Ma)
Ma) TECTONIC
TECTONIC HISTORY
HISTORY OF
OF THE
THE NORTHERN
NORTHERN
LATE PALEOPROTEROZOIC
MID-CONTINENT,
MID-CONTINENT, U.S.A: IMPLICATIONS
IMPLICATIONS FOR CRUSTAL
CRUSTAL STABILIZATION
STABILIZATION
HOLM, D.K., Dept. of Geology,
Geology, Kent State
State University, Kent, OH
OH 44242;
44242; VAN
VAN SCHMUS,
SCHMUS,
W.R., and MacNEILL, L.C., Dept. of Geology,
Geology, University of Kansas, Lawrence,
Lawrence, KS 66045;
66045;
BOERBOOM, T.J., Minnesota Geological Survey, 2642 University
University Avenue,
Avenue, St. Paul,
Paul, MN
MN
55114;
SCHWEITZER,
D.,
Dept.
of
Geology,
Kent
State
University,
Kent,
OH
44242;
551 14; SCHWEITZER, D., Dept. of Geology,
State
Kent, OH 44242;
SCHNEIDER,
SCHNEIDER, D.A., Dept. of Geological
Geological Sciences,
Sciences, Ohio
Ohio University,
University, Athens,
Athens, OH
OH 45701
45701

We propose that the late
late Paleoproterozoic
Paleoproterozoicigneous
igneous and
and deformational
deformationalhistory
history preserved
preserved in
in the
the

southern
Lake Superior
southern Lake
Superior region
region is the
the result
result ofofnorthwest-directed
northwest-directed convergence
convergence during
during and
following geon 18
18 Penokean accretion.
accretion. New U-Pb zircon ages indicate that late to post-Penokean
magmatism began ca. 1800
1800 Ma
Ma and
and generally
generally migrated
migrated southeastward
southeastwardacross
across the
the newly
newlyaccreted
accreted
terrane. Magmatic
Magmatic pulses
pulses atatca.
ca.1800,
1800,1775,
1775,and
and1750
1750Ma
Mamay
maycorrelate
correlatewith
withnorthwest-directed
northwest-directed
subduction associated with southward growth of the North American mid-continent.
mid-continent. We suggest
suggest
that geon 17
Yavapai-age
slab
rollback
caused
continental
arc
magmatism
to
step
southeastward
17
continental
to step southeastward
As the
the slab
slab steepened,
steepened, the reduced compressional
compressional stresses
between 1800 and 1750 Ma (Fig. 1A). As
and increased thermal input allowed
allowed for collapse
collapse of
of the
the overthickened
overthickenedportions
portions of
of the
the Penokean
Penokean
In northern
collapse involved
involved the
the formation
of gneiss
crust. In
crust.
northern Wisconsin,
Wisconsin, collapse
formation of
gneiss domes
domes and
and their
their
within discrete fault-bounded panels
panels brought
brought up
up from depth via tectonic
exhumation within
tectonic extrusion
extrusion
(Schneider
- and possibly temporary
temporary
(Schneider et al.,
al., ILSG,
ILSG, 2003).
2003). Collapse of the
the Penokean
Penokeanorogen
orogen—
resulted in crustal stabilization
stabilization and deposition
deposition of
of Baraboo
Baraboo Interval
Interval
cessation of
of slab
slabsubduction
subduction—- resulted
However,
in
a
long-lived
orogen
model,
renewed
quartzites
between
1750
and
1650
Ma.
quartzites between
1650 Ma. However, in long-lived orogen model, renewed
tectonism to
to the
the south
of a Mazatzal
tectonism
south resulted
resulted in the
the eventual
eventual accretion
accretion of
Mazatzal arc (Fig.
(Fig. 1B)
1B) with
with
widespread deformation
deformation and
and mild
mild reheating
reheating of
of Penokean
widespread
Penokean crust to the
the north.
north. The age of this
this
deformation is inferred from conventional Ar/Ar
ArIAr step-heating studies on basement rock beneath
deformed and undeformed
undeformed Baraboo
Baraboo Interval
Intervalquartzites.
quartzites. The 1900 to 1600 Ma tectonic history of
of
United States, not surprisingly,
records the southward
the north-central
north-central United
surprisingly, records
southward growth
growth and tectonic
tectonic
development of the southern
southern Laurentian margin.
New and published
mineral
agesdelineate
delineatethe
the northern
northern and
and western extent of geon
^ ~ r / ^ ~mineral
r
ages
published 40Ar/39Ar
16 crustal deformation. Interestingly,
Interestingly, only
only lower-grade
lower-grade crust intruded by the shallower-level ca.
1750 Ma plutons (and associated rhyolites) were
were deformed significantly during
during geon
geon 16. Deeper
Deeper
level
by the older
level collapsed crust and crust
crust pervasively
pervasively invaded by
older magmatic
magmatic pulses
pulses are
are largely
largely
by Mazatzal deformation and reheating.
reheating. We suggest that post-orogenic intrusions and
unaffected by
crustal thinning was an important step in strengthening
strengthening and stabilizing the crust in the
the southern
southern
Lake Superior
Superior region.
region.
Schneider, Holm, O'Boyle, Hamilton,
Hamilton, and
and Jercinovic,
Jercinovic, 2003,
2003, Paleoproterozoic
Paleoproterozoic development of a
gneiss dome corridor in the southern Lake Superior region,
region, USA:
USA: Institute
Institute on
on Lake
Lake Superior
Superior
Geology Abstracts (this
(this volume).
volume).

33

�subduction (ca'
vapai subduction
(ca. 1750
1750 Ma)
Ma)
w

—southward pro
propagation
"Â¥southwar
agation of magmatism
magmattsm

I

from
to 1750
Ma granites
granites and
and rhyolites
from 1775
1775 Ma
Ma ECMB
ECMB to
17 0 Ma
rhyolites in WI
Wl

S

N
NFZ
NFZ

2J750-1630
7 5 0 4 6 3 0Ma
Maquartzites
quartzites

/_— ,. ', ,f
—

—

1...AVRENtIA

-I

.

'- '
'—-—
C

-'

Mazatzal orogen
orogeny
Mazatzal
y (1650-1630
(1650-1630 Ma)
Ma)

2

deformation
deformation of "post-Penokean
ost-Penokean"quartzites
quartettes
during Mazatzal
azatzai accretion
accretion
A) Subduction
Subduction roHback
model proposed
proposed to
to explain magmatic
magmatic age
Figure 1:
1: A)
rollback model
progression
the Penokean
progressionacross
across the
Penokean orogen,
orogen,ca.Yavapai
ca.Yavapai convergence, preaccretion. ECMB
= East-central
East-central Minnesota
Minnesota batholith.
batholith. B)
Mazatzal accretion.
ECMB =
6)Mazatzal
Mazatzal
accretion
model
(modified
after
Romano
et
al
,
2000)
to
explain
deformation
to explain deformation
accretion model (modified after Romano et a].,
quartzites and
and southward
southward growth
growth of
of Baraboo Interval quartzites
of Laurentia,
Laurentia,

34

�GABBRO/GRANOPHYRE
LAKE INTRUSION:
INTRUSION: A
GABBROIGRANOPHYRE RELATIONS OF THE CROCODILE LAKE
POSSIBLE VENT FOR THE HOVLAND LAVAS?
JERDE, Eric A. (e.jerde@morehead-st.edu),
(e.jerde@morehead-st.edu),Department
Department of Physical
Physical Sciences,
Sciences,Morehead
Morehead State
State
University, Morehead,
KY 40351
4035 1
Morehead, KY
One of the notable characteristics
characteristics of
of the
the Midcoritinent
Midcontinent Rift is the presence of large
large amounts
amounts of felsic
felsic material.
material.
Indeed, the nature and origins
origins of this
this abundant
abundant silicious
silicious material
material has
has been
been the
the source
sourceof
of numerous
numerousstudies
studies(e.g.,
(e.g.,
Nelson, 1991;
a!., 2000;
2000; Sandland et al., 2001). To
1991; Green and Fitz, 1993;
1993; Vervoort and Green, 1997; Kennedy et al.,
Tothe
the
south of the Early Gabbro Series is a pronounced ridge composed of
of this
this felsic
felsic material,
material, properly
properly termed
termed aa
granophyre.
granophyre. The Early Gabbro
Gabbro Series
Series layers
layers are
are inclined
inclined to
to the
the south,
south,thus
thus are
are below
below the
the granophyre
granophyre
stratigraphically. This
This felsic
felsic rock
rock was
was noted
noted and
and described
described by
by Nathan
Nathan (1969)
(1969) as
as aa very
very late-stage
late-stage material,
material, and has
generally been presumed to have formed significantly after
after the
the gabbros
gabbros in
inthe
theregion.
region. However, several
observations indicate that the gabbro was emplaced later than
than the
the granophyres.
granophyres. These
These include
include gradational
gradational contacts,
contacts,
with some chilling of
of the
the gabbro. Another
Another observation
observation is
is the
the abundance
abundance of material described as "intermediate
"intermediate
rock" by various investigators in the past (e.g., Grout et al., 1959). This
This material
material isis always
always found
found between
between the
gabbro and granophyre,
granophyre, and is
is presumably
presumably the
the result
result of assimilation
assimilationof granophyre
granophyre by
by an
an intruding,
intruding,hot
hot gabbro.
gabbro.
Investigations into possible origins
origins of the granophyres
granophyres (Sandland
(Sandland et
et al.,
al., 2001;
2001; Karl
Karl Wirth,
Wirth,pers.
pers.comm.)
comm.)
included radiometric age determinations,
determinations, and revealed
revealed that
that the
the granophyres
granophyresadjacent
adjacent to
to the
the Early
EarlyGabbro
GabbroSeries
Seriesare,
are,
of the rift
rift (-1
(-.1107
Ga), and
and essentially
essentially contemporaneous.
contemporaneous. Because
like the gabbros, among the earliest rocks of
107 Ga),
silicious material generally is a late-stage
late-stage product of magma evolution,
evolution, the surprising
surprising antiquity
antiquity of the
the granophyres
granophyres
adds to questions
questions surrounding
surrounding their
their origin.
origin.
The early age for the granophyres
granophyres does,
does, however, suggest
suggest an origin
origin for the
the layered
layered nature
nature of
of the
the Early
Early Gabbro
Gabbro
Series located below them stratigraphically. Due
Due to
to their
their low
low density,
density, the granophyric material would have created a
barrier that retarded the rise of buoyant gabbroic material coming up
up from
from below.
below. These rising liquids
liquids would have
layering that
that is
is observed,
observed, and
and providing
providing aa cap,
cap, blocking
blocking any
any
been forced to spread laterally, resulting in the apparent layering
further rise of gabbroic
gabbroic material.
material.
of the layered Early
Early Gabbro
Gabbro Series
Series of
of Nathan
Nathan (1969)
(1969) is
is another
another occurrence
occurrence of
of
Immediately to the east of
Ga;Karl
KarlWirth,
Wirth,pers.
pers. comm.).
comm.). This
granophyre, also determined to be among those
those of an early
early origin
origin (i.e.,
(i.e., —1107
-1 107 Ga;
by Miller
Miller et
et al.
al. (2001),
(2001), and
and the
the rocks
rocks are
are interpreted
interpreted to
to be
be
rock group has been termed the Crocodile Lake Intrusion by
sample examinations
examinations (Babcock,
(Babcock, 1959). Work
gabbroic based on geophysical evidence, and a few sample
Work done
done between
between
1913 and 1948
1948 included
included the
the very
very edges
edges of
of this
this intrusion,
intrusion, and
and indicates
indicatesthat
that they
they are
are basalt
basalt lavas
lavasand
andgabbroic
gabbroic
intrusions, along with "red rock" (Grout
(Grout et
et al.,
al., 1959)
1959)that
that isis now
now known
known to
to refer
refer to
to granophyre.
granophyre.
Like the series mapped by Nathan (1969), there is a body of gabbroic material stratigraphically below the
granophyre.
granophyre.
was made
made into
into the
the Crocodile
Crocodile Lake
Lake Intrusion
Intrusionto
to examine
examine some
someof
ofthe
therock
rock.
During the past year, a reconnaissance was
relations (Fig. 1). Traverses
Traverseswere
weregreatly
greatly hampered
hampered by
by forest
forest blowdown,
blowdown, but the outcrops are
are numerous.
numerous. Several
Several
gabbro units are present, as well as a band of "intermediate
"intermediate material"
material" at the
the very
very top
top of
of the
the gabbro, below
below the
the
granophyre. Within
Within the
the granophyre
granophyreitself,
itself, several
several bodies
bodies of gabbro
gabbro were
were found to have actually
actually intruded the
granophyre. In
In the
the coarse-grained
coarse-grainedinteriors
interiorsof
of these
these bodies,
bodies, the
the gabbro
gabbro is
is indistinguishable
indistinguishable from
from the gabbros
gabbros
below the granophyre
granophyre stratigraphically).
stratigraphically).
observed further north (i.e., below
of the
the granophyre
granophyre are
are prominent
prominent knobs
knobs and
andridges
ridgesthat
thatare
arecomposed
composed of
ofbasalt.
basalt. These
Immediately to the south of
are mapped as part of the Hovland
Hovland Lavas,
Lavas, which
which are
are reversely
reversely polarized,
polarized, and
and were
were extruded
extrudedduring
duringthe
theearliest
earliest
period of the rifting. ItIt isisperhaps
perhapspossible
possiblethat
that the
the discontinuous
discontinuousbodies
bodies (and
(and other
other stringers
stringers and
and local
local dikes)
dikes) within
within
the granophyre represent the feeder
feeder conduits
conduits for
for the
the eruptive
eruptive basalts
basalts immediately
immediatelyto
to the
the south
south (shown
(shownschematically
schematically
in Fig. 2). In
In several
severalother
otherplaces
places within
within the
the granophyre,
granophyre,there
there are
are basaltic
basaltic stringers
stringers and small dikes. Surrounding
Surrounding
has been
been assimilated
assimilated into
into the
the gabbro.
gabbro. In
the larger gabbroic bodies are obvious reaction zones where granophyre has
immediately to the south, numerous inclusions are present that are pinkish
one of the flows immediately
pinkish in
in color,
color, along
along with
with
felsic stringers and irregular masses
masses of felsic material.
material.
Further work is planned to assess
assess the relation
relation between the gabbros
gabbros within
within the granophyre
granophyre and
and the
the lavas
lavas to
to the
the
south. IfIf this
and the
the
this isis indeed
indeedaa feeder
feeder system,
system, itit might
might provide
provide insight
insight into the mechanism of magma emplacement and
"breakthrough" to the
eventual "breakthrough"
the surface,
surface, during
during the
the onset
onset of
of rifting.
rifting.

35

�References Cited:
References
Cited:
Babcock, R.C., Jr. (1959) M
MS.
S .thesis,
thesis,University
Universityof
of Wisconsin,
Wisconsin,Madison,
Madison, 47
47 p.
p.
Research, 54, 177-196.
177-196.
Green, J.C. and Fitz, T.J., 1993,
1993, Journal of Volcanological and Geothermal Research,
Grout,
SurveyBulletin
Bulletin39,
39, 163p.
l63p.
Grout, F.F.,
F.F., Sharp,
Sharp, R.P., and Schwartz,
Schwartz, G.M. 1959 Minnesota Geologica Survey
Jerde, E.A. and Kennedy,
Kennedy, B.C.,
B.C., 2000,
2000, American
American Geophysical
Geophysical Union 2000
2000 Fall Meeting,
Meeting, San
San Francisco.
Francisco.
Jerde,
Jerde,
Salvato, D.J,
D.J, Thole,
Thole, J.,
J., and
and Wirth,
Wirth, K.R.
K.R. 2001,
2001, ILSG
ILSG 47,
47, 36-37.
36-37.
Jerde, E.A., Salvato,
Kennedy, B.C.,
B.C., Wirth,
Wirth, K.R.,
K.R., and
and Vervoort,
Vervoort,J.D.,
J.D.,2000,
2000,ILSG
ILSG46,
46,29-30.
29-30.
Jr., Green, J.C., Severson,
Severson, M.J., Chandler,
Chandler, V.W., and Peterson, D.M., 2001, Minnesota
Minnesota Geological
Geological
Miller, J.D., Jr.,
Survey
19.
Survey Miscellaneous
MiscellaneousMap
MapSeries
SeriesM-1
M-119.
Nathan, H.D., 1969,
of Minnesota,
Minnesota, Minneapolis,
Minneapolis, 198p.
l98p.
1969, Ph.D. dissertation, University of
Nelson, N. 1991,
1991,M.S.
M.S. Thesis,
Thesis, University
Universityof
of Minnesota,
Minnesota,Duluth.
Duluth.
Sandland,
TO., Wirth,
47, 85-86.
Wirth,K.R.,
K.R.,Vervoort,
Vervoort,J.D.,
J.D.,Gehrels,
Gehrels,G.E.,
G.E.,Kennedy,
Kennedy, B.C., and Harpp, K.S. 2001, ILSG 47,8586.
Sandland, T.O.,
Vervoort, J.D. and Green, J.C., 1997,
34, 521-535.
1997, Canadian
Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, 34,521-535.

Fig. 1. Reconnaissance
Reconnaissancegeologic
geologicmap
map of
of the
the region
region just south
south of Crocodile
Crocodile Lake,
Lake, showing
showing location
location of
gabbro bodies in the
the granophyre
granophyre that forms
forms the
the cap
cap above
above the
the Crocodile
Crocodile Lake
LakeIntrusion
Intrusiongabbros
gabbros
and intermediate
intermediate rocks.
rocks.
.4

SchematicN-S
N-S cross
crosssection
sectionof
of Fig.
Fig. 11showing
showing the
the possible
possible feeder
feeder for
for the
the Hovland
Hovland Lavas.
Lavas.
Fig. 2. Schematic

36

�MINERALIZATION
MINERALIZATION OF
OF THE
THE NORTON
NORTON LAKE
LAKE Cu-Ni-PGE
Cu-Ni-PGEDEPOSIT
DEPOSIT
JOHNSON,
JOHNSON, J.R.,
J.R.,HOLLINGS,
HOLLINGS,P.P.and
andKISSIN,
KISSIN,S.A.
S.A.Department
DepartmentofofGeology,
Geology,Lakehead
Lakehead
University, Thunder Bay, ON, P7B 5E1,
jrjohnsonca@yahoo.ca
5E1, jrjohnsonca0
yahoo.ca
The Norton Lake Cu-Ni-PGE
lun northeast
northeast of
of Fort
Fort
Cu-Ni-PGE deposit
deposit is located
located approximately
approximately50
50 km
Hope,
within
the
Miminiska-Fort
Hope
Greenstone
belt
of
the
Uchi
Subprovince,
northwest
Hope,
Miminiska-Fort Hope Greenstone belt of the Uchi Subprovince, northwest
Ontario (Figure 1). Only
Onlylimited
limitedgeological
geological investigations
investigationshave
have been
been undertaken
undertaken within
within the
the belt
due to both its remote location and sparse outcrop. As
As aa result
result of
of this
this the
the belt
belt has
has been
been
subdivided based on limited structural and regional stratigraphic considerations
considerations (Stott
(Stott and
and Corfu,
Corfu,
1991). The
The Norton
Norton Lake
Lake deposit
depositis
is located
located within
within an
an unnamed assemblage
assemblage comprising
comprising basaltic
flows with magnetite iron formations.
formations. ItItisisthought
thought that
that this
this assemblage
assemblagecan
can be
be correlated,
correlated,
through similar rock types and aeromagnetic trends, with
with the
the -2900 Ma Northern Pickle
Pickle terrane
of the Pickle Lake greenstone
greenstone belt (Corfu
(Corfu and
and Stott,
Stott, 1996).
1996).

Figure
Figure1:1:A-Map
A-Mapof
of Superior
SuperiorProvince
Provinceshowing
showinglocation
location of
of Uchi
Uchi Subprovince.
Subprovince.
B Simplified
Simplified geology
geology map of the Miminiska-Fort
Miminiska-Fort Hope
Hope Greenstone
Greenstonebelt
belt
(after Stott and Corfu,
Corfu, 1991).
1991).

The Norton Lake area consists
consists of massive
massive to pillowed
pillowed basalts
basalts with
with rare
rare ultramafic
ultramaficflows.
flows.
The deposit itself is hosted within a sheared amphibilite
amphibolite with minor gabbroic units. Previous
Previous
work determined
944 500
500 tonne
tonne nickel-copper
nickel-copper deposit
depositcontaining
containing0.72%
0.72%Ni
Ni
determined the deposit
deposit to
to be
be aa 944
West Resource
Resource Corporation,
Corporation, 2001).
2001). The
and 0.56% Cu with an undefined PGE potential (East West
The
geological setting, host rock and mineralization of the Norton Lake deposit
deposit are
are comparable
comparableto
to
that of the Thierry Deposit, Pickle Lake, Ontario. The
The Thierry
Thierry Mine
Mine is
is currently
currently undergoing
renewed exploration
exploration to
to determine
determineits
its viability
viability as
as aa PGE
PGE deposit
deposit (PGM
(PGM Ventures).
Ventures).

37

�East West Resource
Resource Corporation
Corporation (EWR) has undertaken a detailed exploration program
of Norton Lake, including an
an extensive
extensive drilling
drilling program.
program. Detailed
in the vicinity of
Detailed examination
examination of
of
being paid
paid to
to the
the mineralized
mineralized 'main' zone
drill core has been undertaken with special attention being
zone to
to
determine the exact nature of the mineralization. Preliminary
Preliminary results
results indicate
indicate the
the deposit
deposit consists
consists
chalcopyrite and
and pyrite.
pyrite. The platinum group
of massive pyrrhotite with pentlandite, magnetite, chalcopyrite
element's
s) are
element's (PGE'
(PGE's)
are found
found forming discrete
discrete platinum group minerals and are also believed to
form a solid solution
solution with the suiphides.
sulphides. Results
Resultsshow
showthat
thatin
inaddition
additionto
toprimary
primarymineralization
mineralization
a secondary, hydrothermal, enrichment of PGE's has
has taken
taken place.
place.

Mineral
Mineral
Pyrrhotite
Pyrrhotite
Pentlandite
Pentlandite
Pyrite
Pyrite
Chalcopyrite
Chalcopyrite
Manganoan
Manganoan
Illmenite
Illmenite

Formula
Fei-xS
FeiS
(Fe,Ni)9S8
(Fe,Ni)9S8
FeS2
FeS2
CuFeS2
CuFeS2
(Fe,Mn)Ti03
(Fe,Mn)Ti03

Magnetite
Michenerite
Michenerite
Hessite
Hessite

Fe304
PdBiTe
PdBiTe
Ag2Te
Ag2Te

Minor Elements
Elements
Ni
Co
Co
Co
Ni

Notes
Main mineral
Secondary
Secondary
Trace
Trace, also veins
More common
common than magnetite,
magnetite,
easily mistaken for magnetite
magnetite in
polished section
section

Sb,
Sb, Pt

Table
Table 1:
1: Summary
Summary of the mineralogy
mineralogy of Norton
Norton Lake
Lake deposit.
deposit.

Corfu F. and Stott G.M. 1996.
1996. Hf isotopic composition and age constraints on the evolution of
the Archean Central
78,pp53-63
53-63
Central Uchi Subprovince,
Subprovince,Ontario,
Ontario,Canada.
Canada.Precambrian
Precambrian Research,
Research,v.
v. 78,
East West Resources
Resources Corporation,
Corporation,2001.
2001. Annual
Annual Report.
Report.
PGM Ventures, 2003.
2003. www.pgm-ventures.com
www.pgm-ventures.com
Stott G. M. and
and Corfu
Corfu F.
F. 1991,
1991,Uchi
Uchi Subprovince,
Subprovince,in
in Geology
Geology of
of Ontario,
Ontario,Ontario
OntarioGeological
Geological
Survey Special
Special Volume 4,
4, Part 1.
1.

38

�Pd-Pt-Au MINERALIZATION
STRATIFORM Pd-Pt-AU
MINERALIZATION IN THE SONJU LAKE INTRUSION,
LAKE COUNTY, MINNESOTA
JOSLIN,
GregoryD.
D.Department
Departmentof
of Geological
GeologicalSciences,
Sciences,University
University of
of Minnesota-Duluth,
Minnesota-Duluth, 1114
1114 Kirby
Kirby
JOSLIN, Gregory
joslOOl3@d.umn.edu;MILLER,
MILLER, James D., Jr., Minnesota
Drive, Duluth, MN 55812, email: josl0013@d.umn.edu;
Geological Survey,
Survey, c/o
do NRRI, 5013 Miller
Miller Trunk
TrunkHwy,
Hwy,Duluth,
Duluth,MN
MN558
55811;
andROWELL,
ROWELL,
11; and
William, F., Franconia Minerals
MineralsCorp.,
Corp.,12
125.
S.6th
6"' St., Minneapolis, MN 55402.

The Sonju
Sonju Lake intrusion
intrusion (SLI)
(SLI) is a 1200
1200m
m thick, closed-system,
closed-system, well-differentiated,
well-differentiated,tholeiitic,
tholeiitic,
layered intrusion located within the
the Mesoproterozoic
Mesoproterozoic Midcontinent
Midcontinent Rift-related
Rift-relatedBeaver
Beaver Bay
Bay
Complex of
of northeastern
northeastern Minnesota
Minnesota (Miller
(Millerand
andChandler,
Chandler,1997).
1997). In
In the
the late
late 1990's, outcrop
sampling by Miller (1999)
(1999) indicated the presence of meter-scale
meter-scale stratiform
stratiformPd-Pt-Au
Pd-Pt-Au mineralized
mineralized
interval (or PGE reef) within the oxide
oxide gabbro
gabbro unit of the
the SLI,
SLI, located about
about 2/3
213 of
of the
the way
way up
up
from the basal contact of the intrusion. In
In June
June of
of 2002
2002 Franconia
Franconia Minerals
Minerals Corp.
Corp. conducted
conducted
exploratory drilling
drilling through
through the
the Pd-Pt-Au
Pd-Pt-Au enriched
enriched zone.
zone.
exploratory
In hand sample, the mineralized interval appears as a homogeneous oxide gabbro,
gabbro, with no
visible indication of precious metals enrichment. However,
However, geochemically the location
location of the
mineralization is distinct. Three
Threedrill
drillcores,
cores,spanning
spanningaastrike
strikelength
length of
of approximately
approximately 800
800m,
m,
define
define and are
are correlated
correlatedon
on the
the basis
basis of
of aa distinctive
distinctiveCu-Au
Cu-Au break
break datum
datum(Fig.
(Fig.1).
1). With the
exception of localized Pt enrichment associated with an interval enriched in olivine about 110 m
m
below the Cu-Au horizon,
horizon, all Pd-Pt-Au enrichment occurs over an interval
interval of 0 to
to 90
90 m
m below the
the
In general
general precious
precious metals
metals peaks
peaks are
are stratigraphically
stratigraphicallyoffset
offset from
from one
one
defined datum (Fig. 2). In
Maximumgrades
gradesin
in 0.3m
0.3m long core
another, progressing
progressingupward
upwardininthe
thesuccession
successionPd+Pt+Au.
Pd-)Pt-Au. Maximum
samples are 410 ppb Pd, 275 ppb Pt, and 1080 ppb
ppb Au.
Au. Above
Above the Cu-Au break, all precious
metals are very strongly depleted. Strong
A1 and
and modal
modal olivine
olivine with
Strongcorrelation
correlationbetween
between Fe,
Fe, Al
precious metals peaks indicates a possible connection between subtle modal
modal layering
layering of
of
plagioclase,
plagioclase, oxide,
oxide, and olivine
olivine with
with mineralization.
mineralization.
The oxide gabbro-hosted
gabbro-hosted PGE reef in the Sonju
Sonju Lake
Lake intrusion
intrusion shows
shows marked
marked similarities,
similarities,
with some differences,
differences, to stratiform
stratiformPGE
PGE mineralization
mineralization in
in the
the Skaergaard
Skaergaard intrusion
intrusionof
of East
East
Greenland (Andersen et al.,
1998),the
the Rincon
Rincon del
del Tigre
Tigre Complex
Complex of
of Bolivia
Bolivia (Prendergast,
(Prendergast,2000),
2000),
al., 1998),
and many other tholeiitic mafic layered intrusions throughout
throughout the
the world.
world. Whole
Whole rock
rock
geochemistry, clinopyroxene
clinopyroxene and olivine compositions, and petrographic data
data are
are consistent
consistentwith
with
an orthomagmatic origin for the mineralization related to the fractional
fractional segregation
segregation of
of sulfide
sulfide
melt from silicate magma. The
The homogeneity
homogeneity of the host rock, the thickness of the mineralized
interval,
interval, and the offset
offset of metal
metal concentrations
concentrationsimply
imply that
that sulfide
sulfide saturation
saturationwas
was passively
passively
triggered by fractional crystallization
crystallization of the Sonju magma.
magma. Mungall
(2002) recently argued
Mungall(2002)
argued that
stratigraphic offsets
offsets of Pd,
Pd, Pt,
Pt, Au
Au and
and Cu
Cu peaks common to many PGE reefs can
can be satisfactorily
satisfactorily
explained by a kinetic model of sulfide liquation and settling. The
The model
model shows
shows that
that the
the degree
degree
of offset and metal enrichment will be controlled by
by kinetic
kinetic factors,
factors, such as
as the
the diffusivity
diffusivity of
of
chalcophile elements, the degree of sulfide supersaturation,
supersaturation, sulfide droplet size, and its settling
chalcophile
velocity, which result in variability of the apparent silicatelsulfide
silicate/sulfide melt
melt ratio
ratio (R factor). The
The
correlation of multiple peaks of PGE with subtle,
correlation
subtle, broad
broad modal variations
variations may
may be
be related
related to
to
by the crystallization
crystallization of
of magnetite
magnetite in
in an
an environment
environment of
of
repeated convective overturn caused by
sulfide
over-saturation,
as
suggested
by
Prendergast
(2000)
to
explain
a
similar
correlation
in
sulfide over-saturation, suggested
(2000) explain a similar correlation in the
the
Rincon del Tigre Complex. Some
Someevidence
evidence of
of late-stage
late-stage sulfide
sulfide dissolution
dissolution and remobilization
exists, but it appears
appears to have little
little to
to no
no effect
effect upon
upon the
the distribution
distributionof
of precious
precious metals.
metals.

39

�nrelorl ,bovo

*60.0

-

-

-'

Ft!lI1lI—._+50.0

'

+40,0

"

*30,0

-.

..

+70.0

*70.0

*60.0

*60.0

*50.0

*50.0

*40.0

*40.0

+30.0

*20.0
-

-'-' '
'

';'*.

-

,,::--

+10_A

410.0
0.0

-10.0

-10.0

-10.0

.20.0

-20.0

-20.0

-30.0

-30.0

-40.0

.40.0

-500

-50.0

-5 0.0

1AJJ114i1_ -40,0
-70.0

'60,0

-60.0

-70.0

-70.0

-80.0

-60.0

-90.0

-90.0

I—.—

"

-30.0

1111111—
85000001

5

-40.0

11111111—

.

,

-ao,o

00.0

1+00

-110.0

4

-110.0

'110.0

-120.0

,

-120.0

-120.0

-130.0

'break

+200

0.0

0.0

Cu-Au

*30.0

920.0

*100

5L02-3

SLO2-2

SLO2—1

Cu-Au break
+70,0 r

-130.0

Fig. 1: Correlation
Correlation of
of drill
cores SLO2-1,
SL02-1, SLO2-2,
SL02-2, and
SLO2-3 showing
showing distinctive
SL02-3
break. The
Cu-Au break.
The Cu-Au
Cu-Au
break is used to provide a
datum to which all
stratigraphic plots are
correlated, and position in
stratigraphy is measured as
meters above
above or
or below
below Cu-Au
Cu-Au
break.
break.

-130.0

0

• Au ppb)
Cu (ppm)

5L02-3

SLO2-2

SLO2-1
'*70.0

'+70.0

+60.0

.660.0

—.50.0

*50.0

*40.0

-+40.0

*30.0

+30.0

*20.0

-620.0

*10.0

*10.0

-10.0

-10.0

-20.0

-20.0

-30.0

-30.0

.40.0 ''

-40.0

- -50.0

-50.0

-60.0

'60.0

.70.0

-70.0

.80.0

-80.0

-90.0

-90.0

l00.0

-100.0

-510.0

-110.0

'-520.0

-120.0

Fig. 2: Correlation
Correlation of Pd
Pd
and Pt
Pt in
in drill
drillholes
holesSLO2SL021,
I, SLO2-2,
SL02-2, and
and SLO2-3.
SL02-3.
Notice multiplicity of
spikes
spikes and offset
offset between
Pt and Pd peaks.

-130.0

-130.0

S

• Pd)ppb)
S Pt(ppb)

References:
References:
0., Rasmussen,
Andersen, J. C. O.,
Rasmussen, H.,
H., Nielsen,
Nielsen, T.
T. F.
F. D., Ronsbo,
Ronsbo, J. U.,
G., 1998,
1998, The
The Triple
Triple Group
Group and
and the
the
Platinova Gold and Palladium Reefs in the Skaergaard Intrusion: Stratigraphic and Petrographic
Petrographic
Relations.
Relations. Economic
Economic Geology.
Geology. Vol.
Vol. 93,
93, pp.
pp. 488-509.
488-509.
Miller, J. D. Jr., 1999,
1999, Geochemical
Geochemical Evaluation
Evaluation of Platinum Group Element (PGE) Mineralization in the
Sonju Lake Intrusion, Finland, Minnesota:
Minnesota: Minnesota
Minnesota Geological
Geological Surv.
Surv. Information
Information Circular
Circular 44,
44, 31
3 1p.
p.
Miller, J. D., Jr.,
Jr., and
and Chandler,
Chandler, V. W., 1997,
1997, Geology,
Geology, petrology, and tectonic significance of the Beaver
Bay Complex, northeastern Minnesota, in Ojakangas, R.
R. W.,
W., Dickas, A.
A. B.,
B., Green, J. C., eds., Middle
Proterozoic
Proterozoic to
to Cambrian
Cambrian Rifling,
Rifting, Central
CentralNorth
North America:
America: Geological
GeologicalSociety
Societyof
of America
AmericaSpecial
SpecialPaper
Paper
312, p. 73-96.
73-96.
Mungall,
Mungall, J. E., 2002,
2002, Kinetic
KineticControls
Controlson
on the
thePartitioning
Partitioningof
of Trace
TraceElements
ElementsBetween
BetweenSilicate
Silicateand
andSulfide
Sulfide
Liquids. Journal
Journalof
of Petrology.
Petrology. Vol.
Vol. 43,
43, pp.
pp. 749-768
749-768
Prendergast, M. D., 2000,Layering
2000,Layering and Precious Metals Mineralization in the Rincon del Tigre Complex,
Eastern Bolivia.
Bolivia. Economic
Economic Geology.
Geology.Vol.
Vol. 95,
95, pp.
pp. 113-130.
113-130.

40

�RESULTS OF
OF 40Ar/39Ar
4 0 ~ r / 3 9SINGLE-GRAIN
~r
ANALYSES
MAFIC
RESULTS
SINGLE-GRAIN
ANALYSESOF
OF PRECAMBRIAN
PRECAMBRIAN MAFIC
INTRUSIONS IN NORTHERN
NORTHERN AND EAST-CENTRAL
EAST-CENTRAL MINNESOTA
MINNESOTA
KEAYFS, M.J., Dept. of Geology, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242; JIRSA,
KEATTS,
JIRSA, M.,
Minnesota Geological
Geological Survey, 2642 University Avenue West, St.
St. Paul,
Paul, MN
MN 55114-1057;
55114-1057;
HOLM, D., Dept. of Geology, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242

Age information
from mafic
mafic intrusive
intrusive suites
suites is
is critical
of the
Age
information from
critical for proper
proper interpretation
interpretation of
geologic history and for mineral deposit models in the Lake Superior region. As part of an effort
to evaluate
evaluate PGE potential
potential in
in mafic
mafic intrusions
intrusions in
in Minnesota,
Minnesota, several
several plutons
plutons have
have been
been dated
dated
CO2
laser ArIAr
Ar/Ar incremental heating technique at the University
University of Wisconsin-Madison
using the C
0 2 laser
Rare
Rare Gas
Gas Geochronology
Geochronology Laboratory.
Laboratory. For late-stage
late-stage shallow
shallow plutons
plutons containing
containingprimary
primary
magmatic hornblende, ArIAr
Ar/Ar mineral ages are
are likely
likely to
to closely
closely approximate
approximate the
the crystallization
crystallization
age. In regions
age.
regions with
with aamore
moreprotracted
protractedthermal
thermalhistory
history(i.e.,
(i.e.,low-grade
low-grademetamorphism,
metamorphism, slowslowcooling, etc.), the Ar/Ar
data
provide
minimum
ages
for
the
mafic
plutons.
Mafic
intrusions
ArIAr data
minimum ages
plutons.
intrusions from
from
Minnesota selected for this study represent a broad range of geologic settings, including 1) small
mafic
and intrusive
mafic plutons
plutons emplaced
emplaced into
into Paleoproterozoic
Paleoproterozoic supracrustal
supracrustal and
intrusive rocks
rocks within
within the
the
Penokean orogen (samples 264, R17); and 2) varied, primarily late- to post-tectonic intrusions in
rocks of
of the Archean Wabigoon
Wabigoon (samples
(samples Al,
Al, B21, UBD) and Wawa (samples K15,
supracrustal rocks
of Superior Province.
Province. We
We report
report here the initial
LP, ANA) subprovinces
subprovinces of
initial results
results from
from eight
eight
separate intrusions (Fig.
(Fig. 1).
1).
East-central ~Minnesota.
A hornblende
~ast-central
innesota.A
hornblende grain
grain (R17)
(R17) from
from aa sample
sampleofofmedium-grained
medium-grained
homblendite
batholith in
hornblendite from the Tibbett's Brook intrusion cutting the East-central Minnesota batholith
Morrison
Co. yields
yields aa plateau
date of
from 44contiguous
contiguousincrements
increments
Morrison Co.
plateau date
of 1.770
1.770 ±Â 0.006 Ga from
constituting
74% of
of the
the gas released.
constituting 74%
released. AAbiotite
biotitegrain
grain(264)
(264)from
fromaasample
sampleofofcoarse-grained
coarse-grained
biotitic olivine gabbronorite cutting the Little Falls Formation in Morrison Co.
Co. yields
yields aa plateau
plateau
date of 1.791
1.791 ±
Â0.008
0.008 Ga from 5 contiguous increments constituting
constituting 68% of the gas
gas released.
released.
twa Subprovince.
A Ahornblende
Wawa
Subprovince.
hornblendegrain
grain(ANA)
(ANA)from
fromaasample
sampleofofprismatic
prismatichornblende
hornblende diorite
diorite
collected near Red Lake in Beltrami Co. yields a near-plateau date of 2.587 ±0.012
~ 0 . 0 1Ga
2Ga in
in 55 nonnoncontiguous
incrementsconstituting
constituting50%
50%ofofthe
the gas.
gas. A
A biotite
biotite grain
grain (K15)
(K15) from
from a sample
contiguous increments
sample of
collected in
in Norman
Norman Co.
Co. yields
yields aa plateau
plateau date
date of
of 2.639 Â
± 0.007
biotite granodiorite porphyry collected
0.007 Ga
from 6 contiguous increments constituting 79%
79% of
of the gas released. A biotite grain (LP) from a
sample of porphyritic syenite collected at the Wawa-Quetico subprovince boundary in St. Louis
Co.,
from 77contiguous
contiguous
Co., in the
the Linden
Linden Pluton,
Pluton, yields
yields a plateau
plateau date
date of 2.666
2.666 ±Â 0.006 Ga from
increments
increments constituting
constituting 88%
88% of
of the
the gas
gas released.
released.
Wabigoon Subprovince. A hornblende grain (B21) from the Oaks intrusion leucodiorite
leucodionte sampled
0.008 Ga from 88
near
Fault in Roseau
1 ±Â 0.008
near the Vermilion
Vermilion Fault
Roseau Co.
Co. yields
yields aa plateau
plateau date
date of
of 2.67
2.671
contiguous increments constituting 75%
75% of
of the
the total
total gas
gas released.
released. A hornblende grain (Al)
(Al)from
from
0.0111 Ga from
the Black River gabbro, collected in Roseau Co., yields a plateau date
from
date of
of 2.685
2.685 ±Â 0.01
11 contiguous increments
increments constituting
constituting 90%
90% of
of the
the total
total gas
gas released.
released. A
A hornblende
hornblende (UBD)
(UBD) from
a sample
Co. north
north of the
sample of
of hornblende-biotite
hornblende-biotite gabbro collected
collected in Koochiching
Koochiching Co.
the Rainy
Rainy LakeLakeSeine
River Fault
Fault yields
yields a plateau
date of
Seine River
plateau date
of 2.695
2.695 ±
Â 0.007 Ga from
from 66 contiguous
contiguous increments
increments
constituting
constituting 49% of the gas released.
released.

41

�The mineral age data from
from mafic
mafic plutons
plutons from
from the
the Wabigoon
Wabigoon subprovince
subprovince are
are synchronous
synchronous
Mafic plutons
plutons from
from the
the
with the last deformation event (D2) dated in the range 2.685-2.674 Ga. Mafic
Wawa subprovince give
give an
an 80 m.y. age range from 2.58 to 2.66 Ga. Interestingly,
Interestingly,the
theLinden
Linden
Pluton gives a biotite
biotite date
date concordant
concordant (within error) with the youngest
youngest mafic pluton from the
Pluton
Wabigoon subprovince.
Wawa are
are consistent
consistent with
with
Wabigoon
subprovince.The
Theyounger
youngerspread
spreadofof ages
ages from
from the Wawa
southward growth of
of the Superior Province
Province during
during the
the latest
latest Archean.
Archean. Mafic plugs evident from
aeromagnetic maps
1.775 Ga
Ga EastEastaeromagnetic
maps in
in east-central Minnesota
Minnesota are
are comagmatic
comagmatic with
with the circa 1.775
central Minnesota batholith. Further constraining the
mafic intrusions
intrusions
the temporal framework of mafic
may contribute
contribute to
mineral deposit
deposit models
these intrusions
intrusions and
and their
their analogs
analogs in
in
may
to mineral
models for
for PGE
PGE in these
adjacent states
states and
and provinces.
provinces.
Fig.i
agespectra:
spectra:t t, ==plateau
plateau age,
age, t,
tq == total
total gas age.
Fig.l 40Ar/39Ar
"Ar/^Ar age
age.

2.0

0

2.0

Ri 7

264

1.5
2::

fl....

1

1.8

J0.5
3.0

Biotite MSWD
MSWD 2.57
2.57

Amphibole MSWD
1.78
Amphibole
MSWD 1.78
t,
tp== 1.770
1.770±Â0.006
0.006Ga
Ga
t9=
t = 1.653±0.005
1.653Â 0.005Ga
Ga

I

I

6t ==1.791
1.791±Â0.008
0.008Ga
Ga
t, = 1.782
1.782±
Â 0.007
0.007Ga
Ga
1.5
3.0

ANA

B21

—--————ur

Ct

0

2.5

1

Amphibole
0.71
Amphibole MSWD
MSWD0.71
2.587 Â
± 0.012
0.012 Ga
tp= 2.587
tg
2.550 Â
± 0.009
0.009 Ga
Ga
t, == 2.550
2.0
2.0

2.0
3.0

"

3.0

Ki 5
.__.__.__

Ct

0

.

Al
ti.

...:::.:::::::

2.5

Biotite MSWD
Biotite
MSWD 2.48
2.48
2.639 ±
t, = 2.639
Â 0.007
0.007Ga
Ga
= 2.640
2.640±Â 0.007
0.007Ga
Ga
3.0

3.0

LP
t:,Vt:::::::ZV:.

:

Amphibole MSWD
Amphibole
MSWD 1.81
1.81
t, = 2.685
2.685 ±
tp
Â 0.011
0.011 Ga
Ga
t9== 2.700
2.700 Â
± 0.01
0.010
tg
0 Ga
Ga

2.0 -.

2.0

UBD

—iF

:1:2.:,

0

2.5

-

Amphibole
Amphibole MSWD
MSWD 0.30
0.30
t ==2.671
2.671 ±Â0.008
0.008Ga
Ga
tto==2.705
2.705±Â0.013
0.013Ga
Ga

2.5

Biotite MSWD
Biotite
MSWD1.11
1.I1
t,, = 2.666
2.666±Â 0.006
0.006Ga
Ga
t9
2.657 ±
6 == 2.657
Â 0.006
0.006

2.0
0
0

10
10

20
20

30
30

40
40

50
50

60
60

700
7

60
80

Cumulative
released (%)
Cumulative39Ar
"Ar released
(%)

2.0
900 1100
0
9
00
0

42

,
10
10

Amphibole MSWD
MSWD 1.03
1.03
2.695 ±
$, = 2.695
Â 0.007
0.007Ga
Ga
2.730 ±
6 .= 2.730
Â 0.006
0.006Ga
,
--"-"
*- - ,
20

30
30

40
40

50

60
60

700
7

80
80

Cumulative
Cumulative 9Ar
"Ar released
released (%)
(%)

r--

90
90

100
100

�New zircon
New
zircon ages
agesfrom
fromthe
the Gunflint
Gunflint and
and Rove
RoveFormations,
Formations,northwestern
northwestern Ontario
Ontario
Kissin, S.A., Department
Department of Geology,
Geology, Lakehead University, Thunder
Thunder Bay, ON, P7B 5E1
5E1 Canada,
Canada,
stephen.kissin@lakeheadu.ca;
stephen.kissin@lakeheadu.ca ;Vallini,
Vallini, D.A.,
D.A.,University
University of
of Western
Western Australia,
Australia,35
35 Stirling
Hwy,
Stirling Hwy,
Australia; Addison, W.D.,
W.D., RR 2,
2, Kakabeka
Kakabeka Falls,
Falls, ON,
ON, POT
POT iWO,
1W0,Canada;
Canada;
Crawley, 6009, W.A., Australia;
Brumpton, G.R.., 211
Bmmpton,
21 1 Henry St, Thunder
Thunder Bay, ON, P7E 4Y7, Canada.
Canada.

Previous work based on U-Pb geochronology
geochronology from presumed volcanogenic zircons
zircons obtained
obtained
1878 ±Â 2Ma,
from a tuff layer at the lower/upper
lowerlupper Gunflint Formation boundary yielded an age of 1878
believed to approximate the age of
of deposition of
of the unit
unit (Fralick et
et al., 2002).
2002). This
This age
age
corresponds closely with the age of the correlative
correlative Hemlock Formation
Formation of Michigan
Michigan (1874
(1874 ±:
9Ma; Schneider
9Ma;
Schneider et a!.,
al., 2002).
We report
report here preliminary
preliminary age
age determinations
determinations based on
on SHRIMP
SHRIMPanalyses
analyses of
of zircons
zircons
Formation, and
and two
two within
within the
the
extracted from three volcanic ash layers; one lying in the Gunflint Formation,
Rove Formation.
Formation. The
overlying Rove
The Gunflint-Rove
Gunflint-Rovecontact
contact is
is an
an important
important reference
reference point.
point. Pufahi
Pufahl
and Fralick (2000) placed it at the top of a sequence
sequence of chert-carbonate
chert-carbonategrainstones
grainstones which
which is
is
of the
the Rove
Rove Formation.
Formation. The
Gunflint exposure
exposure outcrops
outcrops at
at
overlain by carbonaceous shales of
The Gunflint
Little
Little Falls,
Falls, on
on the
the south
southside
sideof
of the
theKakabeka
KakabekaFalls
FallsGorge,
Gorge,--1Om
-10m (topographically)
(topographically) below
below the
the
Gunflint lapilli tuff dated by Fralick et a!.
al. (2002). A Rove volcanic ash exposure
exposure at Oliver
Oliver Creek
Creek
is estimated to be -70m (stratigraphically)
(stratigraphically) above
above the Gunflint-Rove
Gunflint-Rove contact.
contact. Zircons were also
extracted
extracted from an ash
ash layer
layer within
within Falconbridge
Falconbridge Pine
Pine River
River (PR98-1)
(PR98-1)drillcore
drillcore(688.24m
(688.24mdown
down
hole),
above the Rove-Gunflint
Rove-Gunflint contact.
hole), located
located —4m
-4m above
contact.
The
a mean
207Pb/206Pb
of~1821
16 Ma while aa single
single
^ ~ b l age
~age~of
1821
~ b±Â 16
The Oliver
OliverCreek
Creekzircons
zirconsrecorded
recorded
a mean
of 184OMa
wasobtained
obtained from
from the
the dnllcore
drilicore PR98-1
PR98-1 sample.
sample. The
The errors
errors cited
cited are at the one
age of
1840Ma was
discordant.
deviation ((la)
standard deviation
l o ) and
and 95%
95% confidence
confidence level and the analyses are less than 5% discordant.
There are
recorded from
from each
each locality
locality which
which are assumed to
are also
also two
two younger
younger ages
ages of
of —1786Ma
-1786Ma recorded
be outliers.
outliers.

The Little Falls zircons,
zircons, which are
are somewhat
somewhat rounded
rounded and
and fractured,
fractured, yielded
yielded various
various
ages, all older than 2000Ma. Most
Most of
of the
the ages
ages are
are more
more than 10%
10% discordant,
discordant, and
and these
these samples
samples
may have suffered lead loss. As
As well,
well, there
thereare
are some
some indications
indicationsof
of admixture
admixtureof
of shalely
shalelymaterial
material
in the ash layer at this locality. Older
Olderzircons
zirconsfrom
from the
the lapilli
lapilli tuff
tuff layer
layer at
at the
the lower/upper
lowerlupper
Gunflint
Gunflint contact
contact (Fralick
(Fralick et al.,
al., 2002)
2002) were
were also
also found
found to
to be
be admixed
admixedwith
with Paleoproterozoic
Paleoproterozoic
zircons.
zircons.
Using the stratigraphic
stratigraphic column of Pufahl and Fralick (2000), we estimate that the
drillhole
lOmabove
abovethe
theGunflint
Gunflint lapilli
lapilli tuff layer containing
containing the
drillhole (PR98-1)
(PR98-1)samples
samplesare
are—1
-1 10m
the zircons
zircons
dated by Fralick
Fralick et a!.
(2002),
while
we
estimate
the
Oliver
Creek
samples
to
be
—150m
above
al. (2002), while we estimate the Oliver Creek samples to be -150m
this same layer. The ages reported
reported here indicate
indicate that aa slow
slow sedimentation
sedimentationrate
rate must
must have
have been
been
required in order to account
account for
for the age
age difference
difference between
between the lapilli
lapilli tuff
tuff of
of Pufahl
Pufahl and
andFralick
Fralick
and the two sets of Rove dates reported here. This slow Rove sedimentation rate is comparable
that reported in banded iron
iron formations
formations of
of the
the early
early Proterozoic
Proterozoic Campbell
CampbellGroup,
Group,Griqualand,
Griqualand,
West Sequence,
Sequence, South
South Africa
Africa (Barton
(Barton et
et a!.,
al., 1994).
1994).
43

�The Oliver Creek ages reported here are in reasonable agreement with the 1833
1833±Â 6Ma
undeformed by
by
age reported by Schneider et al. (2002) for the Tobin Lake Pluton, which is undeformed
Penokean deformation and intrudes presumed Hemlock Volcanic
However, the
the
Volcanic equivalents.
equivalents. However,
zircons from the Rove Formation
Formation suggest
suggest that volcanic activity
activity associated
associated with
with the
the Penokean
Penokean
continued for
for at
at least
least 40
40 m.y.
m.y. Further
Orogeny continued
Furtherstudies
studies are
are underway to clarify some of the
questions raised
questions
raised by our
our results.
results.
Barton, E.S., Altermann, W., William, I.S., amd Smith, C.B. 1994. U-Pb
U-Pb zircon
zircon age
age for
for aa tuff
tuff in
in
the Campbell
Campbell Group,
Group, Griqualand
GriqualandWest
West Sequence,
Sequence,South
South Africa:
Africa: Implications
Implicationsfor
forEarly
Early
Proterozoic
22: 343-346.
343-346.
Proterozoic rock accumulation
accumulation rates.
rates. Geology
Geology 22:
Fralick, P., Davis, D.W., and Kissin, S.A.
S.A. 2002. The
Theage
ageof
of the
the Gunflint
GunflintFormation,
Formation,Ontario,
Ontario,
Canada: single zircon U-Pb age determinations
determinations from reworked volcanic ash.
ash. Canadian
Canadian
Journal
1089-1091.
Journal of Earth
Earth Science
Science 39:
39: 1089-1091.
Pufahi,
Pufahl, P. and
and Fralick,
Fralick, P.
P. 2000.
2000. Fieldtrip
Fieldtrip 4:
4: Depositional
Depositionalenvironments
environmentsof
of the
thePaleoproterozoic
Paleoproterozoic
Gunflint
46, pt.2.
pt.2.
Gunflint Formation.
Formation. Proceedings
Proceedings of
of the
the Institute
Institute on
on Lake
Lake Superior
Superior Geology,
Geology, 46,
W.F., Schulz, K.J.,
K.J., and
and Hamilton,
Hamilton, M.A.
M.A. 2002. Age
Schneider, D.A., Bickford, M.E., Cannon, W.F.,
Age of
of
volcanic rocks and
and syndepositional
syndepositional iron
iron formations,
formations, Marquette
Marquette Range
Range Supergroup:
Supergroup:
implications
implications for
for the
the tectonic
tectonic setting
setting of
of Paleoproterozoic
Paleoproterozoiciron
iron formations
formationsof
of the
theLake
Lake
Superior Region. Canadian
Journal
of
Earth
Science
39:
999-1012.
Canadian Journal of Earth Science 39: 999-1012.

44

�THE SOUTHERN PORTION OF
OF THE
THE LAURENTIDE
LAURENTIDE ICE
ICE
MEAN TRANSPORT LENGTH
LENGTH IN TILLS OF THE
SHEET: IMPLICATIONS
IMPLICATIONS FOR
FOR DRIFT
DRIFT EXPLORATION
EXPLORATION IN THE
THE LAKE SUPERIOR
SUPERIOR REGION
REGION
LARSON,
Department of
Geological Sciences,
Sciences, University
Minnesota, Duluth,
55812,
LARSON, Phillip
Phillip C., Department
of Geological
University of
of Minnesota,
Duluth, MN
MN 55812,
plarson2 @d.umn.edu
plarson2@d.umn.edu

Introduction
Introduction
Bedrock
the Lake
Lake Superior
Superior region
region isistypically
typically covered
covered by
byaamantle
mantleofofglacigenic
glacigenicsediments
sediments—- till,
Bedrock in the
outwash,and
andlacustrine
lacustrinesediments
sediments
— presents
presents a significant
- that
significant challenge to successful
successful application
application of
of surficial
surficial
outwash,
geochemical techniques
techniques widely
widely used
used to help
geochemical
help generate
generate drilling
drilling targets.
targets. The glacial
glacial environment
environment is
is very
very complex,
complex,
with sediments produced
produced by
by a range of processes.
with
processes. Till represents
represents the
the ideal
ideal sampling
samplingmedia
media ininthese
theseenvironments,
environments,
since a vector (ice flow direction) is attached to the composition
composition at any location indicating the direction to the source
of any defined anomaly.
anomaly. However, recent work
work has led
led to
to recognition
recognition that
that both
both the
themagnitude
magnitudeof
ofaatill
tillgeochemical
geochemical
anomaly and
and the
the potential
potential transport
transport distance
distance to
to its
its source
source may
may have
have aa wide
wide range
range of
of values.
values. This
anomaly
This isis aa reflection
reflection of
of
material, and
and is related to the
the mean
mean transport distance of till-forming
till-forming material,
the fundamental
fundamental sediment
sediment transport process
responsible for forming
forming the
the till.
till.
Theory
The concentration of an
an indicator
indicator (a
(a distinct
distinct lithologic
lithologic or
or geochemical
geochemical component
component derived
derived from
from aa discreet
discreet
in till
till is the direct product of the physical processes
processes of
of glacial
glacial erosion,
erosion,transport,
transport,and
anddeposition.
deposition. Indicator
Indicator
source) in
concentration
concentration is controlled by a number
number of
of variables,
variables, including
including substrate
substrate hardness and the
the efficacy
efficacy of
of the
theglacial
glacial
erosional regime.
regime. Under
Under steady
steady state
state ice
ice flow
flow conditions
conditions and
and uniform
uniform bed
bed erosion
erosion rates,
rates, indicator
indicator mass
mass
concentration ci
c in till at any transport
transport length
length TT (1)
(1) down-ice of an indicator source
source of finite
finite flow-line
flow-linelength
length LL (1)
(I) is:
cTO —

L

(1)

where
For tills down-ice of
of the indicator source, under steady state conditions, the
where X. is the erosion length
length scale
scale (1).
(1). For
decrease
decrease in indicator
indicator concentration
concentration with
with increasing
increasingtransport
transportlength
lengthcäc/5T
8c/8T assumes
assumes aaquasi-exponential
quasi-exponential form.
form.
Erosion
length scale,
scale, X,
X,isis related
related to
to the
the spatial
spatial bed
bed erosion
erosion rate
rate EE (m-1'")
(ml3) and
and the
the thickness
thickness of the
the debris
debris layer
layer in
in
Erosion length
transport
transportmd
md (m12):
(m-l'2):
(2)

E
X
closely related
related to
to the
the mean transport distance of till-forming material; as ?X increases,
X isis closely
increases, so
so does
does the
the mean
mean transport
transport
distance.
distance.

ShortTransport: Examples
Short- vs. Long-Distance Transport:
Examples
Tills in the Lake Superior
Superior region
region can
can be
be broadly
broadly grouped
grouped into
into two
two categories
categories based
based on
onthe
themean
meantransport
transport
length of the till forming
forming material.
material.
Tills characterized by short-distance
short-distance mean transport
transport length
length are
are commonly
commonly composed
composed of
of coarse-grained
coarse-grained
material
containing abundant
abundant angular
angular clasts, and display
material containing
display rapid decrease
decrease in
in indicator
indicator concentration
concentration with
with transport
transport
length. This
Thisisisexemplified
exemplifiedby
bytills
tillsoverlying
overlyingthe
theVermilion
Vermiliongreenstone
greenstonebelt
beltof
ofnorthern
northernMinnesota,
Minnesota,which
whichdisplays
displays
rapid
in concentration
concentrationof
ofnumerous
numerousindicator
indicatorlithologies;
lithologies;
range
from
2.0 l0m.
m. A
XX
forfor
thisthis
tilltill
range
from
1.01.0
to to
2.0-lo3
rapid decrease
decrease in
dispersal
train composed
composed of
of clasts
clasts of
of Nipigon
dispersal train
Nipigon diabase
diabase in till
till east
east of
of Lake
LakeNipigon,
Nipigon, Ontario
Ontario displays
displays similar
similar
characteristics. Dispersal
for this
this
Dispersalisischaracterized
characterizedby
byaasimilar
similarrapid
rapiddecrease
decreaseininindicator
indicatorconcentration;
concentration;calculated
calculatedXX for
till range from 5.5-10'
5.5.102 m
m over
over relatively
relatively soft
soft greenstone
greenstone to
to 2.4-lo4
2.4 i04 m
m over
over hard
hard diabase.
diabase. Both
Both tills
tills are
areinterpreted
interpretedto
to
have formed by erosion of hard bed by quarrying
quarrying and abrasion,
abrasion, and
and englacial
englacial transport.
transport.
Tills characterized
Tills
characterized by long-distance
long-distance mean transport
transport length
length are
are commonly
commonly composed
composed of
offine-grained
fine-grained
material with
with a relatively
material
relatively low
low abundance
abundance of rounded
rounded clasts,
clasts, and
and display
display little
little apparent
apparent decrease
decrease in
in indicator
indicator
with transport length. Cretaceous
concentration with
Cretaceous shale
shale grains
grains in
in Des Moines Lobe tills of the Minnesota
Minnesota River valley
show relatively little decrease in concentration along the flow axis extending down
down the valley
valley (Matsch, 1972); the
XI.for
forthis
thistill
tillisis5.0-10
5.0 l0 m.
m.Carbonate-bearing
Carbonate-bearingtills
tillsoverlying
overlyingthe
the Canadian
Canadian Shield
Shield north of Lake Superior
calculated ?
(Thorleifson and Kristjansson, 1993)
1993) show
show similar
similar long-distance
long-distance transport
transport of
of Paleozoic
Paleozoic carbonate
carbonateand
andProterozoic
Proterozoic
m. Both tills
greywacke clasts
concentration; the
6.0-10'
tills are
are
greywacke
clasts with
with little
little decrease
decrease in
in concentration;
the calculated
calculated XXfor
forthis
this till
till is 6.0
I m.
interpreted
interpreted to have deposited
deposited from
from deforming
deforming subglacial
subglacialsediment
sediment layers
layers (deformation
(deformationtills).
tills).

45

�Discussion
by A,? that are 10 to 100
The data indicate deformation tills are characterized by
100 times higher than those of thin,
by intermediate
intermediate values
values of
of the
the erosion
erosion length
length scale
scale 'k? have
have not as yet been
coarse-grained tills. Tills characterized
characterized by
recognized in
in the Lake
Lake Superior
Superior region,
region, and
and perhaps
perhaps do
do not
not exist.
exist. This
recognized
This gap
gap in
in recognized
recognized values
values suggest
suggest there are
entrainment and
two main
main processes by which bed material
two
material is
is eroded
eroded and
and entrained,
entrained, transported,
transported, and
and deposited
deposited—
- entrainment
transport by a deforming subglacial layer, and erosion by quarrying and abrasion and transport as an englacial debris
load with deposition by lodgement
lodgement or meltout.
Deformation tills form with little
little accompanying
accompanying erosion of underlying
underlying hard bedrock.
bedrock. Their formation
formation is
is
consistent
with redistribution
of unconsolidated
regolith or
or sediment
derived from
consistent with
redistribution of
unconsolidated regolith
sediment derived
from aa preglacial
preglacial reservoir.
reservoir.
Consequently,
till composition
reflects that of distant
Consequently, till
composition reflects
distant (&gt;100
(&gt;I00 km)
krn) bedrock.
bedrock. Tills characterized
characterized by short
short mean
mean
transport length indicate spatially and temporally restricted erosion and entrainment and transport of hard bedrock.
Their formation is consistent
consistent with
with erosion
erosion by
by quarrying
quarrying and
and abrasion
abrasion of
of hard
hard bedrock
bedrockwith
withsubsequent
subsequentextensive
extensive
Till composition
closely reflects
reflects that
textural modification
modification during
during transport.
transport. Till
composition closely
that of
of nearby
nearby (—10
(-10 km)
krn) bedrock.
bedrock.
Consequently,
Consequently, these tills have enormous
enormous potential
potential value as geochemical
geochemical sampling
sampling media.
media.
Recognition of the process responsible
responsible for till
till formation
formation in aa given
given area
area is
is critical
critical for
forsuccessful
successfulapplication
application
of surficial
surficial geochemical
geochemical and boulder tracing
tracing exploration
exploration techniques in the Lake
Lake Superior
Superior region.
region. Limited scope
scope
orientation
surveys aimed
aimed at characterizing
the erosion length
provide a means
orientation surveys
characterizing the
length scale X
A, provide
means of
of quickly
quickly assessing
assessing the
the
potential for successful
successful application
application of
of drift
drift exploration
explorationtechniques
techniqueson
on both
both regional
regionaland
andproperty
propertyscales.
scales.

46

�Glacial Lakes Aitkin
Aitkin and
and Upham:
Upham: their
their origin and environmental history
Lisa Marlow, Howard Mooers, &amp; Phillip
Phillip Larson
Geological Sciences,
Department of Geological
Sciences, University of Minnesota,
Minnesota, Duluth,
Duluth, Minnesota
Minnesota 55812
55812
Aitkin and Upham occupied a basin in north-central Minnesota
Glacial Lakes Aitkm
Minnesota bounded
bounded on
on the
the
north by the Giants Range and to the east, south,
south, and west by hummocky moraines
moraines of
of the
the Rainy
Rainy
The lakes
lakes came
came into
into existence
existence with
with the
the retreat
retreat of
of the
the
lobe, Superior lobe, and St. Louis sublobe. The
Rainy lobe from the St.
St. Croix
Croix phase
phase sometime
sometime after
after 15,000
15,000yr
yr BP
BP (Clayton
(Clayton and
and Moran,
Moran,1982;
1982;
Mooers and Lehr, 1997).
1997). The
Thebasin
basinwas
waslater
lateroveridden
overidden by
by the
the St.
St. Louis
Louis sublobe
sublobefrom
from the
the
northwest. With
sublobe,the
the basin
basin was
was again
again occupied
occupied by
by
Withthe
thewastage
wastageof
of the
theice
iceof
of the
theSt.
St.Louis
Louis sublobe,
Aitkin/Upham I and the later phase as
as Lake
Lake
lakes; the earlier phase is referred to as Lake AitkinJUpham
AitkinflJpham
at a few
few localities.
localities. One
Sediment of
of the
the early
early lake phase is preserved at
One such
AitkinAJpham II. Sediment
locality preserves a sequence that helps redefine the glacial chronology.
chronology. A sedimentary
sedimentary sequence
located in the northeast
Upharn basin
basin reveals
reveals sub-aqueously
sub-aqueouslydeposited
depositedRainy
Rainy Lobe
Lobe
northeast corner
comer of the
the Upham
outwash beneath glaciotectonically
glaciotectonicallydeformed
deformed fine-grained
fine-grained lake
lake sediments
sediments deposited
depositedby
by the
the St.
St.
Louis sublobe. This,
This,along
alongwith
with other
othergeomorphic
geomorphicrelationships
relationships(P.C.
(P.C. Larson,
Larson, unpublished
unpublisheddata)
data)
indicates
indicates that the Rainy Lobe ice margin was coincident
coincident with the
the Giants
Giants Range
Range when
when the
the St.
St.
sublobe advanced across the lake
lake basin.
Louis sublobe
Using a Digital Elevation
Elevation Model
Model (DEM)
(DEM) the elevation
elevation of
of lake
lake basin
basin was
was adjusted
adjustedfor
forisostatic
isostatic
rebound based on the highest lake
lake level,
level, then
then tilted
tilted incrementally
incrementally through
through several
severalstages
stagesto
to assess
assess
beaches, inlets, and outlets over time. AAseries
seriesof
of successively
successively lower
lower outlets
outlets draining
draining to
to the
the St.
St.
and Upham
Upham (Hobbs,
(Hobbs, 1983;
1983;Farnum,
Farnum,1964;
1964;
Louis River served as outlets
outlets for
for Glacial
Glacial Lakes Aitkin and
Wright, 1972). Meltwater
Meltwaterentered
enteredthe
the lakes
lakes from
from Glacial
Glacial Lake
Lake Norwood
Norwood through
through the
the Embarrass
Embarrass
gap, and later from Glacial Lake Koochiching along the
the Prairie
Prairie River.
River. During
During this
this time
time Aitkin
Aitkin
and Upham were confluent,
confluent, and
and the outlet
outlet was
was established
established down
down the
the modern
modem St.
St.Louis
Louis River.
River.
The lakes were separated
separated by a sill ca 11,500-10,100
11,500-10,100yr BP, after
after inflow
inflow from
from Koochiching
Koochiching was
was
diverted to Glacial
Glacial Lake
Lake Agassiz.
Agassiz.

of the lakes. Granulometry
Extensive dune fields formed following initiation of drainage of
Granulometry
4ip grain
grain size
size signature
signaturecharacterizes
characterizesdunes
dunesthroughout
throughoutthe
thebasin.
basin. Maximum dune
indicates a 4(p
amplitude
metersand
anddune
dunemorphologies
morphologiesrecord
recordprominent
prominentnorthwesterly
northwesterlywinds.
winds. Dunes
amplitude is —3
-3 meters
overly source areas, which include
include an underfiow
underflow fan deposited
deposited by the Prairie
Prairie River
River inlet
inlet and
and the
the
western margin of Lake
Upham.
Lake Upham.

A sediment core collected
collected from
from Hay Lake (93°W,
(93OW, 52°N),
52ON), located within aa dunefield
dunefieldat
at the
the edge
edge
of Glacial Lake Upham, records
records three prominent peaks in whole-core
whole-core magnetic
magnetic susceptibility
susceptibility
between 10,100
10,100 and 6,600 yr BP. No
No clastic
clasticinput
input isis evident
evident after
after 6,600
6,600 yr
yr B.P.,
B.P., suggesting
suggestingdune
dune
stability. The timing of dunes within the basin has important implications for other dunes
throughout Minnesota. Eolian
Eolianevents
eventsrecorded
recorded in
in the
the core
core are
are interpreted
interpretedas
as the
the result
result of
of lake
lake
drainage and exposure
of
abundant
source
material
during
Late
Glacial
and
Early
Holocene
exposure
source material during
Glacial and Early Holocene
rather than landscape
landscape destabilization
destabilization because
because of mid-Holocene
mid-Holocene aridity
aridity (Keen
(Keen et
et al.,
al., 1990;
1990;Grigal
Grigal
et al., 1976;
Dean
et
a!.,
1996;
Dean,
1997).
Additionally,
this
sediment
core
places
a
minimum
1976;
al.,
Additionally, this sediment core places a minimum
age on the drainage of
of Glacial Lakes Aitkin
Aitkin and Upham
Upham II.
II. Lake Upham must have drained after

47

�Lakes Aitkin
Aitkin and
and Upham
Upham II.
II. Lake Upham must have drained after
age on the drainage of Glacial Lakes
11,500 yr BP and before 10,100
10,100 yr B.P. and Lake Aitkin may have persisted until ca. 7,000
7,000 yr
11,500
BP.
BP.

Clayton, L. and Moran, S.R.
S.R. 1982,
1982, Chronology
Chronology of late
late Wisconsinan
Wisconsinan glaciation
glaciation in
in middle
middleNorth
North
America. Quaternary
Quaternary Science
Science Reviews
Reviews 11 (1),
(I), 55-82.
55-82.
Dean, W.E., Ahlbrandt,
Ahlbrandt, T.S.,
T.S., Anderson,
Anderson, R.Y.,
R.Y., Bradbury,
Bradbury, J.P.,
J.P., 1996.
1996.Regional
Regional aridity
aridityin
in North
North
America during the middle
(2), 145-155.
145-155.
middle Holocene.
Holocene. The
The Holocene
Holocene 66 (2),

Dean, W.E., 1997.
1997. Rates,
Rates, timing,
timing, and
and cyclity
cyclity of Holocene
Holocene eolian
eolian activity
activity in
in north-central
north-central United
United
States:
States: Evidence from varved lake
lake sediments.
sediments. Geology
Geology 25
25 (4),
(4), 331-334.
331-334.
Farnham, R.S., McAndrews, J.H., and Wright, H.E., Jr. 1964.
1964. A Late-Wisconsin buried soil near
Famham,
Aitkin, Minnesota, and
393-4 12.
and its
its paleobotanical
paleobotanical setting.
setting. American
American Journal
Journal of
of Science
Science262,
262,393-412.
History of
of the
the Lake
Lake Superior
Superior
Farrand, W.R. &amp; Drexler, 1985.
1985. Late-Wisconsinan and Holocene History
Basin. In
In Karrow,
Karrow,Quaternary
Quaternaryevolution
evolution of
of the
the Great
Great Lakes,
Lakes, Geological
Geological Association
Association of
of Canada
Canada
Special Paper 30,
30, 17-32.
17-32.
Grigal, D.F., Severson,
Severson, R.C., Golz,
Golz, G.E.,
G.E., 1976.
1976.Evidence
Evidence of
of eolian
eolian activity
activity in
in north-central
north-central
1-1254.
Minnesota 8,000
8,000 to 5,000
5,000 yr. ago.
ago. Geological
GeologicalSociety
Societyof
ofAmerica
AmericaBulletin
Bulletin87,
87,125
1251-1254.

Upham, and
and early
early Lake
Lake
Hobbs, H.C. 1982,
1982, Drainage
Drainage relationships
relationships of
of Glacial
Glacial Lakes
Lakes Aitkin,
Aitlun, Upham,
Agassiz in northeastern Minnesota. In
Teller,
J.T.,
and
Clayton,
Lee,
eds.,
Glacial
Lake
In Teller, J.T., and Clayton, Lee, eds., Glacial Lake Agassiz:
Agassiz:
245-259.
Geological Association of Canada
Canada Special
Special Paper
Paper 26,
26,245-259.
Keen, K.L., Shane,
Shane, L.C.K, 1990.
1990. A continuous
continuous record of Holocene
Holocene eolian
eolian activity
activity and
and
vegetation change at Lake Ann, east-central Minnesota.
Minnesota. Geological
Geological Society
Society of America
America Bulletin
Bulletin
102,
102, 1646-1657.
1646-1657.
Mooers, H.D., Lehr, J.D., 1997.
1997.Terrestrial
Terrestrial record of Laurentide
Laurentide ice
ice sheet
sheet reorganization
reorganization during
during
Heinrich events. Geology
Geology 25 (11),
(1 I), 987-990.
987-990.

Sims, P.K.,
P.K., and
and Morey,
Morey, G.B.,
G.B.,eds.,
eds.,
Wright, H.E. 1972,
1972, Quaternary
Quaternary history of Minnesota.
Minnesota. In Sims,
Geology of
of Minnesota: A
15-578.
A Centennial
CentennialVolume:
Volume:Minnesota
MinnesotaGeological
GeologicalSurvey,
Survey,5515-578.

48

�Magmatic and Hydrothermal
HydrothermalPGE
PGEMineralization
Mineralizationof
of the
the Birch
Birch Lake
LakeCu-Ni-PGE
Cu-Ni-PGEDeposit
Intrusion, Duluth Complex, northeast
northeast Minnesota
in the South Kawishiwi Intrusion,
John Marma,
Marma, Phil
Phil Brown
Brown and
and Steve
Steve Hauck*
Hauck*
Department
Department of Geology
Geology and Geophysics,
Geophysics, University of Wisconsin,
Wisconsin, Madison,
Madison, Wisconsin
Wisconsin53706,
53706,USA
USA
*Natural
*Natural Resources Research
Research Institute,
Institute, University of Minnesota,
Minnesota, Duluth,
Duluth, Minnesota
Minnesota 55811,
5581 1,USA
USA

The Birch Lake Cu-Ni-PGE
Cu-Ni-PGE Deposit
Deposit is located
located 12
12 miles
miles south
south of
of Ely,
Ely, MN
MN in
in the
the South
South
Kawishiwi Intrusion (SKI) of the Duluth Complex (DC). The
The SKI
SKIis
is one
one of
of two
two layered
layered mafic
mafic
intrusions
along
the
basal
contact
of
the
DC
to
host
sub-economic
Cu-Ni-PGE
deposits.
intrusions
contact of the DC to host sub-economic Cu-Ni-PGE deposits.
Mineralization
Mineralization is dominantly
dominantly hosted
hosted by
by the
the U3
U3 layer,
layer, the lower-most
lower-most of
of three
three ultramaficultramafictroctolite
troctolite packages characterized
characterized as
as aa zone
zone of alternating
alternatingultramafic
ultramafic (picrite-peridotite)
(picrite-peridotite)and
and
troctolite
(&gt;5%) ultramafic
ultramaficand/or
andlormassive
massiveoxide.
oxide.
troctolite horizons
horizons with lenses
lenses and
and pods
pods of
of oxide-bearing
oxide-bearing(&gt;5%)
The purpose of this study
study was to locate,
locate, describe,
describe, and
and characterize
characterizethe
the textural
textural relationships
relationships
among platinum group
group minerals
minerals (PUM),
(PGM), sulfides,
sulfides,and
and silicate
silicatephases
phases to
to help
help delineate
delineatethe
the
relative significance
significance of primary and remobilized
remobilized platinum
platinum group
group element
element (PGE)
(PGE)concentrations.
concentrations.
Samples
drill holes transecting
transecting the
the Birch
Birch Lake
Lake Deposit
Deposit were
were obtained
obtainedfrom
fromthe
the
Samples from 4 drill
Natural Resource Research Institute (NRRI) located in
in Duluth,
Duluth, MN.
MN. EMPA
EMPA and
and detailed
detailed
petrography were used to locate PGE bearing minerals,
minerals, averaging
averaging e15pm
&lt;15tm in
in diameter,
diameter,and
and to
to
characterize
characterize the host mineral geochemistry. Identifying
Identifying the PGM
PGM textural
textural relationships
relationships with
with
other phases is critical to understanding the mechanism by
by which
which PGMs
PGMs were deposited. Data
Data
from this study will aid exploration in locating other deposits and guide metallurgists in
improving
improving recovery techniques.
techniques.
Ir,Ru,
Ru, Au,
Au,Ag,
Ag, Te,
Te,
PGEs occur most often
often as various
various Pd minerals
minerals with
with associated
associatedPt,
Pt, Os,
Os,Ir,
categories of silicate-sulfide-PGM
silicate-sulfide-PGMtextural
textural
Bi minerals and were grouped into
into the following
following 44 categories
relations: 1) PGMs
PGMs that occur in "halos" residing most commonly in anorthite-enriched
relations:
anorthite-enrichedzones
zones in
in
primary plagioclase around either interstitial
interstitial sulfide
sulfide (dominantly
(dominantly chalcopyrite),
chalcopyrite),interstitial
interstitial sulfide
sulfide
and silicate
silicate (dominantly chalcopyrite,
chalcopyrite, clinopyroxene, and hydrous silicates
silicates (amphibole
(amphiboleand
and
silicate) (Figure
(Figure 1). This
This style
style of
biotite)), or silicate (dominantly clinopyroxene or hydrous silicate)
of the
the total
total PGMs
PGMs identified.
identified. 2) Remobilized PGMs that occur in
mineralization hosted 58% of
chlorite, serpentine, or secondary magnetite. This
This style
style of
of mineralization
mineralization hosted
hosted 21%
21% of
of the
the total
total
PGMs identified. 3)
3)Random
RandomPGMs
PGMsthat
thatoccur
occurin
inpoikilitic
poiluliticanorthite-rich
anorthite-richplagioclase
plagioclase(An
(An 75-An
75-An
95) and clinopyroxene
clinopyroxene (Wo 30-Wo 50) with PGEs sometimes residing in disseminated
but no
no association with
with "halos".
"halos". This style of
chalcopyrite or hydrous silicate pockets, but
mineralization hosted 11%
4)In
In interstitial
interstitialsulfides
sulfidesor
orsilicates
silicatesthat
that
mineralization
11% of the total PGMs identified. 4)
include hydrous silicates,
(?) textures,
textures,or
or
silicates, chalcopyrite,
chalcopyrite, clinopyroxene, sulfides
sulfides with symplectite
symplectite(?)
calcite. This style of mineralization
mineralization hosted
hosted 10%
10% of the
the total
total PGMs
PGMs identified.
identified.
of high PGM concentrations in
The following is a summarized
summarized model for the formation of
the Birch Lake deposit. The
TheSKI
SKIbegins
begins as
as aa magma
magma body
body that is replenished
replenished with multiple
multiple
injections of magma, which becomes sulfur saturated. The
The magma
magma body
body is
is relatively
relatively PGE
PGE poor,
due to partial loss of sulfides during emplacement leaving the conduits with a PGE enriched
segregation of the total sulfide. The
Thesulfides
sulfidesin
in the
the magma
magma body
body scavenge
scavengeavailable
available PGEs
PGEs and
and
crystallize as disseminated, interstitial sulfide grains. Primary
Primary hydrous
hydrous phases
phases form
form at
at this
this time
time

49

�fro:maafluorine-rich,
fluorine-rich,deuteric
deutenc fluid.
fluid. A Cl-, Cu-, PGE-rich, sulfide-poor
from
sulfide-poor fluid enters the magma
faults. The
chamber at its base via the original magma conduit(s) and/or faults.
The fluid
fluid migrates
migrates along
along
grain boundaries, and interacts with the larger interstitial
interstitial sulfides. A
A dynamic
dynamic environment
environment is
is
created in which the fluid, containing
a
significant
concentration
of
dissolved
metals,
begins
containing significant concentration of dissolved metals, begins to
to
to produce
produce more
more sulfides.
sulfides. At
consume and use sulfur from the larger grains to
At the
the same
same time,
time, the
the
fluid is reacting with neighboring grains, specifically plagioclase, and through aa cation
cation exchange
exchange
them in
in calcium.
calcium. This
reaction, alters the plagioclase rims, enriching them
This reaction
reaction causes
causes aa volume
volume
(±chlorite) producing
producing the
the disseminated
disseminated
loss that is filled with precipitated sulfides and PGMs (Â±chlorite
"halos" around the larger interstitial grains (Figure 1).
1). Finally,
Finally, another
another fluid
fluid migrated
migrated through
through
"halos"
the intrusion that remobilized
remobilized PGMs on
on aa small
small scale.
scale.
Based on evidence
evidence solely
solely from
from the Birch Lake deposit,
deposit, PGM
PGM mineralization
mineralizationappears
appears
concentrated or "compartmentalized". This
Thiscould
couldbe
be the
the result
result of
of two
two possible
possiblemechanisms:
mechanisms: 1)
1)
of high PGM concentrations are dependent on
on their
their proximal
proximal distance
distance to
to "feeder"
"feeder" zones
Areas of
2) High PGM
PGM concentrations
concentrationsare
are
(i.e. conduits or faults) where fluids can be introduced;
introduced; and/or
and/or 2)
due to structural controls within these
these heterogeneous
heterogeneous rocks that localize
localize fluid
fluid movement.
movement.
This study contributes to the current debate on the roles of
of primary vs. remobilized
mafic intrusions.
intrusions. For
(deuteric?) PGE mineralization in layered mafic
For the
the Birch Lake
Lake deposit,
deposit, the data
data
suggest
both
mechanisms
played
im
of
the
ore
minerals.
)ortant
roles
in
the
sussest
nlaved imiortant
orisin
ore minerals.

Figure
Figure 11
locations A-L.
A-L.
a.)
Photomicrograph in
a.)~hotomicro~ra~h
inplane-polarized
plane-polarizedlight
lightofofthin
thinsection
sectionBL
BL89-2
89-22516.4
25 16.4—- locations
Large interstitial chalcopyrite
chalcopynte and pyroxene cross-cut by vertical chlorite veins, all of which are
surrounded by a disseminated,
disseminated, dominantly chalcopyrite halo that is in An-enriched plagioclase
rims. Notice
Notice all
allPGMs,
PGMs,except
except one,
one, either
either occur
occur in the halo; in chlorite veins; in interstitial
biotite; or in clinopyroxene.
clinopyroxene. The
Thealtered
alteredplagioclase
plagioclase and
and altered
alteredpyroxene
pyroxene on
on the
the left
left side
side of
of the
the
image are devoid
includesareas
areaswithin
withinthe
theoriginal
originalhalo.
halo. This
devoid of any PGM occurrences
occurrences —this
-this includes
suggests a second alteration fluid event that removed PGMs and altered
altered the
the minerals,
minerals,which
which itit
passed through. Dashed
Dashedline
linerepresents
representsthe
theextent
extentof
of halo
halo and
andAn-enrichment
An-enrichment in
in the
the adjacent
adjacent
plagioclase grains. White
Cpx=Clinopyroxene,
White stars
stars represent
represent PGM occurrences.
occurrences. Cpx=Clinopyroxene,
Opx=Orthopyroxene, Bi=Biotite,
Bi=Biotite, Chl=Chlorite,
Opx=Orthopyroxene,
Chl=Chlorite, Cpy=Chalcopyrite,
Cpy=Chalcopyrite, Plag=Plagioclase
Plag=Plagioclase

50

�RESULTS OF
OF EMP
EMP MONAZITE
MONAZITE GEOCHRONOLOGY
GEOCHRONOLOGYIN E-C MINNESOTA:
MINNESOTA: EVIDENCE
EVIDENCE
FOR LARGE-SCALE
GEON
17
METAMORPHISM
ASSOCIATED
WITH
POSTLARGE-SCALE GEON 17 METAMORPHISM ASSOCIATED WITH POSTTECTONIC PLUTONISM
MCKENZIE, M.A., and HOLM, D.K.,
D.K., both at
at Dept.
Dept. of Geology,
Geology, Kent State
State University,
University, Kent,
Kent,
OH; SCHNEIDER,
SCHNEIDER, D.A.,
D.A., Dept.
Dept. of
of Geological
Geological Sciences,
Sciences, Ohio
Ohio University,
University,Athens,
Athens,OH;
OH;
JERCINOVIC, M., Dept. of Geosciences,
Geosciences, University of Massachusetts,
Massachusetts,Amherst,
Amherst, MA
MA

Determination of the timing and extent of poly-phase metamorphism is essential in
Determination
unraveling the tectonic history of a region. The
The pattern
pattern and
and degree
degree of
of metamorphism
metamorphism preserved
preserved
across the Penokean orogenic belt in the southern Lake Superior
Superior region is highly variable.
Abundant 40Ar/39Ar
dates
from
east-centralMinnesota
Minnesotaindicate
indicatewidespread
widespread cooling
cooling at
at -1760
- 1760 Ma
~ r l dates
~ from
r east-central
shortly after the emplacement
emplacementof
of the
the east-central
east-centralMinnesota
Minnesotabatholith
batholith(ECMB)
(ECMB)atat—1775
-1775 Ma
(Hoim
(Holm et al., 1998;
1998; in review). Yet
Yet U-Pb
U-PbSHRIMP
SHRIMPmonazite
monaziteages
ages from
from three
three localities
localitiesacross
across the
the
Ma metamorphic
MN, northern
northern MI,
MI, and
and northern
northern WI)
WI)record
recordonly
onlyaauniform
uniform—1830
-1 830 Ma
region (e-c MN,
episode
1800 Ma thermal
thermal pulse
pulse linked
linkedtotoaarecently
recentlyidentified
identified—1800
-1800
episode and
and aa secondary
secondaryyounger
younger—1800
Ma magmatic event (Schneider et al.,
a!., in
in review).
review). This
This study
study utilizes
utilizes the
the total
total Pb
Pb electron
electron
microprobe (EMP) monazite age dating technique to better constrain the
the extent of
of thermal
overprinting
overprinting surrounding
surrounding the batholith.
batholith.
metamorphic monazite
monazite ages
ages from
from three
three
For this study
study we obtained
obtained in situ metamorphic
Paleoproterozoic
gamet-staurolite schist samples and one garnet-cordierite
Paleoproterozoic metasedimentary garnet-staurolite
gneiss sample from the plutonic zone of east-central Minnesota (Figure 1). Schist
Schistsample
sampleAMAM016 contains
contains predominantly elongate
elongate monazite
monazite grains
grains displaying
displaying aa mottled
mottled chemical
chemical variation
variation in
in
Y and Th content. This
Thissample
sampleyielded
yieldedaa mean
mean age
age of
of 1746
1746±Â 3 Ma from 79 spots
spots on seven
grains. Two
Maand
and1760
1760Ma.
Ma. A third less prominent
Twoage
agedomains
domainswere
were recognized
recognized at
at —1738
-1738 Ma
—1780
Maage
agedomain
domainwas
wasobtained
obtainedon
onsome
somehigh
highYYregions.
regions. Schist sample MN-29 contains
-1'780 Ma
sub-euhedral monazite displaying prominent regions of
of high
high Th
Th content.
content. This
This sample
sampleyielded
yielded aa
10 Ma from 92 spots on five grains. A
mean age of 1764
Â 10
A single
singleprominent
prominentage
age domain
domain was
was
1764 ±
recognized
1772 Ma. Schist
recognizedatat— 1772
Schistsample
sampleP-16
P-16contains
containsmonazite
monazitewith
withvery
veryirregular
irregulargrain
grain
boundaries, numerous inclusions, and variable Th content. This
This sample
sampleyielded
yielded aa mean
mean age
age of
of
1772
Two age
age domains
domains are identified: aaprominent
prominent age
age
1772 ±Â 33 Ma from 92 spots on seven grains. Two
domain
Maand
and aa smaller
smaller population
population age domain
Ma. Lastly, the Sartell
domain at
at —1770
-1770 Ma
domain at
at —1800
-1800 Ma.
Sartell
gneiss,
corelrimtextures.
textures.
gneiss, sample
sample S-2,
S-2, contains
contains euhedral
euhedral monazite
monazite grains
grains displaying
displaying distinctive
distinctivecore/rim
Ma
from
102
spots
on
seven
grains.
Three
This sample
yielded
a
mean
age
of
1756
±
3
Three age
age
sample
1756 Â 3
domains
1750 Ma and 1770
1770 Ma and
and aa third
third less
less
domains are
are identified:
identified:two
twoprominent
prominentdomains
domainsatat— 1750
prominent
1800 Ma on high U
U cores.
cores.
prominent domain
domainatat—1800
Our EMP
Ma thermal
thermal imprint
imprint associated with intrusion
EMP results
results reveal
reveal aa profound
profound—1770
-1770 Ma
intrusion
of the 1775
1775 Ma ECMB. The
Theconsiderable
considerabledistance
distanceof
of some
someof
of these
thesesamples
samplesfrom
fromthe
the western
western
edge of the exposed
batholith
(30-40
km)
and
the
absence
of
Penokean
metamorphic
ages
exposed batholith (30-40 krn) and the absence of Penokean metamorphic ages
suggests that the thermal pulse must have been dramatic. However,
However, the
the garnet-schist
garnet-schistsample
sample KKR (east of Mille
Mule Lacs) that records only geon 18 SHRIMP
SHRiMP ages lies north of the region of thermal
influence of the batholith. We
Wenote
notethat
thatsample
sampleK-R
K-R isislocated
locatedjust
just north
north of
of the
theMalmo
MalmoStructural
Structural
of it. Our
Discontinuity (MSD) and sample AM-016 is located south of
Our data
datareveal
reveal that
that the
the MSD
MSD
juxtaposes rocks of different
different metamorphic age (geon 18
18 metamorphism to the north from geon

-

-

-

-

51

�17 metamorphism to the south). We
We propose,
propose, therefore,
therefore, that the
the MSD
MSD is
is aa geon
geon 17
17 structure
structure that
exhumed the plutonic terrane of east-central Minnesota. West
West of
of Mille
Mille Lacs,
Lacs, aa significant
significant
juxtaposes post-Penokean plutons to the south against older metamorphic
portion of the MSD juxtaposes
rocks to the north. This
Thisclearly
clearlysupports
supportsour
our interpretation
interpretationthat
that this
this structure
structurewas
was active
activewell
well
after Penokean orogenesis.
orogenesis.
Hoim, D.K., Darrah, K., and Lux, D., 1998,
60-8 1.
1998,American
American Journal
Journal of
of Science,
Science,298,
298,60-8
Holm,
T., Schweitzer, D., and Schneider,
Holm, D.K., Van Schmus, W.R., MacNeill, L., Boerboom, T.,
D.A., in review,
review, Geological
GeologicalSociety
Society of
of America
America Bulletin.
Bulletin.
Schneider, D.A., Holm,
Hoim, D.K., O'Boyle, C.,
C., Hamilton,
Hamilton, M., Jercinovic,
Jercinovic, M., in review,
review, Geological
Society of America Special
Volume
"Gneiss
Domes
and
Orogeny."
Special volume
Domes and Orogeny."
Composite
MN-29 Composite

AM-Ol 6 Composite

0

7 0
1700

04
7720
2

1740
7 4

1760
1760

1780
1780

1800
1800

Mo8
More

1700
1700

1720
1720

1740
1740

Age (Ma)
AW
(Ma)

1760
1760

1780
1780

!do0
1000

More
Mo.

Age
~
g (Ma)
(Ma)
e

Composite
S-2 Composite

P-16 Composite
20

-

1520

10-

IS
U.

5-

1

0
1700

71720

7 4
1740

1760
1760

1780
1780

1800
1000

More
Mo,.

1 1

0-'
1700
1700

1720
1720

1740
1740

1760
1760

1780
1780

1800
WOO

Mor.
More

Age (Ma)

Ag. (Ma)

-

Histogram
AllSamples
Samples - All Ages Histogram
All

700

1720

1740

1760

780

1800

1820

Age (Ma)
-

Figure 1: Histograms
Histogramsof
of EMP
EMP Th-U-total
Th-U-total Pb in situ
s i t ~monazite spot ages.

52

�THE SIOUX QUARTZITE REVISITED: SEDIMENTOLOGY,
SEDIMENTOLOGY, METAMORPHISM,
METAMORPHISM,
GEOCHEMISTRY
GEOCHEMISTRY AND THE
THE ORIGIN
ORIGIN OF PIPESTONE
PIPESTONE
Geology &amp;
&amp; Geophysics,
Geophysics, University
University of
of
MEDARIS, L.G., Jr., and DOTT, R.H., Jr., Dept. of Geology
Wisconsin-Madison,
Madison,WI,
WI,53706;
53706;medaris@geology.wisc.edu;
medarisgeology.wisc.edu;rdott@geology.wisc.edu
rdottgeoIogy.wisc.edu
Wisconsin-Madison, Madison,

Red, supermature quartzites of the Baraboo
Baraboo Interval were deposited after
after 1.75
1.75 Ga
Ga on
on aa stable
stablecraton
craton ininthe
the
presence of free atmospheric oxygen
oxygen under
under conditions of intense
intense chemical
chemical weathering.
weathering. Some
presence
Some quartzites
quartzites
(Baraboo and
and Flambeau)
Flambeau) were
were folded
folded and
and recrystallized
recrystallizedatat 1.63
1.63 Ga
Ga (Holm
(HoIm et
et al., 1998),
1998), and
and many
many
(Baraboo
quartzites were
were hydrothermally
hydrothermallyaltered
alteredatat 1.46
1.46 Ga
Ga (Medaris
(Medaris et
et a!.,
quartzites
al., 2002,
2002, in
in press),
press), presumably
presumably in
in
response to brine migration
promoted by
by continental
continental scale
scale A-type
A-type magmatism.
magmatism. These
response
migration promoted
These discoveries
discoveries have
have
prompted us to reevaluate the sedimentology, metamorphism, and geochemistry of the Sioux
Sioux Quartzite.
Quartzite.
Sedimentolo'y
SedimentologvThe
TheSioux
SiouxQuartzite,
Quartzite,which
whichisisseveral
severalhundred
hundredmeters
metersthick,
thick,isiscomposed
composed mostly
mostly
of quartz sandstone with interstratified
interstratified lenses of red
red mudstone
mudstone (Southwick
(Southwick et
et al.,
al., 1986).
1986).Heterogeneous
Heterogeneous
cobble conglomerate occurs at the base and finer
finer pebbly layers
layers are
are scattered
scattered throughout
throughout the
the lower
lower half
half or
or
Sedimentary structures
structures in the sandstones
so, whereas mudstones
mudstones occur chiefly
chiefly within
within the
the upper
upper half.
half. Sedimentary
sandstones
include
15 cm in
in thickness,
thickness, rare
rare
include predominant
predominant festoon-style,
festoon-style, nested trough
trough cross
cross beds
bedsaveraging
averaging1010—- 15
zones of planar-tabular
sets, a few
zones
planar-tabular sets,
few examples
examples of
of herring
herring bone
bone cross
cross bedding,
bedding, and
and both
bothasymmetric
asymmetric and
and
symmetric ripple marks. The mudstones are mostly massive, but parallel- laminated and ripple-laminated
varieties are
are also
also present.
present. In
In most
cases, quartz
quartz silt
silt and
and fine sand grains are disseminated
in a finer
varieties
most cases,
disseminated in
finer
rare graded
graded laminations
laminations are
are also
also present.
present. Some mudstones show polygonal
polygonal 'mud' cracks,
matrix, but rare
cracks, and
and
the overlying sandstones commonly contain intraclasts ripped up from such
such cracked
cracked beds
beds
Interpretations of the Sioux depositional environment include shallow marine and
and braided fluvial
fluvial
(Doll, 1983; Southwick et al.,
a!., 1986).
1986). In the latter
latter scenario,
scenario, the cross
cross bedded
bedded sandstones
sandstones represent
represent river
river
(Dott,
channel deposits, and the mudstones,
mudstones, slack
slack water
water deposits
deposits in
in ponds
ponds between
between active
activechannels.
channels.However,
However,
this interpretation
interpretation is inconsistent with the rarity of scoured channel bases and tabular sets
sets of
of planar
planar cross
cross
laminations,
which would
would have
have formed
formed by laterally
bars, and the existence
laminations, which
laterally migrating
migrating bars,
existence of
of wave
wave ripples,
ripples,
Ojakangas and
and Weber
Weber (1984)
(1984) suggested
suggested that
that the
the
which are not expected
in the
the sands of a braid
plain. Ojakangas
expected in
braid plain.
one-third of the Sioux formation was deposited in a shoreline
upper one-third
shoreline marine
marine setting
setting with
with tidal
tidal influences,
influences,
polygonal desiccation cracks, and
accounting for the
the herringbone
herringbone cross
cross bedding,
bedding, wave ripples, polygonal
and thickness
thickness
and extent of certain
certainmudstone
mudstonelayers
layers(now
(nowpipestone).
pipestone). Interpretation
Interpretation of
of the
the Sioux
Siouxas
asaafluvial-to-marine
fluvial-to-marine
transgressive
succession
would
conform
to
the
present
interpretation
of
the
correlative
Baraboo
transgressive
succession
would
conform
to
the
present
interpretation
of
the
correlative
Baraboo
Quartzite, which has wave ripples and reactivation surfaces
surfaces in
in its
its upper
upper half
half (Medaris
(Medariseteta!.,
al.,ininpress).
press).
Metamorphism
Metamorphism Mineral
Mineralassemblages
assemblages in
in finefine55
grained Sioux sedimentary rocks
rocks can be 9
expressedininthe
the system,
system,KASH,
KASH,asasportrayed
portrayedin inac- 4 _
expressed
Figure 1,
1, where rock
rock compositions
compositions are
are projected
projected
onto the anhydrous
onto
anhydrous plane,
plane, K-Al-Si,
K-Al-Si, and
and two
two
3critical dehydration reactions are
plotted.
are plotted.
Additional phases
phases include abundant hematite
Additional
hematite and
2a Ti02
TiOz phase,
phase, either
either anatase
anatase in
in the
the Cottonwood
Cottonwood
(Stelz, 1989),
1989), or rutile in the
Basin (CB)
Basin
(CB) (Stelz,
11
The stable existence
Pipestone
Basin
(PB).
Pipestone
(PB). The
existence of
- co~onwood
the CB
kaolinite in the
CB (Stelz,
(Stelz, 1989)
1989) requires
temperatures
—300°C, whereas pyrotemperatures below -300Â°C
pyroI
/I
I
I
phyllite ininthe
thePB
PB isis stable
stableabove
above-300Â°C
300°C. The
phyllite
The
250
300
350 T, OC

53

�quartz-pyrophyllite
assemblageininthe
thePB
PB(0,
(0, Fig. 1),
quartz-pyrophyllite assemblage
I), in
in which
which
vermicular kaolinite has been replaced by
by pyrophyllite
pyrophyllite (Fig.
(Fig. 2A),
2A),
most likely
most
likely represents
represents higher
higher temperature,
temperature, largely
largely isochemical
isochemical
recrystallization of a quartz-kaolinite protolith, like that in the CB
CB
The occurrence
of muscovite
in both
(0, Fig. 1).
1). The
occurrence of
muscovite in
both basins
basins is
is
attributed to K-metasomatism
related to 1.46
attributed
K-metasomatism related
1.46 Ga
Ga hydrothermal
hydrothermal
("I",Fig.
Fig. 1)1)isisaametasomatic
metasomatic rock composed of
activity. Pipestone
Pipestone (+,
pyrophyllite,
muscovite,
diaspore,
hematite, and
and rutile,
pyrophyllite, muscovite, diaspore, hematite,
rutile, in
in which
which
former quartz grains have been completely
former
completely replaced by diaspore,
diaspore,
pyrophyllite, and
and muscovite
pyrophyllite,
muscovite (Fig.
(Fig. 2B).
2B). Because
Because the Sioux
Sioux
undeformed and lies north of the extrapolated
Quartzite is largely undeformed
trend of the 1.63
al., 1998),
1998),
1.63 Ga
Ga Mazatzal
Mazatzal tectonic
tectonic front
front (Hoim
(Holm et al.,
we suggest
suggest that all
all metamorphic
metamorphic features
features of
of the
the Sioux
Sioux Quartzite
Quartzite
1.46Ga
Ga hydrothermal
hydrothermal activity,
activity, rather
rather than
than aa Mazatzal
Mazatzal
are due to 1.46
event.
event.
Geochemistry Where
Where unmodified
unmodified by
by K-metasomatism,
K-metasomatism, finegrained
grained sedimentary rocks of the Baraboo Interval are remarkably
mature, being practically
Mg, and
and Mn
Mn (Fig.
(Fig.
mature,
practically devoid
devoid of K, Na, Ca, Mg,
3), and having Critical
Critical Index
Index of
of Alteration
Alteration values
values of
of 97
97 to
to 99.
99. In
In
such rocks
rocks the
the wide
wide range
range in
in proportion
proportion of
of Si
Si to
to A1
Al (Fig. 3) and
such
quartz to kaolinite,
1), reflects
reflects the
the original
original proportion
proportion of quartz to kaolinite in the
kaolinite, or
or pyrophyllite
pyrophyllite (Fig.
(Fig. I),
protolith sediments.
sediments.
K-metasomatism has stabilized
200
muscovite
in both
both the
the CB and PB, but
but
muscovite in
.4i
the muscovite-bearing
rocks in the CB
muscovite-bearing rocks
CB
150
150
record
record a lower
lower temperature
temperature and
and higher
higher
ratio of Si/Al
SiIAl compared to pipestone in
the PB (Fig. 1). The
Theclassic
classicpipestone,
pipestone,
5 100
loo
.s 8
in addition
addition to
to substantial
substantial KK contents,
contents,
contains
lower Si
Si and higher
contains lower
higher Al
A1 than
than
8oa.to 50
that in associated
associated quartz +
+ pyrophyllite
pyrophyllite
fca"!&amp;Â
samples
(Figs. 1 &amp;
&amp; 3).
3). Assuming
samples (Figs.
Assuming Zr to
~ g ?
be an immobile element, isocon
ID
calculations indicate
the mean
indicate that the
mean
E -50
pipestone composition was produced by
0
removal
of 20 to 65% Si02,
removal of
Si02, 45 to 55%
55%
-100
Ti02,
Si
Fe
TI
Ti02, 35 to 65%
65% Fe203,
Fe203,and addition of
K
Na
Mn Fe
Ti
Al
Si
K
Na Ca Mg
Mg
Mn
15 to
to 45%
45%A1203
A1203and
and—800%
-800% 1(20,
K20,
compared to the average compositions of the two Si-rich
Si-rich and two Al-rich
Al-rich quartz
quartz ++ pyrophyllite samples.
samples.
The reconstructed
composition of
of one
one pipestone
pipestone sample
sample (*,
(*, Fig.
Fig. 1)
1) requires
requires removal
removal of
of 68%
68% Si02
Si02and
and
reconstructed composition
addition
during metasomatism.
addition of
of 50%
50%A1203
A1203during
metasomatism.
Further
Further investigation
investigation is underway
underway to provide a more
more detailed
detailed evaluation
evaluation of
of brine
brine compositions
compositions and
and
metasomatic processes involved in this important,
important, regional scale,
scale, 1.46
1.46 Ga
Ga hydrothermal
hydrothermal event.
event.
References Dott,
Dott,R.H.
R.H.Jr.
Jr.(1983)
(1983)Geol.
Geol.Soc.
Soc.Amer.
Amer.Memoir
Memoir 160,
160,129-141;
129-141;HoIm,
Holm, D. eta!.
et al.(1998)
(1998)Geology,
Geology, v. 26,
907-9
10;
Medaris,
L.G.,
Jr.
eta!.
(2002)
48th
Inst.
Lake
Superior
Geol.,
24-25;
Medaris.
L.G.,
Jr.
Geol., 24-25; Medaris. L.G., Jr. eta!.
et al.(in
(in press)
press)
907-910; Medaris, L.G., Jr. et al. (2002) 48th Inst. Lake
Jour. Geol.; Ojakangas,
Ojakangas, R.W.
R.W. &amp;
&amp; Weber,
Weber,R.W.
R.W.(1984)
(1984)Mimi.
Minn. Geol.
Geol. Surv.,
Surv., Rept. Inv. 32, 1-15;
1-15; Southwick, D.L. et
a!.
al. (1986)
(1986) Geol. Soc.
Soc. Amer. Bull., v. 97, 1432-1441;
1432-1441;Stelz,
Stelz, D.E.
D.E. (1989)
(1989)M.S.
M.S. Thesis,
Thesis,Wichita
Wichita State
StateUniv.,
Univ.,140
140pp.
pp.

(,

Cd,

C.)

d
.

=

-

r
5

54

�A geochemical investigation
investigation of
of Mesoarchean
Mesoarchean metavolcanic and metasedimentary
metasedimentary
rocks from the Birch-Uchi
Birch-Uchi greenstone belt
Metsaranta,
Hollings,
P.P.
(Department
of of
Geology,
Metsaranta,R.,
R.,Fralick,
Fralick,P.P.and
and
Hollings,
(Department
Geology,Lakehead
LakeheadUniversity,
University,Thunder
ThunderBay
Bay
ON CAN, P7B
P7B 5E1)
5E1)

Most Mesoarchean
belts in the
Mesoarchean greenstone
greenstone belts
the Western
Western Superior
Superior Province
Province are
are comprised
comprised
primarily of komatiite-tholeiite
komatiite-tholeiite sequences
sequences and
and associated
associated sedimentary
sedimentary rocks
rocks (Thurston
(Thurston
and Chivers
Chivers 1990).
1990). These
These—2.9-3.0
-2.9-3.0 Ga
Ga assemblages
assemblages have been
been interpreted
interpreted to
to represent
represent
plume generated
generated volcanism
volcanism in
in oceanic
oceanic plateau
plateau settings
settings(for
(forexample,
example,Hollings
Hollingsetetal.
al.1999,
1999,
Tomlinson et
et al.1999).
al.1999). This study
study isis aapreliminary
preliminary investigation
investigation of
of metavolcanic
metavolcanic and
and
metasedimentary
strata from the
metasedimentary strata
the Mesoarchean
Mesoarchean Balmer
Balmer assemblage
assemblage of
of the
theBirch-Uchi
Birch-Uchi
greenstone belt.
belt. Rogers
Rogers et al.
al.(2000)
(2000)have
havesuggested
suggested that,
that,given
giventheir
theirgeochemical
geochemical
affinities
affinities and
and Nd isotopic
isotopic evidence
evidence for
for contamination
contamination by
by older
older crust,
crust, volcanic
volcanic rocks
rocks of
of the
the
Balmer assemblage may represent a continental arc
arc setting. This
This implies
implies that
that the
the Balmer
Balmer
Assemblage may represent
those proposed
proposed for
for other
other
sent aa distinct tectonic
tectonic setting from those
Mesoarchean
Mesoarchean rocks
rocks in
in the
the Superior
Superior
P
\ B,U'
Province.
Province. Sediment geochemistry
geochemistry and
and
depositional
depositional environment
environment studies
studies along
along
with igneous
igneous geochemistry
geochemistry will
will be
M8
applied to provide
provide further
further constraint
constraint on
on
the
possible
tectonic
setting
of
these
possible
tectonic
setting
of
these
— Ss.thviti LSO
rocks.
rocks.

A

i:3

I

N

N

The Birch-Uchi
Birch-Uchi greenstone
greenstone belt
belt is
is
located
in the
located in
the central
central portion
portion of
of the
the

MNI NM

It
Uchi
(Fig.1).
It is
is
Uchi Subprovince
Subprovince (Fig.1).
volcanic
units
three
comprised
comprised of three volcanic units

termed the Balmer,
Balmer, Narrow
Narrow Lake
Lake and
and
spanning
assemblages,
Woman
Woman
assemblages,
spanning
approximately 250 Ma.
Ma. The Balmer
Balmer
assemblage
assemblage is
is the
the oldest
oldest of these
these
volcanic
units and has
volcanic units
has U-Pb
U-Pb zircon
zircon
ages from felsic
felsic volcanic
volcanic horizons
horizons that
that
suggest
suggest an age
age of
of ca.
ca. 2975-2989
2975-2989 Ma
Ma
(Rogers et al., 2000). The
Thestratigraphy
stratigraphy
of the
the Balmer
Balmer assemblage
assemblage is
is divided
divided
into four
four suites:
suites: aalower
lowersedimentary
sedimentary
sequence,
sequence, a mafic
mafic volcanic
volcanic suite
suite and
and
two
two petrographically
petrographically distinct
distinct felsic
felsic
volcanic
volcanic suites
suites (Rogers
(Rogers et
et al.
al. 2000).
2000).
Samples
for this study
Samples collected
collected for
study are
are
located in the
the southern
southern portion
portion of
of the
the
Figure
Figure 11-Location
Locationand
andgeneralized
generalizedgeology
geologyof
ofstudy
study
area
area and
and Birch-Uchi
Birch-UchiGreenstone
Greenstonebelt
belt(modified
(modifiedfrom
from
Balmer assemblage
assemblage in
in the Woman
Woman
Stott
Stott and
and Corfu
Corfu 1991)
1991)
River/Bear
RiverIBear Lake area. These
Thesecomprise
comprise
16 samples from the
34 samples
samplesof
of the
themafic
maficvolcanic
volcanic
the lower
lower sedimentary
sedimentary sequence
sequence and
and 34
suite
suite of
of Rogers
Rogers et
et al.(2000).
al.(2000).

55

�Field observations suggest that the
the Balmer
Balmer assemblage
assemblage sedimentary
sedimentary rocks are
are turbiditic.
turbiditic.
Sediment geochemistry
geochemistry will
will be
be applied
applied to constrain the source rocks compositions
Sediment
compositions for
these sediments. As
Asno
nocontact
contactwith
with underlying
underlying older
older rocks
rocks has been identified
identified this might
provide
provide valuable
valuable information
information about
about the
the preexisting
preexisting older
older crust.
crust. Alternatively, the
the
sediments may be derived from the Balmer assemblage volcanics and this could support a
hypothesis
that the Balmer
hypothesis that
Balmer assemblage
assemblage represents
represents aa continental
continental arc setting
setting with
with the
the
sediments deposited in a fore-arc
fore-arc trench.

Volcanic
rock samples appear
Volcanic rock
appear to fall
fall into
intotwo
twocompositional
compositionaltrends.
trends. The
The first
first is aa
tholeiitic trend
trend comprised
comprised of
of primarily
primarily tholeiitic
tholeiitic basalts
basalts and
and andesites.
andesites. The
The second
second is
is aa
caic-alkaline
trend
of
andesitic
to
rhyodacitic
compostion.
The
geochemistry
of
these
calc-alkaline trend of andesitic
rhyodacitic
geochemistry of
samples will
will be
be applied
samples
applied to suggest
suggest aa possible
possible tectonic
tectonic setting
setting for these
these rocks
rocks and
and
implications
ten-anes.
implications of this
this in relation
relation to
to other
other Mesoarchean
Mesoarchean terranes.
400
0

300

*

200

0

U

II

I

I

0.01

100

.001
.01

I

U

0

0.1

1

0

10

200

100

300

Zr

Nb/Y
NbN
Figure 33- Lithology
Lithology
Discrimination diagram for
Balmer Assemblage
volcanics. Circles
Circles are
Tholeiitic trend squares are
calc-alkaline trend.
calc-alkaline
trend.

Figure 3-A plot of V vs Zr
showing compostional groups in
Balmer Assemblage
Assemblage volcanics.
volcanics.
Circles are Tholeiitic trend
squares are calc-alkaline
calc-alkaline trend.
trend.

References:
References:
Hollings, P., Wyman, D. and Kerrich, R. 1999. Komatiite-basalt-rhyolite
Komatiite-basalt-rhyolite
volcanic associations
associations northern
northern Superior
Superior Province
Province greenstone
greenstonebelts:
belts: significance
significanceof
of plume-arc
plume-arc
interaction in the generation of
of the
the proto
proto continental
continentalSuperior
SuperiorProvince.
Province. Lithos
Lithos 46: 137-162.
137-162.
Lithogeochernical
Rogers, N., McNicoll, V., van Stall, C.R., and Tomlinson, K.Y. 2000. Lithogeochemical
studies in the Uchi-Confederation
Uchi-Confederation greenstone
greenstone belt,
belt, northwestern
northwestern Ontario:
Ontario: implications
implicationsfor
for Archean
Archean
Tectonics. Geological
2000-C 16:1lip.
GeologicalSurvey
Survey of
of Canada,
Canada, Current Research 2000-C16:
lp.
Stott, G.M., and Corfu, F.
F. 1991. Uchi
Uchi Subprovince.
Subprovince. In:
In:Geology
Geology of
of Ontario,
Ontario, special
special
volume 4, part 1.
8.
1. Ontario
OntarioGeological
GeologicalSurvey,
Survey,pp
pp145-23
145-238.
Thurston, P.C. and Chivers, K.M. 1990.
1990. Secular
Secularvariations
variationsin
ingreenstone
greenstonesequence
sequence development
development
emphasizing Superior Province, Canada. Precambrian
PrecambrianResearch.
Research. 46:
46: 21-58
21-58
D.J., Thurston,
Thurston,P.C.,
P.C., and
andHall,
Hall,R.P.
R.P. 1999.
1999. Plume
Tomlinson, K.Y., Hughes, D.J.,
magmatism and crustal growth at 2.9 to 3.0 Ga in the Steeprock
Steeprock and
and Lumby
Lumby Lake
Lake area,
area, Western
Western
Superior Province.
Province. Lithos 46:
46:103-136.
103-136.

56

�PETROLOGY
PETROLOGYAND
AND PGE POTENTIAL
POTENTIAL OF
OF THE
THE GREENWOOD
GREENWOOD LAKE
LAKE INTRUSION,
INTRUSION,
COMPLEX, LAKE
CENTRAL DULUTH COMPLEX,
LAKE COUNTY,
COUNTY, MINNESOTA
MILLER, James, D., Jr., Minnesota
Minnesota Geological
Geological Survey,
Survey, mille066@tc.umn.edu
mille066@tc.umn.edu
MILLER,

This report summarizes the results of a petrologic and metallogenic
of drill core and
metallogenic study of
outcrop samples
samples that profile
profile the
the Greenwood
Greenwood Lake
Lake intrusion
intrusion (GLI)
(GLI) of
of the
the central
centralDuluth
DuluthComplex
Complex
(Fig. 1).
1). The
Thelittle
littlethat
thatwas
wasknown
knownabout
aboutthis
thisvery
verypoorly
poorlyexposed
exposedlayered
layeredmafic
maficintrusion
intrusionprior
priorto
to
this study came from interpretation
interpretation of its
its aeromagnetic
aeromagnetic signature, seven drill cores, and sparse,
sparse,
localized outcrop. The
Thepurpose
purposeof
of this
thisstudy
study was
was to
to establish
establish the
the igneous
igneous stratigraphy
stratigraphy of
of the GLI
and to evaluate
evaluate its
its potential
potential for
for PGE
PGEreef
reef mineralization.
mineralization. The GLI is an
an approximately
approximately two
two
kilometer-thick, sheet-like
10') to
to the
the east
east and
and covers
covers an
kilometer-thick,
sheet-like intrusion
intrusion that
that dips
dips gently
gently (approximately
(approximately10°)
area of about 300 square kilometers. For
For this
this study,
study,19
19bedrock
bedrock drill
drill cores
cores (20
(20 to
to 80'
80'in
in length)
length)
Erie/LTV railroad
railroad and powerline
were acquired
acquired in
in early
early 2002
2002along
alongthe
thewest—northwest-trending
west-northwest-trending ErieILTV
west of Lake
1). Samples
Samples from
from these
these cores and
west
Lake County
County Highway
Highway 22 (Fig.
(Fig. 1).
and from
from intermittent
intermittent
outcrops along the eastern extent of the railroad grade were subjected
subjected to petrographic study in
transmitted and reflected light, microprobe
microprobe analyses
analyses of olivine
olivine and
and pyroxene
pyroxene composition,
composition, and
and
whole rock
whole
rock analyses
analyses of
of their
theirlithogeochemistry,
lithogeochemistry, including
including platinum,
platinum, palladium,
palladium, and gold
gold
concentrations.
concentrations.
The results of the drilling
drilling and
and petrographic
petrographic study
study show
show that the
the igneous
igneous stratigraphy
stratigraphy of
of the
the
GLI can be grossly
(GLtr, 0-650
0-650meters),
meters), composed
composed
GLI
grossly subdivided
subdivided into
into aa lower
lower troctolitic
troctolitic zone
zone (GLtr,
mostly of leucotroctolitic
leucotroctolitic cumulates,
cumulates, aa medial gabbroic
gabbroic zone (GLog, 650-1800 meters), composed
of olivine oxide gabbro
(GLfg, 1800-2130
1800-2130 meters),
gabbro cumulates,
cumulates, and
and an
an upper
upper ferrogabbroic
ferrogabbroic zone (GLfg,
composed largely of magnetite
magnetite gabbro
gabbro (Fig.
(Fig. 2).
2). The troctolitic zone contains
contains abundant,
abundant, large
anorthositic and oxide
oxide gabbroic
gabbroic inclusions,
inclusions, presumably
presumably derived
derived from
from anorthositic
anorthositicseries
seriescountry
country
rock. Although
Althoughthe
theGLI
GLIisisaawell-differentiated
well-differentiatedintrusion
intrusionthat
that formed
formedas
asan
anopen
openmagma
magma system,
system,
microprobe data show that cryptic
cryptic layering
layering trends
trends (such
(such as
as Fo
Fo in
in olivine,
olivine, Fig.
Fig. 2)
2) are
areinconsistent
inconsistent
with formation by in situ crystallization differentiation. This
This and
and other
other evidence
evidence (such as abrupt
changes in lithology,
lithology, leucocratic
leucocratic compositions
compositions of
of troctolitic
troctolitic rocks,
rocks, and
and suspect
suspect cumulus
cumulus textures
textures
of troctolitic rocks) suggest
of the GLI was
suggest that the
the differentiated
differentiated character of
was probably inherited
from a deeper crustal
crustal magma
magma chamber,
chamber, which
which was
was itself
itself undergoing
undergoing open
opensystem
systemdifferentiation.
differentiation.
The chemostratigraphy of chalcophile
chalcophile elements
elements through
through the GLI
GLI are
are difficult
difficult to
to interpret
interpretin
in
such a complex open magma system,
system, but suggest that some potential for PGE reef mineralization
may occur in the lower part of the gabbroic
gabbroic zone (Fig. 2). Below
Belowthis
thislevel,
level,recharging
rechargingmagmas
magmas
appear to have been undersaturated
undersaturated in
in sulfide,
sulfide, and
and copper
copper and
and sulfur
sulfur concentrations
concentrationshigher
higherin
inthe
the
gabbroic zone (above 800 meters) indicate intermittent
intermittent saturation.
saturation. An unexpected result of this
study was the discovery
discovery of
of aa large,
large,sulfide-bearing
sulfide-bearingoxide
oxide gabbro
gabbro inclusion
inclusion within
within the
thetroctolitic
troctolitic
zone. Aeromagnetic
Aeromagneticdata
datasuggest
suggestthat
thatthis
thisinclusion
inclusionisisaaconformable
conformabletabular
tabularmass
masswith
withaastrike
strike
length of about 8 kilometers. The
The magnetic
magnetic data
data further
further suggest
suggest that similar
similar rock types form part
of the footwall to the GLI. The
Thepossibility
possibilityof
of sulfur
sulfurcontamination
contamination in the contact aureole around
this inclusion and along the base of the intrusion
of these areas for
intrusion warrants further exploration of
contact-type
contact-type Cu-Ni-PGE
Cu-Ni-PGE sulfide
sulfide mineralization.
mineralization.

Funding for this project was provided to the Minnesota Geological Survey by a grant from
recommendation of the Minerals Coordinating
the Minnesota State Legislature on the recommendation
Coordinating Committee.
Committee.
57

�Figure 1.
1.
Generalized geology of the
Greenwood Lake intrusion and the central Duluth
Small dots
dots denote
Complex. Small
denote drill
drill hole
hole and
and
diamonds
diamonds denote outcrop locations
locations along
ErieILTV
ErieILTV railroad tracks.
tracks. Long
Long dashed
dashed lines
lines
denote
denote faults.
faults. Intrusive
Intrusiveunits
units are:
are:
GLtr—GLI
GLtr-GLI troctolitic zone
Glog—GLI
Glog-GLI gabbroic
gabbroic zone
zone
GLfg—GLI
GLfg-GLI ferrogabbroic
ferrogabbroic zone
MW—Mt. Weber granophyre
MW-Mt.
granophyre
CLLS—Cloquet
CLLS-Cloquet Lake
Lake layered
layered series
series
BEI—BaId Eagle intrusion
BEI-Bald
intrusion
SKI—South Kawishiwi intrusion
SKI-South
PRI—Partridge River
PRI-Partridge
River intrusion
intrusion
WMI—Western
WMI-Western Margin
Margin intrusion
intrusion
Layered
Layered Series
Series
Ferrogabbroic
Ferrogabbroic
Gabbroic
Gabbroic
Troclolitlc
Troclolillc

3

L:

] Felsic Series

k

Anorthositic
Series
North Shore
Volcanic Group
Group
Virginia Formation
Biwabik IronFormation
Giants Range
Granite

•

•

meters

20 Kilometers
Kilometers

10
10

0
0

Who rock
Whole
rockgeochemistry
geochemistry

OHvine

2000

/
1600

/

,Pt+Pd

*
re

.1

1200

*
P.
0

800

400

C

-,*
I.

0

r—

= =

•

807060504030
Fo

:

0

400

800

1200

Cu (ppm)

0

=
•.

——

204060
Pti-Pd
PttPd &amp;&amp; Au
Au (ppb)
(ppb)

Cu/Pd (xlO

Figure
Figure 2. Chemostratigraphy
Chemostratigraphyof
of Fo
Fo in
in olivine
olivine and
and of Cu, Pt ++ Pd, and Au concentrations
concentrations through
through the
the
Greenwood Lake
Stratigraphic locations
locationsofof drill
drill core (boxes)
Lake intrusion.
intrusion. Stratigraphic
(boxes) and
and outcrop
outcrop (diamonds)
(diamonds)
samples and general lithostratigraphy are
are shown
shown in
in the
the left columns.
columns. Large
Large inclusions
inclusions of
of anorthositic
anorthositic
series rocks (AS) and oxide gabbro (ox gb) are denoted. Abrupt
(arrows) may mark
Abrupt increases
in Cu/Pd
Cu/Pd (arrows)
mark
increases in
sulfide saturation events. The
The zone
zone found
foundmost
most favorable
favorable to host PGE reef mineralization
mineralization is identified.
identified.

58

�Stratigraphy and
northwestern
Stratigraphy
andstructure
structureof
ofKeweenawan
Keweenawan rocks
rocks of the St. Croix horst, northwestern
Wisconsin
Wisconsin
S.W. Nicholson, and W.F.Cannon, U.S.Geological
U.S.Geologica1Survey,
Survey, Reston,
Reston, VA
VA
graben of
of the Midcontinent Rift System
The St. Croix horst is the partially inverted central graben
(MRS) that extends southwestward
southwestward from western Lake
Lake Superior.
Superior. ItIt is
is bounded
bounded by
by the
the
Douglas fault on the northwest and the Atkins Lake fault on the southeast. Both are now
reverse faults, but may have been graben-bounding normal faults during rifting and
volcanism. The northern
northern limit of the horst is White's Ridge, a subsurface basement high
volcanism.
evident in both seismic and gravity data, which did not subside substantially during rifting
and against which rift volcanic and sedimentary rocks pinch out
out or
or become
become much
much thinner.
thinner.
White's Ridge
Ridge effectively
effectively separates
separates the
the MRS
MRS in
in western
western Lake
Lake Superior
Superior from
from the
the St.
St. Croix
Croix
horst and the volcanic,
volcanic, sedimentary,
sedimentary, and
and structural
structural history
history of
of the
the two
two rift
rift segments
segmentsdiffer
differin
in
High-resolution aeromagnetic, gravity,
gravity, and
and seismic
seismic data
data permit
permit the
the tracing
tracing of
of
several aspects. High-resolution
flow sequences for long distances and to great depth. This geometry combined with the
chemistry of the volcanic rocks allows us to decipher a volcanic
volcanic stratigraphy in spite of
widespread cover by glacial deposits
deposits and
and Paleozoic
Paleozoic sedimentary
sedimentary rocks
rocks (Cannon
(Cannon etetal.,
al.,2001).
2001).
Our interpretation,
interpretation, aided
aided by previous gravity
gravity and
and seismic
seismic interpretations
interpretations (Chandler
(Chandleretetal.,
al.,
1989), is that the original structure of the St. Croix horst was an
an asymmetric
asymmetric graben,
graben, or
or
possibly a half graben, like
like those
those of
of the
the Lake
Lake Superior
Superior portion
portion of
of the
the MRS.
MRS. The
TheLake
LakeOwen
Owen
fault was a major growth fault on
on the
the southeast
southeast side
side of
of the
the graben
graben and
and the
the volcanic
volcanic fill
fill
thickened toward and terminated against the fault. The Douglas fault on the northwest side of
of
the horst is not clearly a growth feature and may be simply a thrust formed during rift
rift
km or more because it
inversion. Thrust displacement on the Douglas fault must be 20 krn
juxtaposes of the base of a thick volcanic sequence over the younger Bayfield Group.

Cannon et al. (2001) and Nicholson et al. (2001) used chemical and aeromagnetic data to
underlying Clam Falls Volcanics, and the Chengwatana
define the Minong Volcanics, the underlying
Volcanics as three formations making up the graben-filling
graben-filling volcanic
volcanic sequence.
sequence. The
The three
three
three-part
have similar chemistry, but were defined by structure and geochronology. The three-part
division no longer seems
seems justified and
and the
the Chengwatana
Chengwatana and
and Clam
Clam Falls
Falls Volcanics
Volcanicsare
are
combined into a single
single unit. The
The Chengwatana
Chengwatana Volcanics,
Volcanics, as
as earlier
earlier defined,
defined, were
were restricted
restricted
to a fault-bounded belt between the Douglas and
and Pine
Pine faults
faults and
and their
their stratigraphic
stratigraphic
relationships to other
other volcanics were
were not known
known directly.
directly. We
We now
now believe,
believe, based
based on
on seismic
seismic
data, that the Pine fault does not extend into the northern
northern part of the horst, where the
depositional
previously defined Chengwatana and Clam Falls units appear to be a continuous depositional
sequence of compositionally indistinguishable
indistinguishable flows
flows that
that we
we propose
propose be
be called
called entirely
entirely
Chengwatana. The Minong Volcanics, aa sequence
krn thick,
thick,
low-Ti02basalts
basalts about
about 33 km
sequence of
of low-Ti02
overlie the Chengwatana, along
along an
an apparent
apparent low
low angle
angle disconformity
disconfomity based
based on
on aeromagnetic
aeromagnetic
disconformity within
within the Minong volcanics on the
form lines. These form lines also show a disconformity
southeast limb of the Ashland syncline.
syncline. A
A lower
lower unit,
unit, not
not present
present on
on the
the northwest
northwestlimb,
limb,isis
mostly high-Ti02
high-Ti02 basalt. Based on the presence of abundant high-Ti02 basalts and more
evolved rocks, we infer
infer that aa localized magmatic center
center was
was active
active in
in this
this area
area sometime
sometime
upper part
part of
of this sequence. A second, but
but
before 1095 Ma, the age of a rhyolite flow in the upper
apparently older, volcanic center may have existed
existed on the
the western
western margin
margin of
of the
the graben
graben near
near

59

�______

Volcanics are mostly
mostly high-TiOz
high-Ti02 basalts,
the Amnicon Complex where the Chengwatana Volcanics
andesites and rhyolites.
rhyolites.
Clastic sedimentary rocks of the Oronto
Oronto Group overlie
overlie the volcanic
volcanic rocks.
rocks. Only
Only the
the basal
basal
unit, the Copper Harbor Conglomerate,
Conglomerate, is
is preserved in most of
of the
the St.
St. Croix
Croix horst
horst where
where as
as
krn of sandstone and conglomerate
conglomerate lie along
along the
the axis
axis of
of the
the Ashland
Ashland syncline.
syncline. The
The
much as 2 km
Copper Harbor thins to only a few tens of meters toward the northern
northern end
end of
of the
the horst
horst in
in the
the
same areas where the volcanic section also shows substantial
substantial thinning.
thinning. Apparently
Apparently the
the area
area
now comprising the northern part of the St.
St. Croix
Croix horst did
did not
not subside
subside nearly
nearly as
as deeply
deeply as
as
parts farther to the southwest. This relatively positive relief persisted throughout
throughout volcanic
volcanic
activity and deposition of the Copper Harbor Conglomerate.
Conglomerate. The
The overlying
overlying Nonesuch
Nonesuch Shale
Shale
Ashland syncline,
syncline,
maintains a relatively uniform thickness around the northern part of
of the
the Ashland
suggesting that the topographic high was buried by that time.
time.
9 I OOO'

92W
47OO
47-00,

EXPLANATION
EXPLANATION

Bayfield
Bayfield Group
Group and
and
equivalent sandstones

i::

Freda Sandstone

Nonesuch Shale
Copper
Copper Harbor
Harbor Conglomerate
Conglomerate
Gabbro
granophyre
Gabbro and
and granophyre

\\\

Minong Volcanicslow-Ti basalts

Minong
Minong VolcanicsVolcanics-

Y11 high.Ti basalts
Chengwatana Volcanics
Chengwatana
Volcanics
Kallander Creek
Kallander
Creek Volcanics
Volcanics

1

Siemens Creek
Siemens
Creek Volcanics
Volcanics

Archean and Paleoproterozoic
Paleoproterozoic
rocks
46OO
46'00'
92°OO

0

30

60

90

KM

Cannon, W.F., Daniels, D.L., Nicholson, S.W.,
SW., Phillips,
Phillips, J.,
J., Woodruff,
Woodruff, L.G.,
L.G., Chandler,
Chandler, V.W.,
V.W., Morey,
Morey, G.B.,
G.B.,
Boerboom, T., Wirth, KR.,
K.R.,and
andMudrey,
Mudrey,M.G.,
M.G., Jr.,
Jr., 2001,
2001, New
New map
map reveals
reveals origin
origin and
and geology
geology of North
American
American Midcontinent
Midcontinent rift: EOS,
EOS, v.
v. 82,
82, no.
no. 8,
8, pp.
pp. 97-101
97-101
Chandler,
Chandler, V.W.,
V.W., McSwiggen,
McSwiggen, P.L.,
P.L., Morey,
Morey, G.B.,
G.B., Hinze,
Hinze, W.J.,
W.J., and
and Anderson,
Anderson,R.R.,
R.R.,1989,
1989,Interpretation
Interpretationof
of
seismic
seismic reflection,
reflection, gravity,
gravity, and
and magnetic
magnetic data
data across
across Middle
Middle Proterozoic
Proterozoic Mid-continent
Mid-continentRift
Rift system,
system,
northwestern
northwestern Wisconsin,
Wisconsin, eastern
eastern Minnesota,
Minnesota, and
and central
central Iowa:
Iowa: American
American Association
Associationof
of Petroleum
PetroleumGeologists
Geologists
Bulletin,
Bulletin, v. 73,
73, p.
p. 261-275.
261-275.
Nicholson, S.W., Boerboom,
T., Cannon,
Cannon, W.F.,
W.F., Wirth,
Wirth, K.
K. and
and Isachsen,
Isachsen, C.E.,
C.E., 2001,
2001, A
A new
new look
look at
at the
the 1.1
1.1Ga
Ga
Boerboom, T.,
Chengwatana
Chengwatana Volcanics
Volcanics in the St.
St. Croix
Croix horst,
horst, Minnesota
Minnesota and Wisconsin,
Wisconsin, Institute
Institute on
on Lake
Lake Superior
Superior Geology,
Geology,
v. 47, part 1,
1, p. 71-72.
71-72.

60

�of the Western Subcomplex of
of the
the Deadhorse
Deadhorse Creek
The Rare and Exotic Mineralogy of
Diatreme, Northwestern Ontario.
Ontario.

Eric G. Potter and Roger
Roger H. Mitchell
egpotter@mail.lakeheadu.ca
egpotter@mail.lakeheadu.ca
Dept. of Geology, Lakehead University, 955 Oliver Road, Thunder Bay, ON. P7B 5E1
5E1

The main mineralized zone of the western
western subcomplex of the Deadhorse Creek diatreme
exhibits complex
involving: first
first and second
exhibits
complex mineralization
mineralization involving:
second order
order transition
transition metals
metals
(specifically
Sc, Ti,
Ti, V,
V, Cr, Mn,
Mn, Fe,
Fe, Zr
Zr and
and Nb);
Nb); REE;
REE; Be;
Be; Th;
Th; and
and U.
U. The
The mineralization
mineralization
(specifically Sc,
is manifested by the presence of
of the
the following
following minerals:
minerals: thortveitiite,
thortveitiite, Sc-V-aegirine,
Sc-V-aegirine,NbNbV-rutile, V-crichtonite, Ba-Mn-hollandite, zircon, monazite-Ce,
monazite-Ce, xenotime-Y, uraninite,
tyuyamunite, phenacite,
thorite, thorogummite,
thorite,
thorogummite, barite,
barite, barylite, tyuyamunite,
phenacite, pyrite,
pyrite, hematite,
magnetite and several as of yet unnamed mineral species (Platt
(Platt and
and Mitchell,
Mitchell, 1996;
1996;Smyk
Smyk
et a!.,
al., 1993;
1993; this study). Of
Ofinterest
interestininthis
thispresentation
presentation are:
are:Nb-V-rutile,
Nb-V-rutile, cnchtonite
crichtoniteand
and
Sc-V-aegirine.
Sc-V-aegirine.
I
I
The Nb-V-rutile
The
Nb-V-rutile is enriched in
Cr203,
Cr203,with concentrations
concentrations reaching
Alkaline Igneous Suites
30
30
,--.
The
6.49
wt.%.
wt.%.
The enrichment
enrichment of
of
&amp;:
Cr203 and
Cr2O3
and Nb2O5
Nb2O5isis similar
similar to that
80
A
Xenoliths in Kimberlite
of
rutile
reported
in
alkaline
igneous
reported
alkaline
igneous
20
2o
rocks,
as
illustrated
in
an
atomic
rocks,
illustrated
an atomic
t-1+
- percent
percentplot
plotofofcr3+
Cr3 ++ Nb5*
Nb5 + ~Ta5a ~ ^
"0
1991).
(Haggerty,
vs.
Ti4i ~ (Haggerty,
vs.
~
*
1991).
z+ lo
However,
the Nb205
However, the
Nb205 contents
contents are
are
3
unusually
high
compared
to
alkaline
compared
Lunar
Meteorites
igneous
igneous rocks in general,
general, with
0
0
29.32
90
95
50
55
60
65
75
80
85
50
55
60
65
70
75
80
85
90
95 100
100 concentrations
concentrations
reaching
29.32
, &lt;.a+
Ti
11 (Atomic
(Atomic °')
o,/o)
wt.%. Such
such Nb2O5
m205contents
contents are
are
wt.%.
which is
is historically
historicallyfound
foundin
in pegmatites.
pegmatites. Also
similar to those reported in ilmenorutile, which
unique to the Deadhorse Creek
Creek rutile
rutile is the distinct
of V203
(up to 10.52
unique
distinct enrichment
enrichment of
V203 (up
10.52
wt.%) and the lack of tantalum.
tantalum.
I

I

I

I

I

I

I

!!

Deadhorse Creek contain the
The
Sc-V-aegirines present at Deadhorse
The Sc-V-aegirines
the highest reported
of Sc203
Sc203 and V203
V203 (16.46
(16.46 and
and 11.99 wt.%,
wt.%, respectively).
respectively). The
concentrations of
The only
only other
other
have been
occurrences of
occurrences
of VV- and
andSc-enriched
Sc-enriched aegirine
aegirine have
been reported
reported from
from alkaline
alkaline
a!., 1994;
metasomatites associated with iron-ore deposits in Ukraine (Valter et al.,
1994; Pavlishin
presence
thortveitiite
(Sc2Si2O7)
et al.,
al., 2000).
2000). OfOfnote
noteis isthethe
presenceofofboth
both
thortveitiite
(Sc2Si207)and
andSc-enriched
Sc-enriched
within the main
main mineralized
mineralized zone.
zone. Although
aegirine within
Although the
the source
source of
of the
the Sc
Sc in
in the
the aegirine
aegirine
remains somewhat
somewhat conjectural,
conjectural,itit appears
appearsthat
thatthe
the Sc,
Sc, V
V and Na was
remains
was scavenged
scavenged from
alteration of the main mineralized
mineralized zone by Fe-rich fluids.
fluids.
analogues of
of crichtonite-(Sr) and
The V-rich crichtonites are best termed vanadium-rich analogues
senaite-(Pb). The
Nb2O5in the crichtonites is peculiar, as the presence
presence of
Theenrichment
enrichmentin
inNb2O5
Nb has been a distinguishing
distinguishing feature
feature of
of the
the mantle-derived
mantle-derived end
end members
members lindsleyite-(Ba)
lindsleyite-(Ba)

61

�_____________________
___________________
__________________

and mathiasite-(K)
mathiasite-(K) (LIMA).
(LIMA). Interestingly,
Interestingly, the
the crichtonites
crichtonites plot
plot in the
theupper-mantle
upper-mantle
LIMA quadrant
quadrant of
of FeO ++ Fe203
LIMA
Fe203++ MgO
MgO vs.
vs. TiO2
Ti02(Haggerty,
(Haggerty, 1991),
1991), near the
the LIMA
LIMA
compositions due to the
the replacement
replacement of
of iron
iron by vanadium.
vanadium.
The Nb-enriched rutiles
mtiles and
crichtonite
crichtonite are believed to
to have
have
Non-Kimberlitic Crichtpnite
in
formed
aa
formed
relatively
early
in
30
C,,chtornte (Sr).
Davthtc (UREB)
Armalcolite Ouadrant
multistage-alteration sequence of the
the
Deadhorse
Creek
diatreme
by
Senaite
(Pb),
25
of
stoichiometric
rutile
with
reaction
mtile
Lovetingite (Ca).
hydrous alkaline solutions
hydrous
solutions enriched
enriched
20
1
These
hydrous
Nb
and
V.
in
Nb
and
V.
hydrous
Upper-Mantle LIMA Crichtonite
alkaline solutions likely also
also altered
altered
Armalcolite
Armalcolite Ouand.rant
Ouandrant
15
unnamed hydrated
zircon to
to an unnamed
hydrated
-DFIC Crichtomtc
calcium zirconosilicate,
zirconosilicate, which is
is
JIMA cric(ttonites__Pptle
10
found in association with the
56
52
56
60
64
68
72
60
64
68
crichtonite and rutile.
rutile. Textural and
and
/o)
TiO,
(Wt.%)
1102 (Wt.
compositional data suggest
suggest that
imparted the pervasive
subsequent alteration
alteration formed the Sc-V-aegirines
Sc-V-aegirines and imparted
pervasive
hematitization
hematitization to the
the main
main mineralized
mineralized zone.
zone.
35

I

I

I

—

I

I

References
References

Haggerty, S.E. (1991):
of the upper
(1991): Oxide
Oxide mineralogy
mineralogy of
upper mantle.
mantle. In:
In: Oxide
Oxide Minerals:
Minerals:
petrologic and
25, Mineral.
Mineral.Soc.
Soc.
and magnetic
magnetic significance.
significance. Reviews
Reviewsin
inMineralogy,
Mineralogy, 25,
Amer., 335-416.
335-416.
Platt, R.G. and
and Mitchell,
Mitchell, R.H.
R.H. (1996):
(1996): Transition
Transition metal
metal rutiles
mtiles and titanates
titanates from
from the
the
Miner.
Miner.
Deadhorse
Creek
Diatreme
complex,
northwestern
Ontario,
Canada.
Deadhorse
Diatreme complex, northwestern Ontario, Canada.
403-413.
Mag., 60,
60,403-413.

Pavlishin, V.I.,
V.1., Baklan,
Baklan, F.G.,
F.G., Bugaenko,
V.M., Voznyak,
D.K., Galaburda,
Pavlishin,
Bugaenko, V.M.,
Voznyak, D.K.,
Galaburda, Yu, A.,
A.,
Dekhtulins'ky, E.S., Donskey, O.M., Krivdik, S.G., Kulchic'ka, G.O., Mel'nikov,
V.S., Radzivill, A, Ya.
Ya. And
And Zimbal,
Zimbal, S.M.
S.M. (2000):
(2000): Science-based
Science-basedperspectives
perspectives of
of
improvement of
of mineral
mineral resources
resourcesor
orrare
raremetals
metalsinin Ukraine.
Ukraine. Mineral., Journal,
improvement
22,
no.1,
1, 5-20.
5-20. (in Russian)
Russian)
22, no.

Smyk,
M.C., Taylor,
R.P., Jones,
Smyk, M.C.,
Taylor, R.P.,
Jones, P.C. and
and Kingston,
Kingston, D.M.
D.M. (1993):
(1993): Geology
Geology and
and
geochemistry of the West Dead
Dead Horse
Horse Creek
Creek rare-metal
rare-metal occurrence,
occurrence, northwestern
northwestern
Ontario. Explor. Mining. Geol.,
Ontario.
Geol., 2, no. 3, 245-251.
245-251.

Sharkin, O.P. and
and Yakolev,
Yakolev, V.M.
V.M. (1994):
(1994): AAvanadian
vanadian
Valter, A.A., Khomenko, V.M., Sharkin,
aegirine in alkaline
alkaline metasomatites from Zheltye Vody. Dokiady
DokladyAkademii
Akademii Nauk
Ukrainy, No. 3, 110-116.
110-116. (in Russian)

62

�methods: Possible
Sibley Basin sediment provenance using zircon and
and whole
whole rock
rock geochemical methods:
source areas of the Pass Lake Formation
Richardson, A.,
A., Fralick,
Fralick,P.,
P.,and
andHollings,
Hollings,P.P.(Department
(DepartmentofofGeology,
Geology,Lakehead
LakeheadUniversity,
University, 955
Richardson,
SE!, Canada;
Oliver Rd., Thunder Bay, Ontario, P7B 5E1,
Canada; ajrichar@mail.lakeheadu.ca)
airichar@mail.lakeheadu.ca)

[CANADA A. +4+
-

+ + 48

$upfls.

+ +4+1

+ + + +1

USA
L.

Huron

4__u_,r

'

—+

4

4

+++
+4+

4

30km

4+ ++4
÷4+

LSGEND

II.

Proterozoic

4+4.

1097 Ma

V

Odor Group
1110 Ma

*4 1..

1

/

1537

EJ GranfteMa and Rhyolit.
l800Ma
Arilmikie Group
AnImikle
Group

Archean
Granific
anmitic Rocks
R W ~
^] Metasedimentary
Metasedlrnentary

a

MÃ‡.VOIC;~,

.4* 4+

++ + epa.s
÷+

&gt;1339Ma
Sibley Group

9

+

Rocks
Rocks

1

.1

Lake Superior

The Sibley Group consists of Proterozoic
Proterozoic sediments
sediments that
outcrop discontinuously over a 15000
15000 sq. km region in the area
surrounding central and southern Lake Nipigon. Its age is
bracketed
bracketed by the underlying
underlying Redstone
Redstone Point
Point Complex
Complex (1537
(1537
+101-2
Ma; Davis and Sutcliffe,
+/- 33
33 Ma
Ma
+lo/-2 Ma;
Sutcliffe, 1985)
1985)and
andaa1339
1339+1Rb-Sr age on diagenetically
diagenetically altered
altered Sibley
Sibley sediments
sediments(Franklin,
(Franklin,
1978). The Sibley Group was divided into three formations: the
Kama Hill Formation
Formation (top),
(top), the
the Rossport
Rossport Formation,
Formation, and
and the
the
Pass Lake Formation (bottom), by Franklin, et al. (1980). The
The
Kama Hill Formation
Formation consists
consists of aa laminated
laminatedshale
shale facies,
facies,the
the
Rossport of mudstone
mudstone and stromatolitic
stromatolitic facies,
facies, and
and the
the Pass
Lake of a conglomeratic
conglomeratic facies
facies and
and aa plane-bedded
plane-beddedor
or crosscrossbedded sandstone
sandstone facies (Cheadle,
(Cheadle, 1986).
1986).This
This study
study
investigates
investigates the sources
sources that fed sediment
sediment to
to the
the Pass
Pass Lake
Lake
Formation
in
the
southern
portion
of
the
basin.
Formation
southern portion
basin.

Regional granitic
granitic sources
sources may include:
include: the
the
Mesoproterozoic
Redstone
Point
anorogenic
intrusion,
Redstone
Point
anorogenic
intrusion,
mpjjQfions
Neoarchean peraluminous Quetico
Quetico granites,
granites, and
and
Redstone Point Granite McKenzie granites. Of
Of these,
these,the
theRedstone
RedstonePoint
Point isis more
more
highly evolved than the others
others and contains
contains abundant
abundant
Regional Granltes
Granites
R Regional
zircon and a distinct
distinct geochemical
geochemical signature
signaturewith
with very
very
• Pass
PassLake
LakeFm,
elevated values for the high field
Fm.
field strength
strength elements
elements
(HFSE).
(HFSE).

Samples
Samples were collected
collected from
from surface
surface exposures
exposuresat
at several
several
locations
l o c a t i o n(Fig.
s ( ~ i1).
~ . Representative
Representativesamples
samplesof
of the
the Pass
Pass Lake
Lake
Formation of the Sibley Group
Group were
were taken
taken from
from aa cliff
cliff section
section
directly across from Pass Lake on Hwy. 587. Individual
Individual beds
beds
were grouped into assemblages consisting of
of up
up to
to 16 beds.
beds. Bed thickness
total of
of
thickness became finer and thinner up section. AA total
26 hand samples were obtained from the Pass Lake cliff and consisted of
of fine
fine to
to medium
medium grained
grained sandstone.
sandstone. Two
additional
additional Pass Lake Formation
Formation samples
samples were
were obtained
obtained from
from road
road cuts
cuts further
further up-section
up-sectionthat
that consisted
consistedof
of medium
medium grained
grained
sandstone.
sandstone.

Figure
Fiigure 1.
1. Regional
Regionalgeologic
geologicmap
mapwith
withsample
sample
locations.
locations.

Additional granitic
granitic samples were obtained from
from road cuts
cuts along
along Hwy
Hwy 11/17
11/17
Hwy. 527
527 (Fig.
(Fig. 1). One sample was
was taken
taken from
from each
each location.
location. Samples
and Hwy.
of Redstone Point sandstones, and granite samples were previously obtained
obtained
by P. Fralick
Fralick from the English Bay region of Lake Nipigon (Fig.
(Fig. 1).
1).

Figure
Fiigure 2.
2. Backscatter
Backscatter X-Ray
X-Ray
SEM-EDS image of a zircon
from sample AR-Ol.
AR-01.

ICP-AES
(inductively Coupled Plasma -- Atomic Emission Spectroscopy)
ICP-AES (Inductively
Spectroscopy)
Samples were cut into approximately 4 x 3 x 0.5 cm sections
sections and crushed
to a fine powder of &lt;30 microns. Chemical
Chemical preparation
preparationincluded
included
hydrofluoric acid digestion to remove all silica and allow complete
complete solution
solution of
samples. Prepared
Prepared samples
samples were
were analysed
analysed at
at the
the Lakehead University
Instrument Laboratory.

63

�SEM-EDS (Scanning
(Scanning Electron Microscope -- Energy Dispersive X-Ray
Microanalysis)
SEM-EDS
X-Ray Microanalysis)
Samples were ground to 30 micron thin sections and cut into
discs suitable for the SEM stage. Before
Before analysis,
analysis, samples
samples
were carbon coated to prevent charge build- up while being
analysed. Samples
analysed.
Samples were
were analysed
analysed for
for 50
50 seconds
seconds with
with an
an
accelerating voltage of 20 KeV, and a beam current of 0.475
pA using a JEOL 5900
5900 SEM
SEM with a system
system resolution
resolution of
of 139
139
University Instrument
Instrument Laboratory.
Laboratory. Images
eV, at Lakehead University
taken using
using aa backscatter-electron
backscatter-electron detector.
detector. Zircons
were taken
Zircons were
analysed for five elements: Zr, Y, Th, U, and Hf.
The use of zircons in sediment provenance studies has been
1o*Y+Th+U
limited to work done by Owen (1987)
(1987) which involved
employing hafnium content of detrital zircons in determining
Figure 3. SEM-EDS
SEM-EDS analyses
analyses of zircons
zircons from
from
the source of the upper Jackfork Sandstone and the Parkwood
Fm sandstones (points),
(points) Redstone
Pass Lake Fm
Formation. He
Hecame
came to
to the
the conclusion
conclusion that
that hafnium
hafnium content
content
Point sandstones (squares), Redstone Point
these
zircons
agreed
with
optical
and
cathodoluminescence
of
optical
and
cathodoluminescence
(ranites (+),
Granites
(+),and
andregional
regional Archean
Archean and
modal analyses, and is a viable method for provenance
Neoarchean granites (triangles),
(triangles).
determination.
determination.
This study is the first to use SEM-EDS
SEM-EDS methods
methods as
as well
well as
as
analyses for Y, Th, and U.
U. Fig.
results. The
Fig. 33 shows
shows zircon analysis results.
The majority
majority of
of zircons
zircons plot at Zr/Hf
ZdHf ratio of
significant population
population show
show aa Y,
Y, Th,
Th, U
approximately 40 with relatively low amounts of Y, Th, and U, but a significant
enrichment
trend. The
enrichment trend.
The geochemical
geochemical signature
signature of
zircons from both sandstones
sandstones and granites show
show
3000
of
sediment
similarity, and indicates local sourcing
sourcing sediment
A
with a possible influence
influence of
of regional
regional Archean
Archean and
and
.
Proterozoic felsic igneous intrusives.
2000
2000
0
Whole rock interpretation
interpretation of
of ICP-AES
ICP-AES
ppm Zr/%Ti02
geochemistry (Fig. 4) trends agree with SEM
11000
ow
elemental distribution within samples. Immobile
Immobile
element ratios of the
the Pass
Pass Lake
Lake sandstones
sandstones tend
tend to
to
enriched
and
nonfall
on
a
mixing
trend
between
J
0
0
25
50
125
150
175
sources. This
O
25
50
ppm
75Nb/%Ti02
loo
Iz5
150
175
enriched sourc&amp;.
This study
study highlights
highlights the possible
ppm Nb/%T02
usefulness of using SEM-EDS generated data in
concert with more traditional chemical
chemical analyses
analyses in
Figure 4. Immobile
Immobileelement
elementplot
plot of
of ICP-AES
ICP-AESanalyses.
analyses,
provenance studies.
Pass Lake
Lake sandstones
sandstones (points)
(points)plot
plot in
in similar
similarfield
field to
to
sandstones derived from, and overlying
overlying Redstone
Redstone Point
granite (squares). Redstone
Redstone point granite (+), and other
(triangles) are also shown.
granites (triangles)
shown.
.

'

I

A

I

References
References
Cheadle,
Cheadle, B.A. (1986)
(1986)Alluvial-playa
Alluvial-playa sedimentation
sedimentationin
in the
the lower
lower Keweenawan
Keweenawan Sibley
Sibley Group,
Group,Thunder
ThunderBay
BayDistrict,
District,
Ontario;
Ontario; Canadian
Canadian Journal
Journal of
of Earth
Earth Sciences,
Sciences,v.
v. 23,
23, p.
p. 527-542.
527-542.
Davis, D., and Sutcliffe,
of
Sutcliffe, R., (1985)
(1985) U-Pb ages from the Nipigon Plate and Northern Lake Superior. Geological Society of
America Bulletin,
Bulletin, 96,
96, 1572-1579.
1572-1579.
Franklin,
age studies, Report
Report 2, geological
Franklin, J.M., (1978)
(1978) The Sibley
Sibley Group,
Group, Ontario;
Ontario; in Rubidium-strontium isochron age
Survey
Survey of Canada,
Canada,Paper
Paper 77-14,
77-14,p.p.331-34.
1-34.
Franklin, J.M.,
J.M., McIlwaine,
Mcllwaine, W.H.,
Franklin,
W.H., Poulsen,
Poulsen, K.H. and Wanless, R.K. (1980)
(1980) Stratigraphy and depositional setting of the
Sibley
Sibley Group, Thunder bay District Ontario,
Ontario, Canada; Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, v. 17, p.633-651.
Owen, M. (1987)
57, No.5.,
1-838.
(1987)Hafnium
Hafnium in
in Detrital
Detrital Zircons:
Zircons: Journal
Journal of
of Sedimentary
SedimentaryPetrology,
Petrology,Vol
Vol57,
NOS.,1987.,
1987.,p.p.83
831-838.

64

�A Magnetostratigraphic
Magnetostratigraphic and
andSecular
SecularVariation
VariationStudy
Studyof
of the
theSibley
Sibley Group
Group
Rogala,
P. and
Borradaile,
G. (Department
of Geology,
Lakehead
University,
Thunder
Rogala,B.,
B.,Fralick,
Fralick,
P. and
Borradaile,
G. (Department
of Geology,
Lakehead
University,
ThunderBay,
Bay,
brogala@lakeheadu.ca)
Ontario, P7B 5E1, brogala@lakeheadu.ca)

The Sibley Group is aa red
red bed
bed sequence
sequence that
that was
was deposited
deposited in
in aasubsiding
subsidingintracratonic
intracratonic
basin (Fralick and Kissin, 1995)
1995)overlying,
overlying, in part,
part, aa 1537+10-2
1537+10-2Ma
Ma (Davis
(Davisand
andSutcliffe,
Sutcliffe,1984)
1984)
The Group
anorogenic
anorogenic granite-rhyolite
granite-rhyolite complex.
complex. The
Group was
was previously
previously divided
divided into
into three
three main
main
Formations: Pass Lake, Rossport, and Kama
Kama Hill. An
An unnamed
unnamed Formation
Formation and
and the
the Nipigon
Nipigon Bay
Bay
Formation
have recently
recently been
been added.
added. The
The Pass
PassLake
LakeFormation
Formation consists
consists of
of the
theconglomeratic
conglomeratic
Formation have
Loon
of the Fork
Loon Lake Member
Member and the
the sheet-like
sheet-like sandstones
sandstones of
Fork Bay
Bay Member,
Member, representing
representing a
The Rossport
braided
environment (Cheadle,
(Cheadle, 1986).
1986). The
Rossport Formation
Formation is separated
separated into the
the
braided fluvial environment
Channel
Island,
Middlebrun
Bay,
and
Fire
Hill
Members.
The
Channel
Island
Member
is
Channel Island, Middlebrun Bay, and Fire Hill Members. The Channel Island Member aa
The
cyclic
unit interpreted
interpreted to
to be playa
cyclic dolomite-shale
dolomite-shale unit
playa lake
lakesediments
sediments(Cheadle,
(Cheadle, 1986).
1986). The
Middlebrun Bay Member, considered a marker bed for the Sibley
Sibley Group,
Group, isis aastromatolitic
stromatoliticunit
unit
that represents a migrating strandline. The
The Fire
Fire Hill
Hill Member
Member consists
consists of mudcracked
mudcracked red silt with
mudchip conglomerates and sand
of tectonic
tectonic tilting
tilting of
of the
the
sand sheet
sheet incursions.
incursions. It signifies a time of
The Kama
basin.
basin. The
Kama Hill Formation
Formation is not
not subdivided,
subdivided, and is
is composed
composed of
of purple
purple shales
shales and
and
siltstones interpreted as mud flat deposits (Cheadle,
(Cheadle, 1986). The
Theunnamed
unnamed Formation
Formation isis divided
divided
These represent
represent aa deltaic
deltaic and
and fluvial
fluvial environment.
environment. The
TheNipigon
Nipigon
into two unnamed Members.
Members. These
Bay Formation consists of cross-stratified sandstone beds,
beds, and
and is thought to denote
denote an
an aeolian
aeolian
environment.
environment.
Samples
were taken
taken from
Samples were
from the
the Pass
Pass Lake,
Lake, Rossport,
Rossport, Kama
Kama Hill,
Hill, and
and Nipigon
Nipigon Bay
Bay
Formations for a paleomagnetic
paleomagnetic study.
study. The unnamed Formation was not sampled due to the lack
of exposure. The
ThePass
PassLake,
Lake,Kama
KamaHill,
Hill,and
andNipigon
Nipigon Bay
Bay Formation
Formation were
were used
used to
to conduct
conduct aa
preliminary study of
of the magnetostratigraphy
of the
the Sibley Group. The
TheRossport
RossportFormation
Formation was
was
magnetostratigraphy of
sampled from unoriented drill
drill core,
core, thus
thus could
could only
only be
be used
used to
to study
study secular
secularvariation.
variation.
The paleopoles calculated from the Pass Lake,
Lake, Kama
Kama Hill,
Hill, and
and Nipigon
Nipigon Bay
Bay Formations
Formations
have been plotted along an
apparent
polar
wander
path
(APWP)
defined
by
Elston
et
al. (2002)
(2002)
Elston et al.
an apparent polar wander
(APWP) defined
(Figure 1).
1). The samples
samples from
from the
the Pass
Pass Lake
Lake Formation
Formation have
have been
been divided
dividedinto
intosample
samplegroups
groups
corresponding to Quarry Island, Transitional to the Rossport Formation, and
and an
an outcrop
outcrop at
at Pass
Pass
The paleopole
of the
with a diagenetic
Lake.
Lake. The
paleopole of
the Quarry
Quarry Island
Island Group
Group corresponds
corresponds with
diagenetic event
event at
1978), and
and the latter
1339Â±3 Ma (Franklin,
(Franklin, 1978),
latter two
two groups
groups have
havepaleopoles
paleopoles
approximately 1339±33
approximately
The Kama
has an older
associated with
with an
an early
earlyKeweenawan
Keweenawan overprint.
overprint. The
Kama Hill Formation
Formation has
older
associated
discordant paleopole
paleopole and a younger paleopole
paleopole that
that is
is located within
within the 1500 Ma section of the
that the
the Sibley
Basin formed
formed prior
prior to
to this,
this, as is
apparent
apparent polar wander
wander path.
path. This
This suggests
suggests that
Sibley Basin
supported by the recent discovery
discovery of sedimentary
sedimentary xenoliths within the 1537
1537 Ma
Ma Redstone
Redstone Point
Point
Formation has
has paleopoles
paleopoles that
that lie
lie on
on the APWP near 1400
granite.
granite. The Nipigon Bay Formation
1400 Ma and
and
1100 Ma. The
Thefirst
firstpaleopole
paleopolemay
maybe
beprimary
primary or
orrelated
related to
to the
thediagenetic
diageneticevent
eventthat
thataffected
affectedthe
the
Pass Lake samples at 1339
OsierVolcanics.
Volcanics.
1339 Ma. The
Thelatter
latterpaleopole
paleopole correlates
correlateswith
with the
the Osler
The paleomagnetic study on a 90
90 cm
cm core
core section
section from
from the
the Rossport
Rossport Formation
Formationrevealed
revealed aa
When this curve
variation curve.
curve. When
curve was
was compared
compared to
to typical
typical secular
secular variation
variation curves
curves
secular variation
(Butler, 1998; Tauxe,
Tauxe, 1998), the
the time-span
time-span for
for Sibley
Sibley deposition
depositioncan
canbe
be estimated.
estimated. The 90
(Butler,
90 cm
cm
section was estimated to represent
represent 2500
2500 to
to 3000 years.
years. This
This can
can be
be extrapolated
extrapolated to estimate
estimate that
the Rossport
Formation
could
potentially
represent
75
000
years
of
deposition.
Rossport Formation could potentially represent 75 000 years of deposition.

65

�Figure
Figure4.12
4.12 AAwell-defined
well-definedProterozoic
ProterozoicApparent
ApparentPolar
PolarWander
WanderPaths
Paths(APWP)
(APWP)isisplotted
plotted
(after Elston et al.,
al., 2002).
2002). The
ThePass
PassLake
LakePCA
PCAcomponents
componentsare
aredesignate
designatewith
with QI,
QI,T,
T,
and
indicatethe
theQuarry
QuarryIsland,
Island,Transitional,
Transitional, and
and Outcrop Groups. The
TheKama
Kama Hill
Hill
and 00totoindicate
Formation is designate KH and the Nipigon Bay
Bay Formation
Formation is
is NB.
NB. The
The PCA, PCB, and
PCC
PCC components
components are
are denoted
denoted respectively
respectively by A, B or C after the Formation short
short form.
Note that NB-C is a reversed pole on the back side of
of the
the globe.
globe. Elston
Elston et
et al.
al. (2002)
(2002) has
has
provided a lower (Si)
(Sl)and
andupper
upper (S2)
(S2) Sibley
Sibley Group
Group pole
pole based on data from Robertson
(1973), as well as a pole for the Keweenawan
Keweenawan Osler
Osier Group (Ki)
(Kl)and
and lower
lower Powder
Powder Mill
Mill
Volcanics (K2).
(K2).

magnetic domains
domains to
to geological
Butler, R.F.
R.F. 1998.
1998. Paleomagnetism:
Butler,
Paleomagnetism: magnetic
geological terranes,
terranes, Department
Department of
of Geosciences
Geosciences
University
(originally published
published by
http://www.~eo.arizona.edu/Paleomae/book/
(originally
by Blackwell
Blackwell
University of
of Arizona,
Arizona,http://www.geo.arizona.edu/Paleomag/book/
Scientific Publications
Publications in
in 1992)
1992)
Scientific
Cheadle, B.A.
B.A. 1986. Alluvial-playa
Cheadle,
Sibley Group,
Group, Thunder
Thunder Bay
Bay District,
District,
Alluvial-playasedimentation
sedimentationin
inthe
thelower
lowerKeweenawan
Keweenawan Sibley
CanadianJournal
JournalofofEarth
EarthSciences,
Sciences,23,
23,527-542.
Ontario. Canadian
527-542.
Davis, D.W. and Sutcliffe, R.H.
R.H. 1984.
Geological
1984.U-Pb
U-Pbages
agesfrom
fromthe
theNipigon
NipigonPlate
Plate and
and Northern
Northern Lake
Lake Superior.
Superior. Geological
96, 1572-1579.
1572-1579.
Society of America
America Bulletin, 96,
Elston, D.P., Enkin, R.J., Baker,
Baker, J.J. and
and Kisilevsky,
Kisilevsky, D.K.
D.K. (2002).
(2002).Tightening
Tighteningthe
theBelt:
Belt:paleomagnetic-stratigraphic
paleomagnetic-stratigraphic
constraints
constraints on deposition,
deposition, correlation,
correlation, and
and deformation
deformation of
of the
the Middle
Middle Proterozoic
Proterozoic (ca.
(ca.1.4
1.4Ga)
Ga)Belt-Purcell
Belt-Purcell
GeologicalSociety
Society of
of America Bulletin, 114,
114,619-638.
Supergroup, United States and Canada. Geological
619-638.
basin development
in central North America:
and Kissin,
Kissin, S.
S. 1995.
Fralick, P. and
1995. Mesoproterozoic
Mesoproterozoic basin
development in
America: implications
implications of
Sibley Group volcanism
volcanism and
and sedimentation
sedimentation at
at Redstone
Redstone Point.
Point. In: Petrology
Petrology and
and metallogeny
metallogeny of
of volcanic
volcanic
Proceedings of
of the
the International
International Geological
Geological
and intrusive
intrusive rocks
rocks of
of the
themid-continent
mid-continent rift
rift system,
system, Proceedings
and
Correlation Program,
336.
Program, Project
Project 336.
Franklin, J.M.
J.M. 1978.
Franklin,
in: Wanless,
Wanless,R.K.
R.K.and
andLoveridge,
Loveridge,W.D.,
W.D.,Rubidium-strontium
Rubidium-strontium
1978. The Sibley
Sibley Group,
Group, Ontario,
Ontario, in:
isotopic age studies, report
report 2. Geological
Geological Survey
Survey of Canada Paper
Paper 77-14,
77-14, 31-34.
3 1-34.
W.A. (1973a).
(1973a). Pole position
position from
from thermally
thermally cleaned Sibley
Sibley Group
Group sediments
sediments and
and its
its relevance
relevance to
to
Robertson, W.A.
Proterozoic magnetic stratigraphy. Canadian
Canadian Journal
Journal of
of Earth
Earth Sciences
Sciences,10,
10,180-193.
180-193.
Tauxe, L. 1998.
KluwerAcademic
Academic Publishers,
Publishers, Netherlands,
Netherlands, 299 p.
1998.Paleomagnetic
Paleomagneticprinciples
principlesand
andpractice,
practice,Kluwer

66

�Mafic Dikes
Dikes in
in Marquette
Marquette County,
County,Michigan
Michigan with
with
Sequence of Precambrian
Precambrian Mafic
Sugarloaf Mountain
Mountain and
and Republic
Republic Areas
emphasis on the Sugarloaf
Sandin and
and T.J.
T.J. Bornhorst
Bornhorst (Department of Geological and Mining Engineering and
N.A. Sandin
Sciences,
Sciences,Michigan
Michigan Technological
TechnologicalUniversity,
University,Floughton,
Houghton,MI
MI49931)
49931)
Precambrian
Precambrian mafic
mafic dikes
dikes are
arevery
very common
common throughout
throughout Marquette
MarquetteCounty,
County,Michigan.
Michigan.These
These
1.1 Ga).
dikes
Archean(—2.7
(-2.7 Ga)
Ga)to
tomiddle
middleProterozoic
Proterozoic(—
(-1.1
Ga). Past
Past studies
studiesby
by Kantor
Kantor
dikes have
haveages
agesfrom
fromArchean
(1968),
(1968), Gair (1969),
(1969), Cannon
Cannon (1974),
(1974),and
and Baxter
Baxter and
and Bornhorst
Bornhorst (1988)
(1988)have
havesuggested
suggestedup
upto
tosix
six
different
of
different mafic dike events in Marquette County. These events were interpreted to consist of
(from
Archean mafic
mafic dikes
dikes post-Archean
post-Archean volcanism
volcanism and
and before
before Archean
Archean
(from old to young):
young): 1)
1) Archean
granitoid intrusions
intrusions which cut the Archean volcanic rocks; 2) Archean mafic dikes that cut
Archean granitoid intrusions,
intrusions, but
but are
are subjected
subjectedto
to Archean
Archean deformation;
deformation;3)
3)Archean
Archeanmafic
maficdikes
dikes
that
cut
Archean
basement
rocks,
but
do
not
cut
Early
Proterozoic
sedimentary
rocks
of
the
that cut Archean basement rocks, but do not cut Early Proterozoic sedimentary rocks of the
Marquette
4) Early
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic mafic
mafic dikes
dikesthat
thatcut
cutMarquette
MarquetteRange
Range
Marquette Range
Range Supergroup;
Supergroup;4)
Supergroup
Supergroup sedimentary
sedimentaryrocks prior
prior to
to Penokean
Penokean metamorphism
metamorphism and
and deformation;
deformation;5-6)
5-6)N-S
N-Sand
and
E-W
E-W Keweenawan
Keweenawan mafic
mafic dikes.
dikes. This
This study
study has confirmed
confirmed much of Baxter and Bomhorst
Bornhorst (1988),
however,
however, new
new data
data indicate
indicatesignificant
significantmodifications.
modifications.
This
This study
study focused
focusedon
on the
the Sugarloaf
SugarloafMountain
Mountain area
areanear
near Marquette,
Marquette,MI
MIbecause
becauseof
ofthe
the
excellent
excellent exposures
exposures on
on shore
shore and
and adjacent
adjacent to
to Lake Superior,
Superior, and previous work by Kantor
(1968),
(1968), who identified
identified mafic
mafic dikes
dikes of
of multiple
multiple ages.
ages. In
In the
the Sugarloaf
Sugarloaf Mountain
Mountainarea
areaover
over300
300
mafic dikes
Archean tonalitic
tonalitic basement
basement were
were identified
identifiedand
andmapped
mappedusing
usingaaGPS
GPS
dikes intruding
intruding Archean
receiver
receiver and
and the
the compass
compass and
and pace method. Dikes
Dikesidentified
identifiedas
ascritically
criticallyimportant
importanttoto
understanding the
the sequence
sequence of
of events
events were
were sampled
sampled for
for microscopic
microscopic and
andchemical
chemicalstudy.
study.
Baxter
Baxter and
and Bornhorst
Bornhorst (1988)
(1988) interpreted
interpreted thin,
thin, discontinuous,
discontinuous, tabular
tabular mafic
mafic bodies at
Wetmore
post-plutoniclpre-deformation
Wetmore Landing
Landingin
in the
the Sugarloaf
SugarloafMt.
Mt.area
areaas
asbeing
beingArchean
Archeanpost-plutonic/pre-deformation
mafic dikes (number
(number 2 above). While this interpretation
interpretation is still possible, the favored
interpretation
interpretation here is that these mafic bodies are xenoliths that were deformed during the
Archean along with the
the host
host plutonic
plutonic rocks.
rocks.
In Marquette
Marquette County,
County, Baxter
Baxter and
and Bornhorst
Bornhorst (1988)
(1988)as
as well
well as
asprevious
previousworkers
workersrecognized
recognized
the numerous mafic intrusives
intrusives that
that cut
cut Marquette
Marquette Range
Range Supergroup
Supergroupsedimentary
sedimentaryrocks
rocks prior
prior to
to
Penokean metamorphism
metamorphism and
and deformation.
deformation.These
These were
were presumed
presumed to
to be
be of
of generally
generallythe
the same
same
age. This study indicates
indicates that in the
the Sugarloaf
Sugarloaf Mt.
Mt. area,
area, three
three age
age separate
separatemafic
mafic intrusive
intrusiveevents
events
of this age are present.
present. Based
Based on
on cross-cutting
cross-cuttingrelationships,
relationships,the
the sequence
sequenceconsists
consistsof
of diabase
diabase
dikes trending N20°E,
N60°E, and
and diabase
diabase dikes
dikes trending
trending east-west. In
N20Â°Ediabase dikes trending N60Â°E
In
addition to cross-cutting
cross-cuttingrelationships,
relationships,these
these groups
groups can
can be
be discriminated
discriminatedfrom
fromeach
eachother
otherby
by
trace elements.
elements.
trace
The
of the Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic dikes.
dikes. In
The N20°E
N20Â° diabase dikes are the oldest of
In the
the Sugarloaf
SugarloafMt.
Mt.
area, these
these dikes
dikes vary
vary in
in trend
trend from
fromN05°E
N05OE to
to N20°E
N 2 0 2 and range in width
width from
from one
one to
to25
25feet.
feet.
Mafic dikes of this age are the most common of the Early Proterozoic dikes in the Sugarloaf
Mountain area. These
Thesedikes
dikesexhibit
exhibitaavarying
varyingtexture
texturefrom
fromporphyritic
porphyritic to
to phaneritic
phaneritic from
fromthe
the
dike
dike interiors
interiors to
to the
the margins.
margins. They
They consist
consist of
of hornblende,
hornblende, pyroxenes,
pyroxenes, chlorite,
chlorite,plagioclase,
plagioclase,
epidote,
epidote, and sericite.
sericite. The
TheREE
REEpatterns
patternsare
areenriched
enrichedin
inlight-REE
light-REEwith
withaamoderate
moderateslope.
slope.
Compared
to
the
REE
patterns
of
the
sills
from
the
Marquette
Range
Supergroup,
the
Compared
REE patterns of the sills from the Marquette Range Supergroup, theN20°E
N20Â°
series has a higher concentration
concentrationof
of light-REE,
light-REE,is
is less
less depleted
depletedin
in heavy-REE,
heavy-REE, and
andhas
hasaa
shallower
shallower slope. Thus,
Thus,our
ourinitial
initialinterpretation
interpretationisisthat
thatthese
thesedikes
dikesare
arenot
notrelated
relatedto
tothe
thesills.
sills.

67

�The N60°E
mafic dikes
dikes are intermediate
intermediate Early
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic age.
age. They vary in trend from
N60Â° mafic
N45°E
N60°E and
and range
range in
in width
width from
from one
one to
to 60
60 feet.
feet. These
These are
are the
the least
least common of the Early
N45OE to N60Â°
Proterozoic dikes in the Sugarloaf Mountain area. They
generally
have
They generally have thinly
thinly foliated
foliated margins
margins
fine-grained interiors.
interiors. These dikes have a phaneritic
phaneritic texture
texture and
and consist
consist of
of
with a massive, fine-grained
hornblende, pyroxenes, chlorite,
chlorite, plagioclase,
plagioclase, epidote,
epidote, sericite,
sericite,and
and minor
minoramounts
amountsof
of carbonate.
carbonate.
diabase dikes.
dikes. REE
N20Â°diabase
REE patterns are enriched
enriched in light-REE
light-REE and have
These dikes cross-cut the N20°E
N20% series and the sills of the Marquette Range Supergroup,
Supergroup,
a steep slope. Compared
Comparedto
to the
the N20°E
the N60°E
dikes are more enriched in light-REE with a steeper
N60Â°dikes
steeper slope. The
TheN60°E
N60Â°dikes
dikesare
aremore
more
depleted in heavy-REE
interpretation is that these
heavy-REE than the N20°E
N20Â° series. Our initial interpretation
these dikes
dikes are
are aa
distinct
distinct magmatic event
event with
with respect
respect to
to the
the earlier
earlier N20°E
N20Â° dikes and the mafic sills.
sills.
of the
the Early
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic dikes.
dikes. They
The east-east diabase dikes are the youngest series of
They vary
in width from
from five
five to
to 75
75 feet
feet wide. These dikes generally have thinly foliated
foliated margins with aa
massive, fine-grained
fine-grained interior,
interior, although
although two
two dikes
dikes had
had porphyritic
porphyritic interiors.
interiors.They
They have
have aa
phaneritic texture and consist of hornblende, pyroxenes, chlorite, plagioclase, epidote, and
sericite.
sericite. These
Thesedikes
dikescross-cut
cross-cutthe
theN20°E
N20Z diabase
diabasedikes
dikesand
andthe
theN60°E
N60Z diabase
diabasedikes.
dikes.Compared
Compared
to the REE patterns of the sills from the Marquette Range Supergroup, the east-west dikes have a
higher concentration of light-REE and a steeper slope. The
The east-west
east-westdikes
dikes are
are depleted
depletedin
in the
the
compared to the N20°E
N20% dikes. They are lower in light-REE and have a shallower
shallower
heavy-REE compared
slope than the N60°E
interpretation is that these dikes are
N60Â° series. Our initial interpretation
are a distinct
distinct magmatic
magmatic
event from the earlier
earlier dikes
dikes and
and the mafic
mafic sills.
sills.
Mt. Area. We propose that these
There are three distinct mafic dike events in the Sugarloaf Mt.
dikes are not related to the mafic
mafic sills
sills that
that cut
cut the
the Marquette
MarquetteRange
Range Supergroup.
Supergroup.IfIf true,
true,then
then
and likely
likely more,
more, Early Proterozoic mafic magmatic
magmatic pulses
pulses in
in the
the
there must be at least 4, and
Marquette area.
Marquette
area.
Two groups
groups of unmetamorphosed diabase dikes were identified in the Sugarloaf Mt. area,
consistent with Baxter and Bornhorst (1988). These
Thesedikes
dikesare
are Keweenawan
Keweenawan in
in age
age and
and consist
consist of
of
diabasictexture
texture
a north-south trending series and an east-west trending series. Both
Both dikes
dikes have
have aa diabasic
and vary from 10
10 to 75
75 feet wide.
that some
some metamorphosed
metamorphosed
In the Republic area, Baxter and Bornhorst (1988) suggested that
mafic dikes with distinct
distinct plagioclase
plagioclase phenocrysts
phenocrysts are
are older
older than the
the metamorphosed
metamorphosedProterozoic
Proterozoic
dikes in the Sugarloaf area.
area. They proposed that these dikes
dikes might
might correlate
correlate with
with the
the Matechewan
Matechewan
dike swarm north of Lake Superior
Superior in Canada.
Canada. We
We tested
tested this
this hypothesis
hypothesis by
by doing
doing chemical
chemical
analysis of these dikes. The REE data
data for
for these dikes
dikes are
are similar
similar to
to Matechewan
Matechewan dikes
dikesfrom
from
elsewhere and support
support the hypothesis proposed
proposed by Baxter
Baxter and
and Bornhorst
Bornhorst (1988).
(1988).

References
References
Baxter, D.A. and Bornhorst, T.J., 1988,
1988, Multiple Discrete Mafic Intrusions of Archean to Keweenawan Age,
2 pp.
western Upper Peninsula, Michigan:
Michigan: Institute
Institute on
on Lake
Lake Superior
Superior Geology
Geology Proceedings
Proceedings and
and Abstracts,
Abstracts,v.v.34,
34,2
pp.
U.S.
Cannon, W.F., 1975,
1975, Bedrock Geological Map of the Republic Quadrangle, Marquette County, MI: U
S . Geological
Miscellaneous Investigations
Survey, Miscellaneous
InvestigationsSeries
SeriesMap,
Map,1-862.
1-862.
Gair, J.E. and Thaden, R.E., 1968,
1968, Geology
Geology of the Marquette and Sands Quadrangles, Marquette County, MI: U.S.
77 pp.
Geological Survey
Survey Professional
Professional Paper
Paper 397,
397,77
pp.
Hails, H.C. and Phinney,
Halls,
Phinney, W.C., 2001,
2001, Petrogenesis
Petrogenesisof
of the
the Early
Early Proterozoic
ProterozoicMatachewan
MatachewanDyke
DykeSwarm,
Swarm,Canada,
Canada,and
and
Implications for Magma Emplacement
22
38,22
Implications
Emplacement and Subsequent
Subsequent Deformation:
Deformation: Canadian
Canadian Journal
Journal of
of Earth
Earth Sciences
Sciences38,
pp.
PP.
Kantor, J.A., 1969,
1969, Assimilation
Assimilation and
and Dike
Dike Swarms
Swarms in
in the
the Sugarloaf
Sugarloaf Mountain
Mountain Area,
Area, Marquette
MarquetteCounty,
County,MI:
MI:M.S.
M.S.
Thesis, Michigan Technological
Technological University,
University, Houghton,
Houghton, MI,
MI, 83
83 pp.
pp.

68

�PALEOPROTEROZOIC DEVELOPMENT OF A GNEISS DOME CORRIDOR IN THE
SOUTHERN LAKE SUPERIOR
SUPERIOR REGION,
REGION, USA

SCHNEIDER, D.A., Dept. of Geological Sciences,
Sciences, Ohio
Ohio University,
University, Athens,
Athens, OH
OH 45701;
45701;
HOLM, D.K., and O'BOYLE,
O'BOYLE, C.,
C., Dept.
Dept. of
of Geology,
Geology, Kent
Kent State
State University,
University, Kent,
Kent, OH
OH 44242;
44242;
HAMILTON, M., Continental
Continental Geoscience Division, Geological Survey of Canada, Ottawa, ON
Canada;
M., Dept.
Dept. of
of Geosciences,
Geosciences, U-Mass,
U-Mass, Amherst,
Amherst,MA
MA 01003
01003
Canada; and JERCINOVIC,
JERCINOVIC, M.,
Paleo-reconstruction
of a
Paleo-reconstruction of the Penokean orogen at ca. 1750-1700
1750-1700 Ma reveals the presence of
narrow corridor
corridor of Archean
Archean cored
cored Paleoproterozoic
Paleoproterozoic gneiss
gneiss domes
domes just north
north of
of and
andparallel
parallel to
tothe
the
main suture zone in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and northern Michigan. Penokean
Penokean (ca.
(ca.1850
1850Ma)
Ma)
metasedimentary rocks infolded within the domes give predominantly 1750-1700
1750-1700 Ma cooling
ages and are overlain depositionally
depositionally by ca.
ca. 1700
1700Ma
Ma Baraboo
Baraboo interval
interval quartzites.
quartzites.We
Weconducted
conducted
U-Pb SHRIMP and total-Pb EMP geochronometry to obtain metamorphic timing constraints on
distinct
distinct monazite mineral domains
domains from
from amphibolite
amphibolitegrade
grade rocks
rocks sampled
sampledacross
acrossthe
theentire
entirelength
length
of the gneiss dome corridor. Based
Basedon
onmetamorphic
metamorphicmonazite
monazite crystallization
crystallizationages,
ages,midcrustal
midcrustal
amphibolite
amphibolite facies metamorphism (Ml)
(Ml) peaked
peaked around
around 1830
1830Ma
Ma and
and was
was concurrent
concurrentwith
with late
late
Penokean plutonism; subsequent thermal pulses are reliably recorded at ca. 1800 Ma (M2) and
again at ca. 1765
1765 Ma (M3),
(M3), both also
also coeval
coeval with
with magmatic
magmatic activity.
activity.
Ar-Ar mineral
mineral age data,
data, which
which indicate
indicate
The youngest monazite ages overlap with abundant Ar-Ar
widespread cooling
cooling of the gneiss
gneiss dome
dome corridor
corridor immediately
immediately following
followingM3.
M3. We
We propose
propose that
that the
the
of the tectonically buried
gneiss domes formed at this time during structural modification of
continental margin rocks. In
Inour
ourconceptual
conceptual model
model (Fig.
(Fig.1),
I), northward
northward vertical
vertical extrusion
extrusionof
of aa
midcrustal block containing
decoupled midcrustal
containing the
the gneiss
gneiss dome
dome corridor
corridor accommodated
accommodatedgravitational
gravitational
collapse of overthickened crust. Elevated
Elevatedcountry
country rock
rock temperatures
temperatures accompanied
accompaniedwith
with profuse
profuse
promoted doming of the lower
melting (i.e., intrusion of the East-central Minnesota batholith) promoted
density Archean basement into the more
more dense
dense overlying
overlying Paleoproterozoic
Paleoproterozoicmetasedimentary
metasedimentary
rocks, ultimately enabling its complete decoupling from the remaining lower crust. This
This process,
process,
redistribution of
of crustal
crustal mass from thick to
primarily driven by buoyancy forces, allows for the redistribution
thin regions without significant horizontal crustal extension. Tectonic
Tectonicextrusion
extrusionand
andcrustal
crustal
thinning at this stage
stage may have
have been facilitated
facilitated by aa decrease
decrease in
in horizontal
horizontal compressive
compressivestresses
stresses
acting on the region from
from the south
south (i.e.,
(i.e., Yavapai
Yavapai slab
slab rollback
rollback as
as proposed
proposed by
by Hoim
Holm et
et a!.,
al.,
ILSG, 2003). In
In our
ourmodel
model(Fig.
(Fig.1),
I),the
thefaults
faultsbounding
bounding the
the gneiss
gneissdome
domecorridor
corridorare
areca.
ca. 1765
1765
Ma structures,
structures, although some,
some, like
like the
the Niagara
Niagara Fault
Fault zone,
zone, are
are reactivated
reactivatedPenokean
Penokean structures.
structures.
of the Malmo Structural
We note that in east-central Minnesota, a significant portion of
discontinuity juxtaposes post-Penokean plutons to the south against older metamorphic rocks to
discontinuity
of Mille
Mule Lacs). This
the north (west of
This clearly
clearly supports
supports our interpretation that this structure (and
the Flambeau Flowage fault equivalent in northern Wisconsin) was active well after Penokean
orogenesis.
orogenesis.

Holm, D.K., Van Schmus, W.R., MacNeill, L.C., Boerboom, T.J., Schweitzer, D., and
Schneider,
Schneider, D.A., 2003,
2003, Late Paleoproterozoic
Paleoproterozoic(1900-1600
(1900-1600 Ma)
Ma) tectonic
tectonic history
history of
of the
the northern
northern
mid-continent,
U.S.A.:
Implications
for
crustal
stabilization:
Institute
on
Lake
Superior
mid-continent,
Institute on Lake SuperiorGeology
Geology
abstracts (this
abstracts
(this volume).
volume).

69

�Penokeanorugm,
orogen,Ml:
Ml: 1830
Ma to M2:
Penohan
1830 Ma
M2: 1800
1800 Ma
Ma
N
N
s$

warm,

Penokean orogen, M3: 1768 Ma
N

ONEISS
GNEISS DOME
DOME CORRtDOR
CORRIDOR

WISCONSIN
WISCONSIN MAGMATIC
MAGMATIC TERRANE
TERRAME
(uveniIe
Quvimiie island
iaiad an;)
arc)

ARCHEAN GRANITE-GREENSTONE
GRAWE-GREENSTONE
ARCHEAN GNEISS

E PALEOPROTEROZOIC ROCKS
(supracrustal)

Figure
Figure 1.
1. Schematic
SchematicN-S
N-Scross-sections
cross-sectionsatat1830-1800
1830-1800Ma
Ma (A) and
(B) depicting
depictingthe
the proposed
proposed evolution
evolution of
ofthe
the gneiss
gneiss dome
1765
1765 Ma
Ma (6)

northern Wisconsin. Note
corridor in northern
Note relative
relative locations
locationsof
of gray
gray circles
circles
that represent
represent depth
depth of
of crustal
cruslaf blocks.
blocks.

70

s$

�suprasubduction zone
A Paleoproterozoic suprasubduction
zone ophiolite-island
ophiolite-island arc
arc complex
complex
northeastern Wisconsin
in northeastern
Wisconsin
Schulz, Klaus
Schulz,
Klaus J.,
J., (U.S.
(U.S.Geological
GeologicalSurvey,
Survey,Reston,
Reston,VA
VA20192,
20192,kschuiz@usRs.Rov)
kschulz@usgs.gov)

The Paleoproterozoic
Paleoproterozoic volcanic and associated
associated intrusive rocks exposed in northeastern
Wisconsin are the easternmost
easternmost exposures
exposures of the Pembine-Wausau terrane, the
northernmost of the two Wisconsin magmatic terranes that were accreated to the southern
margin of the Archean
Archean Superior
SuperiorCraton
Craton during
during the
the Penokean
Penokean Orogeny
Orogeny (Sims
(Simsand
andothers,
others,
1989). The
The rocks
rocks of
of the
the Pembine-Wausau
Pembine-Wausau terrane are separated
separated from the epicratonic
epicratonic
sedimentary rocks of the Marquette
Marquette Range Supergroup
sedimentary
Supergroup to the north in Michigan
Michigan by
by the
the
Niagara fault
fault zone.
zone.
The volcanic rocks of the Pembine-Wausau terrane exposed northeastern Wisconsin,
formed
synformed at about
about 1,870
1,870Ma
Ma and
and are
are cut
cut by
by aa variety
variety of intrusive
intrusive rocks
rocks ranging
ranging from
from synvolcanic gabbros, diorites, and tonalities to syn-and post-tectonic granitoids (i.e., Dunbar
Gneiss and related rocks). The
Thevolcanic
volcanicrocks
rocksare
aredivided
divided into
into four
fourfault-bounded
fault-boundedunits,
units,
the Quinnesec,
Quinnesec, McAllister, Beecher, and Pemene formations. These
Theseunits
units are
areinterpreted
interpreted
to record the evolution
evolution of
of aa Paleoproterozoic
Paleoproterozoicsuprasubduction
suprasubductionzone
zone ophiolite-island
ophiolite-islandarc
arc
complex,
complex, the Pembine
Pembine ophiolite-arc
ophiolite-arccomplex.
complex.
The Quinnesec Formation is the oldest volcanic unit and consists predominantly of
pillowed basalt flows and massive diabase, but includes andesite and rhyolite lava flows
and fragmental rocks locally. Several
Severallarge
largegabbro
gabbro sills
sills are
are present,
present, particularly
particularly near
near the
Niagara fault zone, some with peridotite and pyroxenite layers. In
In addition,
addition,aa large
large
serpentinized
serpentinized peridotite-gabbro
peridotite-gabbrobody that produces
produces aa large
large positive
positive magnetic
magneticanomaly
anomalyisis
exposed
Timrns Lake
Lake (Morgan
(Morgan County
County Park)
Park) east
east of
of Pembine,
Pembine,Wisconsin.
Wisconsin.
exposed south
south of Timms
Serpentinized
Serpentinized pendotite
peridotite is
is dominant
dominant in
in the
the western
western part of
of this
this body where it is locally
locally
cut by coarse-grained
coarse-grained (1-5 cm) dikes of pyroxenite. Layered
Layered and massive
massive gabbro
gabbro and
and
masses of strongly
strongly foliated-lineated
foliated-lineatedgabbro
gabbro are
are dominant
dominant in
in the
the eastern
eastern part
part of
of the
the body
body
where they are cut by numerous mafic dikes
dikes with diabasic
diabasic to
to microdioritic
microdioritictextures;
textures;some
some
of the dikes
dikes appear
appear to be sheeted.
sheeted.
The rocks of the Quinnesec
Quinnesec Formation
Formation appear
appear to
to record
record the
the birth
birth and
and youth
youth stages
stagesof
of aa
zone ophiolite
ophiolite (Shervais,
(Shervais, 2001).
2001). Rocks formed
fonned during the initial phase
suprasubduction zone
of ophiolite
ophiolite evolution
evolution typically
typically include
include layered
layered and
and isotropic
isotropic plutonic
plutonic gabbros,
gabbros,sheeted
sheeted
dikes, and a "lower" volcanic section consisting
of
low-K
tholeiitic
basalt
and
basaltic
consisting
MORB and primitive arc tholeiite affinities. Gabbros
Gabbros formed
formed during
during this
this
andesite with MORE
stage are often ductilely deformed (foliated or boudinaged) in response
response to syn-magmatic
syn-magmatic
extension.
extension. Rocks
Rocksformed
formedduring
duringthe
thesecond
secondor
oryouth
youth stage
stageof
of ophiolite
ophioliteformation
formationinclude
include
intrusive
intrusive mafic-ultramafic
mafic-ultramafic sills and diabase dikes, and an "upper" volcanic
volcanic unit
characterized
characterized by basalt and
and andesite
andesite with highly
highly depleted
depleted incompatible
incompatibletrace
trace element
element
compositions
compositions (i.e., low-Ti basalt, high-Mg andesite and boninite) (Shervais, 2001).
Compositionally,
Compositionally,the Quinnesec
Quinnesec basalts
basalts and
and gabbros
gabbros are
are tholeiitic,
tholeiitic,with
with generally
generallylow
low
Ti02 and
TiOz
and other
other high field
field strength
strength element abundances, and flat to extremely light REE

71

�depleted patterns (Sims and others, 1989).
1989). In
In addition,
addition,some
some of
of the
the basalts,
basalts,gabbros,
gabbros, and
and
andesites
REE abundances,
abundances, but
but relatively
relativelyhigh
high Cr
Cr and
andNi
Ni
andesites have very low Ti02
TiOzand
and REE
contents. The
Thetrace
traceelement
elementcharacteristics
characteristicsof
of the
the mafic
mafic rocks
rocks overlap
overlapthose
those of
of mid-ocean
mid-ocean
ridge basalts and primitive island-arc tholeiite suites whereas the andesites show
fore-arc-relatedboninites.
boninites. The presence in the upper part
part of
of
compositional affinities with fore-arc-related
Quinnesec Formation
Formation of mafic rocks derived
the Quinnesec
derived from
from highly
highly refractory mantle
mantle is
is
diagnostic of a relationship
particularly diagnostic
relationship to the early stages of intraoceanic
intraoceanic subduction
subductionand
and
This also
also implies
implies that
that the
the Quinnesec
Quinnesec
formation in a forearc setting (Shervais, 2001). This
Formation
Formation and associated
associated rocks did not form in a back-arc basin near or on the margin of
the Superior
1997),but
but
Superior Craton,
Craton, as has recently been proposed (Van Wyck and
and Johnson,
Johnson, 1997),
rather formed as an intraoceanic
intraoceanic ophiolite-arc
ophiolite-arc system
system above a southward
southward dipping
dipping (in
(in
coordinates) subduction zone.
present coordinates)
The McAllister,
McAllister, Beecher and Pemene formations consist of volcanic and volcaniclastic
rocks ranging from
from andesite
andesite (McAllister)
(McAllister)to
to rhyolite
rhyolite (Pemene),
(Pemene), all
all with
with caic-alkaline
calc-alkaline
compositions
compositions characteristic
characteristic of mature oceanic arcs. These
Thesevolcanic
volcanic rocks
rocksand
andassociated
associated
Twelve Foot
Foot Falls
Falls Quartz Diorite,
Diorite, appear
intrusives, such as the Newingham Tonalite and Twelve
compatible
compatible with the third or maturity stage of suprasubduction zone ophiolite evolution
(Shervais, 2001). Characteristic
Characteristicof
of this
this stage
stageare
are intrusive
intrusive rocks,
rocks, such
such as
as hornblende
hornblende
rocks ranging
ranging from
from basalt
basalt to
to
diorite, quartz diorite, and tonalite, as well as volcanic rocks
rhyolite, all with transitional
transitional to calc-alkaline
calc-alkaline compositions. Volcanism
Volcanismtypically
typicallybecomes
becomes
more silicic with time in these sequences. In
In many
many cases,
cases, rocks of
of this
this stage
stage have
have not
been considered
considered part of the subjacent
subjacent ophiolite, but rather have been attributed to postophiolite
ophiolite arc volcanism
volcanism (Shervais,
(Shervais,2001).
2001).
It appears likely that growth of the Pembine
Pembine ophiolite-arc
ophiolite-arccomplex
complex was
was terminated
terminatedby
by its
its
collision
obduction onto the passive southern margin of the Superior Craton.
collision with and obduction
Because subduction appears
appears to
to be
be largely
largely driven
driven by slab
slab pull,
pull, the
the southward
southwardsubduction
subduction
of oceanic lithosphere
lithosphere attached
attached to the Superior continental margin would have pulled the
continental
continental lithosphere
lithosphere along with it as it descended into the subduction zone below the
ophiolite-arc system. With
With detachment
detachment of
of the
the subducting
subducting oceanic
oceanic lithosphere,
lithosphere,the
the
buoyancy of the continental
continental lithosphere
lithosphere would have
have led
led to
to its
its rapid
rapid uplift
uplift along
alongwith
withthe
the
leading edge of the ophiolite-arc
ophiolite-arc complex (Shervais, 2001). This
Thisstage
stageisisrecorded
recordedby
by the
the
deformation of the
syn-to
to post-tectonic
post-tectonic
the ophiolite-arc
ophiolite-arcsequence
sequence and
and by
by the
the intrusion
intrusion of
of the
the synunits of the Dunbar
Dunbar dome.
dome.
Shervais, J.W., 2001, Birth, death, and resurrection:
resurrection: the life cycle of suprasubduction zone ophiolites:
Geochemistry
Paper number
number 2000GC000080.
2000GC000080. On-line publication
publication at
Geochemistry Geophysics Geosystems, vol.2, Paper
http://g-cubed.org.
http://e-cubed.org.
P.K., Van Schmus, W.R.,
W.R., Schulz, K.J.,
K.J., and
and Peterman,
Peterman, Z.E.,
Z.E., 1989, Tectono-stratigraphic
Tectono-stratigraphic evolution
evolution of
of
Sims, P.K.,
the Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic Wisconsin
Wisconsinmagmatic
magmatic terranes
terranesof
of the
the Penokean
PenokeanOrogen:
Orogen:Canadian
CanadianJournal
Journalof
ofEarth
Earth
Sciences, v. 26,
158.
Sciences,
26, p.
p. 2145-2
2145-2158.
Van Wyck, N., and
and Johnson,
Johnson, C.M.,
C.M., 1997,
1997,Common
Common lead,
lead,Sm-Nd,
Sm-Nd,and
and U-Pb
U-Pbconstraints
constraintson
onpetrogenesis,
petrogenesis,
crustal
architecture,
and
tectonic
setting
of
the
Penokean
orogeny
(Paleoproterozoic)
in
Wisconsin:
crustal architecture, and tectonic setting of the Penokean orogeny (Paleoproterozoic) in Wisconsin:
Geological
Geological Society
Society of America
America Bulletin,
Bulletin, v.
v. 109,
109,p.
p. 799-808.
799-808.

72

�THE
THE LAKE NIPIGON GEOSCIENCE
GEOSCIENCE INITIATIVE
INITIATIVE -- PLANNED ACTIVITIES
ACTIVITIES AND
AND
OBJECT!
VES
OBJECTIVES
SMYK,
Mark C.,
C., Ontario
Ontario Geological
Geological Survey,
Survey, Ministry
Ministryof
ofNorthern
NorthernDevelopment
Developmentand
andMines,
Mines,
SMYK, Mark
Suite B002,435
B002, 435 James
James St.
St. South,
South, Thunder
Thunder Bay,
Bay, ON
ON P7E
P7E 6S7,
6S7,and
andmembers
membersof
ofthe
theScientific
Scientificand
and
Implementation Committees,
Conmiittees, Lake
Lake Nipigon
Nipigon Geoscience
Geoscience Initiative,
Initiative,c/o
do Ontario Prospectors
Association, 1000
Association,
1000 Alloy Drive,
Drive, Thunder
Thunder Bay,
Bay, ON
ON P7B
P7B 6A5
6A5
was created
created in
in 2002
2002 as
as aa $7.0
$7.0 M
M Cdn.
Cdn. project
project aimed at
The Lake Nipigon Geoscience Initiative (LNGI) was
the area
area around Lake
Lake Nipigon.
Nipigon. The
The Ontario
OntarioProspectors
Prospectors Association's
Association's
attracting mineral investment to the
(OPA) portion of the project
project is
is funded
funded through
through an
an agreement
agreementwith
with the
the Northern
Northern Ontario
OntarioHeritage
HeritageFund.
Fund.The
The
OPA is partnering with the Ontario
Ontario Geological
Geological Survey
Survey (OGS),
(OGS), the
the Ministry
Ministry of Northern
Northern Development
Developmentand
and
Mines (MNDM), the Canadian
Canadian Mining
Mining Industry Research
Research Organization
Organization (CAMIRO),
(CAMIRO),Lakehead
Lakehead University,
University,
as well as with private sector partners and communities
communities in the Lake Nipigon area.
area. It will
will focus
focus on
on four
four key
key
objectives:
objectives:
1. Maintain
1.
Maintain and then increase
increase mineral
mineral investment
investmentin
in the
the Lake
Lake Nipigon region
region through
through collection
collectionof
of high
high
quality geological data and provision
provision of interpretations
interpretationsthat meet
meet the
the needs
needs and
and priorities
priorities of
of the
the mineral
mineral
industry and that maintain or attract mineral investment
investment to Ontario;

2.
2.

Increase the mineral exploration discovery
discovery rate by addressing
addressing "masking and deep
deep search
search challenges
challenges
and skill gap" in the area;
area;

3. Respond
nickel3.
Respond to, and
and evaluate,
evaluate, new
new and
and exciting
exciting mineral
mineral deposit
deposit models
models recently
recently recognized
recognizedfor
fornickelcopper,
copper, palladium-platinum,
palladium-platinum,and
and gold-copper
gold-coppermineralization
mineralizationin
in the
the region;
region;

4.
4.

Reinforce
Reinforce and
and demonstrate
demonstrate an
an innovative
innovativeeconomic
economic development
developmentmodel
model based
based on
on local
localcommunity,
community,
industry,
industry, and government
government partnerships
partnerships in
in geoscience
geoscience that result
result in
in mineral
mineral resource
resource economic
economic
development
development in the
the local
local communities,
communities, the
the region,
region, and
and Ontario.
Ontario.

The LNGI is
Embayment, which
which consists
consists predominantly
predominantly of
of
is focused
focused on
on the
the Nipigon
Nipigon Basin
Basin // Embayment,
Mesoproterozoic,
Mesoproterozoic, Midcontinent
MidcontinentRift-related,
Rift-related,ultramafic
ultramaficto
to mafic
mafic intrusions
intrusionsthat
that have
haveintruded
intruded
Mesoproterozoic
Mesoproterozoic Sibley
Sibley Group
Group sedimentary
sedimentaryrocks
rocks and
and Archean
Archean basement
basementrocks
rocks of
of the
theQuetico
Queticoand
and
Wabigoon
Wabigoon subprovinces.
subprovinces.

The project will develop a comprehensive
will assist in
in mineral
mineral exploration.
exploration. The
comprehensive geoscience database that will
The
LNGI evolved
evolved through aa series
series of
of community
community and industry
industry consultations
consultations that helped define
define the
the project
project
parameters. AAthorough
thoroughcompilation
compilationof
of previous
previousexploration
explorationand
and geological
geological data
data provided
provided aa baseline
baseline for
for
the project and identify
the geoscience database. The
identify potential
potential gaps
gaps .in
in the
Themain
main components
componentsof
ofthe
theinitiative
initiative
include:
include:

•
•
•

•
•

•
•
•

Detailed geological
geological mapping,
mapping, undertaken
undertaken by
by Precambrian
Precambrian Section,
Section, OGS
OGS
Airborne
Airborne magnetic
magnetic survey
survey
Gravity
Gravity survey
survey
Quaternary
Quaternary (surficial)
(surficial) case
case studies,
studies, undertaken
undertaken by Sedimentary
SedimentaryGeoscience
Geoscience Section,
Section,OGS
OGS
Geochronology
Geochronology
Physical property studies
studies
Geographic
(GIs) compilation
compilation
Geographic Information
Information Systems
Systems (GIS)
Complementary
Complementary research at Lakehead
Lakehead University
•
Sibley Group studies
studies (P.
(P. Fralick)
Fralick)
• Nipigon mafic intrusion
intrusion studies
studies (P.
(P. Hollings;
Hollings; G.
G. Borradaile)
Borradaile)
•
Sulphide
Sulphide mineralization
mineralization studies
studies (S.
(S. Kissin)

73

�The Ontario
Ontario Geological
Geological Survey
Survey will
will help acquire
acquire and
and publish
publish the
the results
results of
of the
the geoscience
geosciencestudies
studiesas
asmaps,
maps,
reports, and digital data sets. The
Theinformation
informationwill
will then
then be
be available
available over
over the
the Internet
Internet through
through the
the MNDM's
MNDM's
ERMES and CLAIMap
CLAIMap systems.
systems. This valuable
valuable information
information will be used to globally
globally market
market the
the resource
resource
potential and investment
investment appeal
appeal of the
the Lake
Lake Nipigon region.
region.

74

�TECTONOSTRATIGRAPHIC
ARCHEAN T
E C T O N O S T U T I G M P H I C ASSEMBLAGES
ASSEMBLAGES OF
O F EASTERN
EASTERN
WABIGOON SUBPROVINCE, NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO
STOTT Greg
ONyP3E
P3E 6B5
6B5
STOTT
GregM.,
M.,Ontario
OntarioGeological
Geological Survey,
Survey, Sudbury,
Sudbury, ON,
(greg.stott@ndm.gov.on.ca),
DAVIS,
Don.
W.,
Department
of
Geology,
University of
of
(greg.stott@ndm.gov.on.ca)y
Toronto, Toronto,
Toronto, ON,
ONyPARKER,
PARKER,Jack
JackR.,
R.,Ontario
OntarioGeological
GeologicalSurvey,
Survey,Sudbury,
Sudbury,ON,
ON,
Toronto,
STRAUB, Kristan J., Laurentian University,
University, Sudbury,
Sudbury, ON
ON and
andTOMLINSONy
TOMLINSON, Kirsty
Y., Geological Survey of Canada, Ottawa, ON
The Archean Wabigoon Subprovince
Subprovince is a complex of volcanic and sedimentary
supracrustal assemblages
supracrustal
assemblages and granitoid suites
suites of Mesoarchean
Mesoarchean to Neoarchean
Neoarchean age.
age. The
The
easternmost
Onaman-Tashota greenstone belt
easternmost part of this subprovince,
subprovince, which includes the Onaman-Tashota
east of Lake Nipigon, preserves aa history
history of over
over 250
250 million
million years
years of
of volcanism.
volcanism.This
This
area has recently been treated to a regional mapping, geochemical and geochronological
11250000
000 compilation
compilation
synthesis as part of the Western Superior
Superior NATMAP project. A 1:250
map (Stott et al. 2002) arising
arising from this project illustrates the subdivision of the OnamanTashota (O-T)
(Figure 1), based
(0-T) greenstone
greenstone belt into tectonostratigraphic assemblages (Figure
based on
on
stratigraphic correlationsy
correlations, geochronological and geochemical similarities
stratigraphic
similarities and
and contact
contact
relationships.
Figure 2,
2,isisthe
the
relationships. A more interpretive
interpretive component of this map, summarized in Figure
delineation of the assemblages
assemblages in
in terms
terms of
of the
the environment
environmentof
of crystallization
crystallizationof
of volcanic
volcanic
and plutonic rocks and deposition
deposition of sedimentary rocks. This is based on lithologic and
geophysical characteristics,
characteristics, whole-rock
whole-rock geochemical
geochemical classification,
classification,and
and where
where available,
available,
Nd isotopic
isotopic signatures.
signatures.
The Onaman-Tashota
Onaman-Tashotagreenstone
greenstone belt straddles
straddles the
the width
width of
of the
the eastern
easternWabigoon
Wabigoon
Subprovince
Subprovince between the English
English River
River and
and Quetico
Queticometasedimentary
metasedimentarysubprovinces.
subprovinces.ItIt isis
mainly
dacitic flows,
flows,
mainly composed
composedof
ofNeoarchean
Neoarchean(dominantly
(dominantly2.74
2.74—- 2.72 Ga) basaltic and dacitic
autobreccia and
autobreccia
and pyroclastic
pyroclasticrocks.
rocks.Mesoarchean
Mesoarchean(3.05
(3.05—- 2.92
2.92 Ga) volcanic rocks occur
occur in
the northwest
northwest and
and along
along the
the western
western margin
margin of
of the
the belt.
belt. Widespread
Widespread Nd
Nd isotopic
isotopicevidence
evidence
in the northern part of
of the
the Onaman-Tashota
Onaman-Tashota belt
belt suggests
suggests that
that Neoarchean
Neoarchean volcanism
volcanism
erupted
erupted through Mesoarchean
Mesoarchean basement.
basement. Basement
Basement in
in the
the northern
northern half
half of
of the
the belt
belt
contains
contains an older
older component
component than
than that
that south
south of
of the
the Humboldt
Humboldt Bay
Bay High
High Strain
StrainZone.
Zone.The
The
2.74 Ga Willet
Willet assemblage
assemblagetholeiitic
tholeiitic basalts
basalts of
of ocean
ocean floor
floor affinity
affinity dominate
dominatethe
thenorthern
northern
half of the O-T
calc-alkalic
0 - T belt.
belt. This
This assemblage
assemblage is
is flanked
flanked to
to the
the north
north and
and south
southby
by calc-alkalic
assemblages
assemblages of continental
continental margin
margin arc
arc affinity
affinity that border
border metasedimentary
metasedimentarysubprovinces
subprovinces
composed
of
flysch-like
wacke
derived
from
the
erosion
of
the
O-T
belt
and
composed flysch-like
derived from the erosion of the 0 - T belt and plutons
plutons
during orogenesis
orogenesis at circa
circa 2.7
2.7 Ga.
Ga. Most
Most sedimentary
sedimentary units
units within
within the
the O-T
0 - T belt
belt form
formthe
the
youngest supracrustal
supracrustal assemblages,
assemblages, reflecting erosion of the
the underlying
underlying volcanic
volcanic and
and
plutonic rocks towards
towards the
the English
English River
River and
and Quetico
Queticobasins
basins to
to the
the north
northand
andsouth.
south.
Reference
Reference
Stott, G.M., Davis, D.W., Parker, J.R.,
J.R., Straub, K.J. and Tomlinson, K.Y. 2002. Geology and
Tectonostratigraphic
Tectonostratigraphic Assemblages,
Assemblages,eastern
eastern Wabigoon
Wabigoon Subprovince,
Subprovince,Ontario;
Ontario;Ontario
OntarioGeological
GeologicalSurvey,
Survey,
000.
Preliminary Map P.3449, scale 1:250
1~250
Tomlinson, K.Y., Stott, G.M. and Davis, D.W. 2000. Nd isotopes in the eastern Wabigoon subprovince:
implications for crustal recycling and correlations with
with the
the central
central Wabigoon;
Wabigoon; in
in Harrap,
Harrap, R.M.
R.M. and
Helmstaedt, H.H. (eds.), 2000, Western Superior Transect Sixth Annual Workshop, Lithoprobe Report #77,
Lithoprobe Secretariat,
Secretariat, University
University of
of British
British Columbia,
Columbia,p.119-126.
p. 119-126.

75

�Figure
Figure1.
1.
Tectonostratigraphic
Tectonostratigraphic
assemblages
assemblages of
of the
the
Onaman-Tashota
Onaman-Tashota
greenstone
greenstone belt and
and
Proterozoic diabase dike
swarms, Eastern
Wabigoon Subprovince.
Subprovince.

, +•t!4+ •-4..:L--•,
.....a.4 ++ ++ + +++ •++ +÷++÷
+
+
+
+

.4
P

+
+

+

+

+

.4

+

4

+

+ ++ 4

+

+

+

+

.4

+
+

+
+

+

+

+

+
+

4

+

+

+

.4

+

.4

+

+

4.

+

.4

+

+

+

+

4 +ZP+ .4

+

F

(

+

+

+

.._+

+
++ +4

+

+

.4

4+
+ + + 4
+ + + + +
.4

+

.4

.4

+

+
.4

+

+

+

.4

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+
.4

+
+

+

4*

+

.4

+

+

+

+

Figure 2. Tectonic
Figure
Tectonic
affinities assigned to
volcanic and
sedimentary
sedimentary
assemblages and
assemblages
plutonic suites.
suites.

+

+

.4

+ +4+ +
+

+

.4

+

+

4

.4

+

+
+

.4

++t#4J + 4+4+
+±+
+

+

+

+

+

•#

4
.4

+

+

+

r++.—
+
'4.4
+ + + +

—-,"+

+
+_

+

+

+

4.'

+

+

+

+
4

.t(__...

(4.
+

+

+

+,I. +
+1) +

/

/

Lake Nipigon

+

+

+

+

+

+

+c--.4+
+

+

+

Proterozoic
Proterozoic

[

I-

'

I

I

plume
Continental p
i m e related
related

m

4-L
11
-

Orogenic plutons
plutons
orogenic

orogenic sediments
sedimen&amp;
Orogenic

Continental arc
Contmental
Continental rnargm
margin arc
Cont~nsntal
unsubdivided
Continental unsubdivided

3 Ocean
Ocwan floor
floor
Oceanic
Oceanic unsubdivided
unsubdivided

Archean
Archean

Unknown
Unknown tectonic
tecton~caffinity
afflnlty

I0
10

0
0
7

Mesoarchean
.Mesoarchean
..- - - -.-..- -

Kilometres
Kllometres

?//////A

76

20
20

÷

�FIVE GOLD POSSIBILITIES IN SOME KEWEENAWAN COPPER SULFIDES
SULFIDES IN
IN
ONTARIO AND MICHIGAN
Trow, Jim,
Trow!
Jiml Geological Sciences,
Sciences! Michigan State
State University,
University!
emeritus,
emeritusl 540
540 Lake
Lake Avenue *2,
#Z1 Hancoek,
HancoC!kl Michigan
Michigan 49930
49930
gold,
Most fire—assayed
fire-assayed "invisible"
ltinvisiblell
goldl from
from .12
.12 to
to 2.50
2.50 oz
oz Au/st,
Au/str
occurs in
minor covellite)
in "blue
I1bluechalcocite"
c h a l ~ o c i t e(with
(with
~~
covellite) but
but not
not in
in
black chalcocite (with
(with no
no covellite)
covellite) on
on the
the adit,
adit! 1st,
lstl 2nd,
2nd1 and
and
3rd levels of the
Pointl Ontario.
Ontario.
the Coppercorp
Coppercorp mine
mine at
at Mamainse
Mamainse Point,
Both occur
occur with
with specular
specular hematite.
hematite. Copper mineral zoning
zoning exextending from carbonates and oxides through native copper,
copper! black
chaleocite and specularite,
chalcocite
specularitel "blue
Itbluechalcocite"
c h a l ~ o c i t eand
~ ~ specularite,
specularitel to
to
bornite and chalcopyrite is related to nearness to the Keweenaw
and related faults
faults apparently down which circulated oxidizing
solutions
The
solutions during an
an upward-migrating
upward-migrating hydrothermal
hydrothermal episode.
episode. The
anomalies! whereas
whereas
former faults display positive SP electrical anomalies,
nearly perpendicular cross faults
faults with commercial ores
ores display
negative SP anomalies of this convective hydrothermal cell
cell (Trow).
(Trow).
Such progressive oxidation of hydrothermal fluids
fluids is
is suggested
suggested for
for
the Keweenawan of Michigan by the USGS's
USGSts Woodruff,
Woodrufff Cannon,
Cannon! and
and Back.
Ontario, Trow deduces thermochemical calculations
For Ontario!
calculations with standard
standard
free energies and typical activities for constituents
constituents (except
(except for
for
oxygen, whose activities
oxygenl
activities are
are the
the unknowns).
unknowns). These are arrayed
arrayed on
on
a logarithmic scale which mimics the
the observed copper
copper mineral zones,
zonesl
AuS- first
and in that sequence AUS-I
first oxidized
oxidized to
to deposit
deposit gold
gold at
at the
the
same oxygen activity at which chalcopyrite first
first oxidized
oxidized to
to
covellite and
and specularite.
specularite. At the present it
it is
is uncertain if
if the
the
"blue
chalcocite"
iito
chalcoCite and covellite from
I1blue c
h a l ~ o c i t eexsolved
~~
ivto chalcocite
digenite at low temperatures,
temperatures, or if
if most of original covellite
covellite
was replaced by
2!500 times
times the
the oxygen
oxygen
by late
late chalcocite
chalcocite at
at roughly
roughly 2,500
activity at which
which covellite
covellite originally
originally formed.
formed.
Essentials for gold at Coppercorp
Coppercorp include
include 1)
1) Keweenawan permeable
permeable
vesicularbeds
conglomeratesl 2)
2) felsite
felsite intrusives
intrusives
basaltic vesicular
beds and
and conglomerates,
with permeable
permeable border
border breccias
breccias as
as conduits
conduits for
for rising
rising hydrohydrothermal solutions,
solutionsl 3)
3) nearness to
to the
the Keweenaw
Keweenaw and
and related
related faults
faults
with positive SP anomalies,
anomaliesl 4)
4) mineralized cross
cross faults
faults with
with ores
ores
yielding negative SP anomalies,
anomaliesr and 5)
5) "blue
'Iblue chalcocite".
chalc~cite~~.
In Michigan!
Michigan, field examination of ore
ore deposits
deposits and
and structures
structures
(Balticl Ashbed,
Ashbed!
mapped by the USGS shows
shows that the
the major lodes
lodes (Baltic,
Isle Royale,
Royalel Pewabic,
Pewabicl Osceola,
Osceola, Calumet conglomerate,
conglomeratet and
and Kearsarge)
Kearsarge)
and the Cliff,
Cliff! Central,
Central! and Delaware
Delaware fissure
fissure deposits
deposits all
all display
display
Keweenaw, Hancock, Mayflowerl
Mayflower, and
negative SP
SP anomalies.
anomalies. The Keweenaw!
Gratiot—Suffolk faults
Gratiot-Suffolk
faults all
all display positive
positive SF
SP anomalies,
anomaliesl approappropriate for downward oxidative contamination
hypogene
contamination of
of rising
rising hypogene
(not supergene)
supergene) mineralization.
mineralization.
From southwest
southwest to northeast the
the best matches to
to Canadian
Canadian gold
gold in
in
Michigan
examined, occur 1) from Mass City to the Indiana
so far examinedl
Michigan
so
Indiana
mine adjacent to felsite
felsite intrusives
intrusives and
and the
the Keweenaw
Keweenaw fault
fault in
in
Ontonagon County,
Countyl 2)
2) In
In Houghton
Houghton and
and Keweenaw
Keweenaw Counties
Counties the
the Allouez
Allouez
Gap fault between Copper City and
and New Allouez
Allouez is
is near
near the
the Copper
Copper
,

77

�2

City felsite
felsite and the
the Keweenaw
Keweenaw fault.
fault. According to
to Bornhorst,
Bornhorstl
page 132,
132! Randy Weege of C &amp; H thought
thought that this
this fault
fault perhaps
perhaps
was a fluid pathway for 60% of the district's
districtls copper
copper production.
production.
Further, it replicates
replicates and improves
Further!
improves upon the
the best geophysical
geophysical
signature
Coppercorp, the persistent SB
signature at Coppercorpl
SB zone,
zone! with
with flanking
flanking
negative
negative SP anomalies
anomalies in
in the midst of which
which is
is aa positive
positive SP
SP
anomaly.
llcorell
splinters
anomaly. In Michigan!
Michigan, the positive "core"
anomaly splinters
westward off the northern
northern end of the
the negative
negative anomalies
anomalies in
in the
the
vicinity
vicinity of
of Ahmeek.
Ahmeek. This part of the
the district
district contains
contains arsenic,
arsenicl
which accompanies
accompanies gold in
in many western
western mining camps.
camps. 3) In
In 1999
1999
Bornhorst reported on the
Maki and Bornhorst
the 4½
4% million
million tonnes of chalcocite
chalcocite
in drilled amygduloids of the Gratiot deposit in
in Keweenaw
Keweenaw County,
Countyl
where these
these beds are intruded
intruded by dacite
dacite (felsite).
(felsite). This
lode
This lode
appears
appears at the intersection
intersection with the
the southward
southward extension
extension of
of Trow's
Trowls
negative SP anomaly as
as observed at
at the
the Central
Central mine
mine and
and 2¼
2% miles
miles
negative
to
to the
the SSE.
SSE. 4)
4) In Keweenaw
Keweenaw County,
Countyt the
the USGS's
USGS1s Hank
Hank Cornwall
Cornwall on
on
166-167 describes
describes minor traces
traces of gold with
with mainly
mainly chalco—
chalcopages 166-167
specularite and some
some covellite
covellite and
and chalcopyrite
chalcopyrite in
in an
an
cite and specularite
amygduloid
amygduloid near
near the
the top
top of
of the
the Greenstone
Greenstone flow.
flow. This is
is not
not near
near
faultl but it
it is
is cut
cut by aa N.4°E.
N.dOE. vertical
vertical fault
fault with
with
the Keweenaw fault,
negative SP anomaly,
anomalyl which
which must be intersected
intersected at
at depth
depth by
by aa
a negative
N.4°E., 35°-45°NW.
N.4OE.!
35O-45O~W.fault
fault with a positive
positive SP
SP anomaly,
anomalyt where
where it
it is
is
exposed to
to the
the east
east of
of the
the vertical
vertical fault.
fault. There exists
exists a possibility for a horizontal
horizontal ore
ore shoot
shoot at
at these
5 h b e faults'
faults4 intersection.
intersection.
possibilities are plotted on
on the
the latest
latest geologic
geologic map
map
These four possibilities
of the
the Keweenaw
Keweenaw peninsula,
peninsulal by
by Cannon
Cannon and
and Nicholson.
Nicholson. Not yet
yet
reconnoitered possililities
possililities may occur
occur to
to the
the northeast
northeast of
of these.
these.
Remember,
Remember! from
from 1849
1849 to
to 1961
1961 the
the old timers
timers all
all missed the
the Carlin
Carlin
"invisible" gold.
llinvisiblell
gold. Nevada is
is now
now the
the biggest
biggest gold
gold producing
producing state
state
because of the observationst
observations, thinkingl
thinking, and
and Perseverance
perseverance of
of the
the
USGS's Ralph Roberts
USGS1s
Roberts and Mewmont's
Newmontls John
John Livermore.
Livermore.
REFERENCES CITED
Bornhorst, T. J.,
Bornhorstl
J e t1997,
1997! Tectonic
Tectonic context
context of
of native
native copper
copper deposits
deposits
of the North A~erican
American Midcontinent
Midcontinent Rift
Rift System,
Systeml in
in Geological
Geological
Society of America Special
Special Paper
Paper 312,
3121 p. 127—136.
127-136.
Cannon,
Cannon! W. F. and Nicholson,
Nicholsonl S.
S. W.,
W e 12001,
2O0lt Geologic
Geologic map
map of
of the
the
Keweenaw Peninsula
Peninsula and adjacent
adjacent area,
areal Michigan,
Michigan! USGS
USGS Geological
Geological
Investigations
Investigations Series
Series Map
Map 1—2696.
1-2696.
Cornwall,
Cornwalll H. R.,
R e 1 1951,
19511 Differentiation
Differentiation in
in lavas
lavas of
of the
the Keweenawan
Keweenawan
series and the origin
Michigan!
origin of the
the copper
copper deposits
deposits of
of Michigan,
Geological
Geological Society
Society of
of America
America Bull.
Bull. v.
v. 62,
62# no.2,
no.2# p.
p. 159-201.
159-201.
Maki, J. C.,
Makit
C.! 1999,
199g1 The
The Gratiot
Gratiot chalcocite
chalcocite deposit,
deposit! Keweenaw
Keweenaw
Peninsulal
Technological University,
Universityl M.S.
M.S.
Peninsula, Michigan!
Michigan, Michigan Technological
Thesisl
71 p.
p.
Thesis, 71
Trow,
J.,
Trow, J
o t 1992,
1992! Inductive
Inductive electrostatic
electroskakic gradiometry
gradiometry (IESG)
(IESG)
deciphers Keweenawan
Keweenawan copper plumbing system,
systeml Soc.
SOC. Mining,
Miningl
Metall. and
and Expl.
Expl. Phoenix
Phoenix Meeting,
Meetingl Preprint
Preprint 92—32,
92-32! 22
22 p.
p.
Woodruff,
Woodrufft L.
L. G.,
G e lCannon,
Cannon! W.
W. F.,
F.! and
and Back,
Back! J.
J. M.,
M.! 1994,
1994# Chalcocite
Chalcocite
mineralization
mineralization in
in the
the Portage
Portage Lake
Lake volcanics,
volcanicst Keweenaw
Keweenaw Peninsula,
Peninsulal
Michigan, 40th
Michiganl
40th Ann. Inst.
Inst. on
on Lake
Lake Superior
Superior Geology,
Geologyl Houghton,
Houghtonl
Abstracts,
p . 77—78.
77-78.
Abstracts! p.

78

�Using xenotime U-Pb
geochronology to
to unravel the history
U-Pb geochronology
history of
ofProterozoic
Proterozoicsedimentary
sedimentary
basins: a study
basins:
study in
in Western
Western Australia
Australia and
and the
the Lake
Lake Superior
Superior Region
Region
McNaughton, N.J.,
N.J., Rasmussen,
Rasmussen, B.,
B., Fletcher,
Fletcher, I.,
I., Griffin, B.J.,
Vallini, D.A., dvallini@peol.uwa.edu.au,
dvallini@aeol.uwa.edu.au, McNaughton,
B.J.,
University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, 6009, Australia
Diagenetic xenotime (YPO4)
is aa trace
trace constituent in a wide variety of siliciclastic
(YPOJ is
siliciclastic sedimentary
sedimentary rocks.
rocks.
It typically forms pyramidal crystals of only aa few
few microns
microns in
in size,
size, rarely
rarelyexceeding
exceeding10
10pm,
vm,growing
growingon
on
[isostructural] detrital
detrital zircons.
zircons. A
A recent study by Vallini et al. (2002)
[isostructural]
(2002) showed
showed convincing
convincing petrographic
petrographic
and age relationships that demonstrate
demonstrate this U-bearing
U-bearing phosphate
phosphate could begin
begin forming
forming in
in sediments
sediments at
at
or just below
below the sediment-water
sediment-water interface,
interface, shortly
shortly after burial.
burial. A few years ago itit was discovered
discovered that itit
10 pm
is possible to date xenotime crystals 210
vmininsize,
size,using
usingthe
theSHRIMP
SHRIMP(Sensitive
(SensitiveHigh
HighResolution
ResolutionIon
Ion
for its formation, hence an age for early diagenesis and a
Microprobe), providing aa robust isotopic age for
close proxy for sediment deposition. Xenotime
especially useful
useful in
in that
that it has very high U contents
Xenotime is especially
and remains
remains closed
closed to
toradiogenic
radiogenicparent-daughter
parent-daughter mobility,
mobility, unlike
unlike most
mostother
otherdateable
dateablediagenetic
diagenetic
mineral. Diagenetic
Diageneticxenotime
xenotimeU-Pb
U-Pbgeochronology
geochronologyhas
hasthe
thepotential
potentialto
tounravel
unravelthe
thechrono-stratigraphy
chrono-stratigraphy
of unfossiliferous
unfossiliferous sedimentary
sedimentary basins, especially
especially those sequences
sequences devoid
devoid of
of dateable
dateable interlayered
interlayered
volcanic
basins where
where aa lack
lack of aa reliable
volcanic rocks. Its
Its main
main application
application isis in Precambrian
Precambrian basins
reliable temporal
temporal
affiliations,
framework
basin evolution
evolution and
framework hinders
hinders an
an understanding
understanding of basin
and maturation,
maturation, tectonic affiliations,
metallogeny and value as exploration
metallogeny
exploration targets.
targets.
Xenotime also forms during post-diagenetic
Xenotime
post-diagenetic fluid flow events,
events, such
such as
as alteration,
alteration,mineralisation
mineralisationand
and
metamorphism, as
as well
well as being a magmatic
metamorphism,
magmatic mineral
mineral and aa detrital
detrital heavy
heavy mineral.
mineral. The
The exceptional
exceptional
in situ
its excellent
excellent properties
range of
of xenotime,
range
of formation
formation conditions
conditions of
xenotime, coupled
coupled with
with its
properties for in
situ
geochronology,
provide many
many new
new opportunities
opportunities in
in establishing
establishing the
the timeframe
timeframe of
of events
geochronology, provide
events in many
many
hitherto poorly understood
understood sedimentary
sedimentary basins.
basins.
Unusually coarse
coarse (up
(up to 200
crystals in the metametaUnusually
200 microns)
microns) and
and abundant
abundant diagenetic
diagenetic xenotime
xenotime crystals
sandstones of the greenschist
greenschist facies
facies Mount
Mount Barren
Barren Group,
Group, southwestern Australia, allow the detailed
detailed
study of xenotime
xenotime and its
its host
host rock.
rock. Xenotime
Xenotime occurs
occurs within
within aa phosphatic
phosphatic sandstone
sandstone interval
interval and is
is
present in multiple
different styles
styles - as
as cement
cement overgrowths
overgrowths on
on zircons,
zircons, pyramidal
pyramidal
present
multiple morphologically
morphologically different
overgrowths on zircons, cement (no
(no zircon)
zircon) in
in shale
shale laminations,
laminations, replacement
replacement of
of shale
shale (?)
(7)intraclasts
intraclasts
fluid events
and as
intraclasts. Multiple
Multiple fluid
events from
from early
early diagenetic
diagenetic to low
low
as xenotime
xenotime crystals
crystals within
within intraclasts.
temperature/early
temperaturelearly hydrothermal,
hydrothermal,prior
prior to
to metamorphism,
metamorphism,were
were recorded
recordedwithin
withinsingle
singlexenotime
xenotimecrystals.
crystals.
U/Pb geochronology, accompanied by observations of petrographic relationships between
SHRIMP UlPb
between
the various
various generations
generations of xenotime
xenotime and
and between
between xenotime
xenotime and other
other diagenetic
diagenetic minerals
minerals and
and
pyrobitumen,allowed
allowedfor
for the
the construction
of a temporal
pyrobitumen,
construction of
temporal framework
framework for the
the diagenetic
diagenetic and
and early
early
events that
that occurred within these rocks; (1) ca 1700
hydrothermal events
1700 Ma:
Ma: deposition
deposition of
of partly
partly re-worked
re-worked
phosphatic siliciclastic
siliciclastic sediments
sedimentson
on the
the seafloor
seafloor was
was followed
followed by in-situ
of the
phosphatic
in-situ phosphatisation
phosphatisation of
sediments and an initial period
1697k 7 Ma),
Ma), (2)
(2) With
With burial,
burial, an
an
period of xenotime
xenotime formation (mean age of 1697±
early pore-filling
pore-fillingcarbonate
carbonate cement
cement was introduced
introduced into
into parts
parts of
of the
the interval,
interval, as
as well
well as
as early
earlydiagenetic
diagenetic
cuboid pyrite
ca 1650
1650Ma:
Ma:during
duringburial
burialdiagenesis,
diagenesis, aafluidfluid-movement
movementevent
eventcaused
causedthe
the
pyrite growth,
growth, (3)
(3) ca
Ma), with
with
partial dissolution of primary pore space and formation of xenotime (mean age of 1646
1646 ± 88 Ma),
accompanying phosphate remobilisation,
remobilisation, (4) Oil migration
migration event, (5) Several
Several silica
silica cement
cement generations
generations
ca 1560
1560Ma:
Ma: minor
minor addition
addition of
of xenotime
xenotimerims
rimsto
toexisting
existingovergrowths,
overgrowths,
introduced around this time, (6)
(6) ca
(7) ca 1480
1480 Ma:
Ma: addition
addition of
of xenotime
xenotime cement
cement (no
(no zircon)
zircon) in
in shale
shale interlaminations,
interlaminations, (8)
(8) ca
ca 1200
1200Ma:
Ma:
peak of metamorphism.
metamorphism.
Wavelength
Wavelength Dispersive
Dispersive Spectrometer
Spectrometer (WDS)
(WDS) microprobe
microprobe analysis of each
each type
type of
of xenotime
xenotimeshowed
showed
with time,
time. Due to this
a gradual
gradual change from LREE
LREE enrichment
enrichment to MREE
MREE enrichment,
enrichment, with
this gradational
gradational
could not be established.
nature, discrete boundaries between generations, based on chemistry, could
This study
study of
of diagenetic
diagenetic to
to hydrothermal
hydrothermalxenotime
xenotimedramatically
dramaticallyimproved
improvedthe
the estimated
estimatedage
agerange
rangeof
of
the Mount
Mount Barren
Barren Group,
Group, which
which was
was previously
previously constrained
constrained to
to 1200
1200Ma
Ma(peak
(peakmetamorphism)
metamorphism)and
and
1790
1790 Ma
Ma (youngest
(youngest detrital
detrital zircon
zircon population),
population), and
and discounted
discounted some
some previous
previous tectonic
tectonic models
models
concerning the timing of
of collision
collision between
between major
major cratons
cratons within
within western
western Australia
Australia and
andthese
thesecratons
cratons
with East
East Antarctica.
Antarctica.
Using the information gleaned from the study of xenotime
xenotime in the Mount
Mount Barren
Barren Group, a similar study
basin in
in the Lake Superior Region
is currently underway on another Proterozoic
Proterozoic sediment-dominated basin
containing
and its equivalents,
the North Range,
containing the Marquette
Marquette Range Supergroup
Supergroup and
equivalents, the
Range, MilIe
Mille Lacs
Lacs and
and
Animikie Groups.
Groups. The early
early Proterôzoic
Proterozoic strata
strata consist
consist of
of three
three unconformity-bounded
unconformity-bounded lithostratigraphic
groups consisting
consisting of glaciogenics,
glaciogenics, quartzites,
quartzites, dolomite,
dolomite, iron
iron formation,
formation, greywacke
greywacke and
and shale
shale and
and minor
minor
volcanics. Sedimentation is thought
intercalated volcanics.
thought to
to have
havebegun
begun—2240
-2240 Ma
Ma (correlation
(correlationof
of Chocolay
Chocolay

*

79

�Group with Gowganda
Gowganda Fm, upper Huronian
Huronian Supergroup, Ontario) (Fairbain et al., 1969)
1969) and ceased
ceased by
—1850Ma
Ma(coinciding
(coincidingwith
with orogen-normal
orogen-normalarc
arccollision
collision along
along the
the Niagara Fault zone and
-1850
and the
the Malmo
Malmo
Discontinuity, during
during the
the Penoken
Penoken Orogeny)
Orogeny)(Sims
(Simsetetal.,
al., 1993).
1993). Part
Partof
of the
the study
study is to determine if
Discontinuity,
xenotime-rich
horizons, such
such as
as that in the Mount
xenotime-rich horizons,
Mount Barren
Barren Group, can be
be located
located in
in this
this stratigraphy
stratigraphy
and to document the sedimentological,
sedimentological, structural
structural or
or stratigraphical
stratigraphical features
features that
thatthey
theyhave
haveinincommon.
common.
Certain rock
rock units from the different
Certain
different sequences
sequences over
over the whole region
region were targeted
targeted for xenotime
xenotime
analysis using proposed
proposed sedimentological controls for xenotime formation that were determined
determined from
the Mount
Mount Barren
Barren Group
Group study.
study.
feature favourable
favourable to
to xenotime
xenotime formation
formation may
may be
be the
the presence of
of large quantities
One sedimentary feature
of sedimentary
sedimentary apatite
apatite within the host
host rock
rock or
or adjoining
adjoining rocks.
rocks. A field
field sample
sample of
of low
lowgreenschist
greenschist facies
facies
phosphatic chert-conglomerate,
chert-conglomerate,atatthe
the base
base of
of the Baraga Group,
phosphatic
Group, from a documented
documented phosphorite
phosphorite
locality in the Dead
Dead River
River Basin,
Basin, northern
northern Michigan,
Michigan, contains
contains large
large quantities
quantities of
of xenotime
xenotimeranging
rangingfrom
from
&lt;30
&lt;30 pm
pm pitted
pitted overgrowths
overgrowthson
on detrital
detrital zircons,
zircons,to
to&gt;100
&gt;I00micron
micronxenotime
xenotimecements.
cements.
Other rock units
units that
that contain
contain xenotime
xenotime overgrowths
overgrowths and cements of appreciable size and quantity,
were;
were; (i)
(i) quartzite
quartzite beds
beds in
inseveral
several drillholes
drillholes through
through the
the Mahnomen
Mahnomen Formation,
Formation, Mille
Mille Lacs
Lacs Group,
Group,
Cuyuna Range, contain up to 50
50 xenotime
xenotime crystals
crystals per
per thin
thin section,
section, some
some of
ofthese
theseup
uptoto—60
-60 pm
pm in
in
size, (ii) a sandstone
sandstone bed
bed within
within drillcore
drillcore from
from the
the base
baseof
of the
theBaraga
BaragaGroup
GroupininDead
DeadRiver
RiverBasinBasin-its
its
largest
was 60
pm (iii)
(iii)a agrit-pebble
grit-pebbleconglomerate
conglomerateand
andvery
verycoarse-grained
coarse-grained
largest xenotime
xenotime observed
observed was
60 pm
sandstone outcrop at Slate River Hill
Hill locality, Baraga Basin, which is assumed to lie at the base
base of the
Baraga
xenotime grains
grains per thin section which are
pm in size, and (iv)
Baraga Group, averaged
averaged —15
-15 xenotime
are up
up to
to —60
-60 pm
the basal
basal Baraga
Baraga Group
Group hematitic
hematitic conglomerate
conglomerate at
at Big
Big Eric's
Eric's Crossing
Crossing locality,
locality, Baraga
BaragaBasin,
Basin,contains
contains
up to 55 xenotime
xenotime grains
grains per
per thin
thin section,
section, some
some of
of these
these are
are up
uptoto—100
-100 pm
pm in
in size.
size. Pokegema
Pokegema
Quartzite samples, West Mesabi
Mesabi Range,
Range, showed
showed minor &lt;30 pm xenotime overgrowths on zircons.
All of
of the
therock
rocksamples
samplesdescribed
describedabove
aboveare
arevery
verycoarse-grained
coarse-grainedsandstone/conglomerate
sandstone/conglomerate beds
beds
which are either
which
either located
located near
near aastratigraphic
stratigraphic boundary
boundary and/or
and/or are
are interbedded
interbedded with
with shale
shale beds.
beds.
Xenotime from
from these localities were
were analysed on the SHRIMP
Xenotime
SHRIMP and revealed
revealed several age groups;
groups; (i)
xenotime in
xenotime
in the
the Mahnomen
MahnomenFormation
Formationdrillcore
drillcorerevealed
revealedages
agesofof—1870
-1 870Ma
Maand
and—1770
-1 770Ma
Ma(1760-1
(1760-1790
790
Ma), (ii) One
One large
large xenotime
xenotime overgrowth
overgrowth from the Dead
Dead River
River Basin
Basin drillcore,
drillcore, gave
gave an
anage
ageofof—2600
-2600
Ma, (iii) xenotime
xenotime contained
contained within the
the Slate
Slate River
River Hill
Hilloutcrop
outcropyielded
yielded ages
agesofof—2500
-2500 Ma,
Ma, (iv)
(iv) the
the
samples from
from Big
BigEric's
Eric'sCrossing
Crossingcontained
containedxenotime
xenotimeshowing
showingages
agesofof—2550
-2550Ma
Maand
and—1750
-1 750 Ma.
Ma.The
The
sample from the Pokegema Quartzite in the West Mesabi
Mesabi Range,
Range, contained
contained xenotime with an
an age
age of
of
-2300
-2300 Ma
Maand
and—1770
-1 770 Ma.
Ma.
Xenotime yielding
yielding ages
ages of
of ca 2500 Ma
Xenotime
Ma or
or older
older may
may be
be from
from recycled
recycleddetrital
detrital (magmatic)
(magmatic) grains.
grains.
The younger age
age of
of —1770
-1770 Ma (1760-1790 Ma), occurs in xenotime from
from widespread
widespread localities
localitiesacross
across
thermal event
event across
across the region. The age
the Lake Superior
Superior Region and may reflect
reflect an epigenetic
epigenetic thermal
anorogenic magmatism,
appears to correlate
correlate with
with an
anepisode
episodeat
at—1760
-1760 Ma of anorogenic
magmatism, pluton
pluton emplacement
emplacementand
and
It
gneissic doming
gneissic
doming recorded
recorded throughout
throughout Wisconsin,
Wisconsin, northern
northern Michigan
Michigan and
and central
central Minnesota.
Minnesota. It
postdates the Penoken Orogeny and involved partial melting of
of crustal rocks as a result
result of
of continentcontinentcontinent-arc collision to the south of the region (Sims, 1996). This event is approximately
continent or continent-arc
coeval with the development
development of the
the Central
Central Plains
Plains Orogen
Orogen (1800-1630
(1800-1630 Ma)
Ma) to
to the
the south
south and
and may
may be
be aa
consequence of the accretion of this terrane to the North American continent (Sims, 1996).
1996).
This study highlights
highlights the sensitivity
sensitivity of
of in-situ
in-situxenotime
xenotime geochronology
geochronology to
to identifying
identifyingcryptic
cryptic fluid
fluid flow
flow
events within basins. This study will be
be ongoing in 2003-2004.
Fairbairn
Fairbairn H.W., Hurley,
Hurley,P.M.,
P.M., Card,
Card, K.D.
K.D. and
and Knight,
Knight, C.J.,
C.J., 1969,
1969,Correlation
Correlationand
and radiometric
radiometricages
agesof
of
Nipissing
Nipissing Diabase
Diabase and
and Huronion
Huronion metasediments
metasedimentswith
with Proterozoic
Proterozoicevents
events in
in Ontario:
Ontario: Canadian
CanadianJournal
Journalof
of
Earth
Earth Sciences,
Sciences, v.
v. 6,
6, P.
p. 489-497.
489-497.
Sims, P.K., 1996,
in Sims
Sims P.K.
P.K. and
and Carter,
Carter, L.M.H.,
L.M.H., eds.,
eds., Archean
Archean and
and
1996, Early
Early Proterozoic
Proterozoic Penokean
Penokean Orogeny,
Orogeny, in
Late Proterozoic Geology
Geology of the Lake
Lake Superior
Superior Region,
Region, U.S.A., 1993: U.S. Geological
Geological Survey Professional
Professional
Paper
Paper 1556,
1556, p.
p. 28-60.
28-60.
Sims, P.K., et al., 1993,
in Reed,
Reed,J.C.,
J.C., Jr.,
Jr., and
and
1993, The Lake
Lake Superior
Superior Region
Regionand
and Trans-Hudson
Trans-HudsonOrogen,
Orogen, in
others, eds., Precambrian:Conterminous
Precambrian:ConterminousU.S.:
U.S.: Boulder,
Boulder, Colorado,
Colorado, Geological
GeologicalSociety
Society of America, the
Geology of North America, v. C-2, p.
p. 11-120.
11-120.
Vallini, D., Rasmussen,
Rasmussen, B.,
B., Krapez,
Krapez, B.,
B., Fletcher,
Fletcher,l.R.,
I.R., and
and McNaughton,
McNaughton, N.J.,
N.J., 2002,
2002, Obtaining
Obtainingdiagenetic
diagenetic
ages from metamorphosed
metamorphosedsedimentary
sedimentary rocks:
rocks: U-Pb
U-Pbdating
dating of
of unusually
unusuallycoarse
coarse xenotime
xenotimecement
cementinin
phosphatic
phosphatic sandstone:
sandstone: Geology,
Geology, v. 30,
30, p.
p. 1083-1086.
1083-1086.

80

�EVALUATION OF INITIAL MAGMA COMPOSITIONS
FOR THE BALD EAGLE INTRUSION AND ASSOCIATED ROCKS
VISLOVA, Tatiana, Department of Geology and Geophysics, University of Minnesota

The funnel-shaped concentrically-zoned Bald Eagle Intrusion in the Duluth
Complex is characterized by very restricted mineral compositions, and consists of only
two units: an olivine—plagioclase cumulate and an olivine—plagioclase-clinopyroxene
cumulate (Weiblen, 1965; Weiblen and Morey, 1980). In terms of differentiated units
expected in a typical layered intrusion, the Bald Eagle Intrusion appears to be
petrologically incomplete. This has raised the question whether the four-phase (olivineplagioclase-clinopyroxene-oxide) cumulates, assigned to the Greenwood Lake Intrusion
(Miller et al., 2002), and granophyre found to the south of the Bald Eagle Intrusion are
genetically related to the Bald Eagle Intrusion (Weiblen and Morey, 1980).

New petrographic studies and microprobe analyses (Vislova, 2003) make it
possible to evaluate parent magma compositions for the Bald Eagle Intrusion, and
quantitatively assess possible petrogenetic relationships between the Bald Eagle Intrusion
and spatially associated rocks. Computer programs (MELTS, Ghiorso and Sack, 1995;

and COMAGMAT, Ariskin et al., 1993) were used to investigate these questions. A
primitive North Shore Volcanic Group olivine tholeiite (P-melt) was used as an initial
magma composition (Miller and Ripley, 1996).

Equilibrium crystallization of P-melt, calculated by MELTS at 1 atm total
pressure and oxygen fugacity near or below the quartz-fayalite-magnetite buffer,
reproduces the crystallization order and mineral assemblages observed in the Bald Eagle
Intrusion. The calculated composition of the first clinopyroxene (mg 81) equals the one
observed, however calculated compositions of the first plagioclase and olivine are much

higher than those observed. This could be ascribed to the dynamics of crystal-melt
segregation in a flowing magma system. Until the crystals suspended in magma grow
large enough they might be carried away, erupted, and found as phenocrysts in lavas.

At -7 % melt remaining MELTS reproduces the most evolved mineral
compositions in the Bald Eagle Intrusion (Fig. 1). This suggests that the Bald Eagle
Intrusion might be a complete crystallization sequence with a few percent remaining
melt. It leaves unanswered the question of the origin of four-phase cumulate and
granophyre.

Modeling shows that a more evolved high Ti and high Fe melt (D-melt) is
required for crystallization of the evolved units in the Greenwood Lake Intrusion (Fig. 1).

This melt can be produced by fractional crystallization of P-melt in an intermediate
magma chamber at 2-3 kbar total pressure.

Equilibrium crystallization of D-melt at 1 atm reproduces the crystallization
order, the appearance of Fe-Ti oxides, and the compositions of most of the units
associated with the Bald Eagle Intrusion (Fig. 1). However, the most evolved rocks in the

Greenwood Lake Intrusion (ferrogabbro with Fo &lt; 50) and granophyre were not
reproduced by equilibrium crystallization. These units might require fractional
crystallization or assimilation.

81

�85

.
,.
*A

G.

0
0

x
I-

0.
0

.E 75
0
U+

A

tL±&amp;&amp;

A

,

--.
0)

6565

1

#

E
E

0
o

&lt;60
60

BaId Eagle Intrusion
AGreenwood
LakeIntrusion
Intrusion
Greenwood Lake

A

• Calculated
4
Calculated from

P-melt
P-melt

Calculated from D-melt

Lsf4.
55
55

30
30

40

50
50
60
Atom %
% Mg/ (Mg+Fe)
in
olivine
(Mg+Fe) olivine

70
70

80
80

Mg/(Mg+Fe) variations
variations in
in coexisting olivine and clinopyroxene.
Fig.
Fig. 1. Mg/(Mg+Fe)

References:
References:
Ariskin, A.A., Frenkel, M.Y., Barmina,
Barmina, G. S., and Nielsen, R. L., 1993,
1993, COMAGMAT;
COMAGMAT; aa
FORTRAN program to model magma differentiation processes, Computers
Computers &amp; Geosciences,
Geosciences, 19
19
(8), p. 1155-1170.
1155-1170.
IV, A
Ghiorso, M. S., and Sack, R.O., 1995,
1995, Chemical
Chemical mass transfer in magmatic processes;
processes; IV,
revised and internally
internally consistent
consistent thermodynamic model for the interpolation
interpolation and
and extrapolation
extrapolation
of liquid-solid equilibria
equilibria in magmatic systems at elevated
elevated temperatures
temperatures and
and pressures,
pressures,
Contributions
Contributions to Mineralogy
Mineralogy and
and Petrology,
Petrology, 119
119 (2-3),
(2-3), p. 197-212.
197-212.
Miller, J.D., Jr., Green
Green J.C.,
J.C., Severson,
Severson, M.J.,
M.J., Chandler,
Chandler,V.W.,
V.W., Hauck,
Hauck, S.A.,
S.A., Peterson,
Peterson, D.M.,
D.M., and
and
mineral potential
potential of
of the
the Duluth
Duluth Complex
Complex and
and related
related rocks
rocks of
of
Wahl, T.E., 2001, Geology and mineral
Report of
of Investigations
Investigations 58,207
58. 207 pp.
pp. ++
northeastern Minnesota: Minnesota Geological Survey Report
compact disc in back pocket, 2002.
2002.
Miller J.D., Jr. and
andE.M.
E.M. Ripley,
Ripley,1996,
1996,Layered
Layeredintrusions
intrusionsof
of the
the Duluth
Duluth Complex,
Complex, Minnesota,
In: Cawthorn
Cawthorn R.G.
R.G. (ed.)
(ed.)Layered
LayeredIntrusions,
Intrusions,531
53 1 pp.
USA. In:
Vislova, T., 2003, Petrology
Petrology of the Bald Eagle Intrusion
Intrusion and associated
associated rocks
rocks and
and its
relevanceto
to
its relevance
crystallization in dynamic
Midcontinent Rift, Ph.D. Dissertation,
Dissertation,
crystallization
dynamic magma chambers in the Midcontinent
University of Minnesota, 226 pp.
Weiblen,
Weiblen, P.W. and
and Morey,
Morey, G.
G. B.,
B., 1980,
1980,A
A summary
summary of
of the
the stratigraphy,
stratigraphy,petrology,
petrology,and
and structure
structure
of the Duluth Complex. In:
In: frying,
Irving, A.
A. J.,
J., and
and Dungan,
Dungan, M. A.
A.(ed.),
(ed.),1980,
1980,The
TheJackson
Jacksonvolume,
volume,
American Journal of Science,
Science, Vol. 280-A, Part 1,
1, p. 88-133.
88-133.
Weiblen, P.W., 1965,
1965, A funnel-shaped,
funnel-shaped, gabbro-troctolite
gabbro-troctolite intrusion
intrusion in
in the
the Duluth
Duluth Complex,
Complex,Lake
Lake
County, Minnesota, Ph.D. Dissertation, University
of
Minnesota,
161
pp.
University of Minnesota, 161

82

�A Hydrothermal
Hydrothermal Component
Component of Iron
Iron Formations-A
Formations-A Marquette
Marquette Range
Range Perspective
Perspective
Waggoner,
T.D., 141
141 Chippewa,
Chippewa,Negaunee,
Negaunee, MI
MI49866
49866
Waggoner, T.D.,
The origin of Lake Superior
Superior banded iron formations (BIF) has been a contentious
contentious issue
for at least a century
century and aa half.
half. Concepts of origin
origin include
include weathering,
weathering, volcanic
volcanic and
and
organic activity
activity whereby
whereby ions
ions are
are carried in and
organic
and precipitated
precipitated from
from solution.
solution. Clear
definition of
of the source,
definition
source, mode
mode of
of transport
transport or
ordepositional
depositional mechanisms
mechanisms is
is generally
generally
lacking. This
Thispaper
paperwill
willaddress
addressthe
thestrong
strongevidence
evidencefor
for aa hydrothermal
hydrothermal source
source for
for "hard
"hard
ores" found in the upper
upper parts
parts of
of the
the Negaunee
Negaunee Iron
Iron Formation
Formation (NIF)
(NIF) and
and by extension
extension aa
possible source for the precursor hematite in the BIF portion.
Range was formed
formed in a
portion. The Range
tectonically active area believed to be an extensional
extensional rifting
rifting environment
environment not
not unlike
unlike those
those
REE) and
and some
some VHMS deposits
deposits
found in Fe-Oxide (Cu, U, Au, REE)

The Marquette Range portion of
of the
the Lake
Lake Superior
SuperiorIron
Iron District
Districtdisplays
displaysmany
many features
features
BJFs found around the world and, thus, making it an
similar to other large Lake Superior BIFs
excellent
study subject
subject for
for the source
excellent study
source and
and role
role played
played by
by igneous
igneous and
andsedimentary
sedimentary
processes. The
Goodrich units
units exhibit
exhibit BIF,
BIF, soft
soft supergene
supergene enriched
TheNegaunee
Negaunee and
and basal
basal Goodrich
concentrations
and "hard
concentrations and
"hard ores"
ores" as
as massive
massive bodies,
bodies, banded
banded jaspilites
jaspilites and
and detrital
detrital
conglomerates.
conglomerates. "Hard
"Hard ores" are
are generally
generally dense silver gray
gray to
to black
black massive
massive metallic
metallic
magnetite or schistose metallic hematite associated with jaspilite
jaspilite and contain in excess of
60% iron.
of the
the origin
iron. Discussion
Discussion of
origin of
of the
the "hard
"hard Ores"
Ores" on
on the
the Marquette
Marquette Range
Range has
has
revolved
revolved around
around supergene
supergene enrichment
enrichment prior
prior to metamorphism
metamorphism or
or hydrothermal
hydrothermal
enrichment
enrichment associated
associated with the
the Penokian
Penoluan Orogeny.
Orogeny.
of the field geology
geology do
do not
not support
support with
witheither
eitherof
ofthese
thesepositions.
positions. First, the
Many features of
Goodrich conglomerate
conglomerate show
show random
random
cobble and pebbles of jasper hematite
hematite in
in the
the basal
basal Goodrich
orientation
of the 'schistose'
orientation of
'schistose' hematite
hematite indicating
indicating the schistose
schistose nature
nature of
of the
the hematite
hematite
existed prior to emplacement and not a result of metamorphism. In
In addition
addition many
many of
of the
the
rocks associated with the "hard
"hard ores"
ores" exhibit
exhibithydrothermal
hydrothermal minerals
minerals including
including sericite,
sericite,
chlorite, chloritoid,
chloritoid, high aluminous
aluminous silicates,
silicates,garnet,
garnet, hematite,
hematite, magnetite
magnetiteand
and tourmaline.
tourmaline.

The lower
NIF exhibit
exhibit
lower Proterozoic
Proterozoic Chocolay
Chocolay and Menominee
Menominee sediments
sediments below
below the NW
multiple
examples of
of high-grade
hematite that
that can be interpreted
multiple examples
high-grade hematite
interpreted as vents.
vents. Specular,
Specular,
microplaty
and bytroidal
bytroidal hematite
hematite are
are fairly
fairly common
commoninin many
many outcrop
outcropareas.
areas. Some
microplaty and
Some of
of
these have been described
described previously in literature while others have not.
not. All the sites
sites
were
lgth century and most exhibit
exhibit
were subject to exploration
exploration for iron ore during
during the late
late 19th
shallow shafts. The
Themajor
majorcomponents
componentsare
arechert,
chert,jasper
jasper and
andvein
veinquartz
quartzalong
alongwith
withcoarse
coarse
specular,
microplaty and
and bytrioidal
hematite contained
contained in
in breccia zones
specula, microplaty
bytrioidal hematite
zones that
that exhibit
exhibit
episodic reworking.
reworking. There
There are
are alterations
alterations to
to the
the host
hostrock
rockas
assome
someoccurrences
occurrencesexhibit
exhibit
chlorite, silica,
silica, k-spar
k-spar and aluminous
aluminous silicates.
silicates.
A large area in sections
sections 21,
21, 22,
22, and 23, 47-26 contain
contain multiple
multiple enriched
enriched hematite
hematite sites
sites
that form two northwest trending
trending breccia zones
zones adjacent
adjacent to
to northwesterly
northwesterlytrending
trending faults.
faults.
In addition
there isis a
In
addition to the
the silica
silicaflooding,
flooding, brecciation
brecciation and hematite
hematite concentration
concentration there
significant
area of
of andalusite
and chloritoid
adjacent to the
significant area
andalusite cordierite
cordierite and
chloritoid adjacent
the eastern
eastern linear
linear

83

�breccia zone in section 23. These
Theseminerals
minerals are
are present
present in
in aa much
much broader
broader lower
lower regional
chlorite zone of metamorphism and most likely are a result of the hydrothermal event that
impacted
impacted the three square
square miles referenced above.
above.
A conglomerate in Sec. 22 and 23,
47-26 has been previously described as "unusual" and
23,47-26
is sandwiched
sandwiched between lower
lower Chocolay
Chocolay argillite
argillite units.
units. Clasts causing dimpling in the
the
underlying argillite were described as rafted clasts from a glacial
glacial interlude.
interlude. It is unlikely
unlikely
reef growth during the
the same period
period of
of
that a glacial event coincided with significant algal reef
coarse, tightly
tightly packed
packed and shows no
time. The "unusual"
"unusual" conglomerate
conglomerate is extremely
extremely coarse,
sedimentary
sedimentary features.
features. In addition significant rinds of k-spar have formed
formed on
on the
the granite
granite
gneiss cobbles. The
Thecobbles
cobblesand
andmatrix
matrix contain
contain euhedral
euhedral magnetite,
magnetite, martite and specular
specula
hematite suggesting this area was tectonically
tectonically active and may well have been an
an active
active
vent area over a period
vent
period starting
starting at
at the
the earliest
earliest extensional
extensional period
period and continued to be
resembles some
some of
of the breccias
active beyond
beyond the Ajibik
Ajibik time.
time. The conglomerate
conglomerate resembles
breccias at
at
Olympic Dam and could well be a hydrothermal breccia.

analysis of
of the hematite
match quite closely with both
REE chondrite normalized analysis
hematite vents match
"hard ores"
the hematite,
hematite, magnetite
magnetite and
and combination
combination hematite/magnetite
hematitelmagnetite "hard
ores" found
throughout the
the Range.
Range. Recent
throughout
Recent work
work on
onthe
theBrockman
Brockrnan microplaty
microplaty hematite
hematite confirms
confirms aa
hydrothermal origin due to the recognition of surrounding
surrounding alteration
alteration to the
the host.
host.

Initially the
the vent
vent areas
areas were
were studied
studied in
in relation
relation to
to the
the "hard
"hard Ores"
Ores" but
but the
the fact that
that the
Initially
vents are all hematite suggests they could be the source
source for the
the precursor
precursor hematite
hematite seed
cores have
have
cores that Han identified in low
low metamorphic
metamorphic grade BIF units. These seed cores
been
been identified
identified in
in the
theNegaunee,
Negaunee,Biwabik,
Biwabik, Brockman,
Brockrnan, Sokoman,
Sokoman, Temiscamie
Temiscamie and
and
Kuruman Iron Formations.
Formations.
It is quite
NIF time
time
quite plausible
plausible that
that the
the extensional
extensional phase
phase of
of rifting
rifting ceased
ceased near the end
end of
of NIP
and aa reverse
and
reverse compressional
compressional event
event started
started causing
causing faulting
faulting that
that produced
produced erosional
erosional
material for the basal Goodrich conglomerate.

Reference:
Reference:

Han, T.H.,
T.H., 1988,
1988, Origin
Origin of Magnetite
Magnetite in
in Precambrian
Precambrian Iron
Iron Formations
Formations of
of Low
Low
Metamorphic Grade,
Grade, Proceedings
Proceedings of
of the Seventh
Metamorphic
Seventh Quadrennial
Quadrennial IAGOD
IAGOD Symposium,
Symposium, p.
641-656.
641-656.

84

�High-Resolution Multibeam Bathymetry
Bathymetry in Lake Superior.
Superior.

N.
N. JJ.. Wattrus
Large Lakes
558122
Lakes Observatory,
Observatory,University
Universityof
of Minnesota,
Minnesota,Duluth,
Duluth,MN
MN 5581

Like all large
large lakes,
lakes, the composition and
and shape
shapeof
of the
the lake
lakefloor
floor of
of Lake Superior
reflects the processes that
that shape
shape its
itsformation
formation today as
a s well as in the past.
Maps of
of the
the lake floor
floor made
made with
with traditional
traditional echosounders
echosounders lack the
the resolution
resolution to
to
permit scientists
scientists to
to read
read the
the subtle
subtle"fingerprint"
"fingerprint" of these processes preserved in
the lake-floor. The
The advent
advent of
of modem,
modem, high-resolution
high-resolution multibeam sonar
sonar has
has
revolutionized the
the mapping
mapping of
of the
the sea-floor.
sea-floor.

In a traditional echosounder, the
the
depth
depth to
to the
the lake-floor
lake-floor below the ship
ship
is measured
measured by
by timing
timing how
how long
long it
takes
takes for
for an
a n acoustic
acoustic ping
ping to
to travel
travel to
to
the lake-floor
and back to the ship.
lake-floor and
ship.
longer the
the delay, the
the deeper the
The longer
lake floor is. This type of
of surveying
provides high-resolution bathymetric
information along the trackline
followed
by the
the survey boat. Nothing is
followed by
known about the
the lake
lake floor
floor either side.
side.
High-resolution
multibeams use a fan
High-resolution multibeams
of acoustic beams
100)to
beams (over
(over 100)
measure the
the shape
shapeof
of the
the lake
lake floor
floor
along a "swath".
By sailing
sailing aa series of
"swath". By
overlapping swaths,
swaths, it is
is possible
possible to
to
achieve complete coverage
coverage of the lake
lake
floor aatt high resolution.
Backscatter information
Backscatter
information collected
collected with
the bathymetric data can be used to
create psuedo-sidescan
psuedo-sidescan images
images of
of the
These can
can be
be used
used to map
lakefloor. These
spatial variations in
in the
the composition
composition of
of
the lake
floor.
lake floor.

Examples, drawn from the
the catalog of
of multibeam
multibeam surveys
surveys conducted
conducted by the
Large
Lakes
Observatory,
are
presented.
These
illustrate
the
potential of
Large Lakes Observatory, are presented. These illustrate
of this
this
for mapping
mapping the
the subtle
subtle signal
processes
technology for
signal of past geologic processes
superimposed
superimposed on
on the
the lake
lakefloor.
floor.

85

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                    <text>50TH ANNUAL

INSTITUTE ON LAKE SUPERIOR GEOLOGY
DULUTH, MINNESOTA, MAY 4-9, 2004

�INSTITUTE ON LAKE SUPERIOR GEOLOGY
50TH ANNUAL MEETING
MAY 4-9, 2004
DULUTH, MINNESOTA
HOSTED BY:
STEVEN A. HAUCK AND MARK J. SEVERSON
Co-Chairs
NATURAL RESOURCES RESEARCH INSTITUTE, UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA DULUTH
WITH ASSISTANCE FROM
THE NRRI ECONOMIC GEOLOGY GROUP, MINNESOTA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, AND
THE DEPARTMENT OF GEOLOGICAL SCIENCES, UMD

Volume 50
Part 1 – Proceedings and Abstracts
Compiled and edited by Steven A. Hauck, Dean Peterson, and Julie Oreskovich
Cover Photos: Upper Left – Soudan Iron Formation, 25th Level West, Soudan Underground Mine State
Park, Soudan, MN; Center – ILSG 2003 Quinnesec Mine, WI, Menominee Iron District Field Trip;
Lower Left – Natural Ore Auburn Mine, Eveleth MN, Looking Northwest Along the Auburn Fault.

2

�50TH INSTITUTE ON LAKE SUPERIOR GEOLOGY
VOLUME 50 CONSISTS OF:
PART 1: PROGRAM AND ABSTRACTS
PART 2: FIELD TRIP GUIDEBOOK
TRIP 1: Volcanic Stratigraphy, Hydrothermal Alteration, and VMS Potential of the
Lower Ely Greenstone, Fivemile Lake to Sixmile Lake area.
TRIP 2: Geologic Highlights of New Mapping in the Southwestern Sequence of
the North Shore Volcanic Group and Beaver Bay Complex.
TRIP 3: Late Wisconsinan Superior-lobe Deposits in the Lake Superior Basin
Northeast of Duluth.
TRIP 4: Geology of the Eastern Mesabi Iron Range, Northeastern Minnesota.
TRIP 5: Classic Outcrops of Northeastern Minnesota.
TRIP 6: Glacial and Postglacial Landscape Evolution in the Glacial Lake Aitkin
and Upham Basin, Northern Minnesota.
TRIP 7: Economic Geology of Archean Gold Occurrences in the Vermilion
District, Northeast of Soudan, Minnesota.
TRIP 8: Geology of the Western Contact of the Duluth Complex, Partridge River
and South Kawishiwi Intrusions, Northeastern Minnesota.
Reference to material in Part 1 should follow the example below:
Holm, D.K., Van Schmus, R.W., and Schneider, D.A., 2004, The Influence of Radiometric Dating for
Unraveling the Precambrian Geologic History of the Lake Superior Region [abstract]; Institute on
Lake Superior Geology Proceedings, 50th Annual Meeting, Duluth, MN, v. 50, part 1, p. 80-84.

Published by the 50th Institute on Lake Superior Geology and distributed by the ILSG
Secretary-Treasurer:
Peter Hollings
Lakehead University
Department of Geology
Thunder Bay, ON P7B 5E1
CANADA
peter.hollings@lakeheadu.ca
ILSG website: http://www.lakesuperiorgeology.org
ISSN 1042-9964

3

�CONTENTS
PROCEEDINGS VOLUME 50
PART 1—PROGRAM AND ABSTRACTS
Institutes on Lake Superior Geology, 1955-2004

5

Constitution of the Institute on Lake Superior Geology

7

By-Laws of the Institute on Lake Superior Geology

8

Membership Criteria

9

Goldich Medal Guidelines

10

Goldich Medal Committee

11

Past Goldich Medalists

12

Citation for 2004 Goldich Medal Recipient

13

Eisenbrey Student Travel Awards

14

Student Travel Award Application Form

14

Student Paper Awards

16

Student Paper Awards Committee

16

Session Chairs

16

Board of Directors

17

Local Committees

17

Banquet Speaker

18

Report of the Chair of the 49th Annual Meeting

19

Program

25

List of Contributors

26

Abstracts

37

4

�INSTITUTES ON LAKE SUPERIOR GEOLOGY
#

YEAR

PLACE

CHAIRS

1

1955

Minneapolis, Minnesota

C.E. Dutton

2

1956

Houghton, Michigan

A.K. Snelgrove

3

1957

East Lansing, Michigan

B.T. Sandefur

4

1958

Duluth, Minnesota

R.W. Marsden

5

1959

Minneapolis, Minnesota

G.M. Schwartz &amp; C. Craddock

6

1960

Madison, Wisconsin

E.N. Cameron

7

1961

Port Arthur, Ontario

E.G. Pye

8

1962

Houghton, Michigan

A.K. Snelgrove

9

1963

Duluth, Minnesota

H. Lepp

10

1964

Ishpeming, Michigan

A.T. Broderick

11

1965

St. Paul, Minnesota

P.K. Sims &amp; R.K. Hogberg

12

1966

Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan

R.W. White

13

1967

East Lansing, Michigan

W.J. Hinze

14

1968

Superior, Wisconsin

A.B. Dickas

15

1969

Oshkosh, Wisconsin

G.L. LaBerge

16

1970

Thunder Bay, Ontario

M.W. Bartley &amp; E. Mercy

17

1971

Duluth, Minnesota

D.M. Davidson

18

1972

Houghton, Michigan

J. Kalliokoski

19

1973

Madison, Wisconsin

M.E. Ostrom

20

1974

Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario

P.E. Giblin

21

1975

Marquette, Michigan

J.D. Hughes

22

1976

St. Paul, Minnesota

M. Walton

23

1977

Thunder Bay, Ontario

M.M. Kehlenbeck

24

1978

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

G. Mursky

25

1979

Duluth, Minnesota

D.M. Davidson

26

1980

Eau Claire, Wisconsin

P.E. Myers

27

1981

East Lansing, Michigan

W.C. Cambray

28

1982

International Falls, Minnesota

D.L. Southwick

5

�29

1983

Houghton, Michigan

T.J. Bornhorst

30

1984

Wausau, Wisconsin

G.L. LaBerge

31

1985

Kenora, Ontario

C.E. Blackburn

32

1986

Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin

J.K. Greenberg

33

1987

Wawa, Ontario

E.D. Frey &amp; R.P. Sage

34

1988

Marquette, Michigan

J. S. Klasner

35

1989

Duluth, Minnesota

J.C. Green

36

1990

Thunder Bay, Ontario

M.M. Kehlenbeck

37

1991

Eau Claire, Wisconsin

P.E. Myers

38

1992

Hurley, Wisconsin

A.B. Dickas

39

1993

Eveleth, Minnesota

D.L. Southwick

40

1994

Houghton, Michigan

T.J. Bornhorst

41

1995

Marathon, Ontario

M.C. Smyk

42

1996

Cable, Wisconsin

L.G. Woodruff

43

1997

Sudbury, Ontario

R.P. Sage &amp; W. Meyer

44

1998

Minneapolis, Minnesota

J.D. Miller &amp; M.A. Jirsa

45

1999

Marquette, Michigan

T.J. Bornhorst &amp; R.S. Regis

46

2000

Thunder Bay, Ontario

S.A. Kissin &amp; P. Fralick

47

2001

Madison, Wisconsin

M.G. Mudrey, Jr. &amp; B.A. Brown

48

2002

Kenora, Ontario

P. Hinz &amp; R.C. Beard

49

2003

Iron Mountain, Michigan

L.G. Woodruff &amp; W.F. Cannon

50

2004

Duluth, Minnesota

S.A. Hauck &amp; M.J. Severson

6

�CONSTITUTION OF THE INSTITUTE ON LAKE SUPERIOR GEOLOGY
(Last amended by the Board—May 8, 1997)

Article I
Article II

Article III

Name
The name of the organization shall be the "Institute on Lake
Superior Geology".
Objectives
The objectives of this organization are:
A. To provide a means whereby geologists in the Great Lakes region may exchange ideas
and scientific data.
B. To promote better understanding of the geology of the Lake Superior region.
C. To plan and conduct geological field trips.
Status
No part of the income of the organization shall insure to the benefit of any member or
individual. In the event of dissolution, the assets of the organization shall be distributed to
_________ (some tax free organization).
(To avoid Federal and State income taxes, the organization should be not only "scientific"
or "educational, but also "non-profit")

Article IV

Article V
Article VI

Article VII

Article VIII

Minn. Stat. Anno. 290.01, subd. 4
Minn. Stat. Anno. 290.05(9)
1954 Internal Revenue Code s.501(c)(3)
Membership
The membership of the organization shall consist of persons who have registered for an
annual meeting within the past three years, and those who indicate interest in being a
member according to guidelines approved by the Board of Directors.
Meetings
The organization shall meet once a year. The place and exact date of each meeting will be
designated by the Board of Directors.
Directors
The Board of Directors shall consist of the Chair, Secretary-Treasurer, and the last three
past Chairs; but if the board should at any time consist of fewer than five persons, by reason
of unwillingness or inability of any of the above persons to serve as directors, the vacancies
on the board may be filled by the Chair so as to bring the membership of the board to five
members.
Officers
The officers of this organization shall be a Chair and Secretary-Treasurer.
A. The Chair shall be elected each year by the Board of Directors, who shall give due
consideration to the wishes of any group that may be promoting the next annual meeting.
His/her term of office as Chair will terminate at the close of the annual meeting over which
he/she presides, or when his/her successor shall have been appointed. He/she will then
serve for a period of three years as a member of the Board of Directors.
B. The Secretary-Treasurer shall be elected at the annual meeting. His/her term of office
shall be four years, or until his/her successor shall have been appointed.
Amendments
This constitution may be amended by a majority vote (majority of those voting) of the
membership of the organization.

7

�BY-LAWS OF THE INSTITUTE ON LAKE SUPERIOR GEOLOGY
I. Duties of the Officers and Directors
A. It shall be the duty of the Annual Chairman to:
1. Preside at the annual meeting.
2. Appoint all committees needed for the organization of the annual meeting.
3. Assume complete responsibility for the organization and financing of the annual
meeting over which he/she presides.
B. It shall be the duty of the Secretary-Treasurer to:
1. Keep accurate attendance records of all annual meetings.
2. Keep accurate records of all meetings of, and correspondence between, the Board of
Directors.
3. Hold all funds that may accrue as profits from annual meetings or field trips and to
make these funds available for the organization and operation of future meetings as
required.
C. It shall be the duty of the Board of Directors to plan locations of annual meetings and to
advise on the organization and financing of all meetings.
II. Duties and Expenses
A. Regular membership dues of $5.00 or less on an annual basis shall be assessed each
member as determined by the Board of Directors..
B. Registration fees for the annual meetings shall be determined by the Chair in consultation
with the Board of Directors. The registration fees can include expenses to cover
operations outside of the annual meeting as determined by the Board of Directors. It is
strongly recommended that registration fees be kept at a minimum to encourage
attendance of students.
III. Rules of Order
The rules contained in Robert's Rules of Order shall govern this organization in all cases to
which they are applicable.
IV. Amendments
These by-laws may be amended by a majority vote (majority of those voting) of the
membership of the organization; provided that such modifications shall not conflict with the
constitution as presently adopted or subsequently amended.
Last Amended – May, 1996

8

�MEMBERSHIP CRITERIA FOR THE
INSTITUTE ON LAKE SUPERIOR GEOLOGY
Approved May 8, 1997
A. Membership in the Institute on Lake Superior Geology requires either participation in Institute
activities, or an indication on a regular basis of interest in the Institute. Those individuals registering
for an annual meeting will remain as members for 4 years unless: 1) they indicate no further interest
in the Institute by responding negatively to the statement on meeting circulars "Remove my name
from the mailing list"; or 2) two successive mailings in different years are returned by the postal
service as address unknown.
B. Those individuals who have not registered for an annual meeting in the past 4 years must indicate
an interest in the Institute by postal, electronic, or verbal correspondence with the Secretary-Treasurer
at least once every two years. Such individuals will be removed from the membership if they indicate
no further interest in the Institute or two successive mailing in different years are returned by the
postal service as address unknown.
C. The Secretary-Treasurer will maintain a list of current members. The list will include the date of
the beginning of continuous membership, dates of returned mail, dates of last contact (expression of
interest), and the date membership expires, barring a change of status initiated by the member. Those
individuals who have become members of ILSG by Section B will have an expiration date listed at 2
years from the upcoming meeting. For example, a member who expresses interest in September of
1997 (the next annual meeting is May, 1998) will have an expiration date of May, 2000, unless the
member contacts the Secretary-Treasurer or attends an annual meeting.
D. "Member for Life" status is granted to individuals who have been (nearly) continuous participants
of the ILSG meetings for 15 years, Goldich Medal recipients, or those who have served as meeting
chairs. This status will be further maintained unless the individuals indicate no further interest in the
Institute, or 4 mailings in different years are returned by the postal service as address unknown, or
they are deceased.
E. All members will be mailed the First Circular for the Annual Meeting and the ILSG Newsletter.
The Chair of the annual meeting may opt to send the first circular to additional individuals. All
returned mail should be reported to the Secretary-Treasurer.
F. The Secretary-Treasurer can designate any individual who is on the ILSG membership list
(mailing list) as of January 1, 1997 as a member for life based on participation in ILSG activities.
G. Members are strongly encouraged to send address corrections to the Secretary-Treasurer to avoid
unintentional lapse of membership.

9

�GOLDICH MEDAL GUIDELINES
(Adopted by the Board of Directors, 1981; amended 1999)

Preamble
The Institute on Lake Superior Geology was born in 1955, as documented by the fact that the 27th annual
meeting was held in 1981. The Institute's continuing objectives are to deal with those aspects of geology that
are related geographically to Lake Superior; to encourage the discussion of subjects and sponsoring field trips
that will bring together geologists from academia, government surveys, and industry; and to maintain an
informal but highly effective mode of operation.
During the course of its existence, the membership of the Institute (that is, those geologists who indicate an
interest in the objectives of the ILSG by attending) has become aware of the fact that certain of their colleagues
have made particularly noteworthy and meritorious contributions to the understanding of Lake Superior
geology and mineral deposits.
The first award was made by ILSG to Sam Goldich in 1979 for his many contributions to the geology of the
region extending over about 50 years. Subsequent medallists and this year's recipient are listed in the table
below.
Award Guidelines
1) The medal shall be awarded annually by the ILSG Board of Directors to a geologist whose name is
associated with a substantial interest in, and contribution to, the geology of the Lake Superior region.
2) The Board of Directors shall appoint the Goldich Medal Committee. The initial appointment will be of
three members, one to serve for three years, one for two years, and one for one year. The member with the
briefest incumbency shall be chair of the Nominating Committee. After the first year, the Board of Directors
shall appoint at each spring meeting one new member who will serve for three years. In his/her third year this
member shall be the chair. The Committee membership should reflect the main fields of interest and
geographic distribution of ILSG membership. The out-going, senior member of the Board of Directors shall act
as liaison between the Board and the Committee for a period of one year.
3) By the end of November, the Goldich Medal Committee shall make its recommendation to the Chair of the
Board of Directors, who will then inform the Board of the nominee.
4) The Board of Directors normally will accept the nominee of the Committee, inform the medallist, and have
one medal engraved appropriately for presentation at the next meeting of the Institute.
5) It is recommended that the Institute set aside annually from whatever sources, such funds as will be required
to support the continuing costs of this award.
Nominating Procedures
1) The deadline for nominations is November 1. The Goldich Medal Committee shall take nominations at any
time. Committee members may themselves nominate candidates; however, Board members may not solicit for
or support individual nominees.
2) Nominations must be in writing and supported by appropriate documentation such as letters of
recommendation, lists of publications, curriculum vita's, and evidence of contributions to Lake Superior
geology and to the Institute.
3) Nominations are not restricted to Institute attendees, but are open to anyone who has worked on and
contributed to the understanding of Lake Superior geology.
Selection Guidelines
1) Nominees are to be evaluated on the basis of their contributions to Lake Superior geology (sensu lato)
including:

10

�a)
b)
c)
d)
e)

importance of relevant publications;
promotion of discovery and utilization of natural resources;
contributions to understanding of the natural history and environment of the region;
generation of new ideas and concepts; and
contributions to the training and education of geoscientists and the public.

2) Nominees are to be evaluated on their contributions to the Institute as demonstrated by attendance at
Institute meetings, presentation of talks and posters, and service on Institute boards, committees, and field trips.
3) The relative weights given to each of the foregoing criteria must remain flexible and at the discretion of the
Committee members.
4) There are several points to be considered by the Goldich Medal Committee:
a) An attempt should be made to maintain a balance of medal recipients from each of the three estates—
industry, academia, and government.
b) It must be noted that industry geoscientists are at a disadvantage in that much of their work in not
published.
5) Lake Superior has two sides, one the U.S., and the other Canada. This is undoubtedly one of the Institute's
great strengths and should be nurtured by equitable recognition of excellence in both countries.

GOLDICH MEDAL COMMITTEE
Serving through the meeting year shown in parentheses
George Hudak (2006)
University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh
Ron Sage (2004)
Ontario Geological Survey (retired)
David Meineke (2005)
Meriden Engineering, Hibbing, Minnesota
Steve Kissin, as out-going senior member of Institute Board of Directors, is liaison between Goldich
Medal Committee and the Board through the 2004 meeting

11

�2004 GOLDICH MEDAL RECIPIENT
Paul W. Weiblen
Department of Geology &amp; Geophysics
University of Minnesota, Minneapolis

GOLDICH MEDALISTS
1979 Samuel S. Goldich

1992 William F. Cannon

1980 not awarded

1993 Donald W. Davis

1981 Carl E. Dutton, Jr.

1994 Cedric Iverson

1982 Ralph W. Marsden

1995 Gene LaBerge

1983 Burton Boyum

1996 David L. Southwick

1984 Richard W. Ojakangas

1997 Ronald P. Sage

1985 Paul K. Sims

1998 Zell Peterman

1986 G.B. Morey

1999 Tsu-Ming Han

1987 Henry H. Halls

2000 John C. Green

1988 Walter S. White

2001 John S. Klasner

1989 Jorma Kalliokoski

2002 Ernest K. Lehmann

1990 Kenneth C. Card

2003 Klaus J. Schultz

1991 William Hinze

2004 Paul W. Weiblen

12

�Citation
Paul W. Weiblen
2004 Goldich Medal Recipient
Paul W. Weiblen, or P.W., has been a friend and professional colleague for more than
40 years. We have worked together on more projects than I can remember since P.K. Sims
selected us to help implement his programs at the Minnesota Geological Survey in the early
1960s. Therefore, it is my distinct honor and privilege to serve as P.W.’s citationist for the
2004 Goldich Medal.
P.W. was born and raised in Miller, South Dakota, and after graduation from high
school in 1945, he entered the U.S. Army. In the summer of 1945, World War II had ended
in Europe, but we were still in combat with Japan. Luckily, before P.W. finished training,
the war ended, and he was sent to Germany. After military service P.W. returned to college
and earned a B.A. degree at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa (1950), and an M.A. in
History at the University of Minnesota (1952).
P.W. came into geology in sort of a roundabout way. Apparently, he was in Istanbul
working as an agent for American Express when he met a geologist who exposed him to the
wonders of the profession. Consequently, he returned to the University of Minnesota in
1959, received an M.S. degree (1962) and Ph.D. degree (1965). He stayed at the University
in the Geology and Geophysics Department as an Assistant Professor (1965), Associate
Professor (1969), Professor (1980), and Professor Emeritus (1997). He was hired
specifically to organize and supervise the Department’s Electron Microprobe Laboratory
(1965-1980). In the 1960s, electron microprobes were at the cutting edge of modern
research, and this facility was one of the first in the country. Along the way he served as
Curator of the petrology collection (1970-1997) and supervisor of the scanning electron
microscope facility (1970-1997). He took a year off from the University to work at NASA
Headquarters in Washington, D.C., and served as Director of the University’s Space Science
Center (1985-1990).
As an academic, P.W. served on an array of academic, professional, and service
committees. That service included the Board of Directors of the Campus Club (1994-1996)
and its President (1996-1997). He regularly taught courses in physical geology, igneous and
metamorphic petrology, optical mineralogy/electron microprobe techniques, and numerous
seminars covering all kinds of geologic topics. He served as mentor for 10 Ph.D. theses—by
students including M.G. Mudrey, Jr., K.J. Schulz, R.W. Copper, R. Bauer, W. Day, J.D.
Miller, Jr., S.W. Nicholson, and B. Saini-Eidukat—and 13 master’s theses.
P.W. was first and foremost an igneous petrologist with eclectic interests, and he
could generate ideas faster than anyone I know, which he was always willing to share. Much
of the research that I have received credit over the years started out in P.W.’s brain as a
throwaway. Unlike many research geologists today who focus on one narrow topic, P.W.
concentrated on five separate research topics over much of his career. One subject included
activities that focused primarily on the petrogenesis of the Midcontinent Rift System,
especially the Duluth Complex. A second subject focused on the origin of copper- and
nickel-sulfide mineralization in the Duluth Complex, especially as it relates to metal

13

�recovery from these possible ores. A third topic revolved around the origin of Archean
greenstones in northern Minnesota and the high-grade gneisses in the Minnesota River
Valley. A fourth subject, which he researched with Ed Roedder of the U.S. Geological
Survey, focused on petrologic and geochemical attributes of melt inclusions in lunar samples
obtained on various Apollo missions. Lastly, P.W. has been active in research to improve
quantitative chemical analyses using electron beam techniques. Lately P.W. has delved into
high-voltage electrical pulse methods for disaggregating rocks to produce clean mineral
separates.
All of these activities produced well over 100 publications including many presented
here at the Institute. All are marked by the careful use of data, acquired both in the field and
in the laboratory, and a strong intellectual component. Some of his contributions have been
controversial, but they have always made us think. That thinking has led us to a better
understanding of geologic processes, and for us in the Institute, a better understanding of
early earth history in the Lake Superior region.
Before I close, I would like to say a few words about P.W. the man. You never really
know a person until you have to live with them in a tent camp after five days of rain. P.W.
was always an easy-going, personable, considerate guy who was a pleasure to be around. I
would go into the bush with him any day. It is my distinct honor to present to the Institute,
Paul W. Weiblen as its 2004 recipient of the Goldich Medal for “Outstanding contributions
to the geology of the Lake Superior region”.
Submitted by G. B. Morey
April 2004

14

�EISENBREY STUDENT TRAVEL AWARDS
The 1986 Board of Directors established the ILSG Student Travel Awards to support student
participation at the annual meeting of the Institute. The name "Eisenbrey" was added to the award in
1998 to honor Edward H. Eisenbrey (1926-1985) and utilize substantial contributions made to the 1996
Institute meeting in his name. "Ned" Eisenbrey is credited with discovery of significant volcanogenic
massive sulfide deposits in Wisconsin, but his scope was much broader—he has been described as having
unique talents as an ore finder, geologist, and teacher. These awards are intended to help defray some of
the direct travel costs of attending Institute meetings, and include a waiver of registration fees, but
exclude expenses for meals, lodging, and field trip registration. The annual Chair in consultation with the
Secretary-Treasurer determines the number of awards and value. Recipients will be announced at the
annual banquet.
The annual Chair, who is responsible for the selection, will consider the following general criteria:
1) The applicants must have active resident (undergraduate or graduate) student status at the time of the
annual meeting of the Institute, certified by the department head.
2) Students who are the senior author on either an oral or poster paper will be given favored
consideration.
3) It is desirable for two or more students to jointly request travel assistance.
4) In general, priority will be given to those in the Institute region who are farthest away from the
meeting location.
5) Each travel award request shall be made in writing to the annual Chair, and should explain need,
student and author status, and other significant details. The form below is optional.
Successful applicants will receive their awards during the meeting.

I NSTITUTE ONLAKE SUPERIOR GEOLOGY
Eisenbrey Student Travel Award Application
Student Name:

Date:

Address:

email:
Department Head-Typed
Department Head-Signature

Educational Status:
Are you the senior author of an oral or poster paper? YES
Will any other students be traveling with you?

NO
Who?

Statement of need (use additional page if necessary)

Please return to:

15

�STUDENT PAPER AWARDS
Each year, the Institute selects the best of the student presentations and honors presenters with a
monetary award. Funding for the award is generated from registrations of the annual meeting. The
Student Paper Committee is appointed by the annual meeting Chair in such a manner as to represent a
broad range of professional and geologic expertise. Criteria for best student paper—last modified by
the Board in 2001—follow:
1) The contribution must be demonstrably the work of the student.
2) The student must present the contribution in-person.
3) The Student Paper Committee shall decide how many awards to grant, and whether or not to give
separate awards for poster vs. oral presentations.
4) In cases of multiple student authors, the award will be made to the senior author, or the award will
be shared equally by all authors of the contribution.
5) The total amount of the awards is left to the discretion of the meeting Chair and SecretaryTreasurer, but typically is in the amount of about $500 US (increase approved by Board, 10/01).
6) The Secretary-Treasurer maintains, and will supply to the Committee, a form for the numerical
ranking of presentations. This form was created and modified by Student Paper Committees over
several years in an effort to reduce the difficulties that may arise from selection by raters of diverse
background. The use of the form is not required, but is left to the discretion of the Committee.
7) The names of award recipients shall be included as part of the annual Chair's report that appears in
the next volume of the Institute.
Student papers will be noted on the Program.

2004 Student Paper Awards Committee
Glenn Adams (Chair) – Doe Run Company, Viburnum, MO
Angelique Magee – Ontario geological Survey, Thunder Bay, ONT
Jim Small – Edward Kraemer and Sons, Burnsville, MN
2004 Session Chairs
David Dahl – MN Dept. of Natural Res., Lands &amp; Minerals Div., Hibbing, MN
Jayne Englebert – MSA Professional Services, Baraboo, WI
Sidney Hemming – Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Palisade, NY
Douglas Hunter – Wallbridge Mining Company, Lively, Ont.
Jill Peterman – Wisconsin Department of Transportation, Superior, WI
Mark Smyk – Ontario Geological Survey, Thunder Bay, Ont.
Wanda Taylor – University of Nevada at Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV
Scott Wolter – American Petrographics Service Company, St. Paul, MN

16

�2003 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Board appointment continues through the close of the meeting year shown in parentheses, or until a successor
is selected
Steven A. Hauck Co-Chair 2004 Meeting (2007)
Natural Resources Research Institute, University of Minnesota Duluth, Duluth, MN
Laurel Woodruff (2006)
U.S. Geological Survey, St. Paul, MN
Peter Hinz (2005)
Ontario Geological Survey, Kenora, ONT
Michael G. Mudrey, Jr. (2004)
Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey, Madison, WI
Peter Hollings-Secretary-Treasurer (2006)
Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, ONT

2004 LOCAL COMMITTEES
General Co-Chairs
Steven A. Hauck – Natural Resources Research Institute, Univ. Minn. Duluth
Mark J. Severson – Natural Resources Research Institute, Univ. Minn. Duluth

Program and Abstracts Editors
Steven A. Hauck -- Natural Resources Research Institute, Univ. Minn. Duluth
Dean Peterson -- Natural Resources Research Institute, Univ. Minn. Duluth
Julie Oreskovich -- Natural Resources Research Institute, Univ. Minn. Duluth
Field Trip Guidebook Editor
Mark J. Severson – Natural Resources Research Institute, Univ. Minn. Duluth
.
Acting Local Committee, Duluth, MN
Barbara Hauck – Duluth, MN
John Heine – Natural Resources Research Institute, University of Minnesota Duluth
Julie Heinz – Natural Resources Research Institute, University of Minnesota Duluth
Charles Matsch - Department of Geological Sciences, University of Minnesota Duluth
James D. Miller, Jr. – Minnesota Geological Survey, Duluth, MN
Penny Morton – Department of Geological Sciences, University of Minnesota Duluth
Julie Oreskovich - Natural Resources Research Institute, University of Minnesota Duluth
Richard Patelke - Natural Resources Research Institute, University of Minnesota Duluth
Dean M. Peterson - Natural Resources Research Institute, University of Minnesota Duluth
Lawrence M. Zanko - Natural Resources Research Institute, University of Minnesota Duluth

17

�2004 BANQUET SPEAKER
R. H. Dott, Jr.
Department of Geology &amp; Geophysics
University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706
THE VAN HISE ARMY AND OTHER PIONEERS
OF LAKE SUPERIOR GEOLOGY

18

�Report of the Chair of the 49th Annual Meeting
REPORT OF THE 49TH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE
INSTITUTE ON LAKE SUPERIOR GEOLOGY
Iron Mountain, Michigan
The U.S. Geological Survey, with assistance from Michigan Technological University,
hosted the 49th Annual Institute on Lake Superior Geology on May 7 – 11, 2003 at the Pine
Mountain Resort in Iron Mountain, Michigan. The meeting consisted of two days of
technical sessions with two pre- and two post-technical session field trips. John Gartner and
Ted Bornhorst provided pre-meeting assistance. Sally LaBerge, Gretchen Klasner, and
Suzanne Nicholson provided valuable logistical assistance on-site at Pine Mountain. Connie
Dicken was media czar for the technical sessions, keeping all presentations on track while
ignoring all needless advice. Pre-meeting registration was 104 students and professionals
with an additional 61 on-site registrations, for a total of 165 registrants.
Proceedings Volume 49 was published in two parts. Part I – Program and Abstracts, edited
by Laurel Woodruff and Ted Bornhorst – the volume contains 45 published abstracts, for 33
oral and 12 poster presentations; and Part 2 – Field Trip Guidebook, edited by William
Cannon, with assistance from Connie Dicken and Stacy Saari.
The 49th meeting marked the first time in its history that an ILSG meeting was held in this
part of Michigan. Field trips visited areas new to the ILSG, which may have resulted in the
excellent subscription for all the trips. On Wednesday, May 7, Bill Cannon and staff from
Cleveland Cliffs Mining lead a field trip to the Republic Mine, where the life cycle of the
deposit, from ore genesis to mining and restoration, was covered. Three other field trips
were developed to examine exposures along and on both sides of the Niagara suture zone, a
major structural and geologic feature that marks the boundary between the Superior craton
and the Wisconsin magmatic terranes. Klaus Schulz and Gene LaBerge lead the Wednesday
field trip to the Wisconsin magmatic terrane on the southern side of the suture zone. On
Saturday and Sunday, May 10 and 11, Bill Cannon, Gene LaBerge, John Klasner, and Dick
Ojakangas were co-leaders for successive field trips through the Menominee Iron District
(Saturday) and the Iron River – Crystal Falls area (Sunday). The Field Trip Guidebook for
these three trips drew on previous studies in the area and the more than 100 cumulative years
of Lake Superior geology expertise of the field trip leaders to provide a comprehensive and
definitive compilation of the Paleoproterozoic stratigraphy and structure of the Niagara
suture zone in this part of Michigan and Wisconsin.
One hundred and twenty participants attended the banquet on Thursday night. This year’s
banquet speaker was Susan Martin of Michigan Technological University. Dr. Martin is a
professor of industrial archeology at Michigan Technological University and the author of
the book Wonderful Power: The Story of Ancient Copper Working in the Lake Superior
Basin. The title of Dr. Martin’s post-banquet talk was: The indigenous people of the Lake
Superior Basin: understanding the links among environment, geology, and religious belief.
As always, a highlight of the banquet was the presentation of the 2003 Goldich medal to
Klaus Schulz of the U.S. Geological Survey, recognizing his long and productive career as a
geologist in the Lake Superior region.

19

�The technical session began with three invited presentations. The first was by Harold
Bernhardt of the Menominee Range Historical Foundation Museum on the mining history of
the Menominee Iron Range. The following two talks, by Bill Cannon and Klaus Schulz,
were on the Paleoproterozic rocks of the Niagara suture zone, established the context for the
three field trips on that topic. The student paper committee had a difficult job this year.
Twenty of the presentations in the technical sessions were from students – 15 oral and 5
posters. In the end, three awards were given: Best Student Paper ($300) went to Karoun
Charkoudian (University of Wisconsin-Madison) for her talk titled: Strike-slip separation of
the Burntside trondhjemite and the Wakemup Bay tonalite, Northern Minnesota. In
recognition of the large number of excellent student presentations, two additional students
were chosen for Honorable Mention ($100 each) - Amy Garbowicz (Lawrence University)
and Stephanie Hocker (University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh). The Student Paper Award fund
was supplemented by silent auction of an original volume of the classic Butler and Burbank
USGS Professional Paper 144 on Copper Deposits of Michigan. Eisenbrey Student Travel
Grants were given to 15 students: Greg Joslin and Phillip Larson – University of Minnesota,
Duluth; Merida Keatts and Mary McKenzie – Kent State; John Marma and Karoun
Charkoudian, – University of Wisconsin, Madison; Amy Garbowicz – Lawrence University;
Daniela Vallini – University of Western Australia; Stephanie Hocker – University of
Wisconsin-Oshkosh; and Becky Rogola, Geoff Heggie, Justin Johnson, Riku Metsaranta,
Eric Potter and Adam Richardson, all from Lakehead University. All awards were presented
at the conclusion of the technical sessions.
The Institute’s Board of Directors met on May 8, 2003 and a brief overview of the meeting is
provided below:
1. Accepted the Report of the Chair for the 48th ILSG from Peter Hinz and minutes of last
Board meeting, May 14, 2002 from ILSG secretary-treasurer, Mark Jirsa.
2. Accepted the 2002-2003 ILSG Financial Summary from Mark Jirsa.
3. Approved one co-chair from the 49th meeting, Laurel Woodruff, as on-going board
member.
4. Nominated George Hudak of the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh to replace Frank
Luther on the Goldich Committee, a position that George later graciously accepted.
5. Approved Duluth, Minnesota as the location for the 2004 (50th annual) ILSG and cochairs Steve Hauck and Mark Severson.
6. Discussed the transition of the Secretary Treasurer position from Mark Jirsa to Peter
Hollings and accepted a proposal that both be appointed co-treasurers during the
transition period.
7. Discussed the transition and evolution of the ILSG webpage and procedures required to
move the ILSG into the electronic era.
th
8. Discussed possible activities related to 50 meeting to commemorate the longevity and
impact of the ILSG.
The 49th ILSG meeting was a great success and we wish to thank all the people who
contributed to that success. The staff of Pine Mountain was professional and responsive to
the needs of a large group. Kleiman Pump and Well Drilling, Iron Mountain, MI, Prime
Meridian Resources, Ltd., Fond du Lac, WI, and Coleman Engineering Co., Iron Mountain,
MI provided generous monetary contributions. The field trips this year had a large number of
participants, and thanks are due to field trip leaders, van drivers, and everyone else who
stepped up when needed to drive, hand out lunches, unlock gates, or keep the crowds

20

�moving. As always, everyone who attended the 49th ILSG was willing to help as necessary or
adapt to any situation that developed. The meeting this year was well attended and we are
heartened by the excellent student participation and attendance, a trend we hope continues.
Because of the outstanding response to the meeting and field trips, the 49th ILSG generated
several thousand dollars for the ILSG general fund.
We both are very happy with the outcome of the 49th meeting and hope that others think it
was a success. An ILSG meeting requires a lot of work and time for all involved, but the
assistance of the larger ILSG community makes the job of the co-chairs almost bearable, and
we encourage others to take on the task.
Laurel Woodruff and Bill Cannon
Co-Chairs, 49

21

�INSTITUTE ON LAKE SUPERIOR GEOLOGY
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
49th Annual Institute Meeting
Thursday, May 8, 2003
Iron Mountain, Michigan
Board of Directors
Laurel Woodruff (2003 General Chair)
William Cannon (2003 Co-chair)
Peter Hinz (2002 Co-chair)
Michael Mudrey (2001 Co-chair)
Steve Kissin (2000 Co-chair)
Peter Hollings (Institute Secretary-Treasurer)
Guests
Mark Jirsa (Emeritus Institute Secretary-Treasurer)
Steve Hauck (proposed 2004 Co-chair)
Mark Severson (proposed 2004 Co-chair)
Ted Bornhorst (Communications Coordinator)
Ron Sage (Goldich Committee)
Frank Luther (Goldich Committee-outgoing member)
The following is based on the secretaries' notes and recollection; any omissions or misstatements are
unintentional. Motions by the Board of Directors are generally paraphrased—"approved" or
"accepted" implying that a motion was made, seconded, and passed unanimously. The expression
"generally agreed" carries less formality, but indicates a directive that will be pursued. Some issues that
were resolved after the Board meeting, but during the conference are included here for closure.
MINUTES
1. Peter Hinz presented his report on the 48th meeting and stressed the importance of ensuring that
the audiovisual component of the sessions runs smoothly. Hinz remarked that the folder of
advice to meeting chairs has been replaced by an electronic version, which Woodruff agreed to
forward to the next Chairs. Jirsa noted that the full minutes of the Board of Directors Meeting is
not normally published in the Proceeding Volume. Accepted report of the Chairs for the 48th
ILSG, Kenora, Ontario; as printed in the Proceeding Volume (Hinz), and minutes of last Board
meeting, May 14, 2002 (Jirsa).
9. Received, discussed, and accepted 2002-2003 ILSG Financial Summary (Jirsa). Bornhorst agreed
to close the ILSG Michigan accounts this year.
10. Approved Laurel Woodruff as on-going board member
11. Discussed replacing Frank Luther as “academic member” on Goldich Committee (end of term
2003). George Hudak of the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh was proposed and accepted by the
Board. George later accepted the position and was welcomed.
12. Discussed and approved 2004 (50th annual) meeting location—Duluth, Minnesota, and co-chairs
Steve Hauck and Mark Severson. Hauck and Severson presented a list of seven potential field
trips proposed for the meeting. Bornhorst advised the co-chairs to keep field trips close to home
in order to avoid impacting upon future meetings.
13. Discussed the transition of the Secretary Treasurer position from Jirsa to Hollings. Distribution of
publications to be transferred to Hollings this year with transfer of the Archives and funds at the
50th Annual Meeting. Hollings to open Canadian bank accounts and arrange non-profit status for
ILSG in Canada. Accepted a proposal that Jirsa and Hollings be appointed co-treasurers during
the transition period.

22

�14. Discussed the transition of Webmaster from Bornhorst to Mudrey. It was agreed that the website
would be moved from Michigan Tech to a commercial ISP with Mudrey and Bornhorst to
coordinate the transition
15. Discussed and accepted transition from a paper to an electronic newsletter. Mudrey suggested
establishing an Email list and agreed to moderate this. Woodruff, Jirsa, Mudrey and Hollings to
form a committee to investigate the possibility of making the proceedings volumes available online. Committee to report to the board at the 50th annual meeting.
16. Discussed and agreed that long service pins are created for members who have been involved
with the Institute for more than 15 years. Woodruff has the attendance lists and will pursue for
presentation at the 50th annual meeting.
17. Other business
a. Bill Cannon proposed a compilation of 50 years of ILSG photos. This would be prepared
as a CD to coincide with the 50th annual meeting. Cannon will be assisted by Gene
LaBarge. A request for photographs was presented to the membership at the banquet.
b. It was requested by Luther that GPS locations of outcrops be included in future field
guides
c. Mark Smyk and Pete Hollings offered to organize 51st Annual meeting in Nipigon,
Ontario in 2005, to coincide with the culmination of new geoscience initiatives in the
region.
Adjournment
Respectfully submitted on May 13, 2003 to Laurel Woodruff, Co-chair of the 49th annual meeting, for
incorporation into the Report of the Chair to appear in Proceedings Volume 50.
Pete Hollings and Mark Jirsa
Secretary-Treasurer, Institute on Lake Superior Geology
2003 Best Student Paper Awards
Best Student Paper ($300):
Karoun Charkoudian, University of Wisconsin, Madison; for her presentation co-authored with
Basil Tikoff; Strike-slip separation of the Burntside trondhjemite and the Wakemup Bay
tonalite, northern Minnesota.
Honorable Mentions ($150 each):
Amy Garbowicz, Lawrence University, Appleton, Wisconsin; for her presentation co-authored
with Marcia Bjornerud; Paleostress inferences from fault slip vectors in the eastern part
of the Wisconsin segment of the Midcontinent Rift.
Stephanie Hocker, University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh; for her poster co-authored with G.
Hudak, J. Odette, and T. Newkirk; Chemistry of alteration mineral phases at the Fivemile
Lake volcanic-hosted massive sulfide prospect, northeastern Minnesota.
2003 Eisenbrey Student Travel Awards
1) Geoff Heggie, Lakehead University ($100)
2) Adam Richardson, Lakehead University ($100)
3) Justin Johnson, Lakehead University ($100)
4) Becky Rogala, Lakehead University ($100)
5) Eric Potter, Lakehead University ($100)
6) Riku Metsaranta, Lakehead University ($100)
7) Greg Joslin, University of Minnesota, Duluth ($100)
8) Phillip Larson, University of Minnesota, Duluth ($100)
9) Merida Keatts, Kent State, Ohio ($100)
10) Mary McKenzie, Kent State, Ohio ($100)
11) John Marma, University of Wisconsin, Madison ($100)
12) Karoun Charkoudian, University of Wisconsin, Madison ($100)

23

�13) Amy Garbowicz, Lawrence University, Appleton, Wisconsin ($100)
14) Stephanie Hocker, University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh ($100)
15) Daniela Vallini, University of Western Australia ($200)

2004 Goldich Medal Recipient
Paul W. Weiblen, Department of Geology &amp; Geophysics, University of Minnesota
MTU Archives Donation
Proceedings including Part 1 (Programs and Abstracts) and Part 2 (Field Trip Guidebook) are
available from the Institute:
Institute on Lake Superior Geology
c/o Mark Jirsa, Secretary - Treasurer
Minnesota Geological Survey
2642 University Avenue
St. Paul MN 55114-1057
Phone: 612.627.4539 Fax: 612.627.4778
e-mail: jirsa001@tc.umn.edu

24

�PROGRAM

25

�The following companies made generous contributions to the 50th Annual
Meeting. We thank them for their commitment to the Institute on Lake
Superior Geology. For 50 years this organization has thrived through the
sustained interests of individuals, corporations, universities, and government
agencies in the international geologic community. This dedication to an
exchange of scientific ideas and a passion for field trips (even in driving rain
or snow) has enabled the ILSG to fulfill one of its primary objectives: to
promote better understanding of the geology in the Lake Superior region.

Franconia Minerals Corporation, Spokane, WA
Idea Drilling Incorporated, Virginia, MN
Iron Mining Association, Duluth, MN
Lehmann Exploration Management, Minneapolis, MN
Meriden Engineering, LLC, Hibbing, MN
Minerals Processing Corporation, Duluth, MN
Minnesota Exploration Association (MExA), Minneapolis, MN
Minnesota Minerals Coordinating Committee, St. Paul, MN
Teck Cominco American Incorporated, Spokane, WA
Wallbridge Mining Company, Lively, ONT

26

�Tuesday May 4, 2004
7:30 a.m. Field Trip 1: Volcanic stratigraphy, hydrothermal alteration, and VMS potential
of the lower Ely Greenstone, Fivemile Lake to Sixmile Lake area.
Field Trip Leaders: George Hudak (UWO), John Heine (NRRI), Mark Jirsa (MGS), Dean
Peterson (NRRI).
6:00 p.m.

Overnight in Tower, MN at Fortune Bay Casino.

8:00 a.m. Field Trip 2: Geologic Highlights of New Mapping in the Southwestern
Sequence of the North Shore Volcanic Group and Beaver Bay Complex.
Field Trip Leaders: Terry Boerboom (MGS), Jim Miller (MGS), and John Green (UMD –
Dept. of Geol. Sci.).
6:00 p.m.

Overnight in Duluth on your own.
Wednesday May 5, 2004

8:00 a.m. Field Trip 2: Geologic Highlights of New Mapping in the Southwestern
Sequence of the North Shore Volcanic Group and Beaver Bay Complex.
Field Trip Leaders: Terry Boerboom (MGS), Jim Miller (MGS), and John Green (UMD –
Dept. of Geol. Sci.).
8:00 a.m. Field Trip 3: Late Wisconsinan Superior-lobe Deposits in the Lake Superior
Basin Northeast of Duluth.
Field Trip Leader: H. Hobbs (MGS).
8:00 a.m. Field Trip 4: Geology of the Eastern Mesabi Iron Range, Northeastern
Minnesota.
Field Trip Leaders: R. Ojakangas (UMD – Dept. of Geol. Sci.), M. Severson (NRRI), P.
Jongewaard (United Taconite), D. Halverson (Northshore mining), J. Arola (Inland), J. Evers
(Cliffs-Services).
6:00 p.m. - Return of Trips 1, 2, 3, and 4
4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Registration
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Ice Breaker Social and Poster Setup

27

�Thursday May 6, 2004
7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. REGISTRATION
8:00 a.m. – 8:05 a.m.

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS
Steven A. Hauck and Mark J. Severson, Co-Chairs
SPECIAL TECHNICAL SESSION I

The History of Geologic Investigations in the Lake Superior Region
Session Chairs: Mark Smyk, Ontario Geological Survey, Thunder Bay, ONT
Sidney Hemming, Lamont-Doherty Lab., Columbia Univ., NY
8:05 a.m. – Old Prospector
“Gold is Where You Find It! So Is Ag and Cu and Fe!”
The OLD PROSPECTOR: Gold Rushes and Mineral Prospecting, 1848 to 1900 in
Western North America and The Lake Superior Region
8:35 a.m. – Johnson, A.M.
Douglass Houghton’s 1840 Field Excursion to Lake Superior
8:55 a.m. – Miller, J.D., Jr.
N.H. Winchell's Study of the Keweenawan Supergroup Rocks of Northeastern
Minnesota, 1872-1900
9:15 a.m. – Smyk, M.C., and Magee, A.
Silver Threads and Golden Needles: Geological Milestones in Northwestern Ontario
9:35 a.m. – Holm, D.K., Van Schmus, R.W., and Schneider, D.A.
The Influence of Radiometric Dating for Unraveling the Precambrian Geologic History
of the Lake Superior Region
9:55 a.m. - 10:20 a.m.

COFFEE BREAK AND POSTER SESSION

10:20 a.m. – Chandler, V.W., Boerboom, T.J., and Jirsa, M.A.
Promontory Tectonics of the Penokean Orogen in Minnesota: A Gravity and Magnetic
Perspective
10:40 a.m. – Medaris, G., Jr., and Singer, B.
Geochronology of Precambrian Rocks in Central Wisconsin: A Review and New
40
Ar/ 39Ar Analyses
11:00 a.m. – Southwick, D.L.
Late Paleoproterozoic Rhyolite-Quartzite Sequences in the Southwestern U.S.:
Speculative Relationship to Rocks of the Baraboo Interval
11:20 a.m. – Ormand, C.J., and Czeck, D.M.
Three-Dimensional Geometry and Strain of the Baraboo Syncline: Kinematic
Implications

28

�11:40 a.m. – Fralick, P., and Pufahl, P.K.
Oxygenation of the Archean Hydrosphere: Evidence from the Eagle Island Deltaic
Complex
12:00 p.m. – 1:10 p.m.–LUNCH BREAK – POSTER SESSION and ILSG BOARD MEETING
(by invitation)
TECHNICAL SESSION II
Session Chairs: Jill Peterman, Wisconsin Department of Transportation, Superior, WI
Dave Dahl, MN Dept. Natural Resources, Lands &amp; Minerals Div., Hibbing, MN
1:10 p.m. – Metsaranta, R.T.*, and Fralick, P.W.
Geochemistry and Petrography of Altered Basement Rocks Underlying the Middle
Proterozoic Sibley Group
1:30 p.m. – Heggie, G.*, and Hollings, P.
Multiple Intrusive Stages Associated with Keweenawan Rifting: The Leckie Stock,
Seagull Intrusion, and Nipigon Sill.
1:50 p.m. – Richardson, A.*, and Hollings, P.
A Geochemical Study of the Sills of the Nipigon Basin, Ontario
2:10 p.m. – Boerboom, T.J.
Newly Recognized Diatreme Breccia Dikes on Lake Superior Near Two Harbors,
Minnesota
2:30 p.m. – 2:55 p.m.

COFFEE BREAK AND POSTER SESSION

2:55 p.m. – Hollings, P.
Trace Element Geochemistry of the Osler Group Volcanics – Implications for
Mid-Continent Rifting
3:15 p.m. – Hart, T.R.
Geochemistry of the Proterozoic Intrusive Rocks of the Nipigon Embayment
3:35 p.m. – MacDonald, C.A. and Tremblay, E.
Lake Nipigon Region Geoscience Initiative: Results of Bedrock Mapping in the Northern
Part of the Western Nipigon Embayment, Northwestern Ontario, Canada
3:55 p.m. – Schneider, R.V.
Depth Migration of Seismic Reflection Data: An Example for Lake Superior Studies

Ballroom Must Be Empty by 4:30 p.m. for Banquet Setup.
6:00 p.m. ICE BREAKER – MIXER – CASH BAR
7:00 p.m. ANNUAL BANQUET AND AWARD PRESENTATION
•
•
•

Announcement of 51st Annual Meeting Location
2004 Goldich Award Presentation to Paul Weiblen
2004 Banquet Address

Meeting participants who are not registered for the banquet are welcome to attend the banquet address.

29

�Friday May 7, 2004
8:00 a.m. – 8:05 a.m.

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS
Steven A. Hauck and Mark J. Severson, Co-Chairs
TECHNICAL SESSION III

Session Chairs: Jayne Englebert, MSA Professional Services, Baraboo, WI
Douglas Hunter, Wallbridge Mining Company, Lively, Ontario, Canada
8:05 a.m. – Johnson, J.R.,* Hollings, P., and Kissin, S.
Regional Geochemistry Surrounding the Norton Lake Cu-Ni-PGE Deposit, Uchi
Subprovince, Ontario
8:25 a.m. – Rossell, D.M., and Coombes, S.
The Geology of the Eagle Nickel-Copper Deposit: Marquette County, Michigan
8:45 a.m. – Mahin, R.A., Quigley, T.O., and Lynott, J.S.
The Discovery and Geology of the L-K Massive Sulfide Deposit, Menominee County, MI
9:05 a.m. – Bornhorst, T.J., and Robinson, G.W.
Precambrian Aged Supergene Alteration of Native Copper Deposits in the Keweenaw
Peninsula, Michigan
9:25 a.m. – Severson, M.J., and Hauck, S.A.
Whatever Happened to Those Cu-Ni Deposits?
9:45 a.m. – Shafer, P.L.,* and Ripley, E.M.
Hydrogen Stable Isotopic Evidence for Hydrothermal Alteration and PGE
Concentration Involving Meteoric Water in the Birch Lake Area, Duluth Complex, MN
10:05 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

COFFEE BREAK AND POSTER SESSION

10:30 a.m. – Hudak, G.J., Newkirk, T.T., Drexler, H., Odette, J.D., and Hocker, S.M.
Neoarchean Peperites in the Vicinity of Fivemile Lake, Vermilion District, NE
Minnesota
10:50 a.m. – Han, T.-M.
Effect of Mineralogy on Processing of Low Grade Iron Ores From the Negaunee IronFormation on Marquette Range of the Lake Superior District
11:10 a.m. – Fosnacht, D., Iwasaki, I., and Bleifuss, R.
Iron Nodule Research at the Natural Resources Research Institute, UMD
11:30 a.m. – Zanko, L.M., Oreskovich, J.A., and Niles, H.B.
Taconite Aggregate Potential of Coarse Tailings from the Biwabik Iron Formation, With
an Emphasis on Geology, Mineralogy, and Microscopy
11:50 a.m. – Larson, P.C.,
Regional Till Sampling in the Vermilion Greenstone Belt, Minnesota: Preliminary
Results and Interpretations

30

�12:10 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

LUNCH BREAK – POSTERS REMOVED AFTER LUNCH
SPECIAL TECHNICAL SESSION IV

Department of Geological Sciences, University of Minnesota Duluth
Fifty Years of Geological Contributions to Lake Superior Geology and Other Geological
Areas
1:00 p.m. – Introductory Remarks on 50 years of Geology at University of Minnesota, Duluth:
Penny Morton
Session Chairs: Scott Wolter, American Petrographics Service Company, St. Paul, MN
Wanda Taylor, University of Nevada at Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV
1:05 p.m. – Ojakangas, R.W., and Ojakangas, G.W.
Deposition of Paleoproterozoic Siliciclastics and Iron-Formation in a Tidally Influenced
Shelf Environment, Animikie Basin, Lake Superior Region
1:25 p.m. – Breckenridge, A.*
The Lake Superior Varve Stratigraphy and Implications for Eastern Lake Agassiz
14
Outflow From 10,700 to 8,900 YBP (9.5-8.0 C KA)
1:45 p.m. – Syverson, K.M.
Origin of Pre-Wisconsinan Glacial Units in Northern Wisconsin Based on Lithologic
Characteristics
2:05 p.m. – Jirsa, M.A.
Mapping by the Minnesota Geological Survey in Support of Land-use and Water
Planning on the Mesabi Iron Range
2:25 p.m. – Brown, T.R.
Recent Geophysical and Geochemical Applications to Exploration Activities in
Cripple Creek Mining District, Colorado
2:45 p.m. – 3:10 p.m.
3:10 p.m.

the

COFFEE BREAK AND POSTER SESSION

Student Paper and Travel Awards

3:20 p.m. – Vervoort, J.D., and Wirth, K.R.
Origin of the Rhyolites and Granophyres of the Midcontinent Rift, Northeast Minnesota
3:40 p.m. – Schmidt, S.Th., and Seifert, K.
Ocean-Floor-Type-Alteration of Drilled MRS Volcanic Rocks in Iowa
4:00 p.m. – Davidson, D.M., Jr.
Heller, Sims and Marsden: Mentors Extraordinaire
4:20 p.m. – Grant, J.A.
Isocon Analysis: How to Make It Work for You
4:40 p.m. – Morton, R.
Twenty-One Years in a Caldera: UMD Geology Students and Sturgeon Lake, Ontario

31

�5:30-7:30 p.m. Buffet at the Depot Sponsored by the UMD Dept. of Geological Sciences (All
ILSG Registrants are invited)

Saturday May 8, 2004
8:00 a.m. Field Trip 5: Classic Outcrops of Northeastern Minnesota.
Field Trip Leaders: M. Jirsa (MGS), T. Boerboom (MGS), R. Ojakangas (UMD-Dept.
Geol. Sci.), J. Miller (MGS), J. Green (UMD-Dept. Geol. Sci.), G.B. Morey (MGS), D.
Peterson (NRRI), M. Severson (NRRI), R. Patelke (NRRI).
6:00 p.m.

Overnight in Tower, MN at Fortune Bay Casino.

8:00 a.m. Field Trip 6: Glacial and Postglacial Landscape Evolution in the Glacial Lake
Aitkin and Upham Basin, Northern Minnesota.
Field Trip Leaders: L. Marlow, P. Larson, H. Mooers (UMD-Dept. Geol. Sci.).
6:00 p.m.

Return of Trip to Radisson Hotel, Duluth Minnesota.

7:00 a.m. Field Trip 7: Economic Geology of Archean Gold Occurrences in the Vermilion
District, Northeast of Soudan, Minnesota.
Field Trip Leaders: D. Peterson (NRRI), R. Patelke (NRRI).
6:00 p.m.

Return of Trip to Radisson Hotel, Duluth Minnesota.

8:00 a.m. Field Trip 8: Geology of the Western Contact of the Duluth Complex, Partridge
River and South Kawishiwi Intrusions, Northeastern Minnesota.
Field Trip Leaders: M. Severson (NRRI), J. Miller, Jr. (MGS).
6:00 p.m.

Return of Trip to Radisson Hotel, Duluth Minnesota.
Sunday May 9, 2004

8:00 a.m. Field Trip 5: Classic Outcrops of Northeastern Minnesota.
Field Trip Leaders: M. Jirsa (MGS), T. Boerboom (MGS), R. Ojakangas (UMD-Dept.
Geol. Sci.), J. Miller (MGS), J. Green (UMD-Dept. Geol. Sci.), G.B. Morey (MGS), D.
Peterson (NRRI), M. Severson (NRRI), R. Patelke (NRRI).
6:00 p.m. Return of Trip to Radisson Hotel, Duluth Minnesota.

32

�POSTER PRESENTATIONS
Boerboom, T.J.
Bedrock Geologic Maps of the Two Harbors and Castle Danger 7.5-Minute
Quadrangles, North Shore of Lake Superior, Minnesota
Buchholz, T.W., Falster, A.U., and Simmons, Wm.B.
A Greisen-like Mineral Assemblage from the Nine Mile Pluton, Marathon County,
Wisconsin
Cordua, W.S.
Enigmatic 1300 – 1400 Ma Mafic Pluton from the Koss Pit, Marathon County, WI
Drexler, H.L.*, Hudak, G.J., and Peterson, D.M.
A Field and Laboratory Study to Evaluate the Genetic Relationships Between the
Purvis Pluton and Volcanic Rocks and Volcanic-Associated Mineralization in the
Vermilion District of NE Minnesota
Erickson, M.L.*, and Barnes, R.J.
Late Wisconsin Till and Arsenic Contamination in Upper Midwest Groundwater
Fitzpatrick, F.A.
Influence of Geologic Setting on Hydrogeomorphic Characteristics of Southern
Lake Superior Tributaries
Green, J.C., and Miller, J.D., Jr.
The Geology of the Duluth Complex and the North Shore Volcanic Group
Portrayed in New 7.5' Quadrangle Maps of the Duluth Metropolitan Area
Hart, T.R., and Magyarosi, Z.
Precambrian Geology and Mineralization of the Northern Black Sturgeon River
area, Nipigon Embayment
Hemming, S.R., and Roy, M.
40
Ar/39Ar Hornblende Evidence for Provenance of Ice Rafted Detritus in the North
Atlantic: Implications for Tracking Past Changes in the Extent and Dynamics of
Northern Hemisphere Ice Sheets
Hoffman, A.T.*, Peterson, D.M., Patelke, R.L., and Hudak, G.J.
Preliminary Petrography and Hydrothermal Alteration of the Soudan Mine Area,
Vermilion District, Northeastern Minnesota
Jirsa, M.A.
Regional Compilations of Bedrock Geology in Northern Minnesota: The Vermilion,
Ely, and Basswood Lake Quadrangles
Kaukonen, R.J., and Alapieti, T.T.
Platinum Mineralization at Drill Hole A4-11 of the Wetlegs Area of the Partridge
River Intrusion, Duluth Complex, Northeast Minnesota

33

�Kean, Wm.F.
Magnetic Susceptibility Anisotropy and Remanent Magnetism of Quartzite and
Phyllite from Baraboo, Wisconsin
Klawiter, B.
Lithic Materials and Archaeology in the Western Lake Superior Region
Larson, P.C., Mooers, H.D., and Marlow, L.M.
Early Advance of the St. Louis Sublobe: A Revised Chronology of the Deglaciation
of Northeastern Minnesota
MacDonald, C.A., and Tremblay, E.
Precambrian Geology of the South Armstrong–Gull Bay Area, Nipigon Embayment,
Northwestern Ontario, Canada
Maes, S., Tikoff, B., Brown, P., and Ferré, E.
Magnetic Fabric Constraints on Magmatic Flow: Insizwa Sill, South Africa and the
Sonju Lake Intrusion, Minnesota.
Magee, A.
Mining and Exploration Activities in Northwestern Ontario
Mahin, R.A., Quigley, T.O., and Lynott, J.S.
The Geology of the L-K Massive Sulfide Deposit, Menominee County, MI
McSwiggen, P.L., and Morey, G.B.
Mineral Chemistry and Stratigraphy of the Biwabik Iron Formation, Near the
Virginia Horn, Mesabi Iron Range, Minnesota
Mudrey, M.G., Jr., and Cannon, W.F.
Status of Publicly Available Mid-Continent Reflection Seismic Data
Patelke, R., and Severson, M.
Duluth Complex Bulk Samples
Patelke, R., Severson, M., and Peterson, D.
Untested Targets in the Duluth Complex
Peterson, D.M., and Patelke, R.L.
The Proposed National Underground Science and Engineering Laboratory at the
Soudan Mine, Northeastern Minnesota: A Geological Site Investigation
Piercey, P., Schneider, D.A., and Holm, D.H.
Petrotectonic Evolution of Paleoproterozoic Granitic Rocks Across the Central
Penokean Orogen, Northern MI and WI
Planavsky, N.*, and Bjornerud, M.
Blowing in the Wind: The Copper Harbor Stromatolites Revisited
Ruhanen, R.W.
Geologic Reconnaissance of the Spaulding Mine Area, Cook County, Minnesota
34

�Schneider, R.V.
Depth Migration of Seismic Reflection Data: An Example for Lake Superior Studies
Stott, G.M.
Close Proximity of Kimberlite Pipes to Diabase Dykes: Structural Controls and
Predictiveness in the James Bay Lowlands, Ontario
Trow, J.
Dowsing Employs Classical Mechanics and Static Electricity to Locate SelfPotential Anomalies Inductively and Rapidly
NOTE: Asterisk * denotes a student eligible for a Best Student Paper Award.

35

�ABSTRACTS

36

�BEDROCK GEOLOGIC MAPS OF THE TWO HARBORS AND CASTLE DANGER 7.5MINUTE QUADRANGLES, NORTH SHORE OF LAKE SUPERIOR, MINNESOTA
BOERBOOM, Terrence J., Minnesota Geological Survey, boerb001@umn.edu
Two recent quadrangle-scale geologic maps of an area adjacent to Lake Superior have been published by the
Minnesota Geological Survey as part of the U.S. Geological Survey STATEMAP program. This ongoing mapping
effort has resulted in five published quadrangle geologic maps in an area stretching from Duluth to Castle Danger
(Boerboom and others, 2002a, b, 2003a, b; Fig. 1a). Work is currently in progress on a sixth geologic map (Split
Rock Point); and another (Two Harbors NE) will be mapped in the coming year. Field mapping for all these maps
was or will be conducted at a scale of 1:12,000, and map compilations are at 1:24,000.

The North Shore is experiencing ever-increasing development of both commercial property and private
residences, creating a concomitant demand on ground-water resources, which near Lake Superior come mainly from
bedrock reservoirs, particularly layered volcanic flows and interflow sedimentary rocks. Development also brings
an increased need for quality aggregate materials for both construction and shoreline preservation projects.
Although some volcanic flows may be suitable for crushed-rock aggregate, the intrusive rocks are likely to provide
the best source of this material. Thus, the goal of this mapping is to refine the stratigraphy of volcanic rocks in the
southwest limb of the North Shore Volcanic Group, and to identify the extent, mineralogy, and relationships of
intrusive rocks emplaced into the volcanic pile. This mapping will not only lay the groundwork for present and
future resource demands, but also further our understanding of the geologic aspects of these rocks.

37

�Green (2002) subdivided volcanic rocks of the Keweenawan North Shore Volcanic Group into a series of
informal lithostratigraphic units based on the relative thickness and composition of the volcanic flows or by areas
separated by intervening intrusions. Several of these units were extended into the Two Harbors and Castle Danger
quadrangles from the southwest (Fig. 1b). Two new lithostratigraphic units were added to those of Green (2002)
based on this mapping⎯the Stewart River basalts and the Crow Creek lavas (Fig. 1b). The Stewart River basalts
include several flows of diabasic-textured basaltic lavas and an ambiguous unit that has attributes of both a lava
flow and an intrusion, interpreted as a shallow-level subvolcanic intrusion that breached the surface to form flows
along its upper margin. The Crow Creek lavas are named for olivine tholeiitic and andesitic flows that outcrop
mainly along Crow Creek. These lavas contrast with flows east of the Lafayette Bluff diabase and west of the
Silver Creek diabase, implying that the intrusions have created a major disruption of the volcanic stratigraphy.
Mapping has refined the shape and intrusive relationships of known intrusions, and has identified several new
intrusions. Most noteworthy among these is the previously known but poorly understood Two Harbors intrusion,
which has been shown to form a small, zoned, east-plunging, synform-shaped body. This intrusion grades from
troctolitic diabase through poikilitic olivine gabbro to well-foliated intergranular gabbro, from the lowest exposed to
the highest exposed portions of the body. Another smaller body of more massive olivine-rich ophitic olivine
diabase may be related to the Two Harbors intrusion, but does not exhibit any consistent modal or textural layering.
Of particular interest is the recognition of a diatreme-like breccia that cuts volcanic rocks near the mouth of
Crow Creek (Boerboom, 2004). This diatreme contains clasts from less than 1 millimeter to 5 meters in size, in a
matrix of zeolite- and chlorite-cemented rock flour. The clasts include a heterogeneous mixture of fine-grained
porphyritic basalt, amygdaloidal to ophitic to intergranular basalt, and interflow sedimentary rocks. Fine-grained
felty-textured prismatic ferromonzodiorite also occurs as intrusions into basalt adjacent to the diatreme, and as clasts
in the diatreme, indicating a possible cogenetic relationship between the two.
References
Boerboom, T.J., 2004, Newly recognized diatreme breccia dikes on Lake Superior near Two Harbors, Minnesota
[abs.]: Institute on Lake Superior Geology (this volume).
Boerboom, T.J., Green, J.C., and Jirsa, M.A., 2002a, Bedrock geology of the French River and Lakewood
quadrangles, St. Louis County, Minnesota: Minnesota Geological Survey Miscellaneous Map M-128, scale
1:24,000.
———2002b, Bedrock geology of the Knife River quadrangle, St. Louis and Lake Counties, Minnesota: Minnesota
Geological Survey Miscellaneous Map M-129, scale 1:24,000.
Boerboom T.J., Green, J.C., and Miller, J.D., Jr., 2003a, Bedrock geologic map of the Castle Danger quadrangle,
Lake County Minnesota: Minnesota Geological Survey Miscellaneous Map M-140, scale 1:24,000.
———2003b, Bedrock geologic map of the Two Harbors quadrangle, Lake County Minnesota: Minnesota
Geological Survey Miscellaneous Map M-139, scale 1:24,000.
Green, J.C., 2002, Volcanic and sedimentary rocks of the Keweenawan Supergroup in northeastern Minnesota,
Chapter 5 of Miller, J.D., Jr., Green, J.C., Severson, M.J., Chandler, V.W., Hauck, S.A., Peterson, D.M., and
Wahl, T.E., 2002, Geology and mineral potential of the Duluth Complex and related rocks of northeastern
Minnesota: Minnesota Geological Survey Report of Investigations 58, p. 94-105.
Miller, J.D., Jr., Green, J.C., Severson, M.J., Chandler, V.W., and Peterson, D.M., 2002, Geologic map of the
Duluth Complex and related rocks, Northeastern Minnesota: Minnesota Geological Survey Miscellaneous Map
M-119, scale 1:200,000.
Sandberg, A.E., 1938, Section across Keweenawan lava flows at Duluth, Minnesota: Geological Society of
America Bulletin, v. 49, p. 795-830.
Schwartz, G.M., and Sandberg, A.E., 1940, Rock series in diabase sills at Duluth, Minnesota: Geological Society of
America Bulletin, v. 51, p. 1135-1172.

38

�NEWLY RECOGNIZED DIATREME BRECCIA DIKES ON LAKE SUPERIOR NEAR
TWO HARBORS, MINNESOTA
BOERBOOM, Terrence J., Minnesota Geological Survey, boerb001@umn.edu
Recent mapping by the Minnesota Geological Survey during the 2002 and 2003 field seasons (see
Boerboom, 2004) has identified two nearly identical diatreme-like breccias located about 15 kilometers
apart, both of which intrude volcanic rocks of the North Shore Volcanic Group. One is located near the
mouth of Crow Creek, 3 kilometers southwest of Castle Danger, and the other is located near the mouth
of the Split Rock River.
The diatremes contain clasts that range up to four meters in diameter. The clasts are composed of
typical North Shore volcanic group rocks, including intergranular to ophitic basalt, porphyritic basalt, and
minor interflow sedimentary rocks, as well as felty-textured prismatic monzodiorite that also occurs as
intrusions into basalts adjacent to the diatremes. At both places the clasts are heavily replaced by zeolites
(mainly laumontite) and chlorite, and are surrounded by a matrix of zeolites and chlorite mixed with rock
flour. Irregularly distributed brown gossans that probably represent zones of pyritic matrix have also
been identified at Crow Creek.
The Crow Creek diatreme is the best exposed of the two diatremes, but outcrops are mainly accessed
by water. Exposures on a shore-parallel high cliff wall and in cliffs of basalt that are cut by the breccia
and protrude into the lake show the dike to be approximately 10 meters wide and vertical in orientation,
with clasts up to 4 meters in size. At the shore the dike is oriented approximately east–west, but other
scattered, low outcrops inland imply that the dike may have an overall 0.25 mile diameter ring-like
structure or a very irregular strike direction. Monzodiorite associated with this diatreme is poorly
exposed, and where visible contains abundant angular basalt clasts and small amygdules of chlorite and
calcite. The same monzodiorite also occurs as clasts in the diatreme, thus it must have preceded the
diatreme in timing but may have been closely associated with it.
The Split Rock River diatreme is exposed just southeast of the river mouth as a 6-meter wide, northstriking, subvertical dike that truncates amygdule-layered tholeiitic basalts. This dike contains clasts of
both intergranular and ophitic basalt up to 20 centimeters in diameter, and small clasts of interflow
sedimentary rocks and ferromonzodiorite petrographically identical to that at Crow Creek. The latter also
occurs alone in an outcrop near the diatreme. Narrow, dike-parallel, anastamosing zones of brecciation
cut both basalt and ferromonzodiorite in the vicinity of the diatreme dike. In both cases, the brecciated
texture, multiple clast varieties of North Shore volcanic group-related rocks and sharp cross-cutting
contacts with adjacent volcanic rocks imply that the diatremes were emplaced as an explosive, gascharged intrusion that cut across the volcanic strata. The amygdaloidal and deuterically-altered Lafayette
Bluff diabase occurs in close proximity to the Crow Creek diatreme (Boerboom and others, 2003), which
may have provided a source of volatiles as it cooled.
These diatremes are soft and easily eroded and thus unlikely to form significant outcrops inland, and
they could easily be misidentified as a volcanic flow breccia. Careful examination of isolated or
seemingly out of sequence flow breccias for disparate clast lithologies may reveal more of these diatreme
dikes.
REFERENCES
Boerboom, T.J., 2004, Bedrock geologic maps of the Two Harbors and Castle Danger 7.5-minute
quadrangles, North Shore of Lake Superior, Minnesota [abs.]: Institute on Lake Superior
Geology (this volume).
Boerboom, T.J., Green, J.C., and Miller, J.D., Jr., 2003, Bedrock geology of the Castle Danger
quadrangle, Lake County, Minnesota: Minnesota Geological Survey Miscellaneous Map M-140,
scale 1:24,000.

39

�Precambrian Aged Supergene Alteration of Native Copper Deposits in the Keweenaw
Peninsula, Michigan
BORNHORST, Theodore J., and ROBINSON, George W., A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum,
Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI 49931
The Keweenaw Peninsula within the Midcontinent Rift System is host to a world-class native
copper mining district from which about 6 billion kg of refined copper was mined from 1845 to
1968. By far the principal economic minerals mined were native copper and native silver.
Supergene alteration minerals occur irregularly throughout the district. The most abundant of
these are cuprite, tenorite, malachite, and chrysocolla in close association with native copper.
Less common are azurite and paramelaconite, though about fifty additional species are known
(Table 1). These minerals typically occur as thin coatings on or replacing native copper, irregular
thin coatings along fractures, and euhedral crystals in small pockets filling remaining pore space.
For the most part supergene minerals are found near the surface (&lt; 300 m) and are well below
the current water table.
As might be expected, sulfates are conspicuously uncommon, owing to the general absence of
sulfide ores in the district. Likewise, the arsenates (e.g., annabergite, tyrolite, erythrite, etc.) are
associated with the copper arsenide minerals domeykite and algodonite. One group, however, the
chlorides (e.g., paratacamite, calumetite, etc.), may have formed by reaction with fossil brines,
rather than strictly supergene means, as these minerals have been found in isolated areas 1375 m
below surface with no visible means of connection to downward-moving meteoric waters.
The rocks of the Midcontinent Rift System were deposited between roughly 1.1 and 1.0 Ga, and
late in the evolution of the rift (about 1.05 Ga) the rift was subjected to regional compression
resulting in reverse faulting, uplift, and sediment deposition. During this compression event,
native copper was deposited from a large-scale hydrothermal system along with numerous other
hydrothermal minerals. Uplift related to reverse faulting likely continued for some time after the
formation of the native copper deposits, likely ending about 1.0 Ga. The rift rocks of the
Keweenaw Peninsula were subjected to erosion. If enough cover was removed, the native copper
could have been sufficiently near the surface to be exposed to oxygenated groundwater, which
would form supergene minerals. Erosion ended by the end of Precambrian time, when the rift
rocks were unconformably overlain by Paleozoic sediments, which still cover major portions of
the rift. These sediments sheltered the rift rocks of the Keweenaw Peninsula from weathering
and erosion. The Paleozoic sediments were removed by Pleistocene glaciers, again making
supergene alteration possible. Since the last glacial retreat it is probable that the water table has
not been significantly lower than it is today. In turn, Pleistocene supergene alteration should be
more or less restricted to above the current water table. Because most observed supergene
alteration is below the water table, it is unlikely that it formed since the glaciers removed the
Paleozoic cover. Thus, supergene alteration must have occurred during/near the end of the
protracted period of erosion in late Precambrian time. The copper deposits had to be reasonably
near the surface at that time for supergene alteration to occur. While the Pleistocene glaciers
removed significant thickness of Paleozoic cover they could not have removed any significant
thickness of rift rocks, else the supergene altered zones would have been removed too.
Therefore, the current surface of the Keweenaw Peninsula is likely near the same
stratigraphic/erosional level that was present when the Keweenawan rocks were buried by
Paleozoic sediments.

40

�acanthite
annabergite
anthonyite
ardennite ?
atacamite
azurite
brochantite
buttgenbachite
calcite
calumetite
carbonate-cyanotrichite
chalconatronite
chrysocolla
connellite
covellite
crednerite
cuprite
dioptase
erythrite
gerhardtite
goethite
guerinite
gypsum
halite
humboldtine ?
hydromagnesite
kaolinite
langite

lavendulan
likasite
malachite
manganite
mirabilite
montmorillonite
moolooite ?
nantokite
olivenite
paramelaconite
paratacamite
pharmacolite
picropharmacolite
plancheite
posnjakite
pseudomalachite
rauenthalite
spertiniite
tenorite
tyrolite
vaterite
veszelyite
vladimirite
whewellite ?
unknown Ca-Cl mineral
unknown Cu-Cl minerals
unknown Cu-Ca-Cl mineral

Table 1. Supergene minerals found or reported from the Keweenaw native copper deposits.

41

�THE LAKE SUPERIOR VARVE STRATIGRAPHY AND IMPLICATIONS FOR
EASTERN LAKE AGASSIZ OUTFLOW FROM 10,700 TO 8,900 CAL YBP
(9.5 - 8.0 14C KA)
BRECKENRIDGE, Andy, Large Lakes Observatory, University of Minnesota Duluth, 10
University Drive, 109 RLB, Duluth, MN 55812-2496, brec0027@d.umn.edu
Glaciolacustrine rhythmites from Lake Superior record the regional recession of the
Laurentide Ice Sheet (LIS) from 10,700 to 8,900 cal ybp (ca. 9.5-8.0 14C ka). LIS retreat from
Superior opened eastern Lake Agassiz outlets so that the rhythmites reflect the combined
impacts of sediment-laden meltwater and Lake Agassiz discharge. Using sediment cores
retrieved from Lake Superior, I present rhythmite stratigraphies, a time series analysis of the
thickness measurements, and high-resolution inorganic carbonate data to demonstrate that this is
an annual record (varved). The varve thickness records primarily document regional ice margin
dynamics: thick varve sequences at 9,100 cal ybp (~8.1 14C ka) and 10,400-10,200 cal ybp (~9.29.0 14C ka) record two periods of moraine formation (the Nakina and Nipigon). General varve
cessation is associated with the circumvention of Lake Agassiz and glacial meltwater into Lake
Ojibway at 9,040 cal ybp (~8.1 14C ka), although adjacent to meltwater inlets, rhythmic
sedimentation persisted for another 200 years.
Positively identifying Lake Agassiz catastrophic discharge events remains speculative
but seems feasible. The initial influx of Lake Agassiz water is expected at around 10,600 cal
ybp (~9.4 14C ka), but at this time, most of eastern and northern Lake Superior was covered by
ice. Three sets of thick-thin varves in western Lake Superior perhaps record influxes of Lake
Agassiz at around 10,630, 10,600, and 10,570 cal ybp (~9.4 14C ka). Varve formation in
Superior coincides with high lake levels in Lake Huron, suggesting that high lake levels in
Huron correspond to periods of high Agassiz and/or meltwater flow into Lake Superior.

42

�Recent Geophysical and Geochemical Applications to Exploration Activities in the Cripple
Creek Mining District, Colorado
BROWN, Timothy R., Cripple Creek and Victor Gold Mining Company, P.O. Box 191, Victor,
CO 80863, tbrown@anglogoldna.com
Approximately 23 million ounces of gold have been produced from underground and
surface operations since gold was discovered in the Cripple Creek Mining District in 1891. This
total includes nearly 2 million ounces produced by Cripple Creek and Victor Gold Mining
Company (CC&amp;V) over the past 10 years. Gold has been produced from numerous veins in a 30
MA alkaline diatreme complex and is strongly associated with intense potassic alteration.
Current production is mining low-grade disseminated haloes around the major historic producers
from two open pits and the gold is recovered from a heap leach facility. This rate of production,
and future production, in a mature mining district could not take place without an aggressive, ongoing exploration program that utilizes every available tool.
Airborne geophysical surveys conducted in 1999 included magnetics, resistivity, and
radiometrics. The magnetic survey clearly outlines the diatreme and shows numerous
geological, structural, and cultural features inside the diatreme while contributing to the
understanding of the alteration. Resistivity has given a better understanding of the zones of clay,
potassic alteration, and possibly water. All of these suggest the location of structural features.
The radiometric survey, and especially K, outlines large zones of alteration, however this is
strongly influenced by historical and recent disturbances as well as the leach pad.
IP and CSAMT surveys were initiated in 2001 and the results were encouraging enough
to launch a much larger survey in 2002 that covered 37 line miles. The density of data allowed
us to model and display the information in several different ways that include plans, sections,
and 3D shells.
CC&amp;V utilizes a survey tool that captures oriented joint and fracture information with a
down-hole camera. This tool captures important geotechnical data as well as structural
orientations that can be cross-referenced to assay data.
The geochemical relationships between Au and Te and the potassic alteration have long
been known in the district. Recent studies have shown a consistent relationship between gold
and other elements (As, Hg, Sb, and V) and have suggested high-grade gold always occurs with
strong potassic alteration although strong potassic alteration does not always indicate zones of
high-grade gold.
Application of the knowledge gained from a better understanding of the district’s
geology, alteration, and structure has led to focused, efficient drilling programs. The results of
the exploration programs have continued to add to the operations as mid-year 2003 reserves
stand at 4.2 million ounces and production is scheduled to continue through 2013.

43

�A GREISEN-LIKE MINERAL ASSEMBLAGE FROM THE NINE MILE PLUTON,
MARATHON COUNTY, WISCONSIN
BUCHHOLZ, Thomas W., 1140 12th Street North, Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin 54494,
FALSTER, Alexander U., and SIMMONS, Wm.B., Department of Geology and Geophysics,
University of New Orleans, New Orleans, Louisiana 70148.
The Nine Mile pluton is the youngest and most silicic of the four known intrusive centers
of the approximately 1.5 Ga Wausau complex, exposed in Marathon County, Wisconsin.
Mineralization in this epizonal pluton is often varied and complex, though frequently restricted
to small localized environments in pegmatitic veins, aplites, and miarolitic granite. Recently a
greisen-like mineral assemblage was identified in the Maguire weathered granite quarry, located
approximately ¼ mile west of the Ladick East (or Charneski) quarry in the south central portion
of the pluton.
Quarrying here has intersected several small aplite-pegmatite dikes ranging in thickness
from approximately 2” (5 cm) to about 15” (40 cm). These consist of layered banded aplite,
commonly with thin 1-3” thick pegmatitic cores, and locally exhibit a highly peraluminous
composition that is unusual in the predominantly alkalic Nine Mile granite.
Due to the rapid progress of pit operations and ongoing reclamation work, most dikes
could not be studied in their original position, but one briefly exposed gently dipping
subhorizontal dike was observed in situ. Piles of discarded aplite-pegmatite boulders indicate
the probable locations of additional dikes, possibly as many as three based upon varying
characteristics. Most dikes were probably roughly vertically oriented, as adjacent pit walls show
no signs of the dikes. Much material was recovered from piles of mingled boulders; sample
characteristics generally allow attribution to one of the surmised four dikes.
Exotic mineralization is often present in both the aplite and pegmatitic portions, but is
concentrated along and adjacent to aplite-pegmatite contacts and along thin discordant mica-rich
veinlets cutting across visible banding or layering. Late-stage mineralization in these dikes,
generally confined to the vicinity of the pegmatitic cores, shows mineralization indicative of a
greisen-like environment.
Minerals identified to date include topaz (19-20% F content) as masses intergrown with
albite and other minerals and as tiny clear crystals to 0.4 mm. Ferberite/hübnerite is found as
well-formed dark red-brown to black crystals to 1.5 mm on and in albite and quartz. Most
crystals have a high Mn content, but some portions of crystals are Mn dominant and are
therefore hübnerite. Cassiterite, though less common than ferberite/hübnerite, has been found as
dark red-brown crystals and masses to 3 mm. It appears that these represent the first reports of
topaz, ferberite and hübnerite from in-situ occurrences in the Wausau complex, and indeed from
the state of Wisconsin. Cassiterite has been observed in trace amounts from several other sites
within the Nine Mile Pluton, but its relative abundance at this site is highly unusual.
Monazite- (Ce) is common as clear to translucent yellow-orange crystals up to 4.5 mm in
size. Columbite-group minerals are common as well-formed crystals to approximately 4 mm,
and are ferrocolumbite with significant Mn and Ta. Some crystals have W-contents of over
12%, making them tungstenian columbite-tantalite. Zircon is locally very abundant, and is Hfrich. Xenotime is sparse, and appears to show significant enrichment in HREE. Other minerals
44

�noted include pyrite, chalcopyrite, barite (excellent clear platelets), an unidentified bright blue
Cu sulfide, ilmenite, quartz, microcline, albite, siderophyllite, muscovite and possibly
zinnwaldite. Rare phases include tiny inclusions of stolzite/raspite in ferberite, microlite, a Bi
mineral forming minute tabular crystals, a beam-sensitive W mineral, an ilmenorutile like
mineral, a grayite-like Th phosphate and silvery black crystals of a Nb-dominant ixiolite-like
mineral with octahedral morphology.
Interestingly, considering the abundance of fluorite at other Nine Mile Pluton sites,
fluorite is much less common here. Nonetheless, the high F content of topaz and associated
micas indicates that these were very F-rich systems.
The association of topaz, cassiterite and ferberite, and the highly peraluminous nature of
the mineralization indicate that a greisen-like environment prevailed in the latter stages of
crystallization of these dikes. To the knowledge of the authors this is the first observation of
such an environment in the Nine Mile pluton, in the Wausau Complex, and probably in the state
of Wisconsin.

45

�Promontory Tectonics of the Penokean Orogen in Minnesota: A Gravity and Magnetic
Perspective
CHANDLER, V.W., BOERBOOM, Terrence J., and JIRSA, Mark A., Minnesota
Geological Survey, chand004@umn.edu
The sharp southward bend of the Penokean orogen in central Minnesota and possible continuation
southwest into Iowa along the Spirit Lake trend (Anderson and Black, 1983; Van Schmus and others,
1993) have been cited as evidence for a promontory in the pre-collisional margin of the Superior Province
craton (Schulz and Sims, 1993). Recent geologic investigations in this area have clarified the structure of
both the orogen and the proposed promontory. Owing to a lack of bedrock exposure and drill holes, these
investigations have relied to varying degrees on geophysical data. Of particular importance have been the
high quality gravity and aeromagnetic databases in Minnesota (Chandler, 1991; Chandler and Schaap,
1991) and Wisconsin (Daniels and Snyder, 2002).
Gravity and magnetic data have guided recent re-interpretations of the high-grade gneissic rocks in the
Minnesota River Valley subprovince, which forms the core of the proposed promontory. On the basis of
distinctive anomaly signatures, Southwick and Chandler (1996) divided the subprovince into 4 blocks
bounded by three major east- to northeast-striking shear zones, which most likely formed during late
Archean accretion of the Minnesota River Valley rocks onto the Superior craton. These shear zones,
which are inferred from geophysical models and seismic data to have a moderately steep north dip
(Southwick and Chandler, 1996), were likely reactivated during the roughly north–south convergence of
the Penokean orogen. On a broad scale, the gravity and magnetic signatures of the Minnesota River
Valley subprovince differ significantly from those associated with the Archean gneissic rocks of the
Marshfield terrane in Wisconsin. This supports the view that the two Archean gneiss terranes are
unrelated, and were most likely brought together during events related to the Penokean orogeny (Schulz
and others, 1993).
Geologic mapping supported by geophysical data reveals that significant changes in the structure of the
Penokean orogen occur near the proposed promontory. Derivative enhanced gravity and magnetic data
indicate that the structural grain of the orogen changes from northeast–southwest to nearly north–south
(Boerboom and others, 1995; Jirsa and Chandler, 1997), and neither external zone fold-and-thrust belts
nor foreland basin deposits appear to extend appreciably south of lat 45°15’N. Part of the internal zone of
the orogen includes syntectonic granitic and metavolcanic rocks that are similar to those of the Penokean
magmatic terranes of northwestern Wisconsin, but a large proportion of the internal zone is comprised of
post-orogenic granitic rocks (Jirsa and Chandler, 1997). In fact, these post-orogenic granites, which are
collectively referred to as the east-central Minnesota batholith (Holm and others, in press) are interpreted
to constitute the dominant part of the orogen south of lat 45°15’N. In that area, the orogen is
characterized by a broad magnetic low, the source of which is tentatively interpreted by geophysical
modeling to represent non-magnetic, metasedimentary rocks that occur at a depth of 5 to 15 kilometers
beneath Paleoproterozoic granitic rocks.
Gravity and magnetic signatures indicate a somewhat complicated structure for the orogen in southern
Minnesota. The orogen is truncated near lat 44°45’N. along a fault bounded block of Minnesota River
Valley subprovince rocks. Both the orogen and Minnesota River Valley rocks are covered to the east by
rocks of the Mesoproterozoic Midcontinent Rift System, but south of lat 44°15’N., rocks of the orogen
are interpreted to re-emerge from the Midcontinent Rift System and extend southwest along the Spirit
Lake trend. A broad magnetic low, combined with the drilling data from Minnesota (Southwick, 1994)
and Iowa (Van Schmus and others, 1993), indicate that the geology along this part of the Spirit Lake trend
may be similar to the internal zone of the orogen in east-central Minnesota.
In conclusion, recent geologic interpretations in central and south-central Minnesota have helped
refine our understanding of the effects of the large continental promontory with the western margin of the

46

�Penokean orogen. In fact, some of the changes in orogen structure may be explainable by the
promontory. For example, pre-existing crustal weaknesses within the promontory may have enhanced
thrusting, sedimentation, igneous activity, and crustal thickening during Penokean convergence.
Increased crustal thickening near the promontory, in the area now occupied by the east-central Minnesota
batholith, could have led to the removal of foreland fold-and-thrust belts and foreland basin deposits, and
to increased melt generation of the lower crust to produce the post-orogenic granites.
REFERENCES
Anderson, R.R., and Black, R.A., 1983, Early Proterozoic development of the southern Archean boundary
of the Superior Province in the Lake Superior region [abs.]: Geological Society of America
Abstracts with Programs, v. 15, no. 6, p. 515.
Boerboom, T.J., Setterholm, D.R., and Chandler, V.W., 1995, Bedrock geology, pl. 2 of Meyer, G.N.,
project manager, Geologic atlas of Stearns County Minnesota: Minnesota Geological Survey
County Atlas C-10, scales 1:100,000 and 1:200,000.
Chandler, V.W., 1991, Aeromagnetic anomaly map of Minnesota: Minnesota Geological Survey State
Map S-17, scale 1:500,000.
Chandler, V.W., and Schaap, B.D., 1991, Bouguer gravity anomaly map of Minnesota: Minnesota
Geological Survey State Map S-16, scale 1:500,000.
Daniels, D.L., and Snyder, S.L., 2002, Wisconsin gravity and aeromagnetic maps and data: A web site for
distribution of data: U.S. Geological Survey Open File Report 02-493
&lt;http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2002/of02-493/index.htm&gt;.
Holm D.K., Van Schmus, W.R., MacNeil, L.C., Boerboom, T.J., Schweitzer, D., and Schneider, D., in
press, U-Pb zircon geochronology of Paleoproterozoic plutons from the northern mid-continent,
U.S.A.: Evidence for subduction flip and continued convergence after geon 18 Penokean
orogenesis: Geological Society of America Bulletin.
Jirsa, M.A., and Chandler, V.W., 1997, Scientific test drilling and mapping in east-central Minnesota,
1994-1995: Summary of lithologic results: Minnesota Geological Survey Information Circular 42,
105 p.
Schulz, K.J., Sims, P.K., and Morey, G.B., 1993, Tectonic synthesis, the Lake Superior region and TransHudson orogen, in Reed, J.C., Jr., Bickford, M.E., Houston, R.S., Link, P.K., Rankin, D.W., Sims,
P.K., and Van Schmus, W.R., eds., Geology of North America: Precambrian: Conterminous U.S.:
Boulder, Colo., Geological Society of America, v. C-2, p. 60-64.
Southwick, D.L., 1994, Assorted geochronologic studies of Precambrian terranes in Minnesota: A
potpourri of timely information, in Southwick, D.L., ed., Short contributions to the geology of
Minnesota: Minnesota Geological Survey Report of Investigations 43, p. 1-19.
Southwick, D.L., and Chandler, V.W., 1996, Block and shear zone architecture of the Minnesota
River Valley Subprovince: Implications for late Archean accretionary tectonics: Canadian Journal
of Earth Sciences, v. 33, p. 831-847.
Van Schmus, W.R., Bickford, M., and Condie K., 1993, Early Proterozoic crustal evolution, in Reed,
J.C., Jr., Bickford, M.E., Houston, R.S., Link, P.K., Rankin, D.W., Sims, P.K., and Van Schmus,
W.R., eds., Geology of North America: Precambrian: Conterminous U.S.: Boulder, Colo.,
Geological Society of America, v. C-2, p. 279-281.

47

�Enigmatic 1300 – 1400 Ma Mafic Pluton from the Koss Pit, Marathon County, WI
CORDUA, William S., Dept. Plant and Earth Science, University of Wisconsin - River Falls,
10 South Third Street, River Falls, WI 54022, william.s.cordua@uwrf.edu
In late Fall, 2002, an unusual body of mela-diorite cutting granite was found by mineral
collector Tom Buchholz in a newly excavated area of the Red Rock quarry #510 (A.K.A. Koss
Pit), on the east side of County O, SW 1/4 sec 2 T27N R6E, SW of Wausau, Marathon County,
WI. The quarry is dominantly in the 1520 –1480 Ma Nine Mile granite (Buchholz, et. al., 2000).
The unusual rock is exposed as rubble in a teardrop shaped area approximately 2 meters wide by
15 meters long, trending N55oE. This rock contains spectacular euhedral twinned crystals of
plagioclase up to 20 cm. long. It has chilled margins against the granite and contains granite
xenoliths. It is cross-cut by thin pinkish diorite dikes less than a centimeter wide. Samples were
collected for thin section work, major and minor trace element analysis and radiometric dating.
Study of 8 thin sections revealed the pluton is a mela-diorite consisting of 7 – 20 %
plagioclase phenocrysts in a matrix of medium to fine -grained hornblende (20- 24%), biotite (27
- 37%), titanite (3-4%) and felsic material (22 -28%). The felsic material is an equigranular
mosaic consisting mostly of oligoclase (about An 14). The hornblende and biotite occasionally
form clots of coarser crystals. No feldspathoids, olivine or pyroxenes were found. The
plagioclase phenocrysts were rounded and embayed, suggestions partial resorption. Their
compositions were andesine (about An 43) but showed zoning on the rims and along cleavages
to oligoclase. The phenocrysts had numerous inclusions of biotite and hornblende identical to
that found in the groundmass. This suggests that the plagioclase crystals are not xenocrysts.
Chemical analyses were done of 2 samples: WSC-03-01 was from near the contact with
the granite. WCS-O3-02 is from the center of the body. Both samples are nepheline normative
(WSC-03-01 ne = 0.63; WSC-03-02 ne = 3.41) and olivine normative (WSC-03-01 ol = 9.16
WSc-03-02 ol = 10.46). The less undersaturated nature of WSC-03-01 may be due to
contamination by the granite country rock. These rocks are similar chemically to lamprophyres.
Some of their major element trends fall within the shoshonite fields (Joplin, 1968).
Mineralogically, however, the rocks are distinct from typical lamprophyres in the conspicuous
plagioclase phenocrysts and lack of modal pyroxene or olivine (Rock, 1991).
Trace element chemistry of these two samples is consistent with trends from shonshonitic
and alkalic rocks formed in mid-plate regions (Pierce, 1982). Spider gram plots show the Koss
Pit mela-diorite is enriched in both compatible and incompatible lithophile elements relative to
MORB (figure 1). Its pattern resembles that of lamprophyres, such as the calc-alkaline
lamprophyre series (Pierce, 1982, Rock, 1991). REE distribution shows a negative slope and
enrichment in all REEs relative to Chengwatana volcanic rocks (Wirth, et al., 1997) and local
Penokean granites. They are inconsistent with a Keweenawan body contaminated with granitic
basement. They are consistent with the partial melting of a metasomatically enriched lithospheric
mantle. A possible source of enrichment could be volatile- rich material subducted during the
Penokean orogeny.
K-Ar ages were determined by Activation Labs Ltd. Argon was determined by isotope
dilution procedure on noble gas mass spectrometry. K concentrations were determined by ICP.
The whole age measured was 1307.2 +/- 41 Ma. A biotite separate was determined to have an
age of 1410.8 +/- 47 Ma.
These ages are unique for central Wisconsin, which had shown a gap in igneous activity
between the Nine-Mile granite at 1520 - 1480 Ma, and Keweenawan events at 1100 Ma. The
ages are consistent with the field data, in that the mela-diorite clearly cross-cuts the Nine-Mile

48

�Granite but is chemically and mineralogically dissimilar to younger Keweenawan bodies. Unless
its radiometric age has been reset due to uplift, the Koss Pit mela-diorite pluton represents a
newly discovered igneous event in central Wisconsin.
Fieldwork by the author has found other thin, highly altered dikes of mafic to
lamprophyric character cutting older granites elsewhere in central Wisconsin. Their altered
character make petrographic and radiometric work difficult. One may speculate that these are
related in age to the Koss Pit mela-diorite. The small size, easily eroded character, and extensive
glacial cover make the extent and relationships of such mafic igneous rocks difficult to
determine.
Trace element Spidergram
1000

100

WSC-03-01
10

WSC-03-02
Av. Calc-Alk Lamp

1
Sr

K2O

Rb

Ba

Th

Ta

Nb

Ce

P2O5

Zr

Hf

Sm

TiO2

Y

Yb

Sc

Cr

0.1
Trace element

Buchholz, T.W., A.U. Falster and W.B. Simmons, 2000, “Ta, Nb, U, Y and REE Minerals of the Koss
Quarry, Marathon County, Wisconsin” [abstract], 26th Rochester Mineralogical Symposium,
Rocks and Minerals, vol. 75, p. 170-171.
Joplin, J.A., 1968, “The Shoshonite Association: a review”, Geological Society of Australia, vol. 15 #2,
p. 275-294.
Pierce, J.A., 1982, “Trace element characteristics of lavas from destructive plate boundaries” in
Andesites: Orogenic andesites and related rocks edited by R.S. Thorpe, John Wiley and Sons
Pub., p. 525-548.
Rock, N.M.S., 1991, Lamprophyres, New York, Van Nostrand Reinhold, 285 p.
Wirth, K; J.D. Vervoort and Z.J. Naiman, 1997, “The Chengwatana Volcanics, Wisconsin and
Minnesota: petrogenesis of the southernmost volcanic rocks exposed in the Midcontinent Rift”,
Canadian Journal of earth Sciences, vol. 34, p. 536-548.

49

�Heller, Sims and Marsden: Mentors Extraordinaire
DAVIDSON, Donald M., Jr., P.O. Box 2571, Tubac, AZ 85646
In considering the measure of my “contributions to the science”, particularly as related to
UMD, it became apparent that three men played essential roles in this pilgrim’s progress.
Robert L. Heller was instrumental in building an outstanding geoscience department at UMD.
Basically he hired people, including myself, who were committed to effective teaching as well as
research. But above all, he set the pattern for hiring people largely based on “how well we got
along” and then “what they did”. This premise served me well in building departments at both
UTEP and NIU.
Bob was also highly committed to teaching himself and thus was not afraid to ask
considerable of his department. I distinctly remember a 27 contact hour quarter my first year in
harness! However, he was equally quick to encourage educational innovation and that led to
what I consider an outstanding series of team taught courses and course sequences: Earth
Materials (integrated mineralogy-petrology); Earth Structure (integrated sedimentationtectonics); Geology of North America; and Precambrian Geology to name a few. Although more
difficult to set in place under the semester system, I tended to encourage such thinking at other
schools and the team-teaching process served me well at Exxon Research. Finally, through his
activities at AGI Bob helped me truly realize that “the whole was indeed bigger than the sum of
the parts” and thus I worked diligently at getting AGU back under the AGI umbrella during my
tenure at GSA, I believe for the betterment of the science.
Paul K Sims is well known to this Institute. His professional work represents to me the essence
of doing “good science”. He was a patient reviewer, particularly for neophytes, and thus
influenced my approach to graduate student thesis supervision as well as “in-house” publications
at Exxon.
It was a real pleasure to work for him summers under the sponsorship of the Minnesota
Geological Survey mapping in the Boundary Waters with outstanding assistants and colleagues
such as Paul Weiblen. While he demonstrated considerable administrative skill as Survey Head, I
was fortunate to see such talent in action again during his tenure as SEG President and President
of the Economic Geology Publishing Company. This outstanding role model of organization
stood me in good stead both serving as director of graduate studies at UMD, but in preparing for
and carrying out the first graduate program review.
Ralph W. Marsden, as well as helping found the ILSG, was the consummate Department Chair.
He was infinitely patient and delegated frequently and well. More importantly, once he gave you
a responsibility, he left you alone to work on it, although always available for advice. He also
gave young faculty license to develop and grow - in my case organizing informal departmental
sessions in 1969 on a new paradigm for how the earth works: Plate Tectonics.
Yet I believe Ralph will best be remembered for his service to the science through
society work. He was extremely active both in SEG and AIME and encouraged young faculty to
join and participate in societies of their interest. Under his tutelage I became the Business
Manager for Economic Geology, and later Treasurer of SEG. I am truly pleased SEG named its
distinguished service medal after him. None could be more deserving.
Happy Fiftieth Birthday UMD Geology and ILSG!

50

�THE VAN HISE ARMY AND OTHER PIONEERS OF LAKE SUPERIOR GEOLOGY
DOTT, R.H., Jr., Department of Geology &amp; Geophysics, University of Wisconsin, Madison,
WI 53706
Sir William Logan, first Director of the Canadian Geological Survey (1842-1869),
initiated investigations of Precambrian rocks. He coined Laurentian for the complex granitic and
gneissic rocks of southern Ontario and adjacent Quebec and he assumed that these represented
the original continental crust. The Algoman granite and overlying Huronian sedimentary series
were soon named north of Lake Huron. These three names were thought to represent universal
Precambrian subdivisions for many years. The first comprehensive surveys south of Lake
Superior were initiated by Congress to investigate mineral deposits. The first two were led by
David Dale Owen in 1839-40 to the lead mining district of the upper Mississippi Valley and in
1848-49 farther north to Lake Superior. In 1850-51 J.W. Foster and J.D. Whitney surveyed
northern Michigan and adjacent Wisconsin, where copper and iron deposits were known.
Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan funded state surveys during the 1860s and 1870s,
but these were parochial and uneven in quality. Most important were surveys under N.H.
Winchell in Minnesota, T.C. Chamberlin in Wisconsin, and T.B. Brooks and R.J. Pumpelly in
northern Michigan. For the Tenth National Census of the United States, Congress mandated that
the U.S. Geological Survey catalogue the nation’s mineral resources. In 1880 several university
geologists, including T.C. Chamberlin and Roland D. Irving of Wisconsin, were recruited to help
accomplish this formidable task. At the conclusion of the census, Wisconsin’s Irving suggested
that an integrated geological investigation of the Precambrian of the Lake Superior region was
needed to facilitate the understanding and exploitation of the iron ranges. U.S. Geological
Survey Director J.W. Powell agreed, and in 1882 created a Lake Superior Division to be located
at Madison with Irving in charge. The first of nine large USGS Monographs to be published by
the Division was Irving’s Copper-Bearing Rocks of Lake Superior (1883). In this he recognized
the Lake Superior syncline and presented petrographic analyses of varied Keweenawan rocks, an
early application of that important, new technique. In 1888 Irving died suddenly, so his young
assistant, Charles R. Van Hise, immediately became both Director of the Division and Professor
of Geology. The program went forward at a fast pace with a small army of young geologists
fanning out across the different iron ranges. Four more Monographs and two Bulletins appeared
during the 1890s. In 1903, Van Hise was chosen President of the University of Wisconsin, so his
protégée, Charles K. Leith, took over both of his mentor’s former offices. Leith’s own Mesabi
Range Monograph (1903) and four others plus one Bulletin were published under his direction.
Besides an overarching synthesis of all of the work of the army, which was published in
1911 (Monograph 52), Van Hise and Leith devoted much attention to the development of
universal principles for deciphering complex structures and metamorphism in terms of
fundamental mechanics and chemistry. To cope with the scattered nature of rock exposures in a
recently glaciated region of complex geology, the USGS group honed techniques for determining
the relations between visible outcrop-scale (mesoscopic) and very obscure larger-scale
(macroscopic) structures. Slaty cleavage and drag folds were employed early as valuable tools
for such analysis, and in 1910 William O. Hotchkiss, a student of the Van Hise-Leith school (and
about-to-be Wisconsin State Geologist), recognized the value of cross bedding and graded
bedding for determining ‘way up.’ These fundamental insights gained by the Van Hise army and
ground-breaking textbooks by Leith of structural geology (1913), metamorphic geology (1915;

51

�with his protégée Warren J. Mead), and economic geology (1921) thrust the University of
Wisconsin’s Department of Geology into international prominence. Soon many students came
from Canada, China, Japan, and Britain for postgraduate work in the ‘Wisconsin School of
Precambrian Geology.’ The largest contingent was from Canada after 1910 when Director R.W.
Brock of the Geological Survey of Canada adopted the policy that survey geologists henceforth
must have the Ph.D. degree. The flow from the north to Wisconsin and other U.S. universities
continued until the 1960s when more Canadian institutions began granting the Ph.D.
By 1900 there was a need to reconcile some Canadian and U.S. interpretations of the
major divisions of the Precambrian rocks of the Lake Superior region. Of particular note was a
discrepancy in the Rainey Lake area along the Minnesota-Ontario border, where Andrew C.
Lawson had inferred in 1887 that the oldest rocks were sediments of the Coutchiching formation,
but U.S. geologists believed that the Keewatin volcanic complex was older and that the
Coutchiching was equivalent to the younger Knife Lake series in Minnesota. In 1905 an
international committee of survey geologists from both countries reviewed the evidence and
favored the U.S. interpretation. In response, Lawson restudied the area in 1911, but stubbornly
reaffirmed his original belief in spite of the fact that his field assistant, J.D. Trueman, a PhD
student of Leith’s, showed him the value of cross bedding for determining ‘way up,’ which
should have led recalcitrant Lawson to see his error. It was not until 1925 that Frank F. Grout of
Minnesota disproved Lawson definitively using both graded bedding and cross bedding. The
Minnesota-Ontario border region also became the burial ground of the long-standing dogma that
Laurentian granites and gneisses represented the original crust of North America, for here the
Keewatin volcanic complex now claimed that title. By this time the commonly accepted
divisions of the Lake Superior Precambrian record had become Archean (including Keewatin,
Algoman and Huronian) and Proterozoic (including Animikie and Keweenawan).
By the mid-twentieth Century, the major stratigraphic divisions of the region were
established and isotopic dating was beginning at last to provide a sound basis for long-range
correlations. A.O. Nier and S.S. Goldich at the University of Minnesota were especially
important in applying the new techniques to the Precambrian of this region, which allowed the
recognition and dating of several additional tectonic and metamorphic events. Meanwhile,
Francis J. Pettijohn had pioneered the study of Precambrian sedimentary rocks with his classic
Archean Sedimentation (1943) and many subsequent studies with his University of Chicago
graduate students. Stanley A. Tyler’s discovery in 1953 of the Gunflint fossils on the north shore
of Lake Superior and Preston Cloud investigations while at the University of Minnesota in the
1960s revolutionized thinking about Precambrian life. Meanwhile the study of the region was
greatly enhanced by the widespread application of geophysical techniques such as aeromagnetic
surveys and geochemical studies. Finally, since 1970 plate tectonics has revolutionized our
understanding of the evolution of the Lake Superior region.

52

�A Field and Laboratory Study to Evaluate the Genetic Relationships Between the Purvis
Pluton and Volcanic Rocks and Volcanic-Associated Mineralization in the Vermilion
District of NE Minnesota
DREXLER, H.L.*, HUDAK, G.J., Geology Department, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh,
800 Algoma Blvd., Oshkosh, WI 54901; drexlh92@uwosh.edu
PETERSON, D.M., Natural Resources Research Institute, 5013 Miller Trunk Highway, Duluth,
MN 55811
The Purvis Pluton is an east-west trending, moderate- sized (~3km3), sill-like multiphase dioritic to
tonalitic intrusion with a strike length of 5.7 km and a thickness, which ranges from 100-1200 meters
(Peterson, 2001). This intrusion occurs near the base of the eastern part of the Ely Greenstone – Lower
Member (Peterson and Jirsa, 1999; Jirsa et al., 2001). Peterson (2001) has suggested that the Purvis
Pluton represents a felsic, synvolcanic sill-like subvolcanic intrusion that may have been the heat engine,
which drove subseafloor hydrothermal activity, which produced VMS-like Cu-Zn mineralization at the
Eagles Nest and Purvis Road prospects. The evidence for this interpretation is based on the local
presence of an east-west oriented D2 foliation within the Purvis Pluton, the lack of a significant contact
aureole adjacent to the intrusion, and the intimate relationship between the uppermost margins of the
pluton and intense, semi-conformable quartz + epidote alteration zones. Volcanic rocks in the Ely
Greenstone – Lower Member consistently contain the D2 foliation, which is constrained by age dates to
have occurred during regional deformation between 2674 and 2683 Ma (Boerboom and Zartman, 1993;
Peterson et al., 2001).
We have conducted detailed field mapping, petrographic and lithogeochemical studies to further evaluate
the spatial, mineralogical, and chemical characteristics of the Purvis Pluton. Field mapping, supported by
subsequent petrographic studies, indicates that the Purvis Pluton contains several distinct phases. These
include: 1) xenolithic hornblende diorite; 2) xenolithic hornblende tonalite; 3) xenolithic leucotonalite; 4)
leucotonalite and trondhjemite; and 5) leucotonalite dikes. Paragenetic relationships between these phases
have been determined in the field based and by petrography based on cross-cutting relationships and the
xenolith contents of the various phases. Angular, coarse-grained gabbro/diorite lapilli, which have rare
earth element characteristics similar to the other phases of the pluton (Figure 1a), are common in the
xenolithic hornblende tonalite and xenolithic leucotonalite phases, and appear to represent an early
product of Purvis Pluton crystallization. The xenolithic hornblende diorite, xenolithic hornblende
tonalite, and xenolithic leucotonalite commonly contain basalt-andesite lapilli, epidote + quartz-altered
basalt-andesite lapilli, and lapilli and blocks of oxide facies iron formation. These three xenolithic phases
are intruded by the main phase of the intrusion, leucotonalite/trondhjemite. Leucotonalite dikes are a
minor phase of the intrusion, and when present, consistently cut through the other plutonic phases. A
sample of the hornblende tonalite has been submitted for geochronological analysis, and we are anxiously
awaiting the results.
Preliminary lithogeochemical evaluations indicate that the Purvis Pluton is calc-alkalic (Figure 1b). The
various phases of the intrusion are classified as tonalite and trondhjemite using O’Connors normativebased granitic rock classification scheme (Figure 1c). Based on trace element characteristics, all phases of
the Purvis Pluton were formed in a volcanic arc setting (Figure 1d), which is consistent with the
geochemical affinity of the volcanic strata in the Ely Greenstone – Lower Member (Hudak et al., 2002).
Recent studies by Galley (2003) have evaluated the physical and chemical characteristics of synvolcanic
intrusions spatially and temporally associated with VMS deposits in Canada and Scandinavia. We are
currently completing our evaluation of the lithogeochemical features of the Purvis Pluton, and our
comparison of these features to VMS-associated synvolcanic intrusions associated with VMS deposits.

53

�Figure 1. a) REE diagram illustrating trends associated with Purvis Pluton phases, gabbro/diorite
xenoliths, and amphibolite xenoliths; b) normative alkali - total iron – magnesium tertiary plot (after
Irvine and Baragar, 1971); c) normative feldspar tertiary plot for the Purvis Pluton (after O’Connor,
1965); d) Rb – (Y + Nb) discriminant diagram for the Purvis Pluton (after Pearce et al., 1984).
References
Boerboom, T. J., and Zartman, R. E., 1993, Geology, geochemistry, and geochronology of the central Giants Range
batholith, northeastern Minnesota: Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, v. 30, p. 2510-2522.Boerboom and
Zartman, 1993
Galley, A., 2003, Composite synvolcanic intrusions associated with Precambrian VMS-related hydrothermal
systems: Mineralium Deposita, v. 38, p. 443-473.
Hudak, G. J., Heine, J., Newkirk, T., Odette, J., and Hauck, S., 2002. Comparative geology, stratigraphy, and
lithogeochemistry of the Five Mile Lake, Quartz Hill, and Skeleton Lake VMS occurrences, Vermilion
District, NE Minnesota: NRRI Technical Report NRRI/TR-2002/03, 390 pages.
Jirsa, M. A., Boerboom, T. J., and Peterson, D. M., 2001, Bedrock geological map of the Eagles Nest Quadrangle,
St. Louis County, Minnesota: Minnesota Geological Survey Misc. Map Series M-114.
O’Connor, J. T., 1965, A classification for quartz-rich igneous rocks based on feldspar ratios: USGS Professional
Paper 1965:B79-B84.
Pearce, J. A., Harris, N. B. W., and Tindle, A. G., 1984, Trace element discrimination diagrams for the tectonic
interpretation of granitic rocks: Journal of Petrology, v. 25, p. 956-983.
Peterson, D. M., 2001, Development of Archean lode-gold and massive sulfide deposit exploration models using
geographic information system applications: targeting mineral exploration in northeastern Minnesota from
analysis of analog Canadian mining camps: unpublished Ph. D. dissertation, University of Minnesota, Duluth,
Minnesota, 503 p.
Peterson, D. M., Gallup, C., Jirsa, M. A., and Davis, D. W., 2001, Correlation of Archean assemblages across the
U.S.- Canadian border: Phase I geochronology: 47th Annual Meeting, Institute on Lake Superior Geology,
Proceedings Volume 47, Part 1 – Programs and Abstracts, p. 77-78.
Peterson, D. M., and Jirsa, M. A., 1999, Bedrock Geological Map and Mineral Exploration Data, Western
Vermilion District, St. Louis and Lake Counties, Northeastern Minnesota: Minnesota Geological Survey
Miscellaneous Map Series M-98, scale 1:48,000.

54

�Late Wisconsin Till and Arsenic Contamination in Upper Midwest Groundwater
ERICKSON, Melinda L.*(Water Resources Sciences), and BARNES, Randal J., (Civil
Engineering), University of Minnesota, 500 Pillsbury Dr. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455,
eric0984@umn.edu
Exposure to arsenic, a recognized human carcinogen, is a widespread public health problem,
with more than 150 million people worldwide estimated to be exposed to unsafe levels of arsenic
from their drinking water. To reduce arsenic exposure from drinking water, the US
Environmental Protection Agency recently adopted a new, more protective arsenic drinking
water standard, 10 µg/l. All public water systems must comply with the new arsenic standard by
January 2006.
In the upper Midwest, arsenic in ground water is a widespread, naturally occurring
contamination problem regionally impacting both public and private drinking water wells.
Hundreds of upper Midwest public water systems serving over a million people are affected by
the change in the arsenic standard. Additionally, in Minnesota alone, 150,000 – 250,000 people
are estimated to obtain drinking water from private wells with arsenic concentrations exceeding
10 µg/l. Private well owners are not forced to comply with federal drinking water standards.
Figure 1 illustrates that groundwater arsenic concentrations in excess of 10 µg/l are associated
with the lateral extent of northwest-sourced late Wisconsin sediment. Statistical analysis
supports the visual observation: 10.7% of public water systems located within the footprint of
the Late Wisconsin till exceed 10 µg/l, and only 2% of public water systems outside the footprint
exceed 10 µg/l.
Our research results indicate that the elevated arsenic concentrations in upper Midwest
groundwater are not primarily due to high arsenic concentrations in Late Wisconsin till.
Sediment analyses indicate that Late Wisconsin sediment in western Minnesota does not have
particularly high arsenic concentrations, and water arsenic and sediment arsenic concentrations
measured in our research are not correlated (Figure 2).
We hypothesize that the specific physical characteristics of the Late Wisconsin till, such as its
fine-grained matrix, entrained organic carbon, and active anaerobic biological activity, create the
geochemical environment favorable to a regional-scale mobilization of arsenic via desorption.
In western Minnesota aquifer sediments, we measured that 0.5 – 0.7 mg/Kg of the total arsenic is
adsorbed arsenic. Adsorbed arsenic is labile and can be readily desorbed, especially in suboxic
and reduced aquifers.

55

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Figure 1 – Arsenic concentrations in upper Midwest public water systems

Figure 2 – Measured arsenic concentrations in water and sediment collected from western
Minnesota.

56

�INFLUENCE OF GEOLOGIC SETTING ON HYDROGEOMORPHIC
CHARACTERISTICS OF SOUTHERN LAKE SUPERIOR TRIBUTARIES
FITZPATRICK, Faith A., U.S. Geological Survey, 8505 Research Way, Middleton, WI 53562,
fafitzpa@usgs.gov
The U.S. Geological Survey has conducted assessments of historical and current geomorphic, sediment,
and flooding characteristics for several Lake Superior tributaries in the Duluth, Minnesota and Bayfield
County, Wisconsin areas. These assessments were done to determine historical natural and human-caused
alterations in aquatic habitat and to provide base line data for stream restoration activities. For streams
with little or no bedrock control, such as those in the Bayfield County area, historical geomorphic
responses to clear-cut logging and burning in the late 1800s and subsequent agriculture in the early 1900s
included channel incision and lateral migration in upstream reaches and aggradation, widening, and
lateral migration in downstream reaches (Fitzpatrick et al., 1999). However, these geomorphic responses
to changes in land cover were dependent on composition of glacial deposits, type of glacial or glaciolacustrine landforms, spatial position within the watershed, and relative timing of large floods.
Geomorphic responses to increased runoff and sediment inputs were manifested during extreme floods
that occurred one to two decades after maximum agricultural activity (Fitzpatrick and Knox, 2000). For
streams with bedrock control, such as those in the Duluth area, the main geomorphic response to land
clearing, such as urban sprawl, is channel widening. The major source of sediment in most of the southern
Lake Superior tributaries has been and continues to be from channels down-cutting through relict glacial
lake shorelines. Longitudinal profiles of the tributaries are a reflection of a combination of glacial and
glacio-lacustrine landforms and bedrock topography (fig. 1). Slopes are steep where streams intersect
glacial lake shorelines and (or) bedrock near the surface. Longitudinal profiles are a useful reconnaissance
tool for identifying stream reaches prone to erosion or sedimentation. Inflection points on the longitudinal
profiles represent reaches with slope transitions. These transitional reaches tend to be the most sensitive to
changes in water and sediment inputs.
1,500

Miller Creek,
Duluth, MN

1,400
ALTITUDE, IN FEET

1,300
1,200

Cranberry River,
Herbster, WI

1,100
1,000
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700

North Fish Creek,
Ashland, WI

600
25

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15

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5

0

RIVER MILE FROM MOUTH

Figure 1. Longitudinal profiles for three Lake Superior tributaries.
REFERENCES
Fitzpatrick, F.A., and Knox, J.C., 2000, Spatial and Temporal Sensitivity of Hydrogeomorphic Response and
Recovery to Deforestation, Agriculture, and Floods: Physical Geography 21(2): 89-108.
Fitzpatrick, F.A., Knox, J.C., and Whitman, H.E., 1999, Effects of Historical Land-Cover Changes on Flooding and
Sedimentation, North Fish Creek, Wisconsin: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations
Report 99-4083, 12 p.

57

�IRON NODULE RESEARCH AT THE NATURAL RESOURCES RESEARCH
INSTITUTE, UMD
FOSNACHT, Donald R., Center for Applied Research and Technology Development, Natural
Resources Research Institute, University of Minnesota Duluth, Duluth, MN
IWASAKI, Iwao, and BLEIFUSS, Rodney, Coleraine Minerals Research Laboratory, Natural
Resources Research Institute, University of Minnesota Duluth, Coleraine, MN
Synopsis
A program jointly funded by the Economic Development Administration and the University of Minnesota
Permanent University Trust Fund has been underway at the Coleraine Minerals Research Laboratory over the last
two years. During this period, significant research and development has taken place using a variety of new furnace
capabilities to test the responsiveness of iron ore taconite concentrates to reduction and smelting under a variety of
test conditions. During the coarse of the investigation, over 1150 tests were undertaken using a laboratory tube
furnace, these were supplemented by over 200 tests from a 2-stage laboratory box furnace, and finally by dozens of
test from a 3-stage pilot-scale linear hearth furnace. During the program, the conditions for producing satisfactory
iron nodules with low sulfur, gangue, and tramp impurity levels were elucidated. A variety of reductants, slag
fluidizers, and iron ore mixtures were employed during the test program.
Laboratory Tube Furnace Tests
The test program was initiated using a tube furnace (see Figure 1) with a 2” dia. x 48” long mullite tube, which
takes 1” wide x 4” long and 1” high graphite boat, to screen the test conditions for use in laboratory box and pilot
plant linear hearth furnaces. Major parameters investigated included such raw materials as:
(1) taconite concentrates with different levels of silica content as well as pellet plant wastes and screened
pellet fines,
(2) different carbonaceous reductants including Eastern anthracite, low-, medium- and high-volatile
bituminous and Western sub-bituminous coals as well as their carbonized char and coke, and
(3) different types of additives, such as balling binders and some specific additives for slag fusion temperature
reduction and iron nugget sulfur control.
Furnace operating conditions included temperature and time at temperature, furnace atmosphere, hearth layer
materials, iron nugget and slag chemistries as well as iron nugget size. Environmental issues of concern are slag
disposal and/or utilization and effluent emission of mercury, NOX, SOX and particulate matter.

Figure 1: Laboratory Tube Furnace
In the tube furnace, over 1150 different conditions have been tested. Test results demonstrated that larger-sized
iron nuggets can be routinely produced by feeding dry raw material mixtures without prior agglomeration. Taconite
concentrates with different levels of silica indicated that magnetic concentrates with 6% SiO2 produced metallic iron
nuggets more readily than a more expensively produced super-concentrate of 2% SiO2. Pellet plant wastes and
screened pellet fines produced satisfactory iron nuggets, but consisting mainly of hematite, these raw materials
appeared to require somewhat different conditions.

Laboratory Box Furnace Tests
A laboratory, electrically-heated box furnace (see Figure 2), having two 12”x12”x12” heating chambers with
the two chambers capable of controlling temperatures up to 1450°C (2642°F) independently, and which accepts a 5”
wide x 6” long x 1-1/2” high graphite tray was designed and constructed during the project. Over 220 different
conditions have been tested in the box furnace, confirming the results obtained in the tube furnace for both dry
balled feed and a feed without prior agglomeration. In the box furnace, a major emphasis was placed in developing

58

�methods to produce larger-sized iron nuggets by feeding dry raw material mixtures in an attempt to circumvent
costly balling and drying steps. A series of different size iron nuggets were produced, ranging from 5/15” to 2-1/2”
(7 to 65 mm) in size.

Figure 2: Laboratory Box Furnace
Pilot-plant Linear Hearth Furnace Tests (Rotary Hearth Simulator)
The natural gas-fired pilot-scale linear hearth furnace simulator has been installed and commissioned. The
furnace is a forty-foot long iron reduction furnace (see Figure 3), consisting of three individual heating zones and a
final cooling section. Sample trays are conveyed through the furnace by a hydraulically driven walking beam
system. Zones are controlled individually according to temperature, pressure and feed rate, making this furnace
capable of simulating several reduced iron processes and operating conditions. An Allen Bradley PLC micro logic
controller coupled to an Automation-Direct PLC for the walking beam mechanism controls the furnace through a
user-friendly PC interface.
The PLC control system regulates individual zone burners to manage zone temperatures. A pair of 450,000
BTU/hr natural gas fired burners heats zones one and two. Zone one is rated for a continuous operating temperature
of 2000 oF, while zone two can be continuously operated up to 2400 oF. Zone three is fired by a pair of 1 Million
BTU/hr burners that were required to achieve the operating temperatures of 2600 oF in reasonable time to complete
testing. Each zone has an individual exhaust duct and control damper to regulate pressure in that zone. A manually
controlled exhaust fan damper is also installed to reduce the capacity of the exhaust fan, and allow the individual
duct control dampers to manipulate pressures to desired set-points. Reducing the burner air, to operate the burners
sub-stoichiometric, and operating zone pressures positive is required to reduce oxygen levels to 0.0% and provide
acceptable furnace atmospheres for iron reduction.

Figure 3: Pilot Scale Linear Hearth Furnace (Rotary Hearth Simulator)
Major differences in the test conditions from laboratory electric furnaces were the low CO/CO2 ratio and high
turbulence of the furnace gas and the sample pallets acting as an unexpectedly large heat sink. Research work
focused on careful adjustment in the amount of coal addition, and on the type and amount of additives in order to
minimize the generation of micro nuggets.
The Linear Hearth Furnace has routinely been used to test a variety of the test variables shown to be important
from the box furnace and tube furnace tests. It is possible to make various size iron nuggets at this scale that have
low amounts of micro-nuggets and which have low levels of undesirable tramp elements. The furnace is extremely
useful for testing a multiplicity of test parameters in a very short period of time.

59

�OXYGENATION OF THE ARCHEAN HYDROSPHERE: EVIDENCE FROM THE
EAGLE ISLAND DELTAIC COMPLEX
FRALICK, Philip, Department of Geology, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, ON, Canada, P7B 5E1,
philip.fralick@lakeheadu.ca

PUFAHL, Peir K., Department of Geological Sciences and Geological Engineering, Queens University,
Kingston, ON, Canada, K7L 3N6, pufahl@geol.queensu.ca

The Eagle Island Group is located in southern Uchi Subprovince, Canadian Shield, at the west
end of Lake St. Joseph. It overlies 2713 Ma volcanic rocks and is deformed by an event, which
probably occurred prior to 2702 Ma (Stott and Corfu 1991). Outcrop along the shores of Eagle
Island is excellent and provides a rare opportunity to document an Early Precambrian
depositional system including abundant iron formation.
The lowermost 35 m of section contains three
coarse-grained parasequences separated by
assemblages of graded sandstone beds and iron
formation (IF) (Fig. 1). The IF consists of three
types: (a) dominantly magnetite-rich sediment with
mm- to cm-scale, graded or ungraded siltstone
interbeds: (b) cm-scale graded to sharply bounded
siltstone layers either contiguous or separated by
mm-thick laminae of magnetite-rich sediment: (c)
sandstone beds in places separated by magnetiterich intervals. The lowermost coarse-grained
parasequence consists of graded sandstones and
conglomerates separated by a-type IF units. The
second parasequence contains: graded sandstones
and conglomerates separated by magnetite; graded
sandstone lenses surrounded by magnetite; crossstratified sandstones with magnetite drapes on
reactivation surfaces; low angle, laterally accreting
sandstone and conglomerate packages with internal
magnetite laminae; multistory conglomerates with
internal magnetite drapes; and ripple laminated
sandstones in a-type IF with mm-thick magnetite
laminae draping avalanche surfaces in ripple trains.
The upper parasequence is composed of cross-stratified, coarse-grained sandstones interlayered
with conglomeratic lenses. This is sharply overlain by 73 m of b-type, gradational to a-type, IF.
A 182 m thick succession of graded, medium-grained sandstone beds overly the IF and these are
succeeded upwards by 67 m of trough cross-stratified, coarse-grained sandstones. Next is a 60 m
thick sandstone-conglomerate assemblage consisting of sharp-sided, nongraded laterally
extensive, thin conglomerate lenses interlayered with well-sorted medium-grained sandstones
with internal, shallowly inclined pebble stringers. Approximately 50% of the clasts are IF. This
assemblage is overlain by a thin package of turbidites capped by a-type IF.

60

�The Eagle Island Group was previously considered a deep-water submarine fan deposit (Meyn and
Palonen 1980, Berger 1981). The lithofacies associations present and their architectural organization
make this unlikely. The thick succession of graded beds is interpreted as shallow-water storm deposits
and the trough cross-stratified sandstones represent either nearshore sands, a distributary mouth bar
complex or braided fluvial channels. The overlying
conglomerate-sandstone unit consists of layers
characteristic of foreshore beach deposits interlayered
with fluvial mouth gravel bars. The 400 m thick,
coarsening upwards sequence represents a wave modified
delta. Thirty-five meters of strata underlying the
coarsening-upwards delta is also progradational with
three parasequences building from subaqueous (lower) to
strandline (middle) to braided fluvial (upper). The
parasequences are separated by IF developed on flooding
surfaces. The most interesting features exist in the middle
(strandline) parasequence. Here, IF was deposited at
periods of low stream discharge in the very proximal
distributary mouth environment. Magnetite laminae drape
all scales of reactivation surfaces developed in this
proximal nearshore setting. In contrast the 73 m thick IF
was deposited on the delta top during a major flooding
event and represents a portion of the transgressive and
highstand systems tract (Fig. 2) where chemical
sedimentation kept pace with relative sealevel rise.
The accumulation of IF only in the nearshore of
this depositional system limits possible
precipitation mechanisms. IF accumulation
models relying on relatively constant Fe
precipitation in the world ocean combined with
siliciclastic starvation are not compatible with
data presented here. Freshwater influx into the
nearshore, and resultant increase in pH, may have
been responsible for iron precipitation but
accompanying fresh water dilution of marine waters makes this unlikely. Photo-synthetically
induced oxygenation of the shallow nearshore is the probable cause of iron precipitation.
Berger, B.R. 1981. Stratigraphy of the west Lake St. Joseph greenstone terrain, northwestern
Ontario. Unpub. M.Sc. Thesis, Lakehead University, 117p.
Meyn, H.D. and Palonen, P.A. 1980. Stratigraphy of an Archean submarine fan. Precambrian
Research, Vol. 12, 257-285.
Stott, G.M. and Corfu, F. 1991. Uchi Subprovince. In: Geology of Ontario. Ont. Geol. Sur. Spec.
Vol. 4, Pt. 1, 145-238.

61

�Isocon Analysis: How To Make It Work For You.
GRANT, James A., Department of Geological Sciences, University of Minnesota Duluth, MN
55812
Isocon analysis (Grant, 1986) is a simple and effective means of quantitatively estimating
changes in mass or volume or concentrations in mass transfer. The method has been applied to
such diverse phenomena as hydrothermal alteration, replacement, migmatites, shear zones,
paleosols, silcretes, sedimentary exhalative deposits and fumarolic deposits. It may be
accomplished graphically by plotting an altered composition (CiA) against an original
composition (CiO) with no significant manipulation of the data. Species that have remained
immobile in the process define the isocon, which is a straight line through the origin. Data
points falling above the isocon represent gain, and those below represent loss, of the
corresponding chemical species, and the slope of the isocon gives the mass change in the
process.
It is critical to obtain as close an approximation to the original rock composition as
possible, since that rock no longer exists. Sampling the altered rock is generally less problematic,
even if the alteration is zoned. Given zonation or general heterogeneity of the rocks, judicious
sampling and averaging of samples is necessary. Fortunately it is painless to try different
combinations and arrive at a reasonable compromise.
Scaling should be important only in producing a satisfactory isocon diagram to portray
the model in question. If the slope of the isocon is based on CiA/CiO values, scaling cannot affect
the results because the scale factor cancels out. Scaling can however affect the perception of the
results especially if points are crowded close to the origin.
The choice of immobile species can be determined by inspection of a well-constructed
isocon diagram, by inspection of CiA/CiO values, by statistical methods like that of Baumgartner
and Olsen (1995), or by plotting pairs of species like Cail and Cline (2001). In any case the
geochemical characteristics of the species and of the process involved need to be considered
thoughtfully.
Characterization of an isocon based on immobile species (as opposed to constant mass,
volume or predetermined species) devolves to defining a slope for the isocon. This may be done
graphically, by a least squares method of linear regression, or by averaging the slopes for the
immobile species. Commonly there is some range within which reasonable isocons could be
chosen. Data points that lie close to a chosen isocon within such ranges would correspond to
small gains and losses, and not much significance should be placed on them. Data points far
from the range of possible isocons will not be affected significantly by the minutiae of the choice
of isocon.
Log-log plots do not add anything to the analysis, except the possibility of confusion, and
should be avoided.

62

�RFERENCES
Baumgartner, L. P. and Olsen, S. N., 1995. A least-squares approach to mass transport
calculations using the isocon method. Economic Geology, 90, 1261-1270.
Cail, T. L., and Cline, J. S., 2001. Alteration associated with gold deposition at the Getchell
Carlin-type gold deposit, North-central Nevada. Economic Geology, 96, 1343-1359.
Grant, J. A., 1986. The isocon diagram - a simple solution to Gresens' equation for
metasomatic alteration. Economic Geology, 81, 1976-1982.

63

�THE GEOLOGY OF THE DULUTH COMPLEX AND THE NORTH SHORE VOLCANIC GROUP
PORTRAYED IN NEW 7.5' QUADRANGLE MAPS OF THE DULUTH METROPOLITAN AREA
GREEN, J.C., Department of Geological Sciences, University of Minnesota Duluth, Duluth, MN 55812
(jgreen@d.umn.edu)
MILLER, J.D., Jr., Minnesota Geological Survey, c/o Dept. of Geological Sciences, University of
Minnesota, Duluth, MN 55812
The most current bedrock geologic map of the Duluth area is the 40 year old map by R.B. Taylor
(1964), which was the first detailed-scale (1:24,000), full color map of Precambrian bedrock geology
published by the Minnesota Geological Survey. This map, which built on the earlier field studies of Grout
(1918) and Schwartz (1949), served as a companion to MGS Bulletin 44 and focussed mainly on the
geology and petrology of the Duluth Complex. Taylor's map divided the complex into two major series,
the layered series and the anorthositic series, and several subordinate units. The volcanic rocks of the
North Shore Volcanic Group (NSVG), which compose the hanging wall and part of the footwall of the
Duluth Complex, were not subdivided, but the major mafic sills that intrude the hanging wall volcanic
rocks were delineated.
The first author (Green) has conducted reconnaissance mapping in the Duluth area since 1960,
focussing mostly on the volcanic rocks of the Duluth Quadrangle. In 1992, the Minnesota Geological
Survey received funding from the Minnesota Minerals Coordinating Committee to conduct detailed
mapping in nine quadrangles encompassing the Duluth metropolitan area. Approximately five months of
intense field mapping resulted in the production of a 1:48,000-scale open-file map (Miller, Green and
Chandler, 1993). We have conducted intermittent mapping over the past 11 years, which has continued
to improve our understanding of the Duluth area. These field data are currently being digitally compiled
into new 1:24,000-scale maps for the Duluth, Duluth Heights, and West Duluth quadrangles and parts of
the Esko and Adolph quadrangles. Preliminary versions of these maps will be displayed as a poster
presentation.
One of the most important contributions of these new maps is their detailed delineation of the igneous
stratigraphy of the layered series. As Taylor (1964) recognized, the layered series at Duluth (DLS) is a
well-differentiated, 3- to 4.5-km-thick, moderately east-dipping, sheet-like mafic layered intrusion. Our
mapping has subdivided the DLS into six major zones and various subzones on the basis of dominant
cumulate rock types. A 150-300m-thick basal contact zone is composed of coarse-grained, taxitic olivine
gabbro and augite troctolite. This is overlain by a 300-600m thick zone of complexly layered cumulate
rocks including feldspathic dunite, oxide peridotite, melatroctolite, augite troctolite and olivine gabbro
that comprise the melanocratic zone. These rock types commonly define several macrocyclic subzones
grading from dunite/melatroctolite upward to augite troctolite/olivine gabbro. However, in many areas,
melatroctolite transgresses augite troctolite. The structural complexities of this zone are interpreted to
represent the effects of multiple intrusions during the early inflation stage of the DLS magma chamber.
The next zone up is the troctolite zone. It is 700-1200m thick, consists mostly of homogeneous foliated
troctolitic cumulates. The cyclic zone forms the medial section of the DLS and is characterized by
cyclical variations in cumulus mineralogy between troctolitic and gabbroic cumulates. At least four
major troctolite-gabbro macrocycle subzones are delineated within the well-exposed southern extent of
the cyclic zone. Miller and Ripley (1996) suggested that the cyclicity formed by pressure fluctuations
attending magma venting episodes. The persistent occurrence of gabbroic cumulates defines the next
unit, the 600m- to 1700m-thick gabbro zone. Gabbroic cumulates, in turn, grade upward into nonfoliated
(noncumulate) apatitic quartz ferromonzodiorite, which composes most of the 50m- to 200m-thick upper
contact zone. This quartz ferromonzodiorite complexly mixes with a fine-grained biotitic ilmenite
ferrodiorite, which forms the "chilled" DLS contact with anorthositic series rocks. A couple of small
bodies of melanogranophyre, which irregularly cut through the anorthositic series, probably represent the
uppermost differentiate of the DLS. This igneous stratigraphy, which is complimented by cryptic

64

�layering of cumulus mineral compositions, implies that the DLS formed by bottom-up, open-system
fractional crystallization of a moderately evolved, olivine tholeiitic magma.
The structurally and lithologically complex anorthositic series (AS), which caps the layered series, is
subdivided into four units: 1) a troctolitic anorthosite unit that fringes the lower part of the series; 2) an
ophitic olivine leucogabbro unit that occurs mainly as inclusions in the upper part of the layered series; 3)
a plagioclase-phyric gabbro unit that occurs along the upper contact; and 4) a main unit of
undifferentiated gabbroic anorthosite that comprises 90% of the AS. Although their physical relations
clearly indicate that the DLS intruded the AS, precise U/Pb zircon dating (Paces and Miller, 1993) shows
essentially identical ages of 1099 Ma for both series.
A more complete picture of geologic structure in the Duluth area is also portrayed by these new maps.
Much of the area is cut by ENE to ESE-trending faults. With the exception of the fault zone exposed in
Stewart Creek, these faults are speculative and inferred from topography, aeromagnetic data, and geologic
offset. One of the more enigmatic structural features of the area is an antiform-synform duplex defined
by foliation and layering in the Spirit Mountain area (West Duluth quadrangle). The limb between these
fold structures is near vertical and their N-S fold axes are doubly plunging. By their orientation, they do
not appear to be related to faulting. Perhaps the folds developed by collapse of the cumulate pile
overlying a feeder zone.
Another major improvement on the geologic picture of the Duluth area is in the subdivision of the
North Shore Volcanic Group and related hypabyssal intrusions, which form the Duluth Complex hanging
wall. The AS intruded normal-polarity lavas of the NSVG, of which approximately 2445 m form the
section within the Duluth quadrangle. These volcanic rocks are intruded by the 600m thick Endion sill
near the middle, the lensing Northland sheet in the upper part, and the Lester River sill at the top, plus two
minor diabasic intrusions along with several late basaltic dikes. Several distinctive and mappable
volcanic and sedimentary units within this section include five large felsic flows that constitute 37% of
the sequence (Green and Fitz, 1993). From lowest to highest, these are the City Hall icelandite, the
Congdon Park rhyolite, the 40th Ave. East icelandite (dated at 1098.4+/-1.9Ma, Davis and Green, 1997),
the 42nd Ave. East rhyolite, and the Lester Park icelandite.
The lowermost lavas are contact-metamorphosed by the Duluth Complex to pyroxene-hornfels to
hornblende-hornfels facies; the remainder show greenschist and laumontite-prehnite-pumpellyite
assemblages due to burial metamorphism (Schmidt, 1993).
References
Davis, D.W, and Green, J.C., 1997, Geochronology of the North American Midcontinent rift in western Lake Superior and
implications for its geodynamic evolution. Canadian Journal of Earth Science 34, p. 476-488.
Green, J.C., and Fitz, T.J.III, 1993, Extensive felsic lavas and rheoignimbrites in the Keweenawan Midcontinent Rift plateau
volcanics, Minnesota: petrographic and field recognition. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research 54, p. 177196.
Grout, F.F., 1918, Internal structures of igneous rocks; their significance and origin with special reference to the Duluth Gabbro.
Journal of Geology 26, 439-458
Miller, J.D., Jr., Green, J.C., &amp; Chandler, V.W., 1993, Preliminary geologic map of the Duluth area, St. Louis County,
Minnesota. Minnesota Geological Survey Open-file Report 93-2, scale 1:48,000
Miller, J.D., Jr., and Ripley, E.M., 1996, Layered intrusions of the Duluth Complex, Minnesota, USA. In Cawthorne, R.G., ed.,
Layered Intrusions: Amsterdam, Elsevier Science, p. 257-301.
Paces, J.B., and Miller, J.D., Jr., 1993, Precise U-Pb ages of Duluth Complex and related mafic intrusions, northeastern
Minnesota: Geochronological insights to physical, petrogenetic, paleomagnetic, and tectonomagmatic processes associated
with the 1.1 Ga Midcontinent Rift System. Journal of Geophysical Research 98, No B8, p. 13,997-14,013.
Schmidt, S.Th., 1993, Regional and local patterns of low-grade metamorphism in the North Shore Volcanic Group, Minnesota,
USA. Journal of Metamorphic Geology 11, p. 401-414.
Schwartz, G.M., 1949, The geology of the Duluth metropolitan area. Minnesota Geological Survey Bulletin 33, 136p.
Taylor, R. B., 1964, Geology of the Duluth Gabbro Complex near Duluth, Minnesota. Minnesota Geological Survey Bulletin 44,
63 pp.

65

�EFFECT OF MINERALOGY ON PROCESSING OF LOW GRADE IRON ORES
FROM THE NEGAUNEE IRON-FORMATION ON MARQUETTE RANGE OF
THE LAKE SUPERIOR DISTRICT
HAN, Tsu-Ming, Senior Research Scientist (Retired), Cleveland-Cliffs Inc., Ishpeming,
Michigan, USA
During the past half-century, Cleveland-Cliffs has investigated and processed three types of lowgrade iron ores from the Negaunee Iron-Formation on the Marquette Range of the Lake Superior
District. The three ore types are:
(1) Specular hematite ore of medium metamorphic grade with the principal gangue of chert and
locally some sericite, garnet, epidote and grunerite.
(2) Magnetite ore of low metamorphic grade with the principal gangue of chert, siderite,
ankerite, stilpnomelane, minnesotaite and some clastics.
(3) Oxidized magnetite ore in which martite is the principal ore mineral. Ultrafine-grained
hematite, microplaty hematite, goethite and earthy hematite are locally present in
substantial quantities. Chert and clastic quartz are the principal gangue with local
distribution of some gypsum and clay minerals (kaolin, dickite, and montmorillonite).
Some minor minerals in the above ores have caused problems in the concentration process and
concentrate grade control either in plant practice or from the laboratory testing. Others have
caused the physical and chemical quality of the final pellet product. This paper reports the mode
of occurrence of these minerals and their negative effects affecting the plant operation and the
quality of the pellet product.
I – Mineralogy affecting the process of concentration
A – Laboratory data showed that gypsum causes total flocculation during desliming due to
the release of calcium ions into solution. It prevents the rejection of slimes from flotation feed.
This minimizes the selectivity of amine flotation resulting in lower the weight and iron unit
recoveries as a result.
B– Montmorillonite absorbs amine killing froth leading the catastrophic failure in separating
ore minerals from gangue. It can easily be detected by a simple procedure referred to as “Shake
Test”, or by analyzing MgO content of the crude ore before processing, i.e., in most cases, the
concentrate grade is determined by the MgO content of the crude ore.
II – Ore mineralogy that can affect concentrate grade
A – Ultrafine-grained magnetite is typically present in the iron-formation adjacent to
chloritized basic dikes and sills. The magnetite may represent as much as 40% of the ironformation. However, its grain size is generally finer than 5 microns and it is practically
impossible to produce a magnetic concentrate with an acceptable grade by any feasible
mechanical means from this type of material.
B – Ultrafine-grained hematite occurs as irregular grains and microplates of a few microns or
less finely disseminated in chert. Such a hematite and chert relationship has been referred to as

66

�“Hematitic Chert”. It is the host of martite and is considered as waste, which cannot be rejected
by the magnetic oxide conversion process (MOC) but can be partially removed by the amine
flotation.
III – Mineralogy that can affect pellet physical quality
Graphite can be rejected during desliming and flotation. However, some of it is entrapped in
the magnetic concentrate for palletizing. It causes internal fusion of pellets due to the differential
rate of heat transfer and oxygen diffusion toward center of the pellets. This leads to the
development of concentric cracking in the pellets and consequently lowers the physical quality
of the pellets during transfer. The resulting structural weakness in the pellets can be minimized
by the addition of hematite to the balling feed to enhance oxygen availability
IV – Mineralogy that can affect pellet chemical quality
A – Phosphorus in the oxidized ore occurs as apatite, which has been designated as P1, and
as an impurity in goethite and dove-tailed hematite, as P2. Most of the P1 can be rejected
during the desliming and flotation stages, whereas the P2 increases with the increase of iron in
the concentrate. In order to produce an acceptable final product containing less than 0.03% P
from some of the highly oxidized ore, a substantial amount of these ore minerals has to be
rejected by high intensity magnetic separation.
B – Titanium is present as rutile in some specular hematite. It is practically impossible to
separate from its specular hematite host by any known mechanical means. Consequently, it
reports with the iron in the concentrate from the specular hematite.
C – Stilpnomelane and minnesotaite contain the potassium and sodium. These constituents
are a detriment to blast furnace refractory. Most of these minerals are rejected during magnetic
separation and flotation. Some of them are entrapped in the magnetite fines as a result of
magnetic flocculation. Generally, the alkaline content in the pellets has not been a major
problem.
Specular hematite concentrate is no longer produced. Oxide ore containing montmorillonite or
gypsum remain to be successfully processed. Magnetite iron-formation adjacent to the intrusives
has been considered as “waste” and removed by selective mining.

67

�Geochemistry of the Proterozoic Intrusive Rocks of the Nipigon Embayment
HART, T.R., Precambrian Geoscience Section, Ontario Geological Survey, 933 Ramsey Lake Road,
Sudbury, Ontario P3E 6B5 (tom.hart@ndm.gov.on.ca)
The Nipigon Embayment is an approximately 19 000 km2 area of Proterozoic igneous and
sedimentary rocks centred on Lake Nipigon, north of Lake Superior and approximately 110 km northeast
of Thunder Bay. There are three geochemically distinct Proterozoic intrusive rock types in the Nipigon
Embayment, the southern ultramafic intrusions, the Kitto-Jackfish intrusions and the Nipigon Sill
Complex (Hart, 2003).
The southern ultramafic intrusions consist of the Disraeli, Seagull-Leckie, and Hele intrusions
located in the area between Lake Nipigon and Lake Superior. These intrusions are composed of a
pyroxene peridotite core with irregular olivine gabbro zones along their margins, and intrude the rocks of
the Archean Quetico Subprovince and the Proterozoic Sibley Group. Their present geometry is sill-like,
but all three intrusions are composed predominantly of cumulate wehrlite and lherzolite and may
represent the remnants of large bodies. The intrusions have calc-alkaline affinities with [La/Yb]mn
(mantle normalized) ratios of 5.3 to 18.53 and have weakly depleted Th and little to no Nb anomalies
([Th/Yb]mn ratios of 0.78 to 1.1). The broad range in composition is probably a result of a combination of
igneous processes within the magma chambers and assimilation of country rock. Evidence of assimilation
is most evident in small, irregular monzogabbro pods that are geochemically similar to the surrounding
olivine gabbro but have higher K2O contents. All three intrusions have REE and HFSE ratios that are
comparable to ocean island basalts as has been noted for the Seagull Intrusion by Heggie and Hollings
(2004).
The Kitto-Jackfish intrusions range from an approximately 750 m thick sill-like body at Kitto to
an approximately 50 m thick sill at Jackfish Island, English Bay area (MacDonald, 2004), and sills up to a
few metres thick at Kama Hill, Nipigon Bay of Lake Superior. The Kitto Intrusion is composed of a
pyroxene peridotite core with an irregular olivine gabbro border zone comparable to the southern
peridotites (Hart et al., 2002). These sills intrude the rocks of the Quetico and Wabigoon subprovinces
and the Sibley Group. The Kitto-Jackfish sills have calc-alkaline affinities with [La/Yb]mn ratios of 6.3 to
10.7, weak Th depletion and weak negative Nb anomalies ([Th/Nb] mn ratios of 1.1 to 1.8) and rare earth
element (REE) and high field strength element (HFSE) contents similar to the southern peridotites. The

68

�trend of these intrusions on a La/Sm - Gd/Yb diagram could be a result of either a higher degree of
assimilation than the southern peridotites or an indication of a different magma source. The presence of
platinum group element (PGE) mineralization in the Seagull and Kitto intrusions suggests that differences
in geochemistry are not a useful tool in area selection during exploration.
A series of generally flat-lying to shallow-dipping diabase sills of the Nipigon Sill Complex
ranging from a few metres to greater than 100 m in thickness intrude both the southern ultramafic
intrusions and the Kitto intrusion. The 1109 Ma sills (Davis and Sutcliffe, 1985) have tholeiitic affinities
with [La/Yb]mn ratios of 1.61 to 3.29 and moderate negative Nb anomalies ([Th/Nb]mn ratios of 1.8-3.1).
Although the sills probably formed as a result of multiple injections of magma, geochemistry suggests
that many of the sills are
single cooling units. There is
geochemical evidence of
assimilation of the country
rock, which is supported by
field relationships. The
effects of assimilation are
most evident in the chilled
margins, although sills of
similar thickness appear to
display variability in
composition suggesting that
the degree of assimilation
depends on the composition of
the country rock. The
Nipigon diabase sills have
lower TiO2 (0.87 to 2.0 wt.%),
Zr/Y (4.2 to 2.7) and
[La/Yb]mn ratios than the
Logan sills (TiO2: 3.45 to 3.79
wt.%; Zr/Y: 5.5 to 7.7;
[La/Yb]mn: 6.5 to 7.8) located
south of Thunder Bay. The
[La/Yb]mn ratios of the Logan sills are comparable to the ultramafic intrusions of the Nipigon
Embayment, but their REE and HFSE contents are about 3 times higher than the intrusions. Similar
geographic related geochemical variations have been observed in some flood basalt provinces (e.g.,
Mantovani et al. 1985).
References
Davis, D.W. and Sutcliffe, R.H. 1985. U-Pb ages from the Nipigon plate and northern Lake Superior;
Geological Society of America Bulletin, v.96, p.1572-1579.
Hart, T.R. 2003. Keweenawan Mafic and Ultramafic Intrusive Rocks of the Lake Nipigon and Crystal
Lake areas, northwestern Ontario; in Part 1: Programs and Abstracts, Institute on Lake Superior
Geology, Proceedings Volume 49; Iron Mountain, Michigan, May 7-11, 2003.
Hart, T.R., terMeer, M. and Jolette, C. 2002. Precambrian Geology of Kitto, Eva, Summers, Dorothea and
Sandra Townships, Beardmore Area, Northwestern Ontario. Ontario Geological Survey, Open
File Report 6095, 206p.
MacDonald, C.A. 2004. Precambrian geology of the south Armstrong-Gull Bay area, Nipigon
Embayment, northwestern Ontario; Ontario Geological Survey, Open File Report 6136, 42p
Mantovani, M.S.M., Marques, L.S., de Sousa, M.A., Civetta, L., Atalla, L. and Innocenti, F. 1985. Trace
element and strontium isotopic constraints on the origin and evolution of Parana continental flood
basalts of Santa Catarina State (southern Brazil); Journal of Petrology, v.26, p.187-209.

69

�Precambrian Geology and Mineralization of the Northern Black Sturgeon River area,
Nipigon Embayment
HART, T.R., and MAGYAROSI, Z., Precambrian Geoscience Section, Ontario Geological Survey, 933
Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, Ontario P3E 6B5 (tom.hart@ndm.gov.on.ca)
A 1:50 000 scale bedrock mapping project in the northern Black Sturgeon River area was conducted to
investigate the regional geological setting of the platinum group element (PGE) bearing mafic to
ultramafic intrusion in the Seagull Lake area, in the southern portion of the Nipigon Embayment (Hart
and Magyarosi, 2004). The Nipigon Embayment is an approximately 19 000 km2 area of Proterozoic
igneous and sedimentary rocks centred on Lake Nipigon, north of Lake Superior. This mapping was
completed by the Ontario Geological Survey as part of its commitment of in-kind support to the Lake
Nipigon Region Geoscience Initiative (LNRGI). The LNRGI is a geoscience-based geological data
acquisition and compilation program operated by the Ontario Prospectors Association (OPA) and funded
through an agreement with the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC). The LNRGI also
includes partnerships with the private sector, Lakehead University and communities in the Lake Nipigon
area. The initiative also includes airborne magnetic and radiometric surveys, ground gravity surveys, and
targeted surficial geochemical and geochronological studies.
The north Black Sturgeon
280000
River map area is located
approximately 110 km northeast of
Thunder Bay and south of Lake
Nipigon, and is underlain by
5600000
metamorphosed and deformed
Archean volcanic and sedimentary
rocks of the southern Wabigoon
Subprovince and metamorphosed
feldspathic wackes and siltstones
of the Quetico Subprovince.
Sedimentary rocks of the relatively
flat-lying 1340 Ma Sibley Group
(Franklin, 1978), consisting of
conglomerates, sandstones,
LLaakkee
mudstones, siltstones, limestone,
N
Niippiiggoonn
unconformably overlie the Archean
rocks. Proterozoic mafic to
ultramafic intrusions in the Disraeli
Lake and the Seagull–Leckie lakes
areas intrude the Quetico
Subprovince and Sibley Group.
Both intrusions are composed of a
pyroxene peridotite core with an
irregular olivine gabbro zones
along the margin. A series of
undulating, generally flat-lying to
shallow-dipping 1109 Ma diabase
sills of the Nipigon Sill Complex
5400000
(Davis and Sutcliffe, 1985) intrude
430000
all other rock units in the map area.
The Black Sturgeon fault zone
consists of a series of north and
northwest-trending faults which form an asymmetric basin or half-graben. Less prominent northeasttrending faults probably represent reactivation of structures in the Archean basement rocks.

70

�The location of alteration and the
ultramafic intrusions appear to be
controlled by the distribution of faults
within the Black Sturgeon fault zone. The
Disraeli and Seagull ultramafic intrusions
occur along the same series of north
trending faults that appear to correlate with
north-trending structures in the northern
Gull Bay area about 80 km to the north. A
parallel series of north-trending faults about
25 km to the east hosts the Hele ultramafic
intrusion. The most significant PGE
mineralization in the Seagull Intrusion was
intersected at or near the basal contact of
the peridotite with metasedimentary rocks
of the Quetico Subprovince. The
mineralization is interpreted by Heggie and
Hollings (2004) to be magmatic, and
formed as a result of sulphur saturation of
the magma during initial stages of
emplacement. Biotite is ubiquitous in the
ultramafic intrusions, but textural evidence
is unclear as to whether the biotite is a
primary igneous mineral.
Preliminary
microprobe analyses from the Disraeli
Intrusion indicates that biotite may contain up to 5 wt.% Cl, which is similar to the high Cl and F contents
reported in biotite associated with PGE minerals in the Coldwell Complex (Watkinson and Ohnenstetter,
1992). The ultramafic intrusions are also cut by the faults suggesting a later reactivation. Metre to tens of
metre wide zones of intense hematization occur in along these faults in the Seagull intrusion, and a 40 m
thick interval in one drill hole is reported to contain a sylvite rich brine. One sample from the brine rich
interval has 3.4 ppm Pt and 1.2 ppm Pd along with elevated Cu and K2O contents suggesting that late
fluids could remobilize, and possibly concentrate, the PGEs. Further work is required to understand the
timing of this late alteration and the metallogenic significance.
References
Davis, D.W. and Sutcliffe, R.H. 1985. U-Pb ages from the Nipigon plate and northern Lake Superior;
Geological Society of America Bulletin, v.96, p.1572-1579.
Franklin, J.M. 1978. The Sibley Group, Ontario; in Rubidium-strontium isochron age studies, report 2;
ed. R.K. Wanless and W.D. Loveridge; Geological Survey of Canada, Paper 77-14, p.31-34.
Hart, T.R. and Magyarosi, Z. 2004. Precambrian Geology of the northern Black Sturgeon River and
Disraeli Lake Area, Nipigon Embayment, northwest Ontario; Ontario Geological Survey Open
File Report 6138, 56 p.
Heggie, G.J., and Hollings, P., 2004. Controls on PGE Mineralization in the Seagull Intrusion,
Northwestern Ontario; Geological Association of Canada-Mineralogical Association of Canada,
Joint Annual Meeting, St. Catharines 2004, Program with Abstracts.
Watkinson, D.H. and Ohnenstetter, D. 1992. Hydrothermal origin of platinum-group mineralization in the
Two Duck Lake Intrusion, Coldwell Complex, northwestern Ontario; Canadian Mineralogist,
v.30, p.121-136.

71

�Multiple Intrusive Stages Associated with Keweenawan Rifting: The Leckie Stock, Seagull
Intrusion, and Nipigon Sill
HEGGIE*, G., and HOLLINGS, P., Department of Geology, Lakehead University, 955 Oliver
Rd., Thunder Bay, Ontario, P7B 5E1, Canada; gheggie@lakeheadu.ca
Igneous activity related to Keweenawan Rifting (ca. 1108 Ma, Davis and Green, 1997) has
produced a wide spectrum of lithologies and numerous igneous suites (Osler Volcanics, North
Shore Volcanics, Mamainse Point Volcanics, Duluth Complex, Logan Sills, Nipigon Sills,
Coldwell Complex, English Bay Complex, Eva Kitto Intrusion, Seagull Intrusion, Leckie Stock).
Found on the periphery of Lake Superior and Lake Nipigon these igneous bodies have been
studied for 95 years (first mapped in Canada by Wilson 1910), as work further expands our
understanding of the magmatic history, the more complex igneous relationships become.
Rift related intrusive rocks outcrop extensively around Lake Nipigon (Figure 1). The most
abundant intrusions in this region are the Nipigon Sills (Sutcliffe 1986, Hart and McDonald
2003). Other igneous bodies have been identified in the process of PGE, Cu and Ni exploration.
These intrusive bodies, including the Seagull Intrusion and Leckie Stock, although not as
expansive as the Nipigon Sills still play an integral part in the development of a unified
petrogenetic model.

Figure 1. Location of intrusive, extrusive, and sedimentary rocks associated with the Keweenawan Rifting event.
Modified after Sutcliffe, 1991.

Contact relationships between the three intrusive suites (Leckie Stock, Seagull Intrusion, and
Nipigon Sill) are not yet fully understood. Chill margins on a Nipigon Sill crosscutting the
Leckie Stock have been identified in drill core, establishing that the Nipigon Sill post dates the

72

�Leckie Stock. Age relationships between the Seagull Intrusion and Nipigon Sill are still
unknown, as is the relationship between Seagull Intrusion and Leckie Stock.
Lithologically, geochemically, and mineralogically it is possible to distinguish between the three
bodies. The Leckie Stock is characterized by ultramafic lithologies, with rare earth element plots
similar to ocean island basalt with (La/Sm)n values of 1.01-5.21 and (Gd/Yb)n of 1.82-3.73.
Mineralogically the Leckie Stock is dominated by olivine with an average composition of Fo82.
This compares to the mafic lithologies (olivine gabbro - gabbro norites) of the Nipigon Sills with
(La/Sm)n of 1.51-1.61 and (Gd/Yb)n values of 1.46-1.49. Olivine mineralogy in the Nipigon Sill
varies more than in the Leckie Stock, and has an average olivine composition of Fo50.
Lithologically the Seagull Intrusion, displays the greatest variation, varying from olivine
gabbros, - gabbros to granophyres. Olivine analysed from this body has an average composition
of Fo67.
Mineralogical and geochemical data suggest that the Leckie Stock is the most primitive magma
of the three intrusive suites. The Seagull Intrusion and Nipigon Sills are similar in terms of
mineralogy and petrology in that they display overlapping olivine compositions, but REE data
(Hart 2002) suggests that the Seagull Intrusion is more closely related to the ultramafic Leckie
Stock, if a cross cutting relationship exists between the two (Seagull Intrusion crossing Leckie
Stock). The Leckie Stock could not be a feeder zone for either the Seagull Intrusion or the
Nipigon Sill, but a feeder for some yet unidentified igneous body higher up in stratigraphy.

Davis, D.W., and Green, J.C., 1997. Geochronology of the North American Midcontinent rift in
western Lake Superior and implications for its geodynamic evolution. Canadian Journal
of Earth Sciences. V.34, p. 476-488.
Hart, T., 2002, Keweenawan Mafic and Ultramafic Intrusive Rocks on the Lake Nipigon and
Crystal Lake areas, northwestern Ontario, in Institute on Lake Superior Geology,
Proceedings Volume 49, Part 1 –Programs and Abstracts, p. 21-22.
Hart, T., and MacDonald C.A., 2003. Lake Nipigon Region Geoscience Initiative. Proterozoic
and Archean Geology of the South-Central and North areas of the Western Nipigon
Embayment. Ontario Geological Survey, Summary of Field work and other Activities.
Open File Report 6120.
Sutcliffe, R.H., 1991. Proterozoic Geology of the Lake Superior area, in Geology of Ontario,
Ontario Geological Survey, Special Volume 4, Part 1, p. 627-658.
Sutcliffe, R.H., 1986. The Petrology, Mineral Chemistry and Tectonics of Proterozoic rift-related
igneous rocks at Lake Nipigon, Ontario. Unpublished PhD. Thesis, The University of
Western Ontario, London, Ontario.
Wilson, A.W., 1910, Geology of the Nipigon Basin, Ontario. Memoir No.1 Canada Department
of Mines, 152 p.

73

�40

Ar/39Ar Hornblende Evidence for Provenance of Ice Rafted Detritus in the North
Atlantic: Implications for Tracking Past Changes in the Extent and Dynamics of Northern
Hemisphere Ice Sheets
HEMMING, Sidney R., and ROY, Martin, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia
University, Rt. 9W, Palisades, NY 10964
The concentration and provenance of terrigenous sand grains from North Atlantic sediment cores
from pelagic environments provide important constrains on the dynamics of former Northern
Hemisphere ice sheets. The association of this ice rafted detritus (IRD) signal with proxy
records for climate conditions in the North Atlantic, brings additional constraints on ice sheet
dynamics in a paleoclimate context. Studies at proximal locations identify configuration
changes in specific ice sheets, while studies of cores in the open ocean can yield a history of
variation where relative timing of iceberg discharges from different source regions as
constrained by simple stratigraphic principles.
An example is the case of the Laurentide ice sheet (LIS) where the distinctive variations in age
provinces underlying the LIS from south to north can be used to constrain its extent and ice
stream activity during the last glacial cycle. 40Ar/39Ar hornblende data from IRD indicate the ice
reached Grenville and Appalachian provinces along the margin after about 30 kyr (e.g., and the
Last Glacial Maximum, LGM). The increase in flux of IRD at the LGM is coincident with the
increase in southeastern LIS provenance components. The last glacial cycle was punctuated by
Heinrich events, massive discharges of icebergs from the Hudson Strait ice stream. The general
trend in LIS development and identification of major ice stream events that are captured by the
marine sediment record show the potential power of this approach for understanding the
evolution of ice sheets in general. This approach can be applied throughout the Pleistocene to
understand the temporal and spatial development of large volume ice sheets and the transition to
the 100-ky cycle that dominated the past 700 kyrs. We seek to expand the studies both
geographically and through the Pleistocene.

74

�PRELIMINARY PETROGRAPHY AND HYDROTHERMAL ALTERATION OF THE
SOUDAN MINE AREA, VERMILION DISTRICT, NORTHESTERN MINNESOTA
HOFFMAN, A.T.*, Dept. of Geosciences, University of Minnesota, Duluth,
hoff0578@d.umn.edu
PETERSON, D.M., PATELKE, R.L., Economic Geology Group, Natural Resources Research
Institute, University of Minnesota Duluth, 5013 Miller Trunk Highway, Duluth MN
55811
HUDAK, G.J., Geology Department, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, Oshkosh, WI
The Ely Greenstone of the western Vermilion District is a lithologic and structurally
diverse setting located in the southern extension of the Wawa Subprovince of the Superior
Province of the Canadian Shield. The Wawa Subprovince is the host for a significant number of
mineral deposits and showings, most notably lode gold and volcanogenic massive sulfides
(VMS) (Williams et al., 1991). In the last decade, there has been a significant effort put forth to
document areas in the Vermilion district that seem geologically and mineralogically compatible
for hosting these deposits. This work includes reconnaissance mapping in the eastern Murray
shear zone for mesothermal gold mineralization (Peterson, 2001; Peterson and Patelke, in prep.)
and the re-evaluation of the Fivemile Lake, Purvis Lake, Eagles Nest, Skeleton Lake, and
Needleboy Lake VMS prospects (Peterson, 2001; Hudak et al., 2002a; Hudak et al., 2002b).
In the summer of 2003 mapping for a National Underground Science and Engineering
Laboratory (NUSEL) was completed near the Soudan Mine in northeastern Minnesota (Peterson
and Patelke, 2003). This work revealed localized lode gold and volcanogenic massive sulfide
type alteration. This alteration may correlate with alteration located in the adjacent Fivemile
Lake Prospect (Hudak et al., 2002b) and Murray Gold Prospect (Peterson, 2001). The goal of
this project is to better understand the volcanic stratigraphy, and syn- and post hydrothermal
alteration near the Soudan Mine.
Eighty thin sections were analyzed to defined primary syn-volcanic alteration
assemblages in the Soudan Mine area. Classification of mineral assemblages followed Hudak et
al. (2002b) in effort to establish consistent hydrothermal mineral alteration nomenclature across
the Vermilion District. Four mineral assemblages dominate the area: 1) Epidote + Quartz +
Actinolite ± Chlorite; 2) Epidote + Quartz ± Chlorite; 3) Mottle Epidote + Quartz ± Actinolite ±
Chlorite ± Albite (Epidosites); and 4) localized and lesser amounts of Garnet + Magnetite.
Alteration assemblages 1 (Epidote + Quartz + Actinolite ± Chlorite) and 2 (Epidote + Quartz ±
Chlorite) likely represent early-formed, semi-conformable zones associated with down welling
seawater. Alteration assemblages 3 (Mottle Epidote + Quartz ± Actinolite ± Chlorite ± Albite
(Epidosites)) and 4 (localized Garnet + Magnetite) appear to represent hydrothermal fluid upflow zones that may be proximal to syn-volcanic structures (Harper, 1999; Gibson et al., 1999).
These results suggest that volcanogenic massive sulfide targets may be present near the Soudan
Mine. Petrographic analysis is ongoing and a detailed field analysis during summer 2004 will
better constrain these relationships.

75

�References
Harper, G.D., 1999, Structural Styles of Hydrothermal Discharge in Ophiolite/Sea-Floor
Systems: Reviews in Economic Geology v. 8, p. 53-73
Hovis, S. T., 2001, Physical Volcanology and Hydrothermal Alteration of the Archean Volcanic
Rocks at the Eagles Nest Volcanogenic Massive Sulphide Prospect, Northern Minnesota.
Unpublished M.S. Thesis, University of Minnesota Duluth, Duluth, Minnesota, 102 p.
Hudak, G.J., Heine J., Hocker, S.M., Hauck, S., 2002a, Geologic Mapping of the Needleboy
Lake-Six Mile Lake Area, Northeastern Minnesota: A Summary of Volcanogenic
Massive Sulfide Potential. Report of Investigations NRRI/RI-2002/14.
Hudak, G.J., Heine, J., Newkirk, T., Odette, J., and Hauck, S., 2002b. Comparative Geology,
Stratigraphy, and Litho-Geochemistry of the Five Mile Lake, Quartz Hill, and Skeleton
Lake VMS Occurrences, Vermilion District, NE Minnesota. NRRI Technical Report
NRRI/PR-2002/03, 390 p.
Peterson, D.M., Patelke, R. L., 2003 National Underground Science and Engineering Laboratory
(NUSEL): Geologic Site Investigation for the Soudan Mine, Northeastern Minnesota.
NRRI Technical Report NRRI/TR-2003/29, 87 p.
Peterson, D.M., 2001 Development of Archean lode gold and massive sulfide exploration
models using Geographic Information System applications: Targeting mineral
exploration in northeastern Minnesota from analysis of analog Canadian mining camps:
Unpublished Ph.D. dissertation, University of Minnesota Minneapolis, 502 p.
Peterson, D.M., and Patelke, R.L., in Prep, Neo-Archean gold mineralization in the Mud Creek
area, Northern St. Louis County, Minnesota: Natural Resources Research Institute,
University of Minnesota Duluth.
Williams, H.R., Stott, G.M., Heather, K.B., Muir, T.L., and Sage, R.P., 1991, Wawa
Subprovince, in Thurston, P.C., Williams, H.R., Sutcliffe, R.H., and Stott, G.M., eds.,
Geology of Ontario: Ontario Geological Survey Special Volume 4, Part 1, p. 485-539.

76

�Trace Element Geochemistry of the Osler Group Volcanics – Implications for
Mid-Continent Rifting
HOLLINGS, Pete, Department of Geology, Lakehead University, 955 Oliver Rd., Thunder
Bay, Ontario, P7B 5E1, Canada; peter.hollings@lakeheadu.ca
To date three major Proterozoic events have been recognized on the northern margins of Lake
Superior (Sutcliffe, 1991); 1) the Paleoproterozoic Animikie Group sediments (~1.86 Ga), 2)
~1.54 Ga Mesoproterozoic anorogenic granites and Sibley Group sediments, 3) Mesoproterozoic
rifting at ~1.11 to 1.09 Ga during which the Keweenawan Supergroup was deposited. The Osler
Group volcanics are found towards the base of the Keweenawan Supergroup.
The Osler Group volcanics comprise a bimodal sequence of basalts and less abundant rhyolites
that are well exposed on a series of islands off Rosport on the northern shore of Lake Superior
and also as sparse outcrop on the Slate Islands off Terrace Bay (Fig. 1). The Osler Group has
been described as a thick sequence of tholeiitic flood basalts with up to 2800m exposed on the
Black Bay Peninsula (Sutcliffe, 1991). The majority of the sequence comprises magnetically
reversed Lower Keweenawan flows with a small section of magnetically normal flows at the top
of the sequence (Halls, 1974). Davis and Sutcliffe (1985) have reported U-Pb ages of 1107.5
+4/-2 Ma for a rhyolite from the base of the sequence and 1097.6 ±3.7 Ma for a rhyolite towards
the top.

Figure 1. Location of the intrusive, extrusive and sedimentary rocks associated with
Keweenawan Rifting. Modified after Sutcliffe (1991).

77

�Detailed sampling traverses were undertaken on Wilson and Vein islands in the summer of 2002,
in order to investigate geochemical variations within the Osler Group. Exposure on the two
islands is excellent, beginning at the northern end of the islands with a basal conglomerate that
includes abundant clasts of Sibley sediments. The conglomerate is strongly heterolithic and
indicates an approximately northward flow direction. The volcanic units comprise numerous
flows ranging from a few centimeters to a few metres in thickness. Individual flows are
frequently marked by rubbly flow tops or ropey, pahoehoe textures, while thicker flows may
show well developed columnar jointing (Fig. 2).

Figure 2. A) Columnar basalts within the Osler Group on Simpson Island. B) Pahoehoe texture
in thin basalt flow on Wilson Island.
SiO2 and MgO contents of the Osler Group volcanics on Wilson and Vein Islands range from 4754 wt. % and 5-15% respectively, consistent with data from earlier studies. Basalts are
characterized by weak to moderate LREE enrichment (La/Smn = 1-5), weakly fractionated
HREE (Gd/Ybn = 2-4) and display primitive mantle normalised patterns comparable to modern
Ocean Island Basalts. Preliminary examination of REE data for the Group suggests that the
La/Smn ratio, a good indicator of crustal contamination, increases towards the top of the
sequence (ranging from ~1.5 near the base to ~5 near the top).
References
Davis, D. and Sutcliffe, R., 1985. U-Pb ages from the Nipigon plate and northern Lake Superior.
Geological Society of America Bulletin, 96, 1572-1579.
Halls, H. C., 1974. A paleomagnetic reversal in the Osler volcanic group, northern Lake
Superior. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, 11, 1200-1207.
Sutcliffe, R., 1991. Proterozoic geology of the Lake Superior area. In. Geology of Ontario,
Ontario Geological Survey, Special Volume 4, Part 1. 627-660.

78

�The Influence of Radiometric Dating for Unraveling the Precambrian Geologic History of
the Lake Superior Region
HOLM, Daniel K., Dept. of Geology, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242,
dholm@kent.edu
VAN SCHMUS, R.W., Dept. of Geology, Univ. of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045
SCHNEIDER, D.A., Dept. of Geological Sciences, Ohio University, Athens, OH 44701
The paucity of biostratigraphic controls in Precambrian rocks has long made radiometric dating of
primary importance for unraveling the complex geologic history in the Lake Superior region (Goldich,
1968). The first ILSG meeting in 1955 occurred very close to the time of initiation of a radiometric dating
program by S.S. Goldich and A.O Nier in 1956. Subsequent geochronologic investigations laid the
theoretical and practical foundation upon which current radiometric studies are expanding. Thus the
tremendous influence of geochronologic studies in this region, only briefly summarized here, has been
well chronicled at ILSG meetings over the past 50 years.
Pioneering studies in K-Ar, Rb-Sr, and U-Pb dating. Early studies by Goldich et al. (1961, 1970),
Aldrich et al. (1965), and Peterman (1966) were pioneering applications of radiometric dating which
provided a broad-brush means of correlation (based on age rather than on degree of metamorphism and
deformation) and contributed to the formation of a world-wide time scale for the Precambrian (Goldich,
1968), flatteringly referred to by some as “Goldich’s time scale”. The early results represented a
significant breakthrough in Precambrian geology, yet proved difficult to interpret as co-existing minerals
gave different ages for the same decay scheme. Comparative mineral studies by Aldrich et al. (1965) and
Hanson and Gast (1967) led to the recognition of metamorphic effects on various isotopic systems
(especially K-Ar and Rb-Sr). For instance, Van Schmus et al. (1975a) used Rb/Sr age data to document
the existence of a widespread but poorly understood low-grade 1650 Ma metamorphic event in
Wisconsin. The 2700 Ma age of the greenstone-granite belts in Minnesota and southern Ontario was
documented early on by whole-rock Rb-Sr ages (Jahn and Murthy, 1975), K-Ar, and U-Pb ages
(Peterman et al., 1972). The large analytical uncertainty in these data, however, precluded their use for
resolving the time of important, short-lived, geological events (plutonism, deformations) that occurred
during their formation and accretion. Likewise, the errors on initial U-Pb zircon ages on Mid-continent
Rift rocks would not allow for differentiation of magmatic pulses, but simply suggested “a sharp pulse of
igneous activity” at 1115+15 Ma (Silver and Green, 1963). Early U-Pb zircon work in the Minnesota
River Valley temporarily produced some of the world’s oldest dated rocks (Catanzaro, 1963; Goldich et
al., 1970; Goldich and Hedge, 1974), and clearly demonstrated that K-Ar and Rb-Sr mineral ages reflect
younger metamorphic events. For instance, using K-Ar and Rb-Sr ages, Goldich et al. (1961) first
bracketed the Penokean orogeny as having occurred between 1800 and 1600 Ma. Similarly young K-Ar
biotite ages (compared to U-Pb zircon ages from the same rock) from Precambrian shields and orogenic
belts worldwide led to the concept of a ‘metamorphic veil’ (Armstrong, 1966) which reflects younger
overprinting events (common in Precambrian terranes) and obscures the age of older rock forming events.
Modern U-Pb dating (bulk aliquot to single crystal to spot dating). In the 1970’s and 1980’s,
advances in conventional U-Pb zircon analyses (Krogh, 1973, 1982) allowed geochronologists to see
through the ‘metamorphic veil’ and firmly established the age spectrum of igneous activity in the region
(Silver and Green, 1972; Van Schmus et al., 1975b; Van Schmus, 1976; 1980). For instance, the age of
the Penokean orogeny was definitively bracketed between 1870-1830 Ma by Van Schmus (1976, 1980),
who first invoked the plate tectonic concept of a southern magmatic arc colliding with a northern passive
margin. Archean age gneisses (Marshfield terrane) were dated south of the Penokean magmatic arc rocks
(Van Schmus and Anderson, 1977) and Early Archean ages were obtained from gneiss dome rocks north
of the Niagara fault zone (Peterman et al., 1980).
The greatly improved accuracy in U-Pb zircon dating has allowed researchers (Boerboom and
Zartman, 1993; Corfu and Stott, 1986, 1998; Davis et al., 1989; Zaleski et al., 1999; Ayers et al., 2002) to
document the time of short-lived magmatic and deformational events commonly involved in the

79

�formation of late Archean granite–greenstone belts. Enough high precision data has been obtained (i.e.,
Shebandowan, Vermillion, and Manitouwadge) to suggest correlation of volcanic assemblages and their
subsequent deformation along 600 km of strike (Peterson et al., 2001).
New U-Pb single-crystal zircon studies continue to refine the earlier plutonic ages, which were
obtained on mg-size fractions. Post-Penokean “1760 Ma” plutonism (Sims et al., 1989) is now known to
have actually occurred in southeast younging pulses at ca. 1800, 1775, and 1750 Ma, possibly reflecting
flip in subduction polarity and slab-rollback of Yavapai-age oceanic lithosphere (Holm et al., 2004). The
Penokean orogenic belt twice formed the source region for generation of crustal-melt batholiths; first at
ca. 1775 Ma with intrusion of the East-central Minnesota batholith (Holm et al., 2004) and again at 1470
Ma in central Wisconsin (Van Schmus et al., 1975). The new single crystal results show that the Eastcentral Minnesota batholith was emplaced over a ca. 20 m.y. duration (Holm et al., 2004; Keatts et al.,
2004), whereas Wolf River magmatism was relatively short-lived (with nine different phases intruded
over a &lt;5 m.y. interval; Dewane and Van Schmus, 2003).
New important U-Pb zircon results have also been obtained from volcanic rocks over the last decade
or so (see Van Schmus and Hinze, 1985 for a summary of earlier age data). High precision U-Pb
geochronology on the volcanics of the Midcontinent Rift system indicate rapid eruption over a relatively
short duration (1108-1094 Ma; Davis and Paces, 1990; Paces and Miller, 1993; Davis and Green, 1997;
Zartman et al., 1997). The great volume of magma generated over this short time span and the limited
degree of extension strongly favor a mantle plume origin. New geochronology on interlayered volcanics
within the Marquette Range Supergroup yield essentially identical ages of 1875 Ma for the Hemlock
(Schneider et al., 2002) and Gunflint (Fralick et al., 2002) Formations. The revised age constraining the
timing of deposition of the Supergroup across the Animikie basin suggests these sediments were laid
down coeval with arc formation to the south and supports the hypothesis of Hoffman (1987), who first
proposed that the iron formations are syn-Penokean foredeep deposits.
Conventional single crystal and SHRIMP U-Pb dating of detrital zircons (Van Wyck, 1995; Holm et
al., 1998; Medaris et al., 2003) finally resolved the controversy over the maximum age of the Baraboo
Quartzite and similar red quartzites in northern Wisconsin and Minnesota (&lt;1750 Ma). A completely
different geochronologic database described next provided firm constraints on the minimum age of
quartzite deposition (&gt;1650 Ma).
Ar-Ar thermochronology. Thermochronology (the study of the time-temperature evolution of rocks)
was born from the realization than many mineral-isotopic systems could be used to determine the time of
cooling of a terrain through a series of predictable temperatures. Because an intimate relationship exists
between the thermal and tectonic processes operating during orogenesis and subsequent events,
reconstructing the thermal history of a region ultimately aids in constraining its tectonic evolution.
Thermochronologic data from the region was initially dominated by the Rb/Sr method on biotite
(Peterman and Sims, 1988). In the 1990’s, application of the Ar-Ar incremental heating technique on
hornblende, muscovite, and biotite yielded considerable information bearing on the Proterozoic thermal
history of the southern Lake Superior region (Holm and Lux, 1996, 1998; Schneider et al., 1996; Holm et
al., 1998a; Romano et al., 2000). Especially important was the proposal that a separate, perhaps
widespread, geon 17 amphibolite facies metamorphic event occurred after the Penokean orogeny,
followed by an episode of rapid crustal exhumation (Holm et al., 1998a). Additionally, the widespread
geographic distribution of basement Ar/Ar biotite ages serendipitously provided a key minimum age
constraint (ca. 1630 Ma) on the overlying Proterozoic red quartzites and led to a greater appreciation of
the role of younger tectonism (i.e. Mazatzal deformation) in the region (Holm et al., 1998b).
New minerals, new techniques, and new directions. Rapid advances in technology (allowing higher
precision, increased mass and spatial resolution, and in situ capabilities) and the application of new
chronometers (monazite and xenotime) are now verifying earlier hypotheses for widespread
tectonothermal events following Penokean orogenesis. Recent results of U-Pb monazite dating using both
ion and electron microprobe techniques now recognize distinct metamorphic pulses at 1835, 1800, and
1770 Ma – thermal pulses which can be directly tied to known magmatic events (Schneider et al., 2004).
New U-Pb xenotime ages (Vanelli et al., 2003, and in progress) from coarse sandstone/conglomerate beds

80

�of the Marquette Range Supergroup identify a widespread 1790-1760 Ma fluid flow event – an event that
may have been ultimately responsible for forming the high-grade iron ore deposits in this region (Morey,
1999). Recent single crystal Ar-Ar dating of fine-grained, low-temperature minerals within the Baraboo
Interval Quartzites (Medaris et al., 2003) has documented a much younger, but apparently even more vast
hydrothermal fluid system generated by Mesoproterozoic plutonism. Finally, Ar-ion laser dating results
reveal significant age gradients (~200 to 500 m.y.) in coarse muscovite from basement samples
interpreted to signify partial resetting by fluids during both Mazatzal orogenesis and Mesoproterozoic
magmatism (McKenzie, 2004; Rose, 2004).
In addition to direct dating of metamorphism and fluid flow, geochronology is now being used to put
absolute time (not simply time constraints) on important deformation features in the Lake Superior
region. The age of the Mazatzal tectonic front in northwest Wisconsin is dated by the age of reset biotite
in basement beneath the deformed quartzites. The Malmo Structural discontinuity in Minnesota and the
Flambeau Flow fault in Wisconsin are now thought to be geon 17 exhumation structures (formed during
orogenic collapse) on the basis of differing metamorphic ages across these faults (McKenzie et al., 2003;
Schneider et al., 2004). Current monazite work on tectonite samples of the Niagara fault zone (Rose,
2004) and the Eau Pleine shear zone (Loofboro, 2005) should provide direct time constraints on their
formation (Williams and Jercinovic, 2002).
Beginning this month we anticipate the publication of a large number of new ages in just the next few
years – in terms of raw numbers, perhaps more than has been published in the Lake Superior region in the
entire past 50 years! For instance, Van Wyck and Martin (2004) exploit the relatively fast LA-ICP-MS
technique to report over 200 U-Pb detrital zircon ages from the Baraboo and Hamilton Mounds quartzites.
Geochronologic work accepted and in progress (Schneider et al., 2004, 2005; Holm et al., 2004, 2005;
Vanelli et al., in progress; Bickford et al., in progress; McKenzie, 2004; Rose, 2004; Keatts, 2004,
Loofboro, 2005; Schmitz and Bowring, in progress; Medaris et al., in progress; et al. that we may be
unaware of) will certainly continue to refine our knowledge of the Precambrian geologic history of this
region and very likely yield surprises which can not be anticipated.
Aldrich, L.T., Davis, G.L., and James, H.L., 1965, Ages of some minerals from metamorphic and igneous rocks
near Iron Mountain, Michigan: Journal of Petrology, 6, 445-472.
Armstrong, R.L., 1966, K-Ar dating of plutonic and volcanic rocks in orogenic belts. In O.A. Schaeffer and J.
Zahringer, eds., Potassium argon dating, 117-131. Springer-Verlag, New York, 234 p.
Ayer, J., Amelin, Y., Corfu, F., Kamo, S., Ketchum, J., Kwok, K., and Marquis, R., 2002: Evolution of the southern
Abitibi greenstone belt based on U-Pb geochronology; autochthonous volcanic construction followed by
plutonism, regional deformation and sedimentation: Precambrian Research, 115, 63-95.
Boerboom, T.J., and Zartman, R.E., 1993, Geology, geochemistry, and geochronology of the central Giants Range
batholith, northeastern Minnesota: Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, v. 30, p. 2510-2522.
Catanzaro, E.J., 1963, Zircon ages in southwestern Minnesota: Journal of Geophysical Research, v. 68, p. 20452048.
Corfu, F., and Stott, G.M., 1986, U-Pb age for late magmatism and regional deformation in the Shebandowan Belt,
Superior Province, Canada: Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, 23, 1075-1082.
Corfu, F., and Stott, G.M., 1998, Shebandowan greenstone belt, western Superior Province: U-Pb ages, tectonic
implications, and correlations: Geological Society of America Bulletin, 110, 1467-1484.
Davis, D.W., and Green, J.C. 1997, Geochronology of the North American Midcontinent Rift in western Lake
Superior and implications for its geodynamic evolution: Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, 34, 476-488.
Davis, D.W., and Paces, 1990, Time resolution of geologic events on the Keweenaw Peninsula and implications for
the development of the Midcontinent rift system: Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 97, 54-64.
Davis, D.W., Poulsen, K.H., and Kamo, S.L., 1989, New insights into Archean crustal development from
geochronology in the Rainy Lake area, Superior Province, Canada: Journal of Geology, 97, 379-398.
Dewane, T.J., and Van Schmus, W.R., 2003, Detailed U-Pb geochronology of the Wolf River batholith, northcentral Wisconsin: Evidence for a short-lived magmatic event ca. 1470 Ma: Geological Society of America
Abstracts, 37, 92.
Fralick, P., Davis, D., and Kissin, S., 2002, The age of the Gunflint Formation, Ontario, Canada: single zircon U-Pb
age determinations from reworked volcanic ash: Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, 39, 1085-1091.
Goldich, S.S., Nier, A.O., Baadsgaard, H., Hoffman, J.H., Krueger, H.W., 1961, The Precambrian Geology and
geochronology of Minnesota, Minnesota Geology Survey Bulletin 41, 193 p.

81

�Goldich, S.S., Hedge, C.E., and Stern, T.W., 1970, Age of the Morton and Montevideo gneisses and related rocks,
southwestern Minnesota: Geological Society of America Bulletin, 81, 3671-3696.
Goldich, S.S., 1968, Geochronology in the Lake Superior region: Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, 5, 715-724.
Goldich, S.S., and Hedge, C.E., 1974, 3800-Myr granitic gneiss in south-western Minnesota: Nature. 252, 467-468.
Hanson, G.N., and Gast, P.W., 1967, Kinetic studies in contact metamorphic zones: Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta,
31, 1119-1153.
Hoffman, P., 1987, Early Proterozoic foredeeps, foredeep magmatism and Superior-type iron formations of the
Canadian shield. In Proterozoic lithospheric evolution. Edited by A. Kroner, American Geophysical Union
Geodynamics Series, 17, 85-98.
Holm, D.K., and Lux, D., 1996, Core complex model proposed for gneiss dome development during collapse of the
Paleoproterozoic Penokean orogen, Minnesota: Geology, 24, 343-346.
Holm, D.K, and Lux, D., 1998, Depth of emplacement and tilting of the Middle Proterozoic (1470 Ma) Wolf River
batholith, Wisconsin. Ar-Ar thermochronologic constraints: Canadian Journal of Earth Science, 35, 1143-1151.
Holm, D., Darrah, K., and Lux, D., 1998a, Evidence for widespread ~1760 Ma metamorphism and rapid crustal
stabilization of the Early Proterozoic Penokean orogen, Minnesota: American Journal of Science, 298, 60-81.
Holm, D., Schneider, D., and Coath, C., 1998b, Age and deformation of Early Proterozoic quartzites in the southern
Lake Superior region: Implications for extent of foreland deformation during final assembly of Laurentia:
Geology, 26, 907-910.
Holm, D.K., Van Schmus, W.R., MacNeill, L., Boerboom, T., Schweitzer, D., and Schneider, D., 2004, U-Pb zircon
geochronology of Paleoproterozoic plutons from the northern mid-continent, U.S.A.: Evidence for subduction flip
and continued convergence after geon 18 Penokean orogenesis: Geological Society of America Bulletin, in press.
Jahn, B.M., and Murthy, V.R., 1975, Rb-Sr ages of the Archean rocks from the Vermilion district, northeastern
Minnesota: Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 39, 1679-1689.
Keatts, M., Holm, D., Jirsa, M., and Boerboom, T., 2004, Generation of a 1790-1770 Ma continental arc batholith in
east-central Minnesota: Compass, v. 82 (in press).
Krogh, T. E., 1973, A low contamination method for hydrothermal decomposition of zircon and extraction of U and
Pb for isotopic age determinations: Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 37, 485-494.
Krogh, T.E., 1982, Improved accuracy of U-Pb zircon ages by the creation of more concordant systems using an air
abrasion technique: Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta, 46, 637-649.
Loofboro, J., 2005, Timing and nature of Proterozoic poly-metamorphism in central Wisconsin: M.S. thesis, Kent
State University, Kent, OH (in progress).
McKenzie, M.M., 2004, Age pattern and nature of Paleoproterozoic metamorphism of the internal zone of the
Penokean orogen, east-central Minnesota: M.S. thesis, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 105 p.
McKenzie, M.M., Holm, D.K., Schneider, D.A., and Jercinovic, M.J., 2003, Results and implications of monazite
geochronology from the western Penokean orogen, Minnesota: Geological Society of America Abstracts with
Programs, 35, 272.
Medaris, G., Singer, B.S., Dott, R.H., Naymark, A., Johnson, C.M., and Schott, R.C., 2002, Late Paleoproterozoic
climate, tectonics and metamorphism in the southern Lake Superior region and Proto-North America: Evidence
from Baraboo interval quartzite: Journal of Geology, 111, 243-257.
Morey, G.B., 1999, High-grade iron ore deposits of the Mesabi Range, Minnesota – Product of a continental scale
Proterozoic ground-water flow system: Economic Geology, 94, 133-142.
Paces, J.B., and Miller, J.D., Jr., 1993, Precise U-Pb ages of Duluth Complex and related mafic intrusions,
northeastern Minnesota: Geochronological insights to physical, petrogenetic, paleomagnetic and
tectonomagmatic processes associated with the 1.1. Ga Midcontinent Rift system: Journal of Geophysical
Research, 98, 13997-14013.
Peterman, Z.E., 1966, Rb-Sr dating of Middle Precambrian metasedimentary rocks, Minnesota: Bulletin of the
Geological Society of America, 77, 1031-1044.
Peterman, Z.E., and Goldich, S.S., Hedge, C.E., and Yardley, D.H., 1972, Geochronology of the Rainy Lake region,
Minnesota-Ontario, in Doe, B.R., and Smith, D.K., eds., Studies in Mineralogy and Precambrian Geology (John
W. Gruner Volume): Geological Society of America Memoir 135, 193-215.
Peterman, Z.E., and Sims, P.K., 1988, The Goodman Swell: A lithospheric flexure caused by crustal loading along
the Midcontinent Rift System: Tectonics, 7, 1077-1090.
Peterman, Z., Zartman, R., and Sims, P., 1980, Tonalitic gneiss of early Archean age from northern Michigan:
Geological Society of America Special Paper 182, 125-138.
Peterson, D.M., Gallup, C., Jirsa, M.A., and Davis, D., 2001, Correlation of Archean assemblages across the U.S.Canadian border: Phase I Geochronology: ILSG Abstracts, 47, 77-78.

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�Romano, D., Holm, D., and Foland, K., 2000, Determining the extent and nature of Mazatzal-related overprinting of
the Penokean orogenic belt in the southern Lake Superior region, north-central USA: Precambrian Research,
104, 25-46.
Rose, S., 2004, The age and extent of metamorphism within the Paleoproterozoic Penokean orogen, northern
Wisconsin and Michigan: M.S. thesis, Ohio University, Athens, OH, 105 p.
Schneider, D., Holm, D., and Lux, D., 1996, On the origin of Early Proterozoic gneiss domes and metamorphic
nodes, northern Michigan: Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, 33, 1053-1063.
Schneider, D., Bickford, M., Cannon, W., Shulz, K., and Hamilton, M., 2002, Age of volcanic rocks and
syndepositional iron formations, Marquette Range Supergroup: implications for the tectonic setting of Paleoproterozoic iron formations of the Lake Superior region: Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, 39, 999-1012.
Schneider, D., Holm, D.K., O’Boyle, C., Hamilton, M., and Jercinovic, M., 2004, Paleoproterozoic development of
a gneiss dome corridor in the southern Lake Superior region, U.S.A.: Geological Society of America Special
Paper (in press).
Silver, L.T., and Green, J.C., 1963, Zircon ages for Middle Precambrian rocks of the Lake Superior region: Trans.
Am. Geophysical Union, 44, 107.
Sims, P.K., Van Schmus, W.R., Schulz, K.J., and Peterman, Z.E., 1989, Tectonostratigraphic evolution of the Early
Proterozoic Wisconsin Magmatic Terranes of the Penokean orogen: Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, 26,
2145-2158.
Vallini, D.A., et al., 2003, Using xenotime U-Pb geochronology to unravel the history of Proterozoic sedimentary
basins: a study in Western Australia and the Lake Superior Region: ILSG abstr, 49, 79-80.
Van Schmus, W.R., 1976, Early and Middle Proterozoic history of the Great Lakes area, North America. Royal
Society of London Philosophical Transactions, 280, 605-628.
Van Schmus, W.R., 1980, Chronology of igneous rocks associated with the Penokean orogeny in WI. In Morey, G.,
and Hanson, G., (eds.) Selected studies of Archean gneisses and lower Proterozoic rocks, southern Canadian
Shield. Geological Society of America Special Paper, 182, 159-168.
Van Schmus, W.R., Thurman, E.M., and Peterman, Z.E., 1975a, Geology and Rb-Sr chronology of middle
Precambrian rocks in eastern and central Wisconsin: Geol. Society of America Bulletin, 86, 1255-1265.
Van Schmus, W.R., Medaris, L.G., and Banks, P.O., 1975b, Geology and age of the Wolf River batholith,
Wisconsin: Geological Society of America Bulletin, 86, 907-914.
Van Schmus, W.R., and Anderson, J.L., 1977, Gneiss and migmatite of Archean age in the Precambrian basement
of central Wisconsin: Geology, 5, 45-48.
Van Schmus, W. R., and Hinze, W. J., 1985, The Midcontinent Rift System. Annual Reviews Earth Planetary
Sciences, 13, 345-383.
Van Wyck, N., 1995, Major and trace element, common Pb, Sm-Nd, and zircon geochronology constraints on
petrogenesis and tectonic setting of pre- and Early Proterozoic rocks in Wisconsin: Ph.D. thesis, University of
Wisconsin-Madison, 280 p.
Van Wyck, N., and Martin, N., 2004, Detrital zircon ages from Paleoproterozoic Quartzites: Measured by laser –
ablation ICP-MS: Journal of Geology (in press).
Williams, M.L. and Jercinovic, M.J., 2002, Microprobe monazite geochronology: putting absolute time into
microstructural analysis. Journal of Structural Geology, 24, 1013-1028.
Zaleski, E., van Breemen, O., and Peterson, V.L., 1999, Geological evolution of the Manitouwadge greenstone belt
and Wawa-Quetico subprovince boundary, Superior Province, Ontario, constrained by U-Pb zircon dates of
supracrustal and plutonic rocks: Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, 36, 945-966.
Zartman, R.E., Nicholoson, S.W., Cannon, W.F., and Morey, G.B., 1997, U-Th-Pb zircon ages of some
Keweenawan Supergroup rocks from the southern shore of Lake Superior: Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences,
34, 549-561.

83

�NEOARCHEAN PEPERITES IN THE VICINITY OF FIVEMILE LAKE, VERMILION
DISTRICT, NE MINNESOTA
HUDAK, G. J., NEWKIRK, T. T., DREXLER, H., ODETTE, J. D., and HOCKER, S. M.,
Department of Geology, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, 800 Algoma Blvd., Oshkosh,
WI 54901, hudak@uwosh.edu
The Ely Greenstone – Lower Member in the vicinity of Fivemile Lake contains a well-studied sequence of
~2722 Ma, more or less east-west striking, steeply north-dipping and north-facing, arc-associated submarine
basalt-andesite pillow lavas, tuffs and lapilli tuffs, rhyodacite to rhyolite tuffs, lapilli tuffs, and lavas, and
synvolcanic diabase and diorite sills and dikes (Peterson et al., 2001; Hudak et al., 2002). Volcanic facies
mapping at 1:5000 scale, supported by grants from the Natural Resources Research Institute (University of
Minnesota Duluth), the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, and the Minerals Diversification Plan of the
Minnesota State Legislature, identified a northeast- trending zone of basalt - andesite tuffs, lapilli tuffs, and
tuff-breccias which contain zones of northeast-trending coherent facies andesite–dacite that display pillowed,
amoeboid, and commonly, jigsaw-puzzle fit morphologies. The southern extent of this zone occurs along a
peninsula on the southwestern shoreline of Fivemile Lake. The northern extent of this zone extends
approximately 150 meters north of the north-central shoreline of Fivemile Lake. Over the past year, extremely
detailed volcanic facies mapping (1:50-1:100 scale), as well as petrographic and lithogeochemical studies,
have been performed in an attempt to determine the genesis of these apparently genetically related coherentand volcaniclastic facies-bearing, northeast-trending zones.
On the south shoreline of Fivemile Lake, the volcaniclastic facies is typically matrix-supported. The matrix
consists of non-bedded basalt-andesite tuff, and locally contains amoeboid-shaped zones that contain up to
60% &lt;1 mm quartz amygdules. Localized zones adjacent to northeast-striking coherent facies andesite–dacite
comprise lapilli tuffs and tuff-breccias. Clasts in these deposits are commonly curviplanar to angular and
jigsaw puzzle-fit in shape (Figure 1a), are moderately to highly vesicular (10-50%), have extremely finegrained margins, and locally contain &lt;1-2 cm wide, apparently contact metamorphosed zones adjacent to their
margins. These blocks and lapilli are compositionally similar to, more common adjacent to, and have their
long axes aligned with, northeast-trending, sheet-like to pillow-shaped coherent facies andesite-dacite. The
deposits on the north-central shoreline of Fivemile Lake have slightly different morphologies. A sharp, northsouth contact occurs between east-west striking, steeply north-dipping, bun- to mattress-shaped pillowed
basalt-andesite and basalt-andesite tuffs and lapilli tuffs that comprise the base of a 700 meter wide, 200 meter
thick, shallow submarine tuff cone (Hudak et al., in prep.). The tuffs and lapilli tuffs at this location are
intruded by northeast-trending, synvolcanic, amoeboid (Figure 1b), pillow-like, and lobe-like zones of
coherent-facies andesite-dacite which appear to have locally undergone in-situ fragmentation to produce
localized lapilli tuffs and tuff-breccias that contain moderately to highly vesicular curviplanar, ameoboid, and
blocky jigsaw puzzle-fit lapilli and blocks. These fragments have very fine-grained margins that are also
rimmed by fine-grained, apparently contact metamorphosed zones. Locally, numerous thin (up to 1cm wide),
parallel, highly vesicular zones occur within the volcaniclastic deposits that more or less mimic the
orientations the margins of amoeboid coherent facies andesite–dacite or the margins of andesite-dacite blocks.
The northeast-trending zones containing coherent and volcaniclastic facies are interpreted to comprise
peperites with associated synvolcanic dikes. Peperites are fragmental rocks that form from the intimate
mixing of hot magma with unconsolidated, typically wet sediments (Batiza and White, 2000; Schmidt and
Schminke, 2000). They are common in submarine arc-related volcano-sedimentary sequences (Skilling et al.,
2002), and commonly occur in proximity to synvolcanic fault zones. The interpretation that the volcaniclastic
deposits represent peperites is based on the morphology of the lapilli and blocks which comprise the deposits,
the consistent grain size variations from the margins to the centers of the lapilli and blocks, their spatial
relationships adjacent to, and orientations parallel to, synvolcanic sheet-like to pillowed coherent facies
andesite-dacite, and the presence of amygdules within the fine-grained tuffaceous matrix. The interpretation
that the sheet-like to pillowed, coherent facies andesite-dacite represents dikes rather than lava flows is based
on the northeast strike of the pillowed dikes (which is parallel to synvolcanic structures mapped in the
Fivemile Lake region (Hudak et al., 2002)), the lack of consistent facing directions in the pillowed coherent

84

�facies, and the similarity in the chemical compositions of the coherent domains and the lapilli and blocks
within the lapilli tuffs and tuff-breccias. The differences in the morphologies of the peperites on the
southwestern and north-central shorelines of Fivemile Lake may represent their different levels of formation in
the shallow sub-seafloor. Blocky peperites south of Fivemile Lake appear to have formed in lava flowconfined submarine aquifers located several hundred meters below the paleoseafloor, whereas more amoeboid
peperites found north of Fivemile Lake appear to have formed near the seafloor within water-saturated
submarine vent-fill deposits associated with a shallow submarine tuff cone volcano. Discordant zones of
peperites can be used to identify synvolcanic fault zones that may be important in the exploration for volcanichosted massive sulfide deposits.

Figure 1. Photographs of peperites deposits south (A) and north (B) of Fivemile Lake.
References
Batiza, R., and White, J. D. L., 2000, Submarine Lavas and Hyaloclastite, in Sigurdsson, H., 2000,
Encyclopedia of Volcanoes: Academic Press, San Diego, California, p. 361-381.
Hudak, G. J., Heine, J., Hocker, S., and Hauck, S. A., 2002, Geological mapping of the Needleboy Lake – Six
Mile Lake area, northeastern Minnesota: a summary of volcanogenic massive sulfide potential:
Natural Resources Research Institute Report of Investigation NRRI/RI – 2002/14, 16 p.
Hudak, G. J., Heine, J., Newkirk, T. T., and Hocker, S. M., in prep. Comparative geology, stratigraphy, and
lithogeochemistry of the Needleboy Lake to Sixmile Lake area, Vermilion District, NE Minnesota:
University of Minnesota Permanent University Trust Fund Research Report.
Peterson, D. M., 2001, Development of Archean lode-gold and massive sulfide deposit exploration models
using geographic information system applications: targeting mineral exploration in northeastern
Minnesota from analysis of analog Canadian Mining camps: unpublished Ph. D. dissertation,
University of Minnesota, Duluth, Minnesota, 503 p.
Peterson, D. M., Gallup, C., Jirsa, M. A., and Davis, D. W., Correlation of Archean assemblages across the
U.S. – Canadian Border: phase I geochronology: ILSG Proceedings Volume 47, p. 77-78.
Schmidt, R., and Schminke, H.-U., 2000, Seamounts and Island Building, in Sigurdsson, H., 2000,
Encyclopedia of Volcanoes: Academic Press, San Diego, California, p. 383-402.
Skilling, I. P., White, J. D. L., and McPhie, J., 2002, Peperite: a review of magma-sediment mingling: Journal
of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, v. 114, p. 1-17.

85

�MAPPING BY THE MINNESOTA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY IN SUPPORT OF LANDUSE AND WATER PLANNING ON THE MESABI IRON RANGE
JIRSA, Mark A., Minnesota Geological Survey, jirsa001@umn.edu
This presentation describes two mapping projects on the Mesabi Iron Range underway by
the Minnesota Geological Survey:
1) Hydrogeologic base maps of the Mesabi Iron Range—Funded by the Legislative Commission
on Minnesota Resources; and
2) Bedrock and Quaternary geologic maps of the Mesabi Iron Range—Funded by the Minnesota
Minerals Coordinating Committee.
In recent years, a number of mining companies have been working with the University of
Minnesota’s Department of Landscape Architecture on development concepts for the Mesabi
Iron Range. Although not directly a part of those efforts, the Minnesota Geological Survey’s
mapping projects are designed to provide technical data to address issues—primarily related to
water—that require consideration prior to development. When mining and associated pumping
ceases in any particular locality, water enters the mine from a variety of sources: rain and runoff,
percolation through porous unconsolidated sediment layers, and flow through fractures and
weathered zones in bedrock. The movement of ground water through these diverse materials is
complex and poorly understood; however, it is clear that the boundary between the bedrock and
overlying unconsolidated sediments is the single most important interface in the movement of
ground water. Project 1, the hydrogeologic maps, addresses the location and shape of this
hydrologically important interface. Some of this information for the western half of the Mesabi
Range has already been published (Fig. 1; Jirsa and others, 2002; Lively and others, 2002).
Project 2 will provide details about the lithologic content, structure, and water-bearing
characteristics of the materials above and below that interface. Among other objectives, the
bedrock geologic mapping is designed to identify other structures that may be important
hydrologic interfaces, such as fractures, faults, and bedding surfaces. The bedrock mapping will
modify and digitize the most recent existing map of the Mesabi Range compiled by a large group
of scientists (Meineke and others, 1999). This will be compiled with other archived maps and
new fieldwork. These efforts are reconnaissance in scope, and considerably more detail could be
extracted from mine exposures, mining company records, and surface geologic mapping.
Nevertheless, these projects will produce framework geologic maps and site-specific data in
digital format that will be useful in resolving issues related to ground and surface waters,
aggregate resource management, and land-use planning. They are intended to lay the
groundwork for more detailed investigations into specific areas of future concern.

86

�Figure 1. Generalized geologic map of the Mesabi Iron Range showing the subcrop location of
Paleoproterozoic Biwabik Iron Formation (gray) and Mesoproterozoic Duluth Complex, and
various taconite mining operations (black; asterisk indicates inactive mine). Dashed polygons
outline western and eastern map areas.
None of these projects would be possible without the contributions of drill hole and
geologic data and insight from members of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, the
Natural Resources Research Institute, and most particularly, the mining companies.
REFERENCES
Jirsa, M.A., Setterholm, D.R., Bloomgren, B.A., and Lively, R.S., 2002, Bedrock topographic
and depth to bedrock maps of the western half of the Mesabi Iron Range, northern
Minnesota: Minnesota Geological Survey Miscellaneous Map M-126, scale 1:100,000.
Lively, R.S., Morey, G.B., and Bauer, E.J., 2002, One hundred years of mining: Alterations to
the physical and cultural geography of the western half of the Mesabi Iron Range, northern
Minnesota: Minnesota Geological Survey Miscellaneous Map M-118; 4 pls., scale
1:100,000.
Meineke, D.G., Buchheit, R.L., Dahlberg, E.H., Morey, G.B., and Warren, L.E., comps., 1999
Geologic map of the Mesabi Iron Range, Minnesota (2nd ed.): Hibbing, Minn., Mesabi
Range Geological Society, scale 1:62,500.

87

�REGIONAL COMPILATIONS OF BEDROCK GEOLOGY IN NORTHEASTERN
MINNESOTA: THE VERMILION, ELY, AND BASSWOOD LAKE QUADRANGLES
JIRSA, Mark A., Minnesota Geological Survey, jirsa001@umn.edu
Compilations of geologic mapping, although not typically portraying new field information in great detail,
serve the important functions of providing regional mapping consistency, framework for various lithologic and
geochemical surveys, and regional guidance for exploration and environmental issues. With this in mind, several
regional bedrock geologic compilations at scale 1:100,000 have recently been completed and are underway for areas
in northeastern Minnesota (Fig. 1), funded in large part by the STATEMAP program of the U.S. Geological Survey.
The Vermilion Lake 30' x 60' quadrangle was completed in 2003 (Jirsa and Boerboom, 2003), and is displayed and
described here. The adjacent Ely and U.S. portion of Basswood Lake 30' x 60' quadrangles are slated for
completion in 2004. Perhaps as important as the functions listed above, the new compilations integrate disparate
analog mapping, including some from the late 1800s and early 1900s, into a lithostratigraphically consistent, digital
(GIS) format.

Figure 1. Generalized geologic map of northeastern Minnesota showing the location of 30' x 60' quadrangles.
The Vermilion Lake quadrangle covers most of the exposed area of the Vermilion district of northeastern
Minnesota that lies outside of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW), and is thus open in the
broad sense to mineral exploration and mining. The Vermilion district is a local designation applied to the portion
of the Neoarchean Vermilion greenstone belt in which there has been mining activity in the past, primarily of highgrade iron ore. The quadrangle also covers the east end of the Mesabi Iron Range, a world-class mining district in
Paleoproterozoic strata that for decades has been the principal economic force in this part of Minnesota.
Nevertheless, there is interest in finding alternative industries for cities along the iron range and alternative
commodities for a diversified mining industry. At the present time there are encouraging indications that one or
more viable polymetallic mines may develop in the basal contact zone of the Mesoproterozoic Duluth Complex.
The zone of prime exploration and development interest in this regard crosses the southeastern corner of the
Vermilion Lake map sheet.
For the first time, the Vermilion Lake compilation merges well-exposed Neoarchean rocks of the Tower–Soudan
area with more scattered exposures to the west into a single structural and lithologic interpretation. The map
highlights a large, regional anticlinal structure that is cored by the steeply dipping Tower–Soudan anticline (Fig. 2).
Tracing this fold structure westward into sedimentary rocks of the Lake Vermilion Formation, it becomes a broad
and complex nappe structure that extends at least 30 kilometers. The Vermilion greenstone belt is comparable in its
geologic attributes to other Neoarchean belts in Canada that contains significant deposits of gold, copper, zinc, and
other metals. This general analogy has been recognized for decades and has stimulated several waves of mineral

88

�exploration in the area. Although past exploration efforts have been substantial, they have not been exhaustive. A
major handicap was the lack of detailed geologic mapping, a situation that has been largely corrected over the past
25 years through the efforts of the Minnesota Geological Survey and the exploration industry itself.

Figure 2. Schematic geologic map of the Vermilion Lake 30' x 60' quadrangle (Jirsa and Boerboom, 2003)
showing folds, faults, and stratigraphic facing in Archean strata. Archean intrusions are gray. Three
generations of folds are shown: F1—solid; F2—long dash; F3—short dash. Open arrows indicate horizontal
facing directions in steeply dipping supracrustal sequences and upright facing directions where bedding is
shallower. Solid arrows indicate the direction of downward stratigraphic facing. The bold fault line is the
boundary between the Quetico subprovince to the north, and the Wawa subprovince to the south.
The regional compilations of mapping data at scale 1:100,000 may prove to be valuable tools for the next cycle of
exploration, which inevitably will come when local and global economic conditions appropriately conjoin.
The compilation effort underway for the Ely and U.S. portions of the Basswood Lake 30' x 60' quadrangles involves
many of the same geologic entities as depicted on the Vermilion Lake sheet. Because it includes areas within the
BWCAW, which are generally protected from exploration and mining, this map will serve a slightly different
purpose from that of the Vermilion Lake map, by providing regional geologic context. This effort will pave the way
for such products as a “geologic user-guide” to the BWCAW, which has been initiated by the Minnesota Geological
Survey.
REFERENCE
Jirsa, M.A., and Boerboom, T.J., 2003, Bedrock geology of the Vermilion Lake 30’ x 60’ quadrangle, northeast
Minnesota: Minnesota Geological Survey Miscellaneous Map M-141, scale 1:100,000.

89

�Douglass Houghton’s 1840 Field Excursion to Lake Superior
JOHNSON, Allan M., Professor Emeritus, Department of Geological &amp; Mining Engineering &amp;
Sciences, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, Michigan 49931
In 1840, as the first State Geologist of Michigan, Douglass Houghton was near the end of the
first geological survey of the state. In 1837, when Michigan entered statehood, and 1838 he was
involved with and oversaw the reconnaissance surveys of the southern peninsula. In 1839 the
survey work progressed to the northern peninsula, along the north shores of Lakes Huron and
Michigan. For 1840, the program was much more ambitious, for he and his assistants (Bela
Hubbard and C.C. Douglass) would undertake a survey along the south shore of Lake Superior.
Detroit businessman, Charles Penny, also accompanied the group.
The party left Detroit near the end of May 1840 and through the spring and early summer made
their way from Sault Ste. Marie westward along the south shore of Lake Superior in their flotilla
consisting of a larger Mackinaw boat and several smaller craft. This survey resulted in the
mapping of rocks exposed adjacent to the shore, with more detailed mapping along major
streams and rivers flowing into the big lake. Special attention was given to mapping volcanic
and sedimentary rocks of the Keweenaw Peninsula and taking samples of previously known
locations of copper bearing rocks (copper oxide at Copper Harbor and native metal from the
copper boulder on the Ontonagon River). At the end of July, Houghton’s assistants returned to
southern Michigan to continue with ongoing geologic investigations including boring a salt well
at Grand Rapids.
Houghton remained on Lake Superior with his voyageurs through mid-September. When his
assistants left from LaPointe on Madeline Island, Houghton continued reconnaissance mapping
at Isle Royale, the Porcupine Mountains and Portage Lake, and more detailed work on the Black
and Eagle Rivers.
It was on the Eagle River where Houghton discovered numerous occurrences of native copper
and the presence of native silver which gave him the confidence to express cautious optimism in
the potential for copper mining on the Keweenaw Peninsula in his early 1841 report to the
Michigan Legislature.
Word of this report soon led to the US War Department establishing a land office at Copper
Harbor to issue mining permits and ultimately to the first great mining rush in the United States.
For 150 years the native copper district of the Keweenaw was active in supplying a growing
nation and the world with high purity lake copper with over 12 billion pounds of production.
It is of interest to note that the 1840 journals of Hubbard and Penny have been published, while
Houghton’s 1840 geologic notes became ‘lost’. It was not until 1978 that the notes appeared at
public auction in New York City advertised as “the notes of an early Michigan surveyor”, where
they became the property of Central Michigan University.

90

�References
Carter, James L., and Rankin, Ernest H., eds., 1970, North to Lake Superior, The Journal of
Charles W. Penny, 1840, The John M. Longyear Research Library, Marquette, Michigan,
84 p.
Cummings, John, September 14, 2000, personal communication in Mount Pleasant, Michigan
regarding purchase of Douglass Houghton’s 1840 field notes in New York City in 1978.
Fuller, George N., 1928, Geological Reports of Douglass Houghton, Michigan Historical
Commission, Lansing, 700 p.
Houghton, Douglass, 1840, Original Field Notes of 1840 Expedition to Lake Superior, Clarke
Library, Central Michigan Univ., Mount Pleasant, MI 325 p.
Merrill, George P, 1906, Contributions to the History of American Geology, Smithsonian
Institution, Washington Government Printing Office, 733 p.
Mason, Philip, P., ed., 1958, Schoolcraft’s 1832 Expedition to Lake Itasca, Michigan State
University Press, East Lansing, 390 p.
Peters, Bernard C., ed., 1983, Lake Superior Journal, Bela Hubbard’s Account of the 1840
Houghton Expedition, Northern Michigan University Press, Marquette, 113 p.
Rintila, Edsel K., 1954, Douglass Houghton, Michigan’s Pioneer Geologist, Wayne University
Press, Detroit, 119 p.
Williams, Mentor L., ed., Schoolcraft’s 1821 Narrative Journal of Travels through the
Northwestern Regions of the United States, Michigan State University Press, East
Lansing, 1992, 520 p.

91

�REGIONAL GEOCHEMISTRY SURROUNDING THE NORTON LAKE Cu-Ni-PGE
DEPOSIT, UCHI SUBPROVINCE, ONTARIO
JOHNSON, J.R.*, HOLLINGS, P., and KISSIN, S., Department of Geology, Lakehead
University, Thunder Bay, ON, P7B 5E1
The Norton Lake Cu-Ni-PGE deposit (delineated in 1981 as 944,000 tonnes at 0.72% Ni and
0.56% Cu) is located within the northern most unnamed assemblage of the Miminiska-Fort Hope
Greenstone Belt approximately 50 km northeast of Fort Hope, northwest Ontario (Fig. 1). The
deposit is hosted within a sheared amphibolite unit that is typically found at, but not limited to,
the contact between an upper basalt and a lower sedimentary unit. Due to both its remote
location and sparse outcrop only limited geological investigations have been undertaken within
the belt to date. Consequently, the belt has been subdivided based on available regional
stratigraphic and structural interpretations. Previous work by the Ontario Geological Survey has
tentatively correlated the unnamed assemblage with the McGruer assemblage of the North
Caribou, located to the west, based on a similarity of rock types and a pervasive aeromagnetic
anomaly that extends between the two (Stott and Corfu, 1991).

Figure 1: Uchi Subprovince, northwestern Ontario, study area outlined.
A 12 km east-west by 6 km north-south block surrounding the Norton Lake Deposit has been
mapped and sampled to allow characterization of the volcanic assemblages. In addition to field
mapping, drill core left in the area by previous exploration programs was examined (covering an
area of 20 km by 10 km). Samples selected to provide good areal coverage and minimal
alteration were analysed by XRF and ICP-MS. Three suites can be recognised within the
assemblage; Suite I basalts are characterized by weakly depleted to enriched LREE
[(La/Sm)n=0.9-1.2] and weakly fractionated HREE [(Gb/Yb)n=1.1-1.2] in conjunction with flat
to positive Nb anomalies. Suite II is characterized by LREE depleted basalts [(La/Sm)n=0.4-0.7]
and unfractionated HREE [(Gb/Yb)n=0.9-1.1], while Suite III consists of basalts to dacites that
are LREE enriched with weakly fractionated HREE [(La/Sm)n=2.6-4.7, (Gd/Yb)n=0.8-2.4] and
pronounced negative Nb anomalies.

92

�Sm-Nd isotope work on select samples is currently underway with initial epsilon-Nd values
indicating little to no crustal contamination of the samples. Preliminary interpretations suggest
the Norton Lake area formed in a tectonic setting analogous to modern island arcs and is best
compared with the Northern Pickle Assemblage of the Pickle Lake belt rather than the McGruer
assemblage of the North Caribou terrane.

Hollings P., 1998, Geochemistry of the Uchi Subprovince, northern Superior Province: and
evaluation of the geodynamic evolution of the northern margin of the Superior Province
ocean basin; Ph. D. thesis, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, 229 p.
Stott G. M. and Corfu F., 1991, Uchi Subprovince, in Geology of Ontario, Ontario Geological
Survey Special Volume 4, Part 1.
Young, M. D., 2003. New structural, geochronological, and geochemical constraints on the
tectonic assembly of the Archean Pickle Lake greenstone belt, Uchi subprovince, western
Superior Province; M. Sc. thesis, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, 182 p.

93

�Platinum Mineralization at Drill Hole A4-11 of the Wetlegs Area of the Partridge River
Intrusion, Duluth Complex, Northeast Minnesota
KAUKONEN, R.J., and ALAPIETI, T.T., University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
Apparently either the more peculiar PGE mineralization at DU-15 of the South Kawishiwi
Intrusion or the vast but low grade deposits of disseminated base-metal sulfides may have been
the reason why, as it seems, the platinum potential of the Wetlegs area of the Partridge River
Intrusion has almost been forgotten. The whole rock analyses from drill core A4-11 (Gladen,
1990) show significant PGE values (Fig.1), which undoubtedly warrant an investigation.
Unfortunately the best parts of the drill core A4-11 have been previously used for analysis
and hence material for thin sections was not available throughout the core. The cryptic variation
paths of the main rock-forming silicates are presented in Fig. 1. Compared to data from drill core
A4-14 (Kaukonen, 1994), the crystallization paths of olivine and pyroxenes show distinctive
similarities. The general upward increasing trend of primitiveness is particularly evident in
olivine. Plagioclase compositions on the other hand don’t really present any clear trends aside
from perhaps a slight decrease down the drill hole in the lower half of the core.

Dpeth in Drill Hole (m)

0

0

100

100

200

200

300

300

400

400

500

500

600

600

700
40 50 60 70 80 30 40 50 60 70 40 50 60 70 80 30

Plag An%

Oliv Fo%

Opx En%

40

Cpx En%

50 0

700
4000 8000

Pt+Pd+Au ppb

Fig.1. Cryptic variation paths of the main rock-forming silicates and the
determined concentrations of noble metals in drill hole A4-11.

The best PGE values are found between 70-80 meters down hole. The highest Pt+Pd+Au
value is about 7 ppm, of which Au accounts for just less than 1 ppm (Fig.1). Petrologically the
mineralization seems to be a somewhat ’classic’ base-metal sulfide type PGE mineralization
where the platinum-group minerals are mainly associated with disseminated base-metal sulfides,
mainly chalcopyrite and pyrrhotite. The most significant difference to the classic or often
referred to as orthomagmatic PGE mineralizations is probably related to the silicates rather than
sulfides, as the host rock is essentially troctolite rather than orthopyroxenite. This feature,
however, is well in accordance with the crystal mush theory of Miller and Weiblen (1990).

94

�As each mineralization has some unique characteristics, the A4-11 PGE mineralization also
has its own signature. One of the most striking features is the notable occurrence of native
copper, which is widely present. The grain size of copper is usually very small, yet it is readily
distinguishable with an ore microscope using a relatively small magnification. The presence of
native copper is possibly an indication of a reducing environment, and here it is mainly an
alteration product of chalcopyrite. The platinum-group mineralogy of the A4-11 mineralization
is also rather special. The most common PGMs are stannides and plumbates (Komppa, 1998).
The minerals identified and analyzed for this investigation included atokite (Pd2Sn) and
zvyagintsevite (Pd3Pb). However, as pointed out by Cawthorn et al. (2002), the platinum-group
mineralogy of any given deposit is not necessarily a reflection of the primary processes involved
in the enrichment of the PGE in a stratiform deposit, but rather a product of secondary processes
that shape the mineralization further.
References:
Cawthorn, R.G., Lee, C.A., Schouwstra, R.P., and Mellowship, P., 2002, Relationship between
PGE and PGM in the Bushveld Complex: Can. Min., Vol. 40, pp. 311-328.
Gladen, L., 1990, Duluth Project: Report on 1989 Exploration in the Duluth Complex,
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Internal Report, 11 p.
Kaukonen, R.J., 1994, Cryptic Variation in the Partridge River Intrusion of the Duluth Complex,
unpublished M.Sc thesis, University of Oulu, Finland, 66 p., (in Finnish with English
Abstract).
Komppa, U.E., 1998, Oxide, Sulphide and Platinum Mineralogy of the South Kawishiwi and
Partridge River Intrusions of the Duluth Layered Intrusion Complex, Minnesota, U.S.A.
M.Sc. thesis, University of Oulu, Finland, 104 p., (in Finnish), English version published
as Natural Resources Research Institute, Report of Investigation in 2002, NRRI-RI2002/02
Miller, J.D., Jr., and Weiblen, P.W., 1990, Anorthositic Rocks of the Duluth Complex: Examples
of Rocks Formed from Plagioclase Crystal Mush: Jour. Petrol., Vol. 31, Part 2, pp. 295339.

95

�MAGNETIC SUSCEPTIBILITY ANISOTROPY AND REMANENT MAGNETISM OF
QUARTZITE AND PHYLLITE FROM BARABOO WISCONSIN
KEAN, William F., Department of Geosciences, UW-Milwaukee, P.O. Box 413, Milwaukee WI
53201, wkean@uwm.edu
The Baraboo quartzite and the associated phyllite are paleomagnetically well behaved
rocks, with single magnetic directions carried by hematite, but with different directions for the
rock types. The magnetism in the quartzite is associated with single domain hematite grains, is
pre-folding, and is consistent with an ~1760 Ma age of formation (Kean and Mercer, 1986). The
phyllite is dominated by multidomain hematite, (Kelly and Kean 2001), and although the
magnetic directions are internally consistent at any one site, they are scattered between sites both
before and after a fold test. The presence of multidomain hematite grains (up to 100 µ) suggests
the remanence was developed during metamorphism which could have occurred during the
folding in the region, or from fluids introduced at a later time when the radiometric ages were
reset (Medaris et al., 2003).
In an attempt to better understand these differences in magnetic directions, a large block
of rock that contained quartzite and phyllite was collected from the south limb of the Baraboo
Syncline at an outcrop on Highway 12. A series of 2.5-cm. diameter cores were drilled from each
of the layers for thermal demagnetization and anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS)
measurements. The results presented in Figure 1 show that the phyllite has higher values of
AMS (P`) than the quartzite, and the magnetic grains are more oblate in shape (T) compared to
the quartzite.
1

0.8

Quartzite
0.6

SHAPE T

Phyllite
0.4

0.2

0
1

1.1

1.2

1.3

1.4

1.5

-0.2

-0.4

Anisotropy P'

Figure 1. Anisotropy of Magnetic Susceptibility (AMS) P’ versus shape factor T for samples
from the Baraboo region. T values below zero are prolate in shape, values near zero are neutral,
and values above zero are oblate in shape. The phyllite shows large values of anisotropy and is
strongly oblate. The quartzite is close to neutral in shape and of lower anisotropy.

96

�The comparison between remanent magnetic directions and AMS ellipsoid axes for the
two rock types is presented in Figure 2. The magnetic direction for the phyllite is perpendicular
to the minimum anisotropy axis and is rotated toward the bedding plane. The magnetic direction
for the quartzite appears to be unrelated to the susceptibility anisotropy.

Figure 2: Comparison of paleomagnetic directions and AMS for quartzite and phyllite samples at
Highway 12 outcrop.
It appears that the disparity in the magnetic directions in the phyllite zone is related to the
amount of local strain that occurred during the metamorphism and formation of the Baraboo
syncline, and not related to later fluid injection associated with the Wolf River batholith intrusive
event. Limited AMS results from other phyllite sites in the region provide similar results.
References:
Kean, W.F. and Mercer, D., 1986, Preliminary Paleomagnetic Study of the Baraboo Quartzite,
Wisconsin, Geoscience Wisconsin, Vol. 10, p 46-53.
Kean, W.F. and Kelly, C., 2001, Rock Magnetic Studies of Phyllite Layers from Baraboo
Interval Rocks in Wisconsin, Abstracts with Programs, GSA Annual Meeting, 33, p. A143.
Medaris, L.G., Singer, B.S., Dott, Jr., R.H., Naymark, A., Johnson, C.M., and Schott, R.C., 2003,
Late Paleoproterozoic Climate and Tectonics in Southern Lake Superior Region and
Proto-North America: Evidence from Baraboo Interval Quartzites. Journal of Geology,
Vol. 111, p 243-257.

97

�Lithic Materials and Archaeology in the Western Lake Superior Region
KLAWITER, Brian, Superior National Forest, Duluth, Minnesota 55808, USA
The most prevalent and enduring artifacts left behind by prehistoric cultures are those
made of stone. The study of these cultural material remains shows that prehistoric people were
very perceptive and discerning “geologists” when it came to choosing the stone materials that
they would use. The available lithic materials had a broad range of useful properties that were to
be carefully considered when choosing the raw material for a particular tool or purpose.
Prehistoric people developed a keen eye for the desired physical properties of stone, and they
knew where to get it. One enduring legacy from these prehistoric and early historic people is in
the form of place-names such as Gunflint Lake and Knife Lake; both translated from the earlier
Ojibwe names (Upham, 1920), and both of which have subsequently passed their names along to
major geologic features: the Gunflint Iron Formation and the Knife Lake Group metavolcanics
and metasediments. This presentation will display and describe many of the geologic materials
and their prehistoric uses as discovered by archaeologists working in the western Lake Superior
region.
In addition to studying prehistoric cultures, it is often equally interesting to study the
modern archaeologists who study the ancient cultures. Most archaeologists are students of the
Social Sciences whose occupation requires them to acquire a basic working knowledge of
geology. This geologic education is often acquired in the field or in the lab by peer interaction,
rather than in the classroom by professional geologists. As a result, the field of archaeology has
in many ways developed its own sub-culture of geology, which is best displayed in the naming
systems applied to the geologic materials recovered from archaeological excavations. This ad
hoc (and locally territorial) nomenclature is often confusing to archaeologists and bewildering to
geologists. For those interested in the overlap of geology and archaeology, this presentation
outlines the archaeological nomenclature applied to geologic formations and materials in the
western Lake Superior region, and highlights the efforts of this author and others to “reform” the
archaeological nomenclature to more generally conform to geologic standards.
Keywords: archaeology, lithics, Gunflint, Knife Lake, nomenclature, Superior National Forest
Upham, W., 1920, Minnesota Geographic Names: Their Origin and Historic Significance:
Minnesota Historical Society, Saint Paul, Minnesota.

98

�REGIONAL TILL SAMPLING IN THE VERMILION GREENSTONE BELT,
MINNESOTA: PRELIMINARY RESULTS AND INTERPRETATIONS
LARSON, P.C., Department of Geological Sciences, University of Minnesota, Duluth, MN
55812, plarson2@d.umn.edu
A project of regional till sampling was undertaken over the Vermilion greenstone belt during the
2001 and 2003 field seasons. Samples were collected to provide coverage of ~1 sample per 3
km2 in the area between Tower and Ely, MN. The silt+clay fraction (&lt;63µm) of B- and Chorizon till samples was analyzed for gold, platinum, and palladium by fire assay and for 47
major- and trace-elements by ICP-MS and ICP-AES. The regional sampling program provides
information on the background concentrations of various elements in till, as well as the presence
and location of anomalous gold and base metal indicator concentrations. In conjunction with the
sampling, observations on the character and distribution of glacial sediments overlying the
greenstone belt were made to provide a framework for interpretation of the till geochemical data
set.
The study area records a simple record of Quaternary events. Till cover is generally thin and
discontinuous over the study area, with the exception of the Vermilion and Wahlsten moraines.
Essentially all glacial sediments were deposited during the final retreat of ice from the study area
(the Vermilion Phase). Moraine orientations indicate ice was flowing at 180° to the Wahlsten
moraine, and 195° to the slightly younger Vermilion moraine.
Elements in till associated with the granite-gneiss Vermilion granitic complex to the north of the
greenstone belt (Be, K, Rb, Ba) show a systematic decrease in concentration along glacial flowlines south of the Vermilion fault (the contact between the granitic complex and greenstone belt).
This demonstrates that the composition of till overlying the greenstone is overwhelmingly a
function of physical transport by glacial action. Till overlying the greenstone is therefore a
mixture of material transported from the Vermilion granitic complex and material eroded from
the greenstone belt; quantification of this mixing trend indicates a mean transport length of ~8
km for till-forming material.
The till sampling program has clearly identified a number of areas with anomalous precious and
base metal concentrations. Highlights include a number of samples with &gt;50 ppb gold, including
one sample with 940 ppb gold. Copper values up to 314 ppm, zinc values up to 368 ppm, and
platinum values of up to 8 ppb were also reported. Higher density follow-up sampling is
recommended to more clearly define and determine the significance of anomalies, as well as
determine the location of potential source rocks. The results of this survey clearly demonstrate
the utility of till compositional surveys for exploration in the Vermilion greenstone belt, as well
as nearby areas with a similar glacial geological setting.

99

�EARLY ADVANCE OF THE ST. LOUIS SUBLOBE: A REVISED CHRONOLOGY OF
THE DEGLACIATION OF NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA
LARSON, P.C., MOOERS, H.D., and MARLOW, L.M., Department of Geological Sciences,
University of Minnesota, Duluth, MN 55812, plarson2@d.umn.edu
The general retreat of the Laurentide Ice Sheet (LIS) from Minnesota during the Late
Wisconsin was characterized by a fluctuating boundary between ice originating in the Keewatin
and Labradoran accumulation centers. Recent investigations into the glacial geology of central
and northern Minnesota have newly recognized stratigraphic relationships prompting revision of
the deglacial chronology.
A prominent event during deglaciation was the advance of the Keewatin-provenance St.
Louis Sublobe (Alborn phase) from the Red River Valley across northern Minnesota into the
area vacated by the retreating Labradoran-provenance Rainy Lobe. This advance has previously
assigned a relatively late age (~12 ka) and correlated with post-Vermilion phase margins of the
Rainy Lobe, implying that ice-free conditions existed between the Rainy Lobe and the Giant’s
Range at the time of the advance. However, the absence of Keewatin till north of the Giant's
Range despite the presence of such till at the crest of the Giant's Range, combined with evidence
for abundant stagnant Rainy Lobe ice south of the Giant’s Range, suggests the St. Louis Sublobe
advance occurred while active Rainy Lobe ice was present immediately north of the Giant's
Range. A newly identified Rainy Lobe ice margin confirms this relationship; this margin is
probably correlative with the previously described Allen moraine. We refer to the phase of the
Rainy Lobe responsible for its formation as the Northofnashwauk phase.
The relationships above indicate that the Alborn phase occurred significantly earlier than
previously believed. Retreat of the St. Louis Sublobe from its Alborn phase maximum occurred
by stagnation and wastage of a large mass of ice. The next prominent recessional moraine
formed at the suture between active and stagnant ice in southern Beltrami County (Rabideau
moraine). Here, ice-contact meltwater channels emanated outward from the ice margin,
terminating as outwash fans at the edge of the stagnant ice. The Rabideau moraine is correlative
with the post-Northofnashwauk Big Rice phase and moraine of the Rainy Lobe. Much of the
meltwater drained into Glacial Lake Sucre, a western extension of Glacial Lakes Aitkin and
Upham II. Sucre drained after abandonment of the Hellwig Creek outlet of Upham II. The Rainy
and St. Louis Sublobes retreated from the Big Rice and Rabideau moraines to the Vermilion and
Big Stone(?) moraines, respectively.
These newly recognized stratigraphic relationships indicate that the St. Louis Sublobe advanced
immediately after recession of the Rainy Lobe. Consequently, Glacial Lakes Aitkin-Upham I
were much shorter lived, and Aitkin and Upham II much longer lived, than previously believed.

100

�Figure 1. Ice margin positions during Northofnashwauk and Alborn Phases, ca. 13.5 kyr BP.

Figure 2. Ice margin positions during Big Rice Phase, ca. 13 kyr BP.

Figure 3. Ice margin positions during Vermilion Phase, ca. 12.5 kyr BP.

101

�Lake Nipigon Region Geoscience Initiative: Results of Bedrock Mapping in the Northern
Part of the Western Nipigon Embayment, Northwestern Ontario, Canada
MacDONALD, C.A. and TREMLAY, E.
Precambrian Geoscience Section, Ontario Geological Survey, Ministry of Northern
Development and Mines, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, P3E 6B5
As part of the Lake Nipigon Regional Geoscience Initiative (LNRGI), a 2-year, 1:50 000 scale mapping program
was begun in 2003 to better understand the geology of the western Nipigon Embayment. This talk presents results
based on mapping of an area of roughly 1200 km2 during the 2003 field season, and focuses on Proterozoic rocks in
the map area (Fig. 1) (MacDonald 2004; MacDonald et al. 2004a, 2004b). This project is funded by the Northern
Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) through
the Ontario Prospectors Association.
The 2003 map area is located approximately 190 km
north of Thunder Bay and is partially bordered by the
shore of Lake Nipigon on its east margin (Fig. 1, 2).
Rocks of both the Superior and Southern provinces occur
in the map area and include Archean rocks of the
volcanic-plutonic central Wabigoon Subprovince that are
disconformably
overlain
by
Mesoproterozoic
sedimentary rocks of the Sibley Group, all of which are
intruded by Mesoproterozoic mafic igneous rocks.
Archean rocks consist dominantly of variably foliated
to gneissic, felsic to intermediate, granitoid rocks and
mafic to felsic metavolcanic rocks. A 30 metre thick flatlying succession of mafic volcanic pillowed flows occurs
in the northern part of the map area. The undeformed
nature of these flows, combined with the well-preserved
Figure 1. Key map showing the location of the nature of relatively delicate features such as hyaloclastite
2003 map area.
suggests that these rocks may be Proterozoic rather than
Archean in age. If so, they would be the first Proterozoic
mafic volcanic rocks reported this far north of the Midcontinent Rift. Alternatively, they could represent a
previously unrecognized greenstone belt within the Superior Province.
Pre-Keweenawan rocks include anorogenic igneous and associated metavolcanic rocks of the English Bay
complex and sedimentary rocks of the Sibley Group. The English Bay complex (~1540 Ma, Davis and Sutcliffe
1985) consists mainly of massive quartz and feldspar crystal tuffs with a variety of fragment types suggesting an
extrusive, volcanic origin for most of the complex. Sibley Group clastic and chemical sedimentary rocks are few,
and a combination of paleotopography on the Archean surface as well as the erosional level of the overlying diabase
sills probably controls their distribution.
At least one olivine gabbro sill, referred to as the Jackfish Island sill, intrudes the English Bay complex. The
Jackfish Island sill has geochemical affinities (Fig. 3) with the Kitto peridotite intrusion located on the east side of
the Nipigon Embayment (Hart 2003). Both the Jackfish Island and Kitto peridotite are roughly coeval with the
~1110 Ma Nipigon diabase sills (Davis and Sutcliffe, 1985).
Nipigon diabase sills intrude and overlie all previously noted rock types and are part of the 1.11 to 1.09 billionyear-old Midcontinent Rift. The Nipigon sills are generally massive, medium-grained, intergranular-textured and
gabbroic in composition with local variations including ophitic and poikilitic textured diabase, oikocrystic diabase
and magnetite-rich to locally glomeroporphyritic magnetite phases. Coarse-grained pods, veins and/or
monzogabbroic phases also occur within the diabase and could represent a late magmatic phases of the sills or
assimilation of Sibley Group sedimentary rocks, or both (Hart and Magyarosi, 2004). The diabase sills intrude and
typically overlie all other rock units. The diabase sills are tentatively subdivided into 2 types: 1) The Inspiration
sills, located in the northern part of the map area, which have higher trace element ratios (Fig. 3) and normal

102

�remnant magnetization than typical Nipigon sills, and 2) Sills located in the southern part of the map area that are
reversely polarized and which have lower trace element
ratios. This southern group of sills are grouped with the
typical Nipigon sills (Fig. 3).
A series of subparallel north- and northwest-trending
faults that occur within the Black Sturgeon Fault corridor may
be related to the formation of the Midcontinent Rift (Fig. 2).
These faults may also in part control the location of Archean
inliers. Vertical displacement on both fault sets range from
200 to 400 metres.

Figure 2. General geology of south
Armstrong–Gull Bay area
Figure 3. La/Sm versus Gd/Yb for samples
from the English Bay complex, Jackfish
Island Sill, Nipigon sills and Inspiration sills.

References
Davis, D.W. and Sutcliffe, R.H. 1985. U-Pb ages from the Nipigon plate and northern Lake Superior; Geological
Society of America Bulletin, v.96, p.1572-1579.
Hart, T.R. 2003. Keweenawan mafic and ultramafic intrusive rocks of the Lake Nipigon and Crystal Lake areas,
northwestern Ontario; in Programs and Abstracts, Proceedings of the Institute on Lake Superior Geology,
v.49, Pt. 1, p.21-22.
Hart, T.R. and Magyarosi, Z. 2004. Precambrian geology of the northern Black Sturgeon River and Disraeli Lake
area, Nipigon Embayment, northwestern Ontario; Ontario Geological Survey, Open File Report 6138, 56p.
MacDonald, C.A. 2004. Precambrian Geology of the South Armstrong-Gull Bay area, Nipigon Embayment,
Northwestern Ontario; Ontario Geological Survey Open File Report 6136, 42p.
MacDonald, C.A., terMeer, M., Lepage, L., Prefontaine, S. and Tremblay, E. 2004a. Precambrian Geology of the
Waweig-Wabinosh Lakes area, western Nipigon Embayment, Northwestern Ontario; Ontario Geological
Survey, Preliminary Map P.3536, scale 1:50,000.
MacDonald, C.A., terMeer, Lepage, L., Prefontaine, S. and Tremblay, E. 2004b. Precambrian Geology of the
English Bay-Havoc Lake area, western Nipigon Embayment, Northwestern Ontario; Ontario Geological
Survey, Preliminary Map P.3537, scale 1:50,000.

103

�Precambrian Geology of the South Armstrong–Gull Bay Area, Nipigon Embayment,
Northwestern Ontario, Canada
MacDONALD, C.A., and TREMBLAY, E.
Precambrian Geoscience Section, Ontario Geological Survey
Ministry of Northern Development and Mines, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, P3E 6B5
As part of the Lake Nipigon Regional Geoscience Initiative (LNRGI), a 2-year, 1:50 000 scale
mapping program was begun in 2003 to better understand the geology of the western Nipigon
Embayment. As part of LNRGI, this study mapped an area of roughly 1200 km2 during the 2003 field
season (MacDonald 2004; MacDonald et al. 2004a, 2004b). The project was funded by the Northern
Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) through the Ontario Prospectors Association. This poster
presentation highlights some of the preliminary results of this mapping program.
The south Armstrong–Gull Bay area is located approximately 190 km north of Thunder Bay and is
partially bordered by the shore of Lake Nipigon on its east margin. Rocks of both the Superior and
Southern provinces occur in the map area and include Archean rocks of the volcanic-plutonic central
Wabigoon Subprovince that are disconformably overlain by Mesoproterozoic sedimentary rocks of the
Sibley Group, all of which are intruded by Mesoproterozoic mafic igneous rocks.
Archean rocks consist dominantly of variably foliated to gneissic, felsic to intermediate, granitoid
rocks and mafic to felsic metavolcanic rocks. A 30 metre thick flat-lying succession of mafic volcanic
pillowed flows occurs in the northern part of the map area. The undeformed nature of these flows,
combined with the well-preserved nature of relatively delicate features such as hyaloclastite suggests that
these rocks may be Proterozoic rather than Archean in age. If so, they would be the first Proterozoic mafic
volcanic rocks reported this far north of the Midcontinent Rift. Alternatively, they could represent a
previously unrecognized greenstone belt within the Superior Province.
Pre-Keweenawan rocks include anorogenic igneous and associated metavolcanic rocks of the English
Bay complex and sedimentary rocks of the Sibley Group. The English Bay complex (~1540 Ma, Davis
and Sutcliffe 1985) consists mainly of massive quartz and feldspar crystal tuffs with a variety of fragment
types suggesting an extrusive, volcanic origin for most of the complex. Sibley Group clastic and chemical
sedimentary rocks are few, and their distribution is controlled by a combination of original
paleotopography on the Archean basement as well as the erosional level of the overlying diabase sills.
At least one olivine gabbro sill, referred as the Jackfish Island sill, intrudes the English Bay complex.
The Jackfish Island sill has geochemical affinities with the Kitto peridotite intrusion located on the east
side of the Nipigon Embayment (Hart 2003). Both the Jackfish Island and Kitto peridotite are roughly
coeval with the ~1110 Ma Nipigon diabase sills.
Nipigon diabase sills intrude and overlie all previously noted rock types and are part of the 1.11 to
1.09 billion-year-old Midcontinent Rift. The Nipigon sills are generally massive, medium-grained,
intergranular-textured and gabbroic in composition with local variations including ophitic and poikilitic
textured diabase, oikocrystic diabase and magnetite-rich to locally glomeroporphyritic magnetite phases.
Coarse-grained pods, veins and/or monzogabbroic phases also occur within the diabase and could
represent a late magmatic phases of the sills or assimilation of Sibley Group sedimentary rocks, or both
(Hart and Magyarosi, 2004). The diabase sills intrude and typically overlie all other rock units. The
diabase sills are tentatively subdivided into 2 types: 1) The Inspiration sills, located in the northern part of
the map area, which have higher trace element ratios and normal remnant magnetization than typical
Nipigon sills, and 2) Sills located in the southern part of the map area that are reversely polarized and
which have lower trace element ratios. This southern group of sills are grouped with the typical Nipigon
sills.

104

�Several northwest- and north-trending faults are prominent in the map area. Northwest-trending faults
appear to correlate with structures in the central Wabigoon Subprovince and may control the distribution
of Archean inliers. A series of subparallel north-trending faults, which include the Black Sturgeon fault,
may represent faults related to the formation of the Midcontinent Rift. The vertical displacement on both
fault sets range from 200 to 400 metres.
The mineral potential within the map area consists of previously undocumented areas of Archean
mafic and felsic metavolcanic rocks that may hold potential for Pb-Cu-Zn volcanogenic massive sulphide
(VMS) deposits. Two areas of brittle-ductile deformation within the metavolcanic rocks may also hold
potential for shear zone-hosted gold deposits. The mafic to ultramafic portions of an Archean sanukitoid
multiphase intrusion should be investigated for platinum group element potential, since gabbroic to
pyroxenitic rocks with disseminated chalcopyrite, pyrrhotite and pyrite from the Roaring River Complex
have returned assays up to 2.1 g/t Pt+Pd+Au (Schnieders et al. 2002). Cr-Ni-Cu-platinum group element
potential exists in both Proterozoic mafic to ultramafic bodies within the map area. Several areas within
the Nipigon Embayment may have potential to host iron oxide-copper-gold (i.e., Olympic Dam type)
deposits, particularly the English Bay complex.
References
Davis, D.W. and Sutcliffe, R.H. 1985. U-Pb ages from the Nipigon plate and northern Lake Superior;
Geological Society of America Bulletin, v.96, p.1572-1579.
Hart, T.R. 2003. Keweenawan mafic and ultramafic intrusive rocks of the Lake Nipigon and Crystal Lake
areas, northwestern Ontario; in Programs and Abstracts, Proceedings of the Institute on Lake
Superior Geology, v.49, Pt. 1, p.21-22.
Hart, T.R. and Magyarosi, Z. 2004. Precambrian geology of the northern Black Sturgeon River and
Disraeli Lake area, Nipigon Embayment, northwestern Ontario; Ontario Geological Survey, Open
File Report 6138, 56p.
MacDonald, C.A. 2004. Precambrian Geology of the South Armstrong-Gull Bay area, Nipigon
Embayment, Northwestern Ontario; Ontario Geological Survey Open File Report 6136, 42p.
MacDonald, C.A., terMeer, M., Lepage, L., Prefontaine, S. and Tremblay, E. 2004a. Precambrian
Geology of the Waweig-Wabinosh Lakes area, western Nipigon Embayment, Northwestern Ontario;
Ontario Geological Survey, Preliminary Map P.3536, scale 1:50,000.
MacDonald, C.A., terMeer, Lepage, L., Prefontaine, S. and Tremblay, E. 2004b. Precambrian Geology of
the English Bay-Havoc Lake area, western Nipigon Embayment, Northwestern Ontario; Ontario
Geological Survey, Preliminary Map P.3537, scale 1:50,000.
Schnieders, B.R., Scott, J.F., Smyk, M.C., Parker, D.P. and O’Brien, M.S. 2002. Report of Activities
2001, Resident Geologist Program, Thunder Bay South Regional Resident Geologist Report:
Thunder Bay South District; Ontario Geological Survey, Open File Report 6081, 45p.

105

�Magnetic Fabric Constraints on Magmatic Flow: Insizwa Sill, South Africa and the Sonju
Lake Intrusion, Minnesota.
MAES, Stephanie, TIKOFF, Basil, BROWN, Phil, Department of Geology and Geophysics,
University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53706
FERRÉ, Eric, Department of Geology, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois 62901
Layered mafic intrusions are an important aspect of plate tectonics, commonly related to
large igneous provinces and potentially acting as conduits for continental flood basalts.
Although they are the source for most of the world’s PGE (platinum group element) and Cr
deposits, as well as important Cu and Ni reserves, a large degree of uncertainty exists as to how
these systems evolve.
Magnetic fabrics, which often closely relate to the mineral fabric, allow us to document
magmatic structures and map out the direction(s) of flow within an intrusion. Magnetic fabrics
are determined using anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) analysis. Knowledge of flow
direction may permit us to place constraints on the location of ore deposits as well as to test
models of magmatic sulfide deposition. In addition, these techniques allow us to evaluate the
importance of vertical cumulus processes versus horizontal particle flow in the formation of
layering.
When applied to the study of mafic intrusions, standard magnetic techniques such as low
field AMS do not always provide a fabric that reflects the flow field. This is due to the complex
magnetic behavior of mafic rocks. Mafic rocks often contain multiple magnetic carriers and
magnetite domain sizes, which can negatively affect the AMS fabric. A new magnetic approach,
high field AMS (HFAMS), has been used to separate these complex anisotropies. By applying
HFAMS techniques the ferromagnetic (magnetite) and paramagnetic (mafic silicate) components
of the anisotropy can be separated. Hysteresis properties are then used to identify the domain
size of magnetite.
Our approach is to compare magmatic fabrics in two intrusions with contrasting genetic
histories. In a closed system, such as the Sonju Lake intrusion, petrologic models predict a
gradual upward increase in magnetite. In contrast, open systems, where episodes of recharge,
eruption and/or assimilation can occur, result in a multimodal distribution of magnetite. The
Insizwa sill, South Africa represents a system open to magmatic recharge.
Bulk magnetic susceptibility measurements of closely spaced samples from vertical
borehole cores within the Insizwa sill have documented significant variation in magnetic
properties with depth (see attached figure). Variation in the magnetic signal results from
changes in concentration and/or mineralogy of the magnetic material. In addition, a strong
correlation exists between petrology of particular layers and bulk susceptibility. Preliminary
high field results show consistent high field slopes, indicating a constant paramagnetic
contribution to the susceptibility. Hysteresis ratios indicate magnetite is predominantly
pseudosingle- and multi-domain, with minor single domain in the lower portions of the sill.
In the Sonju Lake intrusion, a more straightforward interpretation of the magnetic
properties is expected due to the nearly closed system nature. The same magnetic techniques
will be applied to Sonju Lake to fully describe the intrusion and provide insight to the various
fabric forming processes occurring in open and closed systems.

106

�107

�MINING AND EXPLORATION ACTIVITY IN NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO
MAGEE, Angelique, Ontario Geological Survey, Ministry of Northern Development and
Mines, Suite B002, 435 James St. South, Thunder Bay, ON P7E 6S7 CANADA
Northwestern Ontario experienced a significant upswing in mining and mineral exploration in
2003. Six mines produced a total of 1.8 million ounces of gold in 2003, approximately 70% of
Ontario’s total.
Gold producers included:
Campbell Mine (Placer Dome (CLA) Ltd.);
David Bell Mine (Teck Cominco Limited and Barrick Gold Corporation);
Golden Giant Mine (Newmont Canada Limited);
Musselwhite Mine (Placer Dome (CLA) Limited / Kinross Gold Corporation);
Red Lake Mine (Goldcorp Inc.); and
Williams Mine (Teck Cominco Limited and Barrick Gold Corporation).
North American Palladium Ltd. produced 288 000 ounces of palladium and 24 000 ounces of
platinum at its Lac des Iles Mine and recently announced it would develop an underground
operation below its open pit mine.
There are approximately 300 active exploration projects in the northwest, the vast
majority of which are focused on gold. Areas receiving the most interest from exploration
companies were, the Red Lake greenstone belt, Shoal Lake area, Dogpaw Lake area,
Shebandowan greenstone belt, Fort Hope greenstone belt, Onaman-Tashota belt and the Pickle
Lake greenstone belt. If metal prices continue their upward trend, northwestern Ontario may
well experience levels of exploration activity not seen since the mid-1980s.

108

�THE DISCOVERY AND GEOLOGY OF THE L-K MASSIVE SULFIDE DEPOSIT,
MENOMINEE COUNTY, MI
MAHIN, Robert A., Aquila Resources Corp., Duluth, MN
QUIGLEY, Thomas O., Minerals Processing Corp, Duluth, MN
LYNOTT, Jeffrey S., Environmental Compliance Consultants, Inc, Rhinelander, WI.
The L-K zinc-gold deposit is a recently discovered major volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS)
of the early Proterozoic Penokean volcanic belt. Several events led to the eventual drilling of
discovery hole LK-2, (37 meters @ 9.15 % Zn and 5.85 grams/tonne Au) none of which were
part of earlier Wisconsin VMS exploration efforts. Prior AEM surveys to the north, west, and
south failed to include the immediate deposit area, an area that despite proximal outcrops of
intensely sericite-pyrite-altered rhyolite tuffs, was mapped as granitic intrusives and Paleozoic
cover. The discovery of L-K can be attributed to Harry Kleiman, a water-well driller who
deepened a local camp owner’s water well, his partner Rich Lassen, who recognized the
sphalerite-rich drill cuttings as a potential VMS and subsequently located a nearby outcropping
gold-rich gossan, and Tom Quigley, who later joined the partnership and pinpointed a significant
gravity/conductive anomaly that turned out to be the L-K deposit. A joint venture with
American Copper and Nickel Company, a subsidiary of Inco, resulted in a drilling program of 71
holes for over 20,000 meters of core. The drilling outlined a significant zinc-gold rich VMS
within what appears to be a major felsic center. Significant portions of the deposit contain
consistent grades of zinc in excess of 10 percent. Gold grades with in massive sulfides range
from 1 to 6 grams/tonne. Significant gold mineralization also occurs in proximal sulfide
stringers (e.g., 4.2 meters @ 25.3 grams/tonne Au), and in peripheral silicified zones in rhyolite
tuffs and QFP dikes (e.g., 12.5 meters @ 7.4 grams/tonne Au). The near-surface gossan
averages approximately 16 grams/tonne Au. The stratigraphy of the deposit consists of a stacked
series of quartz-feldspar rhyolite crystal tuffs, locally fragmental, with intermittent fine-grained
ash-tuff horizons, overlain by fine-grained, laminated tuffaceous sediments. Mineralization
occurs as massive (&gt;80%) pyrite+sphalerite+chalopyrite+galena localized at two stratigraphic
contacts. Host rocks are intensely sericitized and silicified quartz-feldspar rhyolite tuffs and
tuffaceous sediments. Structurally, the deposit and surrounding host rocks have been folded into
a west/southwest-plunging, south verging antiform. The deposit is located both in the core of the
antiform, where it appears to be tectonically thickened, and in the limbs of the fold. Numerous
syntectonic, west-southwest-striking, steeply dipping, quartz-feldspar dikes intrude proximal to
the deposit. Drilling has traced the massive sulfide along strike for 700 meters with vertical
projections of the deposit ranging from 50 to 270 meters wide. Down-plunge, massive
mineralization has been traced to a depth of approximately 300 meters. The deposit remains open
at depth and along strike.

109

�THE GEOLOGY OF THE L-K MASSIVE SULFIDE DEPOSIT, MENOMINEE
COUNTY, MI
MAHIN Robert A., Aquila Resources Corp., Duluth, MN
QUIGLEY, Thomas O., Minerals Processing Corp, Duluth, MN
LYNOTT, Jeffrey S., Environmental Compliance Consultants, Inc., Rhinelander, WI
The L-K deposit is a newly discovered volcanogenic massive sulfide deposit in the Beecher
Formation of the early Proterozoic Penokean volcanic belt in western Menominee County,
Michigan. The major economic metals at L-K are zinc and gold, with locally high concentrations
of silver and copper. Mineralization occurs as massive (greater than 80%)
pyrite+sphalerite+chalcopyrite+galena localized at two stratigraphic contacts within a large
felsic volcanic center dominated by intensely sericitized and silicified quartz-feldspar, rhyolite
tuffs. The stratigraphy consists of a stacked series of quartz-feldspar rhyolite crystal tuffs, locally
fragmental, with intermittent fine-grained ash-tuff horizons, overlain by fine-grained, laminated
tuffaceous sediments. The main-zone massive sulfide is hosted by altered hanging wall and
footwall rhyolite crystal tuffs that are visually identical, but readily distinguishable by wholerock geochemistry, e.g., ratios of Al and Ti (Cattalani 2003, Shriver 2003). Tuffaceous zone
mineralization, while not as consistently thick as the main zone, contains impressive grades and
is focused along the contact between hanging wall rhyolites and overlying tuffaceous sediments.
The massive sulfides are enveloped by gold (and to a lesser extent copper) bearing stockwork
stringer sulfides (10 to 80% sulfide) that grade into a disseminated pyritic halo. Structurally, the
deposit and surrounding host rocks have been folded into a west-southwest-striking, southwest
plunging, south verging asymmetric antiform. Tectonically thickened portions of the deposit
occupy the core of the fold and large sections of mineralization are also found in the limbs.
Numerous syntectonic, west-southwest striking, steeply dipping quartz-feldspar dikes intrude the
deposit. Faulting has resulted in minor offsets. Drilling has traced the massive sulfide along
strike for 700 meters, with vertical projections of the deposit ranging from 50 to 270 meters
wide. Portions of the deposit sub-crop at the east-northeast up-plunge extension where an ironoxide-rich, precious metal-enriched gossan has developed. Down-plunge, massive
mineralization has been traced to a vertical depth of approximately 300 meters and remains open.
Gradewise, drill intercepts of greater than 10 meters in excess of 10% zinc are common. Gold
grades with in massive sulfides range from 1 to 6 grams. Significant gold mineralization also
occurs in proximal sulfide stringers (e.g., 4.2 meters @ 25.3 grams/tonne Au), and in peripheral
silicified zones in rhyolite tuffs and QFP dikes (e.g., 12.5 meters @ 7.4 grams/tonne Au).
Intercepts of the near-surface gossan average 3 meters thick and approximately 16 grams/tonne
Au.
References
Cattalani, S., 2003, Lithochemistry and chemostratigraphy, Back 40 project, Michigan: INCO private
report, 7p.
Shriver, N.A., 2003, Michigan: Back 40 chemostratigraphy and deformation of the Back 40 massive
sulfide based upon lithogeochemical interpretation: INCO private report, 6p.

110

�MINERAL CHEMISTRY AND STRATIGRAPHY OF THE BIWABIK IRON
FORMATION, NEAR THE VIRGINIA HORN, MESABI IRON RANGE, MINNESOTA
McSWIGGEN, Peter L., and MOREY, G.B., McSwiggen &amp; Associates, P.A., 2855 Anthony
Lane South, Suite B1, St. Anthony, MN (PMcS@McSwiggenAssoc.com;
morey001@umn.edu)
The mineralogy of the Biwabik Iron Formation changes dramatically from west to east as the
formation nears the basal contact of the Duluth Complex. This reflects a contact metamorphism
that took place with the emplacement of the igneous Duluth Complex. However, the mineralogy
of the Biwabik Iron Formation also varies vertically through the stratigraphy of the unit. A
number of detailed studies have been done on the mineralogy of the contact zone (Bonnichsen,
1975). This investigation focused on the western Mesabi Range through the characterization of
the E.J. Longyear Drill Hole #1 (S1/2, SW1/4, SE1/4, sec 23, T57N, R18W), which penetrated
the entire section of the Biwabik Iron Formation from the overlying Virginia Formation through
to the underlying Pokegama Quartzite (Fig.1).
The iron-formation has been subdivided into four broad stratigraphic units (Fig. 2), lower cherty,
lower slaty, upper cherty, and upper slaty, and into four lateral mineralogical zones (1-4) that
reflect the zonation resulting from the contact metamorphism. Zone 1, the westernmost zone and
the one in which the Longyear drill hole is located, is characterized by quartz, magnetite,
hematite, carbonates, talc, chamosite, greenalite, minnesotaite and stilpnomelane. Talc and
minnesotaite are the Mg- and Fe-end members, respectively, of the talc group [Mg6Si8O20(OH)4
– Fe6Si8O20(OH)4]. Minnesotaite is the dominant end member in the Biwabik Iron Formation,
and typically occurs as a fibrous mineral, though it is also found in a tabular form. Chamosite is
a Fe-chlorite [(Fe, Al)6 (Si, Al)4O10(OH)8], and generally occurs as a platy mineral in granules
within the iron-formation. These granules are sand size gains that are the result of the reworking
of previously deposited materials, which reflects a higher energy depositional environment.
Greenalite is the iron serpentine [Fe6Si4O10(OH)8]. It is reported generally as having a platy,
lizardite-like structure, and in the iron-formation occurs in granules. Stilpnomelane [(K, Na,
Ca)0.6(Fe, Mg)6Si8Al (O,OH)27.2-4H2O] is a sheet silicate, but in the iron-formation it can occur
in either a platy form or in a fibrous form. The above-described silicates do not occur uniformly
throughout the stratigraphic section. In the Longyear core, chamosite + stilpnomelane is the
dominant silicate assemblage in the upper three units (upper slaty, upper cherty and lower slaty).
The assemblages minnesotaite + stilpnomelane, minnesotaite + talc, and greenalite +
minnesotaite are the main silicate assemblages in the lower cherty.
The carbonates have a wide range of compositions and include calcite, dolomite-ankerite,
siderite, and kutnahorite, the manganese equivalent of ankerite. Carbonates occur throughout the
Biwabik Iron Formation, but become more dominant in the lower cherty interval. The
manganese component of the carbonates varies greatly, ranging from less than 1 mole% MnCO3
to as much as 25 mole percent.
Bonnichsen, B., 1975, Geology of the Biwabik Iron Formation, Dunka River area, Minnesota:
Economic Geology, v. 70, no 2, p319-340.
Jirsa, M.A., Miller, J.D., Jr., and Morey, G.B., 2004, Geology of the Biwabik Iron Formation and
Duluth Complex, (in press).

111

�Figure 1. Simplified geologic map of the Mesabi Iron Range. The main geologic unit is the
Biwabik Iron Formation (shown in gray) (after Jirsa and others (in press)).

Figure 2. Stratigraphic section and mineralogy of the E.J Longyear Drill Hole #1. It was drilled
as a long stratigraphic test hole and was finished in 1910.

112

�GEOCHRONOLOGY OF PRECAMBRIAN ROCKS IN CENTRAL WISCONSIN:
A REVIEW AND NEW 40Ar/39Ar ANALYSES
MEDARIS, Jr., Gordon and SINGER, Brad, Dept. of Geology &amp; Geophysics, Univ. Wisconsin
Madison, Madison, WI, 53706; medaris@geology.wisc.edu; bsinger@geology.wisc.edu
Most of the Precambrian evolution of Wisconsin is recorded by basement rocks in the central part
of the state. Reported here are new 40Ar/39Ar analyses of hornblende, muscovite, and microcline, which
bear on the thermal history of this important area. Because this is the 50th meeting of ILSG, it seems
appropriate to provide a selective review of geochronological investigations over the past half century and
to place our new results in a historical context.
Review The framework for a modern classification of Precambrian rocks in the Great Lakes
region was provided in 1961 by the seminal work of Goldich et al., who analyzed a large number of
igneous and metamorphic rocks by the K/Ar and Rb/Sr methods. A three-fold Precambrian division was
proposed, with boundaries at 2.5 and 1.7 Ga, corresponding to the Algoman and Penokean orogenies,
although it was recognized that the apparent K/Ar and Rb/Sr ages might reflect subsequent
metamorphism.
In 1975 Van Schmus et al. established an apparent Rb/Sr age of ~1.65 Ga for a wide variety of
igneous and metamorphic rocks in central and eastern Wisconsin. The few available U/Pb zircon data for
such rocks yielded protolith ages of 1.8-1.9 Ga, and it was suggested that a widespread, low-grade
metamorphic event, whose origin was poorly understood, affected the western Great Lakes region at 1.65
Ga. Also in 1975, Van Schmus et al. recognized the Wolf River batholith as a major igneous component
in Wisconsin and determined equivalent Rb/Sr whole rock and U/Pb zircon ages of 1468±34 and
1485±15 Ma, respectively. With the continued acquisition of U/Pb analyses of zircon in the 1970s and
1980s, the Marshfield terrane in central Wisconsin was shown to consist of Archean gneiss (2.87-2.52
Ga) intruded and overlain by a wide variety of granitic rocks and associated felsic to intermediate
volcanic rocks, ranging in age from 1.89 to 1.82 Ga (Sims et al., 1989).
In 1983 Dott suggested that folding of Baraboo Interval quartzites was the result of plate collision
to the south at ~1.65 Ga, and this concept was expanded by Van Schmus et al. (1993), who related 1.65
Ga deformation and low-grade metamorphism in the Great Lakes region to emplacement of the Outer
Tectonic Belt onto the southern margin of Laurentia during the Mazatzal Orogeny. In 1998 Holm et al.
located the tectonic and thermal front of Mazatzal deformation in northern Wisconsin, based on the
distribution of folded and flat-lying quartzites and cooling ages (Rb/Sr, K/Ar, 40Ar/39Ar) of mica in
basement rocks, e.g. 1.75-1.70 Ga vs. &lt;1.63 Ga. The position and nature of the Mazatzal front in
Wisconsin was confirmed by Romano et al. (2000), who showed that micas from basement rocks outside
the front yield 40Ar/39Ar plateau ages of 1.76-1.75 Ga, and those inside, 1.61-1.58 Ga. Five samples of
hornblende from Archean and Paleoproterozoic rocks within the front yield 40Ar/39Ar plateau ages of
1830, 1796, 1782, 1733, and 1638 Ma, which are thought to represent partial to complete Mazatzal
resetting. Subsequently, 40Ar/39Ar ages of 1.45-1.47 Ga were obtained for muscovite in Baraboo Interval
quartzites, reflecting widespread, but stratigraphically localized, hydrothermal activity related to Wolf
River magmatism (Medaris et al., 2003).
Central Wisconsin Precambrian Rocks The basement in NE Wood and NW Portage counties
consists predominantly of Archean gneiss and a variety of Paleoproterozoic igneous rocks, including
tonalite, granodiorite, granite, and associated felsic to intermediate volcanic rocks. U/Pb zircon ages are
~2780 Ma for migmatitic gneiss at Linwood Quarry, and 1892, 1851, 1841, and 1824 Ma for different
varieties of tonalite along the Wisconsin River (Sims et al., 1989; Van Wyck, 1995). Many of the
igneous rocks have been deformed and recrystallized, exhibiting a range of foliated and lineated fabrics.
Amphibolite layers in Archean gneiss at Conants Rapids yield a temperature of 665 ºC and amphibolite
(metadiabase) dikes cutting foliated tonalite at Biron Dam give 700 ºC (calculated by the hornblendeplagioclase geothermometer at P = 4 kbar; Holland &amp; Blundy, 1994).
Laser step-heating yields plateau ages of 1672 Ma for hornblende in metadiabase at Biron Dam
(Fig. 1), 1516 and 1533 Ma for hornblende from two samples of amphibolite at Conants Rapids (Fig. 2),

113

�1530 Ma for muscovite in low-grade schist from the Eau Pleine shear zone (Fig. 3), and 981 Ma for
microcline in Wolf River granite and 897 Ma for microcline in Baxter Hollow granite (located in the
Baraboo Range) (Fig. 4). We interpret the ages of hornblende at Conants Rapids, 3.9 miles from the
Wolf River batholith, and muscovite in the EPSZ, 6.7 miles from the batholith, to represent partial
resetting by the Wolf River thermal pulse. The age of hornblende at Biron Dam, 13.3 miles from the
batholith, may also reflect partial resetting by Wolf River heating, although this age lies within the range
for hornblende reported by Romano et al. (2000) and ascribed by them to Mazatzal disturbance. The
closure temperature of microcline can be as low as 150 oC, thereby allowing for the possibility that it may
record cooling of the craton in central Wisconsin, following 1.1-1.0 Ga Keweenawan rifting and
magmatism.
The Ar ages reported here seem to result from degassing in response to regional thermal events,
rather than pervasive internal deformation and recrystallization (also observed by Romano et al., 2000).
Thus, although there has been widespread disturbance of Rb/Sr and Ar isotopic systems in Wisconsin
Precambrian basement, many rocks in central Wisconsin have preserved their Penokean structures,
textures, and mineralogical compositions.

References Dott (1983) GSA Mem. 160 129-141; Goldich et al. (1961) Minn. Geol. Sur. Bull 41; Holland &amp;
Blundy (1994) Contrib. Mineral. Petrol. 116 433-447; Holm, D. et al. (1998) Geology 26 907-910; Medaris et al.
(2003) J. Geol. 111 243-257; Romano et al. (2000) Precam. Res. 104 25-46; Sims et al. (1989) Can. J. Earth Sci.
26 2145-2158; Van Schmus et al. (1975a) GSA Bull. 86 1255-1265; Van Schmus et al. (1975b) GSA Bull. 86
907-914; Van Schmus et al. (1993) GSA Geology of North America C-2 270-281; Van Wyck (1995) Ph.D. thesis,
Univ. Wis.-Madison, 280 pp.

114

�Geochemistry and Petrography of Altered Basement Rocks Underlying the Middle
Proterozoic Sibley Group
METSARANTA, R.T.*, and FRALICK, P.W., Department of Geology, Lakehead University,
955 Oliver Rd., Thunder Bay, Ontario, P7B 5E1, Canada. rtmetsar@lakeheadu.ca
The Sibley Group is a relatively thin Mesoproterozoic mixed carbonate-clastic succession
deposited, at least in part, under restricted shallow marine or lacustrine conditions (Franklin et
al., 1980; Cheadle, 1986; Rogala 2003). A diverse mixture of genetically distinct chemical
sediments is preserved within various depositional sub-environments of the Sibley Basin. These
include: dolomitic mudstones and sandstones, stromatolitic carbonates, calcretes and nodular
gypsum/anhydrite. In addition to these chemical sediments, possible weathering profiles are
developed in various underlying basement lithologies and at higher stratigraphic positions.
Given the diversity of chemical sediment types and possible weathering profiles within the basin
the potential exists to develop a detailed model for the hydrology and paleoenvironmental
evolution of the Sibley Group.
Weathering is an important control on the composition of clastic sediments (e.g. Nesbitt
et al., 1996) and also restricted basin brines (Rosen, 1994). As a first step towards an overall
model of the hydrology of the Sibley Basin, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the
petrography and geochemistry of altered rocks at the unconformity between the Sibley Group
and underlying Archean and Paleoproterozoic lithologies. To be of value in an analysis of
overall basin hydrology and paleoenvironmental conditions, the relative importance of primary
pedogenically induced geochemical changes vs. later diagenetic or hydrothermal effects must be
addressed.
Suites of samples were collected from 4 areas spanning a variety of basement lithological
types. Altered Quetico sandstones and Neoarchean granite were sampled from drill core at
variable depths below the Sibley Group contact. Altered and unaltered Paleoproterozoic black
shales of the Rove Formation were sampled from outcrop as were Mesoproterozoic anorogenic
granites and overlying pebbly sandstones. Polished thin sections were cut from each sample and
analysed petrographically using both optical and scanning electron microscopy. Whole rock
powders were obtained for each sample and were analysed at Lakehead University via ICP-AES
for a selection of major and trace elements.
Petrographic evidence such as the progressive destruction of plagioclase upwards in the
profiles coupled with extensive development of Fe-Ti oxides along grain boundaries and
cleavage planes in biotite and chlorite is consistent with a weathering profile. Pebbles in
sandstones associated with the anorogenic granite profile are also strongly iron enriched
containing up to 30% total iron suggesting a highly oxidizing atmosphere during pre-Sibley
Group weathering conditions.
The presence of authigenic, euhedral potassium feldspars and the potassium-rich nature
of clay minerals in the altered horizons suggest secondary potassium enrichment. The presence
of barite, flourite and sulphide mineralization near the Sibley Group contact with Neoarchean
granites also reveals that hydrothermal alteration may have had an influence on primary
pedogenic geochemical signatures. Preliminary assessment of the major element geochemistry
using a simple alteration index (CIA) and A-CN-K diagrams (e.g. Nesbitt and Young, 1982;
Nesbitt et al., 1996) also suggests that primary pedogenic alteration may have been effected by
later potassium enrichment.

115

�Al2O3
0
10

100
90

20

80

30

70

40

60

50

50

60

40

70

30

Granite
Quetico
Rove

80
90

20
10

100

CaO+Na2O

0

0
10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

K2O

Figure 1. Altered samples from three profiles plotted as
molar proportions Al, Ca+Na, and K (as oxides),
showing divergence of observed alteration trends
towards more K-rich compositions from those expected
due to weathering (arrow)

Figure 2. Left: backscatter SEM image of K-rich clay mineral aggregates associated with altered primary K-feldspar
(altered Neoarchean granite) and right: altered biotite grains with extensive development of Fe and Ti oxides (altered
Quetico metasediment).

References
Cheadle, B.A., 1986. Alluvial and playa sedimentation in the lower Keweenawan Sibley Group, Thunder Bay District, Ontario. Canadian
Journal of Earth Sciences. 23:527-542
Franklin, J.M., McIlwaine, W.H., Poulsen, K.H., and Wanless, R.K., 1980. Stratigraphy and depositional setting of the Sibley Group, Thunder
Bay District, Ontario, Canada. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences. 17:633-651.
Nesbitt, H.W., Young, G.M., 1982. Early Proterozoic climates and plate motions inferred from major element chemistry of lutuites. Nature.
299:715-717.
Nesbitt, H.W., Young, G.M., McLennan, S.M. and Keays, R.R. 1996. Effects of chemical weathering and sorting on the petrogenesis of
siliciclastic sediments, with implications for provenance studies. Journal of Geology. 104:525-542.
Rogala, B., 2003. The Sibley Group: A lithostratigraphic, geochemical and Paleomagnetic study. Unpublished M.Sc. thesis, Lakehead
University, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. 254p.
Rosen, M.R. 1994. The importance of groundwater in playas: a review of playa classification and the sedimentology of playas. In Rosen, M.R.,
ed., Paleoclimate and Basin Evolution of playa systems. Geological Society of America Special Paper 289. Boulder Co. pp. 1-18.

116

�N.H. Winchell's Study of the Keweenawan Supergroup Rocks of Northeastern Minnesota,
1872-1900
MILLER, James D., Jr., Minnesota Geological Survey, mille066@umn.edu
In 1872, fourteen years after its admission to the Union, the state legislature of Minnesota granted an initial
appropriation of one thousand dollars per year to the University of Minnesota to create a geological and natural
history survey of the state. In July of that year, Newton Horace Winchell (1839-1914) was hired to lead this survey,
a task to which he committed 28 years of his life. There is little debate as to the contribution Winchell made to our
understanding of diverse aspects of Minnesota's geology, especially in light of the paucity of existing research.
Much of the survey's observations and interpretations of Paleozoic and Quaternary geology still stand up today.
However, Winchell's greatest difficulties came in his attempts to make sense of the "crystalline rocks" of northeast
Minnesota. As he stated in the preface to the fourth volume of the Final Report: "Here [among the crystalline
rocks] the geologist is deprived of his usual guides and guys, and finds himself floundering in a muddy sea of
innumerable conflicting currents" (Winchell, 1899, p. xiv).
This talk focuses on Winchell's struggles with deciphering the complexities of what is now known as the
Keweenawan Supergroup in northeastern Minnesota. My interest in this topic began while researching the history
of geologic mapping in the Duluth Complex (Miller and others, 2002). My characterizations and interpretations of
Winchell's ideas in this presentation come from selected readings of the 24 annual reports of the Geological and
Natural History Survey of Minnesota, the final two volumes of the Final Report (Winchell, 1899, 1900), and
Geological and Natural History Survey of Minnesota Bulletins 1, 2, 6, and 8. From this still incomplete sampling of
Winchell's prolific writing on the Keweenawan rocks, I have come to conclude that most of his ideas, which seem
unconventional by today's standards, were based on paradigms that were accepted by many, if not a majority, of
geologists in his day. In the late nineteenth century the principles of stratigraphy and sedimentology were already
well established, but the science of igneous and metamorphic petrology was in its infancy. At that time, numerous
different ideas about the origin of magmas, volcanic processes, and progressive metamorphism existed. There was
no accepted conventional wisdom. Winchell took advantage of the new field of petrographic petrology, which saw
widespread use and growth in the last half of the century. He did not, however, have the benefit of the knowledge
gained by experimental petrology, which started to emerge just as the survey was being completed.
At the beginning of the Survey, Winchell's views of Lake Superior geology were strongly influenced by the
early federal survey of the region (Owen, 1852), as well as by reports of Canadian geologists and the preeminent
geologists from his native New York and New England. Over the course of the survey, Winchell regularly
compared his observations to those of his U.S. and Canadian colleagues, but more often than not, he seemed to go
his own way with many of his interpretations of the crystalline rocks. In fact, he often disagreed with the
interpretations of his fellow survey colleagues, many of whom were his relatives—Alexander Winchell (his
brother), Horace V. Winchell (his son), and U.S. Grant (his brother-in-law). One of his more curious relationships
was with R.D. Irving of the University of Wisconsin, and later of the U.S. Geological Survey. Following up on his
work on the Keweenawan rocks of northwestern Wisconsin for the third Wisconsin Geological and Natural History
Survey report in 1880, Irving published the first thorough summary of Keweenawan geology in the Lake Superior
region in a U.S. Geological Survey monograph (Irving, 1883). In this report, Irving recognized the volcanic
character of the mafic and felsic rocks of the shore, and the intrusive nature of the gabbros. It included a
remarkably accurate map of the geology of Minnesota's North Shore, in which Irving estimated that the volcanic
pile from Duluth to the Temperance River exceeds 18,000 feet, relatively close to current estimates of 28,000 feet
(Miller and others, 2002, Chapter 5). Irving relied exclusively on his own fieldwork and gave only passing
acknowledgement to the work of the Minnesota survey, then in its tenth year. Winchell, for his part, rarely cited
Irving's work, and then commonly only to point out some inconsistency or discrepancy with his observations or
interpretations. Winchell's displeasure with the growing influence and overreaching of the U.S. Geological Survey,
perhaps triggered by Irving's work, prompted him to found and edit the American Geologist journal in 1888. The
journal was meant to highlight North American geology, but regularly featured articles critical of the U.S.
Geological Survey (Bain, 1916). Irving died the year of its initial publication.
Some of the major aspects of Keweenawan geology that Winchell wrestled with over the course of the state
survey were:
Potsdam Sandstone—With a strong belief in uniformitarianism, Winchell consistently held to the notion that all red
quartzose sandstone lying unconformably on crystalline rocks was equivalent to the Lower Cambrian Potsdam
Sandstone of upstate New York and New England, which has a similar lithology and unconformable geologic
setting. Despite their lack of fossils, Winchell opined that the Puckwunge, Nopeming, Fond du Lac, and
Hinckley sandstones, and even the Sioux Quartzite, were all Potsdam equivalents. He suggested that the lava

117

�flows overlying the Puckwunge and Nopeming Sandstones and interlayered with stratigraphically higher
sandstone units (such as the sandstone at Cutface Creek near Grand Marais) represented localized volcanism
during what was generally a time of sandstone deposition, a period he termed the Manitou epoch.
Red rock—Winchell also consistently believed that all granophyre and rhyolite were metamorphosed and fused
sedimentary rocks—a commonly held view at the time. He considered the "granophyre range," which arcs
through the central part of the Duluth Complex, as a raised ridge of Animikie sediments that were fused by the
eruption of the gabbro (see below). Rhyolites were thought to be strongly metamorphosed sandstone interleaved
with and metamorphosed by basalt flows. In Winchell's view, quartz and feldspar-phyric flows represented less
severe metamorphism because phenocrysts of quartz and feldspar were considered to be preserved detrital
grains.
Basaltic lava flows—Early on, Winchell adopted J.G. Norwood's interpretation (Owen, 1952) that the basaltic lava
flows of the North Shore were intrusive sills (flow interiors) into volcanic sediments (amygdaloidal tops).
Midway through the survey he recognized the physical stratigraphy of basalt flows.
Duluth Complex—Winchell variably characterized the Duluth Complex as "the great gabbro flood," "the crowning
overflow," "the great gabbro outflow," "a basic eruptive," and "the gabbro eruption." From these and other
descriptors, it is clear that he saw the gabbro as a great volcanic outpouring of basic magma that spilled out over
(and metamorphosed) its Animikie rampart and flowed downslope toward the Lake Superior basin. The Beaver
Bay Complex and the gabbros at Duluth represent the distal part of this great gabbro flood.
Anorthosite inclusions—Winchell interpreted the anorthosite inclusions of the Beaver Bay Complex as earlierformed feldspathic gabbros of the Duluth Complex (what is now termed the anorthositic series) that were picked
up by later surges of the great gabbro eruptive. This idea was commonly accepted until recently (see Stop 24 in
Field Trip 5).
Age of the gabbro—Winchell changed his interpretation of the age of the gabbro many times over the course of the
survey. Based on interlayering of the gabbro with rocks he thought to be upper Keewatin (the Pewabik
Quartzite, which is actually metamorphosed Pokegama Quartzite), he saw the gabbro as syn-Keewatin to preAnimikie. Until Lawson (1893) showed that the Logan sills are intrusive into the Animikie Group rocks, rather
than interlayered as lava flows, Winchell saw them and the gabbro as syn-Animikie. In the end, Winchell
believed the gabbro to be younger than the Animikie Group and older than the Puckwunge Sandstone and
overlying lavas. Winchell called the epoch during which the gabbros were emplaced the Norian and later the
Cabotian.
Origin of the gabbro magma—Winchell does not speculate on the origin of the basic magma that formed the gabbro
and related volcanics until the Final Report. Following the idea that all granites formed by fusion of siliceous
sediments, he concluded that the gabbro formed by the melting of greenstone-derived sediments. He considered
hornfels basalt inclusions, which he called muscavodyte, an intermediate stage of metamorphism of these basic
sediments.
In the end, Winchell was certain that the facts of his numerous and well recorded observations would hold up to
future scrutiny, and unquestionably most have. He was admittedly less confident in his interpretations, however and
speculated that new facts, "…not included in our field of observation, will in the future place different
interpretations on those which we have attempted..." (Winchell, 1899, p. xiv). This has happened to be sure, but
more significantly, the changes in our geologic paradigms and our greater understanding of igneous petrology have
allowed those of us who follow in his footsteps to reinterpret his many detailed observations.

REFERENCES
Bain, H.F., 1916, N.H. Winchell and the American Geologist: Economic Geology, p. 51-62.
Irving, R.D., 1883, The copper-bearing rocks of Lake Superior: U.S. Geological Survey Monograph 5, 464 p.
Lawson, A.C., 1893, The laccolithic sills of the north-west coast of Lake Superior: Geological and Natural History Survey
of Minnesota Bulletin 8, p. 24-48.
Miller, J.D., Jr., Green, J.C., Severson, M.J., Chandler, V.W., Hauck, S.A., Peterson, D.M., and Wahl, T.E., 2002,
Geology and mineral potential of the Duluth Complex and related rocks of northeastern Minnesota: Minnesota
Geological Survey Report of Investigations 58, 207 p.
Owen, D.D., 1852, Report on a geological survey of Wisconsin, Iowa, and Minnesota: Philadelphia, U.S. Department of
the Treasury, 638 p.
Winchell, N.H., 1899, The geology of Minnesota: Geological and Natural History Survey of Minnesota, Final Report, v.
4, 629 p., 100 pls.
———1900, The geology of Minnesota: Geological and Natural History Survey of Minnesota, Final Report, v. 5, 1025
p., 6 pls.

118

�Twenty-One Years in a Caldera: UMD Geology Students and Sturgeon Lake, Ontario
MORTON, Ron, Department of Geological Sciences, University of Minnesota Duluth
Over the past 20 years students from the University of Minnesota-Duluth have been
involved in studying the Sturgeon Lake Caldera Complex located in northwestern Ontario. Their
work, based on outcrop mapping, logging of more than 200,000 meters of diamond drill core,
thin section, microprobe, and chemical studies has shown that the complex comprises a wellpreserved, north facing, moderately to steeply north-dipping, homoclinal sequence that is up to
30 km in strike length and contains more than 3000 m of subaerially and subaqueously deposited
volcanic and sedimentary strata.
The Pre-Caldera Sequence, worked on by Groves (1984)*and Heine (1985) contains
subaerial to shallow subaqueous basalt to andesite lava flows, tuffs and lapilli-tuffs with
subordinate rhyolite lava flows. The Early-caldera Sequence, worked on by Walker (1993),
Hudak (1989), Beszenek (1992) and Drews (1990) along with Rog (1991) and Murphy (1994)
comprises subaerially to subaqueously deposited polymict breccias and aphyric or quartz-phyric,
rhyodacite-rhyolite tuffs with reworked tuffs and minor andesite to rhyolite lava flows. The Latecaldera Sequence, worked on by Jongewaard (1989) and Hudak (1996) contains syn-eruptive
and reworked quartz- and plagioclase-phyric rhyodacite to rhyolite tuffs and lapilli-tuffs, and
subaqueous basalt-andesite to rhyolite lava flows, domes, and cryptodomes. Volcanic-hosted
massive sulfide deposits occur in the Early and Late Caldera Sequences.
Synthesizing these studies, with additional contributions by Peterson (2001), provides a
detailed picture of caldera development and associated massive sulfide formation and
hydrothermal alteration.
The work of the above geologist’s shows this piecemeal caldera complex formed upon a
subaerial to shallow subaqueous basalt -andesite shield volcano with associated local fields of
scoria and tuff cones. Caldera formation was characterized by more than a kilometer of collapse
accompanied by voluminous pyroclastic eruptions, deposition of laterally extensive meso-and
mega-breccias, minor effusive volcanism, and massive sulfide ore deposition with widespread
hydrothermal alteration. Later stages of caldera development were dominated by submarine
effusive volcanism and intracaldera sedimentation, with subordinate pyroclastic volcanism and
ore deposition.
The lithostratigraphic sequence, caldera diameter, and estimated eruption volumes,
determined from geographic information system (GIS) analysis, are consistent with those that
characterize modern ash flow caldera complexes. The Sturgeon Lake Caldera Complex
illustrates the following:
1) The necessity of long term, detailed field and laboratory studies to understand complex
volcanic systems.
2) That evolutionary and mineralizing processes associated with "ash flow" calderas have
been remarkably similar since at least Neoarchean time.
3) That good students do very good work and make professors look great!
* Year of degree or year started work at Sturgeon Lake

119

�Status of Publicly Available Mid-Continent Reflection Seismic Data
MUDREY, M.G., Jr. Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey, 3817 Mineral Point
Road, Madison, WI 53705 mgmudrey@wisc.edu
CANNON, W.F., U.S. Geological Survey, National Center MS 954, Reston, VA 22092
wcannon@usgs.gov
The Midcontinent Rift was identified by potential field and geologic studies in the 1950s.
However, much of the detail of this largely buried structure was obscure except in a few well
exposed areas around Lake Superior. Interest in frontier petroleum rose in the 1970s and the
recognition of documented petroleum seeps from the Nonesuch Formation led to the acquisition
and evaluation of industrial reflection seismic data. From 1978 to 1986 a series of seismic
reflection profiles was obtained by a combination of academic (COCORP), petroleum company,
and government (GLIMPCE) research programs. The U.S. Geological Survey and the
Geological Survey of Canada acquired 536 line-km in Lake Superior, L.D. McGinnis and
Argonne National Laboratory purchased 1,816 line-km in Lake Superior from Grant-Norpac, and
A.B. Dickas University of Wisconsin-Superior negotiated the release of 1,336 line-km from
Lake Superior south to Iowa from Petty-Ray/Geosource.
The profiles provided access to a wealth of new details of the lateral and vertical extent of the rift
and its internal structure and stratigraphy from Lake Superior to Kansas. Some of the major
findings include:

•

Particularly significant was the discovery that 20 to 30 km of basalt flows and secondary
syn-rift volcaniclastic and post-basalt sedimentary rock produced exceptionally strong
and coherent reflections that enabled accurate estimates of the volumes of basalt.

•

Moho reflections recorded in Lake Superior over the rift range from 46 to 58 km in
contrast to 36 to 42 km beneath the surrounding Great Lakes. This provides evidence of
magmatic underplating and intrusions within the lower crust and upper mantle
contemporaneous with crustal extension...in effect, the mantle was changed into crust by
a decrease in seismic velocity.

!

Individual basins within the Midcontinent Rift have been delineated by long reflection
lines and cross lines -- clearly developed unconformities remove ambiguities of
correlation among various volcanic sections within and between basins.

Although individual seismic lines have been interpreted, the entire collection of lines, along with
newly acquired gravity and magnetic data, have yet to be collectively used to refine our
understanding of this 2,000 km rift.
GLIMPCE data are available from
Robin R. Warnken, National Geophysical Data Center, NOAA/NESDIS/NGDC/
Mail Code E/GC3, 325 Broadway, Boulder, CO USA 80305-3328. phone: (303) 4976338. Email: Robin.R.Warnken@noaa.gov
Argonne National Laboratory/Grant-Norpac data are available from

120

�McGinnis, L.D., and Mudrey, M.G., Jr., 2003, Seismic reflection profiling and tectonic
evolution of the Midcontinent Rift in Lake Superior: Wisconsin Geological and Natural
History Survey Miscellaneous Report MP 91-2, 15 pl. 1 CD-ROM. Files on CD are in
PDF format.
Petty-Ray/Geosource data are available from
Dickas, A.B. and Mudrey, M.G., Jr., 2002, Regional-Scale Geologic Interpretation of
Seismic Reflection, Gravity, and Magnetic Profiles Collected along the Western Arm of
the Midcontinent Rift System, Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota and
Iowa: Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey Open-file Report 2002-01, 1
CD-ROM. Files on CD are in HTML format.

1. Location of reflection seismic lines: GLIMPCE, heavy dashed; Grant/Norpac, light solid;
Petty-Ray/Geosource, medium solid.

121

�“GOLD IS WHERE YOU FIND IT! SO IS Ag AND Cu AND Fe!”
(THE OLD PROSPECTOR: GOLD RUSHES AND MINERAL PROSPECTING, 1848 TO
1900 IN WESTERN NORTH AMERICA AND THE LAKE SUPERIOR REGION)
OJAKANGAS, Richard W. (a.k.a., The Old Prospector), University of Minnesota Duluth,
Duluth, MN 55812, rojakang@d.umn.edu
Gold has long provided a chance for the “little guy” to make a fortune. The “Old
Prospector” relates factual and illustrative information about several gold rushes, beginning with
the 1849 gold rush in California. (“Go West, young man, go West!”) Where did the 200,000
“Forty-Niners” come from? From everywhere! Because it took 11 months for the news to reach
the east coast, people living on the Pacific Rim got there first. How many (how few?) hit it rich?
Even Captain Sutter and the actual discoverer, Jim Marshall, died poor.
The Comstock Lode in Nevada, “discovered” by Henry Comstock, led to the gold and
silver rush of 1860, with many of the fortune-seekers crossing back over the Sierra Nevada with
their donkeys.
A group on their way to California in 1850 found gold in Colorado at the present site of
Denver, but the rich California gold was their goal. There were several discoveries in Colorado
over the next decades. It was the gold at Cripple Creek, discovered by cowboy Bob Womack in
1890 that really brought the prospectors in. Bob sold his claim for $300 -- $ 7.5 million came
out of that gulch!
Looking for gold, silver and copper in Montana attracted many prospectors in the ’60s
and ‘70s. The copper ore was “so pure that it could be shipped to hell and back for smelting and
still make a profit.” (Swansea, Wales, was the location of early smelters.)
In 1876, the rush was to the Black hills for gold. General Custer had gone in to look for
gold in 1874, and his favorable report brought in a horde of prospectors. All of this was in
violation of the Fort Laramie Treaty of 1868. The Indians were embittered, and Custer was sent
in to force the Indians back onto their reservations. In the Battle of the Little Big Horn on June
25, 1876, all 265 soldiers in 5 companies of the U.S. 7th Cavalry died.
Meanwhile, what was going on in the Lake Superior region? Native copper had been
discovered on the Keweenaw Peninsula by Douglas Houghton in 1840, and mining began soon
after. Actually, the copper was “rediscovered” by Houghton, as “Old Copper Complex Indians”
had been mining it from numerous pits on the peninsula and on Isle Royale for the previous 6000
years.
Iron ore was discovered in the UP near Negaunee in 1844 by William Burt and his party,
who were running a line using a sun compass and noticed a large deviation in the magnetic
azimuth of a regular compass. Chief Manjekijik of the Chippewas led explorers to another
outcrop of iron-formation the next year. Major ore shipments began in 1855. Ore in the
Menominee district was discovered in 1845 and began production in 1877. Iron ore on the
Gogebic was first noted in 1848 by A. Randall and Charles Whittlesey, but production didn’t
begin until 1884.

122

�Gold was mined from the Ropes Mine in the Marquette area in the early 1880s, and
sporadically thereafter.
In 1868, silver was discovered at Silver Islet near Thunder Bay.
In 1865, there was a gold rush to Lake Vermilion. Had it been based on a valid discovery
of gold, or was the rush a ruse to generate business for suppliers? (There are no authentic reports
of gold having been found there.)
The gold activity in the Lake Vermilion area led to the 1865 discovery of iron ore by
George Stuntz, a surveyor who had a trading post on Minnesota Point in Duluth... The first ore
was shipped in 1882 from Soudan, and in a few years 5 mines were producing at Ely.
Many men had crossed the Giants Range (the “Mis-sa-be” hills of the Indians) on their
trek to Lake Vermilion (Ona-ma-sa-ga-i-gan, or the “lake of the beautiful sunset”) along the 84mileVermilion Trail surveyed and built by Stuntz Some, including Lewis Merritt of Duluth,
noted the presence of magnetic iron-formation in the eastern Mesabi. However, it was not until
1890 when the Merritt brothers (sons of Lewis Merritt), with their concept of ore “basins” within
the iron-formation, discovered the first high-grade soft ore at Mountain Iron and a year later at
Biwabik. (These discoveries ended the fledging developments on the Gunflint Range.) Within a
few years, mines reached 30 miles westward, discovered by Frank Hibbing, Archibald Chisholm,
Erwin Eveleth, and others. Within 20 years, most of the Mesabi ore had been located. In 1904,
58 Mesabi mines produced more ore than the 78 mines of Michigan and the Vermilion district.
Meanwhile, the search for gold continued wherever bedrock was exposed. In 1894, it was
discovered in a quartz vein on Little American Island on Rainy Lake, and a mine was developed
to a depth of 212 ft. This was Minnesota’s only legitimate gold mine, having produced $5600
worth of gold. Rainy Lake City grew quickly, and died almost as quickly. There were not many
steam gravels on bedrock to be panned in this glaciated country, although to the north in Ontario,
prospecting continued unabated.
The news of the discovery of the Klondike gold in the Yukon Territory by George
Carmack in 1896 reached the West Coast, and even Minnesota, in 1897. Several Minnesota
prospectors joined 100,000 others who were heading north to Dawson. Perhaps 40,000 made it,
maybe 20,000 prospected, and about 4,000 shared in the total gold find of $10,000,000 (an
average of $2,500 each). The good stream beds were rapidly staked.
In 1898 near Nome, Alaska, on the Bering Sea, 1,000 miles west of the Klondike, gold
was discovered by the “Three Lucky Swedes” (Jafet Lindeberg, Eric Lindblom, and John
Brynteson, all greenhorns) who became millionaires. Then gold was found in the beach sands of
Nome in 1900, and the beaches became “the poor man’s paradise”. More than 23,000 people
sailed there from Seattle, Portland, and San Francisco to get rich in one way or another. At the
height of beach mining, 2,000 men, women and children were at work, and produced about
$2,000,000 worth of gold, an average of $1,000 each. This was the last great placer gold
stampede in North America, and really lasted for only the 3 months of the summer of 1900.

123

�Selected References
Boyum, Burton H., 1977, The Saga of Iron Mining in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula: John M.
Longyear Research Library, Marquette, Michigan, 48 p.
Campbell, L.T., 1992, Skagway—a Legacy of Gold: Alaska Geographic, v. 19, # 1, 96 p.
Clark, Henry W., 1930, History of Alaska: the Macmillan Company, N.Y., 208 p.
Cole, Terrance, 1984, Nome: “City of the Golden Beaches”: Alaska Geographic, v. 11, #1, 183.
Davis, E.W., 1964, Pioneering With Taconite: Minnesota Historical Society, 246 p.
DeKruif, Paul, 1929, Seven Iron Men: Harcourt, Brace and Company, N.Y., 241 p.
Emanuel, Richard P., 1997, The Golden Gamble: Alaska Geographic, v. 24, #2, 96 p.
Green, William, 1963, The Bonanza West: University of Oklahoma Press, 430 p.
McCourt, Edward, 1969, The Yukon and Northwest Territories: St. Martin Press, N.Y., 236 p.
Morgan, Murray and Hegg, E.A., 1967, one Man’s Gold Rush—A Klondike Album: University
of Washington Press, 213 p.
Oliver Iron mining Company, 1912, Iron Industry of Minnesota: 48 p.
Van Barnevald, Charles E., 1912, Iron mining in Minnesota: University of Minnesota, School of
Mines Experiment Station, Bulletin No. 1, 214 p.
Walker, David A., 1974, Lake Vermilion Gold Rush: Minnesota History, Minnesota Historical
Society, Summer 1974, p. 43-54.
Walker, David A., 1979, Iron Frontier—The Discovery and Early Development of Minnesota’s
Three Ranges: Minnesota Historical Society Press, 315 p.
Welbanks, Wallace P. and Woodbridge, Dwight E., 1905, Minnesota Iron Mines: Welbanks,
Crandall and Co., Duluth, Minnesota, 46 p.

124

�DEPOSITION OF PALEOPROTEROZOIC SILICICLASTICS AND IRONFORMATION IN A TIDALLY INFLUENCED SHELF ENVIRONMENT, ANIMIKIE
BASIN, LAKE SUPERIOR REGION
OJAKANGAS, Richard W., University of Minnesota Duluth, Duluth, MN 55812,
rojakang@d.umn.edu;
OJAKANGAS, Gregory W., Drury University, Springfield, MO 65802; gojakang@drury.edu
The Paleoproterozoic Animikie Basin is interpreted as a northward-migrating foreland
basin situated north of the Penokean orogen. Basal siliciclastic units are the Pokegama
Formation on the Mesabi Range in Minnesota, the Palms Formation on the Gogebic Range in
Michigan-Wisconsin, and the Kakabeka Quartzite on the Gunflint Range in Ontario and adjacent
Minnesota. The overlying iron-formations are the Biwabik, Ironwood, and Gunflint,
respectively. The iron-formations of these three ranges are in turn overlain by the Virginia
Formation, the Tyler and Copps Formations, and the Rove Formation, respectively.
We interpret the siliciclastics and the iron-formations to have been deposited on the
northern edge (i.e., the peripheral bulge and foreland) of the basin about 1900 Ma.
Those in Michigan-Wisconsin were likely continuous with those farther north in Minnesota and
Ontario prior to their separation by the development of the Mesoproterozoic Midcontinent Rift
System at 1100 Ma. However, the units are likely diachronous, with those in Michigan and
Wisconsin somewhat older than those in Minnesota and Ontario. They are interpreted to have
been deposited on a shelf near a peneplaned surface on Archean rocks. The siliciclastics were
deposited near shore and the iron-formations were deposited farther seaward. As the sea
transgressed northward, the iron-formations were deposited upon the siliciclastics. Walther’s
Law applies, with the vertical facies indicating the lateral facies.
The siliciclastic formations consist of lower argillaceous members, middle members of
argillite, siltstone, and sandstone, and upper members of mature sandstone (all gradational),
interpreted to have been deposited, respectively, in upper tidal, middle tidal, and lower tidal
(subtidal?) environments in a transgressing sea. The well-exposed Palms Formation exhibits
abundant tidal evidence including bimodal-bipolar paleocurrent plots (N=250) for the formation
as a whole and also for specific localities, tidal bedding (lenticular, wavy, and flaser), and minor
flat-topped ripple marks and mudcracks. Also present in the middle member are thin sandtextured beds composed of iron silicates that were apparently transported shoreward into the
siliciclastic zone.
The Pokegama Formation is poorly exposed, but tidal evidence can be interpreted from
limited exposures and a few drill cores. Sequences of thicker and thinner laminae in siltstone
beds of the lower member are interpreted as evidence of the diurnal inequality that is an
alternation in the heights of successive high tides in a twice-daily tidal environment. The diurnal
inequality occurs when the moon is above or below Earth’s equatorial plane, because under these
conditions any non-equatorial location will pass through different parts of the tidal deformation
ellipsoid during each successive high tide. Ideally the diurnal equality disappears at the equator,
and therefore our data are suggestive of a non-equatorial depositional location. Poorly exposed
packets of progressively thinner and progressively thicker laminae may indicate neap and spring
tidal cycles. These investigations are continuing, with a search for longer sequences of laminae
in drill cores.

125

�The iron-formations have thick-bedded and granular (‘sandy”) members and thin-bedded
and fine-grained (“muddy”) members. The former make up the lower and upper “cherty”
members and the latter comprise the lower and upper “slaty” members. The granules are
composed of iron oxides, iron silicates, iron carbonates, and chert, whereas the fine-grained units
are made up largely of iron silicates and iron carbonates. It has commonly been thought that
fine-grained precipitates of silica, iron carbonates and/or iron silicates formed on the shelf edge
where upwelling waters supplied the iron and silica to a location below wave-base. Reworking
of these fine-grained precipitates by tidal and/or storm currrents resulted in the formation of the
granules. The granules were then transported into higher energy locations shoreward of the
deeper shelf.
The Ironwood Iron Formation is poorly exposed, whereas the Biwabik and Gunflint are
well exposed. The Biwabik is exceptionally well exposed in taconite pits. In the Minorca Mine
just northeast of Virginia, a paleocurrent plot of 102 cross-beds, including rare herringbone
cross-beds, is strongly unimodal to the NNE, perpendicular to the paleogeographically
determined shoreline, but with 10 % of the readings in the opposite sense. Therefore, flood tides
were dominant. In some pits, such as at Minntac, channels of granular iron-formation are cut
into the fine-grained and thinly bedded iron-formation. These are as wide as 1 km and 25 m
deep, are oriented perpendicular to the paleogeographically determined shoreline, and are
interpreted to be tidal channels in which granular sediment was transported seaward into the
realm of fine-grained precipitates.
A shallow water environment for the deposition of the granular members is supported by
the rounded nature of the grains, the cross-bedding, and two major stromatolite horizons.
Stromatolite columns in a bed that has since been mined away were all inclined at 30 degrees to
the vertical, suggestive of an environment of deposition at about 30 degrees latitude. The
vertical sequence of members—lower cherty, lower slaty, upper cherty, and upper slaty—is due
to transgression, regression, and transgression.
Selected References
Morey, G.B., 2003, Paleoproterozoic Animikie Group, related rocks and associated iron-ore
deposits in the Virginia Horn: in Jirsa, M.A. and Morey, G.B., eds., Contributions to the
geology of the Virginia Horn Area, St. Louis County, Minnesota, Minnesota Geological
Survey, Report of Investigations 53, p. 74-102.
Ojakangas, R.W., 1983, Tidal deposits in the early Proterozoic basin of the Lake Superior
region—The Palms and the Pokegama Formations: Evidence for subtidal-shelf
deposition of Superior-type banded iron-formation: in Medaris, L.G., ed. Early
Proterozoic geology of the Great Lakes region: Geological Society of America Memoir
160, p. 49-66.

126

�THREE-DIMENSIONAL GEOMETRY AND STRAIN OF THE BARABOO SYNCLINE:
KINEMATIC IMPLICATIONS
ORMAND, Carol J., Department of Geology, Wittenberg University, Springfield OH 45501,
cormand@wittenberg.edu
CZECK, Dyanna M., Department of Geosciences, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, P.O.
Box 413, Milwaukee, WI 53201
INTRODUCTION
Paleoproterozoic sedimentary rocks of the “Baraboo interval” were deposited on a stable
cratonic margin with subdued topography, in a warm, humid climate, as evidenced by their
physical and chemical maturity (e.g. Dott, 1983; Medaris et al., 2003). The southern deposits,
including the Baraboo Quartzite and associated rocks, subsequently underwent both low-grade
thermal metamorphism and simultaneous deformation during the Mazatzal orogeny, ~1650-1630
Ma (Holm et al., 1998; Romano et al., 2000). During this collisional event, the flat-lying
marginal sediments were crumpled into tight, asymmetric, southward-verging folds. The
foreland fold-and-thrust belt of this collision is preserved in isolated outcrops in southern
Wisconsin including the Baraboo hills (LaBerge and Klasner, 1986).
Approximately 40 kilometers long by 15 kilometers wide, the geometry of the Baraboo Syncline
is strikingly three-dimensional. The fold axis trends approximately N80E. The northern limb of
the fold is subvertical to slightly overturned; the southern limb dips around 35 degrees
northward; the eastern termination plunges approximately 35 degrees westward; and the western
termination plunges approximately 25 degrees eastward.
DEFORMATION FEATURES
Strain on the limbs of the Baraboo Syncline is as three-dimensional as the fold itself. Both limbs
of the fold have axial planar phyllitic cleavage, refracted into quartzitic strata. Within the
southern limb, however, where quartzite beds are sandwiched within phyllitic layers, threedimensional pinch-and-swell structures (“chocolate tablet boudinage”) show extension parallel
to layering, both along strike and down dip. Strain data from quartz grain shapes also indicate
three-dimensional strain, with extension either layer-parallel or layer-normal (McKiernan, 2002;
Craddock, pers. comm.). In addition, slickensides on the southern limb of the fold indicate one
paleostress direction, while slickensides on the northern limb show multiple paleostress solutions
(Kirschner et al., 1989).
KINEMATIC MODEL
Both the fold geometry and the extension within the gently dipping limb of the syncline are
consistent with formation in a top-to-the-south simple shear environment (Cambray, 1987). In
such an environment, non-cylindrical fold trains would verge southward. In this model, the
longer, north-dipping fold limbs are favorably oriented for localized layer-parallel extension,
while the shorter, steeply dipping limbs rotate and shorten during deformation. The location of
boudinage exclusively on the south limb is consistent with this model. The multiple paleostress
directions on the north limb, inferred from slickensides (Kirschner et al., 1989), are also
consistent with the rotation of the north limb explicit in the model. Therefore, this simple shear

127

�model is consistent with the majority of the field data. However, it is a two-dimensional model
that does not account for the strongly three-dimensional fold geometry. To account for the threedimensional shape of the syncline, we invoke a component of non-plane strain. We envision a
variation in degree of shearing along strike, resulting in extension along the fold axis. This
model therefore could explain both the strong change in plunge along trend and the threedimensional boudinage within the southern limb of the Baraboo Syncline. We are analyzing
microstructural data on both limbs of the fold to further evaluate this kinematic model.
REFERENCES
Cambray, F. W., 1987. The Baraboo syncline; the shape and refolding explained as a result of
superposition of simple shear on a pre-existing fold. GSA Abstracts with Programs, 192.
Dott, R. H., Jr., 1983. The Proterozoic red quartzite enigma in the north-central United States:
resolved by plate collision? GSA Memoir 160, 129-141.
Holm, D., Schneider, D., Coath, C. D., 1998. Age and deformation of Early Proterozoic
quartzites in the southern Lake Superior region: implications for extent of foreland
deformation during final assembly of Laurentia. Geology 26, 907–910.
Kirschner, D., Pershing, J., Teyssier, C., 1989. Nature and kinematics of fault surfaces in the
Baraboo Syncline (WI). GSA Abstracts with Programs, 17.
LaBerge, G. L., Klasner, J. S.., 1986, Evidence for a major south-directed early Proterozoic
thrust sheet in south central Wisconsin. GSA Abstracts with Programs, 664.
McKiernan, A., 2002. Stress-strain analysis in Precambrian quartzites from Wisconsin: evidence
for eastward continuation of the ca. 1650 Ma Mazatzal and Central Plains orogenies.
Honors Paper, Macalester College, MN.
Medaris, L. G. , Jr., Singer, B. S. , Dott, R. H. , Jr., Naymark, A., Johnson, C. M., Schott, R. C. ,
2003. Late Paleoproterozoic Climate, Tectonics, and Metamorphism in the Southern Lake
Superior Region and Proto–North America: Evidence from Baraboo Interval Quartzites.
Journal of Geology 111, 243–257.
Romano, D., Holm, D. K., Foland, K. A., 2000. Determining the extent and nature of Mazatzalrelated overprinting of the Penokean orogenic belt in the southern Lake Superior region,
north-central USA. Precambrian Research 104, 25–46.

128

�DULUTH COMPLEX BULK SAMPLES
PATELKE, Richard, and SEVERSON, Mark, Natural Resource Research Institute, University of
Minnesota Duluth, Duluth Minnesota 55811, rpatelke@nrri.umn.edu, mseverso@nrri.umn.edu
Since copper-nickel exploration began in the Duluth Complex with the first drill hole in 1951, there have
been numerous bulk samples taken for metallurgical testing. Our current project is an attempt to develop a
narrative history of this work. The project began for two reasons: 1) there is a perception that these bulk
samples have usually returned metal grades lower than was expected by the pre-excavation testing; and 2)
there was no consolidated listing for where data about these projects might be found.
The issue of sample head grade in bulk samples being lower than expected is real, but is not documented
well enough to discern an overall cause or to propose a solution beyond more rigorous outcrop stripping,
mapping, and drilling before choosing a test site. Most sites have been located based on a single drill hole
and as far as we can tell no sites have been rejected after a location has been chosen or once excavation
began.
There is probably a distinction between a geologist’s definition of a successful test and a metallurgist’s
definition. A geologist’s definition of a successful bulk sample is one where the overall grade and
mineralogy is what was predicted from assaying, drilling, or outcrop study (a “scientific success”). A
metallurgist might define a successful bulk sample as one that represents, or is typical of, the bulk
composition and the mineralogical ratios of the deposit, and therefore allows reliable conclusions to be
drawn from testing certain steps in the beneficiation process (a “practical success”).
The primary source of information for this study is company publications and records in files at MDNR
and NRRI, little was found at other locations.
Samples in the South Kawishiwi intrusion include: a small outcrop (and drill core?) sample by the
USBM; two surface bulk samples from the INCO Spruce Road deposit; samples from the shaft and drift
of the INCO Maturi deposit; large excavation and incidental exposure at the Dunka Pit iron mine (over 14
million tons of Duluth Complex material on the surface); and a small incidental exposure of Duluth
Complex rock and massive-sulfide related to iron-formation stripping in the Peter Mitchell Taconite mine.
Bulk samples at the Babbitt (Mesaba) deposit in the Partridge River intrusion include: work on one
surface sample pit and multiple samples from the shaft and drift by AMAX; numerous drill core
composites by AMAX; two test pits by Arimetco in the 1990s; one test pit by Teck Cominco in 2001; and
a 50,000 ton pit planned by Teck Cominco in the near future. The Dunka Road (NorthMet) deposit had
three samples at two locations by USS; a 1991 drill core composite from new large diameter holes by
Nerco and Fleck; and a large pilot plant sample by PolyMet from reverse-circulation cuttings.
The Longnose Oxide-bearing Ultramafic intrusion (OUI) had two samples taken from pits for
beneficiation and process testing of the Fe-Ti oxides. Two complete drill holes in the Water Hen OUI
were taken for process testing by the USBM in the 1980s.
The major bulk samples are listed in Table 1, the references for the table are in the document below.
Reference:
Patelke R., and Severson M.J., in prep., 2004, A history of copper-nickel and titanium-oxide test pits,
bulk samples, and related metallurgical testing in the Keweenawan Duluth Complex, northeastern
Minnesota, Natural Resources Research Institute, Technical Report NRRI/TR-XX, ~100 pages.

129

�SOUTH KAWISHIWI INTRUSION
Project

Responsible
party

Year(s) Tonnage

Comment

Spruce Road

USBM

Source of sample uncertain, test work done uncertain

No data found.

INCO

3 holes drilled in 1953, report
issued in 1955
19661,150 tons
1967
1974
10,000 tons

INCO

1968

INCO

1968?

Serpentine

Reserve Mining

Dunka Pit

Erie / LTV

Before
1989
1975 to
1998?

Comment

Grades

Reference

0.43% Cu, Ni est. at 0.12%

Various files in AMAX archive at MDNR

INCO

Maturi

Grades

Lab / bench tests on composite from 3 drill cores and / or outcrop samples? Reported head grade of 0.38% Cu, 0.14% Ni, 0.88% S

Reference
Grosh et al., 1955, USBM Report 5177

1974 INCO project description on file at MDNR in
AMAX archive
Pit along south side of Spruce Road, processed by INCO at Sudbury (?)
Reported head grade of 0.47% Cu, 0.15% Ni, 1.08% S
1974 INCO project description on file at MDNR in
AMAX archive
700 tons (?)
Shaft at Maturi, sample sent to INCO lab at Sudbury (?)
No data found.
1974 INCO project description on file at MDNR in
AMAX archive
Drift at Maturi, some drilling done from drift, but little information in NRRI or MDNR files. Assume some material must have been sent for Misc. files at MDNR and NRRI
metallurgical tests.
Uncertain tonnage
An exposure of massive sulfide assumed to be similar or related to the Serpentine deposit is seen in the Peter Mitchell Mine. Exposed during Ruhanen, 2001 for MDNR, Severson South
iron-formation stripping. Assayed by MDNR in 2001.
Kawishiwi report
14-20 million tons in Stockpiles at Dunka Pit represent Duluth Complex material removed for
0.23% Cu, 0.09% Ni, 2.20% S are the approximate values from Files at MDNR, and Ron Graber at CCI
stockpiles?
iron ore mine development.
exploration drilling. MDNR reports values of 0.29% CuO,
0.10% NiO (uncertain about whether these are oxide or sulfide
assays)

PARTRIDGE RIVER INTRUSION
Project

Responsible
party

Babbitt (Mesaba) AMAX
At B1-341
deposit
AMAX

Dunka Road
(NorthMet)
deposit

Year(s) Tonnage
1978

1976

AMAX

1976

Arimetco at B1-374

1994

Arimetco at B1-411

19951996

Teck Cominco at
B1-321

2001

150 tons sent to
CMRL, January
1996
5,000

Teck Cominco at
B1-321
USS Bulk No 1

Future

50,000

1971(?)

unknown tonnage,
but small

USS Bulk No 2

1971

USS Bulk No 3

1971

Fleck / Nerco

1990

PolyMet Composite 19982000
Longnose Fe-Ti
oxide (OUI)

1,150 ton
Surface pit in NE corner of deposit. Sample may actually have been taken
excavation, 560 tons in South Kawishiwi intrusion, not Partridge River intrusion
sent as sample
Shaft samples listed as "disseminated." Some of this material used by
MDNR for various leaching and ARD tests
Drift samples listed as "massive" or "semi-massive." Some of this material
used by MDNR for various leaching and ARD tests
200 tons excavated, Surface pit. Sample probably in weakly mineralized pegmatitic zone of
sample split to 85
Unit 3
and 115 ton portions

American Shield

1984

American Shield

1999

Surface pit. Sample in western part of deposit, location in Unit 1.
Reasonably typical material.

Various disseminated ore samples. Est. at 0.43% Cu, 0.13% Ni, Various files in AMAX archive at MDNR
S unknown
Various massive and semi-massive sulfide samples.
Various files in AMAX archive at MDNR
0.22% Cu, 0.06% Ni, 0.52% S from blast holes; sorted sample
had head grade of 0.30% Cu, 0.08% Ni, 0.63% S

0.61% Cu, 0.12% Ni, 1.02% S from blast holes; CMRL reports MDNR and NRRI files
head grade at 0.36% Cu, 0.08% Ni, 0.76% S

Surface pit at location drilled by Severson for Arimetco, in Unit 1, near
Severson estimate 460 tons at 0.62% Cu
center of north edge of deposit. Very typical material. Final sample much
larger than 460 tons outlined by Severson.
Planned surface pit, at same location as Teck Cominco B1-321. EAW approved by State in 2003

Surface pit near drill hole (26058) with mineralization only in top few feet. Drill hole 26058 grade from 8 to 20 ft. was 0.82% Cu, 0.20%
Small pit, found by Zanko and Severson in 1995, no definitive records
Ni, 1.21% S; below that hole is not mineralized for hundreds of
available.
feet; head grade of bulk sample was 0.39% Cu, 0.14% Ni,
0.50% S
300 tons
Surface pit near drill hole 26105. Intended to intercept mineralization seen Expected grade based on ddh 26105 was 0.77% Cu, 0.28%
in that hole. Material contaminated with hornfels, poor grade.
Ni(?), 1.23% S; head grade of sample was 0.40% Cu, 0.13%
Ni, 0.97% S
20 tons
Surface pit near drill hole 26105. Re-entry of Bulk No 2 site to get material Expected grade based on ddh 26105 was 0.77% Cu, 0.28%
not contaminated with hornfels
Ni(?), 1.23% S; head grade of sample was 0.58% Cu, 0.22%
Ni, 0.98% S
2 large diameter core PolyMet report states they have no records for this work, other than that it No data
holes
was done in 1991. Two large diameter holes and two smaller twins for
submission to state. Nerco holes twin two existing USS drill holes.
At least 37 tons
Reverse circulation drilling composite from about 55(?) reverse circulation Head grade in 1999 SME/AIME presentation is 0.43% Cu,
shipped to testing
holes. Data not available on how many or which holes constituted the bulk 0.12% Ni, PolyMet has not published sulfur numbers.
laboratory
sample.
Surface pit, sample sent to CMRL for process testing
Surface pit, sample sent to CMRL for process testing

Drilled in about 400 ft. of drill USBM samples to test reduction processes on Fe-Ti ore; with goal of
Water Hen Fe-Ti Water Hen drill
holes SL-27 and SL- 1975
core
producing saleable or processable titanium slag product. Work done in
Oxide (OUI)
28
1985

Table 1. Major bulk samples of the Duluth Complex.

130

MDNR and NRRI files

Study concluded that a high TiO2 product could be made, but
that concentration that removes iron is important. High MgO
content is not mentioned as a processing issue

Communication w/Teck Cominco and NRRI files

EAW approved June, 2003
NRRI files

NRRI files

NRRI files

PolyMet January 2000 Prospectus

PolyMet press releases and 2001 pre-feasibility study

CMRL reports in 1990s on projects, but ore sources
for individual projects uncertain
CMRL reports in 1990s on projects, but ore sources
for individual projects uncertain
Nafziger and Elger, 1987, USBM report; drill hole
desc. in Ross, 1985

�UNTESTED TARGETS IN THE DULUTH COMPLEX
PATELKE, Richard, SEVERSON, Mark, and PETERSON, Dean, Natural Resource Research
Institute, University of Minnesota Duluth, 5013 Miller Trunk Highway, Duluth Minnesota 55811,
rpatelke@nrri.umn.edu, mseverso@nrri.umn.edu, and dpeters1@nrri.umn.edu
Introduction
There are at least four, presently sub-economic, large, copper-nickel +/-PGE deposits defined along the
western and northwestern margins of the Duluth Complex, as well as many smaller prospects (more than
ten?). Development has been slowed by metallurgical problems and the perception of permitting difficulty.
Exploration for more of the large low-grade deposits would seem unneeded until some of the known ones
are developed.
We present a few exploration ideas for less studied areas of the Duluth and Beaver Bay Complexes (with
profuse apologies to all who may also have mentioned these in the past). We hope to encourage a
discussion about smaller, higher-grade, targets. All of the targets listed here point to the need for detailed
field mapping and integration of geophysical data. Remember that five hundred million tons of rock forms a
cube about 1,750 feet on a side, and that a viable deposit can be relatively small.
The Schroeder-Forest Center crustal ridge target
Regional aeromagnetics and gravity data indicate that the Duluth Complex occupies two deep “bowls”. The
separation between these two deep zones is the Schroeder-Forest Center crustal ridge. In general, mapped
surface geology does not carry across this basement ridge zone. The presence of inclusions of Archean
supracrustal rocks could also indicate that the base of the Complex is closer to the surface in this area
(Boerboom, 1994). The Wilder Lake intrusion strikes parallel to the ridge and dips northeastward, also
indicating that there is a division in the Complex. So, if one applies a model based on what we see for the
copper-nickel-PGE deposits, i.e., most economic mineralization is close to the basal contact, then
determining the depth to the basal contact along the ridge could open up areas for future exploration if the
footwall is found to be reasonably shallow. Also, this area would probably be a much different structural
regime than we see at the western and northwestern margins of the Duluth Complex.
Cloquet Lake layered series
This area is grossly similar to the situation along the Schroeder-Forest Center crustal ridge or the western
margin. A group of three holes, drilled near the edge of this funnel-shaped intrusion in 1982, went to the
base of the intrusion and hit massive sulfide with magnetite. PGE values were low and no further drilling
was done, but scattered thin intercepts (3 ft.?) of about 0.5% copper were seen within 250 ft. of the surface.
In this case, the footwall was older Keweenawan intrusive rocks.
PGE in oxide-rich, pegmatitic, and other rocks
The highest average value in the Complex for combined Pt + Pd + Au are in oxide-rich rocks, particularly
those at Birch Lake. Pegmatitic zones, massive sulfides, anorthositic rocks, and massive chlorite also return
higher than average values. However, these five rock types represent a small percentage of the over 52,000
feet of sample in Severson and Hauck (2003) that record assays for all three metals (troctolitic rocks make
up about three fourths of the Pt + Pd + Au assay footage). These five minor rock types are not often
mineralized, but when they are, the mineralization is copper-rich. Could there be larger, near-surface zones
of these anomalous rock types? So far, localized copper-rich, semi-massive sulfides (some with high PGE
values) have been documented at Dunka Road, Dunka Pit, on trend with the Siphon Fault, and at Skibo.
Oxide-bearing Ultramafic Intrusions (OUIs)
While the Fe-Ti rich OUIs are not particularly rich in sulfides or PGE, and have not yet proved economic as
sources of titanium, they are still viable targets for chromium and vanadium oxides. There is less than 1,000
feet of assaying for these oxides available for the Complex (Severson and Hauck, 2003; Patelke 2003). The

131

�OUIs are enigmatic: the alignments of large OUIs in the Western Margin and Partridge River intrusions
would indicate a relation to large and as yet undefined faults. Similar fault-related OUI are present south of
the Babbitt deposit. However, information from drill core gives no hint to the geometric nature of the root
zones of the OUIs. As the OUI formed along fault zones, often late in the crystallization history of the
various intrusions, they may mark zones with potentially vigorous hydrothermal activity that could have
concentrated PGE.
For example, drill hole SL-19A at the Water Hen OUI has a thin platinum and chrome-bearing horizon that
has had no known follow up work for PGE, or chromium and vanadium. INCO records show extremely
high copper and nickel values, with widely varying ratios, near the Skibo OUI; again with little follow up.
Overall, the OUIs may be worthy of attention beyond being a source of titanium.
Structural targets
Two major scissor-like faults that lie perpendicular to the line of the basal contact near the Babbitt and
Dunka Road deposits are relatively unexplored. The Siphon Fault begins in the former LTV pit and extends
some distance into the Complex. The Grano Fault starts in the Peter Mitchell taconite pit, passes through
the Serpentine deposit, and lies along the border between the Partridge River intrusion and the South
Kawishiwi intrusion. The Grano Fault is inferred to be a vent that formed high-grade copper-PGE enriched
massive sulfide at the Local Boy ore zone of the Babbitt deposit. Both of these large faults cross mapped
W-NW to E-SE trending faults passing though the Dunka Road deposit and to the south of the Babbitt
deposit. The intersection of these systems has not been well examined either by drilling or field mapping.
These fault intersections could present two types of targets: 1) massive sulfide in locations where space
opened during faulting, especially in the footwall (a Sudbury or Local Boy model); and 2) pathways for
altering and /or mineralizing fluids to intersect particular geologic horizons (such as in the Birch Lake
model or postulated for the top of Unit 1 in the Partridge River intrusion).
Voisey’s Bay targets
Peterson’s discussion of “feeder zone sulfide mineralization” in Miller et al., (2002), points to the
possibility of such a target south of the Spruce Road area (a.k.a. the Highway One Corridor area). There,
the potential conduit between the Bald Eagle intrusion and the South Kawishiwi intrusion is confined below
a large raft or pillar of earlier formed anorthosite. Mapping of assay copper-nickel grade and ratios indicates
that the highest grades in the area may be in a channel or vent area below this raft.
References
Boerboom, T.J., 1994, Archean crustal xenoliths in a Keweenawan hypabyssal sill, northeastern Minnesota.
White was right!: Institute on lake Superior Geology, 40th Annual Meeting, Houghton Mich.,
Proceedings, v. 40, Program and Abstracts, pt. 1, p. 5-6.
Miller, J.D., Jr., Green, J.C., Severson, M.J., Chandler, V.W., Peterson, D.M., and Wahl, T.E., 2002,
Geology and Mineral Potential of the Duluth Complex and related rocks of northeastern Minnesota,
Minnesota Geological Survey Report of Investigations 58, 207 p., one CD-ROM.
Patelke, R.L., 2003, Exploration drill hole lithology, geologic unit, copper-nickel assay, and location
database for the Keweenawan Duluth Complex, northeastern Minnesota: Natural Resources
Research Institute, University of Minnesota Duluth, Tech. Report., NRRI/TR-2003/21, 97 pages, 1
CD-ROM.
Severson, M.J., and Hauck, S.A., 2003, Platinum-group elements (PGEs) and platinum-group minerals
(PGMs) in the Duluth Complex: Natural Resources Research Institute, University of Minnesota
Duluth, Technical Report, NRRI/TR-2003/37, 296 pages, 1 CD-ROM.

132

�THE PROPOSED NATIONAL UNDERGROUND SCIENCE AND
ENGINEERINGLABORATORY AT THE SOUDAN MINE, NORTHEASTERN
MINNESOTA: A GEOLOGICAL SITE INVESTIGATION
PETERSON, Dean M., Natural Resources Research Institute, Duluth, MN,
dpeters1@nrri.umn.edu
PATELKE, Richard L., Natural Resources Research Institute, Duluth, MN,
patelke@nrri.umn.edu
In 2000, the National Science Foundation (NSF) convened a committee chaired by Dr. John
Bahcall, of Princeton University, to evaluate the scientific justification for a national facility for deep
underground science. The committee's charge was to evaluate the potential physics research that could b
completed by the next generation of solar neutrino, double beta decay, proton decay, dark matter, and
related background-sensitive experiments. In addition, the committee considered the possible relevance of
such a facility to other disciplines, including geoscience, microbiology, materials development and
technology, and monitoring nuclear tests. NSF received the recommendations of the Bahcall Report titled
“Underground Science” in 2001 (available online at http://www.sns.ias.edu/~jnb/Laboratory/science.pdf).
One of the results of the NSF-sponsored workshop on Neutrinos and Subterranean Science in 2002 was the
June 2003 publication “EarthLab, A Subterranean Laboratory and Observatory to Study Microbial Life,
Fluid Flow, and Rock Deformation”. This publication sets a framework for geological research that could
be undertaken in a deep underground setting, and is available online at http://www.earthlab.org. Three
unsolicited proposals to fund (each ~ $275 million) the development of a National Underground Science
and Engineering Laboratory (NUSEL) were submitted to NSF, and include the University of Washington's
Homestake Mine site at Lead, South Dakota (http://mocha.phys.washington. edu/nusel/proposal.html), the
University
of
Minnesota's
Soudan
Mine
site
in
northeastern
Minnesota
(http://www.sudan.umn.edu/NUSEL/), and the University of California Irvine's Mt. San Jacinto site near
Palm Springs, California (http://www.ps.uci.edu/~SJNUSL/). On May 28, 2003, a NSF site panel report on
developing a NUSEL concluded that the Homestake Mine in South Dakota was the most favorable. In
addition, the panel considered the Soudan Mine a possible back up site for NUSEL, and that the San Jacinto
site is not a viable NUSEL candidate. The evaluation criteria of each of the sites were partitioned into two
broad categories: (1) geological suitability; and (2) relative costs. Geological suitability issues for the
Soudan Mine included the uncertainty of the geology and rock mass conditions at depth.
On June 2, 2003, Barrick Mining Company, the owner of the Homestake Mine, turned off the
pumps and began flooding the deep portions of the Homestake mine, which consequently jeopardizes most
of the earth science initiatives outlined in EarthLab. On February 6, 2004, the NSF returned without
prejudice all of the unsolicited NUSEL proposals, and will soon publish a three-stage request for new
NUSEL proposals, which will include: Stage 1 - develop a preliminary plan of research activities requiring
deep underground access, to aggregate the plans into science modules, and to define the physical
requirements needed for each module; Stage 2 - fund grants for conceptual planning of infrastructure as
related to each site; and Stage 3 - fund grants for technical designs for the underground infrastructure,
detailed geological characterization and environmental permitting, and development of management plans.
Between mid April and mid June of 2003, geologists from the Economic Geology Group of the
Natural Resources Research Institute, University of Minnesota Duluth completed detailed geologic
mapping around the proposed NUSEL site at the Soudan Mine, and wrote a detailed report describing the
results of the study (Peterson and Patelke, 2003). The geological report, geological maps, and GIS data
files generated as a result of this work are available online at http://www.nrri.umn.edu/egg/. This poster
presents the three plates that accompany the geological site investigation report of the suitability of the
Soudan Mine area for hosting a NUSEL. Based on this recent detailed field mapping and interpretation, the
geological and structural setting of the Soudan Mine is perfectly suited for hosting a NUSEL. In addition, a
Soudan Mine NUSEL contains all the requirements outlined in the EarthLab document. The report by

133

�Peterson and Patelke (2003) outlines the geological suitability of the area for a NUSEL and an integrated
EarthLab. The five major themes addressed in this report include:
Bedrock Geology - The Neo-Archean bedrock geology of the Soudan Mine area is divided into five
major lithostratigraphic units. These units include the: (1) Fivemile Lake sequence, moderate to shallowwater bimodal volcanic rocks; (2) Central Basalt sequence, deep-water tholeiitic basalts; (3) Upper
Sequence, Algoma-type iron formation, tuff, and epiclastic rocks; (4) intrusive rocks, felsic porphyries,
granodiorite, diorite, gabbro, and lamprophyre; and (5) sheared rocks, distinct curvilinear zones of chloritesericite-ankerite-pyrite schists.
Structural Geology - The field area is divided into four main structural domains that include: (1) the
Murray shear zone; (2) the Mine Trend shear zone; (3) the Linking Zone; and (4) the Collapsed Hinge
Zone. These domains appear to be internally structurally coherent, and are separated from each other either
by areas of relatively undeformed rocks or discrete sheared boundaries.
NUSEL Site Selection - The geological criteria deemed most important for NUSEL construction
include: (1) definition of a competent rock mass for excavation of large caverns at depths of 1,450 m and
2,500 m; (2) minimizing the occurrence of major lithologic contacts that would be encountered during
construction of shafts, drifts, and the helical decline; and (3) minimizing the occurrence of major structural
features in the area proposed for construction of the helical decline. A large area in the competent pillowed
basalts of the Central Basalt sequence appears to meet all of the criteria for construction of the helical
decline, and large laboratories could probably be excavated out of a large, highly indurated dioritic sill.
Compatibility with EarthLab - One of the main requirements for EarthLab is a very large, instrumented
rock volume and access to great depths. At Soudan, the volume of rock that can be reasonably be accessed
for EarthLab research in a Soudan Mine NUSEL is approximately 30 km3. The scientific themes of study
proposed for EarthLab are: (1) microbial life at depth; (2) the hydrologic cycle; (3) rock fracture and fluid
flow; (4) rock-water chemistry; (5) deep seismic studies; and (6) geophysical imaging. The compatibility of
a Soudan Mine NUSEL with each of these themes is favorable. Although the conceptual design plans for
the Soudan Mine NUSEL requires relatively high-cost new construction at depth, the pristine nature of this
geological environment is highly desirable for EarthLab research. In addition, the close proximity of the
Soudan Mine NUSEL to the four structural domains minimizes the cost of drilling and drifting into these
structural settings for EarthLab research.
Outstanding Geological Research Opportunities - The geological and structural setting of the rocks
within and adjacent to the proposed Soudan Mine NUSEL provides a unique opportunity for advances in
several areas of earth science. Ideas on outstanding research opportunities include: (1) the structural control
of lode-gold mineralization; (2) the hydrothermal alteration of subaqueous volcanic rocks and associated
massive sulfide copper-zinc mineralization; (3) the origin of massive hematite ore bodies within Algomatype iron-formation; (4) the genetic evolution and temporal development of a Neo-Archean volcanic arc; (5)
the Neo-Archean tectonic architecture of the southern Laurentian margin; (6) the Pleistocene hydrogeology
of the Superior Craton; and (7) the permeability of crystalline bedrock.
References
Peterson, D.M and Patelke, R.L., 2003, National Underground Science and Engineering Laboratory
(NUSEL); Geological site investigation for the Soudan Mine, northeastern Minnesota: Natural
Resources Research Institute, Technical Report NRRI/TR-2003/29, 97 p., 3 plates, 1 cd-rom.

134

�PETROTECTONIC EVOLUTION OF PALEOPROTEROZOIC GRANITIC ROCKS
ACROSS THE CENTRAL PENOKEAN OROGEN, NORTHERN MI &amp; WI
PIERCEY, P., SCHNEIDER, D.A., Department of Geological Sciences, Ohio University,
Athens, OH 45701 USA
HOLM, D.H., Department of Geology, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242 USA
Recent U-Pb single-crystal zircon geochronology of Paleoproterozoic post-Penokean granitic
rocks of northern Michigan and Wisconsin, historically interpreted as an "anorogenic suite," has
revealed a distinct age trend: magmatic pulses apparently migrated southward from ca. 1800 to
1750 Ma, after cessation of Penokean orogenesis (Holm et al., 2004; figure1). Yavapai-aged
subduction slab rollback has recently been hypothesized to explain this magmatic pattern. In this
model, the subducting slab steepens, and while depth of melting remains static, the locus of
melting migrates trenchward (figure 2). Granitoid bodies intrude the Archean gneissic basement,
Proterozoic metasedimentary marginal sequences, and an accreted juvenile arc (the Wisconsin
Magmatic Terrane) across the breadth of the orogen. Nine samples from eight localities (the
Radisson granite was sampled twice due to significant differences in mineralogy) were analyzed
petrologically and geochemically, using major-, trace-, and rare-earth element analysis, to
discriminate the tectonic setting into which emplacement occurred. Petrologic analysis shows a
grain size decrease to the east. Major-element classification (K2O vs. SiO2) indicates a calcalkaline to shoshonite trend for all localities sampled, indicating subduction-related genesis.
Nevertheless, trace element tectonic discrimination diagrams after Pearce et al. (1984) indicate a
correlation to the local lithology rather than tectonic setting. That is, Humboldt and Montello
granites, which intrude Archean gneissic basement, are classified as within-plate granite (WPG);
Park Falls syenite, intruding Proterozoic metasedimentary sequences, is categorized as a
collisional granite (COLG); and the remaining granites (Radisson, Lugerville, Jennings, Amberg,
and Chequamegon) that intrude the accreted arc of the Wisconsin Magmatic Terrane are classed as
volcanic arc granites (VAG). For this reason, caution must be exercised in using this technique,
especially on single localities. A rare-earth element spidergram, normalized to chondritic values,
shows the COLG as the most evolved and WPG as the least, highlighting relative continental crust
evolution/component. In this study, the geochemical analyses did not illustrate an age or
geographical trend as expected, but rather a correlation of source area and/or relative crustal
contribution. Therefore, the suite is interpreted as products of subduction-induced melting across a
variable source terrane.
References:
Holm, D.K., Van Schmus, W.R., MacNeill, L.C., Boerboom, T.J., Schweitzer, D. and Schneider,
D.A., 2004, U-Pb zircon geochronology of Paleoproterozoic plutons from the northern midcontinent, U.S.A.: evidence for subduction flip and continued convergence after Geon 18
Penokean orogenesis: Geological Society of America Bulletin, in press.
Pearce, J.A., Harris, N.B.W., Tindle, A.G., 1984, Trace Element Discrimination
Diagrams for the Tectonic Interpretation of Granitic Rocks: Journal of Petrology, 25, 956983.

135

�136

�BLOWING IN THE WIND: THE COPPER HARBOR STROMATOLITES REVISITED
PLANAVSKY*, Noah, and BJORNERUD, Marcia, Geology Department, Lawrence
University, Appleton WI 54912
The Copper Harbor Conglomerate is the basal unit of the sediment-dominated upper part of
the Keweenawan series. This sedimentary sequence was deposited within the central basin of the
Mid-Continent Rift System beginning at approximately 1087 Ma. The coarse grain size, rounded
clast shapes, low clay content, large trough cross bed sets, channel structures and ripple marks
observed in the conglomerate are best explained by a prograding alluvial fan complex in an arid
environment with rugged topography (Daniels, 1982). Locally, the conglomerate is matrixsupported, indicating that debris flows also contributed to its formation. The clasts within the
conglomerate appear to have been derived exclusively from the underlying volcanic flows of the
rift, suggesting that the basin was only a relative low within a topographically elevated region –
probably a thermally supported high similar to the modern East African rift. All sedimentary
features of the Copper Harbor Conglomerate point to a nonmarine depositional setting.
In the upper part of the Copper Harbor Conglomerate, thin, discontinuous clayey layers
with dessication cracks are interbedded with the coarse and thick conglomerate strata, suggesting
that ephemeral playa lakes existed within the basin. Some of the lacustrine deposits contain finely
laminated, hemispherical, calcareous stromatolitic structures. In many cases these structures drape
around the upper surfaces of large boulders that are partly enclosed by clayey sediment. The
external shape and fine internal layering of the hemispheroids as well as the presence of detrital
sand grains on their inclined sides (indicating organic stabilization) all suggest that they are true
biogenic stromatolites (Elmore, 1983). That is, the Copper Harbor stromatolites appear to record a
terrestrial microbial community that established itself far above sea level in middle Proterozoic
time.
Most modern microbial lithifying mats are complex symbiotic communities of more than
one genus (Stal, 2000), although there are modern freshwater stromatolites formed exclusively by
cyanobacterial activity (Eggleston and Dean, 1976). The current paradigm is that the
mucilaginous sheath excreted by cyanobacteria is essential for formation and lithification of the
stromatolite structure. Whether the Copper Harbor stromatolites represent multi-genus
communities or simple cyanobacterial mats, it is interesting to consider how the microbes might
have found their way into a high, dry basin that had previously been the filled with ponded basaltic
lavas.
Most modern and fossil stromatolites occur in near-shore marine settings, and migrate over
time via aqueous fragmentation or microbial mat bifurcation. The Copper Harbor Basin, however,
was clearly high and isolated. The nearest continental margin is thought to have lain some 800 km
away, beyond the Grenville front (Ojakangas et al., 2001). Paleocurrent directions and the absence
of extrabasinal clasts in the conglomerate, furthermore, exclude the possibility of fluvial transport
from another terrestrial community.
We suggest, therefore, that the basin was colonized through akinete anemochory, or wind
transport of dormant reproductive structures. Colonization by this means is consistent with the
inferred wind patterns of the time. Localized aeolian dune deposits within the Copper Harbor

137

�conglomerate indicate paleo-wind directions that were orthogonal to fluvial paleocurrent
directions, blowing from the southeast (in paleogeographic coordinates), the azimuth of the
Grenville coast. This is consistent with the inferred paleolatitude of 20° N, which would have
placed the Copper Harbor basin in a paleo-trade wind region (Taylor and Middleton, 1990), with
prevailing winds blowing from the Grenville coast toward the Lake Superior region. Long
distance aeolian transport of akinete structures is physically plausible. Cyanobacterial akinetes are
on the order of 10µm in diameter (Lang and Whitton, 1973), and several recent studies have
documented regional and even transoceanic transport of fine sediment (Prospero, 1999), spores
(Josefsson, 2002) and pollen grains (Rogers and Levetin, 1998) of similar size.
The stromatolites of the Copper Harbor Conglomerate are among the few known records of
Proterozoic terrestrial biological communities, and they provide a glimpse of the early stages of
colonization of a barren landscape. Aeolian dissemination of microbes and nutrients may have
been an important mechanism of dispersal in the Precambrian biosphere.
References:
Daniels, P. A., Jr., 1982. Proterozoic sedimentary rocks: Oronto Group, Michigan- Wisconsin, in
Wold, R.J., and Hinze W.J., eds., Geology and Tectonics of the Lake Superior Basin, GSA
Memoir 156, 107-133.
Elmore, R.D., 1983. Precambrian non-marine stromatolites in alluvial fan deposits, the Copper
Harbor Conglomerate, Upper Michigan. Sedimentology, 30, 829-842.
Eggleston, J.R. and Dean, W.E., 1976. Freshwater stromatolitic bioherms in Green Lake, New
York. In Walter, M.R., ed., Stromatolites. Developments in Sedimentology, 20, Elsevier,
Amsterdam, 479-488.
Josefsson, H., 2002. Long Distance Dispersal in Wood Decaying Basidiomycetes (MS Thesis}:
University of Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.
Lang, N.J. and Whitton B.A. 1973. Arrangement and structure of thylakoids. In Carr, N.G. and
Whitton, B.A., eds., The Biology of Blue Green Algae. University of California Press:
Berkeley, 66-79.
Ojakangas, R., Morey, G.B., and Green, J.C., 2001. The Mesoproterozoic Mid-continent Rift
System, Lake Superior region, USA. Sedimentary Geology, 141-142, 421-442.
Prospero, J. 1999. Long range transport of mineral dust in the global atmosphere: Impacts of
African dust on the environment of the Southeastern United States. Proceedings of the.
National Academy of Sciences, 96, 3396-3403.
Rogers, C.A. and Levetin, E.1998. Evidence of long distance transport of mountain cedar pollen
into Tulsa, Oklahoma. International Journal of Biometeorology, 42, 65-72.
Stal, L.J., 2000 Cyanobacterial mats and stromatolites, in Whitton, B.A., ed., Ecology of
Cyanobacteria. Kluwer Academic, Dordrecht, 61-120.
Taylor, I. and Middleton, G., 1990. Aeolian sandstones in the Copper Harbor Fm., late
Proterozoic, Lake Superior basin, Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, 27, 1339-47.

138

�A Geochemical Study of the Sills of the Nipigon Basin, Ontario
RICHARDSON*, A., and HOLLINGS, P., Department of Geology, Lakehead University, 955
Oliver Rd., Thunder Bay, Ontario, P7B 5E1, Canada; ajrichar@lakeheadu.ca
Introduction and Background
The Nipigon Sills are a relatively flat-lying
Proterozoic tholeiitic diabase sequence
associated with the Keweenawan midcontinent rift (MCR) event centered on the
Lake Superior region. The MCR was active
5540000N
approximately 1100 My ago with published
U-Pb zircon ages of 1108.8 +4/-2 Ma, and
1097.6 ±3.7 Ma from the Nipigon Sills and
Osler volcanics respectively (Davis and
Lake
Sutcliffe, 1985). These sills are up to 200
5510000N
Nipigon
metres in thickness and dominate the geology
of the Lake Nipigon basin. The sills
currently cover an area of approximately 11
000 km2 representing a minimum volume of
10 000 km3 (Fig. 1; Sutcliffe, 1986).
5480000N
Although related to the Logan sills found
further south in the Thunder Bay area, they
differ in rare earth geochemistry, mineralogy,
and paleomagnetic character. First noted by
Sir William Logan in a report to the crown in
5450000N
1863, the region was not mapped in detail
until the first decade of the twentieth century
Legend
by Andrew Wilson, whose report in 1910
Nipigon Sill
Metavolcanic
Drill Hole Collar
Scale
N included an accurate representation of the
Sibley Sediments
Granitic
Sample
0
20 Km
English Bay
sills, in addition to Archean geology and
Metasediment
1537 +10/-2 Ma (Davis &amp; Sutcliffe, 1985)
limited geology of the Sibley Group
Figure 1. Regional Geology with sample
sediments.
Wilson’s report brought to light
locations
the question of whether the sills represent an
extrusive flood basalt sequence or a hypabyssal intrusive unit. The lack of extrusive
characteristics (pillows, ropy flow tops, vesicles, etc.) as well as a billion years of erosion makes
interpretation based on direct observation difficult.
6

7

10

11

4

15

3

18

1

19

22

24

25

167

149

62

160

119

120

42

124

63

70

89

35

134

90

92

85

31

77

97

69

10

Project
This research is funded as part of the Lake Nipigon Regional Geoscience Initiative (LNRGI) in
order to further the understanding of the Lake Nipigon region and promote mineral exploration
and development through a public/private sector partnership. The aim of this study is to develop a
model of sill emplacement using detailed whole rock and isotope geochemical data, as well as
petrographic work and mineral chemistry, to develop a formational model for the sills.

139

�Preliminary Results
Of the 170 outcrop samples and 530 diamond drill hole (DDH) samples collected in 2003 (Fig. 1),
80 have been analyzed using XRF, ICP-AES, and ICP-MS methods. Preliminary
results point to the sills being a remarkably uniform sequence of olivine basalt with a pronounced
negative Nb anomaly,
100
LREE enrichment and
slightly fractionated HREE
(Fig. 2, grey) with La/Smcn
and Gd/Ybcn ratios for
normal sill averaging 1.74
and 1.40 respectively. A
geochemically distinct sill
with Gd/Ybcn and La/Smcn
10
ratios of 3.64 and 13.3
respectively was
found in the top of drill
holes DDH3 and DDH5.
This distinct signature was
also observed in the basal
unit of drill hole SW08-5
1
Th Nb La Ce Pr Nd Zr Hf Sm Eu Ti Gd Tb Dy Y Ho Er Tm Yb Lu Sc
of the ultramafic portion of
the Seagull intrusion. A
Figure 2. REE profiles of three sill types. Type 1 (black), Type 2
third
distinct sill, identified in
(grey), Type 3 (dashed)
two outcrop samples along the
southern shore of Lake Nipigon was found to have La/Smcn, and Gd/Ybcn ratios of 6.46 and 1.89
respectively. Though petrographically indistinguishable, this geochemistry indicates that there
were at least three magma sources for the sill complex, of which all possess a significant Nb
anomaly indicative of crustal contamination
References
Davis, D.W., Sutcliffe, R.H. (1985) U-Pub ages from the Nipigon plate and northern Lake Superior.
Geological Society of America Bulletin, v. 96, p.1572-1579.
Heggie, G., Hollings, P. (2003) Lake Nipigon Region Geoscience Initiative. Petrology and Mineral
Chemistry of the Seagull Intrusion. In: Summary of Fieldwork and other Activities 2003, Ontario
Geological Survey, Open File Report 6120, p. 48-1 to 48-5.
Sutcliffe, R.H (1986) The Petrology, Mineral Chemistry and Tectonics of Proterozoic Rift-Related Igneous
Rocks at Lake Nipigon, Ontario. Unpublished PhD thesis, University of Western Ontario, Ontario.
253p.
Wilson, A (1910) Geology of the Nipigon Basin, Ontario. Canada Department of Mines Geological Survey
Branch Memoir No.1. 152p.

140

�THE GEOLOGY OF THE EAGLE NICKEL-COPPER DEPOSIT: MARQUETTE
COUNTY, MICHIGAN
ROSSELL, D.M., dean.rossell@kennecott.com, Kennecott Exploration Company, 10861 N.
Mavinee Dr. #141, Oro Valley, AZ. 85737
COOMBES, S., Kennecott Canada Exploration Inc., #354-200 Granville Street, Vancouver, B.C.
V6C 1S4
Kennecott’s discovery of the Eagle nickel-copper deposit in 2002 marked the culmination
of more than a decade of exploration work by Kennecott in the Baraga Paleoproterozoic
sedimentary basin. The discovery hole, YD02-02 completed in July 2002, intersected 84.2m of
massive sulfide mineralization averaging 6.3% Ni and 4.0% Cu. The resource estimate for the
Eagle deposit at the end of 2003 was 5 million tonnes at 3.68% Ni, 3.06% Cu and 0.1% Co.
The Eagle deposit is hosted in the westernmost of two small peridotite bodies historically
referred to as the Yellow Dog Peridotite. The Yellow Dog intrusions, which lack penetrative
foliations and truncate Penokean tectonic fabrics in the surrounding meta-sediments, are believed
to be Keweenawan in age (Klasner, et. al., 1979). The intrusions are mainly comprised of coarsegrained, variably serpentinized peridotite and feldspathic peridotite. A fine-grained, olivine poor
phase is found along the margins of the intrusions and as xenoliths within the peridotite. Possible
amygdules in the olivine poor phase(s) suggest a shallow level of intrusion.
Three principal types of sulfide mineralization are recognized in the Eagle deposit:
disseminated (blebby), semi-massive (matrix) and massive. Although the nickel contents of
massive sulfides are relatively uniform throughout the deposit, copper contents vary significantly.
Platinum group metals (PGM) and gold values are significantly higher in the copper rich massive
sulfides. Copper rich veins and disseminations, with significant PGM and gold, in the surrounding
meta-sediments may constitute a fourth type of ore.
Massive and semi-massive sulfide ore types in the Eagle deposit are irregularly distributed.
The contacts between different ore types are sharp and show little evidence of the gradation that
might be expected if gravity driven accumulation of sulfides from an overlying, sulfide saturated,
silicate magma was the principle mechanism of ore formation. Sequential emplacement of various
mixtures of silicate and sulfide magma and cumulus minerals, derived from a lower stratified
magma chamber, may provide a better model.
Klasner, J.S., Snider, D.W., Cannon, W.F., and Slack, J.F., 1979. The Yellow Dog Peridotite and a
possible buried igneous complex of lower Keweenawan age in the northern peninsula of
Michigan. Geologic Survey of Michigan DNR report of investigation 24, 31 pp.

141

�Geologic Reconnaissance of the Spaulding Mine Area, Cook County, Minnesota
RUHANEN, Richard W., 1746 Janet Park Dr. Hibbing, MN 55746
The Spaulding “mine” consists of a series of exploration pits, shafts and trenches
constructed on a fissure vein at the east end of Spaulding Lake in northeastern Cook County, MN.
William P. Spaulding prospected this area during the late 19th century, from about 1875 until the
summer of 1897, with the target being silver mineralization. Silver was being mined in Ontario
during this time at the Rabbit Mountain and Silver Mountain areas just 20 miles to the northeast in
veins of a similar nature, as well as at Silver Islet near the Sibley Peninsula on the shore of Lake
Superior.
The Spaulding Lake area is remote, accessible only by canoe, and consists of east-striking
hills and ridges with predominantly north-facing cliffs. Porphyritic diabase sills cap the hills and
ridges while the low lands are occupied by lakes and swamps underlain by Rove formation
sediments. The rocks dip 12 – 16 degrees to the south.
Spaulding’s work exposed an east-striking vein on the south side of Spaulding Lake at the
base of a north-facing cliff of Rove formation capped by a sill. The vein consists of a breccia of
angular, porphyritic sill and Rove formation fragments cemented by quartz, calcite and perhaps
barite. Vugs lined with drusy quartz crystals are common. Sparse pyrite is the only mineralization
seen, no silver or other sulfide minerals have been observed. Dump piles near the pits and shafts
consist almost entirely of this breccia vein material.
During October 2003, two traverses were made by the author on the north shore of Crystal
Lake 1 and 2 miles, respectively, to the west of the exposed vein. Rocks noted are porphyritic
sill(s), granophyre, small basaltic dike-like bodies, and hornfelsed to partially melted blocks of
Rove sediments. At each traverse location, a north-south fracture forms a 1 to 2 foot scarp facing
west. Gabbroic rocks of the Duluth Complex crop out ¼ mile to the south, forming a low ridge on
the southwest shore of Crystal Lake. Inclusions of Rove formation are common in the sills and in
the Duluth Complex rocks.
At the Spaulding “mine” location, the sill – Rove formation contact rises in elevation to the
east while curving towards the south. The exploration pits were sunk along depressions thought at
the time to be ancient mining features created by copper culture peoples. At the shaft, the last
excavation on the vein to the east, the breccia consists entirely of Rove formation. On one dump
pile near the eastern extent of the working, granophyre with quartz-filled fractures was found,
indicating that granophyre occurs at some depth beneath the sill. The vein disappears under glacial
drift to the east of the main shaft.
At the southwest end of Spaulding Lake, an east-west striking zone of fault gouge cuts a
sill of porphyritic diabase, indicating that the vein structure may continue further west of the
Spaulding workings.

142

�OCEAN-FLOOR-TYPE-ALTERATION OF DRILLED MRS VOLCANIC ROCKS IN
IOWA
SCHMIDT, Susanne Th., Département de Minéralogie, Rue des Maraîchers 13, CH1205 Genève,
Switzerland, susanne.schmidt@terre.unige.ch
SEIFERT, Karl, Department of Geological &amp; Atmospheric Sciences, Iowa State University,
Ames, IA 50011, kseifert@iastate.edu
In the Thor Group of the buried Midcontinent Rift System of Iowa well cuttings and cores of
basalts and diabases were studied from five sites to determine the alteration pattern within a
subsurface zone of 250 x 50 km (Fig. 1). The metamorphic assemblage, metamorphic grade, bulk
rock composition and the chemical composition of the metamorphic minerals such as actinolite,
pumpellyite, epidote, and chlorite, were determined. Equilibrium phase diagrams were calculated
using the DOMINO-Theriak Software.
At sites 3 and 5 the metamorphic assemblage is similar and contains the minerals pumpellyiteactinolite-chlorite (Mg-rich)-albite. However, at site 3 this assemblages is restricted to a thin
alteration band along a vein and the rock is unaltered away from the vein, whereas at site 5 the
rock is almost totally altered and relicts of the primary magmatic minerals, such as clinopyroxene
or Ca-rich feldspar, are rarely observed in thin section. At site 4 the assemblage pumpellyitealbite-chlorite is present in a diabase. For site 2 chlorite and epidote were determined. Chlorites
are present at all sites showing a wide range of composition (Fig. 2). Chlorite is Mg-rich in less
altered units and Fe-rich in strongly altered units. Cross cutting relationships between these
minerals imply the later formation of Fe-chlorites. The observed pattern points to greenschistfacies conditions in site 3 and 5 and probably higher temperatures at sites 2 and 1 (epidote-chlorite
assemblage).
The fact that alteration is focused along veins such as observed at site 3 indicates that
infiltration of a fluid at elevated temperatures occurred at some stage of the alteration. For the
assemblage amphibole-chlorite-albite-epidote in the pervasively altered diabase of site 5, an
equilibrium diagram was calculated using the DOMINO-THERIAK Software (de Capitani. 1994).
It restricts the assemblage to a temperature interval between 210 to 260 °C and a pressure of up to
3 kbar. The presence of pumpellyite in another sample of the same site and its upper temperature
stability limit of ca. 250 °C at 3 kbar (Potel et al., 2002) are in agreement with the calculated P-T
field.
References
Seifert, K.E. &amp; Anderson, R.E. (1996) Geochemistry of buried Midcontinent Rift Volcanic rocks
in Iowa, Data from well samples. Jour. Iowa Acad. Sci. 103, 63-73.
De Capitani, C. (1994) Gleichgewichtsphasendiagramme: Theorie und Software: Beihefte zum
European Journal of Mineralogy, v. 72. Jahestagung der Deutschen Mineralogischen
Gesellschaft, p. 48.

143

�Potel, S., Schmidt, S.Th. &amp; de Capitani, C. (2002) Composition of pumpellyite, epidote and
chlorite from New Caledonia – How important are metamorphic grade and whole rock
composition? Schweiz. Miner. Petrograph. Mitt. 82, 229-252

Fig. 1 Location of drill sites in the buried MCR in Iowa
(after Seifert &amp; Anderson, 1996)

Fig. 2 Composition of chlorite in the Thor group

144

�Depth Migration of Seismic Reflection Data: An Example for Lake Superior Studies
SCHNEIDER, Robert V., Energy Institute, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, P.O. Box
43612, Lafayette, LA 70504-3612, USA
2-D reflection seismic profiling is a useful geophysical tool for understanding geologic structures
in the Earth’s subsurface. For example, it is the primary tool of choice in hydrocarbon exploration
on a worldwide basis. A seismic section, under the right circumstances, can provide an accurate
picture of geologic formations. The main differences between seismic and geologic sections are: 1)
Seismic data are recorded and displayed in time, not depth; 2) Seismic reflections are caused
primarily by velocity changes, which may (or may not) be coincident with geologic boundaries.
A key process in preparing a seismic data set for interpretation is application of a concept called
migration. This step moves seismic amplitudes from where they are recorded (i.e. at the receiver)
to where the reflection actually occurs in the geologic section (Gray et al., 2001). Because seismic
data are recorded in time, this requires an accurate understanding of the velocities in the
subsurface, which carries the seismic wave field. Seismic time processing, however, depends on
several assumptions to simplify complexities in seismic wave theory. Of fundamental importance
is the presence of a horizontally smoothly varying velocity field. Where this assumption is
violated, the resulting seismic profile is degraded below the velocity change. In other words,
structures displayed in such sections are misplaced both horizontally and vertically. In extreme
cases, even the edges of bodies with significantly different velocities than the surrounding country
rock are difficult to image (Larner et al., 1989).
Near-surface velocity changes, especially in marine acquisition, are relatively rare examples of this
problem. Where they occur, the subsurface image may be degraded even after the application of
time migration. An example is found at the Florida Escarpment in the eastern Gulf of Mexico
(Figure 1a). Here the steep slope of the ocean bottom, which approaches 45◦ over a 2000m
interval, creates a lateral step change in velocity from water to a rock column. To minimize the
effects of this problem, careful velocity analysis must be performed in depth (Schneider et al.,
2000). The resulting velocity model was used to migrate the seismic data, which were recorded in
time, and to output an image in depth (Figure 1b).
The depth of the water bottom of Lake Superior varies over short horizontal distances (Figure 2).
This similarity to the Florida Escarpment indicates that a reflection profile acquired over portions
of the lake may suffer similar effects. Resulting interpretations may therefore be error-prone.
Experience suggests that careful velocity modeling in depth followed by depth migration will be
required to maximize our understanding of crustal structure in this region.

145

�a

b

Figure 1. (a) Example of seismic mis-imaging due to time processing across the abrupt Florida
Escarpment velocity change. (b) Depth migrated data showing improvement in the image of the
water bottom and the subsurface image (data courtesy of TGS-NOPEC).

Figure 2. Bathymetric profile showing rapid variation in depth in Lake Superior (Natural
Resources Research Institute, 1998).
Gray, S. H., Etgen, J., Dellinger, J, and Whitmore, D., 2001, Seismic migration problems and
solutions: Geophysics, 66, 1622-1640.
Larner, K., Beasley, C. J., and Lynn, W., 1989, In quest of the flank: Geophysics, 54, 701-717.
Natural Resources Research Institute, 1998, Lake Superior Bathymetry Map,
http://oden.nrri.umn.edu/lsgis/bathy.htm, accessed April 9, 2004.
Schneider, R. V., Gordon, M. K., Sempere, J., Willacy, C., Hightower, S., and Scholz, S.F., 2000,
Prestack depth imaging in the eastern Gulf of Mexico: The Leading Edge, 19, 1340-1343.

146

�WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THOSE Cu-Ni DEPOSITS?
SEVERSON, Mark J., and HAUCK, Steven A., Natural Resources Research Institute, University of
Minnesota Duluth
Large resources of low-grade copper-nickel sulfide ore that locally contain anomalous Platinum Group
Element (PGE) concentrations are well documented by drilling in the basal zones of the Partridge River and
South Kawishiwi intrusions. At least nine subeconomic deposits have been delineated in the basal 100 to
300 meters of both intrusions. The mineralization consists predominantly of disseminated sulfides that
collectively constitute over 4.4 billion tons of material averaging 0.66% Cu and 0.20% Ni (Listerud and
Meineke, 1977).
Serious exploration for Cu-Ni deposits at the base of the Duluth Complex (Complex) began about 13
km (8 miles) to the southeast of Ely, MN, in 1948, when strongly mineralized rocks were uncovered in an
excavation used to build a forest service road (Spruce Road). Local prospector Fred S. Childers of Ely
noted copper stains in the material and he, along with Roger V. Whiteside of Duluth, began searching along
the basal contact in the vicinity of the Kawishiwi River. In 1951, they diamond drilled a 57 meter (188 feet)
deep hole and intersected mineralized gabbro that averaged 0.36% Cu and 0.13% Ni. In 1952, both Bear
Creek Mining Company (BMC) and the International Nickel Company (INCO) began intensive exploration
efforts along a 61 km-long zone (38 miles) that coincided with the basal contact. INCO eventually picked
up the Childers-Whiteside properties (Spruce Road and Maturi deposits); whereas, BMC concentrated most
of their effort near the town of Babbitt (Babbitt and Serpentine deposits). By 1960, these exploration
efforts indicated that large tonnages of disseminated Cu-Ni deposits were present along the basal contact.
However, the low-grade nature of the deposits and the unavailability of state-owned mineral lands led to
suspension of activities.
In 1966, state mineral leases were offered by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
and were awarded to successful bidders. Since 1966, over 20 companies have been actively involved in
exploration for Cu-Ni and Fe-Ti-V deposits along the basal contact of the Complex and over 1,700 holes
totaling over 1.5 million feet of core have been drilled. During the early 1970s, the Spruce Road and
Babbitt deposits came the closest to development. Mining plans were submitted, test shafts were sunk (one
each at the Maturi and Babbitt deposits), surface bulk samples were collected (3 deposits), and various landuse and water-use permits were requested from State and Federal agencies. Many of these activities drew
strong opposition from environmental groups and some state legislators. In 1974, the Environmental
Quality Board required that a regional Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) be conducted prior to
acceptance of any site-specific EIS mining-related proposals. The DNR discontinued lease sales of State
lands (1974-1982) until completion of the regional EIS. However, by the time the regional EIS was
submitted in 1979, development of the Cu-Ni deposits was put on hold by the mining industry due to
weakened copper and nickel markets, smelter-related problems with cubanite in the copper concentrate, and
other financial reasons.
Enter the “PGE era.” During the early period of drilling (prior to 1980), all of the exploration
companies recognized that the Cu-Ni deposits had some potential for hosting PGEs. Based on very limited
sampling, the companies assumed that the typical Cu-Ni ore contained no more that a few hundred parts per
billion (ppb) combined platinum and palladium. In 1985, the DNR and Minerals Resource Research Center
(MRRC of the U of M) conducted a geochemical evaluation of portions of drill hole Du-15, from the Birch
Lake area, and found significant values of 9 parts per million (ppm) combined Pt and Pd (Sabelin and
Iwasaki, 1986). A short time later, Morton and Hauck (1987) compiled all of the known PGE data for the
Complex and reported the presence of anomalous PGE values, often associated with high Cu values, at
several other Cu-Ni deposits. These discoveries sparked renewed interest in the Cu-Ni deposits as potential
polymetallic deposits (Miller et al., 2002; and references therein). Additional drill holes were sampled and

147

�analyzed for PGEs throughout the Duluth Complex, and as a result, significant PGEs were found at several
more deposits.
Some of the PGE-enriched zones were found to be “stratabound” in that they are correlative with
certain units of the igneous stratigraphy as determined by Severson and Hauck (1990), for the Partridge
River intrusion, and Severson (1994), for the South Kawishiwi intrusion. Still other PGE-enriched zones
were found to be related to either localized structural conditions (Local Boy massive sulfide zone of the
Babbitt deposit; Severson and Barnes, 1991) and/or combinations of stratigraphy and structure (Birch
Lake). For example, four stratabound horizons, each containing generally 1.0 ppm Pd, have been
documented at the Dunka Road deposit (Geerts, 1991) and appear to be related to magma mixing. A single
stratabound PGE-enriched horizon is present at the Birch Lake PGE prospect and also appears to be related
to magma mixing (albeit, the PGE-mineralization is also related to variably digested iron-formation
inclusions). However, the PGE-horizon at Birch Lake is quite variable (thickness and PGE contents) and
cases can also be made that favor a late hydrothermal origin and redistribution of PGE along a fault zone or
an early magmatic origin based on proximity to a feeder zone along the same fault. At present, close
proximity to a vent, along with local magma mixing, appears to have been the major factor in controlling
the PGE tenor in the above cases (Hauck et al., in prep). Localized modification of the PGE content by a
later hydrothermal event, while not ruled out, appears to have been of lesser importance.
Enter the “hydromet era.” In the mid to late 1990s, the potential of developing the Cu-Ni deposits
using hydrometallurgical techniques has once again sparked renewed interest in the Duluth Complex.
PolyMet Mining Corporation has acquired the Dunka Road deposit (NorthMet deposit) and plans to use its
patented PlatSol technique to recover Cu, Ni, Co, and PGE. Teck Cominco has leased the Babbitt deposit
(Mesaba deposit) and plans to use its patented CESL (Cominco Engineering Services Laboratory) process
to recover the same metals. If it can be proven that these processes are feasible and economical, the next
phase (the “permitting era”) in developing the low-grade Cu-Ni deposits of Minnesota could begin in the
near future. The “permitting era” is anticipated to span at least a 2.5-3.0-year interval wherein an
Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW), EIS, and applications for eight mining-related permits
would be submitted.
References:
Geerts, S.G., 1991, Geology, stratigraphy, and mineralization of the Dunka Road Cu-Ni prospect,
northeastern Minnesota: Natural Resources Research Institute, University of Minnesota Duluth,
Technical Report NRRI/TR-91-14, 63 p.
Listerud, W.H., and Meineke, D.G., 1977, Mineral resources of a portion of the Duluth Complex and
adjacent rocks in St. Louis and Lake Counties, northeastern Minnesota: Minnesota Department of
Natural Resources, Hibbing, MN, Division of Minerals Report 93, 74 p.
Morton, P., and Hauck, S.A., 1987, PGE, Au, and Ag contents of Cu-Ni sulfides found at the base of the
Duluth Complex, northeastern Minnesota: Natural Resources Research Institute, University of
Minnesota Duluth, Technical Report NRRI/GMIN-TR-87-04, 81 p.
Miller, J.M., Jr., Green, J.C., Severson, M.J., Chandler, V.W., Hauck, S.A., and Peterson, D.M., 2002,
Geology and mineral potential of the Duluth Complex and related rocks of northeastern Minnesota:
Minnesota Geological Survey Report of Investigations 58, 207 p.
Sabelin, T., and Iwasaki, I., 1986, Evaluation of platinum group metal occurrence in Duval 15 drill core
from the Duluth Complex: Internal report, Minerals Resource Research Center, University of
Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 23 p.

148

�Hydrogen Stable Isotopic Evidence for Hydrothermal Alteration and PGE Concentration
Involving Meteoric Water in the Birch Lake Area, Duluth Complex, MN
SHAFER, Paula L., and RIPLEY, Edward M., Department of Geological Sciences, Indiana
University, Bloomington, IN 47405
The Birch Lake prospect, located along the western margin of the 1.1 Ga Duluth Complex,
contains local concentrations of platinum group elements (PGEs) of up to 8 ppm. Footwall rocks
in the area are the Early Proterozoic Biwabik Iron Formation and the Archean Giant's Range
Batholith. Petrographic analyses indicate minor to extensive late stage alteration of the troctolitic
sequence of the Duluth Complex in the Birch Lake area. Olivine has been converted to serpentine,
plagioclase has been locally replaced by chlorite, albite and sericite, and pyroxene has been
partially converted to a mixture of chlorite and amphibole. Previous studies, both mineralogic and
isotopic, (Sabelin and Iwasaki, 1986, Sabelin, 1987, Marma, et al., 2002, Shafer and Ripley, 2002,
and Shafer, et al., 2003) have noted that: 1) some, but not all, PGE mineralization is associated
with Cr enrichment, 2) oxygen isotopic studies are not supportive of Biwabik Iron Formation
assimilation as a major control on either Cr or PGE enrichment, and 3) Re-Os isotopic studies
clearly indicate extensive involvement of crustally derived Os in the ore forming process. Due to
the intensity of alteration in the Birch Lake area, hydrothermal fluid transport or concentration of
PGEs has been proposed as a key factor in the enrichment process. Hydrogen isotopic studies
(primarily involving serpentine and sericite) have been undertaken to accompany our previous
isotopic measurements, and to aid in the assessment of the alteration process.
δD values of serpentine (-87‰ to -96‰) and sericite (-79‰ to -84‰) are very similar to
whole rock values found previously (-78‰ to -98‰). Assuming a temperature between ~200º and
350ºC for serpentinization (Allen and Seyfried, 2003), computed δD values for the water in
equilibrium with serpentine and sericite range from -75‰ to -84‰. When compared to the average
δD of fluid liberated from the Virginia Formation (-53‰), an origin from a metamorphic fluid is
unlikely. Considering the suspected low temperature nature of the extensive alteration and low
δ18O values of serpentinized oxide melatroctolites (2.35‰ to 3.39‰), a magmatic fluid is also
considered unlikely. The δ18O value of water in equilibrium with serpentine at temperatures
between 200º and 300ºC is in the range of -3‰ to 3‰. Although mixing between a magmatic
fluid and a variously evolved meteoric water can not be ruled out (Fig. 1), we suggest that the
geologic and isotopic data are more consistent with hydrothermal alteration involving a fluid of
primarily meteoric origin. The water isotopic compositions could be attained via exchange with
either igneous rocks of the Complex or with country rocks. The lack of evidence for widespread
18
O exchange in the country rocks suggests that fluid flow was dominantly via fractures, and that
isotopic exchange occurred over long path lengths at low time-integrated water/rock ratios. This
fluid has locally concentrated PGEs, possibly as a result of differential solubility and removal of
previously present sulfide minerals.

149

�References

10
0
-10
-20
-30
-40
-50
-60
-70
-80
-90

W

at
e

rL

in

e

SMOW

M
et
eo
ric

δ D(o/oo VSM OW )

Allen, Douglas E., and Seyfried Jr., W. E., 2003, Compositional controls on vent fluids from
ultramafic hosted hydrothermal systems at mid-ocean ridges: An experimental study at
400ºC, 500 bars, Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, vol. 67, no. 8, p. 1531-1542.
Marma, John C., Brown, Phil E., Hauck, Steve A., 2002, Magmatic and hydrothermal PGE
mineralization of the Birch Lake Cu-Ni-PGE deposit of the South Kawishiwi Intrusion,
Duluth Complex, Northeast MN, In: Geological Society of America, 2002 Annual
Meeting: Abstracts with Programs, vol. 34, no. 6, p. 112.
Sabelin, T., and Iwasaki, I., 1986, Evaluation of platinum group metal occurrence in Duval 15 drill
core from the Duluth Complex: Minneapolis, Minerals Resources Research Center,
University of Minnesota, Internal Report.
Sabelin, T., 1987, Association of platinum deposits with chromium occurrences: An overview with
Implications for the Duluth Complex, Skillings Mining Review, p. 4-7.
Shafer, Paula L., and Ripley, Edward M., 2002, Stable isotopic studies of PGE mineralization in
the Birch Lake area, South Kawishiwi Intrusion, Duluth Complex, MN, In: Geological
Society of America, 2002 Annual Meeting: Abstracts with Programs, vol. 34, no. 6, p. 112.
Shafer, Paula L., Ripley, Edward M., Li, Chusi, and Hauck, Steve A., 2003, Re-Os isotope
Characteristics of PGE mineralization in the Birch Lake Area, South Kawishiwi
Intrusion, Duluth Complex, MN, In: Geological Society of America, 2003 Annual
Meeting: Abstracts with Programs, vol. 35, no. 6, p. 230.

Magmatic Water

Mafic igneous
rocks
H2O in equilibrium
with serpentine
mixing

exchange

-15

-10

-5

0

5

18
δ Ο (o/oo VSMOW)
Figure 1. Isotopic values of water in equilibrium with serpentine in the Birch lake
area, and potential mixing/exchange paths.

150

10

�SILVER THREADS AND GOLDEN NEEDLES: GEOLOGICAL MILESTONES IN
NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO
SMYK, Mark C., and MAGEE, Angelique, Ontario Geological Survey, Ministry of Northern
Development and Mines, Suite B002, 435 James St. South, Thunder Bay, ON P7E 6S7 CANADA
Northwestern Ontario has been the focus of much geological inquiry and noteworthy discoveries over the
past 140 years, many of which put the region in a worldwide limelight and continue to attract research
interest. Some of these geological milestones form the basis of this retrospective paper.
Reconnaissance mapping and seminal works by pioneers such as Logan, Macfarlane, Bell, McKellar,
Lawson and Wilson helped establish the fledgling Geological Survey of Canada in the mid- to late-19th and
early 20th centuries and developed the basic framework of local Precambrian geology. The area was part of
the first geologic map in Canada, Geology of Canada, in 1869. Earlier mineral discoveries in the lake
Superior area, followed by the discovery of silver in the Thunder Bay District in 1868 at Silver Islet
prompted not only detailed surveys of mineral deposits, but also the development of rudimentary mineral
policy in Canada. Despite its short-lived (1870-1884) history, Silver Islet was host to a number of “firsts”,
including the introduction of the Burleigh drill, the Frue Vanner and the first use in Canada of the diamond
drill. The Thunder Bay silver district also attracted E.D. Ingall and Ontario Bureau of Mines geologists,
including a young N.L. Bowen, who later attained international fame as an igneous petrologist and
geochemist.
Evidence of the oldest life in North America is found in the ca. 3.0 Ga stromatolites at Steep Rock Lake.
The discovery by Lawson in 1911 of the pseudofossil Atikokania there, named and described by Walcott
(1912), led to its hailing as the world’s oldest fossil. Despite the ensuing debate and the widespread
ascription of Atikokania to inorganic processes, the region once again gained notoriety when Tyler and
Barghoorn (1954) discovered the best-preserved and most diverse microfossil assemblage in North America
in the Paleoproterozoic Gunflint Formation. At the time of their discovery, they were deemed the world’s
oldest fossils, "the oldest structurally preserved organisms that clearly exhibit cellular differentiation and
original carbon complexes which have yet been discovered in pre-Cambrian sediments". It was a
benchmark, a monumental "first" in global paleontology.
Several minerals’ type localities are found in northwestern Ontario. The discovery of the Hemlo gold
deposit in the 1980’s near Marathon yielded criddleite (TlAg2Au3Sb10S10), vaughnite (TlHgSb4S7) and
hemloite ((As,Sb)2(Ti,V,Fe,Al)12O23OH). Nisbite (NiSb2); and paracostibite (CoSbS) were discovered in
drill core at Trout Bay, Mulcahy Township, in the Red Lake area. The secondary minerals romarchite
(SnO) and hydroromarchite (Sn2+3O2(OH)2) were discovered on tin pannikins lost from a voyageur’s
overturned canoe between 1801 and 1821, and found 4.5 m below the surface of the Winnipeg River at
Boundary Falls, near Kenora. The discovery of these tin-bearing minerals is fittingly related to
northwestern Ontario’s colourful history.
REFERENCES
Tyler, S.A. and Barghoorn, E.S. 1954. Occurrence of structurally preserved plants in
Precambrian rocks of the Canadian Shield; Science, v.119, no.3096, p.606-608.
Walcott, C.D. 1912. Notes on fossils from limestone of Steeprock series, Ontario, Canada; Geological
Survey of Canada, Memoir 28, p.16-23.

151

�Late Paleoproterozoic Rhyolite-Quartzite Sequences in the Southwestern U.S.: Speculative
Relationship to Rocks of the Baraboo Interval
SOUTHWICK, D.L. (Minnesota Geological Survey (retired); davidsouthwick@earthlink.net)
At least 14 mappable units of supermature quartz arenite (quartzite) occur within Proterozoic
terranes in the southwestern U.S. These typically are hundreds of meters in thickness, contain
relatively minor interbeds of conglomerate and aluminous shale, and quasi-conformably overlie
thick sections of high-silica rhyolite and/or rhyolitic pyroclastic rocks (Williams, 2003).
Sedimentological features suggest that the quartzite units were deposited in fluvial to shallow
marine environments, the latter having been influenced locally by tidal currents (Soegaard and
Eriksson, 1985). The rhyolitic rocks beneath the quartzites range in age between 1665 and 1710
Ma. Extrusion apparently peaked in two pulses, the earlier one about 1700 Ma and the later one
about 1670 Ma. Various geochronological methods indicate that several of the quartzite units are
no more than a few million years younger than the subjacent rhyolite. Thus, as a first
approximation, the quartzite formations were deposited in the interval 1700-1660 Ma with
apparent depositional maxima around 1700-1695 Ma and 1665-1660 Ma.
The rhyolite-quartzite sequences rest unconformably on previously deformed and metamorphosed
Proterozoic rocks, and have themselves been involved in one to three fabric-forming
tectonothermal events (Williams, 1991; Williams and others, 1999). Although the deformational
history of the rhyolite-quartzite sequences is complex and is the topic of continuing research and
debate, there is general agreement that the older fabrics were imposed during one or more pulses
of the ~1650 Ma Mazatzal orogeny. Some of the younger fabrics and preserved metamorphic
assemblages developed during a 1400 Ma tectonothermal event that probably was related to
"anorogenic" plutonism in the southern Rocky Mountains and the southern Midcontinent.
There are striking temporal, sedimentological, geochemical, and petrographic similarities between
the 1700-1660 Ma quartzites in the Southwest and the 1712-1630 Ma quartzites of the Baraboo
interval in the Upper Midwest (Medaris and others, 2003). However, the nearly ubiquitous
stratigraphic association of quartzite with slightly older rhyolite observed in the Southwest has not
been documented in the Upper Midwest. Essentially undeformed rhyolite occurs locally below the
basal unconformity of the Baraboo Quartzite in Wisconsin. Clasts of undeformed porphyritic
rhyolite and devitrified rhyolite tuff occur very locally in the Sioux Quartzite of extreme
southwestern Minnesota (Southwick and others, 1986; Southwick, 1994), and 19th-century drilling
in northwestern Iowa reportedly intersected rhyolite units (poorly described) interbedded with and
beneath basal strata of the Sioux (Beyer, 1893; 1897). These rhyolites are texturally pristine and
unmetamorphosed, although the Sioux occurrences are metasomatically altered. They have been
interpreted as extrusive equivalents of late Penokean plutonism (ca. 1770 Ma) (Southwick, 1994),
but as yet there is no solid geochronological evidence of their actual crystallization age.
If future geochronological investigations should demonstrate a significantly post-Penokean age for
the rhyolites beneath quartzites of the Baraboo interval (say 1715-1700 Ma), the possibility of a
tectonic connection between the Baraboo rocks and the rhyolite-quartzite sequences of the
southwest would become much more tenable. Specifically, the documentation of pre-quartzite
rhyolitic volcanism would strengthen the speculative hypothesis that the Sioux Quartzite and
related units were deposited in fault-bounded depressions (Southwick and others, 1986) that

152

�originally were volcanically active graben-like basins. Such basins may have been a far-field
response to crustal stretching associated with Yavapai and transitional Yavapai-Mazatzal
tectonism.
References cited:
Beyer, S.W., 1893, Ancient lava flows in northwestern Iowa: Iowa Geological Survey Annual
Report, v. 1, p. 163-169.
Beyer, S.W., 1897, The Sioux Quartzite and certain associated rocks: Iowa Geological Survey
Reports and Papers, v. 6, p. 69-112.
Medaris, L.G., Singer, B.S., Dott, R.H., Jr., Naymark, A., Johnson, C.M., and Schott, R.C., 2003,
Late Paleoproterozoic climate, tectonics, and metamorphism in the southern Lake Superior
region and proto-North America: Evidence from Baraboo interval quartzites: Journal of
Geology, v. 111, p. 243-257.
Soegaard, K., and Eriksson, K.A., 1985, Evidence of tide, storm, and wave interaction on a
Precambrian siliciclastic shelf: The 1,700 M.Y. Ortega Group, New Mexico: Journal of
Sedimentary Petrology, v. 55, p. 672-684.
Southwick, D.L., Morey, G.B., and Mossler, J.H., 1986, Fluvial origin of the Lower Proterozoic
Sioux Quartzite, southwestern Minnesota: Geological Society of America Bulletin, v. 97, p.
1432-1441.
Southwick, D.L., 1994, Assorted geochronologic studies of Precambrian terranes in Minnesota: A
potpourri of timely information [with data contributed by Z.E. Peterman, L.W. Snee, and
W.R. an Schmus], in Southwick, D.L. ed., Short contributions to the geology of Minnesota,
1994: Minnesota Geological Survey Report of Investigations 43, p. 1-19.
Williams, M.L., 1991, Heterogeneous deformation in a ductile fold-thrust belt: The Proterozoic
structural history of the Tusas Mountains, New Mexico: Geological Society of America
Bulletin, v. 103, p. 171-188.
Williams, M.L., 2003 [abs.], Proterozoic rhyolite-quartzite sequences of the Southwest:
Syntectonic "cover" and stratigraphic breaks (~1695 and ~1660 Ma) between orogenic
pulses: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 35, no.5, p. 42.
Williams, M.L., Karlstrom, K.E., Lanzirotti, A., Read, A.S., Bishop, J.L., Lombardi, C.E., Pedrick,
J.N., and Wingsted, M.B., 1999, New Mexico middle-crustal cross sections: 1.65-Ga
macroscopic geometry, 1.4-Ga thermal structure, and continued problems in understanding
crustal evolution: Rocky Mountain Geology, v. 34, p. 53-66.

153

�Close Proximity of Kimberlite Pipes to Diabase Dykes: Structural Controls and
Predictiveness in the James Bay Lowlands, Ontario
STOTT, G.M., Ontario Geological Survey, Sudbury, ON P3E 6B5, greg.stott@ndm.gov.on.ca
In the northernmost region of Ontario, Paleozoic sedimentary rocks (Figure 1a) cover the Archean Superior
Province to form the Hudson Bay (HBL) and James Bay (JBL) lowlands. Diamondiferous kimberlite pipes
of Early Jurassic (circa 190 Ma) and Mesoproterozoic (circa 1100 Ma) age occur in two separate clusters in
the James Bay Lowlands (Figure 1b). Early Jurassic kimberlite pipes, including the Victor diamond deposit
of De Beers Canada Exploration Inc., are close to the Winisk Fault, a major Archean dextral transpressive
fault. However, the presence of this fault by itself does not adequately account for the linear chain of these
kimberlite pipes near the Victor deposit nor the more scattered distribution, farther west, of
Mesoproterozoic “Kyle” kimberlite pipes. Not all of the Kyle intrusions lie close to the Winisk Fault. More
significantly, there is a spatial association between Proterozoic diabase dykes and these two clusters of
kimberlite pipes.
A geological interpretation of regional aeromagnetic maps is being completed of the Precambrian basement
underlying the Phanerozoic cover in the JBL and HBL. This analysis includes identification of the various
Proterozoic diabase dyke swarms in that region. From this there is reason to suspect a correspondence
between both of these kimberlite pipe clusters and two diabase dyke swarms. The Early Jurassic pipes
mainly lie in a linear northwestward trend close to a Matachewan (ca. 2446 Ma) diabase dyke. This dyke is
part of a parallel bundle of northwest-striking dykes across an approximately 20-kilometre width near the
Winisk Fault. It is suggested here that deep crustal fractures associated with these dykes, arising from the
giant Matachewan magmatic event, were reopened during subsequent episodes of displacement along the
Winisk Fault. Over 90 km farther west, the 2121 Ma Marathon swarm forms an approx. 20 kilometre wide
bundle of dykes trending northwards in the vicinity of the Kyle kimberlite pipes. Individual pipes lie close
to aeromagnetic traces of the dykes. The occurrence of both sets of kimberlite pipes, close to but generally
not on the Winisk Fault, implies the possibility that dyke-associated fracture swarms served as secondorder, extensional “splays” near this major fault and provided preferred emplacement pathways for pipe
intrusions at least in the middle to upper crust. Similar observations have been made in the Lac de Gras area
in the Slave Province where Paleoproterozoic dykes show a moderate to strong spatial association with
kimberlite pipes (Wilkinson et al., 2001).
In the context of this model, other areas of potential exploration interest include:
1) an area approximately 60-80 km farther east of the Victor deposit, where there is an overlap of another
set of Matachewan and Marathon dyke bundles (see Figure 2) transected by the east-trending Winisk
Fault, and where no kimberlite pipes have as yet been discovered;
2) 2) a set of aeromagnetic anomalies near a Marathon dyke 120 km east of Fort Hope; and
3) 3) an area that straddles the Manitoba – Ontario border near the Hudson Bay Lowlands where a set of
reversely magnetised, north-striking dykes (and fractures?) occurs between the North Kenyon fault and
the Winisk fault. This dyke swarm lies “up-ice” from an area of glacially deposited kimberlite indicator
minerals found to the southwest (Stone 2001).
These three areas might serve as exploration tests of this empirically apparent correlation between pipe
intrusions and dyke and fracture swarms, especially in proximity to the Winisk Fault. It is to be expected
that the aeromagnetic expression of the pipes might be masked by the presence of these dykes. This is a
testable hypothesis and further research requires dating fracture materials in these diabase/fracture swarms
and episodic movement along the Winisk Fault. The apparent correspondence between kimberlite pipe
emplacements and geophysically traceable bundles of diabase dykes and accompanying fractures provides a
potentially important structural control, especially where subjected to reactivated tensile stress near major
transcurrent faults.

154

�References:
Stone, D. 2001. A study of indicator minerals for kimberlite, base metals and gold: northern Superior
Province of Ontario; Ontario Geological Survey, Open File Report 6066, 140p.
Wilkinson, L., Kjarsgaard, B.A., LeCheminant, A.N. and Harris, J. 2001. Diabase dyke swarms in the Lac
de Gras area, Northwest Territories, and their significance to kimberlite exploration: initial results;
Geological Survey of Canada, Current Research 2001-C8, 17p.
Figure 1a. Map of Ontario showing the location of the James Bay and Hudson Bay lowlands. The
Winisk fault underlies the Phanerozoic cover rocks of the lowlands. Location of Figure 1b is outlined.
! 1a

1b

Figure 1b. A map highlighting the distribution of diabase dyke swarms under the Phanerozoic cover
rocks of the James Bay Lowlands and the spatial correlation with kimberlite pipes. Early Jurassic kimberlite
pipes, the Attawapiskat kimberlites, including the Victor diamond deposit, concentrate in a train parallel to
one dyke in a group of northwest-striking Matachewan (2446 Ma) diabase dykes and inferred associated
fractures. Mesoproterozoic (1100 Ma) kimberlite pipes, the Kyle kimberlites, are spatially concentrated
near individual diabase dykes in a group of north-striking Marathon (2110-2121 Ma) dykes.

155

�ORIGIN OF PRE-WISCONSINAN GLACIAL UNITS IN NORTHERN WISCONSIN
BASED ON LITHOLOGIC CHARACTERISTICS
SYVERSON, Kent M., syverskm@uwec.edu, Dept. of Geology, University of Wisconsin,
Eau Claire, WI 54702
Till and outwash units deposited before the Wisconsinan Glaciation are found in weathered, isolated
erosional remnants that are difficult to interpret. The goal of this paper is to obtain input from other
geologists with regards to lithologic trends observed in pre-Wisconsinan till and outwash units in
northern Wisconsin (Syverson and Johnson, 2001; Syverson, 2004).
Pierce Fm. till in western Wisconsin and till of the Medford Mbr. (Marathon Fm.) in central Wisconsin
are very dark gray to yellowish brown, silty, and calcareous (Table 1, Fig. 1). Potential carbonate sources
include Hudson Bay and the Winnipeg Lowland. Baker and others (1987) proposed that a pre-Illinoian
Des Moines Lobe from the Winnipeg Lowland deposited the Pierce and Medford tills during the same
glacial event based on lithologic similarities, reversed paleomagnetic signatures, and boulder trains and
till fabrics suggesting ice flow from the NW/NNW. Thornburg and others (2000) noted much higher
kaolinite concentrations in Pierce till than in Marathon Fm. till (Table 1). Syverson and Johnson (2001)
proposed four possible origins for the Pierce and Medford tills and suggested that the Pierce and Medford
tills may have been deposited synchronously by different lobes flowing from the northwest. Question:
Do different source areas exist along reasonable flow lines that would cause higher kaolinite values in
western Wisconsin than in central Wisconsin?
Table 1. Data for calcareous, pre-Wisconsinan till units (from Thornburg and others, 2000; Syverson,
2004). Mean values are reported (the carbonate ratio is for weight % coarse silt fraction; K=kaolinite;
V=vermiculite; number of samples in parentheses).
Till Unit
Pierce Fm.

Snd:Slt:Cl %
39:37:24 (41)

Calc:Dolo
4.2:1 (5)

%K
23.3 (13)

V/K
0.5 (13)

Edgar Mbr., Mar. Fm.

40:40:20 (283)

0.7:1 (105)

6.8 (3)

2.4 (3)

Medford Mbr., Mar. Fm.

35:46:19 (26)

0.3:1 (8)

5.7 (2)

3.2 (2)

The easterly extent of the Superior Lobe before the Wisconsinan Glaciation is also uncertain. Reddishbrown, sandy till of the River Falls Fm. unconformably overlies the Pierce till in western Wisconsin (Fig.
1). Syverson (2004) has mapped River Falls Fm. outwash in western Chippewa County that is up to 35 m
thick, extremely eroded, and enriched in pedogenic clay to depths of 5 m below the land surface. This
outwash commonly contains ice-proximal cobbles, boulders, and large Lake Superior agates. Late
Wisconsinan outwash of the Chippewa Lobe in adjacent areas is cobble poor, is relatively unweathered, and
rarely contains Lake Superior agates. It is proposed that the Superior Lobe flowed into western Chippewa
County (farther east than previously thought) before the Wisconsinan Glaciation. Agate-rich outwash of
the River Falls Fm. in Chippewa County might have been deposited in the interlobate junction between the
Superior and Chippewa Lobes as the ice wasted from its maximum extent.
Baker, R.W., Attig, J.W., Mode, W.N., Johnson, M.D., and Clayton, L., 1987, A major advance of the preIllinoian Des Moines Lobe: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 19, no. 4, p.
187.
Clayton, L., Attig, J.W., Mickelson, D.M., and Johnson, M.D., 1992 (revised), Glaciation of Wisconsin:
Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey Educational Series 36, 4 p.
Syverson, K.M., and Johnson, M.D., 2001, Origin of the calcareous, pre-Wisconsinan Pierce and Marathon
Formations, Wisconsin: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 33, no. 4, p. A18.

156

�Syverson, K.M., and Colgan, P.M., 2004, The Quaternary of Wisconsin: a review of stratigraphy and
glaciation history, in Ehlers, J. and Gibbard, P.L., eds., Quaternary Glaciations -- Extent and
Chronology, Part II: North America: Amsterdam, Elsevier Publishing, in press.
Syverson, K.M., 2004, Pleistocene geology of Chippewa County, Wisconsin: Wisconsin Geological and
Natural History Survey Bulletin, accepted pending revisions.
Thornburg, K.L., Syverson, K.M., and Hooper, R.L., 2000, Clay mineralogy of till units in western
Wisconsin: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 32, no. 7, p. A270.

Figure 1. Pleistocene lithostratigraphic units of Wisconsin (from Syverson and Colgan, 2004; modified
from Clayton and others, 1992). The Medford Mbr. of the Marathon Fm. (mentioned in the text) is found
in the subsurface below the Edgar Mbr. of the Marathon Fm.

157

�DOWSING EMPLOYS CLASSICAL MECHANICS AND STATIC ELECTRICITY TO
LOCATE SELF-POTENTIAL ANOMALIES INDUCTIVELY AND RAPIDLY
TROW, Jim, Geological Sciences, Michigan State University, emeritus, 540 Lake Avenue #2,
Hancock, Michigan 49930
At last year’s 49th ILSG I showed where dowsing in the Michigan Copper Country could identify
SP anomalies associated with four new (-) ore targets, seven historic (-) lodes, three historic (-)
fissure veins, and four major (+) faults. A few of these examples are here illustrated as geophysical
profiles. This year I should like to show you how this procedures works.
A French physicist and a Czech physicist independently ascribed the dowsing phenomenon to
magnetics, but this cannot be because famous Russian dowsers could not detect the enormous
Kursk magnetic anomaly. The two physicists elicited human dowsing response in magnetic fields
caused by direct electric currents. The Czech thought that a head shield of low-reluctance metal
blocked the magnetic stimulus (but of course the metal was also a low-resistance Faraday cage
which blocked electrical fields.) My experiments with permanent magnets have drawn a complete
blank; experiments with static electric charge producers have been a big success. Try them!
Over the past 31 years of examining ore deposits in six states and one province, one learns that the
linear forces of static electric attraction and repulsion interact with mechanical lever arm, torque,
moment of inertia, kinetic energy, and power factors to enable many humans to detect SP
anomalies with 3/16” – diameter bare low-fuming bronze welding rods of two configurations: for
me, 1) the more sensitive two-pronged 6” x 15” U-rods identify gentle SP gradients (dv/dx), and
repeated turnings indicate the electrical magnitude of the SP anomaly by iteration of gradients,
whereas 2) the less sensitive single-pronged 6”x15” L-rods identify steep or vertical SP gradients
over target boundaries. One needs both kinds.
At waist level, with elbows against your sides hold the short rod segments vertically in your hands
with the long segments horizontal at essentially the same altitude, free to rotate in horizontal
planes, immune from gravity. Extend your hands in front of you at body width with your lower
arms horizontal, and aim the horizontal long rod segments away from you, parallel to each other.
This is the standard state. Point the horizontal segments in the direction of your traverse, which
should be at more than 45 degrees mapwise from the strike of an anticipated anomalous mass.
As you walk, keep your eyes straight ahead on the traverse. Head orientation is critical, as the
twin sensors are in the brain, as demonstrated by Faraday cage masking of the head and by family
members’ CT Scans after strokes which obliterated their dowsing skills. For most people, as a
negative SP anomaly is approached each rod swings inwards 90 degrees. At each such turning
record location, reset the rods to the standard state, and walk on, recording every 90 degree
turning and its location. If you do not reset the rods to the standard state the rods cannot indicate
additional small dv/dx increments, and you will forfeit valuable information concerning the
magnitude of the anomaly. Eventually, you will encounter a point where each rod swings
outwardly 90 degrees for a positive dv/dx, as you finally climb out of the SP electrical “valley”.
These readings may spread over hundreds of feet with these rods, which through the sum of
incremental gradients, give you an idea of total SP voltage (v) magnitude.

158

�To determine the precise location and width of the shallow part of the anomalous mass, rerun
the traverse with the 6” x 15” L-shaped rods. The 90 degrees inward turning of each rod
indicates the steep to vertical negative dv/dx of the negative SP anomaly. Record data, reset the
rods to the standard state and traverse a short distance more until the 90 degree outward turning
of each rod at the positive steep to vertical dv/dx, as you start to climb out of the negative SP
“valley”. Trench or drill between these – and + turnings.
While one’s head contains the twin “sensors”, one’s rods, arms, body, and legs constitute the
“meter”. The static charge to attract or repel the positively charged rods’ ends emanates from one’s
body and legs, when activated by an involuntary signal from one’s brain. These conclusions follow
from Faraday cage masking of one’s waist-to-knee area (which kills the “meter”), or by one’s
shuffling side-ways along a traverse while one’s “eyes-right” head aims along the traverse as
usual.
Mechanics calculations show that the two sensitive 6” x 15” U-rods require a power of .0064
Watts for both to turn 90 degrees, whereas the less sensitive 6” x 15” L-rods require a power of
only .0008 Watts for the same 90 degrees rotation. However, these sensitive U-rods each rotate 90
degrees with half of the torque-causing linear electric force per prong that it takes to rotate each
less sensitive L-rod 90 degrees.
For simplest interpretation start every traverse on electrically neutral ground. It would take a week
to illustrate all the caveats and intricacies of the dowsing art, and then no two of us would react in
the same way unless we individually standardized the lengths of our rods over known SP
anomalies.
To avoid physiological differences among humans, eliminate the human components of the
electrical circuits: Connect a 13- or 20-cm.-diameter hollow spun aluminum sphere (the sensor) to
an insulated rod handle, and connect the sphere by a wire to a rugged battery-powered center-zero
electrometer (the meter) which records millivolts, and observe induced total SP millivoltage, v
(not dv/dx). However, use station spacing of five feet or less if you want to make a second
derivative (curvature, d2v/dx2) analysis of the data. Thusly, an ancient art transfigures into
science.
Trow, J., 1992, Inductive electrostatic gradiometry (IESG) deciphers Keweenawan copper
plumbing system, Soc. Mining, Metall. and Expl. Phoenix Meeting, Preprint 92-32, 22 p.

159

�ORIGIN OF THE RHYOLITES AND GRANOPHYRES OF THE MIDCONTINENT RIFT,
NORTHEAST MINNESOTA
VERVOORT, J.D., Department of Geology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164,
vervoort@wsu.edu
WIRTH, K.R., Geology Department, Macalester College, St. Paul, MN, 55105.
Throughout Earth history continental rift volcanism has been characterized by voluminous
outpourings of dominantly mafic magma. Rhyolites and other evolved compositions are
occasionally erupted in these rifts—sometimes in significant proportions (e.g., Paraná)—but in
most cases they are subordinate or absent. This is also generally true in the Midcontinent Rift
(MCR) where magmatism is predominantly basaltic with subordinate rhyolite; intermediate
compositions are rare. An exception to this is in northeastern Minnesota where the rhyolite and
granitic intrusive complexes comprise a significant percentage (10-25%; Green and Fitz, 1993) of
the magmatic volume. Here we present U-Pb zircon and Nd isotopic data from the rhyolites and
granitic complexes in order to constrain the timing and origin of these evolved magmas in the
context of the dynamic evolution of the rift.
Most of the rhyolitic volcanism is contained within a few exceptionally large eruptive
units, the largest of which may have exceeded 600 km3 in volume (Green and Fitz, 1993). The
rhyolites are characterized by having large areal extent, large aspect ratios, and high-T mineral
assemblages all indicative of high-temperature, superliquidus eruptions (Green and Fitz, 1993).
The granitic complexes are of comparable size to the rhyolites and occur as tabular concordant
intrusions (up to 35 km by 1 km) that consist dominantly of granitic compositions and exhibit
granophyric textures. Although dominantly silicic, the granophyres have a wide range of
compositions (e.g., 47-76 wt. % SiO2) and plot along linear trends on many variation diagrams.
The major and trace element compositions of the rhyolites and the silicic portions of the
granophyre complexes are broadly similar and it is tempting to think of the granophyres as rhyolite
magmas that never reached the surface.
The magmatism of the MCR
in the northeast limb of the rift is
divided into two main magmatic
stages (Miller and Vervoort, 1996):
an “early stage” (1108-1105 Ma) of
reversed magnetic polarity and a
“main stage” (1100-1094 Ma) of
normal magnetic polarity (Figure 1).
Previous U-Pb zircon geochronology on the rhyolites (Davis
and Green, 1997) indicate that
whereas a few rhyolitic units were
erupted during the early magmatic
stage, the majority of these units,
including the most voluminous
rhyolites, were erupted at 11001097 Ma during the later main stage Figure 1. Plot of U-Pb zircon ages of granophyres compared
with stages of rift evolution proposed by Miller and
of magmatism. The granophyre
Vervoort (1996).
complexes we examined have U-Pb

160

�zircon ages consistent with this chronology. The stratigraphically lowest complexes (Misquah
Hills, Greenwood Lake) have reversed magnetic polarity and ages of 1106±6 Ma and 1106±3 Ma
(2 σ SE), respectively. The southern complexes (Eagle Mountain, Pine Mountain) are higher in
the stratigraphy, have normal magnetic polarity, and have ages of 1098±4 to 1095±4 Ma.
The rhyolites and granophyres have Nd isotopic compositions that are related to magmatic stage
(Figure 2). Compared with the mafic volcanic rocks of the rift (epsilon Nd 0 ± 2), the early-stage
rhyolites have slightly negative initial epsilon Nd values (~-4) and the younger, more voluminous,
main-stage rhyolites have highly negative initial epsilon Nd values (-10 to -15). A similar
correlation exists in the granophyres. The early stage granophyres are isotopically homogenous
with epsilon Nd values of 0 to –2. In contrast, the main stage granophyres have more highly
negative initial epsilon Nd values (-3 to -8). Thus for both the rhyolites and the granophyres, the
main stage magmas appear to have been more highly contaminated by older evolved crust than
those of the early stage.
Based on these isotopic and age constraints we propose the following scenario for the
magmatic evolution of the MCR. During the early stage, rapid extension allowed magmas to
migrate through the crust with minimal interaction. Melting higher Sm/Nd (mafic) material in the
lower crust at this time may have
generated small volumes of silicic
melts with slightly negative epsilon
Nd values. Reduced extension during
the latent stage (1105-1100 Ma) led to
ponding of magma near the base of
the crust and widespread crustal
heating. Renewed extension during
the main magmatic stage led to
increased magma migration through
the crust; prolonged crustal heating
and magma flux resulted in increased
crustal melting. The main stage
rhyolites and granophyres represent
melts of older, more evolved (lower
Sm/Nd) compositions (Animikie
sediments, Archean TTGs) perhaps at
Figure 2. Plot of epsilon Nd versus SiO2 values for North
mid- to upper-crustal levels.
Shore Volcanic Group (NSVG)
rhyolites, and granophyres.

tholeiites,

References Cited
Davis, D.W., and Green, J.C., 1997, Geochronology of the North American Midcontinent rift in western
Lake Superior and implications for its geodynamic evolution: Can. J. Earth Sci., v. 34, p. 476-488.
Green, J.C., and Fitz, T.J., 1993, Extensive felsic lavas and rheoignimbrites in the Keweenawan
Midcontinent Rift plateau volcanics, Minnesota: petrographic and field recognition: Journal of
Volcanology and Geothermal Res., v. 54, p. 177-196.
Miller, J.D., Jr., and Vervoort, J.D., 1996, The latent magmatic stage of the Midcontinent Rift: A period of
magmatic underplating and melting of the lower crust: 42nd Annual Meeting of the Institute of
Lake Superior Geology, Cable, WI, Proceedings v. 42, p. 33-35.
Vervoort, J. D., and Green, J.C., 1997, Origin of evolved magmas in the Midcontinent Rift system,
northeast Minnesota: Nd-isotope evidence for melting of Archean crust: Can. J. Earth Sciences, v.
34, p. 521-535.

161

�Taconite Aggregate Potential of Coarse Tailings from the Biwabik Iron Formation,
With an Emphasis on Geology, Mineralogy, and Microscopy
ZANKO, Lawrence M., ORESKOVICH, Julie A., Economic Geology Group, Center for
Applied Research and Technology Development, Natural Resources Research Institute,
5013 Miller Trunk Highway, Duluth, MN 55811
NILES, Harlan B.(retired), Coleraine Minerals Research Laboratory, Natural Resources Research
Institute, One Gayley Avenue, Box 188,Coleraine MN 55722
A study by Zanko et al. (2003) was undertaken to assemble a body of technical data that could be
used to better assess the potential of using a crushed taconite mining byproduct (coarse tailings)
for more widespread construction aggregate purposes, primarily in roads and highways.
Fundamental to the project was the collection and generation of geological and mineralogical data.
The major Biwabik Iron Formation stratigraphic units from which the samples were derived were
identified, and their relative contribution to each sample was quantified. An important part of the
mineralogical assessment included X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses and microscopic evaluation
of the size and shape (morphological) characteristics of potentially respirable microscopic mineral
particles and fragments. Quantitative mineralogy, based on XRD analyses, showed that the
dominant mineral in all samples was quartz (55 to 60 percent), followed by much smaller amounts
of iron oxides, carbonates, and silicates. Specialized microscopic analyses and testing performed
by the RJ Lee Group, Monroeville, PA, on both pulverized (-200 mesh, or 0.075 mm) and as-is
sample composites showed that no regulated asbestos minerals or amphibole minerals were
present. A very small number of mineral cleavage fragments/mineral fibers were detected, but
these were mostly minnesotaite, a silicate mineral common to the Biwabik Iron Formation.
Amphibole minerals, absent in coarse tailings samples from the five western Mesabi Range
taconite operations, were present in a single eastern Biwabik Iron Formation sample collected in
2003 for Lake County from the Cliffs Northshore operation in Silver Bay, MN.
Importantly, the Superfund Method for the Determination of Releasable Asbestos in Soils and
Bulk Materials, EPA 540-R-97-028 (1997), as modified by Berman and Kolk (2000) failed to
generate any protocol fibers, i.e., fibers longer than 5mm and thinner than 0.5mm, from either the
western coarse tailings samples or the single eastern Biwabik Iron Formation sample. The
combined findings suggest coarse tailings and other taconite mining byproducts should be treated
with the same common sense safety and industrial hygiene approach practiced for all mineralbased materials that have the potential to generate respirable dust.
Overall, the project showed that: 1) a significant source of fine aggregate (coarse taconite tailings)
is available at each of the taconite operations studied; 2) coarse tailings are suitable for use in road
construction applications; 3) no amphibole or asbestos minerals were present in any of the tailings
samples evaluated; and 4) low-cost transportation, workable distribution logistics, and market
acceptance will be key for expanded use of taconite mining byproducts like coarse tailings in
markets beyond northeastern Minnesota. Furthermore, making greater use of materials that have
long been considered “waste” byproducts makes environmental sense, because doing so
maximizes the utilization of resources that have already been mined and crushed, and it could
reduce pressures to expand existing, or develop new, “natural” aggregate sources. Permitting of pit
and quarry expansions and new aggregate mines has become more complex and difficult, both

162

�environmentally and socially, given the growing “not in my back yard” (NIMBY) reaction to such
projects.
Future research initiatives intend to compile and generate baseline technical information on the
quality of potential higher-value aggregate products (e.g., Class A-type aggregate, concrete
aggregate, railroad ballast) derived from the major stratigraphic units within the Biwabik Iron
Formation. Because the Biwabik Iron Formation is not monolithic, the goal will be to map and
identify units that are the best potential sources for various construction aggregate applications. Its
major cherty and slaty members, while laterally persistent, have variable geological,
mineralogical, physical, and chemical characteristics across the Mesabi Range.
Reference:
Zanko, L.M., Niles, H.B., and Oreskovich, J.A., 2004, Properties and Aggregate Potential of
Coarse Taconite Tailings from Five Minnesota Taconite Operations: Minnesota Local
Road Research Board, Final Report 2004-06, 294 p., and Natural Resources Research
Institute, University of Minnesota Duluth, Technical Report, TR-20003/44/

163

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                    <text>50TH ANNUAL MEETING

INSTITUTE ON LAKE SUPERIOR GEOLOGY
50TH ANNUAL MEETING
MAY 4-9, 2004
DULUTH, MINNESOTA
HOSTED BY:
STEVEN A. HAUCK AND MARK J. SEVERSON
Co-Chairs
NATURAL RESOURCES RESEARCH INSTITUTE

Proceedings
Volume 50
Part 2 – Field Trip Guidebook
Compiled and edited by Mark J. Severson and Julie Heinz, NRRI
Cover Photos: Upper left – Dick Ojakangas, Peter Jongewaard and John Arola at the United
Taconite mine, MN (2004); Upper right – Hal James and trip participants near Champion, MI
(1964); Bottom – Carl Dutton, Bill Cannon and Matt Walton, Northern MI (1975).

�CONTENTS

PROCEEDINGS VOLUME 50
PART 2—FIELD TRIPS
Trip 1. Volcanic Stratigraphy, Hydrothermal Alteration, and VMS Potential of the Lower
Ely Greenstone, Fivemile Lake to Sixmile Lake Area................................................ 1

Trip 2. Geologic Highlights of New Mapping in the Southwestern Sequence of the North
Shore Volcanic Group and in the Beaver Bay Complex .......................................... 46

Trip 3. Late Wisconsinan Superior-Lobe Deposits in the Lake Superior Basin northeast of
Duluth ...................................................................................................................... 86

Trip 4. Geology of the Eastern Mesabi Iron Range, Northeastern Minnesota ............... 99

Trip 5. Classic Outcrops of Northeastern Minnesota ................................................... 129

Trip 6. Glacial and Postglacial Landscape Evolution in the Glacial Lake Aitkin and Upham
Basin, Northern Minnesota .................................................................................... 170

Trip 7. Economic Geology of Archean Gold Occurrences in the Vermilion District,
northeast of Soudan, Minnesota............................................................................ 200

Trip 8. Geology and Mineralization of the Western Contact of the Duluth Complex,
Partridge River and South Kawishiwi Intrusions, Northeastern Minnesota............ 227

�FIELD TRIP 1
VOLCANIC STRATIGRAPHY, HYDROTHERMAL ALTERATION, AND VMS POTENTIAL
OF THE LOWER ELY GREENSTONE, FIVEMILE LAKE TO SIXMILE LAKE AREA
George J. Hudak1, John Heine2, Mark Jirsa3 and Dean Peterson2
1

2

University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Natural Resources Research Institute, University of Minnesota – Duluth
3
Minnesota Geological Survey
INTRODUCTION

The Vermilion district of northeastern Minnesota contains one of the classic granite-greenstone
terranes in the United States. This district comprises the south-central part of the Wawa subprovince of
the Superior Province of the Canadian Shield, and has been broadly correlated with the Saganagons
Assemblage of the Wawa subprovince in northwestern Ontario (Peterson et al., 2001; Peterson and
Patelke, 2003). In Canada, the Wawa subprovince hosts numerous lode gold (e.g. the Hemlo and Renabie
districts) and volcanic-hosted massive sulfide (VMS) orebodies (e.g. the Winston Lake, Willroy, Big
Nama Creek, Willecho, and Geco deposits; Fyon et al., 1992). The Vermilion district is well known for
its numerous, previously mined, massive hematitic iron ore deposits. These iron deposits were discovered
in the early 1880s, and virtually all subsequent exploration efforts in the region were targeted on similar
iron-formation hosted hematite deposits. However, the discovery of world-class ore deposits in Ontario
(the Kidd Creek VMS deposit in 1964 and the Hemlo gold deposit in 1980) led to short periods of both
base-metal and gold mineral exploration in the Vermilion district. To date, no lode gold and/or VMS
orebodies have been discovered in the Vermilion district to date. This field trip will explore recent
research efforts to better understand the potential for VMS mineralization within the Lower member of
the Ely Greenstone (Lower Ely). Peterson and Patelke (2004, this volume) explore new research
regarding the potential for lode gold mineralization within the Newton Belt of the Vermilion district.
Since the mid-1990’s, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, the Minerals
Diversification Plan of the Minnesota Legislature through the Minerals Coordinating Committee, the
Permanent University Trust Fund of the University of Minnesota, the Natural Resources Research
Institute (University of Minnesota Duluth), and the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh have provided
funding to support a series of systematic studies to better understand the VMS potential of the Lower Ely.
Early studies (Lawler and Riihilouma (1997); Hudak and Morton, 1999; Peterson and Jirsa, 1999a;
Peterson, 2001) showed that numerous base metal anomalies suggestive of localized VMS mineralization
exist in the soils, rocks, and lake sediments within this region.
Beginning in 2000, research efforts regarding the VMS potential of the Lower Ely have been
focused in an approximately two mile wide corridor extending from Skeleton Lake northward to Sixmile
Lake (Newkirk et al., 2001a, 2001b; Odette et al., 2001a, 2001b; Hudak et al., 2002a, 2002b; Hocker et
al., 2003; Hudak et al., in prep. a). This area was chosen for several reasons: 1) there are historical base
metal prospects in the area; 2) lake sediment samples in the area contain the highest copper (Sixmile
Lake) and zinc (Fivemile Lake) anomalies within the state of Minnesota (Peterson, 2001); 3) the area
contains several untested geophysical anomalies that have orientations roughly parallel to the strike of the
strata (Peterson, 2001); 4) the area contains regionally extensive quartz-epidote alteration zones (Peterson
and Jirsa, 1999a, 1999b; Peterson, 2001) that may be related to ancient, potentially VMS depositproducing hydrothermal systems; and 5) the bulk of the area comprises state land, and is easily accessible.
These research efforts have been multidisciplinary, and have included several months of detailed field

Page 1

1

�mapping (1:50 to 1:5000 scale) for stratigraphy and metamorphosed hydrothermal alteration mineral
assemblages, petrographic studies (600+ thin sections), whole rock lithogeochemical analyses (~200), xray diffraction studies and electron microprobe investigations.
REGIONAL GEOLOGICAL SETTING
Supracrustal rocks in the Vermilion district consist of volcanic-dominated stratigraphic sequences
of the Wawa subprovince of the Superior Province of the Canadian Shield. Rocks of the Wawa
subprovince in northern Minnesota are divided on the basis of stratigraphic and structural setting into: (1)
the Soudan belt, to the south, and (2) the Newton belt, to the north (Jirsa et al., 1992; Southwick et al.,
1998). The boundary between these contrasting structural panels can be traced geophysically across the
width of Minnesota, and was designated informally as the Leech Lake structural discontinuity (Jirsa et al.,
1992). In the region west and north of the Soudan Mine, the Leech Lake structural discontinuity occurs
along the Mud Creek shear zone (Hudleston et al., 1988), small segments of the Vermilion and Wolf Lake
faults (Sims and Southwick, 1985), and the Bear River fault (Jirsa et al., 1992). The Soudan belt contains
large, broad folds involving calc-alkalic and tholeiitic volcanic strata overlain by, and locally
interdigitated with, turbiditic rocks. In contrast, the Newton belt consists of elongate, northeast-trending,
and mostly northward-younging volcanic and volcaniclastic sequences. Volcanic rocks of the Newton belt
differ from those of the Soudan belt in containing locally abundant komatiitic flows and peridotitic sills.
The two belts are fault-bounded, and the relationship between stratigraphic units within each belt is
largely conformable, although faults obscure contacts locally. In its eastern extension, the Soudan belt is
continuous with the Saganagons assemblage in Ontario and terminates against the Saganaga pluton and
Northern Light Gneiss. The Newton belt extends discontinuously eastward into the Shebandowan District
of Ontario to form the Greenwater and Burchell assemblages. Intrusive rocks in both belts vary from
gabbroic and felsic porphyries demonstrably related to volcanism, to large plutons emplaced posttectonically. Both districts contain unconformable, Timiskaming-type sequences composed of calc-alkalic
volcanic rocks, conglomerates, and finer grained sedimentary rocks. A simplified regional geological map
of the Neo-Archean terranes of northeastern Minnesota and adjacent Ontario is presented in Figure 1-1.

Figure 1-1. Simplified correlation map of Neoarchean assemblages across the U.S. - Canada border (modified from
Peterson et al., 2001). Inset illustrates major subprovinces of the southwestern Superior Province.

Page 2

2

�Lithostratigraphic units in the western Vermilion district include: (1) the Lower member, Soudan
Iron Formation member, and Upper member (Upper Ely) of the Ely Greenstone, the Lake Vermilion
Formation (including the informally named Britt and Gafvert Lake sequences), and the Knife Lake Group
of the Soudan belt; (2) the Bass Lake sequence (Peterson and Jirsa, 1999a) and the Newton Lake
Formation of the Newton belt; and, (3) syn- to post-tectonic granitoid intrusions of the Giants Range
batholith, and a suite of post-tectonic alkalic stocks and plutons (Fig. 1-2). Contacts between the different
units are typically conformable, although considerable overlap in time and space is documented between
volcanic and sedimentary sequences (Southwick, 1993). Rock types associated with the lithostratigraphic
units in the area are presented in Table 1-1.

560001

+

+
4+4 —t++'.'+—
4
•
•
4

+

4--

4

+

+

+

RI

.4• -

+

+ - 4 •t

4

+

+

+

I

4:

-Fl.
-±---±
"-4-+4, +)+
+

*

*

+

+

+

+

'+

+

+,--)

*

+

+

/+
+

+

*

I

4

*

+

*

+

+

+

+

-F'

+ +2+ *+
—

+

+-r.
+j*
+

*

+
+

-F'

4

1

*

4

-J-/

*

+

*

-t&gt;.

4
-•+

+

'

+

++

-+ + .4

Late Intrusive Rocks
*

VMS Prospect
in Lower Ely)

t'

+

'' Newton Lake Formation

+

+y+
+

t(+ +
+

4.,

+

+

+

-#

+

+

+
+

+

+

•

*
590000

-P

4

+
SBG000

, KnifeLakeGroup
LakeVermilion Formation

::

Britt Sequence
Gafvert Lake Sequence

:' Upper Member Ely Greenstone

, Vermilion Granitic Complex
+ Giants Range Batholith

550000

+

570000

yt Duluth complex (1.1 Ga)
+

4

+

+,I

+

+

+

,

•

+

+

+.

4

4
÷

+-_ ,-

+

+/ +

+

+* +*++
+
4-

+\. 7+
-r *t_[+- *4 *
I- +•+
+

+ IA

Soudan Iron Formation
A

Lower Member Ely Greenstone

-- --

C Bass Lake Sequence

Figure 1-2. Simplified lithostratigraphic map of the western Vermilion district with the location of VMS prospects
in the Lower Member of the Ely Greenstone (from Peterson and Jirsa, 1998a). UTM Nad 83 coordinates in meters.

Page 3

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�Table 1-1. Lithostratigraphic units within the western Vermilion district (from Peterson and Jirsa, 1998a).
Intrusive Rocks
Late Intrusions
Vermilion Granitic Complex
Giants Range Batholith
Supracrustal Rocks
Newton Belt
Newton Lake Formation
Bass Lake Sequence
Soudan Belt
Knife Lake Group
Lake Vermilion Formation
Gafvert Lake Sequence
Britt Sequence
Upper Ely Greenstone
Soudan Iron Formation
Lower Ely Greenstone

Plutons and stocks of syenite, monzonite, diorite, and lamprophyre
Granite, schist, amphibolite, and schist-rich migmatite
Granite, granodiorite, monzodiorite, and schist-rich migmatite

Tholeiitic and komatiitic basalt flows, intrusions, and clastic strata
Tholeiitic basalt lava flows, iron-formation, and felsic porphyries
Graywacke, slate, conglomerate, &amp; sheared equivalents
Graywacke, slate, dacitic tuff, and minor conglomerate
Dacitic to trachyandesitic lava flows, tuffs, and intrusions
Tholeiitic basalt lava flows
Tholeiitic basalt lava flows and iron-formation
Layered cherty iron-formation, epiclastic rocks, and tuff
Calc-alkalic &amp; tholeiitic basalt-rhyolite lava flows, tuffs, epiclastic rocks
and minor iron-formations

The Lower Ely and Soudan Iron Formation (Morey et al., 1970) comprise the strata we will be
investigating during this field trip. The Lower Ely consists dominantly of volcanic arc-associated,
pillowed and massive basalt and andesite flows of calc-alkalic and tholeiitic composition (Fig. 1-3).
Hypabyssal diabase, gabbro, and diorite sills, isolated dacite, rhyodacite, and rhyolite lava flows, domes,
tuffs, lapilli tuffs, and tuff-breccias (Fig. 1-4), and local chemical, volcaniclastic and epiclastic
sedimentary strata occur throughout the sequence. Pillows in the lowermost sections of the Lower Ely
(named the Fivemile Lake sequence by Peterson and Patelke, 2003) typically are irregularly shaped and
well-vesiculated, indicating moderate to shallow water depths of formation (Schulz, 1982; Peterson,
2001; Hudak et al., 2002a). Rare massive to bedded scoria deposits interstratified with the pillowed flows
also indicate shallow subaqueous, and perhaps locally, subaerial volcanism (Peterson, 2001; Hudak et al.,
2002a). Pillowed basaltic rocks in the uppermost parts of the Lower Ely (named the Central Basalt
Sequence by Peterson and Patelke, 2003) typically are sparsely-vesiculated and ovoid, and scoria-rich
primary and reworked volcaniclastic rocks are not prevalent (Hudak et al., 2002b; Hudak et al., in prep. a;
Peterson and Patelke, 2003). These features suggest a general subsidence of the volcanic pile to deepwater conditions.
Stratigraphically overlying the volcanic rocks of the Lower Ely is the Soudan Iron Formation,
which consists dominantly of laminated Algoma-type iron-formation, with interstratified basalt lava flows
and volcaniclastic and epiclastic strata derived from basaltic to dacitic volcanic strata. A gradational
contact over several tens to hundreds of meters occurs between the underlying Lower Ely and the
overlying Soudan Iron Formation member of the Ely Greenstone (Hudak et al., 2002b; Peterson and
Patelke, 2003). In general, the exhalative nature of many of the rocks within the Soudan Iron Formation
member represent deep-water chemical deposition throughout a period of quiescence, which began during
the latest stages of volcanism associated with the Lower Ely. The stratigraphic thickness of the Soudan
Iron Formation member varies from 50 to 3,000 meters, and averages approximately 700 meters. The
thickest sections occur in the nose of the Tower-Soudan anticline (Fig. 1-2), and probably represent
stratigraphy that is repeated by shearing and thickened by folding.
The time period over which the Soudan Iron Formation was deposited is poorly constrained, as
geochronological data is very limited within the Ely Greenstone. Nevertheless, the size (thickness and
strike length) of the Soudan Iron Formation is much larger than typical Algoma-type iron-formations, and

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4

�its formation probably occurred during a profound break in effusive and pyroclastic volcanism that was
accompanied by a long-lived period of hydrothermal activity. The upper contact of the Soudan Iron
Formation is more diverse; overlying stratigraphic units along strike include the Upper Ely, the Gafvert
Lake Sequence, and the Lake Vermilion Formation.

Figure 1-3. Lithogeochemical characteristics of mafic and intermediate volcanic and volcaniclastic rocks of the
Lower member of the Ely Greenstone in the vicinities of Fivemile, Needleboy, and Sixmile Lakes (after Hudak et
al., 2002a; Hudak et al., in prep. a). Figures 1-4a and 1-4b modified from Winchester and Floyd (1977), Figure 1-4c
modified from Wood (1980), Figure 1-4d modified from Winchester and Floyd (1976), Figures 1-4e and 1-4f
modified from Barrett and MacLean (1999).

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�Figure 1-4. Lithogeochemical characteristics of felsic volcanic and volcaniclastic rocks of the Lower member
of the Ely Greenstone in the vicinities of Fivemile, Needleboy, and Sixmile Lakes (after Hudak et al., 2002a;
Hudak et al., in prep. a). Figures 1-5a and 1-5b modified from Winchester and Floyd (1977), Figure 1-5c
modified from Pearce et al. (1984), Figure 1-5d modified from Harris et al. (1986), Figures 1-5e and 1-5f
modified from Piercey et al. (2001) and Barrie et al. (1993).

STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY
Periods of generally N-S directed compression resulted in three major regional deformation
events in the Neoarchean terranes of northern Minnesota. The earliest deformation event (D1) produced
broad, locally recumbent folds within the Soudan belt and major fault zones throughout the region. In the

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�Newton belt, D1 was accommodated by thrust imbrication of large crustal blocks, resulting in mainly
northward stratigraphic facing. Field relationships indicate that uplift, faulting, and the deposition of
Timiskaming-type clastic sedimentary sequences in local fault-bounded basins occurred late in D1
deformation (Jirsa, 2000). A large, map-scale structure related to D1 deformation in the western Vermilion
district is the Tower-Soudan Anticline, which is a west-plunging anticline within which the axis and
plunge changes orientation along strike from nearly vertical in basalts to shallow NE plunging in the
western sedimentary rocks. Axial-planar cleavage associated with this early fold typically is lacking,
although Bauer (1985), Hooper and Ojakangas (1971), Hudleston (1976), and Jirsa et al. (1992) have
described early cleavage (S1) locally.
A second deformation event (D2) associated with synchronous regional metamorphism resulted in
foliation development and structures having largely dextral asymmetry. D2 is constrained in the Vermilion
district to the time period 2674 to 2685 Ma (Boerboom and Zartman, 1993), and between about 2680 and
2685 Ma in the Shebandowan (Corfu and Stott, 1998). Because D2 deformation affected all of the
supracrustal rocks in the area and is reasonably constrained by geochronology, the regional foliation (S2)
can be used in the field to temporally relate other structural, intrusive, and deformation events. The
relationship between S2 fabric and shear structures indicates that most shearing occurred relatively late in
the D2 event. Major shearing that produced the Mud Creek and related shear zones (e.g., the Murray shear
zone, Fig. 1-1) is attributed to the late stages of D2 dextral transpression.
Structures related to the third deformation event (D3) include abundant NE- and NW-trending
faults that dissect the stratigraphic assemblages. Named structures related to D3 include the NE-trending
Waasa and Camp Rivard faults east of the Soudan Mine area, and the WNW-trending, crustal-scale
Vermilion and related faults that form the Wawa-Quetico Subprovince boundary north of the Soudan
Mine (Fig. 1-1).
VMS PROSPECTS AND EXPLORATION HISTORY
Since the mid-1860’s, numerous mineral exploration programs have been conducted in the
Vermilion district. Most of these exploration programs focused on identifying minable deposits of
massive hematitic iron ores, such as those mined between 1883 and 1962 in the Soudan Iron Formation
member at the Soudan Mine. During the 1980s and early 1990s, subeconomic lode gold mineralization
was discovered in close proximity to the east-west-trending Murray shear zone, which dissects the Lower
Ely, and in close proximity to the Mud Creek shear zone, which separates the Soudan belt from the
Newton belt to the north (Fig. 1-1).
Four VMS prospects (Fig. 1-2) occur within the Lower Ely, and occur in close proximity upsection from a semiconformable quartz-epidote alteration zone that extends for at least 19km along strike
in the north limb of the Tower-Soudan Anticline (Peterson, 2001). These include the Skeleton Lake
prospect (drilled by Exxon, 1972), the Eagles Nest prospect (drilled by Newmont, 1988), the Fivemile
Lake prospect (drilled by Teck, 1994), and the Purvis Road prospect (drilled by Rendrag, 1999). The
stratigraphy, hydrothermal alteration, and mineralization associated with the Skeleton Lake, Eagles Nest,
and Fivemile Lake prospects have been recently re-evaluated (Hudak and Morton, 1999; Hudak et al.,
2002a; Hudak et al., 2002b). Detailed studies of the Fivemile Lake, Eagles Nest, and Skeleton Lake
prospects indicate that copper-zinc sulfide mineralization occurs proximal to relatively narrow (10s of
meters wide) disconformable zones of chlorite and/or sericite alteration within felsic volcanic and
volcaniclastic rocks (Hudak and Morton, 1999; Hudak et al., 2003). Hudak et al. (2003) and Hudak et
al., (in prep. a) have noted that these disconformable alteration zones and associated mineralization
commonly occur near high concentrations of synvolcanic mafic dikes, suggesting that these
disconformable hydrothermal alteration zones occurred within synvolcanic fault zones (c.f. Gibson et al.,
1999).

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�VMS-ASSOCIATED VOLCANIC AND HYDROTHERMAL ALTERATION PROCESSES
The composition and distribution of hydrothermal alteration mineral assemblages in the Lower
Ely (Table 1-2) is similar to that described in major lava-flow dominated VMS mining districts
worldwide (e.g. the Noranda Camp, Quebec; Morton and Franklin, 1987; Franklin, 1996; Gibson et al.,
1999; Hudak and Morton, 1999; Peterson, 2001; Hudak et al., 2002; Hudak et al., in prep. a). Results of
recent studies (Peterson, 2001; Odette et al., 2001a, 2001b; Hudak et al., 2002; Hudak et al., in prep. a)
indicate that not only are the compositions and geometries of the regional alteration mineral assemblages
identical to those present in many lava flow dominated massive sulfide mining districts, but that detailed
alteration mineral chemistries (Hocker et al., 2003) are also consistent with those associated with the
VMS ore deposits in these mining camps. These two observations suggest that the processes that formed
the alteration mineral assemblages in the Lower Ely were similar to those that formed equivalent
alteration zones in well-established VMS mining camps. Thus, one of the most perplexing questions
plaguing economic geologists is why economically significant VMS deposits have not yet been
discovered in the Vermilion district.
A general genetic model for the formation of VMS deposits and associated hydrothermal alteration
zone, as recently presented by Franklin et al. (1998), requires convective metalliferous hydrothermal fluid
generation in the sub-seafloor environment via heating of down-welling seawater and leaching of metals
from the enclosing volcanic and sedimentary strata (Fig. 1-5). The size of a convective hydrothermal
system is a function of the abundance of heat in the upper two kilometers of the sub-seafloor crust
(Franklin, 1996; Franklin et al., 1998). The intrusion of hypabyssal synvolcanic dikes and/or sills into the
shallow sub-seafloor may vigorously enhance the dynamics of convective hydrothermal cells (Campbell
et al., 1981). On reaching a critical reaction temperature of ~ 350°C, sustained acid pH in the
hydrothermal fluid (evolved fluid) is achieved, and metals are leached from the rocks into the evolved
fluid via primary mineral breakdown by calcium metasomatism, silicification, and hydrolysis reactions
(Seyfried et al., 1999). In basalt-dominated systems (such as that in the Lower Ely), leaching-related
alteration of mafic "source" zones (lower semi-conformable alteration) forms a mineral assemblage
composed of albite-epidote-zoisite/clinozoisite-actinolite-quartz. These zones are variably metal-depleted,
and are characterized by patchy silicification and epidotization associated with areas metasomatically
enriched in silica and calcium.
In lava flow-dominated stratigraphic sequences, regionally confined discordant “pipe-like”, and
more regionally extensive “semiconformable” alteration zones are present (Morton and Franklin, 1987).
The “pipe-like” semi-conformable alteration zones are closely associated with zones of cross-stratal
permeability (e.g. synvolcanic fault zones), and are characterized by well-defined vertically extensive
alteration zones containing anomalous abundances of sericite, chlorite (both Fe- and Mg-rich varieties),
actinolite/ferroactinolite, quartz, pyrite, and locally, chalcopyrite and/or pyrrhotite. Semiconformable
alteration zones extend for several kilometers to tens of kilometers in the rocks stratigraphically beneath
and adjacent to VMS mineralized horizons (Santaguida et al., 2002a; Santaguida et al., 2002b). In maficdominated volcanic environments, such alteration typically is associated with regional zones of
spilitization (an alteration assemblage composed of albite + quartz + Mg-rich chlorite ± sericite),
silicification (quartz ± albite), and epidote-quartz alteration (epidote + quartz ± actinolite ± carbonate)
(Morton and Franklin, 1987; Gibson et al., 1999; Santaguida et al.. 2002a, Santaguida et al., 2002b).
Regional semiconformable alteration zones in felsic rocks in VMS producing camps such as Noranda
(Quebec) or Sturgeon Lake (Ontario), typically comprise extensive zones of spilitization, silicification,
and sericitization (sericite + quartz ± Mg-rich chlorite) (Morton and Franklin, 1987; Gibson et al., 1999).

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�Table 1-2. Greenschist facies metamorphosed hydrothermal alteration mineral assemblages recognized in the Lower
Ely (Hudak et al., 2002a; Hudak et al., in prep. a).
Alteration Mineral Assemblage
No apparent alteration (unaltered)
Least altered
Silicified
Quartz + Chlorite (chlorite &gt; 15%)
Epidote + Quartz ± Chlorite ± Albite (Epidote &gt;10%, Actinolite &lt;10%, Fe-chlorite
&lt;20%)
Epidote + Quartz ± Chlorite ± Albite (Epidote &gt;10%, Actinolite &lt;10%, Fe-chlorite
&gt;20%)
Albite + Quartz ± Epidote ± Actinolite ± Chlorite (Epidote &lt;10%, Actionlite &lt;10%)
Secondary Plagioclase Feldspar ± Chlorite ± Sericite
Biotite ± Fe-/Mg-chlorite
Iron Oxide / Hematite

Geometry
Not applicable
Semiconformable
Semiconformable
Semiconformable
Semiconformable

Semiconformable
Semiconformable
Semiconformable
Semiconformable

Epidote + Quartz + Actinolite ± Chlorite ± Albite (Epidote&gt;10%, Actinolite &gt; 10%)
Mottled Epidote +Quartz ± Actinolite ± Chlorite ± Albite (“Patchy Epidosite”)

Semi/Disconformable
Semi/Disconformable

Actinolite ± Fe-chlorite ± Epidote ± Albite (Actinolite &gt;10%, Epidote &lt;10%)
Fe-chlorite + Sericite (Fe-chlorite &gt;10%, Sericite &gt;5%)
Fe-chlorite + Sericite (Fe-chlorite &gt;10%, Sericite&lt;10%, Fe-chlorite + Sericite &gt;25%)
Fe-chlorite + Fe-carbonate ± Sericite ± Actinolite ± Epidote (Fe-chlorite &gt;25%, Fecarbonate &gt; 5%, Actinolite, Sericite, Epidote &lt; 5%)
Sericite ± Pyrophyllite ± Fe-chlorite (Sericite/Pyrophyllite &gt;5%, Fe-chlorite &lt;10%)
Sericite ± Carbonate (Sericite &gt; 5%, calcite/dolomite/ankerite present, chlorite absent)
Mg-chlorite ± sericite

Disconformable
Disconformable
Disconformable
Disconformable
Disconformable
Disconformable
Disconformable

Chlorite + Fe-carbonate ± Sericite
Sericite + Green Mica ± Carbonate

Shear Zones
Shear Zones

Tourmaline + quartz

Veins

Semiconformable

Both discordant and semiconformable alteration zones have been discovered in the Vermilion
district (Table 1-2), and have been described by Hudak and Morton (1999), Peterson (2001), Odette et al.
(2001), and Hudak et al. (2002a). Semiconformable alteration zones in the Lower Ely are dominated by
mineral assemblages containing various proportions of quartz, epidote, zoisite/clinozoisite, Fe-chlorite,
Mg-chlorite, actinolite, ferroactinolite, sericite/pyrophyllite, and albite. Odette et al. (2001a, 2001b) and
Hudak et al. (2002a) have shown via mass balance analysis that semiconformable quartz + epidote ±
actinolite ± albite ± chlorite alteration mineral assemblages in the Fivemile Lake area are metasomatically
enriched in calcium and silica, and depleted in base metals (copper and zinc) by 50-90%. Pipe-like,
northeast-trending disconformable alteration zones in the Lower Ely are largely composed of Fe-rich
chlorite, sericite/pyrophyllite, actinolite and/or ferroactinolite. Pipe-like alteration zones that have been
mapped up-section have, to date, not led to the discovery of economically significant VMS deposits, but
have been instrumental in locating potential base metal sulfide-bearing stratigraphic horizons and
localized chemical exhalites. The mineralogy (Hudak et al., 2002a) and chemical compositions of the
alteration minerals (Hocker et al., 2003) in these disconformable zones are consistent with those
associated with economic VMS deposits in both Canada and Scandinavia (c.f. Hannington et al., 2002).

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�VMS Deposit

Impermeable Silicified Zone

Zoisite/Ciinozoisite

7/ \

ha/fr

- Magmatic Water

'

÷ Si

- Cu

+ca -Zn
+Na - Fe

Reservoir Zone
Epk
Quartz

—400t-—

\ / / .\ / /

— \Subvolcanic Intrusion —

—

-

Figure 1-5. Simplified schematic model of a convective hydrothermal system associated with the formation of
Noranda–type (Morton and Franklin, 1987) or lava-flow dominated-type (Gibson et al., 1999) VMS deposits
(modified from Franklin , 1996).

Water depth controls aspects of associated VMS deposit composition (metal ratios) and alteration
assemblages (Franklin, 1986; Franklin, 1993). Field evidence from the recent studies in the Lower Ely
(Peterson, 2001; Hudak et al., in press) indicates that both shallow and deep subaqueous environments
were present in the Vermilion district, as represented by the Fivemile Lake and Central Basalt Sequences.
Such environments are not only associated with base-metal VMS deposits, but may also contain precious
metal-rich (e.g. gold, silver) VMS deposits (Sillitoe et al., 1996; Hannington et al., 1999). Thus, the
Vermilion district, and in particular, the rocks within a few kilometers of the area we are investigating on
this field trip, may contain VMS deposits with a variety of base- and precious metal compositions.

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�FIELD TRIP STOPS – DAY 1 (MAY 4)

Figure 1-6. Field trip stop locations for Day 1 of the Vermilion district field trip.

STOP 1-1:

ARCHEAN SOUDAN IRON FORMATION No hammering please!

Location:

(NE, NE, S. 27, T.62N., R.15W., NAD83 UTM 557120E, 5296660N)

Description: This classic exposure of the Soudan Iron Formation (Fig. 1-6) lies on the north limb of
the Tower-Soudan anticline, and at the stratigraphic top of the volcanic sequences known collectively as
the Lower member of the Ely Greenstone—the focus of this field trip. In a general way, the upper
kilometer or so of strata assigned to the Lower Ely displays an upward-stratigraphic progression marked
by increasing numbers and thicknesses of iron-formation-rich units, and corresponding decreasing
thicknesses of the interleaved basaltic flows. This represents a general cessation of volcanism over some
time. It is interesting to observe the rhythmic microlaminations (1 mm or so thick) in various cherty beds
exposed here and speculate about the paleoenvironment—that is, whether these represent daily
heating/cooling cycles, tidal, climatic, annual, or some other repetitive influence in the depositional
environment. What is known about iron-formation units in the Ely Greenstone is that their deposition
occurred during periods of relative volcanic and tectonic quiescence by the slow, subaqueous “rain” of
chemical precipitates. The Soudan marks an abrupt transition from a period of waning basaltic volcanism
in comparatively deep water, to one of mixed, locally emergent volcanic and associated sedimentary
deposition represented by exposures to the north and west. The latter include dacitic rocks of what is

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�known as the Gafvert Lake sequence, and tuffaceous graywacke of the Lake Vermilion Formation.
Whether the transition at Soudan represents a significant unconformity remains enigmatic.
This exposure also represents a microcosm of deformation in the western Vermilion district. It
displays two generations of close folding in delicate laminations of chert (creamy white), chert-hematite
jasper (red), and magnetite-chert (black to silver-colored). The second generation of folds (F2) is tectonic
in origin, having subvertical axial surfaces that trend eastward, and steeply plunging axes. Most display
Z-asymmetry. The earlier folds (F0-1) appear to have been sharply refolded to produce complex
interference patterns. Lundy (1985) studied folding at this locality and concluded that some of the
apparent interference structures are the product of early-formed sheath folds that did not involve refolding
by D2. The F1 structures are predominantly intrafolial, and exhibit a great variety of style and orientation;
implying they formed by layer-parallel, soft-sediment slumping. Work by Hudleston (1976) and Jirsa et
al. (1992) extends these types of observations to regional tectonic interpretations of an early (D1) folding
that included the development of the Tower-Soudan anticline in rigid volcanic complexes, and associated
large nappe structures in the more ductile marginal sedimentary strata, followed by D2 metamorphism and
transpressive deformation.

STOP 1-2:

XENOLITHIC HORNBLENDE DIORITE, PURVIS PLUTON

Location:

(NE, SW, S. 30, T.62N., R.13W., NAD 83 UTM 571755E, 5296815N)

Description: The Purvis pluton is an east-west trending, moderate-sized (~3km3), sill-like multiphase
dioritic to tonalitic intrusion with a strike length of 5.7 km and a thickness that ranges from 100-1200
meters (Peterson, 2001). This intrusion occurs in the lower stratigraphic section of the north limb of the
Tower-Soudan anticline (Peterson and Jirsa, 1999a; Jirsa et al., 2001). Recent work by Drexler and
Hudak (in press) indicate that the intrusion has several phases, including 1) xenolithic hornblende diorite;
2) xenolithic hornblende tonalite; 3) xenolithic leucotonalite; 4) leucotonalite and trondhjemite; and 5)
leucotonalite dikes (Fig. 1-7).
Detailed field mapping by Peterson (2001), Hovis (2001) and Drexler and Hudak (in press)
suggest that the Purvis pluton is a synvolcanic intrusion based on the following characteristics: 1) it lacks
a contact metamorphic aureole; 2) its uppermost contact is proximally associated with intense,
semiconformable quartz + epidote alteration zones; 3) D2 deformation fabrics occur in both the intrusion
and the surrounding country rocks; and 4) early xenolithic diorite phases are cross-cut by thin, commonly
D2-deformed dikes of younger tonalite and trondhjemite phases. Galley (2002) and Galley (2003) have
indicated that these characteristics are key features of synvolcanic intrusions temporally associated with
the genesis of many Precambrian VMS deposits. Peterson (2001) has suggested that the Purvis pluton
may have been the heat source that drove hydrothermal systems that produced the Eagles Nest and Purvis
Road VMS prospects. A sample of the leucotonalite phase has been submitted to Dr. Daniel Holm (Kent
State University) for geochronological analysis, but this age is not yet available. Based on the presence of
the D2 fabric in the pluton, U/Pb zircon dates of a D2-deformed felsic lava dome in the Lower Ely in the
Fivemile Lake area, and a post-D2 quartz feldspar porphyry in the Newton Belt (Peterson et al., 2001), we
anticipate an age between 2683 Ma and 2722 Ma for the Purvis pluton.
This locale offers an opportunity to investigate the xenolithic hornblende diorite phase of the
Purvis pluton. The outcrop adjacent to the road predominately contains four types of xenoliths: 1) dark
green xenoliths of amygdaloidal (5-8%) basalt-andesite pillow lavas which locally have preserved
selvedges and interpillow hyaloclastite, and are locally contact metamorphosed along their margins; 2)
pale green epidote + quartz-altered basalt-andesite lava xenoliths that are up to 15 cm in diameter; 3) rare
coarse-grained gabbro/diorite xenoliths up to 3 cm in diameter; and 4) rare &lt;1-2 cm diameter subangular

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�chert xenoliths. Large iron-formation xenoliths up to several meters in diameter, and amphibolite
xenoliths up to several centimeters in diameter, may be observed in xenolithic hornblende tonalite
outcrops located east of this location (NAD 83 UTM coordinates 0574920E, 5297600N).

*

- Hr

ft

/

Figure 1-7. Xenolithic hornblende tonalite (A) and xenolithic hornblende diorite (B) phases of the Purvis pluton..

Iron-formation xenoliths present in outcrops east of here were likely derived from iron-formation
horizons that occur immediately southwest of Purvis Lake. Basalt and altered basalt fragments also were
derived from the surrounding Lower Ely. The presence of epidote-quartz altered mafic xenoliths suggests
that this phase of the Purvis pluton stoped its way upward into an earlier-formed proximal zone of quartzepidote alteration formed from high temperature seawater-rock interaction (e.g. Galley, 2003).
Amphibolite xenoliths are believed to represent contact metamorphosed basalt fragments based on
petrographic similarities (Drexler and Hudak, in press). Drexler and Hudak (in press) have shown that
coarse-grained gabbro/diorite fragments likely represent xenoliths of the earliest phases of the pluton.
A short hike up to the top of the ridge allows investigation of a newly exposed (and still lichenfree) outcrop displaying the complicated textures between medium-grained diorite and xenoliths in this
phase of the Purvis pluton. Collectively, six types of xenoliths comprise 55-60% of the intrusion at this
location. These xenolith types include: 1) pale to dark green, subangular to subround basalt-andesite
clasts which range from 1-30cm in diameter and make up 15-20% of the rock; 2) subround to subangular,
coarse-grained gabbro/diorite xenoliths that are up to 20cm in diameter; 3) subround epidote + quartzaltered basalt-andesite xenoliths that are up to 20cm in diameter; 4) subangular, dark grayish-green finegrained diorite xenoliths which are up to 10cm in diameter; 5) dark green, coarse-grained, actinolite-rich
amphibolite fragments up to 12 cm in diameter; and 6) rare pillow selvedge / interpillow hyaloclastite
xenoliths which locally make up 1% of the unit.
Moving east along the ridge, one can observe additional outcrops of xenolithic diorite. Locally
(UTM NAD 83 coordinate 571798E, 5296828N) ENE-trending 10-20cm wide leucotonalite dikes cut
through the xenolithic diorite phase, indicating the age relationships between these two units. Farther east
along the ridge, the complicated contact between the Purvis pluton and the overlying basalt-andesite
pillow lavas can be observed. These lavas contain patchy epidote + quartz alteration, and have locally
been metamorphosed to hornfels immediately adjacent to the intrusion.
Studies of ancient VMS deposits has documented that the deposits commonly occur in
depressions on the paleo-seafloor (3rd-order basins) while modern deposits on the seafloor are found on
high-standing structures, such as ridges. These differences are probably more apparent than real, in that

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�the modern deposits are generally confined to the axial graben, or depression, of what are otherwise are
high-standing structures. In addition, both ancient and modern deposits occur in areas of anomalously
high heat flow, generally linked to synvolcanic intrusions beneath the hydrothermal systems. The recent
mapping in the Purvis Road area has shown the presence of all of the attributes of typical VMS-forming
hydrothermal systems. These attributes include a synvolcanic intrusive heat source (the Purvis pluton), a
paleotopographic high-standing structure, VMS-style alteration mineral assemblages, and the presence of
Cu and Zn-rich massive sulfide (recent logging in this area has exposed numerous angular boulders of
massive sulfide in the basal till). The VMS attributes of the Purvis road area are presented in Figure 1-8.

Figure 1-8. Simplified regional lithostratigraphic sequences draped on a 3D view (looking due west) of a residual
field aeromagnetic anomaly map of the western Vermilion district (same map area as Fig. 1-2). The lower two
photographs show massive sulfide boulders exposed north of the Purvis pluton.

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14

�STOP 1-3.

SILICIFIED FIVEMILE LAKE SEQUENCE PILLOW LAVAS / REGIONAL
SEMICONFORMABLE ALTERATION

Location:

(SE, SE, S. 22, T.62N., R.14W., NAD83 UTM 567818E, 5297818N)

Description: Geological mapping by Peterson (2001) has indicated the presence of a regional
semiconformable quartz-epidote alteration zone extending for at least 19 km along strike within the
Lower Ely along the north limb of the Tower-Soudan anticline. This type of alteration is a common
feature in many Archean VMS camps (e.g. Noranda (Gibson, 1989) and Snow Lake (Skirrow and
Franklin, 1994)), and is attributed to silica- and calcium-dumping that occurs in the deep, sub-seafloor as
downwelling hydrothermal fluids are heated to temperatures in excess of 350°C (Franklin, 1986;
Franklin, 1993). Semiconformable alteration zones associated with VMS systems are generally much
larger in area than their associated mineralization, and therefore provide exploration geologists regional
areas in which to concentrate more detailed, follow-up field mapping, geochemical studies, and
geophysical surveys for identifying VMS targets.
Semiconformable quartz-epidote alteration zones are commonly metal-depleted. Peterson (2001),
Odette et al. (2001a, 2001b), and Hudak et al. (2002a) have shown that that quartz-epidote altered basalts
within this regional semiconformable alteration zone are commonly depleted in base metals by as much
as 50-90%. Peterson (2001) completed simplified mass balance calculations of Cu and Zn depletion
associated with the regionally extensive quartz-epidote alteration zone within the Lower Ely, and this
work reveals the importance of this alteration to the VMS mineral potential of this area. The surface
expression of the quartz-epidote alteration is approximately 19 kilometers long, and averages
approximately 1.5 kilometers in width. The area of this zone is on the order of 30.5 km2. Using
Southwick et al. (1998) values for Cu and Zn of 59 and 115 ppm, and a mean density of the rocks equal to
2.8g/cm3, the total contained copper and zinc for various volumes of rock from the Lower Ely are
calculated, and presented in the top of Table 1-3. These volumes include a 1.0 kilometer thick slab
(volume = 30.5 km3), a 2.0 kilometer thick slab (volume = 61 km3), a 3.0 kilometer thick slab (volume =
91.5 km3), and a circular disk (volume = 591 km3). Percent leaching calculations for copper and zinc are
presented in the lower portions of Table 1-3, with values of metal leached (in pounds) from the four
calculated volumes of rock. The leaching models include 5%, 10%, 25%, and 50% metal leached from the
rock. Given the patchy nature of this alteration, an estimate of somewhere between 10 and 25% metal
leaching seems reasonable, as does the 91.5 km3 volume. Therefore, one can estimate that many billions
of pounds of copper and zinc have been leached out of the volcanic rocks in the north limb of the Lower
Ely Greenstone. The concentration of these base metals into specific sites by a VMS style hydrothermal
system would have created significant tonnages of massive sulfide. This data clearly reflects the potential
for VMS mineralization up-section from this zone.
At this location we can observe part of the regionally extensive quartz-epidote alteration zone.
The outcrop contains relatively undeformed bun- and mattress-shaped pillows. Interpillow hyaloclastite
zones are generally pale to dark green in color, and are chlorite and/or actinolite-rich. Minor red-brown
staining locally occurs in these zones, and is indicative of the presence of trace amounts of pyrite and/or
chalcopyrite. Pillow selvedges commonly contain up to 10% round to oval, pipe-like quartz-epidote
and/or actinolite chlorite amygdules. The cores of the pillows are typically pale green gray in color due to
nearly wholesale replacement of the original igneous minerals by quartz and epidote.

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15

�Table 1-3. Copper and zinc leaching calculations for the regional semiconformable quartz-epidote alteration zone
present in the Lower Ely (Peterson, 2001).
Volume (Km3)
30.5
11,084,920,000
21,606,200,000

61
22,169,840,000
43,212,400,000

91.5
33,254,760,000
64,818,600,000

591
214,793,040,000
418,664,400,000

5% Cu leached (lbs)
10% Cu leached (lbs)
25% Cu leached (lbs)
50% Cu leached (lbs)

554,246,000
1,108,492,000
2,771,230,000
5,542,460,000

1,108,492,000
2,216,984,000
5,542,460,000
11,084,920,000

1,662,738,000
3,325,476,000
8,313,690,000
16,627,380,000

10,739,652,000
21,479,304,000
53,698,260,000
107,396,520,000

5% Zn leached (lbs)
10% Zn leached (lbs)
25% Zn leached (lbs)
50% Zn leached (lbs)

1,080,310,000
2,160,620,000
5,401,550,000
10,803,100,000

2,160,620,000
4,321,240,000
10,803,100,000
21,606,200,000

3,240,930,000
6,481,860,000
16,204,650,000
32,409,300,000

20,933,220,000
41,866,440,000
104,666,100,000
209,322,200,000

Total Contained Cu (lbs)
Total Contained Zn (lbs)

STOP 1-4:

WELL-PRESERVED PILLOW LAVAS, SOUTH OF FIVEMILE LAKE

Location:

(NE, SW, S. 29, T.62N., R.14W., NAD83 UTM 563195E, 5296660N)

Description: The Fivemile Lake Prospect comprises an extremely well preserved, and locally intensely
hydrothermally altered, bimodal package of basalt-andesite pillows lavas and coherant and volcaniclastic
facies felsic metavolcanic strata which have locally been intruded by diabase and/or diorite synvolcanic
sills and dikes. Recent geological studies at the Fivemile Lake Prospect have included detailed field
mapping, diamond drill core relogging, petrographic, lithogeochemical, x-ray diffraction, and electron
microprobe investigations (Hudak and Morton, 1999; Peterson, 2001; Newkirk et al., 200a, 2001b; Odette
et al., 2001a, 2001b; Hudak et al., 2002a; Hocker et al. 2003). These studies were undertaken to a) better
understand the geology (in particular, the physical volcanology) of these regions; b) identify and evaluate
the composition and distribution of the metamorphosed hydrothermal alteration mineral assemblages that
occur at each of these prospects; c) evaluate and compare the chemical compositions of alteration mineral
phases to those found at VMS deposits of various ages in various parts of the Canadian Shield, the
western United States, and Tasmania; and d) evaluate the potential for VMS and/or lode gold
mineralization in these areas.
Field mapping and diamond drill core relogging indicate that the Fivemile Lake Prospect
comprises thirteen distinct types of strata that can be subdivided into six major lithological classes (Hudak
et al., 2002a). These include: a) calc-alkaline and tholeiitic, mafic to intermediate volcanic and
volcaniclastic rocks (basalt-andesite pillow lavas, pillow breccias, hyaloclastite deposits, tuff, lapilli tuffs
and monogenic volcanic breccias); b) chemical sedimentary rocks (semi-massive sulfide exhalite); c)
calc-alkaline to tholeiitic, intermediate to felsic volcanic and volcaniclastic rocks (massive quartz-phyric
rhyodacite lava flows, and aphyric to quartz-phyric rhyodacite to rhyolite tuff, lapilli tuff, and tuff breccia
deposits); d) synvolcanic intrusive rocks (diorite sill-dike complexes, diabase dikes and sills, and massive
gabbro); e) post-volcanic intrusive rocks (feldspar porphyry dikes and sills and quartz-feldspar porphyry
dikes); and f) post-volcanic schists (quartz-sericite-ankerite schists, chlorite schists, and quartz-sericite-

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�Figure 1.9. Generalized geological map of the Fivemile Lake – Needleboy Lake – Sixmile Lake area (modified after Peterson and Jirsa (1999a), Jirsa
et al. (2001), and Hudak et al. (2002a).

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17

�green mica schists). Supracrustal strata at the prospect vary from east-west to southeast-northwest
striking, dip steeply to the north, and are north-facing. Because of this geometry, the geological map of
the area (Figure 1-9) essentially illustrates a cross-section through the Lower Ely crust. Volcanic and
volcaniclastic rocks have chemical characteristics indicative of formation with an ancient volcanic arc
setting (Hudak and Morton, 1999; Hudak et al., 2002a).
At this stop, we will investigate two outcrops that display exceptionally well-preserved pillow
lavas and associated interpillow hyaloclastite. Detailed analysis (Newkirk et al., 2001a, 2001b; Hudak et
al., 2002a) indicates that the pillow lavas at Fivemile Lake are morphologically similarly to undeformed
Cenozoic pillow lavas from New Zealand and Tasmania. The nomenclature used for describing pillow
lavas is illustrated in Figure 1-10).
Intiapiliow
Cavity

r— Coiicentdc Cooling Joints
Piliow Bud (non sight to loft)
Blocky HyalocJastite
— Radial Cooling Joint

Neck and Knob

Pipe .anygdule
— Seivedge
Formerly Glassy

L Amygdulssririow

— inteipiliow
Pillow Margin

-lyaloclastito

Figure 1-10. Nomenclature used for describing pillow lavas and associated hyaloclastite (after Cas and Wright
(1987) and Gibson (1989).

At the first outcrop (NAD 83 UTM coordinates 563195E, 5296660N) we can observe bun- to
lens-shaped, quartz-epidote-actinolite-chlorite-altered basalt-andesite pillow lavas. The general strike of
the pillow lavas at this location is approximately 085°. The pillows vary from 0.4-1.0 meters high and
0.5-2.0 meters long, and contain zones of chlorite-rich interpillow hyaloclastite that ranges from 0.5-3.0
cm wide. Local brownish-red sulfide staining may be observed in the interpillow hyaloclastite zones.
The pillow selvedges vary from 1-6 cm wide, are commonly silicified and/or quartz-epidote altered, and
contain approximately 15% 1-5mm oval to round, quartz ± carbonate filled amygdules. Multiple pillow
rinds, separated by 4-8 cm, may be locally observed. Reentrant pillow crusts and apparent pillow buds at
this location suggest flow from west to east. The cores of the pillows at this location contain up to 5% 25 cm rounded quartz amygdules, and are faintly plagioclase feldspar-phyric (3-5% &lt;1mm tabular
phenocrysts). Faint radial cooling joints are also locally preserved in several of the pillows on this
outcrop.

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�A second spectacular outcrop of well-preserved, east-west striking pillow lavas occurs
approximately 30 meters to the east (NAD 83 UTM coordinates 563225E, 5296660N). Pillow
morphology at this outcrop is quite variable, ranging from bun- and mattress-shaped to amoeboid.
Topping directions based on pillow morphology are consistently north. Pillows here are typically 50-80
cm in height and 1-1.5 meters long, although pillows as small as 30 cm in diameter and up to 2 meters
long may be locally observed. Pillows selvedges vary from 1-7 cm wide (average 2-3 cm) and contain
15-20%, 3-7 mm diameter, round quartz amygdules. Pillow cores generally contain 5-10% 3-10mm round
to oval quartz amygdules. Several pillows on the western and north-central part of the outcrop contain
multiple pillow rinds. A pillow displaying exceptionally well-preserved “neck and knob” structure may be
observed on the east central part of the outcrop.
Vesicle size and abundance in pillow lavas (McPhie et al., 1993 and references therein) may be
used with other textural and facies characteristics to interpret pillow lavas erupted in “relatively shallow”
(&lt;1-2 km water depth) versus “relatively deep” (&gt;2 km water depth) submarine environments. Multiple
pillow rind structures are common features in pillow lavas erupted in “relatively shallow” water
environments, and are formed by implosion and rupture of the pillow skin resulting from condensation of
exsolved gases concentrated in the upper part of the pillow (Kawachi and Pringle, 1988). The relatively
high vesicularity of the pillows, coupled with the presence of multiple rind structures, indicate that the
pillow lavas in this part of the Lower Ely were formed in a relatively shallow submarine environment.
STOP 1-5:

PILLOW DIKES, PEPERITES, AND SYNVOLCANIC FAULTS, SW SHORE,
FIVEMILE LAKE No hammering please!

Location:

(SW, NW, S29, T. 62N, R. 14W; NAD 83 UTM Coordinates 0563305E, 5296955N)

Description: Peperite is defined as a breccia-like volcaniclastic deposit formed from the in-situ
disintegration and mixing of magma or lava with wet, poorly consolidated sediment (Batiza and White,
2000; Schmidt and Schminke, 2000). Peperite is a common rock type in submarine arc-related volcano
sedimentary sequences, and is associated with synvolcanic intrusions. It often occurs in phreatomagmatic
vent filling deposits and along contacts between synvolcanic intrusions and poorly consolidated, wet,
submarine sediments. Key components that aid in the identification of peperites include evidence of
partial fluidization of the sediment, local contact metamorphism, and in some rare instances, vesiculation
within the sediment (Skilling et al., 2002).
In general, the end-member compositions in a peperite are the igneous component (a synvolcanic
dike or sill, or a lava flow) and the sedimentary component. Igneous component domains in peperites
vary from tabular to lobe-like to pillow-like, and can commonly have irregular, interconnected, fold like,
and pod-like shapes. Mixing that results from quenching, hydromagmatic explosions, magma-sediment
density contrasts, and/or mechanical stresses resulting from inflation or movement of magma, causes the
igneous component of the peperite to be broken-up and dispersed within the wet sediment to form
peperite (McPhie and Orth, 1999). Factors such as magma and/or sediment composition, magma injection
velocities, volatile content of the magma, relative volumes of sediment and magma involved, volume of
pore water heated, presence or absence of shock waves, and the confining pressure all influence the
morphology of peperites. Juvenile clast morphologies in peperite are extremely variable, and may be
irregular, blocky (commonly jigsaw-fit), pumiceous or scoriaceous, irregular (amoeboid), elongate,
wispy, platy or ragged. It is not uncommon for mixed juvenile clast populations to be present within a
single peperite deposit (Skilling et al., 2002).
This stop encompasses a series of outcrops that occur on a small peninsula along the southwest
shoreline of Fivemile Lake (informally and affectionately known as “Pike Point” based on the
exceptionally large pike that can be caught from this shoreline). A generalized geological map of this

Page 19

19

�area, which points out key features to observe at this stop, is illustrated in Figure 1-11. The area was
originally mapped as a series of pillow lavas and felsic debris flow deposits (Peterson and Jirsa, 1999a;
Peterson, 2001); however, if the pillow lavas represent a stratigraphic unit, they are oriented
approximately 40°-45° to the strike of the supracrustal strata in this area, suggesting that either a)
deposition occurred upon a steep paleotopographic surface (which is not supported by the pillow
morphology); or b) a fold may be locally present (evidence for this is not currently supported by regional
mapping).

(V

&gt;1.

Fivemile
— 5296925

Coherant Pillows Fades

Volcanidas&amp; Fades LapllI T'fl / TuIT-Br.a

X H1cooct

1ñofSonoatI

Difiusa planar stralitpcaton a! deals
SVl Ice and topping direct on of pillow

SyTwolcanlc Fault

0

I cL) I Oulciop Locaa'

7]

Approximate Trail

5

10

20

Lobon

Figure 1-11. Geological map of the southwestern shoreline (“Pike Point”) area of Fivemile Lake (after Hudak et al.,
in prep. b).

Detailed facies mapping at scales ranging from 1:50 to 1:100 by Hudak et al. (2002a) and Hudak
et al. (in press) now suggests that “Pike Point” comprises a series of northeast-trending andesite-dacite
pillowed dikes that intruded a deposit of wet, unconsolidated basalt-andesite tuff to form blocky to
amoeboid peperites. Pillows may be formed within water-saturated hyaloclastite or sediments within the
sub-seafloor provided that the adjacent rocks are poorly consolidated and saturated with water (McPhie et
al., 1993 and references therein). The interpretation that the pillowed igneous domains represent dikes
rather than pillowed lava flows is based on several characteristics of the dikes: 1) the strike of the pillows
is northeast, whereas the strike of the volcanic strata in this region is general more or less east-west; 2)
topping directions measured in the pillows are variable and inconsistent; 3) on the most northwestern of
the outcrops, apophyses of the dikes can clearly be seen propagating to the north-northwest; 4) the

Page 20

20

�chemical compositions of the pillow domains and the blocky to amoeboid fragments in the volcaniclastic
deposits is identical; and 5) the trend of the pillows, when followed to the north shore of Fivemile Lake,
leads to a series of chemically identical, northeast-trending dikes and associated peperite deposits that
occur within the vent facies of a 700 meter (strike length) by 200 meter (height) tuff cone volcano
mapped by Hudak et al. (in prep. a, in prep. b; we will see these deposits tomorrow at field trip Stop 1-9).
The interpretation that the volcaniclastic deposits represent peperites is based on the following
characteristics of the deposits: 1) at several locations along the point, blocky jigsaw puzzle-fit fragments
indicate in-situ fragmentation of northeast-trending pillow dikes; 2) fragment shapes in the volcaniclastic
deposits vary from amoeboid to blocky and jigsaw puzzle-fit, to curviplanar, all indicative of
fragmentation by external water; 3) vesiculation is common within the matrix of the volcaniclastic
deposits; and 4) the general trend of the long directions of the fragments is consistent with the strikes of
the pillow dikes. Several textures that may be observed at this location are illustrated in Figure 1-12.

Figure 1-12. Textures within peperites that occur along the southwestern shoreline of Fivemile Lake: 1-12a)
northeast-trending pillow dikes on the northwest side of the point; 1-12b) fractured synvolcanic dike, west-central
part of point; 1-12c) synvolcanic dike and blocky peperite with vesiculated sediments, south-central part of point; 112d) northeast-trending pillowed dikes, east-central part of point.

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�STOP 1-6:

EPIDOTE – QUARTZ ALTERED DIABASE SILLS AND DIKES, SOUTH OF
FIVEMILE LAKE

Location:

(NE, SW, S.29, T.62N., R.14W., NAD 83 UTM 563515E, 5296610N)

Description: This stop affords us the opportunity to investigate both synvolcanic and post-volcanic
hydrothermal alteration in the Fivemile Lake area. Field, petrographic, x-ray diffraction, electron
microprobe, and lithogeochemical studies have identified twelve distinctive metamorphosed hydrothermal
alteration mineral assemblages at the Fivemile Lake prospect (Odette et al., 2001a, 2001b; Hudak et al.,
2002a; Hocker et al., 2003). Synvolcanic, semi-conformable alteration assemblages have been identified
on the basis of the modal percentages of the minerals epidote, actinolite, and chlorite, and include: a)
epidote + quartz ± chlorite ± albite; b) epidote + quartz + chlorite ± albite; c) epidote + quartz + actinolite
± chlorite ± albite; and d) albite + quartz ± epidote ± actinolite. These quartz + epidote-rich alteration
assemblages are interpreted to represent “seafloor metasomatism” associated with hydrothermal fluids
that moved through the subaqueous rocks. Detailed mapping and lithogeochemical trends suggest that
early, relatively low temperature hydrothermal alteration mineral assemblages (e.g., albite + quartz ±
epidote ± actinolite) were later overprinted by higher temperature alteration mineral assemblages (e.g.,
epidote + quartz ± chlorite ± albite, epidote + quartz + chlorite ± albite, epidote + quartz + actinolite ±
chlorite ± albite) as the volcanic pile was progressively buried by volcanism deeper below the seafloor. It
is believed that the early, near seafloor environment, which was locally base metal enriched by VMSstyle mineralization, eventually became depleted in base metals from later, deep-seated hydrothermal
circulation. Synvolcanic, disconformable alteration mineral assemblages are commonly proximal to
synvolcanic fault zones and VMS-style mineralization at the prospect, and include: a) actinolite + quartz
± iron-rich chlorite ± epidote ± albite; b) iron-rich chlorite + sericite; c) iron-rich chlorite ± sericite ± ironcarbonate ± actinolite ± epidote; d) sericite ± iron-rich chlorite; and e) mottled epidote + quartz ±
actinolite. These alteration zones likely represent areas of high temperature metasomatism associated with
VMS mineralization at, or up-section from, the Fivemile Lake prospect. Post-volcanic hydrothermal
alteration mineral assemblages at the prospect include: a) carbonate (ankerite, dolomite, or calcite); b)
sericite + carbonate (ankerite, dolomite, or calcite); and c) sericite + green mica ± carbonate (ankerite,
dolomite or calcite). The close association of structurally deformed rocks and these alteration zones, and
the orientations of these alteration zones, suggest that these alteration mineral assemblages resulted from
syntectonic hydrothermal processes associated with the D2 Murray Shear Zone deformational event. A
hydrothermal alteration mineral assemblage map for the Fivemile Lake prospect is illustrated in Figure 113.
The mottled epidote + quartz + actinolite alteration zone present in this outcrop is confined to a
diabase dike-sill complex located immediately south of Fivemile Lake. This 400 meter by 500 meter
disconformable to semiconformable alteration zone locally cross-cuts semiconformable alteration zones
comprising the epidote + quartz ± chlorite ± secondary feldspar assemblage, the epidote + quartz + ironchlorite ± secondary feldspar assemblage, and the secondary feldspar + quartz ± epidote ± actinolite
alteration assemblage.
The mottled epidote + quartz + actinolite alteration zone is characterized by a dark green,
actinolite and epidote-rich groundmass that contains discrete 0.1-2.0 meter diameter, round to lens-shaped
masses containing anhedral granular epidote and zoisite intergrown with polygonal quartz. These
rounded epidote-quartz-rich masses can easily be mistaken for individual pillow lavas; however, they can
be distinguished from pillows because they lack abundant amygdules, and have no discrete pillow
selvedges or interpillow hyaloclastite zones. Petrographic, x-ray, and electron microprobe analyses
indicate the presence of iron-rich chlorite, iron-rich actinolite, pistacite and zoisite/clinozoisite within this
assemblage (Odette et al., 2001a, 2001b; Hocker et al., 2003).

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22

�Figure 1-13. Hydrothermal alteration map of the Fivemile Lake prospect (after Hudak et al., 2002a).

The mineralogy, mineral compositions, and pronounced calcium enrichment and copper depletion
that characterize the mottled epidote + quartz + actinolite alteration assemblage (Odette et al, 2001a,
2001b) are consistent with formation within a synvolcanic, semiconformable to disconformable alteration
zone formed by high temperature, high fluid to rock ratio interactions deep within a sub-seafloor
hydrothermal cell (c. f. Franklin, 1996; Seyfried et al., 1999). Similar clinozoisite/zoisite bearing
alteration mineral assemblages described by Hannington et al. (2002) that occur down-section from the
world-class VMS deposits in the Noranda mining camp in Quebec are believed to have formed from
anomalous fluid flow at high water to rock ratios and high temperatures. Large zones of base metaldepleted epidosite in the Troodos ophiolite complex have been interpreted by Richardson et al. (1987) to
represent deep-seated fossil reaction zones where metaliferous “black smoker” fluids are produced. The
confinement of this alteration assemblage to the base of the northeast-trending diabase dike / sill complex,
indicates that this alteration assemblage occurs in the deep subsurface of a northeast-trending synvolcanic
structure that focused magma, as well as high temperature, perhaps base metal-rich hydrothermal fluids,
up-section. Base metal exhalite mineralization occurs approximately 1 km northeast of this location
(Stops 1-7 and 1-8, Fig. 1-13).
An east-southeast – west-northwest-trending post-volcanic shear zone is present in the northcentral part of the outcrop. The orientation of the schistosity adjacent to the shear zone indicates a dextral
sense of shear. The shear zone is one of several east-southeast – west-northwest trending shears that
occur at the Fivemile Lake Prospect. Similarly oriented dextral shear zones mapped by Peterson and
Patelke (2003) between the north edge of the Murray Shear Zone and the Mine Shear zone in Sections 25
and 26, T. 62N, R. 15 W (approximately 2-3 km west of this location) have been interpreted as Reidel R
structures.

Page 23

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�STOP 1-7:

ALTERED PILLOW LAVAS, BASE METAL EXHALITE, SCORIA LAPILLI
TUFF, NE OF FIVEMILE LAKE

Location:

(SE, NE, S.29, T.62N., R.14W., NAD83 UTM 564260E, 5297175N)

Description: A 40-meter long, east-northeast striking, &lt;1-2 meter thick chert-pyrite-chlorite ±
chalcopyrite exhalite horizon crops out at this location approximately 50 meters northeast of Fivemile
Lake (Fig. 1-13). Although this unit is volumetrically insignificant within the Fivemile Lake area, its
presence is extremely important in terms of understanding potentially ore forming processes in this part of
the Lower Ely. A lithogeochemical analysis of the exhalite (Hudak et al., 2002a) indicates slightly
elevated Cu (470-509 ppm) and Zn (66-135 ppm). D. M. Peterson (personal communication, 1996) first
recognized this unit as being similar in morphology and mineralogy to chemical exhalites associated with,
and locally hosting, volcanic-associated massive sulfide mineralization in the Archean basalts and
andesites within the Noranda mining camp of Quebec, Canada. This exhalite horizon appears to be on
strike with the northernmost of four untested EM conductors that have been identified within Fivemile
Lake (Peterson, 2001; Peterson and Jirsa, 1999a).
Extremely detailed mapping (1:120 scale) has been completed (Hudak et al., 2002a) to further
evaluate the stratigraphic and structural controls on this exhalite deposit (Fig. 1-14). The exhalite is
relatively easy to distinguish from its surrounding rocks based on its deep red-brown, gossan-like, sulfidestained weathered surface. When broken, the exhalite is composed of vaguely banded chert and chlorite
that contains 5-10% disseminated to banded pyrite. Locally, anhedral disseminated chalcopyrite and
locally, extremely fine-grained, finely-disseminated, honey- to dark brown sphalerite grains are present in
trace amounts.
Detailed mapping indicates that the exhalite unit separates epidote + quartz + actinolite ±
chlorite-altered basalt-andesite pillow lavas from overlying iron-chlorite- and sericite-altered basaltandesite tuffs and lapilli tuffs. The exhalite unit stratigraphically and conformably overlies the pillow
lavas, and its sharp basal contact illustrates how the chemical sediment draped over the pillow-dominated
paleotopography of the seafloor at the time of deposition. Locally, exhalite deposits cut through the
pillow lavas, replacing the formerly glassy interpillow hyaloclastite. This relationship suggests that the
interpillow hyaloclastite zones represented areas of high permeability, and these regions were the locus of
hydrothermal fluid migration upward to, and possibly within the immediate subsurface, of the
paleoseafloor. These features are consistent with the interpretation that this represents a region of ventproximal hydrothermal activity.
The contact between the exhalite and the overlying lapilli tuff and tuff deposits is also sharp. It is
important to note that fragments of the exhalite have not been observed in the basal parts of these
overlying volcaniclastic deposits. In addition, no soft sediment deformation has been observed that could
be attributed to syndepositional tractional deformation associated with the sedimentation of the overlying
volcaniclastic rocks. This suggests that the exhalite deposit was relatively competent at the time the
overlying tuffs were deposited. Such field evidence, combined with the lack of intense quartz-epidoteactinolite ± chlorite alteration (which is so prevalent in the footwall pillow basalts) in the overlying tuffs,
also suggests that the hydrothermal activity associated with the genesis of the exhalite deposit was
completed by the time that the overlying volcaniclastic rocks were deposited.
Three other features suggest that exhalite deposition was closely associated with a volcanic ventproximal setting. First, property-scale mapping at Fivemile Lake (Hudak et al., 2002a) clearly illustrates
that a synvolcanic diabase intrusion (observed in the previous stop) cross-cuts the stratigraphy in the
immediate vicinity of the exhalite deposit (Fig. 1-9). Second, detailed mapping clearly indicates that the
exhalite unit is abruptly terminated at its western margin by north to northwest striking pillow dikes that
are similar in morphology to the pillow dikes that occur in close association with the peperite deposits

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�Figure 1-14. Detailed geological map of exhalite mineralization northeast of Fivemile Lake (from Hudak et al., 2002a). Note the stratigraphic
positioning of the chemical exhalite horizon between basalt-andesite pillow lava and basalt-andesite lapilli tuff, suggesting a period of volcanic
quiescence which was accompanied by hydrothermal activity prior to the deposition of the lapilli tuff unit. Also note that the western part of the
exhalite is cut by pillowed basalt-andesite dikes, once again suggesting the presence of a synvolcanic structure. Note that all UTM coordinates on the
diagram are in NAD 27 coordinates.

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�along the southwestern shoreline of Fivemile Lake. The location of both the diabase dikes and the pillow
dikes clearly indicates the local presence of a major synvolcanic structure. Thick interpillow hyaloclastite
deposits in the vicinity of the exhalite also suggest a vent-proximal environment (Newkirk et al., 2001a,
2001b; Hudak et al., 2002a).
In summary, semi-massive sulfide exhalite associated mineralization clearly has formed within a
volcanic (and associated hydrothermal) vent-proximal environment at Fivemile Lake. Such environments
are commonly associated with economic massive sulfide mineralization in other lava-flow dominated
Archean volcanic settings, such as at Noranda, Quebec (Gibson, 1989; Gibson et al., 1999; Santaguida,
1999).
STOP 1-8:

RHYOLITE LAVA DOME, NE OF FIVEMILE LAKE

Location:

(SE, NE, S.29, T.62N., R.14W., NAD 83 UTM 564440E, 5297160N)

Description: The first day of our field trip concludes with an investigation of a 200-meter long, 15-45
meter thick unit of quartz-phyric, rhyodacitic to rhyolite lava that occurs approximately 200 meters
northeast of Fivemile Lake (Figs. 1-9 and 1-13). The U/Pb zircon age for this unit is 2722.6 ± 0.9 Ma
(Peterson et al., 2001). This biscuit shaped, relatively thick mass of rhyodacitic to rhyolitic is
morphologically similar to felsic lava domes and cryptodomes (Cas and Wright, 1987). The presence of
quartz-phyric lava fragments in epiclastic deposits approximately 400 meters southeast of this location, as
well as the presence of the overlying subaqueously deposited volcaniclastic sediments and intermediate to
mafic lava flows, suggests that this unit was at least partially emergent as a subaqueous lava dome.
The uppermost contact of this unit is not exposed in outcrop. Where exposed in drill core
(diamond drill hole SXL-2), the massive quartz-phyric lava is interstratified with, and overlain by, 1-2
meters of felsic tuff, which in turn, is overlain by pillowed basalt-andesite lava flows. The basal contact of
the unit is exposed in diamond drill holes SXL-2 and SXL-3. In SXL-2, the basal contact is represented
by a 3-meter thick shear zone composed of quartz, carbonate, sericite and green mica (fuchsite or
mariposite?). In SXL-3, the base of the unit is immediately underlain by a 2-meter thick quartz-feldspar
porphyry dike that, in turn, is underlain by a shear zone composed of quartz-carbonate-sericite-chlorite
schist. This shear zone locally contains 1-3%, 1-8mm wide veins and bands composed of red to redbrown sphalerite. The presence of this shear zone conservatively precludes using the pillowed basaltandesite lava flows as reliable bounding facies; however, the lack of evidence for extensive structural
transposition of the felsic lavas, the extremely thick sequence of pillow lavas stratigraphically below the
felsic lavas, and the presence to the southeast of submarine epiclastic strata with felsic lava fragments
identical in composition to the dome, suggest that the felsic lavas were formed in a subaqueous
environment.
Drill core intersections of these lava flows are characterized by a massive to faintly amygdaloidal
(up to 1% 5mm rounded gray quartz amygdules), pale gray (least altered) to pale yellow green
(sericitized) aphanitic groundmass which contains 1-4% grayish blue to colorless euhedral square to
subhedral, locally broken, &lt;1-2.5mm quartz phenocrysts (Fig. 1-15a). Pale brown to honey-colored
sphalerite veins are locally present in the drill core and range from &lt;1-8cm in width (Figure 1-15b). Two
types of veins are present: a) sphalerite veins which are associated with quartz and/or chlorite, which
display no indication of structural deformation (in-situ sphalerite veins); and b) sphalerite veins which are
associated with local domains of quartz-sericite-ankerite schist, and appear to have been formed by local
remobilization of sphalerite along post-volcanic shear zones (structurally remobilized sphalerite veins).
The presence of in-situ sphalerite veins, and the abundance of structurally remobilized sphalerite veins in
the quartz-phyric lava flows relative to other units in the Fivemile Lake area, suggests that the original

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�sphalerite mineralization in the Fivemile Lake area was synvolcanic and associated with the massive
quartz-phyric lava flows.
As seen in this exposure, the quartz-phyric lava flows contain an aphanitic, pale-gray to gray
groundmass. These lavas contain 5-8% 1-3mm diameter subhedral to square euhedral quartz phenocrysts
that are locally broken. Rare, 2-4mm subhedral to euhedral quartz glomerocrysts are locally present.
Faint, pale gray &lt;1-2mm tabular feldspar phenocrysts are also present, and comprise up to 5% of the rock.
Petrographic analysis indicates that lavas are characterized by a very fine-grained quartzo-feldspathic
groundmass and subhedral to euhedral quartz phenocrysts that are locally resorbed. Alteration minerals
that occur in the groundmass include sericite, epidote, clinozoisite/zoisite, iron-carbonate and iron-rich
chlorite. Also present on the southwest side of this outcrop is a northeast-trending, post-volcanic quartzfeldspar porphyry dike.

Figure 1-15. Drill core appearance of unmineralized, sericite-altered rhyolite dome (A, SXL-2-173’) and silicified
rhyolite dome cut by red-brown “honey-colored” sphalerite veins (B, SXL-2-280’). Modified from Hudak et al.
(2002a). Scale bar units are centimeters.

FIELD TRIP STOPS – DAY 2 (MAY 5)

Figure 1-16. Locations of field trip stops 1-9, 1-10, and 1-11.

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�STOP 1-9:

FLUIDAL PEPERITES AND VOLCANIC VENT FACIES, NORTH SHORELINE
OF FIVEMILE LAKE No hammering please!

Location:

(SE, NW, S.29, T.62N., R.14W., NAD 83 UTM 563590E, 5297215N). Note: We will be
accessing the north side of Fivemile Lake via a private road. Obtain permission to use
this road from people in the first house on the right as you turn onto this private drive.

Description: Detailed (1:100 to 1:2000 scale) mapping by Hudak et al. (in prep. a) and Hudak (in
press) has identified the paleo-vent of a relative small basalt-andesite tuff cone volcano immediately north
of this location (Figs. 1-9 and 1-16). The vent facies here is well exposed in a series of outcrops along the
north shoreline of Fivemile Lake, and is extremely complicated (Fig. 1-17a). At this location, we can
observe steeply north dipping, east-west striking basalt-andesite pillow lavas that occur stratigraphically
beneath the tuff cone, and the contact between the pillowed flows and the vent fill deposits, which are
composed of exceptionally well preserved blocky to amoeboid peperites (Figs. 1-17 b and 1-17c).
The contact between the pillowed flows and the vent fill deposits is interpreted to be a
synvolcanic fault zone. Several jigsaw puzzle-fit, more or less in-situ pillow lava blocks can be observed
within the vent fill deposits near this contact. The basalt-andesite tuff comprising the vent fill deposits
have been intruded by a series of andesite-dacite dikes that are compositionally identical to the pillowed
dikes observed southwest of this location at “Pike Point”. Interactions between the wet, unconsolidated
vent fill tuffs and the dikes have produced an absolutely spectacular deposit of amoeboid peperite. The
peperite displays several exceptional textures, including: 1) jigsaw puzzle-fit igneous component lapilli
and blocks indicative of in-situ fragmentation; 2) local contact metamorphosed zones ranging from a few
millimeters to a few centimeters in width immediately adjacent to the lapilli and blocks within the
peperite; 3) local chilled margins on the peperite fragments indicating rapid quenching and fragmentation
of the igneous component from interactions with relatively cool, wet, unconsolidated vent fill tuffs; 4)
complicated amoeboid peperite, especially on the northeastern part of the outcrop; and 5) the presence of
1-2mm diameter, commonly quartz-filled vesicles within the vent fill tuffs. Also note the presence of 1-2
cm wide, several centimeter-long parallel bands containing high abundances (20-50%) of 1-2mm vesicles.
These bands are generally more or less parallel with the margins of adjacent igneous component peperite
fragments, but locally, these bands show no preferred directional relationship with the margins of nearby
clasts.
Petrographic observations (Hudak et al., in press; Hudak et al., in prep. b) indicate that these
zones are composed of parallel bands of highly vesicular, locally plagioclase-phyric fragments that are
compositionally identical to the coherent igneous component clasts in the peperite. The origin of the
bands may be related to collapse of thin vapor films along the margin of the hot igneous component as
occurs in laboratory simulations of peperite formation (Zimanowski and Buttner, 2002). The parallel
bands in this outcrop may have formed when the margins of the igneous component shattered due to
explosive interaction with external water as the vapor film collapsed. The parallel bands observed on the
outcrop indicate that this process occurred periodically and continually. Such a process is consistent with
the pulsating phreatic and phreatomagmatic eruptions that occur in shallow submarine environments.

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�DETAILED GEOLOGICAL MAP
FIVE MILE LAKE PEPERITE
Pillow Basalt - Andesite

Pepe.te - Igneous Componenl

[j] Pepenle - Sedimentary Component
[] Miyg.iuie-ric, banding

Figure 1-17. Detailed geological map (A) of the vent facies of a basalt-andesite tuff cone volcano located north of
Fivemile Lake. Photographs A and B illustrate amoeboid peperite and parallel, vesicle-rich zones present in the
outcrop.

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�STOP 1-10:

CENTRAL BASALT SEQUENCE SHEET FLOWS, PILLOW LAVAS, AND
PERLITIC HYALOCLASTITE, HILLTOP S OF HIGHWAY 169

Location:

(SE, SW, S.19, T.62N., R.14W., NAD 83 UTM 56200E, 5297800N)

Description: The Central Basalt sequence (Peterson and Patelke, 2003) comprises a steeply northdipping (75°- vertical), north-facing sequence of sparsely amygdaloidal pillowed and massive lava flows
of basalt composition that are believed to be correlative with the tholeiitic Armstrong Lake volcanic
sequence mapped by Jirsa et al. (2001) in the Eagles Nest quadrangle. Relative to massive and pillowed
basalt and andesite flows in the Fivemile Lake sequence, Central Basalt sequence lavas flows are notably
less amygdaloidal, and lack multiple pillow rind structures. In addition, the Central Basalt sequence lacks
the thick sequences of scoriaceous basalt-andesite lapilli tuffs that are commonly interstratified with lava
flows in the Fivemile Lake sequence. These characteristics of the Central Basalt sequence indicate
eruption and deposition in a deeper submarine environment than the stratigraphically older Fivemile Lake
sequence, and suggest overall increasing water depth during the temporal development of the Lower Ely.
This field trip stop (Fig. 1-16) displays exceptional preservation of fine-scale volcanic textures
that are characteristic of the Central Basalt sequence. The outcrop comprises two east-southeast striking
massive basalt flows, ranging from at least five to nine meters in thickness, that are separated by a ten
meter thick flow unit comprising pillows and pillow lobes (Fig. 1-18). Flow 1, at the southern part of the
outcrop, is composed of a pale- to dark green, faintly feldspar-phyric (~10% 0.5-1 mm laths), sparsely
amygdaloidal, basalt sheet flow that locally exhibits tortoise-shell jointing formed in response to
contraction during cooling. The uppermost 10-40 cm of the coherent part of Flow 1 is generally silicified
and epidotized. Petrographic observations (Hudak et al., in prep. b) indicate that this section of the flow
also contains up to 70% &lt;0.1 cm round spherulites. An irregular contact occurs between the coherent
basalt flow and an overlying one- to two meter thick unit of dark green, exceptionally well-preserved
perlitic in-situ hyaloclastite and associate self-peperite (c.f. Batiza and White, 2000). The hyaloclastite
formed from non-explosive fracturing of the basalt glass developed on the flow top due to quenching by
water, whereas the perlite formed following deposition by hydration of volcanic glass. Irregular,
amoeboid apophyses of coherent basalt, ranging from 10-30 cm thick and up to 1.5 meters long, locally
intrude into the hyaloclastite. These apophyses have pale green cores and dark green, very fine-grained
margins which grade outward into in-situ, jigsaw-fit perlitic hyaloclastite. An irregular contact occurs
between the hyaloclastite and Flow 2, which is composed of north-facing mattress- to bun-shaped pillow
lavas and pillow lobes with numerous “neck and knob” structures. Individual pillows have well developed
perlitic hyaloclastite margins that range from 1-4 cm in width. Pillow buds indicate propagation from
east to west, suggesting the volcanic vent was located east of this location. A NNE-trending D3 normal
fault with a 10 cm displacement occurs in this unit on the southeastern part of the outcrop. The coherent
pillows and lobes are overlain by up to 2.5 meters of hyaloclastite breccia that contains 20-40% subround
to subangular pale gray green basalt lapilli in a jigsaw puzzle-fit dark green perlitic hyaloclastite matrix.
The upper contact of Flow 2 and the overlying basalt sheet flow (Flow 3) is irregular, and is
marked by thin (1-8 cm thick), sheet-like basalt fragments that are up to 1.6 meters in length. These
fragments locally appear to be isoclinally folded about an east-west-trending fold hinge. Although the
genesis of this structure is currently not well understood, it may be due to syneruptive deformation of
either thin slabs of hot, basal flow margin crust from the overlying flow, or thin injections of basalt
magma into the hyaloclastite from either the underlying pillows or the overlying sheet flow. Flow 3
comprises an at least ten-meter thick pale green-gray, slightly feldspar-phyric, sparsely amygdaloidal
sheet flow. Steep, NNE-trending west dipping D3 joints are well developed in this unit, as are lensshaped psuedo-pillows that are up to 50 cm in diameter.

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�Figure 1-18. Detailed geological map of sheet flows, pillow lavas, hyaloclastite, and associated “self-peperite” at
field trip stop 1-10.

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�STOP 1-11:

Location:

RHYODACITE BLOCK AND ASH FLOW DEPOSITS, NORTH SHORELINE OF
NEEDLEBOY LAKE
(Optional Stop, NW, SW, S.21, T.62N., R.14W., NAD 83 UTM 564855E, 5298360N)
This is an optional stop, as it requires a moderately strenuous 20-30 minute hike along a poorly
maintained, easy to trip upon trail. Be extremely careful and watch for protruding boulders and
cobbles on the trail.

Description: A 50 meter-thick unit of quartz-phyric rhyolite tuff and lapilli tuff crops out in a series of
several closely-spaced outcrops along the northwestern shoreline of Needleboy Lake (Fig. 1-16). The
pale gray to green-gray matrix contains 1-3% subhedral to angular quartz phenocrysts and crystal shards,
10-15% 1-5 cm subangular to subround pumice lapilli, and locally, up to 15% 2-11 cm subround to
subangular quartz-phyric rhyolite lava lapilli and bombs which locally display a crude jigsaw puzzle-fit.
Both the pumice and the felsic lava clasts are locally crudely stratified. Pumice lapilli altered by epidote
commonly occur as pale green fragments within the deposits. The central part of the outcrop contains a
well-developed, east-west trending, steeply north-dipping shear zone. Boudinage locally occur in the
rhyolite deposits within this shear zone. A 30-35 meter thick gabbro sill occurs immediately north of this
shear zone. This unit is characterized by an equigranular medium gray-green to brownish-green color,
with pale green epidote altered feldspar and deep green actinolite present. Petrographic observations
(Hudak et al., in prep. a) indicate that the gabbro has a sub-ophitic texture. Locally, steeply-dipping northsouth-trending D3 joints and east-west-trending quartz epidote veins may be observed on the northeastern
side of this series of outcrops. A large east-west-trending outcrop occurs approximately 40 meters
northwest of the northern-most outcrop near the shoreline. The southernmost 5 meters of the outcrop
comprises a mafic lapilli tuff that contains up to 5% subangular silicified mafic lapilli. This tuff is
progressively deformed into dark green chlorite schist with a well-developed, east-west-trending, steeply
south-dipping S2 foliation. The chlorite schist is in sharp contact with a massive, 3-12 meter-thick quartzand feldspar-phyric rhyodacite sill. The sill is overlain by a mafic lapilli tuff containing up to 25%
subangular to subround, locally jigsaw puzzle-fit amygdaloidal basalt and scoria clasts.
Felsic volcaniclastic deposits at the base of the outcrop are interpreted to represent a sequence of
variably-altered rhyolite block and ash flow deposits. Block and ash flow deposits are unsorted deposits
with an ash-matrix containing both monolithologic, low-vesicularity lava lapilli and blocks and pumice
lapilli and blocks that may display normal or reverse coarse-tail grading (Cas and Wright, 1987; Freundt
et al., 2000). The deposits are formed during the explosive collapse of lava domes, and can occur in either
the subaerial or submarine environment (Hudak, 1996; Gibson et al., 1999). These deposits are believed
to have been initially overlain by a series of basalt-andesite tuffs and lapilli tuffs; however, a synvolcanic
gabbro sill intruded the contact between and subsequently separated these two units. Deformation that is
concentrated along the contacts between this sill and the adjacent supracrustal strata is attributed to strain
partitioning due to different rheological properties during the D2 deformation event.
STOP 1-12:

SYNVOLCANIC FAULT ZONE WITH “EPIDOSITES”, SE OF SIXMILE LAKE

Location:

(NE, SE, S.21, T.62N., R.14W., NAD 83 UTM 565860E, 5298535N) During the hike
through the swampy area, be extremely careful to walk on areas with vegetation and tree roots.

Description: The next several stops (1-12 through 1-17) represent a north-south section through the
uppermost parts of the Lower Ely (Fig. 1-19). Basalt-andesite lava flows in this region vary from massive
to pillowed, and are generally less amygdaloidal than the basalt-andesite lava flows in the southern part of
the section near Fivemile Lake. The purpose of this stop is to investigate a northeast-trending,

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�disconformable zone of intensely quartz + epidote ± actinolite altered pillow lavas (epidosites), and to
observe one of the post-volcanic quartz-feldspar porphyry dikes that commonly occur within the volcanic
sequence.

Figure 1-19. Detailed geological map of the area southeast of Sixmile Lake. Field trip stop locations 1-12 through
1-17 are also illustrated on the map.

The first outcrop we will investigate is composed of intensely epidote + quartz-altered basaltandesite pillows and lobes. The pillows may be difficult to see due to the intense synvolcanic
hydrothermal alteration, but may be located by identifying actinolite ± chlorite-altered zones of
interpillow hyaloclastite, as well as concentrated zones of 0.1-1.0 cm round to oval actinolite ± chloritefilled amygdules which occur within the pillow selvedges. Dark gray veins of magnetite with minor
amounts of pyrite, chalcopyrite, and malachite up to 1 cm in width occur primarily within interpillow
hyaloclastite zones, but also locally cross-cut the interiors of the pillows and lobes. The patchy pistachiogreen and pink coloration on the outcrop is due to the presence of pistacite epidote (green) and zoisiteclinozoisite (pale pink). Santaguida et al. (2002a, 2002b) indicate that epidote compositions within
epidote-quartz altered rocks in the Noranda Volcanic Complex of Quebec are sensitive to small-scale
variations in fluid:rock ratios within individual alteration zones due to primary permeability differences in
the strata being altered. Hannington et al. (2002) note that within the Proterozoic Kristineberg VMS
district of Sweden, zoisite-clinozoisite formation occurs in regions altered at relatively high fluid:rock
ratios and high temperatures by acidic hydrothermal fluids.
The second outcrop to observe occurs approximately 20 meters to the southwest of the first
outcrop, and is located near the top of a prominent east-northeast trending ridge. Compositionally, the
rock is identical to the first outcrop. Texturally, the rock is intensely brecciated, containing lapilli- to
block-sized subangular fragments of intensely epidote + quartz-altered amygdaloidal basalt.
Disconformable zones containing jigsaw-fit epidosite occur proximal to synvolcanic fault zones in the
Josephine Ophiolite (Harper, 1999). Based on detailed mapping, the northeast trending, disconformable

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�zone of epidosite comprising these outcrops has been interpreted by Hudak et al. (2002b) as being
proximal to a synvolcanic fault zone.
The third outcrop occurs approximately due north of the second outcrop visited. Exposed at this
location is a relatively fresh quartz-feldspar porphyry dike. Similar quartz-feldspar porphyry dikes
commonly occur throughout this region of the Vermilion district.

Figure 1-20. Photographs of intensely epidote-altered basalt-andesite lava flows from the area southeast of Sixmile
Lake. Photo A shows brecciated, intensely epidote–quartz altered pillow lavas. Photo B shows typical relationships
between intense epidote alteration, stockwork quartz veins, magnetite stringers, and sulfide staining.

STOP 1-13:

SYNVOLCANIC FAULT ZONE WITH EPIDOSITES, SE OF SIXMILE LAKE

Location:

(SE, NE, S.21, T.62N., R.14W., NAD 83 UTM 565850E, 5298560N)

Description: Several relatively small outcrops of intensely epidote + quartz ± actinolite ± chloritealtered basalt-andesite pillow lavas occur along the southwestern part of an east-west trending ridge at
this location. These rocks are mineralogically similar to those investigated at the previous outcrop;
however, despite their intense alteration, they display extremely well preserved primary volcanic textures.
The pillows at this location are primarily bun-shaped, and range from approximately 1-1.5 meters in
diameter. Interpillow hyaloclastite zones range from &lt;1-2 cm in width, and are pale yellow green in color
due to the presence of epidote, actinolite, and chlorite. Pillow selvedges and cores once again vary in
color from pale green to pinkish green due to variable percentages of pistacite and clinozoisite/zoisite.
The pillow selvedges and cores contain up to 5% 0.1-1.0 cm diameter round to oval quartz ± actinolite ±
chlorite-filled amygdules.
STOP 1-14:

STRINGER COPPER MINERALIZATION IN BASALT–ANDESITE, AND
SERICITE-ALTERED RHYODACITE TUFFS, SE OF SIXMILE LAKE

Location:

(SE, NE, S.21, T.62N., R.14W., NAD 83 UTM 565910E, 5298655N)

Description: Another small group of outcrops occurs approximately 50 meters northeast of the
previous outcrops investigated (Fig. 1-19). Stratigraphically, we are now positioned within the uppermost
100 to 200 meters of the Lower Ely. At this location, we can observe locally brecciated, strongly epidote
+ quartz-altered, and locally actinolite- and chlorite-altered basalt-andesite pillow lavas. Pillows at this
outcrop are significantly smaller (generally approximately 0.5 meters in diameter) than those observed in
the previous outcrop, suggesting that we are positioned near the top of a pillowed flow unit (Dimroth et

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�al. (1978) and Staudigal and Schminke (1984) have shown that pillows generally decrease in size near the
top of a pillowed unit, and attribute this to change in pillow size due to decreasing effusion rates as an
individual eruption comes to an end). The outcrop also locally contains up to 5% dark gray stringer-like
veins of magnetite with associated pyrite, chalcopyrite, malachite, and associated deep-red sulfide burn
(Fig. 1-21a). These veinlets are commonly parallel to a series of quartz stockwork veins that trend
approximately 080° and dip steeply to the north. Both the magnetite-sulfide veins and quartz stockwork
veins are consistent with cooling of a high temperature, iron-, base metal-, and silica-rich hydrothermal
fluid in the shallow seafloor, and may represent stringer mineralization that occurs immediately downsection from massive sulfide mineralization.

Figure 1-21. Mineralization and alteration present at field trip stop 1-14. Photograph A illustrates malachite
mineralization associated with magnetite-chalcopyrite veins within altered basalt pillow lavas. B shows sericitealtered felsic tuff deposits located immediately up-section from the altered mafic lavas in photograph A.

The pillow lavas are immediately overlain by a 10-20 meter thick sequence of sparsely quartz and
plagioclase-phyric rhyodacite tuffs (Fig. 21b). These volcaniclastic deposits typically are brownish-gray
in color due to the presence of abundant sericite. Close-up observation of the unit reveals the presence of
approximately 1% sub-1mm anhedral to subhedral quartz crystal chips, and 2-3% 1 mm diameter
subhedral to euhedral tabular plagioclase feldspar phenocrysts. Rare pumice lapilli can be observed with
careful observation; they range from 1-2 cm in diameter, are generally rounded to oval in shape, and
contain up to 50% sub-1mm round vesicles (originally carbonate vesicles which have now been
weathered-out based on petrographic observations by Hudak et al. (in prep. a)). The pumice lapilli in this
outcrop increase in abundance from the base toward the top of the unit. Such inverse grading of pumice
may be the result of subaerially erupted air fall deposited into the ocean, as large, cold pumice generally
take longer to saturate and sink than small, cold pumice (Whitham and Sparks, 1986). This tuff horizon
may represent the distal equivalent to fragmental felsic rocks mapped by Peterson and Patelke (2003) that
occur stratigraphically below the Ely Greenstone – Soudan Member and the Soudan Mine. Sericite
alteration is common in submarine felsic volcaniclastic rocks (Gibson et al., 1989), and may be associated
with either vertically extensive discordant pipe-like alteration zones associated with hydrothermal upflow
zones, or laterally extensive semiconformable alteration zones formed by extensive shallow seafloor
seawater metasomatism of permeable submarine strata. More detailed mapping will be necessary to
determine with certainty the geometry of the sericite alteration zone observed in this outcrop.
The exposures of felsic tuff dive abruptly to the north into a swamp. Hand auger boring in this
swamp (NAD 83 UTM location 0565938E, 5298671N) yielded dark black, organic-rich soil containing
abundant, angular, variably weathered clasts of massive pyrite. Stringer copper mineralization, sericitealtered felsic tuffs, the presence of massive sulfide in the subsurface beneath the swamp, and the presence

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�of rare sulfide lapilli in volcaniclastic deposits north of the swamp (seen in the next outcrop) suggests that
the swamp may be underlain by a massive sulfide horizon (Hudak et al., 2002b).

STOP 1-15:

CHERT, BANDED IRON-FORMATION AND
SEDIMENTARY STRATA, SE OF SIXMILE LAKE

ASSOCIATED

CLASTIC

Location:

(SE, NE, S.21, T.62 N., R.14W., NAD 83 UTM 565840E, 5298760N) Be extremely careful
when walking on these outcrop surfaces and descending into the small valley immediately south of
these outcrops, as they are commonly very slippery.

Description: North of the swamp, a southeast-trending outcrop ridge comprises a sequence of
volcaniclastic and chemical sedimentary strata (Fig. 1-19). The purpose of this stop is to observe the
variety of interflow sedimentary rocks that occur in this upper part of the Lower Ely, to observe wellpreserved sedimentary textures, and to see further evidence for the presence of ancient hydrothermal
activity southeast of Sixmile Lake.
A series of small outcrops occurring along the northwestern part of the outcrop ridge comprises
west-northwest striking, steeply north dipping 10-30 cm thick chemical exhalites (chert horizons and
banded magnetite + chert ± jasper banded iron-formation horizons) are that are interbedded with 10-60
cm thick, well-stratified horizons of mudstones, wackes, and matrix-supported polymict diamictites. The
base of the stratigraphic sequence occurs at the southern end of the outcrop, where a 20 cm thick
magnetite-rich horizon of banded iron-formation occurs (Fig. 1-22a). This chemical sedimentary horizon
is overlain by a several meter-thick sequence of interbedded, laminated to bedded, commonly normally
graded, mudstones and polymict diamictites interpreted to have formed from submarine debris flows and
turbidity currents. The polymict diamictites range from 10-60 cm thick, and contain up to 5% 1-2.5 cm
lens-shaped chert clasts, 10-40% silicified or chlorite-altered mafic volcanic lapilli, and rare (&lt;1%) &lt;12cm sulfide-rich fragments. Locally, clasts within the diamictites are vaguely imbricated. Interbedded
mudstone horizons are up to 40 cm thick, and locally display cross beds that indicate stratigraphic topping
direction is north.
Iron-formation horizons at this location indicate that low temperature exhalative hydrothermal
activity was occurring in this part of the Lower Ely. It is interesting to note that these iron-formation
horizons occur in the area that would be immediately up-section from the possible sulfide horizon within
the swamp to the south. Several VMS horizons in similar volcanic sequences within Canada are capped
by iron-formations (Franklin et al., 1981). Debris flows and/or turbidity currents that deposited the
polymict diamictites and associated mudstones periodically interrupted periods of relatively lowtemperature hydrothermal activity that formed the iron-formation horizons. Clasts within the diamictites
are similar to the volcanic and chemical sedimentary strata that occur in the immediate vicinity of the
deposits based on detailed mapping (Hudak et al., in prep. a). Chert clasts within the diamictites were
likely derived from the iron-formation horizons. Rare sulfide-rich fragments locally contained within the
diamictites also suggest that VMS mineralization occurred on or near the paleoseafloor in the vicinity of
the area that is now Sixmile Lake, supporting the interpretation that a massive sulfide horizon may be
present beneath the swamp which separates the outcrops at this stop from those at the previous stop.

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36

�_J\

\.a'

Figure 1-22. Sedimentary strata in the uppermost parts of the Lower Ely. Figure 1-22a shows oxide-facies banded
iron-formation and chert exhalites located up-section from altered tuffs seen at field trip stop 1-15. Figure 1-22b
shows diamictites that contain abundant chert clasts and rare sulfide clasts. These deposits are also located
stratigraphically up-section from the felsic tuffs seen at the previous stop.

STOP 1-16:

EPIDOTE-QUARTZ ALTERATION ON MARGIN OF DIABASE/GABBRO
SILL, SE OF SIXMILE LAKE

Location:

(SE, NE, S.21, T.62N., R.14., NAD 83 UTM 565960E, 5298790N) The outcrop at this
stop occurs on the Sixmile Lake Road. Be attentive for automobiles, trucks, and four-wheelers
when observing this outcrop.

Description: This relatively small (3 meters by 5 meters) outcrop exposes the northern margin of the
east-west-trending gabbro-diorite sill that extends from at least southwest of Sixmile Lake to at least 500
meters east of this location (Fig. 1-19; Hudak et al., in prep.). The southern two-thirds of the outcrop
comprises pale green to pinkish green, epidote- and clinozoisite/zoisite-altered subophitic gabbro which
contains up to 1% 1-5mm quartz- and/or actinolite-filled amygdules. Numerous north-northeast, steeply
west-dipping joints were developed during the regional D3 deformation. The uppermost one-third of the
outcrop contains an in-situ hyaloclastite breccia comprising pale-to dark green angular, locally jigsaw
puzzle-fit, iron chlorite + actinolite + zoisite/clinozoisite-altered gabbro lapilli in a pinkish-tan to tan
matrix of sericite, epidote, and zoisite/clinozoisite (Fig. 1-23a).
This outcrop illustrates, in part, the difficulty in determining hydrothermally altered flow top
breccias from hyaloclastite breccias and/or peperites that form from intrusion of sills into wet, relatively
unconsolidated sediments that occur within the shallow seafloor. The intense hydrothermal alteration that
occurs at the northern margin of the outcrop indicates that high water:rock ratio, high temperature
(&gt;300°C) hydrothermal alteration was focused in the permeable, sill-marginal, hyaloclastite or peperite
(?) breccia. Synvolcanic sills intruded into the shallow seafloor are important heat sources that drive
hydrothermal circulation cells that form VMS deposits (Campbell et al., 1981). Sills such as the one
exposed at this outcrop may have contributed significantly to the formation of Algoma-type banded ironformation within the overlying Soudan Iron Formation, and perhaps, VMS mineralization within the
uppermost parts of the Lower Ely or the Soudan Iron Formation.

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37

�Figure 1-23. Synvolcanic sills and banded iron-formations in the uppermost parts of the Lower Ely. Figure 1-23a
shows the uppermost margin of a gabbro/diorite sill that has apparently intruded wet, unconsolidated sediments to
form an extremely altered hyaloclastite or sill-marginal peperite. Figure 1-23b shows folded banded iron-formation
horizons that occur approximately 10 meters up-section from the sill.

STOP 1-17:

BANDED IRON-FORMATION, NORTH OF SIXMILE LAKE ROAD

Location:

(SE, NE, S.21, T.62N., R.14W., NAD 83 UTM 565953E, 5298823N)

Description: Two outcrops located within 30 meters north of the Sixmile Lake Road contain relatively
thin (&lt;1-2 meters) magnetite-chert horizons interbedded with mafic to intermediate composition
volcaniclastic sedimentary strata, and illustrate features common to the uppermost parts of the Lower Ely.
Based on detailed mapping by Peterson and Patelke (2003) and Hudak et al. (in prep. a), the uppermost
50-200 meters of the Lower Ely is transitional into the base of the Soudan Iron Formation. Basalt –
andesite lava flows and volcaniclastic sedimentary strata decrease in abundance, whereas Algoma-type
banded iron-formations become more common as one progresses up-section through this transition zone.
This sequence records the change from a period of dominantly effusive submarine volcanism to a period
marked by chemical sedimentation.
The outcrop closest to the road contains strongly deformed magnetite-chert iron-formation
interbedded with iron-chlorite-rich metasediments. Microfossils are locally present in the Vermilion
district iron-formations, and hint at a biogenic contribution to their formation (LaBerge, 1973).
Deformation has produced more or less north-northwest striking, steeply dipping beds. The deformation
that occurs in these strata is not regionally observed, and is believed to be a local phenomenon resulting
from syndepositional intrusion of the mafic sill observed in the previous stop. A later quartz-feldspar
porphyry dike occurs at the northeastern end of this small outcrop. Note the localized sulfide staining
along the contact between the intrusion and adjacent banded iron-formation.
The second outcrop, located approximately 30 meters north of the road, contains poorly exposed
mafic – intermediate volcaniclastic strata and associated banded iron-formation horizons. The best
exposures of the banded iron-formations occur at the southeastern edge of the outcrop. At this location,
the magnetite-chert iron-formations locally contain veins and stringers of malachite, along with up to 20%
pale brown garnet (x-ray analysis performed by Hudak et al. (in prep. a) indicate that the garnet is
andradite). The presence of malachite is indicative of the local high concentrations of copper within the
uppermost parts of the Lower Ely. Similar copper mineralization within the Soudan Iron Formation has
been identified by Peterson and Patelke (2003) in the 12th level of the Soudan Mine.

Page 38

38

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British Tertiary Volcanic Province: Earth and Planetary Science Letters, v. 50, p. 11-30.
Zimanowski, B., and Buttner, R., 2002, Dynamic mingling of magma and liquefied sediments: Journal of
Volcanology and Geothermal Research, v. 114, p. 37-44.

Page 44

44

�FIELD TRIP 2

Geologic Highlights of New Mapping in the Southwestern Sequence
of the North Shore Volcanic Group and in the Beaver Bay Complex
Leaders:
Terry Boerboom, Jim Miller
Minnesota Geological Survey, University of Minnesota
and
John Green
Department of Geological Sciences, University of Minnesota Duluth

Split Rock Lighthouse Point (Stop 2-8)

Page 45

�FIELD TRIP 2
Geologic Highlights of New Mapping in the Southwestern Sequence of the North Shore
Volcanic Group and in the Beaver Bay Complex
by
Terry Boerboom, Jim Miller
Minnesota Geological Survey, University of Minnesota
and
John Green
Department of Geological Sciences, University of Minnesota Duluth
INTRODUCTION
For the past 20 years, the Minnesota Geological Survey has been actively conducting detailed
(1:24,000-scale) bedrock geologic mapping in northeastern Minnesota. This effort began in 1985 with a
mapping project focussed on delineating the geology of the intrusive Beaver Bay Complex in the central
part of the region. This eight-year project was partially supported by USGS's COGEOMAP program
and resulted in publication of five geologic maps (Miller, 1988; Miller and others, 1989, 1993, 1994;
Boerboom and Miller, 1994) covering ten 7.5' quadrangles (Fig. 1). More recently, geologic mapping in
northeastern Minnesota has focused on the shoreline quadrangles between Duluth and Split Rock Point,
where it joins up with the Beaver Bay mapping. This ongoing mapping, which began in 2001, has
produced four geologic maps (Boerboom and others, 2002a, 2002b, 2003a, 2003b) with another currently
in production (Fig. 2-1). Mapping in the Two Harbors NE quadrangle, scheduled for this coming field
season, and publication of quadrangles of the Duluth metropolitan area later this year, will result in
1:24,000-scale coverage of mappable bedrock along the North Shore from Duluth to Tofte. Long-range
plans are to continue to systematically map the shore to the Canadian border.

Figure 2-1. North Shore 7.5'
quadrangles mapped by
the MGS through the
USGS-sponsored
COGEOMAP and
STATEMAP programs.

Page 46

�This field trip is intended to highlight some of the characteristic and more intriguing aspects of North
Shore geology that the recent detailed mapping has revealed. Of course, there are many more interesting
geologic features than we can show in two days. Hopefully, you will take advantage of the geologic maps
that have been produced of this area to explore more of its fascinating geology.

VOLCANIC AND SEDIMENTARY ROCKS OF THE SOUTHWESTERN SEQUENCE
OF THE NORTH SHORE VOLCANIC GROUP
by John Green
This overview is a slightly modified expert from the MGS Report of Investigations 58, Chapter 5:
"Volcanic and sedimentary rocks of the Keweenawan Supergroup in Northeastern Minnesota" by John
Green (Miller and others, 2002).
Magmatic activity related to the 1.1 Ga Midcontinent Rift produced a more than 10 kilometer
thick edifice of lava flows and subvolcanic intrusions that are exposed along Minnesota's north shore of
Lake Superior. The lava flows and minor sedimentary rocks are referred to as the North Shore Volcanic
Group (Goldich and others, 1961) and the intrusive rocks are variably assigned to the Duluth Complex,
the Beaver Bay Complex, and miscellaneous intrusions of the Midcontinent Rift Intrusive Supersuite
(Fig. 2-3). Although previous publications have subdivided the North Shore Volcanic Group into
informal volcanic suites and distinctive flows (Green, 1972, 1982), the 1:200,000-scale map (M-119,
Miller and others, 2001) accompanying the report of Miller and others (2002) represents the first time that
the North Shore Volcanic Group has been subdivided into formational entities on a geologic map. A brief
description of the North Shore Volcanic Group and associated sedimentary formations of the
Keweenawan Supergroup is given here to supplement the information provided on the geologic map
about these formational units.
Rock classification, recognition, and textures
As a coherent tholeiitic compositional suite, the volcanic rocks of the North Shore Volcanic Group
can be described using only a few rock names (Fig. 2-2). The most primitive rocks are olivine tholeiites,
which form an iron-enrichment trend with further evolution. They display ophitic textures and pahoehoe
surfaces nearly everywhere. Most olivine tholeiites are aphyric, but those that are porphyritic contain
dominantly plagioclase phenocrysts, less commonly olivine. Transitional basalts contain somewhat
higher alkalies and other incompatible elements than the olivine tholeiites, but generally not enough to
classify them as alkalic. Their texture is typically intergranular and fine- to medium-grained. Porphyritic
varieties generally contain small phenocrysts of plagioclase, olivine, clinopyroxene, and magnetite. The
reversed-polarity Hovland lavas, however, are characterized by transitional basalts (grading to basaltic
andesites) that contain abundant, large, tabular, plagioclase phenocrysts. Transitional basalt flow surfaces
are generally smooth (pahoehoe), although a few show breccia tops.
The basaltic andesites and andesites (greater than 52 percent SiO2) are tholeiitic, rather than calcalkaline; they show iron enrichment and contain only anhydrous ferromagnesian minerals. These rocks
are typically fine-grained and intergranular to felty or pilotaxitic, and many contain small phenocrysts of
plagioclase, olivine, clinopyroxene, and magnetite. The andesites generally weather to a red-brown color,
and have flow-brecciated (aa) tops but not bases. Many flows that contain 50 to 55 percent silica show
millimeter-scale oxidation lamination (Green, 1989) parallel to the base. A few highly iron-enriched
flows, separable only by chemical analysis, can be called ferroandesites.

Page 47

�Figure 2-2. AFM compositional
diagram for the lavas of the North Shore
Volcanic Group (modified from Green,
1982). The boundary between tholeiitic
and calc-alkalic rocks is modified from
Irvine and Barager (1971). FeO* = FeO
+ 0.9Fe2O3.

Carmichael (1964) first used the name "icelandite" for rocks intermediate in character between
andesites and rhyolites in the Tertiary lavas of eastern Iceland. They might be considered the tholeiitic
equivalent of calc-alkaline dacite in orogenic suites. Other examples of these rocks have been described
from the Galapagos (McBirney and Williams, 1969) and the Miocene of Nevada–Oregon (Wallace and
others, 1980). Very large flows of similar composition in the Etendeka volcanics of Namibia have been
referred to as quartz latites by Milner and others (1992). Icelandites in the North Shore Volcanic Group
(Green and Fitz, 1993) are characterized chemically by SiO2 contents ranging from 60 to 68 percent, high
FeO* (averaging 7 percent), K2O + Na2O values between 6.5 and 9 percent, a potassium/sodium atomic
ratio of about 0.9, and an Mg number [Mg/(Mg + Fe) atomic] averaging 0.14. Petrographically, North
Shore Volcanic Group icelandites grade continuously from the andesites to somewhat paler colors (brown
or tan), but have a similar phenocryst assemblage. Quartz and alkali feldspar are common in the
groundmass but never occur as phenocrysts. Flowtop features (crusty to coarsely brecciated) indicate that
the icelandites were erupted as lavas.
The rhyolites have higher silica and total alkali contents, and lower FeO than the icelandites.
They are generally light gray, pink, or red. Several are very thick, extensive, and voluminous (up to
several hundred cubic kilometers; Green and Fitz, 1993). Although most rhyolites are porphyritic
(phenocrysts of quartz, alkali feldspar ± plagioclase, and altered fayalite ± ferroaugite), some lack quartz
and alkali feldspar phenocrysts, and rare flows are aphyric. Groundmass textures are fine-grained
holocrystalline, typically with a meshwork of platy quartz paramorphs after primary tridymite, which may
show a flow structure. A "snowflake" texture is common, in which poikilitic quartz patches (coalesced
ex-tridymite grains) enclose small, dusty alkali-feldspar grains. In quartz-phyric flows, these poikilitic
quartz patches are in optical continuity with adjacent quartz phenocrysts (Green, 1990). Outcrop-scale
flow structure, including folding, is common near flow tops and bases. In some flows, distinct fiamme,
deformed to varying degrees, are recognizable. These imply an explosive eruption that produced a
pyroclastic flow, which welded and remobilized to produce a rheoignimbrite.

Page 48

�Structure and Lithostratigraphy
As stated above, the Midcontinent Rift volcanic rocks and interbedded redbeds in northeastern Minnesota
comprise the North Shore Volcanic Group (Goldich and others, 1961; Green, 1972, 1977, 1982; Basaltic
Volcanism Study Project, 1981). In general, these rocks form an arcuate stack that is slightly tilted
toward the southeast and forms the roof rocks into and under which the Duluth Complex and associated
hypabyssal intrusions were emplaced. At the southwest end of the North Shore Volcanic Group near
Duluth, the volcanic rocks strike north with a 10º to 20º easterly dip; at the northeast end at Grand
Portage, the flows strike east–west with a 10º southerly dip (Fig. 2-3). Thus, traveling northeast along the
Lake Superior shore northeast from Duluth, and southwest from Grand Portage, one encounters
successively higher flows in the volcanic stratigraphy until the Tofte–Lutsen area in southern Cook
County, where the highest exposed flows crop out. Exposure is generally excellent along the eroding
lakeshore, and along the lower, high-gradient stretches of tributary streams, providing good control on the
stratigraphy. A stack of volcanic rocks approximately 9.7-kilometers-thick has been measured in the
“southwest limb” (Table 2.1), and another stack of volcanic rocks about 7.2-kilometers-thick has been
measured in the “northeast limb” (See Table 5.2, Miller and others, 2002). This implies nearly
continuous subsidence during the rifting process. The difference in stratigraphic thickness between the
two limbs reflects major complications in the central area, which appears not to have subsided at the same
rate as in the limbs, and into which many of the subvolcanic intrusions were emplaced. Except for the
capping Schroeder–Lutsen basalt sequence, no stratigraphic unit can be traced from one limb to the other;
each limb has its own stratigraphic column.
To aid in the correlation of intrusive and extrusive rock units throughout the Midcontinent Rift
system, their paleomagnetic polarity has been used. Nearly all of the igneous and sedimentary rocks
associated with the Midcontinent Rift were formed either during an earlier, reversed-polarity interval or a
succeeding normal-polarity interval. Thus, in each limb of the North Shore Volcanic Group, the lower
stratigraphic units show reversed polarity, and the upper sequences show normal polarity. This polarity
reversal forms the basis for distinguishing upper and lower sequences in the northeast and southwest
limbs. U-Pb zircon dates demonstrate that the reversed-polarity magmatism occurred mainly in the time
interval from 1108 to 1107 Ma; whereas, around the Lake Superior basin, normal-polarity magmatism
occurred mainly in the interval from 1099 to 1094 Ma (for example Davis and Paces, 1990; Paces and
Miller, 1993; Davis and Green, 1997). These two pulses were separated by a magmatically inactive time
(at least in the upper crust), which appears to be expressed as a slight unconformity in the volcanic
sequence on the north shore. However, because intrusions subsequently penetrated along this horizon in
the North Shore Volcanic Group, this unconformity has not been recognized in outcrop. The Duluth
Complex separates the upper and lower sequences of the southeastern limb (Fig. 2-3, Table 2.1).
One other significant gap in the stratigraphic continuity of the North Shore Volcanic Group
occurs near the stratigraphic top, where the Schroeder–Lutsen sequence overlies the upper units of the
northeast and southwest sequences (Fig. 2-3, Table 2.1). In the northeast limb, southwest of Grand
Marais (Fig. 2-3), the basal flow of the Schroeder–Lutsen sequence (Terrace Point basalt member)
overlies a thick sandstone and siltstone unit (Cut Face Creek sandstone), which in turn conformably
overlies the Good Harbor Bay andesites of the upper northeast sequence (See Table 5.2, Miller and
others, 2002 for details). However, in the southwest limb, the basal Schroeder–Lutsen sequence flow
overlies a thinner sandstone and conglomerate unit (the Little Marais conglomerate) that in turn rests in
sharp angular unconformity atop structurally disturbed flows of the Belmore Bay lavas near Little Marais
(Table 2.1). Furthermore, the gently dipping Schroeder basalts have not been penetrated by the abundant
hypabyssal intrusions of the Beaver Bay Complex that complicate the underlying volcanic sequence in
this mid-shore area (Green, 1992; Miller and others, 1993). Attempts to date the Schroeder–Lutsen
sequence have been unsuccessful to this point.

Page 49

�______
______

'

MESOPROTEROZOIC
(KEWEENAWAN)
INTRUSIVE ROCKS

Beaver Bay
Complex and
Felsic rocks Misc. Intrusions

1 Mafic rocks

Mafic rocks

Duluth

Felsic rocks Complex
NoRTH SHORE
VOLCANIC GROUP

PALEOPROTERZOIC
RoveNirgin ia/Thomson Fm

'

General attitude of
volcanic rocks

Gunflint/Bwabik Fe-Fm

ARCH EAN
I

Southwest Lower

0

10

20

30

40

50 Kilometers

Granitoid Intrusions
Supracrustal Rocks

Sequence

Figure 2-3. Simplified geology of northeastern Minnesota showing the major sequences of the North Shore
Volcanic Group (taken from Fig. 5.2, Miller and others, 2002).

The five lithostratigraphic sequences comprising the two limbs of the North Shore Volcanic Group
are further subdivided into informal formational units (Table 2-1). Some formational units are individual
flows of distinctive lithology and/or substantial thickness and lateral extent. Most are suites of lava flows
that have distinct lithologic characteristics or that are separated by intrusions. Some lava formations
contain distinct flows or sedimentary rock units within an otherwise homogeneous package of lavas.
Such units are given informal member rank (such as the Silver Beaver rhyolite member of the Baptism
River lavas, Manitou transitional basalt member of the Schroeder basalts, and Indian Camp sandstone
member of the Lutsen basalts). See Chapter 1 of RI58 (Miller and others, 2002) for more details on
stratigraphic nomenclature of Keweenwan rock in northeastern Minnesota.

Page 50

�Table 2-1. Generalized stratigraphy of the southwest limb of the North Shore Volcanic Group showing U/Pb ages
(Davis and Green, 1997; Green and others, 2001). Positions of intrusions denote approximate stratigraphic
level affected and not age of emplacement.
Thickness(m)
Lithostratigraphic units
Lithologic character
U/Pb ages

9735

945

Total section
150
Carlton Quarry lavas (fault
bounded)
Schroeder–Lutsen sequence (normal polarity)
900
Schroeder basalts
&lt;45

Little Marais conglomerate

basalt, andesite, and rhyolite flows

1094.3±2.0

ophitic olivine tholeiite basalt flows;
includes Manitou transitional basalt
and Pork Bay breccia
polymict volcanic conglomerate and
sandstone

angular unconformity

8275

Upper southwest sequence (normal polarity)
565
Bell Harbor lavas
100

Palisade Head rhyolite

mostly quartz tholeiite basalt and
basaltic andesite flows
gray-pink, porphyritic rhyolite flow

~1096

Beaver Bay Complex

700

1096.6±1.7

mixed lavas, mostly basalt; includes

Baptism River lavas

165-meter-thick Silver Beaver rhyolite

20

Silver Bay porphyritic basalt

ophitic basalt flow with abundant
large plagioclase phenocrysts

730

Gooseberry River basalts

mixed basalt flows, mostly ophitic

Lafayette Bluff, Silver Creek diabase intrusions

315

Two Harbors basalts

550

Larsmont basalts

mixed aphyric basalt flows; quartz
tholeiite flows at base
ophitic olivine tholeiite flows

Stony Point–Knife Island diabase sheet

1500

Sucker River basalts

mixed basalt flows, mostly ophitic

1350

Lakewood lavas

mostly basalt flows; rhyolite,
icelandite, and ferroandesite at base

Lester River diabase sill

1285

mixed basalt, andesite, icelandite,
and rhyolite flows

Lakeside lavas

1098.4±1.9

Endion diabase sill

1160

mixed basalts, andesites

Leif Erickson Park lavas

~1099

Duluth Complex

370

Lower southwest sequence (reversed polarity)
370

Ely's Peak basalts

porphyritic, diabasic, and ophitic basalts;
pillowed and pyx-phyric basal flow

&gt;8

Nopeming Sandstone

white to tan quartzite and conglomerate

angular unconformity

Thomson Formation
(Paleoproterozoic)

Page 51

�Physical volcanology
The volcanic rocks of the Midcontinent Rift, including the North Shore Volcanic Group, represent
one of the world’s oldest and best-preserved examples of plateau lavas. However, they are not typical in
that they contain a greater thickness of flows and, in the North Shore Volcanic Group, a higher proportion
of evolved compositions. They are similar physically and chemically to the Tertiary lavas that make up
eastern Iceland (Sigvaldason, 1974; Green, 1977; Wood, 1978), and they formed similarly over a plume
at another major rift. The rocks also resemble the late Tertiary and Quaternary volcanic rocks of the
southern Snake River Plain, Idaho and southeastern Oregon, because of their interbedded basalts and
large rhyolites (e.g., Bonnichsen and Kauffman, 1987; Manley, 1996).
The basalts range in character from typical flood flows as voluminous as tens of cubic kilometers to
more modest, “plains-type” flows (Greeley, 1982) and thin flow units less than a meter thick. At Duluth
in the southwest limb, and Grand Portage in the northeast limb, the lowest flows in the volcanic
sequences are pillowed, and thus inferred to have erupted subaqueously; however, nearly all of the other
flows were erupted subaerially. The flows show different physical characteristics, closely tied to their
chemical compositions and viscosities (Green, 1989; Green and Fitz, 1993). Olivine tholeiites, which
dominate the North Shore Volcanic Group, all have pahoehoe surfaces, with or without ropy structures.
Other physical characteristics of the various rock types were previously discussed in the “Rock
classification, recognition, and textures” section of this guide.
All of the flows ranging in composition from basalts to icelandites were erupted as lavas. The
rhyolites are notable in their abundance relative to other plateau-lava sequences, their size (up to several
hundred cubic kilometers), and extent (Green and Fitz, 1993). Several rhyolites show textural evidence of
rheomorphic flow after eruption as ash-flow tuffs, though some were lavas. One of the largest, the Devil
Track rhyolite in Cook County, which is as thick as 250 meters and can be traced for 40 kilometers along
strike, has ambiguous features that make its mode of eruption difficult to discern; it may be a lava flow.
Nearly all the icelandites and rhyolites show evidence of an unusually high temperature of eruption, such
as magmatically crystallized groundmass tridymite. The evidently low viscosity of these large rhyolites is
attributed to their high temperature, high iron and fluorine contents, and low oxidation state (Green and
Fitz, 1993).
Geochemistry and chemostratigraphy
The North Shore Volcanic Group constitutes a subalkalic, tholeiitic suite that ranges continuously from
rather primitive olivine tholeiite to rhyolite, and shows a strong iron-enrichment trend (Fig. 2-2; also
Basaltic Volcanism Study Project, 1981; Brannon, 1984). However, relative abundances are strongly
bimodal; basalts are greatly predominant, but rhyolites make up 10 to 25 percent of the section. The
basalts show trace element and isotopic evidence of derivation mostly from a mantle plume (Nicholson
and others, 1997), whereas most of the rhyolites include major contributions from partial melting of the
Archean basement (Vervoort and Green, 1997). The most common basalt type, ophitic olivine tholeiite,
is generally aluminum-rich (16 to 18 percent Al2O3); the most primitive flows have Mg numbers of
about 0.65 to 0.68.
The basal few flows in both limbs of the North Shore Volcanic Group have a unique geochemical
and petrographic character. Typically they contain augite phenocrysts, are aluminum-poor, and are rich
in both compatible (chromium and nickel) and incompatible elements (titanium, phosphorus, and
lanthanum) with steep chondrite-normalized lanthanum/ytterbium ratios. This suggests derivation by
relatively small-fraction melting of the initial plume head (Nicholson and others, 1997; Green, 1995).
In general, there is little stratigraphic regularity of compositional change within the North Shore
Volcanic Group, with the following exceptions. In the middle of the upper southwest sequence, there is a
marked upward progression toward more primitive compositions through a 3.4-kilometer section from
rhyolite east of the Lester River into a thick group of primitive olivine tholeiites in the Knife River–Two

Page 52

�Harbors area (Brannon, 1984). This includes the Lakewood lavas, the Sucker River basalts, and the
Larsmont basalts. In contrast, in the lower northeast sequence, the approximately 1-kilometer-thick basal
Grand Portage lavas progress upsection from basalt to increasingly evolved compositions, ending with
Red Rock rhyolite (Green, 1995). As mentioned above, the Schroeder–Lutsen sequence, the youngest in
the North Shore Volcanic Group, is composed almost entirely of olivine tholeiites.
All of the North Shore Volcanic Group has been affected to some degree by hydrothermal/burial
metamorphism. The more permeable (fractured, vesicular) tops and bases of the flows have undergone
considerable mineralogical change (deposition of amygdule minerals, alteration of primary minerals), but
in many cases the massive flow interiors are remarkably little-altered. Where alteration has approached
equilibrium, mineral assemblages range from lower greenschist facies at the base of the North Shore
Volcanic Group to zeolite facies at the top (Schmidt, 1993; Schmidt and Robinson, 1997).
Interflow Sedimentary Rocks
Clastic redbed strata occur at many horizons within the North Shore Volcanic Group (Jirsa,
1984). They are lenticular and range in thickness from a few centimeters to about 100 meters. As these
rocks are relatively soft and erodable compared to the adjacent volcanic flows, they are mostly covered
and are exposed only along actively eroding sites such as streambeds and the lakeshore. They are
predominantly red to brown, well sorted sandstone, with minor conglomerate, siltstone, and shale.
Conglomerate beds are most abundant in the midshore area from Little Marais to Lutsen.
Compositionally, these redbeds are mainly immature lithic arkose and feldspathic lithic arenite
(see Fig. 5.3, Miller and others, 2002). The angular to subrounded clasts are mainly plagioclase, mafic to
felsic volcanic rock fragments, clinopyroxene, and Fe-Ti oxides; devitrified or replaced volcanic ash
particles and shards are present in a few beds. Quartz is uncommon to absent. The framework grains
have been variably cemented with hematite, calcite, prehnite, and a variety of zeolites, depending on the
local hydrothermal/burial/contact metamorphic conditions. In some places hydrothermal minerals have
replaced many or most of the clasts.
A few of these redbed units have thicknesses in excess of 25 meters. These include a crossbedded sandstone in Leif Erickson Park in Duluth (35 meters), which disconformably overlies an eroded
basalt flow; the Little Marais conglomerate (and sandstone) exposed in the Manitou River area near Little
Marais (as thick as 45 meters); the Indian Camp sandstone (68 meters) northeast of Lutsen; and the Cut
Face Creek sandstone southwest of Grand Marais (100 meters), which can be traced for at least 4
kilometers along strike. Of these, the Little Marais and Cut Face Creek units occur at the base of the
Schroeder–Lutsen basalt sequence. The sandstone in these units is typically planar- or cross-bedded, and
some beds are ripple-marked or mud-cracked. The rocks are inferred to be dominantly fluvial, deposited
by moderate-gradient, east- to southwest-flowing streams from sources nearly entirely within the
subsiding Midcontinent rift basin (Jirsa, 1984).
Many flow-top breccias of andesite and basalt with aa structure contain laminated red sandstone
as a matrix because sand filtered down from the flow surface. Similarly, red, laminated sandstone and
siltstone form clastic dikes or crevice-fillings a few centimeters wide in the upper parts of some lava
flows.

Page 53

�INTRUSIONS WITHIN THE SOUTHWESTERN SEQUENCE OF THE NSVG
by Terry Boerboom
Several hypabyssal sills and sheet-like intrusions occur within the 7-kilometer-thick section of
volcanic rocks exposed near Lake Superior from Duluth to Split Rock Point. From lowest to highest in
the section, these consist of the Endion Sill, the Northland sill, the Lester River Sill, the Stony Point
diabase, the Silver Creek diabase, the Lafayette Bluff diabase, and the Split Rock intrusive felsite. These
sheets are variably concordant to the volcanic strata, range from tens of meters to over 500 meters thick,
and generally dip gently eastward. They commonly form prominent topographic highlands. This
discussion will be limited to those sills visited by this field trip. For a more complete description, see
Miller and others, 2002.
Lester River diabase
The Lester River diabase is named for the outcrops adjacent to the mouth of the Lester River
(Schwartz and Sandberg, 1940). The diabase forms a prominent topographic high (Moose Mountain) that
extends about 6.5 miles inland from Lake Superior.
The diabase forms a sill some 400-m (1,300-feet) thick that dips an average of 19 degrees southeast,
conformable with the dip of the surrounding volcanic rocks. The sill generally overlies basalt and
underlies rhyolite, the latter of which probably formed a density barrier that trapped the more dense mafic
magma as it was emplaced. The upper margin of the sill contains abundant intermediate to felsic rocks
that form a continuous, mappable unit along the entire mapped length of the sill, in contrast to the lower
margin which contains only thin and discontinuous pods of the hybrid felsic rocks. The hybrid cap rocks
likely formed by partial melting of the overlying rhyolite by heat generated from the underplating sill.
Jerde (1991) provides considerable geochemical, petrographic, and petrologic data on the Lester River
Sill.
Most of the Lester River diabase is a dark grayish-black, medium- to coarse-grained, massive to
locally weakly porphyritic diabase. The diabase contains approximately 60% plagioclase, 13%
intergranular to subophitic augite, 12% variably altered olivine, 0-4% orthopyroxene, 1-4% Fe-Ti oxides,
0-10% quartz and granophyre, 1-3% diktytaxitic chlorite, and less than one percent apatite, biotite, and
hornblende. Quartz commonly contains wispy rutile needles.
Silver Creek diabase
The Silver Creek diabase is named for proximity to Silver Creek, near Silver Cliff, located about 4
miles northeast of Two Harbors. This diabase is composed almost entirely of medium-grained ophitic
olivine diabase, with augite oikocrysts from 1 to 5 centimeters in diameter. It forms a subcordant to
discordant subhorizontal sill-like intrusion, at least 60-m (200-feet thick), that forms a prominent highland
projecting inland about 7 kilometers north-northeast of Lake Superior, and is exposed intermittently for
several kilometers beyond. In the area of the Encampment River, the diabase is in subvertical contact
with surrounding volcanic and earlier intrusive rocks; this may have been the feeder to the sill. The
diabase is free of anorthosite inclusions and contains only rare xenoliths of volcanic rocks. Pope (1976)
studied the Silver Creek diabase as part of Master’s thesis under the guidance of Dr. John Green. The
Silver Cliff tunnel on Highway 61 cuts through this diabase.
Lafayette Bluff diabase
The Lafayette Bluff diabase is named after prominent exposures at Lafayette Bluff, forms prominent
knobs near Lake Superior but is typically weathered to a brown crumbly grus. It is an irregular,
discordant, sheet- to dike-like body composed of soft, dark greenish-black, amygdaloidal and porphyritic

Page 54

�diabase, with local differentiated masses of coarse-grained to pegmatitic ferromonzodiorite inland from
Lake Superior. The diabase contains locally abundant 1-3 meter diameter inclusions of anorthosite and
scattered xenoliths of metamorphosed basalt. The Lafayette Tunnel on Highway 61 has been excavated
through the Lafayette Bluff diabase.
Split Rock intrusive felsite
The Split Rock intrusive felsite (rhyolite) is a pink, fine-grained, weakly porphyritic, flow-banded rock
that has a prominent shingle parting to it (hence: Split Rock River). At a given location, the rhyolite has
all the physical attributes of a rhyolite flow, but detailed mapping shows that it forms a north-striking, 3.4
kilometer wide body that cuts north from Lake Superior across the stratigraphy of the surrounding
volcanic rocks. The felsite forms cliffs on Lake Superior south of the Split Rock River, and in the Split
Rock River and nearby streams forms small, sharp canyons. Field measurements show that the flow
banding dips gently towards the central axis of the body, implying that the intrusion is keel-shaped. The
lower margins of the rhyolite are intruded by, or commingled with, a dark gray, fine-grained ferrodiabase
or ferrodiorite. This felsite is exposed in the Split Rock Point 7.5’ quadrangle, which is currently a work
in progress as one of the USGS STATEMAP series of geologic maps to be published by the Minnesota
Geological Survey. Due to time constraints, this field trip will not visit this unit.

GEOLOGY OF THE BEAVER BAY COMPLEX
by Jim Miller
The Beaver Bay Complex (BBC) is a hypabyssal, multiple-intrusive igneous complex that was
emplaced into the upper part of the NSVG over a 600-km2 area in northeastern Minnesota (Fig. 2-4).
Much of this area was the focus of detailed bedrock mapping by the Minnesota Geological Survey
between 1985 and 1992 (Miller, 1988; Miller and others, 1989, 1993a, 1994; Boerboom and Miller,
1994). Three general areas of the BBC, southern, northern, and eastern, are distinguished on the basis of
distinctive rock types and intrusion form (Miller and Chandler, 1997). This field trip will investigate
some of the units composing the southern and northern BBC. The relationship of BBC intrusions to other
subvolcanic intrusions within the NSVG (Fig. 2-4) is unclear, because of poor exposure to the southwest
and insufficient mapping to the northeast. Within the mapped area of the BBC, thirteen intrusive units
have been identified that represent at least six major intrusive events (Miller and Chandler, 1997). Most
intrusive activity forming the BBC occurred around 1096 Ma based on U-Pb dates of 1095.8±1.2 Ma for
a Silver Bay intrusion, the youngest unit of the BBC, and 1096.1±0.8 Ma for the Sonju Lake intrusion
(Paces and Miller, 1993). Whether activity overlapped the main stage of Duluth Complex magmatism at
1099 Ma is unknown, because attempts to date the oldest component of the BBC were not successful
(Paces and Miller, 1993). The boundary between the BBC and Duluth Complex is generally marked by a
northeast-trending keel-shaped intrusion in the northern BBC (Houghtaling Creek troctolite) that
separates largely dike and sill intrusions of the BBC to the southeast from massive granophyric granite
and extensive areas of structurally complex gabbroic anorthosite to the northwest that are typical of the
roof zone of the Duluth Complex.

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�Figure 2-4: Geology of the southern and northern
Beaver Bay Complex showing the locations
of Stops 8-16. After Miller and others
(2001). Units labels are: nsb - NSVG
basaltic volcanics; nss - NSVG Schroeder
basalts; nsf - NSVG felsic volcanics; asa anorthositic series of the Duluth Complex;
fs - felsic series of the Duluth Complex ;
slid - Shoepack Lake inclusion-rich diorite;
ccpd - Cabin Creek porphyritic diorite; hct Houghtaling Creek trocolite; blg - Blesner
Lake diorite; llg - Lax Lake gabbro; frg Finland granophyre; frqm - Finland qtz
ferromonzonite; slt - Sonju Lake troctolitic
zone; slg - Sonju Lake gabbroic zone; brd Beaver River diabase; sbi - Silver Bay
intrusions. See map M-119 for more details.

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�The range of BBC parent magma compositions is similar to the olivine tholeiite and transitional basalt
compositions that dominate the NSVG (Fig. 2-5A). Moreover, like the NSVG, the sequence of intrusion
of BBC magmas generally involved progressively more primitive compositions. Compositional
variations within the various intrusive units developed as a result of in situ magmatic differentiation (Fig.
2-5B), assimilation of footwall rocks, and/or composite intrusions of evolved magma from deeper staging
chambers (Fig. 2-5C). The tightly clustered trend of BBC parent magma compositions evident on an
AFM diagram (Fig. 2-5A) and the systematic variation of other elemental abundances suggest that all
mafic BBC magmas evolved from a common olivine tholeiitic primary magma type. Such a primary
composition, which is approximated by the most primitive, high-Al olivine tholeiites of the NSVG, is
thought to have given rise to most Midcontinent Rift magmas, especially in later stages of magmatism
(Green, 1982; Miller and Weiblen, 1990; Klewin and Shirey, 1992). That even the most primitive of the
BBC intrusions, the Beaver River diabase, is significantly evolved from a primitive olivine tholeiite
composition (Fig. 2-5A) indicates that all BBC parent magmas were generated in turn by magmatic
differentiation of such a primary composition in deeper staging chambers. Petrologic modeling of some
BBC intrusions and other hypabyssal bodies that intruded the NSVG (Jerde, 1991) suggests that most
magmas experienced multistage, polybaric fractionation between their extraction from the mantle and
their subvolcanic emplacement. Although the available radiometric ages do not indicate an overlap of
magmatic activity between the BBC and the Duluth Complex (Paces and Miller, 1993), additional dates
and more detailed petrologic studies may show that some Duluth Complex intrusions acted as the final
levels of staging and differentiation of some BBC-bound magmas.
The focus of emplacement of BBC intrusions appears to have migrated toward the rift axis and
toward higher stratigraphic levels with time, perhaps reflecting plate drift and thickening of the volcanic
pile. Over the exposed extent of the BBC, intrusion shapes appear to have been controlled by a shallow
crustal ridge (Schroeder Forest Center Crustal Ridge) which trends northwest across the BBC. The
presence of this buried crustal ridge is indicated by a pronounced saddle in the gravity high over
northeastern Minnesota (Chandler, 1990) and the presence of Archean-like inclusions of granitic gneiss,
biotite schist, metagraywacke and granodiorite in early intrusions over the gravity low (Boerboom, 1994).
The broad network of dikes and sheets, characterizing the southern BBC, becomes tightly focused into a
narrow zone of subparallel dikes in the northern portion of the BBC that is situated over the gravity
minimum. The eastern BBC opens up again into thick sheet intrusions. Based on geologic,
geochronologic, geophysical, and geochemical evidence, Miller and Chandler (1997) suggested that the
BBC, particularly the youngest Beaver River diabase dike and sheet network, acted as a magma conduit
and structural boundary to the formation and infilling of the western end of the Portage Lake Volcanic
basin during the main to late stages of rift volcanism and graben formation. On the North Shore, these
volcanic rocks are represented by the Schroeder-Lutsen basalts (Fig. 2-2).
The second half of this trip will investigate seven intrusive units of the BBC and rocks comprising the
roof zone of the Duluth Complex (Fig. 2-4). Stops 2-8 through 2-11 will investigate the composite
intrusions of the Beaver River diabase and Silver Bay intrusions, the youngest intrusive components of
the BBC. Stop 2-12 will visit typical exposures of the Finland granophyre. Stop 2-13 will traverse the
middle cumulate units of the Sonju Lake Intrusion - the most completely differentiated intrusion exposed
in the Midcontinent Rift system. Stop 2-14 will examine the units defining the northeastern limit of the
Beaver Bay Complex - the Houghtaling Creek troctolite, Dam Five gabbronorite, and the Shoepack Lake
inclusion-rich diorite. Finally, Stops 2-15 and 2-16 will view anorthositic and granophyric rocks that
comprise the roof zone of the Duluth Complex. For more detailed information on these and other units of
the Beaver Bay Complex see reports by Miller and Chandler (1997) and Miller and others (2002, Chapter
7) and the 1:24,000 bedrock geologic maps of the area (Miller, 1988; Miller and others, 1989, 1993,
1994; Boerboom and Miller, 1994).

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�Figure 2-5: AFM diagrams of Beaver Bay Complex (BBC) intrusions. A) Plot of estimated parental magma compositions
to various BBC intrusions (see Miller and Chandler, 1997 for unit descriptions and details) compared to major
NSVG lava compositions: OT - olivine tholeiite, TB - transitional basalt, A - andesite, FA - ferroandesite, I icelandite, R - rhyolite (after Green, 1983). NSVG-pot is a primitive NSVG olivine tholeiite composition. B)
Calculated liquid line of descent of the Sonju Lake intrusion through troctolitic (slmt-sld-slt), gabbroic (slg-slfgslad) and monzodiorite (slmd) intervals of the layered sequence. Also plotted are whole rock compositions of
Finland granite (frg) and quartz ferromonzodiorite (frpm). C) Whole rock composition plots of Beaver River
diabase (brd; ophitic margins and coarse subophitic interiors distinguished), Silver Bay intrusions (sbi; coarse
marginal facies, layered ferrogabbroic cumulate interiors, and granophyric compositions distinguished), and
composite intrusions from the northern BBC (nbbc). Sonju Lake intrusion differentiation trend (dashed line) is also
shown.

Page 58

�FIELD TRIP STOPS
The general locations of all stops are shown on Figure 2-6. A more detailed location map is included
with each stop description, with a base made at an appropriate scale from a portion of a 7.5’ quadrangle
map. This should allow the return visitor to accurately locate the features for each stop. The UTM
coordinates listed are all given in NAD83, with easting listed first and northing listed second. The
regional setting of the various rock units are given in the introduction, and only facts pertinent to each
specific stop are given below.

Figure 2-6. Location map for stops for Field Trip 2.

Page 59

�DAY 1
GEOLOGY OF THE SOUTHWESTERN SEQUENCE OF THE NORTH SHORE VOLCANIC GROUP
FROM DULUTH TO SPLIT ROCK POINT
Drive Highway 61 from Duluth towards Two Harbors. At the outskirts of Duluth, just after the Lester
River, veer right onto Scenic Highway 61 for approximately one-half mile, then turn right on the road
that leads to Kitchee Gammee park. Park near the northeast end of this road and walk down to
lakeshore.

STOP 2-1: Lester River Diabase in contact with
rhyolite
T.50N., R.13W., Sec. 4
Lakewood 7.5’ quadrangle.
UTM: Start at SW 576929E, 5188417N;
End at NE 577390E, 5188981N
Highlights: Lester River diabase (lrd), hybrid
granophyric rocks (lrf, lrg), rhyolite (nr); late
diabase dikes (bdb), glacial striations.

The Lester River Diabase is named for the outcrops adjacent to the mouth of the Lester River
(Schwartz and Sandberg, 1940). The diabase sill dips southwest about 19 degrees, and forms a prominent
topographic high (Moose Mountain) that extends about 6.5 miles inland from Lake Superior. This
diabase is mostly intergranular in texture, but does locally exhibit ophitic textures, as seen at this stop.
The dominantly intergranular to relatively fine ophitic (less than 1.5 centimeter) texture of the Lester
River diabase contrasts with most other Keweenawan diabases such as the Silver Cliff and Beaver River
diabases, which typically exhibit a coarse ophitic texture.
This stop starts in the massive interior of the sill, and traverses northeast through increasingly felsic
rocks that range from ferrodiorite to granite, and ends at a cliff of fine-grained chilled diabase that cuts
the preceding rocks. Felsic rocks first show up as irregular felsic dikes that cut the diabase, but moving
northeast towards the rhyolite not only do the felsic dikes increase in abundance, but the diabase itself
becomes increasingly granophyric until it grades into dioritic rocks. The granophyric felsic hybrids blend
into pink, fine-grained, porphyritic rhyolite, informally termed the Lakewood rhyolite (Green and Fitz,
1993). The exact contact between rhyolite and granophyric hybrid rocks is hard to pinpoint due to the
similarity in textures between recrystallized rhyolite and the hybrid melts. Note the thin, shorelineparallel, fine-grained diabase dikes that cut the Lester River diabase.
On a map scale, the granophyric hybrid phases of the diabase are thick and continuous along the
upper sill margin, in contrast with the sill base where hybrid rocks are thin and discontinuous. The
diabase sill is sandwiched between rhyolite in the hanging wall, and basalt in the footwall, indicating that
the rhyolite acted as a density barrier that trapped and ponded the mafic magma beneath it. The
irregularly mixed and distributed hybrid rocks that cap the Lester River diabase are likely due to mixing
of remobilized (melted) rhyolite with the underlying mafic magma.

Page 60

�--- Climb up bank , walk NE approximately 0.1 mile to small clearing on east side of highway, climb
down to lakeshore, stop 2.2. Alternatively walk to next wayside, climb down, and walk back southwest
along lakeshore to basalt/rhyolite contact.---

STOP 2-2: Flow contact between rhyolite
and basalt of olivine tholeiite composition
T.51N., R.13W., Sec. 34
Lakewood 7.51 quadrangle
UTM: 577648E, 5189145N
Highlights: Contorted flow-banded rhyolite
(nr), contact of basalt (nbd) with rhyolite,
ropy flow tops in olivine tholeiite
(‘diabasic’-textured) basalt flows.

Walk southeast to the pink-tinted rhyolite flow that exhibits highly contorted and folded flow
banding. Rhyolite contains amygdules of calcite and minor fluorite (please don’t beat up the outcrop with
hammers), and is capped by a thin, discontinuous layer of fine-grained sandstone. Move northeast over
four basalt flows and observe flow features such as (bottom to top of flow) pipe vesicles, vesicle
cylinders, amygdaloidal zones in upper portions of flows, and ropy pahoehoe upper surfaces. The
pahoehoe crusts indicate a general southeast flow direction.
These basalt flows are of weakly alkaline, transitional intermediate olivine tholeiite composition,
with typical olivine tholeiite flow structures. On recently published 1:24,000 scale geologic maps (e.g.
Boerboom and others, 2002a), flows such as this are classified as “diabasic-textured’ flows. Our field
mapping has shown that the textures of the basalt flows does not always correspond to a unique chemical
composition, but rather may have more to do with the amount of volatiles in the lava. Some of the most
coarse-grained diabasic-textured basalt flows were mapped in the Sucker River upstream from Old North
Shore Road. Despite being relatively thin flows (1-3 meters thick), they exhibit a medium- to coarsegrained felty diabasic texture. Some have a coarse pegmatitic zone located about one-third of the way
down from the top of the flow, attributed to the concentration of volatiles in this part of the flow as
cooling proceeded from the top and bottom. These coarse-grained flows also have unusually prominent
pipe amygdules at the base overlain by a zone of bead-like pipe amygdules/vesicle cylinders up to one
meter in length that end below the most coarse-grained part of the flow.
The flows observed in stops 2-1 through 2-3 are all part of the Lakewood lavas (see table in
introduction), a lithostratigraphic unit characterized by multiple thin ‘packages’ that range in composition
from rhyolite to olivine tholeiite. Each flow package consists of multiple flows of like composition.
Brannon (1984) conducted a detailed sampling regime of virtually every flow exposed along the shoreline
from Duluth to Two Harbors, starting with the rhyolite just above the Lester River diabase. Her
geochemistry verifies the mapped stratigraphy and shows that the most silicic rocks (rhyolite, icelandite,
and andesite) occur at the base of the Lakewood lava sequence, whereas primitive tholeiitic basalts
dominate the top of the sequence. Vervoort and Green (1997) have shown, through Nd isotopic studies,
that the NSVG rhyolites are the product of melting of Archean crustal rocks by underplated primitive

Page 61

�mafic magma, whereas icelandite and basalt are most likely derived directly from a mantle plume source.
In their model, early volcanism (lower reversed sequence) tapped a mantle source with little crustal
contamination. This was followed by a period of volcanic quiescence (the 1107 -1100 Ma ‘volcanic
hiatus’) during which a mantle plume underplated and melted the crust, generating superheated felsic
melts that were later erupted as rhyolite flows and rheoignimbrites, of unusually wide areal extent given
their thickness (Green and Fitz, 1993)
--- Climb up bank of small stream to wayside rest (this is the third wayside rest on Scenic Highway 61
past Brighton Beach Road), drive or walk approximately 0.3 miles northeast to wayside rest directly
across from Old North Shore Cottages Resort, stop 2-3.---

STOP 2-3: Interflow sandstone between
icelandite and basaltic andesite flows
T.51N., R.13W., Sec. 34
Lakewood 7.51 quadrangle
UTM: 578287E; 5189652N
Highlights: Interflow sandstone above icelandite
(ni), below basaltic andesite (nba)

Park at wayside across from North Shore Cottages

Area A: Slide down the embankment below wayside (over red clays of Glacial Lake Duluth) to
outcrop of sandstone on shoreline. Sandstone is approximately 12-15 feet thick, planar and trough crossbedded. Jirsa (1984) reports the sand grains are predominantly plagioclase (44-53%) and mafic volcanic
rock fragments (18-25%), with lesser quartz (1-4), opaques (2-8%), K-spar, felsic volcanic rock
fragments, and mudstone fragments (less than 2% each). The sandstone is cemented by a matrix of
calcite, zeolite, K-feldspar, and quartz. Crossbedding indicates an easterly paleocurrent direction.
The sandstone overlies an icelandite flow which has a rubbly flow top (and unfortunately is quite
inaccessible due to cliffs), and is overlain by a flow of basaltic andesite composition (will examine these
at site B). The upper surface of this interflow sandstone contains curly molds and bits of baked-on chilled
basalt from the overlying flow, which is now eroded away.
This sandstone is typical of the thin interflow sedimentary rocks, which are immature, fine- to coarsegrained sediments that were deposited in fluvial and lacustrine environments, although some may
interpret some of the bedding in this outcrop to be aeolian in nature. Overall, paleocurrent indicators for
the interflow sandstones indicate a transport direction generally toward Lake Superior from a highland of
both Keweenawan and pre-Keweenawan sources (Jirsa, 1984).
---Climb back up bank and move about 100 feet northeast and return to lakeshore outcrops.---

Page 62

�Area B: Basaltic andesite. The base of this flow sequence was observed at stop 2-3a. These flows are
dark purplish-gray, fine-grained basaltic andesite, which locally have pipe vesicles at the base, and
amygdule-rich upper parts that exhibit billowy lobate forms defined by concentrated amygdules. Flow
tops are commonly brecciated. Some flows contain sparse plagioclase phenocrysts. Due to time
constraints we will not progress up the shore, but the return visitor is encouraged to walk up the shore
over at least eight more flows of this composition that are in turn overlain by ophitic basalt flows.
Brannon (1984) classifies these flows as ferroandesite, but they are morphologically more similar to flows
of basaltic composition.
---- Climb back up back to highway, back to cars. Continue northeast on the Scenic Highway
approximately 8 miles to Alseth Road. Turn right on Alseth Road and follow around to a point where
shoreline is close to road, park and walk to shore (Stony Point).---

STOP 2-4: Stony Point diabase
T.51N., R.12W., Sec. 1
Knife River 7.5’ quadrangle
UTM: 590326E; 5197791N
Highlights: Stony Point diabase (spd)

The diabase forms a sheet-like intrusion that strikes parallel to the shoreline and is discordant to the
surrounding volcanic rocks. It is exposed in numerous outcrops between here and Knife River, a distance
of nearly 3 miles. It is composed of coarsely ophitic olivine diabase with scattered thin pegmatitic
segregations. The island offshore from Knife River forms the northeast-most outcrop of this diabase.
The exposed thickness is estimated to be about 100 meters, but a positive aeromagnetic anomaly that
corresponds to this diabase, and continues offshore beneath Lake Superior, implies that this diabase is
part of a larger intrusive mass whose thickness is unknown. The diabase is chilled against adjacent
volcanic rocks, and contains rare small anorthosite xenoliths (neither visible at this stop).
---Continue northeast on the Scenic Highway, to Highway 61 into Two Harbors. Continue through Two
Harbors to the northern outskirts of town, turn right on 1st Street and continue south to the crest of the
hill adjacent to the picnic grounds. Walk east to lakeshore.---

Page 63

�STOP 2-5: Two Harbors Town Park
T.52N., R.10W., Sec. 6
Two Harbors 7.5’ quadrangle
UTM: 601851E, 5208673N to
601847E, 5208132N
Highlights: Basaltic flows of quartz
tholeiite composition (ntb), rubbly
flow tops, diabase dike (db)

This sequence of quartz tholeiite basalt flows is part of the Two Harbors lithostratigraphic unit (see table
in introduction). These flows are comprised of brownish-gray to gray, fine-grained, fresh intergranular
basalt that typically exhibits a pronounced oxidation-lamination type of flow banding. The upper parts of
these flows typically contain a thick and irregular section of rubbly aa rich in laumontite, and red siltstone
is common as thin lenses and crack fillings in the flow tops.
Walk south along the shoreline and observe the transition from massive, oxidation-laminated flow
interiors to amygdaloidal, rubbly flow tops, and contacts with overlying flows. Each rocky point along
this traverse corresponds to the massive, more resistant base of a flow that is underlain by a rubbly, easily
eroded, flow top.
A N28W striking diabase dike that cuts the basalt can be seen along the south side of the north-most
point, but due to time constraints this field trip will not go there. This dike follows a set of closely spaced
brittle fractures in the basalt.
:---Continue northeast of Two Harbors on Highway 61 approximately 4.5 miles to the Silver Cliff Tunnel.
Just past tunnel turn right into an informal parking area adjacent to highway.--*** TRAFFIC HAZARD ****** USE EXTREME CAUTION ***

Page 64

�STOP 2-6: Silver Cliff Tunnel
T.53N., R.10W., Sec. 15 and 22
Castle Danger 7.5’ quadrangle
UTM: 606993E, 5213952N (park area) to
606755E, 5213486N
Highlights: Silver Creek diabase (scd),
contact with subjacent andesitic flows
nca), fault

The Silver Creek diabase forms an irregular subcordant, subhorizontal intrusion that is at least 60-m (200ft) thick. The diabase forms a prominent highland that projects inland several miles from Silver Cliff at
Lake Superior. The Highway 61 tunnel has created excellent exposures of the contact between both the
top and bottom of the diabase with adjacent volcanic rocks, and has exposed a north striking, 55-degree
east dipping brittle fault that cuts the base of the diabase.
The andesitic flows beneath the sill show a very irregular, rather chaotic flow contact, a rubbly flow
top, vuggy quartz-lined stretched vesicles and amygdules of gray agates that have been recrystallized by
contact metamorphism from the adjacent diabase. The margins of the diabase are marked by a mix of
commingled fine-grained, strongly magnetic, dark gray diabasic rock and pink granophyre.
The lower diabase contact strike is approximately N-S, 70 degrees west, and the upper contact
(exposed at the south end of the tunnel) strikes N40E, 70 degrees northwest. Out on the old roadbed the
diabase displays prominent columnar joints that plunge approximately 60-65 degrees east. From the
north edge of the old roadbed, one can look back across the highway down the length of the brittle fault
that cuts the base of the diabase. The fault is about 3 meters thick and filled with a mixture of pink
zeolites and calcite-filled voids around altered diabase gouge.
The old roadbed affords an excellent view of the Lake Superior coast.
----Continue northeast up Highway 61. The next tunnel is cut through the Lafayette Bluff diabase, a dark
green, porphyritic, amygdaloidal diabase which bears distinct textural differences from the Silver Creek
diabase, and that locally contains anorthosite inclusions up to 2 meters in diameter. As we drive past,
note the thick cap of reddish-brown grus developed on top of the Lafayette Bluff diabase, which is typical
of this unit. Just inland, the grus was formerly excavated for use as road surfacing material. We will see
blocks of the Lafayette Bluff diabase at the parking area for the next stop.-----Continue past Lafayette tunnel, pass Gooseberry State Park. From Gooseberry River, go 3.8 miles to a
pulloff on lakeward side of road approximately 300 feet before crossing the Split Rock River. Park at
wayside and walk northeast to small point to gain access to shore.---

Page 65

�STOP 2-7: Split Rock River diatreme
T.54N., R.8W., Sec. 7
Split Rock Point 7.5’ quadrangle
UTM: 620570E, 5226484N to
620497 E, 5226229N
Highlights: Split Rock Creek diatreme breccia
(dt), brecciated basalt, basalt/andesite
flow contact

Outcrops to north along shore are of weakly to moderately brecciated ophitic basalt that has
apparently been slightly disrupted by the adjacent diatreme dike. A small “island” just offshore of the
biggest point here consists of dark gray, medium-grained, ferromonzodiorite that petrographically
consists of felty plagioclase, prismatic augite, skeletal to blocky oxides, and red-dusted anhedralinterstitial K-feldspar. The edge of this outcrop nearest the shore shows a dramatic brecciated texture due
to diatreme emplacement, and the cliff adjacent to that exposes the diatreme breccia proper.
The best diatreme breccia is exposed further south along the beach. Here, the breccia contains visible
clasts of massive ophitic basalt, fine-grained amygdaloidal basalt, and intergranular basalt that vary from
sub-millimeter to 25 cm in diameter and are all strongly magnetic. Small fragments of interflow
sedimentary rocks in the breccia have been noted in thin section. The zeolitic matrix varies from pink to
pale green in color. At the south end of this breccia, one can observe the sharp, vertical contact between
the diatreme and layered amygdaloidal basalt. The contact here strikes approximately N20W, but overall
it is more or less north-south.
A short distance south of the diatreme contact are vertical cliffs formed by the blocky jointing pattern
of a dark gray, very hard and fresh basaltic andesite flow which overlies amygdule-layered flows that
exhibit minor low-amplitude billowy surfaces. The flow contact can be observed southward down the
beach to the next point out into the lake. The top of this andesitic flow may be visible across the bay to
the north, where it is overlain by massive ophitic basalt.
The diatreme exposed here is identical to another to the south, near Crow Creek, that is much more
well exposed but unfortunately only accessible by water. There, the diatreme forms a vertical, 10 meter
thick, cliff-forming dike that cuts ophitic basalt flows along the shoreline, and in some small outcrops
inland. Although poorly constrained, the Crow Creek diatreme may be in the form of a ¼ mile diameter
ring-like circular dike, or it may simply have an irregular, ‘wandering’ strike direction that varies from
north-south to east-west. The Crow Creek diatreme is a heterolithic breccia that contains clasts of basalt
up to 3 meters in length, and has irregular pyrite-rich pods within it. Like the diatreme here, the Crow
Creek diatreme has prismatic ferromonzodiorite associated with it, which is itself brecciated, and contains
varied types of basalt clasts as well as clasts of interflow sedimentary rocks.

Page 66

�The varied types of basalts coupled with interflow sedimentary rocks that make up the clasts in both
places demonstrate that the diatreme has cut through a substantial thickness of volcanic strata. Although
prismatic ferromonzodiorite is apparently associated with the diatreme in some fashion, the abundance of
zeolitic matrix mixed with rock flour implies that the diatremes were formed by a gaseous, volatile-rich
explosive mechanism. The volatile source is not known. However, the Lafayette Bluff diabase, which
occurs in close proximity to the Crow Creek diatreme, contains abundant zeolitic (mainly laumontite)
amygdules, and overall exhibits moderately strong deuteric alteration, which implies that the magma may
have been gas-charged. Thus in a highly speculative scenario, degassing during cooling of the Lafayette
Bluff diabase may have led to a buildup of volatiles that subsequently exploded through the overlying
basalts.
Both the Crow Creek and Split Rock river diatreme form vertical dike-like bodies which brecciated
clasts of ophitic and intergranular basalt, interflow sandstone and siltstone, fine-medium-grained
ferrodioritic rocks, isolated unit quartz grains, and isolated blocky plagioclase grains. At this locality the
clasts are generally less than 0.5 meter in diameter, but the diatreme near Crow Creek contains clasts of
basalt as large as 4 meters in length. Medium-grained prismatic ferrodioritic intrusive rocks are exposed
next to the diatreme dikes at both localities, and at both places the ferrodiorites are cut by and hence
predate the diatreme dikes.
---Continue up Highway 61 to Split Rock Lighthouse State Park and History Center. Pull into park lot for
the History center and proceed toward the lighthouse. To visit the lighthouse area (Area A) during
summer tourist season, the history center charges a fee or requires Historical Society membership. A fee
is not required to access the shoreline exposures at Area B.

STOP 2-8: Split Rock Lighthouse Anorthosite
T.55N., R.8W., Secs. 32 and 33
Split Rock Point NE 7.5' quadrangle
UTM: Area A- 623690E, 5228678N
Area B - 623625E, 5228665N
Highlights: large anorthosite inclusions (anor),
ophitic diabase (brd), lower chill, basaltic lava
flow with silt-filled aa flow top (nsb)

The Beaver River diabase is the most areally extensive intrusive phase of the entire BBC and is found in
contact with most other BBC units. In the southern BBC (Fig. 2-4), it occurs as a series of dikes, sills,
and sheets of ophitic olivine gabbro that grades into coarser and more subophitic to intergranular gabbro
in the medial portions of thicker sheets. One of the most distinctive characteristics of the diabase is that it
commonly hosts large (as much as several hundred meters in diameter), rounded to angular inclusions of
nearly pure anorthosite. These inclusions, which locally are brecciated and recrystallized (Morrison and
others, 1983), are particularly common in the upper and lower margins of the larger diabase sheets. As
reported for this stop in the Field Trip 7 guidebook (stop 24), these inclusions have been the focus of
geologic debate for over 150 years.

Page 67

�Area A: Outcrops of fine-grained, ophitic olivine diabase with centimeter-wide augite oikocrysts, typical
of the margins of Beaver River diabase, are exposed just northeast of the lighthouse atop a sheer 30-mhigh sea cliff. The diabase here forms a sill that dips gently (&lt;15°) into the lake and whose basal contact
with a basalt flow top is exposed around the base of the point. The diabase is a moderately evolved
(mg#=57), high-Al, olivine tholeiite (Fig. 2-5, BRD margin). The prominent point just to the northeast
(Rusty Point) is held up by a very large (~200 m) inclusion of medium-grained leucogranite lying at the
base of the sill. The diabase is slightly chilled around this granite inclusion, which closely resembles the
Finland granophyre (see Stop 2-12).
Most of Split Rock Lighthouse Point is held up by a single, large (&gt;35m), layered anorthosite
inclusion. Around the base of the lighthouse, the inclusion displays meter-scale modal layering of coarsegrained granular (cataclastic?) anorthosite (&gt;99% Pl) and noritic anorthosite (20% Opx [En70Fs28Wo2],
80% Pl [An60-80]; Morrison and others, 1983). The steeply dipping layers are cut by thin dikes of mediumgrained, granular augite leuconorite (An56, En73Fs24Wo3, En46Fs12Wo41, Morrison and others, 1983).
.....Head down the tramway path to the lakeshore and carefully make way along base of slope toward
lighthouse. PROCEED CAREFULLY OVER LARGE TALUS BOULDERS.
Area B: To the southwest of the lighthouse along the shore, the base of the sill can be observed to
conformably overlie an amygdaloidal flow top breccia with a matrix of horizontally bedded siltstone. The
diabase here contains a variety of types and sizes of anorthosite inclusions, which stand out as unjointed
masses within the highly jointed fine-grained diabase. The diabase is strongly chilled at the basal contact
against the flow top, but shows no sign of chilling against the anorthosite inclusions. The variety of
anorthosite types can be viewed in the talus blocks at the base of the slope. Looking to the northeast, one
can see that the near-vertically, layered inclusion beneath the lighthouse extends to lake-level.
This and other anorthosite inclusions hosted in the Beaver River diabase are different from most
anorthositic series rocks of the Duluth Complex; the latter are rarely layered, more compositionally
evolved, and rarely contain cumulus hypersthene. These inclusions are similar, however, to some
anorthosite inclusions within the anorthositic series. The highly disordered structural state of plagioclase
(Miller, unpublished data) and the absence of any discernable chill of the diabase against the anorthosite
indicate that these inclusions were derived from a middle to lower crustal source. Isotopic and traceelement compositions of these crustal xenoliths suggest that they may be pre-Keweenawan in age
(Morrison and others, 1983), but the data are overall ambiguous. Alternatively, if a plagioclase crystal
mush origin for Duluth Complex anorthositic rocks is correct (Miller and Weiblen, 1990), a corollary of
such a model is that significant amounts of Keweenawan anorthosite, generated by plagioclase flotation
under high pressure, should have formed in the deep crust prior to BBC magmatism at 1096 Ma. Under
deep crustal conditions, such plagioclase cumulates would probably be distinctive in texture and
composition from their shallow crustal counterparts. Moreover, the ambiguous isotopic compositions of
the inclusions may indicate that anorthosite-forming Keweenawan magmas were contaminated by older
crust, rather than older anorthosite being contaminated by interaction with Keweewawan magmas, as
concluded by Morrison and others (1983).

Return to Duluth for the evening.

DAY 2

Page 68

�GEOLOGY OF THE BEAVER BAY COMPLEX
Drive Highway 61 from Duluth past Two Harbors to Lake Co Rd 3. Take this road approximately 25
miles. About 2.3 miles past the Silver Bay municipal airport, look for a prominent roadcut on the
adjacent railroad grade on the north side of the road. Pull into gravel pullout.

STOP 2-9: Fanning columnar joints in
Beaver River Diabase dike/sill
T.55N., R.8W., Sec. 9
Silver Bay 7.5' quadrangle
UTM: 624590E, 5235865N
Highlights: columnar jointed ophitic diabase
(brd), anorthosite inclusion (dark outcrops),
contaminated and inclusion-rich diabase
(brid)

The western and northern extent of the Beaver River diabase is marked by a 110-km-long dike (or
dike set) across which vertical downward displacement of 1.5 to as much as 6 km on the southeastern (rift
axis) side is indicated by offset of older geologic units (Miller and Chandler, 1997). The feature, which
has a very pronounced aeromagnetic expression (Fig. 2-7), is termed the Finland tectono-magmatic
discontinuity (FTMD). Within the concavity of the FTMD are several other large, often bifurcating dikes
and large sheets dipping gently southeast. The complex of sheets holding up tabletop highlands in the
southern BBC (Figs. 2-4 and 2-7) may be part of an originally continuous, nearly horizontal sheet that has
locally been eroded through to expose volcanic rocks forming the footwall.
The fanning pattern of columnar jointing exposed in this railroad cut through Bear Lake Ridge
reflects the transition from the FTMD dike into a thick sub-horizontal sheet developed to the east of the
ridge. The rock type here is a fine-grained ophitic olivine diabase. The larger railroad cut 150 m to the
east reveals the irregular, well-jointed base of the diabase sheet overlying the amygdaloidal flow-top
breccia of a deeply weathered ophitic basalt (CAUTION, OUTCROP FACE IS UNSTABLE). Abundant
weathered anorthosite inclusions and some quartz- and feldspar-phyric rhyolite inclusions (similar to the
Palisade rhyolite) are evident in the diabase. This diabase sheet holds up the extensive 120-m cliff visible
across (south of) the Beaver River.

Page 69

�Figure 2-7. Shaded-relief image of total magnetic field data over the southern Beaver Bay Complex and generalized
geologic map (from M-119) at the same scale. FTMD - Finland Tectono-magmatic Discontinuity. Labelled
intrusions of the BBC include the Cloquet Lake layered series (CLLS), the Houghtaling Creek troctolite
(HCT), the Sonju Lake intrusion (SLI), the Finland granophyre (FG), the Lax Lake gabbro (LLG), the Blesner
Lake diorite (BLD), the Beaver River diabase (BRD), and the Silver Bay intrusions (SBI). Duluth complex
units include the anorthositic series (AS), the felsic series (FS), the Osier Lake intrusion (OLI), and the
Greenwood Lake intrusion (GLI). North Shore Volcanic Group rocks are denoted as V. Solid lines denote
inter-intrusion contacts; dashed lines denote intra-intrusion contacts. See M-119 for subunits of intrusions.
Number labels are NAD 83-based UTM grid coordinates. Modified from Figure 7-2 (Miller and others, 2002).

Two types of diabase are exposed in the upper ledge of the railroad cut, which is accessible from the
east. The more common type is the same fine-grained ophitic olivine diabase observed in the dike, but
here it contains scattered anorthosite inclusions and locally is plagioclase porphyritic. Exposed across the
eastern half of the ledge, the ophitic diabase is found in sharp contact with a dense, black, aphanitic,
intersertal diabase rich in quartz and feldspar xenocrysts, numerous small, blebby inclusions of felsite,
and larger inclusions of anorthosite. The presence of anorthosite inclusions argues against it being a
volcanic xenolith. Near the western end of the ledge, the ophitic diabase is noticeably chilled and
columnar jointed adjacent to a sharp steep contact with the inclusion-rich diabase. In the center of the
ledge, the inclusion-rich diabase is itself pseudo-columnar jointed near its sharp contact with the ophitic
diabase, but the joints are not orthogonal to the contact. This inclusion-rich diabase is locally observed
near the margins of Beaver River diabase intrusions throughout the BBC. It probably represents strong
contamination of early anorthosite-bearing Beaver River magmas as they were emplaced into brittle
conduits in the volcanic edifice.
.... Continue east on Lake Co Rd 3 to junction with Co Rd 4. Turn right and proceed to junction with
Highway 61 in Beaver Bay. Turn left, after crossing the Beaver River pull on to shoulder. Walk paths
down to beach.

Page 70

�STOP 2-10: Inclusion-rich Contact Zone
of the Beaver River Diabase at
Beaver Bay
T.55N., R.8W., Sec. 12
Silver Bay 7.5' quadrangle
UTM: 629115E, 5235420N to
629240E, 5235770N

Stop 10

Highlights: porphyritic rhyolite
inclusion (nspr), hornfels basalt
inclusions (nsb) with granophyre
ring dikes, anorthosite inclusions
(black masses), inclusion-rich
Beaver River diabase (brid)

Exposed along shoreline outcrops on the north side of the Beaver River is a complex mix of rock
types that is commonly characteristic of the basal? contact of the Beaver River diabase. Exposed in the
first outcrop north of the Beaver River sandbar is hybrid mix of fine-grained diabase and irregular masses
of felsic rock in various stages of mixing and assimilation. While some of the felsic material looks to be
rounded irregular melted? inclusions in the diabase, some felsic material clearly occurs as dikes in the
diabase. At the steep north end of this exposure is a quartz-feldspar porphyritic rhyolite inclusion that is
very similar to the Palisade rhyolite, which holds up Palisade Head and Shovel Point several miles to the
north of here. At the base of the steep north side of the outcrop, the rhyolite is in sharp contact with a
fine-grained diabase. The diabase is riddled with irregular blebs of felsic material that likely represent
melted fragments of the rhyolite inclusion. Wieland Island in the northern part of Beaver Bay is
composed of a similar porphyritic rhyolite. The cliffs across the mouth of the river to the southeast are
held up by large inclusions of aphyric flow-banded rhyolite and medium-grained massive granophyre.
Progressing to the northeast, we cross a small outcrop of an epidotized fragmental mafic rock. This
rock may be contaminated diabase or, as implied by similar appearing rock we shall see to the north, it is
more likely a metamorphosed flow top breccia of a basalt inclusion. The next low outcrop is of deeply
altered (green-tinted) diabase charged with similarly altered anorthosite inclusions. Coming on to a large
expanse of semi-continuous outcrop along the rest of the shore, several rock types are observed. Most of
the exposure is altered fine-grained diabase. Another prominent rock type is granophyre, which occurs
both as irregular masses of varied size and as a curving network of granophyre dikes ranging from several
centimeters to over a meter wide. In some areas, granophyre composes almost half of the exposure. In
several locations, granophyre dikes are found encircling blocks of dense basaltic hornfels. The basaltic
hornfels are sometimes only distinguishable from the fine-grained diabase by a very prominent
orthogonal joint pattern and the ring of granophyre. In one block occupying a low spot in the outcrop, a
flow contact between massive and flow breccia basalt is recognizable. These blocks of basalt flows were
likely thermally metamorphosed by their incorporation into the diabase. The origin of the granophyre is
less clear, however. Melting of rhyolite inclusions has evidently given rise to at least some of the
granophyre, especially that occurring as irregular masses. However, given the mantling relationship of
some granophyre ring dikes to the basaltic hornfels inclusions, is seems possible that some of the
granophyre dikes were "sweated out" from the originally hydrated basalt inclusion. Alternatively, the

Page 71

�ring dikes may represent rhyolite-derived felsic melts that simply intruded along contacts between the
diabase and the basalt inclusions.
Following the exposure further to the north, this mix of diabase, granophyre, and basalt abruptly gives
way to diabase heavily charged with large anorthosite inclusions. At this point, we will head upslope to
the highway and back toward the river.
.... Continue along Highway 61 to the northeast past the North Shore taconite plant at Silver Bay and
Tettegouche State Park. Proceed 3.0 miles past the junction with MN Highway 1 to a road cut across
from (NW of) a Jehovah's Witness Hall.

STOP 2-11: Silver Bay intrusions, Beaver
River diabase and overturned lava flows
T.56N., R.7W., Sec. 1
Illgen City 7.5' quadrangle
UTM: A: 637890E, 5247155N
B: 638150E, 5247660N
C: 638421E, 5247980N
Highlights: ferrogabbro layered intrusion (sblg),
overturned lava flows (nsb), monzodioritic
composite intrusions (sbg) into diabase (brd)
containing anorthosite and basalt inclusions

The Illgen City quadrangle contains some of the most complex geology exposed in the Keweenawan
system (Miller and others, 1988). This complexity resulted from block faulting, displacement, and
rotation of volcanic rocks caused by the dike and sill emplacement of the Beaver River diabase and later
composite intrusions. The present level of exposure along the shoreline has cut into the footwall of a
major sheet-like intrusion of diabase that holds up the highlands about 2 km in from the shore. This is
perhaps the same sheet that the Beaver River cuts through near Stop 2-9. The footwall is highly dissected
with a complex network of large (50-800m wide) diabase dikes and the intervening blocks of volcanic
rocks have been significantly displaced and rotated into a variety of orientations (Fig. 2-8). Multiple
composite intrusions of ferrogabbroic to intermediate magmas have produced a variety of intrusions
hosted by the Beaver River diabase, which are collectively termed the Silver Bay intrusions. Three
roadcuts along a one-and-a-half kilometer stretch of the northwest side of Highway 61 display some of
the best examples of the magmatic and structural complexities attending the emplacement of the Beaver
Bay Complex.
Roadcut A: This roadcut exposes a nearly complete cross section through a small, zoned Silver Bay
intrusion. This intrusion, termed the Jehovah body, has the form of a broad, shallow asymmetric synform
that plunges about 15° to the east and measures about 450 m north to south. It is intrusive into the axial
portion of a Beaver River diabase dike about 500-600 m wide, which dips steeply to the north.

Page 72

�A

B

C

Figure 2-8. Geologic cross-section of the shoreline in the vicinity of STOP 2-11 (From Miller and others, 1989).
Unit abbreviations are: nsb- basalt; nsob-ophitic basalt; nsr2-rhyolite; nss-interflow sandstone; brd-Beaver
River diabase; sbg-Silver Bay gabbro; sblg-Silver Bay laminated gabbro;, gr-granite inclusion. Approximate
locations of roadcuts A, B, and C projected to the shore are shown. No vertical exaggeration.

On either end of the roadcut west of Highway 61 (Fig. 2-9A) are exposures of a deeply weathered,
varitextured but generally coarse-grained, nonfoliated apatitic ferromonzodiorite forming the margins of
the intrusion (unit sbg). Toward the center of the roadcut, the ferromonzodiorite abruptly grades into a
medium-grained, well-foliated, subprismatic ferrodiorite with poikilitic olivine (unit sbpg). The poikilitic
olivine ferrodiorite is composed of about 50-55% prismatic to lath-shaped plagioclase (An45-15); 15-20%
subprismatic and partially uralitized augite (En'62-42) and minor intergrowths of pigeonite (En'42-36); 5-10%
subequant to bladed iron-titanium oxide; 5-15% subpoikilitic to poikilitic, altered olivine (&lt;Fo48); and 515% granophryic mesostasis and trace apatite. Olivine is almost completely altered to a glassy black
sheet silicate mineral, called hisingerite by Gehman (1957). In thin section, the hisingerite appears to be
mostly dark-greenish-brown biotite, partially altered to chlorite, with some serpentine and iron oxide.
The oxidation of iron oxide, which is especially common around the outer margin of the olivine
oikocrysts, produces purplish coronas around the black clots.
Variations in the abundance and size of olivine oikocrysts (1.5 to 5 cm across) impart a layering to the
gabbro, which is parallel to plagioclase foliation. This internal structure defines an asymmetric synform
whose axial plane projects through the northern half of the intrusion. Cryptic variations in the Mg/Mg+Fe
contents of mafic minerals are noted upward through this sequence (Fig. 2-9A) and are suggestive of
magmatic differentiation.
We interpret the coarse-grained, decussate rocks to represent equilibrium crystallization of a stagnant
margin around a small convecting core of fractionally crystallizing magma, which formed the foliated
gabbro. The dikes of coarse-grained nonfoliated ferrodiorite internal to the zoned intrusion may represent
late intrusions of parental magma or remobilization of interstitial magma from within the intrusion.
Roadcut B: The next major roadcut to the northeast displays a series of basalt lava flow that have been
overturned 125° from horizontal. These flows are part of a large (~1 x 2 km) block of basalts that is
completely enclosed by intrusive rocks of the Beaver River diabase and Silver Bay intrusions (Fig. 2-8
and location map).
The basalts range in composition from olivine tholeiites, with smooth upper flow surfaces and pipe
amygdules at their base, to quartz tholeiites with brecciated (aa) flow tops (Fig. 2-9B). They range in
thickness from 3 to 20 meters. Two interflow sandstone units occur beneath the thickest lava flows. These
flows are part of the Bell Harbor lavas, the uppermost unit of the upper southwestern sequence of the
NSVG (Table 2.1).

Page 73

�Figure 2-9. Schematic diagrams of geologic relationships exposed along three roadcuts at STOP 2-11. Foliation
development portrayed in Roadcut A by alignment of tick marks. Units: sbg- nonfoliated ferromonzodiorite;
sbpg - foliated poikilitic olivine ferrodiorite; sblg - foliated intergranular (non-poikilitic) olivine ferrodiorite.
Compositions of augite shown by En content (= MgO/(MgO+FeO), mole %).

Roadcut C: A complex sequence of intrusive and inclusive relationships are exposed in the 70' high
roadcut to the northeast (Fig. 2-9C). This is one of the tallest roadcuts on the North Shore. Starting at
the southernmost end of the roadcut (0 pace) is a medium-grained ophitic olivine diabase with 2cm augite
oikocrysts. The diabase gradually coarsens to where by 80 paces the oikocrysts are about 5 cm across.
Beginning at about 40 paces, the diabase displays an intense oxidation/alteration that persists through
about 200 paces, where it is in contact with hornfels basalt. Between 90 and 130 paces is a coarse grained anorthosite inclusion, which has near vertical contacts with the enclosing diabase and displays the
same alteration as the diabase. This anorthosite holds up the crest of the hill that the roadcut traverses.
On the north side of the inclusion, the diabase is more subophitic, with coarse (~2 cm) augite clots, and it
contains granophyric patches. Progressing north, augite gradually becomes more prismatic and
granophyre content increases to where by 160 paces the rock is a ferromonzodiorite typical of the
marginal phases of Silver Bay intrusions. Between 170 and 175 paces, two steeply inclined granophyre
dikes cut the ferromonzodiorite. At about 180 paces, a subophitic texture again is evident. This rock
gradually becomes more ophitic and more medium-grained as a contact with hornfels basalt is approached
at 200 paces. The northern contact of this basalt inclusion occurs at a low spot in the roadcut and is
obscured by two shallow dipping granophyre dikes. The larger dike (~1.5m wide) cuts medium finegrained ophitic diabase, which contains another hornfels basalt inclusion near the base of the exposure at
about 240 paces. The exposure from 240 to 295 paces is relatively unaltered, medium fine to mediumgrained diabase. Between 270 to 280 paces, near the base of the roadcut, is an odd inclusion of coarse-

Page 74

�grained, subophitic leucogabbro with apophyses? of very fine, amygdaloidal mafic rock. The inclusion is
mantled on its upper right margin by a thin rind of granophyre. The northernmost 10 paces of the
roadcut leading to a gravel side road is hornfels basalt.
The sequence of events interpreted from the rocks displayed in Roadcut C are:
1) intrusion of diabase dike carrying anorthosite inclusions from depth and incorporating locally
derived basaltic wall rock.
2) composite intrusion of ferromonzodioritic magma into the semi-molten core of the diabase dike;
3) injection of granophyre dikes (possibly auto-intrusions of late-stage felsic melt segregated from
the ferromonzodiorite); and
4) fluxing of oxidizing fluids through the central zone of the dike.
--- Continue on Hwy. 61 to Lake Co. Hwy 6. Take this to MN Hwy 1 in Finland. Turn right on Hwy 1
about 1/4 mile and turn right on to Lake Co Hwy 7. Just past the Finland Community Center and just
before the pavement ends, turn left on to the road to the site of a former USAF Radar Station. Take the
paved road about 1.4 miles to gravel road crossing and pull out to the left.---

STOP 2-12: Finland granophyre and hybrid
dikes
T.57N., R.7W., Sec. 4
Finland 7.5' quadrangle
UTM: 633180E, 5256520N
Highlights: granophyric leucogranite (frg), locally
with blebby mafic enclaves (dgh)

Exposed over a 40-km2 area in the northwestern part of the southern BBC (Fig. 2-4) is a distinctive,
oval-shaped mass of leucogranite and quartz ferromonzodiorite, termed the Finland Radar Station
granophyre by Miller and others (1993), or simply the Finland granophyre. The main phase of the
granophyre is a homogeneous, salmon-colored, micrographic leucogranite with abundant miarolitic
cavities (unit frg, Fig. 2-4). To the north, this granitic phase, which contains less than 5% Fe-silicates and
oxides, abruptly grades to a quartz ferromonzodiorite characterized by 5-20% prismatic, iron-rich
pyroxene, amphibole, and locally olivine and 20-40% micrographic felsic matrix (unit frqm, Fig. 2-10).
At this stop, the typical character of the granitic phase of the Finland granophyre is displayed in the
roadcuts on either side of the road to the former USAF radar station (decommissioned in 1974).
In the rubble at the north end of this roadcut, the medium-grained granophyre contains small rounded
enclaves of fine-grained mafic rock. Some of the rubble blocks are composed completely of this finegrained rock. This occurrence is in line with what to the north is clearly a mafic to intermediate dike
cutting the granophyre. This dike is part of an orthogonal network of dikes composed of heterogenous
mixtures of mafic and felsic rock types that cut the Finland granite and the underlying Sonju Lake

Page 75

�intrusion and that parallel the adjacent Beaver River diabase (BRD-SLI hybrid dikes in Fig. 2-10A).
Miller and Chandler (1997) have interpreted these dikes to represent hybrid mixtures of Beaver River
diabase magma and residual felsic melts in the upper Sonju Lake intrusion and overlying Finland
granophyre. The textures displayed here are consistent with those resulting from two magma mixing,
which would imply that the Finland granite was significantly molten when the mafic dikes were
emplaced.
The intrusive relationships of the Finland granophyre, the older Lax Lake gabbro along its southern
margin (llg, Fig. 2-4), and the younger Beaver River diabase at its eastern extent (unit brd, Figs. 2-4 &amp; 210A) are well-established by several exposures of sharp contacts. However the genetic relationship of the
granophyre to the underlying Sonju Lake layered intrusion (Stop 13) along its gradational northern
boundary (Fig. 2-10A) is more problematic. Stevenson (1974), noting aplitic granophyric dikes cutting
the mafic cumulates of the Sonju Lake intrusion, considered the Finland granophyre to be intrusive into
the Sonju Lake intrusion. However, mapping by Miller and others (1993) showed these aplite dikes to be
phases of the late hybrid dikes (Fig. 2-10A) that cut the Sonju Lake intrusion and both phases of the
Finland granophyre. Again, the termination of such a dike is thought to give rise to the mafic enclaves at
this stop. Given the parallel zonation of the two phases of the granophyre with the strike of Sonju Lake
cumulate units (Figs. 2-4 &amp; 2-10; also see Miller and others, 1993a) and the generally smooth
compositional variations across these units (Fig. 2-10B), a comagmatic relationship resulting from
crystallization differentiation could be envisioned. Such an interpretation is inconsistent, however, with
the large amount of granophyre relative to the layered mafic rocks apparent from the geologic map (Figs.
2-4 &amp; 2-10). Modeling of gravity and aeromagnetic data across these units (Miller and others, 1990)
confirms that the volume of granophyre is at least as great as the volume of underlying mafic rocks and
thus is too great to be a differentiate of the layered intrusion. Also, preliminary Sm-Nd and Rb-Sr data
indicate that the granophyre has an isotopic composition distinct from the mafic rocks and therefore could
not have evolved from them (J. Vervoort, unpublished data). A more plausible interpretation is that the
mafic magma that produced the Sonju Lake intrusion was trapped by the less dense Finland granophyre.
This underplating resulted in partial melting of the granophyre and the development of a diffuse contact.
Petrologic and isotopic studies are needed to determine the extent of assimilation across the mafic-felsic
contact.

--- Return downhill to Lake Co Rd 7. Turn left and proceed 5.6 miles to Sonju Lake Forest Rd. Take the
Sonju Rd 3.1 miles to an area of low outcrops---

Page 76

�STOP 2-13: Sonju Lake Intrusion
T.58N., R.7W., Sec. 27
Finland 7.5' quadrangle
UTM: 633180E, 5256520N
Highlights: cumulate stratigraphy of
Pl+Ol (slt) -&gt; Pl+Cpx+Ol (slg) -&gt;
Pl+Cpx+Ox+/-Ol (slfg)

The Sonju Lake intrusion (SLI) is the most completely differentiated mafic layered intrusion
recognized in the Keweenawan magmatic system (Stevenson, 1974; Weiblen, 1982). The intrusion
occurs as a shallow (15-30°) south- to southeast-dipping, 1200-m-thick sheet of mafic cumulates
underlying a granophyre body of similar thickness. The SLI is exposed in outcrop over an area extending
about 3 km west from its abrupt truncation by the Beaver River diabase dike of the FTMD structure (Fig.
2-10A). However, it can be traced beneath glacial cover by its aeromagnetic signature for a strike length
of about 15 km (Fig. 2-4). Above a basal contact zone of fine- to medium-grained melatroctolite (unit
slmt) intrusive into older gabbroic rock, five map units within the SLI are distinguished by their cumulus
mineralogy: Ol (unit sld)→ Pl+Ol (unit slt)→Pl+Cpx+Ol (unit slg)→Pl+Cpx+Ox±Ol (unit
slfg)→Pl+Cpx+Ox+Ol+Ap (unit slad). At the upper contact with the overlying Finland granophyre is a
complex unit (slmd) characterized by a cyclical loss of igneous lamination and enrichment in granophyre
at the expense of mafic phases. This igneous stratigraphy is complimented by a smooth, logarithmic
cryptic layering exemplified by decreasing mg# values of pyroxene (Fig. 2-10B). Taken together, these
characteristics are consistent with formation of the SLI by closed-system fractional crystallization of a
moderately evolved tholeiitic basaltic magma (Miller and Ripley, 1996).
At this stop, we will traverse the middle cumulate units of the SLI. Exposed in low outcrops on
either side of the Sonju Lake Forest Road is coarse-grained, moderately foliated, ophitic olivine gabbro
typical of the upper part of the slt unit. It is a Pl+Ol cumulate with abundant (15-20%) augite oikocrysts
up to 8 cm in diameter. Downsection from here, the slt unit is more typically an ophitic augite troctolite
with olivine about twice as abundant as augite and the latter as 1- to 3-cm oikocrysts (Fig. 2-11). The
increased mode and size of augite oikocrysts here presages the approaching cumulus arrival of augite.
The arrival of cumulus augite is indicated by its abrupt change from ophitic to granular habit (Fig. 211), which can be observed in intermittent outcrop about 70 paces (~100 m) south of the road. This
singular cumulus phase transition from Pl+Ol to Pl+Cpx+Ol is traceable across the entire exposure area of
the SLI and serves as a useful datum horizon (Fig. 2-10). The slg unit is about 70 m thick and is typically
composed of 60-65% plagioclase, 28-32% subprismatic augite, 5-10% olivine and 1% interstitial Fe-Ti
oxide. The rock is consistently coarse-grained and well foliated.
Continuing south across a low swamp, the outcrop exposed on the north face and crest of the next
ridgeline is medium-grained, well foliated oxide gabbro of the slfg unit. The cumulus arrival of Fe-Ti
oxide is defined by its granular habit and its increase in modal abundance to 7-10% (Fig. 2-11). Olivine
is commonly in low abundance or absent. This unit is over 200m thick, and in its medial section hosts an
80m-thick interval enriched in PGE (Miller, 1999; Joslin, 2004).

Page 77

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line inelutioctoliie (OP)

Os
&lt;
-200

(PA 0)
—47 27' 30'
sld

t micrc,graphic granite
quaii lenoinoniodiotile

-400

8CpxQpx

Finland Oranophyrc
slmt

S

+

.

Western Profiles (1 &amp;2)

Eastern Profiles (3-5)

harahboiclc
501)

oaks

SLI-1 Drill Core
-600

Volcanic rocks

100

80

60

40

20

MgO/(MgO+FeO)

Figure 2-10. A) Geology of the Sonju Lake intrusion and overlying Finland granophyre showing the locations of
stops 12 and 13 (modified from Miller and others, 1993). B) Cryptic variation of MgO/(MgO+FeO) (mole %)
in augite and orthopyroxene through the Sonju Lake intrusion and Finland granophyre (from Miller and
Ripley, 1997).

Figure 2-11. Textures of
cumulate rocks from the
middle units of the Sonju
Lake intrusion. Light
phase is plagioclase,
outlined light gray phase
is olivine, dark gray phase
is augite, and black phase
is Fe-Ti oxide.

Page 78

0

�--- Return to Co Rd 7. Proceed north (to left) about 10 miles to Hoist Lake Rd (just past the Trestle
Inn on Crooked Lake). Turn left and go 4.5 miles to junction with snowmobile trail heading to right--

STOP 2-14: Northwestern margin of the
Beaver Bay Complex
T.59N., R.7W., Sec. 12
Cabin Lake 7.5' quadrangle
UTM: A - 638780E, 5274975N
B - 638460E, 5274980N
C - 638125E, 5274755N
D - 638565E, 5275005N
Highlights: Houghtaling Creek trocolite
(hct); Dam Five gabbronorite (dfgn)
with inclusion of gabbroic anorthosite
(klga); Shoepack Lake inclusion-rich
diorite (slid)

This sequence of four exposure areas shows the major units comprising the northwestern margin of
the Beaver Bay Complex (Miller and others, 1994). The first exposure (Area A) is of a medium coarsegrained, moderately foliated, layered troctolite cumulate with minor (&lt;5%) ophitic augite forming the
northwestern margin of the Houghtaling Creek troctolite (Figs. 2-4 and 2-12). The layering and foliation
dip about 30º SE. This intrusion occurs as a 2-5 km wide, northeast-trending macrodike, which can be
traced along strike for over 50 kilometer in outcrop and by its distinctive aeromagnetic signature (Fig. 27). Intermittent olivine layering and foliation define an asymmetric trough structure with its shorter limb
on the southeast side (Fig. 2-12B).
---Following the snowmobile trail north of the road for about 100 m to a junction of trails. Take the trail
to the left (west)--Pavement outcrops on the snowmobile trail and in a larger outcrop on the north side of the trail
(Area B) are medium-grained, well-foliated gabbronorite cumulates of the Dam Five gabbronorite (dfgn,
Fig. 2-12). The rock is composed of 50% plagioclase, 20% subprismatic augite, 27% subprismatic
inverted pigeonite, and 3% subpoikilitic Fe-Ti oxide and would classify as a Pl+Cpx+IPig cumulate.
Well-developed foliation dips about 27º SSE. This unit occurs exclusively along the northwestern margin
of the Houghtaling Creek troctolite. Although a contact between the troctolite and gabbronorite is not
observed and their internal structures are nearly conformable, the troctolite does show some fining toward
the inferred contact and is considered to be intrusive into the gabbronorite. The very different cumulus
mineralogies of the two units, which cannot be related by any conventional differentiation mechanism, is
further evidence that these are distinct intrusive units (Fig. 2-12B).
--- Continue along snowmobile trail to junction with main road. After crossing Hoist Creek bridge and
meeting another road junction, take the trail to the south and then follow flags to Area C outcrops ---

Page 79

�The exposures at the crest of this hill (Area C) are of coarse-grained gabbroic anorthosite, which
occurs as a large inclusion in the Dam Five gabbronorite. The inclusion is composed of 90-95%
moderately foliated plagioclase, 3-7% ophitic augite and 2-3% poikilitic oxide. It is mapped as an
inclusion of the Katydid Lake gabbroic anorthosite (klga; see location map), but its ophitic texture is more
like lithologies found in the deeper anorthositic series of the Duluth Complex (as, Fig. 2-4; olga, Fig. 212A).
--- Return to road junction and continue west and north to clear cut area. Follow flags over crest of hill
to outcrop ledge--NW

SE

A.

B.

Figure 2-12. Interpretive cross-sections through the northern Beaver Bay Complex from geologic maps by A)
Boerboom and Miller (1994) and B) Miller and others (1994). Map unit abbreviations: nsf- felsic volcanics,
slid - Shoepack Lake inclusion-rich diorite; slAi - Archean inclusions in slid; whgg - Whitefish Lake
granophyre, felsic series of the Duluth Complex; olga, sclg, klga - phases of the anorthositic series of the
Duluth Complex; dfgn - Dam Five gabbronorite; hct - Houghtaling Creek troctolite.

Exposed in a 5' ledge on the western crest of the clear cut hill (Area D) is a typical exposure of the
earliest intrusive unit of the Beaver Bay Complex - the Shoepack Lake inclusion-rich diorite (slid). This
unit is composed of a heterogenous mix of aphanitic to very fine-grained diorite and inclusions of
predominantly felsite (icelandite and K-feldspar-phyric rhyolite) and lesser amounts of basalt, gabbroic
anorthosite, gabbro and locally Archean? rock types (granite, gneiss, amphibolite, schist). Inclusions
range in size from single quartz xenocryts to blocks 50m across. Most inclusions exposed here are of
felsic volcanic rocks irregularly mixed and partially assimilated into the diorite. However, at the northern
end of the exposure, is an inclusion of a cross-bedded interflow sediment hornfels. The rock is composed
of a granular mix of plagioclase, oxide and minor pyroxene, with oxide and plagioclase defining graded
bedding. The pyroxene (~5-10%) is probably metamorphic.
To the north, Archean xenoliths are common. These occurrence reinforce the interpretation that the
pronounced gravity low in this area reflects a prominent southeast-trending basement ridge that divides
the Keweenawan igneous rocks into two basins of intrusion and eruption (Boerboom, 1994; Miller and
Chandler, 1997). The Shoepack Lake diorite is interpreted to be an intrusive breccia that was the first
northeast-trending intrusion to breach this crustal ridge and intrude into a rhyolite-dominated part of the
NSVG overlying the ridge (Fig. 2-12). This breach of the crustal ridge paved the way for subsequent
intrusions, including the Dam Five gabbronorite and the Houghtaling Creek troctolite, to intrude along
this same crustal weakness and thus create the composite grouping of northeast-trending intrusions that
form the northern BBC (Figs. 2-4, 2-12). The presence of anorthositic series inclusions in this rock
suggests that it may be one of the older intrusions in the greater Duluth Complex, perhaps correlative with
early stage magmatism.

Page 80

�--- Return east to Co Rd 7. Turn left and proceed to Forest Rd 170. Go right about 2.5 miles and then
turn left on the secondary forest road to Whitefish Lake. Proceed about 4.0 miles to a gravel pit road on
left. Park and walk about 150m south on the forest road to low outcrops on the west side of the road. ---

STOP 2-15: Contact between the felsic and
anorthositic series of the Duluth Complex
T.60N., R.6W., Sec. 2
Wilson Lake 7.5' quadrangle
UTM: 646050E, 5286185N
Highlights: Contact between Whitefish Lake
granophyre (whgg) and flow foliated
gabbbroic anorthosite of the Outlaw Lake
gabbroic anorthosite (olga).

In the low pavement exposure, a sharp contact can be observed between medium-grained pink
granophyre and medium-grained, swirly foliated, ophitic oxide gabbroic anorthosite. A bimodal grain
size of well-foliated plagioclase in the gabbroic anorthosite imparts a trachytic texture to the rock.
Several lines of evidence indicate that the gabbroic anorthosite is intrusive into the granophyre:
1) the gabbroic anorthosite shows a subtle decrease in grain size toward the contact whereas the
granophyre show no change in texture as the contact is approached. Gabbroic anorthosite in
gravel pit outcrops, about 50 m to the north, is considerably coarser grained than observed here.
Two miles to the northeast, a more obvious chill of the gabbroic anorthosite against granophyre
is noted.
2) well-developed, but irregular-oriented foliation in the gabbroic anorthosite appears to be
concordant within a meter of the contact; and
3) felsic apophyses emanate from the granophyre and into the gabbroic anorthosite, probably
caused by back veining of partially melted granophyre at the intrusive contact.
This exposure provides rare field evidence for the older age of the felsic series relative to the
anorthositic series of the Duluth Complex. This inferred age relationship was reaffirmed by U-Pb zircon
dating, which yielded an 1109.6±4 Ma age for the Whitefish granophyre (Sandland and others, 2001)
compared to 1099.1 and 1099.6 Ma ages for two anorthositic series samples dated by Paces and Miller
(1993). The early stage emplacement of felsic magmas, which gave rise to the granophyre bodies that
now dot the upper contact of the Duluth Complex (Fig. 2-3), helps explain the subsequent emplacement
of the multiple, massive intrusions of the Duluth Complex. These felsic bodies probably acted as density
traps that triggered underplating of first, ferrogabbroic magmas, creating the early gabbro series, then,
plagioclase-phyric magmas (Fig.2-12A), creating the anorthositic series, and finally, aphyric mafic
magmas, creating the many discreet intrusions of the layered series (Miller and Ripley, 1996; Miller and
others, 2002).
In the gravel pit are exposures of several varieties of anorthositic rocks that show complex lithologic
and structural relationships typical of the anorthositic series (Miller and Weiblen, 1990).

Page 81

�--- Return south to Forest Rd 170, then west to Co Rd 7. Proceed north (right) to Forest Rd 172
(Wanless Rd). Go left on 172 for about 2.9 miles to quarry entrance on right side of road (Permission
required for entry) ---

STOP 2-16: "Lake Superior Green"quarry
T.60N., R.7W., Sec. 35
Silver Island Lake 7.5' quadrangle
UTM: 636532E, 5278342N
Highlights: Dimension stone quarry; porphyritic
gabbroic anorthosite (klga); diabase dikes.

Cold Spring Granite Company has been operating a dimension stone quarry at this site for the past 10
years. The rock is marketed as Lake Superior Green, but its geologic name is the Katydid Lake gabbroic
anorthosite (Boerboom and Miller, 1994; Miller and others, 1994). The rock is a coarse-grained
plagioclase-porphyritic gabbroic anorthosite and is composed of 60-70% large (2-3 cm), blocky
plagioclase phenocrysts in a medium-grained matrix composed 65% plagioclase, 20% prismatic augite, 510% granophyric mesostasis, and 5-10% accessory phases of oxide, biotite, amphibole, and apatite. The
subequant habit of the plagioclase precludes the development of a foliation, though locally some hint of
alignment is evident. Locally, small (10-30 cm) rounded inclusions of coarse-grained anorthosite or
granulated (tectonized) anorthosite are found. Along the southern wall of the quarry, the gabbroic
anorthosite is cut by 10- to 50-m-wide dikes of fine-grained diabase.
This rock is thought to be an offshoot from the main mass of the anorthositic series, which occurs
about 2 kilometers to the north and is locally called the Outlaw Lake gabbroic anorthosite (Boerboom and
Miller, 1994).
END OF TRIP
---Continue west along Forest Road 172 10 miles to MN Hwy. 1. Turn left and proceed southeast to Hwy
61 at the shore. Turn right and proceed to Duluth---

Page 82

�References
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was right!: Proceedings of the 40th Annual Institute on Lake Superior Geology, Program and Abstracts, p. 5-6.
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Superior and implications for its geodynamic evolution: Canadian Journal of Earth Science, v. 34, p. 476-488
Davis, D. W. and Paces, J. B., 1990, Time resolution of geologic events on the Keweenaw Peninsula and
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54-64.
Gehman, H.M., Jr., 1957, The petrology of the Beaver Bay Complex, Lake County, Minnesota: unpublished Ph.D.
dissertation, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, 300p.
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geochronology of Minnesota: Minnesota Geological Survey Bulletin 41, 193 p.
Greeley, R., 1982, The Snake River Plain, Idaho: Representative of a new category of volcanism: Journal of
Geophysical Research, v. 87, N. B4, p. 2705-2712.
Green, J.C., 1972, North Shore Volcanic Group, in Sims, P.K., and Morey, G.B., eds., Geology of Minnesota—A
centennial volume: Minnesota Geological Survey, p. 294-332.
Green, J.C., 1977, Keweenawan plateau volcanism in the Lake Superior region, in Baragar, W. R. A., Coleman, L.
C., and Hall, J. M., eds., Geological Association of Canada Special Paper 16, p. 407-422.
Green, J.C., 1982, Geologic Map Atlas of Minnesota, Two Harbors Sheet: Minnesota Geological Survey, scale
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Group, Minnesota: Geological Society of America Bulletin, v. 101, p. 486-500.
Green, J.C., 1990, Primary tridymite crystallization and inferences from tridymite and quartz textures in high-T
Keweenawan rhyolites and granophyres, Minnesota (abs.): Geological Soc. of America, Abstracts with
Programs, v. 22, p. A289-290.
Green, J.C., 1992, Geologic map of the north shore of Lake Superior, Lake and Cook Counties, Minnesota: Part 1.
Little Marias to Tofte: Minnesota Geological Survey Miscellaneous Map Series, M-71, scale 1:24,000

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�Green, J.C., 1995, Chemostratigraphy at the fringe of the Midcontinent Rift System: The northeast limb of the North
Shore Volcanic Group, Minnesota (ext. abs.): in Proceedings, Petrology and Metallogeny of Volcanic and
Intrusive Rocks of the Midcontinent Rift System: 1995 IGCP Project 336 Field Conference and Symposium, p.
55-56
Green, J. C. and Fitz, T. J. III, 1993, Extensive felsic lavas and rheoignimbrites in the Keweenawan Midcontinent
Rift plateau volcanics, Minnesota: petrographic and field recognition: Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal
Research, v. 54, p. 177-196
Green, J.C., Davis, D.W., and Schmitz, M.D., 2001, Three new zircon dates for the Midcontinent Rift, North Shore,
Minnesota: more data, more questions: 47th Institute on Lake Superior Geology, Proceedings and Abstracts, p.
29.
Irvine, T.N., and Baragar, W.R.A., 1971, A guide to the chemical classification of the common volcanic rocks:
Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, v. 8, no. 5, p. 523-548.
Jerde, E.A., 1991, Geochemistry and petrology of hypabyssal rocks associated with the Midcontinent rift,
northeastern Minnesota: unpublished Ph.D. Thesis, University of California, Los Angeles, 305 pp.
Jirsa, M. A., 1984, Interflow sedimentary rocks in the Keweenawan North Shore Volcanic Group, northeastern
Minnesota: Minnesota Geological Survey Report of Investigations 30, 20 pp.
Joslin, G.A., 2004, Stratiform Pd-Pt-Au mineralization in the Sonju Lake intrusion near Finland, Minnesota:
unpublished M.S. Thesis, University of Minnesota Duluth.
Klewin, K.W., and Shirey, S.B., 1992, The igneous petrology and magmatic evolution of the Midcontinent Rift
System: Tectonophysics, v. 213, p. 33-40.
Manley, C. R., 1996, Physical volcanology of a voluminous rhyolite lava flow: The Badlands lava, Owyhee Plateau,
southwestern Idaho: Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, v. 71, p. 129-153
McBirney, A.R., and Williams, H., 1969, Geology and petrology of the Galapagos Islands: Geological Soc. of
America Memoir 118, 197p.
Miller, J.D., Jr., 1988, Geologic map of the Split Rock Point NE and Silver Bay quadrangles, Lake County,
Minnesota: Minnesota Geological Survey, Miscellaneous Map Series, M-68, scale 1:24,000
Miller, J.D., Jr., 1999, Geochemical evaluation of platinum group element (PGE) mineralization in the Sonju Lake
intrusion, Finland, Minnesota: Minnesota Geological Survey Information Circular 44, 32 p.
Miller, J.D., Jr., and Chandler, V.W., 1997, Geology, petrology, and tectonic significance of the Beaver Bay
Complex, northeastern Minnesota: in Ojakangas, R.J., Dickas, A.B., Green, J.C., (eds.) Middle Proterozoic to
Cambrian Rifting, Central North America: Geological Society of America Special Paper 312, p. 73-96.
Miller, J.D., Jr., and Ripley, E.M., 1996, Layered intrusions of the Duluth Complex, Minnesota, USA: in
Cawthorne, R.G., ed., Layered Intrusions: Amsterdam, Elsevier Science, p. 257-301
Miller, J.D., Jr., and Vervoort, J.D., 1996, The latent magmatic stage of the Midcontinent Rift: a period of magmatic
underplating and melting of the lower crust: 42nd Annual Institute on Lake Superior Geology, Proceedings
Volume, Part I – Program and Abstracts, p. 33-35
Miller, J.D., Jr. and Weiblen, P.W., 1990, Anorthositic rocks of the Duluth Complex: Examples of rocks formed
from plagioclase crystal mush: Journal of Petrology 31, p. 295-339
Miller, J.D., Jr., Boerboom, T.B., and Jerde, E.A., 1994, Bedrock geologic map of the Cabin Lake and Cramer 7.5minute quadrangles, Lake and Cook Counties, Minnesota: Minnesota Geological Survey Miscellaneous Map
Series, M-82, scale 1:24,000
Miller, J.D., Jr., Green, J.C., Boerboom, T.B., &amp; Chandler, V.W., 1993, Geology of the Doyle Lake and Finland
quadrangles, Lake County, Minnesota: Minnesota Geological Survey Miscellaneous Map Series M-72, scale
1:24,000
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Minnesota: Minnesota Geological Survey Miscellaneous Map Series, M-69, scale 1:24,000
Miller, J.D, Jr., Schaap, B.D., and Chandler, V.W., 1990, The Sonju Lake intrusion and associated Keweenawan
rocks: geochemical and geophysical evidence of petrogenetic relationships: Proceedings of the 36th Annual
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�Miller, J.D., Jr., Green, J.C., Severson, M.J., Chandler, V.W., and Peterson, D.E., 2001, Geologic map of the Duluth
Complex and related rocks, northeastern Minnesota: Minnesota Geological Survey Miscellaneous Map Series,
M-119, scale 1:200,000
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Geology and mineral potential of the Duluth Complex and related rocks of northeastern Minnesota: Minnesota
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inclusions in the Keweenawan Beaver Bay and Duluth Complexes, northeastern Minnesota: Geological
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with respect to the Iceland geochemical anomaly: Journal of Petrology, v. 19, p. 393-436

Page 85

�FIELD TRIP 3
LATE WISCONSINAN SUPERIOR-LOBE DEPOSITS IN THE SUPERIOR BASIN
NORTHEAST OF DULUTH
Howard Hobbs
Minnesota Geological Survey
INTRODUCTION
The recession of the Superior lobe was marked by many readvances. We will examine glacial
striations and tills of the Superior lobe along the scenic North Shore of Lake Superior from
Duluth to Two Harbors. The stratigraphy in this area will be tied to ice margins and events
elsewhere, leading to a consistent glacial history. Each time the ice lobe retreated into the
Superior basin, it created a glacial lake, and each subsequent readvance incorporated
reddish-brown lake sediment. Each of these lakes is here considered to be a phase of glacial Lake
Superior in a broad sense. Each readvance covered a smaller area and reached a lower elevation
than the last, and deposited a finer-grained till than the previous one.

STRATIGRAPHY
Cromwell Formation
The oldest glacial sediment exposed in these stops is a rocky, gravelly, reddish-brown (5YR
4/4) till. Its matrix texture is typically a loam, but some samples are extremely low in clay (Fig.
3-1). It is non-to-slightly calcareous, and is deeply leached where exposed at the surface, even
where calcareous at depth. This till and associated meltwater sediment has been named the
Cromwell Formation (Wright and others, 1970). The characteristic reddish color and abundant
red and black clasts, which define the Superior provenance, are derived from the passage of the
ice through the Superior basin, and are presumably absent from deposits up-ice from the basin.
The till matrix derived its reddish color and some of its red clasts from pulverized red
sedimentary rock from the floor of the basin: sandstone, siltstone, and shale. The other red and
black rock fragments are primarily extrusive and intrusive igneous rocks from the northwestern
lake shore: basalt, rhyolite, diabase, and gabbro. Black slate fragments from the Proterozoic
Rove Formation are locally present.
In most of its extent (down-ice from the basin), the Cromwell Formation contains many clasts
other than those from the Superior basin: gray to black Proterozoic metamorphic clasts, Archean
granite and greenstone, and Paleozoic carbonate. These clasts are mainly derived from older
Quaternary sediment and local bedrock. Within the Superior basin, the clast assemblage in the
Cromwell Formation in many places is dominated by Superior basin clasts. I call this assemblage
a “hyper-Superior” assemblage, as opposed to the mixed Superior assemblage down-ice.
Inasmuch as the ice itself did not originate inside the Superior basin, the scarcity of clasts from
up-ice of the basin implies that the rate of bedrock erosion is much higher within the basin than
outside, which explains why the basin formed in the first place. The standard grain size for clast
counting and determining provenance is 1-2 millimeters (very coarse-grained sand), and this size
is used unless otherwise specified.
Barnum Formation
The remainder of the glacial and glaciolacustrine sediment in the area is referred to as the
Barnum Formation (Fig. 3-2). The Barnum Formation was originally defined to include clayey

Page 86

�till overlying the Cromwell Formation (Wright and others, 1970). Hobbs (2002, 2003a, b)
recognized three texturally distinct tills above the Cromwell Formation. The tills are overlain and
separated in places by reddish lake and deltaic sediment, which ranges in texture from silt to clay
(Fig. 3-1), and contains very little sand and almost no coarse-grained fragments. This sediment
ranges from massive to laminated, and from grayish-brown to reddish-brown. More detail is
provided in the stop descriptions.
The individual tills contain inclusions of similar lake sediment in places. These tills and
lacustrine sediments are to be included in a modified Barnum Formation (Johnson and others,
unpub. data). Until this work is published, the member names will be used informally.
Lakewood member
The lowest till in the Barnum Formation is the Lakewood member. It is typically reddishbrown (5YR 4/3 to 3/4) noncalcareous silt loam (Fig. 3-1). Its average clay content is only a little
more than that of the Cromwell Formation. Its proportion of coarse-grained fragments is
typically less than that of the Cromwell till, but more than that of the other tills of the Barnum
Formation. In contrast to the Cromwell Formation, large pebbles and boulders are not common.
Most samples have a hyper-Superior clast assemblage in the 1-2 millimeter size fraction. A few
samples have a small number of Paleozoic carbonate clasts. The till is relatively thin and patchy
in the field trip area; it probably averages less than 2 meters in thickness.
Moose Lake member
The middle till in the Barnum Formation is the Moose Lake member. It is typically reddishbrown (5 to 2.5YR 5/3 to 4/4) calcareous clay loam to silty clay loam (Fig. 3-1). Coarse-grained
fragments are sparser than in the brown silty till of the Lakewood member, and large rocks are
rare. The typical clast assemblage is Superior, but most are not hyper-Superior. The Moose Lake

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�member contains more clasts from outside the Superior basin (mostly granitic) than does the
Lakewood member. Many samples contain secondary carbonate precipitated by soil processes,
but fewer than half of the samples have primary carbonate clasts. The number of primary
carbonate clasts is small, even in samples that appear to be quite calcareous, which suggests that
the bulk of carbonate is in the finer grain sizes. The average thickness of the till in the field trip
area is about 3 meters.

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�Wrenshall member
Laminated red and gray lacustrine silt and clay in the Nemadji lake plain was named the
Wrenshall Formation by Wright and others (1970). It is stratigraphically above the Moose Lake
member, and behind the Nickerson moraine at the margin of the Moose Lake member. I am
redefining the Wrenshall Formation as a member of the Barnum Formation, because it is a part of
the same stratigraphic package of glacial lake sediment and lake-influenced tills. This member
has not been observed in the field trip area.
Knife River member
The upper till of the Barnum Formation is informally named the Knife River member. It is
typically reddish-brown (2.5 YR 5/3 to 4/4) calcareous clay (Fig. 3-1), containing few coarsegrained fragments or large rocks. A rough field criterion for differentiating the Moose Lake and
Knife River tills is the sound they give off to a shovel. The Moose Lake member goes “clink,”
but the Knife River goes “clunk.” That is, almost every shovel thrust into the Moose Lake till
encounters a pebble, but most shovel thrusts into the Knife River do not. Where the Knife River
till overlies the till of the Moose Lake member, its color is commonly on the same color chip, but
a little lighter and redder. The clast assemblage is commonly Superior, rarely hyper-Superior,
and occasionally a mixed Superior-Winnipeg assemblage (the Winnipeg assemblage is found in
tills deposited by ice that advanced through the Winnipeg lowland. It is characterized by
common to abundant Paleozoic carbonate, granitic grains that are more common than dark grains,
few red grains, and little to no Cretaceous shale). More than half of the samples contain primary
carbonate grains, and many samples contain common to abundant secondary carbonate. Its
average thickness is 3 to 4 meters, but appears to be absent in many places close to Lake
Superior. Its clay texture is atypical for glacial till, which led Moss (1977) and Gross (1982) to
interpret this till as massive glacial lake clay.
GLACIAL HISTORY
During the most recent glaciation, the field trip area was dominated by the activities of the
Superior lobe, which advanced through the axis of the Superior basin from northeast to southwest
as far south as the St. Croix moraine (Wright, 1972). The advance to the maximum, and the
earlier retreatal phases, deposited till and associated sediments of the Cromwell Formation.
Many retreatal or readvance ice margins have been recognized between the St. Croix moraine and
the Superior basin (Mooers, 1988; Patterson, 2001), but only the most recent ones are discussed
here. As long as the ice did not front a substantial glacial lake between advances, the texture of
the till remained more or less the same: rocky loam to sandy loam.
The first retreat into the Superior basin did not create a large continuous lake, but rather a set
of small ice-marginal lakes trapped between the ice and the sides of the basin. Meltwater escaped
by a series of ice-marginal channels, building ice-contact deltas of sand and gravel into ponds on
its way out of the basin to the southwest (Stop 3-8). The next advance of the Superior lobe
overrode these deltas and deposited a loamy Cromwell till that ends at the Mille Lacs–Highland
moraine. The texture of this till does not reflect any large amount of overridden lacustrine
sediment. An outwash plain graded to the Highland moraine buries the adjacent part of the Toimi
drumlin field. It is graded to a set of channels that seems to end at the St. Louis River. The
present day St. Louis River flows east and south, into the Superior basin, so meltwater flow from
the Highland moraine maximum must have flowed west (reversed) into glacial Lake Upham I.
The flowpath out of Lake Upham I is unknown; deposits of the St. Louis sublobe later covered
this whole area (Fig. 3-2).
As the ice receded from the Highland moraine, a set of meltwater channels was formed
between the receding ice in the basin, and the higher ground to the northwest. These channels are
discontinuous, and must have partly formed on the ice itself. Their general flow direction is to

Page 89

�the southwest, and they probably exited the Superior basin at its southwestern corner, where
bedrock elevations are the lowest. Deposits of subsequent readvances have since covered this
area, but the bottom of the most recently used lake spillway is about 1,050 feet in elevation.
Gravel in these channels is somewhat younger than the gravel in the ice-contact deltas, but is also
included in the Cromwell Formation. Further retreat opened up a lake in the southwestern corner
of the Superior basin that extended about as far northeast as Two Harbors.
The advance that followed was named the Split Rock phase by Wright (1972). It spilled out
of the basin and deposited a thin, reddish-brown (5YR) till, which I have correlated to the
Lakewood member of the Barnum Formation. This advance extended well out of the Superior
basin deep into Pine County, where it apparently formed the Split Rock, Askov-Lookout Tower,
and Kerrick ice margins. This correlation is uncertain, and the till texture is not exactly the same
in Pine County as in the field trip area, but till behind this set of margins is finer-grained than that
of the earlier phases (Patterson, 2001). The Lakewood member does not exhibit a
morphologically distinct ice margin in the field trip area. Its margin is recognized only by the
change in texture of the surface till, from that typical of the Cromwell Formation to that typical of
the Barnum Formation. This change occurs fairly consistently between 1,150 and 1,200 feet in
elevation.
All three till members of the Barnum Formation have fairly consistent margin elevations in
the field trip area. The ice was confined in a steep-sided basin, so their margins are similar to
bathtub rings. Theoretically, one would expect the margins to rise to the northeast, both to
account for the down-ice slope of the glacier, and differential postglacial rebound. There is little
evidence of this rise in the margin of the Lakewood member. This is partly because the data
points on which it is based are widely separated, and partly because the mapped margin of the
member is not necessarily the actual ice margin, but the margin of preserved deposits. A thin
patchy till deposited on a sloping surface is subject to extensive erosion, both by waves and by
sheet runoff. In addition, the area mapped so far is rather small, and the expected rise in ice
margin is not great.
Another retreat opened up a larger portion of glacial Lake Superior; it is unclear how much of
the basin was ice-free at this time. Apparently, this lake accumulated a considerable amount of
clay, because the advance that followed deposited the clayey Moose Lake member and built the
Nickerson moraine at the southwestern margin of the basin. In the field trip area, the Moose Lake
member was deposited up to about 1,100 to 1,150 feet in elevation. If the glacier were merely
recycling its own clay, it is puzzling why the Moose Lake member is so much more clayey than
the Lakewood member. Another puzzle is why the Moose Lake member is so calcareous
compared to the Lakewood member.
One possibility is a change in the nature of debris carried into the Superior basin from the
central Laurentide Ice Sheet. For example, Mooers and Lehr (1997) proposed that the change
from calcareous to noncalcareous debris carried by the Rainy lobe (in a broad sense) was
correlated to the migration of the ice divide south of the Hudson Bay lowland, so that the
Paleozoic carbonates in the lowland could no longer be transported south. The eastern boundary
of these lowlands is up-ice from the Superior basin, and could have supplied some carbonate. In
fact, a small number of Paleozoic dolomite grains are sporadically present in the otherwise
noncalcareous Cromwell Formation and Lakewood member tills, so a Hudson Bay component is
quite possible. However, the mechanics of how a reverse transition from noncalcareous to
calcareous would work in this setting is difficult to envision.
Another possibility is that glacial Lake Upham I drained into Lake Superior between the Split
Rock and Nickerson advances. This lake may have been fed by meltwater from the calcareous
Itasca or Koochiching lobes to the north, or even the incipient St. Louis sublobe. If so, some of
the meltwater probably funneled down the St. Louis River to glacial Lake Superior. Fine-grained
calcareous lake sediment was thus potentially available for entrainment into the Moose Lake till.
Although the sediment carried down the St. Louis River should have been mostly brown and

Page 90

�gray, there was abundant red clay deposited in the lake from the melting Superior lobe, and the
red color tends to dominate in mixtures (the gray color is not the result of a pigment, but the lack
of pigment).
The later advance of the St. Louis sublobe filled the Aitkin-Upham basin and buried the
deposits of Lake Upham I. This advance coincided more or less with the Nickerson moraine, as
shown by diversion channels around the moraine that can be traced upstream to the St. Louis
River (Wright and others, 1970). There is no way to be sure which of these channels were fed by
outwash from the St. Louis sublobe, and which were fed by overflow from glacial Lake AitkinUpham. The general pattern is that the earlier, higher diversion channels are narrower, and
presumably carried less water than the later, lower ones. One might speculate that the earlier
diversion channels carried meltwater from the ice margin, and that the later ones carried water
from the glacial lake. At times, Lake Aitkin-Upham was fed by overflow from Lake
Koochiching (the eastern arm of Lake Agassiz) at its highest levels (Hobbs, 1983). Thus, a much
larger flow of water was available than could have been generated by local melting in the St.
Louis River watershed.
The succeeding retreat first opened up a small ice-marginal lake in the southwestern corner of
the basin, called glacial Lake Nemadji by Winchell (1899). This lake appears to have been small
and fronted by ice at first—the rapid decline of its depositional surface from the proximal edge of
the Nickerson moraine to Duluth can be most easily explained if the Superior lobe still occupied
most of the basin. The outlet of Lake Nemadji was the Portage River channel, which cuts
through the Nickerson moraine and joins a diversion channel of the St. Louis River at the town of
Moose Lake. The bottom of the Portage River outlet is about 1,050 feet in elevation, but lakesmoothed topography and minor beach ridges can be recognized up to 1,080 feet. This does not
mean that the water in the outlet channel was necessarily 30 feet deep; the higher wave-washed
topography could have formed while the channel was being deepened. A great thickness of
laminated glacial clay and silt (Wrenshall member) accumulated at this time, between the
proximal side of the Nickerson moraine and the ice remaining in the basin.
Further retreat of the ice uncovered the lower Brule outlet in Wisconsin, which lowered the
level of the lake to about 1,020 feet and dried up the Portage outlet (Leverett, 1932). This lower
level of the lake has been called glacial Lake Duluth, but I prefer to use Duluth and Nemadji as
levels or phases of glacial Lake Superior, rather than giving every phase a separate lake name.
A large outflow from glacial Lake Aitkin-Upham II came down the St. Louis River after the
Superior lobe melted back from the Nickerson moraine. It washed a large area (about 10 square
miles) down to bedrock, upstream from the Nemadji lake plain. Although this scouring event
was extremely widespread, it did not expose any substantial area of bedrock below 1,050 feet in
elevation, suggesting that the local base level was no lower than 1,050 at the time of the event.
Subsequent stream erosion has incised a narrow valley into the bedrock below 950 feet in
elevation, but this cutting seems to have been accomplished by long erosion of a much smaller
stream graded to a much lower base level. Thus, the last major meltwater flood down the St.
Louis River seems to have come during the short time that glacial Lake Superior stood at the
Nemadji level.
As the Superior lobe retreated, the lake declined in stages as lower outlets were uncovered,
until the entire lake basin was ice-free. The water level was much lower than it is today (at least
in the field trip area). As the ice retreated north of Lake Superior, Lake Agassiz spilled east into
Lake Nipigon, into Lake Superior, and then out into Lake Huron (Clayton, 1983). A considerable
amount of suspended sediment from glacial Lake Agassiz was deposited in the basin. Combined
with the earlier sediment from Lake Aitkin-Upham, the Superior basin now had a considerable
amount of clay-rich calcareous sediment to be entrained by the next glacial advance. Lake
Superior remained ice-free for about 1,000 years, from 1100 to 1000 B.P. (Drexler and others,
1983).

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�The last, or Marquette advance, filled the basin with ice again, depositing a stone-poor, very
clayey 2.5YR till, which I have included in the Knife River member of the Barnum Formation.
This till is much more clayey on average than the clayey Moose Lake member (Fig. 3-1); its
matrix is more calcareous, and it contains more actual carbonate clasts. These differences are
attributed mainly to incorporation of sediment from Lakes Agassiz and Aitkin-Upham. In the
field trip area, the Knife River member extends up to a little less than 1,050 feet in elevation; it
extends laterally over the Wrenshall member as far as the proximal side of the Nickerson moraine
(Howard Mooers, unpub. data).
The field trip takes place in the area mapped in the French River, Lakewood, Knife River,
Two Harbors, and Castle Danger quadrangles (Fig. 3-3). I have recently mapped the surficial
deposits of the first 4 quadrangles under the USGS STATEMAP program (Hobbs, 2002, 2003a,
b). A surficial map of the Castle Danger quadrangle is in progress. I combined the knowledge
gained from this mapping with earlier mapping and interpretations in the region to create this new
interpretation of Superior lobe recessional history.

Page 92

�FIELD TRIP STOPS
8:00 a.m. Leave Radisson Hotel, Duluth; get onto I-35/ Highway 61, heading northeast through
Duluth. Just beyond the where US Highway 61 becomes a 4-lane expressway, turn right onto the
Scenic North Shore Drive (County Road 61). Continue about 6 miles to the village of French
River.
Stop 3-1. Superior bluff cut at French River. French River Quad., T.51N., R. 12 W., Sec 19
NE corner; 583815E, 5194075N NAD83 UTMs
This wave-cut bluff exposes about 25 feet of glacial sediment above basalt bedrock. The top
of the bedrock is 3 to 4 feet above lake level. It has been broken up by weathering and wave
action in most places, but there are some surfaces that have been smoothed by glacial abrasion.
Striations strike northeast, almost parallel to the shore but a little more westerly. These striations
were carved by the main flow of the Superior lobe through the Superior basin. Wherever
striations are exposed by wave action along the shoreline, they have a similar orientation.
The lower third of the cut is the Lakewood member of the Barnum Formation [(5) 28 63 9]
over till of the Cromwell Formation [(18) 52 42 6]. Numbers in brackets represent individual
texture samples: (gravel) sand, silt, and clay. Sand, silt, and clay are considered matrix, and their
numbers add to 100 percent, rounded to the nearest 1 percent. The number in parentheses is the
total of all fragments larger than 2 millimeters, and is expressed as a percent of the original
sample: matrix plus coarse-grained fragments. Large rocks were avoided for the texture samples.
Both tills are firm but not hard, with a platy structure parallel to the bluff face. The platy
structure is probably a weathering phenomenon. These tills are a little less red than they usually
appear—7.5 YR rather than 5YR. The Cromwell sample has a hyper-Superior grain assemblage;
the Lakewood sample has a Superior assemblage with a trace of carbonate.
The middle third of the bluff cut is red clayey till of the Moose Lake member: [(1) 13 29 58
and [(2) 19 30 51]. Its lower contact is flat and sharp. Both the middle and upper tills are fairly
firm, with a strong angular blocky structure. The structure and consistency are the best way to
distinguish in-place till from the soft structureless mudflow sediment that coats the bluff. Two
samples of the Moose Lake member have Superior grain assemblage with a trace of carbonate.
The upper third of the bluff is red clay till of the Knife River member: [(0.1) 4 22 74] and
[(0.2) 2 26 72]. Both tills are reddish-brown (2.5 YR 5/4); the contact between them was not
observed, but inferred from the texture of the samples. This till contains irregular, subhorizontal
clay inclusions, which look grayish by contrast to the red till. They range from pinkish gray
(7.5YR 6/2) to light brown (7.5YR 6/3). These inclusions are more calcareous than the red till;
they are interpreted as incompletely digested clumps of Lake Agassiz-derived clay. The texture
samples from this interval contain some of these clay inclusions, which explains why they are so
poor in gravel and sand, and so rich in clay, even for till of the Knife River member. Each
sample contains only a tiny number of 1-2 millimeter grains—one is a Winnipeg assemblage, one
is a Superior-Winnipeg mixture.
NEXT: Continue along the scenic drive about 4.5 miles. Turn right on a road leading to a scenic
overlook. Park and scramble down the bluff. Notice how the stone wall has broken and dropped
down in places where the red clay till it was built on has slumped. This bluff is actively retreating
by wave action and slope failure. The stop is the bluff just across a small gully west of the scenic
overlook.

Page 93

�Stop 3-2. Superior bluff by overlook. Knife River Quad., T.51N., R.12W., Sec 2, SE of SW of
NW; 5888830E, 5197725N NAD 83 UTMs
The bluff is about 28 feet high, but only the upper half is exposed (unless a storm has washed
the lower part since I saw it). The top of the exposed bluff is not at its original elevation. There
are a few slump scarps hidden in the trees above the top, and their combined offset makes the top
of the bluff 10 to 12 feet lower than the original surface. No bedrock is exposed at this site.
The lowest part of the exposure is 4 feet of till of the Cromwell Formation [(5) 36 59 5] and
[(14) 43 48 9]. This till is unusually low in clay, even for Cromwell till. It is calcareous,
apparently protected from leaching by the calcareous tills above it. Both samples of Cromwell till
contain hyper-Superior grain assemblages.
Above the Cromwell till is a layer of brown silty till [(11) 17 59 24] only 2 feet thick,
overlain by a foot of massive silt [(1) 7 73 20], which is similar in color and texture to the silty
till, but lacks stones. The brown silty till is included in the Lakewood member of the Barnum
Formation; the brown silt could also be included in the Lakewood member. It could either be
massive lacustrine, or actual till that happens to contain few coarse-grained fragments. More
digging may help us figure this out. Both are calcareous. Both contain hyper-Superior grain
assemblages with no carbonate grains, but the 1-2 millimeter sample from the massive silt is very
small.
Above the massive silt is a layer of interbedded red (2.5YR 4/4) and gray (10YR 4/1)
calcareous lacustrine clay just over a foot thick. A sample of the red clay is slightly more clayey
[0.2) 3 15 82] than the gray [(0.7) 3 18 79], but the gray clay feels more slippery, possibly
because of a higher content of expandable clays. Both have very small Superior grain
assemblages. The main red and gray beds are about an inch thick, but there are red and gray
micro-laminations within each bed. There are no silt beds, making it unlikely that these beds
represent varves. The bedding is more or less horizontal, but not very regular. Beds pinch and
swell; is this original, or were the beds deformed by overriding of the next glacier? There are
numerous slickensided joints running through both the brown silt and the red and gray clay.
Were these caused by overriding ice, or by modern slumping?
The uppermost layer exposed in this bluff is about 2 feet of calcareous red clayey till [(5) 31
25 44] of the Moose Lake member. It is weak red (2.5 YR 4/2) in the lower part, and reddish
brown (2.5YR 4/4) in the upper part. A sample has a Superior grain assemblage. Red clay till of
the Knife River member is not exposed here, but it may be present at the site. The top of the
exposure is at least 3 feet below the bluff top, and the bluff top itself is probably not the original
surface. A soil boring taken along the Scenic Highway from a bluff about 20 feet higher than this
one penetrated about 16 feet of red clay till over lacustrine sediment, with an intercalated contact.
NEXT: Leave the parking lot, drive back north to the Scenic Highway, turn left and go west
about 0.5 mile to the intersection of Homestead Road (County Road 42). Turn right and go north
across the railroad tracks and the Highway 61 expressway, and turn left on Old North Shore Road
(County Road 290). Proceed about 0.5 mile west into the Big Sucker Creek valley, and park by
the bridge. Walk upstream about 0.3 mile, following the trail on the northeast side of the stream.
The trail traverses a slumped stream cut.
Stop 3-3. Big Sucker Creek cut. Knife River Quad., T.51N., R. 12W., Sec 4, SW of NE of SE
of NE; 586740E, 5198325N NAD83 UTMs
The creek has cut down to and into bedrock in this whole area. At this site the basal 2 feet of
the stream cut is basalt. The base of the drift section is rocky till of the Cromwell Formation,
about 4 feet thick. Color is dark reddish brown (5YR 3/2). The lower sample is gravelly and
very low in clay [(31) 48 46 6]. The upper sample is more clayey but even more gravelly than the

Page 94

�lower one [(37) 34 47 19]. The till is slightly calcareous, but the grain assemblage is hyperSuperior with no carbonate grains.
The Cromwell till is overlain by about 9 feet of the Lakewood member; this is one of the
thickest Lakewood layers exposed in the field trip area. The trail crosses the cut at the level of
the Lakewood member. This till is dark reddish brown (5YR 3/2), slightly to moderately
calcareous, less rocky than the Cromwell till, but much more so than the overlying till. The
results of three texture samples were: [(12) 24 54 22], [(6) 16 50 34], and [(11) 17 51 32]. All
samples have a hyper-Superior grain assemblage, with only one carbonate grain among the three.
The Moose Lake member is not exposed here. The contact between the Lakewood member
and the overlying Knife River member is above the trail, and is not exposed. What appears to be
the contact is actually a slump plane. Till of the Knife River member is not well exposed, and
only one sample was obtained [(1) 7 22 71]. It is reddish brown (2.5YR 5/4), slightly to
moderately calcareous, and has a Superior grain assemblage, with a few carbonate grains and one
grain of spherical frosted quartz derived from Paleozoic sandstone.
NEXT: Return to the road, drive back to Homestead Road, and turn right (south). Turn left (east)
on the Highway 61 expressway, and drive about 3.5 miles, cross the Knife River, and turn right at
the first street leading to the town of Knife River. Turn right at the first intersection, by the
school, and head back south and west to a rest area overlooking the river.
Stop 3-4. Lunch at Knife River rest area. Knife River Quad, T.52N., R.11W., Sec 31, NE of
SW of NW; 591965E, 5200050N NAD83 UTMs
While eating lunch, we can observe the erosion along the Knife River, and attempts to control
it. This stream, like most streams emptying into Lake Superior, is fairly short, with a steep
gradient and a greatly fluctuating discharge. Most of the time the level is low, but snowmelt and
big rainfalls can turn it into a roaring torrent.
NEXT: Return to Highway 61. Drive about 10 miles northeast, through Two Harbors. About 2.5
miles northeast of Two Harbors turn left (northwest) onto Lake County Road 3. Drive up the hill,
and down into the Silver Creek valley. Park where the road crosses Silver Creek, about 2 miles
from the turnoff. Walk 200 feet west (upstream) along the creek to a cut on the outside of a
meander bend.
Stop 3-5. Silver Creek cut. Castle Danger Quad., T.53N., R. 10W., Sec 16, SE of NW of SW
of SW; 604470E, 5213910N NAD83 UTMs
This is a small cut, but it illustrates some things rarely seen in this area: a good exposure of
postglacial stream channel and overbank sediment, and a layer of artificial fill. The total height
of the cut is about 7 feet. It exposes a foot of red clay fill over alluvium (overbank and channel
sediment) over red clay till of the Knife River member, over brown sandy till of the Cromwell
Formation.
The Cromwell till is reddish-brown (5YR 4/3), moderately calcareous, fairly hard and very
pebbly [(10) 30 44 26]. Its grain assemblage is Superior, with some calcite rhombs. They all
appear to be amygdule fragments. Even though the stream has only cut a few feet into the till, it
has developed a continuous pavement of rocks on its bottom.
The Cromwell till is overlain by clay till [(2) 10 27 63] of the Knife River member, with a
fairly sharp, wavy contact. This till is reddish-brown, on the same color chip but slightly lighter
and redder than the color of the Cromwell Formation. It is calcareous, with a medium to coarsegrained blocky structure. Its grain assemblage is hyper-Superior, with no carbonate grains.

Page 95

�The overlying alluvium was not sampled. It consists of 1.5 to 2 feet of dirty gravel channel
sediment, overlain by 1 to 1.5 feet of silt and fine-grained sand overbank sediment. There is a
thin soil (possibly truncated) in the top of the overbank sediment. The gravel contains clasts up to
boulder size, but large clasts are much less common in this layer than in the currently active
channel sediment. The difference is that at the time the gravel was being deposited, the stream
was still eroding the clay till; the stream is now eroding till of the Cromwell Formation, which
has more and larger coarse-grained clasts.
The uppermost layer here is a layer of red clay that I interpret as recent fill dirt. It is
texturally indistinguishable from the red clay till of the Knife River member, and was probably
excavated from that material. But it is out of order stratigraphically, being underlain by a soil
developed in recent alluvium, and not itself having a soil cover.
NEXT: Return to vehicle. Drive 0.75 mile uphill (northeast) and down into another small valley,
a tributary of Silver Creek. Park near the double culvert. Walk downstream (south) 200 feet to a
slumped cut on the outside of a meander.
Stop 3-6. Tributary to Silver Creek. Castle Danger Quad., T.53N., R.10W., Sec 16, SW of
SW of NE; 605195E, 5214645N NAD83 UTMs
This cut is a series of slumps, so there is a mixture of good exposure and covered areas. The
description is sort of a composite section. The base of the exposure is loamy till of the Cromwell
Formation [(16) 39 34 27]. This texture is somewhat clayey for Cromwell till, but not unusual for
inside the Superior basin. The till is slightly calcareous, unoxidized brown (7.5YR 4/2); it is not
especially pebbly for Cromwell till. The grain assemblage is hyper-Superior; a large 1-2
millimeter sample contains one grain of dolomite.
The Cromwell till is overlain by red clay till of the Knife River member. There is an
inclusion of Cromwell till near the base of the clay till, and another several feet higher. It is not
clear whether the inclusions were created by glacial erosion, or if they are related to slumping on
this slope. Elsewhere on the slope is a contact between red clayey till of the Moose Lake member
[(13) 31 30 39] and red clay till of the Knife River member, at a higher elevation than the contact
between the Cromwell Formation and the Knife Lake member. This suggests that some or all of
the contacts may have shifted downslope.
Near the top of the cut is a contact between red clay till of the Knife River member and red
lacustrine clay. Here the texture of the till is [(3) 4 24 72] and the lacustrine texture is [(0) 3 18
79]. There is scarcely any difference other than the number of coarse-grained fragments. The till
has a small hyper-Superior grain assemblage with no carbonate rock fragments, though there is a
grain of secondary carbonate. The lacustrine sample has a very small 1-2 millimeter fraction, half
of which is secondary carbonate.
NEXT: Return to vehicle and continue northeast and north about 2 miles to the intersection of
Gun Club Road. Turn left (west) and follow the road 1 mile west, 0.5 mile south, and 2 more
miles west. Turn right on Lake County 2; go 0.5 mile north and turn left (west) on Reeves Road,
an unpaved township road. Go up the hill, under a power line, and stop in a clearing about 0.5
mile west of County Road 2.
Stop 3-7. Striated bedrock. Two Harbors Quad., T.53N., R.11W., Sec 1, SE of SE of NW;
600155E, 5217670N NAD83 UTMs
There are several small hornfels outcrops here, flush with the ground. They are striated
northwest–southeast, about 90 degrees from the striations we saw earlier today. These striations
reflect ice moving up and out of the Superior basin toward the Highland moraine. This is the

Page 96

�general orientation of striations in the highlands. The landforms in this area tend to be
streamlined northwest–southeast parallel to the striations. These landforms, mainly bedrock, but
partly mantled by drift, are named the Highland Flutes (Wright, 1970). This hill is one of the
southwesternmost of the flutes. They extend northeast inside the Highland moraine as far as
Lutsen.
NEXT: Return to Lake County Road 2; turn right and go south 2.5 miles; turn right on Lake
County 12, and go 3 miles west and 2.5 miles south where it dead-ends on Lake County 11
(Valley Road). Turn right and travel 7 miles south and west to Homestead Road. Lake County
Road 12 becomes St. Louis County Road 41 at the county line. County Road 41 ends at County
Road 42, which turns and becomes Homestead Road. Turn left on Homestead Road, travel 1.3
miles south to the entrance of a gravel pit.
Stop 3-8. Peterson Gravel Pit. Knife River Quad., T. 52N., R.12W., Sec 15, NE of SE of NW;
587620E, 5204895N NAD83 UTMs
This pit is developed in one of the many ice-contact deltas that developed between the
Superior lobe and the North Shore highlands. They occur in the elevation range of 1,150 to 1,210
feet, and have been mapped in the French River, Knife River, and Two Harbors quadrangles.
They have not been observed east of the Two Harbors quadrangle.
The general stratigraphy here is sand and gravel of the Cromwell Formation overlain by till of
the Cromwell Formation overlain by till of the Lakewood member of the Barnum Formation.
The section currently exposed may be different from the one described, due to continued mining.
The stratified unit ranges from fine-grained sand to medium-grained gravel, moderately well
sorted. The color of the finer beds is dark reddish-brown (5YR 3/4); the color of the coarsegrained beds is dominated by the individual rock particles, which are mostly red, black, and dark
gray. The unit is non-to-slightly calcareous; two samples show hyper-Superior grain assemblages
with no carbonate grains. The gravel is subangular to subrounded; it is more rounded than the
gravel in the till, but not much. It does not appear to have been transported far by water.
Depending on the orientation of the cut, the sand and gravel appears to have either trough
crossbedding, or foreset bedding. On the south side of the pit, the foreset beds dip west.
The sand and gravel delta is overlain by a noncalcareous loamy till [(4) 39 52 9], ranging
from 3 to 8 feet thick. The contact is sharp and wavy. Some of the underlying beds are deformed
and truncated, and there is a considerable amount of sand and gravel incorporated into the till in
places. The till is hard and dense, with a coarse-grained platy structure; this suggests that it was
deposited under the weight of a glacier, rather than as a mudflow deposit. The grain assemblage
is hyper-Superior, with no carbonate grains.
On the east side, there is a discontinuous layer of silty till [(3) 20 71 9] that overlies the
Cromwell till and the delta sand and gravel. Where sampled, it overlies the delta with no
intervening till. This is interpreted as till of the Lakewood member. It is noncalcareous, reddishbrown (5YR 4/4), and contains only a few stones. Its grain assemblage is hyper-Superior, with
no carbonate grains.
The uppermost layer at this site is a sandy, silty, unbedded deposit, 1 to 2 feet thick,
interpreted as colluvium. It does not bury a soil, but the surface soil is developed in it. It must
therefore not be much younger than the glacial sediments.
NEXT: Return to Homestead Road, turn right, and travel south to the Highway 61 expressway;
turn right to return south to Duluth.

Page 97

�REFERENCES
Clayton, L., 1983, Chronology of overflow to Lake Superior, in Teller, J.T., and Clayton, L., eds.,
Glacial Lake Agassiz: Geological Association of Canada, Special Paper 26, p. 291-307.
Drexler, C.W., Farrand, W.R., and Hughes, J.D., 1983, Correlation of glacial lakes in the
Superior basin with eastward discharge events from Lake Agassiz, in Teller, J.T., and
Clayton, L., eds., Glacial Lake Agassiz: Geological Association of Canada, Special Paper 26,
p. 309-329.
Gross, L.B., 1982, The stratigraphy and lithology of the glaciogenic sediments of the Two
Harbors area, northeastern Minnesota: Minneapolis, Minn., University of Minnesota, M.S.
thesis, 151 p.
Hobbs, H.C., 1983, Drainage relationships of glacial Lakes Aitkin and Upham and early Lake
Agassiz in northeastern Minnesota, in Teller, J.T., and Clayton, L., eds., Glacial Lake
Agassiz: Geological Association of Canada, Special Paper 26, p. 245-259.
———2002, Surficial geology of the French River and Lakewood quadrangles, St. Louis County,
Minnesota: Minnesota Geological Survey Miscellaneous Map M-127, scale 1:24,000.
———2003a, Surficial geology of the Knife River quadrangle, St. Louis and Lake Counties,
Minnesota: Minnesota Geological Survey Miscellaneous Map M-137, scale 1:24,000.
———2003b, Surficial geology of the Two Harbors quadrangle, Lake County, Minnesota:
Minnesota Geological Survey Miscellaneous Map M-138, scale 1:24,000.
Leverett, F., 1932, Quaternary geology of Minnesota and parts of adjacent states: U.S.
Geological Survey Professional Paper 161, 149 p., 5 pls.
Mooers, H.D., 1988, Quaternary history and ice dynamics of the late Wisconsin Rainy and
Superior lobes, central Minnesota: Minneapolis, Minn., University of Minnesota, Ph.D.
dissertation, 200 p.
Mooers, H.D., and Lehr, J.D., 1997, Terrestrial record of Laurentide Ice Sheet reorganization
during Heinrich events: Geology, v. 25, no. 11, p. 987-990.
Moss, C.M., 1977, The surficial and environmental geology of the French River quadrangle, St.
Louis County: University of Minnesota Duluth, M.S. thesis, 69 p.
Patterson, C.J., 2001, Surficial geology, pl. 4 of Boerboom, T.J., project manager, Geologic atlas
of Pine County, Minnesota: Minnesota Geological Survey County Atlas C-13, 7 pls., scale
1:100,000.
Winchell, N.H., 1899, The geology of Carlton County, chapter 1 of Final report of the Minnesota
Geological and Natural History Survey: Minnesota Geological and Natural History Survey,
v. 4, 528 p.
Wright, H.E., 1972, Quaternary history of Minnesota, in Sims, P.K., and Morey, G.B., eds.,
Geology of Minnesota: A centennial volume: Minnesota Geological Survey, p. 515-547.
Wright, H.E., Mattson, L.A., and Thomas, J.A., 1970, Geology of the Cloquet quadrangle;
Minnesota Geological Survey Geologic Map GM-3, 30 p., 1 pl.

Page 98

�FIELD TRIP 4
Geology of the Eastern Mesabi Iron Range,
Northeastern Minnesota
by
Richard W. Ojakangas
Emeritus, Department of Geological Sciences, University of Minnesota Duluth
Mark J. Severson
Natural Resources Research Institute, University of Minnesota Duluth
Peter K. Jongewaard
United Taconite Mining Company
John L. Arola
Ispat Inland Mining Company
Joel Thomas Evers
Retired – LTV Mining Company
and

Douglas G. Halverson
Northshore Mining

SCALE
N

0

5

0

10

10
20

15

20 MILES

30

40 KILOMETERS

Babbitt

Mesaba
Location Map

Virginia
Mt. Iron

ITASCA CO.

Buhl

Biwabik

Virginia
Horn

Coleraine
Grand Rapids

ST. LOUIS CO.

LAKE CO.

Hibbing
Keewatin
Nashwauk

Duluth C
omplex

Eveleth

CASS
CO.
AITKIN CO.
DULUTH
CARLTON CO.

ke ior
La per
Su

Generalized map of the Mesabi Range (cross-hatched). Note Duluth Complex at east end.

Page 99

�INTRODUCTION
Iron-formation was described as early as 1866 by Henry Eames for rocks on what was to
become the Mesabi Range. Several attempts were made by individuals on their way to the iron
mines of the Vermilion Range to find ore on the Mesabi. However, it was not until November
16, 1890, that the first rich iron ore on the Mesabi Range was discovered by the Merritt brothers
near what is now Mountain Iron, MN. In 1892, the first shipment from this mine was 4245 tons
(White, 1954). Exploration for iron ore ensued and within the next few years, most of the
productive parts of the Mesabi Range were discovered.
The Mesabi Range is the largest iron range in the United States and is one of the largest in
the world. It is 0.25 - 3.0 miles wide and 120 miles long (cover page). The Biwabik Iron
Formation, as thick as 750 ft, in general dips gently to the southeast at an angle of about 7-15
degrees. The iron-formation, called taconite, typically contains 30-40% iron and 40-50% SiO2,
plus other components (Morey, 1992). In numerous places along the length of the range, silica
was leached out, thereby enriching the iron content to 55%+. These pockets became the highgrade natural ore mines; there were more than 500 individual mines prior to merging into larger
mines as the ore between adjacent properties was removed. These were very important in making
the United States an industrial giant, and were instrumental in providing raw material for WWI
and WWII. As the high-grade ore was becoming depleted, the taconite process was developed.
In 1967, taconite production exceeded natural ore production. Currently, six taconite plants are in
production (Fig. 4-1).

Babbitt

Chisholm

N

Ispat-Inland

Hibbing Taconite

Minorca Pit

Buhl

5
4
Keewatin
Nashwauk
MDDP-7

Butler Taconite
(closed)
3

2

Calumet

Cliffs-Erie Site
(LTV closed)

6

Keewatin Tac

Dunka Pit
Iron Mine
(closed)
12

Minntac

8 Ispat-Inland

Virginia

MDDP-5

Laurentian Pit

United Taconite

Evel

7

Hibbing

11

Biwabik

eth

Aurora

MDDP-2

Coleraine

Northshore

10

9

Hoyt Lakes

1
MDDP-8

Grand Rapids

0
187000E

192000E

600

197000E

6

202000E

12

18

207000E

24
Miles
217000E

212000E

222000E

227000E

232000E
600

Looking North
8

500

500
U.S.

Mined Taconite Intervals

5
4
300

2

1

U.S.
U.S.

200

100

10

6

400

Upper Slaty
U.S.

3

Slaty
Upper

U.S.

400
U.S.

U.S.

U.C.

U.S.
U.C.

Upper Slaty
U.C.
U.C.

L.S.

Lower Slaty

U.C.
L.S.

100
L.S.

Lower Slaty

L.S.

L.S.
0

L.C.
L.C.
-100

Lower Cherty

Lower Cherty
L.C.
L.C.

L.C.

Lower Cherty

L.C.

300

U.S.
200

U.C.

L.S.

12

U.S.
U.C.

Cherty
Upper

U.C.

11

U.C.

Upper Cherty

U.S.

U.C.

0

9

7

L.C.

L.C.
L.C.
-100

L.C.

-200
-200
-300

Virginia Horn Area

-300

Generalized Stratigraphic Sections

-400
187000E

192000E

197000E

202000E

207000E

ILSG - May, 1993

212000E

217000E

222000E

227000E

-400
232000E

Figure 4-1: Generalized map of the Mesabi Range showing taconite pits (black) and cities, and in the
lower half, a longitudinal section of the Biwabik Iron Formation (compiled by Henry Djerlev, 1993).
Mined taconite intervals are shown as black columns adjacent to sections. Modified from Morey, 1993.

Page 100

�The name of Biwabik Iron Formation was chosen by Van Hise and Leith (1901, p. 356),
“because the word Biwabik is the Chippewa word for a piece or fragment of iron.” The word
taconite is also used in discussions pertaining to hard, unoxidized portions of the iron-formation.
H.V. Winchell (1882, p. 135) originally called portions of the BIF “taconyte” because he thought
the rocks correlated with lower Cambrian rocks in the Taconic Mountains in northern New
England. Since that time, many geologists have used taconite in their descriptions of the ironformation and it has thus become firmly established. Perhaps a more proper definition for
“taconite” is an economic term for iron-formation from which iron can be profitably extracted
after fine-grinding, followed by magnetic separation and pelletizing (Morey, 1993).
REGIONAL GEOLOGY
The peneplaned Archean craton in the Lake Superior region formed a platform upon
which a Paleoproterozoic continental margin assemblage was deposited in Minnesota, Michigan,
and Wisconsin. Extension resulted in localized rifts that received thicker accumulations of
sediments and volcanic rocks than did adjacent parts of the platform. Seas transgressed onto the
continent one or more times and an ocean basin opened south of present-day Lake Superior.
Island arcs that formed during southward subduction collided with the craton margin to the north
as the ocean basin closed. A remnant of this oceanic crust is poorly preserved as a dismembered
ophiolite sequence in Wisconsin (Schulz, 1987, 2003). The arc volcanics are preserved as the
Wisconsin magmatic terranes. The collision resulted in a fold-and-thrust belt known as the
Penokean orogen. To the north of the fold-and-thrust belt, a northward-migrating foreland
basin—the Animikie basin—developed as the stacked thrusts weighed down the crust (Fig. 4-2).
Thick turbidite successions were deposited along the basin axis, and terrigenous clastics and Lake
Superior-type iron-formation were deposited on the shelf along the northern margin (i.e., the
foreland or peripheral bulge) of the basin. See Ojakangas et al. (2001) and Severson et al. (2003)
for more detailed summaries on Paleoproterozoic basin development in the Lake Superior region.
The development of the Midcontinent Rift System (MRS) at 1.1 Ga severed the basin
into northwestern and southeastern segments (Fig. 4-2). If the MRS rocks are removed from the
geologic map, the different portions of the Animikie basin become contiguous and the fold-andthrust belt rocks of Minnesota and Wisconsin-Michigan become continuous (Fig. 4-3).
Figure 4-4 is an interpretive cross-section of the Animikie basin during its formative stages,
with sediments derived from the Archean basement to the north and from the fold-and-thrust belt
to the south.
The Paleoproterozoic supracrustal rocks in the northwestern segment, including east-central
and northeastern Minnesota and the adjoining part of Ontario, are for the most part poorly
exposed. However, mining of iron ore on the Mesabi and Cuyuna Ranges and continued mining
of taconite on the Mesabi Range have resulted in excellent artificial exposures and an abundance
of drill hole information. Geophysical surveys and stratigraphic test drilling by the Minnesota
Geological Survey also have been major sources of information (e.g., Southwick et al., 1988).
Animikie Group
The Animikie Group unconformably overlies the Mille Lacs and North Range Groups to
the south and the Archean basement to the north (Southwick and Morey, 1991). Magnetic data
show North Range structures are present beneath Animikie strata to the east of the exposed North
Range Group (Chandler, 1993).

Page 101

�Figure 4-2: Generalized geologic map showing the distribution of Precambrian rocks and structural
elements of the Lake Superior region, modified from Ojakangas 1994 and references therein (from
Ojakangas, et al., 2001).

The group consists of three conformable major formations on both the Mesabi and
Gunflint ranges. The respective units on the two ranges are the Pokegama Formation and the
Kakabeka Quartzite (the lowest units), the Biwabik and Gunflint Iron Formations (the middle
units) and the Virginia and Rove Formations (the upper units, composed of graywacke and shale).
The Thomson Formation in the northern part of east-central Minnesota is correlative with the
Virginia and Rove Formations. The Biwabik and Gunflint are on strike with each other and were
probably continuous prior to the intrusion of the Duluth Complex at about 1100 Ma.
The Animikie Group in Minnesota-Ontario on the Mesabi and Gunflint ranges and the
Baraga Group of Michigan-Wisconsin on the Gogebic range were both deposited in the Animikie
foreland basin. The basal units comprised of siliciclastic sediment derived from the Archean
basement, and the overlying iron-formation, were deposited in a shallow sea on the northern edge
(i.e., the peripheral bulge or foreland) of the northward-migrating Animikie basin (e.g.,
Ojakangas, 1994). Additional details are provided below in the section titled, Environments of
Deposition.
The siliciclastic and iron-formation units are exposed on the Gogebic Range of northern
Michigan and Wisconsin (Palms Quartzite and Ironwood Iron Formation), on the Mesabi Range
of northern Minnesota (the Pokegama Formation and the Biwabik Iron Formation), and on the
Gunflint range of northeasternmost Minnesota and Ontario (the Kakabeka Quartzite and the

Page 102

�Figure 4-3: Schematic hypothesized paleogeography at the time of sedimentation of the Animikie Group
turbidites that overlie shelf deposits in the Animikie basin. The rocks of the 1.1 Ga Midcontinent Rift
System have been removed from the map, and Michigan and Wisconsin are thus positioned 60 miles closer
to Minnesota-Ontario than they were after the formation of the Midcontinent Rift System. Arrows denote
generalized transportation directions of sediment from major source areas. Compare with Fig. 4-2.
Modified from Ojakangas (1994) and references included therein (from Ojakangas, et al., 2001).

Gunflint Iron Formation), and are lithostratigraphic equivalents. They probably were continuous
from south to north prior to development of the Midcontinent Rift System in Mesoproterozoic
time. A consequence of this model is that they are diachronous, with the units in MichiganWisconsin (located about 60 miles to the south of the Mesabi range during deposition) thus
somewhat older than those in Minnesota-Ontario. The thickest and uppermost units in the basin,
essentially lithostratigraphic correlatives but probably differing somewhat in age, are the
Michigamme, Tyler, and Copps Formations of the southeastern segment and the Thomson,
Virginia and Rove Formations of the northwestern segment. These are typical turbidite-shale
(flysch) sequences, with graded beds and intercalated muddy “rain-out” sediment.
Figure 4-5 is a regional correlation chart of the aforementioned units, as well as others
that cannot be discussed herein.

Page 103

�Figure 4-4: Schematic cross-section depicting deposition of the Animikie Group turbidites that overlie
shelf deposits in the Animikie basin, with sediment derived from both the north south. The southern area,
the fold-and-thrust belt, comprises a complex assemblage including: 1. accreted Paleoproterozoic volcanic
and plutonic rocks and volcanic rocks of the Wisconsin magmatic terranes; 2. accreted Archean miniplate
terranes; 3. older Paleoproterozoic passive-margin sedimentary rocks and volcanic rocks produced during
initial rifting of the continental margin, both scraped off the southward-subducting Archean Superior
craton; and 4. recycled initial foredeep deposits, possibly including basal shallow water sandstones
deposited in the transgressing sea of the northward-migrating foreland basin. The peripheral bulge
comprises a source-rock assemblage of Archan granitic rocks and Archean volcanic-sedimentary
(greenstone) belts. Scale is approximate. Compare with Fig. 4-3. Modified from Ojakangas (1994) and
references included therein (from Ojakangas, et al., 2001).

Ages
Along the Mesabi Range, the Pokegama Formation rests unconformably on diabase dikes
of the Kenora-Kabetogama dike swarm that gives a Rb-Sr isochron age of 2125 +/- 45 Ma
(Southwick and Day, 1983; Beck, 1988) and this provides a maximum age for deposition of the
Pokegama. A minimum age of 1930 +/- 25 Ma (Pb/Pb) for the Pokegama was obtained by
Hemming et al. (1990) from quartz veins that cut the Pokegama. A U/Pb age on euhedral zircons
from an ash layer in the lower Gunflint Iron Formation of Ontario is 1878 +/- 2 Ma (Fralich and
Kissin, 1998; Fralick et al., 2002). A similar age of 1874 +/- 9 Ma was obtained on zircon from
rhyolite in the Hemlock Formation that is adjacent to (and is interlayered with?) the Negaunee
Iron Formation in the Marquette Range Supergroup of Michigan (Schneider et al., 2002). A
zircon age from an ash layer near the base of the Virginia Formation is 1850 Ma (Hemming et al.,
1996), and an age of 1821 +/-16 Ma has been obtained from an ash layer in the Rove Formation
about 70 m above the Gunflint Iron Formation (Kissen et al., 2003). Several of these ages are
shown on Figure 4-5.

Page 104

�Gunflint Range

Mesabi Range

Cuyuna Range

Emily District

Gogebic Range

Gogebic Range

Menominee Range

Baraga Basin

Pokegama Fm

Michigamme Fm

Ironwood IF
unconformity

Palms Fm

North Range
Group

Rabbit L. Fm
2125-1930 Ma
deposition occurred
sometime during
this range

Bijiki IF
unconformity

Goodrich Qtzite
unconformity

unconformity

Negaunee IF

Fence River IF

Vulcan IF

Siamo Slate

Hemlock Volc.

Hemlock Volc.

unconformity

Trout Lake Dolo

Bad River Dolo

Mille Lacs Group

Sunday Qtzite

Michigamme Fm

Marquette District

Lower Member

Emperor
Volcs

Trommald IF

Iron River/Crystal Falls

Michigami Fm

Mahnomen Fm
1870 Ma
unconformity

Mille Lacs
Group

Greenwood
Iron-fm

Thomson Fm

unconformity

Ajibik Qtzite
Wewe Slate
Kona Dolomite

unconformity

unconformity

1874 Ma

Randville Dolo.

Mesnard Qtzite

Sturgeon Qtzite

(Glen Township)
(Denham Fm)

Fern Creek Fm.

Baraga Group
Menominee Group

Menominee Range

Iron River/Crystal Falls
Fortune Lake Slate

Michigami Fm

Stambaugh Fm

Michigami Fm
Goodrich Quartzite
unconformity

Negaunee
Iron-fm

Amasa
Iron-fm
Hemlock
Volcs
1874 Ma

unconformity

Vulcan Iron-fm

Siamo Slate
Felch Fm
Ajibik Quartzite

Chocolay Group

Marquette Range Supergroup

Marquette Range

unconformity

Paint River Group

Iron-formation

Copps Fm

Menominee
Group

Biwabik Fm
Pokegama Qtzite

Upper Member

Tyler Fm

Chocolay
Group

Gunflint IF
1878 Ma
Kekabeka Qtzite

1850 Ma

Virginia Fm

Animikie Group

1821 Ma

Virginia Fm

Animikie Group

Rove Fm

Animikie Group

Animikie Group

Michigami Fm

Hiawatha Graywacke
unconformity

Riverton Iron-fm

Dunn Creek Slate
Badwater Grnstn

unconformity

Randville Dolomite

Kona Dolomite

Sturgeon Quartzite

Mesnard Quartzite

Enchantment L. Fm

Fern Creek Fm.

detachment surface

Figure 4-5: Generalized correlation chart of Paleoproterozoic strata in the Lake Superior region (after
Morey and Southwick, 1995). Note that recently obtained age dates are shown for the Gunflint Formation,
Mahnomen Formation, Hemlock Volcanics, and the Rove and Virginia Formations (see text for
references). Also included is a correlation chart (lower right corner) of strata in Menominee, Iron RiverCrystal Falls and surrounding terranes (LaBerge et al., 2003 – includes changes to previous usage not yet
officially adopted by the USGS). Iron-formations are shaded. Modified from Severson et al., 2003.

Pokegama Formation
The formation has long been called the Pokegama Quartzite, but because it contains
appreciable argillite and siltstone, the name Pokegama Formation is more appropriate. It has
been studied by several workers since it was named by Winchell (1893) for exposures at the
western end of the Mesabi Range. Much of the previous work has been summarized by Morey
(1972, 1973, 2003).
Few natural exposures exist, as thick glacial drift generally covers the formation.
Outcrops, roadcuts, and mine cuts occur at a few places along the length of the range, but most
exposures are in the central portion of the range. A few drill holes have penetrated the entire
formation. One is located just south of Eveleth (NE 1/4, NE1/4, Section 5, T. 57 N., R. 17 W.)
and another is southwest of Mountain Iron (SE 1/4, SE 1/4, Section 8, T. 58 N., R. 18 W.); the
thicknesses are 167 ft and 85 ft, respectively (Fig. 4-6). Three other drill cores, recently
rediscovered, have not yet been studied. Numerous drill holes have penetrated only the upper few
feet of the formation, as the drilling was generally undertaken in relation to iron ore exploration
and development. The Pokegama is thin at the eastern end of the range and thickens to the
western end where it may be more than 300 ft thick.
The formation is composed of three main rock types—argillite, siltstone, and quartzite.
The latter is generally a silica-cemented quartz sandstone, and is therefore an orthoquartzite rather
than a metaquartzite. (Morey, 2003, has determined that mineralogical changes in the Pokegama
and the Biwabik are the result of diagenesis rather than metamorphism, except at the eastern end
of the range adjacent to the Duluth Complex.) These three rock types make up three gradational

Page 105

�members-- lower, middle, and upper-- respectively, as shown in Figure 4-6. Minor thin
conglomerates occur at the base of the formation, and seem to represent a weathered residuum on
the surface of Archean rocks, perhaps reworked by fluvial processes.
The Pokegama unconformably overlies Archean metavolcanic, metasedimentary, and
plutonic rocks. There may be as much as 100 ft of relief on the Archean surface (Grout and
Broderick, 1919), but the surface was, nevertheless, essentially a peneplain. Some Archean
“knobs” were islands when the Pokegama was being deposited, and are present in the wooded
areas between Eveleth and Virginia. The Pokegama-Biwabik contact is gradational, with some
cherty horizons in the upper Pokegama. Various geologists have placed the contact at different
stratigraphic levels.

EVELETH
M

BIF

50

SANDSTONE, FINE-MEDIUM,
SHALE MINOR
CHERT
SANDSTONE, COARSE

40

UPPER
MEMBER

SANDSTONE, FINE,
SHALE MINOR

MOUNTAIN
IRON

SANDSTONE, FINE

M
30

SILTSTONE, SHALE

30

BIF
SANDSTONES, THIN
SANDSTONE, COARSE
SANDSTONE, FINE

MIDDLE
MEMBER

20

20

SILTSTONE,

SILTSTONE, SHALE

SHALE
SANDSTONES, THIN

10

10
SHALE,
SILTSTONE, MINOR

SHALE, SILTSTONE
CONGLOMERATE

0

Archean

0

LOWER
MEMBER

Archean

Figure 4-6: Measured sections from two drill holes that penetrate the entire Pokegama Formation. Dark
shading represents shale, thin blank units represent siltstone, and dotted pattern represents sandstone. BIF
is Biwabik Iron Formation. After Ojakangas (1983).

Biwabik Iron Formation
This is one of the world’s major iron-formations, and the largest in the United States.
The formation is 200 to 750 ft thick and consists of four divisions as defined by Wolff (1917).
These lithostratigraphic units, now informal members, are from the bottom up, the Lower Cherty,
the Lower Slaty, the Upper Cherty, and the Upper Slaty. (These are miners’ terms, and do not
indicate metamorphism.) The cherty members are dominantly granular (i.e., sand-textured),
thick-bedded (several inches to several feet), and are largely composed of chert and iron oxides.
The slaty members are dominantly fine-grained (i.e., mud-textured), thin-bedded (&lt;1 inch) and

Page 106

�composed mostly of iron silicate and iron carbonate with local chert beds. However, these two
rock types are interbedded on all scales and are generally gradational. They contain about the
same high quantities of silica, 42-47% (Morey, 1992). The Lower Slaty is not present at the far
western end of the range.
There are some diagnostic marker units within the formation. Two stromatolite-bearing
intervals several feet thick are present, one at the base of the Lower Cherty and the other in the
middle of the Upper Cherty. The black “intermediate slate” at the base of the Lower Slaty is
reportedly an ash-fall tuff containing about 4 to 5.5 % aluminum oxide (Morey, 1992). At the top
of the Upper Slaty are several feet of limestone and dolomite. Most of these marker units pinch
out to zero in the vicinity of Nashwauk, about 40 mi from the west end of the range (Morey,
1992).
Virginia Formation
There are rare exposures of the Virginia in mines at the east end of the Mesabi Range where
it has been metamorphosed by the mafic intrusions of the Mesoproterozoic Duluth Complex.
Several holes drilled south of the range to study the underlying iron-formation have been drilled
through the Pleistocene cover and have intersected as much as 1443-ft of the preserved lower part
of the formation (Lucente and Morey, 1983).
The lower portion of the formation in the drill holes is dominantly black shale. The
upper portion of the drill core, while still dominantly shale, contains beds of siltstone and finegrained feldspathic graywacke comprising thickening- and coarsening-upward turbidite
sequences. Ash-fall tuffs, cherty sideritic iron-formation, chert, and limestone are minor rock
types low in the formation. The contact with the underlying Biwabik Iron Formation is
gradational. The clastic rocks were largely derived from the Archean rocks to the north, with
some contributions from lower Proterozoic rocks to the south (Lucente and Morey, 1983).
The Virginia Formation is correlated with the Thomson Formation (Morey and
Ojakangas, 1970) that is exposed 60 miles to the south in the vicinity of Carlton and Cloquet, and
also with the Rove Formation in northeasternmost Minnesota and adjacent Ontario (Morey,
1967).
Environments of Deposition, Animikie Group
The Pokegama is interpreted to have been deposited in a tidally influenced shallow
marine setting near the shoreline, having received clastics from the Archean basement to the
north (Ojakangas, 1983). In this model of a transgressing sea, the lower (argillaceous) member
was deposited at the shoreline in the upper tidal flat, the middle member of intercalated
argillaceous and silty sediment was deposited seaward in the middle tidal flat, and the upper
member of quartz sand was deposited still further seaward in a lower tidal flat/subtidal
environment. This is illustrated in Figure 4-7. Walther’s Law is applicable here, with the vertical
facies showing the relationships of the lateral facies.
The lowermost Pokegama contains siltstone beds that contain alternating thicker and
thinner laminae that have been interpreted as evidence of the diurnal inequality, and are being
investigated further for possible clues to the Paleoproterozoic lunar orbit (G. Ojakangas, 1996).

Page 107

�la
nep
e
P

in

High Tide
Low Tide

NT
ME
DI
SE

Mud,
Mud Silt,

Sand

Sand

Sand
Upper

FA

ES
CI

Middle

Lower

Shoal or Barriers

TIDAL FLAT SUBTIDAL

"Cherty"
ironformation

"Slaty" ironformation

Shallower

Pelagic mud,
Turbidites

Deeper

SHELF

SLOPE

Figure 4-7: Sedimentation model showing lateral relationships of the siliciclastic tidal facies of the
Pokegama Formation, the two main facies of the Biwabik Iron Formation, and the Virginia Formation (on
the slope?). Thicknesses and geography not to scale. From Ojakangas (1983).

The Biwabik is interpreted to have been deposited seaward of the Pokegama on a shallow
marine, tidally dominated shelf (Figure 4-7). Precipitation of iron minerals including iron
carbonate, iron silicate, silica, and perhaps some hematite, occurred on the outer shelf in waters
below wave base, giving rise to the mud-textured (slaty) iron-formation. These minerals were
likely related to upwelling waters from the deeper part of the basin.
The two sand-textured members (Lower Cherty and Upper Cherty) formed in a shallowwater, high-energy environment, as indicated by stromatolites, cross-bedding, and rounded
(locally oolitic) grains of iron minerals and chert. Shoreward-moving tidal currents (i.e., flood
tides) and/or storms may have disrupted the mud-textured sediment (i.e., precipitates) and
transported sand-sized aggregates into shallower water where they were altered by seafloor
processes and early diagenetic processes. Thus these granules are “intraclasts” derived from
within the basin.
Shallow channels up to a mile wide and tens of feet deep were cut into the Lower Slaty
member and filled with sand-textured grains of iron minerals and chert at Minntac where this is
called the IBC unit (interbedded chert unit). These grains apparently were derived from shallow
water and carried seaward into the deeper water environment in which the iron minerals were
precipitating. Ebb-flow tidal currents are interpreted as the erosion and transportation agent.
A plot of 102 cross-bed measurements in the Minorca Mine on the northeast edge of the
Virginia Horn (Fig. 4-2) shows 90 % of the readings making a very prominent mode to the northnortheast and a minor broader mode to the south (Fig. 4-8). This distribution is interpreted as the
product of a strong flood tide toward the paleogeographically determined northern shoreline and a
much weaker ebb tide.

Page 108

�N

Figure 4-8: Paleocurrent rose
diagram of 102 cross-bedded
measurements from the Lower
Cherty in the Minorca Mine.

102

A study of the orientations of stromatolite mounds in the stromatolite horizon within the
Upper cherty member was conducted by Kevin Boerst (1999) as a UROP (Undergraduate
Research Opportunity Project) at the University of Minnesota Duluth. His map is presented here
as Fig. 4-9). A paleocurrent plot of mound elongation (Fig. 4- 9) is interpreted as the result of
shore-normal tidal currents and shore-parallel longshore currents in shallow water.
The repetition of the cherty and slaty members has long been interpreted as the result of
transgression and regression (White, 1954).
The Virginia Formation was deposited seaward of the iron-formation, probably in a
slope-type environment (Fig. 4-7) where episodic turbidity currents deposited graded beds. Some
volcanic ash falls evidently settled into the basin forming graded beds with a totally volcanic
composition. The dominance of black, fissile shale suggests the “raining out” of clay (i.e., settling
through the water column) and deposition in deep, anoxic water below wave base. Minor thin
sandstone lenses were deposited by bottom currents (Lucente and Morey, 1983).

N
12

N

10

50

70

70

Feet

50

12

90

90

110

110

130

130

10

10

12

10
12

K. Boerst, 1999 (Unpub.)

K. Boerst, 1999 (Unpub.)
150

150
20

0

20

40

80

60

100

120

140

160

180

Feet

Figure 4-9: Mapped stromatolite mounds in the Algal submember (I submember) in the Upper Cherty of
the LTV 2E pit. The rose diagram represents the elongation of the mounds. From unpublished work by
Kevin Boerst (1999).

Page 109

�Mineralogy
The detailed origins of the iron minerals are exceedingly complex and are beyond the
scope of this introduction. It has to suffice here to say that Eh and pH are major controls on the
stability of the various iron minerals in both the depositional and diagenetic environments, and in
the easternmost Mesabi, in the metamorphic environment as well. Recrystallization and
replacement of the granules during diagenesis has been extensive, and probably consisted of a
number of discrete events.
Earlier work on the oxidized taconites of the western Mesabi was accomplished by
Bleifuss (1964). He showed that late hematite was developed by the oxidation and
pseudomorphic replacement of magnetite octahedra, that layers of goethite were precipitated from
solutions likely derived from the oxidation of siderite, and that some goethite formed by the
oxidation of acicular iron silicate minerals.
Some of the hematite inclusions and crystals in magnetite are similar to those illustrated
by Han (1982). He proposed that much of the magnetite formed by the replacement of, and
overgrowth on, pre-existing hematite that served as nuclei. Han further suggested that ionic
diffusion of ferrous iron was a key process in the formation of the magnetite. Organic carbon
may have acted as a reductant in this process.
The nature of the major hydrologic events that removed the 40-60% of the silica and
oxidized the iron minerals, thus forming the high-grade (natural) ore bodies, has long been
debated. Were they descending cool meteoric waters or ascending hydrothermal waters related to
igneous activity? Did this occur during the Cretaceous (the age of conglomerates composed of
clasts of high-grade hematite), or prior to that time? Morey (1999) provided an excellent review
of the arguments. He then proposed that a large-scale topography-driven hydrothermal
groundwater system moved waters northward through the sands of the underlying Pokegama
Formation, from the vicinity of the regional Penokean orogenic uplift in northern Wisconsin and
east-central Minnesota, 40 to 80 miles to the south.

Production Figures – Iron Ore and Taconite
The annual amount of direct shipped and taconite produced are shown in Figure 4-10.
Production and shipping of direct ore started in 1892 and rose steadily until 1953 when a
maximum 76 million tons were produced in one year (note the precipitous drop in direct ore
production corresponding to the Depression). At around 1955, there was a dramatic decrease in
the amount of direct ore as the various mines became depleted. This also corresponds to the
initial start-up of taconite mining, using a concentrating and pelletizing method developed by
E.W. Davis of the University of Minnesota. Reserve Mining opened the first taconite operations
in 1955 (Peter Mitchell Mine) and was shortly followed by Erie Mining in 1957 (old LTV site).
Six more taconite operations were added in the 1960s, and by 1967, annual taconite production
exceeded direct ore production. The mid-1980s marked a serious depression in the iron ore and
steel industry that resulted in the closure of one operation (Butler Taconite) and the bankruptcies
of two other taconite producers. More recently, LTV Steel and Eveleth Taconite have closed;
Evtac has since reopened as United Taconite.

Page 110

�80,000,000
TACONITE
DIRECT ORE
70,000,000

TONS PRODUCED

60,000,000

50,000,000

40,000,000

30,000,000

20,000,000

10,000,000

18
92
18
97
19
02
19
07
19
12
19
17
19
22
19
27
19
32
19
37
19
42
19
47
19
52
19
57
19
62
19
67
19
72
19
77
19
82
19
87
19
92
19
97
20
02

0

YEAR

Figure 4-10: Annual production figures for direct ore (includes all forms of direct ore) and
taconite for the period 1892-2003. Data and graph from James Sellner, Minnesota Department of
Natural Resources, Lands and Minerals Division, Hibbing, MN.

What’s in a Name? (Those confusing iron-formation submembers!)
As early as 1917, the Biwabik Iron Formation (BIF) has been informally broken down into
four major lithostratigraphic members, or subdivisions, known as (from bottom to top): Lower
Cherty, Lower Slaty, Upper Cherty, and Upper Slaty (Wolff, 1917). The cherty iron-formation
members are generally thick-bedded and contain round grains (0.5-2.0 mm) of chert that are
referred to as granules. These “cherty” members typically contain higher percentages of iron
oxides (magnetite, hematite and/or goethite). In contrast, the “slaty” members are thin-bedded
(0.5-3.0 mm thick beds) and very fine-grained. They are composed mostly of Fe-silicates and Fecarbonates. Both cherty and slaty iron-formation types are interlayered at all scales. However,
one rock type often predominates in each of the four lithostratigraphic members, and are sonamed due to this dominance, i.e., thick-bedded cherty iron-formation is dominant in the cherty
members, whereas thin-bedded iron-formation is dominant in the slaty members.
The 1917 four-fold stratigraphy of a Lower and Upper Cherty and a Lower and Upper Slaty
members is still used at each of currently operating (and inactive) taconite mines on the Mesabi
Range. However, each of the mining companies further subdivides the BIF into several

Page 111

�submembers based on bedding types (Fig. 4-11) and mineral assemblages. It is at this point that
the BIF stratigraphy becomes very complicated and at times confusing. This is mainly due to the
following reasons:
• There are localized lateral facies changes between mines (and even within a single mine).
Some mines reconcile these differences by splitting out numerous submembers (each
with a distinct bedding type, texture, ore grade, and/or mineral assemblage), whereas,
other mines lump many of these same differences within a single submember.
• There are significant lateral facies changes over several miles between mines. For
example a particular horizon may be massive-bedded at one location but is regularbedded a few miles away. This is particularly troublesome within the Upper Cherty
member in the western 2/3rds of the Mesabi Range.
• Not all mines use the same numbering system – some use abbreviations (LC for Lower
Cherty, etc.) followed by a number (as in LC-5 at the top of the Lower Cherty).
However, other mines use an alphabet system, devised by Gundersen and Schwartz
(1962), starting with the A submember at the top of the Upper Slaty (in this system the
top of the Lower Cherty corresponds to the R submember). And further still, another
mine refers to the Lower Cherty as the number 1 unit and subdivides it into eight
submembers, with 1-8 at the top of the Lower Cherty.
• Some mines label downward in their numbering system, whereas other mines label
upward in their numbering system.

Textures associated with granular rocks

Disseminated

Diffuse

Granules

Mottled

Patches

Textures associated with laminated rocks

Regular,
Sharp

Wavy/Irregular,
Sharp

Regular,
Diffuse

Wavy/Irregular,
Diffuse

Shaly
Thin-bedded

Figure 4-11: Textural characteristics of the Biwabik Iron Formation (modified from Pfleider et al., 1968,
from a classification scheme developed by geologists of the Hanna Mining Company).

Page 112

�The submember nomenclature that is used at each of the mines is summarized in Figure 412. It can readily be seen on this summary that any particular submember name changes
nomenclature from one mine to the next. This is because there are few good marker horizons
within the BIF, and even these can exhibit gradual lateral facies changes or pinch-and-swell
relationships to each other. A few of the potential marker horizons within the BIF are presented
below.
• Top contact of the BIF with the Virginia Formation – In the eastern half of the Mesabi
Range a carbonate horizon is present at the very top of the Upper Slaty and the contact
between the BIF and Virginia Formation is easily recognized (Gruner, 1924). However to
the west of Hibbing, the carbonate layer is absent and lenses of thin-bedded Fe-carbonate
iron-formation are present in the Virginia Formation, and the top of the BIF is not easily
discerned.
• Submember I/Algal unit – a thin unit containing algal stromatolites and jasper-bearing
intraformational conglomerate is present near the top of the Upper Cherty. This
submember is easily recognized but is not present to the west of Hibbing.
• Lower Slaty member – The Lower Slaty has a very-well defined “Intermediate Slate”
(also referred to as the Q submember or Paint Rock in Fig. 4-12) at its base which is
characterized by a black, carbon-rich, thin-bedded, slaty unit that commonly contains
pyrite. This unit is readily evident at all of mines on the range. However, the upper
contact of the Lower Slaty is “indefinite and a gradual change to other slaty phases takes
place” … [which makes] … the dividing line between the two [Upper Cherty and Lower
Slaty] somewhat arbitrary” (Gruner, 1924, p.20). The upper contact of the Lower Slaty is
particularly troublesome in the Virginia Horn area. Gruner (1946, p. 45) included lenses
of cherty and wavy-bedded taconite (referred to as the Interbedded Chert -- IBC unit at
Minntac; Fig. 4-12) in the Lower Slaty, whereas White (1954) included these same units
in the overlying Upper Cherty member.
• Base of the BIF - The base of the Lower Cherty is generally characterized by thin-bedded
iron-formation (also called the “red basal unit”) with localized algal stromatolite and
basal conglomerate horizons. However, at many localities the base of the BIF exhibits a
gradational contact with the underlying Pokegama Formation. In the Virginia Horn area
the base of the BIF contains an iron-bearing sandstone (White, 1954) that some mines
include with the iron-formation, whereas others lump this type of material with the
Pokegama Formation.
From the above description it is readily evident that there are few good marker horizons
within the iron-formation; even the upper and lower contacts of the iron-formation are gradational
and subject to various interpretations. The “Intermediate Slate” and the algal horizon in the
Upper Cherty are the only easily recognizable marker units. However, even using these horizons
as markers, one can see from Fig.4-12 that there are problems.
Clearly, much additional work needs to be done in understanding how submembers at one
mine correlate with submembers at an adjacent mine. These types of studies could inevitably be
important in determining why ore grades, and waste rock characteristics, change between mines
and even within a single mine. For example, some of the best ore-grade taconite corresponds to
the wavy-bedded or irregular-bedded taconite present in both the Lower or Upper Cherty
members. The sedimentary environment that produced this type of taconite ore has not been fully
documented nor have any recent detailed sedimentological studies been attempted. A better
understanding of the various sedimentological textures in the BIF could ultimately lead to an
increased ability to better predict changes in ore grades as they relate to facies changes.

Page 113

�"Eastern" Mesabi Range
LTV (Cliffs-Erie)
EVTAC
(T-Bird So.)

Upper Cherty

United
(T-Bird No.)

LC-5 mass-bdd?
LC-4 wavy-bdd
LC-3 straight-bdd
LC-2 thin-bdd
LC-1 ss &amp; congl

Lower Cherty

Ispat Inland
(Minorca pit)

upper Upper Cherty
Algal
MUC waste - mixed-bdd
MUC - thick/mass-bdd
LUC waste - thin-bdd
LUC waste - irreg/mass-bdd
LUC - reg-bdd
LUC - wavy/thin-bdd
LUC - slaty
LS - thin-bdd
er
Intermediate Slate Low
TLC - thick/thin-bdd
TLC - mass congl
TLC - irreg/mass-bdd
BLC - wavy-bdd
Footwall Lean - thin-bdd
Footwall Ore - reg-bdd
Footwall Taconite

Slaty

y
Slat

US-2 slaty
pper
US-1 thick &amp; thin-bdd U
UC-7 thick-bdd
UC-6 thick-bdd
Ispat Inland
UC-5 algal/congl
(Laurentian pit)
UC-4 thick &amp; thin-bdd
US
UC-3 mass-bdd
UC-3 thick-bdd
UC-2 thick &amp; thin-bdd
UC-2 reg/thin-bdd
UC-1 thin-bdd
UC-1 reg-bdd
LS-3 slaty IF
LS
LS-2 thin-bdd
Intermediate Slate
Intermediate Slate
LC-5B transition zone
LC-6 thick-bdd
LC-5A mass-bdd
LC-5 irreg-bdd
LC-4 wavy-bdd
LC-4 wavy-bdd
LC-3 reg-bdd
LC-3 reg-bdd
LC-2 thin-bdd
LC-2 thin-bdd
LC-1 sandstone &amp; congl
LC-1 ferrug seds &amp; congl

A - limestone
B - vague-bdd
C - thin-bdd
D - thin &amp; wavy-bdd
E - mass-bdd
F - thin-bdd
G - wavy/reg-bdd
H - thin/wavy-bdd
I - algal/congl
J - wavy-bdd
K - wide-spaced wavy-bdd
L - wavy-bdd
M - reg-bdd
O - wide-spaced wavy-bdd
P - thin-bdd
Q - carbonaceous IF
R - thick-bdd
S - vauge wavy-bdd
T - wavy-bdd
J - thin/reg-bdd
V - thin-bdd
W - algal/congl

Northshore
A - chert &amp; marble
B - chert &amp; diopside
C - thin-bdd Upper Slaty
D - thin &amp; wavy-bdd
E - mass-bdd
F - thin &amp; wavy-bdd
G - mass-bdd
H- wavy-bdd
I - algal/congl
J - thick-bdd
K- wavy-bdd
L - wavy-bdd Upper Cherty
M - thin/reg-bdd
N - ?-bdd
O - ?-bdd
P - thick-bdd
Lower Slaty
Q - graph. arg. IF
R - thick-bdd
S - ?-bdd
T - ?-bdd
Lower Cherty
U - reg-bdd?
V - w/congl

MUC = middle Upper Cherty
LUC = lower Upper Cherty
TLC = top of Lower Cherty
BLC = bottom of Lower Cherty

Virginia Horn

Upper Cherty

Upper Slaty

Keewatin (National)
&amp; Butler
US
UC
LS
paint rock
LC-1 thick-bdd
LC-2 irreg-bdd
LC-3 thick-bdd
LC-4A Upper irreg-bdd
LC-4A Middle thick-bdd
LC-4A Lower wavy/thick/thin-bdd
LC-4B irreg-bdd
LC-4C Upper irreg-bdd
LC-4C Middle laminated
LC-4C Lower reg/thin-bdd
LC-5A reg/thin-bdd
LC-5B thin-bdd
LC-6 ?-bdd
jasp &amp; thin-bdd
thin-bdd
congl

UC

Slaty
Lower2-1
thin-bdd
1-8 reg-bdd
1-7 wavy-bdd
1-6 wavy-bdd
1-5 wavy-bdd
1-4 thin/wavy-bdd
1-3 even-bdd
8-3 slaty
1-2 mass-bdd
1-0 red basal slaty
algal/congl

Hibbtac
(Buhl-Kinney)
2-1 thn-bdd
1-8 mass-bdd
1-7 wavy-bdd
1-6 wavy-bdd
1-5 mass-bdd
1-4 slaty
1-3 even-bdd
1-2 slaty
1-1 thin-bdd
1-0 congl

Red Basal

Lower Cherty

Lower Slaty

US
UC-3 thick-bdd
UC-2 thick-bdd
UC-1 reg-bdd
LS
paint rock
LC-5 thick/reg-bdd
LC-4 wavy-bdd
LC-4 wavy-bdd
LC-2 reg-bdd
LC-1B thin-bdd
jasper
thin-bdd
algal/congl
LC-1A

Upper Slaty

Coleraine
area (USS)

Dolomite
Upper Slaty
Upper Slaty - thin-bdd
UC-16 - irreg/thin-bdd
UC-15 algal/congl
y
er t
UC-14 slaty
Ch
UC-13 thin-bdd
r
e
p
UC-12 congl w/algal frags
Up
UC-11 slaty
LS-10 even-bdd
LS-9 even/thick/mass-bdd
LS-8 slaty
LS-7 (IBC) wavy-bdd
Ispat Inland
LS-6 thin-bdd
(Minorca pit)
carbonaceous IF
LC-5B thick-bdd
LC-5 mass-bdd?
LC-5A mass-bdd
LC-4 wavy-bdd
LC-4 wavy-bdd L
LC-3 straight-bdd
ow
LC-3 wavy-bdd
LC-2 thin-bdd
er
LC-2 even-bdd
Ch LC-1 ss &amp; congl
LC-2 thick/mass-bdd
ert
LC-1 arg IF
y
LC-1 thin-bdd
LC-1 algal/congl

we
rS
lat
y

Hibbtac
(Hibbing)

Minntac

Lo

"Western" Mesabi Range

Figure 4-12: Correlation chart of submembers, at each of the mines/areas within the Biwabik Iron
Formation, as deciphered from published descriptions and mine handouts (modified from Zanko et al.,
2001). All columns are hung on the base of the Lower Slaty (“Intermediate Slate”). It is important to
note that this summary is preliminary as it has not been field-checked. No scale is implied and the true
thickness of each submember is not portrayed. Bars to the left of the columns indicate mined taconite ore
zones. Note that there are several consistent submembers within the Lower Cherty as opposed to very few
laterally persistent submembers in the Upper Cherty.

Page 114

�STOP DESCRIPTIONS
Babbitt

Hywy 21
Minn
135

Minn
169

4-10

4-11
Du
nka

Ro
ad

Embarrass

Hywy 21

U.S. 53
nn
Mi

Minn
135

169

Du n

oad
ka R

4-9

T59N

lut
u
R13W
D

Biwabik
4-6
Minn 169

T58N

T57N

Virginia
4-5

Gilbert

4-4A
4-4C

4-1

4-4B

4-2

Eveleth

4-3

Aurora
4-7

nn
Mi

lex
p
om
C
h
R12W

Hywy 110

135

Hoyt Lakes

Minn 37

U.S. 53

R18W

R17W

R16W

R15W

R14W

Figure 4-13: Locations of stops that will be visited on the field trip. Generalized contacts of the Biwabik
Iron Formation, for the eastern half of the Mesabi Range, and Duluth Complex are shown. Note that in
order to observe Stops 4-1, 4-2, and 4-3 in stratigraphic order, we will be back-tracking for short distances.

STOP 4-1A: Pokegama/Archean Unconformity
Location: On U.S. 53 in Eveleth, there is a stoplight at Grant/Industrial Avenue. Proceed
northward past the stoplight for about 0.4 mi north to a gas station. Turn right and immediately
turn left on the frontage road (Midway Drive). Drive past a church and past the first street on the
right (Mesabi Drive). Watch for a low, small outcrop in the trees on the right, just a few feet off
the road. Eveleth 7.5’ quadrangle, T.58N., R.17W, Sec 20, NW of SW of SE; 535445E,
5259520N (NAD83 UTMs)
Description: This is the only easily accessible exposure of the unconformity. A close
examination will reveal the presence of a thin smear of Pokegama conglomerate composed of
schist and vein quartz clasts upon Archean schist with a near-vertical foliation. Note that the
foliated schist clasts are flat and have a subhorizontal orientation. NO HAMMERING, PLEASE!

STOP 4-1B: Argillaceous lower member of the Pokegama Formation
Location: From stop 4-1A, CAREFULLY walk across both lanes of U.S. 53 to the long, roadcut
on west side of highway. Eveleth 7.5’ quadrangle, T.58N., R.17W, Sec 20, NW of SW of SE;
535380E, 5259555N (NAD83 UTMs)

Page 115

�Description: This cut is about 500 feet long and 5-10 ft high, and is the only exposure of this
member. It consists largely of shale and siltstone with minor fine-grained sandstone. It has been
interpreted as having been deposited in a low-energy upper tidal flat environment in a sea that
transgressed onto the peneplaned surface of Archean rocks (Ojakangas, 1983). Minor channeling
is common at the bases of the thicker sandstone beds, and at one spot, 0.5 m of section has been
eroded. Small-scale cross-bedding is present in some siltstone beds, and elongated sole marks are
visible on the bottoms of some sandstone and siltstone beds. A total of 57 of these paleocurrent
indicators show that the currents were generally oriented in a north-south direction. A few
concretions as large as 6 inches in diameter are present, as is soft-sediment deformation.
Hemming et al. (1991) illustrated the soft-sediment folding and interpreted it as evidence that the
Animikie basin was tectonically active during deposition of the Pokegama and the Biwabik.
Alternatively, it is interpreted herein as soft-sediment slumping into tidal channels. Fine
laminations and sequences of laminations in the sandstone beds have been interpreted as tidal
rhythmites (G. Ojakangas, 1996).

STOP 4-1C: Jaspillite on Archean metaconglomerate
Location: From stop 4-1A, drive a long block northward to Merritt Drive. Turn right. About
100 ft farther, turn right on Mesabi Avenue. About another 100 ft farther, there is a fork in the
street. Park on Mesabi Avenue and walk uphill on the street on the left to a broad, flat rock
exposure in a driveway. Eveleth 7.5’ quadrangle, T.58N., R.17W., Sec 20, SW of SE (No. 7
Mesabi Lane); 535610E, 5259460N (NAD83 UTMs)
Description: This is an excellent exposure of jaspillite resting unconformably on subvertical
volcanogenic metaconglomerate. The outcrop is an estimated 30 to 40 ft topographically higher
than stop 4-1A, and was also that much higher when the jaspillite was deposited. Is it an
erosional remnant of basal Biwabik Iron Formation or is it a local chemical precipitate at the base
of the Pokegama Formation? NO HAMMERING, PLEASE!
NOTE: The middle member of the Pokegama Formation (a unit of intercalated beds of
sandstone, siltstone, and argillite) was once poorly exposed in the flat area across the highway
from the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame. However, the best part of the poor exposure has since been
covered by a frontage road.

STOP 4-2: Upper member of the Pokegama Formation
Location: Continue driving down Mesabi Drive to the frontage road (Midway Drive). Turn
right and drive past stop 4-1A to a stop sign. Turn left to intersection with U.S. 53. Cross the
northbound lane and turn left on highway. Drive south past stop 4-1B, past the Grant/Industrial
Avenue stoplight, past the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame on the right, and stop at the Rustic Rock Inn
(you are now opposite a large roadcut on the east side of the highway). Walk across the highway,
CAREFULLY! Eveleth 7.5’ quadrangle, T.58N., R.17W, Sec 32, E ½ of SE; 536055E,
5256775N (NAD83 UTMs)
Description: This is the upper member of the Pokegama Formation, composed of silicacemented quartz sandstone. It is the rock type found immediately beneath the Biwabik Iron
Formation; it was penetrated by countless drill holes during mining and exploration, and resulted
in the formation being originally named the Pokegama Quartzite. Note the massive beds

Page 116

�separated by thin beds of shale or siltstone. Silica cementation likely obscured some original
cross-bedding. This member was interpreted by Ojakangas (1983) as having been deposited in a
high-energy, lower tidal or subtidal environment.

STOP 4-3: Lower Cherty member, Biwabik Iron Formation
Location: Proceed south on U.S. 53 for 0.6 miles (passing over an overpass and past a long
roadcut of iron-formation on the right ), to a left-turn lane. Make a U-turn and proceed north on
the highway for about 0.2 miles to roadcut on the off-ramp for Highway 37 (right side of
highway). Eveleth 7.5’ quadrangle, T.57N., R.17W, Sec 5, E ½ of NE of NE; 536230E,
5256285N (NAD83 UTMs)
Description: Note that this member of the Biwabik Iron Formation overlies the sandy member
of the Pokegama Formation of the last stop, and that both units dip gently to the southeast.
Observe the thick wavy bedding, the trough cross-bedding, and the sandy texture of the iron
minerals and chert grains. The cross-beds are best observed in this eastern roadcut, but are also
present at both ends of the longer cut on the other side of the highway. Cross-bedding
measurements (Fig. 4-16), although not definitive, are suggestive of a tidally-influenced marine
environment. This, coupled with Walther’s law of succession of sedimentary facies (i.e., the
facies observed vertically are also similarly related laterally), places the deposition of the ironformation seaward of the Pokegama Formation.

N
Figure 4-14: Rose
diagram of 28 crossbedded measurements,
mostly from the roadcut of
Stop 4-3.

28

Stops 4-4A through 4-4C are at the Thunderbird North Mine of United Taconite (formerly
Eveleth Taconite, or Evtac). Simplified stratigraphic submembers of the iron-formation,
according to terminology used by Evtac, are portrayed in Figure 4-15. From stop 4-3, proceed
north along U.S. 53 past stop 4-2 to the stoplight at Grant/Industrial Avenue. Turn left on Grant
Avenue and follow the road past a cemetery to the entrance road to United Taconite (U-Tac).

Page 117

�EVTAC
Thunderbird
South

Virgina
Fm
50'

Upper
Slaty

US-2
Slaty silicates
+/- irreg chert

North

20'

US-1
thick + thin BDD
thick chert +
thin BDD, cherty zones

20'
Upper Upper Cherty

UC-7
Thick BDD
+/- slaty
UC-6

170'
UC-3
thick-BDD
salt &amp; pepper
textu re

45'

slaty

wavy BDD
salt &amp; pepper

12'

Footwall Lea n
thin-B DD +/- graphite

Footwall Ore

Lower Cherty

BLC
45'
Bottom Lower Cherty

LS-2
Thin BDD sil IF

Vertical scale (in feet)

K

Lower
Slaty

LS

Keweenawan
Sill

wide sp aced
thin wavy beds

L

Wavy BDD
w/ intraform
rip ups

M

Reg BDD w/
wavy-straight
BDD

Thin BDD
Silicate IF

Algal
20-35'
wide spaced
wavy beds

85-130 '

60'
LC-4
wavy BDD
cherty IF

55'

LC-3
Reg BDD
= thin beds o f
chert &amp; sil

P
LC-5A
massive BDD w/
mottles +/- th in
MGT bnds

45'

LC-1
Ferrug con gl
Graywacke
ss = qtz grns
in chl matrix

Keweenawan
Sill

10-14'

carb clasts
65'

Thin BDD
Non-mag

D Wavy BDD
2-6' E Sep t. cracks
13-20' F
Thin &amp; wavy-BDD
Sep t. crack s
25-34'
Mass BDD, MGT
G granules, +/- thin
BDD zones

10-20'
Q
carbonaceous
10-20' salt &amp; pepper
BDD w/
R Thick
poor BDD/mott
45-95'

LC-4
wavy BDD

4 5'
LC-3
straight BDD
w/ 4-5" chert bnds

S

Vague, wavy
BDD +/- mott

T

Wavy BDD
+/- mott

Wavy BDD
+/- congl

K

30 -60'

Thin-reg (Hem)

LC-2
Thin BDD
Silicate IF

W

LC-1
10'
SS +/-congl+/-CH

Upper
Cherty

Wav y BDD
Silicate IF
(minor congl)

9-2 0' Abundant MGT
M (thin + reg BDD)
2-5' N Fayalite-q tz
6-17' O Fayalite-q tz

Low MGT content
MGT g ran ules

60'
Thick BDD,
green, MGT poor

Lower
Slaty

P
The most metamorph
&amp; reconstituted

U Thin-reg BDD
Thick + thin BDD
25-45' Thin BDD
V + Arg + jasp

30'

Algal / co ngl

Upper
Slaty

8-11'
H Wavy BDD
2-5 ' I Algal/congl
15-24' Granule w/
pebb les
J
Thick BDD
30-47'

L

50'
LC-2
thin BDD =
jasp, hem slaty,
green silicates

26-43'
C Thin BDD

40-80'

60'

some salt &amp; p epper

not drilled or mined

130'

3-5 ' Int slate
15'
LC-5B
Transition Zone

50

Keweenawan?
Sill
3-6 ' A Chert/marble
13-20'
B Chert + Diop

&lt;5' Algal congl

I

Virginia
Formation

Virgina
Fm

15-40'

LC-5
irreg BDD
cherty silicate IF

Footwall Taconite

Northshore

H Thin wavy BDD

O

145'

thin-BDD
rose-colored
with depth

Mass w/ septarian
cracks, High Pho s

(congl @ base)

30'

Reg-BDD
salt &amp; pepper

thin-BDD
gray-colored

Thin&amp;wavy BDD
+/- chert pebbles

E

J Wavy BDD, mott

UC-1

Mott, Reg-BDD

LS-3
Dark, slaty
silicate IF

int slate - graphite
25'
LC-6
Thick BDD w/
irreg green sil
layers
65'

TACONITE ORE

ir reg- to mass-BDD
+/- mott

30'

Lower Cherty

Lower Slaty

Mass congl
pinkish
TACONITE ORE

Lower Cherty

Thick- to thin- BDD

15'

0

UC-2
Reg/thin-BDD

30'

45'
TLC
Top Lower Cherty

D

40-75'
Green, wavy reg
G
BDD

UC-2
Thick + th in BDD
(ch ert/silicate)
40'

Lower
Slaty

0

50'

35'

UC-1
Thin BDD
Thin chert layers
w/ MGT beds
+ wavy bnds
LS
thin-BDD
black to
dark green

Thin BDD

Thin BDD
F +/- gran jasp beds

TAC ORE

wavy- to thin-BDD

90'

C

25

35-50'

TAC ORE

Reg-BDD w/congl

Vagu e BDD,
Chert + Fe Sil

25-55'

TAC ORE

40' Lo wer Upper
Cherty

UC-3
mass BDD, mott
w/ irreg beds
TACONITE ORE

irreg- to massBDD &amp; mott

Upper Cherty

Lower Upper
Cherty Waste

50'

)

Algal unit
present but not
described

B

50

TACONITE ORE

Thick + thin BDD
cherty silicate

thick- to mass-BDD
congl w/dissem
magnetite

(

TAC ORE

UC-4

35-55' A Limestone

TACONITE ORE

50'

Middle Upper
Cherty

thin-B DD slaty

TACONITE

Upper Cherty

TACONITE ORE

65'

45'

Virgina
Fm

UC-5
jasp/ algal/
congl w/ Mn!

Mixed : thin-BDD,
congl, mass BDD

Vertical Scale (in feet)

Middle Upper
Cherty Waste

Thick BDD
pink carb motts

Cliffs-Erie
Site
(old LTV)

US
Green to Grey
Thin BDD,
Non-magnetic

SIPHON FAULT

Algal

&lt;20'

Upper Cherty

15'

25

Upper
Slaty

50'
TACONITE ORE

TACONITE ORE

&gt;50'

Ispat Inland
Laurentian Pit

TACONITE ORE

EVTAC
Thunderbird

26'

GraphiticArgillaceous
IF

Q
11'

R

Thick BDD
8' S ? BDD/MGT rich
5' T Granules
10' U Reg BDD?
3' V

Granule/qtzose
Congl

Lower
Cherty

Figure 4-15: Submember nomenclature for the Biwabik Iron Formation as used at the various taconite
mines and idled mine sites that will be visited on this field trip. Modified from Plate II in Zanko et al.,
2001. Note that the nomenclature portrayed here is preliminary in nature and future correlations of the
various submembers used at the different mines still needs field checking and modification. The
stratigraphic nomenclature is currently being revised for the Thunderbird North Mine by United Taconite,
but was unavailable at press time and is not included in this figure.

Page 118

�STOP 4-4A: Submember LC-3 near the base of the Lower Cherty
Location: Northeast end of the Thunderbird North Mine. Eveleth 7.5’ quadrangle T.58N.,
R.17W., Sec 20 , 535290E, 5260255N (NAD 83)
Description: The LC-3 submember (new U-Tac terminology or “footwall ore” in the old Evtac
terminology) is characterized by regular-bedded and wavy-bedded cherty taconite wherein most
of the magnetite is contained within dark-colored wavy (irregular) beds that locally show good
pinch-and-swell relationships. This is the lowest unit mined at the Thunderbird North Mine and
contains approximately 20-23% mag-Fe and 2% Davis Tube Si.
The Auburn Fault can also be viewed at this locality. The fault zone consists of a 20-footwide zone of broken-up and highly oxidized vuggy rock. To the northwest is the Auburn Mine
that was originally developed as an underground mine by the Minnesota Iron Company in 18941902. It was reopened as an open pit by the Oliver Iron Mining Company (a subsidiary of United
States Steel Corp.) in 1951 and was essentially closed in the 1960s; scram operations continued
intermittently until 1999. The mined ore was located along a main ore trough that coincides with
the northwest-trending Auburn Fault. Mined material was obtained from the Upper Cherty and
Lower Slaty members, and locally from the Lower Cherty member. Jim Small (personal
communication to Peter Jongewaard) reported that he was unable to find any evidence of the
Auburn Fault anywhere on the newly-scraped floor of the mine during the final scramming period
prior to allowing the pit to fill with water. United Taconite is currently filling the mine with
waste rock.

STOP 4-4B: Submember LC-4 near the base of the Lower Cherty
Location: Thunderbird North Mine. Eveleth 7.5’ quadrangle T.58N., R.17W., Sec 31, 533930E,
5257810N (NAD 83)
Description: The LC-4 submember (BLC submember – old Evtac terminology) exemplifies
typical wavy-bedded taconite (see Fig. 4-16 at end of this report) that is characteristic of much of
the taconite ore of the Mesabi Range. This unit varies from the previous stop in that wavy-beds
are dominant and locally exhibit cross-bedded features. At this stop the magnetite is in: 1. the
wavy beds; 2. disseminated throughout the cherty bands; and 3. within mottles that are generally
less than 1 cm in diameter and cored by Fe-carbonate (siderite). The LC-4 is 40-45-ft-thick and
contains 20-27% mag-Fe and 1-2% Davis Tube Si. The LC-4 submember is easily recognized in
drill core due to the wavy beds and a salt-and-pepper texture that is defined by disseminated
magnetite.

STOP 4-4C: Submembers LC-5 through LC-8 near the top of the Lower Cherty
Location: Thunderbird North Mine. Eveleth 7.5’ quadrangle T.58N., R.17W., Sec 19; 533915E,
5259540N (NAD 83)
Description: At the base of this pit exposure is the LC-5 submember (according to the new UTac terminology, or TLC in the old Evtac terminology) characterized by thick- and irregularbedded, mottled chert with 23-28% mag-Fe. The mottles are pink Fe-carbonate; they are not
readily evident on fresh break but appear after a short weathering period. Overlying the LC-5 is a
1-1.5-ft-thick intraformational conglomerate (LC-6 submember – U-Tac terminology) that

Page 119

�contains abundant red jasper fragments. The next overlying unit is the LC-7 submember (U-Tac
terminology) characterized by thin magnetite-rich beds interlayered with green, Fe-silicatebearing, chert beds (1-6 inches thick). The LC-7 is ore with 20-25% mag-Fe, whereas, the
overlying LC-8 submember, which physically resembles the LC-7, is waste as the thin beds no
longer contain magnetite – rather Fe-silicates are dominant in the thin beds.
This is the last stop at the Thunderbird North Mine. From here we will return to U.S. 53 and
proceed about 1.5 miles north to a gated entrance on the right to the “Mineview in the Sky” –
follow the signs to the overlook on top of a waste rock dump.

Stop 4-5: Mineview in the Sky Overlook
Location: Eveleth 7.5’ quadrangle, T.58N., R.17W., Sec 17, Ne of NW of SE; 535710E,
5261650N (NAD83 UTMs).
Description: The open pit immediately below the overlook is the Rouchleau Mine that connects
northward with additional mines. The Rouchleau Mine produced 52,000,000 tons of high-grade
“natural ore” containing 50-55% iron from 1920 to 1976. This area is located on the “Virginia
Horn” which is a large Z-shaped bend in the otherwise straight ENE trend of the Mesabi Range.
Six miles to the northwest on the horizon is United States Steel’s Minntac taconite operation.
Steam visible to the northeast of Virginia is from the Ispat Inland taconite plant.

From the Mine View we will proceed to the Minorca Mine of Ispat Inland by driving north on
U.S. 53 approximately 4 miles around the town of Virginia. About 1 mile north of the third stop
light, make a right turn onto an unnamed gravel road (this road is 0.4 miles north of the road to
the golf course). Follow this gravel road across 9th Ave. (paved) and continue to the Minorca
mine gate.
Stop 4-6 (optional): Cross-bedded LC-3 submember, Minorca Mine
Location: Near the northwest of the Minorca Mine (UTM coordinates will be acquired at the site
during the field trip).
Description: Cross-bedding is exceptionally well exposed at one spot in this mine. Most crossbeds here indicate paleocurrents to the north, but one excellent herringbone cross-bedded set
shows paleocurrent trends toward azimuth 0º (lower cross-bed) and azimuth 220º (upper crossbed). See Figure 4-8.

If stop 4-6 is visited, we will cross the Laurentian Divide on private company mining roads to
gain access to the Laurentian Mine of Ispat Inland. If stop 4-6 is not visited we will proceed
southward on U.S. 53 from the Mineview overlook and head west on Highway 135 (about 3
miles) to the town of Gilbert. At the junction of highways135and 37, turn left and proceed north
to the gated entrance to the Laurentian Mine of Ispat Inland. The stratigraphic terminology of
submembers in the Laurentian Mine is portrayed on Figure 4-15.

Page 120

�STOP 4-7A: Submember LC-5a and LC-5b at the top of the Lower Cherty
Location: Laurentian Mine. Gilbert 7.5’ quadrangle T.58N., R.17W., Sec 24, NW of SE of NE;
542240E, 5260650N (NAD 83)
Description: This stop picks up where we left off at the last stop at the Thunderbird North Mine.
At this locality the LC-5a and LC-5b submembers are exposed. The LC-5a is a wavy-bedded
taconite ore unit with pink to brown Fe-carbonate patches, lenses, and mottles. The overlying
LC-5b submember consists of green Fe-silicate-rich granular cherty material.

STOP 4-7B: Lower Slaty member and the “Intermediate Slate” at the base of the Lower
Slaty
Location: Laurentian Mine. Gilbert 7.5’ quadrangle T.58N., R.17W., Sec 24, NW of SE of NE;
traverse from 542315E, 5260700N to 542485E, 5260840N (NAD 83)
Description: The entire stratigraphic section of the Lower Slaty (130-ft-thick) can be viewed at
this impressive face within the Laurentian Mine. The “Intermediate Slate,” at the base of the
Lower Slaty, is characterized by thin-bedded, black, organic-rich slate that locally exhibits bright
shiny graphitic surfaces with bedding-parallel slickensides. Pyrite is common to this submember
and is present as both disseminated fine- to medium-grained cubes and as thin disks (marcasite?)
along bedding planes. All of the Lower Slaty constitutes waste rock.

Note that the name “slate” has been applied to all thin-bedded rocks in the BIF, but nearly
every writer has pointed out that this term is a misnomer, because these rocks do not have the
cleavage of a true slate but merely a parting parallel to bedding (White, 1954). Morey (1993)
reported that the “Intermediate Slate” is an ash-fall tuff; however the senior author has yet to see
any evidence of volcanic shards in thin-sections collected from this unit.

STOP 4-7C: UC-1 submember at the base of the Upper Cherty
Location: Laurentian Mine. Gilbert 7.5’ quadrangle T.58N., R.17W., Sec 24, SE of NE of NE;
542545E, 5260790N (NAD 83)
Description: The UC-1 submember is a regular-bedded (1-2 inches straight/even beds) granular
cherty unit that contains magnetite-rich bands, pink Fe-carbonate mottles, and local crossbedding. This material constitutes ore in that it contains 16-40% mag-Fe (the mag-Fe is
extremely variable in this unit) and 2-4% Davis Tube Si. Localized pods of very Fe-rich taconite
(up to 40% mag-Fe!) were present but have been recently mined out.
STOP 4-7D: UC-2 submember at the middle of the Upper Cherty
Location: Laurentian Mine. Gilbert 7.5’ quadrangle T.58N., R.17W., Sec 24, SE of NE of NE;
542590E, 5260740N (NAD 83)
Description: This submember exhibits both regular-bedded and thin-bedded features and
consists of both taconite ore zones (18-20% mag-Fe) and waste zones. At this particular site are
numerous bedding-parallel quartz-carbonate veins with chlorite slickensides. The chlorite is

Page 121

�particularly troublesome as it cannot be selectively removed from the blasted ore and ultimately
“gums up” in the concentrator. Interbedded with the magnetite-rich beds are red-colored
hematite-rich beds that appear to be primary – they are pervasive throughout the area and do not
appear to be related to a later oxidation event that produced the direct shipping ores of the Mesabi
Range. Also at this locality are localized red jasper beds and intraformational conglomerate
lenses with red jasper fragments.

STOP 4-7E: UC-3 submember at the top of the Upper Cherty
Location: Laurentian Mine. Gilbert 7.5’ quadrangle T.58N., R.17W., Sec 24, SE of NE of NE;
542635E, 5260785N (NAD 83)
Description: At this locality is a mixed thick-bedded, regular-bedded, and diffuse-bedded
granular cherty unit with brown Fe-carbonate-rich beds (irregular to wispy appearance) as well as
Fe-carbonate mottles and patches. The basal contact with the UC-2 submember is present at this
locality and is marked by a seven-foot-thick thin-bedded zone at the base of the UC-3. A quartzcarbonate vein marks the contact.

Within the middle of this unit is an algal stromatolite-bearing unit which will be viewed at the
next stop in LTV pit 2E.
This is the last stop at the Laurentian Mine. Return to the mine entrance (the one that is north of
Gilbert), turn left on State Highway 135 and proceed west to Biwabik and Aurora. Follow Co.
Road 110 through Aurora to Hoyt Lakes. At the stop sign in Hoyt Lakes take a left and proceed
down Co. Road 666 (approximately 4-5 miles) to the guard shack near the office buildings at the
Cliffs-Erie site (old LTV offices). After getting permission to enter the property, take an
immediate right and follow this road about 3.5 miles to a T-intersection with the Dunka Road
(private company road). Follow this road about 2 miles through a sharp right turn and a sharp left
turn. At the last turn is a series of closed mining roads angling off to the south – walk down the
road that points in the more southerly direction to the brow of the hill (Stop 4-8). The
stratigraphic nomenclature for the Cliffs-Erie site is presented in Figure 4-15.

STOP 4-8: Algal submember (I submember) near the top of the Upper Cherty
Location: Cliffs-Erie site (old LTV Pit 2E). Allen 7.5’ quadrangle T.59N., R.14W., Sec 23,
N1/2 of NW; 568202E, 5270625N (NAD 83). Access to this site is via the Dunka Road which is
a private mining company road.
Description: Algal structures were first described by Leith (1903) as “contorted bedding.”
Grout and Broderick (1919) are the first who assigned an organic origin to them. The algal
submember within the Upper Cherty consists of mounds of fossilized algal colonies that are
separated by jasper-bearing intraformational conglomerate; both the algal and conglomerate units
exhibit a combined thickness of 2-20 feet. This horizon occurs only in the eastern half of the
range (not present west of Hibbing) and is only sporadically present between Hibbing and
Chisholm.

This locality is an excellent place to view a nearly horizontal portion of the iron-formation that
contains abundant individual mounds of algal stromatolite. Stripping of glacial overburden in this
area has revealed a dip slope the size of a football field that contains the stromatolite mounds

Page 122

�(Graber, 1993). See Figure 4-9 in this field guide. Internally, the mounds are characterized by
many individual columnar finger-like structures that are convex upward. The mounds protrude up
through a thin veneer of the overlying thin- to wavy-bedded H submember. Studies of a nearby
zone in this horizon showed that all the columnar stromatolites were inclined at 30 degrees to the
vertical. Unfortunately, this particular site has been removed by mining activities.
Stromatolite samples will be able to be collected at the extreme eastern edge of this exposure.
Also at this locality the J and H submembers locally contain anthraxolite, which is an organic
bitumen containing 95% or more carbon that is black with a vitreous luster and conchoidal
fracture and resembles obsidian (Morey, 1994). Morey (1994) reported that anthraxolite is
present throughout the iron-formation but it is most common beneath the carbon-rich
“Intermediate Slate.” Furthermore, he suggested it formed via a mechanism of concentrating
carbon from a mass-kill phenomenon, followed by later migration of a carbon-rich liquid to form
the anthraxolite.
After this site we will proceed eastward about 14 miles down the Dunka Road (through a locked
gate) to the Peter Mitchell mine operated by Northshore Mining. The stratigraphic nomenclature
of submembers in the Peter Mitchell Mine is portrayed on Figure 4-15.

STOP 4-9: Submembers C, D (Upper Slaty), F, G, H, and I (Upper Cherty)
Location: Peter Mitchell Mine. Babbitt 7.5’ quadrangle T.60N., R.13W., Sec 26, S ½ of NE.
Several subunits of the Upper Cherty can be viewed within short walking distances at this
particular stop (see descriptions and locations listed below).
Description:
Submembers G (wavy-bedded taconite ore), H (wavy-bedded taconite ore) and I (stromatolitebearing unit) at 578533E, 5278414N (NAD83 UTMs).
The I submember is present at the base of the exposure and is overlain by the wavy-bedded H
submember. At the top of H is a 0.5-1.0-ft-thick intraformational conglomerate that separates the
H and G subunits (the G submember is actually present within the Lower Slaty according to
Gundersen and Schwartz, 1962). Note that both H and G subunits constitute taconite ore and
both are characterized by wavy-bedding. This same bedding characteristic was also evident in
the taconite ore zones within the Lower Cherty that were seen earlier on this field trip. Note also
that the bedding characteristics of the Upper Cherty at this locality are wavy rather than massive
as at the Laurentian pit.
Submember F with small septaria-like structures at 578857E, 5278440N (NAD83 UTMs)
The F submember is thin- to wavy-bedded and locally contains small septaria-like structures that
consist of whitish quartz-filled subvertical fractures in the granular cherty layers. Even though
the F submember contains appreciable magnetite, it is classed as waste material because the
magnetite is too fine to be economically concentrated.
Submember F with small septaria-like structures and submember G with minor garnets (optional)
at 578841E, 5278503N (NAD83 UTMs)
Submember C (with Keweenawan sill) and submember D (optional) at 578730E, 5278206N
(NAD83 UTMs)
Both the C and D submembers are thin-bedded units of the Upper Slaty, however, the D
submember is different in that it contains slightly thicker beds and lenses of chert. The “contact”

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�between the C and D is exposed on this bench. A 20-ft-thick Keweenawan sill is also present at
this stop (see below for geologic description) and is positioned about in the middle of the C
submember.

STOP 4-10: Submembers A, B, and C within the Upper Slaty, partially-melted Virginia
Formation, two Keweenawan sills, and base of the Duluth Complex
Location: Peter Mitchell Mine. Babbitt 7.5’ quadrangle T.60N., R.12W., Sec 16, W ½ of SW.
Several subunits of the Upper Slaty, the Virginia Formation, and three Keweenawan intrusive
rocks can be viewed within short walking distances at this particular stop (see descriptions and
locations listed below).
Description:
Keweenawan Sill (“BIFSill”) within the C submember at 584051, 5280958N (NAD83 UTMs)
A 2-18-ft-thick sill is present in the middle of the C submember at the Peter Mitchell and Dunka
Pit areas, and within the J submember in the LTV 2E pit. The sill is generally fine- to mediumgrained with locally very coarse-grained plagioclase phenocrysts and polygonal jointing. A
granoblastic texture is evident in thin-section indicating that the sill was emplaced in the early
Keweenawan and was later metamorphosed by intrusion of the Duluth Complex. Hauck et al.
(1997) noted that this sill is chemically similar to the Logan sills, to the northeast in the Rove
Formation, and have informally called this sill a “Logan-type” sill.
C submember at 584129E, 5281033N (NAD83 UTMs)
The C submember is dominated by well-laminated, thin-bedded, slaty iron-formation containing
magnetite, fayalite, ferrohypersthene, and chert.
Submembers A, B, and C at 584193E, 5281142N (NAD83 UTMs)
At the very top of the BIF is a 2-6-ft-thick chert and marble unit (A submember) that corresponds
to the carbonate horizon that is present in only the eastern half of the Mesabi Range. This unit is
locally absent in some areas (non-depositional unconformity) and extremely thick in other areas.
The B submember is characterized by alternating chert and diopside bands up to one foot thick;
marble layers are locally present. In some areas at this stop, pink granophyric veins locally cut
the B submember. These veins exhibit pinch-and-swell relationships in that the veins thicken
within the diopside bands and pinch in the chert bands.
Keweenawan Sill (“VIRGSill”) at base of the Virginia Formation at 584226E, 5281159N
(NAD83 UTMs)
At the very base of the Virginia Formation is a 2-100-ft-thick sill that consists of a fine-grained,
granoblastic, rock with varying amounts of plagioclase, clinopyroxene, orthopyroxene,
hornblende, olivine, and biotite. The informal term of “Cr-bearing sill” was first used by Hauck
et al. (1997) to highlight the relatively high chromium contents (600-1,200 ppm) that are
characteristic of this sill. This sill exhibits two varieties: 1. a fine-grained, massive, gray-colored
unit (this exposure) that is extremely difficult to distinguish from the hornfelsed Virginia
Formation; and 2. a medium- to coarse-grained unit that is olivine- and/or hornblende-rich and is
easily recognized.

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�Partially-melted Virginia Formation in close proximity to the Duluth Complex at 584261E,
5280908N (NAD83 UTMs)
In close proximity to the Duluth Complex, the well-bedded sediments of the Virginia Formation
are typically transformed into a rock that at first appearance looks like an intrusive rock due to the
presence of randomly oriented biotite. This rock is informally referred to as the “recrystallized
unit” but is more properly classed as a diatexite (Sawyer, 1999). During emplacement of the
Duluth Complex, the sediments of the Virginia Formation were heated, generating 20-40%
pervasive partial melts, that literally enabled these rocks to flow in response to stresses that were
applied during emplacement. All bedding planes are obliterated and what remains is a mediumgrained recrystallized rock that contains plagioclase, cordierite, orthopyroxene, and decussate
biotite. Within this recrystallized matrix are blocks/boudins of more structurally competent
siltstone and calc-silicate hornfels (originally limey layers).

Basal contact of the Duluth Complex at 584266E, 5280874N (NAD83 UTMs)
At this locality the basal contact of the South Kawishiwi intrusion (SKI) is irregular with
localized “fingers” of the footwall Virginia Formation protruding upward into the intrusive rocks.
Rocks of the SKI consist of weakly to moderately mineralized, fine- to medium-grained, ophitic
augite troctolite to olivine gabbro. Cu-Ni values are unknown for this exposure.

Return to Duluth via highways 21, 169, and U.S. 53.

References
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combined trace element and neodymium/strontium isotopic studies of mafic igneous rocks of the Penokean Lake
Superior belt, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan: Unpublished Ph.D. Dissertation, University of Minnesota,
262 p.
Boerst, K., 1999, Stromatolites in the LTV 2E pit, Mesabi Range, northeastern Minnesota: unpublished Undergraduate
Research Opportunity Project (UROP), University of Minnesota Duluth.
Chandler, V.W., 1993, Geophysical characteristics: in Sims, P.K., ed. (chap. 2) The Lake Superior region and TransHudson Orogen, Precambrian: Conterminous US: Geologic Society of America: The Geology of North
America, v. C-2, p. 81-89.
Fralick, P.W., and Kissin, S.A., 1998, The age and provenance of the Gunflint lapilli tuff [abs.]: 44th Annual Institute
on Lake Superior Geology, Minneapolis, MN, 1998, v. 44, part 1, p. 66-67.
Fralick, P.W., Davis, D.W., and Kissin, S.A., 2002, The age of the Gunflint Formation, Ontario, Canada: Single zircon
U-Pb age determinations from reworked volcanic ash: Canadian Journal of Earth Science, v. 39, p. 1089-1091.
Graber, R.G., 1993, Field trip guidebook (Trip 1) – LTV Steel Mining Company: 39th Annual Institute on Lake
Superior Geology, Eveleth, MN, 1993, v. 39, part 2, p. 39-42 and 52-59.
Grout, F.F., and Broderick, T.M., 1919, The magnetite deposits of the eastern Mesabi Range, Minnesota: Minnesota
Geological Survey Bulletin, v. 44, 58 p.
Gruner, J.W., 1924, Contributions to the Geology of the Mesabi Range: With special reference to the magnetites of the
iron-bearing formation west of Mesaba: Minnesota Geological Survey Bulletin 19, 71 p.

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�Gruner, J.W., 1946, The mineralogy and geology of the taconites and iron ores of the Mesabi Range, Minnesota:
Office of the Commissioner Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation, St. Paul, in cooperation with the
Minnesota Geological Survey, 127 p.
Gundersen, J.N., and Schwartz, G.M., 1962, The geology of the metamorphosed Biwabik Iron Formation, eastern
Mesabi district, Minnesota: Minnesota Geological Survey Bulletin 43, 139 p.
Han, T.M., 1982, Iron formations of Precambrian age: Hematite-magnetite relationships in some Proterozoic iron
deposits – microscopic observations, in G.C. Amstutz and others, eds., Ore Genesis: The State of the Art: New
York, Springer-Verlag, p. 451-459.
Hauck, S.A., Severson, M.J., Zanko, L.M., Barnes, S.-J., Morton, P., Alminas, H., Foord, E.E., and Dahlberg, E.H.,
1997, An overview of the geology and oxide, sulfide, and platinum-group element mineralization along the
western and northern contacts of the Duluth Complex; in Ojakangas, R.W., Dickas, A.B., and Green, J.C., eds.,
Middle Proterozoic to Cambrian rifting, central North America: Boulder, Geological Society of America Special
Paper 312, p. 137-185.
Hemming S., McLennan, S.M., Hanson, G.N., and Krogstad, K.M., 1990, Pb isotope systematics in quartz [abs]: Eos
(American Geophysical Union Transactions), v. 71, no. 17, p. 654-655.
Hemming, S., Hanson, G.N., McLennan, S.M., and Sharp, W.D., 1991, Isoclinal slump-folds in the lower Pokegama
Quartzite: Evidence for seismicity and slope instability during deposition of the Animikie Group [abs]:
Abstracts and Proceedings, 37th Annual Institute on Lake Superior Geology, Eau Claire, WI, 1991, v. 37, part 1,
p. 56-58.
Hemming, S.R., McLennan, S.M., and Hanson, G.N., 1996, Geochemical source characteristics and diagenetic trends
of the Virginia Formation, Mesabi Iron Range, Minnesota [abs]: 42nd Annual Institute of Lake Superior
Geology, Cable, WI, 1996, v. 42, part 1, p. 13.
Kissin, S.A., Vallini, D.A., Addison, W.D., and Brumpton, G.R., 2003, New zircon ages from the Gunflint and Rove
Formations, northwestern Ontario [abs.]: 39th Annual Institute on Lake Superior Geology, Iron Mountain, MI,
2003, v. 49, part 1, p. 43-44.
LaBerge, G.L., Cannon, W.F., Schulz, K.J., Klasner, J.S., and Ojakangas, R.W., 2003, Paleoproterozoic stratigraphy
and tectonics along the Niagara suture zone, Michigan and Wisconsin: Field Trip Guidebook, 49th Annual
Institute on Lake Superior Geology, Iron Mountain, MI, 2003, v. 49, part 2, p. 1-32.
Leith, C.K., 1903, The Mesabi iron-bearing district of Minnesota: United States Geological Survey Monograph 43,
3163 p.
Lucente, M.E., and Morey, G.B., 1983, Stratigraphy and sedimentology of the Lower Proterozoic Virginia Formation,
northern Minnesota: Minnesota Geological Survey Report of Investigations 28, 28 p.
Morey, G.B., 1967, Stratigraphy and sedimentology of the Middle Precambrian Rove formation in northwestern
Minnesota: Journal of Sedimentary Petrology, v. 37, no. 4, p. 1154-1162.
Morey, G.B., 1972, Mesabi Range: in Sims, P.K. and Morey, G.B., eds., Geology of Minnesota: A Centennial Volume,
Minnesota Geological Survey, p. 204-217.
Morey, G.B., 1973, Stratigraphic framework of Middle Precambrian rocks in Minnesota: in Young, G.M., ed.,
Huronian stratigraphy and sedimentation, Geological Association of Canada, Special Paper 12, p. 211-249.
Morey, G.B., 1992, Chemical composition of the eastern Biwabik Iron Formation (Early Proterozoic), Mesabi Range,
Minnesota: Economic Geology, v. 87, p. 1649-1658.
Morey, G.B., 1993, Geology of the Mesabi Range: Field trip guidebook (Trip 1): 39th Annual Institute on Lake
Superior Geology, Eveleth, MN, 1993, v. 39, part 2, p. 1-18.
Morey, G.B., 1994, Anthraxolite in the Early Proterozoic Biwabik Iron Formation, Mesabi Range, northern Minnesota:
in Southwick, D.L., ed.: Short Contributions to the Geology of Minnesota, 1994: Minnesota Geological Survey
Report of Investigations 43, p. 39-47.

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�Morey, G.B., 1999, High-grade iron ore deposits of the Mesabi range, Minnesota – Product of a continental-scale
Proterozoic ground-water flow system: Economic Geology, v. 94, 133-142.
Morey, G.B., 2003, Paleoproterozoic Animikie Group, related rocks, and associated iron-ore deposits in the Virginia
horn: in Jirsa, M.A. and Morey, G.B., eds., Contributions to the geology of the Virginia horn area, St. Louis
county, Minnesota: Minnesota Geological Survey Report of Investigations 53, p. 74-102.
Morey, G.B., and Ojakangas, R.W., 1970, Sedimentology of the Middle Precambrian Thomson Formation, east-central
Minnesota: Minnesota Geological Survey Report of Investigations 13, 32 p.
Ojakangas, G.W., 1996, Cyclic tidal laminations in the Early Proterozoic Pokegama Formation: digital image analysis
and computer modeling [abs.]: 42nd Annual Institute on Lake Superior Geology, 1996, v. 42, part 1, p. 44-45.
Ojakangas, R.W., 1983, Tidal deposits in the early Proterozoic basin of the Lake Superior region – The Palms and the
Pokegama Formations: Evidence for subtidal-shelf deposition of Superior-type banded iron-formation; in
Medaris, L.D., Jr., ed., Early Proterozoic geology of the Great Lakes region: Geological Society of America,
Memoir 160, p. 49-66.
Ojakangas, R.W., 1994, Sedimentology and provenance of the Early Proterozoic Michigamme Formation and the
Goodrich Quartzite, northern Michigan: Regional stratigraphic implications and suggest correlations: United
States Geological Survey Bulletin 1904, 31 p.
Ojakangas, R.W., Morey, G.B., and Southwick, D.L., 2001, Paleoproterozoic basin development and sedimentation in
the Lake Superior region, North America: Sedimentary Geology 141-142, Elsevier Science B.V., p. 319-341.
Pfleider, E.C., Morey, G.B., and Bleifuss, R.L., 1968, Mesabi deep drilling project: Progress report no. 1: in Mining
Symposium, 29th Annual, and American Institute of Mining and Metallurgical Engineers, Minnesota Section, 41st
Annual Meeting, Duluth, 1968 [Proceedings]: University of Minnesota, p. 52-92.
Sawyer, E.W., 1997, Criteria for the recognition of partial melting: Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, v. 24, p. 269279.
Schneider, D.A., Bickford, M.E., Cannon, W.F., Schulz, K.J., and Hamilton, M.A., 2002, Age of volcanic rocks and
syndepositional iron formations, Marquette Range Supergroup: Implications for tectonic setting of
Paleoproterozoic iron formations of the Lake Superior Region: Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, v. 39, p.
999-1012.
Schulz, K.J., 1987, An Early Proterozoic ophiolite in the Penokean orogen [abs]: Geologic Association of Canada
Program Abstracts 12, p. 87.
Schulz, K.J., 2003, A Paleoproterozoic suprasubduction zone ophiolite-island arc complex in northeastern Wisconsin
[abs]: 49th Annual Institute on Lake Superior Geology, Iron Mountain, MI, 2003, v. 49, part 1, p. 71-72.
Severson, M.J., Zanko, L.M., Hauck, S.A., and Oreskovich, J.A., 2003, Geology and SEDEX potential of Early
Proterozoic rocks, east-central Minnesota; Natural Resources Research Institute, University of Minnesota Duluth,
Technical Report NRRI/TR-2003/35, 160 p.
Southwick, D.L., Morey, G.B., and McSwiggen, P.L., 1988, Geologic map (scale 1:250,000) of the Penokean orogen,
central and eastern Minnesota, and accompanying text: Minnesota Geological Survey Report of Investigations
37, 25 p.
Van Hise, C.R., and Leith, C.K., 1901, The Mesabi district: United States Geological Survey Annual Report, v. 21,
part 3, p. 351-370.
White, D.A., 1954, The stratigraphy and structure of the Mesabi Range, Minnesota: Minnesota Geological Survey
Bulletin 38, 92 p.
Winchell, N.H., 1882, The Potsdam sandstone: Minnesota Geological Survey Annual Report, v. 10, p. 123-136.
Winchell, N.H., 1893, Twentieth annual report for the year 1891: Minnesota Geological Natural History Survey, 344
p.

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�Wolff, J.F., 1917, Recent geologic developments on the Mesabi Iron Range, Minnesota: American Institute of Mining
and Metallurgical Engineers, Transactions, v. 56, p. 229-257.
Zanko, L.M., Severson, M.J., Oreskovich, J.A., Heine, J.H., Hauck, S.A., and Ojakangas, R.W., 2003, Oxidized
taconite geological resources for a portion of the western Mesabi Range (west half of the Arcturus Mine to the
east half of the Canisteo Mine), Itasca County, Minnesota – A GIS-based resource analysis for land-use planning:
Natural Resources Research Institute, University of Minnesota Duluth, Technical Report NRRI/TR-2001/40, 85
p.

Figure 4-16: Typical example of wavy-bedded taconite (also referred to as irregular-bedded taconite) that
is mined from both the Upper Cherty and Lower Cherty members of the Biwabik Iron Formation on the
Mesabi Range of northeastern Minnesota. Photo of the LC-4 submember at the Thunderbird North Mine of
United Taconite.

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�FIELD TRIP 5--CLASSIC OUTCROPS OF NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA
Co-leaders and contributors:
Mark A. Jirsa1, Terrence J. Boerboom1, John C. Green2, James D. Miller, Jr. 1,
G.B. Morey1, Richard W. Ojakangas2, and Dean M. Peterson3
1

Minnesota Geological Survey (staff and emeritus)
University of Minnesota-Duluth (emeritus)
3
Natural Resources Research Institute
2

This manuscript has not been reviewed to conform to editorial standards of the Minnesota Geological Survey.

INTRODUCTION
We propose on this field trip to present the great diversity of Precambrian rock types in
northeastern Minnesota using some of the most illustrative and accessible outcrops. We also
hope to portray our present understanding of that geologic framework in the context of history—
highlighting contrasts between “what we thought we knew” in the earlier years of geologic study,
with “what we think we know now.” The trip will revisit many of the outcrops on which so many
historical discussions, many of them heated, occurred. Geologic controversies were begun, and
in some cases resolved, through discussions of the geologic relationships exhibited at some of
these localities. This approach is not intended to criticize earlier works or workers; as each has
contributed incrementally to the overall geologic picture. Geologic knowledge, like that in most
sciences, is “vertical”— that is, each new iteration stands on the shoulders of previous efforts.
Obviously, the trip visits only those places that are reasonably accessible from Duluth and from
larger roads (Fig. 5.1).

Figure 5.1 Generalized geologic map of northeastern Minnesota showing route of Field Trip #5.

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�Although we consider many of these to be classic outcrops, it should also be noted that—
because of access and location—these are only some of the classics; some of the most instructive
outcrops are comparatively less accessible. It is likely that we have omitted some favorites, for
which we apologize; however, many other fine outcrops can be found in field trip guide books in
the accompanying references, including guides of the Institute on Lake Superior Geology, the
Minnesota Geological Survey Guidebook Series, and the Geological Society of America (e.g.,
Biggs, 1987).
HISTORICAL CONTEXT
The Institute on Lake Superior Geology (ILSG) originated in Minnesota—as the “Lake
Superior Institute”—with its first meeting held in Minneapolis in 1955, and has met the past 50
years in a variety of localities around the Great Lakes. Including this year’s meeting, the Institute
has met in Minnesota a total of 13 times; five meetings were headquartered in the Twin Cities, six
were held in Duluth, and two in more remote localities such as International Falls and Eveleth.
Many, though apparently not all of those meetings, involved field trips demonstrating the diverse
geology and mineral resources of the state. Unfortunately, the records of field trips during the
earliest meetings are scant. Nevertheless, archives show that field trip topics fall into the
following general geologic categories, listed geochronologically (with Minnesota meeting years
in parentheses) below:
Quaternary &lt;1.75 Ma
Twin Cities area (1976, 1998)
Northern Minnesota (1979, 2004)
Paleozoic &lt;545 Ma
Southeastern Minnesota (1976, 1979, 1998)
Mesoproterozoic—1600-900 Ma
North Shore Volcanic Group/Midcontinent rift (1971, 1979, 1989, 1998, 2004)
Duluth Complex (1965, 1971, 1979, 1993, 2004)
Paleoproterozoic—2500-1600 Ma
St. Cloud “granite” district/Penokean orogen (1965, 1979, 1989, 1998)
Virginia/Rove Formations (1963, 1971, 2004)
Mesabi Iron Range/Biwabik Iron Formation (1963, 1971, 1979, 1993, 2004)
Gunflint Iron Formation (1971)
Archean—Neoarchean 2900-2500 Ma and Mesoarchean 3400-2900 Ma
Vermilion and other greenstone belts (1971, 1979, 1989, 1993, 2004)
Vermilion Granitic Complex/Quetico subprovince (1982, 2004)
Minnesota River Valley gneiss terrane (1976, 1998)
Although there apparently was no companion field trip for the first ILSG meeting in 1955;
the “hot topics,” as judged from printed abstracts of that meeting, included the following:
• Age, stratigraphic setting, origin, and lithologic subdivision of Lake Superior ironformation (presentations by Harold James, Robert Schmidt, and J.F. Wolff)
• Composition and origin of iron ores; addressing competing theories on the creation of
“natural ores” by rising hydrothermal vs. descending meteoric waters (Burton Boyum,
Stanley Tyler, David White, N.K. Huber, Alan Broderick, Henry Lepp, Tsu Ming Han)
• Geophysical characteristics of the “Lake Superior Syncline” (Edward Thiel, Harold
Mooney, George Wollard, Lloyal Bacon)
• Copper-nickel potential in Duluth gabbro, discovered in 1948 (Gerald Anderson and
Donald Yardley)
Not surprisingly, most of these same geological topics are important today, and are featured
in the various presentations and field trips of this 50th anniversary meeting. Some of the more

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�significant are represented by this field trip to the “classic” outcrops of northeastern Minnesota
geology.
Many of the controversies during early geologic study of the Lake Superior region involve
attempts to correlate geologic units, and the consequent application of stratigraphic nomenclature.
In Minnesota and adjacent Ontario, this type of controversy is typified by the debate surrounding
the “Couchiching series” in the Rainy Lake area, and the stratigraphic and temporal relationships
of Precambrian units in the region. Based on field work, largely in Canada, Lawson (1887)
proposed that there was a sequence of sedimentary rocks older than Keewatin greenstone, and
named these rocks the Couchiching series. Other workers, notably those with the U.S. Geological
Survey, strongly disagreed. The question was so fundamental to understanding the regional
geology that it was addressed by a special committee of geologists from the U.S. Geological
Survey, Geological Survey of Canada, Michigan Geological Survey, and the Ontario Department
of Mines, who visited field localities on both sides of the border. The result was a new model
which was applied, rightly or wrongly, to the geology of other greenstone sequences. In
retrospect, the controversies arose from the fact that geologists working in different areas observe
or infer field relationships and attempt (as a natural consequence of human endeavor) to apply
those relationships everywhere, including far afield from their immediate areas of knowledge—
the “blind man and the elephant” syndrome. Furthermore, lacking geochronologic markers and
dating methods, early workers applied temporal constraints based on generalized rock types; for
example, implying that all volcanic rocks are “Keewatin,” all sedimentary rocks are either Seine
(younger than Keewatin greenstone) or Couchiching (older than Keewatin greenstone), and
recognizing two distinct periods of granitic rock emplacement as either Laurentian (pre-Seine) or
Algoman (post-Seine). We now know from additional field work, advances in the understanding
of depositional environments, and geochronologic studies that many periods of volcanism,
sedimentation, and pluton emplacement have occurred.
Much of what was known about the Precambrian geology in Minnesota by the 1950s—when
the Institute on Lake Superior Geology (ILSG) was in its infancy—was the result of efforts by
F.F. Grout, J.W. Gruner, G.M. Schwartz, and G.A. Thiel, all professors of geology at the
University of Minnesota, and their graduate students working for the Minnesota Geological
Survey. They summarized their views in a long paper entitled “Precambrian stratigraphy of
Minnesota” (Grout and others, 1951). This publication served as backbone for a Geological
Society of America field trip in 1956 (Schwartz and others, 1956). This was pioneering work that
described major rock units and formalized their classification. It divided Precambrian time into a
general three-fold classification scheme of Earlier, Medial, and Later—each Era separated by
“great unconformities” in the rocks. The efforts established a geologic framework that was tested
and refined by many workers, commonly reporting their results during the early years of the
ILSG. For example, geochronologic and geologic studies in the 1960s established the Laurentian
as an orogenic event, and much of the evidence for that was presented at ILSG meetings and field
trips.
FIELD TRIP FACTS
The field stops include rocks ranging in age from Archean to Mesoproterozoic (Fig. 5.1 and
Table 5-1). For the most part, the stops are presented in geographic rather than geochronologic
order. Temporal settings can be deduced from the various figures, descriptions, and Table 5-1.
Five topical areas are represented:
1) Virginia Horn—Archean and Paleoproterozoic (Stops 5-1 to 5-7)
2) Tower-Soudan—Archean (Stops 5-8 to 5-14)
3) Ely area—Archean (Stops 5-15 to 5-18)
4) North Shore and Duluth—Mesoproterozoic (Stops 5-19 to 5-25)
5) West of Duluth—Paleoproterozoic and Mesoproterozoic (5-26 to 5-28)

Page 131

�TABLE 5-1—Stratigraphic and temporal classification of Precambrian rocks in northern
Minnesota (after Sims, 1972). Ages are referenced in the text. Circles enclose the approximate
chronostratigraphic position of field trip #5 stops.
Considerably more stops appear in this guide than can reasonably be visited during a two-day
trip. Other stops are included to provide a more thorough view of the regional geology and to
facilitate self-led excursions. Some of these stops, as noted below, are described in detail in other
field trip texts in this guide book, and not repeated here. Furthermore, much of the regional
geologic framework is covered in the introductory material of those field trips, as noted below.
The descriptions of many of the stops contain brief discussions of the “Historical Perspective,”
providing the contrast between early and modern understanding of the geology.
All UTM locations are given in NAD 83, Zone 15 coordinates. Section subdivisions read
from smallest to largest quarter; e.g., “NW, SE, SW” should be read “NW quarter of the SE
quarter of the SW quarter.” The small map insets showing stop locations are taken from USGS
7.5-minute topographic quadrangles listed with each stop.

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�FIELD TRIP STOPS
Virginia Horn area: Stops 5-1 to 5-7 (refer to Figures 5.2 and 5.3)
Regional geologic context of the Archean and Paleoproterozoic rocks described below is
reviewed in the introductory material to Field Trips#1, #4, and #7.

Figure 5.2 Simplified geologic map of Vermilion Lake 30X60’ quadrangle (modified from Jirsa
and Boerboom, 2003) showing location of field stops 5-1 to 5-13. Insets show location of
additional figures.

Page 133

�Figure 5.3 Generalized geologic map of the Virginia horn area (modified from Jirsa and others,
1998) showing details of field trip stops 5-1 to 5-7.

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�STOP 5-1.
Archean pillowed and massive greenstone
Location: T.58N., R.17W., sec.23 NW, SE, SW;
north edge of athletic fields, Gilbert Junior High
School.
Gilbert 7.5-minute quadrangle
UTM: 539,820E/5,259,750N

DESCRIPTION:
Outcrop of pillowed and massive basalt is part of the Archean Mud Lake sequence,
metamorphosed to low greenschist-grade. Pillow shapes indicate stratigraphic facing is to the
northwest, which places this outcrop on the south side of a major D1 structure known as the Mud
Lake syncline. Note also the presence locally of fractures filled with reddish jasper, presumably
deposited in depressions on the rock surface by overstepping of Paleoproterozoic seas during
deposition of the Biwabik Iron Formation.
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE STOP 5-1:
Early work by Gruner (1941) and later by Sutton (1963) interpreted the Archean volcanic and
graywacke succession now known as the Mud Lake sequence as an anticline, based on few
stratigraphic top indicators, and perhaps influenced by early discussions of the “Couchiching
series” (Lawson, 1887) that placed metasedimentary rocks of the Rainy Lake area
stratigraphically beneath “Keewatin” volcanic rocks. Detailed structural study by Jirsa and
others, (1998) and Jirsa and Boerboom (2003) demonstrate that tholeiitic (Stop 5-1) and calcalkalic volcanic rocks and tholeiitic intrusions are conformably overlain by graywacke and slate
(Stop 5-2). In detail, the succession forms a broad, twice-deformed syncline that has been
segmented by faults of several generations.
NEXT:
Return to Highway 37, travel northwest to Hwy 135, thence west on 135 approximately 2.5
miles to Bourgin Road. Turn left (south) on Bourgin Road and continue about 0.4 mile to large
cut on left (east) side of road (Stop 5-2).

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�STOP 5-2.
Archean graywacke and slate, intruded by
quartzofeldspathic porphyry.
Location: T.58N., R.17W., sec.21 SW, SW;
road cuts on east side of the Bourgin Road.
Eveleth 7.5-minute quadrangle.
UTM: 536,311E/5,260,659N

DESCRIPTION:
Outcrops along this side of the road expose quartzofeldspathic porphyry (QFP) intruded into
variably deformed graywacke, siltstone, and slate of the Mud Lake sequence. The sedimentary
rocks here are moderately deformed, but much of that deformation is inferred to predate the main
cleavage-forming event D2, and some may be soft-sediment in origin. The QFP is large and
continuous to the east, but at this locality it appears to be segmented into a zone of multiple dikes.
Both graywacke and QFP are intensely altered to some combination of iron-carbonate minerals
(ankerite, ferroan dolomite) and sericite. Regionally, this style of alteration is commonly, though
not always associated with QFP intrusions—presumably because the QFP remained more
structurally rigid than the enclosing sedimentary rocks during the shear-related deformation event
that accompanied alteration late in D2. Most gold mineralization in the area is closely allied to
this alteration, yet this outcrop is surprisingly barren.
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE STOP 5.2:
One of the earliest gold discoveries in Minnesota was made by J.W. Gruner (in Grout, 1937)
in a railroad cut not far from stop 5-2. The cut exposes graywacke intruded by quartzofeldspathic
porphyry, having visible gold associated with small quartz veins. Despite several episodes of
prospecting and systematic study of the region, no economic gold deposits have been discovered.
NEXT:
Follow Bourgin road to the south and west to a frontage road on the east side of Hwy 53.
Turn north (right) on the frontage road and travel about 0.2 miles to first road to right, turn up-hill
and continue to #7 Mesabi Lane (Stop 5-3).

Page 136

�STOP 5-3.
Archean conglomerate
Private driveway!
Location: T.58N., R.17W., sec.20 SW, SE, No. 7
Mesabi Lane; village of Midway.
Eveleth 7.5-minute quadrangle.
UTM: 535,713E/5,259,459N

DESCRIPTION:
Archean conglomerate and lithic sandstone that form the driveway here are part of the
northeast-trending Midway sequence, containing these strata types locally interbedded with
subaerially deposited, calc-alkalic (trachyandesitic) volcanic rocks. The sequence is inferred to
have formed after earliest deformation (D1) of the enclosing graywacke and basaltic rocks of the
Mud Lake sequence, but before the cleavage-forming D2 deformation that affected both
sequences. The conglomerate contains clasts of basalt, graywacke, porphyritic trachyandesite,
and quartzofeldspathic porphyry (QFP). This provenance indicates that the older Archean rocks
of the Mud Lake sequence were intruded by QFP, deformed, and uplifted, to provide detritus to
what was probably a successor or “pull-apart” basin developed along a major structure now
occupied by the Pike River fault zone. Note also the presence of remnant skins of red jasper as
at stop 5-1.
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE:
Midway sequence conglomerate has previously been interpreted as a basal sediment (Sutton,
1963), and as a proximal turbidite fan deposit (Levy, 1991), depositionally transitional with
graywacke and slate of the Mud Lake sequence. Subsequent work (Jirsa, 2000) indicates that the
conglomerate is part of a Timiskaming-type clastic and volcanic sequence that unconformably
overlies the older volcanic strata. Deposition of the Midway sequence required uplift, subaerial
erosion, continental volcanism, and deposition in isolated basins along a major structural break.
Interestingly, Gruner, 1941, inferred that these rocks may be equivalent to similar units of
conglomerate in the Knife Lake area, which are now also considered to represent successor-basin
deposits that post-date deposition of older greenstone by as much as 30 million years (Corfu and
Stott, 1998). The rocks share many attributes with other Timiskaming-type sequences, including
the namesake Timiskaming Group near Timmins and the Shebandowan Group near Thunder Bay.
The use of the term Timiskaming in this context is quite different from that of Goldich and others,
(1961), who applied it as a system term to include the Seine, Knife Lake, and other presumably
correlative metasedimentary units.
NEXT:
Return to frontage road paralleling Hwy 53; turn north and travel about 500 feet to low
outcrop (Stop 5-4) on east side of road.

Page 137

�STOP 5-4.
Archean/Paleoproterozoic unconformity
Location: T.58N., R.17W., sec.20 SW, SE;
hamlet of Midway.
Eveleth 7.5-minute quadrangle.
UTM: 535,441E/5,259,520N

DESCRIPTION:
In the brush on the east side of the frontage road is a small exposure of Archean
conglomerate, having nearly vertical foliation and lithologic content much like that at stop 5-3,
capped by a thin and discontinuous “skin” of subhorizontally foliated conglomerate. The latter
represents basal deposition of the Paleoproterozoic Pokegama Quartzite, the lowest of a tripartite
sequence of formations that constitute the Animikie Group.
Age dates are somewhat
speculative; however, the Archean rocks of the various sequences in the horn probably are about
2.7 Ga (e.g., Peterson and others, 2001). Based on a date from tuffaceous rocks in the Gunflint
Iron Formation (Fralick and others, 2002) that is inferred to be equivalent to the Biwabik Iron
Formation, the Animikie Group is about 1.8 Ga. Thus, this unconformity represents a geological
hiatus of approximately 900 million-years— almost twice that of all Phanerozoic time.
The large road cut visible on the west side of Highway 53 is the argillaceous lower member
of the Pokegama Quartzite. The road cut exposes shale, siltstone, and minor sandstone, which
has been interpreted by Ojakangas (1993) as having been deposited in a low-energy upper tidal
flat environment in a sea that peneplaned the Archean surface. Minor channeling is common at
the base of thicker sandstone beds, and small-scale cross-bedding occurs in some siltstone beds.
Local soft-sediment deformation may be the product of syn-depositional tectonism, or
alternatively may represent localized collapse near tidal channels.
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE STOPS 5-4 and 5-5:
The Paleoproterozoic rocks exposed at Stops 5-4 and 5-5, and discussed at stop 5-6 were
previously considered to represent a “geosynclinal sequence,” the precise tectonic mechanism of
which was poorly understood. Work by a number of authors (notably Southwick and others,
1988) demonstrates that the tripartite formations exposed along the Mesabi Iron Range were
deposited along the leading edge of a foredeep known as the Animikie basin that transgressed
north over the Archean craton during the Penokean orogeny. In detail, deposition of basal
quartzite (Pokegama), medial chemical (Biwabik) and upper turbiditic (Virginia) sediments
represents a transgression of near-shore, shelf, and slope environments, respectively (Ojakangas,
1993).
NEXT:
Travel south on Highway 53 about 1.5 miles; stop on Highway and cross (carefully) to large
outcrop on east side (Stop 5-5A)

Page 138

�STOP 5-5.
Paleoproterozoic Pokegama Quartzite (A) and
Biwabik Iron Formation (B)
Location: T.58N., R.17W., sec.32 SE, SE, and
adjacent, junction of Highways 37 and 53.
Eveleth 7.5-minute quadrangle.
UTM: scattered outcrops extend from
535,956E/5,256,913N on the north (stop 5-5A), to
536,263E/5,256,200N on the south (stop 5-5B).

DESCRIPTION 5-5A:
This is the sandy, upper member of the Pokegama Quartzite. It is characterized by coarse
grain size and massive beds as thick as 1.5 m. Massive beds are separated by thin beds of shale
and siltstone. Ojakangas (1993) interpreted the deposition of this facies as within high-energy,
lower tidal or subtidal environment.
NEXT:
Return to vehicle and continue south on Highway 53 past Highway 37. Turn around and
drive north to large outcrop near the SE corner of the junction of Highways 53 and 37 (stop 5-5B)
DESCRIPTION 5-5B:
This exposure of gently southeast-dipping strata is part of the Lower Cherty member of the
Biwabik Iron Formation. It overlies and is generally in transition with the Pokegama Quartzite at
stop 5-5A. Notice that both formations have sandy textures and cross-bedding, implying a
moderately high-energy depositional environment. The most significant difference between these
two units is the abrupt change in sediment source from the extrabasinal quartz grains in the
Pokegama, to recycled, chemically precipitated chert in the Biwabik. Measurements of crossbedding in the iron-formation are bimodal, implying deposition in a tidally influenced marine
environment (Ojakangas, 1993).
NEXT:
Drive north on Highway 53 approximately 4 miles to entrance to Mineview overlook (Stop 56), just northwest of the junction of Highways 53 and 135. Follow driveway to overlook.

Page 139

�STOP 5-6.
Mineview in the Sky Overlook
Location: T.58N., R.17W., sec.17 NW SE.
North of the junction of hwys 53 and 135.
Virginia 7.5-minute quadrangle.
UTM: Top of overlook approximately
535,710E/5,261,650N

DESCRIPTION:
North from this overlook is a 3-mile-long complex of abandoned mining properties, known
collectively as the Rouchleau mine; all developed within the Paleoproterozoic Biwabik Iron
Formation. In detail, there were some 15 separately named mines within view that shipped ore
during the period 1893-1986. All of them, and nearly 500 more along the 150-mile long Mesabi
Iron Range, extracted oxidized (hematite- or goethite-rich) and leached iron-formation generally
referred to as “natural ore.” The ore deposits here are localized along a set of fault zones (Fig.
5.3) that presumably provided the plumbing system for fluids that first oxidized the formation and
produced permeability; and secondly, leached silica from the porous zones. Natural ores
contained as much as 50 percent iron and less than 10 percent silica. By contrast, the mammoth
open-pit mine in the distance to the northwest, US Steel’s Minntac mine, is developed in
unoxidized, magnetite-rich ore containing about 30 percent iron, and 50 percent silica. This type
of ore at Minntac, and five other open-pit mines currently in operation along the range, is the
source of the iron concentrate known as taconite. The name taconite has also been applied
generally to unoxidized iron-formation containing sufficient iron to be mined for a profit using
today’s technology.
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE STOP 5-6:
Nearly 70 percent of the 3.6 billion metric tons of iron ore produced on the Mesabi range was
extracted as natural ores. Although it has been generally accepted that these ores formed along
fracture, bedding, and fault planes by processes of oxidation and leaching, the source of altering
solutions has been the subject of considerable debate among economic geologists for nearly 70
years. Much of the literature and geologic observations on the issue are reviewed in Morey
(2003). Many writers support the concept of descending meteoric waters to account for the
dissolution of silica and oxidation of iron minerals. Others, including Gruner (1930) believed the
geologic features were better explained by ascending hydrothermal solutions. Gruner’s theory
failed to gain common acceptance, in part because no driving mechanism for such a hydrothermal
system could be envisioned. The integration of Animikie Group strata into the tectonic context of
the Penokean orogen in east-central Minnesota revived the theory of hydrothermal fluid flow
within the Pokegama Quartzite and ultimately the iron-formation, as part of a continent-scale,
gravity-driven ground-water system (Morey, 1999). The debate continues, fueled in part by the
observation that no oxidized (and subsequently metamorphosed) iron-formation exists on the
eastern-most Mesabi range that was metamorphosed by the Mesoproterozoic Duluth Complex.
The precise origin of the structural bend in iron-formation known as the Virginia horn has
long been questioned. It has been explained as a paired anticline-syncline vs. a modified warping

Page 140

�around a fault-bounded horst (Morey, 2003). A topic for future research involves the extent to
which vertical tectonism may have been operating during deposition of the iron-formation.
NEXT:
Return to Highway 53 and travel north through the city of Virginia to wayside rest
approximately 2 miles north of town (Stop 5-7).
STOP 5-7.
Archean Giants Range batholith at
“Confusion Hill,” Laurentian Divide
Location: T.59N., R.17W., sec.19 SE, SE;
wayside off Highway 53.
Virginia 7.5-minute quadrangle.
UTM: 534,337E/5,269,458N

DESCRIPTION:
Exposed near this wayside and in road cuts on both sides of the highway is an array of
variably layered intrusions having both tonalitic (white) and dioritic (black) compositions. A
cursory look shows intrusive relationships that conclusively demonstrate that diorite was
emplaced into tonalite at one locality, and at another, tonalite was emplaced into diorite. In
detail, all compositions intermediate between the two end members are also present locally.
Although the dioritic component is abundant here, the bulk of the mapped unit is tonalitic.
Emplacement of this unit, now known as the Lookout Mountain tonalite, probably involved some
degree of magma mingling. Dikes of tonalite that cut the adjacent high-grade supracrustal rocks
of the Minntac sequence contain metamorphic fabrics, yet little evidence of metamorphic origin
can be seen in the interior of the body, implying it is syntectonic with respect to D2 deformation.
U-Pb zircon dates (Boerboom and Zartman, 1993) of two components of the batholith exposed to
the north bracket the age of D2 deformation between about 2674 and 2682 Ma. Exposures at
Confusion Hill are a small part of the Giants Range batholith, which forms the core bedrock of
the Laurentian (drainage) divide. The batholith is a 40-mile wide belt of intrusions that can be
traced on geophysical maps and outcrop east to the Mesoproterozoic Duluth Complex, and west
beyond the western border of Minnesota. It separates Archean supracrustal sequences in the
Virginia horn from those of the Tower-Soudan area—making stratigraphic correlation between
the two districts speculative.
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE STOP 5-7:
It was once generally thought that the mafic component of this mixed rock represented
xenolithic rafts of subjacent amphibolite grade metavolcanic strata. In the process of regional
mapping, Boerboom (in Jirsa and Boerboom, 2003) recognized that the intimately co-mingled
tonalitic and mafic phases are the product of magma mixing.
NEXT:
Travel north on Highway 53 to the junction with Highway 169; follow the latter to the
northeast approximately 28 miles to County Road 77. Turn left (northwest) on 77 and proceed
about 0.5 mi. to Pike River (Stop 5.8).

Page 141

�Tower-Soudan Area (refer to Figures 5.2 and 5.4)
Much of the framework geology for the Vermilion district, including the Tower-Soudan area, is
covered in the prelude to other trips in this guide, notably field trips #1 and #7.
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE STOPS 5-8 to 5-18; Vermilion District
The application of formal stratigraphic nomenclature to these rocks that are poorly
constrained by incomplete exposure and scant geochronologic control produced considerable
confusion over the years. For example, early workers considered all metabasaltic sequences
equivalent, and applied the name “Ely Greenstone” to similar rocks exposed in a broad area of
northern Minnesota. It is clear from subsequent mapping and geochronologic work that
“greenstones” in the various belts are not all correlative. Use of the term continues today; but is
restricted to specific sequences in the Ely and Tower-Soudan areas.
In his publication of 1887, Lawson interpreted rocks of the International Falls area as depicting
“Couchiching” sedimentary rocks to lie beneath “Keewatin” volcanic strata, and these
interpretations were extended to explain stratigraphic relationships throughout much of
Minnesota including the Vermilion district. Lawson’s criteria were based in part on stratigraphic
younging in metasedimentary sequences. More recent interpretations recognize that these strata
have experienced at least two deformations, the earliest of which (D1) involved inversion of large
packages of strata into great thrust nappes prior to the major cleavage-forming event (D2). Thus,
the boundaries between sedimentary and volcanic rocks in many areas are more structural than
stratigraphic, and the use of younging directions in these strata requires detailed structural
mapping to fully evaluate. In addition to structural mapping (e.g., Hudleston, 1976; Hudleston
and others, 1988; Schultz-Ela and Hudleston, 1991; Jirsa and others, 1992), the study of
geochemistry (e.g., Arth and Hanson, 1975; Schulz, 1980; Southwick and others, 1998) and U-Pb
zircon geochronology (e.g., Boerboom and Zartman, 1993; Peterson and others, 2001) in
Minnesota and adjacent Ontario are beginning to resolve some of the temporal issues. Much
work remains in this endeavor.

STOP 5-8.
Archean graywacke at Pike River Dam
Location: T.61N., R.16W., sec. 3, NW, SW;
west side of County Road 77, on N side of river.
[Note that Fortune Bay Casino—the overnight
hotel—lies to the north off of CR 77].
Tower 7.5-minute quadrangle.
UTM: 547,300E/5,293,340N

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE STOP 5-8
Prior to about the 1950s, no depositional mechanism could satisfactorily explain the
coincidence in graywacke of 1) coarse sand derived from a source many kilometers distant and
having an altered clayey matrix; 2) interbedded black slate; and 3) the lack of evidence for
reworking in shallow water (indicative of deposition below wave base). This was changed when
the concept of turbidity currents was introduced to the geological profession by Kuenen and
Migliorini (1950). Despite widespread publication on turbidites in more modern geologic

Page 142

�Figure 5.4. Geologic map of the western Vermilion district (modified from Peterson and Jirsa,
1999), including the Tower-Soudan and Ely areas, and showing details of field trip stops 58 to 5-18.

Page 143

�settings through the 1950s and 1960s, the facies model was not refined and applied to Archean
and Proterozoic strata in the Lake Superior region until somewhat later (Morey, 1965; Ojakangas,
1966).
NEXT:
Return to Highway 169 and turn east. Continue approximately 1.7 miles to just east of the
junction of 169 and County Road 526.
STOP 5-9.
Multiply folded Archean graywacke
Location: T.61N., R.16W., sec. 2, NE, NE; south
side of Highway 169 just east of CR 526.
Tower 7.5-minute quadrangle.
UTM: 550,050E/5,294,000N

DESCRIPTION:
This outcrop at the road and several smaller ones in the bush nearby show the superposition
of two generations of folds in thin-bedded, well-graded graywacke of the Lake Vermilion
Formation. The second-generation folds (F2) are associated with a regional axial plane cleavage
in which sedimentary clasts are flattened. The earlier F1 folds have no associated cleavage and
tend to be erratic in form, trend, and distribution. Folds display “eye” and “mushroom” shapes
that locally are interpreted to be sheath folds (Hudleston and others, 1987). These characteristics
are consistent with deformation of poorly lithified sediment. The superposition of deformation
events is manifest in the transection of F1 folds by cleavage related to D2. In this area and to the
west, one can find anticlinal synclines and synclinal anticlines, indicating stratigraphic inversion
prior to D2 folding.
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE STOP 5-9:
The complex structure of the Vermilion district was poorly understood in the 1950s and
1960s. Subsequent structural study (Hooper and Ojakangas, 1971; Hudleston, 1976; Ojakangas
and others, 1978; Jirsa and others, 1993) demonstrated two distinct periods of deformation: D1
that includes largely soft-sediment deformation represented at Stop 5-9, and a D2 transpressive
deformation and metamorphic cleavage-forming event. Much of the early D1 deformation
produced broad areas of down-facing strata formed by large thrust nappes (Jirsa and others,
1992). Prior to this recognition, there was much confusion about temporal relationships of
individual volcanic and clastic sequences.
NEXT:
Continue east on Highway 169 approximately 0.7 mile to Stop5-10.

Page 144

�STOP 5-10. [Optional] Archean dacitic
tuff/ Paleoproterozoic or Mesoproterozoic
diabase dike
Location: T.61N., R.16W., sec. 1, SW, NE;
Highway 169 road cut.
Tower 7.5-minute quadrangle.
UTM: 551,160E/5,293,960N

DESCRIPTION:
These road cuts expose outcrops of white, dacitic tuffaceous sedimentary rock, a component
of the Lake Vermilion Formation. Regionally, the formation consists of all compositional
gradations between what appears to be first-cycle tuff, tuffaceous graywacke, and mixed-source
graywacke, interbedded on all scales. In a general way, the tuffaceous component increases in
proportion to the east toward the Tower-Soudan anticline, presumably the source region of
volcanic detritus. Rocks of the anticline are interpreted to represent the core of what was
probably a large, composite volcanic shield complex, bordered by irregular basins composed of
detritus shed from the shield, now represented by the Lake Vermilion Formation.
The northeast-trending, steeply dipping, seven-meter wide diabase dike that cuts tuffaceous rocks
has been the source of considerable debate. It’s petrographic (olivine-bearing) and geochemical
(silica undersaturated) composition is similar to Mesoproterozoic dikes (Schmitz, 1994); yet it
lies nearly along strike with, though east of, dikes of the Paleoproterozoic Kenora-Kabetogama
dike swarm.
NEXT:
Continue east on Highway 169 approximately 1.5 miles to road cut.
STOP 5-11 [Optional]
Archean fragmental volcanic rocks
Location: T.62N., R.15W., sec. 32, SW, SW;
Highway 169 road cut, west edge village of
Tower.
Tower 7.5-minute quadrangle.
UTM: 553,380E/5,294,430N

DESCRIPTION:
This outcrop consists of fragmental, variably reworked volcanic conglomerate and tuffaceous
rocks of the Lake Vermilion Formation. The presence of this rock type demonstrates the

Page 145

�eastward-increasing proximity to volcanic source rocks from stop 5-9 to here. The rock is
composed of about 85-95 percent dacitic detritus, 3-5 percent gray clasts of graywacke, slate, and
basaltic andesite, and a small percentage of magnetic and sulfidic fragments. Fragments range in
size from a few millimeters to 20 cm. The generally poorly developed sorting and bedding,
together with varied clast composition, implies a debris-flow origin.
NEXT:
Travel east on Highway 169, through the city of Tower, and continue east to the village of
Soudan. Follow signs to left toward Soudan State Park for approximately 0.3 mi.—at this point,
State Park entrance is on your left. Do not follow Park signs, but rather, continue on roadway
turning toward the right and follow the road to junction about 0.4 mi. to east. Turn left and
follow road for about 0.5 mi., more or less straight past the Soudan Fire Station and up the hill
toward the back side of the Park and Stuntz Bay. Disembark at mine buildings and walk about
150 feet north and up-hill to outcrop on the right.
STOP 5-12.
Archean Soudan iron-formation member of Ely
Greenstone
No hammering please!
Location: T.62N., R.15W., sec. 27, NE, NE;
Soudan Mine State Park.
Soudan 7.5-minute quadrangle.
UTM: 557,120E/5,296,660N

DESCRIPTION:
This classic exposure of the Soudan iron-formation member of the Ely Greenstone lies on the
north limb of the Tower-Soudan anticline, and at the stratigraphic top of the volcanic sequences
known collectively as the Lower member of the Ely Greenstone. The outcrop displays two
generations of tight folding in delicate laminae of chert (creamy white), chert-hematite jasper
(red), and magnetite-chert (black to silver-colored). The second generation of folds (F2) is
tectonic in origin, having subvertical axial surfaces that trend east, and steeply plunging axes.
Most display Z-asymmetry. The earlier folds (F0-1) appear to have been sharply refolded to
produce complex interference patterns. Lundy (1985) studied folding at this locality and
concluded that some of the apparent interference structures are the product of early-formed sheath
folds that did not involve refolding by D2. The F1 structures are predominantly intrafolial, and
exhibit a great variety of style and orientation; implying they formed by layer-parallel, softsediment slumping.
It is interesting to observe the rhythmic microlaminae (1 mm or so thick) in various cherty
beds exposed here and speculate about the paleoenvironment—that is, whether these represent
daily heating/cooling, tidal, climatic, annual, or some other repetitive influence in the depositional
environment. What is known about units of iron-formation in the Ely Greenstone, of which there
are many, is that deposition occurred during periods of relative volcanic and tectonic quiescence
by the slow subaqueous “rain” of chemical precipitates.
The deep excavations in this area are the early workings of the Soudan iron mine, the first in
Minnesota. The mine produced about 16 mt of high-grade hematite ore (60-63 percent iron

Page 146

�content) from 1884 until 1962, when the land was deeded to the State of Minnesota and converted
to a park. Most of the production came from underground workings that began here in 1900, and
which now can be visited on guided tours. The mine also houses an underground physics
research facility at 2340 feet below the surface. A massive expansion of that facility is under
consideration to create a national underground laboratory at considerably greater depths (Peterson
and Patelke, 2003).
NEXT:
Return to vehicle and drive to east-bound Highway 169. Travel east approximately 7.5 miles
to Mud Creek Road. The Highway follows in a general way, the strike of the nearly vertically
dipping Soudan iron-formation, bounded by volcanic rocks of the upper member of the Ely
Greenstone on the north and the lower member on the south. Turn north (left) on the Mud Creek
Road and follow it for approximately 3.8 miles to Mud Creek.
STOP 5-13.
Mud Creek shear zone
Location: T.62N., R.14W., sec. 5, SE, SE;
Outcrop just northwest of Mud Creek near
road.
Chad Lake 7.5-minute quadrangle.
UTM: 564,230E/5,302,800N

DESCRIPTION:
This outcrop shows highly strained rocks in the Mud Creek shear zone. The rock type is a
quartz-iron carbonate-sericite schist, having quartz and tourmaline knots, abundant pyrite, and
trace amounts of gold. Its protolith is unknown, because of the intense deformation, but could be
any of several rock types in the region, including quartzofeldspathic porphyry, metavolcanic rock,
or graywacke. The shear fabric trends east-northeast, and lineations plunge at shallow angles to
the east. Development of this shear zone, which occupies most of the valley of Mud Creek, is a
product of largely dextral transpressive deformation that has been partitioned into discrete zones,
presumably late in D2 deformation. It is generally believed that gold-bearing mineralization was
introduced during these later deformation events, and the Mud Creek shear zone and environs
continue to attract considerable attention as a gold target (Field Trip #7).
The Mud Creek shear is a broad, anastomosing zone that forms the boundary between rocks
of the Ely Greenstone and Lake Vermilion Formation on the south, and volcanic and ironformation-bearing rocks known informally as the Bass Lake sequence on the north. The Bass
Lake rocks may be equivalent to parts of the Newton Lake Formation exposed north of Ely, but a
complex series of faults in the intervening area makes this correlation speculative.
NEXT:
Drive south from Mud Creek to first gravel trail to the west; turn west and proceed about 0.2
to gravel pit.

Page 147

�STOP 5-14 [Optional]
Archean graywacke and slate of Lake
Vermilion Formation
Location: T.62N., R.14W., sec. 8, NW, NE.
Soudan 7.5-minute quadrangle.
UTM: 564,100E/5,302,400N

DESCRIPTION:
This recently exposed outcrop of the Lake Vermilion Formation consists of siliceous slate
having a 1-2 meter thick unit of thinly bedded tuffaceous graywacke. The slate carries a strong S2
cleavage and is cut by shears; both trending to the east-northeast. Bedding in the graywacke
trends north-northeast and youngs to the southeast—this contrasts with the regional setting which
strikes to the east-northeast and youngs to the north. The reason for this anomalous trend is
unclear, but it may be the result of fault drag along the Mud Creek shear zone.
NEXT:
Return to Mud Creek Road, travel south to Highway 169, then turn east on 169 and continue
approximately 12 miles to Ely. [Enroute, one might visit a spectacular outcrop of pillowed flows
described in Field Trip #1, Stop 1-13; Hilltop S of Highway 169 at SE, SW, S19, T.62N, R14W,
UTM:056200E, 5297800N]. Pass through Ely and continue approximately 1 mile east of town to
junction of 169 and County Road 88; then proceed 0.3 mi farther east to road cut.
Ely and vicinity (refer to Figures 5.1 and 5.4)
Geologic framework and outcrop locations are shown on Green and Schulz, 1982.
STOP 5-15 [Optional]
Archean Ely Greenstone
Location: T.63N., R.12W., sec. 25, NW,
SW; Road cut on Highway 169
approximately 0.3 mi. east of junction with
County Road 88 (Spaulding Bay Road).
Ely 7.5-minute quadrangle.
UTM: 588,350E/5,307,075N

Page 148

�DESCRIPTION
Pillowed basalt of the Ely Greenstone. Flows and complexly interlayered iron-formation in
the area are strongly folded into anticlines and synclines striking predominantly to the northeast.
Stratigraphic younging to the north can be established from pillow structures in this exposure and
others nearby. High grade iron ore was mined from iron-formations in the noses or axes of many
of the folds. The productive Zenith, Chandler, and Pioneer mines, for example, lie within one
such fold, the Ely trough.
NEXT:
Return to junction of Highway 169 and County Road 88, turn north on 88 and travel
approximately 2 miles to Echo Trail. Turn right (north) on Echo trail and proceed 0.3 miles north
to road cut on west side of the road.
STOP 5-16.
Archean Newton Lake Formation—
variolitic basalt
Location: T.63N., R.12W., sec. 22, NE, NW;
road cut on Echo Trail.
Ely 7.5-minute quadrangle.
UTM: 585,750E/5,309,360N

DESCRIPTION
This road cut exposes pillowed and variolitic flows and hyaloclastite breccia of the Newton
Lake Formation. Pillow sizes vary from “normal” to “mattress”, and their shapes indicate
younging to the south. The Newton Lake is separated from the Ely Greenstone to the south by a
complex zone of faulting (Shagawa Lake and Sibley faults) developed within sedimentary rocks
of the Knife Lake Group. Although relatively undeformed conglomerate and sedimentary rocks
of the Knife Lake Group are exposed just a few miles to the east, they are typically so sheared
and altered in this area as to obscure lithologic and sedimentary interpretations, and will not be
visited. The Newton Lake Formation differs from the Ely in that the former contains abundant
diabasic sills and rare iron-formation. In addition, lava flows of the Newton Lake typically have
larger MgO and incompatible element contents than those of the Ely, and some are classed as
komatiites (Schulz, 1980). The Newton Lake Formation (and possibly equivalent Bass Lake
sequence) is considered to be the youngest Archean supracrustal sequence in the Vermilion
district. Rocks having nearly identical composition and stratigraphic/structural setting occur in
Itasca County some 80 kilometers to the west (Jirsa, 1990).
NEXT:
Continue north on Echo Trail for 0.8 mi. to outcrop 5-17A on left (west) side of road.

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�STOP 5-17.
Archean Newton Lake Formation—
felsic tuff and mafic intrusions
Location: T.63N., R.12W., sec. 15 SE, NW;
road cuts on Echo Trail.
Ely 7.5-minute quadrangle.
UTM: 5-17A=585,775E/5,310,660N
5-17B=585,810E/5,310,700N

DESCRIPTION:
5-17A Road cut on west side of Echo Trail is aphanitic to fine-grained, laminated, light-colored
felsic tuff and probable reworked tuff, cut by diabase. Minor graded bedding indicates younging
to the north; however, it is likely at this exposure that the tuff represents a large block rafted in
diabasic intrusions.
NEXT:
Cross to east side of Echo Trail and walk north to first outcrop.
5-17B This road cut exposes layered metadiabase intruded by hornblende-pyroxene-biotitebearing lamprophyre; both presumed to be intrusions of the Newton Lake Formation.
Lamprophyre is coarse- to very coarse-grained and contains inclusions of the diabase. Overall,
the Newton Lake Formation contains abundant and locally differentiated sills that vary in
composition from diabase and gabbro to pyroxenite and peridotite.
NEXT:
Return to vehicle and proceed north on Echo Trail, which winds around the east shore of
Burntside Lake, for approximately 3.5 miles to junction with County road 803 (Passi Road).
Turn left (west) on Passi Road and stop.
STOP 5-18.
Archean schist (metagraywacke),
paragneiss, and trondhjemite of Quetico
subprovince
Location: T.63N., R.12W., sec. 8, SW, NW;
outcrop in SW corner of junction Echo Trail
and Passi road.
Shagawa Lake 7.5-minute quadrangle.
UTM: 581,660E/5,312,050N

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�DESCRIPTION:
About one mile south en route to this stop, we passed a sharp, narrow valley that marks the
trace of the Burntside Lake Fault. The fault forms a major boundary between comparatively low
(greenschist) grade rocks on the south that typify the Wawa subprovince, with high-grade
(amphibolite) rocks of the Quetico subprovince on the north. Rocks here include biotite schist,
migmatite, and trondhjemite, a part of what’s known as the Vermilion Granitic Complex. Despite
the amphibolite grade of metamorphism, the schist retains some evidence of graded bedding
locally that indicates a graywacke protolith.
NEXT:
Backtrack to Highway 169, turn west and continue to Highway 1 at the east side of Ely.
Follow Highway 1 south toward the north shore of Lake Superior, a distance of approximately 50
miles. Though we will not stop, this route takes us out of the Archean Wawa subprovince,
crossing parts of the Mesoproterozoic Keweenawan Supergroup, including the Duluth Complex
and North Shore Volcanic Group.
North shore and Duluth areas (refer to Figures 5.1 and 5.5)
For regional framework geology, refer to introductory material to Field Trip #2.

Figure 5.5 Geologic map of northeastern Minnesota (modified from Miller and others, 2002)
showing field trip stops on the north shore and in the Duluth area

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�STOP 5-19.
Top of Mesoproterozoic Palisade
rhyolite flow (North Shore Volcanic
Group)
Location: T.56N., R.7W., SEC. 11 NE,
SW; 0.2 mi. N of Highway 61 on
Highway 1.
Illgen City 7.5-minute quadrangle.
UTM: 636,600E/5,245,850N

DESCRIPTION:
Road cuts on the west side of Highway 1 expose the upper zone of the Palisade rhyolite, a
very large and extensive porphyritic flow that is part of the North Shore Volcanic Group. Much
of the flow, seen for example on Palisade Head and Shovel Point and the Hwy 61 cut just SW of
the junction with Hwy 1, has the appearance of a normal lava flow, but features here at the top,
and at the inaccessible base of the cliff at Palisade head, show clearly that it was erupted
explosively. The hot ash settled and welded, and the resulting hot, devolatilized mass flowed as
“reconstituted lava” or ignimbrite. This road cut in the rapidly chilled top part of the flow is
made of flow-brecciated, flow-folded welded tuff; microscopic study reveals deformed shards
and fiamme in some samples. (More obvious shards are visible in the chilled welded tuff at the
flow’s base). Pneumatolytic or hydrothermal alteration has kaolinitized much of the feldspar at
this locality. In exposures of the massive flow interior, flow-aligned platy quartz after tridymite
is abundant in the groundmass, implying a high temperature of eruption (greater than 870 degrees
C).
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE:
Little attention was paid to the rhyolites in the North Shore Volcanic Group (NSVG) in
earlier accounts. In some of the earliest work by N.H. Winchell (1889), he attributed all north
shore rhyolites to the process of melting of sedimentary rocks. More recently, the importance of
these rocks has been increasingly recognized because of their abundance compared to
intermediate compositions (bimodal tholeiitic suite), and the opportunity they present for
geochronologic study (Goldich and others, 1961). With the further development of the U/Pb
zircon dating method, many rhyolites have provided age calibration for magmatism in the
Midcontinent Rift. The Palisade rhyolite, for instance, has been dated at 1098.6 ±1.7 my (Davis
and Green, 1997). Whereas Bowen-inspired models of magma evolution assumed rhyolites such
as this to be the products of crystal fractionation of the dominant basaltic parent, their high
abundance in the NSVG, along with recent Sm/Nd analyses (Vervoort and Green, 1997) show
this and many others to have been produced by partial melting of Archean basement. Finally,
detailed field studies and petrography of this and other large felsic flows has indicated that they
were erupted at unusually high temperatures for rhyolite, were highly mobile, and that many are
rheoignimbrites (Green and Fitz, 1993).
NEXT:
Continue south on Highway 1 for 0.3 miles to Highway 61. Turn northeast (left) on 61 and
drive approximately 14 miles to turn-in for Sugarloaf Cove Scientific and Natural Area. Walk to
Sugarloaf Point.

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�STOP 5-20.
Mesoproterozoic basalt at Sugarloaf Cove
Location: T.58N., R.5W., Sec. 29 NE, NE.
Little Marais 7.5-minute quadrangle.
UTM: outcrops begin about
652,020E/5,261,120N

Note: This stop is on property of the Sugarloaf interpretive Center Association (a non-profit)
and the State of Minnesota. The beach and point are part of a Scientific and Natural Area (MN
DNR) established to preserve these features. Please do not use hammers, or remove samples of
any kind. Thanks.
DESCRIPTION:
Many of the attributes of olivine tholeiite lava flows of the NSVG are well exposed on the
beach, mainland shore, and point. Flows range from several tens of meters thick to thin flow
units of a meter or less. Massive interiors are ophitic: each “ophite” is made of an augite
oikocryst enclosing many small plagioclase tablets. Abundant tiny olivine grains occur with
plagioclase between the ophites. Pipe amygdules are common in the flow bases, and small
vesicle cylinders occur in the massive interior of the thick flow that caps the sequence (The
Sugarloaf) on the point. These are all pahoehoe flows, and ropy surfaces are well displayed, as
are columnar joints and red sandstone-filled fractures (“clastic dikes”) in the interiors.
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE:
Although considerable petrographic study and some geochemistry had been done on the
basalts of the Cu-bearing lavas of the Keweenaw Peninsula of Michigan (e.g., Butler and
Burbank, 1929; Broderick, 1935), the NSVG only began to receive such attention in the mid- to
late 1960’s, as the world geochemistry community began to focus on basalts and their parent
ultramafic rocks of the mantle. The evolution of the plate-tectonics paradigm soon provided a
model for the raison d’etre for these basalts, and the concept of the Midcontinent Rift System
was born (White, 1972; Green, 1977). Further attention to the physical and geochemical aspects
of basalts has generated more data on the NSVG (e.g., Nicholson and others, 1997, and
references therein); olivine tholeiites such as these are interpreted as being mainly mantle plume
melts, with minor lithospheric contribution.
NEXT:
Return southwest on Highway 61 approximately 28 miles to entrance to Split Rock
Lighthouse State Park. Turn into the park and walk to base of lighthouse. Note that traveling
southwest through this western limb of the NSVG, one traverses down-stratigraphic section.

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�STOP 5-21. Mesoproterozoic (Keweenawan)
Beaver Bay Complex at Split Rock Lighthouse
Location: T.55N., R.8W., Sec. 33 SW, SW; Split
Rock Point Lighthouse History Center and State
Park.
Split Rock Point NE 7.5-minute quadrangle.
UTM: base of lighthouse at 623,640E/5,228,680N

DESCRIPTION 5-21A:
Outcrops of fine-grained, ophitic olivine diabase of the Beaver River diabase, which hosts the
majority of anorthosite inclusions from Split Rock to Grand Marais, are exposed just northeast of
the lighthouse atop a sheer 30-m-high sea cliff. The centimeter-wide augite oikocrysts obvious
here are typical of the lower portion of this diabase sill, which dips gently (&lt;15°) into the lake.
The prominent point just to the northeast (Rusty Point) is held up by a very large (&gt;200 m)
inclusion of medium-grained granophyric granite lying at the base of the sill.
Making our way to the base of the lighthouse, we come upon a good exposure of the large
anorthosite inclusion that holds up the entire sea cliff. The coarse-grained (± 1 cm) anorthosite
here displays meter-scale modal layering of noritic anorthosite (20% En72 hypersthene; 80% An6080 plagioclase) and anorthosite (&gt;99% Pl). This inclusion is altered and displays a moderate to
severe cataclastic and granulated texture indicative of having been recrystallized and/or
tectonized (Morrison and others, 1983). The steeply dipping layers are cut by thin dikes of
medium-grained, igneous-textured augite leuconorite (Pl-An56; Opx-En75; Cpx-En66).
DESCRIPTION 5-21B.
Follow the footpath south to the pump house on the lakeshore. Here, black, massive basalt is
exposed in wave-washed outcrops. The brecciated, amygdaloidal AA flow top of this basalt flow
is exposed in the rubbly bluff to the northeast in the direction of the lighthouse. Laminated
siltstone in the matrix of the flowtop dips gently toward the lake. Carefully scrambling over
some large boulders of ophitic diabase to the northeast, we can view the inclusion-rich base of the
diabase sill conformably overlying the basalt flow top. Note that the diabase is chilled against the
basalt, but not against the anorthosite inclusions. The abundance of inclusions disrupts the
development of regular columnar jointing in the diabase. Numerous boulders along the base of
the cliff display the textural and mineralogical varieties of anorthosite inclusions present.
Looking to the northeast, one can see that the vertically layered inclusion beneath the lighthouse
extends to lake level.
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE:
Occurrences of nearly pure plagioclase rock holding up various points of high ground
between Split Rock Point and Grand Marias have held a special fascination for Lake Superior
geologists for over 150 years. These enormous (up to 500m across), light-colored, coarse-grained
masses embedded in dark, fine-grained mafic rock were first recognized by J.G. Norwood in
1849 (Fig. 5.6) as part of the federal Owen Survey (Owen, 1852). During the initial state
geological survey (1872-1900), N.H. Winchell noted the resemblance of the feldspar rock, as he
called it, to the Rice Point Gabbro at Duluth (anorthositic series of the Duluth Complex). He

Page 154

�suggested that the anorthosites were blocks plucked from older feldspathic phases of the Duluth
gabbro by later outpourings of the great gabbro flood, which he fancied to be an enormous
extrusive (Winchell, 1900). He noted that the inclusions became somewhat smaller and more
dispersed toward the lake and interpreted this to be due to disaggregation as they traveled downslope (to the southeast) from their source. Midway through the survey, Winchell commissioned
A.C. Lawson to study these masses in greater detail. Lawson (1893) concluded that the
anorthosite represented the peaks of Archean mountains that where inundated and largely buried
by outpouring of the great gabbro flood. The inclusion character evident in most anorthosite
occurrences was attributed to spalling of large blocks from the mountain peaks.
In the early 1900's the search for corundum in northern Minnesota followed well publicized
discoveries of the mineral in Canada. In 1902, several property owners mistook the light green
anorthosite on the north shore for corundum. They formed a company, attracted investors, built a
plant complete with processing, storage, and transport facilities---all without ever analyzing the
rock! The first sale of mined product was also the last when it was discovered that the rock
contained no corundum, but instead is composed of the much softer feldspar mineral, anorthite.
Despite the setback, the investors regrouped and eventually formed the Minnesota Mining and
Manufacturing company (now 3M); demonstrating an important principal: the lessons learned
from small failures sometimes lead to great successes.
One of the most complete inventories of the anorthosites of the North Shore was reported in
Minnesota Geological Survey Bulletin 28 "The Geology of the Anorthosites of the Minnesota
Coast of Lake Superior" by Grout and Schwartz (1939). In this report, they documented most
known anorthosite occurrences in six 1:31,500 scale township maps. In considering the origin of
the anorthosite, Grout and Schwartz clearly recognized them as inclusions of pre-existing rock
that were derived from a deeper crustal source and were transported in diabasic magma to their
present site by virtue of their low density. They agreed with Winchell that the source was likely
the anorthositic rocks of the Duluth Complex.

Figure 5.6—Woodcut print from J.G. Norwood’s report on the geology of the north shore (in
Owen 1852) showing massive anorthosite inclusions in well-jointed basalt.
More detailed considerations of the petrographic and geochemical attributes of the
anorthosite inclusions led Phinney (1968) to conclude that Duluth Complex gabbroic anorthosites
were an unlikely source for the inclusions. The inclusions, which commonly show signs of
severe recrystallization and cataclasis, were more plagioclase-rich (&gt;95%), coarser-grained, and
more anorthitic (An70-75) than most anorthositic rocks of the complex. Also, Duluth Complex
anorthositic rocks rarely contain orthopyroxene, a common mafic phase in the inclusions.
Instead, he speculated that the inclusions were derived from deeper anorthosite bodies in the mid-

Page 155

�to lower crust. Proterozoic anorthosite massifs seemed an attractive source by their depth of
occurrence and plagioclase-rich composition; however, massif anorthosites are less anorthitic
(An45-55) than even Duluth Complex anorthositic rocks (An55-65) and tend to be strongly
recrystallized. In a follow-up petrographic and geochemical (Rb-Sr, Sm-Nd, and REE) study
(Morrison and others, 1983), Phinney and his coworkers uncovered evidence of crustal
contamination in the anorthositic inclusions from a source older than 1.9 Ma. They concluded
from this that the inclusions were derived from early Proterozoic anorthosite bodies formed in the
lower crust. As a corollary to a model for the origin of plagioclase crystal mush parent magmas
to the anorthositic series of the Duluth Complex, Miller and Weiblen (1990) speculated that these
anorthositic inclusions may be Keweenawan in age. In their model, plagioclase-rich magmas
were generated by ponding of mantle-derived melts in the lower crust. Under the high pressures
of the lower crust, plagioclase will be significantly buoyant in mafic magma and would likely
give rise to anorthositic cupolas in these deep magma chambers. Early lower crustal intrusions
may have been contaminated by interaction with the lower crust and thus imparted crustal
isotopic signatures into these early anorthosite cumulates. As rifting progressed and the lower
crust was displaced, later magmas may have picked up these early Keweenawan anorthosites and
transported them tens of kilometers into subvolcanic dikes and sills of the Beaver River diabase.
NEXT:
Return to Highway 61, turn southwest (left), and continue approximately 15 miles to Silver
Cliff Tunnel.
STOP 5-22 [Optional]
Mesoproterozoic (Keweenawan) diabase
and andesitic flows at Silver Cliff Tunnel
Location: T.53N., R.10W., Sec. 15 and 22.
Castle Danger 7.5-minute quadrangle.
UTM: 606,993E/5,213,952N to
606,755E/5,213,486N;

DESCRIPTION:
The Silver Creek diabase is an irregular, subcordant, subhorizontal intrusion at least 200 feet
thick. The diabase forms a prominent highland that projects inland several miles from Silver Cliff
at Lake Superior. Excavation of the Highway 61 tunnel has created excellent exposures of the
contact between volcanic rocks and both the top and bottom of the diabase, and has exposed a
north striking, 55-degree east-dipping fault that cuts the base of the diabase.
Refer to Field Trip 2, stop 2-6 for details.
NEXT:
Continue southwest on Highway 61 for approximately 30 miles. Near the City of Duluth, 61
becomes London Road; continue southwest on London Road. Do NOT turn onto Interstate
Highway 35, but clock mileage and continue approximately 1.25 miles to parking area for Leif
Ericson City Park near 12th Avenue East. Walk into the park and to the shoreline.

Page 156

�STOP 5-23.
Mesoproterozoic (Keweenawan) interflow
sedimentary rocks at Leif Ericson Park
Location: T.50N., R.14W., Sec. 23 SW.
Duluth 7.5-Minute quadrangle.
UTM: 570,050E/5,182,950N

DESCRIPTION:
This classic location exposes an estimated 110’ of interflow sandstone, lying on slightly
eroded amygdaloidal flows of the gently southeast-dipping Leif Ericson Park Lavas. The
sandstone is fine- to medium-grained, moderately well sorted, and derived almost totally from
underlying and adjacent lava flows—no extrabasinal detritus has been detected (Jirsa, 1984). The
presence of planar-tabular and trough cross-bedding, together with the lenticular distribution of
interflow units, implies the strata represent occasional stream flow deposits in depressions on the
evolving lava surfaces. This is one of many interflow sedimentary units, most of which are “red
bed-like” in appearance (considered in the early works of N.H. Winchell as Potsdam equivalents).
By contrast, this interflow lies very near the base of the North Shore Volcanic Group, and thus
has experienced burial metamorphism to nearly greenschist facies—though it is possible that
some of the elevated grade above the zeolite facies typical of rocks just to the northeast, is an
aureole effect of the adjacent Endion and other diabasic sills.
NEXT:
Follow signs to Interstate Highway 35, travel southwest on 35 to Highway 53. Turn north on
53 (Piedmont Avenue) and continue about 1 mile to intersection with Skyline Parkway. Turn left
(southwest) on Skyline and travel 0.4 mi. to crossing with 28th Ave. W; continue 0.2 mi. farther
southwest on Skyline to outcrop on the right (Stop 5-24).
STOP 5-24 [Optional]
Mesoproterozoic Duluth Complex; Layered
Series “Chill”, Granophyre, and Anorthositic
Series
Location : T50N, R14W, Sec 32, SW, SW;
Skyline Parkway about 1/5 mi. SW of 28th Ave.
Duluth Heights 7.5-minute quadrangle.
UTM: 564,880E/5,179,640N

Page 157

�DESCRIPTION:
Exposed at the northeast end of this roadcut is a fine-grained mafic rock with intermingled
granophyre that together cut coarse-grained olivine gabbroic anorthosite of the anorthositic series.
Since early mapping by Grout in the Duluth area in 1911, the relationships displayed by this
rather innocuous exposure has been critical in interpreting the intrusive history of the Duluth
Complex. The distinct, but complexly intermingled domains of mafic and felsic rock displayed
here and commonly observed in the upper parts of the Duluth Complex led Grout (1918c) to the
interpretation that these rocks formed by liquid immiscibility. This idea was strongly at odds
with the newly introduced notion of granite formation by differentiation of mafic magma touted
by Bowen (1928) and led to years of debate between these two famous petrologists.
Another significant feature displayed by this exposure of more parochial interest is the
relationship between the fine-grained gabbro and the coarse-grained olivine gabbroic anorthosite.
The fine-grained mafic rock exposed here can be traced up over the ridge to the west where it
merges into the upper contact zone of Layered Series (see Green and Miller, this abstract volume
for general summary of the geology of the Duluth Complex at Duluth). Grout and later Taylor
(1964) saw this exposure as evidence that the anorthositic series had cooled considerably when
the layered series was intruded and thus was considerably older. This paradigm was accepted by
all subsequent workers on the Duluth Complex up through the 1990’s. Consequently, it came as
something of a shock when high resolution U-Pb ages (Paces and Miller, 1993) revealed that the
anorthositic series and the layered series were virtually identical in age (within 0.5 Ma relative to
the 22 Ma span of Midcontinent Rift magmatic activity). This precipitated a major paradigm
shift in the perception of the intrusive relationships between these two series here and throughout
the Duluth Complex (Miller, 1992).
A closer look at this layered series “chill” reveals that it is not a thermal quench of the Layered
Series at Duluth (DLS) at all. This rock type is found at the contact with the anorthositic series
throughout most of this area and has a remarkably homogeneous, evolved composition
(MgO/(MgO+FeO) = ~ 37; see Table 2 in Miller and Ripley, 1996). In thin section, it is a
subprismatic biotitic oxide ferrodiorite. Phase equilibrium modeling of its composition indicates
that it should be in equilibrium with evolved compositions of augite, ilmenite and plagioclase phases that comprise gabbroic cumulates found in the cyclic zone and gabbro zones of the DLS.
In sum, this rock is much too evolved to have produced the entire cumulate pile of the layered
series. Rather than this being a thermal quench, Miller and Ripley (1996) have interpreted this
rock to represent decompression quenching of an evolved, water-saturated layered series magma
during venting at a time when the cyclic zone was crystallizing. Whereas decompression of less
than water saturated magma will result in superheating and a suspension of crystallization (or at
least a significant change in phase equilibrium), decompression under water saturated conditions
will cause supercooling and quenching. This model fits nicely with the explanation for the cyclic
zone with which this composition is apparently comagmatic (see Stop 25).
How does this scenario of venting of a hydrous magma relate to the mafic-felsic duplex
which so intrigued Grout? The lobate contacts between the irregular masses of medium-grained
granophyre and the fine-grained ferrodiorite host clearly gives the appearance of two-magma
mixing. Grout's (1918a) idea that these two magmas formed by silicate liquid immiscibility of
hydrous mafic magmas in the roof zone of the Duluth Complex seems more plausible today than
when he first proposed it. The concept of silicate liquid immiscibility, which had come to be
totally disparaged during Grout's day, has regained some respectability as an plausible, albeit,
uncommon petrologic process (Roedder, 1979). However, alternative explanations for this
compositional dichotomy can be suggested. One is that these felsic magmas were derived from
anatectic melting of various inclusions carried into the layered series chamber. Because of their
high silica content and low density, these felsic melts did not readily mix or assimilate with mafic
melt, but rather rose to the roof zone where they ponded beneath the anorthositic series cupola.

Page 158

�During magma venting from the chamber, the felsic melts became entrained and irregularly
mixed with the mafic magmas. While decompression under water saturated conditions caused
rapid crystallization of the mafic magma, the felsic melt became irregularly entrapped in the
quenched mafic host and cooled more slowly to a medium-grained texture.
NEXT:
Return to Interstate 35 and follow it southwest to exit for Thomson Hill Rest Area near the
crest of the hill west of Duluth. Follow signs to rest area (Stop 5-25).
STOP 5-25. Mesoproterozoic (Keweenawan)
Duluth Complex at Duluth
Location: T.49N., R.15W., Sec. 14 SE, NW;
Thomson Hill Rest Area on Skyline Parkway.
West Duluth 7.5-minute quadrangle.
UTM: 560,700E/5,175,380N

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE:
The well-exposed gabbroic rocks forming the escarpment above the city of Duluth have long
been recognized as the type section of the Duluth Complex. While early surveys recognized the
presence of two distinct rock types in the Duluth area - normal gabbros and feldspathic gabbros
(Winchell, 1900), Grout was the first to interpret the layered gabbros as a product of convection
and magma differentiation (Grout, 1918a-c). Taylor (1964) produced the first detailed-scale
(1:24,000) geologic map of the complex in the Duluth area wherein he distinguished the
stratiform gabbro cumulates of the layered series from the older, structurally complex anorthositic
series. He interpreted the structural complexity of the anorthositic series as having formed from
multiple injections of a plagioclase crystal mush. He also recognized the differentiated character
of the layered series and pointed out that it was basically similar to the Skaergaard Intrusion - the
classic example of a well-differentiated intrusion formed by fractional crystallization of a
tholeiitic magma (Wager and Deer, 1939). More recently, detailed mapping and petrologic
studies in the Duluth area have added substantially to our understanding of emplacement and
crystallization history of these two series here at the type locality of the Duluth Complex (Miller
and Ripley, 1996, Miller and others, 2002). See Green and Miller, this abstract volume for more
details about the geology of the Duluth Complex at Duluth.
In two outcrops at this stop, we can view exposures that demonstrate the inclusion/intrusion
relationship between of anorthositic and layered series rocks and that illustrate the macrocyclic
nature of the cumulate rocks which characterizes the medial part of the Layered Series at Duluth,
an interval called the cyclic zone.
DESCRIPTION 5-25A:
In the road cut north of the rest area parking lot is an exposure of intermittently layered, wellfoliated olivine oxide gabbro hosting several meter-sized, flattened inclusions of olivine
anorthosite. The gabbro is a four-phase cumulate of plagioclase, augite, Fe-Ti oxide and olivine.
This cumulate typifies the upper gabbroic parts of troctolite→gabbro macrocycles that

Page 159

�characterize the cyclic zone. In this three-dimensional view, the anorthositic inclusions clearly
have a pancake shape that is conformable to layering and foliation in the host gabbro. This may
represent the original shape of the inclusions or it may indicate compaction of a partially molten
blocks. In either case, the occurrence of anorthositic inclusions in layered series rocks is a
ubiquitous feature throughout the Duluth Complex. That the opposite relationship is rarely if
ever observed has reinforced the longstanding interpretation that the anorthositic series is older
than layered series. However, high precision U-Pb dating (Paces and Miller, 1993) has shown
that this age difference is less than 1 million years relative to the 20-million year magmatic
history of the Midcontinent Rift.
DESCRIPTION 5-25B:
In the layered sequence of gabbroic rocks exposed along the 200-m-long roadcut below the
observation deck (Fig. 5.7), changes in cumulus mineral assemblages are displayed that
characterize the cyclic zone of the Duluth Layered Series. The approximately 1-km thick cyclic
zone is composed of five to six major macrocycles, ranging in thickness between 50 and 200 m,
within which troctolitic cumulates (Pl+Ol) grade upward into gabbroic cumulates
(Pl+Cpx+FeOx±Ol). Boundaries between the macrocycles are defined by abrupt cumulate
reversals back to troctolitic cumulates and are also commonly marked by the occurrence of
anorthosite inclusions and microgabbro cumulates at the top of the lower cycle. This exposure
traverses the boundary between the third and fourth macrocycles.

Figure 5.7. Geology and cryptic variation of mineral compositions along Skyline Parkway road
cut near Thompson Hill rest area, Stop 5-24B. View is to the north. Dip of lamination and
layering is exaggerated; it averages about 20° to the east. Contacts between units are
gradational over thicknesses of 10 cm to 1 m. Mineral composition parameters are An in
plagioclase = CaO/(CaO+Na2O+K2O), En' in augite and Fo in olivine = MgO/(MgO+FeO);
all in mole%. Cumulus rock codes (in parentheses) list abbreviations of minerals in
decreasing order of abundance (P/p plagioclase, C/c-clinopyroxene (augite); F/f -Fe-Ti oxide;
O/o-olivine; upper case = cumulus mineral, lower case = intercumulus minerals). Samples
A-G are noted by dark circles.
The west end of the road cut begins with a coarse-grained, moderately laminated, subophitic
olivine gabbro, which locally is intergranular and elsewhere is leucocratic (sample A, Fig. 5.7).
Augite in this rock is marginally cumulus but becomes definitely so quickly up-section where it
consistently has an anhedral granular to subprismatic habit (sample B). Beyond a poorly exposed
interval, this gabbro is interlayered with a 2-m-thick interval in which minor olivine becomes

Page 160

�subpoikilitic and concentrated in layers (sample C). Another 3 m above this, the coarse gabbro
passes into a medium- to medium fine-grained, well-laminated, subpoikilitic olivine-bearing
oxide gabbro (samples D and D') which displays layering of olivine oikocryst concentration and
elsewhere isomodal layers rich in Fe-Ti oxide and pyroxene. The very strong foliation and
subhedral to euhedral habit of cumulus phases (plagioclase, pyroxene, and ilmenite) impart an
adcumulate texture to this rock. Over a poorly exposed interval about 15 m long is an altered,
coarse-grained, ophitic gabbroic anorthosite (sample E) that is texturally and mineralogically
identical to rocks in the anorthositic series. At the beginning of the next well-exposed section of
roadcut, several similar gabbroic anorthosite inclusions are found in a coarse-grained, subophitic
to intergranular olivine gabbro (sample F), which gradually grades upward into a more
consistently subophitic texture over the remainder of the roadcut (sample G). This rock type
closely resembles that at the west end of the roadcut and indicates a downgrading in the cumulus
status of pyroxene (and oxide?) and a reemergence of cumulus olivine.
At first glance, a sensible interpretation of this cumulus regression is that it represents a
magma recharge event. However, the cryptic variation of En and Fo across the cumulus
regression exposed in this section (Fig. 5.7) is the reverse of what would be expected from
magma recharge. An alternative explanation to magma recharge is that the textural and
compositional variations across this interval reflect decompression of the chamber due to eruption
to the surface. Decompression of a volatile-enriched magma would cause supercooling and
multiple saturation of the magma and thereby explain the abrupt decreases in grain size and
cumulus phase changes without much compositional variation. Magma expulsion through the
roof of the layered series would also explain the occurrence of a gabbroic anorthosite inclusion at
the cumulate regression. The hydrothermally altered nature of the gabbroic anorthosite is
consistent with a volatile-rich environment in the anorthositic series cupola of the Duluth Layered
Series magma chamber. The cumulus reversal to ophitic olivine gabbro without an increase in
mg# could be explained by repressurization of a devolatilized magma.
NEXT:
Return to Interstate Highway 35 and travel southwest on it approximately 3 miles to Highway
13, Midway Road. Turn north on Midway road and continue 0.8 mi. to road to east (right).
Follow road east approximately 0.2 mi., disembark and walk east to base of bluff.
West of Duluth (refer to Figures 5.1, 5.5, and 5.8)
STOP 5-26.
Mesoproterozoic /Paleoproterozoic
Unconformity
Location: T.49N., R.15W., Sec. 17 SE, SW.
Esko 7.5-minute quadrangle.
UTM: 555,580E/5,174,380N

Page 161

�DESCRIPTION:
This area contains exposures showing the unconformable relationship between the
Paleoproterozoic Thomson Formation (will see at Stop 5-28), and the Mesoproterozoic
(Keweenawan) North Shore Volcanic Group. Scattered outcrops in the brushy area just west of
the bluff are folded and metamorphosed feldspathic graywacke, siltstone, and mudstone or slate
of the Thomson Formation. By contrast the Keweenawan strata exposed in the bluff have been
little affected by tectonism since deposition, as shown by their gentle dip to the east. The
unconformity is not exposed; but, inferring from the two sets of exposures, it appears to be an
angular one. It represents a nearly 800 million-year hiatus, based on an age of roughly 1100 Ma
for the Lakeside lavas northeast of here (Davis and Green, 1997) versus a date of about 1880 Ma
for tuff interbedded with iron-formation in the Animikie Group, of which the Thomson Formation
is a component (Fralick and others, 2002).
The Keweenawan stratigraphic section in this area consists of a basal sedimentary unit, the
Nopeming formation, which is conformably overlain by the Ely’s Peak basalts. The latter
comprise the oldest volcanic strata of the North Shore Volcanic Group. The Nopeming consists
of approximately 30 feet (10 m) of interbedded conglomerate and quartz arenite, with minor
siltstone beds in the uppermost part of the unit. Much of the sandstone is medium- to coarsegrained, well-sorted and rounded, quartz arenite. The uppermost, silty parts of the Nopeming
contain load casts and other structures indicating soft-sediment deformation. The overlying Ely’s
Peak basalts locally contain well-developed pillow structures, indicating subaqueous deposition.
Interestingly, a nearly identical stratigraphic sequence—the Puckwunge Formation—is observed
150 miles to the northeast near Grand Portage (Mattis, 1972). Together, these sequences are
representative of a broad depositional and tectonic setting at the onset of Keweenawan deposition
in this part of the Lake Superior region.
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE:
The stratigraphic position of the Nopeming at the base of the Keweenawan and its correlation
with the Puckwunge Formation in the Grand Portage area and the Bessemer Quartzite in the
Ironwood, Michigan area has long been accepted. However, a curious complication to this
simple interpretation is presented by the 120 year old record of a 500' deep well drilled about 3
miles due south of this site. The log of the Short Line Park well, as reported by Winchell (1889),
encountered sandstone and conglomerate, very similar in appearance to the Nopeming that was
interlayered with basaltic lavas over a 140-foot interval. Surprisingly, the lower 84 feet of the
hole is reported to be exclusively in basalt. This has led some to question whether the Nopeming
is the basal unit or just an interflow sedimentary unit (Mattis, 1972). If the latter is correct, it
implies a north-south fault along the base of the slope at this site.
NEXT:
Return to Interstate 35, cross under it, and continue south to join with Becks Road. Follow
Becks Road southeast to Gary-New Duluth and Highway 23. Turn south (right) on 23 and follow
it through town. At the south edge of town, Highway 23 turns west (right); follow it into the city
of Fond du Lac. At the west edge of Fond du Lac, turn northwest (right) on Highway 210 and
turn very shortly afterward to left into city park. Walk to northwest to edge of bluff (Stop 5-27).

Page 162

�Figure 5.8. Geology and location of stops in the Fond du Lac, Jay Cooke State Park, and
Thomson Dam areas (modified from Jirsa and Morey, 1987).
STOP 5-27.
Mesoproterozoic Fond du Lac Formation
Location: T.48N., R.15W., sec. 6 SE, SE along west
shore of St. Louis River near city park.
Esko 7.5-minute quadrangle (SEE Fig. 5.8 for
location).
UTM: 554,670E/5,168,140N

DESCRIPTION:
The Fond du Lac Formation consists of nearly 800 feet of red sandstone, shale, and minor
basal conglomerate, of which only a few hundred feet are exposed here along the lower St. Louis
River. It is part of an accumulation of as much as 20,000 feet of clastic sediments deposited in
the central Lake Superior region following Keweenawan volcanism. The Fond du Lac is
considered to be equivalent to the Orienta Sandstone of the Bayfield Group in Wisconsin, and the
Jacobsville Sandstone of Michigan. In this area (though not visible at this locality), the Fond du
Lac unconformably overlies rocks of the Paleoproterozoic Thomson Formation, Ely’s Peak
basalts, and the Duluth Complex (Morey, 1967). The sandstone consists of poorly sorted arkose
to subarkose, containing clasts of quartz, chert, microcline, micas, and minor volcanic rocks;
implying a source from both outside and inside of the Midcontinent rift. Depositional structures,
primarily trough cross-bedding, indicate transport to the east. These sedimentary structures, and
the presence of mud cracks and rain imprints, indicate fluvial deposition by streams that
meandered across a broad alluvial plane (Morey and Ojakangas, 1982; see also papers in
Ojakangas and others, 1997).
NEXT:
Return to northwest-bound Highway 210 and follow it for about 5 miles to entrance to Jay
Cooke State Park. Turn in at main park building area on south side of 210.

Page 163

�STOP 5-28, Location 5-28A
Paleoproterozoic Thomson Formation
Location 5-28A: T.48N., R.16W., Sec. 9 NW,
SE; Jay Cooke State Park.
Esko 7.5-minute quadrangle.
UTM: 548,120/5,166,870N

DESCRIPTION 5-28A:
The walking bridge over the river south of the park buildings provides a vantage (depending
on river level) to steeply dipping beds of graywacke, siltstone, and slate of the Thomson
Formation. The Thomson is the upper stratigraphic unit of the Paleoproterozoic Animikie Group,
presumably equivalent with the Virginia Formation discussed in stops 5-4, 5, and 6.
Geochronologic data indicate that the Thomson Formation was deposited approximately 18701880 Ma (broadly inferred from Fralick and others, 2002), and was deformed during the
Penokean orogeny (ca 1850 Ma). As shown in Figure 5.8, the Thomson is unconformably
overlain by redbeds of the Mesoproterozoic Fond du Lac Formation, exposed discontinuously just
to the east. The unconformity, marked by a basal quartz-pebble conglomerate, can be seen with
some difficulty in the river bed at low-water levels near Oldenburg Point, and up Little Creek to
the northeast.
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
In the 1950’s, the Thomson Formation was considered by a number of authors (e.g., Grout
and others, 1951) to be equivalent with the Knife Lake Group in northeastern Minnesota. The
two rocks share many of the same structural and lithologic attributes. Most significantly, they
both unconformably overlie Archean granitic rocks locally. For clarity, the Thomson is part of a
sequence of strata that was known to unconformably overlie “Laurentian” granite. As compelling
as this argument is, the Thomson is broadly equivalent to the Virginia Formation on the Mesabi
range, with which continuity can now be established from geophysical and drill hole data, and the
Rove Formation in the Gunflint district. Thus, the Thomson is now assigned as the uppermost
unit of the Paleoproterozoic Animikie Group; and the Knife Lake is interpreted to have formed in
part within a successor basin during latest Archean.
NEXT:
Return to Highway 210 and continue northwest approximately 1.6 miles to Thomson Dam.

Page 164

�STOP 5-28, Location 5-28B
Paleoproterozoic Thomson Formation

T.48N., R.16W., sec. 5 SW SW; Thomson
Dam.
Cloquet 7.5-minute quadrangle.
UTM: 545,610E/5,168,100N

DESCRIPTION 5-28B:
This is the type locality of the Thomson Formation, represented by approximately 650 feet of
strata exposed between the dam north of Highway 210 and the RR bridge south of it. These
exposures contain about equal proportions of graywacke, siltstone, and slate; metamorphosed to
the greenschist facies. The formation contains abundant carbonate-rich concretions that locally
are useful for delineating bedding in otherwise massive graywacke beds. Graywacke units range
in thickness from 1 inch (2 cm) to 14 feet (4 m), and commonly display sedimentary structures
indicative of turbidite deposition, included graded bedding, cross-bedding, sole marks, flute casts,
and flame and ball structures (Morey and Ojakangas, 1970). Cross-bedding indicates flow to the
south; though the trends of other structures imply more diverse and localized paleoslope
directions.
Structures in the Thomson Formation include gentle to open folds on varied scales,
presumably related to deformation during the Penokean orogeny (Holst, 1984). The fold axes
trend east, have vertical to steep south dips, and plunge gently east and west. A well developed
axial-planar cleavage is present in the slaty beds, and concretions and mud chips are flattened in
the plane of cleavage. The cleavage is deformed locally by kink bands. Quartz veins ranging in
width from several cm to 3 meters are common in the formation. One of the largest, just north of
the Highway 210 bridge, occupies an extensional fracture near the crest of a large anticline.
Smaller veins are more contorted, and presumably were folded along with the adjacent rock.
Several dikes of ophitic microgabbro ranging in width from a few inches to 200 feet (65 m) form
a dike swarm that occupies northeast-trending joints (Fig. 5.8). The dikes are generally fine- to
medium-grained and have chilled, fine-grained margins. Their precise age is unknown; however,
their northeast trend and composition implies that they are related to the Mesoproterozoic
Midcontinent rift.
END OF TRIP
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Schultz-Ela, D.D., and Hudleston, P.J., 1991, Strain in an Archean greenstone belt of Minnesota:
Tectonophysics 190:233-268.

Page 168

�Schulz, K.J., 1980, The magmatic evolution of the Vermilion greenstone belt, NE Minnesota: Precambrian
Research 11:215-245.
Schwartz, G.M., Goldich, S.S., Marsden, R.W., eds., 1956, Field Trip 1: Precambrian of northeastern
Minnesota: GSA Guidebook Series, 235 p.
Sims, P.K., 1972, History of geologic investigations: in Sims, P.K., and Morey, G.B., eds., Geology of
Minnesota: A centennial volume: Minnesota Geological Survey, p. 21-26.
Southwick, D.L., Boerboom, T.J., and Jirsa, M.A., 1998, Geologic setting and descriptive geochemistry of
Archean supracrustal and hypabyssal rocks, Soudan-Bigfork area, northern Minnesota: Minnesota
Geological Survey Report of Investigations 51, 69p.
Southwick, D.L., Morey, G.B., and McSwiggen, P.L., 1988, Geologic map of the Penokean orogen, central
and eastern Minnesota, and accompanying text: Minnesota Geological Survey Report of
Investigations 37, 25p.
Sutton, T.C., 1963, Geology of the Virginia horn area: Minneapolis, University of Minnesota, M.S. thesis,
97 p.
Taylor, R. B., 1964, Geology of the Duluth Gabbro Complex near Duluth, Minnesota. Minnesota
Geological Survey Bulletin 44, 63 p.
Vervoort, J.D., and Green, J.C., 1997, Origin of evolved magmas in the Midcontinent rift system, northeast
Minnesota: Nd-isotope evidence for melting of Archean crust: Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences
34:521-535.
Wager, L.R., and Deer, W.A., 1939, Geological investigations in East Greenland, Part III. The petrology of
the Skaergaard intrusion, Kangerdlugssuaq, East Greenland. Meddr. Gronland. 105, 352 p.
Winchell, N.H., 1889, 18th Annual Report of the Minnesota Geological and Natural History Survey.
Winchell, N.H., 1899, The Geology of Minnesota. Geological and Natural History Survey of Minnesota,
Final Report v. 4, 629 p.
Winchell, N.H., 1900, The Geology of Minnesota, Geological and Natural History Survey of Minnesota,
Final Report v. 5, 1025 p.
White, W.S., 1972, The base of the Upper Keweenawan, Michigan and Wisconsin: U.S. Geological Survey
Bulletin 1354-F, 23 p.

Page 169

�FIELD TRIP 6
GLACIAL AND POSTGLACIAL LANDSCAPE EVOLUTION IN
THE GLACIAL LAKE AITKIN AND UPHAM BASIN, NORTHERN
MINNESOTA
Lisa Marlow; Phil Larson; Howard Mooers, Department of Geological Sciences,
University of Minnesota - Duluth

Glacial Lake Aitkin and Upham Road Log with numbered field trip stops, geographic
markers and discussion sites: F: Farnum site, B: Baker Spider Creek site, and Hay Lake.
Image from 30 meter Digital Elevation Model of Minnesota
Page 170

�GLACIAL AND POSTGLACIAL LANDSCAPE EVOLUTION IN THE GLACIAL
LAKE AITKIN AND UPHAM BASIN, NORTHERN MINNESOTA

Lisa Marlow; Phil Larson; Howard Mooers, Department of Geological Sciences,
University of Minnesota – Duluth

INTRODUCTION
Recent investigations into the glacial geology of northeastern Minnesota have
considerably revised the glacial chronology. This field trip examines features (landforms
and stratigraphy) of the Glacial Lakes Aitkin and Upham basins that record a complex
sequence of events related to advance and retreat of the Laurentide Ice Sheet.
Deglaciation and formation of glacial Lakes Aitkin and Upham were followed by
drainage of the lakes and eolian activity on exposed lacustrine sediments.
Glacial Lakes Aitkin and Upham occupied a basin bounded by the Giants Range
to the north and moraines of the Superior and Rainy Lobes and St. Louis Sublobe to the
south, east, and west; respectively.

As the Rainy Lobe retreated during the Late

Wisconsin, meltwater ponded in front of the ice forming proglacial Lakes Aitkin and
Upham I. As the Rainy Lobe continued to retreat northeastward across the basin to a
margin roughly coincident with the Giants Range, the St. Louis sublobe advanced into
the basin (Fig. 6-1). Stagnation and melting of the St. Louis sublobe resulted in formation
of Glacial Lakes Aitkin and Upham II (Hobbs 1983). Continued retreat of the Rainy Lobe
northward from the Giants Range resulted in formation of Glacial Lakes Norwood and
Koochiching, both of which drained southward into Aitkin and Upham II. The evolution
of the lakes by a combination of downcutting of the outlets and isostatic rebound is
recorded by a series of beaches, wave-cut scarps, and multiple outlets.
Dune formation in the Glacial Lakes Aitkin and Upham II basin was strongly
controlled by sediment availability. Dune clusters show a strong correlation with the
presence of underlying fine-grained nearshore lacustrine sand. Dune formation was
likely episodic, coinciding with periods of rapid lake level lowering and exposure of
nearshore sands. Cessation of eolian activity resulted from more gradual stabilization of
dunefields. Peaks in eolian activity are indicated at 9.8, 9.3 and 7.4 kyr BP (all dates

Page 171

�given in C14 years BP) by the magnetic susceptibility record of Hay Lake, a small lake
near the Glacial Lake Upham II shoreline (Figs. 6-2 and 6-3). These peaks in eolian
activity may coincide with episodes of drainage of Upham II and Aitkin II.

Figure 6-1. The Glacial Lake Aitkin and Upham basin. Beaches are noted by shaded
polygons; dunes appear as black dots in the basin; boundaries and channels noted as
black lines. Field trip stops will illustrate examples of the following: beach, dune,
underflow fan, rhythmites, alluvial fan, Lake Upham sediments in Rainy lobe outwash
and a wave-washed esker. Map is modified from Hobbs (1983).

Page 172

�Figure 6-2. Location of Hay Lake. The lined region indicates the Lake Upham upland
area; white polygons are dunes. (Vanduse 7.5’ USGS quadrangle)

(gyttja)

(marl)

C14

Figure 6-3. Hay Lake sediment core (8.57m): 1. Lithology 2. Age-depth model
3. Magnetic susceptibility 4. Composition 5. Mass accumulation rate.

Page 173

�The dunefields in the Glacial Lakes Aitkin and Upham II basin display similarity
to other Quaternary eolian deposits throughout Minnesota and the Midwest (Figs. 6-4 and
6-5). Despite well over a century of research on Minnesota's glacial landscape, these
paleodunefields have received relatively little attention. Although mentioned by Upham
(1896), Winchell (1896), Hall and Sardeson (1898), Elftman (1898), Leverett and
Sardeson (1919) and Leverett (1932), the first comprehensive work on Minnesota's eolian
landscape was that of Cooper (1935, 1938).

Figure 6-4. North American dune and loess distribution. (Brady and Weil, 2000)
96°
94°

92°

90°

Conifer/
Hardwood

48°
4

Lake Aitkin and Upham
basin

3
1
46°

2

Prairie

Deciduous

44°

0

100km

Figure 6-5. Location of sites in Minnesota associated with eolian sedimentation
referenced in the text. 1) Hay Lake 2) Lake Ann 3) Elk Lake 4) Lake Winnibigoshish.
Filled areas are prominent dune colonies. (Modified from Keen and Shane 1990)

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�More recently, Grigal and others (1976) examined a dunefield exposed along the
southeast shore of Lake Winnibigoshish (Fig. 6-5). They described several buried soil horizons,
which yielded radiocarbon dates in the range of 7910 to at least 5040 yr BP suggesting episodic
dune formation during the mid-Holocene The formation of these dunes was related to lake-level
instability and episodic exposure of littoral areas to wind erosion during the mid-Holocene
(Larson and Mooers 2003).
The mid-Holocene climate in the upper Midwest was considerably warmer and drier than
the modern climate (Webb et al. 1983; Bartlein et al. 1984; Dean et al. 1984; COHMAP 1988;
Dean et al. 1996). The warmer, drier conditions resulted in an eastward shift of prairie ecotone
(Fig. 6-5). Lower groundwater levels were accompanied by lake level lowering, particularly in
groundwater-dominant closed-basin lakes and ponds, and increased fire frequency and
vegetational stress locally resulted in landscape destabilization.
Grigal and others (1976) speculated that the dunes of the Anoka Sand Plain may be midHolocene in age, an idea Keen and Shane (1990) explored in detail in their paleoenvironmental
investigation of Ann Lake (Fig. 6-5). They concluded that there was a relatively continuous
record of eolian activity throughout the mid-Holocene, a reversal of the ideas of earlier workers
(Hall and Sardeson 1898; Cooper 1935). Keen and Shane’s (1990) whole-core magnetic
susceptibility record from Ann Lake records increased silt and fine sand input to the lake from
about 8.0 until 4.5 kyr BP with discrete peaks in clastic input at ca. 7.4, 5.8, and 4.9 kyr BP.
However, it is difficult to distinguish whether this sediment was exported to the lake directly
from active dunes on the shore, eroded from the shoreline due to lake level instability, or
deposited suspended airborne sediment. Despite these ambiguities, they concluded that the
increased clastic input to Ann Lake was due to landscape destabilization and widespread dune
activity on the Anoka Sand Plain.
The distinction between lake level lowering and landscape destabilization as triggers of
eolian activity is subtle but important. Although the prairie ecotone shifted eastward during the
mid-Holocene, this in itself did not create an environment conducive to widespread landscape
destabilization. At present in the central Dakotas there are numerous locations with ample
sediment availability, but no widespread dune formation because of the stabilizing vegetation of
the prairie environment. Landscape destabilization and dune formation in the existing prairie

Page 175

�environment occurs by excessive drying such as in the Nebraska Sand Hills (Winspear and Pye
1996). Viewed in this context, while Grigal and others (1976) obtained dates from paleosols
buried by eolian events, the Keen and Shane (1990) and Dean (1997) magnetic susceptibility
records may merely be a record of dryer, dustier conditions during the mid-Holocene rather than
pervasive local eolian activity.
Today the Glacial Lakes Aitkin and Upham basin is patchwork of small ‘islands’
occupied by upland vegetation formed on stabilized dunes. The ‘islands’ are interrupted by vast
areas of peatland developed on the poorly drained, low-relief lakebed composed of fine-grained
lacustrine sediment. Locally, scattered topographic highs are underlain by older glacial
sediments predating formation of the lakes.
STOP 6 – 1. Glacial Lake Duluth underflow fan. (NW¼ SW¼ Sec. 30, T48N, R15W,
Carlton County, Frogner 7.5’ USGS quadrangle; 553728E, 5161950N, NAD83)
This location preserves the record of several glacial events that affected the western Lake
Superior region and provides insight into their relative chronologies. Here, red Glacial Lake
Duluth clays are overlain by a subaqueous fan deposited by meltwater from Glacial Lake Aitkin
and Upham II (Fig. 6-6). These in turn are overlain by Superior Lobe till deposited by of the
Marquette advance. These relationships indicate meltwater drained from Glacial Lake Upham
into Glacial Lake Duluth (Table 1) (Mooers and Lehr 1997; Clayton and Moran 1982; Wright
1972; Wright et al. 1973).
During the last phase of Glacial Lakes Aitkin and Upham II, the two lakes were thought
to have separated and drained through different outlets; Upham through the St. Louis River and
Aitkin through the Mississippi River (Hobbs 1983). A digital elevation model (DEM)
reconstruction correcting the basin for isostatic rebound confirms the separation of the two lakes
(Marlow 2004). The Mississippi River outlet to Aitkin is a relatively narrow passage through
collapsed ice-cored terrain. It is unlikely this underdeveloped outlet carried significant
meltwater. Final drainage of Aitkin therefore occurred after significant meltwater contributions
to the lake basins had ceased.

Page 176

�Figure 6-6. Stop 6-1. Underflow fan at the mouth of the St. Louis River drainage in Glacial
Lake Duluth basin. The sediments were deposited by meltwater from Glacial Lake Upham II.

Page 177

�Table 6-1. The glacial chronology of northeastern Minnesota outlined resulted from a
compilation of several resources (Mooers &amp; Lehr, 1997; Larson (unpublished); Marlow, 2004;
Bjork, 1990; Wright, 1972; Clayton &amp; Moran, 1982; Hobbs, 1983; Fenton, 1983; Clayton, 1983;
Lehr &amp; Hobbs, 1992)

Phase

Moraine

Lobe

Glacial Lakes

Other events

C14
Date
(kyr
BP)

drainage of Aitkin II
Marquette

Superior

Vermilion Vermilion

Big Rice

Big Rice/
Wampus

9.9

Rainy

Rainy

Aitkin
II
Upham
II

Allen

Rainy

Alborn

Culver

St.
Louis

Split
Rock

Cloquet

Superior

~11.7
12.0

St. Louis River outlet
Inflow from Embarrass
gap
Us-Kab-WanKa/Chicken/
Hellwig/Birch/Spider
outlets
formation of Goodland
esker

Nickerson Nickerson Superior

North of
Nashwau
k

Duluth

drainage of Upham II
cessation of meltwater
inflow to Aitkin and
Upham II
L. Duluth underflow
fan
Inflow from Prairie
River

~13.0

Aitkin Upham
I
I

Automba

Sandy
Lake
Outing

St. Croix

St. Croix

Rainy
Rainy
~15.516

Rainy

Page 178

�STOP 6 – 2. Hellwig Creek outlet and Glacial Lake Upham II basin overlook. (SE ¼ SE ¼
Sec. 34, T53N, R17W, St. Louis County, Canyon 7.5’ USGS quadrangle; 540174E,
5207618N, NAD83)
This stop is near beaches and outlets that existed during the earliest phases of Glacial
Lake Upham II, and provides a good overlook from the Upham shore into the basin (Fig. 6-7).

Figure 6-7. Stop 6-2. Location of early outlets to Lake Upham; Triangle marks location of core
taken by Baker (1965) containing marl. Circle indicates stop 2 site.

Page 179

�Following stagnation of St. Louis Sublobe ice meltwater flowed through a combination
of surface and englacial channels toward the ice margin then along the ice margin through a
chain of small proglacial lakes.
Among the earliest and highest outlets in the Upham basin from which these small lakes
drained were the Us-Kab-Wan-Ka River (427 m; 1400’) and Chicken Creek (434 m; 1425’)
channels. These channels drained to the southeast along the margin of the Superior Lobe
eventually reaching the St. Croix River (Hobbs, 1983). Proglacial lakes and subglacial meltwater
in the Aitkin basin drained southward through the Snake channel (381 m; 1250’) to the St. Croix
River and perhaps southwest to the Mississippi River (378 m; 1240’) (Hobbs 1983). All of these
outlets lie above the highest main beaches of Glacial Lakes Aitkin and Upham II, and the DEM
correction for isostatic rebound indicates ice must have been present in the basin for them to
function (Marlow 2004). Therefore they were likely associated with small proglacial lakes rather
than the main stages of the lakes.
After the St. Louis Sublobe advance, the margin of the Rainy Lobe retreated north of the
Giants Range resulting in the ponding of water between the retreating ice and the Giants Range,
forming Glacial Lake Norwood (Fig. 6-8) (Winchell 1901; Hobbs 1983). Glacial Lake Norwood
drained south through the Embarrass Gap entering Glacial Lake Upham II at an elevation of 436
m (1450’) (Hobbs 1983). This was the first major meltwater inlet to Glacial Lakes Aitkin and
Upham II. During this time a significant amount of stagnant ice remained in the basin, and it is
possible that Aitkin and Upham were separated by stagnant ice along the Swan River Sill (Fig. 68).
As the Rainy Lobe continued to retreat northward, Glacial Lake Norwood increased in
extent.

Downcutting in the Embarrass Gap lowered the level first to 436 m (1430’) and

eventually to 427 m (1400’). This lower stage is known as Glacial Lake Koochiching (Nikiforoff
1947; Hobbs 1983; Lehr and Hobbs 1992; Leverett 1932).
While Glacial Lake Norwood was in existence, the upper strandlines (411 to 421 m;
1350-1380’) in the extreme northeastern part of Glacial Lake Upham II formed. These levels of
Upham likely correspond to outlets at Hellwig Creek (409 m; 1330’), Birch (406 m; 1320’), and
Spider Creek (400 m; 1300’). A combination of isostatic rebound and downcutting eventually led

Page 180

�to successive abandonment of the Hellwig Creek, Birch, and Spider Creek outlets and lake level
drop.
Baker (1965) reported a bulk radiocarbon date of 13,000±400 (W-1234) yr B.P from a
sequence of lacustrine marl within the Spider Creek outlet (Fig. 6-7; and “s” in Fig. 6-8). The
marl must post-date the cessation of drainage through the channel since marl formation requires
shallow still water. Baker (1965) expressed concern that this date was too old due to possible
contamination by lignite. However, this date is consistent with the other evidence presented in
this guide. The Spider Creek date places the minimum age of Glacial Lakes Aitkin and Upham
II, and therefore the maximum limit of the St. Louis Sublobe, prior to 13.0 kyr B.P.

Figure 6-8. Significant features associated with the recession of the Rainy Lobe after the St.
Louis sublobe advance. Glacial Lake Norwood (LN) extent is indicated by a dashed line.

Page 181

�STOP 6 – 3. Wave-washed esker island (NE¼ NE¼ Sec. 1, T54N, R20W, St. Louis County,
Toivola 7.5’ USGS quadrangle, 514367E, 5226982N, NAD83).
There are many landforms within the Glacial Lakes Aitkin and Upham II basins that
predate development of the lakes. This exposure is an example of an esker deposited during
retreat of the Rainy Lobe that was later modified by waves. (Fig. 6-9). This esker and others like
it became wave-washed “islands” once Glacial Lakes Aitkin and Upham I and II formed.
Exposed at the base of the sequence are coarse gravels. The gravels contain abundant
northeast-provenance material and locally derived mudstone and shale from the Paleoproterozoic
Virginia Formation and perhaps younger Cretaceous strata. They were deposited by a beaded
esker system during retreat of the Rainy Lobe. Overlying the gravels is a fine-grained till
deposited by the St. Louis Sublobe. On top of the till is a sequence of nearshore sands and
gravels. These presumably eroded from that portion of the esker rising above the level of Glacial
Lake Upham II; the strandline formed at about 397 m (1200’) elevation. The uppermost portion
of the sequence is a blanket of eolian sediment exported from the surrounding lake plain to the
upland after final drainage of Upham.

Figure 6-9. Stop 6-3. Wave-washed esker island in Glacial Lake Upham II.

Page 182

�STOP 6 – 4. Rainy Lobe collapsed outwash, Glacial Lake Upham I sediments, and
St. Louis Sublobe till (NE¼ SE¼ Sec. 15, T57N, R19W, St. Louis County, Kirk 7.5’
USGS quadrangle; 520373E, 5251907N, NAD83)
The Glacial Lakes Aitkin and Upham basins were occupied by glacial lakes on
two separate occasions during the Late Wisconsin glaciation. The retreat of the Rainy and
Superior Lobes from their maximum positions formed a series of ice-cored recessional
moraines bordering the lake basins to the south and west leading to ponding of water and
formation of Glacial Lakes Aitkin and Upham I (Wright 1972; Hobbs 1983; Lehr and
Hobbs 1992). The initial retreat of the Rainy Lobe from the Mille Lacs and Outing
moraines (Mooers 1988) led to the formation of Aitkin I (Fig. 6-10). Continued retreat of
the Rainy Lobe from the Sandy Lake moraine led to the formation of Upham I. Although
the exact time of formation of Aitkin and Upham I is not known, it occurred after the
Rainy Lobe retreated from the St. Croix moraine about 15.5 kyr B.P. (Clayton and Moran
1982; Mooers and Lehr 1997), and before the St. Louis Sublobe advanced into the Aitkin
and Upham basins from the northwest.
Exposed at the base of the sequence are steeply south-dipping foreset beds of a
subaqueously deposited fan. These sediments are Rainy Lobe provenance, deposited
along the southern margin of stagnant ice lying on the southern slope of the Giant’s
Range, an area now characterized by collapsed ice-cored topography. The upper portion
of the sequence is a St. Louis Sublobe till. Between the fan sediments and till are a
number of elongate slabs of fine-grained lacustrine sediment derived from Glacial Lake
Upham I. This lacustrine sediment was eroded from deeper water and thrust onto the fan
during the advance of the St. Louis Sublobe (Figs. 6-11 and 6-12).
The relationships visible in this exposure indicate that the St. Louis Sublobe
advanced while a substantial amount of Rainy Lobe ice was still present south of the
Giant’s Range.

Page 183

�Figure 6-10. Prominent moraines in the Glacial Lakes Aitkin and Upham basin with
some modern features included. Modified from Mooers (1988) and Lehr and Hobbs
(1992).

Figure 6-11. Subaqueously deposited Rainy Lobe outwash exposed in a gravel pit near
Cherry, MN.

Page 184

�Figure 6-12. St. Louis sublobe till containing Glacial Lake Upham I sediment.

STOP 6 – 5. Eolian dunes. (SW¼ SW ¼ Sec. 31, T56N, R20W, St. Louis County,
Riley 7.5’ USGS quadrangle, 504626E, 5237098N, NAD83)
Exposed in the sand pit is a small (&lt;2 m) dune composed of characteristic 4-φ sand (62.5
microns or 230 mesh). Most of the sand exposed in the pit is massive and structureless.
However, relict cross bedding can be observed in small patches near the base of the
sequence. Primary sedimentary structures in the upper portion of the exposure have been
obliterated by bio and crioturbation.
Clusters of eolian dunes are widely distributed throughout the Glacial Lakes
Aitkin and Upham basins. They formed as Glacial Lakes Aitkin and Upham II
incrementally drained, exposing areas of littoral sediment to wind erosion. Dune heights
range from 1 to 5 meters and are composed of a characteristic fine to very fine grained
sand (Marlow 2004). They occur as parabolic or longitudinal dunes, but are commonly
distorted in morphology as a result of forming in a variable hydrologic environment (Fig.
6-13) (Bagnold 1941) There are a large number of longitudinal dunes and elongate
clusters of dunes oriented in a NW-SE direction, suggesting they formed under prevailing
NW winds (Fig. 14). Bagnold’s (1941) description of dunes indicates that they “tend to
occur in belts or chains, whose direction coincides with that of the resultant long-period

Page 185

�sand vector Q”, with Q being sand flow because of the sum of the strong and gentle wind
directions, and the width of the belt at right angles to Q.”

Figure 6-13. Distorted dunes in the northern end of Lake Aitkin basin showing a
combination of crescentic and longitudinal dunes (Jacobson and Split Hand 7.5 minute
USGS quadrangles).

Page 186

�Figure 6-14. Trend in dune clusters indicating a NW-SE wind direction. Elongate
polygons are beaches. Circles indicate stops 8, 9, and 10 sites.

STOP 6 – 6. Glacial Lake Upham II Shoreline. (SE¼ SE¼ Sec. 33, T56N, R21W, St.
Louis County, Silica 7.5’ USGS quadrangle, 499595E, 5236726N, NAD83)
After the time of upper beach formation, Lake Upham experienced a drop in water level
documented at Townline beach (411 m; 1350’) through the use of Ground Penetrating
Radar (Fig. 6-15). The GPR results are interpreted as a down stepping of shoreline
deposits (Fig. 6-16). The progradation of the bedform resulted in a constructional
shoreline and indicates regression of the lake. The regression is an example of Forced
Regression as discussed by Posamentier and Allen (1999). Forced regression takes place
when there is a relative sea-level fall that progressively exposes the sea (or lake) floor,
thereby causing the shoreline to migrate seaward (Posamentier and Allen 1999).

Page 187

�Figure 6-15. Shoreline of Glacial Lake Upham II along Townline Road south of
Hibbing. Shoreline indicated by black dotted line. Heavy solid line indicates where GPR
data was collected (Silica &amp; Riley 7.5 ‘ USGS quadrangle).

Figure 6-16. Ground Penetrating Radar profile of Glacial Lake Upham II shoreline.
Vertical data represents ~9 meter; horizontal data ~121 meters. (Data processing courtesy
of Nigel Wattrus at Large Lakes Observatory, University of Minnesota-Duluth)

Page 188

�STOP 6 – 7. Goodland Esker. (SE¼ NE¼ Sec. 9, T55N, R23W, Itasca County,
Calumet 7.5’ USGS quadrangle, 479736E, 5234496N, NAD83)
This stop is a gravel pit exposure in the Goodland esker, one of the most prominent
glacial landforms in Itasca County. The location of the esker and details of its formation
place important constraints on the timing of the St. Louis Sublobe advance and deposition
of the Alborn drift (Fig. 6-17).
The morphology of the esker system is best described by the model of Shreve
(1985). The proximal (with respect to the Giants Range) segment is an ~600 m wide, 10
km long channel incised into bedrock and older drift (tunnel valley), occupied by a multicrested esker. The medial segment consists of a single broad-crested esker segment
deposited in a 10 km long channel incised into the overlying ice. The distal component of
the esker system is a supraglacial fan complex.
The base of the subglacial channel drops from 428 m at the crest of the Giant’s
Range to &lt;400 m at a point 6 km downstream, then rising to 409 m over the next 4 km.
Downstream of this point, the elevation of the top of the broad-crested esker rises 19 m
over 10 km, from 434 to 455 m at the apex of the distal fan.
The transition from a multi-crested to broad-crested esker is apparently triggered
by an increase in the adverse slope up which the subglacial channel flowed. Multi-crested
eskers form in areas of moderate upgradient flow as the channel tends to migrate
laterally, rather than upward, in the ice, while broad-crested eskers form in areas of
steeper upgradient flow due to freezing of the tunnel walls, a process favoring low, wide
tunnel geometries (Shreve 1985).
Lithologies in the multi-crested segment esker are dominantly Archean granitics
and greenstones transported from north of the Giant’s Range. The broad-crested segment
has a markedly different lithologic assemblage than the multi-crested segment. In
addition to Archean lithologies, an abundance of Paleoproterozoic Animikie Basin
lithologies are present including quartzite, sulfidic mudstones, iron formation, and
pisolitic lateritic iron formation. The abundance of locally-derived Animikean lithologies
indicates material in the broad-crested segment was deposited as incision of the Nchannel was taking place upstream. The broad-crested segment is therefore older than the
multi-crested segment. The wide range of mean sizes of the various Animikean

Page 189

�lithologies attests to the strong control of primary rock characteristics on particle size.
Note in particular the abundance of Pokegama quartzite as large (~1 m) boulders and its
paucity in smaller size fractions.
Deposition of the distal fan occurred throughout the period the esker system was
active. The initial phase was characterized by deposition of a supraglacial fan on stagnant
ice. Fan deposits are identifiable up to 10 km from the fan apex, and cover in excess of
100 km2. The maximum elevation on the fan complex is about 477 m, indicating at least
20 m of ice was present above the outlet of the englacial channel at the fan apex. During
later stages of the esker system, underlying stagnant ice melted collapsing the earliest
deposited fan sediment. The final phase of fan formation was characterized by incision of
the collapsed fan head down to about 450 m.
The subglacial drainage system that deposited the esker was probably short-lived.
It could not have formed before the St. Louis Sublobe occupied the area around Grand
Rapids, blocking the natural southwesterly flow of meltwater from the watershed of the
present-day Prairie River. Similarly, it could not have persisted after St. Louis Sublobe
ice wasted away and the Prairie River began flowing into Glacial Lake Aitkin II.
Consequently, it may have been active a few hundred years at most. Despite its short
duration, the large size of the esker system – it is one of the largest in Minnesota – attests
to an enormous discharge of meltwater responsible for its formation. Meltwater was
gathered from an interlobate zone that existed to the north of the Giant’s Range between
the St. Louis Sublobe and the Rainy Lobe. This interlobate area may have drained well in
excess of 1000 km2 of the ice sheet.
The elevation difference between the fan apex (477 m) and the surrounding
(subglacial) landscape (400 m) indicate that a continuous cover of Rainy Lobe ice at least
75 m thick was present south of the Giant’s Range at the time of esker formation and
advance of the St. Louis Sublobe. This argues strongly against the postulated ice-free
zone between the northern margin of the St. Louis Sublobe and the southern margin of
the Rainy Lobe. Previous workers have postulated a relatively late advance for the St.
Louis Sublobe (ca. 11.7 kyr BP), correlating it with the Vermilion Phase (ca. 12.0 kyr
BP), or an even later phase, of the Rainy Lobe (Wright 1972; Hobbs 1983). However, the
presence of active Rainy Lobe ice just north of the Giant’s Range at the time of the

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�advance of the St. Louis Sublobe and esker formation provides further evidence that the
St. Louis Sublobe advanced at a significantly earlier date.

Figure 6-17. Main features of the Goodland esker system. (Image from 30 m DEM of
MN)

Page 191

�STOP 6 – 8. Prairie River underflow fan in Glacial Lake Aitkin II. (NE¼ NE¼ Sec.
35, T53N, R24W, Itasca County, Jacobson 7.5’ USGS quadrangle, 473831E,
5209702N, NAD83)
Glacial Lakes Aitkin and Upham II had two successive major meltwater inlets,
the Embarrass Gap and the Prairie River. Inflow of the Prairie River into Aitkin II
resulted in deposition of a large underflow fan extending 50 km from its apex (Hobbs
1983). The fan was later incised by the Mississippi River.
The cutbank at this stop exposes ~9 m of sandy underflow fan sediments
overlying a lacustrine clay (Fig. 6-18). Visible within the underflow sediments are several
Bouma sequences.
Outflow from Glacial Lake Koochiching into Glacial Lake Upham II through the
Embarrass Gap ceased when a lower outlet opened north of Grand Rapids because of
collapse of stagnant ice-cored terrain. Meltwater then flowed down the Prairie River into
Glacial Lake Aitkin II, lowering the level of Koochiching from 427 to 411 m (1400’ to
1350’) (Hobbs 1983) The Prairie River entered Glacial Lake Aitkin II at an elevation of
396 m (1300’) (Fig. 6-1). Although it is not known exactly when the Embarrass Gap was
abandoned, it must have occurred prior to a 10.2 kyr B.P. transition from predominantly
clastic to organic lake sedimentation in Sabin Lake located in the Embarrass Gap (Björk
1988; Lehr and Hobbs 1992). Fenton (1983) suggests that the Prairie River outlet was
initiated between 12.3 and 10.8 kyr B.P. based on the chronology of the Lake Agassiz
basin to the west. Clayton (1983) suggests 11.5 kyr B.P. for the inception of the Prairie
River outlet.
The Prairie River inlet was abandoned once Glacial Lake Koochiching began to
flow into Glacial Lake Climax. However, Glacial Lakes Aitkin and Upham II persisted
after abandonment on the last meltwater inlet. Upham finally drained as the St. Louis
River outlet was incised to its modern level. Hobbs (1983) indicates that water could
have still been flowing into Aitkin after drainage of Upham by way of the Mississippi
River, which has a prominent terrace at 389 m (1275’).
Farnham and others (1964) obtained a date of 11,635 yr BP on a paleosol in the
southwestern part of the Glacial Lake Aitkin II basin. This paleosol is overlain by a thin

Page 192

�marl and 3 feet of clay, indicating Aitkin was in existence well after this time. A
radiocarbon date of 10,000 yr BP was obtained from a marl from the Ball Bluff
quadrangle in the northeastern part of the Aitkin basin (Hobbs 1983) suggests the lake
persisted at least until this time.
There are two alternative explanations explaining how the southwestern portion of
the Glacial Lake Aitkin II basin was successively drained and re-inundated.
The close similarity between the presumed initiation of the Prairie River inlet at
11.5 kyr BP (Clayton 1983) and the re-inundation of the southwestern part of the Glacial
Lake Aitkin II basin at 11,635 yr BP suggests a causal relationship. Glacial Lake Aitkin
II may have assumed a lower, stable level by ca. 11.6 kyr BP. The relatively rapid
lowering of Glacial Lake Koochiching would have sent a surge of meltwater into the
lake, resulting in a rise in lake level even if only temporarily. The lacustrine sediment
overlying the Farnham (1964) paleosol was thus derived from the Prairie River inlet.
The alternate explanation is that much of the Aitkin basin was drained through
Glacial Lake Upham II by downcutting of the St. Louis River outlet. The Swan River Sill
controlled the water level in the remaining lake. As isostatic rebound of the basin
progressed, the sill on the northeastern side of the basin rose at a higher rate than the
southwestern portion of the basin. Lake level transgression resulted in re-inundation of
lake bottom exposed by drainage of Upham.

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�Figure 6-18. Stop 6-8. Exposure of the Prairie River underflow fan at a Mississippi
River cutbank.
STOP 6 – 9. Rhythmite in Glacial Lake Aitkin II. (SW¼ NW¼ Sec. 4, T52N, R23W,
Aitkin County, Jacobson 7.5’ USGS quadrangle, 479288E, 5207689N, NAD83)
A rhythmite is overlain by cross-bedded sands, which is then overlain by underflow
sediments. This is an interesting site that may document a dramatic inception of the
Prairie River inlet into a basin that was previously depositing clays.

Page 194

�STOP 6 – 10. Eolian dunes in Glacial Lake Upham II basin. (NW¼ NE¼ Sec. 18, T
52 N R 22 W, Aitkin County, Vanduse Lake 7.5’ USGS quadrangle, 486857E,
5204509N, NAD83)
Exposed at this site are eolian sand dunes overlying lacustrine clay of Glacial
Lake Upham II (Fig 6-19). Dunes in the Glacial Lakes Aitkin and Upham basins are most
densely concentrated near the inlet of the Prairie River to the Aitkin basin and east of the
Swan River Sill in the Upham basin (Fig. 6-14). The 4-φ mean grain size of the dunes
sampled in these areas in the basin match that of sediments from the underflow fan
sediments seen at Stop 8. These sediments have been mapped in the Aitkin and Itasca
Soil Surveys (Nyberg 1987, 1999) as the Zimmerman, Cowhorn, and Wawina soil series,
all composed of fine to very fine grained sands of lacustrine origin.
From the inception of Glacial Lakes Aitkin and Upham II net flow of water was
from Aitkin to Upham. The initiation of the Prairie River inlet greatly increased this
discharge. The flow of water from Aitkin to Upham resulted in formation the Ball Bluff
Spit (Marlow, 2004) extending eastward from the Swan River Sill (Fig. 6-19). The dense
dune clusters east of the Swan River Sill in the Upham basin formed from sediment
transported from the underflow fan.

Page 195

�Figure 6-19. Location of the Ball Bluff spit located within the dashed line. Circle at
stop 10 indicates where lacustrine clay is overlain by 1 m. of sand derived from the
underflow fan. Triangle indicates site where lake clay is exposed at the surface.

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Upper Peninsula of Michigan and the relationship to climate and outlet-controlled lake level. Geology
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Bagnold, R.A. 1941. The Physics of Blown Sand and Desert Dunes. William Morrow &amp; Company, 265 p.
Baker, R.G. 1965. Late-glacial pollen and plant macrofossils from Spider Creek, So. St. Louis County, MN.
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Ballantine, J.W. 1991. Late-Wisconsin Stratigraphy and Glacial History of Southwestern St. Louis County,
Minnesota. Unpublished Masters Thesis, University of Minnesota Duluth. 154 p.
Bartlein, P.J., Webb, T., and Fleri, E. 1984. Holocene climatic change in the northern Midwest: Pollen derived
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Björk, S. 1990. Late-Wisconsinan history North of Giants Range, northern Minnesota, inferred from complex
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Page 196

�Clayton, L. 1983. Chronology of Lake Agassiz drainage to Lake Superior, in Teller, J.T., and Clayton, Lee,
eds., Glacial Lake Agassiz: Geological Association of Canada Special Paper 26, 291-307.
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Cooper, W.S. 1935. The history of the Upper Mississippi River in late-Wisconsinan and post-glacial time.
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Cooper, W.S., 1938, Ancient dunes of the upper Mississippi Valley as possible climatic indicators. American
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Dean, W.E. 1999. The carbon cycle and biogeochemical dynamics in lake sediments. Journal of Paleolimnology
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Dean, W.E., Ahlbrandt, T.S., Anderson, R.Y., Bradbury, J.P., 1996, Regional aridity in North America during
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change: Evidence from varved lake sediments. Science 226, 1191-1194.
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Geologist 18, 225-226.
Farnham, R.S., McAndrews, J.H., and Wright, H.E. 1964. A Late-Wisconsin buried soil near Aitkin, Minnesota,
and its paleobotanical setting. American Journal of Science 262, 393-412.
Farrand, W.R. and Drexler. 1985. Late-Wisconsinan and Holocene History of the Lake Superior Basin. in
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17-32.
Fenton, M.M.(Moran, S.R.; Teller, J.T.; Clayton, Lee). 1983. Quaternary stratigraphy and history in the
southern part of the Lake Agassiz basin, in Teller, J.T., and Clayton, Lee, eds., Glacial Lake Agassiz.
Geological Association of Canada Special Paper 26, 49-74.
Grigal, D.F., Severson, R.C., Golz, G.E. 1976. Evidence of eolian activity in north-central Minnesota 8,000 to
5,000 yr. ago. Geological Society of America Bulletin 87, 1251-1254.
Hall and Sardeson, 1898, Eolian deposits of Eastern Minnesota. Bulletin of the Geological Society of America,
v. 10, p. 349-360.
Hobbs, H.C. 1983. Drainage relationships of Glacial Lakes Aitkin and Upham and early Lake Agassiz in
northeastern Minnesota. In Teller, J.T. and Clayton, L., eds., Glacial Lake Agassiz. Geological
Association of Canada Special Paper 26, 245-259.
Keen, K.L., Shane, L.C.K, 1990, A continuous record of Holocene eolian activity and vegetation change at
Lake Ann, east-central Minnesota. Geological Society of America Bulletin 102, 1646-1657.
Larson, P.C., and Mooers, H.D. 2003. Holocene drainage evolution of the Mississippi Headwaters, Minnesota:
implications for mid-Holocene eolian activity in the North American midcontinent. GSA Abstracts
with Programs 35 (7).
Lehr, J.D. and Hobbs, H. 1992. Field Trip Guidebook for the Glacial Geology of the Laurentian Divide Area,
St. Louis and Lake Counties, Minnesota. Minnesota Geological Survey Guidebook Series 18.
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Adjacent States. United States Geological Survey Professional Paper 161.
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Minnesota. Minnesota Geological Survey Bulletin 13.
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Thesis, University of Minnesota Duluth, 82 p.
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events. Geology 25, 987-990.
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central Minnesota. Unpublished Doctoral Thesis, University of Minnesota, 200 p.
Nikiforoff, C. 1947. The life history of Lake Agassiz: alternative interpretation. American Journal of Science
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Page 197

�Nyberg, P.R. 1985. Soil Survey of Itasca County, Minnesota. United States Department of Agriculture Soil
Conservation Service, 197 p.
Nyberg, P.R. 1999. Soil Survey of Aitkin County, Minnesota. United States Department of Agriculture Natural
Resource Conservation Service. 163 p.
Ojakangas, R.W. and Matsch, C.L., 1982, Minnesota’s Geology. University of Minnesota Press, 255 p.
Posamentier, H.W. and Allen, G.P. 1999. Siliciclastic Sequence Stratigraphy-Concepts and Applications. SEPM
Concepts in Sedimentology and Paleontology 7.
Seppala, M. 1993. Climbing and falling sand dunes in Finnish Lapland. in Pye, K., ed., The Dynamics and
Environmental Context of Aeolian Sedimentary Systems. Geological Society London.
Shreve, R.L. 1985. Esker characteristics in terms of glacier physics, Katahdin esker system, Maine. Geological
Society of America Bulletin 96, 639-646.
Upham, W. 1896-1899. The geology of Aitkin County. in Minnesota Geological and Natural History Survey
Final Report: The Geology of Minnesota 4, 25-54.
Webb, T. III, Cushing, E.J., and Wright Jr., H.E., 1983, Holocene changes in the vegetation of the Midwest. In
Wright Jr., H.E., ed., Late-Quaternary Environments of the United States: the Holocene, 109-127.
Winchell, N.W. 1901. Glacial Lakes of Minnesota. Geological Society of America Bulletin 12, 109-128.
Winchell, N.W. 1896-1899. The geology of the northern part of St. Louis County. in Minnesota Geological and
Natural History Survey Final Report: The Geology of Minnesota 4, 222-265.
Winspear, N.R. and Pye, K. 1996. Textural, geochemical and mineralogical evidence for the sources of Aeolian
sand in central and southwestern Nebraska, U.S.A. Sedimentary Geology 101, 85-98.
Wright, H.E. 1972. Quaternary history of Minnesota. in Sims, P.K., and Morey, G.B., eds., Geology of
Minnesota: A Centennial Volume. Minnesota Geological Survey.
Wright, H.E., Matsch, C.L. and Cushing, E.J. 1973. Superior and Des Moines Lobes. in Black, R.F.,
Goldthwait, R,P., and Willman, H.B., eds., The Wisconsinan Stage. Geological Society of America
Memoir 136, 153-185.
Road Log
MILES Begin in Duluth, MN.
0-3
Interstate 35 south to Grand Avenue/MN 23 exit.
3-22
14 miles to County 4. East (left) 2 miles to railroad crossing.
Stop 1 Glacial Lake Duluth underflow fan.
22-39 County 4 west ~12 miles to Interstate 35.
39-49 North on Interstate 35 ~12miles to MN 33.
49-69 North on MN 33 through Cloquet for ~18 miles to US 53.
69-73 North on US 53 for ~4 miles.
Cloquet River
Hellwig Creek
Stop 2 Hellwig Creek outlet and Glacial Lake Upham II basin overlook.
73-84 North on US 53 for ~12 miles to County 52 (Arkola Road) at Cotton, MN.
84-99 West on County 52 for ~16 miles to County 5.
99-101 North on County 5 for ~2 miles to gravel pit on left.
Stop 3 Wave-washed esker island (Toivola, MN).
101-115 North on County 5 from previous stop for ~13 miles to MN 37.
115-119 East on MN 37 for ~3.5 miles to County 25.
119-120 North on County 25 for ~1.5 miles to the gravel pit on the left.
Stop 4 Rainy Lobe collapsed outwash, Glacial Lake Upham I sediments, and St. Louis Sublobe till
(Cherry, MN).
120-121 South on County 25 to MN 37.
121-135 West on MN 37 for ~9.5 miles to County 57 (1st Avenue).

Page 198

�135-140 South on County 57 for ~8 miles. Stop just before County 442 (Townline Road South).
Stop 5 Eolian dunes.
140-140 South on County 57 to County 442 (Townline Road South).
140-144 West on County 442 for ~3 miles. Stop at gravel pit access road on north side.
Stop 6 Glacial Lake Upham II Shoreline.
144-145 West on County 442 (Townline Road South) to MN 73.
145-145 North on MN 73 for ~0.5 miles to County 16.
145-156 West on County 16 for ~11 miles to County 20.
156-164 West on County 20 for 0.25 miles to MN 65.
164-168 North on MN 65 for ~8.5 miles to County 12.
168-169 West on County 12 for ~3.5 miles to County 70.
169-170 South on County 70 for ~1 mile to County 434.
170-170 South on County 434 for ~1 mile to gravel pit on right
Stop 7 Goodland Esker.
170-175 Continue south on County 434 for ~5 miles to County 10.
175-176 West on County 10 for ~1.5 miles to County 71.
176-181 South on County 71 for ~4 miles to US 2.
181-181 Cross US 2 and continue for ~ 0.25 miles to County 441 (Bluebird Lane)
181-184 West on County 441 for ~2.5 miles to County 3 (River Road).
184-197 South on County 3 for ~2.5 miles to cutbank along Mississippi River on left.
Stop 8 Prairie River Underflow fan in Glacial Lake Aitkin II.
197-200 Continue southbound on County 3 (River Road) for ~2 miles to Mississippi River Boat Landing
Road on the left
Stop 9 Rhythmite in Glacial Lake Aitkin II.
200-201 Return to County 3.
201-202 South on County 3 to MN 200.
202-203 East on MN 200 for 1.5 miles to MN 65.
203-203 North on MN 65 for 0.5 miles to MN 200.
203-208 East on MN 200 for ~4 miles to 154th Avenue.
208-208 North on 154th Avenue.
Stop 10 Eolian dunes in Glacial Lake Upham II basin.
To return to Duluth:
208-208 Return to MN 200.
208-213 East on MN 200 to US 2.
213-262 East on US 2 to Interstate 35.
North on Interstate 35 to start point.

Page 199

�FIELD TRIP 7
ECONOMIC GEOLOGY OF ARCHEAN GOLD OCCURRENCES IN THE
VERMILION DISTRICT, NORTHEAST OF SOUDAN, MINNESOTA
By
Dean M. Peterson and Richard L. Patelke
Natural Resources Research Institute, University of Minnesota Duluth
INTRODUCTION
A widespread area of gold mineralization occurs in numerous prospects east of Lake
Vermilion, within the Vermilion greenstone belt of northeastern Minnesota. The mineralization
occurs in rocks of the Neoarchean (~2.7 Ga) Bass Lake sequence (Peterson and Jirsa, 1999a) of
the Wawa subprovince of the Canadian Shield. This zone of abundant gold mineralization is
bounded to the south by the Mud Creek shear zone and to the north by the Vermilion fault (Fig.
7-1). The main access to these prospects is along the Mud Creek road (St. Louis County 38).
A brief period of mineral exploration for lode-gold deposits in this immediate area of the
Vermilion district occurred in the mid 1980s to early 1990s. These programs typically consisted
of grid-based geologic mapping, bedrock sampling, ground geophysics, and the completion of
soil geochemical surveys. Conversations with many of the people involved in gold exploration
programs in the immediate field trip area (centered on Section 6, Township 62 North, Range 14
West), and compilation of all exploration data from the district as a whole (data from the
terminated lease files of the Minnesota DNR), has led to the conclusion that interpretation of
linear structural elements exposed in outcrops were not used in designing exploratory drilling
plans in the field trip area. Therefore, many of the prospects discovered as a result of these
exploration programs remain untested by drilling.
The authors recently completed a project (Peterson and Patelke, 2004) consisting of
detailed geologic and structural mapping within many of the known gold prospects in the field
trip area, and will highlight some of the insights generated as a result of this work during the
course of this one day field trip. This recent work consisted of detailed outcrop mapping (at
scales ranging from 1:1,000 to 1:3,000) that was focused on structural (i.e. shear zones,
lineations, intersecting foliations and small-scale folds), geological (i.e. contact relationships,
competence contrasts), geochemical (i.e. gold assays, trace element characteristics), and
alteration (Fe-bearing carbonate, sericite, pyrite, silicificaton) features within and around areas of
gold mineralized exposures. Based on detailed mapping of features described above, the
project's goal was to try to determine the location and orientation at depth of gold-rich
mineralized zones exposed in outcrops. The mapped geological features were incorporated into
the data compiled and described by Peterson (2001), and are available online as a 1:12,000 scale
geological map, as well as ArcView GIS data files at http://www.nrri.umn.edu/egg/.

Page 200

�Figure 7-1.

Location, simplified geology, lode gold prospects, and field trip #7 stops.

LODE GOLD ORE DEPOSIT MODEL
The brief description of Archean lode-gold deposits that follows is presented as both a
basic reference and also to highlight the important features of the model that will be seen during
the field trip. Archean lode-gold deposits are one category of ore deposit classified as
mesothermal lode-gold deposits (Hodgson, 1993). This deposit type has also been called
orogenic gold (Groves et al., 2000), greenstone gold (Robert et al., 1991), Archean lode-gold,
mesothermal gold-quartz veins, shear-hosted gold, low-sulfide gold-quartz veins (Berger,
1986b), lode-gold, Mother Lode veins (Bohlke and Kistler, 1986), and iron formation-hosted
gold deposits (Berger, 1986a; McMillan, 1996; Rye and Rye, 1974; Fripp, 1976; Kerswill, 1993;
Thorpe and Franklin, 1984; and Vielreicher et al., 1994).
Whatever the name, they are a widespread group of epigenetic ore deposits that have
formed in similar settings throughout geologic time. In general, the deposits form during

Page 201

�compressional or transpressional deformation at convergent plate margins in accretionary or
collisional orogens (Fig.7-2). They form over a large crustal-depth range (2 to 20 km) from
deep-seated, low-salinity H2O-CO2 ± CH4 ± N2 ore fluids, with Au transported as reduced sulfur
complexes. The ore fluids are believed to be generated during lower crustal metamorphism from
dehydration reactions. Regional structures provide the main control on distribution of lode gold
deposits and mining camps. In many terranes, first-order faults or shear zones appear to have
controlled regional fluid flow, with greatest ore-fluid fluxes in, and adjacent to, subsidiary faults,
shear zones and/or large folds. Highly competent and/or chemically reactive rocks are the most
common hosts to the larger deposits. Gold deposition occurs late during the evolutionary history
of the host terranes, normally within D3 or D4 in a D1-D4 deformation sequence. Absolute ages
of mineralization support their late-kinematic timing, and, in general, suggest that deposits
formed diachronously towards the end of the evolutionary history of hosting orogens.

Figure 7-2.

Generalized tectonic model for the formation of mesothermal gold deposits, after Groves et al., 2000.

The late timing of lode-gold deposits is critical to geology-based exploration methods,
and hence mineral potential evaluations for these deposits. The late timing is critical because of
the present structural geometry of: (1) the deposits, (2) the mining camps, and (3) the enclosing
geologic terranes are essentially all similar to the structural geometry during gold mineralization.
Therefore the interpretation of bedrock geological maps and cross-sections can be used to
discern the physical conditions that existed at the time of ore deposition. Exploration for
mesothermal lode-gold deposits should incorporate various aspects of the ore deposit model into
criteria that can vector into the most favorable areas for hosting such mineralization. The most
fundamental characteristic of this class of deposit is the spatial association of the deposits to
regional structures in metamorphic terranes. Zones of widespread carbonate alteration (adjacent
to regional structures) should be identified and used to focus subsequent exploration. Within
carbonate alteration zones, gold is typically only in areas containing quartz veins, silicification,
and/or sericite alteration (with or without sulfides). Two general structural controls on the
orientation of lode gold ore shoots include deflections and curvatures of shear zones, and where
high strain zones intersect favorable geological elements (Poulsen and Robert, 1989). A
generalized sequence of events associated with the formation of typical Archean mesothermal
gold deposits is outlined below. The possible observation of many of these important features
during the course of the field trip is highlighted by the bracketed, bold text.

Page 202

�I. Deposition of Archean Supracrustal Strata (Volcanic and Sedimentary Rocks)
II. Compression and Early (D1) Folding [stop 7-1]
III. Renewed Compression and Transpression (D2)
1) Development of Major Crustal Shear Zones [stop 7-1]
2) Strain Partitioning and Development of Subsidiary Shear Zones [stop 7-3, 7-4]
3) Intrusion of Porphyritic Intrusions, Continued D2 Deformation [stop 7-2, 7-3 and 7-5]
-Local Development of Competency Contrasts [stop 7-3, 7-5]
4) Lower Crustal Dehydration and Fluxing of CO2-rich Fluids up Structures
- Fe-Carbonate Alteration Zones [stop 7-3, 7-4, 7-5]
5) Fluxing of Gold-Bearing Hydrothermal Fluids up Subsidiary Shear Zones, Latest D2
- Gold Mineralization Associated with:
A) Quartz-Pyrite Veins [stop 7-2, 7-3, 7-4, and 7-5]
B) Silicification with Pyrite [stop 7-4]
C) Pyritization of Fe-Rich Host Rocks [stop 7-5]
D) Quartz-Sericite-Pyrite Schists/Phyllites [stop 7-4]
E) Contact Zones Between Rock Units [stop 7-5]
IV. Erosion

REGIONAL GEOLOGIC SETTING OF THE VERMILION DISTRICT
The field trip area is located in the Neo-Archean (~2.7 Ga) Vermilion Greenstone Belt of
the classic Vermilion district of northeastern Minnesota. Supracrustal rocks in the Vermilion
district consist of volcanic-dominated stratigraphic sequences of the Wawa subprovince of the
Superior Province of the Canadian Shield. Rocks of the Wawa subprovince in northern
Minnesota are divided on the basis of stratigraphic and structural setting into: (1) the southern
Soudan belt and (2) the northern Newton belt (Jirsa et al., 1992; Southwick et al., 1998). The
boundary between these contrasting structural panels can be traced geophysically across the
width of Minnesota, and was designated informally as the Leech Lake structural discontinuity
(Jirsa et al., 1992). In the Vermilion district, the Leech Lake structural discontinuity occurs
along the Mud Creek shear zone (Hudleston et al., 1988), small segments of the Vermilion and
Wolf Lake faults (Sims and Southwick, 1985), and the Bear River fault (Jirsa et al., 1992).
The Soudan belt contains large, broad folds involving calc-alkalic and tholeiitic volcanic
strata overlain by, and locally interdigitated with, turbiditic rocks. In contrast, the Newton belt
consists of elongate, east- to northeast-trending, and mostly northward-younging volcanic and
volcaniclastic sequences. Volcanic rocks of the Newton belt differ from those of the Soudan belt
in containing locally abundant komatiitic flows and peridotitic sills. The two belts are faultbounded, and the relationship between stratigraphic units within each belt is largely conformable,
although faults obscure contacts locally. In its eastern extension, the Soudan belt is continuous
with the Saganagons assemblage in Ontario and terminates against the Saganaga pluton and
Northern Light Gneiss.
The Newton belt extends discontinuously eastward into the
Shebandowan District of Ontario to form the Greenwater and Burchell assemblages. Intrusive
rocks in both belts vary from gabbroic and felsic porphyries, demonstrably related to volcanism,
to large plutons emplaced post-tectonically. Both districts contain unconformable, Timiskaming-

Page 203

�type sequences composed of calc-alkalic volcanic rocks, conglomerates, and finer grained
sedimentary rocks. A simplified regional geological map of the Neo-Archean terranes of
northeastern Minnesota and adjacent Ontario is presented in Figure 7-3.

Figure 7-3. Simplified correlation map of Neo-Archean assemblages across the U.S. - Canada border, modified
from Peterson et al. (2001). Inset shows major subprovinces of the southwestern Superior Province.

Periods of generally N-S directed compression resulted in three major regional
deformation events in the Neoarchean terranes of northern Minnesota. The earliest deformation
event (D1) produced broad, locally recumbent folds within the Soudan belt and major fault zones
throughout the region. In the Newton belt, D1 was accommodated by thrust imbrication of large
crustal blocks, resulting in mainly northward stratigraphic facing. Field relationships indicate
that uplift, faulting, and the deposition of Timiskaming-type clastic sequences in local faultbounded basins occurred late in D1 deformation (Jirsa, 2000). A large, map-scale structure
related to D1 deformation in the Soudan Mine area is the Tower-Soudan Anticline, which is a
west-plunging anticline within which the axis and plunge changes orientation along strike from
nearly vertical in basalts to shallow NE plunging in the western sedimentary rocks. Axial-planar
cleavage associated with this early fold typically is lacking, although Bauer (1985), Hooper and
Ojakangas (1971), Hudleston (1976), and Jirsa et al. (1992) have described early cleavage (S1)
locally.
A second deformation event (D2) associated with synchronous regional metamorphism
resulted in foliation development and structures having largely dextral asymmetry. D2 is
constrained in the Vermilion district to the time period 2674 to 2685 Ma (Boerboom and
Zartman, 1993), and between about 2680 and 2685 Ma in the Shebandowan (Corfu and Stott,
1998). Because D2 deformation affected all of the supracrustal rocks in the area and is
reasonably constrained by geochronology, the regional foliation (S2) can be used in the field to

Page 204

�relate other structural, intrusive, and deformation events. The relationship between S2 fabric and
shear structures indicates that most shearing occurred relatively late in the D2 event. Major
shearing that produced the Mud Creek and related shear zones is attributed to the late stages of
D2 dextral transpression.
Regional D2 strain patterns in the Vermilion district vary from north to south in the belt
(Hudleston et al., 1988; Schultz-Ela and Hudleston, 1991). These patterns include flattening
strains that occur to the north, near the present Vermilion Fault and constrictional strains to the
south. The field trip area lies within the zone of flattening strain of Hudleston et al. (1988) and
Schultz-Ela and Hudleston (1991). Schultz-Ela and Hudleston (1991) mathematically modeled
the observed strain patterns as deformation paths that produced flattening strains (west plunging
ë 1 axes) by dextral shear of the pre-existing constrictional strains (east plunging ë 1 axes). The
linear E-W strain patterns and minor rotations about horizontal axes during the deformation, as
described by Hudleston et al. (1988) and Schultz-Ela and Hudleston (1991), preclude early
theories (Hooper and Ojakangas, 1971; and Hudleston, 1976) on the structural setting of the
greenstone belt by infolding and shear off the flanks of rising granitic diapirs. An estimate of
50% north-south shortening across the belt is proposed by Schultz-Ela and Hudleston (1991),
and their model favors an origin of the Vermilion district rocks at a convergent margin, most
likely as a N-dipping subduction complex with shallow slab dip. The origin of the southern
constrictional strains remains enigmatic.
Structures related to the third deformation event (D3) include abundant NE- and NWtrending faults that dissect the stratigraphic assemblages. Named structures related to D3 include
the NE-trending Waasa and Camp Rivard faults SSE of Ely, and the WNW-trending, crustalscale Vermilion and related faults that form the Wawa-Quetico Subprovince boundary
immediately north of the field trip area.
LOCAL GEOLOGIC SETTING; THE BASS LAKE SEQUENCE
The informally named Bass Lake sequence (Peterson and Jirsa, 1999a) of the Newton
Belt occurs in an east-west trending, fault-bounded panel that widens to the west. The sequence
is bounded by segments of the Mud Creek and Shagawa shear zones, and the Bear River, Haley,
Vermilion, Burntside Lake, and Wolf Lake faults (Fig. 7-4). The continuation of stratigraphic
and geophysical trends from areas of excellent exposure (east of Lake Vermilion) into poorly
exposed areas (to the west) have led to the inclusion of rocks of the informally named Cook
sequence (Southwick, 1993; Southwick et al., 1998) in the Bass Lake sequence. The western
portion of the sequence consists of linear belts of graywacke and basalt cut by late felsic to
intermediate composition intrusions.
East of Lake Vermilion, the geology of the Bass Lake sequence is dominated by six basic
rock types, which include: (1) Tholeiitic pillowed basalt flows (see Fig. 7-4) interpreted to have
formed in a deep-water setting based on volcanic textures; (2) Gabbro sills interpreted as
synvolcanic in age due to their stratigraphic continuity and similar deformation as the enclosing
pillowed basalts; (3) Felsic porphyries (feldspar porphyry and quartz-feldspar porphyry)
interpreted to have intruded during late stages of D2 deformation based on field relationships and
geochronology (quartz-feldspar porphyry from the Pac Man Pond prospect returned a 207Pb/206Pb
age of 2683.0 +/- 1.4 Ma (Peterson et al., 2001)); (4) Algoma-type iron-formation; (5) Thinly-

Page 205

�bedded argillite and siltstone; and (6) Sheared rocks, which are dominated by chlorite-rich schist,
phyllite, and phyllonite. In addition, localized areas of fragmental felsic volcanic rocks occur
stratigraphically below distinct iron-formation horizons. Regional and detailed geologic maps of
the sequence are presented in Fig. 7-5.
In the last twenty years, numerous gold prospects have been discovered in the eastern
portion of the sequence (Fig. 7-1). These prospects generally fall into one of three categories;
(1) auriferous quartz-carbonate-pyrite veins and sulfidized zones in iron-formation; (2)
auriferous quartz-sericite-ankerite-pyrite schists; and (3) felsic intrusive-hosted auriferous quartz
veins and stockworks. All of the prospects are found within areas of moderate to strong ironcarbonate alteration, with the best mineralization commonly found within sericitic alteration
zones. Numerous equigranular and porphyritic felsic intrusions occur within the areas of
alteration and gold mineralization, and are a good guide for locating mineralized structures. The
gold mineralization is generally related to deformation in subsidiary structures associated with
movement along the D2 Mud Creek shear zone. Geological and geochemical descriptions of
many of the gold prospects have previously been given by Peterson and Jirsa (1999b).

Figure 7-4.

Jensen cation plot (Jensen, 1976) for volcanic and hypabyssal rocks of the Bass Lake sequence.

Undoubtedly the most striking structural feature in the immediate study area is the
juxtaposition of the Soudan and Newton belts along the Mud Creek shear zone. In addition,
numerous east-northeast trending highly strained zones occur to the north of the Mud Creek
shear zone and these subsidiary sheared zones host a majority of the gold prospects in this area
of the Bass Lake sequence. A stereonet projection of planar and linear structural features within
the field trip #7 area of the Bass Lake sequence is shown in Fig. 7-6.

Page 206

�Figure 7-5.

Regional to detailed geological maps of the Bass Lake sequence. Geology simplified from Peterson
(2001) and Peterson and Patelke (2004).

Page 207

�Figure 7-6.

Stereonet projections of planar and linear structural features from the field trip area.

GLACIAL HISTORY
Late Pleistocene glacial deposits (Late-Wisconsin glaciation) in the Vermilion district are
associated with the stepwise retreat of the Rainy Lobe of the Laurentide Ice Sheet, approximately
14,000 to 12,000 years ago. The repeated glaciations of the Pleistocene epoch modified the preexisting topography of northeastern Minnesota, i.e. the surface was scoured by glacial ice,
exposing fresh bedrock, and new surficial materials were deposited following the retreat of the
glaciers. During the retreat of the glacier, the margin of the ice-sheet blocked the natural
drainage to the north, and pro-glacial lakes formed in front of this barrier (glacial lakes
Norwood, Koochiching, and Agassiz). Subglacial streams left sinuous ridges of sorted sand and
gravel (eskers), and delta/fan complexes formed where these streams exited the ice margin and
entered the pro-glacial lakes. The field trip area lies within the scoured bedrock terrain of
northeastern Minnesota, immediately north of the Vermilion Moraine. Regional and detailed
digital elevation maps of the area are presented in Figure 7-7, and display the pronounced recent
bedrock scouring of the area, especially along the Vermilion fault and Mud Creek shear zone.
Late Pleistocene surficial deposits and landforms that unconformably overlie the Neoarchean
bedrock in the field trip area include a thin veneer of basal till, local outwash deposits, and
sinuous eskers.

Page 208

�Figure 7.7.

Regional (top) and local (bottom) digital elevation maps depicting superimposed glacial landforms.
Grid values in the detailed map are UTM coordinates, in meters. The locations of field trip stops are
depicted in the lower image.

FIELD TRIP STOPS
Stops for this field trip will include short traverses that visit a number of outcrops for
each locality. The traverses are designed to highlight specific features of the lode-gold ore
deposit model for each area, though time constraints preclude detailed analysis of each area.

Page 209

�STOP 7-1:

MUD CREEK SHEAR ZONE

Location:

(SE, SE, Sec. 5, T.62N., R.14W., NAD83 UTM 564200E, 5302800N)

Description: The regional scale Mud Creek shear zone occupies the east-northeast trending
valley of Mud Creek, which is clearly visible at this location. This shear zone separates rocks of
the Newton Belt (here the Bass Lake sequence) to the north and rocks of the Soudan Belt
(Gafvert Lake sequence and the Upper Ely Greenstone Formation) to the south. The Mud Creek
shear zone is analogous with major faults (Destor-Porcupine fault) and “breaks” (Cadillac-Larder
Lake break) of major lode-gold mining districts in Canada. Historic gold assays taken from rocks
of the shear zone itself are essentially devoid of gold, as is the case for most major structures
within Archean lode-gold mining camps. The short field trip traverse is located within the
northern margin of the internal highly strained zone of the shear, and will visit outcrops of: (1)
ankerite-sericite-quartz-green mica-pyrite schist with quartz and tourmaline knots, and (2) highly
folded and compositionally banded phyllites with quartz veins (Fig. 7-8). A simplified geology
and field trip traverse map of stop 7-1 is presented in Figure 7-9.

Figure 7-8.

Outcrop photographs of ankerite-sericite-quartz-green mica-pyrite schist (A and B), and highly folded
and compositionally banded phyllites (C and D).

Page 210

�Figure 7-9.

Simplified geology and field trip traverse map of stop 7-1, geology from Peterson and Patelke, 2004.

STOP 7-2:

SECTION 6 GOLD PROSPECT

Location:

(SE, SE, Sec. 6, T.62N., R.14W., NAD83 UTM 561895E, 5303410N)

Description: Gold mineralization within the Section 6 prospect is dominantly associated with
quartz-pyrite veins and stockworks in feldspar ± quartz porphyry. The stockwork-style
mineralization is generally not apparent until one takes a detailed look at the outcrops, then the
thin quartz veining is seen seemingly everywhere. The highest-grade gold assays taken to date
occur in areas of strong sulfide oxidation (sulfide burn) in the porphyry. Mineralization also
occurs in sulfidized and epidote-altered basaltic rocks adjacent to the felsic porphyries, and may

Page 211

�locally contain significant quantities of chalcopyrite. In addition to porphyry and basaltic rocks,
thin dikes and sills of diorite, peridotite, and inclusion-rich lamprophyre will be observed during
the field trip stop. Outcrop photographs and a geologic map of the Section 6 prospect area are
presented in Figures 7-10 and 7-11, and a table of anomalous gold assays is given in Table 7-1.

Figure 7-10. Outcrop photographs from the Section 6 prospect. (A) 1 Ft.-wide dioritic dike near a basalt-porphyry
(with BIF inclusion) contact; (B) strong sulfide burn within feldspar porphyry; (C) stockwork quartzveins (black lines) and local sulfide burn within feldspar porphyry; and (D) sulfide burn in quartzveined feldspar porphyry.
Table 7-1. Anomalous gold assays from the Section 6 prospect.
Description

Au (ppb)

Siliceous, sericitic and strongly pyritic basalt
Carbonatized quartz-feldspar porphyry with pyrite
Carbonatized feldspar porphyry with pyrite and quartz veins
Pyritic selvage about a 3' quartz vein in basalt
Pyritic selvage about a 3' quartz vein in basalt
Epidote-silica-hematite altered feldspar porphyry with pyrite-rich veins

Page 212

1,460
1,360
1,135
940
890
860

�Description

Au (ppb)

Pyritic quartz-feldspar porphyry
Chloritic feldspar porphyry with ankerite, 1-3% pyrite, and quartz-ankerite-pyrite veins
Chlorite-epidote-silica altered basalt with pyrite and chalcopyrite
Carbonatized quartz-feldspar porphyry with pyrite
Chlorite-epidote-silica altered basalt with pyrite and chalcopyrite

855
840
790
780
445

Figure 7-11. Simplified geology and field trip traverse map of stop 7-2, geology from Peterson and Patelke, 2004.

Page 213

�STOP 7-3:

SECTION 6 EAST GOLD PROSPECT

Location:

(SE, SE, Sec. 6, T.62N., R.14W., NAD83 UTM 562840E, 5302905N)

Description: Three features of the generalized Archean lode-gold ore deposit model are
beautifully exposed along the traverse of this stop. These features include: (1) intense ironcarbonate alteration, (2) competency contrast and associated auriferous quartz veining, and (3)
shear deformation. Anomalous gold was first discovered by soil sampling in this locality in 1988
by Chevron Resources. Gold mineralization is generally confined to quartz-pyrite veins in ironcarbonate altered feldspar-porphyry intrusive rocks. The felsic porphyries are generally located
adjacent to linear zones of intense strain, and are believed to have intruded along these structural
breaks during D2 deformation. Outcrop photographs and a geologic map of the Section 6 East
prospect area are presented in Figures 7-12 and 7-13, and anomalous gold assays in Table 7-2.

Figure 7-12. Outcrop photographs from the Section 6 East prospect. (A) iron-carbonate altered feldspar porphyry
with quartz veins; (B) close-up of quartz-pyrite veins in carbonatized feldspar porphyry; (C) large
quartz ± pyrite ± galena veins in massive iron carbonate; and (D) intense iron carbonate alteration

Page 214

�Table 7-2. Anomalous gold assays from the Section 6 East prospect.
Description
6" quartz vein in sheared feldspar porphyry
Feldspar porphyry with ankerite, pyrite, and quartz veins
Feldspar porphyry with ankerite, pyrite, and quartz veins
Feldspar porphyry with local fracturing and shearing
Feldspar porphyry with a rusty quartz-pyrite vein
Ankerite-sericite altered basalt with pyrite

Au (ppb)

Description

Au (ppb)

6,210
2,400
1,760
1,380
1,130
1,030

Soil Sample
Soil Sample
Soil Sample
Soil Sample
Soil Sample
Soil Sample

1,520
622
615
294
170
101

Figure 7-13. Simplified geology and field trip traverse map of stop 7-3, geology from Peterson and Patelke, 2004.

Page 215

�STOP 7-4:

KERR MCGEE GOLD PROSPECT

Location:

(SE, SE, Sec. 31, T.63N., R.14W., NAD83 UTM 562480E, 5304310N)

Description: The Kerr McGee gold prospect is hosted within an extensive zone of highly
strained rocks, interpreted to be a subsidiary structure associated with the Mud Creek shear zone.
Moderate to high-grade gold mineralization at the Kerr McGee prospect occurs within multiple
thin (0.2 – 2.0 meter) zones of quartz-sericite-ankerite-pyrite ± green mica ± tourmaline schist
hosted by an extensive zone of essentially gold-barren chlorite-rich schist. Thin and probably
boudined iron-formation horizons occur locally in the chlorite-rich schist, and locally are
strongly mineralized in this area. Mineralized zones locally contain extensive foliation and shear
parallel quartz, ankerite, and/or quartz-ankerite veins, and may widen in zones of silicification.
The style of gold mineralization exposed in the Kerr McGee prospect is similar to both the Clear
Cut (~½ mile west) and Railroad Zone (1½ miles east) prospects. In fact, the sericitic zone that
hosts the mineralization may have continuity to both of these other prospects. The field trip
traverse will take us to numerous outcrops in the prospect area, and discussions will highlight the
style of mineralization, possible continuity to other prospects, and shear deformation.
Anomalous gold assays from the Kerr McGee prospect are presented in Table 7-3. Outcrop
photographs and a geologic map of the prospect area are presented in Figures 7-14 and 7-15
respectively.
Table 7-3. Anomalous gold assays from the Kerr McGee prospect.
Description
1' wide zone of quartz-sericite-ankerite-pyrite tourmaline schist
Quartz-pyrite-sericite knot in ankeritic sericite schist
1' wide zone of quartz-sericite-ankerite-pyrite tourmaline schist
1' wide zone of sericite-quartz-pyrite-ankerite phyllite
1' wide zone of sericite-quartz-pyrite-ankerite phyllite
1' wide zone of sericite-quartz-pyrite-ankerite phyllite
0.5' wide zone of sericite-quartz-pyrite-ankerite phyllite
1.1' wide zone of sericite-quartz-pyrite-ankerite phyllite
Sericite-chlorite schist
0.33' wide zone of sericite-quartz-ankerite-pyrite phyllite
0.5' wide zone of sericite-quartz-ankerite-pyrite phyllite
Road cut of siliceous quartz-sericite-pyrite schist with quartz veins
1.2' wide zone of sericite-quartz-pyrite-ankerite phyllite
1.1' wide zone of sericite-quartz-pyrite-ankerite phyllite
Chlorite-sericite-ankerite schist with 10-20% pyrite
Chlorite-quartz-ankerite schist with pyritic (5-10%) siliceous zones
Chlorite-quartz-ankerite schist with pyritic (5-10%) siliceous zones
Chlorite-quartz-ankerite schist with 1-5% pyrite
Quartz-ankerite-pyrite (2-3%) vein
Chlorite-sericite-ankerite schist with 10-20% pyrite
Brecciated ankeritic-pyritic (5-10%) chert
Sericite-chlorite-quartz-ankerite-pyrite (5%) schist

Page 216

Au (ppb) DDH
8,010
5,030
4,991
4,660
4,410
3,430
2,770
2,740
2,440
1,675
1,140
980
695
685
1,980
RC-3
1,470
RC-3
1,040
RC-3
620
RC-3
613
RC-3
448
RC-3
369
RC-3
334
RC-3

Interval (ft)

1.0
3.0
4.0
7.0
1.0
1.0
2.0
2.0

�Figure 7-14. Outcrop photographs from the Kerr McGee prospect. (A) Road side outcrop of quartz-sericite-pyriteankerite-green mica-tourmaline schist; (B) minor northwest-trending fault offsetting highly foliated
chloritic and sericitic schists; (C) close-up view of complex deformation fabric associated with quartz
veins and knots; (D) channel samples taken across thin mineralized zones; (E) more channel samples
taken across thin mineralized zones in sericite-rich schist, barren chlorite-rich schist at the bottom of
the photograph; and (F) dextral shear fabrics in a mineralized zone at the east end of the outcrop area.

Page 217

�Figure 7-15. Simplified geology and field trip traverse map of stop 7-4, geology from Peterson and Patelke, 2004.

Three-dimensional visualization (Fig. 7-16) of the detailed lithological and structural
mapping by Peterson and Patelke, (2004) within the Kerr McGee prospect area reveals important
information that can be used to design drilling plans that significantly increase the chance of
intersecting gold mineralization exposed in outcrop at the surface. For example, drill hole RC-3,
which is located 100 meters east of the map presented in Figure 7-15, was drilled due north (at a
dip of 45º) and targeted to intersect the mineralization exposed in outcrop at the Kerr McGee

Page 218

�showing. Chevron Resources drilled this hole in 1987, at the western boundary of their lease
property (the Kerr McGee prospect was then held by Kerr McGee). Detailed structural mapping
in these outcrops reveals that the rocks within the mineralized zone have moderate to strong
elongation and intersection (foliation and shear planes) lineations trending 60º and dipping
northeast at 72º. The best interpretation of the down-dip orientation of the mineralized zone is
this lineation trend and plunge, and drill hole RC-3 never intersected the mineralized zone. A
three-dimensional view of these relationships is given in Figure 7-16.

Figure 7-16. Three-dimensional view of the relationship between structural boundaries, the mineralized zone
exposed on the surface at the Kerr McGee prospect, and drill hole RC-3. Upward extension to the
surface of the two anomalous zones (&gt; 1,000 ppb gold) intersected in hole RC-3 would place these
zones in the black spruce and cedar swamp located south-southeast of the prospect.

As briefly described in the preceding paragraphs, the sericitic-schist hosted style of
mineralization at the Kerr McGee prospect is similar to the mineralization at both the Clear Cut
and Railroad Zone prospects, and may form a continuous zone of anomalous to ore-grade gold
mineralization over a strike length of &gt; 2.5 miles. By analogy to many Canadian and Australian
Archean lode gold deposits, the odds of discovering high-grade zones within this trend would be
significantly increased if possible future exploration ventures utilized structural elements
exposed in outcrop. A simplified geologic map encompassing the highly strained zone that hosts
the Clear Cut, Kerr McGee, and Railroad Zone gold prospects is presented in Figure 7-17. In
addition, the trend and plunge of measured lineations are given in both the plan map of Figure 717 and the underlying east-west cross-section. Although the field trip will not visit the Clear Cut

Page 219

�and Railroad Zone prospects, anomalous gold assays from these associated prospects are
presented in Tables 7-4 and 7-5 respectively.

Figure 7-17. Highly simplified geologic and lineation map of the highly strained shear zone that hosts the Clear
Cut, Kerr McGee, and Railroad Zone gold prospects. The total lengths of the lineation arrows
depicted in the east-west cross-section (lower portion of the figure) are all equal, their apparent
difference in length is related to their individual trend and plunge in relation to the view angle of the
section.

Table 7-4. Anomalous gold assays from the Clear Cut prospect.
Description

Au (ppb) DDH Interval (ft)

2' wide zone of quartz-sericite-pyrite schist
Quartz-sericite-pyrite schist
Quartz-sericite-pyrite schist
Quartz-sericite-pyrite schist
Quartz-ankerite vein with a sericite-pyrite selvage in ankerite-chlorite schist
1/2" wide quartz-pyrite-arsenopyrite vein
Oxide-facies iron-formation with 10% pyrite and 5% arsenopyrite
Quartz-sericite-pyrite schist
Oxide-facies iron-formation with 1-2% cross-cutting pyrite
Oxide-facies iron-formation with 10% pyrite and 5% arsenopyrite
Chlorite-pyrite phyllite with quartz veining and 5% pyrite
Chlorite phyllite with trace to 5% pyrite
Chlorite-pyrite phyllite with quartz veining and 1% pyrite
Chlorite-pyrite phyllite with quartz veining and 5% pyrite
Chlorite-pyrite phyllite with quartz veining and 5% pyrite

Page 220

22,000
7,100
2,940
1,970
1,970
598
590
568
440
402
1,510
715
550
528
471

RC-5
RC-5
RC-5
RC-5
RC-5

2.0
2.0
5.0
2.0
2.0

�Table 7-5. Anomalous gold assays from the Railroad Zone prospect.
Description
Grab sample from large boulder encased in the roots of an overturned tree
Sericite-chlorite-ankerite-pyrite phyllite with quartz-ankerite-pyrite veins
4' Sericite-chlorite-ankerite-pyrite phyllite with quartz-ankerite-pyrite veins
Chlorite-ankerite-pyrite schist
Siliceous sericite schist with ankerite and pyrite
Chlorites schist with pyrite and sericite
Chlorite schist with pyrite and sericite
Chlorite schist with pyrite and sericite
Siliceous chlorite schist with pyrite
Massive pyrite lens in sericite-ankerite schist
Chlorite-ankerite-pyrite phyllite with quartz-ankerite veins
Chlorite schist with pyrite and sericite
5' zone of very rusty and weathered, sericite-ankerite-quartz-pyrite phyllite
Chlorite-ankerite phyllite with numerous quartz-ankerite-pyrite veins
Sericite-quartz-ankerite-pyrite phyllite with 5% pyrite
Quartz-sericite-pyrite phyllite with 5% pyrite

Au (ppb) DDH Interval (ft)
37,324
17,100
13,623
3,110
2,670
2,410
970
960
960
776
705
620
605
777
V-2
1.5
713
V-4
1.8
591
V-1
6.0

STOP 7-5:

PACMAN POND GOLD PROSPECT

Location:

(SE, SE, Sec. 6, T.62N., R.14W., NAD83 UTM 562225E, 5303780N)

Description: The Pac Man Pond gold prospect was explored by Noranda in the late 1980s and
early 1990s. They completed a quite extensive program that consisted of geological mapping,
bedrock sampling, till prospecting, trenching, and drilling. Three rock types, that include
pillowed basalt, iron-formation, and intrusions of feldspar ± quartz porphyry, dominate the
prospect geology, with rare occurrences of argillaceous and graphitic sediments as well as
carbonate facies iron-formation intersected in drill holes. Gold mineralization is hosted
dominantly by brecciated, quartz-pyrite veined, and sulfidized iron-formation, with locally
anomalous gold in sulfidized basalt and porphyry. The outcrops observed on the field trip will
be concentrated on one of the areas that Noranda completed extensive trenching and gold
assaying. Outcrop photographs from the Pac Man Pond gold prospect are given in Figure 7-18,
and a geologic map of the Pac Man Pond gold prospect area is presented in Figure 7-19.
Anomalous gold assays from bedrock exposures and Noranda drill hole intersections are given in
Table 7-6.

Page 221

�Figure 7-18. Outcrop photographs from the Pac Man Pond prospect. (A) Strongly iron-carbonate altered quartzfeldspar porphyry; (B) sheared and laminated pyrite and chlorite at the contact between foliated to
sheared basalt and sulfidized iron-formation; (C) irregular contact between carbonatized quartzfeldspar porphyry and sulfidized iron-formation; and (D) strong sulfide burn on highly sulfidized
iron-formation.

Sawed samples of gold-bearing, pyritic iron-formation reveal one of the classic chemical models
for the precipitation of gold out of hydrothermal solutions. In this model, when silica-saturated
auriferous hydrothermal fluids (with gold carried by HS complexes) encounter a rock rich in FeO
(such as Fe-tholeiitic basalt or iron-formation), quartz, pyrite and gold are precipitated out of
solution. The classic chemical equation is presented below.

2HAu(HS)2 aq + ½O2 aq + 2FeO s

↔

Page 222

2FeS2 s + 2Au s + 3H2O aq

�Figure 7-19. Simplified geology and field trip traverse map of stop 7-5, geology from Peterson and Patelke, 2004.

Page 223

�Table 7-6. Anomalous gold assays from the Pac Man Pond prospect.
Description
Large angular boulder of pyrite-rich (5-50%) iron-formation
Sulfidized iron-formation
Siliceous, pyritic iron-formation with limonite
Siliceous, pyritic iron-formation
Sulfidized iron-formation
Sulfidized iron-formation with quartz-pyrite veins
Limonite stained iron-formation with 5-15% pyrite
Sulfidized (10-70% pyrite) basalt
Siliceous, pyritic iron-formation
Iron-formation with trace pyrite
Sulfidized iron-formation
Laminated iron-formation with trace pyrite
Pyrite-rich iron-formation near contact with quartz-feldspar porphyry
Sulfidized iron-formation with 5-20% pyrite
Quartz-feldspar porphyry with a rusty quartz vein
Laminated iron-formation with trace pyrite
6' wide zone of sulfidized iron-formation with 3-10% pyrite
Mineralized iron-formation with 5-15% pyrite
Brecciated iron-formation with 5-20% pyrite in matrix
Brecciated iron-formation with 5-20% pyrite in matrix
Iron-formation with 1-2% pyrite in veinlets
Brecciated iron-formation with quartz-pyrite (10%) veins
Thin-bedded and folded iron-formation with 3% pyrite
Brecciated iron-formation with chlorite-quartz-pyrite (5-10%) matrix
Brecciated iron-formation with 5-10% pyrite
Weakly brecciated iron-formation with 3-10% pyrite in matrix
Fine-grained mafic dike
Quartz-feldspar porphyry with trace pyrite
Oxidized iron-formation with ankerite and 8% pyrite

Au (ppb)
2,701
2,190
1,940
1,810
1,750
1,635
1,020
985
890
875
845
845
815
811
785
760
758
705
28,460
5,400
4,212
2,255
1,747
1,364
1,026
960
856
856
782

DDH

Interval (ft)

V89-1
V89-1
V-90-2
V-90-4
V-90-7
V-90-2
V-90-3
V89-1
V-90-4
V-90-4
V-90-3

2.0
1.7
3.5
2.0
1.8
1.8
3.2
2.3
1.0
1.0
2.0

REFERENCES
Bauer, R.L., 1985, Correlation of early recumbent and younger upright folding across the boundary
between an Archean gneiss belt and greenstone terrane, northeastern Minnesota: Geology, v.
13, p. 657-660.
Berger, B. R., 1986a, Descriptive model of Homestake Au: in Mineral Deposit Models, Cox, D.P.
and Singer, D.A., eds., U.S. Geological Survey, Bulletin 1693, p. 245- 247.
Berger, B. R., 1986b, Descriptive model of low-sulphide Au-Quartz veins: in Mineral Deposit
Models, Cox, D.P. and Singer, D.A., eds., U.S. Geological Survey, Bulletin 1693, p.
239-243.

Page 224

�Boerboom, T.J., and Zartman, R.E., 1993, Geology, geochemistry, and geochronology of the central
Giants Range batholith, northeastern Minnesota: Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences v. 30, p.
2510-2522.
Bohlke, J.K. and Kistler, R.W., 1986, Rb-Sr, K-Ar and stable isotope evidence for the ages and
sources of fluid components of gold-bearing quartz veins in the Northern Sierra Nevada
Foothills Metamorphic Belt, Economic Geology, v. 81, p. 296- 422.
Corfu, F., and Stott, G.M., 1998, Shebandowan greenstone belt, western Superior Province: U-Pb
ages, tectonic implications, and correlations: Geological Society of America Bulletin, v. 110,
p. 1467-1484.
Fripp, R.E.P., 1976, Stratabound gold deposits in Archean banded iron-formation, Rhodesia;
Economic Geology, v. 71, p. 58-75.
Groves, D.I., Goldfarb, R.J., Knox-Robinson, C.M., Ojala, J., Gardoll, S., Yun, G.Y., and Holyland,
P., 2000, Late-kinematic timing of lode-gold deposits and significance for computer-based
exploration techniques with emphasis on the Yilgarn Block, Western Australia; Ore Geology
Reviews, v. 17, Issues 1-2, Pages 1-38.
Hodgson, C.J., 1993, Mesothermal lode-gold deposits: in Mineral Deposit Modeling. Kirkham, R.V.,
Sinclair, W.D., Thorpe, R.I., Duke, J.M. eds., Geological Survey of Canada, Special Paper
40, p. 635–678.
Hooper, P., and Ojakangas, R., 1971, Multiple deformation in the Vermilion district, Minnesota:
Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, v. 8, p. 423-434.
Hudleston, P.J. 1976, Early deformational history of Archean rocks in the Vermilion district,
northeastern Minnesota: Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, v. 13, p. 579-592.
Hudleston, P.J., Schultz-Ela, D., and Southwick, D.L., 1988, Transpression in an Archean greenstone
belt, northern Minnesota: Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, v. 25, p. 1060-1068.
Jensen, L.S., 1976, A new cation plot for classifying subalkalic volcanic rocks: Ontario
Department of Mines, Miscellaneous Paper 66.
Jirsa, M.A., 2000, The Midway sequence: a Timiskaming-type pull-apart basin deposit in the western
Wawa subprovince, Minnesota: Canadian Journal of Earth Science, v. 37. p. 1-15.
Jirsa, M.A., Southwick, D.L., and Boerboom, T.J., 1992, Structural evolution of Archean rocks in the
western Wawa subprovince, Minnesota: Refolding of pre-cleavage nappes during D2
transpression: Canadian Journal of earth Sciences, v. 29, p. 2146-2155.
Kerswill, J.A., 1993, Models for Iron-formation-hosted Gold Deposits: in Mineral Deposit Modeling,
Kirkham, R.V., Sinclair, W.D., Thorpe, R.I. and Duke, J.M., eds., Geological Association of
Canada, Special Paper 40, p. 171-200.
McMillan, R.H., 1996, Iron formation-hosted Au, in Lefebure, D.V. and Hoy, T, eds., Selected
British Columbia Mineral Deposit Profiles, Volume 2 - Metallic Deposits, British Columbia
Ministry of Employment and Investment, Open File 1996-13, p. 63-66.

Page 225

�Peterson, D.M., 2001, Development of Archean lode-gold and massive sulfide deposit exploration
models using geographic information system applications: Targeting mineral exploration in
northeastern Minnesota from analysis of analog Canadian mining camps: Unpublished Ph.D.
thesis, University of Minnesota, 503 p.
Peterson, D. M., and Jirsa, M.A., 1999a, Bedrock geologic map and mineral exploration data,
western Vermilion district, St. Louis and Lake Counties, northeastern Minnesota: MGS
Miscellaneous Map M-98, scale 1:48,000.
Peterson, D. M., and Jirsa, M.A., 1999b, Lode gold and massive sulfide prospects in the Archean
western Vermilion district; Minnesota Exploration Conference 1999, Field trip guidebook, 10
maps, 30 p.
Peterson, D.M and Patelke, R.L., 2004, Bedrock Geology and Lode Gold Prospect Data Map of the
Mud Creek Road Area, Northern St. Louis County, Minnesota: Natural Resources Research
Institute, Map Series NRRI/MAP-2004-01.
Peterson, D.M., Gallup, C., Jirsa, M.A., and Davis, D.W., 2001, Correlation of Archean assemblages
across the U.S. - Canadian border; Phase I geochronology, abstract and oral presentation,
Institute on Lake Superior Geology, 47th Annual Meeting, Thunder Bay, Ontario, v. 47.
Poulsen, K.H., and Robert, F., 1989, Shear zones and gold: Practical examples from the southern
Canadian Shield: in Bursnall, J.T. ed., Mineralization and Shear Zones, Geological
Association of Canada, Short Course Notes Volume 6, p. 239-266.
Robert, F., Sheahan, P.A., and Green, S.B., eds., 1991, Greenstone gold and crustal evolution:
NUNA Conference Volume, Geological Association of Canada, Mineral Deposits Division.
Rye, D. M. and Rye, R. O., 1974, Homestake Gold Mine, South Dakota: I. Stable Isotope Studies;
Economic Geology, v. 69, p. 293-317. S
Schulz-Ela, D.D., and Hudleston, P.J., 1991, Strain in an Archean greenstone belt of Minnesota:
Tectonophysics, v. 190, p. 233-268.
Sims, P.K., and Southwick, D.L., 1985, Geologic map of Archean rocks, western Vermilion district,
northern Minnesota: U.S. Geological Survey, Miscellaneous Investigations Map I-1527,
scale 1:48,000.
Southwick, D.L., Boerboom, T.J., and Jirsa, M.A., 1998, Geologic setting and descriptive
geochemistry of Archean supracrustal and hypabyssal rocks, Soudan-Bigfork area, northern
Minnesota: Implications for metallic mineral exploration: Minnesota Geological Survey
Report of Investigations 51, 69 p.
Southwick, D.L., compiler, 1993, Bedrock geologic map of the Soudan-Bigfork area, northern
Minnesota: Minnesota Geological Survey Miscellaneous Map M-79, scale 1:100,000.
Thorpe, R.I and Franklin, J.M., 1984, Chemical-sediment-hosted Gold: in Canadian Mineral Deposit
Types: A Geological Synopsis, Eckstrand, O.R., Editor, Economic Geology Report 36,
Geological Survey of Canada, p. 29.
Vielreicher, R.M., Groves, D.I., Ridley, J.R. and McNaughton, N.J., 1994, A Replacement Origin for
the BIF-hosted Gold Deposit at Mt. Morgans, Yilgarn Block, W.A; Ore Geology Reviews, v.
9, p. 325-347.

Page 226

�FIELD TRIP 8
Geology and Mineralization of the Western Contact of the
Duluth Complex, Partridge River and South Kawishiwi
Intrusions, Northeastern Minnesota
Leaders:
Mark Severson
Natural Resources Research Institute, University of Minnesota Duluth
and
Jim Miller
Minnesota Geological Survey, University of Minnesota

Railroad-cut exposures in the Wetlegs area of the Partridge River Intrusion (Stop 8-3)

Page 227

�FIELD TRIP 8
Geology and mineralization of the western contact of the Duluth
Complex, Partridge River and South Kawishiwi intrusions,
northeastern Minnesota
by
Mark Severson
Natural Resources Research Institute, University of Minnesota Duluth
and

Jim Miller
Minnesota Geological Survey, University of Minnesota

INTRODUCTION
The Duluth Complex and associated Keweenawan intrusions in northeastern Minnesota
constitute one of the largest mafic intrusive complexes in the world, second only to the Bushveld
2
Complex of South Africa. These rocks cover an arcuate area of over 5,000 km (Fig. 8-1) and
give rise to two strong gravity anomalies (+50 &amp; +70 mgal) that imply intrusive roots to more
than 13 kilometers depth (Allen and others, 1997). The intrusive rocks of northeastern Minnesota
were emplaced into a comagmatic volcanic edifice during formation of the Midcontinent Rift
between 1108 and 1086 Ma.
The Keweenawan geology of northeastern Minnesota has been recently reinterpreted in a
1:200,000 scale geologic map (MGS Miscellaneous Map, M-119; Miller and others, 2001) and in
a comprehensive report that focused on the geology and mineral potential of the Duluth Complex
(MGS Report of Investigation, RI-58; Miller and others, 2002). The general description of the
Duluth Complex given below is largely excerpted from that report.
The Duluth Complex is physically defined as a more or less continuous mass of mafic to
felsic plutonic rocks that extends in an arcuate fashion from Duluth to nearly Grand Portage (Fig.
8-1). It is bounded by a footwall of predominantly Paleoproterozoic and Archean rocks, a
hanging wall of largely mafic volcanic rocks and hypabyssal intrusions, and internally, it contains
scattered bodies of strongly recrystallized mafic volcanic and sedimentary hornfels. Defining the
Duluth Complex more genetically, it is composed of multiple discrete intrusions of mafic to felsic
tholeiitic magmas that were episodically emplaced into the base of a comagmatic volcanic edifice
in two general stages - an early stage at about 1108 Ma and an main stage at 1099 Ma. Within the
Duluth Complex, four general rock series are distinguished on the basis of age, dominant
lithology, internal structure, and structural position. These are:
Felsic Series – massive granophyric granite and smaller amounts of intermediate rock that occurs
as a semicontinous mass of intrusions strung along the eastern and central roof zone of the
complex and was emplaced during early stage magmatism (~1108 Ma).
Early Gabbro Series – layered sequences of dominantly gabbroic cumulates that occur in two
major intrusions along the northeastern contact of the Duluth Complex and were also
emplaced during early stage magmatism (~1108 Ma)
Anorthositic Series – a structurally complex suite of foliated, but rarely layered, plagioclase-rich
gabbroic cumulates that was emplaced throughout the complex during main stage magmatism
(~ 1099 Ma).
Layered Series – a suite of stratiform troctolitic to ferrogabboic cumulates that comprise at least
11 variably-differentiated mafic layered intrusions and occurs mostly along the base of the

Page 228

�Duluth Complex. These intrusions were emplaced during main stage magmatism, but
generally after the anorthositic series.
The Partridge River (PRI) and South Kawishiwi (SKI) intrusions, the focus of this field trip,
occur along the northwestern margin of the Duluth Complex (Fig. 8-1) and are two of the earliestformed intrusions of the Layered Series. These two intrusions are most renown for hosting the
largest tonnage of Cu-Ni sulfide ore in the world (Naldrett, 1997). The bedrock geology of the
northwestern margin of the Duluth Complex, as portrayed on the regional geologic map of
northeastern Minnesota (M-119; Miller and others, 2001), is shown in Figure 8-2. Detailed
mapping in the Babbitt NE, Babbitt SE, and Babbitt SW quadrangles, which was conducted since
the publication of M-119 (Miller, Severson, and Foose, 2002; and unpublished field mapping,
Miller, 2002-03), has revealed a somewhat different picture of the geology that has yet to be
incorporated into the regional map. Mapping in this area will continue this summer with the
objective of producing 1:24,000-scale maps of all four of the Babbitt 7.5' quadrangles in the
summer of 2005.

Figure 8-1. Generalized geology of northeastern Minnesota showing the field trip area. Partridge River
intrusion (PRI) and South Kawishiwi intrusion (SKI) are labeled.

Page 229

�Figure 8-2. Geology of the northwestern margin of the Duluth Complex showing field stops for Field Trip
8 (see Miller and others, 2001 for more details). Geologic units: Agr - Giants Range granite, PbifBiwabik Iron Fm, Pvf - Virginia Fm, pri - Partridge R. intr., ski-South Kawishiwi intr., bei-Bald Eagle
intr.; gltr-Greenwood Lake intr-troctolitic zone; glgb-Greenwood Lake intr, gabbroic zone; glfgGreenwood Lake intr, ferrogabbroic zone; mwgp-Mount Weber granophyre, asau-anorthositic series
undifferentiated; asa-anorthositic series, anorthositic rocks; asg-anorthositic series, gabbroic rocks;
nsv-NSVG undifferentiated; nsbh-NSVG basaltic hornfels; nssh-NSVG sedimentary hornfels.

Page 230

�Figure 8-3. Location of copper-nickel sulfide deposits, Fe-Ti±V deposits, and other exploration areas along
the western base of the Duluth Complex (from Miller and others, 2002; Fig. 2.3)

Page 231

�Partridge River Intrusion
The Partridge River intrusion (PRI, Bonnichsen, 1974) is perhaps one of the most well
studied intrusions of the Duluth Complex because it hosts at least four sub-economic Cu-Ni
deposits and at least seven potential Fe-Ti deposits. The PRI consists mainly of troctolitic
cumulates that are exposed in an arc-shaped area that extends from the Waterhen Fe-Ti deposit
area (T.57N., R.14W., Sec. 27) to the Babbitt Cu-Ni deposit (T.60N., R.12W., Secs 31-33; Fig. 83). Miller and Ripley (1996) estimate that the PRI is 2.5 km thick. The footwall of the PRI
includes the Paleoproterozoic Virginia Formation (slate and graywacke), and to a lesser extent,
the Biwabik Iron Formation. The top of the PRI is in complex contact with anorthositic rocks
(unit asa, Fig. 8-2), gabbroic rocks (unit asg), mafic volcanic hornfels (unit nshb), and in one
location, an unusual fine-grained and cross-bedded sedimentary hornfels (Colvin Creek hornfels
of Bonnichsen, 1972; Patelke, 1996; unit nssh). This assemblage of anorthositic, gabbroic, and
hornfelsic rocks are also present as large inclusions within the interior of the PRI (Severson and
Miller, 1999) and are thought to represent earlier roof zone septa that were overplated and
isolated by later injections of PRI magma.
The lower 900 meters of the PRI is known in great detail from the abundance of exploration
drill core. This marginal zone, consisting of varied troctolitic and gabbroic rock types, is
subdivided into seven stratigraphic units (Severson, 1991; 1994; Severson and Hauck, 1990;
1997; Geerts, 1991) that can be correlated over a strike length of 24 km (Fig. 8-4). All of these
igneous units generally exhibit shallow dips (10-20°) to the southeast. The stratigraphy shown in
Figure 8-4 is based on the relogging of almost 700 drill holes, or 672,000 feet of drill core. The
units of the Partridge River marginal zone are briefly described below starting at the base of the
PRI. Units I and III will be viewed at Stop 8-3. For locations of ore deposit areas mentioned
below, see Figure 8-3.
Unit I - This lower unit consists of a heterogeneous mixture of ophitic troctolitic to gabbroic
rocks that contain abundant inclusions of hornfelsic sedimentary footwall rocks and
minor thin, discontinuous layers of melatroctolite and peridotite. It is the dominant
sulfide-bearing member of the PRI. Noritic rocks are common at the basal contact and
peripheral to sedimentary hornfels inclusions, probably due to contamination of the
magma. An ultramafic interval, consisting of an oxide-bearing peridotite overlying an
oxide-bearing pyroxenite, is present at the base of Unit I in areas where the PRI is in
direct contact with the Biwabik Iron Formation (extreme southeastern portion of the
Babbitt deposit).
Unit II - This unit exhibits considerable variation from one Cu-Ni deposit to the next. At the
Dunka Road and Babbitt deposits, Unit II consists of homogenous troctolitic rocks, with
minor sulfide mineralization, and a fairly persistent basal ultramafic layer that separates
Unit II from Unit I. The upper contact with Unit III is gradational at the Dunka Road
deposit. At the Wetlegs deposit, Unit II is either 1) a single ultramafic layer immediately
beneath Unit III, and/or 2) the Wetlegs Layered Interval (Fig. 8-3) which consists of
repeated, thin cyclic units that internally grade upward from ultramafic rock to troctolite.
Still farther to the west at the Wyman Creek deposit, Unit II consists of a single
ultramafic horizon that separates sulfide-bearing and heterogeneous troctolitic rocks of
Unit I from homogenous troctolitic rocks of Unit IV.
Unit III – This unit consists of poikilitic leucotroctolite that commonly grades into
poikilitic/ophitic augite troctolite. Because of its fine-grained texture and distinctive
olivine oikocrysts that impart a mottled appearance, Unit III is a useful marker horizon,
although it is absent from the Wyman Creek deposit and portions of the Babbitt deposit.
Hornfelsed basalt inclusions, or roof rocks, are commonly associated with Unit III at the
Dunka Road deposit. This relationship, and the highly gradational contact of Unit III

Page 232

�with Unit II, suggest that Unit III may have formed as a roof cumulate during
crystallization of Unit II.
Unit IV - Homogenous ophitic augite troctolite that contains a local basal unit of ultramafic
rock. Unit IV typically exhibits a highly gradational upper contact with Unit V. A cyclic
sequence of alternating troctolitic and ultramafic layers, termed the Bathtub Layered
Interval, is present in the Bathtub ore zone of the Babbitt deposit.
Unit V – Unit V consists of homogenous, coarse-grained leucotroctolite. At the Wyman
Creek deposit, drill hole relationships suggest that Unit V cuts downward into the lower
units (Fig. 8-3).
Units VI and VII - Each of these units consist of homogenous leucotroctolite that locally
grades into ophitic augite troctolite; both also contain a fairly persistent ultramafic base.
Several other similar units (Unit VIII and up) are present above these two units but they
are not defined by drilling.
OUI - Several late-stage pegmatitic plugs and vertical lenses of oxide-bearing ultramafic
intrusions (OUI) intrude the troctolitic rocks of the PRI. The acronym OUI was first used
by Severson and Hauck (1990) to designate cross-cutting pegmatitic bodies of peridotite,
melatroctolite, melagabbro, and clinopyroxenite that contain a high percentage of coarsegrained oxides (15-100%). Known OUI bodies in the PRI, with Fe-Ti potential, occur at
Section 17, Longnose, Longear, Wyman Creek, Section 22, Skibo, Skibo-South, and
Waterhen. In all instances, the OUI are spatially arranged along linear trends suggesting
that structural control was important to their genesis. In addition, the Longnose-LongearSection 17 group of OUIs are positioned over a window in the basal contact where the
Biwabik Iron-Formation is the footwall rock. This relationship suggests a genetic link
between assimilation of iron-formation at the basal contact and formation of OUI along a
coincident fault zone.

Figure 8-4. Generalized stratigraphy of the marginal zone of the Partridge River intrusion (modified from
Severson, 1994). Stratigraphic relationships for the area between the Wyman Creek deposit and the
Water Hen deposit are poorly understood and are not portrayed (taken from RI-58 figure 6.10).

Page 233

�Attributes of the more heterogeneous units (I and II) near the base of the PRI are interpreted
to indicate rapid magma replenishment in a progressively developing magma chamber, and
magmatic contamination from assimilated footwall rocks. The more homogeneous upper units
(IV-VII), each floored by a persistent ultramafic layer, were probably emplaced later in a welldeveloped magma chamber. The ultramafic layers in the upper units, and abundant ultramafic
layers of the Wetlegs and Bathtub layered intervals, probably represent the inception of episodic
magma injection that crystallized more primitive ultramafic layers before mixing with the
resident magma.
The contact zone between the PRI and South Kawishiwi Intrusion (SKI) is poorly exposed
and poorly drilled (Fig. 8-2). All of the units of the PRI marginal zone, including even the upper
units, become unrecognizable in the contact zone with the SKI and correlation of igneous units in
one drill hole to a nearby drill hole is tenuous at best. Severson (1994) reasoned that the
heterogeneous contact zone of the PRI originally formed at the contact with pre-Keweenawan
footwall rocks, and that later emplacement of the SKI effectively removed the footwall portion
and positioned SKI intrusive rocks up against PRI intrusive rocks. Complicating the picture of
the contact zone is the coincident Grano fault (Fig. 8-16), which appears to have been repeatedly
reactivated during, and after, emplacement of the PRI and SKI. The Grano fault may have also
served as a feeder channel to the massive sulfides of the Local Boy ore zone at the Babbitt deposit
(Fig. 8-15).
More petrologic studies have been conducted on the PRI than any other intrusion in the
Duluth Complex. These studies pertain to drill holes in the Babbitt deposit (see Miller and others,
2002 for references). Most of the studies pertain to a stratigraphic section intersected in one or a
few drill holes that represent only a small fraction of the PRI magmatic system. Divergent
progenetic interpretations have resulted from these studies and have been summarized by Miller
and Ripley (1996).

South Kawishiwi Intrusion
The South Kawishiwi intrusion (SKI) of Green and others (1966) hosts at least five subeconomic Cu-Ni deposits and a potential PGE-Cu-Ni deposit (Fig. 8-2). The SKI is dominantly
composed of troctolitic cumulates that are exposed in an 8- x 32-kilometer arcuate band.
Footwall rocks include the Virginia Formation, in the Serpentine and Dunka Pit deposits, the
Biwabik Iron Formation in the Dunka Pit and Birch Lake deposits, and the Archean Giants Range
Batholith in the Dunka Pit deposit north to the Spruce Road deposit. The presence of Biwabik
Iron Formation as inclusions as far north as the Spruce Road deposit indicates that the majority of
Paleoproterozoic units were assimilated and removed from the footwall during emplacement of
the SKI leaving the Giants Range Batholith as the dominant footwall rock type. Also present as
inclusions in the Dunka Pit and Serpentine deposits, are mafic volcanic hornfels (probable North
Shore Volcanic Group) and quartz sandstone hornfels (probably either the Puckwunge or
Nopeming sandstones. Anorthositic rocks (unit asau Fig. 8-2) abut the SKI on the northeast and
enclose a possible SKI feeder dike that extends farther northeast. To the east, the SKI is inferred
to be in semi-conformable contact with the Bald Eagle Intrusion (unit bei; Fig. 8-2). However,
based on their relative cross cutting relationships to the Greenwood Lake intrusion, it is clear that
the Bald Eagle is younger than the SKI (Chandler, 1990; Miller and others, 2002).
On the regional Duluth Complex map (M-119, Miller and others, 2001), the SKI is
subdivided into five major map units. These are, from the base upward,
1. a basal contact zone that is a heterogeneous mix of sulfide-bearing troctolitic, gabbroic,
and noritic rocks with abundant hornfels inclusions (unit skcz, M-119);
2. a thick unit of subophitic to ophitic augite troctolite (unit skat, M-119) that contains an
internal ophitic olivine gabbro unit (unit skog, M-119) ;

Page 234

�3. discontinuous and localized layers of poikilitic leucotroctolite (unit skpt, M-119);
4. a thick homogeneous sequence of ophitic troctolite (unit sktr, M-119) ; and
5. an uppermost thick sequence of homogeneous troctolite (unit skta, M-119) that contains
numerous anorthositic layers (designated as unit skan where anorthositic layers are
mapped in detail).
Detailed mapping of the Babbitt NE 7.5' quadrangle in 2001 and 2002 and published as an
MGS open-file map (Miller, Severson and Foose, 2002), has subdivided the southern part of the
SKI into eight stratiform map units. Most of these units show considerable variation in thickness
and some pinch out altogether. Moreover, whereas Foose and Cooper (1978) have interpreted
most of the anorthositic rock occurrences in the upper part of the SKI to be conformable
plagioclase cumulate layers interleaved within the largely troctolitic cumulates, we have
interpreted most anorthositic rock occurrences to be inclusions.
Severson (1994) and Zanko and others (1994) further subdivide the marginal zone of the
SKI (including units skcz, skat, skog, and sktr, Fig. 8-2) into 17 different lithostratigraphic units
(Fig. 8-5) that are present in over 180 drill holes over a strike length of 31 kilometers. Sulfide
mineralization is confined to the BH, BAN, UW, and U3 units, and to a lesser extent the U1 and
U2 units. Major marker horizons that are correlated in drill hole include three horizons with
abundant cyclic ultramafic layers (U1, U2, and U3 units) and a pegmatite-bearing unit (PEG
Unit) that was initially recognized by Foose (1984). A large anorthositic inclusion (&gt; 1 km thick)
is intersected in six deep drill holes in the Highway One corridor area (AN-G Unit in Fig. 8-5).

Figure 8-5. Generalized stratigraphy of the marginal zone of the South Kawishiwi intrusion (modified from
Severson, 1994; taken from RI-58 figure 6.12).

The lowest units of the marginal zone (Fig. 8-5) are the most varied with respect to textures,
rock types, and sulfide content. They are very unevenly distributed along the strike length of the
SKI in a “compartmentalized” fashion, suggesting a complicated intrusive history. The lowest
units were emplaced early into several restricted magma chambers via repeated and close-spaced
magmatic pulses. The U1, U2, and U3 units (Fig. 8-5) represent periods of rapid and continuous
magma injection that crystallized more primitive ultramafic layers before mixing with the
resident magma. The U3 Unit is unique among the lower units in that it contains several massive

Page 235

�oxide pods (titanomagnetite-rich) along its entire length. A spatial correspondence between the
U3 Unit and footwall iron-formation suggests that most of the massive oxide pods are iron-rich
“restite” produced by the magmatic digestion of iron-formation. The U3 Unit also contains the
majority of the high PGE values that have been sampled to date within the SKI. The upper units
of the SKI are more laterally continuous throughout the intrusion, though recent mapping in the
Babbitt NE quadrangle shows significant variation in thickness and, in some cases, pinching out
of these upper troctolitic units. Still, the generally greater lateral continuity and monotonous
troctolitic composition of these upper units suggest that they crystallized in a more quiescent and
open magmatic system characterized by widely-spaced, large volume magmatic pulses. The
occurrence of abundant anorthositic inclusions, especially in the uppermost unit (Fig 8-2), implies
that much of the growth of the SKI chamber was accomplished by emplacement of new magma
between previous troctolitic injections and an anorthositic series hanging wall.

Disseminated Cu-Ni Sulfide Mineralization in the PRI and SKI
Large resources of low-grade copper-nickel sulfide ore that locally contain anomalous PGE
concentrations are well documented by drilling in the basal zones of the Partridge River and
South Kawishiwi intrusions. At least nine subeconomic deposits (Fig. 8-3) have been delineated
in the basal 100 to 300 meters of both intrusions. The mineralization consists predominantly of
disseminated sulfides that collectively constitute over 4.4 billion tons of material averaging
0.66% Cu and 0.20% Ni (Listerud and Meineke, 1977). Overall, the copper to nickel ratio
averages 3.3:1; however, there are wide variations in the Cu:Ni ratio from one Cu-Ni deposit to
another deposit and also internally within each of the deposits. PGE concentrations average
about 10 ppm Pt+Pd (recalculated to 100% sulfide), but may range as high as 50 ppm Pt+Pd
(recalculated to 100% sulfide) in associated stratabound zones, such as at the Dunka Road and
Birch Lake deposits.
The disseminated sulfide deposits are hosted by taxitic troctolitic to gabbroic rocks that
contain abundant inclusions of footwall rock types. Within the Partridge River intrusion, the
basal unit - Unit I of Severson and Hauck (1990; Fig. 8-4) hosts the vast majority of the
disseminated sulfides. Similarly, mineralization within the South Kawishiwi intrusion is confined
to the bottom-most units (Fig. 8-5) that include the following units: BH (basal heterogeneous);
BAN (basal augite troctolite and norite); three ultramafic units (U1, U2, and U3); and UW (updip
wedge). The disseminated sulfide minerals (dominantly pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite, cubanite, and
pentlandite) occur as interstitial grains that make up between trace amounts and 10% of the rock
by volume (visual estimation). Pyrrhotite is generally the dominant sulfide, especially closer to
the basal contact.
Although this mineralization type is categorized as being present within the basal portions of
the intrusions, it is important to stress that the rock units do not always contain sulfides
throughout their entire vertical section. Mineralized zones are independent of rock type and are
typically extremely erratic in their spatial extent and ore grades. Zones that are barren of sulfides
commonly “interfinger” with mineralized zones in a random pattern. This erratic pattern of
mineralization, in part, mirrors the lithologic heterogeneity of the basal units. The only exception
to this random mineralization pattern is the Maturi deposit, and its downdip extension (Maturi
Extension; Peterson, 2001), where the uppermost portions of the BH Unit generally exhibit
copper values in excess of 1.0% that gradually decrease with depth toward the basal contact.
Contrasting with this heterogeneity of rock types and mineralization, some internal PGEbearing sulfide zones within the lower units of both intrusions exhibit a stratabound relationship
to the igneous stratigraphic section. Examples include Dunka Road and Birch Lake (see
discussion below).

Page 236

�Basal Cu-Ni Massive Sulfide Mineralization
In a few localized areas along the basal zones of the SKI and PRI, semi-massive to massive
sulfide mineralization is present at the basal contact. In most cases, the massive to semi-massive
sulfide is proximal to either sulfide-rich footwall rocks or structures such as faults and preComplex folds. Massive sulfide zones that are spatially related to sulfide-rich footwall rocks are
intersected in scattered drill holes in the Babbitt, Serpentine, and Dunka Pit deposits (Severson
and others (1994), Zanko and others (1994), and Severson (1994), respectively). All of these
massive sulfides are pyrrhotite-rich (with generally &lt;2% Cu) and are present at, or slightly above,
the basal contact. In all cases, a pyrrhotite-rich member of the footwall Virginia Formation (BDD
PO unit) is located at the basal contact and is situated up-dip of the massive sulfide occurrences.
This relationship suggests that the BDD PO unit acted as a local sulfur source, which generated a
Cu-poor, sulfide-rich melt that was gravitationally concentrated downdip, along the basal contact.
The massive sulfide occurrence in the Local Boy ore zone of the Babbitt deposit (Fig. 8-3) is
clearly structurally controlled. At this locality, the massive sulfide zones are Cu-rich (generally
5-25% Cu) and are situated along the axis of an anticline defined by the footwall rock units. The
highest PGE values (11 ppm Pd and 8 ppm Pt) yet found within the Duluth Complex are
associated with these structurally-controlled Cu-rich massive sulfides. The massive sulfides are
almost exclusively hosted by the Virginia Formation, present as both inclusions above the basal
contact and in the footwall rocks below the basal contact. These relationships, plus sulfide
textures that are indicative of structural preparation, suggest that the massive sulfides were
"injected" into the footwall rocks. Ripley (1986) and Severson and Barnes (1991) propose that an
immiscible sulfide melt, formed in an auxiliary magma chamber at depth, was injected into
structurally prepared zones in the footwall rocks along the anticline to form the Local Boy ores.
Late movement of Cl-rich fluids, along the axis of the anticline, further redistributed and
concentrated the PGEs (Severson and Barnes, 1991). Recent studies (Severson and Zanko, in
prep.) indicate that there is an overall increase in the Cu-PGE content of the massive sulfide in an
east-to-west direction (Fig. 8-6); this is perhaps the result of fractional crystallization of
immiscible sulfide melt as it migrated into the footwall rocks. In this scenario, the north-south
trending Grano fault is inferred to be a potential feeder zone.
Structurally-controlled veins and irregular pods of massive sulfide are locally present within
granitic footwall rocks immediately beneath the SKI. These occurrences are intersected in
scattered holes that outline two northeast-trending belts (Fig. 8-7). The linearity of the belts
suggests they are fault controlled. One of these belts crudely aligns with the Birch Lake fault
zone which trends through the Birch Lake PGE prospect. The veins are moderately Cu-enriched
due to fractional crystallization of the sulfide melt as it moved down through the footwall rocks
(Bonnichsen and others, 1980; Severson, 1994).
The occurrence of local massive sulfide veins near and below the basal contact of the Duluth
Complex is an indication that larger, potentially economic footwall massive sulfide deposits may
yet be found. In the Sudbury Complex, pooling of a monosulfide solid solution (mss) melt at the
basal contact appears to be an important prerequisite to the injection of fractionated sulfide melts
(Naldrett, 1997).

Stratabound PGE Mineralization
Most of the PGE-enriched zones in both the Partridge River and South Kawishiwi intrusions
are stratabound in nature. These stratabound PGE horizons are intimately associated with the CuNi sulfide mineralization and with one or more ultramafic layers that indicate magma recharge
events. Thus, their PGE-enrichment appears to be related to magma mixing. However, there are
also indications that the PGE content in some of these horizons was locally modified by later Clrich hydrothermal solutions.

Page 237

�231
2400E

3600E

2800E

3200E

4400E

4000E
211

3600S

3600S
Axis of Bathtub Syncline

189

149

253

?
197

4000S
144

217

4000S

230

?

?

?

A-4

228

?

234

156

A-3

4400S

A-5

121

4400S

154

A-6

?

A-2

158
?

U

D

?
SHAFT
A-1

4800S
162

146

138

142

4800S

152

?
?

Axis of Local Boy
Anticline

?
?
?

159
143

?

?
124

B-3

5200S
133

U
D

B-1

161

132

B-1A

B-2

B-2A

136

5200S

B-5

B-4

B-3A

150

C-0

Kulas
Fault
?

?
?

C-1

119

C-1A

?
?

D-5

D-4

D-3

D-2

130

160

?

C-2A

116

5600S

?

C-2

D-1

?

?
148

?

5600S

C-3

139

105

127

135

C-3A

U

C-4

D

C-4A

2400E

C-5
C-5A
C-6

153
6000S
141

134

129

131

137
?

?

Grano Fault
163

140

120

N

MASSIVE SULFIDE TYPES:
1. SEMI-CONTINUOUS MASSIVE SULFIDE
HORIZONS ASSOCIATED WITH FOOTWALL
ROCKS OR HORNFELS INCLUSIONS
ABOVE THE BASAL CONTACT
Pyrrhotite Dominant
i.e. &gt;85% of sulf. is PO
Pyrrhotite Rich
i.e. 50-85% of sulf. is PO
Copper Rich (i.e. PO is 50%,
Cu minerals 50%)

SCALE
0

100
FT.

2. WIDELY SCATTERED PODS OF SEMIMASSIVE TO MASSIVE SULFIDE
ASSOCIATED WITH EITHER
HORNFELS INCLUSIONS OR TROCTOLITIC
ROCKS (Pyrrhotite Dominant, &gt;85% PO)

UNDERGROUND DRIFT
B-5

UNDERGROUND DRILL FAN

153

SURFACE DRILL HOLE

Figure 8-6. Potential distribution of semi-massive to massive sulfide types, relative to
the Grano fault and Local Boy anticlinal axis, at the Local Boy ore zone of the
Babbitt deposit (from Severson and Zanko, in prep.; taken from RI-58, Figure 8.4).

Page 238

�Figure 8-7. Linear
distribution of
massive sulfide,
disseminated sulfide,
and copper-rich
veins in the Giants
Range granitic
footwall rocks
beneath the South
Kawishiwi intrusion
(after Severson,
1994; taken from RI58, Figure 8.5).

Stratabound PGE-enriched horizons, with low to moderate sulfide concentrations (0.05-1.0
wt.% S), are commonly associated with ultramafic layers in the Dunka Road, Babbitt, Wetlegs,
and Birch Lake deposits (Fig. 8-3). Elevated Cu and PGE concentrations at the Dunka Road
deposit occur at the extreme top of Unit I immediately beneath a laterally persistent ultramafic
layer. This stratabound horizon (red horizon of Geerts, 1991, 1994) averages about 10 meters
thick and contains an average of 1.0 ppm Pd+Pt. Recent work by Theriault and others (1997,
2000) suggests that the sulfur was largely derived from the mafic magma and that this
stratabound horizon was formed as a result of magma mixing. Two similar stratabound PGEenriched horizons, related to laterally discontinuous ultramafic layers, occur toward the middle of
Unit I at Dunka Road (orange and yellow horizons of Geerts, 1991; 1994).
To the west of Dunka Road, the stratabound PGE horizon at the top of Unit I is also present
at the Wetlegs and Wyman Creek deposits. There however, the overall Pd content in this horizon
exhibits a definite decrease in an east-to-west direction suggesting that as the magma was
intruded it became progressively impoverished with respect to PGE (Severson and Hauck, 1997;
Theriault and others, 1997). Additional PGE-enriched stratabound horizons are situated much
further above the basal contact in the Partridge River intrusion. These horizons are also often
associated with ultramafic layers and are present at Dunka Road, Wetlegs and the Fish Lake area
(Sassani, 1992; Severson, 1995).
Another example of a PGE stratabound horizon is at the Birch Lake PGE prospect within
the SKI. There, PGE contents as high as 9 ppm Pd+Pt, and Cr2O3 contents locally as high as 10
wt.%, are associated with a wide variety of rock types within the U3 Unit. The U3 Unit consists
of alternating troctolitic and ultramafic layers in which variably sulfide-mineralized zones and
discontinuous pods of Cr-bearing massive oxide both occur (Severson, 1994). The massive oxide
pods are interpreted, based on empirical relationships, to have been produced by assimilation and
partial melting of the Biwabik Iron Formation. This oxide-rich partial melt may have initially
acted as a trap that concentrated Cr and Ti, and through further assimilation and contamination of

Page 239

�the magma, may have led to precipitation of PGE. However, because the ultramafic layers of the
U3 Unit are interpreted to record new influxes of more primitive magma (Severson, 1994),
magma mixing may have played a more significant role in PGE mineralization.
Furthermore, the presence of Cl-rich drops on the surface of drill core from the Birch Lake
area suggests that a hydrothermal model of concentrating the PGE could also be invoked. A
model involving ascending Cl-rich hydrothermal fluids, depicted in Figure 8-8 and similar to a
model proposed by Boudreau and McCallum (1992), may have remobilized and further
concentrated the PGE along the northeast-trending Birch Lake fault (Severson, 1994). A possible
explanation, depicted in Figure 8-8, is that the Birch Lake area represents an area where there was
a local increase in the amount of upward-moving Cl-rich solutions that were concentrated, or
funneled, along the Birch Lake fault.
Another explanation is that the Birch Lake Fault may have initially served as a subsidiary
feeder zone to the South Kawishiwi intrusion (Hauck and others, in prep.). According to their
model, uncontaminated PGE-enriched magmas were vented in the Birch Lake area. Upon mixing
with the resident magma, which was contaminated due to interaction with the Biwabik Iron
Formation, PGEs were deposited in zones of turbulent mixing. As the magma migrated away
from the vent area (up-dip?) it became progressively impoverished with respect to PGEs.

Figure 8-8. Schematic diagram showing the possible role that the Birch Lake fault may have played in
funneling upward-moving Cl-rich solutions and the resultant reconcentration of significant magmatic
PGE within the U3 Unit at the Birch Lake PGE area (modified from Severson, 1994; taken from RI-58,
Figure 8.8).

Page 240

�Oxide Ultramafic Intrusions (OUI)
Exploratory drilling for Cu-Ni mineralization encountered several OUIs, that later were
evaluated for their Fe-Ti±V potential. Many of the OUIs are expressed as aeromagnetic highs,
commonly with an associated electromagnetic conductor, and thus they were initially drilled in
search of conductive sulfide mineralization. At least thirteen OUIs have been intersected in drill
holes along the basal contact of the Duluth Complex (Fig. 8-3).
The OUIs are plugs or pipe-like bodies that commonly have irregular apophyses. They
intrude troctolitic rocks of the Partridge River, Western Margin, and Boulder Lake intrusions.
The Waterhen OUI appears to be rootless as defined by detailed drilling; the three-dimensional
configurations of the other OUIs are unknown due to insufficient drilling. In general, the OUIs
are spatially arranged along linear trends suggesting that structural control was important to their
genesis. Almost all of the OUIs are cross-cutting. Rock types include coarse-grained to
pegmatitic clinopyroxenite, dunite, peridotite, melatroctolite, and minor melagabbro; all rock
types are oxide-bearing. Some OUIs exhibit a crude zonation from an olivine-rich core (dunite,
peridotite, melatroctolite) to an outer clinopyroxenite margin, whereas others consist of only one
dominant rock type.
Oxide content is variable in the OUIs and ranges from 15% in disseminated zones to 100%
in localized massive oxide zones. OUIs that contain thick intervals of massive oxide include
Longnose (up to 30 meters thick; Linscheid, 1991) and Section 34 (up to 40 m thick; Severson,
1995). Titanomagnetite is dominant in some of the OUIs whereas ilmenite is dominant in other
OUIs. Sulfide minerals (predominantly pyrrhotite) are ubiquitous in all the OUIs and range from
trace amounts to 5% in disseminated zones to &gt;70% in localized net-textured and massive sulfide
zones, as at Waterhen, Boulder Lake South, and Fish Lake (Fig. 8-3).

Page 241

�STOP DESCRIPTIONS
STOP 8-1: Hornfels Virginia Formation, Duluth Complex Footwall at Linwood Lake
Location: Approximately 300 feet southwest of the intersection of Linwood Lake Road and
Reagan Road. Harris Lake 7.5’ quadrangle, T.56N., R.14W., Sec 22, NE of SE of SW;
567865E, 52407780N (NAD83)
Description: Outcrops of the Virginia Formation at Linwood Lake show a progressive increase
in the amount of deformation, metamorphism, and degree of partial melting towards the basal
contact of the Duluth Complex (which based on limited drilling in this area exhibits a nearvertical cliff-like geometry). In this area, outcrops furthest from the contact consist of
interbedded argillite and fine-grained distal graywacke (Bouma sequence B with minor C) that
exhibit shallow dips of 15° to the southeast. However, slightly closer to the Complex, bedding
dips increase to 40-60° to the northeast and small wisps (&lt;5 mm) of partial melt are present along
bedding planes. Still closer to the Complex (Stop 8-1) the grade of metamorphism and associated
deformation progressively increase and at least two metamorphic varieties are superimposed on
the original sedimentary package. Both of these metamorphic varieties are visible at this stop and
consist of the following:
Disrupted unit (Fig. 8-9)– In close proximity to the Complex the well-bedded sediments of the
Virginia Formation are typically transformed into a highly deformed rock or metatexite (Sawyer,
1999). Textures that characterize this rock are bedding planes that are extremely chaotic and
random in orientation due to small-scale folding, faulting, and brecciation. Superimposed on this
chaotic pattern are abundant zones of partial melt that are also chaotic and folded. Albeit
differences in grain size, the partial melts are composed of the same mineralogy as the
surrounding sedimentary rocks (feldspar, quartz, orthopyroxene, cordierite, and biotite).

Figure 8-9. Photograph of disrupted unit of metamorphosed and folded Virginia Formation with abundant
partial melt lenses and wisps in close proximity to the Duluth Complex at Linwood Lake, MN.

Page 242

�Recrystallized unit (Fig. 8-10)– This unit is a higher-grade metamorphic equivalent of the
disrupted unit, and is properly classed as a diatexite (Sawyer, 1999). By contrast, rocks of the
recrystallized unit were heated, generating 20-40% pervasive partial melts, which literally
enabled the rocks to flow in response to stresses that were applied during emplacement of the
Duluth Complex. All bedding planes are obliterated and what remains is a medium-grained
recrystallized rock that contains plagioclase, cordierite, orthopyroxene, and decussate biotite.
Within this recrystallized matrix are blocks/boudins of more structurally competent siltstone and
calc-silicate hornfels (originally limey layers).

Figure 8-10: Photograph of recrystallized unit of metamorphosed Virginia Formation in close proximity to
the Duluth Complex at Linwood Lake, MN.

STOP 8-2: Anorthositic Series, Duluth Complex, Skibo Vista
Location: Roadcut on St. Louis Co. Highway 110, approx. 3.7 mi. north of Co. Hwy 16.
Bird Lake 7.5' quadrangle; T.57N., R.13W., Sec 17, SE of NW; 574140E 5252806N
(NAD83)
Description: Exposed in roadcuts on either side of Co. 110 is an exposure of poikilitic troctolitic
anorthosite that is a common lithology of the anorthositic series of the Duluth Complex. The
rock varies in texture and modal mineralogy on a meter scale over the outcrops ranging from
medium- to medium coarse in grain size, from subpoikilitic to poikilitic in olivine habit, and from
80 to 90% in plagioclase mode. Plagioclase foliation is locally well developed and varies in
orientation throughout the exposures. Olivine oikocrysts range from 1 to 5 cm in diameter (larger
ones on north side of exposures) and are locally concentrated in planes that parallel foliation and
thereby impart a subtle layering.
This exposure lies at the western extent of a large expanse of plagioclase-rich gabbroic rocks
that comprise the Anorthositic Series of the Duluth Complex (Fig. 8-1). West of here, troctolitic
cumulates of the Western Margin intrusion are inferred to occur (Figs. 8-1, 8-2). The lithologic
characteristics and structural complexities of the Anorthositic Series, which are hinted at here,

Page 243

�have lead many workers (Grout, 1918; Taylor, 1964; Miller and Weiblen, 1990) to conclude that
these rocks formed from multiple injections of plagioclase-enriched mafic magmas (plagioclase
crystal mushes) early in the main stage of Duluth Complex magmatism. The effectively identical
ages of Anorthositic and Layered Series rocks (~1099Ma, Paces and Miller, 1993) implies that
intrusion of normal (crystal-free) magmas, forming layered series intrusions like the Western
Margin Intrusion, followed soon after the emplacement and crystallization of the Anorthositic
Series.
STOP 8-3a: Erie hornfels – mafic volcanic unit overlying the Virginia Formation, Erie/LTV
RR Grade
Location: Access via Dunka Road (private mining company road) approximately 5 miles west
the LTV guard shack. Allen 7.5’ quadrangle, T.59N., R.13W., Sec 18, NW of SE of SW;
571815E 5271060N (NAD83)
Description: Inclusions of hornfelsed basalt bodies are documented in many places in the Duluth
Complex – the earliest detailed studies were by Kilburg (1972), for the Ely’s Peak basalts beneath
the Complex near Duluth, MN, and Bonnichsen (1972), for several inclusions located within the
Complex. The Erie hornfels was originally discussed by Bonnichsen (1972), and was more
recently described in detail by Tyson (1976). Detailed geologic mapping of the area (Severson
and Miller, 1999) indicates that the Erie hornfels directly overlies the Virginia Formation (based
on the geology in surrounding drill holes) and is most likely situated near the base of the North
Shore Volcanic Group in this area.
The Erie hornfels is exposed in a 215-meter long railroad cut. Tyson (1976) described it as a
series of basalt flows, dipping 55° to the southeast, that are characterized by fine-grained
granoblastic rocks containing variable amounts of plagioclase, olivine, and augite with lesser
amounts of hornblende and biotite. Relict amygdules (plagioclase- or augite-filled ovoids) and
relict plagioclase phenocrysts are present in many places in the railroad cut but the amygdules
appear to be more concentrated in the upper portions of the flows. Tyson (1976) also reports that
biotite-rich layers are locally present in the exposures and that these layers were probably formed
from either interflow sedimentary rocks or altered flow tops.

STOP 8-3b: Marginal Units of the Partridge River Intrusion, Erie/LTV RR Grade
Location: Erie/LTV RR Grade approximately 1/3 mile east of previous stop. Allen 7.5’
quadrangle, T.59N., R.13W., Sec 18, SE of SE, and Sec 19, SW of SW; traverse from
572430E, 5271135N to 572960E, 5271205N (NAD83)
Description: The Wetlegs Cu-Ni deposit was initially drilled by Bear Creek Mining in 19581960 (referred to as the A4 grid) on the basis of electromagnetic conductors which were found to
be related to graphitic portions of the footwall Virginia Formation. Some indications of Cu-Ni
mineralization were found in the initial drilling and after acquiring state mineral leases in 1966
Bear Creek conducted some follow-up drilling. However, the Cu-Ni grades were low overall,
and Bear Creek abandoned further mineral exploration endeavors in this area of the Complex.
Exxon Minerals Corp. leased the same lands and conducted drilling programs in 1975 and 1979.
They estimated that the Wetlegs deposit contained 38 million tons of material grading 0.29% Cu
and 0.10% Ni using a cutoff grade of 0.15% Cu. Recent sampling for platinum group elements
(PGE) indicates that there are at least three potential stratabound zones at Wetlegs (Severson and
Hauck, 2003).

Page 244

�A west to east traverse along the LTV railroad tracks will be conducted at this field stop.
The traverse, approximately 0.5 miles long, will start at the basal contact and progress upwards
through the igneous stratigraphy of the Partridge River intrusion. Outcrops of Units I and III will
be viewed. A generalized geologic map of the Wetlegs area is shown in Figure 8-11. Detailed
descriptions of the railroad cuts are listed below.

Oxide Ultramafic
Intrusion
Troctolite (V)
Augite Troctolite(IV)

PoikiliticTroctolite (III)
Melatroctolite (II)
Contact Zone (I)

EEl

MaficVolanic
H or n fe Is

Virginia
Formation

Figure 8-11: Geology of the Partridge River Intrusion in the vicinity of the Wetlegs Cu-Ni deposit showing
stops 8-3a (Erie hornfels) and 8-3b (Wetlegs deposit). Roman numerals correspond to stratigraphic
units of Severson and Hauck (1990). Modified from Severson and Miller (1999).

Feet (to the East)

Description

0 ft.
100-110 ft.
(left side of tracks)

Railroad culvert – Longnose Creek
Sulfide/gossan-cemented till consisting mostly of large boulders of a
pyrrhotite- and graphite-rich member of the Virginia Formation (the BDD
PO unit). Note the rounded granite cobbles beneath the BDD PO boulders.
Drilling indicates that the BDD PO subcrops very close to this location.
337-355 ft.
Very fine-grained (chilled) gabbronorite at basal contact with 60%
(left side of tracks) plagioclase, 30% orthopyroxene, 5 % clinopyroxene, trace to 2 % biotite,
and 3 % oxides. The outcrop contains well-assimilated “streaks” of
Virginia Formation inclusions (very hard to see).
400-1025 ft.
Unit I – taxitic medium- to coarse-grained ophitic augite troctolite (POcf) to
(both sides of olivine gabbro (PcOf) with patches and lenses of augite-rich pegmatite.
tracks)
The outcrops are sulfide bearing with the sulfides unevenly distributed
along patches, spots, lenses, and joint faces (at numerous orientations!).
Trace amounts to 5% uralite due to pervasive deuteric alteration is present.
1245-1355 ft.
Unit I – taxitic, pervasively uralitized, medium- to coarse-grained ophitic
(two outcrops on olivine gabbro (PcOf) to augite troctolite (POcf) with trace to 1% sulfides.
left side of tracks) Also present within these outcrops are very coarse-grained anorthosite
inclusions that vary from 10 cm across to 3x5 meter blocks. The edges of
the inclusions are sharp, and straight to highly lobate. Within the
inclusions, the plagioclase foliation is subvertical and highly variable.
Unit I – taxitic, medium- to coarse-grained ophitic augitic troctolite (POcf)
1385-1685 ft.
(many outcrops on with abundant irregular pegmatitic patches and lenses. The pegmatites

Page 245

�both
sides
tracks)

of contain variable amounts of saussurized plagioclase, clinopyroxene, oxides,
biotite, and uralite, with minor quartz, k-feldspar, graphic granite, and
sulfides. Most of the sulfides are either within or adjacent to the
pegmatites. Uralite is common throughout the outcrops as pervasive
replacement products in irregular patches and along joints.
2355-2480 ft.
Unit III – mottled, poikilitic/ophitic troctolite (Po(cf)) to augite troctolite
(four outcrops on (Pocf). This is a major marker bed due to the presence of medium- to highboth sides of the density olivine oikocrysts up to 10 cm across. This unit is easily recognized
tracks)
in drill core due to the mottled texture, and the relatively finer-grained
plagioclase (1-5 mm).

Dunka Road and Babbitt Deposits
As the bus proceeds to the next field stop, we will traverse across the southernmost limits of the
Dunka Road deposit (originally drilled by United States Steel, now held by PolyMet Mining and
called the NorthMet deposit) and the Babbitt deposit (originally drilled by Bear Creek and Amax,
now held by Teck Cominco and called the Mesaba deposit). There is very little to see in the way
of mineralized exposures for either of these deposits. However, one point to keep in mind is the
immense size of these low-grade deposits. The Dunka Road/NorthMet deposit extends for about
3 miles along the road, and the Babbitt/Mesaba deposit extends for another 2.5 miles along the
road (the deposits are separated by undrilled and untested area that is about 1 mile wide).

STOP 8-4: Hornfels mafic volcanic inclusion and oxide ultramafic intrusions near the
margin of the Partridge River Intrusion
Location: Erie/LTV RR Grade approximately 2 miles west of the locked gate on the Dunka
Road. Babbitt NE 7.5’ quadrangle T. 60N., R.13W., Sec 33.; 584510E, 5275715N
(NAD83)
Description: The Dunka Railroad hornfels is a large mafic volcanic inclusion located near the
eastern margin of the Partridge River intrusion and just south of the Babbitt/Mesaba deposit.
Outcrops and drill hole information indicates that the inclusion is about 900 x 1,500 meters
across. The hornfels is a fine-grained, granoblastic to poikiloblastic basaltic hornfels that
contains variable amounts of plagioclase, augite, hypersthene, inverted pigeonite, and olivine.
Both massive and meta-amydaloidal varieties are present.
In addition to the basaltic hornfels, several small bodies of late intrusive OUIs are also
present in the railroad cuts. The abundance of OUIs at this locality is related to proximity to the
north-trending Grano Fault, which may have served as a feeder vent for the massive sulfides at
the Local Boy area of the Babbitt/Mesaba deposit. These OUIs, and a wide variety of granitic
rocks, occur as lenses and bodies that cut the troctolitic rocks of the Partridge River intrusion.
They are extremely common in drill holes, within a 400-580 meter wide zone, on the west side of
the Grano Fault. The OUIs at this locality are characterized by medium- to coarse-grained
clinopyroxenite with 75-80% augite, 0-15% olivine, &lt;5% interstitial plagioclase, and 5-15%
oxides (ilmenite is dominant). Contact relationships with the basaltic hornfels are sharp but
highly irregular and lobate. Granitic dikes and veins, present within a NNE-trending zone, are
also evident in the exposures. They are rarely observed in close proximity to the OUI, but where
they are, the dikes crosscut the OUI.

Page 246

�STOP 8-5: Cu-Ni sulfide mineralization, Spruce Road deposit, South Kawishiwi Intrusion
Location: Barrow pit 200 feet west of Spruce Road (Forest Rd 181) approximately 3.5 miles
north of Highway One. Bogberry Lake 7.5’ quadrangle, T.62N., R.11W., Sec 24, NE of SE
of SW; 599295E, 5299010N (NAD83)
Description: It all started here! Serious exploration for Cu-Ni deposits at the base of the Duluth
Complex began somewhere near this site in 1948 when strongly mineralized and gossanous rocks
were uncovered in an excavation into weathered gabbro rubble used to build the Spruce Road.
Local prospector Fred S. Childers of Ely, MN, noted copper stains in the material and began
searching the outcrops along the basal contact in the vicinity of the Kawishiwi River. Roger V.
Whiteside of Duluth, MN, later joined him in further exploration. In 1951, they diamond drilled a
57 meter (188 feet) deep hole located several miles to the southwest of this site in what is now
referred to as the Maturi deposit (Fig. 8-3). This hole intersected disseminated sulfides in
gabbroic rock that averaged 0.36% Cu and 0.13% Ni (Watowich and others, 1981).
In 1952, both Bear Creek Mining Company and the International Nickel Company (INCO)
began intensive exploration efforts along a 61 km-long zone (38 miles) that coincided with the
basal contact (an area stretching from south of the town of Hoyt Lakes northeastward to this site
at Spruce Road). INCO eventually picked up the Childers-Whiteside properties and began
drilling activities in 1954; whereas, Bear Creek concentrated most of their effort near the town of
Babbitt and drilled several properties during 1957-1960. During this same period, the Minnesota
Geological Survey, in cooperation with the U.S. Bureau of Mines, began an examination of the
Maturi-Spruce Road area that culminated in the drilling of three holes in 1953. All of these
exploration efforts indicated that large tonnage, but low grade, disseminated Cu-Ni deposits were
present along the basal contact.
In 1966, the Minnesota Department of Conservation adopted rules for state mineral leases.
The leases were offered through the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and were awarded
to successful bidders. Since 1966, over 20 companies have been actively involved in exploration
for Cu-Ni and Fe-Ti-V deposits along the basal contact of the Complex and over 1.700 holes
totaling over 1.5 million feet of core have been drilled.
In regards to the Spruce Road deposit, INCO drilled over 150 holes on the property at
approximately 200-foot spacings. They calculated that the deposit contains 248 million tons of
low-grade material averaging 0.46% Cu and 0.17% Ni. INCO collected at least two bulk samples
from Spruce Road: 1) a 1,150 ton sample from several unknown small pits in 1966-67 (Watowich
and others, 1981) and; 2) a 10,000 ton sample in 1974. It is uncertain if this barrow pit is one of
the 1966-67 INCO bulk sample sites or if this pit was only used for road material. Rock types at
this pit consist of sulfide-bearing, taxitic augite troctolite and olivine gabbro of the BH Unit
(Basal Heterogeneous Unit) in the Marginal Zone of the South Kawishiwi intrusion. The BH
Unit is approximately 360 meters thick (1,200 feet) at Spruce Road. Footwall rocks at Spruce
Road consist dominantly of granitic rocks of the Archean Giants Range batholith; but in local
areas the Biwabik Iron Formation is still preserved beneath the basal contact. At this locale, the
pit is situated about 150 meters (480 feet) above the basal contact. Cu-Ni grades in the top of a
nearby drill hole (34801) are 0.51-0.63% Cu and 0.15-0.17% Ni.

Page 247

�Figure 8-12: Location map of Stop 8-5 at the Spruce Road Cu-Ni deposit. Two possible INCO bulk
sample sites are shown (this stop included), as well as, the reclaimed location of a 10,000 ton bulk
sample collected by INCO in 1974.

STOP 8-6: Quarry exposure of homogeneous troctolite, South Kawishiwi Intrusion
Location: Approx. 3.0 miles south of Spruce Road on Highway 1; follow old access road to
abandoned quarry about 800m S of Highway 1.
Bogberry Lake 7.5' quad; T.61N., R.11W., Sec 11, SE of NW; 597940E 5293550W
(NAD83)
Description: This abandoned quarry provides a 3-dimensional look at the remarkable
homogeneity of troctolitic cumulates, which compose most the South Kawishiwi (and Partridge
River) intrusion. The average rock type is a medium-grained, moderately foliated, augite-poor
troctolite. Moderately aligned, cumulus plagioclase makes up 70-75% of the rock, though locally
up to 80% plagioclase occurs and the rock would be classified as a leucotroctolite. Subhedral
granular olivine composes 20-25% of the average rock, though here too, local olivine enrichment

Page 248

�of up to 30% occurs in thin layers parallel to foliation. Interstitial augite and Fe-Ti oxide
compose 3-7% of the rock.
The textural and mineralogic homogeneity of the troctolitic cumulates composing the middle
to upper sections of the SKI (and PRI), and displayed here, are matched by limited variation in
mineral compositions of plagioclase, olivine and pyroxene. Phinney (1969) reported a range of
plagioclase and olivine compositions in troctolitic units of SKI (excluding the marginal rocks) of
An57-72 and Fo50-63, respectively. Similar results are displayed by unpublished microprobe data
from troctolitic rocks from the Babbitt NE quadrangle, which indicate olivine compositions of
Fo50-65 and augite compositions of En68-75. Many see this lithologic homogeneity and lack of
significant cryptic variation as indicating that the SKI and PRI magma systems were open to
frequent recharge of relatively primitive magma (Severson, 1994; Lee and Ripley, 1996; Miller
and Ripley, 1996). New recharge events are commonly marked by the intermittent occurrences
of olivine-rich (melatroctolite) intervals separating otherwise subtle differences in troctolite
texture and mode (Severson, 1994). These melatroctolite intervals show a significant increase in
An, Fo, and En compositions consistent with the recharge of a more primitive magma. An
alternative explanation has been put forth by Chalokwu (Chalokwu and Grant, 1990; Chalokwu
and others, 1993). He has suggested that this homogeneity is indicative of single stage
emplacement of a viscous semi-crystallized olivine-plagioclase mush that experienced little in
situ differentiation. However, his sampling routinely overlooked the melatroctolite intervals.

STOP 8-7: Anorthositic inclusion? in troctolite, South Kawishiwi Intrusion
Location: Road cut on Tomahawk Rd. about 7.5 miles west of Highway 1;
Babbitt NE 7.5' quad; T.60N., R.11W., Sec 18, center of NE; 592355E 5282430W (NAD83)
Description: Scattered throughout the entire sequence of monotonous troctolitic cumulates are
masses of coarse- to medium-grained troctolitic anorthosite to olivine gabbroic anorthosite. In
recent mapping of the Babbitt NE quadrangle (Miller, Severson and Foose, 2002), we (Miller and
Severson) have consistently interpreted these anorthositic masses as inclusions. We believe that
they represent pieces of the anorthositic series roof pendant that was upwardly displaced and
dissaggregated with successive recharge events into the SKI magma chamber. In an earlier
detailed field mapping of this mixed anorthosite-troctolite terrane, mainly to the northeast of here,
Foose and Cooper (1978, 1981) interpreted many of these anorthositic bodies as comagmatic
layers within the troctolite. They saw their elongate and conformable relationship with the
internal structure of the enclosing troctolite as evidence that most of these bodies are lensoidal
plagioclase cumulate intervals intermittently layered within the troctolite. They used the apparent
offset of these layers as evidence for a complex fault pattern (Fig. 8-13).
This stop along the Tomahawk road will examine one such example of a troctolitic
anorthosite body within leucotroctolitic cumulates. This interval of the SKI is particularly rich in
anorthosite bodies. The relationships displayed here are difficult to reconcile with either the
Miller and others (2002) or the Foose and Cooper (1978,1981) interpretations. An irregularly
shaped anorthosite block projects into the leucotroctolite and appears to cut across the foliation in
the enclosing leucotroctolite (Fig. 8-13).

Page 249

�Figure 8-13. Geologic map of the Harris Lake area, which is northeast of Stop 8-7 from by Foose and
Cooper (1981). Map units are: 1 - augite troctolite, 2 - troctolite, 2a - ophitic augite troctolite layer,
2b - traceable anorthosite layer, 3 - anorthosite

haAn.csgaLx ,!aa 44/ •i

Page 250

Figure 8-14. Photo of road
cut at Stop 8-7
showing an irregularly
shaped troctolitic
anorthosite mass in
leucotroctolite.
Foliation in the
leucotroctolite is
approximately parallel
to the hammer.

�STOP 8-8: Grano fault zone, Partridge River Intrusion (optional)
Location: Small exposure north of Forest Rd 113, 100m east ;
Babbitt SE 7.5' quad; T.59N., R.12W., Sec 16, NW of NW; 584486E 5272519W (NAD83)
Description: The Grano fault is a major N-S trending structure that was first recognized in the
subsurface by compiling exploration drill hole data related to the Babbitt and Serpentine deposit
areas (Severson, 1994). As shown in Fig. 8-15, the fault creates a significant (~60m)
displacement (down to the east) of the Duluth Complex footwall and affects both the Partridge
River and the South Kawishiwi Intrusions. Drill holes into the fault zone in the southeastern
portion of the Babbitt deposit shows that to the immediate west of the fault is a 400-580 meterwide (up to 2,000 feet) zone that contains abundant subvertical lenses of granophyre and OUI.
To the north along the fault trace the zone with late subvertical lenses pinches down appreciably
(not present at Serpentine) and the amount of motion along the fault diminishes as well,
indicating that the fault is a “scissors-type” fault. The massive sulfides of the Local Boy ore zone
of the Babbitt deposit have been inferred to have been “vented” from the Grano fault.
The surface expression of the fault is a prominent linear valley that can be traced over 10
kilometers south from the basal contact (Fig. 8-16). This stop is in the axis of that valley. The
rock types exposed on the margins of this valley are a complex mixture of augite leucotroctolite
with poikilitic olivine, ophitic augite troctolite to olivine gabbro, poikilitic olivine gabbroic
anorthosite, and locally granophyric gabbroic pegmatite. This assemblage represents a complex
mix of anorthositic series inclusions and unmineralized marginal zone rocks of the Partridge
River Intrusion. The granophyric gabbroic pegmatite is evidently related to a late, volatile-rich
mafic magma intruded into Grano fault zone. In the small pavement exposure near the road, a
medium-grained poikilitic augite leucotroctolite is cut by gabbroic pegmatite.

Figure 8-15. Grayscale image of the footwall topography of the Partridge River and South Kawishiwi
intrusions near their contact showing the subsurface expression of the Grano Fault (image generated by
Dean Peterson)

Page 251

�I•i-_•
--

'-.•

2000 m

Figure 8-16. Grayscale image of surface topography of the Partridge River and South Kawishiwi intrusions
near their contact showing the surface expression of the Grano Fault. Lines show geologic contacts
and faults taken from MGS Misc. Map M-119. SKI - South Kawishiwi intrusion; PRI - Partridge
River intrusion; AS - anorthositic series; PG - "Powerline Gabbro" of Bonnichsen (1974); HB hornfels basalt; BIF - Biwabik Iron-formation; VF - Virginia Formation.

STOP 8-9: Volcanic hornfels and plagioclase-phyric leucogabbro, Partridge River Intrusion
Location: Roadcuts along Erie/LTV RR grade approx 1km west of crossing by Forest Rd 113
Babbitt SW 7.5' quad; T.59N., R.12W., Sec 18, SW of SW; 581500E 5271020W (NAD83)
Description: Scattered throughout the homogeneous troctolites of the Partridge River intrusion
are kilometer-scale inclusions that are composed of various mixtures of anorthositic rocks,
volcanic hornfels and oxide gabbro (Fig. 8-2). This assemblage is thought to represent initial
intrusions of anorthositic series magmas into the base of the volcanic pile during the main stage
of Duluth Complex magmatism (~1099 Ma). The anorthositic rock lithologies, which dominate
the Anorthositic Series throughout the Duluth Complex, are interpreted to have crystallized from
plagioclase crystal mushes (evolved basaltic melts laden with suspended plagioclase crystals).
However, in this area, these anorthositic rocks are locally intruded by oxide gabbro. Bonnichsen
(1974b) speculated that the oxide gabbro, which he termed the Powerline Gabbro, may be a
differentiate of the Partridge River intrusion. However, detailed mapping in the Allen quadrangle
to the west (Severson and Miller, 1999) demonstrated that this gabbro is intruded by troctolitic
rocks of the PRI.
We consider the gabbro to be a plagioclase-poor component of the
Anorthositic Series.
In a roadside exposure on the forest road, we can see a typical example of the "Powerline
Gabbro". It is a coarse-grained, non-foliated, subophitic olivine oxide gabbro composed of 55%
plagioclase, 20% granular olivine, 15% subophitic augite, 10%anhedral Fe-Ti oxide, and trace
amounts of hornblende and biotite. The mafic phases locally show incipient granoblastic

Page 252

�recrystallization textures and plagioclase and augite display moderate clouding by the exsolution
of oxide needles. Both features are indicative of thermal metamorphism.
About 200 m through the woods to the north of the forest road, we come upon the Erie/LTV
railroad grade. Exposed along a 500m-long road cut on both sides of the grade is a complex
mixture of two general rock types. Most of the exposure is a very fine-grained, dense mafic
volcanic hornfels that is sparsely plagioclase porphyritic. In thin section, the hornfels displays a
perfect granoblastic texture (Fig. 8-17). In sharp to abrupt contact with this volcanic hornfels is a
medium grained plagioclase porphyritic leucogabbro.
In thin section (Fig. 8-17), the
leucogabbro is composed of strongly zoned plagioclase phenocrysts, which show deep clouding
by oxide needles, in a matrix of granoblastic-textured oxide melagabbro (40%Pl, 30% Aug, 30%
Fe-Ti Ox). At the contacts between the hornfels and the leucogabbro (best seen on the upper
surface of the northern roadcut), the plagioclase phenocrysts in the leucogabbro show a strong
alignment parallel to a steep contact with the hornfels. One possible interpretation of this
leucogabbro is that it represents a chilled intrusion of plagioclase crystal mush that was emplaced
into the volcanic pile early in the emplacement of the anorthositic series. Subsequent intrusions
of more voluminous anorthositic series magma and later layered series magma forming the
Partridge River intrusion produced the strong thermal metamorphism now evident in both the
mafic volcanic and the porphyritic leucogabbro.

Figure 8-17. Photomicrographs of mafic volcanic hornfels and plagioclase-phyric leucogabbro observed at
Stop 8-9.

Page 253

�STOP 8-10: Cross-bedded Colvin Creek hornfels, Partridge River Intrusion
Location: Approximately 0.5 miles south of where Forest Rd 113 crosses the south branch of the
Partridge River and 520 meters (1700 feet) east along a flagged trail.
Babbitt SW 7.5' quadrangle; T.59N., R.13W., Sec 25, NE of SW of SE; 580255E 5267943N
(NAD83)
Description: Magnetic basalt hornfels inclusions (most notably the Colvin Creek hornfels) within
the Duluth Complex were first observed by Bonnichsen (1972) and first described in some detail
by Tyson (1976). According to Tyson, the magnetic basalt flows of the Colvin Creek hornfels are
characterized by fine-grained granoblastic rocks composed of plagioclase, augite, and magnetite
with relict plagioclase- and augite-filled amygdules. Tyson (1976) noted a major difference
between the magnetic basalts and the more common non-magnetic basalt inclusions (as in stops
8-3a and 8-4) and theorized that the magnetic basalts were derived from weathered and oxidized
basalt flows that were subsequently metamorphosed by the Complex. Tyson’s work was of a
reconnaissance nature and much more detailed work has since been completed on the Northern
Colvin Creek Body by Patelke (1996). The Northern Colvin Creek Body is a large inclusion
(2,500 X 800 meters), associated with a magnetic high, that has been rotated to near vertical and
exhibits excellent stratigraphic tops to the northwest. Patelke (1996) subdivided the northern
Colvin Creek Body into five mappeable units including two metavolcanic units, two intrusive
gabbroic sill units, and a cross-bedded sedimentary unit. Within the metavolcanic units, each
consisting of multiple basalt flows, Patelke (1996) identified several volcanic features that
include: pipe amygdules, sheeted amygdules, and local convoluted flow bases.

Figure 8-18. Photograph of cross-bedded “microgabbroic” sediment (X-BDD Unit) of the Northern
Colvin Creek Body.

Enigmatic cross-bedded sedimentary rocks, with near-vertical dips, were first discovered in
the Northern Colvin Creek hornfels and reported by Severson and Hauck (1990). They mapped a
X-BDD Unit that exhibited a strike length of over 1,600 meters and an exposed thickness of over
240 meters. Overall the cross-bedded rocks are gabbroic in composition and consist of very finegrained granoblastic concentrations of plagioclase, diopsidic augite, and magnetite with lessor
amounts of ilmenite, orthopyroxene, and poikiloblastic pyroxene – the rocks do NOT contain

Page 254

�quartz or biotite, nor a basal conglomeratic unit where it overlies magnetic basalt (Patelke, 1996).
Because sedimentary-like features were found in the cross-bedded rocks, and in the overlying
gabbroic rocks (both with near-vertical dips), Severson and Hauck (1990) postulated that the
cross-bedded rocks were deposited via magmatic density currents (a concept they no longer
believe in). More recent studies by Patelke (1996) suggests that these cross-bedded rocks were
sedimentary and were most likely deposited in a restricted basin as an eolian sediment that was
derived from a strictly basaltic terrain (thus no quartz). Whatever their origin, these rocks exhibit
beautiful sedimentary structures that include: bedding, cross-bedding, density-graded modal
layering, and scour and fill structures (Patelke, 1996). Patelke (1996) suggests that the crossbedded rocks of the Colvin Creek hornfels are similar to a thin sandstone unit near Phantom
Lake, north of Two Harbors, MN. However, he also cautions that neither of these sedimentary
units are analogous to any of the typical interflow sandstones of the North Shore Volcanic Group
as described by Jirsa (1984).
Cross-bedded sediments with a gabbroic composition have been found at six locations
within the Duluth Complex (most recently shown on a map in Severson, 1995; and in Severson
and Miller, 1999). The last stop of this field trip is at one of the more “easily” accessible crossbedded localities.
At this locale, the cross-bedded sediments exhibit shallow dips to the
northeast and only about 10 feet of stratigraphic section are exposed. The best exposures are
present in the northern Colvin Creek Body which is located about two miles to the west of this
stop in sections 27, 33, and 34, T.59N., R.13W. A more complete description of the units
exposed at the northern body, and a thorough examination of their origin, can be found in Patelke
(1996).

Figure 8-19: Scanned polished thin section image and photomicrographs of X-BDD Unit of the Northern
Colvin Creek Body.

Page 255

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Severson, M.J., and Hauck, S.A., 1997, Igneous stratigraphy and mineralization in the basal portion of the
Partridge River intrusion, Duluth Complex, Allen Quadrangle, Minnesota: Natural Resources
Research Institute, Univ. Minn., Duluth, Tech. Rept. NRRI/TR-97/19, 102 p.
Severson, M.J., and Hauck, S.A., 2003, Platinum group elements (PGEs) and platinum group minerals
(PGMs) in the Duluth Complex: Natural Resources Research Institute, Univ. Minn., Duluth, Tech.
Rept. NRRI/TR-2003/37, 296p.
Severson, M.J., and Miller, J.D., Jr., 1999, Bedrock geologic map of Allen quadrangle, St. Louis County,
Minnesota: Minnesota Geological Survey Miscellaneous Map Series, M-91, scale 1:24,000
Severson, M.J., and Zanko, L.M., in prep., The Babbitt Cu-Ni deposit, Part D: Footwall hosted massive
sulfide at the Local Boy ore zone (revisited): Natural Resources Research Institute, University of
Minnesota, Duluth, Technical Report
Severson, M.J., Patelke, R.L., Hauck, S.A., and Zanko, L.M., 1994, The Babbit copper-nickel deposit, Part
B: structural datums: Natural Resources Research Institute, University of Minnesota, Duluth,
Technical Report, NRRI/TR-94/21b, 48p. (with plates)
Taylor, R. B., 1964. Geology of the Duluth Gabbro Complex near Duluth, Minnesota. Minnesota
Geological Survey Bulletin 44, 63 pp.
Theriault, R.D., Barnes, S.-J., and Severson, M.J., 1997, The influence of country-rock assimilation and
silicate to sulfide ratios (R factor) on the genesis of the Dunka Road Cu-Ni-platinum-group element
deposit, Duluth Complex, Minnesota: Canadian Journal of Earth Science, v. 34, p. 375-389.
Theriault, R.D., Barnes, S.-J., and Severson, M.J., 2000, Origin of Cu-Ni-PGE sulfide mineralization in the
Partridge River intrusion, Duluth Complex, Minnesota: Economic Geology, v. 95, p. 929-943.
Tyson, R.M., 1976, The mineralogy and petrology of the Partridge River troctolite in the Babbitt-Hoyt
Lakes region of the Duluth Complex, northeastern Minnesota. Unpublished Ph.D. dissertation, Cornell
University, 179p.
Watowich, S.N., Malcolm, J.B., and Parker, P.D., 1981, A review of the Duluth Gabbro Complex as a
domestic source of critical and strategic metals. Society of Mining Engineers of AIME, preprint 81351, 9 p.
Zanko, L.M., Severson, M.J., and Ripley, E.M., 1994, Geology and mineralization of the Serpentine
copper-nickel deposit, Duluth Complex, Minnesota. Natural Resources Research Institute, University
of Minnesota, Duluth, Technical Report, NRRI/GMIN-TR-93-52, 90p.

Page 258

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                    <text>51st ANNUAL MEETING
Nipigon, Ontario - May 24-28, 2005

INSTITUTE ON LAKE SUPERIOR GEOLOGY

e-

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.

I

Part 1 – Proceedings and Abstracts

51st ILSG

Nipigon 2005
wwwIakesuperiorgeology.org

�51st ANNUAL MEETING

INSTITUTE ON LAKE SUPERIOR GEOLOGY

May 24-28, 2005
Nipigon, Ontario
HOSTED BY:
Mark Smyk and Pete Hollings
Co-Chairs
Ontario Geological Survey and Lakehead University
Proceedings - Volume 51
Part 1 – Proceedings and Abstracts
Edited by Mike Easton (Ontario Geological Survey) &amp; Pete Hollings (Lakehead University)
Cover Photos: Left - pahoehoe texture in basalts of the Osler volcanic group, Wilson Island, Middle - diabase sills
on the shores of Lake Nipigon, Right - No. 1 Shaft headframe, MacLeod-Cockshutt Mine, Geraldton.

�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1

51ST INSTITUTE ON LAKE SUPERIOR GEOLOGY
VOLUME 51 CONSISTS OF:
PART 1: PROGRAM AND ABSTRACTS
PART 2: FIELD TRIP GUIDEBOOK
TRIP 1: GEOLOGY AND FOLD MINERALISATION OF THE BEARDMORE-GERALDTON GREENSTONE BELT
TRIP 2: QUATERNARY GEOLOGY OF THE BEARDMORE – NIPIGON AREA

TRIPS 3 &amp; 6: A STRATIGRAPHIC TRANSECT ACROSS THE NORTHERN FLANK OF THE
MIDCONTINENT RIFT NEAR ROSSPORT
TRIP 4: GEOLOGY AND RARE ELEMENT PEGMATITES OF THE QUETICO SUBPROVINCE NEAR
NIPIGON
TRIP 5: GEOLOGY OF THE BLACK STURGEON AREA

Reference to material in Part 1 should follow the example below:
Albers, P.B., and Miller, J.D.., 2005. The Geology and Petrology of the Leveaux Porphyritic Diorite, Cook
County, MN: Investigating Possible Magmatic Relationships to the Anorthositic Series of the Duluth Complex.
In; Easton, M. and Hollings, P. (Eds.), Institute on Lake Superior Geology Proceedings, 51st Annual Meeting,
Nipigon, Ontario, Part 1 - Proceedings and Abstracts, v.51, part 1, 3-4.
Published by the 51st Institute on Lake Superior Geology and distributed by the ILSG Secretary:
Pete Hollings - ILSG Secretary
Department of Geology
Lakehead University
955 Oliver Road
Thunder Bay, ON P7B 5E1
Canada
Email: peter.hollings@lakeheadu.ca

ILSG website: www.lakesuperiorgeology.org
ISSN 1042-9964
-i-

�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1

Table of Contents
Institutes on Lake Superior Geology, 1955-2005 ............................................................. iii
Constitution of the Institute on Lake Superior Geology .....................................................v
By-Laws of the Institute on Lake Superior Geology ....................................................... vii
Goldich Medal Guidelines .............................................................................................. viii
Goldich Medallists ............................................................................................................ ix
Goldich Medal Committee .................................................................................................x
Citation for Goldich Medal Recipient.................................................................................x
Eisenbrey Student Travel Awards ..................................................................................... xi
Eisenbrey Student Travel Award Application .................................................................. xii
Student Paper Awards ..................................................................................................... xiii
Student Paper Awards Committee................................................................................... xiii
Session Chairs ................................................................................................................. xiii
Membership Criteria for the Institute on Lake Superior Geology .................................. xiv
Board of Directors.............................................................................................................xv
Local Committee...............................................................................................................xv
Banquet Speaker ...............................................................................................................xv
Report of the Chair of the 50th Annual Meeting ........................................................... xvi
Acknowledgements ....................................................................................................... xviii
Program ........................................................................................................................... xix
Abstracts .............................................................................................................................1
Author Index .....................................................................................................................70

- ii -

�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1

Institutes on Lake Superior Geology, 1955-2005
#

Date

Place

Chairs

1

1955

Minneapolis, Minnesota

C.E. Dutton

2

1956

Houghton, Michigan

A.K. Snelgrove

3

1957

East Lansing, Michigan

B.T. Sandefur

4

1958

Duluth, Minnesota

R.W. Marsden

5

1959

Minneapolis, Minnesota

G.M. Schwartz &amp; C. Craddock

6

1960

Madison, Wisconsin

E.N. Cameron

7

1961

Port Arthur, Ontario

E.G. Pye

8

1962

Houghton, Michigan

A.K. Snelgrove

9

1963

Duluth, Minnesota

H. Lepp

10

1964

Ishpeming, Michigan

A.T. Broderick

11

1965

St. Paul, Minnesota

P.K. Sims &amp; R.K. Hogberg

12

1966

Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan

R.W. White

13

1967

East Lansing, Michigan

W.J. Hinze

14

1968

Superior, Wisconsin

A.B. Dickas

15

1969

Oshkosh, Wisconsin

G.L. LaBerge

16

1970

Thunder Bay, Ontario

M.W. Bartley &amp; E. Mercy

17

1971

Duluth, Minnesota

D.M. Davidson

18

1972

Houghton, Michigan

J. Kalliokoski

19

1973

Madison, Wisconsin

M.E. Ostrom

20

1974

Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario

P.E. Giblin

21

1975

Marquette, Michigan

J.D. Hughes

22

1976

St. Paul, Minnesota

M. Walton

23

1977

Thunder Bay, Ontario

M.M. Kehlenbeck

24

1978

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

G. Mursky

25

1979

Duluth, Minnesota

D.M. Davidson

26

1980

Eau Claire, Wisconsin

P.E. Myers

27

1981

East Lansing, Michigan

W.C. Cambray

28

1982

International Falls, Minnesota

D.L. Southwick

29

1983

Houghton, Michigan

T.J. Bornhorst

30

1984

Wausau, Wisconsin

G.L. LaBerge

31

1985

Kenora, Ontario

C.E. Blackburn

32

1986

Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin

J.K. Greenberg

33

1987

Wawa, Ontario

E.D. Frey &amp; R.P. Sage
- iii -

�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1

#

Date

Place

Chairs

34

1988

Marquette, Michigan

J. S. Klasner

35

1989

Duluth, Minnesota

J.C. Green

36

1990

Thunder Bay, Ontario

M.M. Kehlenbeck

37

1991

Eau Claire, Wisconsin

P.E. Myers

38

1992

Hurley, Wisconsin

A.B. Dickas

39

1993

Eveleth, Minnesota

D.L. Southwick

40

1994

Houghton, Michigan

T.J. Bornhorst

41

1995

Marathon, Ontario

M.C. Smyk

42

1996

Cable, Wisconsin

L.G. Woodruff

43

1997

Sudbury, Ontario

R.P. Sage &amp; W. Meyer

44

1998

Minneapolis, Minnesota

J.D. Miller &amp; M.A. Jirsa

45

1999

Marquette, Michigan

T.J. Bornhorst &amp; R.S. Regis

46

2000

Thunder Bay, Ontario

S.A. Kissin &amp; P. Fralick

47

2001

Madison, Wisconsin

M.G. Mudrey &amp; Jr., B.A. Brown

48

2002

Kenora, Ontario

P. Hinz &amp; R.C. Beard

49

2003

Iron Mountain, Michigan

L. Woodruff &amp; W.F. Cannon

50

2004

Duluth, Minnesota

S. Hauck &amp; M. Severson

51

2005

Nipigon, Ontario

M. Smyk &amp; P. Hollings

- iv -

�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1

Constitution of the Institute on Lake Superior Geology
(Last amended by the Board—May 6, 2004)

Article I - Name
The name of the organization shall be the “Institute on Lake Superior Geology”.
Article II - Objectives
The objectives of this organization are:
A. To provide a means whereby geologists in the Great Lakes region may exchange ideas and scientiﬁc
data.
B. To promote better understanding of the geology of the Lake Superior region.
C. To plan and conduct geological ﬁeld trips.
Article III - Status
No part of the income of the organization shall insure to the beneﬁt of any member or individual. In the event
of dissolution, the assets of the organization shall be distributed to _________ (some tax free organization).
(To avoid Federal and State income taxes, the organization should be not only “scientiﬁc” or “educational”,
but also “non-proﬁt”)
Minn. Stat. Anno. 290.01, subd. 4
Minn. Stat. Anno. 290.05(9)
1954 Internal Revenue Code s.501(c)(3)
Article IV - Membership
The membership of the organization shall consist of persons who have registered for an annual meeting within
the past three years, and those who indicate interest in being a member according to guidelines approved by the
Board of Directors.
Article V - Meetings
The organization shall meet once a year. The place and exact date of each meeting will be designated by the
Board of Directors.
Article VI - Directors
The Board of Directors shall consist of the Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, and the last three past Chairs; but if
the board should at any time consist of fewer than six persons, by reason of unwillingness or inability of any of
the above persons to serve as directors, the vacancies on the board may be ﬁlled by the Chair so as to bring the
membership of the board to six members.
Article VII - Ofﬁcers
The ofﬁcers of this organization shall be a Chair, a Secretary and a Treasurer.
A. The Chair shall be elected each year by the Board of Directors, who shall give due consideration to the
wishes of any group that may be promoting the next annual meeting. His/her term of ofﬁce as Chair
will terminate at the close of the annual meeting over which he/she presides, or when his/her successor
shall have been appointed. He/she will then serve for a period of three years as a member of the Board
of Directors.
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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1

B. The Secretary shall be elected at the annual meeting. His/her term of ofﬁce shall be four years, or until
his/her successor shall have been appointed.
C. The Treasurer shall be elected at the annual meeting. His/her term of ofﬁce shall be four years, or until
his/her successor shall have been appointed.
The terms of the Secretary and Treasurer shall be staggered so that there will always be a two year overlap
between the two.
Article VIII - Amendments
This constitution may be amended by a majority vote (majority of those voting) of the membership of the
organization.

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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1

By-Laws of the Institute on Lake Superior Geology
(Last amended by the Board—May 6, 2004)

I. Duties of the Ofﬁcers and Directors
A. It shall be the duty of the Annual Chairman to:
1. Preside at the annual meeting.
2. Appoint all committees needed for the organization of the annual meeting.
3. Assume complete responsibility for the organization and ﬁnancing of the annual meeting over which
he/she presides.
B. It shall be the duty of the Secretary to:
1. Keep accurate attendance records of all annual meetings.
2. Keep accurate records of all meetings of, and correspondence between, the Board of Directors.
3. Maintain an up-to-date mailing list
4. Act as the ﬁrst point of contact for all enquires about the Institute
5. Respond to requests for back issues of the Proceedings of the Institute
C. It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to:
1. Hold all funds that may accrue as proﬁts from annual meetings or ﬁeld trips and to make these funds
available for the organization and operation of future meetings as required.
2. Store the Goldich medals and each year ensure one is engraved with the name of that years winner
D. It shall be the duty of the Board of Directors to plan locations of annual meetings and to advise on the
organization and ﬁnancing of all meetings.
II. Duties and Expenses
A. Regular membership dues of $5.00 or less on an annual basis shall be assessed each member as determined
by the Board of Directors..
B. Registration fees for the annual meetings shall be determined by the Chair in consultation with the Board
of Directors. The registration fees can include expenses to cover operations outside of the annual meeting as
determined by the Board of Directors. It is strongly recommended that registration fees be kept at a minimum to
encourage attendance of students.
III. Rules of Order
The rules contained in Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern this organization in all cases to which they are
applicable.
IV. Amendments
These by-laws may be amended by a majority vote (majority of those voting) of the membership of the
organization; provided that such modiﬁcations shall not conﬂict with the constitution as presently adopted or
subsequently amended.

- vii -

�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1

Goldich Medal Guidelines
(Adopted by the Board of Directors, 1981; amended 1999)

Preamble
The Institute on Lake Superior Geology was born in 1955, as documented by the fact that the 27th annual
meeting was held in 1981. The Institute’s continuing objectives are to deal with those aspects of geology that are
related geographically to Lake Superior; to encourage the discussion of subjects and sponsoring ﬁeld trips that
will bring together geologists from academia, government surveys, and industry; and to maintain an informal but
highly effective mode of operation.
During the course of its existence, the membership of the Institute (that is, those geologists who indicate an
interest in the objectives of the ILSG by attending) has become aware of the fact that certain of their colleagues
have made particularly noteworthy and meritorious contributions to the understanding of Lake Superior geology
and mineral deposits.
The ﬁrst award was made by ILSG to Sam Goldich in 1979 for his many contributions to the geology of the
region extending over about 50 years. Subsequent medallists and this year’s recipient are listed in the table
below.
Award Guidelines
1) The medal shall be awarded annually by the ILSG Board of Directors to a geologist whose name is
associated with a substantial interest in, and contribution to, the geology of the Lake Superior region.
2) The Board of Directors shall appoint the Goldich Medal Committee. The initial appointment will be of
three members, one to serve for three years, one for two years, and one for one year. The member with the
briefest incumbency shall be chair of the Nominating Committee. After the ﬁrst year, the Board of Directors
shall appoint at each spring meeting one new member who will serve for three years. In his/her third year this
member shall be the chair. The Committee membership should reﬂect the main ﬁelds of interest and geographic
distribution of ILSG membership. The out-going, senior member of the Board of Directors shall act as liaison
between the Board and the Committee for a period of one year.
3) By the end of November, the Goldich Medal Committee shall make its recommendation to the Chair of the
Board of Directors, who will then inform the Board of the nominee.
4) The Board of Directors normally will accept the nominee of the Committee, inform the medallist, and have
one medal engraved appropriately for presentation at the next meeting of the Institute.
5) It is recommended that the Institute set aside annually from whatever sources, such funds as will be
required to support the continuing costs of this award.
Nominating Procedures
1) The deadline for nominations is November 1. Nominations shall be taken at any time by the Goldich
Medal Committee. Committee members may themselves nominate candidates; however, Board members may
not solicit for or support individual nominees.
2) Nominations must be in writing and supported by appropriate documentation such as letters of
recommendation, lists of publications, curriculum vita’s, and evidence of contributions to Lake Superior geology
and to the Institute.
3) Nominations are not restricted to Institute attendees, but are open to anyone who has worked on and
contributed to the understanding of Lake Superior geology.
- viii -

�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1

Selection Guidelines
1) Nominees are to be evaluated on the basis of their contributions to Lake Superior geology (sensu lato)
including:
a) importance of relevant publications;
b) promotion of discovery and utilization of natural resources;
c) contributions to understanding of the natural history and environment of the region;
d) generation of new ideas and concepts; and
e) contributions to the training and education of geoscientists and the public.
2) Nominees are to be evaluated on their contributions to the Institute as demonstrated by attendance at
Institute meetings, presentation of talks and posters, and service on Institute boards, committees, and ﬁeld trips.
3) The relative weights given to each of the foregoing criteria must remain ﬂexible and at the discretion of the
Committee members.
4) There are several points to be considered by the Goldich Medal Committee:
a) An attempt should be made to maintain a balance of medal recipients from each of the three estates—
industry, academia, and government.
b) It must be noted that industry geoscientists are at a disadvantage in that much of their work in not
published.
5) Lake Superior has two sides, one the U.S., and the other Canada. This is undoubtedly one of the Institute’s
great strengths and should be nurtured by equitable recognition of excellence in both countries.

Goldich Medalists
1979 Samuel S. Goldich

1992 William F. Cannon

1980 not awarded

1993 Donald W. Davis

1981 Carl E. Dutton, Jr.

1994 Cedric Iverson

1982 Ralph W. Marsden

1995 Gene LaBerge

1983 Burton Boyum

1996 David L. Southwick

1984 Richard W. Ojakangas

1997 Ronald P. Sage

1985 Paul K. Sims

1998 Zell Peterman

1986 G.B. Morey

1999 Tsu-Ming Han

1987 Henry H. Halls

2000 John C. Green

1988 Walter S. White

2001 John S. Klasner

1989 Jorma Kalliokoski

2002 Ernest K. Lehmann

1990 Kenneth C. Card

2003 Klaus J. Schulz

1991 William Hinze

2004 Paul Wieblen

2005 Goldich Medal Recipient
Mark Smyk
Ontario Geological Survey, Thunder Bay, Ontario
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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1

Goldich Medal Committee
Serving through the meeting year shown in parentheses
David Meineke (2005)

Meriden Engineering, Hibbing, Minnesota

George Hudak (2006)

University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh

Tom Hart (2007)

Ontario Geological Survey

David Meineke, as out-going senior member of Institute Board of Directors, is liaison between Goldich Medal
Committee and the Board through the 2005 meeting.

Citation for Goldich Medal Recipient
Mark Smyk
It is a pleasure to acknowledge the many contributions of Mark C. Smyk to the understanding of the geology
of the Lake Superior region at the 51st annual meeting of the Lake superior Institute on Lake Superior Geology.
This is the 26th Goldich medal awarded by the Institute to individuals that have made signiﬁcant contributions
to Lake Superior geology.
Mark was born in Dryden, Ontario, in 1961 and received his Honors Bachelor of Science degree in Geology
from Lakehead University in 1984 upon completion of a thesis titled “A comparative study of silver occurrences,
Island Belt Silver Region, Thunder Bay District, Ontario”. From Lakehead University Mark entered Carleton
University where he received his Masters of Science degree in geology upon completion of a thesis on silver
veins in the Cobalt silver area in 1987. The thesis was titled “Geology of Archean Interﬂow Sedimentary Rocks
and their relationship to Ag-Bi-Co-Ni-As Veins, Cobalt Silver Area, Ontario”.
Mark completed contract geological mapping in the Schreiber-Hemlo and Swayze greenstone belts in 1984.
He has also completed contracts with David Bell Geological Services Inc. and Saarberg-Interplan Ltd.
From 1998 to the present Mark has served as guest lecturer at Lakehead University, Thunder Bay. He has also
lectured and prepared course curriculum in geology for the Qikiqtaaluk Corporation, Iqalut, Northern Territory.
Mark has long been active in the Institute on Lake Superior Geology and co-hosted the 41st and 51st annual
meetings. He is a Registered Professional Geologist in the Province of Ontario, fellow in the Geological
Association of Canada, member of the Northwest Prospectors Association and guest editor for “Exploration and
Mining Geology”, Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy.
Since 1987 Mark has worked with the Ontario Geological Survey. During this period he has authored or
co-authored 7 reports, 14 abstracts and 7 guidebooks. The Ontario Geological Survey library lists 62 items as
authored or co-authored by Mark.
Since working with the Ontario Geological Survey Mark has advanced to become Regional Resident Geologist,
Thunder Bay North. His work entails geology related publications, land use planning and interaction with the
public, prospectors and industry.
Submitted by Ron Sage

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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1

Eisenbrey Student Travel Awards
The 1986 Board of Directors established the ILSG Student Travel Awards to support student participation at
the annual meeting of the Institute. The name “Eisenbrey” was added to the award in 1998 to honor Edward
H. Eisenbrey (1926-1985) and utilize substantial contributions made to the 1996 Institute meeting in his name.
“Ned” Eisenbrey is credited with discovery of signiﬁcant volcanogenic massive sulﬁde deposits in Wisconsin,
but his scope was much broader—he has been described as having unique talents as an ore ﬁnder, geologist, and
teacher. These awards are intended to help defray some of the direct travel costs of attending Institute meetings,
and include a waiver of registration fees, but exclude expenses for meals, lodging, and ﬁeld trip registration. The
number of awards and value are determined by the annual Chair in consultation with the Secretary and Treasurer.
Recipients will be announced at the annual banquet.
The following general criteria will be considered by the annual Chair, who is responsible for the selection:
1) The applicants must have active resident (undergraduate or graduate) student status at the time of the
annual meeting of the Institute, certiﬁed by the department head.
2) Students who are the senior author on either an oral or poster paper will be given favored consideration.
3) It is desirable for two or more students to jointly request travel assistance.
4) In general, priority will be given to those in the Institute region who are farthest away from the meeting
location.
5) Each travel award request shall be made in writing to the annual Chair, and should explain need, student
and author status, and other signiﬁcant details. The form below is optional.
Successful applicants will receive their awards during the meeting.

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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1

Eisenbrey Student Travel
Award Application
Student Name : __________________________________
Address:

Date: ____________

__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________

email:

__________________________________________________________

Educational status: _____________________________________________________
Are you the senior author of an oral presentation or poster?

Yes ____ No _____

Will any other students be traveling with you? Yes ____ No _____
If yes, then who?

___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________

Statement of need (use additional page if necessary): __________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Signature:

____________________________________________________

Department Head:

____________________________________________________

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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1

Student Paper Awards
Each year, the Institute selects the best of the student presentations and honors presenters with a monetary
award. Funding for the award is generated from registrations of the annual meeting. The Student Paper Committee
is appointed by the annual meeting Chair in such a manner as to represent a broad range of professional and
geologic expertise. Criteria for best student paper—last modiﬁed by the Board in 2001—follow:
1) The contribution must be demonstrably the work of the student.
2) The student must present the contribution in-person.
3) The Student Paper Committee shall decide how many awards to grant, and whether or not to give
separate awards for poster vs. oral presentations.
4) In cases of multiple student authors, the award will be made to the senior author, or the award will be
shared equally by all authors of the contribution.
5) The total amount of the awards is left to the discretion of the meeting Chair in conjunction with the
Secretary, but typically is in the amount of about $500 US (increase approved by Board, 10/01).
6) The Secretary maintains, and will supply to the Committee, a form for the numerical ranking of
presentations. This form was created and modiﬁed by Student Paper Committees over several years in
an effort to reduce the difﬁculties that may arise from selection by raters of diverse background. The
use of the form is not required, but is left to the discretion of the Committee.
7) The names of award recipients shall be included as part of the annual Chair’s report that appears in the
next volume of the Institute.
Student papers will be noted on the Program.

Student Paper Awards Committee
Penelope Morton, University of Minnesota Duluth
Greg Stott - Ontario Geological Survey, Sudbury, Ontario
Wally Rayner - Toronto, Ontario

Session Chairs
Charlie Blackburn, Blackburn Geological Services
Terry Boerboom, Minnesota Geological Survey
William Cannon, United States Geological Survey
Mike Easton, Ontario Geological Survey
Mary Louise Hill, Lakehead University
Peter Hinz, Ontario Geological Survey
Tom Lane, CAMIRO
Mark Severson, Natural Resources Research Institute

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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1

Membership Criteria for the Institute on Lake Superior Geology
Approved May 8, 1997. Amended by the Board—May 6, 2004

A. Membership in the Institute on Lake Superior Geology requires either participation in Institute activities,
or an indication on a regular basis of interest in the Institute. Those individuals registering for an annual meeting
will remain as members for 4 years unless: 1) they indicate no further interest in the Institute by responding
negatively to the statement on meeting circulars “Remove my name from the mailing list”; or 2) two successive
mailings in different years are returned by the postal service as address unknown.
B. Those individuals who have not registered for an annual meeting in the past 4 years must indicate an interest
in the Institute by postal, electronic, or verbal correspondence with the Secretary at least once every two years.
Such individuals will be removed from the membership if they indicate no further interest in the Institute or two
successive mailing in different years are returned by the postal service as address unknown.
C. The Secretary will maintain a list of current members. The list will include the date of the beginning
of continuous membership, dates of returned mail, dates of last contact (expression of interest), and the date
membership expires, barring a change of status initiated by the member. Those individuals who have become
members of ILSG by Section B will have an expiration date listed at 2 years from the upcoming meeting. For
example, a member who expresses interest in September of 1997 (the next annual meeting is May, 1998) will
have an expiration date of May, 2000, unless the member contacts the Secretary or attends an annual meeting.
D. “Member for Life” status is granted to individuals who have been (nearly) continuous participants of the
ILSG meetings for 15 years, Goldich Medal recipients, or those who have served as meeting chairs. This status
will be further maintained unless the individuals indicate no further interest in the Institute, or 4 mailings in
different years are returned by the postal service as address unknown, or they are deceased.
E. All members will be mailed the First Circular for the Annual Meeting and the ILSG Newsletter. The Chair
of the annual meeting may opt to send the ﬁrst circular to additional individuals. All returned mail should be
reported to the Secretary.
F. The Secretary can designate any individual who is on the ILSG membership list (mailing list) as of January
1, 1997 as a member for life based on participation in ILSG activities.
G. Members are strongly encouraged to send address corrections to the Secretary to avoid unintentional lapse
of membership.

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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1

Board of Directors
Board appointment continues through the close of the meeting year shown in parentheses, or until a successor
is selected
Mark Smyk/Pete Hollings - General Chair 2005 meeting (2008) - Ontario Geological Survey/Lakehead
University
Steve Hauck (2007) - University of Minnesota, Duluth
Laurel Woodruff (2006) - U.S. Geological Survey
Peter Hinz (2005) - Ontario Geological Survey
Peter Hollings - Secretary (2006) - Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, Ontario
Mark A. Jirsa - Treasurer (2007) - Minnesota Geological Survey

Local Committee
Co-Chairs
Mark Smyk - Ontario Geological Survey, Thunder Bay, Ontario
Pete Hollings - Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, Ontario
Program and Abstracts Editors
Mike Easton - Ontario Geological Survey, Sudbury, Ontario
Pete Hollings - Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, Ontario
Field Trip Guidebook Editor
Pete Hollings - Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, Ontario
Organising Committee
Mary Louise Hill - Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, Ontario
Phil Fralick - Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, Ontario
Bill Addison - Thunder Bay, Ontario
Ryan Tuomi - Ontario Geological Survey, Thunder Bay, Ontario
Levina Collins - Township of Nipigon

Banquet Speaker
Jim Franklin, Franklin Geosciences Ltd.
Mineral Resources for the Future: The Resource Potential of Northern Lake Superior
(See abstract on page 19)

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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1

Report of the Chair of the 50th Annual Meeting
Duluth, Minnesota
The Natural Resources Research Institute (NRRI) of the University of Minnesota Duluth hosted the 50th
Annual Institute on Lake Superior Geology on May 4 – 9, 2004 at the Radisson Hotel Duluth-Harborview
in Duluth, Minnesota. The meeting consisted of two days of technical sessions with four pre- and four posttechnical session ﬁeld trips. Julie Ann Heinz, Barbara Hauck, and Jeanne Lukkarila provided excellent on-site
assistance. John Heine was responsible for: the 50th ILSG website and online registration; AV expertise that kept
the sessions ﬂowing on time; and worked with Mark Severson on logistics for the ﬁeld trips. Julie Oreskovich
was the poster session czar. Richard Patelke was invaluable as the data base manager and the designer of the
50th ILSG T-shirt. Bill Cannon and Gene LaBerge compiled a CD of photographs of past ILSG members and
ﬁeld trips. Other members of the local committee included: Charlie Matsch, Jim Miller, Penny Morton, Dean
Peterson, and Larry Zanko – all of whom provided much need expertise. Pre-meeting registration was 275
students and professionals, with an additional 24 on-site registrations, for a total of 299 registrants. This was the
ﬁrst time that on-line registration was offered, and 222 individuals registered on-line.
Proceedings Volume 50 was published in two parts: Part 1 – Program and Abstracts, edited by Steven Hauck,
with 69 published abstracts, for 39 oral and 30 poster presentations; and Part 2 – Field Trip Guidebook, edited
by Mark Severson.
The 50th meeting marked the sixth time (1958, 1963, 1971, 1979, 1989, 2004) the ILSG annual meeting
was held in Duluth, Minnesota. The nine ﬁeld trips (one trip with two sections) were well attended with 315
total participants attending one or two ﬁeld trips. On Tuesday, May 4th, marked the beginning of two two-day
ﬁeld trips: George Hudak and co-leaders lead a ﬁeld trip to examine the volcanic stratigraphy, hydrothermal
alteration, and VMS potential of the Lower Ely Greenstone; and Terry Boerboom and co-leaders lead a trip to
visit newly mapped outcrops in the Southwestern Sequence of the North Shore Volcanic Group and in the Beaver
Bay Complex. On Wednesday, May 5th, there were two one-day ﬁeld trips: Howard Hobbs led a trip to look at
the Late Wisconsinan Superior-lobe deposits northeast of Duluth; and Richard Ojakangas, Mark Severson, and
co-leaders examined the geology of the eastern Mesabi Range. On Saturday, May 10th, there were four ﬁeld
trips: Mark Jirsa, Terry Boerboom, and co-leaders led two sections on a two-day investigation of the classic
outcrops of northeastern Minnesota; Lisa Marlow and co-leaders examined the glacial and post-glacial landscape
evolution in the Glacial Lake Aitkin and Upham basin; Dean Peterson and Richard Patelke led a ﬁeld trip to the
Vermilion District, northeast of Soudan, MN, to look at the economic geology of Archean gold occurrences; and
Mark Severson and Jim Miller visited outcrops along the western contact of the Duluth Complex to illustrate the
geology and Cu-Ni mineralization.
One hundred and sixty-three participants attended the annual banquet on Thursday night. This year’s banquet
speaker was Bob Dott of the University of Wisconsin, Madison. Dr. Dott is professor emeritus from the Department
of Geology and Geophysics. Dr. Dott’s post-banquet presentation was: The Van Hise army and other pioneers
of Lake Superior geology. The other highlight of the evening was the presentation of the 2004 Goldich medal to
Paul Weiblen of the Department of Geology and Geophysics at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, which
recognized his efforts in many areas in the Lake Superior region, especially in the Duluth Complex.
The technical sessions began with a special session on “The History of Geologic Investigations in the Lake
Superior Region”. The “Old Prospector” (Richard Ojakangas) gave a brief historical overview of geology between
1848 and 1900 that was followed by four other presentations on the geology, mineralization, and geochronology
of the Lake Superior region.
As always, the student paper committee had a difﬁcult time of picking a winner. There were six oral
presentations and four poster presentations. The winners were:
1) Andy Breckenridge – Large Lakes Observatory ($250, Winner, best oral presentation)

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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1

2) Heidi Drexler – University of Wisconsin Oshkosh ($125, Winner, best poster presentation)
3) Justin Johnson, Lakehead University ($125, Honourable mention)
4) Adam Hoffman - University of Minnesota ($125, Honourable mention, best poster presentation)
In addition ﬁve Eisenbrey Student Travel awards were presented in 2004, they winners were: Paula Shafer,
Indiana University ($250); Justin Johnson - Lakehead, Thunder Bay ($125); Geoff Heggie - Lakehead, Thunder
Bay ($125); Adam Richardson - Lakehead, Thunder Bay ($125); and Riku Metsaranta - - Lakehead, Thunder
Bay ($125)
The Institute’s Board of Directors met on May 6, 2004, and brief summary of the meeting follows:
1. Accepted the Report of the Chair for the 49th ILSG from Laurel Woodruff, and the minutes of the last
Board meeting, May 8, 2003 from Pete Hollings.
2.

Accepted the 2003-2004 ILSG Financial Summary from Mark Jirsa.

3.

Approved Steven Hauck to continue on as a Board member.

4. Approved Nipigon, Ontario as the 51st annual meeting location with Mark Smyk and Pete Hollings as
co-chairs.
5.

Replaced Ron Sage, who was on the Goldich Committee with Tom Hart, who had agreed to serve.

6. Discussed splitting the Secretary-Treasurer position. Pete Hollings was nominated and elected secretary
by the ILSG members, and Mark Jirsa was nominated and elected treasurer.
The 50th ILSG meeting was a great success, and we wish to thank all of the individuals who contributed to
this success. The staffs of the Radisson Hotel Duluth-Harborview, UMD Food Service, and the Fortune Bay
Casino (ﬁeld trips) were always professional and responsive to our evolving needs to handle a very large group.
The following organizations provided generous monetary contributions: Department of Geosciences, University
of Minnesota Duluth, MN; Franconia Minerals Corporation, Spokane, WA; Idea Drilling Incorporated, Virginia,
MN; Iron Mining Association, Duluth, MN; Lehmann Exploration Management, Minneapolis, MN; Meriden
Engineering, LLC, Hibbing, MN; Minerals Processing Corporation, Duluth, MN; Minnesota Exploration
Association (MExA), Minneapolis, MN; Minnesota Minerals Coordinating Committee, St. Paul, MN; Teck
Cominco American Incorporated, Spokane, WA; and Wallbridge Mining Company, Lively, ONT. The ﬁeld
trips were very well attended, and our appreciation is due to the ﬁeld trip leaders, van drivers, and everyone
else who contributed to the success of the 50th ILSG meeting. Because of the large attendance for the meeting
and ﬁeld trips, the 50th ILSG meeting generated several thousand dollars to the ILSG general fund. The 50th
ILSG meeting also coincided with the 50th anniversary of the Department of Geosciences at the University of
Minnesota Duluth (UMD). A special session on Friday afternoon featured papers by UMD faculty, students,
and alumni. A banquet celebrating this occasion was held at the Duluth Depot on Friday evening after the ILSG
meeting, which was attended by many UMD alumni, faculty, and students, and ILSG members.
Both of us are very happy with the results of 50th meeting, and we hope that future ILSG meetings can be
as well attended as this meeting. We also hope that the attendees were as happy with the meeting as the local
committee was. This meeting, like every ILSG meeting requires a lot of work and time on behalf of the cochairs and the local committee. The additional assistance of ILSG members at-large helped make the meeting a
success.
Respectively Submitted,
Steven Hauck and Mark Severson
Co-Chairs, 50th ILSG meeting
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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1

Acknowledgements
The following organizations made generous contributions to the 51st Annual Meeting. We thank them for
their commitment to the Institute on Lake Superior Geology. For the past 50 years this organization has thrived
as a result of the interest of individuals, corporations, universities and government agencies. The dedication to
an exchange of scientiﬁc ideas and a passion for ﬁeld trips has enabled the institute to provide one of it’s primary
objectives – to promote better understanding of the geology of the Lake Superior Region.
North Western Ontario Prospectors Association
Lake Nipigon Region Geoscience Initiative
Ontario Prospectors Association
Ministry of Northern Development and Mines – Ontario Geological Survey
Township of Nipigon
Municipality of Greenstone
Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, Thunder Bay Branch
Department of Geology, Lakehead University
David Malouf, Roxmark Mines Limited
Chaltrek Geological Supplies Inc.

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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1

Program
Tuesday May 24
8:00 a.m. Field Trip 1: Geology and gold mineralization of the Beardmore-Geraldton greenstone belt
Leaders: Mark Smyk &amp; Tom Hart (OGS) and Phil Fralick (Lakehead University)
6:00 p.m. Overnight in Beardmore

Wednesday May 25
8:00 a.m. Field Trip 1: Geology and gold mineralization of the Beardmore-Geraldton greenstone belt
Leaders: Mark Smyk &amp; Tom Hart (OGS) and Phil Fralick (Lakehead University)
8:00 a.m. Field Trip 2: Quaternary Geology of the Beardmore – Nipigon area
Leader: Peter Barnett (OGS)
8:00 a.m. Field Trip 3: A Stratigraphic transect across the Northern ﬂank of the Midcontinent Rift near
Rossport (I)
Leaders: Peter Hollings and Phil Fralick (Lakehead University)
6:00 p.m. Return of Trips 1,2 and 3
4:00 p.m. - 8.00 p.m. Registration (Nipigon Community Centre)
7:00 p.m. - 9.00 p.m. Ice Breaker Social (Nipigon Curl-a-Drome) and Poster Setup (Nipigon Community
Centre)

Thursday May 26
8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Registration (Nipigon Community Centre)
9:00a.m. - 9:05 a.m. Introductory Remarks - Mark Smyk and Peter Hollings, Co-Chairs

Technical Session I
Session Chairs: T. Boerboom (Minnesota Geological Survey), W. Cannon (US Geological Survey)
9:05 a.m.

Addison, W., Brumpton, G., Vallini, D., McNaughton, N., Davis, D., Kissin, S.,
Fralick, P. and Hammond, A.
Discovery of distal ejecta from the 1850 Ma Sudbury impact

9:25 a.m.

Schnieders, B. and Scott, J.
Mining and exploration activity in the Thunder Bay South District

9:45 a.m.

Hill, M.L. and Smyk, M.
Penokean fold-and-thrust deformation of the Paleoproterozoic Gunﬂint Formation near Thunder
Bay, Ontario

10:05 a.m.

Middleton, R. and Heggie, G.
Seagull Intrusion; A unique PGE-Ni-Cu Setting.

10:25 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Coffee Break and Poster Session
11:00 a.m.

Maric, M.*, and Fralick, P.
Sedimentology of the Rove and Virginia Formations and their tectonic signiﬁcance
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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1

11:20 a.m.

Easton, R.M.
The Grenvillian Tomiko quartzites of Ontario: correlatives of the Baraboo quartzites of Wisconsin,
the Mazatzal orogen of New Mexico, or unique? Implications for the tectonic architecture of
Laurentia in the Great Lakes region.

11:40 a.m.

Medaris, G. and Dott, B.
Riddle of the sands (Proterozoic) solved by quartzites at Hamilton Mounds Wisconsin

12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Lunch Break and Poster Session (ILSG Board Meeting by invitation)

Technical Session II
Special Session - Lake Nipigon Regional Geoscience Initiative
Session Chairs: Tom Lane (CAMIRO), Mark Severson (Natural Resources Research Institute)
1:30 p.m.

Heaman, L. and Easton, R.M.
Proterozoic history of the Lake Nipigon area, Ontario: Constraints from U-Pb zircon and
baddeleyite dating

1:50 p.m.

Smyk, M.
Mineral deposits and metallogeny of the Midcontinent Rift in Ontario

2:10 p.m.

Fralick, P., Metsaranta, R., and Rogala, B.
Stratigraphy of the Mesoproterozoic Sibley Group and Nipigon Sills

2:30 p.m

Hart, T. and MacDonald, C.
Mesoproterozoic diabase sills of the Nipigon Embayment, northwest Ontario

2:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Coffee Break and Poster Session
3:00 p.m.

Richardson, A.* and Hollings, P.
Geochemical variation within the Mesoproterozoic Nipigon diabase sills

3:20 p.m.

Metsaranta, R.* and Fralick, P.
Depositional setting of the Pass Lake and Rossport Formations (Sibley Group) inferred from a
combined sedimentologic/geochemical approach

3:40 p.m.

Laarman, J.* and Hollings, P.
Petrogenesis and PGE mineralization of the Eva Kitto Intrusion, Northern Ontario

4:00 p.m.

Magee, A.*, Hollings, P. and Fralick, P.
Preliminary stratigraphy and geochemistry of the Mesoproterozoic Pillar Lake volcanics,
Wabigoon subprovince, Superior Province, Armstrong, Ontario, Canada

6:00 p.m

Annual Banquet and Award Presentation (Royal Canadian Legion)
Announcement of 52nd Annual Meeting Location
2005 Goldich Award Presentation to Mark Smyk
2005 Banquet Address - Dr. J. Franklin
Meeting participants not registered for the banquet are welcome to attend the address

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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1

Friday May 27
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Registration

Technical Session III
Session Chairs: Mary Louise Hill (Lakehead University), Mike Easton (Ontario Geological Survey)
9:00 a.m.

Holm, D., Cannon, W., Chandler, V., Schneider, D., Schulz, K., &amp; Van Schmus, W.
The incredible shrinking Penokean orogen: a new look at the accretionary history of the southern
Lake Superior region.

9:20 a.m.

Vallini, D.*, Cannon, W. and Schulz, K.
New age data for the Chocolay Group, Marquette Range Supergroup: implications for the
Paleoproterozoic evolution of the Lake Superior and Lake Huron regions

9:40 a.m.

Knudson, D.*, Saini-Eidukat, B., Miller, J., and Daniels, P.
Structural state of plagioclase phenocrysts in porphyritic rocks of the Midcontinent rift,
northeastern Minnesota

10:00 a.m.

Albers, P.* and Miller, J.
The geology and petrology of the Leveaux porphyritic diorite, Cook County, MN: Investigating
possible magmatic relationships to the Anorthositic Series of the Duluth Complex

10:20 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Coffee Break and Poster Session
11:00 a.m.

Conly, A. and MacDonald, J.
Origin of high-sulphate waters of the Hogarth Pit Lake, Steep Rock iron mine, Atikokan,
Ontario.

11:20 a.m.

Breckenridge, A. and Johnson, T.
Lake Superior’s oxygen isotope record suggests overﬂow to Lake Ojibway between 10,000 and
9,400 CAL BP (~8.9-8.4 14C KA)

11:40 a.m.

Blackburn, C. and Kor, P.
Control of Quaternary erosional and depositional landforms at the Eastern outlet of glacial Lake
Agassiz by Precambrian bedrock and structure, Ottertooth-Pantagreul Lakes area, northwestern
Ontario

12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Lunch Break

Technical Session IV
Session Chairs: Peter Hinz (Ontario Geological Survey), Charlie Blackburn (Blackburn Geological
Services)
1:30 p.m.

Weiblen, P., Peterson, D., Vislova, T.
Implications of Midcontinent Rift and oceanic ridges analogies and 3D interpretations of the
subsurface structure of the Bald Eagle Intrusion in the Duluth Complex and the East Paciﬁc
Rise

1:50 p.m.

Halls, H.
Dyke swarms around the Lake Superior Region deﬁne Proterozoic (~2 Ga) deformation of the
Archean Superior Province associated with evolution of the Kapuskasing Zone

2:10 p.m.

Dahl, D.
Gold grains, pathﬁnder elements, and till clast composition in a portion of the Vermilion
Greenstone Belt, Northeastern Minnesota

2:30 p.m

Miller, J. and Jirsa, M.
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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1

Geology, geochemistry and PGE potential of maﬁc and ultramaﬁc intrusions in Minnesota,
excluding the Duluth Complex
2:50 p.m

Presentation of Best Student Paper Award and Eisenbrey Awards

3:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Coffee Break and Poster Session (Posters removed after the break)
7:00 p.m

Mixer - Cash Bar (Nipigon Curl-a-Drome)

Poster Presentations
Bucholz, T., Falster, A., and Simmons, W.
Mineralogy of pegmatites and spatially associated metasomatized zones, Michels Materials Quarry,
Waterloo, WI
Cannon, W., Schulz, K., Daniels, D., Anderson, R., Chandler, V., Holm, D., Schneider, D., Van Schmus, R.
Geology of Precambrian basement rocks in Iowa and the southern parts of Wisconsin and Minnesota
Jirsa, M. and Miller, J.
Geologic implications of bedrock mapping in the Ely and Basswood Lake quadrangles, Northeast
Minnesota
Lane, C.* and Hollings P.
Geochemistry and petrography of the Rabbit Islands Breccia, North Central Lake Nipigon
MacTavish, A.
MetalCORP Ltd. Big Lake Ni-Cu-PGE, Cu-Zn-Ag, and Mo Property
Magee, A.
Mining and exploration activity in northwestern Ontario
Planavsky, N.* and Murphy, J.*
New thoughts on old circles: A reexamination of spheroidal Gunﬂint taxa
Rossell, D. and Coombes, S.
The geology of the Eagle Lake Nickel-Copper deposit: Marquette County, Michigan
Severson, M.
PGE and gold potential of the Archean Deer Lake Complex, Minnesota, USA
Shareef, S. and Craven, J.
A view into the Nipigon Embayment: preliminary results of the largest magnetotelluric study ever in
Ontario.
Stott, G. and Rayner, N.
Discrimination of Archean terranes in the Sachigo subprovince and relevance to volcanogenic masive
sulphide exploration
Trow, J. and Young, C.
Correlation between self-potential and dowsing (IESG) at the Quincy Mine and at the Calumet and Hecla
Mine, Michigan

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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1

Weiblen, P., Peterson, D., and Vislova, T.
Implications of Midcontinent Rift and oceanic ridges analogies and 3D interpretations of the subsurface
structure of the Bald Eagle Intrusion in the Duluth Complex and the East Paciﬁc Rise
Zieg, M., Forsha, C., and Habarka, J.
Textural examination of Kama Point diabase sill, Nipigon, Ontario
NOTE: Asterisk * denotes a student eligible for a Best Student Paper Award

Saturday May 28
8:00 a.m. Field Trip 4: Geology and Rare Element-bearing pegmatites of the Quetico Subprovince
Leaders: Mark Smyk (OGS) and Steve Kissin (Lakehead University)
8:00 a.m. Field Trip 5: Geology of the Black Sturgeon Area
Leader: Tom Hart (OGS)
8:00 a.m. Field Trip 6: A Stratigraphic Transect Across the Northern Flank of the Midcontinent Rift near
Rossport (II)
Leaders: Peter Hollings and Phil Fralick (Lakehead University)
6.00 p.m. Return of Trips 4, 5 and 6

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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1

Discovery of Distal Ejecta from the 1850 Ma Sudbury Impact
ADDISON, W.D., R.R. 2, Kakabeka Falls, Ontario, P0T 1W0, Canada; BRUMPTON, Gregory, R., 211 Henry
Street, Thunder Bay, Ontario, P7E 4Y7, Canada; VALLINI, Daniela A, McNAUGHTON, Neal, J., Centre
for Global Metallogeny, School of Earth and Geographic Sciences, University of Western Australia, Nedlands,
Western Australia, 6009, Australia; DAVIS, Don W., Department of Geology, Earth Sciences Centre, University
of Toronto, 22 Russell Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3B1, Canada; KISSIN, Stephen A., FRALICK, Philip
W., HAMMOND, Anne L., Department of Geology, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, Ontario, P7B 5E1,
Canada
A 25–70-cm-thick, laterally correlative layer near the contact between the Paleoproterozoic sedimentary
Gunﬂint Iron Formation and overlying Rove Formation and between the Biwabik Iron Formation and overlying
Virginia Formation, western Lake Superior region, contains shocked quartz and feldspar grains found within
accretionary lapilli, accreted-grain clusters, and spherule masses, demonstrating that the layer contains
hypervelocity impact ejecta. Smectite replaced microtektites, spherules and crushed spherules, and sphere-insphere features make up the bulk of the ejecta. Accretionary lapilli appear near the middle of the ejecta column
in the Ontario Gunﬂint Formation cores but they are not present in the Minnesota Virginia Formation cores.
Zircon geochronologic data from tuffaceous horizons bracketing the layer reveal that it formed between circa
1878 Ma (Fralick et al., 2002) and 1836 Ma. The Sudbury impact event, which occurred 650–875 km to the east
at 1850±1 Ma (Krogh et al., 1984), is therefore the likely ejecta source, making these the oldest ejecta linked to
a speciﬁc impact. Shock features, particularly planar deformation features (French, 1998) are remarkably well
preserved in localized zones within the ejecta, whereas in other zones, mineral replacement, primarily carbonate,
has signiﬁcantly altered or destroyed ejecta features.
LEGEND
racks younger than
Paleoproterozoic
Paleoproterozoic
rocks, BIF in black
Archean greenstone granite terrane

Figure 1. Location of drill holes in relation to the Sudbury structure.

The Sudbury impact is the only known impact location close enough to have produced a craton-sourced
(quartz and feldspar grains), westward-thinning ejecta layer (70 cm thinning to 25 cm) this thick, in these
locations, given the time constraints established by zircon dating.
References
Addison, W.D., Brumpton, G.R., Vallini, D.A., McNaughton, N J., Davis, D.W., Kissin, S.A., Fralick, P.W. and Hammond,
A.L. 2005. Discovery of distal ejecta from the 1850 Ma Sudbury impact: Geology, 33, 193-196.
Fralick, P., Davis, D.W. and Kissin, S.A. 2002. The age of the Gunﬂint Formation, Ontario, Canada: Single zircon U-Pb age
determinations from reworked volcanic ash: Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, 39, 1085–1091.
French, B.M. 1998. Traces of catastrophe: Lunar and Planetary Institute Contribution 954, 120p.
Krogh, T.E., Davis, D.W. and Corfu, F. 1984. Precise U-Pb zircon and baddeleyite ages for the Sudbury area, in Pye, E.G.,
Naldrett, A.J., and Giblin, P.E., eds., The geology and ore deposits of the Sudbury structure: Ontario Geological Survey
Special Volume 1, 431–446.
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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1

Figure 2. Overview of the Gunﬂint and Rove
Formations based on drill core 89MC-1s. The 1878
Ma tuff age is from Fralick et al (2002). Detail from
column 1 showing the Gunﬂint-Rove boundary zone
and the relationship of the ejecta to the dated Rove
tuff. The Minnesota cores and other Ontario cores
show similar features in this zone. Detail of the
ejecta layer in drill core BP99-2, the most complete
and least altered ejecta section in all the cores. The
possible carbonate-replaced ﬁreball layer fades into
the overlying carbonate. Minnesota ejecta layers are
thinner and lack accretionary lapilli.

LEGEND

C Possible

fireball rayer.
carbonate replaced

Acoretionary
lapilli
Ejecta

P Possible ejecla.
carbonate replaced
S

[] Inaclastjo
Grainstone

—

Ei

Fine - grained chemical
sedimentwy rooks

Siliclaslic
Sandstone

[II
— Fine-grained
siliastics

Recrystalljzed and
silioffied carbonates

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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1

The Geology and Petrology of the Leveaux Porphyritic Diorite, Cook County,
MN: Investigating Possible Magmatic Relationships to the Anorthositic Series of
the Duluth Complex
ALBERS, Paul B., Department of Geological Sciences, University of Minnesota-Duluth, Duluth, MN 55812,
albe0167@d.umn.edu and MILLER, James D., Jr., Minnesota Geological Survey, c/o NRRI, 5013 Miller Trunk
Hwy, Duluth, MN 55811, mille066@umn.edu
The Leveaux porphyritic diorite (LPD) is a 72-m thick, discontinuous, hypabyssal, sheet-like intrusion
located within the Mesoproterozoic (1.1 Ga) Midcontinent Rift-related Beaver Bay Complex of northeastern
Minnesota (Miller and Chandler, 1997). The LPD makes up ﬁve prominent, cuesta-like ridges (Figure 1) that
trend parallel to Lake Superior over a 20 km distance. In the Caribou Lake region, the LPD makes up smaller
knob-like outcrops that dip in multiple directions and are segmented by the younger Beaver River diabase. The
LPD is composed of an upper porphyritic zone, which contains 40-50% of 1-4 cm labradorite megacrysts in a
ﬁne-grained ferrodiorite matrix (Figure 2), and a lower aphyric zone composed of ﬁne-grained ferrodiorite with
rare megacrysts. The aphyric and porphyritic zones are separated by a 20-30 cm thick gradational transition. The
orientation of this planar transition and sheet joints from the aphyric section indicate a gentle (10-20 degrees)
southeast dip. The upper contact of the LPD is fault bounded. In two localities, the lower contact is observed to
be chilled against a thin arkosic sandstone unit, which in turn is underlain by an ophitic basalt. Few outcrops of
a sparsely porphyritic (5-20% plagioclase megacrysts) ferrodiorite off the trend of the main sheet are found and
may represent feeder zones to the LPD.

Figure 1. Cuesta-like ridge of LPD at Moose Mountain
dipping gently toward Lake Superior (looking southeast).
The ridge to the right is the Beaver River diabase.

Figure 2. Nonfoliated, lath-shaped labradorite megacrysts
(1-4 cm) in a dark, ﬁne-grained ferrodiorite matrix at Oberg
Mountain.

Geochemical and petrographic characteristics of the aphyric zone and the matrix material of the porphyritic
zone are nearly identical vertically and laterally throughout the sheet. Mineralogically, the ferrodiorite is composed
of plagioclase, augite, K-feldspar, Fe-Ti oxides, and minor accessory minerals of quartz, inverted pigeonite,
calcite, and apatite, which collectively display an intergranular, nonfoliated texture. Modally, the ferrodiorite
varies between diorite and quartz monzonite. XRF analyses indicate a normative An (An/An+Ab+Or) matrix
composition of 39, while microprobe analyses range from 19-64. Matrix augite contains a constant composition
(mg # 55-61) throughout the intrusion. Microprobe traverses and Nomarski DIC microscopy of plagioclase
megacrysts indicate subtle zoned cores (~An 65) and strongly zoned rims with An compositions comparable
to matrix plagioclase. XRD analyses indicate that the plagioclase megacrysts have an intermediate ordered
structural state (see Knudsen and others, this volume).
Based on these observations, we conclude that the LPD formed by the shallow emplacement of a single
plagioclase-phyric ferrodiorite magma. Density calculations indicate that the upper porphyritic section may have
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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1

formed by plagioclase megacryst ﬂotation in the host ferrodiorite magma. The average composition, zonation
patterns, and structural state of LPD plagioclase megacrysts are similar to cumulus plagioclase of the anorthositic
series of the Duluth Complex. Also, the evolved compositions of the LPD ferrodiorite are similar to the estimated
anorthositic series trapped liquid compositions (Miller and Weiblen, 1990). With these petrogenetic links, we
conclude the LPD is a hypabyssal equivalent to the anorthositic series, which is thought to have formed from
plagioclase crystal mushes derived from deep crustal magma chambers.
References
Miller, J. D., Jr., and Chandler, V. W. 1997. Geology, petrology, and tectonic signiﬁcance of the Beaver Bay Complex,
northeastern Minnesota, in Ojakangas, R.W., Dickas, A.B., Green, J.C., eds., Middle Proterozoic to Cambrian Rifting,
Central North America: Geological Society of America Special Paper 312, 73-96.
Miller, J. D., Jr., and Wieblen, P. W. 1990. Anorthositic rocks of the Duluth Complex, Minnesota: Examples of rocks formed
from plagioclase crystal mush: Journal of Petrology, 31, 295-339.

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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1

Control of Quaternary Erosional and Depositional Landforms at the eastern
outlet of Glacial Lake Agassiz by Precambrian Bedrock and Structure,
Ottertooth-Pantafreul Lakes area, Northwestern Ontario
BLACKBURN, C.E., Blackburn Geological Services, Victoria, B.C. and KOR, P.S.G., Ontario Parks,
Peterborough, Ontario
During late Wisconsinan/early Holocene time, glacial Lake Agassiz debouched into the Nipigon basin
in catastrophic bursts at the continental divide through a number of spillway channels. Two protected areas
managed by MNR Ontario Parks, Ottertooth Conservation Reserve and Pantagreul Creek Provincial Nature
Reserve, encompass the eastern portion of the 15-km-wide Kaiashk Spillway corridor, the southern-most of ﬁve
major channel complexes (Figure 1). The power of the bursts can be appreciated by the fact that water ﬂowing
through the outlet would have fallen from the 457 m elevation of the divide to about the 320 m level of Lake
Nipigon - a drop of 137 m over a distance of 20 km.

44

1#
C,
C,

t

I.

to

Erosional features resulting from this outﬂow include
plunge basins that formed at the break in slope from the
Archean gneissic basement into the Nipigon lowlands.
Two plunge basins are present. The more spectacular
of the two, Devils Crater, has walls on the order of
100 m high down which today two water falls cascade.
The second un-named plunge basin lies some 1.5 km
to the southwest. Streams drain to the southeast from
both plunge basins, the one from Devilʼs Canyon being
through a deeply incised, narrow gorge. Similar though
less prominent features suggesting plunge of water over a
pre-existing bedrock “lip” can be seen: a) at the north end
of Rabelais Lake; b) about 3 km to the northeast of Devils
Crater, and c) near the west shore of Pantagruel Creek.
Notably, all of these features lie along a NE-trending line
over a distance of ~20 km. Depositional features resulting
from the outﬂow include an alluvial fan at the mouth of
the more southerly of the channel-ways exiting from the
two plunge basins, which unites with the main spillway
channel through which Pantagruel Creek now ﬂows. An
“island” of braided eskers forms an erosional remnant in
the centre of the channel.

Figure 1. Location of the Kaiashk Spillway system,
and its relation to four other systems that linked
Lake Agassiz with Lake Nipigon during the Nipigon
Phase (from Teller and Thorleifson, GAC Special
Paper 26, 1983, Fig. 7).

Underlying Archean and Proterozoic bedrock
geology had a profound inﬂuence on development of
the above Quaternary features. To the northwest of
the northeasterly-trending line joining points of plunge
of Agassiz lake waters, Archean gneissic bedrock was
peneplained prior to deposition of Proterozoic Sibley Group sediments, and exhumed during the time of outlet
from Lake Agassiz. The result is a broad, level plain. Flat-lying Sibley sedimentary rocks were intruded by
Nipigon diabase sills, the erosional remnants of which form numerous scarps and cuestas. Evidence of regional
scale faulting post dating intrusion of the sills is seen at Devilʼs Crater, where Archean gneisses exposed on its
northwest face are uplifted relative to Proterozoic diabase that is exposed throughout the rest of Devilʼs Crater and
its gorge. Faulting is probably present at the smaller plunge basin, and at the north end of Rabelais Lake where
there is also transition from peneplained Archean gneiss to the incised channel-way of Rabelais Creek. However
this latter channel has eroded completely through the diabase “cap” into the gneisses below. Interpretation of
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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1

such a regional scale fault is supported by presence of similar NE to NNE-trending regional-scale faults that have
been mapped throughout the region.
Projection of the regional-scale NE-trending fault is coincident with the ﬁve identiﬁed points of plunge of
Agassiz lake waters during late Wisconsinan/early Holocene time. Other such fault structures, as yet undetected,
may have had considerable inﬂuence on development of landform features at the eastern exit from glacial lake
Agassiz, possibly along the entire length of the spillway channels northwest of present Lake Nipigon (Figure
1).
References
Teller, J.T. and Thorleifson, L.H. 1983. The Lake Agassiz–Superior connection; in Glacial Lake Agassiz, Geological
Association of Canada, Special Paper 26, p.61-290.

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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1

Lake Superiorʼs Oxygen Isotope Record Suggests Overﬂow to Lake Ojibway
between 10,000 and 9,400 CAL BP [~8.9-8.4 14C ka]
BRECKENRIDGE, Andy and JOHNSON, Thomas C., Large Lakes Observatory and Dept. of Geological
Sciences, University of Minnesota Duluth, Duluth, MN 55812
Late glacial ostracode and bivalve records from Lakes Huron and Michigan are characterized by extreme
δ18O variations, ranging from values that reﬂect a source that is primarily glacial in origin (~–20 ‰ PDB) to
much heavier values characteristic of a regional meteoric source (~–5 ‰ PDB). In contrast, a coeval record from
benthic ostracodes (Candona subtriangulata) from a varve sequence in Lake Superior is consistently depleted in
18
O, ranging from –18 to –22 ‰ PDB.
Between 10,000 and 9,400 cal BP [8.9-8.4 14C ka], high δ18O values in Huron strongly contrast with much
lower values in Superior, which suggests Lake Superior overﬂow circumvented Lake Huron, and discharged
through the Pic-White Otter River Valley en route to Glacial Lake Ojibway. The northern outlet may have opened
when lake levels fell from an upper post-Minong water plane at around 10,000 cal BP [~8.9 14C ka]. Thereafter,
lake levels probably transgressed towards the post-Minong III shoreline. Because deltaic deposits in the Pic
River Valley dated around 9,200 cal BP [8.2 14C ka] record glacial meltwater ﬂow towards Lake Superior (Bajc
et al., 1997), northern drainage of Lake Superior must have been blocked by ice advance at around 9,400 cal BP
[8.4 14C ka], rather than by differential uplift of a northern outlet.
Negative δ18O excursions in Lakes Huron and Michigan between 9,400 and 9,000 cal BP [8.4-8.1 14C ka]
record the return of Lake Superior overﬂow to the upper Great Lakes. In Huron the negative δ18O excursion was
previously ascribed to the Late Stanley lowstand (Rea et al., 1994), and in Michigan the event was attributed
to Lake Agassiz overﬂow and labeled ʻA2ʼ (Colman et al., 1994). During this entire period, both Lake Agassiz
and glacial meltwater discharged into Lake Superior via the Nipigon inlets. Lake Agassiz and glacial meltwater
ﬂuxes into Lake Superior diminished to zero between 9,040 and 8,840 cal BP [~8.1-7.9 14C ka].
References
Bajc, A.F., Morgan, A.V., and Warner, B.G. 1997. Age and paleoecological signiﬁcance of an early Postglacial fossil
assemblage near Marathon, Ontario, Canada. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences. 34, 687-698.
Colman, S.M., Keigwin, L.D., and Forester, R.M. 1994. Two episodes of meltwater inﬂux from glacial Lake Agassiz and
their climatic contrast. Geology 22, 547-550.
Rea, D.K., Moore, T.C., Jr., Anderson, T.W., Lewis, C.F.M., Dobson, D.M., Dettman, D.L., Smith, A.J., Mayer, L.A. 1994.
Great Lakes paleohydrology: complex interplay of glacial meltwater, lake levels, and sill depths. Geology 22, 10591062.

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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1

Mineralogy of Pegmatites and Spatially Associated Metasomatized Zones, Michels
Materials Quarry, Waterloo, WI
BUCHOLZ, Thomas W., 1140 12th Street North, Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin 54494, FALSTER,
Alexander. U. and SIMMONS, Wm. B., Department of Geology and Geophysics, University of New Orleans,
New Orleans, Louisiana 70148.
The Michels Materials Waterloo Quarry exposes Baraboo Interval quartzites and metapelites that have been
intruded by pegmatites of Wolf River age, approximately 1,440 Ma (Aldrich, 1959; cited in Brown, 1986). A
pegmatite outcropping nearby in the Crawﬁsh River has been long known, but pegmatite exposures in the quarry
itself were ﬁrst noted during an ILSG ﬁeld trip in 2001. Samples of pegmatites and associated rocks were
collected at that time and during a number of subsequent visits.
The pegmatites are highly weathered and in hand specimen consist of kaolinite, quartz and muscovite;
virtually all feldspars have altered to kaolinite. The dikes are small, discontinuous, apparently randomly oriented
and frequently crosscut bedding in the metasediments. Despite the extensive alteration of feldspars, associated
muscovite is quite fresh and a number of accessory phases persist. Small miaroles appear to be present, but are
obscured by kaolinite. Most pegmatites exposed to date are in the upper level of the quarry, although recent
operations (2004) have exposed one pegmatite in the lower level.
Accessory minerals identiﬁed in dikes in the upper level of the quarry include dark green gahnite as small
aggregates to approximately 2 mm and as well-formed octahedral crystals to approximately 500 µm: MnO
content ranges from 0.4 to 1.1 wt. % and FeO content ranges from 1.5 to 2.9 wt. %. Columbite-tantalite group
minerals are not uncommon but are inconspicuous due to their small grain size. They form prismatic crystals up
to about 900x50 µm. Mn enrichment is pronounced and Ta-enrichment is modest, with compositions falling into
the manganocolumbite and manganotantalite ﬁelds; there are two distinct composition trends present in these
small dikes, one clustering around a Nb-dominant composition and the other clustered around a Ta-dominant
composition. TiO2 contents range from 0.4 to 0.9 wt. %. Sn, Bi, and Sb were not detected; the absence of Bi is
interesting in light of recent ﬁnds described below. Additional minerals in the upper level dikes include apatite,
sprays of acicular goethite crystals, ilmenite as crude hexagonal platelets, small grains of a LREE-Ca phosphate
(probably monazite-(Ce) or rhabdophane-(Ce)), zircons giving evidence of minor Hf enrichment and a grayitelike Th-phosphate associated with gahnite. Despite the intense alteration of pegmatitic feldspars, associated
muscovite is well preserved and retains a substantial Li2O content of up to 0.98 wt %.
In September 2004 a somewhat less weathered pegmatite was discovered in the lower level of the quarry.
Similar to the upper level dikes, this pegmatite appears to cut across the bedding and terminates before intersecting
the upper bench level. Remnants of partially altered feldspars are present in this pegmatite, and the overall
mineralogy is somewhat more complex than in the upper level dikes. Some micas in this pegmatite have a
pronounced dark pink color and contain substantial Li2O enrichment up to 2.05 wt %. Some additional minerals
found include manganotantalite, goethite replacements of pyrite and chalcopyrite crystals, thin tabular crystals
of hematite and sparse apatite. Noteworthy are small grains of bismutomicrolite {(Bi,Ca) (Ta,Nb)2 O6 (OH)}
to approximately 0.4 mm embedded in feldspar. EMP analysis indicates Ta&gt;Nb, and Bi&gt;Ca+Na. Pale greenish
elongated crystals forming small branching groups in vugs and voids, usually along surfaces of quartz grains, are
a mixture of kettnerite {(Ca,Bi) (CO3) O, F} and other Bi secondary minerals as indicated by x-ray diffraction
study. Kettnerite is a typical secondary Bi mineral probably derived from alteration of a primary Bi mineral such
as bismuthinite, although the primary Bi mineral has not yet been found.
The Waterloo occurrence represents the ﬁrst ﬁnd of gahnite from a pegmatite in the state and the overall
composition of these small pegmatites indicates highly peraluminous composition, even though such common
peraluminous species such as garnet and tourmaline appear to be absent in them. These are also the ﬁrst ﬁnds of
kettnerite and bismutomicrolite for Wisconsin.
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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1

Spatially and perhaps genetically related alteration or metasomatic vein-like bodies have been found near
the pegmatites. These range from quartz-muscovite±andalusite veins to massive ﬁne-grained lithian muscovite
(0.6 wt % Li2O), the two phases interﬁngering and grading into each other laterally. Considering the close
spatial association of these bodies to pegmatites, it seems likely that the ﬂuids responsible for the alteration
may have been derived either from the pegmatites or the source igneous body, although mobilization from the
metasediments cannot be excluded based on the present evidence.
Schorl tourmaline is locally common in the quartz-muscovite+-andalusite veins in small vugs and adjacent
pelitic schists. Colors range from black to olive green, brown and pinkish brown. Microprobe analysis indicates
FeO contents of 8-9%, reﬂecting an overall schorl composition, though site occupancy considerations indicate
a signiﬁcant Li content. Hence, as the Fe-content of these tourmaline crystals is only slightly on the schorl side
of the line between elbaite and schorl they might be considered elbaitic or lithian schorl. Apatite is common
in small vugs near tourmaline, and ranges from dark red tabular hexagonal crystals to short visually zoned
yellow-brown hexagonal prisms. Additional accessory minerals noted in vuggy portions of the veins include
Ti-oxides, ilmenite-hematite, pyrite, chalcopyrite (both sulﬁdes usually replaced by goethite), calcite and sparse
REE-phosphate grains. Accessory minerals noted in the massive ﬁne-grained muscovite-rich portions include
ilmenite-hematite grains, enigmatic muscovite replacements of an undetermined mineral, and sparse zircon. The
zircons may be detrital and predate metasomatism.
Hence it is likely that the highly evolved pegmatites formed in conjunction with regionally widespread Wolf
River age magmatism (Medaris et al., 2003). Elevated Ta and Mn levels evidenced in the pegmatites, and B
and Li in the metasomatic units are anomalous for Wolf River age intrusions in Wisconsin. However, it appears
likely that ﬂuids either from these pegmatites or more directly from the parent intrusion may have had a strong,
localized metasomatic effect on adjacent rocks, introducing P, B, Li and perhaps other elements to favorable
areas in the host rocks. An intriguing question is what inﬂuence assimilation of peraluminous metasediments
may have had on the source magma, and subsequently on pegmatite composition. Could this have inﬂuenced the
mineralogy of the pegmatites and other features, or was the source magma already evolved, having originated by
partial melting of different source rocks than typical Wolf River intrusions?
References
Brown, Bruce A. 1986. Baraboo Interval in Wisconsin, In Proterozoic Baraboo Interval in Wisconsin, Geoscience Wisconsin
10, 1-14.
Medaris, L.G. Jr., Singer, B.S., Dott, R H. Jr., Naymark, A., Johnson, C.M. and Schott R.C. 2003. Late Paleoproterozoic
Climate, Tectonics, and Metamorphism in the Southern Lake Superior Region and Proto–North America: Evidence from
Baraboo Interval Quartzites. Journal of Geology, 111, 243-257.

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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1

Geology of Precambrian basement rocks in Iowa and the southern parts of
Wisconsin and Minnesota
CANNON, W.F., SCHULZ, Klaus J., and DANIELS, David L.,U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA,
ANDERSON, Raymond, Iowa Geological Survey, Iowa City, IA; CHANDLER, Val, Minnesota Geological
Survey, St. Paul, MN, HOLM, Daniel, Kent State University, Kent, OH, SCHNEIDER, David, Ohio
University, Athens, OH, and VAN SCHMUS, W.R., Kansas University, Lareence, KS
The well-known Precambrian rocks of the Lake Superior region record geologic events in the evolution of
Laurentia from 3.6 Ga to 1.1 Ga. Similar rocks extend southward as the crystalline basement beneath Paleozoic
and Cretaceous strata in southern Minnesota and Wisconsin and throughout Iowa. Using aeromagnetic and gravity
maps of the region, and several hundred basement-penetrating drill holes, we have produced a geologic map and
preliminary tectonic interpretation of the Precambrian subcrop for this region (Figure 1). Our interpretation
extends the well known Superior Province (Archean) and Penokean orogenic belt (Paleoproterozoic) of the Lake
Superior region southward to a prominent geophysical discontinuity, shown clearly by aeromagnetic patterns,
named the Spirit Lake-Trempealeau discontinuity (SLTD). This discontinuity separates fundamentally different
terranes; rocks to the south are part of the Yavapai Province and those to the north are part of the Penokean
Province. Although rocks of Yavapai age, represented by extensive ultra-mature sediments, such as the Baraboo
and Sioux Quartzites, and granitic plutons, extend north of the discontinuity, there are as yet no ﬁrmly identiﬁed
Penokean or older rocks south of the discontinuity, although data are sparse. Thus we suggest the possibility that
the discontinuity marks the southern limit of the preserved Penokean orogen and its Archean basement. South
of the SLTD, rocks at the subcrop include subaerial potassic rhyolite and epizonal granite, formed at about 1.75
Ga, and ultra-mature quartzite, such as the Baraboo Quartzite, which lies unconformably on them. An orogenic
complex of gneisses and maﬁc volcanic rocks, probably basement rocks on which the rhyolites were deposited
and from which they formed by partial melting, are inferred from gravity and magnetic patterns to be at subcrop
throughout much of this terrane, but its lithology and age are not well constrained. All of these rocks were
strongly deformed at about 1.63 Ga during the Mazatzal orogeny, whose northeastern limit may underlie the
extreme southeastern part of the map area. The nature of the SLTD is controversial with possibilities including a
north-directed Yavapai subduction zone or a major strike-slip fault zone. Major granitic plutons were emplaced
into the Yavapai terrane in the interval 1.50-1.43 Ga and some are stitching plutons of the SLTD providing an
upper age limit on deformation within it. The ﬁnal major Precambrian event in the region was formation of the
Midcontinent Rift at 1.1 Ga. The rift transects older terranes at a high angle and consists of more than 10 km of
ﬂood basalts accumulated in and near a series of grabens, and slightly younger clastic rocks. Its location in the
subsurface is clearly shown by very pronounced geophysical anomalies. A major igneous complex in NE Iowa
and SE Minnesota is also interpreted to be part of the Midcontinent Rift.

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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1
______

_______
_______
98L0.W

_______

94.0YW

88 OOW

SBOW

go•do•w

EXPLANATION
Ma

Manson impact structure

Red clastic sedimentary rocks

Vo

Mafic intrusive rocks

Penokean Orogen

Arthean basement granitic rocks

Archean
Granite and tonalite

Pembine-Wausau Terrane

Gnelss of Jeffers Block

Mafic volcanic rocks

LAng 1 Granite,anorthosite,norite

Gneiss of Montevideo Block

Mazatzal Orogen

Felsic volcanic rocks

Gneissof Morton Block

Granitic plutons

Rhyoliteandgranlte

Baraga Group

Orogenic complex

Late- and post-tectonic granite

Flood basalt, minor rtiyolite

Anorogenic Plutons

Foreland basin

Mat Ic volcanic rocks

Midcontinent Rift
MRs

Penokean Orogen (cont.)

Yavapai Orogen (cont.)

Bimodal volcanic rocks

Units of undetermined age

ç:: Gneiss
—

Yavapai Orogen

Marshfleld Terrane
Mafic gneiss

Quartzlte (BarabooSioux, etc)
Mt

Yr iF Rhyolite and granite

ftiOIIl]I]OI

Felsic yneiss

Iron-formation

—

Diabase dikes (mostly MCR related)

Mafic and untramafic rocks
11111111 Mylonite and sheared granite

Mafic volcanic rocks

Volcanic rocks

Figure 1. Geological Map of Precambrian basement rocks in Iowa and the southern parts of Minnesota and Wisconsin inferred from
aeromagnetic and gravity data and drill holes.

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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1

Origin of High-Sulphate Waters of the Hogarth Pit Lake, Steep Rock iron Mine,
Atikokan, Ontario
CONLY, A.G., and MacDONALD, J.C., Department of Geology, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, On,
P7B 5E1, andrew.conly@lakeheadu.ca
Hogarth Pit Lake was formed from the continual ﬂooding of the main open pit iron mine at Steep Rock
Lake near Atikokan, Ontario. Hogarth Pit Lake is located in the former middle arm of Steep Rock Lake and
was mined for itʼs predominantly goethite iron ores from 1954 to 1977. During this time over 25 million tons
of ore were mined [1]. Water within the pit lake is characterized by near neutral pH and extraordinarily high
SO42- concentrations (1000 to 3000 ppm; [2], this study). Consequently, the aim of the research is to determine
the source(s) of the high SO42- levels. Possible sources of sulphate that are evaluated include: i) oxidation
and leaching of ﬁnely disseminated sulphides within hanging wall and footwall rock units by groundwater; ii)
oxidation and leaching of pyritic portions of the ore zone by groundwater; and, iii) oxidation and leaching of
sulphides/sulphates contained in waste rock dumps and tailings piles by surface waters
Hogarth Pit Lake is approximately 160 m deep, with a surface area of approximately 100 hectares and
is elongated along a north-south axis. The lake is steep sided, well-sheltered by high rock walls. Footwall
rocks, east of the Jolliffe ore zone, consist of (in ascending stratigraphic order) the Marmion Geniss Complex,
metasedimentary rocks of the Wagita Formation and the Mosher Carbonate [3]. To the west, hanging wall
rocks include ultramaﬁc-maﬁc volcanic and volcaniclastic rocks of the Dismal Ashrock Formation, which is
overlain by maﬁc to felsic volcanic rocks of the Witch Bay Formation [3]. Since cessation of mining activities
the water level within the pit continues to increase (~ 3 m/year) from surface runoff and groundwater seepage.
Environmental assessment studies completed shortly after closure of the mine indicate that approximately 85% of
the water entering the pit is groundwater (R. Bernachez, personal communication, 2003). The lower contribution
of surface water is consistent with the limited number of tributaries that currently ﬂow into the pit lake.
Water from Hogarth Pit Lake sampled for this study has a pH of ~7.6, contains 1340 to 1381 ppm of SO42,
only trace levels (0.1-0.2 ppm) of Fe and Mn, and no detectable deleterious metals (As, Cd, Pb). Pit water
has δ13C and δ34S values that range from 0.8 to 0.9‰ and -2.7 to -2.9‰, respectively. Surface waters that are
following into the pit are characterized by a wide range in pH (2.8 to 8.1) and SO42- content (734 and 2580 ppm),
with δ13C and δ34S values ranging from -20.3 to 1.5‰ and –3.6 to -0.4‰, respectively. The composition of
surface and pit waters is comparable with the data of [2], although there is a trend of decreasing SO42- between
1998/99 and 2003. The variation in the chemistry of surface water reﬂects differences in wall-rock interactions.
Surface waters with low pH and δ13C values reﬂect reactions with footwall and hanging wall volcanic and genesis
units and organic matter. Water with near neutral pH values and δ13C values approaching 0‰ indicate buffering
by the Mosher Carbonate. Groundwater was not sample as part of this study. However, regional groundwaters in
the Atikokan area are generally enriched in Cl- with substantially lower SO42- contents than observed at Hogarth
Pit [4]. However, some regional groundwaters have SO42- contents that approach the lower values for surface
waters [4].
Tailings

Lillill Pyric waste rock
Ore zone
Hanging wall

C Hogarlh pit waters
C Hanging wall tributaries
Footwall tributaries

P
6'$ (permil)

Figure 1. Histogram showing the distribution -of12 sulphur isotope data for Hogarth Pit Lake waters

The sulphur isotope composition of the pit
and tributaries waters (Figure 1) is consistent
with oxidation and dissolution of pyrite from the
ore zone, waste rock dumps and the hangingwall.
The data for the pyritic waste rock dumps is also
used to better constrain the composition of pyritic
Figure 1. Histogram showing the distribution of sulphur
isotope data for Hogarth Pit Lake waters and lithological
units

�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1

portions of the ore zone, since only one in situ ore sample was obtained for the study. The shift to slightly more
depleted δ34S values for the water samples relative to pyrite-bearing rocks is within the range anticipated for
pyrite oxidation [5]. However, sulphur isotopes cannot be used in isolation to discriminate potential sources of
SO42-. It is necessary to consider both the total sulphur content of the potential source material and water ﬂow
pathways. Consequently, the most likely source of SO42- is the oxidation and dissolution of pyrite contained
with the Jolliffe ore zone by groundwater. The high bulk sulphur content (3.5-43.8 wt% as FeS2) of pyritic
ore and waste rocks indicate that there is an amply supply of pyrite. Conversely, only very minor amounts of
SO42- could have been derived from the hanging wall units and tailings, since these lithogies are characterized by
low sulphur contents (&lt;2 wt% and &lt; 0.06 wt%, respectively). Furthermore, the substantially higher proportion
of groundwater to surface water ﬁlling the pit indicates that water-rock interactions with exposed lithologies
contribute a subordinate amount of SO42-.
References
[1] Taylor, B. 1978. Steep Rock The Men and the Mines. Quetico Publishing: Atikokan, Ontario, 114 p.
[2] McNaughton, K.A. 2001. The limnology of two proximal pit lakes after twenty years of intense ﬂooding. M.Sc. Thesis,
Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, Ontario, 85p.
[3] Stone, D., Kamineni, D.C. and Jackson, M.C. 1992. Precambrian geology of the Atikokan area, northwestern Ontario.
Geological Survey of Canada, Bulletin 405, 106p.
[4] Ophori, D.U. 1996. Regional groundwater ﬂow in the Atikokan research area: spatial variable density and viscosity.
Atomic Energy of Canada Limited Report AECL-11082, COG-93-184, 44 p.
[5] Ohmoto, H. and Rye, R.O. 1979. Isotopes of sulfur and carbon. in Barnes, H.L., ed., Geochemistry of Hydrothermal Ore
Deposits, 2nd edition: New York, John Wiley and Sons, p. 509-567.

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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1

Gold Grains, Pathﬁnder Elements, and Till Clast Composition in a Portion of the
Vermilion Greenstone Belt, Northeastern Minnesota
DAHL, David A., Lands and Minerals Division, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, 1525 3rd Avenue
East, Hibbing, MN 55746, dave.dahl@dnr.state.mn.us.
An orientation project to determine variability of glacial till in the Mud Creek area of northeastern Minnesotaʼs
Vermilion Greenstone Belt demonstrates that gold grains and pathﬁnder elements are present in basal till, and
that anomalies stand out in contrast to regional background levels. Clastic and chemical variations within the till
sample set are sufﬁcient to consider using the basal till as sampling media for gold dispersal mapping.
Of the thirty-two till samples analyzed, four were highly anomalous for gold, with counts of 88-1,282 gold
grains per 10 kg of –2mm table sample, and pristine gold grain proportions up to 98%; up to 8,050 ppb gold in
HMC (nonmagnetic heavy mineral concentrates); and up to 1,050 ppb gold in the -63µm silt/clay fraction of till.
A suit of bedrock grab samples collected as reference mineralization returned assays up to 12,247 ppb Au, and
silver concentrations up to 42,500 ppb. Analytical results for the till samples support a hypothesis that clastic
dispersal trains of mineralized material exist in tills in the area.
Within the project area, particulate gold is more anomalous in basal till samples than in the thin drape of
overlying melt-out till. The gold grain counts and gold grain morphology add a transport distance value to
chemical measurements of gold in soils and till, and suggest that the gold in the samples is locally derived. Pebble
counts and pebble morphology similarly suggest a local derivation for the particulate gold. Analytical results for
the present study are comparable to larger, more extensive regional evaluations conducted in neighboring Ontario
and further conﬁrm anomalous soil and ﬁne fraction gold values reported in earlier Vermilion Greenstone Belt
studies. Analysis of basal till in this portion of the Vermilion Greenstone Belt, particularly for gold grains, offers
a capacity to positively detect local, previously unrecognized mineralization both inside and outside of areas of
detailed bedrock geologic mapping.

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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1

The Grenvillian Tomiko quartzites of Ontario: correlatives of the Baraboo
quartzites of Wisconsin, the Mazatzal orogen of New Mexico, or unique?
Implications for the tectonic architecture of Laurentia in the Great Lakes region
EASTON, R.M., Precambrian Geoscience Section, Ontario Geological Survey, 933 Ramsey Lake Road,
Sudbury, Ontario P3E 6B5, mike.easton@ndm.gov.on.ca
The Baraboo and 6 other correlative red quartz arenite sequences in the southern Lake Superior region were
deposited between 1710 and 1630 Ma, and locally were affected by regional deformation and metamorphism
at about 1630 Ma, as well as by potassium metasomatism at 1465 Ma (Medaris et al., 2003). The Baraboo and
related quartz arenites may be correlative with quartz arenites in the Athabasca and Thelon basins (Medaris
et al. 2003), indicating widespread sedimentation across much of North America in the late Paleoproterozoic.
Key features of the Baraboo and Athabasca basin quartz arenites, include the local presence of well-developed
paleosols, a high-degree of supermaturity of the quartz arenites, and chemical index of alteration (CIA) values of
95-99. These three features have been interpreted to indicate that profound chemical weathering occurred across
much of North America between 1750 and 1630 Ma (e.g., Medaris et al., 2003).
A thick sequence of paragneiss, including quartz arenite and iron formation (hereafter referred to as the
Tomiko supracrustal rocks), occurs within the Tomiko terrane of the northern Central Gneiss Belt of the Grenville
Province in Ontario. Holmden and Dickin (1995), based on Nd-Sm model age data and regional tectonics,
suggested that the Tomiko quartz arenites were possible correlatives of the Baraboo and related quartz arenite
sequences. If valid, then this correlation indicates that sedimentation and weathering between 1710 and 1630 Ma
occurred east of Lake Superior, and that rocks of the Penokean orogen may underlie large parts of the northern
Central Gneiss Belt in Ontario. Testing this correlation has been problematic, as until recently, only limited
mapping and geochronological data were available for Tomiko terrane. Mapping during the 2003 ﬁeld season
(Easton, 2003) provides additional constraints for regional correlation, as follows:
• Discovery of B-rich (&gt;15% tourmaline) and Mn-rich rocks in association with magnetite-chert iron
formation in northern Tomiko terrane, as well as epidote-rich (&gt;20%) rocks in association with rusty
gneisses near Crocan Lake and chemically unusual (high TiO2 &amp; P2O5) calc-silicate rocks).
• The recognition of possible dacitic metavolcanic rocks and sills interlayered with the Tomiko supracrustal
rocks, along with amphibolites that may represent sills or ﬂows.
• The possibility that many of the muscovitic and feldspathic units within the Tomiko supracrustal sequence
may represent hydrothermally altered rocks (CIA of 60 to 64).
• The recognition of possible Archean “basement” rocks infolded with the Tomiko supracrustal rocks. This
basement is likely structural, not depositional.
• The identiﬁcation of at least 3 metamorphic events affecting the Tomiko supracrustal rocks, with the
intensity of the 2 latest events increasing to the southeast. M2 forms a migmatite front between northern
and southern Tomiko terrane, with lower grade rocks to the north. M3 is a regional hydrothermal event, and
results in the replacement of blue kyanite and granite leucosome formed during M2 by pale-green kyanite
and quartz segregations.
• Stratigraphic correlation with metasedimentary rocks of the Huronian Supergroup, exposed immediately to
the north, is unlikely, based on geochemistry and Nd/Sm ages.
On the basis on the new data, correlation of the Tomiko rocks with the Baraboo and related quartz arenites
is still compelling. The Tomiko quartz arenites appear to be mature rather than supermature (CIA of 69 to 78 for
quartzites), even though they are associated with metamorphosed volcanic and plutonic rocks and minor amounts
of iron formation. It can be argued that kyanite-bearing and muscovite-rich gneisses in Tomiko terrane represent
a combination of metamorphosed paleosols and potassium metasomatized quartz-rich sedimentary rocks,
respectively. U/Pb zircon ages on detrital zircons from quartz arenite at two localities at different metamorphic
grades give a maximum depositional age of 1687 Ma (Krogh, 1989; Easton and Kamo, 2004). Minimum
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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1

depositional age is 1250±10 Ma, based on the age of grey gneisses interlayered with the quartz arenite; identical
within error to the age of several A-type granite plutons that intrude the Tomiko supracrustal rocks (1257+4/-2 and
1244+4/-3 Ma; Easton and Kamo, 2004; Lumbers et al., 1991, respectively). If the correlation with the Baraboo is
valid, then the Tomiko supracrustal rocks likely have limited mineral potential.
Equally compelling, however, is that the Tomiko supracrustal rocks have many lithologic, stratigraphic and
geochronologic similarities to Geon 17 rocks of the Mazatzal orogen exposed in Arizona and New Mexico (Tonto
Basin Supergroup and Hondo Group, respectively). For example, the Hondo Group overlies a sequence of older
greenstones, and consists of a thin basal unit of quartz pebble conglomerate, over 1 km of quartz arenite, and a
capping sequence of muscovite schist and arenite, metarhyolite, phyllite and calc-silicate rocks (Robertson et
al., 1993). A manganese-rich horizon, possibly a paleosol, perhaps lateritic, occurs at the top of the greenstones.
Furthermore, some of the muscovite schists in the Hondo Group represented hydrothermally altered felsic
volcanics. Rocks of the Hondo Group were deposited between 1700 and 1644 Ma (Robertson et al., 1993), and
contain detrital zircons ranging in age from 1850 to 1700 Ma. A key difference is that plutons intruded the Hondo
Group between 1680 and 1650 Ma, not at circa 1250 Ma. The rock types, stratigraphy, thickness, alteration
history and age of the Tonto Basin Supergroup and the Hondo Group is similar to that observed in the Tomiko
supracrustal rocks, even though the Mazatzal rocks in New Mexico are now some 3500 km distant. If correlation
with the Mazatzal Orogen is valid, then the iron formation in northern Tomiko terrane may be equivalent to the
manganese-rich unit at the base of the Tonto Basin Supergroup and the Hondo Group, and may have served as
the decollément surface along which northward-directed thrusting occurred. If the Tomiko supracrustal rocks do
represent a sliver of the Mazatzal Orogen, which at one time must have stretched from Arizona to Labrador, then
the eastern end of the Penokean Orogen has been truncated in Ontario. A third possibility, that the Tomiko quartz
arenites were deposited close to 1270 Ma, similar in age to the grey gneiss units interlayered with them, would
mean that the sequence is unique in the Lake Superior region, and further begs the question of what happens to
the Penokean Orogen east of the Grenville Front?
References
Easton, R.M. 2003. Reconnaissance study of the geology and mineral potential of the eastern Tomiko terrane, Grenville
Province; in Ontario Geological Survey Open File Report 6120, p. 16-1 to 16-25.
Easton, R.M. and Kamo, S.L. 2004. The Grenvillian Tomiko quartzites of Ontario: correlative with the Baraboo quartzites
of Wisconsin or the Mazatzal orogen of New Mexico? Implications for the tectonic architecture of Laurentia in the Great
Lakes region; Geological Society of America, Abstracts with Program, 36, no.5, p.A-459.
Holmden, C. and Dickin, A.P. 1995. Paleoproterozoic crustal history of the southwestern Grenville Province; Canadian
Journal of Earth Sciences, 32, 472-485.
Krogh, T.E. 1989. Provenance and metamorphic ages in the Grenville (NW); in Lithoprobe Abitibi-Grenville Project
Workshop, March 1989, p. 5-7.
Lumbers, S.B., Wu, T-W, Heaman, L.M., Vertolli, V.M., and MacRae, N.D. 1991. Petrology and age of the A-type Mulock
granite batholith, northern Grenville Province, Ontario; Precambrian Research, 53, 199-231.
Medaris, L.G., Jr., Singer, B.S., Dott, R.H., Jr., Naymark, A., Johnson, C.M. and Schott, R.C. 2003. Late Paleoproterozoic
climate, tectonics, and metamorphism in the southern Lake Superior region and proto-North America: evidence from
Baraboo interval quartzites; Journal of Geology, 111, 243-257.
Robertson, J.M., Grambling, J.A., Mawer, C.K., Bowring, S.A., Williams, M.L., Bauer, P.W. and Silver, L.T. 1993.
Precambrian geology of New Mexico; in Precambrian Conterminous US, Geological Society of America, The Geology
of North America, Volume C-2, p. 228-238.

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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1

Stratigraphy of the Mesoproterozoic Sibley Group and Nipigon Sills
FRALICK, Philip, METSARANTA, Riku and ROGALA, Becky, Department of Geology, Lakehead
University, Thunder Bay, ON, Canada, P7B 5E1
This paper is designed to complement papers on the geochemistry of the Sibley Group (Metsaranta and
Fralick, this volume) and Nipigon Sills (Richardson and Hollings, this volume). It will review the existing
nomenclature and highlight recent advances made in deciphering the stratigraphy of the Sibley Basin during ﬁeld
investigations forming a portion of the Lake Nipigon Region Geoscience Initiative.
Rocks correlated with the Sibley Group are present primarily to the south and west of Lake Nipigon.
They are divided into ﬁve Formations (Franklin et al., 1980; Cheadle, 1986; Fralick et al., 2000; Rogala, 2003)
encompassing, at their thickest, approximately nine hundred meters of stratigraphic section. The basal Pass Lake
Formation lies on metamorphosed igneous and sedimentary rocks, except for a limited area in the southwest where
it overlies Paleoproterozoic strata of the Rove Formation. Evidence for the existence of small hills and valleys on
the paleosurface is common. Age of the Pass Lake Formation is constrained by a Rb-Sr isochron on overlying
dolomitic mudstones of 1339±33 Ma (Franklin, 1978), probably representing a diagenetic reset, and detrital
zircon geochronology on a Pass Lake sandstone giving a concordant youngest zircon age of approximately 1650
Ma (see Heaman and Easton, this volume). The conglomerates and sandstones of this unit represent a number
of depositional environments ranging from Scott-type and South Saskatchewan-type braided streams to cobble
beaches, offshore storm sand sheets and possible aeolian dunes. The subaerial environments, where present,
are situated at the base of the section, overlain by a ﬂooding event. As the water depth increased the nearshore,
storm deposited, sand sheets were succeeded upwards by laminated and massive silt (Rossport Formation). Delta
progradation reversed this trend in areas proximal to sediment entry points. Caliche developed in underlying
ﬂuvial, off-channel deposits attests to a semi-arid climate and this caused the water body to become saline.
Cyclically banded red and cream coloured dolomitic siltstone accumulated as salinity increased. The millimeterto decimeter-scale banding probably reﬂects periodic movement of the redox front from the water mass to
beneath the sediment surface, possibly driven by organic loading. The central portions of thicker, light coloured
layers contain bladed crystals and small nodules of gypsum attesting to peak aridity during oxygen minima in the
bottom sediments. As the water mass contracted sand, possibly derived from the south, formed extensive sheet
deposits in most areas. The strandline is marked by the sporadic development of algal ﬂat deposits with carbonate
silt storm layers. Though most of this one to seven meter thick calcareous unit is dominated by smooth mat and
breccia small panicles and more classic stromatolites are present. Tepees and gypsum ﬁlling stromatactis are
also encountered, though more rarely. The upper few centimeters of the carbonates is intensely weathered and
commonly overlain by either an excellently developed terra rosa or subareal debris-ﬂows. Regional computer
modeling of thickness data indicates that this interval may represent initiation of north-south orientated, half
graben formation in the area. The succeeding silt-dominated mudﬂat assemblage contains abundant nodular and
vein gypsum, attesting to the continuation of dry conditions, albeit with a high water table.
The transition from the Rossport to Kama Hill Formation is marked by a ﬂooding event and re-establishment
of open water conditions, though no evaporite minerals were precipitated from this water mass. Purple shales
dominate the lower portion of the succession with thin ripple laminated, ﬁne-grained sandstones, which become
more numerous, thicker and coarser grained upward. Trough and hummocky cross-stratiﬁed , medium-grained
sandstones (Outan Island Formation) appear and then dominate the section, continuing the coarsening upward
trend. Slump scars and large areas of chaotic slide-block deposits attest to the periodic failure of, in places,
extensive portions of the outbuilding delta complex. The delta top deposits consist of ﬁning and thinning upwards
sandstone successions meters to a few tens of meters thick (channels) interbedded with ﬁne-grained sediments
(ﬂoodplains). The ﬂoodplains are mostly composed of friable mudstone with soil horizons representing subareal
accumulation but parallel laminated shales deposited in ﬂoodplain ponds are also present. The upper deltaic
and ﬂuvial deposits of the Outan Island Formation are only present in a core from a hole drilled in Nipigon Bay.
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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1

Detrital zircon geochronology performed on this unit gave a maximum age of deposition of approximately 1470
Ma (see Heaman and Easton, this volume). The Outan Island Formation is erosively truncated and overlain by the
Nipigon Bay Formation. Planar cross-sets up to 17 meters thick indicate that the winds which deposited this sea
of aeolian sand had a predominant direction from the northeast. The medium-grained sandstones of the Nipigon
Bay Formation comprise the uppermost 400 meters of the Sibley Group with conglomerates of the basal Osler
Group unconformably overlying them.
At approximately 1109 Ma, diabase sills were intruded into the Sibley sedimentary rocks as the Midcontinent
Rift established itself in the area. The southernmost region underlying Nipigon Bay has the most complete section
of Sibley strata, but only one thin sill near the base of the assemblage. Sibley on the adjacent mainland contains a
thick sill in the basal Kama Hill Formation, which is traceable across the southern portion of the basin. Thus, the
thick sills are conﬁned to north of Nipigon Bay with a fundamental divide running down this topographic feature.
Moving from the southern to central basin a second, lower sill appears in the stratigraphy and sill width increases
(toward Muskrat Lake) where their composite thickness is approximately 300 meters. Rossport Formation
strata between the two thick sills in the central basin have been extensively thermally metamorphosed reaching
temperatures of 600°C locally and 300-400°C tens of meters from the sills. The sills are commonly locally
discordant, up- and down-ramping through the stratigraphy. They also appear to be vertically offset by faults, in
places deﬁned by surface lineaments. Toward the northern portion of the basin the erosion level cuts downward
through the stratigraphy, with only the lower sill and a thin layer of underlying, Sibley-like sediment preserved.
In the northernmost region this sill directly overlies a Mesoproterozoic volcanic-intrusive complex. To the east
of the basin marginal Black Sturgeon Fault a sill overlies a thin, sporadically present, baked sedimentary layer
lying on basement; a scenario similar to the northern area west of the Fault. Generally sill thickness decreases to
the west of the central basin and the sills may bifurcate in this direction as well. An anomalous area exists in the
western region, northwest of Muskrat Lake where a drillhole encountered a thick (500 m) sequence of diabase.
The signiﬁcance of this occurrence is unknown. Regional sill stratigraphy implies the feeder area was probably
in the vicinity of Muskrat Lake and possibly related to the Black Sturgeon Fault system.
References
Cheadle, B.A., 1986. Alluvial-playa sedimentation in the lower Keweenawan Sibley Group, Thunder Bay District, Ontario.
Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, vol. 23, p. 527-542.
Fralick, P.W., Smyk, M. and Mailman, M., 2000. Geology and stratigraphy of the Mesoproterozoic Sibley Group. Institute
on Lake Superior Geology, Proceedings Volume46, Part 2: Fieldtrip Guidebook, yellow section.
Franklin, J.M., 1978. The Sibley Group, Ontario. In, Rubidium-strontium isochron age studies, Report 2, Geological Survey
of Canada, Paper 77-14, p. 31-34.
Franklin, J.M., Mcilwaine, W.H., Poulsen, K.H. and Wanless, R.K., 1980. Stratigraphy and depositional setting of the Sibley
Group, Thunder Bay District, Ontario, Canada Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, vol. 17, p. 633-651.
Rogala, B., 2003. The Sibley Group: a lithostratigraphic, geochemical, and paleomagnetic study. Unpubl. M.Sc. Thesis,
Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, Ontario, 254p.

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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1

Mineral Resources for the Future: The Resource Potential of Northern Lake
Superior
FRANKLIN, James M., Franklin Geosciences Ltd., 24 Commanche Drive, Nepean, Ontario, K2E 6E9
The demand per person in the industrialized nations for primary “old - economy” metals has increased tenfold since 1900. Globalization in recent years has increased competitiveness and access to highly productive
regions such as South America, Africa and Oceana, leading to an overall decline in metal prices of 40%. The
demand for “new - economy” metals has increased 5 to 100 times since 1985; their prices have increased
signiﬁcantly. In the past ﬁve years, industrial expansion in China and India has created an almost unprecedented
need for new metal resources. Even with recycling, vast quantities of new resources, particularly for “green”
products, must be found, mined and processed in environmentally sustainable ways.
The geological attributes of the Northern Lake Superior region provide an outstanding opportunity for
exploration for an exceptional range of commodities and ore deposit types. Archean volcano-sedimentary strata
with much additional potential include the historically productive Abitibi – Wawa and Wabigoon belts, with world
– class volcanogenic massive sulﬁde deposits (Manitouwadge district), orogenic gold deposits (Geraldton) and a
porphyry/epithermal district (Hemlo). Signiﬁcant pegmatite bodies (Georgia Lake) and Algoma iron formations
(Wawa) are also present. Early Proterozoic strata are comprised of an extensional and miogeoclinal sequence that
includes the giant Gunﬂint Superior-type iron formation. .Mid Proterozoic intrusions associated with magmatic
plumes (~1500-1600Ma) and the Keweenawan plume-intracratonic rift assemblage (1130-1090Ma) have proven
potential for Cu-Ni-PGE deposits, Nb-REE in carbonatite, as well as potential for IOCG (REE-Zr) mineralization.
Vein deposits that are contemporaneous with Keweenawan magmatism include Pb-Zn-Ba unconformity-vein
deposits, two generations of Ag veins, and unconformity-style uranium occurrences. Epithermal and breccia
– pipe copper deposits occur near Batchawana Bay. Redbed copper occurrences are associated with interﬂow
sedimentary strata in the Osler volcanic sequence.
Future discoveries require innovative exploration. Quantitative estimation of key geological attributes (e.g.
magma ﬂuid contents, paleo- permeability, and fault dynamics) must be applied vigorously in the search for ore.
Geophysical techniques normally used for deep imaging of the earth (seismic, magnetotelluric) are being adapted
for exploring shallow crystalline terrains.
Developing quantitative models of ore forming processes that can be applied at all scales will ensure the
supply of metals needed for the rapidly developing nations, and for improved quality of life everywhere.

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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1

Dyke swarms around the Lake Superior Region deﬁne ~2 Ga Proterozoic
deformation of the Archean Superior Province associated with evolution of the
Kapuskasing Zone
HALLS, H.C., Department of Geology, University of Toronto, hhalls@utm.utoronto.ca
Proterozoic dyke swarms in the Archean Superior Province straddle a ~2 Ga crustal dislocation, the
Kapuskasing Zone (KZ), that extends for more than 500 km from James Bay to Lake Superior and divides the
Archean Superior Province into eastern and western halves. About ten swarms are present ranging in age from
the Matachewan, (2446-2473 Ma) to the Keweenawan (1108-1094 Ma). Nearly all the swarms include at least
one reversal of the earthʼs magnetic ﬁeld. During the Matachewan igneous episode only one reversal, from R
to N, occurred at 2446 Ma. Within the KZ only N dykes are found, but outside, R dykes outnumber N by more
than 4 to 1. N dykes are relatively common in the focal region of the swarm north of Lake Huron, but gradually
disappear to the northwest with only R dykes being found in the Lake Nipigon region.
The KZ can be divided up into a number of domains based on Matachewan dyke polarity, the boundaries
between R and N domains being major faults that deﬁne the crustal uplift along the KZ. N polarity dykes within
the KZ represent the roots of R dykes that have been remagnetized at depth before being uplifted. Using the
polarity domain concept, major faults have been mapped that deﬁne a new segment of the KZ at its southwestern
end (the Pineal Lake block), which is offset about 20 km sinistrally from the main Chapleau block to the NE1.
The pattern of polarity domains follows exactly that produced by variations in feldspar clouding intensity within
the dykes, whereby the clouding, (caused by exsolution of magnetite and other minerals in groundmass feldspars)
occurs only in N polarity domains. The secondary magnetite, thought to be caused by slow cooling of the dykes
at large crustal depths, increases in concentration with increasing depth. The growth of this magnetite led to the
secondary N magnetization. Only a few dykes within the KZ show vestiges of their formerly R polarity1.
When Matachewan dyke populations in regions of about 100 km in lateral dimensions were compared,
a positive correlation was found 2 between mean Matachewan dyke trend and magnetization declination, a
correlation that was absent between dykes within the areas. This result suggested that the variation in mean dyke
trend was a product of differential crustal rotation about vertical axes, and therefore that the broad Z-shaped trend
of the dykes across the southwestern end of the KZ was the result of the deformation of an originally more linear
dyke swarm2.
Further work on Matachewan dykes3, and also on younger swarms that have equivalents on both sides of
the KZ (2170 Ma Biscotasing4, 2076 Ma Fort Frances/2069 Ma Lac Esprit5), conﬁrm that the western half of the
Superior Province has rotated counterclockwise about 20° with respect to the eastern half. More recent work
on 2101-2121 Ma Marathon dykes6 suggests that the western half of the Superior Province has not rotated as a
single unit because the KZ as a fault zone extends for more than 100 km to the northwest of the main zone of
crustal uplift.
The age of the rotation is thought to be about 2 Ga old and related to the deformation along the KZ. A
possible consequence of the rotation is that a rift in the Superior province opened beneath Hudson Bay and
remained a region of crustal weakness to be subsequently exploited in later Phanerozoic subsidence that formed
the Hudson Bay basin and associated lowlands4.
References
[1] Halls, H. C., Zhang, B. 2003. Crustal uplift in the southern Superior Province, Canada, revealed by paleomagnetism.
Tectonophysics 362, 123-136.
[2] Bates, M. P., Halls, H .C. 1991. Broad-scale Proterozoic deformation of the central Superior Province revealed by
paleomagnetism of the 2.45 Ga Matachewan dyke swarm. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences 28, 1780-1796.
[3] Halls, H. C., Stott, G. 2003. Paleomagnetic studies of maﬁc dykes in the vicinity of Lake Nipigon, northwestern Ontario.
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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1
in Summary of Fieldwork and Other Activities 2003, Ontario Geological Survey, Open File Report 6120, p. 11-1 to 117.
[4] Halls, H.C., Davis, D.W. 2004. Paleomagnetism and U-Pb geochronology of the 2.17 Ga Biscotasing dyke swarm,
Ontario, Canada: evidence for vertical-axis crustal rotation across the Kapuskasing Zone. Canadian Journal of Earth
Sciences 41, 255-269.
[5] Buchan, K.L., Goutier, J., Hamilton, M., Ernst, R E., Mathews, W. 2004. Paleomagnetism of the Lac Esprit dykes and
implications for crustal rotation of the Canadian Shield. AGU-CGU Meeting, Montreal [Abstract].
[6] Halls, H.C., Davis, D.W., Stott, G. 2005. Paleomagnetism and U-Pb dating of Proterozoic dykes: a new radiating swarm
and an increase in post-Archean crustal rotation westwards from the Kapuskasing Zone, Ontario. GAC-MAC Halifax,
Meeting, [Abstract].

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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1

Mesoproterozoic Diabase Sills of the Nipigon Embayment, northwest Ontario
HART, T.R., Precambrian Geoscience Section, Ontario Geological Survey, 933 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury,
Ontario P3E 6B5 (tom.hart@ndm.gov.on.ca) and MacDONALD, C.A., Caracle Creek International Consulting
Inc., Sudbury, Ontario, P3E 2V7
The Nipigon Embayment is an approximately 19,000 km2 area of Mesoproterozoic igneous and sedimentary
rocks centred on Lake Nipigon, north of Lake Superior. The current extent of the Embayment is deﬁned by
the sporadic occurrence of diabase sills suggesting that the Embayment was probably more extensive prior to
erosion. A series of shallow dipping, 1110 - 1113 Ma, diabase sills of the Nipigon Sill Complex (Heaman et al.,
2005) intrude all Archean and Proterozoic rocks in the Embayment.
The Nipigon Sill Complex is composed of at least 3 major, and a series of minor, diabase sills ranging
in thickness from a few tens of metres to &gt;200 m. The diabase is commonly sub-ophitic to ophitic, massive,
medium- to coarse-grained feldspar and pyroxene with trace olivine and 1 to 2% magnetite. Medium- to coarsegrained diabase forming the majority of the sills should properly be classiﬁed as gabbro, but to avoid confusion
with other intrusions in the area the diabase classiﬁcation has been applied to all rocks associated with the sills.
The sills are generally shallow dipping occasionally forming broad, up to 6 km wide, saucers with interiors
occupied by older rock types (Figure 1).

Figure 1. First vertical derivative of the total
ﬁeld magnetic data (Ontario Geological Survey,
2004) showing an inward dipping saucer shaped
diabase sill in the southern Black Sturgeon River
map area (Hart, 2005).

The geometry of these saucers is in part evident from contact relationships observed during bedrock mapping
(e.g. Hart, 2005), and from the magnetic patterns on the ﬁrst vertical derivative of the total ﬁeld airborne magnetic
data (e.g. Ontario Geological Survey, 2004). Modelling a saucer located in the Garden Lake greenstone belt of
the Wabigoon Subprovince, west of Lake Nipigon, produced two possible models (J. Rudd, Ontario Geological
Survey, personal communication, 2000). However, the model of a shallow dipping thin sill best agreed with
ﬁeld observations, and is the best ﬁt between ﬁeld observations and geophysical data for similar structures in
the Beardmore area (Hart et al., 2000) and in the southern Black Sturgeon River area (Hart, 2005). Similar sill
geometry has been suggested for other maﬁc sill complexes (e.g., Thomson and Hutton, 2004), although the
saucers and nested saucers structures in those areas are generally smaller in diameter. One reason for the large
scale of the saucers in the Nipigon Embayment may be the more competent nature of the Archean basement rocks
compared to the host rocks of other sill complexes.
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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1

The majority of the sills have relatively uniform mineralogy and geochemistry complicating the correlation
of the sills within the Embayment. Minor stratigraphic variations within some sills suggest that they may have
formed by injection of multiple pulses of magma. However, a thickening of some sills to 250 and 400 m in
thickness in the Muskrat and Gieke lakes area, in combination with geochemical trends, suggests that these
thicker sills are single cooling units, and may also indicate proximity to the feeders for the sills. The exception
to the uniform geochemistry of the Nipigon sills is the &gt;1120 Ma Inspiration Sill (Heaman and Easton, 2005)
in the northwest portion of the Nipigon Embayment, which has higher La/Yb and Zr/Y ratios and a positive
magnetic polarity in contrast to the negative polarity of the Nipigon sills (MacDonald, Tremblay and Easton,
2005). Another signiﬁcant geochemical change occurs around Thunder Bay (Hart, 2004) where the majority
of the sills located to the south of the city are part of the 1115±1 Ma Logan Sill Complex (Heaman and Easton,
2005). Similar geochemical variations related to geographic position have been observed in some ﬂood basalt
provinces (e.g., Mantovani et al., 1985) suggesting that the Logan and Nipigon sills may be part of a single
intrusive event.
References
Hart, T.R. 2004. Geochemistry of the Proterozoic intrusive rocks of the Nipigon Embayment; abstract in Institute on Lake
Superior Geology, Proceedings, 50th Annual Meeting, Duluth, Mn, v.50, pt.1, p.68-69.
Hart, T.R. 2005. Precambrian Geology of the South Black Sturgeon River and Seagull Lake Area, Northwestern Ontario;
Ontario Geological Survey, Open File Report 6165, 63p.
Hart, T.R., terMeer, M. and Jolette, C. 2002. Precambrian Geology of Kitto, Eva, Summers, Dorothea and Sandra Townships,
Beardmore Area, Northwest Ontario. Ontario Geological Survey, OFR 6095, 206p.
Heaman, L.M. and Easton, R.M. 2005. Proterozoic history of the Lake Nipigon area, Ontario: Constraints from U-Pb zircon
and baddeleyite dating; abstract in Institute on Lake Superior Geology, Proceedings, 51ts Annual Meeting, Nipigon,
Ontario, v.51, pt.1.
Heaman, L.M., Easton, R.M., Hart, T.R., MacDonald, C.A., Fralick, P., and Hollings, P., 2005. Proterozoic history of the
Lake Nipigon area, Ontario: Constraints from U-Pb zircon and baddeleyite dating; Canadian Institute of Mining and
Metallurgy Annual Meeting, Toronto 2005, Program with Abstracts.
MacDonald, C.A., Tremblay, E., and Easton, R.M. 2005. Precambrian Geology of the west-central map area, Nipigon
Embayment, northwestern Ontario; Ontario Geological Survey, Open File Report 6164, 48p.
Ontario Geological Survey 2004. Ontario airborne geophysical surveys, magnetic and gamma-ray spectrometer data, grid
and vector data, ASCII format, Lake Nipigon Embayment Area; Geophysical Data Set 1047a.
Thomson K. and Hutton, D. 2004. Geometry and growth of sill complexes: insights using 3D seismic from the North
Rockall Trough; Bulletin of Volcanology 66, 364-375.

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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1

Proterozoic history of the Lake Nipigon area, Ontario: Constraints from U-Pb
zircon and baddeleyite dating
HEAMAN, L.M., Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton,
Alberta, T6G 2E3 larry.heaman@ualberta.ca and EASTON, R.M., Precambrian Geoscience Section, Ontario
Geological Survey, Sudbury, Ontario P3E 6B5
The Lake Nipigon Region Geoscience Initiative, a 2-year, science-focused, Industry-Government-University
collaborative geological study, collected new geoscience data in the Lake Nipigon region of Ontario between
May 2003 and May 2005. As part of this study, over 40 new U-Pb baddeleyite and zircon age determinations
were acquired from predominantly maﬁc rocks of the Lake Nipigon region. Preliminary results of this study are
reported herein.
William Logan ﬁrst described the copper-bearing rocks of the Midcontinent Rift (MCR) in Ontario in 1863.
Subsequent studies by many researchers indicate that the MCR in Ontario comprises 3 main tectonic elements:
1) the volcanic and sedimentary rocks in and along the margin of Lake Superior, 2) associated alkalic complexes,
3), the maﬁc and ultramaﬁc intrusions centred on Lake Nipigon, and whether they represent a “failed arm” of the
main rift. Work in Ontario has tended to focus on the Lake Nipigon area, because of accessibility and mineral
potential.
The best estimate for a maximum depositional age of a greywacke from the upper Rover Formation is
provided by a 1777 Ma concordant detrital zircon grain, as the youngest grain in the sample, at 1731 Ma, is 5%
discordant. This interpretation is supported by the abundance of grains (n=10) between 1796 to 1777 Ma, and
is consistent with U-Pb ash bed ages of 1836±5 and 1832±3 Ma from the basal Rove Formation (Addison et al.,
2005).
Detrital zircon ages from sandstones of the lower (Pass Lake Formation) and upper (Nipigon Bay Formation)
Sibley Group indicate maximum depositional ages of 1634 and 1670 Ma, respectively, with a predominance of
Geon 17 and 18, not Archean, detritus. Data from the middle to upper (Outan Island Formation) Sibley Group
indicates a maximum depositional age of 1450 Ma, as well as Geon 15 and 17 detritus, but no Geon 18 grains.
The Geon 15 detritus may be locally derived, e.g. from the 1547±4 Ma English Bay complex volcanic rocks, the
1590±1 Ma Pillar Lake felsic intrusion, and the 1599±1 Ma Pillar Lake gabbro. In addition, sediment interbedded
with ﬂat-lying maﬁc volcanic rocks south of Armstrong are younger than 1514 Ma, based on detrital zircons
in interbedded sediments, but older than overlying, circa 1159 Ma (minimum age of 1120±1 Ma), Inspiration
diabase sills.
The abundance of Geon 15 ages in the western Nipigon Embayment is impressive, as the period between 1600
and 1520 Ma in eastern North America has been recognized for some time as a period of quiescence throughout
Laurentia (Gower et al., 1990). Furthermore, there are no dike swarms or reliable paleopoles for the period 1700
to 1500 Ma. The only other reliable Geon 15 age in North America is the 1576+/-13 Ma upper intercept age from
the Priest River metamorphic complex in Idaho, which served as basement to the circa 1450 Ma Belt and Purcell
Supergroups (Evans and Fischer, 1986). Gower (1996) suggested that, at least in the eastern Grenville Province,
this quiescence might be linked with the development of a passive continental margin, however, such a setting
does not explain the felsic magmatism present in the Nipigon area.
The new U-Pb data obtained in this study suggest the presence of an earlier period of magnetically normal,
localized alkalic (lamprophyre dikes, Queen et al., 1996) and maﬁc magmatism (Inspiration sills and the Pigeon
River dikes (1141±20 Ma)) between 1150 and 1135 Ma in the MCR in Ontario, including the possibility of
localized volcanism and sedimentation in the Pillar Lake area south of Armstrong.
Baddeleyite data from the 4 ultramaﬁc intrusions in the region shows some scatter within individual
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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1

intrusions (e.g. from 1113 to 1124 Ma in the Seagull intrusion), which could indicate a protracted (up to 10 m.y.)
crystallization history for some of these bodies. In addition, the suite of ultramaﬁc intrusions has a range of ages
from circa 1118 to 1107 Ma, however, the aforementioned scatter makes it difﬁcult to ascertain the signiﬁcance
of this range – does it reﬂect protracted cooling or different emplacement times, or both? A related ultramaﬁc
body, the Jackﬁsh Island sill, cuts the English Bay complex and is geochemically similar to the Kitto intrusion,
although it appears to be slightly younger in age (1112±3 Ma versus 1118±2 Ma, respectively).
In contrast, baddeleyite ages from 4 different Nipigon diabase sills analyzed so far cluster between 1110
and 1114 Ma. Although geochemically distinct from the Nipigon sills (Hart, 2003), a sample from the Logan
sill at Mount McKay in Thunder Bay, is similar in age, at 1115±1 Ma. Thus, most maﬁc and ultramaﬁc rocks in
the Lake Nipigon and Superior areas, including the Nipigon and Logan sills, appear to have been emplaced in a
short, magnetically reversed, internal between 1115 and 1100 Ma. Emplacement of alkalic intrusions, such as the
Coldwell complex, as well as ﬁlling of much of the submerged part of the rift in Lake Superior, also occurred in
this period. This was followed by a period of magnetically normal, waning maﬁc and felsic magmatism, between
1096 and 1085 Ma, that is preserved mainly along the Lake Superior shore by units such as the Crystal Lake
(1099±1 Ma), Moss Lake (1095±2 Ma) and Blake Lake (1095±2 Ma) gabbros, and the Arrowhead dike (1093±3
Ma).
References
Addison, W.D., Brumpton, G.R., Vallini, D.A., McNaughton, N.J. Davis, D.W. Kissin, S.A. Fralick, P.W. and Hammond
A.L. 2005. Discovery of detrital ejecta from the 1850 Ma Sudbury impact event; Geology, 33, 193-196.
Evans, K.V. and Fischer, L.B. 1986. U-Pb geochronology of two augen gneiss terranes, Idaho – new data and tectonic
implications; Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, 23, 1919-1927.
Hart, T.R. 2003. Keweenawan maﬁc and ultramaﬁc intrusive rocks of the Lake Nipigon and Crystal Lake areas, northwest
Ontario; Institute on Lake Superior Geology, Proceedings, 49, pt.1, Programs and Abstracts, 21-22.
Gower, C.F. 1996. The evolution of the Grenville Province in eastern Labrador Canada; in Precambrian crustal evolution in
the North Atlantic Region, Geological Society of London, Special Publication 112, 197-218.
Gower, C.F., Ryan, A.B. and Rivers, T. 1990. Mid-ProterozoicLaurentia-Baltica: an overview of its geological evolution and
a summary of the contributions made by this volume, in Mid-Proterozoic Laurentia-Baltica, Geological Association of
Canada, Special Paper 38, 1-20.
Queen, M., Heaman, L.M., Hanes, J.A., Archibald, D.A. and Farrar, E. 1996. 40Ar/39Ar phlogopite and U-Pb perovskite
dating of lamprophyre dikes from the eastern Lake Superior region: evidence for a 1.14 Ga magmatic precursor to
Midcontinent Rift volcanism; Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, 33, 958-965.

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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1

Penokean Fold-and-thrust Deformation of the Paleoproterozoic Gunﬂint
Formation near Thunder Bay, Ontario
HILL, Mary Louise, Department of Geology, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay ON P7B 5E1 CANADA and
SMYK, Mark C., Ontario Geological Survey, Ministry of Northern Development and Mines, Suite B002, 435
James St. South, Thunder Bay, ON P7E 6S7 CANADA
Flat-lying, Paleoproterozoic Gunﬂint Formation chemical and clastic sedimentary rocks unconformably
overlie Archean basement rocks near Thunder Bay. Folds have long been recognized in the Gunﬂint Formation
near Pass Lake, 40 km northeast of Thunder Bay, but no tectonic explanation has previously been demonstrated.
The recent recognition of thrust faults in this area appears to link this folding to Penokean compression.
Although Penokean orogenic events (circa 1875 to 1835 Ma) and resultant deformation have been well
established south and west of Lake Superior, no structures ascribed to Penokean deformation have ever been
described north of Lake Superior. Recent geochronologic data show that the Gunﬂint Formation (circa 1878
Ma) predates the earliest Penokean thrusting and thrust-loading caused by the collision of the Pembine-Wausau
terrane (circa 1860-1850 Ma). This prompted Fralick et al. (2002) to contend that the Gunﬂint formed in a
back-arc extensional setting, rather than in a foredeep (foreland basin) and also suggests that Penokean structures
should exist in these rocks.
Recent examination of the Gunﬂint Formation near Pass Lake has led to the recognition of structures typical
of fold-and-thrust belt deformation. Discrete bedding-plane faults with locally developed gouge and breccia can
be traced laterally into horizontal, hanging-wall ramps with associated fault-bend folding. Fold-and-thrust belt
deformation is caused by regional compression. Previous workers had ascribed the folds to syn-sedimentary
slumping and Keweenawan diabase sill emplacement and thought that they were attributable to local, rather than
regional-scale, deformation.
Displacement in fold-and-thrust belts tends to be localized along discrete bedding planes and not easily
recognized. This may account for the perceived lack or absence of structures elsewhere in the Gunﬂint Formation.
Penokean structures on the northern side of Lake Superior represent the northward migration of thrust faults into
the foreland (passive margin Archean basement + Gunﬂint Formation) caused by hinterland collision to the
south. Future work will focus on recognizing other deformed locales and quantifying fault displacements based
on stratigraphic correlation of sedimentary units.
References
Fralick, P., Davis, D.W. and Kissin, S.A. 2002. The age of the Gunﬂint Formation, Ontario, Canada: single zircon U–Pb age
determinations from reworked volcanic ash; Canadian Journal of Earth Science, v.39, p.1085–1091.

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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1

The incredible shrinking Penokean orogen: a new look at the accretionary history
of the southern Lake Superior region
HOLM, D.K., Dept. of Geology, Kent State University, Kent, OH; CANNON, W.F., USGS, Reston, VA;
CHANDLER, V.W., MGS, Mnpls, MN; SCHNEIDER, D.A., Ohio University, Athens, OH; SCHULZ, K.,
USGS, Reston, VA; and VAN SCHMUS, W.R., University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS.
The Penokean orogen in the stable continental interior of the upper Great Lakes region records the initiation
of rapid late Paleoproterozoic (1.9-1.6 Ga) southward growth of Laurentia. The Penokean orogeny is generally
accepted to have been a period of southward subduction from about 1900 to 1850 Ma during which juvenile
Paleoproterozoic terranes were accreted to the southern edge of the Superior craton (Archean) and foreland
sedimentation and deformation occurred on the craton margin. Historically, juvenile Penokean crust was
interpreted to extend southward beneath Paleozoic and Cretaceous strata into southern Iowa, southern Wisconsin,
and northern Illinois. However, a growing body of geochronologic data suggests that there may be no rocks
older than 1.75 Ga in those areas and that the current Penokean orogen has a much more restricted geographic
distribution than heretofore inferred.
We have identiﬁed a fundamental ENE-trending
boundary, the Spirit Lake-Trempealeau discontinuity
CB: Cheyenre Belt
GFTZ: Great F alIsTectoniozone
(SLTD), using a combination of potential ﬁeld geophysical
GLTZ: Great LakesTecton Zore
data and drill hole information (see Figure 1), which marks
MSM: Mojave-Sonora Megashear
NFZ: Niagara F ault Zone
the southern limit of Archean and known Penokean rocks.
SLTD: Spir Lake-Trempealeau
South of this boundary rocks at the subcrop are dominated
Dbonnuii
300 km
by subaerial potassic rhyolite and epizonal granite, formed at
about 1.75 Ga, and ultra-mature quartzite, such as the Baraboo
Quartzite, which lies unconformably on them. Gneisses and
maﬁc volcanic rocks, probably basement rocks from which
the rhyolites formed by partial melting, are inferred from
gravity and magnetic highs to be at subcrop in several areas.
Because the SLTD transects geon 18 Penokean structures, it
appears to be a post-Penokean feature perhaps marking the
northern margin of a Yavapai age accreted terrane. It lies
directly above an abrupt offset in Moho depth (deeper to the
south) beneath Lake Michigan identiﬁed in GLIMPCE deep
seismic surveys. The offset was previously interpreted as a
north-dipping Penokean subduction zone, but it now seems
more likely to be a Yavapai feature. We interpret the SLTD
to be a fundamental Yavapai-age Proterozoic boundary,
equivalent to the Cheyenne belt paleosubduction zone in
N
southern Wyoming. The Cheyenne belt juxtaposes geon
Figure 1. Map showing major Precambrian crustal
17 Yavapai orogen crust on the south against the Archean
Map showing major Precambrian crustal *je provinces
age provinces and tectonic boundaries in the western
Wyoming craton, and transects geon 18 (Trans-Hudson)
and tectonic Ixundaries in thewestem and central
and central United Stated
United States.
structures in southern South Dakota.
The interpretation shown here suggests that the Cheyenne suture extends eastward, joins with the Spirit Lake
trend in Iowa, and continues east across the Midcontinent Rift as the Trempealeau discontinuity in Wisconsin.
Geon 17 plutonic rocks north of the SLTD, and a north-dipping crustal reﬂection across it, are consistent with
intervals of north-directed subduction during Yavapai accretion. Younger, Mazatzal-age compression deformed
quartzites that overlie the Yavapai, Marshﬁeld, and Penokean terrane rocks indicating that geon 16 deformation
extended far north of the still imprecisely deﬁned Yavapai-Mazatzal terrane boundary. Barring major strike-slip
motion, our revised tectonic map suggests progressive accretion of juvenile arc terranes every 100 million years
or so during the late Paleoproterozoic (circa 1.85, 1.75, and 1.65 Ga).
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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1

Geologic Implications of Bedrock Mapping in the Ely and Basswood Lake
Quadrangles, Northeast Minnesota
JIRSA, Mark A. and MILLER, James D., Jr., Minnesota Geological Survey (jirsa001@umn.edu and
mille066@umn.edu)
Two regional bedrock geologic compilation maps of northeast Minnesota at scale 1:100,000 have recently
been completed by the Minnesota Geological Survey (Figure 1), funded in large part by the STATEMAP program
of the U.S. Geological Survey. The most current—described here—covers the Ely and U.S. portion of the Basswood
Lake 30ʼ x 60ʼ quadrangles (Jirsa and Miller, 2004). The compilation integrates new mapping, unpublished work
contained in 7 theses, and the classic Knife Lake maps of Gruner (1941), into a lithostratigraphically consistent,
digital (GIS) format. Much of the map depiction of Paleoproterozoic (Animikie Group) and Mesoproterozoic
rocks (Duluth Complex and North Shore Volcanic Group) is not changed substantively from recent works by
Miller and others (2001). By contrast, the Archean geology is considerably modiﬁed from earlier geologic
compilations at 1:250,000 scale (Green, 1982). The area encloses the central part of the Boundary Waters Canoe
Area Wilderness (Figure 2), and is the ﬁrst new publication of mapping of that area in many decades.

.
9

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-

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Quadrangle

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-

92

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ELY-BASSWOOD LAKE

Quadrangles

MESOPROTEROZOIC
Duluth Complex and
North Shore Volcanic Group
PALEOPROTEROZOIC

Virginia-Thomson Formations
Biwabik Iron Formation
NEOARCHEAN

Granitoid batholiths and plutons

I

Schist of sedimentary protolith
Metavolcanic and metasedimentary rocks

Duluth

Figure 1. Generalized geologic map of northeastern Minnesota showing the location of recently mapped 30ʼ x 60ʼ
quadrangles; Jirsa and Boerboom, 2003, and Jirsa and Miller, 2004.

Exposures provide what is likely the most complete view of Archean geology anywhere in Minnesota. The
Neoarchean bedrock lies within the Wawa and Quetico subprovinces of the Superior Province (Figure 3). A third,
distinctive sequence of rocks—the Knife Lake Group—is interpreted to have been deposited in a complex array
of successor basins developed along early-formed faults near the boundary between the two subprovinces. The
Knife Lake strata include hornblende-bearing alkalic and calc-alkalic volcanic ﬂows and unusual hornblenderich tuff, conglomerate derived from multiple sources including the 2,689 Ma Saganaga Tonalite, and feldspathic
graywacke and mudstone. Much of the temporal distinction between various geologic elements of the Archean
bedrock is based on fabrics that resulted from three major phases of deformation, denoted D1, D2, and D3. All
three deformation events are the result of north–south- to northwest–southeast-directed compression. The timing
of D1 deformation is bracketed between deposition of the volcanic and clastic rocks of the Wawa subprovince at
about 2,722 Ma (Peterson and others, 2001), and emplacement of the Saganaga Tonalite at about 2,689 Ma (Corfu
and Stott, 1998). Folding in volcanic rocks of the Ely Greenstone attributed to D1 deformation is truncated by
Knife Lake strata, indicating that the latter is synchronous with or post-dates deposition and early deformation of
the Ely Greenstone. As such, the Knife Lake Group is inferred to be a Timiskaming-type sequence temporally
- 28 -

�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1

equivalent to the Shebandowan assemblage exposed in adjacent parts of Ontario (Corfu and Stott, 1998). D2
deformation affects all of the Archean supracrustal units and is bracketed by U-Pb dates of intrusions in the Giants
Range batholith that place the regional deformation and metamorphic event between about 2,674 Ma and 2,685
Ma (Boerboom and Zartman, 1993). D3 deformation produced faults in the low-grade supracrustal and intrusive
rocks of the Wawa subprovince, and folding of granitic and migmatitic rocks in the Quetico subprovince.
Saganta
Tonallie

lUSCr

L9'

BWCA

DULUTH COMPLEX

4sorthosItIc sMn

Figure 2. Schematic geologic map of the Ely
and Basswood Lake 30ʼ x 60ʼ quadrangles
showing major lithologic components, including
subdivisions of rock units in the Archean bedrock,
Paleoproterozoic rocks of the Mesabi Iron Range,
and intrusions of the Mesoproterozoic Duluth
Complex.

f_i /
/

South

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jMASI
IRON RANGE

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-

-

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F

Greenwood

,

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VERMIUON

SHEBANOOWAN

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NEWTOn LAKE GREEN WATERJBURCHELL

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Figure 3. Generalized
geologic map showing potential
stratigraphic correlation
between Archean rocks of the
Vermilion district in Minnesota
and those of the Shebandowan
greenstone belt in Ontario.
Shaded areas are lakes.

Abbreviated References
Boerboom, T.J., and Zartman, R.E. 1993. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences 30:2510-2522.
Corfu, F., and Stott, G.M. 1998. Geological Society of America Bulletin 110:1467-1484.
Green, J.C. 1982. Minnesota Geological Survey, Two Harbors Sheet; scale 1:250,000.
Gruner, J.W. 1941. Geological Society of America Bulletin 52: 1577-1642.
Jirsa, M.A. and Boerboom, T.J. 2003. Minnesota Geological Survey Map M-141, scale 1:100,000.
Jirsa, M.A., and Miller, J.D., Jr., 2004, Minnesota Geological Survey Map M-148, scale 1:100,000.
Miller, J.D., Jr., Green, J.C., Severson, M.J., Chandler, V.W. and Peterson, D.M. 2001. MGS Map M-119, scale 1:200,000.
Peterson, D.P., Gallup, C., Jirsa, M.A. and Davis, D.W. 2001. ILSG, 47th Annual Meeting, Proceedings, p. 77-78.
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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1

Structural State of Plagioclase Phenocrysts in Porphyritic rocks of the
Midcontinent Rift, Northeastern Minnesota
KNUDSEN, Damion, Department of Geosciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58105,
damion.knudsen@ndsu.edu; SAINI-EIDUKAT, Bernhardt, Department of Geosciences, North Dakota
State University, Fargo, ND 58105, MILLER, James D., Jr., Minnesota Geological Survey, University of
Minnesota, c/o Natural Resources Research Inst., 5013 Miller Trunk Hwy, Duluth MN 55811, and DANIELS,
Peter, Markstrasse 123, 44803 Bochum, Germany.
The structural states of plagioclase phenocrysts from porphyritic rocks of the Midcontinent Rift in
northeastern Minnesota were analyzed to determine the origin of the plagioclase and to evaluate possible
petrogenetic relationships between rock units. As a general rule, higher states of structural disorder in the crystal
lattice of plagioclase reﬂect higher temperatures of equilibration. The units studied include hypabyssal sills of
the Beaver Bay Complex (BBC), anorthositic rocks of the Duluth Complex, and porphyritic basalts of the North
Shore Volcanic Group (NSVG).
The NSVG is a 7-10 kilometer thick volcanic ediﬁce composed of ﬂood basalts and minor felsic volcanics,
intermediate lavas, and interﬂow sandstones (Green, 1972). The BBC is composed of at least thirteen hypabyssal
intrusions, with widely varying compositions, that were emplaced in the medial section of the NSVG (Miller and
Chandler, 1997; Miller et al., 2002). The chemistry and texture of plagioclase phenocrysts in some porphyritic
NSVG basaltic ﬂows and BBC intrusives suggest they are related to plagioclase-rich magmas (mushes) that
are thought to have produced the anorthositic series rocks of the stratigraphically deeper, more plutonic Duluth
Complex (Miller and Weiblen, 1990).
Plagioclase phenocrysts were separated for XRD using common magnetic and heavy liquid methods.
Patterns were collected in 0.02° step scan mode on a Philips Xʼpert PW 3040-MPD diffractometer using 2θ from
18° to 55°, 5 sec/step, and λ =1.54178 Å. Reﬁned unit-cell parameters were used to approximate plagioclase
Al, Si distributions using Kroll and Ribbeʼs (1980) γ method, and a derivative method using t10-&lt;t1m&gt; vs.
anorthite content (An). An contents were determined by electron microprobe at the Department of Geology and
Geophysics, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities.
The rock types analyzed for this study are: (a) plagioclase porphyritic, ophitic basalts from near Silver Bay
and Croftville, (b) plagioclase porphyritic ferrodiorites of the Cabin Creek and the Leveaux Porphyry intrusions
(early intrusions of the BBC), (c) porphyritic leucogabbros and gabbroic anorthosites of the Scott Creek and
Katydid Lake intrusions that occur near the transition between the BBC and Duluth Complex (both are thought
to represent offshoots of the anorthositic series; Boerboom and Miller, 1994); and (d) a porphyritic diabase dike,
possibly an offshoot of the main Scott Creek intrusion. The phenocrysts in these rock types are compared with
anorthosite xenoliths occurring in the Beaver River diabase (Knudsen et al., 2005) and with anorthositic series
rocks of the Duluth Complex (Bandli and Saini-Eidukat, 2000).
XRD results (Figure 1) show the Croftville basalt phenocrysts, along with those of the porphyritic dike, have
intermediate to high disorder, plotting near the curve for disordered plagioclase. In contrast, the Silver Bay basalt
phenocryst has intermediate to low structure.
The Leveaux Porphyry phenocrysts have intermediate structures and plot near Duluth Complex anorthositic
series samples, while the Cabin Creek phenocrysts have distinctly more disordered structures. Plagioclase
phenocrysts from the Scott Creek leucogabbro and the Katydid Lake gabbroic anorthosite are intermediate to
ordered and plot within the ﬁeld of Duluth Complex anorthositic series samples. Anorthosite xenoliths in the
BBC are intermediate to ordered.
Plagioclase separated from the matrix of selected samples all have lower An contents than the phenocrysts
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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1

they host, and show intermediate to high disorder. The relationship of the matrix t10-&lt;t1m&gt; values to those of the
phenocrysts they host reverses in a manner similar to that noted by Hoffer (1968) for the Rock Creek porphyritic
basalt ﬂow of Idaho.

Figure 1. Order distributions of measured plagioclases between the various rock types. A. γ vs. An, after Kroll and Ribbe
(1980). B. derivative plot of t10-&lt;t1m&gt; vs. An.
Abbreviated References
Albers, P. and Miller, J.D., Jr.,2005. (this volume).
Bandli, B. and Saini-Eidukat, B. 2000. Proc. ILSG, v. 46, part 1: 4-5.
Boerboom, T.J., and Miller, J.D., Jr. 1994. MGS Misc. Map M-81.
Knudsen, D., Saini-Eidukat, B., Miller, J.D., Jr., Daniels, P. 2005. GSA–N. Centr, Abstr., Mpls, MN, May 19-20.
Green, J.C. 1972. in Geology of Minnesota – A centennial volume: 294-332.
Kroll, H. and Ribbe, P.H. 1980. Am. Min. 65: 449-457.
Hoffer, J.M. 1968. Am. Min. 53: 908-916.
Miller, J.D. Jr. and Chandler, V.W. 1997. in GSA Sp. Pap. 312: 73-96.
Miller, J.D., Jr., Green, J.C., Severson, M.J., Chandler, V.W., Hauck, S.A., Peterson, D.M. and Wahl, T.E. 2002. MGS RI
58, 207 p.

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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1

Petrogenesis and PGE mineralization of the Eva-Kitto Intrusion, northern
Ontario
LAARMAN, J. and HOLLINGS, P., Department of Geology, Lakehead University, 955 Oliver Road,
Thunder Bay, On, P7B 5E1, jlaarman@lakeheadu.ca
The Eva-Kitto Intrusion is a Mesoproterozoic semicircular peridotitic ring complex situated in the Nipigon
Embayment on the eastern shore of Lake Nipigon near Beardmore, Ontario. The age of the intrusion is 1117.7±1.8
Ma (L.Heaman, University of Alberta, personal communication, 2005) and has been interpreted to be emplaced
as the feeder conduit to a more evolved cone sheet during initial asthenospheric upwelling of a mantle plume
in the Midcontinent rift system (MCR) (Sutcliffe, 1986). The intrusion cross-cuts both the Archean Southern
Sedimentary Belt (SSB) and the Southern Volcanic Belts (SVB) of the Beardmore-Geraldton Greenstone belt,
dated at circa 2696-2691Ma, of the Wabigoon Subprovince (Lafrance et al., 2004). Within the SVB are sulphidized
magnetite-chert iron formations that run parallel to the strike of the main structural trends of the greenstone belt
and are intercalated with maﬁc volcanic units. In drill core, the intrusion cross-cuts calcareous sandstones and
mudstones interpreted to be the Sibley metasediments and is cross-cut by Nipigon gabbro sills which are also
found to crop out as horizontal circular ridges around the intrusion. The Eva-Kitto peridotite has high TiO2, K2O
and P2O5 and is LREE-enriched similar to the chemistry of the Fe-Ti Osler Volcanics of the MCR (Hart et al.,
2002). The sills, on the other hand, have lower TiO2, K2O and P2O5 than the ferropicritic peridotites, and are
similar in chemistry to the olivine tholeiitic ﬂood basalts of the MCR. Therefore the Nipigon sills originated
from a more fractionated underplated basaltic magma later in the Keewanawan event circa 1109 Ma (Sutcliffe,
1987).

j...

The petrography and geochemistry of the lithologies within the Eva-Kitto Intrusion are being studied
from drill core held by East West Resources Inc. Four holes
were drilled by Kennecott Canada Exploration Inc. in 2002
Lake N4Igon
based on airborne MegaTEM anomalies surveyed by Fugro
Airborne Surveys that same year. Hole EK-2 intersected
disseminated po-cpy mineralization and was the only hole
to intersect magnetiferous pyritic metasediments of the
Archean basement. Assays values up to 0.28%Ni, 0.13%Cu,
and 563ppb Pt+Pd in a 1.22m interval have been reported
(Rossell, 2003). Lithologies within EK-2 from the top to
the end of hole at 345m at depth comprise lherzolite, olivine
websterite, sulphidized olivine websterite, vari-textured
pyroxenite, spotted pyroxenite, pyroxenite, melanogabbro,
magnetiferous pyritic metasediment, and maﬁc volcanics.
EK-2 is the only hole to intersect the more fractionated varitextured pyroxenite to orthocumulate pyroxenite lithologies
that contain PGE mineralization.

.::L:

Figure 1: Geological map ofthe Eva Kitto Ring Complex with its
Figure
1. Geological map of the Eva Kitto Ring
location circled on the Lake Nipigon inset. The four ER drill holes
Complex.
four EK
drillofthe
holes
are located
at the
are located atThe
the southern
extent
peridotitic
intrusion.
southern end of the peridotitic intrusion

Based on preliminary interpretation of the petrography the
petrogenesis of the Eva-Kitto Intrusion can be characterized
by two magmatic pulses. A ﬁrst pulse of magma is suggested
by the pyroxenite and melanogabbro units of EK-2. The
pyroxenite has an orthocumulate texture with cumulate
pyroxenes enclosed in a groundmass of lathy plagioclase. The
melanogabbro has a poikilitic texture with cumulate pyroxene
crystals housed in plagioclase oikocrysts. A second pulse of
magma is suggested by the incipient break up of cumulate
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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1

pyroxene and growth of clusters of secondary pyroxene in the vari-textured and spotted pyroxenites. The patchy
texture within these units can be attributed to the churning up of the pyroxenite by a second inﬂux of magma.
Lherzolite is the dominant lithology in all the drill holes and may represent the primary cumulate fractionation
of an enriched ferropicritic magma (Sutcliffe, 1986). Lherzolite displays a mesocumulate texture of ovoidal
cumulate olivine grains and larger cumulate clinopyroxene within poikilitic orthopyroxene and plagioclase. The
olivine websterite is darker due to fractionation of pockety pyroxenes with breakdown of olivine. The olivine
websterite possibly formed by ﬂow differentiation of a more fractionated magma from the central lherzolite ﬂow
zone. Both the lherzolite and olivine websterite contain large amounts of primary biotite minerals.
PGE minerals are associated with disseminated sulphides in the sulphidized olivine websterite, vari-textured
pyroxenite, pyroxenite and melanogabbro units of drill hole EK-2. Within the olivine websterite and pyroxenite,
disseminated pyrrhotite-pentlandite-chalcopyrite sulphides are found interstitial to cumulate olivine and pyroxene
minerals. Blebby pyrrhotite-chalcopyrite sulphides, possibly a result of liquid immiscibility, are locally found in
the sulphidized olivine websterite/melanogabbro units at the contact with the wallrock metasediments.
Ongoing studies are focusing on petrogenesis and mineralization of the intrusion. Scanning electron
microscope (SEM) discs made from drill core in Holes EK-1, 3 and 4 are being analysed under the petrographic
microscope to compare lithologies in these holes with the fractionated suite of EK-2. The interstitial sulphides
will be examined by SEM to identify the PGE minerals. Mineral chemistries within the various lithologies will
also be identiﬁed using SEM. Bulk rock chemistries, S/Se elemental ratios, trace elements, εNd and Sr patterns,
and Ni abundances of olivine will be analysed to further understand the petrogenesis of source magmas, and
crustal contamination involved with mineralization.
References
Hart, T.R., terMeer, M. and Jolette, C. 2002. Precambrian geology of Kitto, Eva, Summers, Dorothea and Sandra townships,
northwestern Ontario: Phoenix Bedrock Mapping Project. Ontario Geological Survey, Open File Report 6095, 206p.
Lafrance, B., DeWolfe, J.C., Stott, G.M. 2004. A structural reappraisal of the Beardmore-Geraldton Belt at the southern
boundary of the Wabigoon subprovince, Ontario, and implications for gold mineralization. Canadian Journal of Earth
Sciences 41, 217-235.
Rossell, D. 2003. November 2003 Report on Diamond Core Drilling on the Eva Kitto Property. Kennecott Canada Exploration
Inc.
Sutcliffe, R.H. 1986. Proterozoic rift-related igneous rocks at Lake Nipigon, Ontario. unpublished PhD thesis, University of
Western Ontario, London, Ontario, 325p.
Sutcliffe, R.H. 1987. Petrology of Middle Proterozoic diabases and picrites from Lake Nipigon, Canada. Contributions to
Mineralogy and Petrology, 96, 201-211.

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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1

Geochemistry and Petrography of the Rabbit Islands Breccia, North Central Lake
Nipigon
LANE, C. J. and HOLLINGS, P., Department of Geology, Lakehead University, 955 Oliver Rd., Thunder
Bay, Ontario, P7B 5E1, Canada. cjlane@lakeheadu.ca
The Rabbit Islands breccia is a dyke-like intrusion, rich in calcite and dolomite, which intrudes the Nipigon
diabase on the southern most island of the Rabbit Islands group in north central Lake Nipigon (Figure 1). Geological
relationships indicate that the breccia must represent one of the youngest events associated with the Midcontinent
rift. In the past this breccia has been referred to as a carbonatite diatreme (Sutcliffe and Greenwood, 1982), and
one of the objectives of this study was to evaluate this model and to compare the breccia to the carbonatites of
the Coldwell complex. Whole-rock geochemistry, petrography and scanning electron microscope (SEM) data,
indicate that the groundmass material of this breccia is not of carbonatite afﬁnity. The low abundance of trace
elements such as Sr, Mn and Ba in SEM semi-quantitative scans of the carbonates and feldspars combined with
the low abundances of Sr, Ba, V, and rare earth elements (REEʼs) determined by XRF and ICP-MS, do not
satisfy the requirements of Samoilov (1991). Samoilov suggested that in order to be considered a carbonatite the
following criteria must be met: enrichment in Sr (&gt;700 ppm), Ba (&gt;250 ppm), V (&gt;20 ppm) and REE (including
Y; &gt;500 ppm). The samples analyzed from the Rabbit Islands breccia groundmass contained 191 ppm Sr, 286
ppm V, 115 ppm total REEʼs and low amounts of barium. Consequently, the breccia does not meet the limits
set by Samoilov (1991) and therefore is not considered to be of carbonatitic afﬁnity, but rather a carbonate-rich
breccia.

Evidence for changes in ﬂuid composition has
been observed within the groundmass material. For
example, in many instances calcite has been shown
to brecciate and replace dolomite crystals present in
the breccia, however, quartz and feldspar brecciate
and replace the dolomite. Other textures, such as
calcite replacing feldspar emphasize the fact that
there is an overlap of ﬂuid phases, which may be
controlled by ﬂuid source or contamination by the

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(a

C

2.

a 0=
=

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(a

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0

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o
=

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The geochemistry of the clasts and the country rock associated with the breccia has been compared with
the different suites of Nipigon diabase: the Inspiration suite, the Jackﬁsh suite, the McIntyre suite and the Main
Nipigon suite (MacDonald and Tremblay, 2004;
Rabbit Islands
Richardson and Hollings, 2004), showing that the
breccia intruded into the Main Nipigon suite (Figure
2). Clasts of diabase found within the breccia have
undergone extensive alteration. Many of the clasts
display consecutive zones of alteration which can be
seen in both hand sample and thin section. Elements
which have become mobile within the altered clasts,
and show variation between each alteration zone
include: potassium, calcium, magnesium, strontium,
europium, yttrium, lanthanum, and neodymium.
Depletion of calcium, strontium, europium, yttrium,
lanthanum and neodymium can be seen from the
centre of the clast outwards. Whereas, potassium,
magnesium and loss on ignition (due to the presence
of chlorite) increase from the centre of the clast
outwards.

Figure 1. Location of the Rabbit Islands (Modiﬁed from
Hollings et al. 2004).
- 34 -

�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1

Rabbit Islands
i&gt;&lt;+&gt;&lt;i Main Nipigon Suite

RbThUNbKTaLaCePrSrNdZrHfSmEuTGdThDyYHoErTmYbALuVSc

Figure 2. Primitive mantle multi-element plot
to show the similarities between the Rabbit
Islands Diabase and the Main Nipigon suite.

country rock.
References
Hollings, P., Fralick, P., Kissin, S. 2004. Geochemistry and Geodynamic Implications of the Mesoproterozoic English Bay
Granite-Rhyolite Complex, Northwestern Ontario. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, 41, 1329-1338.
MacDonald, C.A. and Tremblay, E. 2004. Lake Nipigon Region Geoscience Initiative: Results of bedrock mapping in the
northern part of the western Nipigon Embayment, northwestern Ontario, Canada; oral presentation abstract, Institute on
Lake Superior Geology, Proceedings, v. 50, pt. 1, Programs and Abstracts p.102-103.
Richardson, A.J. and Hollings, P. 2004. Lake Nipigon Region Geoscience Initiative: Geochemistry and Mineralogy of the
Nipigon Diabase Sills. Summary of Field Work and Other Activities 2004. Ontario Geological Survey, Open File Report
6145, p.51-1 to 51-5.
Samoilov, V.S. 1991. The Main Geochemical Features of Carbonatites. Journal of Geochemical Exploration 40, 251-262.
Sutcliffe, R.H. and Greenwood, R.C. 1982. Geology of the Lake Nipigon Area. In Summary of Field Work 1982. Ontario
Geological Survey, Miscellaneous Paper 106, 19-23.

- 35 -

�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1

MetalCORP Ltd. Big Lake Ni-Cu-PGE, Cu-Zn-Ag, and Mo Property
MACTAVISH, Allan, MetalCORP Ltd., 309 South Court Street, Thunder Bay, ON, P7B 2Y1, Canada.
amactavish@metalcorp.com
The Big Lake Property of MetalCORP Ltd. of Thunder Bay, Ontario comprises 33 claims (365 units totaling
5840 hectares) and is located approximately 230 km east-northeast of the City of Thunder Bay and 18 km
southeast of the Town of Marathon in Northern Ontario, Canada.
Work completed by MetalCORP since early 2004 includs a MegaTEM airborne survey, detailed prospecting
(677 samples), linecutting, ground pulse-EM surveys, and 2 phases of diamond drilling, totaling 22 diamond
holes (5672 m). This work resulted in the discovery of 4 previously unknown mineralized zones that represent 3
separate and distinct mineralization styles. The mineralized zones include: the J4 and J5 Pt-Pd reefs within the
Big Lake Ultramaﬁc Complex; the A2 Ni-Cu Zone within the Gus Creek Maﬁc Intrusion; and the BL14 Cu-ZnAg Zone within strongly altered maﬁc metavolcanic ﬂows and associated metasedimentary rocks. The A2 and
BL14 zones are not exposed on surface and are buried beneath 10 to 75 m of glacial drift. The property is also
host to the historic Playter Cu-Pb-Mo-Ag Prospect which has yet to be evaluated by MetalCORP.
The Big Lake Property is located near the southern margins of the eastern portion of the Archean-age
Schreiber-Hemlo greenstone belt of the eastern Wawa Subprovince of the Canadian Shield. The greenstone belt
is split into distinct eastern and western segments by the 1108 Ma Mesoproterozoic Coldwell Alkalic Complex.
The eastern part of the belt is subdivided into the Hemlo-Black River assemblage (2.77 Ma) to the north and the
Heron Bay (2.70 Ma) assemblage to the south, both of which are primarily affected by amphibolite-facies regional
metamorphism. The western portions of both assemblages are lower in grade and exhibit upper greenschist facies
regional metamorphism. The Big Lake Property occurs within the Heron Bay Assemblage which is intruded
by the granitic to granodioritic Heron Bay Batholith, the recently recognized maﬁc to ultramaﬁc Gus Creek
Intrusion, the Bellʼs Lake Ultramaﬁc Intrusion, and the Big Lake Ultramaﬁc Complex.
The J4 and J5 Pt-Pd Reefs consist of narrow, apparently stratabound intervals hosted within thick peridotite
units contained within the upper and central intrusive cycles of the eastern portion of the sill-like Big Lake
Ultramaﬁc Complex. The complex is not layered. The two host intrusive cycles dip approximately 43° north
and are very similar in their appearance, progression of rock units, and apparent thickness. The observed
mineralization consists of low amounts (trace to ~1%) of very ﬁnely disseminated pyrrhotite and chalcopyrite
within serpentinized to locally talcose, ﬁne-grained peridotite. The J4 Reef varies between 0.58 and 2.11 m in
thickness, occurs within the basal peridotite unit of the uppermost intrusive cycle of the Big Lake Complex and
is usually directly adjacent to the contact with an overlying feldspathic pyroxenite unit. The J5 Reef is identical
in appearance to the J4 Reef, varies between 0.75 and 3.00 m in thickness, and occurs within the basal peridotite
of the central intrusive cycle of the complex near, but not adjacent to, the upper contact of the host unit with an
overlying feldspathic pyroxenite. The J4 Reef has been traced for 1.60 km and contains up to 0.70 gpt Pt and
0.79 gpt Pd (1.49 gpt PGE)/1.67 m. The J5 reef has been traced for a similar distance and contains up to 0.81 gpt
Pt, 0.85 gpt Pd (1.86 gpt 2PGE)/0.75 m.
The A2 Ni-Cu Zone occurs near the base of the discordant Gus Creek Maﬁc Intrusion and consists of
disseminated, blebby, and stringered, locally semi-massive pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite, and possibly pentlandite
hosted within a 2 to 20 m thick host sequence. The host sequence is a complex interval of variably mineralized (1 to
30% sulphides), varitextured, inclusion-rich, gabbroic to melagabbroic intrusive rocks overlain by unmineralized,
medium- to coarse-grained gabbro and quartz leucogabbro and underlain by occasionally mineralized, pyroxenephyric melagabbro and feldspathic pyroxenite. The strongest mineralization occurs near the base of the host
sequence, comprises the A2 Ni-Cu Zone, and includes 1.66% Ni and 0.20% Cu/0.30 m, 1.00% Cu and 0.80%
- 36 -

�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1

Ni/0.40 m, 1.40% Cu and 0.27% Ni/0.77 m, and 0.98% Cu and 0.29% Ni/1.40 m. The geometry of the A2
mineralized zone remains uncertain and may be more complex that initially thought, but within the area drilled
appears to strike between 125 and 150° and dip southwest at between 40 and 60°.
The BL14 Cu-Zn-Ag Zone is located near the east end and stratigraphically below the sill-like Big Lake
Ultramaﬁc Complex, approximately 800 metres south of the A2 zone. The zone closely resembles high temperature
Cu-rich VMS stringer mineralization and is composed of an intensely biotitized and strongly chloritized breccia
containing up to 30% bands, veins, stringers and pods of chalcopyrite and pyrite with up to 5% disseminated to
streaked sphalerite and minor galena. The mineralized zone occurs within a strongly to intensely K- and Mg
altered, Na2O-depleted package of maﬁc metavolcanic rocks, minor associated interﬂow clastic metasedimentary
rocks, and deformed bands of chert. Mineralization intersected to date includes 2.56% Cu, 1.00% Zn, 46.0 gpt
Ag, 1.60 gpt Au, and 0.10% Pb/0.93 m; 0.80% Cu, 0.50% Zn, and 21.3 gpt Ag/2.62 m; and 0.74% Cu, 0.23%
Zn, and 9.0 gpt Ag/0.75 m.

- 37 -

�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1

Mining and Exploration Activity in Northwestern Ontario
MAGEE, M. Angelique, Ministry of Northern Development and Mines, Resident Geologist Program, Thunder
Bay, Ontario, Canada, P7B 6S7
Northwestern Ontario experienced a signiﬁcant upswing in mining and mineral exploration in 2004. Six
mines produced a total of 1.7 million ounces of gold in 2004, approximately 70% of the Ontario total.
Gold producers included:
Campbell Mine (Placer Dome Inc.);
David Bell Mine (Teck Cominco Limited and Barrick Gold Corporation);
Golden Giant Mine (Newmont Canada Limited);
Musselwhite Mine (Placer Dome Inc./Kinross Gold Corporation);
Red Lake Mine (Goldcorp Inc.);
Williams Mine (Teck Cominco Limited and Barrick Gold Corporation).
North American Palladium Ltd. produced 308,931 ounces of palladium and 25,128 ounces of platinum at its
Lac des Iles Mine and has begun the development of an underground operation below its open pit mine.
There are approximately 300 active exploration projects in the northwest, the vast majority of which are
focused on gold. Areas receiving the most interest from exploration companies were the Red Lake greenstone
belt, Shoal Lake area, Dogpaw Lake area, Shebandowan greenstone belt, Fort Hope greenstone belt, OnamanTashota belt and the Pickle Lake greenstone belt. Elevated mineral commodity prices are contributing to levels
of exploration activity in northwestern Ontario not seen since the mid-1980s.

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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1

Preliminary stratigraphy and geochemistry of the Mesoproterozoic Pillar Lake
Volcanics, Wabigoon Subprovince, Superior Province, Armstrong, Ontario,
Canada
MAGEE, M. Angelique, Ministry of Northern Development and Mines, Resident Geologist Program, Thunder
Bay, Ontario, Canada, P7B 6S7, HOLLINGS, P. and FRALICK, Philip, Department of Geology, Lakehead
University, 955 Oliver Road, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada, P7B 5E1
The Mesoproterozoic Pillar Lake Volcanics (PLV); an approximately 50 m thick series of ﬂat-lying, greenschist
facies undeformed massive and pillowed basalt ﬂows; are located 15 km southeast of Armstrong, Ontario. The
Pillar Lake Area was originally mapped as part of a geological compilation series with the dominant lithology
in the area comprising Nipigon diabase sills formed during the Keweenawan mid-continent rift system of North
America (Breaks, 1980; Davies et al., 1970). Mapping completed at a scale of 1: 50,000 by MacDonald et al.
in 2003 resulted in the discovery of previously unmapped lithologies which include the Pillar Lake Volcanics
(MacDonald, 2004).
The PLV are part of a suite of Mesoproterozoic rocks that unconformably overlie the Archean basement
of the central Wabigoon Subprovince, Superior Province. The PLV have not yet been successfully dated by
geochronological methods. Magnetic remanence studies of the PLV places them at 1140 Ma but there is a
signiﬁcant error associated with this date (C. Hercun, pers. comm., 2005). Fifty detrital zircons from an interﬂow
lithic arenite bounded at its base and top by PLV were dated and the youngest detrital zircon was dated at 1514
Ma (Heaman et al., 2005). The dominant populations of zircons from the interﬂow lithic arenite fall within
1780 to 1880 Ma and 1900 to 1950 Ma (Heaman et al., 2005). The PLV unconformably overlie a 1599±1
Ma layered gabbroic intrusion but no contact has yet been found except in drill core (Heaman et al., 2005;
Middleton, 2005). A nearby 1590±1 Ma syenite may also underlie the PLV (Heaman et al., 2005). The PLV are
overlain by Inspiration diabase sills dated at 1120±1 Ma (Heaman et al., 2005). The Inspiration diabase sills are
geochemically distinct from the Nipigon sills and hence have been given a new designation. The Inspiration
diabase sills extend the timing of North American mid-continent rift-related intrusive activity. Based on these
age dates, the PLV are Mesoproterozoic in age, and were erupted between 1514 Ma and 1120 Ma.
The PLV have been metamorphosed to greenschist facies and are extensively chloritized with accessory
epidote and sericite. The PLV are hematite and actinolite altered with intense alteration found at the top of each
ﬂow. The individual massive basalt ﬂows are approximately 0.2 – 1 m thick and each ﬂow is capped with a
5 cm thick ﬂow top breccia with actinolite rims
and hematite cores forming the breccia fragments
(Figure 1). The pillowed basalt ﬂows tend to be
pervasively altered and exhibit autobrecciation
throughout the ﬂow layer, perhaps due to higher
permeability. Near the base of the volcanic pile,
the pillowed basalt ﬂows are rarely unaltered,
unbrecciated and preserve primary volcanic
features such as pillow selvages, interpillow
hyaloclastite, and degassing structures (Figure
2).
Associated with the massive and pillowed
basalt ﬂows are numerous breccias including an
undeformed volcaniclastic breccia that contains
fragments of gabbro, amygdaloidal basalt with
clay minerals inﬁlling the amygdules, and possibly

Figure 1. Flow top breccia capping massive basalt ﬂow with
actinolite rims and recessively weathered hematite cores
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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1

granitoid. Field relationships between the PLV
and the breccias are not always discernible due
to poor outcrop control, but in several instances
the breccias occur as dikes found within the
PLV.
Based on preliminary geochemistry,
the PLV may be the result of a mantle plume
and possibly predate the main North American
mid-continent rift event. It is hoped that
detailed mapping of the PLV in conjunction
with additional geochemical analyses will
determine the source and cause of the volcanism
that resulted in this suite of volcanic rocks.
Figure 2. Undeformed chlorite-altered pillowed basalt with preserved
selvages and interpillow hyaloclastite.
References
Breaks, F.W. 1980. Sioux Lookout - Armstrong Sheet, Geological Compilation Series, Ontario Geological Survey, Final
Map 2442.
Davies, J.C., Pryslak, A.P., Pye, E.P. 1970. Sioux Lookout - Armstrong Sheet, Geological Compilation Series, Ontario
Geological Survey, Final Map 2169.
Heaman, L.M., Easton, R.M., Hart, T.R., MacDonald, C.A., Fralick, P., and Hollings, P. 2005. Proterozoic history of the
Lake Nipigon area, Ontario: Constrains from U-Pb zircon and baddeleyite dating; Canadian Institute of Mining and
Metallurgy, 2005 Annual Meeting, April 24-27, Toronto, Ontario.
Macdonald, C.A. 2004. Precambrian geology of the south Armstrong-Gull Bay area, Nipigon Embayment, northwestern
Ontario; Ontario Geological Survey, Open File Report 6136, 42p.
Middleton, R.S. 2005. Diamond Drilling on Red Granite Property, Pillar Lake Sheet, Armstrong, ON, 52I03NW, Resident
Geologist Program Thunder Bay North Assessment Files, 55p.

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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1

Sedimentology of the Rove and Virginia Formations and their Tectonic
Signiﬁcance
MARIC, Mike and FRALICK, Philip, Department of Geology, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, ON, P7B
5E1, philip.fralick@lakeheadu.ca
The Paleoproterozoic Rove and Virginia Formations form the upper portion of strata in the Animikie Basin.
They are lithostratigraphically and chronostratigraphically correlative units overlying iron formation of the
Biwabik and Gunﬂint Formations. Tuffaceous layers very near the base of the Rove and Virginia Formations
gave U-Pb zircon ages of approximately 1835 Ma (Addison et al., 2005), whereas a sandstone sample collected
by R.M. Easton (O.G.S.), approximately 400 m higher in the stratigraphy, had a U-Pb minimum detrital zircon
age of 1780 Ma (see Heaman and Easton, this volume). These age constraints place sedimentation commencing
during the ﬁnal stages of Penokean igneous activity and stretching over an extended time span. The Rove and
Virginia Formations would have been in the appropriate spatial and temporal setting to represent deposition in a
foredeep transitional into a foreland basin. This study investigates the internal stratigraphy and sedimentology
within the Rove and Virginia to ascertain what the lithofacies present and their stacking order can reveal about
the dynamics of the tectonic setting. The data set consists of detailed logging of twelve continuously cored drill
holes extending from south of Duluth to south of Thunder Bay. In total 3200 meters of core were examined.
This approach is similar to that of Lucente and Morey (1983), though with advances in depositional models and
process sedimentology, since their classic work, more information may be able to be extracted.

Cl

y

-

§

.

§

-

..—

The Rove and Virginia Formations overlie an intensely altered zone in the upper Gunﬂint and Biwabik
Formations. Siliciﬁcation, formation of neomorphic carbonate spar, pyrite growth in strataform bands and
pisoliths all occur in the upper few meters of these underlying units. This is sharply overlain by the basal
Rove and Virginia consisting of black, carbonaceous shale with thin interbeds of siltstone and very ﬁne-grained
sandstone. Green, friable tuffaceous layers are common in this assemblage, especially in the northern drillholes.

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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1

Approximately ﬁve meters above the base the amount of siltstone and sandstone interlayers gradually begins to
decrease upward until they are relatively scarce. The next approximately one hundred to one hundred and ﬁfty
meters is almost completely dominated by ﬁssile black shale. Microscopic examination reveals the presence
of very thin laminae composed of angular silt grains and other microlayers consisting of carbon. The shale
dominated succession is interrupted midway towards its top by a siltstone and very ﬁne-grained sandstonerich interval traceable across the basin. This coarser unit is thicker near both the northern and southern basin
margins. As well, the black shale dominated interval, in general, contains more coarse-grained interbeds in the
southern one third of the basin. A gradational contact exists at the top of the shale assemblage with the overlying
sandstone-shale unit. The gradation occurs over eighty meters in the north but thins to the south. The overlying
sandstone-shale succession is up to 350 meters thick and consists of a stacked assemblage of over one hundred
individually coarsening-upwards parasequences. Internally they consist of graded, commonly massive, ﬁnegrained sandstones separated by mmʼs to cmʼs of shale. The shales between parasequences are decimeters to
one or two meters thick. This sandstone-shale assemblage ﬁnes appreciably to the south. The uppermost unit
overlying the graded sandstone packages at approximately 500 meters above the base of the section is dominated
by black shale with thin rippled sandstones. Both current and wave ripples are present.
The upper Gunﬂint represents a subareally weathered surface exposed during upbuckling concurrent with the
Penokean Orogeny. This is highlighted by the 1878 Ma age of the Upper Gunﬂint (immediately pre-Penokean,
Fralick et al., 2002) and the 1835 Ma age of the Rove (Addison et al., 2005) immediately overlying the weathered
surface. Upramped orogenic load probably resulted in resubmergence of the area and a slightly coarser unit
was deposited forming the basal Rove and Virginia as the ﬂooding surface migrated across the basin. Eruptions
at this time in the core of the Penokean deformed terrain may have supplied the volcanic ash. With increased
water depth a sediment starved, condensed sequence developed with anoxia probably caused by high organic
loading in the bottom sediments. A slight coarsening of detritus in the southern area probably reﬂects a source
in the Penokean deformation belt, but the general scarcity of sediment inﬂux from this area strongly implies only
minor upraising of an orogenic zone during the Penokean. The condensed sequence is further condensed by the
lack of biogenic sediments other than carbon resulting in tens of millions of years being represented by only a
hundred meters of black shale. Progradation of a turbiditic to shelf system from the north ends the sediment
starvation with a ﬂood of detritus from this direction. Detrital zircon geochronology and paleocurrent directions
(Morey, 1973) are consistent with derivation of the sediment inﬂux from the TransHudson Orogenic zone to the
northwest.
References
Addison, W.D., Brumpton, G.R., Vallini, D.A., McNaughton, N.J., Davis, D.W., Kissin, S.A., Fralick, P.W. and Hammond,
A.L., 2005. Discovery of distal ejecta from the 1850 Ma Sudbury impact event. Geology, vol. 33, p. 193-196.
Fralick, P.W., Davis, D.W. and Kissin, S.A., 2002. The age of the Gunﬂint Formation, Ontario, Canada: single zircon U-Pb
age determinations from reworked volcanic ash. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, vol. 39, p. 1085-1091.
Lucente, M.E. and Morey, G.B., Stratigraphy and sedimentology of the lower Proterozoic Virginia Formation, northern
Minnesota. Minnesota Geological Survey, Report of Investigations 28, 28p.
Morey, G.B., 1973. Stratigraphic framework of Middle Precambrian rocks in Minnesota. In, ed G.M. Young, Symposium on
Huronian Sedimentation, Geological Association of Canada, Special Paper 12, p. 211-249.

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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1

Riddle of the Sands (Proterozoic) solved by Quartzites at Hamilton Mounds,
Central Wisconsin
MEDARIS, L.G., Jr and DOTT, R.H., Jr, Department of Geology and Geophysics, University of WisconsinMadison, Madison, WI 53706, medaris@geology.wisc.edu, rdott@geology.wisc. edu
Quartzite inliers in central Wisconsin have long been enigmatic with regard to the Proterozoic evolution of
the southern Lake Superior region. At Hamilton Mounds the intrusion of quartzite by 1.76 Ga granite has led
some to suggest that Baraboo Interval sedimentation (1.75-1.63 Ga) was spatially and temporally associated
with Geon 17 magmatism. Re-examination of the Hamilton Mounds area reveals the presence of two different
quartzites, an older one intruded by granite, which we designate the Hamilton Mounds Quartzite (HMQ), and
a younger one resembling the Baraboo Quartzite, which we call the Seven Sisters Quartzite (SSQ), from the
present name of the quarry.

Quarrying operations have largely removed the HMQ and intrusive granite, although numerous displaced
blocks remain for examination. The HMQ consists of gray, laminated quartzite (Fig. 1), which commonly
contains calc-silicate (qtz+ep±am) layers and ellipsoidal domains, perhaps former concretions (Fig. 2; cs,
calcsilicate). The HMQ is a metamorphosed immature wacke or arenite, which contains biotite, muscovite,
and substantial amounts of microcline (mc) and plagioclase (pl) (Fig. 3). The HMQ is intruded by granite (gr)
(Fig. 4), which yields a U-Pb zircon age of 1763 ± 7 Ma (Van Schmus, cited in LaBerge et al., 1991). Contact
metamorphic effects of the granite on the HMQ include metasomatic growth of alkali feldspar, but the coarsegrained, poikiloblastic texture of such feldspar (Fig. 5) allows easy distinction between it and ﬁne-grained,
recrystallized detrital feldspar (Fig. 3).
The SSQ, which crops out in the hills surrounding the quarry, consists of pink, massive to cross-bedded
supermature quartzite (Fig. 6), resembling Baraboo Interval quartzites elsewhere, except for a greater degree of
recrystallization and the presence of muscovite, rather than pyrophyllite. Such features and extensive brecciation
probably reﬂect the inﬂuence of the nearby Wolf River batholith, with which are associated wide-spread Geon
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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1

14 hydrothermal alteration and K-metasomatism as documented in the Baraboo and Sioux quartzites (Medaris
et al., 2003).

p

r

JM1

--

S
—S

Geon 17 detrital zircons have recently been recognized in a single sample of the “Hamilton Mounds
Quartzite” by Van Wyck and Norman (2004). However, the analyzed sample, described as supermature quartzite,
was collected several hundred yards from granite and is likely to be from the SSQ, which we correlate with other
supermature quartzites of the Baraboo Interval. Thus, it is not surprising that this sample should contain Geon 17
detrital zircons and display a spectrum of detrital zircon ages similar to that from the Baraboo Quartzite.
Although the contact between the HMQ and SSQ is not exposed, we interpret the HMQ and intrusive granite
to represent basement upon which the SSQ was deposited unconformably. Thus, like the Baraboo Quartzite, the
SSQ appears to be younger than, and rests upon, Geon 17 basement. The results of this investigation are consistent
with our view of the Baraboo Interval (1.75-1.63 Ga) as representing an episode of extensive weathering and
widespread deposition of supermature quartz arenite on a stabilized craton in the interval following cessation of
Geon 17 magmatism and prior to Geon 16 Mazatzal deformation (Medaris et al., 2003).
Abbreviated References
LaBerge, G. L. et al. 1991. U.S. Geol. Surv. Bull. 1904B: B1-B18.
Medaris, L. G., Jr et al. 2003. J. Geol. 111: 243-257.
Van Wyck, N. and Norman, M. 2004. J. Geol. 112: 305-315.

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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1

Depositional setting of the Pass Lake and Rossport Formations (Sibley Group)
inferred from a combined sedimentologic/geochemical approach
METSARANTA, R.T. and FRALICK, P.W., Department of Geology, Lakehead University, 955 Oliver Road,
Thunder Bay, Ontario, P7B 5E1, Canada, rtmetsar@lakeheadu.ca
The depositional setting of the lower portions of the Mesoproterozoic Sibley Group have been investigated
through detailed lithofacies analysis, stable isotope and trace element geochemistry. The portion of the Sibley
Group studied is comprised of a lower clastic assemblage, middle mixed carbonate-clastic assemblage and an
upper clastic dominated, evaporite rich assemblage. The thickness of each unit varies but is in general about
20-80m. The lower clastic section was deposited in a variety of depositional environments including: poorly
developed, coarse-grained alluvial fans; braided, sand rich ﬂuvial systems; ﬂuvial/wave dominated deltaic
settings; and nearshore/beach environments. The middle mixed carbonate clastic succession represents lacustrine
or shallow marine deposition in a semi-arid environment. The upper red siltstone, evaporite-rich section has
been interpreted to represent a saline mudﬂat environment or sahbka-like setting. Numerous chemical sediment
types are preserved within the three distinct successions. Calcrete soils are developed in coarse-grained alluvial
fan conglomerates in the lower clastic dominated package as well as higher in the stratigraphy within the upper
package. Dolomitic mudstones are found in a cyclic dolomite-siltstone lithofacies association of the middle
assemblage. Stromatolitic carbonates are preserved in the transition from the middle to upper succession along
with evidence of subaerial exposure of this strand-proximal lithofacies. Sulfate minerals occur as ﬁne nodules
within dolomites of the middle mixed carbonate-clastic assemblage and as coarser nodules in the upper evaporitic
succession.
Carbon and oxygen stable isotopic compositions, Sr isotopic compositions and trace element compositions
were determined for various chemical sediment types to study facies (process) dependent and stratigraphic
variations in isotopic compositions and to evaluate the degree of post depositional diagenetic alteration. Stable
isotopic compositions for dolomitic mudstones range from –3 0/00 (PDB) to about +1 0/00 (PDB) for δ13C and span
δ18O compositions from –4 to –8 0/00 (PDB). Stromatolitic carbonates have δ13C from 0 to 2 0/00 and δ18O from
–3 to -14 0/00 (PDB). Soil related carbonates vary over δ13C compositions from –1.5 to 1.50/00 (PDB) and δ18O
varies from -2 to -6 0/00 (PDB). Sampling through a stratigraphic thickness of about 45m of the middle carbonate
clastic succession shows a good correlation between increasing stratigraphic height and heavier stable isotopic
composition (Figure 1). Petrographic analysis and trace element geochemistry suggests little diagenetic effect
on stable isotopic compositions.

A

•

•

•
A

S

l

S ••

•

U•

A

•

•

•

•A.•

.

A

A.
I

—a

S
S

S

dolomitic mudstone
stromatolite
soil carbonate

•

S

U

0

1

.4

2

-3

-2

-1

0

81 3c (PDB) dolomitic mudstone

313C (PDB)

Figure 1. Stable isotopic compostions of various Sibley Group carbonates (left), and stratigraphic variation in δ13C for the
middle dolomite/siltsone lithofacies association (right)
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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1

Sr isotopic compositions were also determined for a variety of carbonate and sulfate samples. Dolomitic
mudstones (n=4) display 87Sr/86Sr ratios varying from 0.70846 to 0.71249±1. Soil carbonates appear to have
variable compositions from a calcrete low in the stratigraphy at 0.70478±1 (n=1) to weathered stromatolitic
material higher in the stratigraphy at a value of 0.70737±1 (n=1). One unaltered stromatolite sample has a
value of 0.71234±1. Sulfates (n=8) from the upper evaporitic package vary through a fairly narrow range of
compositions between 0.70647±3 to 0.708836±1. A single sample of sulfate from the middle succession in a
dolomitic layer yielded a fairly high value of 0.71090±1. Further analyses have been undertaken to strengthen
the validity of the apparent facies related variation.
Rare earth element geochemistry of carbonate samples was also undertaken using an acetic acid dissolution
method to avoid clastic contamination of primary carbonate geochemical signatures. Figure 2 shows Post Archean
Australian Shale normalized REE diagram for Sibley Group carbonates. Stromatolites and soil carbonates
generally show a distinct negative Ce anomaly, and overall relatively ﬂat slope with a slightly negative HREE
slope. Dolomitic mudstones exhibit an enrichment in MREE, with little or no negative Ce anomaly. Positive Gd
anomalies are present in most samples of all carbonate types.
Stromatolite
Together lithofacies analysis and geochemical
data provide insight into the depositional environments
of the Sibley Group. C and O isotopic compositions
fall within the realm of values determined for other
Mesoproterozoic carbonate rocks deposited in marine
systems. Upward stratigraphic changes in carbon and
oxygen isotopic compostions may have been brought
about through global scale changes, with a positive
shift in C values attributable to increased rates of
light (organic carbon) burial. Alternatively the carbon
La Ce Pr Nd Sm Eu Tb Gd Dy Ho Er Tm Yb Lu
isotopic shift maybe have resulted from processes
Dolomitic rnudstone
occurring within a restricted lacustrine basin with the
upward shift corresponding to increasingly restricted
depositional conditions near the top of the sampled
succession. 87Sr/86Sr values also lie within the realm of
possible seawater Sr values for the Proterozoic. The
lowest values in calcrete from near the bottom of the
lower succession suggests that the Sr source for these
carbonates may have been marine. Relatively high Sr
values in the middle succession may imply a lacustrine
system. Diagenetic sulfate in the upper succession
0.001
also falls within “marine” values for the Proterozoic
La Ce Pr Nd SmEu TbGd Dy Ho Er TmYb Lu
and is generally lower than carbonates in the middle
Soil Carbonate
succession. REE element patterns have a signature
consistent with oxygenated seawater; however, little
comparative data is available for modern of ancient
carbonates deposited in lacustrine or evaporitic
environments.

0.001

Pr Nd SmEu Tb Gd Dy Ho Er TmYb Lu
Figure 2. Post Archean average shale normalized rare earth
element diagrams for various Sibley Group carbonate types.
La Ce

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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1

Seagull Intrusion, Ontario: A Unique PGE-Ni-Cu Setting
MIDDLETON, R.S., P.Eng. and HEGGIE, G., Thunder Bay, Ontario
The Seagull ultramaﬁc (Proterozoic) intrusion is an unique setting when compared to other maﬁc intrusion
in the Lake Superior region and for that matter the rest of the world. A dunite layer exceeding 400 metres in
thickness with pristine olivine (unaltered) having a magnesium oxide content exceeding 33% average olivine
composition of Fo86 occurs with a 50-100 metre thick gabbro-pyroxenite (lherzolite) basal unit. Overlying is
a peridotite 200-250 metres thick and an upper granophyric gabbro-gabbro pyroxenite-gabbro norite (50-100
metres thick). The intrusion has been age dated as 1112 Ma although older dates of 1124 Ma are appearing in
other phases (see Heaman and Easton, this volume).
The intrusion is adjacent to a failed arm of the Midcontinent Rift that extends north into the Nipigon
Embayment and is cut by Nipigon olivine gabbro (1108 Ma) that forms extensive sills in the region. Other
olivine-picrite bodies occur in the area such as Eva-Kitto and Hele, but are not known to contain the extensive
ultramaﬁc observed at Seagull.
Sulphides occur in the basal lherzolite with zoned blebs containing cubanite tops and pyrrhotite-pentlandite
bottoms. Assays up to 3.58g Pt +Pd have been obtained with % S and a 1 to 1.1 ratio of Pt and Pd. Nickel values
up to 0.25% and Cu up to 0.35% have been observed. Horizons of ﬁne disseminated sulphide occur in the
dunite up to 5 metres in thickness containing up to 5.5g PGE, 0.68% Cu and 0.36% Ni in the 470 to 500 metre
depth area. Two distinct layers have been identiﬁed so far, with highly anomalous zones in between the layers.
The horizons are hosted in a medium to coarse dunite above a very coarse dunite. Fine-grained chalcopyrite
with minor pyrrhotite-pentlandite occur in these layers. There is no development of feldspar or oxide mineral
(magnetite or chromite) layering, however there appears to be a change in the pyroxene composition from both
orthopyroxene and clinopyroxene below the mineralized horizons to just clinopyroxene above the mineralized
horizon, which occurs in conjunction with a shift to slightly more primitive olivine compositions.
Magnetic inversion modeling has been the most useful tool for mapping the shape of the intrusion. Down
hole EM has identiﬁed conductors within the basal lherzolite which will be followed up for stringer-massive
sulphide accumulations. Gravity surveying has helped identify a trough extending east and a scarn zone in the
Sibley Group Metasediments. Most of the basement rocks beneath the areas containing values are Archean
Quetico Metasediments. Sulphur isotope work suggests the Quetico sulphides acted as a sulphur source.
Minerals identiﬁed in the basal zone are merenskyite, michnerite, sperrylite, a palladium-copper alloy,
native copper, native iron-bismuth, chalcopyrite, cubanite, pyrrhotite and pentlandite. Where the horizons are
dominated by bravolite, polarite, sperrylite, telluropalladinite and copper.

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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1

Geology, Geochemistry and PGE Potential of Maﬁc and Ultramaﬁc Intrusions in
Minnesota, excluding the Duluth Complex
MILLER, James D. Jr., and JIRSA, Mark A., Minnesota Geological Survey, mille066@umn.edu and
jirsa001@umn.edu
Exploration for polymetallic deposits, including platinum group elements (PGE), has traditionally focused
on maﬁc intrusions of the Mesoproterozoic Duluth Complex for obvious reasons—the complex is relatively well
exposed and contains occurrences of PGE associated with basal Cu-Ni deposits that were discovered decades
ago. By contrast, maﬁc intrusions in the Archean and Paleoproterozoic terranes of the remaining four-ﬁfths of
the state have received only cursory investigations by exploration companies and the state. This stems in large
part from thick glacial cover over all but the northeast and southeast parts of the state; there is Paleozoic cover
in the southeast.
The completion of a high-resolution aeromagnetic survey of the state between 1982 and 1990 and the
increased demand for PGE has spurred more exploration activity targeting ultramaﬁc and maﬁc intrusions over
the past two decades. Because of the requirement that drill core and related geochemical and geophysical data
be turned over to the state after mineral leases expire, a sizeable public database of geologic, geochemical, and
geophysical information exists on maﬁc intrusions in the state. However, this database has not been consistently
evaluated for what it implies about the potential for these intrusions to host PGE deposits. Beginning in 2001, a
four-year, two-phase study was funded by the state for the Minnesota Geological Survey (MGS) and the Natural
Resources Research Institute (NRRI) to inventory the public database and acquire new data for the purpose of
evaluating the potential for PGE deposits in maﬁc intrusions outside the Duluth Complex.
Phase 1 of this study, which was completed in July of 2003 and published by the MGS as an interim openﬁle report, took inventory and digitally compiled basic geologic, lithologic, and geochemical attributes of over
150 individual maﬁc intrusions studied from ﬁeld exposures or from drill core. Information was also collected
on some of the thousands of diabasic dikes and other geophysical anomalies inferred to be maﬁc intrusions.
The project work conducted on each intrusion varied with the level of detail that existed, but included some
combination of geophysical (aeromagnetic and gravity) delineation, outcrop mapping, drill core examination,
petrography, and geochemical analysis. This compilation of pre-existing data was augmented with geophysical
modeling, relogging of drill core, outcrop mapping and sampling in well exposed areas of north-central Minnesota,
petrographic studies of over 100 thin sections from 53 intrusions, and geochemical analyses and assays of 83
samples from 58 intrusions. Also, eight new 40Ar/39Ar analyses of magmatic hornblende and biotite separates
were acquired to better constrain the general temporal framework of some intrusions.
Phase 2 of this study, which is currently underway, sets out to conduct a more detailed evaluation of the
geologic setting, igneous stratigraphy, and geochemistry of 15 speciﬁc intrusions for which there is sufﬁcient
sampling by drill core. The petrographic and geochemical results of this study phase were not ready at the time
of this writing, but will be presented at the meeting. Another component of this study, which is being conducted
by the NRRI, is a detailed mapping and chemostratigraphic analysis of the well-exposed Deer Lake layered maﬁc
complex of north-central Minnesota.
Based on an evaluation of this database, maﬁc intrusions can be grouped into several major types according
to age and type of host rock, timing of emplacement relative to tectonism and metamorphism, and general
lithologic attributes. The attributes of these intrusion types and some examples are summarized in Table 1.
Phase 1 of this study acquired 75 new lithogeochemical and assay analyses from more than 50 intrusions. In
addition, over 400 publicly available geochemical analyses have been compiled from exploration company ﬁles
and data previously acquired by various state and federal agencies. For Phase 2, an additional 85 analyses are
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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1
Table 1. Classiﬁcation of maﬁc intrusions outside the Duluth Complex in Minnesota.
Tecto-metamorphism

ithologic attributes

Examples (Fig. 1)

Subvolcanic maﬁcultramaﬁc sills

Intrusion type

Age
Ar

Archean
greenstone belts

Host rock

Pre- to syn-tectonic; low to
moderate metamorphic grade

Tholeiitic-komatiitic;
peridotite, pyroxenite,
gabbro, &amp; diorite

Deer Lake Complex,
Winterﬁre intr,
KIB intrusions,
Warroad intrusion

Amphibolite sills &amp;
dikes

Ar

Archean highgrade gneiss
terrains

Pre-tectonic;
high metamorphic grade

Schistose amphibolite
(metagabbro)

Small amphibolite
bodies in Quetico
Subprovince

Lamproid dikes &amp;
plugs

Ar

Archean
greenstone belts

Syn- to post tectonic;
low metamorphic grade

Hbld-, oxide-, &amp; biobearing ultramaﬁc rocks

Lamprophyre plugs in
Wawa Subprovince

Gabbroic to
intermediate
intrusions

Ar

Archean granitegreenstone terrains

Post-tectonic;
low metamorphic grade

Gabbro/diorite, tonalite,
monzonite w/maﬁc
enclaves

Linden pluton,
Oaks intrusion,
Grygla pluton

Gabbroic
anorthosite massifs

p&lt;

Archean granitegreenstone terrains

Syn- to post-tectonic; moderate
metamorphic grade

Coarse gabbroic anorthosite

Mentor intrusive complex

Layered gabbronorite
intrusions

p&lt;

Penokean orogen
&amp; MN River Valley
Subprovince

Syn- to post-tectonic;
low to moderate metamorphic
grade

Modally &amp; texturally
layered gabbronorite,
gabbro, &amp; pyroxenite

Lake Washington,
LL, BKV &amp; Providence
intrs.

Pyroxenite &amp;
peridotite plugs

p&lt;

Penokean orogen

Post-tectonic;
low metamorphic grade

Alkaline ultramaﬁc rocks

Small plugs in central
Minnesota

Hornblendic maﬁcintermediate complex

p&lt;

Penokean orogen

Syn- to post-tectonic;
low to moderate metamorphic
grade

Hornblendite, diorite,
granodiorite

Tibbets Brook intrusion

Olivine gabbro
intrusions

m&lt;

Unknown

Syn-continental rifting

Layered oxide olivine
gabbro

Fillmore County
intrusions

currently being acquired from 15 intrusions to more completely characterize the chemostratigraphy of these select
intrusions. Currently, the highest PGE values have been found in sulﬁdic basal contact zones of the Winterﬁre
subvolcanic sills in north-central Minnesota with Pd, Pt, and Au values in 1-3 meter intervals in the range of 5001,000, 100-400, and 50-200 parts per billion, respectively.
The discovery of anomalous PGE values is not the primary objective of this study, however. Rather, the goal
is to assess the overall potential of particular intrusion types to host either contact-type or reef-type PGE deposits.
Working toward this goal, geochemical data will be used to interpret the composition and PGE tenor of the parent
magmas, determine the degree to which the intrusions display internal differentiation, and evaluate conditions of
sulﬁde saturation through the intrusions.
A draft report on this study will be completed in the summer of 2005 with a ﬁnal report to follow. In
addition to digitally compiling pertinent geologic, geophysical, petrographic, and geochemical data, this report
will evaluate the data to assess the PGE potential of the various intrusion types and make recommendations as to
what intrusion types merit further study and exploration.

- 49 -

�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1

New thoughts on old circles: A reexamination of spheroidal Gunﬂint taxa
PLANAVSKY, N.J. and MURPHY, J., Department of Geology, Lawrence University, Appleton WI
The ﬁrst systematic description of the Gunﬂint biota (Barghoorn and Tyler, 1965) is a seminal work in
Precambrian paleontology. The Gunﬂint biota are represented by an assemblage of incredibly well-preserved
microfossils contained within the approximately two billion year old Gunﬂint Iron Range of the Animikie Basin.
Because the Gunﬂint microfossils were the ﬁrst deﬁnitive and widely publicized evidence of Precambrian life,
they have become one of the most famous fossil assemblages in the world. The high level of preservation and
diversity of the biota has led to the microfossils becoming a benchmark against which early records of life are
compared. The Gunﬂint and other Animikie basin microfossils are also signiﬁcant because they provide the most
complete record of the biosphere during a dramatic change in Earthʼs history—the initial oxygenation of the
atmosphere and shallow seas and the sequestration of the iron from the oceans. The importance of the Animikie
microfossils is based upon a clear understanding of the diversity and structure of the Gunﬂint community.
Most Gunﬂint genera are determined based on obvious morphological characteristics such as having a
ﬁlamentous or spheroid morphology. However, species boundaries within broad morphological groups such as
the spheroids are more difﬁcult to deﬁne. Diameter distribution (i.e. unimodal or polymodal) is one factor that
has previously been used to determine species composition of a spheroidal population (Strother and Tobin, 1987;
Knoll et al., 1978; Knoll and Simonson, 1981). Although the range of species distributions has always been
noted, it has been afforded little attention in the evaluation of speciﬁc taxon (Knoll et al., 1978). We conducted
a study to determine the diameter distribution within a population of the coccoid cyanobacteria Microcystis
aeruginosa and a survey of previously recorded diameter ranges for 100 extant coccoid cyanobacteria taxa. Our
goal is to determine the validity of Gunﬂint and other Animkie basin species classiﬁcations.
Previous studies that have noted a polymodal diameter distribution in a microfossil population have asserted
that this indicates the presence of multiple taxa. This was most notably assumed for the genus Huroniospora, one
of the most abundant biota of Gunﬂint. Strother and Tobin (1987) recorded a skewed bimodal size-frequency
distribution (modes at 4 and 7 µm) for Huroniospora microfossils found within the Schreiber Beach assemblage.
Huroniospora specimens from the Sokoman Iron Formation have a size-frequency distribution with modes at 3,
5, and 10µm (Knoll and Simonson, 1981), in accordance with previous ﬁndings from the Schreiber locality.
We obtained a diameter distribution for a cultured population (from Lake Winnebago, Appleton, WI) of
Microcystis aeruginosa through measurements with an optical micrometer. We made wet mount preparations
and recorded the diameter of all specimens within a single optical plane. The diameters were placed into .5μm
groups, which is the level of accuracy of the optical micrometer used. In all, 425 individuals were measured. The
population showed a distinct bimodal pattern with modes at 6 and 8.5 μm. Although previous algae populations
have been shown to have a broadly unimodal diameter distribution, our results show that a monospeciﬁc
cyanobacteria population can contain a biomodal diameter distribution. Polymodal distributions of cyanobacteria
have also been recorded (Prescott, 1951). These results strongly suggest that polymodal diameter distributions
with closely spaced modes in a microfossil population, speciﬁcally those described by Strother and Tobin (1989)
and Knoll and Simonson (1981), in the deﬁnitively cyanobacteria taxon of Huroniospora are very unlikely to
indicate multiple taxa. At minimum the observations show that a polymodal diameter distribution within a
microfossil population cannot be used as a diagnostic indication of multiple taxa.
We also conducted an evaluation of the range of diameter distributions in extant cyanobacterial species.
Our goal was to see if the reported diameter ranges for fossil taxon are consistent with the ranges seen for extant
species. We surveyed 100 marine and freshwater cocciod cyanobacteria species from previous reports. The
average diameter distribution was 3.0, with a standard deviation of 3.1. We found a range of 0.2 to 24 μm, with
only two species with a reported range greater than 10μm. This observation is relevant because many of the
Gunﬂint taxon have very large ranges that are skewed left. A notable example is Leptoteichos golubicci. The
- 50 -

�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1

taxon is broadly unimodal with a mean cell diameter of 13.5μm. However, the reported range for the species is
26μm (5-31μm), larger than any of the species we encountered and far above the mean for diameter range. Less
than the ﬁve percent of Leptoteichos golubicci have a diameter above 24 μm (Knoll et al., 1978). The diameter
distribution of and range reported for Leptoteichos golubicci is inconsistent with monospecﬁc classiﬁcation of the
population. We believe that the cells above 24 microns in the Leptoteichos golubicci population are most likely
akinetes, which are large reproductive structures (analogous in many ways to spores) produced by ﬁlamentous
cyanobacteria. Although akinetes have previously been shown to be present to present in the Gunﬂint (Licira
and Cloud, 1968), no estimate of their abundance was made. Our reinterpretation of the Leptoteichos golubicci
population could be used to determine an estimate of akinete abundance.
Although the spheroidal Gunﬂint microfossils are exceptionally well preserved, we need to remember that
we are still looking at a collection of circles, from which little morphological variation can be gathered. Therefore
information on population structure from modern analogues needs to be used to help ascertain the basic ecology
of the Gunﬂint community.
Selected References
Braghoorn, E.S. and Tyler, S.A. 1965. Microorganisms form the Gunﬂint chert. Science, 147, 563-577.
Licari, G.R., and Cloud, P.E., Jr., 1968. Reproductive structures and taxonomic afﬁnities of some nannofossils from the
Gunﬂint Iron Formation. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 59, 1053-1060.
Knoll, A.H. Barghoorn, E.S., Awramik, S.W. 1978. New microorganisms from the Aphebeian Gunﬂint Iron Formation,
Ontario. J. Paleontology 52, 976-992.
Knoll, A.H. and Simonson, B. 1981. Early Proterozoic microfossils and pencontemporaneous quartz sedimentation in the
Sokoman Iron Formation, Canada. Science. 211, 478-480.
Prescott, G.W. 1951. Algae of the Western Great Lakes Area. Cranbrook Institute of Science: Bloomﬁeld Hills, Michigan.
Strother, P.K. and Tobin, K. 1987. Observations on the genus Huroniospora braghoorn: implications for paleoecology of the
gunﬂint microbiota. Precambrian Research 36, 323-333

- 51 -

�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1

Geochemical Variation within the Mesoproterozoic Nipigon Diabase Sills
RICHARDSON, Adam and HOLLINGS, Pete, Department of Geology, Lakehead University, 955 Oliver
Road, Thunder Bay, Ontario, P7B 5E1, Canada, ajrichar@lakeheadu.ca
The Nipigon sills are related to the Mesoproterozoic Keweenawan mid-continent (MCR) rift event. Centered
on what is now the Lake Superior basin, the igneous activity is interpreted to be the result of a mantle plume
interacting with the continent as far to the southwest as Kansas, USA, and to the southeast as far as the Grenville
front in southern Ontario, Canada (Davis and Green, 1997). The system operated for approximately 20 Ma
producing a volume of intrusive and extrusive igneous rock estimated to be in excess of 1.5 million km3 (Klewin
and Shirey, 1992). The Nipigon sills are thick, relatively ﬂat lying hypabyssal, medium-grained subophitic
to ophitic olivine gabbronorite with U-Pb ages ranging from 1107 Ma to 1112 Ma (Heaman and Easton, this
volume).
The goals of this project are to evaluate geochemical variations within the Nipigon sills, compare them
to other MCR rocks and generate an emplacement model which identiﬁes and explains any identiﬁed intrasill
relationships, magma sources. The project area (Figure 1) covers approximately 15,000 km2 of the Nipigon
embayment. As part of this project a detailed sampling program was undertaken in the summer of 2003 and 2004
resulting in 250 shoreline samples being collected from Lake Nipigon (Figure 1) and 530 samples from diamond
drill core in the southern Lake Nipigon basin near Black Sturgeon and Shillabeer lakes.
Selected samples were analysed for major,
trace and rare earth elements with a representative
subset analysed for Rb-Sr, Sm-Nd and Pb-Pb
isotopes. Three distinct sill suites were identiﬁed
within the basin. Two additional suites have been
identiﬁed by T. Hart and C.A. MacDonald (Ontario
Geological Survey) as part of their mapping projects
in the Nipigon Embayment (MacDonald, 2004;
Hart and Magyarosi, 2004).
The various suites were deﬁned, in part,
using rare earth element data (Figure 2). The most
spatially abundant suite has been termed the Main
Nipigon suite. This suite outcrops over much of the
Nipigon embayment having La/Smcn and Gd/Ybcn
ratios of 1.4-1.8 and 1.3-1.5 respectively (Figure
2).

Mga s

s.ys.dns El

Meta,oeic

•

The Main Nipigon and Inspiration suites share
similar Gd/Ybcn (Figure 2), TiO2 and MgO values.
The Inspiration suite has a higher La/Smcn ratio,
but these data lie on a possible trend from the Main
Nipigon suite and the whole rock data suggest that
the Inspiration and the Main Nipigon suites may be
related.

OS' Hole CdL3!

9Spl

{U

Scale
0

102O Km

Figure 1. Map showing sample locations, drill holes, geology
and project area.
- 52 -

Other suites in the Nipigon Embayment include
the McIntyre and Jackﬁsh suites. These two suites
share similar Gd/Ybcn and La/Smcn ratios and lie on
a fractionation trend (Figure 2) with the Jackﬁsh

�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1

possibly being the source of the McIntyre.
The Shillabeer suite is geochemically similar
to the Disraeli ultramaﬁc intrusion using Gd/
Ybcn, La/Smcn and whole rock geochemistry
suggesting the possibility that this suite is not
part of the Nipigon sills but is related to the
ultramaﬁc intrusions of the southern Lake
Nipigon embayment.

4.5

•

•

.1;I

•a

.

A

U

Isotope data (Figure 3) reveals differences
in
the
degree of crustal contamination of the
ShiIlaber
• Distoeli
sill suites. The Main Nipigon and McIntyre
•Jockfish
suites are the least contaminated (εNd ~0)
o
o.
1.5
2
2.5
4
4.5
3
3.5
with the Main Nipigon data trending toward
La IS men
Sibley group sediments suggesting that these
Figure 2. Chondrite normalized rare earth data deﬁning sill suites in sediments may be the dominant contaminant.
Shillabeer and Inspiration sill suites are the
the Nipigon embayment.
most contaminated (εNd -5.5 to -7) but do not
0.705
0.110
OIlS
0.720 0.850
0.900
0.950
trend towards Sibley data implying a distinct
contaminant.
.
Moin Nipigon

a

£Kama Hill

• McIntyre

.—-

1

p
£

£

References

Klewin, K.K, and Shirey, S.B. 1992. The igneous
petrology and magmatic evolution of the
-4 0
Midcontinent rift system. Tectonophysics 213,
33-40.
Davis, D.W. and Green, J.C. 1997. Geochronolgy
•.
•Jadcfih
of the North American Midcontinent rift in
AMoin Mpon
A Shillthter
western Lake Superior and implications for its
•MCIMyT
•Sibky
geodynamic evolution. Canadian Journal of
Earth Sciences 34, 476-488.
875r/86Sr
Hart, T.R. and Magyarosi, Z. 2004. Precambrian
Figure 3. Nd and Sm isotope data for the Nipigon sill suites
Geology of the northern Black Sturgeon River
compared with data from the Sibley sediments and Quetico basement
and Disraeli Lake Area, Nipigon Embayment,
rocks.
northwest Ontario; Ontario Geological Survey
Open File Report 6138, 56 p.
MacDonald, C.A. 2004. Precambrian geology of
the south Armstrong-Gull Bay area, Nipigon
Embayment, northwestern Ontario; Ontario
Geological Survey, Open File Report 6136,
42p.
-'.0

£

•/

- 53 -

�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1

The Geology of the Eagle Nickel-Copper Deposit: Marquette County, Michigan
ROSSELL, D. M., dean.rossell@kennecott.com, Kennecott Exploration Company, 10861 N. Mavinee Dr.
#141, Oro Valley, AZ. 85737 and COOMBES, S., Kennecott Canada Exploration Inc., #354-200 Granville
Street, Vancouver, B.C. V6C 1S4
Kennecottʼs discovery of the Eagle nickel-copper deposit in 2002 marked the culmination of more than a
decade of exploration work by Kennecott in the Paleoproterozoic in age Baraga sedimentary basin. The discovery
hole, YD02-02 completed in July 2002, intersected 84.2m of massive sulﬁde mineralization averaging 6.3% Ni
and 4.0% Cu. The resource estimate for the Eagle deposit at the end of 2003 was 5 million tonnes at 3.68% Ni,
3.06%Cu and 0.1% Co.
The Eagle deposit is hosted in the westernmost of two small peridotite bodies historically referred to as
the Yellow Dog Peridotite. The Yellow Dog intrusions, which lack penetrative foliations and truncate Penokean
tectonic fabrics in the surrounding meta-sediments, are believed to be Keweenawan in age (Klasner et al.,
1979). The intrusions are mainly comprised of coarse-grained, variably serpentinized peridotite and feldspathic
peridotite. A ﬁne-grained, olivine poor phase is found along the margins of the intrusions and as xenoliths within
the peridotite. Possible amygdules in the olivine poor phase(s) suggest a shallow level of intrusion.
Three principal types of sulﬁde mineralization are recognized in the Eagle deposit: disseminated (blebby),
semi-massive (matrix) and massive. Although the nickel contents of semi-massive and massive sulﬁdes are
relatively uniform through out the deposit, copper contents vary signiﬁcantly. Platinum group metals (PGM) and
gold values are signiﬁcantly higher in the copper rich massive sulﬁdes. Copper rich veins and disseminations,
with signiﬁcant PGM and gold, in the surrounding meta-sediments may constitute a fourth type of ore.
Massive and semi-massive sulﬁde ore types in the Eagle deposit are irregularly distributed. The contacts
between different ore types are sharp and show little evidence of the gradation or layering that might be expected
if gravity driven accumulation of sulﬁdes from an overlying, sulﬁde saturated, silicate magma was the principle
mechanism of ore formation. Sequential emplacement of various mixtures of silicate and sulﬁde magma and
cumulus minerals, derived from a lower stratiﬁed magma chamber, may provide a better model.
Reference
Klasner, J.S., Snider, D.W., Cannon, W.F. and Slack, J.F. 1979. The Yellow Dog Peridotite and a possible buried igneous
complex of lower Keweenawan age in the northern peninsula of Michigan. Geologic Survey of Michigan DNR report
of investigation 24, 31p.

- 54 -

�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1

Mining and Exploration Activity in the Thunder Bay South District
SCHNIEDERS, B.R. and SCOTT, J.F., Ontario Geological Survey, Ministry of Northern Development and
Mines, Suite B002, 435 James St. South, Thunder Bay, ON P7E 6S7 CANADA
The Thunder Bay South District covers an area from west of Atikokan, east to White River and north to
Armstrong from the United States border. There were four producing precious metal and base metal mines, as
well as 15 seasonal amethyst producers in 2004. The three Hemlo gold mines produced 655,000 ounces of gold
in 2004, and more than 18 million ounces of gold has been produced from the Hemlo deposit since mining began
in 1985. The Lac des Iles mine produced a record 308,931 ounces of palladium from the open pit, as well as
platinum, gold, nickel and copper. Underground development was initiated in 2004 and underground mining is
scheduled to begin in 2006.
Exploration for gold, base metals, platinum group metals, uranium, molybdenum, diamonds and industrial
minerals were all active in 2004. Highlights include a new base metal discovery by Freewest Resources Canada
Inc. in early 2005. The Sungold Occurrence in the Western Shebandowan greenstone belt (Wawa Subprovince)
is located 120 km west of Thunder Bay. Grab samples assayed 33.2 % zinc and 12.5 % Cu, discovered after a
V-TEM (Dreamcatcher) and winter beep-mat geophysical surveys were conducted. Gold highlights include the
Tower Mountain Property of Valgold Resources Ltd. who conducted more than 10,000 m of diamond drilling
with results of up to 164.7 g/t gold over 1.5 m. Further drilling is ongoing. In the Hemlo area Navasota Resources
Ltd. intersected 18.28 g/t gold and 47.18 g/t silver over 4 m in diamond drilling.
North American Palladium Ltd. continued deep diamond drilling on the High-Grade Offset Zone, including
intersecting 5.25 g/t palladium and 0.515 g/t platinum over 3.1 m. Exploration is ongoing on the mine block,
and at the Shebandowan project. East West Resource Corporation and Canadian Golden Dragon Resources
Ltd. entered into a $7.5 million joint venture with Platinum Group Metals Ltd. on the Seagull-Disraeli property.
Several new reef horizons were discovered, assisted by the Ontario Geological Survey, the Lake Nipigon Region
Geoscience Initiative and Lakehead University. Assays of up to 7.90 g/t platinum + palladium + gold over 0.44
m have been intersected with a 1:1 Pt:Pd ratio.
Rampart Ventures Ltd., in joint venture with New Shoshoni Vcentures Ltd., have staked more than 2000
claims in the Sibley Basin for uranium. Airborne geophysical surveys have been ﬂown and diamond drilling is
planned. R ipple Lake Diamonds Inc. discovered three micro-diamonds in a small 3 by 3 m diatreme associated
with a calc-alkalic (minette) dike, located on the Trans-Canada Highway approximately 30 km west of Marathon.
More than 2200 claim units have been acquired. Exploration is active for a variety of commodities in the
Thunder Bay South District. We invite you to come and explore in Northwestern Ontario!

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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1

PGE and gold potential of the Archean Deer Lake Complex, Minnesota, USA
SEVERSON, Mark J., Natural Resources Research Institute, University of Minnesota, Duluth
The precious metal potential of the Deer Lake Complex (DLC) has recently been addressed by detailed
geologic mapping (2004) and two detailed sampling campaigns (2002 and 2004). The DLC is Archean in age,
is located in northeastern Itasca County, Minnesota, and consists of a series of multiple sills, each of which are
variably differentiated and steeply inclined. Sampling results, along several traverses across the DLC, suggest
that PGE contents are low with maximums of only 84 ppb Pt and 52 ppb Pd. Gold contents, on the other hand,
are more encouraging and values up to 2.4 ppm are associated with a shear zone in one of the basal DLC sills.
The Deer Lake Complex (DLC) consists of a series of steeply-dipping, tholeiitic, maﬁc-ultramaﬁc sills
that are variably differentiated and complexly interﬁngered. Where differentiation is complete, the sills exhibit
a layering sequence consisting of a basal chilled margin grading upwards through peridotite, pyroxenite,
melagabbro, melagabbro-porphyritic gabbro, gabbro, quartz gabbro (or diorite), and in some rare localities, an
upper chilled margin. The sills were mostly emplaced into calc-alkaline volcanic and sedimentary rocks of the
Joy Lake Volcanic Sequence (Jirsa, 1990). The bottom-most portion of the DLC was initially intruded into highMg tholeiitic basalt and basaltic komatiite; these volcanic rocks are assumed to be the early extrusive equivalent
of the DLC (Jirsa, 1990; Englebert and Hauck, 1991). All of the sills are metamorphosed to greenschist facies.
The DLC was explored for base metal deposits in the 1970s; however, no signiﬁcant indications of Ni-Cu
mineralization were found. Initial geologic mapping of the DLC (Berkley, 1972; Ripley, 1973) suggested that
only 2-3 completely differentiated sills were present, and that repetitions of speciﬁc rock types were related to
tight isoclinal folds. Later review (Severson, 1987; Jirsa, 1990; this study) suggests that the DLC formed from
the emplacement of numerous interrupted magmatic pulses with partial to complete fractional crystallization
occurring between the pulses. Thus, not all of the sills contain a peridotite base or grade completely upwards
into quartz gabbro.

Stratigraphic Order

As can be seen on a plot of Pt+Pd versus stratigraphic position (Figure 1), most of the individual DLC
sills contain extremely low Pt+Pd contents except for weakly anomalous samples in central portions of several
sills. The overall patterns for two of these sills in particular consist of low Pt+Pd values that gradually increase
with stratigraphic height to noticeable
peaks, followed by dramatic dropoffs to virtually no PGE in the upper
portions of the sills. It may be possible
that this dramatic changeover in the
Pt+Pd content may be related to a
Sulfide Saturation???
7
sulﬁde saturation event; whereby,
PGE was scavenged from the melt.
6
A similar pattern has been reported
for the Mesoproterozoic Sonju Lake
Sulfide Saturation?
intrusion, where a PGE-bearing reef
5
with up to 320 ppb Pd and 66 ppb Pt
has been identiﬁed by Miller (1999).
4
3
However, detailed follow-up, close2
1
spaced, sampling at one of the “sulﬁde
0
50
100
150 saturation horizons” during 2004 failed
Pt+Pd (ppb)
to produce any signiﬁcant PGE in the
DLC.
Figure 1. Vertical changes in Pt+Pd (ppb) contents with stratigraphic height
in the various sills (numbered in boxes) of the Deer Lake Complex. Shaded
areas are peridotite horizons.
- 56 -

Several anomalous gold values

�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1

(&gt;100 ppb) were obtained in samples collected from a drill hole (26508) near the base of the DLC. These values
(up to 2,399 ppm Au) are from a well-foliated/sheared gabbro that contains 1-5% pyrite and pyrrhotite, and
contains some of the highest Cu values (up to 0.07% only) in the DLC.
In summary, the PGE potential of the Deer Lake Complex appears to be low but there is an outside possibility
that some of the sills may contain PGE reefs that are associated with sulﬁde saturation events. On the other hand,
Au potential appears to be better, especially in the sheared rocks in drill hole 26508.
REFERENCES
Berkley, J.L. 1972. The geology of the Deer Lake gabbro-peridotite complex, Itasca County, Minnesota. University of
Missouri, M.S. thesis, 107p., 2 pls.
Englebert, J.A. and Hauck, S.A. 1991. Bedrock geochemistry of Archean rocks in Minnesota. Natural Resources Research
Institute, Technical Report NRRI/TR-91-12, 200 p.
Jirsa, M.A. 1990. Bedrock Geologic Map of northeastern Itasca County, Minnesota. Minnesota Geological Survey
Miscellaneous Map Series M-68, scale 1:48,000.
Miller, J.D. 1999. Geochemical evaluation of platinum group element (PGE) mineralization in the Sonju Lake intrusion,
Finland, Minnesota. Minnesota Geological Survey Information Circular 44, 32 p.
Ripley, E.M. 1973. The ore petrology and structural geology of the lower Precambrian Deer Lake maﬁc-ultramaﬁc complex,
Efﬁe, Itasca County, Minnesota. Duluth, Minnesota, University of Minnesota Duluth, M.S. thesis, 143p., 2 pls.
Severson, M.J. 1986. Summary report on exploration activities in the Deer Lake Area, Itasca County, Minnesota. Santa Fe
Minerals Exploration report, Minnesota DNR open ﬁles.

- 57 -

�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1

A view into the Nipigon Embayment: preliminary results of the largest
magnetotelluric study ever in Ontario.
SHAREEF, S., and CRAVEN, J.A., Geological Survey of Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0E9.
Over 800 audiomagnetotelluric and combined audiomagnetotelluric and magnetotelluric (A/MT) sites were
surveyed along ﬁve transects (Figure 1) during the period of late Aug to mid October 2004. The primary goal
of the survey was to investigate the deep structures of the region to complement the studies that comprise the
Lake Nipigon Regional Geoscience Initiative (LNRGI). The LNRGI was created to provide a comprehensive
4-D geoscience knowledge base in order to facilitate proper land-use decisions and to reduce the risk in mineral
exploration of the region. The studies conducted as part of the Initiative are comprised of surface geological and
stratigraphic investigation, surface and airborne geophysical surveys and other studies such as geochronological
or paleomagnetic studies. Missing from these studies is an investigation of the deep geological structure. The
A/MT survey conducted last year was designed to provide subsurface information down to mantle depths and
beyond along ﬁve major transects.

I\

I \.

I

B38AMTstes

orna MT/MJT sites
PR OT E H OZO IC

Felsic to interrnethale
metavolcanic rocks
I

relsic 0 Intern,edsIe
fliwsive rocks

—, Coarse dastic
Melsedimentaly rocks
ARCH EA N

Felsic granitic rocks
Melsedime ntaiy rocks

Massive granodiorite

'0 grane

20km

Disraeli Lk 3-D

•

Larger 3-D

•

Figure 1. Site Locations for 2004 A/MT Nipigon Survey. Possible plan view locations for future
3-D model studies are also shown by red boxes.

The magnetotelluric technique is a geophysical technique for imaging the deep structure of the Earth. It
images conductors in the Earth and as such will be useful to delineate contacts between crystalline and sedimentary
units at depth as they have dramatically different electrical characteristics. The novel feature of A/MT is that it
uses the Earthʼs natural magnetic ﬁeld as a transmitter of energy into the earth. This enables almost an inﬁnite
depth of investigation; however in practice the depth of investigation is limited to the asthenosphere. Preliminary
results of the Nipigon A/MT survey will be presented with a view to providing a clue to the origin of the enigmatic
sedimentary and intrusive units in this area.
- 58 -

�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1

Mineral Deposits and Metallogeny of the Midcontinent Rift in Ontario
SMYK, Mark C., Ontario Geological Survey, Ministry of Northern Development and Mines, Suite B002, 435
James St. South, Thunder Bay, ON P7E 6S7 CANADA
A variety of metallic and non-metallic mineral deposits are associated with Mesoproterozoic (Keweenawan)
Midcontinent Rift (MCR)-related magmatism and associated hydrothermal activity in Ontario.
Orthomagmatic deposits of copper, nickel and platinum group elements (PGE) are associated with early
ultramaﬁc to maﬁc intrusive rocks. Stratabound, “reef-style” Cu-Ni-PGE mineralization occurs in peridotite in
the Seagull layered intrusion; within massive, cumulate Ti-Fe-oxide layers in the border gabbro of the Coldwell
Complex; and with Cr-bearing spinel in cyclic anorthosite-gabbro units above the Great Lakes Nickel deposit in
the Crystal Lake Gabbro. Varied-textured to pegmatitic gabbro at the base of the Crystal Lake Gabbro hosts the
Great Lakes Nickel deposit (~ 41.4 mT @ 0.334% Cu, 0.183% Ni, 0.69 g/t Pd, 0.21 g/t Pt). Similar rocks of the
Two Duck Lake gabbro in the Coldwell Complex host the Marathon deposit (24.4 mt @ 1.22 g/t Pd, 0.31 g/t Pt,
0.37% Cu). Late-stage, magmatic deposits of pyrochlore-hosted, U-Nb-mineralization have been investigated in
the Prairie Lake Carbonatite Complex and in syenites of the Coldwell Complex (Nb-Zr-Th-U-Ce). Rare metal
(Be-Zr-U-Th-) mineralized structures crosscut the Dead Horse Creek carbonatitic diatremes.
Epigenetic deposits associated with MCR structures and hydrothermal activity are hosted in a variety
Neoarchean, Paleoproterozoic and Mesoproterozoic rocks. Native copper and Cu-sulphides occur in Keweenawan
basalt and interﬂow sedimentary rocks at Mamainse Point (e.g., Coppercorp Mine), on Michipicoten Island
(e.g., Quebec Mine) and in Osler Group rocks in western Lake Superior. Hydrothermal ﬂuids ascribed to MCR
magmatism are believed to have produced Cu-Mo-Ag-Pb-mineralized breccia pipes in Archean country rocks at
the Tribag Mine and Cu-Mo-mineralization at the Jogran porphyry deposit. Copper-mineralized carbonate units
of the Mesoproterozoic Sibley Group are found near the contacts with Nipigon diabase sills.
Silver-bearing, carbonate-quartz veins near Thunder Bay have been subdivided into two groups: the
Mainland Belt (Ag + Zn-Cu-Pb-bearing veins in Paleoproterozoic Animikie Group sedimentary rocks and
Logan diabase); and the Island Belt (Ag-Bi-Co-Ni-As-bearing veins in Keweenawan diabase/gabbro; e.g., Silver
Islet Mine). Lead-zinc-barite veins occupy structures near the unconformity between Neoarchean basement
and Mesoproterozoic Sibley Group sedimentary rocks. Some of these structures also host amethyst deposits.
Silver-bearing, lead-zinc veins occur within and proximal to the Coldwell Complex. All of these veins are likely
contemporaneous but were generated by different ﬂuid sources.
Uraniferous, hematite-rich veins and breccias that cut Neoarchean basement and locally contain Proterozoic
xenoliths may also be related to MCR hydrothermal activity, which remobilized uranium from granitic pegmatites
in the basement.

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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1

Discrimmination of Archean Terranes in the Sachigo Subprovince and relevance
to Volcanogenic Massive Sulphide Exploration
STOTT, G. M., Ontario Geological Survey, Sudbury, ON, P3E 6B5 (greg.stott@ndm.gov.on.ca), and
RAYNER, N., Geological Survey of Canada, Ottawa, ON
Geological and geophysical constraints on the mechanisms for tectonic growth of the Superior Province
are progressively summarized in Williams et al., 1992; Stott, 1997; and Percival, 2005, the latter based on
Lithoprobe and Natmap research activities in northwestern Ontario and Manitoba since 1997. This increased
knowledge permits greater conﬁdence in the subdivision of the Superior Province into terranes and superterranes
of contrasting tectonostratigraphic history. Prior to this, for many years, the broad region of Archean crust north
of Uchi Subprovince in Ontario was more commonly called the Sachigo Subprovince (e.g., Card and Ciesielski,
1986). A reconnaissance geochronological and Hf isotopic study was initiated on a transect of granitoid and felsic
volcanic samples just west of the James Bay Lowlands (Figure 1) to complement the Natmap studies previously
conducted near the Ontario - Manitoba border (e.g., Stone, 2005). Thus far, results from U-Pb geochronology
in eastern Sachigo Subprovince further conﬁrm that this subprovince can be subdivided into several terranes.
Most notably, a broad Neoarchean, Oxford-Stull terrane contains crustal magmatic ages ranging from 2690 to
2730 Ma, and separates two major superterranes to the north and south, each of which contains evidence of &gt; 3.0
Ga history. Since virtually all signiﬁcant Cu-Zn volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) deposits in the Superior
Province are Neoarchean in age, the presence of Oxford-Stull terrane bears some importance for exploration.
A Neoarchean age of 2737±7 Ma has been determined for a felsic volcanic host of recently discovered VMS
deposits in the McFaulds Lake area, inside the edge of the James Bay Lowlands (Figure 2). This argues for
the potential of a chain of VMS occurrences to be explored along a Neoarchean tectonic assemblage extending
from Kasabonika to the McFaulds Lake area, comparable to the VMS-rich assemblage along the discontinuous
Shebandowan-Terrace Bay-Manitouwadge greenstone belt (Figure 2).
Assean Lake

On Lake

Block

Bloc

SpFit Lake
B!ock

/

/

J&amp;nes Bay
Lowlands

Greenstone Belt

a Sedimentary Belt

() Pltjtonjc Rocks

Figure 1. A subdivision of NW Superior Province into terranes (modiﬁed from Stone, 2005). Uncertainty of boundaries
increases eastwards reﬂecting current distribution of geochronological and isotopic data.
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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1
_______

Kasabonika-MeFaulds
greenslone bell
I

0

100

I

Olher greenstone bells

A

MFaulds Lake Cu-Zn

*

Community

massive sulpriide
deposits (Spider
Resou rcesIKWG
Resources exploration)

200

K Ia metres

100

200

—

Shebandowan-Terrace Bay-Michipicoten
band aigreenstone belts
Other greenstone bells

Kilometres

a

Cu-Zn massive sulphide deposits
Community

Figure 2. (a). The
discontinuous Neoarchean
Kasabonika-McFaulds
greenstone belt is the focus of
new Cu-Zn VMS exploration,
and may resemble (b) the
Shebandowan-Terrace BayManitouwadge belt, a bandlike tectonic assemblage,
which contains several VMS
deposits and mines along its
length.

References
Card, K.D. and Ciesielski, A. 1986. Subdivisions of the Superior Province of the Canadian Shield. Geoscience Canada, 13,
5-13.
Percival, J.A. 2005. The Ancient Earth: Development of the Canadian Shield, the oldest parts of North America – building a
continental foundation from 4000 to 2500 million years ago. In LITHOPROBE Celebratory Conference Oral and Poster
Presentations, R.M. Clowes and C. Li (compilers). Published by the LITHOPROBE Secretariat, University of British
Columbia, E-Publication No. 5, v.1.
Stone, D. 2005. Geology of the Northern Superior Area, Ontario. Ontario Geological Survey, Open File Report 6140, 94p.
Stott, G.M. 1997. The Superior Province, Canada. In Greenstone Belts; Edited by M.J. de Wit and L.D. Ashwal. Oxford
Monograph on Geology and Geophysics 35, Oxford Clarendon, p.480-507.
Williams, H.R., Stott, G.M. and Thurston, P.C. 1992. Tectonic Evolution of Ontario: Summary and Synthesis, Part 1:
Revolution in the Superior Province. In Geology of Ontario; Ontario Geological Survey, Special Volume 4, Part 2,
pp.1256-1294.

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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1

Correlation Between Self-Potential and Dowsing (IESG) at the Quincy Mine and
at the Calumet and Hecla Mine, Michigan
TROW, Jim, Geological Sciences, Michigan State University, emeritus, 540 Lake Avenue #2, Hancock,
Michigan 49930, and YOUNG, Charles, T., Geological Engineering and Sciences, Michigan Technological
University, 1400 Townsend Drive, Houghton, Michigan 49931.
The focus of this paper is an 11/24/04 joint traverse over and mapwise perpendicular to the strike of the
native copper Calumet Conglomerate Lode at the Hecla #1 Mine, Calumet Michigan, with self-potential (Young)
and dowsing (Trow) observations plotted in proﬁle on Figure 1. According to Young (Young and Trow, 2005),
“The self-potential apparatus consists of hand-made non-polarizing copper copper-sulfate electrodes, a reel
containing AWG 20 stranded, tinned copper wire, patch cords and clip leads and a high-input-impedance digital
voltmeter. The reference electrode is installed at a convenient sheltered position along the line where the wire
can be tied to a sturdy object. The wire is clipped to the reference electrode and is unwound from the reel to
the observation points. The electrodes are installed in shallow holes made with a garden trowel, which is used
to remove loose and dry surface material so that the electrode is in contact with moist soil. The repeatability of
these self-potential measurements is typically about ﬁve millivolts.” Horizontal distances are measured with
ﬁberglass surveyorʼs tape.

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Figure 1 shows dowsing by Trow with sensitive 3/16”-diameter 6” x 15” iron welding rods, bent into a Ushape, and with less sensitive 6” x 15” L-rods of the same diameter and material. Dowsing with U-rods reset to
the standard state after each episode of turning (CCʼ) detects a broader and lower anomaly than Youngʼs –350
mV SP anomaly (AAʼ), but both appear to be distributed symmetrically about the SP negative center, as though
dowsing implies an upward-continuation curve for the SP. After all, SP is a conductive method, whereas dowsing
is an inductive “airborne” method, involuntarily detected by oneʼs brain (Faraday cage shielding experiments;
- 62 -

�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1

Trow, 1992). BBʼ shows the less sensitive L-rod dowsing results. When favorable weather returns, Trow would
like to reverse by traversing SE, to see if the L-rods deﬁne the NW edge of the subcrop of the ore body as BBʼ
deﬁnes its SE edge when traversing NW. DDʼ represents Trowʼs dowsing with the sensitive U-rods, when they
are not reset to the standard state after turning, in conformity with most dowsersʼ procedure, which ignores
important data compared to CCʼ. They have run out of lever arm (physics terminology).
Figure 2 (not shown, please see poster) suggests three hypotheses for a mathematical function to
reconcile SP and dowsing: The geologically most plausible is that the square root of the number (x) of Urod convergences over the total –SP anomaly is proportional to the –SP readings of its negative center. An
even better ﬁt than Figure 2 results when one considers the total SP relief on Figure 1, from +15 mV
at Aʼ to the –350 mV negative center = -365 mV. Calculating for Quincy [(√7/√13)(-365mV)] yields
– 268mV, 99% of Youngʼs observed – 270 mV there. Two points, Quincy and C &amp; H, do not deﬁne a curve, but
they hint at one.
Figure 3 (not shown, please see poster) symbolically illustrates (some elements displaced to avoid overlap)
characteristic dowsersʼ rod movements, which Trowʼs (1992) experiments with permanent magnets, low-voltage
static electric charges, and Faraday cages demonstrated are related to electrostatics, not magnetostatics.
REFERENCES
Trow, J. 1992. Inductive electrostatic gradiometry (IESG) deciphers Keweenanwan copper plumbing system, Soc. Mining,
Metall. And Expl., Phoenix, Preprint 92-32, 22p.
Trow, J. 2004. Dowsing employs classical mechanics and static electricity to locate self-potential anomalies inductively and
rapidly, 50th Institute on Lake Superior Geology, Duluth, Proceedings, v.50, pt 1., 158-159.
Young, C.T. and Trow, J. 2005. Human-sensed ﬁelds?: Does dowsing response correlate with self-potential or conductivity
anomalies?, 18th Annual Symposium on the Application of Geophysics in Engineering and Environmental Problems,
Atlanta, 9p.

- 63 -

�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1

New age data for the Chocolay Group, Marquette Range Supergroup:
implications for the Paleoproterozoic evolution of the Lake Superior and Lake
Huron regions
VALLINI, Daniela A., School of Earth and Geographical Sciences, University of Western Australia, 35
Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia, CANNON, William F., and SCHULZ, Klaus J., U.S.
Geological Survey, 954 National Center, Reston, VA 20192
A geochronological study of the Chocolay Group at the base of the Paleoproterozoic Marquette Range
Supergroup in Michigan, Lake Superior region, is attempted for the ﬁrst time. Age data from detrital zircon
grains and hydrothermal xenotime from the basal glaciogenic formation, the Enchantment Lake Formation, and
the overlying Sturgeon Quartzite and its equivalent, the Sunday Quartzite, provide maximum and minimum age
constraints for the Chocolay Group. The youngest detrital zircon population in the Enchantment Lake Formation
is 2317±6 Ma, in the Sturgeon Quartzite it is 2306±9 Ma and in the Sunday Quartzite it is 2647±5 Ma. The oldest
hydrothermal xenotime in the Enchantment Lake Formation is 2133±11, in the Sturgeon Quartzite it is 2115±5
Ma and in the Sunday Quartzite it is 2207±5 Ma. The depositional age of the Chocolay Group is constrained
to 2300-2200 Ma and the radiometric age data proves it is correlative with part of the Huronian Supergroup in
the Lake Huron region, Ontario and reveals that the unconformity which separates the Chocolay Group from
the overlying Menominee Group is up to 350 m.y. in duration. The detrital zircon suite in the Sunday Quartzite
and part of those in the Enchantment Lake Formation and Sturgeon Quartzite were derived from the underlying
Archean basement rocks. The source of the ~2300 Ma detrital zircon populations in the Enchantment Lake
Formation and Sturgeon Quartzite remains an enigma as there is no known terrane of this age in the Michigan
area. It is speculated that there was once a widespread volcano-sedimentary cover sequence in Michigan which
was removed or concealed prior to Chocolay Group deposition. The hydrothermal xenotime ages are coeval with
the 2219±4 Ma Nipissing Diabase in the Lake Huron region and the 2200-2100 Ma Kenora-Kabetogama maﬁc
dyke swarm in Minnesota and adjacent Ontario, Lake Superior region.

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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1

Implications of Midcontinent Rift and Oceanic Ridges Analogies and 3DInterpretations of the Subsurface Structure of the Bald Eagle Intrusion in the
Duluth Complex and the East Paciﬁc Rise
WEIBLEN, Paul, Department of Geology &amp; Geophysics, University of Minnesota, PETERSEN, Dean,
Natural Resources Research Institute, University of Minnesota Duluth, and VISLOVA, Tatiana, Department
of Geology University of St. Thomas
The geometry of the gravity and magnetic anomalies of the Bald Eagle intrusion and the Duluth Complex to
the south, as well as the overall Midcontinent Rift, is very similar to the pattern of the seismic reﬂections proﬁles
of ridge systems (Vislova, 2003). In detail, the geophysical expressions of the Bald Eagle intrusion have the same
shape and dimensions as the “bulls eye” pattern of low velocity seismic reﬂection anomalies along the East Paciﬁc
Rise. These anomalies are interpreted to deﬁne regions of melt concentrations, i.e., active magma chambers.
This suggests that the Bald Eagle intrusion could be a “frozen” dynamic magma chamber. In support of this
analogy we note that the magmatic systems of mid-ocean ridges, extensional regimes in back-arc environments,
and ophiolites have a common characteristic: the emplacement of magma in extensional environments, and the
common products in all four are varieties of layered intrusions, dikes and sills, and overlying volcanic rocks.
There is a long history of comparative studies of ophiolites and oceanic magmatic environments (See web sites
for ophiolites and the East Paciﬁc Rise). This suggests that it would be proﬁtable to add the studies of the
igneous systems of intracontinental rifts to the current interdisciplinary, studies of ophiolites and the oceanic
environments. In the accompanying poster session we explore aspects of this approach using 3D modeling of
surface mapping, geophysical, and drill hole data of the basal mineralized zone of the Duluth Complex, the Bald
Eagle intrusion and seismic reﬂection data of the East Paciﬁc Rise.
Since its discovery in 1961, the Bald Eagle intrusion has posed unresolved questions concerning its origin
and magmatic signiﬁcance (Weiblen, 1965; Weiblen and Morey, 1980; Miller and others, 2002). A number of its
characteristics contrast markedly with those of the other mapped intrusions in the Midcontinent Rift: (1) It has
a well-deﬁned intrusive contact in anorthositic gabbros around its perimeter except for its southern extension;
(2) There is a subtle, but recognizable metamorphic contact effect on the anorthositic gabbros; (3) A primary
magmatic foliation is well deﬁned by mineral orientation and discoid segregation of plagioclase from maﬁc
phases; (4) Over 150 measurements of the foliation deﬁne a steeply-dipping asymmetric funnel with the foliation
paralleling the contact and grading from steep to horizontal inward; (5) The intrusion consists of two cumulus
units, a plagioclase-olivine outer cumulate (troctolite) and an inner plagioclase-olivine-clinopyroxene (olivine
gabbro) cumulate; and (6) There is only minor (&lt; a few %) intercumulus material in the cumulates which is
found as the expected lower temperature minerals in the crystallization sequence, i.e. clinopyroxene and iron
oxides in the plagioclase-olivine.
Recent petrologic studies include over 2000 electron microprobe analyses and interpretations using the
computer-based mineral-melt equilibria routines MELTS and COMAGMAT (Vislova, 2003). These studies
indicate that the following scenario could account for the characteristics of the Bald Eagle intrusion listed
above.
As up-welling magma streams through a dynamic (expanding) funnel-shaped feeder, a constant temperature
appropriate to plagioclase-olivine crystallization is maintained by a balance between the heat content of the
incoming magma plus the heat of crystallization and the heat loss through the chamber walls. Plagioclase and
olivine are left behind and oriented/segregated on the walls of the expanding chamber. At some point conditions
change and a temperature appropriate to plagioclase-olivine-clinopyroxene crystallization is established and
maintained to form the inner olivine gabbro of the intrusion. This scenario could also produce the plagioclaseolivine-clinopyroxene-iron oxide cumulates found to the south of the mapped expression of the Baled Eagle
intrusion. A dynamic, ﬂow-through magmatic system raises questions about mineralization. We note that there
are active “smokers” above the proposed magma chambers on the East Paciﬁc Rise. In view of this and assuming
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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1

the analogy suggested above is appropriate, comparative studies of the smokers and the sulﬁde mineralization in
the intrusions adjacent to the Bald Eagle intrusion may be proﬁtable.
Applying this approach, some of the attributes of the Duluth Complex copper-nickel-PGE sulﬁde deposits
resemble those of deposits at Norilʼsk, Russia and Voiseyʼs Bay, Canada that are associated with sulﬁde
mineralization in intrusive feeder zones. The common attributes include occurrence in shallow tholeiitic intrusions
associated with plateau basalt volcanism, an external sedimentary source of sulfur, and openness to repeated
magma inﬂux and expulsion. A critical attribute of the high-grade Norilʼsk-Talnakh and Voiseyʼs Bay deposits,
not yet positively identiﬁed in the Duluth Complex deposits, is the location of a magma conduit. A conduit that
experienced repeated inﬂuxes of magma appears to be key to the formation of high-grade copper-nickel-PGE
deposits (Naldrett, 1997). One of the difﬁculties in evaluating the potential for feeder zone mineralization in the
Duluth Complex is determining whether intrusions were fed one-by-one by local magma conduits or by master
conduits that sequentially fed several intrusions. Another long-standing question is the source of sulfur. In the
case of the Norilʼsk deposits, Jurassic sediments are obvious candidates as are the Virginia and Biwabik Iron
formations for the mineralization at the base of the Duluth Complex. However, designation of these sources begs
the question of how, when, and where the sulfur is delivered to the magmatic system. This is more straightforward
with regard to smokers: circulating hydrothermal solutions deliver sulfur from sea water directly to magma
chamber vents. We suggest that consideration of this mechanism in the Midcontinent Rift magmatic systems
could provide new insights for exploration targets.
Field mapping (Green and others, 1966; Foose and Cooper, 1978) showed the Bald Eagle and the South
Kawishiwi intrusions to be in direct contact. Petrologic observations and geophysical interpretations (Chandler,
1990; Chandler and Ferderer, 1989) suggest that the Bald Eagle and South Kawishiwi intrusions were emplaced
by successive overplating of magmas from a common feeder centered on the northern Bald Eagle intrusion and
extending along the trace of the macrodike that links the Bald Eagle and South Kawishiwi intrusions. Another
model relating the emplacement of the two intrusions to a single magma feeder has been presented by Miller and
Severson (2002; their Fig. 6.15). This model further speculates that the Bald Eagle intrusion had a more complete
differentiation sequence (this contrasts with the dynamic ﬂow model of Vislova (2003) outlined above) that has
been eroded away and that this magma system may have fed surface eruptions. At a more detailed level, Peterson
(2001) interpreted the copper-PGE mineralization in the Maturi deposit and its extension to the east (Maturi
Extension deposit) as indicative of magma input from the northwest via the arcing macrodike that connects the
Bald Eagle and South Kawishiwi intrusions. Peterson (2001) envisioned a conﬁned magma ﬂow model that
invokes a change from laminar to turbulent ﬂow beneath a pillar of older anorthositic series rocks, increasing
the R-factor of the entrained sulﬁdes, and resulting in higher metal contents of the exited (Maturi deposit) and
remaining (Maturi Extension deposit) sulﬁde fraction. If correct, this model predicts that a Voiseyʼs Bay-type
copper-nickel-PGE massive sulﬁde body may exist in an area south of the Spruce Road deposit.
References
Chandler, V.W. 1990. Geologic interpretation of gravity and magnetic data over the central part of the Duluth Complex,
northeastern Minnesota. Economic Geology, v. 85, no. 4, p. 816-829.
Chandler, V.W. and Ferderer, R.J., 1989, Copper-nickel mineralization of the Duluth Complex, Minnesota-A gravity and
magnetic perspective: Economic Geology 84, 1690-1696.
Foose, M.P. and Cooper, R.W. 1978. Preliminary geologic report on the Harris Lake area, northeastern Minnesota. U.S.
Geological Survey Open-File Report 78-385, 24p., 1 pl., scale 1:12,000.
Green, J.C., Phinney, W.C. and Weiblen, P.W. 1966. Gabbro Lake quadrangle, Lake County, Minnesota. Minnesota Geological
Survey Miscellaneous Map M-2, scale 1:31,680.
Miller, J.D., Jr., Green, J.C., Severson, M.J., Chandler, V.W., Hauck, S.A., Peterson, D.M. and Wahl, T.E. 2002. Geology
and mineral potential of the Duluth Complex and related rocks of northeastern Minnesota. Minnesota Geological Survey
Report of Investigations 58, 207p.
Miller, J.D. and Severson, M.J. 2002. Chapter 6: Geology of the Duluth Complex, in Miller, J.D., Jr., Green, J.C., Severson,
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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1
M.J., Chandler, V.W., Hauck, S.A., Peterson, D.M. and Wahl, T.E. 2002. Geology and mineral potential of the Duluth
Complex and related rocks of northeastern Minnesota. Minnesota Geological Survey Report of Investigations 58,
207p.
Naldrett, A.J. 1997. Key factors in the genesis of Norilʼsk, Sudbury, Jinchuan, Voiseyʼs Bay and other world-class Ni-CuPGE deposits: Implications for exploration. Australian Journal of Earth Sciences, 44, no. 3, 283-315.
Peterson, D.M. 2001. Development of a conceptual model of Cu-Ni-PGE mineralization in a portion of the South Kawishiwi
intrusion, Duluth Complex, Minnesota. Society of Economic Geologists, Second Annual PGE Workshop, Sudbury,
Ontario, 3 pages.
Vislova, Tatiana. 2003. Petrology of the Bald Eagle Intrusion and associated rocks and its relevance to crystallization in
dynamic magma chambers in the Midcontinent Rift, unpublished PhD. Thesis, University of Minnesota.
Weiblen, Paul W. 1965. A funnel-shaped, gabbro-troctolite intrusion in the Duluth Complex, Lake County Minnesota,
unpublished. PhD. Thesis, University of Minnesota.
Weiblen, P. W. and Morey, G. B. 1980. A summary of the stratigraphy, petrology, and structure of the Duluth Complex.
American Journal of Science, 280A, Part I, 88-133.

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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1

Textural Examination of Kama Point Diabase Sill, Nipigon, Ontario
ZIEG, Michael J., FORSHA, Clinton J., and HABARKA, Joseph D., Department of Geography, Geology,
and the Environment, Slippery Rock University, 1 Morrow Way, Slippery Rock, PA, 16057, USA, michael.
zieg@sru.edu
The texture of an igneous rock provides valuable constraints on the cooling history of the magma from which
it crystallized. When combined with mineralogical data, the sizes and abundances of crystals in a rock reﬂect
the interactions between the thermal and chemical evolution of the parent magma. In order to avoid uncertainty
relating to the absolute magnitude of kinetic parameters such as nucleation and growth rates, this study focuses
on textural gradients. These gradients reﬂect differences in crystallization history and magma composition, and
are related to differences in the thermal and compositional state of the magma.
The lowermost 35 meters of the 1100 Ma olivine diabase sill at Kama Point, approximately 25 km east of
Nipigon, Ontario, has been sampled at ~3 meter intervals from the basal contact upwards. For each sample,
textures were quantiﬁed using crystal size distributions (CSDs) as well as measurement of mean crystal size. As
expected, the CSDs exhibit a clear coarsening-inwards trend through the lowermost 25 meters of the sill. However,
above 25 meters, the texture becomes ﬁner-grained. Above this, the coarsening-inwards trend continues, but
with a lesser gradient (Figure 1). In this study, analysis of plagioclase CSD data is shown to provide a method for
quantitatively evaluating hypotheses for magmatic processes as well as important constraints on crystallization
kinetics.
CSD Intercept Variation

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-10

-O

-S

-4

-2

Slope Imm11

Figure 1. Variations in CSD intercept and slope. Intercept is related to the number of crystals per unit volume; slope
is related to the mean length of the crystals in the sample. With increasing height above the base of the sill, the number
density decreases and the mean length increases. These trends are consistent with increasing cooling durations. These

The measured textural gradients have been compared to calculated magmatic cooling durations, based on
conductive cooling of an instantaneously injected 200 meter thick diabase sill. The initial conditions for the
cooling model are an initial magma temperature of 1200°C and an initial country rock temperature of 100°C;
far-ﬁeld temperature is held at 100°C. The model is used to calculate the length of time required for the magma
to cool to a temperature of 1000°C, which is the approximate solidus of the Nipigon diabase. Measured textures
were compared to the calculated cooling durations (Figure 2), which yields a bulk growth rate of 1.8×10-10 mm/s
(R2 = 0.925). The total number of crystals decreases with cooling duration, consistent with a nucleation rate
controlled by the degree of undercooling, which is maximized during rapid cooling.
The break in textural gradient at 25 meters is attributed to a recharge event in which a second pulse of
- 68 -

�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1
Mean Length vs Cooling Duration

Total Number vs Cooling Duration
5T0

— 4T0
020

E
E

E

3T0

.

C

0,15

a

C

-I

.

C

2T0

z

0.10

ITO

.

.

0
10

20

0

40

10

20

30

40

Cooling Duration yrJ

Coo Iiruj Duration [yrj

Figure 2. Variations in textural parameters obtained from CSD intercept and slope. Textural parameters are related to
calculated cooling durations. 25-m break in texture corresponds to 22-yr cooling duration.

magma is injected into the magma chamber, which had at that point crystallized a thickness of 25 meters. This
event is believed to have taken place approximately 22-25 years after the initial injection. Cooling of the new
batch of magma was slower than cooling in the initial injection because of the cooler, previously crystallized
diabase located between the fresh magma and the cold country rock. This new cooling environment qualitatively
explains the change in textural gradient above the 25-m discontinuity. Additional modeling will focus on relating
this discontinuity to a speciﬁc set of recharge conditions.
Further ﬁeld investigation of the sills in the Nipigon area is planned. This work will extend the sampling
transect higher into the sill and will include samples from higher in the sill. Goals of this research include a more
thorough understanding of the injection history and original dimensions of this intrusion, as well as empirical
relationships between intrusion dimensions, initial and boundary conditions, and textural proﬁles.

- 69 -

�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 1

Author Index
Addison, W.

1

MacDonald, C.A.

22

Albers, P.

3

MacDonald, J.

12

Anderson, R.

10

MacTavish, A.

36

Blackburn, C.

5

Magee, M.A.

Breckenridge, A.

7

Maric, M.

Brumpton, G.

1

McNaughton, N.

Bucholz, T.

8

Medaris, L.

Cannon, W.

10, 27, 64

Metsaranta, R.

17, 45

Chandler, V.

10, 27

Middleton, R.

47

38, 39
41
1
43

Conly, A.

12

Miller, J.

Coombes, S.

54

Murphy, J.

50

Craven, J.

58

Petersen, D.

65

Dahl, D.

14

Planavsky, N.

50

Daniels, D

10

Rayner, N.

60

Daniels, P.

30

Richardson, A.

52

Davis, D.

1

Rogala, B.

17

43

Rossell, D.

54

Saini-Eidukat, B.

30

Dott, R.
Easton, R.M.

15, 24

Falster, A.

8

Schneider, D.

Forsha, C.

68

Schnieders, B.

Fralick, P.

1, 17, 39, 41, 45

Schulz, K.

3, 28, 30, 48

10, 27
55
10, 27, 64

Franklin, J.

19

Scott, J.

55

Habarka, J.

68

Severson, M.

56

Halls, H.

20

Shareef, S.

58

Hammond, A.

1

Simmons, W.

8

Hart, T.

22

Smyk, M.

Heaman, L.

24

Stott, G.

60

Heggie, G.

47

Trow, J.

62

Hill, M.L.

26

Vallini, D.

Hollings, P.

32, 34, 39, 52

Van Schmus, W.

26, 59

1, 64
10, 27

Holm, D.

10, 27

Vislova, T.

65

Jirsa, M.

28, 48

Weiblen, P.

65

Johnson, T.

7

Young, C.

62

Kissin, S.

1

Zieg, M.

68

Knudsen, D.

30

Laarman, J.

32

Lane, C.

34
- 70 -

�</text>
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                    <text>51st ANNUAL MEETING
Nipigon, Ontario - May 24-28, 2005

INSTITUTE ON LAKE SUPERIOR GEOLOGY
Part 2 – Field Trip Guidebook

51st ILSG

Nipigon 2005
wwwIakesuperiorgeology.org

�51st ANNUAL MEETING

INSTITUTE ON LAKE SUPERIOR GEOLOGY

May 24-28, 2005
Nipigon, Ontario
HOSTED BY:
Mark Smyk and Pete Hollings
Co-Chairs
Ontario Geological Survey and Lakehead University
Proceedings - Volume 51
Part 2 – Field Trip Guidebook
Compiled and edited by Pete Hollings, Lakehead University
Cover Photos: Left - basaltic dyke cutting Osler volcanics on Wilson Island, Middle - Aerial view of the Black
Sturgeon fault, Right - Ruby Lake near Nipigon, Northern Ontario.

�51ST INSTITUTE ON LAKE SUPERIOR GEOLOGY
VOLUME 51 CONSISTS OF:
PART 1: PROGRAM AND ABSTRACTS
PART 2: FIELD TRIP GUIDEBOOK
TRIP 1: GEOLOGY AND FOLD MINERALISATION OF THE BEARDMORE-GERALDTON GREENSTONE BELT
TRIP 2: QUATERNARY GEOLOGY OF THE BEARDMORE – NIPIGON AREA

TRIPS 3 &amp; 6: A STRATIGRAPHIC TRANSECT ACROSS THE NORTHERN FLANK OF THE
MIDCONTINENT RIFT NEAR ROSSPORT
TRIP 4: GEOLOGY AND RARE ELEMENT PEGMATITES OF THE QUETICO SUBPROVINCE NEAR
NIPIGON
TRIP 5: GEOLOGY OF THE BLACK STURGEON AREA

Reference to material in Part 2 should follow the example below:
Hart, T.R., 2005. Geology of the Black Sturgeon Area. In; Hollings, P. (Ed.), Institute on Lake Superior
Geology Proceedings, 51st Annual Meeting, Nipigon, Ontario, Part 2 - Field trip guidebook, v.51, part
2, 2-39.
Published by the 51st Institute on Lake Superior Geology and distributed by the ILSG Secretary:
Pete Hollings - ILSG Secretary
Department of Geology
Lakehead University
955 Oliver Road
Thunder Bay, ON P7B 5E1
Canada
Email: peter.hollings@lakeheadu.ca

ILSG website: www.lakesuperiorgeology.org
ISSN 1042-9964

�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2

Table of Contents
Introduction, safety considerations and acknowledgements ...............................................1
Fieldtrip 1 - Geology and gold mineralisation of the Beardmore-Geraldton greenstone
belt ..............................................................................................................................3
Fieldtrip 2 – Quaternary geology of the Beardmore – Nipigon area ................................41
Fieldtrips 3 and 6 - A stratigraphic transect across the Northern ﬂank of the Midcontinent
Rift near Rossport .....................................................................................................57
Fieldtrip 4 - Geology and rare element pegmatites of the Quetico Subprovince near
Nipigon .....................................................................................................................71
Fieldtrip 5 - Geology of the Black Sturgeon Area .........................................................85

-i-

�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2

Introduction, safety considerations and acknowledgements
Pete Hollings
Department of Geology, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, Ontario, P7B 5E1, Canada
and
Mark Smyk
Resident Geologistʼs Ofﬁce, Ontario Geological Survey, Ministry of Northern Development and Mines, Thunder
Bay, Ontario, P7E 6S7, Canada
This volume is intended to serve not only as a
guide for 51st ILSG ﬁeld trip participants but also as
a reference for those planning to revisit these areas
at a later date. Consequently we have included UTM
coordinates in the NAD 83 datum for stops, as well as
instructions on how to reach them. As some of the stops
are on private and staked land, particularly on Trip 1,
please be sure to obtain the land owners’ permission
before entering their land.
In what is perhaps a ﬁrst for the Institute this year we
are offering a ﬁeldtrip onto Lake Superior. This creates a
number of unique safety issues. Please exercise caution
when getting in and out of the boats as the outcrops
are often extremely slippery. Life jackets must be worn
in the boats at all times. If you are planning to revisit
these sites please be very careful as Lake Superior is a
dangerous lake, waves can often be many metres high
and even in mid summer fog can appear very quickly.

major highways or busy logging roads. Please take care
when crossing or parking along these roads.
We would like to thank all the other authors who
contributed to this ﬁeld guide (Peter Barnett, Tom Hart,
Phil Fralick and Steve Kissin) and also all those who
provided comments and assisted with the running of the
ﬁeld trips themselves. We appreciate the assistance and
cooperation of the exploration and mining companies
in providing us access and information concerning
their properties, particularly David Malouf, Roxmark
Mines Limited.

The other ﬁeldtrips will be visiting stops along either
LAKE

r

_____9—

NIPIGON 0

ta

Figure 1. Map showing the location of the ﬁve ﬁeld trips.
-1-

�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2

-2-

�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2

Fieldtrip 1 - Geology and gold mineralisation of the Beardmore-Geraldton
greenstone belt
Mark Smyk
Resident Geologistʼs Ofﬁce, Ontario Geological Survey, Ministry of Northern Development and Mines,
Thunder Bay, Ontario, P7E 6S7, Canada
Philip Fralick
Department of Geology, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, Ontario, P7B 5E1, Canada
Thomas R. Hart
Ontario Geological Survey, Ministry of Northern Development and Mines, Sudbury, Ontario, P3E 6B5,
Canada

Introduction
The Beardmore-Geraldton belt (BGB) is a
Neoarchean metavolcanic-metasedimentary terrane at
the boundary between the Quetico Subprovince and
the eastern Wabigoon Subprovince of the Superior
Province (Fig. 1a). The belt can be subdivided into
six east-striking sub-belts, all of greenschist facies
metamorphic grade (Fig. 1b; Devaney and Williams,
1989). They are: the northern metasedimentary subbelt (NMB), northern volcanic sub-belt (NVB), central
metasedimentary sub-belt (CMB), central volcanic
sub-belt (CVB), southern metasedimentary sub-belt
(SMB) and southern volcanic sub-belt (SVB) (Fig. 2).
The northern units are not as laterally continuous as the
southern units.
Previous studies have shown that although these
belts are fault-bounded (Fig. 3), mainly along the

southern boundaries of the volcanic sub-belts, they
probably reﬂect an original sedimentary assemblage
deposited on a cratonic margin in environments ranging
from alluvial fan-braid plain in the NMB, through fan
delta-braid delta in the CMB to a submarine fan/ramp
in the SMB (Devaney and Fralick, 1985; Barrett and
Fralick, 1985; Devaney, 1987; Barrett and Fralick,
1989). Original continuity of this succession prior to
tectonic disruption cannot be proven, but is supported
by consistent stratigraphic trends and sedimentary
structures that mostly young to the north. Although
isoclinal folds are present on varying scales, particularly
in the southeast part of the terrane near Geraldton, the
overall structure of the belt appears to be initially one
of stacked, imbricate, internally northward-younging
sheets which have been interpreted as the product of
accretionary wedge tectonics (Williams, 1986, 1987;
Devaney and Williams, 1989; Williams and Stott,

V (,n

Hudson

I

et_w.

N

LEGEND

A

Paleozoic Cover
Prolerozoie Covet
Grenville Provincc

—

•Abitpbi

Churchili Province
Supenor Province

Uciti —

Areas:

E'iglish River

?ontic

Winnipeg

LANADA

1

U.SA

-Wabigeon'

rnIoAea

Metasedimentary
Belts

Cranitic Areas
Volcanic Sedimentary Belts
Cneissic Terranes

-'-—-Quetico

kiii

Wawa

Figure 1a. Location of the Beardmore-Geraldton greenstone belt, Superior Province.
-3-

�-

Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2
15

/a..aaa..N?LTnsl r4

I

Garuiue—gncnMone suhpnwincc

BanMto,e-CcSiion Deli

8GB

Aras: I RSy Ltt di*ICL 2 SticN.id.iwan.
3 Manitounfrj 4 tolhioo thNuicl

Tnsuc Am"

Beardmore-Geraldton Belt

belts 0 parsoihests
$1

-i

Luio 3M

IO knu

NY

iw

:2

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01

lnieatd

II)

PROTEINOZOIC

7/4

——

ARCHEAN

Da,d.a-G.nIdtoc Bell

Eli

couuw

-

kin

C

rn Md

C

a_-it ia

Pset.poducloIdrrnne; ItAilch.
3 M.ctcodccxbhutt

Met.moiplmaad seethtooe

&amp; s1flhit

ease mdtvokiSv ivck.

MaBe In

•

2 BaikThdd.

•

-_

-

Real siguiada. number

•

moqawI saooe. tgdlnc.
polymjdk iIIoma*t

ta.2à3

— Road and b#way

n-ri PWd TrW

IbuuaJIe In Sk

Geld pefl

I'

L::: SmedlNemMtmeIndc.rncTocks:

o P18nMIS
_____

Sn arc

cavok reds

___

______________

Figure 1b. Regional geology and ﬁeld trip stop locations modiﬁed after Lafrance et al. (2004); see text for sub-belt index.

86aow
•

+

*

*

•

*

•

*

•

*

•

•

*

*

•

•

*

•

*

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•

.

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•

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•

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Belt

.,

'I,

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r?ij::::::::::Quetit •:i•

_.r.Tir2_!_._&amp;r

/

I

.

10 krii

*.] Granitoids

Metnodiriiontary rooks
I

•

Felsic 10 irlterrMdiate rrmtavolcanic rocks

:E:E:E.j

Quetico Subprovince sedimenlary rocks

Mafic metavolcanic rocks

Figure 2. Generalized geology of the Beardmore-Geraldton belt; see text for sub-belt index.

-4-

�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2

minor interﬂow chert-magnetite iron formation. The
northern metavolcanic sub-belt (NVB) is subdivided
into the northern Bish Bay assemblage (BBA) and
the southern Poplar Point assemblage (PPA) (Hart
et al., 2002; Fig. 4). The BBA is composed of eaststriking, maﬁc pillowed to massive ﬂows and rare tuffs
resembling the SVB. The PPA consists of northweststriking, intermediate ﬂows, tuff-breccias and tuffs
resembling the CVB, with subordinate maﬁc massive
and pillowed ﬂows.

Qu.tIo&amp;Wabgoon

SVB OVB NVB

B,!

p LS Z

w

Figure 4. Schematic cross-section of the southern half of
the eastern Wabigoon Subprovince showing imbrication of
fault-bounded metavolcanic (VB’s) and metasedimentary
(MB’s) sub-belts (modiﬁed after Stott and Davis, 1999); S
= Southern; C = Central; N = Northern; PLSZ - Paint Lake
Shear Zone; B - Blackwater Fault; P - Princess Lake Fault;
W - Standingstone - Watson Lake Fault.

1991). Thus, the steeply dipping sheets probably
represent the telescoped version of an original cratonic
margin assemblage. South of the Beardmore-Geraldton
belt, more highly metamorphosed, turbiditic sediments
of the submarine margin and trench-ﬁll are present in
the Quetico Subprovince (Williams, 1986; Fralick et
al., 1993).

A number of rock types intrude the supracrustal rocks
of the BGB, including a series of maﬁc to ultramaﬁc,
synvolcanic, intermediate to felsic synvolcanic, maﬁc
post-tectonic intrusive rocks and diabase dikes (Hart et
al., 2002). The synvolcanic gabbroic rocks form thin
sills, subparallel to the strike of the maﬁc metavolcanic
rocks of the SVB and the BBA. A large intrusive
body located in the BBA is a composite intrusion with
gabbroic and peridotitic phases in the southern and
northern parts of the intrusion, respectively. A series
of intermediate to felsic dikes and sills ranging from
massive granodiorite to quartz-porphyritic, feldspar-

N

The presence of the Onaman-Tashota volcanic
arc terrane (ca. 2740 Ma; Stott and Davis, 1999) to
the immediate north, the imbricate thrust structure
of the Quetico metasedimentary rocks to the south
(Williams, 1986, 1987), and the style of sedimentary
depositional systems in the region strongly suggests
that the Beardmore-Geraldton belt represents a forearc assemblage or a cross section of a complete island
arc system (see “Depositional Environments”) (Fig.
3). The mostly maﬁc volcanic rocks which form the
basement to the sedimentary rocks are probably slivers
of oceanic volcanic terranes which were accreted
prior to development of the clastic wedge. Similar
depositional and tectonic evolutionary trends in the
Great Basin of California have been described by
Dickinson and Seely (1979).

0

1

Dorothea Sandra

2 Km

BBA

NVB

CSB

PPA

CVB

Lake Nipigon

Eva Summers

Eva Lake
Hwy 11

Hwy 580

SSB

SVB

Igneous rocks
Maﬁc metavolcanic rocks of the southern
metavolcanic sub-belt (SVB) consist of massive and
pillowed ﬂows with minor tuffs, lapilli tuffs, and tuff
breccias and interﬂow chert-magnetite iron formations.
The central metavolcanic sub-belt (CVB) consists
of intermediate massive and pillowed ﬂows with
signiﬁcant tuffs, lapilli tuffs and tuff breccias, and

ELMHIRST
-RICKABY

Camp 72
Road

8..,dmor.-G.raldton

R
CN

Beardmore

w
rail

ay
Mafic Intrusive rocks
Ultramafic Intrusive rocks
Mafic Metavolcanic rocks
Intermediate Metavolcanic rocks

H
Kitto

QUETICO

SIBLEY

Felsic Metavolcanic rocks

Metasedimentary rocks
Sibley Group sedimentary rocks
Post-tectonic Intrusive rocks
Synvolcanic mafic intrusive rocks
Synvolcanic felsic intrusive rocks

Figure
4.of theGeology
ofArea,the
Beardmore
area
(HartNVBet al.,
General geology
Beardmore-Geraldton
Kitto, Eva,
Summers, Dorothea and
Sandra townships.
Northern Metavolcanic sub-belt, CVB-Central Metavolcanic sub-belt, SVB-Southern Metavolcanic sub-belt, SSBSouthern Sedimentary
sub-belt,
CSB-Central
Sedimentary
sub-belt, PPA-Poplar Point
Assemblage
(part of the NVB),
2002);
BBA
Bish
Bay
Assemblage;
PPAPoplar
Point
BBA-Bish Bay Assemblage (part of NVB).
Assemblage.
-5-

�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2
20

Ti/Zr

15

10

5

0

0

5

10

15

La/Yb
Figure 4. Zr/Ti versus La/Yb diagram for the metavolcanic
rocks of the Beardmore area. Circles - SVB, open and ﬁlled
triangles - CVB, squares - NVB. Data from Hart et al. (2002)
and Tomlinson (1996).

porphyritic and feldspar-quartz-porphyritic phases
occur within the metavolcanic rocks of the PPA. These
units appear to have been emplaced along the regional
foliation, although some bodies are subhorizontal in
orientation. A feldspar-porphyritic granodiorite dike
intrudes the maﬁc ﬂows of the SVB and resembles
the dikes of the PPA. Late, post-tectonic diorite sills
predominantly occur within the metasedimentary and
metavolcanic rocks along the contact between the
SSB and CVB. Additional intrusions located along
the northern and southern contacts of the PPA are
generally undeformed diorite sills that have chilled
contacts with the metasedimentary rocks. A swarm of
narrow, generally north-striking diabase dikes intrude
the supracrustal rocks and appear to be predominantly
Paleoproterozoic in age. A series of Mesoproterozoic
diabase sills of the Nipigon Sill Complex intrude all
other supracrustal rocks of the BGB.
Geochemical groupings in the metavolcanic rocks
span the three belts within the western portion of
the BGB. The maﬁc metavolcanic rocks of the SVB
and NVB are predominantly basalt with high Ti/
Zr and low Zr/Y, and negative slopes on mantlenormalized, extended element diagrams characteristic
of mid-ocean ridge basalt (Fig. 5; MORB; Tomlinson,
1996; Hart et al., 2002). A subset of basalt samples
have a mixture of elemental abundances and ratios
characteristic of subduction-related volcanic rocks

which led Tomlinson (1996) to suggest that these rocks
formed in a back-arc basin, similar to the Lau Basin,
where there are volcanic rocks with both arc and/or
MORB geochemical characteristics. The intermediate
metavolcanic rocks are generally conﬁned to the CVB
and PPA of the NVB and are predominantly andesite.
The andesites have low Ti/Zr, high Zr/Y, and positive
slopes with prominent negative niobium and tantalum
anomalies on a mantle-normalized, extended element
diagram, that are generally characteristic of calcalkaline andesite formed in an island-arc environment
(Fig. 5; Tomlinson, 1996; Hart et al., 2002). Two
felsic metavolcanic rocks from the CVB and the
PPA were analysed by Hart et al. (2002) , and have
low (La/Yb)n ratios with moderately high ytterbium
values characteristic of FII felsic metavolcanic rocks
(Lesher et al., 1986), indicative of a potential to
host volcanogenic massive sulphide mineralization.
Both samples have elemental abundances and ratios
characteristic of active continental margin and/or the
destructive plate margin felsic volcanic rocks (e.g.,
Wood, 1980). A sample of the ﬂow from the PPA has
a U/Pb age from zircons of 2724.9 ± 1.1 Ma and the
ﬂow from the CVB has a U/Pb age from zircons of
2724.9±1.2 Ma (Hart et al., 2002).
The geochemistry of the intrusive rocks of the western
portion of the BGB was characterised by Hart et al. (2002).
The maﬁc intrusive rocks have elemental abundances
and ratios that generally reﬂect the composition of the
metavolcanic rocks that they intrude. Unfortunately
these similarities also mean that the geochemistry does
not aid in differentiating coarse-grained, gabbroictextured ﬂows from subvolcanic, gabbroic intrusions.
Both the southern maﬁc and northern ultramaﬁc phases
of the composite intrusion in the BBA have similar
tholeiitic geochemical characteristics. A few analyses
that are available for the intermediate to felsic dikes
and bodies indicate that these units have high Zr/Y and
(La/Yb)n ratios characteristic of alkalic rocks, which
may be interpreted to be the products of either an early
Archean, post-tectonic intrusive event or part of a
Proterozoic magmatic event related to the initial rifting
during formation of the Nipigon Embayment. A number
of post-tectonic, maﬁc intrusions located along the
contact between the SSB and the CVB have Ti/Zr, Zr/Y
and (La/Yb)n ratios similar to the andesite of the CVB,
and generally characteristic of calc-alkaline rocks. The
overlap in the geochemistry of these intrusions and the
CVB andesite is interpreted to indicate that these two

-6-

�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2
A

B

north.

. FlAt

The turbiditic association of the SMB can be divided
into a clastic association and a chemical association,
with a high proportion of oxide-facies, banded iron
formation (BIF) layers. In the chemical association,
clastic interbeds are generally less than several
centimetres thick, and range in grain-size from silt
to coarse sand. Upward-thickening and -coarsening
trends over several metres are locally present, as at
Solomon’s Pillars and the Leitch Mine near Beardmore
(Fig. 6; Barrett and Fralick, 1985). Within the overall
upward trend, oscillations between silts, sands, and iron
formation occur. Depending on the relations between
these types of beds, four iron formation lithofacies
associations (IFLA) can be deﬁned:

magn at! le,

•d Iat
FLAt
interlaminated

manstit.
asp.,.
ilbtL

and &amp;ate
San

2mCn,,

E.

IFLAc

sadtn;
siltstone.
Slate and

mantit
IFLAb
:—t

iItstoe,
slot, and

• IFLA-a consists of dominantly magnetite-rich
sediment with millimetre- to centimetre-scale,
graded or ungraded silt interbeds (Fig. 7).

Figure 6. Stratigraphic sections of iron formation bearing
units. A) Outcrop section measured at the Leitch Mine (for
detailed location see Barrett and Fralick, 1985). B) Outcrop
section measured at Solomon’s Pillars (for detailed location
see Fralick 1987). From Fralick and Barrett (1995).

• IFLA-b comprises centimetre-scale graded
to sharply bounded silt beds, either contiguous or
separated by millimetre-thick laminae of magnetiterich sediment.

rock types formed by similar petrogenetic processes,
but the occurrence of intrusions in both metavolcanic
rocks and metasedimentary rocks indicates that some
of these intrusions are younger.

• IFLA-c represents sand-rich composite units
up to about 1m thick, generally consisting of
thin, stacked, ungraded, laminated sand beds.
These composite units consist mainly of mediumto coarse-grained sand. They are separated by
intervals of IFLA-b up to 15cm thick.

Sedimentary rocks
Lithofacies Associations
The NMB, the northern (uppermost) third of the
CMB and the northernmost portion of the SMB
are dominated by a conglomeratic assemblage with
minor amounts of sandstone. The clast-supported
conglomerates are poorly to moderately sorted, and
almost always non-graded with a poorly to moderately
sorted sand matrix. Bedding is deﬁned by variation in
average or maximum clast size between units, but it
is commonly indistinct. Scouring is locally preserved,
but most other primary features such as imbrication
have been destroyed by deformation. Sandstones
interbedded with the conglomerates commonly appear
massive, but in some outcrops planar lamination and
cross-stratiﬁcation are present. They form lenses in
conglomeratic beds; thin, irregular sheets blanketing
conglomeratic beds; wedges abutting conglomeratic
beds; and thick units separating conglomerates. Clast
types in the conglomerates are almost exclusively
igneous, representing a suite of rocks similar to those
present in the Onaman-Tashota volcanic terrane to the

• IFLA-d consists of framework-supported,
polymictic conglomeratic beds up to a few metres
thick, interbedded with sandstone and minor iron
formation, or interbedded with fairly thick iron
formation and thin-bedded sands.
Conglomerate contain mainly maﬁc to felsic volcanic
and granitic clasts. Although ﬂattened clasts indicate
that IFLA-d outcrops are tectonically thinned, their
associations are primary, with the conglomeratic units
erosively cutting down into BIF-sandstone packages.
Transitions between IFLA-a, -b and -c can be gradual
or abrupt. Some silt-sand successions containing
iron formation exhibit intervals of thicker and wellgraded clastic beds. They form structured sections
up to several metres thick within successions that are
otherwise generally disorganized.
Clastic units in the lower two thirds of the CMB
and the SMB are divisible into three lithofacies
associations: a thin-bedded, turbidite-dominated

-7-

�till HUIIIILiIllP

EThJliJIIi

p

p

p

11L

Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2

Figure 7. Photomicrographs of siltstone associated with laminated, magnetite-rich sediment (IFLA-a). Logs to right of
photos outline layer contacts and schematically illustrate grainsize variations. Dots and dashes represent siliciclastic and
magnetite-rich components, respectively. Scale bars: A.) 5.0 mm; B.) 2.0 mm; C.) 3.0 mm; D.) 2.0 mm. All images are in
crossed nicols. From Barrett and Fralick (1985).

association (LA2); a medium-bedded, turbiditedominated association (LA3); and a thick-bedded
association (LA4). LA2 consists mostly of graded,
&lt;10 cm thick siltstone and/or sandstone beds that are
either unstructured or thin and ﬁne upwards over 1 to
3 m. LA3 is divisible into two types. LA3a consists
of medium- to coarse-grained sandstones with sharp
bottom and top contacts. Parallel lamination is present
near the tops of some of the otherwise massive beds.
These successions are unstructured. LA3b is similar
to LA3a except these beds are organized into either
upward-thickening or upward-thinning trends. Thick,
poorly graded sandstones dominate LA4. The beds
usually have a coarse sand or pebbly base, grading into
a thick, poorly sorted, massive central area. They are
often abruptly capped by thin, ﬁne-grained sandstone.
Irregular, erosional bases and scattered rip-up clasts
are common.
Structured, thinning- and ﬁning-upward sequences,
metres to tens of metres thick, are present in the area
south of Beardmore. The successions are topped by
CDE and/or DE turbidites which are abruptly overlain
by massive grain ﬂows/high-density turbidites with

internal inverse- to normal-graded, conglomeratic
bands. Pebbles present in the conglomerates are
mainly felsic igneous rocks (extrusive and intrusive),
while rip-up clasts are not the expected mudstone or
siltstone, but rather clay- and silt-rich, ﬁne-grained
sandstone.
Load structures are ubiquitous throughout the area.
Commonly, the base of one unit sags into the underlying
beds. Locally, multiple internal loads are developed,
usually in the B division. These loads sag into the A
division, in places extending into the underlying beds.
Depositional Environments
Deposition of the clastic and chemical sediments
in the Beardmore-Geraldton belt occurred within
a narrow time frame. Crosscutting felsic intrusive
rocks provide a minimum age for the sediments of
2691+3/-2 Ma (Anglin, 1987; Anglin et al., 1988). UPb detrital zircon geochronology on sandstone samples
from the region consistently give youngest zircon
ages in the range 2701±1 Ma to 2696±2 Ma (Hart
et al., 2002; Don Davis, unpublished data, personal
communication, 2004). These ages are very similar to

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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2

Subprovince on Lake Superior (Purdon, 1995). In
addition to geochronology, lithofacies associations
and geochemistry indicate that the depositional system
probably extended from the cratonic margin (i.e.,
Wabigoon Subprovince), across the arc-trench gap
and trench (i.e., Quetico Subprovince) to the outboard
ocean ﬂoor (i.e., Wawa Subprovince) immediately
prior to the commencement of collision of an island
arc system to the south.
The NMB is represented by sandstone and
conglomerate deposited in a ﬂuvial fan, and/or braid
Figure 8a. 2700 Ma paleogeography of the region surrounding
plain environment (Devaney and Fralick, 1985). The
Beardmore-Geraldton. The island arc in the south represents
the Schreiber-Hemlo area of Wawa Subprovince. The trench CMB displays this type of assemblage in its northern
system to the north of this arc is now metaturbidites of third, with successions in the southern portion similar
the Quetico Subprovince. The sediments feeding from the to those described above for the SMB. Thus, the
southern ﬂank of the Wabigoon cratonic arc in the north paleo-shoreline exposed by the present level of erosion
formed the Beardmore-Geraldton succession. From Fralick lies within the CMB. All of the sediments in the SMB
and Barrett (1991).
are marine, except for rare conglomerates at the top
ages of detrital zircons from the Quetico Subprovince of the succession and throughout the section in the
and a more distal turbiditic assemblage, the McKellar highly deformed Geraldton area. The turbidites were
Harbour Formation, outcropping in the northern Wawa deposited in fore-arc environments ranging from deltafront to submarine fan or ramp. Many
______________________
Onommi—Tas bota VoIcoo!c Terrc!t,
unstructured sandstone sequences are
-.
D L ItbfdIfl Aoc!ot!on
interpreted as having accumulated on
LIt
24
a submarine ramp that was locally
Br
WI
transected by channels feeding deeper
fan lobes (Barrett and Fralick, 1989).
/
An interpretive view of the overall
paleoenvironment is shown in Figures
4c'
8a and b.
I

r

-

/

rTsTL
I

0--

(z)

c

-

H--H—

zoooe
ond

—

-—

-I(onFormacr,
0

!1 seofloor

Sediments deposited in the Quetico
trench to the south are similar in
many respects to the submarine ramp
deposits of the adjacent fore-arc basin,
but there are differences. AB and ABC

Figure 8b. Suggested depositional environments for sedimentary rocks in the Beardmore-Geraldton belt. The subaqueous
portion of this diagram is depicting environments mostly present in the Southern Metasedimentary Belt. The Central
Metasedimentary Belt represents mainly fan-delta environments, and the Northern Metasedimentary belt a braidplain
environment. The entire sedimentary assemblage in all three belts forms a large-scale progradational system. In the hinterland
is the Onaman-Tashota volcanic arc terrain which supplied the detritus. This sediment was transported across braidplains
to distributary mouth bars. Because of rapid accumulation rates and the tectonically active environment, gravity ﬂows and
slumps were frequently triggered. The resultant grain-ﬂows produced the vertically unstructured, poorly graded, mud-poor,
medium- to coarse-grained deposits of the ramp succession. More structured sandstone sections formed on locally developed
fan lobes and thick grain-ﬂows ﬁlled the submarine feeder channels. Iron formation was deposited immediately offshore
from the channel mouths on braid deltas during periods of low sediment inﬂux. The meter-scale coarsening-upwards cycles
present in the iron formation record the effects of delta lobe outbuilding. Progradational events may result in the stacking
of coarsening-upwards iron formation-bearing, subaqueous parasequences or the delta top braid system may erode through
the uppermost chemical sediments during maximum outbuilding. The iron formation is limited to the shore-proximal zone
indicating a precipitation model where nutrients delivered to the system by rivers caused heightened cyanobacterial growth
rates in the near-shore, similar to modern systems. The oxygen produced by photosynthesis caused precipitation of iron
oxides in these oxygen oases. From Barrett and Fralick (1989)
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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2

turbidites dominate the trench ﬁll, whereas grainﬂows
and A turbidites characterize the more proximal,
fore-arc environment. Iron formation is present in
the fore-arc basin associated with thinner-bedded,
ﬁner-grained sediments deposited in the shallow
near-shore portions of the deltas. Iron formation
accumulated when transgressions caused intervals of
clastic sediment starvation in the proximal pro-delta
and distributary bar environments. Iron formation is
absent from sediments deposited further offshore in
the Beardmore-Geraldton belt and the Quetico trench
deposits. The limited distribution of oxide-facies iron
formation (occurring only in shore-proximal areas)
indicates that biological activity thrived in the nearshore waters where the commonly limiting nutrients,
nitrogen and phosphorous, are delivered at higher
levels due to river input. It is difﬁcult to prove that iron
compound precipitation was driven by free oxygen
liberated during photosynthesis by cyanobacteria, but
this would be a logical assumption.
Rare successions that coarsen and thicken upward
may represent limited establishment of discrete fan
lobes in the distal fore-arc basin and Quetico trench

CVB

*CA
CYB

CA *•J3
OTT

The discussion of the structural development is taken
largely from recent work and synthesis conducted by
Lafrance et al. (2004). Their treatment of the topic is
the most recent structural study, outlining three phases
of structural overprinting of the volcano-sedimentary
assemblage and ascertaining the timing of each.

CA

I

Sediment supplied to the fore-arc basin and the trench
was derived from erosion of felsic and intermediate
igneous material, with a large contribution probably
coming from resedimentation of unconsolidated
volcaniclastic material. Clast compositions indicate
that the Onaman-Tashota arc terrane to the north was
the source (Devaney, 1987; Devaney and Williams,
1989). Grain size and lithofacies trends also strongly
support a source to the north. In addition, whole
rock geochemistry conducted on sandstone samples
from the Beardmore-Geraldton area and the Quetico
Subprovince further conﬁrm that the Onaman-Tashota
terrane is the only igneous complex in the area which
could have supplied the majority of the detritus (Figs.
9 and 10; Fralick and Kronberg, 1997; Fralick, 2003)
The ease with which volcaniclastic material can be
physically eroded from subaerially erupted debris
could have led to short subaerial residency periods,
and thus lowered the extent of chemical weathering
and production of clays. This is probably the major
factor contributing to the rarity of E division ﬁnes in
the deposits.

Structure

* OTT

0

ﬂoor, but for the most part the trench ﬁll was dominated
by overlapping, interfering fans fed by multiple
channels extending from the shallow marine portion
of the fore-arc basin. One of these channels outcrops
south of Beardmore (Stop 1-2). The channel is ﬁlled
with thick, upward-thinning and -ﬁning successions
that grade from conglomerate and coarse sandstone
grainﬂows or turbidites deposited from high density
currents near channel bases, to CDE and DE, lowdensity current turbidites that ﬁll abandoned channels
near their tops.

2

3

Ti02/(Nb xl,000)
Figure 9. Ratio plot of chemically immobile elements in
sandstones showing derivation of the sands deposited in the
Beardmore-Geraldton terrain and the Quetico Subprovince
from the Onaman-Tashota calc-alkaline volcanic arc. From
Fralick and Kronberg (1997); Fralick (2003); igneous data
from Tomlinson et al. (1993) and Kresz and Zayachivsky
(1989).

After deposition of the clastic succession the area
was tectonised by thrust faulting, regional folding and
dextral shearing. Thrust faulting resulted in the regional
volcanic and sedimentary packages being vertically
juxtaposed in an imbricated thrust stack (Devaney and
Williams, 1989). This represents D1 and may be related
to uncommon, early, F1 folds. The youngest detrital

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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2

*

on
NVB
CVB
SVB
CA

160

Kresz and Zayachivsky, 1989

Tomlinson et al, 1993
mafic to intermediate volcanic
Onaman - Tashota Terranc rocks
Northern Volcanic Belt
Central Volcanic Belt
Southern Volcanic Belt
Gale - Alkaline

o mafic volcanic rocks
A intermediate volcanic rocks

•

intermediate to felsic
sub - volcanic intrusive rocks
intermediate to felsic
intrusive rocks
intermediate to mafic
intrusive rocks

A

•

*CVB
CA

Tholeiitic volcanic

CYB
CA

/

—— a— and intrusive rocks
SVBh
0

ULTRAMAFIC

Onaman - Tashp

calc - alkaline
volcanic and intrusive rocks
p

I

20

40

60

p

p

p

00

80

20

p

40

160

p

80

p

200

hO2! Zr
Figure 10. A ratio plot similar to Figure 9 using Zr. From Fralick and Kronberg (1997); Fralick (2003); igneous data from
Tomlinson et al. (1993) and Kresz and Zayachivsky (1989).

zircon recovered from the sedimentary units is 2696±2
Ma (Hart et al., 2002) and this places a maximum age
on the thrusting event.
The D2 event is recorded by the development of
tight to isoclinal folds and a ﬂattening strain fabric
responsible for transposed bedding and ﬂattening of
clasts and pillows. A homoclinal, north-younging panel
of regional extent developed at this time and represents
the sheared-off southern limb of a larger syncline.
D2 deformation affects altered and gold-mineralized
porphyry dykes in the syn-tectonic Croll Lake stock
which U-Pb geochronology indicates are 2691+3/-2 Ma
(Anglin, 1987; Anglin et al., 1988). An age of 2699±1
Ma for a Au-mineralized feldspar porphyry dyke at
the Hard Rock Mine and identical ages of 2690±1 Ma
for two phases of the Croll Lake stock put constraints
on the timing of major deformation and hydrothermal
activity in the belt (Corfu, 2000).
The ﬁnal event, D3, occurred as regional
transpression developed in the compressive framework
of the area. Vertical bed orientations developed during
D2 did not refold but rather were overprinted by a
steeply dipping, regional cleavage. Partitioning of the
strain, during east-west dextral shear, between less
competent argillites and more competent sandstones
and porphyries resulted in cleavage refraction near
lithologic contacts. The pervasive cleavage developed
in the Paint Lake shear zone at this time shows a
progressive rotation towards the orientation of the
zone (Lafrance et al., 2004; DeWolfe et al., 2000).

This is in contrast with the Barton Bay Lithotectonic
Zone (BBLZ) where the S2 fabric was reactivated to
accommodate the D3 shear. Some folds were generated
during this interval but they tend to be smaller Z-folds,
overprinting limbs of regional F2 folds. Shear zones
active at this time were dextral with nearly horizontal
displacements.
To sum up the results of Lafrance et al. (2004):
• Thrusting along the southern margin of Wabigoon
Subprovince in the Beardmore-Geraldton area
between 2696 Ma and 2691 Ma resulted in the largescale assemblage of what was to become the belt
structure.
• The rocks were then modiﬁed by a compressive
event (D2), probably between 2692 Ma and 2686
Ma, which steepened the beds to a near-vertical
position, caused extensive ﬂattening and formed
large-scale fold structures.
• D3 is more poorly constrained in time but may
be synchronous with 2670 to 2650 Ma peak
metamorphic conditions in Quetico Subprovince. It
is characterized by the development of dextral shear
zones and small-scale Z-folding.

Gold mineralisation
Overview
Gold was ﬁrst discovered in the Beardmore-Geraldton
Greenstone Belt in 1925 (Mason and MacConnell,

- 11 -

�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2
Table 1 - Gold mineralisation in the Beardmore-Geraldton area. From Mason and McConnell (1983).
Mine

Years of production

Ore milled (tons)

Gold produced
(Oz)

Average grade
(Oz/ton)

Silver
produced (Oz)

Bankﬁeld

1937-42, 1944-47

231,009

66, 417

0.29

7,590

Brengold

1941, 1949

46

134

2.91

Crooked Green Creek

1980-1984

1,455

471

Hard Rock

1938-1951

1,458,375

269,081

0.18

Jellicoe

1939-1941

10,620

4,238

0.40

145

Leitch

1936-1968

920,745

847, 690

0.92

31,802

9,009

Little Long Lac

1934-54, 1956

1,780,516

605,499

0.34

52,750

MacLeod-Cockshutt

1938-1968

10,337,229

1,475,728

0.14

101,388

Magnet Consolidated

1938-43, 1946-52

359,912

152,089

0.42

16,879

Maloney Sturgeon

1937

1

73

73

16

Maylac

1946-1947

1,518

792

0.52

46

Mosher Long Lac

1962-1966

2,710,657

330,265

0.12

34,604

Northern Empire

1934-41, 1949

425,866

149, 493

0.35

19,803

Orphan (Dikdik)

1934-1935

3,525

2,460

0.70

1,558

Sand River

1937-1942

157,870

50,065

0.32

3,628

Sturgeon River

1936-1942

141,123

73,438

0.51

15. 922

Talmora-Long Lac

1942, 1948

6,634

1,417

0.21

36

Tashota-Nipigon

1935, 1938

51,200

12,356

0.24

14, 527

Theresa

1935-38, 1941-1943,

26,120

4,785

0.18

202

69, 120

0.36

1945, 1950-53, 1955
Tombill

1938-42, 1955

190, 622

Total

4,115,611

1983). The Beardmore-Geraldton greenstone belt has
produced approximately 4.1 million ounces of gold and
over 300,000 ounces of silver. Most of this production
came from two distinct gold camps at Beardmore
and Geraldton, respectively. The balance of gold
production came from several small mines scattered
30 km northeast of Beardmore and one mine south of
Longlac. Table 1 (Mason and McConnell, 1983) is a
production summary of all past gold producers.
Gold in the ﬁeld trip area occurs dominantly in
quartz-carbonate veins and sulphide replacement
zones cutting all the major Neoarchean rock types of
the area. The vein systems are most typically hosted
by: 1) clastic sedimentary rocks; 2) contacts between
clastic sedimentary rocks and albite porphyry; 3)
interbedded iron formation and clastic sedimentary
rocks (Macdonald, 1984); 4) interﬂow iron formation
and maﬁc metavolcanic rocks; and 5) post-tectonic
maﬁc intrusive rocks (Hart et al., 2002).
Structures Related to Mineralization
The ﬁne-grained sedimentary rocks in the southern
portion of the area are isoclinally folded with a well-

8,595
318,500

developed, sub-vertical, east-striking cleavage. The
fold axes vary in trend and plunge: in the west, the
fold axes plunge west at moderate angles (Hart et al.,
2002; Lafrance et al., 2004); near Jellicoe fold axes are
vertical; and as we move progressively to the east the
fold axes return to a westward plunge (Kehlenbeck,
1983). Shear discontinuities along axial planar surfaces
also become more prevalent to the east (Kehlenbeck,
1983). Earlier work also outlined a later deformational
event. It formed chevron folds with cleavage co-planar
to the axial surfaces (Kehlenbeck, 1983; Anglin and
Franklin, 1985). The second deformational event of
Kehlenbeck (1983) is probably spatially and genetically
related to regional, east-trending fault zones and is thus
at least partially the same event as D3 of Lafrance et
al. (2004).
Geraldton Camp
Gold mineralization in the belt has resulted from
the introduction of hydrothermal ﬂuids in zones of
high crustal permeability. Permeability was generated
by prolonged, multiple periods of deformation which
focused not only ﬂuids, but magmatic activity and
intrusions. In the Geraldton camp (Fig. 11), a major zone

- 12 -

�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2
______

Vv ..VvV . VV - VVVVVV.vVq Vd •''VVVVv.vvvvvvvvv VVVVVVVVy
vvvvvyvv i'i. VYVVVvJvvv,..'
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4vV.#V,..e'
:.VQV.vI;--Ivvvvvv-.v.,
vvv1vvvyy.g Fvv-v vvvvvvv
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vvvv vqyyvy.g.
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ivvvvvv .
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vvvvvjvv
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VVVVVVJ I
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.

-- IThH S
V

—

Uthotectonjc Zone

V

'I

GERALOTQn

A.
-

-

::
-

....

-

.

-&amp;/

-.

4
+

..

—

'.IV .

I—

-

—

-,.—--._c-_

.-

--———--

-

.

VVv'- .-

—

—

t

+

4

...jCy. .t+

— .—-———.— --- --—

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-

2

+

÷

4

4
4

+

4

+
+

4

4

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.V.yvVVVVV

4

3

SMile,

6

It iti

Porphyfflic lelsic intrusion
Equigranular teisic intrusion
Matic intruson

A

S

Clastic rnetp$edln,ents

iron tormation
Gold Occurrences
Major producing mines
Fault

ILITJ Matic to intermeiaIe metavolcamcs

Figure 11. Spatial association of gold deposits to the Barton Bay lithotectonic zone north of the Bankﬁeld-Tombill Shear
Zone. Modiﬁed after Macdonald (1985).

of deformation in which the gold mines are located has
been alternatively termed: the Bankﬁeld-Tombill Fault

Zone (Pye, 1952; Horwood and Pye, 1955); TombillBankﬁeld Deformation Zone (Lafrance et al., 2004);

2

—

and Barton Bay Deformation Zone (Williams and Stott,
1991). In acknowledging not only the deformation
within this zone, but also its lithologic variety, we will
use the term Barton Bay Lithotectonic Zone (BBLZ)
(Fig. 12).

N

Pt

(/

——
N

_* FFpa,tw

Horwood and Pye
(1955) noted that the
area adjacent to and
north of the BBLZ
not only has S-folds
related to the regional
folding pattern but also
has Z-folds. The Zfolds in this area only
occur along the north
side of and proximal
to the BBLZ. This led
Pye (1952), Horwood
Figure 12. Structure and
Stop locations within the
Barton Bay Lithotectonic
Zone. After Lafrance et
al. (2004).

'l*ir1JS
- 13 -

�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2

--

SFABRIC..

north of, and genetically linked to, the Barton Bay
Deformation Zone (BBDZ) (Fig. 13). This zone of
deformation varies from 1000 to 3000 m in total width
(Lavigne, 1983; in press), while the crush zone of the
Bankﬁeld-Tombill Fault proper ranges from meters to
hundreds of meters in width. The crush zone has been
intensely siliciﬁed (Pye, 1952), carbonatized (Anglin
and Franklin, 1985) and contains minor amounts of
gold (Pye, 1952).

-

—
-

BANKEICLO

—

MAGNET MrNE

Malic sIotayoicanlcs
Malic Introsives

_J

Mastive Aikose

Felsic Dike
H

Greywacke

ore

Figure 13. Fault-related fabric development in the Barton
Bay Lithotectonic Zone near Geraldton. Modiﬁed after
Colvine et al. (1984); from Scott (1985).

and Pye (1955) and Buck and Williams (1984) to
hypothesize that the second deformational event was
related to the development of east-trending faults. This
was conﬁrmed by Lafrance et al. (2004) (their D3) and
the faulting was attributed to transpression causing
dextral shear throughout the region.
Most mineralized occurrences in the Geraldton
camp lie in a zone of deformation to the immediate

Numerous Z-folds on various scales were formed
in the deformation zone. Auriferous vein systems in
the MacLeod-Cockshutt and Hard Rock mines are
hosted by one of the Z-folds. This structure plunges
shallowly west (Fig. 14; Horwood and Pye, 1955) and
is mimicked by minor parasitic folds in the BIF. The
parasitic Z-folds are generally less than 5 m in amplitude
(Macdonald, 1982, 1983a) and are commonly cut
by quartz-carbonate veins subparallel to axial traces.
Displacement zones, also subparallel to axial traces,
developed at lithologic contacts on isoclinal fold limbs,
also host auriferous veins. Veins parallel to axial planes
of folds are relatively straight and non-sinuous whereas
those orientated at an angle to axial planes of Z-folds
are highly ptygmatically folded.
Beardmore Camp
Gold mineralization in the Beardmore area is hosted
by quartz-carbonate and sulphide-bearing quartz veins
located in foliation-parallel, carbonatized, brittle-ductile
shear zones in either clastic metasedimentary rocks of
the SMB or in maﬁc metavolcanic rocks, proximal to

NORTH ZONE
F2

S
Figure 14. Block diagram of the North Zone at the MacLeod-Cockshutt and Hard Rock mines drawn by Lafrance et al.
(2004) using level mine plans published in Horwood and Pye (1955). Diagram shows the overprinting of a S F2 fold by a Z
F3 fold on the north limb of the Hard Rock anticline. Ore pods are shown in black.
- 14 -

�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2

T-e- '293

Figure 15. Map showing the surface trace of mineralized quartz veins on the Sand River - Leitch properties. After Ferguson
(1967a).

BIF of the SVB (Hart et al., 2002). Gold occurrences
are also hosted by quartz veins in post-tectonic intrusive
rocks and disseminated sulphides in carbonatized
shears in metavolcanic and metasedimentary rocks
associated with intrusive rocks.
Regional mapping by Hart et al. (2002) and a
composite longitudinal section of the Sand River Mine
and Leitch Mine vein system based on that of Ferguson
(1967a,b; Fig. 15) indicates that: 1) the Leitch Mine
No. 2 vein and the Sand River Mine vein are the same
vein; 2) the vein is foliation-parallel and is at a low
angle to the regional fold axis at a strike of 240° and
a dip of 65°; 3) the vein contains multiple ore shoots
that are a series of dilatant zones controlled by the
intersection of two regional fabrics such that the ore
shoots plunge moderately steeply at about 320° and
have good down-plunge continuity. The veins are
hosted by the ductile-brittle shear system which is
part of the Standingstone Lake fault (Hart et al., 2002;
a.k.a. Standingstone Lake – Watson Lake fault of Bruce
and Laird, 1937; Mackasey, 1975; Shanks, 1993), the
western extension of the Oxaline Lake – Watson Lake
fault (e.g., Williams, 1986). This fault trends about
075° northeast, and is topographically expressed by a
swampy valley that includes Standingstone Lake and
its associated tributaries, north of Highway 580, east
of the Leitch Mine. The fault is manifested by the
development of numerous small, northeast-striking,
carbonatized shear zones. Lafrance et al. (2004)
deﬁned the structure hosting this Sand River vein as
being parallel to the axial plane of this fold and S3.
The Standingstone Fault has been interpreted to be a

normal, south-side down fault (Carter, 1987) that has
experienced multiphase deformation from dip-slip to
dextral strike-slip (Williams, 1987).
The Northern Empire Mine is hosted by a series
of en échelon and composite quartz veins containing
differing amounts of pyrite, arsenopyrite, pyrrhotite
and chalcopyrite, hosted by carbonatized, sheared
metavolcanic rocks and interﬂow iron formation of
the SVB near the Empire fault and the SVB–SMB
contact. The quartz veining occurs in brittle features
of the deformed iron formation. The Empire Fault
trends approximately 060° northeast, is steeply south
dipping (but slightly shallower than the average dip
of the overturned metavolcanic ﬂows) and is marked
by a thin fault gouge of black graphite bordered by a
few feet of sheared rock (Benedict and Titcomb, 1948).
Previous interpretations (Benedict and Titcomb, 1948;
Shanks, 1993) placed the Empire Fault adjacent to
the SVB-SMB contact and Shanks (1993) interpreted
kinematic indictors to suggest a south side-up sense of
motion. Hart et al. (2002) suggested that there are 2
distinct, subparallel faults: the Empire Fault to the east,
and the Princess Lake Fault to the west, splaying off
the SVB-SMB boundary. Both of these resulted in the
formation of zones of brittle deformation in interﬂow
iron formations in maﬁc metavolcanic rocks of the
SVB that host auriferous quartz stringers containing
arsenopyrite, pyrite, pyrrhotite and chalcopyrite (Hart
et al., 2002).
Co-incidence of structures related to the fault
separating the BBA and the PPA northwest of

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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2

_________
Beardmore, and the location of post-tectonic, maﬁc
intrusion appear to have controlled the emplacement of
quartz veins hosting gold, copper and/or molybdenum
mineralization (Hart et al., 2002). The Tyson #1 gold
occurrence (Mason and White, 1986) and the Tyson #2
molybdenum occurrence (Hart et al., 2002; Mackasey
1975) are hosted by quartz veins in the post-tectonic
intrusion. Copper mineralization is hosted by sheared,
carbonatized lapilli tuff within the fault (Hart et al.,
2002). The fault trends approximately 075° to 080°,
is marked by intense carbonatization and weak to
moderate ankerite and calcite-ﬂooding, and may have
controlled the emplacement of the intrusion.
Vein Systems
Auriferous veins are typically 2 to 10 cm wide and
primarily composed of quartz plus ankerite, dolomite
and other carbonate species. Pyrite, arsenopyrite,
pyrrhotite, sphalerite and chalcopyrite are locally
present. The gold occurs as small blebs and fracture
ﬁlls within individual quartz and sulphide crystals and
in voids between crystals. It has also been observed
as ﬁne threads extending along cleavage planes in
carbonate minerals (Armstrong, 1943).
The auriferous veins often show evidence of
brecciation and multiple generations of quartz. The
brecciated zones are richer in gold that non-brecciated
areas (Bruce, 1935, 1937a,b; Horwood and Pye, 1955).
Crack-seal-textured ore veins, which predominate
at the Leitch and Sand River mines, are indicative of
successive periods of dilation and ﬂuid inﬂux. These
veins contained minor and varied amounts of pyrite,
arsenopyrite, chalcopyrite and tetrahedrite, scheelite

———

a
—- -

VEPN

—

Ii]

Li

.—

1:

LY!

JHT•::7
Figure 17. Plan of the North Zone (No. 30 Vein system),
250-foot level, Hard Rock Mine. After Horwood and Pye
(1955).

with septa of sericitic and carbonatized wall rocks.
Alteration Halos
Substantial alteration halos surround auriferous
veins (Fig. 16). Carbonatization (ankeritic dolomite)
dominates in host lithologies with low concentrations
of iron-bearing minerals (e.g., clastic sedimentary
rocks) and fracture zones associated with both major
and minor faults. Siltstones have been found to
contain up to 20% CO2 (Anglin and Macdonald, 1984).
Carbonatization is ubiquitous in the clastic sedimentary
rocks at the MacLeod-Cockshutt and Hard Rock mines.
However, 300 m along strike away from this structure,
carbonate alteration is rare (Macdonald, 1983a).
Siderite supercedes ankeritic dolomite as the major
carbonate phase within 5 cm of the vein margin.
In addition to carbonatization, pyritization occurs
in iron-rich rocks (e.g., BIF) adjacent to veins. These
pyritic halos not only replace the magnetite/hematite
laminae in BIF but also sandstone and siltstone laminae
in the Geraldton area. The pyritization generally
extends only centimetres to tens of centimetres away

3JN. RELATER MINERALOGY

I CLI

——-

IJI UAI'ON
CL!AST1

4Hr

/

HOST BOCLM(N &amp;A Lt

Figure 16. Host rock, alteration halo
and vein mineralogy for veins in iron
formation-siliciclastic assemblages.
From Scott (1985).
- 16 -

�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2

1976; Mason and McConnell, 1983; Scott, 1985).
Concentrations of gold may reach in excess of 15,000
ppb. In contrast to this, the surrounding, sulphide-free
BIF consistently contains less than 20 ppb gold (Anglin
and Macdonald, 1984; Fig. 19).

E? TREMC
CAR 0 OlAt 2 AT ION

Generation of Hydrothermal Fluids and Timing of
Mineralization

S U LPHI OAflOti
HALO

Figure 18. Schematic representation of vein-related
alteration, Hard Rock Mine (Scott, 1985); carbonatized zone
is approximately 1 m wide.

from individual veins. However, where densely packed
systems of veins exist sulphide bodies meters by tens
of meters in size have developed (e.g., MacLeodCockshutt-Hard Rock mines; Horwood and Pye, 1955;
Figs. 17 and 18).

Concentration ofOold ( ppb

S

r

An alternative model to those outlined above is the
genesis of the ﬂuids through metamorphic de-watering.
Studies conducted by Horwood and Pye (1955)
indicated the ﬂuids which deposited the auriferous
veins contained Ag, As, Au, C, Ca, Co, Hg, Mg, Pb, S,
Si, Te, W, Zn and possibly Fe and Ti. This assemblage is
similar to the elements enriched in and near auriferous
veins studied by Phillips and Groves (1983), Kerrich
and Hodder (1982) and Kerrich (1981). These authors
interpreted the ﬂuids which formed those deposits to
have been generated during burial and metamorphic
de-watering of a volcanic pile.

Cuncent,alio'i of Arsi'iic (ppm)

Concentration of Arsenic ( ppm)

ft

Concentration ofOold ( ppb

The vast majority of the gold associated with the
vein systems in BIF is contained within sulphides in
alteration halos. The gold generally occurs as submicroscopic particles and minute blebs within the
pyrite (Pye, 1952; Horwood and Pye, 1955; Mackasey,

Past studies have suggested the gold-bearing ﬂuids
in the Geraldton camp were derived either from a
granodioritic body (Croll Lake Stock) lying to the
immediate east of the area (Horwood and Pye, 1955;
Macdonald, 1983b) or by metamorphic redistribution
of gold contained in the banded iron formation (Boyle,
1976; Mackasey, 1975). Arguments can be made
against gold originating in the BIF. Sulphide-free BIF
in the area generally contains less than 20 ppb gold
(Anglin and Macdonald, 1984). This amount is much
lower than the average values of 61 ppb Au for highFe tholeiites and 78 ppb Au for volcanic-associated
BIF which were obtained from a volcanic pile lying
in Superior Province northwest of the BeardmoreGeraldton greenstone belt (Cowan and Crockett,
1980). Obviously, if volcanic and related chemical
sedimentary rocks in the map area have similar gold
contents (and sparse data indicate they do) they would
provide a more adequate source of gold. In addition,
alteration halos around the veins indicate the ﬂuids
were in marked disequilibrium, both in composition
and Eh, with the BIF signifying that they were derived
from an external source.

Figure 19. Gold and arsenic distribution associated with
veins at MacLeod-Cockshutt (MC) and Solomon’s Pillars
(SP). From Scott (1985).

The spatial association between the east-striking
fracture systems and the gold mineralization has led
previous authors to believe that the faults and related
minor structures served as passageways along which
the ﬂuids moved (Horwood and Pye, 1955; Macdonald,
1984; Anglin and Franklin, 1985). Structural control of

- 17 -

�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2

vein systems, and by inference, ﬂuid migration paths, is
common in the Superior Province (Rigg and Helmstaedt,
1981; Fryer et al., 1979; Stott and Schnieders, 1983;
Poulsen, 1983; Durocher and Hugon, 1983; Hodgson,
1983). The ﬂuids were probably generated at depth
and utilized the permeability developed in deformed
zones to gain access to higher crustal levels. Permeable
fault zones provide conduits to the ﬂuids allowing them
to move upwards towards lower-pressure/temperature
zones.
Episodic and protracted development of dilatant
zones and shearing is indicated by the open spaceﬁlling nature of the veins and their brecciation. Fluids
migrated towards dilation zones enveloping fault zones,
driven by a pressure gradient and seismic pumping
(Sibson et al., 1975). The same model has been put
forward to explain structurally controlled gold veins in
the western Wabigoon Subprovince (Poulsen, 1983).
The development of abundant carbonate and iron
sulphide in the reaction halos around veins indicates
the ﬂuid could not have been very acid (Krauskoph,
1967; Boyle, 1969) and was probably near neutral
(Phillips and Groves, 1983). The formation of massive
amounts of carbonate minerals also denotes a very CO2rich ﬂuid. This conforms to data from other studies
which advance H2O- CO2-dominated ﬂuids as of major
importance in the formation of Archean lode gold
deposits (Kerrich, 1981; Kerrich and Hodder, 1982).
Fluid inclusion studies of the MacLeod-Cockshutt
deposit also indicated a CO2-rich ﬂuid at a temperature
in excess of 380°C was involved in forming at least
some of the veins (e.g., Macdonald, pers. comm., 1985).
Recent research has suggested that major gold deposits
may be the result of prolonged mixing of two ﬂuids: a
hot, reducing, orogenic ﬂuid that migrates along major
regional fault structures; and a colder, oxidized, goldand base metal-enriched, magmatic ﬂuid associated
with late, mantle-derived plutons (c.f. Neumayr et al.,
2004; Rogers et al., 2004).
Gold mineralization in the Beardmore area has not
been studied to the same degree as in the Geraldton
area, but much of the preceding discussion is probably
applicable there as well. However, there are a number of
points speciﬁc to the Beardmore area. An intermediate
to felsic intrusion comparable to the Croll Lake Stock
has not been identiﬁed. There are a number of posttectonic maﬁc intrusions, and one of these intrusions
along the faulted BBA-PPA boundary hosts gold and
molybdenite mineralization (Tyson occurrences) and

there is copper mineralization in the adjacent fault
(Hart et al., 2002). Maﬁc intrusions of comparable
composition are located to the west of the Sand River
Mine, south of the interpreted trace of the Standingstone
Lake Fault, but intrusions are not spatially associated
with mineralization in either the Leitch or Sand River
mines. The Standingstone Lake Fault may be part
of the fault system separating the SMB and CVB
as it, in part, parallels this contact, but it also is the
approximate location of the reversal in top directions
in the metasedimentary rocks of the SMB (Hart et al.,
2002). Axinite, a borosilicate similar to tourmaline,
is located in brittle structures in maﬁc metavolcanic
rocks along strike with the Leitch – Sand River vein to
the east, and along the BBA-PPA contact to the north
(Hart et al., 2002). Although axinite is not associated
with gold mineralization, as in the Chibougamau (Dubé
and Guha, 1993) and Cadillac areas (Bardoux et al.,
1990), it may be a late-stage mineral associated with an
intrusion that may have supplied hydrothermal ﬂuids
during the gold-mineralizing event. However, the
axinite may be unrelated to the gold mineralizing event
and reﬂecting an unexposed pegmatite or the intrusion
of the diabase sill (e.g., Ozaki, 1972).
Gold mineralization at the Leitch and MacLeodCockshutt mines, the two largest, past-producing gold
mines in the Beardmore–Geraldton Belt, is associated
with D3 brittle shear zones and folds, overprinting
regional F2 folds (e.g., Lafrance et al., 2004). The
plunge of the ore zones is parallel to F3 fold axes
and to the intersection of D3 shear zones with F2 and
F3 folds. At the deposit scale, the plunge of the ore
zones is similar in orientation to the plunge of F3 axes
(e.g., North Zone, MacLeod-Cockshutt Mine) and
to the intersection of D3 shear zones with F3 folds
(e.g., Leitch Mine; Hart et al., 2002; Lafrance et al.,
2004) and F2 folds (e.g., F Zone, MacLeod-Cockshutt
Mine; Horwood and Pye, 1955). Lafrance et al. (2004)
provided an estimate for the age of syn-D3 gold
mineralization ranging from 2686 Ma (i.e., the age of
the pre-D3 Ottertail granite in the Rainy Lake district)
to 2640 Ma (i.e. the minimum age for the formation
of D3 structures and high-temperature metamorphism
in the Quetico subprovince; Zaleski et al., 1999). On
a subprovince scale, regional folds that are cut by D3
dextral shear zones are promising targets for discovering
the next generation of large gold deposits (ibid).

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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2

Stops

Geraldton gold camp
Junction Hwys 11 &amp; 584

Preface

2-1 MacLeod - Cockshutt headframe

The Beardmore-Geraldton area has been the subject
of numerous ﬁeld trips and published and unpublished
ﬁeld trip guide books, including those by Mason et al.
(1985), Fralick and Barrett (1991) and Williams and
Stott (1991). Bear in mind that when visiting active
exploration or mine properties, permission must be
granted by the property owner. Current ownership
information can be obtained from the Resident
Geologist’s Ofﬁce in Thunder Bay. Please exercise
caution along highway, road right-of-ways and lake
shores.

2-2 Porphyry Hill

km

Beardmore - South
Intersection of Hwy. 11 &amp; CNR
(Beardmore)

0

1-3 Blackwater fault/pillowed volcanic
rocks

0.0

2-3 Glory Hole BIF

Field Trip Road Log
Stop Locality

0.0

1.3

Junction Hwys 11 &amp; 584

0.0

Ashmore/Errington boundary

0.5

Mosher Mine turn-off

1.3

2-4 Conglomerate

1.3

2-5 Gabbro

1.6

Gravel Pit turn-off

2.3

Powerline crossing

3.8

Wintering Road turn-off

4.7

Powerline crossing

5.9

McClellan Strip

6.4

Magnet Mine turn-off

8.5

Bankﬁeld Mine turn-off

10.6

Key Lake/Malouf Vein

11.8

Wild Goose Lake Park

27.0

1-2 Quetico metasedimentary rocks

5.7

Jellicoe-Kinghorn Road

1-1 Sibley-Quetico unconformity

13.6

2-8 Southern Sedimentary belt sandstone
Jellicoe Post Ofﬁce

Beardmore - West

2-9 Pillowed maﬁc ﬂows

39.6
47
47.2

Junction of Hwy. 11 &amp; 580

0

East Leitch turn-off

5.8

Junction Hwy 11 &amp; Kinghorn Road

0

Longlac Superior strips

3.7

Ara Lake sign

1.7

72 Road turn-off

5.3

CNR tracks

2.9

7.1

Sturgeon River Bridge

5.3

Sand River Mine turn-off

7.4

6 km Road turn-off

6.0

1-8 Sand River 16 Vein Zone

8.3

2-6 Missing Link extension

7.2

1-7 Leitch BIF

8.4

Missing Link turn-off

7.7

1-6 Eva Creek: conglomerate/BIF

9.3

Missing Link parking spot

+0.4

1-5 Eva Creek: pyroclastic rocks

9.6

2-7 Missing Link (NE corner)

+0.2

1-9 Leitch mine turn-off

Million Dollar Road turn-off

10.4

High Hill Harbour turn-off

12.0

1-4 Poplar Lodge pillowed ﬂows,
G &amp; G Goodman driveway
(access to lakeshore)

14.0

Stop 1-1 - Archean – Proterozoic Unconformity
UTM coordinates - 0423431E 5483881N

The angular unconformity between east-trending,
steeply dipping Neoarchean Quetico metasedimentary
rocks and ﬂat-lying Mesoproterozoic Sibley Group
- 19 -

�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2
Figure 21. Stratigraphic column of
Quetico metaturbidites, Stop 1-2
(Fralick et al., 1992)

t..&amp;

Figure 20. Angular unconformity between steeply dipping
Quetico metaturbidites and overlying Sibley Group
sandstone-carbonate units, Highway 11 (Stop 1-1).

sedimentary rocks is exposed on both sides of Highway
11. The phyllitic Quetico rocks display layer-parallel
slickensides (bedding-parallel fault?).
This outcrop consists of metasedimentary rocks
unconformably overlain by a thin layer of Sibley
Group sandstone (Fig. 20). The underlying rocks were
folded to a near vertical position during the Kenoran
Orogeny, prior to Mesoproterozoic deposition of the
Sibley sedimentary units. The Sibley here consists of an
upper, 30 cm thick, orthoquartzite separated from the
Archean basement by 0 to 30 cm of siliciﬁed carbonate.
The carbonate occurs in fractures in the substrate up to
60 cm below the paleosurface. This gives the distinct
impression that the carbonate is a well-developed,
caliche zone. Caliche soils form in semi-arid settings
where the evaporation rate exceeds the precipitation
rate. Irregular laminations in this layer are up-buckled
in places, forming domical structures, probably the
result of expansion during crystallization. It is difﬁcult
to say much about the overlying orthoquartzite. It is
not even known if it is wind- or water-lain. Similar,
thin sandstone layers occur both to the east and
west of Lake Nipigon, separating basement from
Mesoproterozoic (Keweenwan) diabase sills. They are
correlated with the Sibley simply on the basis of their
probable Mesoproterozoic age.
Stop 1-2 - Quetico Metasedimentary Rocks
UTM coordinates - 0428530E 5489570N

Most of the Quetico consists of an unstructured
submarine ramp system (i.e., an environment where
large, long-lasting channels do not exist and sediment

delivery routes switch rapidly,
producing a chaotic structuring
to the deposits). This outcrop
provides one of the few examples
of structured channel outbuilding
in this ramp setting. A thinningand ﬁning-upward succession
of Bouma ADE, CDE and DE
turbidites is sharply overlain by
a thick-bedded unit of ABCD
turbidites with abundant clay
rip-ups and extra-basinal pebbles
(Fig. 21). The lower, 8 m-thick,
ﬁne-grained assemblage is the
upper portion of a subaqueous
channel feeding sediment from
the Beardmore-Geraldton forearc
basin to the Quetico trench. It is Orn
erosively overlain by the basal
section of the next channel complex.
The phyllitic rocks that occur at the northern margin
of the Quetico Subprovince south of Beardmore are
strongly sheared, exhibiting rust-spot elongation,
quartz ﬁbre lineation, and crinkles, some of which
can be attributed to non-parallel,cleavage-bedding and
cleavage-vein intersections (Williams and Stott, 1991).
None of these intersections appear to have reliable or
consistent tectonic signiﬁcance.
Stop 1-3 - Blackwater Fault / Pillowed Metavolcanic
Rocks
UTM coordinates - 0430174E 5493162N

Deformed, pillowed maﬁc metavolcanic rocks of
the Southern Volcanic Sub-belt are exposed along the
sides of Highway 11 just south of Beardmore. They
form the southern margin of the Beardmore-Geraldton
greenstone belt and the eastern Wabigoon Subprovince
in this area, where it is in fault-bounded contact with
Quetico metasedimentary rocks to the south. The
Blackwater River Fault (BRF) is a regional-scale
structure which separates the two subprovinces. It is
likely a dextral, transcurrent fault, similar to other subbelt-bounding structures in the Beardmore-Geraldton
belt. It has been traced for over 100 km and underlies
the valley occupied by Camproad Creek, a few hundred

- 20 -

�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2

intermediate to maﬁc metavolcanic rocks of the Central
Volcanic Sub-belt are exposed along the shoreline
of Lake Nipigon, just north of Poplar Lodge. They
have been described by numerous workers, including
Coleman (1907), Laird (1937), O’Brien (1985),
Tomlinson (1996) and Hart et al. (2002).

Figure 22. Deformed pillow basalt near Blackwater Fault,
Highway 11 (Stop #1-3).

metres south of this ﬁeld trip stop. Immediately north of
the BRF, Shanks (1993) noted a series of sub-vertical,
non-penetrative planar surfaces, interpreted to be either
slip surfaces or C-planes. Estimation of the ﬁnite strain
ellipsoid shape by Williams and Stott (1991) using
pillow shapes and selvage thickness indicated plane
strain. Localized, small-scale c-s fabrics were noted
by Williams and Stott (1991) in schistose selvages,
indicating a north over south sense of displacement.
Light grey-green weathering basalt ﬂows are
foliated at approximately 240°/80° north. They are
locally phyllitic, friable and gossanous. Despite
ﬂattening and aspect ratios of 3:1 to 10:1, pillows give
northward top directions. Pillows range in size from
0.5 to 1.0 m and have recessively weathered selvages
(Fig. 22). They contain ﬂattened vesicles near their
rims and are locally variolitic. Isolated patches of
autoclastic(?) breccia contains 0.10 to 0.25 m-sized,
lenticular fragments. The ﬂows are more massive to
the south and are crosscut by rusty, “bull-white” quartz
veins. Joint surfaces are coated with quartz and calcite.
A rusty quartz vein occupying the sheared contact
between basalt and sandstone to the north was sampled
but returned no gold nor silver. A 3m wide diabase
dyke trends ~155° and cuts the supracrustal rocks.

Massive, vesicular/amygdaloidal and/or pillowed
basalt/andesite, heterolithic breccias, as well as
porphyritic and ﬂow-banded units were described
by O’Brien (1985). Individual ﬂows in the CVB are
commonly a few metres thick, with a few examples that
are tens of metres thick with pillows that are generally
weakly deformed to undeformed. In this outcrop, the
pillows may be greater than 1 m in diameter (Fig. 23).
Pillow selvages are in these ﬂows are generally thicker
than in the maﬁc metavolcanic rocks. Internal features
include amygdaloidal and vesicular ﬂow laminae
textures and feldspar phenocrysts, with some pillows in
ﬂows to the south containing concentric ﬂow laminae
deﬁned by the alignment of vesicles approximately 1
mm in diameter.
Pillow breccias occur as a transition from the
pillowed ﬂows to the hyaloclastite-rich, pillow
fragment breccias, and are exposed on the western
end of the outcrop as it dips into the lake. The pillow
breccia portion of the units is generally 1 m wide, with
the pillows very abruptly diminishing in size away
from the main body of the ﬂow. A good example of
this type of breccia is exposed in the bay to the south,
~150m from this location, but is only accessible when
the water levels are low. Pillow fragment breccia forms
the major part of the unit, and is generally a few metres
in width adjacent to the ﬂow front. This transition is
visible near the waterline. The breccia thickens to the

Srop 1-4 - Poplar Lodge Pillowed Metavolcanic
Rocks
Private property access to lake shore; please ask
permission from cottage owners
UTM coordinates - 0421034E 5499814N (northern end
of section), 0421089E 5499665N (southern end of section)

Weakly deformed, northward-younging, pillowed

Figure 23. Pillow basalt, Poplar Lodge, Lake Nipigon (Stop
1-4).

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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2

west, which may suggest that the direction of ﬂow
was towards the west. Fragments generally consist of
sub-angular parts of pillows and rounded fragments or
amoeboid fragments and small pillows in hyaloclastite
matrix. Although the pillow breccias have been
classiﬁed as volcaniclastic rocks, a portion of the units
could be classiﬁed as hyaloclastite or rocks that are the
result of fragmentation of the magma due to interaction
with water (Cas and Wright, 1987; Batiza and White,
2000). There is no depth restriction to the formation of
the pillow breccias, as the breccias have been observed
in both shallow water and on seaﬂoor sites.
Heterolithic breccias consist of predominantly 0.5
to 10 cm sub-angular to angular clasts of intermediate
metavolcanic rocks, but minor clasts of feldsparporphyritic, felsic metavolcanic rocks, cherts and maﬁc
metavolcanic rocks overlie pillow breccias in a few
locations along the lake shore. Generally, the breccias
lack any internal structure. Although some areas appear
to have bedding structures, they generally cannot be
traced for any distance. The matrix is generally highly
chloritized and some of the smaller, more porous clasts
may have been totally chloritized; reaction rims along
clasts margins may be developed
Major element and trace element analysis indicated
that the pillowed ﬂows are tholeiitic basalt and andesite
(O’Brien, 1985), characteristic of mid-ocean ridge
basalt (Tomlinson, 1996; Hart et al., 2002).
Stop 1-5 - Eva Creek Pyroclastic and Sedimentary
Rocks
UTM coordinates - 0424037E 5498780N

Dacitic pyroclastic rocks along the southern margin

of the CVB are exposed on a small ridge 50 m east of
Highway 580 (Fig. 28). A massive, aphyric, monomictic
tuff-breccia has an iron-carbonatized matrix and is cut
by epidote veins (Fig. 24). It is foliated at 065°/78°
south and hosts narrow shear zones with crenulated
fabrics and quartz veins. There is a suggestion of
ﬂattened pillows at the northern edge of the outcrop.
A north-trending diabase dyke cuts the supracrustal
rocks.
An outcrop on the west side of Highway 580, across
from Stop #1-5, exposes typical, medium-bedded
turbidites of the SMB. These consist predomintly of A,
B, D and very minor E divisions. The minor E division
reﬂects very little clay in the sediment transport system,
a logical consequence of sediment feed being mostly
derived from active subareal, pyroclastic volcanism
to the north in the Onaman-Tashota terrain (Fralick,
2003). The interval of time between eruption, erosion
and sedimentation was not sufﬁcient to produce
signiﬁcant amounts of chemical weathering (i.e., clay).
The relative lack of C (rippled) divisions is more
difﬁcult to account for. One possibility is that higher
ocean temperatures resulted in a thinner, laminar
sublayer which ﬁne sand was capable of disrupting
and, since ripples need a laminar sublayer to form,
the C division was suppressed. The non-regular bed
thickness variation up through this section reﬂects
rapid changes of the position of sediment feed areas
into the subaqueous portions of the basin, resulting
in a somewhat chaotic interlayering of thin and thick
turbidites.
Stop 1-6 - Eva Creek Conglomerate / Banded Iron
Formation

•L.

$

t

, ,

UTM coordinates - 0423925E 5498505N

Figure 24. Deformed felsic pyroclastic breccia, Highway
580 (Stop 1-5).

Exploration of the local iron ranges began in earnest
around 1900 when several claims in what was to become
the Sand River and Leitch mines area were staked and
surveyed (Laird, 1937). In 1919, the Lake Superior
Ore Company was formed to option and drill a portion
of the Central range. At this time, the Kokoko camps
on claim A.L. 413 were built. Drilling carried on until
1920. Coleman (1907) reported that drilling returned
assays in the 40 to 50% Fe range, with negligible
amounts of deleterious sulphur and phosphorus. Laird
(1937) characterized the iron deposits of the Central
range:

- 22 -

“The beds have been crumpled and intricately folded,

�-2.

___2

FIuviaI

_________

a

Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2

______

•Ly€€d. 40
Dominated

.—'--.. .1

.!

b

SnhiIar.
orMagnelite
3 -r
and Sirisiclasb.
ThinLayered.

LI-

SiIisidasbc

.

I

2
0

with Thin
MagnetLte

t.aminae
20

/

No

fl(ilrCp

Sandstone
Lense In
Conglomerate

1J1/
IT
Trcijh

Crot

Stfat,flcabnn

0m

— Flooding

r — Surface

Figure 25. Stratigraphy,
Eva Creek section (Stop
1-6).

vi

.

ab
IF.

Im

on

tSandstV

with the result that they have the appearance of great
thickness in places. The formation is well-banded and
consists of thin layers of red jasper alternating with steelgrey hematite, the whole being irregularly interbedded
with dark slaty bands. The jasper-hematite bands are
not commonly more than a few feet in width and in
places they occur as mere streaks in the slaty material.
Magnetite is not a prominent constituent of this band,
but in places it is present in quantities sufﬁcient to
cause considerable magnetic disturbance.”
This is one of the best examples of the stratigraphic
position of BIF in the belt. The lower portion of the
section consists of interlayered magnetite, siltstone

r

•

•
•

Figure 26. Conglomerate associated with BIF, Eva Creek
(Stop 1-6).

and sandstone in various ratios from chemical
sediment-dominated to clastic-dominated (Fig. 25).
This is erosively truncated by a conglomerate. The
clast-supported, polymictic conglomerate (Fig. 26)
contains diffuse zones of larger and smaller clasts,
lenses of medium-grained sandstone and crescent
scours and sand shadows along internal surfaces where
sandstone lenses are concentrated. This is overlain
by a thick, medium-grained sandstone, which is, in
turn, succeeded by a clastic-BIF succession. A coarsegrained sandstone-conglomerate assemblage erosively
cuts down into this package, removing the upper metre
in places. This outcrop highlights the juxtaposition of
BIF and erosively based, ﬂuvial channels. The ﬂuvial
system was periodically extending into a nearshore
dominated by thin, graded siltstones and sandstones
with iron oxide laminae. The depositional architecture
is composed of a series of prograding parasequences
in the littoral zone with BIF developed on ﬂooding
surfaces. Commonly iron-rich BIF directly overlies
the ﬂooding surface and is upwardly transitional into
more clastic-dominated units. These may be erosively
incised by the next channel assemblage. Off-delta,
deeper-water turbidite units do not contain BIF. This
strongly indicates that BIF deposition was the result of
photosynthetic oxidation in the nearshore, producing an
oxygenated oasis near nutrient-rich waters emanating
from river mouths.

- 23 -

�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2

Stop 1-8 - Sand River Mines Property - #16 Vein
system
UTM coordinates - 0424339E 5497563N

The following history has been modiﬁed from
a summary reports prepared by Bevan (2004) for
Roxmark Mines Limited (who are the current property
owners) and Mason and White (1986). Laird (1937)
provided the ﬁrst geological description of the property
and its exploration activity.
History of the Sand River and Leitch Mines

Figure 27. Deformed BIF, Highway 580 (Stop 1-7).

Stop 1-7 - Leitch Banded Iron Formation
UTM coordinates 0424600E 5497867N

This is an excellent exposure of oxide-facies BIF
interlayered with siliciclastic layers. Unlike many BIF’S
in this region, hematite, not magnetite, dominates this
exposure. At ﬁrst glance the rocks give the impression
that there is intense shearing along the cleavage
direction disrupting the layering (Fig. 27). Closer
examination may lead to a different conclusion. The
sharp-sided, clay-poor, medium-grained sandstones
form lenses (averaging 1 cm thick), cutting saucershaped scours into the 1 mm-thick, stacked iron oxide
laminae. That is, the sandstones are lenticular to ﬂaserbedded. Some lenses appear to be ripple-laminated,
although the cleavage cutting through at a similar
angle makes identiﬁcation problematic. This type of
siliciclastic depositional system is typical of distal
portions of distributary mouth bars in deltaic settings.
The interlayering of iron formation indicates relatively
rapid precipitation of the chemical sediments in a
nearshore environment.

The ﬁrst discovery of gold in the Standingstone
River area west of Beardmore was made on what
became the Sand River Mine property in June, 1934
by Russell Cryderman (Laird, 1937). The Discovery or
Number 1 vein averaged only 13 inches in width, but
was remarkably persistent along strike, being exposed
in cross-trenches and surface pits over a length of 2100
feet. The vein was traced to the northeast onto the Leitch
Mine in 1935 (Fig. 28). Stripping and trenching were
carried out by the newly incorporated Sand River Gold
Mining Company on the Number 1 vein. Servicing
was by two three-compartment shafts, 2950 feet apart
in a northeasterly direction: the westerly Sand River
shaft to 2656 feet and the Leitch main shaft to 3006
feet, with a winze from the 19th (2875-foot) level to
the 30th (4525-foot) level. A road connecting the two
properties with Beardmore was constructed in 1936.
Production started with milling facilities at 75 tons
per day at both properties in 1937. Between 1937 and
1942, Sand River processed 157,870 tons at a recovery
grade of 0.32 ounce gold per ton, yielding 50,065
ounces gold, to their 9th (1150-foot) level. Mining was
by conventional shrinkage stoping with an approximate
width of 3.0 feet. The Sand River operation ceased in
1942. Leitch Mines processed 80 tons per day, milling
176,535 tons at a recovery grade of 0.71 ounce gold
per ton in the same period with a high-grade resuing
approach.
Northern Empire Mines Limited, a subsidiary of
Newmont Mining Corp., began milling operations in
Beardmore in 1934 with a maximum of 186 tons per
day in 1939 and ceased in 1941. They then acquired
the Sand River property on a ten-year lease. They
drifted out on two of the three un-mined Sand River
levels above the diabase sill. Sufﬁcient encouragement
led them to collar a winze on the Sand River 11th or
1450-foot level, designed to sink through the diabase.

- 24 -

�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2

The winze was stopped at 1506 feet when war broke
out in Europe. Northern Empire resumed operations
at Sand River in 1944 as the Undersill Gold Mining
Company. Undersill de-watered and deepened the
Sand River shaft through the ﬂat-lying, 600-foot thick
diabase sill to 2180 feet. The shaft was bottomed at
2656 feet. They explored the 17th or 2610-foot level
with a shaft crosscut of approximately 450 feet and
2340 feet of drifting, of which 1300 feet was eastward
to the Leitch boundary, and 1040 feet was westward.
The 1947 Leitch Gold Mines Limited Annual Report
stated that Northern Empire’s Undersill Gold Mining
Company had encountered “good ore” on the Sand
River 17th (2610-foot) level, an extension of the highgrade Leitch Number 2 vein. Northern Empire, unable
to capitalize on its 1944 to 1947 development with
gold at US$35 per ounce, closed down the Undersill
Gold Mining operation in 1954 and concentrated
development at its Magnet Mine, near Geraldton.
Leitch acquired the Sand River property in the same
year to protect the depth extension of their steeply westplunging Number 2 vein. Leitch developed the Sand
River property by an internal winze at the Leitch Mine
from their 19th (2875-foot) level to the 30th (4525foot) level. Leitch’s production from the Sand River
- Undersill Gold Mining Company’s holdings totalled
376 283 tons at a recovery grade of 1.11 ounces gold
per ton from 1955 to mine closure in 1965. This was
an appreciable improvement of grade with depth from
530 112 tons at 0.79 ounce gold per ton from 1938 to
1954 above the 19th level. Environmental requirements
were completed on the Leitch Mine and the Sand River
property was returned to the original owners in 1968.
In 1940, exploration by Halport Gold Mines outlined
a parallel vein system, named the #16 vein system. The
following table covers the history of this discovery.
Historical Summary - #16 Vein System
1940 - Halport Gold Mines located a number of
surface veins on Claim AL 415 at the eastern end to the
boundary with Sand River Claim TB 12944.
1944 - Leitch acquired the Halport holdings.
1945 - 22 diamond drill holes totalling 16 510 feet
were drilled.
1950 - A long crosscut on the 8th level was initiated
because surface drilling had indicated ore at this
horizon.
1951 - Further crosscutting and some drilling was

carried out.
1952 - Further crosscutting and drifting to open up
the #16 vein. Drilling of 51 underground holes totalling
11,116 feet, mainly on the 8th level.
1953 - Further drilling and stoping on the #16 vein
– production and milling of 3,598 tons grading 0.56
oz. Au/ton.
1969 - Teck Corporation (together with HighlandBell Limited and F.E. Hall) purchased control of the
Leitch Gold Mines property.
1971 - The entire Leitch assets were acquired by
Teck Corporation.
1946 - Teck Corporation carried out exploration
work until 1981 over the Leitch property, including line
cutting, VLF-EM magnetometer surveys, 393 holes of
overburden drill sampling and 29 short diamond drill
holes totalling 3,454 feet and covering a strike length
of 1,400 feet. One hole was abandoned.
1987 - Sand River-Cryderman diamond drilling
program. 10 holes totalling 2,030 feet were drilled on
Claim TB 12944 covering the #16 vein to the east.
1988 - Teck Corporation drilling program in joint
venture with San Paulo Explorations Inc. 24 diamond
drill holes totalling 22,098 feet, of which three were
abandoned, one hit the open stope and one intersected
the vertical diabase dyke and was terminated. Airborne
and ground geophysical surveys and reverse circulation
drilling were also undertaken until 1989.
2003 - Acquisition of Sand River property by
Roxmark Mines Limited; Advanced Exploration
project initiated.
In 2003, Roxmark Mines Limited acquired the
Sand River, Leitch and East Leitch properties from
Rio Fortuna, Teck Cominco and Kinross, respectively
(News Release, Roxmark Mines Limited, November
28, 2003) and began an Advanced Exploration program.
In 2004, two vein systems were exposed by trenching,
stripping, channel sampling and stockpiling at the
East Leitch and Sand River #16 zones, respectively.
Stripping of these areas had been recommended in
preparation for taking bulk samples (ibid). Geological
mapping and sampling was planned to gain a better
understanding of the mode of occurrence and identify
other possible veins and extensions in the #16 vein
system. Further exploration in the form of diamond
drilling in ﬁve areas was recommended as follow-

- 25 -

�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2

Sand River - Lelich Mines
(altar Ferguson (1967a)
0

results conﬁrm the historical sampling data completed
by Teck Corporation. Furthermore, the current assay
results conﬁrm the historical drill holes that intersected
the #16-1 Vein. Recent Roxmark assays of the #16-5
West vein were 1.058 ounces Au per ton over a 26.5
foot strike length. The #16-5 East Vein returned 1.094
ounces Au per ton over a strike length of 35.0 feet.

I

loOm

Geology of the #16 Vein Area

Figure 28. Geology of the Sand River-Leitch mines area
after Ferguson (1967a), showing Stop locations.

up work in preparation for underground exploration
and development. Bulk samples will be processed at
Roxmark’s 200 ton-per-day Northern Empire Mill in
Beardmore.
Roxmark reported the results of samples taken
from the #16-vein system on the Sand River Mine
property (ibid, December 16, 2004). The Company
is continuing with its plan for the surface bulk sample
program and in particular, the in-ﬁll sampling on the
#16-1 and #16-5 veins. Channel samples were cut
every three feet. All composite assays used a minimum
width of 1.0 feet. The #16-1 West Vein returned an
average assay of 1.737 ounces Au per ton over a
strike length of 42 feet. The #16-1 East Vein returned
0.347 ounce Au per ton over 37 feet. The recent assay
16 Vein Zone
Sand River Mine

The Leitch-Sand River area (Figs. 15 and 28), most
recently mapped by Hart et al. (2002), is predominantly
underlain by clastic metasedimentary rocks of the SMB.
Thickly bedded, southward-younging, overturned,
feldspathic sandstone and siltstone have been wellexposed by recent stripping operations in the vicinity
of the #16 North zone (Fig. 29). Bedding has eastnortheasterly to east-southeasterly orientations with
steep, northerly dips. Sub-parallel shear zones are
distinguished by well-developed, slaty S3 cleavage,
as well as local sericitization and carbonatization.
Oblique cleavage – bedding relationships are locally
exposed. Cleavage is refracted through interbedded
siltstone and sandstone beds (Fig. 30).
A number of auriferous quartz veins have been
exposed in the immediate area (Figs. 28 &amp; 29). Visible
gold occurs within fractures in quartz veins and most
commonly is found along thin seams or septa of
sericite and chlorite, along with arsenopyrite, pyrite
and ankerite in composite, “crack-seal”-textured veins.
Tetrahedrite and sphalerite are also reported to occur
in these fractures. Pink-beige scheelite is relatively
abundant.

:i

The Leitch Mine No. 2 vein and the Sand River Mine
vein are the same vein striking southwest parallel to a

N

Figure 29. Map of stripping and veins, Sand River 16 Vein
zone (Stop 1-8).

Figure 30. Refraction of cleavage in sandstone/siltsone,
Sand River 16 Vein zone (Stop 1-8).

- 26 -

�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2

subvertical to vertical tectonic fabric which is subparallel
to the original bedding in the clastic metasedimentary
rocks (Hart et al., 2002). The vein contains multiple
oreshoots that plunge at about 320° in the plane of
the 65° northwest dipping vein, and these shoots are
controlled by the intersection of the ﬁrst fabric with a
second regional tectonic fabric. Lafrance et al. (2004)
deﬁned the strike of the vein as 240° and dip 65°, with
plunges to the oreshoots being consistent with the F3
fold axes, parallel to the Standingstone - Watson Lake
Fault which was likely developed in two parallel, D3,
dextral shear zones. Ore zone plunges are consistent
with F3 fold axes. Hart et al. (2002) identiﬁed that
the potential for additional gold mineralization would
be very high in structures subparallel to parallel to the
Sand River Mine – Leitch Mine No. 2 vein, such as the
No.16 veins that are exposed north of the Sand River
Mine shaft.
Stop 1-9 - Leitch Mine
UTM coordinates - 0425302E 5497484N

This stop allows trip participants to scour Leitch
Mine dump piles for representative samples of goldbearing quartz veins and clastic sedimentary rocks.
Visible gold occurs within fractures in quartz veins and
most commonly is found along thin seams or septa of
sericite and chlorite, along with arsenopyrite, pyrite
and ankerite in composite, “crack-seal”-textured veins.
Tetrahedrite and sphalerite are also reported to occur
in these fractures. Pink-beige scheelite is relatively
abundant. Leitch Mine operated continuously from
1937 to 1965. Mill clean-up ensued between 1966 and
1968. One of the highest-grade gold mines in Canada
during its lifetime, the mine yielded 861,981 ounces of

fl•

gold from 1,022,360 milled tons at a recovered grade
of 0.915 ounce gold per ton. 31,802 ounces of silver
were also produced at a grade of 0.035 ounce silver
per ton. 64.3 tons of tungsten ore were produced at
a average grade of 3.95% WO3. Figure 31 gives us a
glimpse of the property at the time of its discovery.
Day Two - Geraldton Area
Past-producing gold mines in the Geraldton camp
(~ 3.1 million ounces) are conﬁned to the northern
part of the SMB and are localized by the Barton Bay
Deformation Zone (BBDZ). The BBDZ (Fig. 12) is
a 1 km wide, high-strain zone that extends from the
Hard Rock and MacLeod-Cockshutt mines west along
Highway 11 to the Bankﬁeld Mine (Pye, 1952; Lavigne,
in press; Lafrance et al., 2004). Shear is distributed
heterogeneously across the BBDZ. In contrast to
the maﬁc metavolcanic/maﬁc intrusive rocks to the
north, and the monotonous sequence of sandstone
to the south, the rocks within the BBDZ (maﬁc to
intermediate intrusive rocks, felsic porphyry dykes
and sills, sandstone/pelite, conglomerate and BIF)
are complexly intercalated and have high competency
contrasts. As noted by Lavigne (in press), only a very
few areas in the belt have such lithologic heterogeneity.
All of the aforementioned rocks in the BBDZ, except
for the conglomerates, host gold. Although Geraldton
is often considered to be a BIF-hosted gold camp, it
is important to note that less than 30% of the gold
came from BIF-hosted ore (Macdonald, 1982). Most
of the production came from clastic sedimentary
rocks, particularly at or near the contact with feldspar
porphyry intrusions. Anglin and Franklin (1985) cited
a more consistent spatial relationship between gold
mineralization, deformation zones and felsic intrusive
rocks.
Stop 2-1 - MacLeod-Cockshutt Mine
UTM coordinates - 0504200E 5502770N

2

4

Figure 31. No. 1 vein, Leitch Mine, October 1935 (Laird
1937; Stop #1-9).

The history of the MacLeod-Cockshutt Mine (Fig.
32) has been summarized by Horwood and Pye (1955)
and Mason and White (1985). In 1931, following the
discovery of gold by W.W. Smith on Discovery Point,
Kenogamisis Lake, F. MacLeod and A. Cockshutt
staked the ground adjoining the Hard Rock Gold Mines
Limited property to the west. Surface exploration led
to the discovery of gold-bearing quartz veins in 1931.
The discovery of larger mineralized zones in 1933

- 27 -

�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2

'j

____

I

Figure 32. Map of the
MacLeod-Cockshutt
– Hardrock mines area
(modiﬁed after Ferguson
1967). Pf = albite
porphyry; IF = banded iron
formation; sandstone is
unlabelled and unhatched.

led to the organization of a new company, MacLeodCockshutt Gold Mines Limited. In 1934, shaft-sinking
began here at the Number 1 shaft; the Number 2
shaft, 600 m to the southeast, was sunk in 1936. The
MacLeod-Cockshutt Mine became the ﬁfth producing
gold mine in the Little Long Lac area on April 19,
1938 when a mill with a rated capacity of 600 tons per
day was brought into operation. In 1967, MacLeodCockshutt Gold Mines Limited, Consolidated Mosher
Mines Limited and Hard Rock Gold Mines Limited
were amalgamated to form MacLeod Mosher Gold
Mines Limited. Underground operations continued
until July, 1970. The mine had produced 1,546,980
ounces of gold at an average grade of approximately
0.14 ounces of gold per ton. This total accounts for
about half of all the gold produced by the 10 mines in
the Geraldton gold camp between 1934 and 1970.
In the 1980’s, Lac Minerals Ltd. (now Barrick Gold
Corporation) undertook studies of existing underground
reserves at the MacLeod-Cockshutt and neighbouring
Hardrock mines and carried out lithogeochemical
sampling (Gray, 1993).
Starting in 1987, Lac
conducted ground geophysical surveys, followed by
77 diamond drill holes, totaling approximately 50,000
feet. Targets, especially those with open pit potential,
were investigated (e.g., Hardrock D and F; North and
South Porphyry; Porphyry Hill zones). In 1992, Asarco
Exploration Company of Canada Limited entered into a
5-year earn-in agreement with Lac and in 1993 carried
out a program of reverse circulation overburden drilling
and diamond drilling, the latter largely focusing on the
near-surface portion of the F-zone and targets along the
plunging nose of the albite porphyry (ibid). As a result

of this work, a geological resource was calculated by
Horvath (1993) for the Porphyry Hill, West and East
pits:
Pit Resource: 1,920,000 tons grading 0.079 ounce
gold per ton (with strip ratio, including overburden,
of 4.76 to 1)
Ramp Resource: 1,160,000 tons grading 0.127
ounce gold per ton
Asarco continued their exploration campaign
into 1994, completing reverse circulation holes in
overburden; sonic holes in tailings; and an additional
40,000 feet of diamond drilling, mostly on the
aforementioned targets (Gray, 1994). Cyprus Canada
Inc. assumed Asarco’s role in the Lac Minerals
agreement in 1996 and drilled 24 holes, leading to the
discovery of the B-zone (Mason and White, 1997).
The agreement ended in 1997 and the properties have
been dormant since then. Lac Minerals Properties
Inc. began a rehabilitation program in 1996 that is still
active.
In the ﬁrst description of the ﬂedgling Little Long
Lac (i.e. Geraldton) camp, Bruce (1935) proposed
three types of gold deposits:
(1) Shear zones in sedimentary rocks, along which
narrow, but closely spaced quartz veins occur in parallel
planes;
(2) Irregular veins of quartz accompanied by
pyrite, ﬁlling fractures in iron formation; and
(3) Zones of pyritization and siliciﬁcation in both
in sedimentary and intrusive rocks.

- 28 -

�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2

the porphyry and the adjacent metasedimentary rocks.
The second ore type is exempliﬁed by the North,
North Limb, South Limb and West zones (Fig. 33).
Ore consists of masses, lenses and tongues of almost
massive sulphides that replace folded wall rock,
particularly laminae of incompetent, sheared sandstone
and magnetite beds in banded iron formation. Sulphides,
principally pyrite and arsenopyrite, also replace rocks
adjacent to steeply dipping, east-trending shear fractures
or shallowly west-dipping, north-trending tension
fractures. Fractures are commonly healed by late(r)stage quartz. It was reported that replacement-type ore
averaged approximately 0.5 ounce gold per ton, while
fracture-ﬁlling ore typically returned between 1 and 3
ounces gold per ton.

p

West

-.

BodieE!\._____

....-. ...

-

VS Replacement
Systems

Albite Porphyry

= Iron

Sandstone—

Argillite
9

6pm

Figure 33. Vertical north-south section, MacLeod-Cockshutt
Mine. After Horwood and Pye (1955).

The third ore type, best exempliﬁed by the Fzone, consists of numerous quartz veins and stringers
localized within a wide zone of shearing and fracturing
along the northern side of the albite porphyry. The
veins and stringers range in width from &lt; 1 to 10 cm.
They appear to be largely conﬁned to sandstone and
lean BIF nearer to surface and occur in altered quartz
diorite at lower levels to the west. Generally, quartz
stringers are bordered by buff-coloured, sericitized and
carbonatized sandstone with ﬁne- to coarse-grained
pyrite and subordinate arsenopyrite. In iron-bearing
wall rock, sulphides are more predominant and may

Six main ore zones were exploited at the MacLeodCockshutt Mine. Horwood and Pye (1955) classiﬁed
the MacLeod-Cockshutt orebodies and zones of
mineralization into three distinct types:
(1)

Quartz veins and mineralized zones

(2) Irregular, massive sulphide-quartz lenses in a
folded series of sandstone and banded iron formation
(3) Quartz stringer zones in sandstone and
subordinate quartz diorite.
The ﬁrst ore type, exempliﬁed by the South, No.
210 Quartz Vein, No.’s 516, 517 and 519 Drift zones,
is manifested by numerous but small lenses of semimassive sulphides (coarse pyrite + arsenopyrite,
sphalerite and chalcopyrite) scattered along the
contacts of intrusions and metasedimentary rocks; by
disseminated, auriferous sulphides in porphyry; and by
minor quartz-carbonate veins and stringers cutting both

Figure 34. No. 1 Shaft headframe, MacLeod-Cockshutt
Mine (Stop 2-1).

- 29 -

�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2

secondary pyrite in association with iron carbonatization
and quartz veining. Transpressive/oblique compression
has produced open Z-folds and localized S-folds,
with evidence of re-folding and late(r) transposition
(Figs. 35 and 36). Consistently shallow (15° to 25°)
plunges are observed on fold hinges. Lafrance et al.
(2004) noted several, small isoclinal F1folds that were
folded by parasitic F2 S-folds, resulting in a strong,
rod-like, coaxial lineation that plunges 20° to 40° west,
subparallel to the strike of the S2 axial-planar cleavage
(100°/85° southwest) of regional folds.

Figure 35. Deformed magnetite BIF, MacLeod-Cockshutt
Mine (Stop 2-1; coin is 2 cm in diameter).

The BIF consists of a ﬁnely parallel-laminated
sequence of alternating, magnetite-rich layers and
silt- to very ﬁne sand-rich layers. The sand layers
rarely show grading due to deformation, although
some graded examples show increasing magnetite
content in their clay-rich tops, which are gradational
to the overlying, pure chemical sediment layer. On
the microscopic scale, the magnetite layers have small
amounts of chert and detrital minerals, but are otherwise
mineralogically pure. Although deformation limits the
depositional interpretations that can be drawn in this
area, other exposures near Beardmore (e.g., Stop 1-6)
indicate that the iron-rich sediments accumulated in
the shore-proximal positions near the mouths of rivers
in braid-delta complexes.
Stop 2-2 - Porphyry Hill, Hard Rock Gold Mines
Limited

4(j

UTM coordinates - 0504810E 5502850N

Figure 36. West-plunging folds in BIF, MacLeod-Cockshutt
Mine (Stop #2-1).

form small replacement lenses. Although the quartz
veinlets contain visible gold, much gold is also
associated with replacement pyrite and arsenopyrite.
The recently exposed outcrop at the base of the No.1
shaft headframe (Fig. 34) displays highly deformed
BIF and sandstone, part of a band that extends 600 m
east onto the Hard Rock Mine property and hosts the
North ore zone there (Stop 2-3). The steeply dipping
BIF contains primary magnetite, but displays some

In 1935, Hard Rock Gold Mines Limited began
surface work and diamond drilling on the “Porphyry
Hill” section of the property and discovered goldmineralized zones in and along the northern tongue of
porphyry (Horwood and Pye, 1955). The discovery
of scattered, ﬁnely disseminated pyrite and numerous,
small quartz stringers prompted underground followup, resulting in the deﬁnition of the No. 1 and No. 2
vein systems. In addition, a small, high-grade shoot
outcropped near the western property boundary. The
X-vein system was deﬁned underground (3.5 feet wide,
110 feet long, with an average grade of 0.049 ounce
gold per ton), within an inclusion of sandstone and lean
BIF in albite porphyry (ibid).
Asarco’s proposed Porphyry Hill open pit was
designed to recover shallow ore from several zones,
including the F-zone (sandstone-BIF-hosted; northern
porphyry contact-hosted); Porphyry zone (sheared

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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2

Stop 2-3 - Glory Hole BIF, Hard Rock Gold Mines
Limited
UTM coordinates - 0504862E 5503143N

Deformed, gold-bearing BIF is exposed along the
edges of a fenced-off, water-ﬁlled glory hole, just south
of Highway 11 that represents the mined, near-surface
portion of the Hard Rock North ore zone. BIF occurs
with siltstone/sandstone, porphyry sills and diorite
sills and dykes. This orebody consisted of numerous,
irregularly shaped replacement lenses of sulphides
distributed in an east-trending zone along the northern
limb and in the trough of a minor synform having a
plunge of approximately 30° west (Horwood and Pye,
1955). The open stope mimics the shape of a F3 Z-fold
deﬁned by folded BIF horizons (Macdonald, 1988).
Individual lenses were not of great lateral and vertical
extent, but had lengths of up to 300 feet and widths up
to 30 feet. Collectively, these sulphide lenses formed
an ore zone which persisted and plunged onto the

Figure 37. Contact between albite porphyry and sandstone/
BIF, Porphyry Hill (Stop 2-2).

porphyry-hosted); South Porphyry zone (southern
porphyry contact-hosted) and the Southern Iron
Formation zone. Horvath’s (1993) geological resource
estimate for the Porphyry Hill open pit included an
estimated high-grade resource of 1.02 million tons at
a grade of 0.100 ounce gold per ton, and a low-grade
resource of 0.48 million tons at a grade of 0.034 ounce
gold per ton (for a total of 1.5 million tons grading
0.079 ounce gold per ton).
Deformed porphyry dykes and sills intruding
sandstone and BIF are exposed at this site (Fig. 37).
Crowded albite and minor quartz phenocrysts occur in
a ﬁne-grained matrix of quartz, feldspar, sericite, calcite
and chlorite. An age of 2698.6±1.3 Ma was obtained on
a Au-mineralized “crowded albite” feldspar porphyry
dyke at the Hard Rock Mine (Corfu, 2000).

Figure 38. Oxide-facies banded iron formation (BIF) cut by
massive sulphide (MS)-rich alteration envelope surrounding
quatz-carbonate vein (QV), Hard Rock Mine (Stop 2-3).

MacLeod-Cockshutt property to the west. This is the
same BIF that is exposed below the No. 1 headframe
(Stop 2-1), approximately 600 m west of this location.
The so-called massive sulphide lenses contain up to
65% combined pyrite, arsenopyrite and pyrrhotite, the
remainder being quartz. Minor sphalerite, chalcopyrite
and galena, as well as accessory ankerite, calcite and
tourmaline has also been noted. Replacement, controlled
by quartz-ﬁlled fractures and bedding planes, is locally
pervasive, destroying primary lithologic features
(Fig. 38). Pervasive carbonatization accompanies
replacement and gold mineralization. Replacement
lenses are localized in zones of intense deformation

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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2

W1iItFigure 39. Pre- and post-rehabilitation views of the MacLeodCockshutt tailings at the junction of Highways 11 and 584,
showing new Heritage Interpretative Centre.

along contacts between sandstone and BIF, and in the
noses of small, asymmetric folds in an orientation
consistent with the axial-planar cleavage in these folds
(Anglin and Franklin, 1985). North zone ore mined
to the mid-1940’s averaged approximately 0.25 ounce
gold per ton.
Stop (optional) - Geraldton Reclamation Project
In the late 1990’s, Barrick Gold Corporation, in
conjunction with the Town of Geraldton and government
agencies embarked on a tailings reclamation project.
This Tourism Development Project led to the
development of the Heritage Interpretative Centre and
a 9-hole expansion of the Kenogamisis Golf Course.
The following description has been gleaned from
the website of one of the designers (http://www.gsd.
harvard.edu/people/faculty/schwartz/projects.html).
In the Geraldton recalmation project, mine tailings
were reshaped for both aesthetic and economic reasons
(Fig. 39). 14 million tons of tailings from the mines
covered 170 acres to a depth of 27 feet. In order to spur
economic redevelopment, the Town made the decision
to make something of the tailings by improving their
appearance and adding opportunities for visitors.
Design alternatives involved sculpting the ﬂat pile
into compelling sculptural landforms which serve as
a dynamic roadway edge and a gateway to the town.

Trails invite one to walk, bird watch, mountain bike,
snow board, sled or snowmobile. Technical constraints
were key to the ﬁnal form of the earthwork. The different
types and sizes of earth-moving equipment and their
turning radii provided guidelines for the grading plan.
A primary objective in the project was to balance cut
and ﬁll, and to maintain a maximum total earth moving
of 150 000 cubic meters. Cut is kept to a minimum
as arsenic levels are higher toward the bottom of the
pile. There is a cap at the bottom of the pile of tailings,
and there is a maximum of an additional 5 m that can
occur on top. Standing water has been considered as a
design element, but the water table has been respected
by the re-grading. Storm drainage is maintained and
the proposed earthwork does not impede sight lines
for trafﬁc safety. Six to twelve inches of peat topsoil
were added to disturbed areas to aid in revegetation.
A planting plan for the project focuses primarily on
native grasses, especially those golden in color. The
Geraldton project reveals the power of design to remake
a wasteland into a new landscape. Even more than an
earthwork, this landform is also a cultural artifact,
highlighting the location and role of mining in the life
of the town.
Stop 2-4 - Conglomerate, Highway 11
UTM coordinates - 0502906E 5502908N

Low outcrops on the south side of Highway 11
opposite the turnoff for the Consolidated Mosher Mine
display deformed conglomerate, sandstone and BIF
of the SMB within the BBLZ. As noted by Williams
and Stott (1991), strain is exhibited by differentiated
layering in pelitic rocks and elongated clasts in
the conglomerates, especially in less-competent,
maﬁc clasts (Fig. 40). Abundant, shallowly west-

Figure 40. Sheared conglomerate in BBLZ, Highway 11
(Stop 2-4; Pen is 15 cm long.)

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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2

plunging, Z-folds with attendant axial-planar fabrics,
back-rotated pebbles, pressure fringes and intraclast
fractures support the contention that the BBLZ is a
major dextral, ductile shear zone (Williams and Stott,
1991). Lafrance et al. (2004) noted that the long axes of
deformed granitic clasts in polymictic conglomerate are
parallel to the axial plane of F3 folds. S2 strikes 100°
in the sandstone matrix away from the clasts, but as it
wraps around the clasts, it changes orientation to that
of the elongated granitic clasts, resulting in a geometry
similar to dextral, asymmetrical strain shadows around
rigid objects (ibid).
Polymictic,
clast-supported,
cobble-pebble
conglomerate with deformed, lenticular lenses of
deformed sandstone is interbedded with thicker,
medium-grained sandstone sheets. They collectively
represent a gravelly, braided ﬂuvial system with sanddominated channels, separated by gravelly longitudinal
bar complexes. The bars were active during ﬂood events
with small sand channels within the bars developing as
chutes during falling stage. In these types of braided
systems, more massive, coarser-grained gravels
developed in the bar-head region of the bars. Bar-tails
are often composed of interlayered sand and thin gravel
layers, dissected by secondary channels.
Stop 2-5 - Gabbro, Highway 11
UTM coordinates - 0502530E 5502860N

Approximately 300 m west of Stop 2-4, outcrops
of deformed gabbro lie on the south side of Highway
11, just east of a small pond. The amphibolitized,
medium-grained gabbro is cut by a network of dark
green, chloritic zones &lt; 1 cm wide in which hornblende
megacrysts are elongated. These anastomosing shear
bands separate lozenges of relatively undeformed
gabbro, imparting an disconcerting impression of
a pillowed basalt ﬂow. With increasing degrees of
deformation, the shear bands become sub-parallel,
forming a C fabric (Macdonald et al., 1990). In the
most deformed rock, a third (C’) fabric develops at 45°
to the C fabric. The northwestern orientation of C’ is
indicative of dextral shear. Elsewhere on the outcrop,
sharply bounded, metre-wide zones of ﬁne-grained
greenschist represent mylonitized gabbro (Williams
and Stott, 1991). Buck and Williams (1984) considered
such variations in the preservation of primary textures,
versus the development of shear fabrics, to be a function
of the inhomogeneity of strain and not of the protolith.

Stop 2-6 - Missing Link Extension, Kinghorn Road
UTM coordinates - 0466744E 5511220N

The Missing Link Extension occurrence was
discovered by Beardmore prospector Myron Nelson
in 1986 and optioned to Freewest Resources Inc. in
1990 (Resident Geologist’s Files, Thunder Bay North
District, Thunder Bay). It is situated on the west side
of the Kinghorn Road, just north of the Paint Lake
Deformaion Zone (PLDZ). The PLDZ is a 500 m-wide
high-strain zone at or near the northern boundary of the
Beardmore-Geraldton belt (Mackasey, 1976; Reilly,
1988; DeWolfe, 2002; Lafrance et al., 2004). The shear
zone extends for over 40 km, from Lake Nipigon to the
late, sinistral Jellicoe Fault, where it is offset by 500
m. The shear zone can be traced for ~ 9 km on the east
side of the fault before it is lost under overburden. At
the Missing Link property (1 km to the northeast; Stop
2-7), a northern splay/extension of the PLSZ has been
exposed by mechanized stripping.
At Paint Lake (DeWolfe, 2002), the PLSZ is
parallel to lithological contacts between polymictic
conglomerate (NMB) and volcanic rocks (NVB),
and forms the boundary with the Onaman–Tashota
belt to the north. Shear sense indicators are observed
in both conglomerate and volcanic rocks. Several
granitic clasts in conglomerate are bounded by dextral,
asymmetrical strain shadows ﬁlled with quartz ﬁbers.
Steeply dipping dextral shear bands cut across S3
(Lafrance et al., 2004).
The property straddles intermediate to maﬁc
metavolcanic rocks on the north and clastic
metasedimentary rocks to the south, separated by a
major, east-striking structure interpreted to be the
PLSZ (Resident Geologist’s Files, Thunder Bay North
District, Thunder Bay). Stripping and trenching exposed
two sub-parallel zones of alteration and mineralization
within sheared and isoclinally folded andesite. The
orientation of the major fold axis is generally subparallel to the shear fabric, which strikes between 080°
and 090° and dips steeply south to vertically. The fold
is believed to plunge shallowly to the east. The Main
Zone was exposed over a strike length of 40 m and a
width of 12 m. Sub-zones were recognized on the basis
of variations in the relative amounts of chloritization,
carbonatization,
siliciﬁcation,
quartz-carbonate
veining and sulphide minerals. Finely disseminated
arsenopyrite, pyrite and chalcopyrite were noted.
Values of up to 0.20 ounce gold per ton were returned

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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2

variety of surveys were undertaken on the property
by Beardmore prospector, Nolan Cox ca. 19861988. Older, undocumented trenches (ca. 1950’s)
were discovered during the course of this work. The
property straddles intermediate to maﬁc metavolcanic
rocks on the north and clastic metasedimentary rocks
to the south, separated by a major structure (at 080°)
interpreted to be an extension or splay of the Paint
Lake Shear Zone (PLSZ) (Lafrance et al., 2004). At
the Missing Link, phyllonites (maﬁc metavolcanic
protolith?) display intense microfolding of S3 on
millimetre-scale, producing a ﬁne L3’ crenulation
lineation along S3 (ibid) (Figs. 41a,b ).
Figure 41a. Crenulated and altered metavolcanic phyllonite
with quartz-carbonate veins, Paint Lake Shear Zone, Missing
Link property (Stop 2-7).

IZ

Figure 41b. Crenulated and altered metavolcanic phyllonite,
Paint Lake Shear Zone, Missing Link property (Stop 2-7).

in sulphide-rich grab samples.
Stop 2-7 - Missing Link Property / Paint Lake Shear
Zone
UTM coordinates - 0467535E 5511479N

The Missing Link occurrence was described by
Mason et al. (1989). Stripping, prospecting and a

DeWolfe et al. (2000) stated that gold mineralization
and associated hydrothermal alteration were focused
along second- and third-order fault splays off of the
PLDZ. Second-order splays generally occur south
of the PLDZ, often following lithologic contacts and
refracting into an orientation sub-parallel to the PLDZ.
Third-order splays are concentrated within the Northern
Volcanic Sub-belt, where they are oriented both to the
northeast and southeast.
Gold mineralization at the Missing Link property is
associated with sheared and altered maﬁc metavolcanic
rocks. The deformation zone has been exposed over
a width of 60 to 90 m by stripping. Disseminated,
foliation-parallel, euhedral pyrite and arsenopyrite
within zones of both shearing and quartz-carbonate
veining, host gold. Pervasive carbonatization and
more localized, erratically distributed siliciﬁcation
and hematitization have also been noted (Mason et
al., 1989). Three zones (North Zone; Shaft Pit and
Baseline Trench) were sampled by N. Cox. The North
Zone strikes 085° and dips 61° south and has returned
assay values of up to 0.256 ounce gold per ton over
1.8 m. Grab samples collected by Mason et al. (1989)
from all the zones returned up to 0.14 ounce gold per
ton. The property was optioned by Homestake Mineral
Development Company in 1989, who conducted a
number of geochemical, geological and geophysical
surveys. Only low gold values (e.g. 2.06 g/t Au over 1.0
m) were returned and in 1990 the property was returned
to the vendor (Resident Geologist’s Files, Thunder
Bay North District, Thunder Bay). Placer Dome Inc.
optioned the property in 1991 and completed just over
1000 m of drilling in four holes. Despite delineating a
zone approximately 175 m wide within which intensely
sheared and altered rocks occurred, no intersections of
economic signiﬁcance were encountered (ibid).

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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2

Stop 2-8 - Sandstone, Southern Sedimentary Subbelt, Highway 11
UTM coordinates - 0468062E 55005080N

Thickly bedded, north-younging, overturned
turbidites are exposed on the south side of Highway
11 opposite the Kinghorn Road turn-off . They display
a variety of well-preserved sedimentary structures,
including graded bedding, ball-and-pillow structures,
ﬂames and scours (Fig. 42). Some sandstone beds
display a weakly developed cleavage.

@)

I

©

1)

04

0)

0

N)

:9

Figure 43. Stratigraphic
column of sandstone outcrop
(Stop 2-9; scale in metres).

N)

ri

©

a

01

®

a

G

01

me ICr

N)

a

I)

C

N)

-—

0)

04

0)

e
melerS

0)

____ __

it

—

Figure 42. Load casts at base of sandstone (arrows), Highway
11 (Stop 2-8).

This section of turbidites contains graded AE and
AA beds up to 8m thick (Figs. 43 and 44). Most grading
is in the basal few centimeters where the amount of
very coarse sand grains decreases rapidly and in a zone
approximately three-quarters of the way up through the
bed where there is a rapid decrease from medium- to

0

-

COG®

-

Figure 44. Measured sections of the turbidite assemblage in the Southern Metasedimentary
Belt between Jelicoe and Geraldton. Note the extreme thickness of some of the beds.
These units can be divided into a thin-bedded association, a medium-bedded association
and a thick-bedded association. From Barrett and Fralick (1989).
- 35 -

�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2

ﬁne-grained sand. This results in beds that are quite
monotonous, with little change in their grain size
through most of their thickness. These sediments were
transported by typical, high-density turbidity currents
and grainﬂows which deposit sediment in sourceproximal locations. The ﬁne-grained sand tops on
the massive beds were possibly the result of resultant
turbulence after the main turbidity current swept
through the area. Currents moving water in behind the
tail of the turbidity current would sweep sand from the
surrounding bottom onto the coarser turbidity current
deposits.
Stop 2-9 - Pillowed Maﬁc Metavolcanic Rocks,
Highway 11
UTM coordinates - 0460740E 5503325N

Pillowed and massive, greenschist-facies, maﬁc
metavolcanic rocks occur on the south side of Highway
11, 200 m west of the Jellicoe post ofﬁce. They occur in
a small, fault-bounded enclave of metavolcanic rocks
with clastic metasedimentary rocks of the Southern
Sedimentary Sub-belt (Bruce, 1937; Mackasey, 1976).
They display a non-penetrative schistosity, on which
there is a steeply plunging mineral and stretching
lineation. Parallel to the schistosity are shear zones in
which a non-penetrative fabric is forming at an angle
to the zone, becoming parallel to it and more intense
near the axis of the zone, characteristic of S-C fabric
relationships (Williams and Stott, 1991). The shear
sense based on this local relationship suggests south
side-down. In graphitic metapelites and BIF exposed
in road cuts 200 m west, the stretching lineation is
well-developed.

Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank John Mason and
Gerry White (Resident Geologist’s Program, OGS,
Thunder Bay) for providing property information and
historical data. Greg Stott (Precambrian Geoscience,
OGS, Sudbury) provided useful structural information
and insights on the local tectonic framework. We
would also like to acknowledge the support of the
Municipality of Greenstone and local exploration
companies, especially David Malouf (Roxmark Mines
Limited).

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Superior Craton; Geological Association of Canada
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Archean precious
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Hart, T.R., terMeer, M. and Jolette, C. 2002. Precambrian
geology of Kitto, Eva, Summers, Dorothea and
Sandra townships, northwestern Ontario: Phoenix
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Open File Report 6095, 206p.

Geraldton area; in Summary of Field Work 1983,
Ontario Geological Survey, Miscellaneous Paper
116, p.201-203.
Kerrich, R., 1981.
Archean gold-bearing chemical
sedimentary rocks and veins: a synthesis of stable
isotope and geochemical relations; in Genesis of
Archean, Volcanic-Hosted Gold Deposits; Ontario
Geological Survey, Miscellaneous Paper 97, p.144167.
Kerrich, R., and Allison, I., 1978. Vein geometry and
hydrodynamics during Yellowknife mineralization;
Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, v.15, p.16531660.
Kerrich, R., and Hodder, R.W., 1982. Archean lode gold and
base metal deposits: evidence for metal separation
into independent hydro-thermal systems; in Geology
of Canadian Gold Deposits, Canadian Institute of
Mining and Metallurgy, Special Volume 24, p.144160.
Krauskoph, K.B., 1967. Introduction to Geochemistry.
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Kresz, D. and Zayachivsky, B. 1989. Geology of Barbara,
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Lafrance, B., DeWolfe, J.C. and Stott, G.M. 2004. A structural
reappraisal of the Beardmore-Geraldton belt at the
southern boundary of the Wabigoon Subprovince,
Ontario, and implications for gold mineralization;
Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, v.41, p.217235.
Laird, H.C. 1937. The western part of the Sturgeon River
area (Sturgeon River-Beardmore section); Ontario
Department of Mines, Forty-ﬁfth annual report, v.
XLV, pt.II, p.60-117.

Hodgson, C.J., 1983.
The structure and geological
development of the Porcupine camp - a re-evalutation;
in The Geology of Gold in Ontario, Ontario Geological
Survey, Miscellaneous Paper 110, p.211-225.

Lavigne, M.J. (in press). Structural geology and gold
mineralization in the Geraldton area, BeardmoreGeraldton greenstone belt; Ontario Geological
Survey, Open File Report.

Hodgson, C.J., and MacGeehan, P.J., 1982. Geological
characteristics of gold deposits in the Superior
Province of the Canadian Shield; in Geology of
Canadian Gold Deposits, Canadian Institute of
Mining and Metallurgy, Special Volume 24, p.211229.

Lavigne, M.J. 1983. Gold Deposits of the Geraldton area;
in Summary of Field Work 1983, Ontario Geological
Survey, Miscellaneous Paper 116, p.198-200.

Horvath, A.S. 1993. Ore reserve estimate, Geraldton Project,
1993, Asarco Exploration Company of Canada
Limited; unpublished OMIP report, Assessment
Files, Thunder Bay North District, Thunder Bay, 7p.
Horwood, H.C., and Pye, E.G., 1955. Geology of Ashmore
Township, Little Long Lac area, Thunder Bay District;
Ontario Department of Mines, Annual Report, v.60,
pt.5, 105p.
Kehlenbeck, M.M., 1983. Structural studies in the Beardmore-

Lesher, C.M., Goodwin, A.M., Campbell, I.H. and Gorton,
M.P. 1986. Trace-element geochemistry of oreassociated and barren, felsic metavolcanic rocks in
the Superior Province, Canada; Canadian Journal of
Earth Sciences, v.23, p.222-237.
Macdonald, A.J., 1982. The MacLeod-Cockshutt and
Hard Rock mines, Geraldton: examples of an
iron formation-related gold deposit; in Summary
of Field Work 1982, Ontario Geological Survey,
Miscellaneous Paper 106, p.188-191.
Macdonald, A.J., 1983a. The iron formation-gold association
evidence from Geraldton area; in The Geology

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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2
of Gold in Ontario, Ontario Geological Survey,
Miscellaneous Paper 110, p.75-83.

Australia; Geological Society of Australia Journal,
v.30, p.25-39.

Macdonald, A.J., 1983b. A re-appraisal of the Geraldton
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Geological Survey, Miscellaneous Paper 116, p.194197.

Pirie, J. and Mackasey, W.O. 1978: Preliminary examination
of regional metamorphism in parts of Quetico
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Metamorphism in the Canadian Shield, Geological
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Macdonald, A.J. 1984. Gold mineralization in Ontario, I:
The role of banded iron formation; Canadian Institute
of Mining and Metallurgy, Special Volume 34, p.412430.
MacDonald, R.D. 1940. Geology of the Kenogamisis River
area; Ontario Department of Mines, Annual Report
1940, v.49, pt.7, p.1-17.
Mackasey, W.O. 1975. Geology of Dorothea, Sandra and
Irwin Townships, District of Thunder Bay; Ontario
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Mackasey, W.O. 1976. Geology of Walters and Leduc
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Mackasey, W.O., Edwards, G.R. and Cape, D.F. 1976.
Legault Township, District of Thunder Bay; Ontario
Division of Mines, Preliminary Map P.1191, scale
1:15 840.
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Miscellaneous Paper 110, p.84-97.
Mason, J.K. and White, G.D. 1986. Gold occurrences,
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Resident Geologist’s District 1996; Ontario
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1-22.
Mason, J.K., White, G.D. and McConnell, C. 1985. Field
guide to the Beardmore-Geraldton metasedimentary
– metavolcanic belt; Ontario Geological Survey,
Open File Report 5538, 73p
Neumayr, P., Walshe, J., Connors, K., Cox, S., Morrison,
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St Ives camp near Kambalda; Geological Survey of
Western Australia, Record 2004/16, p.23-45.
O’Brien, M.S. 1985. A detailed geological study of the maﬁc
metavolcanic rocks north of Poplar Lodge, Ontario;
unpublished H.B.Sc. thesis, Lakehead University,
Thunder Bay, Ontario, 76p.

Poulsen, K.H., 1983. Structural setting of vein-type gold
mineralization in the Mine Centre-Fort Frances Area:
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Geology of Gold in Ontario, Ontario Geological
Survey, Miscellaneous Paper 110, p.174-180.
Purdon, R.H. 1995. Lithostratigraphy and provenance of the
Neoarchean McKellar Harbour sequence, Superior
Province, Ontario, Canada; unpublished M.Sc. thesis,
Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, Ontario, 172p.
Pye, E.G. 1952. Geology of Errington Township, Little Long
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Report, v.60, pt.6, 140 p.
Reilly, B.A. 1988. Structural analysis of the Paint Lake
Deformation Zone, northern Ontario. M.Sc. thesis,
Brock University, St. Catharines, Ontario.
Rigg, D.M., and Helmstaedt, H., 1981. Relationships
between structure and gold mineralization in
Campbell Red Lake and Dickenson Mines, Red
Lake Area, Ontario; in Genesis of Archean, Volcanic
Hosted Gold Deposits, Ontario Geological Survey,
Miscellaneous Paper 97, p.111-127.
Rogers J. R., Joyce, K. A., Masterman, G. J., Halley, S. W.,
and Walshe, J. L. 2004. Kanowna Belle gold mine;
Geological Survey of Western Australia, Record
2004/16, p.47-51.
Scott, B.M., 1985. A study of the auriferous quartz veins
found within the oxide facies banded iron formations
of the Beardmore-Geraldton area of northern Ontario;
Unpublished H.B.Sc. thesis, Lakehead University,
Thunder Bay, Ontario, 96 p.
Shanks, W.S. 1993. Geology of Eva and Summer Townships,
District of Thunder Bay. Ontario Geological Survey,
Open File Report 5821.
Sibson, R.H., Moore, J.M., and Rankin, A.H., 1975. Seismic
pumping - a hydrothermal ﬂuid transport mechanism;
Journal of the Geological Society of London, v.131,
p.191-213.

Ozaki, M. 1972. Chemical composition and occurrence of
axinite; Kumamoto Journal of Scientiﬁc Geology,
v.9, p.1-34.

Stott, G.M., and Davis, D. 1999. Contributions to the
tectonostratigraphic analysis of the Onaman–Tashota
greenstone belt, eastern Wabigoon Subprovince;
in 1999 Western Superior Transect 5th Annual
Workshop. Report 70, Lithoprobe Secretariat, The
University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C.,
p.122–123.

Phillips, G.N., and Groves, D.I., 1983. The nature of Archean
gold ﬂuids as deduced from gold deposits in Western

Stott, G.M., and Schneiders, B.R., 1983. Gold mineralization
in the Shebandowan Belt and in relation to regional

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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2
deformation patterns; in The Geology of Gold in
Ontario, Ontario Geological Survey, Miscellaneous
Paper 110, p.181-193.
Tomlinson, K.Y. 1996. The geochemistry and tectonic setting
of Early Precambrian greenstone belts, northern
Ontario, Canada; unpublished Ph.D. thesis, University
of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, United Kingdom, 287p.
Tomlinson, K.Y., Hall, R.P, Hughes, D.J. and Thurston, P.C.
1993. Maﬁc metavolcanic rocks of the BeardmoreGeraldton greenstone belt: Preliminary geochemical
ﬁndings; in Summary of Field Work and Other
Activities, Ontario Geological Survey, Miscellaneous
Paper 162, p.54-58.
Williams, H.R., 1986. Structural studies in the BeardmoreGeraldton belt, northern Ontario; in Summary
of Field Work 1986, Ontario Geological Survey,
Miscellaneous Paper 130, p.138-146.
Williams, H.R., 1987. Structural studies in the BeardmoreGeraldton belt and in the Quetico and Wawa
subprovinces; in Summary of Field Work 1987,
Ontario Geological Survey, Miscellaneous Paper
137, p.90-92.
Williams, H.R. and Stott, G.M., 1991. Subprovince accretion
in the southern Superior Province. G.A.C.-M.A.C.
annual Meeting, Toronto, Field trip B6, Guidebook,
26 p.
Wood, D.A. 1980. The application of a Th–Hf–Ta diagram
to problems of tectonomagmatic classiﬁcation and
to establishing the nature of crustal contamination
of basaltic lavas of the British Tertiary volcanic
province; Earth and Planetary Science Letters, v.50,
p.11-30.

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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2

Fieldtrip 2 – Quaternary geology of the Beardmore – Nipigon area
Peter J. Barnett
Ontario Geological Survey, Ministry of Northern Development and Mines, Sudbury, Ontario, P3E 6B5, Canada

Introduction

then returns to Nipigon along the same route (Fig. 1).

In association with the International Quaternary
Association in 1987 (INQUA’87) an excursion
quidebook C-12: Quaternary features and scenery
along the North Shore of Lake Superior was created
(Geddes et al., 1987). Unfortunately the trip was
never run. This current ﬁeld trip and ﬁeld trip guide
utilizes much of the information presented in the
INQUA’87 ﬁeld trip guide particularly as it pertains to
the Beardmore – Nipigon area.

The route follows the east branch of the Nipigon
River, initially across the Nipigon lowlands then along
the Pijitawabik Canyon cut through Nipigon Sills and
onto more-typical Canadian Shield terrain north of
Beardmore.

Although this part of Ontario is pivotal to many
large-scale glacial histories and theories of the Great
Lakes Region, North America and global climate
change, very little if any detailed mapping of the
Quaternary geology has been done. One exception
is the work of Thorleifson and Kristjansson (1993)
in the very northern part of the ﬁeld trip area (scale
1:100,000). In addition, Mollard and Mollard (1981)
undertook a terrain analysis (scale 1:100,000) of a
large part of the ﬁeld trip area and produced a map of
some of the major landforms and material types that
occur there. The ﬁeld trip area has been displayed
on several regional maps including Zoltai (1965a),
Sado and Carswell (1987), Barnett et al. (1991) and
Sado et al. (1994). In addition, regional studies on
selected aspects of interest to Quaternary researchers,
particularly associated with ancestral lake features and
deposits (e.g., Farrand, 1960; Teller and Thorleifson,
1983, 1987; Teller and Mahnic, 1987) have been done.
Zoltai (1965b) described and discussed the formation
of some of the major landforms and deposits of the
Nipigon area.

Lake Nipigon

During the trip we will visit several sites and
landforms that display clues to the glacial history of
the area and hopefully discussions on how they relate,
support or conﬂict, with several of the regional histories
proposed in the literature will ensue.
The ﬁeldtrip route basically follows Highway 11
north from Nipigon to Beardmore and then northwest
on Highway 580 to Poplar Lodge on Lake Nipigon and

Figure 1. Location, route and stops. Rectangle is for reference
between the various regional ﬁgures.

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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2

Regional geological setting
During the ﬁeldtrip we will be travelling between
Lake Superior and Lake Nipigon following a now
abandoned drainage way used during deglaciation
between these two lakes. The present drainage divide is
located between McKirdy and Shamrock Lake within
the Pijitawabik Canyon. Keemle Creek via a series of
small lakes drains northward into Pijitawabik Bay of
Lake Nipigon (approximately 260 m or 852 ft asl). An
unnamed east branch of Cash Creek drains southward
from McKirdy Lake into Cash Creek and onto Helen
Lake and then into the Nipigon River to Lake Superior
(approximately 183 m or 600 ft asl). The main branch
of the Nipigon River is the present-day outlet of Lake
Nipigon.

The ﬁeldtrip area, located on the Canadian Shield,
is an irregular, subdued, gently rolling, bedrockdominated terrain underlain by Precambrian igneous and
metamorphic rocks (Figs. 2, 3). The area immediately
south of Lake Nipigon, however, is not typical shield
terrain. It has been referred to as the Nipigon Plain
by Bostock (1970) and “is formed on nearly ﬂat-lying
Proterozoic gabbro sills and sediments surrounding
Lake Nipigon” (Bostock, 1970, p.16). Combined past
tectonic activity, differential weathering and glacial/
glacial meltwater erosion of the Proterozoic sills and
Sibley Group metasedimentary rock surfaces has
produced a unique landscape of buttes and mesas and
steep-walled valleys along the margins of the Nipigon
Plain. To the east of Lake Nipigon, beyond the extent
of the sills, in the area underlain by Archean igneous
Nipigon diabase sills
Sibley Op.

j1 nepheline syenite suite
III1 granodiorite to granite

2'

granitic rock
Metasedinientary rocks
Felsic metavolcanic rocks
Mafic metavolcanic rocks

Figure 2. Fused digital elevation model (DEM) and
hillshaded DEM. Rectangle is for reference between the
various regional ﬁgures.

Figure 3. Bedrock geology of the ﬁeldtrip area (OGS 2003).

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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2

and metamorphic rocks, more typical Shield terrain is
prevalent.
Farrand (1960) has referred to the southern part
of the ﬁeldtrip area as the Nipigon Lowlands. Here,
the irregular surface of the Canadian Shield has been
subdued and partially inﬁlled by sand, silt and clay of
glaciolacustrine origin producing a broad dissected
plain. Farrand (1960) recognized at least 4 terraces or
steps within this lowland at various elevations (692,
800, 907-912, 950-952 and 980 ft or about 211, 244,
276-278, 290, 299 m) that he related to ancestral lake
levels in the Lake Superior basin.
Relief over the entire region exceeds 350 m (about
1150 ft). Local relief in areas of Archean rocks is
commonly between 15 and 50 m (50 and 165 ft). Along
the eroded edges of sills that surround the Nipigon
Plain it can exceed 100 m (about 328 ft). Local relief
of over 100 m (about 328 ft) also exists along the walls
of the Pijitawabik Canyon.

Bedrock geology
The study area contains rocks of the Superior Craton
and the Southern Province (Fig. 3). Major geological
subdivisions include the Wabigoon and Quetico
subprovinces (Blackburn et al., 1991; Williams, 1991),
the Proterozoic Sibley Group and Nipigon Diabase
Sills (Sutcliffe, 1991).
Metasedimentary and granitic rocks dominate the
rocks of the Quetico Subprovince in the southern part of
the ﬁeldtrip area. Maﬁc metavolcanic rocks dominate
the Wabigoon Subprovince with granodiorite to granite
intrusions forming the inter-greenstone belt parts.
Diabase/gabbo in the form of sills and dikes is the
dominant rock type in the Nipigon embayment or the
north-central part of the ﬁeldtrip area (Fig. 3). Nipigon
sills are massive bodies that vary in thickness from
150 to 200 m. Internal textural zoning indicates that
the sills are single cooling bodies (Blackburn et al.,
1991). The Nipigon sills in the area are very similar
texturally and monotonous in appearance. They overlie
and interﬁnger with Sibley Group sedimentary rocks
that outcrop or subcrop within the southern part of
the Nipigon embayment. The Nipigon sills formed
contemporaneous with the initiation of the Lake
Superior Midcontinent rift age-dated at approximately
1108 Ma (Blackburn et al., 1991).
With the possible exceptions of some lateral and

vertical outliers the age of the Sibley is constrained
between the youngest detrital zircon in a sample from
the Kama Hill Formation (1420 Ma; L. Heaman pers.
comm. 2004) and a Rb-Sr isochron from authogenic
minerals in the Rossport and Kama Hill Formations
(1339 Ma; Franklin, 1978). The Sibley consists of
unmetamorphosed red-bed sequences consisting of
conglomerates, sandstones and shales. They are
believed to have accumulated in a subsiding graben
prior to the formation of the midcontinent rift (Sutcliffe,
1991).
Greenstone belts east of Lake Nipigon are part of the
Eastern Wabigoon Subprovince and have been traced
beneath the diabase and sedimentary units (Blackburn,
1991; Smyk et al., 2005).

Quaternary geology
The surﬁcial (Quaternary) geology of the ﬁeld trip area
south and east of Lake Nipigon has been investigated
only at a regional scale despite its importance to
the overall understanding of the glacial history of
Ontario and in particular to mineral exploration using
unconsolidated sediments (drift exploration).
Regional maps at various scales that cover the area
include Zoltai (1965a), Sado and Carswell (1987),
Barnett et al. (1991) and Sado et al. (1994). Zoltai
(1965b) described and discussed the formation of some
of the major landforms and deposits of the QueticoNipigon area. Mollard and Mollard (1981) undertook
a terrain analysis of the study area and produced maps
of some of the major landforms and material types
that occur there (Fig. 4). Several theses and papers
have been written on signiﬁcant aspects or features
of Quaternary age from within the area of interest
(Farrand, 1960; Teller and Thorleifson, 1983, 1987;
Teller and Mahnic, 1987).
Zoltai (1965a, 1965b), Elson (1967), Prest (1970),
Dredge and Cowan (1989) Barnett (1991) and Sado
et al. (1994) have summarized regional concepts
of the glacial history surrounding Lake Nipigon.
There is very little agreement as to the details of the
sequence and timing of events. The deposits in the area
probably represent ice movement during the Michigan
Subepisode (Late Wisconsinan), however; it may
reﬂect ice cover during the entire Wisconsin Episode
or approximately the last 100,000 years.
The Laurentide Ice Sheet ﬂowed southwestward
during its maximum extent about 20,000 years

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�r

re-advance to produce most of the major moraines in
northwestern Ontario. The Marks, Mackenzie and
Dog Lake moraines have been suggested to have
formed at about the same time, about 10,000 years
ago (Burwasser, 1977; Drexler et al., 1983) and are
probably correlative to the Grand Marais Moraines
that formed during the Marquette advance (Drexler
et al., 1983). With further ice margin recession and
a suggested major re-advance, the Lac Seul moraine
formed west of the ﬁeldtrip area (Prest 1970). Zoltai
(1965b) suggested that this ice margin formed the
northern part of the Kaiashk Interlobate Moraine (Fig.
5).

—

—

a

4.

,m

Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2

Prest (1970) suggested that with further ice margin
retreat, the Sioux Lookout and Whitewater moraines
formed west of Lake Nipigon. These events were
followed by a westward advance in the Lake Nipigon
basin that produced the Nipigon Moraine (Stop 1)
along the west and southern side of the lake (Zoltai,
1965a, b). Prest (1970) suggests that only the northern
part of this moraine formed following the Whitewater
Moraine and that the southern part is older. Zoltai
(1965a, b) identiﬁed several other moraines east of the
Nipigon Moraine in the Lake Nipigon basin that appear
to be younger than the Nipigon Moraine. The Nakina
Moraines that are located along the northeastern edge
of the Lake Nipigon basin mark the last signiﬁcant ice
margin positions to directly affect the region.
To complicate the history even more is the
suggestion that glacial Lake Agassiz waters drained
catastrophically into the Nipigon/Superior basin several

Figure 4. Surﬁcial sediments in the ﬁeldtrip area (modiﬁed
from Mollard and Mollard, 1981).

ago. During deglaciation and possibly during initial
ice movement into the area, ice ﬂow direction was
controlled on a regional scale by topography. During
these times ice ﬂow followed broad topographic lows,
especially the Great Lakes basins and most likely Lake
Nipigon, producing lobate ice margins that could have
possibly behaved somewhat independently (Fig. 5).
Prest (1970), following the work of Zoltai (1965b),
suggested that an active ice margin in northwestern
Ontario fronted glacial Lake Agassiz during ice margin
retreat. They (Zoltai, 1965b; Prest, 1970) postulated
several alternating stages of ice margin retreat and

NbItt

2. . It k BI Ck M@!
3.

IC k Mk d Lk

gk!&amp; ph d

3.4.7.8 k Kbk LIttbfl
9. k

Figure 5. Ice ﬂow direction and ice margins in the Lake
Nipigon area (Sado et al., 1994).

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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2
_________
________
______________ _____________
__________

AC4SSIZ

EASTERN

LAKE SUPERIOR

OUTLETS

PHASES

LAKE
MICHIGAN

ID

LAKE
HURON

-

EARLY NIPISSING (rising):

SAULT STRAIT: EARLY NIPISSING

7000
4

SAULT
RAPIDS

HOUGHTON

—

(bedrock)
CHIPPEWA- STANLEY

8000

8000

I

ION

PROTO-

(toIling)

P11&lt;1.—

ST MARYS
RIVER

riS,rI

--b
(downcutting
through drift)

KAI. —

rising

MINONG
POST

)..::Y.cM!l!f.:::

0

8

I

AU TRAIN

-

• ESCANADA
GRAND MARAIS

10,000

PROTOST MARYS
-—b
RIVER
MLNONQI

10,000
CIIIPPEWA

/ EARLY
—

—

UPPER

GROUP

STANLEY

SHEGUIANDAH SKORAM
PAYETTE
through

2

ALGONQUIN

1!000

''

9000

PoRTAGE1jJ::RCuPINE

11,000

Tt?'"-.,,
fl750

Figure 6. Chart of ice-sheet ﬂuctuations and glacial lake phases (from Farrand and Drexler, 1985).

times during the deglaciation of the Lake Nipigon and
Superior basins. Farrand and Drexler (1985) produced
a chart summarizing some of the ice sheet ﬂuctuations
and their relation to glacial lake phases in northwestern
Ontario and the upper Great Lakes basins (Fig. 6).
Agassiz drainage into the Nipigon and Superior
basins occurred both before and after the Marquette
maximum (Farrand and Drexler, 1985). A network of 5
groups of channels (Teller and Thorleifson, 1983, 1987)
carried drainage from glacial Lake Agassiz following
the Marquette advance (Fig. 7). And “as postulated
by Teller and Thorleifson (1983), the outﬂow through
the Nipigon channels must have been catastrophic”
(Farrand and Drexler, 1985, p.23). These “catastrophic
discharges from Lake Agassiz were responsible for
cutting down the Lake Minong sill” (Farrand and
Drexler, 1985, p.17).
The Nipigon Moraine marks a former ice margin
located along the north shore of Lake Superior and
has been traced along the southern and western side of
Lake Nipigon (Fig. 5). It is commonly associated with
ancestral glacial Lake Minong and as such believed

Figure 7. Eastern outlets of Lake Agassiz. Outlet number
26 is the Pijitawabik Canyon (from Teller and Thorleifson,
1983).

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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2

to have formed about 9500 years ago (Farrand and
Drexler, 1985). Farrand’s regional work on abandoned
shoreline features along the north shore of Lake
Superior (Farrand, 1960) is the most comprehensive
ﬁeld study on shorelines to date in the area (Figure
8). Farrand (1960) identiﬁed evidence of glacial Lake
Minong about 25 km north of the Nipigon Moraine
(Stop 3). And recently Slattery (2003) identiﬁed deltas
that formed along the Nakina Moraines built to Minong
III (?) or post-Minong levels at elevations of 360 m in
the Longlac area.
If catastrophic Agassiz drainage carved the outlet at
St Marys River, why do shore features of Minong or
fairly high Post Minong levels exist well behind the
Nipigon Moraine, a feature that in part post-dates the
opening or use of many of the earlier eastern outlets?
The proposed eastern outlet events and features were
based on several coarse-grained deposits associated
with the large deep steep-walled valleys that occur
throughout the region (Teller and Thorleifson, 1983,
1987). The Pijitawabik Canyon (Stop 3, Outlet number
26, Fig. 7) was proposed as one of the passageways
for this meltwater (Teller and Thorleifson, 1983, 1987)
and the Pijitawabik delta (Stop 2) was inferred to have
formed during Agassiz drainage events (Geddes et al.,
1987).
An alternative explanation for the development of
most, if not all, the steep-walled valleys (e.g., Pijitawabik
Canyon) is that they were initially formed in part by
differential erosion along fractures and faults within
the diabase/gabbro sills prior to glaciation. The valleys
were then subsequently carved by subglacial meltwater
ﬂoods based on the similarities of this channelled
landscape to that of the Channelled Scablands of
eastern Washington State (Baker et al., 1987). Many of
these valleys contain glacial sediments indicating that
the bedrock channels themselves were not carved by
postglacial Lake Agassiz drainage events, but already
existed. Agassiz outﬂow may have reoccupied some
of these steep-walled channels that were carved by the
subglacial meltwater ﬂood(s).
The complex and still poorly understood deglacial
history of the Nipigon basin does not make drift
exploration easy. The events and features discussed
above could have resulted in many areas having multiple
directions of ice movement due to the shifting of ice
centers through time that will require linking evidence
of ice movement to speciﬁc tills (Fig. 4). Determining

the history of meltwater and ancestral lakes in the study
area is also very important to interpret the results of
drift exploration programs.
Studies of tills deposited in the BeardmoreGeraldton area (Thorleifson and Kristjansson, 1993)
and in the Hemlo-Matheson-White River area (Geddes
and Kristjansson, 1986; Karrow and Geddes, 1987;
Hicock, 1988) have brought to light another factor that
affects mineral exploration using till (drift exploration)
in the ﬁeldtrip area.
The till in the Beardmore area appears for the most
part to have been deposited subglacially by an actively
ﬂowing glacier (ideal for mineral exploration using
till). However, where the till is thick it is commonly
rich in clasts of Paleozoic carbonate and Proterozoic
metasedimentary rocks derived from Hudson Bay
Lowlands some 100 km or greater away (Stop 6). The
content of carbonate in the till matrix is also high (up
to 50%; Thorleifson and Kristjansson, 1993). This
“exotic” till tends to grade into locally derived till (Stop
4) at surface in the area surrounding the community of
Beardmore.
Thorleifson and Kristjansson (1993) attribute the
abundance of far-traveled debris to:
1) the high susceptibility of carbonate rocks to
erosion
2) low erodibility of granitic rock which outcrop
between the Beardmore area and the Hudson Bay
Lowlands
3) the short distance of transport over the erodible
greenstone belt rocks and
4) a zone of vigorous ice ﬂow (ice streaming).
Thorleifson and Kristjansson (1993) suggested
that an ice stream would be required to produce and
distribute the carbonate-rich or exotic till to the
Beardmore-Geraldton area based in part on the regional
distribution in a radiating tongue parallel to ice ﬂow.
They also suggest that the exotic till was transported
beneath the glacier by pervasive shear (deformable
bed). They argued that “deposition by lodgement
of basal debris seem contradicted by carbonate clast
preservation” (Thorleifson and Kristjansson, 1993,
p.57). Hicock (1988), however, records evidence
within exotic till exposures of discrete not pervasive
shear that would suggest lodgement as the process of
deposition, although, he also suggested ice streaming
to produce the exotic till.

- 46 -

Geddes and Kristjansson (1986) suggested that

�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2

Stops

englacial transport of the carbonate debris over long
distances was required. Hicock (1986) suggested that
englacial load under dynamic ice conditions can be
transferred to the glacier bed in the leeside of upland
settings.

Stop 1 – Nipigon Moraine (J. Nichols Sand and
Gravel, Nipigon)
UTM coordinates – 0406748E 5430513N

Regardless of the mechanism of entrainment,
transport and deposition of the carbonate-rich till, it
has been suggested that the “standard rules of glacial
comminution as applied in mineral exploration may not
be applicable” (Karrow and Geddes, 1987, p.368). And
that care be taken to recognize and avoid this exotic
till when sampling for mineral exploration purposes
(Thorleifson and Kristjansson, 1993).

Note - permission from the land owner is required
for access to this stop.
The Nipigon Moraine marks a former ice margin of
the Laurentide Ice Sheet that fronted a large glacial lake.
It is generally accepted that this lake was glacial Lake
Minong and that its formation occurred about 9500 yr
BP (Farrand and Drexler, 1985). In the Nipigon area
it is a discontinuous ridge that rises more than 40 m
above the surrounding lake plains. Elevation at the site
is approximately 280 m asl. The ridge rises to the west
where it becomes ﬂat-topped at an elevation of about
295 - 296 m asl. The form here does not appear to be
primary (i.e. delta) but the result of subsequent erosion
and deposition (wave cut and wave built platform). A
lower plain occurs to the north of the moraine here at
about 290 m asl. These features raise the question of
what was the actual water level in the Superior basin
during the formation of the Nipigon Moraine.

The ﬁeld trip stops were chosen to give the
participants an overview of the Quaternary geology of
the area between Lake Superior and Lake Nipigon and
to introduce them to some remarkable landforms and
scenery that exists in this part of Ontario.
For the INQUA’87 ﬁeldtrip guide, Geddes et al.
(1987) prepared a ﬁgure showing the proﬁles of water
planes and shoreline features recognized by Farrand
(1960) in the Lake Superior basin between Thunder
Bay and Kama Bay. This ﬁgure appears as Figure 9
with a few modiﬁcations for reference purposes.

An ice marginal feature built along the Nipigon

NE

SW

KILOMETRES NORTH OE AGASSIZ OUTLET

-J

200

taJ

—300 .J

C
Iii

-250 In

0,
—200

I-ISO
400 —

L.a

0
a

Figure 8. Shoreline-relation diagrams and
isobases of glacioisostatic rebound (modiﬁed
8. Shoreline-relation
and general
isobases of
from Figure
Farrand
and Drexler, diagrams
1985). A)
glacioisostatic rebound (modified from Farrand and
diagram
emphasizing
glacial
retreat
(Farrand,
Drexler 1985)
A) general
diagram emphasizing
retreat
1969).
B) Diagram
showingglacial
relationships
(Farrand 1969)
between
Lakes
Superior
and
Nipigon
(Teller
B) diagram showing lakes Superior-Nipigon
and relationships
Thorleifson,
1983).
C)
Isobases
of
(Teller and Thorleifson 1983)
C) isobases of rebound
glacioisostatic
for Washburn
glacioisostatic
forrebound
Washburn
and
and Minong (Fanand 1960).
Minong (Farand, 1960)

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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2

PROFILES OF FORMER WATER PLANES BETWEEN THUNDER BAY AND NIPIGON

(after Parrand 1960)

io

o
I

m

S

80

60

40

20

0

e

I

I

50

40

30

20

I

I

It

I

I

a

Ifl

•er

t

0

S

.

r

—1
S

—
—
—
——

5—
-

0

'r-•
—

=i_—
I

*
•

*

0
-.

-c

r0

I

II
—

•

r

•—•

I

S

I

I

0

•V

0

r

m

r

r

5• 5— •

C

t

5•

-

———...

—S

•lI* i
00 C
I

0

-I

In

In

,

S

jI 0r
I

0

•j_

UGHT0N.-

•p_•
—
'NIPISSIN0

ALGOMA

S

.—4.-—--.————

I

3

•___.____1_._. ——4-

— . —.—-—

•—•

•

S

ION

i—-— 55 5

• —e
— —;__•
S

5•—

a,

—
•

-T--I

I

r

m

fli

I

z

0
0

—
*
S

C

S
In

0

z

Figure 9. Proﬁles of former water planes in the Lake Superior basin from Thunder Bay and Kama Bay (after Farrand, 1960;
Geddes et al., 1987).

Figure 9. Profiles of former water planes in the Lake Superior basin from Thuder Hay and Kama Bay (after Farrand 1960, Geddes et al. 1987)

Moraine south east of Black Sturgeon Lake that has
a delta form occurs at an elevation of between 300
and 304 m. This feature would fall near to the isobase
passing through Nipigon, essentially making the
diagram one isobar off (Fig. 8C).
Shore features identiﬁed as ice-marginal deltas at
Marathon and Wawa, that were reported to be built into
glacial Lake Minong (Geddes et al., 1987), may not be
deltas at all, but subaqueous fans later planed off by
waves of a subsequent lake. This is the case at Wawa
(S. Slattery, personal communications, 2003). The
sedimentology of the feature at Marathon remains to be
studied in detail before such a conclusion can also be
made but preliminary observations are not consistent
with a deltaic origin.
The Jim Nichols Trucking Limited sand and gravel
pit provides a look at the internal structures of the
sediments making up the Nipigon Moraine. In general
he ridge here is made up of a ﬁning upward and outward
sequence of stratiﬁed sand and gravel. The lower part
or core is composed of steeply dipping beds of gravel
and sand (Fig. 10). These avalanche or foreset beds

probably formed during rapid growth by sediment
gravity ﬂow processes. The beds generally dip to the
south or across the ridge form. Trough cross-bedded
(dunes) sand, pebbly sand and pebble gravel overlie the
steeply dipping beds. The aforementioned sediment
sequence is common in subaqueous fans (Shaw, 1985).
Near the top and along the ice-proximal side (northside) minor ﬂowtill lenses are present. Faults and postdepositional slumping are common along the proximal
side of the ridge likely formed following the removal
of the glacier support and sediment supply.
The sequence is interpreted as an ice marginal
subaqueous fan. If so, it only places a minimum (280
m asl) for the lake that existed during its formation. As
mentioned previously, the water here during formation
could be up to 20 m deep. A shorebluff and bouldery
gravel beach bar of a younger lake occurs along the
roadway at the entrance of the pit at approximately 250
m asl (Figs. 10 and 11).
* Alternative stop - look-out over community of
Nipigon from the Nipigon Moraine (UTM coordinates
– 0407343E 5430274N).

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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2

w
Profile
260

broad shallow channel

/sulting

shoreline

a
£

C'

=
240
0
a

fining

220

•I..

N

4flntng

260

decrease dip of beds
200

U

a

i6oo

500

0

C

a

isào

Distance (ni)

D
N

—4

—

-

H

--

im
--

-I--'_-

B

Figure 10. Internal structures of the Nipigon Moraine, Jim Nichols Trucking Ltd sand and gravel pit: A – longitudinal view,
B – steeply dipping avalanche bedding, C – faulting and slumping along northern slope of the ridge and D – schematic crosssection of the Nipigon Moraine at this site.

Stop 2 – Pijitawabik delta
UTM coordinates – 041382E 545403N

The route from Stop 1 to Stop 2 crosses the
Nipigon lowlands along the east side of Helen Lake.
Glaciolacustrine ﬁne-grained rhythmites occur beneath
the surface of the plain until just north of Mignet Creek.
At the break in slope about 400 m north of the creek,

Farrand identiﬁed a Dorion shore feature at 800 ft asl
or about 244 m (Figs. 11 and 12). Another prominent
bluff, a Post-Minong shoreline, occurs at an elevation
of between 907 and 912 ft (276-278 m) asl (Farrand,
1960).
Farrand (1960, p.194) suggested that the “very
extensive, near level surface of sand and some rather
heavy gravel” about 25 km north of Nipigon is also a

— Like

Profile: Lake Superior to Pijitawabik Bay

/elth? ]UL}\

B

shore bluff
Nipigon
Moraine

shore bluff?—)

Pijitawabik
Ray

V/

H
Helen Lake

IOD

I

0

Approximate utbem limit
of the
Pthtawabik Canyon

:::::
I

Distate (m) frail LAe Stwia
Figure 11. Proﬁle from Lake Superior to Pijitawabik Bay of Lake Nipigon following the Pijitawabik Canyon. Stop 1 is on
the crest of the Nipigon Moraine, Stop 2 at the Pijitawabik delta and stop 3 within the Pijitawabik Canyon. Several features
controlled by ancestral water levels in the Superior basin can be seen.
- 49 -

�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2

Figure 12. A fused DEM and hillshade of the Pijitawabik delta and the southern part of the Pijitawabik Canyon.

product of glacial Lake Minong (Figs. 11 and 12). This
feature has an elevation of 950-952 ft or about 290
m asl. At 980 ft or 299 m asl, Farrand (1960, p.194)
identiﬁed another possible Minong feature within the
Pijitawabik Canyon. Both these features are well
inside or north of the Nipigon Moraine.
The following quote from Farrand (1960) sums up
some of his conclusions as to the origin and relationships
that these deposits have with lakes in the Superior and
Nipigon basins. “The 980-foot gravel accumulation
lies nearly on the isobase of Terrace Bay where the
Minong beaches lie at 950 to 1000 feet. Moreover, the
abundance of sediment in the Pijitawabik Bay canyon
implies the presence of the ice sheet either in Pijitawabik
Bay itself or at least in the Lake Nipigon basin”. “These
facts lead to the conclusion that the Nipigon basin was
ice-ﬁlled (or nearly so) in Minong time. As lake levels
fell in the Superior basin and the ice sheet retreated
from the Lake Nipigon basin these basins apparently
contained separate water bodies connected only by the
ancestral courses of the Nipigon and Black Sturgeon
rivers. In other words, there appears to be no validity in
the assumption generally made (Stanley, 1932, p.135;
Leverett, 1927, p. l.7) that the Nipigon and Superior
basins were occupied at any time by one continuous
lake” (Farrand, 1960, p.82).

be sound, however convincing evidence that Stanley’s
or Leverett’s assumptions had “no validity” was not
substantiated.
Down-cutting of the delta to the 290 m level may
have been caused by a drop in base level as water in
the Superior basin lowered in response to erosion at the
outlet sill at Sault Ste Marie. The delta may have been
fed from the glacier margin that remained within the
Pijitawabik Canyon farther up the valley. Alternatively,
during basin (Nipigon/Superior) separation, as an outlet
stream from the lake Nipigon basin, or possibly built
by an Agassiz drainage event through the valley.
Stop 3 – Pijitawabik Canyon
UTM coordinates – 0420816E 5462100N

This stop may be a series of stops along the route
The Pijitawabik Canyon is a deep, steep-walled
valley cut into Nipigon diabase/gabbro sills. It is about
20 km long with a prominent near right-angle bend
about 11 km from its south end. It can be considered to
be made up of two segments; a southern segment that
is about 2 km wide and a northern segment that is only
about 1 km wide (Figs. 13 and 14). Local relief along
the valley walls of both segments can exceed 150 m.

The initial conclusions made by Farrand appear to
- 50 -

The valley is controlled by major structures in the

�r

Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2

scJLT

Pijitaabik Canyon ProfileA
C

0—
285 m

292 m

10000

5000

UsIam(n4
Profile B

Profile C

500

500

400 rTh

450

400

i 350

- 350

E30
250

10

E

ooo
250

K4onielocs

iS

20%

200

3000

4000

5000

20
0

1Q00

Profile D

Profile E
450

350-

3000

4000

5000

Profile F

-

450-

Th

2000

(m)

(m)

00

/

E

350300

I

I

500

1000

(m)

1500

I

I

2000

2500

0

lOU

20(X)

310

4000

(m)

1000

2

3000

4

(m)

Figure 13. Selected proﬁles across the Pijitawabik Canyon.

bedrock. In addition, the rock characteristics of the
Nipigon sills are such that weathering can be intense
along fractures, producing grus-like residual soils that
are easily removed by erosion.
The Pijitawabik delta emerges from the southern end
of the canyon and deltaic sediments occur within the
canyon walls (Figs. 11, 12 &amp; 13). Remnant terraces of
sand and gravel (Figs. 12 &amp; 13) fall from an elevation
of about 305 m at the canyon bend to the delta surface
at about 299 m at the mouth of the canyon. The ice
margin feeding this system must have been just north
of the bend as suggested by Farrand (1960), in the
vicinity of this stop. The side canyon, Proﬁle D (Fig.
13) is cut down to the level of the terraces only, so
major down-cutting here, must have occurred during

delta building.
Stop 4 – Sand River Property, Roxmark Mines
Limited
UTM coordinates – 0424364E 5497579N

Note - permission from the land owner is required
for access to this stop.
In 2003, Roxmark Mines Limited acquired the
Sand River, Leitch and East Leitch properties from
Rio Fortuna, Teck Cominco and Kinross, respectively
(News Release, Roxmark Mines Limited, November
28, 2003) and began an advanced exploration program.
In 2004, trenching and stripping at Sand River exposed
vein systems ﬁlled with quartz.
Visible gold occurs within fractures in quartz veins
and most commonly is found along thin seams or septa
of sericite and chlorite, along with arsenopyrite, pyrite
and ankerite. Channel samples were cut every three
feet. All composite assays used a minimum width of
1.0 feet. The #16-1 West Vein returned an average
assay of 1.737 ounces Au per ton over a strike length
of 42 feet. The #16-1 East Vein returned 0.347 ounce
Au per ton over 37 feet.

-

Figure 14. View of the Pijitawabik Canyon looking north
toward Lake Nipigon (photo courtesy of P. Kor, OMNR).

The Sand River area was most recently mapped
by Hart et al. (2002) and is underlain predominantly
by clastic metasedimentary rocks. Thickly bedded,
southward-younging, feldspathic wacke, sandstone,

- 51 -

�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2

I

i.

:1

The rock surface has been polished and striated with
at least two ice ﬂow directions indicated (Fig. 15).
The oldest set is oriented between 265-270°N and the
youngest set at 290°N. Minor meltwater erosion forms
are also present. The edges of the stripped area and
trenches expose up to 2 m of glacial and postglacial
sediments.

II

In one section, an interesting sequence of sediments
is exposed. Resting directly on the bedrock surface
is a thin (30 to 50 cm) layer of stony, slightly silty,
sand diamicton interpreted as subglacial till (Fig. 16).
Clast content is high and is composed of many locallyderived lithologies, dominated by metasedimentary
rock fragments. The till is typical of areas of thin till
within the Canadian Shield allowing for variations in
lithology and stoniness. It has less than 2% carbonate
content in the silt/clay fraction of the matrix. A sample
of till from this layer contained 69% sand, 28% silt and
3% clay-sized particles (2 microns). In comparison a
sample of till from Stop 6 contained 45% sand, 49%
silt and 6% clay and had a matrix carbonate content of
about 27%.
Figure 15. Polished bedrock surface containing 2 sets of
striations (photo courtesy of M. Smyk, OGS).

and argillaceous rocks have been well exposed by
the recent stripping operations. Bedding has eastnortheasterly to east-southeasterly orientations with
steep, northerly dips. Well-developed, slatey cleavage,
as well as local sericitization and carbonatization
distinguish sub-parallel shear zones. Oblique cleavage
- bedding relationships are locally exposed. Cleavage
is refracted through interbedded siltstone and sandstone
beds.

Overlying the till layer is 30 to 50 cm of rhythmically
bedded silt and clay. These sediments were deposited
in an ancestral lake located in at least the Lake Nipigon
basin during ice marginal recession. A channel sample
of the rhythmites contained 7% sand, 77% silt and 16%
clay and its carbonate content was about 30%.
The rhythmites have been overturned toward the
northwest (fold axis ~30°N) and are overlain by a thin
layer of diamicton containing sorted lenses and wisps

I
Figure 16. “Local till” overlain by silt and clay rhythmites
at the Sand River Property (photo courtesy of M. Smyk,
OGS).

Figure 17. Overturned rhythmites and overlying diamicton
(photo courtesy of M. Smyk, OGS).

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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2

till, overlies the bedrock surface. The bedrock surface
is striated with the striations oriented at 245°N.
The bedrock directly below the till is composed
of ﬁne to very ﬁne grained sandstone, 20 to 30 cm
thick, resting on Quetico metasedimentary rocks.
The Archean - Proterozoic unconformity, an angular
unconformity between the ﬂat-lying Sibley Group
sedimentary rocks and east-trending steeply dipping
Quetico metasedimentary rocks, is exposed on both
sides of Highway 11 (UTM 0423431E 5483881N).

Figure 18. Transverse dune at stop 5. Inset shows internal
structure (photos courtesy of M. Smyk, OGS).

of sand and gravelly sand (Fig. 17).
The diamicton may represent a minor ﬂuctuation
of the ice margin; overriding the glaciolacustrine
rhythmites followed by ice marginal debris ﬂow
sedimentation (ﬂowtills) or may be debris ﬂows
related to slumping or ﬂowing of debris downslope; a
post glacial event. The direction of overturning of the
rhythmites, however, is similar to the direction of the
younger set of striations and perpendicular to the slope
direction at the site.
Stop 5 – Nipigon dunes
UTM coordinates – 0421102E 5497420N

At this stop a road cut exposes the internal structures
of a transverse dune that probably formed along the
shore of an ancestral lake in the Nipigon basin (Fig.
18). Thorleifson and Kristjansson (1983) mapped out
a shorebluff several metres above present-day Lake
Nipigon.

The till ﬁzzes when a weak solution of hydrochloric
acid (~10%) is applied. It contains about 27%
carbonate (11% calcite and 16% dolomite) in the silt/
clay fraction (Chittick analysis). The till at Sand River
(Stop 4) contained less than 2% carbonate. A sample
of till from this site contained 45% sand, 49% silt and
6% clay-sized particles (2 microns). In comparison a
sample of till from the Sand River Property (Stop 4)
contained 69% sand, 28% silt and 3% clay.
This exposure of thick, carbonate-rich “exotic till”
is one of the furthest west exposures. This exotic till is
best exposed farther to the east, between Geraldton and
Jellico especially around Wildgoose Lake. It underlies
a spectacular streamlined surface (Fig. 19) where
“drumlins up to 1 km in length are scattered across the
area, but the principal morphological feature on thick
till deposits are ﬂutes about 1 km wide and over 20 km
long” (Thorleifson and Kristjannsson, 1983, p.54).
Zoltai (1965a) noted that the Nipigon Moraine,
west of Lake Nipigon, corresponded to the extent of
carbonate-rich till and Karrow and Geddes (1986)
used the extent of carbonate-rich till to suggest that the

The second part of the stop is to a small ﬁeld of dunes
developed on an abandoned lake bottom that presently
has an elevation of about 296 m asl. The route follows
along the shorebluff mapped by Thorleifson and
Kristjansson (1983), then crossing a subtle break in
slope at about 178 m asl on our way to the dune ﬁeld.
Stop 6 – Carbonate till
UTM coordinates – 0423418E 5483886N
In the 7 m exposure on the west side of Highway 11,
approximately 6 m of light brownish grey, massive to
ﬁssile, slightly silty to silty, very ﬁne to coarse grained
sand with pebbles, cobbles and boulders, interpreted as

Tn

1

Figure 19. Streamlined till surface near Wildgoose Lake
(photo courtesy of OMNR 74-4929-18-156).

- 53 -

�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2

Nipigon Moraine was the correlative of the Chapleau
Moraine north of Lake Huron.
Stop 7 – Nipigon Lowland Rhythmites
UTM coordinates – 0407200E 5437660N

This stop is to look at some of the sediments that
underlie the Nipigon lowland. At this site, 0.6 to 1 m of
apparently massive slightly clayey silt to silt containing
freshwater molluscs overlies greater than 14 m of silt
and clay rhythmites (Fig. 20). The upper 6 m of the
section is well exposed in a drainage ditch just east of
Highway 11. The rhythmites are slightly contorted at
the top of the unit then become horizontally bedded
with depth. Concretions have formed around rootlets
below 4.5 m.
In the woods to the east, a small abandoned sand and
gravel pit occurs at the base of the bedrock-controlled
hill and may possibly mark the position of the shore
and level of the lake that the molluscs inhabited.
Farrand (1960) identiﬁed a couple of terraces east
of the highway and Helen Lake that he attributed to
Nipissing/Algoma.

Acknowledgements
The writer would like to thank Mr James Nichols, Jim
Nichols Trucking Ltd., Nipigon and Mr. Dave Malouf,
Roxmark Mines Ltd., for kindly giving permission to
visit their properties.
Mr Phil Kor (OMNR) and Mark Smyk (OGS)
provided most of the photographs used in the ﬁeldguide

and Mark kindly provided text on the bedrock geology
for several of the ﬁeld trip stops. Roxanne Corcoran
(OGS) produced some of the line illustrations. All of
their help is much appreciated.
In addition, the indirect contributions of the
contributors to the 1987 INQUA ﬁeldtrip guide (Geddes
et al., 1987) and Dr. W.R. Farrand (1960) for his work
on ancestral lake levels in the Superior basin improved
the content of this ﬁeld guide. This ﬁeldtrip guide was
produced with the permission of the Director, Ontario
Geological Survey.

References
Baker, V.R., Greely, R., Komar, P.D., Swanson, D.A., and
Waitt Jr., R.B., 1987. Columbia and Snake river
plains; in Geomorphic Systems of North America,
Geological Society of America, Centennial Special
Volume 2, p.403-468.
Barnett, P.J. 1991. Quaternary geology of Ontario; in
Geology of Ontario, Ontario Geological Survey,
Special Volume 4, Part 2, p.1011-1088.
Barnett, P.J., Henry, A.P. and Babuin, D. 1991. Quaternary
geology of Ontario, west-central sheet; Ontario
Geologic Survey, Map 2554, scale 1:1 000 000.
Blackburn, C.E., Johns, G.W., Ayer, J.A. and Davis, D.W.
1991. Wabigoon Subprovince; in Geology of Ontario,
Ontario Geological Survey, Special Volume 4, Part 1,
p.303-382.
Bostock, H.S. 1970. Physiographic subdivisions of Canada;
in Geology and Economic Minerals of Canada,
Geological Survey of Canada, Economic Geology
Report no.1, p.10-30.
Burwasser, G.J. 1979. Quaternary geology of the city of
Thunder Bay and vicinity, District of Thunder Bay;
Ontario Geological Survey, Geological Report 164,
70p.
Dredge, L.A. and Cowan, W.R. 1989. Quaternary geology
of the southwestern Canadian Shield; in Quaternary
geology of Canada and Greenland, Geological Survey
of Canada, Geology of Canada, no.1, p.214-249.
Dreimanis, A. 1989. Genetic classiﬁcation of tills; in Genetic
Classiﬁcation of Glacigenic Deposits, Balkema,
Rotterdam, p.17-84.
Drexler, C. W., Farrand, W. R. and Hughes, J. D., 1983.
Correlation of glacial lakes in the Superior Basin
with eastward discharge events from Lake Agassiz;
in Glacial Lake Agassiz, J. T. Teller and L. Clayton
(eds), Geological Association of Canada Special
Paper 26, p.261-290.

Figure 20. Example of fresh water molluscs collected from
Stop 7.

Elson, J.A. 1967. Geology of glacial Lake Agassiz; in
Life, land and water, University of Manitoba Press,

- 54 -

�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2
Winnipeg, Manitoba, p.36-95.
Farrand, W.R., 1960. Former shorelines in western and
northern Lake Superior basin; unpublished Ph.D.
thesis, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan,
226p.
Farrand, W.R. and Drexler, C.W., 1985. Late Wisconsin
and Holocene history of the Lake Superior basin;
in Quaternary Evolution of the Great Lakes, P.F.
Karrow and P.E. Calkin, eds., Geological Association
of Canada, Special Paper 30, p.17-32.
Franklin, J.M., 1978. The Sibley Group, Ontario. In,
Rubidium-strontium isochron age studies, Report 2,
Geological Survey of Canada, Paper 77-14, p. 31-34
Geddes, R.S. and Kristjansson, F.J. 1986. Quaternary geology
of the Hemlo area: Constraints on mineral exploration;
Canadian Geology Journal of the Canadian Institute
of Mining and Metallurgy, v.1, no.1, p.5-8.
Geddes, R.S., Kristjansson, F.J. and Teller, J.T., 1987.
Quaternary features and scenery along the north
shore of Lake Superior; International Quaternary
Association, INQUA’87, XII International Congress,
Excursion Guide Book C-12, 62p.
Hart, T.R., terMeer, M. and Jolette, C., 2002. Precambrian
geology of Kitto, Eva, Summers, Dorothea and Sandra
Townships, northwestern Ontario : Phoenix Bedrock
Mapping Project; Ontario Geological Survey, Open
File Report 6095, 206p.
Hicock, S.R. 1988. Calcareous till facies north of Lake
Superior, Ontario: Implications for Laurentide ice
streaming; Géographie Physique et Quaternaire, v.42,
p.121-135.
Karrow, P.F. and Geddes, R.S. 1987. Drift carbonate on the
Canadian Shield; Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences,
v.24, p.365-369.
Leverett, F., 1929. Moraines and shorelines of the Lake
Superior basin; United States Geological Survey,
Professional Paper, 154-A, 72p.
Mollard, D.G. and Mollard, J.D. 1981. Frazer Lake area
(NTS 52H/SE), District of Thunder Bay; Ontario
Geological Survey, Northern Ontario Engineering
Geology Study 42, 32p. Accompanied by Map 5052,
scale 1:100 000.
Ontario Geological Survey 2003. 1:250,000 scale bedrock
geology of Ontario; Ontario Geological Survey,
Miscellaneous Release – Data 126.
Prest, V.K. 1970. Quaternary geology of Canada; in Geology
and economic minerals of Canada, 5th edition
Geological Survey of Canada, Economic Geology
Report 1, p.676-764.

Sado, E.V., Fullerton, D.S. and Farrand, W.R. 1994.
Quaternary Geological Map of the Lake Nipigon
40X60 Quadrangle, United States and Canada; U.S.
Geological Survey, Miscellaneous Investigations
Series, Map I-1420 (NM-16), scale 1:1 000 000.
Shaw, J. 1985. Subglacial and ice marginal environments;
in Glacial Sedimentary Environments, Society of
Economic Paleontologists and Mineralogists, Short
Course no. 16, p.7-84.
Slattery, S.R., 2003.
Sedimentary architecture and
Quaternary geology of the Longlac area, northcentral Ontario, Canada; unpublished MSc thesis,
Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, 125p.
Smyk, M., Fralick, P.W., and Hart, T., 2005. The geology
and gold mineralisation of the Bearmore-Geraldton
greenstone belt. Institute on Lake Superior Geology
51st Annual Meeting, Proceedings Volume 51, Part 2
– Field trip guide, this volume.
Sutcliffe, R.H. 1991. Proterozoic Geology of the Lake
Superior Area. in Geology of Ontario, Ontario
Geological Survey, Special Volume 4, Part 1, p.627661.
Teller, J.T. and Mahnic, P. 1987. History of sedimentation in
the northwestern Lake Superior basin and its relation
to Lake Agassiz overﬂow; Canadian Journal of Earth
Sciences, v.25, p1660-1673.
Teller, J.T. and Thorleifson, L.H. 1983. The Lake Agassiz–
Superior connection; in Glacial Lake Agassiz,
Geological Association of Canada, Special Paper 26,
p.61-290.
Teller, J.T. and Thorleifson, L.H., 1987. Catastrophic
ﬂooding into the Great Lakes from Lake Agassiz;
in Catastrophic ﬂooding, Allen &amp; Unwin, Boston,
Massachusetts, p.121-138.
Thorleifson, L.H. and Kristjansson, F.J., 1993. Quaternary
geology and drift prospecting, Beardmore-Geraldton
area, Ontario, Geological Survey of Canada, Memoir
435, 146p.
Williams, H.R. 1991. Quetico Subprovince; in Geology of
Ontario, Ontario Geological Survey, Special Volume
4, Part 1, p.383-405.
Zoltai, S.C. 1965a. Glacial features of the Quetico–Nipigon
area, Ontario; Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences,
v.2, p.247-269.
Zoltai, S.C. 1965b. Surﬁcial geology, Thunder Bay; Ontario
Department of Lands and Forests, Map S265, scale
1:506 880.

Sado, E.V. and Carswell, B.F. 1987. Surﬁcial geology of
northern Ontario; Ontario Geological Survey, Map
2518, scale 1:1 200 000.
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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2

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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2

Fieldtrips 3 and 6 - A stratigraphic transect across the Northern ﬂank of the
Midcontinent Rift near Rossport
Pete Hollings and Philip Fralick
Department of Geology, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, Ontario, P7B 5E1, Canada

Safety
As this trip will be taking place on Lake Superior
it will be weather dependant and could be cancelled
or curtailed at very short notice. An alternative trip to
the Winston Lake mine will be undertaken in case of
bad weather. Please exercise caution when getting in
and out of the boats as the outcrops are often extremely
slippery. Life jackets must be worn in the boats at all
times. It will probably be very cold out on the lake so
please dress warmly.

Regional geology
Archean granites, outcropping along the shoreline
near Rossport, are unconformably overlain by strata of
the Gunﬂint Formation (Fig. 1). These sediments were
deposited on a south facing shelf at approximately
1878 Ma (Fralick et al., 2002). The Formation consists
of a Lower Member composed of basal stromatolitic
bioherms overlain by ankeritic, interclastic grainstones.
A regressive, karstiﬁed surface caps the northern
portion of this assemblage (Fralick and Barrett, 1995)
and is succeeded by the Upper Member. It begins with
a repetition of the underlying lithologies to which,
higher in the succession, are added carbonaceous
shales, tuffs and rarely maﬁc volcanic rocks. These
chemical and ﬁne-grained siliciclastic sediments record
parasequence development on a storm-dominated shelf
(Pufahl and Fralick, 2004) forming the relatively stable
portion of a back-arc basin (Kissin and Fralick, 1994;
Hemming et al., 1995) prior to compressive northward
thrusting of the arc at approximately 1860 to 1835 Ma.
As the compression of the Penokean Orogeny waned
the sea again transgressed over the area depositing
black, carbonaceous shales of the Rove Formation.
This depositional cycle lasted from 1835 Ma (Kissin et
al., 2003; Addison et al., 2005) till less than 1780 Ma
ago (new detrital zircon laser ablation ICP MS data).
The lower portion of the Gunﬂint Formation in the

Rossport area is poorly exposed. The limited outcrop
of the Lower Gunﬂint is similar to the succession
comprising the thin, basal Kakabeka Conglomerate and
overlying interclastic grainstones present in exposures
to the west near Thunder Bay. Good exposure of the
Upper Gunﬂint exists on Quarry Island and consists
of possible basaltic ﬂow rocks with associated
stromatolites, overlain by a succession of mediumto coarse-grained, graded, sandstone beds. The
geochemistry of the sandstones is similar to Archean
rocks to the north indicating probable derivation from
this source. Black shales, lithically correlative with the
Rove Formation, outcrop on an island approximately 5
km to the west. The shales do not overly the turbidite
succession on Quarry Island where arenites of the
Sibley Group disconformably rest on an erosion surface
at the top of the Gunﬂint sandstones.
The basal unit of the Sibley Group is the Pass Lake
Formation. It is composed of the conglomeratic Loon
Lake Member and the overlying sandstones of the
Fork Bay Member (Cheadle, 1986). Where the basal
conglomerates are present they either represent: 1)
large channel ﬁlls cutting down into sandstones to
shales with abundant caliche zones, or; 2) more laterally
continuous conglomerates interbedded and overlain
by parallel laminated, medium-grained sandstones.
The former represent channel gravels in braided
ﬂuvial systems and the latter coarse-grained strandline
deposits. The overlying Fork Bay sandstones likewise
record both braided ﬂuvial deposition and subaqueous,
strand proximal sand-sheet development. In addition
to upward thinning and ﬁning successions developed
during transgressive systems tract formation, other
sandstone assemblages thicken and coarsen upwards
representing progradational, delta lobe outbuilding. It
is not known whether the water body was lacustrine
or marine, though preliminary isotopic analyses (C, O,
S and Sr) are more in agreement with a hypersaline
lacustrine setting for at least the later history of the water
mass. This is consistent with Cheadle’s (1986) ﬁndings

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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2
A

B
Figure 1b

Osler Group

1108 Ma

Nipigon diabase

Stop 8

Sibley Group

Lake Superior

C
48°30ʼ

a

Animikie Group

Figure 1c
1105 Ma

Lake Superior

200 km

Rossport

N

Stop 7

Quarry Island
Stop 6

Simpson
Island

Stop 3

Vein
Island

Stop 2

Archean rocks

a

15 km

Stop 5

Stop 4

Stop 1

Channel
Island

Wilson
Island

48°30ʼ
Keweenawan intrusive rocks

Osler Group volcanics

Keweenawan sediments

Sibley Group sediments
Gunflint Formation
Archean basement

Copper
Island

48°45ʼ

87°30ʼ

87°45ʼ

48°45ʼ

1 km

Figure. 1. Map showing the location of the ﬁeldtrip area. B) Regional geology map showing the extent of the Osler Volcanic
Group. Age data from Davis and Sutcliffe (1985) and Davis and Green (1997). Modiﬁed after Sutcliffe (1986). C) Geological
map of the Osler Volcanic Group showing sample locations. Modiﬁed after Giguerre (1975).

based on regional paleogeography. The increasing
salinity of the water resulted in dolomite, minor gypsum
and rarer barite and celestite precipitation mixed with
mud deposition. A red and green banding developed in
this assemblage due to periodic anoxia of the bottom
sediments. The ﬁnal desiccation of the lacustrine basin
is recorded by the development of strandline microbial
bioherms (stromatolites) which are overlain by either
a terra rosa (red, wind-delivered soil) or subareal,
intraformational, mass-ﬂow conglomerates. This is
succeeded upwards by mudstones with abundant
gypsum nodules representing mudﬂats formed in an
arid climatic setting where hypersaline groundwaters
precipitated gypsum. Together all these ﬁne-grained
sediments comprise the Rossport Formation. It is
overlain by the Kama Hill Formation; a coarsening
upwards deltaic succession recording ﬂooding of the
basin and development of a more humid climate. The
age of the Pass Lake and Rossport Formations can be
bracketed between laser ablation MS youngest ages on
detrital zircons of 1600 Ma and a Rb-Sr isochron of

1339 Ma (Franklin, 1978). Youngest detrital zircons in
the Kama Hill Formation are 1420 Ma.
The Sibley Group is very well exposed along the
shorelines of the islands off Rossport. The basal
disconformity can be seen about two thirds of the way
up the cliff face on the western side of Quarry Island
where it overlies graded sandstone beds of the Gunﬂint
Formation. Blocks of medium-grained sandstone were
extracted from the cliff face on the island for use in
the construction of buildings in Thunder Bay. These
sandstones are medium- and large-scale planar crossstratiﬁed and may represent a sandﬂat composed of
transverse bars in a braided stream or small barchan,
eolian dunes. Rare pebbles indicate the former may be
the case but this evidence is not conclusive. Channel
and Copper Islands contain excellent exposures of the
lacustrine rocks with outbuilding of channel systems
along the paleolake margins. One of the best outcrops
of the strandline stromatolitic carbonates occurs on
Channel Island and will be visited during this ﬁeldtrip.
On Copper Island the Rossport Formation is overlain

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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2

Logan Sills (1109+4/-2 Ma, Davis and Sutcliffe, 1985),
the lower portion of the North Shore Volcanics (1108±2
Ma, Davis and Green, 1997), the Swamper Lake Gabbro
and Nathan’s Series intrusives (1107 Ma, Paces and
Miller, 1993) and the lower portion of the Powder Mill
Group (1107±2 Ma, Davis and Green, 1997). These
older units outcrop on the rift ﬂanks where erosion has
removed the younger rift sequence or, in the case of the
The oldest rift-related rocks on which U-Pb age
Coldwell and Logan Sills, are intruded into older rocks
determinations have been performed lie along the
immediately north of the rift.
northwestern portion of the rift. These include, from NE
The Osler Volcanic Group comprise a ~3km thick
to SW, the alkaline intrusives of the Coldwell Complex
(1108±1 Ma, Heaman and Machado, 1992), the lower sequence (Cannon et al., 1989) lying unconformably
Osler Group volcanics (1108+4/-2 to 1105±2 Ma, above Sibley Group metasediments (Fig. 2). The
Davis and Sutcliffe, 1985; Davis and Green, 1997), the volcanic sequence is overlain and intruded by the
disconformably by pebbly, ﬂuvial conglomerates of the
basal Osler. Thirty kilometers to the west the uppermost
unit of the Sibley, the Nipigon Bay Formation,
underlies the same disconformity. This highlights the
fact that approximately 600 m of erosive downcutting
occurred in the Rossport area before the basal Osler
was deposited.

V

1095

N

Copper Harbour
Conglmerate

Portage lake
Volcanics IV

Portage Lake
IV
Volcanics

Group 7

V

(Group 8)

III

Group 6

Upper Suite

R

R

Kallander Creek
Volcanics

Siemens Creek
Volcanics

Beaver Bay
Complex
Mostly basalt
units

Osler Group

1105

Schroeder Basalts V

Duluth
Complex

Great
Conglomerate
and Group 5

Central Suite
III
II

I
Bessemer Quartzite

1110

Lower Suite I
Simpson Isl Cgl

Nipigon Sills

Groups 3,4
Group 2
Group 1

IV

IV

IV

1100

NE Minnesota
SW limb

III
II
I

IV

North Shore Volcanic Group

Copper Harbour
Conglomerate

1090

Mamainse Point
Michipicoten
Island
Michipicoten
Island Formation

Isle Royale

1085

Age (Ma)

Isle Royale Black
Bay Peninsula
Lake Nipigon

Upper Michigan
NW Wisconsin

Elyʼs Peak
Basalts
I, II, III
Nopeming sandstone

Archean Basement

Figure 2. Schematic correlations of volcanic rocks of the Midcontinent Rift based on the stratigraphic position of distinctive
basalt sequences, magnetic polarity and absolute age where possible. Modiﬁed after Nicholson et al. (1997). Dashed lines
in Upper Michigan section separate lower and upper members of Kallander Creek and Siemens Creek volcanics. Left hand
column shows magnetic polarity. Roman numerals I-IV refer to ﬁve distinctive laterally extensive basalt compositions
identiﬁed on the south shore of western Lake Superior. Where equivalent basalt compositions occur in other stratigraphic
successions, the appropriate Roman numeral is noted (see Nicholson et al., 1997 for data sources). Shaded regions represent
intervals in which contacts are covered or obscured by plutonic rocks.
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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2

St. Ignace Island Volcanic-Plutonic Complex an
intercalated sequence of basaltic rocks and rhyolitic
ﬂows (Sutcliffe and Smith, 1988). Detailed descriptions
of the Osler Group have been provided by McIlwaine
and Wallace (1976) and Lightfoot et al. (1991).
Generally the maﬁc ﬂows of the Osler Group consist of
massive to amygdaloidal ﬂows, with locally developed
ropey tops and pahoehoe textures (Sutcliffe and Smith,
1988). The ﬂows range in thickness from 5cm to 30m
(Lightfoot et al., 1991) with a regional dip of ~6-15°
S (Giguerre, 1975; Lightfoot et al. 1991; Hollings
et al., 2005). The majority of the exposed section
is magnetically reversed with only the upper 100m
displaying a normal polarity (Halls, 1974). The contact
between the two units is marked by the presence of the
Puff Island conglomerate and a discordance between
the basalt ﬂows above and below the contact. This has
been interpreted as representing a signiﬁcant break in
the eruption history. A felsic porphyry near the base of
the Osler Group has yielded an age of 1107.5+4/-2 Ma
(Davis and Sutcliffe, 1985) whereas zircons from the
Agate Point rhyolite towards the top of the reversely
magnetized sequence have yielded an age of 1105±2
Ma (Fig. 1b; Davis and Green, 1997).
Within the Osler Group interﬂow sediments are
typically thin and of limited extent. Field descriptions
of the sedimentary successions appear in Giguere
(1975) and McIlwaine and Wallace (1976). They show
that there are two main zones of sedimentary rocks
within the Osler Group. One occurs near the base of
the volcanic pile. The other is present approximately
2700 meters higher in the succession marking the
paleomagnetic reversal.
Lightfoot et al. (1991) in a study of the Osler
Volcanic Group exposed along the shores of the
Black Bay Peninsula to the west of the ﬁeld trip
location proposed that the major and trace element
geochemical data could be used to subdivide the ﬂows
into an Upper, Central and Lower Suite although the
boundaries between the suites were not clear cut. While
the geochemical compositions of the Central (750900m) and Upper suites (1900-3000m) overlap their
Lower Suite (0-750m) is distinguished by elevated Mg
numbers (0.55-0.7 versus 0.3-0.6), lower Al2O3 (8-12
wt% versus 13-17wt%), lower Th/Nb ratios (0.090.70 versus 0.3-0.6) but higher Gd/Ybn ratios (3.5-4.5
versus 1.6-2.6). Nicholson et al. (1997) concluded that
there were ﬁve geochemically distinct ﬂood-basalt
compositions within the Mid-continent rift that are

common to most sections and appear in approximately
the same stratigraphic order (Fig. 2) They recognized
a lower suite in the Siemens Creek Volcanics (Basalt
Type 1; Fig. 2), which they suggest is analogous to the
Lower Suite of Lightfoot et al. (1991). In the United
States this unit is less than 100m thick whereas the
Lower Suite of Lightfoot et al. (1991) is ~750m thick.
They report a narrow range of εNd(1100) values for the
Siemens Creek Volcanics of -0.7 to +0.7. Nicholson
et al. (1997) further suggest that there is a broadly
recognizable suite of basalts above this (Basalt type
II) which includes the upper Siemens Creek Volcanics
and in the upper part of the Grand Portage lavas (Fig.
2). The suite is characterized by slight negative Nb
anomalies and a range of εNd(1100) values of -1.4 to -6.9.
They suggest that this may be analogous to the most
primitive members of the Central Suite of Lightfoot et
al. (1991).
The volcanic ﬂows of the Osler Group on Wilson
Island are all basalts or basaltic andesites (SiO2 = 4756 wt%; MgO = 5-16 wt%; Hollings et al., 2005).
The basalts are characterized by LREE enrichment
(La/Smn = 1.5-3.9) in conjunction with moderately
fractionated HREE (Gd/Ybn = 1.5-3.7) and slight
positive to moderately negative Nb anomalies (Nb/
Nb* = 0.56-1.13; Hollings et al., 2005; Fig. 3). Major
and trace element data show trends of increasing
SiO2 and decreasing MgO and display strong positive
correlations between La/Smn, Th/La and Th/Nb with
height (Fig. 4). This correlation is most pronounced
above 400m with samples from the base of the
stratigraphy displaying more or less constant values of
these ratios (Fig. 4). Measured 143Nd/144Nd ratios for
the seven Osler basalts analysed range from 0.5118570.512286 with εNd(t=1106Ma) of +0.3 to -5.3 (Hollings et
al., 2005). The high incompatible element abundances,
in conjunction with LREE enrichment and strongly
fractionated HREE are comparable to modern OIB,
albeit at lower absolute abundances (Fig. 3). When
compared to other ﬂood basalt sequences the more
primitive basalts from this study closely resemble
basalts from the Parana-Etendeka ﬂood basalt
sequence (Fig. 4; Gibson et al., 2000). The εNd data
from the most primitive members of the Osler Group
is consistent with an enriched mantle plume rather than
a contaminated depleted mantle source, given the lack
of trace element evidence for contamination in these
samples. Depleted mantle at 1100 Ma would have
had a positive εNd perhaps as high as +6 whereas an

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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2

by an older lithospheric component characterized by
pronounced LREE enrichment, high Th abundances but
generally unfractionated HREE (Hollings et al., 2005).

100

The sedimentary successions near the base of the
Osler Group constitute the Simpson Island Formation
and have recently been described in detail by Hollings
et al. (2005). They are composed of a Lower Member
dominated by trough cross-stratiﬁed, medium-grained
sandstones directly overlying basement and an Upper
Member with a greater variety of siliclastic units. The
Lower Member sits on an irregular, erosional surface
cut into the underlying quartz arenites of the Nipigon
Bay Formation, Sibley Group. A massive pebble-cobble
conglomerate overlies the unconformable surface
and is in turn overlain by decameter-scale layers of
coarse-grained and pebbly sandstone (Fig. 5, Section
1). Sandstones are parallel laminated, commonly
have cross-stratiﬁed tops, more rarely contain pebbly
transverse ribs and chute and pool-like structures. The
central portion of the succession is composed of trough
cross-stratiﬁed, medium-grained sandstone organized
into a stacked assemblage of lenses. Pebble stringers
and pebbly sandstones commonly occur on the deeper
portions of curving set boundaries (Fig. 5, Section 2).
Massive pebble-cobble conglomerates sharply overly
the sandstone succession (Fig. 5, Sections 2 and 4). The
conglomerates contain trough cross-stratiﬁed, mediumgrained sandstone lenses; decameter- to meter-scale
wedges of planar cross-stratiﬁed sandstone and are
interbedded with assemblages of trough cross-stratiﬁed
sandstones up to one meter thick. Another assemblage
of trough cross-stratiﬁed sandstone, similar to the one
in the central portion of the succession, caps the basal
sedimentary assemblage (Fig. 5, Sections 3 and 4).
Clast lithologies in the pebble-cobble population are
dominated by quartz, chert, various types of volcanic

10
Hawaiian OIB
Deccan Traps CFB
Parana-Etendeka CFB

1

Th Nb La Ce Pr Nd Zr Hf Sm Eu Ti Gd Tb Dy Y Ho Er Tm Yb Lu Al V Sc

Rock/Primitive Mantle

100

10

Type 1
Lower Suite
1

Th Nb La Ce Pr Nd Zr Hf Sm Eu Ti Gd Tb Dy Y Ho Er Tm Yb Lu Al V Sc

100

10

Type 2
1

Central Suite
Th Nb La Ce Pr Nd Zr Hf Sm Eu Ti Gd Tb Dy Y Ho Er Tm Yb Lu Al V Sc

Figure 3. Comparison of primitive mantle normalized
plots from the Osler Group with A) Phanerozoic OIB and
Continental Flood Basalts (CFB) and B &amp; C) the Lower and
Central suites of Lightfoot et al. (1991). From Hollings et al.
(2005).

enriched plume source would have εNd ~0 (Nicholson
and Shirey, 1990; Shirey et al., 1994). Up sequence the
basalts are characterized by higher SiO2, Th and La/Smn
abundances in conjunction with increasingly negative
Nb and Ti anomalies and εNd(1106) values of -4 to -5.
This is consistent with contamination of these basalts
900
800

SiO2

MgO

Fe2O3

La/Smn

Th

Gd/Ybn Th/La

εNd

Th/Nb

700
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
40

50

60 5

10

15 10

15

1

2

3

4

1

2

3

4

1

2

3

4 0.05 0.10 0.15 0.20 0.10 0.15 0.20 -6

-4

-2

0

Figure 4. Geochemical stratigraphy of the Osler Group on Vein and Wilson Islands. The stratigraphic position of the samples
has been calculated assuming a dip of 10° parallel to the section. From Hollings et al. (2005).
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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

6

No

Longitudinal

24

Complex

V

V

V

V

V

Major
12
V

V

V

V

6

V

V

V

V

V

V

18

V

3

0

Section
5.
V

V

No
O/C

V

V

V

V

V

Nipigon Bay

V
V

V

Ripples

Pebbles

Hummocky
Cross-Strat.

V

V

V

V

V

No O/C
? m.

m

V

V

V

V
V

Complex
No O/C
? m.

Sandy
Sheetfloods

6

Sheetfloods
and
Debris flows

3
V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

Conglomerate
Pebbly
V. Coarse
Medium
V. Fine
Siltstone
Shale
Sst.

V

V
V

V
V
V

7
15

V V
V

8 m.
No O/C

12

21

18

15

12

Bar

V

0

Massflow

3 m.
No O/C
V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

5 6

V
V

V

V

V

V

15

V
V
V V

V

V

V

10 km

Older Units
Section Locations

Section
7.
V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

Sand
Channels
with
Small
Gravel
Longitudinal
Bars

Stacked
Channels

9

Sheetflood
Sands with
Channels

6

Small
Stacked
Channels

Distal

6

V

4 2 1
3 VV V

Sedimentary Rocks
Igneous Rocks
1

27

Sandy
Channels
to
Distributary
Mouth
Bar

9

V

m

Gravel
Channels

26

V

V V
V V

Osler Group

24

29

23

V

V

Section
6.

32

Longitudinal

No O/C

Trough
Cross-Strat.
Small
Irregular
Lenses
Paleocurrent
Direction

V

V

V

V

V

V

V
V

V
V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

Bar

0

0

Complex

Rhyolite

V

V

V

V

=318o

15

9

Longitudinal

Parallel
Lamination

V

V

V

V

Bar Tail
Sand Sheet
Longitudinal Bar

Nipigon Bay

V

Sandy Channel

3

Bar

Sandy

Channel

V

Section
4.

m

Basalt

INTERFLOW SEDIMENTS

m

V

Channel

O/C

=268o

V

9

3

0

V

l e g e n d

18

No

6

V

V

Sst.

V

9

V

Major
Sandy
Channel

0

Bar

V

m

V

3

O/C

15

Section
1.

V

V

No O/C

V

n = 38

V

V

21

o

Section
3.

m

V

= 265

27

Section
2.

Conglomerate
Pebbly
V. Coarse
Medium
V. Fine
Siltstone
Shale

N

m

V

SIMPSON ISLAND
FORMATION
( Basal Sediments )

3

0

Massflow
Sheetflood
Sands with
Channels

Figure 5. Sections of sedimentary rocks in the Osler Group. Sections 1 through 4 are the basal sedimentary succession of the
Lower Member, Simpson Island Formation, at different locations (see inset map). Sections 5 and 6 are of the Upper Member,
Simpson Island Formation, interlayered with basal basalt ﬂows. Section 7 is the sedimentary assemblage near the top of the
Osler Group on Puff Island. From Hollings et al. (2005).
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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2

rocks, red siltstone, metamorphosed granite and at the
east end of the outcrop belt, on Copper Island, a higher
proportion of unmetamorphosed red granite. Current
indicators show ﬂow was to the west, averaging 265°.
A sedimentary assemblage also occurs near the upper
limit of outcrop of the Osler Formation, at the top of
the magnetically reversed interval (Fig. 5, Section 7).
These interﬂow sediments are located on Puff Island
and overly a felsic porphyry with a U-Pb age of 1105
Ma (Davis and Green, 1997). They contain: sharp sided
assemblages of laterally continuous, pebbly, coarsegrained sandstone beds with caliche horizons which
are scoured into by small lenses of conglomerate; large
scours ﬁlled with trough cross-sets over a meter thick;
stacked assemblages of irregular lenses ﬁlled by trough
cross-stratiﬁed, coarse-grained, pebbly sandstone; and,
poorly sorted, disorganized, massive boulder-cobble
conglomerate. Clasts are all volcanic, ranging from
quartz-feldspar porphyries to maﬁc compositions.
Paleocurrents on large-scale sedimentary structures
consistently show ﬂow to the southeast.

Island.
Stop 1 – Osler volcanics, Wilson Island
UTM coordinates – 0462794E 5402095N

Flows of the Osler Group on Wilson Island are
typically &gt;1m thick, frequently amygdaloidal towards
the top and bottom of the ﬂow with a massive core and
rarely displayed a pahoehoe texture on the ﬂow surface.
The basalts are characterized by clinopyroxene and
plagioclase phenocrysts in a groundmass of plagioclase,
augite and Fe-Ti oxides. Rarely, basalts from the base
of the sequence contained pseudomorphed olivine
phenocrysts. The basalts have all been subjected to
low-grade metamorphism ranging from zeolite to
prehnite-pumpellyite facies (McIlwaine and Wallace,
1976). At this stop, approximately 500m above the
basal conglomerates, are exposed a sequence of thin
rubbly basalt ﬂows ~50cm thick with rare massive
ﬂows ~2-4m thick and thin interﬂow sediments
(Fig. 6). Geochemically basalts at this outcrop are
similar to the Central Suite of Lightfoot et al. (1991).
Sedimentary units are predominantly quartz sandstones
with thin shale partings. These are best interpreted as
sands washing into small hollows on the surface of
the ﬂow units with a mud drape settling out towards
the top of the layer. In places units that appear to have
been deposited on the surface of basalt ﬂows connect
into sub-vertical cooling cracks in the ﬂows. Sediment
ﬁlled cooling cracks can be up to 2m deep (Fig. 7).

cr1

The Simpson Island Formation is composed of a
laterally continuous sedimentary succession up to 25
meters thick and discontinuous sedimentary units up
to 30 meters thick interlayered with the basal basalt
ﬂows. The lowest sedimentary beds ﬁll channelways
cut into the underlying sandstones of the Nipigon Bay
Formation. The channel ﬁlls and overlying sedimentary
assemblage represent a braided stream system, similar
to the South Saskatchawan model (Miall, 1978), where
dunes composed of coarse-grained sand migrated Stop 2 – Osler Volcanics, North end of Wilson
down the channels and gravelly longitudinal bars with Island
chute channels and bar edge sand wedges form the
UTM coordinates – 0461810E 5403438N
higher relief areas (Fig. 5). The ﬂuvial interpretation
Exposed at this outcrop, are the lower ﬂows of the
is consistent with Tanton (1931) and McIlwaine and
Osler Volcanic Group ~300m above the conglomerates
Wallace (1976). Clast lithologies indicate debris was
mainly derived from erosion of local lithologies.

C
I

Stops

The trip will depart from the public dock at Rosport
and will undertake a traverse through the stratigraphy
of the Midcontinent Rift, starting with the youngest
rocks of the Osler Volcanic Group, proceeding through
the Sibley and Gunﬂint Formations and ﬁnishing with
a look at the granites of the Archean basement (Fig. 1).
In order to make the most of the calmer weather typical
of early mornings we will ﬁrst travel for approximately Figure 6. Thin interﬂow sediments between basaltic ﬂows,
30 minutes to the most southerly outcrop on Wilson Stop 1 on Wilson Island.
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�I

') i

1

Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2

Figure 8. Pahoehoe texture at Stop 2, Wilson Island.

Figure 7. Approximately 2m thick maﬁc ﬂow cut by sediment
ﬁlled cooling crack. Stop 1, Wilson Island.

of the Upper Simpson Island Formation. The basaltic
ﬂows are generally massive, ranging in thickness from
1-3m. Flow tops vary from rubbly to well-developed
pahoehoe textures (Fig. 8). The basalts are vesicular
and amygdaloidal and in places the vesicles are
elongated giving them almost a pipe-like appearance.
Geochemically basalts at this outcrop are similar to
the Central Suite of Lightfoot et al. (1991). In some
areas the basalt ﬂows incorporate xenoliths of a more
vesicular material which have both sharp and diffuse
contacts (Fig. 9) At the north end of the outcrop the
ﬂows are cut by a 2-3m wide maﬁc dyke. This dyke is
geochemically distinct from the ﬂows but comparable
to the older diabase intrusions in the vicinity of Lake
Nipigon.

tel
Figure 9. Amygdaloidal xenoliths in basalt ﬂows at Stop 2,
Wilson Island.

sandstone beds (Figs. 10, 11). A covered interval
separates this assemblage from overlying mediumto large-scale, trough cross-stratiﬁed, coarse-grained
sandstones to conglomerates (Fig. 12). Paleocurrent
indicators show ﬂow to the west, though with a
higher variance than other sections. Clast lithologies
Stop 3 – Upper Simpson Island Formation, Daylight are probably locally derived from both Archean and
Point, Wilson Island
Proterozoic sources. The ﬁne-grained sandstone near
the base of the section represents a wave modiﬁed deltaUTM coordinates – 0461450E 5404650N
front (ie., a distributary mouth bar of a small delta).
A sedimentary assemblage of the Upper Member
occurs on Wilson Island, overlying approximately The presence of small, dish-shaped scours suggests a
50 meters of basal basalt. This coarsening upwards shallow water environment with no large channels. The
succession has oscillation rippled, very ﬁne-grained upper part of the sequence represents badly organized
sandstones at its base (Fig. 5, Section 6). These coarsen river deposits with gravelly, longitudinal bar forms and
upwards by the addition of increasing amounts of channels ﬁlled with sand. The planar cross sets at the
medium-grained, parallel laminated to hummocky base of the cliff were formed by transverse bars, while
cross-stratiﬁed to oscillation rippled, decimeter-scale the trough cross beds represent migrating dunes.
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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2

red siltstones outcrop on the shoreline here (Fig. 13).
These are interpreted to be part of the cyclic facies
(Channel Island Member) of the Rossport Formation
as exposed at Kama Hill. The dolomite and minor
gypsum indicate a hypersaline environment interpreted
to be lacustrine because of the multiple deltas and
sand sheets building in from a variety of directions.
The cyclic facies is overlain by stromatolites and
interbedded thin, sandy, carbonate storm layers (Fig.
14) of the Middlebrun Bay Member. This meter thick
Figure 10. Fine-grained red sandstones with thin shale assemblage is similar to Recent sabkha deposits on the
partings forming the base of the deltaic deposits at Stop 3.
south shore of the Persian Gulf, and in particular the
open water ponds on this sabkha where sandy storm
layers are well preserved. The upper few centimeters
of the stromatolitic unit is altered to a grey-green layer
that represents a weathered horizon interpreted to

.,

4r 17
;

Figure 11. Oscilation ripples with overlying hummocky,
medium-grained sandstone showing the effects of wave
reworking on the sediments forming the delta front at Stop
3.

Figure 12. Cross-stratiﬁed sandstone and massive
conglomerate forming the upper portion of the prograding
deltaic succession present in the Upper Member of the
Simpson Island Formation present at Stop 3. These sediments
represent a longitudinal bar-channel complex of a braided
stream.

Stop 4 – Sibley Group, Mary Ann Bay, Channel
Island
UTM coordinates – 0462831E 5405801N

Note - this is a very small outcrop and access to the
rocks may be limited if lake levels are high. Please take
care moving from the landing point to the outcrop.
A succession of grey dolomites interbedded with

Figure 13. Interlayered red siltstones and dolostones (lower
unit underlying the more massive strandline carbonate with
overlying mass-ﬂow deposits) were deposited in a saline
lake away either temporally or spatially from areas of coarse
sand inﬂux. The colour banding reﬂects the position of the
redox boundary as the sediments accumulated. The grey
layers commonly have slightly higher dolomite contents
possibly reﬂecting higher organic productivity leading to
more photosynthetically mitigated carbonate precipitation
(higher dolomite content) and heavier organic loading to the
sediment (redox boundary moving upward to at or above
sediment water interface). Stop 4, Mary Ann Bay.

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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2
________

U

t1 ii'

IIIIII!!

CENTIMETRE
Figure 14. Stromatolitic layering (smooth mat with small
pinnacles) with interbedded coarse silt to very ﬁne-grained
sand storm layers (white). This is typical of strandline to
sabkha environments and especially open water ponds on
the sabkha. Some of the storm layers were remobilized in the
form of clastic dykes and sills.
www. ]akcu pC 1 recj Ic IgyUIr

have formed as the sequence became subaerial and the
stromatolites weathered in situ. This weathered zone
is traceable throughout the basin with the strandline
deposits below it commonly containing well developed
tepee structures. The carbonates are overlain by a massﬂow unit with intraformational clasts of red siltstone,
sandstone and dolostone up to boulder size. Although
the contact between the carbonates and the mass ﬂow
units is locally obscured by the intrusion of a sill, the
transition is interpreted to represent a minor time gap
based on the weathered zone which expands to thick
terra rosa (soil) deposits at other locations.
Stop 5 – Gunﬂint Formation, Quarry Island
UTM coordinates – 0462305E 5406730N

A succession of sandstones and maﬁc volcanic
rocks outcrop on the south shore of Quarry Island.
On the northeastern end of the outcrop area a gabbro,
probably related to the Midcontinental Rift, is exposed.
Next to this is a small outcrop of stromatolites with
a box-like appearance (Fig. 15). The rectangular to
square outline of the mounds contrasts with the round
to oval appearance of classic stromatolites, though their
organic origin is exempliﬁed by the high angle layering,
which, when projected into the area now eroded, can
be seen to form mounded structures. Areas between
the stromatolites are inﬁlled with coarser siliciclastic
sandstones and cherty clasts. The next outcrop of

Figure 15. Odd shaped structures of probable stromatolitic
origin. within the Gunﬂint Formation. Stop 5, Quarry Island

Gunﬂint volcanic rocks is problematic. Maﬁc volcanic
ﬂow rocks occur interbedded with Upper Gunﬂint
lithologies southwest of Thunder Bay. These are also
associated with stromatolites that developed on the
ﬁrm substrate of the ﬂow tops. Thus, the igneous rocks
in the Gunﬂint assemblage on Quarry Island could be
correlative to the other ﬂow rocks, but it is difﬁcult
to conclusively show that these rocks are extrusive.
Possible ﬂow banding is present, as are areas of ﬁner and
coarser material in individual units. The igneous rocks
are overlain by medium- to coarse-grained sandstones
with bed thicknesses averaging approximately 30 cm.
The sandstones are dark in appearance giving the
impression they were derived from maﬁc detritus,
but their geochemistry indicates an intermediate
source similar in composition to the Archean crust to
the north. The layers are excellently graded (Fig. 16)
with the only sedimentary structure being sporadically
developed parallel lamination. Beds such as these are
commonly thought of as typical turbidites and the
deposits ascribed to reasonably deep water. However, it
must be remembered that graded bedding simply means
a decelerating ﬂow deposited the bed, which can occur
in any water depth. These beds may be tempastites,
ie. beds formed by storm events, in this case in water
deeper than storm wave base but certainly not anything
approaching abyssal depths. Or they may have formed

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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2

Figure 16. Well graded sandstone layers. Though these are
probably turbidites they were not deposited in excessively
deep water and may, in fact, represent distal tempestites.
Stratigraphic position is problematic as these beds may
belong to either the Upper Gunﬂint or Rove Formations.
Stop 5, Quarry Island.

from inter- or overﬂow sediment-water plumes off river
mouths, though lack of current reworking of bed tops
makes this unlikely. Alternatively they may represent
prodelta deposits formed by slumping of the delta
front. All of these environments are relatively shallow
which agrees with the presence of stromatolites not
far stratigraphically below the graded beds. Another

Figure 18. A second example of unusual marking observed
at Stop 6. The origin of these markings is unclear. Stop 5,
Quarry Island

interesting point concerning these clastic units is that
although such sandstones are common in the upper
Rove Formation they are not present in the Gunﬂint at
any other location. Thus, their stratigraphic position is
debatable. The third unusual attribute is the presence of
difﬁcult to interpret structures on some bedding planes.
Series of enechelon small crack-ﬁll like features cut
across bedding planes (Fig. 17). In addition a jellyﬁshlike impression was found on a bedding plane (Fig.
18). This feature had ﬁve-fold symmetry, similar to
echinoderms, but the age of the rocks and its presence
in sandstone leads to the distinct possibility that it was
manufactured.
Stop 6 – Pass Lake Formation, Quarry Island

A

50 meters inland from the last shore outcrop (Stop 5)
where the iron train rail lies across the cobble-boulder
beach - this stop will be time dependant.

This outcrop consists of a cliff-face in sandstones,
which were quarried, and the blocks produced used in
the construction of buildings in Thunder Bay (Fralick
et al., 2000). Here we see the basal sediments of the
Sibley Group, the Pass Lake Formation. The Pass Lake
forms a diverse group of basal coarse clastic deposits
representing environments ranging from braided ﬂuvial
through to subaqueous sand sheets. The mediumgrained sandstones present in this cliff are organized
into a series of large-scale planar cross-stratiﬁed sets
with normal to low dip angles. Sorting is fairly good
and only one pebble has been found in the succession.
Assemblages such as this pose a dilemma in formulating
Figure 17. Unusual markings on the bedding planes of the an interpretation of their depositional environment.
graded sandstones. Stop 5, Quarry Island.
Both aeolian sand dunes and sandﬂats composed of
- 67 -

�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2

i —I
•

,

•

—l

•d•

Figure 19. Basal conglomerate of the Gunﬂint exposed at
Gut Point. Photo courtesy of Mark Smyk.

transverse bars in braided rivers are capable of creating
such an organization of lithofacies. The presence of the
pebble is signiﬁcant as only freak wind-storms, such
as tornadoes, can move material of this size, and these
do not form sand dunes. So, it is more likely that these
deposits are subaqueous but this rests only on a slim
piece of evidence.

Figure 21. Black chert with gossan within the basal
conglomerate of the Gunﬂint Formation at Gut Point. Photo
courtesy of Mark Smyk.

is matrix-supported, with subangular to rounded
pebbles of white, sugary quartz, lesser cherty and lithic
fragments and minor jasper in a medium-grained, sandy
matrix (Fig. 20). A black, pyritiferous chert breccia is
marked by a conspicuous gossan (Fig. 21). Sulphide
mineralization may be related to a persistent, parallel
fracture set at 115°. Fractures may host quartz-calcitebarite veins ranging from &lt; 1 to 20 cm wide as well
Stop 7 – Basal conglomerate of the Gunﬂint, Gut as vein breccia. A conjugate fracture set at right angles
to the ﬁrst is locally developed. Siliciﬁcation adjacent
Point
to the veins has preserved a thin (1 to 5 cm) veneer of
UTM coordinates – 0461610E 5408587N
Gunﬂint from being eroded (especially the carbonate
The unconformity and basal Gunﬂint are exposed units). A 2m wide diabase dyke strikes at 115° through
at Gut Point as a thin, discontinuous veneer along the the outcrop.
lakeshore on top of Archean basement (Fig. 19). The
basement is a medium-grained, equigranular granite,
Stop 8 – Archean basement, Selim Point
which has been altered (sausseritized/chloritized)
UTM coordinates – 0469219E 5409146N
beneath the basal Gunﬂint. The basal conglomerate is
up to 30 cm thick and occupies depressions in the paleoFrom the dock in Rosport return to Highway 17 and
erosion surface in the basement. The conglomerate head east for ~5 km. Turn right on to Lakeshore Drive
just west of Whitesand Provincial Park. Follow the dirt
road to a parking spot opposite a small tombola (Fig.
22). The porpyritic granite exposed here is Archean in
age and part of the Wawa Subprovince. The area was
mapped by Carter (1988) who described the rocks as
porphyritic pink, hornblende + biotite alkali feldspar
granite, a phase of the Whitesand Lake Batholith. The
porphyritic “facies” is surrounded by massive pink
and grey phases of alkali feldspar granite that is not
exposed at this locality. The batholith is about 8 x 16
km in size and intrudes the Schreiber greenstone belt;
no radiometric date has been generated. Feldspar
Figure 20. Matrix supported basal conglomerate of the
phenocrysts are typically 3-4 cm across (Fig. 23),
Gunﬂint Formation containing rounded pebbles of quartz,
subhedral to euhedral and in places appear to display
chert and lithic fragments. Photo courtesy of Mark Smyk.
localized alignment suggestive of ﬂow banding.
- 68 -

�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2
Morey, G., Sutcliffe, R., and Spencer, C., 1989. The
North American Midcontinent Rift beneath lake
Superior from GLIMPCE seismic reﬂection proﬁling.
Tectonics, 8, 305-332.
Carter, M.W. 1988. Geology of the Schreiber-Terrace Bay
area, District of Thunder Bay; Ontario Geological
Survey, Open File Report 5692, 287p.
Cheadle, B.A., 1986. alluvial-playa sedimentation in the
lower Keweenawan Sibley Group, Thunder Bay
District, Ontario. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences,
v. 23, p. 527-542.
Davis, D.W., and Green, J.C., 1997. Geochronology of
the North American Midcontinent rift in western
Lake Superior and implications for its geodynamic
evolution. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, 34,
476-488.
Davis, D.W. and Sutcliffe, R., H., 1985. U-Pb ages from the
Nipigon plate and northern Lake Superior. Geological
Society of America Bulletin, 96, 1572-1579.Davis,
D.W., and Green, J.C., 1997. Geochronology of
the North American Midcontinent rift in western
Lake Superior and implications for its geodynamic
evolution. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, 34,
476-488.

Figure 22. Porphyritic Archean granite, Selim Point.

Fralick, P.W. and Barrett, T.J., 1995. Depositional controls
on iron formation associations in Canada. In, ed by
A.G. Plint, Sedimentary Facies Analysis, Special
Publication of the International Association of
Sedimentologists, v. 22, p. 137-156.
Fralick, P.W., Kissin, S.A. and Davis , D.W., 2002. The age
of the Gunﬂint Formation, Ontario, Canada: single
zircon U-Pb age determinations from reworked
volcanic ash. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, v.
39, p. 1085-1091.
Figure 23. Feldspar phenocrysts in Archean porphyritic
granite at Selim Point.

Acknowledgements
We would like to thank Mark Smyk and John Scott
for their help and advice in the preparation of this ﬁeld
guide. In particular Mark Smyk provided text and
photographs for Stop 7.

References
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Kissin, S., Fralick, P.W., McNaughton, N.J., and
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Cannon, W., Green, A., Hutchinson, D., Lee, M., Milkereit,
B., Behrendt, J., Halls, H., Green, J., Dickas, A.,

Fralick, P.W., Smyk, M. and Mailman, M., 2000. Geology and
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Franklin, J.M., 1978. The Sibley Group, Ontario. In,
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- 69 -

�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2
Hemming, S.R., McLennan, S.M. and Hanson, G.N.,
1995. Geochemical and Nd/Pb isotopic evinence
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GSA Bulletin.
Kissin, S.A. and Fralick, P.W., 1994. Early Proterozoic
volcanics of the Animikie Group, Ontario and
Michigan, and their tectonic signiﬁcance. Proceedings
Institute of Lake Superior Geology, v. 40, p. 18-19.

Sutcliffe, R. H., 1986. The petrology, mineral chemistry and
tectonics of Proterozoic rift-related igneous rocks at
Lake Nipigon, Ontario. Unpublished Ph.D. thesis,
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Sutcliffe, R.H., and Smith, A.R., 1988. Project number 8717. Geology of the St. Ignace Island volcanic-plutonic
complex. Summary of Fieldwork and Other Activities
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Tanton, T.L., 1931. Fort William and Port Arthur, and
Thunder Cape map areas, Thunder Bay District,
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Kissin, S.A., Vallina, D.A., Addison,W,D. and Brumpton,
G.R., 2003. New zircon ages from the Gunﬂint and
Rove Formations, northwestern Ontario. Proceedings
Institute of lake Superior Geology,
Lightfoot, P., Sutcliffe, R., and Doherty, W., 1991. Crustal
contamination identiﬁed in Keweenawan Osler Group
tholeiites, Ontario: A trace element perspective.
Journal of Geology, 99, 739-760.
McIlwaine, W.H., and Wallace, H., 1976. Geology of the
Black Bay Peninsula Area, District of Thunder Bay,
Accompanied by Map 2304, scale 1 inch to 1 mile.
Ontario Division of Mines, GR133, 54p.
Miall, A.D., 1978. Lithofacies types and vertical proﬁle
models in braided river deposits: A summary. In ed.
A.D. Miall, Fluvial Sedimentology, Canadian Society
of Petroleum Geologists Memoir 5, 597-604.
Nicholson, S.W., Shirey, S., Schulz, K., Green. J., 1997. Riftwide correlation of 1.1 Ga Midcontinent rift system
basalts: implications for multiple mantle sources
during rift development. Canadian Journal of Earth
Sciences, 34, 504-520.
Paces, J.B., and Miller, J.D, Jr., 1993. Precise U-Pb ages
of Duluth Complex and related maﬁc intrusions,
northeastern Minnesota; geochronological insights
to physical, petrogenetic, paleomagnetic, and
tectonomagnetic processes associated with the 1.1 Ga
Midcontinent Rift System. Journal of Geophysical
Research, B, Solid Earth and Planets, vol.98, no.8,
pp.13,997-14,013.
Pufahl, P.K. and Fralick, P.W., 2004. Depositional controls
on paleoproterozoic shallow-water iron formation
accumulation, Gogebic Range, Wisconsin, U.S.A.
Sedimentology, v. 54, p. 791-808.
Shirey, S., Lewin, K., Berg, J., and Carlson, R., 1994.
Temporal changes in the sources of ﬂood basalts:
Isotopic and trace element evidence from the 1100
Ma old Keweenawan Mamainse Point Formation,
Ontario, Canada. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta,
58, 4475-4490.
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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2

Fieldtrip 4 - Geology and rare element pegmatites of the Quetico Subprovince
near Nipigon
Mark Smyk
Ontario Geological Survey, Resident Geologist’s Program, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada
Stephen Kissin
Department of Geology, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, Ontario, P7B 5E1, Canada

Overview
The Quetico Subprovince of the Superior Province
is situated between the Wabigoon and Wawa volcanoplutonic subprovinces that bound the Quetico on its
northern and southern margins, respectively. This easttrending subprovince has a fairly consistent width of
70 km and consists predominantly of metasedimentary
rocks and their migmatitic and anatectic derivatives
(Williams, 1991). In general, the boundaries of the
Quetico, whether or not they may be primary and/or
tectonic, have been mapped as steeply dipping surfaces
across which there is commonly a distinct contrast in
lithology. In northwestern Ontario, the Quetico has
been deﬁned to exclude maﬁc metavolcanic rocks and
derived migmatites; these rocks are instead assigned to
the bounding Wawa and Wabigoon subprovinces.

In contrast, Seemayer (1992) also described an
asymmetric metamorphic grade distribution that had
metamorphic grade increasing from south to north
across the Quetico, southwest of Lake Nipigon. The
southern margin was characterized by greenschist-facies
rocks, the central portions were at amphibolite facies
and the northern margin displayed an abrupt decrease
in grade adjacent to the Wabigoon Subprovince to the
north. The Quetico Fault, which is normally situated at
the northern margin of the Quetico, lies well within the
Quetico southwest of Lake Nipigon (Seemayer, 1992).
Seemayer (1992) determined temperatures based
on garnet-biotite thermometry ranging from 526°C
at the southern margin of the Quetico Subprovince,
increasing asymmetrically to a maximum of 714°C,
then falling sharply at the northern margin to 517°C.

An overview of the lithologic, metamorphic,
structural and tectonic characteristics of the Quetico
Subprovince has most recently been provided by
Easton (2000):
“The intensity of metamorphism varies within
the subprovince, such that rocks marginal to the
subprovince tend to be at lower grade than in the
interior. The lowest metamorphic grade is found along
the northern boundary with the Wabigoon subprovince
(Pirie and Mackasey, 1978). Locally, subgreenschistto greenschist-facies rocks occur along the southern
boundary (Borradaile, 1982), but typically, there is a
rapid rise in metamorphic grade north of the Wawa
subprovince, especially north of Manitouwadge,
where a belt of metasedimentary granulites occurs
within the Quetico subprovince close to, and parallel
with, the northern margin of the Wawa subprovince
(Coates, 1968; Williams and Breaks, 1989, 1990;
Pan et al., 1994). As a result, grade distribution is
asymmetrical, with the maximum in temperature and
pressure occurring south of the central Quetico, locally
coincident with the southern margin.”

4

Figure 1. Field trip stop locations.

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I

�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2
_______
________

GeneaI geology of the
Quetico Subprovince
near Nipigon
(after Williams 1991)
Key to Locations:

7. Jean lake
B. Lake HSen

II. Georgia Lake

50km

._—

Alkalic rrptexes

Y

to Paleoproterozoic ver
and intrusions; Pharierozoic ver
Moso

Trerd of regional S fabric
Sttatigrapliic fadng

Fault arrows iricate

MusooVe-beaiing granffio raCKs
(peralumir,ous). may indude

slip sense, baths on
upthrow &amp;de. if mown

biothe granite

S yncline,

Massive granadiodte to granite;
unsubdivided, mainly biotfte beang

antdiie

Gneis&amp;c and foliated tonalite wiles
Metasedinientary rocks: wacke,
paragneiss, granulite;

minor mac units
Wabigoon, Wawa and Abitibi
subprovincos

Figure 2. Generalized regional geology (after Williams, 1991).

Pressure calculated at near peak temperature was 5 ±
1.5 kbar.
Easton (2000) described the regional metamorphic
conditions and metamorphic history:
“P–T conditions increase from west to east, for
example, 500ºC and 2.5 kbar at the Minnesota border
west of Thunder Bay (Percival, 1989), to 700–780ºC
and 5.4–6.1 kbar adjacent to the Kapuskasing structural
zone (Percival and McGrath, 1986; Percival, 1989).
Typical conditions in the central region are on the order
of 620ºC and 3.3 kbar (Percival, 1989). Granulites
north of Manitouwadge yield 680–770ºC and 4.4–6.4
kbar (Pan et al., 1994; Percival, 1989). The regional
variation in P–T can be ascribed to a relatively shallow
level of erosion in the west (&lt;10 km) and a deeper
level in the east (&gt;12 km) (Percival et al., 1985). Rocks
located east of the Kapuskasing structural zone are
believed to be generally at upper-amphibolite-facies
conditions (Williams, 1991).”
“Evidence

for

an

earlier,

medium-pressure,

low-temperature, pre-tectonic or early syntectonic
metamorphism comes from four areas within the
subprovince. In the Atikokan region, and in northern
Minnesota, both at the northern margin of the Quetico
subprovince, an early M1 metamorphic peak between
D1 and D2 produced Ky–St–Bt assemblages (Ayres,
1978; Tabor et al., 1989). Kyanite inclusions in
plagioclase within Grt–Sil–Bt–Pl–Qtz schist near
Raith, north of Thunder Bay, have been reported by
Percival et al. (1985). Kehlenbeck (1976) also presented
textural evidence for a polymetamorphic history along
the northern margin of the Quetico subprovince north
of Thunder Bay. Again, along the northern margin of
the subprovince, in the Beardmore–Geraldton area
(Williams, 1989), amphibolite-facies conditions were
attained prior to D2 deformation, with the distribution
of facies being structurally controlled within thrustbounded panels (Williams, 1991).”
“In contrast, the main phase of regional
metamorphism (M2), which produced the observed

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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2

map-pattern (Fig. 2), occurred late syntectonically
(Sawyer, 1983; Williams, 1991). The general sequence
of isograds, based on the appearance of diagnostic
assemblages in pelites, is Chl–Ms–Bt, Grt+And+Sil,
Grt+Crd+Sil, in situ granitic leucosome, and Opx
(Pirie and Mackasey,1978; Percival and Stern, 1984).
The common occurrence of Grt–And in metapelites
in the western Quetico subprovince is diagnostic of
bathozone 2 (&lt;3.4 kbar; Carmichael, 1978), whereas the
presence of Sil–St in the eastern Quetico is diagnostic
of bathozones 3 and 4 (3.4–5.5 kbar).”
“As noted by Williams (1991), tectonic thickening
of the sedimentary pile and intrusion of minor Itype granitic rocks occurred prior to the thermal
acme. Most of the large pre- to syntectonic granitic
bodies are peraluminous and have sedimentary
sources but display little evidence of thermal contact
metamorphism; one exception is the South Beatty Lake
pluton in the northern Quetico subprovince (Pirie &amp;
Mackasey, 1978). Steeply dipping thermal gradients,
local increases in temperature around large plutons,
and the general association of the highest-grade rocks
with abundant generation of leucosome, indicate that
the source of heat was a combination of burial, upward
magmatic transport, and tectonism.”
“In the northern Quetico, M1 metamorphism is
estimated to have occurred between 2698 Ma, the
maximum age of sedimentation (Davis et al., 1990)
and 2688+4 Ma, the age of emplacement of the late
syntectonic Blalock pluton (Davis et al., 1990). In
the southern Quetico, M1 occurred after 2690 Ma,
the maximum age of sedimentation (Zaleski et al.,
1999). The timing of M2 metamorphism is less well
constrained, and may have been protracted. In the
Manitouwadge area, Zaleski et al. (1999) constrained
regional D2 deformation to 2680–2677 Ma, and
suggested that migmatization in both the northern Wawa
and southern Quetico subprovinces occurred after 2679
Ma, broadly coincident with D3 deformation. This
inference is consistent with observations elsewhere in
the Quetico that contact aureoles around late plutons,
dated at 2671+2 to 2665+2 Ma, as well as late granitic
pegmatites dated at 2653+4 Ma, overprint regional
metamorphic fabrics (Percival and Sullivan, 1988;
Percival, 1989). North of Manitouwadge, Pan et al.
(1998) reported a U–Pb zircon age of 2666+1 Ma from
a granitic pegmatite concordant with respect to the D3
fabric, and suggested that the regional amphibolitefacies metamorphism occurred between 2671 and

2665 Ma, consistent with the ages cited above.
The timing of peak granulite-facies metamorphism
north of Manitouwadge appears to be some 15 Ma
younger, on the basis of U–Pb zircon ages of 2650+
and 2651+3 Ma from a maﬁc granulite and a tonalitic
leucosome, respectively (Pan et al., 1998). Zaleski &amp;
van Breemen (1997) reported that titanite ages young
with increasing metamorphic grade, ranging from
~2686 Ma in the southern Manitouwadge greenstone
belt to ~2640 Ma in the southern Quetico, suggesting
that the thermal effects of regional metamorphism may
have lasted over ~30 million years, from 2677 to 2640
Ma, in the higher-grade parts of the Wawa and Quetico
subprovinces. On the basis of their regional geological
and geochronological studies, Zaleski et al. (1999)
concluded that “M2 metamorphism occurred after
the tectonic juxtaposition of the Quetico and Wawa
subprovinces.”
This ﬁeld trip will cover the southern two-thirds of
the Quetico Subprovince, from south of Beardmore
to Nipigon (Fig. 1). As mentioned above, there is an
asymmetric distribution in metamorphic grade, with
a gradual progression from greenschist-facies, clastic
metasedimentary rocks near the northern contact with
the Wabigoon Subprovince; to lower amphibolite-facies
schists and gneisses; through to upper amphibolitefacies migmatites and derived granitic rocks near the
southern contact with the Wawa Subprovince near
Nipigon. Thermal and pressure maximum occurs south
of the center of the Quetico. The metamorphic character
is of high-temperature/low-pressure (Abukuma-type)
metamorphism, associated with the abundant intrusion
of granitoid rocks and the regional distribution of
migmatites derived from the metasedimentary rocks
(Kamineni et al., 1988; Percival and McGrath, 1986;
Percival, 1989; Williams, 1989). Peak metamorphic
assemblages in the ﬁeld trip area suggest conditions
&gt;650ºC and 5 kbar, corresponding to bathozones 4 to 5
(14 to 15 km deep in the crust) (Easton, 2000; Percival,
1989).
The nomenclature of Mehnert (1968) has been used
in describing migmatites in this ﬁeld guide.

Overview of the Georgia Lake Pegmatite
Field
The Georgia Lake pegmatite ﬁeld, as described by
Pye (1965) and Mulligan (1965) represents the largest
concentration of rare element mineralization in the

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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2
Table 1. Estimated reserves for the Georgia Lake pegmatite ﬁeld.
Deposit

Estimated reserves (tons)

Average grade (% Li2O)

759,475

1.65

96,000

1.50

Conway

1,830,000

0.96

Jean Lake No. 4 (Parole)

1,689,000

1.30

261,000

1.03

Nama Creek North Zone

2,784,000

1.11

Nama Creek South Zone

1,508,332

0.96

Jackpot

2,000,000

1.09

750,000

1.38

11,677,807

1.14

Aumacho No. 1 (Brink)
Aumacho No. 2
Aumacho No. 3

McVittie

Vegan No. 2 (Newkirk)
Total

Superior Province of Ontario (Breaks et al., 2003a).
It comprises 38 rare element occurrences and 10
spodumene-bearing, pegmatite deposits (total resource
of 11.7 million tons grading an average of 1.14% Li2O;
Pye, 1965; Table 1; Fig. 3) were discovered during an
exploration rush in the 1950’s (Pye, 1956).

As delineated by Breaks et al. (2003a), the ﬁeld
covers approximately 1200 km2 (32 km by 37 km) and
is hosted by upper greenschist- to lower amphibolitefacies, clastic metasedimentary country rocks. Four
types of rare element pegmatites (using the classiﬁcation
of Cerný (1991a) have been identiﬁed locally; Breaks

+:duaoeke aatholth
OpSb1::*:..:::.,11rr._
+

+

L

Diebase dikes and

Rare

V.] (co"pIredfoundbype5entsu'vey)

Slb1o GrOtJP. xnsobdivlded

,.

be

beryp

,.I,wrtonaI,t and m!gn,arnic m.tas.diftl.ntary

col -tent

endaver GPaOer Lake eatholith

Li

coumbite-t.ntaILte
Lithium

Peraluminous S-type graniuc rocks,

ssIte,1t

pi-nt

grantte and pota5sc pegTlaUte

r1 clastic maaethn,entary rocks io and medium

maçnec oxLdeminera

grade metawacke and m*tap.IIte

Pet
spod

petahte
spodvnw,.e

Maflc to int.rmslate metavorcan,c rocks

tour

tourmalint

bçOOn subprwMce

Figure 3. Generalized regional geology (after Breaks et al., 2003a).
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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2
Table 2. Subdivisions of the Georgia Lake pegmatite ﬁeld, after Breaks et al. (2003a)
Pegmatite group
Postagoni River
Lake Jean
Barbara Lake
Forgan Lake

Type
Albite-spodumene
Albite-spodumene
Albite-spodumene
Albite-spodumene

Examples
McVittie; Dunning; Nama Creek
Foster; Giles; Trans
Vegan; Newkirk; Point; Jackpot
Forgan; Lucky Lake (Lun-Echo)

Cosgrave Lake

Beryl±petalite sub-type

Swanson; MNW

Gathering Lake

Albite

Newly discovered, unnamed

biotite-muscovite and muscovite-biotite granite and
granodiorite.

et al., 2003a):
1) Beryl-type
2) Albite-spodumene-type
3) Complex-type/petalite-subtype
4) Albite-type
The Georgia Lake pegmatite ﬁeld was initially
subdivided by Milne (1962) and then Zayachivsky
(1985) and Kissin and Zayachivsky (1985) into the
Northern, Central and Southern groups. More recent
data and mapping conducted by Breaks et al. (2003a)
has led to a revised, six-fold subdivision (Table 2).
The two pegmatites that will be visited on the
ﬁeld trip, the Dunning pegmatite (Stop 2) and the
Foster pegmatite (Stop 4), are examples of the albitespodumene-type.

The Glacier Lake Batholith (GLB) is a large mass
of medium- to coarse-grained, S-type granite and
pegmatitic granite situated immediately south of
the northern metasedimentary part of the Quetico
Subprovince, extending east of Highway 11 at least
50 km. It dominantly consists of grey, medium- to
coarse-grained biotite and muscovite-biotite granite,
which locally contains minor tonalitic and migmatitic
metasedimentary enclaves. Generally massive, this
rock may display a local, weak foliation developed in
1 to 2 cm-thick, shallowly lineated veins of ﬁbrolite,
muscovite and quartz that appear to have formed
during aluminous hydrothermal alteration controlled
by late shearing (Breaks et al., 2003a). Gradation into

__

Zayachivsky (1985) divided the felsic plutonic rocks
in the Georgia Lake area into three groups (Fig. 4):

——
SoRe

(1) Two-mica leucogranites, occurring as a large
plutonic mass south of the pegmatite ﬁeld (cf. Glacier
Lake Batholith) and as smaller, satellite intrusions;

*

T—sqs

—

(2) Kilgour Lake Group granitoids centered around
a small gabbroic unit near Kilgour Lake; and

I mon I

Isiopil

—

2t

(3) Tonalitic sills, distributed throughout the
pegmatite ﬁeld.

/ 7 .7./

-

[.L

Zayachivsky (1985) suggested that the two-mica
leucogranites and tonalitic sills were derived from
the partial melting of metapelites and metawacke,
respectively (i.e. S-type granitoids). The Kilgour
Lake rocks were presumed to be the products of the
fractional crystallization of a maﬁc magma generated
in the upper mantle/lower crust (i.e. I-type granitoids).
Breaks et al. (2003a) described two distinct, fertile,
peraluminous, S-type granite plutons (MNW and
Barbara Lake stocks) that occur within metasedimentary
country rocks. They consist of virtually identical,
grey, medium-grained, generally homogeneous,

__ __

—

—

——

Kikwtk. S,S.

CR
-—

MMflOak

Figure 4. Plutonic rocks in the Georgia Lake area (after Pye,
1965; Zayachivsky, 1985; Breaks et al., 2003a).

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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2

consanguineous pods of tourmaline-muscovite potassic
pegmatite up to 1 m in diameter occurs locally. There
are several episodes of S-type granitic magmatism in
the GLB. Undeformed, tourmaline-cordierite or tourmuscovite dikes are the youngest and most chemically
evolved units (F. Breaks, Ontario Geological Survey,
personal communication, 2004).

can be pursued by the identiﬁcation of dispersion
haloes of rare alkali metals (Li, Rb, Cs) in country
rocks and some other elements such as Be, Sn and Cu.
Hidden pegmatite targets in promising terrain may thus
be located.

Pye (1965) undertook the ﬁrst lithogeochemical
survey for rare elements in the aforementioned felsic
plutonic rocks in the Georgia Lake area. Many
anomalies, ranging from 100 to 400 ppm Li, were
noted.

Uranium-bearing pegmatite dykes are associated
with felsic plutonic rocks in this part of the Quetico
Subprovince. Several occurrences have been
documented by Scott (1987), including some in
the vicinity of Nipigon. White, albite-rich, biotitequartz+muscovite+apatite pegmatite dykes up to
30 m wide intrude gneissic and migmatitic rocks.
Yellow and yellow green stain (secondary uranophane
(Ca(UO2)2Si2O7 · 6H2O?)) characterize many of the
uraniferous dykes. Uraninite appears to be the primary
uranium-bearing mineral (Franklin, 1978). The Lake
Helen occurrence is situated on the western shore
of Lake Helen, opposite the roadside rest area on
Highway 11 (Stop 7). Trenching and sampling of this
occurrence in 1967 by Aggressive Mining Limited
yielded values up to 0.135% U3O8 (ibid). Such dykes
are considered to be the primary source of uranium that
occurs in structures at or near the Archean / Proterozoic
unconformity in the Nipigon Basin.

Two modes of source ﬂuid derivation may have
operated during the emplacement of the Georgia Lake
pegmatites (Zayachivsky, 1985). Pegmatites of the
Central Group were derived by igneous fractionation
of a granitic parent near Barbara Lake and emplaced as
low-viscosity, volatile-rich melts in a direction away
from the source area. This is supported by a fractionation
trend deﬁned most clearly by the concentration of Rb
and Cs in perthitic microcline and muscovite across
the Central Group. The pegmatites of the Northern
Group may have been the result of direct anatexis of
lithium-rich Quetico metasedimentary rocks. Breaks
et al. (2003a) described the MNW pegmatite (petalite
sub-type) as the most evolved of the local pegmatites,
based on its geochemistry, mineralogy, including the
occurrence of manganotantalite. A general rule for rare
element-bearing Ontario pegmatites is that tantalum
mineralization is associated with lithium mineralization
in the form of spodumene and/or petalite (ibid).
Prediction of the source of lithium deposits in
“fertile” parental granites is a somewhat uncertain art.
The essential parental granite is a siliceous, peralkaline
leucogranite, but the lithium content of a prospective
parental granite is not highly indicative of the presence
of lithium-rich pegmatites (Cerný, 1991a). Data
summarized by Stewart (1978) and more recently by
Cerný (1991a) indicate that Li-contents in parental
granites are typically &lt;100 ppm. Moreover, analyses
of bulk compositions of spodumene- and petalitebearing pegmatites yield a closely grouped mean of
1.53 weight % Li2O (Stewart, 1978) and range between
1.5 and 2.0 weight % Li2O (Cerný, 1991b). These data
indicate that differences between spodumene- and
petalite-bearing pegmatites are caused by pressure and
temperature differences during crystallization rather
than differences in bulk composition. Cerný (1991b)
suggested that exploration for rare-element pegmatites

Uraniferous Dykes

Stops
Field Trip Road Log
Stop Locality
Lake Jean stops
Intersection of Hwy.’s 11 &amp;17 in
the Town of Nipigon
Take Hwy 11 north
Gorge Creek turn-off - head east
Reset
Postagoni River Bridge
1
Postagoni Stock
2
Dunning pegmatite
Powerline crossing
3
Quetico metasedimentary rocks
4
Foster pegmatite
Lake Helen stops
Intersection of Hwy.’s 11 &amp;17 in
the Town of Nipigon
Take Hwy 11 north
5
Glacier Lake Batholith

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km

0
37.4

12.4
14.4
18.4
19.1
28
28

0
17.1

�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2

6
7
8
9
10

11

Biotite leucogranite
Migmatite - roadside rest area
Pull-off area
Pegmatitic granite
Pegmatitic granite
Pegmatites in migmatite
Intersection of Hwy.’s 11 &amp;17 in
the Town of Nipigon
Take Hwy 17 east
Migmatites (optional)

rocks and display no foliation nor signiﬁcant internal
variation. An U-Pb zircon age of 2684.8 + 2.1 Ma
was determined for the Postagoni Stock (D. Davis,
University of Toronto, unpublished data).

10.8
7.4
5.9
5.2
4.85
4.6

Stop 2 - Dunning Pegmatite
UTM coordinates - 0427823E 5474882N

0
18.4

Stop 1 - Postagoni Stock
UTM coordinates - 0425041E 5472869N

Large, locally derived boulders of leucotonalite
of the Postagoni Stock (a.k.a. Postagoni Lake sill)
occur on the eastern side of the forest access road.
Pye’s (1965) mapping identiﬁed a porphyritic granitic
intrusion approximately 1.6 km long and 700 m wide in
metasedimentary country rocks. The McVittie pegmatite
cuts the stock north of Dive Lake; it was visited during
an ILSG ﬁeld trip in 1990 (Kissin, 1990). Both the
McVittie and Dunning (Stop 2) pegmatites are part of
the Northern Group (Zayachivsky, 1985) or Postagoni
Lake Group (Breaks et al., 2003a), comprising unzoned
albite-spodumene-type pegmatites.

This small roadside outcrop exposes the Dunning
pegmatite dyke, which has an estimated width of 2 to 3
m at this location and intrudes Quetico metasedimentary
rocks. Woolverton (1956) noted that pegmatite dykes
on the Dunning property were exposed intermittently
in a zone extending over 600 m in length.
This dyke is part of Zayachivsky’s (1985) Northern
Group, which are characterized by medium- to very
coarse-grained, perthitic microcline and spodumene in
a ﬁne-grained matrix of quartz, muscovite and albite,
with trace amounts of apatite and garnet. They are
typically unzoned to poorly zoned and commonly
contain aplitic stringers, bands and pods, within and
parallel to dyke contacts.
This dyke is a typical albite-spodumene-type
pegmatite (Fig. 5). Green spodumene crystals, up to
4.5 cm long, are aligned perpendicular to the dyke

Zayachivsky (1985) described this sill as a coarsegrained tonalite with closely packed crystals of
plagioclase up to 1.5 cm long, locally imparting a
porphyritic texture. This texture occurs throughout the
sill except near its contacts with the metasedimentary
country rocks where a several metre-wide chilled
margin has developed. The chilled margin texture
resembles that of the porphyry dykes described by Pye
(1965). A modal analysis of the Postagoni Stock was
given by Zayachivsky (1985; Table 3).
Table 3. Modal analysis of the Postagoni Stock.
Mineral
Plagioclase
K-feldspar
Quartz
Muscovite
Biotite
Epidote
Zircon

Modal abundance(%)
66.6
5.6
25.7
0.4
1.6
0.1
Trace

The Postagoni Stock and the other local tonalitic
sills are invariably in sharp contact with the country

Figure 5. Drusy spodumene, Dunning pegmatite (Stop 2).

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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2

___

______________________
____________
-2 _______________
Logging Camp
(abandonedi

-

Sketch Map of the Foster Pegniatite area
Amieno Resourc.s Inc. 19B7)

STOP 3 nd

// / •/./

///

STOP4

of the submarine margin and trench-ﬁll are present in
the Quetico (Fralick et al., 1992; Williams, 1989). 10
to 20 cm thick sandstone-siltstone beds strike 100º and
likely dip steeply to the south, based on observations in
the area by Pye (1965). Graded bedding suggest tops
to the south (Fig. 7). Pye (1965) noted that biotitequartz-feldspar schist such as this are most commonly
granoblastic; garnet porpyhryoblasts have also been
noted. Some lenticular pods of quartzo-feldspathic
leucosome are present.
Stop 4 - Foster Pegmatite

9

a

100ut1

UTM coordinates - 0436379E 5473665N

.---—----—Metasedimentary rocks

Figure 6. Sketch map of Foster pegmatite area (Stops 3 &amp;
4).

contact. This phenocrystic spodumene typically
contains several percent iron and is commonly altered
to a dark green to black alteration product of chlorite
and sericite (aka “rotten spodumene”). Some altered,
brown spodumene is also present, along with quartz,
albite (+cleavelandite), beige alkali feldspar, green
muscovite and minor oxides. Pye (1965) reported that
the lithia contents of the two dykes on the Dunning
property were low and of no economic importance.
Stop 3 - Quetico Metasedimentary Rocks
UTM coordinates - 0436345E 5473931N

Medium-grade clastic metasedimentary rocks typical
of the north-central part of the Quetico Subprovince
are exposed in a small outcrop north of the Foster
pegmatite (Fig. 6). South of the Beardmore-Geraldton
belt, more highly metamorphosed, turbiditic sediments

A series of stripped and washed outcrops reveals
a swarm of narrow pegmatite dykes cutting an easttrending sill of massive, biotite tonalite, termed the
Parole Lake sill by Zayachivsky (1985; Fig. 8). The
Foster deposit was discovered in 1956 and was tested
by diamond drilling later that year by Towagmac
Exploration Co. Ltd. (Walter, 1957; Pye 1965; Table
4). This work indicated that the lithium deposit was
too low-grade and the property was allowed to lapse.
Armeno Resources Inc. explored the property
(including the neighbouring Lew deposit) from 1986 to
1989, carrying out stripping, geological, magnetometer
and electromagnetic surveys, as well as diamond
drilling (Assessment Files, Thunder Bay North District,
Thunder Bay). The lone drill hole intersected biotite
tonalite with numerous quartz-rich, pegmatitic dykes
&lt; 1m thick with up to 5% spodumene; no chemical
analyses were reported (ibid).
The main Foster dyke strikes approximately 085º
and dips 80º to 85º south. It is exposed continuously

1

F? 'r--- r--

r

-

t'r

Figure 7. Graded bedding in metaturbidites, Foster area
(Stop 3).

Figure 8. Pegmatite dykes in tonalite, Foster (Stop 4).

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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2
Table 4. Results of drilling at the Foster deposit (Walter, 1957).
Drill Hole Number
7
6
9

Location (feet)
3+50 west
4+50 west
6+50 west

10

7+50 west

Core length (feet)
29.0
30.0
31.3
20.0
32.7

over 75 m and averages 9 m in thickness. To the west,
it splits into a number of thin, parallel dykes. In the
most westerly drill hole (T-10), 7 individual dykes, 0.3
to 2.4 m wide were intersected, separated by sections
of host tonalite a few centimetres to a metre wide (Pye,
1965). The deposit contains 10 to 15% spodumene,
which is for the most part, unaltered. Similar to other
deposits in the Lake Jean Group, crystals are prismatic
and perpendicular to dyke contacts and may extend
across the entire dyke (ibid). Milne (1962) listed the
Foster pegmatite in the Jean Lake sub-group (with the
Giles, Camp and Lew pegmatites) on the basis of welldeveloped spodumene orientation and the occurrence
of narrow, branching and continuous, longitudinal
aplite dykes.

Lithia Content (%)
0.26
0.55
1.04
0.58
0.58

Large road cuts on both sides of Highway 11 provide
excellent exposures of the Glacier Lake Batholith
(GLB). At this location, it consists of white, massive to
locally foliated, muscovite &lt; biotite, medium- to coarsegrained granite. Localized pods of tourmaline-biotitemuscovite-potassium feldspar pegmatite occur within
the granite. These pods may reach 1 m in diameter
and locally contain tourmaline-quartz intergrowths.
Numerous, curvate, ﬁbrolite - muscovite + tourmaline
veins up to 1 cm thick also occur in the host granite.
Purple ﬂuorite is exposed on a fractured outcrop face
on the west side of the highway (Fig. 10).
Stop 6 - Glacier Lake Batholith Leucogranite/ M
igmatite
UTM coordinates - 0407163E 5440408N

This is another example of the southern margin
of the Glacier Lake Batholith where it is in contact
with metasedimentary migmatite (Fig. 11). White,
biotite-muscovite leucogranite contains rare, bluegreen apatite. Foliation is developed in feldspathic
segregations and biotitic seams. Leucogranite dykes
and migmatite locally exhibit a lit-par-lit structure.
Tight to isoclinal folds have developed in the quartzbiotite-feldspar schist (Fig. 12). All rocks display
boudinage and folding. Folded leucosome suggests

a

Figure 9. Drusy spoduemene, Foster pegmatite (Stop 4).

These are classic albite-spodumene-type pegmatites.
Fresh green to dark green-black, altered spodumene
crystals may reach lengths of 8 cm (Fig. 9). Other
constituent minerals include K-feldspar, albite (+
cleavelandite) and quartz, minor apatite and garnet,
and tiny, sparsely distributed, black tantalum-niobiumbearing oxide minerals (F. Breaks, OGS, personal
communication, 2004). A locally developed border
zone (&lt; 5 cm) consists of quartz + feldspar.
Stop 5 - Glacier Lake Batholith Leucogranite
UTM coordinates - 0409911E 5445897N

Figure 10. Fluorite on fracture surface in sericite- and
ﬁbrolite-bearing Leucogranite (Stop 5).
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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2

r

'2..—:,

4

A-

I.—

A

Figure 11. Contact between folded metasedimentary
migmatite and Leucogranite (Stop 6).

Figure 13. Folded metasedimentary schist, incipient
leucosome development (Stop 6).

an early and protracted deformation history (Fig. 13).
Metasedimentary migmatite enclaves are common
in the white, S-type pegmatitic granites along the
highway. Note that less evolved S-type granite may
contain biotite as the only mica.

whaleback outcrop behind the highway rest stop/
pull-off area. There is quite a bit of variation in the
relative amounts of leucosome and restite (Fig. 14).
Boudinaged and pytgmatically folded leucosome pods
and veins occur in a quartzo-feldspathic with narrow,
biotitic restite septa.

Narrow diabase dykes cut the country rocks on the
western side of the highway.

Stop 8 - Pegmatitic Granite
UTM coordinates - 0407272E 5435208N

Stop 7 - Migmatite
UTM coordinates - 0406986E 5437331N

Migmatites are exposed on the shore and islands
of Lake Helen and on a large, glacially streamlined,

Figure 12. Folded metasedimentary migmatite (Stop 6).

This outcrop shows a transition in magmatism from
S-type (i.e. Glacier Lake Batholith) to I-type granitoids.
Pink, coarse-grained, biotite granite here consists of
pink, coarse-grained, perthitic K-feldspar, quartz,
coarse-grained biotite, and brown, altered plagioclase
(up to 4 cm long). These weakly peraluminous,
pegmatitic, biotite granites are relatively primitive and
are younger than the white, two-mica leucogranites.
Such rocks are probably of I-type origin and typically
are metasedimentary enclave-free. Bulk rock levels of

Figure 14. Lit-par-lit migmatites with large metasedimentary
inclusions (schollen) (Stop 7 area).
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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2
•

[j\ ti'a(
Figure 15. Pegmatitic K-spar - quartz – biotite granite (Stop
8).

rare-elements are very low: 128 ppm Rb, 2.63 ppm Cs,
1.8 ppm Nb, 0.39 ppm Ta (F. Breaks, OGS, personal
communication, 2004).
A K-feldspar-megacrystic, pink biotite granite
(Fig. 15) with a shallowly east-dipping foliation and
metasedimentary xenoliths is intruded by a more
massive granite at this locality. The intrusive contact
is embayed and scalloped, suggestive of co-mingling
magmatic textures (Fig. 16). The megacrystic, foliated
granite may represent an earlier, xenolith-bearing
phase that was intruded by the massive granite while
still relatively warm and plastic.
Stop 9 - Pegmatitic Granite
UTM coordinates - 0407458E 5434906N

feldspar megacrysts may attain lengths of over 60 cm.
Stop 10 - Pegmatite Dykes in Migmatite
UTM coordinates - 0407587E 5434690N

Approximately 200 m south of the massive pink
granite, white pegmatite dykes intrude ﬁne-grained
metasedimentary schist. This dark, ﬁne-grained,
feldspathic, biotite schist displays a well-developed
foliation and minor folds, indicative of a long,
protracted ductile deformation history, perhaps coeval
with dyke emplacement. Note the sub-horizontal
mineral lineation. Flattening of feldspars, producing
small-scale, augen structures, is also indicative of hightemperature (&gt;500º C) deformation.
The boudinaged and annealed, sericite- and biotitebearing dykes range from a few centimetres (lit-parlit structured) to several metres in thickness. They are
mineralogically and texturally interesting, containing

Lt- !

H

-v

A large, bare, whaleback outcrop on the east side of
the highway consists of coarse-grained to pegmatitic,
massive, homogeneous pink granite (i.e. the younger
granitic unit at Stop 8; Fig. 17). Crystals or interstitial
patches of quartz, biotite and locally sericitized, Kfeldspar average 2 to 3 cm in size (Fig. 18). Individual

Figure 17. “Whaleback” outcrop of coarse-grained to
pegmatitic granite; note large (&gt;60 cm) feldspar megacryst
(circled) (Stop 9).

Figure 16. Scalloped contact (arrow) between foliated biotite
granite (top) and pegmatitic granite (bottom) (Stop 8).

Figure 18. Coarse-grained to pegmatitic granite (Stop 9).

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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2

both cordierite and quartz-tourmaline intergrowths
with alkali (locally sericitized) feldspar. Garnet is
conspicuous by its absence.

metamorphic rocks. John Scott (Ontario Geological
Survey) generated maps for this report and provided
information on local uranium mineralization.

I

1 Sf

C

Breaks et al. (2003b) described potassic, biotite
pegmatite that grades into a medium-grained, biotite
granite near this stop (UTM: Easting 408339; Northing
5433016). The pegmatite contains coarse, euhedral
K-spar; quartz; prismatic, medium- to coarse-grained,
black tourmaline (schorl-dravite; Fig. 19); and ﬁnegrained, green and blue ﬂuor-apatite (0.3 to 0.9 weight
% MnO). A biotite-rich, metasomatic contact occurs
between the biotite granite and diabase. Graphic,
coarse-grained cordierite (&lt; 2 cm) and tourmaline
occur in the granite near a diabase contact.
Figure 20. Schollen structure in migmatite (Stop 11).

References
Ayres, L.D., 1969. Metamorphism in the Superior Province
of northwestern Ontario and its relationship to crustal
development; in Metamorphism in the Canadian
Shield; Geological Survey of Canada, Paper 78-10,
p.25-36.
Ayres, L.D. 1978. Metamorphism in the Superior Province
of northwestern Ontario and its relationship to crustal
development; in Metamorphism in the Canadian
Shield, Geological Survey of Canada, Paper 78-10,
p.25-36.

Figure 19. Quartz-tourmaline intergrowth in pegmatite dyke
(Stop 10).

Stop 11 - Migmatites (Optional)
UTM coordinates - 5429614N 0425006E

This optional stop displays schollen (raft)-structured
migmatites in which folded and schlieric, maﬁc,
paleosome xenoliths have been highly deformed and
disrupted (Fig. 20). There is a relatively high proportion
of quartzo-feldspathic neosome matrix to the xenoliths,
suggesting high(er) degrees of partial melting. Patches
and dykelets of coarse-grained, biotite-quartz-feldspar
neosome contain garnet, cordierite and large (&gt;10 cm),
euhedral green apatite crystals.

Acknowledgements
Dr. Fred Breaks (Ontario Geological Survey) is
thanked for the provision of unpublished data on
pegmatites and host rocks. Dr. Mary Louise Hill
(Lakehead University) provided useful insight into the
metamorphic and structural history of the high-grade

Borradaile, G.J. 1982. Comparison of Archean structural
styles in two belts of the Canadian Superior Province;
Precambrian Research 19, p.179-189.
Breaks, F.W., Selway, J.B. and Tindle, A.G., 2003a. Fertile
peraluminous granites and related rare-element
pegmatite mineralization, Barbara-Gathering-Barbaro
lakes area, north-central Ontario; Summary of Field
Work and Other Activities, 2003, Ontario Geological
Survey, Open File Report 6120, p.14-1 to 14-13.
Breaks, F.W., Selway, J.B. and Tindle, A.G., 2003b. Fertile
peraluminous granites and related rare-element
mineralization in pegmatites, Superior Province,
northwest and northeast Ontario: Operation Treasure
Hunt; , Ontario Geological Survey, Open File Report
6099, 179p.
Carmichael, D.M., 1978. Metamorphic bathozones
and bathograds: a measure of the depth of postmetamorphic uplift and erosion on the regional scale;
American Journal of Science, 278, p.769-797.
Cerný, P., 1991a. Rare-element granitic pegmatites, part
I. Anatomy and internal evolution of pegmatite
deposits; Geoscience Canada, v.18, p.49-67.
Cerný, P 1991b. Rare-element granitic pegmatites. Part II:

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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2
Regional to global environments and petrogenesis.
Geoscience Canada v.18, p.68-81.

north of Manitouwadge, Ontario; Canadian Journal
of Earth Sciences, v.31, p.1427-1439.

Coates, M.E., 1968. Stevens–Kagiano Lake area; Ontario
Department of Mines, Geological Report 68, p.

Pan, Y., Fleet, M.E. and Heaman, L.M., 1998. Thermotectonic evolution of an Archean accretionary
complex: U–Pb geochronological constraints on
granulites from the Quetico subprovince, Ontario,
Canada; Precambrian Research,v.92, p.117-128.

Davis, D.W., Pezzutto, F. &amp; Ojakangas, R.W., 1990. The
age and provenance of metasedimentary rocks in the
Quetico Subprovince, Ontario, from single zircon
analyses: implications for Archean sedimentation
and tectonics in the Superior Province; Earth and
Planetary Science Letters,v.99, p.195-205.
Easton, R.M. 2000. Metamorphism of the Canadian Shield,
Ontario, Canada I: The Superior Province; The
Canadian Mineralogist, v.38, p.287-317.
Fralick, P., Wu, J., and Williams, H.R., 1992. Trench and
slope basin deposits in an Archean metasedimentary
belt, Superior Province, Canadian Shield. Canadian
Journal of Earth Sciences, 29: 2551–2557.
Franklin, J.M., 1978. Uranium mineralization in the
Nipigon area, Thunder Bay District, Ontario; Current
Research, Part A, Geological Survey of Canada,
Paper 78-1A, p.275-282.
Kamineni, D.C., Stone, D. and Johnston, P.J. 1988.
Metamorphism of Quetico sedimentary rocks near
Atikokan, Ontario; in Program with abstracts,
Geological Association of Canada-Mineralogical
Association of Canada-Canadian Society of Petroleum
Geologists Annual Meeting, v.13, p.A63.

Percival, J.A and Stern, R.A., 1984. Geological synthesis in
the western Superior Province, Ontario; in Current
Research, Part A, Geological Survey of Canada,
Paper 84-1A, p.397-407.
Percival, J.A and Sullivan, R.W., 1988. Age constraints on
the evolution of the Quetico belt, Superior Province,
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p.97-108.
Percival, J.A., 1989. A regional perspective of the Quetico
metasedimentary belt, Superior Province, Canada;
Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences,v.26, p.677-693.
Percival, J.A. and McGrath, P.H., 1986. Deep crustal structure
and tectonic history of the northern Kapuskasing uplift
of Ontario: an integrated petrological-geophysical
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Percival, J.A., Stern, R.A. and Digel, M.R., 1985. Regional
geological synthesis of western Superior Province,
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Survey of Canada, Paper 85-1A, p.385-397.

Kehlenbeck, M.M., 1976. Nature of the Quetico–Wabigoon
boundary in the De Courcey – Smiley Lakes area,
northwestern Ontario; Canadian Journal of Earth
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Pirie, J. and Mackasey, W.O., 1978. Preliminary examination
of regional metamorphism in parts of Quetico
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Kissin, S.A., 1990. Granitoid-related mineral deposits of the
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on Lake Superior Geology, Thunder Bay, Field Trip
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Pye, E.G., 1956. Lithium in northern Ontario; Canadian
Mining Journal, v.77, p.73-75.

Kissin, S.A. and Zayachivsky, B., 1985. Genesis of
pegmatites in the Quetcio gneiss belt of northwestern
Ontario: rare-element pegmatites and associated
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Geoscience Research Grant Program, Summary of
Research 1984-1985, Ontario Geological Survey,
Miscellaneous Paper 127, p.186-199.
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Metamorphism of the Quetico supracrustals north of

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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2
the Vermillion granitic complex, northern Minnesota;
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in the Manitouwadge – Hornepayne area; Summary
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in the Manitouwadge – Hornepayne area; Summary
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the Wawa–Quetico subprovince boundary near the
Manitouwadge greenstone belt, northeastern Ontario;
Institute on Lake Superior Geology, Program with
Abstracts, v.43, p.67-68.
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Geological evolution of the Manitouwadge
greenstone belt and Wawa–Quetico subprovince
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by U–Pb zircon dates of supracrustal and plutonic
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p.945-966.
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pegmatites of the Georgia Lake area, northwestern
Ontario; unpublished M.Sc. thesis, Lakehead
University, Thunder Bay, Ontario, 234p.

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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2

Fieldtrip 5 - Geology of the Black Sturgeon Area
Thomas R. Hart
Ontario Geological Survey, Ministry of Northern Development and Mines, Sudbury, Ontario, P3E 6B5,
Canada

Introduction
The Nipigon Embayment is an approximately 19,000
km2 area of Mesoproterozoic igneous and sedimentary
rocks centred on Lake Nipigon, north of Lake Superior,
approximately 100 km northeast of Thunder Bay,
Ontario (Fig. 1). The Embayment is underlain by
Archean rocks of the Wabigoon Subprovince to the
north, and the Quetico Subprovince to the south. This
ﬁeld trip will be concentrating on the Proterozoic and
underlying Archean rocks of the southern portion of
the Embayment.

u

nI_u
• nil
nuN
UU

The ﬁrst geological work in the Lake Nipigon area
was conducted by Bell (1870) for the Geological
Survey of Canada. Portions of the area were examined
by McInnes (1896), Parks (1901), Coleman (1909),
and Wilson (1910). Geological mapping by Coates
(1972) covered the area south of Lake Nipigon at a scale
of 1:63,360. The adjacent area to the south was mapped

Figure 1. Maﬁc and ultramaﬁc intrusions of the Nipigon
Embayment.

by McIlwaine and Tihor (1975a,b) at 1:15,840 scale.
The area surrounding Lake Nipigon, and extending to
the southern edge of Black Sturgeon Lake, was mapped
at a scale of 1:50 000 by Sutcliffe (1982a,b; 1985a,b,c).
Sutcliffe (1986) completed a doctoral thesis on the
intrusive rocks of the Lake Nipigon area, including
the Nipigon diabase sills and ultramaﬁc intrusions of
the Disraeli and Seagull-Leckie Lakes areas. Franklin
et al. (1980), Cheadle (1986), and Rogala (2003) have
carried out detailed investigations of the stratigraphy of
the Sibley Group.
Bedrock mapping and research studies were
undertaken between 2003 and 2005 as part of the
Lake Nipigon Region Geoscience Initiative (LNRGI).
The LNRGI is a geoscience-based geological data
acquisition and compilation program managed by the
Ontario Prospectors Association (OPA) and ﬁnancially
supported by the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund
Corporation (NOHFC). The major goals of the initiative
are to conduct research and collect new geoscience
data that will help to explain the geological history of
the area, and identify areas of high mineral potential
that will attract exploration to the region. The initiative
included bedrock mapping projects (MacDonald,
2004; MacDonald and Tremblay, 2005), airborne
magnetic and radiometric geophysical surveys (Ontario
Geological Survey, 2004a), ground gravity surveys
(Ontario Geological Survey, 2004b), and targeted
surﬁcial geochemical and lineament studies (e.g.,
Barnett, 2004; Dyer, 2004), a paleomagnetic study (e.g.,
Ernst et al., 2005) and geochronological studies (e.g.,
Heaman et al., 2005). Mapping of the southern portion
of the Nipigon Embayment was completed by the
Ontario Geological Survey as part of its commitment
of in-kind support to the LNRGI (Hart and Magyarosi,
2004; Hart, 2005a). Lakehead University, as a partner
in the Initiative, contributed a detailed sedimentary
basin reconstruction (e.g., Metsaranta and Fralick,
2004) and petrochemical characterization of the maﬁc
and ultramaﬁc intrusions (e.g., Heggie and Hollings,
2004; Richardson and Hollings, 2005).

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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2

Mineral exploration and prospecting in the area has
been sporadic with the ﬁrst recorded activity being the
exploration for iron ore in the early 1900s (Coates, 1972).
Exploration in the early 1900s also resulted in discovery
of lead and zinc mineralization to the southwest, and
limited production (Shklanka, 1969). The discovery
of sporadic copper mineralization near Disraeli Lake in
1965 resulted in a surge in copper and the other base
metals in the late 1960s (Coates, 1972). Exploration for
uranium has been cyclical, with the greatest activity
occurring in the middle to late 1970s coinciding with
the discovery of large unconformity related deposits
in other locations including the Wollaston Basin of
Saskatchewan (Scott, 1987). A uranium occurrence
was discovered by R.H. Sutcliffe during the 1981 ﬁeld
season and subsequently acquired and explored by
Uranerz Exploration and Mining Corporation Limited
until 1985 (Scott, 1987). A number of companies are
actively exploring for uranium mineralization at the
time this guide was being prepared. Several companies
investigated the potential of sedimentary-hosted base
metal mineralization in the Sibley Group in the early
1990s, but other than an airborne geophysical survey
completed by Cominco in 1993, little of the work was

ﬁled for assessment. Exploration for PGE mineralization
intensiﬁed after the 1998 discovery of mineralization in
the Seagull/Leckie Lake intrusion (Osmani and Rees,
1998). Initial results of diamond drilling indicated the
presence of a basal pyroxenite hosting up to 1.71 ppm
Pt and 1.87 ppm Pd over 2.1 m (Durham, 2000). Resampling completed in early 2004 deﬁned two zones
higher in the intrusion with up to 1.52 ppm Pt and 1.78
ppm Pd over 3.0 m and 1.56 ppm Pt and 1.87 ppm Pd
over 3 m in the upper and lower zones respectively
(East West Resource Corporation, 2004a). Drilling in
late 2004 intersected a mineralized zone consisting of
2.38 g/t Pt, 2.65 g/t Pd, 0.19 g/t Au, 0.18 g/t Rh, 0.39
g/t Os, 0.34 g/t Ir and 0.08 g/t Ru (Pd:Pt ratio of 1.11)
associated 0.19% Cu and 0.20% Ni over 3.21 metre
(Platinum Group Metals Ltd., 2005).

General Geology
The southern portion of the Nipigon Embayment is
underlain by Archean rocks of the Quetico subprovince
that are unconformably overlain by Proterozoic
sedimentary rocks of the Sibley Group (Fig. 2). Rocks
of the Quetico Subprovince and the Sibley Group are

io

a

Kilometres

C N!p!g&amp;,]
UIt,amafi cIrtr(]iOns
s'brey Group

eotite Granite

[3] Muscovite Gran!Ie

FJ

Faults
Roads

Outco Metaseth,]&amp;nta
Rocks

Transmission Line
Gas Pipel,ne

Figure 2. Geology of the southern portion of the Nipigon Embayment.
- 86 -

�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2

intruded by Proterozoic maﬁc to ultramaﬁc intrusive
rocks in the Disraeli and Seagull Lakes, and Hele
and Kitto township areas (Fig. 2). Maﬁc sills of the
Nipigon Diabase Sill Complex intrude all other rock
types in the map area.
Rocks of the Quetico Subprovince consist of biotite
and/or andalusite schists that are gradually replaced
towards the south by amphibolites (Hart, 2005a).
The rocks to the north have a schistosity oriented at
approximately 050° to 060°, with near vertical dips.
In the south, leucogranites intrude the amphibolite or
biotite gneisses and form complex mixtures that have
been classiﬁed as migmatite. The airborne magnetic
survey indicates a regional fabric with about an 080°
to 090° orientation in the migmatitic rocks (Ontario
Geological Survey, 2004). A number of areas east of
the Black Sturgeon River contain a high percentage of
coarse grained to pegmatitic irregular bodies and dykes
of the muscovite granite suite. Irregular bodies of
medium to coarse-grained rocks of the biotite granite
suite intrude the amphibolites and leucocratic phases
form the leucosome of the migmatitic rocks.
Widely spaced, weakly deformed and metamorphosed,
north trending diabase dikes intrude the Archean rocks
of the Quetico Subprovince. A paleomagnetic study
of similar dykes located to the west, in the area of
Highway 527, by Ernst et al. (2005) has interpreted
these dykes to be part of the early Proterozoic 2121
– 2101 Ma Marathon dyke swarm.
The Proterozoic Sibley Group sedimentary rocks
unconformably overlie the Archean rocks of the
Quetico Subprovince, and are relatively ﬂat-lying,
with dips of less than 5° and strikes that are usually
difﬁcult to determine. Rocks within this area have been
subdivided in to three relatively ﬂat-lying formations,
the lower Pass Lake, the middle Rossport, and the
upper Kama Hill (e.g., Cheadle, 1986; Fig. 3). The
Pass Lake Formation in this area is best observed
in drill core, and consists of conglomerates, quartz
arenites, and minor dolomites, with rare outcrops
of the upper sandstone members. A sandstone of the
Pass Lake Formation has a youngest detrital zircon
grain with a U-Pb age of 1670 Ma (Heaman et al.,
2005). The Rossport Formation consists of mudstone,
dolomite and siltstones of the lower Channel Island
Member, limestone and stromatolitic limestone of the
Middlebrun Bay Member, and predominantly muddy
variably carbonatized siltstones and mudstones of the
upper Fire Hill Member (see Fig. 3). The Kama Hill

Noo Diabass $11 Oonlsx,
1110le1113

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2005)

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atleasI3silsha,ebeeelifle,

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dykes may e*1ea let tholt
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(ReAmanetal.2005)

Legend
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Rosspefl Fomlaijo,,

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I Pass Lake Fo,aleUon

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mscoe grane and

I

lO70Ma
O*aman.tal.2005)

I

blotice andior andalusile

___-I

hbls mpl]ibd.

blSbs Oa salt..

Figure 3. Generalized stratigraphic column for the southern
portion of the Nipigon Embayment.

Formation is the uppermost formation of the Sibley
Group exposed in the map area and consists of laminated
mudstones and siltstones with sandstone prominent in
the upper section. A sandstone of the Outan Island
Formation, which overlies the Kama Hill Formation has
a youngest detrital zircon with a U-Pb age of 1450 Ma
(Heaman et al., 2005). A sandstone of the Nipigon Bay
Formation, which overlies the Outan Island Formation,
has a youngest detrital zircon grain with a U-Pb age
of 1657 Ma (Heaman et al., 2005). A Rb/Sr age of
1339 +/- 33 Ma based on analyses of a combination
of Rossport and Kama Hill formation samples by
Franklin (1978), probably denotes a post-depositional
diagenetic event. Cheadle (1986) estimated up to 200
m of topographic relief on the Archean paleosurface at
the time of deposition of the Sibley Group. Although
the bedding is generally ﬂat-lying on an outcrop scale,
these extremes in topographic relief probably controlled
sedimentation processes on a local scale complicating
stratigraphic correlations (P. Fralick and B. Rogala,
Lakehead University, personal communication, 2003).
Regionally, the Sibley Group thickens to the south
under Lake Superior with two additional formations

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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2

overlying the Kama Hill formation (Rogala, 2003), and
thins to the north and west (e.g., Cheadle, 1986).

may be difﬁcult to distinguish from the diabase sills
without petrography and lithogeochemistry.

Maﬁc to ultramaﬁc intrusions occur in the Disraeli
and Seagull-Leckie Lakes, Hele and Kitto township
areas (Fig. 1), and all four are composed of a pyroxene
peridotite core with an irregular olivine gabbro zone
along the margin (e.g., Hart et al., 2002b; Hart and
Magyarosi, 2004). The Seagull Intrusion has been
studied in the greatest detail, and petrography indicates
that it consists predominately of cumulate textured
dunites, lherzolites, and olivine websterite, with minor
olivine- hornblende pyroxenite (Heggie and Hollings,
2004). An olivine gabbro forms an irregular border
zone to the ultramaﬁc rocks, and is the unit most
commonly exposed in outcrop. All of the intrusions
have a monzogabbro, or granophyre, unit occurring
as irregular pods or bands in the olivine gabbro, but
are distinguished from it by the presence of abundant
pink feldspar and minor amphibole. An olivine gabbro
from the Hele Intrusion has a U-Pb baddeleyite age
of 1106+/-1.5 Ma with one fraction yielding a 1119.4
Ma age (L. Heaman, University of Alberta, personal
communication, 2004). Samples from the Seagull
Intrusion have U-Pb ages from zircon and baddeleyite
of between 1105 and 1124 Ma (L. Heaman, personal
communication, 2004). Samples from the Disraeli
Intrusion have U-Pb ages from baddeleyite and zircon
of 1111 Ma (L. Heaman, personal communication,
2004). Samples of an olivine gabbro from the Kitto
Intrusion has a U-Pb baddeleyite age of 1117 Ma,
but has baddeleyite fractions with a range of ages
comparable to the other intrusions (L. Heaman,
personal communication, 2004). Diabase sills have
chill contacts with olivine gabbro of the Seagull, Hele
and Kitto intrusions.

A series of shallow-dipping Proterozoic diabase
sills intrude all other rock units in the map area. The
sills display a range of U-Pb zircon ages from 1110
to 1113 Ma from sills located west of Lake Nipigon
(Heaman et al., 2005). The diabase sills have variable
internal subdivisions, a generalized section from top
to bottom would contain: 1) chill, 2) ﬁne-grained
variably amygduloidal, 3) magnetite-rich, 4) medium
to coarse-grained, 5) coarse to very coarse-grained, 6)
ﬁne-grained, variable amygduloidal, and 7) chill (Hart
and Magyarosi, 2004). These subdivisions resemble
those proposed by Sutcliffe (1986). Massive, mediumto coarse-grained feldspar and pyroxene diabase is
the most common rock type and generally lacks a
sub-ophitic or diabasic texture. Although these rocks
should properly be classiﬁed as gabbro the diabase
classiﬁcation has been applied to all rocks associated
with the sills to avoid confusion with other intrusions
in the area. The sills range in thickness from less than
5 m to greater than 180 m and there appears to be at
least two major sills greater than 100 m in thickness.
However, erosion and block faulting hinders the
correlation of the sills and thus the determination of
the original number of sills.

A group of ﬁne grained, massive maﬁc sills with a
higher olivine content may intrude the Sibley Group
sedimentary rocks. Some of these sills are spatially
associated with the ultramaﬁc intrusions, as in the
Moraine Lake and Hele Township areas, and probably
represent extensions of the intrusions (Hart, 2005). In
the Shillabeer Lake and Kama Hill areas, similar sills
are not associated with known ultramaﬁc intrusions
(e.g., Richardson and Hollings, 2005; Hart, 2004) and
may be comparable to the Jackﬁsh Sills described by
MacDonald (2004) in the English Bay area. One of
these sills intrudes the Disraeli Intrusion suggesting
that some examples of this group post-date the larger
ultramaﬁc intrusions (Hart, 2005). This group of sills

Quaternary ice-marginal deltaic deposits of the
Nipigon Moraine form an extensive cover along the
Black Sturgeon River and the area immediately to
the west of the river (Barnett, 2004). The rest of the
map area further from the river is covered by differing
thickness of till that is reported by Barnett (2004) to be
mainly locally derived.
Regional metamorphism of the Archean rocks of the
Quetico Subprovince varies from upper greenschist
to lower amphibolite facies, with limited areas of
migmatite. Hornfels metamorphism, in zones up to
10 m wide, is variably developed in the Sibley Group
in contact with the peridotites, and occasionally
the diabase sills. Hematite and specular hematite is
associated with some late north-trending fracturing in
both Archean and Proterozoic rocks, and appears to be
a useful indicator of the north-trending fault systems in
this area, where most structures are hidden by talus and
glacial deposits (Hart and Magyarosi, 2004).
Metasedimentary rocks of the Quetico Subprovince
have experienced multiple phases of deformation.
Schistosity is well developed along the bedding planes

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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2

obscuring primary structures but the rocks appear to
be the metamorphosed equivalents of the greywackes
and siltstones present in the Beardmore-Geraldton
greenstone belt (Hart et al., 2002a). North- and
northwest-trending regional fault trends have displaced
the Proterozoic Sibley Group, and a northeast-trend
may only represent minor late movement along
previous Archean structures (Hart and Magyarosi,
2004; MacDonald, 2004). The north and northwest
trending faults, deﬁne the Black Sturgeon Fault Zone,
which has been interpreted to be en échelon resulting
in the formation of a block faulted asymmetric basin or
graben (e.g., Coates, 1972). There appears to have been
little lateral displacement based on the correlation of
the iron formations across Black Sturgeon Lake in the
area north of the current map area (Hart and Magyarosi,
2004). The north trending faults are interpreted to be
regionally continuous structures that may correlate
with north-trending structures in the Gull Bay area,
approximately 150 km to the north. The northwesttrending faults display vertical movement with no
apparent horizontal displacement, and may be traced
to the west into the adjacent Wabigoon Subprovince.
Accurate determination of displacements on these
structures is not possible as they have been obscured
by talus slopes and glacial deposits.

north-trending and centred on Lake Nipigon. The
paleomagnetic and geochemical study of the northtrending dykes located to the west of the Nipigon
Embayment by Ernst et al. (2005) suggests that they
are part of the 2101 to 2121 Ma Marathon dyke swarm,
not Keeweenawan. If the identiﬁcation of these dykes
as part of the Marathon swarm is indeed correct, then
combined with the lack of a north trending dyke swarm
north or east of the Nipigon Embayment, a key element
of the failed arm model appears to be absent.

The timing of the different faults is not known, and
it is probable that they have been reactivated. There
have been several proposals made to account for the
structural history of the area, with most focussing on
the Sibley Group sedimentary rocks. Coates (1972)
proposed a half graben with the Black Sturgeon
River as the eastern boundary that also served as the
main control on the deposition of the Sibley Group.
Franklin et al. (1980) proposed that a failed arm of
the Mesoproterozoic Keweenawan Midcontinent
Rift created a basin, which included the half graben.
Sutcliffe (1986) further developed the failed arm model
as a major control on the emplacement of the peridotite
intrusions and the diabase sills, and highlighted
the existence of a subparallel fault system along the
Nipigon River to the east. Alternatively, Fralick and
Kissin (1995) and Hollings et al. (2004) proposed that
the thermal upwelling that formed the English Bay
Complex was followed by relaxation and formation of
an intracratonic basin in which the Sibley Group was
deposited.

Timing and magnitude of displacement along faults
related to the emplacement of either the ultramaﬁc
intrusions or diabase sills is also difﬁcult to determine.
The high degree of fracturing and hematite alteration in
some of the diamond drill core from the 1106-1124 Ma
Seagull Intrusion (Heaman et al., 2005) suggests post
emplacement fault activity. Extensive hematite and the
occurrence of uranium mineralization in north trending
structures has been dated at 1090±20 Ma (Ruzicka and
LeCheminant, 1984). Current interpretations suggest
that faulting has resulted in displacement of igneous
horizons within the Seagull intrusion, but it is just as
possible that the intrusion was emplaced into a preexisting structure to produce its current form. Preexisting fault structures probably, in part, controlled
the emplacement of the 1111-1113 Ma Nipigon sills
(Heaman et al., 2005), as has occurred in other maﬁc
sill complexes (e.g., Leaman, 1975). However, due to
the lack of a distinctive marker in the area, it is difﬁcult
to determine if the apparently disjointed nature of
many of the sills is the result of the sills ramping
upward along pre-existing structures and subsequently
being eroded away, or if it is a product of late post-

The failed arm model predicts the presence of a dike
swarm (e.g., Ernst and Buchan, 2003), in this case,

The presence of Pass Lake Formation rocks at the
base of a number of diamond-drill holes in the map
area suggests that the half graben was present before,
or was formed during, the deposition of the Sibley
Group, sometime between 1670 and 1339 Ma (Heaman
et al., 2005; Franklin, 1978). The occurrence of Pass
Lake Formation at the base of Moseau Mountain, on
the east side of the Black Sturgeon River, suggests that
fault activity continued throughout the entire period of
sedimentation, or that there has been signiﬁcant postsedimentation fault re-activation. At this time, there
is no deﬁnitive means of distinguishing between these
models although, the location of Pass Lake Formation
rocks at higher elevations to the east could mean that
sedimentation originally extended across much of the
Nipigon Embayment, consistent with the ﬁrst model.

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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2

emplacement fault displacement.

9

Geochemistry

8
Central suite Osler Group

7

Hele Intrusion

6

The Hele Intrusion may be subdivided into olivine
gabbro, olivine melagabbro, and peridotite based on
their MgO contents, with the peridotite having between
19 - 29 wt.% MgO and the olivine gabbro having MgO
contents of less than 11 wt.% MgO. Elemental variations
in diamond drill core samples appear to indicate that
the Hele Intrusion is composed of more than one
pulse of magma, resulting in an interlayering of the
peridotite and melagabbro. Pink feldspar may occur as
a minor mineral phase in the olivine gabbro, and is a
major constituent of the monzogabbro, or granophyre.
The presence of pink feldspar usually correlates with
higher K2O content that may be up to 7.42 wt.%, with
no appreciable change in the Fe2O3 contents compared
to the other olivine gabbro. Although the high K2O is
possibly related to late stage igneous fractionation, it
is considered more likely that these values are a result
of assimilation of Sibley Group rocks and that the
pink colour is a result of potassic alteration rather than
hematization.
Total rare earth element (REE) and high ﬁeld
strength (HFSE) concentrations in the peridotite

100

I x-1r o osa

S a m p le /p rim itiv e m a n tle

DI

1000

10

1
0.5
Th Ta Ce Nd Hf Eu Gd Dy Ho Tm Lu Sc
Nb La Pr Zr Sm Ti Tb Y Er Yb V

Figure 4. Mantle-normalized extended element diagrams of
the olivine gabbro, melagabbro and peridotite of the Hele
Intrusion (normalizing factors from Sun and McDonough,
1989).

L a /S m

Maﬁc to Ultramaﬁc Intrusive Rocks

5
4
Lower suite Osler Group

3
Upper suite
Osler Group

2
1
1.0

1.8

-

2.7

3.5

4.3

5.2

6.0

Gd/Yb

Figure 5. Gd/Yb versus La/Sm diagram of the maﬁc to
ultramaﬁc intrusive rocks and the Nipigon diabase sill
complex with ﬁelds for the volcanic rocks of the Osler
Group (after Lightfoot et al., 1991). Legend for symbols, see
Figure 4.

samples are generally lower than in the olivine gabbro
or olivine melagabbro (Fig. 4). All of the rocks have
weak negative TiO2 and Zr anomalies on the mantle
normalized extended element diagram (see Fig. 4), and
these anomalies are more pronounced than negative
Nb-Ta anomalies for the Seagull and Disraeli intrusions
(Hart and Magyarosi, 2004) although all three intrusion
have ﬂattening of the trends between Th and La. All
three units have [La/Yb]mn (mantle normalized) and
Gd/Yb ratios which are distinctly higher than the
diabase sills, and plot toward the high end of the ﬁeld
deﬁned by the Lower Suite of the Osler Group volcanic
rocks (Hart, 2005; Fig. 5). Rocks of the Hele Intrusion
have a wider range of Gd/Yb ratios than the rocks
from the Disraeli and Seagull intrusions, but overlap
with the values for the other intrusions. The peridotite
and olivine gabbro have REE and HFSE ratios that
are comparable to ocean island basalts and most of
the rocks from the Disraeli and Seagull intrusions in
contrast to the diabase sills (Fig. 6).
The peridotite and gabbro are not enriched in
nickel, and the peridotites follow an olivine-controlled
igneous fractionation trend, which would be consistent
with a parental MgO concentration of approximately
13 wt.% (Fig. 7). Both units have a ﬂat positive slope
on a primitive mantle normalized PGE diagram with
enrichment in Ir and Pt (Fig. 8), compared to the trends
for the diabase sills that follow a trend similar to that of

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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2

(Fig. 9), but the [La/Yb]mn are distinct from those of
the rocks of the maﬁc to ultramaﬁc intrusions. Most
of the diabase samples have weak negative TiO2
anomalies, but no apparent Zr anomalies, on the mantle
normalized extended element diagram (see Fig. 9), and
pronounced negative Nb-Ta anomalies. Some HFSE
and REE ratios for the diabase show some similarities
to the Central and Upper Suite volcanic rocks of the
Osler Group as has been suggested by Sutcliffe (1987)
(see Fig. 5).

most continental ﬂood basalts (Hart et al., 2002a).
20

Upper
Suite
Central
Suite

10

Upper
Crust

SZB

T h /Ta

Logan
sills
Primitive
Mantle

The Nipigon diabase sills are not enriched in nickel,
and follow an igneous fractionation trend (see Fig.
7). PGE contents of the diabase are similar to the
trend followed by most continental ﬂood basalts, and
comparable to the PGE contents and trends noted for
the diabase sills from the Beardmore area by Hart et al.
(2002a; Fig. 10).

OIB
OPB

1

NMORB

Lower
Suite

MORB

0.5
0.8 1

10

50

La/Yb

Figure 6. La/Yb versus Th/Ta diagram of the maﬁc to
ultramaﬁc intrusive rocks and the Nipigon diabase sill
complex with ﬁelds for the volcanic rocks of the Osler Group
and the Logan diabase sills south of Thunder Bay (after
Condie et al., 2002). Legend for symbols, see Figure 4.
2000
Within
plate
basalt

Ni (ppm)

1000

Upper
crust

100

Mapping and geochemical sampling by Sutcliffe
(1986) and Hart et al. (2002a) suggested that the sills
do not represent single cooling units. However, the
results of detailed sampling of a number of continuous
sill sections from diamond drill core suggest that some
sills may be single cooling units. Whereas others have
chemical variations suggesting a more complex history
of emplacement that may include multiple pulses
of magma that did not re-equilibrate before cooling.
However, the variations are subtle and generally not
distinctive enough to be evident in a group of outcrop
samples. The diabase sills have HFSE and REE ratios
with some similarities to subduction zone basalts and
the Central and Upper Suites of the Osler Group (see
Fig. 6).
1000

10
0

10

20

30

40

MgO (wt. %)

Figure 7. MgO versus nickel diagram of the maﬁc to
ultramaﬁc intrusive rocks and the Nipigon sill complex (after
Lightfoot et al., 2001). Legend for symbols, see Figure 4.

S a m p le /M a n tle P G E

100

10

1

0.1

0.01

Nipigon Diabase Sill Complex
The diabase sills plot along a line indicative of
fractionation controlled mainly by plagioclase and
clinopyroxene, as suggested by Sutcliffe (1987).
The diabase sills display a range in REE and HFSE
concentrations that will require further investigation

.001
Ni

Ir

Ru

Rh

Pt

Pd

Au

Ag

Cu

Figure 8. Primitive mantle-normalized platinum group
element diagrams of the olivine gabbro, melagabbro and
peridotite of the Hele Intrusion (normalizing factors from
Barnes et al., 1987). Legend for symbols, see Figure 4.

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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2

and low TiO2 rocks is similar to regional distributions
observed in some ﬂood basalt provinces suggesting
that the Logan and Nipigon sills may be part of a single
intrusive event.

S a m p le /p rim itiv e m a n tle

1000

100

10

1
0.5
Th Ta Ce Nd Hf Eu Gd Dy Ho Tm Lu Sc
Nb La Pr Zr Sm Ti Tb Y Er Yb V

Figure 9. Mantle-normalized extended element diagrams
of the Nipigon Diabase Sill Complex (normalizing factors
from Sun and McDonough, 1989). Legend for symbols, see
Figure 4.
1000

S a m p le /M a n tle P G E

100

10

1

The presence of variants of the sills that have
speciﬁc geochemical and/or geographic distribution
has resulted in the introduction of a variety of new,
informal, names for the diabase sills in the past few
years, such as the distinction between the Logan sills
in the Thunder Bay area and the Nipigon sills around
Lake Nipigon. In addition, new sill types, such as
the Inspiration sills have also been identiﬁed (e.g.,
MacDonald, 2004; Richardson and Hollings, 2005).
This does cause a problem, however, in that the
historical term Logan Sills has been used exclusively
in the paleomagnetic literature, and in much of the
international literature, for all of the diabase sills north
of Lake Superior. Until these terminology issues
are resolved, it is recommended that the historical
nomenclature of Logan Sills should be applied to all
the diabase sills in the area north of Lake Superior,
with subdivision into the informal terms, Logan sills in
the south and Nipigon sills to the north. The Nipigon
sills may be further subdivided into several chemical
variants, such as the normal Nipigon, Inspiration, and
Jackﬁsh-like sills. Clariﬁcation of this nomenclature
is contingent on further geochemical, petrological and
geochronological work.

Mineralization

0.1

Platinum Group Elements
Hele Intrusion

0.01

.001

Ni

Ir

Ru

Rh

Pt

Pd

Au

Ag

Cu

Figure 10. Primitive mantle-normalized platinum group
element diagrams of Nipigon Diabase Sill Complex
(normalizing factors from Barnes et al., 1987). Legend for
symbols, see Figure 4.

The Nipigon diabase sills have lower TiO2, Zr/Y, La/
Yb values than the Logan diabase sills located to the
south of Thunder Bay (see Fig. 6) and have a regional
distribution that extends south to at least the north side of
the City of Thunder Bay (Hart, 2004). Several samples
collected from the area south of Thunder Bay have
geochemical characteristics comparable to the Nipigon
diabase sills (see Fig. 6), but further investigation is
required. This regional geographic distribution of high

Mineralization has not been located in either of
the two diamond drill holes or in outcrop of the Hele
Intrusion. The peridotite and olivine gabbro have
similar PGE contents with Pt/Pd ratios of 1.03 to 4.63
with the highest values being 75.87 ppb Pt, 50.24 ppb
Pd and 24.07 ppb Au in an olivine gabbro (Hart, 2005).
The peridotite and olivine gabbro also have similar
base metal contents with 18 to 1320 ppm Ni, 17 to 459
ppm Cu, and 72 to 280 ppm Zn.
Seagull Intrusion
Mineralization in the southern portion of the Nipigon
Embayment occurs as three reef style zones hosted
by the Seagull Intrusion. The upper zone contains
up to 1.52 ppm Pt, 1.78 ppm Pd, 0.34 ppm Os, 0.11
ppm Rh, 0.23 ppm Ir, 0.15 ppm Au, 0.58% Cu, and

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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2

0.34% Ni over 3 m (East West Resource Corporation
2004a,b). The lower zone contains up to 1.56 ppm Pt,
1.87 ppm Pd, 0.20 ppm Os, 0.10 ppm Rh, 0.18 ppm
Ir, 0.15 ppm Au, 0.55% Cu, and 0.35% Ni over 3 m
(East West Resource Corporation 2004a,b). The best
intersection in the basal zone, close to the intrusion
Quetico contact, is 1.71 ppm Pt and 1.87 ppm Pd
over 2.1 m associated with 10% disseminated to net
textured sulphide minerals including pyrite, pyrrhotite
and minor chalcopyrite (Durham, 2000). Diamonddrill holes completed in 2004 intersected a zone near
the base of the intrusion consisting of 2.38 g/t Pt, 2.65
g/t Pd, 0.19 g/t Au, 0.18 g/t Rh, 0.39 g/t Os, 0.34 g/t Ir,
0.08 g/t Ru, 0.19% Cu and 0.20% Ni over 3.21 metre
(Platinum Group Metals Ltd., 2005).
Mineralization in the basal zone is present near the
lower contact of the intrusion, and is interpreted to be
caused by sulphur saturation of the magma during initial
stages of emplacement (Heggie and Hollings, 2004).
The upper and lower zones are associated with more
primitive whole rock geochemistry and mineralogy
possibly reﬂecting an inﬂux of less evolved magma.
The mineralogy has been characterized by Heggie and
Hollings (2004) and the following details are from that
source. Nickel and copper sulphide minerals occur as
disseminated bravoite and chalcopyrite respectively,
found interstitial to olivine. Copper is also present
as veinlets of native copper cross cutting sulphide
minerals. Platinum group minerals are located at the
grain boundaries of NiFe sulphide minerals, and are
dominated by sperrylite, keithconnite, stibiopalladinite,
and a copper palladium alloy.

Stops
Field Trip Road Log
Stop

1a
1b

Locality
Junction of Highway 585 and Highway
11/17 in the Town of Nipigon
Red Rock
Black Sturgeon River
Rock quarry north of Big Squaw
Creek Road cut
Big Squaw Creek Road Cut
Junction of Highway 11/17 and the
Stewart Lake Road
Reset
Junction of the Stewart Lake Road
and Fowlkes Lakes roads

km
0
5.5
16
19
19.5
26.5

5.9

Stop
2

3

4
5

6

7a
7b

Locality
km
Reset
Hele Intrusion peridotite
2.9
Junction of the Fowlkes Lakes and
Driftstone Lake roads
6.3
Reset
Hele Intrusion olivine gabbro
3.9
Return to Stewart Lake Road
Reset
Junction of Stewart Lake and
Black Sturgeon roads
3.8
Reset
Black Sturgeon Road
3.3
Eagle Mountain
20.3
Junction of Black Sturgeon and
Camp 42 roads
22.5
Reset
Junction of Camp 42 and Church Road 14.1
Reset
Andalusite schist
7
Reset
Return to south to junction of Camp 42 and
Church Road
7
Reset
Road to left
0.75
Granite-diabase contact. South on trail 0.2
Pegmatite
12

Trip starts at the junction of Highway 585 and 11/17
in Nipigon. Proceed southwest on Highway 11/17.
5.5 km - Rossport Formation
Oxidized units of the Rossport Formation of the
Sibley Group are exposed in the hillside on the east
side of the highway. These rocks unconformably
overlie Archean rocks of the Quetico Subprovince, and
are intruded at the top of the hill by a diabase sill of the
Nipigon Sill Complex
16 km - Black Sturgeon River (Photo 1)
There are two major regional fault trends, north and
northwest, that deﬁne the structural zone referred to
as the Black Sturgeon Fault Zone. The combination of
these two trends has been interpreted to be en échelon
resulting in the formation of an asymmetric basin or
graben, as originally proposed by Coates (1972). A
series of subparallel north-trending faults are interpreted
to be regionally continuous structures that can be traced

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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2

by geophysics and topography for over 150 km north
into the area of the English Bay Complex. A series
of northwest-trending faults can be traced for similar
distances to the west into the Wabigoon Subprovince.
Apparent ﬂexures in the north-trending faults probably
represent intersections with northwest-trending faults.
Vertical displacements on these faults are varied (may
be up to 350 m) and are visible along the Black Sturgeon
River, interpreted by Coates (1972) to be the halfgraben hinge. There appears to have been little lateral
displacement on these faults based on the correlation of
the Archean iron formations that extend across Black
Sturgeon Lake (Hart and Magyarosi, 2004). Corridors
of north-trending faults cut, and may have controlled
the emplacement of, the Seagull and Disraeli peridotite
intrusions, and possibly the Hele peridotite intrusion.
19 km - turn right onto natural gas pipeline access
road on the north side of the highway and immediately
turn left and follow trail along the north side of the
highway. Proceed 200 m to the edge of the gravel pit

*

r

4

• 1.

'r

1

*:

and park vehicles. Walk for 115 m along trail heading
north and skirting the edge of the gravel pit.
Stop 1a - Rock Quarry
UTM coordinates – 0396320E 5416664N

This stop is located on the south side of a rock
quarry in a diabase sill which produced ﬁll for highway
construction.
This outcrop is the upper contact zone of the diabase
sill that extends to the south into the Big Squaw Creek
road cut. This contact zone is a relatively rare variant
of the typical chilled contact consisting of pebble sized,
rounded xenoliths of quartz and feldspar in a biotite-rich
ﬁne-grained diabase. Contact relationships observed to
the south, in the next stop, indicate that the diabase is
intruding sedimentary rocks of the Sibley Group. The
composition of the country rock probably inﬂuences
the formation of this relatively rare contact type, as the
diabase sills commonly have glassy chilled contacts.
This type of contact zone has been interpreted to be a
result of the partial melting and assimilation of country
rock xenoliths resulting in a quartz-feldspar restite and
a biotite-rich diabase. Similar quartz-feldspar xenoliths
in a hornfels carbonate-rich sediment are observed
along some contacts in the road cut to the south
suggesting that the presence of a carbonate-rich unit
may be important to the formation of this contact style.
However, a similar contact zone is present in a diabase
sill intruding rocks of the Quetico Subprovince without
any obvious evidence of Sibley sediments, about 10 km
southwest of Beardmore, near the Warnesford Quarry

—. '
__

7

4- fl'_.
4.

'C

Photo 1. The erosional valley of the Black Sturgeon River
following a northwest fault, with the Archean to the right
(east) and Hele Intrusion to the left (west). The valley is
approximately 800 m wide. Photo courtesy of J. Scott.

Stop 1a. Fine-grained, massive, biotitic diabase matrix
containing angular to subrounded pebble-sized xenoliths
of coarse-grained quartz and white to pinkish feldspar.
Markings on scale card are at 1 cm intervals.

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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2

SeE!

•% "tt'
Stop 1b. The east block of hornfels units of the Rossport Formation surrounded by diabase sill along the north side of
Highway 11/17.

on the CNR railway.
In other areas, intrusion of diabase and ultramaﬁc
sills into carbonate-rich Sibley sediment has resulted
in the formation of variolitic sills with a chilled margin
composed in part by densely packed ﬁne varioles and a
core of widely spaced large varioles. Variolitic textures
have been observed southwest of Moraine Lake, in a
sill cut by diamond drill hole NI92-7 located west of
Disraeli Lake, and in and drill hole HE02-01 below the
Hele Intrusion.
Return to the highway and turn right.
Proceed west for 600 m, driving past the outcrop,
located on the north side of the highway, and turn left
into the entrance to a private dump to park.
Stop 1b - Big Squaw Creek road cut
UTM coordinates – 0396114E 5416374N

A diabase sill which has intruded and metamorphosed
blocks of Rossport Formation mudstone and dolostone
is exposed in a rockcut along the north side of Highway
11/17, in east Stirling Township. The eastern block
appears to have been lifted, resulting in a westerly dip,
with diabase intruding underneath and from the east (see
photo above). However, the block is abruptly truncated
by a vertical contact to the west, and a less then 25
cm thick sill intrudes along the bedding eastward from
this contact. The ambiguity of the injection direction
of the diabase may be a result of the rock cut being
oblique to the injection direction, and the block may
not be totally separated from the surrounding Sibley
Group. The western block is composed of sedimentary
rocks comparable in composition to those in the east

block but has a chaotic structure with no preservation
of bedding, and is probably a detached, deformed and
metamorphosed xenolith
Metamorphism in the sedimentary rocks decreases
away from the contact, and the sedimentary rocks
close to the contact contain an assemblage of diopside,
phlogopite, clinochlore, pargasite, and calcite (Hart,
2005). In some areas along the contact there are
irregular zones to isolated pebble sized clasts of quartz
and microcline within the calc-silicate hornfels. The
quartz and microcline may represent a partial melt
of the sedimentary rocks by the diabase, and may be
equivalent to the xenoliths observed at the previous
stop.
A calc-silicate hornfels or skarn (Meinert, 1992) may
be developed along the contact between the diabase
sills and the Sibley Group sedimentary rocks, but is
ubiquitous along the contacts between the peridotites
and Sibley Group contacts (Hart, 2005). Where present,
the hornfels is varied in width, extending up to 10 m
into the sedimentary rocks, although an approximately
60 m thick layer of hornfels occurs in the Rossport
Formation between the two diabase sills in diamonddrill hole ST02-01 (Hart and Magyarosi, 2004). The
effects of metamorphism are most pronounced in the
Rossport Formation, with the mudstone and siltstones
beds commonly developing a light green, mauve,
reddish gray to light gray banding. Dolomite-rich beds
form light green, white to buff marbles dependent on
the original mud content. Radial texture in 3 to 8 cm
wide zones occur along some sill contacts, with radially
oriented amphibole of the 0.2 to 0.5 cm in diameter.

- 95 -

During his regional study of the Nipigon diabas sills,

�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2

Sutcliffe (1986) identiﬁed two common assemblages of
ﬁne-grained, calc-silicate minerals, calcite-tremoliteforsterite (clinochlore) and calcite-diopside-fosterite at
lower and higher metamorphic grades, respectively. The
forsterite is altered to serpentine. No dolomite and only
minor quartz were observed. Rogala (2001) completed
a study of interbedded mudstones and dolomites of the
cyclic facies of the Channel Island Member and lower
Middlebrun Bay Member of the Rossport Formation,
intersected by diamond drill hole NI92-5 located west
of Disraeli Lake. These rocks contained a mineral
assemblage of pargasite, tremolite, talc, clinochlore,
calcite and barite with varying amounts of hematite and
apatite, halite, sylvite, gypsum and dolomite. The halite
and sylvite were interpreted to be a result of evaporite
minerals present in the Sibley Group and the presence
of these minerals probably controlled the formation of
pargasite (Rogala, 2001). The barite was interpreted
to have been introduced into the Sibley Group by later
ﬂuid associated with the lead-zinc veining.
Rogala (2001) noted that one sill contact had a thin
band of pyrite with chalcopyrite, magnetite, ilmenite,
galena, and rare gold and silver. High gold has been
noted in a sample from the McVicars Resources Muskrat
Lake diamond drill hole ML01-3 at 239.8 m and also
in samples from along the shore of Lake Nipigon
(A. Richardson, MSc student, Lakehead University,
personal communication, 2004). Past workers have
suggested that the copper mineralization may be related
to the intrusion of the diabase or ultramaﬁc intrusions
(e.g., Coates, 1972). However, it is not clear if the
metals are igneous or sedimentary in origin.
The diabase is commonly medium brown to brownish
grey, massive, medium- to coarse-grained feldspar
and pyroxene with trace to 3% olivine and 1 to 2%
magnetite. Medium- to coarse-grained diabase forms
the majority of the sills and generally lacks a sub-ophitic
or diabasic texture and should properly be classiﬁed as
gabbro, but to avoid confusion with other intrusions
in the area the diabase classiﬁcation has been applied
to all rocks associated with the sills. Portions of this
outcrop contain ophitic textures consisting of pyroxene
oikocrysts up to 2 cm in diameter, and in diamond drill
hole the coarse-grained ophitic textured diabase is often
interlayered with sub-ophitic diabase. Calculations by
Sutcliffe (1986) suggested that the diabase sills were
emplaced at shallow crustal levels, at a lithostatic load
of between 0.06 and 0.43 kilobars. The sills were
estimated to have crystallized over a temperature range

of 1100° to 800°C, adjacent wall rocks were estimated
to have reached 665°C, and the metamorphic mineral
assemblages suggest temperatures of above 540°C.
26.5 km - west along Highway 11/17, and turn right
on to the Stewart Lake Road - reset.
5.9 km follow the Stewart Lake Road for 4.2 km
north and then west after a right-angled turn for an
additional 1.7 km. Turn right onto the Fowlkes Lakes
Road - reset.
2.9 km – north on the Fowlkes Lakes Road to where
a skidder trail departs to the west.
Stop 2 - Hele Peridotite
UTM coordinates – 0386762E 5420119N

Park the trucks and proceed by foot along the skidder
trail for 500 m to the outcrop.
Located in the southeast corner of Hele Township,
the Hele Intrusion covers approximately 40 km2 and
has a maximum thickness of 130 m, as deﬁned by
diamond drilling Peridotite is very poorly exposed
in the central portion of the body, east of Driftstone
Lake, and is interlayered with olivine gabbro and
feldspathic peridotite in diamond drill core. The
peridotite is best exposed in an area of clear cut logging
located on the northern edge of Stirling Township as a
highly weathered and serpentinized rock with a high
magnetic susceptibility overlain by a diabase sill. The
peridotite is dark green, medium to coarse-grained,
massive, variably ophitic, and composed of olivine
and pyroxene with variable plagioclase and trace to
1% ﬁne-grained reddish brown mica (Hart, 2005).
Numerous, subparallel serpentine and chlorite-rich
fractures result in a banded or layered appearance to
the otherwise massive peridotite. Contacts between
the peridotite, feldspathic peridotite and olivine gabbro
observed in diamond drill core are generally gradual
transitions in grain size and olivine and plagioclase
content. There appears to be more than one band
of peridotite interlayered with the melagabbro and
feldspathic peridotite suggesting internal subdivisions
similar to the Seagull Intrusion.
The Hele Intrusion appears to be a relatively ﬂatlying sill intruding the Sibley Group with no known
feeder zone, although there are fewer diamond drill
holes with which to constrain the geometry of the
intrusion. Geophysical inversion modelling of the
airborne magnetic data by Desmond Rainsford

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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2

grained, reddish brown mica is common in the olivine
melagabbro in the central areas of the intrusion. An
absence or very low abundance of mica and a lower
concentration of olivine in the olivine gabbro which
forms the northern portion and margins of the intrusion
makes it difﬁcult to distinguish these rocks from the
olivine-bearing diabase sills. The gabbro contains pods
of monzogabbro in outcrop (see photo below) and is
interbanded with monzogabbro in the upper portion of
the diamond drill holes.

-

It

Stop 2. Example of parallel fractures ﬁlled with serpentine
and minor biotite in the peridotite of the Disraeli Intrusion.
Pencil is approximately 15 cm long.

(geophysicist, Ontario Geological Survey) supports
this interpretation (Hart, 2005). Inversion modelling
of the ground gravity data indicated the presence of
an anomaly located along the western edge of the
surface expression of the intrusion and extending to the
southwest. This anomaly may represent an extension
of the ultramaﬁc intrusion, but recent diamond drill
results in the area of the Seagull Intrusion intersected a
magnetite rich skarn associated with a similar gravity
anomaly.
The Seagull Intrusion hosts PGE mineralization and
differs from the Hele Intrusion in having a lopolithic
shape, and intruding along or close to the contact
between the Quetico Subprovince and the Sibley
Group. The central portion of the intrusion appears
to be saucer-shaped, but this may be a product of
post-intrusion faulting, and a ﬂat-lying sill along the
periphery of the body. An underlying, or peripheral,
feeder structure for the Seagull Intrusion has not yet
been identiﬁed.

The monzogabbro, or granophyre, is generally
medium to coarse-grained, and massive with a variable
amphibole content and distinctive pink feldspar or
groundmass that occur in irregular shaped pods up
to a metre in diameter. These pods are best exposed
along the logging trails in the northeast portion of the
intrusion, and are hosted by medium to ﬁne-grained
olivine gabbro containing minor pink feldspar. Less
commonly, the monzogabbro is ﬁne-grained, and
massive reddish pink with minor quartz. This type of
monzogabbro is present in irregular pods and dykelets
with sharp contacts, with and without the coarser grained
monzogabbro, in the western portion of the intrusion.
Some of the best examples are in the central part of the
intrusion, close to a small exposure of Sibley Group
sedimentary rock that is in contact with the upper portion
of the intrusion. In diamond drill core, the two types
of monzogabbro are generally closely associated and
in some examples the ﬁner grained variety is rimmed
by the coarser grained rock. The abundance of pink
feldspar correlates with elevated K2O values, and has
been interpreted to be the result of the assimilation of

6.3 km – junction with the Driftstone Road and turn
right - reset.
3.9 km – east along the Driftstone Road.
Stop 3 - Hele Intrusion - olivine gabbro
UTM coordinates – 0390358E 5424134N

The olivine gabbro to olivine melagabbro forms
much of the exposed area of the Hele Intrusion. The
gabbro is ﬁne to medium-grained, medium to dark
green, massive and composed of pyroxene, up to 30%
plagioclase, and up to 40% olivine. Trace to 1% ﬁne

•i

:•

Stop 3. Contact between olivine gabbro and an irregular pod
of monzogabbro / granophyre, in the western portion of the
Hele Intrusion. The pen magnet is approximately 16 cm
long.

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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2

Sibley Group sedimentary rocks (Hart and Magyarosi,
2004). The ﬁner grained monzogabbro may be a poorly
assimilated sediment xenolith and the coarser grained
monzogabbro may be the result of assimilation of the
volatile rich sedimentary rocks.
Turn vehicles around and return by the same route
to the corner of the Driftstone Road and the Stewart
Lake Road 10.2 km to the south.
Turn right onto the Stewart Lake Road.
3.8 km - Stewart Lake Road ends at the Black
Sturgeon Road.
Turn right onto the Black Sturgeon Road and drive
3.3 km north.

contact of the sill is evident, which appears to be a
result of later movement along a northwest-trending
structure. Joints are rare in the outcrops forming the
interior of the sills, and when present are generally
linear in nature. The column-like jointing is probably
a result of late stage fracturing of the cooling magma
combined with later fault activity rather than a true
columnar jointing.
20.3 km – this portion of the Black Sturgeon Road
is underlain by units of the Sibley Group and outcrops
are rare.
Stop 5 - Eagle Mountain
UTM coordinates – 0385387E 5433471N

Stop at the 20.3 km in the open space on the east
side of the road for a view of Eagle Mountain.

Stop 4 - Black Sturgeon Road
UTM coordinates – 0385313E 5418737N

Stop at kilometer 9 of the Black Sturgeon Road
and look to the east across the clear cut, a diabase sill
intrudes the Rossport Formation of the Sibley Group.
Jointing in the diabase sills may be either arcuate
or linear. The arcuate joints formed by cooling of the
magma vary in strike direction by up to 70° and are
commonly observed on horizontal surfaces. Jointing is
best exposed in an area to the north, of the clear cut
within the 1999 burn. Jointing located close to the sill
contacts forms crude polygon joint patterns with “T”
or ﬂattened “Y” junctions, and the interiors of the sills
lack the “Y” junctions commonly present in polygonal
jointed unit (e.g., Aydin and DeGraff, 1988). This lack
of “Y” junctions suggests a slow cooling rate which
would be in agreement with the 315 to 560 year cooling
times for the sills estimated by Sutcliffe (1986).
Looking to the northeast, an offset in the basal

Eagle Mountain is an approximately 10 km long
ridge located west of the Black Sturgeon River and
is the ﬁrst of a series of north-trending fault bounded
ridges located further west. The ridges are commonly
capped by a diabase sill that has intruded units of
the Kama Hill Formation. The lower portions of the
ridges are generally poorly exposed but appear to
be composed of units of the Rossport Formation. In
some areas, as in Eagle Mountain, a second diabase
sill intrudes the lower portions of the ridge. There
were three diamond drill holes that were completed
on the lower slope of Eagle Mountain that provide a
stratigraphic section though the lower portion of the
Sibley Group. Two of these holes intersected a maﬁc
dyke, which is also exposed in a ravine on the central
portion of the ridge. The 5 to 10 m wide ﬁne-grained
massive dyke dips approximately 50° south. This dyke
appears to be related to a series of ﬁne grained maﬁc
sills with a higher olivine content. Although, these sills

Stop 4. Nipigon diabase sill intruding units of the Rossport Formation located along the Black Sturgeon Road. Photo is
looking to the southeast.
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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2

within the wackes (Hart and Magyarosi, 2004). The
presence of andalusite, with minor cordierite, suggests
a low pressure, high temperature metamorphic event
possibly related to the emplacement of the felsic
intrusive rocks. The andalusite pseudomorphs are
partially replaced by a mica indicating some degree of
retrograde metamorphism.

Stop 5. Looking north from the top of Eagle Mountain, with
units of the Kama Hill Formation intruded, overlain, by a
diabase sill. The sill – sediment contact is approximately
along the upper tree line in the cliff.

are geochemically similar to the ultramaﬁc intrusions,
they do not appear to be associated with any known
ultramaﬁc intrusion (Hart, 2005; Richardson and
Hollings, 2005).
22.5 km – (km 26 on the Black Sturgeon Road) turn
right at the load levelers, on to the Camp 42 Road reset.
14.1 km - continue east and then north on the Camp
42 Road until the junction with the Church Road reset.

These metasedimentary rocks closely resemble
the clastic metasedimentary rocks of the Quetico and
Wabigoon subprovinces in the Beardmore area, east
of Lake Nipigon (Hart et al., 2002a). For this reason,
these rocks are interpreted to have accumulated in
a trench environment of an accretionary complex
comparable to the depositional environment of the
Beardmore-Geraldton greenstone belt (e.g., Williams,
1989). The transition from the southern Wabigoon to
Quetico subprovince is located approximately 25 km
to the north, where a series of iron formations appear
to correlate with the iron formations of the BeardmoreGeraldton belt (e.g., Sutcliffe, 1986). However, the iron
formation exposed on the east side of Black Sturgeon
Lake (Hart and Magyarosi, 2004) is comparable to the
chert-magnetite iron formation in the Mawn Lake area
(Coates, 1972) rather than the chert poor units of the
Beardmore area.
Turn vehicles around
7 km - proceed back along the Church Road to the
junction with the Camp 42 Road

7 km – north along the Church Road.
Stop 6 - Andalusite schist

0.750 km – trail to left, proceed south up hill along
the trail

These rocks consist of metamorphosed feldspathic
wacke, lithic wacke, and siltstone with metamorphic
grade increasing progressively toward the south (Hart
2005). The metawackes and metasiltstones are light
grayish brown to medium gray, with 3 to 30 cm thick
beds, and a schistosity parallel to bedding resulting in
the variable preservation of original textures. These
rocks commonly contain 5 to 10% biotite, trace to 1%
very ﬁne-grained garnet and, a trace subhedral mineral
tentatively identiﬁed as cordierite. Speciﬁc bands are
composed of individual to multiple beds containing
10 to 15% coarse- to very coarse-grained, subhedral to
euhedral andalusite. The andalusite occurs disseminated
through some beds and occasionally concentrated along
parallel bands that appear to represent the original
bedding plane. This distribution probably reﬂects the
distribution of clay minerals, with higher Al2O3 content,

0.200 km – park and walk right, to the west, for
~10 m

S

UTM coordinates – 0388613E 5449432N

Stop 6. Coarse-grained andalusite pseudomorphs in
metamorphosed feldspathic wackes and siltstones of the
Quetico Subprovince.

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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2

Stop 7a - Granite – Diabase Contact
UTM coordinates – 0390536 E 5442913N

The contact between the leucocratic muscovite granite
of the Quetico Subprovince and the Mesoproterozoic
diabase sill of the Nipigon Sill Complex is exposed in
this ﬂat-lying outcrop. The medium to coarse-grained
leucocratic muscovite granite occurs are rounded
xenoliths up to 20 cm in length in the chill zone of the
diabase sill (see photo below). The sills is composed of
a ﬁne to very ﬁne-grained, glomeroporphyritic diabase
with polygonal jointing and some area have the glassy
chill zone preserved. This outcrop is interpreted to be
the upper contact of the diabase sill which is dipping
shallowly to the north, and the hill to the southwest is
capped to the same diabase sill. This same sill caps the
hill above the outcrop at stop 7b.
About 20 m to the right or east of the trail, an
outcrop of the Quetico Subprovince granite is cut by a
northeast-trending, approximately 8 cm wide, aphanitic
diabase dyke. Dykes may occur close to the diabase sill
contacts generally extending for less than a few metres,
but may in some cases extend for a few tens of metres.
This dyke is though to be injected from the diabase sill
which is located beneath this outcrop.
1.60 km – return to the Camp 42 Road and continue
back to the gravel pits.
Stop 7b - Pegmatite and Nipigon Sill
UTM coordinates – 0389764E 5442111N

The west dipping outcrop consists of a muscovite
granite dyke intruding biotite schists, and the hill
above is capped by a diabase sill. Muscovite granite
dykes in this area are generally a few metres in width
but may be up to a few tens of metres wide, and are
usually irregular in form and orientation although
generally following the fabric of the surrounding
country rock. This outcrop is composed of pegmatitic
quartz, potassium feldspar, and plagioclase with
graphic intergrowths of quartz and feldspar. Black,
coarse-grained to pegmatitic tourmaline occurs as
tabular grains and as graphic intergrowths with quartz.
Fine grained subhedral, blue-green apatite occurs as
an accessory mineral located along the contacts with
the biotite schist country rock. This dyke is one of
a number of dykes intruding the metamorphic rocks
adjacent to the leucocratic muscovite granite.
A body of leucocratic muscovite granite occurs
to the north and northwest and is light gray, pinkish
gray, to white, massive, and medium to very coarsegrained with occasional pegmatitic sections, composed
of quartz and potassium feldspar, and plagioclase with
typically less than 5% muscovite (Hart, 2005). Irregular
to tabular shaped xenoliths of metasedimentary and
schistose rocks up to a few metres in diameter are
present through out, but appear to be more common to
wards the margins of the body. Numerous muscovite
granite dykes intrude the massive body and may
constitute up to 30% of the outcrop. These dykes are
commonly a few metres in width, but may be up to a

The outcrop is located approximately 300 m east of
the road, and is accessible by a trail leading from the
back of the small gravel pit.

Stop 7a. Xenoliths of Quetico granite in the glassy chill zone
of a Nipigon diabase sill.

Stop 7b. Black tourmaline in the leucocratic muscovite
granite dyke.

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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2

dykes contain intergrowths of tourmaline and quartz,
and muscovite and quartz commonly observed in
rocks that have been classiﬁed as fertile granites, or
granites that have the potential to host rare-element
mineralization (Breaks et al., 2003). Additional work
is on-going to characterise these bodies. The muscovite
leucogranite occurs along the regional trend extending
from Georgia-Barbara lakes area, about 60 km to the
northeast, to the DeCourcey Lake and Onion Lake
areas, approximately 45 km to the southwest (Breaks
et al., 2003), and this area may represent a similar
concentration of fertile granites.
Stop 7b. Northeast dipping diabase sill observed to the west
of the pegmatitic dyke outcrop.

few tens of metres. The granite dykes are composed of
pegmatitic quartz, potassium feldspar, and plagioclase
and frequently contain graphic intergrowths of quartz
and feldspar, black, coarse-grained to pegmatitic,
tabular tourmaline usually graphically intergrown with
quartz and plumose intergrowths of muscovite-quartz.
Trace to 1% ﬁne-grained, disseminated, subhedral,
reddish brown garnet, ﬁne grained light green mica or
rosy quartz was identiﬁed in a few of the dykes.
Contact relationships suggest that the leucocratic
muscovite granite and pegmatite dykes intruded the
country rocks rather than being products of partial
melting of the host country rocks. However, the initial
mode of formation is not known and these rocks may
have formed by partial melting of sedimentary rocks
at depth.
The pegmatitic, muscovite leucogranite body and

Looking west across the valley, a diabase sill can
be observed to dip shallowly to the northeast, whereas
along the Black Sturgeon River the same sill can be
observed to dip shallowly east (see Photo below).
The shallow inward dipping orientation of this sill,
forming a broad saucer with a width of about 5 km,
is also visible in the airborne magnetic pattern (Fig.
11) (Ontario Geological Survey 2004). A number of
these saucer-shaped sills, with widths of up to 6 km
and interiors occupied by older rock types, are evident
from airborne magnetic surveys both in this area and
in sills intruding Archean rocks of the Wabigoon
Subprovince to the northeast and northwest. Variation
in sill orientation over short distances is common in
other maﬁc sill complexes (e.g., Tasmania: Leaman,
1975; Karoo: Chevailler and Woodford, 1999). This
change in orientation may be due to a number of factors
including a change in orientation of the principal stress
direction (Gretener, 1969) during sill emplacement,
and the sill may follow pre-existing structures such
as faults. There appear to be at least three major sills
(100 to ~250 m), and possibly a number of thinner (5
to 25 m) sills in the area, based on a combination of
outcrop and diamond drill hole information. However,
correlation between outcrops and diamond-drill holes
is complicated by the saucer shape of some sills, the
presence of block faulting that may post-date sill
emplacement, and the lack of distinctive geochemical
differences between the sills.
12 km – back to the junction of the Camp 42 and
Black Sturgeon roads
26 km – south to Highway 11/17 along the Black
Sturgeon Road – bypassing the Stewart Lake Road

Figure 11. First vertical derivative of the total ﬁeld magnetic
data the inward dipping saucer shaped diabase sill. Star
marks the location of ﬁeld trip Stop 7.
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�Proceedings of the 51st ILSG Annual Meeting - Part 2

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